Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960, Part 43

Author: Acton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1150


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1956-1960 > Part 43


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124


581.00


Surety Bonds 700.00


125


101.30


Archives Committee - Expenses


150.00


126


4,049.82


Fire Insurance - Town Buildings


5,300.00


127


579.16


Boiler and Machinery Insurance ..


700.00


128


2,167.60


Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance


3,000.00


129


633.26


Memorial Day


700.00


130


239.86


Miscellaneous


1,000.00


131


$13,220.19


Total Other Classified Expenses .. $18,200.00


PENSIONS .55% OF TOTAL


132


$5,198.78


Pension Fund


$6,138.72


133


251.60


Expenses


262.40


134


21.52


Military Service Fund


35.17


135


$5,471.90


Total Pensions $6,436.29


MATURING DEBT AND INTEREST 14.47% OF TOTAL


Regional School


136 $30,400.00


Maturing Debt


$30,400.00


137 37,064.25 Interest 34,912.50


Item


Expended 1959


15


disposing of the Old South Acton School Building so-called, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $1,800.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 17. 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, to be expended by the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of demolishing or otherwise disposing of the Old West Acton School Building so-called, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $1,800.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a power mower, or take any other action relative thereto.


Recommendation will be made later.


Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $200.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a Fluid Duplicator for the several Departments and Committees of the Town, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $200.00 be appropriated from Surplus Revenue.


Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $200.00 as its contribution to the West and South Water Supply District of Acton toward the cost of extending a six- inch water main from Hosmer Street to the Acton town dump on Massachusetts Avenue, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $200.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of


16


$464.00, or any other sum, for the purchase and installation of sixteen (16) speed limit signs, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $464.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $7,000.00, or any other sum, for Chapter 90 Construction of Powder Mill Road and Main Street; said money to be used in conjunction with $7,000.00 to be allotted by the County and $14,000.00 to be allotted by the State, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $7,000.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate from the Surplue Revenue Account the amount of the State's and County's allotments for highways under Chapters 81 and 90; provided that the reimbursement be credited back to the Surplus Revenue Account, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $41,875.00 be appropriated from Surplus Revenue.


Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,000.00, or any other sum, to complete the ledge work on Taylor Road, started last year under Article 34 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $3,000.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $125.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a five-drawer filing cabinet for the Treasurer and Collector, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $125.00 be appropriated from Surplus Revenue.


17


Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $400.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of an adding machine for the Treasurer and Collector, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $400.00 be appropriated from Surplus Revenue.


Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $750.00, or any other sum, for the purchase and installation of three sets of swings which sets of swings are to be installed at the three playgrounds in Acton, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Recreation Commission)


Recommendation will be made later.


Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $12,000.00, or any other sum, for the construction of two tennis courts, one at the playground in Acton Center, and one at the playground in South Acton, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Recreation Commission)


Recommendation will be made later.


Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to purchase, take by eminent domain or otherwise acquire for the Town for use as a refuse disposal area a parcel of land, believed to belong to the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, containing approximately 10.5 acres of land, which property is located on the Northerly side of Route 2 and adjacent to the present Town refuse disposal area, and to see if the Town will appropriate money therefor, to be provided by taxation, by appropriation from available funds or by borrowings under Chapter 44 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Board of Health)


Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,000.00, or any other sum, to purchase and install a 200


18


ft. Chain link fence at the Town Dump, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Board of Health)


Recommendation will be made later.


Article 31. 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 surveying, laying out new sections for Cemetery lots, making new maps of the Cemeteries and to authorize the Cemetery Commis- sioners to do anything necessary, proper and expedient for carrying out the above purposes, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Cemetery Commissioners)


Recommendation will be made later.


Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $2,000.00, or any other sum, for the payment of vocational tuition and transportation according to the provisions of Chapter 74 of the General Laws, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by School Departments)


The Finance Committee recommends $2,000.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 33. 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, to establish a special Water Safety Account for the support of the Water Safety Pro- gram which is jointly sponsored by the Red Cross and the School Department, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by School Department)


The Finance Committee recommends $500.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to accept the gift of $2,500.00 to it under the provision of Article Third 1 (f) of The A. B. Conant Trust, and to see if the Town will accept the provisions contained in said article, which reads as follows :


Article Third "Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2500) to the Town of Acton, the income only to be used


19


for the purposes connected with the High School of said Town."


Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $2,500.00, or any other sum, for the purpose of resurfacing the parking area and driveway at the Town Hall, or take any other action relative thereto.


Recommendation will be made later.


Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $900.00, or any other sum, to construct a sidewalk in front of the South Acton Congregational Church on School Street, or take any other action relative thereto. (Requested by Executive Board of the South Acton Congregational Church)


The Finance Committee does not recommend passage of this article.


Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $175.00, or any other sum, for the purchase of a copying machine for the Town Office, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends that $175.00 be appropriated from Surplus Revenue.


Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to pay the following unpaid bills incurred in the year 1959.


Henry E. Keenan, for services rendered to the Town of Acton in appraisal of the fair market value of Parcels 30, 35 and 37, Main Street, South Acton, Massachusetts, formerly owned by Richard T. Kelley and Rose M. Kelley, and subsequently taken by eminent domain and appropriated to the public use. $375.00


John J. Sheehan for legal services rendered to the Town of Acton in connection with Middlesex Superior Court Case, Equity Number 21563, Town of Acton and Charles D. MacPherson, Martin S. Meigs, and Lawrence Donnelly, Board of Selectmen


20


of Acton vs. Real Estate Co-Operative, Inc. and John J. McGloin. $520.95


The Finance Committee recommends that these amounts be raised and appropriated.


Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $1,500.00 to be paid to Richard T. Kelley and Rose M. Kelley as compensation for damages incurred by the taking by eminent domain and appropriation to the public use of Parcels 30, 35 and 37 as shown on a Plan of the Relocation of a Portion of Main Street, Acton as ordered by the County Commissioners 1958 and duly recorded with the Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 9138, page 533.


The Finance Committee recommends that $1,500.00 be raised and appropriated.


Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the small Cemetery Surplus Fund to the Perpetual Care Fund in accordance with the recommendations of the Trust Fund Committee, or take any other action relative thereto.


Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to replace Article 1 of Section 1 of the Town By-Laws, dated March 8, 1926, with the following; or take any other action relative thereto.


All business of the annual meeting, except the elec- tion of Town officers, shall be held on the first Monday in March of each year. This meeting shall determine such matters as are required by law. The Board of Selectmen shall set the time and the place for the annual meeting.


(Inserted by Planning Board)


Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to replace Article 2 of Section 1 of the Town By-Laws, dated March 8, 1926, with the following; or take any other action relative thereto.


The election of Town officers shall take place on the second Monday of March of each year. The Board of Selectmen shall set the location of the polling places and the polling hours.


(Inserted by the Planning Board)


21


Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds the sum of $3,000.00, or any other sum, to be spent over a two-year period by the Planning Board to continue the survey of drainage in the Town, or take any other action relative thereto. (Inserted by Planning Board)


The Finance Committee recommends that $1,000.00 be raised and appropriated for this purpose during the current year.


Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by adding the following paragraph to Section I - Continued Non- Conforming Use of Land and Buildings and Temporary Uses, or take any other action relative thereto.


Change of Non-Conforming Use: The Board of Appeals may permit non-conforming use to be changed to any specific use not substantially differ- ent in character or objectionable to a neighborhood.


Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section II-3 of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out paragraph 3 and substituting the following, or take any other action relative thereto.


3. Signs


a. In the interests of public safety, the following practices are prohibited :


1. Any sign or advertising device protruding or extending over public property.


2. Any flashing illuminated sign or advertising device.


3. Any sign or advertising device with moving parts.


4. Any sign or advertising device hung on or otherwise affixed to any other sign or adver- tising device.


5. Any noise-making sign or advertising device.


6. Any swinging sign or advertising device.


7. In addition, the illumination of a sign must be controlled so as to avoid the casting of beams therefrom, directly or indirectly into the eyes of persons driving vehicles on the highways.


22


b. No signs or advertising devices of any sort or description may be erected or affixed in any loca- cation, except that:


1. In a Residential and Agricultural District the following are permitted


A. Signs pertaining to the lease, sale or use of a lot, or buildings provided that such signs not larger than a total area of six (6) square feet, are permitted.


B. Not more than two signs of two square feet each, pertaining to the use to which a dwelling is put, having the name of the occupant and/or the designation of any authorized occupation permitted in a Resi- dential and Agricultural District, are per- mitted.


2. In a Business District not more than one sign is permitted at each place of business, to advertise the type of business, the occupation or trade carried on, or the principal product or service sold. For the purposes of this sec- tion, two similar signs, back to back, so as to face in opposite directions, shall be considered as one sign. A business facing on two streets shall be permitted one sign on each street.


3. In an Industrial District the same rules and regulations shall apply as in a Business Dis- trict.


c. In Business and Industrial Districts no signs shall be erected until approved by the Board of Select- men and licensed by it. Application for a license shall be accompanied by a detailed drawing, done to scale showing the proposed sign together with the proposed scheme of colors. The license fee shall be $2.00. Prior to issuing a license for a sign the Board of Selectmen shall give due con- sideration not only to the location, general appear- ance, and the public safety as outlined in Section II 3a, above, but also to determine conformation with the general architectural style prevalent in the area in which it is to be located.


d. Each sign may be licensed for a specific period of time if the Board of Selectmen deems that this is in the best interests of the Town.


