USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1960 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
In general, electricians have complied with regulations of the National Electric Code or have corrected work to comply with the Code upon request of me or Mr. Molloy, making for a very noticeable improvement in the quality of electrical work performed in the Town. I feel, however, that some electricians are not complying with laws regarding the obtaining of a wiring permit for electrical work and that the larger manufacturing plants are not only not obtaining wiring permits, but also have unlicensed men doing electrical work within the plants. Attention is hereby called to the last paragraph of Section 3L of Chapter 143 of the General Laws as amended by Chapter 355, Acts of 1959:
"No person shall install for hire any electrical wiring or fixtures subject to this section without first or within five days after com- mencing the work giving notice to the inspector of wires appointed pursuant to the provisions of section thirty-two of Chapter one hun- dred and sixty-six. Any person failing to give such notice shall be punished by a fine not exceeding twenty dollars. This section shall be enforced by the inspector of wires within his jurisdiction and the state examiners of electricians."
I would also like to point out that suspension or loss of license may result where licensed electricians fail to meet this law.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS F. MOLINARO,
Wiring Inspector®
46
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Submitted herewith, is the report for the Department of Veterans' Services, established and operating under Chapter 115 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as amended, for the year 1960.
Located in the Town Hall, this office is open from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. Information regarding hospitalization, medi- cal care, pensions, death allowances and Veteran's Benefits, is avail- able to veterans of all services.
During 1960, a monthly average of 25 veterans and their families received financial and medical assistance through this office, amounting to more than $24,000.00, 50% of which is reimbursed to the Town of Franklin, by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Several unem- ployed veterans who were aided financially by this office, were also helped in securing temporary work and one veteran was permanently placed.
This office has continued to enjoy the cooperation and assistance of both Town Officials and other Departments, for which we are exceedingly grateful.
A detailed report of expenditures and income may be found in the Auditor's Report.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM A. SOMERBY, JR.
Director of Veteran's Services
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
List of building permits issued and estimated value of this construction.
Permits
199 Single Family Houses
25 House Additions
Construction Cost $2,202,550.00 22,760.00
47
15 Private Garages (5-1 car - 10-2 car) 14,400.00
7 Farm Buildings (1 Green House, 2 Poultry Houses, 1 Horse Stable, 2 Shop and Storage)
8,675.00
4 Houses Remodeled
6,350.00
3 Storage Sheds 980.00
3 Signs 220.00
6 Commercial (1 Store, 1 Store Addition, 4 Office Bldgs.)
79,000.00
4 Industrial (2 Light Manufacturing Bldgs.,
2 Light Manufacturing Additions)
33,700.00
1 Church School Addition
251,200.00
1 College Dormitory 302,000.00
1 Telephone Exchange
110,000.00
269 Permits
$3,031,835.00
Statement of Account
Balance-January 1, 1960
$1,818.00
Payments by Builders for 269 Permits
$5,641.00
Payments for 17 Safety Certificates
51.00
$5,692.00
Paid Inspections-
(240 on 1959 Bldgs.)
(671 on 1960 Bldgs.)-911 Total
$3,654.50
Expense Account
1,340.95
Returned on Unused Permits
32.00
Withdrawals
$5,027.45
Balance-January 1, 1961
$2,482.55
Respectfully submitted,
ELDON D. SEWELL,
Building Inspector
REPORT OF FRANKLIN HOUSING AUTHORITY
January 1, 1961
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In accordance with the provisions of the State Housing Board Section 26U of the Housing Authority (Chapter 121 of the General
48
Laws) the Franklin HOUSING AUTHORITY submits its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1960.
The Franklin Housing Authority is composed of five members as follows: Martin W. Donahue, Chairman; Bruno DiCecco, Vice Chair- man; Maurice Simon, Treasurer; Clement Brunelli, Assistant Treasurer; Ernest P. Wood.
On April 1, 1960 due to the retirement of Ernest P. Wood as executive director and secretary the Board appointed Jack Nasuti to succeed him in that capacity. At a joint meeting of the Franklin Housing Authority and the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Mr. Ernest P. Wood was appointed to finish the unexpired term of _ir. Jack Nasuti as a member until the next annual election of March of 1961.
During the year, extensive improvements were made as follows:
Installation of 308 aluminum storm windows, exterior painting of 10 buildings, and replacing of 4 Ruud gas hot water heaters. There are 28 apartments which were occupied all during the year with 3 families moving out and 3 new families moving in. The project is going in its 12th year of construction and the general maintenance is on the increase necessitating a revision of total income and a higher rental schedule beginning January 1, 1961.
