USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leicester > Town annual reports of officers of the town of Leicester, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 4
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VOTED.
1
57
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 4.
Motion by Mr. Arthur M. Williamson that the Town vote to accept the relocation of Mulberry Road or Mulberry Street, as voted by the Board of Selectmen on December 12, 1961 and in accordance with the relocation contained in the boundaries and measurements of the way which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Leicester. VOTED UNANIMOUS.
Article 5.
Motion by Mr. Gerald Guilfoyle that the Town vote to transfer $3,077.54 from the Bonding and Insurance Account to the Following Departments for the balance of 1961 appro- priations.
Police Department
$1,674.34
Law Department
500.00
Assessors Department
500.00
Dog Officers Department
290.00
Tax Collectors Tax Titles
113.20
$3,077.54
Article 6.
Motion by Mr. Arthur M. Williamson that the sum of $6,222.75 be transferred from the Road Machinery Rental Account to the Road Machinery Maintenance Account. VOTED.
Article 7.
Motion by Mr. Louis X. Gonyer that the Town vote to turn over property known as Center School property to the Parks Department for a playground for the pre-school children.
Motion by John Herholz that this article be passed over. Motion to Pass Over VOTED.
Article 8.
Motion by Mr. Frank O. Johnson that the sum of $4,- 500.00 be transferred to the School Department from the fol- lowing Town Departments, namely :
1
58
ANNUAL REPORT
Main Street Drainage
$ 119.45
Bonding and Insurance
1,922.46
Interest on Temporary Loans
864.97
Sand Spreader
553.68
Replace Hydrant Dale and Mill Sts.
225.77
Rochdale Fire Station Bldg. Project
215.34
Purchase of Fire Truck (Rochdale)
91.74
Main and Grove St. Hydrant Replacement
52.00
Carelton Road Drainage
50.04
Reserve Fund 404.55
Total
$4,500.00
VOTED.
Article 9.
Motion by Mr. Albert E. Berthiaume that the vote to authorize the discontinuance of the joint Infirmary main- tained by the Charlton Home Farm Association and authorize the Joint Board of Directors to sell at Public Auction the real and personal property belonging to the Association. VOTED.
Article 10.
Motion by Mr. Gerald F. Guilfoyle that the Town vote to accept Crestwood Road, Knollwood Road and Tanglewood Road as per plans on file with the Planning Board. VOTED.
Article 11.
Motion by Mr. Arthur M. Williamson that the Town vote to accept Maple Street as per plans filed with the Planning Board by John George, Developer. VOTED.
Article 12.
Motion by Mr. Arthur M. Williamson that the Town vote to accept Monterey Drive and Michael Avenue as per plans filed with the Planning Board by Peter A. Jeswick, Developer of Mary Ann Acres.
VOTED.
Article 13.
Motion by Mr. John T. Reynolds that the Town vote to
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ANNUAL REPORT
authorize and permit the Water Storage Investigating Committee to act for the Town during the planning and de- velopment of the upper Quaboag Watershed and to make agreements with those agencies concerned with the planning and the development of the Upper Quaboag River Water- shed; Such acts and agreements being restricted to those necessary to facilitate the planning for the development of the area and the structures known as the Shaw site in the Watershed Work Plan of the Upper Quaboag River Water- shed, (dated February 1961), for Multipurpose (floodwater retarding and drinking water storage) use.
VOTED.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 P.M.
HERBERT J. DICKIE, Town Clerk.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Department of Weights & Measures
To the Board of Selectmen :
Appropriation
$450.00
Labor
$409.05
Milage
39.97
Total
$449.02 $ .98
Balance
Receipts
$151.50
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY J. NEWELL, SR.,
Sealer.
61
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Fence Viewer
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
We hereby submit the report of the Fence Viewers for the year 1961:
Appropriated
$50.00
5 Calls made
25.00
Balance
$25.00
Respectfully submitted,
ANDREW DEVINSKY, JOHN R. JOHNSON,
Fence Viewers.
62
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Veterans Graves Registration Officer
Office of the Board of Selectmen:
Town of Leicester, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The below report of the Veterans' Graves Registration Officer for the year 1961 is hereby submitted :
There were twenty-one (21) new stones procured from the Government and were placed on deceased veterans graves.
There were five (5) stones procured from the government to replace five (5) stones that were illegible.
There were seven (7) stones that were lettered and cut or relettered or recut and were placed on graves that were not otherwise marked.
There was one broken stone that was repaired.
There was one grave that needed repairing very bad and this was completed.
