USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1938 > Part 12
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ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sufficient sum with which to meet unpaid bills of previous years ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Twenty-two and 27/100 Dollars ($22.27), its proportionate share of the operating expenses of the Chlorinating Plant at Newburyport, as prescribed by Chapter 130 of the General Laws; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Ninety-eight and 71/100 Dollars ($98.71) for the purpose of covering a deficit in the Vo- cational School Account; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Two Hundred Eighty and 63/100 Dollars ($280.63) for the purpose of defraying the Town's share of the expenses of the Surplus Commodities Division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will vote to prescribe the manner of giving notice of Town Meetings, by specifying the number of places where warrants shall be posted ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money from the highway fund provided by Chap-
244
ter 2 of the Acts of 1939 for any of the purposes au- thorized by said Chapter ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Three Hundred Fifty-two Dollars ($352), or some other sum, for the purpose of recon- structing Chelmsford Street, contingent upon the State and County contributing towards the cost of said recon- struction ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Seventeen Hundred Dollars ($1700), or some other sum, for the purpose of reconstructing the North Road, contingent upon the State and County con- tributing towards the cost of said construction; or act in relation thereo.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars ($1200), or some other sum, for the purpose of reconstructing the Boston Road, contingent upon the State and County con- tributing towards the cost of said reconstruction, or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to commence proceedings to abandon a por- tion of C. Street, or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will vote to accept a por- tion of C Street, as laid out by the Selectmen as shown by their report and plan duly filed in the Office of Town Clerk, and raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of paying land damages as a result of said re-location ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise an ap- propriate Two Hundred Dollars ($200), or some other sum, for the purpose of reconstructing C Street; or act in relation thereto.
245
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept Francis Street, as laid out by the Selectmen as shown by their report and plan in the Office of Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50), or some other sum, for the purpose of reconstructing Francis Street ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to accept Spauld- ing Street, as laid out by the Selectmen as shown by their report and plan filed in the Office of Town Clerk; or ac in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150), or some other sum, for the purpose of reconstructing Spaulding Street; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to accept Lind- wood Street, as laid out by the Selectmen as shown by their report and plan filed in the Office of Town Clerk; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50), or some other sum, for the purpose of reconstructing Linwood Street ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 24. To see if the Town will vote to accept from Thomas Stewart a deed conveying certain property located on Princeton Street to the Inhabitants of Chelms- ford; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money to purchase certain land located on Princeton Street, in that part of Chelmsford called North Chelmsford or act in relation thereto.
246
ARTICLE 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of pur- chasing chairs to be used by the Town in the Town Halls, or any other Town property where their need and use is required ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of pur- chasing a pump and hose to be used by the Forest Fire Department ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Nine Hundred Twenty-nine and 47/100 Dollars ($929.47) for the purpose of covering a deficit in the Hurricane Emergency Account; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of pur- chasing a radio to be used in the Police Car; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of plac- ing the public dump located off the Swain Road in that part of Chelmsford called North Chelmsford in suitable condition and to clear the land of rubbish and other debris that is located thereon, so that entry and exit can be made to said dump; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of de- fraying the cost of legal actions that have been commenced against the Town and to defray the expenses of legal ac- tions that the Town has commenced against other cities and towns; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 32. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of One Hundred Five Dollars ($105), or some other sum, for the purpose of defraying the cost
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of surveying and laying out Parkhurst Road, Locke Road, Davis Road, Grand View Road, C. Street and Manning Road, or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200), or some other sum, for the purpose of surveying and laying out streets that may be laid out in accordance with the law by the Selectmen; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 34. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the account entitled "Road Machinery Fund Account" the sum of Twenty-eight Hundred Dollars ($2800), or some other sum, to the account entitled "Road Machinery Ac- count ;" or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money to be used to pay claims for personal injuries sustained by claimants against the Town; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Ninety-eight Hundred Dollars ($9800), or some other sum, for the purpose of carrying on Federal or State Projects, the cost of administration, and the cost of materials and supplies for same; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of pur- chasing an automobile truck for the Highway Department, said purchase to be made under the direction of the Board of Selectmen ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 38. In the event of an affirmative vote under Ar- ticle 37, to see if the Town will vote to authorize the Se- lectmen to convey by good and sufficient Bill of Sale, title to the International Truck now owned by the Town; or act in relation thereto.
