USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Waltham > Town annual reports of Wayland Massachusetts 1960-1962 > Part 24
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Concurrent with the above, all roadway and drainage construction performed by the various subdevelopers in town was inspected, with the necessary reports forwarded to the Planning Board.
Administratively it has been an active year.
Rules and regulations and Permit Forms governing private con- nections to storm sewers were prepared with the aid of the Town Counsel.
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A draft of suggested revisions to certain portions of the subdivision regulations was prepared and turned over to the Planning Board. It is hoped that the draft to the final section affecting road construction will be completed early in 1962.
A complete study of personnel requirements of the Department was made in conjunction with the Personnel Board for presentation to the town at the 1962 Annual Town Meeting.
A complete study of the projected ten year equipment requirements of the Department was made and presented to the Finance Committee. We hope that a joint recommendation can be reached prior to the Annual Town Meeting.
For 8 months considerable red tape was untangled and all require- ments met for application to the Federal Communications Commission for a license to operate the radio system. The license has been granted and the radios will be in operation early in 1962.
The Road Commissioners obtained bids for and purchased a new pickup truck, a new 41/2-ton dump truck, radios and two sand spreaders.
Bids were advertised and received on all materials, used by the Department, whose value equaled or exceeded $1,000.
The Road Commissioners again thank the Highway Superintendent and all department employees for their diligence and cooperation during the past year on all phases of our program, with our special thanks to Mr. Bowers for so effectively handling the snow removal and other Department operations during the superintendent's absence last winter. We would also like to express our appreciation to the various Town Boards, Officials and Citizens for their cooperation on matters of mutual interest and concern to the town.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PETERS, Chairman, HORACE MEGATHLIN, JR., Clerk, ROBERT M. CARSON, Board of Road Commissioners.
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
I wish to submit my report as Animal Inspector for the Town of Wayland for the year 1961.
Inspected 313 Native Cows
Inspected 4 Native Bulls
Inspected 57 Young Stock
Inspected 4 Sheep
Inspected 33 Horses
Inspected 1 Mule
Inspected 289 Interstate Cattle
Quarantined 60 Dogs
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN F. LAWRENCE, Inspector Animals.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TOWN GOVERNMENT - 1962
In its 1961 report this committee recommended that the terms of office for the Town Clerk, Collector and Treasurer be changed from one to three years. An article to accomplish this was inserted in the warrant for the 1961 Town Meeting and was adopted by the Town. We report as follows on the other items mentioned in our 1961 report.
Relations Between the School Committee and
Other Town Departments
We are happy to report that during this past year all problems of overlapping jurisdiction and responsibility between the School and Health Departments have been ironed out. Likewise the problems of snow removal and maintenance of school grounds have been worked out satisfactorily between the School and Park Departments.
Police and Fire Communications
In our 1961 report, we said that a communications center, serving all departments, is a possible eventual solution but cannot be achieved for several years even if desirable. There have been no new develop- ments during the past year, and the matter is, therefore, still in abeyance.
Public Safety Department
We continue of the opinion that it may in the future be advisable to combine the Fire and Police Departments under one chief. The matter is currently in abeyance.
Engineering Services
The Committee met in November with representatives of the Plan- ning Board, Assessors, Water Board, Highway Commissioners, Finance Committee and the Town Counsel. Each Department reported on the type and quantity of engineering services required, how these were now being obtained and whether, from their viewpoint, it would be desirable to establish the position of Town Engineer.
The meeting made clear that the problem is one of great com- plexity. The types of engineering services required vary greatly, and there are many considerations which argue both for and against the hiring of a Town Engineer, not only from the viewpoint of satisfactory and prompt service but also of cost. It is clear that a considerable amount of research and study must be devoted to this question, and it will be pursued in the coming year.
Public Works Department
The Committee studied this matter and decided that the consolida- tion of public works functions should be accomplished gradually. Con- solidation of the work of the Cemetery Board, Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden has already been achieved in fact by the appoint- ment and election of the same man as superintendent of all three Departments. To assure the continuation of this desirable situation, we recommend the consolidation of all three functions under the juris- diction of the Cemetery Board. This will require both legislation and a
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vote of the Town Meeting. A bill has been introduced in the current session of the General Court to permit this action, and an article will be inserted in the warrant for the 1962 Town Meeting.
Enforcement of Town Laws
Preliminary studies indicate that the problem of properly enforcing all Town laws and regulations is a complex matter which will require considerable study, research, and consultation with many Town officials. This will be pursued further in the coming year.
