USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1963 > Part 5
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Services removed due to fire
1
Wiring condemned due to fire
1
Work completed from 1962
3
Permits completed for 1963
168
Permits carried over from 1963
4
I wish to express my appreciation for the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, Town Clerk, John Lang of the Merrimack Electric Com- pany, and all citizens I have come in contact with during the performance of my duties.
Respectfully submitted, ยท
ALBERT L. HAM,
Electrical Inspector
67
REPORT OF THE GAS INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report as Gas Inspector of the Town of Hamil- ton for the year ending December 31, 1963.
A total of 25 permits have been issued since the start of inspection covering the following:
New installations 10
Hot water heaters
13
Boilers
7
Dryers
3
Ranges
6
Ovens
1
Furnaces
3
Unit heaters
5
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,
THOMAS J. MULLINS,
Gas Inspector
68
REPORT OF THE EMERGENCY CENTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Emergency Center is approaching its fourth year of operation as the Communications Center for Hamilton and Wenham. Under the author- ization of the Federal Communications Commission, we are permitted to handle not only Public Safety Communications (fire and police) but all Radio Communications of the Towns under the Town Government pro- vision of the station licenses.
We believe that the Service Responsibilities of the Emergency Center may be briefly stated as follows:
1. Public Safety-Fire and Police Departments
To provide the citizens of the Towns with assured means of ob- taining help as rapidly as humanly possible through fast, accurate transmission of signals and messages to and for the Public Safety Departments.
2. Town Operation-Highway and Water Departments
To provide the departments with fast, accurate transmission of messages to permit efficient utilization of equipment and man- power in the service of the Towns' people.
With the ever increasing use of Radio Communication by the Towns for conduct of official business, we believe it well to again review the laws governing the security of communications and the action taken by, and available to, the Towns to insure such security. Under the Communications Act of 1934 and amendments thereto, it is unlawful for anyone (except the person to whom the message is directed) to make use in any way of the information transmitted over a communication system. Thus, informa- tion received over private home or car receivers or in Town vehicles (to which the message was not addressed) if used in any manner subjects the individual to possible Federal Criminal Action. In this connection con- tinued serious offenses by individuals will be brought to the attention of the F. C. C. and F. B. I.
As the Emergency Center operators are, of course, handling all types of radio and telephone messages, all operators have signed an oath prior to employment, acknowledging their strict adherence to the various Fed- eral Statutes. In addition, discussion by any Center operator with un- authorized persons of any information obtained while operating with the Center, is subject to Federal Criminal Action and shall be considered just cause for dismissal from the employ of the Town.
During 1963 remote fire alarm units from the Regional High School were tied into the Center.
69
A new radio transmitter-receiver unit tying Hamilton and Wenham into the police inter-city radio network was installed in September. This unit provides the fastest means possible of obtaining mutual police aid in any emergency. It is also used to alert surrounding communities im- mediately of any serious criminal act which has occurred.
In December, Mrs. Alyene Rollins, Chief Operator of the Center since its opening in 1960, retired from duty. Her unselfish devotion to the numerous tasks of operating the Communications complex built up since 1960 must not go unrecognized and will serve as a goal for the future.
The Emergency Center personnel wish to emphasize again their com- plete devotion to the primary function of the Center, i.e .:
To assist in any way to protect the safety of life and property of all citizens of the Towns of Hamilton and Wenham.
SUMMARY OF TELEPHONE AND RADIO MESSAGES FOR PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1963 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1963
Telephone Messages Logged by Operators: (Hamilton and Wenham)
Animals (Lost, found, dog bites reported, requests for Dog Officers and Veterinarians )
469
Electric Light Company (Power failure, street lights out, wires down, etc.)
67
Gas Company
6
Telephone Company
25
Wire Inspector
3
Police Department
Accidents
81
Ambulance
270
Medical Examiner
5
Doctors
54
Oxygen
19
House Checks
101
Registry
274
Wrecker
76
State Police Assistance
12
Stolen Car Checks and Information
40
Babies Delivered
1
General Police Calls
8698
Fire Department (Fires, Still Alarms, Fire Permits, etc.)
