USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1951-1955 > Part 10
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Respectfully submitted,
SAMUEL F. PROVO, Chairman FRANCIS J. NAPOLITAN, Clerk CHARLES KISTNER
Parks and Playgrounds Commission
203
Report of the Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Agawam Planning Board has held twelve regular meetings and two special meetings during the year 1951.
The two major problems of the Board during the past year were the consideration of zone changes and the supervision of subdivisions. In regard to the former, the Board was gratified by final approval of the Massachu- setts Attorney General of the new zoning law and zoning map. Whereas, at the time of this report, the new map has not been legal for a full year, it has been necessary to amend and correct it for two reasons. In the first part, new zoning needs have been constant. With the growth of the town and metropolitan Springfield, our Town prop- erties have been a focal point for business expansion by industrial enterprises in the immediate area. The estab- lishment of a modern machine shop on Main Street is, the Board hopes, a typical example of what is to follow. Several smaller businesses have also located in Agawam during the past year.
The Board, therefore, is constantly aware that zon- ing provisions must be considered cautiously by all con- cerned in order to both meet the requests of prosperous industrial concern's wishes to locate in Agawam, and to, at the same time, maintain the confidence of those in local areas whose established real estate values might be depreciated.
In the second part, drafting errors in the zoning map have come to light since its final approval. The Board must assume this responsibility, and has endeav- ored to make necessary corrections as specific needs arise.
In regard to the second major problem, the Board has, at length, given careful consideration to the estab- lishment of utility improvements in new subdivisions.
204
The era when an owner of an empty field could simply set a series of wooden stakes creating lots with dimensions of 50' x 100', and without due consideration for bonafide roadbeds, sewer and water facilities, has definietly be- come a period in the past.
The Board has agreed that "pay as you go" and "tax according to benefits derived" policies are economically best for the Town and eventual subdividers.
To fulfill this policy the Board has approved new specifications for subdivisions, viz:
1. Roadways must be 24' in width and consist of 10" of compacted gravel over which shall be placed 3" of crushed stone, penetrated with 2 gallons and sealed with 3/8 gallons bitumen per square yard (OA-3 or OA-4) with peastone cover.
2. Bituminous sidewalks 5' in width constructed upon a compacted 8" gravel base and with forms set to the lines and grades of the engineer. The thick- ness of the bituminous mixture shall be 21%" after rolling and shall be laid to level of the top of the forms.
3. Sanitary sewers and surface drainage to the approval and specifications of the town engineer.
4. Water lines satisfactory to the specifications of the Water Commissioners.
5. The posting of a surety bond to cover the full estimated costs of the above improvements.
6. When sanitary sewer facilities are not available, perculation soil tests must be made as a guide to what would be considered proper seepage for septic tanks.
Whereas these specifications may appear quite rigid and have perhaps discouraged several proposed sub- divisions, the Board feels they are for the Town's best interests.
The one subdivision, now nearing completion, fol- lowing the above regulations and located off Silver Street near Garden Street, seems to prove the Board's point.
It has been noted that marginal building lots on some of our older streets have been developed quite possi- bly as a result of the Board's action regarding new sub- divisions.
As for the future, the Board realizes many develop-
205
ment problems in the Town must be confronted and solved successfully. Your Board, as time allows, shall continue to apply their interests in this and your behalf, fully understanding that "Nothing is constant but change".
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. VIGNEAUX, Chairman GEORGE L. REYNOLDS EDWIN B. SPRING HENRY W. LAWSON RAYMOND J. DELOGHIA
206
Report of the Water Department
To the Citizens of the Town of Agawam :
We respectfully submit herein for your inspection, a summary of the activities of the Water Department for the year 1951.
The Board of Water Commissioners wish to take this opportunity of thanking the townspeople for their co- operation and patience demonstrated during periods of shut downs in service due to repairs and maintenance operations. We are doing our utmost to assure a minimum delay in resumption of service when conditions require such interruptions.
WATER CONSUMPTION
During the year 1951, the Town used 216,043,900 gallons of water, which is a daily consumption of 592,000 gallons. During 1950 the total consumption was 201,- 286,600 gallons.
REVENUE
Income from all sources for the year just ended amounted to $59,140.67. This showed an increase of $5,000.00 over 1950.
During 1951 the Water Department installed 157 new domestic services, and an additional 49 services were installed by developers, giving us a total of 206 new accounts. This operation, together with replacement water services, and relocated services, produced revenue of $16,160.85. Total revenue from our meters, all takers, amounted to $42,980.02.
