USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1953 > Part 2
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During the year gifts of books and periodicals were received from the Wilmington Fire Department, Memorial Hall Library in Andover, and from a number of individuals. These are gratefully acknowledged.
A Children's Record Library has been established by gifts of records from the P. T. A. and Mrs. Arthur Zaino. These may be borrowed by parents, teachers and group leaders and have proved very popular.
Two Girl Scout troops meet regularly in the library.
18
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
It is a source of satisfaction and encouragement to the Trustees that greater demands are being made upon the Library every year. Our experiment in opening the Library three after - noons and evenings a week this year, instead of two, has demon- strated that a further extension of service is well justified. We are pleased to announce the following schedule of hours for next year which we hope will make the Library conveniently available to every one.
Tuesday 2. 00 - 5.00 P. M.
7.00 - 9.00 P. M.
Wednesday
2.00 - 5.00 P. M.
Thursday
2. 00 - 5.00 P. M.
Friday 2.00 - 5.00 P. M. 7.00 - 9.00 P.M.
Saturday
2.00 - 5.00 P. M.
Of our total budget of $3765. 00, one -third was spent for books. The World Book, a nineteen volume encyclopedia for child- ren, was one of our most important purchases this year, and our plans for next year include a new Encyclopedia Britannica.
In addition to its regular functions, the Library has been used as a meeting place by such organizations as the Girls Scouts and the Little League. We believe that it is significant that the Library is being used more and more by the community for varied purposes, and that the time is not too far away when the present building will be inadequate to accommodate its activities.
·The Trustees accepted with regret the resignations of Mrs. Esther Hall as Librarian and Mrs. Louise Balser as Asst. Librarian. We would like to express our appreciation of the pro- gress made by the Library under their guidance and our gratitude for their efforts on its behalf. We feel fortunate in the appointment of Mrs. Clara Chipman as Librarian and look forward to continuing improvement under her direction.
19
DOG OFFICER
No.
Dogs licensed
782
Kennels.
$50.00
2
25. 00
1
10.00
15
Dogs confined
187
Complaints covered
194
Residence calls for dog license
179
20
POLICE DEPARTMENT
ARREST
umber of Arrest : 174 Males Females 5
169
CAUSES OF ARREST
ssault and Battery
6
ssault with Dangerous Weapon
1
reaking and Entering and Larceny
2
Contributing to Delinquency
1
runkenness
53
scapees
2
ugitive from Justice
1
raud against the Government (F. B. I. Warrant) legitimacy
1
sanity
2
arceny
1
ewdness
1
iquor Law Violation
1
forals Offense
1
Ion-Support
4
a pe
2
chool Law Violation
1
tubborn Child
1
agrancy iolation of Probation
2
85
MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS
Allowing Improper Person to Operate
1
Excessive Speed
25
Failing to Keep to Right
1
failing to Slow at Intersection
1
Failing to Obey Traffic Signal
1
Failing to Stop at Stop Sign
1
ailing to Stop on Signal of Officer
4
Leaving Scene Without Making Self Known
5
Operating So As To Endanger
10
Operating Without Authority
2
Operating Without License
8
Operating Under the Influence of Liquor
10
Operating After Suspension of License
8
Operating Unregistered Motor Vehicle
6
Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle
6
89
21
1
1
As a result of court appearances on motor vehicle violations a total of $1, 110. 00 was assessed in fines and collected by the court
Our accident record shows that 106 accidents of all types we reported for the year. And with regrets, it includes one Fatal Acci dent which eliminates this Town from the Safety Awards for the year
The department also answered 105 calls for the ambulance and 27 calls for the cruiser to transport persons to hospitals.
This phase of the report of the activities of the department is considered to be the most important. Other figures, such as dis. position of all cases in part one of the report and routine business of the department have been omitted.
I would like to take this opportunity to make known the follow ing facts to all residents of the Town, and especially the newcomers This department consists of ten members - we operate on a twenty four hour schedule - with two-way radio equipped cruisers. We can be reached by calling Oliver 8-3331, or Oliver 8-8353 ( a pay station located in the station), or by calling Oliver 8-3162 in any emergency when you cannot contact the department. Oliver 8-3162 is the Chief's phone.
In my position as Chief of Police there are many who render very valuable service and cooperation to me and to the department in general. In conclusion, I would like to express my grateful thank and appreciation to the following -
To Mr. Lawrence Cushing, Physical Director of Schools, an to Mr. Clifford Good, Superintendent of Schools, for the wonderful spirit of cooperation extended this department in promoting Child Safety. It has been through the efforts of these two gentlemen that all the painting of "School Zone - Go Slow" markings on all roads near schools has been accomplished - not to mention many other programs of safety conducted by them in all schools.
