USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 74
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The commissioners are asking for money in their Annual Budget for much needed re- pairs to the roads in Forest Hill Cemetery and it is hoped that the town will support the commissioners in these requests.
The commissioners again wish to state rather strongly that the town is in need of good park, playground, and recreation areas and it is hoped that certain acreage will be purchased in the near future.
JOHN B. RODGERS, Chairman JAMES V. THOMPSON, Secretary MINOT H. CARTER,
Health Officer
The range and duties of the Lynnfield Board of Health during the past year have again increased in proportion to the expand- ing growth of the town. In order to comply with the State and Town health laws, and to maintain the high standards which have characterized Lynnfield in the past, your Health Officer and the other members of the Board of Health have held regular bi-month- ly meetings at the Health offices at the Town Hall (second and fourth Mondays).
We have acted upon general health prob- lems, many of which required inspection of town, and in some cases, private properties. A number of flagrant violations of health regulations have been corrected, and in many cases violators have met with the Board in order to comply with requirements.
In accordance with action taken at the March 1958 town meeting, the services of an excellent part-time sanitarian were obtained. This sanitarian, Robert Rimbach, of Burling- ton, has carried out his duties in a most ac- ceptable manner. He has made regular in- spections of all places where food is served, some of which are: restaurants, grocery stores, drug stores, and our school cafeterias. There have been regular monthly inspections of all milk dealers who supply Lynnfield. Last summer the water at Pillings Pond was tested in eight different places and the re- sults were made public. I feel that Mr. Rim- bach has done much valuable work in im- proving and maintaining our health standards. CLINICS
Four pre-school clinics were held in the spring for the immunization of children against diptheria, tetanus and whooping cough, and for vaccination against small pox. Salk polio vaccine was also administered at these clin- ics. In these clinics I was efficiently assist- ed by Mrs. Lucy Lindquist, R.N. She has also done necessary follow-up work required by the State Board of Health on tuberculosis cases and some other types of contagious diseases.
NURSERY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS
Necessary permits have been issued for the following nursery schools and kinder- gartens:
1. Little Red School House
2. Music Box
3. Pine View Kindergarten
4. Bethlehem Nursery School
5. Suntaug Kindergarten
6. Tower Kindergarten
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
There has been a marked increase in the number of communicable diseases reported. I want to acknowledge here the cooperation of the school nurse, Mrs. Florence Roman- chuk. She has provided the Board of Health with reports of many cases of contagious diseases among the school pupils which might otherwise have gone unreported.
Again I would like to remind residents of the town that all communicable diseases should be reported promptly to the Board of Health in accordance with the state health laws.
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Following are the communicable diseases reported during 1958:
Bulbar Polio 1
Chicken Pox 36
German Measles 92
Measles 385
Mumps 198
Salmonella 3
Tuberculosis
2
Whooping Cough
5
DR. GEORGE S. ROBINSON
Health Officer
Board of Health
The past year has been a busy one for your Board of Health. The activities of the Board have been enlarged, and with the ap- proval of the Town we hired a part-time sani- tarian. His work during the past year has been of great benefit to the Town.
Four subdivisions have been passed by the Board this year. All of the developments have had percolation tests made by a qualified sanitarian.
The Board of Health is perhaps one of the least publicized boards in the Town due to the fact that a great deal of the work pertains to personal problems of the townspeople which the Board feels should be kept by them in the strictest confidence. Your Board of Health has to keep many records for the State, for example tuberculosis x-ray reports, informa- tion regarding communicable diseases, pre- mature babies, dog bites, and so forth. Rubbish and garbage collection comes within our jurisdiction and contracts for these services are let out by the Board. These collections have been made regularly for the past year and very few complaints have been received by this Department.
The Board of Health wishes at this time to express our gratitude to the Plumbing In- spector who has served the Town for the past few months without compensation. He was appointed on a provisional appointment by the Civil Service Commission. After an examina- tion was held a list of five disabled veterans
was sent to us from which we were to make an appointment of two men. Only four appeared for an interview, and after explaining the work to them two withdrew their names leaving us two to choose from. Since we felt that the appointee should be someone who resides in Town and is acquainted with conditions here we did not make an appointment. Because of this the Civil Service Commission terminated the provisional appointment and directed that the Town cease making compensation to the inspector for his work. Therefore since this time he has been serving without pay. We sincerely hope that this situation will be cor- rected in the very near future.
