Town of Tewksbury annual report 1950-1954, Part 13

Author: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Publication date: 1950
Publisher: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 786


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1950-1954 > Part 13


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During the loan negotiation period, it was pointed out by certain bank officials that the low assessed valuation of the Town worked towards its detriment, since the most favorable interest rates have been obtained in Towns where the ratio between total assessed valuation and bonded indebtedness has been high.


The numerous contracts awarded in connection with the project were awarded in all cases to the lowest bidders providing reasonable completion or delivery dates. Nearly all of the material required has been delivered. As of December 31, 1951, bills ap- proved for payment totalled $973,958.20. With the total appropria- tion at $1,650,000.00, a balance of $676,041.80 remains for comple- ting the project.


54


To date approximately 70 percent of the water distribution system has been completed. Almost fifty per cent of the house service connections estimated for the first year of service have been made. The reservoir and wells have been completed and tested. The pump houses have been completed and a possible delay, caused by the inability of obtaining pumping equipment immediately, has been forestalled by renting suitable pumping equipment at the nominal charge of $50.00 per month. This equipment will be avail- able until the permanent pumps are installed. Testing and chlori- nation of the installed mains is nearing completion and by early spring many residents will be using water from the Town system.


Expenses to date have been well within the engineers', esti- mates and in many cases substantial savings have accrued to the benefit of the Town.


Inconveniences caused by unavoidable damage to streets, set- tling of trenches, etc., are regretted and these conditions are being corrected by the contractors as rapidly as possible.


The Board of Water Commissioners is greatly appreciative of the excellent cooperation it has received from many individuals and groups and special thanks are extended to the Board of Selectmen, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Highway Department, the Town Auditor, Collector of Taxes, Town Counsel and Town Treasurer, the Town of Wilmington and many others too numerous to mention.


JOHN J. COONEY EBEN A. PRESCOTT JOSEPH J. WHELAN


Board of Water Commissioners


.


55


REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen


Gentlemen:


I submit herewith my report for the year 1951:


Cash on Hand, January 1, 1951


$ 136,234.10


Receipts to December 31, 1951 3,301,203.08


$ 3,437,437.18


Paid on Warrants drawn by Town Accountant to December 31, 1951 $ 1,975,745.50


Balance at Day Trust Company, Boston 5,000.00


Balance at Union National Bank of Lowell


4,323.22


Balance at Middlesex Cty. Nat. Bank, Lowell


203,327.38


Balance at First National Bank of Boston 548,796.08


U. S. Government Treasury Bills 697,151.00


Cash in office 3,094.00


$ 3,437,437.18


For detail of receipts and expenditures see Town Accountant's report.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM J. O'NEILL


Town Treasurer


56


REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT


December 31, 1951


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I respectfully submit the following Annual Report of the Tewksbury Police Department, as follows:


Drunkenness


53


Juvenile Delinquent 1


Breaking and Entering and Larc. N.T. 7


Leaving the scene without making self known 1


Permitting improper person to operate 1


Violation of Fish and Game Laws


4


Absconding 2


Violation of Internal Revenue Laws


2


Operating under the Influence of Liquor


1


Non-Support


3


Operating Motor Vehicle after suspension


1


Assault and Battery


5


Total 81


Disposition of Cases:


Lowell District Court


Guilty


40


Not Guilty


4


Filed


2


Released


16


Dismissed


2


Held for Grand Jury


5


Pending


3


For other departments


5


Fined


4


Total 81


Telephone calls at office


4978


Telephone calls at Chief's home


3116


Auto accidents investigated


58


Complaints received


1245


Summons served


81


Public functions covered


47


Funerals policed


6


Messages delivered


236


57


Dogs struck by autos


81


Dog bites investigated


3


Sudden deaths investigated


10


Doors and windows found open


24


Snow and ice on highways reported


7


Lights out, poles or wires down


21


With Lowell Humane Society


5


Missing persons in Tewksbury


32


Missing persons elsewhere


10


Cars stolen in Tewksbury


2


Cars stolen elsewhere


37


Hearings at office


17


Investigations for other departments


99


Investigations with M.S.P.C.C.


4


Registration plates checked


18


Merchandise recovered


$15,384.40


Car registration or ownership transferred


257


Jurors served


8


Sessions at Lowell District Court


60


Sessions at Superior Court, Lowell


9


Sessions at Superior Court, Cambridge


22


Sessions at Probate Court, Lowell


1


Ambulance calls


14


Admitted to M.S.I.


