USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1937-1938 > Part 7
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All moneys expended for those cases other than which had a Wil- mington settlement, the town will be reimbursed.
We also had fifteen cases, aided by outside cities and towns, but which had Wilmington settlements. These cases we have no jurisdic- tion over, other than to investigate and determine whether they have a Wilmington settlement. These cases will cost the town approximately $1,000.00. This board as in the past has a rule to make each able bodied man to work out his aid, at the rate of one day for each $3.00 in aid. During the year 1937, this board assigned men to work a total of 3,426 hours, this work being divided among the several departments.
Hospitalization
Hospitalization is an item that runs into a lot of money. We have been very unfortunate this year in running into several chronic cases which required hospitalization. We have been forbidden to send into
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the Tewksbury Infirmary, and case other than a non settled one. This has been a handicap, as we were able to hospitalize cases there for $7.00 per week. We have endeavored to find reliable hospitalization, for as little cost as possible, and so finally negotiated with the St. John's Hospital at Lowell to admit our patients for $14.00 per week. When cases in the hospital become so that all is required is care, we have made arrangements with the Delaney Home in Lowell, to provide such care, for $10.00 per week. These rates are very reasonable, and the service rendered is of the highest type, so that those less fortunate can be assured of proper hospitalization.
The police ambulance took sixteen cases to various hospitals.
Taken to State Infirmary, Tewksbury. 4 persons
Taken to St. John's Hospital. 12 persons
Taken to Mass. General Hospital 4 persons
Taken to Central Hospital 2 persons
Taken to Delaney Home 3 persons
We have one person at the Wakefield Town Infirmary, which costs the town $1.00 per day, and also one person in the Mass. Hospital School, Canton. We have one child under the jurisdiction of the state which costs the town $5.00 per week.
Aid to Dependent Children
We aided thirteen cases under this type of aid. Since Jan. 1, 1937, matter of settlement in regard to this particular type of aid, does not matter, each town and city paying their proportionate share. Aid to Dependent Children is operating under the Social Security Act. The Government reimburses one-third up to eighteen dollars for the first child, and one-third up to twelve dollars for each additional child up to sixteen years of age. The state reimburses each town and city one- third of the total disbursement. For example, a person with two chil- dren under sixteen years of age, receiving $30.00 per month, the gov- ernment reimbursement would be $10.00, and the state reimbursement would be $10.00, making a total cost to the town of $10.00, to provide for this family for one month. All Aid to Dependent Children cases re- ceive their check semi-monthly.
Old Age Assistance
We have been exceptionally busy on this type of Assistance, keep- ing in constant touch with accepted cases, and checking on new ap- plications, we witnessed an increase in this department as was ex- pected, due to the age limit being dropped to sixty-five, the latter
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part of 1936. Few realize the extent of our work connected with this type of assistance. Now that the Federal Government is concerned. there is the usual reports, and proven data that must accompany each folder, so that everything will be in order when the Federal Auditor arrives. Unless all the satisfactory data is secured. the auditor will cast aside each case in question, and the town will lose the federal re- imbursement on all such cases. We are very proud to state that we had one such audit in July of 1937, and our cases were found to be 100% in order. This record we were so informed by the state investigator, was one of few, reached by the cities and towns in his district. This board feels that all those placed on Old Age Assistance, should have the privilege of being protected against having their assistance placed in jeopardy, due to a neglectful board. As perhaps most of the citizens know, that on all settled cases the cost to Wilmington is but one-sixth up to $30.00 per month, and any cost above $30.00, we pay one-third.
Statistics released by the State Department, show that for the month of September, 1937, the average grant per person in Middlesex County was $27.23. For the same period it showed that Wilmington had an average grant of $27.25. which shows that we are holding very close to the average.
Number of Persons receiving Assistance Jan. 1, 1937 55
Applications received during 1937 45
Applications accepted 37
Applications denied S
Cases closed, through death, or other reasons 12
Civilian Conservation Corps.
