USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 44
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issue, as reimbursement from this building.
Such receipts as those cited above go into the general fund of the Town, and serve to reduce the net costs of schools as such costs affect the tax rate. 3
IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS
Among the major problems facing the community in regard to its schools in the immediate future are two of more than usual significance. These are inter-related in a sense in that they pertain to the establishment of the high school unit in the Town.
The first problem is the securing of a professional staff, com- petent to handle secondary education at a high level of per- formance. Already severe shortages exist in specialized subject areas, and these shortages will be intensified in the years just ahead. Every effort must be continued to take whatever steps are necessary to attract and retain competent professionally minded personnel. In order to be successful in our educational endeavor, in keeping with the apparent desires of the community for excell- ence, we must be able to attract the top 20% among available teachers, and our efforts should be so directed.
A second major task is the establishment of a pattern for the high school program. This is a tremendous and pressing problem, on which some action has already been taken, but the time factor is such as to require intensification of attention to this problem. School programs in existence in other communities should be studied and analysed for best current practices. Specialized advice should be secured wherever available. The community's desires as to needs should be ascertained.
If the secondary program in Lynnfield is to be established at the desired high level of excellence, we must begin now to prepare the way, by adequate study and planning, and by the taking of such early preliminary steps as may be indicated, expediently.
TESTING PROGRAM
Acceptable teaching practice emphasizes a considerable attention to each individual child to carry him through the in- structional program efficiently. Good teachers have always made every attempt to get to know their children well, and their instruction has benefited accordingly. There are many sources available to the teacher in her search for vital information about the child. One of the important technical aids the teacher has access to is the system-wide testing program, which is now in its
third year of operation.
Group psychological tests are administered in Grades I, III, V, and VIII. In each instance, the tests are designed to in- dicate the individual pupil's apparent strengths and weaknesses in certain areas related to capacity for learning in the school situation.
Standardized achievement tests are administered to each pupil, in his class group, in the spring of the year. These measure the child's achievement level in the major areas. Reading and arithmetic skills are tested at all levels. In grades III - IX, language and work study skills are also evaluated in the testing program. Sixteenspecificskills are rated in the four basic areas above Grade III.
An important feature of the testing program centers around the selection of high school course work. Psychological, achieve- ment, and interest tests are administered to the eighth grade pupils. Conferences are arranged with parents, pupil, and a staff member in attendance. The data available from the testing program has proved very helpful in aiding the parent and pupil to come to a decision as to course selection for Grade IX, this being the first grade in which differentiation of program through course appears in the school pattern.
A very large number of the citizens of Lynnfield continues to work, either directly or indirectly, for the betterment and im- provement of education in the community. It is obvious that the very real interest and efforts of the townspeople have been a major force in advancing educational growth. Not only are the formally constituted committees performing valuable and signi- ficant services, but numerous individuals have also contributed during the past year to the educational welfare of the community's schools. The capacities and the efforts of professional staff are commendable, and are definitely above average in all respects. It is, however, the efforts of the general citizens of Lynnfield that will, in the long run, make it possible to provide for excell- ence in educational endeavors. We know that this will be forth- coming, and that progress in Lynnfield will be second to none in this respect. We express our very sincere thanks toall who have aided in service to the children of Lynnfield.
Respectfully submitted,
Walter J. Vorse Superintendent of Schools
Report of SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
This Committee, which was appointed by the Board of Select- menunder authority of the Annual Town Meeting of 1954 for the purpose of procuring preliminary plans, sketches and an estimate of cost of an elementary school building, held its first meeting on April 13, 1954.
Selection of Rich and Tucker Associates of Boston as Archi- tects of the proposed building was the Committee's first official business and thereafter frequent meetings were held throughout
the Spring and Summer months. During this period several plans were studied and many sketches produced by the Architects. The final result of this work was a set of preliminary plans for a twelve room elementary school building to be constructed on the former Pope property on Summer Street at an estimated total cost of $475, 000.
