USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1954 > Part 5
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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1955
at Five Forty-Five o'clock in the forenoon to act on the following articles, namely :
Article 1. To elect a Moderator for one year, Town Clerk for one year, three Selectmen for one year, three Members of the Department of Public Welfare for one year, one Assessor for three years, Treasurer for one year, Tax Collector for three years, one Member of the School Committee for three years, one Member of the School Committee for two years, one Member of the School Com- mittee for one year, Trustee of Cemeteries for three years, one Trustee of Cemeteries for one year, two Trustees of Public Library for three years, one Trustee of Kimball Park for three years, one Commissioner of Playground for five years, one Commissioner of Municipal Light for three years, one Water Commissioner for three years, three Constables for one year, three Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark for one year, Tree Warden for one year, and one Member of the Planning Board for five years.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 2. To fix the compensation of the Collector of Taxes.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to fix the Salary and compensation of all elective officers of the Town as Provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws as amended; Moderator, Town Clerk, three Select- men, three Members of the Board of Public Welfare, three Assessors, Treasurer, Tax Collector, Tree Warden, three Commissioners of Municipal Light, three Water Commis- sioners and raise and appropriate sums of money, there- fore.
Article 4. To determine what sums of money shall be raised to defray the necessary and usual charges and expenses of the Town for the year 1955 and make appro- priations for same.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate the sum of Sixteen Hundred Dollars ($1,600.00) for the maintenance of Road Machinery to keep Road Machinery in operation, said amount to be transferred from the Road Machinery Fund.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the Revenue of the Financial year beginning January 1, 1956 and to issue a note or notes therefore, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be placed at the disposal of the Playground Commission to be used at their discre- tion on the playground during the current year.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to sell at public auction, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale, property heretofore taken or which may be taken by the Town under Tax Title pro- cedure, provided that the Town Treasurer with the ap- proval of the Selectmen or their authorized agent may at the time of such public auction reject any bid which they may deem inadequate, or may after such auction has been held sell such property provided that in their estimation an adequate offer may be made.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used under the super- vision of the Selectmen for any necessary repairs or other expense to Tax Possessions.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended on highway work on thickly settled streets or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Fifty Dollars ($650 .- 00) for the Board of Registrars Expense under Chapter 427 and Chapter 440 of Acts and Resolves of the General Court for the year 1938, said appropriation being made for the year 1955.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Nine Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars ($975.00) from the sale of Cemetery lots such sum or part thereof to be expended under the direction of the Cemetery Trus- tees for "care, improvement and embellishment" of said cemetery, according to Section 15 and Section 25 of Chap- ter 114 of the General Laws.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to naise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to meet such legal expenses as may occur due to suits or other action against the Town or take any action relative thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction or Maintenance or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money sufficient to make necessary repairs in or on or around the Town Hall or take any ac- tion relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to use a sum of money from free cash in the Treasury toward the reduction of the 1955 Tax Rate.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the Treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 and Highway Construction or Maintenance or take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250 .- 00) to pay the salary of the Veterans Service Officer.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250 .- 00) for expenses of the Veterans Service Officer.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Thousand Ninety Six Dollars and Sixty Three Cents ($5,096.63) said sum to be paid
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
the Essex County Retirement Board for various funds of the Essex County Retirement System.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance and op- eration of the Water Department, and to pay any water loans that may be due in the year 1955, and to determine whether the money shall be provided for by appropriation, water surplus or water revenue; or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Eight Hundred Eighty Dollars ($2,880.00) said amount to be paid the Welfare Agent as salary for the year 1955.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-Five Hundred Dollars (2,500.00) said amount to be spent for control of Dutch Elm Disease.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) for rental of quarters for the use of the American Legion Post.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seventeen Thousand Dollars ($17,- 000.00) to pay notes due for School Construction in the year 1955.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for salary of Dog Officer.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eighteen Hundred Dollars ($1,-
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ANNUAL REPORT
800.00) to be spent under the direction of Civil Defense Director and supervision of the Selectmen for Civil Defense or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred Seventy-Five Dollars ($675.00) said amount to be spent for salaries to Instruc- tors for Supervised Play at the Merrimac Playground, under the jurisdiction of the Merrimac Playground Com- mission.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used under the Super- vision of the Selectmen and Chief of Police for the pur- chase of a Police Cruiser to be used by the Police Depart- ment, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a certain sum of money of the excess and deficiency fund for the purchase of bonds. The proceeds of the sale of bonds to be appropriated for a new regional school building.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay for the expense of taking the census or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand Dollars (1,000.00) for the purchase of hose for the Fire Department.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair the wall and side- walk on Church Street near the Sargent Coal Company Office or take any action relative thereto.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to accept
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Section 97A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws which is a section requiring the establishment by the Selectmen of a Police Department which shall be under the supervision of an officer to be known as the Chiefof Police, and which authorizes the Chief of Police to make suitable regulations governing the Police Department, and the officers thereof, subject to the approval of the Selectmen and which places the Chief of Police in immediate control of all town prop- erty used by the Department and of the police officers and their assignments.
