USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1935 > Part 5
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Grades have been doubled up; vacancies have not been filled. There are about 10 less teachers in the grades. Some of the increased teaching corps in the high
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school has been supplied by using grade teachers. With a 100%, and more, increase in high school enrollment, the total spent on high school is not much more. Space has been found by ingenuity and planning; there has been no "cry" for an addition to the high school. Another increase of 100 high school pupils developed in the fall; no additional money was asked to care for them. A drop of over 60% in the cost per pupil has taken place in the high school during the past several years.
COST
This is a reiteration, but should be called to the public's attention. The State Department of Education for the year ended November 30, 1935, in its latest re- port shows some interesting facts regarding educational costs. This report analyzes the cost per pupil in every town and city in the State. The cost-per-pupil basis of figuring is the same as is used in business where the cost-per-unit is figured.
There are 355 towns and cities in the State, which are divided into four groups: Group I, Cities (There are 39.) ; Group II, Towns of 5,000 Population or over-Pal- mer is a member of this group (There are 83.); Group III, Towns of less than 5,000 Population and Maintaining High Schools (There are 108.) ; Group IV, Towns of less than 5,000 Population and Not Maintaining High Schools (There are 123.).
The average cost per pupil based on average mem- bership for each Group, the State, and Palmer is as fol- lows :
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1934
Group I
$ 90.05
Group II
81.69
Group III
84.13
Group IV
100.49
State
88.64
Palmer
71.95
Palmer's cost for the fiscal year of 1934 is $18.10 less than that of Group I; $9.74 less than that of Group II, her own group; $12.18 less than that of Group III; $28.54 less than that of Group IV; $16.69 less than that of the State.
Compared over a period of the past seventeen years, the average cost per pupil based on average membership for each Group, the State, and Palmer was:
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TOTAL COST PER PUPIL
Year
Gr. I
Gr. II Gr. III
Gr. IV
State
Palmer
1917
$47.68
$43.55
$46.20
$51.40
$46.82
$30.44
1918
52.25
46.39
50.21
*
*
34.35
1919
58.07
53.96
58.44
56.66
57.20
38.58
1920
73.65
67.78
71.64
69.19
72.12
44.99
1922
81.38
76.02
80.87
83.58
80.35
73.59+
1923
85.13
78.40
82.79
86.58
83.65
77.55
1924
88.43
80.19
85.39
89.03
86.54
79.07
1925
90.09
82.72
88.78
92.88
88.52
78.87
1926
95.32
85.13
90.74
95.00
92.77
76.09,
1927
100.19
87.53
92.34
97.24
96.72
81.77
1928
101.24
89.61
94.60
100.53
98.15
83.28.
1929
103.61
91.91
97.40
102.13
100.50
85.84
1930
103.82
92.30
98.18
105.59
100.82
84.44
1931
103.01
93.11
97.14
105.94
100.38
80.08
1932
95.46
87.90
90.58
101.73
93.58
71.16
1933
88.36
82.20
85.34
98.31
87.09
73.05
1934
90.05
81.69
84.13
100.49
88.64
71.95
Aver'ge $85.74
$77.67
$82.04
$89.76
$85.85
$68.53
* Missing in State Report.
Compare Palmer's average-$68.53-of the average costs for the seventeen years with that of each Group and of the State. It is $17.21 less than that of Group 1; $9.14 less than that of Group II; $13.51 less than that of Group III; $21.23 less than that of Group IV; $17.32 less than that of the State.
On the basis of relative rank for the 355 towns and cities in the State, Palmer, for 20 years, had an average rank of 293.
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During these 20 years, Palmer ranked 67th in popu- lation, and only 293rd in cost per pupil. In other words, while ranking practically in the first sixth in the State in population, Palmer has ranked practically in the last sixth in cost per pupil.
