USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 88
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training. We are pleased to report that there have been tangible results because of the stepped-up tempo of this programı.
There are many pros and cons as to the merits of paid vs. volunteer fire departments. Inasmuch as this has been the topic of some private conver- sation among the citizens, we are inserting an article in the 1961 warrant on this subject. This article is to provide an opportunity for citizens to speak on both sides of the issue. It will also pro- vide an expression of opinion of the town's de- sires. Armed with this expression of opinion, we will be in a better position to work with the res- ponsible officials in developing a progran: that is proper.
Much has been said in this report regarding the change which has taken place within the com- munity in the last decade. Other changes have taken place outside the borders. Certainly it is obvious to all who commute that the highway sys- teni is not adequate to meet our needs. The State and Federal Governments are spending much to improve the roads. This is having an effect upon all communities where the changes are taking place. Lynnfield has not gone untouched. The re-location of Route 128 and Route 1 Interchange has had an unsettling effect on the South end of town. During the year the Board has held many public hearings both with citizens and officials regarding all aspects of this problem. The State has taken over five of our homes and 12 acres of land, all of which mean a loss of income to the town. The Board along with other town officials extended every aid possible to those of our citi- zens who desired to move their homes from af- fected areas to new locations in order to stay within the town.
Of significance to the town as a whole was the taking of Chemical Hall. This posed a problem as Chemical Hall was used almost constantly as a meeting hall and of course housed two of our fire trucks. After considerable negotiation the town was reimbursed to the extent of $60,000.00 for this building. This coupled with the money raised by the Town Meeting permitted the building of the South Hall and Fire Station. We believe that this structure which was built by the Board of Selectmen acting as its own building and plan- ning committee is proof that a functionally sound, reasonably attractive structure can be had at an affordable cost. On a per square foot basis, it is the lowest by far of any of the new structures in town. The South Hall has proved attractive to all types of functions. It is in constant use by our various town organizations and not infrequently by private parties. We are pleased to report that the small service fees that are charged have more than offset the extra custodian's fees involved and made a large contribution towards the heat- ing and lighting of the hall.
Several meetings were held with State officials at which we requested assistance on traffic han- dling during the construction period of the inter- change. The State has been most cooperative
New St. Maria Goretti Church
during this extremely difficult period. We also petitioned for a pedestrian bridge crossing at Grove Street on Route 128. After repeated peti- tions and conversations, this has been denied. We are still of the opinion that such a pedestrian crossing is required, particularly for children who will now be cut off or have an extremely long walk to reach the available playground. As a re- sult of various conferences both with citizens and the DPW our request for a service road extension to run from the Sun O'China restaurant on Route 128 to Summer Street have been approved. This will provide much better entrance and exit for the citizens in the area involved as well as greatly im- proved flow of traffic for fire emergencies.
The town has seen rapid growth in public build- ings during the year. Not only has the town built its own new Police and Fire Station as well as the South Hall and Fire Station, but several other additions have been made. A new Catholic Church is nearing completion on Chestnut Street. This is known as St. Maria Goretti. At the south end of town a new convent and parochial school have been started with expected completion some- time during 1961. The south end was fortunate in having the addition of a new shopping center at Post Office Square, which was coincidental with the loss of the shopping center on Salem Street at Route 1. Enhancing the attractive con- nion area is the excellent architectural contribu- tion of the new Centre Church. Still in the plan- ning stage but definitely active are three new churches - the Trinity Baptist Church is plan- ning a new building on their present location on Summer Street; a new church is contemplated for the Lutheran congregations; and the Mormons are also planning a building. Thé ever-increasing demand for additional space on the part of our churches certainly is a testimonial to the moral fibre of our community.
Not only is Lynnfield a town active in religious philosophy, it has a citizenry who participate in all the functions which are requested of it.
