USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1963 > Part 3
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Eight staff members attended a week-end institute at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and reported back to other staff members.
A Safety Course by a representative of the local Red Cross Chapter was given during the summer. Certificates were given to those completing the course satisfactorily.
34
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The summer play areas were: Common, Col. Connelly, Dolbeare, J. J. Round, Maple Way, Montrose, Moulton, Nasella, and Woodville. The Swim- ming areas were: Col. Connelly, and Spaulding Street. Track and Field events were held at Walton Field.
Games for boys and girls were: checkers, bean bags, croquet, swings, sand box, seesaw, clock golf, puzzles, dominoes, story-telling, horseshoes, tennis, volleyball, badminton, basketball, baseball, and track and field events.
Picnics were held at Col. Connelly Park weekly by the various play- grounds. Special Events during the year were: Handicraft, all playgrounds. Folk Dancing and Pageantry, all playgrounds. Metropolitan District Com- mission Mobile Zoo, Moulton, Nasella, Common, and Maple Way. Baseball Trip, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City. Educational Trips, Museum of Science, Boston, and Historic Salem. Pleasure Trip, Pleasure Island. Track and Field Meet, Championship ribbons, 1963, boys and girls, and Demonstration Day, Theme - The American Heritage, boys and girls from all playgrounds. Also exhibition of best work done in handicraft.
The new tag system was used for the second year. More than 5000 resident and 300 non-resident tags were used for the purpose of identifying those using the swimming areas.
Residents purchased these tags at cost, and could use them the entire season. Non-residents had to purchase a tag each time they used the beach. The cost to them was 75 cents each time. The above system was necessary in order to make sure residents of Wakefield would have priority, and not be overrun by non-residents. The aggregate attendance at both beaches was 28,036.
The Commission held classes in swimming and life-saving for residents of Wakefield. Trained instructors taught the classes. No charge was made for instructions. Registration for classes began in the last week of June. All instructors were qualified to issue Red Cross Life-Saving Certificates. This program was run with the co-operation of the Wakefield Chapter of the American Red Cross Water Safety Program. More than 400 took part in these classes.
The personnel consisted of a director: play areas, seven men, eleven women; swimming, two head-life guards, two assistant head-life guards, eight life guards, two gate tenders, and one checker; physical fitness, four instructors, one custodian; Golf, one instructor, one custodian; Clerical work, one girl.
The aggregate attendance for 1963 was 67,036. This was 2,426 more than 1962.
There were 175 minor injuries, no serious injuries were reported.
Proposals for 1964 are as follows: 1) New playground at Montrose, 2) New bleachers at Moulton Field, also New Field House, 3) Remove snow for skating on Lake, 4) Make additional area at Lake ready for swimming, and 5) Make possible old Hill property for Recreation Center.
The Recreation Commission gratefully acknowledges the co-operation of the Wakefield School Department, the Wakefield Daily Item, and the St. Joseph's Senoritas.
35
152ND ANNUAL REPORT
The new Field House at Maple Way was an asset. The organizations from Greenwood who added money to the Town's appropriation in order that the outside of the house be painted and the inside finished deserve a special acknowledgement on account of their civic generosity.
The Recreation Commission is appointed by the Selectmen.
Recreation Commission,
EARL G. BONNEY, Chairman MARY ELLEN HURTON, Secretary THOMAS HENNESSEY J. FRANK ANDERSON JOHN B. ENCARNACAO SAMUEL D. FERGUSON GEORGE J. REGAN
Maintenance
Reports of
BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS Highway Division Moth and Tree Division Park Division Cemetery Division Sewer Division Water Division
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Board of Public Works
As we review the year 1963, it is well to pause and evaluate our accom- plishments and make plans for the problems that lie ahead and their ac- complishment. The Board of Public Works feels that basically their prob- lems are also the problems of the Townspeople and would ask for their continued patience and interest toward the solution of these problems to- gether.
The Board of Public Works has successfully completed its 1963 programs for the construction of residential sewers, the school area sidewalks, street construction under the Betterment Act and the water relay program.
Under contract, but remaining to be completed in the spring, are the trunk sewer program, the drainage program and the individual sidewalk program.
The water rates were reduced, effective in July 1963, after an exhaustive study of the problem as it relates to present and anticipated revenues, con- sidering the Water Division is still faced with the construction of a water tower to reinforce the water system and provide adequate service and fire flows to the Town. The Board is now pursuing all avenues to locate a suit- able site for the water tower and hopes that in the coming year this problem can be solved.
