USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1956 > Part 5
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-$ 10,899.92
$ 96,208.77
110
ANNUAL REPORT
$ 96,208.77
111
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
VOTE FOR OFFICERS, ANNUAL ELECTION March 5, 1956
Votes Cast (Men 489, Women 469), Total 958
Moderator, for one year:
Robert L. Eckert, 23 Main Street
826
Blanks 132
Town Clerk, for one year :
C. Howard Phillips, 48 Church Street 659
Raymond P. David, 20 Pine Street 254
Blanks
45
Selectmen, for one year:
Ralph L. Buzzell, 63 School Street 698
George E. Lay, 11 Winter Street 705
George J. P. Stevens, 65 Church Street 679
Francis J. Mathews, Emery Street 202
Robert K. Silvia, 1 Vendome Street 1
Blanks 589
Board of Public Welfare, for one year:
Hazen M. Emery, 15 Judkins Court 793
J. Arthur Ollis, 37 East Main Street 736
Jean S. Stuart, Sawyer Street 673
Gertrude C. Kopanski, 46 Grove Street 1
Blanks 671
Assessor, for three years:
Edgar Palmer Sargent, Bear Hill Road 635
Arthur H. Deuplisea, 9 Union Street 265
Blanks
58
112
ANNUAL REPORT
Assessor, for one year :
Frank M. Hargraves, 25 Church Street 803
Blanks 155
Treasurer, for one year:
Roy C. Journeay, 10 Prospect Street 794
Blanks
164
School Committee, for three years: :
Carl G. Olson, 57 Main Street 763
Virginia H. Webster, 40 School Street 782
Gordon J. Roberts, 22 Summer Street 1'
Blanks
370
Trustee of Cemeteries, for three years :
Merrill B. Smith, 46 East Main Street 793
Blanks
165
Library Trustees, for three years:
Barbara N. Adams, 100 Church Street 647
Charles M. Tibbetts, 9 South Pleasant Street 451
Hortense A. Chipman, 10 High Street 338
Donald E. Neville, Lake Attitash 127
Blanks
353
Trustee of Kimball Park, for three years:
Donald J. Selby, 28 Church Street 808
Blanks
150
Light Commissioner, for three years:
Ulysses N. Corson, 71 West Main Street
762
Blanks
196
113
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Water Commissioner, for three years:
Ulysses N. Corson, 71 West Main Street 742
Blanks 216
Constables, for one year :
George R. Buzzell, Sr., 33 School Street 798
Ronald C. Sarasin, 65 Church Street 719
Albert W. Lord, Heath Road 685
Blanks
672
Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark, for one year
*Richard E. Sargent, Bear Hill Road 1
*Robert L. Eckert, 23 Main Street 1
Robert K. Silvia, 1 Vendome Street 2 Gordon J. Roberts, 22 Summer Street 1
Alexander Q. Blake, 18 Main Street 1
Glen I. Blackden, 9 Green Street 1
Ralph L. Buzzell, 13 School Street 1 Blanks 2,866
* Appointed March 12, 1956
Tree Warden, for one year :
Harold K. Joralmon, 110 East Main Street 564
Harold C. Lamb, 3 Abbott Street 342
Blanks
52
Playground Commission, for five years
Maurice Carey, 16 High Street 413
Arthur R. Cloyd, 107 East Main Street 469
Blanks
76
114
ANNUAL REPORT
Planning Board, for five years:
Allan B. MacGregor, 36 High Street 752
Blanks 206
Question 1.
"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 incumbent of the office of chief of police of the town of Merrimac', be accepted ?"
Yes .....
.... 655
.....
No
169
Blanks
134
115
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
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 4, 1957
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, 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, Trustee of Kimball Park for two years, one Commissioner of Playground for five years, one Com- missioner of Municipal Light for three years, one Water Commissioner for three years, three Constables for one year, three Surveyors 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.
Article 2. To fix the compensation of the Collector of Taxes.
116
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary 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 Select- men, 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 1957 and make appro- priations for same.
