USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1963-1967 > Part 7
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To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the Department of Veterans Benefits and Services for the year ending Decem- ber 31st, 1963.
VETERANS' BENEFITS Number of Tewksbury Settled Persons aided:
January 15
February
34
March 27
April 19
May
21
June
21
July 25
August 44
September 48
October 49
November 50
December
43
State Settled Persons aided:
November
6
December
6
Assignments Pending 1
Assignments Discharged 1
Summary of Activities and Services Three Month Period October Ist thru December
Applications investigated and re- ferred to other towns of settlement, 12; Applications from widows for aid and pensions, 3; Cases investigated for benefits, 36; Home visits made, 52; Hospital visits made, 6; Letters writ- ten in relation to veterans' affairs, 270; State House contacts made in veterans' interest, 19; Veterans' Ad- ministration contacts made in vet- erans' interest, 7; Visits to Commis- sioner of Veterans' Services office,
Boston, 6; State Association of Vet- erans' Agents meetings attended, 2; Photostatic copies of Veterans' dis- charges and vital statistics, 16; Tele- phone calls received at home and office, 96; Veterans and Dependents to office for benefits and consulta- tions, 40.
For complete details of receipts and expenditures of this department, I would refer you to the report of the Town Auditor.
The Veterans' Benefits and Serv- ice case load has more than tripled over the last several years. This is due to the settlement law (resident of Tewksbury for 5 years) and the increased age of veterans of all wars. Every request for assistance that was received was accorded conscientious consideration. All possible assistance under existing regulations was in- variably rendered. There was com- plete cooperation with the Veterans' Administration, the office of the Com- missioner of Veterans' Services and the various organizations that in- terest themselves in veterans' prob- lems.
Whereas the Commonwealth reim- burses the Town approximately 50% of benefits paid to veterans and de- pendents, a bill sponsored by the State Assoc. of Veterans' Agents would increase this reimbursement to 75%, which would amount to a substantial saving to the town. Sev- eral other bills which would aid the veterans of Massachusetts have been filed with the Secretary of State.
May I express my sincere appre- ciation to the Honorable Board of Selectmen, all officers of the town, veterans' organizations and others who have assisted the Veterans' Agent in his duties.
Respectfully submitted,
WARD R. DAVIS, Agent
76
POLICE DEPARTMENT John F. Sullivan, Chief
In the budget for this year is included:
1. Request for two new sergeants.
I believe this is necessary as we have six shifts per week in which we are without any senior officer on duty. The two new promoted men would give the department a senior officer on duty at all times.
2. Request for an officer classified as an Inspector-Investigator.
This is necessary because of the Numerous complaints received by this department. Some of the complaints are handled by the officers on duty at the time the complaint is received. These men can only pro- ceed so far in any given investigation because of their daily assign- ments; such as covering emergncies, accidents, traffic and routine patrolling.
The Investigator's duties would partly consist of investigating serious complaints, larcenies, breaks, etc.
3. Police Woman - Stenographer.
The duties would consist of taking care of all records, answering all correspondence, typing cases and indictments. Also fill in as matron and policewoman when needed.
4. School Traffic Officers.
Their duties would be to cover all school crossings now covered by the regular men on duty. This would be more practical than to con- tinue covering with regular men. We are now spending approximately $1400 a school calendar year on overtime for regular officers covering school crossings.
The three regular men on duty on the day shift and two cruisers are tied up three hours out of an eight hour day on school traffic. Com- plaints, school bus routes cannot be checked during this time.
If an emergency arises during these hours, we have no choice but to leave the crossings unattended.
5. Request for sending two officers to the State Police Academy in Framingham.
I cannot stress the importance of trained personnel. This course in- cludes all phases of police work, including the use of firearms. Al- though we have our own inner department training, I believe this course is essential.
I believe there will be a better understanding between the public and this department: If there is a misunderstanding or a complaint, the person or persons would come directly to the Police Department and discuss the matter.
I wish to thank the town officials and the citizens of the town for their cooperation in the past year.
You may expect the Police Department's full coooperation in the year ahead.
77
Police Department . . . continued
ROSTER OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief of Police - John F. Sullivan
$139.61
Sergeant - Eugene Manley
111.20
Sergeant - Walter J. Jop
111.20
Sergeant - James P. Kane
111.20
Patrolman - Frank J. Sullivan, Jr.
98.80
Patrolman - Cyril A. Gordon
98.80
Patrolman - Alexander A. Surprenant
98.80
Patrolman - Robert A. Haines
98.80
Patrolman - Samuel G. Stephens
98.80
Patrolman - Richard J. Mackey, Jr.
