USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1926-1930 > Part 18
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thence following the Mean Low Tide Contour of the
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Easterly side of Beach Channel to and under Powder Point Bridge, continuing in same Mean Low Tide Con- tour as it becomes and Northerly or left bank of Back River and continuing in same Mean Low Tide Contour to its intersection with the center line of Little Wood Island River produced west of Soule's Island,
thence upstream in the centerline of Little Wood Island River to its intersection with a line in Marshfield parallel to the Marshfield-Duxbury Town Boundary and distant therefrom 400' Northerly,
Thence in said line parallel to and distant 400' from the Marshfield-Duxbury boundary to its intersection with a line making an angle of ninety degrees with the town boundary line and passing through the stone bound at the point of beginning, thence in said normal line to the point of beginning.
Certain parcels of land shown on the Duxbury as- sessors' plans in Block U and numbered as Webster Island lots numbers twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty- seven A, twenty-eight, twenty-nine A, twenty-nine B, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-oneA, thirty-two, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-four A, thirty-five, ninety-nine and one hundred shall be excluded from the area described by the foregoing boundary.
All of Powder Point Bridge shall be included in this taking and shall be removed by the commission.
The Western Union Telegraph Company shall have all necessary rights to enable it to maintain in operation its cable within the area described by the foregoing boundary.
The bill provides for a Commission on State Res- ervations under the Department of Conservation. The Commission shall have the same powers of management and control as the Metropolitan District Commission.
Your committee at the meeting of January 29, 1929
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voted : That our committee favor the bill as reported to the Legislature feeling that, by the recommendation to remove Gurnet Bridge, the bill safeguards as far as possible the interests of the Town of Duxbury as ex- pressed on several occasions.
SIDNEY C. SOULE, ALFRED E. GREEN GORDON TWEED, HARRY B. BRADLEY, Chairman. PERCY L. WALKER,
I endorse the above report subject to the proviso that it be approved by a town meeting of the voters held either before or after the passage of the bill.
ALFRED E. GREEN.
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Minority Report of the Duxbury Beach Committee
I dissent from the last paragraph of the above major- ity report, believing that the bill completely fails to safe- guard our main streets from becoming great thorough- fares to the proposed Duxbury Beach reservation. And I recommend that the voters of Duxbury at the Annual Town meeting pass the following resolutions, all of which have been approved by your Joint Beach Committee.
(1.) RESOLVED that, if the State establishes a rec- reation ground on Duxbury Beach, the state should pro- vide an ample and direct main approach thereto, and that this should not run through any of the main streets or thickly settled parts of the town.
(Unanimously voted at the public meeting Jan. 28, 1928, confirmed at other meetings and by your com- mittee. )
(2.) RESOLVED that if possible the Bill be so divi- ded that the investigation of Duxbury Beach and its ap- proaches be considered apart from the question of Salis- bury Beach. (Voted as above.)
(3.) The original Bill proposed taking the beach but made no mention of approaches. By our strenuous efforts the latter was added with an increase of the appropria- tion by $1,500; and the bill was so passed.
(Unanimously passed by our Committee Nov. 23, 1928, only Mr. Green absent.)
RESOLVED that our position is one of definite opposition to any bill which contemplates taking any portion of Duxbury Beach unless it includes provisions
1
to to as X-
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with suitable appropriation for the construction of an adequate northern approach. (Voted as above.)
The present State report and bill provide for elab- orate and expensive approaches to Salisbury Beach but no mention is made of Duxbury approaches except the clause "All of Powder Point Bridge shall be included in this taking and shall be removed by the Commission." This wording is so ambiguous that two of us understood it to include both the structure and the layout of the bridge, giving the reservation an extension to Point End, while the other three took it to refer only to the wooden structure and not to the land. In either case, it provides for the removal of the present worn out and inadequate structure which was built nearly forty years ago for the light horse-drawn traffic of that day. No provision is made for abandonment or the repeal of the legislative acts under which a bridge is authorized at this site.
This would be covered by :-
(4.) RESOLVED that the acts authorizing the establishment of Gurnet Bridge should be revoked. (No vote, but apparently approved as above.)