Article 5. 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 the maintenance of Road Machinery to keep Road Machinery in operation.
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, 1958 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
117
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
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 procedure, provided that the Town Treasurer with the approval 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 high- way 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 General Court for the year 1938, said appropriation being made for the year 1957.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($350.00) 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 embel- lishment" of said Cemetery, according to Section 15 and Section 25 of Chapter 114 of the General Laws.
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.
118
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Con- struction, or take any action in relation 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 1957 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.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and 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 a sum of money 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 1957, and to determine
119
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
whether the money shall be provided for by appropriation, 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 Two Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($2,250.00), and pay the balance of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) from Old Age Assistance U. S. Grant to the Welfare Agent as Salary for the year 1957, 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 Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) said amount to be spent for control of Dutch Elm Disease.
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 Elementary School Construction in the year 1957.
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 for the year 1957.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be spent under the direction of Civil Defense Director and supervision of the Selectmen for Civil Defense or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money said amount to be spent for salaries to instructors for Supervised Play at the Merrimac Playground, under the jurisdiction of the Merrimac Play- ground Commission.
120
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($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 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Three Dollars and Twenty-Two Cents ($16,563.22) said amount to be paid as Merrimac's portion of the Pen- tucket Regional School District Budget for 1957.
Article 31. 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.
Article 32. 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 33. On petition of Irving A. Blake and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from available funds in the treasury the sum of Fourteen Hundred Dollars ($1,400.00) said amount to be used to install a six inch water main from the junction of Church Street and Judkins Court, westerly, along Judkins Court a distance of approximately 400 feet to a point in front of the residence of Irving A. Blake, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a street Burnside Lane, from Emery Street, easterly a distance of approximately 500 feet.
Article 35. On petition of Roland H. Bisson and others to see if the Town will vote to accept Pine Bluff
121
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Avenue as a town road from Fern Avenue Northeasterly a distance of approximately 250 feet to a point in front of property owned by Zagranis.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a certain sum of the excess and deficiency fund for the purchase of bonds. The proceeds of the sale of bonds to be appropriated for renovations or additions to Merri- mac School buildings.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used by the water de- partment to defray the cost of the purchasing of water meters, and to determine whether the money shall be raised by borrowing or taxation, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to install a six inch main and hydrant on Currier Street from West Main Street and thence along Union Street to meet the present system that feeds the elementary school system or take any action relative thereto.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to install a six inch main on Grove Street from Orchard Street to Forest Street or take any action relative thereto.
Article 40. On petition of Donald E. Neville and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the collection and disposal of rubbish and garbage in the Town of Merrimac and that the Selectmen be empowered to make a contract with some qualified party or to see that the town provide facilities for same.
122
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3000.00) to be used with matching Federal Funds for the purchase of a Fire Rescue Truck, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay the cost of a siren to be installed on Merrimac Plains, so called, and another siren to be installed somewhere at Merrimacport, so called. or take any action relative thereto.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase a sand loader or take any action relative thereto.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay for the cost of fencing in the Town Dump and to pay for the maintenance of said dump or take any action relative thereto.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to appropri- ate the sum of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) from the Electric Light Operating balance to be used by the Assessors with the estimated receipts to fix the tax rate for the year 1957.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Dollars ($1,840.00) to install a six inch water main from Nichols Street to the residence of Phinando Gile on Winter Street or take any action relative thereto.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) to repair the roof on the Central Fire Station.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase a Tailboard Sand Spreader to be used by the highway department or take. any action relative thereto.
123
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair the sand shed or take any action relative thereto.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair the common landing place in the rear of the property occupied by Georgia E. Barnard, or to lay out and/or construct a common landing on some other land owned by the town, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 262 of the Acts of 1956.
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 saïd 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 21st day of January 1957.