The problem of the Saugus and Mill River drainage outlet is still before us and after attempts to get State and Federal aid in the past year proved unsuccessful, we have now filed legislation with the General Court for consideration in 1964 to provide State assistance in eliminating this problem.
In 1963 the Board gathered its existing policies and voted new policies into a bound volume to aid our deliberations upon future similar problems.
Also major problems still before us are:
The ultimate location of a suitable site and the construction of an in- cinerator as our present dumping, and garbage removal, costs continue to rise and the future outlook is that they will continue to rise at an even more rapid rate.
The sewer extension to the Industrial Area still continues to be a problem and the Board's position remains unchanged. If a package can be shown to be beneficial tax-wise to the Town, then we will favor an acceleration of our planned program of extension which would otherwise cover the span of several years. In the meantime, the first step of this trunk sewer is now under contract and construction will begin in the spring.
We regretfully accepted the resignation of Mr. Anthony Minichiello in November of 1963. Mr. Thomas F. Daley, Jr. was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next Town election.
For additional details of work completed this past year, we refer you to the following reports of the Director of Public Works and the Division Supervisors.
LEWIS DAY, Chairman HARRY H. DENNING, Secretary ALBERT V. BOLAND SABATINO BENEDETTO THOMAS F. DALEY, JR.
39
152ND ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
To the Board of Public Works
Gentlemen:
As required by Chapter 48 of the Acts of 1950 an Act authorizing the Town of Wakefield to establish a Board of Public Works, I respectfully submit for your consideration a report of the work accomplished in 1963 with recommendations for the future.
A concerted effort was made this year to increase the maintenance workload of the Department in order to decrease the backlog of this type of work remaining to be done with some success. The passage, by the State Legislature, of Chapter 782 of the Acts of 1962 and Chapter 822 of the Acts of 1963 has allotted State funds to the Town of approximately $67,000.00 to be used for Highway Maintenance which should go a long way in the next two years toward providing us with the necessary funds to improve many Town streets that are sadly in need of maintenance. It is strongly recom- mended that these funds be used in areas where no other State Aid is available.
The location of a water tower to improve our distribution system still remains a serious problem to be solved and negotiations are being conducted with the Town of Reading and the Federal Government to procure a suit- able site on the present Nike Site which is being phased out of operation.
A study of Water Department operational and capital costs completed this year, allowed the Department to effect a rate reduction and to allow a 10% cash discount for prompt payment of water bills.
The weed control program for Lake Quannapowitt which was author- ized in 1962 is progressing very satisfactorily and after next year, the expen- diture of a small amount of money annually should keep the lake free from the weed nuisance.
This year also saw the establishment of a Construction Division within the Department which has enabled us to maintain control of all our con- tract operations and in the future should allow us to benefit by way of lower costs by employing our own inspection force rather than using consulting engineers for this purpose. Our Engineering Division was also expanded to allow the Town to develop more of our own engineering plans and studies. The Director feels that this can be accomplished more econo- mically than by retaining consulting engineering services for this purpose.
It is also felt that the Department should, in order to be more effectively operated and to be more properly administered, be physically located in one place. To this end an article has been inserted in the 1964 Annual Warrant to construct additional garage and office space at our existing North Avenue facility and for the previously outlined reasons would strongly recommend favorable action in this regard.
In closing, the Director would like to reemphasize the need for the Department to grow at the same rate as the demand for services by an ever increasing population, if these services are to be properly provided by the Public Works Department.
For additional detail of the work accomplished this past year, you are referred to the following reports of the Division Supervisors.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD C. BOUTIETTE, Director
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERING DIVISION
All engineering services required by the various divisions of the Depart- ment of Public Works were provided by this division. Engineering services requested by other Town departments were also provided when not in con- flict with our work schedule.
The estimates, plans, specifications and contracts for all of the work done by Contractors this year were compiled and accomplished by this div- ision. The contracts were for streets, sewer, storm drainage and sidewalk construction; the actual locations of which are itemized in the Reports of the Sewer and Highway Division Supervisors.
This division worked in conjunction with the Planning Board in all matters related to subdivisions being constructed under the provisions of the Subdivision Control Law.
