Town annual report of Chelmsford 1965, Part 9

Author:
Publication date: 1965
Publisher: Town of Chelmsford
Number of Pages: 142


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The South Row and Jordan Road Playgrounds were added to our eight (8) week summer program. Children of all ages enjoyed arts and crafts, athletics, and several field trips. Three hundred and twenty-five (325) children completed the eight (8) weeks swimming program which was staffed by qualified safety instructors at the Crystal Lake Beach. The Playground and Swimming Programs, again this year, provided activities for special children.


Girls' basketball, boys' golf, and tennis matches for boys and girls were enjoyed by 130 competitors.


Thirty adults participated in a nine (9) week golf program on Tues- day evenings.


In the fall, forty (40) adults played flag football at the McFarlin Field. The Junior Football League used the same field for its one hun- dred (100) boys.


The winter program commenced with men's basketball in the High School gym. Boys' hockey was a continuation of the schooling session


116


ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


for boys to age 14 and the entry of a team in the Shawsheen Bantam League.


The commission would again like to thank all public officials, town organizations and citizens who contributed their time and effort in making this year's program a success. In addition, the Commission ex- tends personal thanks to Harry Ayotte who resigned as chairman.


Respectfully submitted,


S. TERPAK, Secretary


J. GANNON, Chairman


DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Town of Chelmsford


Gentlemen:


During fiscal year 1965, monetary aid was granted to 46 cases representing 111 persons.


Your Agent continues to work in close co-operation with the Veterans Administration in assisting veterans and their dependents in obtaining benefits to which they are entitled.


Year


Budget


Expenditures


1963


$24,000.00


$19,451.02


1964


24,000.00


19,204.25


1965


24,000.00 23,857.66


Respectfully submitted, TERENCE E. O'ROURKE


Veterans' Agent


GAS INSPECTOR


Neal C. Stanley


The following is a report of the Gas Inspection Department for the year 1965.


There were 387 applications for inspections issued.


New or old homes and appliances 350


Commercial and Industrial 32


Police Station 1


Church


1


1


Addition to school 1


Apartment houses 2


Amount collected and turned in to Town Treasurer $1,995.00


Respectfully submitted,


NEAL C. STANLEY Gas Inspector


117


ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


VETERANS' EMERGENCY FUND


TREASURER'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN January 1, 1965 to December 31, 1965 RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS


Balance on Hand January, 1, 1965 $4,018.39


Add-Receipts:


The Central Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass. Dividends $ 56.47


The First Federal Savings & Loan


Association, Lowell, Mass. Dividends $ 110.50


Total Receipts


$ 166.97


TOTAL


$4,185.36


Deduct - Disbursements:


None


Balance on Hand December 31, 1965


$4,185.36


ASSETS December 31, 1965


Town of Chelmsford-General Treasury: On Deposit $ 136.38


The Central Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass.


On Deposit, Book No. 128790


$1,393.73


Deposit in transit


55.25


1,448.98


First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Lowell, formerly Middlesex Cooperative Bank,


Lowell, Mass.


Ten (10) Paid-Up Shares


Certificate No. 3025 $2,000.00


Three (3) Matured Shares Certificate No. 2380


600.00


2,600.00


TOTAL ASSETS


$4,185.36


LIABILITIES


TOTAL LIABILITIES


None


Respectfully Submitted, TOWN OF CHELMSFORD VETERANS' EMERGENCY FUND


CHARLOTTE P. DeWOLF, Treasurer


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


ANNA C. MACKAY MEMORIAL LIBRARY


-


-


PUBLIC LIBRARIES


Adams Library, Chelmsford Center


Anna C. Mackay Memorial Library, North Chelmsford


Board of Trustees:


Miss Ethel Booth, Eustace B. Fiske, Raymond Kroll, Robert Noy and Miss Marjorie Scoboria, chairman.


Adams Library Staff :


Librarian, Mrs. William Pickles, Assistant librarians Mrs. Lyle Creamer; Miss May Files; Children's librarian, Mrs. Clifford B. Hardy; Junior assistants, Mrs. Percy C. Greenwood and Miss Linda Webb; part time junior assistants, Mrs. Robert Amrein, Mrs. Stan- ley Jekanoski and Mrs. Robert Watson. Part time book-keeper and clerk, Mrs. Edward Fox.


Mackay staff:


Mrs. Joseph Donovan, assistant librarian in charge. Mrs. Kathleen Avery, junior assistant librarian.


