USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1946-1950 > Part 9
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one, athletics for all." Thus, we have initiated an intra-mural program with the specific purpose of attracting those students who are desirous of playing sports but feel that they are not proficient enough to compete on the regular teams. The re- sults have been most gratifying with the result that over forty boys who normally would not participate on the regular teams have actively competed in touch football, soccer and basket- ball. The latter sport in particular, has been very popular and six full teams have been competing under an intra-mural collegiate league.
The spirit of the students has been increased by the free bus to all home games. This has been accomplished through the help of the Parent Teachers' Association. We wish to thank Mr. Simpson and the Parent Teachers' Association for this fine gesture.
Towels for all players in basketball games this year have been furnished by the school. Visiting teams greatly appre- ciate this courtesy.
Recommendations are as follows :
1. A full time physical education instructor to supervise the health and physical education in both the junior and senior high schools.
2. Expansion of the intra-mural sports program to in- clude all major sports. Thus, each and every student will be afforded the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of ability.
3. A consideration of the possibility of the construction of a new gymnasium with all essential equipment. At the present time, the auditorium is not adequate as a gymnasium and also has a limited seating capacity.
4. The flooding of the field near the high school so that the students may enjoy skating and the playing of hockey.
WILLIAM O'CONNELL ALEXANDER KYRIOS
24
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. David C. Bowen Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as school physician.
The usual physical examinations were completed on October 30, 1946.
Special physical examinations were conducted for the students playing hockey and basketball, and recommendations made.
There have been no serious diseases in the schools and very few contagious diseases requiring absence.
Inoculation clinics for diphtheria were held in May in ยท the lower grades in conjunction with the Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
E. A. MAYELL, M.D.
25 REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. David C. Bowen Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Report for the school year ending December, 1946 follows :
Pre-school clinic was held late in April, when pupils entering school in September for the first time had the oppor- tunity of being examined. Recommendations for correction of defects found were made in order that these defects could be corrected before the start of the school year.
The Diphtheria Clinic was held in May. A chance was given for all pre-school children to be immunized against diphtheria at this time. Fifty pupils were given the Schiek Test and seventy-five inoculations against diphtheria were also given.
The annual school physical examinations were completed early in November by Dr. Mayell. All pupils taking part in competitive games were examined before the start of practice.
There were a few cases of measles, mumps, and whooping cough during the spring months. This fall the pupils have been quite free from communicable diseases.
The cooperation of the superintendent and the teachers has been deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN F. TAYLOR, R.N.
26
ACTON HIGH SCHOOL Graduation Program June 14, 1946
Entrance March
Pomp and Circumstance
Elgar
Invocation
The Reverend Gilbert S. Zimmerman
Salutatory
Mary Eleanor Gilbert
Violin Solo
Bource Handel
Marguerite Ruth Byers
Address
Lt. Commander William H. Blough Chaplain, U.S.N.R.
Trumpet Solo
Andantino Lemare Bradford Marsh Newell
Presentation of Class Gift
Martha Ann Jones, President of Senior Class Senior Chorus
Lucy Briggs, June Post, Rosman Fenton,
Martha Jones, Dorothy Schnair, Joy Steele,
Bradford Newell, Phyllis Hartwell
Valedictory
Marguerite Ruth Byers
Class Song
Words: Phyllis Whitcomb Hartwell
Music : June Theresa Post
Presentation of Awards
Mr. Richard B. Greenman, Superintendent of Schools Mr. Walter W. Holt, Vice-Principal
Presentation of Diplomas
Mrs. Arthur Fraser, Chairman of School Committee National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance
Benediction
The Reverend Stephen G. Murray
27
Recessional March True to Our Flag
Reception to Graduates
. George Ellwood
GRADUATES, 1946
Helen Elizabeth Anderson William Joseph Ashline, Jr. Lucy Ann Briggs
Marguerite Ruth Buyers
Chauncy Rosman Fenton
'Mary Eleanor Gilbert
*Phyllis Whitcomb Hartwell Mildred Evelyn Hollowell Hazel Jenks Martha Ann Jones
Shirley Dorothy LeDuke
* Honor Students
Roy Hewitt Linscott, Jr. *Jean Livermore Roger Edward Morse
Bradford Marsh Newell June Theresa Post Charles Robert Priest
Eileen Emily Rolfe
Dorothy Alice Schnair
*Joy Steele
Clare Mary Walther
AWARDS
Acton Center Woman's Club Scholarship
Marguerite Ruth Byers
Acton High School Scholarship of $100
To a deserving and meritorious student for the first year in a university, college, or technical school.
