Town of Tewksbury annual report 1955-1960, Part 71

Author: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Publication date: 1955
Publisher: Tewksbury (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 1222


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1955-1960 > Part 71


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During the year 1960, the legislature passed a law which re- quired the local Boards to include two new items on the budget for recipients of Disability Assistance. These two items are $4.00 for Leisure Time Activity and $2.50 for Travel Allowance. This repre- sents an annual increase of about $1,560.00 a year for these items. As the local Board was not instructed by the State Department of Public Welfare to include it in the budget until after the prepara- tion of the budget estimates for 1961, it was not included in the above estimate.


4. Medical Assistance for the Aged


This is a new program and probably can be best explained by incorporating into this report excerpts from a letter submitted to the Finance Committee in conjunction with the budget request for the year 1961.


"In the budget request by the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1961, a new item called Medical Assistance for the Aged (M.A.A.) is included.


Changes made under the Social Security Act of 1960 established a new program of assistance under the Secretary of Health, Educa- tion and Welfare. The bill, as passed at that level, recognized a need for medical care for aged persons. As in all plans for assist- ance under the Social Security Act, the individual states set up


57


their own plan conforming to the general federal requirements. This must be done before states are allowed federal grants.


Under Chapter 781 of the Acts of 1960, the local Boards of Public Welfare in the various cities and towns are obliged to ad- minister the program. As adopted by the General Court, briefly the program is as follows: Aged persons sixty-five or over who reside in the Commonwealth are entitled to medical assistance pro- viding they do not have an income, if single, of more than $150.00 a month or, if married, $225.00 a month; and providing further that, if single, they do not have bank deposits, securities, cash on hand and/or similar assets amounting to more than $2,000.00 or, if mar- ried, more than $3,000.00. Persons eligible for this form of assistance shall be entitled to part or all of the cost of: (1) in-patient hospital ward care; (2) public medical institution services; (3) nursing home services; (4) physicians' services; (5) out-patient or clinical services; (6) nursing services; (7) physical therapy and related services; (8) dental services; (9) home health care services; (10) laboratory and x-ray services; (11) prescribed drugs, eye glasses, dentures, and other prosthetic devices; (12) diagnostic screening and preventative services; (13) any other medical care or remedial care recognized under the law of the Commonwealth; and (14) other medical care in accordance with the Department of Public Welfare Medical Care Plan.


In most instances, payment will be for medical care only and will be made direct to the vendor furnishing such care. The one exception is for persons in public medical institutions, chronic hos- pitals, and nursing homes. This group will be guaranteed for their own personal use, $15.00 a month either by direct payment by the Board of Public Welfare or by utilizing the first $15.00 of their income.


Reimbursement for care under this program is fifty (50) per cent of all monies expended reimbursed by the federal government, two-third's of the balance by the state, and the local community will assume the one-third difference. Under administration, it is fifty (50) per cent by the federal and one-half the difference by the state, and the local community will assume the twenty-five (25) per cent balance. Under the exception mentioned above ($15.00), the state will pay two-third's of the total expenditure and the communities will assume the balance of one-third.


Until the end of the present year, notwithstanding any other provisions of any general or special laws in towns, payments for the purpose of this act may be made from appropriations previously voted by the town for Old Age Assistance purposes.


The bill also made several changes under the present Old Age Assistance law, the most important of which was to render ineligible for Old Age Assistance, any persons living in a public medical in-


58


stitution, chronic hospital, or licensed nursing home. These persons, by law, are automatically transferred retroactively to October 1, 1960, from Old Age Assistance to Medical Assistance for the Aged. The reason for this section in the law is to gain additional federal reimbursement.


Unlike Old Age Assistance, which has a residence requirement of three out of the last nine years and one year immediately pre- ceding application, and Disability Assistance and Aid to Dependent Children which require a year residence prior to application, the Medical Assistance for the Aged program has no period of residence in its provisions. A person can come in from out of state with the intent of making his home in some city or town in Massachusetts and immediately become eligible for this type of assistance.


This law also does away with the settlement requirement which is currently under Old Age Assistance and which placed the local share of aid on the town of settlement rather than on the place of residence.


