USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1963-1967 > Part 8
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Date work was completed April 26, 1963
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Water Commissioners . . . continued
Mike Mack Company ... For Building Pump Houses
Date of Bid Opening November 23, 1962
Contract Signed December 19, 1962
Started Work January 23, 1963
Time for completion 150 calendar days
Date work was completed Approximately June 15, 1963
R. W. Jones Electric Co .... Pumping Equipment
Date of Bid Opening April 5, 1963
Contract Signed April 26, 1963
18 Billings St., Sharon, Mass.
R. W. JONES ELECTRICAL CO., INC. Contractors - Engineers
November 18, 1963
Town of Tewksbury
Board of Water Commissioners
Tewksbury, Massachusetts
Subject: Installation of Pumping Equipment and Appur. to Pumping Station.
Gentlemen:
In reference to the above entitled project, needless to say at this time, this job is far overdue.
When the job was first awarded last Spring, all equipment was ordered and continually expedited. We had an original shipping date of the slowest item, namely the pumps, toward the end of July.
We arranged our schedule to have all work completed, piping done, etc., so as to meet this particular delivery. During the first part of August we recived a shipping notice from the manufacturer saying that the pumps would be shipped August 16th. Therefore, we scheduled our construction to coincide with this delivery and worked at the job site for one week making various electrical installations, etc.
At the end of that week it was found that the pumps would not be de- livered and therefore we closed down the job until such time as this important piece of equipment could be definitely scheduled.
It is evident as we now look back, we can see that the manufacturer of the pumps was operating on a terrific handicap at this time, in that as we understand it, they were moving their factory from the west coast to Kansas City, which needless to say caused a great deal of confusion.
From the first part of August on, we had many various delivery dates, none of which could be substantiated until the final one when the certified curves for the units arrived. The manufacturer told us by wire that the units were manufactured, ready for shipment, as soon as the curves were
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Water Commissioners . . . continued
approved. This was immediately done and the pumps were received in the first part of November.
Upon investigation it was found that one of the pumps came through with the wrong sized column. Therefore, this had to be returned to the manufacturer for alteration which was done. This problem has now been taken care of and all parts and pieces, as far as can be seen are availble and the installation will take place on November 19th.
It is indeed embarrassing to have to make excuses for delinquency of schedule. I can assure you this is not our usual practice. Further, I might add that we have never delayed this long on any job in the past. I am sure you can see our problem here and can realize the backup problem that the manufacturer had.
May I express my sincere apologies on behalf of myself and the manu- facturer for such delays.
I assure you now that all parts and pieces are together, we will make the installation with utmost expedience and can assure you their satisfac- tion.
Again I ask for your understanding and patience and express my most sincere thanks for this in the past.
Very truly yours, R. W. JONES ELECTRICAL CO., INC. R. W. Jones
1962 WATER WELL ACCOUNT
1962 Appropriation
$132,000.00
Expended through December 31, 1963 112,344.33
Balance as of January 1, 1964
$ 19,655.67
ITEM 5
MONEY EXPENDED ON GAS AND OIL FOR TRUCKS AND EQUIPMENT DURING THE YEAR 1963
Money expended for Gas
$1,584.86
Money expended for Oil
101.72
TOTAL
$1,686.58
ITEM 6 EQUIPMENT RENTAL FOR THE YEAR 1963 Operating Account
Backhoe rental
501/2 hrs. at $13.50 per hour 3
Truck rental
" at $10.00 " „
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Water Commissioners . . . continued
Installation Account
Backhoe rental
677 hrs.
at
$13.50 per hour
Bulldozer rental
9
"
at
13.00
"
"
Bulldozer rental
32
at
10.25
"
"
at
10.00
10.00
"
"
Truck rental
14
"
at
6.50
"
"
Truck rental
6
"
at
5.50
"
"
Truck rental
120
"
at
1.00
"
"
Water Well 1962
Backhoe rental
491/2 hrs.
at
$13.50 per hour
Bulldozer rental
36
"
at
13.00
"
„
Shoveldozer rental
48
"
at
12.00
"
">
Shoveldozer rental
351/2
at
10.00
"
"
Truck rental
112
"
at
10.00
"
Truck rental
8
"
at
9.00
"
"
Truck rental
4
"
at
6.50
Truck rental
26
„
at
5.50
"
"
Shawsheen Street - Pipe Relocation
Backhoe rental
16
hrs. at $13.50 per hour
Hydrant Snow Removal
Tractor rental
16
hrs. at $ 6.00 per hour
ITEM 7 WATER MAIN INSTALLATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
Voted
Amount
Installed thru 12/31/63
Amount
Lincoln Road
$
325.00
Trull Brook Lane
5,600.00
650 ft.
