USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 7
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To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit for your consideration and approval the Thirty- First Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1952.
Apparatus
Engine No. 1 Maxim 500 gallon pumper, Purchased June 28, 1920 (Out of service)
Engine No. 2 Maxim 1000 gallon "
April 23, 1928
Engine No. 3 Maxim 500 gallon
March 29, 1934 Engine No. 4 Maxim 750 gallon
" March 29, 1934
Ladder No. 1 Maxim Quadruple, 750 gallon, double bank ladder truck Dodge 1 ton Truck, Purchased March 26, 1946 Purchased April 26, 1946 Purchased May 26, 1949
Dodge Tank Truck, 1 Emergency Trailer Unit
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ANNUAL REPORT
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Organization
The Personnel of the Fire Department as of Dec. 31, 1952 is as follows:
1-Permanent Chief 5-Call Captains
1-Permanent Deputy Chief 37-Call Men
1-Permanent Captain
8-Substitute Call Men
10-Permanent Men
Total Members 63
South Middleboro Unit
1-Call Captain
12-Call Men
Total Members 13
Operation
Box Alarms 20 - False Alarms 3 - Squad Calls 40 - Warden Calls 56 Inhalator 1 - Still Alarms 151 - Of these, 16 for Chimney fires - 28 Oil Burners - 30 Automobiles - 21 Town Dump - 56 Grass, Rubbish etc.
Help to other Towns - Bridgewater 3 - Rochester 2 - Plymouth 1 - Carver 2 - Lakeville 2 - Taunton 1 - Wareham 2.
Help from other Towns - Lakeville 2 - Bridgewater 1 - Duxbury 1 - Carver 2 - Wareham 2 - State Forestry Department 2.
South Middleboro Unit Responded to,
20-Grass and Brush Fires
1 Electric Motor
2-Automobiles 3-Building Fires
2. Oil Burners
3 Dump Fires
Property Loss
Valuation
$40,850.00
Total Insurance
32,500.00
Estimated Damage
12,360.12
Insurance Paid
9,521.10
Loss not covered by insurance
2,839.02
Contents
Estimated Value
$35,850.00
Total Insurance
34,500.00
Estimate Damage
8,562.20
Insurance Paid
5,261.15
Loss not covered by insurance
3,301.05
New Equipment and Installations
1 Register and Take Up Reel for Fire Alarm System at Fire Station. 1 New Compressor for West Side Whistle House.
6 Schools were connected to the Fire Alarm System.
1 Oil Burner installed at Fire Station.
BERTRAM TRIPP,
Chief of Fire Department
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Middleboro, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit for your consideration and approval the Report of the Weights and Measures Department for the year 1952.
We are housed at 13 Forest Street, where the State Standards are kept under lock and key at all times. The Town equipment or working equipment have at regular intervals been compared and adjusted to these standards.
The revenue turned into the Town Treasurer's office for the past year 1952 are as follows:
Sealing Fees
$441.85
Adjusting Fees
2,95
Total
$444.80
Respectfully submitted LLOYD E. BANKS Sealer of Weights and Measures
Scales
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Condemned
Platform over 10,000 lbs.
1
4
5,000 to 10,000
2
2
100 to 500
84
109
Under 100 lbs.
98
181
Weights
8
245
Yard Sticks
12
TANKS
Liquid gal. or under
22
Meters in. or less
30
97
Over one inch
5
15
2
Oil and Grease
2
10
Bulk Storage
1
3
Kerosene Oil Grease
10
41
39
Totals
242
741
41
Reweighing
Total
:
Number Correct
Under
Over
Beans
110
Bread
88
88
Butter
132
132
Tested
84
ANNUAL REPORT
Cheese
110
110
Confectionery
44
44
Fruits and Vegts
44
44
Flour
22
22
Lard
99
99
Onions
110
20
90
Oleomargarine
110
110
Potatoes
242
98
10
134
Totals
1111
679
10
422
4 Reweighing Coal
Respectfully submitted
LLOYD E. BANKS .. . Sealer of Weights & Measures
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
I herewith submit to you my report of Dog Officer for the year 1952:
Number of dogs picked up
161
Number of dogs sold
3
Number of dogs redeemed by owners
114
Number of dogs dead on highway
63
Number of dogs destroyed for individuals
87
Number of dogs destroyed
44
Number of cats destroyed for individuals
206
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR F. BENSON
Dog Officer.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES
1716 /683
Number of inspections
429 460
Number of re-inspections
2721
Number of change-overs
102 9 7
Number of temporary meters
26.3 0
Number of new installations
72
EMILIO N. NIRO,
Wire Inspector.
