Town of Tewksbury annual report 1933-1938, Part 42

Author: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Publication date: 1933
Publisher: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 980


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1933-1938 > Part 42


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How to Sell.


Gaylord's Triangle.


New England Poultryman.


Proceedings of Encampments. U. S. W. V., V. F. W., A. E. F., S. of V. Journal of the Senate.


Journal of the House of Representatives.


Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts.


Manual of the General Court.


Massachusetts Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Civil War.


ABBIE M. BLAISDELL


Librarian.


108


TEWKSBURY POLICE DEPARTMENT 1938


CYRIL L. BARKER, Chief


CHESTER E. BURGESS


ROSS SARGENT


LAUCHIE McPHAIL


DANIEL D. STERLING


GEORGE HAZEL


JOSEPH VIVIER


C. ABBOTT BATTLES, Resigned


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE


December 31, 1938


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen :-


I respectfully submit the annual report of the Tewksbury Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1938.


Total number of arrests: 123.


1-Crimes against the Person (F) (M)


Assault and battery


9


Murder


1


Rape


1


Total 11


2-Crimes against Public Order


Delinquent Children


1


2


:


Drunkenness


1 77


Illegitimacy


4


Lewd and Lascivious cohabitation


1


1


Violation of Alcoholic beverage law


1


Non-support


3


Absconding from MSI and afterwards soliciting charity


1


Violation of Parole and|or probation


6


Operating a motor vehicle so as to endanger


2


Total 100


109


3-Crimes against Property


Illegally setting a fire in the open


1


Breaking, entering and larceny Larceny 1


6


4


Total


12


Recapitulation :


1-Against Person


11


2-Against Public Order


4


96


3-Against Property


1


11


Total


5 118 123


Disposition of Cases:


Lowell District Court:


Guilty 70


Guilty and appealed


4


Held for probable cause 3


Not guilty


3


Drunks released by Probation Officer


26


Committed to Jail and/or State Farm


35


Fined


6


Placed on probation or on file 30


1


Superior Court, East Cambridge


Guilty


6


Not Guilty


1


Committed 6


Arrested for other departments 15


1


Sessions of District Court attended 104


Sessions of Superior Court attended 12


Telephone calls received at Office 3873


Telephone calls received at Chief's home 2196


Complaints received and investigated 741


Accidents investigated 43


Doors-windows-etc found open on beat in Center


55


Private hearings held at office 64


Poles-Wires down, Street lights out and reported to LEL Co .... 20


110


Pending


Civil satisfaction-settled out of Court


State and Town Highway Departments notified of Snow and 9


Ice on Highways


Summons served for other departments 51


Public functions "Covered" 51


Messages delivered 42 10


Messages sent


Calls for Dog Officer


13


Calls for Animal Inspector


8


Investigations for other departments


25


Investigations with Federal Officers


7


Out of Town investigations


11


Fires attended


11


Missing persons


10


Funerals at which traffic work was performed


8


Sudden deaths investigated


15


Transported to Hospital


19


Transported to Welfare Department


3


Dogs reported hit by automobiles


14


With agent of Lowell Humane Society


2


Runaway children located


2


Commmitted to Department of Public Welfare, Division of Child Guardianship


4


Autos reported stolen


4


Stolen autos recovered


6


Automobile transfers received


74


Registration plates recovered at request of and for Registrar of Motor Vehicles 16


Stolen and lost merchandise recovered $3,290.40


Miles traveled in Police work


24,348


During the year a WPA Project was created making it possible for a complete card index and filing system of the records of the Police Department to be installed. This project consisted of bringing the rec ords of all the arrests made by the department as far back as records were obtainable, up to date. A filing system caring for all accident re- ports over a period of three years have been all properly diagramed and indexed. A card system which refers to operators of motor vehicles, who have been involved in accidents in Tewksbury, have also been recorded. A card system to care for warrants, subpeonas, served on individuals in our town, has been completed and indexed. This system has brought up to date all previous records of the department.


During the year, the Western-Electric Radio Receiver has been re- constructed so that the cruising car is now equipped with two-way communication, working in conjunction with the frequency granted the


111


Lowell Police Department by the Federal Communications Commission. On numerous occasions, the value and efficiency of this system has been proven in the case of automobile accidents, drownings, sucides, etc., and other emergencies calling for immediate attention; being able at the scene to call the Medical Examiner, ambulance, wreckers, reducing the operating costs of each emergency to a minimum.


