USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1948-1950 > Part 21
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Fees collected from both wiring and building permits dur- ing 1949 amounted to $1,139.00 and have been turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The Building Department would like at this time to thank the town officials and citizens who have helped in the affairs at this office during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, HOMER L. MacDONALD, Building Inspector.
153
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
December 14, 1949.
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending December 14, 1949.
The Board has issued more Sewerage disposal permits this year due to the new dwellings and closer cooperation of the departments.
The Town voted for a garbage collection. If there are any complaints in regard to it notify the Board of Health.
There were three cases of polio reported to the Board.
The Board held several hearings on different subjects and as the result of them they were taken care of by the Board.
The Town still has two cases of Tuberculosis that it has to take care of.
The Board feels that there are many cases of diseases dangerous to the public health that are not reported. If you have a case of this nature in your house and you do not have a doctor, it should be reported by the head of the family.
WALDO L. LAWRENCE, Chairman, ERNEST H. DAMON, Clerk, THOMAS F. LINNEHAN.
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING'S REPORT
For the year 1949, I issued 83 plumbing permits: six for two dollars, twenty-two for three dollars and fifty-five for five dollars. The fees collected for plumbing permits amounted to $353.00 which was turned over to the Town Treasurer.
The total estimate cost of plumbing installed in new build- ings was $38,016.
J. C. MASSIE, Plumbing Inspector.
154
REPORT OF THE WAYLAND DISTRICT NURSE For the year ending December 31, 1949
To the Citizens of Wayland :
Nursing visits, bedside care, dressings
and other treatments
816
Prenatal visits
41
Postnatal visits
39
Post-tubercular visits
8
Social Service visits
11
Advisory visits
37
Friendly visits
31
Infant visits
51
Number of cases accompanied to hospitals
2
During the year conferences were held with social service workers and a state nursing consultant.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. McNEIL,
District Nurse.
155
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR
December 31, 1949.
I hereby submit my report of the year 1949.
Twenty-one store licenses and eight milk dealer's permits have been issued to sell milk in Wayland from June 1, 1949 to June 1, 1950.
Many establishments have been visited and found operat- ing according to the rules and regulations of the Board of Health and the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS F. LINNEHAN, Milk Inspector.
REPORT OF ANIMAL INSPECTOR
I herewith submit my report as Animal Inspector for the year 1949 for Town of Wayland.
Inspected : 628 cows 106 young stock 18 bulls
35 horses 2 mules 9 goats 632 swine
180 Interstate cattle
Quarantined 17 dogs.
Respectfully submitted, WARREN F. LAWRENCE.
156
REPORT OF HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS
Chapter 90 Construction has been completed to date. Next year's contract will be for Main Street, Cochituate.
The Highway Department purchased a 412 Ton Inter- national Dump Truck with the appropriation for new equip- ment. We again recommend the purchase of a Tractor equipped with "Dozer Shovel." This machine is essential to present day road construction and maintenance. It can be used for excavat- ing and loading. It will be used to load sand and gravel from Town owned pits. It will also eliminate the hiring of a similar machine and will be a valuable snow-fighting unit.
On Chapter 90 Construction, rental will be received by the Town for the use of this tractor as well as for our other equip- ment. Approximately $2700 was received for the use of Town owned machinery on Chapter 90 Construction this year.
We are planning to reconstruct some of our unsurfaced roads. We feel that this work should not be deferred any longer. In order to do this it is necessary for us to request an increase in the Highway appropriation.
Residents of the Town have been co-operative in helping us to maintain the Dumps in an orderly manner. We feel that there has been a great improvement in appearance due to the observance of the rules.
JOSEPH DECATUR, ALVIN B. NEALE, G. M. BLOMGREN.
157
REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Under the Highway appropriation, two sections of Clay Pit Hill Road, amounting to approximately 3200 ft., were rebuilt. The work consisted of widening, gravelling and sur- facing the roadway. A short piece of Pelham Island Road was reconstructed. This appropriation also covered the regular maintenance work of the Department.
It was again necessary to use a sizeable amount of this appropriation on Chapter 90 roads due to the small amount of the allotment for Chapter 90 maintenance. This work was done on Concord and Commonwealth Roads.
Construction on Riverview Avenue, Overlook Road, Riverview Circle and Shore Drive, under Betterment appro- priations, has been nearly completed. There is a small amount of fine grading and seeding to be done in the spring. Con- struction on Adelaide Avenue will not be completed until after installation of the water main.