Water Commitments $42,980.02
Water Connections and
Replacement Services 16,160.65
$59,140.67
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NEW RATES
A factor that we have no control over in this depart- ment is our source of water. Ever since our system was installed we have purchased our water from the City of Springfield's Cobble Mountain supply. The economy real- ized from this arrangement has been very obvious these many years. During all these years we have maintained the same rates to our takers, despite the fact that the City of Springfield has on several occassions increased the cost of water sold to the Town of Agawam.
The last raise in rates from Springfield was such that we were compelled to pass the increase on to our cus- tomers, and the new rates now in effect, as compared to the old rates are as follows:
First 5000 cubic feet* - old rate .22c per 100 cu. ft. - new rate .30c per 100 cu. ft.
All over 5000 cubic feet - old rate .10c per 100 cu. ft. - new rate .15c per 100 cu. ft.
Minimum charge for each quarter of the year: Old rate $2.00 - new rate $2.60
* one cubic foot - 7.48 gals.
Springfield increased our rates this last time from $80.00 per million gallons to $110.00 per million gallons.
FIRE PROTECTION
In addition to the hydrants installed as part of our new water main extensions this year, ten new hydrants were installed as follows:
Emerson Road 2
Harvey Johnson Drive 2
Federal Avenue 1
Doane Street
1
Edgewater Road
2
Brookline Avenue 2
Major repairs were made on twelve hydrants, such as replacement of screw stems and packings to assure their being in proper operating order.
The department also relocated four hydrants, one for the construction of a sidewalk on Bridge Street, and the others for the widening of Springfield Street.
NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK
During the year we have completed another phase of our program directed toward furnishing more satis-
208
factory domestic service and more adequate fire protec- tion, as well as extending water mains to areas where new residences are being built.
Street
Size
Length
Hydrants
Cost
Suffield Street
8"
2500 ft.
5
$8,997.87
Shocmaker Lane
8"
1000 ft.
2
2,982.45
Franklin Street
8"
1300 ft.
2
3,872.56
Liberty Street
6"
500 ft.
1
1,240.40
Rhodes Avenue
6"
500 ft.
1
1,466.20
Carr Avenue
6"
1000 ft.
2
2,466.89
Annable Street
6"
800 ft.
2
2,025.45
Hall Street
6"
800 ft.
2
1,916.34
Perry Lane
6"
800 ft.
1
3,457.80
Moore Street
6"
200 ft.
1
844.18
Norris Street
6"
200 ft.
0
358.48
Spencer Street
6"
500 ft.
1
1,278.47
Spencer Street line has not been installed but material is on hand.
Relocation of main on Springfield Street
2,306.34
PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION WORK 1952
It is proposed that the following work, to cost ap- proximately $25,000.00 be undertaken for the coming year. We respectfully point out that all maintenance, re- pair and new construction work performed by the Ag- awam Water Department is done with our own personnel, leaving only the engaging of excavating and backfilling equipment to contract.
Shoemaker Lane
2,700 ft. 8"
5 hydrants
North Street
1,200 ft. 6" 3 hydrants
Norman Terrace
600 ft. 6" 2 hydrants
Witheridge Street
600 ft. 6" 2 hydrants
Colemore Street
300 ft. 8"
Silver Lake Drive
500 ft. 6" 1 hydrant Norris Street 300 ft. 6" 1 hydrant Federal Street 800 ft. 2 hydrants Hastings Street 1,000 ft. 6" 6" 2 hydrants Complete installation of line on Spencer Street and install three hydrants on Southwick Street.
The Water Department has surveyed our immediate requirements and find the above projects the most im- portant.
209
The request for Shoemaker Lane covers the last sec- tion to be tied in on that street to complete a supplemen- tary feed line to Agawam Center and part of Feeding Hills. Likewise, the installation on North Street will complete another feeder into North Agawam and elim- inate two dead ends.
Installations on Witheridge and Colemore Streets will tie-in with Annable Street and create another loop tie-in to Springfield Street.
The installation on Federal Avenue will also tie-in Cooper Street thru Federal Avenue to Harvey Johnson Drive into Main Street, while the line proposed for Norris Street will provide a thru way from Springfield Street to Mill Street.
Norman Terrace, Silver Lake Drive, and Hastings Street are well populated areas without fire protection. Southwick Street from Feeding Hills Center to West Street is likewise without adequate fire protection and we have asked permission to install three hydrants on this line.
The Board of Water Commissioners earnestly solicits the support of the townspeople on these requests which they feel are necessary to assure satisfactory service and protection to the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
DUDLEY K. BODURTHA, Chairman LOUIS MERCADANTE, Superintendent EDWARD CONNOR, JR., Clerk
Board of Water Commissioners
210
Report of the Inspector of Meats
To the Board of Selectmen :
In 1951 I made 134 trips to stores, etc., and inspec- tions were conducted at locations where meat was being handled for resale purposes. Three of these trips were for the purposes of investigating complaints.
