USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1933 > Part 4
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Feb. 23 Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Seavey
Mar. 17 Mr. and Mrs. Royce Shuman
April 13 Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Sillars
April 19 Mr. and Mrs. Melvin N. MacWhinnie
NAME OF CHILD
Raymond
Mary Kimball
Richard Earl
Son
Clifford Stratton
Carol Lorraine
62
VITAL STATISTICS
May 19 Mr. and Mrs. John Arthur Crosby
Aug. 16 Mr. and Mrs. Howard Henry Hood
Aug. 18 Mr. and Mrs. Leverett Davis
Merrilyn
Aug. 20 Mr. and Mrs. Lorne R. Wheatley
Shirley Ann
Sept. 9 Mr. and Mrs. Austin M. Ballard
daughter
Sept. 10 Mr. and Mrs. Roy C. Hicks
Nov. 19 Mr. and Mrs. William Morrill Young
Pauline Elizabeth
Dec. 10 Mr. and Mrs Irving Adams
Nancy Anne
NOTICE TO PARENTS
Extract from General Laws, Chapter 46 Section 6.
Parents within 40 days after the birth of a child shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the city or town in which said child is born.
The Town Clerk hereby gives public notice that he will furnish blanks for the return of births, according to the provisions of Section 6, Chapter 46, of the General Laws,
DEATHS 1933
Willianna E. Milbury
Jan. 14
Age 75 years
Elmer Stimpson Hutchinson
Jan. 25
Age 72
Mary L. Gerard
Feb. 14 Age 76
James P. Curtis
Mar. 10 Age 78
Florence E. McGlauflin
April 26
Age 84
Vincenzo Menesale
May 2 Age 54
Benjamin Kimball
May 27
Age 71
George R. Felt
Oct. 27
Age 73 66
Pearl P. Earley
Nov. 27
Age 50
Hospice Fournier
Dec. 1
Age 58
Eliza C. Lefavour
Dec. 11
Age 83
James B. Sullivan
Dec. 26 .
Age 65
G. Payson Wilkins
Dec. 26
Age 78
MARRIAGES 1933
George Hoffman Smith
Helen Weymouth Woodbridge Jan. 21
James W. Wentworth
Winifred G. Eaton Jan. 29
Charles L. Metcalf
Hilda Mary Morton Mar. 8
Roger B. Boomhover
Ida F. Parsons April 10
Archibald L. Jones William S. Higgins Arthur W. MacLean
Mary A. MacDonald
June 12
William S. Kelly
Grace M. Kennedy
Aug. 12
George G. Colbert
Gertrude E. Russell
Oct. 22
Edward H. Leary
Gladys Harrison
Sept. 3
James L. Neagle
Mary E. Conlon
Dec. 30
-
Eleanor Allen Seaver June 2
Elsa Leonnie Caldwell
June 24
John Arthur, Jr.
Kenneth William
Calvin Norman
63
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
Citizens of Middleton:
In accordance to conventional practice of issuing departmental re- ports, your board of Selectmen submits for your approval its report for the year ending December 31st, 1933.
As this report is being written, the minds of our citizens are filled with the confidence and hope of better times ahead. Let us strengthen that confidence by our work this year. Many problems face us, but two major considerations underlie them all.
The first is one of finance, or the ability of the Town to pay. The credit of our Town we have maintained and must continue to maintain. Due to the inability of many of our citizens to pay their taxes, our ordinary receipts from taxation will be much lighter this year than usual, but there will probably be more demands for increased expendi- tures. The latter must be resisted unless they are of direct immediate benefit to those of our citizens in need. We therefore should curb all unnecessary appropriations and expenditures this year, otherwise we shall place an intolerable burden on the homes and real estate of our citizens. To cope with the financial questions arising will require of each of us much co-operation and more self-denial.
