USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 102
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Box Alarms 272
Still Alarms 117 Mutual Aid 4
Total 393
The analysis of 1970 Alarms indicates there were:
134 Brush/Grass/Woods
54 False
26 Vehicles
22 Rubbish
21 Building or Structure
21 Miscellaneous
21 Accidents
17 Salvage
14 Needless
14 Wash down Gasoline
12 Electrical
8 Kitchen
8 Controlled burning
6 Odor of Smoke
5 Medical Aid
4 Defective Power Burners
4 Mutual Aid
2 Partitions
393 Total Alarms
Of the total Alarms better than 60% occurred be- tween the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 6:00 P.M.
Our Fire Prevention Bureau, Alarm Maintenance Di- vision and Civil Defense Auxiliary Fire Unit, all continue to do a good job for the Department.
The Department has initiated a regular training pro- gram that will improve and make a more efficient fire fighting force for the Town.
I wish to thank all other Town Departments and individuals for their cooperation in assisting me as your first full time Chief of the Fire Department.
Robert J. Desmond Chief
Lynnfield Fire Department
Chief R. J. Desmond
53
DEPARTMENT ROSTER DESMOND, R.J. . CHIEF BURNHAM, K.H. . . . DEPUTY CHIEF REV. ETZEL, R.W. CHAPLAIN COMPANY 1 COMPANY 2
CAPTAIN
Richardson, D. S.
MacKendrick, R. P.
LIEUTENANT
Melanson, E. F. Procurot, J. A.
CALL FIREFIGHTERS
Allison, S.C.
Armstrong, D.
Caldwell, S.A.
Caproni, A.R.
Cook, G.N.
Conley, J.E.
Davis, C.W.
Dupuis, J.
Davis, R.W.
Fletcher, J.C.
Henderson, R.J., Jr.
Fogleitta, R.
Pardo, L. Lennon, F.J., Jr.
Peabody, R.W.
Ross, D.L.
Porter, D.E.
Trefry, W.E.
Shafner, R.J.
Wade, N.K.
Suckley, E.H.
Tyacke, R.B.
Chief Robert Desmond
SUBSTITUTES
Bourque, D.
Angus, A.M.
Dolbeare, K.M.
Aldenberg, R.M.
Hackett, J.J.
Conley, R.E.
Hall, N.H.
Coonrod, D.
Hayward, R.
Coonrod, W.
Romano, R.B.
Fayles, R.A.
Kilgore, C.M., Jr. Lento, G.
McGonnell, J.A., Jr.
Miller, D.G. Miller, R.P.
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
Lieutenant Caproni Firefighter Conley, R.E. Firefighter Tyacke, R.B.
SPECIAL CHARGES
Captain Richardson Firefighter Porter
Training Officer Supt. of Motor Vehicles & Equip.
Firefighter Armstrong
Custodian
Firefighter Peabody Firefighter Wade
Clerk
Charge of Hose
54
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
As 1970 draws to a close and we are reminded to once again submit our Annual Report and our 1971 Budgets, there are many things taking place that will greatly affect our Town in the future. Environment is the thing that is discussed at all of our association meetings. To date the scientist and ecologist tells us they do not have the research on which to base much worthwhile input for the environmental design process. The designers need help in putting values on the consequences of changing the environment, and it will be costly.
Residents of Temple Road, Gerry Road and Herrick Lane might rightfully ask why work was not done on their streets, as money was appropriated for them in Item 107 of the Annual Town Meeting. This is a line item and is prepared at least six months prior to the construction season. In late February or early March, we advertise for materials for the Town until March of the following year. On bid opening the prices all reflected an increase from the previous year, and in 1971, and with the oil import tariffs, they will be greater. Also some money was spent on Main Street to complete it to a point. Lockwood Road was added to the list and constructed.
Chapter 90 funds were used to rebuild Main Street for a distance of 2,200 feet. Oxbow Road, Homestead Road, Elmwood Road, Lakeview Avenue and Munroe Street were rebuilt. Under Articles 33 - 36 - 38 and 39, Beechwood Road, Cedarwood Road, a portion of Edge- mere Road and a portion of Chestnut and Lowell Streets
were rebuilt. Sidewalks were constructed on Walnut Street from Salem Street to Bluejay Road. A storm drain was built on Lowell Street and the brooks were cleaned periodically. An additional culvert was constructed under the Boston Maine tracks at Beaver Brook.
By direction of the Annual Town Meeting, funds were made available for one new front end loader, one new truck chassis and one new snow plow.