To Mr. James White, Superintendent of Streets and Highway: and to his men, for their wonderful response when called to perform works of sanding icy spots throughout town, as well as to assist us in other types of work when necessary.
To Mr. Arthur Boudreau, Fire Chief, and to the members of his department for their cooperation with this department, with special emphasis on the handling of radio communications.
22
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their interest in the epartment's welfare and progress and for all considerations ex- ended us.
And by no means least, to Mr. Dean C. Cushing, Town Mgr. or all things beneficial to this department that he has made possible. has been a good year for Wilmington Police. We have accomp- shed a lot towards being one of the best organized, best equipped, nd best uniformed department in the State.
PO
WILMINGTON POLICE DEPT.
...
23
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The manual force of the Fire Department consists of Chief, two Lieutenants, and seven privates. There is a call force of six- teen members.
FOREST WARDEN
Arthur J. Boudreau
DEPUTY FOREST WARDENS
Barrows, Herbert C.
Eames, Ernest W.
Cail, Harold F.
Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
Cushing, George S.
Sargent, Edmund H.
Williams, Arthur S.
PERMANENT MEN
Cail, Harold F. (Lieut. )
Hardy, John J.
Cushing, George S. (Lieut. )
Marshall, Kenneth E.
Dewhurst, Raymond T. Nee, William P.
Ellis, Charles E. Jr. Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
Woods, Robert J.
CALL MEN
Branscombe, Elmer R.
Durkee, Leslie A.
Cutter, Harry J.
Kleynen, Frederick A.
Davis, Michael G.
Mann, William J.
Deming, Roland C.
McCue, James H.
Downs, Francis E.
Medico, Joseph
O'Neil, Maurice D.
Sennett, Harold E.
Peterson, Charles Webster, Charles L.
Sargent, Edmund H. (Capt. )
Williams, Arthur S.
The Fire Department responded to a total of three hundred and forty-four (344) calls, of which sixty (60) were bell alarms and two hundred and eighty-four (284) were still alarms.
Buildings 31
False 24
Service Calls
46
Auto
16
Resuscitator Calls
17
Chimney 2
Out of Town
6
Brush & Grass 179
Dumps 8 Oil Burners 15
24
Permits issued for Burning 3245 Permits issued for gas and oil 500
A total of 74, 575 feet of fire hose was laid; 16, 750 feet of 2 1/2" hose, 12, 650 feet of 1 1/2" hose, 11, 300 feet of 1 1/8" hose, and 33, 875 feet of booster hose. Ladders raised 535 feet.
Total value of property endangered was $300,500. $170, 750.
The loss of property was
25
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
At present all equipment is in good working condition, regard less of age. However, a 1947 International dump truck should be re placed to avoid false economy by major repairs in the Spring. The Department is grateful for the purchase of two new trucks, and a sand spreader. Our roller is obsolete but in working condition, and requires much work and expense to put it in good condition. It shoul be replaced by one required in the type of surface treating we are doing. The two Walter Snow Fighters have more than paid for them- selves to date.
All Chapter 90 maintenance work as laid out by the State Engineer was completed. Other than regular routine maintenance, Church Street, Salem Street, and Burlington Avenue received the bulk of repairs.
Salem Street, beginning at the North Reading line being con- structed under Chapter 90 construction and started in 1952, was com pleted as laid out by the County Commission. The second section was started in September 1953 and would have been completed as per schedule but unforseen things, such as ledge and peat prevented us. Two hundred cubic yards of excavation was allowed, but after the hill was cut, ledge was uncovered which had to be removed, amount- ing to about eleven hundred cubic yards. Instead of installing a double barrel steel culvert, the State Engineers decided to construct a cement bridge at a much greater cost. Again the excavation plans had to be changed and all peat removed to obtain solid footings. This required a clam shovel and 2000 sq. ft. of extra lumber. After all the above work was done, the street was graveled for about 1200 ft. Work had to be stopped because we had a balance of $750 out of $12,000. It will require about $3500 to complete the job as laid out by the Engineer.
A very large amount of work was done under Chapter 81. Every surface treated street in Wilmington received some attention. All holes were patched at one time or another. Some required more than others. Some shoulders were cut to allow drainage. Four new fences were built. Most of the brush was cut, and many new street and warning signs erected. Many trees were cut in preparation for street widening in 1954. Approximately 85, 000 gals. of tar and asphalt were used, plus 2500 tons of pea gravel, 1500 tons of sand, and 3500 cubic yards of gravel.
26
The following streets received the bulk of repairs.
