Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960, Part 87

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949-1960
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 846

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 87

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Nelson B. Cutler, Jr.

Albert R. Caproni, Jr.

John Rose Malcolm Jorgenson

Howard C. Lewis Owen L. Jones

Henry Flagg

Robert Johnson

Lawrence McIntire

Police: Chief, Frank A. Pagano John E. Brockbank

Donald B. Russell Michael J. Neuman Erwin P. Kimball Lawrence E. Austin Andrew G. Gerlek Charles T. Anderson Edward Galvin Paul E. Kelley Rupert J. Foglietta Harold R. Hawkes W. Douglas Whitehouse

Donald E. Anderson John E. Madden Jolın Donegan Robert L. Thompson George B. Scales

CIVIL WAR CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

Louis B. Tuck Katherine W. Ross Evelyn L. Ramsdell Wesley W. Munroe Raymond R. Pearson

CLERK, BOARD OF SELECTMEN Robert W. Peabody

DOG OFFICER Antonio I. Procurot

ELECTION OFFICERS Alexander Williams Chester Melanson John A. Duggan Randolph Inslee David V. Farrar

Donald E. Anderson Patricia Murray Louise Bax Mary Heftye Robert W. Peabody Barbara Rodgers Blanche Settles Elizabeth Gerry Kendall Dolbeare John S. Strong

· Annalea Hanson Jessie Gutowski Joseph LeBrun John A. McGonnell Robert Settles John B. Rodgers Rupert Foglietta John McWeeny Willard Phillips Joseph Cronin Kathleen McFarland Audrey Mayerson Evelyn Turcotte Evelyn Phillips Lucy Grant Mary McGonnell Evangeline White Kathryn Underhill Ruth Bucklin

Lillian LaCross William E. Holmes Carmella R. Nugent Herbert Chase Randolph P. Inslee

FENCE VIEWERS Board of Selectmen

FINANCE COMMITTEE Richard H. Thorngren William A. McLeod, Jr. Harry C. Wendt

FIRE DEPARTMENT

From Lieut. to Acting Deputy Chief, Joseph Natoli, Jr. From Pvt. to Acting Lieut., Melvin E. Goodwin From Regular to Substitute: Allan H. Davis Albert C. White Thomas E. Suckley

From Substitute to Regular: Arthur W. Hudson Delbert E. Porter

Bruce A. Woodbury

Arthur S. Tewksbury, Jr.

Richard E. Conley

Archie E. Packard Paul R. Roulier

From Civil Defense to Substitute: Martin J. Lally Alexander N. Angus Charles M. Kilgore A. David Rodham Albert R. Caproni Chaplain : Rev. Andrew C. K. Richards

JUNIOR HIGH BUILDING COMMITTEE John W. McColley, resigned Perry L. Nies Harry W. Tanner William J. Schultz

Frank M. Thomas

Shirley T. Northrup John F. Nason

MOTH DEPARTMENT SUPT. Gustav H. Koch

MUNICIPAL BUILDING CUSTODIAN Fred E. Melanson, resigned Maurice H. Day

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Albert A. Korkatti, temporary intermittent patrolman 1/1/60-7/1/60; Appointed regular 6/3/60 Paul A. Madden, 30 day emergency from 5/26/60; Temporary intermittent patrolman 7/8/60-10/8/60; Temporary intermittent patrolman 10/9/60-4/9/61 Donald J. Foglietta, temporary intermittent patrolman 9/19/60-3/19/61

School Traffic Supervisors: Winnifred L. Borjeson Phyllis M. LeTourneau Eunice L. Carter June T. Crumrine Mildred R. Doremus Doris Gaythwaite, substitute Special Police: Warren J. Chamberland Dr. Thomas B. White Antonio I. Procurot Roland Page Chester R. Melanson

Gustav H. Koch Harry W. Higgins John A. McGonnell James P. Boyle

Roger Harris

John H. Donegan

Bernard Nugent James V. Thompson James C. Fletcher

Clifton C. Hodgdon

Josiah Poeton Theodore Palizzolo

Amos A. Miller Forrest W. Howard Maurice H. Day John F. Donegan Edward A. Galvin

SCHOOL SITE ACQUISITION COMMITTEE

Lewis G. Coonrod

Chester M. Morton Robert F. Perkins

Arthur J. Bourque, Jr. Arthur E. Bodge

Bernard L. Caniff

Howard A. Bouve

SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Gustav H. Koch

SOLDIERS' RELIEF AGENT Burton B. Cogswell

TOWN ACCOUNTANT Theodore Palizzolo, 3 years

TOWN COUNSEL Ralph G. Howland TOWN GOVERNMENT STUDY COMMITTEE Frederick D. Eble

TOWN REPORT COMMITTEE June T. Crumrine Melvin E. Goodwin Richard B. Learnard Ruth E. Rudowski

