USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1952-1956 > Part 30
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ARTICLE 5. Voted that the Town authorize the Selectmen to ap- point a Superintendent of the Water Department to serve until Water Commissioners are elected.
ARTICLE 6. Voted that the Collector of Taxes of the Town be authorized to collect, under the title of Town Collector, all accounts due the Town, including water rates and other charges of the Water De- partment.
ARTICLE 7. Voted unanimously that the Town adopt the following By-Laws to govern the operation of the Water Department by the Board of Selectmen and by the Water Commissioners, when elected:
1 The Water Department shall be administered by a Board of three Water Commissioners elected by ballot in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws. The Water Commissioners shall have exclusive charge and control of the Water Department and water system subject to the provisions of General Laws and sub- ject to these By-Laws, as amended. The Water Commissioners shall each receive an annual salary of $100.00.
2 The Water Commissioners shall appoint a Superintendent of the Water Department to administer the Water Department under the control of the Water Commissioners. The appointment shall be for the term of one year, but a person may be re-appointed for additional one year terms.
3 The entire cost of all installations made by the Water Department on the property of a taker of water shall be borne by such taker and shall be payable by such taker in advance.
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4. The cost of water mains, hydrants, appurtenances and fixtures for a subdivision (as defined in Section 81L of Chapter 41 of the Gen- eral Laws or any amendment of such Section) and the cost of installing the same in such subdivision and the cost of connecting the same to the Town water system shall all be borne by the per- son making such subdivision. Water shall be supplied by the Water Department to such water mains only if such person has paid all such costs and has complied with all regulations and requirements of the Planning Board of the Town respecting the installation of such water mains, hydrants, appurtenances and fixtures and re- specting the conveyance to the Town of the same, together with any related easements.
5 Water mains may be extended along a public or private way not in a subdivision only with the approval of the Water Commission- ers or of the Selectmen when acting as Water Commissioners and only if the takers served by such extension agree in writing either (1) to pay each year the difference between an amount equal to 15% of the cost of such extension and the revenue received from supplying water to takers served by such extension, such agree- ments to remain in effect until the aggregate revenues from sup- plying water to such takers plus the aggregate amounts paid by such takers under such agreements shall have equalled the cost of such extension; or
(2) to pay in advance the difference between the estimated cost of such extension and an amount 15% of which will equal the es- timated revenue for the first year during which water is supplied to such extension, all such payments to be adjusted when the ac- tual costs and actual revenues for such first year are determined.
ARTICLE 8. Voted to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the meeting.
ARTICLE 9. Voted to dissolve the meeting.
A True Record, Attest:
CHARLES L. HILDRETH,
Town Clerk of Westford
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN
To the citizens of Westford:
The Board of Selectmen organized in March with Elroy A. Field as Chairman, James L. Healy, Secretary, and Horace F. Wyman as the third member.
Reports of all committees and departments under our jurisdiction appear in this Town Report.
There was a State Audit of our books in February, and the balance sheet from that audit appears in this report.
We appointed the Fred C. Church Co. of Lowell as our Insurance Supervisor. All Town-owned buildings were revalued, and additional Insurance was added where needed, to bring the insurance up to the present day value. We are carrying a total of $1,261,600.00 in insurance on Town Buildings, and $140,000.00 on contents. The New High School is insured for $650,000.00.
We signed an agreement with the Westford Water Co., on Nov. 29, 1955, for the purchase of said Water Co., by the Town of Westford. A Bond Issue will finance this transaction, and the money for payment will be available about March 1, 1956.
We record with deepest regret, the passing of Doctor Cyril A. Blaney. Doctor Blaney had been prominent in Town affairs for many years, and served as a Selectmen for fifteen years.
Respectfully submitted,
ELROY A. FIELD JAMES L. HEALY HORACE F. WYMAN Selectmen of Westford.
