USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 73
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Compensation of $70. was received by the three Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor, the Chairman receiving $5. extra. The Treasurer and Collector re- ceived $200. for his services. The Assessors, three in number, each received $75. The Sealer of Weights and Measures was paid $146. The Town Clerk re- ceived $50. The Registrars of Voters, three in num- ber, each received $15. Salary paid for Police duty was $45.96. The printing cost of $98.20 covered re- ports and warrants, ballots and so forth.
The State Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth Account paid by the Town to be reimbursed by the State total- led $3,499.77 of which $2,978.89 was for payroll. This figure is $450. greater than the sum spent for salaries for teachers, superintendent of schools, jani- tors, school committee and fuel, totalling $3,047.12 and only $390. less than the Town's expense of $3,891.98. Money expended for the Highway Depart- ment was $2,416.08.
We can find satisfaction in the fact that we are now more considerate of the feelings of people un- fortunate enough to need help from the Town. Under present stringent regulations of the Welfare Depart- ment what follows here could never happen in 1958.
I quote from Page thirteen of the 1908 Town Re- port, under the heading of "Support of Poor". "Paid to Massachusetts School of Feeble Minded board of Asa Beaver (I've altered the name) $169.92." Another listing: "Paid John George for board of Mary Merry $102.00" and so on. No right of privacy here. If the Town had to support you everybody knew about it. Even after the passage of fifty years charity extended to these people is still spelled out. One item appear- ing here however is of special interest. It is for the sum of $1.00 paid to a town official for the "care of tramps". Within the memory of a present resident of Lynnfield was a "tramp room" at the Town Hall for the accommodation of those individuals who thought fit to drop off one of the numerous trains going through Lynnfield in those days. This dollar was perhaps expended because this particular "tramp" couldn't or wouldn't work for his keep. And have you noticed another thing? Even the tramp was grant- ed the privilege of anonymity.
In those days two separate items in the Town's Accounts were Forest Fires and the Fire Department.
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A
HOUSE
ELA MAN.
X
"Lynnfield
1. Spinney's General Store. Elm tree is one that stood in front of Duggan's Pharmacy until recently removed.
2. Community Church.
3. Locust Street, looking north toward old R.R. crossing and present Route 128 inter- section.
4. South Lynnfield Fire Station.
5. Broadway, looking north toward Peabody from Lynnfield Square.
6. Lynnfield Hotel, where Donovan's Store now stands.
7. E. H. Spinney house which has been moved southerly on Broadway.
(ster- year"
8. Law's Corner at Salem and Locust Streets. A gas station is now located where tree stands at intersection.
9. Old Suntaug Inn.
10. Lucius Newhall home, site of Canterbury Road entrance from Salem Street. Note town weight scale in foreground.
11. Roundy's Store on Main Street, now site of Colonial Shopping Center.
12. Fletcher's corner at Salem and Summer Streets, looking toward Route 128 overpass, (now Post Office Square).
C
LAW'S CORNER. LYNNFHELD MASS
8
9
10
AVA'A
There were five forest fires during this period and the cost to the town for these was $104.50. The Fire Department account shows that a $200. appropriation to cover its expenses was more than enough for their purposes. After buying lights and lamps, harness hangers, extinguishers, acid bottles, fuel and just "supplies", their unexpended balance was a tidy sum of $6.36.
The Park Commission show an item for 37 cedar posts for a fence they built, each post costing ten cents each with $1.50 for "teaming same"
In the Cemetery Commissioners' report we start with an appropriation of $100. The sum of $80. cov- ered the labor supplied for the year by seven per- sons, not including $20. paid for the mowing of grass. Total expenditures amounted to $207.60, but what with selling a few cemetery lots, using $87.70 from the previous year and $2.50 from the "sale of grass", they showed a carry over of $32.60.
Figures on the Lynnfield Public Library for 1908 show that 3,210 books were loaned to 240 individu- als. Fines were paid by overtime borrowers in the amount of $14.75. The Librarian of that day was paid $59. for her services and the janitor received almost half of that sum or $29.30. We read that a fund for furniture to fit up a reading room in the Li- brary was started and that a "nucleus of $45. is be- ing held for this purpose by the Trustees".
Getting into Vital Statistics we find that during the year of 1908 eleven births were registered in the Town. There were ten marriages registered in that year and one of these couples is still resident in Lynnfield, and their recent golden wedding anniver- sary was widely attended. On the other side of the coin were the fifteen deaths occuring in the Town. Two of these deaths were infants under one year and seven were of persons over seventy years of age.
