USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1946-1950 > Part 31
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For Aid to Dependent Children, we are asking an appropria- tion of $6,500.00. This is $700.00 less than the sum of the appropriation and transfers from the Reserve Fund during 1949. During the year, we aided eight families having a total of fourteen dependent children. Our present case load is four families with a total of six children.
We are asking for $35,000.00 for Old Age Assistance for the coming year. This is an increase of $5.000.00 over last year's appropriation. On January 1, 1949, our case load was 72 and on December 31, 1949, it was 80. During the entire year, 87 persons were aided under this category of assistance, 64 of these had Acton settlements, 15 with out-of-town settlements and 8 which were unsettled. Owing to the new ruling of the State Legislature, each recipient was given an additional $4.00 per month starting December 1, 1949. This new grant is known as Leisure Time Activities. The case load has also in- creased considerably.
Your Board, desiring to give you an analysis of the ex- penditures for 1949, submits the following :
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TEMPORARY AID
Paid to State on Acton settled cases ..... $728.59
Paid to other places on Acton settled cases
375.00
Paid to cases in Acton
2,195.97
$3,299.56
Estimated reimbursement from State ..
$734.00
734.00
Approximate net cost to Town of Acton
$2,565.56
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Total expended ..
$8,494.59
Estimated Federal Grants $1,741.50
Estimated State reimbursements
2,831.52
$4,573.02
Approximate net cost to Town of Acton
$3,921.57
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Total expended ..
$54,161.39
Estimated Federal Grants $24,896.66
Estimated State reimbursements 19,570.09
Estimated reimbursements from other
places 798.83
$45,265.58
Approximate net cost to Town of Acton $8,895.81
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Appropriations recommended for 1950:
Temporary Aid
$4,500.00
Aid to Dependent Children 6,500.00
Old Age Assistance
35,000.00
Administration
1,300.00
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER B. STEVENS, LOSSIE E. LAIRD, MARY M. LAFFIN, Board of Public Welfare.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Your Forest Warden submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Total number of grass and brush fires 61
Total number of false alarms 1 Collected for illegal fires $45.80
The Forest Fire equipment is in excellent condition except that replacements should be made each year to replace worn out or lost equipment.
Respectfully submitted,
H. S. MacGREGOR, Forest Warden.
.
-
117
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Acton:
. I herewith submit my report concerning the work of the Highway Department for the year 1949.
The regular maintenance and work of the cleaning and patching was carried on. Extensive brush cutting was done.
Mixed in place jobs were done on Concord Road, Prospect and Main Streets. Seat coats were applied to about ten miles of roads.
Several stone culverts were replaced by steel pipe.
Approximately twenty-five hundred feet of wood guard rail was replaced by concrete posts and steel cable. Included in this project was the long stretch beside the pond on River Street.
Construction of Main Street was completed from railroad crossing to Harris Street. The approaches at Quarry Road and at Harris Street were widened and brought to grade with necessary drainage, catch basins and culverts.
Another unit in our program of flood control is under con- struction at Nashoba Brook on Carlisle Road, where a stone bridge is being replaced by a heavy steel arch.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL C. BERRY, Superintendent of Streets.
118
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GOODNOW FUND For the Year Ending December 31, 1949
INVESTMENTS
Charlestown Savings Bank
$465.54
U. S. War Bonds
3,000.00 .
$3,465.54
RECEIPTS
Charlestown Savings Bank
$9.30
U. S. War Bonds 75.00
$84.30
EXPENDITURES
Harlan E. Tuttle, Treasurer of the Evan-
gelical Church in Acton $64.30
Town of Acton for perpetual care of Goodnow Lot in Woodlawn Cemetery 20.00
$84.30
CHARLES E. SMITH, ROY H. LINSCOTT, HORACE F. TUTTLE, Trustees of Goodnow Fund.
REPORT OF FENCE VIEWERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen :
Your committee on Fence Viewing for the Town of Acton reports no activity in partition fences for the year 1949.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. ESTABROOK, LOUIS F. LEVERONI, ROBERT G. WILLETT,
Fence Viewers.
