USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1950-1954 > Part 53
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Feet of ladders used 904
Assessed value of property damaged by fire
$140,130.00
Insurance or property damaged
297,700.00
Damage to property
30,204.40
Insurance paid on damage
27,894.40
Loss not covered
2,310.00
Value of contents involved
53,400.00
Insurance on contents
35,400.00
Damage to contents
12,188.59
Insurance paid on damage
10,843.59
Loss not covered
1,345.00
139
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Because of the rapid growth of the Town the needs of the department are many.
Our great need is a new Central Fire station. We have out grown the present building which will only house two of the three active trucks that respond from this station. The third truck is housed in a two car garage at the rear of the Town Hall that is not Town property. I also wish to call to your attention the fact that the present building is in a very shaky condition which was greatly increased by the two 1954 hurricanes.
The new Fire alarm system voted us at the annual meeting of 1954 has been installed and is in full operation.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Town Officials, the Finance Committee and the citizens of the town for their co-operation during the past year, and to express my appreciation to the members of the fire de- partment for their co-operation during the year, and especially for the fine work done in restoring the fire alarm wires so badly damaged by the two hurricanes.
Yours respectfully,
CARLTON P. HARRIS, Chief of Fire Department.
140
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Report of The Board of Registrars
During the past year, the Board of Registrars were in session for registration of new voters at the Devine School, Belcher School and the Town Hall.
The total number of registered voters in Randolph is now 6109, listed as follows:
Precinct One
1472 Men-708
Women-764
Precinct Two
1511 Men-743 Women-768
Precinct Three
1303 Men-606 Women-697 :
Precinct Four
1823 Men-921
Women-903
On the street listing completed in 1954 by the Board of Registrars, more than 8,000 people were listed and books compiled with the names and addresses of persons 20 years of age and over, whether citizens or not.
Board of Registrars,
HELEN C. SULLIVAN, ELIZABETH R. CUNNINGHAM. ETHEL McDONALD.
141
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of The Department of Veterans' Services
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
This Department takes pleasure in submitting to you a Summary of services rendered to the veteran and his de- pendent's, of the Town of Randolph, for the past year.
1954 has been a very busy year for this office, having developed and processed 117 Claims for veteran benefit's which were authorized by the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts under Chapter 115 as amended by Chapter 584 of the acts of 1946. Received reimbursements from Com- monwealth of Massachusetts to the amount of $17,232.28 for the year 1954.
As Director of Veteran Services filed, developed and processed 535 claims for all types of benefits allowed by the veteran's administration an increase of 246 claims over the previous year.
I would take this opportunity to thank you, the Board of Selectmen, the veteran organizations, local doctor's and finance committee for their splendid co-operation, without it the services rendered to the veteran and his dependent, by this office, would not be possible.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM S. COLE.
Vets Agent & Director of Vets Services.
142
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Report of Building Inspector
To the Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen : :
I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector for the year ending December 31, 1954:
New Residences
223
Additions
27
Garages
32
Screen Building
1
Industrial Buildings
2
Green Houses
2.
Office Building
1
Gas Station
1
Insurance Building
1
Total
290
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK F. TEED, Building Inspector
143
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Inspector of Wires
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Randolph, Massachusetts.
I hereby submit my report for the year of 1954 as Inspector of Wires.
A total of 512 Permits were issued and the sum of $1260.00 deposited with the Town Treasurer.
Permits issued
512
New Homes Inspected
249
Remodel Work Inspected
90
Oil Burners Inspected
328
Electric Ranges Inspected
252
Electric Water Heaters Inspected
116
Electric Clothes Dryers Inspected
19
Services-Inspected
72
Signs Inspected
12
Stores Inspected
12
Garages Inspected
7
Gasoline Pumps
14
Electric Motors Inspected
47
Funeral Homes Inspected
1
Drug Stores Inspected
1
Restaurants Inspected
3
Banks Inspected
3
Telephone Building Inspected
1
Beauty Parlors Inspected
2
144
· TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Factorys Inspected
Lumber Yards
1
Real Estate Offices Inspected
1
2
1
Respectfully Submitted,
ALTON F. LaBRECQUE Inspector Of Wires.
145.
