USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1954-1955 > Part 11
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1
Operating after Suspension of License
5
Failing to Stop at Stop Sign
1 Operating Unregistered Vehicle
4
Failing to Stop at Red Traffic Signal
1 Operating Uninsured Vehicle
4
Failing to Display Safety Sticker
7 Operating without License
1
Leaving Scene without Making Self Known
2 Operating at Excessive Speed
40
Operating So As To Endanger
10 Passing Where View is Obstructed
1
NC
WILMINGTON
POLICE
POLICE
As a result of the above cases being prosecuted at Court, the sum of $1, 000. 75 was imposed in fines, while others were sentenced to the House of Correction.
35
REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACTION
Licenses Suspended for Operating after Drinking
Licenses Suspended for Operating to Endanger 8
Licenses Suspended for Not Reporting Accident 3 Licenses Suspended for Improper Operation 36
56 9
The above action resulted in the suspension of fifty-six licenses by the Registry on com - plaints handled by this department.
The reason for this type of punishment is: In some cases we find that a person has been drinking prior to operating, and he is not affected enough by what he drank to get a complaint at court, so we take this action to get him off the road. Other cases result in this type of action due to the fact that it involves a juvenile operator, and being such he cannot be assessed a fine, so we take him off the road.
Licenses Suspended for Operating after Drinking
Licenses Suspended for Improper Operation 44
Licenses Suspended for Failing to Pay Judgment (Tort) 3 Licenses Suspended for Leaving Scene of Accident 3
58 8
These licenses were suspended by the Registry as a result of Wilmington operators being involved in incidents in other cities or towns. This means that one hundred and fourteen (114) Wilmington residents lost their licenses in the year 1955. Of this number the Registry has returned fifty (50) by reason of the suspension being lifted automatically, and I have written thirty-two letters to the Registry requesting reinstatement, which has been granted.
Exclusive of the action reported previously in this report, the records show that this depart- ment sent fifty-five letters to the Registry requesting that warning letters be sent the operators.
The records also show that five hundred and seventy-seven (577) operators were stopped by officers of this department and given violation notice's for minor infractions of the laws, and of this number two hundred and fifty-five (255) reported to the station where the tickets were filed with a verbal warning issued.
Registry of Motor Vehicle Inspectors were here in Wilmington on five occasions during the year and conducted safety drives. On such occasions they have about five or six men here, and I have an equal number of the local officers to assist them. This type program goes a long way towards promoting safety, for on such a drive about five hundred (500) motorists are stopped and issued tickets for defective equip- ment. It also results in some operators being found to be without license or registration, or commiting some other violation.
This report would not be complete if I failed to make note of the fact that we have five (5) Women Traffic Supervisors on the department at the present time, with the expectations of having two more appointed this year.
These Women Traffic Supervisors have done a wonderful job of caring for the children going to and from school, as well as to keep the motorist well in line. They are a credit to the Town.
One most important accomplishment of the department this year was the appointment of John Imbimbo as Sergeant of Police. He will handle all juvenile problems as well as take care of the Safety Officer's spot in the department.
36
sealer of weights and measures
Sealed
Adjusted
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
1
0
0
Platform Scales 100 to 5000 lbs.
5
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.
4
2
0
Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
10
3
1
Personal Weighing Scales
1
0
0
Avoirdupois
8
0
0
Apothecary
3
0
0
Liquid Measures
7
0
0
Oil Jars
2
0
0
Meters 1 inch inlet
30
17
Meters over 1 inch inlet
6
2
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
7
5
0
Grease Measuring Pumps
7
3
0
Yard Sticks
1
0
0
Leather Measuring Devices
0
0
0
Sealing Fees Collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer: $85. 15
The following are weights of Commodities for immediate delivery:
Tested
Corrected
Under
Over
Beans
30
30
0
0
Bread
61
61
0
0
Butter
8
8
0
0
Coal in Paper Bags
10
10
0
2
Coal in Transit
4
4
0
0
Confectionery
28
28
0
0
Fruits and Vegetables
52
52
0
2
Lard
8
8
0
0
Potatoes
12
10
0
2
Number of Licenses Inspected
11
Hawkers and Peddlers Seals
2
Junk Dealers
1
Clinical Thermometers
7
Expenses of Department are as follows:
Appropriation
$325. 00
Total Expenses
323.00
Unexpended Balance
2.00
37
highway department
New Buffalo-Springfield Roller purchased for the Highway Dept. in 1955
Due to the new superhighway crossing Salem Street somewhere between Ballardvale Street and the junction of Salem and Woburn Streets, the reconstruction of Salem Street from Woburn Street to the rotary was cancelled. As a substitute, the unexpended balance from 1954 was used to lay 1200 tons of hot-top from the North Reading Town line for a distance of 3000 ft.
