Town annual report of Chelmsford 1943, Part 6

Author:
Publication date: 1943
Publisher: Town of Chelmsford
Number of Pages: 134


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The Police radio has been especially useful in relaying in- formation at the scene of several fires.


Considerable delay in obtaining delivery of the new Centri- fugal pump, hose and other equipment, authorized at the last an- nual Town Meeting, was due partly to having to wait for priority ratings from Washington, and waiting our turn at the factory. How- ever, the pump was finally received late in July, installed and put into service by September 1. In operation this pump exceeds any claims made as to its efficiency and is an excellent addition to the forest fire equipment; also this makes a valuable addition to the Town Fire Department, as it will now be available for emergency ap- paratus at any fire. H. M. Sturtevant


60


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS


TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN:


We have the pleasure of submitting herewith the report of the Board of Fire Engineers for the year 1943. The Board was organized as follows:


John W. Dixon Chief


Edward Hoyt Ass't Chief and Clerk


Theodore W. Reed Ass't Chief


The Board re-appointed the following District Chiefs:


District No. 1 Wilhelm T. Johnson


District No. 2 Joseph D. Ryan


District No. 3 Walter Edwards


District No. 4 Henry G. Quinn


District No. 5 Sidney Dupee(Acting Chief)


The roster of the Department has been depleted this past year due to the drafting of the men for the Armed Services, there being at the present time eight regular men in the Service, two of whom are overseas. The men of the Department and the Board join in wishing these men a safe return.


The equipment of the Department and the signal system have been kept in first class condition despite the extra demands made upon them by the test blackouts and air raids, as conducted during the past year. There is still a great amount of fire equipment that is not available due to restricted manufacture and general war condi- tions. The Board is pleased to announce, however, the purchase of a portable generator lighting outfit consisting of two 500-watt flood- lights, a 250-watt spot light cable, fittings, etc. We believe this will fill a much needed want of the Department by supplying suffi- cient light at night fires or for any other emergency that may re- quire its services.


We have rendered all assistance possible to the Forest Fire Warden, who has been seriously handicapped in the performance of his duties by the shortage of available man power.


The Department has responded to a total of 89 alarms during the year which are classified as follows : building fires-31; chimney fires-25; brush-12; automobile-7; oil burners-4; false alarms-4; electric light poles-2; tar kettle-1; out-of-town-1; drowning-1; and rescue of dog from well-1.


The Board has cooperated to its fullest extent with the commit- tee named by the Board of Selectmen at the request of the Massachu- setts Emergency Public Works Commission regarding post war planning for the Town of Chelmsford.


We regret having to record the resignation of John M. Kemp, Ass't Chief and Clerk for many years. During this time he has served the Town faithfully and his well-kept records are a credit to the Town and an honor to him.


We extend to the Police Department our appreciation for their assistance in summoning additional men and apparatus when needed by means of their two-way radio. Our appreciation is extended to all others who have assisted the Department in the performance of its


61


REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FIRE ENGINEERS


duties.


Respectfully submitted, John M. Dixon Edward Hoyt Theodore W. Reed


REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR


To the Board of Health:


The following is the Milk Inspector's report for the year end- ing December 31, 1943:


There were thirty-four wagon licenses granted to milk dealers, thirty-nine licenses to stores and two plants were licensed to pas- teurize milk, also ten stores were licensed to sell oleomargarine.


Samples were collected from dealers and stores and analyzed by the Howard Laboratories at Amherst, Mass.


Due to the scarcity of high protein dairy feed, it has been hard for the dairy farmer to keep up the quality of milk, but in no case has any milk been found below the required standard.


All milk dealers' plants and many dairy farms have been in- spected and found in good sanitary condition and, in a few cases, improvements were recommended and followed.


The average total solids for milk pasteurized was 12.85%, fats 3.94%. Raw milk solids totaled 12.64%, fats 3. 86%.