There were five (5) new internments during 1961.
There are four (4) stones on order from the Govern- ment and these will be put in this coming spring.
There will be applications for at least eight (8) more stones from the Government for graves that need better iden- tification in our older cemeteries. These will be ordered and placed on the graves by Memorial Day, if possible.
All Veterans Graves were inspected prior to Memorial Day and whatever work was necessary was done, if possible, so that all graves were presentable for Memorial Day. All
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ANNUAL REPORT
graves were properly marked with a flag holder representing the War or Organization Veteran participated in or belonged to and each grave had a flag during the summer months. Periodic checks were made to replace worn flags, repair graves or whatever else might be necessary during the year and all this work is completed. The same will be done this coming year.
Elliot Hill Cemetery was kept mowed and in good repair throughout the year and there is a little more work planned for this year so that the cemetery will be a proper memorial to our forefathers.
The sum of $541.59 was appropriated for 1961. The sum of $535.12 was spent during 1961. The sum of 493.00 is re- quested for 1962.
Any questions or further details will be gladly answered or submitted but to make a short and concise report the above is submitted.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. DUANE,
Veterans Graves Registration Officer.
64
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Wiring Inspector
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Leicester, Mass.
During 1961 there were 345 inspections made, and travel totalled 2,026 miles.
Services
90
Temporary Services
16
Electrical Fixtures
54
Additional Wiring
35
Oil Burners
80
Rough Wiring
36
Off Peak Meter Hot Water Heaters
10
Grounds
2
Pump
1
Dryer
1
Ranges
4
Signs
6
Fire Jobs
2
Ice Machine
1
Air Conditioner
1
Compressors
1
Nursing Homes
2
Churches
3
Total Inspections 345
New High School 12 trips-inspections.
Respectfully submitted,
A. ROY BRIDGEFORD,
Wiring Inspector.
65
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Memorial Day Committee
Office of the Board of Selectmen:
Town of Leicester, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The below report of the Memorial Day Observance Com- mittee is hereby submitted :
Appropriation 1961
$512.50
Expenditures :
Transportation
$312.50
Sound
25.00
Miscellaneous
10.00
Markers
37.50
Wreaths and Flags
117.00
Total Spent 1961
$502.00
Turned back 1961
$ 10.50
Respectfully submitted, MAURICE BERTHIAUME, ROBERT MORRISON.
66
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Leicester Recreation Committee
The Leicester Recreation Committee completed its final and most successful year with the addition of new and in- teresting fields of recreation. The recreational program is operated in conjunction with our New England seasons. When autumn begins, the committee begins its girls' basket- ball program which is enthusiastically received and enjoyed by over one hundred young ladies. When winter begins, the committee's program expands to the lakes and ponds of our scenic town with zealous appeal of sixty eager boys ready to clash in the organized sport of hockey. No sooner has the ice cleared from the ponds and the early signs of spring appear before two hundred boys grab their fishing rods and set out to compete in the committee's fishing derby. The chilly spring days enable the recreation committee to establish the enjoy- able indoor sport of bowling which can be enjoyed by over four hundred care-free youths from both the junior and senior high school levels. Summer brings the cessation of school and a widening of the Leicester Recreation Committee's operation- al functions. Summer brings girls' softball, and the lovely lassies throng to the new green fields in such strength that new teams have to be added. The girls membership increased to over one hundred. The girls, through the help of the town, have clothed themselves with beatiful new uniforms. Of course, summer cannot be mentioned without the thought of swimming, which brings to mind the Committee's annual swimming meet which is always enjoyed by over seventy- five youngsters. This summer, two new programs were insti- tuted to add to the summer enjoyment of all ages. The com- mittee founded a hole-in-one contest, which was enjoyed by over one hundred young and old alike, at Russel's Memorial Park. The pace of activities quickened with the founding of our Summer Basketball for boys. Although the July nights were warm, it seemed only to stimulate the passion for basket- ball in the eyes of eighty youths.
Soon autumn will return, and our yearly teenage dance program will reach its highest climax of a three thousand at- tendance, which seems to the committee a salute to its pro- gressive activity, but the committee is readily aware that it
-
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ANNUAL REPORT
owes its ability to function and to operate to those who parti- cipate in their unselfish volunteering manner, to those who gave their own leisure moments and donated their time to our endeavors. So that the town youngsters might enjoy the fruits of this committee, the committee would like to thank each organization and their members: The Lions Club, The Fire Deparment, Leicester Rod & Gun, Leicester Junior Col- lege and the Leicester School System for their endless contri- butions.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS X. GONYER, JR., Chairman ROSEMARY MATTEI, Secretary LAWRENCE SLATTERY WILLIAM BERTHIAUME THEODORE PROVO MARGARET DOYLE BARBARA RANTA
68
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Leicester Planning Board
During the year there were no new subdivisions of any size, but the board did tighten its rules and regulations for subdivisions :
1. Bonds posted for the completion of roadways and drain- age shall be certified or cashiers checks, payable to the Town of Leicester, cash, or performance bond.
