USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 58
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120.80
Relief
5,339.23 5,860.03
Total Charities
EDUCATION
Schools
Salaries
Superintendent
7,750.00
Teachers & Principals 195,254.17
Other salaries & wages 33, 246.31
Travel out of state 198.26
Transportation
36,233.45
Tuition
66,048.08
General Expenses 55,761.39
394,491.66
Summer Playground Expenses
1,310.47
Future School Site Committee
1,065.10
South School Play Area
1,782.12
School Building Comm. Expenses
338.89
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
Salaries
15,890.00
Provisions
34,770.15
Supplies
725.96
All Other
320.43
51,706.54
Construction Summer Street School
Contractor
. 172, 363.31
Architect
2,310.33
Clerk of Works
2,893.71
Equipment
27,561.02
All Other
2,830.11
207,958.48
Addition to Junior High School
Contractor
69,952.73
Architect 44,504.93
Clerk of Works
1,918.75
Septic Tank
Athletic Field All Other
13,230.00 57,381.40 4,542.33
191,530.14
LIBRARIES
Salaries
Librarians
2,576.50
Janitor
455.00
Expenses
Books
1,798.35
Binding Books
95.22
Fuel and Light 410.81
Repairs and Maintenance 596.70
Office Supplies
105.15 6,037.73
Total Education
856,221.13
UNCLASSIFIED
Memorial Park Maintenance
642.62
Memorial Day Observance 460.43
Lot #128
1.00
Commercial Development
85.00
Liability & Property Damage Insurance
1,997.53
Boiler Insurance 161.18
Blanket Fire Insurance 3,766.61
Workmens' Compensation
3,141.61
CIVIL DEFENSE
Salary - Director
500.00
Materials
2,144.39
Other
908.15 3,552.54
Warning Device Wiring
234.50
Boudrow, Glavin, Del Colle
Land Tests
445.18 14,488.20
PARK AND CEMETERIES
Salaries
Superintendent 3,120.00
Labor
3,244.30
Expenses Liners
191.85
Tools and Equipment
312.67
Truck Repairs
173.28
Power Mower
127.00
All Other
383.12 7,552.22
Glen Meadow Park
1,942.85
Enlarging Forest Hill Cemetery 566.30
Flag Pole at Common 696.00
Wall at Suntaug Park
2,498.36
Total Park and Cemeteries
13,255.73
INTEREST
General Loans Schools
31,032.50 862.75
Temporary Loan
Total Interest
31,895.25
33
69,009.70
Blue Cross-Blue Shield Fireman Pension Cemetery - Perpetual Care
REFUNDS
Taxes
Real Estate
5,301.72
Poll
8.00
Motor Vehicle
3,420.83
MATURING DEBT
General Loans
Schools
96,000.00
Temporary
100,000.00
Total Maturing Debt
196,000.00
AGENCY TRUST AND INVESTMENT
Agency
State Parks and Reservations
1,302.60
Auditing Municipal Accounts 2,526.55
County Tax
17,530.08
T.B. Assessment
7,458.98
Retirement Assessment
9,248.45
Dog Licenses for County
1,752.20
Trust and Investment
Withholding Taxes
47,470.79
Essex Retirement
8,745.83
Teacher Retirement
9,961.71
Mr. Herman B. Dine
Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Lynnfield for the period from October 11, 1953, the date of the previous audit, to November 12, 1955, and submit the following report thereon:
The records of financial transactions of the several depart- ments receiving or disbursing town funds or sending out bills for collection were examined and checked with the records of the town treasurer and the town accountant.
The town accountant's general and appropriation ledger ac- counts were analyzed and checked in detail. The receipts, as recorded, were checked with the treasurer's books, while the recorded payments were compared with the treasurer's cash book and with the treasury warrants. The appropriation accounts as recorded on the ledger were checked with the town meeting records of the town clerk, the transfers from the reserve fund were compared with the authorizations of the finance committee, and all other accounts were checked with information in the de- partments in which the transactions orginated.
390.33 .01
9,120.1
Total Cash Payments
1,600, 547 .!
Balance Cash on hand December 31, 1956
Treasurer
1,277,611.03
Collector 50.00
Surplus War Bonus
1,714.24
1,279,375 .:
2,879,923.1
ACCOUNTANT'S CERTIFICATE
I have examined the cash receiptsand securities in the vari- ous Trust Funds in the hands of the Treasurer and find them to be as stated in the Treasurer's Report .