I would like to thank the members of the Board of Health and all dealers in milk and cream for their cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


Daniel E. Haley Milk Inspector


INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING


The following number of animals were slaughtered by licensed butchers or by owners on their own premises and inspected by me from Jan. &, to November 1,1943:


Cattle -- 721 Calves -- 882 Hogs -- 1039 Sheep -- 162


Signed,


Arthur W. Harvey


The following is the inspection from November 1 to December 31, 1943:


Cattle --- 31 Calves --- 46


Hogs --- 682 Sheep --- 42


Signed, Patrick H. Haley


62


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The first meeting of the year was held March 20, 1943. Mr. Russell was re-elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Mr. Henry was re-elected Treasurer, and Mrs. Lydwin Bachelder, one of the two new members was elected Secretary. M188 Frances Clark and Mrs. Polly Johnson were elected to serve as a book committee.


Many new books were purchased this year.


Mrs.Brown was elected to serve as Carrier to succeed Mr. Hil- yard for East Chelmsford. Mr. Otis Brown, re-elected to serve as Carrier for South Chelmsford, and Mr. E. Carlson to serve as Car- rier for West Chelmsford.


Mr. Clayton, janitor, was appointed by the Town to serve as Special Officer for the library.


This year, October 7, 1943, was celebrated as the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Adams Library. The Historical Society also cooperated. Open house was held from three until nine o'clock on that day, and a formal program was given at & P.M. with refreshments served at the end of the program.


Respectfully submitted,


Lydwin Bachelder, Secretary


Edward Russell, Chairman


Rev. C. Henry,


Treasurer


Frances Clark)


Polly Johnson) Trustees Wayne Jenkins)


REPORT OF SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS


Central Savings Bank, Lowell


#78370


$ 4293.72


City Institution for Savings 99250


11480.57


Lowell Institution for Savings . 131298


2999.23


Merrimack River Savings Bank


63051


4329.10


Merrimack River Savings Bank


16610


3563.68


Lowell Five Cent Savings Bank


105588


7689.50


United States War Bonds Series F. Maturity Value


Paid for Same


$11,100.00


15000.00


Respectfully submitted,


Royal Shawcross, Chairman Fritz H. Pearson, Secretary Walter Perham ,Treasurer


63


REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY TREASURER


In Account With Town of Chelmsford


Jan. 1,1943


Balance in Union National Bank, Lowell


$ 76.17


Received : Interest Withdrawn


Central Savings Bank, Lowell


25.00


Lowell Institution for Savings. 50.00


City Institution for Savings 100.00


George Cemetery Fund Account.


8.75


Received :


Chelmsford Historical Society.


4.00


Received :


Library Fines(Dec.1942 through Nov.1943)


102.77


Received :


History of Chelmsford @ 3.00


9.00


Paid :


Charles E. Laurint Company, books. $ 149.36


Chester J. Flavell, George Cemetery fund. 8.75


U. S. News subscripition 4.00


Junior Literary Guild.


18.50


Box Rent (April-June)


1.50


Russell Lumber Company


6.40


Town Treasurer: Fines from Library ..


102.77


Sales-History of Town 9.00


Mrs. Jefts: office incidentale


5.00


Charges, Union National Bank.


2.71


$ 307.99 $ 375.69


Dec. 31,1943 Balance on hand-Union National Bank 67.70


Totals $ 375.59 $ 375.69


Respectfully submitted,


Rev. Charles W. Henry


REPORT OF THE ADAMS LIBRARY LIBRARIAN


Circulation for 1943:


Fiction 3,147


Non-Fiction 9,661


Magazines 732


13,540


Books sent to East Chelmsford. 820


Books sent to South Chelmsford. 210


Magazines sent to South Chelmsford. 9


Books sent to West Chelmsford. 1000


New borrowers 119


New books purchased


260


Books rebound.


112


Books borrowed from Div. of Public Libraries, Boston


12


Books collected for Victory Book Campaign.


377


Handed Treasurer for fines.


$104.07


Handed Treasurer for sale of Chelmsford Histories. 9.00 Gift of books from Rev. &Mrs. C. W. Henry, Mrs. F. A. P. Fiske , Mrs. Beaulah Barrett, Kent Cooper, Mrs.Dupont, Maj. Edward Bowes, Mrs.W.A. Kittredge and Dutton Publishing Company. Gift of mounted photographs from Mrs. Beaulah Barrett.


Respectfully,


Ida Jefts-Librarian


64


NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


The annual meeting of the North Chelmsford Library Corporation was held December 15, 1943 at 7:30 p.m.


