USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1945-1946 > Part 13
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248,023
1944
108,358,100
296,597
1945
105,349,300)
288,628
1946
137,585,900/
376,948
Fuel Oil Consumed
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal. per M. Cost per M.
1942
6924.4
397.43
.78.8
$4.50
1943
6891.7
479.57
.76.1
5.29
1944
8630.1
656.43
.79.6
6.06
1945
8334.6
624.26
.79.2
5.95
1946
11202.5
705.90
.81.5
5.14
Lubricating Oil Used
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal. per M. Cost per M.
1942
68.00
40.80
.46
.76
1943
74.00
44.40
.49
.71
1944
141.00
87.36
1.30
.80
1945
110.00
69.30
1.00
.66
1946
137.00
86.31
.92
.63
61
Oil Used in Heater
Gal.
Cost
1942
4160.00
236.79
1943
5031.00
326.85
1944
5,227.00
391.31
1945
5062.00
379.15
1946
5068.00
315.05
Accounts Receivable
Service Accounts:
1941 ..
$ 91.00
1942 ..
10.61
1946
2,888.79
$ 2,990.40
Water Rates
1,846.80
$ 4,837.20
Total Cost of Construction
Cost of Water System Dec. 31, 1945
$464,403.99
128 Services
2,800.00
1946 Extensions to Date
62,167.82
$529,371.81
62
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Tree Warden and Moth Supt. for the year 1946.
TREE DEPARTMENT
Routine work was carried on through the year, such as removing broken limbs, cutting down split tops, cutting down and removing several dead trees. Twenty-one maple trees were fed with tree fertil- izer, that were affected with Maple Stagger Head blight and these trees rallied after receiving this treatment. The Treatment will be repeated in the Spring of 1947 and this should bring them back to normal. After observing the results obtained by this treatment the State Dept. of Conservation are going to try it on trees in the State Forest. This fertilizer Formula was made by myself and given to the town at no cost except for labor for putting it in the ground.
MOTH DEPARTMENT
All street shade trees in the town were sprayed with arsenic of lead, copper sulphite, D.D.T. and spreader and also all egg clusters were painted with creosote for the control of gypsy moth, coddling moth, canker worm and webb worm.
Eighteen brown tail nests were found on Concord St. and were burned. These nests were found this Fall and the area will have to be carefully watched to check the spread of this pest.
ELM LEAF BEETLE CONTROL
Elm trees were sprayed three times with copper sulphite, arsenic of lead, spreader, wettable sulphur and D.D.T. mixture. A few trees were treated with tanglefoot and sixteen trees were fed with 7-7-7 formula.
Five elm trees were cut down that were killed with the elm tree beetle. These trees had to be burned to prevent the spread of the disease.
The work of the Tree Dept., Moth Dept. and Elm Leaf Beetle Control was carried on as far as funds were available. Expenditures for the year will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. BABINE Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
63
REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1946 as Inspector of Animals.
Number of dog bites reported 42
Number of cat bites reported 1
Number of dogs showing physical signs of rabies 0
Number of dogs submitted to laboratory examination. 2
Number of cats submitted to laboratory examination 1
Laboratory Report
Positive
0
Negative
.
3
Suspicious
0
All biting dogs were quarantined for the period of time prescribed by law.
Number of animals quarantined 44
Number of animals released from quarantined 43
Inspection of Domestic Animal and Premises Where Animals are kept
Number of premises keeping domestic animals inspected 45
Number of cattle inspected 237
Number of horses inspected
21
Number of hogs inspected
1701
Number of goats inspected 21
Number of sheep inspected
7
Number of cattle released from Interstate Shipment 0
0
Number of cattle reacting to the Tuberculin Test.
All special work assigned to me by the Department of Livestock Disease Control was promptly attended to.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH B. ODIORNE
Inspector of Animals
64
TUBERCULOSIS REPORT FOR 1946
Cases on Register January 1, 1946
30
Moved in From Other Places
1
New cases Reported During Year 4
Total 35
Deaths During Year
1
Diagnosis Revoked 0
Number Placed on Inactive List 1
Not Phl. T. B.
1
Number Pts. Who Moved Away
2
Total 5
Number Remaining on Register December 31, 1946 31
Number Cases in Sanitarium December 31, 1946 1
Number Household Contacts of New Cases
29
Number Such Contacts X-Ray
27
Number Intimate Contacts Outside of Household-X-Ray .. 2 .
Number of Visits Made 68
Number X-Rayed at N.R.S.S. 53
ESTHER H. NICHOLS R.R.
