USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1947 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE .
TOWN OFFICERS
AMPTON
H
M
WES
ASS
INCORPO
STET
9,1778
EP
Town of Westhampton
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1947
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Westhampton
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1947
Town Clerk
Births 1947
/ April 6 Arthur Edward Clapp+
2 April 19 Ruth Ellen Delisle
3 May 18 Patricia Ann Vachula v
4 June 20 Paul Arthur Fisher
3 June
22 Henry Moore Parsons, 3rd.A
6 July 11
Dwight Stanley Church, Jr. L
7 Aug. 24
Linda Jean Bishop ~
& Sept. 28
Joan Carol Bridgman -
9 Oct. 15 Lorinda Lee Baker L
10 0ct. 26 Terrie Marie Witherell4
/ / Dec. 4 Cheryl Eileen Hunt&
/2 Dec. 15 Lois Ann Hover
Deaths
Oct.
1
Fred Derouin
Yr. Mo. Days 73
Dec. 7 Margaret (Ewing) Howard 90 1 28
Marriages
/ Feb.
14 Kenneth Marciline Osborne
Lucile May Parsons
2 Feb.
15 David George Clapp Frances Mary Taylor
3 April 19 Stephen L. Lavalley Doris Anita Lacombe
Amsterdam, N. Y. Westhampton Westhampton Granby, Mass. Westhampton Northampton, Mass.
3
4 May
24 Fayette C. Mascho Westhampton
Nannette M. Bartlett West Springfield, Mass.
5 May
30 Daniel Burnham Krug South Hadley Falls, Mass. Jessie Jane Snow Westhampton
6 June
14 Gedion George Pepin Easthampton, Mass. Theresa Esperance Ledoux Westhampton
July
19 John Edwin Adams Jeanette Aurelia Norris
Newtonville, Mass.
July
19 Edward Benjamin Lavalley Lorraine Marie Lacombe
Westhampton Westhampton
9 Oct.
12 Edward Cernak Eunice H. Hathaway
Westhampton
/0Oct.
18 John Omasta Eva Mae Cranston
Northampton
l( Nov.
26 Charles Woodard Alice Joy Mccullough
Northampton
/ 2 Dec.
20 Edwin Stevens Hayes Margaret Kingsley Perkins
Westhampton
Westhampton
Dog Account
. 47 males @ $2.00
$94.00
5 females @ $5.00
25.00
15 spayed females @ $2.00
30.00
1 kennel @ $25.00
25.00
$174.00
Paid Town Treasurer
160.40
Retained 68 fees @ 20ยข
13.60
$174.00
Fish and Game Licenses
22 resident fishing @ $2.00
$44.00
26 resident hunting @ $2.00
52.00
47 resident sporting @ $3.25
152.75
Westhampton
Easthampton
Northampton
Northampton
4
13 resident women and minor fiishing @ $1.25 16.25
2 resident trapping @ $5.25 10.50
1 non-resident 3 day fishing @ $1.50 1.50
1 non resident fishing @ $5.25 5.25
1 non-resident hunting @ $10.25 10.25
2 duplicate licenses @ $.50 1.00
$295.50
Free licenses
2 sporting and trapping
1 military sporting
1 old age assistance
Paid to Division of Fisheries and
Game
$226.75
Retained 115 Fees @ $.25 28.75
$295.50
Westhampton, Mass., December 31, 1947
I have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk and find them correct.
FREDERICK W. JUDD, Auditor.
