USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 25
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32
In Recognition
Minot H. Carter
The Town of Lynnfield wishes to take this opportunity to express its appreciation and gratitude for the devoted and loyal service rendered to the townspeople by Mr. Carter.
In October 1941 Minot joined the Fire Department and remained with the Department until 1948. He recalls that at that time the town owned a White Chemical Truck equipped with three tanks which con- tained a mixture of soda and acid. As the town had no pumper at this time, the tank method was the only means of fire extinguishing and in addition to being totally inadequate for fire-fighting constituted a dan- gerous hazard to the firefighters.
Minot became Road Commissioner associated with the Highway Department and remained with this department for a period of twenty years.
In September 1956, Minot became a member of the Park and Ceme- tery Department, finishing out the term of Donald Newhall. He remained with the Board until May 24, 1962, as both a Member of the Board and Chairman. At this time, Minot resigned for reasons of health.
Mr. Carter is a Past President and Honorary Member of the Lynnfield Lions and a Past Commander and Charter Member of the American Legion. He resides with his wife Gertrude on Carter Road.
Minot's invaluable store of knowledge of the town and its citizens and his whole-hearted cooper- ation with everyone will always be gratefully remembered by his associates.
Looking back over twenty-six years as tax collector, Clifford C. Ham reflects on the changes in Lynnfield from a small, little-known farming community of 1,896 people, with an assessed value of $3,726,955 to the now popular suburban town of 8,522 and a valuation of $23,644,300.
A graduate of Boston University, School of Business Administra- tion, Mr. Ham has worked in the accounting field as travelling public auditor, office manager and purchasing agent.
As a young man, his chief hobby was in the field of athletics. While serving with the 5th Division in Paris during World War 1, by com- peting with runners from other companies, he earned the distinction of representing the U.S.A. in an International Race against representatives of the other Allied countries.
Clifford C. Ham
Having educated four children in the Lynnfield schools, all of whom finished college and went on to graduate work, Mr. Ham has always taken particular interest in all school affairs. In 1942- 1943, while president of the Centre School P.T.A., he was instrumental in starting the Federal- Aided Hot Lunch Program in the Lynnfield Schools. In 1948-1949 before the Lynnfield High School was built and Lynnfield pupils attended the Wakefield High School, he was president of the Wake- field High School P.T.A.
Active in local Masonic and Eastern Star affairs, Mr. Ham is now treasurer of the Lynnfield Lodge A.F. & A.M. a past patron of Lynnfield Chapter O.E.S.
Mr. Ham is an active churchman, and in September 1952, when the Revised Standard Version of the Bible was introduced, the Ham family was chosen as an outstanding Christian family by the Lynnfield-Wakefield Council of Churches and presented a specially-bound copy of the new Bible at a public recognition service.
33
Wage Study Committee
The Wage Study Committee, as presently constituted, is by action of the town in June of this year. The members were appointed by the Board of Selectmen and the committee was organized in early August. A resignation occurred and the committee was at less than its full legal strength some of this time until early October when a new appointment was made and reorganization was ac- complished. The law states, in effect, that the Wage Study Committee and the Finance Committee shall meet to review the recommendations of the Wage Study Committee no later than the first of November each year. This, of course, was not possible this year and indeed it is highly unlikely that this Committee could have completed its assignment within the available time and under the cir- cumstances, although a good start has been made.
Our task was complicated by the ordering of certain rates for the lower ranks in the Police Department and the complete omission of the officers. This committee felt that the situation called for priority action to correct the inequities thus created. Recommendations for the Police Depart- ment wage structure were submitted on 8 October and 12 November, 1963.
Shortly after the organization of the committee, unanimous approval was achieved on a pro- posal to recommend to the Selectmen the previous recommendation of the 1962 Wage Study Com- mittee for the Fire Department. This recommendation was submitted.
In the period from 30 October to 15 November 1963 six other major departments had sub- mitted requests for wage and salary increases for consideration by the Committee. Therefore on 19 November, 1963, with the full membership present, it was unanimously agreed that a five percent wage increase be recommended for all town employees and that appropriate funds be provided in the 1964 budget. It was further agreed that this recommendation would not apply to the Police and Fire Departments for whom recommendations based on considerable study had already been made.
