USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leicester > Town annual reports of officers of the town of Leicester, Massachusetts 1961 > Part 43
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
291
Headaches
154
Colds
143
Sore throats
84
Slivers
28
Swollen glands
24
Irritated eye
18
Convulsions
2
Bruised lips
32
Needle through finger
2
Nausea and vomiting
68
Concussions
5
107
ANNUAL REPORT
Vertigo
10
Chipped teeth
3
Fractures
3
Sprains - fingers, ankles
40
Earaches
32
Toothaches
84
Stomach aches
131
Head injuries - bumps
48
Impetigo
5
Ring worm
7
Eye injury
1
Lacerations - requiring sutures
6
Nicks on roof of mouth
1
Number of children taken to hospital for treatment
resulting from accidents in school 6
Grades I through VIII participated in a Dental Health Program.
Grades III participated in a tooth brush experiment.
Grades I through VI had their teeth examined by the State Hygienist.
The placement of students and classes in areas outside the regular school buildings increased this fall over a year ago. At the present time, through the generosity of our local church authorities, there are two classes in St. Joseph's school in Cherry Valley; three classes in the Federated Church hall in the Center, one class in St. Jude's Church hall in Dawn Acres, and one class in Christ Episcopal Church parish hall in Rochdale. We are very grateful for the privilege of occupying these areas. One class is assigned to the cafeteria at the Memorial School.
Next September, an additional room will be needed at both the Memorial and the Cherry Valley schools.
A problem exists at the present time that concerns the
108
ANNUAL REPORT
pupils of Cherry Valley school that are attending classes in the parochial school building on Boyd Street. Since the parochial school children are now attending classes in the new addition on the St. Joseph's Church property and the building on Boyd St. has been vacated as a school, it is nec- essary for the public school authorities to have a certificate of occupancy issued in their name to enable the public school children to remain in the building.
It is not known if it will be practical to make the neces- sary repairs to the building to continue to occupy the build- ing or if it will be necessary to relocate the classes.
Our public school facilities include twenty classrooms at the Memorial school, thirteen at the Center school, seven at Cherry Valley, and four at Rochdale for a total forty-four rooms for the elementary area.
If the enrollments in the primary grades remain con- stant, the following rooms will be needed by 1969:
Grade
Center School
Memorial School
Cher. Val. School
Rochdale School
1
3 rooms
1 room
2 rooms
1 room
2
3 rooms
1 room
2 rooms
1 room
3
3 rooms
1 room
2 rooms
1 room
4
3 rooms
1 room
2 rooms
1 room
5
3 rooms
1 room
2 rooms
1 room
6
0 rooms
5 rooms
2 rooms
0 rooms
7
0 rooms
7 rooms
0 rooms
rooms
8
0 rooms
7 rooms
0 rooms
rooms
Spec.
Class
1 room
2 rooms
0 rooms
0 rooms
Totals :
16 rooms
26 rooms
12 rooms
5 rooms-59
Rooms Available
13 rooms
20 rooms
7 rooms
4 rooms-44
Room Shortage 3 rooms
6 rooms
5 rooms
1 room -15
109
ANNUAL REPORT
According to this projection, there will be a room short- age in our schools of fifteen rooms in September of 1969.
Consideration should also be given to legislative de- mands that may be required as the result of the Willis- Harrington Report. These may concern a kindergarten pro- gram, central libraries, and pupil-teacher ratios. These pos- sible additional demands will increase our room require- ments.
Room shortages at the secondary level should also be carefully studied. Our high school was planned to accommo- date a maximum enrollment of five hundred students. There are now about five hundred and fifty pupils in the building and this number will increase as the larger enrollments of the elementary grades move into the building.
A great deal of assistance was given to this office when Mr. John E. Comer was appointed assistant superintendent of schools. His duties include the supervision of the cur- riculum and courses of study, transportation program, main- tenance of school property and control of the supplies and equipment, both educational and non-academic.
