USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1956 > Part 3
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Nahant Street, 500 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From front No. 280 toward town line.)
Valley Street, 192 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From Na- hant Street toward Water Street.)
Albion Street, 64 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From Green Street to Stoneham town line.)
Preston Street, 128 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe. (From existing dead end near No. 6, 128 feet northerly to a dead end.)
35
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
WATER RECONSTRUCTION
West Water Street, from North Avenue toward Main Street, 400 feet 8- inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Green Street (Stoneham), from pumping main to standpipe, 2,800 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Water Street, from Farm Street to Montrose Avenue, 590 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Water Street, from Montrose Avenue to front of No. 188 Water Street, 1,200 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Water Street, from front of No. 188 Water Street to town line, 680 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Montrose Avenue, from Water Street toward Salem Street, 56 feet 12- inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
Farm Street, from Water Street toward Nahant Street, 36 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe.
HYDRANTS BROKEN-6
Muriel Avenue, opposite No. 11.
Main Street, near Lawrence Street.
North Avenue, near Municipal Light Plant.
Oak Street, near Greenwood Fire Station.
Maple Street, near No. 7.
Jordan Avenue, cor. Byron Street.
HYDRANTS REPLACED-3
North Avenue, front of No. 114.
North Avenue, opposite Church Street.
Central Street, opposite Spear's Milk Room.
NEW HYDRANTS-8
Plymouth Road-2-bet. lot 24 and 25 and front of Lot 19.
Water Street-2-at Wiley Street and 200' from Saugus line.
Meadowview Road-1-150 feet from Oak Street.
Louise Avenue-1-cor. Aldridge Road.
Daniel Road-1-bet. No. 12 and No. 16.
Mitchell Lane-1-opp. No. 16 Mitchell Lane.
SERVICES
New services-160.
Services relaid during year-74.
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land-3763; Number of feet of pipe laid on private land-5016 (New Services).
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land-1335; Number of feet of pipe laid on private land-1470 (Relays).
Distribution System :
Extended during the year-6689 feet, 6"-8" and 12" C. I. Cement lined pipe.
Total miles of pipe now in use-71.77.
Number of hydrants added-8.
Range of pressure on mains-20 pounds to 115 pounds.
Number of service taps now in use-6042.
Percent of active services metered-99%.
MAIN BREAKS-1956
Date
Occurred
Water On
Size
Location
Cause
1/2/56
2:00 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
11/2" Gal. Steel Pipe 8" Cast Iron
Biggs Court off Butler Ave. Opp. No. 103 Pleasant St. Myrtle Ave. cor. Spring St.
4/3/56
2:30 P.M.
6:00 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
4/11/56
3:30 P.M.
8:00 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
Opposite No. 99 Myrtle Ave.
4/20/56
4:45 P.M.
5:00 P.M.
8:30 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
Near No. 90 Myrtle Ave.
water off
4/24/56
10:30 A.M.
3:00 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
Hartshorne Rd.
5/1/56
10:45 A.M.
6:40 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
Opp. No. 81 Myrtle Ave.
5/3/56
4:30 P.M.
7:30 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
Opp. No. 81 Myrtle Ave.
5/7/56 10/4/56
10:30 P.M.
9:00 A.M.
4:00 A.M. not shut off
6" Cast Iron 16" Cast Iron
11/28/56
8:00 A.M.
not shut off
6" Cast Iron
11/28/56
3:15 P.M.
8:15 P.M.
6" Cast Iron
11/29/56
8:00 A.M.
not shut off
6" Cast Iron
Opp. old Highway Barn, North Ave.
Rusted out Cracked pipe Broken by contractor back hoe Broken by contractor back hoe
Blast by contractor
Unknown Blast by contractor Broken by contractor back hoe Weak spot in main
Vibration
Vibration Broken by contractor digger
Vibration
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
36
Opp. No. 81 Myrtle Ave. Joint leak North Ave. and Broadway Joint leak in main-Bennett St. crossing Mitchell Lane
2/3/56
10:30 A.M.
