USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1933 > Part 6
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Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
· Gentlemen :
In compliance with your request, I submit the following report of the Department of Sealer of Weights and Measures, for the year ending December 15, 1933.
I have tried most earnestly during the year just passed to perform the duties of the office in an im- partial and fair manner, and therefore be just to all parties concerned. I have found our merchants most courteous and willing to comply with the laws in re- lation to the sealing of weights and measures and in- .. spections.
Appropriation $625.00
Transportation & Expenses 198.42
Salary 425.00
Received and Paid Treasurer:
Sealing Fees
189.00
Junk Licenses-$60.00 Due-$40.00
Paid 40.00
"Hawker
75.00
Total
$304.40 1
120
Inside and Outside Work
Scales Tested and Found Correct 276
Scales Tested and Condemned and Not sealed 11
Weights Tested and Found Correct 224
Scales Tested and Adjusted 82
Weights Tested and Condemned 4
Liquid Measures Tested and Found Correct 136
Liquid Measures Tested and Condemned 10
Measuring Pumps Found Correct 47
Oil Measuring Pumps Sealed 104
Oil Measuring Pumps Not Sealed 126
Slot Weighing Machines Sealed 11
Apothecary Weights 44
Number of Inspections Made from December 10, 1932 : to December 15, 1933.
Total Number of Inspections made
341
In Conclusion
I have tried to make this department a truly public service department and have earnestly endeav- ored, to extend its influence in the closest manner pos- sible to the people, thereby affording them every opportunity to protect themselves against insufficient weights and measures.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. HANNAFORD, Sealer of Weights and Measures. .
Examined and approved as outlined above.
121
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, 1933.
Number of Cases Aided 433
Persons Involved 1883
Cases Aided in 1933 who were aided in 1932 275
New Cases in 1933 156
Cases Closed 365
Now Aiding 68
TEMPORARY AID
Institutional Care 9
Children Boarded 12
Families Aided 407
Single Adults Aided 26
Worked for Aid Received 249
Braintree Settlements Residing Here 263
Braintree Settlements Residing Elsewhere 35
Residing Braintree-Settlement Elsewhere 74
No Known Settlements 94
MOTHERS' AID
Cases 'Aided 13
Braintree Settlements Residing Here
12
Braintree Settlements Residing Elsewhere 1
No Known Settlements 1
New Cases 2
Cases Closed
1
. Now Aiding 12
Respectfully submitted,
GRACE SULLIVAN, Visitor.
122
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The year of 1933 has been, to a great extent a .. repetition of the previous year in the Welfare De -.. partment. During the first months unusually heavy demands were made upon the department, due to un --- employment. In meeting this emergency, the Board has endeavored in rendering assistance, to curtail ex- penses in so far as it was possible and practicable, and at the same time furnish those receiving aid with the necessities,-shelter, food, fuel and in many cases medical attention has been given.
Work Relief furnished by the town in the sewer . construction made a noticeable decrease in the num- ber on the Welfare rolls. This fall found a decided increase in applications for temporary aid which con- tinued until the latter part of November, when the Civil Works program was organized. At that time, . the chairman of the department was appointed Civil Works Administrator of Braintree. Through the splendid co-operation of the departments of the Town, thirty six projects have been approved at the State House by the State Civil Works Administration. These project have given employment to 620 men in Brain- tree. In all 177 men who were receiving Welfare as- sistance are now working, and for the first time in years, the rolls can be considered back to normal. Every able bodied man has been given employment, and our list comprises widows, elderly people and those who are physically unable to work. The fact that 620 unemployed men have received employment indicates very clearly the demands which might have been made upon the Welfare Department.
123
The Town Infirmary continues under the efficient "management of the same superintendent and foreman. Under the Civil Works, the building has been painted both inside and outside and rooms have been papered. Citizens are invited to visit the home and observe the · comforts enjoyed by the inmates.
With the continuance of the Civil Works program until May and with the promise of further Sewer con- struction made under the P. W. A. the demands upon the Welfare Department should be fewer and ex- : penses noticeably decreased.
ELSIE Y. WOODSUM, Chairman Board of Public Welfare.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
January 3rd, 1934.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town Hall,
. South Braintree, Mass.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Buildings for 1933.