The income from Trust Funds in the hands of others have been received for the year 1956 and credited to the proper accounts. The receipts as reported by the Treasurer agree with the books and that payments of the Town correctly present the fi- ancial status as of December 31, 1956.
I take this opportunity to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, all Town Officers and employees, the Town Report Committee and all others who have contributed of their time and talents in compiling this report.
Respectfully submitted,
Theodore C. Palizzolo Town Accountant :
A trial balance was taken off, and, after the necessary ad- justing entries were made, a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on November 12, 1955.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The cash book additions were verified, and the recorded receipts were compared with the accountant's books, with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town, and with other sources from which money is paid into the town treasury, while the recorded payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds and with the town accountant's records .
The cash balance on November 12, 1955 was proved by re- conciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit and by actual count of the cash in the office.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were compared with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file. The outstanding coupons were listed and reconciled with the balance in the depositories re- served for their payment.
The savings bank books and securities representing the in- vestment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the library and cemetery trustees were examined and listed.
34
4,665.55
1,000.00
127.78
71,971.66
Water District
Accrued Total Refunds
39,818.86
The income was proved and all transactions and balances were verified and checked with the books of the town accountant.
The records of tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined and checked in detail . The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records and the accountant's books, the reported redemptions and sales were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles on hand were listed, proved, and checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds .
The records of payroll deductions for Federal taxes and Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as well as for the retirement systems, were examined and checked; the payments to the proper agencies were verified, and the balances in the general treasury on November 12, 1955 were proved.
The books and accounts of the town collector were examined and checked in detail. The accounts outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitment lists of town and district taxes and motor vehicle and trailer ex- cise, were audited and checked with the assessors' warrants com- mitting them for collection. The collections as recorded on the cash books were checked in detail with the commitment books, the payments to the town and district treasurers were verified, the abatements were checked with the assessors' records of abatements granted, the town and district taxes transferred to the tax title account were verified, the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling ac- counts in the accountant's ledger, and the cash balance on November 12, 1955 was proved.
It is again noted that the several departments in which charges originate are not committing such charges to the town collector for collection although the town voted at the annual town meeting held March 21, 1949, under Article 24, to adopt the provisions of Section 38A, Chapter 41, General Laws, which provides for such action .
It is again recommended that prompt action be taken to effect a complete settlement of the delinquent tax and motor vehicle and trailer excise accounts which date back to 1950.
The detailed checking which was necessary to reconcile the collector's accounts added materially to the time consumed in making the audit .
Further verification of the outstanding town and district taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excise was made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the
books as owing money to the town and districts, the replies re- ceived thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct .
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts for dog and sporting licenses, as well as for gasoline permits and junk licenses, were checked. The payments to the town treasurer and to the Division of Fisheries and Game were verified, and the cash balance on November 12, 1955 was proved by actual count .
The surety bonds on file for the several town officials for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The receipts for licenses granted by the selectmen were ex- amined and checked, the recorded collections being compared with the town treasurer.
The recorded receipts of the sealer of weights and measures, and the building, wire, plumbing, and milk inspectors, as well as of the police, fire, health, school, and cemetery departments, were examined, checked, and compared with the payments to the town treasurer .
The records of accounts receivable of the public welfare and veterans' services departments and of the bureau of old age assist- ance were analyzed, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were 'listed and proved.
In addition to the departments and accounts mentioned, the records of all other departments collecting money for the town were examined and reconciled with the books of the treasurer and the town accountant .
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing reconciliations of the several cash accounts, summaries of the town and district tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, tax title, tax possession, and departmental accounts, as well as schedules showing the transactions and condition of the trust funds .
While engaged in making the audit cooperation was re- ceived from all town officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, William Schwartz Assistant Director of Accounts
35
..
