USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1944 > Part 4
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Respectfully submitted,
BERTRAM TRIPP,
Chief of Fire Department.
50
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the thirty-sixth annual report and detailed statement of duties performed by the Police Department of the Town of Middleborough, for the fiscal year ending December 31st, 1944.
Chief of Police Alden C. Sisson
Deputy Chief of Police Charles H. Rogers
Patrolmen
William W. Briggs
William E. Gardiner
Raymond J. Moffett Thomas L. Pittsley
William C. Elliott
Custodian
William Hayward
John A. Washburn
Police Officers
Arthur B. Shaw
John A. Washburn
Honorary Police Officer Alton R. Rogers
Reserve Police Officers
Lawrence R. Huntley Richmond C. Mathews Alden C. Perry
Special Officers
Paul F. Anderson
Fred F. Churbuck
Patrick J. McMahon
George A. Barney
Robert C. Germaine
John Rebell
William O. Casey
Nelson R. Greer
Roy W. Pendleton
Arthur B. Caswell
Harry W. Hull
Ralph Sampson
Chessman E. Coombs Ernest Crowell
Harold Jackson
Clarence L. Shaw
LeRoy E. Mawhinney John J. Sullivan
Francis H. Crowley
William J. McBane
William Watson
Joseph R. Dutra
Robert C. West
Albert T. Westgate
John R. Dutra
James J. McDonald
James J. Vigers
In Memoriam John A. Washburn
Offenses
Female Juvenile Total
Assault and Battery
3
0
8
Breaking and Entering in the night
to commit larceny
0
0
1
1
Breaking and Entering in the day to commit larceny
1
0
16
17
Capias
12
0
1
13
Drunkenness
69
8
0
77
Insane
6
11
0
17
Larceny
12
1
13
26
Male 5
51
Lodgers
25
0
0
25
Lodgers-Service Men
(Kiwanis Room)
330
0
0
330
Motor Vehicle Violations
62
1
3
66
Non-Support
30
0
0
30
Operating under the Influence
19
1
0
20
Operating to Endanger
26
1
0
27
Destruction to Property
1
2
0
3
Disturbing the Peace
1
4
0
5
Neglect to Children
5
1
0
6
Sale of Liquor to Minors
0
3
0
3
Illegitimate Child Act
1
0
0
1
Stubborn Child
0
0
1
1
Assault with intent to Rape
1
0
0
1
Lewdness
0
1
0
1
Malicious Mischief
1
1
0
2
Delinquent Child
0
0
1
1
A.W.O.L. from Army
1
0
0
1
A.W.O.L. from Navy
1
0
0
1.
Deserter from U. S. Marines
1
0
0
1
Deserter from U. S. Army
1
0
0
1
Escapee from Foxboro State Hosp.
1
0
0
1
Board of Health Laws
2
0
0
2
Cruelty to Animals
2
0
0
2
Fugitive from Maine-Violation of
Selective Service Act
1
0
0
1
Statistical Report of the Police Department
Arrests for out of town oficers
1
Amount of fines imposed in Middleboro Court
$1,880.00
Buildings found open
264
Cases investigated
361
Disturbances quelled without arrest
75
Defective street lights
159
Number of arrests during the year
370
Males
293
Females
38
Juveniles
39
Non-residents
100
Local residents
270
Summons Served
50
Sales of second hand automobiles reported ...
802
Value of stolen property recovered and restored
$4,758.75
Warning tags on autos
87
Light tags on autos
37
Bicycles registered in 1944
93
Motor Vehicle accidents investigated
50
Property damage caused by motor vehicles investigated
50
Conclusion
The patrol car has covered 17,019 miles during the past year.
All places of business not covered by the foot patrol are cov- ered each night by the patrol car.
The ambulance has covered 248 miles in the past year, having 24 calls to accidents. Total mileage 185. Fourteen calls for patrol, total mileage 63.
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Persons taken to hospital 40.
We have had three bad accidents during the year, two occur- ring at the same place on a railroad crossing. The third on a straight stretch of macadam road. 6 fatalities and 57 injured.
I wish to thank the Superintendent of Schools and the teach- ers for their help in teaching the children in regard to traffic.
I wish to thank the telephone operators for the good service given the Department, which has been of great assistance in our work.
I wish to express my thanks and appreciation for the assist- ance and cooperation given by the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the Fourth District Court, the people of Middleborough and the officers of the Department, who have helped to make the admin- istration of this Department a success.
Respectfully submitted,
ALDEN C. SISSON,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
Following is the annual report of the Weights and Measures Department:
SCALES
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Con- demned
Plat. over 10,000 lbs.
