USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1963-1967 > Part 32
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RC-5
2487
382.65
1/2"
225
562.50
Vernon St.
MC-4
2697
414.96
1/2"
100.90
252.25
64
Street
Oil
Gal.
Price
Stone Tons
Price
Bailey Rd.
MC-4
1601
246.33
1/2"
51
127.50
Astle St.
MC-4
2337
359.57
1/2"
100
250.00
Boston Rd.
RC-5
2424
372.96
1/2"
75
187.50
Livingston St.
MC-4
6151
946.38
1/2"
215.95
431.90
North St.
MC-4
2815
533.12
1/2"
100
250.00
Riverdale Rd., Hillside Rd., Towanda Rd.,
Columbia Rd.
MC-1
2044
314.49
Kent St.
MC-4
1172
180.32
1/2"
30.05
60.10
Whipple Rd., Shawsheen St., South St.
RC-5
1426
219.30
1/2'
75.45
150.90
Patching all streets - 452.30 tons of patch used at a cost of $2,216.26. Drianage installed at a cost of $225.27 - Andover St., Hot-Top - $27.48 Payroll
$6,360.89
Town Equipment
6,182.40
Material
25,780.63
Board of Road Commissioners VINCENT A. RYAN, Chairman NELSON P. MacARTHUR, JR. ROBERT E. COOK
65
BOARD OF ASSESSORS Paul J. McAskill, Chairman John J. Nolan Lewis Tremblay
Value of Real Estate January 1, 1965
$15,872,580.00
Value of Personal Property 3,948,870.00
Total Value of 1965
$19,821,450.00
Total Value of 1964
18,715,890.00
Gain in Valuation
$ 1,105,560.00
TOTAL LEVY FOR 1965
Town $ 3,906,764.49
State
10,719.71
County
50,351.78
Overlay Current Year
143,720.01
Gross Amount to be Raised $ 4,111,555.99
Total Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
1,574,410.39
Net Amount to be Raised on Property
2,537,145.60
Personal Property $ 505,455.36
Real Estate
2,031,690.24
Total Taxes Levied on Property
$ 2,537,145.60
Water Liens added to Taxes
13,092.73
TAX RATE 1965 - $128.00
MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRAILER EXCISE
Total Valuation
$5,831,291.00
Amount of Warrants to Collector
328,065.47
TAX RATE 1965 - $66.00
66
In Memoriam
GEORGE R. GRAY
November 1, 1965
The Town of Tewksbury recognizes the devoted public service of George R. Gray, a resident of the town for 45 years. His public offices included Dog Officer for 4 years, Highway Commissioner for 14 years, and most recently a Tax Assessor. Mr. Gray was an ardent friend of the youth of the town, a founder of the Little League and manager-coach of one of its teams for eight years.
His contributions to the government of the town and to its young people will be long remembered with deep appreciation.
67
PERSONNEL BOARD William G. Albert, Chairman
During the past year. 1965, the Personnel Board has continued to improve its effectiveness with regard to serving the citizens and the em- ployees of the Town of Tewksbury.
Regular monthly meetings were held on the first Friday of each month at 8:00 P. M. in the lower Town Hall. In addition, a considerable number of special meetings were held throughout the year. For instance during the fall of 1965 meetings were held at least twice monthly and during the month of December, each week, to handle the large amount of pressing business.
In November, Mr. Frank Pepe resigned and was replaced by Mrs. D. M. Aldrich. Mr. Pepe served on this Board for over three years and his experience, wisdom and dedication to the Town should be noted.
A number of new programs have been undertaken during the past year. Some were completed, others are continuing:
1. Physical Examination for All New Employees. A new physical examination has been initiated and is being used by all Departments in Town when they hire a new employee. This examination is quite compre- hensive and will provide the appointing authority with considerable infor- mation regarding the applicant's physical condition.
2. Recommended Qualification for Reserve and Regular Police Officers, Firemen and Call Firmen. The Personnel Board, after much investigation and meetings with the Department Heads involved, has recommended qualifications for the new reserve and regular Police Officers. It is our sincere belief that these positions which are highly coveted should be awarded on merit and qualifications. We intend to continue to press for the initiation of consistent qualifications.
3. Interviewed 57 Applicants for Reserve Police Officer. All men in Town who had applications on file for the Reserve Police were interviewed by the Personnel Board or given ample opportunity to be interviewed. A report of our findings was presented to each Selectman.
