USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 13
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The Committee appointed to assist the Town Ac- countant in preparing the Town Report for 1949 did such a splendid job that Lynnfield's report won state- wide recognition and was chosen as the third best re- port for towns in its population class. We were
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Bridgewater State Teachers' College Keene Normal School
naturally pleased when the same committee accepted re-appointment but at a later date Mrs. Arthur Maddison found it necessary to tender her resignation. This was regretfully accepted and Mrs. Stanley Tyler was elected to succeed Mrs. Maddison. The present line-up of the Town Report Committee is as follows:
Kenneth R. Hill, Chairman
Mrs. Joseph LeBrun Henry N. Sawyer
James H. Wright Mrs. Stanley W. Tyler (succeeding Mrs. Maddison)
Town Accountant - Theodore Palizzolo (Ex-Officio)
The Planning Board report for 1949 received special attention from the Town Report judges and a certificate of merit was awarded to Lynnfield in recognition of that group's efforts.
Our so-called Codifying Committee has met regularly and the enormous job of straightening out the Town's by-laws and revising and re-codifying various departmental regulations is gradually taking form under their direction. In the course of their work certain changes which were urgent have been put into effect by adoption of ordinances or by vote of Town Meetings. The work being done by this Com- mittee has been neglected for many years and the result of its efforts will be of tremendous importance. This Committee is made up as follows:
Roy A. Woodworth, Chairman Richard L. Hobbs John L. Carlson Wilmot H. Decker Robert M. Witham Town Counsel - Ralph G. Howland (Ex-Officio)
The Committee appointed to investigate conditions at Pillings Pond rendered a very excellent report supported by such comprehensive data that the Towns- people may feel definitely encouraged regarding the Town's ability to prevent by legal means any attempt to materially alter existing conditions at the Pond. This Committee was made up of the following:
James V. Thompson, George K. Lundskog Chairman Maynard M. Ulm Harriett J. Caldwell John F. McCarthy
Anarticle will appear in the 1951 Annual Warrant requesting the appropriation of a moderate sum of money to be available for use by the proper authorities should the need develop for emergency action of any kind in connection with maintaining Pillings Pond in its present state. The Committee's recommendation that the Town consider purchasing whatever rights Mr. Gerry may possess in Pillings Pond and the dam controlling the water level "if Mr. Gerry desires to sell" will most certainly warrant careful considera- tion in the event that this purchase could be made at a reasonable price, consistent with the worth of what Mr. Gerry actually owns.
In conformance with the vote of the Annual Town Meeting we appointed the following Committees:
High School Tuition and Agreement Committee
Leslie E. Luscombe
Orodon S. Hobbs
Ralph G. Howland Charles W. Kessler Robert W. Davis
John S. Caldwell
Franklin D'entremont
High School Survey Committee
Franklin D'entremont Robert W. Davis Clifford C. Ham Mrs. Charles M. Hibbard Mrs. Joseph F. Smith
Before these Committees had been in existence very long, it became apparent that public sentiment was strongly in favor of a far more comprehensive approach to our educational problems and these two Committees remained more or less dormant pending the crystalizing of this feeling. As a result of the action of the Special Town Meeting of June 5, 1950, the Board appointed the following to serve on a Com- mittee to determine the advisability of the Town Studying its Entire School System:
Gordon E. Emerson Edward S. Moore Mrs. Oscar S. Bray William H. Meiklejohn
Miss Caroline F. Stokes William K. Widger
Alfred E. Robinson
When this Committee made its report at a special Town Meeting in October, a well attended session overwhelmingly approved the appointment of a Com- mittee of twelve members to make a "Survey of the Entire Lynnfield School System" and to report their findings at a special town meeting to be called in June of 1951.
This Board was gratified at the response of those selected to serve on this important Committee as their acceptance meant dedicating themselves to a responsible task requiring considerable effort and the sacrificing of a great deal of their leisure time. The vigor with which they have approached their task will be readily apparent by the time this report is printed.
