USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1923 > Part 5
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Art. 31. To see if the Town will vote to establish and maintain a system of improved lighting on Main Street in the Depot Village and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise the salaries of any Town Officers.
Art. 33. To see if the Town will appropriate money 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.
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Art. 34. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Moderator to appoint a special committee of five to con- sider the advisability of establishing a Town Forest and re- port at the next annual meeting.
Art. 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $125.00 for the repair and maintenance of the clock located in the Universalist Church tower in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 36. To see if the Town will vote to put in a new floor and heating plant in the Town House at Four Corners, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 37. To see if the Town will vote to provide a water supply for Four Corners cemetery, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 38. To see if the Town will vote to erect a fence on the westerly side of Oak Knoll Cemetery in the Depot Village, with appropriate gates, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 39. To see if the Town will provide suitable office accommodations for the use of the Road Commissioners.
Art. 40. To see if the Town will vote to build an addi- tion to the present storehouse on Pleasant Street in the Depot Village on land recently purchased by the Town, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 41. To see if the Town will vote to buy a small Ford truck for the use of the Road Commissioners' Department.
Art. 42. To see if the Town will vote to repair and paint the Burleigh bridge in the manner recommended by the Road Commissioners, or otherwise, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
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Art. 43. To see if the Town will instruct the Select- men to petition the County Commissioners to discontinue that part of the highway known as the Old Springfield Road, near the Old Wire Mill gate, so-called, and not now used. or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 44. To see if the Town will instruct the Select- men to petition the County Commissioners to discontinue a section of highway running from the Boston Road near the residence of H. LaRoche, to the Palmer Center-Warren Road, opposite the residence of one Midura, in the Shorley District. a distance of about one mile, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 45. To see if the Town will vote to repair the tar walk and install curbing on the northerly side of Main Street in the Village of Thorndike, from Commercial Street to St. Mary's Church, and construct a new tar concrete walk, with curbing from St. Mary's Church to the easterly line of the Jason Miller property, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 46. To see what action the Town will take rela- tive to the improvement of the Water Street sewer in the Depot Village.
Art. 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money sufficient to complete the cement walk on the easterly side of North Main Street in the Depot village abutting land of Henry D. Converse.
Art. 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate money for new sidewalks as follows: (a) Walk, with curbing, on Converse Street in the Depot Village near the new high school building; (b) Cement walk, with curb- ing, on the southerly side of North Street in the Village of Three Rivers from Bridge Street to Palmer Mill tenement No. 34; (c) Cement walk, with curbing, on the westerly side
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of Pleasant Street in the Village of Three Rivers, from Bourne Street to the northwesterly corner of land of Agnes F. Wilson: (d) Cement walk, with curbing. on the north- erly side of Main Street in the Village of Three Rivers, from Charles Street to Four Corners ; (e) Cement walk, with curbing, in the- Village of Three Rivers, from Main Street northerly to the Wenimesset School.
Art. 49. To see if the Town will vote to install and maintain additional electric lights as follows: (a) 1 light on Pine Street in the Depot Village near residence of John F. Foley, 2d : (b) 3 lights on Park Street in the Depot Village between Allen Street and Rathbone's factory; (c) 2 lights on Thorndike Street in the Depot Village, one at a point north of the residence of James Draper and the other near the residence of one Gravel; (d) ? lights on the road from Thorndike to Bondsville between the light near the former Bond property and the light near the residence of John Tyburski ; (e) 1 light opposite Home of Sisters of St. Anne's Parish on Charles Street in Three Rivers; (f) 1 light at junction of Oak and Charles Streets in Three Rivers; (g) 1 light at junction of Oak and Ruggles Street in Three Rivers ; (h) 1 light at junction of Main and Monat Streets in Three Rivers; (i) 1 light opposite St. Anne's Cemetery on Main Street in Three Rivers; (j) 4 lights on Springfield Street in Three Rivers, between power house of Palmer Mill and residence of R. P. Niles; (k) 3 lights on North Street in Three Rivers, between Pytka's Bakery and house of one Topor.
Art. 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate money for the construction of new sewers and catch basins as follows: (a) Sewer in road leading from Three Rivers to Thorndike from the easterly end of present sewer near Four Corners to a point opposite house of one Chabot; (b) Sewer in High Street, Thorndike; (c) Sewers in Green, Mechanic and Orchard Streets in the
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Wire Mill section as per plans of W. H. & H. W. Brainerd, Engineers: (d) Sewer in Randall Street in the Depot Vil- lage from the present terminus of the sewer in said street to Shearer Street.
