Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1947-1948, Part 14

Author: Wilmington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1947
Publisher: Town of Wilmington
Number of Pages: 374


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1947-1948 > Part 14


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20


40


Complaints Received


251


Complaints Investigated


251


Dogs Injured by Autos


45


Dogs Killed by Autos


22


Dogs Disposed of as Result of Auto Injuries


7


Dog Bites Reported


18


First Aid Cases


19


Fire Alarms Responded To


10


Investigations by Other Departments


-J


67


Females Injured


2


Investigations by S. P. C. A. Licenses Revoked by Registry Licenses Revoked by Department Livestock Killed by Dogs


11


S


322 Hens $ 805.00


26 Rabbits


52.00


15 Pigs


225.00


5 Goats 40.00


$ 1,122.00


Messages Delivered (Emergency & Police )


62


Persons Reported Missing


17


Persons Found or Located


19


Persons Taken to State Hospitals


3


Property Reported Lost-Value $ 200.00


Property Found by Department-Value


75.00


Property Reported Stolen-Value


4,200.00


Property Recovered-Value


2,000.00


Registrations Revoked by Registry


S


Registration Plates Reported Lost


5


Registration Plates Found by Dept.


10


Sick Signs Posted


5


Suicides


1


Sudden Deaths


6


Summons Delivered


65


Vacant Homes Checked (People on Vacation)


21


Work Permits Issued ( Sunday Permits)


102


CASES COMING TO OUR ATTENTION


Accosting


2


Lack of Evidence


Assault & Battery


1


No Prosecution


Adultery


1


No Jurisdiction


Abortion


1


No Crime


Evading Fare


2


No Prosecution


Fornication


1


No Jurisdiction


Lewd & Lasc. Person


1


No Jurisdiction


GS


REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS


The care and upkeep of the cemetery has been maintained through- out the year. The extended drought of late summer and fall burned out a lot of grass roots which in many cases will require reseeding.


Because of high prices we delayed replacing equipment as long as possible, but it became necessary to replace our large power mower at almost double the original cost.


It seems unfair that Tax payers should be called upon to repair damage done by our young people. Many acts of vandalism have oc- curred during the year. Monuments have been overturned and dam- aged, in one case it will cost up to twenty five dollars to restore the monument. There should be some way to make children respect the cemeteries as hallowed ground and that memorials erected to the de- parted should be cared for and not destroyed.


Respectfully submitted,


DAVID L. MARTIN, GUY E. NICHOLS, LOUIS T. McMAHON,


Commissioners.


69


REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD & PARK COMMISSION


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Regular maintenance of Memorial Park and Rogers, Nee, and Re- gan Parks has been provided. These areas will all need fertilizing in 1949; this treatment has been neglected for several years. A curbing around Rogers Park is badly needed.


Under a special appropriation a backstop was erected on the Town Common and new clay basepaths installed. This field was used during the summer for games by teams up to 16 years of age. Some loaming and seeding was done, but the continuous use of this surface by pupils in nearby schools makes it impracticable to maintain new grass, con- sequently a balance of $56.00 from this appropriation was returned to the Town Treasury.


The Board feels strongly that as soon as other facilities can be made available, the Town Common should be removed from use for athletics and as a general playground. Such a site is properly designed for quiet recreational uses.


The major new activity of the Park Commission was the construc- tion of a bathing beach at Silver Lake under a special appropriation. From an appropriation of $4,500.00 the sum of $3,908.00 was spent for the purchase and erection of a chain link fence, grading a parking area, a beach front and sections of other areas. $592.00 was spent for supervision of traffic and the registration and supervision of citizens using the area.


The Commission wishes to express gratitude to numerous indivi- duals for cooperation in developing this beach. Funds were limited, and it was only through voluntary contributions of services and mate- rials that the project was successfully maintained.


Under the system of registration established, tags were issued to over 1500 citizens. The popularity of the beach indicates a need for the continuous development and proper maintenance of this facility. With this in mind the Commission has included appropriate requests in its budget and in a warrant article.


