$35,000 Federal Aid Assured Revised Plans for
Acton Library Addition |
ACTON—Chairman of the Acton Town Building Committee, Joseph Cobb, received word from the State that Acton will be approved for $35,000 federal aid for the construction of the addition to the library, providing plans are submitted and approved and construction is started by the end of the current year.
The letter came from Mrs. Betty Flynn, Supervisor of Public Library Development, State Department of Education, Division of Library Extension. This agency is in charge of screening applications for federal aid for Library construction.
Acton had originally been approved for Federal aid in the amount of $35,000, based on plans previously submitted. However, the bids on these plans were much higher than the estimate of the architect for construction of the addition, and all the bids were thrown out by the Building Committee. The town appropriated $210,000 for the addition, of which $170,000 had been set aside by the architect for construction, the balance for equipping and architect's fees. The low bid for construction, however, was $274,000, over $100,000 more than this estimate.
The building committee then sought assurance from the State that the $35,000 federal aid originally approved would be forthcoming with changed plans. This assurance has been given, as Mrs. Flynn stated in her letter “it seems at this juncture that the Board of Library Commissioners might continue to ear mark the $35,000 for the Acton project” . . . with certain assurances given by the committee.
The revised plans for the library addition now call for a building whose area would encompass approximately 8400 feet on two levels, one of which would be approximately two feet lower than the other. The floor in this fashion would follow the contour of the land which slopes down hill towards the highway department yard, and excavation costs would be kept to a minimum. The previous plans called for a building of 9200 feet on two floors.
The present schedule [calls] for the working drawings to be completed by the first of September and for the plans to be in the hands of the federal government by this date. It is expected that the addition will require about six months for construction. Total cost of the structure is expected to be $245,000, which is the total of the $210,000 originally voted, plus $35,000 federal aid. |
Helicopter Service Starts in Acton |
ACTON—Helicopter service was inaugurated in Acton last evening, Wednesday, June 30, when the newly constructed Heli-stop at the Concordian Motel provided the landing ground for the first scheduled trip to this town from Logan International Airport. The first passenger was William Welch of Acton Center, who was greeted by Frank Parker, manager of the motel. The plane landed shortly after 7 p.m.
The service will be provided by the Mass. Helicopter Air Lines, Inc., operating out of Logan Airport and flights are scheduled to run every hour. Flight time is approximately 18 minutes to the airport.
According to William Laffer, president of the company, this was the first service of its sort in the Acton area and stated that “we anticipate it will be well-received.” The Heli-stop is located on the northwest corner of the motel area and is approximately 100 feet by 100 feet in size, surrounded by a fence.
Mass. Helicopter Air Lines has been in business for 2½ years and presently operates 37 heli-stops in the greater Boston area. Rex Trailer, popular TV personality, is a co-founder of the company and executive vice president.
Although service will naturally be available to patrons of the motel, it is expected that the general public will avail itself of the new service and is encouraged to do so. As Laffer stated,
“If you've got a date to meet or a plane to catch, you'd better 'hop' to it.” |
Lawrence C. Patterson |
WEST ACTON—Retired Army First Sergeant, Lawrence C. Patterson, of 38 Quaboag road, died suddenly at his home Thursday, June 24. He was forty-nine years of age and was born in Lancaster, South Carolina. He had lived in Acton for the past four years.
He is survived by his wife, Sigrid (Schorn) Patterson; one son, Claus, and one daughter, Monica, both at home; his mother, Mrs. Carrie Patterson of South Carolina; three brothers and six sisters.
He retired from the army only recently. He served during World War II and was the recipient of the Bronze Star, among other decorations. He served in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, The Rhineland and Central Europe.
