USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1927-1928 > Part 2
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Throughout the town there are approximately 820 pupils in grade schools, and this is increased by about 10 per cent per year, making it necessary to provide additional housing for about 75 each year. The average schoolroom contains about 40 desks, so that this in- crease represents nearly two schoolrooms per year. At the pres- ent time all of the rooms are crowded and the Town Hall is used as a schoolroom.
All district schools are in use with the exception of the East and North Schools. We understand it is the intention of the School Committee to open up the North School. This will probably take care of the overflow next fall, but in the fall of 1928 there is abso- lutely no room for expansion. Whether you accept or defeat the articles as read it will be necessary to reopen the North School, as a new school building voted for at this meeting could not be finished ready for occupancy before January, 1928.
An analysis of the map furnished by Mr. Hathaway shows that no outside location could be picked for a school of four or more rooms as it would be necessary to continue to transport children from the center of town to these outside points if full advantage were to be taken of all the rooms that must be added. Before giv- ing up the idea of locating a school outside practically all sections of the town were gone over with the idea of locating a school in each section. As a general plan it was thought that a four room schoolhouse might be located in the Silver Lake district, and when this schoolhouse became congested relief should be given by placing a schoolhouse in the south part of the town. At a later date, when it would be necessary to relieve this third schoolhouse, a four room schoolhouse in the west part of the town would be added. This would establish schoolhouses in the various districts that would relieve transportation. Due to the fact that there is no outside community of sufficient size to warrant a four room schoolhouse at this time, this idea was abandoned, and the locations for possible relief were taken up within a radius of a mile of the center of the town.
General Discussion
Consideration was then given to five points in this area. A school in this area would relieve the present schools and could
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probably be used to cut down somewhat on the transportation if the school was located either north or south of the Wilmington depot. The first location considered was on Burlington avenue, about a quarter of a mile west of the depot. A four-room school- house at this location would relieve the Walker and Centre Schools and would be accessible to the children in the West, Lake, Center and South parts of the town. The transportation would remain about the same as at present.
The location of a schoolhouse in the vicinity of the Pike Farm situated on Cross street was discussed at some length, but as most of the children attending this school must come from the central part of the town to this location there would seem to be no justifi- cation for its location in this section.
Consideration was given to the location about halfway between the Wilmington depot and Silver Lake as a possible relief for the Lake children and relief for the Center and Walker Schools. The same conditions apply to this location as to the location near the Pike Farm.
A centralized school in the vicinity between the Center and Walker Schools seemed to most nearly meet the requirements of the town as a whole at this time. The Whitefield School will take care of the requirements of that end of the town for several years if the children that are now transported to this school from the Lake Dis- trict could go to a schoolhouse that would be in the vicinity of the Walker and Central Schools. This is thought to be the most cen- trally located spot within the area that requires relief. Three loca- tions in this vicinity were considered: first, the Tilley estate, which adjoins the Walker School lot. This lot contains about one acre of land and could be used to very good advantage if the Walker School could be torn down and a modern schoolhouse built on the combined lots. As the Walker School is still in good condition it does not seem advisable to tear it down at this time. A four, six or eight room schoolhouse could be built on this lot, but would not provide a playground about the building. The school would face the cranberry bog and would be on an unaccepted street. Con- siderable grading would be necessary to fill in swamp land that is on the northeast corner of the lot, and furthermore one acre of land is not large enough to build a schoolhouse on.
The Clark Estate was considered as a location for a schoolhouse. Land could be purchased from the estate, which is level, and there would be no danger of water getting into the cellar. Very little money would be required for grading, and there would be a suffi- cient amount of land in the rear of the school building for a play- ground. A suitable plot of land from the estate can be purchased from the Salvation Army. This location has the advantage of being on a good street, and the location seems more suited for a schoolhouse.
