USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1961-1970 > Part 86
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Mrs. Edith L. Anderson remains Assistant Clerk and can be contacted at the Planning Board office Tues- day and Thursday mornings each week.
Respectfully submitted, Donald G. Harriss, Chairman
19
SCHOOL PLANT NEEDS COMMITTEE
1969 marked the opening of needed additions to the Summer Street and Huckleberry Hill Schools and ac- quisition by the Town of a new site for future school construction. For the moment, our facilities are ade- quate and we have ample land on which to expand.
To a citizenry which in recent years has taxed itself to build a modern senior high school, a junior high school, two elementary schools, and four additions, it would be nice to promise that we can now relax-but Lynnfield is still growing. Although no building boom such as occurred in the mid-fifties is anticipated, the number of housing subdivisions being developed indi- cates that a moderately high home construction rate will prevail for some time. A steady influx of new fam- ilies and the introduction of public kindergarten in accordance with a ruling of the Massachusetts Board of Education will soon put new pressure on our school facilities. By 1973, if we take no action, the Senior High School will be full, the Junior High will be close to opti- mum capacity, and elementary classes above the kinder- garten level will average greater than thirty pupils per room. In succeeding years the situation will worsen.
To maintain educational standards in the face of rising enrollments, further construction will be neces- sary and should provide for the long term as well as more immediate needs of the school system. At the start of 1969 there were 2940 assessed dwellings in town. This number constitutes only sixty per cent of the total eventually expected by the Municipal Land Acquisition Committee if existing zoning laws remain substantially unchanged. Projections of enrollments made by the School Plant Needs Committee on the basis of the ex- pected total show that some day we will have to expand both of our secondary schools, replace the Center School, enlarge the South School, and build an 18 room structure on the newly purchased site.
A special "Study Committee on School Organization" recommended in its May 5 report that the organization- al pattern of the school system be changed to groupings of kindergarten through grade five, grade six through grade eight, and grade nine through grade twelve. This recommendation has subsequently been endorsed by the School Committee. The principal reason for the pro- posed realignment is to enhance the quality of the ed- ucational program in Lynnfield, but a second benefit can be derived. If the Senior High School is enlarged suffic- iently to allow for moving the ninth grade into it and providing some space for future growth, this one ex- pansion will defer the need for construction at other
locations. The sixth grade could be transferred into the Junior High building to form a "middle school" and, for a time, leave more than enough space for kindergarten in the elementary schools. The gain in space would come about because kindergarten classes are operated on a two session basis therefore require only half as many rooms for a given number of pupils. In an emergency, a few rooms at the High School could be used by lower grades.
In order to make reorganization possible and pre- vent future overcrowding, action should begin now. For this reason, the School Plant Needs Committee will sponsor an article in the warrant for the 1970 Annual Town Meeting calling for the appointment of a school building committee to obtain preliminary plans and cost estimates for the expansion of the Senior High School. A.E. Foulds, Chairman Clifton J. Hansen Frederick E. Carroll Mrs. Barbara Tufts Parker B. Holloway Robert Sperry James Knox
BOARD OF APPEALS
The Board of Appeals currently meets in the Pub- lic Hearing Room of the Town Hall on the first Tues- day of each month to act on all cases submitted four weeks or more prior to the hearing date.
The Board of Appeals acted on thirty-one cases in the year 1969, disposing of them as follows:
22 cases granted unconditionally 3 cases granted with suitable conditions imposed
2 cases denied
1 case denied by default
3 cases withdrawn without prejudice by peti- tioners
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 en- titled to appeal to the Superior Court within 20 days of the filing of the decision.
BOARD OF APPEALS Glen R. Smith - Chairman Malcolm V. Smith - Member Hubert G. Wall - Secretary
GAS INSPECTOR
This year 84 permits were issued, 49 of these are for new gas lines and 35 for new appliances.
Ralph Preziuso
20
BOARD OF HEALTH
The Board of Health wishes to report to the Town var- ious problems that it feels the Town should consider in the very near future. One large one is the disposal of rubbish; the problem is not just of our town, but nation- wide. So far we have disposed of our rubbish out of town, but the dumps are being closed down rapidly and it will become more and more expensive as we are forced to transport to dumps further and further away. At the present time, our refuse is being dumped 40 miles from Lynnfield.
