USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 85
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C. Sewerage:
Presently Sewage is disposed of in individual basis, usually by underground facilities designed presumably to dispose of waste without affecting streams, ponds or land surface by effulent odors, vegetation or unsightly or objectionable appearance. There is some indication this is not always the case.
Care must be taken to preclude such failures in fu- ture construction, to correct them where they exist, and to prepare for situations where land may not be recep- tive to such correction.
As more of such difficult cases arise, plans must be made for Neighborhood, Community and possibly Municipal disposal. All this will require Personnel trained in Sewerage. The earlier stages will require less expertise than later developments.
D. Household Waste:
The present System of prohibiting burning, and requiring pick-up and removal to distant disposal is fast becoming unfeasible. Some other methods will have to be investigated. This will require Personnel trained in waste disposal, land valuation and Municipal intracies.
13
E. Water, Gas Electricity:
These services are by private enterprise. They in- volve facilities concealed underground, and on struc- tures above ground. These become items of consider- ation in most Municipal work of Public Works nature, they should be plotted on existing new maps and kept up to date. This requires services of persons trained in mapping and maintenance of records.
F. Police and Fire Protection:
Their services requir little from Personnel out- side of their own departments or contracts. They do have underground and overhead facilities of which location information should be available in the event of excavations on public lands. This service should be performed by persons skilled in mapping.
G. Planning:
The Town has engaged Consultants on several occasions and has adopted a workable plan not requir- ing much engineering attention. The Planning Board reviews proposed sub-divisions and Street layouts. Oc- casionally Engineering assistance is helpful. They rely upon others to assure conformance to specifications.
H. Highways:
Seldom is any work involved in which the Highway Commissioner can not lay out and control his work without engaging assistance from engineering personnel. On these infrequent occasions Consultants are engaged.
I. General
Whether or not a permanent Engineer were en- gaged, some Agencies could prefer and engage other Consulting Engineers.
Other Municipalities: We have found that in New England:
1 Over 90% of comparable Towns ,have no Town Engineer
2 Towns use Consultants on "as necessary" basis, but with bugdets typically less than $5000.00
3 Bristol, R.I. employs a combined Town Engineer and Building Inspector working out successfully.
4 All Cities in Southern New England have a per- manent Civil Engineer.
5 Among the Towns employing permanent Engi- neers, turnover is high and embarrassing.
6 Town of Holden Planning Board Study find a permanent Engineer not feasible, Town of Need- ham cannot entice an Engineer at a salary of 12,147.00 - 14,223.00 per year.
Conclusions:
1 Employment of a Town Engineer on a permanent basis is not practicable for Lynnfield at this time.
2 There is a need for Engineering services on a lim- ited basis. The various Boards have curtailed ful- fillinent of the need for reasons of Budget; other-
wise Consultants have been employed as needed. Reasonable fulfillment of the need for services could be obtained at a cost approximating (salary only) of a permanent Engineer.
3 A Town Engineer would have to supplement his services by use of Consultants and an office Assist- ant. This type of service would be impracticable and costly.
+ The System now in use, namely: Volunteer and Consultant Committees is an arrangement not per- fect but practiced, its effectiveness is weakened by Complete segregation of authority, agencies and by lack of finding.
Efficiency could be enhanced by reasonable ap- propriation under control of the Board of Select- men.
In Summary and Conclusion:
1 Salaried Engineer is not practicable and would be costly.
2 Time costs for Consultants would equal the salary of a permanent Engineer.
3 Funding for Consultants equal to salaried En- gineer, total costs exceeds forseeable Town needs.
Recommendations:
1 Continue on Committee basis
2 A-Appropriate $5,000.00 for ordinary Engineer- ing services, plus
2 B -- Appropriate $10,000.00 for special future En- gineering services, as outlined in findings.
2 C-Total budget $15,000.00 for all Engineering contingencies, including Reserves, and would be adaptable for current and forseeable needs.
Below is an estimate of the time and money needed annually, including reasonable apportionment of spora- dic and future heavy expenditures.
Text paragraph & Subject
Salary $15000/yr $7.20/hr
In licu of salary
Consultant Supplemental or otherwise necessary
Advantage or Disadantage (+) (-) of salary over consultant basis
A. M&R
30MD
1720
3000
1280
sup
300
300
0
0
V&T
300
50
250
Sp. Rpt
50
50
B. DRAINAGE
30 MD
1720
17 MD
1700
20
Sup
100
100
0
0
V&T
150
150
0
0
Asst.
