USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 83
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YES
1,905
1,710
3,615
NO
521
518
1,039
BLANKS
301
382
683
The proposed amendment of the Constitution defines the circumstances in which a Governor's inability to perform his functions shall cause his office to become vacant, and it establishes a procedure for making the necessary determinations: The office will become vacant following a declaration of disability by the Governor himself or by the Chief Justice and a majority of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, or such other body as the Legislature may provide. The vacancy will terminate four days after the Governor declares that no disability exists, unless (1) within that period the Chief Justice and majority of the Associate Justices, or such other body pro- voded by the Lesislature, should make a contrary declara- tion and (2) within another stated period the Legislature, by two-thirds of each branch present and voting, then determines the issue contrary to the Governor's declaration.
The same procedure will also apply to a Lieutenant Governor who in the case of a vacancy is performing the Governor's duties.
The proposed amendment also requires the election of a Governor for the unexpired balance ofthe four-year term if a vacancy in the office of Governor as described in the
proposed amendment continues for a six-month period expiring more than five months prior to a biennial state election other than an election for Governor.
Question Vo. 4
LA W PROPOSED BY INITIA TIVE PETITION
Do you approve of a law summarized below, upon which the House of Representatives did not vote and upon which the Senate did not vote?
YES
1,470
1,282
2,752
NO
761
747
1,508
BLANKS
496
581 1,077
The proposed law provides that the official ballotin the biennial State election for the year 1970 shall contain a question asking the voters whether there shall be a conven- tion in 1971 to (1) revise, alter or amend the Constitution of the Commonwealth on the following subjects, insofar as they relate to the structure of government, and no other; the Executive Branch; the General Court; the Execu- tive Council; the government of cities, town and counties and their relationship to each other and to the government of the Commonwealth; (2) simplify and rearrange the constitution, and (3) provide methods of amendment thereof. The question will state that the convention shall not consider or propose any measure which relates to the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, the provisions of the Massachusetts Constitution concerning the "Judiciary Power" (other than provisions respecting the Executive Council), or any of the excluded matters enumerated in Article XLVIII, II, Section 2 of the Massachusetts constitu- tion. The question will fix the number of delegates to the convention at 150, of whom 20 members shall be members of the General Court; the remaining 130 members shall be elected by the voters in the manner summarized below. The question will also state that the convention shall con- clude its business not later than 120 days from its first session.
The proposed law provides that if a majority of the votes on the foregoing question is in the affirmative, the convention shall be held in July, 1971 to revise, alter or amend the constitution on the matters enumerated above only. The House of Representatives and the Senate shall each elect as delegates 10 of its members, not more than 6 from each branch coming from the same political party. Of the remaining 130 delegates, 10 shall be elected at large and 120 shall be elected from the 40 senatorial districts, 3 from each. Provision is made for the manner of nominating and electing these 130 delegates, without party or political designation, for filling vacancies occur- ring in the position of any delegate, from whatever source chosen, and for the conduct of the convention's business.
-
79
Any revision, alterations and amendments of the Mass- achusetts Constitution adopted by the convention shall be submitted to the people at the State election in 1972 for their ratification and adoption in such manner as the convention may direct. If a majority of the people voting thereon ratify and adopt such revision, alteration or amendment, the constitution shall be deemed to be changed accordingly.
The proposed law also provides that if the vote on the question to be submitted at the biennial State election in 1970 is in the affirmative, the Governor shall appoint a preparatory commission of 5 members to compile data to aid the convention in the discharge of its duties. Each member of the commission shall receive compensation of $10,000 and the commission may expend a sum not in excess of $200,000, as the Governor may approve, for its expenses.
Question No. 5.
A. Shall licenses be granted in this city ( or town) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages ( whiskey, rum, gin, malt beverages, wines and all other alcoholic beverages )?
YES
1,552
1,736
3,288
NO
991
696
1,687
BLANKS
184
178
362
B. Shall licenses be granted in this city ( or town ) for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages (wines and beer, ale and all other malt beverages)?