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New Sanctuary for Centre Congregational Church
Throughout the year, the Board appoints several hundred citizens to various committees. Without fail, their contributions are good, their attendance excellent, their attitude above reproach. We would like particularly to commend the Finance Committee. They have been objective in handling the difficult financial problems of the town. Theirs has been a constructive approach, particu- larly in consulting with department heads. To all who have served on committees throughout the year, the Board joins with its citizens in thanking them. These are major contributions and they are done in the purest democratic sense. For those who are interested in contributing efforts to the town, you will find elsewhere in this Town Report an application form. At any time, you are free to call any of your Selectmen and tell them of your interest.
One of the more interesting committees this year was a group of citizens who petitioned the Board for speed regulations on our main arteries. State regulations require a very costly and tinie- consuming study before such regulations can be put forward. These citizens volunteered to con- duct this survey on their own time. Only recently completed, it is being evaluated by State officials. Their approach and results are an excellent exam- ple of how citizens can contribute to the improve- ment of the town. Your Board stands ready to serve and assist you at any time. It also needs your assistance in carrying out the various func- tions required of it.
Besides the numerous major projects, long- term planning which has been instituted and the various hearing of both major and minor mat- ters, the Board has conducted a long list of other activities. You should know that, as required by law, we have perambulated the bounds of Middle- ton, Saugus, Lynn and Peabody. We found all of our boundaries to be in order and all but one marker to be in place. This marker will be re-lo- cated this spring. A group of Lynnfield insurance brokers have been asked to serve as Insurance
Trustees to make recommendations on the insur- ance coverage the town should have and to pe- riodically review our present policies. This will be a continuing body and has already made im- portant contributions. On May 6th, with the open- ing of the new Police and Fire Station, the His- torical Society was given custodianship of the Old Meeting House. In consultation with school offi- cials and the Police, strong steps were taken to improve student driving. We were extremely pleased with the cooperation the student body gave and the rapid improvement they made in some of their unsafe driving habits.
After careful study by a committee the Board initiated renovations which will make the old Town Hall habitable for a three or four year pe- riod. Repairs to put the building in condition to last another twenty or twenty-five years would have necessitated an expenditure of $25,000 to $35,000. It was the opinion of town officials that this would have been a wasteful expenditure on a building as old and as impractical functionally as this one.
We would like to extend congratulations to the Town Report Committee. Their Report for 1959 won first prize for Town Reports in the state of Massachusetts. They worked hard to achieve this recognition.
As this report is submitted, the town was shock- ed and deeply saddened by the untimely death of Chief Foley. A member of the Lynnfield Depart- ment since 1937 and its Chief for the last ten years, he has contributed more than any one per- son to its growth from a small town Police De- partment to an efficient organization with profes- sional standing. He worked round the clock, gave unselfishly in his quiet manner and often under extremely difficult conditions. Chief Foley work- ed not only for his department but he contributed in a major way to many other functions of the town government. He was active in several of our local organizations. He gave far more to the town and its citizens than he received. To his friends and associates his passing was a great loss.
In the mid-year the sudden death also of War- ren Chamberland, Civil Defense Director, shock- ed the community. Popular and unassuming, he worked hard at many activities in town. He had worked through the ranks to become director. He had done much to make this organization not just a planner for war disaster but a major con- tributor to the day-to-day activities of the town. To fill Mr. Chamberland's important office, the Board appointed Larry Austin from the ranks of the Auxiliary Police Department. Since assuming responsibility, Mr. Austin has carried on enthu- siastically goals set by Warren Chamberland.
We would like to make specific commendations to Sergeant Norman Grady for the heroic man- ner in which he rescued a boy in the water during a storm at the ocean in Lynn. Also of the Police Department, we would like to commend Patrol- man William Delamater and Auxiliary Patrolman
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Erwin Kimball for the dispatch and manner in which they aided in an attempt to save a dying baby.
