USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 42
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Playground Commissioners' Report
An enthusiastic response to the offerings of our two play' grounds in their six weeks' Summer program built up the attend- ance this year to another record high. Daily attendance averaged well over two hundred school age children at both play areas.
The instructors at the Memorial School playground were Helen Walinski and Alan Rubin. Susan Steup and Olindo Dra- gone directed activities at the Pines School grounds. Richard Spencer supervised the entire program and assisted as an instruc- tor where needed.
Activities at both playgrounds included the regular program of games and athletics of popular types, an expanded handicraft period, and a continuation of the popular weekly special pro-
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grams such as talent shows, crazy hat contests, peanut hunts, and costume contests. The season, as usual, was concluded with a rousing picnic conducted at the Memorial area and attended by the children of both playgrounds.
All athletic fields were kept in tip-top playing condition through the supervisory efforts of Richard Spencer. The base- ball diamonds never looked better and were used by an ever in' creasing number of ball players.
The Playground Commissioners wish to commend, once again, the sincere efforts of a talented staff in giving the children of Wilbraham a truly recreational Summer vacation.
VICTOR S. KODIS, Chairman ROBERT J. DRISCOLL GORDON C. MACKAY
Forest Warden
Four thousand three hundred and seventeen (4,317) permits were issued for open air fires. Under State Law a permit is required for all open air fires. At numerous times of the year, no burning in the open is allowed. For said permit dial LY 6-3014 or LY 6-3122. Our emergency phone LY 6-3111 is not to be used. The only incinerator that can be used in the open with out a permit must be one that releases no sparks or open flame. Wire basket type is not allowed in Wilbraham. If in doubt when purchasing an incinerator, call the Fire Chief for information.
Deputy Forest Wardens: Robert Dietz, Gardner Files, John Chrzanowski, Chief Pollitt, Charles Dorey, Raymond Beach, Jr., Harland Rogers, Kent Folsom, John Sigsbee and Cyril Woods. RALPH E. TUPPER. SR., Forest Warden
Pest Control Report
During the spring of 1960 all roadside elms were sprayed for the control of elm leaf miner and European elm bark beetle. Throughout the year, 176 samples of suspected elms were col- lected and submitted to the Shade Tree Laboratories at the Uni- versity of Massachusetts for testing. Of these samples, 172 con- tained the fungus Ceratostomella ulmi or Dutch elm disease. These 172 positive samples represented a total of 259 individual trees (clumps of trees are generally sampled as one unit). Of these 259 trees, 161 have been removed and burned. A number
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of completely dead elms have been destroyed. Town crews super- vised by the Pest Control Officer with an assist from Herbert Butler, Superintendent of Streets, removed 133 of these trees. Removal of 28 of the larger trees was accomplished by private tree companies. As of December 31, 1960, there remained 98 known diseased elms which, according to State Law, will have to be removed and burned before May 1, 1961.
We hope during 1961 to follow the recommendations of the Department of Natural Resources and pursue the policies of Dutch elm control in the following manner: (1) a good sani- tation program; (2) a good sampling program; (3) the prompt removal and destruction of Dutch elm diseased trees; and (4) the dormant spraying of valued trees as a supplement to the sanitation program.
During 1960 no Gypsy moth egg clusters were found in Wil- braham. It is hoped that we are rid of this insect pest. Judicious spraying, extensive creosoting and removal of egg clusters in past years has apparently controlled the Gypsy moth for the present.
Many residents of Wilbraham complained of mosquito infesta- tion in early June. Complaints too numerous to count were made before the first residential aerial spraying was conducted on June 9th and 10th. It was interesting to note that only one complaint was recorded after this spray. Another aerial spray on July 25th and 26th maintained the low concentration of mosqui- toes throughout the summer.
Some hand treating of swamp and idle water for mosquito larvae control was conducted during 1960 and we advocate some additional control in this direct manner.
All requests for poison ivy control were attended to. There was a concentrated effort to eliminate poison ivy along main roads, school areas, playgrounds and public areas.
