USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1951-1955 > Part 20
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Eleven large and dangerous Poplars were removed with the aid of the Electric Light Company before they could cause dam- age to our main utility lines and homes. The most serious of these being on Springfield Street, Horseham Place, and the Springfield Street School. Many other trees were trimmed for branches which were causing damage to roofs and property, or obstructing sidewalks, driveways and roadways. Storms also did considerabel damage to some of the older trees, some of which will have to be repaired during the coming year.
About 31 Elms, dead from Dutch Elm disease, were also removed during the past season. As far as can be determined at present we no longer have any Elms on the tree belts which have Dutch Elm Disease. This we believe is mainly due to the fact that we have been spraying these Elms every year. This year we applied 3 sprays to the majority of our Elms with very fine results. There is still much Dutch Elm disease in the out- lying sections of the town, but not on town property. Property owners should try to remove and destroy these trees.
We are pleased to report the planting of new trees. This spring 500 sapling were set out on the tree belt with approxi- mately 80% surviving the extreme dry spell which we had at the beginning of summer. In addition 50 good sized maples were planted this fall on the tree belt by one of our town's nur- servmen. These trees look very good and are part of a small tree planting program which we are trying to follow, namely of planting trees so as to complete a street at a time if possible. This would tend to have trees on a street grow and be of uni- form size. We hope we can do even better this coming year towards promoting this tree planting program.
Although we feel we have done well with the appropriations
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this department has received, there is considerable more that must be done and this can only be brought about by increasing appropriations.
Trees, unlike many other things in a town, take many years to grow and their care should not be put off from year to year nor should they be allowed to deteriorate in such a manner as to slowly cause their destruction. A beautiful looking town is one which has many trees. Where there are no trees there is no beauty.
The Town of Agawam should give consideration to its For- estry Department and help promote tree growth for the present and future generations of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL DI DONATO Tree Warden
129
Report of the Board of Health
As the Town grows, the problems of the Board of Health take on a bigger responsibility.
Progress has been made this year by your Board in the protection of your health and well being.
In April we adopted a set of Health Rules and Regula- tions, which amend those in use prior to that time. Several times during the year we met with representatives of the Aga- wam Community Health Council, at which times we discussed problems of mutual interest. Policies, to conform with present and future needs, were formed.
As voted by a town meeting, funds were appropriated for a survey of our health needs. Dr. Ira Hiscock of Yale University was hired to work with the Health Council and your Board of Health in the conduct of this survey.
Following recommendations of Dr. Hiscock, progress has been made in several directions.
Steps have been taken to improve the condition of our present town dump. The Board recognizes that this dump will eventually be inadequate for our community's needs.
An advisory health group has been formed, in cooperation with the Agawam Community Health Council, to coordinate the Town's health services.
Steps are being taken to acquaint the people of the Town with services available to them through the United Fund and other agencies.
Through the Connecticut River Anti-Pollution Study Com- mittee, Agawam is taking an active part in their efforts to ob- tain complete aid in the problem of having to eventually remove our sewage from the Connecticut and Westfield Rivers and into Bondi's Island.
The Board of Health has felt for some time the need of a Health Agent. Such an agent would be an individual that
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would represent the Board in doing the inspection work needed and to handle other vital health matters. This person, we feel. should be hired on a full-time basis. We propose to make such recommendation at the annual town meeting.
Our Town Engineer has been requested to submit to us costs covering an adequate, but inexpensive laboratory, to be used by the health agent. It is proposed that such a laboratory would be set up in a portion of the present Red Cross room of the Town Administration Building.
Your Board is also cooperating with the Future Farmers of America, in their rat control project.
We realize that the health problems of the Town are many. You may be assured of our interest and our cooperation as we continue to plan our work and work our plan.
Thanks to the Agawam Community Health Council, to our various other health officers and to the people of Agawam, for their interest and help.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. TALMADGE, Chairman FREDERICK C. EMERSON WILLIAM E. VIGNEAUX
Board of Health
131
Report of the Town Nurse
The total number of Nursing calls made was 3620. These calls consisted of bedside care, dressings, injections of all types, and numerous other calls which come under the nurses depart- ment, such as inspection of day nursery homes. All patients have individual records dating back to April 2, 1928.