E. Marie Saporito Ruth E. Foulkes Theodore Palizzolo, ex officio

UNITED NATIONS DAY CHAIRMAN Joseph J. Pyburn

VETERANS' BENEFIT AGENT Burton B. Cogswell

VETERANS' BURIAL AGENT Burton B. Cogswell

VETERANS' GRAVES REGISTRATION OFFICER Burton B. Cogswell

WAGE STUDY COMMITTEE Fletcher F. Oakes Arthur A. Brennan Proctor A. Coffin

WIRE INSPECTOR James V. Thompson

ASSISTANT WIRE INSPECTOR Elof O. Hagfelt

TRAFFIC SURVEY COMMITTEE Richard L. Hobbs James C. Fletcher

Edwin A. Ericson

Edward W. Bankoff

Walter R. Colby

William E. Foley

Gloria D. Erickson

Donald J. Nelson

Mary D. Heim

Grace S. Pratt

In Memoriam

ALLISON G. TEDFORD

Died January 1, 1960

Allison G. Tedford of 5 Rockwood road, Lynn- field constable, died suddenly in his home on New Year's Day. He had returned two days be- fore from an extended train trip which carried him to Portland Ore., Seattle, Wash., Vancouver, B. C., and other points in the midwest. He was born in Salem 71 years ago, and had been a resi- dent of Lynnfield for the past 60 years.

The deceased was a son of Albert G. Tedford, former police chief in Lynnfield from 1920 to 1940, who died in 1940 at the age of 84.

Mr. Tedford was a railroad crossing tender for the Boston and Maine Railroad and a member of American Legion Post 131. His nearest survivors are an aunt, Mrs. Ethel Nourse of Salem, and three cousins.

MRS. HANNAH (PINGREE) LAMBERT Died January 4, 1960

Mrs. Hannah (Pingree) Lambert, 71, wife of George E. Lambert, Jr., of 33 Lincoln avenue, died January 4, 1960.

Born in Byfield, she was a resident of Lynn- field since 1912.

She had been a member of the Centre Congre- gational Church since 1912 and was a member of the Friendly Wheel.

Long active in town affairs, Mrs. Lambert was one of the founders of the Lynnfield PTA in the early 1920's, was a charter member of the Lynn- field Centre Woman's club and of the Lynnfield chapter of the Order of Eastern Star. She had been a member of the Lynnfield Republican Town committee for many years.

For a number of years Mrs. Lambert was Lynn- field correspondent for the Wakefield Daily Item. She also wrote greeting card verses for Rustcraft for approximately 20 years.

Active and interested in Girl Scouts for over 20 years, Mrs. Lambert was presented the Friend- ship Award in May 1959 for outstanding service as a friend of scouting.

She was graduated cum laude from Radcliffe college with the class of 1909.

She leaves her husband, George E. Lambert, Jr .; two daughters, both of Lynnfield, Mrs. Vir- ginia L. Smith and Mrs. Dorothy L. Robinson; two grandsons and three granddaughters.

MISS ELIZABETH W. GREEN Died April 14, 1960

Miss Elizabeth W. Green, 85, who for 65 years served as a librarian in Lynnfield, died April 14, 1960, in a Reading nursing home.

Miss Green was born in Wakefield, the daugh- ter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Green and came to Lynnfield when she was ten years old.

She lived in the house at 615 Main street, corner of Summer street, prior to entering the nursing home early in 1959.

Miss Green was still attending Wakefield High School when Lynnfield started a town library and she was asked to be the librarian. In addition, the library took over the books of the Lynnfield Lite- rary Association, composed of a group of young people interested in good reading who maintained a lending library in the upper room of the Centre Congregational Church vestry.

When the new town library opened July 22, 1892, in the town hall, there were 577 books. Miss Green became librarian at 18 and continued to serve the town until her retirement Deceniber 31, 1957. The main library was moved to its present quarters in 1905 and Miss Green took a personal interest in the children, encouraging them to make use of the library.

Funeral services were held in the Centre Con- gregational Church. Interment was in the Lake- side Cemetery, Wakefield.