119
REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE FOR THE TOWN OF ACTON, 1949
Poultry projects conducted during the year included the Quality Egg Program, in which Ernest Flashbart, F. W. Put- nam, Jr. and Thomas J. Quin, Jr. cooperated. Through this program poultrymen are assisted in improving their egg hand- ling facilities and practices. Several poultrymen made use of their diagnostic service of the Poultry Disease Program in maintaining flock health during the year. F. W. Putnam, Jr. and A. Perry Marble are officers in the Middlesex County Poultry Association. The 1949 Middlesex County Poultry Trade Show held in cooperation with the turkey and poultry associations of the county gave poultrymen an opportunity to see the latest in egg graders, automatic feeders and other equipment. Egg quality and efficient management were the themes of the event.
The dairy projects carried on during 1949 consisted of dis- tribution of information relating to mastitis control in dairy cows. The 1949 Green Pasture Program, in which Daniel Sweeney and Robert J. Young cooperated, endeavored to pro- mote more efficient dairying. Cooperation was extended the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, whose members include Walter Liebfried, and to the Selective Breeding Association. The Selective Breeding Association is organized to improve our dairy animals by the use of superior bulls through artificial in- semination. General farmers and gardeners used the facilities of our soil testing laboratory.
Weekly radio talks of interest to local farmers were given over Station WBZ. Eleven Twilight Fruit Meetings were held in various parts of the county and were attended by many Acton growers. Practically every farmer received the monthly COUNTY BULLETIN containing timely information.
Under the capable leadership of Mrs. Cleon Phelps, Acton women were called together for a great variety of programs offered by the Middlesex County Extension Service. A work- shop in chair seating helped the women to renew their cane, fiber rush, and splint seated chairs . The new five-piece
120
method of slip covering was enthusiastically received. Much satisfaction was shown over the upholstered-like results achieved with this simplified new method.
In response to the continual problem of stretching the food dollar, the home agent offered a food buying series of meet- ings. Many suggestions on how to get more for your food dol- lar as well as money-saving main dishes were included. The food preservation specialist from the University of Massachu- setts demonstrated new methods in canning and freezing and helped the women with their individual problems in food pre- servation. Several kitchens were visited in order to give the homemakers suggestions in remodeling so that they might have more efficient kitchens with sufficient wash space.
Clothing programs proved to be especially popular in Acton. Coat construction was taught to leaders who in turn instructed community groups. The women were shown how they could use their sewing machine attachments. A talk on "Fashion Forecast" rounded out the clothing program for the year.
The Christmas gift kit offered suggestions on easy-to-make articles, which can be used as Christmas presents or to sell at bazaars and fairs.
A monthly service letter reached many Acton homes with practical information on homemaking problems.
There were 67 4-H Club members in Acton with clubs organ- ized in clothing, canning, foods, knitting, poultry, garden and dairy.
Nancy Winslow represented Middlesex County at State Girls' Day at the University of Massachusetts in the Dress Revue. Myrna McKelvie and Janice Phelps received county medals for being among the first ten clothing club members in the county. Poultry boys and girls received fifty free chicks to begin their poultry project in the spring. This program was directed by Arthur Brewster. Marjorie Teele received a county medal for excellent poultry work. Kenneth Kienow was awarded chicks on his poultry record. Wilda Quinn placed second with her Jersey heifer at the Dairy Show sponsored by the Selective Breeding Association in Shrewsbury. Reverend David Thomp- son of the Baptist Church cooperated with 4-H Clubs by hav-
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ing a 4-H Cunday in his church during National 4-H Club Week in March. Philip Rimbach was owner of Grand Champion hen at Eastern States Exposition.
REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Acton: Gentlemen:
The Town Forest Committee submits the following report for the year 1949 .
The committee has visited other Town Forest to see how they guard there forest from fires.
