Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1963, Part 12

Author: Reading (Mass.)
Publication date: 1963
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 256


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1963 > Part 12


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Ronald L. Wood, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1960)


Grade 5


Judith E. Lyons, B.S. (1963)


Grade 4


Marion R. Weagle, B.S.E. (1946)


Grade 1


Highland School and Lowell Street School


R. Hilda Gaffney, B.S.Ed., Ed.M. (1941) Supervising Prin. (1954) Frances A. Flaherty, B.S.Ed., Ed.M. (1958) Remedial Reading (1962) Judith A. Angus, B.S. (1962) Grade 3


Martha Jane Arthur, B.A. (1963)


Grade 6


Jean W. Bennett, Salem Normal (1955)


Grade 5


Dorothy L. Conron, B.S.Ed. (1953)


Lowell Street Grade 2


Barbara J. Dancy, B.S.Ed. (1962)


Grade 1


Jessie L. Goddard, Bridgewater Normal (1955) Lowell Street Grade 3


Virginia D. Lincoln, Wheelock (1957) Lowell Street Grade 1


Grade 6


Irene Montigny, B.A. (1955)


Grade 5


Dorothy R. Payzant, B.L.I. (1953)


Grade 1


Louise Spracklin, B.S.Ed. (1957)


Grade 3


Beatrice Stasinopulos, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1952) Bldg. Prin., Lowell St. and Grade 4


Helen M. Thebideau, B.S.Ed. (1955)


Joshua Eaton School and Prospect Street School


Eleanor M. Skahill, B.S.Ed., Ed.M. (1943) Supervising Prin. (1952) Doris S. Forbes, Plymouth T.C. (1947) Assistant Prin. and Grade 5 Margaret H. Keene, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1959) Remedial Reading (1962)


138


Rosalind F. Mccullough, A.B. (1961)


Grade 4


Marylyn M. Murray, B.S.Ed. (1955)


Rebecca H. Alexander, B.A. (1962)


Anne P. Baker, Danbury T.C. (1954)


Janet E. Bishop, B.S.Ed., Ed.M. (1963) Frances D. Bowen, B.S. (1963) Madaliene J. Boynton, Lesley School (1962) Bertha S. Cox, Salem Normal (1957)


Grade 5


Grade 1


Grade 1


Shirley J. Crompton, B.S.Ed. (1955)


Grade 4


Marcia J. Fowler, B.S.Ed. (1959)


Grade 2


Victoria L. Griffin, B.S.Ed. (1962)


Grade 4


Joan Halpin, B.S.Ed. (1962)


Grade 4


Mary L. Leary, B.S.Ed. (1961)


Grade 1


Helena A. Markham, Framingham T.C. (1934)


Grade 3


George J. Meehan, B.A. (1960)


Grade 6


Helen B. Morgan, Lowell Normal (1953)


Grade 1


Charles N. Papandreou, A.B., Ed.M. (1960)


Grade 6


Shirley F. Partoll, B.S. (1962)


Grade 6


Simone J. Petitpas, B.S.Ed. (1962)


Grade 2


Irene R. Royea, Aroostook County Normal (1928)


Grade 2


Marion E. Saylor, A.B., M.Ed. (1960)


Grade 3


Ruth Stanieich, B.S.Ed. (1963)


Grade 3


Vernon D. Taylor, B.E. (1963)


Grade 5


Herbert Baron, B.S., Ed.M. (1955)


Prospect St. Bldg. Prin., Grade 4


Laura B. Clark, B.S.Ed. (1962)


Prospect St., Grade 4


Grace L. Gifford, Wheelock School (1943)


Prospect St., Grade 1


Joanne F. Labelle, B.S.Ed. (1962)


Prospect St., Grade 3


Pearl Street School


John F. Morabito, B.S., M.A. (1954) Supervising Principal (1959) Frances E. Young, B.S.Ed. (1954) Assistant Principal and Grade 3


Ann L. Adams, B.S. (1961)


Grade 2


Jane E. Barry, B.S.Ed. (1963)


