USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1963-1967 > Part 19
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Franklin D. Hunt, Chelms. Chmn. Roland M. Hamilton, Groton
Robert L. O'Brien, Chelms. Treas. Kenall K. Bennett, Littleton, V. Chmn.
Eugene J. Doody, Chelmsford Harvey W. Atkins, Littleton
Paul E. Vayo, Chelmsford
Percy 0. Daley, Jr., Westfofd
Robert S. Hargraves, Groton, Sec.
Richard W. Hall, Westford
THE REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
The committee has little to report on visible accomplishments.
We have spent considerable time examining the town from a con- servation standpoint. What does conservation mean to my town? What do we want to conserve?
What should we plan on saving for the town that would be most desirable to future generations? Can we afford to do these things and can we afford not to do them?
How will these things fit into the recommendations of the master plan to get the most value, both financial and aesthetic, for the in- habitants of the town.
We have many of the answers now, and hope to give the town pro- posals from time to time.
We recommend the immediate establishment of a Conservation Fund, to make available money for these proposals.
Many owners of woodlands and marshes, who would like to maintain the natural beauty of these areas, but find ownership a burden, should contact . the Conservation Committee and find out how recent laws make it possible to protect these areas forever.
Janet F. Timberlake Carl 0. Benson John F. Gagnon
A. Michael Woznac Robert Armstrong Wallace E. MacQuarrie
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
102
REPORT OF DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
Although economic studies by experts indicate that large-scale industrial development of this area is some years away, to maintain a vital organization and keep abreast of economic trends, during the past year the Development and Industrial Commission continued regular by -weekly meetings.
An important facet of the workload was liaison with government agencies and reporting to them data which could be disseminated to development interests. In addition, the Commission followed up on all prospects, regardless of how unpromising they appeared. Much time was devoted to compiling information on available sites, trans- portation, and preparing maps to send out in response to inquiries. Thus invaluable, first-hand familiarity with various town features was steadily increased.
In the Commission's view, the single, most important step toward community development since adoption of zoning by-laws was voter approval of the Master Plan proposal. Recognizing that the plan will be only as good as the ideas and effort devoted to its preparation and implementation, the Commission has determined as a prime objective in the coming year working closely with the firm that is developing the Master Plan. This we expect to. do particularly in those areas of special interest to the Commission. We feel that consolidation of local effort which ever keeps in mind local needs and hopes, coupled with outside professional counsel and know-how, should result in a practical, usable plan.
We look forward to doing our part.
Vyto L. Andreliunas, Chairman Selma Unterberg, Secretary J. Alfred Dumont Robert J. Grace
Robert L. Connell
Roland C. Campbell
Kenneth N. Kelley
DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION
REPORT OF THE TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
In 1965, the Town did not come into possession of any land through Land Court foreclosure. Five parcels were sold for $1575.
The Town now owns 17 parcels. Information concerning this land may be obtained from any member of the Committee.
The Tax Title account contains 32 parcels which will accrue to the Town when they are cleared in the Land Court.
Edward N. Lamson Carroll J. Rollins Edward F. Harrington
TAX TITLE PROPERTY COMMITTEE
103
REPORT OF SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
The School Planning Committee has, this past year, devoted its time in studying and trying to evaluate our Elementary school needs. This, in part, has become necessary due to the Willis Commission Report. The (2) parts of this Report, namely The Replacement of Old School Buildings, and Establishing Kindergarten Space has made this study necessary.
Enrollment forecasts, a necessary tool for the planning of new school facilities, continue to be difficult to assess. For the second year in a row the superintendent's forecast was high, indicating that the impact of the relatively large house building prevalent four years ago is past. This indication is also supported by the fact that the amount of preschool children decreases with decreasing age. This implies that any new growth in school population must come from immigration of new families whether through new buildings in town or the replacement of families in established homes without school children. This new growth, which is expected in our town, will necessitate new schools since there are al- ready enough children here to fill our present facilities.
