USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1963-1967 > Part 40
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Building having less than the required frontage. 2
Building having less than the required frontage and area. 1
Addition to existing dwelling nearer the side lot line. 3
Accessory building for an office .. 1
Accessory building into a Thrift Shop 1 Building nearer the side lot line .. 2 Division of Lots having less than the required area .. 1
Removal of restriction placed on property . 1
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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
104
REPORT OF THE PERSONNEL BOARD
During 1967 two resignations from the Personnel Board were ac- cepted by the Selectmen. Gerald Christoun resigned and was replaced by Gordon Jones by appointment from the board of Selectmen. Walter Gerlach resigned and was replaced by Atty. Samuel Richards Jr. pursuant to an election conducted by the town employees. As of December 31, 1967 the board was comprised of the authorized five members.
It is the intent of this board to include an article in the annual town warrant which will establish wage levels and conditions for town employees. This board endeavors to establish a format equitable to town employees and to the townspeople as employers.
Respectfully submitted,
Gordon R. Jones, Chairman
Ernest P. Gagnon, Clerk
Ronald M. Woznac
George S. Fletcher
Samuel A. Richards, Jr.
PERSONNEL BOARD
REPORT OF THE REGIONAL REFUSE DISPOSAL PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Regional Refuse Disposal Planning Committee was established by an affirmative vote at the 1967 annual Town Meeting. Committee members Mark W. Mulligan, Board of Selectmen, Lucien Menard, Board of Health and Mr. William Carrol, were appointed by the town Moderator.
Initially, letters were sent to Ayer, Dunstable, Groton, Littleton and Tyngsboro to see if our neighboring towns would be interested in forming a regional committee to study the feasibility of establishing a Regional Refuse Disposal District, its organization, operation and control according to the Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 40, Section 44A.
Meetings were held with Groton and Dunstable resulting in the formation of a Regional Refuse Disposal Planning Committee. However, at this time the committee has not had sufficient time to present con- crete proposals concerning the establishment of such a district.
We have also investigated, with the assistance of the Greater Lowell Planning Commission, Federal and State assistance programs that are available for Regional Solid Waste Disposal operations.
Lucien Menard, Chairman William Carrol Mark W. Mulligan
105
REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Since our last report, the town has received a gift of land for conservation purposes from Mr. Otis Day. For this gift we wish to express our greatest appreciation, and hope that others may see fit to follow Mr. Day's generous example.
We are asking the town this year, to take by eminent domain about 20 acres of land situated between Graniteville and Forge Village. This property known as Brookside Park, is bounded on the east by the old Railroad right of way to the Arch Bridge thence along Stoney Brook in a westerly and southerly direction to the property of the Water Department .
Being partly high and low ground, this area is habitually fre- quented by migratory birds, plus permanent residents such as deer, beaver, otter, mink, muskrat, pheasant, raccoons, owls and hundreds of lesser species. The taking of this property now will guarantee a suitable habitat for future life to enjoy. This piece of property also abuts the Town Farm and Town Forrest properties.
Access to the property will be over an old railroad right of way which we hope to receive as a gift in the future.
Two members of the Conservation Commission have been appointed by the Selectmen to Conservation Council 495. It is generally felt that this shall have a very favorable impact on the future of this highway and industry. However it is too early to offer anything con- structive in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
John F. Gagnon
Janet Timberlake Louis Oliver Carl Benson Robert Armstrong Wallace MacQuarrie CONSERVATION COMMISSION
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REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
For the past several years your Town Forest Committee has mark- ed time, not spending their appropriation each year, just waiting to see how the Town was developing, before deciding whether some of the land could best be used for commercial forestry, wild life sanctua- ries, or educational and recreational areas. For 1967 the Committee decided that the Matilda Gage lot off Old Lowell Road and adjacent to Heart Pond was an area adaptable to family recreation, nature study and commercial forestry, if the Town so approved. The general plan was explained at the Annual Town Meeting and $1000 was appropriated to be spent by your Committee in making a start at developing this area. At the same meeting, about four and one-half acres that cut into Gage land at the inlet to Heart Pond was given to the Town by the County 4-H Fair Foundation, at the suggestion of your Committee. This land afforded the Town better protection of the shore line and more security in plans for any recreational development .