It is recommended that the amount of $500.00 appropriated in 1945 for the committee remain available for possible use during the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARNO H. PERKINS JAMES J. KNIGHT EMERY NELSON
122
REPORT OF ACTON SCHOOL SURVEY COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The members of the Survey Committee felt that the most important factor having to do with future school planning in the town of Acton was the number of children expected to be added to the local school population in the next few years. Consequently it was decided to augment the usual school cen- sus designed to cover children between five and sixteen to in- clude all children of pre-school age. The Survey Committee engaged Mr. Richard Woodward, former high school faculty member, who worked with Superintendent of Schools Whit- man Pearson, Assistant Principal William O'Connell, Instruc- tor Albert Koch, and members of the Senior Class to coordinate the entire census taking project and insure complete coverage of all families in Acton.
Significant facts brought out by the Survey-Census follow: -
1 ... The expected first grade enrollment for the next six years will average about 70.
2. In September, 1952, enrollment will reach a peak of 80, followed in 1953 by 79 and in 1954 by 73.
3. The only first grade enrollment below 60 will come in 1951, when according to present figures only 46 students will be expected.
4. Since the high school graduating classes for the next six years will average about 40, the net gain each year in school population will average about 30.
5. The net gain of 30 students a year indicates a need for at least one additional classroom and one teacher each year from now until 1955.
6. Total school enrollment in 1955 will be nearly 800 as compared with 575 in October, 1949.
7. The rate of increase of the Acton school population dur- ing the past twenty years indicates what may be expected in the future:
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1929
School population
450
1939 School population
515
1949 School population
575
1955
School population
800
1959
School population
900 plus ?
1000
900
800
700
600
EXISTING
FACILITIES
500
400
300
200
100
1929
1939
1949
1955
1959
-
GROWTH IN ACTON SCHOOL POPULATION PROJECTION OF GROWTH BASED ON PRESENT CENSUS DATA
8. At present 35 Acton residents (or 6% of the student pop- ulation) are attending private schools outside of town and this number might be increased or decreased by the following fac- tors :
Parochial school construction
Depression or increased private school rates Improvement of local public school facilities
In any event the public schools have to be ready to take care of the potential "peak load," and the comparatively small number of private school students at any particular grade level have little effect on the general school situation.
124
9. Since the existing school facilities are inadequate in 1949, as evidenced by the use of one church class-room, the degree of inadequacy will increase in the face of larger primary enrollments, and new facilities will have to be found.
10. Improvisation and the use of churches and other build- ings will take care of the situation until September, 1952; at that time there will be at least 15, and probably 16, grade school classes, and unless a new building is available, the town's regular grade school class-rooms will still number 11.
First Grade Enrollment Table 1949 to 1955
1949
75
1953
79
1950
62
1954
73
1951
46
1955
60
1952
80
90
6 YR. TOTAL 406
81
80
80
74
70
63
61
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
EXPECTED FIRST GRADE ENROLLMENT
The Survey Committee recognizes the great need for addi- tional school facilities for Acton children, and believes that
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the best solution would be found in the regional high school plan. Accordingly, the Committee urges that the voters give favorable consideration to the article in the 1950 Warrant concerning the formation of a regional school district planning board.
A regional school would remove Acton's secondary school students from the present high school so that the building could be used for elementary classes, and would offer a num- ber of other advantages which are listed below.
FINANCIAL
State construction aid up to. 65%
Greater area of support (several towns)
More for each tax dollar
EDUCATIONAL
Specialized teaching staff Less teacher "turn-over" More subjects and courses Reduction of "drop-outs" Adult education program More homogeneous grouping Full-time school nurse Dental clinic
Eye and ear testing devices More group activities Stronger athletic program
Improved college preparation
Improved health examinations
EQUIPMENT MORE AND BETTER
Office machinery
Home Economics equipment
Shop tools and machinery
Larger library Audio-visual aids
Testing equipment
Physical Education equip- ment Art-Music facilities
Special rooms: Art, Guid- ance, Health, Supply, etc.
Auditorium - Gymnasium
Scientific apparatus
ADMINISTRATIVE
Less duplication of facilities (boiler plants, libraries, etc.) 400 to 900 students optimum for efficiency
Combine best features of participating schools
Release of present high school facilities in towns involved
In the event that the regional school district planning board article is not approved by the voters, the Survey Committee
126
recommends favorable consideration of the article to authorize the formation of a special school building committee.
