USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1931-1940 > Part 10
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458
Number of Acres of Land assessed,
15,067
RECAPITULATION OF MOTOR EXCISE TAX
Number of Vehicles assessed,
514
Val. of Vehicles assessed,
$73,357 00
Total Excise Tax,
$2,041 48
Respectfully submitted,
CECIL C. LOOMIS,
J. O. JONES,
FREDERICK A. NOBLE, .
Board of Assessors.
37
Report of Library Trustees
-
The Trustees of the Haydenville Library submit the following report.
During the year 1934-133 books were added.
Number of books now in library,
2,948
Circulation of books in 1934,
5,918
Number of books discarded,
31
Number of borrowers in 1934,
85
Appropriation for Haydenville Library,
$300 00
EXPENDITURES
Books,
$184 26
Librarian,
59 00
Janitor,
28 00
Fuel,
7 85
Total,
$279 11
Unexpended balance,
$20 89
ELIZABETH PURRINGTON,
HATTIE A. METCALF,
HUBERT A. SMITH,
Trustees.
38
REPORT OF MOUNTAIN ST. CEMETERY, 1934
Labor,
$16 80
Truck,
2 00
Team,
6 00
$24 80
Appropriation,
$25 00
Expense,
24 80
Balance,
$ 20
Respectfully submitted,
ALLEN ADAMS,
Pres. Assn.
REPORT OF MOTH WORK, 1934
Appropriation,
$300.00
Labor,
$294 32
Materials,
5 68
$300 00
Number of Clusters Treated,
13,500
BURTON L. DOBBS,
Moth Supt.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN FOR 1934
Appropriation,
$50 00
Labor,
$30 60
Truck,
1 00
Saw,
1 50
$33 10
Balance,
$16 10
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. KELLOGG, JR.,
Tree Warden.
39
Report of Sinking Fund Commissioners
1934
Jan. 1. Cash in Haydenville Savings Bank, $1,616 28 Dividend on deposit, 57 05
$1,673 33
DISBURSEMENTS
July 19. Transfer to Water Commissioners for purchase of Rhinehardt property, $1,673 33
HENRY W. GRAVES, HUBERT A. SMITH,
LEON B. SANDERSON,
Commissioners.
.
40
Report of Trust Fund Commissioners
ONSLOW G. SPELMAN SCHOOL FUND
Deposit in the
Book Value
Haydenville Savings Bank,
$21,665 35
Conway Savings Bank, 5,000 00
Easthampton Savings Bank,
3,500 00
Nonotuck Savings Bank,
2,500 00
Florence Savings Bank,
1,500 00
Bond Accounts :
Florida Power & Light Co., 5% of 1947,
1,000 00
Interstate Power Co., 5% of 1957, 1,000 00
Public Service Co. of Northern Illinois, 5% of 1956,
2,000 00
Indiana General Service Co., 5% of 1948, 1,000 00
Indiana Gas Utilities, 5% of 1946,
1,000 00
Total, $40,165 35
WHITING STREET FUND
Deposit in the Nonotuck Savings Bank,
$5,574 25
LYMAN D. WAITE FUND
Deposit in the Nonotuck Savings Bank, $700 00
ELECTA WAITE FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, $1,773 51
A. S. HILLS FUND
Deposit in the Easthampton Savings Bank, $5,000 00
41
COLLINS SCHOOL FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, Bank Stocks:
$3,832 60
20 shares Northampton National Bank & Trust Co., 2,000 00
20 shares National Shawmut Bank of Boston, 500 00
63 shares First National Bank of Northampton, 1,260 00
21 shares First National Bank of Greenfield, 2,100 00
10 shares Chase National Bank of New York, 200 00
12 shares Mechanics National Bank of Worcester,
1,200 00
1 share Amerex Holding Corporation,
$11,092 60
BYRON LOOMIS SCHOOL FUND
Deposit in
Holyoke Savings Bank, $2,371 51
Bond accounts :
Texas Corporation, 5% of 1944, 1,000 00
Western Mass. Co's., 4% of 1939, 2,000 00
Railway Express Agency, 5% of 1941, 2,000 00
Total, $7,371 51
C. J. HILLS FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, 5,000 00
SURPLUS WAR BONUS FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, $1,035 86
WARREN-WARNER FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, $304 82
BAKER-GRAVES FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, $674 08
FREDERIC W. MAIN FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank, $103 78
42
DR. HENRY M. HILLS FUND
Deposit in the Haydenville Savings Bank,
$13.899 88
Stocks :
Ma: ket Value 10 shares American Telephone & Telegraph Co., $1,050 00
$14,949 88
HENRY W. GRAVES, WILLIAM G. LOOMIS, ROSWELL JORGENSEN,
Commissioners.
