USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1934 > Part 3
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1934 > Part 3
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A State case is a person who has no settlement in Massachusetts.
If the Board of Public Welfare had only Town cases to handle the load on the tax payer would be very light considering the hard times we are going through and we believe this fact is a great credit to the citizens to Middleton.
ERA and FSRC
ER A and FSR C has been the means by which a large number of families have been kept off the Public Welfare here in Middleton thereby helping to keep the cost down.
52
PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
19 persons are now receiving Old Age Assistance, two of these re- side elsewhere and 17 live in Middleton.
The Board of Public Welfare is pleased to state that it has been glad to render aid to those who needed it, but we also have in mind the tax payer who pays the bill and we have tried to make a dollar go as far as we could.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR T. PAGE, Chairman. RICHARD B. FLOYD AUSTIN C. PEABODY, JR. Clerk.
REPORT OF THE CATTLE INSPECTOR
February 1, 1935.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my Cattle Report for the year 1934.
We have in town at the present, 590 cattle. All the cattle in this town are under tubercalin control. Barns and stables housing cattle have all been cleaned and disinfected. Much more work is involved now in cattle reports on account of the inter-state cattle coming into the state. All ear-tags have to be recorded and the number of tag returned to the Division of Animal Industry as soon as the cattle arrive in this state. The keeping of these records makes considerable more work to be done during the year.
SWINE
We have in town at the present date 565 swine. All the swine in the town the past year have been innoculated.
DOGS
We have had considerable trouble with our dogs during the past year. 14 dogs have been killed. 3 were proven to have the rabies. 3 persons were bitten by rabied dogs, one case proved fatal. I would recommend as a remedy the coming year the innoculation of all dogs in this town.
Respectfully yours,
LYMAN S. WILKINS.
53
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
POLICE REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Chief of Police submits herewith to your Board a report for the year ending December 31, 1934.
Total number of arrests
43
Residents arrested
20
Non-residents arrested
23
Presented for the following Crimes:
Motor violations
5
Lewdness
3
Violation of probation
4
Non-support
2
Assault on person
3
Breaking and entering
1
Larceny
1
Drunks
18
Arrested for other towns
6
Disposition of Cases:
Drunks released
18
Fined
9
Suspended sentence
3
Filed
2
Committed to jail
5
Unknown
6
MISCELLANEOUS WORK
Complaints received and investigated
436
Auto accidents
56
Autos transferred
48
Autos found and returned
8
Licenses revoked
33
Investigations with Registrar of Motor Vehicles
hours 98
Fatal Accidents
1
At court
hours 108
With Medical Examiner
hours 4
Reports for Insurance Co.
108
With State Police
hours 206
Writs served
'48
Dogs reported lost
8
Dogs found
14
54
SEALER OF WEIGHTS REPORT
Dogs returned to owner
6
Dogs reported killed or injured by autos 18
Animals turned over to Animal Inspector 11
Inmates of Danvers Insane Hospital returned
5
Owing to the amount of co-operation this town has received through Corporal Ford of the Reading Barracks a great amount of in- vestigating and work has been done in the past year without added expense to the Town.
The Officers are giving their time free to attend school and pistol practice. Due to the fact that we have no pistol range the men have to travel to Salem Armory.
Due to the present existing financial conditions I hesitate to make recommendations involving large expenditures but feel that as the town is growing fast and no large amount of equipment has been pur- chased for the last four years I feel that to insure the town the protec- tion that it should have that a new Police car should be purchased and that a small amount of equipment added to the Department.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES REPORT
ADJUSTED
SEALED
NOT SEALED
Platform, over 5,000 lbs.
1
-
Platform under 5,000 lbs
10
18
5
Counter, over 100 lbs.
Counter, under 100 lbs.
6
13
2
Spring, over 100 lbs.
1
3
Spring, under 100 lbs.
7
13
-
Computing, under 100 lbs.