Churches Inspected Clubs Inspected
1
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Sealer of Weights & Measures
Board of Selectmen
Town of Randolph
Randolph, Mass.
Gentlemen.
{
During the year of 1954 I have sealed :
Scales
108
Gasoline Meters
57
Oil Measuring Meters
36
Vehicle Tanks
11
Yard Sticks
22
Meters (inlet more than 1 inch)
2
Inspections made :
Pedlars Licenses
14
Pedlars Scales
9
Fees Collected and turned over to The Town Treasurer
$189.35
Salary of Sealer
$250.00
Transportation of Weights
25.00
Purchase of Equipment and
24.08
Supplies
$299.08
Appropriation $300.00
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT C. JOPE, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
146
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Report of The Collector of Taxes
To the citizens of the Town of Randolph:
I herewith respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1954.
1951
Excise Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954 $
1,117.67
Adjustments
11.05
$
1,128.72
Collections
$ 134.66
Abatements
969.42
Adjustments
2.69
-$
1,106.77
Balance December 31, 1954
$ 21.95
Poll Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954 $
248.00
$
248.00
Collections
$ 4.00
Abatements
244.00
248.00
1952
Real Estate Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954 $ 18,642.32
Refunds
323.24
Adjustments
350.12
$ 19,315.68
147
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Collections
15,930.90
Tax Titles
2,189.52
Abatements
855.60
Adjustments
6.68
$ 18,982.70
Balance December 31, 1954
332.98
Personal Taxes:
Outstanding January 1, 1954
163.20
163.20
Collections
10.97
Abatements
17.83
28.80
Balance December 31, 1954
$
134.40
Water Liens:
Outstanding January 1. 1954 $
110.30
Adjustments
6.56
116.86
Collections
108.92
108.92
Balance December 21, 1954
7.94
Excise Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954
3,799.19
Refunds
56.13
3,855.32
Collections
956.04
Abatements
68.17
Adjustments
115.24
1,139.45
Balance December 31, 1954
2,715.87
Poll Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954
634.00
Refunds
4.00
638.00
148
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Collections
156.00
156.00
Balance December 31, 1954
482.00
1953
Real Estate Taxes:
Outstanding January 1, 1954
95,754.47 12,668.94
Refunds
Adjustments
54.77
$108,478.18
Collections
80,032.69
Tax Titles
5,268.12
Abatements
4,909.92
Adjustments
77.50
$ 90,288.23
Balance December 31, 1954
$ 18,189.95
Personal Tax:
Outstanding January 1, 1954 5
548.60
$ 548.60
Collections
421.20
Abatements
57.20
478.40
Balance December 31, 1954
70.20
Water Liens:
Outstanding January 1, 1954
356.01
Collections
278.01
Balance December 31, 1954
78.00
Excise Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954
37,600.92
Refunds
2,152.03
Adjustments
36.23
39,789.18
149
· ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Collections Abatements Adjustments
30,381.41 2,900.34 .10
33,281.85
Balance December 31, 1954
6,507.33
Poll Taxes :
Outstanding January 1, 1954
1,177.00
Refunds
8.00
1,185.00
Collections
375.00
Abatements
392.00
767.00
Balance December 31, 1954 $ 418.00
Real Estate Taxes :
Commitment and Omitted
List
$830,573.50
Refunds
12,563.42
Adjustments
94.14
$843,231.06
Collections
$732,894.86
Abatements
35,799.00
768,693.86
Outstanding December 31, 1954
74,537.20
Personal Tax:
Commitment and Omitted List
54,860.00
54,860.00
Collections
53,610.00
Abatements
55.00
53,665.00
Balance December 31, 1954
1,195.00
150
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Water Liens: Commitment Collections
1,501.89 654.01
Balance December 31, 1954
847.88
Excise Taxes :
5 Commitments
80,864.14
Refunds
1,471.10
82,335.24
Collections
62,633.46
Abatements
4,190.67
Balance December 31, 1954
66,824.13 $ 15,511.11
Poll Tax :
Commitment and Omitted List
$ 7,400.00
$
7,400.00
Collections
$ 5,642.00
Abatements
506.00
6,148.00
Balance December 31, 1954
1.252.00
Street Betterments :
Commitment:
26,783.65
26,783.65
Collections
858.87
Balance December 31, 1954
$ 25.924.78
ROBERT S. CUTTING. Tax Collector.
