USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1949-1950 > Part 5
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The manual force of this Department consists of (4) four per- manent men and a Chief. There is a call force of (30) thirty members.
Apparatus
All apparatus is mechanically in good condition. Engine No. 1 is in need of new tires.
Records
Permits issued for burning
650
Gas & Oil Permits issued and inspected 298
There is a charge of $.50 for each inspection. $149.00 has been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The Department has responded to 255 calls of which 98 were bell alarms and 157 were still alarms.
Buildings
52
False 10
Dump
25
Auto 15
Service
23
Chimney 8
Out of Town
5
Brush & Grass 117
66
WINFRED W. RICE
Entered call Fire Department when organized in 1903.
Appointed March 14, 1928 as permanent fireman. Appointed Sept. 23, 1929, as Assistant Chief. Appointed Dec. 23, 1941 to take charge of the recruiting, instructing and supervision of Auxiliary Firemen in A. R. P.
Deputy Forest Warden from 1903 to 194S.
March 3, 1948. appointed Chief.
January 26, 1948. recommended to Department of Conservation as Forest Warden of the Town of Wilmington.
February 10, 1948. received the appointment from Department of Conservation as Warden.
June 30. 1949, retired under the Laws of the Middlesex County Retirement System.
A total of 98,250 feet of hose was laid; 46,000 ft. 21/2" hose, 22,900 ft. 11/2" hose, 29,250 ft. booster.
Ladders raised 600 ft.
Total value of property endangered $137,606.00. The loss on prop- erty was $18,563.00.
The cost of extinguishing the fires at the Town Dump is increas- ing each year. Since July 1, 1949 there have been 17 calls to the dump. A total of 25,500 ft. of hose was laid at a cost of 512 man hours excluding the permanent men. This necessitates the use of two pumps to pump water from the brook for 512 hours at $1.00 per hour.
FOREST WARDEN Joseph J. Barton
DEPUTY FOREST WARDEN
Aristide A. Brabant, Jr.
Arthur J. Boudreau
Capt. Edmund H. Sargent
Herbert C. Barrows
Harold F. Gail
Arthur S. Williams
Ernest W. Eames
Ralph M. Plumer, Jr.
LIST OF MEMBERS Joseph J. Barton, Chief
Brabant, Aristide A. Jr.
Sargent, Edmund H. Capt.
Barrows, Robert H.
Medico, Joseph
Boudreau, Arthur J.
Branscombe, Elmer R.
Buck, Clayton E.
Gail, Harold F.
Castine, James W.
Chisholm, Paul
Cutter, Henry H.
Cutter, Harry J.
Cutter. Herbert H.
Davis, Michael C.
Deming, Roland C.
Woods, Robert J.
Durkee, Leslie A.
Andrews, Wilfred H.
Eames, Ernest W.
Fagan, Gerald A., M. D.
Field, Frederick A.
Finnerty. John J.
Kleyman, Frederick
Jordan, Charles F.
O'Neil, Maurice D.
Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
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,
JOSEPH J. BARTON, Chief of Fire Department.
67
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Trustees realize that the possibility of having new quarters for the library is very remote. We must try, therefore, and make the present building more suitable as well as improve the content for our ever increasing number of users.
There is urgent need of improved water and toilet facilities whel we consider must be installed.
Our present building and grounds is used as a playground and presents a rather unsightly appearance. To correct this condition we wish to erect a fence between the Library and the Center School, and to do some simple landscaping to replace the present gravel. We feel it should be a matter of civic pride to improve any of our Public Buildings.
The third need and by no means least in order of importance, is the Library content. For years the library has been starved for refer- ence material, a fact noted in the recent State Survey. With the ex- ception of a few encyclopdias, such material is practically non-exist- ent. What little we have is in part obsolete, and there is an increasing demand for this type of book.
Our circulation is growing at a pace that out-strips our present resources and the request for new fiction and non-fiction cannot be met. This leaves a large reserve list and leaves our shelves of current literature practically bare. The books do not have a chance to return to the shelves. This is not encouraging to new users, who find no choice on their first visit and creates the impression that nothing of worth is available.
The juvenile department is also an important item. The juvenile circulation is increasing, and is one of the prime functions of a public library to encourage such increase. But wear and tear on present book replacement curtails desired enlargement of the scope of our useful- ness.
To accomplish these ends we are asking for an increased ap- propriation, which we trust the voters will approve.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHNIE DELANEY, FRANKLINE ALLEN, MAY HADLEY, PHILIP BUZZELL, MERVIN CURL, LOUIS McMAHON,
Trustees.