The longest report of all is that of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools. The School Committee observed that "the school regis- ters show a decided lack of interest in the schools by a majority of the parents, as we notice but very few avail themselves of the opportunity of visiting. This you should and must do. Remember that our amount of financial aid from the State depends on a high per cent in school attendance. When parents visit the schools look over the register and see if you are responsible for any of the black marks there- in. Your committee appreciates the confidence you place in them by your silence, but they can do much more with your assistance."
Here's the report of the school superintendent. "It is the policy of the Committee and the desire of the town to make our schools the best that condi- tions will allow. We have ample accommodations, our buildings are in good condition, the equipment is adequate, and the Committee is willing to expend in reasonable amounts whatever is n' cessary to make the buildings comfortable and serviceable. There is a healthy spirit in the schools, a sympathy and con- fidence between pupils and teachers delightful in its manifestation, and uplifting in its effect. A zeal to learn things and to learn things well seems to have taken possession of all."
"The Committee wisely decided to increase the salaries of its teachers last June. The position of Lynnfield -- its location, the fact that in each room there are four grades or five, the cost of living, the nearness to large centres, yet not the most conven- ient methods for reaching those centres, have made it difficult in recent years to secure the teachers de- sired. Now that we can offer a fair wage, we are
able to make better selections, and are in a position to demand the best work." (In our closing paragraph these salaries are shown.)
"At the beginning of the present year we entered upon the plan of nine grades. At present there are only three pupils in all who are in the ninth grade. Another year, however, the number to enter will be much larger than previous years, and will average the same in succeeding years."
"An all round development of all the powers of the child is both advisable and necessary. Is it edu- cation to teach the child only that which comes from books and leave all the rest to take care of itself? This is an agricultural community, but it is also a community that contributes its proportion of workers in the various factories at the manufacturing centres. Principles of agriculture and also foundations for the other vocations should find a place. Respect for real scientific farming is necessary. It is sad to feel that all of our education is away from the farm. Why isn't it possible for us to do something to turn the tide the other way?"
Here, now, we come to the increase in the sala- ries of the teachers. The school system had four teachers in the two schools. There was one teacher for Centre Grammar and one for Centre Primary, one for South Grammar and one for South Primary. These teachers each received a salary of $12.50 per week with the exception of one of them perhaps because of longer service, who received $13.12. Total teach- ers' salaries for all schools per week was $50.62.
The Centre School had 33 pupils in the Grammar grades and 24 in the Primary or a total enrollment of 57. The South School had 20 pupils in the Grammar grades and 38 in the Primary or a total enrollment of 58. The entire student body numbered 115 pupils and their attendance percentage was 94%.
RECAPITULATION
PAID
Highways. $ 2,416.08
Support of schools 3,047.12
Incidental school expenses.
287.27
High School Tuition 921.00
Transportation of scholars. 200.00
Medical inspection.
12.50
Town officers' salaries.
1,033.21
Miscellaneous town expenses.
1,300.15
Tree Warder
31.00
Support of Poor
393.17
Soldiers' relief
261.95
Forest fires
108.30
Printing.
98.20
Interest on notes
666.75
State Aid.
814.00
Fire department.
193.64
Sanitary improvements, Town Hall.
486.00
State tax ...
1,155.00
County tax
966.74
Interest on trust funds
65.00
Cemetery commissioners
207.60
Library trustees. 225.08
Memorial Day expenses. 75.00
Notes paid.
6,600.00
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth account
3,499.77
Abatements.
108.90
$ 29,323.43
RER-MEG
Chemical engine house
4,150.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures
Salaries.
160.00
Expenses.
19.70
179.70
Dog Officer
Salaries
550.00
Expenses.
414.66
964.66
Total Protection Persons & Property .
..
128.195.01
HEALTH & SANITATION
Board of Health
Salaries
840.00
Expenses ..
252.58
Garbage Collection
7,875.00
Refuse Collection ...
18,135.00
Animal Inspector Salary
75.00
Animal Inspector-Expenses.
23.65
Plumbing Insp .- Salary 75% Fees
507.75
Cesspool Insp .- Salary 75% Fees
517.50
Sanitarian-Salary
600.00
Sanitarian-Expense
90.00
Total Health & Sanitation
28,916.48
HIGHWAYS
Highways
Salaries
30,996.55
Expenses.
4,142.75
Road Maintenance
39,153.57
Storm Drains ..