Mary Eleanor Gilbert
Improvement Prizes
Two $25 war bonds awarded by Mrs. Robert A. Reid to a boy and girl in the senior class who have shown the greatest scholastic improvement in the last four years, and who have shown a cooperative attitude through their service to the school.
Martha Ann Jones
Roger Howard Morse
28
National Honor Society Pins The top 15 per cent of the graduating class
Marguerite Ruth Byers Mary Eleanor Gilbert Joy Steele Jean Livermore
American Legion Medals
To the best all around boy and girl in the senior class as judged for scholarship, loyalty, and achievement. Marguerite Ruth Byers Roger Howard Morse
Washington and Franklin Medal
Awarded by the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for excellence in the study of United States History. Mary Eleanor Gilbert
Good Citizenship Certificate
Awarded by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution to a Good Citizen of Acton High School for the current year, who has demonstrated through her entire course qualities of dependability, lead- ership, service, and patriotism to an outstanding degree. Martha Ann Jones
Bauscsh and Lomb Honorary Science Award Medal
For achieving the highest scholastic record in science courses during high school
Mary Eleanor Gilbert
Physics Prize
Prize of $10 gift of Carl A. Christofferson for excellence in Physics in 1945-1946 Phyllis Whitcomb Hartwell
Reader's Digest Award
A year's subscription to the Reader's Digest presented in recognition of past accomplishment and in anticipa- tion of unusual achievement to come. Marguerite Ruth Byers
INDEX
First Section
Assessors 74
Board of Health 132
Inspector of Slaughtering 133
Cemetery Commissioners 143
Dog Officer 142
Elizabeth White Fund
79
Fence Viewers, Report of
142
Finance Committee
2
Fire Department 146
Forest Warden 144
Inspector of Animals 148
Librarian's Report 120
Books Added-1946 12
Middlesex County Extension Service 138
Moth Superintendent 140
Police Department 136
Proposed Zoning By-Laws 62
Proposed Building By-Laws
69
Sealer of Weights and Measures
148
Selectmen's Report 19
State Election-November 5, 1946
39
Superintendent of Streets
147
Tax Collector 75
Town Accountant 91
Balance Sheet, December 31, 1946 116-119
Town Clerk's Report
44
Births
45
Marriages 49
Deaths 53
Non-Resident Burials 54
Dog Licenses 55
Jury List (Revised) 1946 61
Town Forest Committee
141
Town Meeting (Abstract) March 11, 1946 21
Town Meeting (Abstract), December 9, 1946 34
Town Nurse
139
Town Officers 13
Appointments by Selectmen
15
Treasurer's Report 80
Tree Warden 140
Trustees of Goodnow Fund 145
Welfare Department 134
Warrant, Monday, March 11, 1946
3
Workmen's Compensation Agent
147
Second Section
Schools :
Calendar - 1947-1948 3
Budgets for 1947
8
Financial Report 7
Graduation Program
26
Organization
2
Report of Principals of Elementary Schools and Super-
visors
14
School Committee
Rules of School Committee
6 4
School Nurse
25
School Physician 24
Statistics
9
Superintendent 12
Teachers
5
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SEVERAL OFFICIAL BOARDS
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
RATED
N
1735.
ACTON
For the year Ending December 31st, 1947
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SEVERAL OFFICIAL BOARDS
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
ORATED .
-
1735.
