USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1941-1948 > Part 11
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We then proceeded in a southeasterly direction to Corner Four which is marked by a granite monument situated on high land a short distance from Bay State Road through a gravel pit, and about 775 ft. from the junction of Bay State Road and Main Street, Lynnfield.
This marker was found to be in good condition.
The party then proceeded in a southerly direction to Corner Three, which is located in the bed of the Saugus River, and marked by a pin set in the top of a bolder in bed of said river. This true marker is located from a witness mark consisting of a granite monument about four feet high, marked L-W and W-M-1922, which is situated about ten feet from the true marker in a westerly direction and is about 470 feet from the intersection of Main Street, Lynnfield, and Vernon Street, Wakefield.
This marker was found to be in good condition.
We then proceeded in an easterly direction along the Saugus River to the Boston and Maine Railroad Bridge, and located a marker at Corner Two, which consists of a cedar post, unmarked, situated on the northerly bank of said river, twenty-eight feet from the center of said railroad tracks.
This marker we found difficult to locate, it being nearly covered with water and completely covered with meadow grass. We recommend the placing of a new and more permanent monument at this point, same to be done by the Town of Lynnfield.
The next bound we attempted to locate is situated in the middle of the Saugus River in an easterly direction from Corner Two, unmarked but is located from a witness mark consisting of two cedar posts about one foot high, located on the bank of the river twelve feet from true point.
This bound could not be located due to the high water in this so- called Reedy Meadow. This marker will be located later by the Lynn- field Board and a more permanent marker placed there.
45
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
We then proceeded in a southerly direction along the Saugus River to the intersection of the Saugus, Wakefield, and Lynnfield lines, an unmarked point in the middle of the Saugus River about twenty feet from the witness mark consisting of a granite monument marked L-W and S-1901 situated eight feet from the easterly bank of river.
This marker was found in excellent condition.
ROBERT H. ADAMS, ORRIN J. HALE, L. WALLACE SWEETSER, ERNEST L. BROWN, Selectmen of Wakefield.
EVERETT S. WEBSTER, GEORGE W. PEAVEY,
ALBERT E. BROWN, Selectmen of Lynnfield.
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS ON BUILDING AND ZONING LAWS
December 31, 1942
To the Board of Selectmen,
Lynnfield, Mass.
Gentlemen :
We are pleased to submit our annual report for the period ending December 31, 1942.
During the year, the Board conducted hearings on eight cases, involving appeals from decisions of the Building Inspector. No other cases were presented to this Board. The reduction in building activity has accounted for the fewer cases during the past year.
The Board was allowed a budget for operating expenses of $100.00 and of this amount, we expended the amount of $21.05 for publication of notices, etc.
There remains unexpended the sum of $78.95, and in addition, the sum of $40.00, representing the fees collected, has been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH W. CASSIDY, Chairman.
46
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Lynnfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my first report as your Town Counsel for the period ending December 31, 1942.
During my incumbency, much of my work has been of advisory nature to the various Town Departments, but there have been several collections which have been made for the office of the Tax Collector. There were two proceedings at the Superior Court in Salem, one involv- ing a dismissal of an old action, and the other involves the defense of a claim made by a neighboring municipality.
There were twenty-one written opinions given to heads of various departments at their request. The Town is remarkably free from liti- gation, which I believe may well be attributed to the manner in which the various departments are conducted. There were a few cases where claims were attempted but were finally disposed of without expense.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH W. CASSIDY, Town Counsel.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1942 is as follows:
4 Assault and Battery
8 Drunkeness
1 Escaped Inmates
1 Carrying Gun Without Permit
2 Larceny of Automobile
2 Larceny
3 Breaking, Entering and Larceny
It will be noted that there have been several more arrests than in previous years.