When this particular program is given publicity, it will un- doubtedly be an expensive one. At the present time, six applica- tions have been received by the department for aid. The Board has attempted to estimate the cost of this program for the year 1961, but no reasonable figure could be arrived at. In light of the possi- bility of passage by the federal of additional amendments to the Social Security Act, which might eliminate from this program all persons falling under Social Security and, in turn, greatly reduce the expenditures under Medical Assistance for the Aged the Board felt that only a minimum expenditure should be figured under the Medical Assistance for the Aged program and the budget submitted for 1961 only includes those persons who previously had been on Old Age Assistance and who, by law, are currently on Medical Assistance for the Aged. The Board, in its budget request, in order to handle new applications and at the same time considering the effect on the tax rate when the possibility existed that it would be unnecessary because of future changes in the Social Security laws, requested that the Finance Committee include an additional $20,000.00 in its own appropriation and allow a transfer to Medical Assistance for the Aged as, and if, necessary. The figure of $20,000.00 is a flexible one and probably will be altered prior to the Town Meeting when more information both as to the numbers who will fall under the program as well as additional changes at the federal level will be available."


5. General Relief


This program requires local Boards to meet the community's statutory obligation to relieve a person in need. How this is done is left entirely up to the Board's discretion. Unlike the federal pro-


59


grams where the final decision rests with the state through an appeal process, the Board in General Relief has the final say. They, in their policies and decisions, attempt to reflect community think- ing. This program should continue to decrease as new federal pro- grams are adopted at the state level.


The financing of this program is a direct cost to the town. The only monies returned to the community because of this program are cases who have not resided in the community for a period of five years. On these cases, the total amount is either paid for by other cities and towns or by the state.


6. Other Cities and Towns


This item is set up to make payments to other cities and towns for aid rendered to persons who have a legal settlement in the Town of Tewksbury, whether the person is aided by the other town on General Relief or on Old Age Assistance. By legal settlement we mean the place where a person last resided for five consecutive years without aid.


SUMMARY OF CASES


TOTAL AIDED


Open Closed


1957 1958 1959 1960 1961


Old Age Assistance


15


37


126


122


124


115


93


Medical Assistance


for the Aged


23


0


0


0


0


0


23


Aid to Dependent


Children


18


15


21


22


26


25


28


Disability Assistance 8


4


14


10


16


18


22


General Relief


42


43


7


5


13


9


8


TOTALS


106


99


168


159


179


167


174


BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS Charles R. Carter, Chairman


Number of Services Installed during the year 1960


87


House Service Pipe Installed


6684 feet


2" Pipe Installed 821 feet


6" Pipe Installed 5898 feet


8" Pipe Installed 881 feet


8" Pipe Relocated 300 feet


Number of Hydrants Installed


6


Total Gallons Pumped during the year 1960 377,255,390


Total Number of Water Customers at the end of 1960


3242


Number of New Takers during the year 1960 94


-


60


CHESTER M. ROPER


Born in Tewksbury May 11, 1896 Died in Tewksbury December 1, 1960


Faithfully served the Town as Road Commissioner for twenty-four years, from 1936 to 1960.


BOARD OF ROAD COMMISSIONERS


Chapter 81 and General Highway


Chapter 81 and Highway monies were expended on most accepted streets with oiling, patching and general maintenance being accomplished.


The following materials were used:


Gravel 11,000 yards


Sand 12,000 yards


Asphalt 91,659 gallons


Bituminous Concrete 694.00 tons


Peastone 650. tons


Storm drains


2200 feet


Catch Basins


20


Chapter 90 Maintenance


Chapter 90 Maintenance work was done on River Road, Shaw- sheen Street and Whipple Road, and North Street.


Chapter 90 Construction


Chapter 90 Construction took place on Shawsheen Street with section completed.


BUILDING INSPECTOR


Walter J. Pupkis


Building Permits issued in 1960


Number


Estimated Cost


New Dwellings


63


$ 744,500.00


Alterations and Additions


132


151,535.00


Business and Commercial


27


142,550.00


(New Buildings and Additions)


Recreational Buildings


1


13,000.00


Renewal of Permits


3


Gravel Removal


5


Demolish Buildings


15


Total Taxable Properties


$ 1,051,585.00


62


Church and Parish Buildings (New Buildings and Additions)


6


$ 1,287,237.00


New Town Building - Fire Station


1


25,900.00


Total Non-Taxable Properties


$ 1,313,137.00


Total Number of Building Permits Issued


253


Total Number of Building Inspections Made


446


Building Violations Found and Corrected


65


Received and Paid to Town Treasurer for Permits $ 1,608.00


FIRE DEPARTMENT


William A. Chandler, Chief


-


January 13, 1960


INSPECTIONS


Gasoline Storage


3


Oil Storage


200


L. P. Gas


72


Schools, Nursing Homes, etc.


