USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1963-1967 > Part 41
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At the secondary level, it is recognized by the Committee that the present Academy is overcrowded. In order to find a solution to this problem, this Committee, in conjunction with the High School Building Committee, reviewed with Mr. I. Hersey, the architect of the present Academy, the feasibility of adding to the present structure. It was agreed that an addition would be possible, but questions of size and economics could not be satisfactorily answered from within the Town. The High School Building Committee, therefore, entered into a contract with an architect and educational consultant in order to seek the answer to these questions. The final report has not yet been received but as a result of preliminary meetings with the educa- tional consultant of the engineering firm of Metcalf and Eddy, it is recommended that the Town build a new high school.
In the future this Committee intends to work closely with the High School Building Committee and School Committee and Administra- tion in reviewing and seeking solutions to the present and future school building needs of Westford. Specifically we intend to present to the Town a long-range Master plan of future school building needs drawn up in cooperation with the firm of Metcalf and Eddy.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald H. Johnson, Chairman Richard E. Jordan, Secretary Mrs. Mary Caless Richard S. Emmet, Jr. James B. Hudson Earle MacGillivray, Jr. Burt C. Sheehan
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FINAL REPORT OF THE NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
We have previously reported at some length in the 1967 Town Report concerning the construction, equipping, and completion of the project. We are pleased to give the following final Financial Report:
Total cost of the 16 room school built and equipped for 600 pupils grades 5 to 8 level:
$ 998,042.10
General Contract
Architect's Fees
Equipment
Cost of Land
Site Development
Other Costs (Insurance,
Advertising, Clerical
and Miscellaneous ) Total
5,813.56
998,042.10
The Method of Financing
From taxation
15,000.00
(Original appropriation by town of which $10,000 was recently transferred to the Elementary School Building Committee)
From sale of 15-year Bonds dated Jan. 15, 1964 and issued at 3.10% 995,000.00
Other Sources:
School Committee:
Guidance transfer
3,467.14
Oil
667.02
NDEA, Reimburses
5,848.18
Duplicate payment
10.24
Total
9,992.58
TOTAL
$1,019,992.58
This leaves a cash balance on hand of $11,950.48 to be returned to the town. This sum plus the $10,000 transferred to the Elementary Building Committee was saved by the efforts both of the sub-committee to equip the school and the school administration efforts in obtain- ing Federal reimbursements.
On August 14, 1967, the Westford School Committee voted to accept the North Middle School for school purposes .
In December, 1967, the School Building Assistance Commission agreed to accept the figure of $987,792.46 as a basis to compute the 50% refund on the general contract, architect's fees, and equipment . Beginning January, 1969, the yearly refund will be $32,926.00.
Benjamin deF. Lambert, M.D., Chairman Arthur Abbood Philip Hall Harold Harrington
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$817,667.17 76,104.41 98,030.07 None (Transferred ) 426.89
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
In recognition of the urgent need to provide additional class- rooms for a growing school population, an Elementary School Building Committee was created early in 1967, and has made steady progress throughout the year. Appointment of this committee was authorized under Article 48 of the 1967 Annual Town Meeting.
Educational specifications proposing an elementary school built around the open-area concept and cooperative teaching methods were prepared by the School Department in late Spring and were approved by all cognizant school-related Town committees.
Site analysis progressed in the meantime, with considerable sup- port being provided by the permanent School Planning Committee. Ac- quisition of a 73-acre parcel of land on which to locate this school and additional possible future schools was approved by the passage of Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting on July 18, 1967. This parcel is bounded by Concord, Robinson, and Hartford Roads in the Forge Vil- lage section and abuts the site of the proposed new high school.
Interviewing and screening of roughly ten candidate architectural firms was begun, and two firms were designated for a final choice. Upon approval of the educational specifications by the State School Building Assistance Bureau and Town authorization for development of preliminary plans, the firm of Korslund, LeNormand and Quann of Nor- wood, Massachusetts was retained. The preliminary plans then devel- oped include:
1. Six 50'x60' open areas, each housing 100 child- ren and four teachers, for classes at the grades 1-5 level.
2. One somewhat smaller open area, intended for eventual kindergarten use, housing fifty child- ren and two teachers in each of two half-day sessions.
3. A cafetorium which can serve 275 students per sitting. The stage to the cafetorium doubles as a music room. Kitchen facilities are included.