The Selectmen also conducted interviews with the applicants and went a step further by giving a written examination. This complete procedure by both the Personnel Board and the Selectmen is new and we feel it is a step toward appointments based on merit and qualification.
4. Qualifications for the Executive Secretary. At the request of the Selectmen and in conjunction with the Town Government Committee, the Personnel Board recommended qualifications for the position of Executive Secretary. These recommendations were based on discussions with officials of other Towns with men serving as Executive Secretaries or Town Manager.
5. Maintain an accurate and complete record of sick and vacation time for all regular Town Employees.
68
Personnel Board . .. continued
6. Addition of Part-time Employees to Personnel Schedule. In order to provide an efficient and consistent wage policy, the Personnel By-Law is being amended to include all part-time as well as full-time employees. When this task is completed it will be possible to administrate the wage policy set down by the Town Meeting fairly, for all positions regular and part-time. This is extremely important since there are many more part-time employees than there are full-time employees.
We do wish to thank the citizens who have supported our work and the many Town Officials who appeared before us and were most generous with their time, so that we might obtain the information necessary to make fair and equitable decisions.
ANNUAL RECREATION REPORT
The Tewksbury Recreation Com- mission closed its eighth year of ac- tivity this past December and at the same time entered a new phase of expansion in its ninth year program.
Over the past eight years, since the responsibility for youth recreational activities was transferred from the school department to the recreation commission, this volunteer body has constantly sought to expand the rec- reational offerings and to improve their caliber.
This past year, starting in January, the recreation commission presented an eight week course of arts and crafts for all boys and girls of school age in Tewksbury. This program is presented twice yearly and material for the various projects is supplied free of charge to all.
Running parallel with this program Frank Flanagan, Recreation Director in Tewksbury, initiated for the third year, a hockey tournament at the recreation athletic center. This win- ter program on the ice proved as popular as ever with parents and children flocking to a safe skating facility. The hockey team competed with surrounding towns in a number
of sensational games. There has been a great deal of interest generated in this competitive sport and many for- mer hockey players came forward to offer valuable coaching experience to the Tewksbury youngsters.
With the coming of Spring the ball clubs, sponsored by the recreation commission, began to warm up for the exciting season ahead. Park equipment was ready and a staff of professional counselors was put through an intensive workshop to prepare them for the Summer season on the parks. While these activities were in progress tennis courts were opened and basketball-under-the- lights was started for teen-age boys and girls.
Summer Program
The close of schools in the Summer of 1965 was the signal for the open- ing of parks. Enthusiastic children who had been engaged in various recreational offerings through the Fall, Winter, and Spring filled the parks to bursting and a steady stream of activity was maintained all Sum- mer. Doll contests, pie eating con- tests, talent shows, soft ball competi-
69
Annual Recreation Report . . . continued
tion, horseshoes, badminton, tennis, volley ball, dodge ball, art projects and a host of other activities and events were presented.
An International Art Exhibit was held again last summer for the sec- ond year in a row. Paintings and drawings were displayed at the Whistler Gallery in Lowell under the auspices of the Recreation Commis- sion. Included in the show were works from Yugoslavia, Belgium, Switzerland, England, Turkey, Greece, Ireland and other countries. Paintings completed by Tewksbury children over the past year were sent to the European countries and are currently touring various cities there.
As usual, the giant jamboree at the close of the summer season fea- tured free ice cream and games for all. Connie Mack League, Babe Ruth and Little League continued to the finish of their season and all clubs enjoyed a very successful season.
Arts and Crafts Program
Arts and Crafts began again almost immediately as the Fall program en- tered its eighth season. This pro- gram concluded before Christmas and the first freeze started the pro- gram again as the hockey season opened again at the Athletic Center.
The 1965 recreation season was a very successful program with thou- sands of youngsters enjoying them- selves over the twelve month period in educational and physical fitness activities.
The success of the Tewksbury Rec- reational Program over the years, a forerunner in recreational activities, has spurred surrounding towns to initiate similar programs. Newly ap- pointed directors and commission members from other towns have been to Tewksbury to study the program developed by Mr. Flanagan over the past eight years.
The program is again ready to expand to meet the growing demand for recreational activities in Tewks- bury. Oil painting, ceramic making, pottery, silk screen printing, drawing and other advanced classes have been prepared for future incorporation into the recreation program. Golf instruction, swimming, adult tennis, square dancing and other active par- ticipation games are planned for fu- ture inclusion.
