Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1961, Part 4

Author: Williamsburg (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1961
Publisher: Town of Williamsburg
Number of Pages: 114


USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1961 > Part 4


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JULY, 1961


Albert R. Adams


Elizabeth M. Allaire


Walter L. Bachand


William H. Beattie, Sr.


Lewis H. Black


Fred E. Blobel


Leroy A. Dansereau


Helen Cumm


Leo M. Duval


Raymond Minor Frost, Jr.


Alice A. Golash


Esther A. Golash


Barbara R. Hathaway


Helen S. Kellogg


Joseph A. Kostek


Warren O. McAvoy


Louise Mosher


Neva Nash O'Neil


Ernest A. Parker


Josephine L. Roberge


Leon Shumway Edward W. Sincage


Barbara C. Smart


Morton G. Stowe


Joseph J. Sullivan


Thomas Talbot


Helen A. Taradaina


Allan T. Walsh


David E. West


Richard L. Williams


Truck Driver Personnel Supervisor Foreman Polisher Farmer Shovel Operator Machine Operator Housewife Self-Employed Salesman Cryptographer Assembler Clerk Housewife Machine Operator Horticulturist Secretary Cook Machinist Housewife Farmer Printer Housewife Projectionist Laborer Unemployed Laborer Director of Research Salesman Nursery


81


Tax Collector's Report


Outstanding Dec. 31, 1961 :


1954 Personal Property


$26.30


$26.30


1955 Personal Property


36.00


36.00


1956 Personal Property


15.97


1956 Real Estate


162.00


177.97


1957 Poll Tax


4.00


1957 Personal Property


161.50


1957 Real Estate


998.75


1,164.25


1958 Poll Tax


14.00


1958 Personal Property


76.03


1958 Real Estate


1,669.80


1,759.83


1959 Poll Tax


8.00


1959 Personal Property


1,152.13


1959 Real Estate


10,207.76


11,367.89


1960 Poll Tox


84.00


1960 Personal Property


2,041.58


1960 Real Estate


49,532.81


1960 Farm Animal Excise


110.57


51,768.96


1955 Motor Vehicle Excise


134.72


1956 Motor Vehicle Excise


60.00


82


1957 Motor Vehicle Excise 191.52


1958 Motor Vehicle Excise


271.24


1959 Motor Vehicle Excise


1,389.86


1960 Motor Vehicle Excise


10,793.16


12,840.50


Total Outstanding December 31, 1960


79,141.70


Collected and Paid Treasurer Including Interest 1956 Personal Property


21.12


$21.12


1957 Poll Tax


2.05


1957 Real Estate


75.25


77.30


1958 Poll Tax


5.03


1958 Personal Property


36.70


1958 Real Estate


1,485.62


1,527.35


1959 Poll Tax


5.85


1959 Personal Property


200.05


1959 Real Estate


7,669.48


7,875.38


1960 Poll Tax


86.96


1960 Personal Property


1,323.49


1960 Real Estate


39,244.48


Farm Animal Excise


119.87


40,774.80


1961 Poll Tax


946.36


1961 Personal Property


9,628.66


1961 Real Estate


190,053.65


1961 Farm Animal Excise


262.44


200,891.11


1957 Motor Vehicle Excise


78.37


1958 Motor Vehicle Excise


43.04


83


1959 Motor Vehicle Excise


908.37


1960 Motor Vehicle Excise


14,587.27


1961 Motor Vehicle Excise


19,034.69


34,651.74


Total Collected and paid Treasurer


$285,818.80


Abatements :


Poll Tax


$36.00


Personal Property


160.73


Real Estate


6,264.68


Motor Vehicle Excise


3,776.34


$10,237.75


Refunds :


Real Estate


$1,127.59


Motor Vehicle Excise


1,748.43


$2,876.02


Commitments :


