USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 67
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Robert W. RImbach, R.S., Sanitarian
30
HEALTH OFFICER
There have been many new problems brought before the Board of Health this year, some of which will have to be solved over a period of time.
One of these is the future disposal of rubbish. At the present time the town is having very good rubbish pick-up with ample facilities for it's disposal. The Board has met with several officials of State and District Boards of Health in an effort to resolve the future handling of this problem. One of the solutions may be the use of incineration either in and for this town alone, or in conjunction with other towns. I might briefly say at this time that incineration as re- ferred to to-day is a far step from the unsightly smoke stack incineration of only a few years ago. We hope sometime in the near future to bring before the towns- people the story of incineration, and what such a program can mean to our town. This method could solve the problems of both rubbish and garbage.
The annual clinics sponsored by the Board of Health were again held in the Summer Street School. Immunization was given against Diptheria, Whooping Cough, and Tetanus. Sabin Oral Vaccine was also administered, and vaccinations against small pox were given. Measles vaccine was used for the second year, and was much in demand, due, perhaps, to the fact that the incidence of measles in town seems to be less as a result of the vaccine. These clinics will again be conducted in early spring of 1968. Dates of the clinics will be published in the local papers. Mrs. Margaret Loux, R.N., assisted very efficiently at the clinics. She also did follow-up work on T.B. cases until she moved out of town. We have been very fortunate since then to have the assistance of Mrs. Susan Ross, R.N., who has had previous experience in public health nursing. She has continued in the follow-up work in the T.B. cases, and in the care of new born babies. She has also helped with other Board of Health nursing problems.
Contagious diseases have been on the decline except in the case of Mumps reported. There were 100 cases of these. Other cases reported numbered 23 with 20 dog bites and 1 squirrel bite reported. Due to the prevalence of Rabies in adjacent states the Board of Health has unanimously adopted a resolution re- quiring all dogs in town be innoculated against rabies during the coming year.
There has been a decided increase in the demands for building on undersized or poorly drained lots of land. To allow building under such conditions creates a problem for there must be sufficient area and good conditions for septic tanks and adequate leaching fields. This is a very important consideration in a town such as Lynnfield which has no public sewerage disposal system. We could be in the position of having to put in public sewage in the relatively near future if we do not insist on proper private disposal systems now.
Dr. George S. Robinson
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health has been in a state of revision during this past year. The Department of Public Health has made numerous revisions in the State Sanitary Code. Your Board has reviewed them with a State Board Health Representative. Some of these regulations have been adopted and others modified. We have tried to adjust the regulation to the needs of Lynnfield, which is rather unique, especially in the field of sewerage disposal systems. These regulations have been adopted to protect the homeowner and the Town from future sewage problems.
As most people are aware of the statewide difficulties of the solid waste disposal, the Board of Health has spent considerable time studying our own immediate and future solution of this matter. We asked the Board of Selectmen to reactivate the In- cinerator Committee and to have them delve into the advisability of an incinerator for the Town. At this time the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, and Board of Health are trying to find the best solution to this problem for the Town.
The Board of Health wishes to bring to the atten- tion of all dog owners the regulation passed concerning the innoculation of all dogs against rabies. All dogs must have a certificate of innoculation before a license will be issued.
Dr. George S. Robinson, Chairman Manton P. Spear Harold D. Aldrich
31
GUSTAV H. KOCH
DEPARTMENT OF TREES AND INSECTS PEST CONTROL
The year 1967 created many new problems and relieved others. The drought was finally ended during the spring and summer but we have a deficiency of rain so far this autumn, yet the overall situation is much improved. Two heavy wet snow storms with high winds did some damage to our street trees but was much more destructive to private trees, especially white pine. Your Tree Department, with the assistance of Highway Department personnel, as an emergency service removed this debris and disposed of it. This was done to eliminate both fire and personal hazards.
Dutch Elm continues to be a problem and new regulations eliminating the use of D.D.T. when present supplies are used in both Tree and Mosquito work will result in much larger expenses for substitute materials.