98.80
Patrolman - Richard J. Hanson
98.80
Patrolman - Eugene F. Saunders
98.80
Patrolman - Donald E. Sheehan
98.80
Patrolman - Phillip D. Bradanick
98.80
Patrolman - Martin J. Cormier
98.80
Patrolman - Gardner G. Hague
98.80
Patrolman - Paul G. Johnson
98.80
Patrolman - James E. Jones
98.80
POLICE DEPARTMENT
1963
1962
Armed Robbery
0
1
Ambulance Calls
96
63
Auto Accidents Investigated
184
204
Bad Checks
74
36
Bank Service
78
239
Bicycles Stolen
34
26
Bicycles Recovered
31
7
Breaks Investigated
167
85
Burglar Alarms Checked
72
52
Car Registration and Ownership to Junk Dealers
894
600
Cars Recovered
54
33
Cars Stolen
32
25
Complaints Received and Investigated
10,996
1,534
Defective Equipment Tags Issued
108
64
Dog Bites Investigated
215
148
Dogs Killed
62
39
Dogs Reported Missing
64
59
Dogs Struck by Automobiles
93
105
Doors and Windows Found Open
85
63
Family Trouble
53
104
Fires Policed
138
144
Fugitive From Justice
1
0
Funerals Policed
32
25
Hearings at Office
63
29
Injured Animals Shot
38
16
Investigations for Other Police Departments
74
59
License Issued to Carry Firearms
80
56
78
Police Department ... continued
Lights Out, Poles and Wires Down
225
88
Lost Property
685.72
1,209.00
Lost Property Recovered
1,223.18
255.00
Malicious Damage to Property
17,894.26
10,393.50
Manslaughter
3
0
Messages Delivered
412
257
Missing Persons Reported
62
92
Missing Persons Returned
62
91
Monies Recovered
291.01
9,312.14
Monies Stolen
830.17
719.00
Operators' License Suspended
181
149
Other Emergencies
149
106
Parking Violations
58
18
Permits Issued, Work Sundays
68
11
Permits to Solicit
22
6
Persons Admitted to Mental Institutions
12
3
Property Checks
6,114
4,339
Prowlers Investigated
104
70
Public Functions Covered
194
168
Slippery Streets Checked
27
30
Stray Dogs Reported
64
46
Sudden Deaths Investigated
8
7
Suicide
2
0
Summons Served
711
481
Suspicious Cars Checked
91
101
Suspicious Persons Questioned
102
89
Transported to Hospitals
476
258
Value of Stolen Property
32,753.00
51,573.30
Value of Stolen Property Recovered
24,411.40
49,790.00
Vehicles Towed off Streets
142
165
Violations Notices Sent to Registry
194
73
DISPOSITION OF CASES District Court of Lowell Superior Court of East Cambridge
1963
1962
Dismissed
5
15
Filed
6
9
Fined
207
74
For Other Police Departments
0
19
Guilty
455
353
Not Guilty
5
2
Pending
1
5
Probation
102
17
Released
142
79
Cases Handled Within Dept. - No Court Action
27
Armed Robbery
0
0
Assault, Aggravated
0
1
Assault and Battery
10
5
79
Police Department .. . continued
Assault and Battery, Dangerous Weapon Susp. of
3
0
Assault and Battery on Police Officer
1
0
Attaching Wrong Plates
0
0
Being Abroad in Nighttime
0
2
Breaking and Entering in Daytime and Larceny
4
2
Breaking and Entering in Nighttime and Larceny
23
9
With Intent to Commit a Felony
0
2
Breaking and Entering in Nighttime With Intent to Commit Larceny
Burglary
0
0
Contempt Warrant
0
0
Delinquent Child
23
22
Disturbing the Peace
3
27
Drunkenness
124
76
Drunkenness Complaint
18
33
Failing to Display an Inspection Sticker
2
3
Failing to Slow Down at an Intersection
0
0
Failing to Stop for a Stop Sign
1
3
Failing to Stop for a Police Officer
1
3
Failing to Stop for a School Bus
0
10
Failing to Use Right Name
2
0
Illegal Sale of Alcohol to a Minor
3
0
Indecent Assault and Battery
0
0
Intent B & E in the Nighttime with Intent to Commit Larceny
4
0
Attempted Larceny
3
0
Larceny
10
3
Larceny from a Building
1
2
Leaving a Scene After Causing Property Damage
5
2
Malicious Damage to Building
40
3
Non-Payment of Fine to Court
3
5
Non-Payment of Wages
0
0
Non-Support
4
11
Open and Gross Lewdness
0
1
Operating After Rights Had Been Suspended
1
1
Operating After Suspension of License
2
7
Operating So as to Endanger
9
8
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol
15
35
Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle
3
0
Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle
3
2
Operating Without a License
4
8
Operating Without Authority of Owner,
After License to Operate Had Been Suspended
2
1
Operating Without Authority of Owner,
After Rights to Operate Had Been Suspended
4
0
Passing Where View is Obstructed
0
14
Forgery
1
0
Kidnapping
0
0
Breaking and Entering in Nightime
2
0
80
Police Department ... continued
Possession of Burglar Tools
0
2
Racing
4
4
Safe Keeping
0
1
Stubborn Child
0
1
Threatening
6
0
Trespassing on Real Estate
0
1
Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle
15
6
Unnatural Act
0
0
Uttering
2
1
Vagrancy
1
5
Violation of Probation
0
0
Violation of Speed Laws
164
70
INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Board of Selectmen,
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Subject: Industrial Commission re- port for the calendar year 1963.