During the year 1937. forty boys were sent to CCC camps. Twenty- six boys were picked from relief families. ten were picked from needy families who had not applied for relief, and four were boys who were unemployed, but desirous of making something of themselves. These boys receive $30.00 monthly, and it is mandatory that they sign $25.00 a month to their parents, thereby rendering assistance to the families they represent
Sewing Project
The number of workers on the Sewing Project has been greatly re- duced since January 1, 1937. At that time there were eighteen women and one man working. July first nine were let go to reduce the quota in accordance with government specifications. Since then four others have left because of sickness or some other reason, leaving five women and one man.
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This project is supervised by Myrtle Shaw, who directs and plans the work as suggested by the District Director of Division No. 2. Miss Shaw is proud to state that Wilmington has always been in the Class A Division, in production.
In view of all the changes that have taken place on this project, the following is a record of production:
8044 Garments, 123 Sheets, 14 Pillow Cases, 132 Men and Boys' Shirts, 675 Boys Suits, 16 Adult Pajamas, 869 Children's Pajamas, 435 Ladies' and Girls' Gowns, 5226 Ladies' and Girls' Dresses, 344 Ladies' and Girls' Slips, 66 Rompers, 144 Children's Undergarments.
In the constructing of these garments, 20,446 yards of material was used. This project is now costing the town $5.00 per month for each sewer.
In this report we have gone into a little more detail, than in past years. This board feels that those who pay the bills should be en- lightened just as to what is taking place. This matter of Welfare has reached major proportions, so that it has to be figured in when talking of town finances.
In closing, we extend our appreciation to all the departments who have aided us in carrying on our humane work.
Respectfully yours,
JEROME J. O'LEARY, Chairman HENRY J. PORTER, Secretary FRANK G. PATCH, Investigator
Board of Public Welfare.
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COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT
Collected
Abated
Tax Title
Interest
Balance
1937 Taxes (Commitment)
$174,285.34
$85,969.65
$567.00
$8,189.87
$95.70
$79,705.45
Additional
146.63
..
$174,431.97
1937 Excise (Commitment)
$ 6,586.94
3,602.97
180.16
16.83
2,803.81
1936 Taxes (Balance)
84,950.68
50,291.34
446.35
11,187.66
1,732.60
23,025.33
1936 Excise (Balance
2,425.19
669.07
4.00
25.37
1,752.12
1935 Taxes (Balance)
19,348.09
15,065.28
1,398.87
2,883.94
1,507.14
1935 Excise (Balance)
1,760.64
645.82
2.00
79.18
1,112.82
1934 Taxes (Balance)
27.05
27.05
1934 Excise (Balance)
1,583.54
542.31
12.29
90.97
1,028.94
1933 Taxes (Balance)
46.13
21.26
24.87
1933 Excise (Balance)
1,645.88
440.84
93.32
1,205.04
1932 Taxes (Balance)
3.11
3.11
1932 Excise (Balance)
1,750.78
298.39
72.06
1,452.39
1931 Taxes (Balance)
3.29
3.29
1931 Excise (Balance
1,942.55
297.43
87.03
1,645.12
..
..
..
..
GEORGE W. BUCK, Collector
Town of Wilmington.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following is the report of the Highway Department for 1937: -
First of all, I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their cooperation in my work. It has been a pleasure to serve under them as Superintendent of Streets.
To me, equipment replacement is most urgent at present, con- sidering the fact that our G. M. C. Trucks No. 1 and No. 2 were pur- chased second-hand in the spring of 1927, and also that our Reo and Chevrolet Truck No. 3 have nearly spent their usefulness. None of them can be depended upon for important work such as that during the busy Oil Treatment season, or on Chapter 90 construction under which account we may no longer charge for repairs, or during the snow season when every one wants service.
Since it is no longer possible to purchase parts for our old G.M.C. Trucks, G.M.C. No. 2 has been ruled off the road since last March. In the report to The Finance Board I tried to show our great need for at least two five-ton trucks as replacements, and suggested that part of the cost could be paid in yearly instalments.
For your information I will quote the approximate cost of equip- ment, each unit separately, for gasoline, oil, and repairs for the year 1937 and the average day cost of each unit.
