USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1951-1955 > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
Two programs which are supplementary to offerings of the high school curriculum-driver education and guidance- have been continued; and an additional one-remedial read- ing-has been started on the high school level. Driver educa- tion is carried on entirely after regular school hours. Although remedial reading and individual counseling are necessarily curtailed by two factors, namely: (1) that regular classes
26
must be interrupted for their sake, and (2) that additional personnel are needed, they continue to produce some rewards. Guidance activities, other than counseling, have gone on as usual.
In conclusion it may be said that a second year of ex- perience should point to further possibilities of improving the poor but at least temporary two-session plan.
To the substitute principal, the faith, interest and co- operation of the School Committee, the Acting Superintendent, members of the school staff, students and parents have been most helpful and heartening.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH R. PROCTOR, Acting High School Principal.
REPORT OF THE ACTING PRINCIPAL OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
After much consideration and evaluation of the two platoon system, it was decided to have the Junior High stu- at 12:30 P.M. and ends at 4:30 P.M. Although this is an abbreviated school day, the Junior High students are taking the courses needed at this grade level. The Junior High is operated on a five period day. Each period is 43 minutes long. The students take four basic subjects per day, thus leaving a fifth period for art, home economics, mechanical drawing, physical education, music and shop. It has been noticed that the Junior High pupils get tired as the afternoon progresses ; this is not a desirable situation from a teaching viewpoint.
A Junior High Remedial Reading Program was started this year under the direction of Mrs. Edith Hatch. Although reg- ular classes must be interrupted to carry on this program, it
27
is the observation of the faculty that it is most worthwhile and necessary.
Organized guidance services to meet the individual needs of the students are always available. As is our custom, the pupils of the eighth grade will be tested in the spring. This testing is very useful to the students, for it helps them to make the right choice as far as high school courses are con- cerned. Parents are always welcome to discuss school prob- lems with the Guidance Department.
This has been a very successful year for Junior High athletics. The basketball team, coached by Mr. Arthur Gulla, captured the Middlesex Junior High School Championship. The baseball team won fourteen games and lost one to garner another championship for the school. Although athletics are maintained with difficulty because of the two platoon system, every effort is being made to continue athletic activities in the Junior High.
I should like to express my appreciation to the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools and to the faculty for their support and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND J. GREY Acting Junior High School Principal.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. William O'Connell Acting Superintendent of Schools
Acton, Massachusetts
January 4, 1955
Report for school year ending December 31, 1954.
The usual physical examinations were completed in Octo- ber. Special examinations for those participating in athletics
28
were conducted at the beginning of the school year. Parents were notified of medical, orthopedic, and dental problems where indicated and remedial measures advised.
In conjunction with the Board of Health Schick Tests and inoculations of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids were given in May to the children of the lower grades.
I wish to thank Mr. O'Connell, the townspeople, teachers, and school nurse for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL P. GATES, M.D.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. William O'Connell
Acting Superintendent of Schools
Acton, Massachusetts
Deear Sir:
Report for the school year ending December 31, 1954.
Eye and Ear examinations were completed for the school year ending June 1954.
Since September 1954, 846 students have had their hear- ing tested. The State failure slips were sent to those parents whose child/or children failed to pass the test. Corrections have been made in most cases.
Physical examinations of the children in the first, second, third and fifth grades of the grammar schools were completed in September 1954. All the athletes in the Junior High and the High School, plus grades nine and twelve, were also examined by the school physician.
The Pre-School Clinics were held in each precinct in
- 29
May. They were not as successful as we had hoped, so they will be held in the New Primary School this year. Let me state here that all children must be vaccinated and present a vaccina- tion certificate from their doctor before they enter school. A certified copy of their birth certificate is also necessary. Diph- theria Immunization and dental examinations are encouraged and preferred. Any child not examined at the Pre-School Clinic should be examined by his own doctor as soon as possible so that necessary corrections can be made during the summer before the child enters school.
Diphtheria Clinic was held in May. Ninety-six children from grades one and three were Schick tested. Ten showed positive signs and were immunized. Parents' written permis- sion is required for all inoculations.
