USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1930-1934 > Part 37
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A large number of elm trees were sprayed for the elm leaf beetle this year with very good results.
During the early part of 1934 Gypsy Moth control work was carried on in the usual manner. This work consisting of creo- soting the nests on trees along the roadsides and in the wood- land where they were found. This year we found about thirty acres of woodland between the Cambridge Turnpike and the State Road that was badly infested. This woodland was care- fully gone over and every nest creosoted. We may have to follow up this work by spraying along the roadsides near this
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woodland. I find that the Gypsy Moth infestation has in- creased from that of last year.
The total expenditure of this department for 1934 was $859.88. I recommend that $800.00 be appropriated for Tree Work and $500.00 for Moth Work this year.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. KELLIHER,
REPORT OF LINCOLN NURSING COMMITTEE
During the year January 1st-December 31st, 1934, the Public Health nurse has made 1,249 calls. Sub-divided these are as follows: Medical 642, Surgical 77, Maternity 50, Social Welfare 75, Board of Health 50, Child Welfare 253, Town Welfare 18, Doctor's office or hospital 62, School census 22. These figures do not include any of her school work; this ap- pears in her report as school nurse.
The nurse has collected for her visits $334.85 which amount has been turned over to the town treasurer.
Respectfully submitted,
GLADYS DE YONGH HERMAN, ROBERT L. DENORMANDIE, R. D. DONALDSON.
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REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS FOR 1934
To the Board of Selectmen:
The State applied the Tuberculin test to the Lincoln cattle again this year. Nine reacted and were destroyed. One case of mange was found. This is considered a dangerous disease and the barn was quarantined until the case was cleaned up. There have been no more cases of that disease, and no other contagious disease has been reported.
The Government made arrangements with swine raisers to reduce their stock one third. This, I understand from the owners, has been done.
Dogs have caused more trouble this year than ever before. Six people were bitten. These dogs were quarantined until all danger was passed. Fortunately no serious results happened from any of these cases. In November, a stray dog came into Lincoln from Lexington way and after biting three dogs was shot by Lexington police. An examination of the head showed that the dog had rabies. As a result, the Selectmen made an arrangement with Dr. Russell, of Concord, to meet the dog owners at the Town Hall and vaccinate all dogs that the owners so desired and ordered all other dogs restrained. As a result, 108 dogs were vaccinated. I have heard of no more trouble in that line.
I find cattle 398, swine 2,525, sheep 64.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. FARRAR, Inspector of Animals.
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REPORT OF THE WORK OF THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE IN LINCOLN DURING 1934
The following is a report of the work done in this town by the Middlesex County Extension Service during the year 1934.
Lincoln dairy farmers have asked the Extension office for help in Milk market problems. Those towns immediately adjacent to the Federal Area or the Greater Boston market are a fertile field for exploitation of producers by so-called non- complying dealers or dealers who are not complying with the terms of the license. This latter group buys under the market. He many times buys at a flat price with no deductions. The farmer feels that his net return will be more in dealing with him than with a dealer who purchases under the terms of the license. Questions of price, slow payment, and of being dropped by the dealer without any or very short notice are being brought to the Extension office by milk producers who ask for help through us to contact the proper authorities to straighten out the situa- tion. The farmers of Lincoln are in common with others of Concord and Sudbury in this matter.
Assistance has been given on location of dairy replacements, feeding and herd management. Help and advice has been given in growing better roughage to cut the cost of production.
Poultrymen have asked help in diagnosing poultry diseases and methods of control. Feeding and range management problems have been advised on at the Extension office.
Twelve farm visits were made on fruit and market garden subjects.
A pruning demonstration especially considering the secon- dary fruits, such as cherries, plums and grapes was held.
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A CWA project on cutting neglected fruit trees was aided. The Extension Service has been emphasizing the danger of neglected trees in breeding pests such as the apple maggot.
Moving pictures of apple picking and packing, cost figures and details of production were presented at a winter meeting.
Lincoln continues to keep up its live interest in Extension work with groups organized in the center and Baker Bridge sections. The North Lincoln group carried the spring program.
These groups have learned clothing renovation, nutrition, and gardening. The spring program includes a course on mak- ing house dresses as well as a community group on Art in the Home, which will be open to any Lincoln Homemaker who is interested. This is a series of four meetings and further in- formation can be secured from members of the units in Lincoln.
