Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970, Part 56

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1961-1970
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 56

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).

At the close of registration October 8 1966, there was a total of 5,234 voters listed, with Precinct 1 having 2,660, and Precinct 2 having 2,574.

EDWARD A. GALVIN, Chairman

BY-LAW COMMITTEE

This committee has continued the difficult task of compiling the present by-laws of the Town with the purpose of deleting obsolete by-laws, rearranging current by-laws into logical sequence and listing the statutes accepted by the Town. There has been no attempt to propose new By- Laws since that is not within the mandate of the committee, but areas of the By-Laws which require modification have been duly noted with the hope that a future committee will be able to perform this task.

It is the hope of the committee that during the ensuing year it will be able to present to the Town a current and organized body of By-Laws suitable for publication in loose leaf form to enable interested citizens to keep their copies current when changes are made in the future.

S. PETER GORSHEL, Chairman

CAPITAL BUDGET COMMITTEE

The Committee has been working for over a year to put together a complete six year town budget. Data and statistics gathered covering the past ten year period will form the basis for projection.

The committee will publish the budget in its entirety for the use of town officers and commit- tees and will publish some highlights, mostly in graph form, in "Recommendations of the Finance Committee" for use at the Annual Town Meeting. In later years an updated budget may be pub- lished separately for use of all residents.

The six year budget will be a compilation of the recommendations of all town officers, regular committees and boards and special study com- mittees with a projected tax rate for the impli- mentation of the recommendations. In addition to financial predictions the committee will depict such figures as population growth, school enroll- ment, housing starts, road miles, etc.

The Committee will predict the tax impact of projects which are determined by other groups to be desirable so that timing for introduction of a new project may be planned when it fits best with total income and expenditures.

The committee will act as a collection point for financial and statistical data of the Town growth pattern and by an annual updating of the budget, provide a useful tool for the town officials to use in planning for each year's budget and the citizens to vote on each year.

H. JOSEPH MANEY, Chairman

STREET LIGHTING COMMITTEE

The streets in Lynnfield have been grouped according to IES standards with respect to use into three classes:

1. Major - Examples: Main St., Summer St.

2. Collector - Examples: Essex St., Forest Hill Ave.

3. Local - Most others

Lighting for Major roadways was mostly com- pleted prior to 1966 with the installation of 175 watt mercury vapor luminaires on every other pole.

Improvement of lighting on collector roadways was begun with the installation of 100 watt mercury vapor luminaires on Essex Street.

Local (residential) streets are presently lighted (if at all) with incandescent lamps. These are inefficient in producing light, and require much maintenance. The goal of the Committee in this area is to develop a type of street lighting which is pleasing to the residents, yet efficient and economical to operate and maintain. In the coming year, trial installations of promising types of lighting will be made for viewing and evalua- tion by the Committee and the townspeople. In planning such installations, consideration will be given to the increasing trend to underground wiring, and to the possibility that the town may eventually operate its own power and/or lighting system.

The master plan map and a display of several types of luminaires may be viewed at the Committee office in the Town Hall by anyone interested.

In general, Town -operated lighting cannot be installed on unaccepted streets. The Committee hopes that residents of such streets will move to have them accepted before vandalism or robbery make it an emergency issue. Information on acceptance may be obtained from the Select- men.

JOHN A. ROBERTS, Chairman

BOARD OF APPEALS

The Board currently meets in the Public Hear- ing Room of the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of each month to act on all cases submitted four weeks or more prior to the hearing date.

The Board acted on twenty-seven cases, dis- posing of them as follows:

1 case withdrawn without prejudice by petitioner

2 cases denied

1 case denied by default

18 cases unconditionally granted

3 cases granted with suitable conditions imposed

2 cases continued to 1-3-67.

Procedural rules and all decisions of the Board are a matter of public record on file with the Town Clerk. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Board is entitled to appeal to the Superior Court within 20 days of the filing of the decision.