The Department's leaf vacuum was kept busy for about six weeks, cleaning the leaves that accumulated in the fall.
Looking forward to 1971, Main Street will be rebuilt from Rombult's to Summer Street. Gerry Road, Temple Road, Herrick Lane and Lakewood Road will be repaired and a new surface installed. Also, a seal will be applied to a portion of Essex Street, Lowell Street and the section of Chestnut Street between Aldernay Way and Tophet Road. This will hold these roads together until funds become available to rebuild them.
The Road Commissioner and the personnel of the Highway Department wish to again thank the citizens and administrative officials of the Town for their cooperation throughout the year, and a special thanks goes to Mrs. Watts for bringing hot apple pies to the Highway barn when the men work late on snow removal.
James C. Fletcher Road Commissioner
RIDGID
-
Bruce Tozier James Fletcher Robert Bisacre
James Fletcher Norman Hall
55
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
John Leonard, Dr. Robert Card,
A. Edward Paltry, Mrs. Priscilla Hahn, Russell Knower, Chairman, and Mrs. Natalie Brooks
During 1970, the use of library facilities, resources, and services continued at a pace consistent with the experience of recent years. New records were set in materials circulated, and additional new services were brought to fruition. The staff, under the able direction of Mrs. Marcia Wiswall, maintained a high level of effort, handling an ever increasing workload with commendable efficiency and elan, while simultaneously developing sound plans for bringing exciting new opportunities for cultural enjoyment to the community.
The main library experienced the biggest increase in materials circulated in its history; circulation rose by 20,000 (or 17 percent) over 1969. The very popular record collection was responsible for a large part of the above increase; the collection of 791 records showed an activity of 6,714 or 8 per record.
Patronage at the branch library has experienced a rebirth since last year's decision to maintain full operation at that location; there has been a consistent, month -by-month increase in circulation activity.
Mrs. Ruth Wiley, branch librarian for over ten years, retired at the end of the year and was succeeded by Mrs. Jayne Fraser, former assistant at the Branch. The friendly and excellent personal service given by Mrs. Wiley, year in and year out, to the patrons of the Branch will long be remembered.
Several new services were added this year: a Child Study Group sponsored by the Child Study Association of Massachusetts; an 8-week Thursday night Film Festival (with intermission refreshments served by the Friends), and a Book Discussion Group. Also, a new collection of
paperbacks entitled "Where It's At" geared to the high school/college student was established and is proving very popular.
Story hours were increased to twice a week at the Main Library and twice a month at the Branch.
Twenty-four school classes visited the library for orientation and the teachers and principals from all six schools were invited to the library for coffee, a tour of the facilities and an explanation of materials and services available. The school-library liaison committee met three times and compiled a Union List of all school and library periodical holdings; reciprocal borrowing privileges were set up.
Bright new orange colored metal stacks replaced the old narrow wall shelves in the Children's Room; in con- junction with new curtains and bright orange carpeting, (gift of the Friends), the room now presents a most pleasant and cheerful background for the original exhibits and displays arranged by Mrs. Sally Welsh.
The Friends Lecture Series in 1970 was a great success both culturally and financially, as was their annual Used Book Sale, and the Summer Reading Program for children. Once again, the Senior Citizens were entertained with box lunches and movies.
There are 140 titles of current best-sellers in the rental book collection sponsored by the Friends of the Library. A net profit of $200 for the year was realized from this collection; it is from such activities that the Friends are able to provide special programs and gifts to the library.
On September 1st, a re-registration of library patrons was initiated. Also, at that time, and as a continuing policy, out of town residents are charged $5.00 per year per family. As of December 31, there were 3,878 Lynn- field patrons registered and 580 from out of town.
In 1971, the library staff, in a coordinating role, will begin work on an exciting and. innovative program in which a multi-media Art Center will be established as a cooperative venture between the Library, the Art Depart- ment of the Schools, and the Lynnfield Art Guild. Made possible through a Federal Grant of $13,000, awarded to Lynnfield as a result of a proposal submitted by Mrs. Wiswall and Mrs. Reba Luke, the Center will be housed in a new room (on the balcony) and will contain framed art prints for circulation, sculpture, colored slides, filmstrips and loops, as well as arts and craft materials. The project will be ready for use by the end of June.
Finally, we wish to express our appreciation to the Friends of the Library for their many services and programs, as well as for gifts of carpeting and stacking chairs. Thanks also to the many individuals who have
56
loaned valuable collections for exhibit and who have donated books and subscriptions; and to the town as a whole for appropriating the funds which have made it possible for an enthusiastic and dedicated staff to provide Lynnfield with a library in which it can take pride.