5:00 P.M.
37
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
1955 PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State Wells
Rainfall
Pumped Stoneham
January
28,380,000
11,806,600
2,065,340
.88
February
26,005,000
11,000,600
1,931,140
3.63
March
28,265,000
13,293,100
2,300,970
4.32
April
28,345,000
12,452,300
1,972,430
3.09
May
37,555,000
10,261,600
2,025,920
1.92
June
34,855,000
9,377,000
1,895,400
3.66
July
43,205,000
9,856,500
2,028,280
1.93
754,500
August
37,235,000
10,830,100
3,575,910
12.93
September
30,925,000
10,319,700
3,281,700
2.09
October
36,030,000
12,170,400
1,749,780
7.80
November
31,855,000
13,529,800
1,786,260
5.58
December
29,090,000
14,243,500
1,739,400
.88
391,745,000
139,141,200
26,352,530
48.71
754,500
Total Pumped 1955
557,993,230 1,528,748
Average Daily Consumption 1955
Average Daily Per Capita 1955
69.12
1956
PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State Wells
Rainfall
January
29,665,000
12,668,700
1,740,500
6.66
February
27,585,000
12,123,900
1,659,360
4.30
March
32,040,000
11,848,500
1,537,400
8.18
April
31,010,000
11,830,900
1,667,730
2.01
May
32,905,000
11,531,100
1,752,040
2.33
June
42,920,000
11,790,900
1,634,680
1.82
July
44,430,000
12,316,800
1,636,860
2.12
August
46,630,000
10,410,200
1,546,510
2.11
September
32,290,000
9,640,200
1,503,560
3.69
October
33,185,000
13,392,200
1,608,850
3.80
November
31,195,000
16,233,900
1,558,440
3.22
December
30,575,000
16,507.200
1,584,150
5.49
414,430,000
150,294,500
19,430,080
45.73
Total Pumped 1956
584,154,580
Average Daily Consumption 1956
1,596,050
Average Daily Per Capita 1956
72.03
38
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SEWER DIVISION
CONSTRUCTION - 1956
By Developer under Town Supervision:
Daniel Road-400 feet
Goodwin Street-255 feet
Magnolia Terrace-400 feet
Plymouth Road-800 feet
By the Department:
Grove Street-from Hanson Street, northerly approximately 370 feet and southerly from Hanson Street approximately 325 feet to a dead end.
By contract to Crognale Construction Co. Inc.
Karl Road-from Walnut Street westerly approximately 380 feet to a dead end.
Stedman Street-from an existing sewer northerly approximately 140 feet.
Myrtle Avenue-westerly through private land approximately 330 feet to Ware Street, and in Ware Street approximately 160 feet.
Cottage Street-from an existing sewer in Valley Street southwesterly approximately 350 feet.
Bellevue Avenue-from existing manhole easterly approximately 280 feet.
Overlook Road-from existing sewer northerly in Morgan Avenue ap- proximately 220 feet.
Houston Street-from an existing sewer in Thorndike Road westerly and southerly approximately 235 feet through private land to Houston Street and in Houston Street southerly approximately 260 feet to a dead end.
Converse Street-beginning from an existing sewer at the intersection of Jordan Avenue and Dell Avenue; thence westerly approximately 1200 feet to a dead end.
By contract to J. D'Amico Company :
Spring Street from Linden Street, approximately 300 feet southeasterly to Myrtle Avenue.
Myrtle Avenue from Spring Street, approximately 1,000 feet north- easterly to Gladstone Street.
Spring Street approximately 437 feet northeasterly across private land to Crystal Street
CONNECTIONS
Connections made during the year-129.
Number of connections made to date-3597.
39
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
HIGHWAY DIVISION
The Highway Division continued its program for maintenance and construction as far as time and funds would permit.
