USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1938 > Part 5
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The percentage-97.31-is the second highest during my incumbency, the one higher being 97.47 in the school year 1926-27.
ENROLLMENT
The enrollment in the grades is yearly declining in Palmer, as it is throughout the entire country. This is primarily due to restriction of immigration, decrease in birthrate, and loss of industries.
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In the high school, there has been a rapid increase, the enrollment jumping from three hundred (300) to seven hundred fifty (750) in the last ten years.
The teaching corps has been reduced by about seventeen teachers. The number of pupils per teacher then and now is practically the same.
With this loss of enrollment, a greater decrease in cost of school operation than has taken place would seem to be in order. The answer is clear to one who knows the facts.
Ten years ago, only 13% of the entire enrollment was in high school; to-day, 40%. High school cost runs 40% higher than grade cost. It costs, in other words, about $30.00 more per year to educate a high school pupil thanl a grade school pupil. In round numbers, this means an increased cost of $12,000.00. A higher cost per pupil must be expected as we are handling a much larger group in the higher-bracket cost.
Our high school enrollment will, within the next few years, drop from its present peak and level out.
A recent study of thirty-four (34) cities and towns in this vicinity shows only three with a larger number of pupils per teacher than Palmer and this condition exists in spite of our geographical layout-four distinct villages.
This past fall, our enrollment was only fifteen (15) less than that of the previous fall.
HEALTH
Our active health work began in 1921 with the advent of a school nurse. School physicians have been employed since about 1900. For many years, the work was largely to prevent spread of contagious diseases. The employment of a nurse made it possible to branch out upon a larger program.
Now the spread of contagious diseases is not only checked by careful watching, but, in some diseases, early
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detection and immunization are employed. This is particularly true in tuberculosis and diphtheria. Tuber- culosis, through use of Von Pirquet test and X-ray, through summer camp and hospitalization, has been greatly lessened; diphtheria, through use of Toxin- Anti-toxin and Toxoid as immunizing agents, has been completely eradicated.
Each fall, all the pupils in the grades and high school are given a careful physical examination by the school physicians and the nurse. The results are kept on a continuous physical record card provided and re- quired by the State. Eyes and ears are tested. Notifica- tion of the defects are sent home and follow-up work is done by the school nurse. In many cases, where parental financial conditions will not allow, corrections are made and financed through the generosity of the Palmer Teachers Association and the Palmer Rotary Club.
Local dentists, at Health Day time, go through the grades and give a careful examination of teeth.
Throughout the year in the elementary schools, weighing and measuring, mid-morning milk, teaching of health habits, and correlation of health matter with other subject material are part of the health program. The activities are many and varied. Through songs, poems, stories, dramatization, and poster-making, the health program becomes an integral part of the child's life. Eyes, ears, and muscles are employed as media of instruction.
Any health program must be a co-operative proposition, participated in by parents, superintendent, principals, teachers, pupils, board of health, doctors, dentists, nurses and physical education instructors. Such co-operative efforts will create a health consciousness which will inevitably raise the health standards of all pupils.
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Don't forget one important thing-the influence upon the home that often comes through what the child brings home, whether verbal or written.
PROMOTIONS
The promotion statistics in the grades for the last school year were as follows :- Number of Pupils, 1,069; Promoted Unconditionally, 849-Per cent, 79.42; Promot- ed Conditionally, 139-Per cent, 13; Not Promoted, 81- Per cent, 7.57.
The promotion statistics for the past fourteen years average as follows :- Per Cent Promoted Uncon- ditionally, 80.50 ; Per Cent Promoted Conditionally, 12.38 ; Per Cent Not Promoted, 7.12.
Conditions are supposedly ideal when not more than 7% fail of promotion. The fourteen-year record shows that an approximation of this ideal is secured.
SCHOOL SAVINGS
The report of school savings for the last school year, September, 1937, to July, 1938, is as follows :- Number of Collections, 177; Number of Deposits, 9,217; Amount of Deposits, $2,937.31.
The combined School Savings from date of incep- tion, November 1, 1921, to July 1, 1938, are :- Number of Deposits 336,921; Amount of Deposits, $93,828.19.
COST
Every year, without fail, cost comparisons have been presented. This year, due to failure of bulletin of the State Department of Education, entitled "Statistics of Public Schools for the Year 1937", to arrive at time of writing this report, these figures can not be presented.