The Committee presented its recommendations in the form of a special report which was distributed to the Voters of the Town
43
early in October. A Special Town Meeting, held on October 18, 1954, unanimously voted an appropriation of funds and authorized the Committee to proceed with the work of planning and supervising the construction and furnishing of the new school building.
As the year closed, preparation of working drawings and specifications was nearing completion. Present plans call for the advertising of construction bids on January 27, 1955, with a public opening to be held on February 17, 1955. It is expected that a contract can be awarded soon after the bids are opened and that construction work can be started as soon thereafter as weather will permit. The Committee's schedule calls for major construction work to be done during 1955 and the building to be completed and equipped within the first six months of 1956.
Negotiations have been carried on during the year with the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission and have resulted in preliminary approval and a tentative school con- struction grant of $ 192, 327.
The Committee, with the assistance of the Superintendent of Schools, was instrumental in obtaining approval of the Emergency Finance Board of the Commonwealth to borrow $200, 000 for the project outside the Town's legal debt limit. Until recently, this authority could only be obtained by an Act of the Legislature.
Report of LIBRARY TRUSTEES
The Library Department of the Town of Lynnfield ranks high among the libraries of its own group in the State of Massachusetts.
This information was obtained at the Annual All-Day Session of the Massachusetts State Library Trustees' Association which was held in October, 1954, in the Charter Room of the New England Mutual Hall in Boston.
Library Trustees Pauline Chadwell and Rudolph Schlenker, who attended this Annual Meeting, had the opportunity to meet trustees from many parts of the state and to compare notes with them on Library Management.
Among the significant phases, in which Lynnfield Libraries ranked high with libraries in the same class, were:
1. Selection of important non-fiction and fiction books an- nually.
2. Excellent maintenance of libraries and grounds.
3. Hearty co-operation between the School System and the Library System.
a. Special hours are designated for school classes to go to the libraries to select books.
b. Reading certificates are awarded at the end of the school year for the reading of 10 or more selected books.
c. National Book Week was celebrated locally by book murals made by school children and displayed in the libraries. Miss Judith Stromdahl, Head Librarian of the Arlington Public Library presented a Story-Telling Program in the Classrooms.
Removal of the present buildings on the school site has been of some concern. Despite advertisements and publicity in Lynn and Wakefield newspapers, no interest in this part of the project was apparent at the year's end, and the Committee concluded that the problem was best solved by having the removal work done by the general contractor in conjunction with the construc- tion work on the new building.
In conclusion, wefeel that we have planned a building which will be of good appearance and functionally workable. Although school building construction costs have shown an upward trend in the past three months, largely because of new state regulations which impose stricter requirements on general contractors in their relations with subcontractors, we are hopeful that, with bids be- ing received at the most favorable period in the year, and with careful supervision of the project as a whole, we will be able to construct and equip the building within the estimated cost.
Respectfully submitted,
Ivar C. Akerblom Sanborn A. Caldwell
Robert W. Davis Samuel R. Puffer Eberhard A. Swan
Howard S. Armerding, Chairman Walter H. Kuestenmacher, Secretary
d. Colorful book jackets from the libraries are on display in the school corridors.
4. Cordial co-operation between the Townspeople and the Library System.
a. Parents are encouraged to suggest worth-while books for their children.
b. Suggestions for constant improvement are heartily in- vited.