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REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1955:
CHAPTER 81 AND GENERAL HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE
The usual highway work was carried out this year which included the use of gravel, asphalt, screened sand, gravel pea stone, oil treated pea stone, rice stone, and bituminous concrete patch on our roads and streets that come under Chapter 81. Several roads were resurfaced with an application of asphalt, gravel pea stone, and oil treated pea stone.
CHAPTER 90, MAINTENANCE
Chapter 90, Maintenance was carried out this year under the pro- visions of the contract. A section of Tyngsboro, Groton, Carlisle, Con- cord and Acton roads were resurfaced with asphalt, gravel pea stone, and oil treated pea stone.
CHAPTER 90, CONSTRUCTION
Graniteville Road, Chapter 90, Construction, was completed as far as the money allocated allowed. The work done on Beaver Brook Road consisted of installing drainage, removing the old bridge, and replacing same with twin pipe arches. The work to be done on this road consists of grading, tree removal, drainage, placing gravel foundation, installing guard rail, slope paving and other incidentals.
Once again I would like to draw your attention to the condition of our roads as there is much work to be done and only with additional funds will we be able to give them proper attention. This year I have asked for an increase of ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars. Approximately six thousand ($6,000.00) dollars of this will be spent on drainage alone as there is a great deal of pipe to be installed in the Nabnasset section of town. With the other four thousand ($4,000.00) dollars supplementing last year's appropriation of ten thousand ($10,000.00) dollars, we will be able to give an application of asphalt to roads which otherwise would have to remain in their present condition.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Selectmen, the Town Accountant, the Town Treasurer, and Mr. Fulton, the State En- gineer, for their cooperation and assistance during the past year.
I also want to thank all the men who worked with me for their loyal- ty and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH R. CONNELL, Superintendent.
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REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Westford, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1955 for the Police De- partment.
Report to the Department of Correction has been made.
Arrests made
54
Assault and battery
8
Abandoned autos
16
Auto violation
89
Auto accidents
42
Auto transfers
108
Auto registration
86
Auto licenses revoked
12
Appeals cases to Superior Court
2
Breaking and entering in the night time
7
Cases in Ayer Court
32
Complaints investigated cruelty to Animals
4
Complaints on dead animals left on top of ground
6
Complaints on suspicious persons
14
Camps and houses broken into
9
Dogs killed by automobiles
11
Duty at public gathering
72
Dances
18
Driving under the influence of liquor
6
Driving so to endanger
8
Disturbance of the peace
16
Drunkenness
9
Driving without a license
5
Family disturbances
48
Fires attended
11
Funerals attended
21
Idle and disorderly
18
Investigations made
642
Jurors
6
Men taken to jail
11
Leaving scene after injury to property
4
Larceny complaints
38
Notices posted
34
Non-support
7
Public nuisances in beer places
36
Pedestrians struck by automobiles
4
Petty complaints
806
.
45
Stubborn child
3
Summonses and notices served
364
Warrants served 8
Electric wires down on streets 24
Malicious injury to property
16
Patients taken to Gardner State Hospital
4
Lay watching in different places
14
Operating after license was revoked
2
Inspection of camps when roads are open
Collected for liquor licenses
$3,500
Cars stopped for speeding
236
Suicide cases
3
In lockup at Town Farm 21
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Selectmen, Sergeant Connell, and the Special Officers of the Town of Westford, also the State Police, for their advice, cooperation, and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. SULLIVAN,
Chief of Police.
CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
As your Civil Defense Director I was instrumental in procuring for the Town, from the State Civil Defense Agency two large LO K. W. generators for public use in the event of any emergencies.
I also obtained from the State Surplus one large 15 K. W. generator for the new High School, and one 3 K. W. generator for the use of the civil defense group.
Many thanks to Mr. Edward T. Sullivan and Mr. Kenneth Wright who donated their time and trucks for transporting this equipment to Westford.
I purchased two mobile radios and one gasoline chain saw with matching funds. Also made application for medical supplies from the State Civil Defense Agency and thus far have received a complete first aid kit and six stretchers.
