USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 24
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The three garden clubs, the Center Garden Club, the Lynnfield Gar- den Club and the Village Garden Club have been most generous in beau- tifying both libraries, inside and out.
Lynnfield artists have loaned original paintings for display and the gift of two paintings has been received from Mr. George Clarke, of Lowell Street. Many fine books and several magazine subscriptions have been given by interested patrons.
A state grant of $2,099.50 towards library service was again re- ceived by the town treasurer, because standards set by the state had been maintained.
The Lynnfield library was chosen by the Division of Library Ex- tension to be visited by a group of English librarians, who were study- ing American libraries, as an outstanding example of good library ser- vice in a small town.
The growth and progress of the past year has been very gratifying. However, we are rapidly running out of space, - space for books, for services for children, for students, for adult patrons, and for preparational work.
Mrs. Lois Flewelling working with students.
CHARLES E. HERLIHY, Jr. Chairman
Mrs. Ruth Wiley in Branch Library.
24
Building Inspector
The Town of Lynnfield instituted its own largest building program in a good many years: the start of its new Municipal Office Building adjacent to the Police and Fire Station and the start of the new Senior High School located on Essex Street. While construction of the Municipal Building progresses at a steady pace construction of the High School is now at a standstill due to adverse weather conditions.
Permits for the erection of new dwellings remained steady with sixty-five new starts for the year. Dwelling construction costs continue to rise - approximately 1% over last year. Permits were issued for nineteen new dwellings in scattered locations within the Town: five for "King James Grants"; seven for "Ridgefield"; two for "Rosswood Park"; five for "Apple Hill"; eleven for "The Village Crossing"; six for "Sherwood Forest" and ten in "Westknoll". One dwelling permit expired before the start of construction.
Roger Harris
Other than the start and completion of the New England Telephone and Telegraph building located on Carter Road there were no new commercial type buildings erected this year.
Four permits were issued for the demolition of dwellings. In anticipation of new business build- ings three permits were issued for the demolition of business properties; "Kimbals" dance pavil- lion, the "Lynnfield Diner", and the "Garden Green".
The complete remodeling of a dwelling, located in the Limited Business Area on Salem Street, into a restaurant, the complete exterior remodeling of the restaurant on Broadway known as the "Ship" and the remodeling of the "old Catholic Church" on Broadway mark the largest investments in business building this year.
The former Catholic Church Rectory was moved from its location on Grove Street to its new location behind Post Office Square. It will accomodate the Lynnfield Knights of Columbus.
The Lynnfield Historical Society was issued a permit for major interior remodeling of the Meet- ing House on the "Green".
The majority of permits issued remained in the "remodel, repair and addition" group.
The following is a breakdown of the permits issued for 1963 :
New Dwellings
65
Reissue
3
Demolish (dwelling)
4
Demolish (business)
3
Demolish (shed)
1
Swimming Pools
4
Fallout Shelters
none
Garages
13
Additions, repair, remodel
97
Signs
5
Sheds
11
Municipal Building (Telephone)
1
Municipal Building (Town Hall)
1
Senior High School
1
Move and Reconstruct
1
210
Twenty-seven permit applications were referred to the Board of Appeals for further desposition. Four "Site Plan" approvals were referred to the Board of Appeals. Two permits expired prior to the onset of construction or failure to continue work for a period of six months. All minor Building Law violations have been corrected. One Zoning By-Law infraction required litigation.
ROGER HARRIS
Building Inspector
25
Health Officer
The year 1963 has shown increased activity in the work of your Board of Health. There have been numerous complaints and problems brought before the board. These have been dealt with in the best interests of the town.
Again the Board of Health has had excellent cooperation from the Planning Board and the Build- ing Inspector in it's effort to maintain healthy plumbing standards and proper sewerage disposal ar- rangements especially in new building. Mr. Robert Rimbach, Sanitarian, has again done his usual ef- ficient work, and has inspected all restaurants, drug stores, schools and other places where food is served to the public. He has also inspected all milk and milk products being sold or delivered in the town. He has made monthly reports to the Board of Health concerning all inspections.
