USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1960-1961 > Part 3
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Frank Ferrara - Variance in Zoning Laws to allow for erection of home at 1 West Street closer to the lot line than law allows - Approved 10' variance.
Lewis & Margaret Carbone - Variance to divide their land into two lots for housing, having less than required frontage, and one having less than required depth, Lowell St. - Approved.
Millard C. Pipes - Variance in Zoning Laws to allow for the construction of a. golf course on his and adjacent property, Chestnut Street - Granted subject to final approval of plan.
Pasquale Carbone - Variance to erect a dwelling on lot having less area than law allows, 48 Concord Street - Granted.
Anthony Micallizzi - Variance to erect dwelling on Marjorie Road on lot having less than the required area - Denied.
Pasquale Dapolito - Variance to erect dwelling on Bernstein Road without required set- back from street - Granted with restrictions.
Jackson Brothers, Inc. - Variance to erect dwelling on Crest Avenue and to change present lot frontages in so doing - Granted.
John G. Laganos - Variance in Zoning Law to allow for erection of sign closer to street than law allows - Denied.
Carmine A. Damelio - Variance to re-divide three lots of land behind Whitefield School on Whitefield Terrace - Granted.
James Tighe - Authority to expand skating pond, Chestnut Street - No action.
Brookline Realty - Variance to locate signs and pumps within required front yard, and sign on building of proposed gas station at 205 Main St. - Granted with restrictions.
Don Jon Realty Trs. - Variance in by-law to allow for sign larger than law allows, 496 Main Street - Decision pending final plans.
Wilmington Bank & Trust Co. - Variance to allow sign on canopy at 240 Main Street - Granted.
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wilmington Memorial Library
Nov. 1, 1960:
Nov. 15, 1960:
Nov. 22, 1960:
Sept. 15, 1960:
Sept. 29, 1960:
Oct. 13, 1960:
Nov. 22, 1960: Daniel F. Hurley - To allow for erection of breezeway and garage 13' from side lire of his land at 12 Fairmeadow Road - Granted.
Dec. 6, 1960: Henry M. Park - Variance on five lots of land at corner of Woburn Street and Park St. , relocated, all with sufficient area but two lacking depth and four-foot frontage - Granted with restrictions.
June Malagodi - Variance to allow for temporary occupancy of trailer on Butters Row - Denied.
Building By-Law Committee
Building By-law Committee: Left to right - Garnet Mills, Roland Wood and Ray Fitzmaurice.
As predicted in its annual report of 1960, your committee completed its primary task of preparing and submitting a report of its findings and recommendations to the Town Manager and the Board of Select- men, during the past year.
Upon this committee's request, said report was placed by way of an article, in a special town meeting held in November of 1960. Unfortunately, prior to the matter reaching a vote, the meeting was adjourned to the following week. Upon the town's eligible voters reflecting a complete lack of interest in the article, the meeting failed to attract sufficient people to meet a quorum, and the meeting and its only article was postponed to some indefinite date.
Your committee feels that they have discharged their duty and responsibility which they undertook nearly some four years ago, upon the request of the then Town Manager and Board of Selectmen. At that time, the committee was lead to believe that there existed an urgent and real need for a revised building code. It now remains with our town leaders and the people themselves as to whether that need still exists. and whether they have any confidence in the committee and its recommendations.
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Wilmington Memorial Library
building inspector
Building Inspector, Minot Anderson discussing plans with a builder
I find that many people seem confused as to the relation between the Zoning By-law and the Sub- division Control Law. A major provision of the Subdivision Control Law, and one with which the average citizen most frequently comes in contact, is the one providing that plans of land will not be accepted for record at the Registry of Deeds in Lowell unless they bear the signatures of a majority of the Planning Board.
Many times these plans are signed as "not requiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law". Plainly, this is not an approval of any kind, although persons frequently say over the phone that a certain plan is approved by the Planning Board on the basis of these signatures. Whether or not a lot is suitable for building depends on its conformity with the provisions of Section V of the Zoning By-law, with the ex- ceptions found therein or in the General Laws. I bring out this point of information because I sometimes talk to a prospective builder for an hour without being able to make the difference clear.
Below is a record of the private dwelling permits issued in the past five years:
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
Number of Dwelling Permits
148
137
136
110
93
As you can see, the number of private dwelling permits has decreased each year. This is partly due to the fact that fewer suitable lots are available, but in larger part, it is the result of past work of the Planning Board in submitting for adoption the Zoning By-law and the Subdivision Control Law, and in pro- mulgating subdivision regulations which placed the cost of subdivisions on the developer and not on the tax- payer.
