USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1949-1950 > Part 4
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Jacob Levine & Sons vs. Town of Wilmington, Fourth District Court of Eastern Middlesex. (Action of contract to recover burial ex- pense.)
Chester T. Horton, Inspector of Buildings vs. Ann Briguglio and Ann's Duck Farm, Inc. Middlesex Superior Court. (Bill in equity to re- strain violations of building and zoning by-laws.)
Town of Wilmington vs. Edward N. Gadsby et als, Commissioners of Department of Public Utilities and Boston and Maine Railroad Com- pany. Supreme Judicial Court, Suffolk County. (Petition to review certain rulings and orders of the Department of Public Utilities in connection with protection at the Middlesex Avenue Grade Crossing of the Boston and Maine Railroad.)
Town of Wilmington vs. Arthur S. Flint, Middlesex Superior Court. (Bill in equity to restrain defendant from further prosecuting an action against the Town to recover for flooding of his land.)
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Arthur S. Flint vs. Town of Wilmington, Middlesex Superior Court. (Action at law to recover for flooding plaintiff's land.)
Leo E. VanSteensburg, Inspector of Bldgs. Town of Wilmington vs. Robert J. Moran et al. Middlesex Superior Court. (Bill in equity to restrain violations of the building and zoning by-laws.)
Marion V. Farrell vs. Town of Wilmington, Middlesex Superior Court. (Action at law to recover compensation as Acting Town Clerk.)
B. (1) During the year 1949 there were no new actions brought by the Town.
(2) During the year 1949 the following new action was brought against the Town:
Blance E. McQuaid vs. Ernest Rice, Sr. Building Inspector and Joseph L. Cunningham et al, Members of the Board of Appeal of the Town of Wilmington. Middlesex Superior Court. (Bill in equity to re- view action of Board of Appeal denying permit for lunchroom on Grove Avenue.)
C. During the year 1949 the following action against the Town was disposed of:
Marion V. Farrell vs. Town of Wilmington, Middlesex Superior Court. (Action at law to recover compensation as Acting Town Clerk.) Disposed of by discharge of Town as a defendant in accordance with interpleader petition.
D. Compensation was received by the Town Counsel in said mat- ters and in all other matters during the year as follows:
Compensation : $ 580.00
Disbursements 41.70
(The above amounts were entirely on account of services render- ed and disbursements paid in the calendar year 1948.)
Respectfully submitted,
PHILLIP B. BUZZELL,
Town Counsel.
52
WILMINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Charles H. Black, Chairman
Board of Selectmen Wilmington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the Wilmington Police Depart- ment for the year 1949.
ARRESTS
Number of Arrests
85
Males 79
Females 6
CAUSES OF ARREST
Assault and Battery
4
Breaking and Entering
7
Delinquent Child
1
Drunkenness
46
Failing to Provide Electricity to Tenant
1
Forgery
1
Non-Support
5
Rape, Attempted
1
Receiving Stolen Property
-
68
MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS
Driving to Endanger
1
Failing to Slow at Intersection
2
Failing to Stop at Red Traffic Signal
2
Leaving Scene Without Making Self Known
2
No Sticker Displayed
1
Operating Under the Influence
2
Operating Without a License
1
Passing Where View Was Obstructed
1
Speeding
-
17
DISPOSITION OF CASES
2
Cases Dismissed
2
Filed by Court
8
53
2
5
Cases Continued
Fines Imposed
9
Guilty (Include also Fines, Sentences and Filed) 7
Not Guilty
3
House of Correction
2
Probation
2
Released
39
Suspended Sentence
9
Sentence to State Farm
1
Sent to Youth's Service Board
1
TOTAL FINES IMPOSED
Amount
$ 170.00
DEPARTMENT RECORDS
Ambulance Cases
120
Emergency Cruiser Cases
35
Auto Accidents Reported
57
Males Injured
41
Females Injured
36
Males Killed
1
Females Killed
0 321
Autos Transferred (Private Sales)
Autos Reported Stolen
6 8
Bicycles Stolen
14 12 23
Buildings Found Open
Complaints Received
316 316
Complaints Investigated
Death Messages Delivered
Dogs Injured by Autos
Dogs Killed by Autos
Dogs Disposed of as Result of Auto Injuries
Dog Bites Reported
28
Emergency Calls to Homes (Accident in Home)
Fatal Fires
Fires Responded To
First Aid Cases
20
Houses Checked (While on Vacation)
28
Investigations by Other Departments
11
(Turned over to other departments)
4
Investigations by S. P. C. A.
