USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1960 > 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
An even increasing number of requests for fly and mosquito control were received. Many wooded and marshy areas were sprayed.
All requests for elimination of Poison Ivy and Dogwood Poison were attended to.
Respectfully submitted, STANLEY STRZEMIENSKI Moth Superintendent
83
Veteran's Service Center
To The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
During the past year, eleven servicemen were separated or discharged from active duty with the armed forces. Death claimed ten of our local veterans during the same period.
Congress passed a bill extending War II Loans until July 25, 1962. Korean veterans have until January 31, 1965 to apply for G. I. Loans. Among other laws passed was the increased federal contributions to state veterans homes, increased compensation rates for the seriously disabled of so-called housebound veterans, increased pensions for Spanish American and Indian Wars veter- ans, scholarship program for surviving children of cold war veterans who are killed in the actual performance of duty and additional allowances for children, in excess of three, of veterans who are entitled to these allowances for their dependents.
The new Pension Act became effective on July 1. 1960 under which the eligibility requirements for widows of veterans of all wars are equalized. Benefits are based on a three step scale of income limitations.
A total of 33 claims for Pensions and Compensation were processed through the Veterans' Service Center and of these, 31 were initial claims, while two were reinstatements. Claims ap- proved and awarded by the Veterans Administration numbered 24 and represented $13,520 in additional income to these recipients during the past year. Two of the claims were denied and five are still in process of determination.
Personal contacts at the Center dropped off to a total of 1092 for the year and the more essential services break down as follows :
546 Photostats
100 Referrals to other agencies
93 Forms and letters
37 Insurance matters
33 Pensions and Compensation
26 Hospital & Out Patient services
26 Burial Benefits
25 Education
21 Loan Certificate requests
15 Discharges recorded
89
457 Misc. other services
Under the provisions of Chap. 115 of the G. L. as amended, this department handled 56 cases of needy and eligible veterans and the'r dependents with a total of 214 persons involved.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Appropriation
$30,600.00
Reimbursement from State
Recovery from Liens
Town's share of total cost
Balance
$10,276.61 2,023.97 17,652.29 647.13
$30,600.00
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD J. SALAMON
Veterans' Agent
Report of Inspector of Animals
Palmer, Mass. Dec. 31, 1960
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Town of Palmer
Gentlemen :
All inspections ordered by the Division of Livestock Disease Control have been completed and requirements of Section 19, Chapter 129, of the General Laws of Mass. have been complied with, and reports filed with the Division at 41 Tremont St., Boston.
There were 3 shipments of cattle received in town from other states. These animals were identified and released per order of the Division.
All Brucellosis inspections have been made as requested by the Division.
There were 94 visits made to examine and quarantine dogs known to have bitten persons. None showed symptoms of Rabies and were released after 14 days.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. GAY
Inspector of Animals
90
Report of Young Men's Library Association
The year 1960 has been one of steady growth at the Library. Our circulation continues to increase and the attendance at the reading rooms continues to gain. A substantial number of new books has been added during the year and we now have a total of 19,089 on our shelves.
During the year new lights have been installed at the desk, the reading rooms and the stack room, resulting in a great im- provement in visibility. The old table lamps have been removed, providing much greater work space for students engaged in refer- ence work as well as for casual readers. It is expected that the conference and work room will be re-lighted during 1961.
Our branches in Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville have continued to serve the people in those villages and plans are in the making for increased service.
The use of the Library rooms, usually on alternate Thursdays, by the Registry of Motor Vehicles for license examinations has continued, thereby saving many of our local people the necessity of going to Springfield for the purpose. It is expected that the practice will be continued.
Our collection of Hi-Fi records has been increased during the year and use of the records show a gain. The story hour for young children is again in operation and produces an excellent response.
Treasurer's report for the year ending December 31, 1960: RECEIPTS:
Balance January 1, 1960
$389.70
Income from Investment 2,287.03
Town of Palmer, appropriation
8,500.00
Fines collected 295.19
Rental of records, books sold, and misc. 79.75
$11,551.67
DISBURSEMENTS:
Salaries, services and rentals
7,641.75
Books, magazines and records
1,547.77
Light and telephone
268.03
Fuel (entire building)
927.53
Insurance premiums
96.02
91
Supplies and printing
434.65
Building services and repairs
37.16
Social security taxes, etc.
159.61
Miscellaneous
40.47
11,152.99
Balance December 31, 1960
398.68
$11,551.67
Respectfully submitted, ALLEN F. DAVIS, Treasurer
Examined and approved January 17, 1961
WILLIAM R. FAULKNER, Auditor
Report of Forest Fire Warden
Report of the Forest Warden for the year ending December 31, 1960:
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Forest Fire Warden of the Town of Palmer for the year of 1960.