Two contracts have been completed this past year on Chap- ter 90 Construction. Old Connecticut Path, part of Route No. 126, from the Framingham Line to the Intersection of Route No. 27, has been finished and Wayland Center, from the Post Road to the Railroad tracks has been reconstructed.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT E. POTVIN, Highway Surveyor.
158
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE 1949
This has been a heavy year in all categories for this depart- ment. The Old Age Assistance began the year with 92 cases and ended with 100 cases. Rest Home and hospital expenses have continued heavy and a constant source of attention. Hos- pitalization has increased 25% this year and now costs ten dollars a day instead of eight dollars. There is very little the department can do to keep down expenses in either Old Age Assistance or Aid to Dependent Children. The latter category, like Old Age Assistance, has increased steadily during the year. The statistics on the following page will show how the burden has increased.
For the coming year the legislature has established a new grant of four dollars a month for so-called "Leisure Time Activities" for each recipient of Old Age Assistance. This will mean nearly five thousand dollars additional appropriation by the town. It will be reimbursed by the State but must be appro- priated and paid by the town.
The Welfare load has varied substantially through the year and every effort has been made to keep the expenditures within control. The problems in this category are subject to much variation. A certain irreducible minimum must always be expected. The Board solicits the support and help of other departments, and of the townspeople generally to make the bur- den of the town as low as possible.
We shall continue to use our best efforts to carry out the requirements of the statutes in accordance therewith and to look out for the respective interests of those concerned and of the taxpayers.
Respectfully submitted, CARLISLE D. SCOTLAND, J. SIDNEY STONE, GUSTAF M. BLOMGREN.
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WELFARE STATISTICS
1947
1948
1949
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Case Load, Jan. 1
86
99
92
.. .. Dec. 31
98
92
100
Aver. Monthly Case Load
92
94.7
94.8
Total Gross Expenditures
$61,697.28
$74.689.53
$82,228.02
Average Monthly Payment per case $55.89
$65.72
$72.28
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Case Load, Jan. 1 .. Dec. 31
6 cases, 15 children 7 18
13
34
66
12 cases, 33 children 17 46
Aver. Monthly Case Load 7.6 4 20.7
$10,441.55
$15,320.40
15.3 " 40.9 $23,845.00
Total Gross Expenditures Average Monthly Payment per case
$114.49
$123.95 $129.87
GENERAL RELIEF Case Load, Jan. 1 Dec. 31
11 cases, 17 persons 17 « 32 6.
20 cases, 33 persons 24 65 66 21.2 * 42.3 ..
$16,709.70
27 cases, 57 persons 27 49 22.6 " 48.8 $17,059.22
Aver. Monthly Case Load Total Gross Expenditures Average Monthly Payment per case
13.8 24.6 $9,636.98
$58.18
$66.08
$62.90
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7 cases, 21 children
10.3 " 29.1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
AND THE
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
TOWN OF WAYLAND
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1949
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION, 1949-1950
School Committee
CORNELIUS J. MAGUIRE, Chairman ALLAN R. FINLAY HARVEY C. NEWTON
Term expires 1951 66 1950
66 1952
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools OWEN B. KIERNAN Office, Junior-Senior High School, Wayland-Tel. Wayland 294
School Physician
DAVID R. COREY, M.D. Tel. Natick 2725
School Dentist FRANKLIN H. SAUL, D.D.S. Tel. Waltham 5-3283-M
School Nurse
MARY E. McNEIL Tel. Wayland 47
Attendance Officer
MARY E. McNEIL
Tel. Wayland 47
Custodians
GEORGE F. DICKEY
PETER POLITO
LOUIS A. BOURETTE
High School High School Center School
FRANK J. KANE
KENNETH MORAN
Cochituate School Cochituate School
162
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1950
Schools open January 3 Winter Vacation-Week of February 19
Holiday-April 7
Spring Vacation-Week of April 16
Holiday-May 30
Schools close June 21
Schools open September 6 Holiday-October 12
Teachers' Convention-November 3
Holiday-November 11
Holiday-November 23, 24
Christmas Vacation-December 22-January 1
SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Any child who is five years and eight months of age on September first of the current school year may be admitted to the first grade, but in every case the admission of a child under six shall be dependent upon the fitness of the child to profit by the work of the school, such fitness to be determined by the superintendent. Pupils under the age of seven years who have not previously attended school shall not be permitted to enter later than thirty days after the opening of school in September except by special permission of the superintendent. Certificates of birth and vaccination shall be required at the time of entrance.