2
4
WEIGHTS:
Avoidupois
47
86
-
MEASURES:
Liquid
Gasoline Pumps
24
Quantity Stops
56
101
Oil Jars
-
24
Sealing Fees Collected $27.43.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. YOUNG, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
1
6
55
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
As 1934 completes five full years of this Department under the administration of your Electric Light Commission, a short comparative statement may be of interest:
Inventory Values
Added
1929
1934
Sub-station equipment
00
$1,135 18
$1,135 18
Poles and conductors
$10,145 84
11,450 24
1,304 40
Meters
1,277 29
3,671 40
2,394 11
Transformers
1,112 70
4,612 34
3,499 64
Street lighting equipment
1,143 45
3,978 96
2,835 51
Office equipment
00
143 59
143 59
Electrical testing equipment
00
352 24
352 24
Stock-room supplies and tools
00
2,283 55
2,283 55
Totals
$13,679 28
$27,627 50
$13,948 22
This increase of more than 100% in the actual value of the plant has been entirely paid for from income and without additional town appropriation except for lighting fixtures at the Square and South Middleton.
Other comparisons that may be of interest:
1929
1934
Added $14,280 26
Operating revenues
$12,096 87
$26,377 63
Current bought KWH
219 772
6,595 30
3,597 58
Used for street lighting
288 22
600 10
311 88
Number of customers
287
385
98
Transformers in use
39
88
49
Feet of wire in use
177,426
421,650
244,224
Poles in use
479
894
415
Line loss
24.8%
12.4%
12.4%
Total saved by reduction in line loss $8,082 43.
Operating cost for KWH sold
$.0606
$.0425
$.0191
Reduction in operating cost 31 %.
56
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
In parts of the system it was impossible to maintain the voltage necessary for the successful operation of lights, motors and electrical appliances. Line losses were excessive, and with increasing use of electric radios, troubles from tree grounds and loose connections were greatly multiplied.
A satisfactory source of supply at a reduced cost has been secured and by corrections of electrical and structural faults in the distribution system, reliable service has been supplied at a cost to our customers that compares very favorably with that of our plants operating under similar conditions. That you are compelled to maintain a larger num- ber of poles and miles of wire to supply a comparatively few customers makes it impossible to distribute electricity as cheaply as in more con- gested areas.
Lines have been extended as fast as possible to serve outlying dis- tricts, adding to our sales and also adding to the value of property in the district served, because electricity is available if needed.
An application for an extension on Forest Street has been re- ceived and approved by your Board. Additional street lights have been installed, the lighting at the Square greatly improved, and all lights used are more than double in capacity and lighting effect.
An efficient construction crew has been organized, and a stock- room equipped with all necessary supplies and tools has been provided. It has not been necessary to keep a night crew for emergency calls, as their voluntary agreement, one of our lineman is available at all times for out of hour calls, and since the plant has been under our control there has been no delay in answering these calls.
Because of the unemployment situation we have extended all pos- sible credit to our customers, but if we are again to reduce rates as it is our intention and desire, bills must be paid promptly and in full. A failure to do so must mean a discontinuance of service.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIBALD L. JONES THOMAS E. RAFFERTY RICHARD B. FLOYD
Electric Light Commissione rs
57
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
1931 POLL
Balance due Jannary 1, 1935 Cash received $2 00
$2 00
$2 00
1931 OLD AGE ASSESSMENT
Balance due January 1, 1935
$1 00
Abatements allowęd
$1 00
$1 00
1931 invalid tax title
$8 47
Cash received
$8 47
$8 47
Interest received paid to Treasury
1 02
1932 POLL
Balance due January 1, 1935
$167 00
Additional
6 00
$173 00
Cash received
$ 24 00
Abatements allowed
149 00
$173 00
Interest received and paid to treasury
1 76
1932 OLD AGE ASSESSMENT
Balance due January 1, 1935
$9 00
Cash received
$5 00
Abatement allowed
4 00
$9 00
1932 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
Balance due January 1, 1935
$411 65
Cash received
$166 73
Abatements allowed
244 92
$411 65
Interest received paid to treasury
14 15
Overpaid treasury
2 66
58