BOARD OF HEALTH
DR. GEORGE S. ROBINSON, Chairman MANTON P. SPEAR HAROLD D. ALDRICH
Road Commission
The year 1958 was marked as being un- usually wet. The snow stayed until late in March and it was not until early May that the streets were cleaned of sand and the other scars of the winter months.
Sidewalks were constructed on a portion, of Chestnut Street and a portion of Essex Street. The sidewalk on Main Street was re- built from Summer Street to Homestead Road.
A Type I Bituminous Concrete surface was applied to Essex Street from Forest Hill Avenue to the Melch property. Also on Can- terbury Road, Williams Road, and Eliot Road.
Stone seals were applied to many of our other streets and a mixed in place surface was applied to Homestead and Oxbow Road.
Maplewood Road was rebuilt for a dis- tance of 450 feet and storm drains were in- stalled on Pillings Pond Road, Sylvan Cir- cle, Pinehall Road and Essex Street.
Chapter 90 funds allocated to the Town were used on Walnut Street. Starting at a point between the Lynnfield and Saugus line 1050 feet of new street was built and the bad curve near Mansfield Road eliminated.
Our Town street mileage at the present time is 47.15 miles. The breakdown of type of surface is as follows:
Type I Bituminous Concrete 11.19 miles
Stone Seal 29.58
Gravel 2.76
State Roads 3.62
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As time and money becomes available, it is the desire of the Highway Department to apply a Type I surface to all streets, which would appear to be a ten year program.
The Road Commissioner and the Person- nel of the Department wish to thank the citi- zens and the administrative officials for their help and co-operation throughout the year.
JAMES C. FLETCHER Road Commissioner
Tree and Moth Department
The past year, in contrast with 1956 and 1957, was one of excessive moisture. The damage of two years of drought was partially overcome but losses due to Dutch Elm dis- ase were heavier than in previous years. Thirty-three trees were found to be infected and they have been removed and burned. Plantings were made in various areas of the Town and requests for trees were filled as far as possible in the order received. The Saunders Road development was planted by the developer and the Wirthmore Farm area will be planted early in the spring. A start has been made on permanent brush removal by cutting and spraying with Bush Killer. The areas so treated are now noticeably free of trash and empty bottles and cans. We ex- pect to enlarge treated areas considerably next year.
Conditions for the spread of plant and tree diseases as well as the pest crop were ideal and presented a real problem because of the lack of sunshine and of dry days for spraying. The program was completed and no new infestations have been noted.
The mosquito control program, while not entirely adequate, was carried out in such a way as to obtain the greatest benefit from from the funds available. Additional funds have been requested for 1959 to enlarge this program. The General Court in 1958 enacted an "Essex County Mosquito Control Act" that may endanger and supersede our local efforts by an "assessment", the funds to be expended under a county agent or agency. Under this system we may not do as well as
we have in the past. This matter is being checked on through our Representatives and the County Commissioners. Every effort will be made to insure proper returns to our Town.
The co-operation of all the Departments of the Town during the past year is grate- fully acknowledged.
TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
GUSTAV H. KOCH, Tree Warden DELBERT PORTER WILLIAM HALL
Sealer of Weights and Measures
The year 1958 was one of routine inspec- tions for the department. Periodic checks of packaged merchandise were made both as to weight and condition. Violations both as to proper marking and weighing were corrected and have been at a minimum. All gasoline pumps have been checked and sealed so full delivery is assured to all. Any pumps found to be defective have been adjusted to correct delivery or the units have been condemned and replaced. Efforts are continually being made by your Local Sealer and through State and National associations to eliminate mis- leading or fraudulent operations.
GUSTAV H. KOCH
Sealer of Weights & Measures
Civilian Defense
The year 1958 has been a year of Civil Defense reorganization and new planning, both at a federal and state level. What ap- peared to be adequate in the previous period since World War II is now recognized as not enough.
A thermonuclear attack of the kind that is now considered possible, and will be even more possible if the intercontinental ballistic missile is perfected, is the nearest thing scientists can conceive to total war.
