USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1941-1950 > Part 3
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The courses of study offered by the high school were not changed this year, but some changes in assignments were made because of changes in teachers. The organiza- tion for 1941-1942 follows: Principal, Miss Anne T. Dun- phy, two classes in Latin; Mr. Edward C. Foster, five classes in science, one in world geography ; Mr. Charles G. Walker, four in typing, one in bookkeeping, one in junior business; Mr. Franklin Mullaly, two in English, two in French, one in world history, one in problems of democra- cy, and coach of boys' athletics ; Miss Annetta M. Barrus, five classes in English, one in spoken English, assembly programs, coach of debating and forensic activities ; Miss Helena J. Webber, four in mathematics, two in United States' History, coach of girls' athletics. Mr. Foster has charge of the music for the glee clubs. The school day is divided into two sessions. There are seven class periods.
The grade school assignments at Williamsburg were as follows: Miss Martha L. Dickerman, grades seven and
60
eight; Miss Nellie Dolan, grades five and six ; Miss Char- lotte M. Stewart, grades three and four; Mrs. Sophie Eaton, grades one and two; Mrs. Dorothy Colburn, assist- ant in grades one and two.
The organization at Haydenville was: Principal, Miss Margaret Trainor, grades seven and eight; Miss Alice Dansereau, grades five and six; Miss Anastasia Kostek, grades three and four; Miss Mary Crampton, grades one and two. Miss Mary P. Burr is supervisor of drawing for all schools, and Miss Esther E. Smith is supervisor of music.
The work in drawing was begun this year in Williams- burg. This instruction has proved highly satisfactory. Children are enjoying this creative art and are becoming much more proficient in it.
Our health program has been directed in the usual efficient manner by our school physicians, Dr. Charles Wheeler and Dr. Joseph Hobbs, and by our school nurses, Mrs. John Jones and Mrs. Thomas Lenihan. Dr. Joseph Kisiel has furnished the dental service. There have been no epidenics and the health of the children is reported as generally good. Teeth have again been reported as need- ing more dental care. In order to correct this situation it is suggested that free dental service be given to the children in grades one, two, three and nine, and that all children be urged to have dental care at least once a year.
During the fall term health meetings were held for the teachers and nurses in this and the Ashfield union for the purpose of promoting better health teaching. Lesson plans were drawn up and presented. The nurses spoke on correlating the work of teacher and nurse. The meet- ings were under the leadership of Miss Jean Latimer, con- sultant in school health, for the Department of Public Health. These meetings were very helpful in spreading information on the best methods in health teaching.
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Our transportation service has been good. Many children were carried to and from their homes without accident or injury. The number of children carried on each route was as follows: Mountain Street to the Hay- denville school, 23; Haydenville to Williamsburg, 52; South Street, 14; Nash Street, 15; Searsville and North Street, 30; Chesterfield Road, 12. Total 154. Of this group 71 are brought to high school, and 83 to the grade schools. Buses have been operated efficiently and on schedule.
A most valuable piece of equipment was acquired by the school when a sound motion picture projector was pur- chased during the summer. This was paid for through the school motion picture fund and the aid of the School Committee. Through the use of this visual equipment the world can be brought to the classroom. Many prob- lems in science, geography, or history can be learned quickly. As the Chinese proverb tells us, "One see is worth a thousand tells."
Many of the suggestions made in last year's report were done during the year. A full time drawing super- visor was appointed. The rooms and halls at the Hay- denville School were redecorated, and those not painted the previous year at Williamsburg were refinished. The entering age to grade one was raised to six years. A health room was prepared and equipped at the Williams- burg school. An assistant janitor was employed as well as a part time clerk for the school office.
