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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
Massachusetts
RO
NTY MASS OU
V
FOR THE YEAR 1937
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
LEE
ORO
OUTH JAN
COUNTY
ASS
GH
INCORPORATED
FAD.1669
For the Year Ending December 31 1937
STOUGHTON PRINTING COMPANY Stoughton, Mass.
MIDDLEBOROUGH
"HEAD-O'-THE-CAPE"
Elevation-100 feet above sea level Settled-1660
Incorporated as a town-1669 Population 1935 census-8865 Valuation-$7,884,480 (exclusive of Automobiles)
Municipally owned-water, gas, electric light plants Tax rate-$40.00 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 Drug Sundries
Brass Goods Caskets
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
Provincetown
Brockton
Boston
Providence
New York
AND
TWENTY MILES
MIDDLEB
stoughto
Hanover
BROCKTON Whitman
Marshfield
.N Edston O
Easton Mitfield
The
Man field
Kingston
Bridgewater
Plympton
Attleboro
N Carver
Plymouth
TAUNTON OF MIDDOE BORO
W.L Beol
Astawamsett Lake
Tremont
sonset
Warehand
Buzzarde
Bay
Mariona
RIVER
Mattaporset
Fairhaven
NEW BEDFORD
AROUND
Duxbury
GAnet
LEBORO
5
TOWN OFFICERS, 1937
Board of Selectmen and Board of Public Welfare
Romeo Millette
Term expires 1938
Frederick Lobl
Term expires 1938
Lewis F. Harding
Term expires 1939
Charles S. Carver, Chairman
Term expires 1939
James F. Shurtleff
Term expires 1940
Town Manager Harry G. Goodale
Moderator
Fletcher Clark, Jr. Term expires 1938
Town Clerk and Town Accountant
Waldo S. Thomas Term expires 1939
Treasurer and Collector
Chester L. Shaw Term expires 1938
Town Counsel
Luke F. Kelley Term expires 1938
School Committee
Robert G. Butler
L. Francis Callan
Term expires 1938 Term expires 1938
Fred B. Alger, Chairman
Term expires 1939
Lorenzo Wood
Term expires 1939
Priscilla S. Alger
Term expires 1940
Alfred R. Mack
Term expires 1940
Superintendent of Schools J. Stearns Cushing
6
Assessors
-
Harrison F. Shurtleff Benjamin C. Shaw, Chairman Fred F. Churbuck
Term expires 1938
Term expires 1939 Term expires 1940
Members of the Planning Board
Enid S. Crosier
Term expires 1938
Russell A. Trufant, Chairman
Term expires 1939
Abner H. Smith
Term expires 1940
William D. Church
Term expires 1941
William C. Barden
Term expires 1942
Finance Committee
Hiram J. Archer
Term expires 1938
Bertram L. Thomas
Term expires 1938
Anatole Bourgeois
Term expires 1939
John V. Gallagher
Term expires 1939
Albert W. Charbonneau, Chairman
Term expires 1940
Charles V. Giberti
Term expires 1940
John R. Thompson
Term expires 1940
Registrars of Voters
Adnah H. Harlow, Chairman
Term expires 1938
William P. Scanlon
Term expires 1939
Sarah A. Sheehy
Term expires 1940
Trustees of the Public Library
Walter L. Beals
Term expires 1938
Leonard O. Tillson
Term expires 1938
Lucretia D. C. Harding
Term expires 1938
Grace H. Noble
Term expires 1939
Thomas H. Kelley
Term expires 1939
H. Jane Bennett
Term expires 1939
Allan R. Thatcher
Term expires 1940
Marion K. Pratt
Term expires 1940
Theodore N. Wood, President
Term expires 1940
Bureau of Old Age Assistance William C. Kilpatrick Romeo Millette
Frederic H. Noble
7
Park Commissioners
Arthur D. Benson James H. Kennedy
Harry J. Goodale J. Stearns Cushing James F. Shurtleff
Chief of the Fire Department George A. Philbrook
Superintendent Gas and Electric Department George A. Philbrook
Health Officer Louis C. Littlejohn
Superintendent of Streets Paul F. Anderson
Constables
Harry S. Allen Alfred M. Butler
Robert E. Hewitt Alden C. Sisson J. Adrien Bissonnette
Tree Warden Harry J. Goodale
Forest Warden Harry J. Goodale
Moth Superintendent Louis Forney
Sealer of Weights and Measures Louis C. Littlejohn
8
Inspector of Animals Leslie N. Clark
Inspector of Slaughtering Leslie N. Clark
Inspector of Wires Ralph Sampson
Inspector of Plumbing John J. Pearson
Dog Officer Robert E. Hewitt
Burial Agent Luke F. Kelley
Keeper of Lockup Alden C. Sisson
Field Driver and Pound Keeper Alden C. Sisson
Inspector of Milk Louis C. Littlejohn
9
REPORT OF THE TOWN MANAGER
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Middleboro, Mass.,
Gentlemen :
I herewith present my seventeenth annual report as Town Manager, together with the annual reports of the heads of the various departments to which reference should be made for the detailed accomplishments of each department.
