USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 61
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Appropriation
$5,000.00
Expenditures 4,873.78
Balance
126.22
Adams Street
This road was widened, gravelled and surfaced with three coats of tar, from the existing tarred surface at Ridge Avenue to Suffield Street. Catch basins and man- holes were adjusted to meet this new grade. One culvert was extended. The road was straightened and curves im- proved.
Appropriation
$5,500.00
Expenditures
5,463.24
Balance
36.76
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED B. HOWARD Superintendent of Streets & Engineering
284
REPORT OF THE Agawam Library Trustees FOR YEAR 1950
All three of the Libraries have been open as usual during the past year. We are glad to see the new people in town are using the books.
In Agawam Center the summer story hours were well attended.
In Feeding Hills there is an increase in the reading by the children and more books have been purchased for them than in previous years.
Respectfully submitted,
EVA S. KERR CLARA MC VEIGH ESTHER HAUFF
North Agawam
Number of books
4235
Borrowers
550
Circulation
5820
Feeding Hills
Number of books
7425
Borrowers
490
Circulation
6470
Agawam Center
Number of books
10450
Borrowers
750
Circulation
13821
285
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE AND BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
We have conducted our affairs the same as in other years and hoped that there were enough workers to carry on the relief plan, but the time has come when we are obliged to add a social worker to our staff. This is neces- sary to meet the demands of the State Department who have the authority to make rules regarding our personnel.
If the amount asked in our budget is allowed, the added expense can be met.
JEREMIAH J. CAVANAUGH RAYMOND J. DELOGHIA ANDREW CHRISCOLA
REPORT OF THE WELFARE AGENT
Our expense for General Relief was somewhat higher than last year due partly to higher prices, but many of the cases were only temporary and at the end of the year showed a slight decrease.
Old Age Assistance had only a normal growth in 1950 and the costs were not greatly in excess of 1949, but the referendum on the ballot in our last election which was carried will make a much greater expense for this form of aid. There are several reasons, higher individual grants, more recipients on account of lower age of eligi- bility, and an age group for which we will not receive Federal reimbursement.
286
We were fortunate as far as Aid to Dependent Chil- dren was concerned, in 1950 we were able to close eight cases, some of which had been rather expensive.
A new category will come into being next year, namely Aid to the Totally Disabled. This will be under Social Security and will be somewhat like ADC and Old Age Assistance in operation. This can function as soon as our legislature passes a law to conform with require- ments.
Last year's report mentioned the need of a social worker, but this has not been met, and the State Depart- ment of Public Welfare has called our attention to this and advised us to take this step. They have the right to insist on this in view of the cases handled by us.
Our case load is about 150 and their rules are that where the case load is between 100 and 150 there shall be a social worker as well as an agent and a clerk.
At present they reimburse us for over 40% of all our administrative costs through Federal Grants, and these come to the State to be passed on to cities and towns.
The requirements of the state and of the Federal Gov- ernment must be met if we are to continue to get these funds, as well as the Federal Grants for aid. This need should have been taken care of as early as possible in 1950.
I might mention here what we received from all out- side sources in 1950. The state and other cities and towns returned to us over $8,000.00 on general relief. In our ADC category we received in Federal Grants and from the state almost $10,000.00 and in the Old Age Assistant category we received from all sources nearly $59,000.00. These total over $77,000.00 and are in addi- tion to the grants for administration already mentioned.
If all this could be used by us, our net cost of ADC would have been $2,522.69 and for Old Age Assistance about $6,800.00 but only about half was available and the other half or about $38,500.00 was placed in our regular town funds. If these are to continue, we need to comply with the rules governing them.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER S. KERR Welfare Agent
287
REPORT OF THE Forestry Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During this past year I feel that we have accom- plished a great deal in the Forestry Department.
To begin with, a new type spray was used on our Elms with very good results at a lower cost to the town. This was done through the use of an oil mist spray. We were able to sell our old sprayer for a fair price and con- tracted the mist spraying job.
A total of 51 Elm trees affected with Dutch Elm disease were removed. Listed are the sections from which they were removed.
23 Main Street, Agawam
1 Adam Street
16 River Road
2 Pomeroy Street
1 Corner of Elm and Main Streets
6 Shoemaker Lane, Feeding Hills
2 Feeding Hills Center
The average size of trees removed being 12 inches in diameter.
