USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1950 > Part 6
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Following is a list of expenditures and reimbursements on all cate- gories of relief in the Department:
General Relief
Salaries Office Rent Transportation Postage
$3,725.57 585.00 84.75 15.00
74
ANNUAL REPORT
Office Supplies
120.83
Telephone
25.00
Social Service Index
76.00
Other Supplies and Burials
450.10
Clothing
655.89
Rent
878.40
Groceries and Meats
14,402.07
Medical Care and Supplies
2,838.93
Fuel, Light, Water
1,235.76
Board and Care
6,958.26
Cash Grants
12,780.60
State Institutions
911.87
Other Cities and Towns
4,877.99
Hospital Care
2,487.63
Total Expenses
$53,109.65
RECEIPTS
Refunds
$385.65
Estimated Receipts
178.00
Other Cities and Towns
5,406.33
Receipts (State)
9,047.93
Total Receipts
$15,017.91
Net Cost to Town
$38,091.74
Infirmary
Salary - Supt. and Matron
$2,070.00
Wages - Employees
3,643.16
Transportation Supt.
172.86
Telephone and Supplies
65.40
Dry Goods and Clothing
293.91
Fuel, Light, Water
1,463.22
Grain
2,682.52
Truck and Tractor Repairs
40.60
Gasoline
317.52
Groceries and Meats
5,866.25
Farm Machinery
578.15
Medical Care and Supplies
951.19
Building Repairs
697.06
House Supplies
300.83
Barn Supplies
87.16
Livestock
192.50
Sewing Machine
119.62
All other expenses
357.79
Total Expenses
$19,899.74 ยท
RECEIPTS
Sale of Produce and Hogs
$6,661.02
Boarders
8,156.80
Refunds
78.72
Total Receipts
$14,896.54
Net Cost to Town
$5,003.20
75
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance
Salaries
$6,722.38
Transportation
277.42
Telephone
71.75
Office Supplies
505.45
Postage
455.98
Cities and Towns
2,535.66
After Death Payments
5,210.02
Cash Grants
289,290.99
Total Expenses
$305,069.65
RECEIPTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Federal Reimbursement
$131,702.09
State Estimated Receipts
125,805.37
Recovery
38.70
Refunds
3,295.31
Other Cities and Towns
3,771.16
Total Receipts
$264,612.63
Net Cost to Town
$40,457.02
Aid to Dependent Children
Salaries
$2,822.34
Transportation
124.13
Office Supplies
122.68
Postage
5.00
Telephone
33.00
Cash Grants
64,179.85
Total Expenses
$67,287.00
RECEIPTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS
Federal Reimbursement (14 months)
$23,924.33
State Estimated Receipts
20,905.52
Refunds
2,271.95
Total Receipts
47,101.80
Net Cost to Town
$20,185.20
In a summation of this report, I would like to say that this Depart- ment has maintained a program of assistance and service comparable to the best in the state. In my short period of service for the Town of Middleboro, I have found that the Department has been operating with a minimum of expense and a maximum of efficiency and I offer my con- gratulations to the previous Welfare Agent, his staff in the Department and at the Infirmary for an excellent job done.
EDWIN O. WILSON,
Welfare Agent.
76
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE VETERANS' SERVICE DEPARTMENT For the Year of 1950
During the past year, the administration of Veterans' Benefits has increased approximately ten per cent on account of the increase on the amount paid on the new State budget and new men being drafted into the service. Payments on Veterans' Benefits is met by the State and Towns on equal basis with each paying one-half of all Veterans' Benefits cases. The case load in this office has increased over the past year on account of the labor situation during the first half of 1950. The case load has been reduced as much as possible by finding work for veterans who were in need. The employment of veterans by Thomas Brothers Company of Middleboro has been a great help in keeping the cost and case load down. There has been a heavy cost on hospitalization for veterans' dependents. The veterans themselves have been placed in Veterans' Hospitals which relieved the Town and State of hospital bills. Office records and the amounts paid on all Veterans' Benefits cases are checked and inspected regularly by the State inspectors from the Commissioner's office.
The following is a list of cases which have been handled by this office for the year 1950.