Year
Day
G. M. C. Truck No. 2
$ 92.21
$4.61
G. M. C. Truck No. 1
425.38
2.67
Chevrolet Truck No. 5
319.63
1.93
Chevrolet Truck No. 3
252.56
1.56
Reo Truck No. 4
749.02
4.18
Roller
36.11
2.78
Tractor
327.22
9.92
Loader
662.66
4.73
Mixer
209.48
4.11
Ford Coupe Expense
116.92
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Recommended
1938 Town Account Appropriation $ 18,000.00
Chapter 90 Maintenance Appropriation. 1,200.00 Chapter 90 Construction Appropriation ...... 3,000.00
Replace Old Equipment Open to Finance Board
W. P. A. Projects are still needed to care for some of our fellow workers and I believe roadwork is one of the best answers. We expect more highway projects to come through soon.
In 1937 our W. P. A. Project No. 3917 totaled an expense to the Town as follows:
Payroll to drivers and laborers on Town account. $ 1,227.86 Following are figures to show the Federal Office the part our
Town sponsored, Trucks @ 621/2c per hr 1,027.37
Material billed to Project No. 3917 special account. 1,491.33
Following are figures to show work that the Town did in
conjunction with this Project during the year 1937:
Spent on Town Account on Glen Rd., graveling, tar
treatment, etc.
2,408.89
Grove Avenue
648.66
Aldrich Road
777.05
Purchase of Toncan Culvert for Glen Road 191.31
$ 7,775.47
For two years The Public Works Department of Massachusetts have urged the Town to set up a Machinery Account. We could then collect for the use of equipment on Chapter 90 maintenance and con- struction work. Where towns are doing work with them they feel that good equipment spells satisfactory results in dollars and cents. And to force such towns into line they have refused to allow bills for gas- oline, oil and repairs to be charged to their accounts. It has been sug- gested that $2,500.00 is the average money for a town to open such an account.
As Superintendent of Streets I feel if we are going along with this Chapter 90 work we cannot afford to not open a Machinery Account.
Details of expenditures will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL ROBERT CARTER,
Superintendent of Streets.
135
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD AND THE PARK COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The duties of the Planning Board have not been numerous this past year. Working in conjunction with the Board of Appeals, we have watched carefully for violations of the zoning laws and with few excep- tions, have found the people willing to cooperate.
The work of the Park Department was confined principally to the ball field. Most of our appropriation was used up for labor in connec- tion with mowing and keeping the field in condition. We did require some equipment. The expenditures for the year will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
E. M. NEILSON, W. E. BARROWS, RAYMOND SWAIN, HOWARD BEDELL, EDWARD C. MANNING,
Planning Board and Park Commission.
136
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
The following is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Ex- tension Service for the Town of Wilmington during 1937.
The poultrymen of Wilmington have taken an active interest this year in the work of the Extension Service. Forty-four farm visits have been made upon request. In addition, general information was sent out to thirty-one poultrymen. A talk on poultry raising was given at the Wilmington Grange.
Other farm visits were made in town to dairymen, fruit growers, and vegetable gardeners. Many soil tests were made, and assistance was given in farm drainage, grass feeding, fertilizer requirements, and fruit production.
A small group of homemakers took the project on Garment Fin- ishes and Coats. Home visits were made in reply to several requests. Mothers' Service letters were sent to those on the mailing list.
In 4-H. Club work, Miss Henrietta Swain served as town chairman. Other members of the committee were: Rev. Arthur Simmons, Mrs. Arthur Kidder, Mrs. Donald Foster, Mrs. Kenneth Glover, Mrs. Wil- liam Fiendell, and Charles Perry.
Twenty-seven boys and fifty-four girls were enrolled in five cloth- ing clubs, three food clubs, and one garden club under the direction of the following local leaders: Mrs. John Bishop, Mrs. Frank Haynes, Mrs. Mabel Snowman, Miss Evelyn Hood, Mrs. Paul Todd, Mrs. Alphonse LaFreniere, Mrs. Charles H. Rice, Mrs. Warren A. Hallett, Mrs. Roger S. Buck, Mrs. Dudley Blake, Mrs. Norwood Sargent, Miss Henrietta Swain, and Emery Jenson.