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT G. TAYLOR Inspector of Meats
Report of the Slaughtering Inspectors
To the Board of Selectmen:
For the Domestic Slaughter Inspections, 625 hogs were inspected one of which was condemned.
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT G. TAYLOR Inspector of Meats
211
Report of the Civil Defense Agency
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Agawam.
We respectfully submit herewith our report on the activities of this department for the year 1951.
Our first major project for the year was the installa- tion of the Auxiliary power plant. This unit is now in complete operation. The unit is designed to provide normal power and communication facilities for police services as well as Civil Defense communications in the event that commercial power is made unavailable by any cause. Since its installation the police department have already had two occasions to experience its value because of interruption of commercial power.
We have the following installation of communications equipment :
A. Two Meter Band (145.2 megacycles)
1. Complete Receiver and Transmitter at C.D. Control center in Town Hall, now awaiting F.C.C. license.
2. Five fixed stations at the following points :
a. North Agawam, WINH
b. Feeding Hills, WIOBQ
c. Agawam Center, WITSF
d. Agawam Center (South) WIBH
e. Agawam Center (South) WIMNG
B. Ten Meter Band (29.460 megacycles)
1. Two mobile stations: WINH and WIOBQ
2. Six fixed stations at the following points :
a. Feeding Hills, WICQR
b. Feeding Hills, WIGVJ
c. Feeding Hills, WIGJJ
d. Agawam Center, WITSF
e. Agawam Center (South) WIBH
212
f. Agawam Center (South) WIMNG C. Monitoring Receiver (Motorola) in Police Head- quarters for listening to State C.D. Alarm Sig- nals from Northampton State Police Head- quarters.
This communication system, under the supervision of Mr. Arthur Zavarella, now makes it possible for the Town of Agawam to maintain communications with all com- munities outside of this Town in the event of disaster. Mr. Zavarella and his staff conduct test meetings of their facilities on the two meter band every Tuesday evening and on the ten meter band every Thursday evening.
The operation of the ground observer work, while coming under the direction of the State Adjutant General on a State level, is the direct responsibility of the Civil Defense Agency on a local level. To provide for the efficient operation of this department in Civil Defense, the agency has received the cooperation of the lessee of the tower at Bowles airport for this use. It was necessary to make some repairs in the area in the tower for its use for observation purposes. This work is nearing com- pletion. When this work is completed, the ground obser- vation staff, under the supervision of Mr. Sidney Smart, will have comfortable working conditions which here- tofore were impossible.
The auxiliary Police Department, under the direction of Sgt. R. Kenneth Grady, is functioning efficiently.
As a result of the tireless effort of Roland C. Reed, Chief of Police, two hundred people have been trained in first aid.
Medical and public health services, in their applica- tion to Civil Defense, receive close scrutiny at all times under the direction of Dr. John C. Tate.
One hundred seventy-five members of various branches of Civil Defense have been photographed for identification purposes. These identification cards are now in the course of completion and should be ready for distribution very soon.
We have purchased six all aluminum navy litters, 12 collapsible cots, 12 blankets, and 12 emergency lights. This equipment is to be used for emergency hospital use. This represents a very small amount of emergency equip-
213
ment necessary to meet a disaster, but it is the best that we could do with the amount of money available.
It is hoped that future appropriations will make it possible to increase these purchases. All material and equipment that has been purchased is of a type and nature that can be diverted to other Town departments for use during normal peace time when the need for which they were actually purchased, no longer exists.
With the cooperation of the Police Department, we have conducted a series of tests with the fire sirens in Town to determine their ability to carry the air raid warning signal to all parts of the Town. We found in these tests that the present fire sirens are not powerful enough to carry the signal to all parts of the Town. This discovery has made it necessary to consider the wisdom of installing additional air raid warning equipment at strategic points.
The Civil Defense Advisory Counsel instructed your Director to obtain information from the Telephone Com- pany as to cost of wiring facilities for installing this equipment and hold any further activity on the matter beyond that point until the report of the special com- mittee, appointed by the Moderator to look into the Fire Department requirements, makes its report at the annual Town meeting, with the possibility that something of this nature may be included in their recommendations.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Selectmen for their cooperation with this department during the past year. We have enjoyed excellent co- operation from the people of the Town in all matters when we have called upon them for assistance and par- ticipation.