4
54
10 54 37 8
Houses Entered (Vacant Camps)
7 2 30 11
Autos Recovered
Bicycles Recovered
....
85
Licenses Revoked by Depts. & Registry 72
Livestock Killed by Dogs
Hens 168
Pigs
2
Goats
1
Messages Delivered (Emergency and Police)
87
Persons Reported Missing
18
Persons Found or Located
20
Property Reported Lost (Est. Value) $ 562.00
Property Found (Est. Value) 444.00
Property Reported Stolen (Est. Value) 4,000.00
Property Recovered (Est. Value) 1,000.00
Registrations Revoked by Registry 15
Registry Conducted Safety Drives and Checkups
4
Plates Reported Lost
14
Plates Turned in to Department 38
Sick Signs Posted 6
Sudden Deaths Reported
4
Summonses and Warrants Received and Delivered 125
Sunday Work Permits Issued .
156
The above statistics are self explanatory as the routine activities of the department.
In compiling our report it is noted that there are eight cases of men molesting female children. Of the eight cases reported we were only successful in apprehending one man. He was arrested, tried, con- victed and sentenced. One out of eight is not a record to be proud of; and certainlly we of the department are not proud of it. But there is an answer to it! In most cases we were either given too little in- formation or information too late. One case we learned of after parents had searched all over town for the person who molested their child. We are not criticizing the parents, for we know how excited they must have been at the time, but had they gotten the information to us im- mediately upon learning of the incident we might have been able to apprehend the person.
Another case was reported by a person who did not give their name but said that their daughter had been molested by a man on a particular street in town and then hung up. The street named was one of the longest in town. The cruiser went up and down the street searching for the offender or the party who complained but could
55
not locate either. The case we were successful in solving was a little different. The complainant gave us her name and address and also a description of the vehicle involved. In less than one half hour the offender was apprehended by a neighboring police department.
The answer to the problem is, first, instruct your child to be very careful of strangers especially those in automobiles, second, warn them against the type of fiend that goes around molesting young children. Don't just tell them once and forget it but keep talking to them about it. Impress upon the child the importance of getting the number of the automobile, color of the car, and a description of the person. If your child is approached call us immediately.
There has been some very serious cases of vandalism reported. The most serious of all are the reports from the Boston & Maine Railroad concerning the breaking of automatic signal lights at the Glen Road crossing and the Concord Street crossing. When these lights are broken it leaves the crossing unprotected and presents a serious hazard. Vandalism of this nature is uncalled for.
The breaking of street lights is also uncalled for. These types of cases are mostly perpetrated by youngsters who do not realize the seriousness of their acts. It is felt that parents can help a lot in point- ing out to their child the danger to the lives and safety of others.
For the information of the many new residents of the Town we have a Police department consisting of seven men and operate on a 24 hour a day schedule. We have a two-way radio equipped cruiser and also maintain ambulance service for residents of the Town. The use of the ambulance is free to residents. If you should ever need the ambulance there is only one requirement you must meet, that is to consult a doctor so that he may authorize us to transport you to a hospital. This practice is only to assure us that arrangements have been made to admit the patient. In case of an emergency accident a doctor's O. K. would not be needed.
Our Police Department number is Wilm. 331. In cases of emerg- ency and you cannot get 331 call the Chief's number Wilm. 2-7162.
Our ambulance record shows we handled 120 cases. In addition to this the cruiser was used to make 35 emergency trips. This shows a decrease of 14 ambulance cases and 12 cruiser cases over 1948.
The Department would like to call it to the attention of those who are building not to leave too much material laying around their prop- erty. We have had altogether too many complaints of material being stolen.
56
The Department wishes to extend it's sincere thanks to the Read- ing Police Department for their splendid cooperation in receiving and transmitting all radio messages and other services rendered.
Our sincere thanks are extended to the Boy Scouts, Special Police, and the Police Associates for their valuable assistance. It is gratify- ing to know that they stand ready to assist whenever needed.