Grade 5


Mary E. Boghossian, B.S.Ed. (1956)


Grade 2


John R. Burns, B.S., M.A. (1960)


Grade 6


Anne Coneeney, B.S. (1963)


Grade 1


Velma E. Curtin, Perry Kindergarten (1927)


Grade 2


Maya C. Das, B.A., Ed.M. (1960)


Grade 3


Barbara K. Goodwin, B.S. (1960)


Grade 3


Frances Haskins, Aroostook Normal (1943)


Grade 4


Linda S. Horgan, B.A. (1963) Ann Howe, Framingham Normal (1947)


Grade 4


Joan Hunnefeld, B.A. (1961)


Grade 5


Jean E. Jacob, B.Ed. (1955)


Grade 4


Doris Kent, B.S. (1961)


Grade 1


Patricia C. McCallum, B.S. (1963)


Grade 6


Dorothy L. Soar, Salem Normal (1951)


Grade 1


Helen D. Stockwell, Salem Normal (1930)


Grade 5


Grade 3 Grade 2 Grade 5


Grade 3


139


SCHOOL SECRETARIES


Jean S. Underhill, Secretary to the Principal


Reading Memorial High School


Ethel M. Gallagher, Guidance Dept. Secretary


Reading Memorial High School Pauline McDonough, School Secretary Reading Memorial High School Lorraine Andersen


Elizabeth Brush


Isabelle H. Hull


Clarice D. Hynes


Evelyn Lazenby


Edna M. Southard


Dorothy L. Wardrope


Arthur W. Coolidge Jr. High Walter S. Parker Jr. High Pearl Street School Highland School Health Director's Office Birch Meadow School Joshua Eaton School


CAFETERIAS Mrs. Lois C. Piper, Supervisor


Reading Memorial High School


Evelyn Mullen, Manager


Mae C. Kimball


Alberta Kinsley


Ruth McNaney


Bernice F. Murphy (part time) Anna L. Vickery (part time)


Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School


Beatrice Flanagan, Manager


Carolyn C. Grosvenor


Margaret Donegan Esther Williams


Walter S. Parker Junior High School


Verna Rand, Manager Margaret Campbell Dorothy Corliss


Birch Meadow School Evelyn Davis, Manager


Mary Bacigalupo Florence Harvey Mabel Haugh (part time)


Highland School Elizabeth Bates, Manager Alice MacMillan


Joshua Eaton School Edith French, Manager Caroline Baxter Constance B. Crouse (part time) Dorothy Erickson


Pearl Street School Obeline Arsenault, Manager Millicent Gard (part time) Jessie Killam Johnena Matthews


140


SCHOOL CUSTODIANS


Roderick E. Macdonald, Supervisor


Reading Memorial High School


Elmer Young, Head Custodian


Charles H. Barrett, Custodian and Night Watchman


William J. Crawford, Custodian and Night Watchman


Bernard L. Doucette, Custodian and Night Watchman Herman L. Hubbard


Theresa Meuse, Matron


Stuart Nichols


Arthur W. Coolidge Junior High School


Vincent Serrentino, Head Custodian Herman Brown Ralph V. Erickson


Walter S. Parker Junior High School


John Miller, Head Custodian Fred B. Gibson Howard N. Oram Walter E. White


Birch Meadow School


Edward F. Harrison, Head Custodian Richard L. Bailey, Sr.


Highland School


Daniel J. White, Head Custodian Margaret Thornton, Matron Robert Groves, Part Time


Joshua Eaton School


Robert A. Vars, Head Custodian Louis W. Young Walter E. White (Part time)


Pearl Street School Roy J. Brogan, Head Custodian Frank C. Mitchell


Lowell and Prospect Street Schools


Joseph Petroni


141


READING MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES June 16, 1963


PROCESSIONAL MARCH High School Band


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG


Led by Class President, Geoffrey Bell


STAR SPANGLED BANNER Key-Smith Audience, Senior Class, and Band


PRAYER The Reverend Joseph D. Flynn


SALUTATORY "The Value of Self-Reliance"


Katherine Paynter


CLASS HONORS ESSAY "Non Omnia Possumus Omnes"


(We Can't All Do Everything) Susan Harding


REMARKS Foreign Exchange Student Rosemary Byerly


FACULTY HONORS ESSAY "Have We Been Prepared?"