He has concentrated his efforts in curriculum improve- ment in the area of mathematics and the "new" or "modern" mathematics will be formally introduced in grades six, seven, and eight at the begining of the second semster. The program will be started in grades one through five next September.
The maintenance program has consumed a great deal of time, effort, and money. This is particularly true in the high school where roof leaks, furnace failures, and exit doors have been a constant source of trouble.
It is now necessary to repaint twenty classrooms or equivalent areas each year in order to maintain our sched- ule to repaint each area every five years.
110
ANNUAL REPORT
For several years there has been a problem at the Memorial School to keep the boltaflex firmly attached to the walls and to maintain the material in a clean appearing con- dition. The men of the maintenance department are now stripping the boltaflex from the walls and replacing it in the first floor corridors and in the stair wells with ceramic tile. When finished, this should reduce the maintenance cost and considerably improve the general appearance in the areas.
During the year a taped dictating system was installed in the office machine room of the commercial department of the high school. This system was designed and installed under the direction of and with the assistance of Dr. John F. Madden, head of the Commercial Department. The stu- dents can now have the benefits of practicing dictation from prepared tapes either individually or by groups at controlled speeds that will serve their individual or group abilities. Dr. Madden made this facility available to the students at less than one-quarter of the cost of a commercially installed unit.
The loss of experienced teachers and the increases in our teaching staff due to the growth in our enrollment has created a condition where many of our teachers have two full years of experience or less. As well trained as our younger teachers are and as enthusiastic as they approach their duties, plan their programs, and direct the class ac- tivities, it is reasonable to assume that these younger teach- ers will improve with experience and will soon reach the full capacity of their teaching potential. It is at this period that we lose too many of our promising young teachers and have to replace them with well-trained but inexperienced personnel.
At the present time, only fifty-nine percent of all our teachers are on tenure; forty-one percent are serving in a first, second, or third appointment.
It is very important that, if we are to maintain our ed-
111
ANNUAL REPORT
ucational standards and if we are to continue to provide the quality in our programs that the parents are entitled to ex- pect from us, something must be done to encourage our teachers to remain in Leicester.
Many factors have been adopted that are directed to this end. However, sixteen teachers terminated their services last year for various reasons.
To the members of the various organizations affiliated with our schools, school personnel, town officials, and to all who have assisted the schools, their programs and activi- ties, I offer my sincere and deep gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND F. TIERNEY, Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FINANCIAL REPORTS
DRUM CORPS
Balance January 1, 1965:
$ 309.96
Receipts :
Charlton
75.00
East Brookfield
160.00
Putnam, Conn.
150.00
Stiles Lake Association
50.00
New London, Conn.
85.00
Enfield
64.00
Charlton
125.00
Norwich, Conn.