A great deal of trimming was done during the past year, but much more will have to be done every year.
On the planting, we would like to report 50 Rock Maples planted as follows :
1 Poplar Street
5 Mill Street
6 Corner of Mill & Kensington Streets
8 Kensington Street
2 Central Street
2 Monroe Street
6 Suffield Street
8 Silver Street
2 Bridge Street
288
0 t
1 Mulberry Street
4 Oak Hill Ave.
4 North Street
1 North West Street
Many more trees will have to be planted soon if we wish our future generations to have any shade trees on the tree belts.
This Department purchased a new piece of equip- ment this past year for detecting presence of gas. Per- sons suspecting gas leaks should notify the Tree Warden and have checks made to determine whether a leak is present.
During the year we removed 8 trees killed by gas, 7 of these were replaced at the expense of the Gas Light Company. We hope this does not reoccur but are pleased that we could have them replaced.
In conclusion more attention should be given to our roadsides and tree belts, and sufficient funds will have to be appropriated to do more work in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL DI DONATO Tree Warden
289
-
REPORT OF THE PARKS & PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
With a little more money to work with in 1950 the Parks & Playground Commission continued successfully its program from last year of expanding, and improving the playground areas, and the buying of new equipment.
The playgrounds were open for an eight week period from July 5, 1950 to August 25, 1950. The week pre- ceding this period was spent in setting up the play- grounds and moving permanent equipment from the North Agawam playground to the new play area in Robin- son State Park. The week following this eight week period was spent taking down equipment and storing sup- plies. The playground equipment and supplies are stored in the town hall and town garage.
This year the average daily attendance was 191, which was 45 more than last year.
Agawam Center 52
Springfield Street 48
Feeding Hills 31
Robinson Park 60
On Tuesdays, the playground department took the boys and girls to Babb's Beach in Southwick, Mass. The average attendance at these swim days was an even 100.
Fridays were our special events day, and prizes were given to the winners of the various tournaments, con- tests or events. The special events: Checker tourna- ments, jacks, and horseshoe tournaments, bubble gum contests, bike day, field day and sports day.
The Handicraft program headed by Jeannette Barry and Elinor Murphy proved to be very popular among the children. The children made such things as belts, brace- lets, lanyards, copper pictures, wood carvings, rings and bill folds. Near the end of the season we displayed an ex- hibit of handicraft items made by the boys and girls at- tending the playgrounds at the Lions Club Fair.
As a finale we held a large picinc at Riverside Park,
290
270 children attended the picnic, and each child received 10 free ride tickets from Mr. Carroll and one food ticket from the Recreation department.
This year the Parks & Playground Commission opened a new playground area at Robinson State Park, and disbanded the North Agawam area mostly for the children's safety. Early in the spring the baseball area was cleaned and resurfaced. Next year there is hope that a new baseball back stop will be erected. Toilet facilities is a must for the coming season. This area was visited by the largest number of children of the four play areas. This location is especially favorable as a play area because of a large field for sports, and a fine shady area for quiet work.
For the first time a park area was put under the supervision of the Parks & Playground Commission. The Commission feels that we did a good job as possible with the money allowed for the maintaining of the Legion Memorial Park.
Skating rinks again were constructed and maintained in sections of the town. These rinks proved to be very popular for the children and adults alike. Next year we not only intend to carry out the same program, but expect to expand and improve this program with new equipment. We are also planning a winter program on handicraft for children, one night a week in the four sections of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL F. PROVO, Chairman FRANCIS J. NAPOLITAN, Clerk CHARLES KISNER
Parks & Playground Commission
291
REPORT OF THE The Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The Agawam Planning Board has held twelve regular meetings and five special meetings during the year 1950. The special meetings were devoted mainly to public hear- ings, for the purpose of zone changes and subdivision ap- provals.
