USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Hamden > Annual reports of the town of Hamden, state of Connecticut 1962 > Part 5
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The vision testing program was conducted at the beginning of the school year in order to obtain early corrections if needed. Vision tests were given to 9,372 stu- dents, 2,173 of whom failed the test, 2,013 were wearing glasses at the time of exami- nation, and 615 were under the care of their eye doctor. As a result of the testing, 975 were referred for futher eye examinations; 832 of these saw their physician, and glasses were prescribed for 707, while the remainder of the 143 students who failed, did not consult their doctor.
The hearing test with a pure-tone audiometer was given in the first, fourth, seventh and tenth grades to 3,250 children, with 79 failing the tests; 14 of these were already under care, while 65 were referred for further examinations, and only one did not consult his physician.
Tuberculin testing with the Tine test.
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The dental program was conducted in the elementary and junior high schools, and began with a dental screening survey, so that parents informed of dental defects would be urged to seek the services of their own dentist if possible. Dental decay is the greatest single defect found in school children. The survey showed that of the 7,898 children examined, 4,048 required dental work, and 2,894 required dental prophylaxes.
Among the children requiring dental work, 12,999 cavities were found in per- manent teeth, and 4,726 cavities in baby teeth of children below the third grade. Since 65% of these cavities might have been avoided had our public water been fluoridated, the Board of Health again endorsed the fluoridation of our public water on March 14, 1962, and forwarded this recommendation to the selectmen in Septem- ber 1962. Only a small amount of dental work is possible with our limited dental staff. The school dentists were able to complete dental work on 306 children, filling 1,195 cavities, while the dental hygienists were able to do prophylaxes on 441, and give topical application of fluorides to 117 children in the second and fifth grades.
Sanitation of the Environment: In food service sanitation, the sanitarians and the director of health were kept quite busy this spring when three major food poison- ing outbreaks (two in Hamden and one in a neighboring town) were traceable to a Hamden caterer.
Another food poisoning outbreak was attributable to a local restaurant, but the people involved reported this outbreak to the Health Department too late for an actual health investigation. At the dinners served by the caterer, the food poisoning out- breaks appeared to be of the type caused by staphylococci. Although no organisms were recovered by the laboratory, we know that the enterotoxin caused by the staphy- lococci is not destroyed by heat and may be the cause of such outbreaks.
Milk licenses were issued to 11 milk vendors. Restaurant licenses were issued to 173 food-serving establishments and catering firms.
Visits made by the sanitarian to food establishments were not only for inspec- tion but included education and instruction in modern food practices for the food handlers. There were 342 visits at restaurants, 55 at fountains or luncheonettes, seven at taverns, 21 at bakeries, 21 at caterers, seven at itinerant vendors, 99 at markets and stores, four at drug stores; and 491 bacterial swab tests were made from eating utensils in restaurants.
Other inspections made by the sanitarians were: 13 for air pollution, four in barber shops, two at dumps, 23 for labor camps, eight at industrial plants, 15 at pub- lic lavatories, five for yards, and 457 for complaints.
New developments which were investigated and studied required 98 site visits. A total of 137 inspections were made for building lots, 285 for test holes, 119 for percolation tests, 248 preliminary inspections for sewage disposal systems, 21 for swimming pools, 18 for wells and 16 for schools.
Additional licenses issued were 177 for individual sewage disposal systems, 65 for well construction, and 43 for swimming pools.
The mosquito control program was carried on jointly by the Health and Public Works departments, with Harold Jaynes, entomologist, supervising the field program. There were 183 possible breeding areas for mosquitoes located in Hamden. Spraying which started early in May, was reduced because of the dry summer, but many of the places were sprayed from nine to 12 times. Mosquitoes were identifed at the Con- necticut Agricultural Experiment Station by Dr. Robert Wallis.
We wish to thank the various town departments, the Hamden Public Health and Visiting Nurse Association, and the many volunteers who have cooperated in many programs of the Health Department; for without their cooperation our programs would not have been successful.
