USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > Town annual report of Rutland 1933-40 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$100.00
Transferred
164.35
$264.35
Expended :
For Power shovel and trucks removing
muck
$258.00
Cutting brush
6.00
One lock
.35
$264.35
Through the combined efforts of Rep. Goulding W. Earren of Holden, and Rep. Charles J. Campbell of Rutland, legislation was enacted to provide bathing facilities for Hol- den and Rutland.
Chap. 346, Sect. 1, of the Acts of 1934 provided for ex- penditure by the Metropolitan District Commission, of $6000.00 to provide public bathing facilities in Holden and Rutland. Of this sum, $3000.00 was set aside for Rutland, and, upon the approval of the water for bathing purposes, by the State Board of Health and by the Rutland Selectmen and Park Commissioners, the pond in the General Rufus Putnam Memorial Park was selected for the purpose, surveys were made and plans drawn.
110
It was found that it would require $4500.00 or more to carry out the plans, and it was evident that the Town was in no position to provide additional funds. The plan was at a standstill. The Park Commissioners and ERA Administrator conferred with Mr. Allerdyce, Supt. at Wachusett Dam, un- der whose direction the work was done.
A project was drawn up to do some of the work, and upon approval of the project, the work was started.
The pond was drawn down under ERA project. The fish were removed, under the direction of the State Fish and Game Department, and put into other ponds. A diversion ditch to take road wash around the pond, was included in ERA project, and as soon as the bottom was dry enough, a power shovel was put to work by the Metropolitan District Commission.
It required several more trucks to cart off the muck fast enough to keep the power shovel at work than the Commis- sion had. It was here that trucks from the United States Veteran Hospital, Rutland State Sanatorium and several cit- izens aided very materially. It was estimated at the begin- ning that about 3000 cubic yards would be removed, but at completion, over 5,000 cubic yards had been removed.
Muck was used in grading below the dam. During the removal of the muck it was found that a pump had to be used and timber laid for the power shovel and trucks to pass over, all of which added much to the expense, requiring an additional sum which the Legislature granted. This with another ERA project finally completed the work and on October 10, 1935, at 2:30 P. M., the gate was closed, and the pond has been full since.
An interesting deposit was discovered when removing the muck, in the deep pocket under 5 or 6 feet of muck; a layer varying from 8 inches to 18 inches in depth, which had the appearance of blue clay but when dried was white and very light in weight. A specimen sent to Harvard Univer- sity, Dept. of Minerology and Petrography where a micro-
111
scopic examination showed it to be "impure diatomaceous earth. The diatoms seem a little larger than in most diatom- aceous earth. In addition, the sample has a good deal of volcanic ash and some fragments of quartz and other min- erals as well as clay." It would be interesting to know where the "volcanic ash" came from.
The water from the spring in the Park which is used for drinking purposes, has been analyzed by the State Dept. of Public Health.
"The results of the analysis show that the water of this spring is naturally of good quality and, at the time the sam- ples were collected, it was free from bacteria characteristic of pollution and safe for drinking." Recommendations from the Board relative to the method of taking water by use of a pump from the spring, will be carried out by the Park Com- missioners.
At the suggestion of a field engineer from the Regional Office ERA, Worcester, the Park Commissioners submitted a project for improvement of the Park, which was prepared, after a survey had been made, by the Emergency Planning and Research Bureau of Boston, under the direction of Ad- ministrator John H. Harding. The project and plans were prepared by Landscape Architect Mr. R. W. Beals of the Planning Board and, upon approval, work was started under the WPA and is now being carried on.
The Commissioners believe that, when the plans are completed, Rutland will have a park within easy access of the center of the town, that will compare favorably with any in towns much larger than Rutland.
Footpaths will be constructed about the park, trees trim- med, rustic bridges and shelters made, children's play center, several fire places and other accommodations for the public will be arranged.
HAROLD I. JUDKINS, JR. MARK A. PUTNAM LOUIS N. HANFF
Rutland, Jan. 1. 1936.
112
Report of the Police Department
I wish to take this opportunity to express my apprecia- tion and thanks to the Rutland Post, American Legion, and the Boy Scout Troop, for their cooperation, also to Lieut. Avery of the State Police.
The automobile accident for the past year has been very favorable, and assures Rutland retaining the lowest class rat- ing on compulsory insurance.
Four members of the Department are attending the Po- lice School held at Clinton under the direction of Capt. Bar- rett of the State Police.
Arrests made by State and Local Police :.