Capital Budget
The Finance Committee has agreed that a capital budget is desir- able. As a move in this direction, they will report to the Town this year the major capital expenditures which the Town faces in the next five years, and they hope to include a capital budget in next year's report.
We wish to report on the following new matters:
Date of Town Election
It was suggested to the Committee that consideration should be given to changing the date of the election of Town officers in relation to the date of the Annual Meeting. The thought behind this suggestion was that since new officers are elected only two days before the meeting, they have insufficient time to acquaint themselves with the questions coming before the meeting and that it would, therefore, be advisable for them to be elected either earlier or alternatively after the meeting. We determined that either change could be made and that there are towns which elect their officers shortly after the meeting and as much as two weeks ahead of the meeting. However, we believe that our present system is the best and do not recommend any change. We believe that even two weeks is insufficient time for a new officer to become adequately acquainted with the problems of his department, and it is far better for those who have been in office during the year to speak for the Department at the Town Meeting. This suggests the desirability of holding elections after the meeting. However, experience in other towns has shown that this results in electioneering at the meeting. Our system avoids both drawbacks. While the new officers are elected before the meeting, thus avoiding electioneering at Town Meeting, they do not take office until after the meeting (to provide for recounts) and, therefore, the old officers are still in office and should speak for their departments at Town Meeting. We do suggest, how- ever, that all officers and citizens should know that the newly elected officers do not take office until after the meeting and that only the old officers should be expected to speak for their departments at the meeting.
Administrative Assistance for Planning Board
The Planning Board is composed of unpaid citizens whose primary function should be planning and policy making. However, the amount of detailed administrative and supervisory work involved in subdivision control is so great that while the Board devotes perhaps more hours to its work than any other unpaid board, it has not found time to do as much planning as it would like.
Also, the work load is more than should be expected of an unpaid board. The burden of this administrative work should be taken off
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the shoulders of the Planning Board by providing for paid administra- tive assistance. This matter will receive our consideration during the coming year.
Therefore, the Committee recommends that it be continued to study the matters outlined above which require further study.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS F. LINNEHAN, Rep. Selectmen ROBERT M. MORGAN, Rep. Finance Committee JOHN J. SIMONI, Rep. Personnel Committee DUNBAR HOLMES, Member-at-large CAROL J. THOMAS, Member-at-large
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE December 31, 1931
1. MOTOR VEHICLES VIOLATION
Speeding
34
Operating to Endanger
13
Operating Under the Influence
10
Leaving the Scene
5
No License in Possession
4
Failing to Stop for a Police Officer
1
Failing to Stop for a Stop Sign
11
No Registration in Possession
1
Failing to keep Right
5
Failing to Slow at Intersection
2
Allowing Improper Person to Operate
2
Using a Motor Vehicle Without Authority
1
2. AGAINST THE PUBLIC
Drunks
15
Assault and Battery
9
Ringing False Alarms
3
Attempt to Burn Buildings
5
Breaking and Entering in Night Time
2
Breaking and Entering to Commit a Felony
4
Larceny
5
Non-Support
4
Disturbing the Peace
3
Vagrancy
1
Evading a Taxi Fare
1
Cruelty to Animals
1
Manslaughter
1
Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
1
Carrying a Dangerous Weapon In
a Motor Vehicle
1
The Wayland Police Department served during 1961: 396 Summons; 15 Subpoenas; 4 Warrants; 5 Show Cause and 3 To Parents.
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The Total number of accidents reported for the year was 260. Fatal 3; Pedestrian 4; Bicycles 4; Property Damage 173 and 76 Per- sonal Injuries.
The Officers checked the homes of 460 people who reported that they would either be away or on vacation.
The Department recorded 16,560 radio calls made either to or by the dispatchers during the year for accidents; fires; inebriates; fights; stray dogs and so forth.
The Department answered 1,247 Complaints during the year con- sisting of the following :
32 Disturbing the Peace
24 Hot Rods
1 Neglect of Minor Child
4 Fireworks
8 Larceny of Pumpkins
8 Gas Gocarts
10 Hit and Run
3 Exposure to minors
2 Molesting minors
1 Running around naked
5 Accosting
2 Phone calls in regards to Sex
3 Obscene Speech and Behavior
1 Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor Child
27 Shootings
2 Explosions
81 Parked Cars
4 Cruelty to Animals
4 Dump Stickers
19 Rubbish on Highways
52 Breaking and Entering
17 Damage to Mail Boxes
12 Stolen Cars
121 Larceny
4 Cars recovered in town
3 Larceny by Check
7 Arson
4 Threats
4 Threats by mail
55 Dog Complaints
83 Vandalism
7 Dogs killing hens
1 Dog killing sheep
16 Dog-Bites
205
General Complaints
Complaints handled by other Departments :
Board of Health
2
Highway Department
12
Water Department
8
Tree Department
4
The Department used the lockup cells Thirty-seven Times.