65.00
Spencer
75.00
Paxton
100.00
949.00
1,258,96
112
ANNUAL REPORT
Expenditures : Annual Banquet Instruments
301.25
400.00
701.25
Balance to be carried into 1966:
$ 557.71
SCHOOL BAND
Balance January 1, 1965
$ 14.60
Expenditures
Instruments
14.60
NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT
Balance January 1, 1965
$1,291.52
Receipts : Title III
927.68
Balance to be carried into 1966:
$2,219:20
NEWHALL-SOUTHGATE FUND
Balance January 1, 1965
$ 354.41
Interest: June
113.59
December :
113.61
227.20
Balance to be carried into 1966:
$ 581.61
ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Balance January 1, 1965
$ 214.31
Receipts
2,183.33
2,397.64
Expenditures :
Football
$ 458.00
Basketball
1,031.32
Baseball
204.00
Track
15.00
113
ANNUAL REPORT
Girls' Basketball Softball
119.00
60.00
1,887.32
Balance to be carried into 1966:
$ 510.32
ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION
Balances
Accounts
Balances Jan. 1, 1965
Deposits
Payments Dec. 31, 1965
Activities Assn. $ 190.92
$ 66.00
$ 187.28
$ 69.64
Arrow
239.77
100.80
41.89
298.68
Class of 1965
1,061.38
3,877.10
4,938.48
.00
Class of 1966
257.65
1,350.55
711.14
897.06
Class of 1967
.00
449.00
211.44
237.56
Maroon
1,494.56
1,754.39
2,537.81
711.14
Totals :
$3,244.28
$7,597.84
$8,628.04
$2,214.08
Audio-Visual Education
618.00
Guidance
14,167.00
Attendance
70.00
Health
6,897.00
Transportation
85,971.00
Cafeteria
10,000.00
Athletics
5,225.00
Student Body Activities
2,060.00
Custodial Services
43,637.00
Heating
17,301.00
Utilities
18,552.00
SCHOOL FUNDS
Appropriation
$870,061.00
Expenditures : Administration-School Committee 309.00
Superintendent's Office 26,872.00
Principals' Offices 41,009.00
Teaching & Supplies
527,896.00
Textbooks
9,786.00
Library
6,914.00
114
ANNUAL REPORT
Maintenance of Grounds
646.00
Maintenance of Buildings
22,385.00
Maintenance of Equipment
1,489.00
Fixed Charges
1,500.00
Trans. to Non-Public Schools
280.00
Acquision of Equipment .. 3,992.00
Replacement of Equipment
2,668.00
Programs With Other Systems 12,521.00
862,765.00
$ 7,296.00
Held Over from 1964:
300.00
$ 7,596.00
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Expenditures :
$862,765.00
Receipts :
Chapter 69-Special Classes 20,110.00
Chapter 70-State Aid 121,323.00
Chapter 71-Transportation
66,006.00
Chapter 74
Vocational Education
5,916.00
Chapter 76-State Wards
11,789.00
Tuition
781.00
Miscellaneous
167.00
226,092.00
Actual cost of schools to town:
$636,673.00
115
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Tree Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Leicester:
As Tree Warden, I hereby submit the following report for the year of 1965.
A total of twenty-five (25) dead or dangerous trees were removed during the year. The treeplanting, and the trim- ming programs were curtailed this year, due to the work clearing up the Ice Storm damage.
The Ice Storm of Dec. 1964 did considerable damage to the trees in Leicester. Most all our efforts and money dur- ing 1965 were spent to repair the damage, and to clean up the many branches broken and hanging. It was found that a large Skyworker could best remove these broken branches. Many of our most heavily damaged streets were trimmed this way. Most of the work planned was completed.
In 1966 I recommended that dangerous trees be re- moved, that trimming of dead limbs, and new trees be plant- ed. That all calls be answered, and equipment kept in good repair ready to use in case of emergency.
I wish to thank all citizens, the Leicester Police De- partment, Massachusetts Electric Co. and all Town officials for their cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM DANIELS, JR. Tree Warden
116
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Moth Superintendent
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Leicester:
The Moth-Dutch Elm Department submits its 1965 re- port.
During the year 1965, the Moth-Dutch Elm Dept. did the following work.
In the month of June, 1965, we worked with the High- way Department on a "Poison Ivy, Ragweed, Brush Control Program." This was accomplished with the help of the fol- lowing -
The Highway Department constructed a tank and pump to use for spraying, and also supplied a truck and driver.
The New England Telephone and Massachusetts Elec- tric Companies donated the weed control materials, and the Moth-Dutch Elm Department supervised and supplied the operator.
It is my opinion that a great deal of progress in the Weed Brush Control was made, and that the program should be continued with even greater effort to control this nui- sance.