WARREN J. CHAMBERLAND

Died August 18, 1960

Warren J. Chamberland, 38, of 159 Main st, Lynnfield, Civil Defense director for the Town of Lynnfield, succumbed to a heart attack in Bos- ton's Sumner Tunnel enroute from the Industrial Technology School where he has been an instruc- tor in air conditioning for the past 15 years.

Mr. Chamberland, a member of the local Civil Defense organization for nine years, served with the auxiliary police. He rose from the ranks to head the auxiliary: private to sergeant; he was named deputy police chief in December, 1956; in May, 1958 the Board of Selectmen promoted him to auxiliary police chief, and in April, 1959 the selectmen unanimously appointed him Civil Defense director for Lynnfield. Later he relin- quished the auxiliary chief's position to Frank Pagano.

A native of South Boston, Mr. Chamberland was the son of Frank and Florence (LaPointe).

Surviving him are his widow, Shirley (Testa) Chamberland; a son, Warren Mark, and a daugh- ter, Laura Beth. Also, a brother, Frank of Millis, and two sisters, Mrs. Christopher Brady of Bed- ford and Mrs. Frederick Doody of Framingham.

MRS. HARRIET (JAMESON) CALDWELL Died October 8, 1960

Mrs. Harriet (Jameson) Caldwell, 76, wife of John S. Caldwell of 55 Carter rd, Lynnfield Cen- ter, passed away October 8, 1960, in the Melrose- Wakefield Hospital.

Long active in civic and social organizations, Mrs. Caldwell leaves, in addition to her devoted family, countless friends and associates to mourn her loss. She was a resident of Lynn for many

years having moved there from her birthplace in Pawtucket, R. I. She was the stepdaughter of the late Charles Ames, former state representative, and a graduate of the Lynn English High School. The Jameson-Caldwell wedding took place in Lynn in July, 1907, and one of their proudest possessions was the golden wedding certificate presented by the Lynn Item on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary, three years ago.

Mrs. Caldwell's activities in the life of Lynn- field Center and its surrounding communities had been continuous since moving here more than 35 years ago, where she will long be remembered for her tireless work especially among the young people to whom she was lovingly known as "Ma."

Mrs. Caldwell was a member of Harmony Chapter, OES; Lynnfield Chapter, OES; treasurer

of the Lynnfield Grange, and member of Pomona and Danvers Granges; past president of the Cen- tre Club, Lynn Woman's Club, Center Garden Club, Thrifty Wheel of the Centre Congregational Church, and the Daughters of Rhode Island; treasurer of the YMCA Auxiliary, Wakefield; past chairman of the credential and registration committee of the Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs; member of the Florence Crit- tenton League of Wakefield, the neighborhood committee of the Woman's Volunteer Auxiliary of the Union Hospital, Lynn, and the Lynnfield Historical Society.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Caldwell leaves two sons, Sanborn A. of Lynnfield Center and John of Duxbury; four grandchildren, Charles A., Jane W., John C., and Dana Caldwell, and one greatgrandchild, Cary A. Caldwell.

Board of Selectmen

The United States Census conducted in 1960 showed Lynnfield's official population to be 8,- 398, more than double that of 1950 when it was 3,925. To those who have lived this decade in Lynnfield the changes and the problems which this growth has created are apparent. Obviously, a significant portion of our current population are new to the town and many are new to the New England area. Inasmuch as we have completed a period of growth, the rate of which future estim- ates indicate we will never equal, it is important that we, in the course of this report, review where we stand and where we are headed. Many will be reading a Town Report for the first time. To those and still others, this report may be strange as they are not used to the town form of govern- ment. To those who have lived and worked with this type of government there is nothing that could replace it even though admittedly it has its moments of difficulty.

As the office of Selectman is a unique function to this area we would like to take the time to quote a few paragraphs from a study made by Edwin A. Gere, Jr. and Robert P. Dolan, of the University of Massachusetts.

Nature of the Office

"Perhaps nowhere in American government can there be found a public office as unique as that held by selectmen. Originated in Massachu- setts and confined to New England, the office has enjoyed an unbroken tradition of respect and authority since Charlestown first used the term "selectmen" in 1634. All New England states ex- cept Rhode Island have continued and preserved to the present day this form of local government. As our young nation grew and its people began to push westward, they carried with them and put into practice in their new communities many of the principles of democratic rule for which they had been willing to wage a Revolutionary War. While the selectmen form of government itself has never become transplanted in other regions of our expanding country, the basic idea, or the prin- ciple of government by committee, has found its way at one time or another into thousands of communities across the land.

