USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1955 > Part 5
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676
Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark for one year:
George R. Buzzell, Sr., 33 School Street 1
Ralph L. Buzzell, 63 School Street 1
Robert L. Eckert, 23 Main Street 2
Kenneth G. Fowle, 115 Church Street 1
110
ANNUAL REPORT
Harold C. Lamb, 3 Abbott Street 2
Richard E. Sargent, Bear Hill Road 2
Edson C. Walker Birch Meadow Road, 1 Blanks 3,029
Tree Warden, for one year:
Harold C. Lamb, 3 Abbott Street 457
Harold K. Joralmon, 110 East Main Street 477
Blanks .79
Playground Commission, for five years
Henry D. Lay, 59 West Main Street 804
Blanks 209
Planning Board, for five years :
Henry D. Lay, 59 West Main Street 790
Carl G. Olson, 57 Main Street 1
Blanks
222
111
TOWN OF MERRIMA Cİ
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Essex, ss.
To Alexander M. Sullivan, one of the Constables of the Town of Merrimac :
Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the legal voters of the Town of Merrimac to meet in Sargent Hall on
MONDAY, MARCH 5, 1956
at Five Forty-Five o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles, namely :
Article 1. To elect a Moderator for one year, Town Clerk for one year, three Selectmen for one year, three Members of the Department of Public Welfare for one year, one Assessor for three years, one Assessor for one year, Treasurer for one year, two Members of the School Committee for three years, Trustee of Cemetery for three years, two Trustees of Public Library for three years, Trustee of Kimball Park for three years, one Commission- er of Playground for five years, one Commissioner of Municipal Light for three years, one Water Commissioner for three years, three Constables for one year, three Sur- veyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark for one year, Tree Warden for one year, and one Member of the Planning Board for five years.
"Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and fifty-six, entitled 'An act providing for tenure of office for the incum-
112
ANNUAL REPORT
bent of the office of chief of police of the town of Merrimac', be accepted ?"
YES
NO
170
Article 2. To fix the compensation of the Collector of Taxes.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to fix the sal- ary and compensation of all elective officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws as amended; Moderator, Town Clerk, three Selectmen, three Members of the Board of Public Welfare, three Assessors, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Tree Warden, three Commissioners of Municipal Light, three Water Commis- sioners and raise and appropriate sums of money, there- fore.
Article 4 To determine what sums of money shall be raised to defray the necessary and usual charges and expenses of the Town for the year 1956 and make appro- priations for same.
Article 5 To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of One Thousand Thirty Seven Dollars and Twenty Three Cents ($1,037.23) for the maintenance of Road Machinery to keep Road Machinery in operation, said amount to be transferred from the Road Machinery fund.
Article 6 To see if the Town will vote to 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, 1957
1037.23
113
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
and to issue a note or notes therefore, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be placed at the disposal of the Playground Commission to be used at their dis- cretion on the playground during the current year.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of 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 convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale, property heretofore taken or which may be taken by the Town under Tax Title pro- cedure, provided that the Town Treasurer with the ap- proval of the Selectmen or their authorized agent may at the time of such public auction reject any bid which they may deem inadequate, or may after such auction has been held sell such property provided that in their estimation an adequate offer may be made.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used under the super, vision of the Selectmen for any necessary repairs or other expense to Tax Possessions.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended on highway work on thickly settled streets or take action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Fifty Dollars ($650.00) for the Board of Registrars Expense under Chapter 427 and Chapter 440 of Acts and Resolves of the
0
114
ANNUAL REPORT
General Court for the year 1938, said appropriation being made for the year 1956.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) from the sale of Cemetery lots such sum or part thereof to be expended under the direction of the Cemetery Trustees for "care, improvement and embellishment" of said Cemetery, according to Section 15 and Section 25 of Chapter 114 of the General Laws.
40000
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to meet such legal expenses as may occur due to suits or other action against the Town or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway construction or maintenance or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to make necessary repairs in or on or around the Town Hall or take any action relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to use a sum of money from free cash in the Treasury toward the reduction of the 1956 Tax Rate.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 and Highway Construction or Maintenance or take any action relative thereto.
5
9075.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and
1000
35000
250)
140
115
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to pay the salary of the Veterans Service Officer.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for expenses of the Veterans Service Officer.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Fifteen Dollars and Forty Four Cents ($5,015.44) said sum to be paid the Essex County Retirement Board for various funds of the Essex County Retirement System.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance and operation of the Water Department, and to pay any water loans that may be due in the year 1956, and to determine whether the money shall be provided for by appropriat- ion, water surplus or water revenue; or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nineteen Hundred Twenty Dollars ($1,920.00), and pay the balance of Twelve Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) from Old Age Assistance U. S. Grant to the Welfare Agent as Salary for the year 1956, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for the rental of quarters for the use of the American Legion Post.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fourteen Hundred Dollars ($1,400.00) said amount to be spent for control of Dutch Elm Disease.
