USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1945 > Part 4
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Main Library, Palmer 25,450
Three Rivers Branch 8,056
Thorndike Branch 4,315
Bondsville Branch 8,605
46,426
Reading Room Attendance 3,252
Classification and other data follows:
Reference Books 747
Adult Fiction 7,371
Adult Non Fiction
4,839
Juvenile Fiction
1,752
Juvenile Non Fiction
851
Total
15,560
Volumes Repaired in 1945
Books sewed and rebound 197
Books minor repairs 1,022
Total 1,219
In addition to the Books purchased we also have for the use of our borrowers a large number of maga- zines which we annually subscribe for, as well as daily
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newspapers, in the public reading room, accessible to all who make use of this facility.
The ceilings and walls of all the rooms occupied by the Library have received fresh coats of paint which add greatly to their appearance, although in the stack room with its new coat of white, the wooden stacks, which through long years of service have become warped and discolored, not only detract greatly from the general appearance of this room and the books it contains, but have outlived their usefulness and should be replaced by steel stacks. This we hope to do when such stacks are available, the war having curtailed their production as it has many other articles manufactured from steel.
We are informed that of more than 1500 of our citizens who have been mustered into the armed forces of the United States 660 had been discharged from this service to January 1st of this year. With their return and the others who will be discharged, the use of our reading rooms and the need for books will increase and should be cared for.
In past years, some of our citizens, mindful of the needs of their town, have in their wills made provision for Trust Funds, the income only to be spent for Library purposes, and it is the hope of our trustees that others now living may make such provision. These funds, each known by the name of the donor are protected by the laws of this Commonwealth and will be administered in accordance with the provisions of each Trust; and we would particularly call it to the attention of our citizens that such trusts may well be established during the lifetime of the donor, that living he may have the satisfaction of knowing that he is contributing to the needs, the knowledge culture, pleasure and well being of his fellow citizens.
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Among our books are many that will supply in- formation covering a great number of trades and occu- pations in which our citizens may now or, may hope to be engaged and from which they expect to obtain their livelihood ; also biographies, books of travel and histories of the different countries of our world, a total of nearly 6,500 books of these kinds, and in addition, about 9000 books of fiction, by past and present authors.
It is our sincere hope, with the help of our citizens, that the library will be enabled to serve in full measure the needs of our Town and that it shall be a source of usefulness, pride and pleasure to us all.
CHARLES L. WAID, Librarian
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YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
Treasurer's Report
For the Year Ending December 31, 1945
Receipts
Balance, Jan. 1, 1945
$4.16
Town of Palmer, Appropriation
3,500.00
Interest on Invested Funds
1,516.76
Fines and miscellaneous
289.70
$5,310.62
Disbursements
Salaries and Services
$3,406.92
Books and Magazines
1,236.75
Light, Heat and Telephone
372.86
Supplies and Repairs
80.60
Insurance premiums and miscellaneous
78.73
Balance, Dec. 31, 1945
134.76
$5,310.62
Respectfully submitted,
ALLEN F. DAVIS
Treasurer
The accounts of the Treasurer have been audited and approved by me this 15th day of January, 1946.
FREEMAN A. SMITH
Auditor
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Report of Park Commissioners
4
To the Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Palmer:
The Park Commissioners herewith submit their an- nual report for the year ending December 31, 1945:
This year has seen a definite increase in the use and enjoyment of Legion Field and Eager Playground by people of all ages and from all parts of the town, with indications that the number will be substantially in- creased next year. Of the fifteen hundred young men and women of this community who have been serving in the armed forces, nearly seven hundred have re- turned, and those who until V-J day were working extra hours in our local factories will have much more time for rest and recreation in the year to come. Nearly every day of good weather has seen some sports activity in progress, and throughout the summer season towns- people have come to the fields to watch the various games, to see the children enjoying themselves on the playground, and to rest.
At Eager Playground considerable new equipment has been installed. Some of it was obtained through the school department and some was purchased, and the swings, teeters and slides have been kept in constant use by the smaller children.
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Thanks to the conscientious efforts of our caretaker, Carmine Russo, both fields have been kept in excellent condition and the commissioners feel that the policy of keeping a competent man on the job from early Spring until late Autumn has produced results distinctly worth while.
