USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1919 > Part 4
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Art. 24. To see if the town will appropriate such sum of money as may be necessary to defray the cost of the rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Holbrook Building.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to sprinkle or spread upon its public ways, or parts thereof, water or any liquid or material suitable for laying or preventing dust and preserving the surface of such ways and for san- itary purposes, the cost thereof to be assessed upon abut- ting estates, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 26. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hos- pital Association for the charitable purposes of said asso- ciation in this town, or for the care and support of said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to support or care for themselves, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 27. To see if the town will make provision for reimbursing the police officers for expenses incurred in the investigation of cases and otherwise in the discharge of their duties, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 and pay the same to the
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Springfield Street Railway Company under authority of Chapter 353 of the Special Acts of the year 1917 entitled "An Act to authorize the Town of Palmer to appropriate money toward the cost of a street railway bridge over Ware River."
Art. 29. To see if the town will vote to macadamize or otherwise improve the public way in the Village of Thorndike beginning at the junction of Commercial and High Streets and extending to Lake Junction, so-called, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 30. To see if the town will macadamize or other- wise improve Depot Street in the Village of Bondsville, ex- tending from Main Street to the bridge over the river.
Art. 31 .. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $350.00, or any sum, to be expended within the town under direction of the Hampden County Improve- ment League for the promotion of boys' and girls' work in agriculture, home making and country life, and the improvement of agriculture and country life in the town, including agricultural demonstration work on land owned by the town or owned by any resident of the town, in ac- cordance with the provisions of Chapter 273 of the Acts of 1918.
Art. 32. To see if the town will vote to petition the General Court now in session for leave to borrow $200,- 000.00, or any other amount, outside the debt limit, for the purpose of enlarging and improving its educational facilities by the acquisition of land for, and the construc- tion and equipment of, new buildings and for additions to present school buildings and equipment, or take any ac- tion relative thereto.
Art. 40. To see if the tow will instruct the Overseers of the Poor to sell or otherwise market the standing tim- ber upon the land owned by the town near Palmr Center, or take any action relative thereto.
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Art. 41. To see if the town will vote to enlarge the present sewer or build an additional sewer to take care of the surface water on Converse Street in the Depot Village.
Art. 42. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to meet the town's share of the cost to the County of Hampden for providing adequate hospital care for con- sumptives under the provisions of Chapter 286 of the Acts of 1916, and acts in addition thereto and in amendment thereof. ..
Art. 43. To see if the town will vote to extend the sewer in Squier Street in the Depot Village northerly a distance of about 100 feet, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 44. To see what action the town will take in re- gard to the canal bridge that has been taken out of Bridge Street in the Village of Three Rivers.
Art. 45. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in Park Street extending from the intersection of Breckenridge Street in the Depot Village westerly a dis- tance of about 400 feet.
Art. 46. To see if the town will vote to improve the sidewalks and steps at the corner of State and Main Streets, known as Parent's Corner, in the Village of Bondsville, and raise and appropriate money for the same or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 47. To see if the town will vote to build a gravel or cinder sidewalk along the easterly side of North Main Street (or the Three Rivers Road) from a point near Shearer's Corner to or near the Wire Mill School, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 48. To see if the town will vote to resurface the macadam road in Church Street in the Village of Thorn- dike from a point near the No. 1 Mill of the Thorndike
.
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Company to the Canal bridge near No. 2 Mill, a dis- tance of approximately 2525 feet, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
Art. 49. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer from Four Corners to a point near St. Anne's Church in the Village of Three Rivers, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 50. To see if the town will vote to construct a sidewalk and curbing made of concrete on the easterly side of Main street in the Village of Three Rivers from the sidewalk in front of the John Winer property to the inter- section of Main and Pleasant Streets.