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ARTICLE 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for the purpose of sidewalk construction; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 40. To see if the Town wili vote to transfer from the fund called "Sales of Cemetery Lots and Graves" a certain sum of money for the purpose of the care, im- provement and embellishment of some or all of the ceme- teries in the Town; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the purpose of es- tablishing a system whereby the Assessors will be able to assess real estate according to formula; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 42. To see if the Town will vote to direct the Se- lectmen to abandon a certain portion of Adams Street; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 43. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Assessors to use a sum of money in the amount such as the Tax Commissioner may approve as free cash, said sum of money to be applied in computing the tax rate for the year 1939; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 44. To see if the Town will vote to direct the Se- lectmen to test certain lands owned by the Town for the purpose of determining whether the lands contain proper gravel or sand that can be used for highway construc- tion ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750), for the purpose of defraying the expense of foreclosing tax titles ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 46. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey title by good and sufficient
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deed to lands acquired by the Town through foreclosing tax title proceedings ; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 47. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Park Commissioners to appoint any or all of the Mem- bers of said Board as laborers to work in the parks and commons and fix their compensation per hour; or act in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 48. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 49 of the Acts of 1933, as amended, for the purpose of providing finds for meeting ordinary maintenance expenses, such borrowing in no even to exceed the amount of tax titles held by the town, or to take any action relative thereto.
AND YOU ARE DIRECTED to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Post Offices in the Cen- tre of the Town, South Chelmsford, North Chelmsford and West Chelmsford, and at the School House in East Chelms- ford, and the Golden Cove School House, Westlands, seven days at least before the time appointed for holding the first meeting aforesaid.
HEREOF FAIL NOT, and make return of the Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of holding this meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and thirty-nine.
STEWART MacKAY, JAMES A. GRANT, KARL M. PERHAM,
A true copy,
Attest :
Constable.
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
Superintendent of Schools
OF CHELMSFORD, MASS.
R.
LET THE CHILDREN GUARD
WHAT THE SIRES HAVE WON
MASS
TTS
1655 SACHU
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1938
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WENDELL P. HARVEY, Chairman Term Expires 1939 Chelmsford JAMES P. CASSIDY Term Expires 1940
North Chelmsford
JOHN A. McADAMS. Secretary
Term Expires 1941 Westlands
SUPERINTENDENT
GEORGE S. WRIGHT, A. B. Office in McFarlin School Chelmsford
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA, M. D. Chelmsford GEORGE E. CARRIEL, M. D. North Chelmsford
SCHOOL NURSE
(MRS.) MAE S. LEWIS, R. N. Office in McFarlin School
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
WINSLOW P. GEORGE Westlands RALPH G. HULSLANDER North Chelmsford
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
In case of extremely bad storms or of roads dangerous because of ice, a signal for no school all day is given at 7.15 on the fire alarms, three blasts repeated three times. Notice is also broadcast by Station WLLH.
TEACHERS
The table shows the teachers at the beginning of the school year 1938-39, the position held, the date when service in Chelmsford began, and the institution in which they prepared.
HIGH SCHOOL
Lucian H. Burns, A. M., Principal, Sept. 1930. University of New Hamp- shire. Columbia.
C. Edith McCarthy, B. S. E., Vice-Principal, Commercial, Sept. 1923, Salem.
F. Christine Booth, B. A., Latin, Math., Sept. 1927, Colby. Daisey B. MacBrayne, A. M., English, Sept. 1929, Boston University.