The schoo ldepartment will face some new problems during this emergency period. One of them will be the increase in costs of materials which will be mainly in books and supplies. Although schools have a high priority rating there may be times when needs cannot be met. There will, no doubt be a shortage of desirable trained teachers. It is not likely that our men teachers of draft age will be allowed to remain in teaching after July 1, 1942. Higher wages in other occupations will tend to draw teach-
62
ers to other fields of endeavor. Every effort must be made to retain our good teachers in service. Recommendations :
1. Add a gymnasium to our present equipment as soon as conditions warrant.
2. Waterproof the basement walls at the Hayden- ville School.
3. Paint the hallways at the Williamsburg School.
4. Point up the brick work at the Williamsburg Building.
5. Appoint a regular clerk for the school office at Williamsburg.
6. Appoint a regular assistant janitor at Williams- burg.
7. Consider bonuses for teachers during this period of increased costs of living.
For their loyalty and cooperation in promoting the work of education here in Williamsburg, I extend to the members of the School Committee, the teachers and all others connected with this important undertaking my deepest appreciation and thanks.
Respectfully submitted, LUCIUS A. MERRITT,
Superintendent of Schools.
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NET EXPENDITURE FOR SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS
Total Expenditures for Support from All Sources
$34,257 22
Income on Account of Schools :
General Fund, Part I
$4,180 00
Mass. School Fund 3,921 78
High School Grant 1,250 00
Smith's School Reimbursement 1,327 18
Boston Wards' Tuition 648 80
High School Tuition, Other Towns 3,379 10 Reimbursement on Account of
Superintendent 950 14
State Wards' Tuition
711 20
Collins School Fund, used to
reduce taxation
409 76
Byron Loomis Fund
148 22
Spelman Fund
885 67
Total Income
$17,811 85
Net Expenditure from Local Taxation $16,445 37
SCHOOL CENSUS, OCTOBER, 1941
over
Williamsburg
5-7 yrs. 7-14 yrs. 14-16 yrs.
16 yrs.
Girls
27
62
18
1
Boys
22
53
9
4
Total
49
115
27
5=196
Haydenville
Girls
12
42
15
7
Boys
23
43
11
9
Total
35
85
26
16=162
Combined Totals
84
200
53
21-358
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WILLIAMSBURG Calendar for 1942-1943
Schools open Schools close
September 9, 1942 December 18, 1942
Christmas Vacation
Schools open Schools close
January 4, 1943 February 27, 1943
Winter Vacation
Schools open Schools close
March 8, 1943 April 30, 1943
Spring Vacation
Schools open Grade schools close
May 10, 1943
High school closes
June 18, 1943 June 25, 1943
Summer Vacation
The usual holidays will be observed
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SCHOOL STATISTICS
June 30, 1941
School
Boys Enrolled
Girls Enrolled
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per Cent of
Attendance
Aggregate
Attendance
Williamsburg High
63
74
132.32
124.67
94.10 22,690.10
Grammar
14
14
24.41
22.89
93.38
4,035
Intermediate
17
20
36.26
34.25
94.46
6,038.5
Second Primary
18
18
36.15
34.33
94.95
6,046
First Primary
14
22
35.5
32.63
91.85
5,733
Grade 8, Haydenville
9
9
18.01
16.95
94.13
2,986
Grades 6 & 7, Haydenville
12
13
24.762
23.541 95.083 4,15|.5
Grades 4 & 5, Haydenville
4
16
19.01
18.37
96.65
3,242.5
Grades 3 & 4, Haydenville
12
8
19.90
19.09
95.90
3,355
Grades 1 & 2, Haydenville
18
9
24.41
23.03
94.52
4,077
Totals
181 203
370.282 349.741 94.50 62,360.25
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Report of Town Physicians
Mr. L. A. Merritt, Superintendent of Schools, Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the pleasure of submitting my annual report as school physician for the Williamsburg Center School.
The routine examinations of the students were per- formed during October and November this year with the assistance of Mrs. John O. Jones, the school nurse. The students as a group were found in excellent health. Pos- ture is still a problem and I again would suggest that some form of simple, regular, calisthenics be introduced into this school.
We now have a very satisfactory room assigned to us with running water and sufficient room. It would me nice, however, to have a filing cabinet in which to keep the physical examination records and an inexpensive cot for students who may be taken ill and have to await trans- portation home. This room was very convenient for the diphtheria immunization clinic which was held this fall and permission has also been obtained to use it as a First Aid station in this Civilian Defense Program.
