USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1963-1967 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
635.00
Robert V. Cassidy
85
REPORT OF THE WATER SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners,
I herewith submit my report for year ending December 31, 1966:
Number of Gallons Pumped
January
11,500,100
February
10,510,500
March
11,374,900
April
11,662,200
May
13,032,100
June
15,772,100
July
18,749,000
August
19,882,900 *
September
.
13,297,900
October
12,826,000
November
12,043,000
December
11,624,100
Total
162,274,800
Number of New Services Installed
69
Number of New Hydrants Installed
8
New Extensions are as follows :
Polley Road
2380 Feet 8 in Pipe
Torrington Lane
950 Feet 6 in Pipe
Williams Avenue
400 Feet 6 in Pipe
Links Road
175 Feet 6 in Pipe
Beech Road
100 Feet 6 in Pipe 100 Feet 6 in Pipe
Carolina Lane
Nutting Road
1250 Feet 12 in Pipe
Bay Berry Road
725 Feet 6 in Pipe
Carline
1580 Feet 12 in Pipe
Respectfully submitted,
Albert E. Mountain, Superintendent
86
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The Westford Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits its annual report for the year 1966. The Board Members are Chairman Reginald Blowey, William MacMillan, and Samuel Richards.
Mrs. Edith M. Lowney is the Director of Public Assistance and Miss Shirley M. Anderson is the clerk. Due to the increased caseload and the social services required by the Federal government, a request has been made for a full-time social worker.
· The categories of assistance administered are: Old Age Assistance, Disability Assistance, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, the new Medical Assistance, all of which are supported by Federal, State and local monies; and General Relief, which is supported by 20% State and 80% local funds.
The average monthly caseload for 1966 was as follows: Old Age Assistance, 27; Disability Assistance, 13; Aid to Families with Dependent Children, 18; Medical Assistance, 45; and General Relief, 5. A total of 471 visits was made and 55 applications were processed. At the end of the year we were aiding 178 persons (104 adults and 74 children) .
Our total 1966 expenditures were $187,607.58. Federal and State reimbursements amounted to $116,313.72. The net cost to the Town was $71,293.86.
During the year, much time was devoted to explanation and assistance in signing recipients for Medicare Supplementary Insurance Benefits, compiling a list of social security numbers for all re- cipients, and help with applications for over-age-72 Social Security benefits.
Many children were eligible for the "Operation Headstart" pro- gram carried on during the summer months through Community Teamwork, Inc.
On September 1, the new Medical Assistance program became effec- tive. This replaced Medical Aid for the Aged (Kerr-Mills Bill) . Medical Assistance provides for the medical needs of certain persons in addition to those 65 years of age and over. Pamphlets and infor- mation relative to all programs are available in our office in the Town Hall.
We extend a big "THANK YOU" for all the assistance, cooperation, and contributions we received from individuals, organizations and clubs.
87
TOWN INFIRMARY
On September 2, 1966, the Selectmen appointed a Town Infirmary Committee. This committee is composed of Reginald Blowey, Joseph E. Connolly, and Kenneth E. McNeil. Their duties were to investigate the disposition of the Town Farm land and buildings and to report their findings to the Selectmen. This committee met with other Board members and committees; their recommendations are as follows:
1. That the Town Farm property remain the property of the Town and not be sold - with one exception. A local business firm is interested in purchasing the land on the North side of Town Farm Road.
2. That the barn and sheds (with the exception of the newest shed) be demolished.
3. That the property be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Selectmen.
4. The School Department is interested in the Infirmary for offices, plus one shed for storage.
5. The Water Department is interested in the wet land across the tracks.
The land was surveyed this Fall and a map drawn of the three parcels of land.
A portion of the building was rented for the entire year and one of the sheds was rented for part of the year.
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE Reginald Blowey, Chairman William C. MacMillan Samuel A. Richards
88
DUMP= Pollution
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board was officially organized on April 11, 1966 for the coming year. Mr. Lucien Menard was re-elected, so the membership of the Board remained the same. Ralph E. Cole, M. D. was elected chairman and Miss Dorothy Healy, R. N. appointed secretary and a- gent. The listing of other appointments appear at the end of this report.
