USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1949-1960 > Part 92
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Valuation-Lynnfield Water
District Personal
393,850.00
TOTAL
$8,317,000.00
Tax on Real Estate
$ 39,613.25
Tax on Personal
1,971.75
TOTAL $ 41,585.00
TAX RATE $5.00
ABATEMENTS Real Estate $320.65
Personal None
LYNNFIELD CENTER WATER DISTRICT
Total Appropriations since 1960 Tax Rate was fixed $ 75,668.93
Overlay Current Year 203.41
GROSS AMOUNT
TO BE RAISED $ 75,872.34
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS AND AVAILABLE FUNDS
Water Rates
$ 45,100.00
All Other
7,800.00
Available Funds Voted
4,000.00
TOTAL
56,900.00
Net Amount to be raised by
Taxation 18.972.34
Valuation of Lynnfield Center
Water District Real Estate 12,283,430.00
Valuation of Lynnfield Center
Water District Personal 364,830.00
TOTAL $12,648,260.00
Tax on Real Estate
18,425.08
Tax on Personal 547.26
TOTAL
$ 18,972.34
TAX RATE $1.50
ABATEMENTS
Real Estate $33.30 Personal None
BOARD OF ASSESSORS Stanley G. Thwing Chairman Kenneth A. Worthen
Stanley E. Flagg
Dog Officer
l herewith submit my annual report of the duties performed by me as Dog Officer.
I received and answered eighty-two (82) tele- phone calls. Twice canvassed the town for un- licensed dogs. Seventy-one (71) dogs were pick- ed up. Thirty (30) dogs were returned to their rightful owners. Forty-one (41) dogs were hu-
manely disposed of. Twenty-one (21) dead ani- mals were picked up on the street.
All dogs three (3) months or older must be licensed on or before April 1st of each year.
TONY PROCUROT Dog Officer
Inspector of Animals
Annual inspection of the farms in Lynnfield show the continuing trend of the Dairy Industry in Massachusetts. Smaller herds, better cattle and better feeding programs are producing more milk for consumption. We have an increase in riding horses at the moment, this being a changeable situation depending on the interest of the young- sters of the town. The care of pets is important,
and we are constantly checking dog bites which must be reported to the Board of Health through the Police Department. Rabies like Small Pox is non-existent through vaccination but we must be ever vigilant.
GUSTAV H. KOCH
Inspector of Animals
47
Committee Reports
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITEE
The annual town meeting of March 1960 authorized the Selectmen to appoint a Junior High School Building Committee composed of seven citizens. This Committee was to develop preliminary plans and cost estimates for an addi- tion to or expansion of the present High School building located on Main Street.
This action of the Town resulted from the re- commendation of a Junior High School Study Committee which had been appointed in the fall of 1959. The Study Committee had determined the need for additional high school facilities and recommended expansion of the present Junior- Senior High School building.
History of Committee's Activities
The Junior High School Building Committee had its first meeting on April 27, 1960 and from that date to the conclusion of its activities in Oc- tober it held 27 meetings.
The Committee's activities first were concerned with a review of data and recommendations pre- sented in the report of the Study Committee, fol- lowed by meetings with the State School Build- ing Assistance Commission for the purpose of planning the proposed expansion. The State School Building Assistance Commission seriously questioned the advisability of expanding the present building, as their figures indicated a po- tential growth in secondary school population to 2400 students. They recommended that the Town immediately start planning on the basis of two separate secondary schools to accommodate this eventual student enrollment. Their reasoning was that the optimum size of any one school plant should not exceed 1000-1200 for efficient admin- istration, and that the land available on the pres- ent site should not be used for a student popula- tion in excess of 1200. The facts presented led the Committee to further investigate its planned course of action.
The Committee then addressed itself to a study of the present building and its suitability for both expansion and utilization as either a junior or senior high school. With the help of consultants, it evolved that the present building was not en- tirely suitable as an eventual senior high school due to the design, arrangement, and relationship of the basic facilities. In the long run it would take a large amount of rearrangement and inte- rior alteration to make the present building a modern senior high school. This would be both costly and inefficient compared with incorporat- ing these requirements in a new building. It was recognized that the present building should be considered as an eventual junior high school.
