USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 5
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Entrance Age for First-Grade Pupils.
Beginning in September, 1953, all pupils entering grade one must have reached their sixth birthday on or before December 30, 1953, to enter in the fall without examination.
Children who reach their sixth birthday during January, 1954, may enter in September, 1953, if they take and pass a read-
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.ness test with a mental age of six years. Parents will be asked to register those children at the superintendent's office in the spring, at which time more information will be available as to where such a test can be administered.
Parents are requested not to ask for exceptions to this rule, since none will be permitted.
Visual Education.
Pupils in the elementary and high schools have viewed many educational films this past year. Films are being used in ever- increasing numbers. Through the efforts of the Parent-Teacher Associations, slide film projectors have been purchased; and slide films will be used more and more in the classes.
High School Addition Planning.
The School Committee has met with officials of the School Building Assistance Commission and has received approval for an addition to the Palmer High School, provided a well-rounded ed- ucational program is housed in the building when the addition is completed. State Aid, estimated at 40 per cent of the cost of con- struction, is available to Palmer. State Aid under this program expires in 1959. It would seem wise to proceed with planning be- fore this law expires. The School Committee has voted to include an article in the Warrant to establish a committee made up of the School Committee and six members of the Sub-Committee on Ed- ucation of the Finance Committee to establish educational specifi- cations for an addition, hire an architect to draw preliminary plans, and report back at a future town meeting. I sincerely hope that the citizens of the town will support the establishment of this committee this year.
Transportation.
School transportation was awarded to the Palmner Motor Coach Service for another three-year period beginning September, 1953.
Budget.
The 1953 School Budget as voted by the School Committee represents a total increase of $13,927.00 over last year. An analy- sis of this budget shows that increase is due in the main to auto- matic increments for teachers' salaries and a sum of money with which to carry out badly needed repairs to the exterior of the high school.
Adult Civic classes have been discontinued due to small en- rollments.
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It is the intent of the School Department that every effort will be made to operate the schools as efficiently and economically as possible.
Conclusion.
In conclusion, may I take the opportunity to express my sin- cere appreciation to the School Committee, a loyal and helpful staff, Parent-Teacher Associations, cooperative parents and friends, businessmen, community organizations, and all others who have given the School Department their wholehearted sup- port in its objective to provide a successful school program for your children.
Respectfully submitted, DONALD F. McCAFFREY
Superintendent of Schools
January 2, 1953.
Statement-December 31, 1952
Appropriation
Expended
Balance
General Expenses
$12,850.00
$12,849.75
$.25
Expenses of Instruction
194,700.00
194,692.04
7.96
Expenses of Operating
39,800.00
39,796.26
3.74
Repairs
12,000.00
12,035.87
-35.87
Auxiliary Agencies
33,003.00
32,976.21
26.79
Furniture and Furnishings
1,500.00
1,499.82
.18
Adult Civic Education
500.00
496.28
3.72
Trade School Expenses
11,555.00
11,193.81
361.19
Retirements
4,290.00
4,289.80
.20
$310,198.00
$309,829.84
$368.16
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Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden
Town of Palmer
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County,
GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabitants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town officers, to meet at the several polling places in said Palmer, designated by the selectmen, to wit: In Precinct A, in the High School Gym- nasium on Converse Street in the Depot Village; in Precinct B, at the Thorndike Grammar School in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at the Three Rivers Grammar School in Three Rivers, and in Precinct D, at the Bondsville Grammar School in Bondsville, on Monday, the second day of February, A. D. 1953, at ten o'clock in the forencon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the town, for the following officers, 3 Selectmen, 5 Constables, 3 License Commissioners, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Auditors, One Assessor (to fill vacancy), Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; 1 Assessor, 1 Member of the Board of Health, 1 Member of the Board of Public Welfare, 1 Ceme- tery Commissioner, 2 Members of the School Committee, all for the term of three years; and 1 Member of the Planning Board for the term of five years.
The polls will be open at ten o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at eight o'clock in the evening.
