Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960, Part 25

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 25

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As an example of the method used by the Board, and as evidence of the inequitable existing situation with respect to one Town department, consider Table I below:

TABLE I

Police Department Patrolman Hourly Wage Rates 1957

Town

Range

Midpoint

Hours per Week

Dedham

$1.97-$2.22

$2.095

Framingham

2.00- 2.15

2.075

Maynard

2.00

219

Wellesley

1.78- 2.21

1.995

Hull

1.90- 2.15

1.975

Weston

1.85- 2.10

1.975

Needham

1.78- 2.16

1.97

Westwood

1.77- 2.16

1.965

Natick

1.87- 2.03

1.95

Bedford

1.79- 2.09

1.94

Concord

1.80- 2.03

1.915

Proposed Acton

1.80- 2.00

1.90

Hingham

1.72- 2.03

1.875

Marblehead

1.70- 2.04

1.87

Shrewsbury

1.70- 2.03

1.865

Braintree

1.67- 2.00

1.835

Athol

1.67- 1.97

1.82

Amherst

1.64- 1.97

1.805

Present Acton

1.60- 1.70

1.65

Barnstable

1.55- 1.64

1.595

A number of towns represented in Table I are considerably larger than Acton. However, the duties and hazards of the job and the qualifications required for a police department patrolman are essentially the same regardless of the size of the town. Therefore the comparisons are reasonable in this instance. (It would not, of course, be reasonable to compare the salary for Chief of Police in Acton with that in Wellesley or Dedham.)

Note that the great majority of these police departments are on a 40-hour week. Note further that the hourly rate for Acton patrolmen is substantially below every other town in the list except Barnstable. These inequities are substan- tial; moreover, they are not of recent origin. They affect materially the ability of the Acton Police Department to recruit qualified personnel. The Board believes this situation should be corrected without further delay.

Another department in which there are marked inequities is the Tree Department. At present a tree climber receives twenty cents per hour less than a laborer in the highway department. The former job, in addition to the greater skills required and the greater hazards involved, is filled by men with two years of college training in forestry. The Board feels that this situation should also be corrected immediately.

There appear to be some inequities in a third department - the Cemetery - but relatively minor adjustments will bring it into line with other departments of the Town.

220

Finally, some changes in individual salaries appear to be called for to bring comparable jobs into line. For example, the salary of the Chief of Police must bear a reasonable relation to that of the Sergeant and to the Patrolman rate. In addition, the position of Fire Chief is almost universally compensated at the same rate as that of Chief of Police. (The Board believes that all Town department heads should be compensated on an annual basis without payment for overtime, and that the hours of work for such individuals should depend upon the demands of the job.)

The Board believes that definite goals should be set to bring Acton into line with personnel practices which are now common in most towns: a 40-hour week for all depart- ments except clerical (which is usually 371/2 hours), time and one-half for overtime, uniform practices with respect to holiday and vacation pay, etc. However, it is not possible to reach these goals at once. The recommendations below are felt to be essential now. Further steps will be recom- mended for 1959.

Recommended Actions for 1958 Wages and Salaries

Present

Proposed1

Annual Salaries

Police Chief

$4742

$5000-$5150-$5300

Fire Chief

4992

5000- 5150- 5300

Cemetery Superintendent

3640

3600- 3750- 3900

Librarian

2750

2500- 2650- 2800

Weekly Salaries

Police Sergeant

$ 86

$ 86-$

90-$ 94

Nurse (Board of Health)

62-

66- 70

Executive Clerk

64-

68- 72

Clerk-Typist

50-

54- 58

Hourly Rates

Police Department

Patrolman

$1.70

$1.80-$1.90-$2.002

Special

1.50

1.602

Highway Department

Supt. of Highways

$2.00

$1.90-$1.95-$2.00

Asst. Supt. - Operator

$1.90

$1.80-$1.85-$1.90

Mechanic - Operator

1.90

1.80- 1.85- 1.90

221

Equip. Operator - Skilled Laborer Skilled Laborer

1.70

1.60- 1.65- 1.70

1.60

1.50- 1.55- 1.60

Cemetery Department

Foreman - Asst. Supt.