Art. 51. To see if the town willl vote to provide a building for the Three Rivers Fire Department's equip- ment, appropriate any money for same, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 52. To see if the town will vote to place addi- tional electric lamps on Palmer Road in front of the new tenement houses of the Otis Company, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 53. To see if the town will vote to macadamize the road on Springfield Street in the Village of Three Riv- ers, from a point opposite the Palmer Mill office west to a point of said Springfield Street oppossite the house occu- pied by L. A. Knight, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 54. To see if the town will establish a public playhouse or grounds and employ necessary teachers, su- pervisors and officers, under authority of Chapter 217 of. the General Acts of 1919, and authorize the School Com- mittee to exercise, on behalf of the town, the powers con- ferred by said chapter.
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Art. 55. To see if the town will take any action look- ing to the reconstruction or improvement of North Main Street in the Depot Village, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 56. To see if the town will take any action for the improvement of Thorndike and Park Streets in the Depot Village, or either of them, at the point of their in- tersection, and give directions therefor.
Art. 57. To see if the town will vote to grant and convey to the Thorndike Company the right to pass and repass, with and without men and vehicles, upon and over a strip of land, a portion of the town farm, twenty-five (25) feet in width, extending from land of Charles C. Hamilton northwesterly and southwesterly to the high -- way leading from Palmer Center to Warren, the westerly and southerly lines thereof being described as follows: Beginning at a stone bound in line of land of Charles C. Hamilton and the town farm, thence N. 100 53' W. eight hundred thirty-eight and six-tenths (838.6) feet; thence N. 220 26' W. one hundred thirty-one and eight-tenths (131.8) feet; thence N. 370 50' W. one hundred seven and three-tenths (07.3) feet thence N. 620 32' S. W. eighty and four-tenths (80.4) feet; thence S. 840 32' W. three hundred seventy-one (371) feet to the highway leading from Warren to Palmer Center; together with the right to lay, maintain, operate and repair, in and through said strip of land pipes for the conveyance of water; or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 58. To see if the town will vote to rescind so much of the vote relative to the sale of the town lot on East Main Street in Three Rivers passed at the special meeting held on November 24, 1919, as reads as follows: "and that the selectmen be constituted a committee in the name and behalf of the town to arrange for and hold said auction sale and execute, acknowledge and deliver a deed
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of said land to the purchaser," or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 59. To see if the town will appoint a committee to carry into effect the vote of the town passed at a spe- ial meeting held on November 24, 1919, relative to the sale of the lot owned by the town situate on the southerly side of East Main Street in the Village of Three Rivers, or take any action relative thereto.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in some one public place in each of the four villages of the town, known as the De- pot Village, Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville, seven days at least before the holding of said meeting, and by publishing an attested copy thereof in at least two is- sues of the Palmer Journal, a newspaper published in said Palmer, the first publication to be not less than seven days before the holding of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the holding of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twentieth day of January, A. D. 1920.
HAROLD W. BRAINERD, WILLIAM B. KERIGAN, FRANK G. ROGERS,
Selectmen of Palmer.
Town of Palmer
SCHOOL, REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1919
1192
鸡出來.10
School Committee 1919-1920
Dr .. George A. Moore, Chairman Clifton H. Hobson, Secretary
Dr. George A. Moore,
Term Expires 1922
John F. Shea,
Term Expires 1922
Henry M. Foley,
Term Expires 1921
Dr. John F. Roche,
Term Expires 1921
Samuel E. Thayer,
Dr. Charles H. Giroux,
Term Expires 1920 Term Expires 1920
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7:30 p. m., on the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month. All bills must be in the hands of the Superintendent before the above date.
Superintendent of Schools, Clifton H. Hobson.
Office, High School Building. Telephone, 54-W.
Residence, 30 Pearl Street. Telephone, 54-R. Office hours: 8 a. m. to 12 m., 1.30 to 5 p. m .;
Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 .; Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p. m., except the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
TRUANT OFFICERS
Patrick McKelligett,
Depot
Charles Thomas, T. J. Crimmíns,
Patrick Nagle,
Thomas Holt,
Wiliam Smith,
John Mansfield,
Arthur Bennett,
Depot Depot Thorndike Three Rivers Three Rivers Bondsville Forest Lake
JANITORS
Patrick McKelligett, Patrick McKelligett, Patrick Nagle, C. E. Fuller, William Smith,
High School Palmer Thorndike Bondsville Three Rivers
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ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
January 21, 1919-Dr. Moore, Mr. Foley, Mr. Wilson.