Permits issued as follows :
Dwellings 28
Garages 62
Alterations 63
124
Damage by Fire
9
Road Side Stands
8
Gas Stations
3
Storage Buildings
5
Poultry Houses
11
Sun Parlors
15
Stables.
2
Green House
1
Dwelling Foundations
4
Repairing
8
Razing
10
Camps
3
Office Buildings
1
Ethylizing Building
1
Filtration Plant
1
School House Addition
1
Club House
1
Moving
2
Permits Cancelled
1
Total
240
Estimated value as follows :
Dwellings
$141,765.00
Garages
8,477.00
Alterations
25,384.00
Road Side Stands
1,975.00
Repair damage by fire
7,677.00
Gasoline Stations
6,275.00
Green House
100.00
Razing
1,860.00
Storage Buildings
325.00
Poultry Houses
800.00
Stables
3,550.00
Dwelling Foundations
450.00
Summer Camps
550.00
125
Repairing
1,305.00
Office Buildings
11,000.00
School House Addition 4,400.00
Filtration Plant
52,500.00;
Club House
250.00
Buildings Moved
475.00
Ethylizing Building
1,600.00
Total value of permits
$270,718.00
Fees received for permits
$ 389.00;
Inspections :
New Dwelling's
82
New Garages
74
Alterations
85
Damage by Fire
30
Sign Installation
5
Buildings on Boundary Line
18
On applications for Permits
42
Defective flue
12
Improper location of building
8
Complaints on rubbish
11
Unsafe buildings
7
School Houses
4
By Deputy Inspector
4
All others
28
Total 410
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. RYAN
Building Inspector.
126
REPORT OF THE PLAIN STREET CEMETERY
January 11, 1934.
"To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
Gentlemen :
The second annual report of the Superintendent of the Plain Street Cemetery for the year ended De- cember 31, 1933.
There were nine burials during the year of 1933. Eight adults, one infant.
All the graves that caved in from settling were filled in by the caretakers, the loam being furnished free from the town pit that the Selectmen leased two years ago at a very low cost.
Flowers were in bloom until late in October. Many lot owners furnished flowers and plants during the summer months, which helped to beautify the cemetery.
Mrs. Woodsum has already presented a project at the State House for a sum of money to complete the wall from the so-called Vinton Tomb to the Rail- riad Bridge.
The Superintendent and caretakers are always willing to do everything possible to carry out the wishes of the Selectmen and lot owners.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN W. MAHAR,
Superintendent Plain Street Cemetery.
127
REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR'
January 16, 1934.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Braintree.
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Animal In -- spector of the Town of Braintree.
Premises inspected on annual inspection 55
Cows under State and Federal Supervision 26
Grade Cows
154
Bulls
1
Young cattle
8.
Goats
3:
Swine
1352
Sheep
7
Barns under State and Federal Supervision 4.
Dog bite cases investigated 86
Dogs quarantined 36
Dogs released (4 from 1933)
40'
Cows released (from out of state)
94
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER J. MATTIE,
Inspector of Animals ..
128
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM .
1
December 31, '32 to December 31, '33
F BRA
NMOI
REE
M
AS
·1640. SACHUSETTS
Printed by Order of the Town
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Henry D. Higgins, Chairman, 490 Washington St., Braintree.
Mrs. Alida N. Stevens, Secretary, 75 Tremont St., South Braintree.
Mr. Howard B. Blewett, 363 Tremont St., Braintree.
Mr. Wilford P. Woodsum, 99 Academy St., South Braintree
Mrs. Harriet B. W. Kimball, 137 Shaw St., East Braintree.
Mr. Herbert O. Boardman, 49 Mout Vernon St., Braintree.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, 108 Cedar St., Braintree. Office Hours on School Days from eight to nine a. m. at the Town House.
SECRETARY
Miss Thelma Mackenzie, 48 Plain St., South Braintree. Office Hours; eight to twelve, one to five, on days when school is in session.
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Second Monday evening of each month at eight o'clock in the Town House, Washington St., South Braintree.
130
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
January 2, 1934 ..