GEORGE E. LAY
RALPH L. BUZZELL
GEORGE P. STEVENS
Selectmen of Merrimac
A true Copy : Attest :
ALEXANDER M. SULLIVAN,
Constable
124
ANNUAL REPORT
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,
Constable
Merrimac, Mass., January 21, 1957
125
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
In Memoriam
ARTHUR D. LOCKWOOD
1889 - 1956
Born, Merrimac, Mass., June 21, 1889.
Graduate, Merrimac High School, Class 1908. Graduate Tufts College, Dentistry. U. S. Veteran World War 1.
Past Commander Stanley L. Wood Post, American Legion, Merrimac, Mass.
Merrimac Selectman, 1941, 1942 and 1943. Merrimac Cemetery Trustee and Trustee of Kimball Park several years.
ANDREW O. G. NICOL
1864 - 1956
Born, Nova Scotia, March 18, 1864.
Naturalized United States citizen. Resident of Merrimac, Mass., 60 years. Occupation, teamster. Merrimac Selectman, 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932. Member of Merrimac Board of Public Welfare, and Old Age Assistance Board in Merrimac several years.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC
For The Year Ending December 31, 1956
MERR
OF
V
TOW
MASS
INCO
1876
R
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 86th annual printed school report.
F. N. SWEETSIR, M. D., Chairman VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Vice Chairman IRVING A. BLAKE, Secretary 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: Edward Morrow Merrimac High School and
Office of Superintendent of Schools Merrimac Elementary School
4
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL STAFF HIGH SCHOOL & GRADES 7 and 8
Position Principal, Guidance English
Edward S. Morrow Margaret E. Brown
B. S. Univ. of N. H. 1943
9
9
A. B. Boston Univ. 1929
15
1
English
Christine Platsis Michael F. Sullivan
B. A. Northeastern Univ. 1954
0
0
French, Latin
Mary E. Doherty
A. B. Regis College 1953
2
2
Mathematics
Joseph F. Sheehan
B. A. Merrimack College 1955
1
1
Mathematics
William H. Whiting
Science
Joseph G. Medolo
B. S. Tufts College 1952
Commercial
Margaret M. 'O'Riordan
B. S. E. Salem Teachers 1953
3 3 resigned June 30/56
Commercial
John S. Mitro
B. S. E. Boston Univ. 1956
0
0
Cornelia E. Wolfe
A. B. Boston Univ. 1931
16
11
English, Art
Regina G. McIntyre
B. S. Salem Teachers 1954
2
2
Math., Reading
John E. Whitcraft
B. A. Asbury College 1947 B. D. - B. U. School of Theology 1949 A. B. Bates College 1928
6
6
English
Annette C. Palmer
5
1
Soc. Studies, Reading Mary E. Murphy Science, Guidance, Harry E. Ryerson
B. S. E. Defiance College 1952
1
1
SCHOOL
REPORT
resigned June 30/56 0
0
Phys. Ed.
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Yrs. in Merrimac
resigned June 30/56
A. B. Univ. of Mass. 1954
2
0
English Soc. Studies
resigned June 30/56 0 0
1
Science
Joseph D. LeBlanc
B. A. Bowdoin 1952 B. A. American International College 1953 1 resigned June 30/56 1 0
Principal, Guidance Phys. Ed., English
B. A. Univ. of Mass. 1956
MERRIMAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal
Helen R. Donaghue Miriam M. Felch
Bridgewater Normal 1929 B. S. Kutztown, Pa., State Teachers College 1936 A. B. Merrimack College 1955
18.5
10.8
V. Prin., Remedial
10
10
Remed. Reading, Art Grade 6
Edward C. Duhamel
1
1
Grade 6
Margaret W. Hume Helen A. Boyd
Newburyport Training, 1909 Bank Street College of Education, New York City
resigned June 30/56
Grade 5
Eleanor Horn
B. A. Ohio State 1955
0
0
Grade 5
James W. Johnston
B. S. Suffolk Univ. 1955
0
0
Grade 4
Nancy W. Ayers
B. A. Univ. of N. H. 1953
1
1
Mixed Level Group
Dorothy K. Edgerly
Salem Normal 1926
10.5
3
Mixed Level Group
Joan T. Maloof
A. B. Merrimack College 1955
1
1
Adjustment Group
Florence L. Coe
Salem Teachers College 1933
8.4
1
Adjustment Group
Caroline M. Verrette
Salem Normal 1917
16
8
Readiness Group
Ethel B. Whiting
A. B. Bates College 1913
11
11
Readiness Group
Rosalie G. Carter
Perry Kindergarten Normal
1.