The activity and problems of the Board of Health increased markedly during this year and we have found that this is typical of the Boards of surrounding towns. Sessions by the Board members have also increased due to the complexity of so many problems and in view of activities as regards pollution, dump, rubbish and san- itary problems due to new building pressures. The Board members have attended a great many more meetings in other communities as well as regional meetings. These same problems have required more and more services from the trained personnel at Nashoba, and they in turn have been feeling the pressure from other communities as well as the competition for personnel.
There has been excellent cooperation with other Boards of the town, and this Board has been helped immeasurably by the combined meetings. Mr. Lucien Menard has been very active in his position as a committee of one designed for liaison with the State and sur- rounding communities and Nashoba regarding the dual problems of sanitary fill dumps and water pollution. The problems turned up also added air pollution to this. Mr. Edward McLenna likewise, throughout the year, served as a committee of one to handle negoti- ations and supervision of the Town Dump. Dr. Ralph E. Cole was elected chairman of the Board of Nashoba Associated Boards of Health for the sixteen member towns at the Annual Meeting.
The custodian of the Town Dump was appointed by competitive bidding on identical specifications and the low bidder fulfilled the specifications and so was appointed December 22, 1966. The Board of Health wishes to thank Mr. Albert Picking for his services of the previous years.
The report of Nashoba Associated Boards of Health follows, and it will be noted again that the services rendered this community are considerable, and particularly in the field of health services show- ing a marked increase, due not only to increased population but to expansion of services and citizens' demand for additional services. Westford was one of the few towns to obtain their full quota of well-child clinics, during the year but as of January 1, 1967, the services of an additional pediatrician were obtained after great difficulty, and all towns are now covered. The Chairman of the Board wishes to especially thank Miss Dorothy Healy for her contin- ued outstanding service which has made the work of all of us much easier, and also to thank his fellow members for their time and en- ergy.
89
Lastly, we wish to again commend the volunteers who are among the many reasons that Westford is able to provide so many services at such a low cost.
Volunteers: Mrs. Richard Hall, R.N., Mrs. Ralph Brewer, R.N., Mrs. Edward Abbot, Mrs. Arthur Agnew, Mrs. William Bolger, Mrs. Lin- coln Clark, Mrs. Ralph Cole, Mrs. A. Bradford Cook, Mrs. Herford Elliott, Mrs. Frederick Farley, Mrs. Herbert Farrier, Mrs. Joseph Giuffrida, Mrs. Guenffrud Hamer, Mrs. Arthur Healy, Mrs. Charles Hildreth, Mrs. Gordon Jones, Mrs. Robert Joyce, Mrs. William Lynch, Mrs. Edward Malone, Mrs. Gerald Marchand, Mrs. Anthony Sambito, Mrs. Stephen Poulsen, Mrs. Kenneth Robes, Mrs. James Timberlake, Mrs. Donald Wright and Mr. & Mrs. William MacMillan.
BOARD OF HEALTH Ralph E. Cole, M.D., Chairman Lucien J. Menard Edward F. McLenna
NASHOBA ASSOCIATED BOARDS OF HEALTH
This year, 1966, has been an interesting and exciting one in Public Health, Regionalization, which has been publicized nationally, is not new to Nashoba. We have been offering health services on a regional basis since 1931. With the advent of Medicare in July, the Nashoba Nursing Service was among the first in the State to be certified as a Home Health Agency.
Previously initiated programs such as Migrant Labor and Day Care have continued to be developed. Subsequent reporting by other services will outline in greater detail many of these projects.
On April 15th Dr. Myer Herman's resignation as Medical Director became effective and he left Nashoba to become Director of the Divi- sion of Adult Health for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. In May, Henry T. Smith was appointed by the Executive Committee as Acting Director and will serve in this capacity until a new Medical Director is appointed.
NURSING SERVICE
Significant changes have occurred this year in the nursing service. Foremost, by an amendment of the association by-laws, the Nashoba Nursing Service was established as a distinct part of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. This amendment became necessary in order that the nursing service could be certified for reimbursement under the federal legislation act now commonly known as "Medicare". The governing body of this department includes the Board of Health members representing towns which are contracting for this service.
90
Secondly, two towns (Groton and Littleton) joined the Nashoba Nursing Service earlier this year and a third town (Ashby) asked for a generalized program to start anew on September 1st.
Home Nursing care is now available to the residents in 9 towns through the Nashoba Nursing Service and this is approximately 49% of the population of the 16 towns of the association.
