USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1941-1948 > Part 18
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HONORS
At the close of schools in June, special awards to pupils were made as follows :
Perfect attendance certificates 11
Penmanship certificates
72
Reading certificates
128
54
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
SCHOOL CENSUS AS OF OCTOBER, 1943
Boys
Girls
Number between five and fourteen years of age
227
1 193
Number between fourteen and sixteen years of age
48
42
Number over sixteen years of age
83
79
Totals
358
314
Grand Total
672
LYNNFIELD TEACHERS' DIRECTORY JAN. 1, 1944
Name
School
Subject or Grades
Salary
Appointment
School Last Attended
Mrs. Katherine Morrill
South
6
$1,680.00
1942
Mrs. Retta Lovejoy
South
4-5
1,400.00
1942
Ernestine June Dakin
South
2-3
1,450.00
1942
Mrs. Bernice Munroe
South
1
1,700.00
1924
Harvey Kelley
Center
6-7-8
2,000.00
1943
Dorothy Waterman
Center
6-7-8
1,450.00
1941
Dora Jean Coffin
Center
6-7-8
1,450.00
1942
Mrs. Ona Ridley
Center
6-7-8
1,910.00
1921
Arlene Sprague
Center
3-4
1,400.00
1943
Farmington State Normal
Priscilla Berry
Center
4-5
1,450.00
1941
Farmington State Normal
Daisy White
Center
2
1,300.00
1943
Farmington State Normal
Genevieve Clark
Center
1
1,300.00
1943
Farmington State Normal
Maude Thomas
All
Music
325.00
1923
Boston University
Mrs. Abbie Eaton
All
Drawing
325.00
1936
Salem Normal
Mrs. Lucy Lindquist
All
Nursing
360.00
1942
Long Island Hospital
Education-
Hyannis Normal School Farmington State Normal Boston University North Adams Normal Farmington State Normal Acadia University
Farmington State Normal Boston University
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-
55
56
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
EDUCATIONAL COURSES PURSUED BY TEACHERS IN 1943
Mrs. Ona J. Ridley
Language Arts Symphonic Music
Home Nursing
Vocal Lessons
Vocal Lessons
Contemporary Movements
Improvement of Reading
Psychology of Learning
Workshop in Art Activities
School and Society .
Unit Construction
Workshop in Unit Construction
Primary Art
Mrs. Bernice Munroe
Course in Art
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1943
Age
5
6
7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17
18 Total
Grade 1 25 38
63
Grade 2
2 18 24 3
47
Grade 3
13 22 5 3 43
Grade 4 13 24 4
41
Grade 5
15 20 8 2
1 46
Grade 6
12 18 7
37
Grade 7
8 28
1
1
1
39
Grade 8
2 13
16
6
3
1
41
Totals 27
56 37 38 44 39
36
50
18 7
4
1
357
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1944
January 3
Schools Open
February 21
No School
February 22
Holiday
March 31
Schools Close
April 10
May 29
Schools Open No School Holiday
May 30
June 15
June 16
Schools Close Graduation
Miss Dora-Jean Coffin Miss Genevieve Clark Miss Priscilla Berry
Mrs. Retta Lovejoy
.
57
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SUMMER VACATION
September 6
Schools Open
October 12
Holiday
October 13
No School
November 29
School closes at noon
December 4
Schools Open
December 22
Schools Close
1945
January 2
Schools Open
58
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
Despite the turbulence of the war year just passed, your Library has performed its usual functions with little change in operations. To be sure, men in the army, women in industry, overtime work and gas ra- tioning tended to reduce our circulation slightly, but otherwise there have been no noticeable changes. This is in a great measure due to our two faithful librarians, Miss Elizabeth Green and Mrs. Sylvia May- nard, who carry on their work no matter what difficulties they might encounter.
This year as well as last, the Library has returned a substantial part of its appropriation back to the town. For the coming year we are, however, requesting an additional amount to our regular appropriation for necessary repair work. The ceiling of the Center Library is in very poor condition and we fear that it might fall and cause considerable damage to our books and perhaps injury to some of our patrons. It is quite necessary, therefore, that this work be performed and we sincerely trust that the additional appropriation will be approved.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM W. GRACE
MALCOLM C. EATON
RUDOLF P. SCHLENKER Trustees of Public Library.
