USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 23
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Special programs were conducted each week. Peanut hunts, crazy hat contests, costume contests, talent shows, bingo games, and junior olympics were held at both playgrounds. In the final week, a picnic combining the participants of both playgrounds was held at Memorial and enjoyed by some 300 children.
Two buses made the rounds and transported children to and from both playgrounds. The bus route was extended on the Stony Hill Road route to Soule Road.
Mr. Richard Spencer was hired as caretaker of the playing fields and succeeded in grooming the baseball and softball dia- monds into excellent condition. This kind of care is becoming more essential each year since several baseball leagues are keep- ing the fields in constant use.
The Pines School playground surface was bulldozed and graded and then covered with about 300 yards of loam. The soil was then fertilized and grass seeded. The hoped for lawn in the spring should make a very pleasant improvement in this play area.
A much needed drinking fountain was installed at the Grassy Hollow field and was appreciated by many thirsty athletes.
Some brush clearing work was done at the Memorial field and future plans call for grading and landscaping work in the area surrounding the baseball diamond.
The Playground Commissioners wish to commend, once again, the sincere interest of the playground staff in providing appro- priate recreational and educational activities for the Town's children. They wish to extend the Town's sincere apprecia- tion to Mr. Edward Lindsay for contributing his time and efforts in conditioning the Pines School playground surface. They are appreciative also to the Highway and Water Depart- ments of this Town for services rendered.
VICTOR S. KODIS, Chairman ROBERT J. DRISCOLL GORDON C. MACKAY
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Police Report
I take pleasure in submitting herewith the annual report of the Wilbraham Police for the year ending December 31, 1958.
ORGANIZATION
The regular force at present consists of a Captain, four Patrol- men and one Reserve Officer.
In addition to the regular force the Department has an Auxil- iary Police force of twenty eight members organized under Civil- ian Defense for emergency duty.
Roster of the Regular Department: Captain, Robert C. Dietz; Patrolmen, Gardner Files, William Pollitt, John Chrzanowski, Steve Lopata; School Traffic Officers, Mrs. Marjorie Goewey, Mrs. Helen Los, Mrs. Dorothy Majka, Mrs. Mary Strycharz; Special Police, Norman Farnsworth, Alton McDonald, Everett Kerr.
The Wilbraham Police Department has completed another year of increased community and police service for the citizens of the Town.
Demands for police services are constantly increasing and with the increasing number of motor vehicles, many traffic prob- lems are created, especially in the more populated sections of the Town.
The chief duties of the Police Department are the preservation of public order and tranquillity including crime prevention and detection, and the promotion of public health, safety and morals. Our main objective is to keep the Town of Wilbraham free of
Our Highway and Police vehicles showing the new Highway Department Garage.
Photo by Bogue
WILBRAHAM
POLICE 2
all crime and disorder rather than counting the number of arrests and convictions for offenses within, for credit.
Patrolman Ernest Bacon retired March 1, 1958 after many years of efficient, able and friendly police duty to the Town.
John Chrzanowski was appointed a patrolman on March 1, 1958. He was assigned safety officer for the department. He has attended regular monthly meetings of the Western Massa- chusetts Safety Council and has carried on an active program in the schools, giving talks and showing motion picture films.
An outdoor pistol range was constructed by members of the department on property owned by Robert Converse. A weekly firearm instruction program has been instituted in which regular and auxiliary officers receive training on a competitive basis.
Four women were assigned as School Crossing Traffic Super- visors at four locations by the Board of Selectmen. They com- pleted training in the following: Police Department Rules and Regulations, Traffic Control and Direction, Motor Vehicle Laws - Ordinances and Regulations, Public Relations, Court Proce- dure and First Aid. They are to be commended for the excellent job done this year.
I also wish to thank the Auxiliary Police Officers who have generously donated their services this year, greatly assisting in emergency policing.
The Auxiliary Police again this year held regular meetings and continued the training schedule set up the previous year. They have also continued their target practice under the direc- tion of Sergeant Newton Goewey. Their revolver team placed first in the New England Police Revolver League Matches this year.
To our citizens, we will strive to merit your continued confi- dence in the Department, guarding your welfare and property and keeping Wilbraham a good community in which to live, work and play.