$2,275.00
Clark Road
640.00
Albert Road
1,995.00
So. Rhoda Street
4,200.00
1050 ft.
3,587.50
No. Billerica Rd.
1,000.00
Pringle Street
400.00
Chapman Road
2,500.00
300 ft.
1,500.00
Maplewood Road -
formerly Vincent Road
5,425.00
1242 ft.
3,961.25
Woodcrest Drive
4,900.00
1450 ft.
4,500.00
Alder Lane - formerly Paul Lane
1,750.00
400 ft.
1,200.00
"
Payloader rental
60
Shoveldozer rental
3
"
at
"
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Water Commissioners . . . continued
Voted
Amount
Installed thru 12/31/63
Amount
John St. - formerly No. Kevin St.
7,350.00
1925 ft.
5,775.00
O'Loughlin Drive
3,220.00
100 ft.
500.00
Whipple Road
4,500.00
525 ft.
2,625.00
Lowe Street
15,600.00
Louis Road
5,040.00
1440 ft.
4,712.50
Marion Drive
4,060.00
1160 ft.
4,060.00
Madeline Road
500.00
110 ft.
500.00
(plus Hse. Serv.)
Madeline Road
422.50
130 ft.
422.50
Cayuga Road
6,600.00
Catamount Road
15,600.00
Kearsage Street
1,140.00
Madison Avenue
2,125.00
Westland Drive
5,440.00
Pawnee Street
4,800.00
Pennacook Road
10,050.00
Kendall Street
14,400.00
Easement between Catamount Rd. and Kendall Street
4,980.00
Henry J. Drive
12,250.00
3500 ft.
10,500.00
ITEM 8
New Equipment Purchased During the Year 1963
One 1963 Half Ton Truck with Utility Body Two Remington Typewriters
One Pipe Locator
ITEM 9
Number of Water Takers during 1952 - 1963 Listed Yearly
1952
830
1953
484
1954
549
1955
593
1956
386
1957
155
1958
71
1959
80
1960
94
1961
106
1962
115
1963
187
TOTAL
3,650
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Water Commissioners . . . continued
ITEM 10
WATER PUMPED PER MONTH, DURING 1963
January
32,317,130
February
29,204,600
March
30,765,990
April
30,736,760
May
33,877,930
June
40,444,550
July
42,683,770
August
35,787,700
September
32,337,050
October
33,449,150
November
32,647,230
December
32,890,160
TOTAL
407,142,020
ITEM 11
For the year 1964 we recommend that a one million gallon elevated water tank be installed 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, and to replace in Astle Street from the intersection of the sixteen inch line to Pike Street approximately 1100 feet of eight inch asbestos cement pipe with twelve inch cast iron pipe. This would allow a good volume of water from the tank to Main Street and Pike Street with the following extensions recommended:
1. Approximately 1100 feet of six inch cast iron pipe in Pike Street from No. 149 to Rogers Street.
2. Approximately 2300 feet of six inch cast iron pipe in Marston Street from No. 209 to Rogers Street.
3. Approximately 2200 feet of six inch cast iron pipe in Rogers Street from No. 138 to No. 349.
4. Approximately 900 feet of six inch cast iron pipe in Marshall Street from No. 284 to No. 360.
In summing up these recommendations we feel that a tank of this capacity and the pipe installations are much needed to boost the demand of the water consumed during its highest peak.
We also recommend:
1. That a new truck of 3/4 ton capacity should be purchased for the department, due to the fact that we have had the same number of
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Water Commissioners . . . continued
trucks for many years and our maintenance is increasing steadily and we also have added many new water takers.
2. To trade one 1948 Adding Machine and one 1951 Adding Machine for two 1964 models.
3. To trade our present 1956 combination Tractor, Backhoe and Front End Loader for a 1964 model due to the fact that this has given us many problems and high maintenance costs during the last two or three years.
4. Due to the increased work load another full time Maintenance Man is needed and an extra clerk in the office for at least six months of the year is needed.
BEACH COMMITTEE
Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
Tewksbury, Mass. Feb. 16, 1963 Gentlemen:
Our committee, set up to investi- gate the possibilities for a town beach within the Town of Tewks- bury, has completed our study with the following possibilities checked, and results as noted.