2. Any money being held for completion of roads will not be released until the board receives a deed of said street.
3. When a bond is released the board will insert at the next town meeting an article for its acceptance.
4. Asked and received permission from the Board of Select- men to review all building permits for zoning violations of subdivisions.
Because of the tightening of the rules the Town in the future should save many thousands of dollars each year on drainage.
Articles were inserted for the acceptance of the following streets : Atwood Road, South Street Extension, Gleason Way, Crestwood Road, Knollwood Road, Tanglewood Road, Mon- terey Drive, Michael Avenue, and Maple Street.
The resignation of Elof Larsson was accepted with regret, and Benjamin Gryncewicz was appointed to fill out the re- mainder of Mr. Larsson's term.
The board has inserted an article in the warrant of the annual town meeting to establish a Housing Authority for elderly persons of low income. The board believes this will be one of the most beneficial projects undertaken in Leicester to help our aging persons. It required no town funds.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Members of the board have been regularly attending meeetings of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Study Committee. Regional planning will affect Leicester in the near future as a regional planning district moves from the planning stage to reality.
The Worcester Chamber of Commerce has agreed to do a study of the needs of a masterplan for the town. The results of this study will be published when they are completed.
The board wrote Mr. Pigaga, civics teacher, and asked if a theme could be written on "What the Town of Leicester Needs For Improvements." Many were printed in your local paper.
As Leicester grows the problems of planning will become progressively acute. A tightening of the building codes, set- ting aside of fast-disappearing recreational areas, capital bud- geting of equipment, sewage, water, housing for elderly, and other problems must be met in an orderly fashion to hold ex- penses to a reasonable amount. Coordination of these activ- ities is a prime function of the planning board, working with committees and town officials, and can only succeed if the people are fully informed and understand what is trying to be accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
WEBB N. ROWDEN, Chairman GORDON E. KEMP, Clerk RICHARD L. CORFIELD LOUIS H. RIEDL MAURICE H. BAKER BENJAMIN GRYNCEWICZ
70
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Leicester :
During the year 1961 a social worker, Mr. Thomas J. Moynihan, was added to the staff of this Department, making a total of three full time employees.
As anticipated early in 1961, the Medical Assistance for the Aged case load increased throughout the year and there was a total of thirty-four cases aided compared with twelve as of December, 1959.
The Old Age Assistance case load dropped in 1961 from an average of 68 a month to 59. During the year the Federal reimbursement was increased to $49.00 as of July 1, and to $49.80 effective October 1, 1961. Effective September 1, 1961 Social Security payments to some recipients was increased so that the total program of Old Age Assistance became less cost- ly to the community.
In 1961 the Aid to Dependent Children program in- creased sharply from an average monthly case load of 11 to 17 cases and, therefore, the budget in this account has had to be increased for the year 1962. This increase has also existed in other communities and it is felt that this is mostly due to Federal legislation which makes this type of assistance more readily available to famiiles. The Federal reimbursement in this category did not change.
1961 also found a slight increase in Disability Assistance cases. However, on October 1, 1961 the Federal reimburse- ment was increased from $41.50 per month per case to $42.30. A total of 12 cases were aided during the year.
At the beginning of 1961, General Relief increased sharply to 14 cases, but the case load levelled off in a few months and at the end of the year there were only 5 active cases. This rise in cases at the first of the year was due in part to lay-offs in seasonal employment.
Although medical costs again increased in 1961, as ex- pected, and the Aid to Dependent Children and Medical As-
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ANNUAL REPORT
sistance for the Aged case loads increased, the total budgets for 1962 are less than for 1961.
During 1961 one man was housed at the Charlton Home Farm for a few months. Since then we have not had the need to place anyone there. At a special Town Meeting on Decem- ber 26, 1961 it was voted to discontinue the Charlton Home Farm and to approve the sale of the property. The Town of Leicester owns 832 shares in this property of a total of 8,826 shares. There are 26 member Towns and at the meeting of October 3, 1961 the vote to close was 19 to 0 in favor.
