USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1955-1960 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
ART. 44. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of
131
:
Selectmen to acquire by purchase, gift, devise or otherwise, or take by eminent domain in fee simple under the authority of G.L. Chap. 79 as amended and Chap. 40, Sec. 14, for the pur- pose of erecting and maintaining a fire station, the following described parcel of land containing five acres approximately, on the Westerly side of Main St. belonging to Arthur W. Mac- Laren et ux, bounded 750 feet Easterly on Main St., 750 feet Westerly on Heath Brook, 350 feet Northerly and 350 feet Southerly, and to appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for the purpose of carrying out this article. Fire Department Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $35,000.00 or any other sum, for the construcution of a fire station and for originally equipping and furnishing said station, and determine whether the money shall be provided for by appropriation from available funds in the Treasury, by taxation, or by borrowing under the authority of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, or take any action in relation thereto. Fire Department
Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000.00 or any other sum for the improvement of Shawsheen Street; said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for the purpose, or take any other action relative thereto, and will further vote to transfer the sum of $18,000.00 from the E. & D. account in anticipation of reimbursement from the State and County for the work or take any other action relative thereto. Board of Road Commissioners Recommend consideration under Article 4.
ART. 47. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $21,450.00 from the E. & D. account in anticipation of reim- bursement from the State for Highway Maintenance under Chapter 81 or take any other action in relation thereto. Board of Road Commissioners Recommend consideration under Article 4.
ART. 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200.00 for the maintenance of Chapter 90, High- ways, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be alloted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose or take any other action relative thereto, and will further vote to transfer the sum of $2,400.00 from the E. & D. account in anticipation of reimbursement from the State and County for the work, or take any other action relative thereto. Board of Road Commissioners Recommend consideration under Article 4.
132
ART. 49. To see if the Town will vote to accept Belleview Road as laid out by the Road Commissioners with the boundaries and measurements as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk. Board of Road Commissioners
Recommend referral to Planning Board & Road Commissioners.
ART. 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for the improvement of Belleview Road or take any other action relative thereto.
Board of Road Commissioners Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 51. To see if the Town will vote to continue the Highway Machinery Fund as established at the last Annual Town Meet- ing, and to appropriate an additional sum, including the un- expended balance of the 1955 Highway Machinery Account, to be added to the amount already accredited to this fund for Highway Machinery purposes, or take any other action relative thereto. Board of Road Commissioners
Recommend consideration under Article 4.
ART. 52. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to Transfer from the Highway Machinery Fund for the purchase, repair and maintenance of road machinery equipment for 1956 or take any other action relative thereto.
Board of Road Commissioners Recommend consideration under Article 4.
ART. 53. To see if the Town will vote to accept the following streets as laid out by the Road Commissioners, with the bound- aries and measurements as shown on a plan on file with the Town Clerk:
Arthur Road
Kent Street
Avon Street
Kevin Street
Bemis Circle
Lawrence Street
Benson Road
Lincoln Road
Boisvert Road
Lloyd Road
Brook Street
Oakland Avenue
Champion Street
Pine Wood Road
Coburn Avenue
Reagan Road
Crawford Drive
Robert Circle
Darby Street
Valley Road
Davis Road
Ward Street
Euclid Road
Virginia Road
Hodgson Street
Darlene Circle
Board of Road Commissioners
ART. 54. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $2,500.00 to drain Euclid Road or take any other action rela-
133
tive thereto. Board of Road Commissioners
Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 55. To see if the Town will auhorize the Moderator to ap- point a committee to look into the advisability of placing a new sidewalk on Shawsheen Street and remove as many traffic hazards as possible. Said committee to consist of one member of the highway commission and four other members to be ap- pointed by the Moderator, or take any other action relative thereto. School Committee
ART. 56. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for the purpose of piping and covering the open drainage ditch at the North Street School grounds. Said piping and covering to extend to the edge of the school property and said work to be done under the direction of the School Committee, or take any other action in relation thereto. School Committee
Recommend that $3,000.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 57. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 under the direction of a Playground Commission of five mem- bers to be appointed by the Moderator, in accordance with Chapter 45, Section 14, of the General Laws of the Common- wealth, or take any other action relative thereto.
Dr. John P. Mahoney, George A. Byam, George R. Gray, Albert L. Roper, James J. Gaffney, Jr.
Recommend that $2,000.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 58. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of five to acquire by purchase or by eminent domain, three school sites, one in the North section of town, one in the West section of town, and one in the East section of town, said proposed school lots to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts State School Building Assistance Commission; said committee to re- port at the next town meeting, or take any other action relative thereto. School Building Committee
ART. 59. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to ap- propriate or transfer from available funds to carry out the above article or take any other action relative thereto.