The librarian submitted to us the following report:


Sessions 103


Circulation


9652


New books added


426


There was a freeze-up in the heating system last January which caused the radiators to burst. Due to inability to secure new equipment a coal stove was installed.


Respectfully submitted,


Bertha M. Whitworth, Librarian


NORTH CHELMSFORD LIBRARY CORPORATION TREASURER'S REPORT


Receipts


Expenditures


Balance on hand, Jan. 1,1942 $ 116.92


Librarian's salary $ 335.00


Ass't. librarian 89.83


Janitor 51.30


Books


541.10


Lighting


26.96


Fuel


49.26


Magazines


25.00


Stove & Pipe Ext.


63.20


Window Shades


10.50


Binding Books


11.10


Chester Flavell (labor)


6.35


Bank Service


6.68


Miscellaneous


29.25


$1245.53


Balance on hand


72,39


$1317.92


$1317.92


Town Appropriation 1200.00


Fines 1.00


Respectfully submitted,


Nellie L. Shawcross Treasurer


65


VARNEY PLAYGROUND COMMISSION


To: Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Chelmsford


The Varney Playground commission wishes to thank you for your kind cooperation in keeping the grounds in a clean and sanitary condition. We wish to extend special thanks to highway superin- tendent O' Sullivan for his generous donation of paving stone which we are using to build a retaining wall to prevent wash from further destroying the baseball field and to Mr. E. Dixon of the George C. Moore mill for his generous donation of ashes for the same project.


We also wish to state that owing to fire damage to plank fence and bleachers we are compelled to prevent use of bleachers in their weakened condition until such time as an estimated sum(of two hundred dollars) .can be appropriated to repair the same.


We had the misfortune of being struck by nature twice last year. Our newly erected steel flag pole, seventy feet in height, was struck by lightning and fell to the ground. The pipe frame and wire mesh fence, situated on top of the plank guard fence, erected to prevent injury to spectators at the ball games, was blown down during the month of November. The last two articles mentioned will also cost approximately two hundred dollars over general appropri- ations on the grounds now. If you desire to have the above damage repaired we are asking you to increase our appropriation(by four hundred dollars) for the coming year.


Thank you again. We remain


Respectfully yours,


The Varney Playground Commission Leslie H. Adams Arnaud R. Blackadar


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS


To: The Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:


The Cemetery Commissioners wish to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1943:


In spite of the shortage of man power, the cemeteries have been kept in good condition and our Superintendents are to be commended for work well done. An additional 300 feet of water pipe has been installed in Pine Ridge Cemetery, making a total of 720 feet in all.


To the lot owners we extend our thanks for their increasing in- terest in helping to keep up the general appearance of our cemeteries.


Respectfully submitted, Bayard C. Dean William Bellwood Arthur W. House


66


REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD


Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:


The activities of this Board during the past year have con- sisted of conferences with Town Officials, work on the Master Plan, and consideration of post-war conditions.


No applications for land sub-divisions have been received dur- ing the year as there is very little demand for new developments due to war conditions.


It yearly becomes more and more evident by the large number of inquiries that zoning is beneficial, as prospective buyers of home e and home sites are particular about the legal use that can be made of other lots of land in the vicinity of their contemplated purchase.


To fully appreciate the results of zoning perhaps we should once in a while re-define what we mean by zoning. Zoning is the setting aside of districts for the development of various types of land use. The power to zone is based upon the power of government to control the actions of its citizens in the interest of health, morals and general welfare of the greatest number. Its express pur- poses are to stabilize and protect property value, to insure healthy living conditions for all citizens and to promote orderly, economi- cally and socially sound development.


Presumably zoning restricts each parcel of land to the use for which it is best fitted and for which it may reasonably and profit- ably be developed.


The Planning Board is pleased to report the return to active duty of our chairman, who for several months of the past year has been seriously ill.


Respectfully submitted,


Howard D. Smith, Chairman Arnold C. Perham, Secretary


REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR


To the Board of Health: "


The following is a report of the plumbing work done for the year ending December 31, 1943:


Applications submitted for permits to do plumbing totaled 45 -- ( old houses 44; new houses l.)