Daily contact with the High School office has been kept. Often two visits a day are required to cover both sessions of school. The village schools are visited once or twice a week or more often as necessary. A recent outbreak of pediculosis caputis affecting seven children necessitated examination of numerous children. The daily average of students seen for minor cuts, bruises, referrals to their own doctor, etc., is three to four, but the teachers handle many of the first-aid problems and the problem of getting sick children home. It is impossible for me to be there at all such times, and I am very grateful to the teachers for being so cooperative. It would help if the parents would tell the children if they are going to be away during school hours and where the school could reach them in case of sickness or accident. Children are not taken to a doctor without the parent's permission, except in extreme emergencies.
Chest X-rays were arranged for the bus drivers this year. Chest X-rays of the teaching staff and janitors were also completed.
Routine inspection of the toilet, washing and drinking facilities in the schools has been done and were found adequate.
In the future more stress must be put on prevention of accidents, illnesses, and poor physical and oral hygiene. We have been fortunate in getting a small group of children into
30
the Forsyth Dental Clinic in Boston for treatment. We would like to continue this if possible. The plans are for taking groups of 30 under 14 years of age into the clinic for pur- poses of having the teeth cleaned and to learn about good oral hygiene. This will give us a very good idea of just how much dental work is required, and how much money we will have to expend on a dental clinic of our own.
I wish to thank Dr. Gates, Mrs. Hazel Vose, R.N., the teachers, Mrs. Felt and the parents for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
EILEEN F. HALE, R.N.
31
GRADUATION EXERCISES, JUNE 18, 1954
Salutatorian
Charlotte Hill
Valedictorian
Glenn Pasanen 1
Scholarship Awards:
Acton High School Trust Fund
Grace Davis
Gordon College
Margarette Jarvi Bette Putnam
Chandler School for Women Lasell Junior College
West Acton Woman's Club Arthur Lowden
University of Massachusetts
Acton Center Woman's Club Priscilla Steeves
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Parent-Teachers Association Nancy Feltus
University of Massachusetts
Maynard Rotary Club John Way
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute
Acton Teachers' Association Glenn Pasanen
Harvard University
Acton High School Athletic Association Shirley Conrad Bridgewater State Teachers Colege
Other Awards:
Daughters of the American Revolution
Good Citizenship Certificate Bette Putnam
Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute Alumni Medal for Excellence in Mathematics and Science John Way
Bausch and Lomb Science Medal Glenn Pasanen
American Legion Medals for Scholarship, Loyalty and Achievement
Bette Putnam Glenn Pasanen
32
Harvard Club of Concord Book Prize Glenn Pasanen
Harvard Club of Boston Book Prize Paul Greenough
National Honor Society Members
Seniors : Glenn Pasanen, John Way, Donald Wilson, Shirley Conrad, Charlotte Hill, Margarette Jarvi, Bette Putnam Juniors: Urban Mclellan, Louise Fitzgerald, Sylvia Flint, Anne Kazokas, Janet Roth, Anna Schmitz
CLASS OF 1954
George Henry Allen, Jr.
Theresa Landry
Charles Edward Bartlett, Jr.
Audrey Estelle Beach
Doris Mabel Nealey
William Thomas Bradley Inez Canessa Mary Noval Chisholm Richard Porter Clark Elizabeth Zelma Clausen
Lois Bonnar Nichols
Glenn Stuart Pasanen
Bette Ann Putnam Jeanette Rayner Bonnie May Sibel
Shirley Ann Conrad Grace Beverly Davis
Muriel Gail Smith
Priscilla May Steeves
Margaret Mary Elizabeth
Sweeney
Kathryn Marjorie Teele Sarah Elizabeth Towne Joseph Warren
John Lawrence Way
Gladys Lucille Webb
Phyllis Ann Wetherbee Donald Ross Wilson
Russell Morse Davis Nancy Ann Feltus Clarence Gordon Frost Philip Albert Harris Charlotte Ann Hill Caroline Huntley Thomas Joseph Janericco Sylvia Margarette Jarvi John Edward Kiley Evelyn Joyce Laffin
Arthur Richard Lowden George Allen Morse, Jr.