5
Plat. 5,001 to 10,000 lbs.
1
Plat. 100 to 5,000 lbs.
29
116
3
1
Counter under 100 lbs.
4
44
Counter 100 to 5,000 lbs.
2
15
Beam 100 to 5,000 lbs.
4
Beam under 100 lbs.
2
Spring 100 to 5,000 lbs.
7
19
Spring under 100 lbs.
28
88
1
Computing under 100 lbs.
12
37
1
Personal weighing (Slot)
11
Prescription ...
5
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WEIGHTS
Avoirdupois
15
537
Apothecary
43
Metric
47
LIQUIDS
Over one gallon
29
One gallon and under
72
Oil jars
6
Tank truck meters
5
16
Gas pumps
15
67
3
Oil measuring pumps
1
39
4
Grease pumps
9
Dry Measures
4
Yard Sticks
28
REWEIGHING
Total Tested
Number Correct
Under
Over
Beans
137
106
31
Bread
469
318
Butter
197
163
11
23
Cheese
121
109
5
12
Coal in Bags
88
47
41
Confectionery
264
240
2
22
Dry Commodities
406
336
1
69
Fruit & Vegetables
220
134
24
62
Flour
204
153
13
38
Lard
231
224
7
Oleomargarine
209
204
5
Meat & Provisions
25
19
6
Potatoes
217
111
22
84
1
Respectfully Submitted,
FRED F. CHURBUCK, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
REPORT OF THE MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit for your consideration and approval, the report of the Moth Department for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Our program each year is much the same, but the actual work varies according to the prevalence of pests to combat, the amount of funds available, the weather and the equipment.
The Gypsy Moth infection which was so bad to the south of us in 1943, worked this way in 1944 and did more than usual dam- age. We did a considerable amount of control work, which in- cluded cutting roadside brush and lower limbs of trees which were heavily infested with egg clusters, creosoting egg clusters, and roadside spraying of the chewing caterpillar. More funds must
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be had if this control work is to be continued successfully next ' year.
We sprayed the elm trees for Elm Leaf Beetle as usual but had to leave a few trees because of wet weather at the end of the feeding season.
The Department also did considerable spraying of private fruit and ornamental shade trees, potatoes and cranberry bogs. We do this at cost, furnishing the Arsenate of lead, the property owner furnishing whatever other ingredients he wishes.
I wish to call your attention to the fact that our equipment is getting old and worn, and necessary repairs and replacements due to restrictions are almost impossible to obtain.
In closing, I wish to thank all who have taken an interest and co-operated with this department.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS H. FORNEY, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN, 1944
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Tree Warden for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Our tree problem is a very serious one. Many are so weak- ened by disease and unusual conditions that they are becoming a menace as well as being unsightly. The 1938 Hurricane is the cause of a lot of this damage, having left exposed wounds for the entrance of insects and fungi. The 1944 Hurricane did more dam- age than the 1938. These hurricanes more often blow down the stouter trees because of their large number of healthy leaves, leav- ing more weak ones with lesser leaf surface.
At the earliest possible time I recommend a suitable appropri- ation for the purpose of a program that will assure us adequate shade trees in the years to come. Maintaining the beauty of the town streets should not be neglected too long.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS H. FORNEY,
Tree Warden.
55.
REPORT OF THE WIRE INSPECTOR
Board of Selectmen,
Middleboro, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit to you my report as Inspector of Wires for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Number of miles traveled-1,265.
Number of inspections-392.
Number of reinspections-14.
Respectfully submitted,
EMILIO N. NIRO,
Wire Inspector.
REPORT OF THE DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Dog officer for the year ending Dec. 31, 1944:
Number of male dogs licensed 690
Number of female dogs licensed 115
Number of spayed dogs licensed 205
Number of kennels licensed 4
Number of dogs picked up
68
Number of dogs sold
10
Number of dogs redeemed by owners 10
Number of stray dogs killed 48
Number of dogs killed for individuals 64
Number of cats killed for individuals 38
Respectfully submitted, NELSON R. GREER,
Dog Officer.
.56
REPORT OF THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT
-
To the Town Manager and the Honorable Board of Selectmen: Gentlemen:
The Department's activities for the year ending December 31, 1944, have included the following.
Administration of General Relief
Administration of Old Age Assistance
Administration of Aid to Dependent Children
The boarding of children in foster homes Operation of the Town Infirmary.
