USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 52
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Arthur A. Barton, Chairman
Other Lay Members Mrs. Oscar S. Bray Hubert G. Wall Willard P. Perry Orodon S. Hobbs Dr. Louis D. Savage Dr. Kenneth W. Sinish Mrs. Arthur Rodham
Professional Members:
Walter J. Vorse Superintendent of Schools Stewart G. Davis, Principal Alan R. Perry, Teacher Mrs. John S. Fitts, Teacher
School Committee Members:
Willis P. Burbank Winsor H. Beebe
We estimate that this committee will work for a year to a year and one half on it's task of determining the requirements for secondary education in Lynnfield.
In the past two years, the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee have tried to select some teachers for the Junior High School who will also be qualified to teach at the Senior High School level. This will be a continuing process as we fill future vacancies.
Competition is increasingly keen for good teachers. Your School Committee has found it necessary to make a further up- ward revision of the salary schedule in order to maintain a favor- able position. We do not see a balancing of the supply and demand factors in the immediate future. Reports from a few col- leges, indicate that a higher percentage of students intend to enter the teaching field. We hope that this picture is a general one.
On November 30, 1955 the School Committee sponsored a Lynnfield Conference on Education in conjunction with the Wash - ington White House Conference held the same week. Short talks by various members of the community who are involved in school planning, construction, finance, etc., were followed by a ques- tion and answer period. 'Many of Lynnfield's school problems and plans were explained and discussed. The attendance of about two hundred was disappointing to the School Committee, which believes whole heartedly in the community approach to, and lay interest and help in solving school problems. We would like to emphasize the point that voters should know as much as possible about their schools. Active interest in, and support of the schools by the citizens, as evidenced by attendance at
Sea Creatures
Sea Creatures
CENTER SCHOOL ELEMENTARY STUDENTS display a starfish and a scalloped shell, with background of three-dimensional art work culminating a unit of Science based on a study of Sea Creatures.
50
meetings of this type, and at Town Meetings, is probably the best way to insure a good school system. Lack of interest and support is bound to produce poor results. The choice is that of the citizenry.
Two teachers who have served Lynnfield for over thirty years were recognized publicly this year. Miss Maude Thomas, who left Lynnfield in June, had been a music supervisor in your schools for thirty-one years. She was honored at a tea on June 2nd. Mrs. Wesley W. Munroe, an active teacher in the first grade at the South School, was tendered a public reception on Novem- ber 7th in recognition of thirty years devotion to the children of the Town.
The School Committee wishes to thank Dr. Thomas B. White, who resigned as school doctor after two and one half years' ser- vice. Dr. Charles A. Worthen, Jr. is now in the post, which we view as one of public service, since the compensation is very small.
School facilities were used by outside groups 550 times in 1955. Children's activities (boy and girl scouts, PTAdancing classes, etc. ) accounted for about 72 percent of the use.
We would like to recognize the interest and support of the Parent Teacher Associations of all schools during the year. Re- presentatives from the organizations attended nearly all School Committee meetings as observers. The work in connection with the savings program and as room mothers by members of the or- ganization is of inestimable value. In addition, we would like to compliment and thank the members of the Center and South PTA groups who performed the pre-school census. This is a most valuable contribution which enables us to plan more accurately and carefully for the future.
We urge your support for the Future School Site Committee in its effort to secure future school sites. This committee, of which George L. Seavey is the chairman, seeks to solve the Town's problem of sites for future schools. We feel strongly that the Town should have in hand three more sites so that it will be free to build future schools where and when needed, and that the
sites be secured now, while relatively cheap land is still avail - able. Failure to take this step could be very costly for the Town sometime in the future.
In September, 1956 the Town's schools will benefit from the twelve additional elementary classrooms and other facilities available on completion of the new Summer Street School. The construction work is advancing on schedule under the supervision of the Building Committee. This committee, made up of a group of citizens under the chairmanship of Robert W. Davis, is doing an outstanding service. Their report appears elsewhere in this Town Report.
There has been some thought that the Center School should be remodeled as one of the next steps in Lynnfield's solution to its school space problem. In order to determine the feasibility of such a move, wehave had an architectural study made, which includes estimates of cost. The study indicates that, at a cost of $270, 000, we could remodel and, at the same time, gain two more classrooms, a general purpose room and other facilities which are minor in nature. The School Committee feels that such expenditure is not warranted at this time for the small in- crease in classrooms.