Another problem is drainage. As the good land is being used up rapidly, submerged land is going to be subdivid- ed, creating a problem of sewerage disposal, and we feel that the Town should engage a full time engineer to make sure the systems are installed properly and to pre- vent surface drainage from flooding the systems. We feel that the money spent would save the Town further expense for corrective measures in the future.
The annual clinics were held in the Board of Health office in the Spring. Dr. Robinson was ably assisted in them by Mrs. Jean Taylor, our public Health nurse. They were better attended this year than in the imme- diate past. Immunizations were given against Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough, Measles and Mumps. The Sabin Oral Vaccine against Polio and Small Pox vaccin- ations were also given. These clinics will again be held in the Spring.
There has been a sharp reduction in the number of re- portable diseases except for dog bites, which have been on the increase. This could reflect a failure of physi- cians to report all contagious diseases to the Board of Health.
All dogs in Town must be inocculated against rabies before a license will be issued. We will again have our clinic for inocculation of dogs in May.
The work of this Board will probably greatly increase this coming year.
A report is enclosed from Mr. Rimbach, our San- itarian, outlining his activities for this year.
Dr. George S. Robinson, Chairman Harold D. Aldrich Manton P. Spear
26 Meetings
5 Special Meetings
SANITARIAN INSPECTOR
Routine inspections were made of all food handling establishments and samples of dairy products taken at random from delivery trucks and retail oultets were examined for conformance of State Standards.
Water samples were taken as requested by the board and examined for drinking, swimming, and sewerage standards.
Much emphasis was placed on bringing the standards of procedure and equipment up to the requirements of the State Sanitary Code.
Your board insures the quality of water in all semi- public and public swimming areas and pools as it is re- quired under the code to examine the water periodical- ly. The board however has no control over the quality of water in private pools. I will attempt to explain briefly the dangers involved with an improperly main- tained swimming pool.
Disease may be transmitted to bathers from waters which have been contaminated by sewerage or from one bather to another. The diseases which have been associ- ated with bathing are the intestinal disorders such as typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, dysentery, and gastro- intestinal upsets, eye, ear, nose, and throat infections, including respiratory diseases, skin diseases such as ringworm, scabies, impetigo, and "swimmers itch." Since it has been discovered that the virus of polio- myelitis can be found in sewerage, there has been re- newed fear that the disease may be contracted in swim- ming pools, but there is no epidemiological evidence to this effect.
Some of the dangerous bacteria, particularly those causing respiratory diseases, are frail and do not sur- vive long in the unfavorable environment afforded by the water.
Hence the greatest danger of contracting such diseases should be during periods when the pool is crowded. The intestinal bacteria are able to survive for a much longer period, In the testing of water supplied for public use, the presence of the coliform group of organisms is as- certained in investigating the quality of the pool water. If the coliforms have been removed or killed by proper sanitation of the pool, it is considered good evidence that disease bacteria have been eliminated.
The bacteriological examination should only be made by a laboratory approved for examination of water.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, the other members of the board, and other town officials for their assistance and co-operation extended to me in carrying out my duties.
Respectfully submitted, Robert W. Rimbach, R.S. Sanitarian
21
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Huckleberry Hill School addition was com- pleted in Febraury 1969 and two classrooms, together with the Resource Media Center, were utilized from this time until the end of the school year in June.
The Summer Street School addition, construction of which started later and was delayed because of slow steel deliveries, was not completed until late summer.
Both additions went into full operation with com- mencement of the fall term in September and have already proved their usefulness as much needed ele- mentary school facilities.
As the year ends, a small amount of unfinished business remains to be completed before these projects can be closed out. It is expected that the Committee's work will end in the first half of 1970
Walter H. Kuestenmacher, Chairman
DEPARTMENT OF TREES AND INSECT PEST CONTROL
The year 1969 was one of great contrasts starting and ending with icing and heavy wet snow, causing much tree damage especially White Pine. Spring and Fall rains were above average, July and August were again drought months. Pest Control was difficullt to carry out as proper timing is of utmost importance and with constant rains most programs were washed out.