The total expenditures for carrying on all of these activities was 201,622.07. The sources from which funds were received to meet these expenses including salaries, were as follows:
Appropriation from the Town $134,880.60
Federal Grants 74,062.69
Refunds from all Departments 1,441.12
Total 210,384.41
Our total expenditures for all departments, including
salaries
$201,622.07
Unexpended Balance 8,762.34
Total 210,384.41
The total receipts from all sources were as follows:
Receipts from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts $ 70,084.69
Receipts from the Cities and Towns 11,892.93
Receipts from the Federal Government 74,062.69
Receipts from the Individuals 1,169.91
Receipts from the Farm Produce and Sale of Hogs and
Cattle
6,080.12
Total 163,290.34
General Relief
During the past year, the General Relief case load has re- mained almost at the same level as the previous year. Our case load on December 31, 1943, was 61 active cases. On December 31, 1944, the case load was 59 cases, a drop of 2 cases. These figures also include the 32 inmates at the Town Infirmary, 17 of whom are boarders. There is very little to report on this type of relief except that the spouse of an Old Age Assistance recipient who has not reached the age of 65 years is entitled to receive his budgetary requirements from General Relief funds. The budget would be the same as that of Old Age Assistance. This law went into ef- fect in September, 1943.
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1
57
We have three children who are being boarded in foster homes, a drop of 2 over the previous year.
The total expenditures for General Relief were itemized as follows:
Salaries
$2,169.56
Transportation
148.73
Postage
40.60
Telephone
41.00
Office supplies
25.75
Social Service Index
23.00
Other Supplies and Burials
675.15
Clothing
383.10
Rent
654.00
Groceries and Meat
1,958.51
Medical Supplies and Care
888.09
Fuel
561.47
Board and Care
2,328.00
Cash Grants
4,303.75
State Institutions
1,044.00
Other Cities and Towns
333.76
Hospital Care
982.39
Total
$16,560.86
Town Infirmary
Your Town Infirmary for the past year has continued to pro- duce a large amount of vegetables, poultry, hogs and other com- modities. The labor problem has not, as yet, affected us because of the cooperation of the inmates. Most of them are able to do light tasks which has helped to keep the infirmary operating smoothly. The bulk of the work, however, falls on Mr. and Mrs. Crowell and the salaried employees. The inmates have had ex- cellent care and all seem to be happy and contented. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. and Mrs. Crowell and their associates for their cooperation and efforts this past year.
The outside walls of the home have been shingled making a very attractive as well as a warmer building. The cost for this work was 2,000.00. The hurricane did some damage to the roof of the home and the barn which necessitated our spending $350 for the repair work. Other building repairs amounted to $489.33. The total cost of repairs to the building was 2,839.33.
It would be well if the citizens of Middleboro would take an interest in this institution by visiting it often. You would find it interesting and would encourage those who are trying to help those who are less fortunate than most people. It would be well if the clergy in Middleboro could find time away from their duties to visit and to hold services with these people. To my knowledge this has not been done for quite some time but, I hope, during the coming year it can be arranged as I know it would be appreciated by them.
The total cost at the Infirmary for the year ending December 31, 1944 including salaries, was $17,552.83. The total receipts were $15,003.93. The net cost to the Town of Middleboro was $2,548.90. The reason for the increased cost over the previous year was due
58
to the cost of shingling and hurricane damages. As our average number of inmates was 28, the cost per inmate would be approxi- mately $1.75 per week.
We have 16 people at the Infimary who are Middleboro settled which means that the Town of Middleboro is responsible financially and otherwise for their care and support. I would like to point out to you that if these people were placed in State Institutions or private homes, the cost for their care would run into approxi- mately $10,000.00 per year. You can really see that it is imperative that Middleboro maintain and take an interest in its Town In- firmary.
The total expenditures at the Infirmary for the year ending December 31, 1944, were as follows:
Salaries-Supt. and Matron
$ 1,725.00
Wages-Employees
2,885.95
Telephone and Supplies
45.73
Dry Goods and Clothing
218.71
Fuel-Light-Water
1,529.29
Grain
2,226.66
Trucks and Truck repairs
83.16
Transportation Supt.
139.31
Gasoline
178.74
Building repairs
2,839.33
Groceries and Meat
3,539.93
Farm Machinery
289.33
Medical Care and Supplies
348.99
All Others
1,502.70
Total
$17,552.83
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Our Old Age Asssitance case load remains about the same. However, the cost of this type of relief has increased over the previous year on account of the new laws which were passed by the Legislature in 1943. All recipients of Old Age Assistance are placed on a budget basis and this amount must be given them. Be- cause of bills now pending in the Legislature, the State Depart- ment has recommended that towns and cities increase their appro- priation by 15% for the coming year. If the age limit is reduced from 65 to 60 years of age, it will mean an added expense to the town because the Federal Government, at the present time, will reimburse one-half up to $40 per month and the age limit is 65. The laws that affect this type of relief make it mandatory that this department use all recipients alike.