In the year 1955, the School Committee met thirty times. In addition, three days were spent in visiting schools in other towns, seven meetings were held with other committees or boards of Lynnfield, two days were spent at conferences, and two School Committee Association meetings were attended. Finally, at least two members worked on each of six additional projects.
We call your attention to the report of the Superintendent of Schools, which contains more detailed information about your schools.
LYNNFIELD SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Winsor H. Beebe Willis P. Burbank Robert W. Davis Bessie L. Sinish Charles W. Kessler, Chairman
Report of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
In 1955, for the fourth consecutive year, the pupil enroll- ment increased sixteen percent over that of the previous year. Numerically, this was the largest of any single year in the recent history of the Town, and indications are that we will have doubled our enrollment by next fall in the period June, 1952 to September, 1956. The chart below summarizes this growth in terms of num- bers, and demonstrates the over-all gain in the fiscal year 1955 of 239 pupils at all levels, including High School:
Dec. 1952
Dec. 1953
Dec. 1954
Dec. 1955
Grade I
114
115
134
148
Grades II - VIII
586
687
783
952
Grade IX
46
59
84
85
Grades X - XII*
123
127
150
205
Vocational
6
7
7
7
Totals
875
995
1,158
1,397
* At Wakefield High School
51
ur
d 1- to 01
kış ol i- ns of
Id
of at
These statistics clearly demonstrate the fact of growth. They do nat entirely indicate the impact of prablems arising from such extreme growth over a short period of time. Lynnfield faces sig- nificant educational problems growing out af the desire of its citizens to provide far quality education during a period when the rate of enrollment increase is among the highest in the entire State.
Problems posed by grawth af this nature are best met when it is possible to be flexible in arganizational patterns within the present plant, and when adequate steps are taken to provide ad- ditional school hausing in a timely manner. While there are several areas of strain due ta over-crowding, these strains have been lessened by re-assignment of pupils in our present buildings. This equates the load on a community-wide basis.
The Junior High School was particularly crowded by assign- ments for the 1955/56 school year. It was necessary to house 525 pupils, including five rooms devoted to elementary classes, in this building, the design for which calls for 450 Junior High School age pupils. There were some problems developing as a result, but the over-all results were acceptable, under the cir- cumstances.
The opening af the Summer Street School, which apparently will be September af 1956, will allowfor afurther reorganization. At that time, there will be thirty-one elementary classrooms available in the three elementary school buildings af the Town, and indicatians are that all thirty-one will be occupied. This is because we already have six elementary divisions we cannot house in our present elementary plant, with teacher-pupil ratios at elementary levels several pupils higher per teacher than the State average. A normal increment of growth before next Sept- ember will mean the necessity far six additional elementary divisions by the time the Summer Street School opens, thus oc- cupying all the available elementary rooms in the Town.
During 1955, changes in administrative personnel made it possible to establish a reorganization of the elementary schools under a supervising principal responsible for administering and supervising both the South and Center Schools. At the same time, the School Committee assigned a secretary-clerk at each of the schaals during the schoal day. This person serves to carry out many of the detailed functions under the direction of the principal, thus relieving the principal for the professional ad- ministrative task. We find that this increased time available for the actual professional work is most beneficial. It is helping ta increase the cohesiveness of our elementary system and insuring mare uniformity of approaches without stifling the creativeness of the individual teacher in her classroom.
We are fortunate in having been able ta secure and retain teachers of high quality in atime when the competition for these people is very extreme. This has not been an easy task, but every passible effort has been made to attract to Lynnfield teachers of the highest caliber. We realize that meeting the problems of space requirements are important, but that teachers of high quality must be found to work with the children who will occupy the classrooms. We are pleased to be in a position to report that approximately seventy percent of our staff are people who have achieved professional degrees, including ane quarter of the staff who already have their advanced Master's degree. Several others will be awarded this degree prior to the next school year. Those staff members who do not hold the four year degree have con- tinued to improve their knowledge and competence by carrying
aut the professional course work provisions af the present salary schedule. While their programs do nat always lead ta a farmal degree, the contributions they make to pupil growth are equal to those of other staff members. The salary schedule recognizes the status of all teachers fairly and equitably.
