USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1958-1959 > Part 3
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Performance bonds in one sub-division were deemed to have been forfeited in 1958, and the Town Counsel was requested to undertake the necessary legal action.
F. Conclusion
This year the town felt the full effect of the sub-division regulations adopted in 1956 when the first streets were constructed under these regulations. Wilton Park started in 1957 was com- pleted this year; Esquire Estates has completed a portion of its streets; Pinehill Park a sub - division only started this spring has completed about 90% of its streets. Wilton Park in the 60, 000 sq. ft. zone; Esquire Estates in the 22, 500 sq. ft. zone, and Pinehill Park in the 10, 000 sq. ft. zone with their fifty-foot streets, sidewalks, curbing, drainage, trees, etc. represent we feel the finest type of sub-division in the area.
III. Zoning
A. Reports and Recommendations to Town Meeting
Town Meeting Date
Article
Proposed Change
Planning Bd. Recommend.
Planning Bd. Recommend.
March 8th
15
From Rural to SRA
Disapproved
March 8th 16 Amend Section III-4-A - 14
Disapproved
Disapproved Disapproved
Proposed amendments to the Zoning By-Law and Map must be reviewed by the Planning Board, after a public hearing held by the board and a formal report and recommendations submitted to the town meeting proper to the vote on the proposed amendment.
Outside of the annual town meeting, 1958 was a relatively quiet year with respect to zoning changes. Two proposals were made at the March Town Meeting; one called for the change of a section of land in the North Wilmington Rural Zone to a SRA Zone; the second proposal was a basic change in our Zoning By-Law. This change would have allowed the manufactury of oxygen, hydrogen or acetylene gas in our Industrial Zones. While the Planning Board realizes that changes in the Zoning By-Law and Map are necessary from time to time, the board felt here that these proposals were not in the best interests of the town and so reported. The Planning Board wishes to thank the townspeople of Wilmington for their confidence and support of the recom - mendations of the Planning Board.
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B. Reports of Board of Appeals
The Zoning By-Law requires that the Planning Board shall submit advisory reports to the Board of Appeals for certain appeal cases. In addition thereto, the board is usually represented at public hearings of the Board of Appeals and consults informally with the Board of Appeals on questions of interpretation of the Zoning By-Law and Map.
Of the two formal reports submitted to the Board of Appeals both recommended disapproval. In one of these cases, the Board of Appeals concurred with the recommendation of the Planning Board; and the other appeal is still pending.
IV. Street Names
Work was started in 1956 to review the 1200 street names in the Town of Wilmington, and to re- name those streets with conflicting names. Over these past three years considerable work has been done by the board, and as the year closes we are ready to begin public hearings where 250 street names will be changed. We feel confident by the time this report is published that this project will be completed, and an ill that has plagued the town for years will be corrected.
V. Parks and Recreation
The Planning Board, which also serves as the Board of Park Commissioners, has attempted to make Silver Lake Beach a place of recreation for all townspeople. This year the beach was extended 150 ft., or about double in size. This was necessary due to the increased use of the beach by the townspeople.
The board sponsored an article at the Annual Town Meeting to commence the improvement of the Town Common. This year the basic cement sidewalks were built. Next year we expect to seed and grass the entire Town Common, thus completing the second phase of this program.
As mentioned earlier, we are conducting a study of the various recreation needs of the town and will have a report for the town some time in 1959.
VI. General
The Planning Board wishes to acknowledge the full cooperation received from the people of the town, all other boards and officials, and hopes for their continued cooperation during the coming year.
New subdivision nears completion. Shows wide streets - sidewalks - curbir resulting from good planning.
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police department
O
Police Department Cruisers
ARRESTS
Drunkenness
60
Adultery
1
Assault and Battery
7
Illegitimacy
2
Indecent Assault
4
Juvenile Arrest
14
Arrest Made for Other Depts.
29
Operating Under the Influence
11
A. W. O. L. (Military)
1
Operating Without a License
3
Non Support
5
Operating Unregistered Vehicle
2
Attempted Rape
1
Operating Uninsured Vehicle
2
Lewdness
2 Excessive Speed
15
Profane Language
1
Leaving Scene of Accident
2
Arson
2
Loaning License
1
Armed Robbery
2
Operating After Suspension of License
9
Purchasing Liquor for Minor
1
Operating Without Authority
7
Carrying Concealed Weapon
1
Operating So As To Endanger
4
Incest
1
Failing to Stop at Stop Sign
2
False Alarm of Fire
1
Failing to Slow Down at Intersection
1
194
Fines assessed for Motor Vehicle Violations
$1, 185. 00
Fines assessed for Criminal Violations
235.00
$1,420.00
Auto Accidents: The records show that we had 142 accidents involving property damage only. ... 49 involving personal injuries. .... 11 involving pedestrians ... . .. 4 fatals.