In the past, the failure on the part of the general public in this country to accept civil-
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ian defense as an integral part of community living, as has been done in other nations, is the greatest obstacle in the path of those re- sponsible for the development of Civil De- fense programs. A population that has never experienced the effects of a total war within its nation's boundaries, and yet is well aware of the almost incomprehensible force for destruction that an all out nuclear warfare represents, may assume an attitude almost of indifference if it sees no alternative to such fatalism. The inability of Civil Defense programs in the past to keep realistically in pace with modern missile development has Iso contributed to the confusion and apathy that is evident in the public's attitude to- ward this nearly insuperable problem.
It should be borne in mind that though the nation would be badly hurt in a thermonuclear
attack. realistic, all-out participation by the general public in Civil Defense programs would hold to a minimum the number of casu- alties.
Although only three branches of Lynn- field's Civil Defense were active in 1958, Police, Radio and Fire, 1959 will mark the year that more and more people will be call- ed upon to participate in the Civil Defense program.
I wish to thank all individuals, organiza- tions, and town officials who have assisted and cooperated with Civil Defense in 1958.
MASON J. CONDON Director
LYNNFIELD AUXILIARY POLICE DEPARTMENT - Seated Left to Right: Officer Harry Jensen; Rupert Foglietta; Civil Defense Director Mason Condon; Auxiliary Chief Warren Cham- berlain; Officer Edward Galvin, Frank Pagano, Nicholas Cockinos.
Rear Row: - Officer Robert Thompson; Andrew Gerlek; Mike Newman; Robert Barcelo, Unit Advisor Police Officer Casmiro Navas; Auxiliary Officer George Scales, Irwin Kimball; John Donegan; Donald Anderson.
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Fire Department
Knowing how to call the Fire Department is most important to the citizens of Lynn- field. Being an all "call" department with no personnel at either station, the firemen depend on the Fire Alarm system horns to inform them of an emergency. For this rea- son it is important that citizens use the fire alarm boxes whenever possible. A second best method is to dial the Fire & Police Emergency number LY 4-3131 and report the emergency to the Police Department who in turn actuate the audible fire alarm system.
Because we are a "call or volunteer" Fire Department, weekly drills are conducted by Company Officers and they have proven most valuable. The Town is most fortunate in having Fire Department personnel consci- entious enough to devote one night a week to help make the department more efficient by these training drills.
Much small equipment has been purchased this year and the department has gradually been able to secure badly needed tools of the trade.
Housing, radio communication, and re- placement apparatus remain major items need- ed to bring our department up to a reasonable level and it is expected the first two items will be acted upon in 1959.
Citizens are again warned that they are not allowed to have open air fires unless a burning permit is secured in advance from either of the Deputy Forest Wardens:
Arthur Rodham at Rodham's Service Station, in the Center
John Duggan at Duggan's Pharmacy in South Lynnfield
Carl E. Davis, Chief of the Fire Depart- ment.
The Civil Defense Auxiliary Fire Depart- ment under Chief Sanborn A. Caldwell, has drilled each week with our Department and their response to all alarms has given the Town most valuable protection.
Fire Alarm Maintenance under James V. Thompson, Supervisor has accomplished much in 1958. The new cable voted this year is almost completely installed and when in service will be most valuable in relieving many sources of trouble in our system of wires between our two stations.
Engine No. 2 on the move.
The members of the Lynnfield Fire De- partment wish to thank the Citizens, Town Departments and the Fire Departments of all surrounding towns for the cooperation and assistance during 1958.
During 1958, the Fire Department respond- ed to the following alarms:
Dwellings
4
Other buildings 5
Grass, Brush & woods
42
Vehicles 25
False
7
Needless
4
Electrical
14
Chimney
4
Miscellaneous emergencies
12
117
CARL E. DAVIS, Chief
Wire Inspector
During 1958, three hundred and ten wiring permits were issued. This is about twenty nine permits less than in 1957. Approximate- ly eight hundred and fifty inspections were made during the year.
Two fires can be laid directly to defec- tive wiring and defective appliances. One house service was hit by lightning, which damaged an electric range. Fortunately there was no serious damage or loss of life in any of these incidents.
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Your wire inspector would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the towns- people on the excellent Christmas lighting displays, and the precautions taken which resulted in no reported incident of fire or ac- cident due to faulty or careless wiring.
JAMES V. THOMPSON Wire Inspector
Fire Alarm System
Early in 1958, a new air supply system and allied control equipment was installed at the South Lynnfield Fire Station to assure uninterrupted operation of the audible fire signal horn in that area.
