USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 12
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Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,800.00, or any other sum, for alterations and furnishings of various offices in the Town Hall, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends approval of this Article but feels that only urgent expenditures be made until a comprehensive survey has been completed.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Cemetery Commissioners to waive a legacy of $300.00 bequeathed under the Will of Howard Beckwith Barnard for perpetual care for the graves of his parents at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Approval is recommended.
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Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to accept the gift to the Town of Acton by the second item of the will of Sarah A. Watson, late of Somerville, Massachusetts, de- ceased, of $2,500.00, the income therefrom to be used for the perpetual care of lots 21, 22 and 23 on Pine Avenue and Lot 41 in the rear thereof in Woodlawn Cemetery in said Town, now standing in her name, or take any other action relative thereto.
Approval is recommended. Chapel to the Woman 1938
8
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of the fifty-third item of the will of Sarah A. Watson, late of Somerville, Massachusetts, deceased, for the benefit of the Chapel on the lot adjoining Woodlawn Ceme- tery; to approve of the appointment of Frederick S. Kennedy and A. Leavitt Taylor as trustees of the fund to be known as the "Varnum Tuttle Fund," the income to be used for the care, preservation and upkeep, both interior and exterior, of the Chapel which was erected on the lot adjoining Wood- lawn Cemetery in said Town, including the organ and other equipment therein, and for the care of the grounds surround- ing the Chapel, shrubbery, ornamentation, walks and open- spaces; and co-operate with the said trustees in the expendi- ture of said income and carrying out the provisions of said trust fund, or take any other action relative thereto.
Approval is recommended.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $14,000.00, or any other sum, to complete the work of defin- ing and improving the brook in the west part of Town that drains the areas between Massachusetts Avenue on the north, Homestead Street on the south, Arlington Street on the west and Central Street on the east, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends this sum be raised and appropriated to complete this project.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to change the names of certain streets, listed below and to raise and appro- priate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $100.00, or any other sum, to purchase and install street signs
194
to properly designate these streets, or take any other action relative thereto.
1. School Street, West Acton to be changed to Farm Street.
2. Maple Avenue, Acton Center to be changed to Minuteman Road.
3. Davis Terrace, West Acton to be changed to Mead Terrace.
4. Woodlawn Lane, Acton Center to be changed to Minot Avenue.
5. Section of Nashoba Road running southerly off Newtown Road in West Acton to be changed to Bulette Road.
6. Section of Concord Street, South Acton running from Howard's corner northerly into Dewey and Almy Company property to be changed to Vallee Road.
7. Section of Concord Street, South Acton running from Howard's corner southerly to the Maynard line to be changed to a continuation of Parker Street.
Approval is recommended.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a northerly direction from the previously accepted section of Mohegan Road, a distance of approximately five hundred eighty-four (584) feet termin- ating in a turnaround, to the land of Crimens Pacy, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, said road to be known as Mohegan Road, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends acceptance of this Article as approved by the Planning Board.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a southerly direction from Seneca
195
Road, a distance of approximately six hundred forty-eight (648) feet terminating in a turnaround to the land of Howland Parker, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, said road to be known as Quaboag Road, or take any other action relative thereto.
The reason for approval is the same as indicated under Article 41.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a northeasterly direction from Mohawk Drive a distance of approximately eleven hundred (1100) feet to pole number ten (10) of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, said road to be known as Oneida Road, or take any other action relative thereto.
The reason for approval is the same as indicated under Article 41.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, the Plan of which has been filed in the office of the Town Clerk, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width and a twenty-four (24) foot or more travelled way extending in a southerly direction from the Littleton-Acton town line a distance of approximately five hundred sixty (560) feet terminating in a turnaround, said road to be known as Lillian Road, and said road to be main- tained by the developer for a period of one year after accept- ance, or take any other action relative thereto.