Charles C. Wilson, M.D., Chairman David H. Beers William R. Richards, M.D. John H. Deming, ex-officio, Board of Education
Marguerite Terani, R.N. Anna Mulvey
Leonard Parente, M.D., M.P.H., Director of Health
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Report of the Superintendent
The school year 1961-1962 has proven to be one of not only numerical growth but improvement of program and strengthening of staff.
Age-grade reports to the State Department of Education as of the end of Sep- tember, revealed a total enrollment of 8,164 pupils. Of these, 4,802 were elementary school students, 1,907 junior high school students, and 1,457 were registered at the high school, including two post-graduate students. There were 385 outgoing seniors and 804 kindergarteners in the incoming group. Our increase in registration over the previous year was 279 pupils. The professional staff filled 412 positions.
The primary objective, as has been the case in the past, was the improvement of program. Continual implementation of the ungraded program was stimulated by a workshop program, and full implementation is expected by 1965. New science ap- proaches were followed in the fields of physics and biology, and a science reading program was offered to the elementary schools. The entire mathematics program was improved by four programs, the first of these being a 15-session workshop for kinder- garten and primary grade teachers to further advance their methods in teaching arithmetic.
A second workshop of eight sessions was given for all intermediate grade teachers in the newer approaches to mathematics at this level. The Hamden staff was aided by Sister Zachary and Mrs. Florence Jacobsen of the Albertus Magnus College fac- ulty. The third step in improving the teaching of mathematics was the participation of all secondary school mathematics teachers in a Mathematics Institute sponsored by the National Defense Education Act offered in Hamden High School by Albertus Magnus College, with whom our system has enjoyed the finest of cooperation, and we anticipate that this program will be continued. In the fourth step, three of our princi- pals received citations for writing our K-3 mathematics curriculum.
Educational television made its first appearance this year through Channel 11 out of New York. All schools took advantage of programs that seemed suitable to the grade level. Programs at this time have been limited; however, the scope of avail- able programs is expected to double in 1962-63 when ETV Channel 24 is in operation from Hartford. This will be Connecticut's first educational television station.
The achievements of our young people have been most gratifying, not only in their admissions to college, but in the work of the elementary, junior high school and senior high school programs. The improvement of our physical fitness program is also worthy of note. The improved situation in English has resulted in the best liter- ary publication in recent years, both from the point of view of content and format. Staff has become more and more proficient in the use of foreign language laboratory materials, and looks forward to the new facilities now being built at the high school. Junior high school languages will be given three times weekly in grades seven and eight in 1962-1963.
In extra-curricular areas, excellent work has been done in art displays, drama groups, United Nations model assemblies, debating, sports, intra-murals, and honor seminars; and graduation was replete with recognitions of students for outstanding participation. Our Student Government Day was a most successful activity.
There were 385 students graduated from Hamden High School in the Class of 1962. A follow-up survey showed that of this class there is an attendance of 39.48% in senior colleges, 3.38% in junior colleges,, 10.13% in teacher colleges. 4.94% in business schools, .26% in music schools, .52% in prep schools, 2.86% in nursing schools, 3.38% in vocational schools, 3.90% are in the Armed Services, 26.23% are employed, 3.12% are unemployed, .78% are married, and 1.30% did not respond.
No year such as 1961-62 should pass without extending to the staff and student body of the high school appreciation of their patience, understanding and coopera- tion during the first year of construction upheaval. Their spirit of cooperation has been recognized by contractor and architect alike; and it is interesting to note that members of the Class of 1962 started their secondary school work at the Michael
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Whalen Junior High School while it was still under construction, and ended their secondary school work sharing the senior high school with builders.
The re-districting of the Alice Peck and Dunbar Hill areas into three districts was accomplished, and the new Bear Path School opened with 336 students in Sep- tember 1962. The continued surge of building north of the Wilbur Cross Parkway has already caught up with such relief as the Bear Path School has offered, making it necessary for an addition to be planned there, as well as a school site selected, and planning immediately initiated for a school west of Dunbar Hill.
At the end of the school year the following teachers retired from the Hamden schools: Ella Pardee of M. L. Keefe School; Regina Russell, Director of Mathematics; Stanley Leeke, physical education teacher in the high school; and Lorna MacEslin, teacher in mathematics in Michael J. Whalen School. Their service has been long and dedicated, and appreciation is hereby expressed.