2
Bonus Applications
7
Civil Service
38
Discharge
15
Copy
15
Recorded
15
Education
85
Employment
572
Finance
36
Flags
16
Housing
159
Information
4,770
Legal Aid
19
Maternity
1
Readjustment
28
Social Security
139
Taxes
47
Telephone Calls and Letters
4,520
Unemployment Compensation
95
Veterans' Administration
110
Burial
7
Compensation
15
Education
38
Training
20
Rehabilitation
121
Hospitalization
24
Insurance
42
Legal
19
Loans
28
Medical - Dental
74
Pensions
14
Allotment or Allowance
77
ANNUAL REPORT
Veterans' Benefits
256
Vital Statistics
148
Miscellaneous
224
Notary Public
560
Other Records
176
Care of Veterans' Graves
164
Pension Claims Reopened
8
Change of Beneficiary
25
Records for Applicants
142
Investigations Made
96
Photostat Copies
959
Draft Registrations
111
Lost Discharges
12
Obtaining Forms
150
Change of Address
51
Applications for Increase of Pensions
17
Veterans sent to schools for Tests and Information
40
Applications for Out of State Bonus
9
Veterans called at Office for Work
453
Veterans placed on Jobs
98
Insurance Dividend Applications
31
Funeral Arrangements made for Veterans' Funerals
7
Flags for Caskets and Graves Obtained
7
I wish to thank the Town Manager, Town Treasurer, Town Clerk and the Police Department for their splendid co-operation during the year of 1950.
Respectfully submitted, LOUIS A. COLE, Director of Veterans' Service.
REPORT OF HOUSING AUTHORITY
January 23, 1951
Board of Selectmen
Middleborough, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The year 1950 marked the first full year of operation by the Middle- borough Housing Authority of the Veterans' Housing Project at Archer Court.
The 28 apartments at the project were fully tenanted throughout the year. Four families moved from the project and the vacancies were immediately filled without loss of revenue.
A balance sheet compiled as of December 31, 1950 is enclosed.
Respectfully submitted, ALLAN M. HALE, Chairman.
78
ANNUAL REPORT
BALANCE SHEET -DECEMBER 31, 1950 Assets
Cash on Hand
$5,081.34
Development Costs :*
Administrative Costs
$3,204.81
Carrying Charges
3,204.07
Architectural and Engineering Fees
17,947.22
Site Acquisition
3,166.23
Site Improvement
25,565.00
Structures and Equipment
228,914.31
282,001.64
$287,082.98
Liabilities
Notes Payable:
Notes Authorized, Temporary
$315,000.00
Less: Notes Unissued
30,000.00
$285,000.00
Accrued Liabilities: Accrued Interest on Notes
2,082.98
$287,082.98
*Total since October 1, 1948.
FORD CAMPBELL, Treasurer.
REPORT OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
The towns of Plymouth County have the opportunity of contrib- uting directly to the budget of the Plymouth County Extension Service by town appropriation, which is sent directly to the County Treasurer for the use of this Department. Town Directors are chosen to represent the town in the administration of the Extension Service wherever pos- sible.
The Extension Service is an educational organization sponsored jointly by the County of Plymouth, University of Massachusetts, and the United States Department of Agriculture. There are three Depart- ments within the Extension Service - Agriculture, Homemaking, and 4-H Club Work. The major objectives of the Extension Service are di- rected to farm and rural people, but since funds from tax sources are used, there is an obligation to all the citizens of the County.
The direction for the Extension Service is by board of nine trustees who are appointed by, and report to, the Board of County Commission- ers. In addition, each Department has an advisory council and com- modity committees which give counsel in the formation of educational programs for their respective groups.
79
ANNUAL REPORT
General educational programs are conducted through meetings, circular letters, newspaper and radio publicity. In addition, farm and home visits are made to promote rural welfare among the men, women, and youth interested in better farm and rural living.
H. ARTHUR STANDISH,
Agent.