The reason for approval is the same as indicated under Article 41.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a Town Way the road, a Plan of which has been filed with the Town Clerk and laid out by the Planning Board, said Plan showing a road forty (40) feet in width with a twenty- four (24) foot or more travelled way, and extending in a southwesterly direction from Prospect Street, South Acton,
196
for a distance of approximately 1,392 feet terminating in a turnaround and said road to be maintained by the developer for a period of one year after acceptance, said road to be known as Tuttle Drive, or take any other action relative thereto.
The reason for approval is the same as indicated under Article 41.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to adopt as an official map, a Map of the Town of Acton, on file with the Town Clerk, compiled by Snelling Hilton Associates dated February 1957 as provided for in Section 81-E of Chapter 41 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, or take any other action relative thereto.
Approval is recommended
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Committee of six (6), and with the right to fill any vacancies therein, such Com- mittee to be known as the Industrial Development Committee, with said Committee to study problems relating to industry in Acton and to report periodically their findings and recom- mendations in respect thereof to the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee believes the establishment of this committee will, in the long run, be of substantial benefit to the Town.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Board of three (3), and with the right to fill any vacancies therein, such Board to be known as the Personnel Board with said Board to study problems relating to hours of work and wages and salaries of Town Employees and to report periodically their findings and recommendations in respect thereof to the Board of Selectmen, or take any other action relative thereto.
The Finance Committee believes the appointment of this committee will improve Town Government.
Article 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds a sum of
197
money for the paving with hot-top that portion of Town property which is in front of the Acton Center Post Office and Dewey's Market, Inc., with the same to meet with similar pavement of hot-top to be installed by and at the expense of Alphonse Notargiacomo, the present abutter to the area referred to, or take any other action relative thereto. (In- serted in warrant on petition of Alphonse Notargiacomo and sixty others.)
The Finance Committee disapproves of this Article.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $500.00, or any other sum, for the purpose of excavating, loaming, seeding and constructing hot-top passage ways from the existing sidewalk to the end of the town bounds at the Acton Center Post Office, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
Approval of this Article is recommended.
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,050.52, or any other sum, to pay the following unpaid bills :
Board of Health - East Coast Aviation
Corporation $1,000.00
Board of Health - Tekton Associates ..
454.18
Board of Health - Assabet Sand and Gravel Co., Inc. 138.00
Highway Department (Signs and Lines) - James L. Hurton 227.50
Highway Department - Boston and Maine Railroad 1,230.84
or take any other action relative thereto.
Payment of these bills is recommended but again we caution the various town departments to keep within their budget appropriations.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of
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$6,000.00 as a Reserve Fund, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
It is recommended that $6,000.00 be transferred from Overlay Surplus to be used as a Reserve Fund. This is the same amount as last year.
Article 53. 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 revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1957 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, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof seven days at least before the time of said meeting in not less than six public places in the town to be designated by the Board of Selectmen.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at or before the time of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Acton this twenty-second day of January, 1957.
LEO C. CUNNINGHAM, FREDERICK W. ABBT, CHARLES D. MacPHERSON, Selectmen of Acton.
