USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1957 > Part 3
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Following the instructions of the votes of town meetings in 1957 the board signed the contract to join the M.D.C. system on August 28, 1957. The contract for the construction of the 20-inch main within the town from the Melrose-Wakefield line to the corner of Main and Nahant Streets was signed December 3, 1957. Work under this contract started the follow- ing week. Completion of the connection with the M.D.C. with the neces- sary pumping facilities is expected about July 1, 1958.
Since Crystal Lake, our largest reservoir, had not recovered sufficiently to permit resumption of pumping operations by the end of 1957, permission to continue the use of Lake Quannapowitt until June 30, 1958 was granted by the state.
On July 10, 1957 the board established a new schedule of water rates effective with the November 1st billing. The new rates are about double the previous charges. By law, the water division must be self supporting, therefore the revision was necessary to provide funds to meet operating expenses including the increase in maturing bond and interest payments.
The town dump off North Avenue was closed on October 9, 1957 and the contract signed permitting Wakefield residents to use the town of Saugus dump.
The director has established an efficient engineering division.
We refer to the report of the Director of Public Works, which follows our report, for the detailed description of the work of the various divisions.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
SABATINO BENEDETTO, Chairman GEORGE F. GARDNER, Secretary WILLIAM T. THISTLE JOSEPH J. NOLAN HARRY H. DENNING
34
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
The department was faced with an increasingly difficult problem as the year 1957 progressed. In an attempt to provide better service for more people at less cost, the department was attempting to carry out all of the projects voted at the Annual Town Meeting with its own labor force and equipment. This plan was hampered to a great extent by recurring fires and the problems resulting therefrom at the town dump, and the increas- ing shortage of water in the town. In addition, some of the personnel had to adjust themselves to tasks and responsibilities with which they were unfamiliar or, at the best, unaccustomed to performing. However, for the most part, the work load was completed for the year and a savings in ex- penditures for specific work was definitely accomplished. The details of the work program are included as submitted by each division supervisor.
It is virtually impossible to describe the thought, time and physical effort that the department personnel went through in order to keep the Town of Wakefield supplied with water during the past year. It is impos- sible to list the many measures taken, and the many emergencies that arose through the year. The proof of the efficiency and mostly of the feeling of responsibility of the men lies in the fact that water was avail- able to the town at all times. With the connection now being made to the M.D.C. system the town should be assured of an adequate water supply for the immediate future.
GEORGE R. WINTERS,
Director Public Works
ENGINEERING DIVISION
A reorganized Engineering Department has tried to furnish all town departments with the engineering services requested. Lines and grades for sewerage, drainage, roadway and sidewalk construction has kept a crew in the field at all times. Preliminary surveys for: the Lake Quanna- powitt Pumping Station, the new M.D.C. pumping station, a possible dump site, and many other projects under consideration have been made by the department. A weekly check on the drawdown and recovery of the town's lakes has been maintained. A survey of the route for the M.D.C. water mains was made and plans turned over to the consulting engineers. Plans and specifications were drawn up for the water main construction in Fells- mere, Clifton and Lotus Avenues. This contract was let and work began within 30 days.
Cost estimates and articles for the 1958 warrant have been made for all projects contemplated for construction next year. Studies for extend- ing sewerage and drainage are being made in many areas.
The office staff has checked every plan in the files, and many of the missing plans are back in the files. A comprehensive master index is be- ing set up to expedite filing and reference tasks. House numbers are now obtained directly from the Engineering Department on a triplicate form. Copies are then sent to other town departments. Several short streets have been renumbered, but the other requests will be considered as soon as possible. These streets are scheduled to be renumbered: Water Street, lower Main Street, Nahant Street and North Avenue.
35
146TH ANNUAL REPORT
Construction plans for Green Street have been started so that recon- struction can begin as soon as utilities are installed. Construction plans for 1958 projects are ready for drafting after Town Meeting action is voted. It is hoped to purchase a new level to expedite construction jobs. It is also planned to draw up master plans showing all town utilities, so that future projects can be readily determined as to need and scope.