4. A 62' x 85' covered play area, walled on three sides and open to the South. This will be used for daily physical education, and will also fur- nish needed town recreational facilities, such as basketball areas, during non-school times.
5. A central library with adjacent spaces for small- group instructional or remedial programs.
6. Three teacher work and preparation areas.
7. Offices for administration, health, and counsel- ing.
Following presentation of these plans and the underlying educa- tional program to the Town, approval for detailed final plans and the subsequent school construction and equipage was obtained under Article 1
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of the Special Town Meeting of November 28, 1967. Estimated cost was $1, 538, 975.00 as follows:
General Contract & Equipment
Site Development & Sewerage
$1,055,675.00 200,000.00 94,500.00
Architect's Fee
Furnishings 80,000.00
Contingencies (insurance, etc. ) 40,000.00
Allowance for rising costs (7% annual rate)
36,000.00
Other (Clerk of the Works, etc. ) GROSS TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COST $1,538,975.00
32,800.00
Less Appropriation from Town Stabilization Fund 100,000.00
100,000.00
Less Matching State Reimbursement NET COST TO BE FINANCED
$1,338,975.00
An average tax rate impact of $1.68 per $1,000 valuation over a twenty-year period was estimated, considering bond interest payments and expected State reimbursement rates.
Following is the status, as of December 31, 1967, of the various appropriations voted this committee at Town meetings:
DATE VOTED
PURPOSE
AMOUNT VOTED
EXPENDED
BALANCE
March 11
Site Investigation
$ 1,000.00
$ 550.00
$ 450.00
July 18 Site Acquisition
62,000.00
60,840.00
1,160.00
July 18
Preliminary Plans
10,000.00
33.00
9,967.00
Nov. 28
Final Plans, Con-
struction, and
Equipage
1,539,000.00
( funds not yet raised)
Work is now progressing on detailed plans and a bid package is expected to be prepared on or about March 1, 1968. Ground will be broken in Spring of 1968. School occupancy is planned for September 1969.
The Building Committee wishes to thank the following Town Offici- als and organizations without whose assistance, counsel, and support our work would have been difficult, if not impossible: Board of Sel- ectmen, School Committee, Town Counsel, Town Treasurer, Finance Com- mittee, School Department, and School Planning Committee. We further thank the Town as a whole for the support given to, and confidence expressed in this project at the several Town Meetings this year.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald P. Nolin, Chairman
Samuel I. Frank, Secretary
Frank C. Herrmann Gerald G. Swanson
Donald E. Trubey ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
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NASHOBA VALLEY TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL REPORT OF DISTRICT COMMITTEE
1967 was a vibrant year for Nashoba Valley Technical High School District Committee. It was a year that saw many separate and distinct studies, arduous efforts and final accomplishment merge to create the total successful System. The System then expanded to encompass all the areas necessary to launch the actual school project.
COMMITTEE CHANGES
The year witnessed changes in the make up of the District Committee.
From Chelmsford: Mr. Eugene J. Doody regretfully resigned and was replaced by Mr. Leo F. King. Later, Mr. Paul F. Vayo and Mr. Leo F. King resigned and were replaced by Mr. George J. Odell and Mr. G. Paul Normandin.
From Littleton: Mr. Kendall K. Bennett resigned to move to Groton and was replaced by Mr. Augustine L. Kish.
From Groton: Mr. Robert S. Hargraves resigned following his election as Groton Town Moderator and replaced himself with Mr. Lawrence R. Deal. Later Mr. Deal resigned because of increased business pressure and he was replaced by Mr. Kendall K. Bennett, the former member from Littleton.
SUB-COMMITTEES
1967 was a year of intense activity for sub-committees in the areas of equipment, staffing, building, etc. A num- ber of visitations were made and several trips were taken by sub-committee members and the District Superintendent to view and study equipment, systems, schools, etc.
MEET INGS
Meetings with Government Agencies, State and Federal, intensified and continued throughout the year.
SITE CLEARED
The school site was cleared under separate contract in an effort to gain valuable time.
FINAL APPROVAL, BIDS AND CONTRACTS
Final approval of plans by the Bureau of Vocational Education and School Building Assistance Bureau was follow- ed by advertising for general contract bids. A high bid return presented an additional obstacle which was overcome when the member towns saw fit to proceed at the higher,
123
but justifiable, cost. The same high bid return presented a problem in acquiring State approval for additional indebt- edness, but it was resolved through the efforts and assist- ance of Representative Felix R. Perrault. Finally, with all items accommodated for, the Committee signed a contract with DeStafano Construction Company as the general contractor.
