Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960, Part 32

Author: Wilbraham (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 654


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Wilbraham > Wilbraham annual report 1956-1960 > Part 32


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45


Representatives in General Court Raymond H. Beach, Wilbraham Stuart D. Putnam, Longmeadow (Deceased)


State Senator Paul H. Benoit, Southbridge


County Commissioners


William F. Stapleton, Holyoke Thomas F. Sullivan, Springfield Ralph P. Walsh, Longmeadow


Democratic Town Committee


John Baldwin Henry Baush


Edward S. Bogacz


Constantine Cioch


William G. Dale


Earl Decorie Irene Donovan


Edward Felsentreger Edward Irla


Longin S. Jachym


Everett Kerr


Stanley Kogut Henry Kosakowski


Frederick T. Los


Thomas Normoyle Patrick O'Connor Stella M. Pluta


Frederick Reidy Alphonse S. Sambor Helen Starczewski Raymond Stebbins Stanley Swiecanski Stanley Szczebak Herbert E. Tolzman Leonard VonFlatern, Sr.


Republican Town Committee Stanley Arabik Carolyn R. Beach


Roland H. Bennett


J. Loring Brooks Robert G. Carter


Phyllis R. Christensen


William H. Dawson


Roger W. Folsom Oren K. Gilbert


Edward Godfrey


Harold R. Goodnow


Herman G. Grandchamp


Dudley N. Hartt, Jr.


Harold K. Jones Edward S. Lee


Jacquelyn W. Lewis


Evelyn M. Macdonald


Stella Marco


John F. McDevitt


Charles L. Merrick


Howard B. Miller


Albert E. Morgan


Carl Nelson


Faith C. Plumb


E. Helen Porter


Barbara Putnam


Jesse L. Rice


G. Alden Safford


Gilbert E. Stacy


Harold F. Swetland


William L. Wagner, Jr.


Wiedwin Watkins


Robert T. Welch


Thomas B. Welch


Mansfield W. Williams


ASSOCIATE MEMBERS


Richard H. Allen Maurice H. Baitler


Sally D. Barnhart


Raymond H. Beach, Jr.


Filomena M. Gilbert Jean R. LaCroix


Earl H. Paine Leo Paradis Charles H. Sheline


3


Elected Town Officers


AND DATE OF EXPIRATION OF TERM


Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare


Richard L. Danforth, Chair., 1960 Roger T. Hintze, 1961 Jesse L. Rice, 1962


Town Collector Mark E. Reynolds, 1960


Town Clerk Doris G. Cochran, 1960


Town Treasurer Doris G. Cochran, 1960


Assessors E. Ray Pease, 1960 (Deceased) Harold K. Jones (Appointed to fill vacancy) Allan R. Kinney, 1961 Edward H. Godfrey, 1962


School Committee


Dorrance T. Green, 1960 Alexander W. Marco, 1960 Ethel M. Musselman, 1961 Margaret L. Williams, 1961 Matthew A. Gozdowski, 1962


Auditor William T. Payne, 1960


Tree Warden Ernest M. Hayn, 1960


Cemetery Commissioners Roland H. Bennett, 1960 Arthur D. Tripp, 1961 Weldon G. Jameson, 1962


Water Commissioners Walter L. Woods, 1960 Robert W. Maynard, 1961 Sidney Low, 1962


Trustees of Public Library Marguerite G. Brady, 1960 Barbara B. Dickey, 1961 Raymond J. Barber, 1962


Moderator


Ernest W. Furnans, Jr., 1960


Planning Board


William H. Shortell, Chair,, 1960 Bion T. Wheeler, Jr., V .- Ch., 1961 Robert A. Edwards, 1962 Leo E. Kuehn, Clerk, 1963 Richard H. Morgan, 1964


Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District Committee


Ernest W. Furnans, Jr., 1960 Francis E. Reese, 1961 (Resigned) Robert C. Soderberg (Appointed to fill vacancy) Doris C. Bowman, 1962 John R. Lyman, 1962 Alexander W. Marco, 1960