The State Department of Natural Resources alloted the town the use of two men and equipment to be used for Dutch Elm Disease Scouting. This crew stayed in Leicester three days and checked all of the Elm on public property. As a result of their check 56 trees were found to be diseased. 45 have been removed and destroyed and the remaining 11 will be removed in 1966. These 11 are the larger and more diffi- cult to remove but they will aso be cut down,
117
ANNUAL REPORT
The Moth-Dutch Elm Dept. hope The State Department
of Natural Resources will send a crew in 1966 to Leicester so the town will be able to keep up with Dutch Elm Disease Control.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. KEENAN Moth Supt.
118
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Fire Engineers
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Leicester:
The Board of Fire Engineers herewith submit their 93rd annual report :
ALARMS ANSWERED IN 1965
Alarms
Still
False
Total
Leicester Co. No. 1
51
5
3
59
Cherry Valley No. 2
33
0
3
36
Rochdale Co. No. 3
53
8
4
65
137
13
10
160
During the past year the old 1941 Engine 1 pumper truck in the Center was replaced by a new one in October. This new truck will be a great asset to the Town in fire fighting as it carries 500 gallons of water and will pump 700 gallons of water per minute. This truck was tested and accepted by the Fire Replacement and Purchasing Commit- tee and our thanks to them for a job well done.
The fire alarm box at the Home for the Elderly at 30 Pleasant Street has been connected to the Town fire alarm system and is working satisfactorily.
Again this year we were fortunate in not having to many large fires within the limits of the Town. We answered one out of Town fire call to help Spencer under the Mutual Aid Plan.
We recommend that the tar and gravel roof on the Conter S'ation be replaced this year. This roof is over 20 years old and has been patched many times during the past year to stop leaks.
119
ANNUAL REPORT
Our many thanks to the Board of Selectmen, to all members of the Police Department for their assistance in answering fire calls and sounding fire alarms, Forest Fire Warden and men, Civil Defense Department, to all members of each Company and their auxiliaries for their cooperation and call to duty regardless of time or weather and to all others who helped us during the past year.
IN MEMORIAM
During the past year Deputy Chief Stephen W. Parker from Rochdale passed away. He was a member of the Board of Fire Engineers for many years. He had the ability and respect of all members of the Fire Department and the Town and his passing will be felt by all of us.
Members of the Fire Department :
CENTER CO. NO. 1
Harold E. Lindberg, Chief
John C. Gelatt, Captain
J. Forrest Irish, Jr., Lieutenant Frederick Burnham
Paul Burnham Edward Cormier
Arthur Dorr
Paul Dorr (Resigned)
George Duquette
Joseph Griffin Everett Horne
J. Donald Lennerton
Norman Macleod
Peter Martinson
Joseph Martin Wendell Ring, Jr.
Lory Russell Milton Swenson Albin Wright
120
ANNUAL REPORT
CHERRY VALLEY CO. NO. 2
Edward F. Farrell, Deputy Chief
John Hickey, Captain
Arthur Smith, Lieutenant Maurice Berthiaume William Cullen
William Depatie
John Dolen
Robert Harris
Everett LaBree
Thomas Lemerise
Richard Lilley
Stanley Mason
John Moynagh
Joseph O'Brien
Robert Robinson
Gordon Wilson
ROCHDALE CO. NO. 3
William Kennedy, Deputy Chief
Walter Coonan, Captain
Kenneth Culver, Lieutenant
John Bradley
Douglas Cherry, Jr.
Karl Doane, Jr.
Francis Desautel
Lionel Dufault
Robert Giguerre
Jacob Menzeigian
Vincent Perodeau
Robert Perry
William Robidoux
Ray Southard
Noe Snay
Charles Woodcock Respectfully submitted, HAROLD E. LINDBERG, Chief WILLIAM KENNEDY, Clerk EDWARD F. FARRELL
----
121
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Forest Fire Warden
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Leicester :
The year 1965 was another year in our continuing drought situation, but with the weather against us, we had a very good year. The year ended with 166 fires and 22 calls of miscellaneous nature.
Again this year I received many calls from people whose wells had gone dry. I explained where they could obtain water as I could not deliver water because of the chemicals used in our tanks to supress fires.
