1974-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Year in Headlines In January, oil shortages necessitate cancellation of evening classes at High School - night tem- perature kept at 55 degrees; 4 Lexington skaters capture prizes in Eastern States Figure Skating Champion- ships; Gasoline prices continue to rise, supply continues to dwindle; Cornelius P. Cronin named Exec. Sec. of Chamber of Commerce; Adult home circulation at Cary Library reaches record high of 304,644 items; retail sales in Lexington reach record $ 53,452,000; Town report receives another commendation. In February, Local D.P.W. crews "unavailable" for weekend snow removal; Girls' Varsity Basketball team finishes season in 2nd place; Lexington tops all schools in qualifying students for Regional Scholastic Art Awards; 60 Highschoolers inducted into National Honor Society; and long -time resident, Mrs. Jennie Grindle, dies. In March, 42% of town's 18,554 voters elect Margery M. Battin and Alfred S. Busa as Selectmen; George P. Wadsworth & Robert Rotberg elected to School Committee; State proposes widening Bedford St. to 6 lanes; Survey indicates most dangerous traffic location is Bedford St. between Larchmont Lane and R.R. tracks; Scottish Rite Masons lay cornerstone of new museum; portions of Tophet Swamp to be placed in Wetland Pro- tection District; high store rentals force changes in Lexington Center; Lexington Trust Co. consolidates with the County Bank; Jack Garrity, long -time Supt. of Parks & Playgrounds, dies at 89. In April, Town meeting members approve school budget in excess of 13 million dollars; Tax rate,however, drops 10t; first two bicentennial medals auctioned off to Wm. Maloney, Sr. & Jr.; Lexington's Irving Mabee awarded White Tricorne hat; Lexington receives Freedoms Foundation award for 1972 Town Report: Police arrest 7 on drug charges; two Lexington High School students are winners in National Merit Scholarships; Lex. Historical Society seeks to purchase Jones Clarke heirlooms; Muzzey Jr. High math team again wins yearly competition. In May, Red Cross Bloodmobile nets 259 pints of blood in 2 days; Hancock - Clarke furnishings return to their original home; and Lex. Historical Society votes to move Hancock - Clarke house across the street; Town meeting approves two condominium plans west of Rt. 128; Arts & Crafts Society holds most successful Spring exhibition; High School newspaper "The Musket" receives 3 awards for excellence; Summer C0 -OP begins 4th season. Dr. Lawrence Pious dies suddenly at 60. In June, town wide trash collection & Flintlock condominium, approved by Town Meeting, defeated at special referendum; Lexington teachers directed to end all voluntary school duties until contract is signed; meanwhile, 705 seniors graduate from High School; Selectmen and police chief see serious problem with youths' parties; 6 teenagers are arrested for disorderly conduct. In July, Lexington Minutemen acquire Historic Sanderson house; The Rev. Ted R. Petterson becomes new rector of the Church of Our Redeemer; Mystic Valley Mental Health Center receives $ 848,000 Federal grant; vandals attack 3 local schools; fire whistle is silenced, blows only at noon; Bicentennial Committee plans year -long craft program; and long -time resident, Jasper Lane, dies at 85. In August, fund raising begins for moving Hancock - Clarke house; tax rate set at $ 70.40 per thousand,a 60Q increase; two hour parking limit around Common; transportation survey indicates residents want more & faster train and bus service; fatal accidents in Lexington average 9 per year. In September, fewer buses and more confusion as 8316 students head back for school; State ruling favors St. Brigid's housing plan; Teachers' contract signed, gives 6.5% salary increase; High School ath- letic teams rank high in won -loss records; Grace Chapel offers tourists the use of Old Belfry Club during bicentennial years. In October, Town Clerk Mary McDonough is honored for 33 years of service to the town; Superior Court rules in favor of Inter -faith housing; Ray Barnes wins awards in Mass. Selectmen's Assn. photo contest; retrospective showing of Aiden L. Ripley's paintings in Boston gallery; Patrolman Allen McSherry awarded coveted Police Medal of Merit. In November, nearly 70% of Lex. voters cast ballots - Sargent & Dwight win locally by 2 to 1 margin in gubernatorial election; Architectural study recommends closing of 4 elementary schools & 1 junior high; Recreation Committee requests budget of $ 155,000; Town sewers are now 88% completed; 500 townspeople watch Hancock - Clarke House move across the street. In December, Cambridge artist wins $ 500 bicentennial poster contest; three juveniles charged with 16 housebreaks in 3 month period; crime up, police man -power down as complaints to police have tripled in last 12 years; athletic budget for schools increases allocations for girls' sports; Police chief requests warrant article removing police from civil service; gross sales of bicentennial medals surpasses $ 62,000. And lastly, town officials meet with President Ford and invite him to Lexington to rededicate our Battle Green. S. Lawrence Whipple, Historian Lexington Historical Society 2