When State authorities asked for aid in the Town of Oxford, Mass. at the time of the floods we answered the call with three men, Mr. George Haley, Mr. Leo Larkin, and your Director took emergency equipment in my Station Wagon and spent two days in that town.
We answered six emergencies with our portable radio in surrounding areas. Civilian Plane Spotters are needed to man the Ground Observation Tower. The public is urged to help in this cause.
Many thanks to all who have assisted me throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR A. ABBOOD
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TRAFFIC RULES AND ORDERS
The Traffic Rules and Orders adopted by the Board of Selectmen On May 12, 1955 For The Town of Westford.
Article I Definitions.
For the purpose of these rules and orders, the words and phrases used herein shall have the following meanings except in those instances where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
(A) "Street or Highway" The entire width between property lines of every way open to the use of the public for pur- poses of travel.
(B) "Roadway" That portion of a street or highway between the regularly estab- lished curb lines or that part, exclusive of shoulders, improved and intended to be used for vehicular traffic.
(C) "Lane" A longitudinal division of a roadway into a strip of sufficient width to accommodate the passage of a single line of vehicles.
(D) "Vehicle" Every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street of highway, except devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
(E) "Parking" The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading, or in obedience to an officer or traffic signs or signals, or while making emergency re- pairs or, if disabled, while arrangements are being made to move such vehicles.
(F) "Crosswalk" That portion of a road- way ordinarily included within the pro- longation or connection of curb lines and property lines at intersection, or any por- tion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by other lines on the road surface or by other markings or signs. (G) "Railroad Crossing" Any intersection of ways with a railroad right-of-way.
(H) "Official Traffic Signs" All signs, markings, and devices, other than signals, not inconsistent with these rules and orders. and which conform to the standards pre- scribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of guiding, directing, warning, or regulation in traffic.
(I) "Officer" For the purpose of these rules and orders an officer shall be con- strued to mean any officer, any constable or special officer, provided he has his badge of office displayed over his left breast and upon his outer garment.
(J) "Emergency Vehicles" Vehicles of the Fire Department. (Fire Patrol), police vehicles, ambulances, and emergency vehi- cles of federal, state and municipal depart- ments or public service corporations when the latter are responding to an emergency in relation to police or fire departments.
(K)."Bus Stop" An area in the roadway set aside for the boarding of or lighting from and the parking of buses.
(L) "Official Street Marking" Any' painted line, legend, marking or marker of any description painted or placed upon any way which purports to direct or regu- late traffic and which has been authorized by the Board of Selectmen and which has the written approval of the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts.
Article II
Authority and Duties of Police.
Section 1. Police to Direct Traffic. It shall be the duty of the police department to enforce the provisions of these rules and orders. Officers of the Police Depart- ment are hereby authorized to direct all traffic either in person or by means of vis -. ible or audible signal in conformance with. the provisions of these rules and orders, provided that in the event of a fire or other emergency to expedite or safeguard pedes- trians, officers of the Police or Fire Depart- ment may direct traffic as conditions may require, notwithstanding the provisions of these rules and orders.
Section 2. Police May Close Streets Temporarily. The police may close tem- porarily any street or highway in an im- pending or existing emergency, or for any lawful assemblage, demonstration or pro- cession provided there is reasonable justi -. fication for the closing of such street.
Section 3. Police May Prohibit Parking Temporarily. The police may prohibit, tem- porarily, parking on any street or highway or any part thereof in an impending or ex- isting emergency, or for a lawful assem- blage, demonstration or procession provided there is reasonable justification for such prohibition. Vehicles parked in places where parking is prohibited temporarily may be moved by or under the direction of an of- ficer.
Section 4. Obedience to Police. Drivers of vehicles shall comply with any lawful or reasonable order, signal or direction of any officer.
Section 5. Exemptions. The provisions of these rules and orders shall not apply to operators actually engaged in work upon a street or highway closed to travel or under construction or repair, to officers when en- gaged in the performance of public duties nor to drivers of emergency vehicles while operating in an emergency and in perform- ance of public duties when the nature of the work of any of these necessitates a depar- ture from any part of these rules and orders. These exemptions shall not, however, pro- tect the driver of any vehicle from the con- sequences of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.