The other major consideration is to our minds the old one of home rule. It has been said that many of our local governmental functions have been absorbed by State and Federal governments. This is quite true. However, it is our duty to co-operate with the State and Fed- eral governments whenever by so doing we are directly benefiting the citizens of our Town in the present emergency. We gladly surrendered many local powers to the State and Federal governments in 1933 and we saw the direct benefit gained by our townspeople, but we must re- sist this ever increasing tendency whenever possible. The citizens of Middleton have always been capable of governing themselves and of looking after their own affairs. We must guard jealously our local government.
Among the Highway improvements that should receive serious consideration, and one in which your Board has been particular inter- ested, is the reconstruction of Boston Street.
We have made arrangements with the State Highway Commission for this project-one in which will involve a total expenditure of $100,000 in three years and requiring but a small percentage of the total expenditure from the Town. This project is dependent on the County assuming its proportionate part.
In submiting a résumé of the activities of the Board of Health for the year 1933, we regret to report an increase in contagious and com - municable diseases. To discourage the spread of such diseases, your Board adopted the following regulations:
64
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
BOARD OF HEALTH REGULATIONS
By authority of the General Laws Chapter 111, section 31 as amended, section 122 and section 127 the Board of Health of the Town of Middleton has enacted the following health regulations:
CHAPTER I
CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
1. Period of Isolation of Certain Diseases.
A person who is sick with any of the following diseases shall be isolated for the following periods:
Anterior poliomyelities (Infantile Paralysis). Two weeks from the onset of the disease and thereafter until acute symptoms have subsided.
Chicken Pox. One week from the appearance of the eruption and thereafter until all crusts have disappeared.
Diphtheria. One week from the date of onset and thereafter until two successive negative cultures taken at least 24 hours apart shall have been obtained from both throat and nose.
Epidemic Cerebro-spinal Meningitis. Two weeks from the onset of the disease and thereafter until all acute symptoms have subsided.
German Measles. One week from the appearance of the rash.
Measles. One week from the appearance of the rash.
Mumps. One week from the onset of the disease and thereafter until all swelling of the salivary glands shall have disappeared.
Scarlet Fever. Four weeks from the appearance of the rash, and thereafter until all complications shall have subsided and all abnormal discharges from the ears, nose, throat or other body surface shall have ceased.
Smallpox. Three weeks from the onset of the disease and there- after until all crusts have disappeared and the skin has healed.
Typhoid Fever. One week after the subsidence of the clinical symptoms and thereafter until two successive negative stools and urine specimens, secured at an interval of at least one week, shall have been obtained; provided that a person who continues to be a car- rier may be released under supervision of and after special permission by the Board of Health.
Whooping Cough. Three weeks from the beginning of the spas- modic cough.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
2. Isolation of Sick Persons.
Whoever is sick with anterior poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis), diphtheria, epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis, scarlet fever, smallpox, typhoid fever, or any other of the diseases declared dangerous to the public health that the Board of Health may designate, shall imme- diately be removed to a hospital set apart for the treatment of such diseases, or to some isolated place or room, approved by the Board of Health, or its agent, and no person so isolated shall leave such hospital or room until the period of isolation for the disease with which he is sick shall have elapsed and until the Board of Health or its agent shall permit him to do so.
3. Placards.
Houses or portions of houses in which there is a person sick with anterior poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis), epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis, diphtheria, scarlet fever, smallpox, or any other disease which the Board of Health may designate shall be placarded with a card bearing the name of the disease with which the person is sick.
The card shall not be removed except on the authority of the Board of Health.
4. Who May Enter Place of Isolation.
No person except physicians, nurses and those whose duty it is to minister to the patient, shall be allowed to enter the place of isolation during the continuance of the disease, unless permitted to do so by the Board of Health or its agent.
5. Nurses, etc.
Nurses and others caring for a person isolated as above shall wash their hands thoroughly with hot water, soap and scrubbing brush im- mediately after handling the patient, his discharges or any article soiled by his discharges before mingling with others. They shall change their outer clothing before going out.
