USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1936-1940 > Part 22
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W. P. A. workers are still certified in this office, and while there has been a decided reduction in quota we have been very fortunate in getting assignments.
The present policy of laying off people who have been on eighteen months has affected us to a great extent, and has caused a large expenditure for aid to some of those who could not find employment.
We also certify young men for the C. C. C. and try to find work for any town residents who are in need.
In all my work I have had splendid co-operation from all of the town officers and town officials for which I wish to express my sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
January 23, 1940
WALTER S. KERR
59
.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Our case load in this form of relief has shown a steady increase, and is likely to for another year or two when the Social Security plan may have the effect of easing up on this load.
The reorganization of the State Welfare Department has caused a great deal of work for the local boards espe- cially in Aid to Dependent Children, Old Age Assistance, and in welfare cases that are unsettled. The state has stopped making revisits in the homes, and requires more visits made by the cities and towns which of course is an added expense to these communities. The clerical work also has been greatly increased.
As there has been so much in the papers recently about the Federal Grants being cut off if the persons handling Old Age Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children in the various cities and towns of Massachusetts are not placed on Civil Service, it seems that some mention ought to be made of that in this report. Considerable work and time are necessary for a town to comply with this request and it would be impossible for us or any other town in the State to meet the needed requirements before the annual town meeting. The officials with whom the supervisor has discussed this matter are of the opinion that an ex- tension of time will be given, so that no holding up of the grants will take place. It is likely, however, that we will have to do something about this before another year, and I will consider it my duty to keep as well informed as possible on any rules or legislation pertaining to this proposed change.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER S. KERR
January 23, 1940
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Report of Chief of Police
Perley J. Hewey, Chief Roland A. Reed, Sergeant
Aldege Paro, Motorcycle Officer
Following is the annual report of the Police Depart- ment from January 1, 1939 to December 31, 1939, inclusive.
Arrests
Total Number of Arrests against Public Order 195
Total Number of Arrests against Property 20
Total Number of Arrests against Person 1
Dispositions
Total Number of Court Convictions 215
Total Number Discharged 1
Total Number of Arrests for Larceny 13
Total Amount of Fines $1,969.00
The past year has been an exceptionally good one as regards to accidents and general traffic conditions. We have had fewer accidents and less injuries than in previous years. We have made 13 arrests for larceny during the past year and the loss from larceny and breaking and en- tering has been very small.
The Police Cruiser Ambulance has proven its worth many times in taking injured people off highways and com- mitting them to hospitals for attention.
I wish to thank the townspeople for the assistance they have given the police as it is only through such co- operation that satisfactory results can be accomplished.
PERLEY J. HEWEY,
Chief of Police
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REPORT OF THE Board of Fire Engineers
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
This year has been just an average year. Our losses are about the same as those of last year ; nearly all covered by insurance.
The number of calls was well below that of last year. More than half were for grass and brush fires.
The small losses at many of the fires may be attributed to the loyal and efficient services of the firemen, com- bined with the knowledge they have gained at the state sponsored firemen's training classes.
The calls for the Department are as follows :
Station No. 1 North Agawam 31
Station No. 2 Feeding Hills 41
Station No. 3 Agawam Center 54
Total 126
· Respectfully submitted, E. J. GOSSELIN FRANK T. GOSS
R. S. FARNSWORTH
Board of Fire Engineers
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Report of Assessors
-
1939
Number of Horses assessed
188
Number of Cows assessed 609
Number of Sheep assessed
20
Number of Neat cattle assessed
170
Number of Swine assessed
410
Number of Fowls assessed
11,765
Value of Fowls
$ 11,765.00
Value of assessed stock in trade
57,100.00
Value of assessed machinery .... ...
683,750.00
Value of live stock
65,200.00
Value of all other tangible
personal property
404,375.00
Total value of all personal property
1,210,425.00
Number of dwelling houses assessed 1,672
Number of acres of land assessed
12,678.76
Number of Motor Vehicles assessed
2,484
Number of 1938 Motor Vehicles assessed Jan. 16th, 1939
46
Value of Motor Vehicles assessed
460,750.00
Value of 1938 Motor Vehicles
assessed Jan. 16th, 1939 .. 14,380.00
Excise Tax assessed on Motor Vehicles
14,455.32
Excise Tax assessed on 1938 Motor
Vehicles assessed Jan. 16,1939 101.02
Valuations
Value of buildings 5,683,075.00
Value of land
2,337,325.00
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Value of Real Estate 8,020,400.00 Value of Personal Estate. 1,210,425.00
Total of all assessed Estate 9,230,825.00 Upon which taxes have been levied as follows :
County Tax
12,032.63
State Tax
25,380.00
Hospital and Home Care .. 120.00
State Parks and Reservations
441.92
State Tax (1938
under estimate)
12,690.00
Hospital and home care (1938 under estimate) 10.00
State Parks and Reservations
(1938 under estimate) ..