1. MUD POND - foot of Pleasant St. There is not a suitable place for a beach on any of the banks of this pond. The water is too dirty for healthful swimming and is some- times polluted.
2. ROUND POND - Chandler St. This pond, in our opinion, is the most suitable spot for a town beach, being both centrally located and easily adaptable for a beach on the Chand- ler St. side. The water is good, being spring fed, and at present there is a small beach and a right of way be- hind 595 Chandler St. This land is owned by a Mr. McKensie, who ad- vised the committee that he was un- willing to sell the land even to the town at this time.
3. AMES POND - North Tewks- bury. This pond appeared to have several possibilities, but is located somewhat out of the way, and would
not be accessable to most of the town's children on foot or bicycles. The owner of this pond, Tambone & Sons of Reading, claims to have plans for the whole area around the pond and would not be inteersted in sell- ing or leasing any land or rights to the town.
4. SHAWSHEEN RIVER. This riv- er has been used in some areas of South Tewksbury on a limited basis in the past, but we felt it would not be adequate for a town beach due primarily to the continual pollution from mills and farms in towns fur- ther up the river.
5. HEATH BROOK. We investi- gated damming this brook to make a swimming area near the Heath Brook School, which would be centrally located and would have the further advantage of enabling us to control the water. However, on further in- vestigation, we found there is a large pig farm in Billerica near the source of Heath Brook, which uses the brook for grazing and watering the pigs, which pollutes the water.
6. SILVER LAKE. There is a cor- ner of this lake off Lake St., which we understand is available to the Town of Tewksbury for a beach. The land making up the shore in this area is in Wilmington, and for the
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Beach Committee ... continued
town to purchase the land would necessitate both Tewksbury and Wil- mington changing town boundaries in this area, which we did not feel would be possible.
7. SWIMMING POOL. We inves- tigated this possibility only slightly due to the tremendous cost involved. To provide suitable swimming pool area for a town of this size would probably require more than one pool, at a cost in excess of $75,000 each, not to mention the yearly upkeep. This is still a possibility, but this committee does not feel it was set up to recommend such expenditures.
In conclusion, we feel we have in- vestigated all possibilities, and the most promising one is Round Pond if town officials can find some way of acquiring the above mentioned land. We feel that any other method of supplying swimming facilities
would involve the expenditures of large sums of money, which we did not feel we should recommend at this time. If, however, the Board of Selectmen feel the town can and should spend a large sum of money for this purpose, then this committee is willing to carry on further inves- tigations on this project.
At the present time we feel we have completed the job we were ap- pointed to do, and without further instruction from town officials, con- template no further meetings or actions.
The Town Beach Committee, James E. Sullivan Joseph P. Sullivan Paul J. Tremblay Leslie Collins David Snyder
REPORT OF THE TEWKSBURY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
The committee was established un- der Article I of the warrant for the Special Town Meeting of September 28, 1960. By this vote, the Moderator, Mr. Alan Qua, appointed the follow- ing named persons to carry out the townspeople's wishes for obtaining preliminary plans and specifications and in recommending a site for a Junior High School building: Mr. John Baker, David J. Beattie, Frank Carter, Victor N. Cluff and John Hart. John Baker was transferred by his employer and resigned from the committee. Mr. Roger Lafrenniere was appointed by the Moderator to fill the vacancy.
On March 15, 1961, Articles 63 and 64 of the Annual Town Meeting voted to authorize and empower the Junior High Building Committee to obtain final plans and specifications and to go out to bid and present bids
accepted by the committee to a special or annual town meeting for acceptance by the town. At this time, $50,000 was voted to be expended for the above by the committee.
On November 15, 1961, under Art- icle I of the Special Town Meeting, it was voted to appropriate $1,820,000 for the construction, equipping, and furnishing a new Junior High School. Under Article II, it was voted to appropriate $3,600 to purchase six (6) acres of land from the Carter family. Under Article III, it was voted to appropriate $1.00 for the purchase of 15.3 acres of land from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts. The Trus- tees of the Hospital executed the transfer September 21, 1961.
The original contract was sched- uled to be signed December 22nd, 1961 but due to the refusal of three members of the Board of Selectmen
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Junior High School Building Committee .. . continued
to sign the contract, the project was halted temporarily.
After many conferences with Wil- liam O'Neill, Town Treasurer and Mr. George Riley of the First Na- tional Bank, the bonds were prepared by Ropes, Gray, Best, Coolidge and Rugg and sold by the First National Bank of Boston. The proceed order was given March 16, 1962.
