USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1954 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
A Nativity Scene arranged by the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce and installed at the Common in that village at- tracted widespread attention last December and will undoubtedly be repeated in future years.
It will be necessary in 1955 to replace several items of worn- out equipment and to make some additions to the playground in- stallations. During 1954, the fence at Legion Field was repainted, using local help. This should keep it in excellent condition for several years to come and prevent a major replacement.
78
The Commissioners again express their appreciation of the cooperation of the townspeople and the excellent service of our caretaker, Carmine Russo.
Appropriation and Transfer
$10,800.00
Expenditures :
Labor and Equipment Hire
$7,337.50
New Fence at Bondsville
635.00
Equipment, Supplies, Repairs, etc.
1,763.60
Painting Fence
1,059.29
Total Expenditures Balance, December 31, 1954
$10,795.39
4.61
$10,800.00
ALLEN F. DAVIS
JAMES J. KANE
LADISLAS LAVIOLETTE
STANLEY G. WILK
Park Commissioners
79
Jury List - 1954
PRECINCT A-PALMER
Romeo Lenard
Nathan A. Sheldon
Carl G. Carlson
Leslie R. Keith
Lawrence E. Santucci
Stanley L. Metcalf
Patrick J. Dalton
Harry E. Griswold
Francis D. Mullen
Herman W. Peterson
Frank Kitch
Chester A. Killmeyer
Uledge J. Yargeau
Donald H. McAdam
Arthur W. Hedman
Robert B. Bishop
Roland G. Ricci
Howard W. Bedson
Rene A. Couture
Anthony S. Morris
George H. Stone
Edward J. Hryniewicz
Richard J. McGrath
Walter J. Phaneuf
Elmer W. Sird Louis B. Majka
Albert A. Niemczura.
Rufus Miller
Walter Coulter, Sr.
Ellsworth Royce
Clyde Worby
Walter Kaufman
Joseph Matera
Howard W. Marcy Wilfred Marchand John W. Branford
John J. O'Brien
George A. Sullivan A. Leroy Bailey
39 Central St. 33 Chestnut St. Baptist Hill St. Brainerd St. 54 Breckenridge St. 15 Brown St. 93 Central St. 27 Dublin St. 130 Breckenridge St. Baptist Hill St. 25 Holbrook St. 5 Allen St. 2 Arch St. Arnold St. Baptist Hill St. Calkins Rd. Buckland Rd. 30 Spring St. 40 Pleasant St. 38 Spring St. 33 Pearl St. 40 Converse St. 49 Converse St. 298 South Main St. 15 Longview St. Alden St. 15 Brainerd St. Calkins Rd. 55 Central St. 20 Church St. Knox St. Knox St. 724 No. Main St. 6 Brown St. 535 No. Main St. 48 Walnut St. 46 Thorndike St. 63 Park St. 66 Squier St.
80
PRECINCT B-THORNDIKE
Wilfred A. Bonneville
Howard W. Moore
Stanley J. Salamon
Stanley G. Wilk
Edward A. Witkowski
Aldege F. Coutu
Stanley F. Izyk
Vincent P. Kerigan
Joseph V. White
Louis M. Marcinek
Daniel V. Fogarty, Jr.
Edward J. Nikoden
Miesczeslaw C. Orluk
Bernard F. Cavanaugh
Emil E. Kosmider
Charles H. Bressette
Joseph J. Papuga
Aloysius J. Tyburski
16 Church St. 58 Church St. 113 Church St. 76 Commercial St. 70 Pleasant St. 35 River St. 135 River St. River St. 128 Main St. 124 Main St. Mt. Dumplin St. 209 High St. 22 Pine St. 53 Commercial St. 25 Harvey St. 4 Main St. 86 High St. 19 Commercial St.