Multi-conductor cable was received late in the summer for installation from Station 1 on Broadway to Station 2 in the Center. Sev- enty five per-cent of this cable has been in- stalled. This is step number one in the mod- ernization of our fire alarm signal system.
Numerous changeovers of lines was ne- cessary during 1958, due to the relocation of utility poles by the telephone company, the Peabody Electric Light Company, and the Reading Municipal Electric Light Company.
.FOR
FIRE
PULL DOWN
HOOK
Replacement for 1885 box.
Four obsolete signal boxes were replaced, some of which dated back to 1885, and one new signal box was installed on Pillings Pond Road at Oakridge Terrace.
Four new signal boxes, of which the com- plete cost of their installation was paid for by developers, were installed on Saunders Road, Wing Road, Alexandria Road and at the Colonial Country Club. Two new signal boxes will be installed by the Town during 1959, in addition to the replacement of five obsolete boxes, and nine new signal box installations to be paid for by developers.
A modern Fire Alarm Signal System is a "MUST" in every well-organized community for the safety and protection of the inhabi- tants. Continued progress with this project with the continued growth of the town, will enable us to rest assured that we have a mod- ern, up-to-date efficient fire alarm signal system.
JAMES V. THOMPSON Supervisor
Library Trustees
Both the Main Library and the South Branch Library has shown a phenomenal increase in the circulation of books during the past year. The increase in books loaned at the South Branch was 2,028 volumes or an increase of 25% over last year, and the increase in books loaned at the Main Library was an overwhelming 11,379 volumes or an increase of over 60%.
At the suggestion of the State Librarians both of the Libraries are undertaking a pro- gram of weeding out and cataloguing of books. Valuable assistance has been furnished by volunteer workers from the Centre Club and the Parent - Teacher Associations of the South School and the Center School. Among those who have donated their time and serv- ices on Wednesday mornings to the process- ing and cataloguing of books are Mrs. Albert Solari, Mrs. Robert Vernon, Mrs. Harold Wyer, Miss Judith Wyer, Mrs. William Frawley, Mrs. Edward Morgan, Mrs. Daniel Johnson, Mrs. Kendall Dolbeare, Mrs. Robert Anthony, Mrs. Murray Lilly, Mrs. John Chase, Mrs. Norman Northrup, Mrs. Israel Breen, Mrs. Martin Beede, Mrs. John Heim and Mrs. Donald Hooper. Four senior girl scouts,
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Centre Library with proposed addition
Karen Hellmer, Nancy Applin, Judith Lape and Nancy Nelson are assisting Mrs. Lois Flewelling, Librarian, at the Main Library as volunteer pages.
The Centre Club has donated $25.00 for the purchase of reference books at the high school level. The Lynnfield Woman's Club has also donated $25.00 for the purchase of books. Through the courtesy of Miss Natalie Pitman a set of the Encyclopedia Brittanica was presented to the library by the Lynn Daily Evening Item. Because of the large number of individual donors of books during the past year it is not possible to list them in our report.
The Center Garden Club has sponsored the decoration of the Main Library. They have trimmed the window boxes and taken care of the Christmas decorations, as well as flower arrangements for special occasions. The Center Garden Club has given the Li- brary several books and a subscription to the magazine "The Flower Grower".
Mrs. Rosemary O'Connor and her pupils in the elementary art classes have made posters for the Library. Table displays have been made by Sara Stickland, Jean Oliver
and Irene Colonas. Debra Fiscus, John Pearson and Mrs. Walter Brown have helped also with window displays. Posters for the lobby bulletin board at the Main Library have been made by Beth Moreton.
During Children's Book Week, observed during the first week of November, all class- es at the Center School visited the Main Li- brary and received instruction in the use of the Library. Mrs. Flewelling gave them a brief history of the library and told them stories. Mrs. Daniel Johnson told stories to the children of the fourth, fifth and sixth grades of the South Junior High Elementary School, and under the direction of the Library staff and Mrs. Nancy Santeusanio the same program was presented by Mrs. Sally Wiley Welsh at the Summer Street School.
The South Branch Library is now open on Monday of each week in addition to the regu- lar schedule. Mr. James Marshall, Librarian, now has the help of Miss Marjorie Eldridge as a part-time assistant.
