USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1941-1948 > Part 51
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RESOLVED, That this resolution be inscribed upon the records of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lynnfield and as a token of our common grief a copy thereof be sent to his wife.
54
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Milk for the year ending December 31, 1948.
I have inspected premises where milk was kept for sale and issued licenses as required.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. BRYANT
Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1948.
I have inspected premises where animals were kept and found all in good condition.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR W. BRYANT Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Lynnfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit a report of the Dog Officer for the year end- ing December 31, 1948:
There were twenty stray dogs picked up on the streets of Lynn- field.
There were complaints of twelve biting dogs, which were put under restraint.
There were six complaints of barking dogs, but could not get a written complaint.
On September 1st the Town Clerk gave me a list of ninety-six persons who had not licensed their dogs, all of which were investigated and the license fees collected.
Respectfully submitted,
M. H. DOREMUS,
Dog Officer
55
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
And the Citizens of Lynnfield:
Following is the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1948:
The total number of arrests was 79, as classified:
Assault
4
Larceny
2
Malicious Mischief 14
Driving to Endanger
5
Driving Under the Influence
4
Drunkenness
14
Vagrancy
1
Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws
21
Non-Support
2
Violation of Probation
2
Violation of Traffic Rules
4
Accosting
1
Disturbing the Peace
1
Lewdness
1
Stubbornness
1
Arson
1
Using Motor Vehicle Without Authority 1
Other Activities Include:
Complaints Requiring Police Attention 761
Summons Served for Other Departments 58
Motor Vehicle Violations 161
Lost and Stolen Property Recovered
$1,933.85
Ambulance Cases 116
Doors Found Open, Made Secure
4
Lost and Missing Persons Located 11
Commitments 9
Automobile Accidents Investigated 51
Condition of Roads Reported
15
Stray Dogs and Animals Cared for
76
Street Lights Reported Out
516
Live Wires Down, Guarded by Police
1
Messages Delivered
24
Driving Licenses Suspended
11
Dead Bodies Cared for
2
Motor Vehicle Transfers 176
Court Appearances 21
56
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
As in previous years we have been able to settle many cases of property damage out of court, answered all fire alarms, responded to numerous complaints not requiring police attention and have em- ployed the use of the resuscitator on two occasions.
Also as in previous years we have enjoyed the hearty coopera- tion of all the Departments in Town as well as many individuals during emergencies which have required extra assistance.
Respectfully submitted, EVERETT S. WEBSTER, Chief
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
And the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
Following is the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The Department responded to ninety-seven calls, classified as . follows:
3 Building fires
42 Brush fires
21 Automobile fires
5 Oil burner fires
3 Electrical fires
2 Dump fires
6 False alarms
3 Needless alarms
3 Out-of-town calls
1 Boiler blowout
1 Leaking Mechanical Refrigerator
1 Lost child search
3 Animal rescue calls
1 Airplane crash landing
1 Fallen tree
1 Overheated hen house
The estimated loss on building fires amounted to $1,500.00 of which a part was covered by insurance.
The department was reorganized, under the present department command, on September 1, 1948, and at present consists of the following list of personnel:
57
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Department Command Chief, Josiah Poeton Deputy Chief, Harold Kaler
District Number 1
Captain, Chester Melanson
Lieutenant, Arthur McGonnell
Call Men: Thomas McGonnell
Maurice Day
Lyman Twiss
George Durgin
Gordon Hill
George Carder
Norman Wade
Wesley Munroe
Jacob Iwanowicz
Charles Sweetser
District Number 2
Captain, Harry Higgins
Lieutenant, Clifton Hodgdon
Call Men: Robert Davis
Gustave Koch
Carl Davis
Ralph Canfield
Allen Davis
Carl Cheever
Raymond Pope
Henry Olson
Charles Smith
Richard Tyacke
As of September 1, 1948, new service regulations were put into effect, designed for better co-ordination and improved efficiency in the fire service which have proved very satisfactory. We have estab- lished a year round program of instruction and drilling, have increased the number of apparatus drivers and operators, as well as broadening their knowledge to include competent handling of all the department apparatus.