355
Highway Department
211
Park Department
10
Water Department
105
70
Clergy
9
Other Assistance
161 249
Nuisance Calls
Information 1364
Inter-Department Calls (Includes Police and Fire Loca- tion Calls)
1545
Miscellaneous Non-Classifiable
119
Grand Total
14,329
Radio Messages logged by Dispatchers (Hamilton and Wenham)
Police Department
16,469
Fire Department
622
Water Department
1,397
Highway Department
812
Routine (Weather and Road Conditions and Station Iden- tification )
994
Street Lights Reported Out
152
Miscellaneous 413
Grand Total
20,859
This report does not include the Test sounding of the 12:00 Noon Fire Whistle, the No-School Signals, or giving or receiving information to and from persons coming into the Emergency Center.
Respectfully submitted,
JEAN TOWNE AUSTIN,
Chief Dispatcher
FOR
EMERGENCY FIRE OR POLICE DIAL 468 - 4421
71
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS Under the Protective (Zoning) By-Law
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The number of cases requiring a public hearing and formal decision has continued the decline which has been evident since the peak year 1959. In 1963 the Board granted a special permit for an addition to make a two-family dwelling; also one variance for extension of an existing building which had been constructed too close to the side property line. Owners of a non-conforming neighborhood store were denied a variance which would have authorized the serving of meals and hot drinks for con- sumption on the premises.
In August the Board denied a variance authorizing the subdivision of 17.5 acres off Bay Road in the B District into 25 lots, many of which barely met the requirements for the A District. To change the zoning classification of so many lots would certainly be in derogation of the pur- pose of the By-Law, regardless of the alleged hardship based on a mis- understanding of the location of the line dividing the districts. The build- ers appealed from this decision, but, as of year end, no trial had taken place in Superior Court.
In those matters where no hearing results, the decline has not been so noticeable. The number of miscellaneous inquiries remained about the same. Applicants met with the Board informally on at least two oc- casions and the chairman or other members have inspected several prop- erties. In some five or six cases (including two where notices of a hearing had been prepared), the applicants withdrew or decided not to file after reviewing the facts with one or more members of the Board and concluding that there was no possibility of obtaining a variance. Such informal dis- positions save an applicant who has no chance a month or more of un- certainty and frequently prevent an unwise purchase by an intended buyer.
Conferences were set up last spring with the owners of the three commercial gravel operations for which special permits are outstanding. Assurances were received that hauling from one site was to be completed by midsummer and from a second location probably some time during the summer of 1964.
The question arose during the year whether the owner of a sub- division approved by the Planning Board must, in order to remove loam or other soil from proposed streets and from cellar excavations, apply to the Board of Appeals for a special permit and abide by the Board's de- cision. In the case of a bona fide subdivision at least, it seems to the mem- bers of the Board that this is not the kind of an operation that is contem- plated by Section IV (8) (d) of the By-Law. If it be said that such soil
72
removal is within the literal wording of the By-Law, then any permit which the Board may grant must, under the terms of the By-Law, require that the excavated area be "regraded and loamed"-an impossible situa- tion. The purpose of the By-Law being neither to insure adequate loam on houselots nor to prevent export of loam or gravel, it is believed that any fine or prosecution for violation of a zoning by-law based on either of these reasons would fail. To accomplish these purposes requires adoption by the Town of a By-Law under G.L. c. 40, s. 21 (17), preferably with adequate supervision and enforcement machinery, as recommended in this Board's reports for the years 1961 and 1962.
Those interested in problems of zoning administration should read the thirty-page article in the Massachusetts Bar Association's Law Quar- terly for December, 1963, by John A. McCarty, Esquire, an article which received editorial notice in the Boston Herald for January 6, 1964. The author maintains and perhaps proves that in a number of towns, the Board of Appeals has been far too liberal in granting variances, both in numbers granted and in some of the reasons given for many of the de- cisions. The undersigned believe that this Board is one of those which does not misuse its power and which endeavors to act in the public in- terest.
