USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 5
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Expenditures
Contractor $3,794.98
Material, Handling, etc. 2,059.16
$5,854.14
Sewer at Agawam Bridge.
This construction was the result of the necessity of having the piping for future sewers under the road before the new bridge was completed. As a result of this work, it will not be necessary to open up the approach to the bridge for sewer construction when the Feeding Hills and North Agawam sewers are connected to the sewage dis- posal plant. Part of the funds for this work came from a direct appropriation and part from the $50,000 appropri- ated for general sewer construction.
Expenditures
From Direct Appropriation $4,968.39
From $50,000 Appropriation 1,983.00
$6,951.39
Kensington Street Sewer.
This work was completed in the early Spring as the contract had been let in 1945 but material for completion at that time was not available.
Balance Jan. 1946 $8,176.98
Expended 8,168.11
Balance
$ 8.87
Norris Street Sewer.
This work was completed along with Kensington Street but the greatest part of the work had been completed in 1945.
Balance Jan. 1946
$2,064.03
Expended 2,046.16
Balance
$
17.87
Balance of $50,000 Sewer Account.
The total cost of work accomplished in 1946 under this
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appropriation is $32,301.54 as previously described. At the present time, there is a stock on hand of materials for sewer construction for which $1,972.61 was spent. This stock is made up of 10-inch pipe, pipe fittings and man- hole frames and covers for use in future work.
Appropriation $50,000.00
Expended 34,274.15
Balance
$15,725.85
Main Street Sidewalk.
This work between Suffield Street and the High School sidewalk was completed and anyone seeing the students coming to school can note the great improvement created by this walk.
Balance Jan. 1946 . $1,104.08 750.00
Approp. 1946
$1,854.08
Expended
1,466.31
Balance
$ 387.77
Walnut Street Sidewalk.
A five-foot concrete walk was laid on the West side of Walnut Street from Maple to River Streets and continued along River Street on the South side to King Street. This work was carried on under betterment assessments so that only half the cost comes out of taxation and the abutters bear the other half.
Appropriation Expended 2,928.58
$3,500.00
Balance $ 571.42
Widening Walnut and River Streets Intersection.
The widening of this intersection has long been a necessity since the turning of the corner by busses or trucks has made it practically necessary for opposite traffic to stop. At the widest point the street width has been increased by fifteen feet to allow for easy passage of vehicles in both directions.
Appropriation $1,500.00
Expended 1,493.67 Balance $ 6.33
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Cooley Street Highway Construction.
The Town started this work and the excavation and the laying of the gravel has been accomplished, leaving the laying of the stone and asphalt for the summer of 1947. Balance Jan. 1946 $1,785.00
Expended 659.12
Balance $1,125.88
Repairs to North Agawam Bridge Sidewalk.
The condition of the sidewalk deck of the bridge was such as to necessitate the complete replacement of all the planking and scraping and painting of the metal work. The wood used was pressure treated to resist rot so that this work should stand up for years to come.
Appropriation Expended
$ 850.00
844.22
Balance
$ 5.78
West Street Culvert.
This culvert was originally built with stone and planks and the planking had rotted to the point where a danger- ous condition existed. This material was replaced with concrete pipe.
Appropriation $ 600.00
Expended
600.00
Balance
none
Chapter 90 Construction
Mittineague Bridge.
The reconstruction of the abutment on the Agawam side of the bridge was completed under state supervision in the Spring. This work was carried on with the aid of the state and county funds with the town paying only one-quarter of the cost. The following expenditures rep- resent those of the town only.
Balance Jan. 1946 $3,455.74
Expended
2,555.90
Balance
$ 899.84
Pine Street.
The construction of a bituminous macadam highway
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on Pine Street from South Westfield Street to the State Line was started but little more than excavation and gravel fill could be accomplished when the cold weather began. This work is also sponsored by the county and state so that the cost to the town is only one-quarter of that actually incurred. The following is the town ex- penditure.
Appropriation Expended 1,109.48
$8,200.00
Balance
$7,090.52
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM. D. RISING
Superintendent Streets and Engineering
86
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND
THE BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Both the Board and Bureau organized early in the year and elected Mr. Cavanaugh as Chairman of each di- vision.
Meetings were called by the chairman whenever necessary, and old age assistance always came in for its share of the meeting.