As Captain in charge of the Department, I am ever conscious of the faithful and loyal performance of the members. Their co- operation and spirit is an integral part of our achievement. The co-operation of all other departments in the Town Govern- ment is another valuable asset to our force.
Again I wish to express my most sincere appreciation to the Board of Selectmen for their continued friendly co-operation.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Crimes Against Property - larceny, 4; trespass, 2; using motor vehicle without authority, 1; breaking and entering, 5. Crimes Against the Public Order - disturbing the peace, 1; driving to endanger, 10; driving while intoxicated, 10; drunkenness, 8; non-support, 2; speeding, 74; operating without license, 4; no sticker, 2; for other Police Departments, 4; persons reported missing, 4; lost persons located and returned to their homes, 2; summonses served for other departments, 103; complaints received and investigated, 52; other investigations, 66; suspicious persons and cars in- vestigated, 75; street lights reported not burning, 38; homes vacant and cared for, 162; buildings found open and secured, 24; defective streets and sidewalks, 4; persons taken in charge and sent home, 10; failure to keep to the right, 64; operating without registration, 4; parking violation, 6: passing red traffic light, 3; passing stop sign, 39; automobile accidents investigated, 55; violations referred to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, 15; persons injured and taken to the hospital, 8; operating after suspension of license, 2; failure to slow for intersection, 12; cases prosecuted in District Court, 198; amount of fines paid the Town of Wilbraham, $1,270.40; the motor patrol covered 48,280.6 miles in 1958; pistol and revolver permits issued, 75; licenses to sell firearms, 2; money received from pistol permits, $190.00.
ROBERT C. DIETZ, Captain
Dog Officer
I hereby present my report as Dog Officer for the period beginning July 2, 1958 and ending December 31, 1958.
Animals reported lost, 22; animals picked up as strays, 10; animals recovered and returned to owners, 14; animals taken to the S.P.C.A., 2; dogs reported struck by cars, 8; dog bite cases investigated, 17; cases of dogs killing livestock, 2; complaints received regarding dogs, 36.
License fees were collected without court action for all un- licensed dogs.
ROBERT C. DIETZ, Dog Officer
Sealer of Weights and Measures
During the year 1958 the following devices were sealed in town:
Scales 61
Pumps, kerosene 2
Weights 68
Pumps, grease 12
Measures, liquid 11
Meters, oil truck 7
Pumps, gasoline 38 Milk tanks 1
The fees collected amounted to $128.90.
No complaints were received during the year, which could be taken to indicate that the public is quite satisfied with our tradesmen.
CHARLES L. MERRICK
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Aid to Agriculture
In accordance with the General Laws of the Commonwealth - Chapter 128 - the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture are authorized to receive on behalf of the County, money appro- priated by any town or city or by the Federal Government for carrying out the provisions of the law under which they are appointed.
The Trustees are further authorized to maintain agents to conduct meetings or demonstrations, make individual farm and home visits and in all ways help to improve home and commu- nity interests wherever possible.
Their agents have made contacts during the past year in every community either by public meetings, individual visits, group discussions, demonstrations or otherwise in attempting to assist the needs of the citizens toward better business, better living and better community service and have been ably assisted by a large number of local volunteer leaders.
In Wilbraham the following citizens have ably assisted as voluntary leaders in promoting the programs as have been con- ducted during the year: Mrs. John H. Chapman, Mrs. Margaret L. Clifford, Gail Fellows, Donald and Edward Fife, Doris Grand- champ, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Grandchamp, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Le Vasseur, Mrs. Edward J. Luff, Mrs. Clifford Patric, Mrs. Warren T. Reddish, Judith Rice, Mrs. June Rice, Mrs. Marjorie L. Shephard, Mrs. Charles J. Smith, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Edmond Trombley and Edmund Wallace.
An expense of $92.12 was incurred by these leaders for travel or for the purchase of supplies necessary in carrying on the various projects.
