USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1930 > Part 8
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Respectfully submitted,
E. A. VINTON, Secretary.
To the Braintree Board of Health :
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1930, as Inspector of Meats, Pro- visions, and Slaughtering. 119 hogs were inspected and passed. 56 provision stores, and 6 bakeries in- spected, and found O.K.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY F. VINTON.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December Totals
Anterior-poli-
omyelitis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0 0
0 0
2
26
Diphtheria
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2 1
0
2
6
Dog-bite
2
1
0
3
4
3
2
2
0
1
1 20
Spinal-
meningitis
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Eye infection
0
0
0
0 0
0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0 0 0
0
1
Influenza
0
3
0
0 3
Chicken-pox
. 13
8
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0 0
.
164
Lobar-
pneumonia
3
4
3
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
1
14
Measles
0
0
1
2
31
9
2
1
0
4
82 234 366
Mumps
10
12
26
9
5
0
1
0
0
2
0
0 65
Scarlet fever
6
1
7
1
2
1
4
2
0
1
3
9
37
Sceptic-
sore-throat
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
3
Tuberculosis
0
0
2
5
0
0
5
2
1
1
3
1
20
Typhoid
fever
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Whooping-
cough
11
14
12
9
5
5
12.
0
0
1
0
0
69
Gonorrhea
0
3
3
3
1
0
0
3
3
2
0
3
21
Sum Total
659
Dangerous and Communicable Diseases for 1930.
REPORT OF THE MILK INSPECTOR OF THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE 1930
Feb. 7, 1931.
To the Board of Health of the Town of Braintree. Gentlemen :
The report of the Milk Inspector of the Town of Braintree for the year 1930 is as follows :
Permits issued :
Dealers permits 34
Producers permits
6
Total 40
Approximately ninety per cent of the milk con- sumed in Braintree is pasteurized.
The milk supply of Braintree is very satisfactory, as there were only two cases of milk-born diseases re- ported throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
H. R. RECORD, M. D.,
Milk Inspector.
165
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Jan. 12, 1931.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report of Animal Inspector of the Town of Braintree for the year 1930:
Inspected 74 premises where animals were kept. There were 212 cows, 3 bulls, 12 young cattle, 5 goats and 1,859 hogs. These barns are kept in good con- dition as a general rule and where I have recom- mended improvements they have been complied with.
Three barns are under State and Federal Super- vision which are inspected four times a year.
I investigated 29 dog bite cases, I quarantined 18 dogs under suspicion of having rabies and released 15 dogs. There were no cases of rabies.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER J. MATTIE,
Inspector of Animals.
166
REPORT OF TUBERCULOSIS FOLLOW-UP WORK 1930
One hundred seventy-eight visits have been made in connection with the follow-up work in Tubercu- losis.
All new cases reported through the Board of Health have been investigated, histories taken and re- ports sent in to the State Board of Health.
An increase of twenty-two new cases has been noted in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
T. JANE FOGARTY, R. N.
DENTAL CLINIC REPORT FOR 1930
The report of the Dental Clinic, held at the Brain- tree Friendly Aid Rooms, from January 1st, to De- cember 31st, 1930, herewith submitted. January-
Number children attended 135
Cleanings 87
Fillings 93
Extractions 7
Treatments 1
O. K. cases 6
Finished cases
54
Deferred cases 21
Referred to family dentist 4
Total operations
188
February-
Number children attended 68
Cleanings
34
167
Fillings 78
Extractions
6
Treatments 0
O. K. cases
3
Finished cases
36
Deferred cases
8
Referred to family dentist
2
Total operations
112
March-
Number children attended 111
Cleanings 70
Fillings 88
Extractions
3
Treatments 0
O. K. cases 3
Finished cases
44
Deferred cases 12
Referred to family dentist. 2
Total operations
.161
April-
Number children attended 67
Cleanings 30
Fillings 82
Extractions
12
Treatments 5
O. K. cases 2
Finished cases 35
Deferred cases 3
Referred to family dentist 1
Total operations 129
168
May-
Number children attended 13
Cleanings 6
Fillings 13
Extractions
0
Treatments 1
O. K. cases 3
Finished cases 5
Deferred cases 0
Referred to family dentist 0
Total operations
20
September-
Number children attended
43
Cleanings 36
Fillings
9
Extractions 0
Treatments 0
O. K. cases 2
Finished cases
7
Deferred cases 7
Referred to family dentist. 0
Total operations
45
October-
Number children attended 128
Cleanings 81
Fillings
100
Extractions
0
Treatments
3
O. K. cases
4
169
Finished cases 47
Deferred cases 14
Referred to family dentist 3
Total operations
184
November-
Number children attended
87
Cleanings 52
Fillings 69
Extractions
2
Treatments 0
O. K. cases 5
38
Finished cases
Deferred cases 9
Referred to family dentist.