Automobiles Stolen: We had nine (9) automobiles stolen during the year ..... from within the town.
Automobiles Recovered: We recovered thirty (30) cars ..... stolen elsewhere and left here.
Bicycles Stolen: We had twenty-one (21) bikes stolen from within the town ... recovered eleven of them.
WILMINGTON
WILMINGTON
POLICE
POLICE
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Emergency Cruiser Trips: The department transported eleven (11) persons to hospitals, and nine (9) others to local doctors for medical attention.
Summonses Delivered: The department served 291 summonses for other departments during the year. We receive these summonses from other departments and have to serve them by delivering them to the person named ..... then make our return and re-mail the summons back to the department sending it.
These summonses are for all types of motor vehicle violations and also for other minor crimes committed by Wilmington residents outside the town limits.
Sudden Deaths: We investigated seventeen sudden death cases during the year. These are cases where the department had to summon the Medical Examiner. Other sudden deaths occurred in town but did not require the attention of the Medical Examiner.
Buildings Found Open: Night officers checking business establishments found sixty-seven (67) places left open.
Miscellaneous Items
Cases of Vandalism Reported
67
Death Messages Delivered
5
Missing Persons Reported
11
Houses Broken Into (Larceny Involved)
71
Larcenies Reported 38
False Alarms of Fire Answered 6
Houses Searched (Warrant Issued) (Boston Police)
1
Automobiles Repossessed
3
Accidental Shooting 1
Attempted Suicide 2
Assistance Rendered Other Departments
3
Sunday Work Permits Issued
98
Automobiles Transferred (Private)
301
Registry of Motor Vehicle Activities: Four "Operation Roadwatch" programs were carried out this year. This is the program inaugurated by Registrar Riley whereby, without any advance notice, Registry Personnel are sent into each city and town from 1.00 A. M. to 3.00 A. M. where they join forces with local enforcement officers and go out on the road and check all vehicles (every last one).
It is the most terrific piece of enforcement work carried out by registry and police. It keeps the motoring public on guard constantly .... for they never know when it is going into operation. (It is so secretly conducted that I missed it twice -- that is I didn't know it was in operation until the next morning).
Licenses suspended by the Registry for all violations total 168. This includes violations commit! both in-town and out-of-town by Wilmington operators. Included in this number are certain violators that we elected to take Registry action rather than court action. (Registry action though very effective does not give a person a criminal record ..... and we take such action only to keep some youngster's record clea
Records show that 104 persons had their licenses reinstated during the past year. .... and that 64 persons are still without their license. These sixty-four are the ones who committed serious violations and have lost their license either for a year or for an indefinite period of time.
Women Traffic Supervisors: This division of the department is now at maximum strength with nine members. During the "two platoon" sessions of school, these officers had their hands full ..... and they did a terrific job of it. To some it was necessary to come out three and four times a day, but now we are getting back to normal. To all of the "girl cops" my most sincere thanks and appreciation for a job well done.
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Deputy Chief Francis S. Hoban:
It is with deep and profound sympathy that we record the death of Wilmington's Beloved Deputy Chief of Police Francis S. Hoban, who passed on to his eternal reward December 18, 1958.
May God love him and keep him in His care!
Conclusion:
My most sincere thanks go to Arthur Boudreau, Fire Chief, and the members of his department for their wonderful spirit of cooperation during the year.
To the town departments that worked so willingly towards helping us with our many problems. (We call on just about every one to help us. .... AND WE GET THE HELP OF THEM ALL. )
To the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen, I extend thanks and appreciation for the interest shown in the department's problems during the year.
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-
LT
Police Chief Paul Lynch looks on as Town Clerk Esther Russell administers oath of office to AVCO special police force.
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fire department
LADDER
1
-
-
75 foot Aerial Ladder Truck similar to type ordered by Town of Wilmington
The following is my report of the Fire Department for the year 1958. The manual force of the Fire Department consists of Chief, three Lieutenants, and eight Privates. There is a Call Force of eighteen members.