65
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD
January 1, 1947
To the Citizens of the Town of Wilmington:
It is with regret that we have to report a lack of progress in our efforts to negotiate a loan through the Federal Works Agency to cover the cost of plans for a new school building, gymnasium and auditorium, to be located on the property, formerly known as the Roman Estate, as outlined in a previous report of the School Com- mittee.
The approval of the Emergency Finance Board of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts is required by the Federal Government be- fore a loan can be approved for the preparation of plans. We found that the Emergency Finance Board will not grant such, approval in any case where the borrowing capacity of the town is not sufficient to enable it to carry out the project for which the plans are to be pre- pared.
The present borrowing capacity of Wilmington being insufficient by a wide margin to finance the estimated cost of the project, we were, therefore, advised by the Division of Accounts that the Emer- gency Finance Board would not approve our application for a loan for the preparation of plans.
Of course, if at some later date the Federal. Government should make provision for loans or grants to cities and towns for financing actual construction of such projects, rather than as now only the plans for the same, the matter could be reopened. In view of this possibility, it is hoped that the town will keep the property available for the proposed development, some time in the future.
During May, 1946, we engaged B. F. Smith and Company, Bos- ton, Mass. to make borings at various points on the property. The samples obtained are being held. The report, accompanying the sam- ples, was satisfactory and indicated that there are not any unusual drainage problems on the site that was chosen for the construction of a new school building.
Respectfully submitted,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND PLANNING BOARD
66
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
By Allister F. MacDougall, Director & County Agricultural Agent
Food Production was of the utmost importance during 1946 and, the main effort of the Extension Service was along this line. Through meetings, radio, farm and home visits, county bulletin, news releases and calls in person and by telephone at the office, assistance was given to as many people as possible.
Fruit growers this year were interested especially in knowing more about frost damage and its prevention and the latest materials to use in spraying to overcome insects and diseases. Because of the wet season, there was a severe infestation of scab and growers re- quired all the assistance possible to produce a good quality crop. Twilight meetings of interest to local growers were held in various parts of the country. Information was sent out to local papers and through town libraries as well as over the radio to help all those interested in home gardens.
Three projects were emphasized to assist those interested in poultry - namely, Better Use of Ranges; Brooding and Rearing; Disease Control and Sanitation.
Of interest to dairymen, the Selective Breeding Association and the Herd Improvement Association were developed and expanded during the year.
Because of the many food shortages experienced during the year, homemakers were given assistance to help them in problems in feeding their families the right foods essential to health despite the shortages. Demonstrations and illustrated talks were given on: When Meat is Scarce; Sugar-Saving Desserts; Use of Available Foods; Oil-Sparing Salad Dressings. Homemakers were interested in clothing renovation and Short Cuts and Speed Tricks in clothing Construction. Food preservation was the main project followed dur- ing the summer to assist homemakers in the best procedure to insure satisfaction in home canning and preparation of foods for freezing.
4-H Club work was carried on under the direction of the 4-H Committee of which Miss Henrietta Swain was chairman. At one of the meetings of the "Aides to Victory" organization Miss Swain was awarded a diamond 4-H leadership pin in honor of having completed twenty years of 4-H club work. This award was made possible
67
1
through the New York Central Railroad. 4-H clubs for girls were led by Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, Mrs. William Corneliussen, Mrs. W. J. Davis, Mrs. Dorothy Darling, Mrs. Robert Foley, Mrs. Ruth Hodgdon, Mrs. E. M. Neilson, Mrs. Guilford Palmer, Mrs. Edith Ross, Mrs. Mabel Ingalls, Mrs. Priscilla Bedell and Mrs. Jack Riley. Handicraft and garden clubs were led by Mr. Wilfred Andrews as- sisted by Mrs. Andrews. Frank Darling attended the Junior Leaders' Camp at the State College. A well attended 4-H rally was held dur- ing the winter. The winter season was brought to a close with an excellent 4-H exhibit and program. The 4-H exhibit at the Grange Fair again won the honor of being the best in the county.
Nine girls and six boys attended Camp Middlesex at Ashby.
