Norwood annual report 1932-1935, Part 35

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1932
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1450


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 35


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The number of applications received during the year was 6, of which one was rejected. The number of cases discontinued for reasons other than death amounted to 2. Eight recipients of Old Age Assistance passed away during the year. The total number of persons receiving Old Age Assistance in Norwood listed by months is tabulated below:


January, 31; February, 34; March, 35; April, 31; May, 31; June, 30; July, 27; August, 28; September, 27; October, 28; November, 28; December, 28.


The Old Age Assistance recipients participated in the distribution of Federal Emergency Relief Administration surplus commodities. The average number of cases remained approximately the same throughout the year, and those cases taken by death have been replaced by new ap- plications.


Respectfully submitted,


M. JOSEPH ROACHE, Chairman, PAUL I. BERNIER, L. J. L., CATHRYN L. FOSTER, Norwood Board of Public Welfare.


283


REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS


To the Citizens of Norwood:


The Board of Assessors herewith submit their annual report together with the statement of valuations as determining the tax levy for the year 1933.


Organization


Edward A. Flaherty was reappointed by the Seleetmen for the term of three years beginning April 1, 1933.


The Board organized as follows: Patriek J. Lydon was elected Chairman and Agnes M. Coughlin, Clerk.


Assistant Assessors


On March 14, 1933 Benjamin Paddleford, John P. Crowley, Robert B. Oldham, George L. Banks, James E. Roaehe, David Ellis, James F. Foley and Mathew F. Kelley were appointed assistant assessors by the Board under the authority of the Town Meeting to serve for the period of thirty days or sueh shorter period as the Board of Assessors may determine.


Tax Rate for the Year 1933


On September 28, 1933 it was voted that the tax rate for the year 1933 be determined as $31.30 per thousand.


The table of tax requirements submitted herewith exhibit a comparison of the year 1932 with 1933.


It was voted that no Special Assessments be levied against individual pareels of land in the Neponset Valley for the purpose of meeting the expense which the Town has been ealled upon to pay beeause no agri- cultural benefit ean be found to exist.


The financial statement of the department will be found in the report of the Town Clerk and Aceountant.


Tax Appeal Cases


Appeals were taken during the year in six eases to the State Board of Tax Appeals from refusal of the Board of Assessors to grant abatements sought with respect to taxes assessed for the year 1932 following hearings given on applications made all relating to assessments levied on real estate. Of these eases two were dismissed by agreement, viz .:


Docket No. 1566 Hollingsworth & Vose Co. Case withdrawn October 9, 1933


Doeket No. 1518 Arthur T. Nelson, Trustee Case withdrawn July 19, 1933,


and the following eases are pending for hearing in which answers have been filed and which are more particularly explained in the annual report


284


of Town Counsel Halloran, who has appeared and answered in behalf of the Board of Assessors and the Town, viz .:


Docket No. 2962. Ona Vasiliauskas


Docket No. 3221. Roger McGrath


Docket No. 3222.


Carl A. Johnson


Docket No. 4008. Bird & Son, Inc.


Respectfully submitted,


PATRICK J. LYDON, EDWARD A. FLAHERTY, WILLIAM J. DALTON.


COMPARISON OF TAX REQUIREMENTS Valuations as Assessed in Each of the Years


Appropriation by Taxation State Tax


1932 $1,346,958.45 37,830.00


1933 $1,228,076.78 34,920.00 20,858.49


Increase


Decrease $118,881.67 2,910.00


County Tax


24,544.47


3,685.98 20.00


Home or Hospital Care


20.00


Park outside Metropolitan Area


44.21


60.28


16.07


Special State Tax (Old Age Assistance)


4,656.00


4,700.00


44.00


Overdraft, Abatement


1,679.73


140.25


1,539.48


Neponset Valley Assessment


1,960.36


1,960.35


.01


Soldiers' Exemptions


83.82


117.48


33.66


Division of Accounts


173.93


2,408.37


2,234.44


Metropolitan Sewer Assessments and Interest


42,289.18


44,945.79


2,656.61


$1,460,240.15


$1,338,187.79


$ 4,984.78


$127,037.14


Estimated Receipts


$ 443,686.85


$ 387,074.38


$ 56,612.47


Estimated Excise Tax


22,000.00


18,500.00


3,500.00


Estimated Corporation Tax (Certified)


52,037.71


43,279.55


8,758.16


Income Tax (Certified)


69,544.24


50,506.93


19,037.31


Highway Appropriation Offset (Chap. 122, Acts 1931).