52


FIRE REPORT


Jan.


Feb.


Mar.


Apr.


May


June


July


Aug.


Sept.


Oct.


Nov.


Dec.


Building


3 |


3 3


4|


1|


4


4|


3| 5|


4|


8


Dump


1


4


5|


5|


1


1


1


Brush


1 2 5


56|


27


24| 18


5|


7| 20|


20| 10


Chimney


1


1


1- 2


Auto


1 |


3| 3|


3|


3


3| 1|


1


2|


2|


2


False


2 |


6 | 2|


7


2|


3


2|


4


2|


7


5


2|


5


Electrical


2 | 3|


4


1


1|


3


2


5


3


1


Accident


1 1


1


1


1


3|


2


Oil Burners


2|2|1 | 3|


3


1|


1


1|


1


1


3


Out of Town


1 |


1


4


2


4


1


1|


2


All Others


6 | 7|


3


6


10|


13


6|


4


8|


12|


5|


3


Totals Monthly


21


33


29


76| 57


57


38|


23 35| 54| 34| 39


Cumulative Totals


21 | 54


83 159|216|273|311|334 369|423|457|496


1|


1|


1


1


2|


1


Resuscitator


2 |5|


63


INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION John J. Nolan, Chairman


The Industrial Commission is pleased to report continued prog- ress towards the industrial development of the Town. We have had many conferences and visits with responsible industrial concerns and factory representatives and developers during the past year and we are extremely optimistic about our eventual industrial growth.


Last March at our Annual Town Meeting, with the cooperation of the various Boards and voters, we re-zoned the areas adjacent to new Interstate Highways 93 and 495, together with other locations deemed desirable for potential industrial growth. At the same time we adopted practical zoning By-Laws for these industrial areas. This year we seek minor amendments to these By-Laws which, in our opinion, will further enhance our position in the field of in- dustrial development.


This Commission has compiled and distributed an excellent brochure of the Town and its advantages to industry. We have determined from responsible parties our electric, gas and water capacities available in the various sections of town for industrial use. We have participated in the Greater Lowell Area Planning and Development Commission through the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce and we trust that this participation will prove advan- tageous in future years.


We are confident that with the continued support of the towns- people and the Town Officials that actual industrial construction will be under way in the forseeable future with all attendant benefits for Tewksbury.


LIBRARY TRUSTEES Harold H. Sloan, Chairman


The Trustees of the Tewksbury Public Library call your atten- tion to another huge increase in circulation. 1960 book circulation from the Library increased 6536 over 1959's figure of 17,785, making the total book circulation 24,321 or a grand total of 29,313 after the Bookmobile circulation is added. Last year's grand total was 22,298.


64


These figures might not appear too large to people who are familiar with city library circulation. But when you study the situation and discover that it is not uncommon for us to put out over 300 books at one library session and these to probably 150 card holders, you begin to get an idea of the immense volume of library business which is done in our small Library Room in the South wing of the Town Hall. Very often the Library is so crowded that all who wish cannot enter at the same time.


Meeting some of this increased patronage, the Trustees are again obliged to open the Library for an extra afternoon session which, if the proper authorities approve, will be on Tuesday of each week in the afternoon. This may help to take care of some of the overflow but it will never solve the problem.


Besides just book circulation, we also accomodate school chil- dren of all ages on their book lists and book studies required with their school work. A new encyclopedia has recently been added to the Library's reference books besides many so called Golden Books on Science, Literature and the Arts, all of which are helpful to your children in their education. The Librarians are only too glad to assist any child or person in their reference work.


A new separate building for our Library is the only solution to our present congested condition. A town such as ours with over 15,000 population needs a separate Library building, one which can accomodate children, teenagers and adults and furnish them with complete library facilities. All the other towns around us have libraries which are larger than ours, built to care for the town's library needs. Some of the towns are not as large as Tewksbury.


The Trustees are trying to do everything possible with our limited quarters to make it a good library, rendering service to the community.


The Trustees wish to publicly thank Mrs. Marion Carlson, Librarian; Mrs. Irene Coombes and Mrs. Ella Marshall, who so ably assist her, for their excellent praiseworthy and faithful service during 1960.