ACTON
For the year Ending December 31st, 1947
Murphy & Snyder, Maynard, Massachusetts
2
REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
If the recommendations of the Finance Committee are voted, it estimates that the tax rate will be about $40.00 per thousand on our real estate and personal property providing the State and County assessments on the town and all other receipts to the town are about the same as last year. For every $1000.00 appropriated above our recommendations the tax rate will increase 25 cents.
Respectfully submitted,
W. STUART ALLEN PRENTICE W. BLOOD ROBERT CHARLES PORTER G. JENKS ORSON K. MILLER HERBERT W. MERRIAM
Finance Committee
3
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
RATED
INCO
- 1735
ACTON
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greetings :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town affairs, to meet in their respective precincts, to wit:
Precinct 1-Town Hall, Acton Center
Precinct 2-Universalist Church, South Acton
Precinct 3-Woman's Club House, West Acton
at 12 o'clock noon, Monday, the first day of March, 1948, by posting a copy of this warrant, by you attested, at each of the places as directed by vote of the town, seven days at least before the first day of March.
To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers : Moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, collector of taxes, one selectman for three years; one assessor for three years; one member of the board of public welfare for three years; four constables for one year; one cemetery com- missioner for three years; two members of the school com- mittee for three years; one member of the board of health for three years ; one trustee Memorial Library for three years ; and a tree warden. Also to vote "Yes" or "No" on the follow- ing question : "Shall the provisions of section forty of chapter seventy-one of the General Laws, as amended, relative to
4
equal pay for men and women teachers be in force in this town ?"
The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 8 o'clock p.m.
You are further requested in the name of the Common- wealth to notify the legal voters of said town of Acton as aforesaid, to meet at the Town Hall. in said Acton on Monday, March 8, 1948, at 7:30 o'clock P.M. Then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose all necessary town officers and committees and fix the salary and compensation of all elec- tive officers of the town.
The Finance Committee recommends that the salaries of each Selectman and the Town Treasurer be raised $100.00 this year and that the increase be retroactive to January 1, 1948. The Committee also recommends that the salary of the Tree Warden be fixed at $1.25 per hour plus $.65 per hour for use of a truck.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to accept the several reports of the town officers and boards or act anything thereon.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any com- mittees chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 or some other sum, for the observance of Memorial Day, this sum to be expended under the direction of a committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the
5
revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1948, 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 accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for the use of the Treasurer to pay the expenses of the local Dog Officer. The amount spent for board and disposal of dogs will be reimbursed by the County of Middlesex, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of $2500.00 from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 8. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2000.00 or some other sum, so that the Board of Health may contract for the collection and dis- posal of garbage for a period of one year, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 9. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the Tree Department for the replacement of shade trees, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 10. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray the necessary expenses of the several departments of the town and determine how the same shall be raised.
The Finance Committee recommends that the following sums of money be raised and appropriated for the several purposes hereinafter designated and that the same be ex- pended only for the purposes under the direction of the re-
6
spective boards, committees, or officers of the town, as follows :