GROUND BREAKING
A Ground Breaking Ceremony launched the construction in earnest. The program was as follows:
Mr. Kendall K. Bennett School Committee Chairman
Invocation Rev. Richard S. DeVeer
Introduction and Historical Brief
Mr. Kendall K. Bennett
Mr. Felix R. Perrault State Representative
Mr. Walter J. Markham State Director, Bureau of Vocational Education
GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY
Benediction Rev. Merlen Levering
A number of citizens, Federal, State and Local dignitaries were present.
ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL
An experienced Clerk-of-the-Works, Mr. Paul G. Bazinet of Grafton, was hired by the Committee to oversee the con- struction of the project.
Mr. Bernholdt R. Nystrom, Department Head at the Barn- stable Vocational High School, was hired as Coordinator dur- ing the construction and equipping phase and he will remain on the instructional staff after the opening of school.
WATER
The Committee, with the assistance of the District Superintendent's office, was instrumental, to a great degree, in implementing a proposal that resulted in a Federal Grant to the Town of Westford. This Grant will offset a good portion of the cost of a water main that will supply the school, as well as creating a valuable asset to properties along this route.
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Unfortunately, a slight out of phase local schedule has delayed this project, creating an anticipated water problem that has to be resolved by the District Committee
REIMBURSEMENT BILL
The District Superintendent, Mr. Thomas Lafionatis, has been very active during the legislative year, as an individual and as a representative of professional groups, in gaining support for the reinstatement of legislation that would result in State reimbursement of 50% of the cost of Vocational Education in the Commonwealth and for an addi- tional 15% aid to each town that is a member of a Regional School District. This legislation finally appeared as Bills 1410 for the 50% and as 1412 for the 15% and later classified as Chapters 791 and 779, respectively, of the Acts of 1967. Both of these bills were passed in December through the ef- forts and support of our legislators. The 50% State reim- bursement will directly affect the cost of operating the School by reducing the annual budget by that amount. The
net result of this legislation puts Nashoba Valley Techni- cal High School back in phase with the promises made to the towns that costs would be influenced by the 15% and 50% formulae which were later eliminated and necessitated the campaign to reinstate them.
INSURANCE BOARD
The Committee established an Insurance Advisory Board comprising of five members as follows: Chelmsford (2)
Mr. William J. Hennessy, Mr. Roger P. Welch
Groton Mr. Milton Estabrook
Littleton Mr. Roger R. Foeley
Westford Mr. Walter N. Fletcher
Mr. William J. Hennessy of Chelmsford was appointed officially Broker-of-Record.
SURPLUS PROPERTY
To date over $100,000.00 worth of machinery, equipment and materials has been acquired through the State Surplus Property Program and from industrial firms. This effort will continue until the school is built and during its regular operation.
INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Through the able efforts of Mr. Robert L. O'Brien, Treasurer and School Committee, member from Chelmsford, the Committee has taken profitable advantage of time-lags and delays in scheduling. A sound and profitable investment program has been created which has resulted in substantial earnings that will be reflected in reduced costs to the mem- ber towns.
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SCHOOL OPENING
Using the same magic formula for predicting the weather, and anticipating the same accurate results, it is predicted that the new school will open very late in 1968 or early in 1969.
The Nashoba Valley Technical High School District Committee wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to all the citizens of the district for their assistance, support, understanding and express- ed confidence throughout this very difficult genesis.