The Town Counsel has undertaken defense of the appealed decision and the Town Clerk continues his valued assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE G. BECKETT JOHN F. NEARY DONALD G. HARADEN H. GRANT CROWELL
Board of Appeals
73
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS BUILDING BY-LAWS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
A year of no appeals.
The Board feels that with modern advancements of the techniques of building engineering and construction, the existing by-laws maintain adequate measures of performance safeguarding the interests of the home owners.
Questions and appeals relating to contemporary developments in a changing industry are still fruitful.
Respectfully submitted,
JEROME F. FLYNN, Chairman
CARL POEHLER, JR. W. WHITNEY LUNDGREN RAYMOND MARTEL ROBERT S. PIRIE
Board of Appeals
Building By-Laws
74
REPORT OF THE TREE AND INSECT PEST CONTROL DEPARTMENTS
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We herewith submit reports of the Tree and Insect Pest Control Departments for the year 1963.
It was necessary to remove several elm trees which had the Dutch Elm Disease. All other elm trees were sprayed several times in an attempt to control this deadly tree disease.
Fourteen new trees were planted in various sections of the Town, carrying out the usual policy.
Brush was trimmed and spraying to control both brush and Poison Ivy was done at several locations as has been done in past years.
Selective swamps were dusted in the early spring, and mosquito control was applied throughout all sections of the Town with quite satis- factory results.
Trees and dangerous limbs were removed at Patton Park and at the Town Cemetery as well as in many other sections of the Town.
All line clearance work which was done received approval upon previous inspections.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation for all of the assistance and cooperation which we received from the Town Departments and from the many residents and organizations who have shown such great interest in the work of our Departments.
Respectfully submitted,
MELVIN F. YOUNG, Insect Pest Control Dept.
DOUGLAS A. WOODMAN,
Tree Warden
75
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD STUDY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
Pursuant to a motion made, seconded and carried at the 1963 An- nual Town Meeting, the undersigned committee has studied the advisa- bility of establishing a Personnel Board in the Town of Hamilton.
It is our unanimous opinion that such a board should be established for the protection and help of municipal employees and to insure that the town has the most effective public service possible. We suggest that a Personnel Board should develop methods of employment procedures, job rate setting, grievance hearing methods, and the setting of salary ranges in various areas in order to encourage career incentive for individuals. Furthermore, consideration should be given to a training program to enable those interested in achieving higher pay possibilities in the municipality.
We feel such a committee should work within the limitations set forth in the "Handbook for Massachusetts Municipal Personnel Boards" as written by William G. O'Hare, Jr., dated 1958, and that attention be paid to the ideas included in the booklet entitled, "The Merit System in Massachusetts-a Study of Public Personnel Administration in the Com- monwealth," by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts dated 1961.
We recommend an unpaid board of five registered voters be appoint- ed, three of whom should be appointed by the Board of Selectmen, one by the Moderator and one by the Chairman of the Finance and Advisory Committee. It would seem helpful to include a member who is familiar with the various jobs and classifications of the Town employees as well as a member who has experience in personnel administration, particularly with respect to wage and salary considerations. Also it might be advisable to have a member who has background in the labor relations field.
We recommend that such committee members be appointed as follows:
Two for two years Three for three years
If any member of the Personnel Board resigns or otherwise vacates his office before the expiration of his term, his successor should be named by the original appointer to serve the balance of the unexpired term.
The committee further recommends that a reasonable sum of money be voted for necessary supplies, possible clerical assistance, membership in the Massachusetts Association of Personnel Boards, and to acquire in-
76
formation to keep abreast of developments and changes in the field of municipal administration of public personnel.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN C. GARLAND, Chairman G. GORDON LOVE FINLAY D. MACDONALD
MORTIMER C. MIRANTZ RAYMOND A. WHIPPLE
Personnel Board Study Committee.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH STUDY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
The full committee met on May 22, 1963 with Mr. Mackenzie, Chairman of the Board of Health, to answer inquiries regarding the opera- tion of that department. After exploration in detail and discussion of the subject matter of Article 18, the undersigned committee unanimously arrived at the following conclusions:
That an elected Board of Health having the capability of independent action, free of potential political influence and/or individual citizen pressures, though having certain advantages, nevertheless would en- tail many disadvantages-most important among which would be the following:
1. The necessity of hiring a qualified and experienced health agent (average salary and operating expenses $8,200-$11,000 per an- num) to carry out the Board of Health policies and functions. This would increase the tax rate by $1.00 per annum-an expense not warranted at this stage of the town's development.