151
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
of the
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
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TOWN
INCORPO
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MASSACI
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For the Year Ending December 31, 1954
1954
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Report of The School Committee
The Randolph School Committee submits herewith the annual report of the year 1954.
1954 has marked the second full year during which the new Randolph Junior-Senior High School has been used. The facilities available for academic, athletic and social activities were used by many local organizations. The building, itself, is in use almost every night.
The Devine School addition was completed this fall and the twelve additional classrooms, with cafeteria and auditorium, have been put into use. The total enrollment at the Devine School is now 710, which means that this building is nearly filled to capacity.
The School Committee plans to use the Pauline Street School for special classes next September.
Your Committee urges that the citizens of the Town read and study the various reports submitted by the heads of the departments and the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools.
Your Committee continues to recognize the ever- changing methods being used in the education of students and will make every effort to keep abreast of these changes. Randolph school population has reached an all- time high, with 2847 students as of Oct. 1, 1954, and with the continuing growth of the Town, your Committee feels that it is necessary to produce more space for teaching.
Your attention is called to the report in which the amount of moneys refunded through the various laws and regulations of the Commonwealth, as they relate to its educational program, is shown.
155
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
Your Committee acknowledges with sincere thanks the awards, scholarships, equipment and books that have been so generously donated by various citizens and or- ganizations to aid the students and graduates of The Randolph Public Schools. The Committee wishes to thank Mr. John Frederickson, Superintendent of the Highway Department, for his cooperation and help.
Your Committee regrets the resignation of Mr. Irvin D. Reade as Superintendent of School upon his appoint- ment as Superintendent of Schools at Hingham, Mass. Mr. Reade has done considerable work in the planning and building of the Junior-Senior High School, and the addi- tion to the Devine School. The best wishes of the Com- mittee go to him and his family, in his new position.
With the resignation of Mr. Rede it becomes neces- sary to elect a new Superintendent of Schools. The Com- mittee spent long hours interviewing candidates and sort- ing recommendations. From a field of about thirty can- didates from Massachusetts and other New England States, they appointed Mr. E. Perley Eaton, Superinten- dent of Schools in Athol, Mass., with 16 years experience as Superintendent of Schools in various Massachusetts towns, to become Superintendent of Schools in Randolph.
We extend our sincere congratulations and thanks to all administrators, teachers, supervisors, secretaries and custodians for their cooperation during the past year. A sincere welcome to visit the schools at your con- venience is extended by your Committee, and we seek any suggestions or criticisms that may serve as a guide for better education of children.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD L. WHITE, Chairman RALPH D. GARDNER, Secretary CLARK W. FREEMAN
EDWARD T. CLARK DR. WILLIAM F. MAGUIRE
156
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
Report of The Superintendent of Schools
I hereby submit the annual report of the Superin- tendent of Schools for the Randolph Public Schools for the year 1954. This report includes the reports of the Supervisors, the Principals and all other school statistics. It is hoped that the townspeople will read the reports carefully as they tell of the work that is being done in the schools.
School enrollments continue to show steady in- creases. The present enrollment is 2840 pupils which is a net gain of 282 pupils over last year. This fall the new Devine School addition opened and twelve new class- rooms were put into use for the first time. Even now there is only one room left at the Devine School, and a basement hall has been made into a classroom at the McNeill School. At Tower Hill School no more pupils can be taken in the first grade as it is now overcrowded with 40 pupils. The High School building with 1058 pupils is using every room. Next year the enrollment will increase about 71 pupils. Next fall that will tax the High School building to its full capacity which is said to be 1200 pupils. There is a definite need for more school rooms as in the near future there will not be desks enough for the children in the schools.
There has been much work accomplished in the re- pair of the older buildings, and much more to be done, however, a definite schedule is being formulated so that repairs can be made over a period of years to keep down the costs, and at the same time take the best possible care of the buildings. The two hurricanes, Carol and Edna struck the schools hard but when they had passed not too much damage was reported, except for damage
157
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
to the Stetson School roof and to the pumps in the sewer beds at the High School, other damage was relatively slight. The McNeill School yard needs repairs and it is hoped that with with the help of the Street Department that some of this play area can be resurfaced. There is also need for repairs on Stetson field, to put the field into condition for all sports. For example, little league baseball, High School baseball, football, track, and Town team football.