300
300
Sp Rpt
50
100
50
C. SEWERAGE
Sanitarian
1500
1500
0
0
Studies &
compilation of
data
1720
1000*
0
720
14
Basis
Sup.
50
50
0
0
V&T
30
50
20
0
Sp Rpt. 0
1000 **
0
0
D. WASTES
0
4000 **
()
0)
E. W. G & E
10 MD
575
1000
425
Sup, V&T
50
75
25
F.
F&P
200
400
200
G. PLANNING
40 MH
285
285
Sp RPT 70
720
650
V&T
0
25
25
Coordination
10
25
15
H. Highways 1000
1000
0)
0
SUMMARY
Value
( Benefits) 10130 11295
2740 1575
Services not available
on Salary Basis alone 8000
Advantage, considering time alone:
11,295 - 10,130 = $1165 2740 - 1575 = $1165 (check) COSTS of time used:
Engineer Salary
$15000
Space & Heat
1440
Assistant half time
5000
Tel. & Elec. 200
Furn. & Equipment 1000
Insurances 600
Retirement 8% 1600
Vacations & Absences 12%
2400
Maintenance
500
Miscellaneous 500
TOTAL COST
28,240
BENEFIT: COST RATIO:
= B/C = Col 3/ Costs of same benefits by salary system
11,295/ 28,240 40% (100% minimum is required for fiscal feasibility). *Much could be done by commitee (s).
** Assumes 80% of $200,000 and by Fed. & State Govts. Bal. $40,000 spread over 10 yrs.
Legend:
Asst - Assistance from special outside help; F&P - Fire & Police; MD) - Man Days; MH - Man Hours; M&R - Maps & Records; Rpt - Report; Sp - Special; Std. & Comp. - Studies and compilation of data; T - Transportation; V - Vehicle.
CONCLUSION: (from this table)
1. Salaried Engineer is not practicable.
2. Time costs for consultant would equal salaried time costs.
3. Foreseeable Town needs could be met or exceeded by funding an amount for consultants less than costs for salaried engineer.
DRAINAGE COMMITTEE
The Drainage Committee has functioned continu- ously since its formation in March of 1966.
There have been no formal meetings in 1969. Problems have been considereed expediently as they arose. All have been resolved through professionally prepared reports to the Board of Selectmen, except that two were directed to the Planning Board at that board's request.
Eleven formal reports were submitted on the following 7 cases: 15 Chatham Way. Local flooding and soils. 332-334 Main St., Beaver Brook. Feasibility of proposed pipe. Report to Planning Bd. re spot zoning related to surface and subsurface drainage. Report to Planning Board re Pocahontas subdivision 174 Salem Street. Local flooding. 753 Summer Street. Sidehill flooding. Report to Planning Bd., Ivanhoe Drive sub- division.
The Committee is advisory only. It does not de- sign or perform construction work. It works without compensation, without budget and without funds. It is dependent upon a few basic "tools" for its effect- iveness. Among these are maps and dependable re- cords. The recently procured topography of the entire town is already effective.
Of next importance chronologically and physically is the posting of underground facilities on that topo- graphy. On an experimental basis, about one fifth of the Town has been surveyed and posted, with comple- tion date of that part due about January 15th. Cost was by contract at $2000 appropriated through Town Meeting. With this knowledge, the remaining four- fifths of the Town could be completed at less than a proportional amount. This completion is recommended.
This past year, not any large-area probleins have been before us. Typical of growing New England com- munities, growth is accompanied by problems of soils and drainage, and by pressure to use marginal or res- tricted lands for building purposes. Lynnfield is better equipped now to understand and meet these problems. This Committee is better equipped to help.
However, as the problems become larger and more urgent to solve, more time and skill will be needed to solve them. For those involving property damage but small expenditures, it is usually advisable to deal with them quickly. For this reason, the Selectmen should be authorized, and provided with a small fund annual- ly, to obtain professional studies and provide correction as the Board finds necessary, and when not in conflict with prerogatives of any other Town agency.
Freeman Towers, Chairman James Fletcher Sanborn Caldwell Dr. George Robinson
15
FIRE DEPARTMENT STUDY COMMITTEE
The Town Fire Department Study Committee came into being by action of the Board of Selectmen in May, 1969. Open meetings were held in the Town Hall on Wednesday evenings from May until the end of November. The Committee completed it's study on Dec. 1, 1969 and a final report was submitted to the Board of Selectmen.