Number of miles traveled
85
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my Report for the year 1952. Warden Calls Still Alarms for Grass and Brush
429 97 56
46
Total
102 $772.00
Estimated Damage
Cost of Extinguishing
Wages
$1,379.56 280.92
Maintenance and Operation
Total Cost
$1,660.48
Receipts
For Burning Grass
$ 254.50
Respectfully Submitted
BERTRAM TRIPP,
Forest Warden
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Year Ended December 31, 1952
Outstanding Taxes December 31, 1952:
Tax Levy, 1951 Real Estate
$9,019.26
Tax Levy, 1952 Real Estate
73,689.56
Tax Levy, 1951 Personal
723.90
Tax Levy, 1952 Personal
11,675.60
Tax Levy, 1951 Excise
150.53
Tax Levy, 1952 Excise
18,108.57
Tax Levy, 1951 Poll
28.00
Tax Levy, 1952 Poll
52.00
Tax Possession (Town Owned Property)
1,169.47
Tax Title Account (In charge of Treasurer)
1,708.67
$116,325.56
CHESTER L. SHAW, Collector of Taxes
ANNUAL REPORT 1
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF
MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS.
LE.
01
JUTH
QUEELHASS
UGH F
INCORPORATED
For the Year Ending December 31 1952
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ANNUAL REPORT
School Committee Membership, 1952
Term Expires
Lorenzo Wood, Plymouth Street, Chairman
1954
Horace K. Atkins, 4 Williams Place 1954
Miriam M. Campbell, Old Thomas Street
1953
Joseph F. Riley, 88 School Street
1953
George A. Shurtleff, Jr., 33 Peirce Street
1955
C. Trafton Mendall, 18 Forest Street
1955
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. Stuart A. Silliker, 29 Oak Street
School Nurse
Ila P. Jackson, R.N., 106 South Main Street
Supervisor of Attendance Clifford S. Lovell, 20 Rock Street
Census Enumerators M. H. S. Class 1953
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1953
First Term - January 5-February 20
Second Term - March 2-April 17 Third Term - April 27-June 12, Elementary Schools June 24, High School Fourth Term - September 8-December 23
No-School Days
Good Friday, Columbus Day, Armistice Day, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To Members of the Middleborough School Committee:
Herewith is presented the annual report of the public schools of the Town of Middleborough and my twenty-sixth as superintendent of those schools.
Complete reports have been presented by the Principals and Department Heads, have been printed in full by the press, and filed in the office of Superintendent of Schools. Only portions of these reports will be included here.
In January the five rooms in the Washburn Unit and the two rooms in the Pratt Free School became available for use. These made it possible for all children to be free from platoon classes until June.
In September it became necessary, due to the larger elementary enrollment, to again have eleven classes on a part-time basis.
Plans were made by the town for temporary relief when in a Special Town Meeting on April 28 the sum of $7,500.00 was voted for a single room addition to the South Middleboro School and $25,000.00 voted for a four-room addition to the West Side School. At a later Adjourned Special Town Meeting on August 4, an additional sum of $24,500.00 was voted from Free Cash to augment the amount for the West Side Addition. It is probable both of these projects will be ready for use by March 1 of next year.
Again, this will relieve the crowding and eliminate existing platoon classes. However, this is only temporary relief since approval to use the Washburn Unit for classrooms was only granted for a two-year period when it must revert to its intended use, a Shop.
The School Committee has held eighteen meetings during the past year and has been very active to insure possible housing, proper cur- riculum, and quality personnel. Some of the physical changes in the school plant and grounds are here listed for the record.
(a) An automatic fire alarm signal system has been installed in all central schools for the protection of life and property.
(b) Two classrooms in the School Street School have been equipped with modern fluorescent lighting. It is planned to complete the relighting next year.