There was also one other location brought to the attention of the committee. This was the land already owned by the Town of Wil- mington situated in the rear of the High School. While this land will require considerable grading, at the same time a great saving could be made against the purchase of other land. The committee has looked this land over very carefully and find that a school- house can be built leaving ample room for additions and also suit-
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able playground facilities. Also it would not interfere with any additions that might be made to the High School in the future. In- asmuch as it is very necessary for the town to economize in every respect, the committee feels that this location should be chosen.
Several plans of school buildings were obtained from architects that would seem most nearly to meet the requirements of the town at this time. The plans of these buildings include some wooden- framed, brick veneer, solid brick and hollow tile backing construc- tion, and range in price from $30,000 to $40,000 for a four room building, and $60,000 to $85,000 for an eight room building.
Due to the fact that the requirements at the beginning of 1927 school year may be two additional school rooms, when taking into consideration the overflow in the various schools and the Town Hall, nothing less than a six room school building should be pro- vided. Due to the fact that this building is to be a permanent structure it should be either solid brick or brick and hollow tile formation. This provides a semi-fireproof building and requires very little outside attention from a maintenance standpoint. This also provides the strongest type of building and should be service- able for a great many years. These buildings are designed so that additions can readily be made without marring the architectual design of the building.
In speaking of a six room building, the committee has in mind a 50-pupil room instead of the general 40-pupil room. Great consid- eration had been given to an eight room 40-pupil school, but after we were fully informed as to the amount the Town of Wilmington could borrow on twenty year notes, we found that we would not have sufficient money to complete the job. The thought then came to us that we could finish but four rooms at this time, leaving the four top rooms unfinished. We could save about two cents per cubic foot by doing this. But when the matter of a 50-pupil room came to our attention and we went into the subject thoroughly and found it entailed a smaller pupil cost along with many other good features for economy, we unanimously decided for a six room 50-pupil unit.
This met with the approval of Mr. Hathaway, chairman of the School Committee, as he stated at the present time the rooms con- tained from 40 to 48 pupils. There is much to be said in favor of larger class rooms, but one of the most important to all the tax- payers of the Town of Wilmington is this: Up to the present time teachers and school administrators have been concerned largely with problems of perfecting the educational processes and of ex- tending educational opportunities. If a thing has been justifiable from an educational point of view, then its cost has been justified and has been considered an investment. The time has come when other factors must receive consideration, and that is the ability of the town to pay.
The architects who furnish the plans for the various school- houses also furnish photographs of schoolhouses of similar design, together with the cost figures. As previously mentioned, the cost for four room schoolhouses ranges from $30,000 to $40,000, and for eight room schoolhouses from $60,000 to $85,000. The highest bids as a general rule include the building and equipment ready for occupancy, whereas the cheaper figures would seem to require con-
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siderable additional expense for equipment, grading, etc. The building which this committee would recommend, together with the land and equipment, would involve an expenditure of approximately $75,000, and this is the figure which we, as a committee, submit to the town for a six room schoolhouse complete.
Summary
The committee as formed has analyzed the maps furnished to them, showing the location of the children in the grade schools of Wilmington, and have arrived at the conclusion that a centralized school most nearly meets the requirements of the town at this time.
Recommendations
In submitting this report, the committee recommends the build- ing of a six room schoolhouse on the land adjacent to the High School; this schoolhouse to be of six room design, suitable in con- struction so that additional rooms may be added if required at a later date. Solid brick or hollow tile brick construction is the pre- ferred type recommended, as the building gives permanent con- struction at a smaller maintenance cost.
Respectfully submitted,
W. E. BARROWS, Chairman, A. S. ALLEN, W. L. DEAN, A. W. GIROUX, P. E. TODD.
Article 4. On motion of George Voter, it was voted that the town raise and appropriate the several and respective sums rec- ommended by the Finance Committee, each sum to be voted on sep- arately and subject to amendment. The following sums were raised and appropriated under this Article:
General Government
Selectmen, salaries and expenses
$900.00
Accountant, salary and expenses
650.00
Treasurer, salary and expenses
1,000.00
Collector, salary and expenses
1,800.00
Assessors, salaries and expenses
1,500.00
Town Clerk, salary and expenses
220.00
Finance Committee, expenses
100.00
Election and Registration, salaries and expenses.