Article 35. On petition of Kenneth G. Fowle and others to see if the Town of Merrimac will raise and appropriate the sum of Eighty-Two Hundred (8,200.00) Dollars to (1) continue the present water system from a point on Winter Street opposite the residence of James Hull along Winter to the junction of Church Street, (2) to continue the present water system from a point opposite the residence of Henry L. Adams along Church Street to join the extension along Winter Street at the junction of Church Street and Highland Road and thence along High- land Road to a point near the residence of Richard V. Beebe, a distance of 2,769 feet or take any action relative thereto, including whether or not the money shall be raised by borrowing, taxation or otherwise.
Article 36. On petition of Irving A. Blake and oth- ers to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for plans or other expense in conjunction with the building of a Regional School, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 37. On petition of George R. Hoyt and oth- ers to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) to continue the present water system from a point opposite the residence of Elsie Adams along Birch Meadow Road
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ANNUAL REPORT
to a point opposite the residence of George Hoyt, a dis- tance of approximately 875 feet, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 38 On petition of Clifford R. Howe and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for a revaluation of all taxable property or take any action relative thereto.
Article 39. On petition of Henry D. Lay and others to see if the Town will vote to accept a minimum set of zoning requirements as presented by the Planning Board in accordance with Chapter 40 section 25-30A of the Gen- eral laws or take any action relative thereto.
Article 40 On petition of Evelyn M. Greeley and others to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair and correct the condition existing at the head of Vendome Street at Woodland Street, to properly drain the surface water that overflows across Woodland Street down Vendome Street.
And you are hereby required to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in seven places in said Town of Merrimac at least seven days before said time of meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Merrimac this 24th day of January 1955.
GEORGE E. LAY RALPH L. BUZZELL FRANK M. HARGRAVES Selectmen
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
A true copy : Attest:
MAURICE CAREY,
Constable
By virtue of the above warrant to me directed I here- by warn the legal voters of the Town of Merrimac to meet at the time and place and for the purpose therein expressed.
MAURICE CAREY,
Constable
Merrimac, Mass., January 24, 1955
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ANNUAL REPORT
In Memoriam
FRANK EMERSON PEASE 1863 - 1954
Born in West Amesbury, now Merrimac, Mass. Graduate Merrimac High School, Class of 1879.
Graduate New York Technical School of Carriage Draf- ting.
Associated many years in Merrimac with his father and brother as "S. C. Pease and Sons" as carriage builders. He designed the official Town Seal for the town of Merri- mac, Mass., first used as such in 1900.
Served as Moderator at several town meetings.
Merrimac School Committeeman 5 years, 1894-1899.
From 1922-1933 he was in charge of auto body work for Reo Motor Car Co., Lansing, Michigan where he resided over thirty years since leaving Merrimac.
Retired from auto work in 1933.
Alderman of Lansing, Michigan 1939.
County Commissioner of Ingham County, Michigan several years.
E. CLIFTON HARGRAVES 1885 - 1954
Resident of Merrimac over 65 years.
Conducted a variety store with Daily and Sunday papers in Merrimac Square over 30 years.