Poll Tax 1961


$1,122.00


Personal Property 1961


10,790.43


Real Estate 1961


248,065.35


Farm Animal Excise 1961


450.62


Motor Vehicle Excise 1961


31,756.47


Motor Vehicle Excise 1960 in 1961


5,586.16


$297,771.03


Outstanding December 31, 1961 : 1956 Real Estate


$162.00


$162.00


1957 Personal Property


$76.50


Real Estate


935.00


$1,011.50


1958 Personal Property


$44.00


Real Estate


298.68


$342.68


1959 Personal Property


$963.09


84


Real Estate


2,855.23


$3,818.32


1960 Poll Tax Personal Property Real Estate


$20.00


736.00


10,583.42


$11,339.42


1961 Poll Tax


$162.00


Personal Property


1,149.86


Real Estate


52,539.51


$53,851.37


1961 Farm Animal Excise


$188.36


$188.36


1959 Motor Vehicle Excise


$576.69


1960 Motor Vehicle Excise


1,316.47


1961 Motor Vehicle Excise


10,153.00


12,046.16


Total Outstanding December 31, 1961


$82,759.81


Respectfully submitted,


BARBARA W. SWANDA


Tax Collector


85


Report of Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Williamsburg, Mass.


Welfare cases handled during the year 1961 were as follows :


Old Age Assistance


Jan. 1, 1961


Dec. 31, 1961


Balance


Added


Closed


Balance


20


5


5


20


Medical Aid to Aged


2


3 1 4


Disability Assistance


5


0 0


5


Aid to Dependent Children


5


0


2


3


General Relief


1


5


1


5


Respectfully submitted,


ROGER W. WELLS


Director


86


Report of the Highway Department


HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT


I herewith submit a brief summary of work accom- plished in the various highway accounts during the year ending December 31, 1961.


WINTER HIGHWAYS


During the winter months of 1961 a total of 25 storm centers moved through our area. Included in these storms were 21 snowstorms and four rain or freezing rain storms. A total accumulation of snow, 118 inches, is the high mark for the last six years since I have been keeping records. It was necessary to plow 16 of these storms plus extra plowing of four of them because of drifting. A total of 1,699.45 tons of winter sand and 95.81 tons of salt were used in sanding operations on the 25 of these storms which required sanding.


CHAPTER 81


In the Chapter 81 account will be included a list of names of all streets and various projects done on each of these. Plus the regular maintenance work, Eastern Ave- nue was graveled to grade, one drainage system installed and asphalt top applied. This type of work is classified as permanent work rather than maintenance. Some Chapter 81 money was used for snow removal rather than sorely needed permanent work. All funds in this account have been expended and the work approved by the De- partment of Public Works Office in Greenfield.


87


CHAPTER 90M


With this account the Chesterfield Road was ditched and the shoulder graded from Petticoat Hill Road to Route 9 and on Mountain Street from North Farms Road to Hatfield Street. A small drainage project on South Main Street, entailing one driveway pipe and 90 feet of blacktop ditch, was accomplished. Two honing jobs were done on 3,000 feet of Mountain Street from Whately line southerly and 1,500 feet of North Farms Road starting 1,800 feet from Mountain Street extending southerly. The entire length, or one mile of North Farms Road and one mile on Mountain Street from North Farms Road to Hatfield Street, was sealed.


New guard railings were installed on Ashfield Road.


With our new sprayer, brush was sprayed on Mountain Street, North Farms Road and South Main Street in the brush control program.


CHAPTER 90C


With this account the 2,000 feet begun on Ashfield Road was completed after last year's work of rough dig- ging and graveling. 450 feet of side drain were installed, road leveled to grade and penetrated with MC-3 at the rate of one gallon per yard with stone cover and sealed with MC-5 at a rate of 1/3 gallon per yard with 3/8" stone cover. All shoulders were smoothed up and seeded and a general clean-up job completed on this section.


The crew then moved to the north end of this job and did all the cutting, grubbing and excavating and installed cross pipes on another 2,000 feet. This section required, by far, the most excavation on this road although most of the dug-out material could be moved just across the road. Approximately 20,000 yards of material had to be moved in this operation. 5,000 yards of gravel were then drawn in and leveled to grade. Some of the cutting and grubbing on next year's work was also done.