Paul Massiglia


VALEDICTORY "A Sense of Values" Susan Munro


SCHOLASTIC HONORS


Announced by Mr. Ara A. Karakashian, Principal, and presented by Dr. Henry M. Paynter, School Committee Chairman


CONFERRING OF DIPLOMAS Mr. Edward W. Palmer and Dr. Donald R. Walker, School Committee Members


BENEDICTION The Reverend Joseph D. Flynn


RECESSIONAL MARCH


High School Band


142


CANDIDATES FOR DIPLOMAS


Kenneth F. Acker Judith E. Ainsworth


Kathleen E. Connors Linda B. Coombs


Peter K. Cooper


Richard F. Cootey


Gail M. Austin Diane E. Avery


Bonnie J. Cramer


Marsha E. Avery


Gail N. Cross


Vincent J. Balestrier


David M. Cumming


Judith A. Barrett


Richard A. Dacey


Richard J. Baxter


Cheryl A. Daggett


Martha L. Beeman


Frank M. Daly


Carl F. Belcamino Geoffrey B. Bell Fred J. Berry Sandra H. Berry


James C. Daly


Helen J. Davis


Robert E. Davis


Joan M. Deary


Rita M. Bertelsen


Sandra L. Dempster


Joyce E. Bigelow


Susan L. Dempster


Robert A. Birdsall


Muriel A. Denbow


Alvin E. Blanchard


Carolyn A. Dewsnap


John F. Dicicco


Paul J. Diieso


Elizabeth A. Dinan


Kathy S. Doherty


Helen M. Brown Lucy F. Brown


Carole J. Doucette


Nancy M. Brown


Ronald P. Doucette


Richard C. Burns


Nancy H. Ducker


Martha L. Butler


Robert C. Dugan, Jr.


Diane L. Dulong


Carole A. Butt Rosemary H. Byerley Carol A. Campbell


Fredric R. Edwards


William F. Campbell III


Laurence W. Ellis


Mary E. Cannington


Carolyn E. Erhardt


Martha J. Carlson


Kathryn A. Faulkner


Peter B. Fisher


Virginia E. Flight


Michael J. Foley


Mildred L. Foye


Paul A. Franklin


S. Peter Cholewa Martha A. Collette


Jay B. Fraser Jacqueline L. Frazier


143


Loretta A. Boudreau James N. Boyd III Susan J. Briggs Deborah E. Brown


Elizabeth A. Dole


Brian C. Eastman


Everett G. Carroll, Jr. Fred D. Carter Dorothy F. Cavanaugh Glenda M. Cecil Carolyn Chisholm


Frederick H. Anderson, Jr. Berjouhi Arzigian


Gerri D. Costa


CANDIDATES FOR DIPLOMAS (Continued)


Robert P. Frost Thomas G. Gallant James E. Galvin Geraldine J. Gifford John W. Gilbert


Maureen B. Leary Wayne Lee


Robert F. Lemaire


Elaine E. Linehan


Donna J. Lougee


J. Leigh Gill


Dona J. Lounsbury


Lee P. Gissler


Nancy M. Lupo


Helen M. Gori


George E. Lynch


Ruth B. Gourd


Joan A. Lyon


Michael T. Green


Edna M. Macisaac


Kirby W. Greene


Christine E. MacKay


Edmund G. Gromyko


David J. Macleod


Jon L. Gromyko


Marsha L. Macleod


John J. Hagerty


Bruce A. Madio


Andrea J. Hall


Robert M. Maloney, Jr.


Susan D. Harding


John K. Mansur


Ellen M. Harris


Trina M. Marden


Elaine M. Henderson


Karen E. Mason


Walter R. Herrick, Jr.