The use of the public libraries is keeping pace with the population expansion. This year the development of the basement at Adams Library


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


was necessary to meet the demands of added library service. This is now an attractive well lighted area with two rooms of stack space, a large work room where books are processed and mended and an office for the librarian. The street floor has been completely redecorated. Some new lighting has been added and the departments have been rearranged.


The staff is most anxious to cooperate in extra services such as arranging to conduct tours of instruction on library usage, for scout troops and school classes; in planning story hours, puppet shows and book clubs whenever feasible; in contracting for inter-library loans from Boston Public Library and extending the use of the library for morning classes in cooperation with the County Extension Service.


I would like to use this means to publicly acknowledge our indebted- ness to the following: Mrs. Edward M. Connolly for giving frequent story hours; Mrs. Hans Dolezalck for puppet shows; the Garden Club for monthly arrangements; to the Chelmsford Newsweekly and Lowell Sun for cooperation on any needed publicity; The Highway Department for snow removal; and lastly the Newcomer's Club for substantial sums toward the purchase of new books.


As always, the staff members avail themselves, whenever possible, of courses of instruction pertinent to library work.


Respectfully submitted,


EDITH M. PICKLES Librarian


BOARD OF REGISTRARS


Dorothy Borrows John J. Carr, Chairman Charlotte P. DeWolf, Ex-Officio


Frank Delmore


Number of Registered Voters


Votes Cast Votes Cast at State & Presidential


Year 1965


at Annual Town Election 2399


Elections


* 10,703


* as of March 1965.


At the Town Meetings held March 8, 1965 it was voted to divide the Town into eleven precincts. During the year this was accomplished with the following distribution of voters by precincts.


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


Republicans Democrats Independents


Total


Prec. 1


552


177


398


1127


Prec. 2


288


371


386


1045


Prec. 3


209


192


524


925


Prec. 4


152


247


225


624


Prec. 5


187


71


320


578


Prec. 6


295


310


443


1048


Prec. 7


301


246


365


912


Prec. 8


333


170


660


1163


Prec. 9


104


184


505


793


Prec. 10


153


147


540


840


Prec. 11


400


277


383


1060


Total


2,974


2,392


4,749


**


10,115


** as of Oct. 1965.


The new Voting places will be as follows:


Precinct 1


McFarlin School - All Purpose Room


Precinct 2 North Elementary School - Cafeteria


Precinct 3 Junior High School - Band Room


Precinct


4 East Chelmsford School


Precinct


5


Liberty Hall - South Chelmsford


Precinct 6


Westlands School - Auditorium


Precinct


7


North Elementary School - Auditorium


Precinct 8


High School - Small Gymnasium


Precinct 9


South Row School - Cafeteria


Precinct 10


South Row School - Playroom


Precinct 11


Westlands School - Library


The Board of Registrars will hold, prior to all elections, sessions in each precinct, all sessions in all precincts except Precinct One will be from seven to nine p.m. The final day of registration is always held at the Town Hall, Chelmsford Center, from twelve noon to ten p.m. Natural- ized citizens must bring their final papers in order to become registered voters.


To vote in all elections, a person must be:


1. A citizen of the United States


2. 21 years of age or more


3. A resident of Massachusetts for at least 1 year on Election Day


4. A resident of Chelmsford for at least 6 months on Election Day


5. A registered voter, qualified before the Board of Registrars and signed the official list.


Registration is permanent. Once registered as a Chelmsford voter a citizen may vote in all elections as long as he continues to maintain a residence in Chelmsford except if a voter changes his name, either by marriage or by court action, or moves to another precinct, he must register again.


A Board of Registrars, under state law, has charge of the registra- tion of voters. They prepare the anual Register of Voters divided accord-


121


ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


ing to Precincts and listing the voters by street address and with political party designations. This Register of Voters is used at the polls at elections.


The 3 Registrars are appointed for a 3-year term by the Selectmen on a bi-partisan basis. The Town Clerk is an ex-officio member of the Board.


THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEEDS AND BUILDING COMMITTEE Charles D. Harrington, Chairman


Philip E. Campbell, Secretary


Eugene J. Doody


Wesley M. Harper


Henrick R. Johnson Roy C. Stephenson Gerald C. Tucke


The school housing needs of the Town of Chelmsford continue to increase at a seemingly endless pace because of the rapid growth of the population of the town. The people of this community are facing today the construction of at least two more schools and an addition to an existing building if the housing needs of their children are to be met in a satisfactory manner.