DAVID E. BEEDE,
Town Engineer
MOTH AND TREE DIVISION
During the year we lost one hundred and fifty trees throughout the town due to the Dutch elm disease and other causes.
We planted one hundred and fifty maples on various streets throughout the town. Part of these trees were later lost due to the dry weather and insufficient water to care for them.
Dutch elm disease is still at a steady incline. Most of our trees with this disease have been removed.
We found few gypsy moth, tent caterpillars and satin moths, but the Japanese beetles have increased in many areas.
We sprayed our elms twice with our mist blower. Because of the fact that the elm bark beetle, the carrier of the Dutch elm disease, hibernates in dead and dying elmwood, I respectfully ask the co-operation of all prop- erty owners with dead and dying elms to destroy, or put under cover, all elmwood. There is a statute law which states that this wood cannot be left in the open with the bark attached.
ERNEST J. McWHINNIE,
Supervisor
PARK DIVISION
The following work was completed during the calendar year 1957. Park Improvements:
The erection of a chain link backstop at Maple Way Playground, a chain link guard fence at Moulton Field and a chain link enclosure for the tennis courts at Veterans' Field.
The tennis courts at Moulton Playground have been hot topped, these improvements were completed by our own department.
The installation of approximately 350 feet of a five foot gravel walk was completed at the Hall Park. The loaming and seeding of the area adjacent to the parking lot was also completed, approximately 2,320 square yards, and 68 linear feet of eighteen inch reinforced concrete drain pipe was replaced.
Approximately 400 square yards of the Colonel Connelly Park has been loamed and rough graded, and the Little League Field at Farm Street has been fine graded at the base lines and infield.
36
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Extensive painting of the interior of the bathhouse was completed this past season and many interior structural changes were made.
The swimming season was curtailed due to the closing of Lake Quan- napowitt. Red Cross water safety classes were completed with 160 children receiving certificates.
J. HENRY VIK, Supervisor
CEMETERY DIVISION
The following permanent improvements were completed at the Forest Glade Cemetery :
The installation of sixty-eight feet of 18 inch reinforced concrete drain pipe with preparations completed for an additional one hundred ninety feet.
The placing of approximately 1,500 cubic yards of various types of fill. Approximately 740 square yards of avenues were hot topped.
Approximately 3,900 square yards of avenue fine graded, and surfaced with two coats of asphalt. Final coat covered with stone.
The following statistics are from 1957 cemetery records:
Sales of Lots and Graves-Interments-Foundations
59 Foundations for monuments installed
Lots and Graves Sold
9 Single Graves
26 Two Grave Lots
5 Three Grave Lots
4 Four Grave Lots
1 Six Grave Lot
1 Twelve Grave Lot
Interments
18 Children 4 years old and under
94 Adults and others.
J. HENRY VIK, Supervisor
WATER DIVISION
WATER MAIN EXTENSIONS
By Town
Foster Street, 160 feet of 6 inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From Albion Street to existing 2" line front of K. of C. Bldg., on Foster Street). New Salem Street, 280 feet of 8 inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From existing dead end to intersection of Preston and New Salem Streets).
Preston Street, 68 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe. (From existing dead end to tie into New Salem Street).
37
146TH ANNUAL REPORT
North Avenue, 317 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe. (From dead end to Quannapowitt Boulevard).
Quannapowitt Boulevard, 1850 feet of 8 inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From North Avenue to American Mutual Insurance building).
Greenwood Street (Melrose line), 51 feet of 8 inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From Melrose line to existing main).
Nelson Road, 54 feet of 8 inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From existing dead end to take care of new home).
Catalpa Street, 82 feet of 6 inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From existing dead end East to new dead end).