STATISTICS
1968
1969
1970
Circulation:
Main:
103,995
114,502
134,974
Branch:
14,749
10,506
14,342
Total:
118,744
125,008
149,316
Total Volumes:
Main:
22,292
24,209
26,314
Branch
6,688
6,822
6,644
Total:
28,980
31,031
32,958
Story Hour Attendance:
1,440
1,520
1,820
Summer Reading
860
850
943
Program (Registrants)
Russell S. Knower, Chairman
PARK AND CEMETERY
Following is a breakdown of the receipts turned in to the Town for 1970:
Cemetery Lots Sold
$1,500.00
Perpetual Care
1,500.00
29 Internments (to date)
1,560.00
Foundations
336.00
Liners
540.00
$5,436.00
(plus interest on Perpetual Care funds not yet deter- mined)
1970 saw the Park and Cemetery Budgets under two separate sections in the Town Budget due to dividing the Cemetery revenue from the Park and Cemetery Com- mission's overall budget as in past years in order to meet a State Ruling submitted by the State Auditors.
One extra man was added to the work force for year round work along with an extra man for a period of 20 weeks to take care of our summer work load.
Development was completed at the lower end of Forest Hills Cemetery thus allowing us extra developed land for additional cemetery lots. Our Department has received numerous complimentary comments during 1970 on the overall appearance of the cemeteries and if one is riding through surrounding towns the comparison is readi- ly noted.
PARKS: This past year saw the installation of a backstop for Little League baseball at St. Maria Gorretti's church property.
Glen Meadow field was overhauled and maintained. The baseball field at Newhall Park was redesigned for use by the Little League baseballers. In 1971 this field will again be redesigned to make the field a still larger playing area.
The Commission would like to thank the Little League management and the Recreation Committee for the cooperation and assistance they have provided us on our programs this past year.
In conjunction with the Recreation Committee we have installed a plastic skating rink at the rear of the Youth Center on Summer St. Weather conditions per- mitting this year will provide good skating for everyone.
Glen Meadow Park also has been flooded and main- tained as an additional skating area.
At Newhall Park it was found the tennis courts could not contain water making it impossible to flood for a skating area. However, the two rinks we have now will provide plenty of skating facilities.
The Commission intends to submit an article at the Town Meeting permitting the temporary use of our property on Essex St. to be utilized for recreation purposes until such time as it becomes necessary to develop the property for future Cemetery lots with off-street parking rights provided.
Elmer F. Melanson, Chairman
Sanborn A. Caldwell, Member of the Board James V. Thompson, Secretary
57
PLANNING BOARD
The Planning Board held 32 meetings in 1970, includ- ing 26 regular meetings, 3 special meetings and 3 working sessions, in addition to 13 field inspection visits. Board member attendance at meetings during the year averaged 74%. Three new subdivisions involving 31 house lots and 2,405 lineal feet of new street were approved and 19 plans involving properties in the Town were endorsed as not requiring approval. Statistically, the year compares with previous years as follows:
Subdivisions
New House
Length of New
Year
Approved
Lots
Streets
1966
4
35
4,430 ft.
1967
4
57
7,135 ft.
1968
5
52
5,303 ft.
1969
5
94
9,178 ft.
1970
3
31
2,405 ft.
Reduced development activity in 1970 is believed to reflect general business conditions, prevailing high mort- gage interest rates and, to some degree, the shrinking number of large blocks of desirable land available for development. Whether or not the 1970 results indicate the beginning of a downturn in the growth rate of the town cannot yet be determined. Statistics similar to those given afore should be closely watched as a guide to future planning for our school system, our town services and our capital expenditures budget, keeping in mind that these
data provide a reliable forecast of the rate of growth of our tax base and concomitantly our potential municipal income.
Acting on a Planning Board recommendation, the 1970 Town Meeting approved an appropriation for review of the Town Master Plan and study of various items relating to development of our community. The Planning Board retained Charles E. Downe, Planning Consultant, to carry out the review and study and to report his findings and recommendations. The Downe report has been com- pleted and is currently under study by the Board mem- bers. It is expected to provide valuable guidance in our planning over the next decade. Mr. Downe's conclusion is of interest. He says, in part:
"The basic land use policies and recommendations of the 1954 Master Plan are generally sound and valid despite changes in the growth pattern of the Town which have occurred since that date. The Planning Board has revised the Plan from time to time to meet these changing conditions while still following the Plan's major policies. This procedure is, in essence, the planning process .... The Plan- ning Board's adherence to this co-ordinated plan- ning process will continue the orderly and benefici- al development of Lynnfield. .
