USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1961 > Part 4
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Studies were made to determine if the Clinic should be moved to the Cutler School to minimize lost time due to transportation. Because of the present classroom shortage and unavailable space, it was decided that the Clinic would be carried out at Dr. Polsonetti's office.
The Board wishes to thank the School Nurse, Mrs. Irene Dan- kowski, who so ably assisted Dr. King in the past, and who has been directly responsible for the setting up and carrying out of the new Clinic under Dr. Polsonetti.
A complete report of the Dental Clinic will be found elsewhere in the Town Report.
The following is a list of communicable diseases reported during the year :
Chicken Pox 3 Mumps 30
Dog Bite 3
Scarlet Fever 1
German Measles 26
Hepatitous Infections 1
Measles 73
The Board expresses its appreciation to all who have assisted in any way during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM F. MACKENZIE, Chairman LAWRENCE LAMSON LAWRENCE R. STONE
47
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN :
As school dental nurse for the Board of Health of the Town of Hamilton, I herewith submit the annual dental report for the year 1961.
From January first to the close of school in June, Dr. John King completed the following treatments on the children in the first three grades of school who attended the dental clinic :
Amalgam fillings 264
Permanent Extractions 1
Cement fillings 25
Cleanings 62
Treatments
15
Number of operations 391
Novocain
13
Number of children treated .. 99
Temporary extractions 15
Dr. King retired from his dental practice in June. He took great pride in his school clinic and I am sure he will have fond memories of the children each Tuesday and Wednesday mornings sitting at his desk or on the floor around his feet doing their school work while waiting their turn in the dental chair. We wish him much happiness in his retirement.
The fall dental program began in late November and it appears the children have adopted the same routine with Dr. Louis Polsonetti, our new school dentist. There has been such a great response to dental notices sent home it has been necessary for Dr. Polsonetti to include another morning for the dental clinic. The children now attend every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon. At present the appointments are scheduled into April. The chil- dren are exceptionally well behaved and Dr. Polsonetti can do two, three and sometimes four fillings on each child. Even at this rate, he will not complete all children by June but each one will have at least two or three appointments before school closes. The major tooth cavities in each child will be treated first then should there not be enough time for the com- pletion of the minor cavities Dr. Polsonetti recommends parents taking their child to a dentist for completion of their dental work. A notice will be sent home to parents to this effect.
The same program is in effect as previously. The fee is $.75 per operation. It is for the children in the Cutler School whose parents wish to take advantage of the dental health program. An operation con- sists of any one of the following : X-ray, Novocain, Extraction, Fillings or Treatments.
The dental program consumes considerable time and it is very re- warding to know parents are taking advantage of such a fine program under the Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted, IRENE K. DANKOWSKI, School Dental Nurse
48
LEON SMITH PERKINS
Leon S. Perkins, son of John S. and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Perkins, was born in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, June 14, 1890, and settled in Hamilton many years ago.
Leon, was a World War I Veteran, serving overseas with Co. H, 104th Infantry, 26th Division. He was Commander of Augustus Peabody Gard- ner Post 194 American Legion during 1926, and was always interested in community affairs.
His many years of experience and training in the building industry well qualified him for the position of Building Inspector of the Town of Hamilton, to which position he was appointed in 1958, and held until his passing, January 16, 1961.
Conscientious in his work, fair to all, ever ready to lend a helping hand, Leon will long be remembered by all who knew him.
49
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector of the Town of Hamilton for the year ending December 31, 1961.
A total of 117 permits with an estimated cost of $2,759,969 exclusive of land have been issued covering the construction of the following :
New Dwellings with garage 18
New Dwellings 15
Buildings altered to dwellings
2
Garages
17
Schools
2
Church
1
Commercial Buildings
3
Barns and Sheds
6
Swimming pools
2
Storage
2
Additions and Alterations
34
Moving
1
Demolished
5
Carports
5
Permits issued and not used
4
Total 117
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation of all I have come in contact with during the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE C. FOSTER,
Building Inspector
50
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Board of Cemetery Commissioners submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Single endowed graves sold 11
Four lot endowed graves sold 2
Eight lot graves sold 5
Perpetual care endowments 3
Interments 31
We appreciate the help given to our Department by other Town Departments.