One of the more extensive of the many field projects was the work in connection with the Mill River-Saugus River Trunk Sewer Project. As the name of the project implies, the project will establish a trunk sewer in the Montrose Area which will eventually carry sewerage from the In- dustrial Park on Route 128 and also from the residential areas around Montrose Avenue and the easterly end of Salem Street. A field survey was made along the entire route of the proposed trunk line from Farm Street to the Industrial Park. This survey was to show the topography of the area and any existing conditions along the way that would affect the eventual construction. The results of this survey, along with the report submitted by Camp, Dresser & McKee, Consulting Engineers, in 1954 were used in es- tablishing the actual location and grade of the first 3500 feet of this trunk sewer, and a contract was prepared for constructing the same.
The office work was primarily; estimated costs and quantities, and plans for the various construction projects; calculating street, sidewalk and sewer betterment assessments, preparing various contracts, and many miscella- neous plans such as easements required for various projects. The compiling of all data to establish the status of streets in the Town in regard to their being a public or private way, width, being laid out by the Board of Survey, etc., is almost completed and we hope to have this information published in the 1964 Annual Report.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH F. CASAZZA, Town Engineer
HIGHWAY REPORT
Street Cleaning: The business and church areas are swept weekly when weather permits. All public streets are swept annually starting in the spring of the year.
Traffic Lines: This work is done annually by contract. All center lines, crosswalks, stop lines, parking lines, traffic circles, etc. are included.
Street Signs: Approximately one-third of the old street signs have been replaced with aluminum reflecting signs.
Snow & Ice Removal: 3693 tons of sand was used during the winter season and 545 tons of salt.
Cleaning Catch Basins: Approximately 800 catch basins, manholes and sluiceways were cleaned during 1963.
41
152ND ANNUAL REPORT
Miscellaneous Drainage: Various brooks were cleaned throughout the Town, several broken catch basins and manholes were rebuilt and pipe replaced where necessary.
Sidewalk Repairs: Concrete sidewalks were replaced on Main Street oppo- site Lawrence Street; Oak Street near the Fire Station, Main Street, Green- wood and various broken and heaved squares were replaced throughout the Town. Bituminous concrete sidewalk was replaced on Chestnut Street from Prospect Street to Fairmount Avenue. Various other locations were patched and resurfaced.
Patching: This work was carried out in conjunction with the Surface Treatment Program along with miscellaneous patching on various streets. Surface Treatment: Sealed :- Common Street, Parker Road (Elm Street to Parker Circle), Church Street, Elm Street Ext., Broadway (partial), Nelly Street, Elm Street, Cedar Street (partial); Hot top, Smith Street, Preston Street, Crescent Street.
Capital Expenditures
2-5 ton trucks
1-rubbish truck
1-sander
1-2-3 ton roller
2-snow plows
1-small sander
Special Appropriations
1963 Chapter 90 Maintenance: Vernon Street (Salem Street to Lowell Street).
1962 Chapter 90 Construction: Albion Street (Jordan Avenue to Broadway).
Drainage work on this project was continued from Byron Street to the B&M R.R. tracks at North Avenue - 1027 feet of pipe.
1963 Chapter 90 Construction: This work has not as yet been advertised by the State.
Drainage: Town forces - 96 feet of 15 inch pipe was installed at the rear of Howard Street.
Contractor: Joseph P. Cardillo & Son - Lake Street (including the culvert), Sweetser Street and Parker Road. Lowell Street (portion) is included in the contract and will be completed in 1964.
Sidewalks: Encarnacao Brothers - Water Street, southerly side (Brook Avenue to Farm Street); Farm Street, easterly side (Water Street to Breakheart Reservation) ; Prospect Street, northerly side (Elm Street to Nichols Street).
Streets: Joseph P. Cardillo & Son - Karl Road, Gail Circle and Pleasant Street Ext.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL G. CHELMAN, Supervisor
REPORT OF THE MOTH AND TREE DIVISION
During the year we lost over a hundred trees throughout the town due to the Dutch Elm Disease and other causes. The Dutch Elm Disease is still at a steady incline. Most of these trees, with this disease, have been re- moved.
42
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
We found no Gypsy Moth, but the Tent Caterpillars and Japanese Beetles have increased in many areas.
With our Mist Blower we were able to spray our Elm trees twice, in- cluding the roadside areas.
I would like the cooperation of all property owners to destroy or put under cover all dying or freshly cut elm wood. This is the only means of combating the Dutch Elm Disease.
We planted two hundred Maple trees on new and various streets throughout the town.
At this time, I would like to express my appreciation to the Board of Public Works and the Director for their cooperation. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Civil Defense Director and to the members of the Municipal Light Department for their continued cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST J. McWHINNIE, Supervisor
PARK DIVISION
In addition to our regular maintenance work the following special projects were completed :
Hall Park Development
22,500 square yards developed, loamed and seeded; using 616 cubic yards of loam.