43
Report of School Committee
Your School Committe wishes to submit the following report:
The year just past saw the maintenance of the usual high standards of our schools, both from the standpoint of teaching and material upkeep. With the assistance of all those working for our schools we were able to keep within our budget and return a small balance to the Town Treasurer.
Our major objective during the year was the remodeling of the Haydenville Grammar School. We did this to the best of our ability, aided by the Committee appointed by the Town to assist us in that work. We believe the fine school now standing in Haydenville will amply repay the citizens of the Town, both in the health of the pupils and increased efficiency in school work for the additional tax burden which they have taken upon themselves.
During the coming year we look forward to the completion of the cement work in the basement of the new school which was not completed due to an insufficient appropriation for that work and also the completion of the outside painting interrupted by the cold weather.
We would recommend that consideration be given to the con- dition of the boilers in the Helen E. James building. They have been in use twenty years and new grates and other repairs are a necessity. We believe a considerable economy could be effected each year if one new and larger boiler were installed in place of the two old ones there at present.
In conclusion we wish to thank sincerely all those who have been interested in and who have worked with us for the advance- ment of our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD F. BURKE, Chairman,
W. HANS NIETSCHE, EDWARD H. SCHULER,
School Committee.
44
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1935-1936
Schools open September 3, 1935 Schools close December 20, 1935
Christmas vacation-two weeks
Schools open January 6, 1936 Schools close February 28, 1936
Vacation-one week
Schools open March 9, 1936 Schools close May 1, 1936
Vacation-one week
Schools open May 11, 1936 Grade schools close June 19, 1936 High school closes June 26, 1936
The usual holidays will be observed
45
SCHOOL STATISTICS
for the year ending June 30, 1934
School
Boys enrolled
Girls enrolled
Ave. membership
Ave. attendance
Per cent of
attendance
Aggregate
attendance
Williamsburg High
48
73
114.1
109.1
94.0
19,704.0
Grammar
11
26
36 3
34.5
94.1
5,807.5
Intermediate
22
18
41.4
39 6
94.9
6.617 5
Second Primary
22
27
48 5
46 0
94 9
7,735 0
First Primary
14
20
34 0
32 5
93.7
5,468 5
Haydenville Grammar
16
15
29 3
27 8
95 1
4,790.5
Grade 7 and 6
20
14
33 2
315
94 8
5 394 5
Grade 5
16
14
30 0
29 6
95 8
4,977 0
Grade 4
14
13
29.0
28.0
95.9
4,783.5
Purrington School
(1, 2 and 3)
33
27
58.5
55.7
95.2
9,656.0
46
Superintendent's Report
To the Members of the School Committee:
The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith submitted.
The remodeling of the Haydenville Center School was the out- standing event of the year in the school department. This build- ing had not been changed substantially since it was built seventy- five years ago. Conditions as to light, heat, sanitation, and safety were so poor that there was a real need for extensive repairs. When the work of remodeling was finally finished, we had six beautifully lighted and heated classrooms and a fine assembly hall. One of the best heating and ventilating systems is in use there, and at no time do classrooms become filled with stale air. Now all of the children in Haydenville are cared for in this practically new consolidated school building. The psychological effect upon the children has been an improved attitude toward school and school property. They attack their work with more interest and vigor because they enjoy attending school in these very attractive sur- roundings. Teachers, too, find their tasks pleasanter and general appreciation is expressed in regard to these vastly improved con- ditions.
Dedication ceremonies were held on September 14 at which time the keys of the building were presented to Chairman Richard F. Burke by the builder Louis H. Cranson. We were honored by having with us Dr. Payson Smith, Commissioner of Education, who gave the dedication address. This made a fitting climax to this memorable occasion in the history of the school system of Williams- burg.
There were no changes in the teaching staff during the year. All of the teachers returned to the positions which they held the previous year. The basketball coach, Mr. John Gordon, resigned to take up newspaper work in the early spring. Mr. Austin Snow was later appointed to do that work.