Pound Keeper Gardner R. M. Files, 1960


Surveyors of Lumber Walter H. Clark, 1960 Jesse L. Rice, 1960


Field Drivers


Peter Presz, 1960 Alvin A. Richmond, 1960 Leonard F. VonFlatern, Sr., 1960


Weighers of Grain Welden G. Jameson, 1960 Jesse L. Rice, 1960


Measurers of Wood and Charcoal Walter H. Clark, 1960 Edward P. Lindsay, 1960


4


Officers Appointed by Selectmen AND DATE OF EXPIRATION OF TERM


Finance Committee


Aldo E. Alberici, 1960 Irving J. Cordner, 1960


Fred T. Googins, 1960 Herman G. Grandchamp, 1960 Albert H. Howes, 1960 Chester L. Jones, 1960 (Resigned) Earl W. Decorie (Appointed to fill vacancy)


John W. Juechter, Jr., 1960 Albert E. Neale, 1960 Stanley W. Opalinski, 1960


Superintendent of Streets Herbert L. Butler, 1960


Dog Officer Gardner R. M. Files, 1960


Police


William Pollit, Chief, 1960


John Chrzanowski, Patrolman, 1960 Gardner R. M. Files,


Patrolman, 1960


Stephen Lopata, Reserve, 1960 Alton M. McDonald, Reserve, 1960 Constables


Robert A. Converse Robert C. Dietz


Milk Inspector


Health Officer (Sanitarian) John C. Brickett, 1960


Animal Inspector Slaughtering Inspector Gardner R. M. Files, 1960


Secretary to Selectmen Doris G. Cochran, 1960


Welfare Director Helen C. Boden, 1960


Bookkeeper Josephine M. Pease, 1960


Town Counsel Frank Auchter, 1960 (Resigned) Peter G. Ellis (Appointed to fill vacancy) Pest Control Officer E. Ray Pease, 1960 (Deceased) Gordon R. Long (Appointed to fill vacancy)


Board of Appeals Albert L. Martin, 1960 Harrison F. Lyman, Jr., 1961 Pearl R. Kinney, 1962 A. I. Macdonald, As. Mem., 1960 Fire Chief Forest Warden


Ralph E. Tupper, Sr., 1960


School Dentist Dr. Irving P. Dinneen, 1960 (Resigned) Dr. George H. Nieske (Appointed to fill vacancy)


Veterans Agent George Martin, 1960


Sealer of Weights and Measures Charles L. Merrick, 1960


Fence Viewers Gordon W. Holdridge, 1960 Harry R. Jeffrey, 1960 Pearl R. Kinney, 1960


Registrars of Voters Doris G. Cochran, 1960 (Ex Officio) Henry P. Baush, 1960


Leonard F. VonFlatern, Sr., 1961


Wesley H. Holdridge, 1962 (Resigned) William Sullivan, Jr. (Appointed to fill vacancy)


Playground Commissioners Robert J. Driscoll, 1960 Victor S. Kodis. 1960 Dr. Gordon C. MacKay, 1960


Board of Fire Commissioners Wesley G. Chapman, 1960 Ettore L. Pederzani, 1960 Dr. John P. Sigsbee, 1960


Civil Defense Personnel Roger T. Hintze. Director, 1960 Walter P. Howe, Jr., Deputy Director, 1960


Lincoln Dexter, Sr., 1960 Charles Dorey, 1960 Harland Rogers, 1960


5


Radio Advisory Committee


Henry M. Baier, 1960 Howard Cutting, 1960 John R. Lyman, 1960


Insurance Review Committee


Aldo Alberici, 1960 Arthur R. Brown, 1960 Bert Mount, 1960 Leland W. Shaw, 1960


Building Inspector and Inspector of Wires


Frederick J. Macaulay, 1960


History Committee


Henry I. Edson


School Survey Committee Kenneth R. Bunten, Jr.


Allan Campbell


Michael F. X. Gigliotti


Dorrance T. Green


John R. Lyman


Angelo C. Pessolano


Town Report Committee


Warren I. Fillmore


Bi-Centennial Celebration Committee


J. Loring Brooks


Burton W. Hall Mrs. Eugene H. McGinty


Irving J. Cordner


Chester L. Thorndike, Jr.


