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WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
A15801 347266
WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
A15800 603546
bound volume) 1951-1955 26685
1951
ANNUAL REPORT
for the
Town of Wilbraham
CONDENSED ANNUAL REPORT
FOR 1951
WI
F
ONM
TO
INCORPORATED
1763.
5
M
TTS.
S
AC
"Your Town at a Quick Glance"
COVER ILLUSTRATION - "Oldest Meeting House in Wilbra- ham" - This building was the first meeting house in Wilbraham and vicinity. It was built by Methodists in 1793-1794 and used as their meeting house until 1835.
When first built, the land on which the building stands was owned by Charles Brewer who leased it to the Methodist Society for an annual rental of one pepper corn.
Located just south of Academy Chapel at the corner of Main Street and North Mountain Road, it is now the home of Mrs. William Kirk Kaynor.
-GEEK 4-SI -
FIRST GRADUATING CLASS AT MEMORIAL SCHOOL, JUNE 14, 1951-First row, left to right: George Collette, William Przybycien, Lawrence Ricci, Fred Baldyga, Robert Gosende, Austin Sweet, Donald Manning, Chester Szczgiel. Second row: Stuart Wahlberg, Dorothy Collins, Doris Collins, Evelyn Nowak, Carol Schon- back, Joan Lovett, Elaine Armstrong, Margaret Swanson, Donald Manning. Third row : Barbara Mills, Dorothy Jenkins, Shirley Turner, Virginia Godfrey, Harriet Jones, Beverly Thurlow, Carolyn Thompson, Eleanor Pick- ens. Fourth row: Karl Tupper, Richard Gurski, Robert Merwin, Richard Castaldini, William Estes, Walter Dobek. Absent at time of picture: Frederick Biel.
Table of Contents of Condensed Annual Report
Pages 1 through 52. Printed on White Paper
Page
Anticipating Our Future Needs 11
Balance Sheet 27
Comparative Annual Expenditures - Four Years
22
Facts About Wilbraham
4
Interesting Statistics from Years 1941-1951
9
Jury List 19
Net Cost Accounts Other Than Appropriations 26
Report of the School Survey Committee 12
Selectmen's Report 5
Town Calendar 30
Town Meeting - March 17, 1951
31
Town Meeting - July 25, 1951 40
Town Office Building An Actuality 20
Town Services - Telephone Directory 30
Warrant for March 15, 1952 43
Water System Survey Report 41
APPENDIX
For appendix containing 1951 reports and expenditures of all departments (publication of which is required by vote of Town Meeting) see Pages 53 to 108 inclusive
Printed on india paper
Table of Contents for Appendix
appears on page 54
3
Facts about Wilbraham
Settled
1731
Incorporated
1763
Location
Eight miles east of Springfield
Population
Approximately 4300
Form of Government Town Meeting
Tax Rate
$36.00
Number of Dwellings Approximately 1226
Property Valuation Approximately $5,000,000.
Town Offices North Main Street - Telephone 415
Public Schools
Pines School, Wilbraham Memorial School and Springfield High Schools
Private Schools
Wilbraham Academy
Fire Protection
Stations at Wilbraham and North Wilbraham - Telephone 24
Police
Five elected Constables and Monson Barracks, State Police - Telephone Palmer 800
Three playgrounds, swimming beach
Recreational Facilities
Town Highways
Approximately 48 miles
Public Library
At Boston Road, North Wilbraham- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 2 p. m. to 6 p. m .; 7 p. m. to 9 p. m. (Children's room, 2 p. m. to 6 p. m.)
Churches
Four - United at Wilbraham, Con- gregational at North Wilbraham, Roman Catholic at North Wilbra- ham, Methodist at Glendale
Highest Altitude
937 feet - Mt. Chapin
4
Selectmen's Report
For convenient reference, this report has been limited to major items and divided into subject classifications.
Draining Nine Mile Pond
Residential areas adjoining the pond are flooded each spring and occasionally at other times. Over a period of years the pond's original overflow drainage has been ob- structed and filled-in, creating a serious problem.
With the cooperation of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, two different plans have been developed, laid out and finally abandoned on the grounds of imprac- ticability. The first called for overflow under Boston Road into the depression on the Auto Inn property, but it was decided that this would not provide full protection. The second plan called for opening up overflow drainage to the south through Cedar Swamp. This was abandoned when it was found that a series of bridges across the drainage ditch would have been required precluding future clearing of the ditch.
Currently, the Department of Public Works is cooperat- ing with your Board of Selectmen in studying the possibility of reopening the original drainage way to the west by in- stalling storm drain piping at the points of permanent obstruction which include a house standing in the bed of the original drainage ditch.
