USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1945-1946 > Part 3
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Automobile thieves are again in the field and during this year this department has recovered many stolen automobiles in this town and they have been returned to their rightful owners. On August 9th a large trailer truck loaded to capacity with a cargo valued at $10,000 was recovered on a back road and returned to the owner, a large trucking concern located in Boston.
The Boy Scouts have proven their usefulness to their community as I had occasion to call for their assistance in locating an old man who had become lost and it was through their efficient instructions and alertness that this man was located.
The radio service we are receiving is excellent and certainly materially assists this department in its efficiency in carrying out its assigned work and I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and thanks to the Reading Police Department for their kind co-operation.
39
From the report of the last census taken I note that the population of the Town of Wilmington has increased considerably and with the vast number of our service men returning from their valiant service in the armed forces of the United States it is imperative that our department be kept up to an efficient strength comparable to the increased population of the town.
It is indeed gratifying to see so many of our boys and girls returning from the armed forces where they have received rigid training in discipline, supervision and the manner of protection of life and property. They are coming back to us with all these qualifica- tions and they certainly are going to be a great asset to the community as good law-abiding citizens and interested in all civic affairs. We also must not forget our boys who so valiantly gave their lives that this might be a better world for us to live in.
During the year we have been exceptionally busy in caring for our citizens with our ambulance service and it is with pride that I extend to all citizens the privilege of using the ambulance whenever necessary. Of course we shall expect anyone who cares for this service to have his doctor make all arrangements with the hospital before entrance of a patient. We have received a new ruling that the ambulance cannot be used for service of out of town patients unless it is a case of emergency.
Now that the war is over there will be a multiplicity of problems hitherto unheard of in Law enforcement work. These problems will be for the most part serious ones that will call for more effective police service than is being rendered today. It is obvious that the more law enforcement becomes a vocation and leans toward pro- fessionalization, the more effective will be the service rendered to the public.
The trend of police problems today is Juvenile delinquency. What is a Juvenile Delinquent? It is one who habitually so deports himself as to injure or endanger the morals or health of himself or others.
Juvenile Delinquency in any community is a fair barometer of adult behavior. It is, therefore, not surprising that conditions which bring about default in obligation of adults, will be reflected in un- desirable behavior on the part of their children. Juvenile Delinquency is a police problem, but the elimination or correction of conditions which give rise to it, such as bad housing conditions, bad home environment, deficiencies in school facilities, lack of recreational centers, etc. is purely a community problem. Certainly the police owe it to the community to co-operate in such activities and will be
40
more than willing to do their part to prevent Juvenile Delinquency.
At this time I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to your Honorable Board, to the Citizens of the Town, to the various departments and to all the officers of this department for their excellent co-operation and service rendered.
Respectfully yours,
HARRY J. AINSWORTH
ARRESTS
Number of Arrests 211
Male
199
Female
12
Residents
81
Non Residents
130
CAUSES OF ARRESTS
Assault and Battery
7
Assault with Dangerous Weapon
1
Breaking and Entering
1
Carrying Concealed Weapon
1
Delinquent Children
4
Drunkenness
148
Evading Fare
1
Keeping Unlicensed Dog
3 .
Larceny
12
Malicious Injury to Property
1
Non Support
3
Vagrancy ...
1
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws:
Operating under the Influence 10
Operating without License
3
Operating so as to Endanger
3
Speeding
5
Driving Uninsured Car
1
Driving Unregistered Car
1
Attaching Wrong Plates
1
Illegal Parking
1
Operating without authority
1
Operating after Suspension
1
Leaving the scene of Accident
1
28
41
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Released
124
Filed
22
Discharged by Court
6
Suspended Sentence
6
House of Correction
7
Concord Reformatory
2
State Prison
1
Probation
6
Fined
30
Fines Imposed
$890.
Turned over to other Cities and Towns
5
To Shirley School
1
To United States Army
1
MISCELLANEOUS
Automobile Accidents Reported
75
Persons Injured :
Males
58
Females
28
Total
86
Automobile Licenses Revoked and Suspended.
26
Automobile Registrations Revoked
15
Accidental Deaths
2
Building Found Open
12
Complaints
728
Complaints Investigated
728
Emergency Messages Delivered
70
Persons Found
16
Permits to work on Lord's Day
24
Number of Warrants Posted
15
Number of Notices posted for Registrars of Voters
10
Property Found or Recovered $17,732.27
Transfer of Automobiles 159
Warning for Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws. 125
Number of Officers detailed for Public Assemblies 40
Warrants and Summons served 84
42
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
Care and maintenance of the Cemetery was continued throughout the year.