While in the past your committee has been able to keep up with the housing needs by spacing its construction program, this policy is no longer feasible. The building program must now be speeded up in order to have at least three projects completed by 1969.


The first project already is nearing the end of its planning and the townspeople have authorized the purchase of land for a site.


This is the proposed 30-room elementary school to be erected on the so-called Roberts land at Westford Street and Old Westford Road. We hope, if the town votes the money early in 1966, to have this building ready for use in the fall of 1967.


Early in 1966 your committee will ask for funds to plan a 12-room addition, with cafetorium and gymnasium areas, at the Westlands school


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


site on Dalton Road.


These buildings will keep us abreast with the demand for school housing for the time being at the elementary level, but it will not leave any great leeway.


The third project which must be undertaken is the construction of another junior high school to be located in the south end of the town. This must be made available for 1969 if we are to avoid an impossible situation at both the high and junior high school levels.


By this time the entire freshman class, unable to be housed in the high school, will have to be assigned to the present new junior high school. When this happens, the seventh grade pupils at the junior high level will be forced out of the new junior high school building.


By erecting another junior high school in the south end of the town we can take care of this situation and, for a year or so, provide rooms in the proposed new building to meet the demands for housing of elementary pupils.


This will take care of the high school until 1972 and by that time the effects of the construction of the Regional Vocational-Technical High School and the possible construction of a private high school in this area may change the picture somewhat as it involves high school pupils.


However, the possibility of a parochial elementary school in town remains most remote and we can look forward to no relief from this source.


SCHOOL ENROLLMENT


Grades


Past


Present


Future (Projected)


Year 1960


1964


1965


1966


1967


1968


1969


1970


1971


1972


1 - 6


2021


3300


3687


4023


4390


4712


4972


5186


5304


5386


7 - 8


632


792


946


982


980


1040


1174


1313


1484


1616


9 - 12


849


1373


1415


1555


1702


1817


1926


2022


2154


2344


TOTAL


3502


5465


6048


6560


7072


7569


8072


8521


8942


9346


Additional Housing Needed by September 1969 (Based upon present facilities)


For Grades 1 - 6 42 Classrooms


For Grades 7 & 8 Estimated enrollment of 1174 is 76 under building capacity of 1250.


For Grades 9 - 12 Estimated enrollment of 1926 is 426 over building capacity of 1500.


During 1965 your committee completed a new junior high school of which we are most proud, in its appearance, in its facilities, and in the fact that its cost level is average or below average in comparison with similar schools built in other communities.


We extend our thanks to the voters of the town and to the municipal department heads and town officials for the assistance they have so willingly provided when needed in the years that this committee has been in operation.


123


ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Henrick R. Johnson, Chairman


Eugene J. Doody, Secretary Gerald C. Tucke


Thomas L. Rivard, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools


The School Committee of the Town of Chelmsford herewith presents its report for the year 1965 to the citizens of the town.


Probably the most asked question in any community at the start of each year concerns the school budget - people ask, "How much is it going up this year?" The 1966 school budget will show a gross increase of $452,670.00 and a net increase of $352,309.00 over the 1965 appropriated budget.


The comparison of 1966 budget with those of other years follows:


Non-


Year Teachers Teachers*


Expenditures Enrollment


1955


78


13


$


1959


117


20


893,088.00


$ 449,928.12 867,826.72


3,142


1960


156


25


1,049,950.00


1,021,931.94


3,503


1961


181


28


1,259,220.00


1,228,576.25


3,967


1962


207


33


1,520,502.00


1,484,128.18


4,460


1963


231


37


1,842,581.00


1,777,903.81


5,023


1964


247


44


2,114,922.00


2,032,138.31


5,504


1965


285


83


2,406,614.00


2,333,236.21


6,048


1966 **


328


86


2,859,284.00


6,560


1970 **


8,521


* Excludes Cafeteria Employees, Physicians and School Nurses


** Estimated


As we pause to examine the causes of the increase in the school budget in the year 1966, a number of significant points come to mind.


