USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 21
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In his later life he became a book publisher with his place of business on Bromfield Street, Boston. Besides the building he gave many paintings and a large number of books.
The act of incorporation of the library was approved Feb. 27, 1890 and in the act were the names of Luther Conant, Moses Taylor, Delette H. Hall, Hiram J. Hapgood, and Daniel J. Wetherbee. These persons formed a body corporate by the name of Acton Memorial Library. With three people elected by the Town of Acton, the Trustees of said corporation were organized. These Trustees took care of the entire management, control, and direction of the affairs of the library.
It was specified that the number of trustees should not exceed nine and that three of them should be elected, one for a term of three years, one for a two year term, and one for a single year only.
Any vacancy, occurring at any time by death or otherwise in the Board of Corporators or their successors, would be filled by the remaining member of said board; and any vacancy occurrring by death or otherwise at any time in the Board of Trustees of any elected member should be filled by the Town of Acton at a future legal meeting. Only in- dividuals who were inhabitants of Acton could be eligible as Trustees.
At a meeting of the voters of Acton, March 1890, William D. Tuttle was elected for the term of three years, Rev. James Fletcher for a term of two years, and Howard B. White for a term of one year. At a meeting of the Board of Trustees March 11, 1890 the eight members present organized formally as a working group.
The first librarian was Miss Ida A. Hale, who retired from this duty early in 1896. She was followed by Miss Viola S. Tuttle until her retirement by reason of ill health in 1902.
The present organization of Trustees is made up of nine individuals : Mr. Alden C. Flagg, Dr. W. W. Forbes, Mr. Frank Garbarino, Mr. Frederick Heyliger, Mr. Dudley Howe, Miss Florence Merriam, Mrs. M. P. Moore, Mrs. Albert Durkee, and Mr. Marvin Tolf.
To move the clock to the present, several improvements in the library have been made. There is a "cat-walk"; there are new chairs for the reading table; there is a maga-
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zine rack; and this is, of course, a complete new lighting system.
With the growth of the Town, the Trustees have length- ened library hours so that now the building is open every week day except Monday and holidays. In 1933, for example, the library was open only one hundred days during the year. The library now has a West Branch which is open on two days of the week.
As population in the Town of Acton has increased so has the book circulation of the Acton Memorial Library. As a matter of interest the following table might be noted:
1953
23,215
1954
24,233
1955
26,603
1956
33,744
1957
39,379
Is the patron interested in flying saucers ? He will want to read Flying Saucers Uncensored by Harold T. Wilkins. Does he prefer poetry? He may browse through The Col- lected Poems of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Is he interested in studying the Bible? Then he might refer to Rand McNally's Bible Atlas. For the child with imagination - and who has not - there are such fascinating new books as The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse.
Today the library intends, as is its custom, to keep up with most of the best sellers in fiction and non-fiction from year to year. At present there are 20,367 volumes in the library. These include, naturally, much more non-fiction than fiction.
We hope to provide many more new and interesting books for all ages over the future period of months and years.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN L. PIPER, Librarian.
152
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the following report for 1957.
Board of Trustees
Mrs. Florence Durkee
Frederick Heyliger
Alden C. Flagg, Chairman
Dudley Howe
W. W. Forbes, M.D.
Miss Florence Merriam
Frank Garbarino
Mrs. M. P. Moore
Marvin Tolf
Library Hours
Acton Memorial
West Branch
Tuesday - Saturday (incl.)
Tuesday 3 - 6 P. M.
1 - 6 P. M. and 7 - 9 P. M.
Thursday 6 - 8 P. M.
Librarians
Marian L. Piper Edna R. Custance (assistant) Ina Milbery - West Branch
Custodian
Ralph Parsons
Accession
Number of Volumes in Library January 1, 1957
19,850
Increase by purchase
472
Increase by gift
242
Withdrawn
197
Number of Volumes in Library January 1, 1958
20,367
Circulation - 1957
Fiction
20,524
Non-fiction
6,526
Juvenile
12,329
Total
39,379
(Circulation 1956 - 33,744)
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Receipts
Fines Miscellaneous
$446.17 48.22
Total
$494.39
To the many people who have given books and magazines to the library, we extend our sincere thanks.
MARIAN L. PIPER, Librarian.