5015.44
PD-D 20
208
00
116
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventeen Thousand Dollars ($17,000.00) to pay notes due for School Construction in the year 1956.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for salary of Dog Officer.
17% NO 0 00 Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighteen Hundred Dollars ($1,800.00) to be spent under the direction of Civil De- fense Director and supervision of the Selectmen for Civil Defence or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Seventy Five Dollars ($675.00) said amount to be spent for salaries to Instruct- ors for Supervised play at the Merrimac Playground, un- der the jurisdiction of the Merrimac Playground Commiss- ion.
Article 29. On petition of Richard F. Amazeen and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Four Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Two Dollars ($4,742.00) to install a water main on Abbott Street said main to go from the present system on Church Street along Abbott Street and thence along Sawyer Street to join the present system on Nichols Street, with two (2) hydrants to be installed, a distance of approximately 1400 feet, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to accept Sections 1-3 of Chapter 139 of the General Laws.
V
Article 31. On petition of Henry D. Lay and others to see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 4B of Chapter 136 of the General Laws.
00
675
117
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars 3 ($300.00) said amount to be spent for Christmas lighting, parade or other expense and to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Article 33. On petition of Mildred Wheeler and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Five Hundred and Forty Three Dollars ($3,543.00) to install a six inch pipe from High Street along South Pleasant Street to a point beyond the Wheel er's residence and as far as the Murphy's line, a distance of approximately 995 feet, with one hydrant to be placed at the end of the line. Or to take any action relative there- to.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty Nine Hundred and Ninety Three Dollars and Fifty Cents ($3,993.50) said amount to be paid as Merrimac's portion of the Pentucket Regional School District budget for 1956.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Sixty-Five Dollars ($265.00) said amount to be used to purchase an Alpha Beta Geiger Meter.
Article 36. On petition of Kathleen L. Smith and others to see if the Town will vote to accept Hillside Avenue from a point on Attitash Avenue, easterly ap- proximately a distance of 750 feet and to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficent to pay the cost of installing 4 catch basins on same or take action relative thereto.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used to purchase a new truck, to be used on highway work.
at
118 0
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury a sum of money for Chapter 90 Maintenance or take any action relative thereto.
5000
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to appropri- ate a certain sum of money of the excess and deficiency fund for the purchase of bonds. The proceeds of the sale of bonds to be appropriated for a new regional school building.
Article 40. On petition of Alexander M. Sullivan and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to be placed under the jurisdiction of the Playground Commission for the installation of Tennis Courts on the playground.
Article 41. On petition of Edward H. Worcester and others to see if the Town will vote to accept a piece of land in said Merrimac, Mass., from Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Worcester 20 feet wide and 200 feet long running westerly from Winter Street which passes pro- perty of Miss Jane Peterson and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Castine to be known as Town Forrest Road and to maintain as a street.
ME
Article 42. On petition of Cecil L. Dressler and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty One Hundred Fifty Nine Dollars and Ninety Five Cents ($3,159.95) to extend the water main from a point in front of the residence of Edward Bridges along Woodland Street to Lincoln Street, thence to Winter Street a distance of approximately 670 feet with one hy- drant to be installed.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase a new Compress- or and Motor for the Fire Alarm system, and make necessary repairs to the present system.
250
119
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) said amount to be used by the Fire Department to purchase and install two Fire Alarm Boxes.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) said amount to be used by the Fire Department for the purchase of new Fire Hose.
Article 46. On petition of Margaret R. Weigel and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of Five Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Two Dollars ($5,372.00) to continue the water main along Highland Road from the present end of the line northerly a distance of approximately 470 feet.
Article 47. On petition of John K. Sargent and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eleven Thousand Dollars ($11,000.00) to continue the present water system from the foot of Locust Street along River Road and thence along Merrimac Street to the residence of John Q. Batchelder, a distance of approxi- mately three thousand feet.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eleven Hundred Eighty Five Dollars ($1,185.00) said amount to be spent for Four (4) new Hydrants.
Article 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to defray the ex- pense of adding Ten new wells to the water system's pre- sent water supply.
Article 50. To see if a sum of money shall be raised to defray the cost of the purchase of water meters for the water department, and determine whether the money shall
500
00 napo 58/ 1
1500
120
ANNUAL REPORT
be raised by borrowing or taxation or take any action relative thereto.
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be placed at the disposal of the Planning Board for any expenses that they may have.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase an Air Com- pressor complete with Jack Hammer and other necessary attachments.