A Merrimac Cemetery Trustee 6 years, 1942-1948.
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
In Memoriam
BION GREEN
1858 - 1954
Resident of Merrimac, Mass. over 30 years. B. & M. R. R. Station Agent at Merrimac during the car- riage manufacturing period before many autos. Merrimac School Committeeman 8 years, 1891-1899.
Self-educated, Mr. Green was always interested in the higher mathematics and by a life of study could easily solve and explain problems of Algebra, Geometry, Trigo- nometry, Calculus, Quadratics, etc. He also learned sev- eral languages and did much translation for his own bene- fit, and at the age of 90 years and until his death aged 96 years he had learned to read the Hebrew language and was comparing his translations with the original Greek versions.
ALDEN B. MORSE
1877 - 1954
Merrimac Cemetery Trustee and a Trustee of Kimball Park, Merrimac, several years. Served the town as a Police Officer (night patrolman) at different periods.
THOMAS W. WRIGHT
1877 - 1954
Selectman of Merrimac one year, 1923. Resident of Merrimac 45 years, and operated a garage in Merrimac for several years.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PENTUCKET REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE January 24, 1955
To the Honorable Boards of Selectmen:
Towns of Groveland, Merrimac, and West Newbury :
Herewith is the first annual report of the Pentucket Regional School District Committee.
The Pentucket Regional School District came into being on May 25, 1954 when the Towns of Groveland and West Newbury voted to accept an agreement whereby such a district would be formed. Nearly four years of intertown planning preceded this action by the two towns.
The first meeting of the newly formed District School Committee was marked by the same type of co-operative spirit that had been displayed in planning. The committee organized with Leo A. Soucy as chairman and Sydney A. O'Neill as Secretary-Treasurer. The committee immedi- ately began its work of planning amendments to the agree- ment which would admit the Town of Merrimac to the District. When amendments were accepted by the three towns in August, 1954, Merrimac entered the district.
Upon Merrimac's admission to the district, the Dis- trict Committee was organized so as to include that town's three representatives. The new organization resulted in Leo A. Soucy being elected Chairman, Mrs. Virginia H. Webster Vice-Chairman, and Sydney A. O'Neill Secretary- Treasurer. After adopting rules of procedure and regu- lar meeting dates, the committee engaged the services of the Second National Bank of Boston to act as its agent in the steps necessary in the sale of bonds. The committee also divided into two sub-committees so as to begin pre- liminary work toward: (1) site selection and (2) educa- tional planning. The local school committees of the mem-
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TOWN OF MERRIMAC
ber towns successfully sought and soon received permission from the State Department of Education to join in the formation of a new Superintendency Union in September, 1955. Thus, with the eventual construction of a regional junior-senior high school all grades in all schools in the three member towns will be together in one organization.
The sub-committee concerned with site selection com- pleted its work when the possible sites were reduced to four. The sub-committee on educational planning com- pleted its work with the formation of two new committees of membership outside that of the District Committee. The first of these committees is now engaged in the determi- nation of a curriculum for the proposed school. The other committee, which has divided into nine sub-committees, is concerned with the drawing up of the Educational Spe- cifications for the proposed school. The committee plans to present a building proposal to the three member towns in the summer of 1955.
These aforementioned sub- committees comprise, in the aggragate, over one hundred persons including school principles and teachers, selectmen, finance committee members, planning board members, parents, citizens, ex- perts in related areas, and recent high school graduates. Nearly all of these people are residents of the member towns.
While the Educational Specifications and the Curri- culum are being formulated, the District School Commit- tee is at work in the task of selecting a superintendent. an architect, while maintaining a close laison with the curriculum and specifications committees.
The District Committee has been hampered by its complete lack of funds. All expenses to date have been borne by the individual members of the committee.
The Committee is extremely grateful to the voters of the member towns for their endorsement of the regional
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ANNUAL REPORT
school plan and for their fine encouragement, support, and understanding of the problem facing the committee. The way in which people came forth and offered to give of their time is a reflection of the high qualities of citizen- ship possessed by our citizens. Such actions cannot but help result in an excellent solution to the school problem now facing the towns in the Pentucket Regional School District.
