USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1931-1932 > Part 6
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On December 18, 1931, Rev. Lawrence Breed Walker of Roxbury delivered a lecture on "Ghosts of Yesterday" to a fair-sized audi- ence. On this occasion music was furnished by the Glee Club of the Wilmington Women's Club and was much appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
GERALD F. FRAZEE, ARTHUR F. BLAKE, MILDRED E. NEILSON, HARRY W. DELORIEA, JOHN W. HATHAWAY.
103
TREASURER'S REPORT SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
January 1, 1932.
Receipts
1931
Jan. 1, Balance on hand
$288.46
June 6, Interest
3.11
Dec. 5, Interest
4.30
$295.87
Expenditures
1931
Jan. 8, Wilmington News
$5.00
Jan. 8, Grange Hall Corp.
20.00
Jan. 8, Royal Lyceum Bureau
75.00
Nov. 27, Bertha Wells, Mgr., Williams Bureau
51.12
Nov. 27, Wilmington News
10.00
Dec. 18, Wilmington News
10.00
Dec. 18, Bertha Wells, Mgr., Williams Bureau
51.12
Dec. 26, Grange Hall Corp.
20.00
$242.24
242.24
Dec. 31, Balance Mechanics Savings Bank
$53.63
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE,
ARTHUR F. BLAKE, Treasurer.
104
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
The Water Commissioners are pleased to submit to the Citizens their annual report for the year 1931.
At the Town Meeting in March 1931 the Town voted to extend the water mains on Glen Road and Woburn Street (north) near Park Street and on Woburn Street (south) at Perry's Corner. In accordance with the vote these extensions were made accordingly.
In making our budget for the year 1931 we budgeted for fifty new connections; we are pleased to state that we added sixty-four connections during the past year, which added, of course, somewhat to our cost. Due to the co-operation of the Welfare Department, we have been able to clear the brush off the standpipe hill, which not only improves the appearance but also decreases a fire hazard. We wish to express our appreciation for the assistance that has been given us.
We are pleased to state that we find that our revenue enables us to close the year with an unexpended balance and we recom- mend the transfer of $2600, which according to law can be applied to interest charges for the year 1932.
The following schedule sets forth the various details established by the Department at the close of 1931.
Schedule A Water
Year
Gal. Pumped
Av. Per Day
1929
20,012,700
54,829
1930
26,556,200
72,456
1931
26,384,300
72,285
Fuel Oil
Year
Total Gal.
Cost
Gal. Per Mil.
Cost Per Mil.
1929
1606.
$90.77
80.2
$4.54
1930.
2137.
120.73
80.4
4.54
1931
2028.8
109.52
77.7
4.16
Lubricating Oil
Year
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal. Per Mil.
Cost Per Mil.
1929
83.25
$54.11
4.1
$2.70
1930
90.00
61.55
3.4
2.32
1931
62.25
46.69
2.36
1.77
105
Oil Used in Heater
Year
Gal.
Cost
1929
3809.
$215.23
1930
4204.
237.54
1931.
5081.9
279.20
Schedule B
Receipts :
Water Revenue
$8,402.90
Shut offs
128.00
Demands
6.25
Miscellaneous
399.21
Services (1929)
5.03
Services (1930)
53.46
Services (1931)
1,893.94
Labor, Tree Warden (Town of Reading)
48.00
Truck Hire, Tree Warden (Town of Reading)
104.00
Interest
8.36
Hydrant Rental (Town of Tewksbury)
120.00
$11,169.15
Hydrant Rental (Town of Wilmington)
4,800.00
$15,969.15
Schedule C
Appropriation :
Balance 1930
$703.17
Receipts
15,969.15
$16,672.32
Schedule D
Expenditures :
Pay Roll
$7,694.50
Pumping Station
860.21
Trucks and Autos
1,091.54
Services
1,867.65
Office
360.56
R. R. Rent
24.00
Tools
664.64
Insurance
355.07
Miscellaneous
193.87
Grading
69.65
Maintenance:
Hydrants
16.24
Equipment
399.38
Station
172.89
Well Field
5.13
Trucks and Autos
156.58
Street Mains
69.54
...