33
1
INDEX
First Section
Assessors
116
Board of Appeals
195
Board of Health
185
Board of Health Agent
189
Cemetery Commissioners
178
Civil Defense Agency
106
Dog Officer
76
Elizabeth White Fund
142
Fence Viewers, Report of
77
Finance Committee
2
Fire Department
65
Forest Warden
74
Inspector of Animals
76
Inspector of Milk and Food
191
Inspector of Sanitation
192
Inspector of Slaughtering
192
Inspector of Wires
68
Librarian's Report
179
Middlesex County Extension Service
183
Moth Superintendent
75
Planning Board
78
Police Department
69
Report of Nagog Regional School District Committee
197
Sealer of Weights and Measures
75
Selectmen's Report
55
State Audit (Jan. 26, 1955)
107
Balance Sheet Dec. 6, 1954
110
State Election Nov. 2, 1954
51
Superintendent of Streets
77
Town Collector
118
Town Accountant
143
Balance Sheet December 31, 1954
172
Town Clerk's Report
81
Births
82
Marriages
88
Deaths
94
Non-Resident Burials
96
Dog Licenses
Jury List (Revised) 1954
Town Election, March 1, 1954
Town Forest Committee
Town Meeting (Abstract), March 8, 1954
Town Meeting, Special (Abstract), Jan. 4, 1954
Town Meeting, Special (Abstract), May 17, 1954 40 Town Meeting, Special (Abstract), June 28, 1954 ... 43 Town Meeting, Special (Abstract), November 8, 1954 Town Nurse 190
44
Town Officers
57
Appointments by Selectmen
59
Treasurer's Report
129
Tree Warden 178
142
Welfare Department 193
4
Workmen's Compensation Agent 68
200
Second Section
Schools :
Age and Grade Distribution 23
Calendar - 1955-1956
2
Budgets for 1955 9
Financial Report
7
Graduation Awards
32
Graduates - Class of 1954
33
High School Principal
24
Junior High School Principal
27
Members of the Acton Faculty
20
Organization
2
School Committee
4
School Nurse
29
School Physician 28
Statistics
8
Superintendent
7
Trustees of Goodnow Fund
Warrant Monday, March 7, 1955
Zoning By-Laws
98 105 48
74 21 20
Annual Reports
RATED
1735.
"ACTON.
Town of Acton MASSACHUSETTS
FOR ITS TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH MUNICIPAL YEAR
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1955
Official Reports
RATED
-
ONI
1735.
ACTON.
Town of Acton MASSACHUSETTS
FOR ITS TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTIETH MUNICIPAL YEAR
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1955
MURPHY & SNDYER, INC. :: MAYNARD, MASS.
DEDICATION
IN MEMORIAM
We dedicate this Town Report to the memory of HORACE F. TUTTLE, beloved citizen of the Town of Acton. Mr. Tuttle faithfully carried out the duties of the Town Clerk of Acton for forty- five years. He served also as state representative, school committeeman, library trustee, trustee of the Goodnow fund, and as a member of the invest- ment board of the Middlesex Institution for Sav- ings in Concord, Massachusetts. He served as deacon of the Acton Center Congregational church for forty years.
Mr. Tuttle, a life long resident of Acton, gave so freely of himself, his time and his abilities to the Town and its people, that we deeply feel the loss and shall long remember him.
IN MEMORIAM
To the memory of Ralph W. Piper, who served the Town as Selectman from 1935 to 1941. Mr. Piper was liked and respected by all with whom he came in contact. He was a hard and diligent worker for his Town and its people. His courage through his long illness was admired by all. Mr. Piper is greatly missed by his friends and fellow townspeople.
President of the United States of America DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER of Abilene, Kansas
Vice President
RICHARD M. NIXON of Whittier, California
Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts CHRISTIAN A. HERTER of Boston
Lieutenant Governor . Sumner G. Whittier, Everett
Secretary of the Commonwealth
. Edward J. Cronin, Chelsea
Treasurer and Receiver-General
. John F. Kennedy, Canton
Auditor of the Commonwealth . . Thomas J. Buckley, Boston
Attorney General . George Fingold, Concord
Senators in Congress
. Leverett Saltonstall, Newton John F. Kennedy, Boston
Representative in Congress 5th Congressional District
Edith Nourse Rogers, Lowell
Councillor, 3rd Councillor District
Endicott Peabody, Cambridge
Senator, 5th Middlesex Senatorial District
. Richard I. Furbush, Waltham
Representative in General Court 11th Middlesex Representative Dist. Edward J. DeSaulnier, Jr.