HYDRANTS BROKEN-4
Plymouth Road Broadway, front of No. 177 Water Street, near Wiley Street
Eunice Circle, at No. 63
HYDRANTS REPLACED-4
Fitch Court, at end Nichols Street, cor. Eustis Avenue
Richardson Avenue, front of No. 26
Richardson Avenue, front of Telephone Building
NEW HYDRANTS-2
Greenwood Street, Opp. No. 149
Quannapowitt Boulevard - at American Mutual Insurance Building
SERVICES
New Services-104
Services relaid during year-74
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land-2,111; number of feet of pipe laid on private land-4,193 (new services)
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land-1,268; number of feet of pipe laid on private land-1,489 (relays)
Distribution System:
Extended during the year - 2,862 feet, 6 inch and 8 inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Total miles of pipe now in use-72.31 Number of hydrants added-2
Range of pressure on mains-20 pounds to 115 pounds.
Number of service taps now in use-6,146 Percent of active services metered-99%
New suction lines into Crystal Lake were installed, consisting of 400 feet of 12 inch cement lined cast iron pipe; new intake cage was also built.
MAIN BREAKS - 1957
Date
Occurred
Water On
Size
Location
Cause
6/19/57
5:30 P.M.
1:30 A.M.
6/20/57
8" Cast Iron
Nelson Avenue Front #13 Byron St.
6/29/57
2:15 P.M.
6:45 P.M.
6" Cement Main
8/7/57
4:00 P.M.
9:30 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
! 1
9/16/57
10:45 A.M.
4:00 P.M.
2" Gal. Steel Pipe
12/11/57
6:00 P.M.
12:45 A.M. 12/12/57
8" Cast Iron
Opp. #10 Arundel Ave. (Cracked Pipe) Opp. #10 Karl Rd. (Occurred while installing sewer connection) Front of #34 Water St.
Main broken by Contractor Old age
Vibration Large stone under water main
Split main
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
38
1957 PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Lake Quannapowitt
Driven Wells
Bay State Wells
Stoneham
Melrose
Rainfall
January
32,145,000
17,051,800
1,672,350
3.18
February
29,220,000
15,295,900
1,473,650
1.41
March
33,815,000
16,476,400
1,410,580
2.49
April
30,335,000
16,673,900
5,900,300
3.18
May
40,025,000
16,540,000
5,528,240
2.81
June
40,830,000
15,235,800
4,878,510
1,990,150
1.28
July
22,680,000
14,210,000
4,542,460
7,236,350
2.18
August
13,710,000
16,431,100
10,462,700
4,265,200
455,250
94
September
14,050,000
19,223,300
5,346,800
3,918,330
5,608,500
.81
October
2,085,000
18,302,200
7,168,800
4,092,870
13,406,250
91
November
4,760,000
19,804,000
13,626,700
4,400,390
1,355,250
5.40
December
1,970,000
20,640,000
17,185,200
4,996,140
3.48
265,625,000
94,400,600
165,274,000
47,079,020
30,051,750
22,413,000
28.07
Total Pumped 1957
624,843,370
Average Daily Consumption 1957
1,711,900
Average Daily Per Capita 1957
77.41
-
146TH ANNUAL REPORT
39
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1956
PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State Wells
Rainfall
January
29,665,000
12,668,700
1,740,500
6.66
February
27,585,000
12,123,900
1,659,360
4.30
March
32,040,000
11,848,500
1,537,400
8.18
April
31,010,000
11,830,900
1,667,730
2.01
May
32,905,000
11,531,100
1,752,040
2.33
June
42,920,000
11,790,900
1,634,680
1.82
July
44,430,000
12,316,800
1,636,860
2.12
August
46,630,000
10,410,200
1,546,510
2.11
September
32,290,000
9,640,200
1,503,560
3.69
October
33,185,000
13,392,200
1,608,850
3.80
November
31,195,000
16,233,900
1,558,440
3.22
December
30,575,000
16,507,200
1,584,150
5.49
414,430,000
150,294,500
19,430,080
45.73
Total Pumped 1956
584,154,580
Average Daily Consumption 1956
1,596,050
Average Daily Per Capita 1956
72.03
SEWER DIVISION
CONSTRUCTION - 1957
By the Department
Foster's Lane - from existing dead end, westerly 334 feet to Vernon Street.