210 hours were spent in the office writing up individual records, ordering supplies, etc., 87 hours were spent in Baby Clinic and Mothers Classes and 30 hours in the Annual School Spring Clinic. The Spring Clinic includes Triple Booster, Vac- cination and Pre-School examination under the direction of Dr. Ramah, school physician. Miss O'Brien, School Nurse, was assisted by Mrs. Cascella and myself. The Triple Booster Clinics were held at each of the four grade schools with a total at- tendance of 166. The vaccination clinic which was held in the Red Cross Room had a total attendance of 71, and the pre- school examination, held at the four grade schools, had a total attendance of 227.
There were 299 communicable diseases reported to the Board of Health and 19 dog bites. A total of 42 appointments were made for patients at the Springfield Hospital Clinic, West- field Sanatorium, Wesson Maternity and doctor's offices.
Our Well Baby Clinic is doing wonderfully under the fine supervision of Dr. Mildred Housman, whom we are most for- tunate to have as our clinic doctor. There were 501 babies seen at our 27 clinics which are held every other Wednesday. 211 babies were immunized by receiving vaccinations, triple antigen, triple booster, Typhoid, pertussis vaccine, diptheria and tetanus combined and Measles. Every resident in Town is en- titled to take advantage of this free clinical service. I wish to thank each and everyone who has given so generously of their services in helping us to conduct this clinic.
The Agawam Health Council is in its fourth year. At each meeting Miss O'Brien and myself give our monthly reports. On June 2, Miss King and Dr. Hiscock from Yale University started the Health Survey. We feel that this survey is going to be very beneficial to everyone in town.
On December 17, a newly formed Nursing Advisory Board
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called a meeting. Joseph McMahon, Chairman, and Miss Sophie Nelson from Boston was guest speaker. This advisory board was one of the recommendations of the Health Survey.
The American Red Cross Bloodmobile Unit came to Aga- wam High School for two days. A total of 137 pints of blood were collected. Again, I wish to thank all who worked at the clinic.
Another important program was the Blood Typing Programı on July 14, 15, and 16, which was in charge of James A. O'Keefe, Civil Defense Director. The blood typing was done at five different locations in the town and a total of 594 were typed.
Two trips were made to Monson State Hospital with cloth- ing. On June 19, the Health Council and interested members of the town were invited to the Red Feather to see the work of this agency. From there we took a tour through The House of Good Shepherd, Springfield Girls Club and the Child Guidance Clinic.
This is the first year since 1928 that we have not distributed a large number of Thanksgiving and Xmas food baskets to our worthy families. The reason for this being that different or- ganizations have been given the list of names and have delivered the baskets to the people with the exception of a few.
In closing I would like to thank you all, Board of Select- men, Town Officials, and Townspeople who have been so co- operative throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARA H. WILLIAMS, R.N. Public Health Nurse
133
Report of the Inspector of Meats
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the year 1952 I made 143 trips on Slaughter In- spections. These trips included the following inspections: 731 pigs, 270 calves, 2 sheep and 5 cows.
There were also 34 trips made to stores, etc., for the in- spection of meats.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT G. TAYLOR Inspector of Meats
134
Report of the Trustees For County Aid to Agriculture
The Trustees are grateful for the support and cooperation of the following local citizens who have, without renumeration, assisted our County Agents in various farm practices, home problems and work with boys and girls in 4-H Activities.
Mrs. Paul Adams, Mrs. Robert C. Allen, Oden D. Baker, Mrs. George Blood, Raymond Casella, Mrs. Frank Chrichton, Mrs. Fred Behrens, Mrs. George Collins, Mrs. Donald Cross, Mrs. Irving Dean, Ernest Freeman, Mrs. Frank Draghetti, Mrs. Ernest R. Hall, Mrs. J. R. Hyland, Mrs Shirley Lauritsen, Mrs. Stanley Lipski, Mrs. Alfred Martel and Stanley Pieczarka.
