Town annual reports of the officers of the town of Pepperell, Mass 1954, Part 4

Author: Pepperell (Mass.)
Publication date: 1954
Publisher: [Pepperell, Mass.] : [Town of Pepperell]
Number of Pages: 198


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Pepperell > Town annual reports of the officers of the town of Pepperell, Mass 1954 > Part 4


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Expenditures


Towers Motor Parts - Lights &


Batteries


$ 35.32


Nashua Auto Co. -- Parts 27.40


Pentland Pontiac Corp. - Labor & Parts 24.30


Towers Motor Parts - Brackets 6.00


Hope Rubber Co., Inc. - Indian Pump


52.20


$145.22


Pay Roll


George E. Boutwell - Warden $ 50.00


William A. Straitiff - Dep. Warden 10.00


Harold Olsen - Dep. Warden 10.00


67


Francis Melendy - Dep. Warden


10.00


$ 80.00


Wages for Fire Fighters


$372.00


$372.00


Total Balance


$597.22


2.78


$600.00 Respectfully submitted GEORGE BOUTWELL Forest Warden


FIRE ALARM CHANGEOVER


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Report of Alarm Change Over.


$2,500.00


Expenditures


Townell - Printing Fire Cards $ 42.00


De Mabro - Sound Phone


19.24


W. E. Sherwood - Labor 46.50


Geo. Boutwell - 36 keys


9.00


N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co. - Installation


75.04


Earl Davis & Son - Labor 15.25


Geo. Boutwell - 2 months Alarm


200.00


407.03


407.03


Balance $2,092.97


Respectfully submitted,


GEORGE E. BOUTWELL


ARTHUR STRAITIFF


.


Engineers


68


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


In submitting this our Annual Report we wish to thank all who have helped in the work of our department; the Board of Selectmen, Mrs. Saunders, Mr. Burney, Mr. McGrath, Mr. Blood and Mr. McClain.


During the year a new chain link fence has been in- stalled on the West side of Woodlawn Cemetery, a distance of 310 feet at a cost of $417. We hope to make a similar installation on the East side of Woodlawn Cemetery this year, a distance of approximately 380 feet. We plan to repair and paint the white picket fence along Heald Street which should put it in good condition for a number of years.


The excessive fall of rain has cost the department much more for mowing the Cemeteries than previous years. The hurricanes caused considerable damage in both Ceme- teries, requiring an additional expenditure of approxi- mately $200. One large maple tree in Walton Cemetery had to be removed and fortunately only one headstone was broken and that at its base so it could be replaced.


The extra labor caused by the hurricanes curtailed the work planned on the drives in Woodlawn Cemetery.


Many sunken graves were filled and reseeded, an ex- pense which will be be eliminated in a few years by the use of vaults or liners.


The woodwork on the toolhouse and tomb should be painted.


In Woodlawn Cemetery we are developing a section


69


for single and two grave lots, which will soon be available.


We recommend the following appropriation :


Cemeteries


$1,900.00


Soldiers' Graves 400.00


Concrete Liners


200.00


Total


$2,500.00


A complete summary of receipts and expenditures may be found in the report of the Town Accountant.


Respectfully submitted, LEROY A. SHATTUCK


HAROLD B. OLSEN


RAY M. NEWELL


Cemetery Commissioners


70


REPORT OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE


The Middlesex County Extension Service is a publicly supported, educational institution to serve all the towns of the county in agriculture and home economics. In agri- culture the work is developed county-wide under the direc- tion of county councils made up of leading farmers in each of the main commodities as vegetables, fruit, poultry, dairy- ing, livestock, and commercial flowers. A county bulletin is mailed monthly to all cooperating farmers, and timely information is furnished by circular letter, by radio, by telephone and by personal interview, and particular infor- mation is sent to those who request it.


Fruit Growers John Marks and Harold Olsen are worked with. Home owners' problems received by the Extension Service are numerous.


Information and assistance was made available to all dairy and livestock producers in this area. Farm visits, circular letters, radio talks and local meetings were all employed as means of assisting the local farmers to better understand and keep abreast of the many changes in agri- cultural techniques.