The Extension office has co-operated with the fair committee by providing judges for the annual fair.
At the suggestion of the Lincoln town 4-H committee, a garden and a canning club and a young women's clothing group were the projects carried on. The poultry club members who lived some distance apart, did not organize their group but went to the local leader for advice when they wished it.
For the second year, Lincoln 4-H club members had the winning exhibit at the town fair, thereby gaining possession of the silver cup offered to the town winning it two years out of three.
A two-day trip to the State College was awarded to George Browning, Jr., on his poultry project work.
County or sectional events at which Lincoln 4-H club mem- bers were represented included 4-H Camp Middlesex, Amherst ; clothing and canning leaders' meetings ; poultry-judging school ; Service and Alumni club meetings.
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The young women's group was somewhat of a pioneer. Members were all young ladies out of school and employed either part time or not at all. They held all-day meetings dur- ing several months in early spring for the purpose of making their summer clothes.
The leaders are: Mrs. Guilbert Winchell; Mrs. Matthew Doherty, Mrs. D. L. Hamilton, Miss Elizabeth Farrar, Mrs. H. S. Cousins, Mrs. Walter Copeland, Mrs. W. O. Causer.
It should be remembered that the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service is free to all citizens of the county who desire to participate in its work. It is organized primarily to serve farmers, homemakers and boys and girls residing in rural sections, but homemakers, backyard gardeners and boys and girls in villages may also avail themselves of this service.
THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE LINCOLN LIBRARY
Your trustees submit on the following pages the reports of the Treasurer and of the Librarian for the year ending De- cember 31, 1934.
The past year has seen no material change in the operation of the Library. Repairs have been those of a minor nature and operating expense has not varied from normal. The catalog- ing of the books has been completed so that we now have a modern system capable of indefinite expansion.
The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of the Library was held on December 20th. Through the courtesy of the Unitarian Parish exercises were held in that church followed by a social gathering and refreshments in the Library where photographs, books, and other memorabilia of old Lincoln were displayed. At the exercises George G. Tarbell, Jr., read the original address of presentation of the Library. He was introduced by Mr. John F. Farrar, who has served the Library as trustee for fifty years, being one of those originally appointed by the donor. Mrs. Irving S. Hill then read a most interesting historical sketch of the Library. To Mrs. Hill who must have spent a great amount of time in preparation of this history we extend our grateful appreciation. We plan to print a complete account of the exercises including the address of Mrs. Hill as a separate record for those interested and for the records of the Library. To the many who contributed of their time in making this anniversary a success the trustees wish to express their gratitude.
We anticipate no unusual expense during the ensuing year and ask for an appropriation of $997.80.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. FARRAR, ROLAND C. MACKENZIE, SUMNER SMITH, GEORGE G. TARBELL, C. LEE TODD.
Report of Treasurer of Lincoln Library for Year Ending December 31, 1934
Receipts
Expenditures
Balance on hand, January 1, 1934
$306 78
Check Tax.
$0 30
Income from Liberty Bonds
8 50
Water rate.
8 50
Income from Codman Fund
43 75
Sundries
19 95
Book lost
2 06
Telephone
32 04
Fines. .
97 80
Light
53 60
Dog Tax
484 05
Binding .
96 69
Town Appropriation
981 28
Supplies
62 46
Income from Trust Funds
205 37
Repairs. .
47 87
George Russell Fund
$12 55
Fuel .
203 13
Julia A. Bemis Fund
20 67
62 76
Book replaced
2 06
Receipts of 1933 to Town Treasurer
81 28
Magazines
55 30
Books
360 35
Income of Pierce Fund to Librarian
33 68
Cataloging
200 00
Salary.
540 00
Total expenditures
$1,859 97
Balance on hand
269 62
$2,129 59
$2,129 59
The Codman Fund is invested in five shares of Boston and Albany stock. During the year one of the two Liberty 414s held by the Trustees was called in and the amount received for it is on deposit in the Boston Five Cent Savings Bank. All securities are in the hands of the Town Treasurer.
JOHN F. FARRAR, Treasurer.
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.