22,316.56


22,316.56


Emergency Finance Board


16,965.67


16,965.67


Employees' Contributions to August 1, 1933


34,848.21


34,848.21


*Alice H. Plimpton Trust Fund


500.00


500.00


Tax on Polls


9,312.00


9,428.00


116.00


Special State Tax (Old Age Assistance)


4,656.00


4,714.00


58.00


$ 623,553.36


$ 565,816.74


$52,487.88


$110,224.50


Net Charges Plus Overlay Requirements


$ 836,686.79


$ 772,371.05


16,441.72


13,076.73 +


Valuation 1932-$26,660,266.00 at $32.00 Valuation 1933-$25,093,917.00 at $31.30


$ 853,128.51


$ 785,447.78


$ 853,128.51


$ 785,447.78


* On account of money appropriated for library purposes.


+ Includes fractional differences of $8.18.


285


TABLE OF AGGREGATES OF VALUATION OF PROPERTY


Assessed under Date of April 1, for the Following Years: 1933, 1932, 1931, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1926, 1925, 1920, 1915, 1910, 1905, 1900, 1895, 1890, 1885, 1880, 1875, 1872


Year


No. of


4,700


$3,145,167


$21,948,750


$23,267,729


$23,419,341


$26,903,897


$789,559.02


$29.00


46


188


5


25


2,561


6,096


2,788


1930


4,678


3,770,169


23,262,712


27,032,881


793,309.56


29.00


42


198


7


9


2,510


6,096


2,540


1929


4,612


3,682,860


22,887,390


26,570,250


793,054.68


29.50


48


202


14


3


2,472


6,096


2,835


1928


4,569


5,048,530


22,385,125


27,433,655


804,714.01


29.00


70


209


81


22


2,377


6,096


2,848


1927


4,598


4,827,520


21,637,010


26,464,530


776,667.37


29.00


82


228


4


S


12


2,346


6,096


3,721


1926


4,489


4,620,055


20,767,020


25,387,075


724,893.46


28.20


96


197


6


6


2,286


6,096


2,253


1925


4,497


4,477,510


19,612,360


24,089,870


647,383.68


26.50


114


193


7


7


81


2,203


6,096


2,369


1920


4,143


4,158,640


14,488,848


18,647,488


354,234.78


18.00


147


335


9


15


86


1,904


6,096


1,438


1915


3,296


5,405,900


11,460,934


16,989,234


224,054.57


12.80


283


375


1


10


85


1,759


6,096


4,325


1910


2,545


5,523,645


8,418,385


14,033,280


134,196.17


9.20


370


358


14


17


70


1,286


6,130


375


1905


2,070


1,167,405


4,254,265


5,421,670


98,477.05


17.40


360


375


10


40


1,160


6,135


300


1900


1,670


892,595


3,584,214


4,476,809


83,922.56


18.00


397


328


1 70


20


1,069


6,151


890


1895


1,410


684,795


2,673,970


3,358,765


59,583.00


16.90


358


408


5


202


810


6,162


1890


1,096


513,473


2,052,085


2,564,558


45,398.36


16.60


300


410


17


698


6,200


1885


880


447,014


1,618,928


2,065,942


28,618.09


13.00


271


420


7


129


511


6,216


1880


650


456,635


ยท 1,338,428


1,795,428


22,486.32


11.80


240


382


1


415


6,231


1875


551


448,633


1,343,867


1,792,500


22,195.81


11.80


198


362


-


354


6,255


1872


472


518,540


1,100,016


1,618,556


19,397.79


11.40


185


405


-


-


-


320


6,275


33


175


13


34


2,581


6,002


2,725


1932


4,656


$3,392,537


of Personal


Estate


Valuation


of Land


Total


Valuation


Total


Tax


Rate per


Horses


Cows


Sheep


Swine


Dwellings


Area of Land


Fowl


$25,093,917 $794,847.78 $26,660,266 $862,440.51


$32.00


39


194


7


46


2,575


6,002


3,646


1931


4,673


$3,484,556


-


--


-


920


286


2


Male Polls


Valuation


and Buildings


1933


$31.30


$1,000.00


Neat Cattle


287


EDMUND F. SULLIVAN, TOWN TREASURER January 1 to December 31, 1933


Cash on Hand January 1, 1933


$ 192,998.52


Received from Commonwealth of Mass .:


Income Tax


53,554.75


Corporation Taxes:


Business


39,786.38


Electrie Light and Water


286.84


Railroad, Tel. & Tel.