RECEIPTS TOTAL $2,317,390.15
Taxes from State 1.2%
Local Taxes 33.8%
State Grants 5.6%
Federal Grants 1.8%
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 4.3%
Agency Trust and Investment 3.1% Miscellaneous .2%
Municipal Indebtedness 50.0%
EXPENDITURES TOTAL $1,600,567.92
Charities 4.3%
Highways 8.0%
Health and Sanitation 1.4%
Protection of Persons and Property 6.4%
Education 53.5%
General Government 2.9%
Investment 4.5%
Agency 2.5%
Maturing Debt 12.2%
Interest 2.0%
Unclassified 2.3%
36
Report of TAX COLLECTOR
Year Ending December 31, 1955
Commitments
Cash
Abatements
Tax Titles
Refunds
Interest
Outstanding 12/31/56
1953 Poll Tax
12.00
12.00
1954 Poll Tax
30.00
4.00
26.00
1955 Poll Tax
148.00
86.00
48.00
3.61
14.00
1956 Poll Tax
4,260.00
3,678.00
432.00
8.00
.34
158.00
1952 Personal
21.60
14.40
1.29
7.20
1953 Personal
254.40
46.13
28.00
16.64
180.27
1954 Personal
1,172.60
913.47
36.90
64.45
222.23
1955 Personal
1,516.18
520.30
17.20
6.54
978.68
1956 Personal
32,734.08
31,137.12
19.20
.51
1, 577.76
1951 Real Estate
2.55
2.55
1952 Real Estate
27.04
4.72
23.32
1953 Real Estate
1,332.94
1,328.94
4.00
123.30
1954 Real Estate
5,196.73
4,846.52
267.37
341.45
82.84
1955 Real Estate
20,949.64
15, 372.37
224.46
1,000.23
290.07
5,419.79
1956 Real Estate
761, 548.56
724,052.35
19,283.04
696.96
4,301.49
153.92
21,817.70
1952 Motor Vehicle Excise
2.00
2.00
1953 Motor Vehicle Excise
898.86
145.27
753.59
16.23
1954 Motor Vehicle Excise
656.46
404.53
205.01
34.01
46.92
1955 Motor Vehicle Excise
12, 305.37
10,679.48
1,900.90
634.22
76.13
359.21
1956 Motor Vehicle Excise
104,910.66
87,461.02
5,396.65
2,786.61
51.48
14,839.60
Total
947,979.67
880,706.62
29,084.29
1,215.11
8,730.55
1,181.09
45,704.20
Percent - All Taxes Outstanding 4.821%
Percent - 1956 Taxes Outstanding
4.778%
Respectfully submitted, Clifford C. Ham, Collector of Taxes
Report of FIRE DEPARTMENT
Having been decided by the vote of the Annual Town Meeting in 1956, the Lynnfield Fire Department remains a 100% call department, consisting of the following personnel:
1 Chief
paid $900 per year
2 Captains paid $400 per year each
2 Lieutenants
paid $300 per year each
20 Privates
paid $150 per year each
10 Substitutes
paid no salary
In addition to this yearly salary, the Privates and Substitutes are paid $1.00 per hour while on duty, and the Captains and Lieutenants are paid $1.00 per hour for duty only in excess of one hour .
I have requested in the 1957 budget a wage increase to $1.50 per hour, and payment of wages to the Captains and Lieutenants on the same basis as the Privates and Substitutes. I feel it is most reasonable to pay these men closer to a more realistic hourly wage for their work.
Weekly drills have been conducted throughout the past year
1535
LYNNFIELD'S ANCIENT FIRE ENGINE.
33
CIĆMA
ENGIN
....
NEW ENGINE NUMBER 4
37
.92
.20
933.25
by the Company Officers. These drills are all voluntary and no wages are paid. The men and officers of the department have again demonstrated their rare quality of devotion to the Town and the Department, for which l express my sincere appreciation.
Purchase of badly needed equipment this past year has proven to have helped the efficiency of the Department. The aluminum boat, a giftofa citizen has also aided morale of the Department, and sparked the men into becoming very much interested in a more complete program of rescue work. Many, many hours have been spent in securing and conditioning a rescue truck for the use of the Town.
The Red Network has proven a great advantage to the De- partment. This system activated at Police Headquarters, rings a bell in 19 homes and alerts the members of the Fire Department . I have requested funds in the 1957 budget for six additional in- stallations .
It remains important that the citizens of Lynnfield familiarize themselves with their Fire Department, and understand that it is a 100% call department with no personnel on duty at the two fire stations. In case of fire, the most efficient method of se- curing the services of the Fire Department is to pull the nearest fire alarm box. A secondary method is to dial the FIRE & POLICE EMERGENCY number which is LY-4-3131, and report the fire to the Police Department, who in turn activate the fire alarm system and the Red Network, which calls the men to the fire stations. The Police then repeat the verbal report of the fire or emergency to each fire station.
Townspeople are also reminded that fires in the open are prohibited unless a permit is secured in advance from either of the Deputy Forest Wardens:
Arthur Rodham at Rodhams Service Station in the Center John Duggan at Duggans Pharmacy at South Lynnfield
The Civil Defense Auxiliary Fire Department has proven to be of great value to the Town and the Fire Department in assist- ing at fires as well as providing a unit of reserve trained man-
power. Their weekly drills have been intergrated with the Fire Department, and their purchase of a Seagrave pumper has allowed additional equipment to respond to alarms.