February 11, 1919-Dr. Moore, Mr. Foley, Mr. Thayer. February 18, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Shea. April 22, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Shea, Mr. Foley.
May 27, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Shea, Mr. Foley.
June 3, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Shea, Mr. Foley.
July 1, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Shea, Mr. Foley.
August 5, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Dr. Giroux, Mr. Shea. September 23, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Dr. Giroux, Mr. Thayer. November 25, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Dr. Giroux, Mr. Foley. December 17, 1919-Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Foley.
Calendar
HIGH SCHOOL
Winter term begins December 29, 1919; ends February 20, 1920. Spring term begins March 1, 1920; ends April 23, 1920. Summer term begins May 3, 1920; ends June 25, 1920. Fall terin begins September 7, 1920; ends December 23, 1920. Winter term begins January 3, 1921; ends February 25, 1921. Spring term begins March 7, 1921; ends April 29, 1921. Summer term begins May 9, 1921; ends July 1, 1921.
OTHER SCHOOLS
Winter term begins December 29, 1919; ends February 20, 1920. Spring term begins March 1, 1920; ends April 23, 1920. Summer term begins May 3, 1920; ends June 11, 1920. Fall term begins September 7, 1920; ends December 23, 1920. Winter term begins January 3, 1921; ends February 24, 1921. Spring term begins March 7, 1921; ends April 29, 1921. Summer term begins May 9, 1921; ends June 18, 1921.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS
Winter-February 20, 1920, to February 29, 1920, inclusive. Spring-April 23, 1920, to May 2, 1920, inclusive.
Summer-(Grades) : June 11, 1920, to September 6, 1920, inclusive. (High) : June 25, 1920, to September 6, 1920, inclusive. Fall-December 23, 1920, to January 2, 1921, inclusive. Winter-February 25, 1921, to March 6, 1921, inclusive. Spring-April 29, 1921, to May 8, 1921, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS
Fair Day, Columbus Day, Convention Day, Thanksgiving (with day following), Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day.
Report of School Committee
The school committee, of the Town of Palmer, here- with reports and includes the report, of the Superinten- dent to this commitee, as a part of the matter to be published.
OVERCROWDING
Doubtless the special committee for the purpose, will report to you, upon the congested conditions in the various villages, so that nothing will be said here, except to mention the pressing need of increased accommodation. The situation in Three Rivers will be relieved when the building is available.
GENERAL WORK AND MEDICAL INSPECTION
Work in the school system, has gone on rather better this year, in spite of certain handicaps and because of relief from some others, that existed in acute form for two years previous.
An important work, is the medical inspection, which is prosecuted to a degree, altogether out of proportion, to the return given the inspectors, for service. The good results of this work, cannot be expressed in material terms and amplification of it will be productive of even better showing. Thanks are due the inspectors for the faithful and liberal work done.
The teaching force, has been maintained better than in many other towns, even though the attraction to other
7
places was felt by our teachers. This brings us to the item, of the greatly increased cost of educating our young. The figures are much higher for the oncoming year, almost startling; but the figures are a bit deceiving unless considered at the same time as the reimbursment from the state which it is estimated, will amount this year to $16,530.
The most important item in the increased cost is that of salaries. Students, of this report and the times, who are appalled by this increase, will not get much con- solation from reflection upon the situation for this in- crease was inevitable because it was right-and without doubt will be a constantly increasing item until a point is reached where two things are achieved. First, the teach- ing force is improved to a point where our best results may be obtained and second the salary for those furnish- ing such teaching service represents an equitable return for the grade of service required. In the past a consider- able portion, of the burden of education, was borne by the teachers, through small salaries in relation to those paid in other lines of endeavor, requiring no better prepara- tion if indeed so good. This is changed forever and proper- ly so. For while not going to the lengths of educators, who assume that education is a panacea for all social ills, your committee regards education as the important re- quisite in our country's future. We feel that the Ameri- canization work being done and under contemplation among aliens can be supplemented with great profit by Americanization work among our own children. To achieve this we must have a plan and a teaching force able to execute it; and as mentioned above this will cost more rather than less but it must be done.
