USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1954-1955 > Part 2
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Chattel Mortgages recorded 306 Dogs licensed 856 Chattel Mortgages discharged 67 Fish & Game Licenses 360
No kennel licenses are being issued without an affidavit that such kennel will not be operated as a business.
treasurer
Cash in Treasury, January 1, 1954
$ 546,719. 86
Receipts Sundries
1,204, 335. 45
Receipts Collector
683, 396. 44
$2,434, 451. 75
Less Treasury Warrants
2,062,519. 57
Cash in Treasury, January 1, 1955
$ 371,932. 18
national service officer
It is a pleasure again to submit my Annual Report of the services rendered to the Town of Wilmington under eteran's Benefits. This will be my third year of servicing the veterans in your Town, every second Monday of the month t the D. A. V. headquarters on Grove Avenue.
From all indications of this report, we have practically eliminated veteran's problems as far as any Veterans administration monetary benefits are concerned. Six original claims were granted, nine increases and one non-service onnection, totaling the amount of $725. 19. Other benefits obtained were loan guaranty problems, rehabilitation, hospita - ization and many other veteran's problems.
I will continue to service the Town of Wilmington in the future, and again may I thank every one for the ourtesies extended to the Disabled American Veterans.
Respectfully, James J. Sayre National Service Officer
17
1
L
registrars of voters
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS Joseph P. Ring Mary E. Gilligan F. Talbot Emery
C
In accordance with Section 1, Chapter 3, of the Town By-Laws, meetings of the Board of Registrars have been held once a month.
The new system of listing, put into effect in 1954, has proved to be most satisfactory and expedient for looking up residents of the Town either by name or by street. The street list will be published as usual listing the residents alphabetically. The voting list is published listing voters by streets.
The annual listing of persons this year will also include the required State Census. On January 1, 1954, there were listed in the Town 5102 persons twenty years of age and over.
In addition to the prescribed times for registering voters, this Board will be in session from 7. 30 P. M. to 9. 00 P. M. the second Monday of each month at the Town Hall for the purpose of registering voters.
Please notify this Board of any change of address. Women married before the first of January must re - register. Naturalized citizens must have their naturalization papers when registering.
cemetary commissioners
BURIALS IN WILDWOOD CEMETERY
Wilmington Residents died in Wilmington
20
Wilmington Residents died elsewhere
25
Non residents 38
Transfers 2
85
18
building inspector
BUILDING INSPECTOR Ernest B. Rice
The report of the Building Department for the year 1954 follows:
There were 144 plumbing permits and 292 building permits, listed as follows:
No. Description
Valuation
166
Dwellings
$1,636,000. 00
22
Alterations
16,575.00
34
Additions
32,625.00
32
Garages
24,000.00
6
Storage Buildings
34,450.00
4
Sheds
2,580.00
5
Manufacturing Buildings
79,800.00
4
Henhouses
15,650.00
1
Service Station
11,000.00
1
Screening Plant
20,000.00
1
Office Warehouse
15,000.00
1
Shelter
600.00
1
Portable Building
1,800.00
1
Neon Sign
200.00
1
Remodel
30,000.00
1
School Addition
896,000.00
1
Barn
600.00
1
Temporary permit
7
Demolish
$2,869, 380. 00
Total Fees Collected:
Building
1,190.00
Plumbing
954.00
$2, 144. 00
In addition to the seven permits to demolish buildings as listed, this department, with the cooperation of the ire Department destroyed two buildings by fire. These two buildings were not included as they were buildings which were n land owned by the Town of Wilmington.
Approximately sixty (60) occupancy permits have been granted since this requirement has been in effect. approximately nine hundred and fifty (950) inspections have been made.
19
1
Office Building
50,000.00
Store
2,500.00
public library
Y
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Our experiment this year in opening the Public Library for five afternoons and two evenings each week has beer very rewarding, as proved by the statistics in the Librarian's Report. Some of these figures seem so significant that we would like to direct special attention to them. We believe that an increase in one year of 33% in the number of books cir - culated, and of 31% in the number of borrowers is a fine indication of the service the Library is providing.