68
TREASURER'S REPORT
Cash in Treasury
$107,132.20
Income Tax
31,998.50
Business Corporation Tax
8,093.36
Meal Tax
1,528.67
Re-imbursement, Cities & Towns loss of taxes
17.70
Pay Roll deduction Withholding Tax
12,401.25
HIGHWAYS:
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Note No. 420
$ 2,000.00
State
998.89
County
998.89
Snow removal
494.50
Distribution of Highway Fund
4,959.55
Sale of truck
100.00
Lowell St. construction
27,000.00
. Chapter 90 Lowell St .- State
11,824.79
Chapter 90 Lowell St .- County
9,459.83
Rental of Road Roller
12.00
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE:
Refunds Cities and Towns
191.50
Refunds individuals
145.87
Support of indigent persons
30.00
Old Age assistance:
Refunds Cities and Towns
692.55
Refunds individuals
67.45
U. S. Grant
19,720.90
State Treasurer
19,445.49
Refund postage
43.94
Telephone tolls
1.00
Aid to Dependent Children:
U. S. Grant
2,210.00
State Treasurer
1,958.14
Refund Postage
4.68
Veterans' Aid and pensions
1,401.00
Temporary Aid and Transportation
1,454.06
Child Guardianship
1,620.50
PUBLIC HEALTH
247.86
POLICE:
Ambulance Cases
143.00
Refunds
3.25
Auto reports (accident)
2.00
Bicycle licenses
26.75
69
EDUCATION:
Tuition and transportation
2,583.53
Vocational education (State)
325.04
Petty Cash refunds
5.38
MISCELLANEOUS INCOME:
Tax Title redemption and sales
3,953.73
Tax Title interest
887.23
Instruments of Redemption
93.00
Sealer of weights and measures
55.89
Land Court-Return of deposits
22.05
Dog licenses from Town Clerk
939.60
Return of Dog licenses-County Treasurer
844.34
Sale of dogs
6.00
Dog damage-County Treasurer
472.00
Licenses
5,296.00
Cemetery
2,144.35
Library
87.10
Building inspection
223.00
Insurance return Premium Account
40.70
Fines Fourth District Court
70.00
Water revenue
28,667.18
Water Extension notes
75,558.15
Sale of U. S. Treasury Bonds
21,045.31
Income from Trust Funds
167.39
Notes in anticipation of revenue
40,000.00
Wilmington Salvage Committee
822.65
Boston & Maine R. R .- refund Fire Dept.
21.75
Oil storage permits
31.00
Deductions Blue Cross
63.45
COLLECTOR OF TAXES:
Taxes
218,006.96
Interest
1,766.43
$672,629.28
PAYMENTS
Treasury Warrants
543,029.72
Cash in Treasury
$129,599.56
ALFRED S. ALLEN,
Treasurer
70
COLLECTOR'S REPORT 1946
1946 Taxes (Commitment)
$234,688.12
Collected $175,532.40
Abated $7,993.38
Tax Titles $3,329.44
Balance $48,085.74
Interest $171.69
$41.65
Additional
252.74
$234,940.86
1946 Excise
5,840.12
4,512.47
47.67
1,279.98
2.57
1945 Balance
38,704.70
24,591.18
179.93
437,01
13,496.58
636.77
8.40
1945 Excise Balance
255.88
80.82
2.00
173.06
2.81
1944 Balance
14,483.02
13,199.91
309.45
437.01
536.65
946.10
2.80
1944 Excise Balance
115.49
22.00
10.00
83.49
2.26
1943 Balance
55.18
11.34
38.80
5.04
3.69
1943 Excise Balance
82.33
3.99
2.00
76.34
.54
GEORGE W. BUCK,
Collector of Taxes,
Town of Wilmington.
Cost
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits its annual report covering all categories of assistance for the year 1946.
During the year a change in the membership of the Board was made necessary by the resignation of Mr. Walter G. Buckle. Mr. Buckle's resignation was accepted and he was appointed to act as Commission. The surviving members of this Board then met with the Board of Selectmen to fill the vacancy. At this meeting, Mr. Allan D. MacMullin of Forest Avenue was appointed to the Board to serve the unexpired term of Mr. Buckle.
WELFARE ASSISTANCE
Welfare Assistance is also known as Temporary Aid, which or- dinarily means that a person requesting assistance under this pro- gram expects to be in need for a short time only, and therefore is not eligible for assistance under other categories which are granted to persons requiring assistance for extended periods of time. In de- termining the amount of grants for all categories of relief, cities and towns are required to adopt the mandatory budget of the State Department of Public Welfare. This budget provides for all needs with the exception of medical. As it is impossible to determine the need for medical expense in advance, it is allowed as an extra.
A total of 30 cases consisting of 89 persons were aided under this program during the past year. It is estimated that an approp- riation of $10,000 will be necessary for the administration of this program for the year 1947. During wartime conditions, requests for assistance under the Welfare Laws were reduced, in most instances, to cases which were unemployable for various reasons. This condi- tion was due to the increased opportunities for employment. It is expected that there will be an increase in the requests for assis- tance during the coming year, with the unemployment problem as the major cause.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
The social and economic conditions of the country during war- time materially affected the type of assistance required of this De- partment. Increased opportunities for employment reduced the num-
72
-
ber of cases in distress, but wartime social conditions caused many broken homes, resulting in additional cases being eligible for this type of assistance.