One of the problems confronting the Commissioners is the re- grading of sunken graves. During the past the Cemetery has taken care of this, but starting this year, 1946, a charge of $5.00 will be made for regrading these sunken graves, and bills will be sent to lot owners.
During the Christmas Season evergreen trees in the Cemetery were chopped off by persons unknown, presumedly for Christmas trees.
We invite lot owners to place their accounts under perpetual care. A deposit of $100.00 will provide maintenance of your lot.
Respectfully,
DAVID L. MARTIN,
GUY E. NICHOLS, LOUIS T. McMAHON,
Commissioners.
43
REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
There was no expense incurred by the Planning Board for the past year.
The only action taken by the Board was in cooperation with a Committee studying the possibilities of developing the property, formerly known as the Roman Estate. A detailed report is listed on another page in this report.
During the past four years the Park Department has operated at a minimum cost and as a result the three Memorial Parks, Town Park and the Common need immediate attention if we are to restore them to their proper state.
The Town Park especially needs a thorough reconditioning as the baseball field is practically gone to weeds and the brush sur- rounding this area has grown so rapidly that it is now a fire menace.
It is the desire of this Commission to have this condition remedied by spring as the High School and other athletic teams will resume a peace time schedule of games this year.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE H. CUSHING,
MAURICE D. O'NEIL,
HERBERT R. BOUTWELL.
44
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1945:
Sealed Adj.
Condemned
Platform Scales over 10,000 lbs.
2
0
0
Platform Scales 100 to 5000 lbs.
11
4
0
Counter Scales under 100 lbs.
1
0
0
Spring Scales 100 or over
1
0
0
Spring Scales under 100 lbs.
12
7
1
Beam Scales 100 lbs. or over
7
1
0
Beam Scales under 100 lbs.
9
2
0
Computing Scales under 100 1bs.
14
3
1
Personal Weighting Scales
2
0
0
Avoirdupois
56
0
0
Apothecary
7
0
0
Liquid Measures
24
0
0
Oil Jars
2
0
0
Meters 1 inch inlet
35
7
0
Meters over 1 inch inlet
10
2
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
20
5
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
10
3
0
Yard Sticks
2
0
0
Leather Measuring Devices
1
0
0
Sealing Fees Collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $49.58.
The following are weights of Commodities for immediate delivery:
-Incorrect-
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Beans
32
30
0
2
Bread
40
32
0
8
Butter
2
2
0
0
Coal in paper bags
10
10
0
8
Coal in Transit
3
0
0
45
-Incorrect-
Tested 22
Correct
Under
Over
Confectionery
22
0
0
Fruits and Vegetables
28
26
0
2
Lard
8
8
0
0
Potatoes
14
12
0
2
Number of Licenses Inspected
11
Hawkers and Peddlers Seals
0
Junk Dealers
0
Clinical Thermometers
8
Expenses of Department as follows:
Appropriation
$ 330.04
Total Expenses
274.58
Unexpended Balance $ 55.42
Very truly yours,
SAMUEL P. PIKE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
January 28, 1946
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
No Slaughtering inspected during the year of 1945.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH B. ODIORNE,
Inspector of Slaughtering
46
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
January 29, 1946
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit a report as Building Inspector for year ending December 31, 1945.
Building Permits Issued (New Construction and Alteration)
Dwellings 24
Cottages
8
Garages 7
Hen Houses 7
3
Lunch Room
2
Stable
1
Assembly Shop
1
53
Building Permits Refused
2
Buildings Condemned and Ordered Removed or Repaired 4
15 Investigations of Reported Violations.
Places of Public Assembly Inspected (Nov. 30-Dec. 31) 10
Under Chap. 143 Gen. Laws (amended 1945) effective Nov. 1, 1945 the inspection of places of assembly with capacity of 50 persons (300 sq. ft. floor area) and factories employing more than 10 persons will come under the jurisdiction of local inspectors. A special code covering exits, ventilation and capacity of such buildings has been written by a Board of Standards in the Dept. of Public Safety. At the present time there are 24 buildings in the Town which come under these regulations of which your Town Hall is one.
There are several reasons to believe that there will be a large increase in building in the Town in 1946 and with the extra duties required by statute I have asked for an appropriation of $600.00. This will allow compensation for about 1 day's work per week which is a small allowance to cover the entire Town.
