USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1963-1967 > Part 47
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1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
Auto
7
2
7
5
5
3
5
3
5
0
5
4
51
False
2
5
3
4
3
1
1
1
4 !
3
1
2
30
Resuscitator
8
8 |
6
9
9
10
5
7
6
5
7 |
7
87
Electrical
4
1
1
6
3
0
3
1
2
3
4
1
29
Accident
0
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
0 |
3
3
1 |
18
Oil Burners
1
1
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
3
12
Out of Town
1
0
2
5
4
2
1
1
1
3
2
1
23
All Others
6
6
13
12
6
5
8
10
8
21
8
9 |
112
TOTAL
41
28 69
66 135
128 263
81 344
60 404
57 461
98 559|
46 605
82 687
53 | 740
38 778
778
114
BUILDING INSPECTOR
Estimated Valuation
New Dwellings
214
$ 2,730,200.00
Residential Additions and Alterations
133
188,808.00
New Commercial
9
953,000.00
Commercial Additions and Alterations
20
271,100.00
Swimming Pools
6
Gravel Permits
3
Buildings Demolished
19
Buildings posted dangerous
23
Move buildings
none
Stop work orders (posted for various reasons)
27
Signs
7
Inspections made
1650
Total all construction
$ 4,143,108.00
Minus 10 renewals on houses
128,000.00
Minus 3 renewals on commercial
80,000.00
Total
$ 3,935,108.00
The following is a comparison chart for the years 1964, 1965, and 1966:
1964
1965
1966
New Dwellings
185
302
214
Total taxable property
$2,713,753.00
$6,129,496.00
$3,935,108.00
Total permits
362
547
411
Permit Fees Paid to
Town Treasurer
$4,484.00
$6,985.50
$6,342.00
Of the 204 permits that were issued this year, 28 were issued under Chapter 40A, Section 5A; 12 were issued through the Board of Appeals; and 1 was issued under Section 10.
The important new commercial structures built in town this past year were the following:
Mckenzie Building
$120,000.00
Wang Laboratories - addition 175,000.00
J. E. Carroll Corp. - addition 38,000.00
Arm Realty Trust (Plywood Center)
15,000.00
Walter Pupkis - stores
48,000.00
Wamesit Manor Nursing Home
380,000.00
Fire Station
177,450.00
Library 135,000.00
Eastern Mass. St. Railway Garage
150,000.00
Carroll Development Corp. (Grants) 50,000.00
Holt & Bugbee (Lumber)
125,000.00
minus 10 renewal permits
115
Building Inspector . . . continued
The status of the commercial permits issued in the past year is as follows:
Mckenzie Building - completed.
Wang Laboratories - addition - completed.
J. E. Carroll Corp. - addition - completed.
Arm Realty Trust (Plywood Center) - completed. Walter Pupkis - stores - 90% complete. Wamesit Manor Nursing Homes - site only.
Fire Station - 90% complete.
Library - 85% complete.
Eastern Mass. St. Railway Garage - 80% complete.
Carroll Development Corp. (Grants) - 95% complete.
Holt & Bugbee (Lumber) - 75% complete.
Of the dwellings built this year, as of December 31st, eighty-four have occupancy permits; eighty have had either the first or second inspection and were not ready for occupancy permits; the rest have not as yet started.
The outlook for commercial devopment in Tewksbury in the forth- coming year looks very favorable. The outlook on the building of dwellings shall depend much upon availability of mortgage money, and economy.
BOARD OF APPEALS Shirley C. Merrill, Chairman
During the year 1966 the Board of Appeals held 31 meetings and 40 public hearings. All members of the Board, when acting on cases, viewed all properties involved.
Various meetings were held with the Board of Selectmen with reference to Board procedure and also regarding specific cases.
Meetings were held with the Finance Committee regarding the budget and at one time to request additional funds to cover excess costs in adver- tising and extra clerical office hours.
New Rules and Regulations were drawn up and accepted by the Board together with new applications.
Meetings of the Board are now held on the first Monday of each month.
Hearings are held on the fourth Monday of each month.
Variances were granted for building new homes, a car-wash, National Cash Register building on Route 38, freight storage warehouse off Highland- view Road, a contractor's equipment storage yard and several special per- mits were granted.
Approximately 20 variances were denied by the Board, the granting of which would have been detrimental to the town.
