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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
LEE
OF
UTH
COUNT
YMASS
INCORPORATED
For the Year Ending December 31st
1934
H. L. THATCHER & CO. Middleboro, Mass.
44
٠٠.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
LEE
MOUTH
COUNTY
PLYMOU
TY MASS
OUGH
PINCORPORATE
SAD.1669
For the Year Ending December 31st
1934
H. L. THATCHER & CO. Middleboro, Mass.
MIDDLEBOROUGH
"HEAD-O'-THE-CAPE"
Elevation-100 feet above sea level Settled-1660
Incorporated as a town-1669 Population 1930 census-8593 Valuation-$8,036,590.00 (exclusive of Automobiles)
Municipally owned-water, gas, electric light plants. Tax rate-$35.30 per thousand Area-68.1 square miles Miles of street-146 Motorized Fire Department Well equipped Hospital.
Schools in Class A. Principal Industries:
Fire Apparatus
Varnishes
Shoes
Worsteds
Boxes
Jewelry
Brass Goods Drug Sundries
and thirty other products
The center of the cranberry industry
Located:
35 miles from Boston 22 miles from New Bedford 30 miles from Providence, R. I.
Railroad Center Direct rail connections with
Fall River New Bedford Taunton Providence
Provincetown Brockton
Boston
New York
Hondve.
BROCKTON
Marshlielo
whitmon
Durbur
Monfreid
Kingston
Bridge
AHleboro
Plymouth
TAUNTON
MIDDLEBORO
Lot. 41.65 M.
WL Bsols, Del.
estou
awokchom
marion
RIVER
New BO FOND
0
MILES AROUND.
TWENTY
MIDDLEBOR
5
TOWN OFFICERS 1934
Selectmen
ALBERT A. THOMAS
Term expires 1935
ALEXANDER HEATH
Term expires 1935
LEWIS F. HARDING, Chairman
Term expires 1936
MICHAEL M. BARRETT
Term expires 1936
FREDERIC H. NOBLE
Term expires 1937
Moderator
FLETCHER CLARK, JR.
Term expires 1935
Town Manager HARRY J. GOODALE
Town Clerk and Town Accountani
WALDO S. THOMAS Term expires 1936
Treasurer and Collector
SAMUEL BRECK Term expires 1935
School Committee
ALLAN R. THATCHER, Chairman
Term expires 1935
ROBERT G. BUTLER
Term expires 1935
FOREST E. THOMAS
Term expires 1936
FRED B. ALGER
Term expires 1936
KENDRICK H. WASHBURN
Term expires 1937
PRISCILLA S. ALGER
Term expires 1937
Superintendent of Schools J. STEARNS CUSHING
6
Assessors
HARRISON F. SHURTLEFF BENJAMIN C. SHAW, Chairman WILLIAM G. BOYNTON
Term expires 1935
Term expires 1936 Term expires 1937
Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance
LELAH M. HATHAWAY
Term expires 1935
LAURA B. WHITTEMORE
Term expires 1936
WILLIAM G. BOYNTON, Chairman
Term expires 1937
Members of the Planning Board
JANE V. PHINNEY
Term expires 1935
JESSE CARPENTER, JR.
Term expires 1936
EVERETT M. WILLIS
Term expires 1937
ENID S. CROSIER
Term expires 1938
RUSSELL A. TRUFANT, Chairman
Term expires 1939
Registrars of Voters
MINNIE A. JONES
Term expires 1935
MICHAEL H. CRONAN
Term expires 1936
WILLIAM J. COUGHLIN, Chairman
Term expires 1937
Trustees of the Public Library
WALTER L. BEALS
Term expires 1935
LEONARD O. TILLSON
Term expires 1935
FRANK C. WHITNEY
Term expires 1935
GRACE H. NOBLE
Term expires 1936
THOMAS H. KELLEY
Term expires 1936
H. JANE BENNETT
Term expires 1936
ALLAN R. THATCHER Term expires 1937
MARION K. PRATT Term expires 1937
THEODORE N. WOOD
Term expires 1937
7
Chief of the Fire Department GEORGE A. PHILBROOK
Superintendent Gas and Electric Department GEORGE A. PHILBROOK
Health Officer JOHN T. CONNOR
Superintendent of Streets PAUL F. ANDERSON
Constables E. KIMBALL HARRISON ALDEN C. SISSON HARRY S. ALLEN JOHN M. CALLAN
Tree Warden HARRY J. GOODALE
Forest Warden HARRY J. GOODALE
Moth Superintendent GEORGE WARD STETSON
Sealer of Weights and Measures LOUIS C. LITTLEJOHN
Inspector of Animals LESLIE N. CLARK
Inspector of Wires RALPH SAMPSON
Inspector of Plumbing JOHN J. PEARSON
8
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
I herewith present my fourteenth annual report, to- gether with the annual reports of the heads of the various departments, to which reference should be made for the detail of each department.