During the Spring of 1941 there was a small epidemic of measles and rubella (German measles). It is of in- terest that several children had measles for the second time within three years, and, also, some were unfortunate enough to have both measles and rubella in succession. However, few had serious complications.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH R. HOBBS, M. D.,
School Physician.
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Mr. L. A. Merritt,
Superintendent of Schools, Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Sir:
It is a pleasure to present my annual report as School Physician. It has been a custom, in reports of examina- tions of school children, to give the results in a table of statistics. This means little except by comparison with a like table of previous years. Today I will present a comparison of the statistics for 1941 with those of 1922:
1941
1922
Total number of pupils examined
103
264
Number needing dental attention
56
119
Number having excellent teeth
47
55
Number of enlarged tonsils, and adenoids
10
27
Number of cases of pediculosis
0
2
Number of cases of scalp disease
0
2
Number of cases of speech defect
0
1
Number not vaccinated
0
57
Number of chest X-rays (not done in '22)
12
Number with poor posture
6
?
Number with poor nutrition
4
?
The most pronounced change in the above table is the great loss in the number of pupils although the popula- tion remains about the same. The chest X-ray was not done in 1922. Posture and nutrition not noted, but there has been a vast improvement in the two latter conditions during the intervening years. Our children as a whole are a strong, healthy group.
I should like to quote from Dr. Hayes' report of 1922. ( ... "If every child in the country were immunized to diphtheria the disease might be stamped out entirely .... About 150 children in Williamsburg were given the Toxin- antitoxin. No one of these children, who took the full
68
treatment, has since had the disease. It would be a fine thing if every child were so treated."
Today Dr. Hayes' forecast has become a fact. The terrifying epidemics of diphtheria have been wiped out in our town and, practically the state. One who never saw cases of diphtheria before the introduction of anti- toxin and preventive measures can understand its devasta- tion.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. WHEELER, M. D.,
School Physician.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSES
Mr. L. A. Merritt,
Superintendent of Schools,
Williamsburg, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Assisted Drs. Wheeler and Hobbs with the physical examinations of all pupils in Haydenville and Williams- burg.
The audiometer was used for testing hearing. Three hundred and thirty-four pupils were examined. Three hundred and twenty-eight had normal hearing and six were referred to the Ear Clinic.
Eye tests were made in grades I through VIII.
Pupils in grades I through VIII were weighed and measured three times during the school year.
The Red Cross Dental Clinic was held in February. One hundred and fourteen pupils attended, and there were six hundred and sixteen operations.
A Diphtheria preventative clinic was held in Septem- ber, forty-seven attending the clinic.
Forty-nine pupils were taken to the Hampshire Coun- ty Sanatorium for Chest X-rays.
There were many cases of measles during the school year.
We wish to thank Mr. Merritt, The School Committee, Teachers, Pupils and Parents for their cooperation and willingness to assist in our work.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE M. JONES, R. N.,
JANE E. LENIHAN, R. N.
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To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Leon B. Sanderson, Chairman Williamsburg, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Williamsburg for the period from July 17, 1937, to August 6, 1941, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts.
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
Sir:
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Williams- burg for the period from July 17, 1937, the date of the previous examination, to August 6, 1941, and submit the following report thereon :
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments collecting or disbursing money for the town, or committing bills for collection, were ex- amined, checked, and verified.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the records of the departments collect-
71
ing money for the town and with the treasurer's cash book, while the payments were compared with the approved treasury warrants and with the treasurer's record of ex- penditures.
The ledger record of departmental accounts receivable was examined and checked with the records of the depart- ments in which the charges originated.
The appropriation ledger accounts were checked with the appropriations voted by the town as recorded on the town clerk's record of town meetings.
The ledger accounts were analyzed, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on August 6, 1941.
In checking the appropriation ledger accounts it was noted that several transfers from unexpended appropria- tion balances were made with the approval of the board of selectmen, in which connection attention is called to the fact that appropriation transfers, except those voted from the reserve fund by the finance committee under au- thority of Section 6, Chapter 40, General Laws, may be made only by vote of the town meeting.