Respectfully submitted,
Leo A. Soucy, Chairman
Virginia H. Webster, Vice Chairman
Sydney A. O'Neill, Secretary-Treasurer Louise E. Mills
T. Tait Bender
Irving J. Blake
Dr. Douglas Crook
Francis W. Harriman
Dr. Frederick Sweetzer
Pentucket Regional School Committee
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
For The Year Ending December 31, 1954
MERR
OF
4
VMOI
9000000000000
MASS
INCO
1876
R
3
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL REPORT
In accordance with custom and with the Acts of the General Court, 1859, Chapter 57, we herewith submit to you the 84th annual printed school report.
IRVING A. BLAKE, Chairman
VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Secretary F. N. SWEETSIR, M. D.
School Committee
SCHOOL OFFICERS
John C. Page, Ed. D., Superintendent of Schools Address: West Newbury Telephone W. N. 52
Margaret R. Sawyer, Secretary Address: West Newbury
Mary F. Jarvis, Assistant, Superintendent's Office Address: West Newbury
Alexander M. Sullivan, Supervisor of Attendance Address: Locust Street
Howard L. DeLong, Working Certificates Address: 7 Pine Street
A. Francis Davis, M. D., School Physician Address: 16 Main Street
Annie L. Gleed, R. N., School Nurse Address: West Main Street
J. A. Hawes, D. M. D., School Dental Examiner Address: 113 Main Street, Amesbury
Shirley Venezia, School Dental Nurse Address: 113 Main Street, Amesbury
DIRECTORY OF SCHOOL STAFF, OCTOBER, 1954 HIGH SCHOOL & GRADE 7 and 8
Position
Training
Total Yrs. Experience
Yrs. in Merrimac
Prin., Soc. Studies English
Edward S. Morrow Isabelle M. Phelan
B.S., Univ. of N. H., 1943 B.S.E., Tufts, 1941
7 11.6
11.6
French & Latin
Mary E. Doherty
A.B., Regis College, 1953
0
0
Science
Frederick G. Bardsley
A.B., Suffolk Univ., 1952
M.A. in Ed., Suffolk Univ., 1953
1
1
Mathematics
Rodney F. Mansfield
B.S., Univ of N. H., 1952
2
2
Commercial Studies
Margaret M. O'Riordan
B.S.E., Salem Teachers College, 1953
1
1
Grade 8
Louis A. Blais
B.A., Assumption College, 1950 A.B., Boston University, 1931
1
0
Grade 8
Cornelia E. Wolfe
14
9
Grade 7 and Assistant
to Principal Grade 7
Millard P. Nute
B.A., Univ. of N. H., 1951
2
Frederick J. Noone
B.S., Boston College, 1951
3
22 2 2
4
SCHOOL
REPORT
7
MERRIMAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Principal V. Prin., Remedial Reading and Art
Helen R. Donaghue
Bridgewater Normal, 1929
16.5
9.8
Miriam M. Felch
B.S., Kutztown, Pa., State Teachers College, 1936 Newburyport Training, 1909
8
8
Grade 6
Margaret W. Hume
16
6
Grade 6
Alice M. Pooler
B.S. Ed., Salem Teachers College, 1953
1
1
Grade 5
Helen O'Neil
A.B., Radcliffe College, 1954
0
0
Grade 5
Jean W. Rau
B.A., Ohio State University, 1953
1
1
OF
Grade 4
A. Patricia Casey
B.S. Ed., Lowell Teachers College, '34 M. Ed., Calvin Coolidge College of L. A., 1954
5.6
0
Grade 4
Mae Ethel Davis
Salem Normal
26.5
21.5
Mixed level group
Dorothy K. Edgerly
Salem Normal, 1926
8.5
1
Mixed level group
Margaret M. Hickey
A.B., Merrimack College, 1954
0
0
Adjustment group
Florence L. Coe
Salem Teachers College, 1933 Salem Normal, 1917
6.4
0
Adjustment group
Caroline M. Verrette Louise E. Hardy
Framingham Normal, 1928
12
6
Readiness group
Helen K. Manning
Bridgewater Normal, 1918
29.7
27.7
Readiness group
Ethel B. Whiting
A.B., Bates College, 1913
9
9
Music Teacher
Doris M. Currier
Institute of Music Pedagogy
32.5
23
TOWN
MERRIMAC
14
6
Readiness group
5
6
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
(Continued from 1953 Town Report)
Winter term: January 3, to February 18, 1955 7 weeks
Third term: February 28, to April 29, 1955 9 weeks
Spring term : May 9, to June 17, 1955 (Elem) 6 weeks Grade 8 graduation, - June 21, 1955 High School graduation, - June 23, 1955
Fall term:
September 6, 1955 - Registration Day
September 7, to December 21, 1955
Elementary School
September 7, to December 23, 1955
High School
Winter term:
January 2, 1956 to February 17, 1956
7 weeks
Schools also close on Good Friday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Essex County Teachers' Convention, Co- lumbus Day, Veterans' Day, and Thanksgiving recess.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
NO SCHOOL announcements will be made over Sta- tion WBZ after 7:00 o'clock in the morning.