No provision was made in the Town appropriation for life-guard supervision. The Commission solicited and received funds for this pur- pose in the amount of $175.00 and $200.00 respectively from the Lowell Chapter of the Red Cross and the Wilmington Community Fund. The


70


Red Cross stands ready to make the same sum available for 1949. The Commission has included in its budget $245.00 to supply the remain- der of the salary needed to cover a season extending from June 1 to Labor Day.


The Red Cross has further shown its interest in this project by giving expert advice and by offering a scholarship to a Wilmington man or woman, 19 or older, at its annual 10-day Aquatic School.


The Planning Board held no hearings in 1948.


The Planning Board budget has been materially increased for 1949, with a view to the development of a Master Plan and Official Map of the Town if the Town votes to accept the provisions of Chapter 41, Section 81A of the General Laws as provided for in a warrant article. The Planning Board feels that this step is one of critical importance for the community.


Respectfully submitted,


FREDERICK H. HORTON, EDWARD C. MANNING, EDWARD A. PAGE,


Planning Board and Park Commissioners


CALEB S. HARRIMAN, PAUL E. TODD,


Advisory Members of Planning Board


71


REPORT OF 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 of 1948.


Sealed


Adj. Condemned


Platform Scales over 5000 pounds


1


1


0


Platform Scales 100 to 5000 pounds


7


2


0


Counter Scales Under 100 pounds


4


0


0


Spring Scales 100 pounds or over


7


2


0


Spring Scales under 100 pounds


13


4


3


Beam Scales 100 pounds or over


1


0


0


Beam Scales under 100 pounds


2


0


0


Computing Scales under 100 pounds


15


0


0


Personal Weighting Scales


3


1


0


Avoirdupois Scales


19


3


0


Vehicle Tanks


2


0


0


Apothecary


11


0


0


Liquid Measure


23


0


0


Meters, 1 inch inlet


23


5


0


Meters, over 1 inch inlet


8


5


0


Gasoline Measuring Pumps


9


0


0


Oil Measuring Pumps


14


4


0


Quantity Measuring Pumps


1


1


0


Sealing Fees Collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $49.10


The following are weights of Commodities for immediate delivery:


Tested


Correct


Under Over


Beans


32


27


0


5


Bread


42


42


0


0


Butter


32


32


0


0


Coal in paper bags


18


18


0


0


Coal in Transit


4


4


0


0


Confectionery


28


4


0


4


Fruits and Vegetables


51


40


0


11


Lard


10


10


0


0


Potatoes


37


37


0


0


72


Number of Licenses Inspected:


Hawkers and Peddlers Seals


11


Junk Dealers


4


Clinical Thermometers


7


Expenses of Department are as Follows:


Appropriation $ 325.00


Total Expenses


324.25


Unexpended Balance


.75


Respectully submitted


SAMUEL P. PIKE,


Sealer of Weights and Measures


-


73


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


January 17, 1949.


To The Honorable Board of Selectmen: Wilmington, Mass.


Gentlemen:


No slaughtering inspected during the year of 1948.


Respectfully submitted


RALPH B. ODIORNE, Inspector of Slaughtering.


REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR


January 31, 1949.


Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit a report as Building Inspector for year 1948.


I have issued 179 permits as follows:


Dwellings


80


Additions


36


Alterations 22


Garages


21


Storage Sheds


13


Store Buildings


2


Hen Houses


2


Assembly Halls


2


Business Building


1


179


With an estimated value of $388,500.00.


Fees of $593.00 were collected and turned over to the Town Treas- urer.


Respectfully submitted,


LEO E. VAN STEENSBURG, Building Inspector.


74


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


Madame and Gentlemen:


The report of the Wilmington Fire Department for the year of 194S is hereby submitted.


The manual force of this Department consists of three perma- nent firemen and a Chief. There is a call force of thirty-five men two of which are Captains.


Apparatus


Engine No. 1 is in good condition.


Engine No. 2 has been painted and is in good condition.


Engine No. 3 should have some minor repairs.


Engine No. 4 is in good condition.


Engine No. 5 after repairs this year is in good condition.


Engine No. 6 trailer needs two new tires and tubes.


We have a skid pump at the Water Department which is idle. I would like to see the Town purchase a trailer truck to mount this engine so it can be available in case of necessity.