6. Dishes, Linen, etc.
All eating utensils and linen used by the patient shall be boiled for at least 15 minutes immediately after being taken from the room. Upon release of the patient woolen articles shall be exposed to sun- light and air for at least 8 hours.
7. Discharges, etc.
The discharges of a person sick with typhoid fever or dysentery shall be mixed with chloride of lime or other disinfectant approved by the Board of Health and shall be kept in contact therewith for at least 30 minutes before being emptied into the hopper or privy vault.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
8. Restraint in Certain Diseases.
A person sick with chicken pox, German measles, mumps, or whooping cough shall be restricted to the house or pemises until the period of isolation for the disease with which he is sick shall have elapsed. In the case of flagrant violation of this rule, the Board of Health may impose strict isolation upon the patient.
9. Procedure in Other Diseases Dangerous to the Public Health.
A person sick with other diseases dangerous to the public health shall be subject to such restraint as the Board of Health may deem necessary for the protection of the public and shall be released after such time and in such manner as the Board of Health may deem best.
10. Release from Isolation.
No person who has been sick with any of the diseases mentioned in Section 1, shall be released from isolation until the minimum period of isolation for the disease with which he has been sick shall have elapsed.
11. Management of Contacts.
Unless otherwise permitted by the Board of Health, children con- tacts in families in which there is a case of any of the diseases men- tioned below or other intimate contacts, shall be excluded from school and other public places for the following periods:
Anterior poliomyelitis (Infantile Paralysis) until two weeks have elapsed from the date of last exposure.
Epidemic Cerebro-spinal Meningitis until 10 days have elapsed from the date of last exposure.
Diphtheria until one week has elapsed from the date of last expos- ure unless shown to be immune by a Schick test and until two nega- tives nose and throat cultures taken at an interval of not less than 24 hours shall have been obtained.
Measles until 16 days have elapsed from the date of last exposure unless immunized by a previous attack.
Scarlet Fever until one week has elasped from the date of last exposure until immunized by a previous attack.
Smallpox until three weeks have elapsed from the date of last ex- posure unless immunized by a previous attack, by a recent successful vaccination or showing the immunity reaction.
Whooping-cough until two weeks have elapsed from the date of last exposure unless immunized by a previous attack.
No restriction shall be imposed upon adult contacts except:
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
(a.) School teachers shall be subject to the same restrictions as children.
(b.) Food handlers living in a family in which a case of diphtheria or scarlet fever exists shall be subject to the same restrictions as children.
(c.) Food handlers living in a family in which a case of typhoid fever exists shall be excluded from their occupation so long as they continue to live in the same house in which the case exists.
12. Immune Children. (Certain Diseases.)
(a.) Diphtheria. Children in a family in which there is a case of diphtheria, and who are immune to the disease as shown by a Schick test or on the basis of a previous attack of the disease, may return to school provided they live away from home, or provided the case is hospitalized, and if two consecutive negative nose and throat cultures taken at an interval of not less than 24 hours have been obtained.
(b.) Scarlet Fever. Children in the family in which there is a case of scarlet fever and who have had the disease as shown by the records of the Board of Health or by a signed statement from the parent or guardian that they have had the disease elsewhere, may con- tinue at school during the course of the disease provided they live away from home or the case is hospitalized.
(c.) Measles and Whooping Cough. Children in a family in which there is a case of measles or whooping-cough, and who have had the disease as shown by the records of the Board of Health or by a signed statement from the parent or guardian that they have had the disease elsewhere may continue in school during the course of the disease.
13. School Certificates.
Children who have recovered from any disease declared dangerous to the public health must, unless otherwise ruled by the Board of Health, obtain a certificate from the physician in attendance, or from the school physician before they can be re-admitted to school.
14. Smallpox.
In the event of the occurrence of smallpox, the Board of Health may assume control of the house and inmates, if in its opinion the safe- ty of the public requires such procedure.
