USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1952-1956 > Part 44
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(24) The Zoning By-Law, as amended, shall be numbered ARTICLE XIII.
(25) The Earth Removal By-Law, as amended, shall be numbered ARTICLE XIV.
(26) The present ARTICLE VIII shall be numbered XVI and shall be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any Town Meeting, an Article or Articles for such purpose having been inserted in the Warrant for such Meeting. For purposes of these By-Laws the repeal of a By-Law or the adoption of a new By-Law shall be deemed an amendment of the By-Laws."
"SECTION 2. Any amendments to the By-Laws shall go into effect upon their acceptance by the Town and their approval in the manner required by law, and upon their publication in a Town bulletin or pamphlet, copies of which shall be posted in at least five public places in the Town, including at least one public place in each precinct of the Town, and all By-Laws or Votes of the Town in- consistent therewith shall thereupon be repealed."
(27) The present ARTICLE IX shall be repealed;
or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for printing the Town By-Laws, and distribut- ing the same to the residents of the Town prior to the annual Town Meeting to be held in 1958; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Thirty-Seven Hundred and 44/100 ($3700.44) Dollars, or
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some other sum, for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of Middle- sex County the amounts assessed upon the Town by the County Com- missioners for damages paid by the County in connection with the re- location of Beaver Brook Road, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 82 of the General Laws, as amended; and to raise and appro- priate the further sum of Thirteen Hundred Eighty-Eight and 50/100 ($1388.50) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of paying for le- gal services, witness fees and other costs incurred in connection there- with; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will vote to comply with the pro- visions of Chapter 166, Section 32 of the General Laws, as most recently amended, said Section providing for the appointment by the Board of Selectmen of an Inspector of Wires, and to authorize said Board to fix the compensation of said Inspector; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint a Committee of five voters to study the present Protective (Zoning) By-Law, to determine the need, if any, for revisions, corrections or amendments thereto, and to report its findings and rec- ommendations to the Town at the next annual Town meeting, or at any special Town meeting held prior thereto; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen in its name and behalf to establish the boundary lines be- tween land of the Town of Westford and land of the First Parish Church United of Westford, and for that purpose to execute and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town, and accept on behalf of the Town, such deeds or other instruments as may be necessary or convenient to estab- lish the boundary lines; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the estab- lishment of a Recreation Commission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 45, Section 14 of the General Laws, as most recently amended, said Commission to consist of three members to be appointed by the Board of Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 39. In the event of affirmative action under the pre- ceding Article, to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to be ex- pended under the supervision of said Recreation Commission; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 40. 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 defraying the expenses of the "Development and Industrial Commission"; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 41. 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 defraying the expenses of the dog officer; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 42. 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 For- eign Wars Post No. 6539 and the Auxiliary of said Post, and the Fred- erick S. Healy American Legion Post No. 159 and the Auxiliary of said Post; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 43. 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 defraying the expenses of the Committee appointed to in- vestigate School Building Conditions; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 44. To see if the Town will vote to amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from "Residence A District" to a "Business District" that certain parcel of land belonging to William D. Connell, situated in the northerly part of Westford on the southeasterly side of Groton Road and the northerly side of Nutting Road, and being shown as lot 4 on a plan entitled "Plan of Land in Westford, Massachusetts belonging to Heirs of John A. Healy, James E. Kendall, Surveyor, June, 1950", which plan is recorded with Middle- sex North District Registry of Deeds, Plan Book 79, Plan 29B, said parcel supposed to contain 36,000 square feet of land, more or less; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 45. To see if the Town will vote to amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from "Residence A District" to an "Industrial District" that certain parcel of land belong- ing to Jesse H. Ward, 3rd, situated in Westford on the easterly side of Providence Road, being a portion of Lot 1 shown on plan entitled "Plan of Land in Westford, Mass., surveyed for Donald J. Turner and Gloria E. Turner July 30, 1953, Merrill A. Brown, Registered Land Surveyor", which plan is recorded with Middlesex North District Registry of Deeds, Plan Book 83, Plan 47B, said parcel supposed to contain 40,000 square feet of land, more or less; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 46. To see if the Town will vote to amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from a "Business District" to a "Residence A District" that certain parcel of land belong- ing to Edward S. Warchol and Yvonne A. Warchol situated on the west-
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erly side of Tyngsboro Road, containing 14,000 square feet, more or less, and being the premises rezoned to a Business District under Article 1 of the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting held on September 17, 1956 wherein said parcel was described as being in a Residence B Dis- trict; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 47. To see if the Town will vote to amend its Protective By-Law and Protective By-Law Map by rezoning, from a "Residence A District" to a "Business District" that certain parcel of land belonging to Edward S. Warchol and Yvonne A. Warchol, situated on the westerly side of Tyngsboro Road, containing 14,000 square feet, more or less; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 48. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the crea- tion of a Stabilization Fund pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 40, Section 5B of the General Laws, as most recently amended, the aggregate amount of said Fund, when available, to be used for the purpose of con- structing a new Town Garage; and for the purpose aforesaid to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, said sum to be deposited in and become a part of said Fund; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 49. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of Fifty-Six Thousand Three Hundred Twenty ($56,320.00). Dollars, or some other sum, from the Surplus Revenue to the amount entitled "School Building Debt"; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty-Six Hundred Three and 8/100 ($4603.08) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of paying to the Treasurer of the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health the amount certified by said Boards as the Town's share of the cost and expenses of the District for the year 1957; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 51. 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 purposes of Civil Defense; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 52. To see if the Town will vote to adopt the following amendment to SECTION VII of the Protective By-Law (new language indicated in italics);
(1) Paragraph 1 (first sentence) shall be amended to read as fol- lows:
"1. Lot size and frontage: No building except a one-story
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building of accessory use shall be erected upon a lot having less than the following area and frontage:
Frontage
Area
Residence A District
150'
30,000 sq. ft.
