Walpole Timeline 1950-2000: 1978

Walpole Center, February 1978

Walpole is near the snowfall epicenter of the historic Northeast Blizzard of '78, with snow totals from February 6-8 approaching 40". As in many towns across New England, Walpole residents report renewed "sense of community" in pulling together during adversity

Schools close February 7
Grades 7-9 resume February 13
Grades 4-6 resume February 15
Grades 1-3 do not resume until February 27, following traditional February vacation week. Teachers prepare "learning packets" for students at home during the interim

Closing of Lincoln Road sanitary landfill requires need to combine collection of both solid waste and "garbage". This would be the end of the era of the weekly "garbage man" going house-to-house collecting perished food waste accumulated outdoors in underground cylindrical metal containers.
The Greater Boston YMCA starts new YMCA program at Old Stone School building, considered temporary until a new facility is constructed. (No subsequent facility was ever built.)
Town Administrator expresses need for property tax relief, which had become a national theme during the extended period of high inflation, highlighted by the passage of Proposition 13 in California.

Student enrollment down 242 since previous school year, with 1182 fewer students than the 1973 peak
School Committee takes first step in what would be a dramatic downsizing of elementary school capacity by voting to close Plimpton and Bird Elementary schools in 1979. (Bird closing would ultimately be delayed to 1980.)
New school hires include Sandra Desmond as guidance counselor at West Junior High