William Schleicher completed his first year as assistant superintendent, and his assignment to the secondary school program has provided a real assist to the superin- tendent.
Mrs. Frances Loro, principal of Bear Path School, left the principalship of M. L. Keefe School, and that position was filled by Mrs. Kathleen Brown. Robert Avery completed his first year in the capacity of assistant principal in the Michael J. Whalen Junior High School, and Andrew Pellico experienced his initial year as principal of Putnam Avenue School. Both have made an auspicious start in administrative careers.
Donald Clarkson, who was appointed to succeed Miss Russell as Director of Mathematics, has been closely identified with the work of the School Mathematics Study Group of Yale University, and he will provide further leadership in introducing modern mathematics programs. A year of service in the senior high school Guidance Department has been completed by Charles Hartley and Robert Korby, recently ap- pointed counselors. Miss Mildred Coulombe has been appointed as a reading teacher, and Miss Lenore Pedersen will fill a possition in the Speech and Hearing Education Department. Two new positions have been opened for 1962-1963 - an additional psychological examiner and a school social worker.
All schools haxe experienced the fine cooperation of all other town departments, upon whom we depend and to whom we are most grateful. Although this has been a successful school year, we can look forward to continued improvement of the pro- gram. Planning for such improvement means careful self-appraisal, and our Project Program for 1962-1963 is geared to continued evaluation and a more effective pro- gram than ever before.
David Wyllie, Superintendent
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Bear Path School - Opening Day.
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Bear Path School
Board of Education
The board held a total of 23 regular and special meetings during the year. The various standing committees held an unusually large number of meetings. The Build- ing Committee was extremely active because of its responsibility for the new Bear Path School, the high school addition, and planning of the Mount Carmel School addi- tion.
The use of school facilities by organizations in the community required our build- ings after school hours on practically every day of the school year.
In addition to the daily duties performed by the custodial staff at all schools, the following important projects were completed by the maintenance staff and contractors: ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
The vehicle gate in the fence at Centerville School was re-located and the drive- way black-topped.
The final phase of our fire barrier project was completed at Helen Street, M. L. Keefe, Newhall Street and Dunbar Hill schools.
The auditorium and stages at Helen Street, State Street, Putnam Avenue, New- hall Street, and Centerville schools were re-painted.
A new heating system was installed in the old portion of Church Street School. New window sashes (29 units) were installed at the Spring Glen School, and 24 units at Church Street School.
New flooring was installed at Putnam Avenue, Centerville, Newhall Street, M. L. Keefe, Helen Street, and State Street schools, (29 rooms.)
New motorized valves were installed at Church Street School; new sinks and a drinking fountain at M. L. Keefe School; and new sinks at Helen Street School.
A new sidewalk and curbing along Shepard Avenue was installed at Alice Peck School.
All shades were replaced in Helen Street and Spring Glen Schools.
Exterior painting was completed at Spring Glen and M. L. Keefe Schools.
Helen Street School received a complete interior paint job by our own mainten- ance staff.
Fire detectors were installed in ten elementary schools.
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WHALEN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL:
Additional fill was brought in and placed in the rear of the school,, as part of the long-range program to eventually create a complete outdoor play area.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Television antennae and receiving equipment was installed at all schools, in order to take advantage of the educational television programs now becoming available.
Clyde Campbell was engaged as a transportation consultant to make a complete study of school bus routes and procedures, and a stream-lined operation was the direct result of this study, effective September 5, 1962.
Competitive public bids were invited for providing pupil transportation service, and the Rose Bus Company of Wallingford was the low bidder and received a three- year contract to render this service.
A total of 25 new buses, three station wagons and the special school bus which is owned and operated by the board, will be in operation in 1962-63.
PERSONNEL:
One change in the membership of the board was caused by the resignation of Luke Camarota, who moved to North Haven, and Henry Wuestefeld was elected to serve the remaining portion of his term.
By unanimous vote Bingham Humphrey was re-elected chairman and John Chag- non vice-chairman and secretary of the board for two-year terms.