A record number of almost nine hundred (900) new books, including the Encyclopedia Britannica, were added to our shelves. We are also pleased to report the purchase of two small tables and eight matching chairs for the pleasure and comfort of our very young readers, and a new thirty-drawer catalog which we think will prove a more convenient and efficient source of reference.
We would like to remind people of the reading opportunities in the Merrimac Valley Regional Book Collection. This is the result of a cooperative effort in which we have joined with other small libraries in the area to make available books which might be considered too expensive or too specialized for a small library to own.
The Trustees are most appreciative of the enthusiastic efforts and interest of our librarian, Mrs. Chipman, an of the capable assistance of Miss Ann Cavanaugh. We are most grateful to Mrs. Herbert Silverman for giving so freely of her time and talent to the story hour.
We hope that the Library will be used and enjoyed to an even greater extent in the coming year.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Books added to the library
873
Books circulated
15,273
Periodicals circulated 483
Borrowers registered 2,059
Fines collected $189. 06
This year showed an increase of 3, 802 in the number of books circulated and of 145 in the number of periodical: There were 494 new borrowers. In addition to the above there were approximately 500 books sent to the elementary school for circulation. Of these 210 are in the schools at present. Books were loaned to the Girl Scout Day Camp and to the play groups which met during the summer months. A number of books were borrowed from other libraries on inter -library loa! and books from the Merrimac Valley Regional Collection were circulated. The Merrimac Valley Loan books are changed every three months, thereby making about 100 books available during the year. The amount of reference work is greatly increased.
11273 3,502 11,471
20
attended. The story hour for pre-school children was held once a week by Mrs. Herbert Silverman. These have been well The collection of children's records has been popular in the story hour and other groups. These may be borrow- ed by parents and are in constant demand.
During the early months of the year two Girl Scout groups met in the library, and there were exhibits from time to time of the work of the Scouts and the Brownies. A class of children from the first grade of the Center School came to look at books in the library for a short period one afternoon each week. Classes from the Walker School and the Junior High School also visited the library.
constable
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town of Wilmington
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the following report as Constable of the Town of Wilmington for the year nineteen hundred and fifty-four.
I have in accordance with the town by-laws posted Notices and Warrants of all Town Meetings, Special Town Meetings, Primary and State Elections.
I have also in my official capacity as Constable posted all required Notices for all departments of the Town of Wilmington.
All of the above matter has been conspicuously posted at the following locations as per by-laws:
The Wilmington Post Office The North Wilmington Post Office The Town Hall
As you gentlemen are very much aware of the vast increase in our population, you will perhaps agree with my suggestion that the by-laws be changed to read and include the following locations :
The Silver Lake District Corner Lake Street & Shawsheen Avenue Corner Forrest & Burlington Avenue Corner West Street & Lowell Street Salem Street at Cheifitz Store
If billboards of sturdy construction could be installed, the pattern of which can be obtained from the Town of Winchester, I believe the residents will receive adequate service.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry J. Ainsworth Constable of Wilmington
21
fire department
ENGINE
2
Following is my report of the Fire Department for the year 1954. The manual force of the Fire Department consists of Chief, two Lieutenants, and eight privates. There is a Call Force of sixteen members.
Forest Warden
Arthur J. Boudreau
Deputy Forest Wardens
Barrows, Herbert C.
Cail, Harold F.
Hardy, John J.
Kidder, Donald C.
Cushing, George S.
Kleynen, Frederick M.
Eames, Ernest W.
Marshall, Kenneth E.
Medico, Joseph
Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
Nee, William J.
Mullen, James R. O'Neil, Maurice D.
Park, Philip S. Peterson, Charles A. Jr.
Sargent, Edmund H.
Sennett, Harold E.
Webster, Charles L. Williams, Arthur S.
The Fire Department responded to a total of five hundred and eight (508) calls, forty-five (45) bell alarms, and four hundred and sixty-three (463) still alarms.