PRECINCT C-THREE RIVERS
Alexander F. Trczienski
Willard H. Clough
Alexander Harper
Wilfred J. Tenczar
Stanley J. Klaus
Alcide T. Poitras
Robert E. Geer
William McKee
Frank B. Skutnik
Bernard Zisk William T. Brown
Joseph S. Witkowski
Frank E. Keegan
Elton K. Chamberlain
Andrew A. Lucas Joseph McCann Michael L. Piechota George L. Foskit Albert A. Boissy Alexander F. Sawicki
Charles N. Pelczarski Stanley N. Frydryk Leroy G. Rogers Edward Smola
11 Anderson St. 21- Anderson St. 13 Belchertown St. 96 Bourne St. 5 Palmer St. 15 High St. 43 High St. 44 South St.
41 Ruggles St. 376 Main St. 34 South St. 82 Belchertown Rd. 2 Maple St. 10 Maple St. 116 Palmer St. 12 Anderson St. 2 Barker St. 26 Barker St. 40 Belanger St. 114 Belchertown St. 39 Bourne St. 84 Bourne St. Cross St. 71 North St.
81
John W. McGowan Louis J. Wrubel
Raymond E. Barton, Jr.
James F. Clark
Stanley J. Strycharz
Kenneth R. Peterson
Czeslaw Wojniakowski
East St. 69 Kelley St. North St. 52 Palmer Rd. 310 Main St. 102 Palmer St. Palmer St.
PRECINCT D-BONDSVILLE
Frank E. Stolarz
Stanley A. Krawiec
Joseph J. Klaus
Stanley P. Wadas
Stanley J. Styspeck
Robert C. Hayes
Paul Sweetman
William J. Lemanski
Martin Kapinos
Andrew L. Soltys
Wallace B. Wile
Edward T. Pollack
Lawrence J. Koslik
6 Crest St. 101 Main St. 5 Crest St.
131 Main St. 131 High St. 16 Hill St. Main St. 37 High St. 177 Main St. 8 Maple St. 107 Main St. 10 State St. Crest St.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE B. CHENEY
HERBERT W. BISHOP
PETER F. WARAKOMSKI
Board of Selectmen
82
Report of the Board of Health
The Board of Health submits its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1954:
Reportable Diseases
Chicken Pox
15
Dog Bite
9
Measles
4
Mumps
20
Tuberculosis
3
Whooping Cough
20
Salmonellosis
2
Influenzal Meningitis
1
74
Deaths reported during the year:
Male
Female
Total
Stillborn
6
1
7
1 to 5 yrs.
0
0
0
10 to 20 yrs.
2
0
2
20 to 30 yrs.
0
1
1
30 to 40 yrs.
3
3
6
40 to 50 yrs.
2
3
5
50 to 60 yrs.
6
4
10
60 to 70 yrs.
15
12
27
70 to 80 yrs.
15
19
34
80 to 90 yrs.
15
10
25
66
53
119
Licenses issued:
Alcohol
$ 4.00
Ice Cream
60.00
Camps and Cabins
2.00
Funeral Directors
7.00
Slaughtering
1.00
Kindergarten
1.00
Less than 1 yr.
2
0
2
-
-
83
Pasteurization
.
30.00
Bottling Milk and Oleo
40.00
55.00
TOTAL RECEIPTS
200.00
Total appropriations for year: Expended
$5,900.00
5,884.36
Balance
$ 15.64
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. KANE
RICHARD J. HUNT, M. D.
WILLIAM J. BERNAT
BOARD OF HEALTH
Report of Inspector of Animals
Palmer, Mass. December 31, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer
Gentlemen:
All inspections ordered by the Division of Livestock Disease Control have been completed and the requirements of Section 19, Chapter 129, of the General Laws of Massachusetts have been complied with, and reports filed with the Director at 41 Tremont Street, Boston.
There were two shipments of cattle received in town from other states. These animals were identified and released per order of the Director.
There also were 64 visits made to examine and quarantine dogs known to have bitten persons. None showed symptons of Rabies and were released after 14 days.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. GAY
84
Report of Veteran's Service Center
'To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer
The annual report of the Veterans' Service Center for the year 1954 is hereby respectfully submitted:
The records of this office disclose that at the end of this year, the number of veterans of all wars has increased to a total of 2,078. An estimated 220 are presently on active duty with the Armed Forces. Our records to date also show 191 veterans of the town who have been credited with Korean service which began on June 27, 1950. Of this number, 56 have been separated or dis- charged from active service during the past year. 1205 Contacts were made by veterans and their dependents on matters relating to benefits and claims. Compensation and Pension claims filed through this office totaled 19 and the awards as made by the Vet- erans Administration brought an estimated $9,200 in additional income to the recipients during 1954. Some of the direct services were as follows:
742 Photostats
22 Education applications
30 Hospitalization requests
92 Dental applications
51 Insurance
19 Pension & Compensation claims
105 Korean Bonus applications
57 Disability verifications
87 Letters for veterans
52 Discharges recorded
595 Miscellaneous other services
Under provisions of Chapter 115 of the General Laws as amended, this department processed and handled 40 cases of needy
85
and eligible veterans and their dependents involving a total of 82 persons.