As required by law, shown below is a summary of per pupil costs for the year July 1, 1961 through June 30, 1962:
Total-All Costs* (including bonds and interest) .. $2,153,020 $815,418
$1,309,528
Total Number of Pupils in Average
Elementary High School Jr. H. S.
Daily Membership
4,899
1,460
1,931
Cost per pupil (including bonds and interest)
$439.48
$558.53
$678.16
Cost per pupil (without bonds and interest)
$390.64
$510.95 $511.25
*Figures are exclusive of cafeteria, Evening School and Community Event expenses.
Bingham J. Humphrey, Chairman John B. Chagnon, Vice Chairman-Secretary Arthur V. Branigan, Assistant Secretary Barbara L. Cunningham, John N. Deming
William A. Liddell, Frederick J. Morton Henry A. Wuestefeld, George H. Zeisner, Felix Zweig
Work continues at High School.
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4
Dramatizing Music.
SITUR
JUPITER
SCIENCE FI
Hamden bench tensely watching plays.
Our future scientists.
m of
Education Week in Elementary School.
63
Library Board
October 1, 1962 brought to a close another successful year in the history of the library system. The loyal, conscientious staff maintained the excellent service of the past, in spite of the pressures and demands created by a rapidly growing community.
Books borrowed for home use exceeded last year's total by 29,089 volumes. Dur- ing the year 346,710 books were circulated - 165,736 adult and 180,974 juvenile, of which 27,164 were loaned from the Alice Peck School and the Dunbar Hill School stations. Other materials borrowed included: 3,706 pictures, 7,030 phonograph re- cords, and 1,223 16mm sound films with a viewing audience of 62,503.
That the library is the information center of the community was evidenced by the 12,530 reference questions handled by the staff during the year. No record was kept of the many easily answered questions which are a part of the daily routine of a busy library. Changing curriculum in the schools was reflected in the variety and depth of the students' reference requirements, many of which presented a challenge to the imagination and ingenuity of the librarians working with limited resources.
Statistics of other phases of the library program more completely portray the year's activity. Reserves for books not on the shelves when requested numbered 30,- 995. In an effort to provide service beyond the library's holdings, books were bor- rowed from other libraries to fill specific requests. As a reciprocal service, several books were loaned to neighboring libraries for a similar purpose. Special programs for children included: 31 film programs, 87 story hours, and a summer reading club.
Elementary school teachers borrowed a total of 651 school sets made up of 8,661 books, 3,364 pictures and 96 pamphlets. Classes from the elementary schools, num- bering 536, visited the libraries for instruction in the use of library tools and facilities. The Catalogue Department, charged with the responsibility of organization and control of the library collection, catalogued and processed 6,900 books, maintained eight catalogues, handled the records for 2,051 discards, and made all necessary repairs to worn books.
The book collection totals 90,779 volumes - 6,896 were added and 2,051 were discarded, for a gain of 4,845.
Registered borrowers number 13,081 - 7,753 adult and 5,328 juvenile.
Various community groups used the meeting rooms 879 times during the year.
Library services were publicized through special displays, book lists, bookmarks, newspaper articles, and book talks given by various members of the staff to community groups. Many interesting exhibits were loaned by generous townspeople for display in the libraries. Childrens' Book Week and Spring Book Festival were celebrated throughout the system with classes, story hours, film programs, and exhibits of new childrens' books.
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Mrs. Oesterlin - Cataloger Dept. Head.
Mrs. Ulrich classifying books.
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Cognizant of the importance of keeping abreast of the developments and inova- tions in the profession, every member of the professional staff attended at least one meeting, workshop or conference sponsored by the Connecticut and New England Library Associations. Two members of the staff were on the Executive Board of the Connecticut Library Association, and one member of the staff took courses in Library Science at Southern Connecticut College.
January brought a change in the Library Board when Edward Maloney left it and was replaced by Henry Tierney.
In the spring, the Hamden Public Library Association (Wednesday Afternoon Thimble Club), an organization identified with library service in the Centerville area since the turn of the century, disbanded. This group was one of the three private associations operating libraries in Hamden prior to the creation in 1943 of the pre- sent town Library Department.