Chapter 128 of the General Laws permits a city or town to appropriate money to be expended by the Trustees for carry- ing out the purposes of the act. Any such appropriation to the Trustees is held by the County Treasurer and used exclusively for reimbursing a local resident of the town for necessary ex- penses they may incur in performing such duties as may be assigned them.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
1952 Appropriation $125.00
1951 Unexpended Balance 29.74
Total Available for 1952
154.74
Total Expenditure in 1952
84.05
1953 Balance Available 70.69
1953 Recommended Appropriation 100.00
Respectfully submitted,
Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture By: L. B. Boston, Clerk
135
Report of the Plumbing Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Agawam:
During 1952, the year just past, 1400 inspections were made covering new homes, alterations, sewer entrances, septic tanks, heaters and safety valves. The figures mentioned represents an increase of approximately 33 1/3% over the previous year, which was due largely to the construction of new homes, altera- tions, and new sewer entrances.
In 1953 I am informed that several new development pro- jects are contemplated. These new homes will mean the pos- sibility of a continued high level of plumbing installations.
At this time your attention is respectfully directed to the need of an up-to-date plumbing code since the one under which we have been working is now obsolete. When this is under- taken all active plumbing contractors will be invited to give constructive help in writing such a code.
As your Plumbing Inspector I would, at this time, like to express my appreciation for the cooperation shown me by all the plumbers and owners of buildings and homes. I assure you that I will continue to do my utmost to make the Town of Agawam a clean and healthy place to live, and be a credit to all. It has been a pleasure to serve you. Your suggestions, help and advice are always welcome.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD J. DESMARAIS Plumbing Inspector
136
Report of the Animal Inspector
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Animal Inspector for the year 1952:
Barns Inspected
76
Number of Cows
546
Number of Calves
249
Number of Bulls
29
Number of Steers
36
Number of Horses
27
Number of Swine
1452
Number of Sheep
55
Number of Goats
22
Cattle shipped into town
35
Dog bites
41
Again, in my annual coverage of the Town, I found barns and animals in a very clean and sanitary state.
But, I again caution all cattle dealers of the prevalence of cattle in other States, and especially in Canada, and to exercise caution in the buying and selling of cows from out of State.
The usual run of dog bite cases prevailed. and were care- fully checked and quarantined.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD T. WILSON Animal Inspector
137
Report of the Highway Department
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is a report of the Highway Department for the year ending December 31, 1952.
Highway Maintenance
Highway maintenance consists of patching hard surfaced roads, scraping gravel and dirt roads, cutting brush, keeping dust at a minimum on unsurfaced streets and grading shoulders.
Surface treating has reduced our patching expense to some extent, but the lack of surface drainage still causes many of our streets to ravel where water cannot run off. Shoulder work and brush cutting will still be a problem which will be overcome as the patching and scraping costs are reduced and more work can be done in this direction.
We have used more liquid dust layer and less calcium chlor- ide in the past year and believe the results prove that the liquid is the better and cheaper through the course of a season.
Maintenance Oiling
This part of our program is very important in keeping the surfaced streets in good condition and in lowering patch- ing costs in our highway maintenance. We are using more asphalt than tar at the present time. Stone cover is being used more each year as the old surfaces are conditioned to take such treatment. The extra cost of stone and rolling reduces the overall mileage to some extent, but this type surface will last over a longer period.
A roller is greatly needed for this type of work, as hired rollers are not always available when we need them. A stone spreader box is also needed to get a more uniform cover and save on the amount of stone used.
The following streets were surface treated in 1952 under this program: South West; part of Barry; School; Albert: Edward: Wyman: Monroe: Leonard; Poplar; Mill; Cooper;
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Line: Franklin; Washington; the old part of Adams; part of River Road: James; part of Liberty; North; and part of Cooley.
