USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 3
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Precinct I
Forrest E. Bean, Jr., 40 Wood Lane, beef merchandiser Russell C. Berry, 54 Hosmer Street, retired Sherman W. Frost, 852 Main Street, farmer Ray L. Harris, 781 Main Street, water commissioner Walter B. Stevens, 20 Concord Road, manager E. Clayton Steeves, 49 Taylor Road, supervisor Roy H. Linscott, 341 Great Road, owner gas station Julius Roth, 777 Main Street, factory manager David E. Driscoll, 7 Great Road, mechanical engineer Edward W. Mann, 90 Hammond Street, ins. maker Caroline McGregor, 140 Nagog Hill Road, home maker Raynold Dagenais, Nagog Hill Road, salesman
Precinct II
Edward H. Bentsen, 74 School Street, sheet metal Thomas W. Curtin, 66 Maple Street, lithographer Margaret F. Heath, 74 Main Street, clerk Sylvester P. Condon, 54 Central Street, General Motors Frederick J. Strate, 198 Main Street, postal clerk Dante E. Bartolomeo, 40 Liberty Street, Civil Engineer John A. Flaherty, 11 Chadwick Street, rigger George W. Larrabee, 37 Liberty Street, equipment operator Galen R. Mclaughlin, 31 Prospect Street, tool maker Arthur McKelvie, 48 Main Street, plumber Edwin B. Murdough 87 School Street, Civil Engineer Millard J. Landry, 49 Maple Street, machinist
Precinct III
David E. Worrall, 16 Mohawk Drive, tube grinder Margaret B. Miney, 402 Central Street, housewife Frederick A. Harris, 15 Church Street, granite worker Benjamin H. Webster, 28 Mohawk Drive, instructor Richard Sisson, Hayward Road, builder Ernest K. Anderson, 251 Newtown Road, postal clerk Irving O. Berlied, 74 Summer Street, carpenter George H. Locke, Jr., 235 Arlington Street, assembly man Clyde J. Horne, 13 Orchard Drive, assistant plant manager Donald J. MacLennan, Nash Road, engineer John Fitzallen Moore, 47 Mohawk Drive, scientist William J. Grancey, 2 Mohawk Drive, salesman
22
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report as Moth Superintendent for the year 1956. A Dormant Spray for the Elm Bark Beetle was put on all town Elms in April. A Foliage spray was put on in June for Elm Leaf Beetles and Cankerworms.
There were 46 Town trees infected with Dutch Elm Disease in 1956. All of them have been removed.
Respectfully submitted, FRANKLIN H. CHARTER, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Acton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my thirtieth annual report for the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1956. This report includes all arrests made within the Town during the past year. It also includes reports on Motor Vehicle accidents, bicycle registrations, houses checked, parking viola- tions, and tickets given for defective equipment in addition to other items.
Arrests and prosecutions for the following offenses:
Speeding
217
Speed Regulation
69
Law of the Road
6
School Bus Law violation
10
Operating without license in possession
4
Operating without lights on motor vehicle
1
Operating under influence of liquor
11
Operating without tail light
1
Operating without rear plate light
1
Operating so as to endanger
24
Fish and Game violation
3
Operating an unregistered motor vehicle
18
23
Operating an uninsured motor vehicle
9
Attaching plates
3
Drunkenness
17 9
Red Light violations
8
Stop Sign violations
8
Operating after suspension of right
1 1
Operating a motor vehicle without a license
11
Vagrancy
5
Racing
2
Fraudulent check
1
Operating an uninspected motor vehicle
4 1
Desertion
Going away after causing property damage
1
Operating without registration in possession
2
Operating without a registration
3
Operating after revocation of license
6
Inadequate brakes
1
Not using care in passing
1
Carrying a revolver without a permit
5
Breaking and Entering and Larceny
2
Trespassing
2
Defacing serial number on firearms
4
Operating after suspension of license
1
Loaded rifle in motor vehicle
1
Non-support
2
Giving false name to Police Officer
1
Collection of junk without a license
1
Spilling on highway
1
Operation after revocation of right
1
Operating recklessly
1
Operating with no plates displayed
1
Larceny of auto
4
Failing to give right of way at intersection
1
Manslaughter
2
Lewd and Lascivious behaviour
1
Rape
1
Begetting
1
Using a motor vehicle without authority
1
493
Motor Vehicle Accident Report :
1955
1956
Total number of accidents reported
95
94
Number of occupants injured
58
64
24
Larceny
Making unsafe turn
Number of occupants killed
1
1
Number of pedestrians injured
1 0
1
1
Number of pedestrians killed Bicyclists injured
2
3
Motorcyclists injured
1 0
Miscellaneous Statistics:
Houses checked
468
Parking tickets given
119
Defective Equipment tickets given
170
There were 1,027 motor vehicles checked by this depart- ment for traffic or motor vehicle violations for which the operators received verbal warnings, summonses to appear in court or had the violation reported to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles for action.