Even if the present bridge is removed, the old acts revoked and the reservation established, the question of approach is as open as it ever was. Some State body, not the present Commission, will later have the problem of deciding whether Duxbury or Marshfield shall share in the expense and by what route to get to the reserva- tion. Then the question will come :- Shall we go over a bridge from Powder Point or straight over the marshes or over the Marshfield upland and minor marshes?
And we start all over again but with the great dis- advantage from Duxbury's point of view, that the res- ervation is already secured by the State.
I therefore believe that it will be for the best in- terest of the Town to disapprove of the bill and pass the above resolutions.
FREDERICK B. KNAPP.
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Report of the Plymouth County Extension Service 1928
Appropriations for the Trustees County Aid to Ag- riculture apply to the funds of the organization known more commonly as the Plymouth County Extension Service. The Plymouth County Extension Service sup- ported by federal, state county, and local funds, co- operates with the Massachusetts Agricultural College in teaching agriculture and home-making through group in truction, correspondence, and individual service to any man, woman, boy, or girl, in the county who de- sires such information.
Duxbury poultrymen, dairymen, and fruit growers attended extension service meetings and made use of the services of the county agent. At one ditch blowing dem- onstration at a cranberry bog in Duxbury forty men were present to learn how to do it.
Food selection and preparation projects have been carried in both North and Center Duxbury during 1928. Meetings were well attended and reports show a large spread of influence. The town extension committee plans to continue the program with a child feeding project be- ginning in March 1929 and to have a part in the county home improvement program.
STANLEY L. FREEMAN,
County Agent.
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Report of Committee on High School Grounds
The committee took up in the early spring the work of completing the grading of the grounds. They thought it advisable to purchase loam and a large amount was purchased and put about the grounds. The driveway was built of asphalt.
Concrete walks and steps were built leading to the end entrances. The grounds were fertilized and seeded and trees planted under the direction of Mr. Brett. The tennis court was built and an electric lighting system for the grounds was installed. The following is a copy of a letter from Mr. Brett.
November 10, 1928.
High School Building Committee,
Duxbury, Massachusetts,
Dear Sirs:
I beg to report as follows on the work on the High School Grounds under my direction.
In accordance with the instructions from the Com- mittee the tennis court was built; the parking space was enlarged and graded; poultry manure, from Mr. Frank Hoyt's, was hauled, spread, and raked over; certain areas were reseeded, and tree holes and beds for plants were prepared. About $80.00 worth of plants were bought from Bay State Nurseries, and Mr. Prince furn- ished and planted 6 large cedars for $30.00. The same plants if bought from a nursery would have cost not less than $30.00 apiece in place. The work on the tennis court would ordinarily cost not less than $450.00, the price paid was a fraction of this.
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It will be necessary to make arrangements for regu- lar care of the grounds. The grass should be cut as often as necessary ; bare spots developing in the lawn should have immediate attention, fertilizer and seed being avail- able for this purpose. The plants beds should be culti- vated and kept free from weeds; in dry times plants and lawn should be thoroughly irrigated ; fertilizer should be supplied trees and plants frequently, commercial fertilizer suitable for garden crops being used for this purpose. The best way to eradicate weeds is to crowd them out by strong growth of grass. Once established the trees and shrubs will require little attention.
It is hoped graduating classes will plant Class trees, and make their selection after consultation with whoever may have charge of the development of the school grounds.
I would again suggest that suitable playground for the younger children be provided. That it be equipped with swings, teeter boards, giant strides, and other up- to-date paraphernalia made for this purpose. The area from which the material for filling at the south end of the building was taken seems to be best fitted for this purpose. The pine grove between this site and building should be thinned out, the work being done by a forester familiar with that kind of work. If properly done the grove will become a valuable asset to the school grounds. To the west of the grove is a natural bowl or depression which would form a splendid location for a school garden. The Community Garden Club of Duxbury, through its president, Dr. Emerson, has shown great interest in creating a love of flowers, their propogation and care during the last year. The provision of such a garden would promote the good work.
In order to properly tie the various factors in the development into a complete whole, a general plan for the grounds should be made. Originally a topographical survey was made of that part of the High School prop-
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erty concerned with the building and its immediate sur- roundings. This survey should be enlarged to cover the entire property. When this is done I would advise the consideration of the purchase of the area to the west now occupied in part by a pond. This area is susceptible of development which would add immeasurably to the value of the Town property. If, at some future date, it becomes necessary to enlarge the high school building, the additional land will be found very desirable.
