USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1963-1967 > Part 29
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Respectfully submitted,
BOARD OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS Walter L. Blanchard Albert A. Hildreth Matthew A. Elliott
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
There were 82 Plumbing permits issued in 1966.
The Appropriation was used as follows:
Appropriation for 1966 $750.00
Inspections made - 135 @ $3.00 $405.00
Expenses (clerical, env. & postage) 27.67 432.67
Unused balance of appropriation
$317.33
PLUMBING INSPECTOR Paul L. McDonald
THE WESTFORD 4-H AMBULANCE FUND
Balance on hand, January 1, 1966
$2,347.43
Received in Memorials & Gifts 85.00
Interest on Special Notice Account
93.06
Interest on Regular Account
14.47
December 31, 1966 Total
$2,539.96
No Expense this year.
Special Notice Account
$2,138.06
Regular Account 401.90
Balance on hand Dec. 31, 1966 $2,539.96
100
REPORT OF THE RECREATION COMMISSION
The following activities were conducted by the Westford Recrea- tion Commission this past year.
ACTIVITY
AGE GROUP
PARTICIPANTS
Small Fry Baseball
8-12
325
Babe Ruth Baseball
13-16
150
675
Junior Basketball Grades
5,-8
200
Adult Softball
150
Adult Physical Fitness Classes
125
,
The various programs show an increase of two hundred children over the number of participants reported for 1965.
All children of the community are invited to participate. No youngster in Westford is refused or cut from playing in any program if he desires to play.
On the final day of the regular Small Fry League the Annual Field Day was held. At this time free hot dogs, tonic, ice cream and cake were enjoyed by all children present. Two hundred and fifty children were served. The winning teams in each Division were awarded individ- ual trophies.
We would like to include in our future planning the following:
Swimming Classes
Boys & Girls
Arts and Crafts
11
11
11
Tennis
Skiing
=
The new Town Beach was made suitable as a swimming and picnic area and has already proven to be a popular spot for the townspeople.
The Commission would like to thank the Team Managers, Umpires, Coaches, Instructors, and anyone connected with the Recreation Programs in the town of Westford. Any adult wishing to work with the youngsters in town will be most welcome to join the parents already working with us. Please notify any member of the Commission if interested.
Finally, the Recreation Commission would like to thank the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, and the various Merchants and Or- ganizations in town who have assisted in making a success of this ex- panding program.
Harry V. Smith, Chairman
Kenneth Stewart
Earle A. Cronan, Secretary Felix R. Perrault
Waldo S. Leedberg Alfred V. Checchi
RECREATION COMMISSION
101
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
763 Telephone calls received
53 Dogs picked up as strays
23 Dogs struck by cars
29 Calls to care for wild animals
8 Strays returned to owners
8 Cases to District Court
7 Cases of molesting livestock
19 Calls for cats
1 Cat destroyed - struck by car
69 Dog Bites
2 Bites from rabbits
1 Bite from raccoon
5 Bites from cats
33 Dogs turned over to County Board and care of dogs. $ 530.00
553 Complaints investigated. 470.00 Car Expense. 200.00
$1200.00
Reimbursement from County for Board and Care of Strays for 1966 421.50
This year the County did away with the reimbursement for the destroying of dogs that are injured.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen, the Police
Department, the Dog Officers from other towns, Mrs. Alice Hildreth, Town Clerk and Mr. Albert Picking for their assistance and coopera- tion throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM C. MACMILLAN DOG OFFICER
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Gasoline Pumps Sealed 28
Scales 100 to 5000 1bs. 13
Scales more than 10 less than 100 1bs .. 12 Scales 10 1bs. or less 10
Due to the revised rates, this Department now shows a profit to the Town rather than a loss as in the past.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. WILDER SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
102
REPORT OF THE TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT
Following is a report of progress of the Tree Department and Moth Department for the year 1966:
Tree Department
Removed all diseased trees possible. Removed and grinded to six inches below ground surface approximately one hundred and fifty (150) tree stumps, accumulated from previous years. Remaining debris also, such as logs, brush, limbs, etc., were cleared away.
Pruned all trees that were possible to do. Planted seventy-two (72) new trees of various types. Supervised power line construc- tion in conjunction with Massachusetts Electric Company, due to our increasing power capacity.
Have received $460.00 credit from Massachusetts Electric Company to plant new trees as reimbursement for trees removed due to electrical construction.
Moth Department
Applied dormant spray on Elm trees. Applied spray consisting of Methaxaclor on all other trees.
Balance of original appropriation was used on removal of diseased Elm trees and grinding of tree stumps, as stated in Tree Department report.