88


BRIDGES AND RAILS


With the funds in this account we repaired many rail- ings in different sections of town and cut 400 posts on the Town Lot to be used next year to finish railing work. A three foot pipe with inlet section was also purchased to replace a small plank and wood girder bridge on Briar Hill Road. This pipe, when installed, will replace the last wooden structure in town. This also increases the capa- city of these structures from six ton to unlimited capacity.


There will be an article in the warrant asking for a sum of money to build or rebuild certain sections of roads that, because of poor bases and lack of drainage, are wasting money now spent for maintenance. These roads are in such poor condition now that the only solution is recon- struction. I would like very much to get hard top on more of our dirt roads but feel that the reconstruction of roads previously mentioned should have top priority.


In conclusion, I would like to thank all the other depart- ments for the fine cooperation I have received from them this year.


Respectfully submitted,


HARRY W. WARNER, JR.


Superintendent of Streets


89


School Organization


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Mr. Kenneth Sherk, Chairman


1962


Mrs. Mary Kellogg, Secretary 1964


Mr. Joseph Batura 1962


Miss Eleanor Mansfield 1963


Mr. Richard Warren


1964


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


Francis P. Reddington Office - Anne T. Dunphy School


SCHOOL PHYSICIANS


Dr. Joseph Hobbs, Williamsburg Dr. Ruth Hemenway, Williamsburg


SUPERVISORS IN ATTENDANCE


H. Merrill Bisbee, Williamsburg Walter Bachand, Haydenville


SUPERVISORS AND SPECIAL TEACHERS


Mrs. Elizabeth B. Ferrante, Florence Mrs. Ingrid Mitchell, Northampton Miss Olive Healy, West Chesterfield Mrs. Evelyn Kmit, Williamsburg Physical Education Mrs. Jean Snow, Williamsburg Reading


Art German


Music


MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Last Wednesday of each month


90


HELEN E. JAMES SCHOOL COlony 8-4421


Principal, Mr. Earl F. Tonet, Guidance 387 Florence Rd., Northampton


Mrs. Eleanor Bart, Social Studies, Commercial Subjects 41 Conz St., Northampton


Mrs. Anne Belck, Science Williamsburg


Mr. Robert Branch, Assistant Principal, Mathematics 61 Meadow St., Florence


Mr. Robert Byrne, Science Hatfield


Mrs. Anna B. Curtis, Jr. High English Chesterfield


Miss Martha Dickerman, Jr. High Social Studies Williamsburg


Mrs. Hilda DeNood, French, Modern European History Haydenville


Mr. David Grills, Physical Education 60 Maple St., Florence


Mrs. Frances Grinnell, Commercial Subjects 32 Conz St., Northampton


Mrs. Jean Gromacki, Jr. High Mathematics Prospect St., Hatfield


Mrs. Margaret Halberstadt, English, Librarian Williamsburg


Mr. Paul Judson, Mathematics, Science Route 1, Haydenville


Mrs. Marjorie McKusick, Latin, English, Social Studies Haydenville


91


Mr. Bernard McColgan, Social Studies, English Williamsburg


Mr. Charles Smith, Jr. High Science, Assistant Principal 60 Maple St., Florence


Mrs. Marie Packard, English Goshen


Mr. Edward Trzcienski - Military Leave


ANNE T. DUNPHY SCHOOL COlony 8-7988


Principal, Edith D. Foster, Williamsburg-grade 6


Mrs. Margaret Breckenridge, Williamsburg-grade 5 Mrs. Leslie Paine, 351 Main St., Amherst-grade 4 Miss Nancy Kelley, 124 North St., Northampton-grade 3 Mrs. Ethel Graves, Williamsburg-grade 2 Mrs. Sophia Eaton, Williamsburg-grade 1


