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WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
A15801 347282
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1
WILBRAHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
A15800 603596
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Boston Public Library
https://archive.org/details/wilbrahamannualr1956wilb
bound volume (1956 -1960) 26686
1
ANNUAL REPORT 1956
Vilbraham, Massachusetts
Wilbraham No. of Pupils
- 1,500
SCHOOL POPULATION Wilbraham Public Schools Grades 1-12
Massachusetts No. of Pupils
1,500,000
-
1,000
1,000,000
-
500
500,000
WILBRAHAM
1925
1935
1945
1955
1965 (est.)
SOURCE: Director of Research the Massachusetts Teachers Association
MASSACHUSETTS
CONDENSED ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1956
WIL
OF
N
TOW
INCORPORATED
1763.
MASS
TTS.
SAC
"Your Town at a Quick Glance"
Most of the excellent photographs in this report were made pos- sible through the courtesy of Howard Bogue, local photographer. He has been most cooperative and willing to assist.
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.
GRADUATING CLASS, WILBRAHAM JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
First Row : Chester Bolek, Roger LaCross, Christopher Payne, Raymond Bolek, Richard Brooks, Lawrence Cloutier, Raymond Alberici, Theodore Bernard, James Steup, David Clark, Robert Gorman, Richard Pederzani, Richard Trembley, John Bianco, Charles Hitchcock, Lawrence Rose, William Penrose. Second Row: Mary Cloutier, Carolyn Fortini, Marjorie Wells, Betty Kowalski, Jean Laurino, Linda Good- man, Laurel Holdridge, Claire Castonguay, Doris Cloutier, Irene Golemo, Dorothy Brackinisky, Elsie Clayton, Sandra Ewig, Nancy Graves, Jean Ryan, Gail Fellows, Linda Ek- berg. Third Row: Richard Bliss, Raoul Desy, Peter Grazio,
Gene Allyn, Elizabeth Gosciminski, Sally Nixon, Mary Gray, Barbara Bobowiec, Pauline Thiebe, Rita Desy, Gladys Wirz- bicki, Janice Barber, Jill Howes, Margaret Fey, Karen Smith, Beverly Cohn, Janet Ryan, Kenneth Fife, George Francis, Thomas Sullivan, Thomas Lata. Fourth Row: Wendell Bean, Charles Genza, Ernest Mueller, Clayton Con- verse, Philip Danforth, Patricia Pollitt, Bonnie Agard, Chris- tine Morrissette, Carol Svec, Barbara Allen, Sarah Hyde, Linda Bowman, Barbara Sanborn, Robert Muir, A. David McDonald, Ronald Godfrey, Bradley Brown, Curtis Preston. Absent when picture taken : Jeanne LaMontagne, Wayne King.
Table of Contents of Condensed Annual Report
Pages 1 through 52. Printed on White Paper
Page
Balance Sheet
14
Civil Defense 22
Comparative Annual Expenditures - Four Years 17
In Memoriam 23
Net Cost Accounts Other Than Appropriations 20
Report of the Finance Committee 10
Selectmen's Report 5
Town Meeting - March 10, 1956 27
Town Meeting - October 22, 1956 39
Warrant for March 16, 1957 43
APPENDIX
For appendix containing 1956 reports and expenditures of all departments (publication of which is required by vote of Town Meeting) see Pages 1A to 68A inclusive Printed on Green-colored paper
Table of Contents for Appendix appears on page 2A
3
Town of Wilbraham, Massachusetts
300 Population
Water Dept.
School Dept.