It is as these results of their work become apparent that the townspeople can become truly aware of the great value of their services.
Part of the Building Inspector's work lies in the literal enforcement of these By-laws and Regula- tions; but another part is the issuance of permits. The past year's work is listed below.
Permits Issued
No.
Fees
Insp. Received
Building Permits
280
$1, 118. 00
Plumbing Permits
133
956. 00
748.00
Wiring Permits
397
1,830.85
1. 399.80
$3,904. 85
$2, 147. 80
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police department
ARRESTS
Armed Robbery
1
Non Support
6
Assault & Battery
2
Operating Under the Influence
6
A. W. O. L. (Military)
1 Operating Without a License
1
Breaking & Entering & Larceny
3 Operating So As To Endanger
3
Carrying Concealed Weapon
1
Operating After Suspension
3
Drunkenness
47
Operating Without Inspection Sticker
6
Illegitimacy
1
Operating at Excessive Speed
5
Indecent Assault
1
Operating Unregistered Vehicle
3
Juveniles Arrested
5
Operating Uninsured Vehicle
3
Larceny
3
Rape (Statutory)
1
Lewdness
3 Arrested for Other Departments
4
Total Persons Arrested
Total Fines Assessed
$550
DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES
Auto Accidents Reported
197
Buildings Found Open
82
Auto Accidents (Personal Injuries)
72
Buildings Broken Into
48
Auto Accidents Fatal
2
Burglar Alarms Responded To
47
Complaints Received
506
Bicycles Stolen
31
Complaints Requiring Investigation
312
Bicycles Recovered
25
Complaints of Vandalism
304
Children Reported Lost
11
Domestic Problems Investigated
198
Children Returned
11
Prowlers Reported
52
Autos Reported Stolen
10
Juvenile Cases (No Court Action)
18
Autos Recovered
12
Summonses Delivered
305
Persons Reported Missing
27
Indecent Phone Calls Reported
8
Runaways Reported
9
Indecent Exposure Cases Reported
4
Found Unconscious in Vehicle
1
Emergency Cruiser Trips
3º
Private Sales of Motor Vehicles
275
Fires Responded To
26
Sales by Class 1 Dealers
518
Reports of Stolen Property
110
Sales by Class 2 Dealers
563
Sudden Deaths Investigated
7
Roadwatches (Registry Program)
6
Suicides Investigated
1
Licenses Suspended (Residents)
108
Attempted Suicides
2
Notices Sent Registry for Action
196
Department Warnings Issued
213
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109
That just about covers the activities of the department for 1960, but it must be pointed out that we do a terrific amount of work that will never appear in newspapers or a published report such as this. Work of such a personal scope that we must protect those involved from unfair publicity.
The year 1960 will be recorded as our best year, for it was on June 7 that we moved into our New Police Station. We are so proud of our new station and wish at this time to express our most sincere hanks to the Permanent Building Committee, Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and the Townspeople who made it all possible.
May I conclude this report by expressing my genuine thanks and appreciation to the Women Traffic Supervisors for their devoted efforts.
To the Fire Department for "sharing their station with us for the first six months of the year", and for all their wonderful assistance to date.
To the Highway Department, Water Department, Tree Department, School Department, and all others who have been so cooperative.
To the Board of Selectmen for their continued support and cooperation.
To "Cecil" Lancaster, Town Manager, for all the wonderful things you have done for my depart- nent - and most of all the splendid way by which you accomplished them.
Library
MASSAP
S
P
Graduation - Five week training program at the State Police Academy - left to right, Commissioner of Public Safety, J. Henry Goguen, Officer Charles Ellsworth, Officer Anthony Langone, and Captain James A. Critecos.
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fire department
The 1960 report of the Fire Chief is hereby submitted. The manual force consists of Chief, three Lieutenants, and twelve Privates. There is a call force of fifteen members.
The Fire Department responded to a total of seven hundred and twenty-one (721) calls, two hundred and one (201) bell alarms, and five hundred and twenty (520) still alarms.
Ambulance Calls 306
Dumps 11
Auto & Trucks 26
Electric Wires
2
Brush & Grass
214
False Alarms 33
Buildings
52
Oil Burners
12
Chimneys
2
Out of Town 4
Service Calls
57
R. R. Trains
2
A total of 51, 470 ft. of fire hose was laid: 30, 370 ft. of booster hose, 6, 450 ft. of 1 1/8", 5, 450 ft. of 1 1/2", 9, 100 ft. of 2 1/2", and 100 ft. of 3" hose. Ladders were raised 733 ft. Total value of property endangered was $394, 050. 00. The property loss was $51, 305. 53.