Service Records


This Department has issued 935 permits for burning.


Due to the dry spell we had through the summer and early fall also the Gas conditions at Main Street and Grove Avenue which took most of the time through July and October I have been delayed in inspections of Bottle Gas and Oil Burners.


I have inspected 33 Bottle Gas installations and 53 Oil Burners a total of 86 at 50 cents each, a collection of $43.00 which has been paid to the Town Treasurer.


This Department has responded to 196 calls: 26 buildings, 3 chimneys, 110 brush, 6 oil burners, 1 truck, 12 autos, 27 service calls, 6 out of town, and 10 false alarms. 102 were alarms and 94 were stills.


The valuation of buildings and contents endangered by fire was $141,375.00. The loss to buildings and contents was $9,472.45. The valuation to autos endangered by fire was $17,675.00. The loss was $1,631.00.


Feet of hose laid: 22,345 34 inch, 9,500 11/2 inch, 25,200 21/2 inch.


75


Mileage of trucks for year:


Mack, No. 1 745-2


Chevrolet, No. 3 811-2


Ford, No. 4 129-6


Article 15 Town Warrant of 1947


The Town appropriated the sum of $650.00 for a new alarm at North Wilmington.


With the help of some of the men at North Wilmington this alarm has been installed with the expense of $648.00.


By installing this alarm as we have we saved the Town $216.67.


FOREST WARDEN Winfred W. Rice


DEPUTY FOREST WARDENS


Capt. Aristide A. Brabant, Jr.


Joseph J. Barton


Capt. Edmund H. Sargent


Herbert C. Barrows


Ernest H. Downing


Arthur S. Williams


Ralph M. Plumer, Jr.


LIST OF MEMBERS Winfred W. Rice, Chief


Brabant, Aristide A. Jr. Capt.


Sargent, Edmund H., Capt.


Barton, Joseph J.


Barrows, Robert H.


Boudreau, Arthur J.


Branscombe, Elmer R.


Buck, Clayton E.


Cail, Harold F. (Permanent)


Castine, James W.


Chisholm, Paul


Cutter, Henry H.


Cutter, Harry J.


Cutter, Herbert H.


Davis, Michael C.


Deming, Roland C.


Doucette, Frederick W.


Downing, Ernest H.


Andrews, Wilfred H.


Durkee, Leslie A.


Ellsworth, Walter F. (Permanent)


Eames, Ernest W.


Fagan, Gerald A., M. D.


Field, Frederick A.


Finnerty, John J.


Kleynan, Frederick


Jordan, Charles F.


Plumer, Ralph M. Jr. (Permanent)


Page, Edward F.


Rice, Norman W.


Russell, John J.


Swain, Lester M.


Watters, James G.


Williams, Arthur S.


Rev. Otis A. Maxfield


Ellis, Charles E. Jr.


Respectfully submitted,


WINFRED W. RICE, Chief of Fire Department


76


-- -


O'Neil, Maurice D.


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY


A survey is being made of all books in the Library, to remove and dispose of all volumes that are of no further value, also to rear- range the books by subjects or topics rather than alphabetically as they are at present.


Many people like to donate books as a remembrance or a gift and would like a suggestion of a book that is needed or would add to the value of the library. A list will be prepared and will be in the possession of the Librarian of such books that will add to the value of various subjects. By contacting the Librarian you can secure a list of books so that you could select any of them as an appropriate gift.


The Trustees wish to gratefully acknowledge the gifts of all books donated during this past year as listed in the report of the Librarian.


Respectfully submitted,


PHILIP B. BUZZELL,


FREDERICK MELZER, MERVIN J. CURL STEPHNIE DELANEY, MAY HADLEY, LOUIS T. McMAHON.


Trustees of Public Library.


77


REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN


To the Trustees of the Public Library:


Following is my report for the year 1948:


New subscribers 187


New books purchased 220


Magazines taken out 389


Fines collected $78.10


At the present time there are seven hundred and nine subscribers in the active file.


The following memorial books were presented to the library:


Treasury of New England Folklore by B. A. Bodkin-presented by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Melzar in memory of Mrs. Thomas Staveley.