Summons secured and served:
6 Delinquency
2 Assault
1 Illegal Storage of Gasoline
Other activities:
38 Summons Served for Other Departments
15 Investigations for Other Departments
47
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
38 Automobile Accidents
114 Motor Vehicles Violations
85 Motor Vehicles Transfers
91 Vacant Buildings Protected (Temporary)
3 Missing Persons Located
6 Lost Children Located
396 Street Lights Reported Out
9 Driving Licenses Suspended
11 Auto Registrations Revoked
$1,045.00 Lost property Recovered
48 Ambulance Calls
1 Escaped Inmate
2 Commitments
Note, that had it not been for the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Heath in donating an ambulance to the town these calls would have incurred an expense of $400.00.
We have answered in all 775 complaints which required the atten- tion of the police.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT S. WEBSTER, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
Herewith I respectfully submit my annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1942:
The Department responded to 62 bell alarms and 3 still and tele- phone calls, making a total of 65 calls.
Under our mutual aid system, we responded to the Malvern Hall fire in Lynn, and 4 building fires in Peabody.
There were 7 building fires in our town, 1 railroad fire, 37 brush and grass fires, 3 chimney fires, 3 still and telephone call fires, 4 automobile fires, 3 needless and 2 false alarms. We also responded to 2 emergency calls. We stretched 6800 feet of 21%" lines, 2750 feet of 11/2" lines, 6200 feet of booster lines; used 450 gallons of soda and acid chemicals, about 2 gallons of Pyrene, raised 150 feet of ladders, and used approximately 30 Indian pumps.
The total loss from building fires was about $4,500, a small amount of which was uninsured. I would call your attention to the fact that
48
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
we should consider an appropriation for the extension of the fire alarm system and additional fire alarm boxes, as soon as materials for such work can be obtained.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM W. MOXHAM, Chief of Fire Department.
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Building Department ending December 31, 1942:
Seventy-six permits were issued as follows:
Approx. Value
25 Dwellings
$114,000.00
20 Remodeling and Additions
6,910.00
15 Repairs
3,840.00
3 Garages
700.00
5 Poultry Houses
420.00
1 Business
1,000.00
7 Miscellaneous
1,312.00
76
$128,182.00
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD C. PEARSON, Building Inspector.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following articles were sealed during the year of 1942: Platform Scales 3
Beam Scales
2
Spring Scales
5
Computing Scales
4
Slot Weighing Scales
2
Liquid Measures
19
Gasoline Pump Meters
34
Oil Measuring Pumps
2
Counter Scales 1
Fees collected and turned over to the Treasurer, $22.84.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. WESTOVER, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
49
REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The past year's work was carried along the same lines as in previous years. Woodlands were looked over for gypsy moth infestations and partly creosoted. The gypsy moth shows a slight decrease over last year. The center part of the Town is very good with only scattering infestations on Lowell, Chestnut and Main Streets. The south part of the Town also remains good except for a quite heavy infestation on Walnut Street near the pond. There was very little spraying done in woodlands because of the scarcity of men. There were no browntail moth webs found during the year. The elm leaf beetle was quite heavy on private property.
All of the above work is carried on under the supervision of the State Department of Conservation. The State contributed $842.20 to the Town in supplies during the year.
I hope that extra money will be appropriated at the coming town meeting so that these infestations may be properly handled.
Respectfully submitted, LYMAN H. TWISS,
Superintendent.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield :-
At the last annual town meeting an appropriation was made for the care of shade trees. This appropriation was used to take down dead trees and trim trees where there were dead and dangerous limbs, also, branches were removed where they were so low as to obstruct traffic along the highways. There is still a large amount of such work to be done which is very slow and costly.
I hope the people of the Town will make an appropriation to plant some new trees in various parts of the Town.
The trees along the streets look very good as a whole, but I hope the appropriation will be much larger so that more work can be done along these lines.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN H. TWISS, Tree Warden.
50
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Milk for the year ending December 31, 1942.
I have inspected places where milk was kept for sale and issued licenses as required.
Number of licenses issued, 23. Fees collected, $11.50.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR W. BRYANT,
Inspector.
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Dog Officer for the year ending December 31, 1942.
I have answered 90 calls and disposed of 42 dogs.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. BRYANT,
Dog Officer.