Since the present forest fire truck is 17 years old and the maintenance is getting more costly each year, I am asking at the annual 1966 Town Meeting that the truck be replaced. I feel this is in the best interest of the Town.
The year 1965 also saw the purchase of a new portable radio which was a much needed piece of equipment as the old radio had been declared unserviceable by the F.C.C.
At this time, I wish to thank all town officials who as- sisted me this past year; also the Police Department for handling the alarms, the members of the three fire compa- nies, and the Civil Defense Department for their assistance.
J
1965 5
1964
1
4 1 2 F 1
13 M 12
A
29
47
40 19 14 M 36
9 1 J 6
J 22
A 5
4
23 5 13
5
1963
2
7
94 43
4
3
7
1 3 S
24 6 10 2 0 30 42 6 N 13 3
D
5
10
1962
1
3
1 5
Respectfully submitted, LORY C. RUSSELL
Forest Warden
122
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Board of Selectmen and Citizens of the Town of Leicester:
During the year 1965, the welfare costs exceeded the estimates largely for the reason of increased cases in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children category of as- sistance since an average monthly case load in this category was thirty-five cases, which was more than double the cases in 1964. The average monthly recipient count in this category rose sharply to one hundred twenty-seven. The new applica- tions for family cases during the year amounted to thirty- six, which reflects a very active turnover.
The average case load in Medical Assistance for the Aged was fifty-four cases as opposed to an average of from thirty-two to forty-two during 1961. There were twenty-one new applications processed during the year.
The Old Age Assistance case load remained at about fifty cases per month throughout the year with only ten new applications.
There were fourteen new applications for Disability Assistance during 1965 and the average monthly case load rose only from ten to eleven cases.
Although the average monthly case load in General Re- lief was six cases, there were actually thirty-seven cases aided during the year, which reflects a high percentage of activity in this category of assistance.
During the year 1965, $30,120.00 was paid for in-patient hospital care of a total expenditure of $123,045.00 for all medical needs. As usual, hospital costs, nursing home costs and practically all other medical costs were increased during the year. It is anticipated that they will rise further during the coming year.
123
ANNUAL REPORT
Effective in November, 1965, the Leisure Time Activity item in Old Age Assistance budgets was increased from $6.00 to $11.50 a month. However, this cost was partially offset by increased Social Security grants to the clients.
On July 30, 1965, President Johnson signed into law the Social Security Amendments to provide the following changes: (1) Health Insurance and Medical benfits, includ- ing Hospital Insurance Basic Plan and the Voluntary Sup- plementary plan; (2) Other Health Amendments for ma- ternal and Child Health Services, mental retardation plan- ning and for mental and TB diseases; (3) Social Security Cash benefits, 7% benefit increase, lower age for widows,, retirement test liberalization, child's benefits to age 22, dis- ability requirement changes, etc. (4) Public Assistance Amendments, allowing increased Federal matching, and other changes. The most significant and far-reaching change in Social Security was "Medicare" which was designed to provide more adequate medical care for persons 65 years of age and over. The basic hospital coverage will begin July 1, 1966 and the extended care services (nursing home or other qualified facilities) will be effective January 1, 1967. At this point, it is impossible to determine to what extent these Social Security changes will affect public assistance costs, although it is anticipated that there will definitely be a de- crease in the local costs. During 1966, the change will not be as great as in subsequent years, since the first benefits will not be effective until July 1, 1966.
On October 5, 1965, the Charlton Home Farm Associa- tion was dissolved by a unanimous vote of the member towns. Earlier in the year, the Town of Leicester received its full share of the proceeds realized in the sale of the property in Charlton.
Respectfully submitted,
STELLA E. CRESWELL, Director
---- ---
124
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Selectmen
The Board of Selectmen presents the following report for the year 1965.