This department responded to a total of 22 calls during the year for brush, grass, and forest fires throughout the town.
Our new radios were installed, and are working very good. Most of the other equipment of this department is in pretty good condition with the exception of the forest fire truck. The truck is almost 17 years old. It has done a tremendous job for this department, but due to the added cost of maintenance and uncer- tainty of its operations in the future, I, at this time, recommend that the town purchase a new truck.
I would like to thank your honorable board for the cooperation you have given me during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
GUS A. THEODORE
Forest Fire Warden
92
Dutch Elm Disease
Amount Appropriated
$6,000.00
Expenditures
$5,975.28
BALANCE
$
24.72
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer
Gentlemen :
The Dutch Elm Disease continues to take its toll of Elm trees. During the past year, 72 diseased Elm trees were removed in accordance with sanitation practices.
Twenty years ago, the first case of Dutch Elm Disease was positively identified in Massachusetts, but a breakthrough against the tree disease is seen possible.
Dr. Games Stater, an industrial scientist, started experiment- ing against the Elm Tree Disease by injecting granular Zinc Chloride into sick Elm Trees. After 12 years of experiments, he reported the trees seemed "quite healthy" however, a con- clusive report was not possible because the treated trees were not previously laboratory tested for the Elm fungus inasmuch as they showed every symptom of having the disease.
This department has carried the recommended experiments into 15 laboratory tested diseased Elm Trees, although a complete report will not be possible until further tests are made and a full growing season has passed. The department also plans to drive Zinc coated nails into all healthy Elm Trees as a pre- ventative measure.
Meanwhile, the three essential phases of a control program scouting, spraying, and sanitation will be continued.
Respectfully submitted,
STANLEY STRZEMIENSKI
Moth Superintendent
93
Report of The Tree Warden for 1960
During the year 1960 the tree department made a survey of all the streets in the four villages for bad and dangerous trees and limbs. The department also made a survey of all outlying roads for bad and hazardous trees and limbs and low limbs ob- structing trucks and busses. As a result of this survey seventy- six trees were removed and ninety-seven trees were trimmed and low limbs razed.
One Hundred-two oak trees were sprayed on the various streets and roads for leaf blight.
Twenty-four trees were planted where requests had been made and checked out as to the necessity and validity of the request. The trees were planted in various places in the four villages.
We had six bad storms during the year which caused tree damage. The damage consisted mainly of broken limbs and bent trees over roadsides on country roads which had to be removed. Much of this work beng done at night after the storms abated.
The department wishes to thank the Highway Department, Moth Department and the Worcester County Electric Co. for their cooperation during the year.
The Department feels that under normal conditions, unless hurricanes or the like occur, the present appropriation is ample to take care of the trees in the Town of Palmer without any increase in appropriation.
WALTER H. CAMBO, Tree Warden
94
School Committee 1961-1962
DAVITT M. ROONEY, Chairman DONALD F. McCAFFREY, Secretary
DAVITT M. ROONEY
Term expires 1961
STEPHEN LEBIDA
Term expires 1961
LEO J. SANTUCCI
Term expires 1962
HENRY R. TRESPAS
EDWARD R. PROSPERI
Term expires 1962 Term expires 1963
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7 p.m. on the Monday before the fourth Friday of each school month. All bills must be in the hands of the Superintendent on Mon- day before the above-mentioned date. Superintendent of Schools, Donald F. McCaffrey Office Hours : 8 a.m. to 12 m .; 1 to 4 p.m.
CALENDAR
1960-1961
Opening, September 7, 1960 Columbus Day, October 12, 1960
Teachers' Convention, October 21, 1960
Veterans' Day, November 11, 1960 Thanksgiving Recess, November 24-25, 1960 Fall Recess, Week of December 25, 1960 Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1961 Winter Recess, Week of February 26, 1961 Good Friday, March 31, 1961 Patriots' Day, April 19, 1961 Spring Recess, Week of April 30, 1961 Memorial Day, May 30, 1961 Closing-Grades, June 16, 1961 High, June 30, 1961
1961-1962
Opening, September 6, 1961 Columbus Day, October 12, 1961 Teachers' Convention, October 20, 1961 Thanksgiving Recess, November 23-24, 1961 Fall Recess, Week of December 24, 1961 New Year's Day, January 1, 1962 Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1962 Winter Recess, Week of February 25, 1962 Patriots' Day, April 19, 1962 Good Friday, April 20, 1962 Spring Recess, Week of April 29, 1962 Memorial Day, May 30, 1962 Closing- Grades, June 15, 1962 High, June 29, 1962
95
Annual School Report
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer:
I submit herewith my tenth annual report, the sixty-eighth report of the town.