0
Total operations
123
December-
Number children attended 112
Cleanings 73
Fillings 95
Extractions
8
Treatments 1
O. K. cases
3
Finished cases
42
Deferred cases
10
Referred to family dentist. 0
Total operations 177
170
Total number of Cleanings 469
Total number of Fillings 627
Total number of Extractions 38
Total number of Treatments 11
Total number of Finished cases 308
Total number of Deferred cases
84
Total number of Referred to family_ dentist 12
Total number of children 764
Total number of operations
1139
Respectfully,
T. JANE FOGERTY, R. N.
171
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Public Welfare:
Gentlemen :
The following report is submitted for the year ending December 31, 1930.
Number of Cases Aided 178
Persons Involved 532
Calls and Interviews 1679
Cases Aided in 1930 Who Were Aided in 1929 73
105
New Cases This Year
Cases Closed 58
Now Aiding 95
Temporary Aid
Cases Aided 118
Institutional Care 14
Children Boarded 10
Families Aided 80
Single Adults Aided 14
Braintree Settlement and Residing in Braintree. . 73
Braintree Settlement but Residing Elsewhere .... 11
Residing in Braintree and Settlement Elsewhere. . 24
No Known Settlement 10
Mothers' Aid-"118"
Applications Made 12
Cases Aided 11
Braintree Settlement and Residing in Braintree. 8
Braintree Settlement and Residing Elsewhere 2 No Known Settlement 1
Cases Closed 1
Now Aiding 9
172
Town Infirmary
Number of Inmates at Infirmary, January 1, 1930 14
Number Admitted During 1930 22
Number Cared for During 1930 40
Discharged to Quincy Welfare Department 2
Discharged to State Infirmary 2
Discharged to Relatives 17
Discharged to Care of Self 1
Died 2
Number of Inmates at Infirmary, December 31,
1930 16
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL CHOATE, Agent.
Soldiers' Relief
Cases Referred 32
Braintree Settlement and Residing in Braintree. . 19
Braintree Settlement and Residing Elsewhere .... 5 Residing in Braintree but Settlement Elsewhere. . 8
Cases Aided
26
Cases Closed 15
Now Aiding 11
Military and State Aid
Cases Aided
9
Special Home Care
Special Home Care 1
EDWARD AVERY, Chairman, HARRY BOUSQUET, Clerk, HORACE CAHILL,
Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
Dec. 31, 1929 to Dec. 31, 1930
Printed by Order of the Town
BR
ALING OIR PIO A AT & ON
HOL
REE
ยท1640.
SS
Printed by PRATT & PRATT The Braintree Observer Braintree, Mass. 1931
174
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Ralph B. Woodsum, Chairman, 45 Hollis Avenue, Braintree.
Mrs. Alida N. Stevens, Recording Secretary, 75 Tre- mont Street, South Braintree.
Dr. Franklin H. Merriam, 1000 Washington Street, South Braintree.
Mr. Henry D. Higgins, 490 Washington Street, Brain- tree.
Mrs. Harriet B. W. Kimball, 137 Shaw Street, East Braintree.
Mr. C. Frederick Tarbox, 27 Willard Street, East Braintree.
Superintendent of Schools
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, 39 Oak Street, Braintree. Office telephone Braintree 0782.
Office Hours
On School days from eight to nine A. M.
Secretary
Miss Thelma Mackenzie, 48 Plain Street, South Brain- tree.
Office Hours
Eight to twelve, one to five, on days when schools are in session.
Meetings of the School Committee
Second Monday evening of each month at eight o'clock in the Town House, Washington Street, South Braintree.
175
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
January 1, 1931.