Ambulance Calls
157
False 18
Buildings
44
Auto
14
Service Calls
78
Chimney
5
Resuscitator Calls
19
Brush & Grass 148
Out of Town
14
Oil Burners 10
Dumps
11
Permits issued for Burning
3575
Permits issued for Gas & Oil 433
Call Men
Branscombe, Elmer R.
Cutter, Harry J.
Deming, Roland C.
Downs, Francis E.
Ellis, Charles E. Jr.
Durkee, Leslie A.
Mann, William J.
Sargent, Edmund H.
Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
Woods, Robert J.
Williams, Arthur S.
Permanent Men
Cail, Harold F. (Lieut. ) Cushing, George S. (Lieut. )
Dewhurst, Raymond T.
22
A total of 69, 150 ft. of fire hose was laid, 12, 050 ft. of 2 1/2" hose, 10, 850 ft. of 1 1/2" hose, 10, 100 ft. of 1 1/8" hose and 36, 050 ft. of booster hose. Ladders raised - 425 feet.
Total value of property endangered was $280,400
The loss of property was
66,745
Engines #1 and #2 are in good condition. Engine #3, the Brush Fire Truck, may need to have some work done on the pump. This is the only brush fire truck we have, and at times it is overworked. Engine #4, 1930 Model A. Ford, is in very poor condition. I have requested a new Brush Fire Truck in the 1955 budget to replace the Model A. Ford. I don't feel that we can do without it, as there are times when we must use a House Fire Truck to fight brush fires. Eng. #5, stationed at N. Wilmington, is a 1938 Chevrolet, and it is in fair condition. This truck should be replaced in another year.
LO
planning board
..
4
PLANNING BOARD MEETS WITH DEVELOPERS (1. to r. ) Claude Helwig, Robt. Meserve John Evans, Wm. Irwin Developer A. P. Rounds Chairman John Ritchie Developer Anthony Signore
Two important changes were made during the year 1954. By a vote of a Special Town Meeting, an increase for lot sizes was made. This zoning change was asked by the Planning Board for the purpose of insuring an orderly growth and the beginning of well-planned developments. After the zoning change increasing the lot sizes to 150' x 150', the Board changed the sub-division regulations, making a number of changes. These changes will make all new developments among the best in the State.
The Board acted upon four sub-divisions. Of these four, only one came under the new zoning law and sub - division regulations. Much of the Board's time was spent with the sub-division coming under the new law, and it is hoped that final approval will be granted at the beginning of 1955. We feel with the latest changes that we will be able to spend most of our time during 1955 working on revision of the zoning by-laws. During 1955 we hope to have professional assist- ance while working on problems of zoning changes, and we also hope to have a completely new zoning map by the end of the year.
23
police department
POLICE
٤٠٠
WILMINGTON " POLICE
General Type Crimes
126 Males 224
Motor Vehicle Violations
106
Females
8
CAUSES OF ARREST
Assault and Battery
6
Larceny by Check
2
Assault with Dangerous Weapon
1 Larceny, Attempted
2
A. W. O. L. (Military)
2 Lewdness
1
Breaking & Entering & Larceny
4 Malicious Damage to Property
3
Careless Use of Firearms
1 Non Support
9
Default
4 Receiving Stolen Property
3
Drunkenness
70 Stubborn Child
1
Fugitive
1
Surrender of Bailee
1
Illegitimacy
1
Using without Authority
7
Keeping Illegal Still
1 Vagrant
1
Larceny
1 Violation of Probation
4
Total: 126 - Nineteen (19) of which are juvenile violations
MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS
Excessive Speed
43
Allowing Improper Person to Operate
2
Operating to Endanger
7
Operating without Authority
2
Un-registered Motor Vehicle
1 Operating without a License
2
Un-insured Motor Vehicle
1
Leaving Scene after Causing Damage to Property
2
Red Light Violation
4
Failure to Dim Headlights (oncoming cars)
1
Failure to Slow at Intersection
4 Refusing to Show License
1
Failure to Stop on Signal of Officer
1 Giving False Name to Officer
1
Operating Under the Influence
6 License not Accessible
2
School Bus Law
1 Registration not Accessible
3
Stop Sign Violation
5 Attaching Plates (not assigned to car)
1
Failure to Display Safety Sticker
15 Failure to Keep to the Right
1
These 106 violations represent actual cases prosecuted, and fines amounting to $845. 00 were paid the Court.