Inspections were made as required by the State of rest homes, schools, all public buildings, and all new gasoline tank locations.
All equipment is in good condition, with the exception of Engine #5 at the North Wilmington Pumpir Station. This engine is in very poor condition, and for the past three years, I have requested to have it replaced. Engine #1 was repainted this year. The members of the department have done a terrific job remodeling the station, doing all the work themselves, which has been a great savings to the taxpayers.
Members of the department installed fire alarm wires along Burlington Avenue to the Boutwell Stret School; along Lowell Street; and down Woburn and Eames Streets. Several street boxes were installed al ».
Permits Issued for Blasting 21
Permits Issued for Burning
2345
Permits Issued for Gas 52
Permits Issued for Oil 101
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wilmington Memorial Library
tree department
TREE DEPT. SUPT. John W. Babine
Tree Department:
Routine work was carried on throughout the year, such as removing trees, broken limbs, cutting ay broken tops, and trimming low limbs. One hundred and seven trees were cut down for street widening. the brush was taken to the dump and burned. The shade trees were sprayed three times. We put the ristmas tree, given by Mr. Herbert C. Barrows, on the Town Common.
Moth Department:
This year we sprayed all the shade trees with 6% and 12% D. D. T. for gypsy moth, tent caterpillars, 1 webworms, aphids, pine shoot moth, oak blight, and maple leaf spot. We found a few gypsy moths in rth Wilmington, and we sprayed and painted all the egg clusters with creosote. We sprayed all the lawns h 6% D. D. T. for japanese beetle and milky disease.
Elm Leaf Beetle and Dutch Elm Disease:
All elms were sprayed three times with D. D. T. The spraying was started May 10 and continued il August 20. At this time I want to say that the new sprayer was a big help. This year we lost a udred and two elm trees with dutch elm disease. We sent a hundred and fifty samples to Amherst State lege to be tested, and one hundred and two samples came back "Dutch Elm Disease". We have cut down ihty-one elms to date, and have to cut down the rest before April 30. The State Department of Natural sources sent a crew of four men and a truck to help us with some of the work - a big saving to the Town.
Mosquitoes:
This year we sprayed the swamps, bog holes, and around the homes as far as we could reach. sprayed on windy days so that the spray would carry across the swamps. Please, clean up any old tin as around your property as these can hold stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes.
Poison Ivy:
Streets, stone walls, and homes, where poison ivy was found, were sprayed with brush killer. (also sprayed brush along roadsides to kill the brush.
Town Forest:
This year we cut down a lot of underbrush, broken limbs, and some dead trees.
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water department'
Board of Water Commissioners, Left to right - Harold E. Melzar, Waldo Stevens, Arnold C. Blake, and Mrs. Sylvia Bowman, Clerk.
2 34567
5 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 28 21 23 24 25 26 21 28
30 31
Water Supply:
The new pumping equipment has been installed at the Barrow's Station together with additional wells. All the wells at this station have been cleaned and tested. The capacity of this station has been il creased from 500, 000 gallons per day to 1, 000, 000 gallons per day.
Detailed Pumping Statistics are set forth below
1956
1957
1958
1959
196(
Maximum gallons pumped per Day
1,458,100
1,800,500
1,850,600
2,089,100
2, 246,
Maximum gallons
pumped per Week
9,548,000
11, 784,000
9,731,500
14, 116, 700
13,213,
Maximum gallons
pumped per Month
41,020,400
44,339,000
38,549,000
56,948,300
48,168
Average gallons pumped per Day
922, 470
979,750
1,081,700
1,590,785
1,420
Average gallons pumped per Month
28,135,330
29,800,825
32,902,000
48, 386, 442
43,278
Total gallons pumped per Year
337, 623,950
357,609,900
394, 824, 800
580,637,300
519,387
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Water Main Extensions:
The following installations were put in:
Street
No. of Feet 8" Main
No. of Feet 6" Main
Under the Betterment Program
Lowell Street
884
Fairfield Road
512
By Builders and
Concord Street
1,200
Developers
Cedar Crest Road
350
By water takers being served
Adams Street 350
Miscellaneous Information:
Metered Services
2,871
Unmetered Services
62
Total Services
2,933
New Hydrants Installed
3
New Services Installed
132
New Meters Installed
164
WATER SUPERINTENDENT Edmund H. Sargent
WATER DEPT.