A few brief statements can be made nevertheless :
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1). In the cost per pupil in average membership from all sources, Palmer stands much below all four groups and the State. (These groups are :- Group I. Cities-39 in number; Group II, Towns-83 in number -with population of 5,000 or more [This is Palmer's group] : Group III, Towns-110 in number-under 5,000 with own high school; Group, IV, Towns-123 in num- ber-under 5,000 without own high school. In the State, there are 355 Cities and Towns.)
2). The same is true in expenditure for school support from local taxation.
3). The cost per pupil is lower than that in nearly every propinquitious town.
4). On the basis of relative rank for the 355 towns and cities in the State, Palmer, for a period of 23 years, has had an average rank of 293. (Only 58 have been lower.)
5). While ranking, approximately, in the first one- sixth in population in the State, Palmer has ranked about in the last one-sixth in per-capita cost during these 23 years.
ECONOMY
The slogan of the School Department during the years of depression has been :- "Be as economical as possible without too much injury to the boys and girls in school." Whether given credit for this policy or not, the Department has endeavored to practice true economy.
This comparison of expenditures over a period of fourteen (14) years tells its own story :
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COMPARISON OF EXPENDITURES
Year
Expenditures
1925
$189,763.10
1926
176,284.15
1927
177,326.62
1928
173,715.30
1929
170,998.41
1930
176,080.86
1931
174,228.45
1932
157,331.31
1933
151,378.18
1934
151,159.00
1935
155,975.98
1936
155,995.48
1937
164,180.39
1938
157,110.84
HIGH SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY
ALL SCHOOLS 1
Year
Total
Cost
Average Membership
Cost
Per Pupil
Total
Cost
Membership -Average
Cost
Per Pupil
Membership Average
Cost
$75.60
1927
44,588.00
289
153
116,941
1,917
60.99
2,206
76.66
1928
46,532.00
286
162
115,058
1,828
62.93
2,105
82.03
1929
47,370.00
302
156
114,757
1,763
65.06
2,066
82.76
1930
50,937.00
353
144
115,543
1,718
67.23
2,072
84.95
1931
55,972.00
448
124
109,791
1,740
63.09
2,189
79.07
1932
51,793.00
498
103
98,727
1,765
55.91
2,264
69.48
1933
53,439.00
551
97
92.720
1,672
55.45
2,223
68.09
1934
55,152.00
557
95
89.068
1,515
58.77
2,092
72.22
1935
59,212.00
621
95
90.210
1,421
63.43
2,043
76.33
1936
67,129.00
696
96
82,384
1,247
66.06
1,943
80.27
1937
72,826.00
705
103
84,233
1,136
74.13
1,841
89.15
1938
69,661.42
703
99
80,352
1,093
73.48
1,796
87.45
Per Pupil
1926
$45,323.00
276
$163
$113,647
1,933
$58.78
2,210
(13) years is here given:
A "break-down" in costs over a period of thirteen
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SAVINGS
Here is given a brief statement of major savings, every one of which, while saving money, did not de- crease service rendered. In some cases, efficiency was raised.
1). Coal-In 1925, the coal appropriation was $13,950.00; in 1937, $5,910.00-a difference of $8,040.00.
In 1925, we installed Coppus Blowers. We shifted from Egg to Buckwheat. We buy direct from the mines, saving $2.00 per ton. We have recently installed a device in the high school, which gives us better and more uni- form heat and yet saves about 35 tons of coal. We have the lowest school-fuel cost in this vicinity.
From 1926 to 1939-a 13-year period-our average coal appropriation has been $5,780.00 ($8,170.00 average per year less than 1925's $13,950.00). For the 13-year period, this equals a combined saving of $106,210.00.
2). Transportation-In 1932, the transportation request was $15,938.10. In the fall of 1932, we changed our method of transportation, giving the contract for all transportation to one person. A saving of $3,000.00 for the fall of that year was made; for a full school year, $8,000.00.
In the table below, study the figures carefully. Note the increase in pupils carried. On the old basis of trans- portation, the cost would be approximately $24,000.00 per year. A rough saving of $13,000.00 per year is made.
In the last six years, an average saving of $10,000.00 per year has been made-$60,000 in all.
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Table of Comparison
Pupils Transported
1933
630
Cost Total $9,720
Cost per Pupil Per Year $15.43
Cost Per Pupil Per Day- 200 Days $.0772
1934
598
9,340
15.62
.0781
1935
889
10,600
11.92
.0596
1936
932
10,600
11.37
.0568
1937
908
10,600
11.67
.0583
1938
902
11,000
12.19
.0609
3). Insurance-In 1932, we lowered our coverage $100,000.00 At the then rate, a yearly saving of $375.00 was effected. Recently, a further reduction in rate effects an additional saving of $408.00. Insurance costs from now on $783.00 per year less.