$14,001.45
106
Balance to 1932
2,670.87
Total Expenditures
Cost 64 Services Town
$891.21
6 Meters
138.00
1,029.21
Total Operating Cost
$12,972.24
Cash Discounts
$51.03
Schedule E
Accounts Receivable :
Service Accounts :
Balance due 1929
$5.03
Received
5.03
Balance due 1930
$73.46
Received
53.46
Balance due
$20.00
Balance due 1931
39.97
$59.97
Water Rates Account:
Balance due 1931 Account
309.94
$369.91
Schedule F Glen Road (1931) Extension Account
Appropriation
$1,500.00
Expenditures :
Pay Roll
$1,257.05
Tools
57.30
Truck Hire
72.50
Damage
1.50
Oil
5.50
Highway Department
100.00
Total
1,493.85
Balance
$6.15
Schedule G Woburn Street North (1931) Construction
Appropriation
$4,000.00
Expenditures :
Pay Roll
$1,408.65
Valves and Fittings
254.02
Joint Material
83.00
$16,672.32 $14,001.45
107
Cast Iron Pipe
1,836.41
Tools and Repairs
98.29
Gas
52.00
Truck Hire
75.00
Compressor
89.60
Highway Department
100.00
Total
3,996.97
Balance
3.03
Schedule H Woburn Street South (1931) Construction
Appropriation
$4,000.00
Expenditures :
Pay Roll
$2,091.00
€
Joint Material
132.52
Special Castings
144.75
C. I. Pipe
928.62
Valves
113.60
Gas
52.00
Compressor.
137.60
Highway Department
100.00
Damage ·
1.75
Dynamite
84.77
Repairs and Tools
74.09
Truck Hire
90.00
Cold Patch
33.75
Oil
5.00
Total
3,989.45
Balance
$10.55
Schedule I Total Construction Cost
Cost of Water System December 31, 1930 64 Services
$891.21
6 Meters
138.00
1,029.21
Glen Road (1931) Extension
1,493.85
Woburn Street (1931) Extension North
3,996.97
Woburn Street (1931) Extension South
3,989.45
Total Cost December 31, 1931
$376,664.31
Respectfully submitted,
CALEB S. HARRIMAN, LOUIS T. McMAHON, ALDEN N. EAMES.
$366,154.83
108
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF WILDWOOD CEMETERY
The work during the past year has been confined to the care and upkeep of the Cemetery. Work is gradually being done on the development of the new section which it will be necessary to open before very long.
We wish to acknowledge the assistance that has been given us this past season by the Welfare Department. This assistance has enabled us to do quite a bit of cleaning up in the Cemetery.
Due to the exceptionally light soil in our Cemetery, it is almost impossible to keep the Cemetery looking as it should without the installation of water. Several people have been desirous of improv- ing their lots, and in some instances people are willing to con- tribute to the general development of the Cemetery, but, such efforts have been practically useless. Only by strenuous effort on the part of the Superintendent, in carrying water in trucks, has it been possible to keep some of the shrubs alive.
We have introduced an article in the Town Warrant asking that the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000 for installing Town water in the Cemetery. This amount is to be taken from the reserve fund established from the sale of lots and will not mean an addition to the amount to be raised by taxes. We regret to have to state that the Cemetery has been subjected to acts of vandalism; which are deplorable. Stone posts at the Middlesex Avenue entrance of the Cemetery have been pushed over several times. Fortunately they have not been broken as yet, but unless this is stopped the stone will be broken or chipped, and it seems rather too bad that people have to resort to this sort of amusement, utterly forgetting the respect due the Dead.
The Financial Report will be found in the Town Accountant's report.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS T. McMAHON, Chairman, GUY E. NICHOLS, WALLACE E. BARROWS.
109
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT AND TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Herewith I hand you my report as Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
The spraying of trees and creosoting of egg masses have been done as usual along the Town highways. No private work has been performed as no appropriation was made for that purpose.
In the Tree Warden's Department we have trimmed and repaired such trees as needed attention.
Details of expenditures will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER A. McGRANE,
Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
110
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
February 9, 1932.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I submit to you the following report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1931.
Number of dog bites reported 21
Number of dogs showing physical signs of rabies 0 Number of dogs submitted to laboratory examination .. 3
Laboratory report:
Positive
0
Negative
2
Suspicious 1
During the early part of the summer the State received a rabies scare resulting in the State issuing a restraining order of 90 days on all dogs as a precautionary measure, later a second order giving all dog owners their choice of having their dogs innoculated with a prophylactic dose of rabies vaccine or to restrain for the 90 days. I might say that no rabies was found in Wilmington and very little in the neighboring towns and cities.
The inspection of domestic animals showed : Number of placing keeping cows 56
Number of cows 290
Number of herds under State and Federal supervision 7
The Division of Animal Industry of this State have varied their policy of testing by testing townships as a whole instead of herds at random which will aid the progress of tuberculosis-eradication work in Massachusetts. For a township to be tested a petition is filed with the Director of the Division of Animal Industry contain- ing the names of 75% of the cattle owners or 85% of cattle owned (within the limits of the town or city and I am very much pleased to say that Wilmington has showed sufficient interest to have filed the petition and are now marking time until their turn comes for the test.