12


Vacant property checked


42


Fires policed


18


Transported to hospital


19


Registration plates picked up


11


Alert Signal White S.P.


38


Committed to mental institutions


2


Sunday permits issued


1


Respectfully submitted,


CYRIL L. BARKER Chief of Police


1


58


REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS


To the Board of Selectmen: Town of Tewksbury, Mass.


The following is our report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1951.


During the past summer the commons were mowed, raked and trimmed. The flag was raised on all occasions. Shrubbery and trees were trimmed. Bare spots were loamed, fertilized and seeded. A new Star with 97 bulbs has been added to the Christmas decora- tions. The bandstand was painted and a new floor layed.


Respectfully submitted,


JOE ROUX, Chairman FRANK SHERLOCK LESLIE COLLINS Park Commissioners


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


During 1951 the sealer visited twenty-seven establishments. He tsted and sealed:


3-Platform Scales


5-Beam Scales


9-Spring Scales 12-Computing Scales 16-Liquid Measures 25-Gasoline Measuring Meters 3-Kerosene Measuring Pumps 3-Oil Measuring Pumps


Sealers fees collected - $47.40.


WILLIAM H. BENNETT Sealer


59


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 1951


Honorable Board of Selectmen


Town of Tewksbury


Tewksbury, Mass.


Gentlemen:


As Chief of the Fire Department I wish to submit the 1951 report.


Motor Vehicles


6


Hot Water Units


1


Oil Burners (Kitchen)


3


Electric Ranges


2


Water Pumps (Motors)


5


Chimney


7


Dump


32


House and Buildings


11


Brush and Grass


75


Miscellaneous


48


False


3


Out of Town


4


Boilers


3


Total 200


(Approx.) Valuation of Real and Personal property $943,150


(Approx.) Losses of Real and Personal property 36,610


Oil and Gas Permits 209


Telephone calls - Fire Department


3741


Police Department 1771


Total


5512


The value of radio was proven at a large brush fire that started in Billerica and entered West Tewksbury. This fire burned over better than 300 acres, of this 165 acres was in Tewksbury. Outside aid was called. With our one radio (Mobile) and the radios of Andover and the State Forest Wardens, fire apparatus was imme- diately sent to the worst areas. This saved at least a dozen homes in the path of the fire.


Three tank trucks to refill the Booster Tanks of the Fire Apparatus and one Fire hole was necesary. For this I wish to thank John MacLellan, M. J. Kelley and Charles Hass, for the


60


use of their tank trucks. Also Andover, Lowell, Wilmington, Billerica, Chelmsford and Dracut Fire Departments, for the Mutual Aid they rendered at this fire, and to the many individuals for their assistance, including M.S.I. and Mass. Dept. of Forestry.


The way the town is expanding with homes being built in different sections, we will have to expand also.


This means, a permanent station in the South. Later, a Fire Alarm System.


There are so many new homes and developments going on that phones are not in these homes. I have already had one experience of this nature. Fortunately some carpenters were in the house to extinguish the fire. The Fire Department was notified after the fire was extinguished at a loss of several hundreds of dollars.


Phones, as you know, are very hard to get, and they are the only means we have of answering an alarm, unless some one comes in by automobile or bicycle. This has also happened on several occasions.


I wish to thank the South Tewksbury Betterment for being so civic minded by looking to the future and obtaining the land at Foster's Corner for a Fire Station, I hope, in the near future.


I wish to thank you, the Selectmen, for your cooperation, also the people of Tewksbury for applying for permits for open-air fires, and the officers and men of the Fire Department for their co- operation and spirit in answering alarms and keeping the fire losses at a minimum.


I hope to serve you again and will always endeavor to make progress in the Fire Department.


Respectfully submitted,


ANTHONY OBDENS


Chief of the Fire Department


61


REPORT OF THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT


Old Age Assistance


During the year considerable legislation was enacted under this program. Due to two extra Federal Grants during the year, sufficient money was available but the changes will be reflected in 1952 expenditures.


State Letter 48 increases the rates payable to hospitals from $10.00 per day for all costs to $12.00 per day.


State Letter 47 increased the budget from 8.3 to 14.2% effective October 1, 1951.


Chapter 801 of the Acts of 1951 and State Letter 52 and 52a revise the O.A.A. plan, effective January 1, 1952. The law, in one sense is more liberal, but in another it is much stricter. A new minimum of $79.00 for a person outside a family group and $59.00 for a person within a family group, has been established. Increased rates in Boarding and Nursing homes have been authorized as high as $10.00 a week in a nursing home. More liberal exemptions for legally liable relatives. The above will call for a considerable initial increase in the cost of O.A.A. On the other hand Board of Public Welfare has been instructed that a condition of granting O.A.A. the city or town shall take a lien on the real estate of the recipient for the purpose of securing the repayment of any Old Age Assistance granted on or after January 1, 1952. This will more than compensate for the increase as mentioned above so it is safe to say that in the long run Chapter 801 will save the Town money.