At the annual appropriation meeting the first budget to be presented by the newly created Finance Committee did not meet with the approval of the meeting, and a new budget which included the complete restoration of cuts made in 1933 in the salaries and wages of the town em- ployees, was voted by the Town. The first cut in salaries was made in 1932, when a reduction of 5% from all sal- aries and wages was made. In 1933 a substantial reduc- tion in salaries and wages affecting every employee of the town was made, and varied from 10% in the lowest scale to 20% in the highest salaries. This same reduction was in effect in 1934. In 1935 the town voted to restore one- fourth of the cut made in 1933 and the same scale pre- vailed in 1936. In 1937 full restoration of all reduction in salaries and wages was made. All employees are now being paid on the same basis as existed in 1931.
FINANCIAL
While our tax rate of $40.00 per $1000 was the highest in the history of the town, all but three of the departments kept within their budget appropriation and came through the year with all bills paid, and the un- expended balances in a total amount of $6,481.72 was turned into the Excess and Deficiency Account. The other three departments received assistance from the Reserve Fund and thus reduced the amount of this fund from $2,000 to $920.38. As this Reserve Fund was cre- ated by an appropriation from the Gas and Electric Department, the unexpended balance was returned to that department.
10
The estimated receipts used in establishing the tax rate for 1937 was $196,092.36, but the actual receipts were $212,174.73, showing an increase of actual receipts over estimated receipts of $16,082.35. This amount plus the unexpended balances in budget appropriations of $6,481.72 increased the Excess and Deficiency account $22,564.07.
The total amount of outstanding taxes of all types as of Dec. 31, 1937, including Tax Possessions and Tax Title Account is $116,167.75, and the book value of the Excess and Deficiency account is $111,447.98.
The Gas and Electric Department is free of debt.
WATER DEPARTMENT
The total debt of the Water Department is $30,000. . Of this amount the Water Department is assuming $23,000. The notes and interest as they become due each year are paid from income from sale of water. The Peirce Trustees have assumed $2,000 and $5,000 is being paid from taxation for the Green extension.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The total outstanding indebtedness of this depart- ment, including the new Union Street School, is $83,000, all of which is paid from taxation.
COURT HOUSE AND POLICE STATION
The amount due on this building is $27,750, and is being paid by the Peirce Trustees.
To summarize, the total_debt is $140,750, of which $88,000 is to be paid from taxation, $23,000 from water income and $29,750 from the Peirce Trustees.
UNION STREET SCHOOL-BUILDING
At a Special Town Meeting held March 8, 1937, the Town voted to build a new school building to replace the present Union Street School, and appropriated $105,- 573.00 for this purpose; $33,000 to be raised by the issuc of notes, $30,000 to be taken from the surplus funds of the Gas and Electric Department and the remainder to be furnished through a Grant from the Federal
11
Government on the basis of 45% of Federal Grant and 55% of Town funds. Frank Irving Cooper Corporation of Boston were selected as architects.
Bids were opened Nov. 12, 1937, and subsequently a contract for the construction of the building was awarded to the D'Amore Construction Company of Boston.
Work on the construction of this building was begun soon after the awarding of the contract.
ADDITIONAL SAND FILTER AND FILTERED WATER STORAGE TANK AT THE WATER WORKS PUMPING STATION
At the adjournment of the Annual Town Meeting held Feb. 8, 1937, it was voted to construct an additional unit to our sand filter plant at the Pumping Station and to provide a clear water storage tank to hold 250,000 gallons of filtered water. This tank is being constructed for two purposes: First, to increase the efficiency of the filter beds, and, second, to increase the reserve water supply for fires.