Gentlemen:
The loss of three members of the Commission who were actively in- terested in town affairs was due to the strict interpretation of the con- flict in interest law Acts of 1962, Chapter 779 that went into effect May 1, 1963. Public servants of the caliber of these men who so zealously donated their time and talent to the economic benefit of the community, are not that plentiful amongst our citizenry. We feel the services, ad- vice and wisdom of Chairman John J. Nolan, Secretary John A. Gleason and Albert D. Hinckley will be missed and will not be readily dupli- cated. To fill the vacancies caused by the resignations, the following citi- zens were appointed by the Select- men: Roger F. Lafreniere, Construc- tion Supt., Sherwood Homes, Ex- Planning Board member for five years, member Junior High School building committee and Chairman of Police Station building committee; Sal J. Ciaccio, co-owner Gibson Machine Tool Co., Somerville, Mass., a resident of the town for past ten years; John K. Eaton, Manager, Tewksbury branch Middlesex County
National Bank, the former Veterans' Agent and former member of Indus- trial Commission.
Tewksbury, geographically located within the confluence of U. S. Route 495 and U. S. Route 93 is now start- ing to enjoy this unique advantage.
It is with pleasure we announce that the Wang Laboratories, Inc., is the third corporation to recently choose our town in which to build a new industrial plant. The 15,000 sq. ft. building on U. S. Route 495 near North Street will be ready for oc- cupancy January 1, 1964.
We are doubly pleased in report- ing that John E. Carroll and Co., designers and manufacturers of tex- tile machinery, have just started construction of a 12,000 sq. ft. build- ing, also on U. S. Route 495 near Clark Road which should be ready for occupancy in the spring.
Our town is now enjoying the con- venience and facility of three bank- ing institutions. The Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank at the Shopping Center. The new Middlesex County National Bank branch opposite the Town Hall, The Surety Bank and Trust Co., in enlarged quarters at the Shopping Center.
The National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has not made a final determination as to the loca- tion of the Electronic Research Cen-
81
Industrial Commission ... continued
ter contemplated in our area. In January the Commission advised the Space Agency, our U. S. Senators and Congressman of the advantages to the economy plus the impact such a project would be to the Greater Lowell Area if the decision was to build the industrial complex here. We suggested and emphasized the advantages of utilizing the new high- ways in making the final decision.
Some action should be taken on improving or providing suitable roads to the Woburn Street inter- change on U. S. Route 495 from Whip- ple Road, so as to open up many acres of industrial land in West Tewksbury.
Consideration should be given to the problem of wet lands bordering on our rivers and brooks, with par- ticular attention to the areas adja- cent to U. S. Route 495 and U. S. Route 93. Making available for in- dustry or other useful purpose many acres of land of low value which will also improve the taxable revenue. A survey made in January 1955 by the Comomnwealth of Massachusetts, House Document No. 2450 covers the lowering of culverts and the widen-
ing and deepening of all brooks and rivers for proper run off. This sur- vey could be utilized as a basis to study this problem.
The voters of Tewksbury, alone, have the power to create the desir- able climate that will be the prime factor in helping to induce industrial concerns to invest their capital in land and buildings and give them the confidence to establish a business in our town, and that is by keeping a tight rein on needless expenditures, avoiding all wasteful reckless spend- ing and by careful planning coupled with wise action on all financial matters that have a direct bearing on our high tax rate, which in and of itself is the poorest kind of adver- tising.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN K. EATON, Sec'y Industrial Commission
Industrial Commission
Walter J. Pupkis, Chairman John K. Eaton, Secretary
Roger F. Lafreniere
Sal J. Ciaccio
John J. Belton
REPORT OF THE TEWKSBURY TOWN 4-H CHAIRMAN
Following is a list of expenses incurred from March 1963 to October 1963: March 4 - Demonstration Day Program: Custodian $ 10.00
Refreshments 6.35
May - National 4H Week Program:
Custodian
10.00
Refreshments
5.00
June - August - Camperships to Camp Middlesex:
10 camperships ($20.00 ea.) 200.00
August 24 - Rental of bus to County Fair: Approximately 35.00
October 18 - Achievement Day Program:
Custodian 10.00
Refreshments 6.00
$ 282.34
82
4H Chairman ... continued
There are currently three active 4H clubs in Tewksbury, with a total enrollment of fifty-nine members.