GORDON R. LONG
Aid to Agriculture
The Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture consists of a board of nine unpaid members appointed by the County Com- missioners. These Trustees are empowered by law to maintain one or more Agents or instructors in Agriculture, Homemaking and Country life, who shall meet the residents of the County,
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Photo by H. Bogue
Selectman Jesse Rice (right) and his assistant Weldon Jameson bringing in a crop of marvelous juicy apples grown in Wilbraham.
individually and in groups, for the purpose of teaching and dem- onstrating better practices in Agriculture and Homemaking, the benefits to be derived from cooperative efforts; better methods of marketing farm products, and the organization of communities to build up country life. The statutes further allow the Trustees to receive on behalf of the County, money appropriated by any town or by the Federal Government . . . or by the General Court for any County ... and may enter into any agreements . .. relative to Extension Work with adults and with boys and girls in Agriculture, Homemaking and Country Life. (G. L. Ch. 128)
In accordance with the above, the Hampden County Trustees, during the past year, maintained Agents who have been of service to all residents of the County. These agents have con- ducted meetings and demonstrations and made individual farm and home visits in connection with many phases of Agricultural and Homemaking practices in all cities, towns and communities in Hampden County. Some of these practices included Better Farm Management, Better Livestock, Insect and Disease Control, Marketing, Soil Testing, Food Preservation, Financial Facts on
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Buying, Building and Improving the Home, Canning, Garden- ing, Crafts and Community Organization with Farmers, Home- makers, and Boys and Girls through 4-H Club work, both rural and urban. Their counsel and assistance has been available to all citizens of the County without charge.
Our Agents have made contacts in every city, town and com- munity in Hampden County during the past year in one or more projects and have been ably assisted by local committees or indi- vidual voluntary leaders as the occasion required.
In Wilbraham the following citizens have been of great assist- ance as voluntary leaders in such projects as were conducted during the year: Mrs. Raymond Beach, Mrs. Roland H. Ben- nett, Mrs. Clifford Dubray, Mrs. Harold Eldridge, Mrs. D. E. Collins, Donald Fife, Mrs. John Fynan, Mrs. H. G. Grand- champ, Mrs. George Lemieux, Mrs. Sidney Low, Mrs. Edward J. Luff, Mrs. Rene Paradis, Mrs. Clifford Patric, Judith Rice, Wayne Rice, Mr. and Mrs. Denny G. Richter, Jr., Mrs. John E. Robinson, Mrs. Raymond Ryder, Mrs. Rudolph Shults, Mrs. C. J. Smith, Jr., and Edmund Wallace; also Mrs. Roger White- hill.
The above leaders incurred the following expenses, either for travel or for the purchase of material needed to carry on the various projects under their direction: -
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1960 Appropriation
$75.00
1959 Unexpended Balance
138.63
Total Available for 1960
$213.63
Total Expenditure in 1960
171.33
1961 Balance Available $42.30
1961 Recommended Appropriation $150.00
Note: Any appropriation made to the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture by a city or town is deposited with the County Treasurer and held to the credit of the city or town for reimbursing local town leaders for their necessary expenses in conducting such work as may be assigned to them.
ALBERT H. FULLER, Clerk
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Photo by H. Bogue
Our Town grows peaches, too! At Dorrance Green's, his daughters, Pamela (left) and Elaine Rose, prove it.
Civil Defense
The Wilbraham Civil Defense Authority during the past year took part in the National Alert and two flood alerts which were called by your local Director. We maintain our weekly meetings in the basement of the Town Office on every Monday night in conjunction with other services of the organization, primarily communications. The public is cordially invited to visit our Headquarters in the basement of the Town Office at any time
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and also to be present at the various meetings to see what we are doing.
The Auxiliary Police meet twice a month on the first and third Thursday of each month, and carry on their respective training courses in first aid and police work. The Auxiliary Fire mem- bers meet every Tuesday night at the Boston Road Fire Station to carry on their training in first aid and fire fighting.
The local organization took advantage of Government Surplus Property Program and went to Taunton last fall and it obtained considerable equipment and materials for use in the various de- partments in Town. The local organization also worked very closely with the Area Director in Leeds and was responsible for much radio communication that took place on the Sector Level since the closing of the Sector Headquarters in July of 1960.
Next year we plan to take advantage of the Federal Matching Funds Program and purchase equipment for our Auxiliary Police Officers and medical supplies for the Medical Service. We have also registered with the State Agency for the purpose of buying heavy equipment that might be used by our Highway Depart- ment, and also for emergency needs.