New Town Offices
Your new town offices were completed at a cost of $12,981.66. This major project was made possible at such a figure only by most careful planning and by the very low bids of cooperating local contractors who in some in- stances did not even meet their costs. We take this oppor- tunity to thank those listed below for placing their Town's interest ahead of any personal gain: Mr. Harold Morgan, Carpentry and Supervision ; Mr. Earl Decorie of Cosman & Decorie, Electrical; Mr. George Merwin, Plumbing; Mr. Anthony Cieplik of Cieplik & Severyn, Painting and Dec- orating.
Civilian Defense
During the year your Board of Selectmen appointed Mr. Edmund H. Merz as Civilian Defense Director. He has done a splendid job in organizing and completing the Civilian Defense organization.
School Building Survey
The unabated volume of new home construction in 1951 made it apparent that prior student enrollment census figures were already becoming obsolete. A Conference with the School Committee indicated a new crisis in school
5
capacity for the school year beginning September 1953 even after reopening of the Springfield Street school. In order to attain a long range plan and to consider the best interim steps toward that goal, with the approval of the School Committee your Board of Selectmen appointed a School Survey Committee to include representatives of vari- ous sections and interests. This Committee will report to the 1952 Annual Town Meeting.
Water Main Extensions
Pursuant to the vote of 1951 Annual Town Meeting, your Board of Selectmen appointed a committee to study a pat- tern for annual steps toward a long term program on water main extensions. This committee has completed its first report which appears herein.
Highways
Highway Superintendent William M. North passed away on May 29, 1951. The Town lost not only an outstanding public works director, but also a very fine citizen. Mr. North had made many friends throughout the years by his faithful service and ever ready cooperation in Town affairs.
Mr. Herbert Butler, employed a number of years in the highway department was appointed acting superintendent. He is, of course, relatively inexperienced in this responsi- bility and if all citizens will bear with him we hope that he will attain the experience and knowledge necessary to a permanent status as Highway Superintendent.
The Chapter 90 work on Glendale Road was started this fall and we expect to renew operation on this road begin- ning in April. All streets accepted were completed together with a new road by-passing the Y.M.H.A. camp on Soule Road. Crane Hill Road and Maynard Road were treated and surfaced during the year. We have asked for additional funds under Chapter 90 for further extension of Glendale Road improvement.
During the year an act was passed by the Legislature freezing existing valuation of towns now enjoying Chapter 81 funds. Your Town was faced with losing its eligibility to this program for 1951 which would have resulted in a loss of approximately $13,000 a year of State aid on the present basis. Your Selectmen gave considerable time and effort to supporting this act to prevent a sudden and com- plete loss of all Chapter 81 funds to Wilbraham.
A Look At The Future
For the decade just ended, your Town has managed to so budget its affairs as to maintain a tax rate of within $4.00 per thousand of what it was in 1941, while providing for major capital improvements including $521,000 for a new school and auditorium, nearly $400,000 for highways,
6
$80,000 for water main extensions and substantial amounts for playgrounds, municipal offices and fire department equipment. During this period the Town acquired a 40 acre tract for school site and playgrounds and a new ex- tensive highway department depot with permanent build- ings and also coped with an increased school operating appropriation which rose from $62,200 in 1941 to $141,033 in 1951. This was an outstanding ten-year accomplishment and is greatly to the credit of the citizens of the Town through sound actions at Town Meetings.
BUT THE CHALLENGE AHEAD IS FAR GREATER !
We face "growing pains" to an extent which is impossible to predict or specifically calculate.
It will be necessary to delay and dispense with worthy projects as never before if we are to accept our minimum responsibilities in the field of education and provide exist- ing services to a very rapidly growing community.
Heretofore, increased tax revenue from new construction has proven adequate to cover our carefully planned and budgeted capital improvements, but today we are growing much faster and attracting a large group of younger fam- ilies to our Town. As a result of this trend and the gen- erally higher birth rate of the last ten years, the total added education cost alone to serve our new homes may well exceed the total additional gross tax income received from such new homes. This problem is apparent when the aver- age annual net tuition and transportation cost to the Town of two elementary school pupils of $400 is contrasted with the average householder's real estate tax bill of less than $175 per year.
To further complete the picture for the next ten years, a total of the probable gross costs of some of our more obvious needs for that period is as follows: -
POSSIBLE NEW CAPITAL ITEMS
1. Eight to ten new school rooms at cost of $300,000 less $130,000 State subsidy, plus $60,000 for 20 years interest $230,000.