I have submitted the following requests to the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Finance Board.
A. Two additional regular patrolmen to help cope with the increas- ing workload upon the Department of an ever growing popula- tion.
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5 Cars not stopping for School Buses
5 Children playing in street
8 Trucks Disturbing the Peace
1 Attempting of Suicide
35 Phone Calls
64 Prowlers
14 Salesman
50 Speeding
16 Drunks
25 Suspicious Persons
32 Suspicious Cars
17 Missing Persons
17 Hunters
15 Uusing B. B. Guns
15 Assault and Battery
54 Family and Civil Matters
10 Fights
1 Impersonating a Police Officer
3 Working on Sunday
3 Trouble on School Buses
B. An additional plain, unmarked cruiser for investigative work and as a needed replacement when one of the regular cruisers is being repaired.
C. A 10% pay increase for all regular, full time police personnel.
D. The installation of traffic lights at the following junctions :-
1. Routes 27 and 126
2. Memorial Square
3. Oak Street and Commonwealth Road
This latter proposal requires first the initial approval of the State Department of Public Works.
During the past year former patrolman John C. Hodges resigned to enter his own business. Mr. Robert V. O'Connell was appointed as his replacement.
The Auxiliary Police are to be commended for their help and assistance. Patrolman Charles M. Nelson is the new Chief of the Auxiliary Police.
Again my sincere appreciation is extended to the various depart- ment heads and the citizenry of the Town for their continued efforts and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST H. DAMON, Chief of Police.
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REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT For the Year Ending December 31, 1961
Alarms Answered - 1961
Number of Alarms for Fires:
Residential Buildings 30
Non-Residential Buildings 22
Grass or Brush 82
All Other Fires (Motor Vehicles, Machinery, Rubbish, etc.) 31
Mutual Aid
3
Number of Alarms for Non-Fires:
Rescue, First Aid, Emergency Calls and Investigations .. 219
Mischievous and Malicious False Alarms 36
Smoke Scares, Honest Mistakes and Accidental Alarms 10
Total 433
Permits Issued
Fires in the Open Air 1,571
Installation or Alteration of Oil Burning Equipment 103
Installation of Liquified Petroleum Gas 17
Blasting 26
Although the total number of alarms is greater than any previous year it is interesting to note that there were 45 fewer fires than in the year 1960. Alarms for Rescue, First Aid, Emergencies and Investiga- tions on the other hand increased by 54.
There were no lives lost in fires in 1961, however, the total fire loss to property was $110,830.00. Three major fires involving non- residential buildings accounted for 93% of the total fire loss.
In November a tragic experiment with a "do-it-yourself" rocket resulted in the partial loss of the left hands of two Wayland boys.
On the brighter side many lives were saved during the year by the prompt action of citizens calling the Department for the resuscitator when this type of service was needed.
In the spring of 1961, the three nursing homes in Wayland installed fire detection systems which were connected to the municipal system in accordance with the fire protection ordinance passed in 1960 for this type of occupancy.
The Community Methodist Church on Main Street installed a complete fire detection system which was connected to the municipal system on May 31, 1961.
The alterations to the fire alarm control board at Station #2 recommended in the New England Fire Rating Association's 1958 survey were completed early in 1961.
The municipal alarm system was extended by the Department on Rice Road, Sherman Bridge Road and Oxbow Road. The fire alarm systems as installed by subdivision contractors on Sedgemeadow Road, Aqueduct Road, Barney Hill Road, Brook Trail Road, White Pine Knoll
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Road, Country Corners Road, Anthony Road, White Road and Lundy Lane were inspected, tested, approved and tied into the municipal system. There are 175 fire alarm boxes in the system to date. This provides the major portion of the community with the most positive means of notifying the Department at the time of an emergency. We would like to take this opportunity to urge all citizens to acquaint themselves with the box location nearest their home.
Nine condemned buildings were razed during the year. Some of the buildings were first utilized as smoke houses for the training of per- sonnel in the use of breathing apparatus and later for instruction in actual firefighting of interior fires. The training program for all per- sonnel was conducted in two 10 week sessions. In addition, four (4) men attended a Red Cross First Aid Course given at the Parmenter Health Center in December.