The appropriation made by your Town was used by the agents of the Trustees for only residents of your Town.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
1958 Appropriation
$100.00
1957 Unexpended Balance
108.62
Total Available for 1958
$208.62
Total Expenditure in 1958
92.12
1959 Balance Available
$116.50
1959 Recommended Appropriation
$100.00
ALBERT H. FULLER, Clerk
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Sanitarian and Milk Inspector's Report
As Sanitarian and Milk Inspector for the Town of Wilbra- ham, I respectfully submit my annual report for 1958.
During the first of 1958 the Board of Health adopted rules and regulations pertaining to public health and environmental sanitation of the Town. With these regulations as a guide a fine program of restaurant and market inspection work was con- ducted. During the year, seventy eight inspections were made on sixteen restaurants, and nine stores and markets.
In June 1958 licenses were issued to twelve milk dealers sell- ing milk and cream in the Town of Wilbraham, eighteen milk licenses and ten oleomargarine licenses were issued to stores and markets selling these products to the community.
During the tourist season eight overnight camps and tourist cabins were inspected to determine the sanitary condition under which these establishments were being operated. Conditions were found to be more than satisfactory.
Public health nuisance complaints investigated totalled seven- teen. Cooperation in abating unjustifiable nuisances was most gratifying.
I was available, on several occasions, as a consultant to the Board of Health regarding the condition and changes made in the Town dumps. This phase of community sanitation is ex- tremely important and is being conducted satisfactorily by the Board of Health.
The sanitary condition of the Town of Wilbraham, in gen- eral, is extremely good. The Board of Health has been sincerely active and interested in the public health of the community.
I wish to thank the public for the fine cooperation that they have extended to me and hope that the health of the Town can be maintained on as high a level as it was during 1958.
JOHN A. BRICKETT
Slaughtering Inspector
Number swine slaughtered - 4
Number cattle slaughtered - 1
All animals slaughtered tested out clean with no reactors.
CLIFFORD A. BRADWAY
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Civil Defense
The Wilbraham Civil Defense Authority has had a very successful and outstanding year. The participation of your Civil Defense organization in various operations during the past year has established standards and prestige that deserves the highest praise. The willingness, cooperation and united effort on behalf of all those individuals interested in this phase of government is beyond proper recognition. The townspeople can be proud
ZANGEKLO AUX.POUCE JUDO
Photo by Bogue
Civil Defense Auxiliary Police during instruction on "Judo"
Wilbraham Auxiliary Police Unit with Captain Robert Dietz
Photo by Bogue
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of the reputation and good will that is being created by this unique organization.
Our first major exercise during the year was our "Evacuation" during the regular annual Civil Defense Alert. This operation was in addition to the required exercises and much knowledge was gained relative to problems in "Evacuation." It was the only community in our area that undertook a major project in connection with the Federal and State exercise.
The next item of major importance was the building and dedication of the "Fall-out Shelter" on December 7th, 1958. The "Shelter" is the first of its type in the whole United States and it attracted considerable attention throughout the area. The dedication services combined with the Memorial Services made a very impressive affair. Each and every one of you is invited to visit this shelter, and determine for yourself the type of program for survival your family should adopt.
The next item of major importance was the adoption of the "State Operations Plan for Survival." Wilbraham has prepared its own "Survival Plan" for distribution to its citizens. It is the first town in the State to take the initiative in this field of public information. We urge you to read this "Plan" and become familiar with its operations. All the information that any citizen might want is available in this pamphlet. It is up to you to make plans for your own survival. We feel that the information in our "Survival Plan" will be of some help and assistance. Dis- tribution of the "Wilbraham Plan for Survival" we hope, will be made before Town Meeting. Your cooperation is desired in filling out the "Questionnaire" and "Registration" form in order that we may function properly during any emergency.
Again we want to emphasize that this department is cooperat- ing with all other departments in Town in obtaining materials and equipment for emergency needs at tremendous savings. We want to express our appreciation to all those who are so helpful and generous with their time for the cause of Civil Defense.
ROGER T. HINTZE, Director
Report for 1958 Insurance Review Committee
During 1958 the Insurance Review Committee completed a thorough analysis of the major categories of insurance on Town Buildings and Contents, and on Town Vehicles, the details of
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which are given below. These categories are the same as out- lined in the Report for 1957.