All fees have been collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted
CHESTER T. HORTON
Inspector of Buildings
47
Sheds
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The activities of the Library for the year 1945 are given in detail in the report of the Librarian. Two new members on the Board of Trustees this year, Mr. Mervin J. Curl and Miss Frankline E. Allen.
Several cases of vandalism have occurred, breaking in the doors, small thefts of office equipment also smashing the fence outside of the Library all of which is detrimental to the operation and appearance of the Library.
Respectfully,
PETER NEILSON
CHARLOTTE GLOVER
PHILIP B. BUZZELL
MERVIN J. CURL
FRANKLINE E. ALLEN
LOUIS T. McMAHON
48
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Honorable Board of Trustees:
I herewith submit my report as Librarian:
Books borrowed from the Library 12,844
Magazines taken from the Library 443
Number of new borrowers 102
Books purchased during the year. 189
Fines collected
$68.62
Twenty-five monthly magazines are available, seven of which are the contributions of friends.
During the past year, the number of students from both the High School and elementary schools, using the Library for reference work and reports, has shown a decided increase. With the thought of encouraging this practice, many of the books purchased during the year have been for this purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
MIRIAM H. WARE,
Librarian.
49
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
In March 1945 the stand pipe was repaired and painted. The interior was sand blasted and received three coats of paint, and the outside was cleaned and received two coats of paint. A wire fence was erected around the stand pipe for protection of the property.
At a Town Meeting on October 1, the Town voted to authorize the Water Commissioners to renew the contract with the Town of North Reading for a three year period, and also authorized the Water Commissioners to contract for the sale of water to the Aberjona Division of the Blue Point Company. Negotiations are under way on this contract.
During the year twenty-seven new services were added.
Respectfully,
CALEB S. HARRIMAN, Chairman
ALDEN N. EAMES
LOUIS T. McMAHON
Commissioners.
WATER CONSUMED
Gal.
Ave.
Years
consumed per Day
1941
99,572,800
272,802
1942
88,208,200
241,666
1943
90,528,500
248,023
1944
108,358,100
296,597
1945
105,349,300
288.628
FUEL OIL CONSUMED
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal. per Mil
Cost per Mil
1941
8443.9
$465.58
84.8
$4.68
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
5.93
50
1
LUBRICATING OIL USED
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal. per Mil
Cost per Mil
1491
104.25
62.66
.62
$.73
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
OIL USED IN HEATER
Gal.
Cost
1941
4842.00
$258.07
1942
4160.00
236.79
1943
5031.00
326.85
1944
5227.00
391.31
1945
5062.00
379.15
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Service Accounts 1945
21.00
Water Rates
1919.90
1940.90
Total Cost of Construction
Cost of Water System Dec. 31, 1944.
$462,771.88
Services 1945
1,632.11
Cost Dec. 31, 1945
$464,403.99
51
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT AND TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report as Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
MOTH DEPARTMENT
The work of the Moth Department was carried on by spraying all shade trees with arsenate of lead and spreader for Gypsy Moth, Coddling Moth and Tent Caterpillars. We also creosoted gypsy moth egg clusters and cut and burned wild cherry bushes.
ELM LEAF BEETLE
The elm shade trees were sprayed two (2) times with arsenate of lead and spreader copper sulphate. Twenty-one trees were fed with tree fertilizer and several tanglefooted for elm slugs and beetles.
TREE DEPARTMENT
The work of the Tree Department was carried on by removing numerous broken and dead limbs which were overhanging the high- ways and several dead trees were taken down. Seventeen trees were fed with tree fertilizer and girdling roots were cut on two maple trees to save them. This work was done as long as finances permitted.
Details of expenditures will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. BABINE,
Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
52
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
January 28, 1946.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1945 as Inspector of Animals.
Number of dog bites reported 36
Number of dogs showing physical signs of rables 0
Number of dogs submitted to laboratory examination 0
All biting dogs reported were quarantined for the period of time prescribed by law.
Number of dogs quarantined 40
Number of dogs released from quarantine 40
Inspection of Domestic Animals and Premises where animals are kept.
No inspection of livestock or premises where livestock is kept was made during the year.
The Director of Livestock Disease Control assigned to me a large amount of special work.
