USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1920-1925 > Part 31
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There have been examined ten wells of water in the north and west parts of the town and all were to a greater or less extent, unfit for use.
PAUL C. PETERSON, Chairman, CHARLES W. EATON, Secretary, EUGENE E. COVELL,
Board of Health.
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury-Greetings :
The past year has been the most discouraging year for any Forest Warden. It seems as if each year were worse than last. The long drought we had, the high winds, and last, but not least, the carelessly thrown cig- arette butt, and picnickers, have contributed largely to our misery. A Dodge truck was installed at Herrick's Garage with water tank and extinguishers and went to about every fire, it seemed to me, there was in the county. It made a splendid unit for forest fire work and I know was highly appreciated by our neighboring towns. The last forest fire we had was in November with the ther- mometer down to eight above. That seemed like the last straw on the poor old Forest Warden's back. I have come to the conclusion, after careful thought, that our picnickers must stay out of our forests if we expect to have any woods left. The people from the city seem to think our woods are maintained solely for their benefit and amusement. Seventy-five per cent. of all our fires the past year were traced to this source. The question comes now, how to solve the problem. It seems to me that if the wayside property owners would post their land against trespass and would make a few examples of tres- passers, it would help mightily. The officer that patrols for fire would be instructed to enforce this law. I have ar- ranged so that suitable parking places to accommodate these picnickers and notices of parking spaces be posted in conjunction with the "No Trespassing" signs. Written permission could be had from property owners so that no serious hardship would be put upon them. I wish to impress upon you, property owners of the town, that the
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situation is very serious. And if any of you have a bet- ter plan I would be greatly pleased to have it put before me, and will call a meeting of wayside property owners at an early date to discuss this problem.
All the apparatus in the forest fire department is in good condition and the men are quick in responding and very enthusiastic, which is a great help. I have done my best to prevent and protect your property from destruc- tion, but it has gotten to be a big job.
The influx of autoists to this town is at the bottom of our troubles.
Thanking you for your hearty co-operation in the past and asking you for any suggestion that would be of help. I certainly feel the need of help from you all.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT FOR 1924
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen-I submit the following report of moth work done since last report. Continued creosoting on roadside and private estates until June 9th, it was then time to start spraying the trees, and this work had to be financed by the State Forestry Department, finished up this work and put machines under cover in July. No more work was done in this department until November 1, 1924, when I started creosoting the roadside trees, this was continued until November 30, 1924, and on
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January 1, 1925 I started creosoting the roadside trees again, which I am still doing. Conditions all over town look good and I sincerely hope this will continue.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. MORRISON. Local Superintendent.
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT
To the Citizens of Duxbury :-
The work in this department this year consisted of spraying with Lime Sulphur several streets in town where the Maple trees were badly infested with scale, and when the tent caterpillars were hatching I sprayed all the roadsides in town. Work on trees left over from last year on Harrison street and Sunset road was finished and several of the small roadside trees had to be watered to keep them from dying. I also cut down one dead tree on Harrison street, and one on Congress street. I wish to thank the citizens for the enlargement of the ap- propriation from $100.00 to $300.00, but if we are going to look after our trees on the roadsides the town should give this department more money to work with.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. MORRISON,
Tree Warden
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REPORT OF STREET DEPARTMENT 1924
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Gentlemen-During the past year repairs were made on all roads, while in the outlying districts, the work was more extensive owing to the frost penetrating so deeply during the winter, therefore making the cost greater.
The work on Surplus Street and Mayflower Street Extension was completed.
With the appropriations from the State, County and Town of $5,0000.00 each, there was built approximately a mile and a quarter of asphalt road in Duxbury begin- ning at the East Pembroke line.
I also wish to say that the Tamden, gasoline roller purchased by the Town has proven a valuable asset to this work.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. O'NEIL,
Superintendent of Streets.