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It must not be supposed that this means that Ameri- canization work has not been done in our schools. It has, but we must accentuate it more than ever while in no particular abating the splendid effort always maintained in the ordinary educational lines.
A most inspiring thing in our schools is the very fine work accomplished in music. Years of cumulative effort have fruited in a degree of musical ability in the average student that is as surprising as it is pleasing. This is at once a credit to the supervisor, the teachers, the pupils and the town.
Your committee wishes parents would more frequent- ly visit the schools. The interest expressed in this way by parents is negligible. We think more frequent visiting by parents would be helpful to all.
The thanks of the committee are due to all for the co- operation which has made it possible to achieve the posi- tion that our system has in the state.
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COMPARISON OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1920
1919
Increase
General Expenses,
$ 4,850.00
$ 4,140.00
$ 710.00
Teachers' Salaries,
53,697.90
39,622.00
14,075.90
Textbooks and Supplies,
3,500.00
3,000.00
500.00
Transportation,
5,520.00
4,870.00
650.00
Janitors' Services,
4,450.00
3,496.00
954.00
Fuel and Light,
7,000.00
5,150.00
1,850.00
Maintenance of Buildings
and Grounds,
2,000.00
1,600.00
400.00
Rent,
350.00
325.00
25.00
Repairs
1,800.00
1,500.00
300.00
Music, Manual Training and Drawing,
2,980.00
2,400.00
580.00
Commercial,
4,820.00
3,800.00
1,020.00
Furniture and Furnishings,
800.00
600.00
200.00
Other Expenses,
1,530.00
1,210.00
320.00
$93,297.90
$71,713.00
$21,584.90
Plus-Special Insurance,
0.00
1,394.12
-1,394.12
Plus-Special Salary Appro.,
0.00
5,000.00
-5,000.00
Plus-Special Heating,
1,100.00
0.00
į1,100.00
Total Appropriations,
$94,397.90
$78,107.12
$16,290.78
Less State Reimbursements,
16,530.00
7,230.00
9,300.00
Actual Direct Costs,
$77,867.90
$70,877.12
$ 6,990.78
¿ is used as a plus sign.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. GEORGE A. MOORE, Chairman JOHN F. SHEA,
DR. JOHN F. ROCHE,
SAMUEL E. THAYER,
HENRY M. FOLEY,
DR. CHARLES H. GIROUX,
School Committtee.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
1
To the School Committee of Palmer:
Gentlemen :- I herewith present my ninth annual report as Superintendent of Schools in Palmer. This is the twenty-seventh in the series of reports issued by the superintendents of the town.
INTRODUCTION
Education is fast becoming one of the main consid- erations of the day. The importance, the need, and the indispensability of it have always been recognized by some. The majority have been slow to attain this conclu- sion; in fact, a cataclysm like the recent World War was necessary to give education its rightful place in the world's esteem. Not only people, but nations as well, have realized its real function in the promotion of civi- lization in its true form.
The need is fully realized. The cost of meeting ade- quately this need is great. The question that arises for solution is : Will the people supply the cost ?
Are the American people simply going to talk about this need and then forget it, or will they transfer their belief into action by supplying the means? No activity or passivity in any line of human endeavor will have greater import to this and coming generations. America will make or unmake herself by her answer. This answer must be given not by the national government
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alone, but by every town, county, and state that has any control, direct or indirect, of education in any of its many ramifications. No single spot-north, south, east, or west-whether large or small, can fail to do its all (not bit) without a positive slowing-up of the advance.
CHANGING CONCEPTION OF EDUCATIONAL UNIT
Education has been largely a matter of local concern, particularly in New England where the unit of govern- ment has been the town. Local autonomy has always been strong. Any incursion-real or fancied-has al- ways met with stern opposition. The results obtained by this sole effort of each community have been excellent, as a whole.
The day of isolation has passed. The inter-depen- dence of one town upon another, the effects of the action of one upon another are recognized. For certain purposes geographical lines must be considered; educationally, nevertheless, this is impossible.