With much wet and humid weather providing ideal breeding conditions the insect problem was a tight program. Continued high winds which prevented a normal spray program resulted in some serious prob- lems, but these were eventually overcome. The home owner is cautioned to be especially alert for the following pests; Elm Leaf Beetle, late June early July ; Birch Leaf Miner, 3 breeding periods, generally mid May, June and July ; Oak Leaf Skeletonizer, mid
June ; European Black Willow Beetle, July. These with Aphids may be present in larger numbers than usual in 1968. You may call this office or Mr. Fitz- gerald at Essex Agricultural School and we will try to advise you on proper procedures.
Our usual program of tree planting and maint- enance was carried forward. Roadside clearing and maintenance was given greater effort this year and a marked decrease of roadside litter was the net result as well as more attractive and safer roads. I would be remiss in not giving a big "Tip of the Hat" to the ladies of our Garden Clubs for their efforts in making our South Hall area so attractive. They provided the plant material and design for the newly paved parking area with the Town doing the seeding and planting, making, a former eyesore an area that will increase in beauty as the years roll on. The usual cooperation of the several Departments has been enjoyed, all for a better Lynnfield.
Gustav H. Koch
1749 -- Hot summer. Great drought. Multitudes of grasshoppers.
INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Insurance Advisory Committee advises the Selectmen on matters related to the Town's insurance program. The Committee serves as an impartial advisor on property and liability insurance, involving Town property and group insurance protecting Town employees.
The principal activity of the Committee during 1967 was associated with completion of work related to competitive bidding on Town insurance during 1966. As a result of competitive bidding on the Town's insurance program, more comprehensive insurance protection is in effect at reduced cost to the Town.
Members of the Committee include George Duffield, John Brodbine, Bernard Stiff, Richard Learnard and John Carey.
32
POLICE DEPARTMENT
THOMAS F. GANLEY Police Chief
On February 13, 1967, Patrolman Franklin Livermore resigned from the Department and Hartley Boudreau was appointed a regular Patrolman on February 23, 1967.
In the field of education and training, Patrolmen Edward Foley and Paul Madden successfully com- pleted courses in Law Enforcement under a program conducted by Northeastern University. Patrolman Hartley Boudreau graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy on June 30, 1967. Practical pistol courses and target practice was conducted during the first week of May at Camp Curtis Guild in Wakefield under the auspices of the Federal Bureau of Investiga- tion.
The Department has investigated a total of 2838 complaints. Arrests for the year totaled 327 and are classified as shown in the table following :
Male
Female
Total
Abroad in the Night-time
3
0
3
Assault & Battery
1
0
1
Breaking & Entering in the Night-time 17 0
Concealing leased property
1
0
1
Contributing to Delinquency of Minors 1 0
Delinquency
3
0
3
Driving a Motor Vehicle to endanger life 1 0
Driving a Motor Vehicle while under the influence of alcohol 7
1
8
Drunkenness
27
2 29
Fugitive from Justice
1
0
1
Illegitimacy
1
0
1
Larceny
2
1
3
Motor Vehicle Laws
202
41
243
Narcotic Drugs, Possession of
1
0
1
Robbery, Armed
4
0
4
Run-a-ways
1
4
5
Using a Motor Vehicle without Authority 4
0
4
All Other Activities
Accidents
255
Accidents, Injured
210
Ambulance Cases
224
Auto Thefts
15
Breaks and Attempts
76
Committments
7
Burglar Alarms Answered
61
Court Appearances
148
Dead Bodies Cared For
3
Dog Bites
32
Doors and Windows Found Open
34
Fire Alarms Answered
136
Larceny Under $50
69
Larceny Over $50
33
Licenses Suspended
24
Live Wires Guarded
10
Lost or Stolen Property Recovered
$12,149
Messages Delivered
27
Missing Persons reported Lost and Found
29
Parking Violations 183
33
Summonses Served
772
Summonses Taken Out
227
Teletype Messages
32
Vacant Houses Checked
1224
Warrants - Served
21
Roster
Chief of Police
Thomas F. Ganley
Captain
Frank E. Martin
Sergeant
William R. Delamater
Identification Specialist
Casimiro Navas
Patrolmen
Leon W. Cobb
John F. Pepper
Edward W. Foley
Paul F. Jensen
Albert A. Korkatti
Paul A. Madden
1
Disturbing the Peace 1
0
1
1
Motor Vehicle Violations Sent to the Registry 421
Road Conditions Reported
17
33
Edward G. Cleary
Robert M. Aldenberg
Arthur R. Munroe Hartley F. Boudreau
Intermittent Patrolmen
Samuel English, Jr. Lawrence Austin
G. Rudolfe Anderson
School Traffic Supervisors
Doris Gaythwaite
Madeline Fudge Eunice Carter
Shirley Chamberland June Reinstein Mary Walsh
A Time For Action
Never in the history of the United States have citizens been so conscious of Law Enforcement than at the present time. Political hay has been made on such subjects as inefficiency of law enforcement, crime in the streets and a general cry of despair. No Police Department in the world can survive unless it has the support of the rank and file of the average citizen. We in law enforcement are aware of the problems, frustrations and changes in social thinking. In the past, too much emphasis was placed on economy. However, we are finding out that there are no bargains when it comes to protection of human life and one's property. We are at present in the "talking stage". When are we going to stop talking and plan to do something about it ?