Adams Street
Dayton Road
Aldrich Road
Glen Road Harvard Avenue
Andover Street Ayotte Street Ballardvale Street Boutwell Street
Hillside Way Hobson Avenue
Pine Street Roman Way Shawsheen Road Sheridan Road Sherman Road Washington Street West Street Westdale Avenue Wild Avenue
Central Street
Marjorie Road
Coolidge Road
Marion Street
McDonald Road
Wildwood Street Williams Avenue
Cottage Avenue Crest Avenue
Miles Street
Wiser Street
Cross St. Ext. Cunningham St.
Miller Road
Woburn Street
Morse Avenue
Several others were listed for specific repairs but due to lack of funds had to be eliminated. A short section of sidewalk on Thurston Avenue near the Methodist Church was surfaced with bituminous concrete.
The department is allowed to spend a certain percentage of Chapter 81 funds for snow and ice removal and the purchase of salt and sand, but your Town Manager and the writer, after discussing this matter at length, concluded it was more advantageous to the Town to spend it for specific repairs on the Highways.
All new streets accepted in 1953 have been completed. It was decided to remove all trees, stumps and brush within the forty foot bounds, instead of the usual twenty-six feet. By so doing, it eliminates future tree removal for widening purposes. We also graveled the full forty feet. Ten streets were accepted; namely, Roman Way, Essex Street, Faulkner Avenue, Birchwood Road, Judith Road, Pineview Road, Truman Road, Hathaway Road Ext. , Chase Road and Carson Road.
Cross Street has been rightly relocated and graveled in readiness for surface treatment in 1954.
Provisions are being made to surface treat all graveled roads with Town water. Many requests have been made in the past, by people living on these streets to have this done, but in my opinion it is money misspent. It seems no sooner is the street surfaced
... . .
27
Brentwood Avenue Burnap Street
King Street Linda Road Lloyd Road
when it is voted to install Town water, thereby destroying the surfa( which must be done over again.
At this time I am taking this opportunity to thank all the vaj ious departments in Town for their cooperation. Also, to express my personal appreciation to Mr. Dean Cushing for his ever helping hand regardless of the nature, day or hour. It is a very pleasant feeling to see him appear on the job around 1:00 A. M. when the going is tough and mix in with the boys and be a regular fellow. It shows he is interested in their welfare and promotes that willingnes to do your best.
-rr
28
WATER DEPARTMENT
The construction of water mains for the year 1953 has been completed on the following streets:
Ballardvale Street 2, 335 ft. of 6" pipe
Marjorie Road
1, 393 ft. of 6" pipe
Shady Lane Drive
2, 138 ft. of 8" pipe
Woburn Street
1,220 ft. of 10" pipe
With the exception of the hiring of a backhoe, all other equip- ment and labor were furnished by the Town. Overall construction cost per foot was $4. 23 which is considerably under estimate.
Hydrants: Eleven new hydrants have been added to the sys - tem, including the one installed in the yard of the new Elementary School on Wildwood Street.
Two hydrants were damaged during the year; one by boys on Halloween night, which was quickly repaired, the other, located at the corner of Clark and Main Streets, was struck by an automobile on December 6, 1953. This hydrant is of special construction and was installed when Main Street was rebuilt, consequently the replace - ment was delayed until another one was obtained from the factory.
Service Connections: One hundred and sixty-six (166) new services were installed during the year, making a total of two thousand and thirteen (2013) connected to date. Eight of these services were connected from new street mains laid in 1953 at a cost of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000), thereby producing about two hundred and forty dollars ($240. 00) a year revenue.
Meters: Our meter program is progressing as planned. A supply of parts was obtained, and thirty-nine old meters were repaired and placed in service. New meters are being installed on most of the new services, and on old services when application is made.
A Clark Meter Testing Machine was setup two years ago, and all testing and repairing are.done at the pumping station by one of the pumping station engineers, thus a saving to the taxpayer. .
Well Field: Eight new wells were connected to the system and suction main was increased from 4" to 6" which gave an addition - al supply of 130, 000 gal. per day. Six wells driven, remain to be
29
connected in 1954, thus giving us a greater supply in our Martin's Brook water -shed. A small amount of money spent here will pay off and lessen the cost of the new supply.
New Well Field: Pump tests were made in the new well field off Woburn Street on land owned by Mr. H. C. Barrows with very good results. Two pump tests were run; the first test started on July 8 and was completed on July 17, 1953; the second test ran from September 3 to September 11, 1953. These tests were run twenty-four hours per day at the pumping rate of 200 gal. per min. The quality was excellent and approved by the State Department of Public Health.
Appropriation should provide funds for the purchase of the land.