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REPORT OF FIRE CHIEF
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury, Greeting :
We have had very few house fires the past year, no great damage being done, but have used the larger ap- paratus to protect buildings at some bad forest fires we had and they worked well. The new Brockway pur- chased by the town last spring, has been installed at the Number One Engine House. The little Chemical Engine moved from the Number One House to the Number Three and is still doing good work there. At a small cost a sirene has been installed in the belfrey at the Number Two Engine House. It makes a very efficient fire alarm for the neighborhood and I wish to install one similar to it at the Number Three Engine House as it is very im- portant that the men should be promptly notfiied. We will have to have some new hose this year for replace- ment. One reason, I think, for the small fire loss sus- tained by this town, is that the property owners are awake to the fact that prevention is a whole lot better than regrets and no one of us wish to have our homes and property destroyed by fire. I wish to impress upon you and call to your attention again, of the great fire killing virtue of bicarbonate of soda. One pound of this, convenient in the house, would prevent a very disastrous fire. It is inexpensive, efficient and can be used by any- one without fear of damage to anything. Don't forget to get it. It may save your home and you years of vain regrets. I am trying my best to keep your homes safe and I know you are all co-operating with me for which I give you thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Fire Chief.
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REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
To the Selectmen :
The Board of Trustees lost two members during the past year.
Mr. Ralph K. Bearce resigned May 1st, having moved from Duxbury to accept elsewhere a new work in his chosen vocation. Mr. Bearce, as President of the Board, gave of his best to the interests of the library.
Mr. Charles L. Simmons, elected to the Board in Feb- ruary, 1917, died November 9th, 1924. Kindly, courteous, a Christian gentleman, it was a privilege to know him. As a member of the Board of Trustees he was particularly helpful by reason of his training and his knowledge of books. His services will be missed.
Two new members have been elected to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Hollis Godfrey, President of The Engineer- ing-Economics Foundation, and Dr. Hermon C. Bumpus, former President of Tufts College. We are, indeed, fortunate to have the services of these men.
The Library is increasingly used from year to year. There were issued 17,302 books from January 1st to De- cember 31st. Of this number 3,560 were non-fiction, and 2,381 were sent through the basket delivery to sub-sta- tions. The busiest months were July and August when over 4,000 books were given out. The largest daily circu- lation was on August 14th. On that day 226 books were issued.
Last year the Library was open to the public on 146 days, and on 51 days for work connected with the basket delivery. With very few exceptions the librarian worked at the Library every day in the week.
Magazines and books to the number of 168 have been rebound. Five hundred and forty-five volumes have been added to the Library by purchase and by gift.
RICHARD T. LORING,
Clerk.
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REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC., YEAR 1924.
Jan. 1, 1924, Balance on hand, $144 62
Emergency Fund, 900 00
$1,044 62
Receipts.
Town of Duxbury,
$1,000 00
Income :
Wright Fund,
2,422 50
Winsor Fund,
222 50
Hathaway Fund,
112 74
Duxbury Hall Fund,
127 50
Harding Fund,
68 00
Refund, A. S. Burbank,
4 00
Interest, Emergency Fund,
4 50
3,961 74
Total,
$5,006 36
Payments.
Salaries, Librarian, Janitor, etc.,
and care of library grounds,
$1,726 71
Telephone,
33 00
Books and magazines,
685 70
Sundries,
284 47
Coal,
297 79
Electric Light,
187 05
Water,
21 00
Insurance,
532 00
Book Cases,
310 00
Printing Catalogues,
173 75
Repairing furnace,
138 00
Entertainment,
46 80
Binding books and magazines,
386 01
Total Payments, 4,822 28
December 31, 1924, Balance, $184 08
B. C. LEAVITT, Treasurer.
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DAIRY INSPECTION
On the first inspection, according to the United States Score Card, with a total of 40 points for Method and 60 for Equipment, 60% of the daires scored between 50 and 60 points on both method and equipment ; 25% were be- tween 60 and 70; 5% were between 70 and 80; there were 10% lower than 50 who secured no permit to pro- duce and sell milk until their score showed over 50. The first inspection was prior to July 1. On the second in- spection, 45% showed a score between 50 and 60; 45% were between 60 and 70 : and 10% between 70 and 80.