The Committee was charged by the Board of Selectmen as follows: "Review the make-up of the present Town Fire Department, its cost to the tax- payers and the degree of fire protection it provides to the Town. Study the impact of a full-time Fire Chief regarding cost to the Town, the improved efficiency if any and the increase in protection. Also, project altern- ative fire department organizations including at least one which would retain only the Chief on a full-time basis and one which would be totally full time with a cost projection for each alternative."
In satisfaction of this charge, the committee studied the following organizational alternatives:
1. The present All "Call" Department.
2. An All "Call" Department with a Full-Time Chief -the Chief would be a full time paid town employee responsible for all fire depart- ment administrative and fire fighting activities and also be available for any serious fires after his normal working hours.
3. A "Call" Department with Full Time Chief, and three Full Time Firefighters - in addi- tion to a Full Time Chief, three full time paid firefighters would work a single shift, 5 days a week at the two fire stations thereby pro- viding daytime protection.
4. A "Call" Department, Full Time Chief, three Full Time Firefighters, and a Full Time Mech- anic/Firefighter - this plan is basically the same as the previous one with the addition of a firefighter/mechanic who would be respon- sible for maitenance, and be available for answering alarms and the training of personnel in the proper use of equipment.
5. A Fire Department consisting of a Full Time Chief, and some full time Firefighters on a 24 hour basis-and 6 full time paid officers and twelve paid firefighters would rotate shifts so that there would be crews on full standby duty 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. "Call" men would make up a back-up force if and when necessary.
6. A Full Time Paid Department - a Chief, six Officers, eighteen Firefighters all paid full time would rotate shifts for coverage 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. There would be no "Call" men but a back-up auxiliary Fire Department operating out of Civil Defense would assist in major emergencies.
At the conclusion of the study, the committee was unanimous in its opinion that the present Town Fire Department is inadequate for the needs of our grow- ing community. A similar view has been expressed by the New England Insurance Rating Association in ts recent Fire Protection Report. Included in this com- mittee's report is a detailed study concerning the degree of protection offered by the various organizational al- ternatives and the costs thereof.
The following recommendations were made by this committee:
1. A new position of full-time Fire Chief should be created immediately.
2. The duties of the full-time Fire Chief should include a consolidation of the present "call" Fire Chief's responsibilities, superintendence of the alarm system and direction of fire preven- ton.
3. Qualifications for a full-time Fire Chief should be established so that he not only must be technically competent, but also must have the ability to plan, organize, direct, cordinate, re- port, and budget departmental activities, and must have exceptional qualities of leadership.
4. The full-time Fire Chief should be appointed as soon as legally possible.
5. The full-time Fire Chief should immediately formulate a master plan and establish a prior- ity schedule to implement all recommendations relative to the Fire Department which are con- tained in the New England Insurance Rating Association report.
6. Write or revise the Town Charter and Town By-Laws to reflect new Fire Department or- ganization.
7. The full-time Fire Chief should develop work- able interdepartmental fire protection pro- grams with the Water Department and the Building Department.
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8. The Town building and electrical codes should be reviewed and updated to conform to mod- ern fire protection standards.
9. Future Town planning, especially that which concerns mercantile, cominercial or industrial occupancy should be considered with full cog- nizance of the Fire Department limitations.
10. A continuing review of the fullltime Fire Chief's master plan and priority schedule based on recommendations contained in the New En- gland Insurance Rating Asssociation's and this committee's reports, should be performed to insure that the Town of Lynnfield maintains adequate fire protection.
Clifford I. Markham, Chairman Martha L. Emerson, Secretary Bruce E. Kennerson Irving I. Sacks Stephen F. Samojeden
LOW INCOME HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY
This Study Committee was formed by the Board of Selectmen in May of 1969.
The Comittee consisted of the following members, Mrs. Thomas Devaney, Miss Katherine Ross. Dr. Bur- nett Q. Pixley, O. Albion Smith, John Koniares and Bernard E. Nugent.
Several committee meetings were held at which we were fortunate to have Mr. Christopher McCarthy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Community Af- fairs to explain the workings of the State setup and John McCarthy the Director of the Malden Housing Auth- ority.
Two questionnaires were sent through the local news media, The Lynnfield Shoppers News. A sub- stantial and informative return was received by the Committee thru the Secretary, Miss Katherine Ross.
The Committee is deeply grateful to the Board of Selectmen, Mr. Roger Gerry and other interested townspeople for their help.