1
Readiness Group
Efstathia Bliziotis
Perry Kindergarten Normal B. S. E. Tufts College 1955
1
1
Music Teacher
Doris M. Currier Joseph F. Aliquo, Jr.
Institute of Music Pedagogy
34.5
25
Art Teacher
Tufts, Boston Museum School
1
1
resigned June 30/56
TOWN OF
MERRIMAC
5
1
Grade 5
resigned June 30/56
18
8
B. S. E. Tufts College 1955
6
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
To the Citizens of Merrimac:
Your School Committee has carried out the stated and implied wishes of the citizens of this community during 1956. It has been possible for us to stem somewhat the great turnover in teachers within our schools by an in- crease in salary schedule. It has been possible to proceed with the improvement of our instructional program. It has also been possible to maintain adequate maintenance of our buildings.
The outstanding development in the education of our children during 1956 was, however, the approval of the Pentucket Regional Junior-Senior High School, which will provide superior educational facilities for our children in grades seven through twelve. Details of the Regional School can be seen in the Annual Report of the Pentucket Regional School Committee.
MAINTENANCE
From time to time repairs were made on the two buildings used for school purposes as these repairs were needed. We have endeavored to keep the buildings in the best possible repair in order that they may serve as proper quarters for the education of our children and to prevent additional future repairs through neglect.
:
7
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
During the summer months the custodians thoroughly cleaned all the school facilities and made repairs as these were needed. In addition, the flashings on the gymnasium of the elementary school were repaired and it is hoped that the passage of rain water during severe storms may be controlled. Because the asphalt roof on one-half the high school building was permitting water to enter the building, it was replaced with a new roof of asphalt shingles.
SALARY SCHEDULE
The salary schedule which was put into effect on September first is given below. The need for salary in- crements is well known and will not be repeated at this time. .
MERRIMAC SALARY SCHEDULE
Step
No Degree
Bachelors Degree
Masters Degree
1
2
$3,000 3,150
$3,100 3,250
$3,200 3,350
3
3,300
3,400
3,500
4
3,450
3,550
3,650
5
3,600
3,700
3,800
6
3,750
3,850
3,950
7
3,900
4,000
4,100
8
4,150
4,250
:
9
4,30.0
4,400.
The annual step-rate increases of each teacher are dependent upon continued satisfactory service and upon the earning by her of at least 4 semester hours of approved
8
SCHOOL REPORT
professional credit before crossing training bars. This credit must be earned before the teacher will be advanced across a training bar as shown between steps 2 and 3; steps 5 and 6; steps 8 and 9.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
Several revisions in the curricular programs appeared in our schools. The Primary Unit plan of instruction in the traditional first three grades was extended upward through the sixth grade. The biggest improvement in this plan of instruction stems from the attempt to teach each child at his level of understanding. In any grade there are pupils of varying ability and achievement, and this method of instruction adapts the learning materials and levels to the child's ability.
In the junior high school the number of classes meet- ing daily was reduced from 7 to 4 with an additional en- richment period which includes art, physical education, guidance and reading improvement. This change was possible by integration of subject matter material and in- struction on a broad area basis, which is conducive to sound learning. This change permits closer relations be- tween pupils and teachers. It also resolves the constant moving from class to class and its disciplinary implications.
In the high school the program of instruction was slightly broadened, teacher class loads made lighter and guidance, including testing and counseling, was started. A full report of guidance in the high school will be found in the report by Mr. Morrow.
One of the most significant and promising changes in our schools was the increased tempo of professional in-service teacher training. Teacher turnover in recent
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