There have been problems concerning garbage and rubbish collections during the year. The par- ties concerned have been brought before the Board of Health, and the current situations have been straightened out. It is believed that there will be more satisfactory pick-up in 1964.
The annual spring clinics were held in February, March and April for the immunization of pre- school children against diptheria, whooping cough, and tetanus. Also given were small pox vaccina- tions. In these clinics immunization against anterior poliomyelitis, or infantile paralysis, was given mostly through use of the Salk vaccine.
These clinics will be given again this year beginning at the end of February and will be carried into April. The dates of this program will be publicly announced in all papers. Oral Sabine vaccine will be given this year in conjunction with the clinics. For the twenty-sixth consecutive year Mrs. Lucy Lindquist, R. N., has been the nurse in charge of the pre-school clinics. She has also served on a part time basis in Board of Health work in the town doing especially some follow-up work of tuberculosis cases which have been reported to your Board of Health.
Sabin vaccine was given this year in Lynnfield to all age groups through a series of special clinics. A nominal charge of fifty cents was made to cover the cost of the vaccine and other attending expenses. The Board of Health is most grateful to the corps of workers who gave of their time and efforts to make these clinics the outstanding success which they were. Mrs. Florence Romanchuk, R. N., did an excellent job in setting up these Sabin clinics. The organizing of the volunteer staff and the smooth carrying through of the clinic itself took much time and planning on her part. The Board is most ap- preciative to both Mrs. Romanchuk and Mrs. Lindquist for their willingness to serve the town.
I will endeavor to ascertain as to whether there is any need or demand for a repeat of these clin- ics in 1964, and will set them up if they are wanted. It is important to note that according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health any person who has had the three types of oral Sabin Vaccine will not need a booster.
Nursery schools and day schools have been licensed in Lynnfield during the past year are:
Bethlehem Nursery School
Pine View Kindergarten
Busy Bee Nursery and Kindergarten
Suntaug Kindergarten
The Music Box
Tower Kindergarten
Beginning with January 1, 1964, the authority for all licensing of day schools for children will be under the State Department of Public Health. The requirements will be generally the same as those required in the past by the Lynnfield Board of Health. The authority for licensing is required under a new health regulation enacted January 1, 1963 by the Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- eral Court under Section 59, Chapter 111 of the General Laws. The program will be carried out by the State in cooperation with the local Board of Health.
-
There has again been considerable laxity in the reporting of communicable diseases. The State law requires that they must be reported to the local Board of Health either by the physician in charge or by the family concerned.
26
Communicable diseases reported in 1963 are as follows :
Diseases No. of Cases
Diseases
No. of Cases
Chicken Pox
118
Mumps
130
German Measles
51
Ringworm
5
Infectious Hepatitis
1
Salmonella
4
Measles 4
Scarlet Fever
10
Dog Bites reported numbered 29, and one cat bite was also reported.
Again for the Board of Health and for myself I wish to thank the many town officials who have been so cooperative and helpful this year in the health work of the Town of Lynnfield.
GEORGE S. ROBINSON, M.D., D.O. Health Officer
Board of Health
George S. Robinson, M.D.
Harold D. Aldrich
Manton P. Spear
The Board of Health has held 24 regular and three special meetings in the year of 1963. We have investigated fourteen infringements of the health regulations and they have all been cor- rected to our satisfaction.
In April a new contractor started the collections of the rubbish. There have been complaints from the residents concerning these collections and we have tried to correct these. One of the most common complaints has been the failure to pick up their rubbish. In confering with the contractor he told us that many of these complaints came from people that did not have their rubbish out when the truck came by. The collections start at 7:00 A.M. on collection days. This may be true in some instances but others have been overlooked by the collectors. The contractor is now in the process of setting up a new system for checking the pick-ups. The Police Department has a schedule of the collections, (streets and days). We ask the cooperation of the townspeople to make sure that their rubbish is out in proper containers and on time for the collection.
The Board of Health has passed a regulation requiring that all new houses must present to the board a plot plan containing the location and size of the sewerage system, with percolation tests before the issuance of a cesspool permit. These tests and drawings must be made by a licensed sanitary engineer. This license must be granted before a building permit can be issued.
The Board of Health has passed four subdivisions in 1963.