School Survey Committee
School Committeeman, Charles W. Kessler (Elected Chairman) School Committeeman, John S. Caldwell Orodon S. Hobbs Mrs. Oscar S. Bray = Mrs. John E. Harris Mrs. Russell E. Franck Robert F. Hewitt Gordon E. Emerson, Jr. Willis P. Burbank Franklin D'entremont Hubert G. Wall Robert W. Davis
Under the authority of Article 69 in the Annual Town Meeting, the Board appointed the following men to serve on the "Committee to Study the Power and Light Situation" in that section of the Town served by the Peabody Municipal Light Plant:
N. Kenmure Wade, Chairman Ralph Wilkinson Glen R. Smith Hubert G. Wall Franklin D'entremont Carl F. Van Bennekom
The report rendered by this Committee indicated that the conditions were serious enough to warrant our re-appointing the entire Committee in an ad- visory capacity in an effort to bring about a speedy solution of the problems confronting those residents dependent on Peabody for electric current. Several meetings with the Mayor of Peabody and those in- volved with the physical aspects of supplying power
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have resulted in a promise of lower rates to become effective in January, 1951 and adequate and consistent voltage upon completion of a new and separate line to Lynnfield which should be completed by Spring or early Summer of 1951.
The question of telephone service also received our attention and meetings were held with the top local officials of the New England Telephone Company. It would appear that the present service from the Lynnfield Centre Exchange will continue to leave much to be desired until the proposed new exchange permits the expansion of the company's physical facilities. This will include dial telephone service.
In the meantime, these officials have pledged their attention to the end that our present service will be as satisfactory as the proper functioning of present arrangements will permit. It now looks as though the development of the telephone company's plans may be seriously hindered by shortage of materials and other causes beyond its control but we have the assurance that everything possible will be done.
The above-mentioned officials have also agreed. to institute a survey and conduct a forum in an effort to give the entire town the type of basic service the majority may desire. While this may take consider- able time, the Board feels that the cooperative atti- tude of the local company officials may ultimately bring about a solution to some of our telephone problems.
When Civil Defense began to become an important issue, we appointed Rufas La C. Stevens to serve as Lynnfield's Director of Civil Defense. In line with the conditions under which Mr. Stevens accepted this job in the beginning, he submitted his resignation on November 1, 1950 and Mr. George E. Lacoste, who hadbeen a member of the original Advisory Council, was appointed to succeed him.
Developments to the end of the year have satisfied us that we had made an excellent choice for Director as well as having chosen wisely the following members of the Civil Defense Advisory Council:
Wesley B. Millett Louis B. Tuck John P. Duggan Raymond R. Pearson
Ross E. Coon Mrs. Joseph F. Smith
Walter H. Kuestenmacher and Lloyd S. Glidden were other appointees but found it necessary to re- sign because of the extreme pressure of other activities. Other appointments to this important Committee will be made in the near future and will be announced through the press.
To assure our community the maximum protec- tion in event of attack and to prepare ourselves to assist other areas which might suffer disaster, it will be necessary to spend a lot of money and the cooperative, combined effort of everyone will be required.
It is the prayer of all that we may never need the services we are building in connection with Civil Defense, but it is likewise the duty of each of us to willingly accept whatever may be our obligation to insure the adequacy of Lynnfield's defense pro- gram. It would appear that we are well ahead of other communities at this stage and we hope that everyone will join to help keep Lynnfield in a position of leader- ship.
Perhaps the largest individual project Lynnfield has ever tackled was the planning and construction of the New South School. The report of the Building Committee will be found elsewhere in this annual town report but it is fitting that the exceptionally fine job done by this group be acknowledged here for the Town.
The Building Committee was comprised of men who had the ability, the energy, and the spirit to tackle a real job in such a manner that we now have a most modern and most practical school building, at a cost substantially below the amount spent by other com- munities for similar schools.
A sketch of our new school was a naturally unani- mous choice for the cover of this year's report. In observing this picture or when inspecting the school, let's all remember with gratitude that a hard working committee spent a lot of time in making this school a reality.
To them, and to all the voters whose vision made the project possible, this building now stands not only as a majestic memorial but as a practical example of a complete institution in which thousands of Lynn- field's children will enjoy exposure to education in a cheerful and sanitary atmosphere.