With the certification of Lunenburg's town nursing service as an independent agency, and with Westford being covered for this ser- vice through the Visiting Nurse Association of Lowell, a total of 43,287 or 73% of Nashoba residents are eligible for Home Health Care under the Medicare Act by certified agencies. To provide this same service for the residents of the other 5 towns should have some pri- ority in future planning.
We should also be concerned with the promotion of the utiliza- tion of home health services until physicians and the public alike have been oriented to the fact that our services are for all-income Levels) and available for out-patient as well as post-hospitalized patients. Though Medicare has created an impact on nursing for the elderly, we also are concerned with continuing our services to the total population.
The third major change started last spring when the applica- tion for a Federal Grant was approved to hire a nursing supervisor. Mrs. Catherine Aveni joined our staff at that time and is actively involved in assisting the staff nurses in providing improved nurs- ing care. With the increased demands to upgrade service, this ad- dition to our staff is a giant step toward our goal of high quality service.
Recently, a preliminary report was submitted to the Joint Com- mittee of the American Public Health Association and the National League for Nursing to proceed with our voluntary accreditation of the nursing agency. At this time it is too early to share the findings of this survey, but we do look forward to the results early in 1967.
In-service education centered around programs concerned with "Medicare" and also, in conjunction with the District Health Office in Rutland, three sessions were held on "Interviewing Techniques". Many of the nurses in the area availed themselves for these programs.
The student program continued in full force, utilizing our staff nurses to assist the senior student nurse of the State College at Fitchburg. Frequent evaluations of the program with the college faculty enables us to provide rewarding educational experiences for future Public Health employees.
Nursing consultation is available to community nurses working independently of Nashoba's supervision. These nurses also contribute to the success of many Nashoba Programs that reach the public on the local level.
Our sincere thanks go to all nurses, volunteers, and other in- terested citizens who helped in their many ways.
91
Well Child Conferences
A total of 233 clinics were held, of which 22 were in your town where 229 children made 352 visits. These clinics provide health supervision, including immunization and health tests, for children who might otherwise not receive well child care.
School Health
The immunization programs available to school children are for Diptheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis, and Smallpox. The following is a list of immunizations done in the schools during 1966:
Nashoba
Westford
Diptheria-Tetanus
1929
298
Poliomyelitis
1230
340
Smallpox
1454
237
Tuberculosis Testing Program
Tuberculin skin testing is today the first means of detection of tuberculosis. During the Fall, a Tine-Testing Program was con- ducted for students in grades 1 and 9 throughout our Nashoba towns. A total of 3884 tests were completed; 459 were done in your town.
Dental Health
A total of 3326 children received dental prophylaxis consist- ing of dental inspection, cleaning, and topical fluoride applica- tion. In your town 481 children participated and of these 306 were referred to their family dentist for further work.
Rabies Clinics
All towns participated in the Rabies Clinics this year. A total of 1,425 dogs were inoculated. Of this number 175 were from your town.
MEDICAL SOCIAL SERVICE
One of the traditionally significant aspects of the Nashoba Medical Social Work Program is its involvement in the various other projects and services in Nashoba. During 1966 this was par- ticularly apparent.
In becoming certified as a Home Health Agency, the Nashoba Nursing Service chose as its other therapeutic service medical social work since this was already established at Nashoba. In- volvement in the various other nursing services continued as be- fore.
Problems of inadequate housing were evaluated with the Sani- tation Department, and medical social problems in Day Care were re- ferred to your Medical Social Consultant.
92
Frequently, both the Nutrition and Medical Social Consultants were working in the same towns, school systems and even the same families at one time.
Referrals from Well-Child Conference physicians and other physicians in our communities were numerous. In fact, of the 384 referrals received in 1966, 97 were from physicians, 231 from nurses and 56 from other sources, including schools, hospitals, and agen- cies inside and outside of Nashoba. The 384 referrals involved 1153 contacts, including conferences and visits.
Your Medical Social Consultant has worked in your town with your nurse, education and welfare workers, physicians, the police, and your board of health members.
NUTRITION SERVICE
During 1966 the growth and development of the Nutrition Pro- gram was very gratifying. This being the second year of this pro- gram, the focus was on in-depth relationships and involvement in nu- trition problems of the towns. Referrals were received from every town of Nashoba.