It was the considered opinion and sincere hope of the Committee that this recommendation would serve to maintain the morale of the town employees, in view of the action taken by the town in reference to the patrolmen, until this committee could properly complete its assignment.
The following program is being processed and perfected at this time :
1. A Grade/Step structure to be applied to all positions in the town organization.
2. A Point Rating system that will enable the proper and consistent placement of each job in its grade.
3. A Job Evaluation Manual containing job factors, definitions, point and weighting allotments, and instructions for their application.
4. A file of job specifications and descriptions for all town positions.
This committee has benefitted immeasurably and is most grateful for the willing assistance and cooperation of town department heads and employees and of other town committees and groups.
We are likewise most appreciative of the help we have received from knowledgeable friends and interested parties in both industry and government service whose enthusiastic guidance and counsel has proven most valuable.
Finally, it goes without saying, that we are singularly indebted to previous Wage Study Com- mittees and their members who have contributed and are still contributing to this effort.
We are convinced that the net result of the program described above will be most beneficial to the town, its employees and taxpayers alike. It will provide a permanent equitable standard of uni- versal and lasting benefit to all town committees and departments.
EVERETT COLLIER Chairman
34
Conservation Commission
Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Black generously gave to the Town, on May 9, 1963, about 8 acres of excellent meadow land in Reedy Meadow. Transferred in trust for the purposes of conservation, the land represents an important acquisition for which both the Commission and the Board of Select- men were most grateful.
After consultation between the Commission and the Board of Water Commissioners of the Lynn- field Center Water District, title to about 47 acres of land was obtained by the District in 1963. This acquisition has significance for conservation. The tract, which the District intends to hold as a watershed and possible well-field, adjoins another 50 acres owned by the District and used as a well-field and watershed situated northwesterly of Phillips Road, Saunders Road and Carter Road. Abutting this acreage is the lot of land of about 3 acres, given to the Town by Mr. Ernest G. Wil- lard for conservation, and known as Willard Woods, near which is another tract set aside for con- servation, called the Emerson land, comprising about 20 acres and extending to Apple Hill. Thus considerable acreage serving the interests of conservation was added in 1963 to an already large expanse of land which is to be kept open and preserved in its natural condition.
About 25 acres of woodland known as the Jeffrey-Goodale Lot bordering Willis Meadow was put in the custody and control of the Commission during 1963. This land had been acquired by the Town through a foreclosure for unpaid taxes.
Again the Commission arranged for two boys to attend the Conservation Camp operated dur- ing the summer by the Department of Natural Resources of Massachusetts. The sponsors for the boys in 1963 were the Lions Club and the Rotary Club.
At a joint meeting between the Commission and the Board of Selectmen Richard L. Pratt was unanimously chosen a member of the Commission to serve for the unexpired term of Patricia R. Perkins who had resigned. Jessie M. Duston was chosen to fill the vacancy created on the Commis- sion because of the inability of Ruth A. Hayes to serve as a member for another term.
As of December 31, 1963, approximately 66 acres of land are under the care and control of the Commission.
A unique problem exists regarding Humphrey's Island in Suntaug Lake. There is general agree- ment that the island should be protected, but it lies mostly in Peabody. In that City a Conservation Commission has recently been formed, and contact with it has been made in the hope that jointly this beautiful island can be preserved.
The Commission gratefully acknowledges that it has received throughout 1963 the cooperation of the Selectmen, other officials of the Town, and the Commissioners of the Water Districts.
GORDON H. MILLAR Chairman
WILLARD WOODS
PINE HILL LOT
THIS LAND
THIS LAND HAS BEEN SET ASIDE IN ITS NATURAL STATE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT PLEASE PRESERVE IT
HAS BEEN SET ASIDE IN ITS NATURAL STATE FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT PLEASE PRESERVE IT
TOWN of LYNNFIELD CONSRY. COMM.