GLENN R. SMITH, Chairman

---

RECREATIONAL SITES COMMITTEE

PICTURE OF POCAHONTAS TAVERN PROPERTY

Formed by the Board of Selectmen during May, 1966, this committee endeavored to take such ini- tial actions as were necessary to start a recrea- tional program for the town. Foremost in our program was the investigation of desirable potential recreational areas which might be acquired by the town.

After bringing up to date a 1961 report by Allen Benjamin, the committee met with several other town committees to coordinate its activities and to prevent an overlap of effort in deter- mining the apparent recreational needs of the town. We also sought the advice and assistance of known experts and consultants in the field of municipal recreation. After considering the rec- reational facilities and programs of other com- munities, the following goals emerged as neces- sary first steps:

(1) Establish a permanent Recreation Com- mission to implement a recreation program for the town encompassing all age groups.

(2) Secure a suitable major recreational play- field for the use of town residents of sufficient size and capability to meet the recommendation of the Benjamin report.

(3) Secure a suitable site in South Lynnfield to be used as a playground for residents on the far side of the turnpike.

It became apparent after much investigation

that the Pocahontas Tavern property of about 22 acres presented a highly desirable recreational site that could benefit all age groups. The size. location. topography of the land, the pond, and the existing facilities on the site made up a rec- reationl package not matched by other known areas within the own. We, therefore. decided that it was in the best interests of the town to recommend that the acquisition of this property for recreational purposes be pursued while it was yet available.

ROBERT B. KAUTZ, Chairman

DOG OFFICER

SANBORN A. CALDWELL

I herewith submit my annual report of the duties performed by me as Dog Officer during the year 1966:

57 dogs were picked up and returned to their rightful owners.

42 dogs were picked up on town and state high- ways, and buried.

9 dogs from out of town were returned to sur- rounding towns.

6 dogs without identification were sent to Har- vard Medical.

All dogs three months or older must be licensed on or before April 1st of each year.

At this time I would like to thank the Police Department and Mr. Koch for their assistance.

SANBORN A. CALDWELL

PARK & CEMETERY COMMISSION

A. DAVID RODHAM, Chairman

The Park and Cemetery Department completed several projects and instituted one new one, a program of dandelion control. Results of this should be evident this spring on the Common and Town Hall property. Expansion of this pro- gram to other town properties is planned for this year.

The wall around Willow Cemetery was rebuilt for a distance of 800 feet, completing the project commenced two years ago of repairing or re- building all cemetery walls. The Pony League field at Newhall Park has been completed. Origi- nally a Little League field, it now can be operated for either league. New fencing, which should prevent balls from going into the lake, and a better back stop were installed.

A lilac walk was started and a dogwood tree planted in Forest Hill Cemetery. Further de- velopments of the back section of this cemetery is planned.

Of more general interest, perhaps, was the re- moval last summer of the ancient elm tree near the Old Meeting House on the Common, finally deemed unsafe after many years of care to pro- long its life. A metal horse tether, believed to have been driven into the tree 75-100 years ago, was uncovered during the removal process. At the request of the Lynnfield Historical Society, the stump of the tree has been left so that any- one interested may count the rings which prove the tree to have been about 150 years old. There is reason to believe that the "Stump" is already becoming a landmark.

Funds turned into the Town Treasury in 1966 are as follows:

Cemetery Lots sold $ 725.00

Amounts added for Perpetual Care 1,050.00

27 Internments 870.00

Foundations 239.50

Liners 442.00

Interest from Perpetual Care Funds

1,874.47

$5,200.97

A. DAVID RODHAM, Chairman

HEALTH OFFICER

The work of the Board of Health in Lynnfield has increased a great deal in the past year. It has been necessary to make more inspections than in previous years, and to cope with more prob- lems. There have been numerous complaints as to unsanitary conditions in certain quarters. I have tried to take care of these conditions as they have arisen and as they have been reported to your Board of Health. This year two houses in town have been condemned as being unfit for human habitation after inspection had been made by the district health sanitary engineers of the state with your health agent.

