USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 66
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Gardner, Constance Grade 2
Goodwin, Mrs. Gladys Grade 2
Hatch, Mrs. Veronica
Grade 1
Hunt, Mrs. Mildred
Grade 3
Lebow, Mrs. Judith
Grade 3
Lovejoy, Mrs. Retta
Grade 4
Munroe, Mrs. Bernice
Grade 1
Taylor, Mrs. Elisabeth B.
Grade 4
Cronin, Edward Custodian
Deaton, Mrs. Mildred
Cafeteria
Farrell, Mrs. Dorothy
Cafeteria
MacQuarrie, Mrs. Margaret Cafeteria
Perkins, Mrs. Virginia Clerk
SUMMER STREET SCHOOL
Bush, Byron O.
Supervising Principal
Caswell, George E. Asst. Prin. and Grade 5
Cox, Robert A.
Grade 6
Crowley, Patricia A. Grade 3
Grade 5
Fowler, Mrs. Helen C. Grade 3
Janerico, John R.
Custodian
MacDonald, John A.
Grade 6
Madigan, Elinor M.
Grade 1
Monroe, Mrs. Margaret
Cafeteria
Manchin, Sylvia A.
Grade 2
Opie, Jacqueline M.
Grade 5
Hilton, Mrs. Winifred D.
Cafeteria
Peterson, Mrs. Ida Cafeteria
Phillips, Mrs. Evelyn Cafeteria
Sontum, Eva A.
Grade 6
Swenson, Mrs. Alice L.
Cafeteria
Fitzgerald, George L.
Custodian
Turner, Mrs. Lois M.
Cafeteria
Haynes, Rosalie M.
Cafeteria
Puleo, Mrs. Lillian
Cafeteria
Vigliotta, Mrs. Barbara
Cafeteria
Grappi, Anthony F.
Music Supervisor
Stotz, Virginia
Elem. Art Supervisor
Delamater, Mrs. Marion
Cafeteria Supervisor
Gerry, Mrs. Elizabeth Cafeteria Bookkeeper
Worthen, Chas. A., Jr., M.D. School Doctor
Romanchuk, Mrs. Florence School Nurse
Carpenter, Mrs. Frances
Grade 1
Marks, Mrs. Elaine S.
Grade 5
Hunt, Mrs. Margaret K. Secretary to Supt.
Grade 4 Schnurbush, Mrs. Alma Clerk
McPhee, Mrs. Virginia
McVey, Mrs. Helen Z.
Grade 6
O'Connor, Rosemary
Grade 5
Podgorski, Mrs. Loretta
Grade 2
Wolski, Charles A. Grade 6
STAFF ASSIGNMENTS 1957-1958 JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Winstead, Warren J. Principal
Giard, Leland E. Asst. Principal
Albondy, Nicholas Industrial Arts
Allen, Beverly B. Lang. Arts, Soc. St., Guid.
Barker, Mrs. Marilyn S. Anc. Hist. Civics
Chalmers, Robert E. Math.
Connors, Mrs. Hilda M. Art
Cummings, John J. Lang. Arts, Soc. St.
Curran, Thomas M. Eng., Anc. Hist., Civics
Dinsmore, Robert E. Math, Lang, Arts
Donahue, Anne Physical Ed.
Drewes, Marilyn Biology
Hesselgesser, Richard E. Math, Science
Hillmer, Mrs. Pamelia Eng., Homemaking
Johnson, Mrs. Jacqueline Eng., Library
Lesser, Robert G. Physical Ed.
Linder, Mrs. Asta M. ... Hist., Lang. Arts, Soc. St.
Lowenberg, Eugene E. French, Latin
Luttazi, Mrs. Patricia Homemaking
MacPherson, Helen Soc. St., Lang. Arts
Nadeau, John English
Perry, Allan R. Math, Algebra
Pinansky, Harold Math, Alg., Guid.
Simpson, Dorothy Commercial
Sobieck, Stephen P. Soc. St., Science
Troescher, Mrs. Dorothy J. French, Latin
Waite, Mrs. Lena Math, Science
Wilson, Mrs. Alyce Lang. Arts, Reading
Curtis, Roland M.
Custodian
Martinuk, Daniel N.
Custodian
Tavis, Antone J.
Custodian
Adams, Mrs. Ethel B.
Cafeteria
Santeusanio, Mrs. Nancy
Remedial Read. and
Walker, Mrs. Emma E.