5
1
REPORT OF THE Town Treasurer
RECEIPTS
December 31, 1947
Taxes
1946 Real Estate
$1,047.85
Personal Property
384.66
Excise
186.61
1947 Real Estate
11,895.53
Personal Property
5,966.03
Excise
1,113.11
Poll
246.00
Interest on Taxes
1946
25.45
1947
10.56
Demands
9.10
Warrants
2.50
Highways
Massachusetts State Treasurer
Chapter 81, 1946 work 214.94
1947 work
8,127.42
Chapter 90
700.00
Chapter 90,
Soddom Brook Bridge
6,496.79
Chapter 588, Acts of 1946 2,533.69
Hampshire County Treasurer
Chapter 90
700.00
Chapter 90,
Soddom Brook Bridge
3,024.54
7
Schools
Massachusetts State Treasurer
Chapter 70, Part 1 1,007.50
Chapter 70, Part 2 2,574.87
Transportation 4,048.20
School Superintendents 134.42
Vocational Tuition
370.82
Vocational Transportation
511.22
City of Northampton, tuition
300.00
Old Age Assistance
Massachusetts State Treasurer
U. S. Grant 3,483.12
U. S. Grant, Administration 116.54
State
2,232.11
Meal Taxes 223.18
City of Lynn 92.40
Aid to Dependent Children
Massachusetts State Treasurer
U. S. Grant 148.50
U. S. Grant, Administration
7.96
State 131.82
From Massachusetts State Treasurer
Corporation Taxes 719.76
Income Taxes
1,102.82
Support of Indigent Persons
349.66
Proportion of State Tax, Ch. 70 & 71 267.89
State Forestry
121.02
Dept. of Agriculture,
Div. of Live Stock 7.50
From Hampshire County Treasurer Dog Licenses Refund 127.62
Bob Cat Bounty
10.00
Interest from Trust Funds
Cemetery
58.26
Whiting Street
20.70
Wright
15.00
Thayer
15.00
Interest from Town Funds 110.00
Income Taxes withheld from wages
855.58
Town Clerk, Dog Licenses
183.20
Town Highway Dept., Road Machinery Acc.
969.35
Sale of Town tractor 700.00
Miscellaneous Income
Revolver Permits 5.00
Fruit & Vegetable Peddler's License 5.00
Victualer's License 1.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures .80
Return on Tax Collector's Bond
5.00
Discount taken
.26
Samuel Carlson & Co., scrap iron
149.68
Total 1947 Income $63,867.74
Balance on Hand January 1, 1947
31,687.50
$95,555.24
EXPENDITURES
Paid Selectmen's Orders
$47,248.34
Paid School Committee Orders 15,327.22
Balance on Hand January 1, 1945 32,979.68
$95,555.24
Outstanding Taxes
1947 Real Estate
$2,129.11
Personal Property
706.10
Excise
86.31
Poll
2.00
$2,923.52
9
Road Machinery Account
Balance January 1, 1947
$1,792.20 969.35
Income
2,761.55
Expenses
689.02
Balance on Hand January 1, 1948 $2,072.53
Balances on Hand January 1, 1948
School Building Fund
$1,000.00
Withholding Taxes
337.66
Aid to Dependent Children, U. S. Grant
47.20
Town Hall Repair Fund
10.62
Enlargement of tractor shed
1,000.00
New grader
5,700.00
Funds Held in Trust by the Town
Cemetery
Int. Drawn in 1947
$2,000.00 Lucy Landon Totman
$40.00
500.00 O. C. Bridgman
7.50
100.00 Myra G. Strong
1.50
100.00 George Burt
1.50
100.00 Sarah Cook
1.50
100.00 Samuel Edwards
1.50
100.00 A. L. Searle
1.50
100.00 Emma G. Damon
1.50
50.00 D. L. Brown
.76
50.00 Susan A. Loud
1.00
$58.26
Worthy Poor $1,380.85 Whiting Street
$20.70
10
1,000.00 Wright
15.00
$35.70
Thayer
$1,000.00 (1/2 to Town, 1/2 to Parish)
$15.00
RALPH S. BRIDGMAN
Treasurer.
I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and find them correct, showing disbursements to the amount of sixty-two thousand, five hundred seventy-five dollars and fifty-six cents ($62,575.56), for which vouchers are on file, and a balance on hand of thirty-two thousand nine hundred seventy-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents ($32,979.68). Due from Ralph S. Bridgman, tax collector, 1947 real estate tax, two thousand one hundred twenty- nine dollars and eleven cents ($2,129.11), personal prop- erty tax, seven hundred six dollars and ten cents ($706.10), excise, eighty-six dollars and thirty-one cents ($86.31), and poll, two dollars ($2.00).
FREDERICK W. JUDD,
Auditor.
