USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1952-1956 > Part 15
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ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the athletic program in the West- ford Schools; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 Highways; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, the sum of Nine Hundred ($900.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to the Highway Machinery Fund, and to transfer a certain sum of money from said Machinery Fund to the High- way Equipment Account; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from available funds, the sum of Six Thousand ($6,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of continuing the recon- struction of Graniteville and Beaver Brook Roads, contingent upon the State and County contributing towards the cost of said reconstruction; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, the sum of Forty-Five Hundred ($4,500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a new fire truck for the Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Fire Engineers; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 12. In the event of an affirmative vote under Article 11, to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the oldest fire truck now in the Westford Center Fire Station, supposed to be a 1930 Chevrolet, and apply the sum received therefor against the purchase price of the new fire truck; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of purchasing new fire hose, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Hundred Ninety-Five ($995.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a new auxiliary generator to be in- stalled in the Westford Center Fire House, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of Seven Hundred ($700.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing one thirty-five foot ladder, helmets and gas masks for use by the Fire Department; said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a radio and installing the same on one of the fire trucks, said purchase and installation to be made under the supervision of the Board of Fire Engineers; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Seventy-Five ($375.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a light weight forestry pump for use by the Forest Fire Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purpose of purchasing a new truck for use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 18a. In the event of an affirmative vote under Article 18, to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to transfer by good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the 1948 Ford truck now used by the Highway Department and apply the sum received there- for against the purchase price of the new truck; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 19. In the event of an affirmative vote under Article 18, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty- Four Hundred ($2,400.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a sander for use by the Highway Department, said pur- chase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing two new snow plows for use by the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing new road signs, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of painting traffic lines and signals on the public ways in said Town, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of Civil Defense; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred ($600.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for Band Concerts during the current year; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of constructing new public sidewalks and for the purpose of repairing and maintaining existing public sidewalks, said sum to be ex- pended under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; or act in rela- tion thereto.
ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirteen Hundred Eighty-Four ($1,384.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the care of the Whitney Playground; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the pupose of preparing certain maps of the Town and for the purpose of purchasing a filing cabinet in which said maps are to be filed, all under the supervision of the Board of Assessors; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Four Hundred Fifty-Three and 90/100 ($2,453.90) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of Middlesex County Retirement System the amounts allocated to the Town of Westford by the County Commissioners in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 32 of the General Laws, as amended; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift made to it during the year 1953 by the Solomon Hyams Fund, Inc .; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to enter into a con- tract with the Westford Water Company at present hydrant rental for five additional hydrants to be located as follows: 1 on Coolidge Avenue; one on Oak Hill Road; two on Hawthorne Avenue and one on Jo Jo Lane; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Nine Hundred ($900.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of providing suitable quarters for the Nabnasset American Le- gion Post No. 437 and the Auxiliary of said Post, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6539 and the Auxiliary of said Post, and the Frederick S. Healy American Legion Post No. 159 and the Auxiliary of said Post; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing dishes and kitchen equipment for use in the Town Hall; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Fifty-Five ($355.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a new adding machine for use in the office of the Town Accountant, said purchase to be made under the super- vision of the Board of Selectmen, and that said Board of Selectmen be authorized to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the old adding machine now used in the office of the Town Accountant and apply the sum received therefor against the purchase price of said new adding machine; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Twenty ($320.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of purchasing a new adding machine for use by the Board of Assessors; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on Groton Road near Pole #199; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on Carlisle Road between the residence of Mr. Eric Rook and Mr. Lawrence Johnston; or act in rela- tion thereto.
ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install two street lights on Hill Street in Forge Village, one at the top of the hill on or near Pole #4 and one at the bottom of the hill at or near Pole #154; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install four street lights on Acton Road on Poles num- bered 36, 40, 47 and 60; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen in the name and behalf of the Town to sell to Arthur C. Jones, for such sum as said Board of Selectmen deem sufficient, ap- proximately three acres of land owned by the Town adjoining property of said Arthur C. Jones and situated on Littleton Road, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town a good and sufficient deed of said premises; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen in the name and behalf of the Town to sell for such sum as said Board of Selectmen deem sufficient a parcel of land containing approximately eighteen (18) acres, situated on Oak Hill and known as the Wright Hill Lot, being a portion of the premises devised to the Town under the will of the late Martin Gage, and to execute, acknowledge and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town a good and sufficient deed of said premises to the purchaser thereof; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 41. 'J'o see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee to study the question of revising and consolidating the By-Laws of the Town, said committee to report its findings and recommendations to the Town at the next annual town meeting, or at a special meeting called prior thereto for that purpose; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 42. 'To see if the Town will vote to establish a Planning Board under the provisions of Section 81A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws as most recently amended, said Board to consist of five members, one to serve for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years and one for a term of five years; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 43. In the event of an affirmative vote under the pre- ceeding Article 42, to see if the Town will vote to proceed with the elec- tion of five members of the Planning Board for the terms of office as therein set forth; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 44. In the event of affirmative action under Article 42, to see if the Town will vote that commencing with the next annual meet- ing the official ballot be used for election to the office of Planning Board Member; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 45. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee for the purpose of preparing and submitting for adoption by the Town at or before the next annual Town meeting a zoning by-law, so called; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 46. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following By-Law:
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EARTH REMOVAL BY-LAW
SECTION 1. The removal of soil, loam, sand or gravel from any parcel of land not in public use in the Town of Westford, except as here- inafter provided, shall be allowed only after a written permit therefor is obtained from the Board of Selectmen after a public hearing of which due notice is given.