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL
In the event of exceptionally severe weather conditions or when the transportation system is disrupted, WBZ, WEEI, and WKOX will broadcast the no-school announcement between
163
7:00 and 8:00 A. M. In addition, two blasts will be sounded on the fire alarm in Wayland and five blasts in Cochituate at 7:30 A. M.
We feel these signals are clear and, therefore, urge parents to refrain from flooding the Telephone Office and homes of School Department personnel with telephone calls.
On days when the signal is not used, weather conditions may warrant the non-attendance of certain children. Lack of normal health would tend to make it advisable for parents to keep the child at home. Since weather reports are not always reliable, and since the School Department desires to render maximum education service by having the schools open the greatest number of days, storm signals will not be used on ordinary rainy or snowy days or when there is reasonable doubt.
A good education can be built only on good health. Safe- guard health by keeping your child home when, in your estima- tion as a parent, conditions warrant.
164
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1949
Regular Appropriation
Supplementary Appropriation
$131,957.00 4,450.00
Total Appropriation
$136,407.00
Expenditures
136,052.95
Unexpended Balance $354.05
Summary of Receipts
Chapter 70
$25,201.71
Tuition and Transportation of
State Wards
1,657.50
Transportation
4,795.00
Rental of Buildings
83.00
Miscellaneous
69.22
Total Receipts
$31,806.43
Summary of Receipts and Expenditures
Expenditures
$136,052.95
Receipts
31,806.43
Net Cost of Department to Town $104,246.52
Expenditures
General Control
Superintendent's Salary
$3,974.88
Other Expenses
2,360.00
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries
88,155.60
Textbooks
3,000.00
Supplies
3,000.00
Operation
Janitor's Salaries
8,412.47
Fuel
4,500.00
Miscellaneous
5,000.00
Buildings and Equipment
Maintenance and Outlay
5,000.00
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Other Agencies
Transportation Health Libraries Sundries
10,000.00
2,000.00
500.00
150.00
Total Expenditures
$136,052.95
TEACHERS' SALARIES-1949
Allen, David J.
$3,400.00
** Beech, Avis
7.00
** Boothroyd, Joseph
7.00
*Boynton, Martha
450.00
Campbell, Jane N.
2,540.00
Clement, Stanley L.
4,350.00
Cole, Mary E.
2,240.00
*Cornell, Dorothy
70.00
Currier, Doris G.
2,207.50
** Daley, Mrs. W. A., Jr.
119.00
*Doherty, Nathalie F.
35.00
Doone, Lorna
7.00
Draper, Mabel S.
2,840.00
*Durbin, Jacqueline E.
800.00
Dziejma, Peter
2,870.00
** Enoch, Harriette
300.00
** Esty, Mabel
635.00
** Ferguson, Ellen B.
3.50
Foster, Janie C.
2,790.00
Gately, Eva M.
2,465.00
Gladu, Francis R.
2,890.00
** Goodhue, Margaret Hale, Anne, Jr.
2,540.00
*Harmon, Mrs. John
7.00
Hasenfus, Clement J.
2,440.00
** Healey, Mrs. Frank
77.00
*Johnson, William M.
1,400.00
** Kelley, Helen C.
7.00
*Kerr, Mary
1,680.00
*Lape, Mary Elizabeth
1,040.00
*Larkin, Margaret C.
1,560.00
*LeBlanc, Caro G.
1,462.50
** LeBlanc, Richard
28.00
*Lindsay, Edith M.
1,340.50
166
7.00
** Lynch, Martha
49.00
Merrithew, Maude E.
2,965.00
Morrill, Ethelyn M. 2,540.00
1,980.00
*Nathanson, Joseph P. *Nelson, Jean
1,000.00
* *Nisbet, Esther
17.25
*O'Neil, Mary E.
1,620.00
*Orr, Clifford
7.00
*Pearson, Ralph M.
1,200.00
Peaslee, Marguerite
1,152.00
*Perry, Madeline Bullard
965.33
*Powers, Norma
800.00
** Powers, Teresa
7.00
*Proctor, Joan M.
1,180.00
Radford, Pauline N.
1,392.00
Reifsteck, Shirley D.
2,080.00
*Salmon, Catherine T.
1,104.45
*Salvatti, Ralph
1,240.00
Shohl, Florence C.
2,340.00
Simpson, A. Marion
2,965.00
Sisson, Marjorie P.
2,340.00
*Snow, Wilson S.
200.00
Strickland, Samuel P.
2,820.00
** Tallant, Mildred
203.00
Tassinari, Lillian
2,040.00
*Tighe, Lawrence
1,120.00
*VanGelder, Mary F.