15. Public Libraries.
No person from any dwelling wherein a disease dangerous to the public health exists, shall take or cause to be taken any book or maga- zine to or from the Public Library. The Board will inform the Libra- rian of all cases of said disease, and until a written permit is given she shall allow neither books nor magazines to be taken or returned from dwellings where such cases exist.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT
16. Changes in Regulations.
The Board of Health may from time to time amend or abrogate any of the above regulations, if in its opinion the safety of the public requires such action.
CHAPTER II-NUISANCES
Section 1. Any person or persons owning, or having control of any building or premises shall keep the same in a cleanly condition any such person having control of any building or premises, in or upon which there is any substance or material, or any condition, which is or may become a source of danger to the public health or a nuisance, shall when ordered by the Board of Health in writing, remove or abate the same within the time specified in said order.
Section 2. Any person or persons owning or having control of any premises abutting on a private way, and having the right to use such private way shall, when ordered by the Board of Health in writing, remove or abate from that part of said private way anjoining such premises, any substance, material or condition, which is, or may be- come a menace to the public health or a nuisance, and such removal or abatement shall take place within the time specified in said order.
Section 3. House offal, commonly called garbage or swill shall be placed in suitable receptacles properly covered and so located that the house offal may easily be removed. Receptacles used for the storing of house offal shall at all times be kept in a reasonably clean condition.
Section 4. No person or persons shall place of cause to be placed or left in or upon any public or private street or way, enclosure or grounds, or in any body or stream of water within the limits of this town, the body of any dead animal, fowl, or any substance or material that is, or may become offensive or cause a nuisance.
Section 5. The owner, agent or lessee of any land or enclosure, used as a dump, either public or private, shall cause all offensive mat- ter dumped thereon to be immediately covered, and all other refuse matter dumped thereon to be immediately covered, and all other re- fuse matter dumped theron, to be kept leveled, and the premises kept in such a manner as to cause no nuisance during the process of filling. No person shall dump any offensive material upon any dump unless permitted to do so by the Board of Health, and all such offensive ma- terials shall be properly buried or otherwise disposed of to the approval of the Board of Health. All possible care shall be used in preventing the escape of dust and papers from the dump and from the vehicles used in conveying waste materials to the dump.
Section 6. No owner, occupant or agent of any building or prem- ises shall permit any sewage, garbage, contents or drainage of a privy vault, cesspool or water closet or sink drain or any other filth to empty
69
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
on the surface of the ground or enter into any ditch, brook, stream, or body of water unless especially permitted to do so by the Board of Health.
Section 7. Whenever a water closet, privy-vault, cesspool or drain becomes offensive or obstructed, the owner, agent or occupant of the premises shall cause same to be cleaned and made or otherwise corrected.
Section 8. Every owner, occupant, or agent of premises in which there is any private sewer, drain, privy-vault, or cesspool shall keep the same in a sanitary condition and shall have every privy-vault and cesspool emptied and cleaned when necessary or at such times as or- dered by the Board of Health. No privy-vault or cesspool shall be emptied except by such parties and in such manner as shall be espec- cially authorized by the Board of Health. If the owner or occupant fails to comply with such order, the Board may cause the nuisance, source of filth, or cause of sickness to be removed, and all expenses incurred thereby shall be paid by the person who caused or permitted same, if he has had actual notice from the Board of Health of the existence thereof.
Section 9. The owners or persons in control of any buildings or premises, in which cows, goats, live fowl, or swine are kept, shall keep the buildings and premises clean and free from decaying food, filth, dirt and stagnant water. The buildings and pens shall be white- washed or disinfected and put in such condition as may be ordered by the Board of Health.