Cafeteria Clerk
Bonah, Mrs. Helen
Nelson, Mrs. Shirley D. Clerk
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ELEMENTARY UNIT
Grade 5
Gledhill, Mrs. Barbara L. Grade 1
Kenney, Eloise Grade 4
Degen, Mrs. Phyllis H.
41
Hanson, Mrs. Dorothy Bookkeeper
Superintendent of Schools
The year 1957 saw the final steps being taken towards establishing the full twelve year pro- gram for the school system within the commu- nity. This seems an appropriate time, therefore, to include in this report a partial review of school system growth over the past several years. In 1952, there were 700 pupils in Grades I through VIII and two school buildings located within the town. At this time, 175 pupils attended Grades IX through XII outside of town. These, except for a few in vocational schools, attended Wake- field High School. There has been, in the inter- vening time, a rapid increase in the number of pupils educated locally, and, in addition, a gradual withdrawal from Wakefield High School. During the present school year, we provide for Grades I through X here in Lynnfield, with Grades XI and XII still attending Wakefield. At the present time, we have 1573 pupils enrolled in our classes, in addition to the 154 still in Grades XI and XII.
1957
1952
700
175*
1573
154*
SEATED FIGURE - NUMBER IN LYNNFIELD
* - OUT OF TOWN
Staff Growth: In order to provide for the in- creased numbers, it has been necessary to develop a larger staff of teaching and other personnel. In 1952, there were 25 teachers and principals, and a total of 41 employees in the School Depart- ment, including cafeteria personnel. Now there are 72 teachers and principals, and a total of 118 employees of all classifications. We have been very fortunate in being able to attract outstand- ing people in both teaching and other categories during this period of time, and feel that we have an unusually fine group of people in school employ- ment here. The teaching staff itself has been es- tablished on an increasingly high professional level, both in terms of experience and competence. It may be of interest to note that, at the present time. 42% of our teachers holds Master's degrees, and other staff members have continued to im-
prove their personal professional background.
Plant Growth: During this period, the com- munity has been alert to building needs, and the 23 classrooms of 1952 have grown to the 70 avail- able now, in addition to certain special facilities in the Junior-Senior High School building. We would be remiss if we did not pay tribue to the careful step by step planning and the timely ac- complishment of the various committees who have served during this period to stimulate, plan, and provide - with the approval and agreement of the town - for the new buildings constructed in this period, namely, the Junior High School build- ing, the Summer Street School, and the High School wing. At the present time, planning is under way for the next needed addition to our school facilities, the twelve classroom Huckle- berry Hill School. which must be available in September of 1959. It would be impossible for us to cite the specific efforts of the large number of individuals who have served on site com- mittees, plant planning committees, and building committees in recent years. However, in paying
Walter J. Vorse
42
tribute to these many individuals, we call to your attention that Walter H. Kuestenmacher has served as secretary of four school building com- mittees. The good judgment, sincere efforts, and long hours of time contributed by the numerous citizens such as Mr. Kuestenmacher have made it possible for pupils in the Lynnfield schools to be housed in adequate facilities, and have made it possible to say that, during this period, the schools have not been so over-crowded as to have seriously affected the educational growth of the children.
1949
1953
1956
1957
CLASSROOMS
SPECIAL FACILITIES
School Costs: It is natural, with the great in- crease in number of children, staff, and buildings to be operated, that there have been resultant increases in the school budget. Some of these increases have been due to the mere fact of size alone. Other rises have been due to a conscious and deliberate effort to up-grade the quality of education. At the present time, our per pupil costs are about average for the State, despite the unusually heavy load of transportation expense. Our position insofar as State Aid is concerned remains advantageous, particularly in respect to reimbursement for school building costs, where we are at the maximum now allowed under the law of 50% of construction costs. The follow- ing shows the relative budget rise and regular State Aid increases during the 1952-1957 period :
1952
1957
Budget
$180,513
$517,597
State Aid :
Chapter 70
$20,177
$53,358
Transportation
$16,479
$22,933
In last year's report we indicated three prob- lems requiring immediate attention, namely, high school program development, elementary school
housing, and provision for special education. Con- siderable progress has been made during 1957 towards the solution of these problems.
Since Grade X was provided for starting in the fall of the year, specific attention was given to this area. Several staff members worked during the summer period in planning specific course details under the guidance of expert consultants employed to give advice and direction. The plan- ners used the report of the High School Program Study Committee as a point of departure in their work. In this day of rather pointed emphasis on the desirability of strong programs in mathemat- ics and sciences, we point out that, in the tenth grade during the current school year, we have one group of students who will handle both plane and solid geometry, thus accelerating their math- ematics attainment beyond the traditional pattern in this area. We believe that, in other areas, provisions of a similar nature are adequate enough to insure the able student being suffi- ciently extended if he takes advantage of the opportunities available.