On the local level, your Police Department has had its share of frustrations as it continues to meet the ever increasing problems. Your Police Department will remain strong as long as it receives the financial and moral support of its citizens.
Thomas F. Ganley, Chief of Police
1692-93
By the law of the Province enacted at this time to warn all stangers to leave town, if it were not given in three months then they were citizens and if they become sick or poor the town must aid them. If any person warned failed to depart within two weeks, he was waited upon out of town by the constable or his order.
Wellman
STREET LIGHTING COMMITTEE
In addition to handling requests for and com- plaints about street lighting, the primary activity of the Street Lighting Committee was a detailed study of residential lighting. The object : to find out how to provide the best residential lighting at the lowest cost to the Town.
Luminaire specifications from all known manu- facturers were studied, as were samples of those cur- rently available from the power companies serving Lynnfield. Conditions on every street in town were observed.
Results indicated that better lighting would result from optimum spacing and location of lumin- aires, independent of the sometimes haphazard ar- rangement of power poles: also that Town-owned lighting would result in substantial savings and in freedom of choice as to the type of luminaire to be used.
These conclusions are being tested in two areas : King James Grant - Eight 100 watt mercury vapor luminaires of Colonial design have been installed on Barnesley Road. Comments on this installation have been favorable.
Tophet Hill - Cooks Farm Lane and Cortland Lane West will be lighted by the same type of luminaire, which is particularly suited to this under- ground-wired area. The developer of this tract is in- stalling underground lighting cables during construc- tion at no cost to the Town.
Long range recommendations: Include street lighting to Town specifications (with all services underground) as a requirement in all new subdivisions.
John A. Roberts, Chairman
34
FINANCE COMMITTEE
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Front Row (1. to r.) Bayard Waring, Clyde Warburg, Robert Sperry. Standing (l. to r.) John R. Vaughan Jr., Theodore
Ragnonte, John C. Smith, James Callas. Members missing from picture: Raymond Samora, Robert Fraser.
We consistently focus our attention and concern to the problem of inflation. Diluting the purchasing value of appropriations to carry out the necessary services to operate our municipal affairs, indeed, be- comes a provoking challenge.
In spite of the cause and consequence of dollar devaluation, our Lynnfield tax rate has remained es- sentially constant for the past four years.
Your Finance Committee is deeply grateful to all town officials and citizens in their sincere endeavor to maintain a sound economic balance between wants and needs. We believe a stable tax rate is a sound objective.
John C. Smith, Chairman
35
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE
This Committee, whose first function was to procure preliminary plans, sketches, and estimates of cost for additions to the Summer Street and Huckle- berry Hill Schools, held its organizational meeting on May 11, 1967 and proceeded forthwith to its first order of business, the selection of an architect for the project. After considering seventeen applications and conducting a number of interviews, the Committee concluded that the selection of the original designer of these buildings, Mr. Howard Rich and his associates, would serve the best interests of the Town.
Design work on the additions commenced early in June and continued throughout the summer. A num- ber of tests relative to the sewage disposal facilities were made during this time, and approval for this phase of the project was obtained from the State Department of Public Health. Two meetings were held with the Massachusetts School Building Assis- tance Bureau which resulted in the granting of pre- liminary approval of the project by this agency.
The preliminary plans and cost estimate were presented to a joint meeting of this Committee, and the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee and Planning Board on September 19, and were subsequently approved for submission to the voters at a special Town Meeting.