NEW OILING
The south side of South Park Terrace was excavated and a gravel base was compacted to grade. This was treated with two applications of tar and sanded. Moore Street hill was done in the same way except that three applications of tar were applied. We also installed three new culverts and a new catch basin. Perry Lane and Mill Streets were gravelled and surface treated from Elm Street to Suffield Street with two applications of tar. Liberty Street was gravelled and two applications of tar applied. Part of James Street was gravelled and treated with three applications of tar. Norman Terrace, Annable Street, and Northwood Street were gravelled and treated with two applica- tions of tar. Part of North Street through Deep Gutter was excavated, gravelled and treated with three applications of tar. Part of Spencer Street was excavated and gravelled, and all of Barney Street was gravelled. The surface on these two streets will be applied in the spring.
Chapter 90 Maintenance
South Westfield Street was treated with asphalt, half inch stone and rolled for approximately one mile. Shoulders were cut down and drainage improved. Bridge Street was also treat- ed with asphalt, half inch stone, and rolled. Suffield Street was treated in the same manner from Silver Street to Mill Street, and from Cooper Street East.
A new twenty four inch culvert was installed at the old railroad crossing in Shoemaker Lane, and the low place at that point was raised three and one-half feet. This will be surfaced in the spring.
South Street hill and a short piece on the Suffield Street end of South Street were excavated and filled with gravel. This was treated with two coats of tar. A third application will be applied in the spring. This will eliminate heaving and break- ing of the surface which has occurred at these points. South Street was treated with an application of asphalt and covered with sand.
Road Machinery Account
This account covers gas, oil. tires, repairs and parts. Snow
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plowing takes a good portion of this as trucks and equipment break down more often at this time. Gas and oil are consumed at a greater extent while plowing.
An air compressor, grease pump, battery charger, and a ten ton jack were obtained under a separate appropriation. This equipment has helped us greatly in the past season.
Road Machinery Fund
A small appropriation was needed to supplement the available accumulation in this fund for the purchase of a new dump truck in 1952. This is the largest truck the Town has ever owned. We are not asking for any new trucks in 1953. We are in need of a roller as hired rollers are not always available when needed. There is more work for one each year. A stone spreader box would eliminate waste of stone while treating streets and also give a more uniform surface.
Sewers and Surface Drainage
Work continues to increase in this department. Work orders for 155 new sewer services were issued in 1952. All were completed. There were 142 sewer plugs at private homes which were taken care of. South Alhambra Circle has had to be pumped a number of times as there is no surface drainage that can handle the volume of water that accumulates there.
Catch Basins have been constructed at a number of places where surface drainage was sorely needed. There is plenty of room for expansion in this work, but new pipe lines will have to be constructed first.
Some of our main sewer lines are badly in need of cleaning. We are extending new mains from these each year and the ac- cumulation of sludge and etc. is greater. The bucket system of cleaning is the only answer. This equipment is not available for rent and we can't ask the other towns and cities to borrow theirs as they are in use constantly. Our only hope is that we well be able to buy a set of our own in the near future.
Rubbish Removal
We have added a number of new streets to the rubbish routes in 1952. This program is constantly growing. Ash cans should be used for rubbish instead of oil drums. Papers and burnable material are not collected. Buldozing the dump has
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been let out to private parties as we have no equipment that will take care of this.
Snow Removal
Snow removal consists of plowing, sanding and salting. filling and replacing sand boxes, erecting of snow fences and replenishing of the sand supply as we use it. Some new snow fence was purchased in 1952 to take the place of some of our worn out fence. We also rented a sander which has helped out a great deal. With the increased traffic on the main highways. sanding has to start with the storm. More salt and sand are used each season. More new streets have to be plowed each year. This gives more work to each of our five plows and stretches the time of completion out considerably.
Sidewalk plowing has given us considerable trouble. Our small wheel tractor can handle light snow but cannot take care of heavy falls. The only type tractor for the Springfield St. side- walk is a crawler. We have trouble finding one small enough to do this work as the walk is only four feet wide and all avail- able crawlers are too wide for it.
Sidewalk Maintenance
This work was neglected in the past year because we have not had the time or man power to do it. If we have the same amount of money for 1953 I am sure we will be able to improve the sidewalks considerably.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED B. HOWARD
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Report of the Engineering Department
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is a report of the Engineering Department for the year ending December 31, 1952.