Paul R. Massiglia


James A. Heselton, Jr.


Joanne E. Maxwell


Ross L. Hewitt


Daniel H. Mcbride


Harry T. Holbrook


Linda M. Holbrook


James F. McKenna


Richard N. Holt


Katherine L. Mclellan Martha J. McLeod


David W. Hoyt


Mary L. McMullin


James W. Hubbard


Albert J. McNaney


Muriel A. Hunnefeld


Patricia H. McPhee


David C. Hunter


John J. Meehan


Gail S. Jamison


Dianne L. Melendy


David A. Jones


George E. Melendy, Jr.


Roger C. Jones


Carla M. Melhorn


Bonnie R. Kates


Bruce A. Mellin


Mary E. Kelleher


Sonja P. Meurer


Wayne E. Kittredge


Stephen R. Moody


Sandra E. Night Dianne C. Koenig


Judith Morand


Paul A. Koslouski


Judith L. Moreton


Robert C. Kullberg


David L. Morrison


Mary E. Lautzenheiser


Barbara L. Moore


Donna M. Mucci


144


William J. McGee


Stephen R. Horn


CANDIDATES FOR DIPLOMAS (Continued)


Barbara A. Munnis


Louise E. Rose


Susan W. Munro Sandra J. Murphy Lesley R. Murray


Gerald B. Rosenkrans Janice L. Ruscitti Judith A. Sanford


Paul E. Murray Lisa M. Nargis


Hartley W. Scribner Richard E. Seifred Susan J. Sellars


Marguerite L. Nash Patrica A. Nelson


Susan A. Shaw


Audrey L. Neuringer


Joseph P. Sheehan


Janet W. Nicholas


Joe E. Skinner


Edgar F. O'Connell


Anne M. Stoez


William H. Strout


Lawrence H. Ogden


D. Martin Sullivan


Ronald T. O'Keefe Jean E. Packard


John J. Swift Linda A. Tennett


Carol L. Thompson


Jeanne W. Thompson


Stephen A. Thompson


Peter A. Thorpe


Patricia H. Toner


Bruce C. Van Horn


Sherole Van Horn


Ross E. Veilleux


Brooks A. Pierpont Susan Pike Barbara E. Poock


Lois E. Venuti


Karen Vogeley


Clifford T. Pratt


Karen Von Fritzinger


Bradley T. Reed


Peter H. Walker


William G. Richardson


Larry B. Watson


Rebecca I. Weeks


Alan R. Weidman Gary F. White


B. Robert White


Alan L. Willard


John F. Winslow David K. Wisentaner


Jane M. Wold David A. Wood


Ronald F. Wright David K. Young Michael S. Young


June F. O'Connell Katherine M. O'Donnell


Diane F. Sulis


Rosemary Palmer Virginia L. Parsons Bettina Paulson Katherine A. Paynter Joanne M. Pellegrino Frederick E. Perry


Glenn L. Pierce


Thomas M. Riley Valerie A. Ripa David L. Rivers David M. Rivers


Richard A. Robbins Ada B. Roberts Joseph W. Robichaud, Jr. George A. Robinson Ann L. Rogers James W. Rooney John T. Rose


145


REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMITTEE


To the citizens of the Town of Reading:


The winter recreation program was well underway at the start of the year with good skating at Sturgis, Birch Meadow and Memorial Parks. Facilities included separated hockey areas at Memorial and Sturgis and a new enclosed rink at Birch Meadow. Supervision was provided during the busy week-end periods. Good flood lighting en- couraged family participation during the evening. While snow removal and ice conditioning remain as major problems, the weather cooperated to make the program a success. The highlight was a Winter Carnival at Birch Meadow on February 10th.