The Civil Defense Board of Authority wishes to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who have been interested enough to keep our local organization intact.
The local organization is only a nucleus of dedicated personnel who are trained and willing to assist our citizens in the event of any catastrophe. We feel that our organization is second to none in the State of Massachusetts and if you are interested in taking part in this program, we will be more than pleased to have you participate. Your survival is important not only to yourself but to other citizens in Town. Do not hesitate to call us at any time for information.
Remember YOU are Civil Defense.
ROGER HINTZE, Director
HARLAND ROGERS
LINCOLN DEXTER
WALTER HOWE CHARLES DOREY
Report of Radio Committee
This Committee has met several times during the past year to discuss the problems that face various Town Departments that have radio communications. We have also tried to think in
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terms of long range planning as far as radio communications are concerned, especially in connection with alerting the various departments and their personnel for various alerts and emer- gencies.
Our Highway Department has now been assigned their own radio frequency. This step was necessary because the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) insisted on this change. Our present "fire frequency" is reserved only for fire use and cannot be used by our Highway Department, our Police Depart- ment or Civil Defense units. So, therefore, in order for our Highway Department to be properly equipped with radio com- munications, we have been assigned a new frequency and a base station has been installed. Now we have direct radio communi- cations with each of our trucks. This equipment has proven most useful and the statement has often been made "how did we ever operate our Highway Department without it." Also, for your information, one mobile set which is specially constructed is still tied in with our Fire Department frequency for use in case of local emergency needs.
Our Fire Department naturally has its own frequency and this Department is very complete in its radio communications. Not only does it have direct contact with one Highway Depart- ment truck, but it also has direct contact with one Water Depart- ment truck, the Town Ambulance, the Town Office, three Fire Dispatchers, and one doctor. This gives us direct contact with the various services if needed in almost any type of emergency.
Your Committee is also studying the advisability of alerting all firemen, otherwise known as "call men" by radio rather than depend on our present system, namely, the sirens. Experience in the past indicates that many firemen fail to hear the siren and then our fire dispatchers have to use the telephone in alerting enough help to combat our fires. Time is most essential and the Committee feels that fixed monitoring sets could be purchased for alerting emergency personnel at a much cheaper cost than installing additional sirens. No decisions have been made as yet and won't be until all the facts are available and then the towns- people will be advised accordingly.
Another interesting phase of radio communication is that our Fire Department, through the Hampden County Mutual Aid Association now has direct contact with each city and town in Hampden County, as well as the Forest Conservation Fire
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Towers, to assist in spotting fires that often involve mutual aid assistance.
Our Civil Defense radio communication is also very complete in that we have direct radio contact with the State Civil Defense Agency, and we also have our own two meter band for our local use. We also are continuing the instruction classes, free of charge, for young radio amateurs in Wilbraham who are inter- ested in this phase of communications.
The Committee wants to express its appreciation to all those who have assisted us in the past year and feel that there are many problems in the future that warrant the continuation of this Committee to do the necessary planning for efficient and economical programming in radio communications.
ROGER T. HINTZE, Chairman
HERBERT BUTLER RALPH TUPPER HARLAND ROGERS WILLIAM POLLITT
ER ROOM KEEP OUT
Photo by H. Bogue
A Catholic Church bazaar. One of many held in our Town.
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Report of Annual Town Meeting MARCH 12, 1960
In accordance with the Warrant as posted, the voters of the Town assembled in the Minnechaug High School Auditorium, Wilbraham.
The meeting was called to order by Moderator Ernest W. Furnans, Jr., at 10:00 a. m. The following tellers were appointed and sworn in by the Moderator: B. Lincoln Wales, Mansfield W. Williams, Dudley N. Hartt, Jr., James L. Marchese, Lincoln A. Dexter. It was noted that a quorum was present.
ARTICLE 1. Town Officers elected by unanimous vote were as follows:
Poundkeeper Gardner Files Measurers of Wood and Charcoal Walter H. Clark Edward P. Lindsay
Surveyors of Lumber
Walter H. Clark
Jesse L. Rice
Field Drivers
Leonard F. VonFlatern, Sr. Benjamin F. Griffin Peter N. Presz Weighers of Grain
Weldon G. Jameson Jesse L. Rice
ARTICLE 2. Voted unanimously that the Town accept the reports of the Selectmen, Board of Public Welfare, Treasurer and other officers or committees as printed in the Annual Town Report for 1959.