HAYDENVILLE CENTER SCHOOL COlony 8-4912


Principal, Mrs. Margaret Heafey, Haydenville-grade 6


Mrs. Marion Hickey, Haydenville-grade 5


Mrs. Priscilla Kostek, Haydenville-grade 4


Mrs. Ruth Nash, Williamsburg-grade 3


Mrs. Doris Tilley, Williamsburg-grade 2


Miss Mary Crampton, Haydenville-grade 1


SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR Mrs. Jane Marx


Haydenville Center School-COlony 8-7534


SCHOOL CENSUS - OCTOBER 1, 1961


Haydenville


Haydenville


5-7


7-16


16 or over


Boys


22


91


15


Girls


31


92


11


53


183


26


262


92


Williamsburg


Boys


30


135


23


Girls


20


107


10


50


242


33


325


Combined Total


103


425


59


587


NET EXPENDITURES FOR SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS 1961


School Dept. Expenditures


$234,422.05


Encumbered-Title III NDEA


400.00


Encumbered-High School Evaluation 400.00


$235,222.05


Reimbursements


Special Ed .- Blind


$385.82


Special Ed .- Retarded


1,608.46


State Wards


1,161.06


Transportation


6,087.00


Chapter 70


35,374.53


Supt. Salary


1,400.00


Youth Service Board


3,600.00


Tuition


53,947.23


Telephone Charges


268.54


Misc. Sales


138.45


Gymnasium Rent


72.50


Vocational


2,287.96


106,331.55


Net Expenditures from Local Taxation $128,890.50


93


Report of School Committee


To the Townspeople of Williamsburg :


Greetings :


The School Committee, comprising Miss Eleanor Mans- field, Mrs. Charles Kellogg and Messrs. Joseph Batura, Richard Warren and Kenneth Sherk, organized with Mrs. Kellogg as Secretary and Kenneth Sherk as Chairman. Regular meetings on the last Wednesday of each month and several special meetings were held. The public is free to attend any of the meetings of the Committee.


Adjustments in salaries were made so that the teaching staff will be on the scale which was instituted two years ago. Whether or not the minimum required by state law is raised next year, Williamsburg must face a revision of its salary scale for 1963 if it wants to recruit and hold good teachers.


We finished the fiscal year with a small balance. Re- imbursements from the State and tuition payments for out-of-town pupils amounted to $104,043.59. Tuition charges were raised, effective September 1962, so they will be $400.00 per pupil in the Junior High School and $450.00 in the Senior High School.


The increase in enrollment required the addition of an- other teacher to the staff. The same factor allowed us to introduce several new courses so that almost every stu- dent is taking five subjects. In this way more students are in the classrooms and much of the student load is re- moved from the study hall which, even so, is still often crowded. A gratifying number from the class of 1961 continued their education in top-flight colleges or pro- fessional schools. We give much credit to Mr. Earl Tonet, the Principal of the High School, and his staff of teachers for this excellent showing.


94


During the summer a new science laboratory was in- stalled in one of the rooms on the first floor of the Helen E. James building and the old laboratory on the second floor was converted into a regular classroom. This was done with no loss of room space and was made possible by funds from the Federal Government. Other items of repair and maintenance were attended to in the regular manner. Audio-visual aids and equipment for teaching science have been increased by the use of matching funds from the Federal Government. Improvements remain to be made in these fields and we are grateful for the finan- cial assistance furnished by funds received under Public Law 864, Title III, of the National Defense Education Act. New textbooks, school furniture and typewriters were purchased to meet the demands of the increased en- rollment.


The Committee extends its thanks to the Rotary Club and the donors of the Western Hampshire Scholarship for their continued support of the further education of some of our graduating seniors.


We take this opportunity to state again that the depth and breadth of our school curriculum is made possible by the attendance of students from the neighboring towns. A study of costs compared with income from tuition will show that these students "pay their way." The figures from the latest Annual Report of the Department of Edu- cation for the year ending June 30, 1960, show that local taxation contributed 58% of the total school expense. The rest came from state reimbursement and other sources, the chief one of which is tuition.