Reimbursement to the Town for the year 1960 was $1,008 in lieu of taxes and approximately $700.00 for water. This so called No. 200-1 housing for veterans located on North Park, East and West Park Streets are structurally sound and in good condition with no major capital outlay this coming year except the exterior painting of 5 asbestos buildings.
Under Chapter 667-1 (Homes for the Elderly) 40 dwelling units were built during the year 1959 and completed on January 25, 1960. These apartments named Central Park Terrace are located off of North, East and West Park Streets. These are three room apartments with central gas hot water heat and a recreation building strictly for elderly citizens 65 years old or over with moderate incomes. They are at present fully occupied with some 12 or more applicants on a waiting list.
The rent for these apartments is $50.00 per month with all utilities included which pays for initial construction cost amortization and general maintenance. Prior to the actual construction of this project from a survey conducted by your Housing Authority and old age assistance department, there were some 900 to a thousand citizens over 65 years of age residing in Franklin, therefore the Franklin
49
Housing Authority feels that this is one of the most worthwhile projects ever undertaken by any state, city or town.
Accordingly, your housing board is inserting an article for your next annual town meeting for additional units.
December 31, 1960
FRANKLIN HOUSING AUTHORITY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET FRANKLIN HOUSING AUTHORITY DECEMBER 31, 1960 ASSETS
Cash-Administration Fund
$7,588.92
Cash-Development Fund
25.22
Cash-Savings Bank
10,848.08
$ 18,462.22
Debt Service Fund
8,038.75
Debt Service Trust Fund
336.00
Debt Service Fund Investments
3,000.00
$ 11,374.75
Prepaid Insurance
$ 1,668.51
Tenants Accounts Receivable
$ 84.00
Development Costs
797,133.30
Less Development Cost Liquidation
47,000.00
Accounts Receivable
$ 2,839.52
TOTAL ASSETS
$784,562.30
LIABILITIES
Federal and State Taxes Payable
$ 269.61
Accrued Interest
$ 10,490.94
Tenants Prepaid Rents
242.00
Tenants Security Deposits
700.00
$ 942.00
Accounts Payable
$ 2,839.52
Operating Reserve
5,490.34
Debt Service Reserve
8,567.46
Unamortized Bond Premium Reserve
3,336.00
$750,133.30
$ 17,393.30
50
Matured Interest and Principal Bonds and Notes Authorized Less Bonds and Notes Retired
Surplus
TOTAL LIABILITIES
$ 8,938.75
785,000.00 47,000.00
$738,000.00 $ 6,587.68
$784,562.30
Respectfully submitted,
MARTIN DONAHUE, Chairman
BRUNO DICECCO
MAURICE SIMON
CLEMENT BRUNELLI
ERNEST P. WOOD
JACK NASUTI, Executive Director
Franklin Housing Authority
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH - 1960
There has been a small amount of sickness in town this year.
There were 12 premature births reported, fortunately the parents took care of all expenses.
We had 11 Tuberculosis Clinics and were attended by 452 persons.
There had been one case of Poliomyelitis reported in town for the year.
118 cases of dangerous diseases were reported and 22 dog bites.
180 perculation tests were taken in unsewered areas. This work is considered important as much of the soil in this vicinity is not porous and suitable for sewage disposal.
There were 371 plumbing permits issued for 1960.
Fifty-two burial permits were issued at no charge.
51
A competitive Civil Service examination was held by Civil Service for a part-time Agent. Joseph A. Hunchard a life long resident of this town was found qualified and appointed by the Board on Octo- ber 1, 1960.
Receipts from licenses, permits and tests:
Plumbing Permits
371
$1,746.00
Perculation Tests
180
540.00
Milk Licenses
29
14.50
Anti-freeze Licenses
16
16.00
Oleomargarine Licenses
17
8.50
Pasteurization Licenses
3
30.00
Slaughtering Permit
1
1.00
Undertakers Licenses
5
5.00
Budget for 1960
22,000.00
Unexpired for 1960
$ 1,528.82
WALTER F. CROWLEY, M.D. C. LINCOLN DANA, M.D. PETER O'BRIEN
Board of Health
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
January 13, 1961
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Board of Public Works for the year 1960.
52
The Department of Public Works of the Town of Franklin, Mass. is completing its sixth year of operation amidst an influx of increased building and a population explosion.
The effect of such a spectacular increase in persons and property to a town department which deals primarily in services required by the people of the town is tremendous.