Our policy, as in previous years, has been to try as far as possible to combine economy with efficiency.
Respectfully submitted,
Board of Public Welfare JEREMIAH J. CAVANAUGH ANDREW CHRISCOLO FRANK W. KELLOGG
REPORT OF THE WELFARE AGENT
Few changes took place in the welfare field in 1946. Costs were higher in every category but this was the re- sult of increased budgets rather than larger case loads. Aid to dependent children was the only one to show an increase in numbers.
Relief is still administered by local boards, even in old age assistance. Referendum #1 on the ballot last fall was defeated by over 30,000 votes and this is a source of satisfaction to every welfare worker in the state. Ref- erendums, whether good or bad, are usually adopted and when we consider the time and money spent to put this across we feel grateful to the voters for refusing to be taken in. There was no concerted opposition because those who realized the folly of this move were legally barred from taking any action and this handicap of course helped the proponents.
Over a period of years only two other states have
87
been as liberal as Massachusetts with old age assistance and with the present state organization this record can be maintained.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER S. KERR Welfare Agent
88
REPORT OF THE Forestry Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit the Report of the Forestry Dept.
During the past year I have given attention to those trimming jobs which I felt should be done immediately. Bearing this in mind many trees with low branches were trimmed. Low branches are a hazard to motorists, pedes- trians at night and cyclists. A considerable amount of this type of work is an annual task. Along with this trim- ming and giving clearance to roads and sidewalks, I have had many dead and dangerous branches removed. This we must do as long as there are trees in town.
The Electric and Telephone Companies have come into town several times and they sometimes present quite a problem. We must have electricity and telephones, yet I know the townspeople do not like to see too much cutting done; however, the Electric and Telephone Companies naturally want as much clearance as possible to prevent interference to the service. In my opinion, I believe I have been more than fair to them in this respect.
I have concentrated on spraying the Elms in town for Dutch Elm Disease has been found here and we cannot over-emphasize the care needed by Elm trees to prevent this disease from spreading. I believe we should spray all the trees in town as soon as the town budget can stand the added expense.
As in the past I have to report that the Poplar trees are our biggest source of trouble and expense. They con- tinue to die off and must be removed.
For the past few years I have been seeking funds for tree planting with little success. I wish to emphasize the fact that trees are being removed year after year and none planted. What will the result be? Street after street
89
which have had large Poplars die off will be bare of trees in a very short time. In fact some streets have already reached that condition. There can be no other answer to cutting down trees without replacing them and expect to see beautiful shade trees growing along the streets. I hope something can be done toward planting very soon.
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL DI DONATO Tree Warden
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1
GYPSY MOTH REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Having been appointed Temporary Superintendent of Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle Control to fill the va- cancy caused by the death of our beloved friend, James F. Kirby, who for many years was Superintendent of this work, I hereby submit the report for the year of 1946.
Much of this work was done by Mr. Kirby before his death and then carried on by Mary Curran and myself with the help of one other scouter.
A total of 1,105 clusters were scouted and painted up to July as follows :
Precinct A North Agawam 209
Precinct B Feeding Hills 494
Precinct C Agawam Center 402
1,105
This is an increase of 564 clusters over the number creosoted in 1945, or an increase of 101 per cent, and was due to . the ideal hatching weather we had last fall and this spring.
However, this report does not include Robinson State Park, Provin Mountain Water Shed, or River Road from School Street to the junction of River Road and Main Street.
Much of the success of this year's work was due to the good scouting.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. McCOOL
Temporary Moth Superintendent
91
JAPANESE BEETLE REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Much of the work done this past year to combat the Japanese Beetle was due largely to the fine co-operation of the townspeople.
We have five Beetle Traps on hand that have been repaired and are ready for service. More of these traps should be purchased this next year. Bait for these traps should also be purchased as we have no more at the present time.
I do not have the number of Beetles caught and de- stroyed in the year of 1946, but I do hope to have a more complete report this spring if the Honorable Board sees fit to re-appoint me.
Looking over the late Mr. Kirby's 1945 report he suggested that the people of Agawam use 10 lbs. of Arsenate of Lead to 50 gallons of water to be sprinkled around plants, shrubs or grapevines. This is a wonderful suggestion and remedy if the people would only follow it.