In the interest of safe operation a booster cylinder was added to the braking system on the Maxim pumper, and sufficient repair work done on other apparatus so that all equipment is now in first class working order. The new pumper finally contracted for July 26, 1948, should be delivered in March 1949, and will be a valuable and needed addition to the department equipment. Out of some twelve to fifteen new fire alarm boxes needed to cover the town, two were added to the system in 1948, Box 215 on Locksley Road in the Sherwood Forest area and Box 216 on Walnut Street at Blue Jay Road. The OCD air whistles are unreliable, not being suitable for the service required, and should be replaced before too long with the proper type of code sirens. It is hoped to add five new fire alarm boxes to the system in 1949 and some attempt made to provide lighting of all fire alarm boxes at night. For more economical operation, and longer battery life, copper oxide rectifiers have been installed as chargers, and the motor generator set is at present being held as emergency equipment.
58
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
Several items are being included in the 1949 budget request and represent only the absolute requirements of the department. Much of this material represents non-recurring expense, except smaller replace- ment costs from time to time, as the need occurs.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSIAH POETON, Chief
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
January 29, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
And the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
I submit herewith my report of the Building Department for the year ending December 31, 1948.
New Dwellings 91
Sheds and Poultry Houses 6
Alterations and Repairs 71
Demolition
1
Business Buildings
1
Alterations to Business Buildings
2
Private Garages 7
Moving
1
Total Permits Issued 180
Inspections made 377
There were two major violations of the Zoning Ordinance cor- rected and one major violation of the Building Ordinance as well as a number of minor violations mostly in the nature of alterations for which permits had not been obtained.
All fees have been collected and turned over to the Town Treas- urer.
This report covers the term of Mr. William Moxham from January to June and the balance of the year for myself.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD S. ARMERDING,
Inspector of Buildings
59
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS
To the Board of Selectmen:
During the year 1948, 18 public hearings were held by the Board of Appeals under the Zoning By-Law.
Thirteen hearings involved building permits where the land contained insufficient street frontage or area or both. Of these, 12 were granted and 1 denied.
Two appeals involved building permits which the Board had denied in 1947 because the development had not been approved by the Planning Board. These were granted after the developer filed a bond to guarantee completion of the road.
One application for permission to remove gravel was approved.
One hearing concerned a petition to cancel restrictions imposed by the Board in 1941 in connection with the Lynnfield Center Post Office building. That petition was denied, but without prejudice to the petitioner to apply again to the Board should he desire to make some new and different use of the property.
One appeal was for permission to erect a single car garage 6 feet from the street line at the end of a dead end street, and this was granted.
Of the 18 appeals, 16 were granted and 2 denied.
Respectfully submitted, ELIOT K. GRANT, Chairman Board of Appeals
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
December 10, 1948
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The following articles were sealed:
Platform Scales
5
Beam Scales
4
Spring Scales
8
Computing Scales
4
Slot-weighing Scales
1
Liquid Measures
18
Gas Pumps
32
Oil or Grease Measuring
6
Prescription Scale
1
-
79
Fees collected, $25.15.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. WESTOVER, Sealer of Weights and Measures
60
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
REPORT OF ROAD COMMISSIONER
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
I have enjoyed serving the Town of Lynnfield as its first elected Road Commissioner and herewith submit my report for the period ending December 31, 1948.
New Construction Completed:
Rockwood Road - 484 feet. Pillings Pond Road - 510 feet. Main Street - 2 new catchbasins.
Chapter 90 "Permanent Construction".
A stretch of 800 feet on Summer Street was completed and 860 feet of drainage was finished at the same location. One-half the cost of this type of work is borne by the State and the remainder is shared equally by the County and the Town.
Chapter 90 "Maintenance".