YES
1,523
1,673
3,196
NO
927
642
1,569
BLANKS
277
295
572
C. Shall licenses be granted in this city ( or town ) for the sale therein of all alcoholic beverages in packages, so- called, not to be drunk on the premises?
YES
1,750
1,818
3,568
NO
746
530
1,276
BLANKS
231
262
493
D. Shall licenses be granted in this city ( or town) for the sale of all alcoholic beverages by hotels having a dining room capacity of not less than ninety-nine per- sons and lodging capacity of not less than fifty rooms?
YES
1,544
1,487
3,031
NO
978
925
1,903
BLANKS
205
198
403
Harry W. Higgins
Town Clark
SCHOOL PLANT NEEDS COMMITTEE
With completion of the new additions at Summer Street and Huckleberry Hill scheduled for early 1969, overcrowd- ing in the school system will soon be ended. Unfortunately however, this condition will not last indefinitely. Enroll- ments are still rising in the Senior High School as large classes move up from the lower grades; and in turn, the classes at the lower levels are being swelled by the contin- uing influx of new families into town. By the early 1970's, the growth in enrollments combined with the introduction of a public kindergarten in accordance with State requirements will call for further building activity.
It is probable that the next facility needed will be a brand new elementary school, although a change in the rate of town growth or in the organization of the school system could dictate otherwise. In any event, all long range pro- jections indicate that in addition to expansion at existing locations one or more entirely new schools will eventually be needed. To permit sound planning for this inevitable growth, the School Plant Needs Committee recommends that the town obtain another school building site as soon as practicable while suitable land is available.
For the benefit of those citizens interested in the basis for the committee conclusions, a detailed report has been placed on file in the main library. A complete summary of the re- port will not be attempted here but anexcerpt is given which shows the unusual pattern of population growth and indi- cates why there has been such an impact on the school sys- tem. "During the past twelve years while the number of dwellings in town has increased by 40%; the preschool pop- ulation has remained essentially constant, totalenrollment in grades one through six has risen by 60%, junior high en- rollment has doubled, and senior high enrollment has tri- pled."
Arthur E. Foulds, Chairman Robert Kautz
William D. Shapiro
Parker B. Holloway
Robert Sperry
James Knox Mrs. Barbara Tufts
80
INVENTORY COMMITTEE
This committee was established by the Board of Select- men on August 26, 1968 for the purpose of taking a physical inventory of the capital assets of the Town ex- cluding real and school property with a completion date of December 1, 1968 which was accomplished. A similar inventory was prepared by the Capital Outlay Commission in 1963 and 1964 which was updated at this time. It was recommended to the Selectmen that the town maintain a perpetual inventory of these assets to be updated at least annually. Methods of accomplishing this were discussed with representatives of the Finance Committee and Board of Selectmen. We thank Richard Hoffman, Robert Sperry and H. Joseph Maney for their assistance. We also thank Town Department Heads and committee chairman for their cooperation.
Harry LeCours, Jr., Chairman Robert Santos, Member William Mosher, Member Joseph Supino, Member
CIVIL DEFENSE REPORT
Lynnfield Civil Defense once again proved its effec- tiveness during the year 1968. The Auxiliary Fire De- partment spent over 1500 hours fighting brush and wood fires. In addition the regular drill sessions were held and regular alarms were answered. From answering regular alarms and the regular training sessions, the experience gained leads to eventual promotion to a substitute call fireman and than on to the regular call department.
The Auxiliary Police sponsored a course instruction in Red Cross First Aid. This course proved beneficial to many new members of both the Auxiliary Police and Fire Departments who had not received prior training. Each member who completed the course received an Advanced Red Cross certification card.
The Auxiliary Police also took part in the Memorial Day Parade, furnished the necessary assistance at the 4th of July celebration and performed traffic duty at the Town Meetings. The monthly training meetings started again in September with an intensified training program supplemented by various C. D. sponsored educational speakers.
The communications group have held meetings on an average of twice a week. One night is devoted to teaching morse code. The second night is training in advanced radio theory. In addition the monthly test exercises with the state and area Civil Defense Headquarters have been
well attented. In the event of a natural disaster, com- munications has proved to be one of the most vital links. Communications has proved its effectiveness in the Wor- cester tornado, the Alaskan earthquake and many other disasters where normal means of communications failed.