The amount appropriated was $10,000 for each unit, $6,000 of which was to be raised by the issue of notes and $4,000 to be obtained from the Federal Grant. When the application for the Grant was approved it was on the basis of 55% of Town funds and 45% Federal funds.
Weston & Sampson were engaged as engineers, and bids to construct these units were opened Nov. 5, 1937. Warnard Constructors Inc. of Cambridge were the low bidders and were awarded the contract.
Work began immediately and it is expected this job will be completed early in the Spring.
W. P. A. PROJECTS
The three most important projects under this head- ing are building conduits and installing electric cable in Center Street from the end of the original underground system at Oak Street to John Glass Jr. Square, and the building of the conduits from the Electric Light Station on Wareham Street to Clifford Street, connecting with the underground system at that point.
12
This last project did not call for the installation of cables but a new project has been put in, and if approved, will complete the electric light underground system from the Central Station to John Glass Jr. Square.
The third project in importance was the construction of hard sidewalks on many of the streets in town. This project is not completed, as it had to be discontinued because of weather conditions.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen for their timely advice and suggestions, and the heads of the de- partments and other employees for their whole hearted cooperation and help in solving the many problems that have arisen during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE, Town Manager.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ,
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
EF
ORC
LOUTH
COUNTY
U
M
HA
INCORPORAT
For the Year Ending December 31 1937
14
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Organization 1937
FRED B. ALGER, Chairman
Members
Term Expires
Fred B. Alger, 5 Court End Avenue 1939
Lorenzo Wood, Jr., Plymouth Street 1939
Priscilla S. Alger, 10 Southwick Street 1940
Dr. Robert G. Butler, 1 Williams Place
1938
L. Francis Callan, 10 Clifford Street 1938
A. Russell Mack, 23 Rice Street 1940
Superintendent of Schools J. Stearns Cushing, 16 Court End Avenue Residence Telephone 643-W Office, Room 7, Town Hall, Tel. 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.
School Physician Dr. A. Vincent Smith, 35 Pearl Street Telephone 50
15
School Nurse Miss Helen B. Pasztor, 132 North Main Street Telephone 81
Supervisor of Attendance Thomas E. Hirst, Pleasant Street Telephone 169R-5
Census Enumerator Mrs. Carrie L. Jones, West Street
School Calendar
First Term, January 3-February 18.
Second Term, February 28-April 15.
Third Term, April 25-June 10, Elementary Schools. April 25-June 17, High School.
Fourth Term, September 12-December 23.
No School Days May 30, October 12, November 11, November 24-25.
16
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee :
I herewith present the annual report of the schools of the Town of Middleboro and my eleventh as Super- intendent of those schools.
The retirement of Miss Eleanor Barden at the end of the last school year closed a teaching service in the Town of Middleboro unequaled in length by any other teacher of our town. Beginning her service in 1892 in the Waterville School, Miss Barden served efficiently and effectively for forty-five years as teacher and prin- cipal in the different central schools. During these years two thousand three hundred and thirty-nine different children have been privileged to have learned under her guidance and instruction for one year or less. Such a dedication of life service to our young people deserves sincere tribute by the citizens of our town.
As this report goes to press we are saddened by the news of the passing of Mrs. Nellie L. Sawyer, Principal of the West Side School. Mrs. Sawyer came to Middle- boro in 1918 as Principal of the Town House School, where she served three years. In 1921 she was trans- ferred to the West Side School and has served most effi- ciently as its Principal for the past sixteen years. Be- loved by her teachers and pupils, Mrs. Sawyer has left a living influence among those who had the privilege of knowing her as a teacher and friend.
Most of the recommendations in my last report have been carried out during the year. A new gymnasium floor has been laid in the High School building; safety fences have been set around the playground at the Water- ville School and on the Union Street side of the Bates School; the point of the well at Soule School has been lowered and water is now available and the pump in service ; new chairs were placed in the typewriting, book- keeping, and study rooms at the High School; and many school grounds have been partly regravelled to relieve mud and water conditions. A new Reading series has been introduced in the first grades of all schools, and at the beginning of the next school year will be extended into Grade Two.
17
With the opening of the new Union Street building in September the serious overcrowding that now exists in the School Street School will be greatly improved and the lower grades properly housed.
Once more I must urge a serious study of the possi- bilities of introducing Practical Arts courses in our High School. Our school is not meeting the needs and require- ments of a large group of boys and girls whose interests and abilities are in a practical education manual in con- tent. This study should not be delayed.