The Committee wishes to acknowledge the good re- lations it has enjoyed in its dealings with the townspeople, officials and all members of the staff.


Sincerely, KENNETH W. SHERK For the School Committee


95


Superintendent's Report


I am pleased to submit my third annual report as your Superintendent of Schools.


The annual meeting of School Union No. 51 was held in April at the Westhampton Congregational Church. Various legislative matters of common and current inter- est were discussed. An excellent resume of the aims and duties of the School Adjustment Counselor was read. To quote briefly from the report of Mrs. Jane Marx :


"The School Adjustment Counselling program for the state of Massachusetts as established by a 1955 legislative act, was originally conceived as a preventive measure in combatting juvenile delinquency. In the years since 1955, the anti-delinquency focus has shifted somewhat-the interpretation is, at present, a fairly broad one in the interest of mental health. It is, ff course, true that the child who is not trained to take his place in society is like- ly to be anti-social; it is also true that the child who is unable, for whatever reason, to make the fullest use of his capacities, will be a less constructive member of the community and less content with himself. The learning process is a complex one, and children with difficulties certaintly tend to indicate some school difficulties. These are not necessarily severe, but teachers and parents are interested in evaluation and help at the point when con- cern arises, not at a point when emergency measures are necessary.


As Dr. Owen B. Kiernan, State Commissioner of Edu- cation, has said in connection with the School Adjustment Counselor program, it is not the policy of our public schools to say "measure up or get out," but to maintain


96


academic standards at the same time as we attempt to help the individual child achieve the full measure of his particular capacity. This includes the retarded child, the academically gifted, the child from the deprived home or from the home where a college education is the only accepted educational goal. The elementary school coun- selor is available to the teacher, the parents, the child him- self, and to specialists in the school system or the com- munity, in the interest of coordinating efforts of home, school, social agencies, etc., in helping the individual child."


Mrs. Marx is a most valuable member of our school staff. Her experience, training and professional attitude make her an ideal person for the position of school adjust- ment counselor.


Teachers and parents are partners in the work of pro- viding for the most wholesome development of children. Just as a good school requires a good community so the best teaching in any school requires the understanding and help of parents. In former times some teachers re- garded parents as unwelcome visitors who often inter- fered with their work. Today most teachers and other school people realize that parental understanding and co- operation are essential to an adequate educational pro- gram. This being so, the Parent-Teacher Conference has become a part of the Williamsburg Elementary School system of reporting the child's progress in school to his parents; it is also a means by which the parent and the teacher may help each other to make the child's school experience successful and happy.


The attendance by parents at the conference was ex- cellent, over 90% of all parents took advantage of this opportunity. It is most gratifying to see the enthusiasm and interest of parents in all of their children's school activities.


Standardized tests, given to our pupils in all school


97


subjects, show that they are continuing to make satis- factory progress, according to their abilities, on their vari- ous grade levels. Our pupils are fortunate to have the services of teachers who are making every effort to main- tain a high standard of educational achievement.


Miss Olive Healy, Supervisor of Music, has submitted the following report, summarizing the activities in this subject :


"The music program in the elementary schools has pro- ceeded satisfactorily. In the Junior High School we have transferred the classes from the music room, which we cannt use this year, to the regular classrooms. At this age level I believe the atmosphere of the regular class- rooms is conducive to better work; thus necessity is turned to advantage.


"In the Senior High our main concern has been that the crowded building and crowded schedule have resulted in making it impossible for any upperclassmen to attend music classes. Consequently we have a freshman glee club only. Here again we are trying to turn disadvantage to betterment by impressing the freshmen with their re- sponsibility in being the representatives of the High School. They are making a fine effort in this respect and have sung already for assembly. Although the conditions this year permit their meeting but once a week, I have high hopes that they will be able to audition at the West- ern Massachusetts Music Festival in May, as well as to provide the music for High School graduation in June."