26.50
Overlay for current year ....
6,873.77
Town Appropriations
391,341.25
1938 Appropriations Voted by Town Meeting to be taken from available funds ........ Overlay deficits for years
13,013.00
1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936 and 1937
4,877.83
466,806.90
Less Estimated Receipts :
Income Tax
29,390.66
Corporation Tax
5,732.60
Motor Vehicle Excise
15,000.00
Licenses
8,000.00
Fines
1,500.00
General Government
300.00
Health and Sanitation
1,500.00
Charities
21,000.00
Soldiers' Benefits
250.00
Schools
6,500.00
Libraries
50.00
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Public Service Enterprises
(Water Department) 25,000.00
Bill in Lieu of Taxes
971.35
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
5,000.00
Veterans Exemptions
39.50
Chapter 504 Acts of 1939
14,727.74
Total
$ 134,961.85
Appropriations voted by
4,013.00
Town from available
4,000.00
funds and approved by
2,500.00
Henry F. Long, Comm.
2,500.00
147,974.85
$318,832.05
Number of Polls 2,492
@ $2.00 each
4,984.00
Total Value of Personal
Property $1,210,425.00
41,154.45
(Rate $34.00)
Total Value Real
Estate
8,020,400.00
272,693.60
318,832.05
(Rate $34.00)
Total amount of all Taxes assessed on Real Estate, Personal and Polls
318,832.05
ADOLPHUS PROVOST FREDERICK A. RAISON CHARLES W. HULL
Assessors
65
1939 REPORT OF THE
TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
and the
HAMPDEN COUNTY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE
TOWN OF AGAWAM
Agricultural Department
Local citizens during the past year received from the Agricultural extension service information and advice on matters of livestock, crop production, and marketing, wood- lot improvement, crop pest control, animal disease control, and in some cases farm financing. Soil Tests were also made for a number of local farmers.
Perhaps of outstanding local interest was the informa- tion concerning the control of tobacco blue mold given to growers of this crop, and the information concerning the state calfhood vaccination service for the control of Bang's disease in cattle.
Forty-eight farmers were enrolled in the 1939 Agri- cultural Conservation Program. Messrs. James Kerr, George Porter, and James Cesan are local representatives on the District Committee for this program.
Home Bureau Department
Home Bureau work in Agawam has been very active during the year with nearly 400 women participating in a dozen or more different projects. Home Furnishings,
66
hooked rugs, slip covers, chair seating, and various nutri- tion projects have been unusually popular and well at- tended. More than 30 local volunteer leaders have given of their time in helping to make these projects of value, and some 45 meetings were held during the year.
4-H Club Department
One hundred and sixty boys and girls were enrolled in one or more of the ten club projects carried on in Aga- wam during the year. These clubs held 186 meetings or demonstrations and were conducted by some 20 volunteer leaders.
Several outstanding awards were made to some of the Club members for excellent achievement among whom are Albert Christopher, Wayne and Loren Clark, Noel and Jean Brown, Mary DePalma, and Prentiss Jenks, Jr.
Financial Statement
1938 Unexpended Balance $ 19.38
1939 Appropriation 100.00
Total for 1939 $ 119.38
* Expended in 1939
119.38
Appropriation Recommended for 1940 $100.00
* Expenses incurred for carrying out the work as re- ported herewith by the following local citizens who served without pay as leaders in the various projects and were paid directly to them by check from the County Treasurer's office.
Home Bureau Leaders: Mrs. William Costine, Mrs. Arthur Fournier, Mrs. F. Longey, Mrs. Irene Phelps, Mrs. Frank Draghetti, Mrs. Rose Linne- han, Mrs. Claudia Torrey $14.24 4-H Club Leaders: Mrs. W. R. Walker, Mrs. Helen Quigley, Mrs. Frank Ehrhardt, Mrs. Marion A. Pond, Miss Ruth Brown, Miss Jean Brown, Mr.
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Prentiss Jenks, Sr., Mr. Alvin Kellogg, Jr., Mr. Albert Christopher, Mr. Everett Brown, Mr. Noel Brown, Mr. Maurice Clark, Mr. Elbert Jenks, Mr. Eugene Garlick, Mr. Thomas Reidy and Mr. Louis DePalma $105.14
Total Expenses $119.38
In addition to those listed above the following 4-H leaders served: Mr. Chester Pilch, Mrs. David Cesan, Miss Jean Peterson, Mrs. Ruby Baker, and Miss Sabatina DePalma.