During the year, we received the resignation of Howard S. Armerding, Building Inspector. He served the town exceptionally well during its rap- id rate of growth the past twelve years. Not only did we lose an extremely responsible official but two highly regarded residents when the Arnier- dings moved to Illinois where Mr. Armerding took up a new position. We were fortunate in having a resident well qualified to fill this posi- tion as building inspector, Roger Harris.
The Clergymen of our town play an active part not only within their churches but in all phases of our community life. We are pleased that the Reverend Edward Morgan has received a call to
greater responsibility but sorry to lose his many contributions to the community and particularly as Police Chaplain. We would like to extend a welcome to the Reverend James Garrity who will be pastor of the new St. Maria Goretti church.
Ernest Bonah, Jr. resigned from the Board of Registrars, a position he had held with distinction. In moving to New Hampshire, the town has lost a very civic minded family.
In general, 1960 was a year of good progress for your town. We look with continued confi- dence that Lynnfield will remain an exceptional town to call hone.
Board of Selectmen PROCTOR A. COFFIN, Chairman MASON J. CONDON RICHARD L. HOBBS
Licenses Issued
BY THE TOWN CLERK
DOGS LICENSED IN 1960
480 Males at $2.00
$960.00
68 Females at $5.00
340.00
372 Spayed Females at $2.00
744.00
6 Kennels at $10.00
60.00
2 Kennels at $25.00 50.00
1 Kennel at $50.00
50.00
929 Licenses
$2,204.00
Fees Deducted 929 at .25
232.25
Paid to County
$1,971.75
HUNTING, FISHING, AND SPORTING LICENSES ISSUED
249 Fishing Licenses at $4.25
$1,058.25
230 Hunting Licenses at $4.25
977.50
66 Sporting Licenses at $7.25 478.50
40 Minors Fishing at $2.25 90.00
20 Female Fishing at $3.25 65.00
2 Citizens Trapping at $7.75
15.50
1 3-Day Non-Resident Fishing at $4.25 4.25
3 Alien Resident Fishing at $8.75 ..
26.25
4 Duplicates at .50
2.00
615
$2,717.25
15 Free licenses (age 70 or over)
630 Total licenses issued.
Fees deducted
152.75
Paid to Division of Fisheries and Game
$2,564.50
BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Number
Fee
Ballroom
1
35.00
Common Victualler
20
5.00
Lodging House
4
2.00
Lord's Day:
Sale of Horticultural Prod.
15
3.00
Sale of Candy, Frozen Des- serts, etc.
22
3.00
Concert & Entertainment Individual Annual
111
1.00
Rifle Range
1
2.00
Sale of Christmas Trees
2
1.00
Taxicab
2
1.00
House Moving
3
1.00
Amusement rides
4
2.00
Liquor Licenses :
Advertisement Fees
10
5.00
One Day Wine and Malt Beverages
49
3.00
Common Victualler, All Alcoholic
4
500.00
Club, All Alcoholic Beverages
2
500.00
Club, (Seasonal)
1
100.00
Retail Package Goods Store:
2
500.00
Wine & Malt Beverages
1
250.00
1
1.00
All Alcoholic
All Alcoliolic Beverages
2
25.00
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Our Health Officer, Dr. George S. Robinson
Our health officer, Dr. George S. Robinson, cel- ebrates twenty-five years in office this year. Dr. Robinson was born in Lynn on July 13, 1902, graduated from Lynn English High School in 1920 and moved to 55 Forest Hill Avenue, Lynn- field in 1922. He established a dairy farm at this location and for several years delivered milk to many of the town's people. Our town clerk, Har- ry W. Higgins, recalls that he was one of Dr. Rob- inson's first milk customers and that he and many others will remember Dr. Robinson delivering milk on snow shoes in the winter months. Dr. Robinson is the son of the late Charles W. Robin- son and Mrs. Charles W. Robinson who now re- sides at 18 Park St. in Lynn.