Bicycle Registrations :
Of the 959 bicycle registrations in circulation, there have been only 477 new and renewed registrations issued in 1956. All bicycles in the town must be registered with the Police Department. All registrations expire on April 30th, 1958. No charge is made if the plate issued is still in good condi- tion. If a new plate is issued, the fee is twenty-five cents.
Cruisers :
We have two cruisers; a 1956 Dodge sedan and a 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon. The 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon is a combina- tion cruiser and ambulance which can be used for emergency purposes.
Personnel Records:
On October 30, 1956, the Selectmen created a new position in the Police Department in the rank of Sergeant, and Edward J. Collins, Jr. was provisionally appointed to the post pending a Civil Service examination. Also at this time, William Durkin, Jr. was appointed a patrolman under the same set up.
Due to my illness, and the fact that my retirement becomes effective January 31, 1957, two additional patrolmen were added to the Department. Norman Roche and Richard Farrell were appointed to the Police Department as patrolmen pending Civil Service examinations for these positions. This brings the total number of officers to seven; five patrolmen, a sergeant, and a chief.
25
I have recommended to the Board of Selectmen that Ser- geant Collins become Acting Chief upon the effective date of my retirement. Sergeant Collins has been with the De- partment eight years. He has assisted me in many of my duties as Chief. Whenever I left town on vacation or for any other purpose Sergeant Collins was put in charge of the Department. He is familiar with the duties of a chief and the general functions of the police department.
In my association with all the members of the De- partment over the years I have found them to be very sin- cere, cooperative, devoted to duty, and their services have been in the highest tradition of the Force.
I wish to express my thanks to the entire Department for their loyalty to me and to the town during the years which they have served under me and it is with sincere appreciation to all the boards, departments and citizens of Acton that I close my thirtieth annual report as Chief of Police.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL FOLEY, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report of Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1956.
In the past year I have sealed 273 weighing and measuring devices.
There are at the present time 38 gas pumps, 11 Vehicle Gas and Oil Trucks, 71 sets of Scales, the rest being weights and small measures.
Sealing fees collected $148.70. The same was turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, A. PERRY MARBLE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
26
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1956.
Chapter 90 - Construction
(1.) The construction, on Main Street, Acton Center, for 1955 which was held up due to the flood in October of that year was completed in June.
(2.) The washout on High Street in January, due to high water, was filled in and new sheathing for a retaining wall was driven. This reconstruction was done by the original contractor, who was not at fault, at no cost to the town.
(3.) The construction on Massachusetts Avenue in West Acton was done under contract by the Charles Contracting Company of Waltham. This was delayed due to changes in the drainage grades and the changing of pipe material and size under the Boston and Maine Railroad, plus the delay in the delivery of the correct pipe due to the seasonal demand.
(4.) The planned construction for 1957 is the relocation and surfacing of Main Street, from Central Street to Prospect Street, with the addition of suitable drainage and a sidewalk on the west side.
Chapter 90 - Maintenance
All Chapter 90 Maintenance work, consisting of resurfac- ing, was completed and a similar program is contemplated for 1957. A total of $4,500.00 is allotted for the work on Chapter 90 roads, State, County, and Town each contributing one-third. It is possible that in the future it will be neces- sary for the State, County and Town to increase their con- tribution because of the rising cost per mile.
Chapter 81
The floods of October 1955 and January 1956 washed sur- plus sand into many catch basins and drop in-lets of our drainage system to the extent of rendering some of them useless. These along with some culverts had to be flushed out and some of them repaired. Because of this unexpected expense the money under Chapter 81 was expended earlier than was anticipated. Therefore several roads which were ready to be oiled could not be done and will have to be pre-
27
pared again in 1957. A large amount of patching could not be done which leaves more repairing to be done in 1957. This plus the added patching, repairing and graveling accounted for over $8,000.00 of the $24,650.00 of Chapter 81 money. Added roads and increasing prices are also reducing the amount of maintenance that can be done.