Weekly meetings were held on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Welfare meetings were held periodically, usually on the last Wednesday of the month. Members of the Board of Selectmen attended all budget meetings held by the Ad- visory Board, and held many special meetings during the year as the business of the town required.
The following list of equipment was purchased during the year : one International Harvester truck, one sander, one police cruiser, one fire truck for Center Company.
The first phase of a three year program to resurface streets of the town with "S-T mix," a hot top asphalt in place of oil and sand was completed, covering approximately 4.3 miles of streets. The second and third phases will be completed in the next two years. It is expected that this pro- gram will cut down the cost of maintenance of our streets.
1100 feet of new construction on Route 56, Pleasant Street was completed under the Chapter 90 Construction program, carrying the new construction as far as Clark Street. The town expects to remove the bad curve on Staf- ford Street west of Auburn Street under the same program in 1966.
Twelve land damage cases on Route 56 wer settled out of court by the board, three cases were settled by court de- cision and we have three cases now pending in court on this same Route 56.
One addition to the Town By-Laws, sponsored by the board was approved by the voters, making it illegal to store more than two unregistered cars on one parcel of land, with the exception of farm vehicles. It is expected that this by- law, along with the policy of taxing unregistered vehicles as personal property, will help to remove many small illegal junk yards that mar the beauty of our town.
125
ANNUAL REPORT
Action between the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Registrars, resulted in the town approving the formation of a new Precinct 4, which will give the town four precincts of approximately the same size. The new precinct was formed by splitting the old Precinct 1.
This year, as in 1964, money was provided from the budgets of the Selectmen and the Advisory Board, to enable any of the elected or appointed officials to attend the Semi- nar on Municipal Government, held at Clark University. Several officials of the town took advantage of this oppor- tunity to attend.
In October the board held its second annual round table meeting of department and committee heads at Hillcrest Country Club, with a dinner and Dr. Zimmerman of Clark University speaking on Municipal Government. Also prob- lems facing the town were taken up and discussed at length.
In October, Chief of Police Edward McDonald resigned his post to return to the Worcester Police Department. Sear- geant Patrick Padden was appointed Provisional Chief until an examination can bet set up under Civil Service to appoint a new Chief.
The Board of Selectmen wishes to thank the people of Leicester for allowing them to serve as Selectmen for the year 1965.
Many thanks go to all the elected and appointed officials for their efforts in behalf of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
WESLEY A. PROCTOR, Chairman ALBERT E. BERTHIAUME GERALD F. GUILFOYLE ALFRED L. NASH ARTHUR M. WILLIAMSON, JR. Leicester Board of Selectmen
126
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Health Nurse
For the Financial Year Ending December 31, 1965 Polio Clinics :
March 20
10.00
May 15 10.00
Polio work posters etc. - 4 hrs.
8.00
Premature Baby Visits - 8 - 7 hrs. 14.00
Pre-Natal Visits - 3 - 4 hrs.
8.00
Tuberculosis Cases Visited - 1 - 2 hrs. 4.00
Tuberculosis Tine Testing and follow ups - 9 hrs. 18.00
Number of Home Visits - 5 - 4 hrs. 8.00
School Hours - 2271/2 hrs. 554.00
1. Children weighed and measured 350
2. School Health Examinations 70
3. Vision Test 350
4. Hearing Tests 350
5. Tine Tests, Public & Parochial 290
Immunization Clinics :
Tetnus, Diptheria, Pertussis, Trivalent Sabin
Oral Polio Vaccine
Octo. 9
10.00
Nov. 6
10.00
Dec. 4 10.00
School Immunization - 53 hrs. 106.00
Mileage - 948 miles 66.36
836.36
Respectfully submitted,
MRS, ELIZABET McNEIL, R.N.
Public Health Nurse
127
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Assessors
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
In accordance with Chapter 3, Section 3 of the Town By- Laws we herewith report the value of the Town owned property.
REAL ESTATE
Town Garage (Peter Salem Rd.) $ 51,500.00
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.