REPORT OF MAIN LIBRARY
Number of book patrons
390
Number of magazine patrons
57
Number of books loaned 6,229
Number of magazines loaned
354
Borrowed of Division of Public Libraries
17 books
Received in fines
$52.20
Received for old paper
.60
Number of magazines subscribed for
8
Number of books bought
164
Number of books given
5
Books have been given by:
State, Mrs. Benjamin Sargent and Mrs. Alfred Dupont.
59
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Magazines have been given by:
Mr. and Mrs. John Ward, Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Olmsted, M. C. Eaton, C. H. Russell, Mrs. Ann Cox and Christian Science Church of Reading. Victory book collection for this year, 215.
Loaned to school as teachers have asked for them.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH W. GREEN, Librarian.
REPORT OF BRANCH LIBRARY
FOR 1943
Number of books loaned
5,031
Number of books purchased
177
Number of magazines loaned 475
Number of magazines subscribed for
11
Received in fines
$50.20
Respectfully submitted,
SYLVIA A. MAYNARD, Librarian.
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The Park Commissioners report that the parks have been given general care. The grass on the Common was cut regularly, also Sun- taug Park.
New nets and tape were purchased for the tennis court. Some new posts were reset for the tennis court. The tennis courts at Suntaug are in very bad shape and need regrading.
The park was burnt over, also fertilized this year. The brush along the sides was trimmed out.
Respectfully submitted,
WALLACE H. STOREY, Park Commissioner.
60
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The appropriation for Memorial Day, May 30, 1943, was used as follows:
Appropriation
$225.00
Decorating 120 graves
$ 75.00
Music for exercises
15.00
Unused Appropriation
135.00
$225.00
$225.00
I am sorry to state that the Memorial Day parade was omitted on account of inability to secure a band.
Respectfully submitted,
T. HAWLEY, Treasurer of Committee, Lynnfield Post No. 131, Inc., American Legion.
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The Cemetery Commissioners report that all five Town Cemeteries have been given general care.
Respectfully submitted,
Cemetery Commissioners.
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
The Lynnfield Planning Board submits its report for 1943 herewith.
During the past year normal planning activities have been moder- ate, no plans for new developments have been presented to the Board, and no requests of Public Hearings have been asked for.
Governor Saltonstall has asked all Cities and Towns in the Com- monwealth to provide a Committee to plan Post War Projects in order that opportunity may be furnished to bridge the gap of unemployment after the war until private industry can change from a war to a peace time production basis. The Board of Selectmen of Lynnfield requested the Planning Board to act as the Post War Project Committee for the Town.
The Planning Board called upon different Departments of the Town Government for suggestions for new capital investments, or improvements or repairs to existing properties.
61
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
The projects listed below have been under consideration by the Board during the past year. The order in which they appear does not designate their importance or urgency.
Proposed by Fire Department:
Fire station on land adjacent to the Town Hall. Fire alarm system.
Proposed by Center Water District:
Clearing of land adjacent to the Pumping Station.
Proposed by Special Committee: Restoration of Old Meeting House.
Proposed by Building Inspector: Revaluation of property.
Proposed by Moth Department: Trimming trees. Gypsy moth work.
Poison Ivy removal.
Access roads in woodland.
Proposed by Park Department:
Work on baseball diamond (South).
Acquisition of land and development of Park opposite Sun- taug Inn.
Construction of chain link fence along waterfront at Sun- taug.
Miscellaneous work at Park, construction of tool house and lavatories.
Proposed by School Department:
New Grade School, Lynnfield.
New High School.
Add. Grade School building and grading at Center.
Development of Center School playground.
Proposed by Planning Board: Town map.
Sewerage system.
New road across Pillings Pond for access to area.
Establishment of Street lines in Town.
Drainage system.
Town forest.
Proposed by Street Department:
Sidewalks.
Retaining wall on Main St. at Sagamore Golf Club.
The Planning Board will cause an Article to be inserted in the Warrant for the Regular Town Meeting next March asking the citizens
62
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
to vote the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for preliminary en- gineering fees for facts and figures to present those projects to the voters deemed most necessary by the Board.
The saying attributed to President Washington "In time of Peace prepare for War" is now reversed in that we are preparing for peace in war time.
