USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 4
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During the year the Board received the resig- nation of James D. McNamara from the Finance Committee and Nicholas Du Chemin from the Planning Board. Both of these members served the Town
20
well, and the Board adequately expressed the apre- ciation of the Town when their resignations were regretfully accepted.
Milton H. Doremus, our Dog Officer and Cemetary Commissioner, passed away after a long illness. Mr. Doremus was well known for his faithful service to the Town in various capacities over a long period of time, and his presence will be sorely missed.
Our activities in connection with improving con- ditions at Pillings Pond along Summer Street were quite successful and were gratefully acknowledged by residents in that area.
In recognition of the unusual expense of the past year, and the likelihood of heavy unusual commit- ments in the approaching year, the Board has con- sistently followed the policy of encouraging economy in 1949 expenses as well as requesting all depart- ments to avoid unnecessary expansion in their 1950 budget.
Several appointed Town Officials, such as the Town Counsel, Town Accountant, Welfare Agent, and the Clerk of the Board are required to work very closely with the Board of Selectmen. All of these men have given us their utmost cooperation, and without exception they have rendered service to the Board and to the Town far in excess of the ordinary require- ments of their respective positions. This Board is duly appreciative.
All Department Heads and elected officials have been most cooperative throughout the year, and while
there have been differences of opinion, the general picture has been one of efficient and harmonious administration.
Due to the rapid rate of growth of the Town, we should all be thinking about certain changes in the setup of our Town government. Eventually there should be a separate Board of Health and a separate Board of Public Welfare. The Town should also con- sider the advisability of electing its Selectmen to three year terms with one member being elected annually.
With the increasing popularity of the Town Manager form of government, it should be recognized that our Town is rapidly approaching the point where this form of government would probably prove very practical.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation for the generally cooperative attitude of most of the townspeople. Although we fully realize the impos- sibility of settling every problem to the complete satisfaction of all concerned, we have tried to wel- come constructive criticism and suggestions of every nature.
Respectfully submitted,
Arthur W. Nelson, Chairman Clifton E. Hodgdon Harry K. Jackson
Common Victualler License
Joseph Smith
Alfred Albertson
John Carter
Bessie Martin
Donovan Bros.
Goodwins Clam Shop
Talbot Diner
Edward M. Fletcher
Ships Haven
Kimball's Starlight
Suntaug Inn
Good Luck Farms
Julius Rombult
Other Licenses
Gasoline Storage 6
Methyl, Wood & Denatured
Taxi Licenses 4 Alcohol 8
Pig Permits 8
Miscellaneous Licenses and
Lodging House 5 Permits 6
Lord's Day License 14 One Day License for Sale of Wines
Raised on Premises 17 & Malt Beverages 12
Carbonated & Non Alcoholic Beverages 2
Special Police Appointments
Arthur Nelson Minot H. Carter
George H. Carder
Joseph F. Smith Alfred Copeland
Theodore Palizzolo
Charles W. Smith
Roger C. Lummus
Josiah Poeton
Harry W. Higgins
Arthur McGonnell
Louis B. Tuck
Thomas McGonnell
John R. L. Miller
Wesley Munroe
Arthur B. Maddison
Wallace Storey
Dr. George Robinson
Chester Milanson
Malcolm Eaton
John J. Hackett
Clifton Hodgdon
Lyman H. Twiss
Elbridge Gerry
Thomas Doyle
Felix Rombult
Howard Armerding
Roland Page
James S. Fletcher
Ernest J. Bonnah, Jr.
Karl B. Johnson
Gordon B. J. Kilpatrick
Frank S. Martin, Jr.
Stanley W. Flagg
William S. Coffill, Jr.
Milton Doremus
Donald Newhall
Richard W. Olson
George A. Westover Benjamin G. Cox
Owen Lloyd
Amos Miller
Gustave H. Koch
Tally-Ho Club, Inc.
William A. & Joseph A. Donovan
Club Goodwin Inc.
Colonial Country Club of Lynnfield
John Comack
Forest Warden
Moth Superintendent
Josiah Poeton Lyman Twiss Arthur W. Nelson
Board of Selectmen, Chairman
Clerk of Board Allan H. Davis
Inspector of Slaughtering
Gustave H. Koch
Director of Veterans Services
Burton Cogswell
Soldiers Relief Agent
Burton Cogswell
Soldiers Burial Agent
Burton Cogswell
Custodian Chemical Hall
Antonio S. Procurot
Weigher of Commodities
Elbridge H. Gerry
Weigher of Commodities
Elbridge H. Gerry, Jr.