This permitted seal coating on Summer Street for a distance of 7656 feet and a strip, six feet wide, through the center of Main Street for a distance of 8976 feet. The State assumes one third of the cost and the Town two thirds.
Gravel fill recovered from Summer Street was used partly to hold down the cost of construction on Rockwood Road and the balance was delivered to the Cemetery Department, the cost of gravel fill for the Cemetery Department was $408, this ordinarily would have gone to outside sources, however, this amount was returned to the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
Our Machinery Account was increased from $248 to $1246, mainly by reason of our being reimbursed for the use of Town equipment on Chapter 90 Construction and Maintenance. This fund also benefits from rental of equipment to other towns and cities. I wish to recom- mend that this fund be allowed to build up to cover the larger share of the purchase of a replacement truck which will be needed in 1950.
The Town authorized the purchase of a new tractor - A new diesel-powered Allis Chalmers with shovel and other attachments was purchased and delivered. The sum of $493.90 remains in the account set up for the Tractor purchase and I intend to recommend the trans- fer of this amount towards the purchase of a new truck-drawn sweep- er, the total cost of which will be in the vicinity of $1,000. No other heavy equipment is needed for 1949.
The following streets were oiled and sanded under my super- vision - Forest Hill Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Arlington Street, Sylvan Circle, Lakeview Drive and 9/10ths of a mile on Chestnut Street.
61
REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
Roads in new developments must be constructed by the developer in. keeping with our present Zoning Law. However, there are still many unaccepted streets in town and your Highway Department will be able to gradually put them in proper condition and maintain them at a reasonable cost if they are accepted by the town at the rate of two or three each year.
I feel that we should also be planning a sidewalk construction program and I plan to ask for a total appropriation of $1,000. for this purpose for 1949.
Attractive new signs were placed on many streets and this work will continue during the coming year.
Throughout the year I took advantage of slack periods and bad weather to keep the regular Highway Department employees busy painting and repairing equipment. Because of this work the Town saved considerable money and I was able to take care of many small jobs through these savings.
All employees of the Highway Department and all Town officials gave me their complete cooperation throughout the year for which I am sincerely grateful.
My entire department is proud of its building and equipment and welcomes inspection visits by the voters, at all times. I solicit your suggestions and your constructive criticism in an effort to con- stantly improve the services rendered the town.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN C. COX,
Road Commissioner
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Lynnfield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The past year's work was carried along the same lines as in previous years. Woodlands were looked over for Gypsy Moth in- festations and partly creosoted. There are scattering infestations in both parts of the Town. No Browntail Moth webs were found. Elm Leaf Beetles were also very light except on private property, which in places, was extremely heavy. Tent Caterpillars were very slight also. Fall Web Worms were very heavy again last year. The Dutch Elm disease has not been discovered in Town as yet, but extra spraying will be done to prevent the spread of the same, if present in Town.
62
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
This work is carried on under the supervision of the State De- partment of Conservation. The State contributed $200.00 in supplies to the Town during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN H. TWISS,
Supt. Moth Dept.
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 and dangerous trees, also to trim up trees where there were dangerous limbs. The department purchased and planted 133 trees of various kinds along the highways. There are new streets in Town where trees should be planted. I hope that a similar amount will be provided for the purchase of trees to be planted along the highways. Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN H. TWISS,
Tree Warden
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1948.
Chicken Pox
104
Dog Bite
15
German Measles
1
Measles
131
Whooping Cough
.
2
Mumps
8
Syphilis
1
Gonorrhea
2
Infantile Paralysis
1
Summary of Report
Complaints
14
School Permits
139
Inspections made
11
Letters written
23
Wells examined
7
Cesspools inspected
3
63
REPORT OF HEALTH OFFICER
We still are not having the cooperation of the residents in re- porting the communicable diseases. I will again call attention to the fact that these diseases are reportable by the householder if a physician is not in attendance.