CHAPTER III OFFENSIVE TRADES, OCCUPATIONS AND PRACTICES
Section 1. The Board of Health may prohibit the exercise of the following trades or employments, viz: Those of slaughtering animals, or rendering animal matter, of manufacturing fertilizers and soaps, of mixing or storing of refuse or vegetable substances, of smoking fish or meat, of refining oils, of making egg dressing, varnish, glue, gas, gas- oline or any burning fluid, except at the place or places where such trades or employments are now lawfully established or which may hereafter be assigned by the Board, such trades employments being either nuisances or hurtful to the town, attended by noisome odors or otherwise injurious or dangerous to the public health.
GENERAL
Section 1. Whoever violates any of these rules and regulations shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) except when otherwise provided by law or by these regulations.
70
ASSESSORS' REPORT
It is impossible in a report of this character to enumerate in detail the improvements that have been made during the year.
One of the improvements, worthy of note, is the installation of stop and warning signs at dangerous intersections.
In conclusion of this report, we hope that the conclusions and de- cisions rendered 'by your Board after its conscientious consideration will reflect the wishes of a majority of the townspeople.
Respectfully submitted, ARCHIBALD L. JONES, Chairman ROGER F. CLAPP, Clerk SANDS S. PIKE
Board of Selectmen
MANSFIELD FUND
Balance on hand January 1, 1933
$ 46 10
Received from Old Colony Trust Co. and
sale of adult picnic tickets 1,265 44
$1,311 54
EXPENDITURES
Three band concerts
$434 28
Children's Picnic
425 21
Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners
418 60
1,1278 09
Balance on hand December 31, 1933
$33 45
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Assessable Real Estate, April 1, 1932 -
- $1,853.172 00
66 Personal Property 126,906 00
66 595 Automobiles -
105,222 00
Number of Male Polls 464
Assessable Real Estate, April 1, 1933 - $1,858,499 00
66 Personal Property 114,350 00
66 660 Automobiles -
92,895 00
Number of Male Polls 488
71
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendations of the Finance Committee for the Year 1934
TOWN OFFICERS' SALARIES
Recommended
Called For
Selectmen
$300 00
$300 00
Town Treasurer
300 00
300 00
Town Clerk
200 00
200 00
Town Accountant
300 00
300 00
Tax Collector
400 00
400 00
Assessors (inclusive of supplies)
650 00
650 00
Registrar of Voters
72 00
72 00
Moderator
25 00
25 00
Inspector of Slaughtering
25 00
25 00
Inspector of Cattle
175 00
175 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
100 00
100 00
Constable
35 00
35 00
Board of Public Welfare
200 00
200 00
Superintendent of Burials
15 00
15 00
Cemetery Commissioners
30 00
30 00
Custodian of Town Hall
500 00
500 00
Electric Light Commissioners
150 00
150 00
Town Counsel
250 00
250 00
Chief of Fire Department
15 00
15 00
Police Department
900 00
1,200 00
Fire Department
2,000 00
2,000 00
Salaries of Firemen
55 00
55 00
Tree Warden
200 00
500 00
Moth Department (Mandatory State Law)
800 77
800 77
Highways, (Chapter No. 81)
4,500 00
4,500 00
Highways, (Chapter No. 90)
1,000 00
1,000 00
*Highways, Boston St. conditional Chap. 90 4,000 00
100 00
200 00
Fencing
50 00
100 00
Snow Removal
1,500 00
1,500 00
Bridges
150 00
300 00
Education
25,000 00
26,630 00
Library
600 00
600 00
Board of Health
2,000 00
2,000 00
Dental Clinic
260 00
260 00
Board of Public Welfare
9,000 00
9,000 00
Old Age Assessment
7,950 00
7,950 00
4,000 00
. Sidewalks
72
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
UNCLASSIFIED
Town Officers' Expenses
$900 00
$900 00
Contingent Fund
600 00
600 00
Soldiers' Relief
500 00
500 00
State Aid
600 00
600 00
Military Aid, (New this year)
400 00
400 00
Insurance
725 00
725 00
Town Hall
600 00
600 00
Memorial Day
250 00
250 00
Interest
2,100 00
2,100 00
Municipal Indebtedness
1,000 00
1,000 00
Street Lighting
2,700 00
2,700 00
Cemeteries
600 00
800 00
Essex Sanitorium
368 54
368 54
Reserve Fund
1,000 00
1,000 00
RECOMMENDATIONS OF FINANCE COMMITTEE PERTAINING TO ARTICLES CONTAINED IN THE TOWN WARRANT FOR 1934
Article 1 Favorable Action.