I would like to thank the Police Department and Highway Depart- ment for their valuable assistance in the storm which struck Parker Village and Westford Center, and for their cooperation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER MELANCON TREE WARDEN
REPORT OF THE GAS INSPECTOR
During the year 1966 gas permits were issued as follows:
105 @ $4.50 .$472.50
Money Collected:
98 @ $4.50. .$441.00 7 still due @ $4.50. 31.50
Respectfully submitted, VINCENT E. KORAVOS GAS INSPECTOR
103
REPORT OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
In 1966 your Conservation Committee has made some progress and we are working on various projects and studies.
We have had numerous meetings with Town boards and the Greater Lowell Area Planning Commission relating to conservation matters.
Presently, with the cooperation of the Town Planning Board and Recreation Committee, we are mapping a long-range recreational pro- gram for the Town, as requested by the State under Self-Help Legis- lation.
We are submitting four articles for the Town Meeting as follows:
1. A modest request for Committee Expense.
2. A request for additional money for the Conservation Fund.
3. An article to purchase a piece of property which will tie in with our overall planning. This piece consists of an abandoned railroad right-of-way. A strip of land about 80 ft. wide and about 3800 ft. long, this piece includes a stone arch bridge nearly 100 years old. The right-of-way will give us access to a large wild life area. It is presently being used as a bridle path and a nature walk. With State approval, we will receive under Self-Help Program approximately 50% reimbursement on this purchase.
4. This article is to accept a piece of land from W. Otis Day for conservation.
We feel Mr. Day's gift of vital low land areas to be an important addition to Town properties, as low lands such as these are necessary if we are to maintain our ground water table at suitable levels.
We hope to receive other gifts for the Town in the future.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION Carl 0. Benson Louis Oliver Janet F. Timberlake R. L. Armstrong John F. Gagnon
104
REPORT OF TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE
Your Committee has been inactive most of the year, hoping that a Master Plan for the Town might be developed so that the various areas under the jurisdiction of the Committee, might be classified as to its best possible use for forestry, recreation, wild life, or possibly conservation.
The sixty acre lot on Old Lowell Road with a small frontage on Hearts Pond, is an area that your Committee feels, might best be developed for recreation. Some problems exist that must be answered to help in its proper development.
1. A small swamp area of about 4 acres belonging to the 4-H Center, cuts into the property on the edge of the pond. It is hoped that this can be turned over to the Town to offset the many favors given to this group, such as the original presentation to them by the Town of approximately 8 acres of high ground where the buildings are now located; the free fill given them in connection with the development of South Chelmsford Road, to greatly enlarge their parking area; and further cooperation with them in developing more parking area in connection with the relocation and further development of South Chelmsford Road by their property. The consideration of this transfer of land is still pending.
2. The final establishment during the year of the bounds be- tween Westford and Chelmsford on the South side of the pond, dis- closes what has always been thought to be true, that these cottages have been built partly, or wholely, over the line on Town-owned land. Your Committee feels that this error should be corrected at once and that no Town land should be sold, or released, as it would interfere with the limited shore frontage and the value of the whole area.
3. That a small test area should be developed to see how feasible it is to clear the shore area that is now filled with wild grass, hummocks and brush, but underlaid with clean sand and thus show the possibility of developing a swimming area.
For several years the Town has appropriated $400 for the use of the Committee but it has not been used due to the lack of any plan for land use. Your Committee feels that the growth of the Town in the South part now warrants the development of this 60 acre lot incidently for forest purposes but primarily as a picnic and recreation area. For this reason an appropriation is asked this year of $1000 to explore the waterfront area and clean up some of the tall pines and develop potential picnic areas, as well as to improve the stand of pine.
Another lot of about 40 acres across South Chelmsford Road from the 4-H Center has always been classified as a Bird Sanctuary. This lot with possibly a little work on clearing brush in the wood road approach, could be used by Scouts, 4-H members, and any other youth or adult group for bird walks, nature trails and conservation studies.
TOWN FOREST COMMITTEE Allister F. MacDougall, Chairman Florian Woitowicz, Secretary Roger Melancon
105
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL PLANNING COMMITTEE
In 1966 the School Planning Committee has concentrated its ef- forts trying to locate a suitable site for a new elementary school to be ready for occupancy September, 1968. The present total number of elementary school spaces in the school system is 1225 including all marginal classrooms.
Elementary enrollment for 1966-67 was 1108, broken down as fol- lows:
Grade 1 - 239
Grade 2 - 242
Grade 3 - 218
Grade 4 - 221
Grade 5
5178
1
The housing of four fifth-grade classes in the new North Middle School made it possible to eliminate the use of the Roudenbush School for this year. Our projected elementary enrollment for 1967-68 total is 1185.