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1932 LEVY
Balance due January 1, 1935
$828 14
Cash received
$411 32
Abatements allowed
374 47
Tax titles
42 35
$828 14
Interest received and paid to treasury
43 10
Cash received 1932, invalid tax titles
21 28
Interest received paid to treasury
2 52
1933 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
Levy
$2,555 66
Additional
8 99
$2,564 65
Cash received
$2,052 69
Abatements
66 50
Balance due
445 46
Interest received paid to treasury
1933 POLLS
Balance due January 1, 1935
$288 00
Additional
8 00
$296 00
Cash received
$152 00
Abatements allowed
120 00
Balance due
24 00
$296 00
Interest paid to treasury
7 44
1933 OLD AGE ASSESSMENT
Balance due January 1, 1935
$143 00
Additional
4 00
$147 00
Cash received
$88 00
Abatements allowed
52 00
Balance due
7 00
$147 00
$2,564 65
22 81
59
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1933 LEVY
Balance due
$25,778 66 26 34
Disclaimer's deed
$25,805 00
Cash received
$21,792 63
Taxes on tax titles
1,035 50
Tax titles taken by Town
1,626 51
Abatements
746 87
Balance due
603 49
Interest received paid to treasury
1934 POLL
Assessed poll
$1,064 00
Cash received
$738 00
Abatements allowed
12 00
Balance due
314 00
Interest received paid to treasury
2 18
1934 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX
Levy
$2,589 34
Cash received
$1,201 03
Abatements allowed
30 29
Balance due
1,358 02
$2,589 34
Interest received paid to treasury
2 63
1934 LEVY
Levy
$63,709 50
Additional
32 60
$63,742 10
Cash received
$32,242 60
Abatements
406 44
Balance due
31,093 06
$63,742 10
Interest due paid to treasury
33 57
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY A. YOUNG,
Tax Collector.
$25,805 00 945 16
$1,064 00
60
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR'S REPORT
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Highway Surveyor hereby submits a report for the year end- ing December 31, 1934.
The following are the amounts spent in the various ways on the streets of Middleton.
Dragging
$ 305 08
Scraping
656 94 .
Graveling
2,457 23
Drainage
1,118 79
Brush
1,119 34
Patching-gravel
95 32
Patching-bituminous
1,076 36
Surface treatment-oil
910 55
Surface treatment-tar
2,498 46
Guard rail
34 17
$10,280 45
These figures include about $1,200 for help supplied by the Welfare Department. Mostly for brush cutting.
The amounts spent by streets are as follows:
Boston
$ 501 94
Central
81 14
East
870 04
Essex
1,036 89
Forest
868 53
Gregory
771 59
Haswell Park
12 97
King
423 96
Lake
581 54
Liberty
2,559 39
Locust
35 44
Maple
238 28
Mill
40 92
Mt. Vernon
69 82
Peabody
834 09
River
1,054 37
School
204 34
Washington
85 20
Webb
10 00
$10,280 45
Respectfully submitted,
J. ROY OSBORNE, Highway Surveyor.
61
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
Citizens of Middleton:
Your Board submits for your approval a report of its activities for the year ending December 31, 1934.
We appreciate the high honor you have again conferred upon us by choosing us as your selectmen this year. From previous experience we are acquainted with the responsibilities that you have imposed upon us, and it has been our aim to discharge those obligations honestly and fairly.
Our Town ranks high among the Towns of this Commonwealth be- cause of the services and administration of those who preceded us on this Board. The credit of the Town is sound. The various depart- ments are well managed. No acts of ours has affected them adversely.
Recommendations and proposals have been examined in a spirit of co-operation. If there was merit in them, we have approved and adopted them. If there was no merit, we have rejected them, regard- less of the politics involved.
A great opportunity for service has been ours. We have not been found wanting.
The indications are that the Federal Government will adopt a new policy with reference to the extension of aid to the various municipal- ities. During the year of 1934, the policy has been to extend Federal financial aid to assist in meeting Public Welfare costs.
In planning the various Federal projects, your Board realized that planning must be a continuing process if it is to possess positive value.
At the present moment planning for Town projects bears close re- lation to the development of Public Works as a means of recovery and the relief of unemployment.
During the year your Board submitted for approval, the projects for the construction of the Hose Tower and improvement to the Public Works Yard; also projects for drainage, gravelling and grading of various streets.