DEPARTMENTAL COMPARISONS
In 1929, the costs of the various Town Departments were compared with those in 1919. The departments were as follows :- General Government; Protection of Persons and Property ; Health ; Highways ; Charities ; and Education. The percentage of increases in 1929 over 1919 was as follows:
General Government 168%
Protection of Per-
sons and Property
222%
Health 308%
Highways 317%
Charities
166%
Education
118%
A similar comparison between the years 1931 and 1934 has been made. The year 1931 is taken because that is the last year before salary and other cuts; 1934 is taken because that is the last fiscal year. The per- centage of increase or decrease in 1934 over 1931 is as follows :
General Expenses +15%
Protection of Per-
4
sons and Property
-14%
Health
+20%
Highways +29%
Charities
- 5%
Education
-13%
+ Increase - Decrease
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These comparisons are not made with any thought or desire to cast aspersions on any other department. They are made to show that the School Department has not been out of line in any increase or decrease in cost of operation.
RE-IMBURSEMENTS
Our appropriation for this year was $156,000; our re-imbursements were $32,056.78; the net amount to be raised by taxation was $123,943.22. This $32,056.78 is turned over directly to the Town Treasurer and is not expended by the School Department.
TEN YEAR COMPARISON
A study of costs per pupil in average membership in the high school, elementary schools, and all the schools over a period of the past ten years shows that, from 1930 to 1935, there has been a marked decrease in all.
HIGH SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY
ALL SCHOOLS
Cost Total
Membership Average
Cost
Per Pupil
Average
Membership
Cost
Per Pupil
1926
$45,323
276 $163
$113,647
1,933 $58.78
2,210 $75.60
1927
44,588
289
153
116,941
1,917
60.99
2,206 76.66
1928
46,532
286
162
115,058
1,828
62.93
2,105
82.03
1929
47,370
302
156
114,757
1,763
65.06
2,066
82.76
1930
50,937
353
144
115,543
1,718
67.23
2,072
84.95
1931
55,972
448
124
109,791
1,740
63.09
2,189
79.07
1932
51,793
498
103
98,727
1,765
55.91
2,264
69.48
1933
53,439
551
97
92,720
1,672
55.45
2,223
68.09
1934
55,152
577
95
89,068
1,515
58.77
2,092
72.22
1935
59,212
621
95
90,210
1,421
63.43
2,043
76.33
Year
Total
Cost
Average
Membership
Cost
Per Pupil
138
139
A study of these facts and figures shows that economy has been rather religiously practiced by the school department the past few years. A further study will reveal that, on a state-wide comparative basis, Pal- mer has always been frugal. If not, how can anyone account for the low position of 293 out of a possible 355 towns and cities in relative per-pupil cost ?
None can gainsay such facts and figures. Such a financial statement would be the pride of any business organization, for, on such a low-unit cost of production, competition could be easily met with a profit for the company. The operation of the schools is a business proposition and should be judged accordingly.
CONCLUSION
This report is brief-an economy measure. It is a statement of past events, with no recommendations for the future. Fuller information will be supplied upon request.
The support, moral and financial, during these trying days that the people of Palmer have accorded the schools is deeply appreciated. Remember the schools are yours and they stand or fall at your response.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON,
Superintendent of Schools
Palmer, Mass., December 30, 1935
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COST LESS REIMBURSEMENTS AND REVENUES RECEIVED AND RECEIVABLE
1935
*General School Fund
$25,600.00
* Vocational School
14.60
Tuition
*State Wards
2,271.78
Towns
3,842.50
Rentals
307.38
Sale of Merchandise
20.52
$32,056.78
Expenditures
$155,975.98
Reimbursements and Receipts
32,056.78
Net Direct Cost
$123,919.20
Average Membership 2,043.25
Cost Per Pupil Based On Average Membership $60.65
From State of Massachusetts
This, in reality, is the cost per pupil based on money raised by taxation. The appropriation was $156,000. A balance of $24.02 was unexpended, making the total ex- penditure $155,975.98. Our reimbursements and received and receivable revenues were $32,056.78. The amount spent, therefore, from money raised by taxation was $123,919.20.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR-1935
Appropriation
Expended
Balance
Commercial
$ 7,745.00 $
7,096.83
$ 648.17
Fuel & Light
7,600.00
7,705.43
-105.43
Furniture and
Furnishings
650.00
1,132.24
-482.24
General Expenses
7,263.00
6,941.59
321.41
Janitors' Salaries
9,514.00
9,523.26
- - 9.26
Maintenance of Bldgs.