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TREASURER'S REPORT
Cash in Treasury January 1, 1949 $ 96,807.56
Receipts Sundries 641,446.41
Receipts Collector
349,413.06
$1,087,667.03
Less Treasury Warrants
928,809.55
Cash in Treasury January 1, 1950
$158,857.48
Respectfully submitted
GRACE H. TILLEY,
Treasurer.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Public Library:
The following is my report for the year 1949.
Number of bound volumes in the library 7680
Number of volumes discarded since June 1193
Number of volumes added in 1949 296
Number of registered borrowers 727
Circulation including periodicals 8123
The Division of Public Libraries in Boston offers a very fine service to all Massachusetts readers. Any book other than fiction not owned by the library may be borrowed through them. Many Wil- mington readers have made use of this service and 42 books have been borrowed from the Division of Public Libraries and through inter-library loan since June.
Friends of the library have contributed generously to the collec- tion, some giving current popular fiction, some classic fiction and non-fiction and some periodicals. All were very useful in making this a well-rounded collection.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER C. HALL,
Librarian.
69
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Water Commissioners of the Town of Wilmington herewith submit their annual report.
The extensions to the system voted at the last annual town meet- ing are practically completed. In addition one hundred and fifty three new services were installed and twelve hydrants were added to the system.
The commissioners are of the opinion that due to the increase in the consumption of water each year with the prospect of the further increase in consumption that the town in the near future must face two problems namely, first to provide an additional water supply, and sec- ond, to erect another and larger standpipe for water storage. These prob- lems appear to be urgent and we feel that now is the time to bring them to the attention of the citizens of the town for their careful consideration.
The statistics of the department are appended hereto.and made a part of this report.
Respectfully submitted,
CALEB S. HARRIMAN,
ALDEN N. EAMES,
WILLIAM M. SHAUGHNESSY,
Water Commissioners of the
Town of Wilmington.
Receipts For 1949
Water Revenue-
Wilmington
$ 30,679.78
No. Reading
4,003.99
Aberjona Co.
825.04
$ 35,508.81
Turn on and off
203.00
Demands
14.75
Hydrant Service-
Wilmington
7,500.00
Tewksbury
120.00
7,620.00
70
Misc.
Services
135.58 10,571.08
Expenditures
Pumping Station
4,237.64
Trucks and Auto
1,781.14
Services
7,863.35
Office
992.27
Tools
208.50
Insurance
1,180.85
Miisc.
114.64
Maintenance
Hydrants
209.66
Equipment
284.16
Station
75.45
Street Mains
78.93
Well Field
1,353.71
Recorder
72.33
Bulldozer
739.76
19,192.39
Pay Roll
20,854.60
40,046.99
$ 14,006.23
Interest
6,201.25
Balance to 1950
$ 7,804.98
Water Consumed
Year
Gal. Consumed Av. per Day
1945
105,349,300
288,628
1946
137,585,900
376,948
1947
235,033,900
643,928
194S
246,821,500
674,375
1949
278,656,800
763,443
Fuel Oil Consumed
Year
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal.
Gal.
per. Mil.
per Mil.
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
1949
29612.4
2,713.82
106.2
9.73
71
$ 54,053.22
Lubrication Oil Used
Year
Gal. Used
Cost
Gal. per Mil. Gal. per Mil.
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
1949
212.00
165.36
.76
.59
Oil used in Heater
Year
Gal. Used
Cost
1945
5062.00
379.15
1946
5066.00
315.05
1947
5167.00
386.99
1948
5614.00
518.59
1949
4150.00
413.29
Accounts Receivable
Service Accounts :
1944
$ 10.00
1946
40.31
1947
158.68
1948
230.80
1949
622.60
$ 1,062.39
Water Rates
$ 1,925.08
$ 2,987.47
Total Cost of Construction
Cost of Water System Dec. 31, 1948
$732,357.70
Aberjona Company
8,387.46
1946 Extensions
1,960.12
1947
Mains Street
9,486.96
1948
Swain Road East
2,499.29
1949
Marion Street
9,490.65
Nassau Ave.
6,422.05
Brand Ave.
9,164.51
Services 153
(1448)
Total
10,571.08
Meters
636.40
$790,976.22
Aberjona Co. Account
$ 61,280.96
CR.
1947
$ 2,759.62
1948
7,098.92
1949
7,425.30
17,283.84
Balance
...