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1942. Whooping Cough 6
Mumps
18
Measles
79
German Measles
28
Chicken Pox
81
Dog Bite
7
Syphilis
1
Gonorrhea
8
Diphtheria
0
Scarlet Fever
4
Impetigo
9
At this time I wish to state that this year for the first time in the history of the Town a free clinic was conducted for diphtheria inocu- lation of all pre-school children. Now we are planning to continue it each Spring.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS 51
Summary of Report
Number of Complaints
28
School Permits
109
Verbal Notices
Inspections Made
65
Letters Written
36
Telephone Calls
166
Wells Examined and Water Tested
3
Surgical Cases
2
Ambulance Calls
Number of Professional Calls
Office Calls 248
House Calls 180
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. ROBINSON, M.D.D.O.
Health Officer.
January 15, 1943.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The usual maintenance work throughout the town was carried on.
We were lucky to have less work on plowing and sanding of roads due to the weather.
The following jobs were completed: Prospect Avenue was rebuilt and surfaced. Sylvian Circle, Laurel Road and Homestead Road were re-surfaced.
Due to shortage of labor, some jobs were not even started.
Respectfully submitted, MINOT H. CARTER, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF THE SURPLUS COMMODITY DIVISION OF THE LYNNFIELD WELFARE BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare:
I hereby make my annual report of the Surplus Commodity Division of the Lynnfield Welfare Board.
Approximately twenty families have derived benefit from this assistance.
52
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
Owing to better working conditions our case load is down from last year and the amount of commodities received has been lessened due to the demand of War Activities.
Below are the amounts of food and clothing received in the Town from the Salem warehouse during the year 1942.
Food
Fresh Apples
2890
Pounds
Fresh Beets
44
Pounds
Fresh Carrots
50
Pounds
Eggs
360
Dozen
Graham Flour
526.75 Pounds
White Flour
637
Pounds
Fresh Grapefruit
960
Pounds
Evaporated Milk
768
Cans
Onions
500
Pounds
Sweet Potatoes
225
Pounds
Lard
150
Pounds
Rolled Oats
560
Pounds
Clothing
Children's Blouses
24
Girls' Cotton Dresses
12
Women's Cotton Dresses
18
Men's Nightshirts
12
Women's Pajamas
6
Men's Pants
12
Men's and Boys' Shirts
66
Men's and Boys' Union Suits
. .
12
Boys' Pants
12
Total Articles of Clothing .. 174
Respectfully submitted,
WESLEY W. MUNROE, Supervisor.
CASE LOAD OF THE SURPLUS COMMODITY DIVISION OF THE LYNNFIELD WELFARE BOARD
Increase
Decrease
Month
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
Cases
Persons
January 1, 1942
25
87
February 1, 1942
21
71
4
16
March 1, 1942
25
88
4
17
April 1, 1942
24
87
1
1
May 1, 1942
23
79
1
8
June 1, 1942
21
71
2
8
July 1, 1942
15
49
6
22
August 1, 1942
18
52
3
3
September 1, 1942
18
52
October 1, 1942
17
51
1
1
November 1, 1942
17
51
December 1, 1942
15
45
2
6
December 31, 1942
15
45
REPORT OF SURPLUS COMMODITY DIVISION 53
ANNUAL REPORT
of the SCHOOL COMMITTEE and SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
Year Ending December 31, 1942
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1942
Edward Averell, Chairman Walter DeWilde Mrs. Joseph Smith
Term expires 1944 Term expires 1943 Term expires 1945
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS John D. Whittier, Wenham, Massachusetts Residence Telephone - Hamilton 174-W Office Telephone - Topsfield 171 Office Hours - Monday and Thursday South School - 10 to 12 M. Center School - 2 to 4 P. M.
55
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Upon the recommendation and supervision of the School Committee two major projects have been completed this year.
1. Fire escapes have been installed on the north and south ends of the South School building in compliance with the regulations of the State Department of Public Safety.
2. A school lunch program was instituted at the Center School and operated from May 18 to the end of the year. There were 19571 meals served to children and 1973 meals to teachers. At five cents per meal, $893.06 was taken in and turned over to the Town Treasurer for the year. Free lunches were served to needy children. There was on hand at the close of the year $374.96 worth of food (exclusive of surplus commodities) and $24.74 in supplies. $1215.41 was expended for this project. The latest reports will allow this project to continue next year and it is hoped that we can do so.