400.00
Town Hall, janitor, fuel, light and repairs.
500.00
Town Constable
50.00
$7,120.00
Protection of Life and Property
Police Department
$4,000.00
Fire Department
5,000.00
(Amendment offered by Mr. Day to increase ap- propriation from $3,000 to $5,000. It was voted in the affirmative.)
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Suppression of Moths (compulsory $1,277.65, balance for incidentals and private work) 2,028.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures 350.00
Tree Warden
1,000.00
Forest fires
600.00
Building Inspector
500.00
Health and Sanitation
Board of Health, Agent's salary, quarantine wages, Inspector of Meats and Provisions, Vital Statistics
$900.00
Highways
Highways, general appropriation
$14,700.00
(Amendment offered by Mr. Hale to increase the appropriation from $12,000 to $14,700. It was
voted in the affirmative.)
Chapter 81
6,450.00
Chapter 90, Salem street ..
2,000.00
(Amendment offered by Mr. L. T. McMahon to have this work let out on contract. It was voted in the negative.)
Chapter 90, Specific Repairs
500.00
Electric street lights
8,270.00
(It was voted that this amount be paid from the Excess and Deficiency Account.)
$31,315.00
Charities and Aid
Care of poor
$4,000.00
Aid for dependent mothers
750.00
Soldiers' Benefits
State aid
$200.00
Soldiers' relief
500.00
Military aid
500.00
$1,200.00
Miscellaneous Expenditures
Town indebtedness
$2,750.00
Reserve Fund
3,000.00
Interest
5,000.00
Unclassified (printing, care of town clock, etc.)
1,000.00
Cemetery
2,300.00
$14,050.00
Education
Schools (including all incidental running expenses) ....
$55,000.00
Vocational training
500.00
Library
800.00
$56,300.00
$13,478.00
$4,750.00
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Article 5. On motion made by Mr. C. F. Perry, it was voted that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning Janu- ary 1, 1927, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 6. On motion of Mr. James Castine, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars ($400) for the observance of Memorial Day, and that the Modera- tor appoint a committee, who shall arrange and have charge of such observance. The Moderator appointed Mr. James Castine, Mr. Robert Woods, Mr. Joseph Newcomb, Mr. Harold Bendroth, Mrs. Anna Jones, Mrs. Teresa Castine, Mr. Claude Thompson, Mr. Milton Holt.
Article 7. On motion of Mr. Herbert Barrows, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) for public health work.
Article 8. On the motion of Mrs. Walter Currier, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dol- lars ($200.00) for cooperative work with the Middlesex County Ex- tension Service, as provided under Sections 40, 45, Chapter 128, General Laws of Massachusetts, and that Ernest R. Currier be elected Director.
Article 9. On the motion of Mr. George H. Voter, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred sixty- five dollars ($165.00) for the upkeep of Regan, Rogers and Nee Parks.
Article 10. On motion of Mr. Charles F. Perry, it was voted that the Selectmen be hereby instructed to contract with the Mu- nicipal Light Board of Reading for ten Novalux street lights which have been on trial.
Article 11. On motion of Mr. Charles F. Perry, it was voted that the Selectmen be hereby instructed to contract for the installation of one Novalux street light at the junction of Main and Lowell streets.
Article 12. On motion of Mr. Butterworth, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to contract for one electric light to be installed on Washington avenue, about 150 feet from Clark street.
Article 13. On motion of Mr. Charles F. Perry, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to contract for one electric light to be installed on High street at Regan Park.
Article 14. On motion of Mr. Wilbur Sheldon, it was voted that the Selectmen be instructed to contract for one electric light to be installed on Clark street between Church street and Middlesex avenue.
Article 15. It was voted to pass the article.