In Memoriam


MR. E. RAY PEASE Assessor, 1938-1959


This past fall the residents of the Town of Wilbraham were saddened by the death of Mr. E. Ray Pease. He had been a life-long resident of the Town. Mr. Pease was first elected to the Board of Assessors in 1938 and served continuously for over twenty one years. He gave freely of his time and energy con- tributing extensively to the improving of assessing methods. His broad knowledge of the Town and assessing practices will be greatly missed. At the time of his death he was Chairman of the Board of Assessors and Superintendent of the Pest Control program.


6


Harry R. Jeffrey


Ralph M. Kilcourse


John J. Lyons Albert L. Martin


Charles L. Merrick


Carl Nelson


Jesse L. Rice


Raymond F. Gurney


Harry R. Jeffrey


Ralph M. Kilcourse


John J. Lyons


Charles L. Merrick


Robert P. Whittier


Richard L. Danforth


Henry I. Edson


Raymond F. Gurney


Roger T. Hintze


Selectmen's Report


In this report of your Selectmen covering the year 1959 may we, with your indulgence, dispose of our trials and tribulations at the outset. In 1938 and 1955 we were struck by a hurricane and floods which were freaks of nature. To anticipate all the vulnerable areas and build defenses against such catastrophes would be next to impossible and the cost of prevention would no doubt exceed the cost of repairs. Although 1959 was not in the same league with 1938 and 1955, the town did suffer seriously from the effects of three periods of unusually heavy rainfall. Sections of both Monson Road and Silver Street were washed out twice, Woodland Dell Brook overflowed twice with considerable damage to private property, and there were several other areas where the accumulation and run-off of surface water was severe. From the standpoint of the Selectmen, the Town's most vexing current problem is drainage control. The growth of the Town entailing the clearing of woodland, the building of houses, and the installation of lawns, hardened driveways and new streets have either aggravated existing drainage problems or created new ones.


What can be done about these problems? Let us point out first that the Town cannot assume the responsibility for relieving private property from the flow of water in its natural course or from the effects of a high water table over which it has no control. In areas where the responsibility of the Town is clear, however, the first step toward a cure is competent engineering study to determine the cause, the extent of corrective work required, and the cost of such work. With this information at hand the Town might proceed on projects whose cost is within the scope of the current budget. When funds available for drain- age control are used up it would be necessary for a Town Meet- ing to approve further projects and provide the necessary funds. It may also be necessary for a Town Meeting to vote to take by eminent domain easements to allow the Town to enter and do work on private property. As a first step, we hope that at the coming Annual Town Meeting the voters will approve the inclusion in the Miscellaneous Highway budget of an amount for engineering study. In an attempt to minimize future drain- age problems, the Planning Board is giving particular attention


7


to drainage control and making its subdivision control require- ments more comprehensive in that respect.


Another bothersome problem during 1959 was control of the Town disposal areas. Failure of some users to heed reasonable regulations regarding the dumping of garbage and stumps and irresponsible scattering of refuse within the areas have put the Town to considerable unnecessary expense. In 1960 the dump adjacent to Alberici's filling station will be closed and all dis- posal will be centralized at the Town Dump next to Grassy Hollow. The Town offers this service to the townspeople but the cooperation of everyone who uses the service in following the posted rules is necessary to keep the cost of upkeep within rea- sonable limits. As a result of a contract which the Town has with a private garbage collector, weekly collection of garbage is available to homeowners at the nominal fee of $1.00 per month. Arrangements should be made through the Town Office.


A start on the relocation and rebuilding of Monson Road from Ridge Road to the Glendale four corners was held up through lack of success in obtaining the necessary easements. The County Commissioners were requested to exercise their right to take property by eminent domain for roads and during 1960 the project will be carried out as far as allotted funds will permit. It was necessary to use almost half of the 1959 Chap- ter 90 Construction funds to repair storm damage to the new section of Monson Road where the S curve used to be and to install an adequate drainage system to protect that section of the road from future damage. The balance of the 1959 funds will carry over to 1960 and be used to further the work on the above mentioned new section.