Your Committee wanted to follow a long range plan in the devel- opment of the 70 acre area, so asked for assistance and counsel from the Middlesex Conservation District and the U. S. Conservation Ser- vice. This was freely granted, an aerial map of the area furnished and general recommendations made for your Committee to follow.
One or two problems were encountered on the question of shore line development, due to the fact that three cottages had been built on the town land, over the Chelmsford-Town Line on the shore of the pond, the best site for development. Until this problem was solved, it was thought best to develop any water area at some distance from these camps and also in a location where machinery could be used without upsetting the forest area.
The following has been accomplished with the $1000 appropriation: 1. At the entrance to the 70 acres on Old Lowell Road the town had in years past developed a gravel bank. This had not been used as such in recent years except as a place to burn brush cleared from the highways by the Town Highway Department. It was felt that this area could be cleaned up and a parking lot developed, so as to avoid congestion of cars going into the pond area. Unfortunately the gra- vel bank had been abused by people using it as a dump for all kinds of material. Some of this has been buried, or carried away, brush has been burned, tree stumps buried and some of the banks leveled off. The Highway Department kindly helped with some of this work. In the spring the work can be completed so as to make it a satisfactory parking lot.
The Conservation Service said it was necessary to cut all brush on the swamp chosen for development of a swimming area. This swamp has about four feet of muck, under which is sand. This sand will be graded from a depth of two feet near the shore to about eight feet at the deepest end. As the brush had to be cut when the swamp was frozen, this work was completed in the month of December.
Adjacent to this swamp area and the future swimming area, are
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several acres of pine forest that can be used by youth, or family groups for nature study, or recreation. Boy Scout groups volunteered to clear some of the woods and have already done a splendid job. Additional wooded areas have been cleared, so that now there are sev- eral acres of fine camping, picnic, or nature study areas within easy walking distance from the parking area.
Just beyond the parking area is the remains of an old wood road and this should be extended in a circle, coming out near the pond, so as to serve as a fire prevention lane. A beginning has been made in clearing this road. It leads into as fine a stand of white pine, probably 40 to 50 years old, as can be found in Westford, or almost anywhere for that matter. This area is ideal for commercial forestry and also for Scout camping, nature trails, or study of wild life. The comparison of this white pine area with the adjacent gravel bank is as fine an example as one might find as to how man may destroy beauty and the Creator may develop it.
Your Committee is asking for 1968 an appropriation of $3000 to dredge the swimming area, complete the parking lot, cut the fire lane and make a start in forestry development.
With the development of Westford into more and more an urban town and the concentration of our children into large school units, makes more important the preservation of natural areas where our citizens both old and young may have contact with nature in the form of woodlands, camping sites, nature trails, opportunity to study wild life, and families may recreate in quiet and peaceful surround- ings.
The whole question depends on the attitude of Westford citizens. The expense will be negligible, if those using the area will use the parking lot, keep the woods clear of all rubbish, and in other words, enjoy the natural beauty and keep it in such condition as all may enjoy it.
As stated in the report of the U. S. Soil Conservation Service: "The need for open lands and recreation areas is rapidly increasing. Westford is fortunate that it has the possibility to reserve and develop an area as herein proposed. The development of this area will be of significant value to the community while at the same time it is putting natural resources to work for the common good. Such foresight in planning will bebefit the people of Westford now and in the future."
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE Allister F. MacDougall, Chairman Florian Woitowicz, Secretary Roger Melancon
108
REPORT OF RECREATION COMMISSION
The commission reorganized with new appointments and new ideas. The Westford Youth League, which was formerly called Small Fry League, provided baseball activity for 400 boys ages eight to twelve years, For boys thirteen to sixteen, Westford participated in The Nashoba Baseball League on the senior and junior level. The junior division took championship honors. For boys sixteen to nineteen, action was provided for in The Connie Mack League, competing against Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, etc. For the older young men in the Town, sum- mer action was provided for by participation in the Westford Softball League. This covered all interested in summer sports.
The Adult Recreation classes again were conducted by Mr. Chesley Steele at the Westford Academy gym and were attended regularly by at least 150 men and women during the past Winter and Spring. Women on Mondays and men on Thursdays.
Last Winter, with the assistance of Mr. Tom Gallagher and Mr. Peter Gaudet, the Junior Basketball program was run successfully each Saturday morning and afternoon with instructions and games.