and Grounds
2,160.00
2,201.99
- 41.99
Music, Manual Train-
ing and Drawing
1,850.00
2,055.98
-205.98
Other Expenses
7,032.00
7,078.53
- 46.53
Repairs
1,400.00
1,151.59
248.41
Teachers' Salaries
92,866.00
92,816.61
49.39
Textbooks and Supplies
8,280.00
8,224.83
55.17
Transportation
9,640.00
10,047.10
-407.10
$156,000.00 $155,975.98
$24.02
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Town Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden,
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 in- habitants 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, in the High School Gymnasium on Converse Street in the Depot Village; in Precinct B, at the Thorndike Grammar School in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at the Three Rivers Grammar School in Three Rivers, and in Precinct D, at the Bondsville Grammar School in Bondsville, on Monday, the third day of February, A. D. 1936, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to precinct officers of the several voting precincts of said town, for the following officers, to wit: Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Auditors, 5 Constables, 3 License Commissioners, and a Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; a Town Clerk, one Assessor, one Member of the Board of Public Welfare; one Member of the Board of Health, one Cemetery Commissioner, two
143
Members of the School Committee, and two Members of the Planning Board, all for the term of three years.
The polls will be open at six o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at five 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 tenth day of February, A. D. 1936, 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 appropria- tions to defray expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Article 5. 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, 1936, and to issue a note or notes therefor, 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 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 6. To hear and act on reports of commit- tees.
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Article 7. To choose committees and give them instructions.
Article 8. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the en- suing year, and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
Article 9. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money to convey pupils to and from public schools, and instruct the school committee as to the manner of letting the contract for such conveyance.
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 vote to raise and appropriate money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 12. To see what action the town will take in respect to lighting the streets and whether it will authorize the selectmen to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 13. To see what action the town will take in reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
Article 14. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the improvement of cemeteries.
Article 15. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
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Article 16. To see if the town will appropriate money for the suppression of the gypsy, brown-tail and satin moths and elm tree beetles, and other insect pests.
Article 17. To see if the town will appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the cost of rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Holbrook Building.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000 to help defray the cost of maintaining the District Nurse.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to main- tain police in the several villages, authorize the select- men to make rules and regulations for the government of all the police officers of the town, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 20. 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 hos- pital care for consumptives under the provisions of Chapter 111 of the General Laws.
Article 21. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $500.00, or any sum, to be ex- pended within the town under the direction of the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, for the promo- tion of boys' and girls' work in agriculture, home making 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 accordance with the provisions of Section 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws.
146
Article 22. 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 served in the Army, Navy or Marine Corps of the United States in time of war or insurrection and were honorably discharged from such service.
Article 23. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
Article 24. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Article 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Memorial Hospital Association for the charitable pur- poses of said association in this town, or for the care and support in said hospital of persons wholly or in part unable to support or care for themselves, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to author- ize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money as permitted by law to meet any appropriations made or expenses incurred under any of the articles of this warrant.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to appro- priate any sum of money for the granting of adequate assistance to deserving citizens of the town in need of relief and support seventy years of age or over under the provisions of Chapter 118A of the General Laws, and for expenses to be incurred in connection with the granting of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
147
Article 28. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any sum of money to provide and maintain quar- ters for Edward T. Goodreau Post No. 1813, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the year 1936.