The Board feels that it should clarify its position in regard to petitions for zone changes and subdivision re- quests :
In regard to the former it should be clearly under- stood that any owner of land or any person holding an option on the purchase of property ; any interested citizen, or the Board itself may institute a petition for a prospec- tive zone change. When and if such a petition is pre- sented to the Board, fourteen days must transpire be- tween the notice of a public hearing as published in a daily newspaper and the hearing proper. Individual notices of such hearings are sent by registered mail to all the abutters to the property in question. The public hearing usually presents the "pros and cons" of the immediate local group of citizens affected. The Board, thereafter, weighs the logic of such a change and moves to recommend the passing over, rejecting or adoption of an article appearing on the Town Meeting Warrant de- signed to incorporate such change as a By-law. It is then necessary that two-thirds of the voters present ratify this change before it may become law. The last step is the receipt by the town clerk, in writing, of the State Attorney General's approval. Should the proposed By-law fail to receive approval by the necessary two-thirds vote, the petitioner would be denied the privilege of reopening the issue for at least two years.
292
In regard to the latter, the Board has full jurisdiction to supervise the development of subdivisions. If the peti- tioner meets with the requests of the Board, then the Board is obligated to render a final decision within a period of 45 days. Your Board has approved such plots when the subdivider has agreed, and such agreement has bond coverage, to install accessible facilities such as sewer and water installations, surface drainage where possible, and a roadbed of six to eight inches of gravel covered with two coats of tar, the above subject to the approval of the town engineer.
During the past year, two such plots were developed ; one, off Springfield Street, totalled 48 Building lots, the second, on Main Street consisting of 39 lots.
The Planning Board feels that the obligations of the Town are somewhat relieved on new streets when sub- dividers are forced to impose, indirectly, a pay-as-you-go plan of betterment assessments on new home owners. At the time of this writing, the proposed new zoning law and map are said to be legal. Through the extended efforts of our Board of Selectmen, the Attorney General's ap- proval has been granted.
This does not mean, however, that the town's zoning problems have been solved for an indefinite period. As our Town continues to grow, added zone changes will be forthcoming. It behooves each citizen to weigh the possibilities of each prospective zone change carefully so that the overall progressive picture of the town may be drawn for the greatest good to the greatest number.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM VIGNEAUX, Chairman PAUL B. JOHNSON EDWIN SPRING GEORGE L. REYNOLDS, Clerk
293
REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Agawam:
We respectfully present herewith our report on the activities of the Water Department for the year 1950.
We wish to assure the water takers of the Town that the superintendent and his department are aware of a periodic occurrence of rusty water. So long as there are some 75 miles of unlined iron pipe in our system, and repairs, cut-ins for new lines, shutting off and turning on our main gates, etc., the resulting turbulence in these mains will dislodge rust and tuberculated particles which cause the condition described. During the past ten years we have taken steps to correct this condition by using Century asbestos cement water mains, which cannot corrode or tuberculate.
WATER CONSUMPTION
Total number of gallons used in 1950-201,286,600, a daily average of 551,470 gallons.
TOTAL REVENUE
Revenue from all sources for the year was $54,097.72. During the year the department has completed the instal- lation of 152 new house services. Forty-five services were put in by developers, a total of 197 new house connections, replacements and relocations of old service lines, with a total revenue of $54,097.72. Water meter readings indi- cate a consumption of $40,587.32.
Water Commitments
$40,587.32
Water Connections 7,600.00
Accounts Receivable
5,910.40
$54,097.72
HYDRANTS
Fourteen hydrants had to have minor repairs. Two hydrants were broken and replaced. Eight hydrants were installed where no provision for hydrants were made.
294
Locations of broken hydrants as follows: Elm Street Suffield Street
Locations of new hydrants as follows :
Albert and Edward Streets 4
Suffield Street 1 Belvidere Avenue 2 Ottawa Street 1
Eight hydrants were moved on Main and Springfield Streets where the streets are being relocated.
BREAKS AND REPAIRS
During the year there was one major water main break on So. Main Street when a road construction con- tractor broke an eight inch cast iron pipe. Emergency repairs were quickly made, and permanent replacement completed within six days. During this period four families were without adequate water supply. We wish to point out however that the area would have suffered considerably more than lack of water during this diffi- culty had not the two-way feed system installed in this part of the Town during the past two years been com- pleted.
Twenty-six lead goosenecks, from main to house service failed during the year and were replaced with copper. This compares with 40 failures during the pre- vious year and it is hoped that shortly we will be relieved of this reoccurring trouble when all defective goosenecks are replaced.
