USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1922 > Part 6
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STATISTICS CIRCULATION The following statistics are given:
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
Main Library, Fiction, (Juvenile), 10,402
Main Library, Fiction, (Adult), 18,916 29,318
_
Main Library, Non-Fiction 2,925
(Juvenile),
Main Library, Non-Fiction 4,516
7,441
36,759
(Adult),
Three Rivers Branch, Fiction, 13,271
Three Rivers Branch, Non-Fiction, 3,504
Three Rivers Branch, Magazines, 1,724
18,499
Bondsville Branch,
2,494
Thornidke Branch,
6,905
School Deposits,
714
Total,
65,371
Last Year,
62,399
Increase,
2,972
Books on hand, January 1, 1922,
15,209
Purchased during year,
841
Received by gift,
14
Books on hand, January 1, 1923,
16,064
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Librarian.
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REPORT OF THE TREASURER
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1923,
$199.21
Received from Town of Palmer,
4,200.00
Fines, etc.,
-140.51
$4,528.75
DISBURSEMENTS
May Robinson, attendantt, Palmer,
$849.96
Miss Swann, attendant, Palmer,
669.96
E. Spaulding, janitor,
298.37
Branch Library attendants,
695.33
Fuel and Lights,
122.47
Telephone,
21.75
Miscellaneous expenses,
92.79
Supplies,
110.13
Books and Magazines,
1,654.56
Cash on hand December 31, 1922,
3.43
$4,528.75
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS E. CHANDLER,
Treasurer.
Auditors' Report
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Palmer:
We have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer, Tax Collector, Town Clerk, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and Secretary of Cemetery Commissioners, for the year 1922 and find the following :
TREASURER'S ACCOUNTS
Balance on hand February 9, 1922,
(Turned over by J. F. Foley, Temporary Treasurer),
$ 15,201.50
Receipts during year,
694,291.94
Total,
$709,493.44
Total paid out on orders during year,
571,115.82
Balance on hand December 31, 1922
$138,377.62
ACCOUNTS OF J. A. HAWKES, Tax Collector ACCOUNT OF 1913
Outstanding December 31, 1922, $362.05
ACCOUNT OF 1915
Outstanding December 01, 1022,
1,519.02
ACCOUNT OF 1916
Outstanding December 31, 1922,
2,348.76
ACCOUNT OF 1917
Outstanding December 31, 1922, 2,965.26
$7,125.09
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Overpayment to Treasurer: Levy of 1914, $ 12.48
Undistributed payments to Treasurer: February 28, 1922, $1,224.25 March 2, 1922, 128.62
1,352.87
Outstanding December 31, 1922
Levies of 1913-1917, 5,829.74
$7,195.09
ACCOUNTS OF JOHN T. BROWN, Tax Collector ACCOUNT OF 1918
Outstanding January 1, 1922,
$29.26
Interest,
.15
Total to be collected,
29.41
Paid Treasurer,
.87
Outstanding December 31, 1922, 28.54
ACCOUNT OF 1919
Outstanding January 1, 1922,
64.40
Interest,
1.06
Total to be collected,
65.46
Paid Treasurer,
11.69
Outstanding December 31, 1922, 53.77
ACCOUNT OF 1920
Outstanding Jasuary 1, 1922,
1,885.35
Interest,
63.56
Total to be collected,
1,948.91
Paid Treasurer,
711.16
Outstanding December 31, 1922, $1,237.75
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ACCOUNT OF 1921
Outstanding January 1, 1922,
14,122.61 4.18
Abatements after Collection, Interest,
233.64
Total to be collected, 14,360.43
Paid Treasurer,
7202.88
Abatements,
2.77 7,205.65
Outstanding December 31, 1922,
7,154.78
ACCOUNT OF 1922
Amount of Assessors' Warrants,
291,117.91
Interest,
118.28
Total to be collected,
$291,236.19
Paid Treasurer,
$268,641.35
Abatements,
1,606.07
Cash on Hand,
100.00
270,347.42
Outstanding Deceuber 31, 1922 20,888.77
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Outstanding January 1, 1922,
$16.56
Fees Collected, 1922,
40.43
$56.99
Payments to Treasurer, 1922,
$56.99
$56.99
TOWN CLERK DOG LICENSES
Licenses issued:
Males, 353 @ $2.00,
$706.00
Spayed Females, 57 @ $2.00,
114.00
Females, 73 @ $5.00,
365.00
$1,185.00
Payments to County Treasurer:
June 1, 1922,
$955.80
December 1, 1922, 132.60
$1,088.40
Fees deducted, 483 @ 20c,
96.60 $1,185.00
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CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Appropriation,
$2,600.00
Expenditures,
$2,466.10
Balance,
133.90
2,600.00
Amount collected and paid Town Treasurer as follows:
Sale of Icts,
$212.00
Care of lots,
1,004.20
Grading lots,
88.93
Opening graves,
356.00
Foundations,
127.32
All Other,
11.55
1,800.00
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS' FUND
Balance fund, January 1, 1922,
966.06
Interest to December 31, 1922,
811.90
"Care of lots for year,
731.70
80.20
Balance December 31, 1922,
$1,046.26
Thompson Fund,
$951.28