77
2. The uncertainty of qualified individuals, experienced in health matters, offering their candidacy for elective office to the Board of Health in Annual Elections (an office indidentally always subject to criticism and invective regardless of a decision a board member might make to protect the general welfare).
3. The inevitable complications and complaints arising from sani- tation and/or other health matters always call for immediate and impartial decision with the best interest of town health being the most important issue.
Obviously in any such situation a meeting would have to be called at once to adjudicate the specific problem. In any case, whatever the de- cision, one of the involved parties is bound to be offended or aggrieved.
Past experience indicates that complaints to the Board of Health average 15-20 per week. This would necessitate Board of Health meetings at least once per week. Since the present Board of Health meets at least once weekly for all town business including health matters, these matters receive consideration and decision at least once weekly. It is extremely doubtful that an elected Board of Health consisting of 3 members could or would be able to meet each week in full board session.
4. The Committee feels equally that a physician appointed by the Selectmen-Board of Health combination, as provided by the General Laws, is a necessary member of any health board, at least in an advisory capacity for consultation in health and medical matters. This presently is the case. This concept of a Board of Health provides :
1. Continuity of experience in health and sanitation matters.
2. Official authority to Board of Health decisions.
3. Minimal expense to tax payers for town health matters.
In conclusion, until such time as a full or jointly shared expense of a full time health agent in conjunction with neighboring towns is neces- sary, economically feasible, and desirable, the Committee feels the present Board of Health organization be continued.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. ALBERT R. LARCHEZ, Chairman WEALTHEA NELSON
ARTHUR M. KNIGHT
GEORGE H. CONNOLLY EVERETT F. HALEY
Board of Health Study Committee
78
REPORT OF THE INSURANCE STUDY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
This committee was appointed to examine and study all insurance coverage and insurance requirements of the Town, and to report its find- ings to the Selectmen.
A complete and thorough review of the insurance in existence, and an examination of policies placed in previous years, failed to produce any clear delineation of planned coverage.
It was, and still is the unanimous opinion of the committee that the Town has need of a well planned and thoroughly integrated schedule of coverage which will provide for immediate adequate coverage, and also guide in the development of future necessary coverage and replacement protection of Town properties.
It is also the opinion of the committee that such a plan should be developed and constructed by an independent agency which conducts no other business with the Town, thereby eliminating any possible involve- ment of conflicting interests. The plan would then be used for guidance in placing insurance with local agencies.
This practice has been adopted in other Towns and has led to sub- stantial reductions in premiums which have more than offset the initial cost of the survey. It has also resulted in more intelligent coverage of town requirements.
The rejection of this proposal at the Town Meeting held in March 1963 has made the continuation of the committee a mere formality, and it has been dissolved by mutual consent.
We wish to thank Mr. Francis Whipple for his willing and compe- tent cooperation, and to offer the selectmen our regrets that the suggested approach failed to meet with town approval.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXIS A. MAHAN, JR., Chairman ERIC G. WALTERS GEORGE F. DAWE
79
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
Work on the State aided Housing for the Elderly project at the old Lamson School site, which will be known as "Hamilton Apartments," was started May 8, 1963, shortly after awarding the general contract to Clemenzi Construction Company, Beverly, Massachusetts, who were low bidders. Construction continued steadily through the summer and the units should be ready for occupancy during the month of February.
There are six buildings: five dwelling units containing forty apart- ments, and a community building. The apartments consist of a living room, bedroom, bath, kitchen facilities, and ample closet space. In addi- tion, there is porch space allocated to each apartment. The community building contains a large function room, together with a kitchen with adequate equipment for cooking and serving food. Also, the office of the Authority will be located on the west side of the community building and will be available through a separate entrance.