$1.50

$1.50-$1.55-$1.60

Skilled Laborer

1.50

1.50- 1.55- 1.60

Semi-skilled Laborer

1.30

1.30- 1.35- 1.40

Laborer (part-time)

1.10-1.30

1.25

Board of Health

Dump Custodian

$1.50

Tree Department

Tree Warden and Moth Supt. $1.75

$1.75-$1.80-$1.85

Tree Climber and Foreman

1.40

1.55- 1.60- 1.65

Tree Climber

1.40

1.55- 1.60- 1.65

Clerical

Clerk-typist (part-time)

$1.25

Library

Asst. Librarian

$1.10

Librarian - West Branch

1.21

1 The first figure in this column is the hiring rate. The second figure is the rate which may be paid at the end of the first year of service in the job. The third figure is the rate which may be paid at the end of the second year of service in the job. These increments in rate are provisional, depending upon satisfactory performance of the job.

2 To become effective when the Police Department goes on a 40-hour week. All other recommended changes to be effective April 1, 1958.

Personnel Practices

(except as noted below, 1957 departmental practices shall remain in effect during 1958)

Work week

Police Department to go from 48 hours to 40 hours per week as soon as needed personnel can be recruited.

Vacations (for all departments)

First year of employment: one day's vacation with pay for each month of employment after June 1, up to a maximum of 10 days.

222

After one year of employment subsequent to June 1: 2 weeks vacation with pay.

Only regular, full-time employees are entitled to vacation with pay. Vacations may not be accumulated beyond June 1 in any year.

Overtime

Cemetery Department

When called back on Saturday or Sunday to prepare for an internment, the employee will be paid 50¢ per hour in addition to his regular hourly rate for hours worked.

Employees on weekly or annual salary are not eligible for overtime payments. Clerical personnel and other employees on weekly salary may be compensated for overtime with time off whenever practical.

Respectfully submitted,

PETER GRAY, DOUGLAS McGREGOR, EDWARD WRAPP, Acton Personnel Board.

223

FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS

President of the United States Dwight David Eisenhower

Vice-President of the United States Richard M. Nixon

United States Senators

Leverett Saltonstall John F. Kennedy

Representative in Congress Edith Nourse Rogers - Fifth Congressional District

Officials of the Commonwealth

Governor

Foster Furcolo

Lieutenant Governor

Robert H. Murphy

Secretary

Edward J. Cronin

Treasurer

John F. Kennedy

Auditor

Thomas J. Buckley

Attorney General

George Fingold

Governor's Council Third District

Christian A. Herter, Jr. 341/2 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.

Senator Fifth Middlesex District

William E. Hays 436 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, Mass.

Representative in the General Court Eleventh Middlesex District

Vernon R. Fletcher

111 Chelmsford Street

Chelmsford, Mass.

Annual Reports 1958

ACTION TOWN HALL

Park 59

TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Highway Safety (Page 2)

SECTION A

Selectmen's Report Special Police Department Report Special Recreation Commission Report

SECTION B

Town Clerk's Report Acton School Department Report Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Report

SECTION C

Archives Committee

Board of Appeals

Building Committee

Building Inspector

Cemetery Commissioners

Dog Officer

Fence Viewers

Fire Department

Goodnow Fund

Health Industrial Development Committee

Inspector of Animals

Inspector of Wires

Library Moth Superintendent

Planning Board

Sealer of Weights and Measures

Superintendent of Streets Town Forest Committee

Tree Warden

Welfare

SECTION D

Accountant Assessors Collector State Auditor's Report Treasurer

SECTION E

Town Officers and Appointments Jury List Federal and State Officers

ANNUAL REPORTS

RATED -

INCO

1735.

ACTON

Town of Acton MASSACHUSETTS

FOR ITS TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THIRD MUNICIPAL YEAR

FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST

1958

Murphy & Snyder, Inc. * Maynard, Massachusetts

223rd ANNUAL REPORT OF

HIGHWAY SAFETY

Day and night the officers of your Police Department are on duty or on call to help you, to protect you and - if necessary - to fine or arrest you if you violate the law. You in turn can help your Police Department. How? By being aware of your state's traffic laws and by observing these laws faithfully.

Chief Edward J. Collins, Jr. points out ten basic rules to help save your life and the lives of others.

1. Don't exceed the speed laws.

2. Don't drive too slowly either. There are others on the road too.

3. Follow traffic signs and signals.

4. Be sure your car is mechanically sound.

5. Respect the school bus regulations.

6. Remember the pedestrian always has the right of way.

7. Use the proper hand signals or directional signals.

8. If you skid, turn in the direction of the skid. Apply brakes gently.

9. Keep a sizeable distance between you and that car ahead.

10. Remember, yield the right of way at intersections if necessary to stay alive!

Above all, drive carefully. The life you save may be your own!