Enrollment figures in all schools taken October 1, 1961 are as follows :


Anne T. Dunphy School 163


Haydenville Center School


125


Helen E. James School 344


632


98


Smith's School Smith's School Practical Nursing Northampton Special Class Chicopee School


10


1


5


1


Total School Population


649


The figure of 344 pupils in the Helen E. James School includes tuition pupils from the following towns :


Chesterfield


26


Cummington


11


Goshen


26


Northampton


1


Plainfield


1


Westhampton


43


Worthington


31


139


Our principal increase in enrollment is again in the Senior High School and all evidence seems to indicate that this trend will continue through 1963, at which time we anticipate a leveling off.


The enrollment of September 1956 through September 1961 and the projected enrollment of September 1962 and September 1963 gives up this picture of the pupil popula- tion of the Helen E. James building.


September 1956


201


September 1957


208


September 1958


237


September 1959


272


September 1960


302


September 1961


345


September 1962


367


September 1963


385


99


17


This shows us that the enrollment will have almost doubled over a period of eight years. The same conditions now exist that caused the following statements in the Superintendent's report of 1960: "This increased enroll- ment will benefit the town of Williamsburg both financial- ly and educationally. A small high school can be finan- cially burdensome if the fixed costs which must be met, regardless of enrollment, are to be borne entirely by one town. We are fortunate that a large percentage of our high school student body consists of tuition pupils from neighboring towns, thus providing a broader financial base to absorb these fixed high school costs.


These statements are made with full recognition of the fact that increased enrollment has presented the necessity of providing additional classroom space.


Educationally, a larger student body will make it possi- ble to offer a greater variety of educational opportunities to students with different capacities and interests. We need several kinds of educational programs and we need to have them presented with varying degrees of depth."


In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to the vari- ous organizations and individual citizens who contributed to the progress of the Williamsburg schools. My sincere appreciation to Mrs. Robert O'Neiil, to the teaching staff, to the cafeteria people, and to the school custodians for their splendid cooperation throughout the year.


The understanding and support of the Williamsburg Committee has made this a most pleasant year of progress.


FRANCIS P. REDDINGTON


Superintendent of Schools


100


Report of School Nurse


The annual report of the school nurse is herewith sub- mitted for 1961.


All elementary school children were weighed and measured twice during the school year. The junior high and senior high pupils are weighed and measured at the time of physical examinations, also all cheer leaders, basketball players and cross country runners.


Classroom inspection was made in all elementary grade rooms once a month.


During February and March, Dr. Modestow completed 123 dental examinations. No treatments were done at the school because of lack of proper facilities for good dental hygiene. The school dental examination is free and is a reminder to parents and children that a visit to the family dentist is very important.


A tuberculin test was done by Dr. Frederick Goodhue on all the school children who had permission from their parents. The patch test was used on pupils from the first through the sixth grades. 265 children had this test. The Mantoux test which is the most accurate was used on the junior and senior high school pupils. 232 children had this test. This year with the parents' permission it is hoped that the Mantoux test will be used on pupils in every oher grade from the first through the twelfth. This test should be continued each year.


A Polio Clinic was held in May to give a fourth or booster injection to many children who had not completed the series. Some parents and children asked for a fifth which was given as far as material lasted. 189 persons


101


received an injection. Seven seniors received a fifth in- jection.


Vision tests were completed on November 9 and forms sent to parents of 38 high school pupils and 24 elemen- tary grade pupils who failed the Massachusetts Vision Test, referring them to the family eye specialist. The Audiometer was borrowed from Amherst and tests com- pleted during February in the three schools. Eighteen failed this test and were referred to the family physician or ear specialist.


During October, Dr. Hemenway was assisted with physical examinations in Haydenville. Dr. Hobbs was assisted in Williamsburg.


First Aid was given to several children with minor bumps, bruises and sprains. Three cases of chicken pox were reported in Haydenville. Many children have been taken home with "upset stomach," an illness which doesn't seem to last long but quite frequently recurs.


I wish to thank Mr. Reddington, the teachers, the school physicians, the School Committee and all parents for their cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


:


MARGARET MADISON, R.N.


School Nurse


102





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