Respectfully submitted, TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE L. B. BOSTON, Clerk
LBB:M Jan. 10, 1940
68
REPORT OF THE Library Trustees
1939
CIRCULATION
Agawam
19,382
North Agawam
12,948
Feeding Hills
11,604
BOOKS OWNED
Agawam
8,766
North Agawam
3,991
Feeding Hills
6,051
BORROWERS
Agawam
1,110
North Agawam
397
Feeding Hills
492
The Trustees, who also act as Librarians for the three libraries in the Town of Agawam, submit the following report :
The libraries at Feeding Hills and Agawam Center have placed special emphasis upon service for our school children during the year. More and better books have been purchased for their use, and closer cooperation with the schools has been maintained. Many books from our shelves have been placed in the school rooms, where their use has been supervised by the teachers. Close attention has also been given to the reading for State Certificates, for children in the Fourth through the Eighth Grades. A
69
certificate is given to those who read five approved books. The reading of twenty books on the list entitles a child to the Gold Star Certificate. Several children have re- ceived this higher award. Feeding Hills Library opened another room for children's use in May, at a very pleasant tea, attended by about fifty people.
Two National Youth Administration girls have again worked with Mrs. Eva S. Kerr in the library at Feeding Hills.
Agawam Library observed children's Book Week No- vember 11-18 this year. Books especially recommended for children were on display, and attracted the attention of many parents whose cooperation the librarians so earnestly desire.
The privilege of borrowing books from the State of Massachusetts has been made the most of by all three libraries. North Agawam continues to make use of the Italian books furnished by the State. Agawam receives State books for the use of Polish readers. Feeding Hills has used non-fiction books for those doing special reading in connection with college work.
The Librarians also receive books through the inter- loan-plan from the Springfield City Library.
Agawam Library's Penny-a-day shelf continues to be popular. New window draperies were furnished to Aga- wam Library by the Library Association.
Rev. John G. Dutton served faithfully as one of the Library Association Trustees for several years. His death deprived us of a valuable helper and friend in our work.
The Librarians wish to thank all borrowers for their fine cooperation during the year just closed.
ANNA H. RUDMAN, (Chairman) EVA S. KERR IDA BERNATCHEZ
70
REPORT OF THE Gypsy Moth Control
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
All highways have been scouted for egg masses and the same have been creosoted.
Due to several high wind storms during 1939, egg masses have been scattered over wide areas and our most serious infests are on the mountain.
This year for the first time, this department cleared all of our highways of tent caterpillar nests. We also cut down and burned hundreds of small wild cherry trees.
The result is herewith given :
Gypsy Moth clusters painted 860
Tent Caterpillar nest destroyed (approximately) 2,700 Tent Caterpillar egg masses destroyed (approx.) 200
Respectfully submitted,
J. F. KIRBY,
Superintendent
71
REPORT OF THE Forestry Department
This year was a poor year for the Forestry Depart- ment. There was much trimming to be done after the hurricane, and several dangerous trees had to be removed. During the first part of the year much of the dangerous work was done with the help of the Welfare Department and local climbers. The Forestry Department lacked the proper equipment and necessary amount of money to han- dle this work. Considering this handicap a good job was done. All claims received by our department were handled as properly, efficiently, and as soon as was possible. A considerable amount of tree trimming, removing of danger- ous trees, and some tree surgery was done at a very low cost to the town.
There is still a considerable amount of work to be done. It is also important that a large number of trees be replaced, if we are to consider the beauty and shade of our town at the present time and the coming generations.
It is also important that the old trees be properly taken care of if we wish them to beautify our highways a few years longer. Trees beautify a town which in turn en- courages dwellers. This in turn promotes the welfare of a town. So it is appropriate that more thought be given to Forestry.
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL DI DONATO, Tree Warden
72
REPORT OF THE Town Nurse
My annual report from January 1, 1939 to December 31, 1939 :
Total number of Nursing calls-1,681
Total Number of Dressings 200
Total Number of General Cares (Baths, etc.) .... 600
Total Number of Mothers and Babies 20
Total Number of Prenatals 16
Total Number of Temperature, Pulse, etc. 400
Total Number of Well Babies 29
Total Number of Contagious Disease Calls 21
Total Number of Miscellaneous Calls 395
Total Calls 1,681
Babies attending No. Agawam Clinic 66
Babies attending Springfield St. Clinic 176
Total 242
Baby clinics are held every other Tuesday at Spring- field Street School and in the Library at the North Aga- wam School, 2-4 P. M.
