USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1962 > Part 2
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Runaway boys cared for
21
Runaway girls cared for
10
Serious sickness signs put out
1
Sick and disabled people assisted
945
Street lights not burning
63
Traffic signs borrowed
4
Water running to waste
19
Wires burning trees
2
NUMBER OF DUTY CALLS:
Number of ambulance cases
659
Miles covered by ambulance
7,415
Miles covered by Car #91
37,968
Miles covered by Car #92
15,819
Miles covered by Car #94
32,263
Miles covered by Car #95
8,597
Miles covered by Car #96
182
Miles covered by Motorcycle #1
7,761
Miles covered by Motorcycle #2
1,014
Miles covered by Safety Car
4,190
Number of Duty Calls
70,502
Legal papers served for out-of-town departments
632
Legal papers served for our department
532
Three-way summonses issued
1,810
MONEY COLLECTED AND TURNED OVER TO TOWN:
Ambulance bills
$ 365.00
Bicycle registrations
69.10
Firearms-Licenses to carry
178.00
Firearms-Licenses to deal in
40.00
Photocopies of records
690.50
Sanitary machine
9.80
Taxi-Licenses to operate
204.00
TOTAL $1,556.40
MONEY TURNED OVER TO COURT OR COMPLAINANT:
Non-support
$ 708.00
Restitution
3,109.12
TOTAL $3,817.12
During the year 1962, Lieutenant George B. DeRoche and Patrolman John T. Curran retired from the Police Department. Patrolman Valentino Rufo resigned from the department to accept employment elsewhere.
18
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Lieutenant DeRoche, who retired on February 21, 1962, was first ap- pointed to the Wakefield Police Department as a permanent intermittent police officer on November 16, 1916, and served the department honorably for over forty-five years as patrolman, sergeant and lieutenant. He also served as Acting Chief of Police for several periods of time.
John T. Curran retired on September 1, 1962, due to a physical dis- ability, after eighteen years with the department as a patrolman, having been appointed a reserve officer on May 1, 1944. Valentino Rufo was ap- pointed a reserve patrolman on July 14, 1952, and resigned on March 7, 1962.
William Upton was appointed a permanent patrolman as of March 1, 1962, Robert Malonson as of April 1, 1962, and John Tecce as of October 1, 1962. These three men filled the vacancies in the department.
The Main Street Chevrolet Company, following its policy of the last few years, donated a 1962 station wagon to the department for use as a safety car. In 1962, the department purchased a 1962 sedan as a Chief's car and a 1962 station wagon as a cruiser. Both these cars replaced older, uneconomical equipment.
The filing system in present use at the police station is cramped for space and outmoded. It is hoped that, in 1964, a revision of space can be arranged to provide for a new records room and that modern filing equip- ment can be installed.
I wish to thank all those that have been of assistance to us in the performance of our duties during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. MERRITT WENZEL Chief of Police
Report of Chief of Fire Department
During the year this department has responded to 855 alarms divided as follows: 170 Box Alarms and 685 Still Alarms.
Estimate of Property Endangered
$359,195.00
Insurance on Property Endangered
335,020.00
Loss on Property
61,959.89
Insurance Paid on Loss
49,165.43
Transit Value
22,802.00
Transit Loss
2,493.75
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM P. HURTON Chief of Fire Department
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
During the year there was a total of 137 grass and woods fires. Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM P. HURTON
Forest Warden
19
151ST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Plumbing Inspector
The annual report of the Plumbing Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1962 is as follows:
Number of Permits issued
204
Number of Fixtures installed
1,024
Gas storage-hot water heaters
46
Electric storage hot water heaters
3
Oil storage-hot water heaters
3
Hot water tanks
2
Tankless heaters
58
Water Closets
231
Lavatories
254
Bath tubs
125
Showers
19
Urinals
8
Sinks
132
Laundry Trays
7
Dish Washers
16
Disposals
7
Washing Machines
59
Drinking Fountains
5
Drains
11
Traps
1
Soda Fountains
3
X-Ray Developing Tank
1
Ice-Making Machine
1
Sewer Connections
26
Cesspools
6
Fees for permits
$913.00
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH G. SHAW Inspector of Plumbing
20
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Building Inspector
I submit the following report of my activities for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Building permits granted
160
Sets of plans for new houses, schools, alterations and additions approved 146
Building inspections made
1833
New dwellings
52
Inspections with State Inspector
3
Buildings condemned
6
Inspections with Fire Chief
18
Inspections of Fire Jobs