Another factor which will influence the current enrollment forecasts is the Regional Vocational High School, approved by the Town this year and scheduled to be open for ninth graders in 1967. This committee feels that by 1971 this school will service about ten per cent of the Westford Academy students, a factor not considered in present enrollment forecasts. Also approved by the Town this year were monies for the consideration of a Master Plan. Among other things, the conductors of this study will pro- vide us and the Town with a comprehensive student enrollment forecast. It is this committee's intention to work closely with this group so that we might become familiar with their forecasting techniques, in hopes of arriving at a more comprehensive method than is presently used. This new method, to be used by this group for future school planning, would be more accurate and indicative of the student enrollment changes likely to appear in a town such as ours.
The High School Building Committee has been requested to tempor- arily hold up building plans until more concrete enrollment forecasts are available. It is the sincere hope that this committee will remain intact and active in all future plans.
The School Planning Committee will study very closely the future Home Building in town to determine school population centers. This study should enable us to predict when, where, and how large future schools should be built.
Arthur R. Coffin - Chairman Alan Bell
Robert Graves William Hart
Ronald Johnson Richard Emmet, Jr.
SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
104
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
The appointed members held a meeting and John J. Barretto was elected Chairman. The other two members are Edward F. Harrington and Ellsworth J. Jewett. Denis Maguire and Warren G. Morrow serve as Alternates.
The general policy was to have a Public Hearing about once a month with as many Appeals as were available at that time. There were nine hearings with eighteen appeals. Sixteen Appeals were granted and two Appeals were refused.
The Appeals were classified as follows:
Approval of permitted use 5
Additions to existing building
3
Building on less frontage
1
Authorization to sell & buy autos
1
Building on less than required area
2
Porch nearer street line 1
Building nearer street line
1
Division of land area 1
Authorization to construct service station
1
Removal of restriction
1
Garage nearer side lot line
1
18
An attempt was made to give serious consideration to all phases of each Appeal. Best interests of the Town, rights of abutters and consider- ation for the welfare of the petitioners, were all factors in the several decisions.
John J. Barretto, Chairman Edward F. Harrington
Ellsworth J. Jewett
BOARD OF APPEALS
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Following is the report of the Sealer of Weights and Measures of the Town of Westford for the year ending 1965.
Gasoline Meters Sealed 29
Scales over 10,000 1bs.
5
Scales 100 to 5000 1bs. 7
Scales more than 10 - less than 100. 21
Scales 10 1bs. or less
15
George S. Wilder SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
105
REPORT OF NABNASSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EXTENSION COMMITTEE
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting of November 14, 1962, the Board of Selectmen appointed this committe to represent the town in the construction of six additional classrooms and accessory space to the new Nabnasset Elementary School.
On behalf of the Town of Westford and in accordance with Article 3 of the Special Town Meeting of Febrary 1, 1963, the Treasurer with the approval of the State Emergency Finance Board, negotiated bond issues i the amount of $195,000.
The addition was substantially completed and occupied following the Christmas vacation January 1964. Landscaping was accomplished during th fall of 1964 and the building accepted by the School Committee June 14,
Total costs of construction of six classrooms, a library and access ory space was $169,886.82, including:
Construction costs $134,243.00
Architect & Clerk of the Works . 17,131.23
Equipment 10,999.74 Site Development 7,101.59 Advertising and misc. 411.26
Total Costs $169,886.82
A claim for 50% reimbursement, submitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission, was approved for the sum of $167,756.62.
The original 12 classroom building cost the Town of Westford $429,412.08 less real estate, including:
Construction Costs $371,118.62 Architectual & Clerk of the Works. 37,822.88
Equipment 19,322.83 Advertising 164.97
Non-Reimburseable 982.78
Total $429,412.08
Plus Addition
169,886.82
Total Cost of Construction $599,298.90
Thus an eighteen classroom school with a planned capacity of 540 pupils, including administrative space, health room, teacher's rooms, liberary, multi-purpose auditorium, gumnasium and cafeteria, storage areas and three hot-topped parking areas has been provided for less than $600,000.
This committee wishes to thank Pomerleau Bros. Inc., of Groton Road for the donation of $1, 328.00 worth of gravel fill. In addition, the co mitte is grateful for services rendered by the Board of Selectmen, Scho Committee, Finance Committee, the Town Treasurer, Mr. Walter Teresko, Mr. Frederick A. Fisher, Town Accountant and Clerk of the Board of Sele men, Mr. Lloyd Blanchard Supt. of School, Mr. Robert Noy, Principal of the Nabnasset Elementary School.