Health Officer
Dr. George S. Robinson
Dog Officer
Milton H. Doremus, Deceased
Dog Officer
John Comack
Fence Viewers
Board of Selectmen Gustave H. Koch
Sealer of Weights and Measures
George A. Westover
Town Counsel
Board of Appeals 3 years
Building Inspector
Finance Committee "
Theodore Ferren Russell Kumph Robert F. Hewitt Ross E. Coon
Hubert G. Wall
Alvin S. Chadwell
James D. McNamara (resigned 4/18/49) ~
Custodian Town Hall
George A. Westover
Registrar of Voters 3 years
Ernest J. Bonah, Jr.
Board of Appeals alternate 3 years
Enoch S. Huff
Welfare Agent
Wesley W. Munroe Gustave H. Koch
Inspector of Animals
LICENSES
Alcoholic Beverages
Suntaug Inn, Inc. Turnpike Bottle Shoppe, Inc.
Lynnfield Beverage Inc. Wilkinson's Inc., Ships Haven
Inspector of Milk
Ralph G. Howland Glen R. Smith Howard S. Armerding Leslie E. Luscombe Arthur E. Morton
Harold Treamer
,,
John E. Harris
Harry K. Jackson Antonio Procurot Leon S. Cobb Raymond P. Buckless
21
APPOINTMENTS
Report of VETERANS' SERVICES
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, LYNNFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.
I herewith submit the report of the Department of Veterans' Services & Veterans Agent of the Town of Lynnfield.
The Department of Veterans' Services was instit- tuted by the town in 1947 by accepting at the annual town meeting held March 11, 1946, Chap. 723 of the Acts of 1945.
In 1947 the office of Soldiers' Relief Agent (now Veterans' Agent) and Soldiers' Burial Agent was com- bined with the Department of Veterans' Services and it was in this year that many inquiries were made and advice given to veterans of the town in reagrd to the
G. I. Bill of Rights, P. L. 16, P. L. 346, Nat. Ser. Life Ins., etc.
This department is greatly indebted to Post #131 American Legion here in Lynnfield for their kind- ness in loaning this office their photostat equipment.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the town officials and the veterans of the town for the co-operation shown to this department.
Respectfully submitted,
BURTON B. COGSWELL Director of Veterans' Services, Veterans Agent. Soldiers' Burial Agent.
Report of TOWN COUNSEL
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
This has been my first year as Town Counsel, having been appointed in April, 1949, and I have found my duties most interesting. At this time I would like to express my appreciation to the Board of Select- men, the department heads, the members of the various committees, and many others, all of whom were most considerate, helpful, and cooperative.
During the past term this department was called upon quite frequently for advice, and for oral and written opinions by the Board, various department heads, and committee members, relative to matters concerning their duties and departments. Contracts were drawn up when needed for use by those requir - ing them, and opinions and advice were given re- garding others to be executed. All meetings of the
Board of Selectmen were attended, and committee meetings when requested.
This department, after study, felt that it would be advantageous and beneficial to the Town if the many laws affecting it were checked and brought up to date. An article was inserted in the warrant to that effect and was acted upon favorably by the Town. A committee was appointed and is now engaged in that task. Soon after assuming office this department was able to effect a satisfactory settlement in a tree case which had been pending. Two cases are now pending in Court, one of which will be tried in the very near future.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH G. HOWLAND Town Counsel
LAWS AND RESOLVES OF MASSACHUSETTS 1782 -- Chapter 7
An Act for Erecting a District in the County of Essex by the Name of Lynnfield.