23


e. Temporary Signs may be erected as follows:


1. To warn against contagious disease


2. To warn against danger


3. To insure silence where serious illness exists.


Such temporary signs shall be removed as soon as the need ceases. No license fee shall be required for these Temporary Signs.


Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to add a new paragraph, numbered 8, to Section VI of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton as follows, or take any other action relative thereto.


8. Penalties: The penalties for violation of this By-Law shall be as follows :


For the first offense - $50.00


For the second offense - $100.00


For each subsequent offense - $200.00


Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to amend Section III -1 of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton by striking out the words "or two families" and sub- stituting "family" in paragraph 'a' of this section, and by striking out the words "three or more" and substituting "two or more" in paragraph 'b' of this section, or take any other action relative thereto.


Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to add new sections, numbered 4 and 5, to Section IV, Business District, of the Protective Zoning By-Law of the Town of Acton as follows, or take any other action relative thereto.


4. Parking Area. A suitable parking area must be pro- vided off the public ways for all automobiles used by persons within the business, as well as for a reasonable number of automobiles of customers, clients or other persons patroniz- ing the business establishment. The formula for determining the proposed number of parking spaces required shall be submitted to the Selectmen at the same time that the application for a building permit is submitted to Building Inspector, required under the Building By-Law of the Town of Acton.


5. Off-Street Loading Facilities. Off-street loading facili- ties must be provided and be of sufficient area to keep the public way clear.


24


Article 49. To see whether the Town will raise and appropriate or appropriate from available funds a sum not exceeding $95,000.00 for the Stabilization Fund, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends approval of this article.


Article 50. To see whether the Town will authorize pay- ment from the Stabilization Fund to Acton-Boxborough Regional School District of a sum not exceeding $95,000.00 for the purpose of paying the Town's proportional share of a contribution toward the cost of constructing an addition to the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School building, sub- ject to the approval of the Emergency Finance Board, or take any other action relative thereto.


The Finance Committee recommends approval of this article.


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 as aforesaid.


Given under our hands at Acton this second day of February, 1960.


CHARLES D. MacPHERSON, LAWRENCE DONNELLY, MARTIN S. MEIGS, Jr., Selectmen of Acton.


SECTION C


Acton School Department Report and Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Report 73


73


THE TOWN OF ACTON


REPORT OF ACTON SCHOOL DEPARTMENT AND ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT


ORGANIZATION


Acton School Committee


Mrs. Evelyn N. MacLean, Chairman Term Expires 1962


Mr. Thomas E. Wetherbee, Secretary Term Expires 1962


Mrs. Elizabeth H. Boardman Term Expires 1960


Mr. Edmond J. McNiff Term Expires 1960


Mr. George E. Neagle Term Expires 1961


Mr. Lloyd E. Williamson Term Expires 1961


Acton-Boxborough Regional District School Committee


Mr. George E. Neagle, Chairman Term Expires 1961


Miss Margaret A. Shea, Vice-Chairman Term Expires 1960


Mrs. Elizabeth H. Boardman Term Expires 1960


Dr. Joseph H. Hartshorn Term Expires 1962


Mrs. Evelyn N. MacLean Term Expires 1962


Mr. Edmond J. McNiff Term Expires 1960


Mr. John A. M. Smith


Term Expires 1961


Mr. Thomas E. Wetherbee Term Expires 1962


Mr. Lloyd E. Williamson


Term Expires 1961


Meetings of the School Committees


The Acton School Committee holds regular meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month and the Regional School Committee meets on the second and fourth Mondays. Both groups convene at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School at 7:30 P. M.


Tel.


Superintendent of Schools, William L. O'Connell 3-7738


Director of Guidance, Miss Ruth R. Proctor 3-7738


School Physician, Paul P. Gates, M.D. 3-5671


School Nurse, Miss Barbara A. Clemence 3-7738


Secretaries :


Mrs. Frances Anderson, Julia L. McCarthy-Marion L. Towne School 3-4982


Mrs. Priscilla Felt, Superintendent's Office 3-7738


Mrs. Jane Lewis, High School Principal's Office 3-7738


Mrs. Mary Ott, Acton Elementary School


3-4181


Miss Clarke Reese, High School Principal's Office 3-7738


Mrs. Anne Tatler, Guidance Department 3-7738


Attendance Officer, Mr. Louis Leveroni 3-4982


74


224th ANNUAL REPORT OF


Principals:


Julia L. McCarthy-Marion L. Towne School


Mrs. Margaret H. Barrett 3-4982


Acton Elementary School Mrs. Carolyn T. Douglas 3-4181


Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Mr. Raymond J. Grey


3-7738


Director of Cafeterias, Mrs. Anne H. Rimbach 3-7977


Cafeteria Staffs:


Julia L. McCarthy-Marion L. Towne School:


Mrs. Martha Lowden, Manager


Mrs. Edith Dale


Mrs. Anna Foley


Mrs. Laura Fullonton


Mrs. Martha Jeanson


Acton Elementary School:


Mrs. Helen Worrall, Manager


Mrs. Pauline Allen


Mrs. Virginia Manion


Mrs. Frances Sindoris


Mrs. Mary Zimmer


Acton-Boxborough Regional High School:


Mrs. Meimi Fullonton, Manager


Mrs. Barbara Bentsen


Mrs. Lucille Cunningham


Mrs. Elinor Dorr


Mrs. Louise Garceau


Mrs. Barbara Hughes


Mrs. Florence Van Horn


Custodians


Julia L. McCarthy-Marion L. Towne School: Mr. Ole Garthe Mr. Louis Leveroni Acton Elementary School: Mr. Robert Graham Mr. Paul Richardson


Acton-Boxborough Regional High School: Mr. Richard Allen Mr. Timothy Hennessey Mr. Emery Nelson Mr. Russell Wolfe


75


THE TOWN OF ACTON


SCHOOL CALENDAR


Reopening of All Schools, January 4, 1960


Winter Recess, February 22 - 26


Spring Recess, April 18 - 22


Memorial Day, May 30


Close of Acton Public Schools, June 10


Close of School, Grades 7 and 8, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, June 10


Graduation, June 10


Close of School, Grades 9, 10, 11, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, June 17 (weather permitting)


Summer Recess


Teachers' Meetings, September 6


Reopening of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Grades 7 - 12, September 7


Reopening of Acton Public Schools, Grades 1 - 6, September 8 Columbus Day, October 12


Visiting Day (Workshop), October 28 Veterans' Day, November 11


Thanksgiving Recess, Noon November 23, 24, 25


Christmas Holidays, December 23, 1960 - January 2, 1961


Reopening of All Schools, Tuesday, January 3, 1961


Winter Recess, February 20 - 24


Spring Recess, April 17 - 21


Memorial Day, May 30


Close of Acton Public Schools, Grades 1 - 6, June 9


Close of School, Grades 7 and 8, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, June 9 Graduation, June 9


Close of School, Grades 9, 10, 11, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, June 16


NO SCHOOL SIGNAL


1-1 - 1 - 1 7:15 A. M. No School Acton Public Schools-Grades 1 - 6


2 - 2 - 2 - 2 7:00 A. M. No School All Schools All Day


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS - 1959


TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND CITIZENS OF ACTON:


Herewith is presented my annual report as Superintendent of Schools for Acton and the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District. From the following graphs and charts I have attempted to give a complete picture of the future needs for both the Town of Acton and the Acton- Boxborough Regional School District.


76


224th ANNUAL REPORT OF


60


250


1962


/1961


1963


1964


100


50


1960


1961


1962


1963


1964


1965


TOTAL


1332


Pre Primary Enrollment


The annual census taken by the senior class in October 1959 shows that as of that date there will be 1332 pre-primary children who will be entering our grade schools in the next six years. This is an increase of over 250 children since the census was taken in October 1958.


200


150


77


THE TOWN OF ACTON


Projected Enrollment Grades 1 - 6


1964


1963


1962


1961


1960


1000


1,100


1,200


1,300


1,400


This illustration shows that by 1964 there will be 1400 pupils in Grades 1 - 6. This does not allow for any transfer students or new families moving into Acton in the next six years. These figures report children who are now enrolled in our schools and those who will be entering our first grade according to the pre-primary school census.


78


224th ANNUAL REPORT OF


Projected Enrollment Grades 7 - 12 Actor - Boxborough Regional High School


1964


1963


1962


1961


1960


700


150


800


850


006


950


0001


This chart shows that there will be enrolled in the regional high school by 1964 over 1000 children. This projected enrollment is figured on children who are now in the Acton and Boxborough Public Schools and who will be entering the regional school in the next six years. These figures do not take into consideration any transfer children into the regional high school or any new families that will be moving into the two towns during this period of time.


THE TOWN OF ACTON


79


TIES 10$


O.G.


4


DEGREE


ARMY


MARINES


20


15


10


5


1


51


number of Graduates


Schools leading


to Bachelor's Degna


other schools


beyond secondARY


school


P.G or


Private preparatory


School


Clerical and


sales work


Armed SERVICES


Mechanical Work


MANUAL Work


Follow Up 1959 Graduates -


Each year more and more graduates are continuing their education either at a four-year college, or nursing schools, junior colleges and business schools. This trend will continue not only in this school, but also in all high schools in the country. For example, in our regional high school over 60% of the freshman class is enrolled in the college course.




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