The Fire Alarm System has shown improvement over the year 1955, but much remains to be done in the future to bring the system up to a minimum standard. With the Red Network a secondary and independent system of alerting the members of the department, I feel the response to alarms has improved.
I wish to thank the personnel of other Town Departments who have so effectively assisted the Fire Department this past year.
I join the members of the Fire Department and express thanks to the citizens of the Town for their cooperation and assistance in helping our department maintain and improve its fire pro- tection service.
During 1956 the Fire Department responded to the following alarms:
Buildings
13
Dumps
5
Woods, brush, grass, etc. 43
Vehicles
14
Out of Town calls
2
Needless
6
False
12
Miscellaneous
8
Total
103
Authorized Extra Duty
Pumping out flooded cellars
22 man hours
Town Meeting duty
29 man hours
Emergency storm duty
269 man hours
Fire patrol
20 man hours
Duty when alarm system out
11 man hours
Miscellaneous
20 man hours
Carl E. Davis, Chief
Report of POLICE DEPARTMENT
Following is the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1956.
July 2, 1956 Patrolmen Thomas F. Ganley and Chilton M. Hastings were appointed Sergeants by the Board of Selectmen.
It is our deepest regret that on November 1, 1956 Sergeant Chilton M. Hastings passed away as the result of a heart attack.
July 11, 1956 the Department received 2 new 1956 Ford Country Sedans to be used for patrolling. One is equipped with a stretcher and inhalator, which serves as a very good purpose due to the amount of accidents in transporting the injured to the
hospital .
The Department has answered 1987 complaints that were settled without Police action.
The total number of arrests for the year was 66 as classified:
Male
Female
Total
Assault & Battery
5
0
5
A.W.O.L. turned
over to Shore Patrol
1
0
1
Breaking & Entering &
Larceny
4
0
4
38
Disturbing the Peace Drunk
2
0
2 Missing Persons Located
25
28
0
28
Motor Vehicle Violations Sent to Registry 361
Driving under the Influence
10
0
10 Motor Transfers 175
Driving thru Red Light
2
0
2 Parking Violations
160
Driving to Endanger
1
0
1 Revocation of Registrations
2
Larceny of Property
2
0
2 Street Lights Reported Out
240
Leaving the Scene of Accident
1
0
1
Stray Dogs & Cats Cared For
97
Lewd and Lascivious Cohabitation
1
1
2
Summons Served for other Departments
144
Non-Support
2
0
2
Stolen & Lost Property Recovered
$9,725.32
Operating without a License
2
0
2
Use of Resuscitator
11
Speeding
3
0
3
Vacant Houses Checked (Vacation)
863
Unregistered & Uninsured
Motor Bike
1
0
1
65
1
66
Recapitulation
1. Against Person
5
2. Against Property
6
3. Against Public Order
55
Other Activities Include:
Accidents
182
Ambulance Cases
147
Breaks & Attempted Breaks
52
Burglar Alarms Sounded
12
Cruiser Out of Town - Number of Hours
365
Walter M. Riggs
Frank E. Martin, Jr. Leon W. Cobb
Committments
28
Casimiro Navas
William R. Delamater
Conditions of Road Reported
29
John F. Pepper
Richard L. Murphy
Dead Bodies Cared For
1
Edward W. Foley
Driving Licenses Suspended
32
Doors & Windows Found Open-Made Secure
167
Light Tags Given Out
70
Live Wires Guarded
24
Messages Delivered
93
The usual number of Property damage cases were settled without court action .
We have cooperated with the Fire Department in every way possible by forwarding all telephone calls and answering all alarms .
At this time I would like to thank the various department heads and their colleagues for the cooperation extended to the Police Department throughout the year.
Sergeant Thomas F. Ganley
Sergeant
Norman T. Grady
Patrolmen
Court Appearances
51
Edwin L. Price
Respectfully submitted,
William E. Foley Chief of Police
LYNNFIELD AUXILIARY POLICE
39
Summons Taken Out
30
Report of BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Building in Lynnfield during the year 1956 remained at a very high level in spite of the fact that there were no large commercial developments. The quality of home building remains high, the largest growth being in the more restricted zones.
In September the new High School Addition was started, some site improvement work and the athletic field having been begun in July. The Summer Street Elementary School was com- pleted and occupied during 1956.