24
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
The records of this department will show that there were no fatal accidents involving motor vehicles in the Town of Wilmington during the year 1954. The records will show that one hundred and twenty-eight accidents did occur in Wilmington during the year, as follows:
Accidents Involving Personal Injuries
63
Accidents Involving Property Damage
52
Accidents Involving Pedestrians 13
Of the thirteen pedestrians injured, five were riding bicycles. Injuries resulting from accidents are broken
down as follows:
Males
Females
Operators
64
48
Passengers
30
37
Pedestrians
8
5
102
90
There were forty-seven (47) accidents investigated at the scene by police officers.
REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES ACTION
Licenses Suspended by Resigtry (on Request of Department)
40
Licenses Suspended by Registry (other departments action)
67
Registrations Suspended (by Department)
5
Right to Operate Suspended (by Department)
1
Licenses Suspended for Operating after Drinking (by Department)
8
Warnings Sent Operators by Registry (request of Department)
53
Violation Notices Issued as Warnings (by Department)
214
Violators Given Verbal Warnings (by Department)
265
Licenses Re-instated by Registry (approved by Chief)
36
Licenses Re-instated by Registry (on request of Department)
24
Private Sales of Motor Vehicles by Residents (Department)
310
These records should speak for themselves, but to emphasize them a little, it means that 107 Wilmington residents had their licenses suspended either by local efforts or those of other departments. One more point to take into consideration is, that the above are independent of all other violations that resulted in court action as enumerated previous - ly. Last, but not to be considered least, are the violation notices handled by this department numbering 519. This means that 519 cars were stopped, and operators at least warned for their violations.' This is at least proof that we are out there trying !
dog officer
No.
Dogs Licensed
865
Kennels
$50.00
1
25.00
2
10.00
6
Dogs Confined
173
Complaints Covered
201
Dogs Killed by Accidents
42
Residence Calls for Licenses
194
-
25
.
public welfare
The Board of Public Welfare respectfully submits the report of 1954, covering the types of aid under the jurisdiction of this Board.
Welfare:
During the year 1954, twenty cases were aided under this type of relief.
Disability Assistance:
During the year 1954, fifteen cases received assistance under disability aid.
Aid to Dependent Children:
During the year 1954, seventeen cases received assistance under this category.
Old Age Assistance:
During the year 1954, one hundred and three cases were aided under this type of relief.
veterans' agent
Veterans Benefits
In 1954, this department processed 101 individual applications for monetary aid as follows:
Chapter 115 as amended: 17 applications were referred to other Cities or Towns 6 applications were rejected for various reasons 78 applications were approved for aid
Chapter 797 War Allowance Act of 1950
5 applications were approved for aid
The notable increase in benefits paid in 1954 over the previous year is accounted for by the increase in the number of sickness and hospital cases among World War I veterans and their dependents in particular.
Veterans Services
Among the services carried on for the benefit of Wilmington Veterans in 1954 were: - processing of 45 Korean Bonus applications; filing of pension and compensation claims for veterans of all wars; securing Veterans Administration an Soldier's Home hospital and medical care facilities free to veterans. Several miscellaneous problems, regarding veteran still in Service, were also handled through the co-operation of the office of the Hon. Edith Nour se Rogers M. C.
Continued close co-operation with the State Department of Veterans Services, enables this department to more ably and expeditiously handle the many and varied problems confronting the Veteran.
26
sealer of weights
Sealed
Adjusted
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5000 lbs.
1
1
0
Platform Scales 100 to 5000 lbs.
7
2
0
Counter Scales Under 100 lbs.
4
0
0
Spring Scales 100 lbs. or over
7
2
0
Spring Scales under 100 lbs.
11
3
3
Beam Scales 100 lbs. or over
1
0
0
Beam Scales under 100 lbs.
2
0
0
Computing Scales under 100 lbs.