The Committee wishes to express its appreciation for the invaluable assistance given by Mr. Pearson in the survey and the preparation of this report.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRINGTON MOORE, EDWARD A. SCHMITZ, CHARLES V. STURDIVANT, THEODORE G. WILLIAMS, Acton School Survey Committee.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1949.
Number of dogs disposed of in accordance with law .. 50
Number of dogs reclaimed by owners in accordance with law 35
Number of calls answered for dog nuisance 92 Warnings to delinquent owners to get licenses 83
I recommend the appropriation for the year 1949 be the same.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR FRASER, Dog Officer.
127
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS FOR THE YEAR 1949
We herewith submit the following report for the year end- ing December 31, 1949. ,
The account of the town treasurer shows that during the past year the cemetery department has received and paid into the treasury the sum of $2,168.93 itemized as follows :-
Annual care of lots
$501.00
Burials
765.00
Rental of lowering devise
105.00
Sale of lots
380.00
Foundations
259.93
Miscellaneous
158.00
$2,168.00
There has been added to the perpetual care account the past year, in new accounts, the sum of $1,760.00.
We recommend an appropriation for the care of the ceme- teries, the sum of $6,300.00 for the year 1950.
An itemized account of the expenditures for the care of the cemeteries will be found in the report of the town accountant.
The entrances and several roads and avenues in Mt. Hope Cemetery, have been oiled this past year, the work being done under the special appropriation voted at the last annual town meeting. We recommend that this work be continued this coming year by another special appropriation.
We desire to place on record our sincere thanks and appre- ciation to the following persons :-
To Mr. J. Roland Wetherbee of Putney, Georgia, who gave to the Town of Acton, the sum of $10,000.00 for the purpose of creating, The J. Roland Wetherbee Cemetery Fund, in Wood- lawn Cemetery.
To Mrs. Sarah A. Watson, of Harvard, Mass., who gave to the Town of Acton, and has installed in the Memorial Chapel
.
128
at Woodlawn Cemetery, a complete General Electric Oil Fired Warm Air Furnace, model LB 40-D, with additional warm and cold air ducts, so that the warm air will circulate properly in the main part of the chapel.
By 1951 we will be faced with the serious problem of either buying additional land or going up in back of the chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery and develop and lay out some land for burial purposes. This is liable to be a costly project, as it will require the clearing, leveling of the land, laying out roads, in- stalling proper drains and water pipes, grading, seeding and laying out new lots. We plan to look into this matter very carefully this coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
RAY L. HARRIS, HARRY E. HOLT, HOWARD F. JONES, Cemetery Commissioners.
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND SITE COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
No further action has been taken this year towards the selec. tion of a playground site in Precinct Three.
Respectfully submitted,
E. EVERETT PUTNAM, Chairman.
129 REPORT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Veterans' Services has become, and will continue to be, just what those two words imply, services for Veterans. How help- ful that service is, what it is accomplishing, how much good it is doing, in a great many instances is practically an un- known factor, as far as we who work in it are concerned. A great many telephone calls are received, questions asked and answers given, courses of procedure mapped out, steps to take, where, when and how to take them, things to do and how to do them, all problems at the time for the person calling and when they say "thanks" and hang up we certainly feel that we have been helpful.
There have been quite a number of cases requiring consider- able time and study ; disability compensation, pension, hospital- ization, naturalization, insurance and others of miscellaneous nature, starting with an application, built up with affadavits certificates and letters of evidence until sufficient to satisfy the Veterans Administration that compensation or pension should be paid, hospital care given or naturalization granted. Those we can see completed so we think that we are accomplishing something.
Hospital bed facilities are still very much in need here in our area but we understand are going to be granted us, just when we do not know. Dental funds also are short of meeting needs. Compensation cases are being cut downward requiring reviews and a fight to carry them on at the present level. So that while the Government is spending a lot of money on the Veteran don't think he is getting something for nothing or that he does not deserve, because he had to fight to get what he is getting and to keep on getting it, that is what we are here to help him do.
We wish to thank all the people who in any way assisted us during this past year and helping us solve Veterans problems.
Sincerely,
THERON A. LOWDEN,
Director.