Merrick Fund,
850.00
Perpetual Care Fund,
$19,146.00
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT J. WILDER, FRED S. POTTER, HOWARD S. CURTIS, Auditors.
Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden, ss.
Town of Palmer
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabi- tants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town officers, to meet at the several polling places in said Palmer, designated by the Selectmen, to wit: In Precinct A, at Holbrook Hall in the Holbrook Building on Main Street in the Depot Village; in Precinct B, at the Recreation Building (room on the street floor) on Com- mercial Street in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at Cercle Can- adien Hall on East Main Street in Three Rivers; and in Precinct D, at Boston Duck Company's Hall on Main Street in Bondsville, on Monday, the fifth day of Feb- ruary, A. D. 1923, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to precinct offi- cers of the several voting precincts of said town, for the following town officers, to wit: Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Tax Collector, three Auditors, five consta- bles, three License Commissioners, and a Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; one Assessor (to fill vacancy) for the term of one year; one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, two members of the School Committee, one member of the Board of Health, one Cemetery Commis- sioner, and one Road Commissioner, all for the term of three years ; also to vote by ballot, which shall be "Yes" or "No", in answer to the question "Shall licenses be granted
126
for the sale of certain non-intoxicating beverages in this town ?"
The polls will be open at six o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at three-thirty o'clock in the afternoon.
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners, in said Palmer, on Monday, the twelfth day of February, A. D. 1923, at seven o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
Article 3. To act on the reports of the town officers.
Article 4. To raise money and make appropriations to defray expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Article 5. To see if the town will authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the ensuing financial year, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for current expenses of the town, but not ex- ceeding in the aggregate the amount permitted by the law, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the date thereof; all debts incurred under authority of this vote to be paid from revenue of the said financial year.
Article 6. To hear and act on the reports of com- mittees.
Article 7. To choose committees and give them in- structions.
Article 8. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the ensu- ing year, and fix the compensation of the Collector of Taxes.
Article 9. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors.
127
Article 10. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the Young Men's Library Association, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 11. To see if the town will raise money to convey pupils to and from the public schools, and instruct the School Committee as to the manner of letting the con- tract for such conveyance.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 13. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
Article 14. To see what action the town will take in respect to lighting the streets, and whether it will author- ize the selectmen to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 15. To see what action the town will take in reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
Article 16. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of cemeteries.
Article 17. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Article 18. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Article 19. To see if the town will appropriate mon- ey for the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths ard elm tree beetles. .
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to raise mid appropriate money for the insurance and maintenance of the auto fire trucks for the ensuing year, or see what ac- tion it will take relative thereto.
Article 21. To see if the town will appropriate mon- ey for defraying the town's share of the support of the District Court.
Article 22. 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 of- fices in the Holbrook Building.
128
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to sprinkle or spread upon its public way, 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.