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree :
During the year just passed your School Commit- tee has tried to do the best that could be done with a reduced budget. Some re-organization was put into effect and the results indicate that it is most satisfac- ory, and that many improvements in the work of our schools are resulting therefrom. Furthermore, it made possible some reduction in costs besides increasing: the efficiency of the work of the Department.
For the year 1934 we are of the opinion that although there is great need for increased accommo- dations, particularly for the high school, it is not wise for the Town, as conditions are today, to undertake any building program. The need for school sites and for a building program is greater today than ever before, and undoubtedly will continue to increase year after year. It is the desire of the Committee to assist in every way possible the most rapid recovery of the Town to a sound financial condition and there- fore all requests for an outlay by the Town for such purposes are withheld until the financial conditions seem to have materially improved. Our only request is for the most liberal attitude toward our budget for 1934 consistent with the financial condition of our Town. Education is the last municipal activity which should be handicapped by lack of financial support.
During the past year our salaried employees in the department, 172 in number, have been donating 15% of their salaries for the purpose of making easier
131
the financial burden on the Town, and if the relief secured through Federal action is such as to make it possible, at least some reduction, if not elimination, of these donations would seem advisable.
The reports following give detailed information relative to the activities of this department, and are worthy of your attention.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY D. HIGGINS, Chairman ALIDA N. STEVENS, Recording Secretary HARRIET B. W. KIMBALL HOWARD B. BLEWETT
HERBERT O. BOARDMAN WILFORD P. WOODSUM
School Committee.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
January 2, 1934.
To the School Committee :
I present herewith, as Superintendent of Schools, my thirteenth annual report.
The opening of schools in September found an increase of 4 in the teaching force, and resignations required the placing of 22 new names on our list of teachers. No extensive program of improvements or repairs could be made with the funds available, yet some urgent needs were met and carried out.
132
The increase in our enrollment continues an- mually, with the larger part found in the high school. This is likely to continue and even increase some as time goes on, as a result of Federal action practically having made the age for compulsory school attend- ance 16 instead of 14.
Much benefit is likely to be derived by many of those enrolled in our schools as a result of tests of feet and ears made through the physical education department during the year just past. A pedograph, or foot imprint, is made, and where it shows need, corrective exercises are prescribed. In connection with the hearing, audiometer tests have been made, and where the loss of hearing is such as to make it seem advisable to have medical attention, a notice to that effect has been sent to the home. These activities are in addition to the regular physical examinations made by the school physicians and nurse.
The lower grades of our schools are now pro- vided with a considerable amount of reading material which is creating enthusiasm for the work and al- ready is indicating a decided improvement in this fundamental activity and requisite for success in edu- cation. Tests in reading have been conducted and the results show that the great majority of our upper grade rooms have a standing above the median, whereas our lower grades are not so good. It is quite likely that with the new and greater quantity of ma- terial this weakness will be overcome rapidly. The teachers' tools are supplies and books, and with bet- ter tools better work can be done. 7
Federal activities made possible many improve- ments. Painting was done on the outside of the High- lands school, the auditorium of the Monatiquot school,
133
and the basement of the Abraham Lincoln School. Ex- tensive work was done on the grounds of the High- lands, Monatiquot and Penniman schools, and I hope this work may be completed later. Considerable necessary repairs have been made on the roofs of the Noah Torrey school buildings. Several other projects were submitted and tentatively approved, but as our allotment of funds is depleted they must wait for a time at least, and perhaps they cannot be carried out under a C. W. A. program at all.
In the School Department budget for 1934 there has been placed the request for appropriations to pro- vide the necessary facilities to allow for the giving of a "No School Signal", which cannot now be sounded; also funds to provide for a fire escape on the Monatiquot and Jonas Perkins schools, our two and only large wooden buildings.
Based on the average membership in schools, Braintree continues to be larger than six of the cities and five of the towns which have a larger population ; i, e., it is the 40th school system in size in this state, but it is 260th in its per capita for support. For the school year of 1932-1933 our per pupil cost was $80.30, with an average for the 83 towns in group II of $87.90. Our position or rank in cost per pupil was 44; i. e., there were forty-three towns where the cost was more, and 39 where it was less.