Assistance was given to the Westford Junior Hockey League. This Hockey League will be further assisted in 1968. The Hockey organiza- tion, under the direction of Mr. Gordon Dunn, has done a wonderful job of providing coaching and financing.
Improvements to the town athletic parks were made with the appropriation money. The Graniteville Little League field was fenced in and a new scoreboard added. We also fenced in the minor league park and had a new baseball diamond built, thereby making two parks avail- able for the Westford Youth League. This was done by both the Town and the wonderful cooperation of the Westford Junior Chamber of Com- merce. The $1,000 provided by the Town covered this and also the improvements to the Forge Village baseball and softball diamonds.
Banquets were held for the youth baseball league for each divi- sion, minor and major, on separate nights. This was run by the league officials and held at the Academy gym in August. Trophies were pre- sented to the championship teams and refreshments were provided for the boys and their parents.
These programs provided fun and recreation for all ages:
Westford Youth League
400
Nashoba Junior & Senior Baseball-
Connie Mack League 200
Junior Basketball - Grades 5 - 8 200
Adult Softball 150
Adult Physical Fitness Classes 150
The Forge Village town beach will be fully opened this Summer and swimming classes are planned. Picnic facilities will be available and plans for a concession have been made at the beach.
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The tennis fans in town are notified that a proposal for the building of a double tennis court will be placed on the Town Warrant. This facility will open up a new activity which will provide recreation for both the boys and girls and adults who follow this popular Summer sport.
The Westford Recreation Commission would like to thank the many coaches, The Westford Youth League Officials, the boys who umpired, The Westford Junior Chamber of Commerce and anyone who helped us in our many programs, and also the Town officials for providing the means to do all this work. If there was one thing that made this a success- ful year, it was the wonderful cooperation we received from the many people who volunteered their time and efforts toward our recreation programs.
We also want to invite anyone interested in helping our growing community, to get in touch with any of our commission members and we will arrange a meeting so that the help will be provided where it is needed the most.
Alfred V. Checchi, Chairman Earle A. Cronan John F. Zaleski, Jr. Gordon D. Dunn Robert E. McCusker Stanley J. Maslbas, Jr. Felix R. Perrault RECREATION COMMISSION
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REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Westford's prospects for economic development took a significant though outwardly unnoticeable upturn during the past year. The start of Master Plan work, and funding for future water service to the 110 area stand out as most notable. A zoning change late in the year will permit location of a highly desirable and attractive business which may prove to be both a catalyst and an aesthetically pleasing yard- stick for future business development. The Regional Vocational High School construction was well under way at year's end. The Commission was active in each project through providing of information, letters of indorsement and coordination.
A sobering note was struck in March when the Polaroid Corpora- tion after investigation of the 360 acre former LaCroix property reported that its planned large processing plant could not be proper- ly sited there. The message carried by the reasons cited, "water availability, disposal of domestic sewage, processed waste", etc., is a candid evaluation of the staggering problem to be overcome by the town if manufacturing type industries are to locate here. Hence, the most challenging task facing the Commission in the year ahead is to determine the basic utility needs of industrial development, and plan for provision of these needs within the Town's financing capability.
Respectfully submitted,
Vyto L. Andreliunas, Chairman
Selma Unterberg, Secretary
Alfred Dumont
Robert Connell
Robert J. Grace
Roger M. Breton
James F. Donohue
George Demirjian
William S. McKenna
REPORT OF GAS INSPECTOR
During the year 1967 gas permits were issued as follows:
61 @ $4.50. $274.50
Money Collected :
61 @ $4.50 $274.50
Turned in to Town Treasurer
$274.50
Respectfully submitted,
Vincent E. Koravos GAS INSPECTOR
111
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
871 Phone calls received
61 dogs picked up as strays
31 dogs struck by cars
22 calls for cats, stray
17 dogs returned to owners
9 calls to destroy injured cats
11 calls to care for wild animals
10 cases in district court
3 cases turned over to County for further investigation
2 cases of dogs molesting farm animals
61 dog bites
ll cat bites
1 squirrel bite
579 Complaints investigated 8 days in court and telephone expense. .. $ 266.00 Confinement and care of 41 dogs. 618.00
200.00 Car expense . . Expense for picking up 61 dogs stray 116.00
$1200.00
Reimbursement from county for room and board of strays for 1967. $ 618.00
I wish to thank the board of Selectmen, the Police Department, the Dog Officers from other towns, Mrs. Alice Hildreth, Town Clerk and Mr. Albert Picking for their assistance and cooperation through- out the year .