With the rapid growth of the Town it has become imperative that the facilities at the Main Library be extended to accommodate the 60% increase in circulation we cited above.
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This increase has been brought about for the most part by the co-operation of the School Department, the teachers in our schools and by the State Extension Bookmobile. Plans have been drawn up for an addition of ap- proximately 700 square feet to the Main Li- brary, the space to be used for a research and study room, and in August these plans were submitted to the Selectmen for their approval.
The Trustees feel that the interest shown in our Libraries by the children of our Town is a most valuable asset in the building of character. The construction of an addition is most essential at this time so that we may be in readiness for the full sessions of the High School in the fall of 1959. This will necessitate the opening of the Library on more days per week and the securing of more non-fiction books.
The Trustees have attended meetings of the Library Trustees Association, and to- gether with Mr. Marshall, Mrs. Flewelling and Mrs. Mildred Cooper, Assistant to Mrs. Flew- elling have attended meetings of the Mass -. achusetts Librarians Association, the State Regional Library Center and the North Shore Library Club.
JAMES Y. LAKE, Chairman
PAULINE S. CHADWELL, Secretary RUDOLPH P. SCHLENKER Trustees
REPORT OF MAIN LIBRARY
Books loaned 28,502
Books purchased 504
Books donated 440
Book patrons 1,803
Magazines loaned.
1,256
Magazines subscribed to 28
Magazine patrons 111
Received in fines $436.00
M. LOIS FLEWELLING Librarian
REPORT OF BRANCH LIBRARY
Books loaned
8,788
Books received 336
Book patrons 764
Received in fines
$130.75
JAMES C. MARSHALL,
Librarian
Board of Public Welfare
In recent years, the activities of the Wel- fare Department have come in for a great deal more attention and emphasis than at any time in the past. In view of this and in considera- tion of the substantial appropriations which are necessary to support this program it is my desire to utilize this report to explain in a general way how the Town's Assistance Program is financed. The entire program, which includes General Relief, Old Age As- sistance, Aid to Dependent Children, and Disability Assistance is governed by rules and regulations established by the State and Federal Governments.
GENERAL RELIEF
During the past year you have provided assistance to fourteen persons who were in need of your help because they were unable to provide for themselves. They were the aged, the sick, the deserted and the unem- ployed. Because of your investment of ap- proximately $4,200.00, and a personal inter- est in them, they are healthier and happier and thereby making our Town a better place in which to live.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
During the year your tax dollar provided adequate assistance to fifty-seven towns- people who were sixty-five years old or over. They were cared for in their own homes, in the homes of relatives, in nursing or board- ing homes or in a hospital. The cost of this care has been $53,689.90, of which sum the Federal Government has paid $22,619.10 and the Town has paid $31,070.80. The amount we receive from the State of $24,377.74 goes into the Town's Excess and Deficiency Ac- count.
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AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Most of those receiving assistance in the Aid to Dependent Children program are from homes where the father is deceased, where parents are separated by divorce, or by desertion of the parent, or where the bread- winner is physically handicapped because of illness. Under this form of assistance you have kept intact three families, representing ten persons. The cost during 1958 was $4,493.73, of which sum the Federal Govern- ment has paid $1,696.50 and the Town has paid $2,797.23. The amount we receive from the State of $1,159.71 goes into the Town's Excess and Deficiency Account.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
This mandatory category was created by the State Department of Public Welfare as of January 1, 1952. We spent nothing this past year of a $1,500.00 appropriation, but I have requested an appropriation of the same amount in the 1959 budget.
I am sure that as your Agent of Public Welfare you will want me to thank all of those who have helped in the administration of this program.
WESLEY W. MUNROE, Agent
Members: MASON J. CONDON, Chairman ROSS F. COON PROCTOR A. COFFIN
Police Department
To provide greater service to the citizens of Lynnfield, emphasis this past year has been placed on the training of the personnel.
On January 20, under the auspices of the Red Cross, a 30 hour course of instruction in First Aid was held at the gymnasium of the
LYNNFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT - Seated Left to Right: Officer Edwin Price; Sergeant Norman Grady; Captain Thomas Ganley; Chief William E. Foley; Sergeant Frank Martin; Officer Richard Murphy.
Rear Row :- Officer John Pepper; Paul Jensen; Leon Cobb; William Delamater; Walter Riggs ; Casmiro Navas, and Edward W. Foley.
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