Before the money was appropri- ated by the townspeople, the com- mittee had made statements as to the need for a Junior High School. Sep- tember, 1963 certainly proved these statements to be correct. The Junior High School, although not fully com- pleted, was pressed into service on a request by the School Committee to avert double sessions. Late in Sep- tember, well over 900 pupils entered Tewksbury Junior High School. If the school had not been available to accommodate these children, the School Committee would have had to have double sessions for both the junior high and senior high grades.
The Building Committee has spent many long hours in trying to secure for Tewksbury one of the finest schools in the Commonwealth at a price within our budget. It is defi- nitely felt that this is exactly what the town has in the new Junior High School.
Based on expert opinion, the esti- mated cost of the building was to have been $1,900,000. After receiv- ing the bids, the actual price was $1,873,000. The town treasurer, Mr. William O'Neil, has done an excep- tional job for the Town of Tewks- bury. When the bonds were sold, the town was paid over $17,000 as a pre- mium. In May, 1962, the architect sent a copy of the expected expendi- tures and the dates he felt the money would be expended to the treasurer. The treasurer invested part of the money and by doing this brought approximately $35,000 of interest
money into the town treasury. The $35,000 and the $17,000 totals $52,000 earned by the money borrowed for the Junior High School. This money goes into the E&D account to be used for the operation of the town.
The delay in the proceed order caused by the refusal of the Select- men to sign the contract cost the town approximately $37,000.
At present, there is little money left in the account. There are proj- ects that should be taken care of but due to the limited budget, they have been deleted. These are desirable for the operation of the Junior High School but are not essential for the educational program.
In the process of building the school, the committee was indeed very fortunate to have had the serv- ices and advice of Dr. Everett Thistle, Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Bastable, Mr. Ralph Brown and Mr. Richard Griffin. Without their help and guidance, the committee would not have been able to function as efficiently.
The specifications for furnishing the school were drawn up by Dr. Everett Thistle at a savings to the Town of Tewksbury of $10,000. This is the fee that would have been charged by the architect if his firm had drawn these specifications.
The committee would like to ex- tend its thanks to Mr. Saunders of the Tewksbury Hospital, the League of Women Voters, the P.T.O., the P.T.A.'s, the Jaycees, and all towns- people who in any way made it pos- sible for the Tewksbury Junior High School to become a reality. The committee would also like to thank Mary Brown who served as clerk of the committee.
DAVID J. BEATTIE, Chair. Tewksbury Junior High School Building Committee
94
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Victor N. Cluff, Chairman
On March 12, 1963, the Board of Selectmen organized electing Victor N. Cluff, Chairman; William B. Car- ter, Vice-chairman; and George A. O'Connell, Clerk.
Due to the tremendous growth of the town over the past few years, the demands of the citizenry for Board action on complaints, information, investigations, etc., are becoming an ever increasing problem to try and resolve at a meeting once a week for approximately four hours. The Board has tried to keep up with these grow- ing problems by scheduling special meetings with various departments in an effort to resolve these many problems and complaints.
The decisions of the Board have not always been unanimous but it is a very healthy situation to have elected officials have minds of their own, and to have each member re- spect the others point of view.
The Board authorized the Town Counsel, Warren Allgrove, to defend the town in two major actions: One by the Police Department to recover a pay raise which they contended they were granted by Town Meeting action. The town won this case. The second action was a suit by the State Department of Public Health on an order to close our public dump. The result of this suit is still pending. A full report on these and other legal actions will be found in the Town Counsel's report.
In April, the Board appointed a seven man study committee to con- duct a study and report the feasi- bility of a new fire station and li- brary; Their report will be found elsewhere in this Town Report.
On April 30, the Board appointed a committee of nine, two from each precinct and three at large, to study the possibility of improving our town government. Their report can be found elsewhere in this Town Report.
On May 7, 1963, the Board appoint- ed a committee to revise the build-
ing code. Their report and recom- mendations will be found elsewhere in this Town Report.
Due to a conflict of interest, the Board accepted the resignations of John Gleason and Albert Hinckley as members of the Industrial Commis- sion. Roger Lafreniere and Salvator Caccio were appointed to fill out the unexpired terms.
On May 14, 1963, three parcels of town owned land were sold at public auction for a total sum of $4,775.00.
June 6. 1963, due to the resignation of John K. Eaton as Veterans' Agent, John Smith was elected to fill the vacancy.
In July and August, the Board put into effect a summer schedule of meeting on the second and fourth Tuesday for regular business, and to sign the warrant at other times at the pleasure of each member of the Board.