Initial Welfare Calls made for Welfare Department :
January 24
February 14
March 11
73
April
7
May
5
June
3
July
2
August
0
September
4
October
6
November
8
December
9
84
I have made 46 appointments for patients to go to hospital clinics, have taken 26 patients to Westfield to be X-rayed and have made 3 appointments for patients to go to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Mass.
I wish to thank all Town Officers, School Department and Townspeople for their splendid cooperation and loyal support to me throughout the year.
At this time I wish to thank Mrs. Lewis Jones, who has so willingly helped at all Baby Clinics.
Respectfully submitted, YOUR TOWN NURSE, Clara H. Williams, R.N.
74
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1939
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
The following is a report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1939:
Poplar St .- This street was excavated to a width of 30 ft., gravelled and given two coats of tar oil between Springfield St. and Garden St., a distance of about 6/10 mile as a semi-permanent surfacing.
Springfield St .- Work was begun very late in the year on the 6 foot widening of Springfield St. between O'Brien's Corner and Franklin St., because of the late allotment of Chapter 90 funds by the State to cities and towns. Due to approaching cold weather excavating and gravelling only was done, stone and bituminous binder to be put on this section of Springfield St. during the Spring of 1940 with the remaining Chapter 90 funds on hand. Street Railway tracks formerly were in this widening location.
The Railroad Overpass that was filled in on Spring- field St. easterly of Feeding Hills Center was given two coats of tar oil and 1/2 in. trap stone finish. The Railroad Co. was only obligated to put this road back in the same condition that existed when the overpass was constructed.
The Railroad Overpass on South Westfield St. was given the same surfacing as Springfield St. Overpass.
Street Signs-110 street markers were erected in Aga- wam during 1939 at a very low cost. These pipe standards were set in concrete bases to make them secure. It is
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hoped to complete this work in 1940 with an appropriation of $250.00.
About 100 stumps remaining in various sections of the town from the September 1938 Hurricane were removed using a special appropriation made in June 1939 for this work.
Twelve new sewer connections were made during 1939 to new houses or houses that had not previously con- nected to existing sewers.
Surface drainage having been extended on many streets since 1935, a larger appropriation for surface drain- age is required to keep the increased number of catch basins clean.
A new catch basin was placed on the northerly side of Springfield St., between Walnut St. and the Agawam Bridge to remove water that drains to this low point on Springfield St.
Chapter 90 funds for the surfacing of Suffield St. from Adams St. to South St. were allotted by the State at such a late date that surfacing could not be done this year. A large concrete pipe culvert was placed this year, the head- wall to be poured and the surfacing done in 1940 with re- maining funds for this work.
North St .- With maintenance oiling appropriations North St. was penetrated with additional tar oil and given a 12 in. trap stone finish. This work covered a stretch 2 3/10 miles long between O'Brien's Corner and North Westfield St.
Mill St .- 1 2/3 miles of Mill St. between Springfield St. and Suffield St. was penetrated with tar oil to pre- serve the surface.
Shoemaker Lane-2 2/3 miles of this street between Suffield St. and South Westfield St. was penetrated with tar oil to preserve the surface.
Reed St .- This street was given a coat of tar oil over the entire length, 1/3 mile and given a 1/4 in. trap stone finish surface as regular maintenance work.
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Maple St .- The southerly side of Maple St. where car tracks were removed was excavated, gravelled and given one coat of tar oil during 1938 but due to frost conditions and snow the last application of oil was not made. During 1939 this section between O'Brien's Corner and Bridge St. was given a second coat of tar oil and a 1/4 in. trap stone finish, a distance of 2/3 mile.
North St. Railroad Overpass was eliminated, the road straightened, gravelled, oiled and given a 1/4 in. trap stone finish. This work has eliminated a very bad curve on this street where many bad automobile accidents have occurred.
The following streets were given a coat of light oil as a dust layer and binder during 1939-Federal St., Moore St., Leonard St., Homer St., Kensington St. and Rhodes Avenue.
High St. was excavated 30 ft. in width gravelled and given two coats of tar oil and a 1/4 in. trap stone finish as a semi-permanent surface between Walnut and Moore Streets.
Original proposed appropriations for 1940 by the State for the continuation of Springfield St. widening as Chap- ter 90 work were reduced from $2,000.00 to $1,500.00 which will mean that the town and county will each only appro- priate a like amount.