Whereby the Inhabitants of the North Parish in the Town of Lynn labour under great Inconveniences and Difficulties by Reason of their Distance from and difficult Access to the usual Place of Meeting to transact Town Business, and many other great Dis- advantages, and have requested this Court that they may be incorporated into a District, with all the Privileges of a Town, that of sending a Representative to the General Court excepted:
Be it therefore enactedby the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That the said North Parish and all that Tract of Land included within the Same and divided from the Town of Lynn, by the Land and Boundary following, viz: Beginning at Sawgust River, near a White Oak Tree in Jonathan Tarble's lower Field, near the Cant of the River which is the line by the Jefferds and Brinton's Farms, and running East- wardly to Land of Benjamin Riddon; thence turning
by John Pool's Land as the Wall runs, to a great Rock by the Side of the Hill; thence SouthEasterly to Joshua Newhall, South West Corner bound, adjoining to the Town Wall, so-called; thence running South- Easterly to Andrew Mansfield, SouthWest Corner bound at the Wall; thence running as the Wall runs to the SouthEast Corner of John Lyndsey's Orchard; thence Northerly as the Wall runs to the Road that leads from Reading to Salem; thence Easterly as the Road runs to Danvers Line, be and hereby is incor- porated into a District, by the Name of Lynnfield; and that the said District be, and hereby is invested with all the Powers, Privileges, and Immunities that Towns in this Commonwealth do or may enjoy, that of sending a Representative to the General Assembly only excepted; and that the Inhabitants of said District shall have Liberty from Time to Time to join with the Town of Lynn in choosing a Representative and shall be notified of the Time and Place of Election in like Manner with the Inhabitants of Said Town of Lynn, by a Warrant from the Selectmen of said Town, directed
22
to a Constable or Constables of said District, re- quiring him or them to warn the Inhabitants to attend the Meeting at the Time and Place assigned, which Warrant shall be seasonably returned by said Con- stable or Constables, and the Representative may be chosen indifferently from said Town or District; the Pay or Allowance to be borne by the Town and the District, in Proportion as they shall from Time to Time pay to the State Tax.
And be it further enacted, That John Flagg, Esq. be and he is hereby empowered to issue his Warrant directed to some principal Inhabitant within said District requiring him to warn the Inhabitants of said District qualified to vote in Town affairs, to assemble at some suitable Time and Place in said District, to choose such Officers as Towns and Districts by Law are required to choose in the Month of March annually.
Provided, nevertheless, The Inhabitants of said District shall pay their proportionable Part of all public Debts and Charges due from said Town, and towards the Support of the Poor of said Town, till the close of the War, and at the close of the present War contribute towards the Support of the Poor of said Town and District, according to an Agreement made between said Town and District in that Behalf on the Nineteenth Day of June, Anno Domini, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Two.
Report of POLICE DEPARTMENT
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen And The Citizens of Lynnfield:
Following is the annual report of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1949:
We have answered 948 complaints requiring police attention as well as innumerable complaints not ne- cessitating police action.
The total number of arrests for the year was 103 as classified:
Male
Female
Total
Assault
1
1
2
Larceny
3
0
3
Breaking & Entering & Larceny
4
1
5
Malicious Mischief
8
0
8
Trespass
7
O
7
Dead Bodies Cared For 1
Motor Vehicle Transfers 168
Court Appearances 52
Vacant Houses Checked 164
Cruises Out of Town (Police Business). Hrs. 584
The usual number of property damage cases have been investigated and settled without the necessity of taking them to court.
We have answered all fire alarms and have cooper- ated with the Fire Department in every way possible.
I always like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the various department heads and their collea- gues for the splendid cooperation extended the Police Department throughout the year as well as those in- dividuals who so readily respond whenever an emer- gency requires.
Respectfully submitted,
2 Against Property
23
1
24
3 Against Public Order etc.
62
15
77
Total
86
17
103
Provided likewise, That said District give up all their Right in any of the Town's Privileges lying and being in the other Part of the Town, except that of joining with them in the Choice of a Representative as aforesaid.
July 3, 1782.
LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS Chapter CXCI
An Act to Erect the District of Lynnfield, in the County of Essex, into a Town by the name of Lynn- field.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the District of Lynnfield, in the County of Essex, as the same is bounded and defined in an Act, entitled "An Act for Erecting A District in the County of Essex, by the Name of Lynnfield," be, and the same hereby is incorporated into a Town by the Name of Lynnfield, with all the powers, privileges and immunities, and liable to all the duties and requisitions of other Towns in this Commonwealth.
Approved by the Governor, February 28, 1814.
Other activities include:
Summons served for other departments 46 Motor Vehicle Violations (To Registry) 81
$4,671.75 Lost and Stolen Property Recovered
Ambulance Cases 96
Doors Found Open, Made Secure 10
Lost and Missing Persons Located 14
Commitments 11
Escapees Apprehended 1
Automobile Accidents Investigated 64
Condition Of Roads Reported 13
Stray Dogs and Animals Cared For 74
Street Lights Reported Out
336
Live Wires Down Guarded by Police Messages Delivered 28
4
Driving Licenses Suspended 8
Authority
1
0
1
Disturbing The Peace
4
0
4
Driving to Endanger
4
O
4
Driving a Motor Vehicle while
Intoxicated
5
1
6
Drunkeness
7
5
12
Lewdness
2
0
2
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
16
0
16
Non Support
1
0
1
Violation Of Traffic Laws
23
9
32
Recapitulation
1 Against Person
1
1
2
EVERETT S. WEBSTER Chief.