11
REPORT OF THE Board of Selectmen
Town Officers
Mass. Selectmen's Association Dues 10.00
Mass. Collectors' & Treasurers' Dues 2.00
Mass. Assessors' Association Dues 6.00
Greater Boston Community
Council Social Service Index 3.00
E. E. Stanton, Deputy Collector's Bond 5.00
Myron M. Clapp, Inspector of animals 15.00
Charles M. Norris, Town Clerk
120.00
F. W. Judd, Auditor 15.00
W. M. Fiske, Selectman
10.00
Gertrude E. Flint,
OAA & ADC Administrator 100.00
John C. Hathaway, Assessor 77.35
Phillip Norris, Assessor 76.50
F. H. Burr, Assessor 66.30
Stanley W. Bartlett, School Committee 60.00
Edward A. Montague, School Committee 40.00
Estelle Frary, School Committee 40.00
R. S. Bridgman, Treasurer
200.00
R. S. Bridgman, Tax Collector
175.00
Myron M. Clapp, Meat Inspector
40.00
Charles R. Burt, Selectman
80.90
D. B. Lyman, Selectman
45.00
F. W. Blakesley, Selectman
95.85
F. W. Judd, Sealer
10.00
James O. Hickey, Dog Officer 10.00
William H. Bray
6.00
1,308.90
12
*
Trust Funds
Cemetery Fund,
Barbara Judd, Treasurer 58.26
Wright & Whiting Street, Frances Loud 35.70
Thayer Fund, Richard Tracy, Treasurer 7.50
R. S. Bridgman, Collector 7.50
108.96
Town Hall
Western Mass. Electric Co., Lights 32.94
Howard F. Williams, Janitor 26.26
Herbert Williams, Janitor 60.47
The Lynch Thread Co.,
Basketball Protective net 13.28
Jeffway Hatch Inc., Lawn Mower 29.95
Earl Todd, Replacing Slate 10.50
C. R. Burt, Wood, etc. 20.88
194.28
Interest, Insurance and Bonds
E. Ray Ashley, Insurance on truck 32.91
George A. Pease & Co.,
Weights & Measures 17.04
Sanders Insurance Co.,
Town treasurer's bond 11.50
Tax Collector's bond 15.75
Town clerk's bond 7.50
George A. Pease & Co., Compensation 312.01
Franklin King, Jr., Movie projector 5.88
402.59
Road Machinery
C. R. Burt,
Bolts, Reflectors, Paint & Registration 9.52 Hector Arel Co., Repairs 94.70
13
Socony Vacuum Oil Co. 271.40
Walsh Holyoke Boiler Works, Blades 24.00
E. F. Edson Co., Snow Plow repairs 73.20
Richard Warren, Labor
20.00
John Cernak, Town truck
77.86
F. N. Graves & Son, Repairs
13.20
A. W. Stuart, Blacksmith
1.50
Harland Lemery, Labor
3.00
F. W. Blakesley, Parts
1.65
A. E. Witherell, Repairs
15.00
W. R. Witherell, Tire and tube
32.14
Callahan Service Station
3.85
Foster Farrar Co., Tools
7.05
F. S. Parsons & Son, Repairs
20.10
Equipment Service, Repairs
20.85
689.02
Contingent Fund
Katherine C. Ryan,
Assessors' transfer cards 21.60
Howard W. Blakesley, Excise abatement 1.25
C. R. Burt, Supplies & Trucking 8.80
Donald F. Marcoux, Poll tax refund 2.00
Rodney Howard, Wild cat bounty
10.00
New England Road Builders
Association, Printing 6.80
Westhampton Water Co., Cemetery 5.00
J. C. Hathaway, Telephone, postage, etc. 3.90 John F. Putnam, Excise abatement 3.29
Edith Blakesley, Copying town orders 10.00
Printing and Supplics
Mark Supple, Stamped envelopes 33.72
Barre Gazette Press, Collector's supplies 9.71
J. L. Hammett Co., Ration board certificates 12.28
72.64
14
Hobbs & Warren Inc.,
Assessors' supplies 22.78
C. R. Burt, Supplies 3.42
W. E. Londergan,
Printing town reports 80.50
Stoneham Independent,
Assessor's supplies 1.00
Barre Gazette Press, Collector's supplies 19.88 Mead & Wheeler Co.,
Pre-school clinic blanks 3.18
R. S. Bridgman, Supplies 28.89
F. W. Blakesley, Telephone & postage 23.30
Gertrude Flint, Supplies 3.15
J. C. Hathaway, Supplies .30
242.11
Withholding Tax
Collector of Internal Revenue
729.58
729.58
Taxes
State Tax
300.00
County Tax
1,465.26
State Parks and Reservations Tax
17.61
Auditing municipal accounts
181.93
1,964.80
Dog Licenses
Treasurer of Hampshire County
183.20
183.20
Fire Equipment
American LaFrance Foamite Corp.,
Indian Pumps 242.04
242.04
Diphtheria Clinic
Ruth S. Hover
25.00
Herman Felsen, M.D.