1941 0
O
O
O
0
$54,000
Assessed Valuation
Tax Rate
1941
$3,234,705
$32.00
1946
$3,650,351
$32.40
1951
$5,061,655
$36.00
1956
$8,684,075
$50.00
$30,000
1951 0
O
$35,500
$294,000
1956 0
O
$167,500
$1.084,000
1946 O
0
o
O
Selectmen's Report
For the past few years in our annual report, we have tried to impress the citizens of Wilbraham with our tre- mendous increase in growth and the resulting cost of operation that has a direct bearing on our tax rate. The Finance Committee has likewise tried to point out what the consequences would be as far as your tax dollar is concerned. The constant repetition of these facts year after year can only be expressed in terms of graphic charts in this report. Studying these charts carefully you will be more fully aware of the problems confronting your Board of Selectmen and other town committees. Wilbraham is most unique in its growth, being far ahead of other towns of comparable size. Our most immediate problem is ade- quate school facilities. The growth of population is not due to an increase in Wilbraham's birth rate, but to the influx of new families desiring to live in Wilbraham. Our taxes are spiraling upward to meet the ever-increasing demands for water, schools, roads, police protection and additional employees.
In spite of our many problems, we are very pleased by the manner in which we have been able to absorb our tre- mendous growth. Many problems are ahead that will require sound future planning. We must have foresight in our recommendations that will carry us into the future effecting substantial savings in the years ahead.
In an analysis of the proposed expenditures included in the budget this year as compared to 1955-56, one will note certain items that will cause our tax rate to increase despite all efforts to do otherwise. In other words, there are certain expenditures that have an influence over which we have very little control. These are itemized as follows :
1. The effect of inflation. This item alone has tremen- dously increased the price of commodities and serv- ices, particularly the hourly rate paid to our em- ployees has increased substantially during the past five years.
2. The growth of our Town has increased the needs for many of our services, especially the educational costs. In order to maintain competent teachers we are re- quired to pay prevailing rates.
3. Increased benefits in our welfare program. Even though we are fortunate in this respect, the cases we do have cost considerably more in proportion than they did just a few years ago.
4. The increased cost of our debt service due to exten- sive borrowing. Wilbraham has far exceeded its nor- mal debt limit with a total funded indebtedness ex-
5
ceeding $1,000,000. Interest alone figured at the prevailing rate of 21/2% will amount to more than $25,000 which represents at least $2.50 on our tax rate.
5. The cost of pensions. Pensions for our long-time pub- lic servants have increased materially over the past ten years and will grow due to our larger payrolls.
6. Larger contingency account to provide for the un- foreseen. As a town grows so do its problems. This requires setting aside a sum of money to meet emer- gency expenditures.
In this town report you will find facts and figures con- firming the statement, "It costs a great deal to grow big." Have our solutions to problems during the past years been unusual or exceptional? It is interesting to note in a recent article published by Nations Business figures used as growth bench-marks by the American Society of Plan- ning Officials as follows :
1. Every 100 new families that move into town means an increase of 450 in the population.
2. This increase in population means 2.2 more grade schoolrooms and 1.6 more high school rooms having a total annual cost of about $120,000. The national average per classroom is $30,000.
3. One hundred families would likewise add $30,000 to the school operating costs for any one year. This means new teachers' salaries and supplies for the additional dependents.
4. There are other costs, such as more garbage collec- tion, tax collection and road building. More land will have to be purchased for parks, playgrounds, etc. One hundred families also would consume approxi- mately 10,000 extra gallons of water a day.
5. The above adds up to more employees to take care of the required services for the community with a general payroll hike of anywhere from $12,000 to $15,000 a year.
By using the above-mentioned bench-marks and analyz- ing the expenditures shown in this report, you will see that Wilbraham is not unusual in its demands. Terrific growing pains are reflected in every Town department. You are assured that your tax dollar is in line with other commu- nities with comparable problems. As a growing Town we have many needs but must exercise restraint and consider only those that are absolutely necessary for the welfare of our community in order to maintain a tax rate without undue burden on homeowners.
During the past year our Highway Department com-
6
pleted the South Main Street drainage project. The outlet on Williamson's pond was lowered relieving flooding con- ditions which existed in this area during high water peri- ods. Drainage in many other sections is being studied by our Board and will be completed in the near future as funds allow.