23
Using Motor Vehicle Without
Report of FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Town has been very fortunate with respect to the fire situation during the past year. Losses have been small except for heavy smoke damage in a new dwelling early in the year, a matter quite beyond the department's control. We are particularly gratified in considering the fact that our own operations con- tributed no addition to the fire loss. The improve- ment in methods of operation reflect the benefit de- rived from the training program instituted after our reorganization in 1948. The attack on fires rather than waging a defensive action only, and the use of small lines backed by larger lines for use only if required, has proved a successful and economical strategy. In addition, better nozzle equipment and its proper use has also been a contributing factor, giving us quick control and extinguishment with a corresponding reduction in the fire loss.
Relative to equipment, Engine 4, which passed its Underwriters tests on June 10, 1949 and was delivered to the department later in that month is a highly satis- factory fire fighting facility. It is well balanced as to load distribution which makes for good roadability and handles easily both on the road and on the job. We feel there is no doubt as to the soundness of its design and construction. We also added a much needed piece of equipment in the form of a portable lighting set, and at no actual cost to the town. It was obtained on an exchange basis for the OCD auxilliary pump which was of no particular value to the Town, or of use to the Fire Department. This set is available for service in any situation requiring emergency lighting, whether from failure of a regular lighting system, or in unlighted localities that may become the scene of accident or disaster. Both the lighting set and Engine 4 have already been usefully employed on several oc- casions. The new CO2 and dry chemical extinguishers, which have long been a need of the department, fur- nish useful agenciesfor operation on oil and electri- cal fires.
Due to unplanned replacement purchases in the past we still require a substantial amount of new hose. We should have enough 2 1/2" hose to complete the loading of Engines 1, 2 and 4, holding the poorer hose which now comprises half the load carried on these pieces in reserve until it canbe replaced later by an arrangement of systematic purchases in smaller quantities. The Center company must replace its badly worn 1 1/2" leader line as well as its forest hose, and we must purchase a small amount of booster hose. In stressing these requirements we are mindful of the loss of the main building of the Herrick farm in West Peabody. After waging a successful holding operation on the newer construction in which the fire originated we were forced to watch the old land-
mark go down for the sole reason that the hose sup- plied by another department failed, length by length, under no more than normal pressures. We are par- ticularly concerned that a performance of that nature shall not take place in Lynnfield, and believe that all of you, who have property that could be similarly involved, will share our concern. This is a matter of protective insurance, as there is no satisfactory substitute for the best so far as fire hose is concerned.
We should further extend the fire alarm system, and at the earliest possible time replace the emer- gency whistles now in use with something more suited to our needs. As to the usefulness of these boxes, we received calls from two of the five installed last year. In this connection we urge people to make more use of the fire alarm system and depend less on the use of the telephone. Learn the location of the box near- est your home or business, use in case of fire or other emergency, and remain at the box until the apparatus arrives unless the fire is in plain sight of the location of the box used.
We responded to 85 audible and 40 still alarms during the year, and for the following causes:
4 Dwelling fires
2 Garage fires
8 Automobile fires
6 Truck fires
35 Grass and brush fires
14 Woods fires
3 Oil burner fires
1 Chimney fire 8 Dump fires (Including 1 in Peabody)
7 Accidents involving motor vehicles
2 Lightning hits
1 Drowning accident
2 Rescues of dogs from ponds
4 Leaking mechanical refrigerators
3 Needless alarms
25 False alarms (7 July 4, 8 Hallowe'en, 10 Scattered.)
We wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to all who so generously supported the Ball and Entertainment of the Relief Association and thereby contributed toward making it a success.
CHIEF JOSIAH POETON
24
Report of BUILDING DEPARTMENT
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
My report of the Building Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1949 is as follows:
New Dwellings
59
Barns, Sheds and Poultry Houses
23
Alterations and Repairs 89
7
Business Buildings
2
Alterations to Business Buildings
6
Private Garages
15
Moving
Public Buildings
1
Total Permits Issued
203
Inspections Made
502*
HOWARD S. ARMERDING Inspector of Buildings.