General Maintenance costs for the principal items are as follows:
Patching
$ 16,919.36
Street cleaning
3,375.69
Rubbish collection and dump
25,301.61
Repairs to sidewalks
1,159.69
Street signs
2,185.35
Traffic lines
1,493.41
Cleaning catchbasins
3,099.97
Surface treatment
18,468.31
Snow and ice
63,150.94
Guardrails
119.66
Miscellaneous
1,711.32
Drainage
7,021.77
Pensions
6,639.12
Holidays and Vacations
6,317.66
Sick leave
1,920.74
$158,884.60
Under Chapter 90 Maintenance $3,900.00 was available for the surface treatment of streets.
Under Chapter 90 Construction $42,000.00 was available for recon- struction of North Avenue from Church Street to Armory Street. Bids were received for this work in December 1955 and the work was completed in the summer of 1956.
New Sidewalks, Rebuilding Sidewalks and Replacing Curb was let out on bids in late Fall 1955 and was completed in 1956.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
Appropriation by Town
$ 1,300.00
Appropriation by County 1,300.00
Appropriation by State
1,300.00
$ 3,900.00
The following streets were given a surface treatment: Lowell Street from Pleasant Street Extension westerly to Main Street, Main Street from Lowell Street southerly to Central Street.
Patching:
The cost: Labor
$ 9,038.58
Material
7,880.78
$ 16,919.36
40
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Street cleaning : The cost: Labor Material
$ 2,248.90 1,126.79
$
3,375.69
Street cleaning includes the cleaning of streets in the Spring prior to surface treatment and the business section four times a week.
Rubbish Collection and Dump
The cost: Labor Material
$ 23,780.86 1,520.75
$ 25,301.61
Repairs to Sidewalks
The cost:
$ 937.17
Labor Material
222.52
$ 1,159.69
This item is for the repair to damaged sidewalks, removing curb, in- stalling corners and entrances to new homes.
Street Signs The cost:
Labor
$
1,961.52
Material
223.83
$
2,185.35
This item includes the erection of new signs for street direction-traffic controls and the painting of existing signs (all types).
Traffic Lines The cost:
Labor
Material
$ 103.12 1,390.29
$ 1,493.41 This item includes all cross walks, center lines, bus stops, taxi stands, stop lines, all parking spaces and restricted curb markings. All traffic lines and markings are made to conform with State Highway Specifications. This work was done under contract.
Cleaning Catchbasins: The cost:
Labor
$
3,031.54
Material
68.43
$
3,099.97
Miscellaneous
The cost:
Labor Material
$ 1,482.18 229.14 $ 1,711.32
41
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
Guardrails
The cost:
$ 34.16
Labor Material
85.50
$ 119.66
Drainage Maintenance
The cost:
Labor
$ 5,779.06
Material
1,242.71
$ 7,021.77
Surface Treatment
The cost:
$ 2,525.04
Material
15,943.27
$ 18,468.31
Forty-nine streets were given a treatment of seal coat for a distance of 13.9 miles at a cost of $ .08 per square yard.
New sidewalks, rebuilding sidewalks and replacing curb, was done this year by contractor. (1955 contract)
11 Charles St.
858-860-866-868 872 Main St.
44-46-46A-48 Bartley St.
36 Lawrence St.
26-28 Salem St.
5-7-9 Lawrence St.
17-18-19-22 White Circle
63 Cedar St.
36 West Water St.
19 Pine Ridge Rd.
29 Pearl St.
15 Water St.
34 Park St.
58-60-64-66 Richardson St.
12-16-20-22-26-28-30 Coolidge Pk.
Prospect Street was given a hot top surface from Chestnut Street to Vale View Road, a distance of 1700 feet at a cost of .69 per yard, a total of 5100 square yards-this work was done under contract.
