Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955, Part 54

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1951
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1262


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 54


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EDWARD J. HIGGINS, Inspector of Slaughtering.


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ELIZABETH WHITE FUND For the Year Ending December 31, 1955


The Trustees of this fund have investigated fifteen cases throughout the year and have signed orders to the Town Treasurer for the sum of eight hundred ninety dollars ($890.00).


Respectfully submitted,


CLARA L. SAWYER, HELEN B. WOOD, THELMA M. BLOOD, Trustees of Elizabeth White Fund.


208


REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1955


CEMETERY DEPARTMENT: Front Row : Commissioner Ray Harris - Foreman Elwin Hollowell - Superintendent Fred Kennedy. Back Row: Commissioners Harry Holt - Howard Jones.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :


We hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1955.


A former member of our Board, Mr. Horace F. Tuttle, died on the 19th day of December in his 92nd year. He was elected to the cemetery board on March 2, 1891 and served as clerk of the board until March 2, 1945 when he retired from the board. We desire to place on record our testimony to his long and faithful service and his interest in the care and improve- ment of our cemeteries.


The account of the town treasurer shows that during the past year cemetery department has received and paid into the treasury the sum of $1,627.05 which can be found itemized in the town treasurer's report. Also in the town collector's report you will find the sum of $624.00 collected for the annual care of lots, which is credited to the cemetery department receipts.


There has been added to the perpetual care account the past year, in new and additional accounts, the sum of $3,925.00.


It was necessary during the past Fall to remove many large trees in Woodlawn Cemetery for the following reasons: first many of these trees had suffered heavy damage during the two hurricanes of 1954 and secondly we felt that to protect a


209


great many monuments, it was necessary to remove several large pine trees.


A new section has been laid out in Woodlawn Cemetery and we have adopted a new policy in regards to the sale of lots in both cemeteries, that all lots are to be sold with perpetual care charge included. In adopting this policy the town is assured that all the lots sold in the future will have an income for the care of these lots and it will also eventually do away with the annual care accounts.


Respectfully submitted,


RAY L. HARRIS, HOWARD F. JONES, HARRY E. HOLT, Cemetery Commissioners.


REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY


Board of Selectmen Town of Acton Acton, Massachusetts


Dear Sirs :


During the year of 1955 the Acton Civil Defense Agency expanded its organization in orderly fashion. The radiological team was organized and equipped and is now ready for opera- tion. The Communication system has been expanded, though it is not yet complete. A sector radio has been purchased and is being installed so that contact with sector headquarters can be maintained should other means of communication fail in an emergency. Equipment to be used for liaison with the Fire and Police Departments is being acquired and should be set up in the near future.


Mr. Charles D. MacPherson was succeeded recently by Mr. Harry L. Stiegler as director of the agency, and he has devoted his time in studying the organization and equipment


210


of the agency. Mr. Allen C. Beddoe has been appointed a Deputy Director.


The Warden Service and Ground Observer Corps remain large and important problems, and it is hoped that these units can be organized and placed into operation. The communica- tion set up needs portable 2 meter equipment for use in staff operation, and a standby emergency generator to provide power for the continued operation of the headquarters estab- lishment during a disaster is still needed.


Respectfully submitted.


Very truly yours, HARRY L. STIEGLER, Director.


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GOODNOW FUND For the Year Ending December 31, 1955


INVESTMENTS


Charlestown Savings Bank


$465.54


Concord Co-Operative Bank 3,000.00


$3,465.54


RECEIPTS


Charlestown Savings Bank


$13.36


U. S. Bonds


37.50


Concord Co-Operative Bank


45.00


$95.86


EXPENDITURES


Treasurer of the Evangelical Church in Acton


$75.86


Town of Acton for perpetual care of Goodnow Lot in Woodlawn Cemetery


20.00


$95.86


ROY H. LINSCOTT FRANK E. GREENOUGH, Trustees of Goodnow Fund.


211


REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN


TREE WARDEN: Franklin Charter


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I herewith submit my report for the year 1955. The Tree Department removed approximately 100 trees this year. Many of these were weakened by our recent hurricanes and were considered dangerous.


The Department planted 35 new trees along the town ways.


The poison ivy along the town ways and on the school grounds was sprayed.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANKLIN H. CHARTER, Tree Warden.