Forest Warden:
Arthur J. Boudreau
Deputy Forest Warden:
Barrows, Herbert C.
Blaisdell, Augustus V.
Dewhurst, Raymond T. (resigned)
Cushing, George S.
Ellis, Charles E. Jr.
Kleynen, Frederick M.
Marshall, Kenneth E.
Nee, William P.
Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
Wandell, Daniel C.
Webster, Charles L.
Call Men
Baldwin, William E.
Buckle, Thomas G.
Burns, Erlmest E.
Cutter, Harry J.
Deming, Roland C. (deceased)
Downs, Francis E.
Durkee, Leslie A.
Kidder, Donald C.
Mann, William J. Medico, Joseph Moorman, Howard C.
O'Neil, Maurice D.
Park, Phillip S. Randell, Vernon L.
Razey, Donald F.
Robertson, Bernerd, Jr.
Sargent, Edmund H. Williams, Arthur S. Yentile, Rocco
The Fire Department responded to a total of six hundred and seven (607) calls, eighty-one (81) bell alarms, and five hundred and twenty-six (526) still alarms.
Permanent Men
Cail, Harold F. (Lieut. )
Cushing, George S. (Lieut. )
Woods, Robert J. (Lieut. )
Cail, Harold F.
Eames, Ernest W.
Plumer, Ralph M. Jr.
Sargent, Edmund H. Williams, Arthur S. Woods, Robert J.
1
36
Ambulance Calls
299
False Alarms
17
Auto & Truck Calls
16
Oil Burners
11
Brush & Grass
116
Out of Town
9
Buildings
42
Resuscitator
7
Chimneys
6
Service Calls Total
82
Dumps
2
607
Permits Issued for Burning
2275
Permits Issued for Oil 106
Permits Issued for Gas
60
Permits Issued for Blasting
22
A total of 49, 135 ft. of fire hose was laid: 21, 385 ft. of booster hose, 3, 300 ft. of 1 1/8" hose, 11, 450 ft. of 1 1/2" hose, and 13, 000 ft. of 2 1/2" hose. Ladders were raised 345 ft. Total value of property endangered was $2, 017, 750. The property loss was $52, 585. 55.
All the equipment is in good condition with the exception of Engine #5, a 1938 Chevrolet which is stationed at the North Wilmington Pumping Station. The replacement of this engine should be given serious consideration.
The Junior Fire Marshall Plan was held throughout the past year in all the sixth grades, under the direction of the Fire Chief, Lieut. George Cushing, and Lawrence Cushing, Physical Director of the Wilmington Schools.
Lieut. George S. Cushing attended the Massachusetts Civil Defense Rescue School and received an Instructor Diploma. This past fall the members of the permanent and call department attended a school on rescue work under the direction of Lieut. Cushing.
Lieut. Harold F. Cail has been assigned as Instructor of the Civil Defense Fire Department, and their apparatus is stationed at J. W. Greer.
Following is a report on the Fire Alarm System for 1958 - members of the department installed alarm wires from Church and Main Streets down Main Street to Lowell and West Streets. In the 1959 budget I am asking for $1500 to add street boxes and to extend the system to the Reading Line.
The Price of Progress Gowing House being destroyed to make way for new highway
H
5
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civil defense
SERVICE
RESCUE
WILMINGTON
. ......
O
Rescue Truck: newest addition to Civil Defense equipment
1
Fire Auxiliary: The Auxiliary stationed at the J. W. Greer plant is making excellent progress under the direction of Lt. Harold F. Cail of the Wilmington Fire Department. The Auxiliary has been called on six times in the past year to assist our regular Fire Department. Again we are grateful to the J. W. Greer Co. for allowing us the continued use of their facilities.
Rescue: This service has been one of the most progressive of all units this year. In July, Lt. George Cushing, of the Wilmington Fire Department, completed the Instructor's Course held at the Civil Defense Training Center in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The rescue truck was received in September, and training in light rescue was started immediately with fourteen men completing the course. The rescue truck has made 18 emergency runs and has proved a valuable asset to the town. The 10 K. W. mobile generator has been used six times and has exceeded all expectations for its operation in delivering light and power for emergency use.