Elementary housing provision is advancing rapidly, with the Huckleberry Hill building in the final planning stage. Funds for the completion of this building will be requested at the time of the Town Meeting. Its need is adequately estab- lished by the fact that we now have 184 elemen- tary pupils housed in the Junior High School building, and, after the next school year, there will be no space available for them unless the new building is completed. Lynnfield has been very fortunate in avoiding double sessions, and timely action according to present plans will pre- vent any double sessions in the period through 1960.
The need for special education facilities is being met with the provision of a room for this pur- pose in the Huckleberry Hill School. This facility is very important if the children in the special education categories are to be provided for as outlined under the State law. By the time the building is ready, the classroom can be put to immediate use.
While we have in this report emphasized the growth of the school system in a numerical way, it should be pointed out that continually through this period has been an evolution of the school program itself. We have worked towards im- proved procedures and greater uniformity, and, at the same time, the children have continued to achieve at higher levels. The results of the most
43
recent achievement tests, those administered in June of 1957, demonstrate that our pupils scored well above the national expectation at each grade level, averaging six months higher than the na- tional medians.
Not only have our children done well in our local testing, but each year we have had a higher representation among the honor graduates at Wakefield High School than our proportionate share of the total enrolment.
High School Building Committee
By way of review, the funds for building the High School were appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting of 1956. During the spring and summer of that year final plans and specifications were established, with bids for the building being opened in the fall. At the time of the issuance of last year's Annual Report, construction was just getting under way.
Today the general construction is virtually com- plete with the entire structure in place. Remain- ing work primarily consists of equipping several of the specialized rooms, as well as completing the innumerable odds and ends attending a job of this magnitude.
A fact of considerable interest is that eight classrooms were made available to meet the needs for elementary school use in time for opening of school this past September. These rooms were completed and equipped on a very tight schedule considerably earlier than any legal commitments in the contract, and it is a testimony to the co- operative spirit of all concerned, but most par-
ticularly that of the contractor, that this was accomplished.
It is now certain that the school will be dedi- cated later this year and that it will be completely finished and equipped for opening high school classes this fall as originally planned.
Respectfully submitted,
/s GEORGE BEESLEY
/s SANBORN A. CALDWELL
/S ROBERT W. DAVIS
/s CHARLES E. HERLIHY
/S WALTER H. KUESTENMACHER, Secretary
/s CARL F. VAN BENNEKOM, Chairman
/S FRED A. WHITE
High School Building Committee
Board of Appeals
The Board of Appeals under the Zoning and Building By-Laws held 37 public hearings during 1957.
Variances were granted to permit the erection of 13 dwellings, additions to 4 dwellings, occu- pancy of 2 existing dwellings, erection of 7 private garages and 3 garden tool houses on lots where the area, street frontage and/or lot line clearances did not meet the requirements of the Zoning By- Law. Appeals for similar variances to permit the erection of 6 dwellings and 1 garage were denied. Two of these denials were appealed to the Su- perior Court where, after trial on the merits, the court upheld the decision of the Board.
A variance was granted to permit the erection of a new post office building at the corner of Sum- mer and Arlington Streets with less than the re- quired side line clearance and setback from Ar- lington Street.
The Lynnfield Water District was granted au- thority to erect a standpipe of greater height than permitted by the Zoning By-Law.
The owner of the White Rock Filling Station on Salem Street was denied permission to install an additional gasoline tank and pump because he did not appear to have the written assent of two- thirds of the owners of property provided for in the Zoning By-Law. On appeal to the Superior
44
BOARD OF APPEALS, Hubert G. Wall, Theodore N. Ferren, Eliot K. Grant
Court, the decision of the Board on the interpre- tation of the by-law was reversed.
Colonial at Lynnfield, Inc., was authorized to replace an existing electric sign, but denied per- mission to enlarge and add neon lighting to a second sign. Authority was granted for an addi- tion to the clubhouse to provide larger dining, kitchen and storage facilities.
A variance to permit erection of a commercial greenhouse on Crescent Avenue in a residence district was denied.
An appeal for a permit to erect a pre-fabricated house not in compliance with the Building Code, which was taken under advisement following a public hearing in 1956, was denied.
The Board collected $360.00 in fees and had ex- penses totaling $325.31.