Pauline Chadwell, Secretary
Lynnfield Library Board of Trustees James Lake, Chairman Rudolph P. Schlenker, Trustee
Lynnfield Librarians' Reports
Center Library
Number of Books Bought 194
Number of Books Given 66
Number of Book Patrons 634
Number of Books Loaned 9,584
Number of Magazine Patrons 52
Number of Magazines Loaned 630
Received in Fines $174. 95
Received for lost book fines
19.30
Number of books rebound 37
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Reference Books Bought:
World Book and Encyclopedia - 19 Volumes Fells U. S. International Coinbook
Standard Postage-Stamp Catalogue
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary
Book On Wild Flowers
Living U. S. Constitution S. K. Padover
Government Yearbook on Plant Diseases
Introduction to Trees by John Kiernan
The following magazines have been subscribed for by the Trustees:
American Woman's Home Companion
American Home
Time
Better Homes and Gardens
Popular Mechanics
Cosmopolitan
Red Book
Life
Jack and Jill
Ladies Home Journal
Ideals
Magazines have been given by Mr. John Ward, Miss Alice Ward, Mrs. Harriet Olmsted, Mrs. Alvin S. Chadwell, Mr. Wil- liam Russell, and the Christian Science Church of Reading.
Books have been given by:
Mrs. Wendall Goldthwait
1 book
Charles F. Haywood
1 book
Peter Dustin 8 books
Robert Whitten
1 book
Friends of Bernard Baugh
1 book
Mrs. H. Merrill Story of Nursing
1 book
Mrs. Marjory Potter 2 books
1 book
Mrs. Jarvis Stebbins
34 books
Mrs. Wallace Snowdon
15 books
(One of Sir Walter Scott's
Books Donated)
1 book
66 Books
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth W. Green, Librarian
LYNNFIELD CENTER LIBRARY This building was built in 1864 for a school house and was used as such until the Center School was built in 1892. In 1908 the library, which had been started and given to the town by the Lynnfield Library Association, and which had been kept in the Town Hall, commenced its occupancy of this building with 577 books.
-
-
Branch Library at South Lynnfield
Number of Patrons 458
Number of Books Loaned 4,801
Number of Magazine Subscriptions 12
Number of New Books Received 207
Amount Received in Fines
$114. 00
Fortune and Newsweek Magazines donated by Mrs. Alvin S. Chadwell.
In co-operation with the South School, a program of visita- tion by different grades has been carried out which has helped to acquaint the pupils with the facilities of the library.
Respectfully submitted,
James C. Marshall, Librarian
Report of PLANNING BOARD
The nation, and especially New England, is experiencing a building boom unknown to previous gnerations. New Eng- landers have built more houses in the last five years than they did in the whole previous ten-year period. Migration of city dwellers to the country has brought great changes to our country towns. Lynnfield must accept these changes but must control them in such a way that they will not destroy those things which make Lynnfield a desirable place in which to live.
The year 1954 has been a year during which your Planning Board has continued the development of the Master Plan and has solidified the Zoning Laws passed at the Special Town Meeting in December 1953 by rewriting and publishing new rules and
regulations governing subdivisions. These regulations were adopt- ed on June 21, 1954 to replace those written fourteen years ago.
These subdivision rules and regulations were designed to con- trol developments and developers in such a way that they would be beneficial rather than burdensome to the community and to the residents who were to live in these newly-built areas. Under these rules, a subdivision plan must be approved by the Road Commi - ssioner, the Water District Commissioners, the Chief of the Fire Department, the Tree Warden and the Board of Health before it is considered for final approval by the Planning Board. Regu- lations require the developer to build streets, install drainage, plant trees and install water mains and fire hydrants to meet
45
Mrs. Jewell MacDonald
certain specifications. The land itself must be approved from a health viewpoint.
These rules now provide that developers install water supply lines to the exterior lines of the streets at each lot whether or not there is an existing building. This will eliminate the nece- ssity of digging up streets for water pipes after having been completed.
New Building Laws have been rewritten and are now being restudied prior to adoption. At present, we are working under laws written in 1945. As conditions change, so must our rules and regulations if we are to keep abreast of the times.