Respectfully,
W. E. MERRILL, V. M. D.,
Inspector.
111
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
February 1, 1932.
To the Citizens of the Town of Wilmington:
During the past year this Department has been charged with the tremendous responsibility of relieving the distress caused by the depressed economic condition. Therefore, with the large increase in the number of people finding it necessary to call for public relief and because of the assistance applied for under the Old Age Assistance Law, it must follow that the expenditures of this De- partment would show only a slight increase.
The administration of assistance by a Board of Public Welfare is a difficult task under favorable circumstances. Because of the large increase in the number of applicants during the past year, some who were not justly entitled to assistance may for a short time have been aided, but we feel that while some mistakes may have been made and some persons not satisfied with the action taken by the Board in some instances, on the whole the difficult task assigned to us has been handled as well as physical limitations would permit.
We have proceeded on the principle of allowing no worthy, needy · case coming to our attention to suffer, and at the same time in the interest of the taxpayers, we have endeavored to keep expendi- tures for relief at a minimum.
This report is made in more detail than in previous years as the members of the Board feel that such information will enable the Citizens of the Town to better understand the operations of this Department.
The Board immediately after its election organized with a chair- man, secretary and a visitor. In addition to various minor matters of procedure it was decided by the Board that its principal activi- ties should be taken care of by the entire Board, thereby avoiding the possibility of any one member being placed in a position to assume entire responsibility for some action.
It was also decided that the Board would meet one night each week, at which time the official business of the Board would be transacted, applicants for aid received and requests for assistance acted upon.
Through the kindness of the Board of Selectmen the Board of Public Welfare was given permission to use the Selectmen's room, and our meetings are held at the Town Hall each Wednesday evening.
112
The advice of the Town Counsel was sought as to the legal right of the Town through its Board of Public Welfare to require able bodied applicants for aid to work for the Town in return for assistance rendered; and on receipt of advice that under the Gen- eral Laws of the Common wealth this Board could require work in return for assistance, a policy was adopted whereby all able bodied men of families being aided by the Town should work for aid rendered. This policy was begun June 29, and during the year 1931, 305 man days of work were received by the Town in return for assistance granted. The work was distributed among the High way, Park, Cemetery and Water Departments. We feel that the Town benefits by such an arrangement and that the men doing the work also benefit iby being kept in a better physical and mental condition. In addition to the Town's receiving the benefit of the work, the Board of Public Welfare is receiving many cords of wood which, as it becomes suitable for burning, are given to applicants for fuel.
A form of order was selected and is issued to cover any pur- chases made by the Board.
A permanent file record system has been started and hereafter the history of each applicant will be kept on file, each case being cross-indexed by name and number. A copy of all correspondence, a copy of notice to the Town Accountant, and a copy of the notice to the place of settlement, together with the registered mail receipt where a notice is sent, are all kept in the file of each case.
Each new applicant for aid is given temporary assistance if warranted, and the case is immediately investigated before' further assistance is granted. Every possible effort is made to place the applicant on a self-supporting basis and relatives of the applicant are solicited to assist in rendering aid. We have been successful in several instances in having relatives assist the less fortunate members of their families. In other instances because of the desti- tute circumstances of the children of some of our applicants the former are unable to provide for their parents, but in the event that the children's circumstances change for the better the Board will endeavor to compel relatives legally liable to recognize their obligations for support.
Cases that were being aided at the time this Board took over its work were carefully investigated, their history files indexed in the same manner as a new applicant and status of settlement determined.
The settlement of several old cases that had been incorrectly assumed by the Town of Wilmington have been rectified, resulting in a considerable saving of money to the Town of Wilmington. In one case in order to save the Town $365 per year it was necessary to remove an inmate from the State Hospital at Tewksbury for twenty-four hours in order to correct a settlement status that had been wrongfully accepted as a Wilmington settlement.
The facts of one case that is being boarded at the town farm of Wakefield will be referred to the Town Counsel to determine
113
whether the Town of Wilmington must continue to pay charges indefinitely for an inmate at the aforementioned town farm. The possibility of the Town's being relieved of this expense is doubtful. This case has cost the Town of Wilmington close to $20,000 during the life of the inmate and it seems unequitable that the Town must assume this expense indefinitely.
Mothers' Aid
At the present time the Town has two Mothers' Aid cases. These cases are partially supervised by the State Department of Public Welfare visitors. One additional application is under consideration at this time.