Kendall K. Bennett, Groton, Chairman Roland M. Hamilton, Groton, Vice-Chairman Nicholas J. Mazzoni, Chelmsford, Secretary Robert L. O'Brien, Chelmsford, Treasurer G. Paul Normandin, Chelmsford George J. Odell, Chelmsford Harvey W. Atkins, Littleton Augustine L. Kish, Littleton Percy 0. Daley, Jr, Westford Richard W. Hall, Westford
126
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
PRECINCT 2
PRECINCT 3
PRECINCT 4
Town Hall, Westford Center
Healy Legion Hall, Graniteville New Nabnasset School, Nabnasset Murray Hall, Forge Village
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1968
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 Treasurer-Collector
One Assessor
Two Members of the School Committee
Two Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library
One Member of the Board of Public Welfare
One Member of the Board of Public Health
One Member of the Board of Cemetery Commissioners
One Member of the Board of Water Commissioners
One Member of the Nashoba Valley Technical High School District Committee
FOR TWO YEARS
One Member of the School Committee (to fill vacancy) One Member of the Nashoba Valley Technical High School District Committee
FOR ONE YEAR
One Tree Warden
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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 9, 1968
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 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 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 Treasur- er 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, 1968 and January 1, 1969, 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 accord- ance 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 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 6. 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 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 90 Highways Maintenance; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 8. 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 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Ten Thousand ( $10,000) Dollars, or some other sum, for the
128
reconstruction of Cemetery Road; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10. 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 High- way Equipment Account; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to accept Winding Way, Roberts Road, Bayberry Road and Wilshire Avenue, all as laid out by the Selectmen, as shown by their reports and plans filed with the Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 12. 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 Stabiliza- tion Fund created under Article 19 of the Warrant for the Annual Meet - ing of 1961; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty-Six ( $46.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purpose of settling property damage claim against the Town by John A. Lund; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand ( $25,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the purchase of a new Class A Fire Engine, with incidental appurtenant equipment, 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 authorize the Board of Selectmen to appoint four additional Members to the Senior High School Building Committee appointed under Article 2 of the Warrant for the Special Meeting held on July 16, 1964, so that said Committee will henceforth consist of nine Members; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended by the Senior High School Building Com- mittee, said sum to be in addition to the amount appropriated for said Committee under Article 18 of the Warrant for the Annual Meeting of 1965 and to be used for the purposes set forth in said Article 18; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 17. 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 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept a gift made to it by Marian F. Winnek of two parcels of land, situated on the southerly side of Main Street and southerly of but not adjoining said Main Street; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from 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 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate, or transfer from any available funds, One Hundred Thirty-Five Thousand ($135,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the reconstruction, renovation or repair of the J. V. Fletcher Library, said sum to be expended under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of said Library; to determine whether any portion or all of said sum shall be provided for by appropriation from available funds in the Treasury, by taxation, by borrowing, or by any or all of said methods; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 21. 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 coordinating or conducting programs dealing with prob- lems of the aging as authorized by Clause 49 of Section 5 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to pay various unpaid bills of previous years; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to request the Legislature to waive the minimum height requirements for policemen and allow the appointing authority of the Town to appoint A. Garside and Richard Boisvert as permanent officers of the Westford Police Department; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ( $1, 000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, to be expended by the Selectmen for the preservation and improvement of the Forge Village and Graniteville Ball Fields; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Beach Committee to lease to such persons, upon such terms and condi- tions and for such consideration as said Committee shall determine to be in the best interests of the Town, one or more of the buildings or any part of the Town Beach at Forge Pond; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of completing the development of the Forge Pond Recreation area, including the construction and equipping of necessary buildings and facilities and the purchase of all neces- sary fixtures, equipment and appurtenances; to authorize the Town Beach Committee to invite necessary bids and to execute all contracts in connection with such project; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand ( $6,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum for the construction of two new tennis courts at the Whitney Playground; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to declare that an Industrial Development Finance Authority is needed in the Town of Westford and that security against future unemployment and lack of business opportunity is required in the Town, and that unemployment or the threat thereof can be alleviated or the security against future unemployment and lack of business opportunity can be provided, by attracting new industry in the Town or substantially expanding indus- try existing in the Town through an industrial development project or projects financed under Chapter 772 of the Acts of 1967; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to repeal or amend all or any part of the Consolidated Classification Plan, Compensation Plan and Personnel By-Laws of the Town; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey a portion of premises belonging to the Town in the vicinity of Baptist or Hart Pond; of act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand ( $3,000.00) Dollars, or some other sum, for the further improvement of the Town Forest in the Baptist or Hart Pond area; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to acquire by purchase, eminent domain, or otherwise, in fee simple, three certain parcels of land situated on the southwesterly side of Concord Road and on the northeasterly edge of Beaver Brook, said premises being shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Land in Westford, Mass., Surveyed in July, 1967, for the Town of Westford, Richard L. McGlinchey", which plan is to be recorded in Middlesex North District Registry of Deeds; said land to be used as and for the site of a pro- posed new well field, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the acquisition of the same and for all costs and expenses necessarily incidental thereto; or act in relation thereto.
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