The 1963 summer playground season opened on June 25th with a staff of sixteen adults supervising recreation activities at six parks, i.e., Birch Meadow, Washington, Memorial, Glen Meadow, Eaton School a? . d Haverhill Street. Mr. John Pacino, recreation superintendent, di- rected the ten week program which included softball, badminton, base- ball, track events, volleyball, croquet, tennis, basketball, archery, swim- mning, football fundamentals, first aid instruction and numerous group games. Arts and Craft instruction including sketching, bead making, candle craft, figurine molding, coppersmithing, leather working and the creation of objects such as hats, potholders, belts, bracelets and plaques. Special events were: The July 4th Field Day and Parade; Baby Show; Indian Water Carnival; Doll, Pet and Stuffed Animal Show; Teenage Dances; Novelty Field Day; Indian Show and Pow-Wow; Track Meet; Cook-outs and bus trips to Wingaersheek Beach and Pleasure Island. The Boston Children's Theatre (Stagemobile) was the principal event at Memorial Park with over 1500 persons attending. Over 2500 people visited the Free Carnival at Birch Meadow that concluded the summer program. With only one rainy day to mar the schedule, overall play- ground attendance reached an all-time high. The total attendance at Washington Park for the three periods checked (morning, afternoon and evening) averaged more than 440 youngsters per day and Birch Meadow over 425. Resurfacing of the courts has stimulated tennis to such an extent that playing facilities were overtaxed during evenings and week-ends. During the heat of the day the two wading pools (Washington and Birch Meadow) were crowded to capacity. The pro- posed swimming pool, scheduled for 1964, should do much to alleviate this critical condition and broaden the aquatic phase of the summer program.


THE RECREATION COMMITTEE H. Lee Donley, Chairman Guy H. Rennison, Sec. Newell Morton William H. Watt Douglas H. Alexander


Edward W. Palmer George M. McSheehy


Richard C. Evans


Edward F. Hurley, Jr.


146


PLANNING BOARD REPORT


The Reading Planning Board, during 1963, maintained its schedule of weekly meetings as well as special sessions in Room 17 of the Municipal Building. The Board held joint sessions with other Town Boards relative to planning problems of mutual interest and concern. In addition discussions were held with many interested townspeople and others concerning general problems of planning and areas of personal interest.


Attendance at Board of Appeal hearings was maintained on peti- tions involving substantial deviations from the Zoning By Laws.


The Board proposed to a special Town Meeting in October that a sum of money be appropriated for the hiring of professional consultants to do a Central Business District Planning Study. The sum of $4,000 was appropriated and the necessary machinery has been started to secure matching funds of $8,000 from the Federal Government. The Planning Board interviewed 7 consulting firms during June, July and August. The firm of Atwood and Blackwell of Boston, Massachusetts was selected.


The litigation instigated by the Planning Board involving the Board of Appeal relative to the Cole property was brought to a satis- factory conclusion. The petition in question was withdrawn with the approval of the Board of Appeal. The Planning Board agreed to with- draw its action against the Board of Appeal since it was evident that no further purpose would be served. The status of the Cole property reverts to the conditions applicable prior to the granting of the permit by the Board of Appeal.


Due to the resignations of C. Dewey Smith and Paul P. Shepherd, Ernest R. Poor and Donald W. Davidson were appointed to fill the re- spective vacancies.


The Board continued its studies on a proposed Sign Ordinance which will now be coordinated with the work of the consultants for the Central Business District Planning Study.


Respectfully submitted, James J. Sullivan, Chairman John H. Crooker, Secretary Edwin H. Bjorkman Donald W. Davidson Ernest R. Poor


147


REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL


To the Law Committee of the Town of Reading:


I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year 1963 as follows:


At the beginning of the year, there was considerable concern in regard to the Code of Ethics law Chapter 779 of the Acts of 1962, which was to take effect of May 1, 1963. As of the close of the year 1963, it would appear that the bulk of our conflicts, if any, had been deter- mined. It did occasion the resignation of several individuals from Town office, who whether or not they were in actual conflict, did not desire to be even considered so, and therefore resigned.