On August 20, 1963, the Board ac- cepted the resignations of all mem- bers of the Personnel Board.
September 10, 1963, the Board ap- pointed an entirely new Personnel Board. Their recommendations will be found elsewhere in this Town Report.
On September 10, 1963, the Board accepted the resignation of John Smith as Veterans' Agent.
September 17, 1963, the Board ap- pointed Ward Davis as Veterans' Agent to be effective October 1, 1963.
November 19, 1963, found the Board discussing ways and means of improving the telephone service with officials of the Telephone Company. The Board was assured of the com- plete cooperation of the Telephone Company to improve the service.
On December 10, 1963, bids for printing the town reports were re- ceived and opened and the Buckland Printing Company was awarded this work at $13.00 per page.
The Selectmen have sent a letter to all department heads asking their
95
Board of Selectmen . .. continued
cooperation in submitting their an- nual reports to include more infor- mation which the citizen would find informative and more interesting. A separate sheet of suggestions was en- closed for their guidance.
On November 22, 1963, probably one of the gretatest catastrophies of our time occurred when our late President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, was assassi- nated. On December 10, 1963, the Board appointed a committee to study and recommend a suitable memorial to his memory.
December 17, 1963, a public auc- tion was held to sell town owned land. The total sale price for three parcels was $4,050.00.
At this time I would like to call to the attention of the citizens of the town that we have taken several parcels of land by eminent domain for expansion of our future sources of water supply. The first parcel con- sists of approximately 60 acres of land off North Street. A negotiable price between the owners and the town could not be arrived at and this case will have to be resolved in court. The second parcel of land off South Street consists of approximately 80
acres and involves seven different property owners. A negotiable price on this property seems to be out of the question at this time and this will also have to be resolved by court action. This is an unknown debt plus 4% interest on the final court action, and it could amount to a considerable debt that will have to be met eventually.
The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all department heads for their cooperation in help- ing make their load and responsibili- ties a little easier to carry by special meetings and discussions, leading to a better understanding of our over- all town problems.
It is also most gratifying to see appointive boards taking the vigor- ous action necessary by holding meetings and discussions in order to get ideas whereby Tewksbury can be a better town in which to live, work, and educate our children.
Our town is financially sound, eco- nomically run, and with the comple- tion of Route 495, it will be only a matter of time when our tax base can be expanded with the location of new industries within our borders.
96
BOARD OF HEALTH
In compliance with Section 7 of Article II of the Town By-Laws, the board submits its report.
For specific details on expenditures and in compliance with Section 13 of Article II of the By-Laws, reference is made to the Auditor's report.
The board would first like to review its functions. The responsibility of the Board of Health flows from the General Laws, the Town By-Laws, and the vote of the Town. These responsibilities are many and varied. The most important are as follows:
Care and prevention of contagious diseases.
Care and prevention of infectious diseases.
Care and follow-up of premature children.
Approval of slaughter houses and inspection of cattle, hogs, and sheep slaughtered.
Inspections of animals
Dog disposal.
Supervision of transportation of garbage.
Supervision of the garbage and rubbish program.
Approval of dumps.
Mosquito control.
Operation of clinics.
Statistical reporting to the Department of Public Health.
Plumbing inspection.
Sanitary inspection.
Dental Clinics.
Jurisdiction over nuisances injurious to the public health.
Regulation of water supply.
Fitness of buildings for human habitation.
Eviction from unfit dwellings.
Regulation of noisome trades which are dangerous to the public health.
During the year 1963, the Board of Health conducted the following clinics under the supervision of Dr. Jose Ruisanchez, M. D., and Mrs. Kelley, R. N .:
Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus; April 20, March 1, May 22 - 150 immunizations.
Smallpox vaccination; April 10 - 100 innoculations.
Sabin Oral Polio, Type I - January 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 - 250 immunizations.
Sabin Oral Polio, Type II - March 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 - 3,879 immunizations.
Sabin Oral Polio, Type III, May 13 - 200 immunizations.
At St. Williams School, activities included Massachusetts vision and audio testing, retesting and follow-up, physical examinations, and dental clinic.
The Slaughtering Inspector inspected and supervised the slaughtering of 755 cows, 61 calves, 365 hogs, 25 sheep.
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Board of Health . . . continued
There were 22 contagious diseases reported to the Board. Information contained was forwarded to the State Department of Public Health.
There were 97 dog bites investigated, barns and piggeries inspected by the Animal Inspector.
Mr. John McCormack, Jr., Plumbing Inspector, submitted the following report:
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