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree:
Since the last annual report of the School Com- mittee, the enlarged Lincoln School and the new school in the Highlands district have been available for use- the former in the spring, and the latter in the fall of last year. Both buildings are well fitted and equipped, and are of great assistance in enabling this department to carry on its work to better advantage. The High- lands School, in our estimation, is one of the best ex- amples of a modern grade school building at moderate cost to be found in this section of the State. While some relief has resulted, your Committee still finds itself faced with overcrowded conditions in certain buildings-namely, the High, Watson, Penniman and Hollis Schools.
The total membership in the High School is 690. As most of you know, this building was first occupied in the fall of 1927, only three years ago. Upon recom- mendation of the Housing Committee, the Town origin- ally voted to build a 500 pupil school. Before the completion of the building, however, the Building Com- mittee and the School Committee convinced the Town that it should be built to house 650. When we stop to consider that next fall the school will open with an enrollment of 750, we have firmly impressed upon us that an emergency is rapidly developing in our High School.
It will be necessary at this time to use the audi- torium for a study hall, and the present study hall for class room purposes. If relief is not afforded in the
176
following year, practically impossible conditions will exist. The two-platoon system may be the only solution, if the construction of new buildings is post- poned.
At the Penniman School, classes are meeting in the auditorium and immediate steps must be taken to utilize the old auditorium for class-room purposes, so that part time sessions can be avoided next September.
The old portable building at the Watson School affords a temporary, though unsatisfactory, solution of the crowded conditions in this building. In spite of of this, it will be necessary to have one class meet in the auditorium next fall.
With 51 pupils in the kindergarten of the Hollis School your Committee is compelled to furnish and equip the girls' Continuation School room for regular class room work at the opening of the next school year.
We cannot impress upon the citizens too strongly that an emergency will soon exist and the necessity for anticipating it.
The 6-3-3 plan of school organization offers, in the minds of your Committee, the best solution of this problem, with units of sufficient size to provide for future growth, and sites of sufficient area to permit further construction in years to come.
With increased enrollment, we consider it to be the most economical arrangement, as well as providing a more effective grouping mentally. Our growth in pupils of the proposed Junior High School group has been 60% in the last six years.
To this end, we urge that sites be secured at once, while it is possible to do so in strategic geographical
177
centres and at a moderate cost. They can be so se- lected in Braintree that no transportation of Junior High School pupils will ever be required.
It would indeed be a pleasure if we could occa- sionally present a budget smaller than that of some preceding year. While the school population con- tinues to grow by leaps and bounds, it necessitates additional teachers and increased outlay for equip- ment, buildings, and supplies. We are constantly en- deavoring to improve our school system and have its efficiency keep pace, or even exceed, the growth in numbers.
As we write, we are saddened by the untimely death of Dudley F. Hallock, who. joined our High School faculty last September and was doing splendid work in the Commercial Department.
May we call your attention to the report of the Superintendent of Schools and of the Department heads which follow.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH B. WOODSUM, Chairman. ALIDA N. STEVENS, Recording Secretary. HENRY D. HIGGINS. DR. FRANKLIN H. MERRIAM.
HARRIET B. W. KIMBALL. C. FREDERICK TARBOX.
School Committee.
178
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
January 1, 1931.
To the School Committee :
I present, herewith, as Superintendent of Schools, my tenth annual report of the School Department.
With the opening of schools in September it was found necessary to increase the corps of teachers by securing the services of twelve more then we had in the previous school year. We now have 134 teachers, of whom 25 are teaching here for the first time. The increase in the teaching corps was necessary on ac- count of the increased enrollment in the High School, the Lincoln School, Watson School, and Penniman School, and because of the opening of the new building in the Highlands.
Fortunately there is at present one class room at the Lincoln School which is not in use, for with the opening of school next September it will be necessary to organize a mixed room of third and fourth grade children, and this room will be available. In Septem- ber, 1932 it will, in all probability, be necessary to use the Auditorium for class room purposes.
Next September the Auditorium at the Watson School will have to be utilized for class rooms in ad- dition to the two-room portable which is now in use at the Watson School, having been moved to these grounds from the Monatiquot School in anticipation of the increased enrollment which was realized.
At the Penniman School the Auditorium is being used as a class room for a mixed group of third and
179
fifth grade children which it was found necessary to have because af the increase numbers. Unless favor- able action is taken to provide increased facilities at this building, half-time is enevitable next September for some of the children enrolled in the school.