School costs and school budget needs continue to increase. We think these increases, however, are in fair proportion to the increased numbers of pupils and improvements in the quality of education. As mentioned in a previous Annual Report, in some respects additional numbers allow for a greater efficiency and improved educational opportunity at an expense which is war- ranted because the number served is greater. The State Aid formula continues to be favorable to the community of Lynnfield's type, and during 1955 the Town received $67, 587. 36 under Chapter 70 and Transportation reimbursement. For the past several years such reimbursement has equalled about twenty percent of the annual operating budget. The budgetary process follawed in Lynnfield establishes many costs on a per pupil basis. Increased budget requirements are frequently directly related to the larger number of pupils served.
The total budget for the fiscal year 1955 was $330, 568. This was allocated in the major budget categaries as shown below:
Budget Amount
% of Budget
National Mean
General Control
12, 220
3.7%
4.6%
Expense of
Instruction
239, 007
72.2
72.4
Cost of Operation
30, 983
9.4
10.6
Cost of Maintenance
9,608
2.9
4.8
Health &
Transportation
37,050
11.3
5.4
Capital Outlay
1,700
.5
2.2
Briefly, we are managing to reserve the normal proportion of our budget amounts for instructional purposes. The higher trans- portation costs ratio is balanced locally by somewhat lower per- centage expenditures for operations, maintenance and admini - stration.
Much was accomplished during the year in the development and improvement of the community's school system. All those who have aided in this advancement should feel satisfaction from the results of their contributions to date. We express our sincere appreciation to all who have aided, either directly or indirectly, in better service to theechildren of Lynnfield. However, the year 1956 is another crucial period in our development. We can anticipate a further fifteen percent increase in enrollment. The Summer Street School must be occupied, staffed and operated. The furtherance of the high school building unit and continued study of pragramming for this level should be advanced rapidly during the year. Each of these above is a significant problem. Taken together, they illustrate the need for continued efforts on the part of professional staff and citizens alike if we are to solve these problems with educationally defensible economy and ef- ficiency. Quality education in a period of extreme expansion is possible with sufficient effort and dedication to the task. We know we will have the interest, understanding and support necessary to accomplish this objective.
Respectfully submitted, Walter J. Vorse Superintendent of Schools
52
Report of LIBRARY TRUSTEES
Both the Center Library and the South Branch Library have shown increases in the number of patrons and in the number of books loaned. Close co-operation between the School Depart- ment and the Library Department continues for the betterment of the Lynnfield school child. Teachers from all three schools have taken advantage of the special opportunities ta take their classes to the libraries for the selection of their own books, and to be- come more familiar with our library facilities.
„A graded group of books for elementary school children was carefully and scientifically selected by Mrs. Nancy Santeusanio, First Grade teacher at the Center School, who has a Master's Degree in Education. These books hold a strong appeal for child- ren of various reading and interest levels. They are entitled, "Books to Grow On", and are kept in a special place at both Libraries. They have been very enthusiastically received by Lynnfield parents who are interested in impraving their children's reading abilities, and are in constant demand.
At the request of the Library Trustees, the Wakefield High School Library has kindly submitted a list of essential poetry volumes and anthologies to be purchased for use by our Lynnfield students who need them for their work at Wakefield High School.
The Library Trustees are eager to serve the adults and children of our community in every way possible. All requests are Wel- comed and carefully considered.
HIGH LIGHTS OF LIBRARY DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY
Both libraries were painted on the outside. A new Colonial door was installed at the Center Library. All new electric wiring was installed at the South Branch Library with a complete, new lighting system. A new lawn was put in at the South Branch Library with the expert assistance of Road Commissioner, James Fletcher. The Center Garden Club installed window boxes and flowers at the Center Library. There were decorated at Christmas. A wreath was put on the front door by the Garden Club.
Magazines were given by Miss Alice Ward, Mr. Jahn Ward, Mrs. Harriet Olmsted, Mr. George Payzant, Mr. William Russell, Mr. Kenneth Flewelling, and the Christian Science Church of Reading.