We have kept constantly in mind the appropriations made in the budget for the operation of the various depart- ments and have worked strenuously to keep within these appropriations. We have had but two overdrafts, one in Forest Fires and the other in Soldiers Relief, despite the fact that furnishing tools and materials for the use of the men employed on projects approved for C.W.A. and E.R.A. have been a drain on many of the departments.
The collections by the Tax Collector show some improve- ment over last year. The outstanding electric light and gas bills have been reduced $5,346.48; the cash balance in the hands of the Treasurer has increased about $50,000 and the anticipation of revenue notes increased $25,000, show- ing a net improvement in the Town's financial condition of about $25,000.
The excess and deficiency account is now $59,453.09, an increase of about $1,000 over 1933. This account would be $67,310.03 if it were not for the fact that the tax title amount of $8,756.75 is charged to this account.
The excise taxes outstanding, amount to $1,913.26; $118.29 for 1932, $231.28 for 1933 and $1,563.69 for 1934.
The real estate taxes for 1932 have all been collected. The outstanding real estate and personal taxes for 1933 are $34,961.91 and the real estate, personal and poll taxes for 1934 outstanding are $103,341.93.
The outstanding departmental bills owed the town, nearly all of which are due from the State and other Cities and Towns, amount to $11,134.67, for services rendered by the Welfare, Old Age Assistance and School Departments.
,
9
The net bonded or fixed debt has increased $12,750, due to the purchase of two new pieces of fire apparatus and water extensions voted at the Annual Town Meeting. This debt is now $133,750. Of this amount $17,000 is for the construction of the filter beds and standpipe, the yearly payments on which are taken care of from the income of the Water Department. $7,000 of this total amount is for the construction of the Brockton High Tension Line of the Gas & Electric Department and the payments as they become due are paid from the income of this department, leaving $109,750 to be paid from general taxation.
C.W.A. and E.R.A.
Much useful and worth-while work of lasting results have been obtained, which will be enjoyed for years to come, from the Government funds allotment to the Town. Had it not been for the Peirce Fund, the large number of men which have been employed could not have been kept at work, without a considerable increase in the tax rate.
The outstanding improvement which was the enlarging of our Playground in the rear of the High School, has been accomplished thru this fund.
The Peirce Fund paid for the construction of the Tennis Courts which were opened July 4th and were in constant use for the remainder of the season.
The Peirce fund also built the foot ball field which was used for the first time this Fall, and provided an ideal place for the High School and Town Teams to play their games. This fund provided the tools, material and equipment neces- sary so that the E.R.A. Funds could be used to construct a cement swimming pool 150 ft. long by 75 ft. in width, moved a building onto a new site to be used as an athletic building and bath house, graded three additional tennis courts, and work is now going on filling the swamp between the pool and river to provide additional playground space.
This work has provided labor for a large number of men for nearly two years, nearly all of whom would have had to
10
be assisted by the Welfare or Soldiers Relief Departments had it not been for this fund.
During this year the Peirce Trustees have spent $19.545.58 in developing the playground.
For details of all the work done from the inception of . the C.W.A. in December 1933, you are referred to a report by the E.R.A. Administrator, incorporated as part of the Town Report.
WELFARE DEPARTMENT
The report of this department is very interesting read- ing and shows conclusively that had it not been for the assistance rendered by the Government that untold suffer- ing would have resulted to many of our citizens, and that had it not been for this fund our tax rate would have gone sky high to prevent actual starvation. As it is, the food and other necessities furnished, together with the money allotted for labor by the Government, has kept the net cost of operating this department for this year about the average for the past ten years. An interesting table of the net costs of operating this department is incorporated in this report and shows that whether times are good or bad, there are about the same number of people who have to be cared for by the town as a public expense.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
There is not much of especial interest in the other de- partments to be emphasized in my report. The details of their operations will show that they are being carried on efficiently under the able supervision of the heads of the departments.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen for their timely advice and cooperation and the heads of all the depart- ments, and the men under them, who have worked so faith- fully during the year to obtain the results that have been obtained, and on the fact that they have all lived within the amounts allotted to their departments.