Quite often during emergency work our functions overlap those of the Highway Department. To get at the cause of the trouble we must break into pavement. We make every effort to repair these excavations as soon as possible after the first consideration is made, restoring the water service. The Highway Department has been very co-operative in assisting us by furnishing materials and other service when needed.
CONSTRUCTION
The Water Department continuing its long range pro- gram has completed another phase of planned water main extensions.
This entire operation has been done by the Water
295
Department personnel who have performed an excellent job.
About 8000' of 6" and 8" asbestos cement water mains were laid in 1950. This operation included the elimination of five dead ends, by the tying in of Cooper and Springfield Streets through Rowley Street; Suffield Street and Shoemaker Lane through Silver Street; Main Street and River Road through School Street; Mill Street to Springfield Street through Kensington Street; and North Street to Springfield Street through Cleveland Street.
During the reconstruction of Ottawa Street the Water Department was compelled to drop the existing cast-iron water main to get it to the proper depth below the new street grade. This operation included relocating of services, replacing of others, and service work that could be done reasonably and quickly while the street was open for construction. An additional fire hydrant was also installed during this project.
An additional piece of work included 500' of 6" main and one fire hydrant on North Street. Considerable sav- ings to the Town was effected on this job as we used pipe in excess of our other requirements, and one of the build- ers assisted in paying for excavating and backfilling. Our cost was therefore greatly reduced, and one more leg will be required to tie in North Westfield Street and Spring- field Street through North Street.
Included in the new construction work were exten- sions on the following streets :
Size
Length
No. Hyd.
Cost
Rowley Street
8"
1,650'
4
$ 4,565.49
Silver Street
8"
1,600'
2
4,363.72
Shoemaker Lane
8"
1,000'
2
2,720.28
School Street
8"
1,500'
2
4,055.32
Franklin Street
8"
500
1
1,468.63
Cleveland Street
6'
600
1
1,269.00
Kensington Street
6"
300
706.01
Washington Avenue
6"
800
2
1,754.30
Moore Street
6'
500
1,501.61
North Street
6"
500
1
977.41
Ottawa Street-Lowering mains
1
477.68
296
Main and Springfield Street, replacements of hydrants 1,546.71
$25,176.16
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WORK
Preproposed water extensions for the year 1951 are:
Liberty Street 500' 6"
Rhodes Avenue 500' 6"
Carr Avenue
1000' 6"
Silver Lake Drive
500' 6"
Witheridge Street
600' 6"
Annable Street
820' 6"
Colemore Street
300' 8"
Franklin Street
500' 8"
Shoemaker Lane
1000' 8"
James Street
500' 6"
Moore Street
200' 6"
On many occasions with our department personnel working in remote sections of over 75 miles distributed system, an emergency arises. Since delays in getting our crews to the scene of trouble often causes serious property damage as well as interrupted fire protection, we are requesting the sum of $600 for a two-way radio for the water department truck.
Bids were received and orders placed for a 344 ton truck and an air compressor both of which have aided our operation considerably. Our department vehicles are in good condition and with minor repairs we expect to be able to get along with what we have for the year coming.
The Water Commissioners wish to expressly extend a vote of thanks to the water department personnel for the fine job they have done this past year, which has made possible all the work completed during 1950.
Respectfully submitted,
DUDLEY K. BODURTHA, Chairman LOUIS MERCADANTE, Superintendent EDWARD CONNOR, JR., Clerk Board of Water Commissioners
297
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MEATS
To the Board of Selectmen :
During 1950, several trips were made and about 30 inspections were conducted at locations handling meats, primarily for resale purposes.
In making these calls, for the protection of the health of our citizens, I found everyone cooperative and very willing to do their part in the interests of the towns- people.
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT G. TAYLOR Inspector of Meats
REPORTS OF SLAUGHTERING INSPECTORS
Commercial
As your inspector for commercial slaughtering, I am pleased to report the following activity for 1950: Total number of inspections 247
Animals stamped :
Cattle
95
Calves
1139
Sheep
63
Hogs 4
Number condemned :
Cows
2
Calves
10
Regular calls Emergency calls 88
159
Note: Emergency calls were for inspection of dis- abled animals and calves which had to be butchered im- mediately.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE H. REED
Inspector-Commercial Slaughtering
298
Domestic
For the greater portion of this year, nearly eleven months, at the request of your honorable board. I am pleased to submit the following report:
Nature of Animals Slaughtered :
Calves
36
Hogs
297
Sheep
1
Pigs
223
Cows
1
Condemned
1
Total number of inspection trips 97
Total number of animals inspected 559
To make my necessary inspections, during the period covered by this report, I have made many trips, often to inspect but a very few animals at a time.