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners in said Palmer, on Monday, the ninth day of February, A. D. 1953, at seven o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, viz:
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
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Article 3. To act on the reports of the town officers.
Article 4. To raise money and make appropriations to de- fray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Article 5. 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, viz: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Selectmen, 3 Assessors, 3 Members of the Board of Public Welfare, 3 Audi- tors, 3 Members of the Board of Health and Tree Warden and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
Article 6. To hear and act on reports of committees.
Article 7. To choose committees and give them instructions.
Article 8. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting taxes for the ensuing year, and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
Article 9. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to convey pupils to and from public schools and instruct the school committee as to the manner of letting the contract for such conveyance.
Article 10. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the Young Men's Library Association, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 12. To see what action the town will take in re- spect to lighting the streets and whether it will authorize the selectmen to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 13. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Article 14. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the care and improvement of cemeteries.
Article 15. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the suppression of the gypsy, browntail and satin moths, tent caterpillars, oriental hag moth and elm leaf beetles, and other insect pests.
Article 16. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the suppression and control of dutch elm disease.
Article 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate such sums of money as , may be necessary to defray the cost
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of rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Holbrook Building.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,000.00 or any other sum to help defray the cost of maintaining the District Nurse.
Article 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money under the authority of Section 22 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws for the care of graves of persons who served in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States in time of war or insurrection and were honorably discharged from such service.
Article 20. To see what action the town will take in regard to sewers.
Article 21. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Article 22. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospital Association for the charitable purposes of said Association in this town, or for the care and support in said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to support or care for themselves, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the granting of adequate assistance to deserving citizens of the town in need of relief and support sixty-five years of age or over under the provisions of Chapter 118A of the General Laws, and for expenses to be incurred in connection with the granting of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the granting of assistance under the provisions of the Massachusetts Aid to Dependent Children I aw, Chapter 118, General Laws, and for expenses to be incurred in connection with the granting of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to pay a fee for at- tendance at meetings of the Bureau of Old Age Assistance and/ or Bureau of Aid to Dependent Children and Disability Assistance to members of the Board of Public Welfare chosen to serve in the Division of Old Age Assistance and/or Division of Aid to De- pendent Children and Disability Assistance in addition to the salary received by them as members of said Board of Public Wel- fare, fix the amount thereof, and raise and appropriate any money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 26. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money, to be expended under the direction of the Board of Health, for the purpose of giving to the school children attending parochial or private schools in the town substantially the same med- ical examinations and tests now afforded to the children attend- ing the public schools.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to authorize the selectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the town fourteen days at least be- fore the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title pro- cedure, provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may au- thorize to hold such auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to authorize the se- iectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the town fourteen days at least be- fore the sale, or at private sale, any old and obsolete equipment or personal property, provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such auction or sale may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative there- to.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the operation and maintenance of Burleigh Park, Legion Field and the Eager Playground in the Depot Village, playgrounds in the several villages of the town and the care and preservation of the Memorial Approach to the High School and memorial plots in the several villages of the town.
Article 30. (a) To see what action the town will take with reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees; (b) To see if the town will vote to determine and fix the salary of the tree warden and raise and appropriate money for the same; (c) To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for labor and materials and tools for use in connection with the Department of the Tree Warden.
Article 31. To see if the town will raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- „riate any sum of money to be expended for the burial of soldiers or sailors, their wives and dependent children, or other members
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of the Armed Forces of the United States under the provisions of Chapter 115 of the General Laws.
Article 33. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money for the maintenance of the Veteran's Service Center.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money to be paid to the Treasurer-Custodian of the Hampden County Retirement System to be credited to the town's share of the funds thereof.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the collection and disposal of gar- bage and/or rubbish in the several villages of the Town of Pal- mer and authorize the selectmen to prepare specifications, ex- ecute a contract or contracts for a term not to exceed three years and do all things necessary to effect the collection of said gar- bage and/or rubbish, or to authorize the selectmen to have said garbage and/or rubbish collected by a department of the town, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to appropriate or transfer from the parking meter account any sum of money for (a) police enforcement; (b) constructing, reconstructing, resur- facing, operating and maintaining off street parking areas; (c) a miscellaneous fund under the exclusive control of the selectmen to be used for purposes authorized by law; and to authorize the selectmen to acquire off street parking facilities by lease for a term not exceeding five years as authorized by law.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for civilian defense, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of money necessary to pay overdraft on snow re- moval.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of seventeen thousand ($17,000) dollars, or any other sum, from the Overlay Reserve account to the Reserve Fund, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the repair, upkeep and maintenance of public buildings within the Town, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to appropriate $100,000 or any other sum of money from Free Cash to reduce the 1953 tax levy, or take any action relative thereto.