Old Age Assistance
The Old Age Assistance Law went into effect July 1, 1931. The law is misunderstood by many. It does not provide for a pension. It gives public assistance to those deserving citizens seventy years of age and over in need of relief and support.
Since July we have received 17 applications; up to January 1, 1932, 4 applications have been accepted and assistance given, 5 applications rejected for various reasons such as sufficient re- sources, children able to support, etc. 8 applications are being investigated further.
We estimate that our expenditures during 1932 will be approxi- mately the same as those during 1931. The principal reason for such possible expenditure is due to the amount required for our Old Age Assistance expenditures that will have to be made this year.
During 1931 we rendered temporary aid to 76 families, caring for 328 persons, 127 adults and 201 children. Of the 76 families aided 47 had Wilmington settlement, 18 had settlements in other cities or towns, and 11 had no settlement and constituted State cases. The expenses of the Town for the 29 cases not having a Wilmington settlement will amount to approximately $4,000. The Town will be reimbursed for this expenditure.
Four Old Age Assistance cases were aided during 1931 and all four had Wilmington settlements. The State will reimburse the Town for its expenditure for this assistance amounting to approxi- mately $260.
Two Mothers' Aid cases aided each had Wilmington settlements and the Town will receive approximately $440 from the State as its share of the cost of this aid.
A complete and further detail of the expenditures of this Board will be found in the Town Accountant's statement elsewhere in this Town Report.
In addition to the time given by the members of the Board to its necessary duties and the attendance at our Wednesday night meetings, over 200 visits have been made to applicants' homes and mileage of our automobiles used in connection with our visits and
114
other duties has amounted to over 1,400 miles. Considerable clerical work is also necessary in order to properly handle the detail incident to the work and it is impossible to estimate the amount of time required for this important part of the Board's duties.
We appreciate the support given us by the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee and are thankful for the splendid spirit of co-operation shown us by the Highway, Water, Cemetery, Park and Police Departments and by the many persons who so kindly con- tributed food, money and clothing, and by those persons who contributed and assisted us in the preparation and distribution of baskets on Thanksgiving eve. We also appreciate the good work and assistance given by the Wilmington Branch of the American Legion and Auxiliary in the preparation and distribution of baskets at Christmas time.
CHARLES H. BLACK,
GARDNER I. RITCHIE,
WINIFRED N. NORTON,
Board of Public Welfare.
115
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herein submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering in the Town of Wilmington for the year 1931.
Whole number of animals inspected in the town from January 1, 1931, to January 1, 1932, 19; condemned, 1.
Respectfully,
ARTHUR W. SPRAGUE.
116
COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT
Account of 1929 Tax
Uncollected January 1931
$523.89
Taxes Collected
$509.89
Taxes Abated
14.00
523.89
Interest Collected
$38.90
Account of 1930 Tax
Uncollected January 1931
$90,068.55
Taxes Collected
$83,415.38
Taxes Abated
1,017.60
84,432.98
Uncollected January 1, 1932
$5,635.57
Interest Collected
$3,899.21
Account of 1931 Tax
Commitment
$180,822.33
Additional
24.24
$180,846.57
Taxes Collected
$78,877.02
Taxes Abated
274.39
79,151.41
Uncollected January 1, 1932
101,695.16
Interest Collected
$117.48
Account of 1931 Old Age Assistance Tax
Commitment
$1,184.00
Additional
8.00
$1,192.00
Taxes Collected
$696.00
Refund from State
32.00
728.00
Uncollected January 1, 1932
$464.00
Account of 1929 Excise Tax
Uncollected January 1931
$1,912.04
Collected
340.15
Uncollected January 1, 1932
$1,571.89
Interest Collected $38.07
117
Account of 1930 Excise Tax
Uncollected January 1931
$4,689.51
Collected
$2,226.52
Taxes Abated
16.17
2,242.69
Uncollected January 1, 1932
$2,446.82
Interest Collected
$77.99
Account of 1931 Excise Tax
Commitment
$8,549.06
Taxes Collected
$3,921.78
Taxes Abated
173.78
4,095.56
Uncollected January 1, 1932
$4,453.50
Interest Collected
$22.29
GEORGE W. BUCK,
Collector, Town of Wilmington.
118
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
To me, nineteen hundred and thirty-one has been an opportunity and a pleasure to do what our judgment believed best for our people. I wish to thank all for their co-operation. Our Highway Department took a cut in the general highway account this year of $3,000.00, but was augmented by a carry-over from the previous year in the form of a special allotment under Chapter 90, spent on Burlington Avenue construction. We used, along with our regular men, two groups of laborers in two shifts for several weeks giving the work to those whom our Honorable Board of Selectmen considered most needy.