Much work has been done on the Master Plan but much remains to be done. The theoretical part has been accomplished but this is of little use unless action is taken to put theory into practice. The final report prepared by Mr. Alan Benjamin takes into detailed consideration the development and growth of Lynn- field for the next fifty years. Thorough studies were made of the school situation, business areas, major and minor streets, parks and playgrounds, public buildings (post offices, fire stations, police station, libraries and Town Hall), water supply systems, sewerage and refuse disposal, an airfield, and last of all ce- meteries. Thisfinal report (not including those parts concerning zoning, subdivision regulations and building laws) consisted of 158 pages plus 41 maps. This has been condensed and is to be
published for distribution before the Annual Town Meeting in March 1955. Articles will be inserted in the Warrant of this Meeting, calling for action by the Town on certain recom- mendations.
During 1954, the Planning Board approved 13 definite requests for new subdivisions consisting of more than 2 miles of new streets and 172 house lots.
Court action was taken in March against the Planning Board by a developer and was tried before the Salem Superior Court. We are pleased to report that a verdict was handed down con- firming the action of the Planning Board.
Respectfully submitted,
LYNNFIELD PLANNING BOARD
T. N. Ferren, Chairman J. E. Harriss, Secretary F. R. D'Entremont C. L. Burbank, Jr. R. L. Hobbs
Report submitted in compliance with Section 81C, Chapter 494, Acts of 1913 as amended.
Report of BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board of Appeals under the Zoning and Building By-laws held thirty-six public hearings during 1954.
Variances were granted to permit the erection of twenty-one dwellings and five private garages on lots where the area, street frontage, and/or lot line clearances did not meet the requirements of the Zoning By-law. Variances for six dwellings were denied and one such appeal was withdrawn.
The owner of one lot of land was permitted to reduce his street frontage in order to sell a small strip of land to the owner of adjoining property for a driveway; this resulted in increasing the ,frontage of the latter lot and to more nearly equalize the frontages of both lots. The owner of another lot of land was re- fused permission to reduce the area and street frontage of his lot below that required by the Zoning Law where he wished to sell part of his land for the erection of a dwelling on a lot which was smaller than that required by the Zoning By-law.
The owner of two houses in a congested area on Pillings Pond was denied permission to build anaddition on to one of the dwell- ings.
Colonial Country Club was given a permit to remove gravel during the construction of an addition to its golf course. A similar permit was granted to the owner of the Gerry Cider Mill property for grading purposes. Restrictions to protect the Town were included in both permits. One application for a similar permit is pending.
The Board granted a permit to the owner of a tract of land of approximately 3 acres at the end of Parsons Avenue to construct a second dwelling on the property without requiring him to con- struct a street. The owner of property on Main Street, a small portion of the rear of which abutted the rear of the land in ques- tion, appealed our decision to the Superior Court where the action of the Board was upheld. This has now been appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court.
Onan appeal for a permit to construct a building to be used for the manufacture and retail sale of baked goods in a General Business District on the Newburyport Turnpike, the Board ruled that, with certain limitations as to retail sales and size of the building, the proposed use was permitted by the Zoning By-law as a matter of law. This decision has been appealed to the Superior Court by several owners of property in the neighborhood.
A permit for a commercial greenhouse in a residential zone was denied.
The Board collected $360. 00 in fees and had expenses totaling $526. 75. The deficit was occasioned by the expense of defend- ing the Parsons Avenue court appeal.
Members Glen R. Smith Hubert G. Wall, Secretary Eliot K. Grant, Chairman
Alternate Members Augustus S. True Malcolm V. Smith William K. Widger
46
Report of COMMITTEE FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
The high light of this committee's work during 1954 involved the preparation of a brochure which described briefly the Town of Lynnfield and its assets for industry. Look to Lynnfield for In- dustrial Expansion Opportunities, the title of this brochure, has been distributed throughout representative and selected commer- cial enterprises, Industrial Real Estate Agencies, and other in- terested organizations throughout the United States.
Through the assistance of one of Lynnfield's interested citi- zens; namely, Mr. Frank M. Prendergast, a very complete arti- cle titled Lynnfield Bids for New Industries was published in the October, 1954, issue of INDUSTRY. The Magazine INDUSTRY is the Official Publication of the Associated Industries of Massa- chusetts. Parts of the prepared brochure were reproduced in this article.