Members
Glen R. Smith Hubert G. Wall, Secretary Eliot K. Grant, Chairman
Alternate Members
Augustus S. True Malcolm V. Smith Theodore N. Ferren
Safety Committee
At the annual Town Meeting held on March 11, 1957, the Town voted to have appointed a com- mittee to consider the formation of a Town Safety Department which would be a consolidation of the Police and Fire Departments in order to combine Town safety services within one organization.
This Committee has been appointed and has held a number of meetings in order to investigate the potential value to the Town of consolidating safety services. Reports have been received from approximately fifteen towns and cities throughout the country which have integrated safety services to a greater or lesser extent and, in all cases, the reports indicate satisfactory to excellent results. Interviews or contact by letter have been had with the Attorney General's office, the Director of Civil Service, the Massachusetts Taxpayers' Associa- tion, the New England Fire Insurance Rating As- sociation, the Massachusetts Legislative Research Bureau, and the Town Counsel in order to obtain opinions on all aspects of the problem. No con-
tact, other than through the Chiefs of the Police and Fire Departments and Selectman Condon, who are members of this committee, has as yet been had with the personnel of the Police and Fire De- partments since the committee believes it has not yet reached the stage where such contact would be profitable to either the personnel of the depart- ments concerned or to the committee.
It is agreed by the committee that with the in- creasing needs of the Town, caused by its con- tinued expansion, continuous thought and effort must be expended to provide the high degree of protection that the Town demands at a cost which the Town is willing to pay.
No action is proposed by the committee at this time since it is the general opinion that we are receiving excellent service in both fields of police and fire protection, particularly in view of the amounts of money expended therefor.
Several matters must receive a considerable amount of investigation before a well planned
45
recommendation can be made. There is, for ex- ample, the legal aspect, i.e., whether under exist- ing State laws, integration of the Fire and Police Departments is possible. Also, consideration must be given to replacing our existing fire alarm sys- tem with special Fire and Police Emergency street phones such as are being adopted in increasing numbers throughout the country.
It is believed that minor gains can be made im- mediately by adding some equipment to our police cruisers and by way of extending the training of police personnel. The Selectmen are already tak- ing care of these matters.
In the future, whether it be two, five or ten years, the committee believes that there may be an opportunity to effect significant gains by in- creasing the safety protection available, by con- trolling costs of safety services, and improving the status of the personnel involved. Such gains may result from increased cooperation between the Police and Fire Departments or by partial or complete integration. There is presently extensive cooperation between the departments and it is to be expected that this will increase in any event.
In view of the importance of this matter to the Town and the inconclusive results of our investi-
gation at this time, it is the intention of this com- mittee to continue operation for the next year, reporting from time to time or at the next annual Town Meeting in 1959, in regard to any con- clusions or recommendations that appear war- ranted in respect to public safety.
In conclusion, it is the present recommendation that no action be taken by the Town which would prevent or restrict future cooperation or integra- tion of the Police and Fire Departments. In par- ticular, it is the recommendation of this commit- tee, if the Town should vote to authorize a com- mittee to obtain plans for either a joint Police and Fire Station or a Fire Station alone, that such a committee be instructed to make its plans con- sistent in so far as is possible with an integrated public safety program.
Respectfully submitted,
/s JOHN HARRISS, Chairman MASON CONDON, Selectman CARL DAVIS, Fire Chief WILLIAM FOLEY, Police Chief RICHARD FITE, JR. RICHARD HOBBS JOHN ORRALL, Secretary
Health Officer
Again the Board of Health reports that the continuing growth of the Town of Lynnfield dur- ing the past year has resulted in a continued increase in its own work and responsibilities, with more complaints on general health matters received, investigated and acted upon, in addition to the usual work of the Board.
CLINICS:
The usual clinics have been held during 1957, with four Pre-School clinics for immunization of children against Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Whoop- ing Cough, and for vaccination against Small Pox.
There have also been two clinics to complete the Salk Polio Vaccine program for pre-school and school children as well as school personnel and March of Dimes workers. An additional clinic was held when Asiatic Flu vaccine was administered to school personnel and other town officials.
We are again indebted to Mrs. Lucy Lindquist, R.N. for heading up the committee of helpers for these clinics. Included was Mrs. George Loux, Mrs. Walter Romanchuk and Mrs. Waldo Burn- ham.
Dr. George S. Robinson
46
KINDERGARTEN & NURSERY SCHOOLS
As your health officer, I have also inspected the local kindergarten and nursery schools in opera- tion this year, after which the Board of Health has issued the necessary permits for continued operation.