647.54


Railroad, Tel. & Tel., 1932


18.39


National Bank


206.58


National Bank, 1931


1.71


National Bank, 1932


7.07


Trust Company


1,118.25


Trust Company, 1931


5.46


Trust Company, 1932


.78


P. S., 1932


3.31


P. S., 1933


4.33


Federal Emergency Relief Fund


16,965.67


Gasoline Tax Refund


170.91


Received from Norfolk County : Dog Licenses


958.52


Taxes and Assessments:


Property


751,804.06


Poll


8,748.00


Old Age Assistance


4,671.00


Motor Vehicle Excise


18,994.93


Moth


536.70


Sewer


3,091.18


Sidewalk


1,239.20


Street Betterment


1,824.36


Park Betterment


322.00


Committed Interest


1,853.36


Costs


1,179.90


Loans Issued :


Anticipation of Revenue


675,000.00


Sewer


54,732.00


Premium


1.00


Electrie Light Revenues:


Service Charges


218,514.59


Fees


42.20


Tax


3,252.59


Water Revenues:


Service Charges


66,439.45


Fees


43.20


Hydrant Rental


5,880.00


288


Interest:


Taxes and Assessments


$ 7,452.27


Plimpton Library Trust Fund


537.50


Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund


1,247.08


Cudworth Fund


17.50


Electric Service Deposit Fund


369.71


Chickering Fund


8.11


High School English Prize Fund


21.25


Accrued Interest on Notes Sold


51.17


Bank Deposits


423.75


Tax Titles


5,600.46


Licenses and Permits


6,236.50


Recording Fees


33.50


Fines


600.00


Committed Accounts:


Cemetery


9,151.60


Police


610.94


General Government


139.17


Health


3,950.36


Sewer


546.11


Water


692.41


Playgrounds


191.00


Sanitation


54.65


Light


1,531.59


Public Works


185.22


Welfare


22,484.78


Schools


2,165.47


Forestry


38.85


Fire


122.54


Old Age Assistance


3,789.08


Statements of Liens


22.00


Cemetery, Care of Lots


16.00


Guarantee Deposits:


Ash Removal


429.00


Cemetery


689.75


Perpetual Care Bequests


775.00


Electric


3,540.00


Police


51.00


Permits for same


50.00


Particular Sewer


1,617.33


Water


602.51


Fire


10.50


Forestry


7.50


Highway


.85


Moth


1.00


Public Works


1.20


Parks


3.42


289


Departmental Receipts:


Town Clerk


$ 3,023.70


Sealer of Weights and Measures


95.20


Health


666.74


Schools


15,428.63


Libraries


600.07


Electric Light


1,444.81


Welfare


63.00


Playgrounds


115.99


Assistance to Aged Citizens


89.45


Fire


62.90


Refunds:


Electric Light Department Insurance


429.20


Public Welfare


366.30


Old Age Assistance


27.00


Public Works


2.00


Soldiers' Relief


278.00


Tax Title Foreclosure


208.00


Public Health


9.00


Playgrounds


10.12


Schools


6.30


Insurance


254.91


Municipal Building


2.16


Lunch Counter


53.37


Town Counsel (Tel. Toll)


12.00


Reimbursement of Petty Cash Advance:


General Manager


50.00


Playgrounds


30.00


Public Welfare


15.00


Schools


50.00


Lunch Counter


100.00


Tax Title Redemptions


52,537.37


Fees


201.00


Land Court Costs


41.00


Tax Title Sales


1.00


Tax Title Redemption (Sec. 63, Chapter 60) Fees


4.00


In Lieu of Taxes


13,000.00


Contributions


61,215.25


$2,351,827.54


Payments of Accountant's Warrants


2,175,308.00


Cash on Hand December 31, 1933


$ 176,519.54


EDMUND F. SULLIVAN, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes


359.71


EDMUND F. SULLIVAN, COLLECTOR OF TAXES January 1 to December 31, 1933


Abate-


Outstanding Jan. 1, 1933


Committed


ments Refunded


Over- payments


Tax Titles Disclaimed


Cash


Abated


Trans- ferred to Tax Title


Outstand- ing Dec. 31, 1933


1933


Property


$785,447.78


$ 112.68


$ 77.13


$581,972.54


$4,966.49


$198,698.56


Poll


9,406.00


4.00


8,734.00


504.00


172.00


Old Age Assistance


4,703.00


4,364.00


339.00


Motor Vehicle Excise


20,178.88


550.58


18,556.58


932.49


1,240.39


Moth


542.80


398.90


143.90


Sewer


3,453.48


1,779.45


1,674.03


Sidewalk


1,310.98


673.24


637.74


2,372.95


1,340.66


1,032.29


Park Betterment


322.00


226.10


95.90


Committed Interest :