16
Complaints investigated
130
Complaints investigated regarding Zoning By-Laws
110
Violations of Zoning Laws checked
109
Public Halls inspected
6
Lodging Houses inspected
4
Sign inspections
42
Shingle permits issued
18
Sidewalk permits issued
21
Elevators inspected
24
Fire escapes inspected
2
Buildings moved
1
Buildings razed
15
Convalescent Homes inspected
6
Permits refused
31
Board of Appeals meetings attended
29
Miles driven
5549
Calls received at home after hours
215
Permit fees received
$735.00
PERMIT VALUATION FOR LAST SIX YEARS
1957
$1,126,896
1960
$2,024,560
1958
1,483,684
1961
2,522,908.62
1959
3,671,570
1962
1,195,850
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK A. TREDINNICK
Building Inspector
21
151ST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Wire Inspector
I submit the following report of my activities for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Permits granted
664
Inspections made
1393
Inspections approved
673
Temporary service permits
21
Temporary approvals (service only)
49
Change in service (two to three wire)
90
Permits for larger three wire service
22
Permits for commercial lighting services
12
Permits for commercial power services
8
Installations not passing inspection
36
Installations corrected and passed
36
Meetings on job with electricians
68
Property owners notified to make wiring changes
24
Inspections made with Fire Chief
16
Inspections requested by Fire Department
7
Inspections requested by Municipal Light Department
8
Notified for wiring without permit and payment of fee
82
Inspections after fire damage
8
Inspections after lightning damage
10
Inspections of Convalescent Homes
14
Inspections of Public Schools
26
Inspections of Public Buildings
11
Fees collected January 1, 1962 to January 1, 1963 and deposited
in Wakefield Trust Company
$1903.50
In this report, I would like to express my appreciation for the co- operation extended this department by Michael Collins, Manager of the Municipal Light Department, Frank A. Tredinnick, Building Inspector, and Chief William Hurton of the Wakefield Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. CURRAN
Wire Inspector
22
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
The following is a report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures De- partment for 1962.
Adjusted Sealed Not Sealed Condemned
Scales over 5,000 to 10,000 lbs.
3
Scales over 100 to 5,000 lbs.
8
27
Scales under 100 lbs.
5
113
Avoirdupois weights
1
70
3
Metric
15
Gasoline meters 1" or less
17
59
1
Oil and Grease
7
Vehicle Tank Meters more than 1"
1
24
Bulk Storage
3
Leather Measuring Devices
1
Cloth Measuring Devices
1
Wire-Cordage Measuring Devices
2
-
-
-
TOTAL
32
335
0
4
Inspected 390 lbs. of meats, vegetables, bread and butter.
PASQUALE J. CARISELLA Sealer of Weights and Measures
-
Report of Animal Inspector
The following is my report as Animal Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1962.
Fifty four (54) animals were ordered quarantined as a precautionary measure against rabies.
Three (3) died while under quarantine and were taken to the Wasser- man Laboratory for further examination. (These examinations were nega- tive.)
All live stock and their shelters were examined and found in satis- factory condition.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HOPKINS Animal Inspector
23
151ST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Dog Officer
The following is my report as Dog Officer for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1962.
Stray dogs picked up
168
Stray dogs returned 131
Stray dogs disposed of 37
Stray cats picked up 62
Stray cats returned
8
Stray cats disposed of
54
Dead animals picked up
114
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HOPKINS
Dog Officer
Report of Director of Civil Defense
This department was organized pursuant to directives issued by the Governor of Massachusetts and Chapter 639 General Laws of Massachusetts.
There is one paid employee serving part time as office clerk and field agent. The director and all other members of the organization are serving on a volunteer basis.
ADVISORY COUNCIL: The Director of Civil Defense requested the Board of Selectmen to reactivate the Advisory Council at the time of the Cuban crisis.
RESCUE SERVICE: This service has added a group of 14 trained scuba divers under the direction of Patrolmen Frank Skillings and Arthur Bragg. Two complete all weather units were donated by the Wakefield- Lynnfield Kiwanis Club and the Wakefield Rotary Club to whom we are deeply indebted. These units are on the Rescue Truck and available at all times.
COMMUNICATIONS: This group meets regularly and is available to all town departments in emergency work, most notable at Halloween and the Fourth of July. The need for additional equipment however to meet the stepped up program demands and possible local disasters con- tinues.