REPORT OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: -
Submitted herewith is the report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1957.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE: The year opened with 60 recipients and closed with 64 within this category. There had been 9 deaths and 3 withdrawals. 19 new applications were processed, of which 16 were approved.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN. 30 children from seven families have been aided throughout the year in this group. We received 5 new applications. One case was approved and the other 4 were aided otherwise or referred to the proper agencies.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND GENERAL RELIEF: Several cases have received some form of assistance under this double heading.
The following is a detailed analysis of the expenditure for the year 1957 and the estimated expenditure for 1958:
Old Age Assistance
Amount paid to Acton residents $70,889.70 Amount paid to Acton cases elsewhere 664.09
$71,553.79
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Federal share State share
$29,339.45
29,621.62
Receipts from other towns
2,805.27
$61,766.34
Net cost to Acton
$9,787.45
Aid to Dependent Children
Amount paid to Acton residents
$13,599.89
Federal share
$7,006.09
State share
4,533.29
$11,539.38
Net cost to Acton . .. ..
$2,060.51
Disability Assistance and General Relief
Amount paid from GENERAL RELIEF $1,292.06
Amount paid from DISABILITY AS- SISTANCE 6,418.60
$7,710.66
Reimbursement from GENERAL RE- LIEF
$310.00
Federal share (DISABILITY)
1,969.50
State share (DISABILITY)
2,844.45
$5,123.95
Net cost to Acton
$2,586.71
Nashoba Public Welfare District Administration
TOTAL COST
$13,008.97
Net cost to Acton
$2,400.00
Recovery from Lien on Real Estate
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE $6,114.16
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Estimated Expenditure for 1958
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE $41,000.00
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN .. 6,500.00
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE AND GENERAL RELIEF 5,000.00
NASHOBA DISTRICT ADMINISTRA- TION 3,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
LOSSIE E. LAIRD, Chairman RAYMOND H. GALLANT CLINTON S. CURTIS
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Selectmen of the Town of Acton:
First of all please accept my sincere thanks for the oppor- tunity to serve the veterans of all wars in the Town of Acton. This being my initial report an explanation of the duties involved might be of value to both the taxpayers and the recipients.
This department is made up in two parts - veterans' services which involve hospitalization, education, GI loans, pensions, etc., and general advice for all benefits to which the veteran is entitled. The title of Director of Veterans' Services is given for this work which incidentally requires many hours of investigation and in many cases trips to the VA for examinations. We not only give advice but assist in completing the problems. We have found many cases which we have aided, eligible for VA benefits, all of which brings in monthly checks to the recipients and adds to the economy of the Town. This total actually brings in several thousands of dollars into the community each year which is rewarding to your Director to justify the many hours spent in obtaining these benefits for deserving vet- erans.
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The other part of this department is handled by your Agent who determines the amounts of Veterans' Benefits awarded to worthy cases. The amounts paid to the appli- cants are governed by a budget set up by the Commissioner of Veterans' Services, State House, Boston. All such cases when approved by the Commissioner are reimbursed by the State 50% so when the Town expends $10,000 for relief of NEEDY cases it actually costs the Town only $5,000.
Right here let us pause to remind the citizens of the Town that the basis of recommending Veterans' Benefits is NEED.
To anticipate the potential case load in the Department let us realize that 19% of the population in any city or town are veterans. Add to that the dependents who are potential applicants, and we find in addition to the veteran with at least 90 days of wartime service we must also include his wife, children and his parents.
In conclusion we acknowledge the friendly cooperation of the Selectmen and Town officials, and the doctors who have contributed generously of their time in expediting emergency cases. The veterans' organization have also worked in com- plete teamwork in reporting many worthy instances of distress among members of their very important groups. This office is at your disposal Tuesday nights from 7:30 to 9 or in case of any emergency any evening by calling CO 3-4694 will bring immediate attention to any need for service. A very sincere New Year salute to the finest people in the U. S. A. . . . the veterans of all wars.
Respectfully submitted,
IAN M. MOTT, Director and Agent.
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Acton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The Board of Health herewith submits its report for the year ending December 31, 1957, together with the reports of other departments connected with them, and other items of interest concerning the Health and Sanitation of the Town.