I wish to acknowledge the splendid co-operation extended me by the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the citizens of the Town of Tewks- bury; and commend my brother officers for their loyalty and untiring efforts when called upon to serve, you, the people of Tewksbury in solving cases ranging from petty larceny to murder.


This report would not be complete without mentioning the assist- ance given this department by the Lowell Police Department, thru the kind consideration of Superintendent Michael H. Winn, who has been ever ready and willing to assist us. Our appreciation is also extended to Harry A. Morrison, Radio Technician, who has serviced our radio since it's installation in 1936. We also wish to thank the Lowell Police Department for radio communications furnished our cruising car with- out expense to the taxpayers of Tewksbury.


Respectfully submitted,


CYRIL L. BARKER


Chief of Police.


112


REPORT OF THE WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRATION


Sponsor's Agent


During this year the various classes of projects operating on the first of January were continued. Work on roads was in operation until suspended by the September Hurricane, to make the men available for clearing debris. Under this project the following work was accom- plished: Finishing work on Pinnacle Street gravelling and widening Whipple Road; gravelling and widening Pond, Hill and Pringle Streets.


During the spring and summer months, considerable work was done on the High School Athletic Field. The Team House, stands and bleach- ers have been completed. Much work has been done on the field in tak- ing care of and further developing the graded area. Part of this was done by the National Youth Administration, and part by regular WPA forces.


The field was dedicated October 12, 1938 and I believe most of the voters of the town have seen the results of this labor I believe the plant is a credit to the town and to the WPA administration.


The sewing unit has been maintained at an approximate force of nine women during the year and has not only provided work for this number of women, but has made a great deal of material for distribution through the Federal Commissary.


The white collar project is at the present time working on an index of the Town Clerks and Police Department records.


During the fall months a drainage project for River Road was in operation, this provided for installation of 3,576 ft. of cement pipe and the necessary catch basins. The work was completed early in November and should materially improve drainage conditions in that vicinity, will also lower the cost of the proposed rebuilding of River Road.


Since the hurricane, most of our outdoor labor has been on removal and disposal of fire danger projects.


A very extensive scouting and spraying project for the control of leaf eating insects, gypsy moth, browntail moth, etc., was in operation during the spring and summer months under the supervision of the Moth Superintendent.


113


.


PROPOSED WORK FOR 1939


At the present time there is in the folder the following projects, approved which can be put in operation if men are available, on one week's notice.


Description


Federal Funds $ 680.00


Development of Athletic Field


Farm to Market Roads


16,920.00


Drainage on various streets


9,973.80


Forest projects


25,934.00


Control of leaf eating insects


11,520.30


Sewing project


2,978.40


There is, in the process of approval or in preparation:


Deepening and improvement of various branches of Strongwater Brook.


Delayed repairs on various School Houses.


STATISTICAL REVIEW


Persons employed as of January 1, 1938:


Tewksbury residents


61


Other towns 6


Total 67


Persons employed as of December 31, 1938:


Tewksbury residents 88


Other towns 66


Total 154


Respectfully submitted


EVERETT H. KING


Sponsor's Agent.


114


REPORT OF ROAD COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


Board of Selectmen. Tewksbury, Mass.


Gentlemen:


The following is our report for the year ending December 31, 1938.


Chapter 81, and General Highway Maintenance


Our Highway Department has carried out the usual working pro- gram, which includes the patching, graveling and bituminous treatment of the Streets.


Bound stones have been set on the following streets:


Cross Street Hoover Street Washington Street Franklin Street Roosevelt Street Birch Street


We are gradually building up the streets that were accepted in the past three years. While it is impossible to finish all of these streets in a year, we are pleased to report that we have made a good headway on them.


Work on the Farm to Market roads, a W. P. A. project, has con- tinued this year. This project has proven to be a very helpful one to our Highway Department.


This Department is and has been most anxious to keep the men steadily employed. To our regret, it was necessary to practically close down from May 7 to June 6, due to the fact that the State forbid us to spend any money under Chapter 81, until the State approved and appro- priated the allotments. We have eighteen men working steady, and ad-


115


.


ditional men have had part time employment. We would like to bring to your attention the fact that never to our knowledge has a man em- ployed in this department refused to answer an emergency call- whether for midnight snow removal or the sanding of streets. The night of the recent hurricane, the entire department answered a call, and were all out before midnight clearing the streets in order that traffic might continue.


The following tables give the amount of material used on the va- rious streets during the year 1938.