A 4-H officers training school was held at the Walker School. The mid-winter 4-H Rally was well attended. In May the spring exhibit was of unusual success. The Grange Hall was attractively decorated with
137
apple blossoms. The program furnished by the local clubs consisted of music and skits, and the motion picture "Under The 4-H Flag". Admis- sion was charged for the exhibition. A food and candy sale also helped to raise money to be used to send club members to camp.
The following attended Camp Middlesex: Barbara Haynes, Evelyn Nitchie, Barbara Clinch, Winifred Woods, Priscilla Holmes, Ann Day- ton and Winnie Lou Odiorne.
Irene Thomas attended Junior Leaders' Camp at the State College.
Emery Jensen was a winner in the Middlesex North Garden Con- test. Irene Thomas was a county delegate to the state dress contest.
Much credit is due the Wilmington town chairman, Miss Hen- rietta Swain and her loyal committee, for the very fine record in 4-H Club work.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLISTER F. MacDOUGALL, Director.
138
TOWN WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
To Harry J. Ainsworth, a Constable of the Town of Wilmington:
GREETING: In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws of said Town, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town quali- fied by law to vote in Town affairs to meet and assemble at the Town Hall on Monday, the seventh day of March next at 9.45 o'clock in the forenoon, the polls to be opened at 10.00 A. M., and they shall be closed at 8.00 P. M., for the election of Town Officers.
Article 1. To bring in your votes on one ballot for three Select- men, who shall also act as Board of Survey; one Assessor for three years; Town Clerk; Treasurer; Collector of Taxes; Constable; Board of Public Welfare, one member for a term of three years; two members of School Committee for three years; two Trustees of the Public Lib- rary for three years; one member of the S. D. J. Carter Lecture Com- mittee for five years; one Water Commissioner for three years; one member of Planning Board for three years; Tree Warden; Moderator.
You are also hereby further required and directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants of the Town of Wilmington who are qual- ified to vote on elections and Town affairs, therein to assemble subse- quently and meet in Town Meeting at the Grange Hall, Wildwood St., in said Town of Wilmington, on Monday, the fourteenth day of March, A.D. 1938, at eight o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the follow- ing articles :
Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers for the ensuing year.
Article 3. To hear the reports of Committees and act thereon.
Article 4. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the following items:
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General Government
Hydrant Rental
Education
Cemetery
Highways
Care of Parks
Health and Sanitation
Unclassified
Public Health Work
Charities and Aid
Protection of Life and Property
Soldiers' Benefits
Public Library
Town Indebtedness Street Lights
Interest
Water Department
Reserve Fund
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year be- ginning January 1, 1938 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum suf- ficient to pay the County of Middlesex, as required by law, the Town's share of the net cost of the care, maintenance, and repair of the Mid- dlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital, as assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 111 of the General Laws and Acts in amend- ment thereof and in addition thereto and including Chapter 400, Sec- tion 25 G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 7. To see what action the Town will take to meet the as- sessment of $1,723.35 heretofore made on it for the purpose of paying its share of the cost of making alterations and constructing additions in and to the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital under Chapter 205 of the Acts of 1937.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) to cover incidental expenses of the Planning Board, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a Committee of two members to assist the Planning Board in its duties, or do anything in relation thereto.
140
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred sixty-seven dollars and fifty cents ($367.50) to pay for effecting insurance providing indemnity for the protection of the officers and employees of the Highway Department and Police Department of the Town against loss by reason of their liability to pay damages to others for bodily injuries, including death, at any time re- sulting therefrom, caused by the operation, within the scope of their official duties or employment, of motor vehicles owned by the Town, to an amount not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000.) on account of injury to or death of one person, in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws as amended, or do any- thing in relation thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred fifty dollars ($350.) for the observance of Memorial Day, and that the Moderator appoint a Committee who shall arrange and have charge of such observance, or do anything in rela- tion thereto.
Article 12. To see what sum the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate for necessary expenses in connection with Works Progress Administration projects, approved by the United States Government for the Town, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 13. To see if the town will repeal the present zoning laws. On petition of Louis I. Elfman, and others.