There were 8 premature babies born in Lynnfield last year.
The monthly inspections made by the Sanitarian Inspector has resulted in a very good record of all the establishments that are dispensing food in the Town of Lynnfield. We have noticed that in 1963 there have been fewer demerits on his monthly reports to the Board of Health.
GEORGE S. ROBINSON, M.D., D.O. Chairman
27
Wire Inspector & Fire Alarm Supervisor
During the year 1963, a total of 233 wiring permits were issued which involved approximately 550 inspections. A number of these in- spections were re-inspections of work which did not meet the National Electric Code standards.
Two fires were recorded during the year. Wiring in the homes in- volved was severely damaged and necessitated the disconnection of ser- vice. As of this date, service has not been restored.
This year saw the complete removal of obsolete wiring on Salem and Summer Streets. This project had been left over from 1962 as no monies were then available for the work. The Town received from the State the sum of $3200 for the relocation of fire alarm equipment and wires which were involved in the relocation of Routes 128 and 1. Some line removal work was done on Salem Street and an underground feed James V. Thompson for the fire alarm lines on the north side of the Turnpike was installed. Line removal planned for Chestnut Street was not completed as the Read- ing Municipal Light Company changeover work was not completed on said street. We are in the pro- cess of re-installing lines on Main Street, from Edward Avenue to Rt. 128, which were removed due to work at that point. Monies were included in the $3200 received from the State to do this work.
The Budget submitted for this year includes the installation of new fire alarm boxes to replace obsolete boxes which are approximately 40 years old where the cost of maintenance and upkeep is not justified. Also included in the Budget is the installation of additional fire alarm protection as recommended by the New England Fire Insurance Rating Association in July 1962.
This year no major wiring damage was incurred as a result of severe storms, winds, etc. One house was moved but this did not entail any interruption of fire alarm service.
JAMES V. THOMPSON Wire Inspector and Fire Alarm Supervisor
James C. Fletcher
Road Commissioner
As the year 1963 comes to a close and we review the activities of the Highway Department we find that 1963 was very dry. Rainfall at the present time is 7.5 inches below normal and during July and August it was 10.3 less.
Most of our snow and ice problems occurred on weekends and the same pattern carried through with our last storm of importance which occurred on Saturday, March 2nd. This storm started as snow, then turned to sleet, making it necessary to sand every street in Town. When a condition like this happens, it takes six hours to cover our present streets with two sanders. Funds are being requested to purchase a third sander at the 1964 Annual Town Meeting to insure faster sanding, or at least as fast, if one of our present sanders breaks down as they are now eight and nine years old.
Funds are also being requested for the purchase of a new truck and dump body, a new sidewalk roller and a new snow plow.
Forest Hill Ave. was completed this year and the area between Forest Hill Avenue and the railroad tracks was widened and resurfaced. Hutchins Circle, Arlington Street, Crescent Avenue, Pleasant Avenue, Pine Hill Road and Carpenter Road were rebuilt and a bituminous surface installed.
28
Catch Basins were installed on Perry Avenue and Chestnut Street. Dragline work was done between Atherton Circle and Alexandra Road, also on Hawkes Brook and Pillings Brook. Much hand work was done in the clearing of brooks in areas where work done by machinery would have caused damage to property. A thirty-six inch pipe was installed at Glen Meadow Park. This is being watched at the present time to evaluate it, if it needs to be continued.
Our Chapter 90 work on Salem Street was not accomplished this year due to the length of time it took to make plans and survey the area. This work is done by the State. The County then holds a hearing on the land takings along with the new layout of the road and this was not accomplished until December 17, 1963. Our allotment will carry over however, and we will do two sections in 1964.
As a result of the Town Government Study Committee Report dated February 19, 1962, much has been said about creating a Public Works Department and an Executive Secretary for the Town. If this should happen in Lynnfield, I am sure the Highway Department would co-operate to its fullest extent. However, my observations from this corner, of like operations in other Towns, show that our present form of Government is best in every respect.
Some of the work contemplated for 1964 includes the rebuilding of Howard Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Carter Road, Stanley Road, Grant Road, Hart Road, a portion of Locksley Road, Lynn- brook Road and the unfinished part of Underhill Road.