I wish to thank the members of the School Commit- tee for their help and cooperation during the past few months. We have been able to get some projects started that will not only aid the children in their school work but will also, over a period of time, cause the towns- people to get more for its money in the purchase of sup- plies and the upkeep of the buildings. I also wish to thank the teaching staff, the janitors, parents and pupils for their helpful assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
E. PERLEY EATON, Superintendent of Schools
158
TOWN OF RANDOLH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL HUBERT F. GILGAN, PRINCIPAL
We wish to extend to our new Superintendent of Schools, Mr. E. Perley Eaton, on behalf of all the faculty of the school, a cordial welcome to the Randolph School System and we want him to know that all of us are an- xious to work cooperatively with him in the best interests of the pupils in the school. At the same time, we wish to express our sincere thanks to our former superintend- ent, Mr. I. D. Reade, Jr. for all the help and guidance he provided for us in the short time he was with us as our superintendent. We wish him the best of everything in his new field of endeavor.
The enrollment in our new school is growing so fast it is almost frightening from the point of view of how to provide ample quarters for all the pupils we expect in a very short time. It would seem that within two years, at the latest, we will be faced with the prospect of double sessions.
We entered this school two years ago with thirty- five teachers; this year we have forty-eight including all personnel. This was made necessary by the growth in enrollment. Of these forty-eight teachers, sixteen have masters degrees, while twenty-eight of the remain- ing thirty-two have Bachelor degrees. Our teachers are constantly taking courses, either on their own or en- rolling in courses arranged by the school department. It is folly to claim that any organization or group is per- fect, but by large, we feel that the faculty of the high school and grade schools is among the best in the area. Constantly, specialists in the educational field are brought to Randolph, bringing the latest teaching techniques de- veloped through intensive study. The teachers and prin-
159
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
cipals meet frequently in separate groups, to discuss problems peculiar to the classes they teach, to exchange ideas, and in general to make them better public servants.
In recent years, it has become a popular public pas- time to throw verbal rocks at our schools and we feel that the most vicious enemy of any school system today is the unfounded rumor which starts either innocently or malic- iously and can sweep a whole community into doubt and mistrust. The only weapon against such rumor is knowl- edge that comes through personal visits visits to the schools and personal conversation with the teacher. Every good teacher welcomes such visits. The public owes its teachers a vote of trust and confidence. The public owes them a promise it will not believe any rumor which comes to its ears unless it is personally able to establish it's truth. No person, least of all a teacher charged with the moulding of the minds of youngsters, can operate well in an atmosphere of suspicion. We believe in our schools; we believe our teachers are doing a good job. We would like to have the public visit our schools in ses- sion to see firsthand the work our schools are doing.
Approximately thirty percent of our graduates of 1954 are continuing their education and although this is not as high as we would like to see, nevertheless it is growing, which is an encouraging fact. Comparing the number of pupils who finish grade eight with the number who graduate from high school, there would seem to be a large drop-out from school. However, there is a rea,- sonable explanation if one digs into the reasons for this drop-out. First, we have no shop work in the high school grades and many boys of high school age are attending trade schools in Boston, Quincy, and Brockton. As a matter of fact, we have had to limit the junior high boys to a half year of shop instead of a full year because our one shop instructor cannot handle the number of boys
160
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
involved. We recommend here that the two additional shops be equipped and staffed so that we can enlarge the scope of our work in this field. Secondly, many more pupils than generally believed are enrolled in parochial high schools because their parents wish a religious educa- tion for them along with their academic work. This became quite evident with the opening of the parochial regional high school in Braintree and when the new school is opened in Brockton, we expect to see these numbers in- creased. There is nothing to be done about this, but these youngsters are mostly college bound youngsters who, if they were in our local high school, would in- crease our percentage of pupils continuing their educa- tion. The percentage of pupils attending private pre- paratory schools from Randolph, we believe to be of no greater percentage than from any city or town in the area. Always, in all schools, will be those who cannot and will not benefit from high school training and so leave to go to work.