The Committee then studied predictions of the secondary school population and growth rate. There were projections from the Junior High
School Study Committee, the State School Build- ing Assistance Commission, the School Commit- tee, the Planning Board, and the preliminary 1960 Benjamin report. The figures for ultimate size ranged from 1700 to 2400 in the foreseeable fu- ture. While the Committee was firmly of the opinion that the ultimate size would be in excess of 2000, it recognized that this figure could not be proven; therefore, it set out to evolve a build- ing plan which would best lend itself to varying growth rates and the wide range of prediction.
The foregoing facts brought the Committee to the realization that expansion of the existing building without a look into the future beyond the immediate needs would be very unwise. The rate of growth in the town, which resulted in abnormal expansion of the elementary schools, has now forced major reconsideration of the long-range secondary school needs. It was neces- sary to make such a reconsideration before a logical recommendation could be made.
Committee Premises And Data
In working with the complicated problems that faced the Committee certain philosophies or pre- mises had to be established as well as an analysis of the data available and the conclusions that could be drawn from this data. First, the Com- mittee established as premises:
a) The town of Lynnfield is a residential com- munity desiring a sound school system.
b) A higher than average percentage of Lynn- field's students plan a college preparatory curriculum.
c) Significant changes are taking place in the field of education, affecting both high school curriculum and methods of teaching.
d) It is undesirable for a high school plant to exceed 1000 to 1200 students.
e) The secondary grades can be flexibly organ- ized on either a 3-3 or a 2-4 basis.
f) Existing core facilities and land limit expan- sion of the present building to approximate- ly 1200 student capacity.
Second, dealing with known data the Commit- tee agreed that:
a) The capacity of the present junior-senior high school building was established at ap- proximately 900.
b) The proposed parochial school will have ne- gligible effect upon secondary school enroll- ment.
c) There would be continuing growth in the secondary school population. After study- ing all available figures the Committee agreed upon a growth prediction contained in fig. 1. A curve was produced within the extremes of all predictions presented and an- ticipated a growth rate as a projection of past
48
FIGURE 1
LYNNFIELD JUNIOR - SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
ACTUAL AND FORECAST
STATE MAX. 2400
2400
2200
COMMITTEE MAX. 2000
2000
1800
BENJAMIN MAX. 1700
1 600
STUDENTS GRADES 7-12
1400
1 200
PROPOSED
NEW SENIOR HIGH
1000
800
600
PRESENT BUILDING CAPACITY
400
200
1
1950
52
54
56
58
60
62
64.
66
68
70
10 YEAR HISTORY
10 YEAR FORECAST
ULTIMATE
and current history. While it is difficult to predict, the Committee has assumed a level- ing off at approximately 2000 students, but it will plan for ultimate growth ranging from 1700 to 2400.
Alternatives And Selection
All forecasts and projections agree that the present junior-senior high enrollment of 900 is going to grow to at least 1700 and, quite likely, to 2000 or 2400 in the foreseeable future. Mr. Allen Benjamin, Consultant to the Planning Board, favors the lower figure while Mr. Simeon Domas, in charge of Massachusetts state aid to schools, confidently predicts 2400. The projections of this conunittee and those of Dr. Redmond fall in be- tween at the 2000 to 2100 level. To develop some feel for the validity of these predictions, it is ne- cessary only to realize that there are now 1300 children in the elementary schools and most of these will pass on to junior-senior high. When the growth through new homes is added - and the town has sufficient empty building land to nearly double in population - the enrollment projections take on real meaning and become quite understandable. The Committee recognized
that any projection could be right, but none proven, so set out to evolve a building plan most adaptable to the wide range of prediction.
Clearly, there is a need to plan eventual school space for 800 to 1000 or more additional junior- senior high students, this space being equal to the present building, which is now filled to capa- city with 900 students. These needs can be met by:
1) Expanding the present building.
2) The combination of limited expansion fol- lowed by a new building.
3) Constructing a new building.