The skating rink was again ready for use in time for the Christmas holidays and is being maintained throughout the cold weather, and has shown a still larger attendance than in former years.
For the first time in several years money was made available for the rehabilitation of Burleigh Park and, within the limits of the appropriation, considerable work has been done to make the natural advantages of the area available to the people of the town. Much of the undergrowth and brush have been cleared away, picnic tables have been installed, and a wading pool built during the summer has proved very popular. In response to repeated requests and in accordance with earlier plans, a larger pool has been excavated this" fall. With the construction of a larger dam next Spring, the pool will provide clean and safe swimming facilities for children of all school ages, as well as a safe wading area for the little ones. The commissioners hope to be able to employ a caretaker at Burleigh Park throughout the coming summer, not only to maintain and improve the facilities there, but to make the area of more service and enjoy- ment to the people of the town.
The co-operation of the public has been excellent at all the parks under the jurisdiction of the commis- sioners. We feel that the people appreciate and enjoy the rest and recreational facilities which Palmer has, and which we hope to improve and to expand.
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LEGION FIELD AND EAGER PLAYGROUND
Appropriation
Transfer
$1,600.00 7.00
$1,607.00
Expenditures
Labor
$1,266.20
Lights
41.85
Water Rent
28.75
Lumber
8.09
Gasoline
13.48
Power Mower Repairs
87.20
Paint
5.40
Tennis Court Tapes
44.85
Softball Bases
7.50
Lime
14.00
New Playground Slide
48.00
Repairs to Slides
14.50
Sand & Roller for Skating Rink
9.00
Snow Shovels
3.00
Miscellaneous Equipment & Supplies
15.05
$1,606.87
Balance .13
BURLEIGH PARK
Appropriation
$600.00
Expenditures
Labor Cement 9.60
$454.10
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Lumber
36.61
Gasoline
3.45
Paint
8.60
Picnic Tables
10.00
Miscellaneous
1.02
$523.38
Balance
$76.62
Legion Field Receipts :
Baseball Field Rentals $40.00
ALLEN F. DAVIS
JAMES J. KANE
WILLIAM A. SULLIVAN
LADISLAS LAVIOLETTE
Park Commissioners
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Report of Forest Fire Warden
December 31, 1945
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Palmer, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit my report for the fiscal year ending De- cember 31, 1945, and recommendations as follows:
During the year there were twenty-eight forest, brush or grass fires. Of this number four were caused by trains of our various railroads and repayment to the Town in the amount of $152.75 has been received. Also of these fires repayment to the men fighting the fires was made in the amount of $89.00. Together the amounts credited total $241.75.
Special training has been given to most members of the department and a planned procedure is in effect for operations at all fires. This plan has proved most ef- fective in the quick extinguishment of all fires occurring this year.
Almost insurmountable obstacles were incurred in purchasing a new forest fire truck. However we were fortunate enough to purchase one completely equipped with two-way radio and accepted delivery in the month of November. This truck is equipped with a three-hun- dred gallon water tank and a built-in 200 gallon rotary
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pump. Provision is made for draftng water from avail- able supplies, also. Compartments are built into the truck for carrying various types of equipment. During the year 2,000 feet of forest fire hose was purchased to give us a total footage of 5700 feet of hose.
This truck is also suited to fighting fires in outlying sections of the Town because of the large amount of water carried. If this truck could be equipped with a sectional ladder during the winter months it would be invaluable for outside fires occurring in many sections of the Town.
Our experience in operating the new portable forest fire pump convinces us of the necessity of adding another pump of this type to the present equipment. The light weight of this pump and the efficient operation would add greatly to the efficiency of this department.
Our new truck, I believe, should be covered by fire insurance, and also the equipment.
During the year we have tried to impress upon the people of the Town the necessity of obtaining a per- mit for all open air fires. (Any fire which liberates sparks can be called an open air fire.) Many of the in- cinerators used by our townspeople are not proper and are hazardous. They require permits just as much as any fire built in the open.
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Stress has also been made of the danger of burning in the streets for which this department cannot issue permits. This practice has been largely eliminated.
If our townspeople will cooperate with this depart- ment in obtaining permits for all outside fires we should be able to reduce the number of calls this department
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makes for fires getting out of control due to either burning at the wrong time or not having edequate help available to control such fires.