Due to the increased enrollment it has been necessary to furnish the basement rooms used for gym and meeting purposes for class rooms. Priorities and lack of materials have prevented the completion of the additional heating systems for these rooms.
Storm windows have been installed on the room which is now being used and comply with the State Department of Public Safety regulations. These also help to conserve fuel and it is hoped to add others from time to time.
The townspeople should give serious consideration to added school- room facilities at the Center School. The use of these rooms in the basement is allowed by the State Department of Public Safety be- cause of emergency conditions only, and as soon as these conditions return to normal other quarters for class rooms will have to be found. Enrollment at this school is now well over 250 pupils.
Teacher turnover was exceptionally high this year. Due to in- creased taxes, high cost of living, and a desire to keep our present force of teachers intact, your committee has voted a 10% increase on all teachers' salaries. This is in line with nearly all surrounding commu- nities, many of which have given bonuses as well as the regular increase in salaries.
The heating system at the Center School is being converted from oil to coal in accordance with the national effort to conserve fuel oil.
Consideration has been given to the possibility of one session for both schools.
Regular maintenance only has been given to the Memorial Play- ground this year. The committee would like to have some money to properly fix the baseball diamond and tennis courts, but feels that this may not be the proper time to do such work.
56
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
Supervised playground instruction was continued during the sum- mer months. Pupils at both grounds were given the benefit of the hot lunch program.
EDWARD S. AVERELL, Chairman W. W. DeWILDE MRS. JOSEPH SMITH
School Committee
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members of the School Committee:
Madam and Sirs:
My twentieth annual report is herewith submitted for your con- sideration.
Enrollment January 1, 1943
Center School
232
South School
99
Lynn Sight Saving Class
3
High School
Wakefield
98
Lynn Vocational
1
Trade School
Essex Agricultural School
1
Total
434
Our present enrollment of three hundred thirty-one in the South and Center Schools is seventeen larger than one year ago. This has necessitated maintaining a home room in the basement at the Center School.
Our largest enrollment in the two schools at any one time has been three hundred forty-five.
It is quite possible that with the opening of schools next September we shall find it necessary to use a second basement room for a class- room. This will require the services of one extra teacher and necessi- tate purchasing complete equipment for the extra room.
TEACHERS AND SCHOOL NURSE
The following resigned during the past year: Elizabeth Hill, June Tilton, Ruth Rand, Beatrice Mitchell, Gladys Andersen, Mary Collin- son, Doris Parker, Mrs. Jeanne Petersen.
Vacancies were filled by the election of the following: Mrs. Kath- erine Morrill, Mrs. Retta Lovejoy, Ernestine June Dakin, Dora Jean Coffin, Anna Austin, Babette Horn, Bernice Stanwood, Mrs. Lucy E. Lindquist.
57
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Regardless of the efforts made to retain teachers we must realize that for the duration and sometime thereafter there will be frequent changes in the teaching corps. The time has come when it is very difficult to secure teachers to teach special subjects and the number available for teaching in the elementary grades is alarmingly small.
Training institutions for teachers have small enrollments and as a result the number of trained teachers provided us annually will be small.
Social life, better means of transportation and higher salaries seem to attract our teachers to the cities. With the recent curtailment in the use of gasoline we have another reason for teachers to be de- sirous of living in city surroundings.
SALARIES
Our teachers must be retained if our school is to render effective service in the war program. National practice favors increases "to eliminate gross inequalities, to remove sub-standards of living, and to aid in the effective prosecution of the war."
The National Education Association which is interested in having every community provided with the best possible educational system states, "The total cost of living has already risen 19 per cent since the war began in Europe. Food has risen 35 per cent, and clothing 25 per cent. The wages of factory workers have gone up 59 per cent while the salaries of teachers have increased only 7 per cent."
According to the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation publication, ""The Massachusetts Teacher," one hundred thirty towns and cities had given general salary increases to school department employees prior to November, 1942. Neighboring towns and cities have given very generous increases in salaries to their school teachers since the opening of school last September. Teachers need increases in salary to meet the increased cost of living.