POLICE - FIRE SERVICES: These organized groups received regular training and are available as are all units for varied types of emergency work.
MEDICAL: A small group of highly trained personnel stands ready to man our emergency hospitals and fill in on minor emergencies. We appre- ciate the cooperation of the Wakefield Medical Association who were instrumental in establishing free typhoid clinics. We also thank Mrs.
24
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Shirley Stoddart, R.N., and the Wakefield Board of Health as well as all the Registered Nurses and other volunteer personnel who made this pro- gram an overwhelming success.
ATTACK WARNING: The town has initiated a comprehensive siren program and several sirens have been installed.
SURPLUS PROPERTY: The town should take greater advantage of this program. To date the town has received material to the value of $41,372.23 at a cost of $938.12.
MATCHING FUNDS: It is recommended by this department that the Town take further advantage of this program in all areas. To date we have utilized $30,844.00 worth of materials and should have tripled that amount.
We wish to thank Manager Michael Collins for his cooperation in securing Matching Funds communications equipment that saved the town several thousand dollars.
It should be noted that through Matching Funds we have had returned to the town this year $3,843.97.
The director thanks Deputy Director Frank Tredinnick for his untiring efforts in the field of Civil Defense; the Board of Selectmen, and the heads of all town departments and the Daily Item for their cooperation in this effort.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES T. HURTON
Director of Civil Defense
Health and Welfare
5
Reports of HEALTH DEPARTMENT WELFARE DEPARTMENT VETERANS' SERVICES RECREATION COMMISSION
26
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Board of Health
In the year 1962 Chicken Pox and Measles were on the increase while Mumps and Scarlet Fever were down.
The Board of Health expressed deep sympathy on the sudden death of their secretary, Mrs. Lydia Mackenzie on February 3, 1962. Mrs. Marie Crouse was appointed to fill this position on February 26, 1962.
Oral Sabin Poliomyelitis Vaccine was administered to 20,000 people in town. These people received Types I and III with Type II to be admini- stered in March of 1963. The Vaccine was given free to children and voluntary contributions were made by adults. The total collected from both Clinics was $3,557.76 out of a total of $4,070.00 spent.
The Board of Health in co-operation with the Wakefield Medical Society participated in the Clinics for free Typhoid Inoculations to the townspeople with a total of about 3,000 inoculated.
Influenza Inoculations were given to the Policemen, Firemen and Traffic Supervisors.
Diptheria, Tetanus and Whooping Cough immunization Clinics were held for pre-schoolers and also 1st and 6th grades with 36 receiving a series of three inoculations and 110 receiving booster inoculations.
At the present time there are 3 patients in the hospital with Tubercu- losis and 21 patients on Chemotherapy. This makes a total of 3 new Tuberculosis cases for the year 1962.
The following is an abbreviated summary of field trips, nursing services and investigations made by the Public Health Nurse and Agent:
Nursing visits to Tuberculosis patients and contacts 82
Number of trips to Sanatorium for X-rays 36
Number of contacts to Tbc. patients X-rayed or O.T. Tested 40
Number of case patients registered X-rays 38
All other X-rayed 1,646
Patients hospitalized during the year
4
Premature baby investigations
6
Unsanitary conditions, food poisoning, etc.
40
Kindergartens supervised 10
In March the Board of Health in co-operation with the Middlesex Tuberculosis Association held a free Chest X-ray Survey Program. Special findings were as follows:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 23
Active 2
Inactive 21
5
Cardiovascular Condition
3
Other Chest Conditions
9
Pulmonary Tuberculosis Suspect
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN S. BOSWORTH, Chairman EVAN H. FAIRBANKS, Secretary ROBERT DUTTON, M.D.
27
151ST ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Board of Public Welfare
The Wakefield Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits its Annual Report for the year 1962. The Board consists of P. Elizabeth Kitchenman, Chairman, Virginia M. Jackson, Secretary, M. Leo Conway, William D. Scott and Harold Robinson.
The Welfare Department consists of seven (7) employees, the Director of Public Assistance, two Social Workers, one Jr. Accountant, two Senior Clerk-Typists and one Jr. Clerk-Typist. All have Civil Service status which the law requires. During 1962, the agency lost two (2) very valuable em- ployees namely: James A. Fox due to the mandatory age law and Alice Whitney who became a Social Worker for a neighboring community.