The year 1957 presented a change of members within the Board. This was the resignation of Herbert L. Leusher who had served the Board for ten (10) years. He was replaced by John W. Fish to fill the unexpired term.
In this year intensified activities have been carried on by the Board, and the cooperation of the people has been greatly appreciated. Still there is work to be done throughout the Town to correct conditions which fortunately have not given rise to sickness. With the rapid growth of the Town, both residential and industrial, these conditions cannot possibly be given the proper attention without a man "in the field," to be available at all times. Environmental sanitation is the method in which man's surroundings are improved or con- trolled for his physical betterment. One function of the Board of Health which is of utmost importance has been sewage and drainage conditions on Maple, Stow and School Streets, South Acton. Many houses drain either into streams or flood waters. Owing to low land in most of this area, nothing can be done with these conditions until the water level of Fort Pond Brook is lowered or a sewage system installed. The Board of Health is still hoping they will be able to alleviate some of the condition. Five State Sanitary inspections have been made of this area as well as other sub-marginal land in other parts of Town. We had hoped to get a report back in time to publish in the Town Report. If this cannot be done, we will publish it later in a local newspaper. These inspections have been of great help to the Board.
Garbage collection is furnished by the Town. This is under a three year contract and supervised by the Board of Health. No paper, tin cans, or rubbish of any kind is to be put in the garbage. No frozen garbage can be collected and garbage containers must be placed within reasonable
158
access. By means of garbage disposal regulations, contrac- tors transporting garbage or other offensive matter in Acton are strictly controlled and licensed by the Board of Health.
The Board of Health believes that with increased use of the Dump, it is necessary to add more gravel and fill to maintain the Dump in 1958. We would again bring to attention of the people that the Dump is open seven (7) days per week for their convenience. No one is to dump rubbish near the gate after the Dump is closed. Rubbish is to contain no garbage. Water was installed in the spring of 1957 and proved very satisfactory. As the year ended, we had only two (2) fires which necessitated the aid of the fire department as compared with sixteen (16) in 1956.
During the Fall, State inspections were made of nursery schools and kindergartens. Owing to this inspection new rules and regulations will be made in 1958 to better health and safety conditions.
The Town appropriated $2,700.00 for mosquito control at the March Town Meeting. Two (2) sprays were done by the East Coast Aviation Corp. Due to the dry season the Board decided it was not necessary to have a third spray, thus turning back $1,040 to the Town as an unexpended balance. We are asking in an article for $3,000 for 1958. The reason for this is to extend the first spray to cover a larger area, which would make approximately $1,000 per spray.
There were ninety-five (95) cases of contagious diseases which are dangerous to the public health, reported during the year 1957.
Cases reported :
Chicken pox
10
Mumph
54
Dog bites
12
German measles
13
Scarlet fever
1
Diphtheria
1
Tuberculosis
4
95
There are two (2) cases of Tuberculosis in hospitals at present.
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The following permits were issued:
Sewage permits (new construction) 83
Sewage permits (additional to old) 43
$2,290.00 was collected for these.
Burial permits 25
Offal permits
2
Overnight cabins
2
Methyl Alcohol permits
13
Kindergartens and children's work shops 5
Slaughtering permit 1
Rest Homes inspected
2
There were six (6) swimming holes inspected.
The following is the report of the Food, Water and Milk Inspector :
Milk plants inspected
11
Eating places inspected
11
Catering establishments
3
Stores where milk, etc. are sold
9
Ice cream licenses issued
2
Milk licenses issued
19
Milk dealers licenses issued
15
Water samples taken of Town water and other places when the Board of Health con- sidered necessary 50
All eating places had glasses and silverware laboratory tested for cleanliness twice during the year.
Milk and cream samples were picked up at stores and analyzed. Also the school milk was tested each month.
The following is the report of the Plumbing Inspector: There were one hundred ninety-one (191) permits issued. Total amount collected $906.50.
The following is the report of the Town Health Nurse, Mrs. Eileen F. Hale, R.N .:
Old Age Welfare
Aid to Dependent Children
Veterans, Veterans' Widows or their Dependents
Social Security disabilities
Total number of calls 479
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Communicable Disease visits
Mumps
22
Measles
1
Scarlet fever 1
Diphtheria
1
German measles
2
Asian Flu
2
Tuberculosis
Active cases - Hospitalized 2
Active cases - Not Hospitalized
1
Inactive cases
9
Contacts
31
Clinics for Salk Polio Vaccine inoculations
Preschool
347 1
3rd inoculations
School
997
School personnel
114
Medical, Surgical and Chronic cases
1,285
Maternal and Child Health Visits
170
Prenatal visits
Postnatal visits
School children
Clinics
Dental Clinic held each month except August.