The heating plant of the Bates School is antiquated and inefficient. A careful, scientific study has been made by heating engineers, and their recommendations are in the office of the Town Manager. The unequal and insuf- ficient heat distribution now existing is a health and . safety menace. The school is at present operated without the official approval of the State Inspector, which ap- proval cannot be obtained until changes have been made by the town.
A well should be dug or driven at the Waterville School to provide a sufficient and safe water supply for the children of that school. No well now exists on the school property, and water is obtained from an old well a considerable distance from the building .. , Since this well is not on the school property nor owned by the Town, improvements cannot be legally made nor its condition bettered.
In order to get a more complete picture of the work of the schools, I hope the succeeding reports of the Super- visors and Department Heads will be carefully read by all.
Your Committee, Teachers, and all departmental employees have given unqualified cooperation in advanc- ing education in our schools, and I wish to extend my appreciation of this team work, without which nothing can be well accomplished.
Respectfully submitted,
J. STEARNS CUSHING, Superintendent of Schools.
18
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
December 31, 1937.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :
The following is the annual report of the principal of the Memorial High School and my seventh as princi- pal.
Instruction
The general tendency in instruction for the past year has been a continuation of the trend toward practical education as contrasted with the cultural and theoretical preparation for higher education. However, in spite of all efforts to provide useful education through text-book instruction, it is becoming increasingly apparent that there is no substitute for manual training in practical arts for pupils whose interests and talents are in that field.
This problem has been mentioned at some length in the reports of previous years, but is stated here again because it is becoming more acute. When the school is. not prepared to furnish the kind of education needed for a large number, even up to a majority of those required by law to attend it, serious situations are certain to arise. It is almost as unreasonable as to expect people to submit to medical treatment for ills they do not have. Under such conditions it would not be surprising for the patients to show only slight interest in their treatment, and to determine to escape from it as soon as the law would permit. This situation presents the most pressing prob- lem now confronting the school. It is a situation that few schools of this size have failed to recognize and meet.
An. important change has been made in the require- ments for certification to college, in effect for each year of work beginning in September, 1937. One-half of the work done by the pupil must be passed with a mark of eighty-five per cent or above, and no mark is to be below
19
eighty per cent. for unqualified certification. The in- creased number of pupils attending colleges has made it possible for them to secure a sufficient number without accepting many who have met the actual requirements, but whose standing does not compare favorably with that of those accepted. It is misleading to pupils and parents for the school to maintain a level for certification that will not really warrant success in college; hence the change in requirements.
The department of physical education, under the direction of Mr. Battis is preparing a syllabus for a more complete course in physical education. The sports pro- gram is making a greater contribution to the pupils participating than ever before, but the needs of those not qualified to profit from sports must be considered. A closed field is almost mandatory for the support of the sports program now being offered.
Another change of importance is the provision of a late bus schedule once a month instead of once a week, as formerly. By careful planning much of the make-up work can be cared for in the regular school day, and the transportation problem has not been serious for the pupils who desire to return for help. Under the new plan the teachers are at the building in the afternoons as before. They can now give their undivided attention to those pupils who have returned for help. Parents are encouraged to notify the principal in cases of pupils who need help and are unable to provide transportation. In so far as is known, the new plan has not handicapped any pupils, and it will be continued unless complaints are received.
Faculty
Only two teachers are new members of the faculty this year and, as a whole, the staff is the most competent of any in the past seven years. Miss Margaret H. Ryder is doing excellent work in the teaching of freshman English, after having demonstrated her ability as a sub- titute teacher last year. Mr. Alfred E. Farley came to us from Abington, where he had been very successful. Mr. Farley is an assistant in physical education and teacher of civics. Both of these teachers have made fine contri- butions to the teaching staff by virtue of their industry and fine spirit of cooperation.
20
Parents' Night
A very representative group of parents attended a program during Education Week in November, at which time each parent followed the program of his child. Many helpful contacts of teachers and parents were made at this time. Parents are notified in as many ways as pos- sible that they are welcome to visit the school at any time or to confer with teachers or principal. Many do avail themselves of these opportunities, and by the resulting cooperation of teachers and parents, the school is enabled to render more effective service to the pupils concerned.
The Building
During the past year the most important improve- ment in the building was the laying of a new floor in the gymnasium. New chairs in several rooms have relieved the janitors of the constant repairing required by the old ones. The used desks next to be replaced are those in Room 32 on the third floor.