(M) Abuse of Female Child. 1
(M) Assault and battery 2
(M) Assault with intent to rob 1
(M) B. & E. & L. of Poultry in the night time 3
(M) Driving drunk
3
(M) Drunk
5
(M) Lewdness
1
(M) Insane persons
2
(M) Non-support
1
(F) Stubborn child
1
(M) Violation of parcle
1
Accidents, Auto
8
Accidents, Accidental Shooting
1
Suicides
1
Lost children
2
Auto licenses revoked
7
Auto licenses returned 5
113
Motor vehicle transfers 30
Complaints investigated 27
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN COLLINS, Chief of Police.
114
Report of the Fire Department
The Fire Department answered nine calls for building fires for the year ending Dec. 31, 1935.
The new Truck is a valuable addition to the Department. With the three hundred-gallon water tank and one hundred- gallon-a-minute pump, we can give some protection to prop- erty away from the water lines.
Appropriation
$800.00
Transferred to Forest Fire Dept.
75.00
Expended :
$725.00
W. R. White, Custodian $96.00
N. E. Telephone 31.60
Geo. F. Blake, Hose
131.44
Rutland Garage, Supplies
78.44
Gorham Fire Equipment Co.
22.41
American La France & Fomite Corp., Inc. 42.09
Buffalo Fire Apparatus Co.
4.29
Commonwealth of Mass., Dept. of Pub- lic Safety 5.00
E. D. Marsh (Fuel)
91.60
Frank E. Matthews
13.60
H. K. Bigelow (wood) 4.00
H. G. Calkins (electrical work) 1.20
Gardner Electric Light Co.
35.40
Finnan's Ex. .60
115
Nellie I. Griffin, Supplies
15.19
Labor, Extinguishing Fires
26.00
598.76
Unexpended $126.24
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK E. MATTHEWS, Chief JOHN COLLINS, Assistant Chief FRANK BROOKS, Clerk LOUIS M. HANFF
PATRICK D. MURPHY
GEORGE R. MIXTER
116
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
For the year ending Dec. 31, 1935 ,
Summary of Accounts :
Public Welfare Expense :
Appropriation
$4,300.00
Transfers :
From Old Age Assistance 336.00
From Soldiers' Relief .. 195.00
From Reserve Fund 230.80
$5,061.80
Expenditures
$5,061.80
Old Age Assistance :
Appropriation
$2,000.00
Expenditures $1,664.00
Transferred to Public Wel- fare Expense 336.00
$2,000.00
Mothers' Aid :
Appropriation
1.
. .
$780.00
Expenditures
$780.00
PUBLIC WELFARE EXPENDITURES
Town Cases :
Charlton Home Farm Asso.
$232.34
State Infirmary
365.00
117
Town of Oakham
45.00
Town of Leicester
232.12
Town of Boylston
64.50
Town of Clinton
462.00
City of Worcester
57.50
Holden District Hospital. .
168.00
Eight Cases Aided in Rut-
land
815.29
Five Cases, Medical Aid in
Rutland
176.00
Miscellaneous, Office Ex-
penses, Express, etc.
134.73
$2,752.48
Outside Cases Aided in Rutland :
One Webster Case
$48.00
One Clinton Case
45.11
93.11
State Temporary Aid :
Case No. 1
$1,092.00
Case No. 2
522.38
Case No. 3
294.03
Case No. 4
48.93
Case No. 5
33.73
Case No. 6
3.15
Case No. 7
36.07
Case No. 8
65.92
Case No. 9
12.00
Case No. 10
108.00
2,216.21
----
Total Public Welfare Expense
$5,061.80
118
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE EXPENDITURE
Two Rutland Cases $468.00
Four State Cases 1,196.00
Total Old Age Assistance Expenditures.
$1,664.00
MOTHERS' AID EXPENDITURES
One Rutland Case $780.00
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE E. SMITH, MATTHEW J. CULLEN, CLARENCE L. BIGELOW, Board of Public Welfare.
119
Report of the Charlton Home Farm Association
For the year ending December 31, 1935
Land and Buildings
$18,000.00
Personal Property 8,246.20
Savings Bankıs 8,430.15
Accounts Receivable
882.42
Cash in Warden's hands
200.00
Checking Account 1,989.39
$37,748.16 I have examined the above statement and find it correct.
CARL F. DAVIS,
Auditor.
Number of Towns having inmates. 19
Number of inmates 41
Boarders 3
Pres. Robert F. Tucker, Charlton. . Vice Pres., Matthew J. Cullen, Rutland. Sec. and Treas., Lester P. Gates, Ashburnham.