HARRY J. GOODALE, Town Manager
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
E
R
OUTH AG
COUNTY
U
MASS
*
INCORPORATED
SAD.1669
For the Year Ending December 31st
1934
12
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION 1934
ALLAN R. THATCHER, Chairman MEMBERS
Term expires
Allan R. Thatcher, 1 Webster Street
1935
Dr. Robert G. Butler, 1 Williams Place
1935
Fred B. Alger, 5 Court End Avenue
1936
Forest E. Thomas, 59 Everett Street
1936
Priscilla S. Alger: 10 Southwick Street
1937
Kendrick H. Washburn, 70 South Main Street
1937
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
J. Stearns Cushing, 16 Court End Avenue Residence Telephone 643-W
Office, Room 7, Town Hall, Telephone 81
Office Hours, School Days, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3:30 to 5 P. M .; Tuesday and Thursday, 8 to 9:30 A. M.
SCHOOL 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.
13
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. A. Vincent Smith, 35 Pearl Street Telephone 50
SCHOOL NURSE
Miss Helen B. Pasztor, 132 North Main Street Telephone 278
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
John T. Connor, 170 North Main Street Telephone 812
CENSUS ENUMERATOR
Mrs. Carrie L. Jones, West Street Telephone 293-M
SCHOOL CALENDAR
First Term, January 2-February 21.
Second Term, March 4-April 18.
Third Term, April 29-June 14, Elementary Schools April 29-June 26, High School
Fourth Term, September 9-December 20
NO SCHOOL DAYS
February 22, May 30, April 19, November 11, November 28-29
Only a Teacher
By CHARLES J. HEMMIG Supervising Principal Shillington, Pennsylvania
I SING the praises of the pub- lic school teacher.
She is in the front line trenches of the educational forces. If she fails the whole public school system fails.
She must have the patience of Job; the wisdom of Solomon; the knowledge of Aristotle; the liter- ary skill of Shakespeare; the. strength of Samson; the gener- osity of Carnegie; the goodness of Saint Francis of Assisi, and the character of Christ.
She must have the skill of the dentist and doctor; the tech- nique of the magician; the stern- ness of a father and the gentle- ness of a mother.
She must command in one situation and submit in another.
She must be fair and square in dealing with pupils, in giving examinations and tests, and in marking and grading papers and school work.
She must be able to sing, to write, and to make public ad- dresses.
She must be able to delve into the innermost recesses of the minds and hearts of her pupils.
She must be willing to sacri-
fice her time, her health and per- sonal ambitions on the altar of knowledge.
She must be able to live like a queen on the income of a fac- tory hand.
She must endure the criticism and meet the standards of prin- cipal, supervisor and superin- tendent.
She must be progressive and join educational associations; at- tend conferences; read educa- tional periodicals; know and apply psychology; read and study books dealing with educational practice, methods and techniques.
Besides all these things she must be cheerful, happy, good- natured, refined, cultured, sym- pathetic, friendly, have a sense of humor and be able to take a joke.
Socially she is thought to be at the bottom of the educational service ladder-professionally she should be at the top. She re- ceives the least pay but actually should be the most accomplished.
Of her is expected perfection in an imperfect world.
Marvelous, indeed, is the per- son who can meet all these re- quirements and still remain a human being.
15
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To Members of the School Board: 1
I herewith present the annual report of the schools of the town and my eighth as Superintendent of these schools.
The schools of Middleboro have been operated during the past year with the lowest net cost in the past ten years. This is due to a number of contributing agencies such as reduced teacher and administration salaries; extreme care in the use and distribution of supplies; continued use of worn-out textbooks that should have been discarded; increase in size of classes giving teachers a heavier per-pupil load; and larger tuition receipts from outside towns. The fol- lowing table shows the gradual decline of the net cost of schools during the past five years.
NET COST OF SCHOOLS OVER FIVE-YEAR PERIOD
1930
$111,781.49
1931
108,193.32
1932
97,269.29
1933
84,233.70
1934
83,333.79
It will be noticed from the above that in the five-year period just past the net cost has been reduced $28,447.70, or 25.3%. This reduction is more significant in view of the fact that enrollment has shown a sharp increase in the first half of this period and has remained at that peak during the last half. The High School membership during this period has more than doubled the membership in 1924 being 293, while in the year just completed the number reached · 633. The following table shows the gain in enrollment over the ten-year period.