TOWN CLERK
Water Dept. Employees laying water pipes
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Permanent Building Committee
Since it was established at the Annual Town Meeting in 1958, the Permanent Building Committee received authorization from the Town Meeting to undertake the construction of three schools, a police stat and a Highway Department garage. As of December 1960, two of the schools, the police station and the garage were occupied and in use.
Glen Road Elementary School:
The first project assigned to the Permanent Building Committee - it is now virtually complete. The landscaping and finishing of the playground area was started last fall. If the winter is not too severe this final completion of the project will be realized in the spring, within the budget appropriated by the To Meeting.
Police Station and Highway Department Garage:
These projects were initiated and bid simultaneously to stimulate greater competition among co tractors, following the vote of the 1959 Annual Town Meeting to authorize construction. Both buildings w furnished and occupied this past year, although exterior site work will not be finished until spring. Altho both buildings were constructed within very tight budgets, the committee does not anticipate that additiona. funds will be required to complete either project.
Boutwell Street Elementary School:
Site-adapted from the plans of the Glen Road School, this was the second school to be built acco ing to the circular design for elementary schools through which the town has achieved substantial savings the taxpayers. Construction of this school was authorized at a Special Town Meeting on July 1, 1959, but was not occupied until October 1960. The delay in completion apparently cannot be attributed to any sing circumstance but rather to a series of minor events which the contractor contends had the cumulative effe of a month's delay. To date the committee has not settled this matter with the contractor, and final con ment must therefore be reserved.
It now appears that the committee will be unable to provide complete landscaping and playgroun facilities equivalent to the Glen Road School because of budgetary limitations. As a result of price incre and different site conditions, the budget for this project was much more restrictive, for the building itsel cost approximately $37, 000 more than the Glen Road School. The most obvious disadvantage from this situation is the fact that the town can receive fifty per cent reimbursement from the Commonwealth for al work done prior to the legal completion of the project. It is possible that, after consultation with its adv members, the committee may recommend further action to the town.
North Wilmington Intermediate School:
On November 28, 1960, a Special Town Meeting approved the construction of Wilmington's firs intermediate school. This building will consist of approximately twenty classrooms and related facilitie and the committee recommended $1, 100, 000. 00 for its construction. On the recommendation of the Fina Committee, this sum was reduced by $50, 000. 00, although certain extraordinary requirements were imp after the budget had been prepared.
The Permanent Building Committee will make every effort to complete the project within the appropriation, but it is not yet possible to forecast the effect of the reduced budget. Meanwhile, the m(
38
mediate hurdle confronting the construction of the school is the severe snow accumulation and deep frost the current winter. Work is scheduled to start on or about April 1, 1961, but this will probably not be ssible because of the cited weather conditions.
Additional Site Acquisitions:
The Permanent Building Committee is also invested with the responsibility of recommending sites be acquired for future school facilities. In close cooperation with the Planning Board and the School epartment, the committee has developed a listing of probable appropriate sites consistent with the findings d recommendations of the town's planning consultants.
This problem is plainly one of economy. The town is well aware of increasing land costs which ve accompanied the opening of Interstate Route 93, and it is also cognizant of the increasing burden on e tax rate from the school building program. With the continued cooperation of other town agencies, it the intention of the committee to recommend specific site acquisitions to a Special Town Meeting in 1961. ich recommendations will conform to the town's long range planning program and the anticipated educational eds of Wilmington over the next ten years.
The Permanent Building Committee is appreciative of the cooperation extended by its advisory embers designated by other town boards and committees. On the basis of the experience of the Permanent uilding Committee, this feature is commended to other town agencies and boards whose work may involve e coordination of the efforts of several agencies of the town. The committee heartily endorses those easures which provide the unifying influence and spirit of cooperation which are needed to efficiently and onomically discharge the public business.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
HIGHWAY GARAGE
39
highway department.º
All regular routine work such as brush cutting and burning, cleaning catch basins and culverts, cutting back shoulders and hauling away the dirt was carried out. Twenty -one new street signs and many traffic signs were erected at the request of the Town Manager of the Police Department.
There seems to be some controversy over street signs because the Planning Board changed the name of many streets, and this has since been ruled illegal. I have had requests for street signs under their new names but have refused to purchase them for the above reason, and many people insist the names have been changed regardless of the ruling.
At this writing all highway equipment is in very good condition regardless of the heavy snow stor 3. I have kept repair costs at a low minimum because just about all the work is done at the Town Garage by tw mechanics. Since the occupation of our new garage, all town-owned vehicles are repaired and serviced b my two men. All parts and tires are purchased by the Highway Department and charged to the department using the vehicle. As time progresses, I will purchase various tools and machinery needed by the mechani to complete our setup.
