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ANNUAL REPORT
OF TILE
TOWN OFFICERS
Middleboro, Mass.
ORO
JGH
FOD. THE
Year Ending December 31, 1923.
THE MAMASKEIT PRESS. ING.
RASPAR
AA
WALTER SAMPSON A. B., A. M., M. P.
Principal of Middleboro High School 1890-1923
( Refer to page 53 )
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
LE
R
OUTH
PLYMOUTH
UNTY MASS
JGH *
INCORPORATED
D.1669
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1923.
3
TOWN OFFICERS 1923
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR WILLIAM W. BRACKETT Term expires 1924
TOWN CLERK WILLIAM W. BRACKETT
SELECTMEN
LYMAN P. THOMAS
THEODORE N. WOOD
Term expires 1926
ERNEST L. MAXIM
Term expires 1925
CHESTER E. WESTON
Term expires 1924
Term expires 1924
TOWN MANAGER HARRY J. GOODALE
ASSESSORS
JAMES F. GARDNER
Term expires 1926
ERNEST S. PRATT
BENJAMIN C. SHAW
Term expires 1925 Term expires 1924
ASSISTANT ASSESSORS
FOREST E. THOMAS
Term expires 1924
JOHN WESTON Term expires 1924
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
ADELAIDE K. THATCHER
CHARLES S. CUMMINGS WILLIAM M. HASKINS
Term expires 1926 Term expires 1925 Term expires 1924
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOREST E. THOMAS ALLAN R. THATCHER MRS. ADELIA C. RICHARDS KENDRICK H. WASHBURN LORENZO WOOD GEORGE W. STETSON
Term expires 1926 Term expires 1926 Term expires 1925 Term expires 1925
Term expires 1924 Term expires 1924
LEVI O. ATWOOD
Term expires 1926
4
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
CHARLES H. BATES
HEALTH OFFICER
JOHN H. WHEELER
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
ICHABOD B. THOMAS
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
WALTER M. CHIPMAN
Term expires 1926
WILLIAM J. COUGHLIN MICHAEL J. CRONAN
Term expires 1925 Term expires 1924
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
WALTER L. BEALS
WALTER SAMPSON
NATHAN WASHBURN
ALLAN R. THATCHER THEODORE N. WOOD MARION K. PRATT HENRY W. SEARS THOMAS H. KELLY H. JANE BENNETT
Term expires 1926. Term expires 1926
Term expires 1926 Term expires 1925 Term expires 1925 Term expires 1925 Term expires 1924
Term expires 1924 Term expires 1924
CONSTABLES
FRED C. SPARROW E. KIMBALL HARRISON ALDEN C. SISSON HARRY E. ALLEN
TREE WARDEN
HARRY J. GOODALE
5
FOREST WARDEN HARRY J. GOODALE
MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
JESSE CARPENTER, JR.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN
6
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
The Selectmen are pleased to be able to record the favorable condition of the town as regards its public debt as indicated in the report of the Town Manager. The total indebtedness of the town outside of those departmental loans which are self paying amounts to only $16,950. The borrowing capacity of the town is approximately $200,000, a fact which must of necessity be considered in making appropriations for the several large projects upon which the voters will soon be called upon to pass. In pursuance of a "pay as you go" policy, the wisdom of applying to the Legislature for permission to borrow outside the town's debt limit is a matter which should receive careful consid- eration before being entered upon.
One of the problems which has continued to receive special attention on the part of the Board during the year has been the improvement of electric service. The out- come of these investigations has been the discovery that there are two principal methods by which the utmost im- provement in service could be made. One, the installation of sufficient machinery at the local plant, would involve an outlay of about $100,000, and the other, the building of a new high tension line from Freetown to the Central Sta- tion, would cost about $45,000. In view of the marked im- provement shown in electric service since the inauguration of certain changes which were made by the Plymouth Elec- tric Light Co., at the insistence of this Board a few months ago, it seems desirable to allow further time before entering upon any such outlay as would be occasioned by either of the methods referred to, as there is also the question as to whether the improvement which might be hoped for is suffi- ciently necessary to justify the price which would have to be paid for it.
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Some of the more urgent needs of roads and sidewalks have been cared for during the past year, and it is the hope of the Board that sufficient means will be provided by appropriation to continue the policy of a gradual recon -- struction of the more important parts of the system.