Robert M. Hicks, Chairman Allan F. Ryan, Secretary Robert B. Graves, Member
106
TOWN OF WESTFORD
WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To the Constable of the Town of Westford, in said County,
GREETINGS:
You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth afore- said, to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in elections, and also in Town affairs, to meet at their several polling places, viz:
PRECINCT 1 Town Hall, Westford Center
PRECINCT 2 Healy Legion Hall, Graniteville
PRECINCT 3 New Nabnasset School, Brookside
PRECINCT 4 Murray Hall, Forge Village
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1966
being the first Monday in said month, at 12:00 o'clock noon for the following purposes:
To bring in their votes for the following officers:
FOR FIVE YEARS
One Member of the Planning Board
FOR THREE YEARS
One Selectman
One Assessor
Two Members of the School Committee
One Member of the Board of Public Welfare
Two Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library
One Member of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners
One Member of the Board of Public Health
One Member of the Board of Water Commissioners
One Town Clerk
One Moderator
FOR ONE YEAR
One Tree Warden
All on one ballot.
The polls will be open from 12:00 o'clock noon to 8:00 P. M .; and to meet in WESTFORD ACADEMY at Westford Center on the following
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1966
at 10:00 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act upon the follow- ing Articles, viz:
107
ARTICLE 1. To hear the reports of the Town Officers and Committees or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 2. To fix the salary and compensation of all elected officers of the Town.
ARTICLE 3. To provide for a Reserve Fund, to determine what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate, including appro- priation from any available funds, to defray all departmental and incidental charges, expenses and outlays of the Town, including debt and interest, for the ensuing year, and for paying unpaid bills of previous years.
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to appoint the Planning Board as its agent to acquire options for the purchase of land for municipal use, including, without limiting the generality of the fore- going, parks, municipal buildings and wild life refuges; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to pay the Town's share of the costs and expenses of the Greater Lowell Regional Planning District; 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.
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 Highways Maintenance; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE.9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be deposited in and become a part of the Stabilization Fund created under Article 19 of the Warrant for the Annual Meeting of 1961; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from any available funds, the sum of Eighty-Five Hundred ($8500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to meet the Town's share of the cost of continuing Chapter 90 Highway Construction, contingent upon the State and County contributing to the cost thereof; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Four Hundred ($2400.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purchase of three new two-way radios for the Highway Department; or act in relation thereto.
108
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the rental of a Street Sweeper for the Highway Department; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the Highway Equipment Account and, in addition, to transfer a sum of money from the Highway Machinery Fund to said Highway Equipment Account; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purchase of two new cruisers for the Police Department, said purchases to be made under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen; and to authorize said Board to transfer by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale title to the cruisers now being used by said Department and to apply the sum received therefrom against the purchase price of the new cruisers; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15. 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 Legion 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 16. To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift of Forty-Five Hundred ($4500.00) Dollars from the Murrary Printing Company; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 17. (On petition) Shall the town vote to accept the pro- visions of section one hundred and eight G of chapter forty-one of the General Laws whereby, if accepted, the minimum annual compensation of each regular police office in the police department of the town of Westford shall be not less than five thousand five hundred dollars for the first year of service, six thousand dollars for the second year of service, and six thousand three hundred dollars for the third and each succeeding year of service?
ARTICLE 18. (On petition) To see if the Town will vote to strike out Section 4 of ARTICLE I of the Town of Westford By-Laws and sub- stitute therefor the following language:
Section 4. Special Town Meetings shall be called on any day not earlier than 7:30 o'clock p.m., except that on Saturday they may not be called earlier than 2:00 o'clock p.m.