The Trustees respectfully request that the Articles in the Town Warrant, namely a Salary Budget of $2,870.00, an Operation Budget of $1,970.00, and a Capital Outlay of $110.00 plus the money re- ceived from the licensing of dogs in the town, be approved and granted for the general maintenance and operation of the Public Library.


65


LIBRARIAN'S REPORT Marion Carlson, Librarian


The following report is respectfully submitted. During the year 627 books were added: 269 Adult Fiction, 212 Adult Non-fiction, 116 Juvenile Fiction and 30 Juvenile Non-fiction.


The Librarian and Assistants appreciate the co-operation of the many patrons who return books and magazines when due and request the return of books and magazines now overdue.


The Library is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 until 9:00 P. M. and Saturday mornings from 10:00 A. M. to 12:30 P. M. and Saturday afternoon continuously from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P. M.


The Library is closed Legal Holidays and for the Annual Vacation in the summer.


CIRCULATION OF BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY


Tuesday Evenings


Fiction


5100


Biography


475


History


263


Science


475


Literature


199


Philosophy


54


Travel


148


Religion


47


Arts


143


Total


6904


Thursday Evenings


Fiction


3472


Biography


292


History


151


Science


396


Literature


134


Philosophy


20


Travel


89


Religion


31


Arts


93


Total


4678


Saturday


Fiction


9564


Biography


777


History


415


Science


1000


Literature


327


Philosophy


105


Travel


237


Religion


88


Arts


226


Total


12,739


Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays


Total


24,321


66


CIRCULATION OF MAGAZINES


American Home 33


Look


38


Atlantic Monthly


13


McCalls


19


Better Homes & Gardens


20


Mechanics Illustrated 33


Consumers Report


34


National Geographic


54


Coronet


45


Popular Mechanics


54


Good Housekeeping


40


Readers Digest


43


Harpers


15


Redbook


36


Hobbies


15


Children's Digest


23


Holiday


25


Humpty-Dumpty


25


Ladies Home Journal


22


Yankee


17


Life


115


Others


18


Total 737


Again this year a Bookmobile from the State Regional Library Center at 133 Main St., North Reading, Mass. made three stops monthly in Tewksbury: Shawsheen School, North Street School and Andover St., North Tewksbury. The circulation from that special service is as follows:


Adult


813


Juvenile


4179


Total


4992


This Bookmobile circulation combined with Tewksbury Library Circulation totals 29,313.


PLANNING BOARD


Robert W. Barron, Chairman


A number of additional Industrial Areas were set up by the Town. These new areas should entice industry to locate here.


Some effort has been made to use the new Section C of the by-laws (3 permits to build per year by each builder but not over 50 houses in a year.)


Survey work has been started on the "Foster's Corner" project.


A large sub-division was granted in North Tewksbury and the sub-divider has proceeded to follow sub-division instructions to the satisfaction of the Board.


The Board has proceeded with the sewerage survey which in- cludes the areas in town which are heavily populated.


The Board has attended meetings with other Boards and also has attended Area Planning meetings with Lowell and surrounding towns.


A number of hearings have been held throughout the year with a good attendance by the residents of the town. This shows that keen interest is being taken pertaining to Zoning.


67


PLAYGROUND COMMISSION


The present members of the Playground Commission are: Wilfred P. Breen, Chairman, John P. Connolly, Albert E. Copeland, Norman DeMarais, Gerald Rideout, with Francis X. Flanagan as Recreation Director.


The tremendous increase in our population has brought about many problems which are made obvious by the many articles in this and previous town reports. However, the good people of this town have always faced up to the situation at hand and democratically voted what it felt was best for the town. Not the least of these is the concern for, and the recreation of, the children of the town. Due to this growth within the last few years, the problems of adequate playgrounds, game areas, and supervised recreation programs for the youth of our community has, in turn enlarged itself to a point of public awareness of the importance of recreation as a counter- balance to the complexities of modern living. The town authorized the setting up of a recreation director under the Playground Com- mission. This action has stimulated a sincere interest in youth activity and will ultimately realize a recreation program to meet the growing needs of the people and the recreational needs of the children.


Our aim is to develop and maintain throughout the year, a program of leisure time activities, recreational in nature, that are physically wholesome, mentally stimulating and socially sound. The content of this program consists of such activities as sports, recrea- tional games, arts and crafts, hobbies and special events, all on the spectator and participant level. The activities were meaningful, selective as to kind and conducted for specific outcomes that will enable the ultimate realization of the program's aim.