TOWN CLERK'S FINANCIAL REPORT
Fish and Game Licenses
Resident Citizen's Fishing
344
@
$2.00
$688.00
Resident Citizen's Hunting
241
@
2.00
482.00
Resident Citizen's Sporting
199
@ 3.25
646.75
Resident Citizen's Minor and
Female Fishing
110 @
1.25
137.50
Resident Citizen's Minor Trapping
. @
2.25
2.25
Resident Citizen's Trapping
14 @
5.25
73.50
Non-Resident Citizen's Hunt-
ing
2 @
10.25
20.50
Non-Resident Citizen's Special
Fishing
4 @
1.50
6.00
Duplicates
8 @
.50
44.00
923
$2,060.50
Paid to Town Treasurer
228.75
Paid to Division of Fisheries and Game
1,831.75
Dog Licenses
Males
618
@
$2.00
$1,236.00
Females
103
@
5.00
515.00
Spayed Females
228
@
2.00
456.00
Kennels
35
@
10.00
350.00
Kennels
1
a
25.00
25.00
Kennels
2
@
50.00
100.00
Transfers
1
@
.25
.25
Duplicates
23
@
.10
2.30
1,011
$2,684.55 $2,684.55
Paid to Town Treasurer Portion due County Portion due Town
($2,484.90)
( $199.65)
80
ANNUAL REPORT
Licenses and Permits
Mortgages
$657.37
Maps
29.25
Certified Copies
155.50
Business Certificates
7.00
Registration - Physician
.25
Affidavit of Correction
1.00
Pole Location
33.00
Street Lists
17.00
Dealer
140.00
Common Victualler
98.00
Fuel Oil
7.00
Pistol
27.00
Marriage
232.00
Dance
45.00
Sunday
86.00
Garage
15.00
Auctioneer
12.00
Gasoline
267.50
Shuffle Board
236.68
Peddler's License
24.00
Theatre
65.00
Firearms
6.00
Second-hand Furniture
85.00
Alcohol
7,666.00
Junk
50.00
Pool
11.00
Bowling
42.00
Lodging House
6.00
Taxi
50.00
Transient Vendors
10.00
Circus
25.00
Sunday Music
8.40
$10,114.95
Paid to Town Treasurer
$10,114.95
Total payments to Town Treasurer
($13,028.25)
Total payments to Division Fisheries & Game
( $1,831.75)
$14,860.00
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO S. THOMAS,
Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS.
EE
OF
LOUTH
COUNT
PLYMOU
INCORPORATED
For the Year Ending December 31 1950
82
ANNUAL REPORT
+
In Memorium
DR. A. VINCENT SMITH School Physician 1928 - 1950
"Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him. For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king. The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration."
83
ANNUAL REPORT
School Committee Membership, 1950
Term Expires
Lorenzo Wood, Plymouth Street, Chairman
1951
Horace K. Atkins, 4 Williams Place
1951
George A. Shurtleff, Jr., 33 Peirce Street
1952
Virginia C. Smith, 43 Oak Street
1952
Miriam M. Campbell, Old Thomas Street
1953
Joseph F. Riley, 88 School Street 1953
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.
Superintendent of Schools J. Stearns Cushing, 65 Bourne Street
Office, Room 7, Town Hall Telephone 81
The Superintendent of Schools also serves as Secretary to the School Committee.
School Physician Dr. Edward L. Perry, 39 Oak Street
School Nurse Ila P. Jackson, 106 South Main Street
Supervisor of Attendance Clifford S. Lovell, 182 North Main Street
Census Enumerator Albert C. Libby, 7A West Street
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1951
First Term - January 2 - February 16
Second Term - February 26 - April 13
Third Term - April 23 - June 13, Elementary Schools June 20, High School Fourth Term - September 5 - December 21
No-School Days
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, Armistice Day, Thanks- giving Day and day following.
84
ANNUAL REPORT
School Census, October 1, 1950
Males
Females
5 and 6 years
166
5 and 6 years 161
6 to 16 years 757
7 to 16 years 698
923
859
Total ,
1,782
16 years or over in school 208
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To Members of the Middleboro School Committee:
Herewith is presented the annual report of the public schools of the Town of Middleborough and my twenty-fourth as superintendent of those schools.
"As we face a new and uncertain year together we must recognize that the schools of America represent a first line of defense in the struggle of our way of life for survival and be as fully prepared for sacrifices as we shall expect sacrifices of those who are serving on the battlefields of the world."
"We must recognize the tremendous responsibility that we have for the children under our guidance and care. We need to remember that these children have always lived in a confused and unstable world. It is our responsibility to provide them with the security and the steady sense of direction that will be of such great importance in their social and emotional development."
Our children are even more confused due to the local conditions under which they are attending school. Five hundred and three, more than one- third of our elementary school population, are attending classes on part- time. This condition must exist until parents, realizing their responsibili- ties, are willing to make the necessary sacrifices.
Larger groups of children are pouring into our schools each year with still larger groups to follow. Next September an estimated increase of 130 children will be seeking an education.
Is Middleboro going to let this condition continue to grow still more serious ?
Your Committee has recommended the appointment of a new group to study the needs and recommend a solution. It is imperative that this be done and also imperative that the survey group organize at once and operate rapidly.