Respectfully submitted, William C. MacMillan DOG OFFICER
REPORT OF CARETAKER OF THE WHITNEY PLAYGROUND, TOWN COMMON AND MONUMENTS
This year the Whitney Playground, Town Common and monuments were limed and fertilized, grass seed was planted where needed. All shrubbery was trimmed and the grass was mowed and raked when needed.
For memorial Day, flowers were placed on the Town Common and on the Monuments.
Respectfully submitted,
George W. Wyman CARETAKER OF THE WHITNEY PLAYGROUND, TOWN COMMON AND MONUMENTS
112
REPORT OF WESTFORD 4-H AMBULANCE FUND
The Westford 4-H Junior Leader and Citizenship Club members are pleased to have been given the honor of continuing responsibility for the Westford Ambulance Fund. Their thanks go to all who have contri- buted .
They feel they should take this opportunity to call the atten- tion of the townspeople to the fact that this our "new ambulance" is five years old and replacement should soon be considered.
Donations to the fund can be made as a personal gift, anonymously, or memorials can be set up with a page set aside for that purpose.
The report of the fund follows:
Balance on hand, January 1, 1967 $2,539.96
Received in Memorials and Gifts 110.00
Interest on Special Notice Account 97.83
Interest on Regular Account 18.87
December 31, 1967 Total $2,766.66
No Expense this year .
Special Notice Account $2,235.89
Regular Account 530.77
Balance on hand, December 31, 1967 $2,766.66
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) Joan Eliasen Anderson Honorary Chairman
(Miss) Martha Sambito Treasurer of the Ambulance Committee
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
There were 203 Wiring Permits issued. The Appropriation was used as follows:
Appropriation for 1967
$1,000.00
239 Inspection Fees @ $2.00
$478.00
Clerical, Mass. Elec. Assoc. 54.75 532.75
Unused balance of appropriation
$ 467.25
Received $755.00 for 203 permits issued.
INSPECTOR OF WIRES Dennis P. Kane
113
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Help is hard to get and getting harder each year, but many thanks to the men who do the work and the high school boys who give us a big lift.
Approximately 70 years ago, a hole was cut through the wall at Hillside Cemetery in order to drive in with horse and buggy. This year we cut this hole a little wider and had Andrew Anderson build two nice cobblestone posts. This has been a tremendous improvement.
Each year we try to do something special to improve one or more of the cemeteries. We maintain four cemeteries which contain approxi- mately 22 acres of land. The cemeteries are Fairview on Main Street in Westford, Hillside at the corner of Nutting Road and Depot Road, Wright on Groton Road, and Westlawn on Concord Road.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter L. Blanchard
Albert A. Hildreth
Matthew Elliott CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
During 1967 this department issued 153 Building Permits as com- pared to 145 issued in 1966. The remaining 75 permits were for additions (39), alterations (11), garages (12), sheds (6), barns (2), and business buildings (5).
Department appropriations for 1967 $2,500.00
Expenses for equipment, supplies, printing and wages. 1,578.28
Balance
$ 921.72
Income from permits issued.
$1,503.50
Detailed records of building permits are maintained and are open for inspection at any time.
Respectfully submitted,
Carroll J. Rollins BUILDING INSPECTOR
114
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL ON AGING
The Town voted to adopt a by-law establishing a Council on Aging for the purpose of co-ordinating and carrying out programs designed to meet the problems and recreation of the elderly under the authority of and pursuant to the provisions of Section 8B Chapter 40 of the Gen- eral Laws. The duties of the Council on Aging is to (1) identify the total needs of the community's elderly population; (2) educate the community and enlist support and participation of all citizens con- cerning these needs; (3) design, promote or implement services to fill these needs, or co-ordinate present existing services in the com- munity; (4) promote and support any other programs which are designed to assist elderly programs in the community.
Westford's Council on Aging shall cooperate with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commission on Aging and shall be cognizant of all state and federal legislation concerning funding, information exchange and program planning which exists for better community programming for the elderly.