Before establishing his dairy farm, he attended Mass. Agricultural College (now Mass. State). A few years later he gave up the farm and attended the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy where he was graduated in September of 1932 at the 40th commencement as one of seven honor students. He was immediately appointed an intern at the Osteopathic Hospital in Philadelphia. While in college, he was active in sports and served as an officer of many school societies & organizations.
He received his M.D. in 1936, a few years after he started his practice in Lynnfield at the family homestead. In 1941 he married the former Doro- thy P. Lambert and in the same year purchased the property at 184 Summer Street which is his present residence.
The Robinsons have a son, George S. Jr. who attends New Hampton School in Hampton, New Hampshire and there are twin daughters, Merri- lee Ann & Bradlee Ellen who are freshmen at Lynnfield High School.
For many years Dr. Robinson was a Sunday School teacher at the Centre Congregational Church. In 1945 he was Wor. Master of Bethle- hem Masonic Lodge in Lynn and he currently serves as Treasurer. He is also a life member of the Shrine and other Masonic bodies and is a 32nd degree Mason.
His associations and clubs include the Mass. Physicians Club, American Osteopathic Ass'n. Mass. Osteopathic Society and he is on the atten- dance staff of Saugus Hospital.
Dr. Robinson has two brothers, Kenneth of Lynnfield and Wesley of Essex.
Hunting, Fishing and traveling occupy the Robinsons' spare time. In the garage there is a large moose head which Dr. Robinson shot some years ago. There is also a bear-skin and deer head in his home. He hunts in New Brunswick, Cana- da and fishes the Miramichi River. Salmon and Trout fishing are his favorites. The family freezer always contains salmon, trout and venison.
Dr. Robinson maintains an office in his home and at 41 Lewis St., Lynn. One of the few local general practitioners, he is extremely busy day and night and has delivered about 1500 babies.
The position of Health Officer was originally an appointive job and he was appointed annually and consecutively for many years and has been elected each year since the office lias become elective.
We suspect that Doc Robinson will continue his practice and to serve as Health Officer for many more years. However, should he retire, he and Mrs. Robinson will probably continue to visit far- away places with time off for fishing and hunting.
17
Town Clerk
ELECTION OF TOWN OFFICERS HELD MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1960
Election Officers Serving:
Precinct 1
Alexander G. Williams, Warden
Joseph H. LeBrun, Clerk
William E. Holmes
Harold E. Griffin
0
1
1
Blanks
157
181
338
TREE WARDEN, One Year
Gustav H. Koch,
243 Summer Street
991
799
1790
Blanks
147
133
280
PARK AND CEMETERY COMMISSIONER, Three Years
Minot H. Carter, 15 Carter Road
1022
788 1810
Blanks
116
144
260
CONSTABLES, One Year
Charles V. Sweetser, 699 Main Street
579
410
989
Leon W. Cobb,
64 Crescent Avenue 336
140
476
June T. Crumrine,
658 Main Street
261
180
441
Casimiro Navas,
58 Mansfield Road
127
167
294
John F. Pepper, 205 Edgemere Road
608
554
1162
James E. Rich,
907 Summer Street
98
162
260
Blanks 267
ROAD COMMISSIONER, One Year
James C. Fletcher, 596 Salem Street
1008
805
1813
Blanks
130
127
257
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, Three Years
Louis D. Savage, 774 Main Street
990
781
177
Blanks
148
148
296
PLANNING BOARD, Five Years
Howard A. Bouve, Jr.,
46 Forest Hill Ave.
732
444
1176
Charles E. Herlihy,
37 Locksley Road
357
453
810
Blanks 49
35
81
MODERATOR, One Year
John H. Kimball, 345 Chestnut Street
1054 813
1867
Blanks
84
119
203
Blanks
129
144
273
TRUSTEE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, One Year
Nancy C. Santeusanio, 3 Laurel Road Blanks
996
775
1771
142
157
299
TRUSTEE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, Three Years
Prec. 1
2
Richard N. Eckert,
74 Phillips Road
981
750
1731
David V. Farrar
Robert H. Settles
Edward P. McConarty
Edward W. Foley
John S. Strong
Albert White, Jr.