The official dairy cow testing program in the area is directly supervised by the Livestock Agent and includes the service of complete record keeping on the production and feeding of dairy cows. All farmers in the area have available the services of the Artificial Breeding Program through the local Association, and a soil testing laboratory is maintained to serve all farmers or landowners who desire a soil analysis to determine the fertility of their soil.


Mr. Harold Olsen is a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the Extension Service. He is a director of the County Selective Breeding Association and is very active in livestock activities, along with George Nichols, John


71


Blood and William Townsend. Mr. Herbert Sweet, man- ager of Twin Valley Farm, is a supervisor of the County Soil Conservation District.


Service was extended through the Extension Poultry Program in three primary areas: the poultry flock, its care and improvement, breeding, feeding, health, and man- agement; poultry products, their care and disposition, pro- cessing, storage, merchandising, pricing, and consumer information ; and the farmer, his farm and family, and agri- culture, business management, youth work, and assistance to organizations. T. W. Day, Sweetwood Farm, was a member of the Poultry Advisory Committee. The Exten- sion Service cooperated with the Minuteman Turkey Asso- ciation and Middlesex County Poultry Association in holding meetings.


Mrs. Austin King, Town Chairman, organized eight 4-H Clubs in Pepperell during the past year. Sixty-seven boys and girls were enrolled in these Clubs. Leaders con- ducting these Clubs were Mrs. Howard Wood, Mr. Andrew Wilbur, Mr. Harold Olsen, Mr. Austin King, Mrs. Chris Kimball, Mr. George Keyes, Mrs. Laurie Gray, Marlene LaRochelle, Betty Farmer, and Mrs. William Brown.


Four Club members attended Camp Middlesex during the summer. Marlene LaRochelle was a Junior Counselor at Camp Middlesex during the girls' camping season.


Home Demonstration Agents solve problems in home- making: foods, nutrition, canning, freezing, clothing, home furnishings and management, family life, family and com- munity recreation. A monthly letter is sent to all who re- quest it. Mrs. Leslie W. Smith and Mrs. Robert Belknap are members of the Women's Advisory Council. "Teaching Children About Money," "Family Stability in Our World," furniture refinishing, lampshade making were programs presented during 1954.


TRESCOTT T. ABELE


72


REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE LAWRENCE LIBRARY


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The Trustees of the Lawrence Library respectfully submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1954.


Organization


Chairman, George A. Schultz Secretary, Beatrice Parker


Executive Committee


George A. Schultz John R. Shugert Amos J. Mahony


Finance Committee


George A. Schultz John R. Shugert Amos J. Mahony


Book Committee


Beatrice Parker Ethel Clarke Ruth Caldwell


We have again been able by careful budgeting to keep expenses within the funds allotted us and have been able to pay all bills including those for January, 1955. Conse- quently, we are not asking for any increase in our appro- priation for the year 1955.


The Story Hour is continuing with increased attend- ance and we wish to express our appreciation to the follow- ing Mothers in this connection :- Mrs. C. H. Waterous, Mrs. James McClellan, Mrs. J. R. Shugert and Mrs. Frank Balch. We are definitely making arrangements to go ahead with a permanent children's room and are at present checking as to suitable equipment.


We are very fortunate in having the services of Mrs.


73


Claire Tower, Mrs. Alice Knight, Mrs. Elizabeth Taft and Mr. Adney Gray. Their interest and cooperation is highly appreciated by everyone.


It has been many years since any major improve- ments have been made in the Town Library. We find in checking our records it has been approximately twenty- five years since the Library has been painted, and now that we have the leaks in the roof repaired we are recom- mending that the interior be painted. We have been receiv- ing many complaints regarding the antiquated lighting system in the Library and we feel this should be replaced with modern wiring and fixtures.


It has been very gratifying to note the increasing in- terest in the Library this past year.


Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. SCHULTZ


Chairman


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN OF THE LAWRENCE LIBRARY


January 1, 1955


To the Trustees of the Lawrence Library, the Librarian respectfully submits the following report for 1954.