American Antiques by Carl Drepperd and Lurelle VanArsdale Guild-presented by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Melzar in memory of Mrs. Caroline Custer.


Running of the Tide by Esther Forbes-presented by Lillian Stav- eley Whitney in memory of Mrs. Thomas Staveley.


Also donated were-


Men and Volts at War by John A. Miller-by the General Electric Company.


The Metropolitan Life by Marquis James-by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.


Peggy Stewart at School by Gabrielle Jackson-by Evelyn Reynolds.


Respectfully submitted,


MIRIAM H. WARE,


Librarian.


78


REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS


The year 1948 has been favorable for laying water mains and we have completed the following streets:


1946 Burlington Avenue, Swain Road, Boutwell Street and Taft Road.


1947 MacDonald Road, Central Street, Harris Street, Hopkins Street, Edwards Road, Swain Road West, Miller Road, West Street.


1948 King and Bartlett Streets, Nickerson Avenue, North Street, Brattle Street, Cedar Street and Burt Road.


We are asking $3,000.00 this year to complete Glen Road and to join Swain Road and Taft Road. This will give the Lake district two main feed lines and will eliminate four dead-ends. We are also asking for $1,500.00 to complete Main Street 1947 extension. There remain Glen Road 1946, Main Street 1947 and Swain Road East 1948.


One hundred forty three (143) new services were connected this year, making a total of 1295 services.


The construction and supervision for the 1946, 1947 and 1948 ex- tensions have been done by the Water Department with town help, and we have paid $45,129.00 in pay rolls and $5,556.00 for equipment hire. By so doing this money has been kept in the Town.


Respectfully submitted,


CALEB S. HARRIMAN, Chairman ALDEN N. EAMES, WILLIAM M. SHAUGHNESSY,


Commissioners.


WATER DEPARTMENT STATISTICS


Water Consumed


Gals. Consumed


Av. per Day


Year


108,358,100


296,597


1944


105,349.300


288,62S


1945


137,585,900


376,948


1946


235,033,900


643,928


1947


1948


246,821,500


674,375


79


Fuel Oil Consumed


Year


Gal. used


Cost


Gal. per M. Cost per M.


1944


8630.1


$ 656.32


79.6


$6.00


1945


8334.6


624.26


79.2


5.95


1946


11202.5


705.90


81.5


5.14


1947


18314.8


1,417.90


77.0


6.03


1948


23103.1


2,376.36


93.1


9.66


Lubricating Oil Used


Year


Gal. Used


Cost


Gal. per M. Cost per M.


1944


141.00


$ 87.36


1.30


.80


1945


110.00


69.30


1.00


.66


1946


137.00


86.31


.92


.63


1947


168.00


120.10


.72


.51


1948


152.00


114.00


.61


.42


Oil Used in Heater


1944


5227.00


391.31


1945


5062.00


379.15


1946


5066.00


315.05


1947


5167.00


386.99


1948


5614.00


518.59


Accounts Receivable


-


Service Accounts :


1941


$ 58.50


1946


307.66


1947


406.89


1948


1,194.42


$ 1,967.47


Water Rates


$ 2,253.24


$ 4,220.71


Total Cost of Construction


Cost of Water System Dec. 31, 1947


$588,162.74


1946 Extensions to date


25,946.89


1947 McDonald Road


6,748.28


Central Street


438.10


Harris Street


2,186.20


Hopkins Street


9,284.30


Edwards Road


270.94


Swain Road West


1,391.54


Miller Road


1,618.38


West Street


7,831.53


80


1948 King & Bartlett Street


6.789.88


Nickerson Ave.


1,669.54


North Street


4,617.52


Brattle Street


1,747.11


Cedar & Burt Road


9,383.56


Aberjona Co. To Date


52.893.50


143 Services (1295 Total)


9,602.86


$730,582.87


81


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 1948.