We are grateful to our Superintendent Philip S. Plummer for his interest and care of the Cemetery.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL S. TUCKER LUTHER M. CAVERLY JOHN T. WALKE Cemetery Commissioners
51
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Assessors submit herewith their annual report for the calendar year ending December 31, 1961.
COMPARATIVE FIGURES (for the past four years )
1958
1959
1960 1961
Total Valuation
$9,877,015 $10,202,075 $10,572,430 $10,769,375
Increase over
previous year
317,705
325,060
370,355
196,945
Number of polls
1,446
1,495
1,527
1,546
Number of dwellings
1,746
1,772
1,810
1,846
DETAIL OF ASSESSMENT
Value of Buildings
$8,346,125.00
Value of Land
1,811,550.00
Total Value of Real Estate
$10,157,675.00
Value of Personal Estate
611,700.00
Total Valuation
$10,769,375.00
Tax Rate $69.00 per Thousand
Tax on Real Estate
$ 700,879.60
Tax on Personal Estate
42,207.30
Tax on Polls
3,092.00
Total Taxes Assessed
$746,178.90
RECAPITULATION
EXPENDITURES
Appropriation to be raised by taxation $1,081,759.12
Deficits in overlay of prior years 1,839.87
State Tax and Assessments :
State Park Reservations
4,110.31
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,047.85
County Tax and Assessments
County Tax 1961
27,516.07
Tuberculosis Hospital
13,242.50
Overlay for the current year 1961
11,317.85
Gross amount to be raised
$1,140,833.57
52
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Income Tax
$86,722.65
Corporation Taxes
29,694.34
Reimbursement a/c publicly owned land
8,051.53
Old Age Tax (Meals)
1,553.14
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
98,000.00
Licenses
3,700.00
General Government
1,200.00
Health and Sanitation
2,000.00
Charities (other than Federal Grants, etc.)
5,500.00
Old Age Assistance
(other than Federal Grants)
17,000.00
Veterans' Services
1,300.00
Schools
16,616.37
Libraries (incl. Library Aid)
1,552.48
Public Services (Water)
47,000.00
Cemetery
1,000.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
500.00
State Assistance for School Construction
18,574.26
Town of Manchester (in lieu of taxes)
800.00
Town of Wenham (refund)
6,000.00
Amounts taken from available funds and over-estimates
47,889.90
Tax receipts from 1961 assessments
746,178.90
Gross Receipts
$1,140,833.57
Anyone who transfers or sells a motor vehicle should apply for an abatement for the balance of the year as promptly as possible, stating the date of such transfer. In many cases this will make it possible to deduct the amount of the rebate when paying the original excise tax itself and thus eliminate the need for mailing out a refund check at some later date.
While the increase in real estate valuation kept pace with the preceding year, almost half of the gain was nullified by the transfer of two local properties to tax exempt status under the classification of educational institutions. This in effect is the same as a fifty percent drop in new valuation, dollar-wise, but without a corresponding drop in new dwellings and in family units requiring school and town services.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT H. CHITTICK
ARTHUR L. BENNETT ROBERT H. TRUSSELL
Assessors
53
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1961.
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed Condemned
Scales :
Over 10,000 Lbs.
0
1
0
0
100 to 5,000 Lbs. 3
6
0
0
Under 100 Lbs.
3
31
1
1
Weights :
Avoirdupois
16
31
5
1
Metric
0
26
0
0
Apothecary
0
21
0
0
Capacity Measures :
Liquid, 1 Gal. or under .. 0
11
0
0
Meters:
Gasoline
3
24
3
0
Oil, Grease
1
10
5
0
Vehicle Tank
0
5
0
0
Pumps :
Oil
0
0
6
0
TOTALS
26
166
20
2
Reweighing of Commodities put up for sale :
112 items checked
Inspections made :
Metered Fuel Oil Delivery 14
Bakery Delivery
2
Fish Peddler 1
Clinical Thermometers 19
Transient Vendors 2
Peddlers' Licenses
2
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. DIXON, Sealer
54
REPORT OF THE ELECTRICAL INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :
I herewith submit my report as Electrical Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1961.