116
LIBRARY TRUSTEES William S. Abbott, Chairman
By the time our report is printed, the new library building will be nearly ready for occupancy. The trustees are as anxious as are our borrowers to complete the equipping of this new building and open a new era of public library service in Tewksbury. The trustees sincerely request favor- able action on the request of the Municipal Building Committee for funds to complete the new library. The budget of the library department for 1967 includes sufficient amounts for operating expenses and salaries to increase the hours open to the public from 40 per week to 52 per week commencing with the opening of the new facilities.
Three thousand, nine hundred and seventy-five dollars and fifty cents was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts under Chapter 760 Aid for Free Public Libraries, and application has been filed for a like amount for 1967. A special grant from the Federal Government of $500 was used to purchase reference books including the McGraw-Hill Science Encyclopedia and the Encyclopedia Americana.
Circulation for 1966 was 13,306 adult and 13,933 junior with a circula- tion of 7,178 being reported by the bookmobile which stops monthly at the Shawsheen and North Street Schools and at North Tewksbury. A total of 1,243 books were purchased during the year, 671 adult and 572 junior. Reregistration of borrowers resulted in approximately 3,200 cards being issued.
The trustees remind library patrons of the suspension of fines for over- due books and request their continued support in reducing the excessive numbers of overdue books. Although the books are public property, it is the responsibility of each borrower to return his books on a timely basis in order that the library may better serve all.
The trustees wish to sincerely thank, on behalf of the town, the staff of Mrs. Marion Carlson, Librarian, and assistants, Mrs. Irene Coombes, Mrs. Ida Gourley and Mrs. Barbara Conrod for their continued conscientious and faithful service.
The trustees are looking forward to the opening of the new library and sincerely encourage all residents to express their desires to the library staff or trustees so that the new facilities may be equipped to satisfy the needs of all.
117
PLANNING BOARD George C. Greene, Chairman
Reorganization of the Planning Board subsequent to the 1966 Town Meeting resulted in the election of George C. Greene to the Chairmanship, John J. Cooney to the Vice Chairmanship and Donald W. Nickerson as Clerk.
During the year 1966, 47 meetings were held by the Board, 8 of which were hearings held relative to new sub-divisions.
Additional meetings were held with the Board of Selectmen, Road Commissioners and Conservation Commission regarding such subjects as sewage disposal facilities, sub-division regulations and natural resources.
The adoption and publication of new Sub-division Rules and Regula- tions has resulted in what the Board feels to be stricter and more compre- hensive control over present and future building in the Town.
The retention of the services of a consulting engineering firm for the purpose of reviewing sub-division plans prior to approval and performing site inspections during construction was undertaken by the Planning Board to assure compliance with the above Rules and Regulations.
A bill was sponsored in the Legislature requesting the Commissioner of Public Health to convey a parcel of land consisting of 23.4 acres to the Town of Tewksbury for recreational purposes only. Articles will appear in the warrant for the 1967 Town Meeting authorizing the Town to accept and administer this land contingent upon favorable action on this bill by the Legislature.
Joint action by this Board and the Board of Selectmen has resulted in the successful negotiation for a parcel of land on Shawsheen Street for the future erection of a sewage disposal plant. An Article will appear in this year's warrant authorizing the expenditure of funds for the purpose of acquiring this land.
A new Town map has been acquired through recent action by the Planning Board which reflects the actual current conditions in the Town regarding zoning and roadways.
The growth rate of the Town of Tewksbury has in recent years been one of the highest in the State and the average age of its inhabitants remains one of the lowest in the nation.
Information available to this Board indicates no forseeable reduction in growth for the Town of Tewksbury in the immediate future and, as a result of this fact, deficiencies now exist in the areas of classroom facilities, recreational facilities, municipal services, and the overall coordination of the activities of the Town Government in general.
Recognition of and recommended solutions to problems of this nature fall within the scope of the Planning Board's responsibility and increased effort, study, and expenditures relative to these subjects are to be expected in the near future.
Planning Board recommendations reflecting its views relative to the above areas will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting.
118
VETERANS' SERVICES
Ward R. Davis, Director/Agent
Catherine F. Whitman, Secretary
The year 1966 saw several changes in Chapter No. 115 of the Massachu- setts General Laws from which the Veteran Services program is guided. On March 10th, 1966, the settlement law was abolished. This implies that any veteran who has been a resident of the Commonwealth for three (3) years and qualifies under other aspects of the law are eligible for immediate assistance from the local city or town in which he resides.
Another law which has and will continue to effect the work load of this office was Chapter No. 716 of the Massachusetts General Laws . This law which went into effect on December 8th, 1966, signifies that any serviceman who has served 181 days from February 1st, 1955 until the termination of the Vietnam campaign as declared by proper Federal authority, are eligible for Veterans' Benefits and Services the same as veterans of prior wars.