Circulation


Number of days the library was open 205


Number of new patrons registered in 1954 91


Number of books and magazines circulated 16,186


74


Classified Circulation of Books and Magazines - Adults


General works


3


Fine arts


161


Philosophy


49


Literature


362


Religion


39


History


264


Social Science


83


Travel


429


Philogy


3


Biography


546


Science


65


Fiction


8,331


Useful arts


183


Magazines


1,854


Classified Circulation of Books - Juvenile


General works


0


Fine arts 94


Religion


19


Literature 65


Social Science


125


History


33


Philogy


1


Travel


42


Science


101


Biography


79


Useful arts


144


Fiction


3,101


The adult circulation was 12,382 and shows a gain over last year. The juvenile circulation of 3,804 also shows a gain.


Through Inter-Library Loan we have borrowed 24 books from other libraries. We have added 324 books to our collection, slightly less than last year, but increasing publishing costs make it unavoidable. Seven of these were reference books, 268 by purchase and 49 by gift.


List of Magazines for 1954


American Magazine


New York Herald Tribune Book Review


Atlantic Monthly


Better Homes and Gardens


Book Review Digest


New York Times Book Review g.


Booklist


Newsweek


Child Life


Our Dumb Animals g.


Christadelphian Herald g.


Pepperell Free Press Photoplay


Consumer's Research Bulletin g.


Popular Mechanics


75


Education Digest g. Fortune g. Holiday House Beautiful


Reader's Digest


Rotarian g.


Saturday Evening Post


Saturday Review g.


Ladies' Home Journal


School Arts


Life


McCall's Magazine


Mademoiselle


National Geographic


Time Today's Health U. S. News & World Report g. Woman's Home Companion g-gift


The Children's Story Hour is continued in our program this year and shows an increased attendance. The mothers also have been cooperative, as we now have four who are contributing their time to story telling. I wish to express my appreciation for the continued interest.


This year, for the first time, we are a member of a Regional Reciprocal Loan Plan of 18 participating libraries in this section. It enables approved borrowers to hold a card to borrow direct from other libraries, and we hope it will be beneficial to our advanced students as well as for those taking special courses.


Respectfully submitted, CLARE L. TOWER


Librarian


REPORT OF TREASURER OF THE LAWRENCE LIBRARY


Cash on Hand Jan. 1, 1954 595.90


Income from Securities : Northern Pacific R. R. Bonds 300.00 New York Central R. R. Bonds 245.00


76


Detroit River Tunnel Bonds 180.00


Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Bonds 100.00


Shawmut National Bank of Boston 165.55


First National Bank of Boston


127.20


Interest on Government Bonds


576.50


Sale of Government Bonds Matured


5,000.00


Worcester Federal Savings


196.36


9,890.61


Total 10,486.51


INCOME AND PAYMENTS


Cash on Hand Jan. 1, 1954


595.90


Receipts


9,890.61


10,486.51


Less Payments by Trustees


9,790.91


Unexpended Balance of 1954


695.60


SECURITIES OWNED BY THE LAWRENCE LIBRARY


10 Northern Pacific R. R. Bonds 10,000.00


7 New York Central R. R. Bonds


7,000.00


4 Detroit River Tunnel Bonds 4,000.00


2 Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Bonds


2.000.00


16 U. S. Government Bonds 20,300.00


77 Shares Shawmut National Bank of Boston 962.50


662.50


53 Shares First National Bank of Boston First National Bank of Pepperell Worcester Federal Savings


342.80


7,362.58


First Federal Savings of Lowell


5,000.00


Respectfully submitted, PHILIP R. McCLAIN


Treasurer Lawrence Library


77


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Following is my report for the year ending December 31, 1954.


Scales


Sealed


Fees Collected


Platform over 10,000 lbs.


3


$15.00


Platform over 100 lbs. to 3,000 lbs. 14


14.00


Scales under 100 lbs.