120
Report of the CWA and ERA Administrator
In submitting this report of the activities of the CWA and ERA work from the beginning in the early part of December, 1933, it is my desire to give what information I can to the citizens of Rutland as to what was done. I cannot give an accurate estimate of the expenditures, as there were several projects carried on under CWA, the pay rolls of which were not cer- tified through my office, and I have received information from the Boston Office that all records of CWA work were filed away and were not accessible. Federal money was paid to the unemployed in Rutland and Commodities were given which were distributed by the Board of Public Welfare.
These projects were: County Road Work, State Depart- ment of Public Works, State Road work; State Agricultural Department, Gypsy and Brown tail moth work, apple tree cut- ting, and disinfecting farm barns. A conservative estimate of cost would be $10,000.00.
The work done under local administration included cut- ting brush on the Water Department pipe line through the woods near the stand pipe to the pumping station; improve- ment to Town roads, cutting brush on roadsides; repairing town garage and water department storage shed and work room; tearing down brick smoke stack at Pumping Station ; enlarging Fire Department headquarters, draining cellar and making cement walk about the building; work on Old Burying Ground, grubbing out brush and wild grass, straightening grave stones and reseeding grounds ; grading, draining grounds about Public Building; constructing new cement walk and re- pairing old walks about the Public Building; relaying brick chimney from roof up, repairing brick foundation and marble corner blocks at entrance of Public Building; constructing drains on State Road; grading, draining, brush cutting and
121
other work at Veterans' Administration Facility ; constructing 2240 feet cement walk on west side of Maple Avenue and other work at the swimming pool which is given in the Park Com- missioners' report.
After the ERA projects were approved, I found it difficult to get enough men to carry on the work as only those who were on pay rolls during the month of May, 1935, were eligible.
The WPA projects now in operation, Rufus Putnam Park and State Road drain, give employment to about 30 men.
The amount paid on pay rolls from my office under CWA and ERA, approximately $32,500.00, added to the estimated $10,000.00, makes a total of $43,500.00 paid with Federal money, and the Town expended about $4,700,00; food commodities, CWA, $3,500.00, ERA, $4,460.78, total, $7,960.78.
Before closing this report, I wish to state that the thanks of the Town are due Dr. Richard Cook and Mr. R. E. Adkins of the Veterans' Administration Facility, for their assistance on the sidewalk project on Maple Avenue.
Respectfully submitted,
LOUIS M. HANFF,
Rutland, Jan. 1, 1936. 1
Administrator.
1
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1935
2
ORGANIZATION SCHOOL COMMITTEE
F. Eugene Marsh, Chairman Term Expires 1936
Margaret A. Griffin, Secretary
Term Expires 1937
Lawrence E Smith Term Expires 1938
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
James R. Childs Holden 12 or 209
SCHOOL NURSE
Irene Parker, R. N.
Holden 265 or 167-11
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
William T. Knowlton, M. D. Holden 246
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mark L. Reed
Rutland 22
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term 16 weeks Sept. 3, 1935 to Dec. 20, 1935
Winter Term 8 weeks Dec. 30, 1935 to Feb. 21, 1936
Spring Term 8 weeks Mar. 2, 1936 to Apr. 24, 1936
Summer Term
7 weeks May 4, 1936 to June 19, 1936
Fall Term
16 weeks Sept. 2, 1936 to Dec. 18, 1936
High School : Elementary Schools :
Fall Term 16 weeks Sept. 3, 1935 to Dec. 20, 1935
Winter Term 7 weeks Jan. 6, 1936 to Feb. 21, 1936
Spring Term 7 weeks Mar. 9, 1936 to Apr. 24, 1936
Summer Term 6 weeks May 4, 1936 to June 12, 1936
Fall Term 16 weeks Sept. 2, 1936 to Dec. 18, 1936 HOLIDAY
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, Labor Day, October 12, November 11, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
1-1-1 Three blasts on the siren at 7.30 A. M. means no school for the day. 1-1-1 Three blasts at 11 A. M. means no afternoon session.
3
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Rutland :
The School Committee wishes to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1935.
The Committee earnestly hope the voters of the town will furnish better housing conditions for the school in the near future.
The School Committee has received a letter from the State Board of Education stating that unless conditions are corrected their aid is liable to be withdrawn.
Far less time was lost because of cold this year than last. The grade school lost but three days and the high school, four.