Highway Safety 2

SECTION A

Selectmen's Report 3

Special Police Department Report

Special Recreation Commission Report

THE TOWN OF ACTON

SELECTMEN'S REPORT

To the Citizens of the Town of Acton:

We hereby submit reports of the several departments under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. Reports of Officers and Commit- tees not found in the Town Report are on file in our office and are open for inspection during regular office hours.

During the year 1958 regular meetings were held every week with the exception of the months of July and August when meetings were held every other week. In addition to these 10 special meetings were held.

Necessary warrants with articles were prepared for one annual Town Meeting and one Special Town Meeting.

Construction on the new firehouse in West Acton was completed and the building is now in full use, housing the Emergency Truck, new 750 gallon pumper and the old pumper which is held in reserve. Steady progress is being made on the new 20 room elementary school and it is anticipated that it will be completed well ahead of school opening in the fall.

We are placing articles in the Town Warrant for the purchase of a pickup truck for use of the Superintendent of Streets; the purchase of an area of land in North Acton for a Recreational Area, as submitted by the Recreation Commission, and authorization for the appointment of a paid Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen. We feel

BOARD OF SELECTMEN -TOWN OF ACTON Lawrence Donnelly Martin S. Meigs, Jr. Charles D. MacPherson

223rd ANNUAL REPORT OF

that the filling of such a full time position will enable us to establish greater efficiency in your Town Government and at the same time effect savings well over and above the salary to be paid.

Contract was let and Chapter 90 reconstruction of Main Street from the Universalist Church to Prospect Street, which had been held up for a year, was completed. A sidewalk was also installed adjacent to this entire area. In 1959 we propose to reconstruct, under this program, that section of Route #62 lying in the Town of Acton. Both Concord and Maynard have completed similar work on their sections and it is only fair that we do our share, particularly in view of the extremely dangerous curve which will be eliminated.

During the year William Kendall, Norman L. Roche, William Durkin, Robert Bartlett and John Gregory were appointed to the perma- nent rank of Patrolmen under Civil Service. The last two named were appointed to fill vacancies. We hope to be able to appoint a second Sergeant in 1959 so that all shifts may have a ranking man in charge. At this time we would like to pay public tribute to Patrolman Richard Farrell for the fine work performed by him while serving on the Acton Police Department. Through circumstances beyond our control the Town has lost the services of an extremely capable and efficient Police Officer. In the past year Officers Scribner and Durkin received invaluable training at the State Police School in Framingham. We plan to send two more men to this school in 1959. At this time we are giving careful thought and study to a new Police Headquarters, either in one of our existing buildings or in a new structure. As the Town grows Police business and the size of the Department increases accordingly. The present quarters in the Town Hall are fast becoming cramped and inadequate.

We are also giving study, through the Permanent Town Building Committee, to possible relocation of the Highway Department. Again, this reflects the growth of the Town and the bigger and better equip- ment needed to maintain our present 66 miles of highways.

A new hearing room has been completed on the first floor of the Town Hall and has already proved its value on numerous occasions.

A start has been made on microfilming Town Records and at this time the most vital ones have been recorded in this fashion. We plan to continue this program in 1959 until all records of value have been processed.

The task of endeavoring to meet the demands for services caused by the fast growth of the Town, and yet keep expenditures within reason, is an ever increasing problem and at this time we would most sincerely like to thank the Citizens of the Town as well as the various Boards and Committees for their fine understanding and co-operation in endeavor- ing to solve these problems.

Respectfully submitted,

MARTIN S. MEIGS, JR., CHARLES D. MACPHERSON, LAWRENCE DONNELLY, Board of Selectmen.

THE TOWN OF ACTON

SPECIAL POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT

****

........

6 9

***** *

**.***

......

.....

*****

.....

EDWARD J. COLLINS, JR. Chief

Law is a necessity in any civilized community; without law there is chaos. And to be effective, law must of course be well enforced. This task of law enforcement is the reason for the existence of the Police Department. It is a task which never ceases; it continues through all hours of day and night, on every day of the week.

Your Police Department means protection and security. A gasoline station attendant is robbed. Two cars crash head on in a fatal highway collision. A man embezzles funds from his company. A young child is suffocating, in immediate need of oxygen, or a large fire has broken out in a local residence. Your Police Department must be there - on the job.