Our annual spring clinics were held in Febru- ary, March and April, at which time immuniza- tions against diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus were given to pre-school children. Sabin oral vaccine for immunization against infantile paralysis, and small pox vaccinations were also given. This year measles inoculations were avail- able for the first time. Because of this factor the clinics were increased in size and were better attended than ever. These clinics will again be conducted in early spring of 1967. Dates of the clinics will be published in the local papers. Mrs. Lucy Lindquist, R.N., assisted in the clinics for her twenty-sixth year. She also did follow-up work on T.B. cases in town.

In cooperation with your local Board of Health the mobile unit for chest x-ray of the Essex County Health Association came to Lynnfield for the afternoon and evening, November 4, 1966. There were 726 x-rays taken at this time. Follow- up x-rays were done when necessary, and treat- ment is being given in positive cases.

HEALTH OFFICER - Continued

The number of contagious diseases reported to your Board of Health this year is very small due to the fact that not all are being reported as required by law. The State Board of Health de- sires this information in order to keep track of possible epidemics or increase in numbers of spe- cific diseases, and therefore requires that all communicable diseases be reported directly to the local board of health either by the patient or by the doctor in charge. Your health agent will appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Contagious diseases reported this year numbered 47. There were 27 dog bites and two cat bites.

Due to a variety of causes, this past year has been a trying one as far as rubbish collections have been concerned. For the first time special

pick-ups were scheduled for large articles. This being a new service there was no way of fore- seeing that such a large number of over-sized articles would be put out for collection. About thirty-five extra loads of rubbish were expected, but over one hundred and fifty were picked up. Present rubbish plans for the ensuing year have been worked out satisfactorily. Dates of pick-ups in the various sections of town will be announced through the papers. It is advisable that all rubbish will be put out the night preceding pick-up days as the pick-ups wll start at 7 a.m. on the sched- uled day. No rubbish will be taken care of if it has been put out after the pick-up has taken place in that area. All rubbish and garbage must be kept separate in order to insure proper pick-up.

GEORGE S. ROBINSON, M.D., D.O.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

In the succeeding pages of this portion of the Annual Report are presented the individual reports of the Superintendent of Schools, Prin- cipals, and Specialists of our Lynnfield Schools. We believe their reports are worthy of your care- ful attention, for they reflect the goals, aims, aspirations, and accomplishments of the pro- fessional staff as well as many of the problems confronting our educational system.

Each year there is always one salient aspect of our school operations that over-shadows all others. Most recently there was the transformation of our fine new High School facility into an on-going educational operation. This was coupled with the engagement of a new Superintendent of Schools, new High School, Assistant High School, and Jr. High School Principals, and many new staff mem- bers. With the shake-down period behind us, this past year has seen these new elements molded into a fine strong team providing the excellence in education demanded by the people of Lynnfield. One measure of how well the students and the school system are doing is that our graduating class continues to score in the top 1% of the nation on standardized achievement tests.

Immediately ahead looms the need for addi- tional elementary space. With the transference of many students from the Jr. High School to the new High School, unused space was created at the Jr. High School. The overflow of elementary chil- dren are now being housed in this Jr. High School space, which has provided a temporary buffer. However, by 1969 enrollments of both elementary and junior high school pupils will be such that all this space will be used at capacity. Hence, if we are to avoid excessive pupil-teacher ratios or double sessions beyond 1969, the Town needs to take the first step at the 1967 Annual Town Meet- ing of establishing a Building Committee to pro- vide preliminary plans, specifications and esti- mates of cost. A more detailed examination of elementary space requirements is provided in the reports of the Superintendent of Schools and the School Plant Needs Committee.

The School Committee meets regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month at 8:00 p.m. in the Jr. High School Library. Parents and interested Townspeople are always welcome.