On recommendation of your Board, the Town purchased the Giles' property on Central Street, the improvement of which provides a splendid E. R. A. project.
62
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
The flag pole as purchased by Town vote has been erected on the Library lawn in the rear of the Boulder. This location was agreed up- on by the Trustees of the Library and your Board.
The contract for the reconstruction of Boston Street has been signed by the Department of Public Works and your Board. We rec- ommend that the Town appropriate $4,000.00 as its proportionate part this year.
In conclusion, we give expression of our appreciation for the con- tinued co-operation of the Townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
ARCHIBALD L. JONES GEORGE B. OGDEN SANDS S. PIKE
Board of Selectmen.
MANSFIELD FUND
Balance January 1, 1934
$33 45
Received from Old Colony Trust Co.
$1,174 00
Picnic tickets sold
80 90
Transferred from Cummings fund
54 50
Total receipts
1,309 40
$1,342 85
EXPENDITURES
Band concerts
$317 60
Children's picnic
545 20
Thanksgiving dinners
215 00
Christmas dinners
246 04
$1,323 84
Balance December 31, 1934
$19 01
63
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Board of Fire Engineers:
Town of Middleton, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I submit to you my report of the Fire Department since my appointment last June. During this period there were twenty-three alarms as follows:
4 buildings; 2 barns; 3 camps; 1 chimney; 11 forest; 2 false alarms.
The total loss on assessed property amounted to approximately $6,000.00. There was only one forest fire that took several hours to extinguish and this was due to lack of water and exceptional dry con- ditions.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Engineers, the Firemen and my Assistants for there splendid co-operation during the past six months.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY R. ROLLINS, Fire Chief.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
BIRTHS 1934
Ann Eleanor Sedlac, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sedlac.
Joanne Belle, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Belle. Tosi, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Tosi. Paul Chabot, son of Aurele Chabot.
Millicent McGoldrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George McGoldrick.
Leroy Stanley Burke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Burke.
Dolores Ann McKenney, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond McKenney. Doris Ann Brackett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brackett.
Sylvia Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Archibald L. Jones.
Barbara May Townsend, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Townsend. John Caleb Rose, son of Mr. and Mrs. Caleb C. Rose.
Daniel Sedler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vasil Sedler.
Hazen Kimball Richardson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hazen M. Richardson. Edward Arnold Leary, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Leary.
Perrault, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian N. Perrault. Francis Marilyn Hicks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie R. Hicks. Arthur Francis Pickard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur O. Pickard. Sally Lou Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward G. Anderon. Paul Peters, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Peters.
64
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
DEATHS 1934
Richard Anthony Gaffey
February 4
Age 28 years
Mary Annette Phaneuf
February 18
26
Lizzie A. Buxton
March 5
66
82
66
Isabelle Ware Harkins
March 9
79
66
Ethna Peabody
March 10
66
54
Cora B. Hurlburt
March 1
48
66
Helen Veronica Garno
April 4
66
45
66
Elizabeth L. Groce
April 21
66
5
66
Mary E. Currier
April 24
80
66
Georgie Murphy
April 29
66
63
Louisa C. Richardson
May 22
66
93
Robert Chabot
June 15
Martha S. Oviatt
July 2
66
70
66
Daniel A. Mohan
August 1
76
Martha M. Ogden
August 30
66
51
Elucia Byko
August 26
18
Sylvia Jones
September 9
14 days
Arthur Edson
October 7
66
63 years
Edwin Vasco Aldrich
October 30
83
Lois L. Peabody
November 13
66
87
Roy Eaton
December 25
66
49
MARRIAGES 1934
Herman Knowlton
Dorothy Boyden
March 30
Arthur Robert
Dorothy Weldon
April 28
Linwood A. Hurd
Jean M. DeLong
April 8
Gordon Perkins Putnam Clarence C. Larrabee
Victoria Regina Jankowski
June 15
Florence Ellen Pratt
August 22
Charles Maurice Pratt Maurice L. Tyler
Grace E. Hayward
Sept. 21
Antoine Saindon
Mary Gottlick Rose Campbell
October 5
Harold C. Sherman
October 11
Joseph M. Houser
Marguerite C. Donahue
October 5
Willoughby P. Earley
Emily May Fox
August 20
Anna Amelia Sylvester
Nov. 21
1
65
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Town of Middleton.