25.00
50.00
15
Well Child Clinic
Ruth S. Hover
25.00
25.00
Herman Felsen Supplies
1.13
51.13
Memorial Day
Richard Tracy
9.61
Philip Pinard
11.87
21.48
Gypsy Moth
Walter Witherell
47.60
Ernest Witherell
35.63
Thomas Vachula
10.00
Ralph Payson
20.00
Walter Witherell Jr.
30.00
Howard Blakesley
28.13
171.36
Recreation Committee
T. A. Purseglove Co., Equipment
82.75
Richard Tracy 206.44
289.19
Cemetery Account
Stanley Bartlett, Labor 135.44
Stanley Bartlett, Sprocket & chain 13.81
King's Paint Store
50.75
200.00
Soddom Bridge Route 66 Chapter 90
Peter Yarmac 12,221.33
12,221.33
16
Travelling Expense
C. R. Burt
5.00
F. H. Burr
2.40
7.40
Library
H. R. Hunting, Books
113.33
H. M. Parsons, Wood
24.00
Edith E. Grant, Magazines
39.00
Remington Rand Inc.
5.45
Marion Mascho, Librarian
30.84
George Knight, Janitor
25.00
Philip Clapp, Mowing lawn
5.00
242.62
Public Welfare
Case No. 44
1,008.94
Case No. 43
114.50
1,123.44
Aid to Dependent Children
Case No. 1
225.80
225.80
Old Age Assistance
Case No. 14
520.00
Case No. 16
629.40
Case No. 18
669.00
Case No. 21
548.85
Case No. 26
380.90
Case No. 27
449.65
Case No. 28
509.00
Case No. 30
585.73
Case No. 32
477.44
Case No. 33
420.00
Case No. 34
531.50
17
Case No. 36
624.00
Case No. 37
372.80
Case No. 38
340.20
Case No. 39
145.30
Town of Charlemont
30.12
7,233.89
Bridges and Railings
F. W. Blakesley
105.40
George Payson
40.00
John Tylczak
25.00
Richard B. Warren
12.50
Machinery Fund
21.60
A. E. Witherell
23.20
Myron Clapp
208.20
Allan Strong
40.00
State Prison
73.50
Peter Yarmac
2,250.00
2,799.40
Chapter 90 Maintenance
F. W. Blakesley
62.90
John Tylczak
35.00
Richard B. Warren
40.00
Machinery fund
24.80
John Kaleta
20.40
Rodney Hart
12.00
Frederick Pinard
5.00
Earl Loomis
10.00
Frazer Bushey
15.00
Byron Brown
15.00
Henry Snyder
144.00
Town of Southampton
46.80
Raymond Williams Jr.
5.00
Allan Strong
26.25
Herbert Williams
15.00
A. E. Witherell
139.20
-
18
E. A. Montague
69.60
George Payson
15.00
700.95
Road Material Chapter 90 Maintenance American Tar Co., Tar 1,400.08
1,400.08
A. D. C. and Old Age Assistance
Gertrude E. Flint, Federal Grant 124.50
124.50
Road Material Chapter 81
Federal Land Bank
5.60
Ernest Witherell
2.40
E. A. Montague
157.90
S. Cole
1.20
Ada Williams
50.60
A. Fisher
41.90
American Tar Co.
1,741.43
New England Metal Culvert Co.
695.83
Lane Construction Co.
72.30
H. J. Payson
103.40
2,872.56
Snow Removal, Sanding and Road Work
Henry Snyder
48.00
A. E. Witherell
46.40
Freeman Scott
21.38
J. W. Lynch Supply Co.
87.50
W. M. Fiske
15.25
Foster Farrar Co.
6.30
Machine Fund
28.80
R. B. Warren
10.00
W. N. Potter Grain Stores
69.00
Howard Williams
1.56
19
Earl Loomis
3.13
C. M. Norris
17.00
E. A. Montague
72.51
J. C. Hathaway
59.13
D. Williams
1.88
J. Tylczak
25.00
F. W. Blakesley
321.85
Allan Strong
117.50
George Payson
75.63
F. Bushey
32.50
B. Brown
5.00
M. Brassord
10.63
Murray Clapp
130.50
Myron Clapp, Jr.