STREET CONSTRUCTION
Rochelle Drive and Orchard Circle Appropriation Expended
$ 31,995.88 19,524.40
Balance
$ 12,471.48
Thistledale Road Appropriation Expended
$ 14,500.00
10,942.60
Balance
$ 3,557.40
Labor
42
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION-1956
William W. Allyn, Chairman 1959
31 Robert Street
Henry F. Galvin, Secretary 1958
340 Albion Street 1958
Mrs. Dorothea J. Wettergreen, Treasurer
7 Newell Road
Lane W. Fuller 1959
59 Parker Road
Mrs. Jean W. Beebe 1957
142 Main Street
Richard J. Volpe 1957
265 Nahant Street
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
John B. Hendershot 74 Chestnut Street
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
R. Edgar Fisher
24 Summit Avenue
SECRETARY TO SUPERINTENDENT
Pauline E. Meads
5 Fairmount Avenue
SECRETARY
Lora E. Harris
53 Prospect Street
Eleanor M. Cardillo
97 Nahant Street
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
At the annual town election in March, Lane W. Fuller was re-elected to a three year term on the School Committee and William W. Allyn, a former member, was elected to fill the seat vacated by Richard J. McGrail who was not a candidate for reelection. According to the new Rules and Regulations, the organization of the School Committee was changed from March to September and on September 11th, at a regular meeting the fol- lowing officers were chosen:
William W. Allyn, Chairman Henry F. Galvin, Secretary Mrs. Dorothea J. Wettergreen, Treasurer
Several articles inserted in the Warrant by the School Committee were acted upon at the annual town meeting :
1. To transfer control of the Town Farm buildings and land to the School Committee. This article was defeated.
2. An appropriation was asked to take test borings and secure esti- mates for the cost of constructing an athletic field for the Senior High School at the Town Farm property. This article was also defeated.
3. Two articles for the taking by eminent domain the property at the Montrose School of land in the N. W. corner and of land on the south side were defeated.
CLERK
43
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
4. The School Committee was authorized to establish and maintain State Aided Vocational Education under the provisions of Chapter 74.
An article, not sponsored by the committee, was passed to increase the size of the School Committee by election of a seventh member at the an- nual election in March 1957.
A significant accomplishment this year was the adoption on October 23, 1956, of a completely revised copy of the Policies and Regulations of the School Committee. Contained therein are rules and regulations for the use of Wakefield public school buildings for other than regular school pur- poses.
A new form of high school diploma recommended by a committee of the High School faculty was adopted. This requires only the signatures of the principal, the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee Chairman.
Several changes in personnel were made during the year. In addition to the replacement of 29 teachers, 5 new teachers and a librarian were hired. Mr. Robert C. Murray was appointed principal of the Franklin- Woodville district succeeding Mr. David Dix who resigned, and Miss Ethelyn M. Cowperthwaite succeeded Mrs. Katherine Morrill as Elementary Con- sultant. Following the resignation of Mr. Thomas O'Donnell as football coach, Mr. William Tighe was unanimously elected head coach for the year 1957. The school system lost the faithful services of two excellent teachers, Miss Alice E. Calkins and Miss Isabella M. Hirst through retire- ment last June, and the entire personnel was saddened by the sudden death of Mrs. Alice E. Ladieu, for 28 years a teacher in the Commercial Depart- ment of the Senior High School.
The Wakefield public school system also lost two life-long friends with the deaths of T. Frank Shea, former principal in the Wakefield school sys- tem, and Harry B. Allman. a former chairman of the School Committee.
Considerable time was spent by committee members in the study and discussion of teachers salaries culminating in the adoption by the commit- tee of the following salary schedule effective in September 1957:
Bachelor's degree
Men $3,400 to $5,050
Women $3,300 to $4,950
Master's degree
Men $3,700 to $5,350
Women $3,550 to $5,200
The maximum figures to be reached at the end of the 12th step. In addition teachers with fifteen years' service may attain an extra $200 for teaching experience.