I want to thank your Board for the cooperation you have given me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, VICTOR M. FRENCH
Forest Fire Warden
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN of PALMER
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 1945
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CALENDAR
Winter Term:
Begins January 2, 1946; ends February 21, 1946.
Spring Term :
Begins March 4, 1946; ends April 26, 1946.
Summer Term:
Grades
Begins May 6, 1946; ends June 13, 1946.
High
Begins May, 6, 1946; ends June 28, 1946.
Fall Term:
Begins September 3, 1946; ends December 20, 1946.
Winter Term:
Begins December 30, 1946; ends February 21, 1947.
Spring Term :
Begins March 3, 1947; ends April 25, 1947.
Summer Term:
Grades
Begins May 5, 1947; ends June 12, 1947.
High
Begins May 5, 1947; ends June 27, 1947.
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VACATIONS
Winter :
February 21, 1946, to March 3, 1946.
Spring :
April 27, 1946, to May 5, 1946.
Summer :
Grades
June 15, 1946, to September 3, 1946.
High
June 29, 1946, to September 3, 1946.
Fall :
December 21, 1946, to December 29, 1946.
Winter :
February 22, 1947, to March 2, 1947.
Spring :
April 26, 1947, to May 4, 1947.
Summer :
Grades
June 14, 1947, to September 2, 1947.
High
June 27, 1947, to September 2, 1947.
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School Committee 1945-1946
JOSEPH A. FUREY, Chairman
MRS. FLORENCE CALLAHAN, Secretary
GARRETT P. T. CAVANAUGH Term expires 1948
STANLEY W. WISNEWSKI
Term expires 1948
JOSEPH A. FUREY
Term expires 1947
DR. CHARLES GIROUX Term expires 1947
MRS. FLORENCE CALLAHAN
Term expires 1946
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 8 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. 4
Superintendent of Schools, Clifton H. Hobson
Office Hours: 8 a. m. to 12 m .; 1 to 5 p. m.
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer:
I herewith present my thirty-fifth report as Super- intendent of Schools in Palmer. This is the fifty-third in the series of reports issued by the superintendents of the Town.
TEMPTATION
My nearly thirty-five years of incumbency as super- intendent of schools in Palmer gives me the longest con- tinuous service in one city or town in Massachusetts of any superintendent in the state.
Thirty-five years is a long time in public service in one community. Many things happen in that period of time. Thousands of pupils have passed through the schools-even grandchildren, in some cases, are now in the schools.
There is a strong temptation to reminisce! I shall resist it in the main. I simply call attention to the great
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physical changes which have occurred. The new high school, the Quabaug School, the Wenimisset School, and two additions to the Bondsville School have been built. The Legion Field has been constructed. While active in each of these, I claim no major credit.
Much work has been done in outlining the work in every subject in every grade-not only what is to be taught, but how. I feel Palmer has one of the most per- sonalized courses of study of any school system.
Our schools have always been held in respect by schoolmen.
In mentioning briefly these things, I do so with all modesty, realizing better than anyone else our weak- nesses. I mean to be factual, not self-laudatory.
We have been among the pioneers in some things- Americanization, tuberculosis clinics, diphtheria im- munization, etc.
We leave the passing of judgment with the people who have been a part of Palmer's population during any, or all, of these years, especially to those who have had, or do have, children in the schools.
ยท ATTENDANCE
The attendance statistics for the school year of 1944- 1945 were as follows :- Enrollment, 1,351; Average Membership, 1,247.32; Average Attendance, 1,182.325; Per Cent of Attendance, 94.789; Tardinesses, 236.
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Our attendance, year in and year out, has averaged well-about 96%, which is 1% better than ideal.
WAR STAMPS AND BONDS
The first sale was March 20, 1942; the last, Decem- ber 21, 1945. The total amount purchased was $87,283.17; the average amount per collection was $694.26.
School by school, this table tells the story :
No. of
Average
School
Amount
Collections
Collections
Palmer High
$21,180.40
123
$172.20
Park Street
16,221.55
126
128.74
Quabaug
18,549.50
126
147.22
Three Rivers
15,745.60
127
123.98
Thorndike
11,063.09
125
88.50
Bondsville
4,552.03
123
36.76
$87,283.17
125
$694.26
HIGH SCHOOL
The Palmer High School was first instituted in 1851. For several years, it was peripatetic-held for a few months in the various villages. In 1874, it was perman- ently established in the so-called Depot Village and here it has remained. The school has occupied three build- ings-the former wooden school (combined grade and high school) that stood where the Park Street School
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now stands from 1874 to 1888; the old high school (now called the Thorndike Street School and, for the past few years, used as an annex) from 1888 to 1923; and the present high school building (occupied since 1923).