Following is my report as Dog Officer from September 1, 1934 to January 1, 1935.
Dogs shot and buried
2
Dogs found dead and buried
3
Complaints taken care of
6
Labor
61/2 hours
Miles covered by car
26
COLLECTING OVERDUE AND UNPAID DOG TAXES
Males
28
$56 00
Females
10
50 00
Females, spaded
1 2 00
Total $108 00
This money was turned over to the Town Clerk.
Miles covered by car 151.
I wish to state at this time that the majority of the people I had to call on realized they had neglected this tax and paid me without any delay. Some objected to the collection charge, but paid it after an explanation. If the people that own dogs would realize they must pay tax on same when due they would not have to pay any extra when some officer is sent to collect it. The law is, if you own a dog you must pay its tax.
Beside the taxes collected I made calls on twenty-two other owners of dogs.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT A. SHELDON.
ASSESSORS' REPORT
TAXES FOR 1934-$32.60
Number of persons assessed
865
Number of male polls assessed
510
Value of assessed personal property
$115,984
Value of real estate
$1,838,268
Number of horses assessed
32
66 cows
498
" swine
66
201
" dwelling houses assessed
471
" acres of land
8,370
Value of fowl assessed
$4,089
Number of automobiles
674
Value of automobiles
$91,565
DRw & Roberts Libido
66
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendations of the Finance Committee for the Year 1935
GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
Recommended
Called For
Town Officers' Expenses
$900 00
$ 900 00
Moderator, salary
25 00
25 00
Selectmen " (3)
300 00
300 00
Accountant
400 00
400 00
Treasurer
300 00
300 00
Collector
400 00
400 00
Assessors
(3)
600 00
650 00
Town Counsel, salary
250 00
250 00
Electric Light Commissioners, salary
150 00
150 00
Town Clerk, salary
200 00
200 00
Registrars of Voters, salary
72 00
72 00
Town Hall maintenance
700 00
700 00
Town Hall Custodian, salary
500 00
500 00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY :
(A) Police Department (maintenance)
1,400 00
1,000 00
Constable, salary
35 00
35 00
Fire Dept. maintenance (inclus. of salaries) 2,100 00
2,000 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
100 00
100 00
FORESTRY :
Moth extermination (state law)
800 77
800 77
Tree Warden
300 00
300 00
HEALTH SANITATION:
Essex County Sanitorium
455 43
455 43
Board of Health
2,000 00
2,000 00
Dental Clinic
260 00
260 00
Inspector of slaughtering
25 00
25 00
Inspector of cattle
175 00
175 00
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Highway maintenance, Chapter 81
4,500 00
4 500 00
Highway maintenance, Chapter 90
1,500100
1,500 00
67
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
*Highway improvement Boston St., Chap. 90 4,000 00
$4,000 00
Sidewalks
200 00
200 00
Fencing
300 00
300 00
Bridges
200 00
200 00
Snow removal
Street light (maintenance)
2,700 00
2,700 00
CHARITIES:
Board of Public Welfare, salaries (3)
200 00
200 00
Public Welfare maintenance
9,000 00
9,000 00
Old Age Assistance
6,900 00
6,900 00
Transportation, storage, rental and distribu-
tion of material and commodities donated by the
Federal Government to the Welfare Dept.
300 00
300 00
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS:
State aid
600 00
600 00
Military aid
150 00
150 00
Soldiers' Relief
500 00
500 00
EDUCATION:
Public School maintenance
27,000 00
27,000 00
Transportation of vocation scholars
125 00
125 00
Public Library maintenance, plus dog tax
600 00
600 00
CEMETERIES:
Supt. of Burials and Commissioner's salaries
$15.00 and $30.00
45 00
45 00
Cemetery maintenance
1,100 00
977 00
INTEREST AND INSURANCE:
Interest
1,500 00
1,500 00
Insurance
1,396 10
1,396 10
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS:
Funded debt
1,000 00
1,000 00
UNCLASSIFIED:
Contingent fund
600 00
600 00
Memorial Day
250 00
250 00
Reserve fund
1,000 00
1,000 00
68
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendation covering Articles in the Town Warrant, 1935:
Article 1. Recommend favorable action.