In conclusion I personally wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, Town Officials, other Departments and also the citizens of the Town for the splendid cooperation extended the Police Department.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL J. LYNCH,
Chief of Police.
57
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD & PARK COMMISSION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Regular maintenance of Rogers, Nee and Regan Parks has been provided. Fertilizing of these parks and the ball field at Memorial Park has been accomplished without any expense to the Town by an arrangement with a local farmer, Mr. Gentile, who has supplied fertilizer in return for the privilege of grazing his cows on unused field areas attached to the Park land. Some renewal of the planting at the small parks should be done soon; in the interest of economy the Board is deferring this work until 1951.
The Town Common has been maintained as well as possible in view of the present intensive use it gets. Minimum maintenance of a baseball field on the Common for the use of junior teams has been continued. The Board wishes to express its appreciation of the co- operation given by the sponsors of these teams in assisting with main- tainance in order to stay within the limited budget available for this purpose. The Board reiterates its hope that with the construction of proper playgrounds within the near future on the site of the new High School the Common may be returned to its historical use as a quiet recreational area.
The baseball field at Memorial Park has been maintained in better condition than in previous years. The High School Principal, at the Board's request, secured the assistance of coaches and student managers in helping with the maintainance of the fields .This help has made it possible to reduce the operating costs for this field which is fortunate in view of the increased expense that the Board must shoulder in operating other recreational facilities.
The Board has had continual difficulties in maintaining the well which supplies water for drinking and for watering the athletic fields. Vandals have several times broken the well cover and pol- luted the water. The Board regrets that during the past season for a long period the well was not usable. It is hoped that the present effort made to protect it will work out satisfactorily; circumstances that were difficult for the Board to control caused an unnecessarily long delay in getting the proper repairs made.
All flagpoles, which had been neglected for years were painted and repaired. It is proposed to paint these poles annually so as to follow proper maintainance procedures and prevent deterioration which would shortly produce a heavy replacement cost.
58
Care of the Veterans' Honor Roll at the Town Hall was turned over to the Board late in 194S. The name plates have been restored to a presentable appearance and the woodwork painted and repaired. Exposed to the weather as it is this structure must be repainted each year. This Honor Roll is a temporary affair; when the right time arrives it is to be hoped that the Town wlil provide a more suitable memorial for all of the veterans of all wars.
The Board was placed in an embarrassing and unnecessarily awkward position last year with respect to the operation of the Town Beach at Silver Lake by the adverse report of the Finance Commit- tee on its budget and the consequent decision of the voters at Town Meet- ing. No money was provided for supervising this beach or for the salary of a lifeguard. Without such provision it would be unthinkable to encourage citizens, especially young children, to use the Beach. It was, therefore, necessary for the Board to request a Special Town Meeting in May at which time the necessary funds were provided. It is to be hoped that no such occurrence will again mar the efforts of the Board to make this popular and healthful facility available to the Town.
A brief review of the development of this Beach may help to combat misunderstandings as to its purpose and cost. The original idea of having a beach for the use of townspeople was the product of the Police Associates. Their article in the Annual Town Meeting in 1948 was supported by the Park Board since such a facility is obviously desirable and is found in nearly all of the surrounding towns that can be described as progressive communities. Its creation also eliminated certain troublesome social problems that were a burden to the police every summer. An Appropriation of $4500.00 was voted to construct a beach and to fence the area. $2,334.72 of this amount was expended for the fencing; the remainder went to con- struct the beach surface, grade part of the playground area, construct a parking lot, build a diving raft, and pay for supervision of persons desiring to use the Beach. 1500 tags were issued to Wilmington resi- dents that summer.
No money was provided for lifeguard supervision. The Lowell Chapter of the American Red Cross made the sum of $175.00 available for this purpose and the Wilmington Community Fund made up a necessary balance of $200.00. Many persons contributed of their serv- ices without charge to get the Beach and Park established. The effect of the Finance Committee's action in 1949 was to abandon this in- vestment.