School Building Committee Recommend that $1,500.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 60. To see if the Town will vote to raise or appropriate any money or take any action in relation to the construction of a new High School. John P. Murphy, Jr. Recommendation withheld pending report of 1954 School Building Committee.
134
ART. 61. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $400.00 for the control of poison ivy, or take any other action relative thereto. Tree Warden
Recommend that $200.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 62. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $3,400.00 for a new two-ton split body dump truck for the Tree Department or take any other action relative thereto. Tree Warden
Recommend that $3,400.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 63. To see if the Town will allow the Tree Warden to trade the 1948 model Chevrolet Truck if the preceding article is accepted or take any other action relative thereto. Tree Warden Recommend adoption.
ART. 64. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $33,750.00 to the Water Department for hydrant rental, or take any action in relation thereto. Water Commissioners Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 65. To see if the Town will vote to dispose of the old Wam- esit Hand Pump by conveying title to a recognized historical society or take any action in relation thereto. Fire Department Recommend adoption.
ART. 66. To see if the Town will allow the Washington Benson Trull Trust to erect a memorial at the corner of Hood Road and River Road in honor of Captain John Trull, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Perpetual care to be provided by the Trust. This corner to be known as Captain John Trull Square. G. Thorndike Trull
ART. 67. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to excavate, fill, and hot-top the avenues bounding the Soldiers' Lot on the East and West side, in the Tewksbury Cemetery, a combined area of approximately 250 sq. yards, or take any other action in relation thereto. Trustees of the Tewksbury Cemetery Corp. Recommend that $500.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 68. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for the installation of four catch basins, 850 ft. of 12 inch concrete pipe, and 40 feet of reinforced con- crete pipe, as storm drains on Trull Road, between points of Mr. George Doulames' property on Trull Road and connecting into Andover Street. This work to be done under the Board of
135
Road Commissioners, or take any action in relation thereto.
Anna Allard
Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 69. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following by-law:
ARTICLE 10 - SECTION 1
No person shall be appointed or promoted to any position in the police or fire department except after passing a qualifying examination, equivalent to that given for appointments in towns where Chapter 31 of the General Laws is in effect. The Director of Civil Service shall be requested to conduct such an examination to establish eligibility lists whenever a vacancy, or vacancies, appear imminent in either department. In the event no such list is available the appointing authority may make provisional appointments for a period of six months. Such appointment shall be renewable only once and shall terminate within thirty days after a list is established. This by-law shall automatically terminate if, in the future, Chapter 31 of the General Laws should be accepted by the Town.
Joseph J. Whelan
ART. 70. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Health to enter into an agreement with the Town of Billerica for the common use of the Billerica dump by residents of both towns, and to see what sum of money shall be raised and appropriated to share the maintenance cost of said dump, or take any other action in relation thereto. Joseph J. Whelan
Recommend adoption and the sum of $1,000.00 be raised and appro- priated.
ART. 71. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following by-law:
ARTICLE 2, SECTION 15
All elective Boards of the Town, except the Board of Pub- lice Welfare, shall keep an accurate and detailed report of all meetings which they may hold. The report shall show the attendance, the maker of each motion, and the vote of each member on every question. Within a reasonable time after the adjournment of any meeting of such boards, the Clerks of the respective boards, or some person they may designate, shall file with the Town Clerk a copy of the proceedings, and the Town Clerk shall indicate thereon the date and time such report was received. Said reports shall be made available to the public at reasonable times, either at the offices of said boards or at the office of the Town Clerk. Joseph J. Whelan
ART. 72. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and direct the Board of Selectmen to petition the State Tax Commission, under
136
the provisions of Chapter 649 of the Acts of 1955, to install a uniform system of assessing real property in the Town of Tewks- bury, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Joseph J. Whelan
ART. 73. To see if the Town will vote to direct the Board of Assessors to make a complete revaluation of the real estate in the Town of Tewksbury during the calendar year 1956, such revaluation to be performed on the following basis:
1. All real estate shall be assessed for tax purposes at 70 per cent of the fair cash value of said real estate.
2. A depreciation schedule of 2 per cent per year for a 20-year period shall be followed from the date of construction or date of sale of said real estate or take any other action thereon.