The building of the asphalt roadway and work in connection therewith, under the direction of Messrs. O'Neil and Crocker, has been one of the greatest factors in adding to the attractiveness of the grounds, and com- fort in their use.
Should the Town decide to build the grandstand on the lines originally designed, still greater improvement in appearance may be expected.
Great credit is due Mr. Green, the teachers and scholars, for the care they have taken in the use of the grounds. It would be difficult to find a place anywhere that has had more intelligent, careful, use.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed), FRANKLIN BRETT.
Thanks are due Mr. Brett and also Mr. Frank Hoyt who gave the Town a large amount of hen dressing, the good effect of which was quickly noticable on the lawns.
B. F. GOODRICH, J. D. RANDALL,
P. L. WALKER,
A. H. WALKER, AGNES S. ELLISON, CHARLES R. CROCKER,
FRANKLIN BRETT,
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Final Report of High School Building Committee
The report of the High School Building Committee is substantially the report of the Committee appointed at the last annaul town meeting to complete the work on the grounds. Of the balance of $1,018.25 on hand Janu- ary 1, 1928, $638.00 was used to pay the Plumbing Con- tractor as stated in the last report of this committee and $335.25 became available for the Grounds. The Com- mittee considers its duties ended.
BENJAMIN F. GOODRICH, J. DEXTER RANDALL, PERCY L. WALKER,
!
t
e
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN of DUXBURY
For the Year Ending December 31st 1928
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ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Alpheus H. Walker, Chairman
Term Expires 1929
Charles R. Crocker,
Term Expires 1930
Miss Agnes Ellison, Secretary
Term Expires 1931
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS .
George E. Green, Duxbury, Massachusetts Office Telephone: Duxbury 346
STAFF
George E. Green, Bates College, Principal, High.
Leroy N. MacKenney, University of Maine, Submaster, High.
Kenneth R. Copp, Colby College, High.
Kenneth O. Macomber, Gorham Normal, High.
Sophie Aronoff, Radcliffe College, High.
Mary A. Roper, Wheaton College, High.
Ruth Kramer, Plymouth Normal School, High.
Madolyn Elliott, Nasson Institute and Simmons Summer School, High.
Ellen W. Downey, Partridge Academy, Seventh Grade, High.
Elizabeth A. Hastings, Partridge Academy, Sixth Grade, High.
Alice Mickelson, North Adams Normal, Fifth Grade, High.
Mary Abbie Baker, Partridge Academy, Tarkiln, Primary. Marianne I. Coughlin, Burdett College, Tarkiln, Pri- mary.
Sara Paulding, Partridge Academy, Village Primary.
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Marjorie West, Bridgewater Normal, Village Primary. Gladys Pratt, Bridgewater Normal, First Grade, Point. Samuel Warner, Supervisor of Drawing. May Blaire McClosky, Supervisor of Music. N. K. Noyes, M. D. School Physician. Annie L. Williams, R. N., School Nurse.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Winter Term Begins, January 2.
Winter Term Ends, March 22.
Spring Term Begins, April 1.
Spring Term Ends, June 14.
Graduation, June 17.
Reception, June 19.
School Opens, September 4.
Christmas Recess, December 20.
HOLIDAYS
February 22
April 19
May 30
November 11
November 28, 29
ENROLLMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS JANUARY 1, 1929
School
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ttl.
New School
47 24 37 32 26 18 15 23 222
Tarkiln
11 17 10 14
52
Village
23 18 15
56
Point
25
25
Totals
36 40 28 29 47 24 37 32 26 18 15 23 355
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts
Appropriation Dog Tax
$46,000.00
414.42
$46,414.42
Expenditures
Teachers Salaries
$26,001.33
Transportation
8,365.00
Janitors
2,926.75
Fuel and Lights
2,338.58
Health
925.31
Supplies and Books
1,626.67
Repairs
2,248.95
Miscellaneous (Insurance etc.).
1,981.43
Unexpended Balance
$46,414.02 .40
$46,414.42
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Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The School Committee herewith submits its report for the year 1928.
The beginning of the year 1928 found school business progressing favorably, with pupils in the new High School building becoming accustomed to their surround- ings and enjoying the larger freedom and feeling a greater pride in their new school.