Significantly, the referrals came from private physicians, nurses, hospitals, nursing homes, Day Care Centers, schools and welfare districts. The Nutritionist worked with the Nashoba staff and with professional staffs outside our area.
The nutrition services involved consultation somewhat, but the large concentration of service was direct. She worked intensively with 133 patients and had about 726 contacts throughout the towns. She held 25 group meetings in the towns and attended 11 professional meetings to aid in the development of a meaningful program for
Nashoba.
This gave perspective to the nation-wide trend of incor-
-
porating nutrition programs with the total public health services.
ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION
The following statistics give a condensed picture of the work accomplished in your town during 1966. We were fortunate in having a full force of sanitarians during the peak periods. Two changes in personnel took place during the Fall. Mr. Albanese transferred to the Billerica Health Department, and Miss Secino changed to the Worcester Health Department Laboratory.
Mr. Joseph Freitus, an Ayer High School teacher, is working for us part-time as a Food Inspector and Laboratory Technician, for which he is well qualified.«
Milk, Food and Water
106 Milk Samples collected and tested
36 Inspections of food handling establishments
43 Inspections and testing of private water supplies
11 Inspections and testing of public bathing places
93
Nuisances
46 Investigations of nuisance complaints
Institutions and Habitations
3 Visits to Child Care Centers
20 Visits to School Buildings
2 Visits to Migrant Labor Camps
310 Consultations, visits, and inspections of private sewage disposal systems
2 Visits to Recreational Camps
Conferences and Meetings
3 Conferences with individual Board of Health members
2 Conferences with State officials regarding your town
DAY CARE
A total of 23 Nursery and Kindergarten schools in the Nashoba area were inspected in the 1966-67 school year. All met with the new State Regulations satisfactorily and were issued permanent li- censes . Two of these were in Westford.
.
Two schools closed over the summer vacation. However, two more are in the planning stages, and one new school opened this year.
MIGRANT LABOR
The domestic agricultural migrant situation in the Nashoba District involves almost exclusively fruit farms. Of the 16, op- erators located within the Nashoba towns or housing their migrants in them, one is a vegetable farm while the remaining are apple or- chards. One farm houses its migrant help in Westford.
The migrants' season ranges from August or September through October. The season for the vegetable farm runs from April to No- vember.
The object of this program involves the housing and sanita- tion standards of these farm labor camps. A nursing-immunization program was also provided.
The migrants in the Nashoba District are mainly Canadians with a few camps employing Southern Domestics.
7 In conclusion, for the amount of $14,229.00 at the rate of $1,718 per capita, the above services helped to bring to the resi- dents of your town a comprehensive public health program.
94
The professional staff of the association wishes to extend their appreciation for the assistance and cooperation given through- out the year by Board of Health members, other town officials, and for the efforts of the many citizens who helped to make 1966 a successful and healthy year.
/s/ Henry T. Smith Acting Medical Director
95
REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
The organization of the Commission was significantly strengthened by the addition of new members during the year. Though disappointed by the delay in Federal funding of the Master Plan program, the Com- mission has nonetheless continued to develop its ideas and parameters for development which will eventually be embodied in the Plan.
We regard the establishment of the Regional Vocational School as ' a definite asset to the Town in attracting future industry, and have worked closely with the Regional School Committee to assist its efforts to provide water to the school site.
-
The prospect of any immediate large scale industrial development continues to be dimmed by the lack of basic facilities in those areas most suitable for this purpose. Consequently, any comprehensive planning must take into account the need for expanding water supply mains and setting aside areas for sewage treatment facilities. One of the aims of the Commission in its 1967 work is to present recommen- dations to the Town concerning ground work which is necessary to en- able this planning to succeed.
Judging by the interest shown and inquiries received, industrial interests continue to choose between the many well-developed sites adjacent to urban areas. Whether any change will be noted in the coming year may be closely tied to national business trends. Any marked change in the now slow residential construction market would seriously threaten Westford's economic balance and could interfere seriously with any long range industrial developmental plans. The Commission's views on off-setting this disadvantageous/situation will be coordinated with the other responsible town agencies in hopes of producing a legislative plan during the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
Vyto L. Andreliunas, Chairman
Selma Unterberg, Secretary Alfred Dumont
Robert Connell
Robert J. Grace
Roger M. Breton
James F. Donohoe George Demirjian
96
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
The appointed members held a meeting and John J. Barretto was elected Chairman. The other two members are Edward F. Harrington and Ellsworth J. Jewett. Denis Maguire and Warren G. Morrow serve as Alternates.