978.09


512.05


466.04


Sidewalk


289.08


151.56


5.04


132.48


Street Betterment


845.31


477.48


367.83


Park Betterment


100.30


67.80


32.50


1932


Property


$189,286.99


6,039.23


271.77


$345.60


167,075.99


8,089.26


$14,531.01


6,247.33


Poll


104.00


28.00


14.00


118.00


Old Age Assistance


293.00


14.00


307.00


559.06


113.60


Moth


150.00


137.80


10.25


1.95


Sewer


1,451.69


1,164.74


17.75


257.12


12.08


Sidewalk


599.78


533.89


56.14


9.75


Street Betterment


643.96


447.70


173.26


23.00


Park Betterment


95.90


95.90


Committed Interest:


304.37


260.69


1.23


40.14


2.31


Sidewalk


143.24


128.95


11.95


2.34


Street Betterment


294.66


209.31


77.43


7.92


Park Betterment


38.25


38.25


1931


2,810.55


324.80


2,755.53


18.27


361.55


Sewer


15.86


15.86


Committed Interest


7.27


7.27


Advance Apportionment Assessments: Sewer


131.13


Street Betterment


36.00


Sidewalk


32.07


EDMUND F. SULLIVAN, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes


I have examined the accounts of Edmund F. Sullivan, Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes and certify that they agree with the records of the Town Clerk and Accountant and that the cash on hand and as shown and as indicated in the report of the Town Clerk and Accountant.


JAMES E. PENDERGAST, Town Clerk and Accountant


290


Motor Vehicle Excise


1,087.20


21.81


2.00


438.35


Street Betterment


Sewer


Sewer


Property


291


REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR 1933


A realization late in 1932 that the income of the Town would be still further reduced in 1933 finally led to the agreement of town employees to contribute 10% of their wages and salaries to aid the taxpayers in carrying the burden of local government. The amount received was $61,259.52 and made possible a reduction of $2.44 in the tax rate from what it would have been otherwise. While this was a noteworthy step for the employees to take, considering wage and salary levels and reductions received in income by those paying the taxes and the reduction in the cost of living, no suffering was experienced beyond what everyone else has had to undergo in these times. It is regrettable that a continuation of all or part of this contribution was not offered by the employees for 1934 as the prospect of a continuing decline of both revenue and valuation will prove to be a heavy burden to the majority of home and other property owners.


The past year has been a difficult one for the Finance Commission due not only to local problems, but to complications arising from Federal participation in local government.


A review in detail of the problems of the past year would be of little help in current problems and the citizens know from our recommendations at town meetings and reports in the press what we have done. It does seem, however, that we should present briefly a few suggestions based on our experience which citizens should consider to govern their future action.


The one thing which will contribute most to an economical cost of govern- ment and a more fair distribution of government expenditures is better cooperation between boards in coordinating the planning and setting up of a complete picture of the needs of the whole town, not for one year, but for longer periods of time. Through such cooperation a better balance can be maintained in affording proper educational, recreational, and health facilities as well as physical needs such as streets, sewers, etc. and the pro- tection of life and property.


Such planning will eliminate most of the unexpected requests for ad- ditional appropriations with which we are annually confronted after the budgets have been made up and accepted.


A further benefit will result from the fact that with all possible needs carefully studied there will be less excuse for boards coming back to the town for additional funds to cover expenditures made which were not taken into consideration in the original budget.


FRANCIS W. SMITH, Chairman, ARTHUR P. ALLEN, Clerk, WILLIAM H. CONNOR.


292


PURCHASING DIVISION


Mr. W. C. Kendrick,


General Manager, Norwood, Massachusetts.