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INDEX
Archives Committee, Report of
77
Assessors' Report 78
Board of Health 132
Agent for Board of Health
134
Inspector of Milk and Food
134
Inspector of Plumbing
136
Inspector of Sanitation
135
Inspector of Slaughtering
136
Town Nurse
136
Cemetery Commissioners 140
Civil Defense Agency 141
Dedication - Michael Foley
2-3
Elizabeth White Fund Trustees
143
Librarian's Report 128
Planning Board 138
Selectmen's Report
6
Dog Officer
16
Fence Viewers 16
Finance Committee
17
Fire Department 18
Inspector of Animals 21
Inspector of Wires 21
History of Tuttle Family as Town Clerks 4-5
Jury List (Revised) 1956 22
Moth Superintendent 23
Police Department 23
Sealer of Weights and Measures 26
INDEX Continued
Superintendent of Streets 27
Town Forest Committee 29
Workmen's Compensation Agent 30
State Audit 116
Balance Sheet
120
Town Collector's Report 79
Town Boundaries measured from historic landmark Inside Front Cover
Town Accountant's Report 98
Charts - Cash Receipts and Disbursements 100
Summary of Appropriations and Expenditures 102
Balance Sheet December 31, 1956 110
Town Clerk's Report
Annual Election March 5, 1956 31
Annual Town Meeting, March 12, 1956 33
Special Town Meeting, Oct. 1, 1956 55
Births 64
Marriages
70
Deaths
74
Non-Resident Burials 76
Dog Licenses Financial Report 77
Town Officers 9
Appointments by Selectmen 11
Treasurer's Report 85
Funds in Custody of Treasurer 91
Outstanding Notes and Bonds 90
Tree Warden
142
Trustees of Goodnow Fund 143
INDEX Continued
Warrant for Annual Meeting March 11, 1957 and Finance Committee Budget 179
Welfare Department 130
Public Schools: -
Organization 146
Calendar 147
School Committee 147
Superintendent of Schools 149
Financial Report 149
Proposed Public School Budget, 1957 150
Teaching Staff - Acton Public Schools 159
Age and Grade Distribution Tables 161
Acton-Boxborough Regional School District:
School Committee 162
Treasurer
164
Proposed Budget for 1957
165
High School Principal
169
Director of Guidance
171
School Physician
174
School Nurse 174
Graduation Exercises 175
Regional High School Teaching Staff 177
FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS
President of the United States Dwight David Eisenhower
Vice-President of the United States Richard M. Nixon
United States Senators
Leverett Saltonstall John F. Kennedy
Representative in Congress
Edith Nourse Rogers - Fifth Congressional District
SIK
Officials of the Commonwealth
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Secretary
Treasurer
Auditor
Attorney General
Governor's Council Third District
nator Fifth Middlesex District
Foster Furcolo
Robert H. Murphy Edward J. Cronin
John F. Kennedy
Thomas J. Buckley
George Fingold
Christian A. Herter, Jr. 341/2 Beacon Street, Boston, Mass.
William E. Hays 436 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, Mass.
Representative in the General Court Eleventh Middlesex District
Vernon R. Fletcher 111 Chelmsford Street Chelmsford, Mass.
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Annual Reports
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS 1957
THE MINUTE MAN OF ACTON - YESTERDAY AND TODAY
"It was the citizen soldier Isaac Davis of Acton, who kissed his baby in the cradle for the last time, and threw his arms lovingly for the last time around the neck of his devoted wife Hannah on that morning, and who led his company to Concord, to give his life that liberty might live. It was the wife of a citizen soldier, Hannah Davis, who powdered the hair of the thirty-five men in her husband's company on that morning, that they might meet the hated Redcoats as gentlemen."
These were the words of Governor Frederick Greenhalge, spoken in Acton at a dedication ceremony on April 20, 1895, the 120th anniversary commemorating the start of the American Revolution.
On the morning of that eventful day in 1775, near the Old North Bridge east of Acton, the Provincial Officers held a council of war. As they separated, Davis exclaimed, "I haven't a man that is afraid to go," and he led his company of volunteers in the first organized attack upon the troops of King George III.
Captain Davis was born on February 23, 1745, at the place in West Acton known as the Jonathan B. Davis House. The son of Ezekiel Davis of Acton and Mary Gibson of Stow, Captain Davis married Hannah Brown of Acton on October 24, 1764. He died, fighting for his country and the principles of his belief at the youthful age of thirty, never knowing how fully his leadership changed the course of American history.
The state monument in Acton Centre is a familiar sight. It was erected, "In honor of Captain Isaac Davis and Privates Abner Hosmer and James Hayward, citizen soldiers of Acton and Provincial Minute Men who fell in the Concord Fight." Today the Acton Minute Man is a ghost of the past, a symbol of an heroic tradition.
Are there no Minute Men in this space age of 1958? Perhaps the spirit of these early heroes lives on. In a sense, one modern minute man is the Acton Volunteer Fireman. When the alarm is given, he must cease his occupation and rush to the site of a burning home, garage, field or forest.