212


AN INSURANCE REPORT TO THE SELECTMEN OF ACTON


In accordance with the request of the Selectmen dated November 1st, the Insurance Committee herewith submits its report on the condition of the Town's insurance policies and recommendations for the improvement of existing policies as well as the purchase of additional insurance. The report will deal with the following types of coverage:


I Fire and Extended Coverage


II Public Liability


III Automobile Liability


IV Automobile Comprehensive Fire, Theft and Collision


V Workmen's Compensation


VI Boiler and Machinery


VII Surety Bonds


VIII Money and Securities Coverage


IX Destruction of Records


X a) Teachers' and Students' Accident Coverage


b) Firemen's Accident Insurance


c) Police Accident Insurance


XI Pension


XII Group Life, Accident and Hospitalization


In each instance the report will list the present insurance coverage describing briefly the pertinent features of the form of policy and the basic insuring clauses. A discussion and, where possible, definite recommendations will follow. Many times we will suggest alternatives and leave the determination up to the Selectmen.


In general, the Committee has searched for the substantial unprotected exposures and deliberately overlooks exposures that have a fixed penalty to the Town of less than $1,000. For example, a shed worth $200 which contains old machinery worth $50 should not be included in the Fire Schedule; its inclusion would only tend to increase the average rate and its total loss without insurance would make little difference to the Town. However, Town property of equal value in the custody of a Town official using his home as an office, should


213


be insured, because $250 could mean a great deal to the official. This insurance would then serve the purpose of preventing a dispute between Town departments as well as financial reim- bursement to the Town.


Item I Fire Insurance


Standard Massachusetts Fire and Lightning Insurance is provided on all the buildings belonging to the Town on a sched- ule of twenty-two items totaling $948,428 of value as follows subject to 80% Reduced Rate Contribution Clause and insured for 80% of value.


Item


No. Item


Location


Amounts


1 School House


Main Street, Acton Centre $22,400


2 Public Library


Main Street, Acton Centre 33,600


3 Fire House


Concord Road, Acton Centre 40,000


4 Town Hall


# 480 Main St., Acton Centre .... 32,000


5 Frame Building


Tree and Moth Dept., R480 Main St., Acton Centre 960


6


Frame Building


Office Bldg., R480 Main St., Acton Centre 600


7 Frame Building


Repair Shop, R480 Main St.,


Acton Centre 2,400


8 Frame Building


Sand Shed, R480 Main St., Acton Centre 2,400


9 Frame Building


Storage Tools, Signs and Ladders R480 Main St., Acton Centre .. 2,000


10 Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel


Acton Centre 28,000


11 School House


School St., South Acton 20,000


12 Fire House


School St., South Acton 9,600


13 High School


Mass. Avenue, West Acton


144,000


14 School House


Mass. Avenue, West Acton 20,000


15 Fire House


Windsor Avenue, West Acton ...


8,000


16 Mt. Hope Cemetery Chapel


West Acton 2,000


17 Tool House


Goward Field R480 Main St., Acton Centre


240


18 Tool House


Woodlawn Cemetery, Concord


Rd., Acton Centre 800


19 Tool House


Jones' Field, Martin St.,


South Acton 400


214


20 Tool House


Rear of Chapel in Mt. Hope Cem- etery, West Acton 300


21 School


North Side of Mass. Avenue,


West Acton 180,000


Mass. Ave., West Acton 210,000


22 Blanchard Auditorium


$759,000


No insurance is provided for loss of the contents of these buildings due to Fire, except $3,000 at the Woodlawn Chapel, $500 at Woodlawn Tool House, $800 at Mt. Hope Chapel, $700 at Mt. Hope Tool House and $16,800 at the Town Library.


To establish proper values the Town secured an appraisal of nineteen buildings from Clayton K. Brooks & Son in January, 1951. These valuations have been increased 15% upon the authority of construction cost indices published periodically by the Engineering Department of the Factory Mutual Insurance Companies and other recognized appraisal services.


Values of small buildings omitted from the 1951 appraisal and/or constructed since that time have been arbitrarily set by comparison ; and in the latter case contract costs have been increased upon the same authority as the original nineteen items. Obviously, these opinions of proper values can not be binding on any insurance company but are at the same time, a sensible basis for discussion.


The value of building contents are given on the basis of figures submitted to this Committee by the separate depart- ments or in absence of written evidence our best estimate of value on general knowledge, not based on a visual inventory.


Hence, the Committee recommends that the Town's Fire Insurance be revised to include all buildings and their contents with the possible exception of buildings whose combined build- ing and contents value is less than $1,000. The revision should be discussed on the basis of the following values :


Item


No.


Item


Location


Values Contents Buildings


1 Primary School


Julia McCarthy (1952)


Mass. Ave., W. Acton


$26,400


$242,000


2 School House


Main St., Acton Cen.