2. Mandatory sewage disposal for existing
sewer lines 150,000.
3. Draining Nine Mile Pond ($35,000 less State Aid, $20,000)
15,000.
4. Replacement and improvement of water mains and completion of grid to insure ade- quate capacity in areas now served
200,000.
5. Extension of Water Mains to serve new areas 100,000.
6. Two new fire houses and a new truck 80,000.
7. New bridge over canal on Red Bridge Road 100,000.
$875.000.
7
Tax dollars involved on $6,000,000 valuation (present val- uation $5,586,000) = $146.00 total per thousand dollars of valuation or $14.60 in tax rate for each 10 years.
POSSIBLE NEW ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ITEMS
1. Added tuition and transportation cost for students in new rooms and increased enrollment in Springfield High Schools might be roughly appraised as follows: - School appropriation for 1951 to operate 18 classrooms totaled $141,033 or $7,835 per classroom. At the same rate, thirteen additional rooms (three in Springfield Street School and ten new rooms) would appear to involve $101,855 additional annual appropriation to fully operate such extra rooms. If the next ten years were to average 60% of the latter, overall, we might use for this outline the average annual increase figure of $60,000.
2. Municipal garbage and waste collection 15,000.
3. Accelerated highway construction over prior average expenditures 10,000.
4. Organized police force 10,000.
$95,000.
Tax dollars involved on $6,000,000 valuation for $95,000 per year = $16.00 in tax rate per year (less potential additional State subsidies).
Such figures showing a possible tax rate increase of $30 or more per thousand, based on a valuation of nearly 10% more than exists at present are truly staggering. Of course these figures would be reduced by State subsidies and possibly greater increases in assessed valuation, espe- cially if new business enterprises were to be established, but with all such allowances it becomes very apparent that we must make haste slowly, carefully and with extra- ordinary forethought.
Since 1763 Wilbraham has faced its problems in just that way. With the future challenge before us, we are con- fident the townspeople will continue to follow their estab- lished conservative way. If the citizens will continue to maintain an alert interest in the studied recommendations of our public spirited Financial Committee, we can face the next decade with confidence and the knowledge that, al- though our tax rate must increase, we can manage to hold it within reasonable limits.
Your Board of Selectmen takes this opportunity to salute all the Town Officials, Boards and Committees. They have
8
served well and unselfishly. It is their civic interest and responsibility which makes our Town a good Town in which to live.
Respectfully submitted,
IRVING J. CORDNER J. LORING BROOKS, JR. CARL NELSON Selectmen
Some Interesting Statistics From Years 1941 To 1951
Year
Assessed Valuation
Tax Rate
Schools Net Cost
Highways A.D.C. Old Age Gen. Relief Net Cost Net Cost Net Cost Net Cost
1941
$3,235,000
$32.00
$59,600
$15,000
$900
$6,900
$4,000
1942
3,322,000
28.00
57,900
9,000
1,000
3,100
3,800
1943
3,400,000
29.00
60,200
14,300
900
2,400
2,200
1944
3,416,000
29.00
66,600
10,200
400
2,600
3,000
1945
3,439,000
30.00
70,200
11,900
700
2,100
2,600
1946
3,650,000
32.40
75,200
13,800
900
3,800
1,300
1947
3,920,000
35.00
83,500
25,600
1,100
2,800
5,700
1948
4,137,000
33.00
91,500
23,300
3,300
7,900
4,800
1949
4,834,000
36.00
97,800
32,400
3,400
5,000
8,100
1950
5,175,000
36.00
111,900
25,400
3,200
4,800
3,400
1951
5,586,000
36.00
97,300
15,600
100
8,300
3,800
Bonded Indebtedness $350,000.