We wish to express our appreciation to our teachers for their splendid co-operation during the year.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL DE- PARTMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1935
Town Appropriation
$24,000.00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
616.19
$24,616.19
EXPENDITURES
General Control :
Committee $225.00
748.72
Superintendent
Instruction :
Teachers
$13,266.89
High School Books
264.53
4
Grade School Books
187.22
Supplies 446.02
Operation of School Plant :
Janitor and Fuel-Center $2,551.71
Janitor-West Rutland 205.00
Fuel-West Rutland
327.09
Janitors' Supplies
85.32
Maintenance :
Repairs
286.95
New Equipment
131.12
Auxiliary :
Health
416.20
Transportation
5,572.00
Miscellaneous
125.17
Total $24,616.19
Respectfully submitted, F. EUGENE MARSH. MARAGET A. GRIFFIN. LAWRENCE E. SMITH.
5
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
Holden, Jan. 1, 1936
To the School Committee of Rutland :
The thirty-sixth report since the formation of the pres- ent Union and the eighteenth by the writer, is herewith pre- sented for your consideration. The statistics which follow show an increase of but two in fall term enrollment but an increase of 20 in average membership over last year; re- flected in the percentage of attendance of 94, which is a little higher than that for the state. Our total cost for support and outlay, per pupil in average membership was $90.75 as compared with $91.53 for the previous year and $93.74 for the state. Our largest single item of expense is for trans- portation, this year $19.54 per pupil, a little better than last year at $22.09. Between 35 and 40% of the total cost of schools in Rutland is reimbursed by the state.
I am glad to report that there were no changes in teach- ers this year, and the general character of the work has been of high order. We have introduced several new texts and added to our equipment in the various sciences, it being our desire to keep abreast of the best current thought in educa- tion. Aside from the housing conditions, our schools are serving the needs of our boys and girls better than ever be- fore. The Household Science program is meeting a real .need, but is carried on under difficult physical conditions. We need very much to have room for a practical course in Manual Training for boys, and we need to separate grades
6
IV, V, and VI so that pupils in those grades may have equal opportunities with those in the other rooms. As a valuable supplement to our work we are fortunate in having leaders in Rutland who are interested in Scouting and the 4-H Clubs. Their programs are most helpful in training for home and civic responsibility. They should have our loyal support and encouragement. Frank Marsh of the high school was chosen to attend the National Scout Jamboree that was to have been held in Washington. Mr. Kelsey, Mr. Marsh and Florence Wheeler are active leaders.
In the poster contest sponsored by Holden District Hos- pital at the time of the annual drive, Mary McGann and Irja Luukko won prizes. Their posters and those of Alice and Helen Wales were used by the Committee.
In the contest conducted by the American Humane Edu- cation Society Pearl Moore won a medal and Mary Cunning- ham and Ozmer Calario received honorable mention.
Through the State Department of Education another Teachers Institute was arranged, held this year at the new Junior High School in Westminster. Our teachers attended the Institute and also the County Convention held in Wor- cester in November. We have had 100% membership in the National Education Association for three years.
In the reports of the School Nurse and Physician will be found the record of our health service. Realizing the pos- sibility of rapid spread of contagious or infectious diseases when children are gathered together in any considerable numbers, we make every effort to detect the signs of such diseases and exclude the child from school until assured there is no danger. We ask all parents to co-operate with us in our desire to check epidemics, and to understand that we are trying to protect every child and to work with the Board of Health. The School Physician has his duties prescribed by
7
the law, and both Physician and Nurse are on part-time ser- vice only, in each town of the Union. When a child is ex- cluded from school the law indicates the procedure. Chapter 76, Section 15 states that "a child from a household where a person is ill . . . with any . . . infectious or contagious disease, or from a household exposed to contagion from any such disease in another household, shall not attend any public school during such illness or exposure until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a certificate from the lo- cal Board of Health, or from the attending physician, stat- ing that danger of conveying such disease by such child has passed." Section 55 of Chapter 71 states that "the School Committee shall cause to be referred to a School Physician for examination and diagnosis every child returning to school without a certificate from the Board of Health after absence on account of illness from infectious or contagious disease." We appreciate the support of the Board of Health in all efforts of our Physician, Nurse and the teachers, to prevent the spread of disease and to maintain the school plant in a sanitary condition. After five years of service Miss Blood resigned as School Nurse and Miss Irene Parker, a registered nurse with a wide experience in school and com- munity health service, was chosen to carry on this work in our schools.
There has been much discussion during the year of our housing conditions and the situation is much the same as described in last year's report. There is probably no plan that will be acceptable to everybody, but Rutland boys and girls deserve the best that the voters can afford. I believe a solution can and will be found, on an impersonal basis, and without a too heavy burden on the tax-payer.