A great many requests for rulings as to status have been requested of the Town Counsel by various committeemen, officers and employees. They have all been answered, and in some instances, the Selectmen have found that the interest, if any, was so inconsequential that it would not affect the municipal integrity of the parties and, therefore, have been permitted to continue their operation. The Conflict of Interest is a very sensitive area and for that reason is being interpreted very closely.


The Welfare Department has had quite a few matters of importance during the year, one of which was a suit by the Massachusetts Gen- eral Hospital for services rendered to one Guthrie and one Stevens, both claims being incorporated in the same suit and totaling substan- tially more than $3,000.00. After considerable litigation, preliminary and interlocutory matters, the Town paid $754.32 on the claim on be- half of Stevens and no payment on account of Guthrie. During the year, one of our welfare recipients passed away, and having been on assistance for a long period of time, did make a will some years ago leaving her real estate to the Town of Reading upon her decease. The Old Age Assistance agent, Quincy Park, has been appointed Executor and is in the process of handling the Estate.


There has been considerable controversy on non-support matters where the husband has deserted the family, which the Welfare Agent has discussed with Town Counsel and has in one or two instances applied to the District Court for a complaint. I recommended in my 1961 report, also in my 1962 report, and I strongly urge now, that an investi- gating officer of the Police Department be assigned to the Welfare Department to work in conjunction with regular social workers in the investigation of the Department, to investigate, locate and obtain com- plaints against recalcitrant husbands and fathers in the District Court, if necessary.


There have been a great many claims for damages as a result of defect in highway, defect in sidewalks and improper construction and maintenance on some sewer contracts. A great many of them have been settled, and a few are presently pending. The suits by MacDonald and by Ward could not be settled in a range which appeared reasonable to your Town Counsel, and both cases were tried before a jury in Middle-


148


sex County in November. These resulted in awards by the jury to the plaintiffs which have been paid. The Robert Villella case which is as a result of alleged damage to the house occasioned by heavy equipment of a sewer contractor has been settled and disposed of by the insurance company for the contractor, without any cost to the municipality. The sewer contract awarded by the Board of Public Works to A. Lucchetti & Sons Inc. for the year 1963 was defaulted by Lucchetti in August of 1963, and a contract has now been developed with the bonding com- pany representing A. Lucchetti & Son whereby the sewer lines will properly be completed by the bonding company. A. Lucchetti & Sons Inc. has gone into bankruptcy and the trustee in bankruptcy has made several claims against the Town of Reading, none of which as yet have been honored, but all of which probably contemplate substantial liti- gation.


In 1962 the Town adopted a laundromat by-law providing for li- cense and regulations. This was opposed by Anton's of Reading, Inc., and a Petition for Declaratory Judgment to hold the by-law invalid was heard and argued in the Superior Court in Middlesex County in January. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Judicial Court, which was argued in October of 1963, and was pending in that court on December 31, 1963. (Jan. 2, 1964, the Supreme Judicial Court sustained the validity of the by-law and the reasonableness of the regulations adopted by the Select- men thereunder). It has been necessary for the Board of Selectmen on one or two occasions to restrain a dog, after a hearing. There was an appeal in one of those cases to the Woburn District Court which was heard on October 22, 1963, at which time the Selectmen's order was sustained. Upon failure of the dog owner to comply, the matter was again heard before the District Court on November 15, 1963. These are the only two times that it has been necessary for the Town Counsel to intervene after a dog hearing. The Meadow Brook Golf Club brought a Petition for Declaratory Judgment with regard to the so-called water hole in their new lay-out, and this matter was heard before the Superior Court in Middlesex County. That Court found that this water hole was not a hazard within the meaning of the statute which controls the excavation of unfenced and uncontrolled areas.


Various conferences leading to the eventual contracts for the con- struction of the Alice M. Barrows Elementary School have been held.


There have been several tax foreclosures commenced and some completed in 1963.


The Petition of the Planning Board vs. the Board of Appeal, Middle- sex Superior Court No. 23818 was disposed of by a Consent Decree entered December 11, 1963. Eva Cole was ordered to withdraw her petition. The Board of Appeal of the Town of Reading was ordered to revoke its decision of June 5, 1962, as amended June 8, 1962. The appeal by the Planning Board was dismissed.