Article 14. To see if the town will modify the zoning laws so that Main street from Harnden street to Massachusetts Avenue on both sides of the street with a depth to conform with present layout of previous parts as laid out for business, be changed so that said part of Main street will be in the business zone.
On petition of Louis I. Elfman and others.
Article 15. To see if the Town will lay out and accept Cook Ave- nue, beginning from the easterly side of Main Street and thence run- ning easterly on Cook Avenue for a distance of approximately 500 feet to Burnham Street, and appropriate ($400.00) therefor.
On petition of Joseph L. Berrett and others.
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Article 16. To see if the Town will vote that certain land recently acquired by the Town by foreclosure of tax title, said land being sit- uated near Andover Street, formerly owned by Walfair Construction Company, and supposed to contain forty (40) acres more or less, the decree of foreclosure being dated April 8, 1936, and entered in the Land Court, in tax lien foreclosure case No. 5872, shall hereafter be held by the Town subject to the management, improvement and control of the Board of Water Commissioners for the general purposes of the Water Department, and especially for protecting and preserving the purity of the Town's water supply, or do anything in relation thereto.
On petition of the Water Commissioners.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to purchase in the name and on behalf of the Town, at a price not exceeding forty ($40.) dollars, to be paid out of the general Water Department appropriation, a tract of land supposed to contain about one acre situated near Andover Street and shown as land of Josephine L. Messinger on a plan entitled "Plan of land in No. Wilmington, Mass. belonging to the Town of Wilmington," which plan is dated January 6, 1936, made by John Dyer, Surveyor, and a copy of it is on file in the Land Court in tax lien foreclosure case No. 5872; which land, when, as and if so purchased, shall be held by the Town, subject to the management, improvement and control of the Board of Water Commissioners, for the general purposes of the Water Depart- ment, and especially for protecting and preserving the purity of the Town's water supply, or do anything in relation thereto.
On petition of the Water Commissioners.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a gift a con- veyance from Ruth Marion Giles, or whoever may then be the owner, of certain parcels of registered land situated near the grade crossing of Salem Street and the Salem and Lowell branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which parcels are described in Owner's Certificate of Title No. 539, in the name of Ellen S. Perry, recorded in the North Registry District of Middlesex County, Book 5, Page 333, as lots A, C, D and F, respectively, as shown on a plan drawn by C. B. Humphrey, Surveyor for the Land Court, dated June 12, 1914, a portion of which plan is on record with said Original Certificate No. 539: which land, when, as and if so conveyed to the Town, shall be held by it, subject to the management, improvement and control of the Board of Water Com- missioners, for the general purposes of the Water Department, and es- pecially for protecting and preserving the purity of the Town's water supply, or do anything in relation thereto.
On petition of the Water Commissioners.
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Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the following sums, or do anything in relation thereto:
$584.68 on account of overdraft in Interest
502.50
do
balance of 1937 State tax
41.69
do
balance of State Parks and Reservations 1937
tax
78.05
do
balance of 1937 County tax
24.87
do
abatement of 1933 taxes
901.60
do
abatement of 1935 taxes
2,173.63
do
deficit in Excess and Deficiency account
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200. (two hundred dollars) for the purpose of purchasing and maintaining a motorcycle for the police department for use in patrolling the Silver Lake section or anywhere in the town when needed.
On petition of Walter Goss and others.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $S,000.00 (eight thousand dollars) for the purpose of extend- ing the water main westerly along Salem St. from its terminus now near the residence of Patrick Sullivan to a point at or near the Tewks- bury town line or do anything in relation thereto.
On petition of Harry Alpert and others.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sun of Fifteen Thousand ($15000) Dollars or any lesser amount for the extension of water main along Burlington Avenue from the corner of Boutwell Street to the corner of Swain Road, and thence along Swain Road as far as the same has been accepted as a public way; or so much of such extension as the sum so raised and appropriated will permit, or do anything in relation thereto.
On petition of Natalie A. Giroux and others.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $9,625.00 (nine thousand, six hundred and twenty five Dollars) for the purpose of extending the Water main from its present terminus on Ballardvale Street near the residence of Mr. Tompkinson, North to a point at or near the Farmhouse of the Friend Bros. farm, or do anything in relation thereto.
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