Drainage
Drainage is an increasing problem and the establishing of a Drainage Account was necessary to relieve Chapter 81 of the drainage item. Under the newly established Drainage Account we will be able to install several small catch basin systems where they are badly needed.
Article 16- Town Meeting of March 12, 1956
Under Article 16 the work on the brook in West Acton was undertaken by the Highway Department to prevent a layoff of regular department employees and 70% of the work is completed. Work was stopped on this project because of the weather and it was necessary for the Water District to lower the main on Willow Street.
Equipment
The new Trojan Loader, purchased in May 1956, has proved very satisfactory by speeding up all phases of work. It has cut sanding time 40% and practically eliminated the hiring of equipment for snow removal in the Squares.
The large motor driven sweeper has been a big help. Admitted it is dusty and does not pick up the dirt but it has cut the sweeping time 500%. It is hoped that in the near future a power sweeper can be obtained. This machine would eliminate the dust and pick up the oiling and snow sand from the gutters. A new truck will be needed before too long and it is hoped a stabilization fund will be started so these expenditures would not be too great at any one time.
Due to the co-operation of the Cemetery Department we have been using their compressor. It is very convenient and has saved the Department considerable time and money. We have need of some accessories that the Cemetery Department does not use and it is hoped we will be able to obtain these this year. If so, we would not have to hire a compressor for any reason. These accessories should pay for themselves in two years.
28
Miscellaneous
Building Repair: A face lifting is contemplated for the garage, necessitated by the size of the equipment. A re- roofing is needed and it is thought that at the same time a section of the roof could be raised and large overhead doors installed. The present doors are too low and narrow, and as they open outward they are a constant source of trouble dur- ing the winter.
An addition to one of the buildings was completed for the housing of the roller and grader. No money was available for a door for this addition but it is hoped one can be in- stalled this year.
I would like to thank the townspeople and the various departments for their co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN F. RICE, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF THE TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Town Forest Committee submits the following report for the year 1956.
The sum of $100 was appropriated for work in the Town Forest. The brush along the fire lanes was sprayed with brushkiller. The rest was cut to the ground. Brush was also cut along two access roads in the Texas lot.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANKLIN H. CHARTER, EMERY NELSON, ARNO H. PERKINS, Town Forest Committee.
29
REPORT OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
During the year ended December 31, 1956, four accidents were reported to me. They all required medical attention but two were of a more serious nature but were taken care of as far as the law would allow.
Respectfully submitted,
THERON A. LOWDEN, Compensation Agent.
30
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
RECORD OF TOWN ELECTION HELD MARCH 5, 1956
Pct. 1 Pct. 2
Pct. 3 Total
Whole number of votes cast 204 249
283
736
MODERATOR, one year
Albert P. Durkee 180 217
252
649
Sworn by Town Clerk March 10, 1956
James Kinsley
1
1
Blanks
24
32
30
86
TOWN CLERK, one year
Harlan E. Tuttle
194 234
262
690
Sworn by Moderator March 10, 1956
Blanks
10
15
21
46
SELECTMAN, three years
Leo C. Cunningham, Jr. 181 214
259
654
Sworn by Town Clerk March 6, 1956
Blanks
23
35
24
82
ASSESSOR, three years
Albert P. Durkee
180
220
252
652
Sworn by Town Clerk March 10, 1956
Blanks
24
29
31
84
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE, three years
Walter B. Stevens
178 213
255
646
Sworn by Town Clerk March 31, 1956
Blanks
26
36
28
90
TREASURER, one year
Wm. Henry Soar
189 228
261
678
Sworn by Town Clerk March 12, 1956
Blanks
15
21
22
58
31
TOWN COLLECTOR, one year
Charles M. MacRae 188 220 262 670
Sworn by Town Clerk March 12, 1956
Blanks 16 29 21 66
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, three years
Evelyn N. MacLean
144
173
187
504
Sworn March 10, 1956
Thomas E. Wetherbee
160
199
196
555
Sworn March 12, 1956
George H. Allen
30
48
71
149
Joseph F. Bushell
9
6
45
60
Raymond F. Letts
33
34
34
101
Blanks
32
38
33
103
CONSTABLES, one year
Edward J. Collins, Jr. .......