A total of 186 permits have been issued covering the installation of wiring and appliances as follows :
Commercial new buildings 1
Dwellings, new construction 25
Temporary wiring, fairs, carnivals, etc.
2
Temporary services
9
New services (replacements )
31
Oil Burners
36
Gas Burners
2
Electric Ranges
4
Electric Clothes Dryers
7
Electric Dishwashers
1
Additions and Repairs
44
Electric Signs
2
Air Conditioners
2
Swimming Pools
2
Electric Water Heaters
3
Trailer Services
2
Churches (New)
2
Private Schools
1
New School
1
Inspections made on above 286
Advisory calls made
17
Calls made for service locations
23
Work completed
173
Permits completed from 1960
7
Permits carried over from 1961
2
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, Mr. John Lang of the Merrimack Essex Electric Company, Fred Varney, Electrical Inspector of Wenham, and all citizens I have come in contact with during the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT L. HAM
Electrical Inspector
55
REPORT OF THE CIVIL DEFENSE AGENCY
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the first part of 1961 Civil Defense on the Federal level was revaluated and subsequently changed. Due to these changes which imposed certain requisites from State and Local Civil Defense. Matching funds and Surplus Property participation was shut off to the State of Massachusetts and so to all cities and towns. These restrictions slowed up Civil Defense considerably until the requirements could be explained and State action recommended. As of the writing of this report, of the 83 cities and towns in Area #1 there are 35 who have complied with these new regulations, and have been put back on the list to participate in the above-mentioned plans. Hamilton is one of the accepted towns.
Planning for the Local Civil Defense was given a boost by the con- dition of world events about the middle of the year. Our planning of a staff for Civil Defense was helped by citizens having specialized training who volunteered at this time. The staff of Civil Defense for Hamilton, or Advisory Board as it would be called in public office, has been pub- licized and reported to Area and State Civil Defense. As the planning of the Staff heads is completed, the people on various services will be listed. These lists will be put in the local newspapers through the Public Information Officer - Donald Keyser.
In reporting activities for 1961 the most active services were Wel- fare, Police and Radio. The Welfare Service, under Bernard Cullen and ably assisted by Mrs. Standish Bradford, did a great deal of work on Home Preparedness. Along these lines the Town is awaiting a survey by a team of Army engineers to determine what buildings are, or could become shelters. We cannot do a great deal along these lines until this survey with its recommendations has been made. In the meantime, we are working on the individual shelter, or Home Preparedness Program.
The Police of Civil Defense had a very active year in cooperation with Town activities. I will not attempt to list all the functions at which the Civil Defense Police were called upon to work. All the events in town that Chief Frederick needed extra police were covered under the direction of George Dixon. These men are being trained on the job and put in a total of 1,316 hours of duty during 1961. In addition to duty, they gave instruction in handling of firearms to the senior Boy Scouts. The Hamilton Civil Defense Police are also members of the North Shore Special Police and Revolver Club. Their record for 1961 was a credit to the Town. Planning for 1962 includes enlarging this force from 24 to 30 men and outfitting them.
Our Radio men were called upon to work with the police on a num- ber of occasions. The total hours put in by the men while on this type of town service totaled 212 hours, in addition to which they participated in the regular scheduled Civil Defense test alerts including the Opal
56
exercises. There were only 2 communities in the Area having a better participation record during 1961 than Hamilton had. Other services included giving radio communications at Polo games, Girl Scout en- campment, road watches and hurricanes. During the Halloween period, while on duty with the Civil Defense Police, these men helped apprehend four youths wanted by the police of nearby towns. Chief Frederick was high in praise for both the police and radio Civil Defense help. Planning for the coming year calls for expansion of this group by the purchase of 2 Gonset receivers and additional manpower.
Rescue Service was helped in the past year by obtaining the services of John Pingree of Wenham. Mr. Pingree has passed the Rescue Course at Area #1 and agreed to set up a training course for Hamilton. We hope to have enough people interested to have this course started soon. We have done some exploratory work on the cost of a Rescue unit which would be attached to our Fire Department. The cost under "Matching Funds" would make it advisable to give it further consideration.