Chapter 90 Construction - 1955:
Chapter 90 Construction work for 1955 consisted of removing thirty-eight trees and stumps, excavating 2500 cubic yards of subsoil and refilling with heavy gravel. The excavating was done to widen Salem Street six feet for a distance of 3500 ft. from the Tewksbury line. 1950 tons of hot-top were used to surface the 3500 ft. The job was completed per State specifications.
Chapter-90 Construction - 1956:
Chapter 90 Construction work for 1956 will be to continue widening Salem Street, from the point of termination in 1955 up to and including the Rotary.
Chapter 90 Maintenance:
Chapter 90 Maintenance was completed as laid out by the State Engineer. All catch basins were cleaned, and culverts were checked for obstructions, and if any they were removed. Lowell Street, from the junction of Route 38 to Woburn Street, was sealed with very heavy asphalt and treated stone. Middlesex Avenue, from Federal Hill to Wildwood Street, was sealed with heavy asphalt and pea gravel. Shawsheen Avenue, from the Eames Estate to the cranberry bog, and from Hopkins Street to the Billerica line, was sealed with a lighter asphalt and covered with sand. Also a short section from Shawsheen Road to Bridge Lane was done likewise. Burlington Avenue, from Swain Road to Boutwell Street, was treated with asphalt and covered with sand.
Some of our drainage pipe line has become partly clogged with sand and leaves. Because of this fact, I have made allowances in my 1956 budget to purchase about five hundred feet of sewer rods. This item is needed very much as it is the only way that these pipes can be cleaned. Some of this system has been underground for over twenty-five years and up to the present time has never been rodded out.
38
Chapter 81 Maintenance:
Chapter 81 covers all our accepted streets. However, we cannot and must not rely entirely upon the State to maintain our highways. The State has just so much money they can allocate, and over and above that the Town must supply the rest. Some maintenance projects are very expensive while others are much cheaper. In order to induce the State Engineer to approve one of these expensive projects under Chapter 81, I agree to pay out of my regular Town Expense Account about one-quarter. Chapter 81 funds must not be used for repairing streets broken-up by laying water mains, repairing or constructing side - walks, nor on newly accepted streets until the Town has surface treated them for the first time.
The following streets received the bulk of repairs or maintenance during the past year under Chapter 81 - (some in sections where mostly needed, and others for their entire length).
Adams Street
Clark Street
Lloyd Road
Adelaide Street
Concord Street
Marion Street
Aldrich Road
Eames Street
Marjorie Road
Andover Street
Fairview Avenue
Mass. Avenue
Auburn Avenue
Faulkner Avenue
Middlesex Avenue
Baker Street
Faulkner Road
Mystic Avenue
Ballardvale Street
Federal Street
Park Street
Beacon Street
Forrest Street
Parker Street
Beech Street
Glen Road
Phillips Avenue
Boutwell Street
Grove Avenue
Shawsheen Avenue
Brand Avenue
Grove Street
Swain Road
Brattle Street
Harris Street
Swain Road West
Brentwood Avenue
High Street
Taplin Avenue
Burlington Avenue
Hillside Way
Temple Street
Burt Road
Hopkins Street
Veranda Avenue
Butters Row
King Street
West Street
Cedar Street
Lake Street
Wildwood Street
Chestnut Street
Linda Road
Woburn Street
About 70% was spent for material, and the balance for salary and wages.
Expense Account:
Roosevelt Road was completed after removing much ledge and mud. One section is narrow because of the amount of ledge that would have to be removed, and it was decided to let it remain in order to complete the through way - about $4000 was expended.
Powderhouse Circle was surface treated part way because the balance was not in condition to be treated as some ledge left by the developer must be removed and much gravel added.
Forrest Avenue and Dublin Avenue were regraveled and surface treated. Cottage Street was surface treated, and two catch basins and drainage pipe lines were installed. On Grove Avenue near the Mildred Rogers School one catch basin, one manhole and 380 ft. of twelve -inch pipe were installed to eliminate large water pocket.