Article 2
Article
3
Article
4
Article
5
66
Article 6
66
Article 7
66
Article
8
66
Article
9
Article 10
66
Recommended be left in the hands of the Selectmen
* Recommendation of $4,000.00 for Highway Department marked (conditional) the Town's part of the Boston Street project, in antici- pation of any action the State and County may take this year.
Respectfully submitted,
H. M. RICHARDSON C. H. WELLS W. P. EARLEY
W. W. RICHARDSON
H. N. WHITE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee
Superintendent of Schools AND
Yearly Statistics
OF THE
Grammar School
OF THE
Town of Middleton
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1933
77
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL REPORT
School Committee
ETHEL H. STEWART GEORGE GIFFORD ARTHUR E. CURTIS, Chairman
Term Expires 1935
Term Expires 1936
Term Expires 1934
STEPHEN G. BEAN, Superintendent of Schools DR. ANDREW NICHOLS, School Physician MRS. M. E. ROUNDY, School Nurse GEORGE WEBBER, Attendance Officer
MISS C. ALICE MANNING, Principal MISS MARGARET M. BERRY
MISS FANNIE C. HINKLEY MISS MADELYN LAWRENCE MISS DOROTHY COLBERT CHARLES GOULD
Grade 7 and 8
Grade 5 and 6
Grade 3 and 4 Grade 2 and 3
Grade 1
Grade 3, 4 and Sp.
MRS. H. JANE MARTIN, Sewing Supervisor MRS. GENIE F. KIMBALL, Music Supervisor MISS HELEN FARLEY, Drawing Supervisor GEORGE WEBBER, Janitor
78
SCHOOL REPORT
No School Signal
Two Rounds on Fire Whistle at 7.45 A. M.
Two Rounds on Whistle at the Blacking Factory at 7.45 A. M.
1934 School Calendar
Winter Term January 3 to February 23 Vacation One Week
Winter-Spring Term March 5 to April 27
Vacation One Week
Spring Term May 7 to June 22
Summer Vacation
Fall Term September 4 to December 21
HOLIDAYS February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, November 11 and November 30
79
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Middleton:
Madam and Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted my tenth in the series of annual Reports of the Superintendent of Schools.
The fiscal year, made up of parts of two school years, was one of progress as a whole. The work was seriously hampered during the year by an epidemic of scarlet fever. The cases were not severe, or at least not fatal. The peculiar course of the epidemic, however, seri- ously disrupted the school program. Quarantine rules kept many chil- dren from school who were not stricken with the disease. All of the time thus lost by so large a proportion of the pupils, especially in the lower grades, will necessarily have a serious effect on the accomplish- ments in those grades during this current school year.
As mentioned above, the course of the epidemic has been peculiar. There would be periods of three weeks without any cases appearing, then suddenly several pupils would show symptoms on the same day. It was apparent that the schools were not the cause of the spread of the disease. The schools were kept open upon the advice of the medical authorities and the board of health. It would appear that some un- identified carrier must be the cause of the spread of the disease. Every precaution was taken to prevent any wider spreading of the ailment. It is probable that an even more serious situation was prevented by the very fact that schools were kept in session. It was thus made possi- ble to detect many cases in the earlier stages and thus assure that those particular individuals be isolated before they could spread the germ too widely.
ENROLLMENT
There was a continued increase in numbers shown in the fall term. The enrollment, on October 1, was 231 as compared to 224 the previous year.