County Commissioners
Thomas B. Brennan, Medford William G. Andrew, Cambridge H. Herbert Applin, Watertown
Clerk of Courts, Middlesex County . . Charles T. Hughes, Medford
Register of Deeds, Middlesex South District
William B. Bailey, Somerville
County Treasurer
. Timothy J. Cronin, Somerville
Register of Probate and Insolvency
. John Foley, Cambridge
District Attorney
. Ephraim Martin, Belmont
County Sheriff . Howard W. Fitzpatrick, Malden
Chelmsford
4
rorlamatinn
RPOR
NI
1735.
ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
OFFICE OF SELECTMEN
In Recognition of Arton's Only Living Centenarian
Whereas, this being the 100th birthday of Otis B. Mott we, Leo C. Cunningham, Frederick W. Abbt and Charles D. MacPherson, the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Acton, Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim that December 24, 1955 shall be known as Otis B. Matt Day and that the same shall be observed by the citizens of Acton in an appropriate manner.
Whereas, we hereby extend our heartiest congratulations to Otis B. Antt on his 100th birthday.
We do hereby direct the Town Clerk to make this proclamation a part of the permanent official town records.
Given under our hands at, Acton this twentieth day of December, 1955.
LEO C. CUNNINGHAM FREDERICK W. ABBT CHARLES D. MACPHERSON Selectmen of Acton
5
TOWN OFFICERS
Moderator
Albert P. Durkee
Selectmen
Leo C. Cunningham
Term Expires 1956
Frederick W. Abbt Term Expires 1957
*Carl A. Christofferson
Term Expires 1958
** Charles D. MacPherson * Resigned Elected to replace *
Town Clerk Town Treasurer
Harlan E. Tuttle
William Henry Soar
Assessors
Albert P. Durkee
Term Expires 1956
James W. Baker
Term Expires 1957
Carl C. Flint Term Expires 1958
Town Collector Tree Warden
Charles M. MacRae
Franklin H. Charter
Board of Public Welfare
Walter B. Stevens Term Expires 1956
Lossie E. Laird Term Expires 1957
A. Perry Marble Term Expires 1958
Cemetery Commissioners
Harry E. Holt Term Expires 1956
Ray L. Harris Term Expires 1957
Howard F. Jones Term Expires 1958
Constables
T. Frederick S. Kennedy
Ivar Peterson
Michael Foley Edward J. Collins
6
School Committee
Thomas E. Wetherbee
Term Expires 1956
Evelyn N. MacLean
Term Expires 1956
Edmond J. McNiff
Term Expires 1957
Dana B. Hinckley
Term Expires 1957
George E. Neagle Term Expires 1958
Frank R. Stevens
Term Expires 1958
Trustees of Memorial Library
Vesta B. Thompson
.Term Expires 1956
Florence A. Merriam
Term Expires 1957
Frederick T. Heyliger Term Expires 1958
Board of Health
Herbert L. Leusher Term Expires 1956
Martin J. Duggan Term Expires 1957
O. Lawrence Clark Term Expires 1958
Trustees of Elizabeth White Fund
Clara L. Sawyer
Term Expires 1956
Thelma M. Blood Term Expires 1957
Helen B. Wood Term Expires 1958
Trustees of West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
Arno H. Perkins Term Expires 1956
H. Stuart MacGregor Term Expires 1957
James B. Wilson Term Expires 1958
Trustees of Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
Frederick T. Kennedy Term Expires 1956
Clarence Frost Term Expires 1957
Herbert W. Merriam Term Expires 1958
Trustees of Goodnow Fund
Frank E. Greenough Term Expires 1956
Roy H. Linscott Term Expires 1957