$ 43,997.12
72
...
REPORT OF 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 1949.
TREE DEPARTMENT
Routine work was carried out during the year such as removing broken limbs, a few split tops, cutting down and removing thirteen dead trees, two maples, two pines and nine elms .. Fourteen large elms were fed with tree fertilizer. The maples had Stagger Head Blight and the elms were affected with Elm Leaf Beetle. The trees have rallied under this treatment and we plan to repeat this treat- ment every year. We removed two pine trees that were struck by lightning and also did a lot of low limb trimming and painted hun- dreds of bruises and crevices on the trees.
MOTH DEPARTMENT
All street shade trees in the Town were sprayed with arsenic of lead, copper sulphate, DDT and spreader and also all egg clusters were painted with creosote for the control of gypsy moth, coddling moth, canker worm and webb worm. There were 103 brown tail moth nests found on Concord St., Woburn St., Park St., and Shawsheen Ave., and these were cut and burned and we are spraying this area very heavily again next year.
ELM LEAF BEETLE CONTROL
Elm trees were sprayed three times with copper sulphate, arsenic of lead, spreader, wettable sulphur and DDT mixture. We fed four- teen elm trees with tree fertilizer which showed wilting and dying at the end of the branches and bark curling. This fall we found some of the trees had responded to this treatment so I feel sure that continued treatment will help to save them. Government Tree men were in Town in October and took samples of twigs and bark from some of our elm trees located on Town and private property. They found seven elm trees on Town property which were affected with Elm Leaf Beetle and these had to be cut down and burned to stop the spread of Dutch Elm disease. They found twenty-three elm trees on private property which the property owner was notified to cut down and burn to stop the spread of Dutch Elm disease.
73
In closing this report I would again like to ask the people who have old Elm limbs or trees laying around, to cut and burn them up, as these are great breeding spots for the Elm leaf Beetle which causes 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 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,
Tree Warden and Moth Supt.
TUBERCULOSIS REPORT FOR 1949
Cases on Register January 1, 1949 29
1
New cases reported during year
Moved in from other places 1
Total 31
Deaths during year
1
Number placed on Inactive List
0
Number of Patients moved away 0
Total 1
No. of Patients remaining on Register December 31, 1949 30
No. of these cases in Sanitorium December 1, 1949
4
No. of Intimate contacts outside of Household X-rayed
4
No. of Home visits made 59
No. of patients X-rayed at N. R. S. S. 51
Respectfully submitted,
ANNE BUTTERS, R. N.
74
No. of Household contacts of new cases 9
No. of such contacts X-rayed 7
REPORT OF THE INSPECTION OF ANIMALS
- -
January 3, 1950
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Wilmington, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1949 as Inspector of Animals.
Number of dog bites reported 38
Number of dogs showing physical signs of rabies 1
Number of animals submitted to laboratory examination 1
All biting animals were quarantined for the period of time pres- cribed by law.
Number of animals quarantined 37
Number of animals released from quarantine 37
Number of dogs released from Interstate Shipment 0
LABORATORY REPORT
Positive 0
Negative 1
Inspection of Domestic Animals and Premises where Animals are kept.
Number of premises keeping domestic animals inspected 39
Number of cattle inspected 196
Number of horses inspected
12
Number of hogs inspected 3950
Number of goats inspected 69
Number of sheep inspected 2
Number of cattle released from Interstate Shipment 0
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.
75
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1949
Committment .$350,539.90
Adjust- ments
Collected
Refunds
Abated
Tax Titles
Balance
Interest
Costs
Additional
812.95
$351,352.85
$264,536.49
$ 1,230.80 $
9,660.96 $
7,732.17 $ 70,654.03 $
124.73 $
113.50
1949 Excise
23,009.89 $
29.27
19,141.31
513.78
1,269.40
3,142.23
17.22
169.05
Balance
Jan. 1, 1949
1948
70,663.87
873.48
46,114.45
475.29
1,218.91
3,951.49
20,729.79
1,225.20
174.65
1948
Excise
2,206.05
21.47
1,627.01
82.76
59.43
623.84ª
74.95
54.60
1947
19,782.61
* 224.80
13,226.38
74.00
609.00
3,345.40
2,451.03
1,021.65
94.50
1947
Excise
948.98
* 2.54
119.43
827.01
18.68
17.15
1946
2,100.52
2.03
1,086.84
212.45
249.60
553.66
135.04
23.10
1946 Excise
663.36
.39
78.02
584.95
14.13
12.95
1945
357.69
26.00
58.20
25.20
248.29
5.74
4.55
1945
Excise
115.07
40.00
75.07
14.28
7.00
1944
196.06
13
4.20
21.00
170.73
1944
Excise
45.42
45.42
1943
3.88
3.88
1943 Excise
72.34
8.00
64.34
1.50
1.40
* denotes a credit adjustment.