. “
2.
3.
66
4.
5.
66
66 6.
66
66 7. 66 8. Recommend to be left in hands of Selectmen.
66
9. Recommend favorable action.
66 10. No recommendation.
66
11. Recommend favorable action.
12.
13.
66 66
66 14. Do not recommend.
a. Police Department appropriation includes "trade in" cost of new Police car, purchas- ing of same to be left in hands of Selectmen and Chief of Police.
* Conditional-That the State and County allot the balance (approximately 85%) of the total cost of this improvement for 1935.
Respectfully submitted,
H. M. RICHARDSON W. W. RICHARDSON F. E. BURNHAM W. P. EARLEY I. H. WELLS
Finance Committee.
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, 1934
73
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL REPORT
School Committee
ETHEL H. STEWART, Secretary GEORGE GIFFORD, Chairman WAYNE GILES
Term Expires 1935
Term Expires 1936 Term Expires 1937
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
Grade 7 and 8
Grade 6 and 7
MISS FANNIE C. HINKLÉY
Grade 4 and 5
MISS MADELYN LAWRENCE
Grade 2
MISS DOROTHY COLBERT
Grade 1
CHARLES GOULD
Grade 3 and 4
MRS. GENIE F. KIMBALL, Music Supervisor MISS VITTORIA ROSATTO, Drawing Supervisor GEORGE WEBBER, Janitor
74
SCHOOL REPORT
No School Signal
Two Rounds on Fire Whistle at 7.45 o'clock A. M.
Two Rounds on Whistle at the Blacking Company Factory at 7.45 o'clock A. M.
School Calendar for 1935
WINTER TERM
January 2 to February 21 Vacation One Week
WINTER-SPRING TERM
March 4 to April 26 Vacation One Week
SPRING TERM
May 6 to June 21 Summer Vacation
FALL TERM September 4 to December 20
HOLIDAYS February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, November 11 November 28
75
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Middleton School Committee:
Madam and Gentlemen:
Herewith please find submitted my eleventh annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
Other than the somewhat severe epidemic of Scarlet Fever which raged at one time during the year, there has been no great difference be- tween this year and its recent predecessors. The teaching staff remained unchanged during the year with the exception of the Supervisor of Drawing. Miss Farley resigned during the summer and was succeeded by Miss Vittoria Rosatto of Lowell who also serves in a similar capac- ity for Tewksbury. This lack of change works to the advantage of any system where the personnel is worth retaining. Good team work is a very important factor in the successful and efficient operation of any co-operative endeavor, and especially so in case of an organization dealing with human beings as its raw material. In this kind of organ- ization the element of morale is vital in the product as well as the pro- ducers. Any lack of harmony in the official organization is bound to make itself known all along the line and can become very serious if not corrected. That is the reason for uncertainty when any change occurs in a tested organization which has proved its merits.
There are occasions when one's patience is sorely tried and the temptation is very great to blurt out the "plain unvarnished Truth." Such occasions are those when parents presume to know more of the mental abilities of their children than do the experts who are employed to train those children. The fact that a child can bring the right change from an errand at the store is offered as sure proof that he can do long division on the first trial. Few parents believe it is possible that "my child can never learn long division." Teachers are severely criticised for failure to change traits which have appeared in several successive generations of the same family. Children are moved frequently from one community to another with more or less lengthy periods of absence from school during the periods of transit and settling. The report card shows the effect of the change and the schools are blamed if the marks are either higher or lower-especially in the latter case. No allowance is made for difference in course of study or standards of marking in the two communities involved, nor is any thought given to the time lost. Parents frequently say that a day of absence now and then can do little harm. This may depend on just what happens in school on that particular day. It may be that it was the very time when a new subject was taught with great care, or when some com- mon difficulty was cleared up for that particular class. A gap is thus
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