Certain obstacles are encountered in trying to expand the present building to house 1700, 2000, or 2400:
a) The central facilities can handle an expansion to 1200 students. Boiler capacity, gymna- sium and cafeteria space won't stretch any more. To go farther, in effect, all the facili- ties equivalent to those in a new school have to be built.
b) It is not desirable with the present land to expand beyond 1400 students. Despite the purchase of the Griffin property, the 26 acres
49
---
1
1
PREDICTIONS OF MAXIMUM STUDENT ENROLLMENT
on this site are not sufficient by State stan- cards for more than 1400.
c) Adding more rooms to the present building starts to create an educational hodge-podge. New rooms can not be put where they should be for educational efficiency and effective- ness. This is vitally important as the main product and objective is the education of the children. Moreover, the bulk of the cost of running the schools is teachers' salaries, not building amortization, so in the interest of real economy it is imperative to plan the buildings to obtain the greatest benefit from the best efforts of the teaching staff.
d) Continuous expansion of the present build- ing beconies the most expensive course. As additions are made, it will be necessary to make extensive interior alterations in the present building - at 100% town expense, whereas the State pays 50% of all new build- ing costs.
e) Continuous expansion of the present build- ing as growth reaches 1700 or more is poor educational policy. Whether the ultimate en- rollment is 1700, 2000, or 2400, there will be better educational results through two sep- arate schools of 900 to 1200 each, rather than one oversize school of 1700 or more. All educational consultants advise the limiting of each secondary school to 1000 to 1200 students.
The reasons enumerated above eliminate the first alternative which was continual expansion of the present building. This, therefore, leaves the two remaining alternatives, namely :
2) Expanding the present building in a lim- ited way now and then erecting a new building.
3) Constructing a new high school now and deferring expansion of the present building.
The junior-senior high enrollment of 900 will grow to 1200 in the next three years. If a 300 student addition, is built our secondary school space problem is not solved. The addition, ready in the fall of 1962, would be full the succeeding vear. We will then face the same problem as we do now, but with some severe long-term compli- cations.
As total secondary school enrollment grows from 1200 through 1700 there will be an unbal- anced combination of 1200 students in the present expanded building and need for a new building to house 500 students. Working with the choice of grade divisions of 3-3 (7-9 and 10-12) or 2-4 (7-8 and 9-12) the present building would have to be used as the Senior High School.
Unhappily, the present building expanded is not well suited as a senior high school. The edu- cational program has changed since the building was planned in 1950 when there were only 300 junior-senior high students and no high school. The influx of new students has pushed enroll- ment to 900. The building was planned in 1950 and is now serving as a junior-senior high school. If the building were to be used solely as a senior
high school a larger proportion of specialized spaces will be needed. These spaces are needed for such areas as science, foreign language, busi- ness education, music and guidance.
To try to add these in the limited expansion contemplated is not going to result in an inte- grated senior high school. Certainly, a senior high can function under these conditions, but the year- in year-out operating cost due to inefficent use of teaching personnel and equipment, must be paid as well as difficult supervision and communica- tion.
On balance, it does not seem wise to rush into an immediate expansion of the present building to take care of the needs for the next three years, then find ourselves forced to compromise over the longer term by forcing the important senior high program to fit into an outmoded building for the next fifty years.
The third alternative must be investigated constructing a new building now and deferring expansion of the present building.
Numerically, the best balance is obtained be- tween two schools (present and new buildings) and the greatest flexibility if we restrict the size of the present school to 900. As growth proceeds through 1400-1500 to 1700 and beyond, there will be the combination of 900 in the present building plus 500-600 and ultimately 800 or more in the new building. The overall junior-senior high school plant takes the form of two well-balanced buildings.
The new building should be built with an ini- tial room capacity of approximately 600 to 800 students, in accordance with an overall design planned for 1200 capacity. Central facilities like- wise should be planned to support 1200 students, with initial room capacity or more economically, sized for an ultimate capacity of 1200.
The existing school building may be expanded from 900 to 1200 as and when needs indicate.
Regardless of whichever enrollment projection is more nearly right - that of Mr. Benjamin, the Committee and Dr. Redmond, or Mr. Domas - the actual needs can be met as they occur. Fur- thermore, the expansion of either building can be paced to actual town growth.