The amount of water pumped in the summer months is double that pumped in the winter months.
1, 500, 000 gallons per day in mid summer 750, 000 gallons per day in winter
With the extension of the street mains, additional hydrants, greater population, and new industry, it is apparent that we need a new standpipe and greater water supply. The standpipe on Kelley Hill should be cleaned and painted.
The financial statement of the department is included in the report of the Town Accountant. Other statistics concerning the department which may be of interest to the taxpayer follow:
WATER CONSUMED
Year
1949
278,656,800
1950
280,475, 100
1951
250,813, 500
1952
307, 358, 900
1953
339,917,900
Bought from Tewksbury
12, 500,000
1953 Total
352, 417, 900
30
Fuel Oil Consumed
Year
Gallons Used
Cost
Gal. per M
Cost per M
1949
29,612.4
2,713. 82
106. 3
9. 73
1950
30, 392. 2
2,776. 71
108.0
9.90
1951
24,813.2
2,538. 53
101.2
10. 12
1952
29,276. 4
3,106. 36
104. 9
10. 06
1953
27, 866. 7
2,992. 82
110. 3
9.14
Lubrication Oil Used
1949
212
165. 36
.76
. 59
1950
182
141. 96
.65
. 50
1951
245
190. 49
. 97
. 76
1952
312
252. 39
1.01
.82
1953
250
212. 20
. 76
. 65
Oil Used in Heater
1949
4,150
413. 29
1950
3, 599
310. 41
1951
3,854
392.00
1952
3, 725
400.13
1953
3,199
350.20
CITY WATER WORKS DEPT.
Glueck:
"Our first reservoir."
31
TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
Tree Department:
The following routine work was carried on through the year removing fifteen trees that were dead, cutting away split tops, broken limbs, and dead wood, trimming fourteen feet from the side of the street shade trees for truck clearance, this is the State law. All this brush was taken away and burned, and the wood was placed in back of the Highway building to be burned in the schools. The Tree Department took down sixteen trees for street widening. This wood was given to the abuttor or taken to the Highway building with the rest of the wood. Trees trimmed for clearance were located on Lowell Street, Church Street, Middlesex Avenue, Burlington Avenue Chestnut Street, Andover Street, Clark Street, Woburn Street, West Street, Butters Row, Grove Avenue, High Street, Concord, Street, Glen Road and Hopkins Street. The street shade trees were sprayed twice.
Moth Department:
All shade trees were sprayed with D. D. T. for tent cater - pillars and gypsy moth. We sprayed the town dump five times with 12% D. D. T. to keep the flies and insects away. The bog holes and swamps were also sprayed as far as we could reach with the wind blowing in the direction of the swamps. This was done to help keep the mosquitoes down. The State of Massachusetts, Department of Public Health, Department of Public Works, and Land Reclamation Board, helped to find where most of the mosquitoes were by trapping here and there for them, therefore letting us know where to spray.
Elm Leaf Beetle and Dutch Disease:
All Elm Trees were sprayed with D. D. T. four times start- ing April 1953 until July 29, 1953. We lost four elm trees with the Dutch Elm disease which we hope will not spread to some of the other trees near them. We will have to keep taking samples from our trees at least three times a year. The Department took about thirty-five samples this year and sent them to Amherst State College for a test. Of the thirty-five, only four came back with the Dutch Elm disease. We will have to keep our eyes open to see if we can keep the Dutch Elm disease out, and we will have to spray and cut out all the dead wood of our elms. In the last report from the Shade Tree Laboratories, University of Massachusetts, December 31,1953 we have the Dutch Elm disease all around. Surrounding Towns have
32
a lot of their trees with the Dutch Elm disease -- Woburn 1, North Andover 87, Andover 102, Tewksbury 12, and Billerica 74. This is the report for the year 1953. We hope to be able to keep our trees healthy by spraying a lot. If you see any trees that do not look good, let the Town Manager or the Tree Warden know so that sam - ples can be sent to Amherst Massachusetts State College for a test to see if there is any Dutch Elm Disease.
Town Park Forest:
The work of clearing the old Middlesex Canal was done by cutting the brush along the side and middle all the way from the Aquaduct to the end of the canal by the last roadway at the end of the park on Main Street. We cut and trimmed about ten large pine trees, and thinned all trees here and there from the first driveway along Main Street to the second driveway on Main Street. We also planted a maple tree on Arbor Day with the school children in the field in the Park near the Main Street Field. This is the second year we have done this. We hope to continue this every year until we have a good Park and Forest. We are told this is the only Town Park and Forest in Massachusetts that has an old canal going through.