The high school is now in its ninety-fifth year of existence. In five more years, it will have its one-hun- dredth anniversary. Due recognition of such an event should be made.
The record of the high school down through the years has been good. Many of its graduates have done well in life and have made a real contribution to the wel- fare of our country.
I want to reiterate rather closely what I said a few years ago. America is unique in the provision she has made for many years in offering a free secondary educa- tion to its youth. In nearly every other country, until within a comparatively few years, such provision was made only for the select few.
Within the past quarter of a century, nearly every youth of normal, or better, capacity mentally has at- tended high school. The great spread in mental capac- ity has taxed the ingenuity of educators to make proper provision for this wide diversity. The one and only course provided-college preparation-was not suffi- cient. Other courses to meet individual differences in mental capacity had to be provided. Courses for the purely abstract-minded were not meeting the challenge. Courses for the concrete-minded, and those bordering on both the abstract and concrete, were devised. Com- mercial courses, vocational courses, general courses-all came into being.
In large communities, these were offered in separate high schools. In smaller communities, these various
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courses, to a greater or lesser degree, were established in the composite high school. Technical courses are more expensive than non-technical. Smaller communi- ties were hard pressed to meet this situation. Enroll- ments, equipment, physical set-up, finances, etc.,-all presented hurdles.
All in all, the smaller communities have done a good job in meeting a seemingly impossible problem-impos- sible of solution.
Palmer meets it fairly well-not the way we would like to meet it, if all barriers could be removed. Three courses are offered-the College Preparatory, the Eng- lish, and the Commercial.
The English course, in most schools called General, has been in operation some fifteen years. It offers a flexibility of pupil adjustment that works advanta- geously for both pupil and school. Pupils can take parts of the other courses without taking all. An opportunity for a general education within the mental grasp of many pupils is provided. A general education is all that many want or can grasp. Certainly, they are much better prepared to cope with life with this additional education.
The Commercial course is thirty-five years old. Its purpose, its objectives, its work-all are known. Were it good taste, the naming of the graduates holding key positions in the Commercial Field-local and abroad- would be proof sufficient of the quality of this course. The confidence that local business and industrial firms have in our product is evidenced by the many calls for clerical help that they give us.
The College Preparatory course can be best judged by a statement which is given each spring to the Com-
128
mittee. It is a summation of the reports received from different institutions upon the work of our graduates at the end of the first semester, or first half, of their fresh- man year. This particular statement is a summary of these reports for the past 15 years.
In order to understand fully its significance, this explanation is given :- There are many students and dif- ferent institutions represented-colleges, teachers col- leges, junior colleges, commercial colleges, nurse-train- ing schools, etc. These colleges have various methods of marking, but, in a general way, the marks may be summarized somewhat as follows: "A", which ordinar- ily means 90 or better; "B", 80 or better; "C", 70 or bet- ter ; "D", 60 or better (passing) ; "E", below 60 (passing but not satisfactory) ; "F", considerably below 60 (fail- ing) ; "Conditions" (neither passing nor failing) .
There have been 1,611 pupil-subject marks given during this period of fifteen years by these institutions. There were 247 A's, or 15.3%; 566 B's, or 35.1% ; 513 C's, or 31.8% ; 209 D's, or 13.0% ; 43 E's, or 2.7% ; 30 F's, or 1.9%; 3 "Conditions", or .2%. In brief, 1,535 are passing marks with satisfaction, or 96.19% ; 43 are pas- sing, but unsatisfactory; 3 conditions; and only 30 are not passing. This is a very fine showing.
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 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.
This is a remarkable record-one that will compare favorably with most high schools.
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These statistics go back to 1930 only. I have known the Palmer High School somewhat intimately since 1895. Her pupils, with rare exceptions, have always done well in college. To my definite knowledge, she has, for these- fifty years, had the privilege of certifying pupils to any college that would accept pupils upon certification. In this respect, she has been, and still is, in the same class; as the finest private and public secondary schools in the country.