Personnel
Palmer continues to lose its veteran teachers by retire- ments. In fact, the changes in personnel have been numerous the last three years. Palmer will miss the services of its dedi- cated veteran teachers who have served the interests of the children for better than forty years. We have been fortunate to hire in their place bright, able, young people; and we can hope that their sense of dedication and loyalty will carry un the traditions of the Palmer School System at the same high level as those before them.
The citizens of Palmer must face their responsibilities, too, since to obtain and retain able young teachers will necessitate the maintenance of a salary schedule that will be competitive with other communities our size in the area. To do less would be foolhardy.
Repairs '
This past year the School Committee authorized a completion of the toilet renovation program in the elementary schools by finishing the girls' toilets at the Quabaug School. This work com- pletes the program in the elementary schools.
Painting was completed in the corridors of the Three Rivers School.
The High School has been brightened considerably with the installation of new lights in all classrooms. It is expected that corridor lighting will be improved this year.
A new stage curtain for the High School was purchased and installed during the summer.
The high school cafeteria was repainted.
A continued program of repairs has made it possible for us to "catch up" with many years of neglect. An agreement with the Finance Committee allowed an annual expenditure of $28,000 for five years to carry on this work . The full amount was used the first three years, diminishing slightly the last two years; and probably the amount for repairs this year will approximate $15,000. Up to this point, we have classified repairs in two parts,
96
special and regular. It is recommended that, in the future, a sum of not less than $15,000 be allocated for all repairs in order that all buildings can be kept in good condition and to permit planned programs of painting and major repairs to be carried out throughout the school system.
High School
Our greatest educational deficiency continues to be an inade- quate high school building. We are the last town our size in the area without improved facilities for our high school pupils. The Building Committee has worked many long hours to come up with a program to improve the situation, and it is hoped that a positive program will be placed before the voters in the near future.
Guidance
Our guidance program has moved into its second year under the capable direction of Mr. Alfonso Rizzo. A broadened program of testing and counseling has helped tremendously in college and vocational placement and has resulted in a better adjusted stu- dent both mentally and emotionally in the existing curriculum. The guidance program is in operation in the elementary and the high schools. Parents are urged to discuss adjustment problems with the guidance department at any time.
Cafeteria
Few people realize the number of meals that are served in the high school cafeteria each day. and few are aware of the type of meal that is served. Bus pupils from Quabaug. Park Street, Thorndike Street, and the High School are served food prepared in the high school kitchen. Quabaug pupils are served in vacuum containers from the high school kitchen. The meal is a complete and balanced one with meat or fish, potatoes, vege- tables, bread or rolls, milk, and dessert for a cost of 25 cents. This meal is unquestionably one of the best bargains anywhere. Mrs. Matera, director of the lunch program, and her staff do an excellent job with limited facilities, serving an average of 500 meals per day. This count has increased gradually since Mrs. Matera assumed charge to our highest count of 594 in Novem- ber, 1960. On many occasions now a choice of vegetables is offered at the noon meal, and we are constantly trying to improve this program.
Salary Schedule
Effective in September, the Palmer School Committee has established the following salary schedule :
Bachelor's
Master's
Master's Plus
Master's Plus
Minimum
$4,200
Degree $4,500
$4,600
$4,800
Maximum
$6,000
$6,300
$6,400
$6.600
Degree
15 Hours
30 Hours
Annual Increment - $200
97
This year for the first time a new level was added to the schedule. This will enable teachers to go beyond the Master's Degree accumulating 30 semester hours in an approved program in a college chartered to award a certificate or diploma in ad- vanced study. Teachers in this approved program may receive an additional $100 after completion of 15 approved semester hours, and an additional $200 when the certificate or diploma for the completion of 30 semester hours has been received. This salary step will be an incentive for teachers to continue professional improvement.
The School Committee in its new schedule raised all teachers with 30 years of experience to the new maximums, granted a $200 increase across the board to teachers with 25 years of ex- perience, and $100 across the board to teachers with less than 25 years of experience.
National Defense Education Act
During the year we received approval from the State Depart- ment of Education, to be reimbursed in part by the Federal Government, for substantial amounts of new equipment for physics, chemistry, biology, and general science, which we so badly need- ed. In addition, approval was received and some equipment was purchased for tape recorders and tapes to be used in improving the instruction of foreign language. A recent project for materials for the improvement of mathematics instruction in the elementary and high schools has been approved, also. Much more equip- ment is available and needed in these areas. We have just made a start, and this start has helped greatly. An additional sum of $6,532 will be included in the budget for the purchase of equipment again this year.