Aid to Dependent Children


The most important change in Aid to Dependent Children in the past year was an increase in the budget from 8.3 to 14.2 effec- tive in October. The case load has remaind about the same for the past year and there is no indication that it will increase.


Administration


The Board appreciates the cooperation with this department by the local business men and bv the Water Commissioners for joh opportunities for men who became unemployed during the year. In each request for aid by an able bodied person a job referral was possible.


At a meeting of the Board on August 14, 1951, Mr. Harold Sullivan informed the Board he was submitting his resignation effective August 20, 1951. At a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen on September 4, 1951, Mr. Cluff was appointed a member


62


of the Board versus Mr. Sullivan; Mr. Cluff was also appointed Chairman of the Board.


The Board, in the past, has been paid for expenses and travel, but have received no other compensation. Under the Revised Handbook No. 2 for Administration, dated November 1, 1951, P 11, Sec. 2a, authorizes the Board to receive compensation up to $300.00 per year per member, if it is voted at a Town Meeting. The Federal Share would be about 40 percent and the State Share about 35 percent of D. A. A request for compensation for the Board has been made.


General Relief


At no time during the year 1951 has an able bodied man or woman been carried on the relief roles for more than an emergency order.


The expenses under this category are for the most, for people over 65 who are not citizens and cannot be picked up under O.A.A.


It is expected that in 1952 some of these persons will be eligible for Disability Assistance which will be a further saving for the Town.


Disability Assistance


A new form of assistance was brought into existence in 1950 under the title of XIV of Social Security Act and the various States could participate if and when an approved program was established for aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled.


The Commonwealth approved such a plan on October 30, 1951 and the category is known as Disability Assistance.


The General Laws have been amended to read "the Board of Public Welfare of every Town shall give adequate assistance to every needy resident therein, eighteen years of age or over, who is permanently and totally disabled and has resided in the Com- monwealth for one year immediately preceding the date of appli- cation for such assistance."


The law places on the Board of Public Welfare the obligation of determining need and residence but places the determination of total and permanent disability on a State Medical Review Team.


The cost for this program both for aid and for administration is on a 75% - 25% basis. The cost to the Town is 25 percent . The Federal assumes one-half the cost up to $50.00 plus $5.00 on each case. The State assumes the difference between the Federal Share and 75 percent. In administration the Federal Share is determined by local time study and the State assumes the cost up to 75 percent. The Federal share in both aid and administration is set up in a special fund and can be reused by the Board of Public Welfare.


63


The State share is returned to the General Fund and cannot be reused by the Board. The Town must appropriate both its own and the State share.


At the present time three cases have been approved by the State Medical Team and three more are pending. It is quite possible that as this program is given more publicity, the above figure will increase greatly. Our estimate for the coming year is based on the applications on hand.


Respectfully submitted,


VICTOR N. CLUFF, Chairman WILLIAM B. CARTER GILBERT E. FRENCH


Board of Public Welfare


REPORT OF CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


During the past year considerable progress has been made in the setting up of our Town's Civil Defense program. Much time and effort were spent on drawing up a suitable plan to fit the town's needs, and this plan was very highly received by both regional and state agencies. Much credit in the making up of this plan should be given to our Town Moderator, James Gaffney, who spent considerable time with the committee. Assistant directors were named for the five sections of the town, and they in turn picked their coordinators.


A canvas of the facilities of the town was made, whereby shelter, feeding, transportation, and equipment data is now on file. This information has also been forwarded to the State Department of Civil Defense.


During the latter part of the year two sirens were purchased and one already is installed and working. The other, which will be located in South Tewksbury, will be in operation very shortly.


A First Aid Shelter and Station was planned, arranged and provided for by the Civil Defense Department and is at present located in the Central Fire Station, another such station is planned.


The auxiliary police organization of over fifty men is also in training under the able direction of Chief Cyril Barker, and it is hoped that the fire service will be augmented by a small auxiliary force very soon. Chief Anthony Obdens has placed Deputy Chief George DeSilva in charge of this operation.


64


During the coming year we hope to organize a smoothly- operated communications system throughout the town.


As yet we have not enlisted the service of a large number of townfolk, as we think it more advisable to set up a workable plan and then fill the quotas as they are needed.