Although weighted by over 300 years of tradi- tion and hampered by an overlapping of boards, commissions and functions, the selectmen form of government in Massachusetts has maintained its popularity in the face of such changes as rapid- ly increasing population, more complexities in governmental administration, and rising costs of goods and services. Its popularity without a doubt can be attributed to the fact that this form of gov- ernment is adaptable to changing conditions. Its historic prestige may be maintained while its op-

erational structure is streamlined to meet the de- mands of the twentieth century. In short, it is a workable form of government.

Responsibilities of Selectmen

For Massachusetts town government to func- tion at highest efficiency requires a certain sense of responsibility on the part of selectmen. Once organized, the machinery of government may coast along on its own momentum - very often with little direction from town leaders. Reports may be made, bills may be paid, and business may continue as usual. However, in this kind of at- mosphere other events will generally take place as problems mount up with little or no ameliorative action taken, lethargy sets in and indifference prevails. Selectmen have a responsibility to avoid such conditions in local government. It is their obligation to create the kind of community at- mosphere and to provide the kind of leadership that looks beyond tomorrow, that looks beyond the borders of the town, and that works in the best interest of all the people. In this respect select- men are more than merely administrators and signers of reports. They are at once legislators, executives, politicians, planners, informed citi- zens and a host of other personalities. They eaclı wear a dozen hats. They work full-time at a so- called part-time job. They are out nearly every night attending various meetings. Their time be- longs to the public, yet they love every minute of it."

Your Board would agree with this except they might question the very last phrase of the quo- tation.

1960 saw the completion of many "must" pro- grams for this town. It was also a year of future planning. Few, if any, short term projects were initiated during this year. The Board, involved as it is in endless activities, has opportunity to foresee trouble and to initiate effective action to forestall a crisis. To this end the Board has ap- pointed a long range Capital Needs Committee. This committee will evaluate the major funds that will be required over the next decade, place them in relation to the projected indebtedness and in- come and lay a fiscal program that will accom- plish our goals without undue strain or place the town in a position of having to commit itself to a program that is economically unsound. We have a $449.00 per capita debt, the sixth highest per capita debt in the state. We must plan ac- cordingly.

Although the town has more than doubled in size, its basic government has not changed during the last decade. The preceding Board of Select- men appointed a committee to study and evaluate all phases of our town organization. During 1960

DOANE

On the Move. Typical Lynnfield home being re-located to make way for highway construction at traffic interchange of Routes 1 and 128.

this Board worked closely with this committee. Its membership is made up of people whose quali- fications are such that, coupled with their sincere interest in the town, they cannot help but give a constructive evaluation of our present operation. Elsewhere in this Town Report, there will be a report of progress from this committee. Your board has worked closely with them and has been greatly impressed by the depth of their investiga- tion and its open-mindedness. Although they will not have completed this task for the Annual Meet- ing, it is their goal to have a final report some time during 1961.

The Board has been impressed by the need for better long-term planning for school require- ments. This covers the whole area of education, not only the physical plants but the type of edu- cation and the trends in academic development. To this end the School Committee and the Board will sponsor an article in the coming annual meet- ing requesting the town to authorize the Board to appoint a long-term planning committee. More details of this particular committee will be found under the School Committee's Report.

In keeping with the Selectmen's responsibility for overall long-term planning for the town, re- cent Boards of Selectmen have made certain re- commendations both to the town and to the Plan- ning Board regarding the master plan and various zoning items. Last year's report of the Board of Selectmen refers to several specific items. During 1960 the Planning Board engaged the services of a consultant to "up-date" our master plan. The Board is distressed that in a year since the town authorized the expenditure of such funds, no

report has been received regarding the questions of commercial and business zoning. This is an important matter - something in which all of the town's citizens are interested and in which many believe a change is in order. We will con- tinue to work with the Planning Board to see that we may remain abreast of what appears to be the best plan of action.

It should be pointed out that local government in New England has developed primarily in the town rather than in the county as in other regions of the United States. As a result, town bounda- ries, with the passage of time, have become stronger rather than weaker lines of separation. Once established, towns have not federated into larger units despite the pressures of metropolitan growth. As a rule they have neither been annexed nor been able to annex adjoining territory. Nev- ertheless the nature of the old New England town is being radically changed. This change, however, has come about not as a result of increases in size but as a consequence of pressures created by the influx of new citizens.

Lynnfield was originally a farming community, and for a while had some vestiges of a manufac- turing community, long since disappeared as have most of the farms. In the early part of this cen- tury the various bodies 'of water which dot the town attracted a small summer population who built cottages on small lots of land. The town has now mainly developed into two basic sections. There are two shopping centers, several churches, various civic and fraternal as well as social organ- izations, plus several golf courses - but no real commercial enterprise. With a well laid out plan

for the community, the population and subse- quent growth are largely controlled by the zoning ordinances.