Following is a list of expenditures and reimbursements on Old Age Assistance for the year ending December 31, 1944.
Salaries
$ 4,521.04
Telephone
35.94
Office Supplies
173.53
Postage ...
316.92
Transportation
328.99
After Death
1,276.94
Cities and Towns
1,173.62
59
Cash Grants
138,561.07
Total Cost
$146,387.95
Federal reimbursement
65,447.09
State reimbursement
60,594.99
Other Cities and Towns
3,105.35
Refunds
1,206.20
Total Receipts
$130,353.63
$ 16,034.32 Net cost to town
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
This type of relief has remained approximately the same as in 1943. Our case load has increased by one making a total, as of December 31, 1944, of 24 cases and 56 children. The Federal Gov- ernment allows $18.00 for the first child in a family and $12 for each succeeding child. The state pays 2/3 of the balance. Most mothers receiving Aid to Dependent Children have remained at home to care for their children rather than go to work and neglect them.
Following is the list of expenditures and receipts for the year ending December 31, 1944:
Salaries
$ 1,252.00
Office Supplies
93.63
Postage
117.21
Telephone
22.19
Transportation
164.85
Cash Grants
19,470.55
Total
$21,120.43
Federal reimbursement
8,615.60
State reimbursement
6,087.63
Refunds
204.85
Total
$14,908.08
Net cost to town
$6,212.35
The net cost of all three categories of relief to the Town after all receipts have been deducted was $38,331.73.
MARIA L. H. PIERCE LUXURY FUND
This fund is paying very little now because of the low rate of interest. It does, however, provide the Infirmary with newspapers and small items for the inmates.
In closing my report for the year 1944, may I express my ap- preciation to my co-workers for their splendid co-operation during the past year. With the many changes that have had to be made because of new laws, it would have been impossible to get out vari- ous forms and reports to the State Department on time.
I also want to express my appreciation to the Town Manager, the Finance Committee and the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. MCKAY
Welfare Agent
1
ยท ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
MIDDLEBORO, MASS.
LEB
ORO
UTH
COUNT
U
GH
N
PL
==
ITY, MASS
*
INCORPORATE
4. D. 1669
For the Year Ending December 31
1944
DO
62
Organization, 1944
School Committee Members
Term Expires
Lorenzo Wood, Plymouth Street, Chairman 1945
Fred B. Alger, 5 Court End Avenue 1945
Joseph C. Whitcomb, 28 Pierce Street 1946
Virginia C. Smith, 43 Oak Street 1946
L. Francis Callan, Jr., 10 Clifford Street 1947
Forest E. Thomas, 59 Everett Street 1947
Superintendent of Schools J. Stearns Cushing, 65 Bourne Street
Office, Room 7, Town Hall Telephone 81
Office Hours, School Days, Monday, Wednesday, Friday,
3:30-5:00 P. M. Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00-9.30 A. M.
School Physician
Dr. A. Vincent Smith, 36 Pearl Street
Telephone 50
School Nurse
Helen B. Pasztor, R. N., 1 High Street
Supervisor of Attendance
Cilfford S. Lovell, 15 Court End Avenue
Census Enumerator Albert C. Libby, 7a West Street
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in Room 7, Town Hall, on the first Thursday of each month excepting July and August, at 7:30 P. M.
1
63
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF SCHOOLS
To Members of the Middleboro School Committee.
I hereby present the annual report of the schools of the Town of Middleboro and my eighteenth as superintendent of those schools. Departmental reports have been prepared and submitted to me, the complete reports bound and filed in the department office. This report deals only with those details of our school system which should be of public interest and concern.
When asked to name the most important things children should get from their public school education, Americans rank a mastery of academic subjects and the development of desirable character traits of first and equal importance, followed by vocational training, citizenship education, and experience in making social adjustments. Thirty-four percent of the public say they consider a mastery of regular school subjects-wth the "fundamentals" . and the "three R's" most often mentioned, the most important part of educa- tion; thirty-four percent mention some aspect of character educa-, tion; twenty-six percent believe preparation for earning a living is most mportant; fourteen percent speak of citizenship training; eleven percent think children should be taught how to get along with other people; and seven percent are not specific in their sug- gestions.
In the conduct of our local schools we have kept the mastery of academic subjects and the development of desirable character traits as our major goals. We are unfortunately not as yet equipped for a program of vocational training, but it is hoped this will come in the post-war period of construction.