3,420


32,200


3 School House


School St., So. Acton ..


5,760


28,750


215


4 School House


Mass. Ave., W. Acton 5,760


28,750


5 High School


Mass. Ave., W. Acton 27,340


207,000


Main St., Acton Cen. 45,625


48,300


7 Branch Public Library Windsor Ave., West


Acton


500


Nil


8


Town Hall


Main St., Acton Cen.


5,000


46,000


9 Frame Building


Tree and Moth Dept., R480 Main St., Ac- ton Centre


2,976


1,400


10 Frame Building


Office Bldg., R480 Main St., Acton Centre ....


300


800


11 Frame Building


Garage and Storage Shed, R480 Main St., Acton Centre


2,700


2,900


12 Frame Building


Repair Shop, R480


3,400


3,500


13 Frame Building


Sand Shed, R480 Main St., Acton Centre ..


1,500


3,500


14 Blanchard Auditorium (1954)


Mass. Ave., W. Acton


40,000


269,860


15


Tool House


Mt. Hope Cemetery, West Acton


2,703


425


16


Tool House


Jones' Field, Martin St., South Acton ....


700


625


17 Tool House


Woodlawn Cemetery, Concord Rd., Acton Centre


4,754


1,150


18


Tool House


Goward Field R480 Main St., Acton Cen.


Nil


350


19


Fire House


Concord Road, Acton Centre


14,157


57,500


20


Fire House


School St., So. Acton


14,572


13,800


21 Fire House


Windsor Ave., West


Acton


16,654


11,500


22


Woodlawn Cemetery Chapel


Acton Centre


12,273


40,250


23


Police Chief's Home


Prospect St., S. Acton


500


Nil


24


Mt. Hope Cemetery Chapel


West Acton


400


2,875


25


Town Accountant's Home


Arlington St., West Acton


260


Nil


26


Treasurer's Home


Main St., South Acton


300


Nil


..


216


ยท


Main St., Acton Cen.


6 Public Library


27 Tax Collector's Home Rimbach's Home (Fire Alarm)


28


Central St., W. Acton 525


Nil


Main St., Acton Cen.


560


Nil


Sub Totals ... $240,039 $1,043,425


Total Building Value


1,043.425


Total Contents Value


240,039


Grand Total


$1,283,464


Note: In addition, $18,290 worth of High- way Department Equipment is stored outside. Snow Fencing valued at $2,000 only is combustible hence, not included in table above.


These values represent an increased insurance requirement of $179,382 on buildings and $193,735 on furniture, supplies and other equipment not previously insured and would increase the average annual cost by about $1,515. In the past insurance has been purchased on 80% of value but due to the recent history of inflation, 90% of value is recommended and it is on this basis that these figures are submitted.


Extended Coverage #4 is a type of protection that most banks require on mortgaged property and, hence, a sound type of insurance to consider. Prior to the tornado at Worces- ter in 1953, most people considered windstorm or hail damage to town buildings of serious proportions as extremely unlikely and, hence, never considered this type of coverage. Since the tornado a number of hurricanes have swept New England causing serious damage to all types of buildings. Therefore, we recommend this coverage for the Town. Besides Wind- storm and Hail this extension includes Explosion (except boiler) Smoke Damage (from defective oil burners), Falling Aircraft, Motor Vehicle Damage, etc. many of which can cause major damage to buildings and contents. This endorsement would necessarily be carried for the same amount as the insur- ance carried on any specific item of the schedule as a whole. If added to the entire schedule the approximate rate would be $.077 @ $100 per year overall or an increased average cost to the Town of $889 annually.


An alternate recommendation is that the revised schedule be written on a Blanket Form, which means that a single


217


amount is placed on each building and this may be applied to building and/or contents in case of loss. This allows greater flexibility and less susceptibility to penalty under the coinsur- ance clause. This form does require checking up on all values each year which may be a nuisance to Town employees but will serve as constant reminder that values should be reviewed.


All Fire Insurance policies should be consolidated into one policy or group of policies to guarantee concurrency of form (important if making a claim) and to simplify the administra- tion.


Item II Public Liability or Bodily Injury and Property Damage


No coverage is carried at the present time.


In most cases municipalities are not liable if the people are injured as a result of negligence on the part of Town or City Government. Municipalities enjoy the same type of exemp- tions from this type of responsibility as would a charity. How- ever, this exemption is not 100% water-tight, as there are occasions where the Town may be held responsible and cannot fall back on these exemptions. One such example would be an occasion on which a public building or hall had been loaned or rented to an organization which was to charge admission to the event for which the hall was rented. In cases of gross negligence, even though the city may escape liability through the municipal exemption, the Town officials may be personally held liable.


