1974

POPULATION:  18,468

HOUSES:  4,542

250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin.
The reverse of the coin was designed by Anne Miloszewski,
Walpole High School Class of 1973

• Walpole celebrates its 250th Anniversary.
• Armando Betro becomes chief of police following retirement of C. William Haggblom
• Walpole establishes its first call fire department, assigning coverage at the fire station around the clock, with a minimum of three fire fighters at all times.  Along with Chief Gardner, 4 lieutenants and 7 fire fighters are appointed.
• A Cable Television committee is established.  Initial recommendation is that cable TV "may not be practicable for Walpole at this time", and that the town should wait until the industry becomes better consolidated.
• Survey of 9 towns shows the average charge for monthly cable service to be $5-$6.
• Street naming committee wrestles with problems associated with similarly named streets, stating that it would be in the best interest to solve the ambiguities.  This is relevant to mail delivery, or responding to emergency calls.  Within a couple of years, most duplicate names (distinguished only by suffix, such as Avenue, Lane, Street, Drive, etc.) would be eliminated.
• A championship Grand Prix bicycle race is run through Walpole on July 4, featuring U.S. Olympic bikers.
• Blessed Sacrament Parish celebrates its 100th Anniversary, under the direction of Pastor George Gallivan and Reverands Walter O'Hearn and Richard Tierney.
• Kendall Company gives Deacon Willard House to town, which becomes the new headquarters of the Walpole Historical Society.

The Deacon Willard House on West Street
becomes new home of the Walpole Historical Society

This bleak and caustic commentary referencing the 1973-74 global energy crisis
is submitted in the Walpole Health Inspector's annual report to the town

BUSINESS

• The Walpole Mall opens for business on Route 1.
• A new shopping plaza opens on the corner of Routes 1 & 27 (adjacent to current location of Big Y). 

SCHOOLS

• The WHS Class of '74 graduates 379 seniors, which remains the largest graduating class in school history
• As anticipated, the strain on the elementary schools begins to lessen, with the crest of the student population wave expected to shift to the high school
• The School Committee's long range facilities plan calls for conversion of Walpole High School to a 4-year configuration, estimating an enrollment increase to nearly 1800 students by 1990.  [In actuality, high school enrollment would be in the midst of a decline by then, with only 733 students enrolled in 1990.]
• Ironically, Grades 9-12 experience an unexpected sharp decline in enrollment in 1974, with 34 transfers to private school, and a startling 46 dropouts.
• Plans and specifications for a major addition/renovation to the high school are developed, with intentions to open in Fall 1976.  Although Town Meeting votes 75-64 in favor of the plan, the vote falls short of the necessary two-thirds required to authorize borrowing, so the plan is rejected.
• Wayne Stacy resigns as Walpole High School principal after serving since 1965, and is succeeded by Assistant Principal Tom Reese. Elmer Snell and Harry Graff appointed new assistant principals.  Also joining the high school staff are Tom Banit (social studies), Elizabeth Salenik (biology), and Michael Faulker (music).

DOWNTOWN WALPOLE SCENES FROM THE 250th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

(click to enlarge)