Dear Sir:


Following is a brief summary of the activities of the Purchasing Depart ment for the year ending December 31, 1933:


Number of Requisitions Received. 648


Number of Purchase Orders Issued . 732


Number of Written Quotations Received . 230


Number of Invoices Paid 2763


Total Amount of Invoices $217,450.14


The cash discounts for the year totaled $1082.94 and the saving made by securing competitive prices was $2129.36.


Respectfully submitted,


HELEN F. HOOD, In Charge of Purchases


293


MINORITY DECISION


A review of the evidence and discussion upon the reasons given for the removal of the General Manager convinces us that our duty to the citizens of Norwood require that we submit a minority opinion in which we express non-concurrence with the decision of a majority of the Selectmen.


These are serious times in the management of any municipality, and it is our belief that the vast majority of thinking citizens would not approve the reasons given for the Manager's removal.


The first reason that, "It is the will of a majority of the Selectmen that the Manager shall no longer hold said office" is really no reason at all. We believe that the power of appointment and removal is a power in trust for the benefit of the people and not for the advantage of any person. We would hesitate to take action in any case unless convinced that the will to exercise this power was based on reason and justice, and that action was warranted.


The only power and authority vested in public officials is the power delegated to them by the people. It should always be kept within bounds prescribed, to go beyond would be an abuse of power which seldom escapes the judgment of the citizens who have delegated the authority.


We have reached the conclusion that the hearings became in most part an investigation of incidents which are said to have occurred under other administrations during the past five years, and that the Sclectmen either approved of the Manager's work or considered these occurrences as trifles when weighed in the balance of reason.


In reaching this conclusion we note that on page 234 of the Town Report for the year 1931 in its concluding paragraph a report of the Selectmen is as follows:


"The foregoing report is intended to acquaint the citizens in a general way with the varied activities of our offices and the performance of our duties. We express our appreciation for the confidence, cooperation and assistance which have been extended by citizens as well as fellow officials and appointees in the conduct of the business of the Town under the direction of the Selectmen."


EDMUND G. DALTON, HAROLD W. BAKER, ARTHUR J. FORREST, HERBERT A. BAKER, PETER J. FEENEY.


Norwood, Mass.


Jan. 12, 1932.


The second reason given is the real reason why the minority has refused to support removal proceedings, because it is "For the best interests of Norwood," we have contended.


294


The Manager, in his answer to the third reason, as covered by exhibits A, B and C proved the unsoundness of the opinion expressed by a majority vote of the Selectmen. The fourth and fifth reasons, are given a satis- factory answer in the statement by the Manager, other reasons injected into the discussion at the hearings were unfair and unproven.


It is our opinion that reason number six is greatly exaggerated since out of several hundred contracts made by the Manager in one year, only a few contracts have been mentioned as ones in which the Manager may have failed to carry out the provisions of our charter.


The Manager has ably proved that every act of his was done with the approval of the board on record in the matter of the oil burner, on which this reason was based.


The seventh reason is simply reiteration and means nothing by itself.


The eighth reason given is not sufficient cause for removal proceedings.


With reference to the ninth reason we can commend the Police Depart- ment for its efficient handling of many matters which have occupied their attention during our short term in office, and we do not deny the Manager his share of credit for this efficiency.


We cannot approve of interference with this or any other department, by any person, at any time. It is our duty to accept the responsibility placed upon us by the citizens of Norwood who expect us to cooperate with each other and all town officials for the common good, and to guard the welfare of all the people of Norwood.


(Signed) JOHN M. MUTCH, EUGENE L. MURPHY, Selectmen


ANNUAL REPORT -of the-


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT -of the-


TOWN OF NORWOOD Massachusetts For the Year Ending December 31, 1933.


0


297


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


School Committee 1933


Eugene L. Connolly, 13 Howard Street, term expires 1934.


Harold E. Shaw, 220 Walpole Street, term expires 1934.


Josephine A. Chandler, 100 Walpole Street, term expires 1935.


Christine L. Probert, 11 Marion Avenue, term expires 1935.


John J. Conley, 13 Central Street, term expires 1936.


Gladwin M. Nead, 40 Hoyle Street, term expires 1936.


Organization


John J. Conley Chairman


Elizabeth Zurba Secretary


Standing Committees


Educational Program Committee: Mr. Nead and Mrs. Probert.


Finance Committee: Mr. Shaw and Mr. Connolly.


Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Mr. Connolly and Mr. Conley.


Appointment of Teachers: Mrs. Chandler and Mrs. Probert.