Oscar S. Bray, Chairman
TOWN COUNSEL
The past year was unusually active for the Law Department. A zoning enforcement case was successfully terminated in the Supreme Judical Court, an Arbitration Award was enforced in behalf of the Elementary School Building Committee and an in-depth study of a proposed multiple-family condominium development was made for the Planning Board with a view to putting before the Town Meeting a zoning by-law amendment. A land taking by Eminent Domain for a school site and the subsequent settlement by negotiation and preparing of easements and deeds of the claim arising from the taking were all accomplished satisfactorily.
In addition, Town Counsel drew the Town's con- tracts, attended Board of Selectmen's meetings and the meetings of all other Town Boards upon request and furnished rulings to appropriate Officials and Boards. As has been my practice, I prepared the Articles for the Warrants for all Town Meetings and the Motions pertain- ing to each, exclusive of those prepared by Petitioners.
It has again been a rewarding and satisfying experi- ence to serve the Town.
S. Peter Gorshel, Town Counsel
58
RECREATION COMMISSION
Throughout the year of 1970, the RECREATION COMMISSION has strived to give the community of Lynnfield a somewhat complete and diversified program of recreation.
The Committee is headed by chairman, Mr. Donald Hunt, and ably assisted by George Levey and new mem- bers Lawrence Pardo, Leonard Wescott, and Marie Harrington.
A special vote of thanks should be given to our clerk, Mrs. Dorothy Millen, who did an outstanding job through- out the entire year.
The Recreation Committee divides its programs into the Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring Programs. The Summer Program consists of a morning instructional, play, and arts & crafts for children in Grades 1 thru 6, plus educational trips. Mr. William Rodan, Senior High School teacher and football coach, is director of the Summer program and supervises approximately 250 chil- dren per day along with eleven dedicated staff members. Weekly trips were taken to Benson's Animal Farm, New England Aquarium, Canobie Lake, North Shore Music Theater, Paragon Park, and George's Island. Each trip was chaperoned by the director of the Spring Program, the playground staff, and the arts and crafts director. The afternoon arts & crafts program was under the supervision of Miss Janet Jordan and met three times a week at each playground. The commission is very proud of Mr. Rodan for giving us an outstanding Summer Program.
The Fall, Winter, and Spring Program was directed by Mr. Robert Macleod, Senior High School teacher. The program included Womens' physical fitness, Mens' physi- cal fitness, high school gymnastics, Yoga, junior high gymnastics, and basketball for men and junior high school boys.
Two new programs were started this year, which we hope prove successful and enjoyable. They are tennis lessons for beginners and badminton for men.
A special Ski Clinic was presented to the community and sponsored by the Boston Globe Ski Club. A very comprehensive program of instruction for beginners was presented, including equipment definitions, movies, prizes, and professional advice on all aspects of the sport.
In September of this year, a very complete survey was put out in the Shopper's News to find out exactly what new programs the community of Lynnfield would enjoy and desire. The most startling conclusion from the survey is that most people in town are not even aware of the recreation committee or the services it makes available for the people.
We hope in this new year to be able to reach most of the people in town by active publicity and to expand the programs, now acceptable by the Town. Also, we plan to indoctrinate new programs for each and everyone that is interested.
In the meantime, the entire commission wishes every- one "Healthy Recreation Times".
Donald Hunt, Chairman George Levey Lawrence Pardo Leonard Wescott Marie Harrington Dorothy Millen, Clerk
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The purpose of this department is to insure the delivery of stated weights on pre-packaged goods properly marked and priced. All weighing devices and Liquid Pumps have been checked for accuracy and corrected where necessary.
Any question of proper delivery of Bulk Fuels, cord wood, fill or loam, should be referred to this department for investigation immediately on delivery for a check.
Gustav H. Koch
59
DOG OFFICER
It was a busy year for the Dog Officer, mostly due to the number one problem of trying to create a better system of dog control in certain neighborhoods.
I have found the problems lessening to some degree, but sad to say not fast enough for my satisfaction and others concerned.
One good point is that more and more people are realizing that as nice as their pets can be they can sometimes be a nuisance to others by getting into rubbish barrels, excessive barking at inconvenient hours, ruining ex- pensive shrubs and flowers, chasing cars (can cause acci - dents), and anything else that goes along with being a four legged sniffer.
One man's definition of a good dog is "any dog that is making his owner happy and isn't making someone else unhappy". All other facets of the Dog Officer's duties have been handled efficiently and with success.