It has been, and will continue to be the aim of the committee to do the best possible job for the least expenditure of funds.


Yours very truly,


GEORGE A. MCDERMOTT Diréctor


REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD 1951


At regular meetings held throughout the year, the Planning Board has drawn up rules and regulations for street acceptance which, after approval by the Board of Road Commissioners, were incorporated into mimeographed form along with revised subdivi- sion regulations. Public hearings were held and approval was given on plans for subdivision of land. During this year, the following subdivisions have been approved:


Irving Monroe, "Hinckley Road" John D. Sulivan, "Knoll Wood Road Extension" Herbert Foster, "Heath Brook Manor, Plan No. 2"


In this connection, the Board wishes to point out, that while at times it may seem overly strict in its requirements for subdivision approval, the regulations it is governed by are those established by statute law for Planning Boards throughout the state. These regulations, which are the result of much study, are not designed to restrict or hinder subdivision development, but to assure a" properly planned community as free as possible from duplication and confusion which result in waste of the taxpayers money. The developers of property should know that these regulations are not applicable to land which is not to be subdivided and is adjacent to existing ways. There are in Tewksbury over sixty miles of paved roads provided with facilities for water and electricity, roads which are bordered by land that is now available for development into attractive low price housing units.


To continue with its policy of building up suitable map coverage for the town, the Board purchased, at nominal cost, tracings of Main Street and all county roads in Tewksbury. The


65


Board has requested approval of an additional appropriation to continue this work with the understanding that it will return to the Town treasury any unexpended balance at the end of each year.


By authorization, under Article 16 of the 1951 annual warrant, the Board elected Mr. Dana Perkins to serve on a committee in- vestigating possible sites for a permanent fire station in South Tewksbury.


Much time has been spent on the revision of the Building Code for presentation at this year's annual town meeting. By incorpora- ting the valuable suggestions of local contractors, the Board feels certain that the new code is sounder, less confusing, and provided with a minimum of regulatory provisions. Listed below are several excellent reasons which highlight Tewksbury's need for a building law.


1. It protects life and property.


2. It establishes standards for construction that will assure reasonable assessments.


3. It assists citizens to build good homes and holds contractors to minimum standards.


4. It protects present town residents from carrying an unpro- portionate tax burden in comparison to new low assessed properties.


5. Population trends definitely indicate strong movement away from cities to suburban communities.


6. A properly built home is more economically maintained.


These are increasingly important considerations in view of the expected influx of new homes to Tewksbury now that the school construction program, and the installation of the town water system have made Tewksbury a more desirable community in which to live.


The Board regrets to announce the resignation of Mr. Branford Brennon, who recently changed his residence to Lowell. Mr. Brennon has served the town faithfully and well as a member and secretary of the Board for three years.


EDWARD B. STEVENS


Secretary


66


REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR


-


January 8, 1952


The following is my report as Collector of Taxes from January 1, 1951 to December 31, 1951.