The Toll Road which will pass through the eastern part of Wilbraham will be open for traffic in May of this year. Citizens of many cities and towns in this area, including many of our residents, were inconvenienced by detours necessitated by construction. We have been assured by the Turnpike Authorities that any local roads damaged during construction of the Toll Road will be repaired at no expense to the Town.
The original vote for the water main on Main Street provided for the extension of the 16 inch main to Monson Road. Upon completion of this main sufficient funds re- mained to extend it an additional 1100 feet. As the money borrowed could only be used for the installation of a 16 inch main, the Water Commissioners completed this project this year.
Your Selectmen have received several complaints from various sections of Town regarding water pressure. This problem deserves very careful consideration and recom- mendations of the Water Commissioners and Finance Com- mittee are recorded elsewhere in this report. If we experi-
WILBRAHAM PHARMACY
U.S.POST OFFICE
New United States Post Office and Wilbraham's first Drug Store - Boston Road.
7
8
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AUXILIARY POLICE
Front Row (left to right) : Wellington Rose, Paul Fisher, Carl Martens, Sgt. Robert Dietz, Sgt. Regular Police; William Pollitt, Newton Goewey, Harold Lovering, Jr. Second Row: Thaddeus J. Bierowka, Leslie Collins, George Boyer, Howard McIntosh, Paul Douillard, Robert Converse, Thomas Garrow, Joseph Crespi. Third Row : Stanley Pabis, Walter Wizbicki, Robert Fay, Edward Dearborn, Arthur Hunt, Howard Griffen, Fred Macaulay, Donald Bump, Ralph Kilcourse, Morrison Marelli.
ence a very dry summer, no doubt we will be faced with a serious situation. Your Board feels that some constructive program should be developed on a three or five year basis for extension of water mains, to include industrial develop- ments and restoration of proper pressures to benefit the largest number of users before new mains are laid in other areas.
Our police have done an excellent job this past year han- dling the operation of the "night patrol." They have been exceedingly competent and effective in their duties and have been commended by the State Police in Monson with whom they cooperate. Due to increased demands of our townspeople, an increased budget has been recommended to compensate for services previously donated.
Foresight on the part of the Fire Commissioners in cov- ering fire trucks with collision insurance enabled us to replace the fire truck that was involved in an accident, with
8
one more modern and better equipped, at a total cost of $250.
The Town Treasurer should be complimented for her fine work in collecting approximately 98% of the funds allocated for 1955 flood damage work from the Flood Relief Board and the U. S. Corps of Engineers.
During the past year the Selectmen acquired a site for an additional town dump. As stated above, increased pop- ulation made this necessary. This new dump is located off Railroad Avenue in the north part of Town and prop- erly marked for your convenience. A fire in our town dump this past year made it very inconvenient for our citizens and we therefore established this second dumping area.
Due to the ever increasing problems confronting your Selectmen, we took the privilege of re-activating the Civic Survey Council. This committee will assist us in future planning studies and make recommendations to the Select- men and the townspeople at subsequent town meetings.
It is with regret that Selectman Carl Nelson, on advice of his physician, has found it necessary to retire. His counsel and advice concerning matters relative to the Board of Selectmen will be missed, and his experience in matters pertaining to Town government will be difficult to replace. Those closely associated with him at the Town Office were shocked at his decision to retire. We, likewise are sorry to hear that Walter Berry will no longer be our Town Clerk having rendered the Town invaluable service. His wisdom and sound judgement to those who came in contact with him will be missed. Frank Auchter, Town Moderator and Town Counsel has also indicated that he, too, will retire. His service to the Town for the past fifteen years has been outstanding and his advice and counsel will be missed. It is unfortunate that we are losing the services of three such competent men.
As we bring the curtain down on another year, your Board is thoroughly convinced that by working together we can solve many of the problems ahead based on sound fundamental planning. We feel confident that your good judgement at the Annual Town Meeting will continue to make our Town a desirable place in which to live.