Aid to Dependent Children is granted to cases where there are children who have become dependent due to the loss of parental care or support, through death, divorce, desertion or incapacity of a parent. This type of assistance is part of the Social Security Act and the costs of the program are divided between the Federal Gov- ernment, the State and the local City or Town. A change has been made in the Social Security Act resulting in a larger reimbursement from the Federal Government, which means a smaller cost to the local city or town.
In the year 1946, 12 cases, comprising 45 children, received as- sistance under this program, Present conditions indicate that there will be increased requests for this type of assistance. It is estimated that for this category of relief, an appropriation of $6000 will be nec- essary for the year, 1947.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
This type of assistance is still based on need, although it is un- derstood by many people to be a pension. Total expenditures in this category have increased through the liberalization of recent social legislation, - although the case load has been reduced.
A citizen, 65 years or over who has lived in the Commonwealth three out of the last nine years, and one year immediately preced- ing the date of application, if in need, may receive this type of as- sistance. An applicant may have an equity of $3000 in real estate, an insurance policy of $1000 and in addition may have $300 cash in the bank, and still be eligible to receive assistance under this pro- gram. At the present time there is a considerable amount of legis- lation in Congress and also in the State Legislature, which, if passed, will have bearing on the administration of this program. However, at this time it is impossible to determine the final out- come.
During the past year, 108 cases received this type of assistance. The cost of this program is shared by the federal Government, the State and the local city or town. A change has been made in the Social Security Act resulting in a larger reimbursement from the Federal Government, which means a smaller cost to the local city or town. In addition, the Federal Government now reimburses for one-half of the administration cost as well as the reimbursement for aid.
73
.
It is estimated that the gross cost for this program for the year 1947 will be about $50,000, and after deducting the reimbursement from the Federal Government it will require a town appropriation of $26,000.
It is to be remembered that all of the figures quoted are esti- mates and that any serious change in the economic conditions of the country will necessarily affect the total expenditures of this Department. A detailed account of the expenditures and receipts of this Department may be found in the reports of the Town Accoun- tant and the Town Treasurer.
We desire to express our appreciation to other Town Depart- ments for their cooperation and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY A. BOUSFIELD, Chairman MAURICE D. O'NEIL ALLAN D. MacMULLIN
74
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
Westdale Avenue Wilmington, Mass. Reading RFD No. 1 February 14, 1947
Mr. James J. Gilligan Chairman
Board of Selectmen Town Hall
Wilmington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The Board of Appeal held eleven hearings during 1946.
Decisions were rendered in ten cases and one case is still on the docket.
Cordially yours,
WILLIAM A. ANDERSON, Secretary
REPORT OF THE SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
To the Board of Selectmen of Wilmington, Mass .:
Following is the financial report of the Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Fund for the year 1946:
RECEIPTS
January 1, 1946, Balance on hand $ 5.37
Received from Town Treasurer
150.00
Interest to Dec. 1, 1945
.12
Interest to June 1, 1946
.04 $
155.53
EXPENDITURES
May 1, 1946 Open Forum Speakers' Bureau $ 132.50
May 1, 1946 Rent of Congregation Church
15.00 $
147.50
Balance
$ 8.03
Respectfully submitted Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Committee Alice M. Allen, Acting Treasurer.
75
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
January 24, 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Superintendent of Streets for the year 1946.
Chapter 90 maintenance work consisted of brush cutting and burning, cleaning catch basins, surface patching, scraping shoulders, surface treating with a pea gravel mix and some with an asphalt seal and sand covering. The following is the work accomplished as as laid out by the State Engineer. Salem St .: All brush cut and burned, catch basins cleaned, shoulders in different sections scraped and dirt picked up, surface patched and 2 sections of surface treated with a pea gravel and asphalt mix. A total of about one mile. Mid- dlesex Ave .: all brush cut, catch basins cleaned, some shoulders pushed back and raked, surface patched and 2 sections surface treated with an asphalt seal coat and covered with sand. 1st, from common to Town Hall. 2nd, from the. John Doyle Estate to Mystic Ave. Church St .: all catch basins cleaned, gutters cleaned, shoulders pushed back and raked and one section surface treated with a pea gravel and asphalt mix from Beacon St. to Fire station. Burlington Ave .: all brush cut and burned, all catch basins cleaned and surface patched. Shawsheen Ave .: all catch basins cleaned, all brush cut and burned, surface patched and 2 sections surface treated with an asphalt seal coat and covered with sand. Lowell St .: all brush cut and burned and surface patched. 1 section was let out for construction and com- pleted. Plans at the request of the Board of Selectmen to the State Public Works Dept. are now being made to finish it in 1947.