At the Hollis school it was found necessary with the opening of school in September to organize two groups of fourth grade children because of the large number in this particular grade, and with the unusual- ly large number, 51, of kindergarten children, it will be necssary next September to have two groups of first grade children. In order to provide a room for an additional class next September it will be necssary to furnish the room in the basement, formally used by the girls of the Continuation School when that school was being conducted.
At the Jonas Perkins and Monatiquot Schools conditions are very comfortable, except possibly for one room at the Monatiquot, where there are more than 40 children, which is a condition not likely to be such as to secure the best of results in class work. At the Noah Torrey School, too, there are 6 of the 14 rooms in use which have more than 40 in the class.
The one encouraging spot in the whole town is the Highland School, where we really have room to accom- modate growth, which is what we should have at all of our buildings, for the growth has come even beyond the estimates made by this Department.
It is certain that the growth will continue, and probably even more rapid in the future than it has been in the past, for with the installation of sewerage facilities locat conditions will be so materially im-
180
proved that capital is more likely to look favorably upon Braintree as a place for profitable investment. This year there has been a 7.3% growth in our school membership, whereas our neighbor Quincy shows but a 3.5% growth, Milton 4.7%, and Weymouth 4.6%.
Our High School building is proving itself now too small, although it is but the fourth year we have had it. With a total membership this year to date of 690, and a Senior class of 129 to go out in June and an eighth grade of 270 to enter in September, it is quite evident that your High School building which was de- signed to accommodate 650 pupils is going to be quite inadequate next September. Your principal, Mr. James L. Jordan, has given much thought to the situa- tion, and it is my opinion that unless the enrollment exceeds our expectations a plan and program of work will be possible without being obliged to adopt a half- time program. But many inconvenient and quite un- desirable conditions will necessarily exist which are not likely to allow that quality of work in your High School which is now maintained, and which I believe the citizens desire. The study hall will have to be turned over to class room and recitations, and the Auditorium utilized as a study hall; the size of classes for gymnasium work will be almost impossible; book- keeping and typewriting rooms will be most uncom- , fortably overcrowded with the necessary equipment to accommodate altogether too large classes for the size of the rooms; and the cafeteria, to accommodate our enrollment, will require additional tables and chairs which will necessitate the crowding of this room with accommodations to such an extent that passing will be likely to be quite annoying to all concerned.
These overcrowded conditions existing in our
1
181
schools have developed more rapidly than was ex- pected, and require immediate action. I would most respectfully call your attention to my report of last year, wherein there was presented at some length the 6-3-3 plan of school organization and my recommenda- tion for its adoption. The local situation has developed to such an extent that action of some kind is necessary immediately and I see no reason to change my recom- mendations, which are: first, the purchase of three sites of 15 or 20 acres each, for the construction of Junior High Schools, said sites to be selected on the basis of geographical rather than population centres; second, the immediate construction of two units-the East Junior High and the North Junior High. Further- more, there should be certain alterations and additions made to the old hall of the Penniman School, immedi- ately, if a half-time program is to be avoided for some of the children in that school next September.
This Fall, shortly after the opening of school, on the 26th of September, there was a Tercentenary pro- gram prepared and put on at the Hollis Field, where was assembled the entire Public School membership of over 3,600, including the entire teaching corps of 134 teachers. Comments of our citizens and spectators were most complimentary, and I feel that much credit was reflected upon the teachers by the most creditable work done by the pupils in the various pageantry num- bers. Much work had to done in a short time, only three weeks being at our disposal.
The auditorium of the Lincoln School has a beau- tiful bronze tablet installed indicating the service of Mrs. Carrie F. Loring as a member of the Braintree School Committee from 1893 to 1927, and this Hall is
182
to be called the Carrie F. Lorring Hall in her memory. The auditorium at the Highlands School has been named the Margaret E. C. Bannon Hall in memory of one who taught in our public schools from 1863 to 1913, and here too is to be a bronze tablet of attrac- tive design.