33


16.50


$45.50


Weights


51


$ 5.10


Vehicle Tanks


6


$18.00


Meters


Gasoline


18


$18.00


Grease Electric


3


3.00


Grease


6


1.50


$22.50


Linear Measures


Yard Sticks


8


$ .80


$91.90


I have turned over to the Town Treasurer the fees collected by me, $91.90, in 4 different payments during the year for the total and I hold his receipts for the same.


This is my twelfth annual report in my service as carrying out the duties of the above office. Also I wish to thank anyone who has assisted me in any way.


Respectfully submitted, GORDON B. HOBBS Sealer of Weights and Measures


78


REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Pepperell, Mass.


I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer for the Town of Pepperell for the year ending December 31, 1954.


Calls and complaints 185


Investigation of complaints 30


Dogs caught and returned to owner 13


Dogs confined for dog bites 18


Dogs destroyed for owners 7


Stray dogs caught, confined and destroyed 12


Dog notices mailed to owners


(unlicensed dogs)


138


Dog accidents 7


I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and the resi- dents for their cooperation this past year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN E. RILEY


Dog Officer


79


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Pepperell, Mass.


This year we have completed the repair of the band- stand and also have installed the back rest on the bleachers as required by the State regulations.


We have been trying to fill in one end of the field, which in the past has been used by the carnivals and vari- ous organizations in their activities on the field. We are hoping to be able, this year, to put in enough fill to raise the level of the field so that it will drain the water off and allow us to put on loam and grass it over so it can be mowed with the rest of the field.


In the past, there has been some argument about who is supposed to have the use of the field. This field is for the use of any one in the Town, but due to the many clubs and organizations that want the use of the field, and who wish to make extensive plans, we have asked that any one who would like the field, to contact the playground com- mittee. In this way, every one can have the use of the field and it will not be in use by more than one group at a time.


We have discussed some more improvements with the Finance Committee and hope to be able to complete them at a future date.


The Playground Committee wishes to thank the Select- men and the Citizens of the Town of Pepperell for their cooperation for the past year.


Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. RILEY, Chairman HAROLD T. LYNCH PETER FITZPATRICK Playground Committee


80


THE Annual Report OF THE


School Department


OF THE


Town of Pepperell


MASSACHUSETTS


S.


A


3.1775


X


LAD-DEDI


For the Year Ending December 31, 1954


ORGANIZATION FOR 1955


Harold P. Glow, Pepperell, Sec. Term expires 1957


Mrs. Kenneth Davis, E. Pepperell Term expires 1956


Ernest Sheldon, E. Pepperell, Ch. Term expires 1955


Superintendent of Schools


Elliott A. Diggle, Pepperell


Telephone at office (Shattuck School) Hemlock 3-2459


Telephone at residence Hemlock 3-2472


Telephone at High School Hemlock 3-2248


Telephone at C. M. Shattuck School Hemlock 3-2459


Telephone at Groton Street School Hemlock 3-2059


School Physician


Oscar Crocker, M. D., Park Street, Pepperell. (In charge of diagnosis, first aid, sanitation and certificates for return after communicable diseases.) Hemlock 3-2435 Also in charge of annual physical examination and pre- school clinic.


School Nurse


Mrs. Ellen Dee, R. N., East Pepperell. (Nurse of Pepperell District Nursing Association.)


Office in Town Hall-


Telephone at Office, Hemlock 3-2273 Telephone at Home, Hemlock 3-2103


Janitors


Peter Fitzpatrick-High School and Groton Street School.


John F. Cullinan-Clara M. Shattuck School.


Bus Drivers


Harold B. Olsen Oak Hill


83


Alfred Baraby Roger Ryan Harry F. Holt, Jr.


Nashua Road South Road Lowell Road


No School Signal


At 7:00 A. M. on fire alarm: Three blasts followed by three (33) means all schools, both high and elementary will be closed all day. Also broadcast from WBZ several times between 7:00 and 8:00 A. M.


SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1954-55


Fall Term


September 7 to December 23 (High School) 14 weeks


September 8 to December 23 (Elementary) 14 weeks


Winter Term


January 3 to February 18 7 weeks


Spring Term


February 28 to April 15


7 weeks


Last Term


April 25 to June 17 8 weeks


The schools will close on all legal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and the days allowed for Teachers' Convention and visiting school.


Schools close at noon for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.


84


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Financial Statement December 31, 1954


Resources


Appropriation 1954 Dog Tax


$143,815.00


848.03


Total Resources


$144,663.03


Total Expenditures


142,878.84


Balance on Hand December 31, 1954 $ 1,784.19


Statement of Expenditures


Expense of General Control


Salaries of School Committee $ 180.00


Expense of School Committee


291.00


Salary of Superintendent


3,090.00


Expense of Superintendent


1,454.20


$ 5,015.20


Expense of Instruction


Salaries of Supervisors $ 5,811.60


Salaries of Teachers, High


26,592.90


Salaries of Teachers, Elementary


58,751.07


Textbooks, High 776.40


Textbooks, Elementary


1,492.98


Supplies, High


925.74


Supplies, Elementary


1,276.70


$ 95,627.39


85


Expense of Operation


Janitor, High


$ 3,113.59


Janitor, Elementary


3,199.92


Fuel, High


2,087.62


Fuel, Elementary


2,168.64


Operating, High


1,685.42


Operating, Elementary


1,549.80


$ 13,804.99


Repairs


High and Elementary


$


1,546.68


$1,546.68


Auxiliary Agents


Health


$


485.43


Transportation (Local)


14,985.56


Transportation (Vocational School) 584.40


Tuition


1,973.43


$ 18,028.82


Summer Playground


Salaries and Expense


$


589.04


$ 589.04


Outlays


New Equipment


$


1,093.42


5,135.00


Payment on Loan


$


6,228.42


All Others


Visual Education


$


196.79


86-


Art


315.88


Music


243.66


Remedial Reading


122.84


Vocational Guidance


42.77


86.85


Driver Training Library


152.99


Grounds


876.52


$ 2,038.30


Reimbursements


School Aid, Chapter 70


$ 32,279.35


School Transportation


11,524.72


Union Superintendent


2,240.00


Tuition, State Wards


1,122.48


Tuition and Transportation- Vocational School


1,449.52


Miscellaneous


10.00


$ 48,626.07


The above reimbursements from the State Department of Education for educational purposes reduces the cost of education to the Town of Pepperell to $94,252.77. The per- centage return is in excess of 34 per cent, the same as last year.


To the Citizens of Pepperell:


In addition to the financial statement given above the Committee wishes to state in this report some policy changes made during the past year.


In view of the increase in the number of requests that have been received for the use of the auditorium the Com- mittee has established the following policy:


1. All requests for the public use of school buildings


87


must be submitted in writing for approval by the School Committee. Requests may be addressed to the Chairman of the School Committee or to the Supt. of Schools.


2. There will be no rental fee for the use of the building if the organization sponsoring the activity does not charge admission or request that donations be made. However, the person, group, or organization making the request shall pay a janitor fee of $5.00 where janitor ser- vices are required. The need for janitor services will be determined by the School Committee.


3. Where admission is charged, or donations request- ed, or where the purpose of the activity is the anticipation of financial gain, there will be a $10.00 rental fee to cover the cost of utilities plus a janitor fee of $5.00.


Another policy change concerned the position of schoo! doctor. It was decided to rotate this position each year among those physicians in our community who were inter- ested. At this time the Committee wishes to recognize the excellent work of the physician in the position of school doctor at the time this policy was initiated and also recog- nize the excellent work of his successor for his one year period of office under this new policy.


Another matter of policy consideration which has received considerable attention is the salary schedule and what should be a reasonable and adequate schedule for our teaching personnel. The objectives of the Committee are to pay our teachers what is reasonable and adequate from the stand point of providing what is fair for those teachers who have given long service in Pepperell and at the same time pay salaries which will attract capable personnel to our system as replacements are needed.