Who are the men who constitute your Police Department? What is the history of its existence? What are a few of the duties of your police officer? How is he trained for his position? Does your Police

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$ 9

223rd ANNUAL REPORT OF

TOP (left to right) - John V. Gregory, Norman L. Roche, Robert A. Bartlett, Wm. S. Kendall, Jr.

BOTTOM (left to right) - Wm. J. Durkin, Jr., Chauncey R. Fenton, Chief Edward J. Collins, Jr., David W. Scribner, Warren F. Birch.

Department have any needs or aspirations for future development? Perhaps the following report can answer these questions.

Your local Police Chief, Edward J. Collins, Jr., was appointed on August 1, 1957 to succeed the late Michael Foley. Chief Collins was born in Concord, Massachusetts, March 3, 1920. He attended Concord schools, then worked for a short time before entering the Service. He entered the Army on Feb. 4, 1942 and served four years during World War II. This period included two years in the United States and two years overseas. His overseas duty was served mainly on the island of Okinawa.

On Dec. 8, 1948 he was appointed a regular police officer of the Acton Police Department. He worked as a patrolman until November of 1956, at which time he was promoted to the grade of sergeant. In February of 1957 he was appointed Acting Chief after the untimely death of Chief Foley.

The Acton Police Department has come a long way since the early days of its organization. Prior to 1916 the Police Department operated with special police officers and constables, who were directed by the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. In those days and in many small towns today, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen was the self-

THE TOWN OF ACTON

appointed Chief of Police. In 1926 Allen B. Frost was appointed Chief of Police. In 1927 Michael Foley, who was a police officer on a part-time basis, was appointed Acting Chief of Police. Michael Foley was appointed full-time Chief in 1932, and in 1938 the office of Chief of Police was placed under Civil Service (Permanent.)

In the year 1941 it was voted at the annual Town meeting for the Selectmen to appoint a regular officer to the department. In the period from 1941 to 1948, several citizens of the town were appointed to this officer's post, but for some reason or other they did not remain long in office.

Acton had its first police cruiser in 1942; it was purchased by the town in April of that year. This necessary vehicle was equipped with a radio, and it could be used as an ambulance. A second cruiser was purchased in April 1954 by the town.

1300

Officer Roche (left) communicates via radio with officer Scribner in the Town cruiser.

From 1942 to 1947 the town owned a radio to receive calls from the State Police. A new car radio was added in 1947 and connected with the Concord and Maynard Police radio stations. The town obtained its own radio station in October 1951 on the same wave length as that of Concord and Maynard.

Edward Collins was appointed to the Police Department in 1948 and soon after, 1951, Chauncey R. Fenton also joined the department, making a total of a Chief and two patrolmen. In 1954 officers Warren

223rd ANNUAL REPORT OF

F. Birch and David W. Scribner were appointed regulars. Officers William J. Durkin, Jr. and Norman L. Roche followed in 1956. Officer Richard N. Farrell, who was also appointed that year, had to leave in November of 1958 because of a legal technicality concerning a slight discrepancy in height. Officers William S. Kendall and Robert A. Bartlett were appointed in 1957 and 1958 respectively. In that same year, 1958, John V. Gregory joined the department.

So now, at this particular time, the department is nine strong - a Chief, a Sergeant and seven Patrolmen.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that in 1954, due to the efforts of Chief Collins and Sergeant Fenton, who were both Patrolmen at the time, the rest of the department was placed under Civil Service. This means that all Patrolmen coming into the department are subject to Civil Service examination and to all the laws, rules and regulations thereof.

Just what does a police officer do? What are some of the things which make up his working day?

When a police officer comes on duty he never knows what situation may confront him from the minute he checks in until he checks out.

Officer Gregory checks speed of passing vehicles, one of the many duties of your Acton Police Force.

THE TOWN OF ACTON

When he returns home it is always with the thought that he may be called out at any hour in cases of emergency, because every officer is subject to call on a 24 hour basis.

A police officer has many duties. One of the most important of these is controlling the speed on our roads and watching for all types of traffic violation. He is following that loaded school bus. He is charged with answering and investigating hundreds of complaints that come in yearly, of which he must write reports; also he must cover all accidents and turn in a report. A general knowledge of the law is necessary, of course, to enforce it, not only the General Laws and their amendments, but the local by-laws of Acton as well. You will find him patrolling the town and checking suspicious vehicles, checking doors of business establishments during the night. Hundreds of house check slips are left at homes each year while the occupants are away on vacation.