A thirty-inch culvert was installed on Cross Street. Two catch basins and 140 ft. of twelve - inch pipe were installed on North Street. The ditch from Silver Lake to Main Street was dredged. On Auburn Avenue - some ledge removed, soil excavation, graveling and surface treated - some Chapter 81 money was used. Eames Street was widened, graveled, and surface treated in conjunction with Chap. 81 funds. Drainage system was installed at the corner of Hopkins Street and Shawsheen Avenue, trees
39
removed, soil excavation, graveled and surface treated in conjunction with Chapter 81 funds. Suncrest Avenue - graveling and resetting catch basins. Cost of dump fires to the Highway Department, plus a new building for the caretaker, about $3800; garage rent - $300, truck tires - $300.
New Streets:
Three new streets were accepted. All were surface treated, but they required some new gravel before doing so.
Land Reclamation leaves much to be desired. However, some work was done on the culverts, and for short distances some of the brooks were cleaned of brush and wood.
At this time I am taking the liberty to insert a few comments on Snow and Ice Control. Many people have the false impression that a so-called open winter is inexpensive. This would be true if there were no sleet or ice storms. A ton of sand made ready for use costs about $2. 80. A light sleet storm will use around 100 tons of sand, and a heavy storm will and has used over 300 tons. You will also note after every snow-plowing job that all the streets are sanded. Taking all these things into consideration, you can readily see my problem to keep within my appropriation.
Two new pieces of equipment were purchased for the Highway Department. A new Baker plow for the grader, and a four -wheel drive front-end loader. The snow plow was purchased outright, but the loader was purchased on a rental basis until March 31, 1956, the balance to be appropriated at the March Town Meeting.
Most of the Highway equipment is in good condition. Two of the trucks are eight years old and should be traded. I realize the Town is growing rapidly and taxes must go up, but old and obsolete equipment is very expensive to maintain and one of the fastest ways to lose money. The Town growth is at the stage now where the Highway Department must be expanded and new equipment purchased, because the demands made of the department have more than tripled, and yet the number of men employed has remained the same for the past ten years. I had new brakes installed on the snow fighters at a cost of $900 which was another added cost to your snow removal account. All other work on the equipment was done by my mechanic in the department at a great saving.
I spent about one month with the Town Manager and the Town Engineer making up my budget
for 1956. Many of the things discussed in 1955 to be done in 1956 have been entered into it and others left out. This had to be done for economical reasons. What and how much will be done remains with the voters and taxpayers. After all they pay the bills, and they alone will decide how much they can afford to pay. All we ask is a sincere honest decision. We will appreciate any small effort on your part.
TOWN
WILMINGTON
-
New Cemetery Truck purchased in 1955
40
town engineer
TOWN ENGINEER George Winters and Student Assistant John Pierro
The Town Engineer's Office received official status on July 5, 1955 with the appointment of the Engineer.
The first task undertaken was to procure the necessary office equipment and working area in the basement of the Town Hall.
Since that time, the Engineer has worked in conjunction with the Highway Department in scheduling activities and preparing the 1956 work schedule.
The Engineer has worked with the Planning Board as its agent, and all sub-division plans now pass through his office for technical approval before being submitted to that Board.
With the aid of an assistant, who is a Northeastern University Co-operative Work student, studying Civil Engineering, the office has prepared detailed plans and cost estimates of work to be done in 1956, and is currently making a file of all Engineering in the Town.
cemetary trustees
BURIALS IN WILDWOOD CEMETERY
Wilmington Residents died in Wilmington 19
Wilmington Residents died elsewhere 18
Non-residents 26
1
Removals
-
64
41
water commissioners
WATER COMMISSIONERS Waldo A. Stevens Harold E. Melzar Edmund H. Sargent, Supt. Engineering Consultant Harold Kilgore, and Ralph G. Babcock review 1956 program of the Water Department
Water Mains: The total appropriation for Water Main construction voted at the Annual Town Meeting was $15, 000. 00. Water mains were constructed on the following streets:
Oakdale Road 2250 ft. of 8" pipe Morse Avenue 1200 ft. of 6" pipe
Massachusetts Avenue was not completed due to the fact that applications for services were not presented to the Water Department by property owners on that street. At a special Town Meeting, a sum of money was voted to lay a six inch (6") main on Suncrest Avenue for a distance of five hundred and fifty feet. (550'). One hydrant was installed, thus giving greater protection from fire in this area. Water mains of suitable size were installed by developers under the inspection of the Water Department.
Hydrants: Seven (7) new hydrants have been added to the system. All hydrants were tested and repaired where necessary.
Service Connections: Two hundred (200) new services were installed during the year making a total of two thousand three hundred and fifty-eight (2358).
Meters: Meters were installed on new services and on old services where applications were made.