ARTICLE 3. Voted unanimously that the compensation for Town Officers be fixed as follows: Town Clerk, $1,450.00 per year (all fees to revert to the Town Treasury); Town Treasurer, $1,450.00 per year; Moderator, $50.00 Annual Town Meetings, $15.00 Special Town Meetings; Town Collector, $2,900.00 per year (all fees to revert to the Town Treasury); Tree Warden, $1.50 per hour (includes use of car); Selectmen, 2 members $600.00 per year, Chairman $650.00; Assessors, $1.50 per hour (includes use of car when needed); Constables, $1.50 per hour when called on duty by Selectmen, plus fees; Auditor, $200.00 per year; School Committee, no salary; Cemetery Commission-
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ers, no salary, $1.50 per hour for the time spent at Work; Water Commissioners $150.00 per year; Library Trustees, no salary; Planning Board Members, no salary; Poundkeeper, Field Drivers, Weighers of Grain, Surveyors of Lumber, Measurers of Wood and Charcoal, (all Town Officers elected otherwise than by offi- cial ballot) fees only as fixed by General Laws.
ARTICLE 4. Voted unanimously that the sum of $905.80 from the Dog Tax of 1959 be added to the Library Appropriation.
ARTICLE 5. Voted by a majority to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,241,236.32 to defray the cost of operating expense of the Town for the ensuing year as follows: GENERAL GOVERN- MENT - Aid to Agriculture, $75.00; Assessors' Expense Ac- count, $800.00; Election Expense, $3,000.00; Insurance and Bonding, $7,100.00; Interest, $1,000.00; Legal, $2,000.00; Plan- ning Board Expense, $500.00; Printing Town Reports, $2,500.00; Registrar's Expense, $250.00; Selectmen's Contingency Account, $1,500.00; Town Clerk's Expense Account, $200.00; Town Collector's Expense Account, $1,150.00; Town Officers' and Employees' Salaries, $34,000.00; Town Office and Buildings Maintenance, $5,200.00; Town Treasurer's Expense Account, $450.00; Town Treasurer's Expense - Land Court, $250.00; Wilbraham Contributory Retirement Account - Town's Por- tion, $7,899.06. PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY - Board of Health, $7,400.00; Building Inspector's Expense Ac- count, $100.00; Civil Defense, $1,500.00; Dead Wood Chapter 761, $3,500.00; Dental Clinic, $1,050.00; Fire Depart- ment, $20,214.00; Forest Warden, $900.00; Mosquito Control, $2,200.00; Pest Control, $1,000.00; Police, $20,592.00; Tree Warden's Expense Account, $1,500.00. TOWN SERVICES - Cemeteries, $2,600.00; Highways - Miscellaneous, $41,385.00; Library, $16,654.20; Road Machinery Operating Expense, $5,200.00; Street Lights, $6,500.00; Water Department - Maintenance, $24,200.00. PUBLIC WELFARE - Aid Depend- ent Children, $500.00; Aid to Disabled, $4,000.00; General Relief, $12,000.00; Old Age Assistance, $19,000.00; Veterans' Benefits, $8,000.00. SCHOOLS - Local, $519,012.00; Regional - Hampden-Wilbraham $297,973.06. RECREATION - Com- munity Program, $6,000.00; Memorial Day, $150.00; Parks, $700.00; Playgrounds, $3,700.00. DEBT SERVICE - School Bonds and Interest (1949), $17,624.50; School Bonds and In- terest (1953), $24,465.00; School Bonds and Interest (1956),
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$36,002.50; School Bonds and Interest, (1957), $29,625.00; Water Bonds and Interest (1955), $6,627.50; Water Notes and Interest (1953), $10,787.50; Water Notes and Interest (1958); $20,700.00.