A brochure describing this project was distributed to the voters on October 28 and the special Town Meeting, which voted the necessary funds to construct these additions, was held on November 6.
As the year closes, work is progressing on the preparation of working drawings and specifications. It is expected that advertisements for bids will be published early in February, with the opening of bids soon after March 1, 1968. This timing will allow construction to take place during most of the year 1968, with the expectation that the facilities will be ready for School Department occupancy early in 1969.
Walter H. Kuestenmacher, Chairman Robert W. Davis Wilmot Decker Thomas Devaney Clifford Markham Allan Powers Robert F. Weiss
DRAINAGE COMMITTEE
In April, 1966, having noted a close relationship of soils and drainage to many of the complaints, and having no organization or consultant at hand specializ- ing in such matters, the Board of Selectmen established a drainage committee. Instructions were :
1. Procede immediately ; continue actively.
2. Perform immediate assignments, and recom- mend long range plans.
3. Recommend before problems arise where possible.
4. Work professionally and efficiently. Cooperate with other boards and committees.
On this basis, five of us composed of 2 department heads, a water department supervisor, a construction contractor, and a civil engineer have contributed over 400 manhours this calendar year. In effect we have served as consultants to the Selectmen, advised other boards and committees, and correlated ideas and in- formation between these bodies.
We engaged in seven conferences, submitted 9 professional reports, investigated 6 complaints involv- ing 20 or so lots and recommended accordingly. We enjoyed a fine spirit of inter-and-intra-committee co- operation ; but we were greatly handicapped.
Greatest handicap has been insufficient mapping. More problems are arising ; more water lines will be extended, drainage installed, building sites explored, ponds examined, appraisals and surveys made; even dumps and sanitary sewerage works will have to be considered ultimately. These all require concise knowledge of topography, street and lot locations, buildings. Thousands of dollars will be expended in the next few years to line up some geographical and topographical facts. These costs can be decimated, guess work eliminated, precious hours of time saved by adequate mapping.
Our recommendations have been summarized in two recent reports to the Selectmen for their considera- tion. As of this writing, the Drainage Committee chairman is also chairman of the Mapping Committee appointed by the Selectmen in cooperation with the Board of Assessors.
FREEMAN W. TOWERS P.E., Chairman William Macleod, Jr., Secretary Dr. George Robinson James Fletcher Sanborn Caldwell
36
PLANNING BOARD
Left to right - Mr. Donald G. Harriss, Clerk ; Mr. Howard A. Bouve, Jr., Vice Chm .; Mr. Colby L. Burbank, Jr., Chairman; Mr. Arthur J. Bourque Jr .; Mr. Parker B. Holloway, Jr.
During the past year the growth of Lynnfield has again taken an upswing.
No. of Subdivisions No. of
Aggregate Length of
Year
Approved House Lots New Streets
1963
1
3 190 ft.
1964
7
72
8204 ft.
1965
5
76
8450 ft.
1966
4
35
4430 ft.
1967
4
57
7735 ft.
The greatest activity occurred in the RC (40,000 sq. ft.) Zone, which had 35 house lots approved. The RB (30,000 sq. ft.) Zone had 12 lots approved and RD (60,000 sq. ft.) Zone had 10 lots approved.
At the Annual Town Meeting in March, the Planning Board was successful in gaining an affirma- tive vote from the townspeople, granting $6,000.00 for an engineering study to lay out a new or realigned way
to connect Summer Street (area of Edgemere Road) and Pillings Pond Road. This was a recommendation of the 1954 Master Plan study. This engineering work should be completed by December 31, 1967.
A Special Town Meeting was held in June and among other articles was one which would permit (with Board of Appeals approval) automotive service stations to be located in a Limited Business Zone whereas heretofore they were permitted in a General Business Zone. The majority of the Planning Board recommended that this article be defeated but in spite of this, those voters present voted overwhelming ap- proval of this article.
Colby L. Burbank, Jr., Chairman Parker B. Holloway, Jr., Vice Chairman Donald G. Harriss, Clerk Arthur J. Bourque, Jr. Howard A. Bouve, Jr.