We wish to call attention of the School Department and citizens of Randolph, the fact that the facilities of the playground at the rear of the school are far from ade- quate and that the work started there during the past couple of years should be carried through to completion. There just doesn't seem to be enough play area in the town for the youngsters to use during their leisure time. The fields and pastures they used to play on now have homes on them, leaving no place to play except the streets. It would help the situation somewhat, to finish the enlargement of our athletic field and to improve the part which is now available to us, which at present, is in a rather deplorable condition.
We are pleased to report that the appropriation by the town for school library books was wonderful. It will
16]
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
help us make a fine start on a good selection of books for our pupils to use. This, plus five hundred dollars from a one thousand dollar Claff Memorial Library Fund will furnish valuable educational aids for our childrens' use. We are, at present, cataloging these books but by the time this report is printed, our library will be in op- eration-at least one half of it, because we are forced to use the other half of it for junior high classes all day long. We hope the town will continue to appropriate money for the purchase of library books.
During the past year, the pupils of Randolph High have acted as hosts for state conventions of various school groups such as the F.H.A., Regional Drama Festival, Eastern Massachusetts Division of Student Councils, among others. We have the facilities now to do this and along with the fact that it is a wonderful experience for our youngsters, it has done much to promote fine inter- school relations.
HUBERT F. GILGAN, Principal.
REPORT OF THE GUIDANCE DIRECTOR JOSEPH W. DALY
During the past year efforts were made to expand all services in educational, vocational, and social guid- ance. Toward this goal great stress was placed on the counseling area of guidance.
The key note of counseling is individualization, and in order to gain this point of view, one needs to have a thorough knowledge of the child. This can be gained through cumulative school records, case studies, intelli- gence tests, achievement tests, parent conferences, visits to the home, observation of the child and assistance from trained experts.
162
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Counseling needs can be divided into two parts- that of prevention of problems, and also of analyzing and correction of problems. In the past, formal guidance work has been largely concerned with the problems of the maladjusted child. The new guidance program has a more positive emphasis. In the presentation of prob- lems, guidance tries to create an educational environ- ment in which each child can develop to the fullest of his inherent capacities. We interview every one in the school at least once during the year and are encouraged by the large increase in the number of students, parents, and community agencies taking advantage of the service.
The cummulative records are becoming more and more useful and complete as they have now been in op- eration for four years. Maximum benefit will be reached when the present fourth graders are Seniors as we will then have complete records of grade one through twelve.
During the year arrangements were made for inter- views and visits of the students to many schools and col- leges. Talks were given on many occupations such as of- fice work, engineering, scientific work, technician, draft- ing and many others too numerous to mention.
Agreat number of students were placed in part time jobs in plants, stores, farms and homes in Randolph, Bos- ton, Brockton. This placement enabled our students to receive thousands of dollars worth of help for the home or in furthering their education.
A follow-up study was made of last year's class and we found that all members of the class were either em- ployed or in school at the time of the survey with the exception of one student who was ill.
I wish to express my thanks to the elementary and Junior-Senior High teachers, our counselors Miss Wini-
163
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEENTH ANNUAL REPORT
fred Brennan, Miss Anna K. Good, and Mr. Lloyd Clark for their co-operation and valued aid in the work. I also wish to express my thanks to Mr. Gilgan, Mr. Eaton, and the School Committee for their aid and co-operation.
JOSEPH W. DALY
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR Ethel B. Atwood, Supervisor
Believing that a report should make clear to the reader-the purpose, the accomplishments, and the needs of the service being reported ... I submit the following for 1954.
The Art Department aims to teach this fact-art is a part of everything! In learning to recognize, to ap- preciate, to make intelligent selection and to create in- terest in designing, through art- all school studies are better understood and life after graduation made more interesting.
This year, for the third consecutive year, pupils were privileged to be actually at work, in the windows of a local store. This was a feature of the school's observance of American Education Week. During the week each grade, from the first through the eighth, was represented. Interest in this project has increased every year since its inception several years back. It offers those who find it difficult, not to say, impossible, to visit the Open House evening programs ... to see a part of the school program in action.
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