Since your Department of Public Works is concerned with and handles three quarters of the services required by the townspeople, it becomes necessary for each member to produce more and more work.
This is accomplished in several ways.
First, increased efficiency by improved methods of communication, eliminating time consuming traveling over the road to get, take, or give orders.
Secondly, by improving the type and quantity of equipment being used.
Thirdly, by increasing the number of personnel in the Department to cover the additional work load.
The first two phases of this program are now in the process of operation, while the third phase will be studied very carefully before any great degree of expansion will be made.
Our program for the future development of the Department has been set up and will be continually reviewed and revised as conditions and services require.
It is the aim and purpose of the Commissioners of the Department of Public Works to give to the people of Franklin the quickest, most efficient, economical and practical services possible and at the same time consider with solemn sincerity the ever prevalent problems of future expansion in a reasonable manner.
The following is a resume of the work performed by the various divisions of the Department of Public Works during the past year:
53
HIGHWAY DIVISION:
Installed 450 lin. ft. of 10" R.C. drain pipe on Keough Street, including two catch basins.
Excavated, widened and lowered about 1000 lin. ft. of open ditch at the end of Lewis Street.
Replaced rusted and partially collapsed drain on Forest Street.
Excavated and widened to permit proper flowage, the open ditch on the westerly side of Chestnut Street for a distance of 1000 lin. ft. more or less.
Cleaned all the catch basins in the eastern section of Town, approximately 200 in number.
Swept one thousand curb miles of roadway during the year.
Mixed and installed about 2000 Tons of Bituminous Concrete patch for repairing water trenches and patching holes in roadway.
Pushed back the Town Dump eleven times during the year.
Rebuilt and increased to regulation size (15) fifteen existing catch basins.
Constructed (12) twelve new catch basins.
The Spruce Pond drainage project has been held up due to neces- sary land-taking procedures but should get started within a few months.
ROADWAYS:
Surface Treatment:
Cross Street.
1143 lin. ft.
North Park Street
666 lin. ft.
East Park Street
350 lin. ft.
West Park Street
400 lin. ft.
Lewis Street Birch Street
1930 lin. ft.
1985 lin. ft.
Peck Street
1500 lin. ft.
Nason Street 300 lin. ft.
Roadway thru American Felt Co.
1250 lin. ft.
Raymond Street
500 lin. ft.
54
Martin Street 300 lin. ft. Ponton Avenue (Swimming Pool) 700 lin. ft. 1000 lin. ft.
School Street (Main to Martin)
Ray Hill 700 lin. ft.
Total Surface Treated Roadways-12,724 lin. ft. = 2.4 Miles.
Mix-in-place:
Pond St. from intersection with Oak St. northerly 3200 lin. ft.
Pond Street from Plain Street southerly 2500 lin. ft.
Lincoln Street from Brook Street southerly 2800 lin. ft.
Mill Street from Chestnut Street easterly 2500 lin. ft.
Alpine Place 1200 lin. ft.
Geb Street 300 lin. ft.
Saxon Street
700 lin. ft.
Total Mix-in-place
12,700 lin. ft. 2.4 miles
TYPE I RESURFACING:
Installed about 2000 Tons of Type "I" material on Main Street from Dean Academy to the R.R. Bridge, then along East Central Street to Supple's Garage-about .3 of a mile.
STONE SEAL:
Chestnut Street from Jordan Road southerly-2700 lin. ft.
Lincoln Street from 500' more or less north of Lone Star Brook northerly-2800 lin. ft.
Total-5500 lin. ft. = 1.04 Miles.
Total mileage of roadways maintained-6.14 miles.
Total gallons of asphalt used-55,000 gallons.
Tonnage of Mix used:
Type I
2,000 tons
Mix-in-place
2,714 tons
Patching Material 2,000 tons
Total Used 6,714 tons
Snow and Ice Control:
Plowed and picked up snow during the eight (8) major snow storms during the winter season.
55
Sanding and salting operations maintained for winter season ice control.
Inspection of Developments:
Inspection of workmanship and material involving roadways, drainage systems, and water systems.
Roadways:
1. Quality, gradation and depth of gravel.
2. Compaction, grading and slope of crown and elevations of roadway.
3. Application of surface treatment and sand cover.
4. Installation of sidewalk and curbing.
5. Installation of street signs and bounds.
Drainage Systems:
1. Installation of drainage pipe and grades.
2. Construction of manholes and catch basins.
3. Pipe sizing run-off and the construction of headwalls and the cleaning of open ditches.
Water Systems-(See Water Division)
Swimming Pool:
The swimming pool area was cleaned and sanded.