REPORT OF CHARLTON HOME FARM ASSOCIATION
' For the Year Ending December 31, 1961
Assets
Cash on hand and in bank
$ 1,285.80
Deposits in Savings Banks
10,189.56
Accounts Receivable
400.00
Personal property, appraised value
1,738.00
Land and buildings, appraised value
20,000.00
$33,613.36
Liabilities and Equity
Liabilities
$ 220.26
Equity :
Balance, December 31, 1960
$42,045.40
Less- Write down of
personal property
2,983.00
Gross income from all
$39,062.40
sources
$13,517.78
Less-Total expenses
19,187.08
5,669.30 33,393.10
$33,613.36
Donald R. Perkins, President
Robert A. Donavan, Sec'y., and Treasurer Raymond L. Girouard, C.P.A.
Respectfully submitted,
STELLA E. CRESWELL, Director of Public Welfare
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Selectmen
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Leicester :
In submitting the Annual Report of the Board of Select- men, we wish to thank the Citizens of the Town for giving this Board the opportunity of serving during the past year.
The Board of Selectmen has met every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. during the year. Monthly meetings were held with the Welfare Director and other Department Heads.
Three land damage cases were pending against the Town at the beginning of 1961. One was settled during the year.
There were seventeen land damage cases entered against the Town during the year 1961. A total of twenty cases are listed for 1962.
During the year, our Superintendent of Streets, Edward Cormier, resigned and Vance Bates was appointed Head of the Highway Department.
Our Police Station was moved to a Town owned building during the year and the Department reorganized. A Civil Service examination for Chief of Police was taken in October by twenty-eight men. As a result of this examination a Chief of Police will be appointed under Civil Service rules early in 1962.
Our Highway Department was given the opportunity of constructing Pleasant Street under Chapter 90, and this proj- ect should be completed in the Spring of 1962.
Eleven hundred feet of new construction on Winslow Avenue, to the new High School, was completed in September.
The Selectmen wish to thank all elected and appointed officials for their efforts in behalf of the Town of Leicester.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT E. BERTHIAUME, Chr. ARTHUR M. WILLIAMSON JOHN S. KONRAD GERALD F. GUILFOYLE ALBERT L. NASH
Board of Selectmen.
73
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Trustees of Leicester Puplic Library
TREASURER'S REPORT
1961
Leicester
Cherry Valley
Rochdale
Greenville
General
Librarian
$2,100.00
$354.00
$330.00
$330.00
Asst.
Librarian
843.76
Janitor
780.00
Fuel
789.80
43.75
35.00
Light
276.11
14.98
15.00
Repairs
130.25
62.00
Periodicals
196.50
23.00
39.41
42.50
Misc.
85.84
2.40
49.90
46.95
Books
$2,567.00
Binding
179.24
Expense
342.32
5,202.26
379.40
540.04
469.45 3,088.56
Total Library Expense-$9,679.71
Appropriation
$5,928.98
Dog Tax
1,050.77
State Aid
2,044.25
Refund
Books sold
17.46
$9,041.46
Payments
Library Expense
8,702.29
Balance
$339.17
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ANNUAL REPORT
Income-
Dividends $2,372.81
Payments- Books, Repairs, & Misc. 977.42
Transferred to accumulative a/c
1,395.39
Book Value Invested Funds
Respectfully submitted,
$35,307.72
ROBERT B. TAFT, Treasurer.
75
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Chief of Police
To: The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Leicester, Massachusetts
In June of 1961 I was appointed Captain-in-Charge of the Leicester Police Department. At this time the Police De- partment was transferred from 921 Main Street, the home of the former captain, to the Town Hall. Here we were supplied with five rooms that were not being used by the School De- partment.
At the time of our re-location to the Town Hall some resi- dents of the Town were concerned with the fact that the Police Department was now located in the same section of the build- ing that serves as the Leicester Center School. After six months of operation in our present quarters, no problem of any type has arisen. Many people think that a police station must have a jail for the purpose of detaining prisoners. All persons arrested by this Department are transported to the Worcester Police Department where they are detained. Very few are brought to the Station before being transferred to Worcester. None are brought to the Station during school hours.
I have found that, by our being located in a public build- ing, we have a larger number of people coming into the station for assistance. Also the Police Station is manned twenty-four hours a day by a Police Officer. Under our present set-up, a person may speak to a Police Officer at any time of the day or night.