TOWN of LYNNFIELD CONSRY. COMME
35
Town Government Study Committee
At the recent Special Town Meeting several articles were inserted dealing with proposed changes in the structure of our Town Government. These articles were inserted by the Board of Selectmen, and not by this committee. As is well known, the meeting was adjourned before any of these arti- cles were brought to the floor. This action was taken because those in attendance felt either that no changes were needed in our government or that these articles and their content, should come before a regular Town Meeting.
The committee still feels changes are needed and refer to their report given to the Selectmen a year ago. What action will be taken by the Selectmen at the regular meeting in March is not known at this time.
Copies of the report are available and it is to be hoped that interested citizens read it, if only to get an insight into our present governmental structure and the reasons for the proposed changes.
JOHN B. RODGERS Chairman
Capital Outlay Committee
The Capital Outlay Committee, organized in 1959 and appointed by the Board of Selectmen, is composed of five members of which one is selected from the Finance Committee. Appointment is usually for a three-year term.
In June of 1963, Mr. Clifford H. Hahn was appointed as our representative to the Future Plant Needs Committee, and Mr. Raymond D. McCoy was appointed to represent us on the Library Build- ing Committee. It is the intent of the Capital Outlay Committee to have representation on any Committee responsible for large capital outlays.
Since it is our function to review capital outlays by all Town Departments and make our rec- ommendations to the Finance Committee before the various departments submit their overall bud- gets to the Finance Committee prior to the annual Town Meeting, we requested early in September an itemized report of capital expenditures over the next five years from each of the over thirty town servicing departments or committees. In addition, a complete inventory of physical property has been requested this year. By November 1 all reports had been received or noted if no expendi- ture was required and twenty-six up-to-date inventories were made available to us. During November and December we met weekly with 15 Department Heads to discuss and evaluate their current and future expenditures. When all the Departments have been interviewed, a written report of all re- quests and our final recommendations will be submitted to the Finance Committee by mid January.
No Department request will be considered by the Finance Committee without our prior approval.
WHERE DOES YOUR TOWN STAND ON LONG-RANGE DEBT?
New Capital Outlays
1960 41,000
1961 35,603
1962 23,695
1963 75,295
1964
Previous Debt Principal Interest
205,000
205,000
200,000
170,000
295,000
69,538
64,000
58,918
53,750
120,700
Town Assessed Valuation
315,538 21,108,490
304,603 23,226,130
282,613 24,676,650
299,045 25,666,150
415,700 26,600,000 Estimated
Dollars of Capital Outlay
Per 1,000 on the tax rate
15.43
13.12
11.45
11.65
-
36
8%.
26.6
TOWN ASSESSED VALUATION
25.7
MILLIONS OF DOLLARSZ
p 416.
/
24.7
1
PAYMENT ON LONG TERM
DEBT - $1000's.
NEW CAPITAL OUTLAYS $ 1000'S
315.
~23.2
NEW HIGH SCHOOL AND
41.
R304.
299.
282.
35.6
23.7
621.1
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964 EST.
* SEE EXPLANATION IN TEXT ABOVE FOR 1964
In October 1963 the town let a bond issue of $2,150,000 for the High School construction and $150,000 for the new Town Hall. The total issue of $2,300,000 jumped our long-range debt from $1,985,000 to $4,285,000. The servicing of this additional debt will enter the tax rate in 1964 and will be amortized over a twenty-year period at a total interest cost of $717,650.00.
During 1963 at the two special Town Meetings, additional expenditures were made and have not been considered in the figures shown for 1963 or 1964. An additional $10,000 from available surplus and $110,000 by Bond Issue was appropriated for the new High School. An additional $13,000 was appropriated for the new Town Hall. State grants to be paid over the life of the several issues ranging in maturity from 1969 to 1983 will total $2,207,607.00. This in effect reduced the net debt to $2,077,393.00.
As of December 1963, the largest single Capital Outlay item to be considered at the next an- nual Town Meeting will be the equipping and construction of an addition to the Main Library. The approximate appropriation, we are given to understand, will be $225,000. In an effort to study this proposal, a questionnaire was sent to the head Librarians or Trustees of twenty-two towns of comparable size. Study has been made of these questionnaires and data obtained from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, Division of Library Extension.