4). District Schools-About 1933, we closed two rural schools-Forest Lake and Palmer Center-at yearly saving of $2,500.00.
5). Other-Without giving any dollar value to each enumerated saving, these additional moves in the interest of economy have been made :- (a) Music super- visor has been eliminated-good economy, but poor pedagogy; (b) Textbooks and supplies have been held to a minimum-in fact too much so; (c) Teaching load in high school has been increased from 20 to 31 pupils per teacher-entirely too heavy a load, yet has kept teaching corps at nearly 10 teachers less; (d) Grades have been doubled up; some of the increased high school teaching force has been supplied by transferring grade teachers; (e) When crowded out of high school by large increase in high school enrollment, by planning and ingenuity, additional space was provided in old high school building, with no "hue and cry" for addition to the high school.
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Many other savings have been made. The School Committee has shown good business sense. Commenda- tion-not condemnation-is due.
HIGH SCHOOL
There are three courses in the high school-the Col- lege Preparatory, the English, and the Commercial.
The English course has been in operation about seven years. It allows a flexibility of pupil adjustment which works to the advantage of the pupil and the school. It means more pupils remain in school than under the former plan and that more pupils are educated along the lines in which they are educable than formerly.
The test of the work done in the Commercial Depart- ment is what the pupils do in business when they are graduated. Reports from employers, as a whole, are good. The best judgment that can be passed upon our Commercial Department, over a period of years, can best be secured by visiting the banks, the professional and business offices along our Main Street, the offices in all the factories in town, etc., and even in outside commun- ities, to see who are occupying the jobs therein. Locally, almost without exception, these places are filled by grad- uates of the Commercial Department within the past twenty-five years.
The work done in our College Preparatory Course can best be judged by the work of the graduates in col- lege. We receive reports from the different institutions upon the work of our graduates at the end of the first semester, or first half, of their freshman year.
A summary of these for the past eight years-since 1930-is given.
In order to understand fully its significance, this explanatory statement is given :- There are many stu-
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dents and different institutions represented-colleges, teachers colleges, junior colleges, and other higher institutions. These colleges have various methods of marking, but, in a general way, the marks may be sum- marized somewhat as follows :- "A", which ordinarily means 90 or better ; "B", 80 or better; "C", 70 or better; "D", 60 or better (passing) ; "E", below 60 (passing but not satisfactory) ; "F", considerably below 60 (failing). There have been 855 pupil-subject marks given during this period of eight years by these institutions. There were 123 A's, or 14.38% ; 300 B's, or 35.09% ; 274 C's, or 32.04% ; 121 D's, or 14.15% ; 23 E's, or 2.70% ; 14 F's, or 1.64%. In other words, 818 are passing marks with satisfaction; 23 are passing, but unsatisfactory ; and only 14 are not passing-a very satisfactory showing, on the whole.
These pupils secured entrance to college by three methods :- Certification by us; certification and exam- ination (pupil taking examination in subjects where we would not certify) ; and transcript (simply sending high school record). "Certification" means that we stand back of our pupils. They must secure with us practically an average of 85 in each subject throughout their high school course.
WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS
What does the good citizen want in the matter of public education ? Briefly, he desires these things :- Universal Opportunity ; Democratic Schools; Good Teachers : Efficiency ; Economy.
He realizes that the foundation of a democracy is equality of opportunity and equality of education-nec- essary hand-maidens to a successful one. These have made America the "Land of Opportunity"; have made her, although an infant in age compared to many coun-
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tries, an outstanding, if not the outstanding, country of the entire world. How fortunate we are in these days to be Americans! Let us not forget what a part educa- tion has played in this evolution of democracy.
The rising generation cannot be neglected. The educational system must be adjusted to care for all the children of all the people. They must be fitted for a new and changing world; to meet new conditions of modern life and living; to use wisely the increasing leisure that will be theirs. Such adjustment means good teachers, efficient work, and sufficient financial support. If the citizen is to have his want gratified, these conditions must prevail.
Spending money, in itself, is not extravagance; not spending it is not economy. Extravagance or economy, whichever attained, is how the money is spent and what returns you get.
No better use of public money has yet been devised than education. All thinking people know this. Condi- tions are bad financially-no one gainsays it. The gen- eral public believes in education and will eventually de- mand the child be given his fair chance.
I have faith in the ultimate good judgment and fair- ness of the American public.