I wish to offer special thanks to Mrs. Eileen Fleming who has given endlessly of her time evenings to this de- partment and to Mr. James Atwater, Deputy Director, who is in a great measure responsible for much of the work that has been done thus far. I wish to also thank the Civil Defense Advisory Counsel for their splendid advice and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. O'KEEFE Civil Defense Director
214
Report of the Trustees For County Aid to Agriculture
The Trustees are grateful for the support given their agents during the year by the following local citizens who have, without pay, assisted in carrying out various proj- ects in farm practices, home management and work with boys and girls in 4-H club work :
Mrs. Robert C. Allen, Cynthia Allen, Dorothy Allen, Mrs. Fred Behrens, Betty Behrens, Mrs. George Blood, Raymond Casella, Mrs. Donald Cross, Mrs. Frank Chrich- ton, W. M. DeForge, Ernest G. Freeman, Mrs. Henry Gensheimer, Mrs. Ernest R. Hall, Mrs. J. R. Hyland, Mrs. Ralph P. Jenney, Geary Hinshaw, Kenneth Hinshaw, Shir- ley Lauritsen, Mrs. Stanley P. Lipski, Frank Moruzzi, Stanley Pieczarska, Jr., Brian Rose and Richard Stein.
Any appropriation made by the Town to the Trustees is held by the County Treasurer and used exclusively for reimbursing any local resident of the Town for necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the provisions of the law under which the Trustees are appointed. The above local voluntary leaders expended during the year for either travel, meals or demonstration supplies the sum of $103.59.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
1951 Town Appropriation
$125.00
1950 Unexpended Balance 8.33
Total Available for 1951
133.33
Expenditures in 1951
103.59
Balance Available 29.74
Appropriation Recommended for 1952 100.00
Respectfully,
Trustees For County Aid to Agriculture By: L. B. BOSTON, Clerk
215
Articles in Warrant For Town Meeting
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Hampden ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Agawam in said County.
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to warn and notify the inhabitants of the Town of Agawam qualified to vote in Town affairs, to meet in the auditorium of the High School Building on Saturday, the 1st day of March, 1952 at 1 o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the following Articles:
Article 1. To choose two or more Fence Viewers and two or more Field Drivers.
Article 2. To hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers.
Article 3. To see what method the Town will adopt for the support of Public Welfare for the ensuing year, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $350.00 or any other sum for the proper observance of Memorial Day, details of which are to be handled by the Board of Selectmen in cooperation with the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $665.00 or any other sum for the payment of a proper charge of an Insurance Com- pany for acting as Surety on the Official Bond of its officers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
216
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,300.00 or any other sum for the Liability Insurance of its employees, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for enforcement of the Dog Law, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $15,000.00 from the Overlay Reserve to the Reserve Fund, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Select- men, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1952, and to issue a note or notes, therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to use a sum not exceeding $25,000.00 from Available Funds for the reduction of the amount to be raised by taxation during the current year, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $125.00 to be expended in the Town of Agawam by the Hampden County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $8,844.83 for the Contributory Retirement system of the Town, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 or any other sum for Foreclosure of Tax Titles, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
217
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 or any other sum toward the purchase of new cars for use of the Police Department, and to authorize the Police Commissioners to trade in cars to make up the balance of purchase price. pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for Out of State Travel for the Police Department, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for Police Depart- ment - Law, to cover expenses for prosecution of crim- inal cases, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to accept Chapter 346, of the Acts of 1951, the material portions of which read as follows :
"Section 1. Chapter 147 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after Section 16 B, in- serted by Section 2 of Chapter 426 of the Acts of 1938, the following section - Section 16 C. Members of the police department of every city or town which accepts this section by vote of the city council, subject to the provisions of the charter, or by vote of the town at an annual town meeting, as the case may be, or, if said city council or town fails to accept this section, by vote of the voters thereof as hereinafter provided, shall be ex- cused from duty for two days out of every seven without loss of pay." Pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, Gen- eral Laws, as amended, effective from January 1, 1952, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 19. To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise
218
and appropriate the sum of $3,255.00 for School Traffic Officers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to be used to com- bat the spread of Dutch Elm Disease, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,464.10 for insurance of Town Vehicles, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,800.00 for a fence around the Town Yard in the rear of the Administration Build- ing, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $60,000.00 for Chapter 90 Construction, a portion of which is to be spent on Spring- field Street, with the understanding that the Town will be reimbursed $30,000.00 by the State, and $15,000.00 by the County, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 for Chapter 90 Maintenance, $2,000.00 of which will be reimbursed to the Town by the State, and $2,000.00 of which will be reimbursed to the Town by the County, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to accept Chapter 781, Acts of 1951, enacted by the 1951 legis- lature, providing for increases in retirement allowances now being paid to certain former public employees, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Highway Superin- tendent and a Town Engineer for three year terms each, to become effective as of March 1, 1952, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise
219
and appropriate the sum of $129.00 for a bill contracted in 1951 for the care of Veterans' Graves at the Agawam Center Cemetery, pass any vote or take any action rela- tive thereto.
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