Thank you for your cooperation. I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Agawam.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT G. TAYLOR Inspector-Domestic Slaughtering
299
REPORT OF PERSONNEL BOARD
At the annual Town Meeting, held on March 4, 1950, the voters accepted the Griffenhagen Report and set up the method of its operation.
The Report recommended that a Board of three be brought into being, to be appointed by the Moderator, consisting of an elected Town Official, who shall be chair- man, a citizen and registered voter of the town and a town employee. An administrator to be known as the Personnel Officer, appointed by the Selectmen, is to directly super- vise on a part time basis the operational functions of the system. The duties of the Personnel Officer are to be the establishment and maintenance of a filing system in order to properly classify and segregate the employees of the town by departments and maintain an equitable bal- ance on salaries and wages paid according to the type of service rendered. Other factors, such as vacations and sick leave, are to also come under his jurisdiction. All steps and functions of the Personnel Officer are subject to the approval of the Personnel Board in keeping with the tenets of the law, as adopted at the Town Meeting in March, 1950, or any amendments adopted at any sub- sequent Town Meetings. All members of the Personnel Board and the Personnel Officer serve without compen- sation.
The first meeting was held on Tuesday, April 4, 1950, and since that time, with the exceptions of summer vaca- tions, regular meetings have been held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in addition to a few special meetings called in conjunction with other depart- ments when the occasion for special action arose.
The overall purpose of the Board and Personnel Of- ficer is to centralize the problem of salaries and wages and make possible proper concentration on this growing prob- lem, thereby relieving the department heads and finance committee from the arduous last minute computation of budgetary requirements in connection with pay scales and raises.
300
If the functions of this Board and its officer are properly handled, a great amount of good can be derived and will lead to a happy and satisfied group of employees ever willing to give of their talents within their cap- abilities for the best interests of the town. With this thought in mind, we wish to commend our Personnel Of- ficer, Ronald Johnson, for the efficient manner in which he has conducted the affairs of his office.
A few changes in the setup of the system should be made, both from a legal and workable point of view, to better enable this Board to perform the functions of this office and thereby increase its efficiency and effectiveness.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL J. ADAMS HENRY L. MC GOWAN JEAN GOSS
301
REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
The Civil Defense Council for the Town of Agawam was formed Sept. 1, 1950, consisting of nine members, with James A. O'Keefe, as Director.
The first meeting of the Council was held Sept. 25, 1950. The Council, appointed by the Board of Selectmen, was as follows: John C. Tate, M.D., Alfred Howard, Roland C. Reed, George N. Riley, Robert Alcorn, William Vigneaux, David Gallano, A. Jerome Goodwin, Dudley Bodurtha, and Eileen W. Fleming as Secretary. At this meeting the Civil Defense Program was divided as fol- lows, among the members of the Council:
Medical and Public Health Services-John C. Tate, M.D.
Public Works Services-Robert Alcorn and Alfred Howard
Fire-fighting Services-Raymond B. Lewis
Police Services-Roland C. Reed
Public Utilities-Dudley Bodurtha
Defense Welfare-Howard H. Hallock
Evacuation & Transportation-Leslie Moore
Communications-Arthur Zavarella
Shelters-William Vigneaux
Under "Public Works Services," an inventory has been gathered of all available large equipment in Town that might be needed in the event of a disaster.
Under "Medical and Public Health Services," Doctors in Town have been contacted and Registered Nurses, Practical Nurses and Nurses Aides have been asked to register.
The Agawam Health Council has offered their assist- ance in getting people of the Town registered for Red Cross First Aid Classes. The first of which was held Jan. 4, 1951 for the Auxiliary Police. This listing is to serve several purposes, giving us a complete picture of the capabilities of all adults. They have also been of assistance to Chief Reed of the Police Department in en- rolling the people of the Town for First Aid training.
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