The Road Commissioner and the personnel of the Highway Department wish to thank the citi- zens and administration officials of the Town for their help and co-operation throughout the year.
JAMES C. FLETCHER Road Commissioner
Dog Officer
I herewith submit my annual report of the duties performed by me as Dog Officer for the first nine months of 1963. I received and answered seventy-five telephone calls. I canvassed the town three times for un- licensed dogs. Forty dogs were picked up. Thirty dogs were returned to their rightful owners. Ten dogs were humanely disposed of, and eighteen dead animals were picked up off the streets.
All dogs three months or older must be licensed on or before April 1st of each year.
I have resigned as Dog Officer as of October 1st, 1963. I have held this post for the past twelve years. Mr. Sanborn Caldwell has been ap- pointed the new Dog Officer.
Antonio I. Procurot
ANTONIO I. PROCUROT Dog Officer
Plumbing & Cesspool Inspector
Ninety-nine (99) plumbing permits were issued, and after instal- lations, inspections were made.
Ninety (90) cesspool permits were issued, and upon completion, inspections were made.
Thirty-three (33) cesspool complaints were investigated and cor- rective measures were instituted.
FORREST W. HOWARD Plumbing and Cesspool Inspector
Forrest W. Howard
29
Planning Board
Left to right: Russell E. Franck, Calvin J. Osberg, Mrs. Edith Anderson, Ass't Clerk, Richard R. Wolsey, George S. Burnett, Howard Bouve, Jr., not present.
Following a trend starting last year, the rate of establishment of new developments in Lynn- field has slackened off significantly. This two-year drop is in contrast with prior experience, which saw an increasing number of building lots established year after year, as the following table indicates:
Year
No. of Subdivisions Approved
No. of House Lots Approved 61
Aggregate Length of New Streets Approved
1959
3
6679 ft.
1960
7
74
8687 ft.
1961
6
120
12165 ft.
1962
1
19
1240 ft.
1963
1
3
190 ft.
At the 1962 Annual Town Meeting, the Planning Board introduced a number of articles estab- lishing Limited Industrial Zoning in the Town By-Laws and designating several specific areas to be zoned as Limited Industrial Districts. These articles were in accordance with a study of Non- Residential Zoning in Lynnfield made by Allen Benjamin Associates in 1960 and 1961 as authorized by the 1960 Annual Town Meeting.
Although the Town Meeting accepted the Limited Industrial Zoning and changed a former Com- mercial District to the new Limited Industrial District, all other areas recommended for change from Residential to either Limited Industrial or Commercial zoning were rejected by substantial ma- jorities.
The continued addition of new residential units, although without any proportional increase in commercial or industrial facilities, has not adversely affected the tax rate for the Town as a whole. Under the sponsorship of the Planning Board, Mr. Charles E. Downe, Planning Consultant, has conducted a study of the major new areas developed for residential purposes during the past ten years. All the costs to the town generated by each new development were balanced against the tax revenues received from the area. With only one exception, all areas studied returned as much or more each year in taxes than their cost to the town. The net effect of all developments combined was to reduce, rather than increase the tax rate. Copies of this report have been placed in the Town Libraries and with the Town Clerk, so that any interested citizen may study it in detail.
Mr. Richard R. Wolsey was re-elected to a second five-year term on the Board and continues as its Clerk.
CALVIN J. OSBERG
Chairman
30
Tree and Moth Department
This has been a challenging year for your Tree and Moth Depart- ment. Nature with a long cold winter and a hot dry summer has given many anxious moments to us this year, both in caring for young trees and also old established growth. This with the Rachel Carson "Silent Spring" controversy made the fulfillment of our obligations "as required by law" quite difficult to carry out. As in any field of endeavor, there are certain elements that will not observe correct and sensible methods. For these few the many capably trained and conscientious tree wardens and commercial arborists are being constantly criticized for trying to obey the will of the people and the laws they have sworn to uphold as per- tains to their work. Positive help from the various state agencies whose work is to test and evaluate various insecticide and pesticides and recom- mend or reject them has been at best passive.