Horace F. Tuttle Term Expires 1958
7
Planning Board
Robert M. Stow
Term Expires 1956
Richard A. Gallant
Term Expires 1957
Frederick S. Whitcomb
Term Expires 1958
Aubrey C. Kretschmar
Term Expires 1959
Harold W. Flood
Term Expires 1960
APPOINTMENTS MADE BY SELECTMEN - 1955
Executive Clerk
Virginia Milbery
Finance Committee
Robert F. Charles
Edward S. Boyden
Bradford S. Leach
John M. Goddard
Roger M. Myrick
John M. Whittier
Board of Appeals
Edward M. Ferry
Term Expires 1956
Otto O. Pasanen Term Expires 1957
Hayward S. Houghton Term Expires 1958
Associates
Donald W. Parker Term Expires 1956
H. Bradford Sturtevant, III Term Expires 1957
Superintendent of Streets
Benjamin F. Rice
Registrars of Voters
James B. Wilson Term Expires 1956
Grace J. Cullinane Term Expires 1957
Julia A. Barry Term Expires 1958
Harlan E. Tuttle Ex-Officio
8
Town Accountant
Donald O. Nylander
Term Expires 1956
Fire Engineers
H. Stuart MacGregor, Chief Engineer Clarence Frost, Asst. Engineer - Precinct I Lloyd W. Priest, Asst. Engineer - Precinct II Arno H. Perkins, Asst. Engineer - Precinct III
Forest Warden
H. Stuart MacGregor
Election Officers
Precinct I
Warden - Irene F. Mclaughlin
Clerk - Paul C. Cornwall
Inspector - Marion C. Jewell Inspector - Mary F. McCarthy
Deputy Warden - John F. Mclaughlin
Deputy Clerk - Helen R. Edwards
Deputy Inspector - Edith M. Hollowell
Deputy Inspector - Leo T. McCarthy
Teller - Inga Frost
Teller - Katherine M. Condon
Precinct II
Warden - Margaret Larsen
Clerk - Gladys M. Connolly
Inspector - Martha I. Lowden
Inspector - Sophia Walsh
Deputy Warden - Lucille Cunningham
Deputy Clerk - Bertha Carr Tucker
Deputy Inspector - Hazel P. Vose
Deputy Inspector - Michael J. Walsh
Teller - Ruth A. Banks
Teller - Mabel S. McKelvie
9
Precinct III
Warden - Barbara J. McPhee Clerk - Phyllis K. Sprague Inspector - Barbara Nylander Inspector - Martin J. Duggan Deputy Warden - Harry E. Holt Deputy Clerk - Annie E. McCarthy
Deputy Inspector - Florence E. Lowd Deputy Inspector - Genevieve L. Hatch
Teller - Minnie C. Veasie
Teller - Mary H. Prentice
Acton-Boxborough Regional District School Committee
George E. Neagle
Thomas E. Wetherbee
Inspector of Animals Arno H. Perkins
Dog Officer Carl W. Flint
Sealer of Weights and Measures A. Perry Marble
Town Forest Committee
Emery D. Nelson Term Expires 1956
Franklin H. Charter Term Expires 1957
Arno H. Perkins Term Expires 1958
Surveyors of Wood and Lumber
Oliver D. Wood
E. John Torkelsen
Fence Viewers
Laurence Hadley
Louis F. Leveroni
10
Fire Alarm Operator Frederic W. Rimbach
Field Drivers
Arno H. Perkins
George Kemp
Superintendent of Moth Work
Franklin H. Charter
Burial Agent
Veterans' Agent
Carl W. Flint
Carl W. Flint
Inspector of Wires Kenneth L. Duffy
Police Officers *Michael Foley, Chief
*Edward J. Collins, Jr.
*Chauncey R. Fenton, Jr.
*Warren F. Birch
Carl W. Flint
*David W. Scribner
Ray L. Harris
Benjamin F. Rice
Roy H. Linscott
Viola M. Foley
Franklin H. Charter
James P. Conheeney, Jr.
Orma L. Clark
Louis F. Leveroni
Edward J. Higgins
John F. Canessa
Edward R. Kelly
* Civil Service - Permanent
Superintendent of Jones Memorial Field
Frederic W. Rimbach
Superintendent of Goward Field
Frederic W. Rimbach
11
William J. Durkin, Jr.