Although the report of the previous audit called at- tention to the fact that no statutory authority exists for a town to appropriate money for a guarantee to a private company for electric light extensions, the present audit showed that additional funds have been appropriated and paid for the purpose stated.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the records of the depart- ments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treas- ury. The payments were compared with the approved treasury warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's records. The cash
72
book additions were verified and the cash balance was proved by reconciliation of the bank balance with a state- ment furnished by the bank of deposit and by actual count of the cash on hand.
The payments on account of maturing debt and inter- est were proved by comparison with the amounts falling due and with the concelled securities on file.
The securities, including savings bank books, repre- senting the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the treasurer, were examined and listed. The income was proved and the withdrawals were verified by a com- parison with the treasurer's record of receipts.
The securities representing the investment of the Helen E. James School Fund in the custody of the trustees were examinted and listed. The income was proved and the payments to the town treasurer were compared with the treasurer's record of cash received.
The previous audit report called attention to invest- ments represented by certain bank stocks which are not legal investments for municipal trust funds, with a recom- mendation that such securities be diposed of and replaced by legal securities. The current audit discloses that this recommendation has not been followed.
The balance sheet appended to this report indicates that the expenditures for highways under Chapter 90 for the period from January 1 to August 6, 1941, were $2,142.49 in excess of the funds available for this work. This overdraft might have been avoided had the treasurer borrowed the necessary funds as provided by Section 6A, Chapter 44, General Laws.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The taxes outstanding ac- cording to the previous examination were audited and proved, and the commitment lists of all subsequent poll, property, and motor vehicle excise taxes were examined and reconciled with the assessors' warrants. The recorded
73
collections were compared with the payments to the treas- urer, the recorded abatements were checked with the as- sessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstand- ing accounts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger as adjusted.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was obtained by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts as listed are correct.
The collector's cash balance August 6, 1941, was proved by actual count of the cash in the office.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in reconciling the collector's accounts with the accountant's ledger. This difficulty was due largely to the failure of the board of as- sessors to make prompt and accurate reports to the town accountant of the commitment of taxes to the collector and of the abatements of taxes granted, and it is, there- fore, again recommended that the board of assessors noti- fy the town accountant of all abatements granted as often as once each month.
The record of tax titles held by the town was ex- amined and checked with the collector's and treasurer's accounts and with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The financial transactions of the town clerk were ex- amined. The recorded receipts for dog and sporting li- censes were checked with the record of licenses issued and the payments to the state and town treasurers were veri- field. The recorded receipts for junk dealers' licenses, issued by the town clerk, were checked and the cash on hand August 6, 1941, was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds of the town clerk, treasurer, tax collector, and water collector were examined and found to be in proper form.
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The assessors' computations of the tax rates for the period covered by the audit were examined. It was noted that the town voted an appropriation of $1,800 at the an- nual town meeting of 1941 for a reserve fund. This ap- propriation was voted to be taken from overlay reserve, the use of which was disapproved by the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation when it appeared that suf- ficient overlay reserve was not on hand. The provisions of Section 23, Chapter 59, General Laws, required the as- sessors to include this amount in the 1941 tax levy, which they failed to do. The assessors did, however, raise $51.07 not required to be assessed, making a net shortage of $1,732.94 in the amount raised by taxation for 1941.
The recorded receipts for licenses issued by the board of selectmen were checked with the records of licenses granted, the payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's cash book, and the cash on hand Aug- ust 6, 1941, was counted. The surety bonds filed with the town by individuals to whom liquor licenses were issued were examined and found to be in proper form.
The recorded receipts for town hall rents were checked with the records of rentals and the payments to the treas- urer were verified.
The receipts of the sealer of weights and measures were checked with the record of work done, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the cash on hand Aug- ust 25, 1941, was proved by actual count.
The records of accounts receivable of the health, pub- lic welfare, and school departments were examined. The charges were listed, the recorded collections were com- pared with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements and disallowances were checked, and the outstanding ac- counts were listed and proved with the accountant's ledger.
It is urged that all departments sending out bills for collection make prompt reports to the town accountant of
75
the amounts billed, and that they also report any abate- ments or disallowances granted. This is essential if the accountant's records are to show the true condition of the accounts. Frequent comparisions of the ledger controlling accounts with the individual accounts receivable of the de- partments in which the charges originate will insure the accuracy of the accounting records and will facilitate the auditing of the accounts receivable.