Since the beginning of the war the influx of new settlers in Town has ceased. This is in common with other small, chiefly residential districts. The fact that the population of the Town doubled since World War I points to an increase in population after the present war is over. With our existing Zoning By-Law, the Town will grow along prescribed lines and retain it's present characteristics.
We thank all the different Departments of the Town government for their co-operation and assistance during the past year.
Signed LOUIS B. TUCK T. N. FERREN EDWARD S. AVERELL NICHOLAS M. DuCHEMIN JOHN GIBBONS
REPORT OF COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO INVESTI- GATE THE NEEDS OF THE TOWN FOR FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
Lynnfield, Mass., July 15, 1943
INTRODUCTION
At the special town meeting held May 3, 1943, the following Article was adopted and the sum of $300.00 was appropriated for the expenses of the Committee.
"ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the appointment of a committee of five citizens of the Town to investigate the needs of the Town for fire and police protection, the Committee to report at a special town meeting to be held within three months; and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the expenses of the Committee."
SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION
A quite extensive study was made of fire and police costs covering many towns throughout the State of approximately the same population as Lynnfield and predominately residential.
63
REPORT OF FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
The costs, of course, vary widely, being affected by the kind of or- ganization maintained. In most of these towns, the Fire Department cost is similar to the present cost of our Fire Department, as they, like Lynnfield, depend on call men.
So, too, the Police Departments of the towns where the cost is substantially less than Lynnfield's, are what might be termed "call de- partments." Most of them have as a permanent full-time officer one man, the Chief, or at most, two men, and depend upon calling into service special police, when needed.
When the idea of this investigation first came to mind, it was thought it would be possible to secure advice and suggestions from well-known authorities having practical experience regarding the re- quirements of fire and police protection.
Directly after their appointment the Committee attempted to secure such advice by consulting officials of the State and of several local communities, with the idea of having a thorough study and survey of our Town regarding police and fire protection. We were greatly dis- appointed in being unable to employ anyone to undertake the work. The information received, however, has been helpful in formulating this report.
At our first meeting, we voted to invite Mr. John Caldwell to sit in with us as an advisor, especially as to questions of fire protection, and Mr. Nelson Todd as an advisor regarding legal matters. Both of these gentlemen accepted our invitations, met with us regularly, and assisted us greatly. We wish to thank them both at this time for their helpful advice and suggestions.
The Committee sent written requests to the Chief of each depart- ment, asking for the following information :- The present organization of each department's personnel; salaries; equipment; hours of duty of members; length of vacations; and number of men on duty. In other words, just how their respective department functions with its present set-up, together with a copy of the rules and regulations, in force with respect to the operation of each department and its personnel; a state- ment relating to the growth of each department for the past five or ten years; and their ideas or recommendations as to the proper set-up of their departments at the present time, that is, if they believe its present set-up is not what the town should have; and their plans for the growth of their departments for a period of five to ten years in the future.
A written statement was received from the Chief of each depart- ment in reply to the above request.
HEARINGS
On the evening of June 8, the Chief of each department met with the Committee. At that time the contents of their written statements
64
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
were very thoroughly discussed. These two conferences were very pleas- ant and helpful. The Committee thanks both Chiefs for the thoughtful work represented by their written statements and for their attendance at the conference.
Two public meetings were held for the purpose of permitting the voters to express their opinions, one being at Chemical Hall in the southern part of the Town and one at the Town Hall. Both of these meetings were very poorly attended, there being not over thirty citizens at either meeting. However, the Committee appreciates the comments and suggestions made by those present.
The Committee has met at least weekly since their appointment. Complete records have been kept of all actions taken at these meetings. Copies and transcripts of all correspondence and of all meetings have been made a part of our records.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Organization
The department is organized on a "call" basis, maintaining two fire stations, one located in Chemical Hall, Lynnfield Square, and one in the Old Meeting House at the Center.
Personnel
The personnel of the Department as now organized consists of a Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, two Captains, two Lieutenants, and twelve call men. There are also a number of Substitutes and an Auxiliary Force as required by the Office of Civilian Defense.
Apparatus and Equipment
The Department has the following apparatus and equipment :-
One Mack 600-gallon triple combination pumper;
One Maxim 500-gallon triple combination pumper;
One International emergency squad truck, equipped with booster pump and tank;
(All of the above apparatus is fully equipped, except for an adequate supply of spare hose.)