On the Federal level the New Cold War GI bill has brought many inquiries to this office during 1966.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE RENDERED
1965
1966
Month
Cases
Amount
Month
Cases
Amount
January
24
1,933.50
January
18
2,972.95
February
28
3,753.33
February
23
3,338.00
March
23
4,766.99
March
25
4,206.89
April
33
5,071.60
April
16
3,658.85
May
25
4,658.03
May
15
1,810.15
June
29
4,013.65
June
33
4,492.57
July
21
3,255.45
July
27
3,658.85
August
29
4,591.93
August
33
5,475.35
September
23
4,252.35
September
32
7,084.61
October
26
2,889.84
October
24
3,616.03
November
27
3,427.22
November
41
3,440.11
December
28
5,716.70
December
45
10,703.00
$ 48,300.59
$ 52,500.66
Refer to Town Auditor's report for complete details and expenditures of this department.
These cases do not include those that did not qualify under the law for various reasons, nor applications that were taken and handled for veterans, widow pensions, compensation, social security, employment, hospitalization, medical care and other veterans' benefits.
119
Veterans' Services . . . continued
Liens taken 1
Assignments taken 8
Assignments discharged 0
Outstanding on assignments taken
$9,407.55
The assignment law is provided whereas if a veteran has a workingmen's compensation claim or a claim for an injury sustained other than in his em- ployment, a legal assignment is taken by the Veterans' Agent to protect the Town when and if a settlement is reached by the veteran.
During 1966 I attended all meetings required of this department, these included meetings with the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Per- sonnel Board, public hearings on the department budget and Town meetings. I also attended a two day teach-in in Boston and two Seminars on Veterans' Affairs in Northboro, Mass. and Framingham, Mass., two days each.
In a directive from the Commissioner of Veterans' Services dated December 9th, 1966, all directors and agents in the state were notified that all fuel allowances were increased effective January 1st, 1967 and it is proposed that all Veterans' Benefits Budgets will be increased in 1967.
Every request for assistance that was received was accorded conscien- tious consideration by this office. All possible assistance was invariably rendered. There was complete cooperation with the office of the State Commission of Veterans' Services, local veterans' organizations, Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, Veterans' Administration, Mass. Employment Service, the Clergy and others whom the Veterans' Agent is in contact with.
Grateful acknowledgement is made to the Honorable Board of Select- men and other officers of the Town who have assisted the Director/Agent in his duties.
INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION Walter J. Pupkis, Chairman
The optimistic attitude of the Industrial Commission as stated in previous Annual Reports appears justified by the industrial growth and progress experienced within our Town and in particular during the past twelve months. It is gratifying to the Commission members to see increasing interest shown by Industry in Tewksbury and a source of pride to make the following report:
Wang Laboratories, Inc., 836 North Street, dedicated a new addition to their plant in October which more than doubled the orig nal floor space. At the present writing they feel the need for more floor space. The number of employees has increased from 50 to over 250.
120
Industrial Commission . .. continued
Construction is almost complete on the new Eastern Mass. Street Rail- way Company garage and bus storage area being built on a five acre site off Clark Road, to house the Lowell and Lawrence Busses.
H. P. Hood & Sons, 500 Rutherford Avenue, Charlestown, have acquired a five acre site off Clark Road and are planning to consolidate two existing distribution centers in an enlarged modern facility.
Holt & Bugbee, 243 Medford Street, Charlestown, Wholesale Hardwoods, have acquired a five acre site off Shawsheen Street, with rail facilities and an option on five additional acres. An office and a storage building have already been constructed.
W. T. Grant Co., 395 Washington St., Boston, Department Stores, will occupy a new Distribution Warehouse just completed at East and Carter Streets. Rail facilities are to be supplied.
John E. Carroll & Co., Metal Workers, 558 Clark Road and adjacent to Interstate 495, have added an addition doubling floor space.
Parkway Refinfiishing Company, 1130 East Street, has doubled the floor space of their plant this past year.
Colab Resin Corp., Main Street, recently constructed an additional 10,000 sq. ft. Storage Building at their plant.
Holiday Inn of America, 120 unit Motel is now in full operation at 95 Main Street, Route 38 at the Interstate 495 Interchanges.
Peirce Motor Sales, Inc., Ford Sales and Service, Lowell, have acquired the 25 acre site known as the Kalem property at the overpass in Wamesit. Construction has already been started on a modern Automobile Sales & Service Agency.