The Insurance Committee feels that it is in the best interest of the Town to carry Public Liability Insurance on such build- ings as are normally assessable to or used by the general pub- lic. Specifically included are such items as Chapels in the Ceme- teries, the School Buildings, Town Hall, Public Library, Fire Houses and the operation of the Town dump, which is particu- larly susceptible to causing property damage to adjacent property owners. Consequently, we have secured a quotation for this liability insurance: Bodily Injury Liability Limits of $25/100,000 and Property Damage Liability Limits of $25,000 and would cost $664.91 per annum.


You can well ask, "What is the value of such a policy if the municipality has so many exemptions?" The answer is that


218


the policy would have attached to it a Rider waiving the muni- cipal immunity unless the Board of Selectmen of the Town direct the Insurance Company to use the exemption. In other words, claims would be handled in exactly the same way as if the building were owned and operated for commercial purposes. It is obvious that the most likely people to be injured in the buildings of Acton are fellow citizens and the good will of the Town Government could be shown by taking proper care of accidents which were caused by negligence of some Town offi- cial individually or an official board.


Item III Automobile Liability


American Motorists Policy, #F5M17122, expiring May 20, 1956, Bodily Injury Limits of $25/100,000 with $5,000 Property Damage, covers Statutory coverage under Rule No. 63A (Chapter 40, Section 5) of the General Laws, covering on seven vehicles of the Fire Department, two Police Cruisers and six vehicles on the Highway Department. This policy is properly written and carries the maximum limits of Bodily Injury Liability, authorized by the State Auditing Department. A minor suggestion is that the Property Damage Liability Limits be increased to $25,000 at an estimated additional premium of $100.


One other type of Automobile Liability Insurance that should be considered is known as Non-Ownership Liability Insurance. Basically, this insurance would protect the Town for its lia- bility arising out of an automobile accident in which a Town employee was involved while driving his personal car on Town business. This insurance is extremely reasonable; it is a remote exposure but still, potentially, a very large one. On the basis that thirteen Town employees and officials normally use their own cars in the course of their official business, the annual premium for such a policy would be $67.77 with $25/100,000 limits on Bodily Injury and $25,000 Property Damage Liability.


Item IV Automobile Comprehensive Fire, Theft and Collision Coverage


The present coverage is in the Federal Mutual, Policy # KX177151, covering the two Police Cruisers for Comprehen- sive Fire and Theft on a 1955 Ford in the amount of $3,000 and a 1954 Dodge for $2,900.


219


Recommendations are to reconsider the purchase of Collision Insurance on these two vehicles, since they are very susceptible to serious accidents. This should be considered in the light of the fact that Collision Insurance carries a deductible in varying amounts, from $50 or $100 per accident and the estimated premium per year for the two cruisers would be $103 with a $50 deductible and $67 using a $100 deductible.


Comprehensive Fire and Theft Insurance on the seven Fire Department vehicles and the six Highway vehicles and Fire and Theft only on the Tree Department truck is strongly recommended, since the possibility of concentrated loss is con- siderable at the garaging point. The cost of this insurance is extremely reasonable for the amount of protection obtained. To cover these vehicles for Comprehensive and Fire and Theft would cost annually $222.45.


Collision Insurance on these same vehicles should be con- sidered separately and having in mind the past experience of the various Departments in this respect: Having also in mind that these vehicles are used primarily locally and are not as susceptible to damage as the Police vehicles but in order that you may determine whether or not the Town should purchase Collision Insurance on these vehicles, the Committee submits the Collision quotation on the basis of a $250 deductible, of $466.


Item V Workmen's Compensation


American Motorists, #5CM36377, expiring May 23, 1956. This Compensation Policy is written correctly under the Massa- chusetts Statutory Form covering employees of the Town in accordance with existing law. No changes are recommended. Item VI Boiler and Machinery


Some of the keynotes resulting from our analysis of Boiler and Machinery coverage are the following :


1 We note that Bodily Injury coverage is included at all locations.


We would like to point out that this coverage is optional and can be adequately covered under a Public Liability policy to cover individuals other than employees. Em- ployees would be covered under the Workmen's Com-


220


pensation. There is not much savings involved here by eliminating this coverage. On the other hand, it would be a duplication of liability if they are now properly covered.


2 We note that some of the boilers have Broad coverage and others Limited coverage. It is our understanding that the boilers on Limited are so insured because of their age. The thinking here is that in the event of a Broad Form accident, the rate of depreciation would be so high that there would be small percentage of recovery.