Fire Department
The Palmer Fire Department has provided a greater measure of safety for the pupils at the Thorndike Street, Park Street, and Quabaug Schools, using a system of small sensitive discs installed throughout the buildings. These discs will trigger an alarm to the firehouse if any type of combustion occurs in the school building day or night. The School Department is indeed grateful for the foresight shown by the Fire Department in pro- viding improved protection for the school children. It is hoped that similar protection can be extended to the other schools in the near future.
Driver Education
This past spring the Palmer School Committee voted to eliminate the behind-the-wheel training but to retain the classroom instruction in the driver education program. The mounting costs of this program in the school budget were responsible for the reappraisal and the decision to curtail its operation. At a sub- sequent meeting of the School Committee, a vote to maintain the classroom instruction out of school hours was passed unanimously.
98
It is planned to operate classes on a voluntary basis out of school hours for those pupils wishing to obtain a license. The classes will be limited to Palmer High School pupils, and the costs of instruction will be paid by the School Department.
Recommendation
Six years ago School Committee members inquired of me as to whether I needed an assistant. At that time, I stated it was not necessary. Our teacher turnover was not great then, and it was possible for me to handle all phases of the school adminis- tration without difficulty. I indicated to the committee at that time that, when I felt the pressures becoming too heavy, I would ask for help. The time has come.
I have indicated in an earlier section of this report that the turnover in teachers has increased sharply the past three years and that this problem of turnover will be with us constantly in the years ahead. When the turnover was limited to two or three teachers a year, the superintendent was able to direct an in-service training program and supervise and train new teachers without too much difficulty. Adequate supervision has now be- come most difficult and even impossible, at times. The superin- tendent's job in the areas of bus transportation, budget prepara- tion, repair and maintenance, planning for new high school facili- ties, curriculum development, planning projects for federal re- imbursement, and procurement of new teachers has increased tremendously in the past few years. As a result, the superin- tendent finds that he has less and less time to supervise adequately a continually changing, new staff. This is not fair to the new teachers nor to the pupils. Since Palmer employs teaching prin- cipals, the amount of supervision they can give is, of necessity, limited. Should the town vote an addition to the High School, the superintendent's time will be channeled in that direction to a considerable extent; but even without this the time has come when Palmer should employ an elementary supervisor to direct the in-service training program of new elementary teachers, di- rect and coordinate curriculum development of the elementary schools, and supervise all activities in the elementary grades.
Conclusion
In conclusion, may I take the opportunity to express my sin- cere appreciation to the members of the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Highway Department, the Police De- partment, the Park Commission, the Fire Department, all other town officers, a loyal and helpful staff, parent-teacher organiza- tions, and all others who have given the School Department the'r 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, 1961
99
FINANCIAL STATEMENT December 31, 1960
Appropriation
Expended Balance
Expenses of Instruction
$374,658.00
$374,633.85
$24.15
General Expenses
18,500.00
18,497.51
2.49
Expenses of Operating
47,730.00
47,714.36
15.64
Repairs
17,350.00
17,346.45
3.55
Auxiliary Agencies
56,859.00
56,845.22
13.78
Furniture and Furnishings
4,000.00
3,999.69
.31
National Defense Education
Act of 1958
6,532.00
6,532.00
0.00
Trade School Expenses
13,985.00
13,947.26
37.74
Retirement
2,177.00
2,177.00
0.00
$541,791.00
$541,693.34
$97.66
National Defense Education
Act of 1958 - Reimbursement
$905.64
100
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 Pre- cinct D, at the Bondsville Grammar School in Bondsville, on Monday, the sixth day of February, A.D. 1961, 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 Park Com- missioners, 3 License Commissioners, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; 1 Assessor, 1 Member of 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; 1 Member of the School Committee for a term of two years (to fill vacancy); 1 Member of the Planning Board for a term of five years; 1 Member of the Planning Board for a term of four years (to fill vacancy); 1 Member of the Planning Board for a term of two years (to fill vacancy).
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 sa'd Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs to meet at St. Joseph's Hall on Commercial Street, Village of Thorn- dike. in said Palmer, on Monday, the thirteenth day of February, A.D. 1961, at seven o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, viz:
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to pres de at said meet- ing
Article 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
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.
101
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, 1961, 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 expenses incurred under any of the articles of the warrant.
Article 8. To raise money and make appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year.
Article 9. 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 convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale, property taken by the Town under tax title pro- cedure, provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 10. 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 convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale, or at private sale, any old and obsolete equip- ment or personal property, provided that the selectmen or whom- soever they may authorize to hold such auction or sale may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
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.