1,040.00
** VanLunon, Lloyd M.
28.00
*Walsh, Mary M.
1,040.00
*Waters, June
800.00
*Watson, Philip H.
1,200.00
** Weeks, Marie
497.25
Winston, Louise E.
2,641.50
Rinehart Handwriting System
700.00
Massachusetts Audubon Society
200.00
City of Boston
66.82
* Part of school year
** Substitute
*** Clerical
$88,155.60
167
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee, Wayland, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
It is a pleasure to present once again to the School Com- mittee and the citizens of Wayland an annual report of the work of the Public Schools for the year 1949.
As never before in this nation's history, the focus of public attention is turning to education. Through the press, movies, radio, and other mass means of communication, the continuing fight for good schooling is an issue constantly before us. In May of this year, a National Citizens Commission for the Public Schools was formed under the leadership of Roy E. Larson, president of Time Incorporated (Time, Life, Fortune, Architectural Forum). Made up of laymen in the fields of business, labor, law, and publishing, this group has organized to arouse public interest in our schools in order to guarantee effective educational services for all boys and girls.
At a time such as this, it is with considerable pride that we point to the accomplishments of our community in this direction. Among the leaders nationally to recognize the need for expanded facilities and a better program, Wayland has been observed and studied by many other communities frequently establishing a pattern for such improvement. The credit for such progress is shared on an exceptionally broad base-the School Committee, Building Committee, town officials, citizens, school staff, student body, and individual patrons too numerous to mention in a formal annual report-all are deserving of commendation.
BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY
It was with great satisfaction that we observed the com- pletion of our building program in the fall of 1949. Behind the accomplishment of this most worthy goal were several years of study and planning, and almost a full year of actual con- struction. For a summary in detail of our present facilities, the reader is referred to the 1948 annual report.
The new classrooms in the Cochituate and High School buildings are of the most modern, functional design and are exceptionally well lighted and ventilated, providing a most
168
healthful educational environment. The High School cafeteria, seating 200 students, and the Cochituate cafeteria, seating 150 students, are units which will serve the schools and town on regular and special occasions for many years to come. Both are serviced by up-to-date, well-equipped kitchens.
The High School auditorium will seat 750 persons which provides an all-purpose hall for school and civic activities. Its gym floor with a 75' x 50' playing court, is provided with roll- away gym stands capable of seating more than 200. A later purchase of portable stands for the stage will add better than 150 seats. The corresponding statistics for the Cochituate auditorium-gymnasium show a seating capacity of 525 persons and a playing court 60' x 40'. The adequate stage space in both buildings has evinced much favorable comment from resident and non-resident alike, and has been used on several occasions to date to present varied productions to capacity audiences.
The expansion of science laboratory facilities at the High School, the use of our new home economics laboratory, and the introduction of a general shop program, have done much to improve our curriculum offerings. The shop, made up of a general wood and metal work room, a finishing room, and an adjoining drafting and mechanical drawing room; together with the home economics laboratory ; offer ample opportunity in the future for adult education courses.
For those citizens who were unable to attend the dedication exercises held on November 13 and who, to date, have not visited these buildings, a most cordial invitation is extended to do so.
STUDENT REGISTRATION
There seems little doubt that the prediction of growth forecast for Wayland has become an accurate reality. Fortu- nately, this growth has been a healthy and stable one, due undoubtedly to the many attractive features of our town.
The public schools presently enroll 900 students as com- pared with 687 in 1945. These additional 200 students con- stitute a 30% increase in enrollment and present indications point to a 1,000 pupil enrollment in the near future. The Build- ing Inspector reports that the building trend is continuing and that during the past year, 63 new homes were added. As many of these homes are occupied by relatively young families, the wave of elementary school enrollees looms larger. Again,
169
recognizing that continuing growth is inevitable, the town is in a most advantageous position with reference to school facilities. This, however, is a relative state and the school staff is con- stantly studying and revising its plans for future expansion on all levels in order to maintain Wayland's favorable position and rating.
COST OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Public education in our country has not yet attained full stature but is rapidly fulfilling its expanding role. Expanded programs, must of course, mean larger costs on the local and state level. Wayland's 1949 budget, and the tentative budget for the year ahead, represent sizable increases over those amounts expended for schools early in our history. Percentage- wise, these new amounts do not exceed necessary budget in- creases established during the past five years, nor do they place Wayland out of line with comparably sized communities. The budget-increase comments below are offered principally to pre- sent a proper background of interpretation.