Committee Meetings


The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held at the School Committee Rooms, Junior High School, at eight o'clock p. m., on the second Thursday of each month.


Superintendent of Schools


Leonard W. Grant, 414 Prospect Street, Telephone Norwood 1266


The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School. and is open from 8:00 a. m. until 5:00 p. m. every day except Saturday, when it is open from 8:00 a. m. until 12:00 m. Telephone Norwood 0133.


Clerks


Elizabeth Zurba, 49 Saunders Road, Telephone Norwood 1155-W.


Mabel H. Newark, 36 Berwick Road, Telephone Norwood 1207-J.


SCHOOL CALENDAR 1933-1934


First term begins September 6, 1933, ends December 22, 1933 16 weeks Second term begins January 3, 1934, ends February 16, 1934 7 weeks Third term begins February 26, 1934, ends April 13, 1934 7 weeks Fourth term begins April 23, 1934, ends June 23, 1934 9 weeks


First term begins September 5, 1934, ends December 21, 1934 16 weeks


298


Holidays


October 12, 1933, Columbus Day.


October 27, 1933, County Convention Day for Teachers.


November 30 and December 1, 1933, Thanksgiving Recess.


December 22, 1933, to January 3, 1934, Christmas Recess. February 18, 1934, to February 26, 1934, Winter Recess.


March 30, 1934, Good Friday.


April 15, 1934, to April 23, 1934, Spring Recess.


May 30, 1934, Memorial Day.


June 18, 1934, Bunker Hill Day.


No School Signal 2-2


Repeated at 7:15 a. m. No forenoon session for any school.


Repeated at 7:45 a. m. No forenoon session for first six grades.


Repeated at 12:15 p. m. No afternoon session for any grades below the Senior High School.


Repeated at 12:30 p. m. No afternoon session for first six grades.


Repeated at 6:15 p. m. No session for evening school.


299


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1933


The annual report of the School Committee must again deal largely with matters of school costs. The school program being paid for at present in Norwood represents with but few minor changes the same program which was in use in 1928. A study of the following tables will indicate that every attempt for economy has been made and a study into actual sub- headings in these tables will prove that further reductions in school costs cannot be made unless it is at the expense directly of the school children.


Table Ia (page 300) deals with the four salary allotment items. For a period of eight years, this table proves that only 82% has been added to the total salary list in the Town appropriations providing the 1934 ap- propriation as submitted by the School Committee is voted by the Town. This takes into account all automatic increases since 1927 and all addi- tions to the teaching staff of particular appointments and newly created positions such as a submaster for the High School. It also makes allow- ance for positions which have been eliminated due to loss of rooms in the elementary schools.


The total amount represented in this table under 1934, namely $285,091, represents 87% plus of the total appropriation requested for 1934. For 1933 the figure of $284,075 represented 87%, therefore only 12% plus of the appropriation requested for 1934 is alloted for the general operating of schools outside of paying salaries. An analysis of the 12% plus is shown in Table Ib (page 301).


In Table Ib (page 301) the total should be considered first and if the 1934 recommendations of the School Committee are accepted, the amount will represent a decrease of 27% plus since 1927. A study of the table will show that much of this decrease has been taken directly out of the money supplied for teaching tools, such as textbooks and supplies. The money allowed for teaching supplies has undergone, since 1927, a reduction of 33% plus and textbooks 21% plus.


Other major items which have been reduced in the operating of schools have been the allowance for fuel and repairs and replacements to school buildings. The reduction in cost of fuel, which is 20%, has been made possible through the installation of oil burning equipment in the Junior High School and the fact that with the closing of the Beacon School, there has been one less heater to operate. The most radical reduction has come in the maintenance of school buildings, wherein $12,000 was available in 1927 and only $6,400 in 1933. The School Committee is asking for an even smaller amount in 1934. The reduction of $1,300 has been based on the amount of work made possible in the schools under the Civil Works Administration program. This sub-heading in the budget will require a much higher expenditure in the next three years than is being requested in the 1934 budget or school property under control of the School Com- mittee will have to suffer through neglect.


Table Ia. Salary Appropriation Comparisons-1927-1934


1927


1928


1929


1930


1931


1932


1933


1934


Per Cent of Increase Since 1927


General. Control


$ 7,300


$ 7,448


$ 7,716


$ 7,764


$ 7,998


$ 8,104


$ 8,200


$ 8,200


1232


Instruction


228,458


234,958


244,979


252,531




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