The various categories of assistance under the supervision of the Wel- fare Board are General Relief, Aid to Dependent Children, Disability As- sistance, Old Age Assistance and Medical Assistance for the Aged. The last four are part of the Social Security Act and are governed by Federal and State Law. In order for a community to receive re-imbursement under these programs, the various laws passed by the Federal and State Govern- ments regulating payments to the recipients both maximum and minimum must be adhered to, also the various laws and rules regulating accounting procedures to be followed, administration, etc. Failure to comply with these various laws and regulations results in dis-allowances from the State and Federal levels.
The preservation of human dignity, the maintenance of family units and social rehabilitation constitute the underlying philosophy of modern public assistance. Social problems do not disappear under the shield of wishful thinking, nor are they eliminated by the criticism of a few isolated individuals ignorant of the causes of social problems; indeed, as long as man inherits the earth, they will be with us. Various Welfare Conferences and Workshops are being planned in 1963 for the Administrators and Social Workers of local Boards in order to get a broader knowledge and acquire new effective techniques in coping with social problems and changing laws.
Where does Welfare Money go? The bulk of it goes for Old Age Assistance. Those who get this type of relief average seventy-six years of age and they have little or no money of their own. Often they are people who have worked all their lives in low paying jobs-people who have had no chance to put funds aside for their old age; many have no Social Security coverage or did not belong to a pension program. Another program is for the Aged Medical Indigent-those who are confined to Nursing Homes and those who have large hospital bills. Still another pro- gram is for the permanently and totally disabled, and it is hard to argue against the need of assistance for persons in these categories. Together these programs account for roughly three-fourths of the expenditures for Welfare in this State; this is not to mention the Aid to Dependent Children and General Relief. The Aid to the Blind and Division of Child Guardian- ship are administered solely by the State Welfare Department.
General Relief
During 1962 there were 35 cases aided under Public Welfare in Wake- field with an expenditure of $12,151.00. Aid in this category is for a
28
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
temporary period only, while the applicant is awaiting unemployment compensation, Workingmen's Compensation or temporary illness; and this figure includes amount reimbursed other cities and towns.
Aid to Dependent Children
The town granted $51,318.40 to 41 families for Aid to Dependent Chil- dren during 1962. This category covers widows, deserted families, families where the breadwinner is disabled or incarcerated. The Federal reimburse- ment on this program is $20.50 per child and per parent; State reimburse- ment is one-third of the total expenditure. The local community pays the balance for the aid rendered. The Board does not include the Federal share in its budget request. The Town must raise the State share and the local share, because the State's share is returned to the town's excess and deficiency fund. There is no settlement required on this program.
Disability Assistance
Disability Assistance accounted for $42,754.94 which was granted to 31 individuals during the year. Aid must be granted to those persons who have been declared permanently and totally disabled by the Medical Re- view Team of the State Department of Public Welfare and who are in need and meet all other eligibility requirements. The Federal reimburse- ment for money expended in this category is $46.50 per month per case, (this amount was increased on October 1, 1962 from $42.30 to $46.50). The Town's share is 25% of the total cost per month. The balance is reim- bursed by the State Welfare and is returned to the Town's excess and deficiency fund. There is no settlement involved in this program either.
Old Age Assistance
There were 210 Old Age Assistance cases aided during 1962 at a cost of $166,150.03. This program has been in existence since the early days of the great depression and has gradually increased in benefits to the recipi- ents and has also increased in cost to the community in spite of the fact that the Federal and State Governments have increased their share of the cost since its inception. The Federal grants on this category, as in other federally sponsored programs, is retained in a special account and can be used by the Board. The State's share as well as the money received from other communities is credited to the excess and deficiency account as estimated receipts. The Federal Government reimburses local Boards $54.00 per month for each case aided. The State pays two-thirds of the balance, and the remainder is paid by the local community and charged to the town or city of settlement .
Medical Assistance for the Aged
Medical Assistance for the Aged, though still in its infancy, appears that it might be more costly eventually than Old Age Assistance. This cate- gory is also a federally sponsored State plan administered by law by the local Board of Public Welfare. This program is to provide for the medical care for the aged person who is 65 years of age and in need of medical care. No settlement is required under this category. Reimbursement for care under this program is fifty (50) percent of all monies expended by the Federal Government, two-thirds of the balance by the State, the re-
29
151ST ANNUAL REPORT
maining one-third balance to be assumed by the local community. The town must raise the State share and the local share, because the State's share is returned to the Town's excess and deficiency fund. During 1962 there was aided 126 cases in Wakefield at a cost of $189,599.27.