Search & Rescue Service: Search & Rescue Service better known as "Frogmen" - they are well trained and now have a diver's communication set which with minor changes will enable a diver to keep in contact with the surface crew and other divers.
Ambulance: The auxiliary ambulance is now equipped with a resuscitator, first aid kits, foam rubber mattress and blankets. The auxiliary ambulance has made nineteen trips since September, two of them as far as Worcester, Massachusetts. This has relieved the regular ambulance so that the town has service at all times.
Radiological Service: The key personnel of the radiac team are men of outstanding ability. Dr. William K. Widger, Atmospheric Physicist, associated with the Cambridge Research Center. Dr. Dudley Buck, Professor of Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Henry Sullivan formerly with the Oak Knoll Atomic Plant and the Lynn General Electric Company.
Communications: This service still maintains its high standard of efficiency in conducting regular drills with town, sector and state networks. The tie -in with fire and police networks has not been accomplished due to changes contemplated by the Federal Communication Commission. To purchase equip- ment tuned to the present frequency would only mean additional expense in a short time for convertors.
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Warden Service: Re-organization of this very important service has been slow and at times dis - couraging. It is interesting to note that where large numbers of our citizens are necessary to a successful program, the response is so poor as to be almost non-existent. However, to those dedicated people who have taken on the job with tremendous odds against them, I wish to extend my sincere thanks.
Police Auxiliary: We are now in the process of organizing the auxiliary police, and I have great expectations for this unit. Ten men have been recruited; and once the program is under way, many more will be eager to join.
Reception & Dispersal Area: Camp Forty Acres has been set up as a reception and dispersal point in our survival plan. It is equipped with four field ranges, complete with utensils to be utilized for mass feeding. Also fifty metal cots and mattresses, and in times of emergency we can acquire 250 more cots and mattresses from the sector headquarters now located at the North Reading Sanitorium on Route 62. Mr. Foster Balser is in charge of this project and is to be congratulated for an excellent job.
Emergency Water Service: A 28 K. W. gas generator has been installed at the Pumping Station, North Wilmington, under the direction of Mr. Edmund Sargent, Superintendent of the Water Department. This unit will supply light and power to run all equipment at the station. It is hoped that we can add to the Emergency Water Service, several large capacity electrically-driven pumps through the Civil Defense Surplus Property Program.
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Wilmington Memorial Library
RESCUE
SERVICE
WILMINGTON
Civil Defense Unit practices rescue operation
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Permanent Building Committee
Following the special Town Meeting of November 25, 1957, at which the voters did not see fit to appropriate additional sums for the construction of a 15-room elementary school estimated to cost approxi- mately $800, 000 off Glen Road, it became apparent that a new approach to the school building program was essential. A combined meeting of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee, and the Elementary School Building Committee was held on January 8, 1958, at which time a report on the school building program prepared by the Town Manager, Mr. J. Courtney, was presented.
A joint sub-committee composed of Mr. N. DeFelice as chairman, representing the selectmen, Mr. Ed vard Page, representing the school committe, Mr. Stanley Webber, representing the finance com - mittee, Mr. William Irwin, representing the planning board, Mr. Erwin Hanke, representing the elementary school building committee, Mr. J. Courtney, Town Manager, and Mr. John Collins, Superintendent of Schoo was designated to study the school building situation and to submit recommendations as to the proper course of action. All members of the joint sub-committee signed a report which contained as one of the recommend ations a proposal that a Permanent Building Committee be established.
Article 41 of the Annual Town Meeting of March 8, 1958, called for the establishment of a perman ent building committee composed of five voting members. Two of the members were to be appointed for 3- year terms, two members for 2-year terms, and one member for a 1-year term. Eventually all terms will be for three years, but no more than two members' terms will expire in any one year. This provides con- tinuity of experienced membership which will benefit the town and its building program. The permanent building committee also has the advantage of having advisory members, one from the selectmen, finance committee, planning board, town manager and when school construction is involved, one from the school com mittee, together with the superintendent of schools. This insures a coordinated approach to all of the work of the permanent building committee.
Article 42 of the 1958 Annual Town Meeting transferred the functions of the Elementary School Building Committee and the Additional School Accommodations Committee to the Permanent Building Com - mittee. Article 43 limited the size of the proposed school off Glen Road to 12 rooms at a cost not to exceed $400, 000. This was in accordance with the recommendations of the joint sub-committee. The town also instructed the Permanent Building Committee to acquire a site, construct and originally equip a police station at a cost not to exceed $65, 000. 00. The site where the station was to be constructed was stated in the article.