Increase in the size of classes in the upper grades is showing now that the large primary grades of the last five or six years have advanced. This condition will continue, since the lower grades continue to have large enrollments. It would now seem probable that if the rate of growth continues uniform with that of the last few years, we will soon be having difficulty in accommodating all pupils in the present seating capacity of the Center School. This condition points to the need for consideration of increased school accommodations. It is difficult to foresee what future enrollments may be, because present conditions are so abnormal. One cannot tell whether there will be a continued influx of new people from the large towns nearby, or a movement back
80
SCHOOL REPORT
to these same towns, if conditions of employment improve. Experience of recent years would indicate a steady increase in school population.
It will not take any great increase in the present enrollment to make necessary some very drastic action. It may be a scheme of part time education for all grades, or a shorter day for some of the younger pupils. These, and several other expedients, may have to be consid- ered if we are unable to secure increased accommodations. It is diffi- cult to know what is the best policy for the town in these times. It is certain that the time has come to give careful consideration to a build- ing program of some kind.
Following a precedent established in the 1932 report, I have again asked Miss Manning to prepare a report on the accomplishments of the local teaching staff, along the lines of social service. As was stated last year, this activity is wholly voluntary on their part; not forced by the school department. It is their own free will offering to the un- fortunate.
Middleton, Mass., January 23, 1934
Mr. S. G. Bean,
Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
In reply to your request for a report of the work accomplished by our teachers' association, I submit the following.
In September we organized as in the previous year, and voted to continue the contributions to our welfare fund. Although our mem- bership is only six we have found plenty of opportunity "to do our bit." Contributions were received to our fund from the American Legion Auxiliary and the proceeds of our Card Party and entertain- ment were also added.
Our fund was used in such a variety of ways it may be interesting if I enumerate some of them,-cocoa making and dish-washing for over twenty weeks; three tonsil operations at Hunt Memorial Hospital, while Mrs. Richardson aided us in one more-a check for $25 given Mrs. Roundy for Dental Clinic, and one for $10 for the Essex County Children's Health Camp; boxes of fruit, food and groceries were sent where we felt there was need; 60 pairs of woolen stockings were pur- chased at Christmas; loam was bought for our school rock-garden-a project both ornamental and practical for it serves as a protection for the fence foundation, and at various times seven pairs of shoes, six pairs of rubbers, four pairs of overshoes, one boy's serge suit and shirt were furnished.
With the cooperation of a group of ladies we bought the piano which has been placed in the lower Town Hall for community use, and in June carried out our plan for a school picnic, furnishing ice cream and tonic for all. Here we were aided by the committee and Mr. Stahler in transportation and by the thoughtfulness of Mrs. Luella
81
SCHOOL REPORT
Fuller in offering us the use of her pine grove which provined an ideal place for a real picnic.
3 tonsil operations
-
-
- $15 00
Food, fruit and groceries
4 94
Milk deficit during last weeks
4 90
Sugar and cocoa
-
-
-
7 30
Making cocoa 30 cents per day
30 00
Washing dishes 10 cents per week
6 00
Health Camp
10 00
Dental Clinic
25 00
60 pairs woolen stockings
20 00
7 pairs shoes
13 50
6 pairs rubbers
3 95
4 pairs overshoes
3 00
1 boy's suit and shirt
7 64
Loam
2 00
Piano
20 00
Supplies for picnic
15 75
Very truly yours,
C. A. MANNING.
The teachers are also engaged on a new course in hygiene, under the supervision of Miss Kaufer, a representative of a specialized agency for the improvement of school instruction in this important subject. Certain visual aids are used to vitalized the material. It is hoped that by some means an inexpensive projector of moving pictures may be added to our equipment.
Radio reception of the American School of the Air programs is made possible by the equipment purchased from money raised by pupils in recent years. This has been of special aid in the social studies, especially geography.