The Committee wishes to call to public attention in the form of a progress report, the steps being taken to meet the school housing shortage. There are two major


88


factors involved in a consideration of school housing in a town the size of Pepperell. They are these: (1.) Are we able to provide a program that will properly equip our students to be on a good competitive standing in the world of their contemporaries. (2.) Does the present rate of growth in our school enrollment indicate that we can best meet our school housing needs by local building or partici- pation in a regional district. As a result of inquiries made to the State School Building Assistance Commission con- cerning the school housing problem in Pepperell, the School Committee has been advised that any additions to our present schools for the purpose of increasing classroom space would not be recommended in terms of program con- sideration. The possibility of a new separate school build- ing in Pepperell was discouraged in terms of our present growth rate until such time as a study has been made to determine what is possible on a regional basis. As a re- sult of this advice the School Committee made the situa- tion public at a Parent-Teachers' Association meeting No- vember 8, 1954. At this meeting it was decided to form an unofficial regional school planning committee organ- ized as a fact-finding body assigned the objective of deter- mining what could be done on a regional level to meet Pep- perell's school housing needs, the intent being that at the next regular town meeting a regional school planning com- mittee would be officially formed. The purpose of this committee is not to preclude the possibility of settling Pep- perell's school housing problem on a local level but rather to present an additional avenue of approach to the prob- lem, for consideration by the Town.


Respectfully submitted, ERNEST B. SHELDON, Chairman HAROLD P. GLOW, Secretary MARY E. DAVIS


89


PROPOSED 1955 SCHOOL BUDGET December 1954


School Committee Salary


$ 180.00


Expense


290.00


Supervision Salary


3,180.00


Expense


1,620.00


Teachers' Salaries


96,000.00


Janitors' Salaries


6,250.00


Textbooks


2,200.00


Supplies


2,500.00


Operating


3,000.00


Fuel


4,500.00


Health


500.00


Repairs


1,000.00


Transportation


16,200.00


Tuition


1,500.00


Grounds


300.00


Equipment


1,000.00


Summer Playground


650.00


Art


300.00


Music


300.00


Guidance


100.00


Libraries


200.00


Driver Training


100.00


Visual Education


150.00


Mentally Retarded


500.00


Principal, Shattuck School Loan


1,090.00


Appropriation


$143,610.00


90


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


To Members of the School Committee


and Citizens of Pepperell :


PUBLIC EDUCATION-It's Historical Purpose.


"Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge."


The words of George Washington in his Farewell Address should have particular meaning for us in 1955. The apparent purpose of public education in early days was the preparation of youth for complete responsibilities of citizenship. "Having risked their all in the creation of a nation the ablest among them gave unremitting attention to the study of public affairs and the methods calculated to preserve and improve the democratic society which their labors had brought forth."t Can there be a greater pur- pose for us to strive for in the years ahead ? Perhaps this responsibility has always been uppermost in the think- ing of professional educators and lay citizens. News stories in the daily press indicate, however, that there is consider- able need for improvement in democratic citizenship.


The many complexities of our modern democratic so- ciety require that the public schools renew their efforts in strengthening citizenship training. The emphasis, if the public schools are to be successful, must shift to the common good as against thinking in terms of ones' own good, profit or pleasure. Public schools are supported by public taxation to develop future citizens with a deep sense of social responsibility. This aspect of the school program


7 Policies for Education in American Democracy, 1946 Ed- ucational Policies Commission.


91


will receive proper attention in the years immediately ahead. The cooperation and suggestions of other com- munity institutions will be greatly appreciated in achiev- ing this important objective of your public schools.


School Housing


In previous reports, the seriousness of our housing problem has been called to your attention. Considerable thought and time has been given to this vital need of our schools by your School Committee. Perhaps in no area of thinking on school problems should foresight weigh so heav- ily. It calls for the thinking of our wisest and ablest citizens, it is a decision the citizens and youth of Pepperell must live with for the next fifty or more years. The need for ade- quate housing is only part of the problem. Just to provide space; with little thought to the requirements of the sec- ondary school program that will serve youth to advantage over the next fifty years, and also the ability of Pepperell to financially support an adequate program, would be folly.




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