If the Board can see its way clear to do so, there will be left with each producer, a duplicate card and his score. When necessary, a test for dirt will be made in his presence, and if a second test is necessary and shows no improvement, the public will be warned not to buy from this producer. There will be three grades, clean, unclean, and dirty.
Cows' milk is an invaluable article of diet and in the cause of public health its use as food must be maintained. Healthy animals and proper methods are more important than equipment in the production of clean and safe milk.
Very truly yours,
CHARLES W. EATON.
Inspector for the Health Department.
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REPORT OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
The season of nineteen twenty-four has been an un- usually hard one in the amount of work required to keep up to the standard of former years.
As soon as possible after the Annual March Meeting, the usual work of removing dead wood from the trees was started. Several of the larger trees which had died during the winter were also removed. The customary work of raking and burning the leaves was done in good time considering the high winds which kept them blow- ing in all directions making the work much more diffi- cult. The avenues were raked over and edged, and Oak Avenue was given a coat of tarvia before Memorial Day. Quite a few shrubs were planted and several flower beds were laid out which proved to be greatly appreciated by our many visitors this past summer.
At the Standish Cemetery the fence was given a coat of paint as also were the guns. A gravel walk was laid out from the main entrance to the Myles Standish Lot. That together with a thorough mowing and raking gave this historic spot a pleasing aspect.
In Ashdod Cemetery the walks were hoed and raked over, the lots mowed and other work done which added much to its general appearance.
The usual fall work of raking the leaves in Mayflower Cemetery was done. The "Perpetual Care" lots were given constant care, the dry season making it necessary to keep them well watered nearly every day. Thirteen new lots, the same number as last year, have been added to the "Perpetual Care" list during 1924. It was our purpose to transfer the Cemetery fence on Mayflower
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Street to the Tremont Street front of the new part of the Cemetery this season, but owing to the disastrous wind and rain storm in August, which raised havoc, blowing down thirteen large trees, besides covering the ground with limbs, it was necessary for the Cemetery not only to be wholly raked over again, but trees had to be removed and many were the loads of rubbish which were carted to the Town Dump to be burned. This work we were obliged to do, thus making it impossible for us not only to move the fence, but we were also unable to extend the water pipes to the southwestern part of the Cemetery as we had planned. It is our intention to do this during the coming season. We wish to thank our citizens for their loyal support, and for the interest which they have shown in our work this past year.
We would ask your favorable consideration of $3,500 for cemeteries for 1925.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT M. GOULDING, Chairman, JOHN SIMMONS, Secretary, WILLIAM J. ALDEN, HENRY F. WHITE, MARTIN HANIGAN,
Trustees.
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REPORT OF THE PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
To the Board of Selectmen :-
We submit herewith a report of the work of our Com- mittee the past year.
A new fence has been built on the West line as agrees with the adjoining property owner when the extra land was purchased. A new driveway has been cut through and holes filled near the southwest corner of the lot. New stands were built on the south side of the field, as well as new seats on west side. Band stand was repaired and painted. Two new shower baths installed and new cesspool built.
New giant swing pole and high jump poles.
Tennis court has been laid out and sub-grade is al- ready, it is hoped that this feature can be finished and made available.
Some further improvements suggested are :-
Men's and Women's toilets should be provided.
Water pipe should be buried.
Tennis court should be finished and equipped. Hori- zontal bars and other features for athletic exercises should be added.
Respectfully submitted,
H. B. BRADLEY, PAUL C. PETERSON. WILLIAM J. BURKE,
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Duxbury
For the Year Ending December 31
1924
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ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
John Simmons, Chairman,
Elizabeth A. Phillips, Secretary,
Alpheus H. Walker,
term expires in 1927
term expires in 1925 term expires in 1925
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Frederick E. Bragdon, Egypt, Mass. Telephone Scituate 289-2
School Physician, N. K. Noyes, M. D.
School Nurse, Annie L. Williams, R. N.
Attendance Officers,
Annie L. Williams, Edward S. O'Neil.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1925.