1. Town Buildings and Contents
Two complete surveys were made of the insurable values of all Town buildings, one by the Springfield Fire & Marine Insur- ance Company and the other by the Insurance Review Com- mittee, with the assistance of Mr. Walter Addison, an Engineer in the Real Estate Loan Department of the Massachusetts Mu- tual Life Insurance Company. The results of both surveys were discussed with representatives of the Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Company and a final set of valuations determined.
A complete, detailed estimate of valuation of contents in the various Town buildings, with the exception of the school build- ings, was compiled, based on reports made by the Water, High- way, Fire and Police Departments, and the estimate made of the Library in 1957. The contents of the Town Office were ob- tained by a joint study made by the Insurance Review Com- mittee and the Board of Selectmen. The contents of the school buildings are currently determined by the School Department and it was the opinion of the Insurance Review Committee that this valuation is adequately covered at present.
Based on the above valuations of buildings and contents, rec- ommendations were made to the Board of Selectmen for revi- sions of the fire insurance carried on the Town buildings and contents exclusive of the schools. These recommendations rep- resented no change in the insurance on the American Legion building and the Library; a decrease of $800 on Portable Build- ings No. 1 and No. 2; a decrease of $1300 on the Perry build- ing; and increases of $1300 on the Sand Loader, $3000 on the Town Office, and $3000 on the Fire House. Also, since no insurance had been placed on the new Water Department, Salt Storage and Highway Department buildings, amounts of $8,000, $1800 and $7300 were recommended respectively for these.
With the approval of the Board of Selectmen, a revised set of valuations was filed with the New England Fire Insurance Rating Exchange on all Town owned buildings and contents with the exception of those of the School Department.
Also based on the above valuations of school buildings, recom- mendations were made to the Board of Selectmen and to Mr. Dorrance Green, Chairman of the School Committee, for revi- sion of insurance carried, which represented no change in the
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Pines School and a decrease in insurance on the other schools of $25,000 on Memorial, $8000 on Stony Hill and $2700 on Springfield Street.
An investigation was made of the cost of fire insurance with mutual companies and it was found that savings of 20% to 40% in premium cost could be realized with several reliable companies. One of these companies, of excellent rating and paying a 40% dividend, was recommended to the Board of Selectmen and to the Chairman of the School Committee for consideration in connection with the fire insurance for the school buildings.
The cost of insurance against damage from boiler explosion was investigated for the school buildings and for other Town buildings, separately and combined. It was found that adequate coverage of this kind is now carried on the school buildings and that no saving in its cost would result from an over all policy on all Town buildings. Also, in the opinion of the Insurance Review Committee, the premium cost of this insurance would not be justified for the comparatively small risks involved for Town buildings other than the schools.
Towards the end of 1958, an investigation was started con- cerning the fire insurance rates on privately owned buildings in Wilbraham. It may be possible to reduce these rates because of improvements made in the fire protection of the Town. This will be investigated.
2. Town Vehicles
A. Bodily Injury and Property Damage
The Insurance Review Committee has obtained the fol- lowing ruling on the legal responsibility of the Town for this class of insurance.
"The Town is not liable for damages in the performance of duties which it is required to perform by law, but drivers of Town-owned vehicles are personally liable for any damage or injury caused by them. In order to protect the drivers of Town- owned vehicles, the Town is permitted by Clause (1) Section 5 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, as last amended by Chapter 176 of the Acts of 1958, to appropriate money to pay for insurance not exceeding $25,000 per person or $100,000 per accident, and $5,000 property damage."
The authority for this statement is advice from Mr. Herman B. Dine, Director of Accounts, Department of Corpo-
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rations and Taxation, State House, Boston, which has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Frank Auchter, Town Counsel.
The practice of the Town to date has been to carry Bodily Injury and Property Damage insurance on the two Water Department trucks, one of the Highway Department trucks and the Police cruiser, of varying amounts. In the case of the Fire Department drivers, the practice has been to depend on the personal insurance of the drivers, with the Town paying the additional premium necessary for coverage for driving the fire trucks. This procedure is undesirable, in the opinion of the Insurance Review Committee, because of the variety in amount of insurance now carried, the difficulty of determining the proper premium charge to be paid by the Town for personal insurance and the non-coverage of drivers of all except one of the Highway Department trucks.