There were 4,472 students enrolled in Wakefield public schools as of Sept. 10, 1956-Senior High 956-Junior High 969-Elementary 2,547, and the committee is concerned with building plans based on future estimated en- rollments. In October, the committee was informed that the Elementary
44
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
School Survey Committee plans to make the following recommendations at the 1957 Annual Town Meeting:
1. A four room addition to the Montrose School
2. A four room addition to the Dolbeare School
3. Acquisition of land on Montrose Ave. for future building site.
4. Acquisition of land for similar purpose on west side of Greenwood area.
Recommendations of the Junior High School Survey Committee are expected to relieve a crowded situation and avoid the necessity of double sessions in 1958. Prompt action on these recommendations is vital to the welfare of our school system.
Adult Education classes were continued during the 1956-1957 season and a Summer School was conducted at the Dolbeare School.
Continuation of the Eye and Ear Testing Program was also approved for the year 1956.
During the year, the School Committee assumed the cost of two home- to-school intercommunicating systems for two Wakefield children and acted upon the following recommendations:
Permission was granted to the Bay State Basketball Tournament Com- mittee to hold their annual tournament in the Memorial H. S. gymnasium.
Permission was granted to the Recreation Committee to build a bas- ketball field and erect a backstop on the southeast corner of the Dolbeare School property.
The School Committee supported the Selectmen in opposition to the construction of a fire station on land adjacent to the Montrose School and expressed opposition to the establishment of a liquor outlet within 500 feet of any school property.
On November 17th the New England Business Educators held their an- nual convention at Memorial H. S. Miss Ruth Hiatt of the local staff was general chairman for this meeting which was attended by five hundred N. E. teachers and school officials.
Mrs. Jean W. Beebe was the delegate of the Wakefield School Commit- tee at the 1956 meeting of the Mass. Association of School Committees held in Chatham last June and Supt. Hendershot attended the Atlantic City meeting of the American Associaion of School Administrators Feb. 18-23. Mr. Lane W. Fuller, former chairman, was elected chairman of Area 2 of the Mass. Association of School Committees.
Action was taken by the School Committee recently to arrange for special meetings with departmental personnel to discuss plans and pro- grams. This is designed to better acquaint committee members with school problems in order that they may evaluate new teaching techniques and establish policies which will maintain high standards of education in Wakefield.
The committee wishes to commend all school personnel for faithful performance of their duties during the year and it looks forward to this new approach of committee activity which will supplement time previously consumed in the discussion of routine business.
45
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
This report would be incomplete without acknowledgment to the cit- izens of Wakefield for their understanding appraisal of the committee's efforts and to the Wakefield Daily Item and its correspondent who has given complete coverage to meetings and school programs. Parent-Teacher associations and other organizations have been of invaluable assistance in the dissemination of school information. The committee appreciates the assistance of these organizations.
WILLIAM W. ALLYN, Chairman HENRY F. GALVIN, Secretary MRS. DOROTHEA J. WETTERGREEN,
Treasurer
MRS. JEAN W. BEEBE RICHARD J. VOLPE LANE W. FULLER
To the Wakefield School Committee,
I would like to say at the beginning of this report that the past year has been a good year despite the many problems arising because of the in- creased enrollments, inflationary costs, personnel needs and adjustments necessary to carry on a good educational program.
No single report can fully tell the entire story of the real accomplish- ments, the fine details and the many intimate incidents that take place in the course of a year. We are mindful that the schools are constantly be- ing reported to the public through the local newspaper and quality of the work in the schools and the satisfaction of the parents and the pupils.
I am limiting my remaining remarks to one phase of our instructional program in Wakefield which is the emphasis given to the individual pupil, his needs, interests and capacities.
Much has been written in past years of the individual differences found among our student population. Recent years as a result of objective tests and scientific studies of child developments, the importance of indi- vidual differences and their implications relative to the aims and methods of instruction have gained greater importance. In any classroom we can find students with a wide range of mental ability, health and physical characteristics, special aptitudes, personality and achievement.