Art. 51. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the improvement of highways as follows: (a) Macadamize State Street in the Village of Bondsville from Pleasant Street to a point opposite Cavanaugh's Garage ; (b) Macadamize or lay cement concrete in Central Street, from Main to Pleasant Streets, in the Depot Village; (c) « Improve Shearer Street in the Depot Village from Randall Street easterly to Thorndike Street: (d) Resurface with trap rock the gravel road from Four Corners to Burleigh's; (e) Resurface with trap rock High Street in the Village of Thorndike from Commercial Street to Lake Junction ; (f) Resurface with trap rock Pleasant Street in the Village of Thorndike from the end of the present macadam road ne ?! No. 1 mill gate of the Thorndike Company to the brow of the hill near the former Bond property; (g) Macadam:ze Belchertown Road in the Village of Three Rivers from the track of the Athol Branch of the Boston & Albany Rar road Company to the Belchertown town line; (h) I.Ry cement concrete in Main Street, Three Rivers, from the bridge to Prospect Street.
Art. 52. To see if the Town will vote to instruct tre Selectmen to petition the County Commissioners to - locate East Main Street in the Village of Three Rivers, be- tween the bridge over the Quaboag River and the property formerly of the Baptist Church, by extending the northerly line thereof ten (10) feet northerly from the present north . erly line of said street, raise and appropriate money to de- iray the cost and expense thereof, or take any action relative thereto.
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Art. 53. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate such sum of money as shall be sufficient to pay the award of damages, interest and costs given by the Superior Court to Henry D. Converse for the taking of land on Converse Street in the Depot Village for high school purposes, less the amount heretofore appropriated and not expended, and also such sum of money as may be necessary to pay the costs and expenses incurred by the town in said suit.
Art. 54. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to oppose the taking of the waters of the Swift and Ware Rivers for the uses of the Metropolitan Water District, study proposed legislation and employ counsel for these purposes, and raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00 for necessary expenses.
Art. 55. To see what action the Town will take in re- gard to numbering buildings upon the several streets in the Villages of Three Rivers, Thorndike and Bondsville.
Art. 56. To see if the Town will authorize the Select- men to rent the Town House for athletic and other purposes.
Art. 57. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2002.37 to pay unpaid bills con- tracted for labor and materials in the construction of cement walks and curbing on North Main Street in the Depot Village.
Art. 58. To see if the Town will vote to harden the northerly end of Squier Street in the Depot Village from a point near the residence of George Callahan to the north- erly terminus of said street, install two catch basins in the above-described part of said street, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
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
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Depot 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 issues of the Palmer Register, 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 twenty-second day of January, A. D. 1924.
WILLIAM B. KERIGAN, FRANK G. ROGERS, CHARLES A. CALLAHAN.
Selectmen of Palmer.
Town of Palmer
SCHOOL REPORT
For the Year Ending December 31, 1923
School Committee, 1923 -- 1924
Harold M. Parsons, Chairman. Clifton H. Hobson, Secretary.
Dr. Charles Giroux,
Term expires 1926
George L. Warfield,
Term expires 1926
Dr. George A. Moore,* John F. Shea,
Term expires 1925
Harold M. Parsons,
Dr. John F. Roche,
Term expires 1925 Term expires 1924 Term expires 1924
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.
*Resigned June 24 1923; vacancy unfilled.
Superintendent of Schools, Clifton H. Hobson.
Office, High School Building. Telephone 54-M.
Residence, 30 Pearl Street. Telephone 54-R. Office Hours :- 8 a. m. to 12 m .; 1 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 McKelliget,
Depot
Charles Thomas,
Depot
T. J. Crimmins, Depot
Patrick Nagle,
Thorndike
D. W. Fogarty,
Three Rivers
William Smith,
Three Rivers
John Mansfield, Bondsville
Arthur Bennett,
Forest Lake
Edmund L. Guerin,
Town
JANITORS
Patrick McKelliget,
Palmer
Edward Dillon,
Palmer
Herbert Blanchard,
Palmer
Patrick Nagle,
Thorndike
Charles Fuller,
Bondsville
William Smith,
Three Rivers
CALENDAR
HIGH SCHOOL
Winter term begins January 2, 1924; ends February 21, 1924. Spring term begins March 3, 1924; ends April 25, 1924. Summer term begins May 5, 1924; ends June 27, 1924. Fall term begins September 2, 1924; ends December 19, 1924. Winter term begins December 29, 1924; ends February 20, 1925. Spring term begins March 2, 1925; ends April 24, 1925. Summer term begins May 4, 1925; ends June 26, 1925.
OTHER SCHOOLS
Winter term begins January 2, 1924; ends February 21, 1924. Spring term begins March 3, 1924; ends April 25, 1924. Summer term begins May 5, 1924; ends June 13, 1924. Fall term begins September 2, 1924; ends December 19, 1924. Winter term begins December 29, 1924; ends February 20, 1925. Spring term begins March 2, 1925; ends April 24, 1925. Summer term begins May 4, 1925; ends June 12, 1925.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS
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. Fall-December 20, 1924, to December 28, 1924, inclusive. Winter-February 21, 1925, to March 1, 1925, inclusive.