CARL NELSON, Chairman ROGER T. HINTZE JESSE L. RICE
9
Finance Committee Report
The Finance Committee has reviewed all of the indi- vidual departmental operating budgets for the year 1957. These 54 separate items are listed together under Article 5 in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting and the total represents the estimated cost of conducting the Town's regular business for the coming year. An increase of $175,000 over 1956 is indicated.
Of this increase, our school system accounts for approxi- mately $157,000 and that figure is broken down as follows:
$64,200 - Amortization and Interest on School Bonds $ 7,300 - Operational Budget for Regional High School $85,500 - Operational Budget for Wilbraham Schools
The Amortization and Interest on School Bonds is high in comparison to 1956 for two reasons. In the first place, appropriation must be made this year to cover the first payment of principal on the 1956 bond issue and for the first interest payment on the new $400,000 bond issue for construction of the Stony Hill School 12 room addition. In the second place, instead of providing $22,707.50 in advance for a bond payment due January 15, 1957, this appropriation was omitted last year and postponed to this year to comply with proper financing procedure which allows for the appropriation of funds to be used only in the current calendar year.
The $7300 budget for the Regional High School is, of course, new this year. As is to be expected, there is con- siderable to be done in planning the organization of such a school and this involves expense for superintendence and clerical help together with office furniture and equipment which could not be properly charged against the regular school budget of either Hampden or Wilbraham.
As was the case last year, the $85,500 increase in the Wilbraham Schools operating budget is largely accounted for by increases in tuition, transportation, and teachers' salaries, which together amount to $65,235. There are 51 additional high school pupils this year and there has been a $75 per pupil increase in the cost for those who attend Trade School. A new 3 year transportation contract was negotiated which reflected not only a 10% rise in bids over the previous contract, but also the fact that more pupils will be carried to local schools and an additional bus will be required to transport high school pupils. With the tremendous expansion of schools throughout the coun- try and the resulting shortage of teachers, the problem of filling our own requirements is difficult. The School Committee has found it necessary to grant a $100 increase in salaries across the board in order to maintain a compe-
10
titive position with respect to neighboring towns. Add to this the fact that 7 teachers employed for only 4 months last year will be employed for the full year in 1957, and 3 new teachers must be added in September. The Finance Committee has found no evidence of extravagance in the Wilbraham School System and believes that in order to maintain the proper educational standard for the children of the Town, the voters should approve the school budget at the Town Meeting.
After schools, the remaining $18,000 increase in the budget over last year is spread over the other 48 items in Article 5, reflecting an average increase of $375 per depart-
COST FIGURES PER PUPIL Wilbraham Public Schools Grades 1-12
271.65
253.43
169.41
138.03
MASSACHUSETTS
113.12
$ 87.63
90.23
$ 83.55
WILBRAHAM
1925
1935
1945
1955
SOURCE Director of Research the Massachusetts Teachers Association Local figures from Annual Reports of the Town of Wilbraham
11
ment. Since no major extension of any current service is contemplated and no new service is being added, it is fair to say that the increase merely reflects the continuing rapid growth of the Town and the general trend toward rising price, salary and wage levels. We feel that the Town of Wilbraham is continuing in the pattern set in previous years for obtaining full value for each dollar spent on the operation of the Town's business.
The increase of $7000 in the budget for Town Officers and Employees Salaries is misleading. Heretofore wages for clerical help have been charged to the expense appro- priations of several departments. At the suggestion of the State Auditor, these wages will, in the future, be paid from the one salary appropriation and the expense budgets for the various departments involved have been correspond- ingly reduced. Although a few salary increases are being recommended at this time to correct inequities, action on the over-all salary and wage picture is being deferred pend- ing results of a comprehensive study planned for the near future.
The Water Commissioners are sponsoring an article in the warrant for the appropriation of $325,000 to be spent in 1957 covering the laying of a 16 inch main starting where the existing 16 inch main on South Main Street now terminates, going through Tinkham Road to Stony Hill Road and then along Stony Hill Road to the end of the existing 8 inch main, and another section of 16 inch main on Boston Road from the end of the 8 inch main easterly to the corner of Main and Maple Streets.