They are:
The Little Red School House
Pine View Kindergarten
Suntaug Nursery
The Tower Kindergarten
The Music Box (previously called the Jack & Jill Day School)
Added to these is a new school for younger chil- dren operated by St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Residents of the town are again reminded that they are required by law to report all com- municable diseases promptly to the Board of Health.
Reported in the past year were the following communicable diseases :
Chicken Pox 113
Measles 10
Salmonellosis 3
Dog Bites 41
German Measles
19
Mumps
55
Scarlet Fever
7
Respectfully Submitted,
/s DR. GEORGE S. ROBINSON
Board of Health
The demands made upon the Board of Health this year have increased. This has been due par- tially to the growth of the town and because the public has become more health conscious than in the past.
There were 8 subdevelopments inspected and approved by the Board of Health in 1957.
With the spread of the Asian Flu in Massachu- setts, under the administration of the Board of Health, vaccine was made available to Town of-
Harold D. Aldrich
Manton P. Spear
47
ficials, Town employees, school personnel, and post office employees.
Clinics for the administration of Salk Vaccine were held this year for the booster shots. These clinics were under the direction of Dr. George S. Robinson.
The preschool clinic was held again this year under the direction of Dr. Robinson.
There were 379 complaints received by the Board of Health. These complaints were of vari-
ous nature dealing with health problems and were investigated and corrected to the best of our ability.
The town has five kindergartens and one nurs- ery which has been duly inspected and licensed.
Respectfully submitted,
/s DR. GEORGE S. ROBINSON, Chairman HAROLD D. ALDRICH MANTON P. SPEAR
Welfare Board
The entire Assistance Program which includes General Relief, Old Age Assistance, Disability As- sistance and Aid to Dependent Children is gov- erned by rules and regulations established by the State and Federal Governments.
The liability of towns to assist those in need is founded upon and limited by statute, and is not to be enlarged or modified by any supposed moral obligation of personal prejudice.
GENERAL RELIEF :
General Relief costs have been somewhat less than last year. Medical and Hospitalization have been higher where cash grants and food orders are less. It has been the policy of the Agent to attempt to find or assist the applicant in securing a position if unemployed and encourage him to participate in the solution of his own problem.
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE:
Caseload on Old Age Assistance has remained about the same as the new applicants being offset by death, transfer or other reasons. The trend in Old Age Assistance is still for greater liberali- zation of the Law.
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
This category has remained the same in num- bers but liberalization of the law has increased it in dollars. Cases receiving ADC are from homes where the father is deceased, where parents are separated by divorce or by desertion or the bread- winner is physically handicapped because of illness.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE:
This is a mandatory category created by State Department of Public Welfare as of January 1, 1952. During 1957 we have had two cases under this category.
All State reimbursements must go into the Town's Excess and Deficiency Account and cannot be used again until they are transferred by vote of Town.
All reimbursements from Federal Grants are returned directly to the accounts to which they apply and can be re-used.
As Director of Civilian War Aid I have had sev- eral conferences with our Town Director of Civil- ian Defense in regard to prepare for congregate care and plan for mass feeding and housing under the Civilian Defense Organization.
Wesley W. Munroe
48
The laws concerning the privacy of the entire Assistance Program are very strict. From the moment a person applies, all records relating to the applicant are confidential and are protected by law against disclosure to anyone except for pur- poses directly connected with the administration of Public Assistance.
Proper administration of Public Assistance to- day is as vital to a modern community as its banks, its schools, its systems of communications and distribution.
All social work aims to solve familiar problems, economic need, human behavior and adjustment to living health, leisure and its use.
Respectfully submitted, /s WESLEY W. MUNROE, Agent
STANLEY E. FLAGG, Chairman MASON J. CONDON ROSS F. COON
Welfare Board
PRIZE WINNING CHRISTMAS DOORWAYS Sponsored by the Lynnfield Woman's Club
2
FIRST PRIZE WINNER in the Christmas Doorway contest was created by Mrs. Wells Johnson and her family at their home at 22 Beaver Avenue, Lynn- field Center.
NOEL
NOEL
CAROLERS ADORN THE DOORWAY at the home of Mrs. Edwin Hallam at 12 Sylvan Circle, Lynnfield, which took second prize in the Christmas Doorway contest.
Photo by Lynn Daily Item
Planning Board
The town of Lynnfield has continued to grow at a rapid rate during 1957.
As in previous years the Planning Board made recommendations to the Town on matters pertain- ing to zoning. Our recommendations are based on what we sincerely believe to be for the best in- terest of all the citizens of the Town, both present
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