In the words of General Eisenhower, . To neglect our school system would be a crime against the future. Such neglect could well be more disastrous to all our freedoms than the most formidable armed
85
ANNUAL REPORT
assault on our physical defenses . . . Where our schools are concerned, no external threat can excuse negligence; no menace can justify a halt to progress."
Conditions in the Bates School can be best studied from the annual report of Henry B. Burkland, Principal.
"In a number of books about the Junior High School, agreement is reached that the evaluation of any Junior High School should deal with the topics of Building, Membership, Program of Studies, Teachers and Teaching, Activities, and Needs and Improvements.
Our Building is inadequate for the needs of a Junior High School and with the added sixth grade even more unadaptable. It is true that certain lacks can act as a challenge to both pupils and teachers, but that point at Bates School was reached a number of years ago. It is true it did build for initiative - building the shop, improving the decoration, establishing a makeshift library, etc. - but the time arrives when such odds become overwhelming, and the saturation point on inventiveness has been reached. Only by the building of a new building in the town, with a chance for re- allocation of grades, can the problem be solved.
Three needed improvements have been made the past year which are good as the building, well built originally, will continue to serve for many years under less crowded conditions. The resurfacing of the playground on the Union Street side has been both a safety and cleanliness measure; the new stair treads are also a safety measure; and the new partition separating the Industrial Arts storeroom from the girls' toilets a necessity.
The Membership of the school as of December 19, 1950 is as follows: Grade Six (5 divisions), 162; Grade Seven (4 divisions), 131; Grade Eight (4 divisions), 143; total membership, 436. The sixth grade is on the so- called "platoon system", which means that all pupils in that grade are at the present time receiving only one-half of the needed time for their educational development, and that they are missing all school activities except the minimum essentials. In the time in which we find ourselves there are accepted standards in both home and business life, yet these pupils in early adolescence are losing needed educative processes in their formative years! The pupils are the greatest losers, but the arrangement does not make for good mental hygiene for either parents or teachers, and a general feeling of frustration results which causes a multiplicity of problems which increase in the school system as the so-called "platoon system" increases in number of pupils affected.
With the above numbers, it is necessary to continue to use the top floor for classrooms and a library. Building inspectors frown on this and already one class meeting on the top floor, the special opportunity class, has had to be discontinued for lack of space. While the two remain- ing rooms might be used for committee meetings and such activities, they are not suited for classrooms for the grades any more than they were twenty-four years ago when they were considered unsuited for senior high school use! The Library, an essential part of a modern school, is only the third floor corridor and now used for council meetings, testing, and groups of 15 or less and is wholly unsatisfactory for use as a work- ing library.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
It has been the policy of the present principal to revise the Curriculum Syllabus of Study every two years. In the Junior High School more than in any other unit of the school system the program of studies cannot re- main static. There are certain minimum essentials to be sure, but the numbers of pupils, the various cases of social and age-group promotions from the lower grades, and the changing attitudes and interests of a modern world change many of the approaches in this field. The teachers of Bates School have done outstanding work in this area of school devel- opment as is attested by the many requests received from neighboring schools of these grades for copies of the syllabus itself. During the entire school year of 1949-1950, departmental meetings were held, research was carried on, courses were taken, and summaries made to bring the courses in line with educational theory and thought, plus an emphasis on needed local practice. The result is a composite of many teachers' ideas, which can be well expanded into a Junior High School Curriculum Study. Locally, a course was offered in "Curriculum Re-Construction" given by Professor Allison of Rhode Island College of Education and using that as a "springboard" the various committees developed a well rounded syllabus in each subject. Programs of studies must grow out of local as well as national needs and must take the middle road between the formal subject matter and the enriched suggestions from the educational reformers. Every school has limitations, interests and problems which must be taken into account in formulation of its program of studies. Due to this apparent confusion, the work of teacher committees becomes even more important and necessary.
Three new teachers are on the force this year at Bates School; two are replacements of teachers who resigned, and one is an additional member due to the "platoon system."
On November 27th (and again on April 23rd), the entire school pro- gram was changed due to the fact that at Bates School many of the teach- ers have "interlocking" programs teaching classes not only of the sixth grade on half-time, but also the seventh and eighth grade classes on reg- ular time. The lay person cannot conceive of the amount of work this means and in all changes the program was prepared by the Superintendent of Schools to answer the needs of the above mentioned conflicts in teach- ing program.