(c) The School Street School has been newly shingled.
(d) Two rooms at the Bates School were redecorated, completing this project on the second floor.
(e) Tankless heaters were installed in Memorial High School to furnish hot water for the shower rooms greatly reducing the cost of heating with gas.
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ANNUAL REPORT
(f) The frequent flooding of the playroom at Union Street School due to sudden, hard rains has been eliminated by a drain from Union Street sewer to that on South Main Street.
(g) The old coal-fired heaters in the West Side School have been removed and a new oil-fired forced hot air unit installed. A separate unit has also been placed in this building to heat the new addition.
The annual school census required by law was this year taken by the Class of 1953, and the pupils must be congratulated for their excellent and careful job. It is hoped future classes will continue this civic project.
In September the town was shocked by news of the death of Dr. Edward L. Perry, our School Physician. For two years he had served the schools faithfully. Although rushed and overworked in the ordinary duties of a country physician, he still had time to minister to the little tots he loved. He will be sincerely missed in our schools and our community.
Quoting from a recent bulletin of the Plymouth County Teachers Association, "The most important business of the American public school is that of making good citizens. It may turn out scholars. It may pro- duce successful men of business. It may educate for culture. It may make it possible for its graduates to make a better living. These and other things it may do-and yet possibly fail. The real test of its accomplishment is the kind of citizen it furnishes the republic. That is its excuse for being. That, and that alone primarily justifies its support from public funds."
GUIDANCE Samuel Deich, Director
At the present stage of development of educational thought, most educators are in fairly complete agreement on some fundamental facts. Certain of these widely accepted facts furnish, at once, the justification for the idea of guidance in our schools. They are: (1) that young people vary widely in mental, physical, and personality capabilities, regardless of economic and environmental factors; (2) that the demands are ever-changing and are becoming increasingly complex; and (3) that public education must provide for all the children of all the people.
Growing out of these basic facts are certain activities which are characteristic of guidance programs in public schools. The guidance program in Middleboro is conducted to carry out six basic functions : (1) testing and a careful study of the individual; (2) counseling; (3) providing information regarding occupations and post high school educational experience; (4) job placement; (5) follow-up of graduates; and (6) research and study projects which will be a help to coordinate
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ANNUAL REPORT
home, school and community influences. The duties of the Guidance Department under each of these services has been explained in detail in my annual report of last year. At this time, I can report that progress is being made as a result of the organizational planning that has been done.
In order to insure the adequacy of the guidance program, the work is started in the elementary school with attention and emphasis being given to points one and two above. The junior high school grades are adding to the elementary school program and to their own tradi- tional practices by providing, to the extent that their school plant is physically able, try-out or exploratory experiences in special fields such as shop, arts and crafts, and so on; orientation to the work habits and requirements of secondary school education; introductory study of occupational information; and the opportunity for participation in the responsibilities and problems of the student group, school, and community. The Memorial High School is extending and intensifying all of the above functions and is assuming the responsibility for helping the student to decide upon a suitable occupational choice, and is assisting him in planning an educational program that will provide necessary information for such a choice. Further, the high school guidance program is materially assisting the student to achieve his next objective whether it be a job immediately upon graduation, ad- vanced training at a college or special school, part-time work while in high school, or military service. Finally, the high school is develop- ing a systematic follow-up procedure to see that its former students are progressing satisfactorily in their chosen field and to help them in making further adjustments if necessary.
Testing and a Careful Study of the Individual
Since the opening of school in September, 1952, the schedule of standard tests adopted for the Middleboro Public Schools has been administered with the exception of the achievement tests in the third grade which were intended to be given at the middle of the school year, and the Kuder Preference Record (Occupational Inventory), which was planned for the early spring of the year. The schedule of tests included Reading Readiness Tests in grade one, Mental Ability Tests in grade three, Achievement Tests in grades four and five, Silent Read- ing Tests in grade six, Mental Ability Tests in grade seven, Achieve- ment Tests in grade eight, Primary Mental Abilities Tests in grade nine, and the Boston University Battery of Psychological Tests in grade eleven.