The Oak Leaf Skeletonizer was an obnoxious pest in September. This pest calls for spray in mid-June and mid-August and as most trees are on private property they are not a responsibility of the Town. The incidence of Dutch Elm was about average, but I fear that will not be so in future years, as the substitute material for D.D.T. has not proven as effective and has more ad- verse side effects, required almost calm days to apply. Maple trees required spraying this year along with Birches, (3 applications). There was an increase of Spruce Gall noticed throughout the town. These trees should be sprayed spring and fall and again most trees are on private property and are the responsibility of the owner.
The planting at the Center or Main Library dona- ted by the Garden Clubs suffered from the careless- ness of both children and adults, bicycles and careless disposal of smoking material plus short cuts through the plantings required a number of replacements. The work done under the supervision of Randy Johnson assisted by members of the Conservation Commission,
Garden Clubs and Scouts should be noted. This is only a start and more help would be appreciated. Living and working together for our mutual benefit has made Our Town Tops.
Cooperation of all departments has as usual been excellent.
Gustav H. Koch - Tree Warden and Sup't. of Insect Pest Control Delbert Porter - Foreman Salvatore LoGrasso
PILLINGS POND ACQUISITION STUDY COMMITTEE
On August 29, 1969 this Committee was formed by the Board of Selectmen. This committee is an Advisory committee to the Selectmen and their findings and re- commendations are to be given to the Selectmen for action. This committee's charges were to review ways and means and estimated costs of acquiring title to Pillings Pond and suggest alternative plans for Recrea- tional use of the Pond. Plans should include at least the requirement for possible additional land purchase for access to the Pond.
Report submitted to the Selectmen on Sept. 30, 1969. This Committee asked on October 9, 1969, inas- much as this is of interest to various Town Groups, to have the following meeting with them: Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Recreation Commission and Planning Board. This meeting was held November 3, 1969, charges and recommendations were discussed.
As a result, Board of Selectmen further recom- mended looking into the possible procurring of land, suggestions relative to Pollution of Pond.
This Committee being four months old, has worked hard and diligently and is in the process of getting the "Real facts on the history of Pillings Pond", as many have mistaken ideas about it and this committee would like to "once and for all" to "clear the records". There- fore the task is a tremendous one involving the number one emergency in our nation today - namely "Pollu- tion", which we have in the center of our town, "Pil- lings Pond". The cleaning up of the Pond has to be taken in steps, which the Committee is now in the pro- cess of studying. Much information has been obtained concerning the legal problems of the Pond. Many other Massachusetts Towns have been consulted who have set up recreational facilities on small lakes. The Weed Control and Pollution problems have been discussed with a number of State Bureaus and private Aquatic Biologists.
The coming year we hope will see the beginning of the preservation of the most beautiful asset in our town, Pillings Pond.
James F. Fuller, Chairman
22
CAPITAL BUDGET
The Committee prepared graphic representation by department for Salaries, Expenses, and Capital Out- lays for the years 1970 through 1973. Special con- centration was focused on the "Capital Outlay" portion by requesting that each department head itemize future capital purchase requests. The purpose of this effort is to provide the necessary data to enable the committee to recommend how expenditures may be averaged-out over the next five years.
Utilizing data prepared by the Inventory Commit- tee in November, 1968, the Capital Budget Committee also started preparing a commodity listing of all items in the Town inventory and an estimated replacement schedule for each item. The Committee plans to publish a digest of this information early in 1971.
The Capital Budget Committee is also investigat- ing the possibility of applying systems analysis and man- agement techniques, as used in the aerospace field, to develop a capital budget program based on financial modeling and simulation techniques. Recommendations in this area will be made to the Finance Committee when the investigation is completed.
The Committee revised its complete history of reve- nues and expenditures by department through 1969. This will be available to all Town department heads in making their future detailed projections.
R. Hoffman, Co-Chairman
A. Nagy, Co-Chairman
G. Pyburn, Secretary
T. Connolly
J. Knox
S. Howe
R. Grady
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 Towns insurance program instituted by the Selectmen with the advice and counsel of the committee has re- sulted in savings to the Town during the past six years. However, as time passes on, the Town's insurance bud- get can only increase as the Town owns more property and payrolls increase.
At the present time addditional members for this commmittee are being researched. Your chairman re- spectfully requests resumes from interested persons.