Residence B District
100'
10,000 sq. ft.
Business and Industrial Districts
100'
10,000 sq. ft.
(2) Paragraph 2 (second sentence) shall be amended to read as fol- lows:
"In a Business or Industrial District no building shall be erected within 35 feet of the line of a public way."
(3) Paragraph 3 (second sentence) shall be amended to read as fol- lows:
"In a Business or Industrial District, no building shall be erected within 15 feet of a side lot line or within 30 feet of a rear lot line or within 20 feet of another building."
or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 53. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Mod- erator to appoint a Committee of three voters, at least one of whom shall be an attorney, to study the Earth Removal By-Law, to determine the need, if any, for clarification, revision or amendments thereto, and to report its findings and recommendations to the Town at the next annual Town meeting, or at any special Town meeting held prior thereto; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 54. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on Elliott Road on Pole No. 165/5; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 55. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on Robinson Road on Pole No. 16; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 56. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on North Street on Pole No. 22; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 57. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on Hillside Avenue on Pole No. 10; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 58. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to install one street light on Vose Road on Pole No. 58; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 59. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate from available funds a certain sum to be deducted by the Assessors un- der the provisions of Section 23 of Chapter 59 of the General Laws, as most recently 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.
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 twelfth day of February in the year of our Lord, 1957.
JAMES L. HEALY HORACE F. WYMAN JOHN J. KAVANAGH
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
WESTF
IN
29.
SI
For the Year Ending December 31 1956
ORGANIZATION-SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Clifford J. Courchaine
Term Expires 1957
Edward N. Lamson
Term Expires 1957
Norman E. Day, Chairman
Term Expires 1958
Nicholas Sudak Term Expires 1958
Arthur A. Abbood Term Expires 1959
Richard S. Emmet, Jr., Secretary
Term Expires 1959
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Peter F. Perry
Office-Westford Academy Telephone MY 2-6561
Office Hours: 8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
CLERK
Mrs. Emma G. Egerton
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Cameron School MY 2-6542 Sargent School MY 2-6553
Wm. E. Frost School MY 2-6230 Westford Academy MY 2-6771 Nabnasset School MY 2-6233
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Maurice Huckins, Jr., Westford, Mass. Tel. MY 2-8090
SCHOOL NURSE Dorothy Healy, R.N., Westford, Mass. Tel. Office MY 2-8431, Town Hall
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Westford:
We hereby submit our Annual Report of the School Committee for the year ending December 31, 1956.
MEETINGS
The Committee held a total of thirty meetings this year, meeting on the second Monday and fourth Tuesday of each month. They have met with P.T.A. groups for panel discussions of school problems, the Build- ing Committee to talk over the housing situation and with the teachers to discuss the salary schedule. The Principals of all the schools have met with our Committee several times to assist us toward a better solution of the many problems that arise. Members of our committee have at- tended a meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Commit- tees, and a representative from the Committee attended the two day con- ference of Superintendents at Bridgewater.
NEW BUS SCHEDULE
There were many extra nights spent by the members of the com- mittee and the Superintendent in setting up the new bus schedule. This work was started in the Fall of 1955 and money was appropriated in the budget of 1956 to put this plan into operation. It is felt that the new schedule which started in September of 1956 has relieved considerable overcrowding, shortened the elementary child's school day and increased the school hours at the Academy. The last two items are highly recom- mended by reliable educators. The increased cost of transportation is totally absorbed by the Commonwealth.