The Knollwood Gardens Club has 32 members, two adult leaders, and one junior leader. They are current- ly working on a crafts project but will soon begin their gardening prep- arations. They have carried out two community service projects; the do- nation of 15 pumpkins to the Vet- erans' Hospital at Hallow'een and the collection and distribution of children's books to hospitals and or- phanages. During National 4H Week, the window display prepared by the club won second place in the Agri- culture division in Middlesex County.
The Nimble Thimbles Club has 6 members, one adult leader who su- pervises the program, and one junior leader who carries out the program. They are working on their sewing project, using a portable machine purchased in a previous year for that purpose.
The Knitting Needles Club consists of 21 members, one adult leader and one junior leader who has had 6 year's experience in 4H work. Last year she, and another junior leader, had the entire responsibility for a cooking club which won first place in the Home Economics division in the National 4H week window display contest. This club was also named as a banner club by the county exten- sion service since they retained all their members for the entire year. The Knitting Needles members have carried out two community service projects; the making of tray favors for hospital patients at Thanksgiving and the raising of funds for a Christ- mas donation to a needy family.
Needs for the 4H Program
Since there is not enough adult leadership to expand the 4H program in Tewksbury and since training of the older members is itself one of the aims of the program, junior leader- ship training as carried on by the 4H Club agents in Concord, is a vital need. Twice a year the county office
sponsors weekend training sessions for members 14 years or over, as junior leaders. The cost is usually $5.00 per delegate. There are 10 of the 59 members who now qualify or will soon qualify for this training.
Camperships are awarded to out- standing members of camping age. Older members may be given an opportunity toattend the State Con- ference held annually in Amherst, Mass. These are two valuable ex- periences for the members and en- abling them to attend is an excellent way of rewarding them for their work and interest. Last year's en- rollment was 45, so it is hoped that more camperships will be available this year.
The annual bus trip to the County Fair is a popular event and enables many youngsters, who would other- wise be deprived by lack of trans- portation, to take part in this aspect of 4H work. Lack of transportation also keeps many members from at- tending the County Demonstration Day program in Concord. This is a valuable learning experience for those who go to watch and even more valuable for those who are eligible to participate.
The purpose of 4H work is to help the members develop specific skills, develop their character and leader- ship abilities, and to provide recrea- tional opportunities. We feel that the combination of the activities mentioned, help to accomplish this purpose and sufficient funds to carry out such a program will be appre- ciated. An increase from the usual $300 voted for the 4H work, to $450 or $500 would provide more camper- ships, allow for more junior leader training, and the rental of a bus for the field trip to Concord on Demon- stration Day.
Submitted by, Jean Holmes and Victor N. Cluff, Town Chair.
83
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
ITEM 1
WATER DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES, THEIR NAMES, POSITIONS AND SALARIES
Charles F. Kent - Superintendent $131.67 per week
M. Virginia Cooney - Senior Bookkeeper 73.50 per week
Catherine A. Wholey - Senior Clerk & Typist 66.38 per week Walter V. Haley - Maint., Operator & Meter Reader 87.60 per week
Mark W. Roper - Maint., Operator & Meter Reader 87.60 per week Donald E. Prescott - Maint., Operator & Meter Reader 87.60 per week Richard A. Gath - Maint., Operator & Meter Reader 87.60 per week
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
Charles R. Carter - Chairman
200.00 for one year
John J. Cooney - Co-Chairman
100.00 for one year
Earl J. Sheehan - Secretary 100.00 for one year
ITEM 2
No. of Services
Size
Footage
Average cost per ft.
182
3/4'
13,017 ft.
$2.75 per ft.
2
1"
145 ft.
3.00 per ft.
3
2"
825 ft.
3.25 per ft.
1
8"
1,250 ft.
7.00 per ft.
The money used to install these services was expended from the Installation Account.
ITEM 3
Number of Hydrants installed and in service through December 31, 1963 equals 496. These hydrants give most of the homes in Town maximum Fire Insurance Allowance.
