100 Years Ago— Feb. 14, 1913
The superintendent of schools wishes to state that neither he nor the School Committee have authorized anyone to take charge of children riding on the street cars to or from school. Complaints have been made that someone had roughly handled their children on the cars, claiming authority for their supervision. No such authority has been given nor is likely to be by the School Committee or its representative, the superintendent.
The deeds having been filed, Messrs. Chamberlain & Burnham, 414 Old South Bldg., Boston, report the sale of the Stephen A. Abbott farm located on the corner of Ballardvale and Sunset Rock roads, consisting of 75 acres, a set of farm buildings, stock and equipment, to Rev. Chalmers Dyke of Newtonville.
The Andover public school teachers are, naturally, much interested in the question of the Teachers’ Pension Bill which has been so widely discussed of late. In many cities and towns throughout the state the instructors in the schools have met and taken action on the question, and at a meeting of the Andover Teachers’ Association held recently, the matter was brought up.
75 Years Ago— Feb. 11, 1938
The budgets of the selectmen, school department and the board of health were thoroughly gone over on Tuesday evening at a meeting of the board of directors of the Andover Taxpayers’ Association. No definite action on the various items has been taken as yet by the directors.
The blinker in the Shawsheen Square came to grief Monday evening as did the car that smashed into it. So far no one has discovered the driver who must have been badly hurt as the car, which was abandoned, showed traces of blood. The car was stolen from a Lawrence renting agency. Officer Jowett and some men in the village were on the scene a minute later. The traffic officer’s stand was demolished.
Miss Jean Crayke’s cooking class enjoyed a party Friday night at the Owl’d Food Shop on Barnard Street. Bingo was played after a delightful supper.
A Cambridge man was arrested on Jan. 22 by Carl Stevens after a truck crashed in Shawsheen Village because the man claimed that he was driving one of the trucks. Tuesday he was released in district court because he claimed that he was not driving. He had earlier assumed responsibility because he did not want his employer to know that he had allowed someone else to drive the truck.
50 Years Ago— Feb. 14, 1963
Town Manager Thomas E. Duff this week predicted that town-department budgets will not require an increase in the tax rate—but he referred only to departments within his control.
The March of Dimes has raised $4,525 here, with additional amounts expected within the next few weeks. Chairman Bruce Dodd announced the total and expressed his appreciation for the work and help of many volunteers throughout the town. He said this year’s total is about $200 more than at the same time last year.
The Andover Service Club paid tribute to its past presidents last Thursday evening, by way of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the club. President Robert Phinney presented miniature gavels to the 12 past presidents in attendance.
At a recent meeting of the Andover Committee for the Heart Fund drive, Mrs. William O’Reilly was chosen general chairman. Mrs. Thomas Meyers is Heart Sunday chairman; Mrs. Sylvester Berger, Plastic Hearts chairman; and Mrs. Richard Lally, Special Gifts.
25 Years Ago— Feb. 11, 1988
Over the objections of several firemen and one former fire chief-turned-selectman, the Board of Selectmen approved the appointment of Andover’s first female firefighter Monday night. Although the decision to hire Mary Ann Skaff carried by a 4-1 margin, with Selectman William Downs carrying the negative vote, the board’s approval didn’t come without some soul-searching by its members.
Increasing community awareness and encouraging the Andover community to work together to alleviate social and personnel problems affecting some youngsters were key points raised Tuesday night at the public issues forum. Approximately 60 people attended the open session that was conducted by six Andover teachers and counselors. They requested the meeting, sponsored by the School Committee, following the public release of the recent Substance Abuse and Social Issues Assessment Report.
New England Power, the wholesale generation and transmission subsidiary of New England Electric System, announced that conversion to coal from oil at the utility’s two major power plants has resulted in more than $310 million in savings for customers.
National Development Associates Inc., in partnership with CIGNA, has acquired a 44-acre site in Andover from the Frederick P. Worthen 1980 Trust for $10 million in cash. New England Business Center, a 492,000 square-foot office complex, is planned for the site.