The Well Baby Clinic, a State supported function has continued to be well attended and seems to fill a genuine need. This work has been carried on by Dr. Oliver Bixby, Pediatrician, and Mrs. Lucy Lindquist, R. N. and continued to be in charge of the Parent-Teacher's Association.
The Pre-school Clinic was well attended for immunization against Small Pox. This clinic will be held in the Spring of this year, the date to be announced later.
With the cooperation of Mr. Harold G. Rose of the State Food and Sanitation Department, the restaurants and all places where food and drinks are served were inspected and suggestions made for im- provements. These places will again be inspected this year and graded accordingly.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. ROBINSON, M. D., D. O.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS TOWN OF LYNNFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1948
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1948
Burton W. Barrows Orodon S. Hobbs John S. Caldwell
Term expires 1950 Term expires 1951
Term expires 1949
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.
65
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The School Committee again wishes to express its sincere ap- preciation to both parents and townspeople for their excellent co-opera- tion in aiding the Committee to provide for the school children of Lynnfield the best available education. To many kindly suggestions and helpful criticisms received have aided in guiding the educational program along the lines most beneficial to all concerned.
Again, too, we express our disappointment at the fact that the program for the building of the New South School has received such a serious set-back. To the members of the original committee who gave so freely of their time and effort over a period of more than two years we extend our sincere appreciation and thanks. We hope their task, although somewhat thankless, was not in vain. To the new Building Committee we extend a wish and hope for success, not only in their own interest but in the interest of the many school children of the Town who soon may find themselves either without adequate school-housing facilities or attending school on a two-platoon basis. With the knowledge of this possibility we hope and firmly believe that the Townspeople will appreciate the imperative need for the new ele- mentary building at South Lynnfield to the extent that they will back the Building Committee in its desire to consummate this need.
We regret, as well, that the hope of utilizing the new West Wing at the Centre School in February of 1948 could not be realized because of circumstances beyond the control of those concerned. However, with the permission of the Building Committee, the School Committee was able to open its September session with the inclusion of the West Wing rooms. Although not yet accepted by the School Committee these four additional rooms have been a real asset and have played an important part in remedying some of the overcrowded conditions at the Centre School. For this we are truly grateful - but are, unfortunately, sadly aware of the fact that this relief from over- crowding is but temporary, as in September 1949 we are again faced with a one room shortage, which by 1951 will have increased to a four room shortage. A new building at South Lynnfield should help al- leviate some of that difficulty. Thinking individuals, however, will surely be aware that since the growth of our Town in terms of schools and school buildings has not been commensurate with the growth of the Town in terms of families, particularly those with children of school and pre-school age, there is, and will be for some time, a lag in meeting the school-housing requirements at both ends of the Town. By the willingness and co-operation of the townspeople to back their building committees and school committees, both of now and the fu- ture, in the programs and projects which they deem best for the Town,
66
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
those anticipated conditions which may seriously impair the long-term educational needs of Lynnfield may be both obviated and corrected.
Despite the increased load placed upon him by the increase in our school population, Mr. John D. Whittier, our Superintendent of Schools, has worked with untiring effort to obtain the best for our Town, giving certainly more than our share of his time in working with both the School Committee and the Building Committees for the best interests of the Town. In June of 1948, Mr. Whittier completed twenty-five years of service to Lynnfield as its Superintendent of Schools. As did so many of his colleagues and associates of Essex County at a testimonial to him at that time, so did we as a Town thank him for that quarter of a century devoted to young people and to the advancement of their educational interests, and wish him many more successful years as a fine educator and administrator. His re- port, containing the details of finance, administration, program, etc., are incorporated in this report. The following items of interest to you as well as your Committee are brought to your attention.