HOUSING
The present enrollment in the new Academy is fast reaching its capacity. There are now 461 students enrolled. There are 38 seniors to leave this year and a possible 108 children coming into the Academy to the seventh grade. The school was originally designed for a maximum of 550 students and the student population shows that we will almost reach this peak by September, 1957. This situation will be relieved temporarily when the Dunstable pupils are withdrawn. It is expected that Dunstable will withdraw its students after June, 1958.
Due to the fact that all our available classrooms are in use, the third grade from Nabnassett was placed in the Legion Hall in Granite- ville this year at no expense to the Town for the use of the building.
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The Committee wishes to publicly thank the Frederick Healy Post Amer- ican Legion for their generous offer of this building for use by the School Department.
Although in general the elementary schools are not overcrowded this year, present indications are that it may well be necessary to re- open the old Academy in September, 1957 to facilitate the proper hous- ing of our children. With this condition in mind, we have included in our 1957 budget the amount of $18,783.25 for necessary interior repairs, fur- niture, oil burner, supplies and fuel. Included in the above amount is $4,000 for an oil burner for the Frost School. By installing these oil burners, we will eliminate the necessity of hiring an additional janitor for the old Academy.
REPAIRS AND OUTLAY
The following is a list of repairs and outlay to school buildings completed this year.
NABNASSET SCHOOL
Painted interior and exterior.
FROST SCHOOL
Heat for boys' and girls' toilet rooms.
One bubbler in boys' basement.
One bubbler in girls' basement. Mixing valve for hot water.
Removed bubblers from present lavatories.
Reinstalled lavatories on new backboards with new faucets.
CAMERON SCHOOL
Additional radiation for two classrooms.
One bubbler in main hallway.
One set of grates for one boiler.
New stair treads in main hallway.
One lavatory in boys' basement.
One lavatory in girls' basement.
SARGENT SCHOOL
Adequate lighting completed in the classrooms.
Added one lavatory in each toilet room.
Fire door on air shaft in basement.
Two draft doors in corridors on second floor.
Additional escape door in Room 3.
Ventillating fans in air ducts. Repaired air ducts on roof.
Changed lighting in five rooms.
Repaired stairs in boys' basement.
Repaired driveway with hot top.
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Playground equipment has been purchased for all of the elementary schools.
All buildings comply with the requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Building Inspector. It is hoped that all items recom- mended by the Nashoba Board of Health can be completed as quickly as funds can be made available. We have included in our 1957 budget the amount of $1400 to install a hot water tank, a mixing valve, four new lavatories with hot and cold water and supply the four existing lavatories with hot water at the Cameron School.
Repairs were made to the outside of the old Westford Academy building ($3900 was appropriated). The rear wall was reshingled, rear doors were replaced, down spouts and drains were repaired, window sashes repaired and painted and the roof over the gymnasium and main building repaired at a cost of $3426.00 to the Town. The balance of $474.00 is being held for anticipated repairs in 1957.
SCHOOL NURSE
We are pleased to let you know that through the cooperation of the Board of Health the Public Health Nurse has been transferred to the jurisdiction of the School Department. The reason for this action was that the majority of her time was being spent with the School De- partment, and employing her as the school nurse, with her expenses in the school budget, means that a portion of her expenses will be reim- bursed by the State.
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
This year we received federal assistance for the first time. This as- sistance is granted to towns where 3% or more of the school children have parents who are working on government installations. For 1956, the amount received was $3,787.41. This amount will be applied to teachers' salaries on the 1957 budget.
TEACHERS' SALARIES
State and National surveys show there are not enough teachers to meet projected needs. Your Committee is endeavoring to establish a salary schedule which is comparable to other towns with school budgets similar to ours, so we can attract and retain in Westford the best quali- fied teachers.
After much study and investigation, this committee adopted the following salary schedule, effective September, 1957. Even with this new revision, we would like to point out that this schedule is somewhat lower than some of our neighboring towns.
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SALARY SCHEDULE
STEP
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
MASTER'S DEGREE
1
3300
3600
2
3500
3800
3
3700
4000
6 Hrs.
3 Hrs.
4
3900
4200
5
4050
4350
6
4200
4500
6 Hrs.
3 Hrs.
7
4350
4650
8
4500
4800
9
4650
4950
6 Hrs.
3 Hrs.
10
4800
5100
11
4950
5250
12
5100
5400
CAFETERIA
Due to the efficient management of the cafeteria, there is no money asked for in the budget for the operation of the cafeteria. (See financial report after school expenditures.)