George W. Perkins, II, Chairman
Finance Committee Seated (L. to R.) Mr. John C. Smith, Mr. Robert G. Fraser, Mr. Clyde R. War- burg, Chairman, Mrs. Eugene M. Gutowski, Assis- tant Clerk. Standing (L. to R.) Mr. Raymond G. Samora, Clerk, Mr. Richard N. Eckert, Mr. Theodore C. Regnante, Mr. James N. Callas, Mr. Walter M. Ray, 2nd, and Mr. Robert E. Sperry.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Administrative procedures and meaningful com- munications between the various departments and your Finance Committee markedly improved during the past year.
Experience in analyzing annual town budgets has focused the need to consider the long term consequen- ces on our tax rate. When considering this years pro- posed budget, we encourage all of our citzens to be guided to an orderly and stable long term tax base. An awareness of things to come such as addtional school facilities and staff, municipal buildings, land conserva- tion, recreation facilities, sewerage, air and water pol- lution, and waste disposal should serve as guidelines for your decisions.
Your Finance Committee will continue to be sensi- tive to the financial circumstances of our elderly citi- zens, many of whom are on fixed retirement incomes. In addition, we must provide the necessary services and proper climate for our young pepole to grow and develop into healthy citizens for they will inherit the results of our decisions and planning.
We sincerely appreciate the cooperation and con- structive suggestions provided to us throughout this past year by all town officials and citizens.
Clyde R. Warbug, Chairman
Theodore C. Regnante John C. Smith
Robert E. Sperry Robert G. Fraser
Richard N. Eckert James N. Callas
Walter M. Ray, 2nd Raymond G. Samora, Clerk
23
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
MR RUSSELL KNOWER, Chairman Library Trustees
1969 HIGHLIGHTS:
January:
Lynnfield joined with Melrose, Wakefield, Stone- ham, and Sauagus in a new LIBRARY COOPERA- TIVE with mutual borrowing privileges and use of specialized collections.
1st Library Lesture: Newton, Wayland Musician. February:
Legal management of the Library Trust Funds turned over to the Library Trustees with Mr. Higgins, Town Treasurer, acting as custodian.
Collection of Rental Books started by Friends of the Library.
Friday family night movies begun.
Second Library Lecture: Theodore Vrettos, Author.
March:
Dennison Copier purchased after being rented for one year with Federal Funds.
Third Library Lecture: May Sarton, poet and author.
April:
Dr. Edward Palty welcomed to Board of Trustees, replacing Mr. Charles Herlihy, who retired after eight years of service.
"Forgiveness Week" of no fines held during Lib- rary Week. 74 long-lost books returned.
Fourth Library Lecture: Mrs. Mildred McAfee Horton, past President of Wellesley College and former Director of WAVES.
Friday night Chess Lessons started.
Children's Art Exhibit held. Sponsored by "Friends."
May:
Ten-year service awards presented to Mrs. Ruth Wiley and Mrs. Marjorie Potter.
Lynnfield Library host to the Greater Boston Pub- lic Library Administrator's Association.
June:
Summer Reading Program "Chitty-Chitty-Bang- Bang" started with 850 elementary school children registered.
July and August:
Complete inventory taken of all library departments.
DR. EDWARD PALTY Trustee
September:
Liaison Committee meeting with School and Public Libraries, setting up cooperative ventures for school year.
October:
Used Book Sale on the Common - sponsored by "Friends".
The Town of Reading joined the Library Coopera- tive, making it a 6-Library Cooperative.
November:
Fall Chess Lessons started. 45 registered adults and young people. Mr. Arthur Nugent, teacher.
Two large display cases loaned to the Library by the Lynnfield Historical Society.
December:
The holiday season reflected in Library with win- dow candles, Christmas Tree, special book exhibits and displays.
24
The emphasis in book purchasing during 1969 was in strengthening the Reference Collection. Major sets purchased were:
The Annotated Laws of Massachusetts - 50 vols.
Grove's Dictionary of Music & Musicians - 10 vols.
Encyclopedia of Religion & Ethics - 18 vols.
Encyclopedia of Philosophy - 8 vols.
Encyclopedia of Aviation & Space Sciences - 14 vols.
Library of Literary Criticism - 10 vols.
Contemporary Authors -
Education Index 10 vols.