Major Accomplishments Under These Tax Rates
New Construction and Improvements to Highways
$315,000
Water Extensions
80,000
New School and Auditorium
521,000
New Town Offices
13,000
Highway Dept. Depot Location and Buildings
Playgrounds, Grassy Hollow, Pines and Mohawk Field
40 Acre Tract for Consolidated School and Playgrounds (School Campus)
9
Oldest Elected Officials
WALTER F. BERRY - Town Treasurer and Clerk Chairman Rationing Board, World War I Chairman Fire Commissioners, 1928-1938 Water Commissioner, 1928 Finance Committee, 1929 Chairman Town Safety Committee, 1935-1950 Elected Town Treasurer, 1938 Elected Town Clerk, 1944
HENRY I. EDSON - Town Assessor Tree Warden, 1905-1906 Tree Warden and Forest Warden, 1909-1910 Forest Fire Warden, 1911-1912 Cemetery Commissioner, 1914 Assessor, 1923
Walter F. Berry, Town Treasurer and Clerk
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Henry I. Edson, Town Assessor
Anticipating Our Future Needs
1. Immediate School Expansion
$350,000
2. Required Sewer Disposal for the Existing Pipe Lines 150,000
3. Replacement and Improvement of Water System
300,000
4. Draining Nine Mile Pond
35,000
5. Garbage and Waste Collection, Annually
15,000
6. Organized Police Force, Annually
10,000
7. Canal Bridge
100,000
8. Two New Fire Houses
60,000
9. New Fire Truck 20,000
10. Operating Cost of Added School Rooms
50,000
$1,090,000
11
Report of the School Survey Committee
To the Selectmen of the Town of Wilbraham:
The problems encountered by your School Survey Com- mittee were simplified in one respect - it was unnecessary to first determine whether or not additional school rooms were needed. The starting point of our study, the October 1951 Pre-School Census furnished by the School Committee, readily disposed of that question.
It was clear that our efforts should be toward a thorough investigation of those factors relating to the following ques- tions :
(1) How many additional rooms are required ?
(2) Where should they be located ?
(3) What would be the approximate cost?
Our study has been confined wholly to the problem of recommending adequate facilities for the elementary and junior high school students, grades 1 through 9. We did not, however, overlook the future high school requirements. Our School Committee has been assured by Mr. Truell and by Dr. Sanders, Superintendent of the Springfield Schools, that the high school requirements of the surrounding towns can be readily handled by the Springfield high schools for a considerable number of years to come - at least until 1960. At the present time, Commerce, Classical, and Tech- nical high schools have a combined enrollment of 3,173 pupils. The Springfield School System's research depart- ment predicts a combined enrollment in 1963 of 4,548 pu- pils (including the Towns of Longmeadow, East Long- meadow, Wilbraham and Hampden). This would still be below the all-time peak attendance at these schools of 5,532 in 1941. We feel justified in concluding, therefore, that high school requirements are not part of our current prob- lem.
(1) How many additional rooms are required?
At the present time there are in use 6 rooms at the Pines School and 12 rooms at the Memorial School (including the Science Room). The enrollment in the first 9 grades is 553. This number of rooms is inadequate for the 630 students expected to enroll in September 1952 and the School Committee plans, therefore, to open the 3 rooms at the Springfield Street School. This latter plan involves the expenditure of a substantial sum, which is included in the school budget, to restore this school to a satisfactory standard. In this respect, we are advised that it is their intention to place the Springfield Street School in wholly satisfactory condition and to maintain it as a permament
12
standby facility. The soundness of ths procedure is con- firmed by this Committee, as it would cost the Town around $100,000 to replace these 3 rooms.
The following tabulation summarizes the expected en- rollment for the first 9 grades, based entirely on the census of pre-school children taken in October 1951:
Sept.
Number of Pupils
Increase Over Preceding Year
Required Rooms
1952
630
77
21
1953
722
92
25
1954
792
70
27
1955
851
59
29
1956
880
29
30
The 1951 enrollment of 553 represented an increase of 97 pupils over the preceding year.
The number of rooms set forth is based on 30 pupils per room. For example, the 108 first graders who are expected in September 1952 would require 4 rooms - an average of 27 per room.
We cannot emphasize too strongly that the above figures are based entirely on factual data. Almost everyone can recall, without difficulty, instances where efforts to predict the future have erred materially. For this reason, your Survey Committee has not included extensive potential growth figures in its report. We will state, however, that for the next several years, at least, there are no indications that our growth will not continue, even though the rate may be retarded. At the present time, there are about 40 new homes in the process of construction. We would be remiss in our duty if we did not point out that the growth factor could make a considerable difference in the number of years which will elapse before the problem again arises.
Neither must sight be lost of that time - which defi- nitely exists even if it is not now apparent - when the growth of the Town may not only halt, but reverse itself for reasons which cannot be prophesied.
In arriving at any conclusion, with respect to the number of rooms to be added, the Town - just as would any indi- vidual householder - must consider the cost with relation to its income. While this will be treated in more detail in another section, your Committee was aware of the sub- stantial amount of school bonds outstanding, the fact that the solution of the present problem will require further financing, and the numerous projects which are before the Town and will require the outlay of a considerable amount of money.