Inspections made-40. Tests made-26.


Total 66.


The following is a list of various plumbing fixtures installed: Water Closets 26 Shower Trap 1


Sinks 12


Lavatories 22


Range Boilers 7 Wash Trays 10


Sink Traps 3


Defect. Drains Repaired 3 Bath Tubs 12


House Drains 2


Respectfully submitted,


George E. Gagnon


67


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


Board of Selectmen Gentlemen:


For the fourth successive year no cattle have been found af- fected with tuberculosis.


Six dairy cows and one bull were shipped into town from other states. All were accompanied by proper permits and test charts and were identified and released from quarantine soon after arrival. Four cows also came into town from outside the state, under permit, for immediate slaughter.


A census of dairy cattle ordered by the Division of Livestock Disease Control, Department of Agriculture showed that there were 635 dairy cows, 285 young cattle and bulls, which is 70 less than the total two years ago and is 100 head less than the average total for the past fourteen years.


Fifteen herds have been reported to the above Department as not being under supervision for the eradication of tuberculosis; they were mostly owned by persons who had recently become owners of one or more cows.


Thirty-five dog bite cases were investigated and twenty-six dogs were quarantined for the required period of observation and later released as no cases of rabies developed. No rabid dogs were found in town during the entire year.


There has been no change in the State and Federal program of Bangs disease eradication.


No cases of hog cholera were reported.


I respectfully submit this, my twenty-ninth annual report.


Arnold C. Perham Inspector


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I respectfully submit my annual report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31,1943:


Number scales tested and sealed. 139


Number weights' tested and sealed. 150


Number capacity measures tested, sealed. 21 Number automatic measuring dev. 11 1 Number scales condemned. . none Total 368


Respectfully submitted,


John B. Emerson


68


ANNUAL REPORT of the


SCHOOL COMMITTEE and the SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS of Chelmsford, Mass. For the year ending December 31, 1943.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


John A. McAdams, Chairman Westlands


Term expires 1944


Harold E. Clayton, Chelmsford


Term expires 1945


(Mrs.) Marjorie M. Kiberd, North Chelmsford


Term expires 1946


SUPERINTENDENT


George S. Wright, A.B. Office in McFarlin School


SCHOOL PHYSICIANS


Arthur G. Scoboria, M.D. Chelmsford


J. E. Boucher, M.D. North Chelmsford


SCHOOL NURSE


Christina Simpson, R.N. Office in McFarlin School


ATTENDANCE OFFICERS


Winslow P. George


Westlands


Ralph G. Hulslander


North Chelmsford


TRANSPORTATION


George W. Marinel North Chelmsford


NO SCHOOL SIGNAL


In the case of extremely bad storms or of icy roads a signal for no school all day for all schools is given at 7:15 A.M. on the fire alarms, three blasts repeated three times. Station WLLH broadcasts the notice.


69


LIST OF TEACHERS, SCHOOL YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER, 1943 NAME WHERE EDUCATED


POSITION APPOINTED


HIGH SCHOOL


Lucian H. Burns


Univ. of N.H., B.S. Principal


1930


Columbia, M.A.


C. Edith Mccarthy


Salem, B.S.E.


Vice-Prin.


1923


Commercial


F. Christine Booth


Colby, B.A.


Latin


1927


Daisy B. MacBrayne


Boston Univ., A.M.


English 1929


Procter P. Wilson


M.I.T., B.S.


Science 1930


Ernestine E. Maynard Salem, B.S.E.


Commercial


1934


Earl J. Watt*


Harvard, A.M.


French


1934


(Mrs.) Rita R. Corcoran Emmanuel, A.B.


English


1936


(Mrs. ) Helen R. Poland


Boston Univ., A.B.


Science 1927


George W. Boyce *


Tufts, B.A.


History


1939


Gerald A. Ivers*


Lowell Textile


Math., Sci. 1936


Mary E. Pollard


Lowell, B.S.E.


Commercial 1941


Boston Univ., M.C.S.


Eleanor M. Donahoe Smith, A.B.


Mathematics 1940


(Mrs.) Charlotte S. Carriel


Mt. Holyoke, B.A.


Marjorie B. Scoboria Wellesley, A.B. Radcliffe, M.A.