Vernon Street - from center line of Foster's Lane, 174 feet northerly to Fernwood Road.
Fernwood Road - from center line of Vernon Street 248 feet westerly to Robin and Hillcrest Roads.
Robin Road (East Br.) - from center line of Fernwood Road, 538 feet westerly to top of hill.
Hillcrest Road (East Br.) - from center line of Fernwood Road, 310 feet westerly to top of hill.
Greenwood Street - from Linden Street 592 feet northerly to Spring Street.
Green Street - from existing dead end in front of No. 80, northerly 224 feet.
Myrtle Avenue - from existing dead end in front of No. 28, southerly 143 feet.
Cooper Street - from center line of Grove Street easterly 106 feet.
Grove Street - from existing dead end in front of No. 1, 37 feet to center of Cooper Street.
Woodbriar Road - from center line of Hillcrest Road, 240 feet north- erly to center line of Robin Road.
41
146TH ANNUAL REPORT
Hillcrest Road (West Br.) - from center line of Woodbriar Road, 679 feet easterly to top of hill.
Robin Road (West Br.) - from center line of Woodbriar Road, 506 feet easterly to top of hill.
By Contractor Under Town Supervision
Melrose Terrace - 113 feet from trunk manhole easterly.
Parker Road (North of Route 128) - 75 feet from existing dead end westerly.
Connections
Connections made during the year - 152
Number of connections made to date - 3749
MATTHEW P. CURRAN,
Supervisor
REPORT OF HIGHWAY DIVISION
General maintenance costs for the principal items are as follows:
Patching
$ 14,154.73
Street Cleaning
2,649.30
Rubbish Collection and Care Dump
26,513.30
Repairs to Sidewalks
1,421.63
Rebuilding Sidewalks
6,662.96
New Sidewalks
9,605.91
Replace Curbing
4,660.38
Street Signs
3,046.98
Traffic Lines
1,411.05
Clean Catchbasins
3,715.29
Surface Treatment
21,624.58
Snow and Ice
33,716.21
Miscellaneous
1,255.62
Drainage
6,140.78
Pensions
3,884.38
Holidays and Vacations
5,558.96
Sick and Emergency Leave
2,175.69
Chapter 90 Maintenance for Surface Treatment
$ 4,500.00
Chapter 90 Construction for Water Street from Farm Street westerly
35,000.00
The following streets were given a surface treatment:
Chapter 90.
Vernon Street from Cordis Street to Water Street.
New Salem Street from Preston Street to Salem Street.
Salem Street from New Salem Street to Montrose Avenue.
Lowell Street from Vernon Street to North Main Street intersection. B. & M. R. R. parking lot - Tuttle Street.
Patching :
Labor 7,843.01
Maint.
6,311.72
42
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Street Cleaning :
Labor
Maint.
1,667.00 982.30
Street cleaning, includes the cleaning of streets in the spring prior to surface treatment and the business section four times a week.
Rubbish Collection & Care of Dump:
Labor Maint.
24,849.16
1,664.14
Miscel. Repairs to Sidewalks:
Labor
895.42
Maint.
526.21
This item is for the repairs to damaged sidewalks, removing curbing, installing corners and entrances to new homes.
Street Signs:
Labor
2,090.78
Maint.
956.20
This item includes the erection of new street signs, directional signs, traffic signs and painting of existing signs (all types).
Snow and Ice:
Labor
12,988.74
Maint.
20,727.47
Traffic Lines:
Maint.
1,411.05
This item includes all cross walks, center lines, bus stops, taxi stands, stop lines, all parking spaces and restricted curb markings. All traffic lines and markings are made to conform with State Highway Specifications. This work was done under contract.
Cleaning Catchbasins:
Labor
3,642.25
930 basins cleaned
Maint.
73.04
Miscellaneous:
Labor
1,201.97
Maint.