One Ford double tank chemical engine (obsolete); and One portable Pacific type forest fire pump.
The approximate cost of this equipment is $18,000.00.
Housing
The apparatus is housed in two stations, Chemical Hall at Lynn- field Square, and the Old Meeting House at the Center.
65
REPORT OF FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
.
Drills and Training
Provision for drills and training are included in the Rules Governing the Operation of the Fire Department.
Under the duties of "Captains" they show the following :-
"He shall arrange for and conduct at least monthly drills by each company in his command and such drills shall be participated in by every officer and member of the company drilling. Drills shall continue for one hour unless fire call interrupts and shall be in accordance with such orders and instructions as the Chief Engineer may from time to time prescribe."
Cost of Operation
For the last nine years the average yearly cost shows $4,850.00. For 1942, the cost was $4,894.54 (not including $1,757.70 for air whistles and $720.00 for a 1941 hose bill, both outside the regular expense). For 1943, the Town voted to appropriate $5,390.00.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Organization and Personnel
The Police Department at the present time consists of a Chief and three patrolmen, all full-time employees appointed under Civil Service regulations. There is also a force of approximately forty Special Police, together with a force of Auxiliary Police as required by the Office of Civilian Defense.
Apparatus and Equipment
The Department has the following apparatus and equipment :-
One Dodge Ambulance equipped with
1 First-Aid Kit
1 Stretcher and Mattress
3 Blankets
One Oldsmobile Cruiser Coach equipped with
1 Two-Way Radio
1 First-Aid Kit
One "Link" Frequency Modulated Two-Way Radio Station One Radio Monitor
One "Link" Two-Way Radio in Chief's personal car
One "Howard" receiving Radio in the Headquarters Office, and
One "Emerson" Resuscitator
The approximate cost of this equipment is $6,000.00.
66
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
Housing of Apparatus and Equipment
The Police Station is located in the Town Hall under fairly satis- factory conditions. There is no housing space for the cruising car. The police ambulance is housed in one of the stalls in the rear of the Town Hall. Other equipment is housed in the Police Station, except as indicated otherwise under "Apparatus and Equipment."
Cost of Operation
The average cost of operation for the nine-year period from 1932 to ยท 1940 was $4,300.00 per year.
In 1941, the cost was $8,908.00, which included the cost of a cruiser car at $760.06 and a two-way radio at $1,596.45.
In 1942, the cost was $10,732.22, the increase being due to another patrolman being added to the force and the Chief becoming a full-time officer.
In 1943, the Finance Committee recommended an appropriation of $10,625.00, but the Town voted $9,065.00.
CONCLUSIONS
Fire Department
First. The apparatus and equipment are, except for the fire alarm system, entirely adequate for the present needs of the Town;
Second. An additional supply of hose is very desirable, and should be purchased at the first opportunity;
Third. The fire alarm system should be modernized as soon as possible;
Fourth. New housing facilities should be provided at the Center;
Fifth. With regard to Drills and Training, the rules of the Depart- ment are very specific. The Committee entertains serious doubts as to how efficiently this rule is followed. If not followed to a reasonable degree, it constitutes a very serious defect in the fire-fighting efficiency of the Department;
Sixth. The Committee is of the opinion that some full-time men should be employed to insure that someone shall be available at all times to drive and operate the apparatus and to respond to all alarms; and
Seventh. The Committee is of the opinion that this Department should be more efficiently administered.
Police Department
First. The apparatus and equipment are entirely adequate for the present needs of the Town;
Second. Full and efficient use of the cruiser and two-way radio should be obtained;
67
REPORT OF FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
Third. The Town should be adequately patrolled and protected both day and night, but to do this will require an additional officer; and Fourth. There appears to be fairly satisfactory housing for all apparatus and equipment, except for the cruiser when it is not on patrol.