Article 24. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospital Association for the charitable purposes of said association in this town, or for the care and support in said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to sup- port or care for themselves, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. 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 dis- charge of their duties.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 to help defray the cost of maintaining the District Nurse.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to maintain night police in the several villages, authorize the select- men to employ and appoint in addition a chief of police, one or more day patrolmen, and to make rules and regu- lations for the government of all the police officers of the town, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 28. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money to meet the town's share of the cost to the County of Hampden for providing adequate hospital care for consumptives under the provisions of Chapter III of the General Laws.
Article 29. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of six hundred dollars or any sum, to be expended within the town under direction of the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture for the promotion of boys' and girls' work in agriculture, b. me making and country
129
life in the town, including agricultural demonstration work on land owned by the town, or owned by any resident of the town, in accordance with the provisions of Section 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to sell the hearses.
Article 31. To see if the town will maintain play- grounds in the manner adopted by vote under article 56 of the warrant for the annual meeting in 1921, and appro- priate money for the same, or take any action thereon.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to install and maintain additional electric lights as follows: (a) 1 light on Palmer Road in Three Rivers; (b) 5 lights on Park Street between Rathbone's shop and the lily pond; (c) 2 lights on George Street in Depot Village; (d) 1 light at corner of Rockview and Woodland Streets in De- pot Village; (e) 1 light on Breckenridge Street in Depot Village.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to establish and maintain a system of improved lighting on Main Street in the Depot Village at an expense not to exceed $2300.00 a year.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for new sidewalks as follows: (a) On the southwesterly side of Park Street, between Central and Walnut Streets, in the Depot Village; (b) Tar walk, with curbing, on North Street in Three Rivers from Bridge Street to house of one Frederick; (c) Walk with curbing on southwesterly side of Palmer Road, Three Riv- ers; (d) Ash or cinder walk on westerly side of High Street, Thorndike, from School Street to new tenement house of one Bouthillier; (e) Tar concrete walk with curb- ing on the northerly side of State Street, between Main and Pleasant Streets, in Bondsville; (f) Ash walk, with granite curbing, on casterly side of High Street between Center and Maple Streets in Bondsville; (g) Ash walk, with curbing, on High Street from end of present curbing
130
and walk southerly to State Street in Bondsville; (h) Ash walk with curbing on Griffin Street from High Street to Stewart Street in Bondsville; (i) On Arnold, Temple, Bowden, Green, Orchard, Shearer and Wilson Streets in Depot Village; (j) On northeasterly side of Grove Street in Depot Village.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to build a pipe railing on the concrete retaining wall on the westerly side of Main Street in Bondsville.
Article 36, To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for the construction of new sewers and catch basins as follows: (a) Sewer in Oak Street, Three Rivers, from opposite Joseph Landry's house to connect with Pleasant Street sewer; (b) Sewer in Rock- view Street and Woodland Street in Depot Village; (c) Sewer in the extension of Pine Street in Depot Village; (d) Sewer in High Street, Thorndike; (e) Sewer in Pin- ney Street in Depot Village from Breckenridge Street to Park Street and thence in Park Street to easterly term- inus of present Park Street sewer; (f) catch basin on Har- vey Avenue, Thorndike; (g) Catch basin opposite resi- dence of Adriene Gervais, on Pleasant Street, Three Riv- ers; (h) Catch basin on Ruggles Street, Three Rivers, op- posite house of one Horton.
Article 37. To see if the town will vote to reimburse Edward A. and Clyde L. Brouillette for the expense of building a sewer in Grove Street in the Depot Village.
Article 38. To see what action the town will take relative to the improvement of sidewalks and drainage in North Main Street, between Thorndike and Squier Streets in the Depot Village.
Article 39. 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 Vil- lage.
Article 40. To see if the town will instruct the selectmen to petition the County Commissioners to relo- cate that part of the highway lying between Palmer and
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Monson known as the Fay Bridge and the approach there- to, as per plans prepared by W. H. and H. W. Brainerd of Palmer, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 41. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of highways as fol- lows: (a) Completing the gravel surfacing on the road from Burleigh's Crossing to Four Corners: (b) Maca- damize State Street in Bondsville from the end of the present macadam to Pleasant Street; (c) Lay cement con- crete in Main Street, Three Rivers, from the bridge to Bourne Street; (d) Resurface Main Street, Three Rivers; (e) Establish a grade and improve Woodland and Rock- view Streets in Depot Village.