Grade 1 - 258
Grade 2 - 239
Grade 3 - 244
Grade 4 - 218
Grade 5 - 226
1185
The larger enrollment and all available spaces in the North Mid- dle School being used will make it necessary to once again use the Roudenbush and also to re-open the Old Nabnasset School for the el- ementary groups.
The above, plus an anticipated population growth, we feel, points out the necessity of a new school by September, 1968. The Committee decided after much research and discussion that the ideal location for such a school would be as close as possible to the cen- ter of town for the following reasons:
1. To house all elementary children from Parker Village.
2. A new proposed housing development adjacent to Center.
3. To be able to eliminate use of Roudenbush and Frost Schools.
4. To take in overflow from Nabnasset.
We investigated nine possible sites; six of these had to be elim- inated either because they were not for sale or were not suitable for such a school. The three which were available and were thoroughly in- vestigated were the following:
1. Cameron property on Graniteville Road
2. Sullivan farm on Main Street
3. Winnek land on Forge Village Road
The State Board of Health tested these three properties for san- itary purposes. Unfortunately, none of these sites met the State Sanitary Code pertaining to percolation rates necessary for proper sewerage disposal.
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The rejection of these three sites has made it necessary to look else- where and we now have two other sites under consideration. However, because of the winter weather, no percolation tests can be made be- fore early spring. Experience has taught us that future school sites should be acquired far in advance of their need.
The Committee has also been working on a system of forecasting future school population. The initial data gathering necessary for a student enrollment forecast has been completed. Since the future growth of Westford will depend on new home construction, two hundred and eighty-three newer homes were studied on the basis of assessor 's and school department's records. From these data we can determine the number of children to be expected in each future home, their probable age and the impact of these new homes on the town birth rate. These figures will enable us to predict future growth in the school system on the basis of new home construction in town. We have also studied the town child census reports from 1958 to 1966 in order to review the child growth within the entire town and in each of the four school districts. These data will also be useful in predicting future growth in the Westford school system. An enrollment forecast based on the above information should be finished by the spring of 1967.
The School Planning Committee is fully aware that we are going to need more secondary school spaces in the very near future and we have agreed with the School Committee that we should work on this as soon as the elementary project is under way.
Respectfully submitted,
Arthur R. Coffin, Chairman Richard S. Emmet, Jr. Ronald H. Johnson / James B. Hudson John F. Kavanagh William J. Hart Burt C. Sheehan
Current agents
107
REPORT OF THE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
We regret at this time that we are unable to give a final report on this building. At present we are trying to finish up the odds and ends of both construction problems under the general contract, areas involved which are not covered by either the general contract or the contracts for equipment, and checking out the last of the extra equipment which we were able to buy through savings which were not included in the original specifications.
We are still wrestling with the problem of the gym floor but feel that we have a solution which will have this problem solved by time of town meeting. The original difficulty due to a power failure before the emergency generator was installed and radiator freeze occurred when the floor was being laid. After this had been fixed and cost adjudicated, a second problem arose apparently due to faulty installation of equipment inserts. There are many other more minor problems which were to be expected during this shakedown period of approximately two years following occupancy. It is hoped that by March 15th we can turn the ownership and responsibility completely over to the school department with the majority of present and future problems corrected.
The general contract was given to John Tocci & Sons, Waltham. It was under the direct supervision of the architects, Stoner and Associates of Boston. The committee was represented in the general contract by our clerk of works, Mr. Curtis Clarke of Gloucester. The committee reserved to themselves the process of equipping the kitchen and also the general classrooms. They also provided all of their equipment except the large State and National flags in the auditorium which were donated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Frederick Healy Post of the American Legion. In addition, the Girl Scouts of Westford donated plantings for the exterior.
At this time the major portion of the appropriation of $995,000. for construction and equipment has been expended. Approximately $12,000. appropriated for site work, clerical work and legal services remains of the $15,000. appropriated by the town. The actual amount of construction and equipment obtained will be considerably over a million dollars, but it is expected that the expenditures will re- main well within the appropriated figure due to the fact that we were able to use NEDA Federal and State funds to a considerable ex- tent in the equipment of scientific laboratories, teaching aids, etc.
I feel that the sub-committee for equipping the North Middle School, under the chairmanship of Arthur Abbood, including Philip Hall, Harold Harrington and Richard Tuttle (deceased), has done an outstanding job in furnishing the school not only with the best equipment which they could find selected on merit, but they were able to add many extras which are usually included in schools only with a much larger appropriation involved. There were many thousands of man hours involved in interviewing salesmen, examining the products, writing specifications and putting the bids out item by item. It is estimated that they were able to save nearly $20,000.