1. Enrollment-The aforementioned 30% increase in stu- dent registrations has made necessary the employment of additional instructors, the purchase of more texts and in- structional supplies, expanded transportation services, and the like.
2. Plant expansion - Closely allied with the enrollment problem was the pressing need for increased building facilities and the desired shift from an 8-4 to a 6-6 system. As previously described, this became an accom- plished fact this fall with the completion of the Cochituate and High School additions made possible by the gener- ous endorsement of the citizens. The cost of operating these buildings obviously must increase.
3. State aid-The School Department has received certifica- tion for an approximate $30,000 reimbursement from the state on the 1949 budget. This Chapter 70 (general aid) and Chapter 679 (transportation aid) return constitutes a genuine increase in revenue for the town and is not neutralized in whole or in part by any decrease in the amount of income taxes the town will receive on a valua- tion basis. Due consideration should also be accorded the anticipated $40,000 on the 1950 budget.
4. Comparative data-A budget check with the other 102 communities in our population class shows clearly that
170
Wayland is in no way out of line. Two communities, in particular, Sharon and Williamstown, were used for checking purposes throughout the budget year because of their similarity to Wayland. Both expended more for operating their schools. From all sources this past school year, Sharon spent $182.13 per pupil (in average mem- bership), Williamstown spent $187.36, while Wayland spent $148.97. In our group state-wide (Group III), the average expenditure per pupil was $169.26 and an all- inclusive average for every city and town in the Com- monwealth was $191.46.
GENERAL
Staff changes
1949 brought forth the greatest number of personnel changes in the School Department's history. In all 24 positions were filled, the majority of which were closely allied with our shift to a 6-6 system and the beginning use of the new building facilities. Among the instructional changes were seven new positions, four transfers, and six replacements. Following is an itemized breakdown :
New positions :
Center School-Additional first and second grades
Cochituate School-Additional second, third. and fourth grades High School-Social studies instructor, General shop in- structor, Art instructor
Transfers :
Mabel Draper-Principal of Center School to administra- tive assistant, Junior High School Samuel Strickland-Center School to director of physical education for boys, grades 1-12 Peter Dziejma-Assistant principal Cochituate School to principal
Clement Hasenfus-Instructor Cochituate School to Jun- ior-Senior High School
Mention should be made at this point of the retirement of a most loyal principal who left the staff in June. Elected in 1920, Miss Mary Kerr served the Wayland Public Schools con- tinually until the close of this school year in a most faithful and efficient manner. Without question the most important single cog in any school building, the principal sets the tone and morale of student and teacher alike. It is with considerable
171
pleasure that former students and present citizens reflect on the qualities of service established and maintained by Miss Kerr. Our best wishes for continuing happiness go with her in a well earned retirement.
The transfer of 7th and 8th grade students from our elementary buildings to the Junior-Senior High School raised the immediate problem of administration on the junior high school level. An appropriate solution was reached when Mrs. Mabel Draper volunteered for such an assignment. After many years of exceptional service as a teacher and principal of the Center School, Mrs. Draper continued on with her pupils as an administrative assistant in charge of the junior high school division. The happy adjustment of these students to new sur- roundings has been due in no small measure to her ever-present guidance. The elementary vacancy created by this transfer was filled by the appointment of Mr. William Johnson as principal of the Center School. Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the Fitch- burg Teachers College and Boston University, and formerly taught in Wayland which experience was followed by service in the public schools of Sudbury and Concord.
Replacements :
Of six teachers leaving Wayland, three received appoint- ments in larger towns and cities. Two left the profession to enter business, and one assumed home responsibilities.
The non-instructional appointments included two new custodians and one replacement, three new cafeteria em- ployees, and one new clerk.
Attendance
Great gains in regularity of school attendance have been made during the last quarter century. A large part of the credit for this progress is due to the previously mentioned increasing public interest in education. Compulsory attendance laws, the first of which was enacted in Massachusetts in 1852, have been strengthened and the machinery for their enforcement vastly improved. Excuse for absence based on such factors as need for the child's labor on the farm or in the home or for the support of himself or his family; lack of adequate trans- portation ; bad roads, coupled with inclement weather ; poverty or parental neglect; are becoming less common each year. Truancy represents an infinitesimally small percentage of absences when one considers that in a system of Wayland's size there are 162,000 aggregate attendance days each year of
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which less than one dozen truancies are customarily reported. This reflects the easy adjustment of children to attractive school programs and the fact that most young people like to go to school.
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