The following is a report of the work accomplished under the various chapters and accounts.
Carolyn Road - Special Appropriation:
All brush, trees, stumps, boulders, ledge and subsoil were removed. Five catch basins were installed, and 550 ft. of drainage pipe laid. The entire street has been graveled and will be surface- treated in the Spring or early Summer. To eliminate the water condition on North Street and carry the wate from Carolyn Road, and at the same time catch the water draining from Pineridge Road, three catch basin were installed and about 600 feet of drain pipe had to be laid.
Pineridge Road - Betterments - Special Appropriation:
All brush, trees, stumps, boulders, ledge and subsoil were removed. Six catch basins were in. stalled, and 650 feet of drainage pipe laid. Ledge removal was the greatest cost because I had to blast ot the ledge for the roadway, and then cut a trench for the drain pipe from 2 to 7 feet deep - a distance of about 700 feet. The blasted ledge could not be used for backfilling the trench, and it had to be hauled away and replaced with gravel. The entire street has been graveled and will be surface-treated in the Spring or early Summer.
Chapter 90 Maintenance:
Lowell Street was surfaced (30 ft. wide) with a layer of hot top for a distance of 2550 feet at a cost of $4497. 00. The cost of raising the catch basins was paid from Chapter 81.
Chapter 90 Construction - 1959 Contract:
Concord Street from Woburn Street. This was started in 1960 and completed as per State
specifications .. All brush, trees, stumps, peat, ledge, boulders and subsoil were removed. Two catch basins and 140 feet of pipe were installed. The old stone bridge was replaced with a twin steel culvert, asphalt coated. The street was then graveled, graded, rolled and surface-treated with two applications of heavy tar, back covered with stone, and rolled. One thousand feet of guard rail was erected and painted. As to the bottleneck at the railroad crossing, this situation will be eliminated in 1961 by the railroad and Western Union. This work will cost the Town about $7, 000. 00 but must be done by the above.
40
Chapter 90 Construction - 1960 Contract:
Concord and Federal Streets to Middlesex Avenue. All trees, stumps and subsoil have been 'emoved on Concord Street. The trees along Federal Street have been removed, but the stumps remain for rotection until the Spring of 1961 at which time construction will begin again.
Chapter 90 Construction for 1961:
I have requested funds to surface Concord Street from Woburn Street to Federal Street, and `ederal Street to Middlesex Avenue with three inches of hot top - 30 feet wide.
Marcus Road - Betterments:
At this writing all the ledge completing the circle has been removed. The area consisted of about 00 feet long by 40 feet wide of solid ledge. I hired a wagon drill, a compressor, and the steel, plus the perator for $185. 00 per day. He averaged 370 feet of holes per day for ten days. I used 1050 lbs. of ynamite and 550 caps. I hired two stone trucks, one yard and a half shovel, and one bulldozer to haul it way. Due to the fact that Mr. Flynn of Gowing Road had use for it, I finished the hauling in six days, the istance being about 1500 feet round trip. Otherwise I would have had to haul it about three or four miles ne way. The street is impassible right now, but I will gravel it in the Spring and surface-treat it later. he cost to date is $5400. 00.
Chapter 81:
Surface treatment:
Aldrich Road
Federal Street
Andover Street
Forest Street
High Street
Lake Street
Liberty Street
Park Street
Roman Way Salem Street Swain Road West West Street Woburn Street
Drainage:
Adams Street Burlington Avenue
Fairmeadow Road Grove Avenue
Lowell Street Pinewood Road Shawsheen Avenue
Graveling & Surface Treatment:
Cedar Avenue
Chestnut Street
Shawsheen Road
Miscellaneous:
Church Street
650 ft. of granite curb laid, plus grading and loam
Middlesex Avenue
Granite curb, sidewalk, street surfacing
Garden Court
New culvert
Reconstruction and surface treatment
Lockwood Road Glenview Road Wilson Street
Retaining walls and surface treatment
Shoulder work
Reconstruction, graveling, surface treatment
Nichols Street Grant Street Fairfield Road
Finish the end ( subsoil removal, etc. ) Finish the end (subsoil removal, etc. )
In regards to our new Highway Garage, I have but one complaint and that is about the gas heating sstem. I have had much trouble keeping it in operation. Some adjustments have to be made because of fhilty mechanism. My greatest objection to this heating system is the cost. At the present rate of gas
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