Ralph S. Battles
ART. 74. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $7,500.00 for carrying out the purposes of the preceding article on revaluation. Ralph S. Battles Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 75. To see if the Town will vote to set aside parcels of land in different sections of the Town for the usage and safety of the children in the Town; and that a committee, chosen by the Board of Selectmen, shall pick out the land to be used for such playgrounds, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Marion B. Broadbent
ART. 76. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the construction of a cement base and the transportation and erection of the 3" 50 caliber Gun and Mount Assembly, secured by the Hon. Edith Nourse Rogers for the Soldiers' Lot in the Tewksbury Cemetery. This piece of Ordnance has been released by the U. S. Bureau of Ordnance in the custody of Hector-Jackson- Gourley Post 259 A. L. Harold J. Patten Recommend that $200.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 77. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 67 of the Acts of 1955 providing for an increase in benefits to retired town employees. Board of Selectmen-
ART. 78. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to be invested by the Trust Fund Commis- sioners as an addition to the Municipal Insurance Fund. Everett H. King
Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 79. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to study
137
the sewage needs of the Town, to consider State and Federal requirements and this committee is hereby authorized to em- ploy the services of any recognized firm of Sanitary Engineers for such study and that said committee report at the next Annual Town Meeting. Mary C. Battles
ART. 80. To see what sum of money be raised and appropriated for the expenses of the committee under previous article. Mary C. Battles
Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 81. To see if the Town will vote to increase the size of a lot on which a dwelling may be built, the present 10,000 square feet to one acre or take any other action thereon. C. Abbott Battles
ART. 82. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from E. & D. the sum of $3,500.00 for repairs to the North Street School; said sum of money to be used in conjunction and in confirma- tion of the $3,500.00 transferred under Article 8 of the Special Town Meeting held September 22, 1955, but not to exceed the sum of $3,500.00 or take any action in relation thereto. School Committee
Recommend adoption.
ART. 83. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for a Mosquito Control project.
Board of Health
Recommend indefinite postponement.
ART. 84. To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning laws by changing from general residence and farming to single resi- dence, an area on Bridge St., extending 300 ft. on both sides of the street. Planning Board
ART. 85. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the Highway Department to survey certain properties located on the North side of Mohawk Drive for the purpose of establishing a town gravel pit or take any action thereto. Board of Selectmen Recommend that $500.00 be raised and appropriated.
ART. 86. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $928.47, or any other sum, for unpaid bills of 1955. Town Hall $ 127.34
Fire Department 137.23
Vocational Schools 472.90
Board of Health 186.00
138
Building Inspections
5.00
$ 928.47 Town Auditor
Recommend adoption. (1 dissent)
ART. 87. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the following unexpended appropriation balances to E. & D .:
Railroad Land Survey
$ 500.00
Fire Department Boiler 450.00
New Fire Equipment 608.11
Public Health Laboratory
300.00
$1,858.11
Town Auditor
Recommend adoption.
ART. 88. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Water Commissioners to adopt the following rule;
"Every applicant for water service installation to a dwelling or other structure, constructed or erected after March 7, 1956, shall deposit with the Town of Tewksbury, in addition to the regular instllation costs, the sum of $100.00 for each structure; said sum to be deposited and credited to an account for New Wells, Well fields, reservoirs or standpipes, or any work in connection therewith as the town may subsequently by vote approve or take any action in relation thereto. Board of Water Commissioners
And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting attested copies thereof upon the Town Hall and in the Post Office and by leaving at least five hundred (500) copies at the Post Office and at the Town Hall in said Town, seven (7) days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, AND MAKE DUE RETURNS OF THIS WARRANT, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of Meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-six.
JOHN D. SULLIVAN VICTOR N. CLUFF JOSEPH J. WHELAN JOHN H. HART GEORGE A. O'CONNELL Selectmen of Tewksbury
A true copy, Attest:
Constable of Tewksbury
139
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen, Board of Asses sors, and the Auditor have been meeting jointly in an effort to determine the probable tax rate resulting from following the Finance Committee recommendations. This information will be presented at the town meeting. The following is a record of the Finance Committee meetings:
ATTENDANCE OF FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Meeting on January 19, 1956
7 members present
Meeting on January 23, 1956 8 members present
Hearing on January 30, 1956 7 members present
Meeting on February 7, 1956 9 members present
Meeting on February 14, 1956
11 members present
Meeting on February 16, 1956
9 members present
Meeting on February 20, 1956
9 members present
Walter C. Wilson, Jr., Chairman
Jean J. Doucette, Secretary
Anthony Anderson
Edward N. Martin Hubert L. Mulno
Lester W. Bell
Howard R. Collins
Ralph Josselyn
Lenox Karner
O. Rex Read Arthur W. Wells Allen C. Wilson
140
In Memoriam
May 31, 1891
November 25, 1955
ALBERT J. GILLISSEN Finance Committee Member 1942 - 1955
"Loved and respected because of his great devotion to his fellow citizens"
MAY HE REST IN PEACE
REPORT OF INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
During the year since it was first constituted by vote of the town the Industrial Commission has made many forward steps toward the attainment of a stage where it can function as a really effective group in fostering the much needed industrial growth of the community.
Like any infant body, the group's first steps were unsure and faltering, but the transformation of the commission to smooth- functioning sub-committees with individual projects directed towards a single objective has been rapid.