44.13
Richard Warren
979.82
George Burt
975.88
3,206.28
Chapter 81
Machine Fund
873.15
John Tylczak
568.75
Richard B. Warren
521.88
Henry Snyder
1,929.00
F. W. Blakesley
1,235.10
A. Church
20.00
B. Brown
35.00
F. J. Burnett
25.00
Joe Pash
23.20
F. Scott
157.50
Richard C. Warren
313.00
E. A. Montague
663.31
G. Payson
228.13
A. E. Witherell
1,246.15
A. Strong
329.64
8,168.81
20
Recapitulation
Town Officer
1,308.90
Trust Funds
108.96
Town Hall
194.28
Interest, Insurance & Bonds
402.59
Road Machinery
689.02
Contingent Fund
72.64
Printing and Supplies
242.11
Withholding Tax
729.58
Taxes
1,964.80
Dog Licenses
183.20
Fire Equipment
242.04
Diphtheria Clinic
50.00
Well Child Clinic
51.13
Memorial Day
21.48
Gypsy Moth
171.36
Recreation Committee
289.19
Cemetery Account
200.00
Soddom Bridge Route 66 Chapter 90
12,221.33
Travelling Expense
7.40
Library
242.62
Public Welfare
1,123.44
ADC
225.80
O AA
7,233.89
Bridges & Railings
2,799.40
Chapter 90 Maintenance
700.95
Road Material
Chapter 90 Maintenance
1,400.08
ADC & OA A Admin.
124.50
Road Material Chapter 81
2,872.56
Snow Removal,
Sanding and Road Work
3,206.28
Chapter 81
8,168.81
47,248.34
21
Budget Recommended for 1948 .. 1.6
Schools
Highways, Chapter 81
960.00
Highways, Chapter 90
2,500.00
Highways, Chapter 90 Maint.
1,000.00
Bridges & Railings
800.00
Town Officer
1,500.00
Old Age Assistance
4,000.00
Board of Health
50.00
Well Child Clinic
60.00
Interest, Insurance & Bonds
500.00
Town Hall
300.00
Gypsy Moth
175.00
Printing & Supplies
300.00
Library and Dog Fund
115.00
Memorial Day
40.00
Contingent Fund
100.00
Reserve Fund
600.00
Snow Removal, Sanding & Road Work
3,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
200.00
Rabies Vaccine
50.00
Diphtheria Clinic
50.00
Public Welfare
200.00
Fire Patrol
100.00
Cemetery
200.00
Road Machinery
1,072.53
Travel Expense
100.00
Fire Equipment
100.00
List of Names in the Jury Box
James O. Hickey
Postal Clerk
Frank E. Hathaway
Farmer
William M. Fiske
Farmer
H. M. Bridgman
Farmer
F. W. Judd
Laborer
Alfred J. Messier
Salesman
22
1
Jurymen Who Served in 1947
Edward A. Montague, Farmer
Charles M. Norris, Farmer Frederick H. Burr, Salesman
Traverse Juror Grand Juror Traverse Juror
CHARLES R. BURT DONALD B. LYMAN FRANK W. BLAKESLEY
Selectmen.
Westhampton, Mass., December 31, 1947
1
I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen and find them correct, orders having been drawn to the amount of $47,248.34 - forty seven thousand two hundred forty- eight dollars and thirty-four cents,-for which vouchers are on file.
FREDERICK W. JUDD,
Auditor.
23
REPORT OF THE Board of Assessors 1947
Raise and Appropriate
Schools
$16,000.00
Highways, Chapter 81
690.00
Highways, Chapter 90
1,500.00
Bridges and railings
2,800.00
Highways, Chapter 90 Maintenance
1,000.00
Town Officers
1,500.00
Old Age Assistance
4,000.00
Board of Health
50.00
Board of Health (Well Child Clinic)
60.00
Interest, Insurance and Bonds
500.00
Town Hall
300.00
Gypsy Moth
175.00
Recreation Committee
300.00
Printing and Supplies
250.00
Library, the dog fund plus
115.00
Snow removal, sanding and road work
3,200.00
Rabies vaccine
50.00
Diphtheria Clinic
50.00
Aid to Dependent Children
500.00
Cemetery
200.00
Veterans' Service Center
100.00
Travel expense
100.00
Enlargement of the tractor shed
1,000.00
Memorial Day observance
40.00
Purchase of new grader
4,000.00
24
Fire Equipment
250.00
Contingent fund
100.00
Soldiers' Relief Public Welfare Fire patrol
200.00
1,000.00
100.00
Balance in the Treasury
Reserve fund
600.00
Road machinery account
1,792.20
Purchase of grader
(from the road machinery acct.)