Number of cattle entering Wilmington from Interstate Shipment
0
Number of cattle quarantined 0
Number of cattle reported reacting to the Tuberculin Test. 9
Number of barns where disinfection was supervised after cattle
reacting to the Tuberculin Test were removed 2
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH B. ODIORNE,
Inspector of Animals.
53
1945 MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE 4-H CLUB REPORT
An exhibit of 4-H Club work with an entertainment, was held at the Silver Lake Betterment Association Hall in April with the leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, Mrs. William Corneliussen and Mrs. Albert Noble in charge. In September, at the Grange Fair, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews had the outstanding Garden and Poultry Club exhibit in Middlesex County. This was the first year that poultry was exhibited and Mr. Andrews made the pens and exhibiting cages. Money for this was taken from our fund. These clubs have been awarded for the third consecutive year, the "War Service Award" issued by the Eastern States Exposition.
Richard and Robert Palmer received a certificate for meritorious garden work from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Barbara and Robert Darling received a cash prize from the Massachusetts State College.
The Mother and Daughter Club had a fine showing of canned fruits and vegetables. Many prize ribbons, and cash were given at both the spring and fall exhibits.
Four girls attended Camp Middlesex at Ashby for two weeks, transportation and registration fees being furnished them.
The fall season has started in with Sewing Clubs under the leadership of Mrs. Charles Ross and Mrs. Milo Ingalls; Mrs. William Davis and Mrs. Jack Riley; Mrs. Westley Hodgdon; Mrs. Everett Bedell and Mrs. Robert Foley; Mrs. William Corneliussen and Mrs. Guilford Palmer; Junior and Senior Clubs. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews and Mrs. Frank Darling; A Food Club under the leadership of Mrs. Edward Neilson; Junior and Senior Handicraft Clubs with Mr. and Mrs. Andrews as leaders. These last two clubs have a club house called the "Handy House."
All leaders and members are very enthusiastic. This is all volunteer work.
The 4-H Town Committee wish to extend their hearty thanks to the town, for their continued financial support.
HENRIETTA A. SWAIN,
4-H Town Chairman.
54
1945 TOWN REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
During 1945, the same as previous war years, the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service was devoted to those projects which would help in the winning of the war.
The fact that Middlesex County farmers increased their production about one third over pre-war years is proof that everyone did his part in the food production program. Labor on farms was the critical factor in food production and a great deal of the time was spent on finding labor and making it available. In addition to local help foreign labor was imported from Jamaica and Newfoundland and prisoners of war were used on market gardening and fruit farms.
Selective Service Boards cooperated fully in the whole program by trying to allow men to remain on farms who were absolutely essential. The Extension Service checked these farms and made reports to the local Selective Service Boards.
The usual assistance was given, such as assistance to Victory gardeners, sending out information on spray schedules for fruit growers and market gardeners and keeping farmers informed as to the regula- tions on farm equipment, price schedules, especially for eggs and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and help with any emergency cases upon personal request.
With the homemakers of the county, food preservation and con- servation in the home were the main projects. Information was given regarding successful methods of canning and freezing of fruits and vegetables as well as meats. Due to the severe shortage of clothing materials demonstrations were continued on clothing renovation, shortcuts in clothing construction and the maintenance of sewing machines. To help with general nutrition demonstrations were given in the best use of vegetables, cooking with a minimum amount of sugar and preparation of community meals.
Boys and girls were encouraged as usual to carry on 4-H Club work and developed such projects as food production, food preserv- ation, clothing construction and meal preparation. This work was made possible only by volunteer local leaders and the active interest of local committee members and parents.
55
The Middlesex County Extension Service shares with other organizations, farmers, homemakers, young people, as well as those organizations interested in agriculture, the satisfaction of knowing that during war years for the most part agricultural products of the area were available in sufficient amounts so that there was actually no food shortage in any town within the county.
(Signed)
ERNEST W. EAMES
Town Director
TREASURER'S REPORT
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 1945:
RECEIPTS
January 1, 1945, Balance on hand
$ 5.28
Received from Town Treasurer
150.00
Interest to Dec. 2, 1944
.09 $ 155.37
EXPENDITURES
March 6, 1945 White Entertainments Inc. $ 45.00
March 6, 1945
Rent of Grange Hall 15.00
April 10, 1945
White Entertainments Inc .. 75.00
April 10, 1945
Rent of Congregational Church
15.00 $
150.00
Balance
$ 5.37
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Committee
ALICE M. ALLEN, Acting Treasurer.