Recreational trips enjoyed by Senior Citizens of the town were to Rockport, Maine $82.00; Nantasket Beach, $75.00; York Beach, Maine $125.00; Old Orchard Beach, Maine, $110.00; Weirs, N. H. $112.00; Mohawk Trail $280.00 (2 buses) and banquet $198.63.
Mr. John H. Crain, Commissioner on Aging has attended our meet- ings and has been most helpful in guiding and advising us in matters pertaining to the various programs available for Senior Citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Mr. Merlen Levering, Chairman Thomas J. McKniff John F. Sanders Helena M. Crocker Thomas J. Kelly
115
REPORT OF THE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
Tree Department
In addition to the normal duties of tree removal, storm damage and root grinding this year endeavored to rectify some of the results of drought to our shade trees over the past several years.
Many trees beyond practical repair had to be removed and replaced or will be in the near future. Trees worth the cost of repair were pruned, topped and fertilized in an effort to salvage as many adult trees as possible.
The town trees were trimmed by our local power companies to in- sure good service to the town. This work was supervised by the tree warden and all cost done by the power companies.
There has been (70) new young trees planted this year and (35) trees were payed for by the Massachusetts Electric Company for re- placement for trees that had to be removed.
Moth Department
Applied dorment spray on elm trees. Applied spray consisting of Methazaclor on all other trees. Balance of appropriation was used on removal of diseased Elm Trees.
My extended thanks to all department heads and others who have cooperated with this department .
TREE WARDEN Roger Melancon
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Scales over 10,000 lbs 5
Scales 100 - 5,000 lbs 13
Scales under 100 lbs. 19
Gasoline pumps.
36
Respectfully submitted,
George S. Wilder SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
116
REPORT OF THE HOUSE NUMBERING COMMITTEE
The Selectmen have approved the numbering of approximately fifteen hundred houses. Seventy two streets have been completed.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN E. DAY HOUSE NUMBERING COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
In 1967, the Twon came into possession of 6 parcels of land through Land Court foreclosure. Four parcels were sold for a total of $2,230.00.
The Town now owns 26 parcels. Information concerning this land may be obtained from any member of the committee.
The Tax Title account contains 32 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
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
There were 90 permits issued in 1967.
The Appropriation was used as follows:
$750.00 Inspections made - 148 @ $3.00 $444.00
Expenses, Clerical 45.00
Printing 34.00 79.00 523.00
Unused portion of appropriation
$227.00
PLUMBING INSPECTOR Paul L. McDonald
117
REPORT OF CAPITAL OUTLAY COMMITTEE
The Capital Outlay Committee was established by the voters at the annual Town Meeting in 1967. It has been organized and is hold- ing regular meetings. The committee is composed of the following members:
Marion L. Higgs, Chairman
George Fraizer J. William Blythe Nicholas V. Basinas John J. Morrissey
This committee has been studying the building needs of the town as they specifically apply to the Fire Department, Police Department, and Town Hall. Currently plans are being formulated for better utili- zation of space in the Town Hall.
It is the opinion of this committee that there are very definite needs for new buildings for both the Police and Fire Departments. We are continuing our study of these needs and plan to make detailed re- commendations at a future date.
Marion L. Higgs, Chairman George Fraizer J. William Blythe Nicholas V. Basinas
John J. Morrissey CAPITAL OUTLAY COMMITTEE
118
REPORT OF THE WESTFORD SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
In 1967 the School Planning Committee directed its efforts to- wards finding a solution for Westfords immediate school space needs, both at the elementary and secondary levels. Through meetings with the School Committee, School Administration, Town Officials and other interested parties, we feel that much has been done this year towards realizing a suitable solution.
At the elementary level, the Town approved, at a Special Town Meeting on 27 November, the proposed elementary school as presented by the Elementary Building Committee. The school was endorsed by this Committee and all other interested Town Committees, as well as the School Administration. The new school will, when opened in September of 1969, increase the available seats at the elementary level by 675, giving the Town a total elementary capacity of 1900. Specifically this Committee was directly involved in site selection for the school, presentation of the need to the State School Build- ing Assistance Bureau, and a review of the educational specifications. The site recommended by this Committee and approved by the Town at the July 1967 Special Town Meeting, was the Frazer land, some 74 acres, bounded by Robinson, Concord and Hartford Roads, and abutting the proposed new high school site. This gives the Town some lll acres of contiguous land upon which it can build some of its future schools.
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