Recommended Expended
Item General Government 4.9% of Total
1948
1947
1 Moderator
$ 25.00
$ 15.00
2 Finance Committee
150.00
48.55
3 Selectmen Sal. & Wages
2,200.00
1,699.41
4 Expenses
150.00
140.40
5
Town Accountant Sal. & Wages Expenses
100.00
51.59
6 7 8
Treasurer Sal. & Wages
750.00
650.00
Expenses
250.00
194.99
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Assessors Sal. & Wages Expenses
200.00
178.70
500.00
503.00
Town Clerk Sal. & Fees Expenses
200.00
102.92
Elections & Registrations Sal. & Wages 900.00
563.00
16 Expenses
450.00
146.36
17 Total General Government $10,225.00
Buildings & Grounds 2.5% of Total
18
Buildings & Grounds Sal. & Wages
$2,805.00
1,903.59
Expenses
2,400.00
1,791.26
19 20
Total Buildings & Grounds $5,205.00
Protection of Persons & Property 10.5% of Total
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Police Sal. & Wages
$6,062.00
$3,791.05
Expenses including cruiser
1,475.00
1,018.66
Fire Dept. Sal. & Wages Expenses
2,000.00
2,603.23
Fire Hydrant Rental
3,800.00
3,252.99
Forest Fire
1,500.00
1,468.95
Sealer of Wgts. & Measures Sal. & W. 200.00 Expenses 50.00
200.00
25.74
Moth Dept. Sal. & Wages
950.00
946.49
Expenses
1,050.00
1,048.59
Collector Sal. & Wages Expenses
1,550.00
1,412.90
300.00
299.71
1,800.00
1,632.75
2,665.00
2,053.35
700.00
700.00
7
31 32
Tree Warden Sal. & Wages
1,400.00
1,700.00
Expenses
600.00
599.63
33 Total Protection $21,752.00
Health & Sanitation 2.5% of Total
34
Board of Health Sal. & Wages
$4,300.00
4,207.26
35 Expenses
700.00
661.77
36
Inspection of Animals
150.00
150.00
37
Total Health & Sanitation
$5,150.00
Highways 13.6% of Total
38
Village Highways
$2,000.00
1,630.49
39
Chapter 81 Highways
8,550.00
21,374.96
40 Chapter 90 Highways
3,000.00
2,339.90
41 Snow Removal
10,000.00
9,947.51
42 Street Lighting
4,600.00
4,342.73
43 Total Highways
$28,150.00
Charities 16.1% of Total
44
$1,335.20
1,335.20
45
Gen. Relief Sal. & Wages Expenses
150.00
85.50
46
Expenditure
4,500.00
3,502.97
47
Old Age Expenditure
25,000.00
42,602.87
48
A. D. C. Expenditure
3,000.00
2,507.25
49 Total Charities
$33,985.20
Veterans' Aid 3.1% of Total
50
Veterans' Benefits Sal. & Wages Expenses
25.00
6.02
52
Expenditure
5,000.00
2,398.99
53
Veterans' Service Sal. & Wages
1,050.00
947.10
Expenses
100.00
13.60
54 55
Total Veterans' Aid
$6,325.00
$150.00
100.00
51
8
Education 41% of Total
56 Schools Sal. & Wages
$65,000.00
61,559.35
57 Fuel
4,000.00
3,199.94
58 Books & Supplies
3,400.00
3,015.31
59 Transportation
6,000.00
5,186.00
60 Tuition
300.00
234.38
61 Janitors' Supplies & Power, Repairs & Misc.
4,700.00
4,553.79
62 Outlay
1,000.00
940.99
63 Library
200.00
147.30
64 Health
275.00
259.69
65 Total Education
$84,875.00
Libraries .9% of Total
66
Libraries Sal. & Wages
$800.00
759.50
67 Expenses
900.00
669.19
68
Books
300.00
601.73
69 Total Libraries
$2,000.00
Recreation .5% of Total
70 Playgrounds
$1,000.00
1,593.35
$1,000.00
Unclassified 1.4% of Total
71
Miscellaneous Expenses
$1,000.00
495.50
72 Town Reports
800.00
563.64
73 Workmen's Compensation
900.00
733.60
74 Surety Bonds
300.00
281.25
75 Total Unclassified
$3,000.00
Cemeteries 2.3% of Total
76
Cemeteries Sal. & Wages Expenses
$4,000.00
3,470.14
900.00
612.12
77 78 Total Cemeteries $4,900.00
9
Maturing Debt & Interest .5% of Total
79
Maturing Debt
$1,000.00
1,000.00
80 Interest
150.00
165.00
81 Total Debt & Interest $1,150.00
82 Total Budget Recommendation $207,717.20
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account, the sum of $700.00 for the purchase of a snow plow and authorize the Board of Selectmen to trade-in or sell any old snow plows, or act any- thing thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 for the painting of traffic lines and signs, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3000.00 for new construction of Main Street from the Carlisle line to the State Road in North Acton ; said money to be used in conjunction with $3000.00 to be al- lotted by the County and $6000.00 to be allotted by the State, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Moderator to obtain an expression of the voters present, as to their preference of the location of the Southerly route or the Northerly route of the proposed Route No. 2 as laid out by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, or act anything thereon.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to accept the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Acton as printed in the town report, or act anything thereon.