The scores on these tests are not like grades in school subjects. They measure how well the child has developed and learned things outside of school as well as in school. They show how well a class, or a particular pupil, compares with other classes and thousands of pupils in other schools. They are completely impersonal; they do not depend on anyone's opinion. They tell us the skills the child has mas-
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ANNUAL REPORT
tered and the skills which need more attention. It is the purpose of the testing program to provide teachers, parents, and the individual pupil with additional information so that the pupil may be better under- stood and so that the pupil may better understand himself.
As for the collection of personal data to aid in providing for a careful study of the individual, your Guidance Director can report that individual guidance folders have been started in the first grade together with a permanent record card. This cumulative material will follow the pupil through his entire school career in Middleboro.
Counseling
Since counseling is the activity which takes place during an inter- view or conference, I would like to briefly indicate the types of con- ferences which have been conducted as a result of the following prob- lem areas: educational problems, vocational problems, personal prob- lems, job placement problems, and problems which involve conferences with parents and teachers.
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Occupational Information
This past November, the entire Class of 1953 attended a Career Day program at the Bridgewater High School. This program was very similar to the career day exercises held at the Memorial High School about a year ago. The experiences that our students have by speaking with experts in the various occupations is of extreme value.
As the occasions arise, the Guidance Department has conducted visits to nursing schools for the benefit of prospective nursing school candidates.
Follow-Up Survey
A survey of the Class of 1952 was conducted in the fall of the year after graduation. A report and summary of this survey was sub- mitted at an earlier date.
Community Activities
Understanding and co-operation between teachers and parents are essential to the happiness and progress of every child. Neither group can do its most effective work without the help of the other. With this in mind, members of the teaching staff, who are engaged in guidance activities, have been invited to attend various group meetings to explain and discuss the guidance services.
I am very grateful to all administrators, principals, and teachers who have been so co-operative in aiding to enlarge the scope of the guidance activities in the Middleboro Public Schools for all youth.
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ANNUAL REPORT
"Every citizen is important, but in his individual differences are the keys to his full development. When these individual differences are neglected and children are considered as averages, you will get from your schools average results . . , It is the function of the guidance program to help all the forces of education orient themselves to the needs and problems of the individual. The same process will reveal his talent and potentialities, out of which flow the wealth, the power, and the glory of this or any other land."
MUSIC DEPARTMENT Luther Churchill, Supervisor
The past year has been a very busy one and years of planning culminated in a series of most interesting musical experiences for our students.
On February 14, 15 and 16, your supervisor and a group of selected music students attended the annual convention of music supervisors which was held in Framingham. Our young people participated with selected students from other towns and cities in the All-State Band, Orchestra and Chorus. Your supervisor, being a member of the execu- tive board of the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, was occupied in assisting at the various clinics. On Friday, our a cappella choir attended the convention to present a group of numbers in a clinic which was to bring out the important points in judging festival audi- tion groups. The judge was Dr. Luther Goodhart of New York Uni- versity, a well-known adjudicator in the field of vocal music. He spoke to the members of the convention and highly praised the work of our young people.
On Palm Sunday the choir and a selected adult orchestra presented "The Seven Last Words of Christ" by Dubois. The service was held in the Town Hall and was open to the public free of charge. Three excellent soloists were secured to sing the solo roles. Musically, the concert was entirely satisfactory, however, the audience was so small that it seems advisable to omit this service from our plans for next year.
On May 2 the band presented its annual concert in the Town Hall and was attended by a large and appreciative audience. The concert was planned to be something different. It was informal in that there were no programs, admission was free and a very substantial collec- tion was taken at intermission. It seems advisable to carry on this type of concert in the future if conditions warrant it.
On May 10 the Southeastern Massachusetts Music Festival was held in Middleboro. This was a stupendous project and involved hours of planning. We were very fortunate in having the co-operation of the townspeople on many very necessary committees. The Lions Club, Kiwanis, Junior Cabot Club, P. T. A. groups, Women of the Methodist
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ANNUAL REPORT
Church, Middleboro Teachers' Association and other organizations as- sisted in making this festival one to be remembered. In addition to the groups, many individuals gave their services. Auditions were held in various churches and auditoriums during the morning and a huge parade in the afternoon furnished a fitting climax to a day full of excitement and musical interest.