Abbie J. Stearns Fund
43 22
George G. Tarbell Fund
95 25
Expenses of Fiftieth Anniversary
John H. Pierce Fund
33 68
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LIBRARY STATISTICS - 1934
Number of volumes at beginning of year
11,426
Number of volumes added by purchase 195
Number of volumes added by gift 97
Number of volumes withdrawn 24
Number of volumes at end of year 11,694
Number of volumes of fiction borrowed 4,550
Number of volumes of children's books borrowed 2,136
Number of volumes of non-fiction borrowed 1,889
Number of periodicals borrowed 1,122
Total circulation for year 9,697
Per capita circulation 6.4
Number of days library was open 102
Number of volumes borrowed from other libraries 9
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1934
OL
HABA
NEWTON GARDEN CITY PRESS, INC. 1935
144
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ROLAND C. MACKENZIE, M.D. Chairman
GLADYS DE YONGH HERMAN
JAMES DENORMANDIE
Term expires 1935
Term expires 1936 Term expires 1937
Superintendent of Schools CARL F. HOLLORAN
Teachers Junior High School MARJORIE M. HOWARD FLORENCE E. WHEELER BETTINA KING
Grades IV - V - VI
THELMA GODDARD ETHEL J. BOYCE ISABELLE McBREEN
Grade III FLORENCE JACKSON
Grade II ESTHER R. COMER
Grade I
JOSEPHINE C. DOHERTY
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Supervisor of Music WILLIAM H. TAUNTON
Supervisor of Manual Training E. W. BURCKES
School Nurse MARION OBER, R. N.
School Physician HENRY A. WOOD, M. D.
Janitor, Center School WILLIAM HARRINGTON
Janitor, South School PATRICK LENNON
Attendance Officer J. J. KELLIHER
CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR 1935
Mid-Winter Term, begins January 7, 1935, ends February 15, 1935: six weeks.
Spring Term, begins February 25, 1935, ends April 12, 1935, seven weeks.
Summer Term, begins April 22, 1935, ends June 14, 1935, eight weeks.
Holiday - Memorial Day, May 30
Fall Term, begins September 9, 1935, ends December 20, 1935, fifteen weeks.
36 weeks: 174 days.
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ANNUAL REPORT 1934
In the performance of its duties a school committee must recognize three masters: (1) the State by whose authority the Town is allowed to direct its schools, (2) the citizens of the Town, whose money in a large degree supports the schools, (3) the children for whose future citizenship the country is vitally concerned. It is a school committee's duty to correlate the interests of all three; and your Committee has courageously and loyally tried to do this.
Your Committee has made its reports to the State in proper and accepted form and it is to the citizens of the Town that this report is addressed with the hope that it will be sufficiently comprehensive to inform them of the Committee's activities in their behalf.
The essence of a successful school system is its teaching force. If it is made up of the proper persons, there need be no fear for the type of education given. Lincoln Schools have a capable superintendent and its teachers are sincere, capable, well prepared, and of excellent character. Their morale and co-operation are of the best. After over four years without a change in the personnel, the inevitable break has come. During the year two teachers have resigned because of marriage. We earnestly thank them for their faithful service and wish them much happiness in their new careers. Their successors were chosen and we hope will ably fit into their places.
During the year several important changes in methods and organization have been instituted under the direction of the Superintendent. The committee has given to him their co- operation wholeheartedly as it is convinced that these changes are in the line of progress. Further readjustments are in con- templation; but changes will be made gradually and in a way that will not disturb the continuity of the system. All are aimed at one object : that of making our Lincoln system of edu-
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cation the best obtainable in a town of this size, at the same time taking into consideration Lincoln's particular needs. The Superintendent's report will inform you in detail of these changes.
A belief that schools in the future will be conducted on the same basis as in the past is erroneous. With a return to pros- perity the old order of things will be entirely resumed. This evolution with its new economic and social trends will be re- flected in the kind and quality of our schools. New conditions must be met by new approaches, new methods, and new solu- tions. Probably, in the education of youth the spiritual and cultural will receive more emphasis; perhaps there will be still more emphasis on the vocational phases than there has been in the past.
Teachers will have need for a broader cultural background and the emphasis on training in classroom mechanics will be relegated to a secondary place. The period to come will be a challenging one for any person intimately connected with school administration and our problem in Lincoln will vary only in degree from the problems of other communities.