Appropriation:
$20,000.00
State Reimbursements received
$ 6,749.88
Town's share of cost
11,963.62
Balance unexpended
1,286.50
$20,000.00
Detail expenditures of the Veterans' Services Center are con- . tained in the report of the Town Accountant.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD J. SALAMON
Veterans' Agent
Report of Forest Fire Warden
Report of the Forest Warden for the Year ending December 31, 1954:
To the Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Forest Warden of the Town of Palmer for the year ending December 31, 1954.
This department answered a total of 29 calls this past year. It is interesting to note that only two calls were had for brush or grass fires throughout the entire Fall season due to the amount and frequency of rain during this season. This was a most unusual condition, quite opposite what we normally have.
The equipment of the department is in good condition and properly maintained.
I wish to thank your honorable board for the fine cooperation you have given me this and other years.
Respectfully submitted,
VICTOR M. FRENCH
Forest Warden
86
Report of Young Men's Library Association
Circulation for 1954:
Main Library, Palmer
18,247
Branch Library, Bondsville 5,716
Branch Library, Three Rivers
3,796
Branch Library, Thorndike
2,987
Total
30,746
Number of Volumes Owned:
Adult Fiction
8,034
Adult Non-Fiction
5,722
Juvenile Fiction
1,727
Juvenile Non-Fiction
969
Reference
756
Total
17,208
The use of the Library, both at the Main Library and the Branches in the three villages, has shown an increase during 1954. Besides a larger circulation, we have had a greater registration and also a larger attendance at the reading and reference rooms. New books added to the Library shelves have brought our refer- ence works up-to-date as well as providing the best of the current fiction.
As in past years, worn-out or obsolete volumes have been discarded while books of continuing value have been repaired and rebound and continued in circulation.
The increased use of our reference facilities by students in our local schools which was noted a year ago has continued. The juvenile department also shows a substantial gain.
87
Townspeople are urged to ask for any book they wish to use. If it is not on our shelves, the Library will obtain it from one of the libraries in our larger cities or will purchase the volume if there is sufficient demand for it. The borrowing of foreign language books can also be arranged.
Treasurer's Report for the year ending December 31, 1954.
RECEIPTS
Balance, Palmer National Bank, Jan. 1, 1954
$ 4.47
Income from Invested Funds
2,388.15
Town of Palmer, appropriation
6,000.00
Fines collected
240.77
Miscellaneous (books sold, etc.)
49.49
$8,682.88
DISBURSEMENTS
Books and Magazines
$1,449.95
Salaries, Services, and Rentals
5,786.40
Lighting
105.50
Telephone Service
75.75
Fuel
1,044.75
Supplies and Printing
88.60
Insurance Premiums
86.22
Miscellaneous
36.01
Balance, December 31, 1954
9.70
$8,682.88
Respectfully submitted,
ALLEN F. DAVIS, Treasurer
Examined and Approved, January 15, 1955,
STANLEY W. WISNEWSKI, Auditor
88
Report of the Tree Warden for 1954
Amount Available
$2,550.00
Amount Spent
2,527.00
Balance
23.00
Refunded to Town
350.00
Department Expenses to Town
2,177.00
The Tree Department had an unusually active year. In the spring we planted twenty trees dividing them among the four villages. We had a number of bad trees to take down and a great many large dead limbs to come off. In the fall we had two hurri- canes which created a great amount of damage. We took down about ten trees but we had a great many broken limbs and split limbs to clean up. We did the work of both hurricanes plus our regular work without asking for any more money than our regular appropriation. We worked in conjunction with the Elm Depart- ment eliminating a number of infected trees.
The two thoughts for this year are to plant trees to replace the ones taken down and to help prevent the spread of the Dutch Elm disease.
WALTER H. CAMBO
Tree Warden
89
56.57
School Committee 1955-1956
DAVITT M. ROONEY, Chairman
DONALD F. McCAFFREY, Secretary
DAVITT M. ROONEY
Term expires 1955
STANLEY J. GILL
Term expires 1956 2
-PAUL HEINE, JR.