11
0
0
Personal Weighing Scales
3
1
0
Avoirdupois Scales
13
3
0
Vehicle Tanks
2
0
0
Apothecary
9
0
0
Liquid Measures
23
0
0
Meters, 1 inch inlet
23
5
0
Meters, over 1 inch inlet
8
5
0
Gasoline Measuring Pumps
9
0
0
Oil Measuring Pumps
7
4
0
Quantity Measuring Pumps
1
1
0
Sealing Fees Collected and turned over to the Town Treasurer
$88. 50
The following are weights of Commodities for immediate delivery:
Tested
Corrected
Under
Over
Beans
28
27
0
0
Bread
31
31
0
0
Butter
37
32
0
0
Coal in paper bags
18
18
0
0
Coal in transit
4
4
0
0
Confectionery
30
4
0
4
Fruits and Vegetables
47
40
0
7
Lard
10
10
0
0
Potatoes
35
35
0
0
Number of Licenses Inspected:
Hawkers and Peddlers Seals
17
Junk Dealers
3
Clinical Thermometers
7
Expenses of Dept. are as follows:
Appropriation
325.00
Total Expenses
324. 25
Unexpended Balance
. 75
27
board of assessors
ASSESSORS Alfred Calabrese Louis Doucette Mrs. Olive Sheldon
The Board of Assessors have the duty to "truly and impartially, according to their best skill and judgment" assess and apportion taxes, to determine each person's share of the cost of the Town Government. Following the assess - ment of property, the assessors submit a list of those persons owing taxes to the Collector. In addition, the assessors act upon request for the abatement of any tax leviedby them, this action must be taken in accordance with the provisions of State law. In 1954 the Assessors received and processed some 320 applications for abatement or exemptions. The bulk of which were veterans applications for exemption, as disabled veterans.
The year 1954 brought a major revision of the property record filing system with all parcels being listed on cards, and the cards filed contiguously by streets. Plans for the future include the maximum utilization of the Addresso- graph-Graphotype equipment purchased sometime ago. It is anticipated that the 1955 bills and Collector's commitment will be printed by the Addressograph process, rather than hand typing some 4500 separate bills.
A start has been made by the assessors, to number houses, as provided in the Town's by-laws. Many streets have been numbered or re-numbered. Every attempt has been made to accomplish this with as little inconvenience and confusion as possible. The new numbers will appear on the tax bills sent out this year. It is hoped that these new numbers will be posted as quickly as possible in a conspicuous location, and thus help to eliminate any unnecessary confusion. Plans for the future include the virtual completion of the house numbering program.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS Valuation of Taxable Property as of January 1, 1954
TOWN OWNED PROPERTY - REAL ESTATE
$416,000
Water Department - 150 acres of land and buildings
630,800
Schools - Approximately 34 acres of land and buildings
4,500
Town Park - Approximately 50 acres of land
500
Silver Lake Beach
8,000
Town Hall - 1/4 acre of land and building
23,800
Cemetery - Land and building
2,000
Library - 1/16 acre of land building
65,500
Fire-Police Station - 29, 138 sq. ft. land and building
700
Moth House - 6, 694 sq. ft. land and building
5,000
Highway Building - 15, 500 sq. ft. land and building
2,500
Common and Flag Staff - 2 acres of land
28
TOWN OWNED PROPERTY
Land and Buildings
Furniture & other Prop.