Although a comprehensive report was submitted to the town at the last annual meeting by the Committee on the Revision of Town By-Laws, no action was taken by the town either for acceptance or rejection of their report. As matters are constantly arising which make the adoption of fixed policies desirable, if not actually necessary, it is hoped that this matter when again brought up at the next meet- ing will receive careful consideration and definite. action.
The bill now before the Legislature dealing with the disposition of the "Great Ponds" socalled, has been a sub- ject of considerable investigation on the part of the Select- men. While it is evident that the cities of Fall River, New Bedford and Taunton must have due consideration in the matter of water supply, the conservation of these ponds and their shores as a recreation ground for the people of this section is a matter which is also entitled to attention. In preparing for an appearance before the Legislative Com- mittee on this matter the Selectmen feel that a moderate outlay for engineering advice as to the feasibility of filtra- tion as a substitute for total exclusion of the public from these waters would be justifiable, and it is probable that such advice will be sought at an early date.
In completing this the third year of Town Government under the Town Manager system, the Selectmen, as always, bespeak the hearty interest and co-operation of all citizens. The open meetings which have been held at the instance of the Board seem to have been favorably received by the people, and the policy of holding such meetings will prob- ably be continued. In any event, the Selectmen in their administration in the affairs of the town are actuated by one single purpose, namely, to furnish to all citizens the kind of government which they want so far as their wants
8
can be ascertained.
In this spirit of co-operation the Board again assures the town of its firm purpose to deal as wisely as may be, with the great variety of municipal matters in which all have a common interest.
LYMAN P. THOMAS THEODORE N. WOOD ERNEST L. MAXIM CHESTER E. WESTON I.EVI (). ATWOOD,
Selectmen.
1
REPORT OF TOWN MANAGER
Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I have the honor to submit my third annual report and recommendations as Town Manager, this being the third year of this form of government in Middleboro.
In the departmental reports will be found the detail accomplishments of each department, therefore my report will cover only the larger items of the various departments.
STATE SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTING
At the annual election this year it was required by the State that the question of accepting the State System of Accounting be placed on the ballot. This was done and the voters accepted the act by a vote of Yes 606, No 272, Blanks 920. Thus the voters by accepting this act have placed an additional financial burden on themselves, the beneficial results of which will not be in proportion to the cost. The installation of this system of accounting will probably ne- cessitate the employment of a Town Accountant whose duty it will be to keep all the books of the Town, and also perform the duties of an Auditor. The system of book- keeping installed by your Town Manager when he took office has proven that it answers all purposes, as detail costs have been kept of the various operations of each de- partment, so that at any time, he is able to tell the exact financial condition of each department and also the cost of any particular piece of work.
The financial condition of the Town continues to stand in a very favorable condition. During the past year, bonds
10
FINANCIAL
and notes to the amount of $13,650 have been paid. Of these $4,000 was an Electric Light Department loan, and was paid from its earnings; $3,500 a Water Department loan, and paid from its earnings, thus leaving $6,150 paid from gen- eral taxation.
With the payment of these bonds the Fire Department is free from debt; the School Department has a debt of $4,950; on the loan for Middleborough's share of the con- struction of the Plymouth County Hospital at Hanson there is due $12,000; the Electric Light Department has a debt of $20,000, and the Water Department $43,000. Of these, the only amounts which effect the tax rate are the School House loan of $4,950, and the Hospital loan of $12.000, a total of $16,950. The remaining debts are paid from the earnings of the departments.
This is surely a remarkable situation, and compares very favorably with other towns of our size in the State.
GAS AND ELECTRIC LIGHT
The financial and physical condition of this department continues to show a decided improvement, and although the gas and electric rates were reduced last year, the financial statement this year shows that the department has made a good profit, so much so that we will be able to reduce the gas rates the coming year.
Eight and eight tenths (8.8) miles of electric light line have been built this year, 7.77 miles of wire have been used to connect 298 new customers.
Six thousand feet of gas mains have been laid this year and 2,553 feet of service pipe has been laid connecting 145 new customers. Due to the impossibility of getting an early delivery on the pipe, our gas main extensions were not completed until late in the Fall, so that the full benefit. of these extensions to the plant will not be apparent until next year.