TAR, OIL AND SAND


Street


Tar Gals


Oil Sand Gals. Cu. Yds.


Helvetia Street


6998


134


Shawsheen Street


7488


196


Heath Street


1000


18


East Street


5612


134


Pleasant Street


3212


40


Chapman Street


803


26


Livingston Street


4981


140


Trull Street


2202


64


Hood Road


1188


54


Dock Street


1485


22


Vale Street


1502


34


Chandler Street


4988


184


Brown Street


2925


60


Pinnacle Street


7152


178


Foster Street


3079


108


Rogers Street


2507


50


South Street


1005


4873


270


Kendall Street


2269


142


Marston Street


4363


70


Fiske Street


2071


44


Carter Street


1818


18


Coolidge Street


962


14


Cross Street


220


18


Whipple Road


3397


3404


104


Common Street


494


10


Town Hall Avenue


494


12


Lowe Street


909


16


Ballard Street


1181


14


Birch Street


800


6


School Street


200


2


Parker Avenue


598


5


Clark Road


3202


60


116


North Street


4199


24


Billerica Street


3353


76


Bridge Street


963


8


Franklin Street


909


20


Salem Street


500


8


Woburn Street


615


10


Warren Avenue


500


6


Dubuque Avenue


511


14


Town Barn


5323


189


Barker Road


163


12


Sand for Ice


84


GRAVEL


Street


Cu. Yds.


Helvetia Street


2138


Livingston Street


1668


Washington Street


30


Salem Road


32


Littlefield Avenue


32


Rosemary Road


4


Dubuque Avenue


72


Felker Road


6


North Street


6423


Warren Road


8


Tewksbury High School


172


Parker Avenue


12


South Street


94


Myrtle Street


66


Lake Street


4


Franklin Street


28


Nichols Street


84


Glenwood Street


8


Vernon Street


10


East Street


54


Cross Street


14


Whipple Road


4192


Pine Street


2


McLaren Road


38


Pringle Street


1690


Warren Street


62


Chandler Street


8


Brown Street


100


Foster Street


6


Walnut Street


270


Birch Street


60


Bailey Road


10


Texas Road


10


Bay State Road


4


Fiske Street


22


Water Street


12


Pinnacle Street


114


Old Boston Road


18


Dock Street


26


Heath Street


4


School Street


6.2


Andover Street


160


Coolidge Street


16


Astle Street


10


Pike Street


22


Rogers Street


110


Beech Street


16


Chapman Street


12


Pleasant Street


129


Hill Street


946


River Road


202


Pond Street


1372


PEA GRAVEL


Street


Tons


North Street


90


Pleasant Street


197


At Yard


10


.


117


CULVERTS, CATCH BASINS, PIPE AND GUARD RAILS


New Corrugated metal culverts, catch basins, pipe and guard rails were installed on the following streets:


Street


Kind


Diameter in Inches Location


Helvetia Street


Corr. Paved Coated


18


Between James' & Goodwin's Res.


Brown Street


Corr. Paved Coated


24


Near Purdy's Res.


North Street


Corr. Paved Coated


24


Near Dawson's Res.


North Street


Corr. Paved Coated


18


Near Dawson's Res.


North Street


Corr. Paved Coated


18


Near Ames Res.


North Street


Corr. Paved Coated


18


Near Ames Res. Cor. Helvetia Pleasant Streets.


&


Pleasant Street


Catch Basin


Near McGowan's Res


Pleasant Street


Catch Basin


Near Willettes' Res.


Pleasant Street


Catch Basin


Near Tewksbury


High School.


Pleasant Street


Catch Basin


Near Norris' Res.


Common Street


Catch Basin


Near front entrance to Town Hall


Pleasant Street 396 Ft. 12 In. Plain Concrete Pipe.


Chapman Street


201 Ft. 10 In. Plain Concrete Pipe.


North Street


171 Ft. 12 In. Plain Concrete Pipe.


North Street


250 Ft. 12 In. Reinforced Concrete Pipe.


North Street


48 Ft. 12 In. Corrugated Paved Coated Pipe.


East Street


570 Ft. Guard Rail, near Robinson Res.


East Street


200 Ft. Guard Rail, junction of Maple St. & East St.


LEDGE REMOVAL


We have had considerable difficulty in getting a Contractor to re- move the ledge on Trull Street. Due to the danger involved in this type of work, many contractors refused to consider it at all. Recently we have been fortunate in obtaining the services of Coleman Bros., who have agreed to do this work.