The receipts of the librarian at the Haydenville Li- brary were checked, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the cash on hand September 22, 1941, was proved by actual count.
The books and accounts of the water department were examined. The charges for the sale of water and for water services were listed, the recorded collections were compared with the payment to the treasurer, the abate- ments and transfers to liens were checked, and the out- standing accounts were listed and proved with the account- ant's ledger.
The water collector's cash balance August 6, 1941, was proved by actual count of the cash in the office.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax and departmental accounts, to- gether with tables showing the transactions and condition of the trust funds.
For the cooperation received from all town officials during the process of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my as- sistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, Herman B. Dine,
Assistant Director of Accounts.
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RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER' SCASH
Balance July 17, 1937, per previous audit $19,164 01
Receipts :
Per cash book:
July 18 to December 31,
1937
$75,037 87
1938
127,446 86
1939 130,853 76
1940
124,577 82
457,916 31
Omitted from cash book :
July 18 to December 31, 1937 :
Cemetery Perpetual Care
Fund
$200 00
1940 :
Ethel Curry School
Fund
1,000 00
1,200 00
$478,280 32
Payments :
Per warrants :
July 18 to December 31, 1937 $82,386 96
1938 132,803 42
1939 124,561 42
1940 127,686 24
$467,438 04
Without warrant:
July 18 to December 31, 1937 :
Cemetery Perpetual
Care Fund,
deposited
$200 00
-7
77
1940:
Ethel Curry School Fund, de- posited 1,000 00
1,200 00
Balance December 31, 1940 9,642 28
$478,280 32
Balance January 1, 1941
$9,642 28
Receipts per cash book, January 1 to August 6, 1941 69,052 35
$78,694 63
Payments per warrants, January 1 to August 6, 1941 58,904 76
Balance August 6, 1941 :
First National Bank of
Northampton
$13,842 60
Cash in office, verified 5,947 27
19,789 87
$78,694 63
First National Bank of Northampton
Balance August 6, 1941, per statement
$15,744 82
Balance August 6, 1941, per check book $13,842 60
Checks outstanding August 6, 1941, per list 1,902 22
$15,744 82
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RECONCILIATION OF TAX COLLECTOR'S CASH
Cash balances August 6, 1941, per tables :
Taxes :
Levy of 1939
$296 57
Levy of 1940
269 56
Levy of 1941
576 73
Motor vehicle excise taxes :
Levy of 1941
146 70
Interest and costs on taxes 33 38
$1,322 94
Cash in office August 6, 1941,
verified $1,233 85
First National Bank of Northampton
89 09
$1,322 94
First National Bank of Northampton
Balance August 6, 1941, per statement $5,286 18
Balance August 6, 1941, per check book $89 09
Outstanding check August 6, 1941,
per list 5,197 09
$5,286 18
TAXES-1934 Leslie H. Packard, Collector
Outstanding July 17, 1937, per previous audit $160 00
Abatements July 18 to December 31, 1937 $160 00
79
TAXES-1935 Leslie H. Packard, Collector
Outstanding July 17, 1937, per previous
audit
$899 06
Payments to treasurer July 18 to December 31, 1937 $495 19
Abatements July 18 to December 31, 1937 278 95
Transfers to tax titles July 18 to
December 31, 1937 124 92
$899 06
TAXES-1936 Leslie H. Packard, Collector
Outstanding July 17, 1937, per previous audit $9,832 82
Payments to treasurer : July 18 to December 31, 1937 $2,811 84
1938 6,336 48
$9,148 32
Abatements : July 18 to December 31, 1937 $8.00
1938 346 80
354 80
Transfers to tax titles : July 18 to December 31, 1937
$103 95
1938 225 75
329 70
$9,832 82
80
TAXES-1937 Leslie H. Packard, Collector
Outstanding July 17, per previous audit $36,935 00
Additional commitment July 18 to December 31, 1937 2 00
$36,937 00
Payments to treasurer :
July 18 to December 31, 1937
$22,470 95
1938
7,735 16
January 1 to February
23, 1939
537 84
$30,743 95
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