Bernard E. Nugent, Chairman Katherine Ross, Secretary Celeste Devaney Burnett Q. Pixley O. Albion Smith John Koniares
WIRE INSPECTOR & FIRE ALARM SUPERVISOR
During 1969, 263 Wiring Permits were issued in- volving 500 inspections. Of this number, only six viola- tions were found. These were corrected and reinspected. We had 3 house fires necessitating total re-wiring and partial rewiring in order to comply with the State and National Electrical Code.
Several times this year the Wire Inspector was called out on house fires to remove meters on houses so the Fire Department could combat the fires without the danger of hitting live wires or causing severe dam- age to the homes involved.
During 1969, five fire alarm boxes were tested weekly to ensure the boxes were operable. All boxes were received and recorded in the fire alarm switch room with none hanging up. We did have one box this year which hung up upon being pulled for an alarm apparently caused by the box being wound too tight.
New crossarms and line wire have been installed on Main St. and a new line run up to Norris Rd. and Lowell St. Completion of this run of wire this year will allow us to do some re-tying of Circuit 5 which has been a so-called "balloon loop" and is not good prac- tice. This loop on Circuit 5 has been installed for a number of years and we have just been able to receive monies from the Town to improve the circuit.
This summer your Supervisor met with the In- surance Rating Bureau representative and a check was run on the fire alarm system. A number of recommen- dations was then received from the Bureau to further improve our system. If monies are received at the Town Meeting to carry out these recommendations the work will be done some time this year.
Daily switchboard inspections and recordings have been carried out. All boxes pulled from the street have been checked and rewound.
James V. Thompson
ANIMAL INSPECTOR
Complaints about dogs have decreased greatly since the enactment of the Leash Law. Mr. Charles Cavallero, Dog Officer has through his efforts reduced the number of animals on the loose dramatically and as a result we have fewer dog bites. Heads of a dog, a cat and a squirrel were taken to Boston as rabies suspects, thankfully proving negative.
Gustav H. Koch Animal Inspector
17
MUNICIPAL LAND ACQUISITION COMMITTEE
This committee was formed by the Selectmen in July, 1965, to investigate and recommend to the Select- men possible land acquisition for the future needs of the town. Investigation has been made of the possible acquisition of that part of Camp Curtis Guild within the borders of Lynnfield, about 350 acres. This would be very valuable land for conservation purposes or for park land. It is now controlled by the Massachusetts National Guard and used mainly as a rifle range. At the moment they require the entire area. We have recommended that the Town take action now to have first refusal if and when the National Guard gives it up.
The Highway Department now located behind the Town Hall should, in our opinion, be moved to a more remote area at some future date. Investigation of sev- eral areas has been made and recommendations have been passed on to the Selectmen. We strongly advise that land for this purpose be acquired now before build- ing in the area is started. The actual moving of the Highway Department can be delayed for 5, 10, and even 15 years.
A recommendation to the Board of Health and the Regional Incinerator Committee has been made of an area for a town incinerator when the need arises.
In conjunction with the Pillings Pond Acquisition Study Committee we have made recommendations to the Selectmen to take the necessary steps for the Town to control this pond which now covers privately owned land.
The area in the vicinity of the Town Hall and the Common consisting of 431/2 acres situated between the dwellings on Parsons Avenue, continuing along Summer and Main Streets to include the Junior High School is owned mostly by the Town. This committee has recom- mended that the Haskell property of 7 acres be reser- ved as such for its historical value. There remains 33/4 acres privately owned and it has been recommended that this be acquired for future use of the Town.
A survey made by town planners, Shurcliff and Merrill, in 1965 reported a possible population of 21,000 under the present zoning laws. It would seem therefore that land should be acquired before actual need arises. While land is expensive now it is certainly less expensive than it will be in the future.
Municipal Land Acquisiton Committee John E. Harriss, Chairman Colby L. Burbank, Jr., Secretary Charles F. Curtis
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
A continuing population increase and turnover of residents during 1969 kept the Board of Registrars busy updating voting lists and registering new voters. The current registration figures are:
Precinct
Democrat
Republican Independent
1
390
1229
1191
2
710
969
1015
1100
2198
2206
Total: 5504
The town population as of December 31, 1969 was 10,549.
All men and women who have reached the age of 21 and have been residents of Lynnfield for 6 months and the Commonwealth for 1 year are urged to stop in at the town clerks office any day to register.