Article 42. To see what action the town will take relative to a relocation and improvement of the highway at Shearer's Corner.
Article 43. To see if the town will vote to petition the County Commissioners for a relocation of the inter- section of Main and Thorndike Streets in the Depot Vil- lage; buy or take by process of law, any of the Converse property for this purpose, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 44. To see if the town will make a special appropriation for the repair and maintenance of Hamp- den Railrod bridges within the town.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to purchase the small parcel of land on Pleasant Street in the Depot Village belonging to Franklin I. Brown, adjoining the town storehouse, containing about 2300 square feet.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote to buy two, or any number, of trucks for the use of the Road Commis- sioners' Department.
Article 47. To see if the town will vote to combine the two appropriations voted under Article 58 of the war- rant for the last annual meeting, making the aggregate of the two appropriations, namely, $10,800.00, available for the work authorized and by this method obviating an overdraft in one appropriation.
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Article 48. To see if the town will vote to renew the lease of the present lockup and tramp room, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to raise the salaries of any town officers.
Article 50. To see if the town will vote to complete, furnish, and equip the new high school now in process of construction, provide adequate drainage therefor, and raise money for same by taxation or by an issue of bonds, notes, or script, and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary therefor.
Article 51. To see if the town will appropriate mon- ey under the authority of Section 22 of Chapter 115 of the General Laws for the care of graves of persons who have served in the army, navy or marine corps of the United States in time of war or insurrection and been honorably discharged from such service.
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, sev- en days at least before the holding of said meeting, and by publishing an attested copy thereof in at least two issues of the Palmer Journal, a newspaper published in said Pal- mer, 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 twenty-third day of Jan- uary, A. D. 1923.
WILLIAM B. KERIGAN FRANK G. ROGERS CHARLES A. CALLAHAN Selectmen of Palmer.
Town of Palmer
SCHOOL REPORT
For the Year Ending December, 31, 1922
School Committee 1922-1923
Dr. George A. Moore, Chairman. Clifton H. Hobson, Secretary.
Dr. George A. Moore, John F. Shea,
Term expires 1925
Term expires 1925
Dr. John F. Roche,
Term expires 1924
Harry M. Parson's,
Term expires 1924
George L. Warfield,
Dr. Charles Giroux,
Term expires 1923 Term expires 1923
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 on the Monday 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 m .; Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p. m., except the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
Patrick McKelligett,
Depot
Charles Thomas,
Depot
T. J. Cr'immins,
Depot
Patrick Nagle,
Thorndike Three Rivers
William Smith,
Three Rivers
John Mansfield,
Bondsville
Arthur Bennett,
Forest Lake Town
JANITORS
Patrick McKelligett,
Patrick McKelligett, Patrick Nagle,
C. F. Fuller,
William Smith,
High School Palmer Thorndike Bondsville
Three Rivers
D. W. Fogarty,
Edmund L. Guerin,
Calendar
HIGH SCHOOL
Winter term begins January 2, 1923; ends February 23, 1923. Spring term begins March 5, 1923; ends April 27, 1923. Summer term begins May 7, 1923; ends June 15, 1923. Fall term begins September 4, 1923; ends December 21, 1923. Winter term begins January 2, 1924, ends February 22, 1924. Spring term begins March 3, 1924; ends April 25, 1924. Summer term begins May 5, 1924; ends June 13, 1924.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS
Winter-February 24, 1923, to March 4, 1923, inclusive. Spring-April 28, 1923, to May 6, 1923, inclusive.
Summer-(Grades) : June 16, 1923, to September 3, 1923, inclusive. (High) : June 30, 1923, to September 3, 1923, inclusive. Fall-December 22, 1923, to January 1, 1924, inclusive. Winter-February 23, 1924, to March 2, 1924, inclusive.
Spring-April 26, 1924, to May 4, 1924, inclusive.