I hope in the near future the Town will be able to purchase a small spray to combat and control this pest.
In the coming Spring if the people of Agawam will phone 6-1971 between the hours of 10 a. m. and 2 p. m. for advice on how to combat and control this pest, I'll be more than glad to help them.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. McCOOL
92
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Agawam:
I herewith submit my annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31st, 1946.
Personnel
Perley J. Hewey, Chief Roland C. Reed, Sergt.
Patrolmen: John Chriscola, R. Kenneth Grady
Special Officers: Steven Carlisto, Howard Minor
Total Number of Arrests. 509
Total Number of Convictions. 504
Total Number of Accidents 117
Total Number of Speeders Apprehended. 252
Total Amount of Fines $6,088.00
Total Amount of Property Recovered $7,493.00
The past year has been a busy one for the Police De- partment. Our arrest column shows that more arrests have been made than in any previous year, also fines taken in from the Court have surpassed any preceding year. Our accident record has increased slightly, due to the fact that more cars were operated on the highway than in the previous or war-time years.
In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation for the assistance and co-operation given us in the year 1946 by the Board of Selectmen and all other Officials and citizens of the Town.
Respectfully submitted, PERLEY J. HEWEY, Chief of Police
93
REPORT OF THE Plumbing Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Agawam :
I wish to state that the year 1946 was as I predicted in my report of 1945. It was a very busy year and I have doubled my work of 1945.
Materials and fixtures have been released quite a little; not too much as yet but I think we have good pros- pects to look forward to. I am sure that 1947 will be a banner year for Agawam.
You will notice on my report, the number of fix- tures installed in new homes and the alterations far ex- ceed those in 1945, and I think that Agawam has been very fortunate in obtaining these fixtures and other ma- terials.
During the year 1947 I have issued 497 permits and have made 750 inspections. These permits were for the following: 109 Septic Tanks, 128 Hot Water Tanks, 136 Safety Valves for same, 32 Odd Traps, 69 Hot Water Heaters, 4 Urinals, 141 Kitchen Sinks, 71 Laundry Trays, 115 Bath Tubs, 10 Showers, 171 Lavatories, 182 Water Closets, 67 Sewer Entrances and 24 Gas Piping Installa- tions. A total cost for all these fixtures and gas installa- tions would amount to about $53,553.00, which is pretty good for a town the size of ours.
I wish at this time to thank all plumbers and owners of Buildings and Homes for their co-operation in the past year of my service to them, and also wish to state that it has been a pleasure and privilege to be of service to them. I will do my utmost to make the town a clean and healthful place to live in and I shall be ready to serve and co-operate whenever called upon for suggestions and advice.
Respectfully yours, EDWARD J. DESMARAIS Plumbing Inspector
94
REPORT OF THE Building Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Building Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1946.
It should be noted that the estimated cost of build- ings does not represent the actual taxable property as many of the buildings are not completed as of this date. Estimated Cost of Buildings $1,158,385.00
Number of Permits Issued 361
Number of Inspections Made 2,972
New Homes 136
63
Garages 57
13
Poultry Houses
13
Storage Buildings 18
Additions and Alterations to Restaurants
3
Additions and Alterations to Factories, etc.
5
American Legion Home
1
Miscellaneous
37
Buildings Demolished
15
Number of Buildings Condemned
2
Buildings taken down where code was violated.
7
Stop Notices Posted 5
Foundation Footings changed to comply with code.
16
Buildings measured and posted for Occupancy .... 6
The year of 1946 was very busy and I anticipate 1947 to be a much busier year if building materials are released and prices decline.
I wish to thank the Town Officials and Taxpayers for their fine co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST R. HALL, Building Inspector
95
Additions and Alterations to Homes
Barns
361
REPORT OF THE Board of Fire Engineers
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The year of 1946 saw an increase in the number of fire calls for the town from 173 (in 1945) to 235 (in 1946).
Agawam Center Station No. 3 has received its Amer- ican LaFrance 750-gallon pumper and the Feeding Hills Station No. 2 is expecting delivery on its Seagrave 750- gallon pumper in June of 1947. This increases the effi- ciency of these departments greatly.
We wish to thank the members of the three com- panies for the very efficient and unselfish manner in which they have served the Town of Agawam.