That there might be a better understanding among parents, teachers, and committee members of the developments that are taking place in our own Lincoln Schools, the Committee has sponsored a series of round table conferences. Through five of these meetings the Committee has directly contacted parents of sixty of the children during the year. The Committee has found out some of the thoughts of parents, some of their ideals, also some of its own faults. It is hoped that a better under- standing of the schools has been formed and that the stimula- tion to greater interest in schools has been mutual. This method of approach to parent-school problems is unique and is being watched with interest by outside school men. It seems to the Committee that the results so far obtained justify the continuance of these conferences.
The school system has certain physical needs which the Com- mittee would be very remiss in its duties if it did not call to
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your attention. Particularly is one that has been mentioned in many previous school committee reports: the need of a large space at the Center School where the whole school can be con- vened at once, where indoor games and physical exercises can be practiced under proper conditions, where the newly formed orchestra can practice and perform. Changing methods in teaching are not requiring expensive tools but an assembly hall is one of the primary necessities.
From funds saved from the 1934 appropriation the Com- mittee is able to provide for the preliminary studies and plans for this project and hopes to present them for the Town's de- cision in the near future. Your committee hopes to be able to present to you a plan which will be within our means, which will be of permanent value in our school system, and which also will provide for the adults of the Town a place in which various health activities, social games, etc., may be carried on.
Finances
To the average person a list of the expenditures of a School- board is of little value unless some standard of comparison also is presented. For this year's comparison it seems logical to take the average expenditures for the five Depression years, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934 as a basis and then follow with the necessary explanations as to why 1934 expenditures have varied from this average:
5-Year Average Yearly Expenditure
Salaries
$18,540.10
1934 Expenditure $18,944.70
Superintendent and Committees'
Expenses
136.89
151.53
Books and Supplies
944.99
830.41
Fuel
730.37
647.36
Health
612.93
610.56
Operating Expenses
503.85
492.88
Repairs .
1,328.32
1,023.23
Local Transportation
6,690.57
5,875.93
-
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High School Transportation
$2,296.46
$2,840.03
High School Tuition
4,873.60
6,747.93
New Equipment
463.31
487.10
Building Plans
51.00
255.00
$37,172.39
$38,906.66
Salaries
During 1933 and until September, 1934, 72% was deducted from all salaries which fact correspondingly affects the 5-year average. The Committee saw fit to change the deduction to 22% in September, finding they were able to do so under their budget allowance.
Superintendent and Committee Expenses
The slight excess over the average is due to expenses inciden- tal to the investigation of teacher candidates.
Books and Supplies
Increasing prices limited the committee somewhat in their purchases but a carefully kept inventory has aided in intelli- gent purchasing.
Fuel
It requires approximately 75 tons of soft coal to heat the Center School and 20 tons of anthracite for the South School. Contracts were awarded after competitive bidding and the prices paid were $6.95 per ton for bituminous and $10.80 per ton for anthracite.
Operating Expenses
This includes the various costs of maintenance such as light, water, telephone, etc. There was a slightly higher expense for electricity, because of the excess of cloudy days during some months of school operation.
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Repairs
While the sum spent was under the 5-year average, it was somewhat larger than ordinarily can be expected as there is in- cluded items of $223.06 for pipe used in 1933 by the CWA workers in the playground and of $81.00 for labor in rough grading after the pipe was laid. Other major items coming under this heading and their costs are: repairing cupola and replacing columns, Center School, $89.50; painting flag pole, renewing halyards and ball, South School, $15.00; repairing rain gutters and replacing slate Center School, $160.00; paint- ing Room 9 and outside of gutters, $45.00. Contracts for all of these major repairs were awarded after competitive bidding and in each instance to the lowest bidder.
Under the FERA several much needed renovations and re- pairs have been done and for material used in these projects the Committee appropriated $40.82. The variety of things done under this arrangement is interesting and the aggregate ac- complished is considerable : radiators were painted, table tops refinished, a door made to coal bunkers, cement floors re- painted, boiler-room in Center School cleaned and repainted, lawns at both schools regraded, etc. The proper spirit of co- operation on the part of the administrator, his assistants, and the workmen while doing these things has been to the mutual advantage of everyone concerned, including the taxpayers of the Town.
The Committee feels that by utilizing the largest possible amount of the funds available for repairs they have contributed materially to unemployment relief.