5,352.63
Sidewalk Construction
5,895.47
Snow & Ice Removal
7,603.41
Capital Outlay
2,225.00
Chapter 90 Construction
16,000.00
Maplewood Road
3,364.13
Highways.
114,733.51
Miscellaneous Highway
Hydrant Rental
7,600.00
Street Lighting
10,966.93
Gasoline Fund
5,522.35
Miscellaneous Highway
24,089.28
Total Highways.
138,822.79
Charities
Salaries (Town)
2,049.62
Salaries & Expenses (U.S. Grant)
2,350.96
Expenses.
482.64
General Relief, Public Welfare
3,586.78
Old Age Assistance (Town)
22,619.10
Old Age Assistance (U.S. Grant)
31,650.03
Aid to Dependent Children (Town).
2,797.23
Aid to Dependent Children (U.S. Grant)
2,080.15
Salary Veteran Services
475.00
Expenses ...
111.75
Veteran Benefits
4,829.87
Total Charities . .
73,033.13
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1
EDUCATION
School
Salary of Superintendent.
10,500.00
Salary Teachers & Principals
365,660.74
Other Salaries & Wages
50,228.41
Travel Out of State. 490.83
Transportation-Pupils.
43,540.03
Tuition 43,166.99
General Expenses.
104,362.44
Capital Outlay
1,023.32
Playground Program
1,479.81
Total Schools
620,452.57
Hot Lunch Program
Salaries.
26,329.58
Expenses.
40,840.39
Total Hot Lunch
67,169.97
Public Law No. 874
4,321.06
School Building Committee Expenses
222.89
Future School Site Committee Expenses
262.00
Addition to Junior High School
General Contractor
79,738.19
Architect.
83.24
Equipment.
83,632.15
Athletic Field.
2,422.82
Expansion
2,953.20
All Other
5,761.89
174,591.49
Huckleberry Hill School
General Contractor.
6,393.60
Architect.
27,977.80
Clerk of Works
879.56
Water piping
821.21
All other
1,151.80
37,223.97
Libraries
Salaries
3,640.75
Expenses.
3,657.24
Capital Outlay
189.27
7,487.26
Total Education
911,731.21
Parks & Cemeteries
Salaries.
7,744.85
Expenses
1,135.31
Capital Outlay
605.78
Suntaug Park
987.62
Glen Meadow Park
2,289.79
Total Parks & Cemeteries
12,763.35
Unclassified
Memorial Day Observance
421.18
General Town Insurance ..
16,556.43
Rideout property.
3,839.99
Land purchase.
500.00
Incinerator Committee expenses .
1,500.00
Municipal Building Committee expense
4,305.18
Total Unclassified
27,122.78
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INTEREST & MATURING DEBT
Interest.
55,802.50
Maturing debt
140,000.00
Interest on Temporary Loans
981.24
Temporary loans
400,000.00
Total Interest & Maturing Debt.
596,783.74
AGENCY TRUST & INVESTMENT
Agency
State Parks & Reservations.
2,925.29
Auditing Municipal Accounts 2,156.44
County Tax.
24,654.32
T.B. Assessment
5,585.60
Retirement Assessment
15,097.62
Dog Licenses for County
1,843.00
Trust & Investment
Withholding Taxes
81,934.02
Essex Retirement
11,040.59
Teacher Retirement
17,998.02
Blue Cross-Blue Shield
8,171.50
Fireman Pension ..
1,000.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care
729.86
Total Agency Trust and Investment
173,136.26
Refunds
Real Estate
4,511.84
Poll.
12.00
Motor Vehicle
4,074.99
Personal
18.38
All Other
10.00
Total Refunds
8,627.21
Total Cash Payments
2,151,775.16
Balance Cash on Hand Dec. 31, 1958
Treasurer.
498,722.14
Collector
50.00
School
50.00
Surplus War Bonus
1,819.40
500,641.54
2,652,416.70
Accountant's Certificate
I have examined the cash receipts and securities in the various Trust Funds in the hands of the Treasurer and find them to be as stated in the Treasurer's report. The income from Trust Funds in the hands of others have been received for the year 1958 and credited to the proper accounts. The Receipts as reported by the Treasurer agree with the books and that payments of the Town correctly present the financial status as of December 31, 1958.
I take this opportunity to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, all Town Officers and employees, the Town Report Committee and all others who have contributed of their time and talents in compiling this report.