185
222
259
666
Sworn by Town Clerk
Michael Foley
186
219
261
666
Sworn by Town Clerk
T. Frederick S. Kennedy ....
180
217
257
654
Sworn by Town Clerk March 12, 1956
Ivar Peterson
189
210
261
660
Sworn by Town Clerk March 6, 1956
Scattered
1
1
2
Blanks
76
127
93
296
CEMETERY COMMISSIONER three years
Harry E. Holt
184
212
253
649
Scattered
1
1
Blanks
20
36
30
86
BOARD OF HEALTH, three years
Herbert L. Leusher
188
212
249
649
Sworn by Town Clerk March 12, 1956
16
37 34
87
TRUSTEE OF MEMORIAL LIBRARY, three years
Vesta B. Thompson
169 154
235
558
Sworn by Town Clerk March 8, 1956
William E. Cowley, Jr.
25
67
27
119
Blanks 10
28
21
59
Blanks
32
TREE WARDEN, one year
Franklin H. Charter 190 214 261 665
Sworn by Town Clerk March 8, 1956
Blanks
14 35
22
71
PLANNING BOARD, five years
Charles Judd Farley
113
79
81
273
Sworn by Town Clerk March 10, 1956
John F. Mclaughlin
44
34
31
109
Arnold H. Mercier
30
71
132
233
William C. Ray
8
43
31
82
Blanks
9
22
8
39
ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 12, 1956
Article 1. (Officers) To choose all necessary Town Offi- cers and Committees and fix the salaries and compensation of all the elective officers of the town.
Chose: Clara Sawyer trustee of the Elizabeth White Fund for three years.
Chose: Frederick T. Kennedy trustee of the Acton Fire- men's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose: Arno H. Perkins trustee of the West Acton Fire- men's Relief Fund for three years.
Chose: Thelma L. Boatman trustee of the Goodnow Fund for two years to fill vacancy and Frank E. Greenough trustee of the Goodnow Fund for three years.
Voted : That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen be six hundred dollars per annum and the other members three hundred dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Moderator be fifteen dollars for one evening and twenty-five dollars for two evenings for the annual town meeting and ten dollars for each special meeting.
Voted : That the salary of the Town Treasurer be thirteen hundred dollars per annum.
33
Voted: That the salary of the Town Collector be two thousand dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Assessors be twenty-five hundred dollars per annum and the other members eight hundred dollars each per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Town Clerk be six hundred fifty dollars per annum.
Voted: That the salary of the Tree Warden be fixed at $1.60 per hour plus 75 cents per hour for use of a truck.
Voted: That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Health be twenty-five dollars per annum; the clerk fifteen dollars and the other member ten dollars per annum and that the Board of Health be authorized to appoint one of its own members as an assistant agent and assistant custodian of the Town Dump at the rate of $1.25 per hour in accordance with the provisions of Section 4A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
Voted: That the salary of the Chairman of the Board of Public Welfare be one hundred twenty-five dollars per annum and that of the other members seventy-five dollars each per annum.
Article 2. (Reports) To see if the Town will vote to accept the several reports of the Town Officers and Boards, or take any other action relative thereto.
Voted: To accept the several reports of the town officers and boards.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any Com- mittees chosen at any previous town meeting that have not already reported.
Report of the Special School Building Committee
The Town Meeting of December 22, 1955, voted to author- ize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five members, one of whom would be from the School Committee, to plan an addition of six rooms to the Julia L. McCarthy Primary School.
The committee has met regularly since its appointment and has also held conference with members of the Board of Assessors and the Planning Board. We have had liasion with the School Committee through our joint member. Mr. O'Connell, the Superintendent of Schools, has attended most
34
of our meetings. One conference was held with representa- tives of the State School Building Assistance Commission.
The Committee's first action was to study the projected school population of grades one through six as provided by the School Department. This census is of children now living in Town and who will be of school age not later than 1961. This does not take into account any children of this age who move into town within this period.
The present primary space available in the school system consists of eight rooms at the Julia L. McCarthy School, four rooms at the West School, four rooms at the South School, and three rooms at the Center School - a total of nineteen rooms. In addition, three more rooms outside the school system are being rented.
When the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School is com- pleted, the present Acton High School will be converted for elementary use. This will provide eleven more rooms for a total of thirty rooms within the school system. On the basis of the School Department census and with classes of twenty- five pupils, this will provide sufficient space for the period necessary for a complete and thorough investigation of the school needs and to formulate plans for additional space.
The town would be unable to complete the construction of any building sooner than the High School conversion would be ready. The present school facilities would provide space for at least the next three years. Therefore, it seemed to this committee that some time should be taken to study the long- range aspect of the Acton School System.
The questions that came to our minds were many. The McCarthy School was planned for a four room addition. Could it be increased to a six room addition without extensive im- provements ? The additional six rooms would provide the town with thirty-six rooms in its grades one through six. Would this extra space be empty, or should one of the village schools be temporarily closed ?