The cost of new school spaces is no greater under this alternative, building a new school, and in the long run is likely to be less. The archi- tectural advisory, Mr. Howard Rich, reports that the cost of constructing a new school compares favorably with the other alternative of expanding the present school and later building a new school. In the long run, the ability to closely match spaces to needs would tend to make build- ing a new school now the less costly course to follow.
Should the new building serve as a Senior or as a Junior High School?
Costwise, the construction of a new senior high school compares favorably with the total cost of building a new junior high school and of making the necessary alterations to the present building
50
to create additional specialized spaces. It must be recognized that the State does not provide fin- ancial aid for converting existing facilities.
Educationally, there is the opportunity to plan « the new building as a flexible senior high school with all needed specialized spaces arranged for maximum teaching efficiency. The students will reap the advantages of increased opportunity for individual development.
Senior high classes no longer consist only of the standard 30 student grouping, because there are evolving changes in both teaching and facility concepts required in the senior high school. Space, furniture and equipment should fit the educational program.
Now that Lynnfield has a high school in oper- ation with an enrollment of 900, the Town is better prepared to plan a new one since there is a trained, competent high school faculty and ad- ministrators, and a fine educational program. It is highly desirable to plan the kind of facilities needed to carry out this program in the years to come.
If a plan of constructing a new Senior High School is adopted without delay, the period of limited scheduling which will be necessary in the present building will be of relatively short dura- tion.
The Committee believes that the Town now stands at the crossroads in its secondary school program - a sound decision must be made. The education of the children should not suffer from lack of foresight, courage and planning.
Conclusions
In the light of all faets considered the Com- mittee reached a conclusion and made the follow-
ing specific recommendations to the Town Boards in its report of October 19. 1960:
1) No addition or expansion of the existing secondary school facilities should be made at this time.
2) The needed secondary school space should be provided by the immediate construction of a Senior High School on a new site. The new building should have an initial capacity of ap- proximately 600 students with central facilities designed for future expansion.
As a result of these recommendations the Ju- nior High School Building Committee recognized that it would be working beyond the scope of Article 26 as voted in the March 1960 Town Meet- ing and, therefore, the Committee offered its res- ignation to the Board of Selectmen with the re- commendation that the Board appoint a Senior High School Planning Committee and reactivate the Site Acquisition Committee. The Junior High School Building Committee volunteered its ser- vices as members of the recommended Senior High School Planning Committee.
The Board of Selectnien accepted the resigna- tion offered and subsequently reappointed the members of the Committee to serve on the newly formed Secondary School Planning Committee. All unspent monies appropriated for use by the Junior High School Building Committee were re- turned to the Town.
Mr. Frank M. Thomas, Chairman Mr. Perry L. Nies Mrs. Shirley T. Northrup Mr. Harry W. Tanner Mr. William J. Schultz
SECONDARY SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Secondary School Planning Committee was appointed by the Board of Selectmen in Oc- tober 1960 as a result of the recommendations made by the previous Junior High School Build- ing Committee. This new Planning Committee has continued to work and recommendations made by the earlier Town appointed Committee and plans to make a presentation to the Town in the annual Town Meeting to be held in March 1961.
The Committee has met with the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the Planning Board, and the Finance Committee and presented these recommendations for additional facilities required in our High School plant. All of the above Boards have carefully reviewed the find- ings and recommendations of this Committee and have expressed their agreement with these recommendations.
The Committee has prepared and issued to the
Town a report titled "The New Senior High School" dated December 17, 1960.
The Committee has met with various citizens' groups including the Parent Teacher's Associa- tions and the Citizen's Advisory Committee to the School Board. There are plans for additional meetings and reports to the Town all aimed at presenting the facts and recommendations of the Secondary School Planning Committee.
For a discussion of facts and recommendations being made to the Town of Lynnfield by the Sec- ondary School Planning Committee reference should be made to the associated report of the Junior High School Building Committee.