In accordance with the vote of the annual Town Meeting, the Board appointed the following to serve on a Committee to make recommendations as to the disposition of the Old South School when and if it passed from the jurisdiction of the School Committee:
Aime DeLangle, Chairman John P. Shaughnessy Harrison S. King Eugene C. Van Amburg
Philip R. Nute
As the School Committee has retained control of the building in view of the fact that it will probably be needed again for emergency school housing, con- clusions as to its disposition must necessarily re- main indefinite for the time being.
We successfully followed through and obtained certification of the Centre School West Wing for participation in the State School Building assistance program and payment of $13,174.28 was received from the State in time to go on our 1950 books. This represented four years installments or four tenths of the total amount the Town will receive under this program.
The New School Building Committee has provided the School Building Assistance Commission with most of the information necessary for certification of the New South School, but if this Committee is dis- charged, the Town should vote to have the Selectmen complete the negotiations and insure our participation on this much larger project.
During the year the entire Board "perambulated" the Town's boundaries with Saugus, Lynn, Peabody, and Middleton. It is a requirement of an old State law that this be done every five years. There is a move afoot to have this law abolished and if it de- velops, it will have our whole hearted support.
Our program calling for a few street acceptances each year has been working out very well and if con- tinued for a few more years the town will have all
33
Report of SELECTMEN
eligible streets completed, and our zoning by-laws require proper construction by the developers, of all roads in future developments.
The Board has not as yet issued the complete regulations covering the police department but ex- pects to do so after the first of the year.
From 1940 to 1950 Lynnfield's population has in- creasedby 1,638 to a total of 3,925. This represents an increase of almost 72%. These figures, which are still unofficial, indicate that our rate of growth was exceeded by only one other town in the State and the difference was very small.
While this rapid rate of growth may be partly checked by the fact that new home construction may be limited for an indefinite period of time, the voters of Lynnfield should acknowledge that we must ap- proach many problems with a different view point than in the past.
On the other hand, your Selectmen have been constantly impressing on all department heads that methods and procedures of a few years ago are now outmoded and impractical. In most cases our efforts in this direction have been fruitful.
Provisionfor additional clerical assistance at the Town Hall will be included for consideration in the annual warrant. The requirements of those depart- ments which use the general government clerk have expanded considerably and two full time clerks will also permit better service to townspeople with busi- ness to transact at the Town Hall.
The question of office space at the Town Hall will continue to be a problem but at this time it is felt that only temporary measures are justified in working out a solution. Major alterations or new construction of any kind must necessarily await the return to normal of the present unsettled conditions.
Previously proposed changes which would ma- terially alter the present set-up of our Town govern- ment should also be deferred until general conditions have become stabilized. All Town officials and em- ployees should recognize the reasons for this attitude and "carry on" for the duration of the "emergency."
In the Selectmen's budget for 1951, there will be provisionfor increases in salaries. Many years have elapsed since such a request has been made and if these increases are granted they will serve only to adjust each member's net return to approximately what the present salaries represented when they were established a long time ago.
This report has necessarily been a lengthy one despite our efforts to record only the high spots of a busy year. Many items we would like to cover have been omitted in the interest of brevity and it is also possible that we have not mentioned many individuals
whose efforts might well have been publicly recog- nized in this report.
It is not our intention to slight anyone and we ex- tend our sincere thanks to all those whose hearty cooperation has helped us to chalk up what we would like to feel was another year of real progress.
Your Town is in good condition and effective planning from now on can maintain its healthy financial standing, while permitting controlled expansion of the facilities and services necessary to the proper opera- tion of the kind of a community we can all proudly call our "home town."
To this end we appeal for the continued active interest of each and every Lynnfield resident.