During the year 1969, emphasis will be placed on stocking current shelter spaces, obtaining and training shelter managers and radiological monitors.
I would like to express the Town of Lynnfield and my personal appreciation to the citizens who gave so freely of their time in assisting in promoting and maintaining an alert and active Civil Defense organization in the Town of Lynnfield. It is only through the efforts of citizens such as these that any Civil Defense organization can remain effective for any emergency during which they may be called upon.
Lawrence E. Austin Civil Defense Director
INSURANCE COMMITTEE
The Insurance Committee serves as an impartial source of advice to the Selectmen on matters related to the Town's insurance program. The committee has responsibility for assisting the Selectmen with matters related to insurance coverages protecting the Town's property, liability suits against the Town, and personal insurance benefits for Town employees.
The principle of competitive bidding on the Town's insurance program instituted by the Selectmen with the advice and counsel of the committee has resulted in savings to the Town during the past five years. However, as time goes on, the Town's insurance budget can only increase as the Town owns more property and payrolls increase.
John J. Carey John Brodbine George Duffield Richard Learnard Bernard Stiff
81
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ON THE COVER:
Lynnfield as it looked in 1872! Did you know that the Old Meeting House on the Common is the third oldest meeting house in the Commonwealth?
Read Katherine Ross' historical sketch beginning on page 28 for an interesting, enlightening, and enjoyable vignette of Lynnfield and 1872.
Town of Lynnfield
ANNUAL REPORT
T 1782
DISTRICT
A TOWN
1814
MA
MEETING HOUSE BUILT 1714
TTS
1969
CONTENTS
Animal Inspector
17
Births
90
Board of Appeals
20
Board of Assessors
83
Board of Health
21
Board of Registrars
18
Board of Selectmen
5
Building Committee
12
Building Inspector
12
By Law Committee
27
Capital Budget Committee
23
Civic Participation Questionnaire
96
Civil Defense
11
Conservation Commission
26
Deaths
95
Department of Trees and Insect Pest Control
22
Department of Weights and Measures
11
Dog Officer
19
Drainage
15
Elementary Schools Building Committee
22
Finance Committee
23
Fire Department
9
Fire Department Study Committee
16
Gas Inspector
20
General Interest
3
Highway Department
10
Insurance Committee
23
Jury List
86
Library Department
24
Licenses Issued
19
Low Income Housing for the Elderly
17
Lynnfield, 1872
28
Mapping Committee
12
Marriages
93
Memorial Day Parade Committee
10
Municipal Land Acquisition Committee
18
Personnel Board
11
Pillings Pond Acquisition Study Committee
22
Planning Board
19
Police Department
8
Public Schools
32
Recreation Commission
27
Sanitarian
21
School Plant Needs Committee
20
Street Lighting Committee
11
Town Accountant .
68
Tax Collector
82
Town Clerk
7
Town Counsel
18
Town Engineer Study Committee
13
Town Government
4
Town Meeting, Action of
46
Town Treasurer
84
Veterans Services
10
Wire Inspector and Fire Alarm Supervisor
17
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County:
Essex
Location:
12 miles north of Boston, bordered by North Reading on the north and north-west, by Reading on the west, Middleton, Peabody and Lynn on the east, and Saugus and Wakefield on the south.
Population:
1950: 3,927;
1955: 5,667;
1963: 9,500;
1964:
9,700;
1965:
9,821:
1966:
10,432;
1967:
10,490;
1968:
10,579;
1969:
10,548.
Valuation: $83,867,150 (Real & Personal)
Area: 10.22 square miles
Elevation at Town Hall:
Approximately 98 feet above mean
sea level.
Incorporated as a Town: February 28, 1814.
Committee Meetings: SELECTMEN meet every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE meets the first and third Mondays each month in the High School Library at 8:00 p.m.
PLANNING BOARD meets on the first and third Mondays each month in the Town Hall.