130
PROPOSED EARTH REMOVAL BY-LAW TOWN OF ACTON
1-1 The removal of soil, loam, sand or gravel from any parcel of land not in public use in the Town of Acton, except as here- inafter provided, shall be allowed only after a written permit therefor is obtained from the Board of Selectmen after a pub- lic hearing of which due notice is given.
1-2 No permit shall be required for the continuous operation on any parcel of a sand or gravel pit in operation at the time this by-law is adopted, provided such operation is not there- after discontinued for more than one year; and no permit shall be required for the removal of soil, loam, sand or gravel from any parcel of land when incidental to and in connection with the construction of a building on the parcel.
1-3 In issuing a permit under this by-law, the Board of Se- lectmen may impose such conditions not specifically provided for herein as it may deem necessary for the adequate protec- tion of the neighborhood and the Town. Any conditions im- posed by the Board shall be attached to and made a part of the permit. The Board may, in its discretion, require a bond, certi- fied check or other security for compliance with said condi- tions or as evidence of good faith as to the completion of any proposed construction. The Board may, after a public hearing on proof of violation of any condition, revoke any permits so issued. No permit shall be issued under the provisions of this by-law for a period of more than three years.
Removal of Sand and Gravel
2-1 Sand and gravel may be removed from any parcel of land, except within 300 feet of a street or way, and the Board shall issue a permit therefor provided, however, that the Board shall impose such reasonable conditions as to the disposition of top soil and the re-establishment of ground levels and grades as it may deem necessary.
Removal of Soil or Loam
3-1' Soil or loam may be removed from any parcel of land within such parcel determined by the Board to be unsuited to
131
agricultural use, and the Board may issue a permit for such removal; provided, however, that the Board shall in making such decision, obtain the recommendations of the appropriate Soil District Supervisor and the County Extension Director or Agent, or their successors, and their recommendations shall be made a part of the records of the Board. In issuing a per- mit, the Board may impose reasonable conditions as to the re- establishment of ground levels and grades.
3-2 Notwithstanding the provisions of the above, the Board may issue a permit for the removal of soil or loam from any parcel of land in the Town where such removal is necessarily incidental to and in connection with the construction of a road or other facility involving a permanent change in the use of the land. The Board shall issue no such permit unless it is reasonably satisfied that the construction will be completed and evidence thereof shall be made part of the records of the Board.
Removal Within 300 Ft. of Streets
4-1 Soil, loam, sand or gravel may be removed from any par- cel of land within such parcel lying within 300 feet of any street or way, provided a permit therefor has been issued by the Board after satisfactory evidence that such removal will not be seriously detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood; provided further that the Board shall impose reasonable con- ditions as to the method of removal, the re-establishment of ground levels and grades and the planting of the area to suit- able cover, as it may deem necessary, Removal of soil or loam under authority of this section shall be further subject to the provisions of Section III.
5-1 Whoever violates the provisions of any of these regula- tions shall be subject to a fine of not exceeding Twenty Dol- lars ($20.00) for each offense.
132
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report, as Sealer of Weights and Measures, for the year ending December 31, 1949.
In the past year I sealed 345 weighing and measuring de- vices. Also many of these had to be adjusted with one plat- form scale being condemned.
The State Department of Standards loaned the equipment for measuring the Tank Truck Meter Systems as usual, there- by saving our merchants time and money by not having to go out of town to have this test made.
I found the merchants very co-operative and anxious to have their equipment accurate.
Sealing fees collected $156.65. The same was turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The reason for increased fees collected over other years is due to the advanced prices by the State of Massachusetts, made effective May 31, 1949.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD W. ESTABROOK, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF ELIZABETH WHITE FUND
The trustees have signed orders to the Treasurer for five hundred dollars ($500.00) for the year ending December 31, 1949 after careful investigation and found worthy of help from this fund.
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO E. WHITCOMB, CLARA L. SAWYER, GRACE O. LEARS, Trustees of Elizabeth White Fund.
133
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Board of Health Acton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering for the year ending December 31, 1949.
There has been no report of slaughtering of any kind in Acton during the year 1949.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD J. HIGGINS, Inspector of Slaughtering.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby suubmit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1949.
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