And you are hereby required to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in seven public places in said Town of Merrimac, at least seven days before said time of meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Merrimac this 25th day of January 1956.
GEORGE E. LAY
RALPH L. BUZZELL
GEORGE P. STEVENS
Selectmen of Merrimac
300
121
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
A true Copy : Attest:
ALEXANDER M. SULLIVAN
Constable
By virtue of the above warrant to me directed I here- by notify and warn the legal voters of the Town of Merrimac to meet at the time and place and for the pur- pose therein expressed.
ALEXANDER M. SULLIVAN,
Merrimac, Mass., January 25, 1956
Constable
122
ANNUAL REPORT
In Memoriam
WARREN A. BAILEY
1872 - 1955
Born, West Amesbury, now Merrimac, Mass., life resident. Spanish-American War Veteran, Co. B .- 8th Reg't. Mass- achusetts Infantry, U. S. Volunteers. Last survivor of the three Merrimac veterans who served in this war (Walter H. England, Harry Blaisdell and Warren A. Bailey) . Merrimac Water & Light Commissioner 1907-1926 and Manager of the Water & Light Dept. several years until his retirement.
ROSCOE CHILD
1894 - 1955
Resident of Merrimac 35 years (born Haverhill, Mass).
On Merrimac Board of Assessors 1936-1948.
Bookkeeper, Merrimac Water & Light Dept:, 4 years. Special Police Officer several years.
World War 1 Veteran.
Past Commander, Stanley F. Wood, Post American Legion Merrimac, Mass.
123
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
In Memoriam
FRED W. GEORGE
1869-1955
Resident of Merrimac 60 years (born Newton, N. H.).
Boston & Maine R. R. Brakeman 30 years. Merrimac Tax Collector 1910-1922.
Associated in business in Merrimac and Haverhill, Mass. several years.
Retired since 1931.
HARRY E. RYERSON
1894 - 1955
Resident of Merrimac 31 years (born Haverhill, Mass). Member of Merrimac Fire Dept. several years and Chief a few years.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
For The Year Ending December 31, 1955
MERR
OF
TOW
MASS
INCO
1876
P
O
3
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL REPORT
In accordance with custom and with the Acts of the General Court, 1859, Chapter 57, we herewith submit to you the 85th annual printed school report.
VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Chairman
F. N. SWEETSIR, M. D., Secretary IRVING A. BLAKE KENNETH FOWLE CARL G. OLSON
School Committee
SCHOOL OFFICERS
John C. Jakobek, Superintendent of Schools Address: Union Street, Merrimac Tel. FI 6-9721
Dorothy M. Peirce, Secretary Address: 52 West Main Street
Kenneth E. Haskell, Supervisor of Attendance Address: Bear Hill Road A. Frances Davis, M. D., School Physician Address: 16 Main Street
Annie L. Gleed, R. N., School Nurse Address: West Main Street
Working Certificates: Howard DeLong - 1955
Beginning January 1, 1956 : Office of Superintendent of Schools Merrimac Elementary School
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL STAFF OCTOBER, 1955 HIGH SCHOOL & GRADES 7 and 8
Position
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Yrs. in Merrimac
Prin., Soc. Studies
Edward S. Morrow
B. S. Univ. of N. H. 1943
8
8
English
Margaret E. Brown
A. B. Boston Univ. 1929
15
0
French, Latin
Mary E. Doherty
A. B. Regis College 1953
1
1
Mathematics
Joseph F. Sheehan
B. A. Merrimack College 1955
0
0
Science
Joseph G. Medolo
B. A. American International College 1953
0
0
Commercial
Margaret M. O'Riordan B. S. E. Salem Teachers College 1953
2
2 2
Principal
Cornelia E. Wolfe
A. B. Boston Univ. 1931
15
10
Grade 7 & 8
Regina G. McIntyre
B. S. Salem Teachers College 1954
1
1
Grade 7 & 8
Frederick J. Noone
B. S. Boston College 1951
4
3
Grade 7 & 8
Annette C. Palmer
A. B. Bates College 1928
4
Grade 7 & 8
Harry E. Ryerson Jr.
B. S. E. Defiance College 1952
3
00 0 0
4
SCHOOL
REPORT
MERRIMAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal
Bridgewater Normal 1929
17.5
10.8
V. Prin., Remedial Reading
Helen R. Donaghue Miriam M. Felch
B. S. Kutztown, Pa., State Teachers College 1936
9
9
Grade 6
Margaret W. Hume Edward C. Duhamel Helen A. Boyd
Bank Street School of Education, New York City
35
0
Grade 5 Helping teacher
Elisabeth L. Allen
North Adams State Teachers College 1940
3
Grade 4
Nancy W. Ayers
B. A. Univ. of N. H. 1953
0
0
Grade 4
Mae Ethel Davis
Salem Normal
27.5
22.5
Mixed Level Group
Dorothy K. Edgerly
Salem Normal 1926
9.5
'2
Mixed Level Group
Joan Thompson
A. B. Merrimack College 1955
0
Adjustment Group
Florence L. Coe
Salem Teachers College 1933
7.4
0 OHL 1 7
MERRIMAC
Readiness Group
Efstathia Bliziotis
Perry Kindergarten Normal B. S. E. Tufts College 1955
0
0
Music Teacher
Doris M. Currier
Institute of Music Pedagogy
33.5
24
Art Teacher
Joseph F. Aliquo Jr.