Term expires 1956
MRS. RALPH POTTER
Term expires 1957 1
STANLEY W. WISNEWSKI
Term expires 1957
$
5
1
3
4
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7 p.m. on the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
All bills must be in the hands of the Superintendent on Mon- day before the above date.
Superintendent of Schools, Donald F. McCaffrey
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 12 m .; 1 to 4 p.m.
90
CALENDAR
1954-1955
Opening, September 8, 1954.
Eastern States Exposition, September 20, 1954.
Columbus Day, October 12, 1954.
Teachers' Convention, October 22, 1954. Armistice Day, November 11, 1954.
Thanksgiving Recess, November 25-26, 1954. Fall Recess, December 24, 1954, to January 2, 1955. Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1955. Winter Recess, Week of February 27, 1955.
Good Friday, April 8, 1955. Patriots' Day, April 19, 1955.
Spring Recess, Week of May 1, 1955.
Memorial Day, May 30, 1955.
Closing-Grades, June 17, 1955.
High, June 30, 1955.
1955-1956
Opening, September 7, 1955. Eastern States Exposition, September 19, 1955. Columbus Day, October 12, 1955. Teachers' Convention, October 21, 1955. Armistice Day, November 11, 1955. Thanksgiving Recess, November 24-25, 1955. Fall Recess, Week of December 25, 1955. Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1956. Winter Recess, Week of February 26, 1956. Good Friday, March 30, 1956. Patriots' Day, April 19, 1956. Spring Recess, Week of April 29, 1956. Memorial Day, May 30, 1956.
Closing-Grades, June 15, 1956.
High, June 29, 1956.
91
Annual School Report
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer:
I submit herewith my fourth annual report, the sixty-second report of the town.
Enrollments.
Schools opened this fall with a heavier enrollment than the year before. The increase was slight; and for the most part, the increase showed the greatest gain in the high school. For the first time in many years, the high school enrollment exceeded 400. Some 415 students registered on opening day. This does not reflect the entire secondary picture since, in addition, some 30 students attend Springfield Trade School, as well. Conservative estimates indicate that the high school enrollment will go over 500 by 1960. The increasing elementary classes will fill the reno- vated Thorndike Street School by that date, necessitating an ad- dition to the high school if we are to adequately house and edu- cate our future citizens.
Renovation of Thorndike Street School.
The renovation work of the Thorndike Street School included a new roof, tile floors, a new heating and ventilating system, new toilet facilities, modern furnishings, interior and exterior decorating, a hard surface playground, and fencing for the play area. This building was open for public inspection. The work done in the school permits the alleviation of crowded conditions which were beginning to show at Park and Quabaug.
Repairs.
A new roof was installed over the front brick section of the Bondsville School. Roof repairs were also completed at Thorn- dike, Park, and Quabaug Schools. Brick repointing, waterproof- ing, and some exterior painting were completed at the Quabaug School. At Park Street School, asphalt tile floors were installed, and interior painting in the classrooms was completed.
Furnishings and Equipment.
New pupil movable desk units were completely installed at Park, Thorndike Street, and in the lower grades of all other build-
92
ings. It is expected that the program of furniture replacement will continue so that all old units will be replaced.
A new steam table was installed in the high school cafeteria. The high school typewriting room was completely refurnished with desks and chairs.
New maps and globes were added to the Thorndike Street School to accompany our social studies program.
Supplemental library books were added to the high school library and to the elementary school libraries.
Town Survey Committee.
During the year, I had the privilege of working with the Town Survey Committee, headed by Mr. Harold S. Crane, and including Messrs. Joseph P. T. Belanger; Walter L. Cameron, Jr .; Dennis J. Horgan; Walter Kusek; Francis J. Longtine; and the School Committee, in renovating the Thorndike Street School. The community owes these men a debt of gratitude, as I feel that they have done a most commendable job in the service which they have rendered to the town. Most reports of the work done at the Thorndike Street School have been most favorable, and any appreciation due should be extended to this committee for their work. The School Department is indeed grateful, since re- sults of their efforts have relieved some rather serious over- crowding.
Curriculum Study.