Total
Town Hall
8,000
2,500
10,500
Fire -Police Station
65,500
31,775
97,275
Sealer of Weights and Measures
1,300
1,300
Tree Warden's Department
700
1,800
2,500
Highway Department
5,000
23,300
28,300
Welfare Department
1,100
1,100
Schools
629,800
90,000
719,800
Library
2,000
2,000
4,000
Parks, Playgrounds, Gymnasium & Bath house
7,650
850
8,500
Water Supply System
416,000
12,000
428,000
Cemetery
23,800
2,000
25,800
$1,158, 450
$168,625
$1, 327, 075
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons Assessed
On Personal Estate Only
31
22
53
On Real Estate Only
3217
44
3261
On both Personal & Real Estate
390
3
393
Total
3707
Value of Assessed Personal Estate
Stock in Trade
102, 102.00
Machinery
93, 375.00
Live Stock
60,768.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property
587, 625.00
Total Value of Assessed Personal Estate
843,870.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate
Land exclusive of Buildings
1,909,080.00
Buildings exclusive of Land
8,980,115.00
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate
10,889,195.00
Total Valuation of Assessed Estate
11,733, 065.00
Tax Rate.per $1,000 - $57.00
Taxes for State, County, and Town Purposes, including Overlay On Personal Estate
47,268. 39
On Real Estate
621, 516. 31
On Polls
5,052.00
Total Taxes Assessed
673, 836. 70
Number of Live Stock Estimated
29
Horses (1 yr. old or over)
99
Cows (Milch)
41
Bulls, Yearling Steers, Heifers
500
Swine (6 months old or over)
20
Sheep (6 months old or over)
21,113
Fowl
30,818
All other
Number of Acres of Land Assessed
10,043
Number of Dwelling Houses Assessed
2,694
29
RECAPITULATION - 1954
Total Appropriations Tax Title Foreclosures, 4 @ 36.00
989,319.00 144.00
Overlay Deficits (1947 to 1952 Inclusive)
2,068.81
Pension Fund 1953 Expenditures Deficit
9,093.45
State Tax Assessments
4, 321. 40
County Tax and Assessments
15,809.26
Overlay
26,611. 34
Gross Amount to be Raised
1,054,866. 23
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds:
Reimbursement Public Owned Land
50. 42
Income Tax
92,907. 68
Corporation Taxes
17, 415. 78
Old Age Tax
1,962.95
Charities
23,000.00
Old Age Assistance
28,000.00
Schools
25,000.00
State Assistance for School Construction
27, 325.00
215, 661. 83
Motor Vehicle Excise
40,000.00
Miscellaneous Town Receipts
Licenses
3,000.00
General Government
2,500.00
Veterans Service
3,200.00
Interest on Taxes and.Assess.
3,300.00
Miscellaneous
5,400.00
17,400.00
273,061. 83
Voted from Available Funds
107,001.00
County Tax Overestimate
311. 92
T. B. Hospital Overestimate
654. 78
TOTAL AVAILABLE FUNDS & ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
381,029. 53
Gross Amount to be Raised
1,054, 866. 23
Less: Receipts & Available Funds
381,029.53
Total Taxes Levied on Polls & Property
673, 836. 70
Personal Property
829, 270 @ 57.00 per M
47, 268. 39
Real Estate
10,903. 795 @ 57. 00 per M
621, 516. 31
Polls - 2526
@ 2.00
5,052.00
Total Property Value
11, 733, 065
673, 836. 70
30
7,498. 97
o tree warden
-
Tree Department
Routine work was carried on through the year, such as removing trees, cutting away broken tops, broken limbs, and a fourteen-foot clearance along shade tree streets. All the brush was burned, and the wood was put in a pile for the School Department to use in their carpenter shop. We took down ten trees for street widening. All shade trees were sprayed twice.
Moth Department
All shade trees were sprayed with D. D. T. for gypsy moth and tent caterpillars. We also sprayed the town dump ten times this year with 12% D. D. T. to keep the flies and insects away. We painted all the gypsy moth egg clusters with creosote. Chestnut Street, Marion Street, and all that section was infested with the gypsy moth. We sprayed and painted the section good to keep it from spreading, and it will have to be done again next year.
Elm Leaf Beetle and Duth Elm Disease
All elm trees were sprayed four times with D. D. T starting in April until the last of July. We lost ten elm trees that were diseased. These were cut down and burned so that the disease would not spread. We will probably have a lot more from this year's hurricanes.
The Hurricanes of 1954
We lost a lot of trees. We cut all the fallen trees along the highway, and all branches were picked up, hauled away and burned. Also, we cut a lot of the broken branches so that they would not fall on anyone or damage vehicles. Before we can say that everything is safe, we still have a lot of trees left to trim.
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