Administration
Administration costs cover all expenditures by the Board to administer the five (5) programs under its supervision namely: Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged, Disability Assistance, Aid to Dependent Children and General Relief. Those employees participating in Social Service have their salaries reimbursed by the Federal Government in the amount of 75% and those not participating in Social Service are reimbursed by 50%. The State reimburses 12.5% and the Town assumes 12.5% of salaries. The balance of administrative costs are reimbursed by the Federal Government by 50% and the State's share is 25% and the local share is also 25%. The Town must raise the State's share and the local share, then the State reimburses Wakefield and this sum is returned to the excess and deficiency fund. Administration costs for General Relief are not reimburs- able by the Federal or State Governments. Federal funds as in the other programs, are restricted by law for the sole use of administration.
This report was prepared for the local Board of Public Welfare by its Director of Public Assistance, Andrew P. Ring.
P. ELIZABETH KITCHENMAN, Chairman VIRGINIA M. JACKSON, Secretary M. LEO CONWAY WILLIAM D. SCOTT
HAROLD ROBINSON
Report of Veterans' Services and Benefits
Under Chapter 115, General Laws as amended, the Town of Wakefield is reimbursed one-half of all monies spent, provided that proper authoriza- tion from the State as to settlement, dependency and need is shown.
Recipients Expenses
$35,855.24
Recipients aided
88 Cases
Medical cases aided
56 Cases
Fuel cases aided
25 Cases
Veterans' Services
Disability Compensation and Pension Applications 95 Cases
Photostatic Copies
115 Cases
Hospitalization at Veterans' Hospitals
35 Cases
Education-House Loans-G. I. Insurance
41 Cases
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD J. McGRAIL Veterans' Agent Veterans' Service Director
30
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Recreation Commission
The areas used by the Recreation Commission were Lake Quannapowitt, both ends, for swimming; the following playgrounds-Common, Moulton, Nasella, Woodville, Maple Way, Dolbeare, Montrose, Col. Edward J. Con- nelly, and J. J. Round.
Adult sports, such as softball, tennis, and football practice, were held on Veterans' Field.
Little League was given permission to use the W. Martin Blatz Field and Nasella. The Pop Warner team was given permission to use Moulton and Veterans' Field for football. The Babe Ruth League and the Wakefield Town Teams were also given the use of Moulton Field for baseball. Walton Field was used for Track and Field events. The Willard Atwell gymnasium was used for Physical Fitness programs. More than 300 boys and girls took free swimming courses in July and August. These courses along with courses in lifesaving were very popular. Recreation Commission instructors were qualified to issue Red Cross certificates.
Close to 5000 swimming tags were issued during the summer. The Spaulding Street Bath House and the Col. Edward J. Connelly swimming areas had a force of twelve lifeguards, two utility lifeguards, two gate- tenders, and a Checker watching out for the welfare of the swimmers.
Regulations were adopted by the Commission for the use of swimming areas on Lake Quannapowitt.
Activities on the playgrounds were checkers, beanbags, croquet, swings, sand boxes, see-saws, slides, clock golf, softball, baseball, dodgeball, kickball, basketball, folk dancing, horseshoes, tennis, volleyball and badminton.
Story telling and handicraft was enjoyed by groups resting after hard play. The young ones in particular enjoyed rhythmical activities and the special weekly contests.
During the summer, educational trips were taken to the Peabody Museum in historic Salem, and the Essex Institute Historical Museum. Bus loads of children visited Pleasure Island.
The instructor of girls used "Our American Heritage" as her theme for folk dancing during the summer. At the Demonstration Day program on Veterans' Field, each playground supplied a large group of children in singing and acting appropriate for the above theme. The Supervisor of Handicraft visited each playground weekly and at the exhibition on Demon- stration Day under lights on the Veterans' Field tennis courts exhibited more than 500 of the best articles made during the season.
This year, for adults, there was a softball league nightly on Veterans' Field; also the tennis courts were available. Later on a Physical Fitness program was set up four nights a week for men and women at the Willard B. Atwell gymnasium.
In January a course in golf will be given at the Dolbeare Gymnasium. The physical fitness programs were for Wakefield people only.
The Commission has encouraged young people beyond high school age to form a youth organization. It held block dances during the summer and will enlarge its scope of activities during the winter months. Weekly contact has been kept with the Montrose Playground groups who are planning the next step in obtaining playground facilities for the area.
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