SCHOOL BUDGET
The Committee is asking for the amount of $352,853.00 to operate the schools for the year 1957. Under the provisions of the State Law for general school aid, plus reimbursement for transportation, State Wards, and out-of-town tuition, the Town will receive approximately $83,446.40. This will bring the net cost to the Town for 1957 down to $269,406.60. This compares with a net cost for 1956 of $188,310.52. The increase is due largely to the following factors: (1) a substantial in- crease in enrollment, which will require additional teachers, textbooks and supplies and very likely will require additional classrooms; (2) higher teacher salaries (see salary schedule); (3) higher prices for textbooks, classroom and operating supplies.
The above amounts do not include athletics or cafeteria; these two items are revolving funds. (See financial report after expenditures.)
Vocational School is not included because it has always been the practice of the Town to keep it as a special article.
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OTHER REPORTS
Your attention is called to the reports of the Superintendent and other reports included herewith, as a part of the report of the School Committee.
In conclusion, we wish to thank all those who have worked and cooperated with us for the benefit of our children.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN E. DAY, Chairman RICHARD S. EMMET, Jr., Secretary CLIFFORD J. COURCHAINE
EDWARD N. LAMSON
NICHOLAS SUDAK ARTHUR A. ABBOOD
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DID YOU KNOW
1. That we transport 726 pupils to our schools ?
2. That the daily cost of transportation in 1956 was about $185.00 ?
3. That the State Law requires that every child living two miles or more from school must be transported ?
4. That the Town is not reimbursed for transporting children less than one and one-half miles ?
5. That the State reimbursed the Town $16,307.44 for school trans- portation in 1956 ?
6. That State reimbursement for school aid in addition to transporta- tion amounted to $51,695.21 ?
7. That we have 63 tuition students from Dunstable and Pepperell ?
8. That the Towns of Dunstable and Pepperell will pay the Town of Westford tuition charges of approximately $10,485.00 in 1957?
9. That we expect about 73 tuition students from Dunstable and Pep- perell in 1957?
10. That the Westford P.T.A. presented $100 scholarship to a member of the graduating class of 1956 ?
11. That the Westford Teachers' Association presented a $100 scholar- ship ?
12. That the Driver Education program will train about 45 pupils during the present year ?
13. That we had 22 teachers taking advanced courses at Colleges and Universities of their choice ?
14. That all children in grades 1 through 12 were tested with the Mass- achusetts Vision Equipment ?
15. That all children in grades 1 through 12 had their hearing tested with a pure tone audiometer ?
16. That most of the school children have received two inoculations of Polio vaccine ?
17. That the only reason for "No School" signals is dangerous driving conditions and any extreme emergencies ?
18. That in 1954-55 we had 52 children whose parents worked on Gov- ernment properties ?
146
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Westford School Committee:
Gentlemen:
It is a pleasure to present my ninth annual report of the schools in Westford. Included are the reports of the High School Principal, school physician, the nurse and supervisors, together with the usual tables and statistical data.
"The program of our schools should contribute to an improved daily life for every boy and girl. In order to effectively profit from their ed- ucation and realize their own abilities, pupils must master the funda- mental tools of learning, acquire good health habits, have intellectual and aesthetic interests and develop loyalties that will enable them to discharge their civic duties and responsibilities in a democratic civiliza- tion. It is the responsibility of the schools to develop intelligent and in- formed individuals, who are thoroughly aware of the advantages of an American way of life and are ready to make whatever sacrifices are necessary for its preservation."
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
Mrs. Thelma Lifland, a graduate of Brooklyn College in 1956 was elected to teach the third grade at Sargent School in place of Miss Har- rington who went to Falmouth, Mass.
The sixth grade at Sargent School was divided into two separate units, and Miss Catherine McBreen a graduate of Fitchburg State Teachers College was elected to teach one of these classes.
Henry J. Leyland, a graduate of Merrimack College, was elected to teach the fifth grade at the Frost School in place of Mrs. Joan Woods who resigned.
Miss Joan E. Cox, a graduate of Merrimack College was elected to teach grade one at Nabnassett School.
Mrs. Ruth Pelletier, a graduate of Bridgewater State Teachers Col- lege with one year's teaching experience in Wrentham, was elected to teach grade two at Cameron School, replacing Miss Doris Nichols, who resigned to be married.
Mr. Thomas Ryan, graduate of Lowell State Teachers College was elected to teach grade five at Cameron School, replacing Miss Lois Shea, who resigned to be married.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ahonen, a graduate of Boston College and Lowell State Teachers College was elected to teach grade six at Cameron School, replacing Miss Helen Michalides who is presently teaching in Lowell.
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There were five resignations at the Academy and the following teachers were elected to fill the positions:
Mr. Robert Sullivan, a graduate of Fitchburg State Teachers Col- lege, to teach Industrial Arts in place of Mr. Norman Methot.
Mr. Frank Finnerty, a graduate of Merrimack College with two years experience, to teach Social Studies in place of Mrs. Eileen Fletcher who resigned.
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