I hope the taxpayers and citizens will not over- look the fact that in 1933 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts returned to the Treasury of the town on account of claims made by the School Department $3,136.42, which is nearly 12% of the total spent by this department out of its budget for the support of the schools in the town for the year 1933. In con-
1
134
sidering the cost on account of the salaries paid to teachers there are certain facts which I feel are not known, and even if known yet are not considered. In the year just past the maximum salary for our grade teachers was but $1,500.00. Out of this the in- dividual made a 15% voluntary contribution, so that her receipts were but $1,275.00. Of this $1,275.00 the State contributed $200.00, so that the net cost to the town for the services of the teacher in the grades receiving maximum grade school salary was but $1,075.00, and correspondingly less for the teacher having a smaller contractual salary. At the present time of writing it certainly cannot be said that the net cost to the town for the maximum contractual sal- ary is a large sum of money. It would seem fair, in a discussion and consideration of municipal salaries, to remember that the state is actually paying $200.00 toward the salary of each teacher, which is not true in the case of any other town salary outside of the school department.
There are some conditions existing in the depart- ment today which might be changed, and tend to in- crease the effectiveness of the training, but the in- creased costs necessary to bring about some of these results makes it seem almost inadvisable even to talk about them at this time. Special teachers are giving individual work and attention to those children need- ing it, but for those children capable of more than normal progress no special opportunities are pre- sented. There are many children in our schools who, with the presentation of opportunity, could do the eight years' work in six, thus saving the town money in their education, since the per pupil cost a year is over $80.00. Whether or not there might be a net saving only a trial could determine. If annually 15 children could, through the services of a teacher,
135
have accompished the eight years work in 7, this; would show a saving in money sufficient to meet a: $1,200.00 salary requirement. More important, how- ever, than money saved is the resultant effect on the individual and on all, indirectly. I am of the opinion,. and experiences in other places where this is done substantiates the opinion, that it stimulates ambition and creates more active and energetic application. to, the job of acquiring an education. Five years ago my report referred to this same question, and I hope that before another five years have passed some action may be possible, with increased accommodations and ap- propriations, to bring into existence an "Opportunity Class" or classes.
The reports following this give more detailed in- formation relative to the various divisions of this de- partment, and with the tables give a more complete picture.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD FISHER.
1
136
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH
SCHOOL
January 2, 1934.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher,
Superintendent of Schools,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
Herewith is submitted my sixteenth annual re- port as principal of Braintree High School.
MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE
Figures for membership and attendance for the :school year 1932-1933 are as follows:
Total Membership 904
Average Membership 833.04
Percentage of Attendance 94.69
The above figures show an increase in total reg- istration of 101, an increase of 89.57 in average mem- bership, and a small drop of 39% in attendance.
One hundred sixteen were graduated in June. The number will be much larger for June 1934.
The total registration to date for the present school year is 921, divided as follows:
Boys
Girls Total
Post Graduates
14
18
32
Seniors
103
84
187
137
Juniors Sophomores
118
105
223
120
112
232
Freshmen
122
125
247
Total
477
444
921
The above figures as compared to the previous year's show that the number of Post Graduates drop- ped 12. There were over 20 Post Graduates who in- dicated in June that they would return in September but did not. The Senior class is 62 larger, the Junior class 3 larger, the Sophomore class 31 smaller, and the Freshmen class 10 larger than the previous year. With eighth grades in the various grammar schools totaling nearly 300 the registration for next Septem- ber should be somewhat in excess of this year in spite of the fact that a record-breaking class of Seniors will graduate in June.
TWO-SESSION DAY
For the second school year we are working under a two-session plan with the Freshmen scheduled for the afternoon. The registration qf 674 above the Freshmen class is approximately the figures originally considered as the capacity of the building and effect- ively answers any argument that the present high school enrollment could be taken care of with our present equipment on a one-session basis.
Sixteen actual months of operation on the two- session plan have shown many disadvantages and practically no advantages. The scheduled school day of each morning pupil is shortened from 6 hours and 5 minutes to 4 hours and 50 minutes while the sched- uled day for the Freshmen has been shortened from 6 hours and 5 minutes to 4 hours and 5 minutes. This
138
is a real loss in time and facilities for the many pupils effected by the shortened school day in their respect- ive classes.