Artile III
Traffic Signs, Signals, Markings and Zones.
Section 1. Traffic Signs and Signals.
(a) The Board of Selectmen is hereby
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authorized and as to those signs and signals required hereunder it shall be its duty to place and maintain or cause to be placed and maintained all official traffic signs, signals, markings and safety zones. All signs, signals, markings, and safety zones shall conform to the standards as prescribed by the Department of Public Works of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(b) Sections 2 and 3 of Article II and Sections 2 and 4 inclusive of Article IV, to parking shall be effective only during such time as official signs are erected and main- tained (in each block) designation the pro- visions of such sections and located so as to be easily visible to approaching drivers. Sufficient number of such signs must be provided so that a car cannot be parked in a limited or prohibited parking place with- out having the legend side of such a sign, clearly setting forth the parking regulation, thereat, visible from that location.
Section 2. Display of Unauthorized Signs, Signals and Markings Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to place or main- tain or to display upon or in view of any street any unofficial sign, signal or mark- ing which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic sign, sig- nal, marking, or device, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view any official sign or signal. The Chief of Police is hereby empowered to remove every such prohibited sign, signal or marking or cause it to be removed, without notice.
Section 3. Interference with Signs, Sig- nals, Markings Prohibited. It shall be un- lawful for any person to wilfully deface, injure, move, obstruct or interfere with any official traffic sign, signal or marking.
Section 4. Location of Bus Stops. The location of all bus stops shall be specified by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 5. Obedience to Traffic Signs and Signals. No driver of any vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traf- fic control signal, sign, marking, marker or legend, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
Article IV. Parking.
Section 1. General Prohibitions. No per- sons shall park a vehicle in any of the following places and vehicles found parked in violation of the provisions of this section may be moved by or under the direction of an officer at the expense of the owner, to a place where parking is permitted.
(a) Within an intersection.
(b) Upon any sidewalk.
(c) Upon any crosswalk.
(d) Upon the roadway in a rural or sparsely settled district.
(e) Upon the roadway in a business or residential district where parking is per- mitted unless both wheels on the right side of the vehicle are within twelve (12) inches of the curb or edge of the roadway.
(f) Upon any roadway where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear and un- obstructed lane at least ten (10) feet wide for passing traffic.
(g) Upon any street or highway within ten (10) feet of a fire hydrant.
(h) Upon or in front of any private road or driveway without the consent of the owner of said private road or driveway.
(i) Upon any street or highway within twenty (20) feet of an intersecting way, ex- cept alleys.
Section 2. Prohibited in Certain Streets. Upon the following streets or highways or parts thereof parking is hereby prohibited.
(a) Prescott Street. On the northerly side of Prescott Street from a point of 64 feet easterly of Storey Street to the easterly line of the fire station property.
(b) Storey Street. On the westerly side of Storey Street, from Prescott Street to a point of 200 feet northerly.
(c) Pond Street. On the southerly and westerly side of Pond Street, from Pleasant Street to Bradford Street.
(d) First Street. On the southeasterly side of First Street from Broadway Street to River Street.
(e) Pleasant Street.
(f) No All Night Parking. No person shall allow, permit or suffer any vehicle registered in his name, other than one act- ing in an emergency, to be parked on any street for a period of time longer than one (1) hour between the hours of one (1) a. m. and six (6) a. m. of any day.
Section 3. Bus Stops.
(a) No person shall park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop.
(b) No person shall park a bus upon any street within a business district at any place other than a bus stop, when a nearby bus stop is available for use.
Section 4. Parking Time Limited in Des- ignated Places.
(a) No person shall park a vehicle for a period of time longer than is herein des- cribed upon the following streets or parts thereof.
1. West Prescott Street. Ten (10) minutes parking on the northerly side of West Pres- cott Street from a point 24 feet easterly from Storey Street to a point 64 feet easterly of Storey Street.