1,815 square feet of walk graveled and rolled ready for hot top.
The parking area was scraped and graded ready for fill and hot top.
The Girl Scouts and Camp Fire Girls on Arbor Day donated and plant. ed five trees.
Nasella Playground
20,000 square feet was developed and graded at the Melvin Street Ex- tension.
Veterans' Field
The cement steps at the entrance to the field were removed and area leveled. The outfield was reloamed and seeded.
Park Playground
A new swing was installed at the southerly side of the Lake.
Colonel Connelly Park
The Bath House in this Park was repainted.
About seventy five tons of sand was deposited on the Beach at Spauld- ing Street.
PHILIP J. COLANTUONIO, Supervisor
CEMETERY DIVISION
The following is from the 1963 records:
Interments:
Adults
87
Infants
9
Total
96
Foundations:
Monuments 39
43
152ND ANNUAL REPORT
An area of 1,124 square yards was filled, graded - rolled and seeded at the Pond Area.
Two hundred feet of chain link fence was installed on the boundary of the south side of the Cemetery.
PHILIP J. COLANTUONIO, Supervisor
SEWER DIVISION
Sewer Construction
By the Town
Grand Passway - from existing sewer manhole at #14 Baldwin Road 98 feet northerly to Grand Passway, thence 100 feet westerly to #11 Grand Passway.
By Contractor Under Town Supervision
Spring Street Extension - from existing sewer manhole at Renwick Road 378 feet easterly to rear of #15 Morgan Avenue.
Brook Street - from sewer manhole at Hopkins Street westerly 182 feet to sewer manhole at #22 Brook Street southerly 190 feet to #12 Brook Street; northerly 322 feet from sewer manhole at #22 to #35 Brook Street.
Davidson Road - from sewer manhole at Parker Road westerly 400 feet to #15.
Eustis Avenue Extension - from sewer manhole at Friend Street west- erly 431 feet to sewer manhole at Parker Road.
Parker Road - from sewer manhole at Outlook Road southerly 486 feet to #38 and from sewer manhole at Eustis Avenue Extension southerly 106 feet to #28.
Juniper Avenue - from sewer manhole at Woodbriar Road westerly 720 feet to #18.
Note: Where work was done by contractor, sewer connections were in- stalled to the property line.
Sewer connections made during the year - 119
Number of connections made to date - 4,399
MATTHEW P. CURRAN, Supervisor
WATER DIVISION
New Water Main Construction
By Contractor
Bathol Street - 920 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Spring Street southerly then easterly to Convalescent building).
Teal Road - 695 feet of 10" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Audubon Road northerly to Pleasure Island Road).
Wyoma Street - 200 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Quan- napowitt Avenue northerly to Winnisimette Avenue).
Del Carmine Street - 550 feet of 4" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Wiley Place to DelCarmine Street, front of Health Club).
Water Main Extension
By the Town
Harrison Avenue - 72 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from op- posite #27, southerly to dead end front of #29).
44
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
By Contractor
Winnisimette Avenue - 273 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from hydrant, 35 feet beyond Wyoma Street westerly to dead end, front of Brennan house on Winnisimette Avenue).
Water Main Relay
By the Town
Gail Circle - 265 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Sylvan Avenue to front of #7).
Karl Road - 360 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Walnut Street to front of #10).
Butler Avenue - 1600 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from New Salem Street to Curtis Street).
Bellevue Avenue - 280 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Butler Avenue to front of #29).
Turnbull Avenue - 650 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Emerald Street to Salem Street).
Maple Way - 218 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Green- wood Avenue to front of #10).
Highland Street - 630 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Pleasant Street to Vernon Street).
Melvin Street - 750 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Water Street to Richardson Street).
Eustis Avenue - 1625 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from Elm Street to Parker Road).
Pine Street - 1120 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (Greenwood Avenue to Warren Avenue).
Elm Street - 790 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from front of #93 to Parker Road).
Spring Street - 440 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from front of #84 to Esmond Ave.).
Esmond Avenue - 255 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (Spring Street to Fellsmere Ave.).
Fellsmere Avenue - 300 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (Esmond Ave. to front of #102).
Ware Street - 270 feet of 6" cast iron cement lined pipe (Greenwood Street to front of #10).
Pitman Avenue - 215 feet of 11/4" copper (from Harrison Avenue to Front of #59).
By Contractor
Quannapowitt Avenue - 185 feet of 8" cast iron cement lined pipe (from front of #23 to Wyoma Street).