Contrary to the expressed belief of some individ- uals that there is a big advantage to first year pupils in being able to do all their high school preparation in the morning, we find that 70% of our Freshman habitually do their homework in the evening, 10% do a portion of their work evenings, leaving only 20% who use the morning wholly for home study. The question as to whether last year's Freshman class, working on afternoon session, did better work than the previous Freshman class, working on regular ses- sion basis, is answered by the following facts: a care- ful analysis of the first year record of both classes shows that there were 2% more failures for last year's Freshman class than in the corresponding class of the previous year. This situation is also aggravated by the fact that not only are the days shorter than pre- viously but because of lesser periods the average pupil has been attempting 15% less work than previously. Apparently these afternoon pupils are coming to school at one o'clock tired out with the morning's activities.
At this time it seems fitting to call attention to the fact that there is a real educational sacrifice for pupils of high school age when forced to operate under a two-session plan, and that at the earliest pos- sible moment this situation should be remedied.
Much has been said in recent months as to the possibility of applying the platoon system as in opera- tion in Gary, Indiana, to the Braintree schools. There is no doubt that the Gary plan possesses many advan- tages. It should cut down the number of failures be-
139
cause it makes possible manual arts and kindred work for every pupil instead of the formal academic work which is distasteful to many pupils. However, its suc- cess depends mainly upon the multiplicity of shops, laboratories, playgrounds which are available, etc. These are, without question, a desirable feature for future consideration in Braintree, for the weak spot in our high school has always been the lack of this kind of training. However, the installation of shops and their equipment would be far from solving Brain- tree's present problem of reducing immediate expenses and would add very materially to the immediate cost of school support. For example, the Frobel School in Gary, which is often cited as a model, has the fol- lowing shops: carpenter shop, cabinet shop, paint. shop, foundry, forge, machine shop, printery, sheet metal shop, electrical shop, sewing room, cooking room, dining room, plumbing shop, laundry, shoe- making shop and pottery shop. This is all very fine but would total a large expense for installing. Give us one-third of the above mentioned for Braintree High School, in addition to the present plant, and we can take care of the entire high school enrollment in one session for several years.
The length of the school day and the school year in Gary have been much stressed. As a matter of fact, the average school year there is only 11 days days longer than the average school year in Braintree and while the school day is 8 hours, one hour of this is for recess, one hour for auditorium exercises, one hour for free play, one hour for music, expression, and gymnastics, which does not offer much advantage in the way of more time on fundamental subjects. In addition to this, the ideal plan, according to Superin- tendent Wirt of Gary, is for the school year to be di- vided into four quarters of twelve weeks each, but
140
attendance compulsory for any one pupil in only three quarters or, in other words, for 36 weeks. According to this so-called "ideal plan" the number of school days for the average pupil would be less instead of more, although it would make possible the accommo- dation of a larger number of pupils on a "stagger system."
TEACHING FORCE
The high school faculty at present includes three members who were not with us last year: Miss Kath- erine D. Hearn who replaced Miss Doane in Fresh- men English and Drawing; Mr. Charles W. Brooks who replaced Mr. Heggie in the English Department, Mr. Heggie having accepted a more lucrative position in Lexington; Mr. Richard W. Johnson, substituting for Mr. Goodwin who was called to service at Fort Ethan Allen. None were added to the numbers for the present school year since a more favorable elec- tion of subjects on the part of the pupils made it possi- ble to arrange classes more advantageously. How- ever, many of the classes at the present time are of a size not conducive to the best results. As of last year several teachers are on an overlapping schedule and the same rule is in operation as to extra time required from all teachers for special help with pupils on two days each week.
EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES
I
The above title usually concerns itself mainly with athletic activities, although many other activi- ties are concerned. The football season just passed was a successful season, either from the standpoint
141
of games won or financial returns. More people at- tended the games than ever before, and there was a fairly generous response by those who were asked to buy , tickets to support the games. A successful, al- though materially shortened, baseball season was run last Spring. The track team and cross country team were active and both successful in the majority of their contests, as was the girls' hockey team. Instead of varsity basketball for last winter, inter-homeroom games were played over a prolonged period. This al- lowed nearly 200 boys and girls to take active part in that winter sport. The same plan, on a larger scale, is already underway for the present winter season and approximately 400 boys and girls will be actively en- gaged in this sport during the next three or four months.
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