The previous tabulation of school room requirements based on the October 1951 Pre-School Census shows that
13
additional rooms must be made available by September 1953. It further shows that by September 1956 the Town will need a total of 30 classrooms in addition to the present Science Room which is used for departmental activities of the Junior High School. This can be accomplished by re- storing the 3 rooms in the Springfield Street School and by building 10 more rooms to be ready for occupancy by Sep- tember 1953. We are of the opinion, however, from our study of the probable future growth of the Town that we may require as many as 16 or more additional rooms by September 1956 or 1957.
Based on the foregoing, it is the recommendation of this Committee (1) that Springfield Street School be placed in satisfactory condition for occupancy by September 1952, (2) that 10 additional rooms be built for occupancy by September 1953. and (3) that in view of the difficulty of accurately predicting future growth, the school room re- quirements be reviewed annually by the Selectmen and the School Committee.
(2) Where should the new school rooms be located?
Several possibilities were studied including the building of a new school at a new location in the Town as well as the addition of rooms at the Pines and Memorial Schools. The distribution of the school population, however. would seem to indicate that the new rooms might best be con- structed at the Memorial School. Memorial School was designed for further addition on the same level, the site is well developed, and while an additional heating plant would have to be installed - for which room was originally pro- vided - the addition of the rooms at this location would be more economical than any other.
On this point, your Committee felt it needed the tech- nical assistance of someone who was intimately acquainted with the construction of the Memorial School. We took the liberty, therefore. of asking Mr. Warren Ashley, con- nected with Carl J. Malmfeldt & Associates. architects for Memorial School, to meet with us informally and discuss our problem without commitment on the part of the Town. He advised us as to present day construction costs and sug- gested ways in which the addition might be made. It was concluded that the present auditorium-gymnasium, cafe- teria, and shower facilities would be adequate for a 10 room addition. Thus, the addition would include only class- rooms, lavatories, and corridors.
(3) What would be the approximate cost?
Mr. Ashley stated that similar facilities are being con- structed for about $15 per square foot. Based on the square
14
footage which would be contained in an addition to house 10 rooms, the building cost would be about $265,000. To this would be added architect's fees, equipment, and a small contingency reserve, bringing the total to $300,000, or about $30,000 per room. This per-room figure compares with a similar estimate from the Pinney Company and the na- tional range of between $30,000-$35,000 per room. Mr. Ashley felt that an entirely new school at a different site would cost in excess of $40,000 per room, since if this were done, it would entail the purchase and development of a new site.
Thus, the first fact which becomes apparent is that the new facilities will require borrowing which is in excess of the Town's statutory limit. It is recommended that the Selectmen immediately file a bill to be considered by the Massachusetts Legislature to authorize the Town to bor- row for the purpose of constructing and equipping addi- tional school facilities.
We have determined from the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission that the State would join in the construction project to the extent of 43.33% of the total cost. On this basis, we offer the following tentative cost figures based on a 10-room addition :
Total Cost
State Share - 431/3%
At $30,000 Per Room $300,000 130,000
$170,000
The Town's financial condition is excellent and may per- mit a substantial cash payment. The balance would have to be borrowed on a twenty-year basis, presumably at com- petitive bidding, and while we obtained a rate of 134% for the original Memorial School Loan, it is not unlikely that subsequent change in interest rates together with the outstanding debt might result in a rate of 2% or higher on the new debt. Based on the above total cost, the follow- ing tabulation sets forth the annual debt service require- ments which would be raised by taxation :
Total Borrowed
Annual Principal Payment
First Year's Interest at 2%
$300,000 15,000 6,000
21,000
Less 1/20 of State's Share
6,500
Net Annual Amortization
$14,500
15
This net amount of annual debt amortization will vary, depending upon the amount which must be borrowed. Translating the above into a tax figure, it would mean about $3 per thousand if we borrowed $300,000.
Regional School
The possibility of entering into a Regional School agree- ment with the Town of Hampden was looked into for two reasons : (1) The State's contribution toward construction costs is larger, and (2) the amount of State assistance toward operating costs is increased by 15%. If we entered into a Regional School agreement, the State would con- tribute about 65% of the cost and the balance would be shared by Hampden (25%) and Wilbraham (75%).
Hampden's requirements relate entirely to junior high school facilities and appear to involve a minimum of 4 rooms. Thus, the two towns would need initially 14 new classrooms. While these might be added to the Memorial School and still come within the State Regional School requirements, such a move might sacrifice much of our pres- ent freedom and control over this building and it is entirely conceivable that it might seriously handicap Wilbraham insofar as the solution of future school problems are con- cerned. Also, once such an arrangement is entered into, the Town remains liable for its share of the debt and dissolu- tion of such a project appears difficult, if not impossible.
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