This committee concurs with the School Committee that the village schools are not a very satisfactory educational facility, nor do they rate highly from a safety standpoint. Perhaps they should be replaced with another building? If so, where and when? The members of this committee would like to study these and other questions further. They would like to consult with the School Committee to understand the educational needs and goals, and with the Planning Board as to future growth of population centers in the Town.
35
May we then request this meeting to extend the term and the scope of this Committee that we can explore the long- range requirements of the Town's educational facilities, and to report to the Town within the next six months.
No money has been expended from our appropriation of $500.
Respectfully submitted,
ORMAL LAFFIN, NORMAN McINTOSH, EDMUND McNIFF, LLOYD PRIEST, WALTER STEVENS.
Voted : £ That the report of the Special School Building Committee be accepted as a report of progress.
Report of the War Memorial Committee
The committee appointed under Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting held September 12, 1955 as a "Committee to study and investigate and make recommendations for a suitable memorial to Acton Veterans who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America or its Allies during World War II or the Korean Conflict" have met and organized with:
Clyde J. Horne as Chairman Louis C. Schwaab as Secretary
After exploratory discussions it was generally decided to proceed along the lines of Permanent, Tablet or Stone type and Living Memorials.
Permanent and Stone type being investigated by Theron A. Lowden.
Living Memorials such as a swimming pool being investi- gated by Leslie F. Parke.
Scholarships by Carl W. Bergman.
The committee feels that the Living type Memorials are more appropriate and in harmony with the sentiments ex- pressed by Veterans country wide.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL W. BERGMAN, CLYDE J. HORNE, THERON A. LOWDEN, LESLIE F. PARKE, LOUIS C. SCHWAAB.
36
Voted: That this report be accepted as a report of progress.
Article 4. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray the necessary expenses of the several departments of the Town and determine how the same shall be raised.
Voted: That the following sums of money be appropriated for the several purposes hereinafter designated and that the same be expended only for those purposes under the direction of the respective boards, committees, or officers of the town as follows, and that the total money shall be made available by a transfer of $54,000 from the Surplus Revenue Account and the remainder to be raised in the 1956 Tax Levy.
General Government
1 Moderator
$75.00
2 Finance Committee Expense
50.00
3 Selectmen's Dept. - Salaries and Wages
4,678.00
4 Expenses
300.00
5
Town Accountant - Wages
1,300.00
6 Expenses
200.00
7 Town Treasurer - Salary and
Wages
1,300.00
8 Expenses
400.00
9 Town Collector - Salaries and
Wages
2,000.00
11
Assessors' Salaries and Wages
4,500.00
12 Expenses
400.00
13
Town Clerk, Salary and Fees Expenses
350.00
15
Elections and Registrations Salaries and Wages
2,490.00
16 Expenses
900.00
17 Total General Government
$21,243.00
Buildings and Grounds
18 Buildings and Grounds Salaries and Wages $3,150.00
19 Expenses 4,450.00
20 Total Buildings and Grounds $7,600.00
37
500.00
9.A Clerk, Wages
10 Expenses
700.00
1,100.00
14
Protection of Persons and Property
21 Police, Salaries and Wages $20,920.00
21A Clerk Hire, Wages 1,300.00
22 Expenses - including Cruiser operation and Uniforms ..... 4,425.00
23 Fire Department - Salaries and Wages
8,775.00
24 Expenses
9,120.00
25
Fire Alarm System, Salaries and Wages
4,760.00
26 Expenses
230.00
27
Fire Hydrant Rental
10,650.00
28 Sealer of Weights and Measures Salaries and Wages
250.00
29 Expenses
50.00
30
Moth Department Chapter 660 Salaries and Wages
1,000.00
31
Expenses
1,000.00
32
Dutch Elm Disease Control Chap- ter 761
1,200.00
33
Town Forests, Maintenance
100.00
34
Shade Tree Replacement
250.00
35
Tree Warden, Salary and Wages
2,000.00
36 Expenses
1,200.00
37
Wire Inspector, Salary and Travel
750.00
38 Expenses 100.00
39
Dog Officer
350.00
40 Total Protection
$68,430.00
Health and Sanitation
41
Board of Health, Salaries and Wages $50.00
42
Expenses
950.00
43
Secretary, Salary
2,385.00
44
Town and School Nurse, Salary Expenses
3,120.00
:45
960.00
46
Assistant Nurse, Salary
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