T. Frederick S. Kennedy
Workmen's Compensation Agent
Theron A. Lowden
Director of Veterans' Services Theron A. Lowden
Public Weighers
William Braman
Albert R. Jenks
G. Howard Reed
Porter G. Jenks
A. W. Davis
Louise Garceau
Philip Newell
Ruth Durkin
Otis J. Reed
Harold Whitney
Robert Greenough
Joseph Warren
Town Counsel
John J. Sheehan
Director of Civil Defense
*Charles D. MacPherson ** Harry L. Stiegler
Deputy Director of Civil Defense
Allen C. Beddoe
* Resigned
* Appointed to replace
12
Carl W. Flint
Harold A. Merriam
Frank E. Greenough
REVISED JURY LIST - 1955
Precinct I
Lawrence W. Bennett, 366 Main St., carpenter Waldo V. Langille, 37 Hosmer St., file clerk Eleanor L. Olsen, Hayward Rd., housewife Helen Pederson, 87 Newtown Rd., switchboard operator Forrest E. Bean, Jr., 40 Wood Lane, beef merchandiser Russell C. Berry, 54 Hosmer St., highway superintendent Sherman W. Frost, 852 Main St., farmer Ray L. Harris, 781 Main St., water commissioner Walter B. Stevens, 20 Concord Rd., manager E. Clayton Steeves, 49 Taylor Rd., supervisor Roy H. Linscott, 341 Great Rd., owner gas station Julius Roth, 777 Main St., factory manager
Precinct II
Dorothy E. Turner, 18 Maple St., housewife James H. Connolly, Prospect St., meat cutter Warren P. Moland, 294 School St., electrical engineer Ervin D. Putnam, 274 School St., carpenter Anthony J. Ansley, 14 Stow St., salesman
Edward H. Bentsen, 74 School St., sheet metal Thomas W. Curtin, 66 Maple St., lithographer J. Alton Dingee, 1 Martin St., craneman Margaret F. Heath, 74 Main St., clerk Harold F. Nordberg, 62 Main St., auditor Sylvester P. Condon, 54 Central St., General Motors Frederick J. Strate, 198 Main St., postal clerk
Precinct III
David E. Worrall, 16 Mohawk Dr., tube grinder Harry F. Warner, Hayward Rd., postal clerk Margaret B. Miney, 402 Central St., housewife Frederick A. Harris, 15 Church St., granite worker
13
Benjamin H. Webster, 28 Mohawk Dr., instructor Richard Sisson, Hayward Rd., builder Ernest K. Anderson, 251 Newtown Rd., postal clerk Jerry T. Ballentine, 29 Nashoba Rd., film producer Irving O. Berlied, 74 Summer St., carpenter Lloyd S. Cohan, Nash Rd., electronics engineer Henry C. French, 3 Orchard Dr., draftsman George H. Locke, Jr., 235 Arlington St., assembly man
14
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
FINANCE COMMITTEE: Back Row: Roger Myrick - John Goddard - Edward Boyden. Front Row : John Whittier - Bradford Leach, Chairman - Robert Charles.
In the past ten years Acton has almost doubled in population and with the present rate of growth no decrease is apparent.
The added annual income from new taxable property and a projected outlook as to the future revenue does not indicate any relief from an exorbitantly high tax rate except by a drastic reduction in the rate of growth or an immediate denial of anything other than that which is absolutely necessary.
Neither unrestricted industrial growth nor re-evaluation of property offers any solution to the tax burden.
Our school costs represent the largest individual portion of the town budget and show an increase of $73,000.00 over last year. Also the increase in the school maturing debt exclusive of the Blanchard Auditorium is $58,000.00 more than last year. In addition, budget requests from other departments of the town show an increase of $25,000.00.
The establishment of uniform pay grades and rates has been recently initiated by the Selectmen in order to correct inequalities existing in the several departments of the town.
15
The part time employees of the town are never fully com- pensated for their efforts. We believe the time is now at hand for the town to seriously consider the consolidation of several part time duties into one or more full time positions.
By necessity the town must use all possible means such as centralized purchasing, uniform expense rates, and denial of luxuries to effect all possible economies.
The Finance Committee would like to thank all Boards and Committees for their cooperation during the year.
EDWARD S. BOYDEN ROBERT F. CHARLES JOHN M. GODDARD JOHN M. WHITTIER ROGER M. MYRICK, Clerk BRADFORD S. LEACH, Chairman
16
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLESEX, ss.
0-1735
·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 - Congregational Church, South Acton
Precinct 3- Woman's Club House, West Acton
at 12 o'clock noon, Monday, the fifth day of March, 1956, 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 fifth day of March.
To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers : Moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, town collector, 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 commissioner for three years; two members of the school committee for three years; one member of the board of health for three years; one trustee Memorial Library for three years; a tree warden for one year; one member of the planning board for five years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.