11
The investigation of the construction of a Hydro-Elec- tric Plant at Muttock dam was continued this year. An engineer was engaged to prepare plans and specifications, and bids were asked for its construction. The prices asked by the contractors were so far above what was deemed a fair price for the work that it was decided that nothing should be done this year. However, we have the plans and speci- fications, and when conditions seem favorable, bids can be asked for and the plant constructed. It would be advisable however, to await the action of the next session of the State Legislature to see what they will do with the bill before it, which if passed, will allow the Citizens of Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford to take Assawampsett and the adjoining lakes for a water supply, and if this is done it may diminish the flow the the Nemaskett river to such an extent that it will not be advisable to construct the proposed gen- erating station at any time.
Further investigations have been made as to what can be done to improve the electric light service, and the ques- tion seems to resolve itself into one of two propositions, either construct a central station of our own at a cost of $100,000, or build a new high tension line to connect with the New Bedford Company at the Lakeville-Freetown line, at a cost of $45,000.
If a new central station of our own was constructed of three generating units, which would take care of double our present demands, we could manufacture electricity at about the same price we are now paying. Plymouth, and would, at the same time, be as well able to guarantee continuous service as any central station. This would cost approxi- mately $100,000, and would all be charged off in fifteen years. That is, the plant, by crediting itself with the differ- ence between the actual cost of manufacturing the elec- tricity we use and the amount we would have to pay the Plymouth Electric Light Co., for the same amount of elec- tricity if purchased, would be able to pay the cost of pur- chasing the necessary generating machinery in fifteen
12
years.
On the other hand, if a new high tension line is built to connect direct with New Bedford at a cost of about $45,000, we would be able to guarantee the same good serv- ice as though we had a central station of our own.
One or the other of these two things must be done before good service can be guaranteed.
Another question which has arisen, and that is as to the fairness of the present method of the payment of inter- est and bonds, and the cost of the construction of electric light and gas extensions. For the past few years the only appropriation which the town has been asked to make has been for the electricity used in its street lights, while the bonds, interest and extensions have been made from the earnings of the plant. That is, the rates have been kept sufficiently high so that these things could be done, with the result that the consumers of gas and electricity have been paying for something which is an asset to the whole town and belongs to the town as a whole, and for this rea- son have been able to purchase their street lighting at a small percentage of the cost they would be obliged to pay if the Electric Light Plant was owned by a private cor- poration.
Now in fairness to all, should not the town appropriate at least a part of the sum necessary to pay the bonds, inter- est and the cost of the extensions, in order that the rates on both gas and electricity may be still further reduced?
WATER DEPARTMENT
The new electrically driven centrifugal pump installed last year has proven to be entirely satisfactory., and has met all of its guarantees. The filters have continued to give good satisfaction, but there is a growing need for one additional filter bed and another reiseler in order that filtered water may be delivered to the consumers at all times. We have not at any time during the past year been obliged to pump raw water into the system, but the present
13
capacity of the filters is slowly being reached and before that time comes these additions should be made.
The inspection and repair of all the gates in the system begun last year has been completed this year, so that all the gates and hydrants are now in good working condition.
Further attention has been given to the slow and dead meters, and we have begun a systematic test of all the meters, in order to be sure that all meters are registering correctly.
HIGHWAYS
The question of better roads is one that is being dis- cussed more and more each year. The rapidly increasing use of the automobile for both pleasure and business has placed a tremendous burden on our roads, and this prob- lem has become the most perplexing one that not only we have to solve, but is one that is state and nation wide. The conditions of our roads, which a few years ago were consid- ered reasonably good by the horseman, are now considered intolerable by the automobilist. These conditions are ap- parently growing worse in the eyes of the automobilist for two reasons; first, the increasingly large number of auto- mobiles which are used in town, and secondly that these same automobiles are wearing out the roads much faster than it is possible to build them with the limited appropri- ation which is given to the highway department each year.
We have been able this year, with the $10,000 given by the Peirce Trustees, and $5,000 given by the State, to make much needed repairs on a section of Wareham Street 1,500 feet long at a cost of $5,000, and a section of Center Street 2,800 feet long, at a cost of $9994.11.