Spring-April 25, 1925, to May 3, 1925, inclusive. Summer-(Grades) : June 13, 1925, to September 1, 1925, inclusive. (High) : June 27, 1925, to September 1, 1925, 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 desires to submit herewith a brief record of its activities throughout the past year, as well as a detailed report of the schools-their progress and condition-as more fully outlined in the report of the Superintendent, which is attached hereto and made a part hereof.
At the close of the school year of 1923, Dr. G. A. Moore, Chairman of the Committee for several years previous, resigned in order to devote his time to private matters. Since his resignation, the Committee has con- sisted of five members, concluding that it was desirable, in view of the nearness of the town election, to permit the Town to select the sixth member of the Committee to fill the vacancy made by Dr. Moore's resignation.
The Committee has been very active since the begin- ning of the fall school term of 1923 in making physical inspections of the school buildings of the Town. These physical inspections have, in general, been made by the entire Committee in order that the members might have personal information as to the physical condition of the Town's property. On the occasion of these inspections, the Committee has observed the progress being made by the pupils in the assimilation of their studies and the methods used by the various teachers in bringing about the desired results. The Committee has been gratified by the results which were apparently being accomplished, and feels, as a result of intimate knowledge, that it can- not too strongly urge the citizens of the town to take such time as may be necessary to pay a visit to the schools to see how instruction is given and the way it is assimilated
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by the scholars. There is little doubt but that, if such time were taken by those really interested in the school problem, the entire attitude of those now criticizing and complaining regarding methods and results would be changed to admiration and pleasure. In our opinion, the Superintendent has struck the keynote of this entire situation when he states that much of the criticism and dissatisfaction leveled against the schools-their method and organization-is due to the lack of definite knowledge on the part of those who most loudly criticize. This is not to be understood as implying that the schools are above criticism, for such is not the case. Nothing human is above criticism. However, the kind of criticism that the schools need is not destructive, but, rather, construc- tive criticism. The School Committee is always desirous and anxious to receive constructive criticism, for it fully realizes the magnitude of the problem of education today and its own incompetency to handle the matter in a way to meet the pleasure of all.
The Committee has endeavored to give its activities and those of the schools full publicity. The activities and findings of the Committee at each meeting have been published in the daily press. It is sincerely hoped that the items therein have been given consideration by the public. The Committee has had under discussion the advisability of calling a public meeting in the new high school auditorium, in order that those who desire to make constructive criticisms and instruct the Committee in the matter of carrying on the school work may have an opportunity to make their statements publicly. Such suggestions would receive the Committee's most careful consideration.
The Committee regrets to state that the physical condition of many of the schools is far from satisfactory. The interiors of most of the village schoolhouses need redecorating. The lighting equipment is in very poor
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and inefficient condition, and there are many other items which have been noted by the Committee and the Super- intendent, which will be brought before the Town for its consideration.
It is not recommended that all of these repairs be made at once, but that they be undertaken in such a sys- tematic manner as will bring the schoolhouses up to as nearly a perfect condition as is possible.
A rather perplexing problem faces the Committee in connection with the Wenimisset School building in Three Rivers, which apparently never as yet has been turned over to the Town, and, therefore, is not strictly under the jurisdiction of the Committee. Though this building was constructed in the past few years, its condition is very poor. Plaster has dropped from the ceiling and walls in many places. Many of the glass doors are broken on account of the way in which the glass was placed in the doors, and numerous other defects are apparent. When this building is finally accepted by the Town, it must expect to lay out a fairly large sum of money to put the building in a proper condition.
The completion of the new high school-together with the additional building in Bondsville, the new school in Three Rivers, and the opening of the parochial school in Three Rivers-has solved the building situation in all sections of the Town, with the exception of the Wire Mill. The portable school, which was, for several years past, located at the old high school has been moved to the Wire Mill, so that the "shift" system has been done away with throughout the town. While, for the present, the hous- ing situation is taken care of, it is the recommendation of the Committee that the Town seriously consider the con- struction of a modern building at the Wire Mill, and it urges that a Building Committee be appointed at once to
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consider the erection of this building within the next year or two. The Wire Mill is a rapidly growing community, and, as such, is entitled to as good school accommodations as exist throughout the rest of the Town.
The school budget has received careful consideration and the Committee feels that it is entirely logical to ex- pect the appropriation for schools to grow each year. In fact, it cannot be otherwise, unless there is some sharp drop in wages and school supplies, which, in view of the spirit of the times, is hardly to be expected. As the pupils increase in number, as the demands made for various new features of education increase, as the number of buildings and their size increase, it is entirely reasonable and logical to expect that the school budget must likewise increase.