108
over the original specifications and at the same time install a much superior product.
The committee is proud that this school had one of the lowest per pupil cost in the state at the time of its building and that the construction costs per square foot were also kept relatively low. However, it reminds our fellow townsmen that this is a 600 pupil school designed for grades 6, 7 and 8 and cannot be compared with an 800 pupil school designed for a junior high level, 7, 8 and 9, nor by any means with a 1200 pupil high school of 3 or 4 year classes because of the entirely different requirements due to needs in meeting the curriculum of these different grades. It should also be remembered that the cost of all construction, including schools, has increased somewhat between 5% and 10% per year during the past ten years.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Benjamin deF. Lambert, M.D., Chairman Arthur A. Abbood Philip G. Hall Harold A. Harrington
109
NASHOBA VALLEY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL REPORT OF DISTRICT COMMITTEE
Since Town Report time last year, the District Committee has made real progress toward fulfilling the towns' mandate to create a technical high school for the district.
The initial phase of such a project is a very difficult one. The requirements and rules of many departments, bureaus and agencies have to be met and satisfied, and many individuals, such as architects, consultants, state supervisors, administrators, etc., have to be blended into a compatible working team.
Some of the significant milestones reached in this time follow:
SELECTION OF THE SCHOOL'S BASIC DESIGN
After much study of several proposed designs, the Committee selected a design that leant itself to future expansion, while, at the same time, it provided a good, aesthetic plan.
APPROVAL OF PRELIMINARY PLANS
A good number of preliminary plans were worked on before an all-party approval could be reached that met with the Committee's and State's approval.
ACQUISITION OF SCHOOL SITE
The site selected was made up of parcels of land belonging to differ- ent owners. Through legal processes of law and business procedure, the land was acquired by purchasing and taking. The site, about 40 acres, fronts on Route 110 in Westford and is a good part of the triangle formed by Route 110, St. Marys Drive and South Chelmsford Road. The Committee has erected a sign on the frontage identifying the site and its purpose.
SUPERINTENDENT-DIRECTOR APPOINTED
An intensive recruiting program yielded 29 prospective candidates for the position of Superintendent-Director. A series of inter- views lasting from early April until late June reduced this group to 5 candidates and from this number, Thomas Lafionatis was selected and appointed to this position. Mr. Lafionatis came from industry into education and has over twenty years experience in Vocational Education as an instructor and later as Director of the Malden Vocational High School.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS
Temporary offices have been established at 21 Central Square, Chelms- ford. The office has been furnished with office furniture acquired at the State Surplus Warehouse, and some office equipment to be used later in the new school has been purchased at this time.
110
SECRETARY TO SUPERINTENDENT-DIRECTOR AND COMMITTEE
Several candidates were interviewed for the position of secretary and Mrs. Emily W. McIntosh of Chelmsford was selected and hired. She comes to this position with experience in depth as a school and industrial secretary.
SURPLUS MACHINERY
A program to acquire Surplus and Government Loan Equipment has been started. Four large surplus machines have been acquired already.
Because of circumstances beyond the control of the Committee, delays have upset the time table. Barring any further unforseen difficulties, the new timing calls for ground breaking in the Spring of 1967 and school opening in September of 1968.
Eugene J. Doody, Chelmsford Nicholas J. Mazzoni, Chelmsford Robert L. O'Brien, Chelmsford, Treasurer Paul F. Vayo, Chelmsford Roland M. Hamilton, Groton, Vice-Chairman Robert S. Hargraves, Groton, Secretary Harvey W. Atkins, Littleton Kendall K. Bennett, Littleton, Chairman Percy 0. Daley, Jr., Westford Richard W. Hall, Westford
111
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, Nabnasset
PRECINCT 4 Murray Hall, Forge Village
MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1967
being the first Monday in said month, at 7:30 o'clock in the forenoon 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
Three 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
FOR ONE YEAR
One Tree Warden
And also to act upon the following question:
QUESTION
Shall the town vote to accept the provisions 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
112
officer 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?
Yes
No
All on one ballot.
The polls will be open from 7:30 o'clock in the forenoon to 8:00 P.M .; and to meet in WESTFORD ACADEMY at Westford Center on the following
SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1967
at 10:00 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act upon the following Articles, viz:
ARTICLE 1. To hear the reports of the Town Officers and Com- mittees; 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 appropriation 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 Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue for the financial years beginning January 1, 1967 and January 1, 1968, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with the provisions of Section 17 of said Chapter 44; 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.
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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.
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