To keep our repairs account down, we were obliged to buy some second-hand parts for our G. M. C. trucks. Our equipment today is all in usable condition. We have, as you will note in our Town Accountant's Report, used more gravel and road oil than usual. In the oiling season three trucks saved to an appreciated amount, piling sand along the road and puts us ahead when graveling six or seven loads a day.
For your information, I will quote approximate costs on equip- ment, each unit separately, for gasoline, oil and repairs, for the year 1931 and the average day cost of each unit. ,
Year
Day
Tractor
Year $283.34
$4.05
G. M. C. Truck No. 2 ..
1,357.46
5.75
Loader
696.47
3.20
Chevrolet No. 3.
406.13
1.63
Roller
225.82
3.97
Reo No. 4.
688.95
2.74
Mixer
84.67
.84
Ford No. 5.
246.73
Extensive graveling has been done on Cottage, Forest, Ballard- vale and Nichols Streets. New storm drainage this year and re- building, labor and material, $667.36. This year we built a road hone with which we will be able to smooth out our oil roads and to reinforce and build up the shoulders. The surplus mix is used on shoulders. I am sure this hone will improve the riding qualities of our roads and add some to cost of maintenance, but it will be worth it.
I wish to express my appreciation as Superintendent of Streets for work done by the Welfare Board in clearing our roadsides of brush.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL ROBERT CARTER,
Superintendent of Streets.
Day
G. M. C. Truck No. 1 .. $1,331.56
$5.31
119
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The Planning Board regrets that it has not some tangible state- ment to make as to the extent of its accomplishments in the past twelve months. Recent appeals have been made to us to exert some effort to control the operations of land companies selling real estate in the community.
These companies offer such small lots that adjacent owners feel concern about the type of dwelling that is likely to be built next them. A resident in a comfortable and attractive home naturally wishes to see his neighbor erect a house worthy, at least of fair comparison with his own, rather than some structure that barely conforms to the building laws. In the absence of Zoning By-Laws, we are unable to act. Let us call to your attention the following quotation from "The Value of Zoning," an excerpt from Public Document No. 103, Department of Public Welfare of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts.
"Ask real estate men operating in Metropolitan Boston, as to the best place to live. They will mention no unzoned place. The reason is that all wise real estate men know that the only thing that will make a desirable residential area is some sort of protec- tion, such as is found in private restrictions and zoning. Unfor- tunately some zoned places will not be mentioned, because they waited too long. Some very fine places will not be mentioned because they are without protection. Zoning has never been con- sidered or has been defeated by some selfish interest seeking to mine the town just as we mined our forests. After that is done, there is little hope. It takes many years to overcome such con- ditions."
This is our problem. We are being "mined." It is our purpose to try and offer a solution. To do so the Board feels that they need assistance, and therefore we have submitted an article requesting your honorable board to insert the same in the Town Warrant, to be acted upon in the coming Town Meeting. This article calls on the citizens assembled to instruct their Moderator to appoint a committee of five to work with the Planning Board to aid them in offering to our citizenry a By-Law that will, we hope, meet with its approval.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. NEWCOMB, Chairman, M. J. CURL, GARDNER I, RITCHIE,
Planning Board,
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS 1931
Amount
Accumu- lated Interest
With- drawn
Balance on Deposit
S. D. J. Carter Lecture Fund
Blackstone Woburn
No. 1879
$2,578.50
$150.43
$2,728.93
No. 56672
2,000.00
195.69
2,195.69
Mechanics
No. 11437
2,000.00
175.35
2,175.35
$6,578.50
$521.47
$7,099.97
Sears Cook Walker, Walker School Fund Library Funds :
Mechanics
No. 12819
$257.00
$257.00
Chester W. Clark
Blackstone
No.
9497
500.00
$25.45
525.45
Burnap
Andover
No.
8512
200.00
53.62
253.62
Benjamin Buck
Andover
No. 18341
500.00
25.16
525.16
Charlotte C. Smith
Mechanics
No. 4215
500.00
152.06
652.06
Sabra Carter, Common Fund Cemetery Funds :
. Andover
No. 18349
200.00
92.94
$8.00
284.94
Isaac Cazneau
. Andover
No.
18985
100.00
63.23
6.00
157.23
Susan Carlton
. Andover
No. 18345
75.00
33.28
108.28
George W. and Minnie A. Sidelinker·
Andover
No. 22450
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