The enrollment in the high school was somewhat smaller than that of the preceeding September, there being 104 enrolled in 1934 as against 120 in 1933. While the decline was not great, it has made conditions less crowded there this year.
The teaching assignments were the same as last year and are as follows: Miss Anne Dunphy, principal, three classes in Latin, one in French; Mrs. R. A. Warner, three classes in mathematics, one in Ancient History, one in U. S. History, debating; Mr. Edward
47
Foster, four classes in science, one in civics and one in History ; Miss Mary Walsh, four classes in English, two in French, assembly programs; Mr. George Vieh, two classes in music; Mr. Austin Snow, two in athletics. The high school operates on a two session plan with seven forty-minute class periods every day.
Our high school sends approximately ten per cent of its gradu- ates to college. Of the ninety per cent left, some go to commercial schools, but the great majority leave school to find some kind of work right here in this vicinity. The curriculum of the school is mainly the traditional college preparatory course. Eleven of the twenty-one subjects offered are definitely for college preparation. It is true that some courses such as civics, health, and economics have been introduced from time to time, but these courses are not enough to supply the needs of the ninety per cent who do not plan or wish to go to college. The college course is excellent for those who need it, but we should broaden our curriculum so as to include studies which will be of immediate use to those who are not going to continue their formal education beyond graduation from high school. There should be courses in typewriting, stenography, book- keeping, accounting, agriculture, home economics, shop work, draw- ing, social studies with emphasis on economics, and more training in the right use of leisure time. Pupils who graduate with this preparation will be better prepared to maintain good homes, operate farms, and keep farm, home, or accounts of their own businesses. In other words they would have just that much more chance to lead happy and successful lives.
Before the use of child labor was forbidden and when children left school at the end of the sixth grade or at any time later, this broader curriculum was not so much needed as it is now. If we are to meet the demands of a new day, we must plan to train and educate every child according to his interests and abilities. This program must be continued through his sixteenth and possibly through his eighteenth year. It will not mean lessening in any way the present offerings and excellence of the school as organized now, but will extend its curriculum so that all the children of all the people can find in it opportunities that fit their particular needs. Children who are now forced to pay their own transportation or to hitch-hike to out-of-town vocational schools could in many cases find satisfactory courses in our own school. It would tend to be- come a larger and more comprehensive high school.
The usual high standard has been maintained in the work in penmanship. This work has been directed by Miss Alice Dansereau. Many awards and diplomas were earned by the pupils during the year.
.
48
The health department conducted the usual clinics and examina- tions. In late December it was confronted with an epidemic of measles which kept about half of the children of Haydenville out of school for two weeks. Daily classroom inspections were made by Mrs. Jones, and all children who showed signs of illness were sent home. None of the cases was serious, and nearly all of the chil- dren were back in school at the beginning of the winter term. Dr. Chas. H. Wheeler and Dr. Joseph R. Hobbs have served as our school physicians. Mrs. John Campbell and Mrs. John Jones have been our school nurses.
Many of the textbooks in use are in very poor condition due to the fact that for three years that part of the budget has been kept low for purposes of economy. Few replacements have been made. Some books have been in use for five and six years and even longer. All should be replaced. At least $2.00 per pupil should be allowed for books this year. We cannot expect good work unless we furnish good tools.
Some facts about the costs of education locally are always of interest. From the last annual report of the State Department of Education for the year ending December 31, 1933 the cost per pupil from local taxation here was $24.80. The State supplied by re- imbursement $36.70 additional for each pupil. The rank for this town in Group III was 108 in support from local taxation and 14th from support by State aid. Group III is composed of 108 towns of 5,000 or less population which maintain high schools. When the cost for vocational education is included the over all cost per pupil in Williamsburg is $73.65. The average cost per pupil for the group is $85 34 and for the State $92 51. Of every $40.00 of the tax rate $7.72 went to education and $32.28 to other expenses of the town. It is evident that the schools here are operated on a most economical basis.
Recommendations :
1. Make a larger expenditure for books.
2. Secure seats and equipment for Village Hall.
3. Expand the high school curriculum.
4. Add one teacher to the high school faculty.
5. Sell the unused Purrington schoolhouse.
I wish to thank pupils, parents, teachers, and members of the School Committee for their splendid cooperation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
L. A. MERRITT,
Superintendent of Schools.