1,000.00
Purchase of grader (from sale of the old grader and tractor
1,500.00
Chapter 81 (state share)
6,000.00
Chapter 90 (state and county share) 6,000.00
Chapter 90 maintenance
(state and county share)
2,000.00
Chapter 81 (from 1946 available funds)
2,500.00
State tax
300.00
State parks and reservations
33.16
County tax
1,685.38
State audit
181.93
Overlay
488.51
$64,211.18
Estimated receipts and available funds
$43,162.42
Net amount raised on polls and property
21,048.76
$64,211.18
Personal valuation
$156,155.00
Real estate valuation
338,720.00
-$494,875.00
Tax on personal property
$6,588.51
Tax on real estate
14,226.24
25
Tax on polls
Gain one cent on account of fractions
264.00 .01
$21,048.76
Tax rate
$42.00
December omitted assessment
on real estate
33.60
on personal property
113.61
Motor vehicle tax
1,250.12
Exemptions on real estate
195.30
Exemptions on poll tax
16.00
Abatement on real estate
39.90
Abatement on excise
53.99
From the Table of Aggregates
Neat
Horses
Cows
Sheep Goats Cattle Swine Fowls Dwellings
1945
54
274
11
0
152
43
9296
184
1946
65
255
14
8
145
57 11805
186
1947
58
251
14
7
141
60 11870
191
JOHN C. HATHAWAY
PHILIP J. NORRIS
FREDERICK H. BURR
Assessors.
26
REPORT OF THE
Edwards Thayer Memorial Library
--
Receipts
Town Appropriation
$115.00
Dog tax refund
127.62
$242.62
Expenditures
H. R. Huntting, books
$113.33
Remington Rand, Inc., supplies
5.45
Edith Grant, magazines
39.00
Henry Parsons, wood
24.00
Philip Clapp, care of the lawn
5.00
George H. Knight, janitor
25.00
Marion Mascho, librarian
30.84
$242.62
Receipts
Easthampton Savings Bank,
Balance Jan. 1, 1947
$918.16
Bank Interest
98.47
Daniel Bridgman, gift
10.00
$1,026.63
Expenditures
Electricity
$9.00
Theodore Adams, plumbing
3.00
Philip Clapp, wood
15.00
H. R. Huntting, books
5.74
27
Remington Rand, Inc., supplies
2.10
Marion Mascho, librarian
69.16
104.00
Bank Balance Jan. 1, 1948
922.63
-$1,026.63
One hundred fifteen books were purchased. Gifts of books were received from Mrs. Henrietta Miller, Mr. Franklin Neal and Mr. James Miller. Three hundred and ten books were read in 'Adventures in Reading.'
Circulation
Fiction
779
Non-fiction
89
Juvenile
512
Magazines
526
Books Borrowed from the Bookmobile
Adults
281
Juvenile 237
PHILIP J. CLAPP
JULIA E. MONTAGUE
GERTRUDE E. FLINT
EVELYN B. TRACY
BARBARA I. JUDD
REV. WALTER WYMAN
HERBERT F. MASCHO
Board of Trustees
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REPORT OF THE School Committee
To the People of Westhampton :
The committee held a regular meeting each month, except in August, and two special meetings. Routine business of the school was discussed and acted upon. Special problems of importance brought to the attention of the committee were also investigated from time to time.
The committee attended the annual meeting of the joint School Union April 15th, at Easthampton. Another joint meeting was held at Southampton Feb. 4th. The guest speaker was Miss Mary O. Pottenger, General Supervisor of Elementary Education of the Springfield School System. The Southampton School Committee spon- sored the program. On Feb. 20th all School Committees of Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties met at Northampton to discuss current State Legislature pro- ceedings affecting school committee functions.
The highlights of the committees activities for the year are as follows :
1. Appointment of Mr. Gordon P. Rowe, Jr., as principal-teacher.
2. Renewal of local school bus contracts for three years.
3. Adoption of five-point marking system (A-B-C- D-E) on report cards.
4. Discontinuance of Mass. Audubon Society in- struction.
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5. Purchase of radio-phonograph for music teach- ing aid and State Board of Education radio programs.