CONCLUSION
Since 1932, the cost of education has been to the front. What is being done educationally, how well it is being done, and what should be done that is not being done-these are questions that have been submerged. Education is a process of evolution ; it is a growing, not a static, thing, if it is to be healthy. Growth costs money. Money has not been available. Our effort has been to promote what growth possible in spite of money handi-
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cap. In fact, the question sometimes arises as to whether regression, not progression, is setting in. Present finan- cial stress is fully appreciated and its cognizance is not lost sight of in any statements made. The allocation of funds should be made with some very definite apprecia- tion of values. Is education an outstanding value ?
Too much of this report has been devoted to the financial side of education-not enough to education in its functioning. It cannot be otherwise, when cost is regarded as the major factor.
The public, as a whole, think well of Palmer's schools. Their sense of appreciation, their kindness of attitude, their spirit of co-operation, their moral and financial support-all are deeply sensed and properly evaluated. Our honest desire and effort are pledged to not fail you insofar as humanly possible.
As a closing sentiment, may I express my deepest appreciation to the School Committee for its real interest in the schools and its active participation in the attempt to make the Palmer Schools function efficiently ; for its kindly consideration and its loyalty at all times.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON
Superintendent of Schools
Palmer, Massachusetts, January 12, 1939
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COST LESS REIMBURSEMENTS AND REVENUES RECEIVED AND RECEIVABLE
1938
*General School Fund $20,876.00
* Vocational School 274.88
State-Aided Vocational School
for Girls 1,413.97
Tuition :
*State Wards
3,230.39
Towns
2,579.22
Sale of Merchandise
49.58 $28,681.79
Expenditures
$157,110.84
Reimbursements and Receipts 28,681.79
Net Direct Cost $128,429.05
Average Membership 1,796.53
Cost Per Pupil Based on Average Membership $71.48*
From State of Massachusetts.
This, in reality, is the cost per pupil based on money raised by taxation. Our reimbursements and re- ceived and receivable revenues were $28,681.79. The amount spent, therefore, from money raised by taxa- tion was $128,429.05.
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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 sixth day of February, A. D. 1939, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the precinct officers of the several voting precincts of said town, for the fol- lowing officers, to wit: 3 Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Auditors, 5 Constables, 3 License Commissioners, a Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; Town Clerk, 1 Assessor, 1 Member of the Board of Public Welfare, 1 Member of the Board of Health, 1 Cem- etery Commissioner, 2 Members of the Planning Board, and 2 Members of the School Committee, 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
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town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners in said Palmer, on Monday, the thirteenth day of Feb- ruary, A. D. 1939, 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 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, 1939, 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 committees.
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 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.
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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 author- ize the selectmen to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 13. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Article 14. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of cemeteries.
Article 15. 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 16. 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 17. 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 18. To see if the town will raise and appro- the sum of $75.00, or any sum, to be expended within the town under the direction of the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, for the promotion 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 ac- cordance with the provisions of Section 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws.
Article 19. 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
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United States in time of war or insurrection and were honorably discharged from such service.
Article 20. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
Article 21. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Article 22. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any sum of money to be paid to the Wing Mem- orial Association for the charitable purposes of said as- sociation 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 23. To see if the town will vote to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money as permitted by law to meet any appropria- tions made or expenses incurred under any of the articles of this warrant.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the granting of ade- quate assistance to deserving citizens of the town in need of relief and support sixty-five 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 grant- ing of such assistance, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any sum of money to provide and maintain quart- ers for Edward T. Goodreau Post, No. 1813, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States for the year 1939.
Article 26. 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 of Section 4A of Chapter 41 of the General Laws.
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Article 27. 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 unem- ployment relief and other projects of direct or indirect benefit to the town, or its inhabitants or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to purchase 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 29. To see if the town will vote to authorize 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 whom- soever they may authorize to hold such auction may re- ject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see what action the town will take relative to the care and preservation of the Memorial Ap- proach to the High School, the plot of land at Shearer's Corner upon which the General Knox Marker is located, and the memorial plots in the several villages of the town.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to accept the following perpetual care funds which have been given to it during the year : Mattie A. Jencks (addition) $50.00; Josephine H. Ham $100.00; Rufus W. Stimson $100.00: Cyrus F. Stimson $100.00; Martha F. Swann $100.00; Anna J. Collis $100.00; Katherine T. Warren $100.00; Sidney H. Calkins $100.00; Angelina Adams $150.00; Fred C. Gamwell $200.00; Anna L. Fuller $100.00; Jona- than Marshall $100.00.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for the operation and
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maintenance of the Legion Field and the Eager Play- ground in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to petition the General Court for the enactment of legislation estab- lishing in the Town of Palmer representative town gov- ernment by limited town meetings, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 34. (a) To see what action the town will take with reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees; (b) To see if the town will vote to determine and fix the salary of the tree warden and raise and appro- priate money for the same; (c) To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate any sum of money for labor and materials and tools for use in connection with the Department of the Tree Warden.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to establish all night police service in the Village of Three Rivers.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to sell and convey the Forest Lake Schoolhouse and lot and the Pal- mer Center Schoolhouse and lot, or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 37. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1000.00 for the maintenance and repair of Chapter 90 Roads, so-called, said amount to be used in conjunction 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 38. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for eyeglasses and spectacles for school children eighteen years of age or under who are in need thereof and whose parents or guardians are financially unable to furnish the same, under the provisions of Clause 40 of Section 5 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
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Article 39. To see if the town will vote to install and maintain additional electric lights as follows: (a) 3 lights on Ford Street in Three Rivers; (b) 1 light on Qua- boag Street in Three Rivers; (c) 1 light on Belanger Street in Three Rivers, near property of Peter Mozdzen.