53.65
Drainage:
Labor
4,727.22
Maint.
1,413.56
Surface Treatment:
Labor
2,998.93
Maint.
18,625.65
Thirty-two streets were given a treatment of seal coat for a distance of 7.42 miles at a cost of $0.10 per square yard.
Streets given hot top surface (done under contract) :
Oak Street from Green Street to Oak Avenue.
Salem Street from Main Street to Vernon Street.
Richardson Avenue from North Avenue to Main Street.
Short Street from Salem Street to Vernon Street. Street Construction : Nichols Street.
43
146TH ANNUAL REPORT
New Sidewalks, Rebuilding Sidewalks and Replacing Curbing was done this year by the Highway Department:
New: 229 and 231 North Avenue
33 Sweetser Street
8 and 10 Cyrus Street
56 Cedar Street
50 and 52 Cordis Street
3, 7 and 9 Rockland Street
51 through 97 Preston Street
874 Main Street
Replaced :
90 through 100 North Avenue W. Chestnut Street (Railroad to Fairmount Avenue) Foundry Street from Albion Street to Maple Street 59 and 61 Emerson Street
41 and 43 Jordan Avenue
62 through 66 Pleasant Street 11-15, 19-21, 29-31 and 26-34 Park Street 7 through 19 Pearl Street
Curb Replaced :
Richardson Street from Herbert Street westerly to No. 22
Drainage:
Montrose Avenue
250' Hopkins Street 472'
Richardson Avenue 390' Brook Street 86'
Forest Glade Cemetery 164' Howard Street 54'
Clayton Foundry 42' Broadway at Plymouth Road 88'
Greenwood Street 160' Vernon Street at Fosters Lane 48'
Easement to Brook 204'
CARL G. CHELMAN,
Supervisor
IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE
WILLARD B. ATWELL
Superintendent of Schools, 1911-1947 Died February 17, 1957
MRS. EVA GOWING RIPLEY
Member of School Committee, 1910-1946 Secretary, 1930-1946 Died March 8, 1957
JULES I. PHILIE Supervising Principal, 1941-1957 Died April 6, 1957
There has passed away a glory from the earth. -William Wordsworth
44
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION - 1957
William W. Allyn, Chairman
1959
31 Robert Street
Henry F. Galvin, Secretary 1958
340 Albion Street
Mrs. Dorothea J. Wettergreen, Treasurer 1958
7 Newell Road
Lane W. Fuller 1959
59 Parker Road 1960
Mrs. Jean W. Beebe
142 Main Street
Henry B. McConville 1960
15 Forrester Road
Stanley Goodwin 1960
17 Pine Street
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The membership of the School Committee was increased to seven by the voters in 1956 to become effective in the annual election in 1957. Ac- cordingly, Mrs. Jean W. Beebe was reelected, and Mr. Henry B. McConville and Mr. Stanley Goodwin were elected for a three year term. At the first meeting in September, the following officers were chosen:
William W. Allyn, Chairman
Henry F. Galvin, Secretary Mrs. Dorothea J. Wettergreen, Treasurer
An unusual meeting was held in January when the Elementary Con- sultant and five Principals gave a comprehensive report of their educational work. It was emphasized during the presentation that "Reading" holds first place in the primary program.
Another meeting in February was attended by the Principals of the Senior and Junior High Schools, the Guidance Director and the Physical Education Director and officers of the Student Councils for each school. Dress and conduct were discussed which resulted in final approval of recom- mendations by the students and a vote by the Committee in September "that no dungarees or extreme hair cuts be allowed in the Junior or Senior High Schools and that students shall appear at school, at all times, dressed in a neat, orderly and inconspicuous way." It was recognized by the Com- mittee that the problem was not serious but that support should be given to the wishes of the students to correct certain flagrant cases.