Radiological Monitoring courses are being set up under Donald Haraden and Fred Hankins. These men recently graduated from the training center at Topsfield and are arranging for teams to be trained in monitoring.
The advisory group meet the first Monday of each month at the Fire and Police Station. Our recommendations for the year 1962 is to install a warning system and expand the communications system. Letters have been written to companies dealing in sirens and an estimated figure is included in the Civil Defense budget. All service heads are working on filling of positions necessary to the operation of their departments. Copies of the services showing their personnel and responsibilities will be sent to all persons interested as soon as they are completed. It is our earnest hope that Civil Defense can continue to improve in 1962 as it has in the last three months of 1961.
Respectfully submitted, HARVEY E. BARNES
Civil Defense Director
57
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The Board of Park Commissioners herein submit its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1961 :
The department maintained all the parks, library, school grounds, and ball diamonds under the supervision of Superintendent Henry J. Stelline, Sr.
The playground season opened July 10th and closed August 31st with a large attendance. A fine program was presented supervised by Nancy Garland, Stephanie Rowlands, Earlita Horne and David Hursty during the summer. With the financial aid of the Mothers' Club and Recreation Committee, and with the able assistance of the Park De- partment, all children of Hamilton were treated to a picnic with plenty of refreshments at Patton Park.
The Annual Fair and Midway of the Community Service was held during the Fourth of July holidays.
All baseball diamonds were used to their fullest extent during the season.
The annual event, "Burning of the Greens" was held Twelfth Night, January 6, 1961 under the direction of the Park Department and Community Service.
The skating season was very short due to weather conditions. We were unable to have the Ice Carnival.
The new swimming pool was not used this year because of unfore- seen delays in its completion. A tentative date, June 17, 1962, has been set by the Park Department and the A. P. Gardner Post for the opening of the pool.
It is earnestly hoped that, when the pool is in operation, the resi- dents of Hamilton (restricted to Hamilton residents) will cooperate with the Park Department and Pool Management by strictly obeying the rules and regulations that the departments have set up. By so doing, you will not only be helping the department but will be adding greatly to your own enjoyment.
This is a new venture for this department and we hope, with your help, to make it a very pleasant recreation for all.
The Commissioners wish to express their thanks to the townspeople and the departments who so ably assisted them during the year.
RAY M. SANFORD, Chairman ALBERT P. LOUGEE
GEORGE H. RICKER
Park Commissioners
58
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
In the report of a year ago, with our brand new library about to open (on April 10), your trustees forecast a sharp rise in book circula- tion and an accompanying "boom" in library use for 1961. Both pre- dictions have been emphatically borne out as the Librarian's report will indicate. Circulation figures show an increase of approximately one third in nine months of operation which, projected, would point to a forty-two per cent rise for the first year. Daily circulation records reveal an average of 150 as compared with 100 per day during 1960- a 50% rate of increase. (It should be added that open hours have been expanded from a previous 22 per week to a current 27 hours per week in the new building.)
The trustees, far from considering that a maximum level of opera- tion has been reached, fully expect a steady rate of increased use to con- tinue. This situation we find highly gratifying, demonstrating, as it does, the great need that has existed for modern, accessible and inviting library facilities, and confirming the responsibility and good judgment of the citizens in providing them. Your library, accorded widespread praise both within and without the town, both from laymen and library experts, represents a proud accomplishment for Hamilton.
It is the aim of the trustees, as time goes on, to broaden the scope of library services in every way possible, with, for example, story hours, book reviews, discussion groups and the like. This is, of course, in addition to working with the schools and steadily and soundly building the book collection with regard to the reading and study interests of all the towns- people - both young and old.
Although it is the conviction of the trustees that the new library should be generally restricted to library purposes, we have, during the year, granted temporary and urgently needed quarters in the upstairs storage area to the Children's Speech Clinic sponsored by the Lions' Club, and also permitted its use for meetings of the local Great Books Club.