The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon June 29 from the Acton Funeral Home with Captain Andrews, a chaplain from Fort Devens, officiating at the services. The pallbearers were: SFC Cecil Garner, S-Sgt. William C. Boxill, SFC Zalton Sarkady, S-Sgt. Harry J. Carey and SFC Albert M. Akin, all close friends of Sgt. Patterson. Full military honors were accorded the late veteran. |
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| Eugene L. Hall |
ACTON—Mr. Eugene L. Hall, in his 97th year, died on June 24th. He was graduated in the first class from Acton High School (1886), attended Worcester Academy and Comer's Commercial College in Boston, worked for the Fitchburg Railroad (Locomotive Repair Department); Mead Brothers Grain business; Frye Phipps & Co., Wholesale Hardware and then Hall Brothers Tub & Pail Factory until 1929.
He joined the West Acton Baptist Church in 1883 and always served it faithfully, singing tenor in the choir for 40 years, was clerk for 12 years, a Trustee for 11 years, and Deacon 12 years.
In his early years he was an active volunteer fireman. He always had a Johnson pump and fire pail to go at a moment's notice.
He kept up his interest in singing by joining a group which put on two Cantatas and some “Old Folks Concerts.”
When the G.A.R. Post 138 started a Fife and Drum Corps, Mr. Hall was the fifer. He was also Chaplain of the Sons of Veterans Camp which was organized about 1888.
He served the Acton Fair for several years as treasurer and as one of the Directors. He was a Trustee of the Acton Memorial Library for 30 years. IN March 1964 he was presented the gold headed cane symbolic of the longest term of membership in Concord Lodge No. 212 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He joined in March 1894.
He was married to Isabelle Howard Bent, who died in 1941. Their daughter, Ruth Emeline Hall, died in 1957.
Mr. Hall is survived by one son, Howard Wesley, who resides with him, one daughter Margaret of Newton, Conn., three grandchildren, Robert Hall of Newton, Conn., Samuel Hall of Barrington, R.I., and Ruth Purvis of Xenia, Ohio, six great-grandchildren and a brother, A. Stanley Hall of South Pasadena, California.
It was just two weeks ago that the Selectmen presented him with the Boston Post cane as the town's oldest resident.
The funeral was held from the Fowler Funeral Home Saturday, June 26, at 2 o'clock. Rev. David Hirano officiated at the services. The burial was in Mt. Hope Cemetery. |
Acton Scuba Diver Saved As His Air Supply Fails |
ACTON—A 51-year old Acton man, who was scuba diving last Sunday with his daughter east of Baker's Island [Salem Sound], ran out of air and was forced to make an emergency ascent.
Benjamin F. Rice, of 44 Nashoba Rd., and his daughter, Joan, 18, were rescued by the cabin cruiser Riptide, transferred to a Coast Guard rescue boat from Dolliver's Neck Lifeboat Station and flown by Coast Guard helicopter to the Charlestown Navy Yard dispensary to be examined for bends.
When no symptoms of this condition, caused by rapid decompression were discovered, they were released and returned home.
Rice formerly served as Superintendent of Acton's Highway Department.
The accident took place east of Baker's Island in about 100 feet of water near Half-Way Rock which lies between Gloucester and Boston.
When it became apparent that Rice was out of oxygen, his daughter administered oxygen from her supply and mouthpiece, and they surfaced together. They were both unconscious when the surface was reached, but Miss Rice came to immediately and called for help.
Charles Faria of North Billerica and Raymond Cloutier of Dracut dove into the water from the nearby “Riptide”. Faria rescued Miss Rice, while Cloutier rescued her father.
Meanwhile, Rice's wife, Mrs. Hazel Rice, watched the entire drama from the boat which they rented for the Rice's scuba diving exhibition [sic]. |
Maybe Harvard Needs It? |
ACTON—A couple of Acton youths, who apparently feel that the town does not have enough comfort stations, were detected by Police Officer Robert Rhodes, in the wee hours of the morning, hard at work putting a toilet in the outside phone booth at Kelley's Corner.
The good samaritans were dissuaded from their nocturnal efforts in behalf of humanity and were sent off into the murky night packing their toilet with them.
Strangely enough, the next day a toilet was discovered set up in an outside phone booth in Harvard.
Ah well! . . . Acton's loss is Harvard's gain! |
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