Using the limited funds available for the purpose, the High- way Department finished the western portion of Faculty Street started in 1958. A 24 foot wide travelled way was surfaced with hot mix and the result has served to further convince the Selectmen that this type of construction is well worth the extra per foot cost and should be used on all future Town roads.


Without doubt the feature event of 1959 was the opening of the new Minnechaug Regional High School. Those who have contributed so much toward making this superb facility a reality were given well deserved recognition at the dedication exercises held in November. Impressive as the building itself certainly is, as time goes on we know that even more vivid in the memory


8


of those who graduate will be the good times they had there, the teachers they came to know, and the friends they made.


The year 1959 will also be remembered as one of rather sud- den industrial expansion. The face-lifting of the south side of Boston Road east from the Springfield line which was brought about by the building of the new Friendly Ice Cream plant, the new Wilbraham Motel, and the 10 Pin Bowling Center are a source of justifiable pride to every resident of the Town. We welcome these new business establishments and appreciate the thoughtful care taken by their owners in making them so attrac- tive. We sincerely hope that they will be influential in attract- ing more business of such high caliber. The new home of the Polish American Veterans Club on Stony Hill Road north of the Pines School was completed during the year. A great deal of credit is due the members of this organization for erecting one of the most outstanding club buildings in this area.


On behalf of the Town, the Selectmen wish to recognize and thank the ladies of the Garden Clubs for the interest they have taken and for the time and money they have spent in beautify ing Crane Park. Landscaping, weeding, pruning, and fertilizing have resulted in a marked improvement in the appearance of the park and created a more fitting approach to the Post Office.


During the past year the Town has maintained the rapid rate of growth which has been in effect for some time. One result of this continued growth was the appointment by the Selectmen of a new School Survey Committee to thoroughly study imme- diate and long range requirements for school facilities. In areas other than schools your Selectmen would also like to see steady improvements made and for next year we had in mind proposing certain projects including the completion of Faculty Street and certain salary increases. However, the Finance Committee is forecasting another substantial increase in the tax rate for 1960 and we cannot prudently do otherwise than agree with them that any expenditures for 1960 other than those which are abso- lutely mandatory be postponed to another year.


In closing, may we take this opportunity to express the appre- ciation of the Town for the loyal service given by all employees, boards, and committees who, together, help make Wilbraham a Town of which we are all proud to be a part.


RICHARD L. DANFORTH, Chairman


ROGER T. HINTZE


JESSE L. RICE


9


NEW BUSINESS


WELCOME


Mr. Danforth congratulating Mr. Potvin, of the Wilbraham Motel, at its opening. Left to right: Mr. Jesse L. Rice, Mr. Richard L. Danforth, Mr. Potvin, and Mr. Roger T. Hintze.


10 Pin Bowling Center, Boston Road.


PIN


BOWLING


CENTER


IN WILBRAHAM


Polish-American Veterans' Club Building, Stony Hill Road.


----


Home office and manufacturing plant of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, Boston Road.


Wilbraham Motel, Boston Road.


Report of the School Committee


The 1960 budget estimate of $522,012.00 is $10,855.00 less than the 1959 budget. The opening of the Regional High School in September, 1959, has resulted in transferring the cost of education and transporting the majority of high school pupils from the tuition account in the local budget to the operating budget of the District.


The 1959 State Legislature enacted a $4,000 minimum salary for teachers. No major adjustment in the 1960 salary schedule was required since the Wilbraham School Committee voted a $4,000 minimum salary in 1959. All personnel on the teaching schedule will receive the $200 annual increment, subject to evi- dence of required professional growth and satisfactory perform- ance. The adoption of the equivalent of the Regional salary schedule will keep Wilbraham in a strong competitive position to continue to attract and hold outstanding teachers.


The major objective of the School Committee in 1959 has been to strengthen and improve the academic program. Con- versational French in Grade 7, and first year French and intro- ductory Latin in Grade 8 are offered to accelerated pupils to provide an opportunity for a determination of language aptitude and possible advanced standing.