The appropriation made at the Special Town Meeting in May of
59
1949 for lifeguard, supervision and maintainance was $1067.50. This money should have been included in the regular budget. The Board this year will ask for $1230.00 for these purposes. $55.00 of this sum will be spent for new development work. It is the policy of the Board to recommend each year the gradual extension of the playground area until the whole is properly completed. It should be recalled that this area serves as a playground for the children enrolled at the Mil- dred Rogers' school.
Last year a boat was purchased for the lifeguard's use. Lifelines were made and placed in the water to protect bathers. This year a low fence made of snow fencing will be placed so as to mark off a safe shallow water area for small children. A new section of beachi was built last year which will be bounded for this purpose.
Provision of a safe place to store the boat during the off-season and for a first aid room and telephone location for the lifeguard was accomplished through the generosity of Mr. John Nitchie. It will be recalled that during the last war a small building to be used for air raid warning work was built on Mr. Nitchie's land on Chestnut Street. After the war the building was donated to Mr. Nitchie for the use he had permitted the Town to make of his land. He gave this struc- ture to the Town again for the purposes that are outlined above.
It can readily be seen from the foregoing account that the Park Board has in every possible way attempted to find economies in de- veloping the beach at Silver Lake. The popularity of the beach con- tinues. Over 2000 tags have now been issued to residents of the Town. The Board strongly urges that this facility be recognized as a per- manent addition to the recreation facilities of the community.
The American Red Cross has made available $175.00 towards the salary of a lifeguard for the last two years and will do so again this year. In addition a scholarship to their National Aquatic School was given to the Town last year. Mr. George Boylen, through this means became qualified to serve as the lifeguard last year. He will not be available during the coming season, but another scholarship has been offered to the Town by the Red Cross and it will be possible for some other young man or woman to be trained for this highly important work. Mr. Boylen held classes in swimming last year and qualified several boys and girls in beginners', junior, and senior lifesaving classifications. Such training is of the greatest value to our young people.
The Planning Board held no hearings last year, but did engage in some highly important work for the general benefit of the com-
60
munity. An investigation was made of the state of Town Plans filed at the Water Department building. It was found that these plans are in a shocking state of maintainance. Originally, in the early 1930's several WPA projects, under the supervision of the Town Clerk and Mr. Donald Foster, then Superintendent of the Water Department, were devoted to making surveys of the Town, collecting street plans and public and private land plans, and starting the development of a Town Map. Two files of plans were established; one of the original vellums from which tracings could be made, the other of tracings which could be used for working purposes. The Town later refused to establish a Town Engineering Dpartment, Mr. Foster left the employ of the Town, and the care of these plans was neglected. Vari- ous private parties have had access to the plans for surveying and building purposes and apparently no effort was made to supervise the use made of the files. Many tracings are missing as are many of the vellums. Many more of the vellums have been so badly abused that they would need to be re-traced before prints could now be made. Of an original set of twenty detailed sheets for the large map of the entire town only half can be found and many of these are ruined for use. No sadder example exists of a waste of Town money.
The Board spent its meagre appropriation of $100.00 to have the tattered and torn index to the plan files retyped in several copies so that the original record at least has been restored. An accounting has also been made of the plans now in existence., and those that are missing. The Board recommends that from now on a systematic effort be made to find a proper storage place for these important records and to provide for a person with engineering experience to give them the proper care. It is evident to any observer that Wilming- ton, growing as rapidly as it is, must soon take some step to improve its handling of public works, engineering, and planning. It is doubtful that economy is being practiced even now. If a full accounting were made of the money spent to hire engineers to lay out streets, to employ assistants to the assessors, and to search for records that have been mislaid or lost, a sizeable sum might be found which could better go to employ a person who could bring all these matters under one control. The Board does not venture to say whether or not the solution is to be found in the employment of a Town Manager or a Town Engineer or the establishment of a Public Works Department, but a solution of some kind is imperative.
At a special Town Meeting held in December 1949 the Board sponsored two articles of benefit to the community. One provided for the appointment of a Committee by the Moderator to revise the Town By-Laws, to draw new Building By-Laws and to draft originally By-
61
Laws for the control of plumbing and wiring. This Committee is to report in 1950 and it is hoped that worthwhile results will be forth- coming.