PARK AND CEMETERY COM- MISSIONERS meet the first and third Mondays at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall. FINANCE COMMIT- TEE meets the second Tuesday each' month at the Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. BOARD OF APPEALS meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p:m: at the Town Hall.
BOARD) OF ASSESSORS ineets Thursday at 8:00 p.m. at the Town Hall. BOARD OF HEALTH meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 9:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION meets as posted on bulletin board at Town Hall.
ASSESSORS: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
BUILDING INSPECTOR: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. LIBRARY - Main Monday to Friday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m .; 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Branch Monday and Wednesday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m .; 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PLUMBING AND CESSPOOL IN- SPECTOR: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT:8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
TAX COLLECTOR:8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. WIRE INSPECTOR: 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Annual Town Meeting:
Regularly second Monday in March and each succeeding Monday and Thursday until all articles are con- cluded. Special Town Town Meetings may be called with 100 signatures of registered voters.
Registered Voters:
Precinct Republicans Democrats Independents Total
1
1229
390
1191
2810
2
969
710
1015
2694
2198 1100
2206 5504
Dog License Due April 1st of each year.
Motor Excise: Due 30 days after receipt.
Tax Bills: Due November 1st of each year.
Special Districts: Sixth Massachusetts Congregational District - Michael Harrington.
U.S. Representative, Torbert H. Mac- Donald - Democrat. U.S. Senators: Edward F. Brooke - R and Edward M. Kennedy - 1).
3
Office Hours:
TOWN GOVERNMENT
Office
Elected
Term Expires
Assessors
W. Douglas Whitehouse
3 years
1970
Edward J. Mckay Jr.
3 years
1971
Hubert G. Wall
3 years
1972
Board of
George S. Robinson, M.D.
3 years
1970
Health
Manton P. Spear
3 years
1971
Harold D. Aldrich
3 years
1972
Board of
H. Joseph Maney
3 years
1971
Selectmen & Myles T. Burke
3 years
1970
Board of
A. David Rodham
3 years
1972
Public Wel-
fare
Constables
Edward W. Foley
3 years
1971
David Donegan
3 years
1971
Moderator
John Kimball
1 year
1970
Park & Cem- James V. Thompson
3 years
1970
etery Dept.
Sanborn A. Caldwell
3 years
1972
Elmer F. Melanson
appointed to
Road
Commis-
James C. Fletcher
1 year
1970
sioner
Parker Halloway
5 years
1972
Board
Vaughn E. Young
5 years
1974
Donald Harriss
5 years
1971
Howard A. Bouve
5 years
1970
Oscar Bray
5 years
1973
School
Louis D. Savage
3 years
1970
Carl F. Van Bennekom
3 years
1970
Barbara Tufts
3 years
1971
William Schultz
3 years
1972
Thomas E. Devaney
3 years
1971
Tax
Collector
Clifford C. Ham
3 years
1970
Town Clerk Harry W. Higgins
Tenure
1970
Town
Harry W. Higgins
3 years
1972
Tree Warden Gustav Koch
1 year
1970
Library
Natalie A. Brooks
3 years
1970
Trustee
Russell S. Knower
3 years
1971
Charles E. Herlihy
3 years
1971
Robert L. Card
3 years
1972
Priscilla Hahn
3 years
1970
John Leonard
3 years
1972
fill vacancy
1970
Planning
Treasurer
4
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
-
A. DAVID RODHAM
H. JOSEPH MANEY Chairman
MYLES T. BURKE
In the year 1969 Lynnfield had the youngest Board of Selectmen in its modern history. This new Board could not have served effectively however without the direct support of over 100 unpaid board and com- mittee members, both young and older alike, who work- ed unselfishly to make significant contributions in many areas. To these dedicated people we offer our heartfelt thanks. In addition, the efforts of all other town officers and regular employees contributed heav- ily in keeping Lynnfield the very attractive place it is to live. We would cite specially the services of Mr. Harry C. Wendt, who did not seek re-election to the Board of Selectmen after giving many years to the Town.