Kendall M. Dolbeare
John Murphy
William Delamater, Police Officer
Precinct 2
Chester R. Melanson, Warden
J. Arthur McGonnell, Clerk
W. Thomas McGonnell Raymond Pearson
John Rodgers
Donald Anderson
Randolph P. Inslee
John McWeeney
Rupert J. Foglietta
Robert Johnson
Joseph M. Cronin
Norman Grady, Police Officer
SELECTMEN, BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE, Three Years
Prec. Prec. Total
1
2
Ross F. Coon,
36 Phillips Road
356
224
580
Richard L. Hobbs.
8 Tapley Road
490
404
894
James W. Melanson, 628 Salem Street
282
293
575
Blanks
10
11
21
TREASURER, Three Years
Harry W. Higgins,
60 Howard Avenue
1073
843
1916
Blanks
65
89
154
ASSESSOR, Three Years
Stanley E. Flagg.
61 Prospect Avenue
963
785
1748
Blanks
175
147
322
BOARD OF HEALTH, Three Years
Harold D. Aldrich, 372 Summer Street
1009
788
1797
TOTAL VOTE CAST
Precinct 1 1138
Precinct 2 932
Total
2070
Prec. Total
251
518
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RECORD OF ACTION TAKEN AT ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
HELD MARCH 14, 1960 IN HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AND GYMNASIUM
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. by the Moderator who read the call for the meet- ing and the constable's return.
Following the admittance of certain unregis- tered voters by vote of the meeting, the meeting was opened with an invocation by the Rev. Ed- ward J. Morgan.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to dispense with the reading of the Articles until taken up for action.
It was next voted unanimously, on motion by the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, to ad- journ until Thursday March 17, 1960 in the High School Auditorium if the business of the meeting was not completed at the first session.
ARTICLE 1.
Voted that action be taken on each article in the warrant only in the order in which it appears. A counted vote showed 321 in favor of this article and 236 opposed.
ARTICLE 2.
Voted unanimously that the Town amend the By-Laws of the Town of Lynnfield by striking out Section (c) of Chapter 1 and substituting in its place the following:
"(C) Robert's Rules of Order shall constitute the rules for the procedure of business in the Town Meetings and for the General Government of the same in all points to which they relate and are applicable to Town Meeting procedure."
ARTICLE 3.
Voted unanimously that Walter M. Riggs, Jo- seph F. Smith, James C. Fletcher be appointed Field Drivers, that Joseph F. Smith be appointed pound keeper, that Perley P. Burrill, Daniel Kel- leher, Joseph F. Smith be appointed wood meas- urers.
ARTICLE 4.
Voted to accept the Reports of Town Officers and Special Committees as published.
ARTICLE 5.
Voted to transfer the sum of $1,432.24 (dog li- cense refund by Essex County) to the "Expense Account" of the libraries.
ARTICLE 6.
Voted unanimously to fix the compensation of each of the elective officers of the Town, as required by General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 108, as amended, said salaries or compensation to be as follows:
Board of Selectmen $1100. annum
Board of Public Welfare 60. annum
Town Treasurer 2540. annum
Tax Collector 2270. anum
Board of Assessors 2800. annum
Town Clerk 1610. annum
Tree Warden 93. week
Board of Health 90. annun
Road Commissioner 122.58 week
ARTICLE 7.
Voted to amend the By-Law relating to certain positions of employment and salaries in High- way, Moth, Tree, Park and Cemetery Depart- ments, Public Libraries and General Government, of the Town of Lynnfield, as accepted in Article 2 of the Special Town Meeting of June 25, 1951 (Chapter 19 - Town of Lynnfield By-Laws) and subsequently amended, by increasing all hourly pay rates contained therein by three (3) per cent.