On March 10th at the annual Town meeting, Miss Agnes S. Ellison was elected a member of the Committee for three years, and on April 2nd the members of the Committee met and organized as follows :- Alpheus H. Walker, Chairman; Agnes S. Ellison, Secretary ; Charles R. Crocker and George E. Green, Supt. of Schools.
The annual repairs needed at the Village and Tar- kiln schools were made during the summer vacation. New toilets were installed in the Village school and the Tarkiln building was painted outside.
At the beginning of the Fall term, the Village school was overcrowded by the large entering class of children, and it was found necessary to open the Point school again, with Miss Gladys Pratt, a former teacher, in charge. The Committee believes that sanitary conditions in this school should be improved and it is hoped that the ap- propriation asked for in the Warrant for the coming Town Meeting will be favorably received and acted unor.
The school census recently taken indicates a contin- ued use of this building for some time to come and the welfare of the children demands some better arrangement than at present exists.
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The amount of the budget estimated for the year 1929 is $47,000.00 and the dog tax, but this amount will not be sufficient to make any changes in the Point School building. The School Committee recommends that the Town, therefore, appropriate the sum of $1,700.00 as stated in the Warrant for the improvement of the Point School building, viz; to install sanataries, electric lights, heating system, cellar, painting outside of building, and any other improvements that may be found necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
ALPHEUR H. WALKER, Chairman. AGNES S. ELLISON, Secretary CHARLES R. CROCKER,
School Committee of Duxbury.
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Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee of Duxbury :
The past year has witnessed the progress and im- provement promised by the reorganization of last year. Releasing the teachers from responsibility for several grades and allowing them the opportunity for greater specialization and concentration on the aims and methods of one grade could have only the one result of increased efficiency. Add to this the improvement in housing facil- ities and equipment which the regrouping brought about, and it can be readily seen that the present high standard of our school is but a logical outcome of the interest and the commonsense attitude which the citizens of Duxbury are taking toward the education of their children.
It seems advisable to make this report in two divis- ions: one covering the activities and progress of work at the new high school, and the other section dealing with the accomplishment and needs of the three smaller schools, located at various parts of the town.
HIGH SCHOOL
First, let me take you with me on a tour of inspec- tion of the new building on Alden Street. Let me point out, as we go along, the material changes made during the past year and try to recall some of the social and educational achievements which have been made possible partly as a result of modern equipment and improved facilities. We are approaching the building now. Notice the setting and the colonial architecture so much in keep- ing with the historic traditions of OLD DUXBURY. See the gracefully winding road of macadam which has
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replaced the soft gravel of a year ago, and note the green lawn and shrubbery so artistically arranged as to en- hance the beauties with which nature has already en- dowed the spot. Continuing along the concrete walk and to the rear of the building we find that the parking space has been enlarged and improved and just beyond, at the edge of the lot, is the tennis court, the most popular spot on the entire grounds. As soon as funds are available one or two more courts should be made. Towards the south end of the building there is a little spot of land holding almost limitless possibilities as to aesthetic development. I refer to the little, round pond hedged in by white birch, maple and black alder. With very little labor and expense, this pond could be made into a beauty spot in the summer and in winter a most accessible skating rink. Such land, I should judge, would have very little intrinsic value. Could it be bought for a reasonable sum, it should be added to the school property. Turn- ing back now from the pond and the possibilities that it holds, we find a quarter of an acre of newly ploughed land. This is the beginning of the activities of the Junior garden club for another year. Since too much time can- not be spent on inspecting the exterior of our school plant, let us return to the main entrance. If it were night it would not be necessary to call your attention to the ficodlights which so brilliantly illuminate the parking spaces. Even in the daylight, I am sure you cannot fail to notice the beautiful lamp post at either side of the driveway entrance.
We are in the building now, and there straight a- head is the gymnasium-auditorium, which plays such an important part in our school life. During the winter months and at other times when the weather is unsuitable for outdoors exercise the pupils are divided into three groups, each of which must engage in twenty minutes of directed physical exercise each day. Classes in chorus singing, the orchestra, and the bugle corps all had re-
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hearsals here. Every Wednesday morning there is a regular assembly to which the public is invited. Out of school hours, basket-ball, school dances, socials, and school plays are held in this room. Several times during the year we have had public lectures by speakers of high repute. All town meetings are also held here.