SECTION 2. No permit shall be required for the continuous opera- tion on any parcel of a sand or gravel pit in operation at the time this by-law is adopted, provided such operation is not thereafter discon- tinued for more than one year; and no permit shall be required for the removal of soil, loam, sand, or gravel from any parcel of land when in- cidental to and in connection with the construction of a building on the parcel. No permit shall be required by a home owner or farmer for the transfer of loam, sand, or gravel from one part of his own premises to another part thereof for the improvement of his own premises, nor shall any permit be required for removal of loam, sand, or gravel in connec- tion with the improvement or construction of any road over his premises provided such loam, sand, or gravel so removed is used on said premises. to improve the same and is not contrary to the regulations of this by-law as adopted. No permit shall be required by quarries operating at the time this by-law is adopted so long as the sale of soil, loam, and gravel is not involved.
SECTION 3. In issuing a permit under this by-law, the Board of Selectmen may impose such conditions not specifically provided for therein as it may deem necessary for the adequate protection of the neighborhood and the Town. And conditions imposed by the Board shall be attached to and made a part of the permit. The Board may, in its discretion, require a bond, certified check, or other security for com- pliance with such conditions or as evidence of good faith as to the com- pletion of any proposed construction. The Board may, after a public hear- ing on proof of violation of any condition, revoke any permits so issued. No permit shall be issued under the provisions of this by-law for a pe- riod of more than three years.
SECTION 4. Sand and gravel may be removed from any parcel of land, except within 300 feet of a street or way, and the Board shall issue a permit therefor provided, however, that the Board shall impose such reasonable conditions as to the disposition of top soil and the re- establishment of ground levels and grades as it may deem necessary.
SECTION 5. Soil or loam may be removed and sold from any par- cel of land within such parcel determined by the Board to be unsuited to agricultural use, and the Board may issue a permit for such removal;
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provided, however, that the Board shall in making such decision, obtain the recommendations of the appropriate Soil District Supervisor and the County Extension Director or Agent, or their successors, and their rec- ommendations shall be made a part of the records of the Board. In is- suing a permit, the Board may impose reasonable conditions as to the re-establishment of ground levels and grades.
SECTION 6. Notwithstanding the provisions of the above, the Board may issue a permit for the removal of soil or loam from any par- cel of land in the Town where such removal is necessarily incidental to and in connection with the construction of a road or other facility in- volving a permanent change in the use of the land. The Board shall issue no such permit unless it is reasonably satisfied that the construction will be completed and evidence thereof shall be made part of the records of th Board.
SECTION 7. Sand or gravel may be removed from any parcel of land within such parcel lying within 300 feet of any street or way, pro- vided a permit therefor has been issued by the Board after satisfactory evidence that such removal will not be seriously detrimental or injurious to the neighborhood; provided further that the Board shall impose reasonable conditions as to the method of removal, the re-establishment of ground levels and grades and the planting of the area to suitable cover, as it may deem necessary.
SECTION 8., The penalty for violation of the provisions of this by- law shall be as follows: For the first offense Fifty ($50.00) Dollars; for the second offense One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars; and for each sub- sequent offense Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 47. To see if the Town will vote to define the meaning of the words "laborers, workmen and mechanics" as used under the pro- visions of Chapter 152 of the General Laws, as amended, commonly known as the Workmen's Compensation Act; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate from available funds a certain sum to be deducted by the Assessors under the provisions of Section 23 of Chapter 59 of the General Laws, as amended, from the amount required to be assessed by them; or act in relation thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up true and attested copies thereof at the Town Hall and at each Post Office in said Westford, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
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Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding the first meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this first day of February in the year of our Lord, 1954.
EDWARD F. HARRINGTON THOMAS W. GOWER ELROY A FIELD
Selectmen of Westford
A true copy, Attest:
Constable of Westford
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Annual Report OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD
WEST
.
TED
SEP
For the Year Ending December 31 1953
ORGANIZATION-SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Clifford J. Courchaine, Chairman
Term Expires 1954
Edward N. Lamson
Term Expires 1954
Frederick W. Gatenby
Term Expires 1955
Gwendolyn M. Walker, Secretary Term Expires 1955
John Urbaniak Term Expires 1956
Alice Whitcomb
Term Expires 1956
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Peter F. Perry
Office-Westford Academy
Telephone 561
Office hours: 8:30 A. M. - 4:30 P. M.