The general appropriation made by the Town has been used in general maintenance, and the graveling of certain sections of the outside roads that were impassable for auto- mobiles during certain periods in the spring.
The purchase of the third Ford dump truck has been
-
14
of great value to the department, and the saving in horse hire by the purchase of a Fordson tractor used in scraping the roads has been sufficient to pay at least one half the cost of the tractor.
The continued use of heavy asphaltic road oil has shown its worth in the results obtained.
Now that the State has agreed to co-operate with the towns of Bridgewater and Middleboro in the construction of a new bridge over the Taunton river, and the bridge across the same river at North Middleboro is under con- struction, our bridges with the exception of the East Main St. bridge, are in very good condition. Some extensive re- pairs of the East Main St. bridge will have to be made the coming year.
We have been adding to our machinery equipment each year small pieces purchased from our maintenance money but this year there should be a specia. appropria- tion made for the purpose of a new roller with a scarifying attachment, as our present roller is beyond economical repair.
SIDEWALKS
The general condition of the sidewalks in the town are poor, due to the fact that there is a concerted effort on the part of the automobilists to have all of the highway appro- priation spent on road improvement, thus causing the side- walks to be neglected.
This year with the special appropriation for new side- walks, we were enabled to build a fine piece of cement walk on North Main St., from Peirce St. to the Post Office cor- ner and on Center St., from the Post Office corner to Pearl St. Nothing has been done in the past few years which was so much needed and appreciated by the citizens as is this sidewalk, and I trust that as a result of this example there will be an appropriation made each year for this par- ticular type of work, so that by following a fixed policy we shall be enabled in a few years to very much improve the
15
sidewalk situation on all of our streets.
STREET LIGHTING
Our street lighting system continues to be a source of annoyance to many of our citizens. The few White Way lights which have been installed have proven very satis- factory, and should be extended on Center St., to Everett Square; on Warham St. to Benton St., and on North and South Main St. from Nickerson St. to the Library. In addition to these there should be fifty 60 c. p. lights added to the system, and twenty-five of our present 60 c. p. lights increased to 100 c. p.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The addition of a permanent captain to our regular fire fighting force has greatly increased the efficiency of the department.
The quick response by the department to the fire in the Central Congregational Church and the effective work done upon its arrival amply repays the extra expense of the department.
The housing conditions are, however, entirely inade- quate and dangerous. New quarters should be provided the coming year.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Middleboro is certainly to be congratulated on the per- sonnel of its police force. The efficiency of its Chief, gen- eral appearance of the patrolmen, and the courtesy which they show to all persons is certainly a credit to any town.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The duties of this department are among the most important performed by any of the departments of the town, and the pains-taking care with which the Health Officer performs his duties should be appreciated by all of our citizens. The employment of a full time health and school
16
nurse is of great assistance to the Health Officer, and is a forward step in the prevention of the spread of com- municable diseases.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
The painting of the Town House white two years ago was the cause of many favorable comments, and in order that its pleasing appearance may be preserved it should have one coat of paint this year.
More work has been done on the school houses this year than for several past years, but there is still more that should be done on the school buildings. The West Side, Union St., Rock and So. Middleboro schools have been painted inside and out, and this year the Forest St., Pur- chade and Wappanucket schools should be painted, and the West Side shingled. There are also several improve- ments that should be made on the High School in order to provide proper fire protection and exits.
SEWERAGE SYSTEM
The need of enlarging our sewerage system is more apparent each year, as the buildings increase in the section not served. A committee should be appointed to investi- gate. this condition.
With the close of the third year of the Town Manager Form of Government, we can point with pride to the fact that each year we have lived within our income, and each year has shown a balance in the Town Treasury, instead of a deficit as was the case under the old form of government .. At the same time substantial improvements have been made in each department, and the net debt of the town has been reduced $18,450, in spite of the fact that our pumping equipment at the Water Works Pumping Station has been brought up to date, and that a County Tuberculosis Hos- pital has been constructed.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE, Town Manager.
17
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION, 1923
GEORGE W. STETSON, Chairman
CHARLES H. BATES, Secretary.