The science program in all grades has been revised and made more meaningful and effective. Additional materials, supplies, and three mobile demonstration tables have been provided to strengthen this program. The science and language programs were developed and equipped with federal funds under the provi- sions of the National Defense Act.


To develop in our pupils careful daily work, a mastery of fundamental skills, and the ability to define and solve a problem continues to be the guiding purpose of this system. A strong testing program measures the effectiveness of instruction and the progress of the pupils, as well as accurately predicting the poten- tial of the pupil in the several academic areas. Again in 1959, the testing of Wilbraham pupils indicates strong academic prep- aration and the ability to achieve. In all subject areas, the class average was above the national average, and continued growth was evident. On the Iowa Tests of Educational Development, administered to all pupils at Minnechaug High School in Sep- tember, the results were outstanding.


In 1959, the School Committee employed a school adjustment


12


counselor. This trained specialist works with the school, home, and social agencies in helping pupils adjust to school. In the short time that this service has been provided, a number of poten- tially serious problems have been solved, and not only the indi-


System ---


5,3 %


Mary had a little lamb . . . how times have changed! Harriet Dexter and her pet lamb.


vidual pupil, but the class as a group, has benefited. A major part of the cost of this program is reimbursed by the State.


In March, 1959, after six years on the Wilbraham School Committee, including two years as Chairman, Mr. Marshall E. Roper retired from public service. He was a member of the 1954 Regional School District Planning Committee, Chairman of the 1956 Regional School District Planning Board, and served for twenty eight months as Chairman of the Regional District School Committee. He was a member of the School Survey Committee, Stony Hill School Building Committee, and the Stony Hill Addition Planning Committee. Even more far reach- ing than the expanded physical plant that was realized through


13


his forceful leadership and objective understanding, were his efforts to improve the academic program, raise educational stand- ards, and maintain a professional staff. The schools of Wilbra- ham today provide a better education because of Mr. Roper's service to the town.


The repairs and maintenance of the school buildings are sched- uled on an annual basis so that the community investment in school facilities will be protected. All exterior and interior paint- ing is done by the custodial staff on a five year schedule, result- ing in a high level of maintenance at a low annual cost. The five year program of rehabilitating the Pines School has been completed with the installation of new classroom lights, and this building is now equal to the newer buildings in the community.


With the completion of the 1959 school census, the School Committee met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the expanding school population. In September, 1960, it will be necessary to re-open the Springfield Street school to handle the increasing pupil load. The September, 1959 enrollment of 1,167 in Grades 1-8 exceeded the September, 1958 Grades 1-9 enroll- ment by 17. As indicated by the census figures appearing in this report, one hundred local births in one year results in 150 pupils entering first grade six years later. This community continues to attract many families with elementary and pre-school children. The Selectmen have named a school survey committee that is now engaged in studying the problems so that a report can be made to the voters of the Community.


With the establishment of the Regional School District in 1956, and the opening of Minnechaug High School in 1959, direct control of and responsibility for the education of Wilbra- ham children was divided between two committees. The five- member Wilbraham School Committee is responsible for Grades 1 to 8 in this Community, Grade 12 tuition pupils in Springfield, and for administering the State-controlled vocational and adult education programs. The seven member Regional School Com- mittee is composed of five elected members, one from Hampden and four from Wilbraham, and two appointed members, one from the school committee in Hampden, and one from the school committee in Wilbraham. The Regional School District, a sep- arate organization, controls and operates the Regional High School, consisting of Grades 9, 10, and 11 at the present time, and Grades 9 through 12 in September, 1960.