As a test of the first of these objectives, the mastery of acad- emic subjects, the Iowa Tests of Educational Development were given to all High School pupils last February. These tests were prepared by the State University of Iowa, corrected by them, and the results forwarded to the Superintendent. As these tests are given in a large number of the high schools of the United States, there has been set up a Standard Achievement or Average for the Nation thus providing the school administrators with dependable measures of general educational growth and over-all evaluation of the entire Educational offering.
In order to have a clear picture, one should understand the character of these individual tests, nine in number.
Test I-Understanding of Basic Social Concepts, a broadly com- prehensive examination of the pupil's knowledge and understanding of the structure of modern society.
Test II-Background in the Natural Sciences, an examination of the pupil's knowledge and understanding of the scientific aspects of the world in which he lives.
Test III-Correctness in Writing, an examination of the pupil's knowledge and understanding of the correct use of grammar, punc- tuation, and spelling.
Test IV-Ability to do Quantitative Thinking, a test of general problem solving ability.
64
Test V-Ability to Interpret Reading Materials in the Social Studies, a test based on a large number of representative reading passages from textbooks and references, from magazine and news- paper articles, and from current books dealing with social problems.
Test VI-Ability to Interpret Reading Materials in the Natural Sciences, a test similar to V but in the subject of Natural Science.
Test VII-Ability to Interpret Literary Materials, a test based on selected passages of prose and poetry.
Test VIII-General Vocabulary.
Test IX-Uses of Sources of Information, a test of the pupil's familiarities with an ability to use important reference materials.
The following table will show how our high school Seniors and Freshmen ranked with the national high school average.
Iowa Test Scores
Seniors 1944 .
1
2
3 16.4
4 15.3
18.0
6 16.2
7 17.0
8 16.2
9 17.0
National Average 17.3
14.6
Memorial High
School Average 19.3
15.0
16.4
15.0
18.3
15.9
16.9
18.8
17.6
Freshmen 1944
National Average 11.4
10.2
10.3
11.0
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.2
Memorial High
School Average 14.6
12.1
11.0
9.4
14.2
12.0
12.1
13.8
11.9
These results are very gratifying and we have a right to be proud of the standing of our boys and girls. In practically all tests, the local high school pupils scored above the national average. This is definitely a credit to the school system and a credit to the abil- ities of the children of our community.
In the development of desirable character traits, our other first objective, the schools are doing an excellent job. While some unfor- tunate act of one individual child may receive much publicity and unfair conclusions drawn, the average child in our schools today has excellent ideals and desirable living habits. The home, church, and other character building agencies may well deserve their share of praise and satisfaction.
Our Future School Housing Problem
At the request of the School Committee, the voters approved, at the Special Town Meeting, July 10th, the appointment of a com- mittee by the Moderator to study school housing needs. This com- mittee has been meeting and will probably report its findings at the annual town meeting in February.
In order that our citizens may know the conditions demanding the above action, the facts are included in this report.
Present conditions: There is no bad overcrowding at the pres- ent time. However, all buildings are approximately at capactiy. To relieve the School Street School in September, the sixth grades had to be transferred to the Bates School where now the smallest class is 39 and the largest 42. There are now housed in the Bates School 377 children which is 105 more than at the same time last
1
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65
year. The classes are too large for efficient teaching in this school and physical properties improper for best results. While this is not bad overcrowding it certainly is capacity. With such large classes individual help and instruction is impossible and mass teaching must follow with inferior results.
Controlling Factors: History has shown that during a period of prosperity or a period of war the number of marriages with the resulting births greatly increase. Statistics in this town substantiate these facts and both Marriages and the resulting Births are the controlling factors of school enrollment.
Marriages. In the year 1933 there were 78 marriages in the town, and in the year just passed (1943) there were 114, an increase of 46%. In 1942, however, the number of marriages had more than doubled since 1933, in fact they had increased to 167 or 114%. It is true that some couples were married and recorded here from out- side our town but this number is balanced by the number of local couples married and recorded in other places.
The Marriage Table
1933
78
1934
96
1935
98
1936
107
1937
100
1938
118
1939
130
1940
150
1941
153
1942
167
1943
114
1944 (Oct. 1)
68
The above table shows that there have been more marriages recorded in Middleboro since 1938 than were recorded in the 8 years preceding 1938. In planning for the future housing of school children this fact must be seriously studied and weighed.
Births: Children enter our school if they are six years of age on or before the next January first. Children entering school last September were born in 1938 or in a very few cases in late 1937. Because children must be six years of age this study should par- ticularly interest itself with the increase in births during the last six years. The statistics of our town over a long period of years show that about 96% of the chldren born in any year enter school in our own town six years later.
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