10
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $200.00 for the purchase of snow fence, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account, the amount of the State's and County's allotments for highways under Chapters 81 and 90; provided that the reimbursement from the State and County be credited back to the Surplus Revenue Account, or act anything thereon.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1500.00 for the purchase of necessary equipment for the Fire Department, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for the feeding of our shade trees, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $150.00 for the purchase of uniforms for the Police Department as by General Laws Chapter 40, Section 6B, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $600.00 for the purchase of a new cruiser for the Police Department and authorize the Board of Selectmen to trade-in, sell or dispose of the old cruiser, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a Playground Committee of three; one member from Precinct 1 for one year; one member from Precinct 2 for two years, and one member from Precinct 3 for three years; thereafter, all appointments to be made for three year periods, or act anything thereon.
11
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Playground Committee to survey possible sites in Precinct 3 for a playground and to see if the town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to purchase the most desirable site; and to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3000.00 or any other sum to purchase and to improve a playground for Precinct 3, or act anything thereon.
While the Finance Committee recognizes the need of a playground in Precinct 3, it feels that a committee should be appointed to report specific recommendations and costs at a future town meeting.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 or any other sum to be used by the Playground Committee to improve Goward Field, or act anything thereon.
While the Finance Committee recognizes the desirability of improving Goward Field, it feels that a committee should be appointed to report specific recommendations and costs at a future town meeting.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, acting jointly, to appoint a committee to survey the school needs of the town and transfer from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $1500.00 or any other sum, for the use of said committee, and to instruct it to report to the town at the next annual or special town meeting, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000.00 or any other sum, to replace the present roof on the high school, and to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee, acting jointly, to appoint a committee to carry out said purpose and expend from said appropriation such amount as shall be necessary therefor, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee does not approve of an appro- priation of money under this article. The Committee secured technical advice and found that the sum asked for is insuffi-
12
cient to properly rebuild the roof. Before a major repair is made on the roof again, the Finance Committee wants the advice and recommendations of several experienced architects and engineers secured by the School Committee or by a committee appointed under this article. If a special commit- tee is appointed, we recommend an appropriation of $200.00 to be used to secure technical advice and report at the next town meeting.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a committee of five to investigate the needs of expanding the present fire house or building a new fire house in Precinct 1 and make recommendations at the next annual or special town meeting, or act anything thereon.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the Surplus Revenue Account the sum of $4500.00 for the purpose of purchasing a Shovel Loader and attachments for the Highway Department, or act anything thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends favorable action.
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay the cost of effecting insur- ance providing indemnity for or protection to any officer or employee of the Town against loss by reason of his liability to pay damages to others for bodily injuries, including death at any time resulting therefrom, or for damage to property, caused by the operation, within the scope of his official duties or employment of motor or other vehicles owned by the Town as provided by the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.) Chapter 40, Section 5, Subsection 1, as amended, or act any- thing thereon.
The Finance Committee favors insurance on all town property and vehicles. When the question of insuring the town buildings was considered in 1945, the article was laid on the table by the voters.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to amend Article 1 of Section 5 of the Town By-Laws by striking out said Article 1 and substituting therefor the amendment as printed in the town report, or act anything thereon.
13
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen and their successors in office, to sell at public auction or private sales, any property heretofore or hereafter acquired by the town under the title proceedings, to impose thereon such restrictions, reservations, or conditions as they may deem expedient and to execute, acknowledge, and deliver in the name and under the seal of the Town, deeds or other instruments therefor, or take any other action relative thereto, to do or act thereon.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $3500.00 from the Overlay Surplus as a Reserve Fund or act anything thereon.
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