Elizabeth W. Green Librarian
South Branch Library Repart
Number of patrons
525
Total number of baaks laaned 4,970
Number of new boaks received 182
12
Magazines received Received in fines
$107.55
James C. Marshall Librarian
Baard of Lynnfield Library Trustees James Lake, Chairman Rudolph P. Schlenker Pauline Chadwell, Secretary
Center Library Repart
Number af new baoks received
270
Number of books given
30
Number of baok patrons 710
Number af baaks loaned 11,245
Number of magazine patrans
58
Number af magazines loaned 965
Number of Magazine Subscriptions 17
Number of Magazines given
7
Received in fines $180.56
Baaks were given by Mrs. Jewel MacDanald, Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Eaton, Mrs. Ralph Raach, Mrs. Carl Shumway, Peter Duston, Steven Mihovan, and Michael Dunn.
Report of PLANNING BOARD
Change and grawth are gen- erally considered ta be healthy. More people, mare roads, more housing, more schools and more industry are inevitable in a Town like Lynnfield.
Whether or not this growth is healthy, or even desirable, is open to debate. There is no doubt, however, that each acre af our heritage that is taken for develop- ment is an acre taken away from
YOUR TOWN WEARS OUT TOO
nature farever. We must reserve same of aur open spaces before they become a thing af the past.
Lynnfield is rapidly becaming a suburb af Bostan which, in- cidentally, is secand only ta New Yark in papulatian density. The metropolitan area, which includes Lynnfield, has 100% greater density than the area surraunding either Chicaga or Detrait. Natural green breathing spaces such as parks, farests ar playgrounds are, therefore, very important ta us. Twenty years aga, a warning was issued by the Trustees af Public Reserva- tions in Massachusetts. Speaking af the Metrapalitan District they said, "We have devastated the forest, metropolitanized the village and mator-slummed the wayside. " The situation is in-
53
d
e of e
d 's er of PE d er
is
e
m
e
e
n
e
of
a Y .
$ e 1
e
finitely worse today.
The New England village and landscape is a tradition and a symbol of American democracy in that each New England town has the right to decide what use shall be made of the land within its borders. Planning Boards are elected by the people and the acceptance or rejection of their recommendations depend upon the votes of the people. If the citizens of Lynnfield choose to neglect their rights and ignore their voting privilege by non- attendance at Town Meetings, they are but playing into the hands of those few convincing individuals who, with entirely selfish interests, care little for the welfare of the Town.
Prior to the last Annual Town Meeting, the Planning Board prepared and distributed to the citizens a "Summary Report" of the Master Plan which had been prepared by Mr. Allen Benjamin. This report contained 28 pages, with 5 maps and some sketch plans, together with sufficient information to enable our residents to realize the condition of our growing community and the measures recommended to assure future development along reasonable lines.
The theoretical side of planning had been accomplished for the time being and action had already been taken on a few items of immediate importance. The remaining recommendations were passed on to the various departments concerned for action or in- vestigation. Action has been taken on some items: Some were rejected by the voters but most were accepted. Many are still in process of investigation and many are laid aside for the future.
During 1955, our Subdivision Control Laws were amended to
require developers to provide hot-top surfaces to all new streets and sidewalks. They are also required to supply fire alarm systems. Additional changes are currently under consideration.
Planning is continuous and always subject to changing con- ditions. The Planning Board can accomplish little without co- operation from the Townspeople. Zoning changes require a two thirds vote.to become effective and voters who should be interested have a habit of staying away from Town Meetings, especially those adjourned or special meetings which offer little excitement.
STATISTICS
The Planning Board:
Held 22 regular meetings 5 special meetings 4 public hearings
Had a budget of $1437.50 Spent $ 439.49
Granted 9 requests for Subdivisions consisting of 166 house lots and 2 1/4 miles of streets - about the same as last year.
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 of BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board of Appeals under the Zoning and Building By-laws held 38 public hearings during 1955.
Variances were granted to permit the erection of 16 dwellings, 1 addition to a dwelling, 3 private garages and 1 tool house on lots where the area, street frontage, and/or lot line clearances did not meet the minimum requirements of the zoning by-law. Variances for 7 dwellings were denied. Two such appeals were withdrawn, as was an appeal by a church for a set-back variance.