Article 16. On motion of Mr. Howard Horton, it was voted to instruct the Selectmen to contract for one electric light to be in- stalled on Parker street.
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Article 17. On motion of Mr. Harry Deming, it was voted that the Town appropriate the sum of eighteen hundred thirty-six dol- lars and seventy-six cents ($1836.76) for departmental overdrafts for the year 1926, and that this sum be taken from the Excess and Deficiency Account.
Article 18. On the motion of Mr. Harry Deming, it was voted that the sum of one hundred twenty-seven dollars and thirty-one cents ($127.31) be transferred from the Overlay Reserve Account to the Abatement of 1925 Taxes Account.
Article 19. On the motion of Mr. L. T. McMahon, it was voted that Articue 19 and Article 27 be considered jointly.
On the motion of Mr. Charles Black, it was voted that a commit- tee of five be appointed, one member to be chosen from the Board of Selectmen, one member to represent the Fire Department, one member to represent the Highway Department, and two other mem- bers, all to be appointed by the Moderator, to study the require- ments of suitable quarters for the Fire and Highway Departments, and to report at a future meeting with plans, specifications, loca- tions and recommendations for said building or buildings. The Mod- erator appointed Mr. Charles F. Perry to represent the Selectmen, Mr. Walter L. Hale to represent the Highway Department, Mr. Edwin Day to represent the Fire Department, Mr. Arthur Blake and Mr. Oscar Lundgren.
Article 20. On the motion of Mr. Harriman, it was voted that the Town accept Chapter 276 of the Acts of 1926, authorizing the Town to supply itself and its inhabitants with water, and to sell to the Commonwealth and to the towns of Reading, North Reading and Tewksbury and to the city of Woburn. (At this point the Mod- erator requested Mr. Herbert Barrows to take the chair.) The vote was unanimous.
Article 21. On motion of Mr. Harriman, it was voted that in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 276, Acts of 1926, that three Water Commissioners be elected, one for a period of three years, one for a period of two years, one for a period of one year, and that hereafter on the official Town ballot one member be elected each year for a term of three years. Blank ballots were distributed and nominations were made from the floor and posted on a board. Vote was then taken by written ballot, all votes being checked on the check list. The result of the vote was as follows:
Water Commissioner for Three Years
Votes
Elected, Caleb S. Harriman had two hundred twenty-seven .... 227
Alden Eames had sixteen
16
Edward N. Eames had ten.
Louis T. McMahon had five. 10
5
A. Chandler Manning had one
1
Edward E. Neilson had one.
1
Charles Murray had one.
1
H. C. Barrows had two.
2
Blanks, seven
7
Total 270
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Water Commissioner for Two Years
Elected, Louis T. McMahon had two hundred forty-five. 245
Caleb S. Harriman had three. 3
A. Chandler Manning had two 2
Edward N. Eames had two
2
Alden Eames had two
2
Blanks, sixteen
16
Total 270
Water Commissioner for One Year
Elected, Edward N. Eames had one hundred seventy-one. 171
A Chandler Manning had seventy-one. 71
C. S. Harriman had fourteen 14
Louis T. McMahon had four
4
Alden Eames had three.
3
Blanks, seven
7
Total 270
The total number of votes cast was 270, as per check list and total number of ballots.
At this point Mr. Eames again took the chair.
Article 22. On motion of Mr. Harriman, it was voted that the Water Commissioners be hereby authorized to negotiate for the purchase of at least seventy-five (75) acres of land for the safe- guarding of the water shed.
Article 23. It was voted to pass the article.
Article 24. Motion offered by Mr. Alfred Allen, that for the con- struction and original equipment and furnishing of a school build- ing on land now owned by the Town of Wilmington bordering on School street and back of the present High School Building, there be raised and appropriated the sum of $75,000, $5,000 of which is to be raised in the levy of the current year, and the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to bor- row the sum of $70,000, and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with Sec- tion 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than ten years from the date of issue of the first bond or note or at such earlier dates as the Treasurer and Selectmen may determine. It is also moved that the special schoolhouse committee be replaced by a special building committee of three, to be appointed by the Moderator, with full authority to construct and equip the building in accordance with the recommen- dations made at this meeting, any vacancy occurring in said com- mittee to be filled by appointment by the Moderator. The vote on this motion was in the negative.