Article 40. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate money for the improvement of highways as fol- lows: (a) Oil and improve the Warren Road, so-called, from Palmer Center, past the Town Farm, to Warren; (b) Harden or otherwise improve Harvey Avenue in Thorndike.
Article 41. To see if the town will vote to pay a salary to the members of the Board of Public Welfare chosen to serve in the division of Old Age Assistance, in addition to the salary received by them as members of said Board of Public Welfare, fix the amount thereof, and raise and appropriate any money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 42. To see if the town will appropriate and raise by taxation or otherwise the sum of $10,000.00 for the construction of a new bridge, with necessary ap- proaches, over the Quaboag River in Main Street in the Village of Three Rivers, at or near the site of the present bridge, said amount to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose, or take any other action in rela- tion thereto.
Article 43. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $7,000.00, in addition to all other ap- propriations heretofore made for the same purpose, to complete the improvement of the Palmer-Bondsville Road, from Shearer's Corner to Four Corners, said amount to be used in conjunction with any money which may be al- lotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose, or take any other action in relation thereto.
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Article 44. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4000.00 to complete the improve- ment of the Thorndike-Three Rivers Road, between the Ware River Railroad Crossing near No. 1 Mill, so-called, and St. Mary's Church in Thorndike, said amount to be used in conjunction with any money which may be al- lotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to repair the Summer Street Bridge in Thorndike over the Mass- achusetts Central Railroad Company's property, raise and appropriate any sum of money therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 46. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1000.00, or any sum, to repair the gaso- line shovel.
Article 47. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any sum of money to complete the oiling of Baptist Hill Road.
Article 48. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for the purchase of a three ton dump truck and for the purchase of a tractor or road grader, for the use of the highway department, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 49. To see if the town will vote to have the assessors' valuation of property for the year 1939 print- ed, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 50. To see what action the town will take with respect to the fixing of the salary and compensation of any or all elected officers and employees of the town.
Article 51. To see if the town will vote to require that a detailed copy of the expenditures of all the de - partments of the town be filed at least once a month with the Finance Committee of the town.
152
Article 52. To see if the town will vote to require bids for all purchases of materials, supplies and equip- ment above the amount of fifty dollars and that records of all bids be kept.
Article 53. To see if the town will vote to have sur- veys and reports made of the Departments of Public Wel- fare, Old Age Assistance and Soldiers' Relief and their work, and raise and appropriate any sum of money there- for, or take any other action relative thereto.
Article 54. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in North Street, Three Rivers, from the residence of Ignacy Pytka westerly to the Chicopee River, raise and appropriate money for the same, 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 meet- ing 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.
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 sixteenth day of January, A. D. 1939.
WILLIAM F. GRISWOLD AUGUST AMMANN GEORGE B. CHENEY Selectmen of Palmer
A true copy, Attest : THOMAS W. HOLT Constable of the Town of Palmer
Pal. Jan. 19-26
Index
Assessors' Report
31
Auditors' Report 118
Board of Health
89
Board of Public Welfare
35
Cemetery Commisioners' Report
20
Chief of Police
112
Forest Fire Warden
114
Jury List
97
Cemetery Commissioners' Report
20
Park Commissioners' Report
115
School Committee
127
Sealer of Weights and Measures Report
94
Selectmen and Highway Report
50
Tax Collector's Report
105
Town Bookkeeper's Report 53
Town Clerk's Report 5
Town Officers-Expiration Date
3
Town Warrant
143
Treasurer's Report
48
Trial Balance
87
Young Men's Library Association
108
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