Polio - 5 Clinics
1,564 inoculations
Monthly Chest X-ray Clinic
45 X-rayed
Preschool Clinic
91 children
Diphtheria and Schick testing
Asian Flu vaccine inoculations to school and Town Employees .... 276
Trips to doctors, hospitals and Waltham Sanatorium 40
Kindergarten inspections 8
Follow up visits (not charged) 273
Night, Sunday and off-hour calls 58
Paid visits to persons under doctor's care 586
Total money received from calls
$625.00
Dental Clinic 25.50
Total
$650.50
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This service is a public health service sponsored by the Board of Health. It offers such professional nursing skills which are a part of the public health nurse's practice to individuals requiring such service in the home. It is offered only under the direction and guidance of a physician and is available to anyone living in the Town of Acton. She may be reached during the day by telephone. The number is CO 3-4736.
In conclusion, the Board of Health wishes to any one who in any way contributed to a successful program; its thanks and gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
ORMA L. CLARK, M.D., Chairman JOHN W. FISH MARTIN J. DUGGAN, R.N.
REPORT OF THE ACTON PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The activities of the Acton Planning Board during the past year have been directed toward the administration of the Subdivision Control Law, toward the improvement of the Protective Zoning By-Law and the Building By-Law and toward certain other specific problems.
A total of four subdivisions were approved in 1957 and they include :
Jenks Realty Company: Robbins Park in Acton Center
Jenks Realty Company: Second section of Robbins Park Henry Erikson: Birch Ridge in West Acton
Howland Parker: Off Elm Street in West Acton.
One subdivision was turned down when suitable easements for draining the land were not obtained. One subdivision is currently pending approval; the hearing having been held in the latter part of December.
: The Protective Zoning By-Law was carefully studied and a series of amendments to this by-law were recommended to the Town for approval at the Annual Town Meeting and
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the Special Town Meeting, November 4, 1957. These amend- ments included the following :
1. Four articles concerning rezoning of property were pre- sented to the Annual Meeting. Three of these articles were approved by the Town although one of these was later disapproved on a technicality by the Attorney General's office. Three articles, one of which was the item disapproved previously by the Attorney General, were submitted to the Special Town Meeting and two of these were approved by the Town. Two additional rezoning actions were discussed at public hearings but were not placed on the warrant by the Board inasmuch as they did not seem to be in the best interests of the Town.
2. Articles concerning the licensing of trailers and the restrictions on residential building in a business zone were recommended to the Town at the Annual Meeting. A revision to the opening section of the by-law was recom- mended at the special meeting. All of these recommenda- tions were approved by the Town, although a portion of the latter article was disapproved by the Attorney General.
A series of lengthy articles amending the Building By-Law were recommended to the Town for adoption. These articles, which concerned fire safety principally and which were worked out with Fire Chief MacGregor, were approved by the Town at the Special Town Meeting in November.
A total of ten streets in new subdivisions were accepted during the past year upon the Board's recommendation.
The Planning Board was directed by the Town in a Special Town Meeting on June 24, 1957 to study a drainage problem in South Acton. This report, which follows, was reviewed at a duly advertised public hearing, November 18, 1957. The actions, which are recommended in this report, are logical and straightforward. They should be pursued with all vigor and dispatch. Further drainage or sewage studies in this section of Town should not be initiated until this obvious problem is resolved.
The West Acton drainage project has been completed. Mr. Benjamin Rice is to be commended for the quality of the work as well as for staying within the appropriated funds for this project.
The Planning Board suffered a severe loss on the death of Aubrey Kretschmar last spring in spite of the fact
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that he had resigned from the Board to take his place on the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Kretschmar's influence will continue to be felt in Acton due to his intense devotion to Town affairs and good government.
In the interest of improving our Town government, the following recommendations are made:
1. That the scheduled Special Town Meeting held in November be continued. This meeting, which constituted twenty-one articles this past year, some of which were con- troversial as well as lengthy, accomplished much constructive work in addition to shortening this year's Annual Meeting Warrant appreciably.