14


In order to educate successfully and efficiently the youth of this Community, continued close co-ordination between the local and regional school systems and the two committees is necessary. The provision in the Regional agreement that brings the two committees together through the appointment of a local mem- ber to serve on the Regional committee was designed to encour- age a broad Grades 1-12 approach to all educational decisions. The co-ordination of the two school systems has been continued through the appointment of the school superintendents in Hamp- den and Wilbraham as superintendents of the Regional School District. An immediate and practical economy resulted when the Wilbraham and Regional School business and administrative offices were combined as one unit. Joint bidding of milk, fuel oil, transportation and instructional supplies has resulted in appre- ciable savings to both the local and regional school systems be- cause of the total quantities involved and the reduction in dupli- cate effort. The joint operation of the local and regional hot lunch programs makes more efficient purchasing possible. Edu- cationally, the co-ordination of the two systems has resulted in a stronger program and, in the area of music instruction, a substantial saving. The District has employed a vocal and an instrumental teacher, both highly qualified and necessary to a well developed music program in the high school. The vocal instructor, in addition to high school classes, teaches music in Grades 7 and 8 in Hampden and Wilbraham. The instrumental


Ninth Grade Graduation at Memorial School. Chorus directed by Mr. Killam.


REVERENCE FOR LIFE


-


-


teacher provides lessons in Grades 4-12 in the two towns and in the District. In the areas of guidance, language, science and mathematics, close cooperation between the staffs is resulting in a unified development of the academic program.


In June, 1959, Mrs. Helen B. Tower, Supervisor of Art in the Wilbraham schools since 1921, retired from teaching. Her outstanding record of loyal service to the pupils of Wilbraham will continue as an example to all members of the staff. Her inspiration of pupils, encouragement of staff, and daily cheerful- ness made her regular visits to the classrooms most welcome.


The School Committee wishes to acknowledge publicly in this report its appreciation of the teaching staff, the custodians, and all personnel who have contributed to the progress of the schools.


DORRANCE T. GREEN, Chairman


MR. ALEXANDER W. MARCO


MRS. BYRON MUSSELMAN


MRS. MANSFIELD WILLIAMS


MR. MATTHEW GOZDOWSKI


BUDGET ESTIMATE, 1960


1960 Budget


Expense of School Committee


$230.00


Superintendent's Salary


9,000.00


Expense of Superintendence (To include out-of-state travel)


9,126.00


Supervisors' Salaries


18,024.00


Principals' Salaries


13,503.00


Expense of Principalship


5,836.00


Teachers' Salaries


280,698.00


Textbooks


6,184.00


Expense of Instructors, Supplies


10,871.00


Custodians' Salaries


27,489.00


Fuel


11,820.00


Expense of Operation. Miscellaneous


13,613.00


Repairs


6,740.00


Health


5,414.00


Transportation


54,738.00


Tuition


43,240.00


Miscellaneous Auxiliary


4,586.00


New Equipment


900.00


Total Budget


$522,012.00


COMMUNITY PROGRAM


$6,000.00


16


Credit Estimates on Account of Education


1960 Estimate


Chapter 71, Section 7A Transportation


Chapter 70, Section A Vocational


$32,000.00 69,000.00 4,000.00 344.00


Vocational Balance, previous year


State Wards


1,400.00


Special Class


5,000.00


Chapter 70, Section 3B, Regional 10,350.00


$122,094.00


SCHOOL CALENDAR 1959-1960


First Term: Wednesday, September 9 through Wednesday, December 23 Second Term: Monday, January 4 through Friday, February 26


Third Term: Monday, March 7 through Friday, April 29 Fourth Term: Monday, May 9 through Friday, June 24


School will close on all legal holidays. Friday, October 23, Hampden County Teachers' Convention, and Friday, April 15, Good Friday. Schools will close at noon on November 25 for Thanksgiving.


The Wilbraham School Committee schedules regular meetings on the first Monday of each month. Special meetings are scheduled as required, and all meetings are open to the public.


Mrs. Elsie Samble is to be congratulated for the many years of service she gave to the Town as school bus driver. Standing with her, is Mrs. Marjorie Goewey, school traffic officer.


AMBLE NO.5


SCHOOL STATISTICS Enrollment


The enrollment of pupils by grade as of October 1, 1959 is shown below :


Grade


1


2


3


1


5


6


7


8


Spec. Total


Pines


30


30


30


20


28


27


165


Stony Hill


115


103


88


81


89


80


556


Memorial


27


29


22


22


26


26 170


101


23


446


172


162


140


123


143


133


170


101


23


1167


Census Report and Comparison October 1, 1959




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.