Barrows Well Field: The engineering firm of Whitman and Howard has been engaged to speed up the Barrow's Well Field project, and we hope to have the New Supply in operation sometime in June of 1956. This new pumping station will increase our supply and enable us to deliver a total of two million gallons per day.
In 1955 the average amount of water pumped per day was 838, 284 gallons. During the summer months we averaged well over the 1, 000, 000 gallon mark. Largest amount pumped was the week of July 17 to July 23 - 10, 941, 300 gallons, an average of 1, 563, 000 per day. Largest amount pumped in any one day was 1, 664, 600 gallons on July 23.
Water Consumed for the Last Five Years
1951.
250,813,500
1952.
307, 358,900
1953.
352, 417, 900
1954.
309,940,500
1955.
305, 973, 700
42
tree warden
R
TREE DEPT.
TREE WARDEN Bill Babine (far left) and Dept. Personnel Thomas Sullivan John Harvey Vincent Carbone
Tree Department:
Routine work was carried on throughout the year, such as removing trees, broken limbs, cutting away broken tops, and a fourteen-foot clearance along some shade tree streets. All the wood was given either to the abutter or taken to the pit and piled for the Schools' or the Water Department's use. All the brush was burned. Nine trees were taken downfor street widening.
Moth Department:
All shade trees were sprayed with 6% to 12% D. D. T. for gypsy moth and tent caterpillars. We painted all the gypsy moth egg clusters with creosote. This was done where the trees were infested with the gypsy moth. We also sprayed trees with D. D. T. to try and keep this pest down. We sprayed the town dump five times with 12% D. D. T to keep the flies and insects away. This was done about three weeks before the big fire, and we sprayed again in the late summer.
Elm Leaf Beetle and Dutch Elm Disease:
All elms were sprayed four times with D. D. T. from April until the middle of August. We lost about forty-two trees with the dutch elm disease. These had to be cut down, and some had to be topped before we could take them down. They were hauled to the pit and burned.
Town Forest:
The brush and old broken limbs have been cut away on a lot of trees that were broken by the 1954 hurricane. We also cut and cleared away four hundred feet more of brush and small trees in the old canal, which lets you drive your car from the ballfield right around until you get to the field near the main highway. This year we hope to finish four hundred feet more so that in time you will be able to drive all the way in the Old Canal from one end to the other. We have a lot of trimming to do among the pine trees. People from the city are still taking pictures of the Old Canal, and they say that it is a wonderful thing to have the Old Canal going through the park and still looking so good.
43
Mosquitoes:
This year we had a lot of rain in the Spring, and this let the mosquitoes breed. We sprayed a lot of swamps and bog holes with 6% D. D. T. We sprayed also in back of homes, and this helped a lot. I hope this year that we can get more money to do this job. We sprayed a lot on windy days so that the wind would carry the spray down through the swamps and bog holes. This year we will start earlier to see if this will keep down the mosquitoes.
Poison Ivy:
We sprayed the side of the roads, along stone walls, bushes, sides of trees, and anywhere the poison ivy was living. We hope to do more this year. We also sprayed a lot of bushes with bush killer, and we will do it again this year.
inspector of animals
No. 63
Inspection of Domestic Animals and Premises where Animals are kept
Dog bites reported
Dogs showing physical signs of rabies
0
Animals submitted to laboratory exam.
0 Premises keeping domestic animals inspected 45
187
Cattle inspected
Horses inspected 43
Hogs inspected 4019
15
Animals quarantined
64
Sheep inspected
9
Animals released from quarantine
64
Cattle released from Interstate Shipment
0
0 Cattle reacting to the Tuberculin Test 0
0 All special work assigned to my by the Dept. of Live -
0 stock Disease Control was attended to promptly.
board of appeals
Following is the report of the Board of Appeals for the year 1955:
Total Cases Heard - 21
Variances Granted -
11
Variances Denied
7
Lot Sizes
1
Lot Sizes
2
Building Alterations
1
Trailers
2
Out of Town Loam Removal
3
Business operating out -
Side Line Distances
3 of -zone 2
Sign Sizes
1
Parking Lots 1
Nursing Home
1
Trailer 1 No Action Taken 3
All biting animals were quarantined for the period of time prescribed by law.
Goats inspected
Dogs released from Interstate Shipment
Laboratory Report: Positive Negative
44
building inspector
BUILDING INSPECTOR Ernest B. Rice
The report of the Building Inspector for the year 1955 follows. There were three hundred and nine (309) permits for building, and one hundred and eighty-seven (187) plumbing permits issued.