Summer-(Grades) : June 14, 1924, to September 1, 1924, inclusive. (High) : June 28, 1924, to September 1, 1924, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS
Columbus Day, Convention Day, Thanksgiving (with day following), Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day.
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Palmer:
The School committee, herewith submits its annual report, the major portion of which, is composed of the re- port to it, of the superintendent of schools.
When the new high school is completed, the school room needs of the whole town will be satisfied, with the exception of those of the wire mill district. It is a com- fort to all, to see coming an end to the crowded condition of the schools, which robbed both the taxpayer and the school children. However in our satisfaction over our improved condition we must not forget that something is due the wire mill district in the way of improved school accomodations.
This district furnishes a large and growing school attendance and the people of that region have been very considerate and forbearing in the past, when a more vigorous pressing of their claims for school improve- ments, would have interfered with the general plans for solving the town's school housing problems. It may seem wise and necessary to use portable schools for a little while but any thought of permanence in the use of these should not be entertained. We may just as well, in advance, figure on the desirability of erecting at such time as the voters are willing, a new grade school to meet the needs of this important part of our town.
The stress which has existed for a time in school housing matters has rather obscured the more important features of school work; however, important steps toward improvement have been taken and we hope to be able to show results soon.
It was deemed wise by the taxpayers last year to discontinue for a time the Americanization and the play-
6
ground activities and your committee did not urge their contnuance at that time when other great undertakings requiring use of large sums of money were being planned. Not that the amounts required by these works are large for they are not but it did seem desirable to make a cut in the appropriation and these items could best be eliminated. Your committee hopes that this work may be resumed this year so that the period of interruption shall not have completely disrupted the organization which so satisfac- torily operated for two years.
There have been some inquiries, as to the method employed by the high school faculty, in determining to whom shall be given recomendatory certification for col- lege entrance. The student is required to have a standing in each subject of 80 and in any study to be continued in college a standing of 85 in order to receive certificate.
Attention is called to that portion of the superinten- dent's report which details the comparative costs of school operation in Palmer and other towns of this state. This study shows clearly the economical basis upon which our Palmer schools have operated. The appended tables show money used last year and an estimate of needs for the coming year.
COMPARISON OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1923
1922
Increase
General Expenses,
$ 9,185.00
$ 8,635.00 78,189.80
4,995.20
Textbooks and Supplies,
6,500.00
6,000.00
500.00
Transportation,
6,700.00
6,000.00
700.00
Janfors' Services,
7,525.00
6,075.00
1,450.00
Fuel and Light,
8,950.00
7,600.00
1,350.00
Manitenance of Building's and Grounds,
2,500.00
2,500.00
Rent,
0.00
0.00
0.00
Repairs,
3,000.00
3,000.00
Music, Manual Training land Drawing,
3,900.00
3,840.00
60.00
Commercial,
9,240.00
9,080.00
160.00
Furniture and Furnishings,
2,000.00
2,000.00
Other Expenses,
10,175.00
4,640.00
5,535.00
Continuation School,
6,650.00
6,770.00
*- 120.00
Americanization,
2,500.00
3,500.00
*- 1,000.00
Playgrounds,
2,500.00
3,000.00
*- 500.00
Improvement of
Wenimisset Grounds,
2,500.00
500.00
2,000.00
Bill's Payable,
2,846.65
*- 2,846.65
$167,010.00 $154,226.45
$ 12,783.53
"_" represents Decrease.
AMOUNTS LESS RE-IMBURSEMENTS
Appropriation,
$167,010.00
$154,226.45 17,970.00
$ 12,783.55 325.00
Less Re-imbursements,
$148,715.00
$136,256.45
$ 12,458.55
LessTuition,
5,000.00
5,500.00
-500.00
$143,715.00
$130,756.45
$ 12,958.55
$ 500.00
Teachers' Salaries,
83,185.00
18,295.00
Respectfully submitted, DR. GEORGE A. MOORE, JOHN F. SHEA, DR. JOHN F. ROCHE, GEORGE L. WARFIED, HARRY M. PARSONS, DR. CHARLES H. GIROUX, School Committee.
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