ARTICLE 6. Voted unanimously that the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1960 and to issue a note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 7. Voted unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $8,850.00 to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 81 Highway Work, and that in addition the sum of $16,225.00 be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State's share of the cost of the work, then reimbursements from the State to be restored, upon their receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 8. Voted unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, and that in addi- tion the sum of $3,000.00 be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State and County's share of the cost of the work, the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 9. Voted unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90 Highway Construction, and that in addi- tion the sum of $15,000.00 be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the treasury to meet the State and County's share of the cost of the work; the reimbursements from the State and County to be restored, upon their receipt, to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 10. Voted unanimously that the Town appropriate and transfer from the Road Machinery Fund the sum of $1,500.00 to purchase two (2) Two-Way Radios for the use of the Highway Department.
ARTICLE 11. Voted unanimously that the Town appropriate and transfer from the Road Machinery Fund the sum of
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$3,700.00 to purchase a Catch Basin Cleaner for the use of the Highway Department.
ARTICLE 12. Voted unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 to reconstruct Woodland Dell Road for a distance of 500 feet more or less and the approach to the Fire Station.
ARTICLE 13. Voted by a majority that the Town not accept the private way now known as Highmoor Drive.
ARTICLE 14. Voted by a majority that the Town not accept the private way now known as Glenn Drive, beginning at Lance Lane and running easterly to Brainard Road, a distance of 1400 feet more or less.
ARTICLE 15. Voted unanimously that the Town not accept the private way now known as Devonshire Drive.
ARTICLE 16. Voted by a majority that the Town accept as a public way the private way now known as Pine Drive, as shown on subdivision plans drawn by Smith and Wallen, Engi- neers, dated March 1954, and March 1955, known as Wood- land Heights and filed with the Planning Board, beginning at Three Rivers Road and running westerly for a distance of 1755 feet more or less.
ARTICLE 17. Voted unanimously that the Town appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $15,000.00 to be spent by the Water Department for additional household and business installations for water service, the cost of which is to be collected by the Town from the individuals or concern requesting installations, and which is returned to surplus funds.
ARTICLE 18. Voted by a majority that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 for the preparation and publish- ing of a history of the Town in 1963.
ARTICLE 19. Voted by a majority that the Town appropriate and transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury the sum of $5,500.00 to pay the garbage collector, with receipts from garbage collection subscribers to be restored as received by the Town Collector to unappropriated available funds in the treasury.
ARTICLE 20. Voted by a majority that the Town postpone indefinitely action on this Article.
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ARTICLE 21. Voted by a majority that the Town not raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Assessors for a professional revaluation of properties of the town.
ARTICLE 22. Voted unanimously that the Town appropriate the sum of $15,000.00 for a Reserve Fund, $10,000.00 to be transferred from the Overlay Surplus Account and $5,000.00 to be transferred from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 23. Voted by a majority that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000.00 and transfer from unappro- priated available funds in the treasury the sum of $35,000.00 for the purpose of increasing the Stabilization Fund.
ARTICLE 24. Voted unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $1,650.00 to purchase a cruiser for the Wilbraham Police, said sum represents the net cost to the Town after deducting the turn in value of the present cruiser.
ARTICLE 25. Voted unanimously that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 to be expended under the joint supervision of the Planning Board and the Board of Assessors for the preparation of maps and plans for the use of said Planning Board and Board of Assessors.
ARTICLE 26. Voted unanimously that the Town authorize the Selectmen to sell at public auction after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the Town 14 days at least before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided the Selectmen, or whomsoever they authorize to hold such public auction, may reject any bid they deem inadequate.
ARTICLE 27. Voted unanimously that the Town authorize the Selectmen to institute or defend suits and employ counsel for the purpose of protecting the interests of the Town.
ARTICLE 28. Voted by more than 2/3 vote that the Town change Article 2 Section 2 of the Town By-Laws as amended under Article 30 of the Annual Town Meeting held March 15, 1958 to read as follows: "That the Annual Town Election for all Town Officers to be chosen thereat, be held the first Saturday following the Annual Town Meeting which is to be held in March of each year, the date of which Annual Town Meeting to be determined by the Selectmen, and that all provisions of
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the Town By-Laws which are inconsistent herewith be and are hereby amended to accord with the provisions of this vote.
In favor 171 Opposed 83
ARTICLE 29. Voted unanimously that the Town accept the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 136, Section 4B, an act entitled "License to operate Bowling Alleys on the Lord's Day, as enacted in the Acts of 1946, Chapter 207, Section 3.
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