Stahleker Steel Co., 322 Bent St., Cambridge bought 16 acres of land in December off Shawsheen Street with rail facilities and plan a complex of buildings for light steel fabricating.
A Compact Car Agency and an Office Building for a national concern are in the planning at the Interstate 495 Interchange area.
The number of persons employed by the above firms and those pre- viously reported, exceeds 2500, when added to the Raytheon Co. force, represents an annual payroll over $10,000,000.
The Commission has a moral obligation to all prospects not to disclose confidential information regarding proposed purchases or identity, until released officially from the trust or confidence. For this reason and due to the competition between the many communities for industry, any reference to possible prospects must be kept very vague.
The Commission wishes to express its appreciation for the aid and support extended throughout the year to create a favorable and essential industrial atmosphere.
121
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M.
Progress is being made in correcting unfavorable sewerage conditions resulting in a gradual diminishing number of complaints. However, until a sewerage system is available within the Town, a certain number of com- plaints regarding overflowing septic systems seems to be somewhat inevit- able, but, every effort is being made to alleviate such conditions and enforce strict compliance with the Sanitary Code.
During the past year a decision was handed down by the Supreme Court making it mandatory that the Board of Health adopt a sanitary land fill operation rather than the open face dump. This was put into effect during the summer of 1966.
The following reports cover the various areas which come under the Board of Health.
DENTAL CLINIC Evelyn T. Fraser, Dental Hygienist
Cleaned & Examined
Examined Only 172
North Street School
259
Shawsheen School
226
240
Heathbrook School
99
55
St. Williams School
322
Pre-School
409
Total
584
1198
All children who came into the Dental Clinic received instructions in Oral Hygiene care.
Proctor & Gamble again this year gave free toothbrushes and paste to the third-grades.
Money turned in to town treasury - $584.00.
SANITARIAN - Department of Food and Milk Albert J. Reardon
Monthly inspections were made at all establishments selling food prod- ucts to the public. Rotation and quality of product and good housekeeping were stressed to the proprietor.
Eating establishments and school cafeterias were inspected for cleanli- ness and quality of product. Bacterial swabs were analyzed to see if the eating utensils were properly cleaned. When necessary correct procedures were recommended. A follow-up visit to restaurants was made to ascertain correction has been made.
122
Board of Health . . . continued
Each month milk and cream samples were taken at random from stores and delivery trucks. These samples were analyzed in a laboratory used exclusively for the Tewksbury Board of Health. This laboratory is inspected annually by the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. All reports are submitted to and filed with the Tewksbury Board of Health.
ANIMAL INSPECTOR
Richard E. Cluff
Barn Inspections 4
Board of Health Inspections 1
Animal bites 187
Average mileage per call 51/2
1029 miles at .08 mile $82.32
1 - 11/2 hrs. - approximate time involved investigating, viewing and making reports.
GAS INSPECTOR
John F. McCormack, Sr.
Annual Report from Jan. 1, 1966 to Dec. 31, 1966
Gas Permits Issued 323
Inspections 625
Total fees turned into Treasurer
$1,925.00
SANITARY INSPECTOR
John F. McCormack, Sr.
Annual Report from Jan. 1, 1966 to Dec. 31, 1966
Sewage permits issued 284
Inspections 390
Total fees turned into Treasurer $284.00
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
John F. McCormack, Sr.
Annual Report from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 1966
Plumbing permits issued 329
Inspections 700
Total fees turned into Treasurer $2,541.50
MEDICAL SERVICES
Honor G. Kelly, R. N.
Under the direction of Dr. Ruisanchez and with the cooperation of the school nurses, the following clinical program was carried out in the Town of Tewksbury.
Trivalient sabin oral polio vaccine was offered at clinics in November and January, with a total of 418 doses given orally.
Protection against small pox was conducted on March 2nd with 188 children vaccinated.
Protection against diphtheria, pertussis (Whooping cough) and tetanus was carried out at clinics on March 30th, April 27th and May 25th with a total of 261 receiving injections.
123
Board of Health . .. continued
On October 26th 115 children were injected with lirugen, a vaccine used in control of measles.
The medical program was carried out at St. Williams School. Audio and visual testing was done on all students. Physical examinations were given to children in the 1st, 4th and 7th grade, under the direction of Dr. Ruisanchez.
Follow up work was carried out and medical records completed.
SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR John J. Cooney
During the year 1966 the following animals were slaughtered and inspected: 1240 Cattle, 53 Calves, 291 Hogs, 26 Sheep and 1 Goat for a total of 1611. There were 7 Cattle, 1 Calf and 4 Hogs condemned.
The duties of the Slaughtering Inspector requires that he be available 24 hours a day, Sundays and holidays included. During 1966 a total of 1378 hours were required to perform this work, an average of six hours per day; this comes close to a full time job.
The United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Division, requires that blood samples of all cattle be taken. A total of 1240 blood samples were taken during the year 1966.
The following letter, received by the department, indicates the quality of the work being done.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service Animal Health Division 802 Customhouse Building Boston, Massachusetts 02109
May 31, 1966
Mr. John J. Cooney
1094 Andover Road
North Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Cooney:
This letter is to express the appreciation of the Animal Health Division, United States Department of Agriculture, for your efforts in collecting blood samples under the Market Cattle Testing Program.
On my recent trip to the Wamesit Abattoir, 353 Trull Road, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, I noticed the clear, concise record keeping you are doing on each animal bled. It was indeed a pleasure to see your orderly system for keeping the essential information so necessary for tracebacks.
The Market Cattle Testing Program is an integral part of the Brucellosis Eradication efforts in Massachusetts. People like yourself and Mr. Santos are to be commended for the help you are giving to the Livestock Industry of the Commonwealth.
Your continued cooperation in this program will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely yours, S. K. HARRIS Acting Veterinanrian in Charge
124
TEWKSBURY AUXILIARY POLICE
Capt. Albert Labonte, Sr. Capt. Bronslaw J. Kohanski
The following information, compiled from departmental records, com- prises the annual report of the Tewksbury Auxiliary Police Department. This report indicates the number of man hours expended by members of this department during the past year and also indicates activities and duties not normally encountered in the normal duty status.
Your attention is again directed to the fact that no member of this department receives any remuneration and that the man-hours expended are donated by members of this department. In addition all members of this department absorb all expenses accrued for the use of their personal cars in the performance of their duties.
The department continues to operate the Rescue and Light Truck, including maintenance and servicing. Please note that this department did not, as indicated in the 1965 Town Report, receive a sedan to be used as an Auxiliary Police Cruiser. Due to Civil Defense administrative changes this car was diverted to other channels. It is hoped that during the coming year that this phase may be completed.
To supplement the normal equipment the department continues to maintain ten (10) mobile short wave radio units, owned by individual officers, operating on the same frequency as the Tewksbury Auxiliary Police Department Base Station. Again, your attention is directed to the fact that the Base Station is old and obsolete and will require replacing at the earliest possible time.
The following is a breakdown of the duties and hours expended during the calendar year of 1966:
Duty
Hour Expended
Church Duty
784
Road Traffic Control
1,350
Halloween Special Duty
90
Labor Day Special Duty
40
Training Hours
420
Pistol Range
310
Rescue - Light Truck
100
Riot Control Training
30
Lost Person Searches
24
Assistance at Accidents
80
Total Hours Expended
3,128
At this time I wish to thank all of those who have assisted the Tewks- bury Auxiliary Police in the performance of their duty.
125
BOARD OF SELECTMEN David J. Beattie, Chairman
Joseph J. Whelan
Kevin C. Sullivan
George A. O'Connell Francis X. Corliss
Frank J. McArdle, Executive Secretary
During the past year the Selectmen have made significant strides in coping with the complex problems that face a growing community such as Tewksbury. The assistance of our Executive Secretary has made possible a coordination and expansion of our efforts in areas where previously the limitations of time did not permit as full an exploration or implementation as the Board might wish.
Increased supervision over the departments coming under the Select- men's jurisdiction has been initiated and maintained.
In the Building Department new procedures for processing the growing volume of business flowing through this office have been established and are proving salutary. Closer contact is also in effect with the Plumbing Inspector, with the Board keeping abreast of all important developments.
Preparatory to appointments and promotions in the Police Department, the Selectmen this year instituted a precedent by arranging for a course of instruction by the Bloomberg Police School of Boston, a professional organi- zation specializing in this work. Later the same school set up, supervised and corrected a qualifying examination for police posts. Subsequently three sergeants were appointed to the force to strengthen its ability to deal with expanding police needs in the Town. It was the feeling of the Board that growing juvenile delinquency is not solved by police action alone, so the Selectmen have attacked the problem from an additional angle by en- couraging wholesome recreational activity for the youth, in several direc- tions. These efforts are alraedy bearing fruit.
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