Article V One Way Streets.
Section 1. Upon the following described streets or parts of streets vehicles shall be operated only in the direction indicated provided standard signs are erected.
(a) Pond Street. Pond Street between Pleasant Street and Bradford Street in a westerly and northerly direction.
Article VI
Section 1. Obedience to Isolated Stop Signs. Every Driver of a vehicle or other conveyance approaching an intersection of ways where there exists facing him an of- ficial sign, bearing the word "Stop" and authorized by the section, said sign having apart from this regulation, the written ap- proval of the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and such approval being in effect, shall before pro- ceeding through the intersection, bring such vehicle or other conveyance to a complete stop at such a point as may be clearly marked by a sign or line, or if a point is
48
not so marked, then at a place between the said "Stop" sign and the nearer line of the street intersection. In the case of a line of two or more vehicles approaching such "stop" sign, the drivers of the second and third vehicles in line in any group shall not be required to stop more than once be- fore proceeding through the intersection. This section shall not apply when the traffic is otherwise directed by an officer or by a lawful regulating sign, signal or device.
In accordance with the foregoing, the erection and maintenance of all offical "stop" sign or signs are authorized so as to face:
(a) North and South bound drivers on Tyngsboro Road, at Groton Rd.
(b) North and South bound drivers on Dunstable Rd. at Groton Rd.
(c) South bound drivers on Tenney Road, at Groton Rd. and north bound drivers on Nutting Rd. at Groton Rd.
(d) North bound drivers on Town Farm Road, at Prescott St.
(e) South bound drivers on Carlisle Rd. at Concord Rd.
(f) North bound drivers on Abbot Street at Forge Village Rd. and Pine St. and South bound drivers on Town Farm Road at Forge Village Rd. and Pine Street.
(g) Southwest bound drivers on Paler- mo St. at Pleasant St.
(h) Northwest and southeast bound drivers on Cold Spring Rd. at Graniteville Rd.
(i) South bound drivers on Abbot Street at Pleasant St.
Section 2. Overtake Only Where There is Space Ahead. The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless there is suffi- cient clear space ahead on the right side of the roadway to permit the overtaking to be completed without impeding the safe opera- tion of any vehicle ahead, or without caus- ing the driver of such a vehicle to change his speed or alter his course except as pro- vided in the following section.
Section 3. Driver to Give Way to Over- taking Vehicle. The driver of a vehicle when about to be overtaken and passed by another vehicle approaching from the rear shall give way to the right when practicable in favor of the overtaking vehicle, on suit- able or audible signal being given by the driver of the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
Section 4. Obstructing Traffic.
(a) No person shall drive in such a man- ner as to obstruct unnecessarily the normal movement of traffic upon any street or high- way. Officers are hereby authorized to re- quire any driver who fails to comply with this section to drive to the side of the road- way and wait until such traffic as has been delayed has passed.
(b) No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is suffi- cient space on the other side of the inter- section or crosswalk and on the right half of the roadway to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the pas-
sage of other vehicles or pedestrians not- withstanding any traffic control signal in- dication to proceed.
Section 5. Following Too Closely. The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of such vehicle and traffic upon and condition of the street or highway.
Section 6. Slow Vehicles to Stay 200 Feet Apart. Upon roadways less than twenty- seven (27) feet wide and upon which vehicu- lar traffic is permitted to operate in both directions the driver of any slow moving vehicle when traveling outside of a business or residential district shall not follow an- other slow moving vehicle within two hun- dred (200) feet, but this shall not be con- strued to prevent such slow-moving vehicle from overtaking and passing another slow- moving vehicle. This section shall not apply to funerals or other lawful processions.
Section 7. Care in Starting, Stopping. Turning or Backing. The driver of any such vehicle before starting, stopping, turning from a direct line of backing will first see that such movement can be made in safety. If any such movement cannot be made in safety or if it interferes unduly with the normal movement of other traffic, said driver shall wait for a more favorable op- portunity to make such a movement.
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