1948 Personal Property Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951 $ 24.00


Taxes Collected


2.00


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$ 22.00


1948 Motor Vehicle Excise Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 21.90


Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$


21.90


1949 Real Estate Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 5,430.15


Taxes Collected


$ 5,277.35


Taxes Abated


44.00


Credited with Taxes on Tax Titles


108.80


Total Credited with Collections


$ 5,430.15


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


NONE


1949 Personal Property Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 988.80


Taxes Collected


662.60


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$ 326.20


1949 Motor Vehicle Excise Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 103.42


Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$


103.42


1949 Poll Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 2.00


Taxes Collected


2.00


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


NONE


1950 Real Estate Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 19,128.39


Refunded


20.20 $ 19,148.50


Taxes Collected


$ 13,979.39


Taxes Abated


12.00


Credited with Taxes on Tax Titles


104.80


Total Credited to Collections 14,096.19


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951 $ 5,052.40


67


1950 Personal Property Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


Taxes Collected


$ 1,749.20 576.80


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951 $ 1,172.40


1950 Motor Vehicle Excise Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 4,861.02


Committed in 1951


149.92


Refunded


46.57 $ 5,057.51


Excises Collected


3,849.39


Excises Abated


119.74


Total Credited to Collections


3,969.13


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$ 1,088.38


1950 Poll Account


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1951


$ 386.00


Taxes Collected $ 188.00


Taxes Abated


4.00


Total Credited to Collections


192.00


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951 $ 194.00


1951 Real Estate Account


Committed in 1951


$206,050.68


Refunded


1,134.10 $207,184.78


Taxes Collected


168,293.55


Taxes Abated


6,397.60


Credited with Taxes on Tax Titles


431.20


Total Credited to Collections


175,122.35


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$ 32,062.43


1951 Personal Property Account


Committed in 1951


$119,439.76


Taxes Collected


$116,966.08


Taxes Abated


25.96


Total Credited to Collections


116,992.04


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951 $ 2,447.72


68


1951 Motor Vehicle Excise Account


Committed in 1951


$ 32,168.93


Refunded


876.54 $ 33,045.47


Excises Collected


26,757.14


Excises Abated


1,641.13


Total Credited to Collections


28,398.27


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$ 4,647.20


1951 Poll Account


Committed in 1951 $ 3,380.00


Refunded


6.00 $


3,386.00


Taxes Collected


2,530.00


Taxes Abated


326.00


Total Credited to Collections


2,856.00


Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951


$ 530.00


TAX COLLECTOR'S SUMMARY OF CHARGES AND CREDITS


Charges


Personal Property - 1948


$ 24.00


Motor Vehicle Excise - 1948


21.90


Real Estate - 1949


5,430.15


Personal Property - 1949


988.90


Motor Vehicle Excise - 1949


103.42


Poll - 1949


2.00


Real Estate - 1950


$ 19,128.39


Refunded


20.20


19,148.59


Personal Property - 1950


1,749.20


Motor Vehicle Excise - 1950


$ 5,010.94


Refunded


46.57


5,057.51


Poll - 1950


386.00


Real Estate - 1951


$206,050.68


Refunded


1,134.10


207,184.78


Personal Property - 1951


119,439.76


Motor Vehicle Excise - 1951


$ 32,168.93


Refunded


876.54


33,045.47


Poll - 1951


$ 3,380.00


Refunded


6.00


3,386.00


69


Interest, Costs and Fees


712.31


TOTAL CHARGES


$396,679.89


Credits


Total Cash Collected and Paid to Treasurer .. $339,796.61


Total Amount Abated 8,570.43


Tax Title Credits 644.80


Total Amount Credited to Collections $349,011.84


Total Amount Outstanding Dec. 31, 1951 47,668.05


TOTAL CREDITS $396,679.89


Respectfully submitted,


LOUIS H. AMIOT


Collector


REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER


December 21, 1951


To the Board of Selectmen


Town of Tewksbury


Gentlemen:


The following is my report as Dog Officer for the period ending December 16, 1951.


Kennel Licenses: 8-$10 1-$50 2-$25 11


Dogs Licensed 662


Dogs Sheltered 28


Dogs destroyed 24


Dogs returned to owners 6


Dogs picked up from highway 3


Respectfully submitted,


HENRY M. PATENAUDE


Dog Officer


70


REPORT OF THE ROAD COMMISSIONERS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS


To the Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


The following is the report of the Road Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1951:


Chapter 81 and General Highway


We were unable to do the same amount of work on 81 this year due to the water main installation. Very little oiling was done as this would not have been practical. The Chapter 81 and General Highway money was used for patching, graveling, sanding. snow removal and considerable drainage work.


Chapter 90 Maintenance


Chapter 90 Maintenance work was done on River Road, Pleasant Street, North Street and Woburn Street.


Chapter 90 Construction


Chapter 90 Construction work was carried out on Whipple Road where the section from the McDermott residence to the Lowell line was completed. Some money was left over which we will use to straighten the curve near Mud Pond. This will com- plete Whipple Road.


Financial report of the Highway Department is included in the Auditor's Report.


We inaugurated a new system of holding meetings open to the public, these meetings are held the 1st Monday of each month and are proving very helpful to the residents of the town and also to ourselves.


In closing, we express our thanks to all who have given us any assistance.


Respectfully yours,


CHESTER M. ROPER, Chairman THOMAS F. SULLIVAN GEORGE R. GRAY


Road Commissioners


RICHARD F. O'NEILL Superintendent


71


Catch Basins installed


Asphalt gals.


Sand yds.


Pea Stone tons


Concrete tons


North Street


3671


158.30


Whipple Road


4804


100


218.05


Pleasant Street


2859


127.50


Woburn Street


3026


103.10


River Road


4827


318.10


Stock Pile


270.


Various Streets


266.05


South Street


1


Dewey Street


1


Marshall Street


1


Shawsheen Street


1


Whipple Road


1


Sanding all Streets


2600


GRAVEL (yards)


Shawsheen Street


60


South Street


45


Clark Road


25


Health Street


185


Appletree Road


175


McLaren Road




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