After checking over our Chapter 90 roads with the State Engineer in charge of this district in October, he definitely concluded that the amount of money allocated by the State and County was by far too small to meet the demands for extensive surface treatment. He later informed me by phone that the State and County would increase their allotments to $20000.00 each providing we did likewise. I took this matter up with the Board of Selectmen and a letter was mailed to the Public Works Department stating that the money would be forth- coming.
In regards to our Town roads, many were greatly improved, either with gravel or by surface treating. Nine new streets were accepted
76
namely, Phillips Ave., Taplin Ave., Fairfield Rd., Nassau Ave., Oak- wood Rd., Roosevelt Rd., Cook Ave., Carter Lane and Central St., off Salem St., for which $6000.00 was appropriated to put them in a safe passable condition. The Board allocated the sum of $3500.00 for Phil- ltps Ave., as this was a connecting link between Baker St., and Wild Ave., leading to the Silver Lake R. R. station. The balance ($2,500.00) to be used on the remaining eight streets. For the past several years, committees representing the Silver Lake Betterment Assn. visited the Selectmen with the hope of getting a solution to one of their most urg- ent problems, that of getting the people living in the Brand Ave. sec- tion to the Silver Lake R. R. Station and the children of grammar school age to the Lake Schools without jumping brooks, crossing swamps, trespassing, or going a mile and a half out of their way via Main St. and Grove Ave. to arrive at their destination. After going over the ground with Mr. Eames the surveyor, he recommended that we extend Phillips Ave. across the swamp which meant a fill from 2 to 4 feet. I reported this to the Board and they visited the scene and after due consideration accepted the recommendation. Same was taken up by them with the Finance Board as to the cost and it was readily agreed upon. A strip of land 500 ft. long and 40 ft. wide had to be pur- chased, but Mr. Harold Melzer of Lake St. a public spirited citizen with the interest of his fellowmen at heart, donated the land free of charge for which we are all very grateful. The construction, under my supervision, was let out to Mr. Van Steensburg a local man and even though it is not a finished job, the Board of Selectmen, the people living in that district and myself are very much satisfied with the results. It has already proven its value in case of fire.
Due to the severe winter and its punishing elements over which we have no control, many sections judged in October as very good presented a very different picture the following Spring. Some were damaged beyond the patching stage while others could be saved with pea gravel mix thereby causing me to alter my plans somewhat. This same condition existed throughout the State. For the above reason, some streets listed in the budget for surface treatment had to be omitted. At this writing the streets in the center of the Town are in very good condition. I contend that by starting in the center and branching out it shows a definite plan has been laid and the job of getting the streets in first class condition will be accomplished with greater efficiency. However there are times when several miles have to be skipped in order to take care of a situation that is very dan- gerous. General highway work during the past year consisted of brush cutting and burning, some drainage, surface patching, graveling and scraping our graveled roads, and surface treating with pea gravel,
77
Tar and Asphalt
$6,413.23
Lights
13.00
Insurance
643.96
Painting Signs
41.50
Sand
348.77
Miscellaneous
77.76
Pea Gravel
1,508.74
Tires
183.82
Bank Gravel
435.50
Gasoline, Oil, Parts,
Telephone
60.84
Repair and Labor,
Fuel
127.36
Tools and Grader
Water
$ 18.00
Blades
993.89
The following streets received the bulk of the repairs made during the year, some of which will require at least two sections repaired before they are complete for the full distance. The others were com- pleted. Woburn St., West St., Andover St., Park St., High St., Federal St., Chestnut St., School St., Lake St., Wildwood St., Concord St., McDonald Rd., Cunningham St., Grant St., Wilson St., and Burnap St.
Nine new streets were laid out by the Board of Survey and 2 were accepted at the March meeting. The remaining 7 were laid out during the summer months and are ready for acceptance at the 1947 March meeting.
Many of our streets in good condition have been badly damaged by the Water Dept. in laying water pipes and as yet have not been re- paired. It is my understanding that enough money was appropriated for each project to take care of such needs. I also appreciate the fact that the people want the water, that the streets have to be dug into and that the Water Dept. is doing all in it's power to satisfy the people, but by the same token, the people want good streets and I honestly trust and hope the Water Dept. will cooperate with the Highway Dept. in repairing said streets.
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