As shown by our cover, the Acton fireman is ever on the alert, to fight and control fire; to save human life. It is a courageous spirit which never dies, a spirit formed by the qualities of the historic Minute Men and the leadership of Captain Isaac Davis of Acton.
ANNUAL REPORTS
TED
1735.
ACTON
Town of Acton MASSACHUSETTS
FOR ITS TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND MUNICIPAL YEAR
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST
1957
Murphy & Snyder, Inc., Maynard, Mass.
In Memoriam
To the memory of Aubrey C. Kretschmar, Jr., who served the Town as Selectman from March 4, 1957 to May 21, 1957. He was active in many phases of Town affairs and was former Chairman of the Planning Board and Vice President of SUASCO.
Mr. Kretschmar also served the town on the following committees: The Special Ad- visory School Building Committees, Finance Committee and in 1954 he was elected for a five-year term on the newly created Planning Board.
Mr. Kretschmar served as a Major in the Engineer Corps and was Post Engineer at Fort Devens and Camp Edwards, during World War II.
"Kretsch" as he was known by all who came in contact with him, was liked and respected by all who knew him. He was a hard and diligent worker for the town and its people. His memory will linger on in the minds of those who appreciate true worth.
In Memoriam
AUBREY C. KRETSCHMAR, JR.
Selectman Planning Board Town of Acton
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Selectmen's Report 5
a. Town Officers and appointments by Selectmen 8
b. Jury List 15
Town Report Committee
16
Pictures and Special Fire Department Report
17
Regular Fire Department Report
31
Police Department
33
Superintendent of Streets
37 40
Town Clerk's Report
Assessors
103
Collector 104
Treasurer 110
Accountant 125
State Auditor's Report 1956 140
150
Regular Library Report
153
Welfare 154
Department of Veterans' Services
156
Health
158
Planning Board 162
165
Cemetery Commissioners
167
Tree Warden 168
168
Recreation Commission
169
Building Committee
170
Archives Committee 171
Special Archives Committee Report
172
Industrial Development Committee Report 177
Acton Public School Committee Report
182
Acton-Boxborough Regional District School Committee Report 197
Personnel Board (Progress report)
219
List of National and State Officers (Inside of back cover)
Special Library Report
Special Planning Board Report
Reports of Various Funds
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
January 17, 1958
To the Citizens of the Town of Acton
We hereby submit reports of the several departments under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen. Reports of officers or committees not found in the Town Report are on file in our office and are open for inspection during regular office hours.
During the year 1957 regular meetings were held every week with the exception of the months of July and August when meetings were held every other week. In addition to these, 11 special meetings were held to consider pressing problems or perform work which could not be accomplished at a regular meeting.
Necessary warrants with articles were prepared for one Annual Town Meeting and five Special Town Meetings.
During the year construction work was completed on the new Acton-Boxboro Regional High School and this structure is now in full operation. We wish to extend our sincerest congratulations to all persons connected with this project and thank them for a job well done. In addition, contracts were let and work has been started on a new 20-room elementary school as well as a new fire house in West Acton to replace the present obsolete building.
We are placing articles in the Town Warrant for the purchase of a vehicle for the use of the Fire Chief, a new truck for the Highway Department and are also requesting a sufficient appropriation to enable us to trade one police cruiser every six months. We feel that a substantial saving in maintenance costs can be achieved by this policy besides enabling us to receive a much higher value for the old vehicle. We are also placing articles in the Town Warrant for painting the exterior of the Town Hall and for the construction of a conference room. In the past year the former kitchen has been remodelled into a large office for the Selectmen and this now enables us to meet with larger groups with much more ease and efficiency. A conference room is very much needed however for use by other Boards when conducting hearings etc.