The most significant development in 1960 was the marked in- crease in the number of children participating in our activities. Summer programs have seen marked increases in popularity and the innovation this winter of seasonal sports has exceeded our expecta- tions. We plan to continue adding to this wholesome recreation with some special activity for retarded children incorporated into our recreation framework for which financial assistance could be ac- quired from the state.


Organizations working within the framework of the Playground Commission, under their own supervision include the Little League, Minor League, and Babe Ruth League. The number of boys em- braced in these organizations has risen from the initial sixty boys to a figure in excess of three hundred with plans to further increase the number to a point where every boy, so inclined, will be included. Another major development is the support of this program given by individuals and local organizations which are making available land in various sections of the town so that this program can realize its end.


68


The Playground Commission feels that authorization to and the hiring of a Recreation Director was a necessary move and one in which dividends have already been many through this form of supervised recreation. Mr. Francis X. Flanagan was appointed director and the youth of the town will attest to his devotion. He is a teacher in the school system and a resident of the town with his master's degree from local colleges where he excelled in physical education and athletics.


Mr. Flanagan and his staff did a tremendous job during the summer months which is attested to by the fact that over five hundred boys and girls were not only registered, but took active part in the many activities. The sports enjoyed are common to most recreation programs but an arts and crafts program, if not initiated, was pushed and at this time we hope to make it a year round activity.


The boys and girls who attended were exposed to a variety of arts and crafts projects. The art activities offered to the children were designed to stimulate the imagination of the children and further, to show the child how, by working creatively with his hands, he can spend his leisure time to best advantage. Children of all ages were invited to participate in this phase of the summer program and a great deal of interest was shown at each playground. The art projects were presented by the playground instructors and were generally carried over for two or three afternoons. Results were very gratifying.


The more immediate rewards were the expressions of pride on the faces of the youngsters when they completed their projects.


A wide variety of activities were offered to the children such as hooked rugs, potholders, water colors, paints, clay modeling, and puppet making to name a few. A highlight of the program was the lamp-making presented by Barbara McCarthy, of the Merrimac- Essex Electric Co. Observations by the playground instructors indi- cated that this phase of the summer program could be expanded with resulting benefits to the children of Tewksbury and, as noted above, plans are for continuing this program year round.


The playground commission wishes to acknowledge the friendly and enthusiastic response given this program. It feels the time and effort put forth by the playground instructors, through our Recrea- tion Director, exceeded any monetary returns which may have been realized. We wish to thank the men and yes, the women too, for giving up of their time on behalf of the many baseball teams. Certainly these teams which represented the town in the Tourna- ment play with other towns and cities enhanced the name of Tewks- bury, in continuing their winning tradition-winning both on and off the field. Also a large portion of these activities would not be possible without the assistance, help and encouragement of Mr. Thomas Saunders, Supt. of State Hospital who certainly must be "one of the best friends" the youth of Tewksbury has. Finally, it is only through you, the people of Tewksbury, that this program is at all possible.


69


POLICE DEPARTMENT John F. Sullivan, Chief


Ambulance Calls


68


Auto Accidents Investigated


239


Bad Checks


2


Bank Service


229


Bicycles Recovered


16


Bicycles Stolen


15


Breaks Investigated


75


Burglar Alarms Checked


53


Car Registration and Ownership Transferred


681


Cars Recovered


9


Cars Stolen


13


Complaints Received and Investigated


1518


Defective Equipment Tags Issued


153


Dog Bites Investigated


119


Dogs Reported Missing


52


Dogs Struck by Cars


147


Doors and Windows Found Open


186


Family Trouble


88


Fires Policed


149


Funerals Policed


30


Hearings at Office


36


Injured Animals Shot


23


Investigations for Other Police Departments


73


Licenses Issued to Carry Firearms


74


Lights Out, Poles and Wires Down


72


Lost Property


$454.46


Lost Property Recovered


$135.46


Malicious Damage to Property


$422.60


Messages Delivered


256


Missing Persons Reported


113


Missing Persons Returned


113


Monies Recovered


$599.00


Monies Stolen


$888.00


Operators License Suspended


205


Other Emergencies


109


Parking Violations


47


70


Permits Issued, Work Sundays


5


Permits to Solicit




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