The cost of schools is growing every year, but so is the size of the schools, and I believe a fair statistical study of school costs will convince every one that there is no waste extravagance or lack of good business management. School accounting is not the simplest operation in the world, and it is continually becoming more and more complex so that it is often true that due to technicalities and requirements of State authorities, misunderstanding on the part of the public often re- sults. As an illustration may I call attention to what, at first glance, may seem to be a very simple thing, "School Membership." There are several kinds of Membership. There is "Total Membership," which is the number that indicates all the dfferent pupils which may have been in that room, building, or school system during the period of time indicated; there is "Present Membership," which is the number of mem- bers on that date ; and there is "Average Membership," which is just what the term would suggest. The "Present Membership" would seem to be a very good figure to work with, but it is far from it because of the fact that if a pupil is absent from school for 10 consecu- tive days the regulations of the State Department of Education are such that the pupil automatically be-
183
comes a non-member of the school, and the name is dropped from the list of members; then when the pupil comes back to school, having been out on account of measles or some other sickness, the name goes back on again as a member of the school. It may therefore be seen that oftentimes when there is an epidemic of measles, mumps, or some other disease the present membership of a class or building, and of the school system, is a figure which may be quite misleading, be- ing as much as 200 less than the real number of children actually to be counted and provided with a desk, chair, books, etc.
In figuring per pupil costs there are figures com- piled for calendar years and for school years, which run from July 1 to July 1, and costs based on money raised by taxes in the community and also based on expenditures per pupil, regardless of the sources of the funds. It is a fact, too little known, that certain claims are made upon the State for re-imbursements on account of salaries paid to teachers, such claims vary- ing from $100 to $200 per teacher, depending upon the teacher's training and experience. For example, if a teacher appointed here is paid $1,200 per annum and meets certain requirements specified by law and by the State Department of Education, the net cost to the Town of Braintree is only $1,000. The two hun- dred dollars does not, however, come to the School Department, but goes into the general Town Treasury. In the year 1930 the sum of money received by the Town on account of this one claim alone was $24,310.,
184
and the total amount received on account of School Department claims was $27,998.07. If, as properly could be done, this amount were to be deducted from the budget appropriated for School Department use it quite materially reduces the sum of money. Perhaps another way of looking at it might be to see what per- centage return the Town gets from its investment in the School Department budget. A business, I think, which pays 10% on the investment is considered to be pretty good, and you'll find that the returns to the Town on account of School Department claims is 9.5% of the budget for 1930.
According to the annual report of the State De- partment of Education the "per capita cost for support of Public Schools" in Braintree was such that out of the 355 school systems in the State there are but 69 where it is less, and there are 285 where it is more.
The expenditures per pupil taken from the same report shows $81.95 for Braintree, and among the towns in our Group, which is Group II, there are 49 towns expending more per pupil than this amount, and but 20 spending less, and the average for the entire group is $91.91.
The School Department budget for 1931 is more than it was last year, which is inevitable since with increased enrollment there must be an increase in the number of teachers employed. Outside of the increase in the budget on account of teachers' salaries the in- crease is very small and is occasioned by the necessity of securing increased equipment for the increase in
.
185
membership. During the last year much work was done on school grounds and a great deal more could well be done in the way of properly surfacing these' grounds to eliminate the tracking into the building of so much dirt and grit which results in rapid wear of floors and stairways. A saving in this matter would be good business.
Back of the Abraham Lincoln and Penniman Schools much fill could be used to good advantage, and as time goes on I hope this fill may be provided. A fence between the Noah Torrey School grounds and the cemetery is almost a necessity, as the one there is in a most dilapidated condition. At the Penniman School, now that the brush has been cleared on school ground to the south of the building it would seem to me to be good business to spend the necessary money to root up stumps and vegetation, at least to such an extent as to prevent further growth there, even if we did not do any real grading of the grounds, for the brush and vines will again grow up if nothing further is done. At the Jonas Perkins School an electric time clock with secondaries and a telephone system from the Principal's office to the various rooms would be a great convenience and aid in more effective adminis- tration in that building. This building is the only one in the entire school system not provided with these facili- ties-except the Pond and South West Schools-and it does not seem quite fair to any longer neglect this unit. There is, of course, annually, in addition to the above, the overhauling of our heating and ventilating
186
systems, the plumbing, and annually some painting should be done to keep the school plant in good condi- tion. These things all cost money, and it is not good business to allow public property to deteriorate. It simply means just so much more work to be done at a later date, and an accumulation of this work means so much more money to be appropriated at a later date for this kind of work.
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