Budget 454,510.00


2,115


124


ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


SCHOOL POPULATION AND HOUSING


Chelmsford's school population in September 1965 reached a new high of 6,048 and is expected to increase constantly as is shown in the following table:


ESTIMATED SCHOOL ENROLLMENT*


GRADE


PRESENT


FUTURE


1965


1966


1967


1968


1969


1970


1971


1972


1


790


826


847


871


874


903


903


903


2


694


790


826


847


871


874


903


903


3


619


694


790


826


847


871


874


903


4


555


619


694


790


826


847


871


874


5


485


555


619


694


790


826


847


871


6


495


485


555


619


694


790


826


847


Sp. Class


49


54


59


65


70


75


80


85


3687


4023


4390


4712


4972


5186


5304


5386


7


487


495


485


555


619


694


790


826


8


459


487


495


485


555


619


694


790


946


982


980


1040


1174


1313


1484


1616


9


376


459


487


495


485


555


619


694


10


380


376


459


487


495


485


555


619


11


340


380


376


459


487


495


485


555


12


319


340


380


376


459


487


495


485


1415


1555


1702


1817


1926


2022


2154


2353


Grand Total


6048


6560


7072


7569


8072


8521


8942


9355


* Based on present enrollment only.


Taking a long look ahead, we can say that beyond the proposed elementary school on the Old Westford Road site, construction of at least two more schools, additions to the Westlands School and the high school, will be required in order to meet the projected pupil enrollment.


We have estimated the future housing needs as follows:


1966


1967


1968


1969


1970


1971


1972


High School


1555


1702


1817


1926


2022


2154


2344


Junior High


982


980


1040


1174


1313


1484


1616


*Elementary


4023


4390


4712


4972


5186


5304


5386


Classrooms


134


146


157


165


172


176


178


CLASSROOMS SHORT 11


23


34


42


49


53


55


* Based on 30 pupils to a classroom.


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


The capacity of the present school buildings is:


High School


1,500 pupils


New Junior High School


1,250 pupils


Elementary Schools Classrooms


McFarlin School


31


Center School


24


North School


24


South Row School


24


Westlands School


8


Highland School


4


East School


4


Quessy School


4


Total Classrooms, Elementary


123


Attention is called to the report of the Elementary School Needs and Building Committee published in this annual report of the town and to its specific recommendations on future housing which the School Committee recommends that the citizens of the town follow. Its non-school committee members are: Mr. Charles D. Harrington, Chairman, Mr. Philip E. Campbell, Secretary, Mr. Wesley M. Harper, and Mr. Roy C. Stephenson who are to be commended for the outstanding work which they are doing.


PERSONNEL


The number of teachers in our system continues to increase in response to the growing pupil enrollment. In the fall of 1962, the number of teachers and principals was 207. The number increased to 284 in 1965 and it is estimated that 329 will be required for the opening of school in September of 1966.


As is usually the case, the greatest increase in the 1966 budget is in the teachers' salary account. This was caused by the number of additional teachers added to the system and by the revision of the salary schedule. Considering the new state minimum of $5,000.00 and the brisk competi- tion from the surrounding towns, we felt it necessary to increase our scheduled minimum from $5,000.00 to $5,300.00. Regardless of all other factors, our schools will be good only because of excellence in teaching.


TRANSPORTATION


Pupil transportation still remains a major item in our budget. It is the policy of the School Committee to review the transportation policy annually and to estimate procedures that will keep pace with the growth of the town, contribute to the safety of the pupils, and effect such economies as may be determined to be safe and equitable. As the town population continues to grow, it will be necessary to increase the side- walks in all school districts.


CURRICULUM


Another factor in the long-term uptrend in school appropriations in addition to growth of the steady increase is the demands for higher


126


ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


educational standards. We are faced with the challenge to develop and maintain an outstanding program of instruction in all subjects at all levels. This is a challenge that is particularly evident in light of the need to develop the understanding, abilities, appreciations, and attitudes so necessary to effective living in our times. The record for 1965 speaks for itself. However, the opportunity to do an even better job lies before our entire community. This is the challenge clearly stated by the School Committee and implicitly accepted by the school personnel. These efforts are inescapable if Chelmsford is to keep abreast of the most advanced knowledge, research, and techniques - that is, to rank high in this new era of education.


But whatever the economic trends, in view of Chelmsford's long evidenced interest in excellence in education, we will continue to support higher educational standards, always mindful that the supply of tax payers' dollars is not inexhaustible.


OF GENERAL INTEREST


It is impossible to summarize the many interesting and significant things going on in the Chelmsford public schools. However, this report attempts to illustrate some of what is taking place within the school system.


Enrollment - In September, 6,048 pupils were enrolled in eight elementary schools, one junior high school, and one senior high school. This figure represents an increase of 544 students over enrollment figures of September 1964. The perennial problem of grade distribution was partially solved with the conversion of the old junior high school buildings into an elementary unit.