ADDITION TO HIGH SCHOOL
The need of adding to the high school has been ap- parent since the building was built in 1923. The original plans called for a much larger building. A larger gym- nasium and additional rooms are essential.
Plans were drawn for doubling the gymnasium floor space, with a field house on the rear for Legion Field, in 1936. Had we been able to get some $3,000 to $4,000 from the town, under WPA, we could have had an $18,000 addition.
The Federal Government has appropriated money which is being granted to cities and town for plans and specifications for post-war work, with the provision that no repayment will be required unless the buildings are actually erected and then only 50% return is required.
There is a rather strong feeling that the Federal Government will get into public building on an approx- imately 50-50 basis, especially if there is a business re- cession. In fact, there is already pending in the House a bill to this effect, practically.
130
This addition would make unnecessary the use of the old high school building. If we continue to use this for school purposes, we are faced with an expenditure of $6,069.00 to reduce fire hazards. This is a "must", or- dered by the State Department of Building Inspection. It seems a shame to pour so much money into an old building. The Town might find other use for the build- ing.
Undesirable passing back and forth many times a day would be done away with.
The new high school was constructed with the thought of future additions.
The Town's indebtedness is practically nil-$8,000.
Many towns and cities are doing this in anticipa- tion of future developments. Palmer should be pre- pared, for, when the day comes, those that are ready will "get under the wire" first.
FIRE HAZARDS
As a result of the Cocoanut Grove fire, the Massa- chusetts Department of Public Safety has been insisting upon the elimination of all fire hazards in school build- ings. A recent survey of the Palmer Schools has re- sulted in the building inspector ordering that certain safety work be done. This work is to be done in the Park Street School, the Thorndike Grammar School, the Thorndike Street School, and the Three Rivers Gram- mar School.
131
As a sample of the completeness of these require- ments, let us use the Thorndike Street School. The work to be done is as follows:
Thorndike Street School
Basement:
3 Automatic Closing Fire Doors.
3 Standard Smoke Screens at Corridors.
3 Openings bricked up.
1 Partition to be removed. Boiler Room, Coal bin and Fresh Air Chamber Ceilings fireproofed.
First Floor:
3 Standard Smoke Screens.
3 Doors to be removed.
8 Doors to be rehung.
1 New Partition with smoke screen doors and transom. Side and Center Railings at Park and Con- verse Street Steps.
Wall Rails on Stairs.
Second Floor :
New Exterior Fire-escape.
1 Window changed to Fire Exit at Fire- escape.
3 Standard Smoke Screens.
1 Partition as on First Story.
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8 Doors to be rehung.
Small Chimney removed down to roof level and roof repaired and made weather- tight.
Plans and specifications were drawn up and bids re- ceived. The bids are as follows:
Three Rivers Grammar School
$2,783.00
Thorndike Street School
6,069.00
Park Street School
4,840.00
Thorndike Grammar School
2,726.00
$16,418.00
Architect Fee
985.00
Total
$17,403.00
This work is a "must"; there is no option.
The inspector, realizing the expense, is willing that it be spread over a two or three year period.
RETURNING VETERANS
The high school has been, and is being, very help- ful to returning veterans who are interested in com- pleting their high school education or in gaining admis- sion to higher institutions. Many of them are presenting their problems and are being aided as much as possible with the present set-up. For most of them, enrollment in regular high school classes is not the answer.
133
I am hopeful, if there is a sufficient demand, of holding evening sessions in the high school, taught by high school teachers, under the auspices of the State Department of Education.
If the demand is sufficient, I believe arrangements can be effected to take care of Palmer, Monson, Brim- field, Wales, South Belchertown, North Wilbraham, and possibly other nearby towns.
Roughly, Palmer would furnish space, heat, and light; the State would pay instructors.
AMERICAN EDUCATION
Never before in history has the American type of education been more strikingly and patently justified than in the recent World War. Countries, like Ger- many and Japan, which were purely militaristic, through mis-education, tried to be the superior race. They ut- terly failed. We, a peace-loving nation, basing our citi- zenship upon good intelligence, sound judgment, strong moral sense, firm patriotism, broad vision, and high ideals, through education of head, hand, and heart, pro- duced a fine type of soldier - unbeatable - who, through independence, ingenuity, initiative, and courage, could meet every situation.
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