The heating this fall has been the most satisfactory of that for any previous season. The janitors have en- deavored to keep steam available at all times, as is in- tended for the heating system in use. The building will always be difficult to heat evenly as long as there are no radiators in the corridors and no transoms over the doors to heat them from the rooms.
Loose windows in the rooms having a northern ex- posure offer a serious problem in the heating of three rooms. In the interest of the health of the children and the economy in fuel, some improvement should be made in rooms numbered 16, 26, and 27. Double windows or weather stripping would improve the conditions mark- edly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to the teachers and pupils for their cooperation and thoughtfulness during my illness last spring; and espe- cially to you and Mr. Tillson for carrying the extra re- sponsibilities connected with the administration of the school.
Respectfully submitted,
LINDSAY J. MARCH, Principal.
21
STATISTICAL TABLES Memorial High School, 1936-1937
Table A Total Enrollment
Lake- ville
Plymp- ton
Carver
Boys
Local Membership Girls
Total
Post Graduates
1
1
1
2
9
11
Seniors
12
3
9
44
65
109
Juniors
15
2
9
63
64
127
Sophomores
27
5
11
65
90
155
Freshmen
15
9
20
105
86
191
Totals
70
20
50
279
314
593
Table B Graduating Classes 1933-1937
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
1933
49
59
108
1934
43
52
95
1935
43
64
107
1936
48
55
103
1937
50
51
101
Table C Graduates of Past Five Years
Class of
Number in class
Number going to college
Number going to other schools
Total continuing study
1933
108
13
27
40
37%
1934
95
12
23
35
36%
1935
107
11
30
41
38 %
1936
103
14
22
36
35%
1937
101
11
19
30
30%
22
Table D
Graduates of Class of 1937
Colleges : .
Higher Schools
Boys
Girls Total
Bates College
1
Bridgewater Teachers College
1
1
Colby College
1
Framingham Teachers College
1
Gordon College
1
Harvard College
1
Ithaca College
1
Northeastern University
2
University of Tennessee
1
11
Commercial Schools :
Bentley School of Accounting
1
Bryant College
1
Bryant and Stratton
1 3
Post Graduates 2
6
8
Other Schools:
Boston Trade School
1
Hebron Academy
1
New England Conservatory of Music.
1
New Hampton School
1
Nursing Schools
2
Posse School of Physcal Education
1
Providence Bible Institute
1
8
13
17
30
23
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Middleboro, Mass, December 28, 1937.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir:
I herewith present my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1937, showing by satistics the work accomplished during the year. The report is prepared in the order of the year's Clinical program.
Annual Physical Examination in Schools
Assisted the School Physician, Dr. A. Vincent Smith, in the annual examination of 1803 children. Four hun- dred and four defect notices, exclusive of hearing, vision, and dental defects were sent to the homes.
Tonsil and Adenoid defects found. 404
Vision defects found 64
Hearing defects found 16
Defect Corrections during 1937 :
Tonsils and Adenoids 47
Vision 31
Hearing 14
Measured all pupils in suburban and central schools twice for height; weighed all pupils three times during the year.
Dental Clinic
School Dental Clinics are held each Wednesday morning from 9 to 12 o'clock, from October to June.
Examination :
School membership of first two grades. 300
Number of children examined 263
Number found with dental defects. 208
Correction of Defects :
Children with defects corrected at the Clinic.
200
24
Clinic Operation :
Cleanings 16
Filling, Temporary teeth 119
'Permanent teeth 96
Extractions, Temporary teeth 96
Permanent teeth 13
Number different children treated, 1937
200
Number of pupil treatments
340
Dental Certificates issued
64
Emergency cases 31
Summer Camp children treated
2
Retarded Class children treated 6
Children treated for Welfare Department. 25
Amount collected in fees at Clinic.
$26.55
Lip Reading Class
Financed by the Chandler Ford Fund, Herbert E. Walker, Trustee under the will of Chandler Ford of Marshfield.
Instructor, Miss Harriett Gibson of Brockton.
Class meets on Monday and Thursday of school week in the office of the School Nurse.
The pupils in the class have shown a continued im- provement in their school work due to their ability to receive directions and explanations from their teachers.
This Clinic costs the town nothing and saves the town the cost of pupils repeating their grades, or about $60 per year each.
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