Article 29. To see if the town will accept and allow a town way in the Depot Village, as shown on plan entitled "Plan of Proposed Extension of Brown Street, Depot Village, Palmer, Mass., dated December 24, 1935, Nathaniel Clapp, C. E.", as laid out by the Selectmen, according to the following description: Beginning at a concrete monument on the northerly line of North Main Street, about two hundred thirteen and 5/10 (213.5) feet westerly from the westerly line of King Street as re- located in 1935, and N. 64° 17' W. one hundred twenty- eight and 02/100 (128.02) feet from a drill hole in the concrete walk marking an angle point in the northerly line of said North Main Street, and running thence N. 21° E. in line with a stone bound at the intersection of the northerly line of Highland Street and the easterly line of Brown Street about three hundred thirty-eight and 78/100 (338.78) feet to a concrete bound in the southerly line of said Highland Street; the line described being the easterly side line of said town way as laid out, and the westerly side line being parallel thereto and forty (40) feet distant therefrom, and running from said North Main Street to said Highland Street. Said town way is laid out over land belonging to Francis B. Barton, E. Robert Barton and Mollie B. Reed, and is a continuation of Brown Street as now laid out, and is to be known as Brown Street.
Article 30. To see if the town will authorize the school committee to appoint any member thereof to the office or position of school physician and determine and fix the salary of any such appointee under the provisions
148
of section 4A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum or sums of money to enable the town to cooperate with the Federal Government in unemployment relief and other projects of direct or in- direct benefit to the town, or its inhabitants, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to elect by ballot three road commissioners, one for the term of one year, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of three years from the next annual meeting, and thereafter at each annual meeting elect one road commissioner for the term of three years, as provided in Section 63 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to accept the perpetual care funds which have been given to it in past years, as listed in the Cemetery Commissioners' report for the year 1935.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,441.83 to pay other cities and towns for relief furnished therein in 1935 to per- sons having a settlement in this town.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to name the streets and ways of the town not already officially named, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the installation of "Stop and Go" lights at the intersection of Thorndike and Main Streets in the Depot Village.
Article 37. To see if the town will appropriate any
149
sum of money to extend the sewer in Depot Street in the Depot Village westerly to property of R. K. Harris on said street.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to repair the Summer Street Bridge in Thorndike over the Massa- chusetts Central Railroad Company's property, raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 39. To see if the town will vote to pur- chase or lease any land or buildings for use as a town barn or yard, appropriate any sum of money therefor and raise said sum by taxation or otherwise, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 40. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the purchase of the following equipment for the use of the highway department: (a) Grader; (b) Air Compressor; (c) 21/2 ton truck.
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to con- struct an improved way in Brown Street, in the Depot Village, provided the same shall be accepted and allowed by the town under Article 29 of this warrant, and raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 42. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of financing the construction of five highway bridges in the Town of Palmer, across the Quaboag and Ware Rivers and canals diverted from the Ware River, together with appurtenant works required to provide satisfactory high- way crossing, these bridges to be designated as (1) Main
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Street Bridge, Three Rivers, over Quaboag River, (2) Dutton's Bridge, Four Corners, over Ware River, (3) Lower Canal Bridge, Thorndike, Main St., (4) Upper Canal Bridge, Thorndike, Church St., (5) Church St. Bridge, Thorndike, over Ware River, and authorize and direct the selectmen to accept in behalf of the town for use in carrying out such project a Federal grant of money pursuant to the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, and authorize the selectmen to construct such project and contract with respect thereto, and authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the select- men, to borrow such sums of money as may be necessary to meet any appropriation made, or take any action rel- ative thereto.
Article 43. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $665.58 to pay the following over- drafts made by the several departments of the town during 1935: Soldiers' Relief $631.92, Forest Warden's Department $8.66, Repair of Walks $25.