100%
91%
78%
-75%
59%
56%
-50%
43%
- 25%
7%
0%
1941
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
BUILDING PERMITS FOR RESIDENCE CONSTRUCTION
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Work in the past year followed the same lines as in previous years. Very light infestations of Gypsy Moths found in woodlands were creosoted. Tent Caterpillars were quite heavy in both parts of town, but no Brown Tail Moth webs were found. Fall Web Worms showed a slight decrease in the Center. Elm Leaf Beetles were again very heavy on private pro- perty. Most street trees were sprayed twice, espe- cially elms. This work was carried on under the
Report of MOTH DEPARTMENT
supervision of the State Department of Conservation, the State contributing $300 in supplies. I hope that an appropriation to combat Dutch Elm disease, if it appears in town this year, will be made.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN H. TWISS
Supt. Moth Dept.
25
* This figure includes daily inspection trips to the new South School during period of excavation, pouring footings and foundations and during the pouring of concrete floor slab.
There was one major violation of the Zoning Or- dinance corrected. There were no major violations of the Building Ordinance.
All fees have been collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Demolition
1
Respectfully submitted,
Report of THE BOARD OF APPEALS
During the year 1949 the Board of Appeals held twelve public hearings under the zoning by-law. The requests were granted in six of the cases, partially granted in one, and denied in five as follows:
In the four appeals for permits to erect dwellings on land containing insufficient area or street frontage, three were granted and one denied.
Of four petitions for permits to remove gravel, two were granted with restrictions to protect the Town and two denied.
A petition for a variance in the application of the zoning by-law to permit the operation of a drugstore in the Centre Post Office building was denied.
Two applications for permits to maintain signs were granted, one of them in part only.
An application for a permit to erect an outdoor display case in a residence district was denied.
ELIOT K. GRANT, CHAIRMAN
Report of SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
The following articles were sealed:
7
Platform Scales
Beam Scales . 5
Spring Scales. 11
Computing Scales. 6
Liquid Measures . 14 Slot-weighing Scales 1 Gas Pumps . 29
Grease Pumps
7 Weights. 41 · · Fees Collected $61.80
Respectfully submitted
GEORGE A. WESTOVER
Sealer of Weights and Measures
26
Report of ROAD COMMISSIONER
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
During the year 1949 much work has been accom- plished and herewith is my report for the period ending December 31, 1949.
CHAPTER 90 PERMANENT CONSTRUCTION
A stretch of 1000 ft. on Summer Street was com- pleted, including drainage. One half the cost of this type of work is borne by the State, the remainder being equally shared by the Town and the County.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance, the State assumes one third of the cost and the Town two thirds. This, therefore, permitted Seal Coating of Salem Street from the Peabody line to Lynnfield Street, 1585 feet. Salem Street from the Turnpike, Route 1 to Summer Street, 2375 feet. Summer Street 1585 feet. Main Street from the Peabody line, 3168 feet.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Main Street - 700 feet of Drainage, including 2 Man Holes and 1 Catch Basin.
Hutchins Circle - 100 feet of Drainage and 2 Catch Basins. Fairview Ave- 300 feet.
Sidewalks - Summer Street - feet-Locust
Street - feet.
I sincerely trust the Town will continue to support the Sidewalk program, as it is greatly needed.
The following streets were oiled and sanded:
Fairview Road - Lynnbrook Road - Douglas Road Canterbury Road - Howard Avenue - Hutchings Circle - Homestead Road - Oxbow Road - Pros- pect Avenue - Chestnut Street.
ACCEPTANCE OF NEW STREETS
Due to new laws governing the acceptance of new streets by a town, streets accepted at the Town Meet- ing were delayed in having work done. Therefore, progress in this direction has not advanced as far as I, personally, would like. However, Crescent Avenue and Pleasant Street have been completed and given two coats of oil and sanded. Shoulders and general cleaning up will have to be done in the Spring. Lock- wood Road has been graveled - Brook Drive has the
drainage partly installed. Due to the weather, these streets should not be oiled until Spring. Appropria- tions to complete this work will be carried over.
GENERAL WORK
Throughout the Year, I took advantage of bad wea- ther to keep the regular Highway Department employ- ees busy painting and repairing equipment so that equipment is always in the best of condition.
I am very grateful to all employees in my depart- ment for their splendid assistance and to all Town officials for their cooperation throughout the year.
Constructive criticism is welcome and inspection of your Highway Garage also, at all times. Through these mediums we strive at all times to constantly improve services rendered the town.
Respectfully submitted
BENJAMIN G. COX
Road Commissioner
27
Report of HEALTH OFFICER
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
Due to the increase in the population of the Town and the increasing number of new home owners, there has been a larger number and variation of the duties of the Board of Health than in previous years.
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