A quorum for the transaction of any business at any Special Town Meeting shall be not less than five per cent (5%) of the number of registered votes in the Town, but any number of voters present less than a quorum may adjourn such meeting to another time; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 18A: To see if the Town will vote, pursuant to the pro- visions of G. L. (Ter.Ed.), C. 41, sections 108A and 108C, as most recently amended, to establish a plan classifying any or all positions, other than those filled by popular election and those under the direction and control of the School Committee, into groups and classes doing sub- stantially similar work or having substantially equal opportunities, to adopt a plan establishing minimum and maximum salaries to be paid to
109
employees in positions so classified, and to provide for the establish- ment of a Personnel Board for the purpose of administering said plans, a copy of which proposed Classification and Compensation Plan and Personnel By-Laws is on file at the office of the Town Clerk; said plans to become effective on January 1, 1967; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to defray the expenses of the House Numbering Committee; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the account entitled "State Aid for Libraries", said sum to be in addition to the amount appropriated for the Library under Article 3 of this Warrant; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise, in fee simple, a parcel of land containing approximately one (1) acre situated on the southeasterly side of, but not adjacent to, Hunt Road, said land to be used as and for the site of a proposed new standpipe for the Water Department, to serve the Nabnasset area of the Town; and to raise and appropriate, or transfer from any available funds, a sufficient sum of money for acquiring said land, and all necessary and incidental fixtures, equipment and appurtenances for the purchase and construction of said standpipe and for all legal, engineering and sur- veying fees in connection with said project; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Hundred ($800.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purchase of a two-way radio for the use of the Water Department; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the un- expended balance, viz., Fifty-Five Hundred Fifty-Six and 78/100 ($5556.78) Dollars, from the account entitled "Cemetery Road Well Field", to the account entitled "Depot Road Well Field"; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to purchase a new platform body dump truck for the Water Department; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to further extend its water mains and water supply system by laying approximately 5,000 feet of twelve inch mains in and along the Massachusetts Electric Company right of way, to extend from the existing main on Nutting Road to Graniteville; and for the purpose aforesaid, to raise and appropriate, or appropriate from any available funds, including the "Water Department Surplus" account, the sum of Thirty-Five Thousand ($35, 000.00) Dollars, or some other sum; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 26. 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 printing and distribution by the Assessors to the taxpayers of a complete list of real property subject to assessment, together with the owners thereof and for the amount for which said property is assessed; or act in relation thereto.
110
ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for repairs to the Assessor's Office; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the construction of three rooms or offices in the Upper Town Hall and for furnishing and equipping the same; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for installing new floors in the Police Department and in the Lower Town Hall corridors; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for the purchase of a water cooler for the Town Hall; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000) Dollars, or some other sum, for the construction and installation of a septic system for the Town Hall; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for painting, repairs and certain new construction and renovations to the J. V. Fletcher Library and for the purchase of equipment; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or appropriate from any available funds, including the proceeds received and to be received from the State under the provisions of Chapter 679 of the Acts of 1965, the sum of Thirteen Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Four and 90/100 ($13,974.90) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of constructing a drainage system in and along Nabnasset Street and for the reconstruction of said Street; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventy-Three Hundred Thirty-Three ($7333.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to pay the second installment due under the contract for the expert appraisal of taxable real estate voted under Article 35 of the Warrant for the Annual Meeting of 1965; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will vote to further amend its By- Laws by inserting after SECTION 11 of ARTICLE I, the following section: -- SECTION 12. The following Officers, Departments and Boards shall maintain their principal offices and shall trans- act their customary and usual duties in offices provided for them in the Town Hall:
(a) Board of Selectmen
(b) Treasurer-Collector
(c) Town Clerk
(d) Board of Water Commissioners
(e) Board of Assessors
(f) Board of Public Welfare
(g) Board of Health;
or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to further amend its By-Laws by striking the second sentence of SECTION 1 of ARTICLE I and inserting in place thereof the following: -
The polls shall be open at 7:30 o'clock A. M. and shall remain open until 8:00 o clock P.M .;
or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to adopt a By-Law relative to payment of fees to the Tree Warden by utility companies ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 38. To see if the Town will vote to adopt a By-Law requiring all dogs to be muzzled or restrained from running at large; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand ($5,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the Conservation Fund, to be expended by the Conservation Commission pur- suant to the provisions of C. 40, sections 5 (51) and 8C; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventy-Five ($75.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to defray the expenses of the Conservation Commission; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 41. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to sell at public or private sale, for the sum of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars, or a larger sum, the old Diamond T Fire Truck and to transfer title to the same by a good and sufficient Bill of Sale; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to defray the cost of the construction of an outdoor basketball court on the playground of the Old Nabnasset School and for all necessary and incidental equipment in connection therewith; or act in relation thereto.
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