Engineering
The Engineering Department carried out during the past year more work than ever before. The construction program was considerably increased and approximately 50% more money was expended for construction of sanitary and storm sewers. and sidewalks.
New developments within the Town have slowed down so that only two new streets were opened up during the year. The construction on this new work is paid for by the developer. with the Town inspecting the work to assure the proper quality of workmanship and materials.
A number of streets were accepted by the Town, but be- cause of the increased construction program this department was unable to lay out the bounds along these new streets.
The betterment assessment program is being carried out on the construction of all sanitary and storm sewers at the rate of $1.00 per front foot, on concrete sidewalk and curbing at the rate of $1.00 a front foot; and on bituminous sidewalk at the rate of $0.50 per front foot. In 1952 the following sani- tary and storm sewers were constructed under betterments: part of Edward Street; Norman Terrace; Annable Street; Northwood Street; part of Suffield Street; part of South Westfield Street: and part of Southwick Street. Since all of the bills were not sent out by the first of January some of the receipts for 1952 betterments will show in 1953.
Norman Terrace Sanitary Sewer
Nine hundred lineal feet of vitrified clay pipe sewer was installed on Norman Terrace. This sewer received more con-
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nections than any other sewer installed in 1952. The houses in the area are set close to one another and gave more con- nections per foot of main line than is generally anticipated. Af- ter the completion of the sewer the road was completely rebuilt and resurfaced. $7,000.00 was appropriaetd for this work, of which only $5,701.46 was expended, leaving a balance of $1,298.54.
Annable Street Sanitary Sewer
Eight hundred and seventy feet of sanitary sewer was con- structed on Annable Street. Many of the people in this loca- tion were experiencing difficulty with their septic tanks, and they immediately hooked on to the new sewer, thus eliminating the unsanitary conditions that had previously existed in the locations of their tanks. The road was completely re-graveled and re-graded, and two coats of tar applied to leave a stable surface for the residents. $5,400.00 was appropriated for the construction and ony $4,449.19 was expended. leaving a balance of $950.81.
Northwood Street Sanitary Sewer
The construction of eleven hundred feet of sanitary sewer on Northwood Street was done with some difficulty. The ground water level in this area was higher than the invert of the sewer so that it was necessary to pump the water from the trench in order to lay the pipe and caulk the joints. The residents of this area also experienced considerable difficulty with the opera- tion of their septic tanks because of the high ground water. Most of the people immediately connected to the sewer so they would not continue on with their septic tank troubles. Because of the unsuitablility of the material for a road bed a considerable quantity of the road was excavated, removed, and replaced by good free draining gravel to a thickness of at least ten inches. With this material in, the roadway was stabilized, penetrated and sealed with tar. $6.950.00 was appropriated for this work and $6,214.40 was expended, leaving a balance of $735.60.
Suffield Street Sanitary Sewer
Three thousand feet of cement asbestos sanitary sewer was laid on Suffield Street between Mill and Center Streets. A good portion of this was laid to depths as great as sixteen feet so that
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this sewer might service Center Street and Woodside Drive at some future time. Because of the depth, settlement will natural- ly take place so the replacement of the pavement cannot be considered to be a final and set surfacing. During the con- struction a culvert at the brook near Valentine Street collapsed. This was an old dry stone culvert and it was necessary, in order to replace the road, to construct an entirely new culvert at this location. This entailed additional expenditures which were not anticipated, but it is a good job done now which would even- tually be necessary in the near future. $46,759.27 was ap- propriated and $46,034.36 was spent, leaving a balance of $724.91.
Edward Street Surface Drainage
A short piece of surface drainage sewer was installed on on Edward Steet beginning at Wyman Street and running east- erly to the low point in the highway. Four catch basins were connected to the line to relieve the people in that area of flood- ing after each rain storm. This was a small project for which $3,500.00 was appropriated and $3,334.88 spent, leaving a bal- ance of $165.12.
Southwick Street Sanitary Sewer
The Southwick Street sanitary sewer was extended as far as was possible, a distance of approximately two hundred twen- ty-five feet. This work was done at a cost of $959.41.
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