CARL F. VAN BENNEKOM, Chairman

Seated Left to Right: Mrs. Elaine M. Klapes, Carl F. Van Bennekom, Chairman, Bernard A. Huntley, Superintendent, Richard L. Hobbs. Standing Left to Right: Robert W. Davis, William J. Shultz.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

In fulfilling their role of educating the youth of the community, all of those responsible for the planning and operation of the school program must be deeply concerned with a great variety of considerations. Prominent among these are such aspects as the necessity to provide adequate school facilities for a growing school population, continuous recruitment of highly qualified per- sonnel, the offering of a comprehensive school program geared to the varied needs of our youth and society, the identification and provision of a host of supplementary services such as pupil guidance, library services, athletic and extra- curricular activities, remedial reading, speech therapy, health and psychological services, to name a few. Along with providing for such edu- cational and personal needs of the child, we must also be equally concerned with the manner in which these responsibilities are fulfilled, or, stated another way, there must be an overriding concern for continued improvement in our at- tempt to meet the standard of excellence which we have set for ourselves and which is dictated by the crucial importance of our charge.

This report and the ones which follow will try to describe some of the ways in which we have proceeded toward these goals during the past year. It should be kept in mind, however, that progress in education must be seen in the context of what has (or has not) taken place previously and, also, in what is being contemplated for the future. This limited form of reporting does not permit such treatment of the subject; therefore, it should be recognized that the entire perspective must be restricted to some degree, omitting, often, full description of the educational rationale which supports many of the specifics being outlined. Nevertheless, the important highlights will be in- cluded, and I shall begin by providing a frame- work of several major school-wide considerations, commenting on each, which should aid in provid- ing a base of understanding for the more detailed reports which will follow.

School Facilities. In last year's report it was stressed that, despite the recent expansion to our school plant, we are beginning to experience diffi- culties in providing facilities for our elementary school populaton. This past September revealed an unusual increase in enrollment of 6.8 over the previous year, resulting in overly high pupil- teacher ratios in several classes, and the estab- lishment of two more elementary classrooms in the Junior High School, for a total of four at that location. Projected figures indicate that there will be at least seven elementary classes next year which will have to be housed outside

our elementary facilities, limiting to some extent the educationally desirable use of space in the Junior High School, and clearly indicating a criti- cal situation as our school population continues to grow.

The members of the School Plant Needs Com- mittee, the school administration, and the School Committee have been intensively studying this matter during the past year in an effort to de- velop appropriate recommendations to the towns- people for the alleviation of this growing prob- lem. All concerned have been particularly con- scious of the need to identify solutions which not only provide for our immediate needs but, also, which are fully consistent with sound long-range planning. In furthering this effort, the School Committee has utilized the consultant services of Mr. Walter Hill, Lecturer on Urban Planning, Harvard University, and of the architectural firm of Hill and Associates, in assisting our in-depth study of future school facilities needs. It would appear that beginning steps must be taken this year if we are to avoid a crisis situation in the very near future; therefore, I would ask every citizen concerned with the educational future of our Lynnfield youth to give careful consideration to this subject as it is presented for community action.

Another aspect of school facilities planning which was stressed in last year's report, and which will require our continued concern, is the need for anticipating the eventual establishment of a public school kindergarten program in Lynn- field. The educational value of kindergartens has been clearly demonstrated in practice and in ap- propriate research, and the need appears particu- larly obvious to parents of pre-school age chil- dren as well as to those involved in primary grade education. Quite beyond the important aspect of educational desirability, however, is the clear in- dication that the Commonwealth is proceeding toward eventual implementation of the recom- mendation made by the Massachusetts Education Commission (the Harrington-Willis Report) that kindergarten programs become a required part of all public school systems. This likely eventual re- quirement should be given careful consideration as we formulate our long range school housing plans.

The preservation of our major school playing fields, particularly those at the Junior High School, has become a growing cause of concern as the New England drought conditions continued during the past year. These fields are in almost continuous use by the schools and townspeople throughout the growing period, and this, plus the necessary water ban, is taking an increasing toll

on the surface of these grounds. To date no eco- nomically feasible solution has been identified, despite study by the School Committee and the Water Commissioners, though the availability of new playing fields at the Senior High School should reduce the present over-utilization of these areas. Continued drought conditions, how- ever, seem certain to cause additional future expenditures in rebuilding strong turf on the Junor High School fields.