Very close liaison has been maintained with the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, Department of Commerce, Development
Division. Their assistance and continued guidance has been most helpful.
Many meetings, conferences, and tours took place during the year 1954, by all members of this committee, and it is felt that the first stage of the work is well under way and continued ef- forts will be made in the coming year with definite hopes of ob- taining some benefit from these efforts. In line with this, it is the committee's feeling that one additional volunteer should be added to the present committee of five.
Respectfully submitted,
Arthur C. Johnson, Jr., Chairman 1. Albert Lee, Secretary Gustaf R. Berg Norman E. Northrup Carl E. Shumway
ILR.
47
Result of State Primary Held September 14, 1954
Election officers serving were as follows:
SENATOR IN CONGRESS
Prec. 1
Prec. 2 Total
Leverett Saltonstall, Smith Dover
211
119 330
Blanks
14
6 20
CONGRESSMAN Eighth District
Angier L. Goodwin, 52 Sheffield Rd. , Melrose
178
101
279
Lester W. Bowen, 1457 Main St. , Reading
39
13
52
Blanks
8
11
19
COUNCILLOR
Arthur A. Thomson, 49 Greene St., No. Andover
204
106
310
Blanks
21
19
40
SENATOR Third Essex District
Philip A. Graham, 293 Bridge St., Hamilton
185
105
290
Charles K. Morrill, 55 Woodland St., Newburyport
19
11
30
Blanks
21
9
30
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT Eleventh Essex District
Belden G. Bly, Jr., 46 Auburn St., Saugus
195
105
300
Fred A. Hutchinson, 36 Sabory St., Lynn
148
92
240
Eugene P. Martin, 16 Ritchie Rd., Lynn 52
18
70
Harold A. Steele, 24 Revere Ave., Lynn Blanks
39
29
68
200
108
308
Blanks
25
17
42
TREASURER
Augustus G. Means, County Rd.,
Essex
207
115
322
Blanks
18
10
28
AUDITOR
William P. Constantino, 117 Pearl St., Clinton
197
107
304
Blanks
28
18
46
ATTORNEY GENERAL
George Fingold, 37 Lowell Rd. ,
210
117
327
Concord
15
8
23
David Burns, Maple St., Middleton 44
11
55
.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY Eastern District
Hugh A. Cregg, 72 Tudor St., Methuen 182
81
263
Philip L. Sisk, 57 Grant Rd., Lynn
32
39
71
Blanks
11
5
16
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY
Richard J. White, Jr., 8 Upham Rd., Lynn
202
113
315
Blanks
23
12
35
COUNTY COMMISSIONER Essex County
Arthur A. Thompson, 95 Lowell St., Methuen
85
56 141
Blanks
Precinct 2
Alexander Williams
Warden
Cornelius Doyle
Joseph LeBrun Clerk
Chester Melanson
George MacGregor
Harold F. Kaler
Joseph Donovan
Arthur McGonnell
Albert White, Jr.
Paul Schlenker
Gustav Koch
John F. Carter, Jr.