Essay & General Literature Index
PRISCILLA HAHN Library Trustee
No reports of the Lynnfield Library is complete without its note of thank yous" ... To the Garden Clubs who do displays and landscaping. To the Art Guild for their monthly display of paintings. To all the individuals who have lent their valuable private collec- tons for displays. To those who who have donated mem- orial books. And, of course, special thanks to the Friends of the Lynnfield Library whose yearly projects so enhance the effectiveness of the Library in the Com- munity.
STATISTICS
1968
1969
New patrons registered:
1,421
1,251
Circulation:
Main:
103,995
114,502
Branch:
14,749
10,506
Total:
118,744
125,008
No. of Books Purchased
2,570
2,216
No. of Magazine Titles
103
120
No. of Records in Collection
425
481
No. of Records Circulated:
3,645
4,105
Puzzles Circulated
53
Summer Reading Program Registration 860
850
Russell S. Knower, Chairman
MR. JOHN LEONARD Library Trustee
-
NATALIE BROOKS Library Trustee
-
DR. ROBERT CARD Library Trustee
25
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Reedy Meadow
The preservation of Reedy Meadow, the great flood plain marsh of the Saugus River, has been one of the chief objectives of the Conservation Commission. As in past years, much of the effort of your Commission during this year was directed toward that goal. This work resulted in the acquisition of some 23 additional acres added to the Town's holdings. Of particular sig- nificance is a parcel of 41/2 acres at the foot of Wirth- more Lane, made available by a local resident and pro- viding access from accepted streets. This will become important as the recreational and educational potential of Reedy Meadow begins to be realized by the Town. The remaining lands acquired resulted from tax tak- ing by the Town; they were transferred to your com- mission by action of the Board of Selectmen.
Development of the Beaver Dam Brook Conserva- tion Area, adjacent to the Center Shopping Plaza, con- tinues to progress. Trails have been cleared and ex- tended, signs and labels put in place and substantial further planting done. Particularly gratifying is the increased support we are receiving from individual townspeople, young people, garden clubs, and other organizations. Equally gratifying to your commission is the growing use that is being made of conservation areas for camping, hiking, and nature study.
The attention of the nation is increasingly being focused on the problems of our environment, and en- vironmental improvement has become a major national goal. We hear constantly about water and air pollution, pesticide control, water resource and open area preser- vation, endangered wildlife, and similar matters. Each of these represents a facet of conservation in which people can work for common benefit. Members of the commission have been active in each of these fields.
The Town has exeperienced rapid population growth and resultant extensive land utilization during the last decade. The supply of land suitable and avail- able for conservation purposes is rapidly disappearing. Faced with these facts, your Conservation Commission believe that the purposes of conservation in Lynnfield can best be served by a vigorous policy of land acquis- ition now. With your continued cooperation we will pursue this policy to the stage where future generations in Lynnfield will enjoy the open areas that we are so fortunate to have today.
Jessie M. Duston
Margery H. Johnson
Randolph Johnson
Edwin B. MacPherson
Calvin J. Osberg
Carl G. Sandin
Bennett R. Keenan, Chairman
Reedy Meadow
26
RECREATION COMMISSION
?
"Thrust Cut at the arm Cut right cheek Cut to head
Cut at flank under arm"
The above saber attack might well be enacted in Lynnfields' Recreation program next year; a program which has been marked by innovation and excellence during the current year.
Lynnfields' Recreation Commission has developed a program which provided year round activity for the community. The summer program consists of a morning instructional-play, plus arts and crafts for children in grades one through six. The afternoon athletic pro- gram was conducted for teenagers, and an evening ath- letic program was held for adults. This year,1969, the morning program was expanded to include a fourth playground area at the High School, in addition to playgrounds at the Junior High School, Glen Meadow, and Newhall Park. An average of 235 children per day were supervised by eleven dedicated staff members, and their director, Mr. George W. Rodan, Senior High School teacher, and football coach. Special emphasis was placed on the arts and crafts program, which met three times a week at each playground, this part of the summer program was directed by Miss Janet Jordan. Weekly field trips were taken to such places as: Benson's Animal Farm, New England Aquarium, Canobie Lake, North Shore Music Theater, Paragon Park and George's Island. Average attendance per trip was 135, with all trips chaperoned by the program director, arts and crafts director, and the playground staff.
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