Transportation
For the convenience of budgeting and bookkeeping this item of School expenditure must be divided into two sub-headings:
1. High School Transportation having to do with carry- ing to and from school those pupils who attend High Schools in Concord, Waltham, and Weston.
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2. Local Transportation having to do with the carrying of pupils of Grades 1 to 9 and from the Center and South Schools. This service is in part required under Chapter 71, Section 68, of the Laws and is enlarged upon by the School Committee when in their opinion, "the physical con- dition of the child, the distance from home to the school, or the condition of the roads make such transportation necessary or advisable."
A review of the expenditure for several years past under these two items impressed upon your Committee that, inasmuch as the total represented approximately one-quarter of the costs of operating the schools, it should be scrutinized closely. It must be determined whether the service was necessary and if so whether the cost seemed excessive and if savings could be made.
The Committee has studied the problem in detail and in spirit of fairness to everyone concerned. Because of your mani- fest interest in the subject the Committee attempts herewith to give its conclusions :
The cost for transporting High School pupils is reimbursed to the Town by the State providing that cost does not exceed forty cents per day for each day of pupil's attendance. In 1934 the Town paid a little less than thirty cents per day for each pupil and so we can rightly expect reimbursement for the total amount expended for High School transportation. To be sure in 1920 we find the expenditure was only $545.85 but there were then only 25 pupils while in 1934 there were 51. In 1920 the railroad was used and pupils had to find their way to the station unassisted, while now the majority are picked up near their homes and left at the school door.
The costs of local transportation for the same period are shown in the following table. In this table the divisor used to determine the per pupil cost of transportation for the year is the total enrollment of Grades 1 to 9 and not the num- ber actually transported. This latter number is not on record for other than the last three years but as the relative propor- tion of transported children to the total enrollment is
152
substantially constant throughout the period, the value of the table for comparative purposes is unchanged :
Year
Cost
Pupils
Year Cost Per Pupil
1920
$4,260.38
188
$22.66
1921
4,415.15
210
21.04
1922
3,080.05
223
13.81
1923
6,179.00
225
27.46
1924
4,880.40
227
21.50
1925
5,122.50
221
23.18
1926
5,725.00
220
26.02
1927
5,657.00
234
24.17
1928
5,527.00
226
24.45
1929
5,162.00
228
22.64
1930
5,867.08
233
25.18
1931
7,410.84
240
30.89
1932
7,412.00
245
30.26
1933
6,887.50
232
29.66
1934
5,875.93
234
25.11
It may thus be seen that your Committee has succeeded in substantially reducing the cost of local transportation in 1934 and hopes to reduce it in 1935 so that the per pupil yearly cost will approximate that existing 10 years ago.
Local pupil transportation had been furnished by four auto busses, one of them a bus also used for high school pupils. These busses covered four routes respectively 16, 18, 26, and 18 miles per day. Under contracts expiring in June, 1934, the owners of these busses received $38.00, $43.75, $55.00, and $43.75 re- spectively for each week of the school year.
The expiring contracts appeared to the Commitee to have no uniform basis; and as the quality of the transportation seemed to be satisfactory, it was considered proper to give the present bus owners the opportunity of making new contracts on a uniform basis that would be fair to all. Accordingly the Committee voted :
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1. That a careful check be made of the costs of operating school busses in Lincoln; that certain fixed charges be agreed upon, including depreciation, taxes, garage rent, insurance, labor charges, and actual operating costs per mile.
2. To the costs thus determined there was to be added 10% for profit.
3. Allowance was to be made on an "operation cost per mile plus labor" basis for extra work.
4. If, after such tabulation of costs, all parties could accept it as a working basis, contracts would be awarded to the present bus owners.
5. If such agreement was not reached, the transportation of pupils was to be thrown open to bids.
Eventually agreement was possible and the Committee con- tracted with the present bus owners on such a basis.
For the information of the citizens a skeleton copy of the con- tracts is presented herewith :
"Dear Sirs:
The School Committee is willing to contract with you for pupil transportation for the year beginning September 1, 1934, and ending July 1, 1935, according to the attached schedules on a cost plus 10% basis.
It is agreed that you are to furnish the busses as at present used, or their equivalent, to comply with the requirements of the State laws, and the present regulations of the School Committee.
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