A complete review of policies and regulations was made and is avail- able in booklet form to any interested citizens. In addition, certain changes in curricular regulations were adopted most important of which is the regu- lation that:
"Starting with the class of 1959, no pupil may be eligible to graduate unless he has earned 34 credits at the end of his Junior year. Each pupil must elect at least four subjects or the equivalent each year."
45
146TH ANNUAL REPORT
In April, the Committee accepted the recommendations of the High School Credits and Honors Committee as a basic policy. This will qualify the upper 10% of the Senior Class as honor students and will eliminate the traditional Valedictorian and Salutatorian honors.
The new method begins with the Sophomore Class of 1957 which will graduate in 1959. A direct result of this action was the first annual ban- quet for all honor students held in June and of a Wakefield Chapter in the National Honor Society. Recognition of this nature is considered condusive to higher scholastic attainment.
Committee members attended a seminar for School Committeemen at Boston University School of Education and have been active in their at- tendance at the New England School Development meetings as well as the area meetings for committeemen in this region. The Superintendent and other members have visited Parent-Teacher and other organizations to speak on educational subjects or to participate in panel discussions in order to acquaint the public with school information. Mr. Fuller, former chair- man was elected president of the Area 2 Committee group. Supt. Hender- shot was appointed treasurer of the State Committee Conference held in Boston last March.
Two important appointments were made this year in the selection of a Director of Music and a Director of Science to coordinate these programs through the elementary and high school grades.
A great deal of interest was shown in a report which revealed that 65% of our high school students are enrolled in science subjects. This is far in excess of the national average.
Considerable discussion and study of teachers' salaries resulted in the adoption by the Committee of the following salary schedule effective in September 1958:
Bachelor's Degree
Men 3700-5350
Women 3600-5250
Master's Degree
Men 4000-5650
Women 3800-5500
The schedule calls for increments of $200 for the first three steps and maximum figures to be reached at the end of the 12th step with an addi- tional $200 for teachers having fifteen years' service.
There were 4,629 students enrolled in Wakefield public schools as of September, 1957. Senior High 929, Junior High 1,054, and Elementary 2,646 which means the additions to the Dolbeare and Montrose schools were voted judiciously by citizens who must now consider the prompt erection of a new Junior High School. Double sessions will be necessary until this school is ready for occupancy.
WILLIAM W. ALLYN, Chairman HENRY F. GALVIN, Secretary MRS. DOROTHEA J. WETTERGREEN,
Treasurer MRS. JEAN W. BEEBE LANE W. FULLER HENRY B. McCONVILLE STANLEY C. GOODWIN
46
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Wakefield School Committee,
In my opinion, instruction has been improved, our curriculum has been enriched, the school building program is continually developing and ex- panding to meet the needs and the special services are being coordinated for greater efficiency.
Parents have expected the schools to provide special attention to those handicapped in vision, speech, or hearing. Special classes have been estab- lished for the mentally retarded and home instruction has been provided for the physically handicapped. Funds are provided by the state for the establishment of counsellors to aid the emotionally disturbed. These are all excellent and worthwhile, but it is time we took a long look at our pro- gram. Events of the past year clearly indicate that improvement is neces- sary in the training of our gifted or talented boys and girls. This human resource upon which our nation will depend so strongly in the future has not been given its fair share of attention.
A survey of grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 reveals that we have 84 boys and girls in these grades with intelligent quotients of over 130. This implies that these students are intellectually superior and have outstanding ability. The question we raise: Are we providing the type of program for the full de- velopment of their abilities? I believe that with the present working con- ditions of crowded classrooms a good job is being done. However, I feel strongly that special classes ought to and should be established for these students in the same way that classes are established for the physically or mentally handicapped. Only by so doing, can programs be devised that will insure the fullest educational and personality development of these gifted children.
We say that special classes for the gifted should be established. Never- theless, we must be realistic about the situation and recognize that to do so would cost considerable money. Classrooms are not available and with inflation playing its part on present programs, funds are not in sight. Until the financial stress is alleviated, we will continue to do everything possible in providing a program of enrichment for these boys and girls in their regular classroom.
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