49
Report of Town Physicians
Mr. L. A. Merritt,
Superintendent of Schools,
Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith my annual report as school physician in the Haydenville schools:
Number of cases of defective nutrition, 24
Number ofcases of defective posture, 52
Number of cases of defective teeth, 28
Number of cases of defective hearts, 3
Number of cases of disease of the nose and throat, 22
I especially call attention to the large percentage of school children with improper posture. Most of these cases may be cor- rected with training and calisthenics. A few minutes given each to exercises of this sort will not only correct many portural defects but rest the child from his studies and teach him to breathe and expand the chest.
I omit mention of the lungs as this work is taken care of by the Chadwick clinic, and will now be continued by our Hampshire County Sanatorium. Clinics will be held in the schools for children in the seventh, ninth and eleventh grades each year.
It is interesting to note that the Chadwick clinics have tested over 400,000 children in Massachusetts without any bad effects, and I urge all parents to submit a child to this examination and test when it is considered necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. WHEELER, M. D.,
School Physician.
50
Mr. L. A. Merritt,
Superintendent of Schools,
Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the pleasure of submitting the following report as school physician for the schools composed of the Williamsburg High School and Grade School.
In May with the assistance of the School Nurses, Mrs. John O. Jones and Mrs. John T. Campbell, 56 children were given a course of toxin-anti-toxin injections for diphtheria immunization. These included pre-school children and those school children who, through absence or due to transfer had not received such treatment at pre- vious clinics.
In September, with the assistance of Mrs. Jones, all members of the High School and Williamsburg Grade School, then in attend- ance, were given physical examinations. No really severe defects were noted about which advice had not been given, either at the Chadwick chest clinics, or the State Pre-School child clinics. It may be noted that visual and auditory defects are carefully checked, annually, by the School Nurses, and those cases needing treatment are so advised. Dental Hygiene is cared for by the School Dentist and Nurses.
The following defects were observed: abnormal nutrition, 11; poor posture, 27; enlarged tonsils and adenoids, 28; enlarged cervical glands, 30; cardiac irregularities, 17; nasal obstruction or deformity, 8; carious teeth, 11; pulmonary pathology, 2. The ma- jority of these defects were noted in the grade school classes.
Posture in children is frequently poor in the lower grades but improves with age and participation in athletics.
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, and enlarged cervical glands, as a rule, go together if there has been chronic infection. Enlarged glands may, also, go with chronic middle ear infection.
Surprise may be caused that more parents were not notified of the necessity of operations, removal of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, but a more conservative attitude is now assumed by the medical profession, and operation is, usually, advised only, if there are histories of repeated attacks of tonsillitis or sore throats, or peri- tonsillar abscess, or if the hypertroply of these glands is so marked as to cause real mechanical obstruction, or is associated with some forms of cardiac, disease.
May I again thank the school nurses and instructors for their kind cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH R. HOBBS, M. D.
51
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSES
Mr. L. A. Merritt,
Superintendent of Schools,
Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Sir:
The following is the school report from January 22, 1934 to January 21, 1935.
A dental clinic sponsored by the Red Cross was conducted. 213 pupils were treated.
A toxin anti-toxin clinic was held, 78 children were inoculated. The Well Child Conference was held in June. 77 children at- tended. 13 of these entered school in September.
Assisted Drs. Wheeler and Hobbs with the physical examina- tions.
The Chadwick Clinic returned in October. 22 were examined, 2 were discharged.
Weighed and measured all pupils three times during the school year.
The audiometer was used for testing hearing. 365 pupils were tested, 14 referred to the ear clinic.
Eyes were tested once during the year.
A number of cases of measles were reported in December.
We extend thanks to Mr. Merritt, the school committee, teach- ers and pupils for the cooperation and willingness to assist in our work.
Respectfully submitted, LOUISE M. JONES, R. N.,
CRESSA S. CAMPBELL, R. N.
INDEX
Accountant, Town
18 to 29 incl.
Assessors' Report 35, 36
Budget Recommendations, 1935 8, 9, 10, 11
Births
13, 14
Collector's Report
32, 33, 34
Deaths
15
Dogs
13
Fish and Game
13
Finance Committee
7
Jurors, List of
16
Library Trustees Report
35
Marriages
14
Military
13
Nurses
51
Officers, Town
17
Physicians, Town
49, 50
Selectmen's Report
6
School Committee
43, 44, 45
Superintendent's Report
46, 47, 48
Sinking Fund Commissioners
39
Title Page
1
Treasurer's Report
12
Town Clerk, Report of 13, 14, 15, 16
Trust Fund Commissioners
40, 41, 42
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting
3
Water Commissioners
30
REPORTS OF WILLIAMSBURG TOWN OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR
1935
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Williamsburg
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1935
GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY NORTHAMPTON, MASS.