At the time of my appointment there were two regular officers on the Department. The need for a larger regular force was apparent. In July, at a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen, a request for two regular officers was submitted to the Board of Selectmen and was approved. In September. a request was submitted to the Board of Selectmen for the appointment of one more regular officer. The request was approved and another regular officer was appointed. This
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ANNUAL REPORT
brought the regular force to five men. No changes have been made since that time.
In September of 1961 the new High School was opened and the old High School was converted into an Elementary School for the first, second, third and fourth grades. Many of these small children walk to school. These children have to cross Route 9 and Route 56. The School Department requested that these crossing points be protected by a Police Officer. The cost of this from September to January was $747.50.
In June of 1961, the Police Department assumed the traf- fic duty at the churches on Sunday, while the Civil Defense went through another phase of their training. It was not until Fall that the Civil Defense could resume traffic duty at the churches. This also was an added expense to the Department of $549.48.
At a Special Town Meeting in September, we requested that a sum of $1,470.98 be transferred to this Department as this was an unforseen expense. There was no appropriation for this at the first of the year. $174.00 of the above figure is insurance money paid to the Town for damage done to a cruiser at a fracas on Waite Street. This money went into E & D and had to be paid out of the Police Department budget. Our request was approved.
In December it became apparent that the Department would need $1,674.24 to finish out the year. This amount was requested at a Special Town Meeting and approved. This brought our total appropriation for the year to $39,621.27.
One of the most serious problems that confronts the Po- lice Department is the increasing number of motor vehicle accidents. This year the Department covered 170 M/V acci- dents. Of these accidents 139 were reportable requiring re- ports to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Thirty-one were minor accidents not requiring Registry Reports. A total of 115 claimed injury as a result of M/V accidents. We had one fatal accident on the highway and two off the highway. 64% of our M/V accidents took place in the first six months of 1961. Forty-two (42) operators were found to be in violation of the Motor Vehicle Laws and consequently were issued traf- fic citations. Twelve (12) operators were arrested.
The cruisers traveled a total of 74,218 miles in 1961.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Police Department used 6,119 gallons of gasoline.
One hundred and thirty-three (133) buildings are checked nightly by the Department. During the Summer months the number increases to one hundred and eighty-four (184). Many of the Town residents request that we check their homes while they are on vacation. This is a part of the normal service of the Police Department.
The Department transported one hundred and forty-two (142) people to the hospital in 1961. This is an increase of fifty (50) people over last year. Twenty-one (21) people re- ceived First Aid.
A total of 1,054 complaints were received by the Depart- ment. Four hundred and thirteen (413) required Police in- vestigation. One hundred and seventy-four (174) were turned over to the various Departments in the Town.
Two hundred and thirty-eight (238) Summonses were served.
The Department arrested two hundred and thirteen (213) people in 1961, on charges ranging from assault with a dangerous weapon to kidnapping.
Breakdown of Arrests :
Leaving the Scene of Property Damage Accident 1
Adultery
1
Assault & Battery 7
Assault on Police Officer 2 Assault with Dangerous Weapon 2
Attaching Plates 2
Breaking, Entering & Larceny 4
Carrying Dangerous Weapon 1
Concealing Stolen Property 1
Concealing Conditional Sales Property 1
Disturbing the Peace 16
Driving After Suspension of License 3
Driving Uninsured M/V 4
Driving Unregistered M/V 22 Driving Under the Influence 4 Drunk 50
Escapees 8
Failing to Keep Right 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
False I.D. to Police Officer
2
Fornication
4
Fugitives 2
Illegal Border Crossing 1
Incest
1
Indecent Assault on Child under 14 Yrs.
1
Kidnapping 2
Larceny 15
Larceny by Check 2
Possession of Dangerous Weapon
1
Leaving the Scene of Property Damage Accident 1
Lewd & Lascivious Cohabitation 2
Lewd & Lascivious in Speech and Behavior 2
Malicious Mischief
1
Neglect to Support
5
Operating after Revocation of License
1
Driving w/o License
4
Attempted Rape
1
Runaways
2
Speeding
4
Statutory Rape
14
Taking a car w/o Authority
1
Unnatural Act
2
Using w/o Authority 7
Using w/o Auth. After Right Suspended 1
Using w/o Auth. After License Suspended
1
Vagrancy
2
Violation of City Ordinance
2
Total 213
All officers of the Department who work regularly on cruiser and traffic duty went through the State Police qualify- ing pistol course and practical pistol course in Southborough, Mass. This course was arranged at no cost to the Department by Mr. Earl Pratt, Civil Defense Director of the Town of Leicester.
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