During the depression, and certainly following the second world war, Lynnfield has been sought out by people hungry for a home set among woodlands, water and open land rather than the more congested urban areas. During the decade which has just been completed Lynnfield gained more than it had during the preceding 150 years. As this town has grown, the population has been superimposed upon existing social and adminis- trative structures. These have caused a series of problems in the last ten years which have become a standard in all suburban areas. The problems have been brought on by population growth, the erosion of the green space, growing traffic, in- creasing taxes, educational demands, the prob- lems of public safety. All these and many more are typical of the problems this town and others like it face.

The biggest problem facing the town in the immediate past and in the foreseeable future is schooling. In the past, we have been extremely fortunate in the drive and calibre of elected school officials, its paid professionals, and the untold number of private citizens who have contributed to an almost endless list of educational projects. Starting from practically nothing, the citizens of this town have developed a system which need take second place to none. This has come about because of an interested citizenry. Currently, our budget for educational cost amounts to 55.5% of our total expenditures. This compares to 43.8% for towns in Massachusetts with populations of 6,000 to 10,000 and 46.9% for towns of 4,000 to 6,000 also in this state. There are very few towns who spend a greater proportion of their tax in- come for education than does this town. It may be asked, are we spending too much. This is not for the Board to answer but for the citizens in the form of a town meeting. The answer in the opinion of the Board probably lies in the failure to spend enough for other government services thereby increasing the percentage break-down for schools. It is to this end that in two recent annual meetings the Board has petitioned the town to ex- pand its general government services in keeping with the educational standards which have al- ready been set.

Lynnfield currently budgets 2.7% of its total ex- penditures to general government. This compares to slightly in excess of 4% for towns with popula- tions ranging 4,000 to 10,000. Similarly, the town is spending 5.9% of its 1960 budget on highways - and this compares to better than 9.5% for com- parable towns in the state.

Two years ago the Board embarked upon a program to increase police protection to the amount generally prescribed as proper for a town of this size. At the same time, the police depart- ment embarked upon a program of establishing professional standards of police work. This pro-

gram has proceeded rapidly and with great suc- cess. This was culminated when the Police De- partment was able to move into its first perma- nent quarters, adding not only to improved mo- rale but certainly to improved efficiency. There are several relatively small items in this year's budget request for this department which should round out the program for the immediate future.

During 1960 with the acquisition of two new buildings for the fire department, the Board ini- tiated the first step in bringing to this organiza- tion a more professional approach to the conduct of its affairs. We hasten to point out that this should in no way be interpreted as a criticism of our present and past fire departments. There is no more dedicated group than our volunteer fire- men. Their enthusiastic interest in this all-im- portant department needs no comment by this Board. It is a matter of common knowledge that the personnel are rated highly by the professional fire-fighters in surrounding communities. As an aside we might point out that the fire department is always interested in adding to its ranks. Those who are unfamiliar with its operation might find in joining the volunteer department a new activ- ity of unending interest and unquestioned value to the community. Here is a group of men whose bond is equal to that of any fraternal organiza- tion. You will always find an outstretched hand of welcome at any fire department meeting.

What the Board as fire commissioners are in- terested in is improving the training offered the volunteers and the equipment made available to them. Certainly the totally inadequate quarters which were furnished up until this year, coupled with the fact that the fire underwriters had stated for practical purposes the town does not have fire trucks - although they do say the trucks that we are using are extremely well equipped - were not conducive to proper standards of pro- fessional fire fighting. The Board working with the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Fire Chief spent a considerable amount of time earlier in the year developing specifications for the first new truck authorized by last year's town meeting. It is hoped that this piece of fire appara- tus will be delivered in March. The Board has recommended to the town that over a five-year period the four pieces of apparatus that existed in 1960 should be replaced. It is in keeping with this plan that the Chief and the Board have re- commended the purchase of a second pumper this year. Thus by the end of 1961 both ends of town would have one up-to-date piece of fire ap- paratus.

Working closely with the Chief, the Board has sought to have improved methods of training so that our personnel will be thoroughly familiar in not only the latest methods of fire fighting but with all of the possible emergencies that they may meet. During the year the Chief requested the appointment of a Deputy Chief whose main res- ponsibility would be in the area of fire drills and

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Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960, Part 87

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.) Publication date: 1949-1960 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 846

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1949-1960
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 846