2
Procter P. Wilson, B. S., Science, Feb. 1930, M. I. T. George R. Knightly, A. B., Social Science, Sept. 1930, Aurora. Morris L. Budnick, A. B., Math., Science, Sept. 1930, Tufts. John J. MacLaughlan, A. M., History, Nov. 1933, Holy Cross. Ernestine E. Maynard, B. S. E., Commercial, Sept. 1934, Salem. Earl J. Watt, A. M., French, Nov. 1934, Harvard. Catherine W. Mooney, B. S. E., Commercial, Sept. 1936, Salem. M. Rita Ryan, A. B., English, Jan. 1936, Emmanuel. Helen R. Poland, A. B., Math., Science, Sept. 1927, Boston University. J. L. Emile Paul Gauthier, A. B., Math., English Sept. 1938, Harvard.
McFARLIN
Louis O. Forrest, B. S. E., Principal, VIII, Sept. 1926, Fitchburg. (Mrs.) Eva L. Dobson, VII, Nov. 1919, Plymouth Normal. Esther M. Thayer, B. S. E., VII-VIII, Jan. 1926, Boston University. M. Beryl Rafuse, VI, Sept. 1920, Truro Normal. Helena B. Lyon, V. Oct. 1911, North Adams Normal. Emily Hehir, IV, Sept. 1928, Lowell Normal. Mayme G. Trefry, III, Sept. 1921, Truro Normal. Charlotte L. Lyons, II, Sept. 1935, Plymouth Normal. B. Muriel Bridges, IV, B. S. E., Sept. 1937, Lowell. Edna Hoyt, B. S. E., VII, Sept. 1937, Lowell.
EAST
Harry Y. Hilyard, B. S. E., Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1930, Fitchburg. (Mrs.) Jessie F. Brown, V-VI, April 1930, Boston University. Mildred G. Perry, B. S. E., III-IV, Sept. 1931, Lowell and Fitchburg. Jane E. McEnaney, I, II, Sept. 1936, Lowell Normal.
HIGHLAND AVENUE
Gerald A. Ivers, B. Chem., Sept. 1936, Lowell Textile Institute. Mary H. Ryan, V .- VI, Sept. 1930, Lowell Normal. Lottie A. Agnew, III-IV, Sept. 1923, Lowell Normal. Gertrude P. Henderson, I-II, Sept. 1932, Lowell Normal.
PRINCETON STREET
Genevieve E. Jantzen, Principal, III, Sept. 1911, Lowell Normal. Sally T. Conlon, B. S. E., VIII, Sept. 1937, Lowell. (Mrs.) Elsa Reid, VII, Sept. 1922, Lowell Normal. Roberta M. Small, B. S. E., VI, Sept. 1935, Lowell. Gladys Harrington, V, Sept. 1931, Lowell Normal. (Mrs.) Lilla B. McPherson, IV, Sept. 1920, Framingham Normal. Helen C. Osgood II, Sept. 1921, Lowell Normal. Ann E. Hehir, B. S. E., I, Sept. 1935, Lowell.
3
QUESSY
V. John Rikkola, B. S. E., Principal, VII-VIII, Salem. Isabel M. Doyle, B. S., V-VI, Sept. 1936, Boston University. Josephine M. Quigley, B. S. E., III-IV, Sept. 1934, Lowell. Alice P. McEnaney, I-II, Jan. 1936, Lowell Normal.
SOUTH
Nora E. Miskell, B. S. E., IV-VI, Sept. 1937, Lowell. Veronica M. McTeague, B. S. E., I-III, Jan. 1936, Lowell.
WESTLANDS
H. Jean Refuse, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1920, Martin's Point, N. S. . High School.
Vera G. Rafuse, V-VI, Sept. 1921, Truro Normal.
(Mrs.) Charlotte K. Duffy, III-IV, Sept. 1932, Lowell Normal.
(Mrs.) Marion S. Adams, I-II, Jan. 1928, Lowell Normal.