Article 25. On the motion of Mr. Hale, it was voted that the Town appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the purchase of a road roller, one thousand dollars ($1,000) to be raised in 1927, and that the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized
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to borrow the balance of four thousand dollars ($4,000) and to issue four notes of one thousand dollars ($1,000) each in pay- ment thereof, one of these notes to be payable each year for the next four years.
Article 26. On motion of Mr. Hale, that the Town appropriate the sum of fifty-five hundred dollars ($5,500) for the purchase of two G. M. C. Motor trucks, $2,750 to be taken from the General Highway Fund, and that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow the balance and to issue a twelve-months note in payment thereof, the Moderator was in doubt and called for a standing vote. The count showed 149 in favor and 57 against the article. The Modera- tor declared the motion carried.
Article 27. This article was handled jointly with Article 19.
Article 28. It was voted to pass the article.
Article 29. It was voted that the article be laid on the table.
Article 30. On motion of Mr. Charles F. Perry, it was voted that the salary of the Town Treasurer be increased by the amount of four hundred dollars ($400).
Article 31. On motion of Mr. George Voter, it was voted that the Town accept Sections 70, 71 and 72 of Chapter 41, of the Gen- eral Laws of Massachusetts, thereby creating a Planning Board of three members to be elected at the next Annual Town Meeting, one to serve for three years, one to serve for two years and one to serve for one year, and thereafter annually elect one for the term of three years.
Article 32. On motion of Mr. George Voter, it was voted that the Town appoint Mr. Edward N. Eames, Mr. A. Chandler Manning and Mr. C. S. Harriman as a Committee to make further investi- gation and study as to the desirability and practicability and esti- mate of costs for remodelling the Town Hall and Public Library.
Article 33. On motion of Mr. George Voter, it was voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for the use of the committee for remodelling the Town Hall and Library, to defray incidental expenses that may arise in fur- ther investigation.
Article 34. On motion of Mr. Charles F. Perry, it was voted that the Town agrees to indemnify the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage dam- ages, which may be caused by or result from the laying out, altera- tion, construction or reconstruction of the State highway known as Main street in Wilmington, or any section or relocation thereof, and authorize the Board of Selectmen to sign an indemnity agree- ment therefor in behalf of the Town.
There being no further business, a motion to adjourn was made and carried.
Attest:
JAMES E. KELLEY, Town Clerk. By LOUIS T. McMAHON, Assistant Town Clerk.
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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Warrant-Special Town Meeting Middlesex, ss.
To Walter A. Hill, Constable of the Town of Wilmington,
Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the manner prescribed in the By-laws of said Town, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town qualified by law to vote in Town affairs to meet and assemble in Town meet- ing at Grange Hall, Thursday, the Twelfth day of May, 1927, at 8.00 o'clock P. M., then and there to act upon the following articles:
Article 1. To hear the reports of the committees appointed at the last annual Town Meeting and act thereon.
Article 2. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $5,500 to purchase land and build a building for the Highway Department, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars to build a road up to the old "Quarry," or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of a fire truck and will instruct the Board of Fire Engineers to purchase such a piece of equip- ment, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to pay its Assessors the sum of four dollars per day each, for every whole day in which they are employed in that service, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 6. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) or any other necessary sum, to purchase a parcel of land belonging to the estate of the late John A. Tilley, adjoining the yard of the Walker School, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) to procure the registration by the Land Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the lot of land on which the East Schoolhouse, so-called, stands, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 8. To see what action the Town will take in regard to additional school accommodations.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for the purpose of making repairs on the property of Mr. Frank A. Roman, for the purpose of fire protection to the immediate neighborhood, or what they will do in relation thereto.
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