MACHINERY FUND


This fund, which started two years ago, is proving a success. In previous years equipment, especially trucks, were purchased on the in- stallment plan method, which is expensive at its best. We now purchase all necessary equipment for cash, at a great saving. This year, two new trucks and two new, greatly needed, sand spreaders have been added to our department. All Highway equipment is purchased on the lowest bid prices, while the same applies to all materials used on our high- ways.


118


Pleasant Street


Catch Basin


CHAPTER 498


The heavy rains, which we were subject to during the spring and summer months, caused many dangerous washouts and considerable road damage. Considering this, an emergency bill was passed by the Legislature, which allowed the towns and cities to apply for money to repair the unexpected damages. By putting in an early request for aid, and submitting an estimate of $1,720. for damage done in this town, we were fortunate to receive the sum of $1700.


CHAPTER 500


Chapter 500 is also another new bill passed by the Legislature, under which this town was alloted $3,500. This sum is to be spent under the approval of the Department of Public Works. We were given per- mission by this department to use this money to remove damage done by the hurricane.


MAINTENANCE, CHAPTER 90


The usual maintenance of Chapter 90 was carried out under the provisions of this allotment. All of our Chapter 90 highways are in good condition. The shoulders on all macadam roads were maintained in good order during the year. Practically all 90 Maintenance roads were bitu- minous treated.


PLEASANT STREET, CHAPTER 90


At our 1938 Town meeting, the sum of $500. was appropriated to complete the construction on Pleasant Street. The County alloted $500., the State $1000., making a total of $2000.


Our September hurricane caused great damage in the center of our Town. We felt that our Department should do all in its power to help improve the appearance at this particular place. Taking up the matter with our Engineer, he suggested a Class I construction to be used here, and estimated it would require an additional $1,500. This Class I con- struction is a specially applied bituminous concrete material, which makes a very fine appearing and wearing road. It is also highly ap- proved of by the State.


Therefore, we asked for a second allotment of our State and County, which was granted. The State contributed the sum of $750., the County $375., and we have reserved $375 of our Highway fund to be used for this purpose. These allotments were not received until December 15. Weather conditions at that time were unfavorable and construction was discontinued. We will continue and complete this work as soon as these conditions improve.


..


119


NORTH STREET, CHAPTER 90


Construction on North Street is well under way, considering the fact the allotment was not received until a late date. This construc- tion calls for a bituminous treated graveled road, with all proper drainage. We are satisfied with the way this work is progressing, but do hope our allotments in the future will come in at an earlier date, in order that we might be able to complete this work before the end of the year. To continue this work we are asking for the sum of $2500.00 to be appropriated this year to be used with any State or County money alloted.


For a financial report of the department we refer you to the au- ditor's report of highway expenditures.


In closing this report, our appreciation and thanks are extended to our Board of Selectmen, State and County officials, and engineers for their cooperation and assistance.


Respectfully yours,


THOMAS P. SAWYER JOHN T. GALE CHESTER M. ROPER Road Commissioners of Tewksbury.


DANIEL STERLING,


Superintendent of Streets.


120


REPORT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT


Chairman Greene and Members of the Tewksbury Board of Health: Gentlemen:


The following is my report for the Department of Health for the year ending December 31st, 1938. 1


The general health of the community has been rather above the average, as far as the contagious cases occuring among the children. This is partly due to the excellent work of the School Nurse in quickly recognizing the early symptoms and immediate isolation to prevent spread of the disease. The cases of Dog-bites have been, as usual large but only two of the dogs quarantined were Rabid and neither dog had bitten a human, but every case of this kind means expense to the town. I again recommend more thorough cleaning out of unlicensed dogs, since cost of treatment of a patient bitten by a known rabid dog must be borne entirely by the town where said dog is unlicensed, while the County repays this expenditure if the animal is properly reg- istered. This past year has been particularly hard, both for the Tu- berculosis invalids and for the health department appropriation. Each case must be cared for at the expense of this department in a sanitarium at a cost of about $575.00 for each patient. With three cases under care we have found it necessary to increase the appropriation the coming year.


Contagious Cases


Cases


No


Deaths


Dog Bite


11


0


Human Rabies


0


0


Tuberculosis


3


1


Measles


1


0


Scarlet Fever


2


0


Diphtheria


1


0


Pneumonia


5


0


Total


23


1


Respectfully submitted,


HERBERT M. LARRABEE, M. D., Agent


121


REPORT OF THE AUDIT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE TOWN OF TEWKSBURY


To the Board of Selectmen,


Mr. Irving F. French, Chairman, Tewksbury, Massachusetts.