Capital Outlay appropriations have been substantial in the past several years. These have been voted only after your careful consideration at Town Meeting. It must be recognized by all of us that the impact on the tax rate will start to be felt in 1964 and 1965.
Our Committee wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the cooperation received from the Department Heads this year.
ROBERT F. PERKINS Chairman
37
1
/
7
O
TOWN HALL HAVE ENTERED LONG TERM DEBT
*
Senior High School Building Committee
The principal concern of the Senior High School Building Committee as the year 1963 com- menced was the preparation of a brochure which outlined the proposed Senior High School project in detail and which was distributed to the Townspeople on January 19. Several public meetings were held during the month of January to give interested citizens an opportunity to discuss the proposal. This activity came to an end with the Special Town Meeting held on January 29. The Senior High School project was approved at this Town Meeting by a vote of 768 in favor and 158 opposed. The sum of $2,505,000.00 was appropriated, and the Committee was authorized to proceed with the work.
The architect commenced the preparation of working drawings and detailed specifications im- mediately following the Town Meeting. This phase of the work was expected to take at least six months and in fact was not completed until late August. Throughout this period, the Committee fol- lowed the progress of the drafting work, reviewed the design details frequently, and made many basic decisions.
Early in February, the Committee came to the conclusion that both time and money could be saved if site clearing and major grading work were done in advance of and independent of the gen- eral contract. The architect was instructed to prepare separate plans and specifications for this work and to arrange the bidding procedure. Bids for site clearing work were advertised in mid- March, and on March 26 the Committee awarded the contract to Richard S. Sagendorph of Brook- field, Massachusetts, the lowest of six bidders. This contract was for the sum of $7,435. and was for the removal and disposal of certain trees and an old frame dwelling on the site. This work started on April 1 and was completed satisfactorily by mid-May.
Bids were received on June 7 for grading and utilities work, and on June 11 the Committee awarded a contract in the sum of $90,674.00 to Arthur Schofield, Inc. of Wayland, Massachusetts. Work commenced forthwith, and continued through the summer and into September. This phase of the project was a sizable earth-moving enterprise and completely transformed the greater part of the site. A complete drainage system and the sanitary disposal system were installed. The Com- mittee considers that this work was carried out satisfactorily and at reasonable cost. Colonel Franklin C. Johnson of Wakefield, Massachusetts, a former member of the U. S. Army Engineers Corps, served as Clerk of the Works for this contract and kept a close check on all operations.
On September 10, approval of final plans and specifications was received from the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission. On September 24 at 12 o'clock noon, bids from sub-con- tractors representing 17 building trades and services were publicly opened and read in the High School Library.
On October 1, the general contract bids were publicly opened and read. The three low bidders were Clemenzi Construction Company Inc. of Beverly, Massachusetts; J. T. Scully Construction Corp. of Boston, Massachusetts; and Fabrizio and Martin Inc. of Darien, Connecticut. These bids were only a few thousand dollars apart and were considerably higher than had been estimated. It was apparent that a review for possible savings and a request for additional funds were in order. The Committee met with the Board of Selectmen on October 7 to explain the situation and requested a Special Town Meeting be held as soon as possible. A meeting with the Finance Committee fol- lowed, and on October 21, a Special Town Meeting appropriated an additional sum of $120,000.00 by a vote of 358 in favor and 10 opposed. After further delay caused by legal technicalities intro- duced by an unsuccessful electrical sub-bidder, a contract with Clemenzi Construction Company Inc. was finally signed on November 12. Actual work on foundations commenced the following day.
In conclusion it may be said that the work of the Committee is at the half way point. Many obstacles have been overcome and much accomplished during the year. Actual construction is under- way and, it is hoped, will continue at a rapid pace during the coming year so that this largest of Lynnfield's school plants will be in operation early in 1965. The Committee wishes to thank all who have assisted and supported its efforts during the year.