RECOMMENDATIONS
GENERAL LAWS-Chapter 41, Section 101-
"If a town so votes under Section 21 the selectmen shall appoint a suitable person as chief of the police and fire departments who may be designated as commissioner of public safety. He shall have authority, subject to the approval of the selectmen, to appoint a deputy as chief of police and one or more deputy chiefs of the fire department. He shall have all the authority of constables and police officers in towns and also the powers and duties of fire engineers, and, subject to the approval of the selectmen, shall fix the compensation of police officers and permanent and call members of the fire department. Such com- pensation shall not exceed, however, in the aggregate the amount appro- priated therefor by the town. The deputy chiefs of the fire department shall under him have the powers of fire engineers relative to the ex- tinguishing of fires in the town and the protection of life and property in case of fire."
Chapter 41, Section 21-
"Ten per cent of the registered voters in any town may file a peti- tion with the selectmen thirty days or more before the annual town meeting asking that a chief of police and fire departments be thereafter appointed by the selectmen. The selectmen shall thereupon direct the town clerk to cause the question whether the petition shall be granted to be printed upon the official ballot used for the election of town officers at the next annual election in substan- tially the following form:
Shall the town vote to have its selectmen appoint a (Yes )
(No )
If the vote is in the affirmative it shall be valid and binding and upon the appointment and qualification by oath of the officers herein authorized to perform the duties of any existing town board or officer, the term of office of such existing board or officer shall thereupon terminate, and all the duties, powers and obligations of such board and officers shall be transferred to and imposed upon their successors; Chapter 41, Section 22-
"Officers appointed by authority of a vote under the preceding sec- tion shall hold office until removed by the selectmen, and shall receive such salary as the selectmen may determine, subject to the appropria- tions of the town therefor:
68
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
.
Chapter 41, Section 23-
"A town may, after a vote under section 21 has been in effect therein for a period of not less than three years, by a vote at a meeting held at least thirty days before the annual town meeting, rescind such action in whole or in part, and thereupon said town shall, at the next town meeting, nominate and elect such officers as are necessary to carry out the duties exercised in accordance with section twenty-one by the board of selectmen or officers appointed by them. "
The following comment regarding the quotations from the General Laws, as shown above, is submitted,-
Chapter 41, Section 101-
If a town votes to accept Section 21 the selectmen shall appoint a suitable person as chief of the police and fire departments who may be designated as Commissioner of Public Safety.
Chapter 41, Section 21-
Ten per cent of the registered voters in any town may file a petition asking that a chief of police and fire departments be appointed by the selectmen. The person so appointed may be designated as Commissioner of Public Safety.
This request goes on the official ballot at the next annual election as follows :-
Shall the town vote to have its selectmen appoint a (Yes )
chief of the police and fire departments, who shall
be designated Commissioner of Public Safety (No )
If this vote is passed all the duties of existing officers shall end and all such duties be transferred to their successor.
Chapter 41, Section 22-
Relates to term of office and salaries.
Chapter 41, Section 23-
Allows towns to rescind such action after three years.
Supervision and Responsibility
We recommend the following:
First. That a suitable and properly qualified person be appointed as Commissioner of Public Safety, and that said commissioner shall not hold any other elective town office. We therefore urge favorable action to permit the appointment of such an officer.
Our reason for the above recommendation is that from time to time during the past years more or less criticisms and doubts have been expressed regarding the efficiency of both the fire and police depart- ments. These appear to have been directed largely toward management and administration, especially where they deal with the personnel and
69
REPORT OF FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION
financial management of the departments. The Committee believes this investigation presented a good opportunity to submit to the citizens of the town a method whereby these criticisms and doubts of long standing might be removed. The Committee believes that a suitable and qualified person can be found among our townsmen to fill the office of Commissioner of Public Safety; a man who has civic pride and a love for Lynnfield; a man free from all political ties, fearless, firm, but just; a man, who, given the opportunity, would accept such a posi- tion and correct the causes for criticism and doubt.
The Commissioner of Public Safety would have full control of the administration of both departments as it relates to everything except actual police work and the actual fighting of fires. These duties would be under the direction of the respective department heads. The Com- missioner, however, would be responsible for the proper execution of such work.
You will note that our recommendations call for an increase in the yearly appropriations. The Committee believes the citizens will approve such increases provided they are assured they will receive their money's worth in additional services. This is an added reason for recommend- ing the creation of the position of Commissioner of Public Safety. We believe such an officer can see and will see that this is done.
Second. That a by-law be adopted which will prevent any member of the fire or police department, except a special policeman or call fire- man, from holding an elective town office.
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