The new Roman Catholic Church at the corner of Salem and Grove Streets was begun and completed during the year and a large addition to the Community Church (2nd Congregational) in South Lynnfield was started in the late fall .
Non-Residential buildings erected during the year included the new Cooperative Bank and a new block of stores at the rear of the Colonial Shopping Center as well as improvements to the existing stores.
PERMITS ISSUED IN 1956 are
133 New Dwellings
$ 2,317,860
26 Other New Buildings
1,132,700
94 Alterations and Repairs
183, 607
TOTAL
$3,634,167
All fees have been collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer. Over 800 inspections have been made .
Respectfully submitted,
Howard S. Armerding Inspector of Buildings
REPORT OF PLUMBING AND CESSPOOL INSPECTOR
My report of the Plumbing Inspection Department for the year ending December 31, 1956 is as follows:
Plumbing Permits Issued 218
Inspections Made 473
My report as Inspector of Cesspool and Septic tanks for the year ending December 31, 1956 is as follows:
Permits Issued 126
Respectfully submitted,
Forrest Howard
The Plumbing Inspector wants to point out that the State Law requires that a Cesspool Permit is required before a building permit is granted.
Report of WIRE INSPECTOR
This past year the Wire Inspector issued 414 permits, a total to the town of $1, 414.75, covering approximately 1000 in- spections.
Each new home requires a minimum of 3 inspections:
(1) A rough inspection
(2) A service inspection
(3) A final inspection (upon completion of work by electrician)
There were no fires in town this past year which were due to defective electrical installations.
This is now the third consecutive year with no tragic fires or incidents of an electrical nature during the Holiday Season and the people of the town are to be highly commended for their co- operation and care in making this Season of the year a successful one in this respect.
This past year the Reading Municipal Light Company has inaugurated a new program for expansion within the town. The first phase of the program was the laying of underground cable to the Center in preparation for the installation of a sub-station which will improve the service rendered to the town by this Company .
Also, during this past year, timeclocks were installed which will control the current consumption of electrical hot water heaters, thus giving the owners of this type of service a reduced rate for electrical hot water heating which was not available in the past .
During this year we experienced a severe ice storm and electrical power was restored to the Town by both the Reading and Peabody Electric Light Companies with a minimum of time and inconvenience to the townspeople. The town Wire Inspector also worked during this storm with the above companies, notify- ing them of fallen wires, resulting in a saving of time in the work of repairing these wires.
The office of the Wire Inspector is open between the hours of 5 and 6 P.M. weekdays and 8 and 9 P. M. Monday evenings. Saturday by appointment. Phone Lynnfield Centre 4-3128.
Application for the issuance of permits and for wiring may be obtained in the Clerk's office Monday through Friday, in- clusive, between the hours of 8:30 A. M. and 4:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
James V. Thompson Wire Inspector
40
Report of TREE WARDEN
The entire community was saddened in July by the tragic death of Donald F. Newhall, Tree Warden and Moth Superin- tendent. Active in many community projects other than his official duties, the ready smile and helping hand of "Don" was greatly missed by his host of friends.
The Board of Selectmen appointed Gustav H. Koch to com- plete the term of Mr. Newhall as Tree Warden on August 7, 1956. The planting of trees had been completed, also the super- vision of planting in new areas by the developers. Some sections in Glen Meadow have not been completed but will be done in the spring of 1957.
Some trees were removed in the Shopping Center and along Walnut Street for Highway improvements and where necessary replacements will be made in the spring. Constant supervision was given the laying of the underground cable by the Reading
Municipal Light, to prevent unnecessary root and limb damage . Considerable damage was done to our trees by the Ice storm in December, which will necessitate a large amount of trimming in the spring .
All small trees planted in the past few years were trimmed and shaped for continued healthy growth. It is my hope with new equipment to clean up many unsightly areas in town and with a replacement program to maintain our heritage of beautiful trees.
Respectfully submitted,
Gustav H. Koch - Tree Warden Delbert Porter William Hall Hugh Robinson (U.S. Army May 1956)
Report of MOTH DEPARTMENT
The Gypsy Moth problem appears to have been practically eliminated in Lynnfield. The concentrated effort in 1954 plus the Mosquito Control spraying has done the work. Dutch Elm has not been so prevalent in 1956. A good effective spray pro- gram plus prompt removal of infected trees seems to be effective, but continual vigilance is necessary to protect our Elm's. We have fared much better than our neighbors, due to our strong program .
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