Calls upon the department were as follows :
North Agawam Station No. 1. 85
Feeding Hills Station No. 2. 65
Agawam Center Station No. 3 85
Total Calls 235
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK T. GOSS, Chairman RILEY S. FARNSWORTH RAYMOND D. LEWIS Board of Fire Engineers
96
Agawam Library Trustees
There have been few changes in the work of the Libraries during the past year.
In North Agawam Miss Ferranti resigned in January and Mrs. Esther Hauff was appointed to finish the year. There is a great need for better facilities in that precinct.
The appropriations for books has remained about the same but the price of books advanced and the demand for more non-fiction increased so we have not been able to pur- chase as many books as in previous years.
In Agawam Center the Children's Story Hours were held during the summer months.
The Feeding Hills Library was given two books by Mrs. Alice Granger in memory of her husband, Clarence Granger, and his brother, Clifford Granger. This Library also had some much needed new lights.
We have endeavored to serve both the townspeople and the students to the best of our ability and if there is anything further we can do we will be glad to cooper- ate.
Figures for Libraries
Feeding Hills
Number of books
7,250
Borrowers
405
Circulation
6,129
North Agawam
Number of books
4,984
Borrowers
445
Circulation
6,173
Agawam
Number of books
10,347
Borrowers
725
Circulation
13,136
Respectfully submitted,
EVA S. KERR
CLARA J. MCVEIGH
ESTHER HAUFF Library Trustees
97
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REPORT OF The Planning Board
This Board has held 24 board meetings, one special meeting with other Town officials, and has made three group inspection trips during the year.
The question of providing recreational facilities under proper guidance for the young people of the Town has been placed in the hands of a special committee.
During the year we have considered nine requests for zone changes. One of these was withdrawn, four recom- mended and adopted, and four are under consideration.
Also, during the year we have considered thirteen applications for subdivision approval. Of these, four have been given final approval, and the remainder are either being revised or have been withdrawn for further study.
At the Annual Town Meeting in February 1946, $50,000 was appropriated for the construction of sewers during the year and this Board was designated to de- termine how this sum should be allocated. Also at the same meeting, this Board was charged with the duty of making an overall study of the Town's sewer requirements and to submit a report to the Town Clerk.
In accordance with these requirements, this Board made at the beginning of the year, a tentative overall report which was filed with the Town Clerk and recom- mended that certain work be done during the current year. This has been partially completed and we recom- mend that the designated work be continued as funds are made available and conditions permit. It must be borne in mind that a large appropriation or bond issue will be required in the near future for the construction of trunk lines and a connection with the Bondi Island sewage dis- posal plant.
The question of acceptance of High Street continued to a point 900 ft. from Moore Street; the acceptance of Cleveland Street, and the acceptance of Sherman Street was left with this Board at the Annual Town Meeting. We have approved High Street and Cleveland Street. We
98
do not feel that we have authority to approve the accept- ance of streets less than the required 50 ft. in width as required by the Town By-laws without special authoriza- tion by the Town.
During the year we have promulgated regulations and requirements for the submission of plans for sub- divisions and have published these in accordance with the statutes so that they are now in force. The Registry of Deeds will not record plans for subdivisions unless ap- proved by this Board.
We would call to your attention the fact that com- plaints of non-compliance with the zoning by-laws should be taken up with the Police or Building Inspection Depart- ment, and we urge compliance with these by-laws as the best way to maintain the growth of the Town in an orderly and desirable manner.
The Board is making progress on a proposed revision of the existing zoning by-laws and will submit its rec- ommendations at a future Town meeting.
Both individually and as a Board, we take this oppor- tunity to express our deep regret at the loss of our fellow Board member, Clifford M. Granger, whose unselfish devotion to the welfare of the Town has been evidenced during many years as a member of the School Committee and as a member of this Board since its organization.
Respectfully submitted, AGAWAM PLANNING BOARD
WILLIAM E. VIGNEAUX, Chairman ANDREW CHRISCOLA FRED C. EMERSON EDWIN B. SPRING PAUL B. JOHNSON, Clerk
99
REPORT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Agent and Director of Veterans' Benefits and Services.
During the first nine months of 1946, Mr. William T. Walsh was the Director of Veterans' Services. Mr. Walsh resigned as Director so that he might continue his college education. I was appointed to this position on September 23, 1946.