SUPERVISOR
M. Marion Adams, Music, Feb. 1938, Lowell Normal.
TRANSPORTATION
George W. Marinel, North Chelmsford.
JANITORS
- High School, C. O. Robbins, Chelmsford Centre.
- McFarlin, Otis Brown, South Chelmsford. East, Bernard Mclaughlin, East Chelmsford. Highland Avenue, Edward Brick, North Chelmsford. Princeton Street, Patrick Cassidy, North Chelmsford. Quessy, John Boutilier, West Chelmsford. South, George Burton, South Chelmsford. Westlands, E. Berg, Westlands.
4
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford :
We submit herewith the report of the School Committee for the year ending December 31, 1938.
ADDITION TO HIGH SCHOOL
In the report of every committee since 1928, there has been men- tion made of the overcrowded condition in the High School. We are happy to state that with construction already started on the addition to the High School it will not be necessary this year.
Early in the summer of 1938, we invited the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Assessors, the Board of Health, and the Finance Com- mittee to meet with us for the purpose of discussing the necessity of an addition to the High School. Encouraged by such meeting, we asked Ashton & Huntress, the architects who had prepared the previous plans, to submit plans for a less elaborate addition.
With three new sets of plans, we met with the Taxpayers Associa- tion and received the unanimous support of the plans subsequently adopted. We met with Finance Committee and received its support. We also held meetings in each part of the town at which every voter was invited to attend.
As a result of such meetings, we asked the voters to approve an article in the Town Warrant authorizing the construction of an addi- tion to the High School by way of a PWA grant. The town voting in favor of this article and authorizing the construction of an addition, not to exceed $105,454, we made application for and received a grant from the PWA in the amount of 45 per cent of the cost of the addi- tion, not to exceed $47,454. The balance of $58,000 has been raised by a ten-year bond issue.
On December 27, 1938, we entered into a contract with Louis Marion & Son, the lowest bidder for the construction of the addition, and work was started immediately.
FINANCES
The expenditures of the School Department in detail appear in the
5
Town Report under the heading "Report of Town Accountant."
Following the tradition of preceding committees, we have made every effort to keep the expenditures as low as possible. In cost per pupil of the eighty-three towns in the Commonwealth having a popu- lation of five thousand or over, Chelmsford is the eighty-first on the list.
SCHOOLS
Our grade schools are all in good condition and with the exception of the Westlands School are not overcrowded. When the addition to the High School is completed, we will have available two extra rooms in the McFarlin School. The Quessy School in West Chelmsford is only partially filled. If necessary, we will be able to accommodate all grade pupils by re-districting and making use of the extra space in these two schools. Our High School has always been given a grade A rating by the State Board of Education. Due to the large increase of high school pupils, now over four hundred and eighty, the State Board has notified us that unless two new teachers are added immediately our grade A rating will be removed. According to the ruling of the State Board of Education, we should have a teacher for every thirty pupils to retain our grade A rating. We now have thirty-six and six-tenths pupils for each teacher and we recommend the appointment of two new teachers, when the high school addition is ready for use.
TRANSPORTATION
Each year sees an increase in the number of pupils entitled to and receiving transportation to and from the various schools.
Our contract with George W. Marinel expired in June, 1938. We en- tered into a new contract for the term of three years with George W. Marinel. Due to the increase in the number of pupils transported and the increased mileage, one extra bus was added to the contract, and this meant an increase from $9000 per year to $10,500 per year.
Since this contract was entered into, two of the old buses have been replaced by two new buses and a third bus has been ordered.
We would like to state that the service given by Mr. Marinel has always been highly satisfactory, and that he has at all times cheerfully co-operated with the Committee.
MISCELLANEOUS
We would like to thank the teachers and principals of the grade schools and the High School for their loyalty and effort in the teaching
6
and training of the pupils entrusted to their care, as well as for their extra work which we know to be considerable.