SCHOOLS open January 5 close February 27- 8 weeks
open March 9
close April
29- 8 weeks
open May 11
close June 26- 7 weeks
open September 7
close December 24-16 weeks
Length of School Year, 39 weeks By law, the high school must have 180 daily sessions during the year.
HOLIDAYS.
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the Day following.
Regular meetings of School Board are held at Town Office Building the first day of each month, 1.30 p. m.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The report of the School Committee is herewith sub- mitted.
The report of the Committee must necessarily be very similar to reports of the past years as the housing con- ditions remain comparatively the same.
The High School is still in a conjested condition but the Committee tried to overcome the difficulty by erect- ing a movable partition in the upper hall but it was not a decided success, although it has enabled us to meet the requirements of the State Board relative to the fifth teacher. A majority of the Committee are ready to en- dorse and support the plan presented last year for a Junior-Senior High School Building and hope it will pre- vail.
Two of our High School teachers declined to accept re-election and we did not feel justified in placing the principal on tenure. We are permitted to quote from a letter written by Professor Frank W. Nicolson, Secre- tary of the New England Entrance Certificate Board, relative to withdrawal of the certifying privilege from our High School. He writes :
"I have received your letter regarding the relation of the Duxbury High School with the Certificate Board. I understand that the Duxbury High School is the same as the Partridge Academy. The school was given the speci- men certificate privilege in 1921, and held it until 1924, when it was withdrawn because of the record of the students to the colleges on the Board were poor. The principal was so notified last April.
There is no way that I can see for the privilege to be restored to the school within the next few years unless there is a change of principal and the new man is one
Duxbury Seven
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who has had dealings with the Board and is familiar with their requirements so that we can trust him not to certify students who are poorly prepared."
The present corp of teachers deserves high commenda- tion for their conscientious work and determination to surmount all handicaps and obtain good results, regard- less of unadvoidable circumstances. There were two changes in the lower grades. Miss Lovell having re- signed her position in Ashdod, Miss Marianne Coughlin was engaged to fill the vacancy.
Miss Lucy Hill resigned from Tarkiln Grammar School and Miss Florence Monks was engaged to fill the position. All other positions were retained by our long experienced and faithful teachers.
The buildings are now in a very good repair except one or two which will need a coat of paint.
The High School Building was thoroughly cleaned from upper hall to basement including all closets, desks, chairs, and oiling all floors; the main room was painted and a telephone installed and the comments were not few on the great improvement made.
All buildings were thoroughly cleaned and the usual routine work completed.
All transportation routes are now equipped with com- fortable "auto busses", as far as comfort extends in transportation.
The school appropriation seems to increase with com- ing years, but if we look backward for a few years we can see greater demands from the State Board and also greater improvements in our schools.
It is gratifying to know that many teachers have ex- pressed this appreciation of supplies furnished by the Town of Duxbury, and in turn, the Committee will say that our teachers have been economical in their use and tried to inculcate principles of economy in our children.
Your Committee have tried to expend the appropria- tion judiciously and we wish to thank the citizens of the town for their generosity in school appropriations.
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We shall require an approriation of $38,000 for next year.
John Simmons, Chairman Elizabeth A. Philips, Secretary Alpheus H. Walker
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee :
I present, herewith, a statement covering the opera- tion of the schools of Duxbury during the year 1924, as required by statute and custom, together with such re- ports as have been presented by principals and super- visors.
In accordance with a policy unanimously approved early in the year, we have quietly made the best of a distressing situation and tried to so administer the schools, with the facilities afforded, as to secure the greatest possible efficiency. In organization and number of schools there has been no change. Except at the High School, there have been but two changes in teachers. Three teachers, each for a different reason, left the High School during the summer, and the plea for an additional instructor there was approved. It thus became necessary to secure almost an entirely new corps of teachers for the High School. To say that we are pleased with our selections is to speak reservedly. A most gratifying change in spirit and industry has taken place in the School. The manner in which the teachers have attacked the prob- lems arising from inadequate building, and have risen above justifiable discouragement is most heartening. Teachers meetings have been held frequently and a united drive made for securing more satisfactory scholarship. The problems as the teachers of the High
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School see them are set forth clearly and candidly in the report of the Principal which I take pleasure in pre- senting herewith.