The stilling basin above the pool proper was excavated and all muck, silt and foreign material was removed.
The upper dam, spillway and wall were repaired.
The recirculating pipes were replaced.
The recirculating pump was repaired and the motor rewound.
The chlorinating system was put into operation and the daily chlorine residual was checked.
The boards were put into the lower spillway and caulked with Okum.
56
The diving board was installed and all exposed piping given two coats of aluminum paint.
The toilets were unplugged six (6) times during the year.
The drinking fountain was repaired once and replaced once.
The grounds around the pool were picked up every morning during the swimming season.
Fletcher Field:
Loaming of main field area, fertilizing and seeding.
Mowing of grass and raking and fine grading of baseball diamonds.
Unplugged main drain during wet period of weather. Repairing, painting, and moving bleachers.
Repairing of athletic and recreational equipment.
Maintaining toilets and field house.
Putting out and taking in athletic and recreational equipment.
Marking off athletic field base lines, etc.
City Mills Cemetery:
Burning, mowing and trimming grass.
Edging walkways and general clean-up for Memorial Day.
Common Maintenance:
Fertilized grass in early spring.
Mowed grass and trimmed walkways weekly during summer months.
Loosened earth and trimmed shrubbery.
Raked leaves and debris off entire area during the early spring and again in the fall.
Picked up rubbish and clutter including papers, etc. weekly during summer months.
Other Duties Performed:
Put up and take down flags during "Know Your America" week and eight (8) other times during the year.
57
Put up and take down Christmas Crib.
Put up and take down voting booths four (4) times during the year.
Distribute the Town Reports each year.
Constructed and repaired about five hundred and ten (510) lin. ft. of sidewalk during the year.
Installed fifteen hundred (1500) lin. ft. of Bituminous Concrete berm during the year.
All dirt roads in town were scraped, graded, filled in and shaped to provide drainage twice during the year.
Work was started on the final section of Grove Street. Trees were removed, stumps uprooted and carried away and brush and slash burned within the right-of-way location.
Painted all parking stalls, restricted parking areas and cross walks twice during the year.
WATER DIVISION:
The work load of this division has been substantially increased due to the spontaneous increase in population and building construction.
The demand for more water is fast becoming a major problem and various solutions, including a proposed reservoir, are now being studied by the Board of Public Works.
The following work has been performed by the Water Division during the past year:
Total water commitments for the year 1960 are as follows:
April Billing Period
$30,035.62
October Billing Period
37,612.20
Monthly Meter Bills
4,376.50
Labor and Material Charges
6,131.97
Water Repairs
282.31
Total for year 1960 $78,438.60
Installed 113 new water services during year.
Installed 3-2" services; 4-1" services; 106-3/4" services.
Installed 200 new water meters.
Removed, repaired, tested and replaced 67 water meters.
58
Turned water on and reset register on 23 meters.
Turned water off and removed 26 water meters.
Renewed 10 old water services.
Made repairs on 12 water services.
Installed 5 new hydrants and hydrant branches.
Inserted 5 new gate valves and boxes in hydrant branches.
Installed 6" mechanical joint tee and relocated hydrant at corner of Main and Depot Streets.
Installed 325 lin. ft. of 6" cement asbestos water main on High Street from Union Street to Main Street.
Installed two (2) 8" x 8" x 6" tapping sleeves and gates with boxes at junction of Union and High Streets and also, at Main and High Streets.
Painted the hydrants in the business district.
Flushed out water system in the spring of the year.
Total water pumped during 1960-278,595,370 Gallons.
Average daily consumption 1960-761,189 Gallons.
The yearly total gallonage increase in water pumped in 1960 over 1959 is 7,659,170 Gallons.
The average daily consumption jumped this year some 18,898 Gallons.
The two gravel packed wells at the main Pumping Station were cleaned and rated in preparation for the new submersible pump instal- lations.
The rainfall for the year 1960 was above average with a total of 45.61 inches.
The month of June was the driest month with a rainfall of .97 hundredths of an inch.
September was the wet month with 7.68 inches of rain.
In addition to its regular work, the Water Division performed the following inspection service at the various housing developments under construction in the Town:
1. Inspection of the installation of water mains.
2. Inspection of the main line gate and hydrant installations.
3. Inspection of connections to existing water mains.
59
4. Inspection of house service connections.
5. Inspection of methods and material used in the installation.
6. Testing completed work for pressure and leakage before final approval.
This Division also read and recorded 2800 water meters for billing purposes twice during the year.