Our children and our school will benefit by such increases as such should make it possible to retain the services of our present teaching corps.
TEACHERS IN WAR EFFORT
We have been extremely fortunate in not yet losing any of our corps of teachers to war service. However, without exception they have most generously contributed of their time to registration work, rationing, warden work, the Red Cross, transportation work and in other branches of service as opportunity has presented itself.
Teachers state they not only enjoy rendering such patriotic serv- ice but they feel it gives them an opportunity to meet and better know the adults of the town.
58
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
Mention should here be made that in the rationing work several adults have assisted that many of the teachers living a distance from Lynnfield should not be required to return in vacation time to assist in the rationing program.
Our teachers have assisted in the rationing program in their home towns when not in Lynnfield.
OUR WAR EFFORT
This is not a war in which we find only public officials and our armed forces endeavoring to bring peace to our nation and other nations.
It is everyone's war and therefore we expect everyone - child and adult - to do his patriotic duty.
Our pupils are aiding in the war effort through scout organizations, in the purchase of stamps and bonds, in the collection of salvage mate- rials, in Junior Red Cross activities, in production and in performing duties to release adults for other activities. Wherever the opportunity presents itself we find a goodly number of our pupils responding to service. Participation of the pupils in the war effort can be greatly influenced by the example set by adults, particularly by parents and teachers.
Teachers without exception have taken on one or more activity in connection with the war effort.
In the "Rationing Program" teachers have done most excellent work. Although the school routine has been badly disrupted during the several rationing periods I firmly believe no one group of individuals was better qualified to carry out the rationing program in the manner prescribed than the teachers and therefore justification for depriving pupils of class room opportunity to perform a patriotic duty for our government.
Our pupils and teachers will be found participating wherever there is need for their services in our War Effort.
SUMMER PLAYGROUND
The third annual playground project was maintained last summer at the Center and South schoolgrounds. Although considerable diffi- culty was experienced in securing instructors we were able to provide a very complete program of activities to two hundred thirty-seven differ- ent children. The average daily attendance at the South was thirty- nine, while at the Center it was twenty-eight.
Children from both playgrounds were provided lunches at a nickel each at the Center School where the WPA lunch project is maintained.
To provide qualified instructors for the playgrounds there should be a larger budget for salaries if the playgrounds are to be maintained
59
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
six weeks as previously. Otherwise it may be necessary to cut the number of weeks in order to have funds to pay the instructors.
The large number of pupils patronizing the playground convinces some parents and pupils appreciate the opportunities offered and would therefore not desire to have the number of weeks' maintenance of the playground shortened.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
For approximately six months a school lunch program has been maintained at the Center School. About two hundred twenty-five children avail themselves of the opportunity to purchase their mid-day meal at the nominal price of five cents. Under the supervision of Mrs. Preston and her assistants, most satisfactory meals are provided the children. A check-up on the increase in weight of children since the school lunch program was inaugurated proves that it has been very beneficial to the children.
Although the present Government set-up for the lunch program will be discontinued at the end of the school year, it is quite possible a lunch program can be maintained through assistance from the Lan- ham Act, which provides Federal funds for the same in connection with funds from the local school department.
ACADEMIC WORK
To more evenly distribute the teaching load among the teachers at the South School the work has been departmentalized. By so doing subjects were given teachers who were especially qualified to teach them.
Assignment of work is now as follows:
Mrs. Morrill has Social Science; Mrs. Lovejoy has Arithmetic; and Miss Dakin has Reading.
All classwork at the Center in grades one through five is taught by the regular grade teacher. In grades six through eight the work is departmentalized.
As a result of war effort curricula requirements in secondary schools have been quite materially changed. Particular emphasis is being given the sciences, mathematics, and physical training to prop- erly fit those who may be inducted into the service, the necessary back- ground to assume their responsibilities. Thus the war effort has af- fected the secondary schools. Whether or not at the close of the war emphasis will be given other subjects than the sciences, mathematics, and physical training is problematical.
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