ARTICLE 8.
Motion made by the Chairman of the Finance Committee that the Town vote to raise and ap- propriate and appropriate by transfer from avail- able funds a sum of money for the necessary town charges and expenses, together with the authority to credit the value of old equipment to be turned in toward the purchase price of new equipment; said sums of money to be expended under the direction of the respective Boards, Committees or Officers of the Town in the amounts and for such purposes only as recommended for 1960 in the Report of the Finance Committee or amendments thereto.
An amendment to this motion, reading as fol- lows:
"that the Town raise and appropriate and ap- propriate by transfer from available funds on items recommended, the following sums of money for the necessary town charges and ex- penses, together with the authority to credit the value of old equipment to be turned in toward the purchase price of new equipment; said sums of money to be expended under the direction of the respective Boards, Committees or Officers of the Town in the amounts as follows; provided that the Board of Selectmen, a member of the Finance Committee and the head of the department con- cerned shall act as a committee in all expendi- tures for machinery and equipment of over $500.00, with the exception of machinery and equipment purchased by the School Department."
was voted on and passed.
The original motion as amended was now voted.
As the moderator read the Items, the following were asked to be "held". Items 1, 4, 12, 18, 24, 27, 32, 36, 37, 38, 41, 50, 51, 62, 63, 79, 83, 84, 87, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 107, 109, 110, 111, 117, 119, 122.
Action now reverted to the "held" items as fol- łows:
Item 1-Voted Selectmen-Salaries $1,975.00
Item 4-Voted Accountant-Salaries $4,070.00
Item 12-Voted Assessors-Salaries $9,231.00
Item 18-Voted Law Dept .- Damages & Legal Fees $2,000.00
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Item 24-Voted Registrars-
Canvassing $1,000.00
Item 27-Voted Planning Board- Professional Services $3,800.00
The following amendment was adopted by vote before action was taken on Item 32-
"That the Board of Selectmen, a member of the Finance Committee and the Building Inspector shall act as a committee to check the necessity and to expend the necessary funds to put the Town Hall in a safe condition, the expenditure not to exceed $5,000."
Item 32-Voted Municipal Bldgs .- Capital Outlay $5,000.00
Item 36-Voted Police Dept .-
Capital Outlay 4,336.00
Item 37-Voted Police Dept .- Training School Salaries 1,000.00 Item 38-Voted Police Dept .- Training School Expenses 1,200.00
Item 41-Voted Fire Dept .- Capital Outlay 25,000.00
Item 50-Voted Tree & Moth Dept .- Pest Control 4,000.00
Item 51-Voted Tree & Moth Dept. -
Capital Outlay 4,500.00 Item 62-Voted Civil Defense-Salaries 500.00
Item 63-Voted Civil Defense- Expenses 2,375.00
Item 79-Voted Highway Dept .- Capital Outlay 7,000.00
Item 83-Voted Highway Dept .- Snow and Ice Removal 9,500.00
Item 84-Voted Highway Dept .- Chapter 90 Maintenance 6,000.00
Item 87-Voted Bd. of Public Welfare- -
General Relief 5,000.00
Item 90-Voted Bd. of Public Welfare- Aid to Disabled Persons 1,500.00 Item 91-Voted Veterans Services- Salaries 500.00
Item 93-Voted Veterans Services- Expenses 6,500.00
Item 94-Voted School Dept .- Salary of Superintendent, Teachers, Principals 582,297.00
Item 95-Voted School Dept .- Other Salaries 80,043.00
At this time a motion was made to vote the sum of $7,500.00 for a sprinkler system for the Center School and $3,284.00 for a heat riser sys- tem for the South School.
An amendment was offered at this time to spend only $7,500.00 for the sprinkler system at the Center School. The original motion as amended was passed by a vote of 431 to 12. Item 102-Voted School Dept .-
Sprinkler system for Center School $7,500.00
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