The Finance Committee has studied the conditions which the Water Commissioners feel are the justification for this request and has asked their consulting engineer to consider a counter suggestion covering a program to be carried out over a period of years. The results of further discus- sion are not available at the time of this writing but a specific recommendation will be prepared for presentation at Town Meeting. A request of this magnitude justifies serious analysis and study before being submitted to the voters of the Town.
The logical reaction to an increase of $175,000 in the Town's operating budget would be apprehension over a correspondingly heavy increase in the tax rate. Fortu- nately, however, there are several offsetting factors which offer substantial relief. Obviously, the increase in valua- tion from January 1, 1956 to January 1, 1957 will bear part of the load. If the valuations on both personal prop- erty and real estate increase by the same amount as in the previous year, approximately $36,000 will be realized from that source. The net credit from the State is about $20,000 larger than last year. Estimated Town income and
12
reimbursements from the State for schools may well amount to another $61,000 over last year. Finally, the special articles in the warrant which are recommended to be raised and appropriated from taxation are lower in the aggregate than the special articles passed by the Town at last year's Town Meeting. After balancing the pluses and minuses, the writer is willing to go out on the same limb he has found rather precarious in the past and fore- cast that the assessors may well come up with a $54 tax rate for 1957, an increase of $4 over the rate for 1956.
RICHARD L. DANFORTH, Chairman
ALDO ALBERICI J. LORING BROOKS, JR. FREDERICK M. COHN
JOHN W. GALE
ALBERT H. HOWES
FREDERICK B. LEPAGE
SAMUEL R. MCCLEERY
ALBERT E. NEALE
EVERYTHING IS DOUBLED!
Front Row: Christine O'Hara, Kathleen O'Hara, Diane Goeway, Jerry Sullivan. Second Row: David Dougherty, Dwight Dougherty, Joanne Hubbell, Judith Hubbell, Katherine Barratt. Third Row: Gene Ryan, Judith Wheeler, Nancy Wheeler, Marion Brown, Marjorie Brown. Missing at time of picture: Beth and Spencer Moore, Grace Goeway, Patrick Sullivan, Elizabeth Barratt, Beverly Ryan.
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Town of Wilbraham BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
Assets
Liabilities and Reserves
Cash
$412,944.56
Dog Licenses - Due County $20.80
Accounts Receivable :
Tailings
65.23
Taxes :
Levy of 1955
Trust Fund Income :
Personal Property
$56.40
Hines Family Burial Lot Fund $6.12
Real Estate
228.67
285.07
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund 29.07
35.19
Levy of 1956
Federal Grants:
Personal Property
$1,907.00
Real Estate
29,924.63
31,831.63
841.09
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise :
Levy of 1955
$64.27
Levy of 1956
16,980.90
17,045.17
Old Age Assistance:
Administration
641.81
Special Assessments :
1,487.12
12,140.84
Street Betterments :
Apportioned Added to Taxes 1955
$10.19
Committed Interest 1955
2.40
12.59
Appropriation Balances Revenue :
Tax Titles and Possessions : Tax Titles
$946.11
Highways - Chapter 90 Construction School Const.