I would like at this time to extend my thanks to the many hundreds of dog owners in Lynnfield who have cooperated with me this past year. And a very special thank you to my associates at the Town Hall who have helped measurably. And while I'm on the subject of thank yous, thank you Mrs. Cavallaro.
In closing as a safety precaution, I would like to strongly suggest to parents of school age children, please make an honest effort to restrain your dog; thus keeping them from following the children to school and causing a safety hazard around schools.
Charles Cavallaro
Dog Officer
Joseph Cavallaro Dog Officer
Dogs Licensed
1093
Male
511
Female
65
Spayed Female 517
Kennel Licenses 3
Injured dogs picked up on Lynnfield Highways and taken to
Vet. and treated successfully. 8
Dog bites reported 42
Dead dogs buried 26
Complaints answered and investigations made 407
Lost dogs placed in homes 26
Lot Dogs returned (by dog officer or citizens) to
their homes
Fines imposed on delinquent dog owners who either
failed to license on time or were in violation of Dog Control Law. 22
LICENSES ISSUED
FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSES
DOG LICENSES
246 Fishing Licenses
492
Male
100 Hunting Licenses
82 Female
88 Sporting Licenses
522
Spayed Female
39 Minor Fishing Licenses
2
Kennel Licenses at $10.00
37 Female Fishing Licenses
1 Kennel License at $25.00
1 Minor Trapping License
1 Non-resident Fishing License
1 Non-resident Citizen Fishing License
5 Alien Fishing License
1 Non-resident Hunting
17 Free Licenses (age 70 or over)
1 Free License (Military)
2 Deer Stamps
60
VETERANS SERVICES
Burton Cogswell
Veterans Administrator
In the past year due to a labor dispute and the general business recession in the electronics industry it was necessary for this department to ask for additional funds from the Reserve Account to carry out the program for the year ending December 31, 1970.
The veterans or dependents of veterans requests for assistance are as follows:
Permanent Cases
1
Temporary Cases (1 to 4 months) 4
Advised for V. A. applications 19
Vietnam Bonus applications 27
Others (miscellaneous) 12
All veterans graves were inspected and found to be in good condition and as usual were decorated with an American Flag and a flowered geranium for Memorial Day; as in the past years this custom was carried out by Post 131 American Legion, Lynnfield.
At this time I would like to thank all persons and town departments who so generously contributed their time and efforts throughout the year to make this program the success that it is.
Burton B. Cogswell, Veterans Service Director
CIVIL DEFENSE
Fortunately Civil Defense was not required to react to any emergency natural disaster situation in Lynnfield during the year 1970. However, normal training sessions and routine activity kept all phases of the Civil Defense groups active. Under the direction of Fire Chief Bob Desmond the Auxiliary Fire Department was re-organized and a new training officer appointed. Many long hours are given to the town by the Auxiliary Fire Department men, on an unpaid basis, in assisting the regular Call men.
The Auxiliary Police were unfortunate in that Chief Frank Pagano, after eleven years as Chief, tendered his resignation effective January 1, 1971. Frank has served in the Auxiliary Police unit for over 16 years in various capacities. His many years of voluntary service to the Town of Lynnfield are commendable and will not be forgotten.
The Communications Unit each month held their regular training sessions and completed the monthly com- munication messages sent between State, Area, Sector and the local C.D. organization. In a natural disaster communi- cations by radio is the most effective means of survival when all other communication has failed.
An expression of appreciation on behalf of the Town of Lynnfield is extended to all of the citizens who participated in the various Civil Defense units to complete a well trained and effective organization in an emergency situation.
Lawrence E. Austin, Civil Defense Director
61
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
"lynn Fieldes"-or Reedy Meadow, as we now call the broad marsh that gave our town its name-absorbed much of your Conservation Commission's attention in 1970. The conservation plan for Lynnfield, based on the Town's Master Plan, focuses our attention on three areas; Bow Ridge, off Route 1; the Beaverdam Brook watershed, north of Main Street; and Reedy Meadow. The town already owns important conservation lands-roughly 35 to 50 acres in each of these areas-but there is much more to be done.
Maintenance and improvement programs on town conservation lands have been carried forward through the year. The most visible of these programs was in the Beaverdam Brook Conservation Area. Trails were improved, a well was driven and additional plantings were made.
In addition to the work on conservation land the Town now owns, your Commission also carried forward its long-term program of land acquisition in all three of these important areas. Reedy Meadow, however, with over 400 acres, is presently the area which promises to yield the best likelihood of success.
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