In accordance with the vote, the selectmen appointed Mr. Raymond McClure and Mr. Vincent McLa as 3-year members; Mr. Erwin Hanke and Mr. Paul Niles as 2-year members, and Mr. Joseph Courtney as the one-year member. The committee elected Mr. Hanke as chairman and Mr. Niles as secretary.
The committee had three principal tasks. First was to build a 12-room elementary school off Glen Road; second to build a police station; and third consider the future building needs of the town's school system. Because of the desperate need of the town for additional classrooms and the delays which had alread occurred in connection with the elementary school off Glen Road, the committee agreed that the school build- ing schold be given priority.
The committee, therefore, devoted many hours interviewing architects during April, May and Jun More than twenty-five architects were considered, and some architects were interviewed on several occasion Ultimately the committee selected the firm of Valtz and Kimberly, Inc. because of its excellent record in designing high quality buildings within the budgets given to it. This was considered to be in accordance with the town's obligation to provide new classroom facilities of reasonable quality and minimum cost to suit the educational program of the town. Every effort consistent with the financial ability of the town must be made to discharge this most important obligation.
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The architect was instructed to design a 12-room school which could be built and equipped for less than $400, 000 and which was flexible enough to be used at other locations throughout the town either as a 12- room school or less than 12-room school. Provision also had to be made for expanding it to more than 12 rooms. The committee also instructed the architect that the obviously required economies should be made by cutting down on the spaces in the building which could not be used for educational purposes, rather than by using cheap building materials.
The committee believes that the school now under construction off Glen Road will demonstrate that this has been accomplished and that good quality schools can be built at prices which we, as taxpayers, can afford. The school is of masonry construction, faced with structural glazed tile up to 5 1/2 ft. on all interior surfaces of the building. The school has hot air heat, asphalt tile floors and first quality materials are re- quired to be used throughout. The school is comparable in materials and finish to the Wildwood School. At the present time, the cost of the school appears to be as follows:
Construction contract cost
$294, 303 25,000
AF - fees
5% of construction contract contingency fund 14,715
16,000
Equipment Site development including an area for the Recreation Dept. 36,000
$386, 018
It will be noted that this results in a cost of less than $1100 per pupil, which is substantially lower than the state average. The need for additional school buildings demands that all reasonable economies be practiced if we are to provide the school facilities which the school department will need to accomplish its program successfully.
Due to financial difficulties resulting from the obligation of the permanent building committee to assume the functions and responsibilities of the elementary school building committee, it was necessary to hold a special town meeting on September 15, 1958, and to amend the $400, 000 limitation on cost for the elementary school. Our committee has had to pay almost $50, 000 for architects' fees and other expenses incurred by the prior committee. The major part of the sum was for architectural services which had been performed in good faith and for which the town was obligated to pay. Regrettably, the services could not be used by this committee since the building plans which had been prepared could not be altered to lower the cost of the school from approximately $800, 000 to the point where it could be built for less than the $400, 000 which had been authorized.
The second task which our committee faced was the construction of a sorely needed police station. The site had been designated by the town, and while it is centrally located and the soil is suitable for the station, certain factors had to be considered. The site is adjacent to a drainage brook and with the advent of commercial development or urban renewal in the Rotary Park area this drainage will be increased. The site also included so-called paper streets and as a result certain legal problems must be resolved before it would be prudent to erect a building on the land. The further thought of the committee was that the police station could be the first building of an integrated civic center on a site so planned that it could eventually n clude a town hall, library and health building of unified design and architecture. With these thoughts in mind, the permanent building committee met with the selectmen and Articles 26 and 27 of the warrant for this Annual Town Meeting are the results of those meetings.
The $65, 000 expenditure authorized for the police station unfortunately will not provide adequate police needs since certain essential features could not be included in the station if this sum is all that can be appropriated. Facilities for juveniles and women will have to be eliminated, and the administrative areas will be inadequate. Chief Lynch assures the committee that the floor plan of the proposed station which will cost $75, 000 includes sufficient space to give the town adequate police facilities for the next twenty years. We, therefore, recommend the amendment to increase the sum already appropriated. The change in location s also recommended since the new location is also centrally located and is of course already owned by the town.
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