Respectuflly submitted,
Arthur W. Nelson, Chairman Clifton E. Hodgdon Harry K. Jackson
GASOLINE REGISTRATIONS ISSUED IN 1950 Perley Burrill Julius Rombult George M. Roundy & Co. Jenney Manufacturing Co. Allan Dinsmore Bay Side Petroleum Co. Colonial Realty Trust W. J. Walker (2)
Donovan Bros. Maxwell Kahn Carter & Ayers Sagamore Golf Club Patrick Lloyd Benjamin Robinson W. E. Wilkinson Gertrude S. & Herbert C. Heylmun
JUNK LICENSES ISSUED
Charles Winniker Sam Casper Arthur Mikulsky
Lynn Wakefield Melrose
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Report of SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF LYNNFIELD
The School Committee thanks the townspeople, and especially the parents, for their cooperation during the past year. We appreciate the many helpful sug- gestions and the interest shown by many persons and groups in our sincere efforts to extend and improve the educational facilities of our town.
r
For the first time in many years, we were able to commence the school year in September of 1950 with sufficient facilities to house our school children without resorting to basement rooms or double classes. In connection with this, we wish to compli- ment the South School Building Committee for a job well done, and express our appreciation for the construction of a school building that can well serve as a model for years to come. We also wish to thank the Center and the South Parent-Teacher organiza- tions for the gifts of Educational Film Strip Projec- tors to their respective schools this past year. While writing about our new South School, we would be some- what remiss if we did not call attention to the frequent use that is made of the auditorium and gymnasium for both social and athletic affairs. From September 1, 1950 to January 1, 1951, this room has been used twenty-nine times by fifteen different organizations of both Lynnfield Center and South Lynnfield.
In the following, we point out items that may be of special interest to the townspeople.
ENROLLMENT
Continuing the trend that has been established over the past several years, our elementary school popu- lation increased from five hundred and twenty on December 21, 1949 to five hundred eighty-four on December 23, 1950. This increase, plus that which is expected by September 1951, means that two and possibly three more rooms are needed. Therefore we are again faced with the problem of finding space to properly house our school children. We have sev- eral plans, and will decide upon one by the start of school in September 1951.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION
In past years, we have been rightly criticized from a safety viewpoint for allowing parking on Main Street, in front of the school. To overcome this situation, we included in our budget last year, a sum of money to build a parking space. We completed this project in back of the Center School, bordering on Arlington Street, thus a hazardous condition has been elimi- nated, and a useful addition has been added to our school plant. We have included in our current budget, a sum of money to commence the hot topping of a play area at the Center School. This is a sound in- vestment for the preservation of our tile floors in the school, and the elimination of excessive janitorial duties. We hope that this program will be continued each year until completed.
TEACHING STAFF
Our teaching staff has again remained relatively stable, new teachers having been added to meet in- creased enrollment and the elimination of double classes at the South School. All questions relating to salary increases and adjustments have been post- poned until after the report of the Special Survey Committee.
HOT LUNCH PROGRAM
We are now operating two complete hot lunchpro- grams, one at the South School and one at the Center. Due to a change in our state laws, we no longer find it necessary to ask for transfer of funds. In past years, the town has appropriated $ 7500 for this pro- gram. As of September 1950, there was on hand ap- proximately $7800. We believe this amount will provide sufficient capital for many years to come, to operate the hot lunch Program.
MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND
Under the direction of Mr. John Caldwell of the Committee, the Memorial Playground has been main- tained in excellent condition during the year. The bleachers were repaired and repainted. Certain spe- cifications have been set down by the state for the continued use of the playground, and we have included these items in this year's budget.
FINANCE
The School Committee finished the past year with quite a large sum unexpended. As in past years, we anticipatedan increase in our high school enrollment. This figure remained approximately the same, there- fore we did not use the money set up for this purpose.
The school budget for 1951, shows a considerable increase which is due to the continued increase in enrollment. The School Committee, working with the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen, in- tends to keep this appropriation as small as possible, at the same time, maintaining an educational system such as the town desires.
In closing, the School Committee wishes to point out two things that auger well for the future. The past year, we have had observers from both Parent- Teachers Organizations. We believe this is a healthy condition. Also, the town voted to have a survey made of our school system. We believe this is a forward step and look forward to the many aids it will give your school committee in operating the school sys- tem of Lynnfield. The School Committee meets the first and third Mondays of each month and all towns- people are welcome.