As in recent years the Department conducted a continuous building inspection program on a joint basis with the Building Department. This phase of fire prevention work is carried out not only to eliminate hazardous conditions but also to provide fire personnel the opportunity to be familiar with all buildings and the conditions inside and outside of them as they might relate to a fire problem involving the building. The types of buildings inspected included schools, churches, nursing homes, public buildings, commercial and industrial properties and multiple family dwellings. The inspection of single family residences by the Department other than for oil burner or liquified petroleum gas installations is done only upon request of the homeowner.
As a new service in 1961 fluorescent markers for the homes of invalids were installed by members of the Department with the consent of the owners. The markers were placed on the frames of front doors and on bedroom windows as an aid in the rescue of individuals bed- ridden or otherwise confined to the home. These markers are available free of charge upon request.
Apparatus Inventory
Year
Ident.
Make
Type
1935
Eng. #2
Chevrolet (Maxim) 500 G.P.M. Pumper
1935 Eng. #3
Ford (American LaFrance)
500 G.P.M. Pumper
1941
Forest Fire Truck Ford
Comb. Forest Fire and Hose Wagon
1953
Eng. #4
Mack
1953 Eng. #5
Mack
750 G.P.M. Pumper 750 G.P.M. Pumper Utility
1958 Fire Alarm Maint. Willys - Jeep
1959 Car #1
Ford
Chief's Car (Sta. Wagon)
1960
Ladder #1
Ford (American
LaFrance)
75' Aerial Ladder and Rescue Truck
All apparatus as listed above is in good condition. All maintenance and repairs of apparatus and equipment were performed in 1961 by fire personnel in the department shop. Gradual financial provisions are being made in the department's budget under the long range plan for the purchase and replacement of apparatus. Engine #2 at Station
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#1, now 25 years old, will be replaced under present plans in 1963. Engine #3 at Station #2 will follow in 1966 after 31 years of service.
There are presently forty (40) members in the Department. Six (6) men are full-time and thirty-four (34) are part-time and on call. During the past five years the Department has been seeking to provide on a gradual basis a minimum of five (5) men on duty at all times, three (3) men in Station #1 and two (2) men in Station #2. The final step in this long range plan is being recommended for 1962 in the form of a request for one (1) additional full time firefighter. Seven full-time men plus our night duty system and strong support from our call force can provide this growing community with efficient fire protec- tion. The above system provides an annual saving of approximately $40,000.00 over a conventional arrangement of 17 full time men sup- ported by a call force. We are fully aware that our total complement of personnel falls far short of the recommendations of the New England Fire Rating Association. However, if the Town can make the recom- mended step in 1962, we can feel that we have made practical progress in improving our fire defenses considering the burden the problem of rapid growth places on our municipal government.
There is an increasing number of nursery schools and kindergartens throughout the community, with a high enrollment. These schools are being conducted in various types of frame buildings. Many of the buildings being utilized for this purpose do not afford the children adequate protection from fire. All of the Wayland Public Schools are protected by either a fire detection or sprinkler system which is con- nected to the municipal alarm system. The younger children in these nursery schools need similar protection. It must be noted that in view of the ages of the children and the types of buildings being used the need for increased safety requirements is even greater. Therefore, the Fire Department is recommending the adoption of a fire ordinance in the form of an amendment to the Building Code which would require that all buildings used for Kindergartens or Nursery Schools for ten (10) or more children be protected by an approved fire detection system and connected to the municipal fire alarm system.
Special Signals - Audible Alarm
1- Daily Test at 5:45 P. M.
2- All Out
4-4-4 Boy Scouts Report to Fire Station
5-5 No School Signal at 6:45 A. M.
7-7 All Call Firefighters Report to their Station
Emergency Numbers to Call Fire Department
EL 8-4321 OL 3-4321
Numbers for Other Business Station #1 EL 8-7951 Station #2 OL 3-2241
Once again I wish to request that citizens calling the department on any business other than an emergency please use the business lines
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available in order that emergency lines may be kept free for that purpose.
I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to the members of the department and to all persons who in any way have cooperated and assisted in the operation and development of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS J. HARTIN, Chief, Wayland Fire Department.
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REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS FOR THE YEAR 1961
January 19, 1962
The Board of Assessors regrets having to accept the resignation of its chairman B. Allen Benjamin. Mr. Benjamin has served the Town of Wayland in a number of capacities, culminating in over nine years with the Board of Assessors.