As another decade closes in the twentieth century we find our country beset with great social and econom- ic problems. The solution to these problems is hinder- ed by the war in Vietnam and monetary inflation which, in turn, puts a financial squeeze on all levels of gov- ernment. The Federal government cannot help the states, the states cannot help the cities and towns, and the cities and towns cannot help themselves. The ma- jor source of revenue for municipalities is the property tax and in Lynnfield, as well as many other communi- ties, the increase in expenses continues to exceed the increase in growth of the tax base. The only way to ease this burden, assuming you cannot appreciably
increase the tax base or cut expenses, is to have some higher level of government, through some other source of taxes, help pay the bill. While we must always try to become more efficient, we must work toward get- ting new revenue.
We are becoming increasingly aware that new re- gional governmental units may be with us in the near fu- ture. It does seem that many services and programs can possibly be best performed by several cities and towns joining together, however, the dangers to such a system are clear and bothersome. Three recent events in our his- tory; the state sales tax, the state takeover of Welfare and the expansion of the MBTA have been to the financial detriment of Lynnfield, and mostly for the benefit of the larger cities. Similar situations may be forced upon us in the future and perhaps society de- mands that we pay a bigger share but somewhere a line has to be drawn. As regionalization continues to grow as an idea your selectmen will keep the dangers in mind and do the best we can to protect all of us against these dangers.
There were several significant events in Lynn- field during the year 1969. The Board took an initial step in modernizing the governmental structure by com- bining the office of Town Accountant and Administra- tive Assistant into a full time position and appointing Mr. Roger Gerry to that post. We appointed a Town
5
Charter Study Committee and their recommendation and action resulted in the question of a Charter Com- mission being placed on the ballot for the 1970 election. While we feel strongly that our basic form of govern- ment is a good one, we do feel that improvements can and should be made by the Town and in doing so, take full advantage of Home Rule. We also appoint- ed a committe to study the need for a Town Engineer and as they reported, the desirability is very clear but the feasibility and cost seems to make it unwise for the immediate future. The Fire Department Study Com- mittee, which we appointed, recommended that we appoint a full time chief. We believe we will accept their recommendation and attempt to make this im- provement in the most cost effective way.
This year also brought the completion of negotia- tions with the Municipal Employees Union which is the first labor contract we have had in Lynnfield, other than the School Department. This was accomplished in close cooperation with the newly established Personnel Board. The Police Association also requested certain changes in conditions of employment which we were close to settling as the year closed.
We worked closely with the School Committee, the School Plant Needs Committee, and the School Site Selection Committee and received Town Meeting authorization to purchase a new elementary school site. We saw the completion and occupancy of our two elementary school additions and were informed that we would have to initiate action to plan for the expan- sion of the high school in the near future. Our educa- tion system is vital but becoming more and more costly so we must work intelligently as we expand. We offered the use of the "Pearson" house, next to the Town Hall, to the teenagers and, while the extensive work of remodeling delayed the opening, we hope they will find some constructive enjoyment from it in 1970.
We implemented a new master plan of street lighting, as programmed by the Street Lighting Com- mittee. We increased the light output of almost all lamps which should be an improvement in public safety and also provided lighting for all unaccepted streets. We saw the completion of a new set of town property and topographic maps which resulted largely from the in- itiative of the Assessors. These maps should bring many dividends to the town in better planning and engineer- ing and more accurate assessing. We took a first step in getting to know more about the town drainage sys- tem. We would like to try to finish the drainage study
in 1970 so that we can take action to avoid the many small flooding problems which are caused partially from a lack of information as well as from the water table and soil problems inherent in the town. We re- kindled a look at the refuse disposal problem and will have to more aggressively pursue this area in 1970. There are several alternatives we can choose but all of them cost more money. We must search for the best approach and find it before the problem runs away from us.
We appointed a committee to study the use of Pill- ings Pond as a recreational area and since the cost of implementing such a task is considered prohibitive for the present, we are moving slowly. We do hope, how- ever that we can acquire some land and clear some titles in the near future which are conditions precedent to its use by the Town. We have a committee studying the desirability, ways and means of constructing low cost housing for the elderly. We expect their report soon and will evaluate their recommendations at that time. Most recently we appointed an Historic District Study Committee which is currently holding hearings and studying the desirability of an historic district in the center.
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