Respectfully submitted,
LYNNFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE Orodon S. Hobbs, Chairman John S. Caldwell Charles W. Kessler
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Report of SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
FOREWORD
For the past two years, the members of this Committee have been fully occupied with the mechan- ics of planning and administering the construction of the new Precinct II Elementary School. This has been for all of us an interesting and a rewarding experience, not only because of the enthusiastic re- ception the building itself has received from the townspeople, the teachers and the students, but also because of the confidence in us our fellow citizens have evidenced throughout the planning and construc- tion period. Without mentioning any individuals, lest by omission we do injustice to some, we wish here to express our appreciation for the encouragement and the whole-hearted support that has been afforded us by the people and the Town Officers alike. Nor would this expression be complete without mention of our Architects, Mr. Herman Tucker and Mr. Howard L. Rich, and our General Contractor, Mr. Walter Ritchie. The thoughtful planning and the willing cooperation of these men and their staffs have made our task an easy and pleasant one.
It is our sincere hope that the building now com- pleted will have a long and useful life, and that it will indeed prove to be a symbol of real growth and progress in this community.
I. HISTORICAL
Replacement of the outmoded and outworn wooden schoolhouse in South Lynnfield, a relic of the post- civil war period has been a persistent dream in the town for many years. A start toward realization of that dream was made in 1945, when the Planning Board engaged the services of Dr. Jesse B. Davis, an educational consultant, to survey the Town's needs. His report was rendered in January, 1946, and in March of that year a Committee was appointed to procure plans and specifications for the proposed building.
Shortly thereafter, and before a real start could be made on the Committee's major assignment, it became evident that additional classroom space should be provided at the Center School, and the energies of the Committee were diverted in that direction. Thus it was not until 1948 that plans and estimates for the South Lynnfield building were ready. The Town considered and rejected those plans at a Special Town Meeting on September 20 of that year, presumably on the basis of cost. The Committee thereupon completed its work on the Center School addition and was discharged.
Nofurther action on the South School project was taken until November 16, 1948, when members of the current Committee were appointed. This group met in the Town Hall on November 22, 1948, when it elected its Secretary and its Chairman and proceeded with its business.
The Committee's initial report was rendered to the Town February 18, 1949. This report recom- mended construction in Precinct II of a ten classroom elementary school building, to include a combination
cafeteria and playroom, administrative suite, teach- ers' rest room and utility space. The Committee estimated that such a building, adequate, well ar- ranged, of durable and easily maintained construction, and with suitable provision for expansion, could be constructed and furnished complete and ready for occupancy, for $350,000 or less, assuming no rise in the construction price level and no extraordinary difficulties on the site. The report also stated the Committee's belief that with prompt action by the Town such a building could be constructed and fur- nished in time for occupancy at the opening of the School Term in September, 1950.
On motion made by the Committee at the Town Meeting on March 14, 1949, the Town appropriated the sum of $350,000 for the planning, construction and furnishing of the building above described, with the proviso that the preliminary floor plans and elevations be subject to approval by a majority of the Chairmen of the Finance Committee, the Planning Board, the School Committee and the Board of Select- men. The Town also directed that the work be done and the funds be expended under the direction of the Committee.
The Committee proceeded immediately to com- mission its Architect, and by May 14, 1949, had secured the necessary approval of the preliminary plans and was proceeding with preparation of final plans and specifications. Bids on the work were re- quested on July 15 and were opened on August 16. A total of fourteen (14) bids were received. The contract was awarded to the low bidder on August 22, and an actual start on the work was made on August 31.
It became apparent soon after excavation was started that the amount of rock to be removed had been seriously underestimated, and that on this account the original appropriation might prove in- adequate. Subsequent events confirmed this, and at the Committee's request, the Special Town Meet- ing of January 23, 1950, appropriated an additional $45,000. This additional sum has permitted com- pletion of the building in accordance with the plans and specifications, and, because the contingencies provided for did not materialize, has also made it possible to curb and pave the driveway, parking area and service area, and to provide the gymnasium chairs.
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