Year 1955
Est. Value
Year 1954
Est. Value
205 Dwellings
2,184,850
166 Dwellings
1,636,000
37 Alterations & Add.
69,050
58 Alterations & Add.
81,700
36 Garages
31,100
32 Garages
35,000
4 Storage Bldgs.
22,800
6 Storage Bldgs.
34,450
2 Sheds
400
4 Sheds
2,580
4 Manufacturing Bldgs.
136,000
6 Manufacturing Bldgs.
93,800
4 Henhouses
10,650
4 Henhouses
15,650
1 Bank Building
50,000
1 Office Building
50,000
1 Craft Building
600
1 Portable Building
1,800
2 Barns
1,000
1 Barn
600
2 Signs
150
1 Sign
200
$2, 506, 600
$1,951, 780
The above shows an increase of $554, 820, this of course is an estimated figure and not established by the Town.
It is also worthy of note that there were one hundred and eighty-five (185) occupancy permits issued, which means that 90% of the construction started in 1955 has been completed. This would make an estimated value for construction completed, approximately $2, 000, 000 which if assessed at the present rate of 50% would establish an estimated $1, 000, 000 in taxable property, or approximately $56, 000 in revenue to the Town.
Total Fees Collected;
Building Permits
1,225
Plumbing Permits
1,274
$2,499
Twelve old buildings have been demolished. Number of building inspections - 1957.
Number of occupancy inspections - 200. . .... Total number of miles traveled - 8500.
45
board of health
BOARD OF HEALTH discusses drainage plan for Elmwood Village development. Left to right Gaius E. Harmon, M. D. Vinal E. Lewis Sanitarian Patrick Thibeau Chairman Francis Hagerty Developer Anthony Signore
0
a
It is the purpose of an Annual Report to render to the inhabitants of a city or town a factual accounting by their government. Of necessity, the end result of these activities may not be achieved in one year but carry over into the following year. As this is especially true of many endeavors in the field of public health, this report is divided into two parts. Part One consists of a general recapitulation since the formation of a full time department in 1954, and Part Two is a specific report for the year 1955.
PART ONE
In the field of preventive medicine which is the action to remove those causes that may bring on diseases, especially contagious diseases, two new activities were instigated. An anti-rabies clinic was established and 557 innoculations were given. By receiving this vaccine, both man and animal were protected against the deadly rabies killer. The Salk Anti-polio Clinic was sponsored by the Board of Health with the cooperation of the School Department. As there was a question later pertaining to the vaccine, the second series of innoculations were not given. The immunization clinic for pre-school age children was carried on as before with an increased number receiving their triple "shots". Tuberculosis cases were visited, and patients were admitted to the County Sanitorium. Chest X-rays and patch testing on contacts of these cases were followed up to prevent the spread of tuberculosis. Cases of dog bites were referred immediately to the Animal Inspector, and dogs were quarrantined for the possible detection of rabies.
In the field of enviromental sanitation and its many phases, seven separate divisions of sani- tation were introduced. These were: water, milk, food, sewerage and refuse disposal, housing and camp sanitation.
Three hundred and seventy-two (372) tests were performed on private sources of water sup- plies in the Town. In addition, the location and construction of all new wells were inspected and approved. Many of the wells which were found to be contaminated were rendered safe after the owners were advised in the means to render them potable. Approximately thirty tests were made on the town water supply, all of which were satisfactory.
46
Three hundred and ninety-two (392) sewerage systems were designed for new homes and commercial establishments. Although the amount of good drainage land has decreased considerably due to the building boom, the number of complaints received has fallen from a reported seventy -five per year in 1950 to about twenty-five per year in 1954 and 1955. Of the 392 permits issued, less than 1% reported any difficulty which was caused by the addition of automatic washers.
A number of lots were restricted in order to prevent a prospective buyer from unknowingly purchasing a lot which was unsuitable for building. In some cases, restrictions were removed when the lot was made usable.
All subdivisions were inspected and drainage tests performed in order to determine their suit- ability. For the first time, it was required that developers install adequate storm drainage systems, water mains and provide hydrants. As an example, the Board of Health originated the action which resulted in the installation of a hydrant for thirty-six homes in Suncrest Acres.
Previous to the enactment two years ago of compulsory pasteurization, raw, as well as pas - teruized milk, was sold and distributed. Preliminary inspections showed that in some cases, milk was being bottled and sold under extremely unsanitary conditions. With the enactment of pasteurization regu- lations, three hundred and seventy-five (375) analyses were made. Equipment in pasteurizing plants was checked as well as cleanliness and handling procedures. This has resulted in a safe milk supply for the Town.
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