37
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
ROBERT F. PERKINS Chairman
MYLES T. BURKE
HARRY WENDT
Your Board in its continuing effort to maintain Lynnfield as one of the most progressive and desirable towns to live in, determined that many of our By- Laws needed updating as well as new concepts for our changing Municipal Government. We therefore con- stituted through Town Meeting action a By-Law Revision Committee to undertake our task. You will be called upon at the annual meeting in March to evaluate and vote on many changes to be recommended by various Boards and Committees of the Town.
A great deal of time was spent considering the complaints of citizens regarding serious drainage problems; it points up the need for stricter control and inspection of drainage requirements in proposed sub-divisions.
In case you have overlooked it we now have a very effective By-Law covering the control of "junked automobiles" and "debris". Any violations brought to our attention will be immediately investigated.
We have continued to work with the Planning Board and Building Contractors in the development of requirements for underground wiring and other public utilities in sub-divisions. In addition Colonial Style street lighting became a reality recently with a pilot installation on Barnesley Road. We believe they add not only beauty to an area but we also have the con-
firmed opinion that probable future economies in the cost of street lighting can be effected. We urge you to view this installation. Your comments will be most helpful in the formulation of plans for the future.
Your board is presently deeply concerned with the fact that disposal of waste will soon become a very real problem. Meetings are being held con- tinuously with State and Municipals Officials as well as the Commercial Companies in the development of modern means of waste disposal.
The Board of Selectmen are responsible through the Chief of Police for the enforcement of law and order. As citizens, we are all prone to accept the protection of life and property as a routine matter until it touches us directly. Law enforcement today is a thankless, frustrating task constricted by permissive laws. This acute problem presents to us as adults and parents the realization that it is our attitudes and the example we set which cannot be left entirely to those responsible for law enforcement.
The Board pays special tribute to Mr. Ralph Dwight who retired from office.
Robert F. Perkins, Chairman
3S
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
The acquisition program of land for conservation purposes has gone ahead steadily during the last several years. In October of 1967 the town voted to acquire for conservation purposes the Keenan tract of about 35 acres in South Lynnfield. In 1966 the town acquired the 35-acre Hudson farm in Lynnfield Center. The state has reimbursed the town for half the purchase price of the Hudson farm, and it is expected that re- imbursement will be forth-coming for half the purchase price of the Keenan property. These two acquisitions represent important milestones in the program of your Conservation Commission, which is based upon the Master Plan for the Town of Lynnfield. Following the guidelines of that Master Plan, the long range objectives of the Conservation Commission are to preserve certain areas and types of land within the town. Specifically, our goals are :
1. Acquisition of Bow Ridge - about 100 acres in South Lynnfield along the town line with Lynn. Including the acquisition approved in November of 1967, we presently own about 60 acres of this. It includes the highest land in the town, and is a beautiful specimen of one kind of typical New England land: dry oak forest, granite outcroppings, with pockets of swamp and bog pond. The reservation includes a granite quarry, that 50 years ago provided the raw materials for Boston's Custom House Tower. Years before, this was part of the Newhall sheep farm that ran all the way to the Wyoma section of Lynn.
2. Acquisition of the Beaver Dam Brook water- shed - about 100 acres, including the 35 acre Hudson farm the town already owns. This is valuable from many points of view: wildlife, recreation, watershed, and aesthetic values are all present in high degree. This too is typical New England land - open field, abandoned orchards, maple swamps with a few stands of pine on the high ground. This area is perhaps most characteristically Lynnfield, for the town has been described as "three islands in a marsh".
3. Acquisition of Reedy Meadow marsh - about 400 acres in Lynnfield, plus about another 100 acres in Wakefield. This land is under water throughout most of the year. As such it con-
tains a variety of plants and wildlife found in few places in New England, for there are few remaining fresh-water marshes of this size.
4. Acquisition of such other parcels as may be offered, if the property has real conservation value and if the price is attractive.
A map is included in this report, showing land now in the custody of the Conservation Commission. A brief description of the important town Conservation land follows (the numbers relate to the corresponding numbers on the map).
1. Two parcels, one about 25 acres and the other about 12 acres, between Main Street and the Ipswich River ; mostly swampy woodland. The proposed reservoir would flood both except for an acre or so of the smaller parcel near Main Street. This can be reached over a dirt road just north of the Sagamore Golf Course; the other parcel is "landlocked" but has a couple of old roads through it.
2. About 15 acres of swamp behind Apple Hill. No access, but adjoins the well field of the Centre Water District.
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