The Committee is endeavoring, in every way, to economize in the conduct of the schools, and, at the same time, preserve the high standard of education for which the Town of Palmer is justly complimented by prepara- tory schools and colleges to which our graduates go for higher education.
The Committee wishes to add its full approval to the suggestion made by the Superintendent that the Town secure for school purposes the remainder of the piece of land upon which the new high school is located. A very brief consideration of the future requirements of the high school will indicate to the most casual observer that it is highly important from a Town standpoint to secure this additional property. The rear end of the gymnasium is now within a few feet of the dividing line between the Town property and the property of Mr. Converse. An addition to the high school will bring about the necessity of purchasing additional land and this condition should be recognized and met at once.
The Committee urges the citizens of the town to make the greatest possible use of the school property, such as the use of the high school auditorium and gym- nasium, for civic, educational, and social affairs, in order that the greatest amount of good can be obtained from the Town's investment.
Respectfully submitted,
H. M. PARSONS, JOHN F. SHEA, DR. JOHN F. ROCHE, GEORGE L. WARFIELD, DR. CHARLES H. GIROUX,
School Committee.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer :
Gentlemen :- I herewith present my thirteenth an- nual report as Superintendent of Schools in Palmer. This is the thirty-first in the series of reports issued by the superintendents of the town.
INTRODUCTION
To place a proper valuation upon the work of a school system is a very difficult task. The real and actual results of schooling have no patent, concrete, or physical evidence of worth. Time alone tells the story. Were the results evident and immediate, the problem of financing public education would be an easy matter, and real worth would become so patent that no one would ever question its expense, provided there was a practice of true econ- omy in its administration. As it is, many question the value of present-day education. Some foolishly question the value of any education-that is, education in schools.
It is an almost impossible thing to state in concise, understandable terms the actual worth of the schools. One must deal in generalizations, more or less. It is diffi- cult to be specific, not because one does not know the work of the schools, but because of the fact that the results secured are of an abstract, rather than of a concrete, nature; also, because education is not simply a school function, but is a function that is being performed throughout all the waking hours of a person.
There is the education of the home, the education of the church, the education of the schools, the education of the streets, and many other kinds of education. All
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are strongly contributing vital factors in the shaping of the final type of man produced. Actual differentiation in the results ascribable to each is an impossibility. If a man falls short, nevertheless; if he fails to act efficiently in the world, the shortcoming is generally attributed to faulty education, and, when so attributed, as a rule, school education is the kind thought of. If the average mal would be fair with himself and analyze very carefully his own case, unless born to very fair circumstances finan- cially, he would find that what ability he had to do other than manual work in this world is due to the fact that free education was provided him. Were it not for the free schools, ninety-nine per cent. (99%) of the people in our country probably would have received practically no education. No parent could afford to pay at the rate of fifty (50) to one hundred (100) dollars a year per child for schooling. Without this fundamental schooling, the education of the home, of the church, and other good institutions would be seriously limited.
This sounds like mere generalization. It is a brief attempt to set before you, perhaps in a slightly different light, the real worth of free schools, particularly in a democracy such as ours. The schools have been the bul- wark of the American nation. Without them, a govern- ment such as ours would have been an absolute im- possibility.
AIM OF THE SCHOOLS
Dr. Pritchett, President of the Carnegie Foundation, in his last annual report made some statements relative to the public schools which have been both helpful and harmful to them. In this report, he expresses amaze- ment at the expansion of the American education pro- gram, questioning whether our country can afford to give every American child as much training as we are now giving him. He is especially alarmed at the expansion of high school education. Dr. Pritchett is in no better
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position to pass judgment upon public education than many a man who is not connected in any way with an educational institution. All his connections throughout his educational career have been with private agencies. In his conduct of the affairs of the Carnegie Foundation, he has never shown any interest in the expansion and enrichment of the American education program. His attitude toward public education has always been un- democratic.
One question which he frantically asks is, "What is a school for?" Briefiy stated, it will not be amiss to state the present aim of public schools. Some twenty-five (25) or more years ago, the aim of the schools was almost purely individual. It was to train the pupil to perform - an individual, personal task. At that time, a large per- centage of the population of the country was rural. The aim of the schools always is a few years behind that of the trend of progress-that is, the schools aim to do what the public demands of them. Under the individualistic system in vogue at that time, the aim was individual. Today, the larger percentage of people living in urban communities, the great change in the system of industry and commerce, the large intermingling of many people, all require that the training shall be along a social, rather than an individual, line-that is, the pupil must be fitted to adapt himself as a member of a large community, no longer as an individual unit acting without regard to the larger number. That is the reason why there are so many things which Dr. Pritchett has unfairly termed as "frills." Many tasks have been loaded upon the schools which formerly were handled by the home. The public has demanded, from time to time, that these tasks be thrown upon the shoulders of the schools. The schools are owned and controlled by the public and the public has the right to make whatever demands it wants of them.
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