Hydrants Broken - 7
Columbia Road at Water Street
Opposite #68 Bennett Street
Opposite #6 Fellsmere Avenue
Lafayette Street at Common Street
Main St. near Greenwood bridge
Main Street corner Aborn Avenue Main Street opposite Grafton Street
45
152ND ANNUAL REPORT
Hydrants Replaced - 4
Opposite #238 Vernon Street Opposite #105 Elm Street Opposite #24 Pine Street Front #22 Parker Road
New Hydrants - 4
Sylvan Avenue corner Gail Circle
Butler Avenue opposite St. Florence's Church
Bathol Street (installed by contractor)
Del Carmine Street opposite Roberto Construction bldg. (installed by contractor)
Services
New Services - 78
Services relaid during year - 92
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land - 1,338; number of feet of pipe laid on private land - 2,268 (New services)
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land - 1,164; number of feet of pipe laid on private land - 1,402 (relays)
Distribution System :-
Extended during the year - 550 feet 4" cast iron cement lined pipe, 1,265 feet 6" cast iron cement lined pipe and 895 feet 8" cast iron cement lined pipe.
Total number miles of pipe now in use - 76.17
Number of hydrants added - 4
Range of pressure on mains - 20 pounds to 110 pounds.
Number of service taps now in use - 6,614
Percentage of active services metered - 99%
During the year 500 pounds of copper sulphate were applied to Crystal Lake.
MATTHEW P. CURRAN, Supervisor
46
MAIN BREAKS-1963
Date
Occurred
Water on
Size
Location
Cause
Aug. 1
9:30 A.M.
Water off 10:00 A.M.
8" Cast Iron
Opp. #112 Elm Street
Split pipe
Water on 3:00 P.M.
Aug. 5
7:30 A.M.
Did not shut off
16" Cast Iron
Broadway and North Avenue Joint leak; vibration
Oct. 29
10:30 A.M.
3:00 P.M.
8" Cast Iron
Melvin St. near Nahant St.
Trench settled; cracked pipe
Nov. 14
7:00 A.M.
Water off 12:30 P.M.
Water on 7:15 P.M.
8" Cast Iron
Opp. #9 Butler Avenue
Joint Leak
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1963 PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State Wells
Linden Street
Rainfall
January
49,980,000
11,837,100
2,612,000
4,866,100
3.25
February
45,330,000
16,803,600
2,025,250
340,700
2.98
March
52,310,000
18,354,000
2,793,390
1,109,500
4.19
April
48,420,000
17,853,500
2,576,150
8,782,400
1.27
May
34,690,000
17,918,800
2,610,940
24,439,100
3.01
June
25,525,000
14,188,900
1,430,200
44,614,300
2.02
July
25,975,000
5,925,100
1,158,840
42,641,700
2.98
August
26,425,000
1,026,060
41,352,600
2.09
September
25,580,000
1,321,200
1,548,840
33,470,300
3.30
October
21,690,000
4,586,600
2,753,520
35,251,000
1.95
November
20,915,000
9,590,400
670,830
26,435,200
8.22
December
20,775,000
4,025,650
2,990,850
27,430,600
2.52
Total
397,615,000
122,404,850
24,196,870
290,733,500
37.78
834,950,220
Total Pumping 1963 Average Daily Consumption 1963 Average Daily Per Capita
2,287,535
94.23
152ND ANNUAL REPORT
47
THINK!
Education
Reports of
SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Superintendent LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL Library Trustees
50
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION-1963
Lawrence J. Fitzgerald, Chairman
1966
61 Outlook Road
William W. Allyn, Secretary 1965
31 Robert Street
Mrs. Lenora P. LeCours, Treasurer 1964
181 Salem Street
Henry B. McConville 1966
15 Forrester Road
Mrs. Gertrude M. Spaulding 1966
35 Outlook Road
Harold E. Staunton 1964
20 Elm Square
John P. Turner 1965
45 Brook Street
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
During the past year, three incumbent members were re-elected to the School Committee, namely, Lawrence J. Fitzgerald, Henry B. McConville and Gertrude M. Spaulding. The following members were elected as officers:
Lawrence J. Fitzgerald, Chairman
William W. Allyn, Secretary Lenora P. LeCours, Treasurer
As in past years, the Committee met on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month with the exception of the months of July and August. The organizational meeting was held on the first meeting in September at which time the Committee recognized the out-going chairman, John P. Turner, for his services during the prior year.
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