The most fundamental and significant differences found in students are those of mental ability. Studies of test results show consistently a wide range of intelligence. The range is equally great in the first grade as well as the twelfth grade so that grade placement fails to show the range of achievement of students.
In Wakefield, the school staff realizes more than ever before that no two pupils are alike in ability, energy or growth. With this thought in mind every effort is being made to meet these individual needs. Methods are employed to make sure that the individual pupil receives the type of work that will best fit his abilities. The instructional program is being designed with this purpose in mind and the instruction and motivation bears a close relationship to the limits of their abilities and capacities.
Special Classes-Wakefield provides three classes for those students who are mentally retarded or for students who are unable to carry on a
46
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
traditional educational program. In these classes, instructional techniques and the type of training is adapted to the handicaps, talents and inclina- tions of each pupil. Our aim is to develop the child's capacities and to overcome specific handicaps by remedial instruction. Provision is made for the older students to participate as far as possible in certain activities in the regular grades such as in manual training, home economics, and in athletics.
Reading Coach - Our reading coach in the elementary school is work- ing with small groups who need special attention. The teacher is con- stantly focusing her attention on the development of a basic vocabulary and of word attack skills. Her work with individual pupils is "saving" them from future school failures.
The Elementary Classroom - Small instructional groups is the com- mon custom in the skill subjects. Children in these grades are doing a great deal of work around centers of interest which integrate their learn- ings and enable them to participate on their own level of ability and achievement. Obviously mass instruction cannot meet the varied needs within each group. Children of intellectual ability are challenged to real effort and their potential abilities are developed to the greatest degree while children with less ability are faced with tasks for which they are adequate.
The Junior High School - With the introduction of a junior high school in our system, an individualized program was introduced. Students are grouped in such a manner as to make it possible to offer a program directed to the best interest of the pupils. Under the grouping plan a truly enriched program is offered to the superior and gifted student which because of its challenging nature should provide maximum growth. The average and slower groups are receiving through the employment of ac- tivity programs and experience units related to their needs differentiated assignments that will promote success and progress.
Success is evident among our students through the careful selection of materials, adaptations of assignments, methods of procedure and different teaching techniques.
Guidance - With more and more emphasis on individualized instruc- tion, the importance of specialized guidance and pupil adjustment services become evident. Teachers must be furnished more detailed information concerning the pupils to enable them to plan suitable programs for the pupils within their classrooms. The guidance personnel in the Senior and Junior High School and the Elementary Consultant are constantly em- ploying techniques such as objective testing of aptitudes and achievement, observation of students, conferences with students, parents and teachers and improving on the accumulative individualized records. Naturally the home room teacher also assumes responsibility for the adjustment of her class group and is important as a guidance counselor for the group.
The measure of success and effectiveness of our program of meeting the needs, interest and abilities of the individual student is due entirely to the continuing efforts, the skill, the persistence and the resourcefulness of the Wakefield teachers.
47
145TH ANNUAL REPORT
I recommend your reading the excerpts of the reports of supervisors and other personnel of the School Department. They give in detail many of the worthwhile activities and accomplishments during the past year.
FROM THE REPORTS OF STAFF MEMBERS
The Senior High School, Gerard G. Barry, Principal
Our enrollment this year is up over 100 from last year. We have not increased our staff to meet this increase. As a result, many of our classes are very crowded. However, Lynnfield will not send us any more 10th grade pupils after this year. Hence, we should have a breathing spell for a few years until the wave now in the grades reaches High School.
The present emphasis on Science and Engineering is being felt here. We find that we have an enrollment equal to 67% of our student body in the mathematics courses. The figure for the Sciences is 63%. We expect this trend to continue for several years.
We participated for the second year in the American Field Service For- eign Exchange Program. We have a girl from Greece with us for this school year. Alan MacDonald, '57, was chosen from a large group of appli- cants to spend a summer in Germany with a German family, under this same program. This exchange is a great benefit not only to pupils, but to the student body as a whole. We thank the generous people of Wakefield for making this exchange possible.
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