Although the members have had no responsibility for library operation since that date, they have continued to have an active interest in library affairs. Their gifts during the past 19 years have been many and have been greatly appreciated. Their final gift was the establishment of a Trust Fund, the interest of which is to be paid annually to the Library Gift Fund for the purchase of books and related materials for the Miller Memorial Branch. Recognition should be given these devoted citizens who have played such an important role in the history of the Hamden library system.
Sincere appreciation goes to all members of the community who have donated books, magazines, phonograph records and money to the library during the year-the Golden Age Club, the several garden clubs of Hamden, and the Mount Carmel Library Association, to name a few. Special thanks are extended to the staff and the other town departments for cooperating to make the year a memorable one.
Louise P. Gordon, Chairman Rev. Daniel J. Barry, Evelyn Lutz George Esposito, Henry Tierney Rosemary Plunkett, Librarian
Mrs. Arbour checking book orders.
Mrs. Swift repairs books.
......
Mrs. Reddington types catalog cards.
Mrs. Arbour typing book orders.
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Building Department
The volume of construction work in the Town of Hamden as measured by esti- mated construction costs, has exceeded last year's figures by $3,429,445. During the past fiscal year, 920 building permits were issued, having an estimated value of $11,- 221,638, including utility installations. Basic demand for housing has not exhibited any dynamic change during the past year. Permits for 215 one-family dwellings having an estimated value of $2,911,660 were issued, as compared to 216 residences in 1961. One of the significant features of recent housing construction is the relatively greater role of multi-family units. The stronger phase in multi-family housing deve- loped during the general expansion in housing back in 1959, and this is evidenced by the 14 two-family residences permitted, having an estimated cost of $244,550. This is the largest number of two-family dwellings permitted in any one year since 1914.
Apartment building has been sharply increasing its share of the housing market for the past several years, and will probably continue to account. for a large propor- tion of the market in 1963. Permits were issued for six apartment buildings valued at $1,922,353.
Church building continued its fairly steady post-war growth in 1962. The Build- ing Department issued permits for four churches during the year: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Olivet and Central Baptist Churches, and the Uni- tarian Church. These permits totaled $225,000.
Educational building reflected .the continuous pressure for additional classroom space and other educational facilities. A permit was issued for the Bear Path ele- mentary school in the amount of $390,000, and a $1,200,000 addition to the Hamden High School was permitted.
The largest category of non-residential building is commercial building, com- prised of stores, office and bank buildings, commercial garages and service stations. This past year permits were issued in the amount of $470,500 in this category. Added to this total is $394,055 spent for additions and renovations.
Contracts for industrial buildings in 1962 showed a notable decline, falling 50 per cent under last year's level.
Other types of buildings permitted include: 42 garages at $49,925; 57 permits to re-side dwellings valued at $82,451; 36 permits to repair buildings estimated at $37,030; 10 permits to move buildings costing $6,150; 43 demolition permits at $5,- 075; - 61 permits of a miscellaneous nature valued at $74,875; and 338 permits for additions and alterations to residential buildings at $356,075.
Fees collected in the Building Department during 1962 total $45,662. These in- clude 920 building permits at $25,934; 872 plumbing permits, $4,394; 845 electrical permits, $3,833; 447 heating permits, $3,554; 219 plumbing licenses, $2,190; 101 electrical licenses, $1,010; 112 state electrical licenses, $560; 298 builder's licenses, $2,980; 54 heating licenses, $540; 73 sign permits, $197; seven violation charges, $35; 18 swimming pool permits, $152; five sprinkler permits, $78; 11 building code sales, $22; one refrigeration permit, $9; two revised cost declarations, $210; four re- inspection charges, $8. The Building Department made 6,958 inspections covering plumbing, electrical, heating and structural installations.
On June 1, 1962, Edward Blake resigned as ·Building Inspector after serving the town for 13 years in that capacity. His integrity and dedication to the post will long be remembered by the townspeople of Hamden. Clifford Lindgren was named as Building Inspector to succeed him. In 1962, Irving Ross began his duties as Plumbing and Heating Inspector, filling the vacancy created by Philip McDonald's retirement.
Clifford E. Lindgren, Building Inspector
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Board of Zoning Appeals
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