During the fourteen weeks that I have served as Director and Agent, I have attended meetings of the Vet- erans' Service Association in Boston as well as meetings of the Association in the Western part of the State. Keep- ing step with demobilization and problems confronting the returning veteran make such meetings necessary.
The changing developments in connection with vet- erans' rights and benefits and virtually every category of veterans' affairs with which we have worked in the past year are subject to change through new legislation. On January 1, 1947, every application for all types of aid under veterans' benefits are subject to approval by the Commissioner of Veterans' Services in Boston.
This department has been very helpful to the many veterans and their dependents who have come here for advice in applying for various kinds of aid: Information and filling out applications. Although there has been a decline in the last month in the actual number of new veterans coming in, the number interviewed varied but slightly because repeat visits are constantly increasing.
This department needs a photostat machine for mak- ing copies of army discharges, marriage certificates and birth records that have to accompany applications for benefits. The purchase of this machine would be bene- ficial to other Town Departments as well as the Veterans' Service Department. I sincerely hope that the Town will
100
acquire this machine which is necessary to take care of this kind of work.
This department is for the benefit of all veterans and their dependents in the Town, and I ask their co-operation in bringing their problems here to be solved.
Respectfully submitted, LESLIE C. MILLER
Agent and Director, Veterans' Services
101
Report of the TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE AND HAMPDEN COUNTY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE Agawam, Mass.
Agricultural Work
During the year the services of the County Agents were available to all farmers in the town. Information has been distributed at county-wide and twilight meet- ings, also an orchard tour. These meetings were supple- mented by circular letters, telephone, published articles, as well as individual visits covering livestock and crop production. Upon request, farmers were assisted in all problems of general farm management. Arthur Taylor incurred expenses amounting to $1.98.
Home Department Work
During the year 191 women attended 26 meetings or demonstrations conducted by 32 local leaders assisted by the County and State Extension Agents. There were nine different projects undertaken during the year: Three Square Meals, Food Preservation, Money Management, Home Choristers, Make a Dress, Making of Curtains, Sewing Machine Clinic, Christmas Greens. The following local leaders assisted the county and state agents in con- ducting the above projects: Mrs. Ernest Hall, Mrs. Rob- ert Allen, Mrs. John Carlson, Mrs. L. A. Johnson, Jr., Mrs. Romeo Loiselle, Mrs. Francis Webler, Mrs. A. G. Phelps, Mrs. P. J. Adams, Mrs. Floyd Longey, Mrs. J. E. Smith, Mrs. Kenneth Baldwin, Mrs. Walter Rapp, Mrs. Henry Gensheimer, and Mrs. George E. Moore. The following incurred expenses amounting to $3.86: Mrs. Ernest Hall, Mrs. John Carlson, Mrs. A. G. Phelps, Mrs. P. J. Adams, and Mrs. Floyd Longey.
4-H Club Work
During the year there were 62 young people enrolled in 4-H Club Work from the town. There were five differ-
102
ent projects undertaken during the year: Baby Beef, Garden, Poultry, Canning, and Clothing. The following were the local leaders: Mrs. Kenneth Pond, Miss Rose Gibbs, Miss Betty Magiera, Miss Alice Draghetti, Mrs. Dewey LaRiviere, Mrs. Anna Gillan, Mrs. Ernest Hall, Miss Marion Hall, and George Draghetti. The following club members from Agawam were county winners in the National 4-H Contests: Alice Draghetti, Achievement Contest; Cecelia Ramah, Canning, and George Draghetti, Leadership. Alice Draghetti won the state-wide Leader- ship Contest and will receive a schorlarship to a leadership training camp in Michigan. Mrs. Kenneth Pond incurred expenses amounting to $21.78.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1946 Appropriation
$75.00
Balance carried over from 1945 53.21
$128.21
Expended in 1946
27.62
Balance available for 1947 $100.59
Appropriation recommended for 1947 : none.
Note: The town appropriation is deposited with the County Treasurer and held to the credit of the town for reimbursing local town leaders for their necessary ex- penses in conducting such work as may be assigned them.
Respectfully submitted,
Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture L. B. BOSTON, Clerk
103
REPORT OF THE The Town Nurse
JANUARY 1, 1946-DECEMBER 31, 1946
Total ivumber of Nursing Calls 1,341
Total Number of Dressings 219
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