In brief, the matter of education is primarily a na- tional concern-not a town or even a state solely. The ex- pense involved in properly and equitably supplying neces- sary educational opportunities has become so heavy that it must be borne by larger geographical units than towns. This conception of education is slowly developing. Grad- ually, the state is becoming the unit in many ways; in fact, the nation is slowly reaching out in a financial way. Local control in many important matters will always con- tinue, and should continue. Yet, inasmuch as it is the na- tion's business to educate her future citizens-and every citizen should receive, in so far as his mentality will allow, every possible educational opportunity-the nation must
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come eventually to the financial support of this duty. With this financing, even in part, must necessarily go a certain amount of control. The solution seems to be the greatest possible freedom of control by the town, circum- scribed by limitations sufficient to prevent any unit from failure in fulfilling its full duty.
The day is not far distant-when whether we will or not-state and even national control of education must come because of the very nature of democratic education -its availability, its universality, its equitableness, its essentiality, and their consequential cost.
PHYSICAL NEEDS
The enrollment in the Palmer schools continues to grow yearly. The present physical facilities are totally inadequate for offering many things that should be offered our boys and girls educationally. Until the physi- cal want is supplied, the supply of the mental must be awaited.
Statistical tables galore have been furnished in these reports showing the crying need of room. Further in- clusion is not necessary ; further evidence need not be offered.
The recent decision to build at Three Rivers a new building will help out ; yet, unless a Polish parochial school is immediately forthcoming, this new building will simply care for the pupils now housed outside of the present one.
The enrollments per room run altogether too heavy in nearly every room in town. How teachers can do work that meets in any way the requirements is puzzling. Surely, the child will never be given a fair chance while such conditions last.
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In addition to this overcrowded room condition-and at that sixteen and two-thirds per cent (16 2-3%) of the grades are housed outside their regular buildings-there is the absolute lack of an assembly hall in any building in town. Further, there is not an additional room for any such needed adjuncts to our school work as domestic science, physical education, dental clinics, and similar lacking essentials. These enumerations may not appeal to all as essentials; nevertheless, state law will soon re- quire every one, and many more. The state will soon in- sist upon the best mental and physical preparation pos- sible for its future citizenry.
Briefly, touching only the mere circumference, have the physical limitations been mentioned.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
A new high school is badly needed. The suggestion has been made that the memorial to the boys who fought in the recent World War take this form. The local post of the American Legion has, I believe, placed itself on record as favoring such a memorial. It would seem an ideal way to secure the accomplishment of two needs-a memorial and a high school.
The cost of such a plant as should be built would be in the vicinity of $200,000. The entire borrowing capacity of the town is about $200,000. With previous outstand- ing indebtedness and the recent bonds issued to meet the expense of building the new school at Three Rivers, the present debt is about $100,000. In order to build such a memorial, the town would have to get special legislation. What combination could possibly exceed in appealling powers these two needs ?
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The recommenation of the Committee of Fifteen at a special meeting this summer that caused the appointment of a special committee upon the high school problem, with the great latitude allowed the latter, was one of the best, most comprehensive and most progressive suggestions for the betterment of Palmer that has been made in many years. The broad plan of making such a building and it's grounds a place for the mental, physical, and recreational -along with which necessarily follows the moral-im- provement of our young people is most commendable. In short, such an institution should be the real community center of the town.
Palmer has no large public auditorium; no gymna- sium ; no playground. She needs all three and needs them acutely. She needs a memorial; she needs a new high school; and soon she will need a new grade building. What one proposal will solve all these needs-six in all? A new high school will do it. Is the cost-even though $200,000 -excessive when so much is secured ?
SOME NEEDED INTRODUCTIONS
The type and character of the work offered along the so-called traditional lines in your schools are good. All the variety possible is offered for the space afforded.
Work along manual training, domestic arts, and phy- sical training lines ought to have a place in our schools. With our present housing facilities, such is impossible. It is my positive belief that our system will never have the strength it should until such inclusion has been effected. There are comparatively few towns of her size as weak as Palmer in making such provision.
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