5
We are including sufficient money in the Police Department budget to enable this department to go on a 40-hour week basis in accordance with the recommendation of the Per- sonnel Board whose report will be found elsewhere in this Town Report. This will require hiring two additional men but will enable us to have a schedule set up whereby there will be two men in a car on Friday and Saturday evenings. Recent developments have proven that this is a must for the proper protection of the Town. During the year Edward J. Collins, Jr. and Chauncey R. Fenton, Jr. were appointed to the permanent ranks of Chief and Sergeant respectively under Civil Service. We are also planning to send 2 men to the State Police School this year in an attempt to speed up this all important instruction to your police officers.
Proposed Chapter 90 reconstruction of Main Street from the vicinity of the Universalist Church to Prospect Street was held up when we were notified that the money appro- priated was insufficient to do the job. We are requesting additional money to be added to that already appropriated and intend to have this work done this year.
Your board feels that the Town should give considerable thought to the appointment of a paid Administrative Assist- ant to the Board of Selectmen. Such an office could result in a more efficient Town government and afford a savings to the taxpayers.
An early heavy snow storm has most forcibly brought to our attention the increasingly heavy snow removal problem facing the Highway Department by virtue of additional ac- cepted streets and the Regional High School Parking lot. To enable the Highway Department to efficiently operate on this most vital service it has been necessary for us to estab- lish a policy of not plowing unaccepted streets except in the event of extreme and proven emergency.
After a quarter of a century as Moderator we must re- luctantly accept the wishes of Albert Durkee not to be a candidate this year. On behalf of the Town we wish to express thanks to Mr. Durkee for his many years of patient and unfailing service to the Town of Acton.
The entire Town was greatly saddened this past spring by the sudden and untimely passing of Selectman Aubrey C. Kretschmar. Over the years Mr. Kretschmar had given
6
most freely of his time and efforts on many Town boards and we and the Town owe him a debt which could never be repaid.
In closing, your Board of Selectmen would like to extend its most sincere thanks for the excellent cooperation received from all Boards. We would also like to thank all the citizens of the Town as well for their great understanding and hely- fulness on countless occasions.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES D. MacPHERSON, LEO C. CUNNINGHAM, MARTIN S. MEIGS, JR., Board of Selectmen.
TOWN OFFICERS
Moderator Albert P. Durkee
Selectmen
Charles D. MacPherson Term Expires 1958
Leo C. Cunningham
Term Expires 1959
* Aubrey C. Kretschmar Term Expires 1960
** Martin S. Meigs, Jr. Term Expires 1960
* Deceased Elected to replace
Town Clerk
Town Treasurer
Charles M. MacRae
William Henry Soar
Assessors
Carl C. Flint
Term Expires 1958
Albert P. Durkee
Term Expires 1959
James W. Baker
Term Expires 1960
Town Collector Tree Warden
Charles M. MacRae
Franklin H. Charter
Board of Public Welfare
*A. Perry Marble Term Expires 1958
Clinton S. Curtis Term Expires 1959
Lossie E. Laird Term Expires 1960
** Raymond A. Gallant
Resigned
Elected to replace
Cemetery Commissioners
Howard F. Jones
Term Expires 1958
Harry E. Holt Term Expires 1959
Ray L. Harris Term Expires 1960
Constables
T. Frederick S. Kennedy
Chauncey R. Fenton, Jr.
Edward J. Collins, Jr. David W. Scribner
8
School Committee
George E. Neagle Term Expires 1958
Lloyd E. Williamson
Term Expires 1958
Thomas E. Wetherbee
Term Expires 1959
Evelyn N. MacLean
Term Expires 1959
Edmond J. McNiff
Term Expires 1960
Elizabeth H. Boardman
Term Expires 1960
Trustees of Memorial Library
Frederick T. Heyliger
Term Expires 1958
*Vesta B. Thompson
Term Expires 1959
Florence A. Merriam
Term Expires 1960
** Florence W. Durkee
Resigned Elected to replace
Board of Health
O. Lawrence Clark
Term Expires 1958
*Herbert L. Leusher Term Expires 1959
Martin J. Duggan
Term Expires 1960
** John W. Fish
Resigned Elected to replace
Planning Board
Frederick S. Whitcomb Term Expires 1958
*Aubrey C. Kretschmar
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