Below the gymnasium is a lunch room. Here we experienced a year ago some difficulty in the accumula- tion of dust which resulted from the scuffing of hundreds of feet on the cement floor. During the summer, a treat- ment was found which left a smooth, somewhat rubbery surface, absolutely free from the disintergration which caused the dust, and much easier to stand upon. The floors of the domestic science and manual training rooms and the corridors throughout the building were treated in the same way. If we return upstairs again to the class rooms, we find that the wooden floors have also been treated. A mixture of turpentine and linseed oil was used for the purpose, and the resulting surface has great- ly lessened the labor of sweeping. Every wall in the building was thoroughly washed from ceiling to floor, all desk tops were polished, and all windows washed, between the close of school in June and the reopening in Septem- ber.
Because of the newness of the building, very little equipment has been purchased and very few repairs have been necessary. A new power lawn mower was needed to assure the proper care of the large amount of grass land on the school grounds, and for sanitary reasons it seemed advisable to buy a high powered vacum cleaner for doing the sweeping. The latter machine collects dirt, dust and bacteria and holds them within itself, thereby quite materially lessening the danger of the spread of colds or other contagious diseases.
May we now turn our attention from material changes to the accomplishments of a more academic nature. At the end of the school year in June, it was
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necessary to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of three teachers. Miss Ruth Kramer, of Franklin, New Hampshire, was appointed to carry on the work of the commercial department and to supervise the girls' ath- letics. Kenneth O. Macomber was secured to teach Manual Training and coach basket-ball and baseball. Alice Mickelson accepted the position as fifth grade teacher. Several teachers who remained with us spent their vacations in attendance at summer schools at Har- vard, University of Chicago, and the University of Maine. It is my impression that work of this nature is of great value to the town and should be recognized and encour- aged by special increases in salary, which would help in a measure to defray the expense incurred by the indi- vidual.
Gifts to the school have been many and varied. Chief of these is, of course, the Partridge Scholarship. Two boys now have the assistance of this fund. Ernest Jones was recipient of the scholarship two years ago and last June it was awarded to Carroll Foster. Another movement is under way, whereby the trustees of the fund are to sponsor a course of lectures, by securing the services of some of the best talent available. Several individuals have made gifts of pictures to the class- rooms and the seniors, at graduation, left a beautiful silk state flag and a bust of Col. Lindbergh. Mr. Charles Clark has kept us supplied with magazines dealing with activ- ities in the steel industry. The orchestra benefited great- ly from a gift of money from Mr. Ernest Bailey which made possible the final payment on the drums. I wish to extend a word of deepest appreciation, from all con- cerned, for the active interest these donors have shown and to assure them that their kindnesses have been most beneficial to us.
The most outstanding development of the year has been in the field of musical education in the school. The orchestra has progressed from the experimental stage
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into the realm of a successful undertaking. There are from fifteen to twenty taking this course at present, and their public appearances are a stronger testimonial of their accomplishment than any words of mine could ex- press. The interest of this group is so keen that the pupils voluntarily met weekly. during the summer vaca- tion at their own expense, for practice under the direction of Mr. Herbert Clark. The fame of the orchestra has spread to surrounding towns and it has given entertain- ments in both Kingston and Marshfield. Arrangements have been made with Mr. Clark whereby he comes to the high school once a week to give violin lessons to those unable to secure them otherwise. Mr. Copp, upon whose shoulders rested the responsibility of organizing this activity and to whom should go all the credit for its suc- cess. handles the individual lessons on the cornet and allied instruments. Every boy or girl who has the slight- est musical trend is urged to take advantage of the oppor- tunity this course offers. Parents could help here in a most worth while way if they have any unused musical instru- ment which they would be willing to lend to the organiza- tion. Mr. Copp has also provided a training ground for future musicians through the organization of a bugle corps in the fifth and sixth grades. There is a class of twenty to twenty-five in this group, and before spring we expect the orchestra to have some real competition in the field of musical accomplishment. Mrs. McCloskey has both a girls glee club and a boys glee club started in the senior high school. The boys have already appeared in public and before summer I am sure that the girls will be heard from. A joint concert is already planned for the fifth of April and there is eager preparation to make it more of a success than the orchestra recital held in November.
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