TREE DEPARTMENT


Routine work was carried out during the year, such as removing broken limbs, a few split tops, cutting down and removing seven dead trees. Six maple trees and nine large elm trees were fed with tree fertilizer. The maples had the Stagger Head Blight and the elms were affected with the Elm Leaf Beetle. The trees have rallied under this treatment and we plan to repeat this treatment in the Spring of 1949 which should help to bring them back to normal. We removed a few trees on account of road widening and planted two large 30 x 10 Elm trees on Middlesex Avenue.


MOTH DEPARTMENT


All street shade trees in the town were sprayed with arsenic of lead, copper sulphate, 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.


Tent caterpillar nests on wild cherry trees were creosoted and webbed and thousands of wild cherry bushes were cut and burned to prevent the spread of this pest. Twenty-eight brown tail moth nests were found on the lower end of Concord St. and seven nests on Woburn St., near Concord St. These nests were found this Fall. This area has been checked for the past three years. The first year we found 310 nests, the second year only nine were found, and this year they in- creased again to 35. The State and myself are keeping close watch on this area the coming year as we do not want this poisonous browntail to develop again


ELM LEAF BEETLE CONTROL


Elm trees were sprayed three times with copper sulphate, arsenic of lead, spreader, wettable sulphur and D. D. T. mixture. We fed a few large Elm trees with tree fertilizer which showed wilting and dying


82


at the end of the branches and bark curling. Some of the branches have responded to this treatment so I feel sure that another treatment this Spring will bring them back to normal.


Government Tree Men have been in Town taking samples of twigs and bark from some of our Elm trees which are located on private property. They have tagged these trees and will notify the Tree Warden whether they are affected with the Dutch Elm disease or not. They have found this disease in Andover and I am hoping that we do not find it in Wilmington. This inspection was made Dec. 21, 1948 and the specimens have been sent to the Government laboratory to be an- alyzed, and as soon as the report comes back I will inform the towns- people.


In closing this report I would like to ask the people who have old Elm limbs or trees lying around to cut and burn them up, as these are great breeding spots for Elin Leaf Beetle and Dutch Elm disease. The Tree Warden is glad to have you call him at any time for advice if your trees show any sign of wilting or dying. By cooperating we can fight this pest and keep our Elms alive and healthy.


The work of the Tree Dept .. Moth Dept., and Eln Leaf Beetle Con- trol 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,


Tree Warden and Moth Supt.


83


REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF ANIMALS


-


January 17, 1949


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Wilmington, Mass.


Gentlemen :


I herewith submit my report for the year 1948 as Inspector of Animals.


Number of dog bites reported 21


Number of raccoon bites reported 1


Number of dogs showing physical signs of rabies 0


Number of animals submitted to laboratory examination


Number of dogs released from Interstate Shipment 0)


All biting animals were quarantined for the period of time pres- cribed by law.


Number of animals quarantined 22


Number of animals released from quarantine 22


There was a large decrease in the number of dog bites reported in 1948 over the preceding years. It is my opinion this decrease was be- cause of the efficient work of the Dog Officer in rounding up stray and un-licensed dogs.


Inspection of Domestic Animals and Premises Where Animals Are Kept.


Number of premises keeping domestic animals inspected 14


Number of cattle inspected 239


Number of horses inspected 23


Number of hogs inspected 2314


Number of goats inspected S4


Number of sheep inspected


1


Number of cattle released from Interstate Shipment


Number of cattle reacting to the Tuberculin Test 0


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.


84


TUBERCULOSIS REPORT FOR 1948


Cases on Register January 1, 1948 30


New cases reported during year


Total 33


Deaths during year


Number Pts. placed on Inactive List


1


Number of Pts. who moved away


Total 1


Number Remaining on Register December 31, 194S


Number of these cases in Sanatorium December 31, 1948


Number of Home visits made 47


Number of Pts. taken to North Reading Sanatorinm


and to Middlesex County Sanatorium. 57


Respectfully submitted.


LORETTA B. THIEL, R. N.


TREASURER'S REPORT


Cash in Treasury January 1, 1948 $100,602.27


Receipts Sundries 424,163.57


Receipts Collector 324,701.15


$849,466.99


Less Treasury Warrants


752,659.43


Cash in Treasury January 1, 1949 $ 96.807.56


Respectfully submitted,


GRACE H. TILLEY,


Treasurer.