Article 44. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,049.71 to pay liabilities incurred by the Department of Public Welfare in excess of the appropriations made for its use in 1935, as authorized by vote of the selectmen under the provisions of Section 31, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 45. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000 for the improvement of the Forest Lake Road, said money to be used in conjunc- tion with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 46. To see if the town will vote to raise
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and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 for the improve- ment of the Thorndike-Three Rivers Road, between the Ware River Railroad crossing near No. 1 Mill, so-called, in Thorndike, and the end of the present macadam in East Main Street in Three Rivers, said amount to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this pur- pose, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 47. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of highways as fol- lows: (a) Harden or otherwise improve Pine Street, Depot Village; (b) Harden or otherwise improve Pearl Street, Depot Village, from Park Street to its easterly terminus; (c) Harden or otherwise improve the road leading from Palmer Center, at the State Road, to a point opposite the private way leading to the house of Christen Christiansen at Lake Thompson; (d) Oil Barker Street, Three Rivers, from Belchertown Road to the Cutler Grain Store; (e) Harden or otherwise improve School Street, Depot Village; (f) Harden or otherwise improve Main Street, Depot Village; (g) Harden or otherwise improve Fox Street, Depot Village; (h) Harden or otherwise improve King Street, Depot Village; (i) Harden or otherwise improve Squier Street, Depot Vil- lage; (j) Harden or otherwise improve Dublin Street, Depot Village; (k) Harden or otherwise improve Spring- field Street, Three Rivers; (1) Harden or otherwise im- prove High Street, Three Rivers; (m) Harden or other- wise improve Bourne Street, Three Rivers; (n) Harden or otherwise improve Church Street, Thorndike; (o) Harden or otherwise improve Main Street, Bondsville; (p) Harden or otherwise improve South High Street, Bondsville; (q) Harden or otherwise improve High Street Hill, Bondsville.
152
Article 48. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the construction of new walks as follows: (a) Walk on westerly side of Fox Street, Depot Village, from South Main Street to its westerly terminus ; (b) Walk on westerly side of Dublin Street, Depot Vil- lage, from South Main Street to its westerly terminus ; (c) Walk on easterly side of North Street, Three Rivers, from Bridge Street 1000 feet northerly; (d) Walk on easterly side of Holbrook Street, Depot Village, from property of George Weir to Pine Street; (e) Walk on easterly side of Walnut Street, Depot Village, from Nassawanno House property to Park Street; (f) Walk on easterly side of Three Rivers Road from North Main Street to property of one Williams: (g) Straighten the sidewalk on the westerly side of Converse Street, Depot Village in front of the Memorial Plot.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to con- struct fences or railings as follows: (a) Easterly side of High Street, Thorndike, from Yellow Block to Com- mercial Street; (b) Northerly side of East Main Street, Three Rivers, between Charles Street and property of one Coache.
Article 50. To see if the town will vote to install and maintain additional electric lights as follows: (a) Suitable lights on Orchard Street, Depot Village; (b) 2 additional lights on Lake Thompson Road.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to author- ize the selectmen to sell, 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 taken by the town under tax title procedure provided that the selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public
153
auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, 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 Depot Village, Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bonds- ville, seven days at least before the holding of said meeting, and by publishing an attested copy thereof in at least two issues of the Journal-Register, a newspaper published in said Palmer, the first publication to be not less than seven days before the holding of said meeting.
Given under our hands this tenth day of January, A. D. 1936.
LUDWIK MARHELEWICZ HARRISON W. THOMPSON DANIEL J. DUNN
Selectmen of Palmer.
A true copy, Attest :
MICHAEL COLLINS
Constable of the Town of Palmer.
Index
Assessors' Report
17
Auditors' Report 102
Board of Health 43
Board of Public Welfare
21
Cemetery Commissioners' Report
5
Chief of Police
41
Forest Fire Warden
48
Jury List
98
License Commissioners' Report
96
School Committee
125
Sealer of Weights and Measures Report
39
Selectmen and Highway Report
49
State Auditor's
89
Tax Collector's Report 36
Town Bookkeeper's Report 52
Town Clerk's Report 111
Town Officers-Expiration Date
3
Town Warrant
142
Treasurer's Report
33
Trial Balance
87
Young Men's Library Association
94
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