6. Request that folding chairs must be returned to the school house after use.
7. Discontinuance of Parents' night.
8. Increase of teachers salaries.
We wish to thank our Superintendent of Schools for his helpful suggestions and advice in carrying out the work of the School Dept. upon an increasingly high stand- ard and to all others whose service assisted us in the ef- ficient management of school business.
EDWARD A. MONTAGUE STANLEY W. BARTLETT ESTELLE E. FRARY
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REPORT OF THE Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and Citizens of the Town of Westhampton :
I am pleased to submit this, my third annual report of the Public Schools of Westhampton. This is the fifty- seventh in the series.
Center School began in September with a total of 59 pupils. There were 13 in the primary room, 21 in the inter- mediate room, and 25 in the junior high grades. This represents a decrease in enrollment of 12 pupils, which seems to have occurred in the lower grades. Two of our pupils are tuition-pupils from Northampton. Fourteen Westhampton pupils are attending Northampton High School, and 2 are enrolled at the Smith's School.
Our pupils in attendance at Northampton High and Smith's School continue to hold their own with the other children, and several are doing outstanding work. The work at the Center School progresses in a satisfactory manner, and our "school family" is a contented one in achieving their goals.
On July 12, 1947, we were surprised by the resigna- tion of Mr. Miller, our principal. Mr. Miller's contribu- tion to the education of the children of Westhampton dur- ing his six-year tenure was creditable. Those of us who worked with him were sorry to see him go, but were glad for him when we realized that he had received the promo- tion that he deserved.
At a School Committee meeting on July 30, 1947, Mr. Gordon P. Rowe, Jr., was appointed to succeed Mr. Miller
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as Principal-Teacher. Mr. Rowe attended Hyannis State Teachers College and Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, from which he earned a B. A. degree. During the war years he traveled to all points of the compass in his capacity as radio operator in the Navy. Mr. Rowe came to us well recommended, and he is the type of man that the children need. His first four months on the job have been commendable, and we shall expect high quality teaching and administration from him as he grows in his position. The citizens of Westhampton are fortunate to have a man of Principal Rowe's caliber and training to administer their school.
The services of special teachers and supervisors, with the exception of the Nature Class under the Audubon Society, have been continued. Handwriting improvement under the Rinehart system continues to be noticed, and the reports of the supervisors will be found in a later section of the School Committee report. It semed advis- able, because of its increasing cost, to discontinue the Nature Study class for the present school year.
Mrs. Jeanette P. Gregory, because of her duties in Easthampton, found it necessary to resign as school nurse. We were very fortunate to be able to have as her successor Mrs. Ruth S. Hover. Mrs. Hover has discharged her duties with excellence, and is due our thanks for as- suming the responsibilities of school nurse.
During the past year we have made no outstanding repairs to the school building. We have tried to maintain the building from day to day by taking care of minor re- pairs as they were needed. Center School should be painted, both inside and out, and the materials for the painting have been purchased. Because of increased cost of books and supplies during the past year the painting was postponed.
The American History books in Grades VI, VII and VIII, which were out of date and worn beyond repair,
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have been replaced by a new series by the authors, Wilson and Lamb, which came off the press in August. Grades III through VIII have new arithmetic textbooks, so that now the "Arithmetic for Young America" texts are used in all grades from I through VIII. In the Language Arts the new series of books that was introduced in 1946 into the intermediate grades has been continued into the upper grades, so that we now have one of the newest and best series of English books that is available. The new spellers, which were added last year, complete a list of basic funda- mental subjects for which we now have the newest and best textbooks. Books are the tools by which the teachers direct the learning of their pupils. A poor tool in the hands of a good workman may cause an inferior product. We dare not take chances with the education of our chil- dren.
At a recent assembly of the General Court, Section 1, Chapter 71, of the General Laws, was amended so that communities would receive reimbursement for the trans- portation of elementary pupils who ride on buses over two miles, as well as for high school pupils. This amounts to $4,048.20 for the past year, which is an increase of nearly $2,500. School costs are up 30% to 40% over pre-war levels, and are expected to increase at least 25% more during the coming year. Because of increased aid from the state during 1947 the net cost of maintaining the Center School has remained nearly the same. We expect more state aid in 1948, but whether Westhampton will receive it or not will depend on the vote of the Legislature.
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