6:30 A. M. 11-11-11 No school all day. 11:30 A. M. 11-11-11 No school in grades sev- en and eight.
7
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
1954 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular school appropriation
Refunded dog tax
$107,947.00 460.68
Total available for schools
$108,407.68
Total expenditures
107,147.25
Balance
$ 1,260.43
Reimbursements :
Supt. Schools
$ 933.33
General School Fund
28,929.04
All school transportation
4,407.20
Tuition local schools
362.00
Tuition, transp. state wards
2,397.15
All other
25.23
$ 37,053.95
Total expenditures
$107,147.25
Total reimbursements
37,053.95
Net cost to town
$ 70,093.30
Summary of Expenditures
General Control
School committee expenses $ 32.95
Supt. Schools' salary 1,900.00
Secretaries salary 725.00
8
SCHOOL REPORT
Extra office help
256.00
Travel expenses & office costs
282.84
Law enforcement
287.85
-$ 3,484.64
Cost of Instruction
Full-time teachers & subs
72,516.91
Part-time teachers
2,305.02
Text books
1,929.90
School supplies
3,756.55
$ 80,508.38
School lunch salaries
1,733.36
Cost of operation
Janitors' salaries
5,446.36
Fuel
2,970.01
Janitor's supplies, etc.
256.99
-$ 8,673.36
Maintenance
1,709.47
Athletics
495.45
Libraries
376.11
Health
1,354.82
Transportation
7,749.03
New equipment
749.50
Telephone, miscellaneous
313.13
$107,147.25
9
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
1955 FINANCIAL ESTIMATES
General Control
School committee expenses $ 25.00
Supt. Schools' salary
2,043.00
Secretary's salary
761.00
Extra office help
200.00
Travel expenses & office costs 350.00
Law enforcement
350.00
£ 3,729.00
Cost of Instruction
Full-time teachers & subs
79,866.00
Part-time teachers
1,660.00
Text books
2,500.00
School supplies
2,500.00
86,526.00
School lunch salaries
3,673.00
Cost of Operation
Janitors' salaries
5,550.00
Fuel
2,600.00
Janitors' supplies, etc.
700.00
8,850.00
Maintenance
1,000.00
Athletics
500.00
Libraries
400.00
Health
1,400.00
10
SCHOOL REPORT
Transportation
9,100.00
New equipment
500.00
Telephone, miscellaneous
300.00
$115,978.00
Estimated reimbursements :
Supt. Schools
$ 983.33
General School Fund
29,935.29
All school transportation
6,485.00
$ 37,353.62
Total estimated expenditures
$115,978.00
Total estimated reimbursements
37,353.62
Estimated net cost to town
$ 78,624.38
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STATEMENT
Vocational education appropriation
$ 2,000.00
Vocational education expenditures
1,991.73
Balance
8.27
Vocational education expenditures
$ 1,991.73
Vocational education reimbursements
741.68
Net cost to town $ 1,250.05
11
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
SCHOOL FUND STATEMENT (Athletics)
Balance, January 1, 1954
$ 44.70
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