3 Repair or Replacement coverage - We would like to bring to attention that this item of depreciation can be eliminated completely by providing Repair or Replace- ment which covers property of the Insured. In the event of a boiler explosion, not only would the boilers be repaired or replaced without consideration for deprecia- tion, but also other property of the Insured such as the building and contents (except stock and supplies). In most cases the amount taken for depreciation on older equipment exceeds the amount of recovery. Where one is buying insurance on the boiler explosion basis, con- sideration should be given to adding this coverage. This can be provided on the present policy for an additional $118 per year.


4 Varying Limits per accident - We note that there are varying Limits on the present policy which run from $100,000 at the High School and Elementary School to $10,000 at the Windsor Avenue Fire House. We would also like to point out that the present contract covers Bodily Injury Liability. It is our feeling that in the event of a boiler explosion, the resulting damage to buildings and to persons could and would probably exceed these present Limits. We feel that $100,000 Limits should be provided at all the school locations and $50,000 at the Fire Houses. The additional annual charge to increase these Limits would be approximately $44.21.


Item VII Surety Bonds


The Boston Insurance Company writes the existing Faithful Performance Bonds that are required by statute in the follow- ing amounts :


221


1 Town Clerk $1,000


2 Town Treasurer $45,000


3 Tax Collector's Bond


$48,200


These Surety Bonds protect the Town against dishonesty of these three officials and even goes so far as to guarantee the faithful performance of their duty. This clause is considered broader than just dishonesty. The Forms are written accord- ing to statute and at standard rates and there are no recom- mendations for the improvement.


The principal exposure to loss through dishonesty of officials or employees of the Town lies with these three officials and they are now adequately bonded. However, there are many other Town employees and officials, who, if they so desired, could through dishonest means, cause loss of considerable amounts of money. By way of background, dishonesty losses are seldom caused by deliberate stealing of a bundle of money or a single check. Usually the loss is caused by the collusion of one or more employees with an outside party who can falsify between them, accounts, so that the Town pays too much for various supplies, etc. The annual losses caused by dishonesty, countrywide, are almost as great as that caused by fire annually, and there never yet has been invented a system of financial control that cannot be beaten eventually by dis- honesty. Should the Town of Acton be in the position of dis- covering a large dishonesty loss, not caused by one of the three bonded officials, it would be very difficult to announce to the Town that no insurance had been provided for this type of loss. A Blanket Bond covering all employees of the Town whether compensated or serving the Town on a voluntary basis may be provided. A minimum Bond of $10,000 on each occurrence carries the minimum premium of $150 per annum or $538.65 for four years. The Committee recommends purchase of this Surety Bond.


Item VIII Money and Securities Coverage


Existing Policy, American Surety Company, #BAE104- 38364, expiring June 24, 1956. This is a limited policy covering Robbery or Holdup of the Tax Collector while in his office, at home or on the way to a bank to deposit the funds. His safe is also insured against Burglary for the minimum amount of


222


$1,200. Robbery in the insurance company language means that a man must be put in threat of violence or injured in the course of the money being taken away from him. Holdup has the same connotation. Burglary means that there must be visible signs of breaking and entering into the safe itself. There would be no protection if the door of the safe were not locked at the time of the removal of the cash. Your Insurance Committee do not feel that this is adquate insurance for the protection of the collector of his funds. The amounts are ade- quate for the premises of the Collector. The Messenger (or Transit) Holdup Limits may be insufficient. Apparently, there is no cash exposure in the Treasurer's office.


It is recommended that a Broad Form Money and Securities Policy be purchased for the Town of Acton at a minimum annual premium of $62.50 and a three-year cost of two and a half times this figure. This policy would cover money and securities for almost all-risk of loss or disappearance. The premium quoted is a minimum premium which gives $2,850 of coverage within the premises of the Tax Collector and $1,850 outside the premises but in custody of a Town official. This coverage would be limited to the Tax Collector's fund and his operation and we realize that there may be small amounts of cash available in other parts of the Town but believe that the expense of insuring small petty cash accounts is too great to warrant the purchase of the coverage. The chances of loss can be minimized by the use of impressed funds wherever possible, if not already the practice of the Town. The Broad Form Money and Securities Policy should be placed in the same company that is to write the Fidelity Bond of the Tax Collector, for there should be no question on a mysterious disappearance or misplacement loss as to whether it was caused by dishonesty or just mysteriously disappeared and if the loss is insured in both cases by the same company, there is no room for argument; the Town will receive reimbursement.




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