The growing pains have been worked out for the most part and the road we are to follow to industrial progress is looming clearer with each meeting. However, there have been and are still a number of difficulties to overcome, and not the least among them is the reluctance of many local land owners to offer their wholehearted cooperation in an unselfish, public-spirited manner for the common good.
The turnover of the personnel of the commission has been heavy, which has tended to slow operations of the group. But this situation now seems to have become more stable and the sub- committees are starting to see the first tangible results of their numerous conferences.
Because of the very nature of the commission's work, which is in open competition with that of every other community in this part of the state which has extended the welcome mat to new industries, the details of the group's activities cannot be revealed. Suffice to say that during the year conferences, directed towards the education of the commission in its task, have been held with experienced leaders of the Lowell Industrial and Development Commission, Commissioner Richard Preston and his aides at the Mass. Department of Commerce and leading industrial realty firms of the state.
Locally, the commission has been concentrating on two main projects. There have been some dozen meetings of the commission and a number of meetings of the various sub-committees working on various projects. The two principal projects have been con- cerned with efforts to catalog the land available for industrial purposes in order to have on hand and to furnish readily to any live prospect or list with the leading industrial realtors some or
143
all of the following information: the size of each lot, the owner of record, general condition of land, availability of utilities, approxi- mate asking cost per square foot, proximity to railroad lines, high grade roads and superhighways.
The second phase has been dealing with ways and means of developing a so-called Industrial Park, akin to that of Lowell which has been cited as a model far and wide. Prospects for eventual progress along this line are steadily improving and it is earnestly hoped that before another annual report is written that some announcement will have been made that ground will be broken for the first such building. Much depends upon the town's economic structure.
In connection with possible sites for industrial development the following report and recommendation of the commission is made in reference to the so-called Cedar Swamp lot, as stipulated at a town meeting last year:
"The commission finds as a result of an investigation by a sub-committee that the Cedar Swamp lot, which has some 750 feet of frontage on Main Street and is about eight acres in area has potential for industrial development.
"The commission recommends that the lot not be sold at this time or until such time as the Industrial Commission changes its decision in this matter and so informs the board of selectmen in writing.
"The lot's value as a potential industrial location is much higher than a quoted $2500 figure as a selling price. The commis- sion has also recommended and a sub-committee has been author- ized to check the validity of the town's title to the land and sub- sequently to retain an engineer to conduct a survey to determine the suitability of the land for development."
When this survey is completed the commission plans to have a sub-committee devote considerable time and effort, and to obtain the full cooperation of the board of assessors, in a project which will furnish the complete picture on tax-title land which may be useful for industrial development.
As of this writing, the appropriation of some $4800 voted when the commission was constituted last year has not been touched and it is being held in a special account. No additional funds are being asked at this town meeting, but it is anticipated that the commis- sion will have reached a stage in its work where funds will have to be expended for professional services and other expenses this year.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES J. GAFFNEY, JR. Chairman
144
Annual Report
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Town of
TEWKSBURY
OF TEW
S
E
TOWN
JRY
INCO
1734.
RP
TED
R
also Report of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1955
SCHOOL CALENDAR - 1956
Open January 3, 1956 Close February 17, 1956
Vacation One Week
Open February 27, 1956
Close April 13, 1956
Vacation One Week
Open April 23, 1956
(Elementary) Close June 15, 1956 (High) Close June 21, 1956
Summer Vacation
Open September 5, 1956 Close December 21, 1956
School Holidays
February 22 Good Friday May 30
October 12
November 11 November 21 and 22
(and such other days as the School Committee may designate) The School Calendar may be subject to change.
No School Signals
When school is called off because of severe weather conditions, the following system will be used:
Between 6:55 - 7:10 A. M.
a. 2-2 blast repeated on the Tewksbury Fire Station Alarm.
b. 2-2 blast repeated on the Tewksbury State Hospital Alarm.
Radio Stations WLLH, Lowell, and WNAC, Boston and Law- rence, will carry announcements on their regular no school broad- casts.
When school is held in inclement weather, the parent must make the decision as to whether or not her child should attend school.
School Census
October 1, 1955
Age 5-6 632
Age 7-16 1920
Age-17-18
Total
80
2632
146
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Joseph Aubut, Whipple Road
Term Expires 1956
John P. Murphy, Jr., Dudley Road 1957
Mrs. Loella Dewing, James Street 1958
ORGANIZATION John P. Murphy, Jr., Chairman Mrs. Loella Dewing, Secretary
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Everett G. Thistle, 2 Erlin Avenue Office: North Street School
Office open from 8 A. M. to 12 M. and from 1 P. M. to 4 P. M., except Saturday.
The Superintendent may be seen at his office by appointment.
Telephone ULysses 1-2431 Secretary: Mrs. Thelma Whitehouse
School Physicians Herbert M. Larrabee, M.D., 9 Central St., Lowell Telephone: GLenview 2-4321
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.