2. That the Town consider employing a Town Engineer, on a consulting basis, to assist the Planning Board and other boards and departments. The need for an experienced, trained man to help in the technical aspects of subdivision planning, road maintenance and drainage is undeniable.
3. That the Town consider employing an administrative assistant to the Selectmen. The crushing work load of the Selectmen, particularly in reference to daily routine functions, could be reduced appreciably by such means. This should free the Selectmen for the important policy making function that is sometimes by-passed because of the press of these routine functions.
The Planning Board would like to thank the various Boards, Committees and Departments of the Town for their excellent cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. FARLEY H. W. FLOOD JOHN H. LORING DAVID P. TINKER FREDERICK W. WHITCOMB
164
REPORT TO THE TOWN OF ACTON CONCERNING SOUTH ACTON DRAINAGE PROBLEM
The Planning Board was instructed by the Town at a Special Town Meeting on June 24, 1957 to study the various aspects of the drainage problem in South Acton, centering around the Faulkner dam. An appropriation of one thousand dollars ($1,000) was made for this study and our expendi- tures to date have been less than six hundred dollars ($600). Mr. Leonard Rae has handled much of the legal work in the pursuit of this assignment, and the Board is most appreciative for his excellent help.
Our study has disclosed the following points that are pertinent to the problem:
The Town should not attempt to own the Faulkner dam since it is very unlikely that this dam would be within the proper classification of property which a Town may acquire for public or municipal purposes. If the Town was purchas- ing this property as a historic monument, for example, this might be a proper classification. The Planning Board has received a letter from the owner's attorney stating that the dam is not for sale.
It would not appear that an action to abate a private nuisance by the owners of the property adjacent to the mill-pond would be successful since the flowage rights to their lands are held by the present owner of the Faulkner dam. However, the flowage rights held by the owner of the dam does not give him a right to maintain the dam if it is a public nuisance.
The Board of Health is the proper board to take action to correct the present problems. It is within the powers of the Board of Health to determine whether the dam is a source of a nuisance which so affects the Town as to be considered a public nuisance. The Board of Health has already given the opinion that the Faulkner dam constitutes a nuisance to the Town, particularly from a health stand- point.
If the Board of Health decides that the Faulkner dam constitutes a public nuisance, they may take action in accord- ance with Chapter 111, Section 122 of the General Laws. This section grants to the Board of Health broad and plenary
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powers to deal with the elimination of a nuisance. If the Board of Health neglects or refuses to pass all proper orders to abate the nuisance, anyone aggrieved by such neglect or refusal may apply to the County Commissioners in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 111, Section 141. The County Commissioners may hear and determine such applica- tion and exercise all the powers of the Board of Health.
We therefore propose that the following action be taken: 1. That the Board of Health proceed immediately to establish the existence of a public nuisance due to the Faulkner dam. 2. That the Board of Health proceed to take the necessary steps under Chapter 111, Section 122, to abate the nuisance.
The action to abate this nuisance should be pursued with all vigor and speed by the Board of Health in order to make the most of an extremely dry summer and fall.
The amount of water to be released is at a minimum now and the problems attendent to abating the nuisance are probably less difficult during conditions of low water.
While no action by a Town Meeting is required at this time to initiate the action, it may be necessary for the Town to appropriate a sum of money if the owner of the dam refuses to cooperate with the Board of Health and it becomes necessary to take the case to court. A Special Town Meeting for this purpose can be called if it becomes necessary.
While the Planning Board has no authority to undertake this action, we wish to offer our services to the Board of Health in any way that we can help. We feel that a thor- ough cleanup of Fort Pond Brook, from town line to town line, would make Acton a healthier, more pleasant Town to live in.
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. FARLEY H. W. FLOOD JOHN LORING DAVID TINKER FREDERICK WHITCOMB
166
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1957
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
We hereby submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1957.
The account of the Town Treasurer shows that during the past year the Cemetery Department has received and paid into the Treasury the sum of $2,928.55 which can be found itemized in the Treasurer's report. Also in the Town Col- lector's report you will find the sum of $615.50 collected for the annual care of lots, which is credited to the Cemetery Department receipts.
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