Respectfully submitted,
W. D. RISING,
Highway Superintendent
·
77
REPORT OF W. P. A. PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1939
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen :
The following is a report of W. P. A. Projects for the year ending December 31, 1939:
Main Street Concrete Sidewalk
This work was started August 27, 1938 and discon- tinued December 9, 1938, due to frost conditions and snow. Work was again begun April 21, 1939 and completed Sep- tember 7, 1939.
During 1938 about 7,000 lin. ft. of this walk, 5 ft. wide and 4 inches thick, was built. Aprons to driveways were also constructed 2 ft. wide, ten ft. long, and 6 in. thick. This walk at driveways was constructed 6 in. thick.
During 1939 work was resumed and 4,450 ft. of walk was constructed including a walk 6 ft. wide and 105 ft. long to the public library at Agawam Center. Federal labor cost during 1939 was $10,052.60. The Town cost was $4,484.77.
Cooper Street Drainage
This project for the construction of a surface drain- age system in Cooper St. was begun Nov. 5, 1938; 1,100 ft. being constructed during 1938. During 1939 the re- maining 3,720 ft. was completed and two culverts of in- sufficient size and length were replaced. This project was completed Sept. 7, 1939.
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During 1939 Federal expenditures for labor, $32,917.81 ; materials, $2,813.96. The Town expenditures for 1939 were $3,924.17.
This project has remedied a very muddy condition on Cooper St., two culverts being constructed and the road- way raised at these culverts preventing flooding of this street at these two points at times of thawing or heavy rainfall.
Harding and Wilson Streets Sanitary Sewers
The construction of sewers on these two streets was begun Dec. 10, 1938 and completed April 25, 1939.
These sewers empty into the Springfield St. Sewer constructed during 1938 as a W. P. A. Project and furnish sanitary sewer facilities to these two streets. They are of sufficient depth to tie in with a future sewer system for North St., a survey and plans of North St. having been made before Harding and Wilson St. Sewers were con- structed.
The 1939 Federal expenditure for labor was $4,365.45. The Town cost for 1939 was $2,793.03.
Main Street Repairs
This project was sponsored by the Mass. Dept. of Public Works for repairing and hardening of shoulders adjacent to the concrete road on Main St., Agawam.
Work was begun Sept. 14, 1938 and discontinued Sept. 21, 1938. This project was reopened May 5, 1939 and was completed June 15, 1939.
Federal labor cost during 1939 was $2,635.57. State costs for materials and equipment, unknown. No Town funds were required for this work.
Westerly Extension of Adams Street 6 in. Water Main
This water main was extended 1,200 ft. westerly to Suffield St. and then 600 ft. southerly and 1,200 ft. north- erly. on Suffield St. Four hydrants were placed on Suffield
79
St. for fire protection. Work was started Feb. 20, 1939 and completed April 21, 1939. Seven hundred and twenty-eight feet of 6 in. cast iron pipe was furnished by the W. P. A. for this project.
Federal labor cost $5,193.36; Federal materials, $602.58; Town cost $4,217.84.
South Street Water
This project was completed October 22, 1938 with the exception of repairing the road surface which was frozen and could not be repaired during 1938. This repair work was completed June 24, 1939. Town expenditures were $142.59 and there were no Federal expenditures.
Southwick Street Water
This project was completed October 15, 1938 with the exception of repairing the surface which was frozen and could not be repaired during 1938. This repair work was completed June 24, 1939.
Town Cost-$248.12, no Federal expenditures.
Recreation
During 1939 this project employed an average of seven people for supervising recreational and educational work in Agawam. During cold weather this project operated in the Agawam High School and during warm weather at Shea Field, Robinson State Park, off North St., North Aga- wam.
Federal expenditures for labor $6,508.57. Town cost for 1939-$222.08.
Sewing
During 1939 this project employed an average of four- teen people making various articles of clothing that were distributed to W. P. A. employees, persons receiving Old Age Assistance, Welfare and Mothers' Aid recipients, and Soldiers' Relief cases.
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The articles produced by this project were sent to the Commodities Distribution Center in Springfield, where some of this clothing plus clothing made in other com- munities was sent to Agawam for distribution.
There are at present seventeen people assigned to this project in Agawam and there is a possibility of four more certified people being assigned soon.
This project used materials furnished by the Govern- ment at the rate of $48.00 per man year and the Town paid for materials at the rate of $120.00 per man year.
Federal labor expenditures $9,415.52
Federal material expenditures 672.00
Town cost materials 1,680.00
Town cost other 1,514.86
Cooper Street Sanitary Sewer Extension
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