1936
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
HAMPSHIRE, SS.
To Henry Hathaway, one of the Constables of the Town of Wil- liamsburg, in the County of Hampshire,, Greeting :
IN THE NAME OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHU- SETTS, you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in Elections, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Town, on Monday the third day of February at six o'clock, A. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
ARTICLE 1. To elect a Moderator. To elect three Selectmen, who shall be Overseers of Public Welfare and act as Board of Health. To elect one Town Clerk, one Treasurer, one Tax Col- lector, one Elector under the will of the late Oliver Smith, Esq., two Constables, one Tree Warden, all for one year; one Water Commissioner, one Assessor, one School Commiteeman, one Commissioner of Trust Funds, one Library Trustee, all for three years.
ARTICLE 2. To choose all necessary minor Town Officers for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 3. 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 notes or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in ac- cordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as shall be deemed necessary to defray the expenses of the current financial year.
4
ARTICLE 5. To hear the report of the Selectmen, Treasurer, School Committee, Water Commissioners, and other committees and act thereon.
ARTICLE 6. To choose a committee to expend the income of the Whiting Street Fund.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer to pay the unpaid bills of 1935 out of the 1936 appropriation.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to transfer and appro- priate the sum of $1,981.75 to the Road Machinery Expense account of 1936.
AKTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum not to exceed $1,100.00 from the Road Machinery Expense Account to purchase a new truck.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Inhabitants of the Town of Williamsburg will accept the bequest to it of a piece of woodland in said Williamsburg and Chesterfield, known as the Fisher Lot, to be kept as a town forest, as is provided in the will of Thomas Meekins, late of said Williamsburg, with the understanding that the acceptance of this bequest will require an appropria- tion by the Town of a sum of money sufficient to pay the in- debtedness of the estate of said Thomas Meekins, his funeral expenses, and the expenses of administration of his estate.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding $350.00 for the indebtedness of the estate, funeral expenses, and expenses of administration of the estate of Thomas Meekins.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $21,659.00 to extend the water main over Village Hill between the homes of Jesse Wells and Roderick MeLeod, or take any other action thereon.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to replace for fire protection the present two-inch main, to four-inch, in Village Hill Avenue, or take any other action thereon.
5
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Asses- sors to use from the Free Cash a sum not to exceed $10,000.00, to reduce taxation.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town willvote to raise and appropriate $300.00 for a new sidewalk on the west side of lower Main Street, Haydenville, or take any other atcion thereon.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at each of the Post Offices and at the meeting house of the First Congregational Society in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not, and make return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this 22nd day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and thirty-six.
LEON B. SANDERSON, OAKLEY AMES, SILAS SNOW, Selectmen of Williamsburg.
HAMPSHIRE, SS.
Pursuant to the above Warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of Williamsburg to meet at the time and place, and for the pur- poses within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of said Warrant as therein directed.
HENRY M. HATHAWAY,
Constable.
6
Selectmen's Report
Your Selectmen herewith submit the following report:
The Board organized on February 5th, and elected L. B. Sander- son, Chairman, and Oakley Ames, Clerk. Meetings have been held every Monday night. The following officials were re-appointed : Mr. H. H. Nichols as Highway Superintendent, Mr. L. C. Wales as Superintendent of Bridges and Fences, Mr. Albert Lawton as Inspector of Barns, Animals and Meats, Mr. F. A. Shumway as Inspector of Dairies, Mr. C. K. Hathaway as Fire Chief and Forest Warden, Mr. George H. Bisbee as Sealer of Weights and Measures, Mr. B. L. Dobbs as Moth Superintendent, and Mr. L. H. Cranson as Fish and Game Warden.
During the year our unemployment situation has been greatly relieved by the aid of ERA and WPA projects, which we have been able to sponsor and get approved. The Board welcomes suggestions of merit in regard to future projects, and will continue to try to get the approval of them from the WPA Administrator. We have been informed that some of our present projects will stop on March 15th, 1936, and all of them on June 30, 1936, but we hope that when these dates arrive we will be able to get them continued, or at least be able to get our share of future grants.
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