Theodore C. Palizzolo Town Accountant
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HUNTING, FISHING AND SPORTING LICENSES ISSUED
265 Fishing licenses .... @ 3.25
$ 861.25
229 Hunting licenses .... @ 3.25
744.25
92 Sporting licenses ... @ 5.25 483.00
24 Minors Fishing. ... .. @ 1.25 30.00
32 Female Fishing .. ... @ 2.25 72.00
2 Citizens Trapping .. @ 7.75
15.50
2 3-Day Non-Resident fishing. @ 2.75 5.50
1 Non-Resident
fishing. @ 7.75
7.75
3
Duplicates. .@ .50
1.50
650 27
Free licenses (age 70 or over)
677
Total licenses issued
Fees deducted 161.75
Paid to Division of Fisheries
and Game.
$2,059.00
LICENSES ISSUED BY BOARD OF SELECTMEN - 1958
Number
Fee
Ballroom
1
$35.00
Common Victualer 20 1.00
Hawkers' & Pedlers' 2
1.00
Lodging House. 5
2.00
Lord's Day:
Sale of Horticultural Products 19
1.00
Sale of Tonic, Candy, Fruit,
etc .. 22
1.00
Concert & Entertainment -
individual 113
1.00
Concert & Entertainment -
annual 2
25.00
Rifle Range ...
1 2.00
Sale of Christmas Trees
2
1.00
Taxicab
9
1.00
Liquor Licenses:
One Day, Wine & Malt
Beverages .. 41
1.00
Application Fees. 9
5.00
Club, All Alcoholic Beverages Tally Ho Club, Inc.
500.00
Wakefield Elks Homes Association
Club (Seasonal), All alcoholic
100.00
Beverages
Colonial Country Club of Lynnfield
Common Victualer, All
Alcoholic Beverages
500.00
Colonial at Lynnfield, Inc. Sun O'China, Inc. Wilkinson's, Inc.
Retail Package Goods Store, All Alcoholic Beverages ..... 500.00
Lynnfield Beverages, Inc. Turnpike Bottle Shop, Inc.
REPORT OF STATE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTS
Mr. Herman B. Dine
Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and ac- counts of the town of Lynnfield for the peri- od from November 13, 1955, the date of the previous audit, to November 18, 1957, and submit the following report thereon:
The financial transactions of the several departments receiving or disbursing town funds or sending out bills for collection were examined and checked with the records of the town treasurer and the town accountant.
The books and accounts of the town ac- countant were examined and checked. The cash receipts, as recorded, were checked with the departmental records and with the treasurer's books, while the payments were compared with the treasury warrants and the treasurer's records.
The ledgers were analyzed, the appropria- tion accounts were checked with the amounts voted by the town as shown by the town clerk's record of town meetings, and the recorded transfers from the reserve fund were compared with the amounts authorized by the finance committee, while other accounts were checked with the records of the several de- partments in which the transactions criginat- ed.
A trial balance was taken off, and, after the necessary adjusting entries were made, a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on November 18, 1957.
The books and accounts in the town treas- urer's office were examined and checked in detail. The receipts, as recorded, were com- pared with the departmental records of pay-
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Goodwin's Clam Shop
$2,220.75
ments to the treasurer, with other sources from which money is paid into the town treas- urv, and with the town accountant's books, while the recorded payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the disbursement of town funds and with the town accountant's records.
The cash balance on November 18, 1957 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit and by actual count of cash in the office.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were verified by comparison with the amounts falling due and with the cancel- led securities and coupons on file. The out- standing coupons were listed and reconciled with the amounts on deposit for their payment as shown by statements furnished by the depositories.
The transactions of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer and the library and cemetery trustees were verified, the se- curities and savings bank books being per- sonally examined and listed. The income was proved and all transactions and balances were checked with the books of the town accountant.
The records of the tax titles and tax pos- sessions held by the town were examined and checked in detail. The amounts trans- ferred to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records and the town accountant's books, the reported redemptions and sales were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles and tax pos- sessions on hand were listed, proved and checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The records of payroll deductions for Fed- eral taxes and Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as well as for the retirements systems, were examined and checked, the payments to the proper agencies were verified, and the bal- ances in the general treasury on November 18, 1957 were proved.
The books and accounts of the town col- lector were examined and checked in detail. The accounts outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subse- quent commitment lists of town and district taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excise, were audited and checked with the asses- sors' warrants committing them for collection. The collections as recorded on the cash books were checked in detail with the com- mitment books; the payments to the town and district treasurers were verified; the abatements were checked with the asses-
sors' records of abatements granted: the town and district taxes transferred to the tax title account were verified; the outstanding ac- counts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling ledger accounts; and the cash on hand November 18, 1957 was proved.