.....
..
Figures without * represent debit adjustments.
MIRIAM H. WARE, Temporary Collector of Taxes.
GEORGE W. BUCK SELECTMAN: 1905-190S ASSESSOR: 1908-1919 - 1927-1945 TAX COLLECTOR: 1921 - May, 1949
During the past year, this faithful servant of the Town of Wil- mington passed away after having served this community for many years.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
February 2, 1950
Town of Wilmington, Wilmington, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
We respectfully submit the report of the Board of Public Welfare for the year 1949.
By law. the Department is charged with the administration of the various categories which make up the public relief system. They are General Relief. Aid to Dependent Children and Old Age Assistance. Each year the expenditures of the Department increase for various reasons, and it is expected that the year 1950 will require a larger increase in appropriations than in any previous year. Unemployment, sickness, legal separations and desertions are the major causes of requests for assistance in General Relief and Aid to Dependent Child- ren. Applications for Old Age Assistance are caused by persons having retired, attained the age of 65, or have used all available funds. In addition, the public are demanding more services and legislation is liberalized more each year. Another cause of the increased case load is lack of housing at moderate costs in the cities and the availability of camps in Wilmington, which are usually vacant in the winter. From May to November of 1949, there were 15 cases with 75 children, who moved to Wilmington-34 of these children were of school age. This situation alone causes a sharp increase in the expenditures of the Department and also taxes school accommodations. On investigation it was found that these camps were not suitable for occupancy in the winter, but it was necessary to allow the cases to remain, as no other housing was available. It was also found that properties were not under rent control. Therefore. the Board refused to allow payment of rent until they had been registered. In most cases the rents were reduced by the Rent Control Board, thereby resulting in a savings in the amounts paid for rent. We have continued the policy of requiring all able bodied applicants for General Relief to work in some town de- partment. This policy enables the Town to secure work performed in the various departments and gives the applicants a feeling that they are doing something towards repayment for aid granted.
As explained in the report of this Department for 1948, certain changes have become effective. Miss Mary T. Corey was appointed from the Civil Service list to fill the vacancy of Social Worker. The Personnel Practices Plan became effective July 1, 1949. This Plan determines the number and type of personnel and regulates salaries,
77
minimum hours per week, sick leave, vacations and leaves of absence. Suitable quarters were located at 327 Main Street and approved by the Commonwealth. The Department has operated at this location since the latter part of June, 1949, and it has been found adequate to care for the increased needs of the Department.
GENERAL RELIEF
During the year 1949, 58 cases consisting of 265 persons were aided under this type of relief. This is an increase of 11 cases and 104 persons over 1948.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
During the year, 13 new cases were added, 1 re-opened, 8 closed and 2 rejected, making a total of 28 cases, consisting of 85 children who received this type of assistance for the year 1949.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
During the year, there were 29 new cases added, 4 cases re-opened, 22 cases closed and 9 cases denied. There were 120 cases who received this type of assistance during the year 1949.
AID TO THE BLIND
No requests for assistance under this category have been received by the Board.
A detailed account of the receipts of the Department can be found in the report of the Town Treasurer, and a detailed list of the expen- ditures may be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
As previously explained, it is expected that requests for assistance during the year 1950 will require appropriations in excess of the ex- penditures for any year since the incorporation of the Town. Due to the unsettled economic conditions of today, it is impossible to estimate accurate expenditures in advance It is the responsibility of this Board to furnish the citizens with all information possible. It is then the citizens' responsibility to determine what type of administration they desire. The Board acknowledges that they have a responsibility to the individuals requesting assistance, and also a responsibility to citizens who pay the bills through taxation. We believe that the majority of · the citizens are satisfied with the present type of administration of this Department, and we will continue to operate in the same manner, unless otherwise ordered by vote of the Town.
Very truly yours,
MAURICE M. O'NEIL, Chairman FLORENCE A. BALKUS, ALLAN D. MacMULLIN.
78
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my annual report for the year 1949.