ENROLLMENT
In our report of last year we indicated an increase in enrollment and anticipated greater increases this year. The boom in homebuilding in Lynnfield which increases almost at a geometric rate has caused the School Committee considerable consternation. Although we had hoped to stave off a crucial situation by using the new South School, along with the new West Wing at the Centre School, as a stop-gap, it now appears that the lag in building construction of whatever na- ture, may force a return to the two-platoon system. Although this is not a satisfactory solution it is the only possible way in which the in- creased enrollment can be properly housed. Mr. Whittier's enroll- ment figures will indicate that we have grown, from the school en- rollment standpoint, at a rate even greater than that anticipated by Dr. Jesse B. Davis in his report to the Building Committee two years ago.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
Both of our buildings, the Centre School and the South School, are in good repair. During the summer vacation the wooden center section of the Centre School was given two coats of paint. The white, which made the old building stand out so boldly against the two new brick wings, was changed to New England barn red trimmed with white. The old black window sashes were then painted white, afford- ing better lighting. The change has resulted in a pleasing combina- tion, lowering the height of the building and tying that section in with the wings. A serious roof situation arose at the Centre School out
67
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of the extreme snow loads encountered last year. The wooden roof of the center section has now been permanently reinforced by large supporting members in two sections extending the length of the roof.
The School Committee still feels that although the South School could be very greatly improved it is prudent only to carry out such minor repairs as are necessary rather than to waste good money on a building which before too long should be decommissioned. Letters have been received from both the new School Building Committee and the building inspector recommending certain changes and im- provements for both fire prevention and safety at this building, as well as at the Centre Building. Although the School Committee does not see the need, nor in some cases the logic behind some of the changes, we feel that since they have come from the building inspector they are tantamount to a request and at his suggestion have included the cost for these repairs and changes in our budget request for 1949, thus leaving the decision with the voters.
TEACHING STAFF
We have continued with the same staff of teachers as last year, and are happy at the relative degree of permanence attained. In ad- dition, three new teachers were added in September, 1948, to meet the increased enrollment previously mentioned. In the 1949 budget request we are again recommending an increase of $200 for all teach- ers. When it is realized that our teachers now on the maximum schedule are receiving only slightly higher salaries than the minimum received by many communities as well as the minimum recommended by the National Educational Association we believe that the Townspeople will consider this adjustment favorably. Increased state aid to edu- cation, as a result of legislation enacted in 1948 by the Commonwealth, will result in a sizeable increase in return to the Town in 1949. This increase should aid greatly in assisting the Town to arrive at more equitable salaries for teachers - one of the primary purposes of the state aid program. The substitute teacher situation has become acute, for, as with regular classroom teachers, there just are none! Should any of the women in Town who have had teaching backgrounds feel inclined to assist on a substitute basis, such assistance would be most welcome by the Committee.
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
The 1947 decrease in Federal subsidy to the Hot Lunch Program was returned to the participating agencies in 1948. However, since price advances continued in a general upward trend it was deemed advisable to increase the cost of lunches in order to meet these in- creases in food. This was reluctantly done in September, 1948, and
68
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
resulted in our maintaining the same small margin of profit previously allowed. Mrs. Ethel Tyacke, our manager and dietition, and her staff are to be commended on the fine job they have done in operating this program.
With the opening of the new West Wing at the Centre School the School Committee was able to arrange for the installation of the. new equipment obtained by Superintendent Whittier from the gov- ernment as surplus commodities. This equipment consists of a large electric refrigerator, a potato-peeler, a stainless steel triple sink, a large dish-washing machine, as well as other stainless steel cooking and serving utensils. The room now used as the Lunch Room is the large lower floor north room of the East Wing. One end operates very satisfactorily as the kitchen area, the other allowing an ample space for serving, dining tables, etc. We are indebted to the state department of School Lunches for assistance in planning this new Lunch Room, and much of the credit goes to Mrs. Bethel Ross, the regional director, for her assistance in the project. While the work on the Lunch Room was being done the School Committee added as a permanent improvement to the building a Taco tankless hot water heater on the new boiler to supply a continuous supply of hot water and an electric booster at the dish-washing machine to maintain a constant supply of 180° water for the dishes as required by health regulations. Other permanent improvements, some required by law, are being included by the Committee in its new budget.
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