85


COLLECTOR'S REPORT 1948


Collected $263,682.79


Abated $7,705.33


Tax Titles $3,931.78


Balance $70,897.87


Interest $169.76


Costs $ 6.65


Additional


$346,217.77


1948 Excise Comm.


15,986.23


12,834.16


1,230.60


1,012.47


12.15


190.60


1947 Balance


51,412.81


30,494.80


606.00


586.80


19,725.21


761.14


96.25


1947 Excise (Bal.)


1,436.52


465.06


21.09


950.37


6.01


26.25


1946 Balance


20,877.46


14,387.89


64.90


879.45


5,545.22


1,037.81


73.85


1946 Excise (Bal.)


347.67


41.72


305.95


7.11


13.30


1945 Balance


666.50


218.39


105.63


342.48


24.50


6.65


1945 Excise (Bal.)


112.98


112.98


1944 Balance


133.20


108.84


1944 Excise (Bal.)


44.29


2.87


1941


5.97


1935


5.46


1934


5.24


1933


5.15


1932


.2.59


GEORGE W. BUCK,


Collector of Taxes,


.70


24.36


8.49


41.42


1948 Commitment


$345,409.07 808.70


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE


January 24, 1949


Mrs. Wavie M. Drew, Chairman


Board of Selectmen Wilmington, Massachusetts


Dear Madam:


We respectfully submit the annual report for the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1948.


Each year, in writing this report, the same questions arise-do the citizens understand Public Welfare, are they satisfied with the admi- nistration of the local programı, and do they approve the large expen- ditures of money? Then the probleni that confronts the Board is how to explain the program, so that the citizens may understand what it is all about. Public relations is everyone's business, but as the various laws governing the granting of assistance require that the records be confidential, there is no opportunity for direct public relations between the Board of Public Welfare and the citizens. The public generally gets its information about and bases its evaluation of the Welfare pro- gram on information gained from four sources; the client, relatives and friends of the client, newspaper publicity about the program and interested political and pressure groups. Unless the information ob- tained by the public and contacts with clients and with relatives and friends of clients substantiates and cooroborates the story presented by news releases and publicity material. it had just as well remain un- written.


In the past, newspaper publicity about the various programs ad- ministered by this Board have not been in conformity with the various laws, and therefore has caused a misunderstanding with the general public. For example, the Massachusetts laws, which govern the grant- ing of assistance, require approval of applications on a "needs" basis, but some newspaper publicity has stated that some types of assistance are a "pension." In our democratic form of government, people come first and one of the services provided by the government is Public Welfare. Public Welfare belongs to all the people, because they through their elected officials created it and through their taxes support it. They receive its benefits directly through financial aid, or social ser- vice or both-or indirectly through Public Welfare's contribution to the total life of the communities where they live. People in both groups are protected from want and distress by the very existence of the Wel- fare service. It stands as insurance against misfortune. Public Wel- fare, therefore, cannot be far removed from the people to whom it be- longs. It is believed that the American citizen generally is a warm hearted, generous person, who does not desire anyone to lack sufficient food. fuel, deceut shelter and adequate clothing. The American public


87


wants an adequate assistance program, but it has never been told in terms of human beings about the need, nor about the work it has ac- complished and is accomplishing in meeting those needs. If the in- quiring taxpayer could know of the conditions uncovered in investiga- tions of various cases in the files of the department, it is believed that the program could be better understood. However, the records are con- fidential and cannot be publicized.


Public assistance is big business, and when you consider that the total expenditures of this Board for the year 1948 were $94,005.96, you will understand why this Board acknowledges that they have a grave responsibility, not only to the individual seeking assistance, but to the general public, who through their tax payments pay the costs. We do believe, however, that the popular attitude towards Public Welfare is a genuine acceptance of its necessity and of the basic objectives of the various programs. Were not such an acceptance present, the National Congress, the state legislators and the local communities would not regularly appropriate vast sums of money for the financing of aid under these programs. During the last 15 years public assistance has wit- nessed many changes in its various programs, and the extensions and liberalizations have made public assistance what it is today-namely big business. Massachusetts is the third highest in its liberalization in the 48 states.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.