56
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1945.
The manual force of this Department consists of three permanent men: a Chief, Assistant Chief and one fireman and forty-six call men.
This Department has issued thirty-two permits for oil burners and oil storage, twenty-three permits for range oil and nine for light fuel oil. We have also issued two hundred and ten permits for burn- ing rubbish.
The Department has responded to one hundred and sixty-six calls of which were twenty-three buildings, four chimney, ninety seven brush, thirteen auto, one out of town, twenty-four other causes and four false. There were seventy-five alarms and ninety-one stills.
The Department has used fifteen hydrants during the year 1945. Valuation of Property endangered by fire $107,600.00
Damaged by Fire
11,450.00
Valuation of Auto
10,500.00
Damaged by Fire 75.00
Feet of booster hose
11,535.00
Feet of 21/2" hose
25,900.00
Feet of 11/2" hose
17,550.00
We have lost by fire one hundred and fifty feet of 21/2 inch hose, and three hundred feet of 11/2 in. hose this year.
Mileage of Trucks
Mack No. 1
422-2 miles
Chevrolet No. 3
382-4 miles
Ford No. 4
151-2 miles
DEPUTY FOREST WARDENS
Winfred W. Rice
Herbert C. Barrows
George S. Cushing
Charles H. Black
Ernest W. Eames
Edmund H. Sargent
57
FOREST PATROL
James W. Castine
Ernest W. Eames
LIST OF MEMBERS
Chief, Edwin L. Day
Captain, Ernest W. Eames
Assistant Chief, Winfred W. Rice
Captain, Edmund H. Sargent
MEMBERS
Andrews, Wilfred H.
Eaton, Elmer W.
Barrows, Robert H.
Finnerty, John J.
Barton, Joseph J.
Field, Frederick A.
Black, Charles H.
Fagan, Dr., Gerald A.
Brabant, Aristide Jr.
Gracie, James R.
Branscombe, Elmer R.
Horton, Charles T.
Buck, Clayton E.
Jordan, Charles F.
Buckle, Walter G.
Muse, John F.
Castine, James W.
O'Neil, Maurice D.
Chisholm, Paul
Page, Edward
Cushing, George S.
Perry, Norman W.
Cutter, Henry H.
Cutter, Harry J.
Russell, John J.
Swain, Lester M.
Davis, Michael G.
Townsend, William E.
Deming, Roland C.
White, Lawrence L.
Doucette, Fred W.
Downing, Ernest H.
Williams, Arthur S.
ARMED SERVICE
Blaisdell, Elliott B. Boudreau, Arthur J. Colburn, Stanly Delaronde, Thomas P.
Dewing, Rupert W. Grimes, Joseph A. McManus, Joseph F. Sumner, Charles D.
EDWIN L. DAY,
Chief.
58
Watters, James G.
Durkee, Leslie A.
Rice, Norman W.
Cutter, Herbert W.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 30, 1946
Mr. Charles H. Black, Chairman
Board of Selectmen
Wilmington, Massachusetts.
The Board of Public Welfare submits the following report covering the activities of the Department for the year 1945. Due to the present unsettled conditions, we consider it advisable to express to the Voters some of the problems facing the Department in the future. As the success of all community programs is determined by the ability of the taxpayer to meet his obligations, it is well to consider just what the existing economic and financial conditions are.
It is generally known that the population of the Town of Wilmington is a little over 5,000 and that about 27% of the population are children of school age. The tax-rate for 1945 was $42.00 per thousand. The majority of the citizens of the town are in the so-called "white-collar" class, which means that their income has not increased at the same ratio as the cost of living during wartime. Therefore, their ability to meet increased costs of government has been reduced.
The above conditions, in addition to recent social legislation passed and social legislation pending, have caused this Board to express grave concern as to the future of the Department. As we approach post-war reconversion we anticipate wide-scale unemployment and various social problems resulting from war-time conditions. This Department now has the second largest expenditure (second only to the schools) in the town government, which naturally has a direct bearing on the tax-rate. It has the largest receipts of any department of the town. To see that the Town of Wilmington receives these receipts is the most important obligation of the Board, in order to reduce the costs of relief and offset the large expenditures in setting the tax-rate.
In the report of this Department for the year 1942 it was stated that adequate administration was necessary to guarantee reimburse- ment to the town. We believe the following comparative figures show that the town has received all the reimbursement possible and that the serious losses incurred in previous years have been eliminated.
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