The Townof Reading Municipal Light Dept. was granted per- mission to erect and maintain a voltage regulating station at the Summer Street railroad siding for a period of 2 years.
The New England Telephone and Telegraph Co, was author- ized to use property on Carter Road for a telephone central office and to erect an addition with, less than the required set-back, provided a driveway be installed from the street to the rear of the addition.
The owner of a large tract of land off Chestnut Street was authorized to erect a greenhouse but with restrictions as to lo- cation, size, etc., which were not acceptable to the appellant.
A petition for a permit to remove gravel from a large tract of land located between Pillings Pond Road and the State Forest for sale to the Town was heard but not acted upon pending further action by the petitioner to correct a drainage problem and to determine the height of the water table.
Authorization for the use of 2 existing dwellings for two- family occupancy was granted.
The use as a nursing and convalescent home of a large dwelling on Lynnfield Street near the Lynn line was authorized.
A variance to permit the construction and use of a stable for 15 horses at Hidden Acres near the Saugus line was denied.
The appeal to the Supreme Judicial Court to reverse the decision of the Superior Court which upheld our granting of a permit in 1954 to the owner of land at the end of Parsons Avenue to erect a second dwelling on the lot was withdrawn.
The decision of the Board, in 1954, that the proposed use of property on the Newburyport Turnpike, for the manufacture and retail sale of baked goods, (with limitations as to size of building,
54
etc., ) was, as a matter of law, a permitted use in a General Business District, was upheld by the Superior Court. The case has been taken to the Supreme Judicial Court and is expected to be heard in 1956.
The Board collected $380 in fees and had expenses totaling
$536. 92. The deficit was occasioned by the cost of litigation.
Members Glen R. Smith Hubert G. Wall, Secretary Eliot K. Grant, Chairman
Alternate Members
Augustus S. True
William K. Widger Malcolm V. Smith
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 1955
Salem Street rebuilt
Storm drain installed on Lowell Street
Drainage on Chestnut Street improved
First floor of Town Hall remodeled
Fire alarm system has been extended to include Glen Meadows
Summary Report of Master Plan for the Town prepared and dis- tributed
Appointment of a sergeant in the Police Department
Fire Department reorganized
Appointment of a high school program committee
Issued permits for 228 new dwellings
Stabilization fund established
Purchased seven acres of land in the Pillings Pond area from the state for $1.00. This land is to be used for public purposes.
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD, ESSEX COUNTY COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Population (Estimated)
6000
Number of Registered Voters
Precinct 1
2055
Precinct 2
1057
Total 3112
Your Representatives in Government
Senators from Massachusetts Hon. John F. Kennedy Hon. Leverett Saltonstall
Congressman from Eighth Congressional District Hon. Torbert H. MacDonald, 18 Stevens Street, Malden
Senator from Third Essex Senatorial District Philip A. Graham, 293 Bridge Street, Hamilton
Representatives from Eleventh Essex Representative District Belden G. Bly, Jr., 46 Auburn Street, Saugus Fred A. Hutchinson, 36 Savory Street, East Lynn
Councillor from Fifth Councillor District Arthur A. Thomson of North Andover
55
-----
MARRIAGES
Date Place of Marriage Bride & Groom
Residence
Date Place of Marriage
Bride & Groom
Residence
JANUARY
3
Lynnfield Louis W. Beushausen
Boston
3
Lynnfield
Sebastian J. Logrippo
12
Lynn
Ralph Di Pietro
Lynnfield
Peabody
4
N. H.
Harold T. Wilber
14 Wakefield
Everett Wiggin Burnell Alice M. Mclntire Richard Stephan Leslie Bates George Otis Page Ruth F. Berry
Lynnfield Gilmantown, N. H.
13
Andover
Charles Ames Caldwell Carol Janet Lewis
Lynnfield Andover
FEBRUARY
12
Cambridge
Raymond R. Boisvert Shirley May Fritz
Lynnfield
20
Lynnfield
Irving R. Hathaway
26
Hartford, Conn.
Stephen Mackel
Lynnfield
27
Lynnfield
James A. Brough
Ruth Adrienne Wilkes
Lynnfield
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.