The Committee has voted to adopt the eight-week sys- tem and the changes in vacation periods are shown in the calendar. This is the general practice today, based on the
8
thought that pupils and teachers can work to better advan- tage and more intensively for short periods with a rest pe- riod between these shorter terms.
To the problem of housing and to all the other matters that concern the welfare of the schools, the Committee has given careful study. The teachers have given loyal service of a high order, and the schools are in good condition. Mr. Kelsey's report indicates the high standard of our scholastic extra-curricular activities. I want to thank everyone who has helped to make the year a success.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. CHILDS
9
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 1
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The enrollment at the opening of school in September numbered sixty-eight students, an increase of four over last year. This enrollment uses just about all the available seats in the Main room and the Grange Hall, the seniors and jun- iors numbering twenty-six using the latter as their home room and the sophmores and freshmen numbering forty-two using the former as their home room.
It is with pleasure I report that Rutland High School is now on the list of approved schools having certificate privi- lege given by the New England College Entrance Certifi- cate Board. We have been on the specimen list for several years but this is the first time we have been on the approved list. I am glad to report also that Worcester Polytechnic In- stitute has renewed our certificate privilege for three more years. Among the last five graduating classes, twenty-five per Icent of our graduates have entered college. 'Among the in- stitutions where our graduates may be found as registered students are Massachusetts State College, Worcester Poly- technic Institute, Clark University, Holy Cross, Providence College, Becker College, and the State Teachers' Colleges at Framingham, Bridgewater and Worcester.
At the graduating exercises last June, the Legion medal for all-around ability was awarded to Eino Taipale and the Auxiliary medal was awarded to Lillian E. Mattson. Pro Merito pins were awarded to Helen K. Macdonald and Anna M. Morasky and to three members of the junior class, Alice Carroll, Viola Miander, and Virginia Ward. The medal for xcellence in the study of United States History was award- d to Eunice M. Marsh.
Last spring the Rutland Post No. 310, American Legion,
10
presented the schools of Rutland with a fine banner to be used as an incentive for better attendance. Each month the banner is presented to the room having the highest per cent of attendance.
The outstanding successes last year in extra-curricula activities were three in number; first, the well directed plays "The Blue Bag" and "Full of Youth" under the supervision of Miss Eleanor Knox; second, "The Rambler" under the supervision of Miss Margaret Sears actually showing a profit of a few dollars for the first time since its appearance; and third, the continued good playing of the girls' basketball team under the coaching of Miss Marion Bigelow.
Last winter we were unable to use the science room dur- ing cold weather because of the poor heating system but the installation of a new heating unit this fall means we can now conduct our classes according to schedule.
I wish to acknowledge with thanks those who have helped me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND D. KELSEY
11
REPORT OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I present herewith my second report as Supervisor of Home Economics at Rutland High Shcool.
The aims of the Home Economics course are the same as stated in my first report which are briefly :
1. To help pupils develop physically, mentally, es- thetically and socially.
2. To teach fundamentals of selecting, constructing and caring for clothing and home furnishings.
3. To give particular instruction in intelligent buying.
4. To help pupils to form good habits and to cooperate at school, home, and in the community.
It is indeed gratifying to report that the enrollment for this course has increased and that this year there is a total enrollment of twenty-two students.
In September an advanced course in Home Economics was offered and seven girls took advantage of this opportunity to continue Home Economics work.
With the marked increase in enrollment there was a de- cided demand for additional equipment. This equipment which was urgently needed in the foods department was pur- chased and included the following :
1 Four burner oil stove with oven
1 32 Piece set of dishes
1 Carving set
6 Small kitchen knives
2 Bread boards
1 Preserving kettle and rack
12
2 Egg beaters
4 Medium sized strainers
2 Large yellow bowls
2 Rolling pins
6 Cake coolers
6 Cookie sheets
2 Wooden Spoons
2 Doz. dish towels
1 Doz. dish cloths
5 Sets muffin tins
2 Sets mixing bowls
2 Sets sauce pans
6 Spatulas
6 Case knives
1 Water pitcher
4 Salt and pepper shakers
In the Clothing Department there is need of additional tables and sewing machines. A new ironing board cover was purchased for this department and the ironing board has been encased in a wall cupboard. New compartments for the girls' sewing equipment have been constructed.
Again I wish to thank all my co-workers for a very suc- cessful, happy and progressive year.
Respectfully submitted,
ELEANOR E. KNOX
13
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.