The general policy was to have a Public Hearing about once a month with as many Appeals as were available at that time. There were five hearings with twelve appeals. Twelve Appeals were granted.
The Appeals were classified as follows:
Building on less frontage 2 Authorization to construct a service station. .1
Building on less than required area 1 Building nearer street line. 2 Addition to existing dwelling nearer side lot line. 2
Division of land area having less than
required area 2
Approval of non-conforming use 1 Removal of restriction. · 1
12
An attempt was made to give serious consideration to all phases of each appeal. Best interests of the Town, rights of abutters and consideration for the welfare of the petitioners, were all factors in the several decisions.
BOARD OF APPEALS John J. Barretto, Chairman Edward F. Harrington Ellsworth J. Jewett
REPORT OF THE TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
In 1966, the Town came into possession of 7 parcels of land through Land Court foreclosure. One parcel was sold for $300.
The Town now owns 23 parcels. Information concerning this land may be obtained from any member of the Committee.
The Tax Title account contains 31 parcels which will accrue to the Town when they are cleared in Land Court.
TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Edward N. Lamson Edward F. Harrington Carroll J. Rollins
97
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS
Fire Department calls are many and varied. Two hundred and thirty-eight calls were answered by the Fire Department in 1966, these were for fires of all categories plus complaints, investiga- tions, tower calls by the State Forestry Department, four mutual aid, three highway accidents, an airplane crash and one lost child.
The Ambulance answered 244 calls which was twenty more than the previous year.
Westford is fortunate to have such a dedicated group of men on its Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted,
Edward N. Lamson, Chief Frances Mulligan, Clerk Leo Larkin Hubert V. Raymond
TRANSFERS FROM FINANCE COMMITTEE RESERVE
Chapter 32B - Town Appropriation
$ 577.29
Gas Inspector
250.00
Health Department - General Expenses
72.36
Interest on Temporary Loans
1,436.65
Memorial Day
96.88
Registration and Election - Expenses
152.16
Selectmen - Salaries
86.50
Tax Title Expenses
139.00
Town Clerk - Expenses
20.03
Town Roads Account
292.92
Veterans' Benefits - Grants
1,018.71
Total Transfers
4,142.50
Balance
857.50
Appropriated at Annual Town Meeting
$5,000.00
Lawrence S. Johnston, Chairman
William J. Kavanagh, Jr., Vice-Chairman
J. William Blythe
Herbert C. Decato
Robert M. Hicks
William C. King
Viateur A. Ricard
Peter Sechovich
Nicholas Sudak, Jr.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
98
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
During 1966 this department issued 145 Building Permits as compared to 140 issued in 1965. Permits for 75 single family dwell- ings were issued as against 66 in 1965. The remaining 70 permits were for additions (30), alterations (6), garages (23), sheds (5), barns (2) and business buildings (4).
Department appropriation for 1966 $2,800.00
Expenses for equipment, supplies,
printing and wages 1,802.47
Balance
$
997.53
Income for permits issued.
$1,596.50
The requested budget for 1967 is $2500. This amount allows for anticipated legal fees because of certain Zoning violations.
Detailed records of building permits are maintained and are open for inspection at any time.
BUILDING INSPECTOR Carroll J. Rollins
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
There were 195 Wiring Permits issued. The appropriation was used as follows:
Appropriation for 1966
$1,000.00
239 Inspection Fees @ $2.00
$478.00
Supplies, Clerical, Postage
124.15 602.15
Unused balance of appropriation
$ 397.85
Received $693.50 for 195 Permits issued.
INSPECTOR OF WIRES Dennis P. Kane
99
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Not too much to say as the summer was dry and not too much mowing. Put on another good strip of hot-topping in the Old East Division, that seems the best way to fix the old roads which are all broken up. We had the old water pump fixed by Matthew Elliott, one of the commissioners, all new pipe and two new plungers for the good price of $22.00.
Help in the yard is getting to be a problem. In the year of 1937, the Commissioners and the Selectmen passed a law that all people buying a lot should put in corner stones, that is a big help for the men who have to work there and find a lot under a foot of snow. It is also for your protection to get the right lot. See Carl Chaplin or someone else and make it better for all.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.