16
ENROLLMENT OVER TEN-YEAR PERIOD
High School
Grades I-IX
Total
1925
340
1526
1866
1926
382
1537
1919
1927
461
1433
1894
1928
513
1439
1952
1929
536
1386
1922
1930
542
1370
1912
1931
574
1324
1898
1932
632
1279
1911
1933
633
1278
1911
1934
633
1281
1914
We are now experiencing a general rise in price of all school supplies and equipment due to the code conditions.
We were fortunate in having a fair supply of materials on hand two years ago and have been drawing on this stock, until it is now exhausted. This will mean an increase in the budget item for supplies for the coming year. A com- parison of prices of some of the common materials used will show the trend of conditions.
COMPARATIVE COST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Price 1933
Price 1935
Percent of Increase
Examination Paper, 8x1012
.28 pkg.
.39 pkg.
39%
8x5 12
.14 pkg. . 195 pkg.
39%
Rulers
2.40 gr.
2.75 gr.
14%
Typewriting Paper
.16 pkg. . 20 34 pkg.
29%
Scissors
2.00 doz. 2.50 doz.
25%
Thumbtacks
.07 box
.13 box
85%
Manila Tags
.95 C
1.44 C
51%
1
17
Erasers, rubber .60 box .74 box 23%
blackboard
1.25 doz. 2.25 doz. 80%
Mimeograph Paper
.34 pkg. . 45 pkg. 32%
The above figures have been included in this report with the sole idea of giving information regarding market conditions of the materials used in the schools. Owing to this rise in paper prices, the cost of textbooks has neces- sarily increased at the same rate, and therefore, it will be necessary to curtail in the purchase and replacement of textbooks in the coming year.
A Special Opportunity Class for retarded children was started in September to conform with the requirements of the General Laws. This class, now numbering twelve, is located in the Bates School. In order to have a place for this class, it was necessary to take over the Art room and have that subject taught in various rooms of the building. Pupils in this Special Class are given individual help in their school subjects while a large part of the day is devoted to handwork of various kinds. These pupils advance as rapid- ly as their abilities warrant. Miss Florence L. MacKinnoor a graduate of Salem Teachers College, especially trained fn, this work has charge of the class.
The addition of one teacher in the High School was made at the beginning of the present school year to conform with the requirements of the State Department of Educa- tion to keep that school in Class A. A full-time assistant was also added to the janitor service of this building.
The congestion of pupils in the School Street School, as predicted in my previous reports, developed according to schedule, and it was necessary to add a full-time building assistant here. Four of the classes number over forty-five and all over thirty-five. Approximately one hundred child- ren will enter the second and third grades here next Fall. This condition will exist until rooms are provided in either a new Union Street School or some other school building to allow a parallel system of grades to the Bates School. The condition may perhaps be best shown graphically.
-
18
UNION STREET SCHOOL
FLORA M. CLARK SCHOOL
Grade II (31)
Grade II (27)
Grade II (38)
96
(48)
(48) Grade III
Grade III
SCHOOL STREET SCHOOL
With three second grades contributing to two third grades, there can be no permanent relief until other room is found for these children.
An article in the Warrant of the next town meeting asks the consideration of the townspeople for a new school to replace the old Union Street School building. I trust that this will receive serious thought and consideration, as not only is the building old, unsightly, and not particularly suited for the grades it now houses, but provision may then be made to correct the condition.
Condition in all other schools is normal with the ex- ception of a temporary overcrowding at South Middleboro. This situation is not serious and should be relieved with the new school year.
Much has been done during the past year in Visual Ed- ucation. Knowing that what a child sees he well remembers, motion pictures have been shown in those central schools where the largest number might benefit. Through the co- operation of the State Department of Education the films used were only available for one day each week, and thus our system was handicapped in covering all schools. New arrangements are being made so that films may be available for a week which will allow a broader use and more schools will receive the benefits derived.
The Manual Arts work in the Bates School has been expanded to two days each week due to the interest and sup- port of the Pierce Trustees. This enables the boys of that
19
school to get a substantial course in woodwork, and the girls the elements of needlecraft.