Tewksbury has been a leader in recreation in this area for the past eight years and will continue to offer recreational leadership with the co- operation of all interested citizens of Tewksbury.
70
TREE DEPARTMENT
Walter R. Doucette, Tree Warden
ORGANIZATION: THREE MEN
Tree Warden
Walter R. Doucette $126.75
Tree Climber Surgeon
Peter Peters 112.63
Tree Climber
Roger Trott 93.20
During the year this Department handled 347 calls. We removed 61 Dutch Elm trees 33 Pine, 12 Maple, 9 Oak, 3 Butternut, 2 Willow, 1 Spruce, 1 Hickory, 1 Poplar, 1 Catal- pa, making a total of 124 trees re- moved this year. Many other trees were removed by Mass. Electric Co. in their 13 KV expansion program.
Our tree planting program is con- tinuing. The planting of Barron St. will be our first consideration. The following types of trees were planted: 28 Crimson Kings, 40 Norway Ma- ples, 8 Linde, 15 Sugar Maple and 1 Pin Oak. I hope these young trees will receive water at least once a week during dry periods. Trees are worth saving and mulch- ing helps.
The drought which is now in its third year has affected many trees, but mostly roadside trees. The com- bination of salt and dry conditions will account for the loss of many pine trees in the next year or two. The symptoms were apparent this sum- mer.
This year, for the first time, we applied liquid food to our foliage spray to see if this might enable trees to get extra food during this period of drought.
The use of chemical for roadside brush control is well established. This method of controlling roadside brush is both practical and econo- mical.
In closing I would like to mention that it is now a State Law that no one may apply pesticide or herbi- cides without a license. Examina- tions were given early in 1965. My entire department took the examina- tion and we now hold licenses as supervisors or operators.
We always stand ready to assist. Plant a tree and keep Tewksbury green.
71
1965 BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE George A. O'Connell, Chairman
Reference is made to the report of the Auditor for specific details on expenditures.
SUMMARY OF CASES
- Cases Aided as of January 1st -
Open Closed
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
Old Age Assistance
16
16
87
84
70
69
69
Medical Assistance to Aged
53
43
20
28
39
64
74
Aid to Dependent Children
21
22
27
26
27
35
34
Disability Assistance
10
10
22
22
23
23
23
General Relief
68
61
6
5
11
8
15
Totals
168
152
161
165
170
199
215
The Board of Public Welfare organized the first Tuesday following the Town Election. Mr. George A. O'Connell was elected Chairman. The other members are: Mr. Joseph Whelan, Mr. Kevin Sullivan, Mr. Victor N. Cluff and Mr. David Beattie.
1. Administration:
Personnel in the department are employed under Civil Service. There are five employees - the Director of Public Assistance, two Social Workers, and two Clerks. Salaries paid to both the members of the Board and employees for work performed on Old Age Assistance, Medical Assistance for the Aged, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and Disability Assistance are reimbursed with both State and Federal funds. The salaries and expenses for the Director, two Social Workers, and one Clerk are reimbursed as follows: O.A.A. Federal-50%, M.A.A. Federal-50%, A.D.C. Federal 75%, D.A. Federal-50%. In addition, the State will reimburse 50% of the balance on O.A.A., M.A.A., A.D.C., and D.A. One Clerk, the Board, and all other administrative expenses are reimbursed about 50% Federal. The Federal funds are set up in revolving accounts and are restricted to the use of the Board of Public Welfare for the purpose of administration. These funds are anticipated in the annual budget and not raised by the Town. The State's share is returned to the General Fund and is used for any purpose by the Town. This share must be raised by the Town, but the anticipated re- imbursement is considered by the Assessors in setting the tax rate. The assessors normally anticipate as reimbursement the actual amount of reimbursement received in the previous year.
2. Old Age Assistance:
This is a Federally-sponsored state plan administered by law by local Boards of Public Welfare. It requires local Boards to aid aged persons sixty-five and over who have resided in Massachusetts for one year prior to
72
Board of Public Welfare . . . continued
application and who are in need. Need is established by applying the budgetary standards set up by the State Department of Public Welfare. Some of the other elements are: A person cannot have more than five hudred dollars ($500.00) in the bank, or cash, savings bonds, etc. and a lien is placed on property if applicant has an interest in such property.