The Hamilton Authority appreciates and thanks those people in the Town, in official capacity and otherwise, who have given their time and help to this Project during the construction period.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN B. GRAY, Chairman
Hamilton Housing Authority
80
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR USES OF DEPOT SQUARE PROPERTY
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
This Committee herewith submits its report of the work which it was authorized to do under Article 16 of the 1962 Town Meeting.
In order to better drain the property owned by the Town in Depot Square, an additional catch basin was installed, half the cost of this drain being supplied by an abutting property owner, The Jenny Oil Company. The unpaved portion of the property was then graded, paved and laid out for two-hour shopper parking. The small area reserved for planting was surrounded by a granite curbing and sidewalk; the center excavated and filled with loam and plantings of a little leaf linden tree and low shrubs set out.
The Committee regrets that permission has not yet been granted by the Boston and Maine Railroad for a crosswalk between the east and west platforms. Otherwise, the Committee is happy to report that the task for which it was appointed has been completed and respectfully requests the Moderator that it be discharged. The Committee also wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and the Highway, Police and Water Departments all of whom have cooperated in the development of this property.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER H. SMITH, Chairman MRS. FRANCIS H. BURR HENRY P. CONNOLLY HENRY J. GOURDEAU MRS. JOHN NEARY RICHARD WILLS FREDERIC WINTHROP
81
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report of the activities of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1963.
Total Arrests
46
Male 34 Female
6
Juvenile
2
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
Delinquency
2
Operating after right suspended
3
Driving to Endanger
1 Operating without authority 2
Driving under the influence 4 Possession harmful drugs 2
Drunkenness 11
Speeding
3
Larceny (check)
4 Setting Fires 2
Leaving scene of Accident
2 Uninsured Motor Vehicle 2
Non-Support
2 Unregistered Motor Vehicle 2
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Dismissed
2 Not Guilty 2
Filed
9 Released 8
Fined
15
Sentenced
6
AUTOMOBILE REGULATIONS
Accidents Investigated 73 Licenses suspended by
Accident Reports Filed 79
Registrar
95
MISCELLANEOUS
Ambulance runs to Hospitals 221
Dangerous wires 10
Assistance to other police 118
Dog complaints 71
Buildings opened, owners
Summons' served 96
notified to secure 226
Oxygen calls 18
I wish to express my appreciation to all who have assisted the depart- ment during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. FREDERICK,
Chief of Police
82
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
The Board herewith submits its twenty-eighth report of the Water Department.
A new well, including a pump house has recently been installed in the Pleasant Pond area by the Caisson Well Company of Connecticut. This well delivered 500 gallons per minute during the test run of seven days and has all the indications of being an excellent water supply. The type of pump and controls are now being considered by the Board and will be installed by early spring.
Mr. Ernest Liporto has installed an eight inch main, hydrants and services in his subdivision off Sagamore Road and Mr. Chitro on Patton Drive off Bay Road.
The article which was presented to the Town Meeting last year to lay mains on several streets was voted down, therefore, with a reduced appro- priation, we installed twenty-four hundred feet on Highland Street.
The Board wishes to thank all Departments for their cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD H. SMITH, Chairman GORDON L. THOMPSON JAMES L. DEANGELIS Board of Water Commissioners
83
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We submit our report of the Welfare Department for the year ending December 31, 1963.
Thirty-eight applications were received in all categories with twenty- five being approved, seven withdrawn and six denied. Twenty-three cases were closed during the year with six of these cases being transferred to another Welfare program.
Expenditures increased in Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance to the Aged and Aid to Families with Dependent Children and decreased in General Relief and Disability Assistance.
Legal settlement in Old Age Assistance and General Relief was re- pealed by the State Legislature and the place of residence is the determin- ing factor for liability in these programs. The State Department increased the per diem rates for hospitals and the budget item of leisure time ac- tivities in Old Age Assistance. A cost of living adjustment was increased by 5.1% in all basic budget items.
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