We also thank Mr. Wright, our Superintendent of Schools, for his loyality and efforts not only in his regular school duties, but for all the extra work he has done for the Committee.
We also thank the Parent-Teacher Associations of Chelmsford for their aid to the schools and school children.
We also thank the members of the High School Building Commit- tee for their time and efforts which we realize are a heavy burden.
We recommend that the citizens of Chelmsford read carefully the report of the Superintendent of Schools, in which will be found informa- tion of value.
WENDELL P. HARVEY.
JAMES P. CASSIDY. JOHN A. McADAMS.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee :
My eleventh annual report is hereby submitted through you to the citizens of Chelmsford. The earliest school report in the files of the school department is for the year 1874-1875, the year in which two high schools were established. The reports for a number of years since are missing. School registers dating from the school year 1888-1889 are on file either in the office of the superintendent or in the town hall. These registers often provide the only official record of the ages of adults who attended our schools years ago, and for that reason are invaluable. May I suggest that if citizens have old school records of any kind, town reports, lists of graduates, graduation programs, etc., all this material is of historic value and should be preserved. We would be glad to have such records turned over to us for preservation.
TEACHERS
The usual table is given showing the teachers at the beginning of the year and the date when they began work in Chelmsford. Only two changes have occurred during the year, both in the High School. Warren C. Dean resigned in June in order to take a position in Northeastern University, and Beth R. Hoffman in order to take up work at Boston University. Helen R. Poland, a former teacher in the High School, was engaged for one position, and Emile Gauthier, a graduate of our own schools and of Harvard, for the other. No changes were made in the elementary schools.
Although salaries in Chelmsford are below the average for towns of this class, teachers have been willing to remain for long periods of service. This has been very much to the advantage of the town. The atti- tude of parents and townspeople has made Chelmsford a pleasant town in which to work. In general the best of good feeling exists between parents and teachers, a condition essential to the proper training of chil- dren. Any occurence which tends to break down the desired relation of confidence and mutual support between home and school is to be de- plored for the possible effect it may have on the children. The teachers appreciate the cordial support which is so generally given.
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Without exception the teachers are earnest and hard-working. They are progressive in their attitude, eager to keep abreast of the develop- ments in their profession. A considerable number each year have at- tended summer schools or have taken extension courses for credit to- ward degrees. The following have received degrees during their term of service with us: in the High School, Miss McCarthy and Miss Mac- Brayne; in the elementary schools, Mr. Forrest, Miss Thayer, Mr. Hilyard, Miss Perry, and Mr. Rikkola. The table of teachers gives the degrees and the institutions from which they were received.
ENROLLMENT
A table at the end of the report shows the enrollment by grades and by buildings on October 1, 1938, and also the comparative total enroll- ment or the last ten years. Note the steady increase in the High School This growth has offset almost exactly the lessened attendance in the elementary schools. The table below shows the building enrollment for the last five years.
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
High School
408
436
434
445
485
McFarlin
331
334
338
346
354
East
167
154
170
146
141
Highland Ave.
126
119
119
120
114
Princeton St.
277
277
266
243
257
Quessy
125
128
110
104
92
South
53
47
46
45
50
Westlands
148
144
140
154
150
Total
1650
1639
1627
1603
1643
.
This table shows the trend of school enrollment in the various sec- tions of the town. The High School is increasing, and in all probability will enroll over 500 students next September. The McFarlin School has grown steadily. There are now about ten pupils in that school who would be attending the Westlands School if there were seats for them in that building. New families are coming into the Westlands as a result of the building there. In all probability it will be necessary to shift more pupils from that section to the McFarlin School next September. On the other hand the Quessy School has been losing in enrollment. As suggested in my report last year, by changing slightly the transportation routes, twenty to twenty-five pupils could be transferred from the Mc- Farlin School to Quessy. I advise that this matter be given early con- sideration, in order that, if the change seems advisable, the promotion cards issued in June may make note of the change.
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