The Insurance Review Committee has recommended to the Board of Selectmen that the limits of $25,000 - $100,000 Bodily Injury and $5000 Property Damage be carried on every Town-owned motor vehicle and that the practice of paying additional premium costs on driver's personal insurance be dis- continued. While this procedure will require additional pre- mium cost to the Town, the Insurance Review Committee feels that the Town has a moral responsibility to the drivers and to the community to provide this protection.
B. Comprehensive (Fire & Theft, etc.)
In general, the various Town vehicles carry the proper amount of insurance of this nature, in the opinion of the Insur- ance Review Committee. The premium costs are not large and no changes are recommended.
C. Collision or Upset
As noted in the 1957 report, this class of insurance is carried for the two Water Department trucks, the Police cruiser, the Fire trucks and the ambulance. The Insurance Review Com- mittee feels that this comparatively expensive insurance should be continued for the Fire trucks and ambulance, which are the most expensive of the Town-owned vehicles and are driven under the most hazardous conditions, and should be discontinued for all other Town-owned vehicles. This recommendation has been made to the Board of Selectmen.
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3. General on Insurance
The past procedure of having each department administer the insurance for its buildings and equipment leads to some incon- sistancies of insurance carried and, since policies mature at different times and are filed in different locations, it is difficult to determine whether policies have been renewed properly and have been kept up to date when new equipment or buildings are added. There is also the question of equitable allocation of insurance among the various companies and agents.
A study is now being made of the possibilities of administer- ing all insurance, with the possible exception of that of the School Department, by the Selectmen with the assistance of a permanent Insurance Committee, as well as a single agent with which insurance will be placed, along with a sharing of agent's fees among the eligible agents which are residents of the Town.
4. Remaining Categories of Insurance
The work accomplished during 1958 as outlined above occu- pied the full time of the Insurance Review Committee and action on the categories of Workmen's Compensation, Miscellaneous, Hospitalization or Medical, and Public Liability of Town Prop- erty will be taken in the future as soon as time permits.
ARTHUR R. BROWN, Chairman ALEXANDER W. MARCO, Secretary
ALDO ALBERICI
JESSE CANERDY BERT MOUNT LELAND W. SHAW
Report of the Betterment Assessment Study Committee
On the authorization of the Annual Meeting in 1958 the Selectmen appointed this committee to study the advisability, for the Town of Wilbraham, of assessing betterments in connec- tion with the extension of various town services.
Over the past several years the problem of making the right decision on improvements in the water system and the extension of its mains has been one of the most serious facing the voters at town meetings. Due to the size and complexity of this recur- ring problem the committee decided to concentrate its first efforts on a study of that problem.
Water Commissioners Robert W. Maynard and Walter L. Woods, who is a member of the committee, gave us their whole- hearted support and were most helpful in compiling information which was of vital importance to our study. We were inter-
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ested in the results of a careful appraisal of the current operation of the Water Department. On January 1, 1958 there were 1150 water customers and on December 15, 1958 there were 1303 customers, an increase of 153 in eleven and one-half months. The system contains 33.1 miles of water mains, or approximately 175,000 feet, the estimated replacement cost of which is $1,153,- 000. Of this total, approximately 62,000 feet of main at a cost of $282,000 have been installed by developers. Especially inter- esting is the following table, in round numbers, showing for 1958 the income to the town and disbursements by the town on account of water.
Receipts from customers $44,000
Receipts from taxation as a result of the 5%
assessed to those who have water 15,000
$59,000
Maintenance - including cost of water
$18,000
Interest and principal on bonds and notes
21,000
Fair depreciation charge to provide for eventual replacement of mains
20,000
59,000
Profit or Loss
$0.00
This tabulation represents a conservatively true picture of the current operation of the Water Department and the Depart- ment deserves commendation for paying its own way. The fig- ures should reassure those who believed that the operation of the Water Department was a burden on the taxpayers and, at the same time, temper the claims of those who believed that it was a highly profitable operation for the town. The Water Depart- ment is not only paying its way but we further believe that the system is entirely adequate to serve the customers who are cur- rently using town water.
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