MEMBERS
Term Expires
Allan R. Thatcher, 1 Webster Street
1926
Forest E. Thomas, 59 Everett Street
1926
Adelia C. Richards, 86 Pearl Street
1825
Kendrick H. Washburn, 70 So. Main Street
1925
George W. Stetson, 118 So. Main Street
1924
Lorenzo Wood, Plymouth Street
1924
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Charles H. Bates, 47 Courtland St. Telephone 577-R Office, Room 7, Town Hall, Telephone 81-R.
Office Hours, School days, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri- days, 4 to 5 P. M .; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 9 A. M.
REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in Room 7, Town Hall, on the first Thursday of each month, excepting July and August, at 7.30 P. M.
18
MEETINGS, 1924
January 3, February 7, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4. SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. James H. Burkhead, 11 Peirce Street Telephone, Residence 536-R; Office 536-W.
SCHOOL NURSE
Mary Canning, 2 Peirce Street, Telephone 256-W. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER
John H. Wheeler, 60 Everett Street. Telephone 407-W
JANITORS OF CENTRAL BUILDINGS
High School
Charles H. Goodwin, Forest Street Extension Union Street and Town House Schools
School Street School Forest Street School West Side School
Luther S. Bailey, 23 Forest Street George A. Cox, 82 Pearl Street Frank M. Gibbs, 49 Forest Street Linam Chute, 1046 Centre Street
CALENDAR, 1924
Winter Term, January 2-February 21, 8 weeks. Spring Term, March 3-April 25, 8 weeks.
Summer Term, May 5-June 20, 7 weeks; High School, June 25, 8 weeks.
Fall Term, September 8-December 19, 15 weeks. Winter Term, December 29 ---
The above calendar is for all the schools. The High School will close the Summer Term Wednesday, June 25, with graduating exercises in the Town Hall, Wednesday evening, June 25, at 8 o'clock. The graduating exercises of the Elementary Schools will be held Thursday afternoon, June 19, at 2 o'clock, in the Town Hall.
19 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Middleboro, Mass., Jan. 4, 1924.
To the Memembers of the School Board and the Citizens of Middleboro :
In accordance with the regulations of the School Board I submit the following report :
ENROLLMENT
The total number of pupils enrolled, for the school year ending June 21, was 1,796, a gain of 51 over the pre- vious year. The average membership was 1,628, an increase of 50, and the average attendance was 1,529 an increase of 95. It is interesting to note the increase in the last two decades. In 1903 the total enrollment was 1,346 and in 1913 it was 1,679. The 1923 enrollment shows a gain of 450 over 1903, and 333 over 1913. The 1900 census gave Middleboro a population of 6,885, the census of 1910 gave 8,234, while the census of 1920 gave 8,453, a gain of only 219 from 1910 to 1920. If the growth of the town in the past decade had been more rapid the matter of school accommodations would be more serious.
COST OF SCHOOLS
That the cost of carrying on the work of the schools of the town has increased during the past few years is due in a large measure to the increase in cost of instruction, janitor service, books and supplies, fuel, repairs and trans- portation. This condition is common throughout the country.
The increase in cost of instruction began in 1919 when Middleboro in common with all other towns, in justice to its teachers, advanced their salaries for three successive years by raises of $100 in 1919, $300 in 1920 and $200 in 1921, raising the pay of the grade teachers in that time from $600 to $1,200 as well as the salary of the other
-
20
teachers the same amount, and supervisors in like propor- tion.
It is interesting to note that in 1903 the amount paid for teachers' salaries was $16,586.80 and in 1913 it was $26,785.77, while in 1922 it was $66,073.63.
The cost of janitor service has also added to the in- creased cost. Where in 1903 the salaries of the janitors of the Central buildings was $1,199.00, and in 1913, $1,616.00, in 1922 it was $3,830.00 and a still greater cost will be incurred the present year due to increases in a few instances.
The net cost per pupil has increased from $22.79 in 1903 and $29.60 in 1913 to $58.08 in 1922, based on expendi- tures for the fiscal year.
A recent statement of the State Department of Educa- tion shows that in the past ten years salaries of teachers have increased in the state 162 per cent, text books 120 per cent, repairs 184 per cent, and transportation 212 per cent. Cost per pupil has increased from $38.12 in 1911-12 to $78.13 in 1921-22, an increase of 105 per cent. The cost per pupil in Middleboro is $20.50 less than in the State for the school year 1921-22.
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