The Federal government reimburses the department $57.50 a month for each case aided. The State pays 2/3 of the balance and the remainder is paid by the community aiding. The Board, in its budget request, does not include the Federal share, as this amount, by law, is set up in a separate account and can be used only by the Board of Public Welfare for aid for Old Age Assistance cases. The Board, in its budget request, must raise the state share as this amount is reimbursed directly to the general fund to be used by the Town. However, this does not adversely affect the tax rate as the Assessors anticipate the reimbursement based on the actual payments made by the State for this purpose in the prior year.
3. Aid to Families with Dependent Children:
Aid to Families with Dependent Children is a Federally sponsored plan administered by law by local Boards of Public Welfare to aid children deprived of parental support, who are in need. Need is established by budgetary standards set up by the State Department of Public Welfare.
The following are circumstances under which a child can be considered deprived of parental support - desertion or mutual separation, divorce, legal separation, incarceration, certain types of unemployment, disability of the parent for more than three months, and death. Dependent children of a prior marriage who are in need can be considered on a limited basis for medical care, food, clothing, and personal care, only, if otherwise eligible.
In this program, Federal reimbursement is $22.00 per child; State re- imbursement is one-third of the total expenditure; and the town aiding is responsible for the balance of aid rendered. The Board does not include the Federal share in its budget request. The Town must raise the State share and the local share because the State's share is turned over to the general fund. The balance is a direct cost to the town aiding .
4. Disability Assistance:
Disability Assistance is a Federally sponsored state plan administered by law by the local Boards of Public Welfare. It requires local Boards to aid persons who have been declared permanently and totally disabled by the State Department of Public Welfare Medical Review Team and who are in need. Need is established by budget standards set up by the State Department of Public Welfare.
The Federal reimbursement for money expended in this category is $50.00 per case and the town's share is a standard twenty-five (25) per cent of all the total cost. The balance is reimbursed by the State Department of Public Welfare. The same method of financing is in effect as on Old Age Assistance and Aid to Families with Dependent Children.
73
Board of Public Welfare continued
5. Medical Assistance for the Aged:
Local Boards of Public Welfare in the various cities and towns are obliged to administer 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, providing 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 married, 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, eyeglasses, 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 Wel- fare Medical Care Plan.
In most cases, 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 hospitals, and nursing homes. This group will be guaranteed for their own personal use, $15.00 per 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-thirds of the balance by the State, and the local community will assume the one-third difference.
6. 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 programs 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 thinking.
The financing of this program is between the State and the local com- munity. The State pays 20% of the cost, and the local community pays 80%.
74
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS John J. Cooney, Chairman
ITEM 1.
WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES, THEIR NAMES, POSITIONS AND SALARIES
Charles F. Kent - Superintendent $150.10 per week
M. Virginia Cooney - Senior Bookkeeper 83.79 per week
Catherine A. Wholey - Senior Clerk & Typist 79.10 per week Walter V. Haley - Heavy Equipment Operator 100.80 per week
Mark W. Roper - Maint., Operator and Meter Reader 100.00 per week
Donald E. Prescott - Maint., Operator and Meter Reader 100.00 per week *Richard A. Gath - Maint., Operator and Meter Reader 100.00 per week William Wilkinson - Temporary Employee 84.00 per week
*Resigned - May 20, 1965.
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
John J. Cooney - Chairman
$200.00 for one year
Charles R. Carter - Vice Chairman
100.00 for one year
Earl J. Sheehan - Secretary 100.00 for one year
ITEM 2 NEW SERVICE INSTALLATIONS
Number of Services Installed during 1965 327
3/4" and 1" Pipe Installed
25,8801/2 feet
2" Pipe Installed
514
feet
6" Pipe Installed
563
feet
8" Pipe Installed
86
feet
ITEM 3
During the year 1965 we installed twenty hydrants which makes a total of 527 hydrants in service as of December 31st, 1965.