Much of a police officer's off-duty time is spent in Court on cases in which he was the arresting officer. There are numerous other duties performed by officers that do not get into the headlines. A typical example is the care of equipment, not only that issued to officers but the washing and waxing of cruisers and the like.

Something should be said about the duty of officers at fires and other emergencies. For instance, at a fire the police have an important function, such as seeing that motor vehicles do not park in places that will hamper the work of firemen, and blocking off and detouring vehicles in cases of large fires. People will still follow the fire engines ! ! !

In some cases, such as the fire that burned out Dropkick Murphy's Sanitarium, Officer David W. Scribner played a large part in getting the patients out through the windows to safety. Generally it is not the policy for officers to go into burning buildings unless so requested by the Fire Chief, but in this case where there were a large number of patients - such as at Murphy's - the officer used good judgment in assisting the Fire Department.

For such hazards your Police Officer must be physically in top condition, and otherwise well qualified for his position. Until the year 1956 officers coming into the department did not receive police training. They were given a badge, gun and club and sent out to get their man. Of course the Chief instructed his men as to their duties.

In April of 1956 the first officer of the department was sent to the State Academy at Framingham for training. The prevailing opinion at the time was that the senior of the older officers should be sent first. Edward J. Collins, Jr. was the first to go, and in April 1957 Chauncey R. Fenton went to the Academy. In 1958 two officers attended, one in April and one in October, David W. Scribner and William R. Durkin.

In 1959 we will send two more officers. When this is completed, future officers will also be sent during their year of appointment. Chief

223rd ANNUAL REPORT OF

CHAUNCEY R. FENTON Sergeant

Collins, speaking from personal experience, has stated that the Academy should be a must for every officer, since the training is invaluable.

This training consists of those things that every police officer should know - how to shoot and protect himself, for instance. Each individual is trained in the use of the service revolver, a major subject at the Academy. Then there is criminal law and Chapter 90 of the General Law, first aid procedures, courtroom demeanor, report writing technique, the firing and use of machine guns, shotguns and rifles, aircraft laws - and many other subjects.

The Academy is sponsored by the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association and is run by the Massachusetts State Police. Officers attending are required to spend four weeks at the school, 24 hours a day with the exception of weekends. This Academy is one of the best of its kind, rated as a top training school in this country.

The police officer has passed a rigid physical examination; he has learned about the law; he has been shown how to shoot accurately.

THE TOWN OF ACTON

In order to function effectively, he must have good equipment. It goes without saying that all police officers have their badge, gun, and club. Other equipment in Acton consists of the aforementioned cruisers, and radio units. A resuscitator is a must, as well as handy First Aid kits.

Officer Roche and officer Gregory administer assistance by employing use of the resuscitator to an accident victim.

There is a stretcher in each car for emergency purposes. Numerous other types of equipment are used, such as flares and large hand lights, and even six shot guns for duty in riots and insurrections - if any such inflammatory events should occur within the peaceful confines of our small community.

Your Police Department has fared very well with the limited facilities at its disposal. But what of the future? A very important item is missing. It's not a shot gun, a stretcher or a hand light. Where is the "hoosegow"? the "clink?" How do we put an offender behind bars?

What good is a Police Department without a jail, many might ask? Chapter 40, Section 34 of the General Laws provides that all towns with a population of over 3,000 provide a lock-up for arrested persons. It also provides for a penalty on the town for violation of this section with a fine of $10.00 for each month during which such neglect continues.

As is well known, the town of Acton has no lock-up and our popula- tion is an unofficial 6,000 persons. In 1950 the official census was 3,150 persons. It is the opinion of your Police Chief that we should have had a lock-up at that time. Since then eight years have elapsed. At this point, according to the law, the penalty as of this writing would be $960.00 and it is accumulating all the time. Irrespective of the law, we need a Police Station ! !

223rd ANNUAL REPORT OF

We have no facilities for the detention of juveniles, which of course is a must by law when such a station exists. Chief Collins is operating with a nine-man outfit from an office which measures an infinitesimal 10 x 13 feet.

What is done now with offenders? At the present time prisoners are locked up at the Concord Police Station. The cruiser has to travel approximately six miles from the center of Acton to accomplish this. The time that elapses from the time an arrest is made until the cruiser is back in Acton is approximately one hour. An hour that places your cruiser ten minutes from your home in time of emergency. This emer- gency could probably be answered in two or three minutes when the car is on normal patrol in Acton.

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Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960, Part 25

Author: Acton (Mass.) Publication date: 1956 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1150