It should be noted here that the Town of Franklin Water Division pumped and distributed for the year 1960-93,725,170 gallons of water more than it did in the year 1950, showing the tremendous increase in water consumption during the past ten years.
SEWER DIVISION:
This Division, having a limited personnel, must draw its manpower and equipment from the other Divisions of the Department of Public Works, especially during the present period of increased productivity and services.
The following work was performed by the Sewer Division during the year:
Renovations were completed to the East Central Street Ejector Station. The old Shone Ejector was removed and replaced with two (2) submersible sewage pumps, thereby providing an increase in capacity and at the same time, reducing maintenance and power costs.
Treatment Plant:
The maintenance and operation of the Sewage Treatment Plant is still showing a high degree of efficiency. Tests made by the State Department of Public Health of the effluent, and also, those taken downstream, show a satisfactory oxygen content. The Plant is at present operating far in excess of its designed capacity and the Board of Public Works is now making a careful study of the possibility of constructing the second phase of treatment in the near future.
The sludge pumping building and the chlorinating building have been completely cleaned up and painted inside and out.
Six of the distribution manholes in the sludge beds have been rebuilt.
60
The Milliken Avenue Pumping Station was cleaned and painted inside and out during the past year.
Installed four (4) new sewer services.
Unplugged and cleaned eighteen (18) house services.
Flushed, cleaned, and unplugged twenty (20) main line sewers.
The total amount of sewage treated this past year was 309,950,800 Gallons with a daily average of 846,862 Gallons.
Since this constitutes more water than is pumped by the Water Division, the additional water comes from two sources-(a) private wells and (b) infiltration.
The dumping of sludge at the Treatment Plant is presenting an odor problem due to the fact that the building boom is moving closer to the Treatment Plant. This situation, we hope, will be corrected by the use of chemicals to treat the sludge-a system which is now being employed.
TREE DIVISION:
The following is a resume of the operations of the Tree Division during the past year:
Removed fifty (50) badly decayed and dangerous trees. There are still a large number of decayed and dead trees to remove while others are in the process of falling prey to the Dutch Elm Beetle.
This work will be continued during the winter months, taking advantage of the frozen grounds which will protect the streets, grounds, and lawns during tree removal operations.
Sprayed town elm trees with a 12% D.D.T. dormant spray solution in the early spring, using the new Mist Blower.
A second application of 6% D.D.T. dormant spray solution was used as a cover spray and was applied by helicopter in residential areas, while the rural areas were done with the Mist Blower.
Twenty samples of elm trees suspected of having the Dutch Elm disease were taken and sent to the shade tree laboratories for tests. Nineteen (19) of the samples turned out to be positive and these dis- eased trees were removed, taken to the Town Dump and burned.
61
Low hanging tree limbs on street trees which presented a danger to pedestrians and vehicular traffic were removed to promote safety.
Hurricane "Donna" hit the town in September and this presented a real problem, with all available men and equipment of the Depart- ment of Public Works being pressed into action to keep the streets and town ways open.
Broken limbs and fallen trees and debris caused by hurricane "Donna" were being hauled to the dump months later.
All street trees in town were given a 12% D.D.T. spray with the Mist Blower and a second application of 6% D.D.T. solution was given residential areas with a helicoptor for Gypsy Moth Control.
Purchased and planted eighteen (18) new Norway Maple trees and fourteen (14) new Pin Oak trees for Town beautification during the year.
The roadside in all rural areas was treated with brush killer to eliminate growth of brush on either side of the roadway. This opera- tion was performed in most areas three times during the year. Several areas were also treated to kill poison ivy during the year.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
In order to keep abreast of the constantly increasing work load caused by a tremendous increase in homes, roadways, water mains, drainage pipes and catch basins, as well as a rapidly expanding citi- zenry, the Commissioners of the Department of Public Works do seriously consider all of these recommendations as the absolute mini- mum necessary to maintain the proper degree of efficiency of operation.
1. A rubber-tired excavating machine, to be used in all divisions of the Department of Public Works, would be of exceptional value to the Town and would eliminate the necessity of the Town hiring a machine of this type.
2. A new platform truck to be used by all divisions and to be used in conjunction with the fogging, brush spraying, and tree removal operations.
3. Two hundred (200) new meters to improve the efficiency of metering in the Water Division.
62
4. A new sand spreader for roadway resurfacing to speed up the work and improve efficiency.
5. A new sidewalk snow plow to improve and increase snow plowing operation.
6. To repair the existing open well at Beaver Pond well site and at least maintain the existing water supply.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.