It is again recommended that prompt ac- tion be taken by the collector to effect a complete settlement of the delinquent tax and motor vehicle and trailer excise accounts which date back to 1952.
The outstanding town and district taxes and motor and vehicle and trailer excise ac- counts were further verified by mailing notic- es to a large number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town and districts, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts for dog and sporting licen- ses, as well as for gasoline permits and junk licenses, were checked. The payments to the town treasurer and to the Division of Fisheries and Game were verified, and the cash balance on November 18, 1957 was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds on file for the several town officials for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The receipts for licenses granted by the selectmen were examined and checked, the recorded collections being compared with the town treasurer's receipts.
The recorded receipts of the sealer of weights and measures, and the building, wire, plumbing, and milk inspectors, as well as of the police, fire, health, school, and cemetery departments, were examined, check- ed, and compared with the payments to the town treasurer.
The records of accounts receivable of the public welfare and veterans' services de- partments and of the bureau of old age as- sistance were analyzed, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
In addition to the departments and ac- counts mentioned, the records of all other departments collecting money for the town were examined and reconciled with the books of the treasurer and the town accountant.
There are appended to this report, in addi- tion to the balance sheet, tables showing reconciliations of the several cash accounts, summaries of the town and district tax, motor
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vehicle and trailer excise, tax title, tax pos- session, and departmental accounts, as well as schedules showing the transactions and condition of the trust funds.
For the cooperation extended by all town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish on behalf of my assistants and for my- self to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ William Schwartz Assistant Director of Accounts
Planning Board
There has been a marked decrease in the rate of growth of the Town of Lynnfield dur- ing 1958. In 1956 there were 9 subdivisions approved by the Planning Board consisting of 123 house lots and 11,088 feet of streets In 1957 the Planning Board granted 6 re- quests for subdivisions consisting of 47 house lots and 4735 feet of streets. In 1958 six subdivisions were approved consisting of 43 house lots and 3905 feet of streets.
During the year the Town voted to amend Section 5 (c) of the Zoning By-laws relating to the extension of non-conforming use and did not change the zoning on the westerly side of Route 1 in the vicinity of Carpenter Road from Residence to Commercial.
On February 17, 1958, the Chairman of this board wrote to the Commissioner of Pub- lic Works requesting copies of proposed plans covering the revision of the interchange on Routes 1 and 128 and notice of all hearings on the subject. Notwithstanding this request, no plans or other information were furnished to the board up to the present time. Board members attended the public hearing to be informed as to what was proposed by the Com- monwealth.
Members of the Planning Board attended Board of Appeals hearings held during the year and expressed their opinion of matters under consideration.
The Planning Board reviewed the plans of the proposed Municipal Building adjacent to the present Town Hall with the committee in charge of this project.
The Planning Board is continuously study- ing the needs of the Town present and future relating to planning. Conferences have been
held with the Industrial Site Committee cover- ing the feasibility of using certain areas now zoned for residence for some kind of commer- cial use. This board will sponsor articles for the 1959 Town Meeting dealing with zon- ing and planning and has under careful study suggestions for future consideration by the Town in these fields.
Mr. Richard R. Wolsey was elected for a five year term on the board ..
Mrs. Richard A. Ross continues to serve as secretary to the board.
COLBY L. BURBANK JR., Chairman CALVIN J. OSBERG, Vice Chairman ALEXANDER SIMPSON JR., Clerk JAMES E. BAGLEY JR. RICHARD R. WOLSEY
Park and Cemetery Commission
During 1957 the Park and Cemetery Com- missioners turned back to the Town of Lynn- field the sum of $3,308.50. This figure re- presents monies received during the year for
**********
John M. Duggan, Robert N. Tomb, & Rev. James C. Marshall at dedication of flag pole donated by Lynnfield Couples Club to New- hall Park.
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internments, care of lots, sale of lots and interest on Perpetual Care funds.
Several of the projects started last year or the year before, notably the work on Donald M. Newhall Memorial Park and Glen Meadow Park, were brought closer to com- pletion during 1958.
Also in 1958, both the Pony League and the High School baseball team used Newhall Park for playing all of their games. Under this heavy use, several flaws in the field and backstop were discovered and monies for remedying these problems is being asked for in the present budget. The commissioners are again asking for monies to be spent at Glen Meadow Park. They feel that the end of drainage and fill is at least within sight and anticipate that within 3 to 5 years this former swamp will become a suitable area for recreation for both young and old.
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