Conditions at the several grade schools do not differ materially from those of a year ago. There is an "ebb and flow" of school population, which it is hard to pre- dict, and which lessens the effectiveness of the schools. Until such time as public sentiment has crystallized and united on some workable plan, there is little possibility of changing either the extent or the quality of grade work. Suggestions looking toward such improvement have been given repeatedly in previous years and I shall not repeat them at this time.
There are, however, a few convictions which I do wish to express. There are in the schools of Duxbury some very promising children with whom it is a pleasure to work. In spite of limited opportunity they make a very creditable showing in scholarship, as shown by reports received concerning children transferred to other towns and by comparison with those transferred into our schools. Under equivalent conditions I should expect the young people of Duxbury to take very high scholastic standing.
Duxbury teachers are good workers and appreciative of their responsibilities which they are discharging with commendable faithfulness. I have always found them receptive of criticism, and responsive to every sugges- tion.
I most heartily endorse the stand taken by Principal Green and his staff, that the High School is a place for business and not a lounging room for the unemployed, and believe it is right to demand that those who will not work shall withdraw. Let it be understood by all that evidence of a definite ability must be shown to secure a credit. The school has not hitherto insisted on a year's work for a year's credit.
I believe that the introduction of a course in Appreci- ation of Music at the High School is timely and also that
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the study of music in the High School should be elective, with periods enough to make it possible to secure a more thorough training in music than is now possible.
A more comprehensive course in Art, with instruction in the appreciation of beauty as well as in the acquisi- tion of technique, seems to me to be most desirable. The primary grades have no manual or construction work in this field under the present arrangement.
I wish to acknowledge personal appreciation of your devotion as a committee to the difficult tasks you have faced during the year and congratulate you on the suc- cess achieved, a success daily becoming more apparent. Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK E. BRAGDON,
Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I wish that this report might be in the nature of a prophecy rather than a record of our accomplishments in the past.
When school opened in September, there remained on the faculty, at the Academy, only one teacher who was acquainted with the school or with the town. Therefore, considerable time, of the present school year, was spent in making such readjustments as naturally follow the in- auguration of a new administration. I believe, however, that we have struck our strides and the results of our ef- forts will be noticeable during the last half of the year.
An honor group has been organized, including all pu- pils who attain an average mark of B2, or better, during any given month. A pupil is a member of this group for one month, following the month during which the pro- per grade was made. Each member wears a suitable pin
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which must be returned when, because of poor mark, the wearer's name is taken from the honor group. At the end of the first month after this plan was started, eight pins were given out. At present, (the end of the third month) there are thirteen holders of the honor, showing that it is having a good wholesome influence on the atti- tude of the pupils in the school. This year, Mrs. Phillips is giving us an extra period of her time each week and a class in Music Appreciation is meeting regularly with her. There are twenty enrolled in this course. Military exercises and calisthenics were started in September and have been held daily ever since. Much interest was shown in an interclass track meet which was run off in the fall, and games of volley ball and basketball have been prayed regularly between the squads of the military company. At present, a basketball league is being organized among several schools of Plymouth County. If playing space is available we expect to have a team, representing Dux- bury, in this league.
Of the twelve members of last year's graduation class, two are in college, one is at normal school, one training to become a nurse and four are studying at various pre- paratory schools in anticipation of entering institutions of higher learning next fall. Thus we are faced with the fact that seventy-five per cent of the boys and girls who are graduated from our schools go on. We are not a unit in ourselves but only a connecting link. As a connecting link, our course of study must be long and broad enough to meet with the rest of the chain, in order that the path- way from primary school to college may be a continuous thoroughfare with no abrupt breaks or threatening pre- cipices as the pupil passes from one institution to an- other. In other words, our requirements and standards in high school must be governed somewhat by the re- quirements of higher institutions to which our boys and girls will go. We must fit them for college.
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