10,986.47
Tax Possessions
223.98
1,170.09
Disability Assistance : Administration Assistance
$525.60
Aid to Dependent Children: Administration Aid
184.49
3,585.43
Assistance School Aid
4,875.30
School Lunch Program
3,036.68
Civil Defense $1,475.13
55,000.00
14
Departmental :
Selectmen's Licenses
$3,111.25
Garbage Collections 20.00
General Relief
2,384.24
Aid to Dependent Children
168.05
Old Age Assistance 42.47
Veteran's Service
245.14
5,971.15
County Hospital Assessment
1,004.33
Road Machinery Fund
5,615.86
Reserve Fund - Overlay Surplus
20,026.58
Rates
$1,569.60
Miscellaneous
117.33
1,686.93
Overlays Reserved for Abatements : Levy of 1955 $285.07
Levy of 1956 7,483.18
7,768.25
Aid to Highways :
State
$23,373.34
County
14,399.91
37,773.25
Revenue Reserved Until Collected : Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise $17,045.17
Special Assessment 12.59
Tax Title and Possessions
1,170.09
County Tax
311.81
758.32
Departmental 5,971.15
Water 1,686.93
Aid to Highways
37,773.25
63,659.18
Loans Authorized : School Construction
400,000.00
Overdrawn Accounts : Dog Officer Fees
$26.00
Highways, Chapter 90, S. Main St.
4,832.72
4,858.72
$914,337.48
Non-Revenue : School Construction
22,893.26 90,354.86
Loans Authorized and Unissued Overestimates 1956:
400,000.00
Water:
15
Underestimates 1956 : State Recreation Areas Assessment
$446.51
Surplus Revenue
310,609.68
$914,337.48
Town of Wilbraham BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 1956 (Continued) DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Apportioned Assessments Not Due Street
Apportioned Street Assessments Revenue :
$916.25
Due in 1957
$192.32
1958
192.32
1959
167.55
1960
97.97
1961
73.96
1962
41.73
1963
42.75
1964
32.23
1965
20.00
1966
20.00
1967
15.42
1968
5.00
1969
5.00
1970
5.00
1971
5.00
$916.25
$916.25 DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt : Inside Debt Limit : Outside Debt Limit : General Water
$305,000.00
Inside Debt Limit : School Addition Loan Outside Debt Limit : General : Memorial School Loan School Project Loan Water Loans
$305,000.00
$379,000.00 167,500.00
546,500.00
$204,000.00 175,000.00
167,500.00
546,500.00
$851,500.00
$851,500.00
16
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds : Cash and Securities: In Custody of Town Treasurer
$53,871.38
School Lot Fund 993.98
143.22
Abner E. Bell Library Fund
57.14
Henry Cutler Library Fund
1,065.95
Mortimer L. Day Library Fund
219.69
Civil War Mortar Memorial Plaque Fund
44.02
Laura Bruuer Cemetery General Care Fund
1,408.36
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
10,176.74
Soldiers' Monument Park Fund
1,272.21
Stabilization Fund
37,277.50
$53,871.38
In Custody of Probate Court : Hines Family Burial Lot Fund
204.53
$54,075.91
$54,075.91
Comparative Annual Expenditures of Town Appropriations
(Account with receipts or offsetting credits other than appropriations shown in detail in Schedule 2)
SCHEDULE 1
1956 Appropriations or Transfer from Reserve
1956 Expenditures of Town Appro.
1956 Unexpended Balance
1955 Expenditures of Town Appro.
1954 Expenditures of Town Appro.
1953 Expenditures of Town Appro.
Account
Aid to Agriculture
$150.00
$150.00
$0.00
$125.00
$125.00
$75.00
*Aid to Dependent Children
1,000.00
996.60
3.40
1,406.86
1,942.11
1,707.28
* Aid to Disabled
6,000.00
6,000.00
0.00
6,130.50
5,927.02
5,966.17
Assessor's Expense Account
3,500.00
3,377.46
122.54
3,195.50
2,982.88
2,968.43
In Custody of Town Treasurer:
Chloe B. Stebbins Charity Fund
$255.31
Deacon Warriner School Fund
957.26
In Custody of Probate Court
Chloe B. Stebbins Library Fund
204.53
17
COMPARATIVE ANNUAL EXPENDITURES OF TOWN APPROPRIATIONS (Continued)
SCHEDULE 1
1956 Appropriations Expenditures or Transfer from Reserve
1956
1956
Unexpended Balance
1955 Expenditures of Town Appro.
1954 Expenditures of Town Appro.
1953 Expenditures of Town Appro.
Board of Health
6,000.00
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