Expenditures for the year will be found in the report of the Town Accountant.
33
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Sealed Adjusted Condemned
1
0
0
Platform Scales 100 to 5000 lbs.
7
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
3
1
0
Beam Scales under 100 lbs.
9
2
0
Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
14
3
1
Personal Weighing Scales
2
0
0
Avoirdupois
8
0
0
Apothecary
3
0
0
Liquid Measures
24
0
0
Oil Jars
2
0
0
Meters 1 inch inlet
23
7
0
Meters over 1 inch inlet
10
2
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
7
5
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
10
3
0
Yard Sticks
1
0
0
Leather Measuring Devices
0
0
0
Sealing Fees Collected and turned over to the Town Treas. 90. 55
The following are weights of Commodities for immediate delivery:
Tested Corrected Under
Over
Beans
41
41
0
0
Bread
52
44
0
8
Butter
2
2
0
0
Coal in paper bags
10
10
0
8
Coal in Transit
4
4
0
0
Confectionery
31
31
0
0
Fruits and Vegetables
30
28
0
2
Lard
8
8
0
0
Potatoes
14
12
0
2
Number of Licenses Inspected
17
Hawkers and Peddlers Seals
2
Junk Dealers
1
Clinical Thermometers
6
Expenses of Department as follows:
Appropriation
$325. 00
Total Expenses
323. 72
Unexpended Balance
1.28
Platform Scales over 500 lbs.
34
BOARD OF HEALTH
The members of the Board of Health feel that a progressive step has been taken in the apointment of Mr. Patrick A. Thibeau as Agent and Sanitarian for the Town.
During the year, Mr. Frank Hagerty was appointed to the Board to replace Mr. John O'Neil. Mr. Vinal Lewis became Chairman, and Mr. Edward Shelley, the third member.
Your Board met weekly this year to discuss and act upon health problems facing the community. Until the advent of the Sani - tarian, the Board investigated all nuisance complaints, traveled through subdivisions and inspected food establishments. It issued approximately twenty different types of licenses and permits for kindergartens, creameries, piggeries, etc. and investigated and attempted to rectify situations affecting the social, physicial and moral well being of the citizens.
The population of the Town is expanding each year. This was a banner year for the building of homes in Wilmington and next year promises to be even greater. However, there are a number of houses in the Town which are unfit for habitation. People with children are living in houses without sanitary facilities and, in some cases, proper heating and lighting. Dangerous fire conditions have been found to exist.
The State has drawn up regulations that have set minimum standards for housing to be adopted by the vote of the town people. We do not want to deprive a person of shelter, but we do want to protect the children - and the adults themselves. We fervently hope that we will have the support of the people of the Town in this respect.
The Board feels that the Town is in need of garbage and rubbish collection. With municipally sponsored weekly collections, these services would be carefully supervised to benefit all the citizens. It is estimated that it would increase the tax rate by only one dollar.
In conclusion, we wish to thank Mr. Patrick Thibeau, Miss Ann Butters, R. N., Dr. Gerald Fagan, and Mr. Ernest Rice, our employees, the Town Manager and our fellow citizens for their support and cooperation.
35
HEALTH AGENT AND SANITARIAN
The following is a report of the Health Agent and Sanitarian' activities from September 8th to December 31, 1953. In this period several phases of environmental sanitation were instigated or con- tinued.
Sewage Sanitation:
In this time, 61 permits were issued for the installation and construction of private sewage systems. For each application, porosity (percolation) tests were made at the site of the proposed system to determine the suitability of the subsoil for the sanitary disposal of sewage. After obtaining this data and anticipating the normal flow, a system specific for this residence or commercial establishment was laid out. The system was inspected at least once during it's construction and again at completion to determine com - pliance with the specification.
Thirty-seven (37) systems received final approval and were given permission to cover. In addition to the aforementioned per - mits, 18 other systems were specified for permits granted previous to this time. One drainage system was outlined for a public school.
Food Sanitation:
A summary of inspections conducted in those establishments offering food and drink for public consumption, is contained herein.
Eating and drinking establishments 8 Bakeries 3 Ice Cream Manufacturing 1
Two establishments were closed and could not be inspected.
Milk Sanitation:
In November of this year, a working agreement was made with a laboratory to analyze the town's milk supply. Fifty (50) samples were seized, and three tests were made on each sample. Two of the three tests concerned themselves with the safety of the milk, and one it's butterfat content. With the results of these tests, it was possible to take whatever corrective measures that were necessary. In the course of this program, close scrutiny was paid to the sanitary conditions of the plants where the milk was pasteur - ized. Certain defects were pointed out to the operators and most have been corrected.
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