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Article 42. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the granting of assistance under the provisions of the Disability Assistance Law, Chapter 118D of the General Laws, and for expenses to be incurred in connection with the granting of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to grant an ease- ment to Worcester County Electric Company across and upon a strip of land fifty (50) feet in width located on Bridge Street in the Depst Village, said land being more particularly described in deed of Dean and Sherk Company, Inc. to Inhabitants of Pal- mer dated November 13, 1942 and recorded with Hampden County Registry of Deeds, Book 1752, Page 309; the location of said easement being more particularly shown on Plan entitled "NEW ENGLAND POWER SERVICE COMPANY PART OF NEW ENGLAND ELECTRIC SYSTEM BOSTON, MASS. NEW ENG- LAND POWER COMPANY PLAN SHOWING RIGHT OF WAY ACROSS LAND OF TOWN OF PALMER, IN PALMER, HAMP- DEN COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS SCALE 1"-200' DATE JUNE 24, 1952 L-4796", and to authorize the selectmen to accept such compensation as the selectmen may deem advisable and to execute such easement in behalf of the Town.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Chapter 624 of the Acts of 1952 which provides for in- creases in pensions to certain former municipal employees.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate any sum of money for the purchase of a tree spraying outfit for the Superintendent of Moth and Dutch Elm Disease, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote to accept the pro- visions of Section 5 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws as amend- ed by Chapter 118 and Chapter 239 of the Acts of 1952 which provides for the paying of part of premiums for Group Life In- surance for permanent municipal employees, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to establish a School Building Committee for the purpose of construction of an addi- tion to the High School to consist of the members of the School Committee and six (6) members of the Sub-Committee on Edu- cation of the Town Finance Committee and to give such Commit- tee instructions and to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the use of said Committee for expenses, preliminary plans, and other allied expenses, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 48. To see if the town will vote to sell at public auc- tion any portion of the land known as the Pest House land or any
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other land which is not needed for use of the town at or near the Town Farm and to authorize the selectmen to execute any neces- sary deeds of conveyance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to appropriate and raise by taxation or otherwise, or by transfer from available funds, any sum of money for the construction of the bridge span- ning the canal on Church Street in the Village of Thorndike, said sum to be used in conjunction with any monies allotted for this purpose by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Hampden and the appropriation for this purpose made under Article 77 of the Warrant calling the Annual Town Meeting of February 11, 1952, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 50. To see if the town will vote to improve for pur- poses of public parking any portion of the land owned by the Town between the Easterly line of Sykes Street and the Souther- ly line of Main Street in the Village of Thorndike, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to improve Spring- field Street, Village of Three Rivers, from the end of the 1952 project Westerly a distance of approximately four hundred thirty (430) feet, and appropriate and raise by taxation or otherwise, or by transfer from available funds, any sum of money therefor, said sum to be used in conjunction with any monies allotted for this purpose by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Hampden, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 52. To see if the town will vote to improve Com- mercial Street, Village of Thorndike, including construction of a new road surface and relocation and installation of walks and curbs, and appropriate and raise by taxation or otherwise, or by transfer from available funds, any sum of money therefor, said sum to be used in conjunction with any monies allotted for this purpose by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Hampden, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 53. To see if the town will vote to improve Palmer Road, Village of Three Rivers, from the end of the presently im- proved surface to the intersection of Calkins Road, and appro- priate and raise by taxation or otherwise, or by transfer from available funds, any sum of money therefor, said sum to be used in conjunction with any monies allotted for this purpose by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the County of Hampden, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 54. To see if the town will vote to improve Shearer Street, Depot Village, from the end of the present project North- easterly towards Thorndike, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