The new format of the triennial valuation book is for the increased usefulness of all the persons of the Town. The Board will welcome notice of any errors, omissions, or corrections. It is hoped that it will now be of value for a much longer time than the previous format.
The Board for the first time engaged the services of a professional appraiser for the specific purpose of obtaining area-wide experience in the value of unusual properties. It is hoped to widen the scope of this work to include commercial conforming and non-conforming properties.
The Board of Assessors is pleased to present the following statistics for information and analysis.
WILLIAM S. LEWIS, Chairman FERN A. TAYLOR WILLIS B. RYDER
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1961
Real Estate Assessed January 1, 1960 ....
$21,943,010.00
Personal Property Assessed January 1, 1960 1,415,554.00
$23,358,564.00
Real Estate Assessed January 1, 1961
Land Exclusive of Buildings
$3,225,040.00
Buildings Exclusive of Land
20,499,690.00
$23,724,730.00
Personal Estate Assessed January 1, 1961
Stock in Trade
$52,700.00
Machinery
1,198,362.00
Live Stock
14,555.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property ..
241,800.00
$1,507,417.00
Total Property Assessed January 1, 1961
$25,232,147.00
Total Property Assessed January 1, 1960
23,358,564.00
Increase
$1,873,583.00
Number of Polls Assessed 2,749
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Number of Live Stock Assessed
Farm Horses 3
Saddle Horses
55
Number of Neat Cattle
Cows
161
Bulls
1
Sheep
7
Heifers
11
Fowl 92
All Other - Mules - Ponies
2
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
8,184
Number of Dwellings Assessed ......
2,942
Additional Polls
185
$370.00
Motor Vehicles
Number Value
Tax
1961 (incomplete)
5,482 $3,561,070.00
1960 (complete
6,345 4,406,082.00
$225,096.13 238,069.48
Exempt from Taxes:
Valuation
U. S. A. Niki Battery 73, Reservation (12 H.)
$63,000.00
U. S. A. Niki Site, 28.75 acres
5,800.00
U. S. Government Post Office
500.00
Commonwealth of Mass. Three Gate Houses
15,000.00
Mass. Turnpike
19,500.00
Widows (Real Estate)
20,000.00
Veterans' (Real Estate)
377,950.00
Blind (Real Estate)
10,100.00
Pressure Aqueduct
35,167.00
Weston Aqueduct
1,759.00
Division Natural Resources
18,200.00
$566,976.00
Town - Personal and Real:
Schools
$2,994,400.00
Parks
55,570.00
Fire Department
210,700.00
Police Department
300.00
Water Department
352,500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
500.00
Town Hall - Equipment
253,453.00
Highway Department
48,255.00
Library and Books
57,100.00
Cemeteries
12,450.00
Tax Title Possessions
16,700.00
$4,001,928.00
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Churches and Parsonages:
Church Property Parsonages First Parish Church School
$330,550.00
34,325.00
6,000.00
Church Cemetery
Fraternal Societies:
Newton Y. M. C. A.
$18,000.00
Pequod Lodge, I. O. O. F.
200.00
Natick Girl Scouts Association
14,860.00
$33,060.00
Corporations :
Hannah Williams Playground
$5,400.00
Wayland and Cochituate Legion Building Asso. Inc.
16,622.00
Wayland Post #6260 V. F. W.
5,800.00
Parmenter Health Center, Inc.
177,804.00
Sudbury Valley Trustees Inc.
11,850.00
$217,476.00
Wayland Historical Society 4,500.00
Tax Levy of 1961
Appropriation for 1961
$2,804,992.91
Overlay for 1961
50,541.55
$2,855,534.46
State Parks Tax
$5,927.03
5,927.03
State Audit
4,527.08
County Tax
29,666.64
T. B. Hospital Tax
6,054.85
Retirement System
18,961.04
$59,209.61
AMOUNT TO BE RAISED $2,920,671.10
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds :
Income Tax
$160,348.75
Corporation Tax
30,122.44
Reimbursement on Account Publicly Owned Land
173.38
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
163,231.02
Licenses
15,000.00
Fines
175.00
Health and Sanitation
950.00
Highways
500.00
Special Assessments
5,900.00
General Government
5,000.00
Old Age Assistance
35,000.00
Old Age (Meals)
2,838.67
Veterans' Benefits
4,000.00
Schools
36,000.00
$370,875.00 2,000.00
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Libraries
2,200.00
Cemeteries
3,000.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments 1,000.00
In Lieu of Taxes
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