Math., Sci.


1942


Mildred M. Hehir


Regis, A.B.


French


1942


(Mrs.) Mildred W. Hilyard


Social Sci.


1931


Boston Univ., A.B.


David Hamblen


Boston Univ., S.T.M. History


1943


Edward J. Schulte


Andover, Harvard and Springfield


Physical Ed. 1943


McFARLIN SCHOOL


Louis 0. Forrest


Fitchburg, B.S. E.


Prin., VIII 1926


(Mrs.) Eva L. Dobson


Plymouth Normal


VII


1919


M. Beryl Rafuse


Truro Normal


VI 1920


Institute, B. Chem


English


1942


70


Esther M. Thayer * Boston Univ., B.S.E.


1936


(Mrs.) Mary J. Donnelly


VI-VII


1943


Helena B. Lyon


No. Adams Normal


V


1911


Emily Hehir


Lowell Normal


IV


1928


Mayme G. Trefry


Truro Normal


III


1921


Mabelle S. Birtwell*


Lowell,B.S.E.


1940


Hope Fielding


Lowell, B.S.E.


II


1941


Edna Hoyt


Lowell, B.S.E.


I


1937


Alice T. O'Neill


Lowell Normal


I-III


1943


Doris E. Hevey


Lowell, B.S.E.


Special cl.


1941


EAST CHELMSFORD SCHOOL


(Mrs.) Jessie F. Brown Boston Univ.


Prin., VII-


1930


Mildred G. Perry


Fitchburg, B.S.E.


V-VI


1931


Ann F. McEnaney


Lowell, B.S.E.


III-IV


1943


Mary E. Mc Gauvran


Lowell, B.S.E.


I-II


1940


HIGHLAND AVE. SCHOOL


Mary H. Ryan


Lowell Normal


Prin., VII-


1930


VIII


Nora E. Miskell


Lowell, B.S.E.


V-VI


1937


Lottie M. Agnew


Lowell Normal III-IV


1923


(Mrs.) Veronica M. Berry


Lowell, B.S.E.


I-II


1936


M. Weldon Haire*


Bowdoin, A.B.


1941


PRINCETON ST. SCHOOL


Genevieve E. Jantzen


Lowell Normal


Prin., VIII


1911


(Mrs.) Elsa Reid


Lowell Normal


VII


1922


Roberta M. Small


Lowell, B.S.E. VI 1935


Gladys T. Harrington


Lowell Normal V


1931


Sally T. Conlon


Lowell, B.S.E.


IV


1937


Margaret D. Sousa


Lowell, B.S.E.


III


1941


Helen C. Osgood


Lowell Normal


II


1921


Ann E. Hehir


Lowell, B.S.E. I


1935


Lowell Normal


VIII


71


Ann M. Hickey


QUESSY SCHOOL Lowell Normal


Prin., VII- VIII


1942


(Mrs.) Lilla M. Dexter Lowell Normal


V-VI


1942


M. Pauline Sullivan Lowell B.S.E.


III-IV


1941


Alice P. McEnaney


Lowell Normal


I-II


1936


SOUTH CHELMSFORD SCHOOL


Bertha R. Barrett


Lowell Normal


IV-VI


1942


Ruth R. Brodeur


Lowell, B.S.E.


I-III


1939


Harry Y. Hilyard


Fitchburg, B.S.E.


Prin., VIII


1930


Rita M. Foley


Lowell, B.S.E.


VII


1940


B. Muriel Bridges


Lowell, B.S.E.


VI


1937


(Mrs.) Marcelene L.Haire


Boston Univ., A.B.


IV


1932


Josephine F. Brennan Lowell, B.S.E.


III


1941


(Mrs. ) Marion E. Adams Lowell Normal


II


1928


Florence M. Kelley Lowell, B.S.E.


I


1942


M. Marion Adams


MUSIC SUPERVISOR Lowell Normal


1938


* On leave of absence for military service.


JANITORS


High School


Leslie J. Reid


William T. Davis


Chelmsford Westlands


McFarlin School


Otis Brown


So. Chfd.


East Chelmsford School


Joseph F. Morris


East Chfd.


Highland Ave. School


Edward Brick


North Chfd.