We have a program to flush these hydrants yearly and by doing this we are able to check the condition of the hydrants and make repairs if they are needed.
The hydrants on Main Street are painted yearly and the hydrants on the east side and west side of Main Street are painted every two years.
ITEM 4
SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THE COURT STREET WELLS BEING HELD UP:
Special Town Meeting - September 28, 1960
ARTICLE 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from E&D, the sum of $35,000.00 for a survey by a recognized
84
Water Commissioners . . . continued
public water system engineer, for the purpose of establishing locations for gravel packed wells, said survey to furnish all of the necessary information, estimates of costs, etc., under the supervision of the Board of Water Commissioners or take any other action in relation thereto. Water Commissioners VOTED: To indefinitely postpone, by secret ballot, 205 to 161.
Annual Town Meeting - March 4, 1961
ARTICLE 53. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from E&D the sum of $35,000.00 for a survey by a recognized public water system engineer, for the purpose of establishing locations for gravel packed wells, said survey to furnish all of the necessary in- formation, estimates of cost, etc., under the supervision of the Board of Water Commissioners, or take any other action in relation thereto. Water Commissioners VOTED: To raise and appropriate $18,000.00 as amended, for the purpose of Article 53.
Special Town Meeting - November 15, 1961
ARTICLE 15. To see whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money not to exceed One Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand ($155,000.00) dollars for the purpose of extending and improving the water system of the Town by laying and relaying water mains of not less than six inches but less than sixteen inches in diameter, by the development of an additional well field, including wells, pipes and ori- ginal pumping station equipment, and by the construction of small buildings for pumping stations, and also the acquision of approximately sixty-nine acres of land, and to determine how any such sum shall be raised, whether by taxation, by transfer of available funds, by borrow- ing or otherwise, and if by borrowing to authorize the issuance of bonds or notes of the Town, and to authorize the Water Commissioners to do such work and expend such money, or take any action relative thereto.
Board of Water Commissioners
VOTED: To postpone to the next Annual Town Meeting by a standing vote of yeas 207, nays 29. Vote for indefinite postponement lost, yeas 28, nays 167. The motion to amend "that $23,000 be set aside for the pur- chase of the land" was voted yeas 106, nays 93, but lost to the above motion.
Annual Town Meeting - March 3, 1962
ARTICLE 35. To see whether the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not to exceed One Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand ($132,000.00) Dollars for the purpose of extending and improving the water system of the Town by laying and relaying water mains of not less than six inches but less than sixteen inches in diameter, by the development of an additional well field including wells, pipes and original pumping
85
Water Commissioners . . . continued
station equipment, and by the construction of small buildings for pump- ing stations, and to determine how any such sum shall be raised, whether by taxation, by transfer of available funds, by borrowing or otherwise, and if by borrowing to authorize the issuance of bonds and notes of the Town,and to authorize the Water Commissioners to do such work and expend such money, or take any action in relation thereto. Board of Water Commissioners.
VOTED: On motion by Mr. Cooney an amendment to Article 35 was voted as follows: That the sum of one hundred thirty-two thousand ($132,000) Dollars be and it hereby is approved for the purpose of extending and improving the water system of the Town by laying and relaying water mains of not less than six (6) but less than sixteen (16) inches in diameter, by the development of an additional well field, including wells, pipes and original station equipment, and by the construction of small buildings for pumping stations; that the Board of Water Commissioners hereby authorized to do such work and to expend said sum; and that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and he hereby is authorized and directed to borrow said sum of one hundred thirty-two thousand ($132,000) dollars by the issuance and sale of general obliga- tion bonds of the Town under and pursuant to clauses 4 and 5 of Section 8 of Chapter 44 of the Massachusetts General Laws (Ter. Ed.) and other applicable provisions of law, said loan to be paid in not more than fifteen years.
VOTED: Motion by Mr. Cooney to vote by secret ballot was carried, and Article 35 as amended, on motion of the Finance Committee to raise and appropriate $132,000.00 by Bond Issue was voted and recorded yeas 170, nays 73.
The Bonds for this $132,000.00 were sold May 1, 1962.
NOTE: Under the law no contracts can be awarded until after the Bonds were sold.
CONTRACTS IN RELATION TO COURT ST. WELLS
Layne - New England . .. For Building Gravel Packed Wells
Date of Bid Opening
July 13, 1962
Contract Signed
July 30, 1962
Started Work August 23, 1962
Time for completion 90 calendar days
Date work was completed November 1, 1962
Susi & DiCenso ... For Installing Pipe Line
Date of Bid Opening
October 24, 1962
Contract signed
November 8, 1962
Started Work
November 19-23, 1962
Time for completion 40 calendar days
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