In conjunction with the Superintendent of Cemeteries and the Cemetery Board, an investigation has been made of the Leonard Mausoleum, which has arrived at a state of absolute disrepair which


149


makes it extremely dangerous. It is contemplated this coming year, as a result of the investigation made by the Cemetery Department, that suit shall be started in the Superior Court for the purpose of getting permission to demolish the vault, to remove the bodies, re-inter them, or such other disposition as the Court may deem meet and proper.


I have attended the regular meetings of the Board of Selectmen, have been available to other boards within the Town on Monday evenings throughout the year. I have attended many special meetings of other boards and have performed all professional acts required of me in the performance of the duties of my office.


May I express my appreciation to the various boards and the heads of the departments of the Town for their cooperation in the year of 1963.


Respectfully submitted,


J. Warren Killam, Jr., Town Counsel


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL


To the Board of Selectmen:


The undersigned submit their report for the Board of Appeal of the Town for the year 1963.


The Board heard 31 cases on 18 hearing days. Twenty-six were for variations of the Zoning By-Laws and four involved permits. Of the total, fourteen were granted, thirteen were denied, one was withdrawn and two were dismissed without prejudice.


At the close of the year, one decision was carried over from 1962. All petitions brought forth before the Board in time for publication had been heard.


Gerald E. Fosbroke, Chairman Harold B. Currell, Secretary Thomas A. Perkins


150


ONE HUNDRED NINTH REPORT OF THE FIRE CHIEF REPORT OF THE FOREST WARDEN


AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen:


The report of the Fire Chief, Forest Warden and Superintendent of Fire Alarm for the year of 1963 is herewith submitted.


MANUAL FORCE. The Permanent Force consists of Chief, Deputy Chief, 2 Captains, 5 Lieutenants, 25 Privates and a Clerk. There are 9 Call Fire fighters. The Auxiliary Fire Service consists of 25 active men. Vacancies in the Permanent Force will be filled upon receipt of a list from Civil Service.


APPARATUS. Located at the Central Station are: Ladder 1, a 65 ft. Jr. Aerial Ladder truck; Engine 3, a 1,000 gal. per min. Pumping Engine; Engine 2, a 1,000 gal. Pumping Engine; Engine 9, a one ton panel body truck, and the Chief's and Deputy's cars.


At Station 2, Woburn Street: Engine 1, a 1,000 gal. Pumping Engine in reserve; Engine 4, a 500 gal. per min. Pump; Engine 5, a 400 gal. Engine, manned by the Auxiliary Fire Service; Engine 6, a 750 gal. Engine; Engine 8, a 500 gal. trailer pump; Fire Alarm truck with 32 ft. ladder; and the Civil Defense Rescue Truck.


SERVICE RECORD. During the year the department responded to 188 bell alarms, 18 of which were false. There were: 463 Still and Tele- phone alarms, 2 of which were false; 253 Service calls. There were 4 second alarms and 1 third alarm. Three persons lost their lives in fires during the year. Reading apparatus responded to other communities 64 times. Calls to Fires in Buildings or Dwellings 71, Grass and Brush 229, Town Dump 19, Automobiles 37 and 29 calls for resuscitator and oxygen use. Tests made for gas, 20. Assisting persons locked out, or in, 49. Assistance rendered to Police, 33.


Permits issued: Power burner and Oil storage, 119; L.P. Gas storage, 11; Blasting, 43; Special permits, 5. Many permits issued for fire in the open air.


The fire loss for 1963 as reported to date on property endangered (valuation $626,000.00) is $181,157.93, a decrease of $49,991.35 from 1962. Insurance paid for fire loss $149,541.63.


FIRE PREVENTION. Quarterly inspections have been made of nursing homes, rest homes, schools and kindergartens. Inspections have been made of new oil and LP gas installations. The inspection of other properties has been hampered by a shortage of available personnel.




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