Gentlemen:


I submit herewith my report of an audit of the accounts of the town of Tewksbury for the period from August 24, 1937 to July 11, 1938, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.


Very truly yours,


TNW-MEF


THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.


122


Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts, Department of Corporations and Taxation, State House, Boston.


Sir:


As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Tewksbury for the period from August 24, 1937, the date of the previous examination, to July 11, 1938, and submit the following report thereon.


The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the various departments receiving or disbursing town funds or committing bills for collection, were examined and checked.


The appropriation accounts, as shown on the records of the town auditor, were examined and checked in detail, the appropriations and transfers being checked with the town clerk's records of town meet- ings, and the recorded disbursements being checked with the treas- urer's records. A complete set of ledger accounts was constructed, and from these compiled accounts a balance sheet, showing the finan- cial condition of the town as of July 11, 1938, was prepared and is ap- pended to this report.


The balance sheet shows overlay deficits of $711.84 as of the date of the audit. Of this sum, $401.24 was raised in the levy of 1938, leav- ing a balance of $310.60 which should be provided for in 1939, together with any additional overlay deficits which may exist at the time the 1939 rate is to be fixed.


It was founnd that the grants received from the Federal Govern- ment on account of "Old Age Assistance-Assistance", "Old Age As- sistance-Administration", and "Aid to Dependent Children" are be- ing merged with the town appropriations for these purposes. Atten- tion in this connection is called to Section 7, Chapter 413, and to Sec- tion 7, Chapter 436, Acts of 1936, which requires that the money thus received shall be kept in separate accounts and expended for the pur- poses specified by the State Department of Public Welfare. Payments on approved cases should be charged directly against the proper grant accounts, and any balances in these accounts at the close of the year should be carried forward.


The books and accounts of Alice A. Pike as town treasurer from August 24, 1937 to February 7, 1938, and those of George A. Marshall as town treasurer from February 8 to July 11, 1938, were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the records in the various departments collecting money


.


123


for the town or committing bills for collection, and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The dis- bursements were checked with the auditor's records and with the bills, vouchers, and pay-rolls approved by the selectmen. The cash book additions were proved, and the cash balance on July 11, 1938, was ver- ified by actual count of the cash in the offce and by a reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank.


The payments on accounts of maturing debt and interest were proved with the amounts falling due and were checked with the can- celed securities and coupons on file.


The investments of the several town trust funds, as represented by savings bank books in the custody of the town treasurer, were examined. The income was proved and the disbursements were verified.


The tax titles held by the town, as shown by the treasurer's records, were examined and checked in detail. The taxes transferred to the tax title account were compared with the tax books, the recorded redemptions being checked to the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles disclaimed or foreclosed being checked with recorded affidavits and deeds on file. The tax titles on hand July 11, 1938, were listed and checked to the deeds on file, and were further verified by a com- parison with the records in the Registry of Deeds.


The books and accounts of Alice A. Pike as tax collector from August 24, 1937 to February 17, 1938, as well as those of Harry C. Dawson as tax collector from February 18 to July 11, 1938, were ex- amined and checked in detail. The taxes outstanding at the time of the previous examination were audited, and all subsequent com- mitments were verified and compared with the assessors' warrants for their collection. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the recorded abatements were checked with the assessors' records of abatements granted, and the taxes trans- ferred to the tax title account were compared with the treasurer's re- cords of tax titles.


The outstanding accounts were further verified by mailing no- tices to a large number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.


With reference to the cash shortage in the accounts of Robert W. Barron, former tax collector, as disclosed by the previous audit, it was found that the amount of this shortage on August 24, 1937, of $32,147.14, was paid in full by the surety company, together with $300 interest. However, as a result of further proofs of claim of payments being submitted, an additional shortage in the amount of $145.21 has


124


been established, and a number of other claims of payment, not yet substantiated, will, if proved, further increase the amount of this ad- ditional cash shortage.


The town clerk's records of financial votes passed by the town were examined. The records of dog licenses, sporting licenses, and town licenses issued by Harry C. Dawson, as town clerk from August 24, 1937 to February 8, 1938, and H. Louis Farmer, Jr., as town clerk from February 9 to July 25, 1938, were examined, and the recorded collections were checked with the payments to the county, state, and town treasurers.




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