Gustav H. Koch Approximately 10% of these materials are used by local moth super- intendents and commercial arborists, the balance by farms, orchards, golf courses and the home owner, all of whom are unrestricted in their use. Of the deaths directly attributed to pesticides, over half were children getting the materials in their own homes, carelessly left within their reach. We are the healthiest, best fed nation in the world, so surely the indictment of the users of one tenth of the pesticides seems rather unjust.
New equipment added to the department in the past year was a fog generator for mosquito control and a pick-up truck. Both were received late in June so the full value is yet to be apprecia- ted, especially in mosquito control. Approximately 150 young trees were planted and cared for during the season. Dutch Elm disease is an ever present menace and while a very promising control method has been developed by the University of Wisconsin, further evaluation must be made before being made generally available.
Brush and Roadside Poison Ivy Control is slowly being accomplished and will soon be com- plete. Constant effort has eliminated, as far as we know, all hazards from our road side trees. This is a continuing effort and enhances both the safety and beauty of our roads.
GUSTAV H. KOCH Tree Warden & Moth Superintendent
Sealer of Weights & Measures
Again it is my pleasure to report to the Citizens of Lynnfield that the dispensers of gasoline and food products in the town have had their equipment in acceptable shape and full value given.
Pre-packaged items have been checked and found correct. All scales and pumps have been checked and sealed. A constant check by both State and Local Sealers insures against mechanical failures and that correct measures are given. Cooperation has been excellent.
GUSTAV H. KOCH Sealer of Weights and Measures
Animal Inspector
Lynnfield, once an important source of milk for the city markets, has no longer a herd of cattle within her borders. An era has passed and the price of progress has been paid. We have a few scattered flocks of sheep, and here and there, a pony and some riding horses. These change loca- tions as children grow up or become disinterested and gradually the evidence of a rural community disappears.
Dogs continue to plague our postmen and service employees and an occasional nip causes the animal to be quarantined, but generally our animals are noisy, but friendly. We have had no ra- bies in Massachusetts for many years. This is the result of an animal innoculation program and quarantine regulations.
GUSTAV H. KOCH Inspector of Animals
31
Board of Registrars
William B. Murphy, Chm.
Harry W. Higgins, Clerk
Edward A. Galvin
Albert C. White, Jr.
The annual listing of Lynnfield residents twenty years or age and over commenced on January 2nd. A group of assistant registrars obtained the information by a house-to-house canvass. The in- formation obtained by the canvassèrs, i.e. name, address, age, occupation, residence January 1st of the previous year, and citizenship, which establishes a person's residence in the Town is of great im- portance to the Town as well as to the individual.
Two periods of registration preceeding the Town Meeting and election were held this past year : February 6 at the South Meeting Hall and February 12 at the Town Hall. Persons having residence in Lynnfield six months after moving from another city or town within the State can register to vote at the Town Clerk's office daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except during such times as registration is not permitted by law.
Persons who have moved to Massachusetts from out of state must establish residence in Mass- achusetts for one year, and in Lynnfield for six months before registering.
We urge all young men and women reaching the age of 21 to register. Registered female voters who have married during the year should reregister after the first of the next year.
During the past year 185 new voters were registered - 89 men and 96 women - making the total number of registered voters 4,751, broken down as follows:
Precinct 1 - 2,353 Precinct 2 - 2,398
We extend our sincere thanks to the residents of Lynnfield for their help and cooperation dur- ing the year.
WILLIAM B. MURPHY Chairman
Sanitarian Inspector
Inspections again have been made monthly, of those establishments preparing, serving or handling food or drink. Bacterial swabs were taken of those establishments serving food or drink bi-monthly. 'The reports of the inspections indicate that much progress has been made to raise the standards of the various establishments by the proprietors.
Milk, cream and ice cream samples taken at random from delivery trucks and stores were ex- amined for butterfat, coliform, total solids, bacterial count and phosphatase.
Water samples were taken from the various swimming areas and private wells for examination.
I placed much emphasis on proper rotation and handling of stock this year in the various food handling establishments to insure quality of merchandise.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to the Board of Health and town officials for their cooperation in the administration of my duties.
ROBERT W. RIMBACH, R. S. Sanitarian
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