The board wishes to especially thank the women street listers for the exceptionally fine job they did in 1969 by going house to house during the worst winter we have experienced in many years. Those that were not at home when the listers called this year, please return the census cards to the town clerks office promptly. This information is urgently needed in order to compile the new 1970 Street Listing. Before the September Primary, we suggest that voters check with the Clerks Office as to their party designation, shown on the current voting list, namely Republican, Demo- crat or Independent.
Michael J. Neumann, Jr., Chairman John F. Toomey John A. Valkevich Harry W. Higgins, Clerk
TOWN COUNSEL
As a natural consequence of the Town's growth the ordinary legal affairs of the Town increase in vol- ume each year. Yet the continued cooperation of the Town's officials and employees enables the Law De- partment to properly discharge its duties.
Town Counsel attended Selectmen's meetings and met with all Town Boards requesting his presence; in addition, contracts were drawn, rulings were given, warrant articles and motions were prepared and the litigation of the Town was attended to as in the past.
It is expected that several matters of unusual gen- eral interest will require some of the Law Department's attention during 1970, including a possible Town Char- ter (depending on the Town's vote) and a proposed amendment to the Town's Zoning By-Laws creating an Historic District; these should be of great interest to every citizen since each proposal represents a substan- tial change in the Town's structure. I hope that most of the Townspeople will participate in these decisions.
S. Peter Gorshel, Town Counsel
18
DOG OFFICER 1969
CHARLES CAVALLARO Dog Officer
This report covers the year 1969. A year in which there was never a dull moment. My services had been extended in many directions. And I have found my relation as Dog Officer for the Townspeople of Lynn- field to be rewarding and successful.
Together we have seen the initiation of a Dog Con- trol Law, that has seen a moderate amount of success. I do feel there is still room for improvement. Thus in 1970 may efforts will be concentrated on a stricter en- forcement of this law.
I would like at this time to thank the many hun- dreds of Dog Owners in Lynnfield who have cooperated with me this past year, and also my thanks go out to the Police Department and Town Hall Personel, both have been very helpful.
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 keep- ing them from following the children to school and causing a safety hazard around schools.
Charles Cavallaro
Dog Officer:
Dogs Licensed 1,102
Male 62
Female 430
Sprayed Female 610
Kennell Licenses 2
2 dogs and 1 cat were rescued from drowning in Pillings Pond.
6 injured dogs were picked up on Lynnfield High- ways and taken to Vet. and treated successfully.
Lost dogs placed in homes 23
Lost Dogs returned (by Dog Officer or citizens) to their homes 212
Complaints answered and investigations made 432
31
Dog bites reported
Dead Dogs buried 46
37 fines were imposed on deliquent dog owners who either failed to License on time or were in violation of Dog Control Law.
FISHING AND HUNTING LICENSES - 1969 LICENSES ISSUED
214 Fishing Licenses
109 Hunting Licenses
61 Sporting Licenses
28 Minor Fishing Licenses
15 Female Fishing Licenses
5 Non-Resident Fishing Licenses
2 Duplicate Licenses
13 Free Licenses (age 70 or over)
8 Free License (Military)
3 Deer Stamps
DOG LICENSES - 1969
532 Male
99 Female
547 Spayed
3 Kennel License at $10.00
1 Kennel License at $25.00
PLANNING BOARD 1969
During 1969 the Lynnfield Planning Board held 22 regular meetings and 7 special meetings. There were 5 subdivisions approved with a total number of house lots of 94. These figures compare as follows with those of the previous three years:
Number of
Year
Subdivision Approved
Number of House Lots
Aggregate Length of New Streets
1966
4
35
4430 ft.
1967
4
57
7735 ft.
1968
5
52
5303 ft.
1969 5
94 9178 ft.
The continued rate of growth in Lynnfield similar to that experienced in the past few years seems assured for at least the next few years as there are still sub- stantial tracts of land being purchased by developers for future residential sub-divisions.
An engineering survey of the northeast side of Pillings Pond was ocmpleted during the year and pro- posals for layout of major streets in this area will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting. Special studies in several areas of town planning have been conducted by individual members of the Planning Board, reviewed by the entire Board, and will be presented to the An- nual Town Meeting for appropriate action.
Re-elected to the Planning Board in 1969 for a five-year term was Vaughn E. Young. Donald G. Har- riss was appointed Chairman, with Parker B. Holloway, Jr. as Vice Chairman, and Vaughn E. Young as Clerk.
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