The curriculum committee in the high school has continued to meet in revising the high school program of studies. Through the efforts of this committee, the program of studies has now been revised to include the freshman, sophomore, and junior programs. It is expected that the results of this study will also complete the senior program before the year is over.
In September a new American history text was added to the eighth-grade social studies program which was an extension of the present program now in use in the elementary schools.
Another committee is reviewing the promotion policies of the School Department. It is possible that some revisions in this policy will be developed before next fall.
93
Budget.
The 1955 budget represents a total increase of $19,138 over last year. An analysis of this budget shows that, in the main, increases are due to salaries and Trade School tuition and trans- portation.
The teachers' salary schedule was revised as follows:
Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree
Minimum
$2,900 $3,100
Maximum
$4,200 $4,400
The old salary schedule was amended to provide for an in- crement of $150 yearly from now on.
Each year now for several years, the minimums and maxi- mums in teachers' salary schedules have increased. Palmer must compete with all other communities for the shrinking pool of available new teachers, As this report is written, several com- munities our size will have voted to establish a minimum of $3,000 for a beginning salary for new teachers. It is our hope that the number of replacements here will not be large. For this reason, we hope that a $2,900 minimum will meet our needs this year. Without doubt, however, we will have to establish a $3,000 minimum on next year's schedule; and it now seems likely that higher maximums will have to be established in the future. Too many people do not realize the seriousness of this teacher short- age, particularly as it pertains to the lower grades. It is this continual changing of minimums and maximums to maintain a comparable position with other towns our size that necessitates an annual increase in our budget. People continually wonder year after year whether the school budget is going to be higher, and the answer is an emphatic "Yes." With the present salary schedule, conservative estimates would indicate that the budget for the item of salaries alone will be increased annually for the next few years. Most of our experienced teachers are four or five years away from the maximum figures set up in the salary sche- dule. If they are going to reach this ceiling, an increase in the budget, as indicated above, is inevitable.
A Look At the Future.
Our increasing enrollments must necessitate a close look at what will happen to our high school. The recommendation of the Town Survey Committee of last year indicates that a com- mittee should be appointed by 1957 to survey the need for im- provements and additions to the high school. As things look now, I would recommend that this building committee, or survey com-
94
mittee, be appointed no later than 1956 if we are to provide the necessary housing accommodations for better than 500 pupils by 1960.
Conclusion
In conclusion, may I take the opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the School Committee, the Town Survey Committee, Town Engineer Timothy Crim- mins for his very helpful professional services in connection with the repair work done in the Palmer Schools this past year, 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 whole- hearted support in its objective to provide a successful school program for your children.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD F. McCAFFREY
Superintendent of 'Schools
January 3, 1955.
Statement-December 31, 1954
Appropriation
Expended
Balance
General Expenses
$14,350.00
$14,341.09
$8.91
Expenses of Instruction
215,450.00
215,529.91
-79.91
Expenses of Operating
41,600.00
41,511.48
88.52
Repairs
31,000.00
30,999.49
.51
Auxiliary Agencies
39,739.60
39,499.01
240.59
Furniture and Furnishings
1,500.00
1,497.82
2.18
'Trade School Expenses
11,500.00
11,498.31
1.69
Retirements
4,290.00
4,289.80
.20
$359,429.60
$359,166.91
$262.69
95
Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden, ss 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, at the High School Gymnasium 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 seventh day of February, A. D. 1955, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, 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, Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; 1 Assessor, 1 Member of the Board of Public Welfare, 1 Cemetery Commissioner, 1 Member of the School Committee, 1 Member of the Board of Health, 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 fourteenth day of February, A. D. 1955, at seven o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following ar- ticles, viz:
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
May 353. 450. Ret
13,575. 42 je 18,108
96 5
376, 6480 tabat.
Article 3. To act on the reports of the town officers.
Article 4. To hear and act on reports of committees.
Article 5. To choose committees and give them instructions ..
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, 1955 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in ac- cordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow money as permitted by law to meet any appropriations made or ex- penses incurred under any of the articles of this warrant.
Article 8. To raise money and make appropriations to de- fray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to authorize the se- lectmen 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 before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title procedure, provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such auction may reject any bid which they deem inade- quate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to authorize the se- lectmen 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 before 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 11. 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.
97
Article 12. 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; (d) contribution to- ward cost of snow removal.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.