When school opened in September, we found that much of the instrumental work being done in the grades was beginning to reach high school. Seventy-nine reported for the first rehearsal of the high school band. We had only seventy-two uniforms on hand and the Peirce Trustees have since provided the funds for the purchase of the needed equipment. We are very grateful to the Trustees of the Peirce Estate for their interest in our school music organizations.
ART DEPARTMENT Sylvia G. Matheson, Supervisor
"The highest problem of any art is to cause by appearance the illusion of a higher reality."
In the art department for this past year, lessons were planned in grades one through twelve to develop five phases for growth in the life of the pupils.
1. Emotional Growth :--
Artistic expression reduces disruptive tensions and permits the pupil to get acquainted with his surroundings and his fellow man. A better understanding of one's own personality and behavior as well as that of his fellow man fosters emotional stability. Emotional sensi- tivity is a product of art education and is expressed in all creative projects.
2. Social Growth :-
Art helps in the understanding and practicing of desirable group relationships and builds higher standards of human conduct which enables pupils to develop favorable personalities, to adjust to group situations and to work together co-operatively. Through group activi- ties in an art classroom, pupils learn to share experiences, materials, tools and respect one another's opinions, abilities and property.
3. Intellectual Growth :-
Art Education provides the opportunity for observation for critical judgment, for the free use of imagination and making choices and decisions. The pupils learn to express themselves through doing. These pupils have had the opportunity of communicating their thoughts and ideas and of planning a course of procedure and following it through to a satisfactory solution. Each time the student solves a problem
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ANNUAL REPORT
he is better able to attack the problems of other areas. He will even- tually develop into a rational thinking citizen capable of solving the problems of everyday living.
4. Aesthetic Growth :-
Art appreciation is an emotional experience developed through the personal experience of feeling, seeing and doing. It is the purpose of art education to enrich the pupil's life through cultivating an increas- ing awareness of beauty and developing a sense of good taste. Those who have experienced the artistic activities have developed a richer understanding of the better way of life. One of the objectives of art is to educate all children to seek and enjoy beauty and to create more harmonious surroundings.
5. Spiritual Growth :-
Through art the child is taught to transform inner spirit to out- ward forms of expression so that it speaks of morality. I have stressed a great deal of importance to lessons for Thanksgiving and Christmas in all classes this past year so that their true spirit and significance could be clearly realized. Posters, murals, wall and window decora- tions, table decorations, gifts and paintings were made. Not only was the true meaning of these holidays brought to the attention of the pupils, but also a faith and confidence in their creative abilities were demonstrated in their art work.
In all the schools, art work was on display throughout the entire year as well as during these particular seasons. In addition to the regular work that was carried on, the work of the department has proven of great value to the school and community in many ways such as making posters for civic clubs, community dates calendars, cam- paigns, Music Festival, student council activities, and the school maga- zine drive. Decorations for the many school parties and the Wards and the Recreation Hall at Camp Edwards were made by the department.
In the broad overall aim of this department, we have hoped, this past year, to have developed a richer and more aesthetic appreciation in the life of the pupils of Middleboro.
BATES SCHOOL Henry B. Burkland, Principal
The reports of the past two years from the Bates School were given in detail on the Instructional Program, Student Body Organiza- tions, Teachers, Guidance and Counseling, Service Units of the School, the School Plant, and Administration. I respectfully recommend the reading of those reports for those who wish to receive an all-around picture of the work at Bates School.
There have been a number of changes at Bates School since the last report. Due to the crowded conditions in the elementary schools,
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ANNUAL REPORT
the sixth grade was moved from Bates School to the Washburn Unit and a fifth grade was housed in the Rounseville building. Two faculty members teach Art and Music in both the Bates and Washburn buildings.
Sadness struck Bates School in June when the tragic drowning of Mr. Harlan D. Charette of the faculty occurred in New Hampshire. Although Mr. Charette had been in Middleboro but a short time, he had made many friends. A Memorial Service in the Church of Our Saviour was held on September 21 with the Middleboro Teachers' Association making arrangements.
Conferences of parents by school grade have been inaugurated, and at eighth grade parental group meetings, the principal of the high school, Guidance Director, and Dean of Girls, with the teachers of grade nine, met with the parents to assist in the transition from Junior to Senior high school.
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