As an aftermath of the art project in connection with the last graduation exercises, two pictures, the work of pupils in the school, have been framed and hung in the school rooms. They are a credit to the school, to the pupils who produced them and to the supervisor and teacher who directed the work.
The school grounds have been improved by the addition of a rock garden which serves both aesthetic and practical purposes. It has been produced by the pupils, and so placed as to protect the founda- tions of the fence along the south side of the school lot.
No changes have occurred in the teaching staff during the year. This is always an asset, provided the teachers are worth retaining. I believe that it is the main element of strength in the local system. The organization is what might be called "veteran." It has grown to function as a unit rather than as a collection of individuals.
-
-
82
SCHOOL REPORT
Partly as a result of the epidemic of scarlet fever and largely be- cause of a series of other causes it has been found necessary to give up manual training and sewing for the balance of the current school year. An unusual grouping or proportion of boys and girls in these classes rendered it of doubtful value to continue with these subjects this year. It is hoped that future conditions may permit the return of these valuable subjects to the curriculum.
For the information of the voters of the town the following inter- esting financial facts are offered. The data is taken from the most re- cent report of the State Department of Education and covers the year 1932. The figures for 1933 will be substantially the same.
Actual cost of Middleton Schools for 1932
$25,927 43
Reimbursement from the State
7,753 16
Net cost to the Town
18,174 27
Total cost of teaching
8,867 40
Reimbursement from State for teaching
2,125 37
Net cost to Town
6,742 03
Direct reimbursement for teachers (income tax)
1,220 00
Indirect reimbursement for teachers (Mass. School Fund) 905 37
Total reimbursement for teachers
2,125 37
Total reimbursement from the State on High School Education 4,169 96
These figures show that instead of costing the town $26,000 a year to educate its children, the net cost is nearer $18,000. It is also evi- dent that a good portion of each teacher's salary is actually paid by the State. A part of this State reimbursement for teachers is so disguised in the returns to the Town Treasurer from the State, that it is difficult for him to know what the exact amount is. This is that part which is returned on income taxes. It is independent of the amount of income tax collected from the town, and is wholly dependent on the number, training, and experience of the teachers. As shown above this amount- ed in 1932 to $1,220. In addition to this the return from the Massa- chusetts School Fund of $905.37 is also partially dependent on the number of teachers employed. The object of this reimbursement is to help to improve the quality of teaching in the small town schools and to maintain a reasonable level for teachers' salaries.
These figures show further, that half of the cost of tuition and transportation is borne by the state. In 1932 this aid amounted to $4,169.96.
These facts should be kept in mind by taxpayers when asked for money to support the schools. They may know that when they are asked to grant a given amount for this department that it is not all to appear in their tax bills. The board of assessors take account of all of these state aids when figuring the tax rate. The finance committee should take account of these facts in making their recommendations.
ENROLLMENT STATISTICS Age and Grade Distribution-Registration October 1, 1933
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
T
I
6
22
6
34
II
7
23
8
1
1
40
III
4
13
6
1
24
IV
8
9
4
7
2
1
31
V
6
7
7
2
1
23
VI
6
10
7
4
2
29
VII
1
4
8
5
5
1
24
VIII
3
13
3
4
3
26
Total
6
29
33
29
22
20
28
22
23
11
5
3
231
Heavily leaded diagonals indicate age limits for the grades
SCHOOL REPORT
83
84
SCHOOL REPORT
Teacher Grade Distribution October 1, 1933
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VI
VIII
Tot.
C. A. Manning
14
26
40
M. M. Berry .
29
10
39
J. C. Hinkley
16
23
39
C. I. Gould
24
15
39
M. E. Lawrence
40
40
D. A. Colbert
34
34
Total
34
40
24
31
23
29
24
26
231
CONCLUSION
I desire to express my earnest thanks for the friendly co-operative spirit of the teaching staff. To the School Committee is expressed highest appreciation of their aid and advice.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN,
February 5, 1934.
Superintendent of Schools.
MIDDLETON
PUBLI
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