WALTER H. KUESTENMACHER Chairman
38
School Plant Needs Committee
The School Plant Needs Committee, established in accordance with Article 20 at the 1961 An- nual Town Meeting, is charged with the responsibility for continually evaluating the long range needs for school facilities in Lynnfield.
It is obvious that good predictions for the numbers of students to be accommodated in the coming years are necessary to provide a basis for sound planning. Accordingly, much of the committee effort has been devoted to the task of formulating a systematic method for making such predictions. In- dividual studies of the factors which affect school population were carried out with the results being used in estimating grade-by-grade totals for several years in the future. The principal items which were considered include: anticipated town growth, number of children per home (taking into account building lot size and age of housing development), birth rate statistics, stability of Lynnfield popu- lation, and public school dropout rates. Particular emphasis was given to evaluate Lynnfield data, appropriately modified to reflect the influence of nationwide statistics.
An initial forecast has been made using the system which was developed, and this forecast will be updated periodically as supplementary information becomes available. At the same time, the method of calculation can be reviewed and revised as experience dictates, so that the system will actually be self-correcting. We believe that such an approach will give sufficient advance warning of the need for new facilities.
The first committee analysis indicates that elementary and secondary school populations can be expected to increase at a moderate rate for the next several years. Copies of the committee report containing complete details on the analysis are on file at the town Library. With existing facilities already overburdened, this would create serious difficulties at every level of our educational system were it not for the fact that the new High School on Essex Street will be completed during 1965. At that time, transfer of the upper classes to the new building will not only solve the secondary housing problem, but will free space in the present Junior-Senior High School which, for a time, can accom- modate the anticipated overflow from the lower grades.
Eventually, however, new elementary facilities will be essential. Despite the possibility that small additions to existing structures may be both feasible and desirable, ultimate town growth will neces- sitate the construction of one or two entirely new buildings. With the availability of large tracts of land decreasing every year and the cost of the remaining ones rising, it would appear prudent for the town to secure at least one new site in the near future. The School Plant Needs Committee therefore recommends that such action be taken and will sponsor an article in the 1964 Town War- rant asking for the appointment of a committee to locate a suitable elementary school site and to report its findings to the 1965 Annual Town Meeting.
GORDON B. WILKES, Chairman
Industrial Development Commission
During the 1963 Industrial Development Commission has had ten meetings. Three meetings have been held with the Planning Board.
The Commission sponsored Articles 20 and 21 at the annual Town Meeting for 1963 dealing with the rezoning of land along Route 128 for hotel use. The articles were defeated by the Town Meeting.
We have worked also with two possible industrial developers. At the time of the writing of this report the Commission is exploring with one developer the possibility of rezoning a portion of the Cox farm on Main Street and Route 128 for limited industrial use.
MALCOLM STONE Chairman
39
Library Building Committee
The appointment of a Library Building Committee, charged with obtaining preliminary plans and estimated construction costs for an addition to the Green Library, was authorized by 1963 Town Meeting action. The seven-member committee, appointed by the Selectmen in accordance with the provision of Article No. 13 of the 1963 Town Meeting Warrant included representatives of the Capital Outlay Committee, the Library Trustees and the Board of Selectmen.
The work of the committee, thus far, has been divided into four principal phases.
1. Preparation of a Building Program for the architect.
2. Selection of an architect.
3. Preparation of plans and construction cost estimates.
4. Review of plans and estimates with the Planning Board, the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Library Trustees and the Capital Outlay Committee.
As a starting point in the preparation of a proposed building program, the recommendations of the Library Facilities Study Committee were reviewed in detail. Additional information was obtained from discussions with several library specialists and from careful study of statistical data which reflected the library needs and experiences of a large group of towns of comparable size through- out the state. Finally, visits were made to certain selected libraries to observe their good features and their shortcomings. These investigations confirmed the findings of the Facilities Study Com- mittee and emphasized the serious extent of present facility deficiencies.
The building program which ultimately evolved, closely paralleled the recommendations of the Library Facilities Study Committee. In its final form, the proposed program makes ample provision for the future needs of the town and recognizes the constantly increasing demands being placed on the Library facilities by the growing school population and the expanding interest in adult educa- tion programs.
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