Joseph Cronin
Police Officers
Thomas Ganley
Stanley E. Flagg
Total Vote cast 426
Prec. 1
Prec. 2
Total
Republican
225
125
350
Democratic
31
45
76
256
170
426
REPUBLICAN BALLOT
GOVERNOR
Prec. 1 Prec. 2
Total
Christian A. Herter, Causeway St.,
Millis
208
111
319
Blanks
17
14
31
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Sumner G. Whittier, 103 Linden St.,
Everett
2 12
119
331
Blanks
13
6
19
SECRETARY
Michael J. McCarthy, 282 Spring St., East Bridgewater
16
6
22
48
Precinct 1
William H. Haskell, 18 State St., Marblehead
Prec. 1 Prec. 2 Total
90 49 139 6
9 15
John I. Fitzgerald, 34 Irving St., Boston
Prec. ] Prec. 2 Total
5
5 10
Joseph L. Murphy, 57 Samoset St. , Boston
6
9
15
Blanks
4
2
6
CONGRESSMAN Eighth District
John B. Carr, 91 Prentiss St., Somerville
2
6
8
John C. Carr, Jr., 30 Burnside St., Medford
11
15
26
Torbert H. MacDonald, 18 Stevens St., Malden
18
21
39
Marblehead
15
4
19
Blanks
18
14
32
DEMOCRATIC BALLOT
GOVERNOR
Robert F. Murphy, 90 West Border Rd. , Malden
22
33
Francis E. Kelly, 1184 Morton St.,
Boston
9
12
Blanks
0
0
0
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
James A. Burke, 32 George St., Boston 29
38
67
Blanks 2
7
9
SECRETARY
Edward J. Cronin, 61 Cook Ave., Chelsea 28
37
65
Blanks 3
8
11
TREASURER
Clement A. Riley, 132 Berwick Pl. , Norwood
11
15
26
William F. Carr, 390 K St., Boston
12
12
24
John F. Kennedy, 2222 Washington St., Canton
6
14
20
Blanks
2
4
6
AUDITOR
Thomas J. Buckley, 21 Pinckney St.,
27
39
66
Boston
4
6
10
Blanks
ATTORNEY GENERAL
John F. Collins, 72 Dunster Rd. ,
Boston
3
8
11
Blanks
SENATOR IN CONGRESS
Foster Furcolo, 812 Longmeadow St.,
Longmeadow
16
29
45 Blanks
SENATOR Third Essex District
James P. Boyle, 35 Mason St., Peabody 20
23 43
Leonard B. Murphy, 42 State St.,
Newburyport 8
13
21
Blanks 3
9
12
REPRESENTATIVES IN GENERAL COURT Eleventh Essex District
John J. Bucchiere, 254 Lincoln Ave., Saugus
24
26 50
Myron D. Donoghue, 172 Essex St.,
24 31
55
Saugus
14
33
47
Blanks
DISTRICT ATTORNEY Eastern District
V. Frederick Sano, 15 Lufkin St., Lynn 26 34
5
11
16
Blanks
REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY Essex County
John J. Costello, 17 Merrimack St., No. Andover
10 11
21
Frank E. Riley, Jr., 82 Range Av., Lynn 18 3
4
7
29
18 47
J. Everett Collins, 35 Summer St., Andover
20
21
41
Bertram V. Hawthorne, 57 Centre St., Lynn
14
17
31
Leslie E. Luscombe, 24 Virginia Ter., Lynn
129
51
180
Earle H. Smith, 98 Washington St., ยท
Blanks
0
3
3
COUNCILLOR Fifth District
Michael J. Batal, 51 Dartmouth St., Lawrence
6
11
17
Joseph F. Batemen, 526 Andover St.,
55 Lawrence 5
2 7
William G. Hennessey, 653 Western Ave.,
21 Lynn 18
Mario J. Lucchesi, Bancroft Rd.,
4
5
Blanks
1
4
5
Andover 1
24 42
60
28
37
65
30
48
49
Blanks
COUNTY TREASURER Essex County
David D. Black, 67 Tudor St., Lynn
COUNTY COMMISSIONER Essex County
John R. Ahern, 163 Shawsheen Rd. , Prec. Prec. Total
Andover
12
10
22
Blanks
9 14
Edmund F. Curley, 146 Norfolk Ave. , Swampscott
17
27
44
Harry W. Higgins Town Clerk
Record of State Election Held November 2, 1954
Election Officers Serving
Precinct 1
Precinct 2
John F. Kennedy, Democratic
Prec. 1 306
Prec. 2 195
501
Augustus G. Means, Republican
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