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Article 55. To see if the town will vote to improve Buck- land Street, Depot Village, from Pine Street Northerly a distance of approximately two hundred fifty (250) feet and raise and ap- propriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 56. To see if the town will vote to improve Foundry Street, Depot Village, from Main Street Southerly a distance of approximately four hundred fifty (450) feet, and raise and ap- propriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 57. To see if the town will vote to improve Alden Street, Depot Village, from Winthrop Street to Cabot Street, a distance of approximately five hundred eighty (580) feet, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 58. To see if the town will vote to improve Long- view Street, Depot Village, from Buckland Street to Shearer Street, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 59. To see if the town will vote to improve Fairview Street, Depot Village, from Shearer Street to Wright Street, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 60. To see if the town will vote to improve Pleasant Street, Depot Village, from Thorndike Street to Central Street, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 61. To see if the town will vote to improve Taft Street, Depot Village, from North Main Street to Fairview Street, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 62. To see if the town will vote to improve Front Street and Front Street Extension, Village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 63. To see if the town will vote to improve Maple Street, Village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 64. To see if the town will vote to improve Maple Terrace, Village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 65. To see if the town will vote to improve River Street, Village of Thorndike, from the intersection with Church Street Northeasterly a distance of approximately four hundred (400) feet, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 66. To see if the town will vote to improve Jarvis Road, from the Old Warren Road Westerly a distance of approx- imately one (1) mile, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
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Article 67. To see if the town will vote to improve Baptist Hill Road, from the Valentine Farm to the Palmer-Wilbraham Town Line, a distance of approximately one-half (1/2) mile, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 68. To see if the town will accept and allow a town way in the Lake Thompson section of Palmer as shown on plan entitled "Plan Showing Layout of Carter Street, Lake Thompson Section, Palmer, Massachusetts, dated December 1952 prepared by T. D. Crimmins, C. E." as laid out by the selectmen according to the following description:
Beginning at an iron pin in the ground in the easterly line of Flynt Street; thence running N 78° 05' 30" E eleven hundred (1100) feet to an iron pin; thence turning and running N 18° 54' 00" E as shown on said plan fifty and 37/100 (50.37) feet to an iron pin; thence turning and running S 78° 05' 30" W eleven hund- red (1100) feet to an iron pin in the easterly line of said Flynt Street; thence turning and running S 18° 54' 00" W along the east- terly line of Flynt Street to the Point of Beginning; said Street is to be known as Carter Street.
Article 69. To see if the town will accept and allow a town way in the Depot Village of Palmer as shown on plan entitled "Plan Showing Layout of Squier Street Extension, Depot Village, Palmer, Massachusetts dated December 1952, prepared by T. D. Crimmins, C. E.," as laid out by the selectmen according to the following description:
Beginning at a stone bound in the ground in the northerly terminus of Squier Street; thence N 20° 17' 30" E a distance of one hundred sixty-two and 64/100 (162.64) feet to a stone bound; thence turning and running N 14° 38' 30" W as shown on said plan two hundred twenty-three and 23/100 (223.23) feet to a point; thence turning and running S 75° 21' 30" W a distance of forty-two (42) feet; thence turning and running S 14° 38' 30" E two hundred ten and 02/100 (210.02) feet to an iron pin; thence turning and running S 20° 17' 30" W one hundred forty-one and 39/100 (141.39) feet to an iron pin; thence turning and running S 58° 48' E forty-two and 76/100 (42.76) feet to the point of be- ginning; said Street is to be known as Squier Street Extension.
Article 70. To see if the town will vote to improve Ruggles Court in the Village of Three Rivers and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor.
Article 71. To see if the town will vote to resurface or otherwise improve Water Street in the Depot Village, beginning at the intersection of Bridge Street and running in an easterly direction to a point at or near the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company Plant, a distance of approximately five hundred twenty-five (525)
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