ITEM 4
Money expended for Gas
$1,537.77
Money expended for Oil 92.75
Total
$1,630.52
ITEM 5 EQUIPMENT RENTAL FOR THE YEAR 1965 Operating Account 84 hrs. at $ 1.00 per hour Truck rental
75
Installation Account
Truck rental
1750
hrs.
at
$ 1.00 per hour
Truck rental
53
hrs.
at
6.50 per hour
Bulldozer rental
18
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Shoveldozer rental
578
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Backhoe rental
341
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Payloader rental
8
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Backhoe rental
779
hrs.
at
13.50 per hour
Sunnyslope Avenue Main
Backhoe rental
4
hrs.
at
$10.00 per hour
Shoveldozer rental
22
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Backhoe rental
18
hrs.
at
13.50 per hour
Wolcott Street Main
Truck rental
12
hrs.
at
$ 6.50 per hour
Backhoe rental
28
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Bulldozer rental
6
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Shoveldozer rental
20
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Water Well 1962
Truck rental
16
hrs.
at
$ 1.00 per hour
Water Well 1965
Truck rental
8
hrs.
at
$ 1.00 per hour
Truck rental
144
hrs.
at
6.50 per hour
Truck rental
80
hrs.
at
8.00 per hour
Truck rental
508
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Bulldozer rental
271/2
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Shoveldozer rental
196
hrs.
at
10.00 per hour
Payloader rental
5 1/2
hrs.
at
12.50 per hour
Backhoe rental
144
hrs.
at
13.50 per hour
Payloader rental
23 1/2
hrs.
at
15.00 per hour
Bulldozer rental
74
hrs.
at
17.50 per hour
Bulldozer rental
331/2
hrs.
at
22.00 per hour
Shoveldozer rental
551/2
hrs.
at
22.00 per hour
Shoveldozer rental
16
hrs.
at
22.50 per hour
ITEM 6 WATER MAIN INSTALLATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
Babicz Road
Moonlight Drive
Brentwood Road
Poplar Road
Brookfield Road
Regis Road
Bruce Street
Sharon Street
Carter Street
South Elizabeth Street
Clark Road
Sunnyslope Avenue
Elderly Housing Project
Sunset Circle
Kimberly Drive
Tenth Street
Laurie Drive
Wamesit Road
Leary Drive
Wolcott Street
2" Pipe Installed
515 feet
6" Pipe Installed
15,264 feet
8" Pipe Installed
840 feet
12" Pipe Installed
2,200 feet
Approximate miles of water mains as of December 31st, 1965 - 93 miles
76
ITEM 7 New Equipment Purchased During the Year 1965 One Hydraulic Cast Iron Pipe Cutter. Two Miller Box Charges.
ITEM 8 Number of Water Takers Listed Yearly from 1952 through 1965
1952
830
1953
484
1954
549
1955
593
1956
386
1957
155
1958
71
1959
80
1960
94
1961
106
1962
115
1963
187
1964
214
1965
268
TOTAL
4132
ITEM 9 Water Pumped Per Month During 1965
January
31,367,870 Gal.
February
28,807,710 "
March
36,282,860
"
April
34,232,700
„
May
45,586,680
"
June
47,170,420 "
July
48,282,770 „
August
47,724,280
"
September
38,361,770
October
37,178,300
November
34,886,760 "
December
34,173,320
TOTAL
464,055,440 Gal.
77
ITEM 10
Report on Court Street Wells or Water Well 1962 Account
During the year 1965 Court Street was treated with another coat of oil.
1962 Appropriation $132,000.00
Expended thru December 31, 1965
126,936.97
Balance as of January 1, 1966 $ 5,063.03
ITEM 11 Report on Poplar Road Wells or Water Well 1965 Account
During the year peat and trees were removed and the roadway was filled and brought to sub grade.
A twelve inch water line was installed from South Street to the new well locations.
The two Pumping Stations were constructed and bids were awarded for installing Pumping Equipment, etc.
1965 Appropriation $143,000.00
Expended thru December 31, 1965 77,627.43
$ 65,372.57
ITEM 12 Recommendations for 1966
1. Each year our water storage problems increase due to the fact that we are constantly adding more consumers to the system, but have been un- successful to increase our water storage. This year we recommend a one million gallon elevated water tank to be erected in the vicinity of 90 Astle Street with a sixteen inch water main from the tank to Astle Street, a distance of approximately 500 feet. In summing up this recom- mendation we feel that a tank of this capacity is much needed to boost the demand of the water consumed during its highest peak.
2. That a new truck of 3/4 ton capacity should be purchased for the depart- ment, due to the fact that we have the same number of trucks for many years and our maintenance is increasing steadily and we have added many new water takers.
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