Mr. Frank M. Thomas, Chairman Mr. Perry L. Nies Mrs. Shirley T. Northrup Mr. Harry W. Tanner Mr. William J. Schultz
51
COMMITTEE TO STUDY TOWN GOVERNMENT
In the spring of 1959, with the population of Lynnfield approaching 8,000, and with no study of the town's government having been made since the population was 2500, the Board of Se- leetmen appointed a 15-member committee to take a long, objective look at the present struc- ture of town government. The study was to de- termine whether or not the governmental struc- ture is adequate for the foreseeable future and whether or not it is providing the citizens of Lynnfield with the most value possible for the tax dollar.
Through December 31, 1960, a total of 32 full committee meetings have been held, in addition to subcommittee meetings. Every elected offi- cial or board and nearly every appointed official has met with the committee to date at least once. Outside speakers have addressed the group; town reports from comparable communities have been secured; correspondence has been exchanged with the Massachusetts Taxpayers' Association and the International City Managers' Associa- tion.
Although the services provided in the town have been generally adequate in the past, there
is evidence that changes will be required in or- ganization as we progress towards an ultimate population of 15,000 or 16,000 predicted by ex- perts.
The work of the committee is now entering the final stages. The sifting and compilation of all facts and information, with the final report and recommendations is to be presented to the selectmen, it is hoped, by July 1 of 1961.
John B. Rodgers, chairman
Priscilla B. Hahn, co-chairman
Lauris J. McCarthy
Elinor B. Lengyel
Edward C. Thorup
Eben Hutchinson, Jr.
John A. Rose
Robert H. Jacobson
Howard P. M. Borgstrom
Ralph E. Dwight
Forrest Paige
Robert E. Sperry
Frederick D. Eble
Barbara M. Tilden
Edith K. Rodham, secretary
Civil Defense
The Year 1960 has both fulfilled the dream of one of Lynnfield's more active C.D. Directors and saddened the hearts of each and every member of the Civil Defense structure by his sudden and un- timely death. The previous Civil Defense Direc- tor, Warren Chamberland, spent many long hours in planning our new quarters in the rear of the new Center Fire and Police Station. Through his efforts, the town was saved considerable addi- tional cost of materials in this building by obtain- ing matching funds allowed on items which can be utilized during an emergency. His untiring efforts will long be remembered by all.
The awareness of Civil Defense function in time of emergency is still a remote thought in the average citizen's mind. Perhaps this condition results from the fact that the average person has never viewed the remains of a bombing attack and cannot visualize this happening in our Coun- try, or, even more closely related, our Town. The Town of Lynnfield is considered as in the ex- tended target area of Boston, as to radiation fall- out. This means that without adequate shelter protection and training of the entire family for this emergency, the average person, previously mentioned, will not be living to see the second nuclear attack. A ten to twenty-minute warning before an attack will not allow us the time to train or discuss among ourselves as to what steps to take.
The Town of Lynnfield has been chosen by Area 1 Civil Defense Headquarters as the place where they will train all Radiological Fallout teams in our area. I am proud to remark that
our Town was chosen due to the position in the area, and, also, because of the fact that you have provided us with the quarters to hold such a course.
During Hurricane Donna, the Governor de- clared a State of Emergency, requiring all Civil Defense personnel to be activated. This was ac- complished by the cooperation of the Fire and Police Departments. Each man performed his as- signed function protecting you from the dangers of a hurricane's devastating effects.
The Auxiliary Fire Department held its usual training meetings each Thursday night during the year, and answered all regular alarms.
The Auxiliary Police Department also com- pleted its training meetings and performed the extra duties required of them.
The Communications section has been hard at work designing new quarters in the rear of the C. D. Room. A new tower for the various wave length antennas required by C.D. Headquarters will be emerging above the new quarters shortly.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of the Civil Defense personnel for the splen- did cooperation which they have extended to me since my appointment as their Director. Espe- cially do I owe a deep sense of gratitude to Chief Foley and the Board of Selectmen for their guid- ance when needed. With such splendid coopera- tion, Lynnfield Civil Defense will make an even greater stride forward in 1961.
LAWRENCE E. AUSTIN, Civil Defense Director
52
Fire Department
In the year 1960 you, the Citizens of Lynnfield, completed four major steps in your desire to im- prove the standards of the Fire Department. These improvements played an important part in the reduction of Lynnfield's Fire Insurance rate.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.