The second article was for the acceptance by the Town of the provisions of the General Laws relating to an improved method of Municipal Planning. In brief, this statute transfers the powers of the Board of Survey from the Selectmen to the Planning Board, gives increased power to the Town to control the development of sub- divisions, and requires the development of a Master Plan. Every muni- cipality must adopt this legislation when it reaches a population of 10,000; it seems wise for smaller towns to adopt it before fatal errors are made in planning which it may be impossible or expensive to cor- rect later.
Under the statute the Planning Board is to be increased to five members. Consequently three new members will be elected at the Town Election this year. The Board is well aware that the Town cannot pay the cost of developing a Master Plan in one year. The Board, therefore, is requesting an appropriation of $1,000.00 to continue its classification of Town Plans and make a beginning on the outlines of a Master Plan.
In conclusion, the Board would like to express its appreciation of the unfailing cooperation it has received from your Board and from a majority of the Town officials. Many private citizens have also been of great assistance. To those who have been uncooperative the Board would like to extend the olive branch in the optimistic hope that they may have seen the error of their ways. The present members of the Board will continue to do their best to preserve and extend the recre- ational facilities of the Town and to put forward what seem to be sound recommendations for future planning.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. PAGE, EDWARD C. MANNING, FREDERICK H. HORTON, (resigned) Planning Board and Park Commissioners
SYLVIAN D. NEILSON, (appointed to fill vacancy)
62
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 1949.
Sealed
Adj.
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 pounds
1
1
0
Platform Scales 100 to 500 pounds
.13
8
0
Platform Scales under 100 pounds, counter.
5
3
0
Spring Scales 100 pounds or over
5
3
0
Spring Scales under 100 pounds
17
8
0
Beam Scales 100 pounds or over
1
0
0
Beam Scales under 100 pounds
2
0
0
Computing Scales under 100 pounds
16
1
0
Personal Weighting Scales
3
1
0
Avoidupois Scales
13
1
0
Vehicle Tanks
5
0
0
Apothecary
2
0
0
Liquid Measure
17
0
0
Meters, 1 inch inlet
33
22
0
Meters, over 1 inch inlet
11
3
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
7
3
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
5
2
0
Quantity Measuring Pumps
1
1
0
Sealing Fees Collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer $84.17
The following are weights of Commodities for immediate delivery :
Tested
Correct
Under
Over
Beans
37
37
0
0
Bread
47
47
0
0
Butter
40
40
0
0
Coal, Paper Bags of.
24
23
0
1
Coal in Transit
4
4
0
0
Confectionery
40
38
0
Fruits and Vegetables
60
57
0
3
Lard
10
10
0
0
Potatoes
60
60
0
0
Number of Licenses Inspected :
Hawkers and Peddlers Seals
17
Junk Dealers
4
Clinical Thermometers
S
63
Expenses of Department are as Follows: Appropriation $ 325.00
Total Expenses 324.83
Unexpended Balance .17
Very Truly Yours,
SAMUEL P. PIKE,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
64
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 24, 1949.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
ยท Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1949 as Inspector of Buildings.
I have issued 151 permits as follows:
Dwellings 80
Additions 32
Alterations
14
Garages
12
Storage Sheds
5
Hen Houses
5
Assembly Halls
2
Sand Wash Plant
1
With estimated value of $459,760.00.
Fees of $544.00 were collected and turned over to the Town Treas- urer.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST B. RICE, Building Inspector.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
January 3, 1950.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
No slaughtering inspected during the year of 1949.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH B. ODIORNE, Inspector of Slaughtering.
65
151
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1949.
On July 1, I had the honor to be appointed Chief of the Fire De- partment. I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and also the people of the Town for their help and good wishes on my new job.
This Department has made an inspection of the schools and also public buildings. We received a great deal of cooperation from the principals and teachers at the schools. We conducted fire drills and found them very satisfactory.
We need hose for the Department as what we have is getting old and unfit for fire service. We need a new resuscitator to better enable us to give aid in drownings and other like services.
I believe the time has come for the installation of a fire alarm system. The alarm wire that runs to the North Wilmington Pumping Station whistle is in poor condition, and should be replaced. I have re- ceived a bid from Bills of Lexington on the cost of a new installation including material and labor and 18 street boxes is $4350.00. This will mean fire alarm boxes in the following schools: Walker, Buzzell, High, Center, Whitfield, North and New High School, which are badly needed.
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