It is of interest to note the widespread use of our school facilities by various citizen groups, town agencies, and private organizations during evening and weekend periods. During the past year, for example, our schools were utilized by 31 non-school agencies and organziations on 434 dif- ferent occasions. These uses varied from town meetings to square dances, from theatrical pro- ductions to physical fitness activities. During this past year a new dimension was added to the adult education opportunities of our local citizens with the extension of Northeastern University's Sub- urban Program to include 10 college level classes in liberal arts, business education, and law en- forcement, at our Senior High School. Minimal fees are charged for the rental of school facilities and necessary custodial services, and all such collected funds are deposited with the Town Treasurer to become part of the general funds of the community.

Professional Staff. The 2633 pupils enrolled in our Lynnfield schools are served by a teaching staff of 116 teachers and 17 specialists who provide additional services in the areas of reading, library, speech therapy, music, art, physical education, guidance, and audio-visual aids. Private instruc- tion is provided for those who are confined at home. Seven full-time administrators and one part-time assistant serve to guide and coordinate the efforts of these groups.

Recommendations for September 1967, in addi- tion to enlarging our basic teaching staff to ac- commodate increases in enrollment, include the adding of another physical education teacher serving the elementary schools, and the expansion of our guidance services to include an adjustment counselor to serve the 1200 students in grades one through six.

As in the past, a great many of our staff mem- bers participated in programs heading toward the attainment of advanced degrees and the updating of teaching skills, with several of our teachers receiving National Defense Educational Act scholarships. At the present time slightly less than one half of our professional staff has earned at least one degree beyond the four year college level. Additionally, Lynnfield staff members

participated in a wide range of professional con- ferences locally and regionally. During the past year Lynnfield hosted three major educational conferences in the areas of elementary education, biology, and music which were attended by over 300 teachers from neighboring school systems.

In another aspect of personnel action, the Lynnfield Teachers Association, an affiliate of the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Education Association, requested and was granted recognition by the School Committee as exclusive representative in all matters of collective bargaining for teachers as provided for by Chapter 763, the Acts of 1965 of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts.

Federal Aid. In addition to the federal assist- ance obtained for improving our library re- sources, the schools have been alert to other aid possibilities available from the federal level. Slightly over $27,277 was obtained on a matching basis under Title III, National Defense Education Act, for the purchase of materials and equipment to be used in improving our social studies, read- ing, science, mathematics, English and foreign language programs. The operational costs of our guidance program were reduced by an additional $3,768 granted under Title V of the same act. Further, Public Law 874, which provides assist- ance to communities in federally impacted areas, provided an additional $22,377 during the past year.

One of the most promising new developments on the local educational scene is the banding together of 10 nearby communities in pursuing the possibility of establishing a supplementary educational center fund entirely under the pro- visions of Title IV, Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Lynnfield has joined in this endeavor, termed "Educational Mutual," with the Belmont, Burlington, Winchester, Reading, North Reading, Woburn, Stoneham, Wilmington, and Wakefield school systems in applying for a begin- ning grant necessary to get firm planning under way. This center is seen as providing a variety of educational services such as (1) special classes for the emotionally disturbed, exceptionally able, and mentally retarded, (2) a curriculum service center providing personnel and a common source of information on curriculum innovation and im- provement, (3) a materials center providing films, tapes, and similar supplementary services, and (4) a staff services center for in-service training. Northeastern University is an active partner in this joint enterprise and, should we be successful in our efforts, it is expected that our pupils and teachers will have a far greater range of avail- able educational services than we could expect to provide under our own resources.

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.

Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970, Part 56

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.) Publication date: 1961-1970 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 1002

Author: Lynnfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1961-1970
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1002