CLERK Mrs. Constance L. Malloy
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Cameron School 542 Sargent School 553
Wm. E. Frost School 230 Westford Academy 771 Nabnassett School 233
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dwight W. Cowles, M.D., Westford, Mass. Tel. 521
SCHOOL NURSE Dorothy Healy, R.N., Westford, Mass. Tel. Office 391, Town Hall
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Westford:
The School Committee respectfully submits the following report for the year ending December 31, 1953.
The beginning of construction on the new high school was the high- light of the year. The Building Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Edward Abbot, is to be congratulated for its serious endeavor and continual perseverance in obtaining such a fine school for the town. The new school will consist of 13 Classrooms, 2 Science Rooms, 1 Domestic Science Room, 1 Work Shop (Boys), 1 Library, 1 Music Room, 2 Com- mercial Rooms, 1 Guidance Room, 1 Principal's Office, 1 Business Office, I Health Suite, 2 Locker Rooms, 1 Cafeteria, 1 Gymnasium and 1 Super- intendent's Office. We are planning to enter the new school in Septem- ber, 1954.
The Committee has continued its policy of maintaining the property in good condition. The painting of the interior of Sargent School was completed, the Cameron School was given one coat of exterior paint, and the improvements planned for in the Nabnasset School basement were completed.
Because of the large enrollment in the first grade in September, it was necessary to hire another first grade teacher to help the regular teachers with their large classes. This teacher at the present time is spending two days at Nabnassett School, two days at Sargent School and one day at Frost.
This year's budget is considerably more than last year because of the increased cost for opening our new high school in September 1954.
The Committee is asking for the amount of $181,521.60 to operate the schools in Westford for the school year 1954. Under the provisions of the State Law; plus the usual reimbursement for transportation, State Wards and Americanization Classes the town will receive approx- imately $55,024.95. This will bring the net cost to the town down to $126,496.65.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD J. COURCHAINE, Chairman.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Westford School Committee:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my sixth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
Several new teachers have been welcomed to the School faculty this year, taking the places of those who resigned.
Miss Ruth P. Tuttle, a teacher in the elementary school in Westford for forty years, retired on April 1, 1953. Miss Tuttle gave up her teach- ing, not by choice, but because of the State law which required the re- tirement of teachers upon reaching the age of 70. Her many co-teachers, principals, janitors and superintendents will always remember her faith- fulness and kindness, her devotion to her work and a sincere desire to be of service. To her, teaching children was a joy and a privilege. We all wish for her many years of pleasure and happiness. On April 1, Mrs. Kathryn Wilder was elected to fill this vacancy.
Miss Alice Gilligan, who had taught the second grade at Cameron School for three years, resigned to be married, and Miss Marion Guerin, B.S.Ed. from Lowell Teachers College was chosen to fill the position. Miss Mary Jo Burns was transferred from grade three to grade five at Cameron School to take the place of Mrs. Eleanor Gomes, who resigned in June. Miss Ellen Finnegan, B.S.Ed., Lowell State Teachers College, was elected to the third grade.
Miss Dorothy Meyer, sixth grade teacher at Cameron School, re- signed to work for her Masters Degree and Mr. Richard Fitzgerald, B.S.Ed., a graduate of Fitchburg Teachers College was elected to this position.
Miss Joanne Hall, who taught English at Westford Academy re- signed in June to be married and Mr. John J. Riley with a masters de- gree from Boston University was elected to this position.
Mrs. Houghton, social studies teacher at Sargent School resigned to accept a position in Billerica and Mrs. Joan Woods, a graduate of Bridge- water Teachers College with a B.S.Ed. degree was elected to fill this vacancy.
Miss Shirley Martin, a graduate of the Boston University School of Music with a B.S.M. degree was elected supervisor of music and art to fill the position made vacant by the resignation of Miss Eunice Buck- ley.
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Because of the increased number of students who wanted to study the Commercial subjects it became necessary to add another teacher to our high school faculty. Miss Mildred Fahey, a graduate of Salem Teachers College with a B.S.Ed. degree was elected to fill this position.
Following is the report of Mr. John A. Rennie, Principal of West- ford Academy:
Mr. Peter F. Perry Westford Academy
Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Perry:
The highlight of the past year to the students and staff of the Academy was the decision of the town to build a new high school. This decision has brought to all of us the responsibility of providing West- ford with the finest program of secondary education possible. A program which, to be successful, must be geared to meet the needs of all of our youth.
A considerable amount of cooperative effort has gone into the planning of the new high school building now under construction. All the teachers were given the opportunity to contribute their ideas on room design, equipment, etc. Whenever these ideas and suggestions were sound educationally, feasible architecturally, and possible financially, they were incorporated into the new school. Likewise, curricular revision has and is being planned to adapt and extend our present program to the facilities available in the new building.
Any curricular changes must be evaluated in terms of the objectives of secondary education in our community. Furthermore, these objectives must be recognized and appreciated by every teacher so that all phases of the school program will be planned and conducted to fulfill these objectives. With the attention of the public focussed on this new school as it is being erected, perhaps a listing of these objectives would be ap- propriate. They are stated in terms of the educational needs of our youth.
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