The junior high school population of 546 was well under the 1,250 pupil capacity of the new building which opened on the twentieth of September.


The enrollment at the high school in September reached 1,415. As the capacity of the school is approximately 1,500 pupils, this further highlights the need for additional housing for the high school students.


New Junior High School - It is always a thrilling experience to go into a new school. For both the faculty and the student body the opening of the junior high school on September 20th was no exception. The architect and the contractor took great care to preserve the natural beauty of the setting by saving a maximum of pine trees. The classrooms are most attractive with each one looking out at nature at its loveliest. The facilities and equipment are excellent and students and faculty have responded with enthusiasm. The folding partitions in several areas of the building allow classes to be combined for lectures and demonstrations by members of the department. It now appears that the Industrial Arts and Homemaking rooms will be utilized as elementary classrooms until the proposed elementary school on Old Westford Road is opened.


Curriculum - Our purpose of education remains the same - to emphasize quality education in order to challenge the intellectual skills


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


of every student. It is our goal to provide appropriate educational facili- ties and curriculums for all of the pupils and our recognition that every. child is important. Thus, the four major educational areas continually receiving specific study and attention are Curriculum and Control of Courses, Quality and Effectiveness of Teaching, Recognition and En- couragement of Students, and Development of Intellectual Leadership.


This year has seen a continuation in the development of the many aspects of the curriculum. The curriculum committees have revived or developed specific study guides, all with the intent of improving subject structure and levels of instruction.


Continual studies are being carried out in all schools to find the best means for meeting the individual needs of children. Grouping in many subject areas has helped us adapt materials and ways of instruction to the ability level of the student. We are building ways to challenge the very bright child, keep the average child working to capacity while providing additional time and supplemental skill development materials for the slow learner. New methods, the use of improved teaching ma- terials, and regular inservice training for our teachers will make con- tinual progress possible.


Mathematics -- The transition from the traditional to the modern mathematics has been taking place gradually through carefully studied and prepared plans. Staff members have maintained study to keep abreast of the new developments in content and techniques through enrolling in special mathematics workshops and through our inservice programs. The new mathematics means something new in content as well as approach. It stresses concepts rather than rote memorization of the proper steps to perform. It stresses discovery and inquiry rather than isolated mechanical drill. By shifting emphasis from the mechanical to the creative, most educators agree that pupils will be better able to cope with future developments requiring new mathematical competences. However, most of the old mathematics, best described as the computa- tional skills, are still fundamentally important and are still taught.


Reading Program - Reading is the foundation of education. The effects of this skill are felt in all levels of education. With this in mind, we have established reading as a focal point in our curriculum. At the present time, we have a reading teacher in each building, charged with the responsibility of providing remedial help and skill development for all levels.


Special Therapy - Due to the increased number of pupils who are in need of corrective speech therapy, an additional speech therapist will be employed for the fall term. Under the present State Law, part of the salaries of the speech therapist and the adjustment counselor will be reimbursed.


Guidance - Greater emphasis is being given to guidance at all levels as guidance and counseling constitute an integral part of the students' development. The art of helping students to analyze their own problems, to gain an insight to their process of thinking, to obtain information from their environment which is pertinent to their problems,


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ANNUAL TOWN REPORT


to weigh and measure all significant factors before arriving at decisions - these are all essential parts of the educative process.


On the elementary level, a second adjustment counselor will be added to the guidance staff this coming year. This program is to aid the children who are under-achieving or are having social, emotional or behavior problems. In every instance, parental approval and cooperation are sought.


Chelmsford pupils continue to consistently score above the national median scores on standardized tests administered to them. The high school students have consistently placed high on College Board Examina- tions and on National Merit Scholarship Examinations.


Programmed Learning Material - During the year, staff members have been studying some of the programmed learning materials and teaching machines. Some of the programmed materials appear to have great possibilities for students who wish to advance at their own pace or who need remedial help. Evaluation of these materials will continue this coming year.


Instructional Aids - Audio-visual aids is a well established educa- tional field. However, our educational system continues to remind us of the freshness of discovery. The televised lessons offer certain distinct advantages in that they provide content or materials which cannot be presented as effectively in the regular classroom. Pupils are regularly receiving carefully prepared lessons in music, physical education, phonics, science, art, speech therapy, and guidance. The programs are constantly being revised and improved by the television staff with the help of the teachers. Participation in the utilization of The 21 Inch Classroom (WGBH-TV) will be tried this coming year on an experimental basis.




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