B. S. E. Tufts College 1955
0
0
7 NO 0
TOWN
0 0
OF
Adjustment Group
Caroline M. Verrette
Salem Normal 1917
15
Readiness Group
Ethel B. Whiting
A. B. Bates College 1913
10
10
Readiness Group
Rosalie G. Carter
Perry Kindergarten Normal B. S. E. Tufts College 1955
0
0
Newburyport Training, 1909
17
Grade 6
B. A. Merrimack College 1955
0
Grade 5
5
6
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Merrimac:
STATEMENT
The School Committee of Merrimac considers that its function is to provide the community the best possible edu- cational program consistent with the facilities and finances available to it. The Committee serves the community by providing the link between the people of the community and its teachers. In the long run, the type of education this community, or any community, maintains depends upon the understanding and the will of the people. As representatives of the people, the school board serves to implement the wishes of all the people.
The School Committee provides policies for the schools. Through its administrators and teachers, it car- ries the will of the people to the children of this town. The day-to-day job of educating your children is left to technically trained personnel, teachers, principals and others. Because this is so, the Committee seeks to provide professionally prepaired individuals to educate your child- ren.
We believe that good schools are "investments in human beings". A sound educational system tends to eliminate the waste of human beings. We cannot predict exactly the needs of all individuals, but we can provide a sound bedrock of experience and knowledge. And, al- though there are conflicting voices pressing for one kind of educational development or another, we aim to provide an educational concept that will serve our children to the best advantage throughout their lives.
7
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SUPERINTENDENCY UNION
On September 1, 1955 the new school union of Merri- mac, Groveland and West Newbury was formed. This new union ended the union established in 1912 which en- compassed Merrimac, Newbury, Salisbury and West New- bury. The new union provides for a single administrator to conduct the schools of the three-town union and the regional school district which is planning the erection of a six-year regional junior-senior high school.
After twenty-seven years of service to the superin- tendency union, Dr. John C. Page retired from his position as union superintendent on August 31st. The long and faithful service of Dr. Page to the schools of Merrimac will be long remembered. His tireless efforts to bring better schools and instructional techniques have served the town well.
With the opening of the new school union on Septem- ber 1, Mr. John C. Jakobek, formerly superintendent of schools in Hatfield, Massachusetts, began his duties as the superintendent of schools for the union. His duties will include those of operating the regional school district in order that the operation of the schools might be consoli- dated under the jurisdiction of a single administrator.
TEACHERS SALARIES
Although the financial plight of our teachers has been recognized by previous School Committees who have tried to make the necessary adjustments in salaries, it has again become necessary to reconsider the inadequacies of
8
SCHOOL REPORT
present salaries. The School Committee is keenly aware of the educational problems created by the rapid turnover of teachers, the lack of stability in the conduct of the educational program within the community, the necessity of training new teachers and the hiring of inadequately trained personnel. The growing shortage of trained teachers in this country and the rapid increase in the number of pupils has caused the demand for teachers to outstrip the supply. This has created a situation in which teachers are transferring to neighboring communities with better salaries.
To improve the situation in this community, the School Committee has developed the following salary schedule to become operative in September, 1956.
Step
Non-degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
1
$2,700
$2,800
$2,900
2
2,800
2,900
3,000
3
2,900
3,000
3,100
4
3,000
3,100
3,200
5
3,100
3,200
3,300
6
3,200
3,300
3,400
7
3,300
3,400
3,500
8
3,400
3,500
3,600
9
3,500
3,600
3,700
10
3,600
3,700
3,800
11
3,700
3,800
3,900
12
4,000
The annual step-rate increases of each teacher are dependent upon continued satisfactory service and the earning of at least four professional credits of approved study every three years. The double bars between steps eight and nine indicate the beginning of the period of recurrent study in order to maintain maximum salaries.
9
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
With the above adjustments in teacher salaries, it is hoped that this community may be in a stronger position to compete for the services of better trained teachers within the system as well as to attract new candidates with strong potentialities for teaching. Teachers, more than any other single factor, determine the educational well- being of your schools, and therefore, every effort must be made to provide your schools with adequately trained teachers.
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