For the historic and eminently successful first year of operation, we have many to thank - too many for individual attention. However, we gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Town Clerk and Ac- countant, Mr. Francis Whipple, and the excellent work of the Park Department in the maintenance of the library grounds. We deeply appreciate the largely unsung efforts of our dedicated Librarian, Mrs. Fred H. Brown, and her hard working staff, and we thank the volunteer workers and those who made gifts of books to the library.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. NEARY, Chairman SARAH H. TRUSSELL CLEMENT F. HAYES
59
P.S. - As this is written, it has come to the attention of the other trustees that our colleague, Mrs. Sarah Trussell, will not be a candidate for re-election in the coming year - a matter of sincere regret to the Board. Mrs. Trussell has devotedly served as a Library Trustee for eighteen years - a remarkable record. Her interest, experience and en- thusiasm will be greatly missed by all connected with the library, but especially by her fellow trustees.
JOHN F. NEARY CLEMENT F. HAYES
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
38,994 books and periodicals were borrowed from the Hamilton Public Library in 1961. This figure represents a gain over 1960 of 9,447.
Even more remarkable than the overall increase in circulation is the fact that juvenile borrowing accounted for a full 73% of that gain. Use of the library for study and reference was proportionate. Comments by several teachers indicate that they considered this situation an important factor in the improved scholarship they have observed.
Seventeen classes met with the Librarian by appointment early in the school year. They were given a brief introduction to the different types of material available at the library, to the use of the card catalog and to the plan of arrangement of the books on the shelves. Emphasis was placed on the role of the Librarian and the Assistant Librarian in helping with reference problems.
Our greatest single event was, of course, the Open House which, on April 8th, ushered in a new era in library service for Hamilton. The people of Hamilton are to be congratulated on the splendid co-operative effort that made such a successful opening possible less than a month from the day the doors closed on our two former libraries. Special thanks are due also to all who stood by to help out in other emergencies of our "shake-down cruise."
On September 28 the Hamilton Library was host to the North Shore Library Association. Our guests were impressed not only with the library building but also with the fine example of co-operation between Town organizations and departments. Our meeting was held in the hall above the police and fire station and the delicious luncheon prepared by the Congregational Guild under the direction of Mrs. Little was served in the Community House with the kind permission of Mr. Ray Sanford and the Community House Committee.
A new registration was undertaken at the time the new library was
60
opened. To date we have 2006 registered borrowers. The central record has made it easier to take care of overdue notices and it has given us a more accurate picture of the proportion of borrowers to the population of the Town. The increase in efficiency resulting from the single library system has made it possible to catalog and process a record number of gifts and purchases this year.
Lists of new books have appeared quarterly in our local newspapers. Special events such as the series of book reviews presented before the Hamilton school children during Children's Book Week, were also given publicity.
For the statistically minded we append the following : Circulation
Total number of items
38,994
Gain over 1960
9,447
Total days library was open
275
Average daily circulation, 1961
145
Average daily circulation, 1960
100
Days new library was open
218
Circulation for those 218 days
33,418
Average daily circulation
153
Average daily circulation gain
53%
Adult non-fiction
7,673
Adult fiction
11,265
Adult total
18,938
Juvenile non-fiction
4,472
Juvenile fiction
15,584
Juvenile total
20,056
Bookmobile circulation
2,499
Accessions
Total number of items
1,127
Purchased by Library
885
Gifts
242
Adult non-fiction
340
Adult fiction
311
Juvenile non-fiction
160
Juvenile fiction
321
Periodical subscriptions
40
Newspapers
1
Overdue telephone notices
Overdue notices sent
400
Books more than 12 months overdue
29
Books more than 3 months overdue
100
Respectfully submitted, LOUISE BROWN, Librarian
61
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STUDY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
This Committee was appointed on April 4, 1960, by the Moderator as authorized by the voters at the 1960 Annual Town Meeting to examine into the desirability of establishing a Public Works Department for the Town, and if the report was favorable, to recommend as to the functions and organization of such department.
The Committee reported its findings and recommendations to the 1961 Annual Town Meeting both orally and in a detailed written report contained in The Annual Town Report for 1960 - pages 82 through 84 respectively. The Committee, in this report, wholeheartedly and unani- mously recommended that the Town establish a Board of Public Works and moved that the Town Meeting vote to have the question placed on the ballot for the 1962 Annual Election. The motion to place this vital question on the ballot was carried so you the voter will have the oppor- tunity to decide this issue at this March election.
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