Princeton St. School


Patrick Cassidy


North Chfd.


Quessy School


Elmer Trull


West Chfd.


South Chelmsford School


George Burton


South Chfd.


Westlands School


E. Berg


Westlands


V


1942


(Mrs.) Charlotte K. Duffy Lowell Normal


WESTLANDS SCHOOL


72


To the Citizens of Chelmsford; -


At a meeting held January 15, 1944, it was voted to accept the report of the Superintendent of Schools and to adopt it as the report of the School Committee.


John A. McAdams, Chairman Harold E. Clayton


Marjorie M. Kiberd, Secretary


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT


To the School Committee ;-


My sixteenth annual report is hereby submitted to you and to the citizens of Chelmsford. Compared with reports of previous years it is somewhat curtailed in form. The statistics are those which we believe should become a part of the Town's permanent printed records. Attention is called to information given and recommenda- tions made in the reports of 1941 and 1942, so far as recommended changes and improvements have not been made.


Teachers


At this time we record the bare facts regarding two valued and beloved teachers who have given their lives in the present war, and leave to some future date the establishment of suitable memorials.


George Rollins Knightly came to Chelmsford High School in September 1930 as a teacher-coach. He had been active in athletics in Johnson High School, North Andover, and in Aurora College, from which he graduated in 1930. He taught history and related subjects. At first he was coach of all three major sports, but after 1939 of baseball alone. He turned out winning teams, and- much more im- portant - he impressed his strong personality on every boy who worked under him. He volunteered in the Navy in the spring of 1942, was commissioned an ensign, and was assigned to active duty as an Armed Guard on September 10, 1942. On February 20, 1943 the Navy reported him missing in action, and later stated that the ship on which he served was sunk January 8, 1943 in the Atlantic area.


Donald Herbert Fogg began work in Chelmsford High School in 1940, teaching English, having charge of debating, and acting as class adviser. He had had military training in the University of Maine, from which he received degrees in 1931 and 1934; was an of- ficer in the R.O. T. C. and had commanded a CCC camp for two years. At the beginning of the War the Army called him into active service with rank of First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain in May, 1942, and went to North Africa in command of Co. L, 18th Infantry, First Division. On April 5, 1943 he was awarded the Silver Star for


73


gallantry in action at El Quettar. He was killed in action April 23,1943, and posthumously was awarded the Purple Heart.


In the High School Blanche E. Robinson resigned to take up work with International Red Cross, Barbara Grant Clough resigned, and Earl J. Watt was given leave of absence when he volunteered and began his training for the Navy. In the McFarlin School Mabelle Birtwell was given leave of absence when she joined the women's branch of the Marines. In August V. John Rikkola of the West- lands School was elected to a position at Salem Teachers College, for which he had qualified in a competitive examination, and resigned early in September. In Novem- ber M. Weldon Haire, on leave of absence for military duty, resigned in order to take a position in Connecticut, and also Lena Genetti Haire. For the history position in the High School, David Hamblen, a graduate of Boston University with both teaching and business experience, was engaged, but he resigned in December to return to his former business. John J. Shannon, a graduate of Clark University with both A.B. and A.M. degrees and a teacher of two years experience, has been engaged for the history position. The list of teachers published at the beginning of this report shows how the other positions have been filled. One position in the High School was abolished, owing to the smaller enrollment.


In September M. Marion Adams asked for a few weeks leave because of ill health, but she has been unable to resume her work as supervisor of music. Bernard P. Larkin has taken over the work in the High School, both vocal and instrumental, as a substitute.


Salaries.


The 1941 report discussed teachers' salaries. Towns and cities generally were granting increases at that time, and Chelmsford voted an increase of $200 for each teacher to date from January 1, 1942. This was about the usual increase given in towns of our size and wealth. Some of these towns have given a second increase, due to the still growing cost of living, and in practically all others the teachers are making requests for action. The matter is complicated by an act of the last Legislature,


which established the minimum salary of teachers in elemen- tary schools at $1200, which is $100 more than we have been Paying beginners. This upset the balance of salary schedules. Teachers take the position, reasonably, that the Legislature in fixing the minimum salary of the lowest Paid group expected towns to make adjustments all along the line.




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