During the past year many of our roads have been greatly im- proved with the use of a pea gravel and asphalt mix. This not only provides a smooth riding surface but helps break up icy conditions because of its rough nonskid surface. This is a well established fact from past experience. However, streets now having such a surface should be sealed with a heavy penetrating asphalt and back covered with pea stone or pea gravel and rolled thereby giving them a first class wearing surface otherwise in about 2 years they will begin to ravel and kick out in places causing holes which will have to be patched. Like the roof of a building, the surface of a street should be water tight. At the present rate I am applying this pea gravel mix surface, it will be about 2 years before they are completed. The surface of a street should be at least one year old before a surface of this nature is applied because it gives the Tar or Asphalt time to cure and harden.
Work in general on our Highways consisted of surface patching, surface treating, cleaning catch basins, cutting and burning brush, scraping gutters and picking up the dirt and graveling. Most of this work has to be done in the late Fall, Winter and Spring thereby saving the Summer months for surface treating.
The following streets received the bulk of repairs, either in part or all during the past year. In reading this list one may ask why the street wasn't completed. The answer is. I am allowed a certain amount of money to construct and maintain all the streets and it must be spent where it will render the most good and often times the Spring brings out conditions that did not exist before Winter. Aldrich Road (part) ; Forrest Street (part); Hopkins Street (all) ; Taft Road (all); Boutwell Street (part); Butters Row (part); Brand Avenue (all) ; Glen Road (part); Harris Street (all); King Street (all); Grove Avenue (part) ; Woburn Street (part); Middlesex Avenue (part ); Belmont Street (all); West Street (part); Federal Street (part) ; Eames Street (all); Swain Road (part); Verranda Avenue (all) ; Andover Street (part); Nickerson Avenue (all); Miller Road (all); McDonald Road (part); Cedar Street (all); Burt Road (all) ; both entrances of Roosevelt Road (1000 feet); Taplin Avenue (all) ;
79
Carter Lane (all) ; Nassau Avenue (all) ; Ayotte Street (all); Ballard- vale Street (11/2 miles) ; Cook Avenue (part) ; Jacquith Road (part) ; Kendall Street (part); Marion Street (part); and Massachusetts Av- enue (all). Some of these streets will be completed in 1950 as I have included them in my Budget. Some brush remains to be burned as this must be done during rainy weather. All catch basins were cleaned several times. Gutter at sidewalk on Grove Avenue has been repaired.
All Chap. 90 maintenance work was completed as specified by the State Engineer. This work consisted of cleaning catch basins, scraping shoulders and gutters where needed, surface patching and surface treating, cutting and burning brush. Shawsheen Avenue, brush cut and burned, catchbasins cleaned twice, surface patched and 4800 feet resurfaced with pea gravel. Church Street, gutters cleaned, catch basins cleaned twice, surface patched and about 3800 feet re- surfaced with pea gravel. Middlesex Avenue, brush cut, catch basins cleaned twice, gutters scraped, surface patched and about 1300 feet resurfaced with pea gravel. Salem Street brush cut and burned, catch basins cleaned twice, surface patched. Burlington Avenue, brush cut and burned, surface patched, catch basins cleaned twice, and about 3800 feet of water trench graveled and treated with 2 applications of Tar.
In going over our Chap. 90 roads with the State Engineer last October, we were both convinced that more money from the State and County should be allowed. When I attended the open hearing at the County Comm. office I emphasized this point very strongly, adding that I felt sure the Town would appropriate more if the State and County did likewise. My efforts have been rewarded as they have both allocated us an extra $500.00 making a total of $2000.00 each.
Lowell Street has been completed under Chap. 90 construction. Due to land taking involving the Blaisdell property, the sidewalk hasn't been constructed as specified in the contract but will be as the situation has been clarified and at no added expense by the same contractor.
Ten new streets have been laid out by the board of survey and await your pleasure at the Annual Town meeting in March.
In 1949 I added a specified amount of money in the form of an article to every water article for street repairs after water installa- tion. This money was to be used by the Highway Department to put the street in the same condition as it was prior to water installa- tion and not for cleaning up boulders, blasted ledge etc., put there by the Water Dept. This expense must be borne by the Water De-
80
partnient so as to get a true cost of a water project. Six of these conditions exist at the present time and I trust the Water Depart- ment has made provisions in their 1950 Budget to clean them up. Seven of the proposed water articles were brought to me and at the request of the Water Department I have figured in the entire cost of cleaning up and repairing the street. Several others came to me before the Water Department made that request and the cleaning up cost has not been included.
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