The members of the faculty are enrolled in many "in-service" courses, some at State Teachers' College, Bridgewater, some at Boston University, and some by University Extension lectures and correspon- dence.
Due to the "platoon system," regular faculty staff meetings have been practically impossible, but meetings of teachers having the same grades in the school have been held, and group and individual conferences have been held limited by the time available to the principal's program.
The School Activities are of a co-curricular nature and include Band, Orchestra, the various Special Interest Clubs in the fall and spring terms, an Activity Period in the winter term, the three major Sports, Socials, Assemblies, and the Junior Red Cross and 4-H Club work.
The annual eighth grade operetta "Steamboat A-Comin' " was suc- cessfully given last April and is a good example of the various depart- ments of the school working together on a main project. Founded upon
87
ANNUAL REPORT
actual folklore of American River Life, it combined work in Music, Art, Social Studies, and Literature.
The clubwork in the fall and spring and the Activity Period in the winter has given many pupils a chance for choice of activity and self- expression. The work in the Junior Red Cross and 4-H work have linked the pupils with larger groups and have taught the Service Ideal so needed in the sick world of today.
Carefully planned opening exercises, homeroom periods, and assem- blies by pupils and adults have, we hope, contributed to the development of the whole child morally and spiritually as well as physically and aca- demically.
Each teacher in the building has some specialized duty as to testing, health work, guidance counselling, and general school administration. It would be impossible to efficiently carry on the work to any degree without this faculty cooperation.
Frequent conferences with my fellow principals makes a continuous growth of individual children possible. By this connection of close con- tact with the school grades immediately preceding and following the ones in this building a less broken and interrupted process is possible, and the gaps between grades are lessened materially.
The continued interest and cooperation of our public library is most important. Each year a library course is given by the Librarian to the eighth grade pupils. One of the few pioneers in this work, the idea has now spread to many communities. The other two grades visit the library and know of its services.
Without the investment and interest of the trustees of the Peirce Estate Funds, the work in Industrial Arts and Home Economics would be impossible. During the school year 1949-1950, this fund provided $3,005.91 for the maintenance of these departments in the school.
The Bates School Parent-Teacher Association continues to be both a practical and a morale building help to the school. Bates P. T. A. has, indeed, been fortunate over the years in its fine leadership and the present officers add to that good fortune. Many hours of planning and consultation have led to the formation of a good program, worth-while activities, and interest in what is best for the majority of the pupils represented by the homes of our pupils. They have given unsparingly of their time and interest in both the local P. T. A. and Council work, and have received state recognition for their program. In the case of Bates School, the P. T. A. has well lived up to its aims in every way and has at all times "cooperated with, but not tried to operate" the school.
With the present school year, Bates School has served as a training school for 122 young people from the State Teachers' College at Bridge- water, the New England Conservatory of Music and Brown University. Not only do these young teachers-to-be bring new ideas with them to the school but from the professional successes of many of them we feel Bates School has made some contribution to their development. This service has also given us the advice and counsel of the faculties of these colleges, and this fact has been of great assistance to our own faculty committees on curriculum.
88
ANNUAL REPORT
The willingness of faculty members to engage in various town and community enterprises is marked in Middleboro and at Bates School. These contacts with religious, fraternal, and social organizations are an important link in human relations between the school and the town it serves. It is as Shakespeare wrote: "How far the little candle throws its beams, so shines a good deed in a naughty world."
One need noted by teachers, pupils and parents alike is an improved lighting system. Truly, the present lights are superior to those in the building thirty years ago, but now serving the community for its sixty- fourth school year new lighting is needed in all classrooms except the Rounseville Building and the so-called library room where lighting has been revised in recent years. As has been previously stated, such improve- ments will be useful to whatever grades occupy the building in years to come.
The gift, two years ago, of the Massachusetts Vision Test machine by the Middleboro Lions Club has proven of such inestimable value that a like gift of an audiometer machine for hearing tests would be a boon.
As our complex life with its many problems brings the school into action, there must be more time allowed for work in Counselling by the Guidance Counsellors and the Principal.
The day has long since passed when the Principal had the so-called summer "vacation" "free". The secondary school principal in both the junior and senior high schools is now a full time, year-round person on the job along with the Superintendent of Schools. Not only the planning, the records, and the general administration carry on throughout the year, but there are many tie-ins which the lay citizen does not realize. For example, records for the armed forces alone can reach a maximum of thirty requests in a week and to these those of the courts can well be added.
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