The School Band, comprised of members of the Bates and High School, now numbers fifty pieces. In addition to their own concert, the Band participated in the Music Festival for High Schools at Melrose; for the G. A. R. on Memorial Day; for commencement exercises at Tabor Academy; for the American Legion on Armistice Day; and for the local Teachers' Association guest night. The im- petus in the growth of instrumental music in our schools can be attributed in a great measure to this organization. The membership of the High, Bates, and School Street School orchestras has been increased and the instrumental classes have maintained their efficiency. Much credit is due Mr. Phillips, our Music Supervisor, for interesting the boys and girls in the playing of some instrument and help- ing them obtain the instrument they desire. If any reader should have any unused musical instrument they wish to donate to the schools for the use of some deserving child, it would be greatly appreciated by such children.
During the summer your Superintendent prepared and distributed a Course of Study in the various subjects in order that each teacher might know definitely what ground to cover in each grade and thereby unify the work of all schools. This outline is being further studied by the teachers and will be revised at the close of the school year.
All parents are urged to read carefully the following reports of the different departments of the school system as submitted by the heads of these departments.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank these depart- ment heads, teachers and all persons connected with the department for their continued splendid spirit of co-operation in carrying on the high grade of work in our schools.
Respectfully submitted, J. STEARNS CUSHING Superintendent
20
1
REPORT OF THE H GH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
December 31, 1934.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools, Middleboro, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my third annual report as principal of the Memorial High School. During the past year several improvements have been made which have contributed to the success of the school, each of wh ch will be commented upon more in detail later. I refer to the addition of a teach- er, the placing of the assistant janitor on full time, and the establishment of a sub-freshman class.
THE FACULTY
For some time it has been apparent that the subjects having to do with social and civic problems, should be group- ed to-gether under special teachers. Special training is as essential for the teaching of these so-called social studies as it is for the teaching of any other subject. Miss Helen Merselis, a graduate of the New Jersey State Teachers' College at Montclair was selected to handle these subjects. The added teacher now brings the faculty up to the number required by the State Department of Education. The number of large classes has been materially reduced, a change especially needed in the English department where the classes have been large. The teachers of English have not had adequate time for the large amount of correction of papers necessary to the subject. Last year the classes in senior English, including post graduates, averaged more than thirty-five pupils.
21
THE BUILDING
The use of federal aid made possible the refinishing of the building throughout, so that it is in excellent condition in that respect. The need for a new set of desks to replace those in one of the five rooms originally equipped with second hand desks, has become very urgent. A drain is badly needed in the locker room floor in order that the janitor may maintain a sanitary condition there. The floor in the gymnasium will soon need replacement as was explained in the last report.
There is an urgent need for a sink and a gas or electric plate in the lunch room. Warm soups and other foods are much more healthful than the dry crackers and sand- wiches now served. Proper sanitation demands that run- ning water be available for washing tables and utensils. In anticipation of this need a small sum has been set aside each year from the income of the lunch room. The needed . improvements can now be made as soon as permission is given to make them. Permission is hereby requested to make the simple alterations necessary to install the equip- ment needed. There will be no cost to the town as the lunch room is self-supporting.
THE SCHOOL
The present number of different pupils enrolled to date, 633, is exactly the same figure as a year ago. Two years ago the figure was one less. The large enrollment has ceased to be such a problem with the present faculty. There are still, however, thirty pupils in school who do not have per- manent desks in which to keep their books.
The problem of meeting the needs of the non-college pupils is still a pressing one. The new subjects have taken these pupils from the classes in college preparatory subjects, but the need for manual training or practical arts in some
22
form is great. A room in the basement designed as a general shop should some day be equipped for class instruction.
The interests of the smaller group of pupils who will go to schools of higher learning, have not been overlooked. Last spring special work in afternoon classes was given the candidates for college entrance. Regular College Board examinations were given in various subjects. Weaknesses brought out by these and other tests were corrected. Two of last year's graduating class, one at Boston University and one at Simmons College have received special praise for their work in English. This special training will be continued even more intensively this year. The need for the training is explained by the following quotation from the Boston Herald of December 28, 1934. "Complicated and widespread efforts to keep students out of college, in- stead of bringing in as many as possible, are being made by many of the privately endowed colleges, Dr. Robert L. Kelly, executive secretary of the association of American colleges, disclosed tonight.
" 'In the past,' he said, 'it was the belief that every student should have the privilege of starting at kindergarten and going through a Ph.D. without its costing him a cent.'
" 'But the colleges now feel that not by any means should all young people in this country go to college. A great majority ought not to go-and as a matter of fact, a great majority don't.'
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