USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1922 > Part 7
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The books in the accountant's office were examined and checked. The receipts of the treasurer, as reported by him, were proved. The payments were checked by comparing the approved bills and pay-rolls with the warrants and with the treasurer's books.
The appropriation accounts were checked with the town clerk's records of appropriations voted by the town, the ledger was footed, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet prepared which is appended to this report.
The books and accounts of the treasurer were examined and checked. The records of receipts were checked with the books of the several depart- ments collecting money for the town and with the accountant's books, and the disbursements were checked with the warrants authorizing them and with the accountant's ledger accounts.
The debt and interest payments were checked with the amounts falling due, and with the cancelled bonds, notes and coupons on file.
67
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1922]
The cash on hand was verified by reconciling the bank accounts with the statements furnished by the banks. The committed accounts of the collector were examined and checked to the warrants. The collections were checked with the cash book and with the payments to the treasurer. The abatements were checked with the records of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved to the accountant's books. A further verification of the unpaid accounts was made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the replies received, I am satisfied that the accounts are correct.
The town clerk's accounts, as well as the accounts of the library and health departments, were checked and reconciled with the treasurer's and accountant's books.
The securities of the several funds were not examined at this time, but will be reported upon at the end of the year.
The books and accounts of the treasurer and of the accountant have been kept in the usually careful and painstaking manner.
The surety bonds of the various town officials were examined.
The accounts of the water department were examined; the meter read- ing cards were checked to the charge cards, and the charge cards were checked to the commitment book. The various commitments of water rates and services were footed, the collections as shown on the cash book were checked to the commitment books, and a list of outstanding accounts was drawn off and reconciled with the accounts of the town accountant. To verify further the outstanding accounts, notices were mailed to persons whose accounts appeared as unpaid on the register of the water depart- ment; the replies received proved the accounts to be correct.
In accordance with the vote of the town requiring all departmental bills receivable to be committed to and collected by the tax collector, as recommended in our previous reports, commitment sheets containing the names and addresses of all persons owing money for water and services were made up, and the amounts outstanding were set up by years on which payment was due, so that a recommitment of these charges may be readily made, and so as to facilitate collection of overdue accounts. On July 31, a recommitment of all outstanding water bills for the years 1922 and 1921 was made to the collector of taxes, the water commissioners having undertaken to bring about a settlement of all outstanding bills prior to the year 1921.
Appended to this report are tables showing a reconciliation of the treas- urer's cash and interest coupon accounts, a summary of the tax, assessment, water, health, sealer's and library accounts, together with a table of licenses issued.
While engaged in making this audit, uniform courtesy was extended by every department official, for which I wish, on behalf of my assistants and myself, to express my appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD H. FENTON,
Chief Examiner.
68
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH.
Cash on hand January 1, 1922:
General
$34,211 68
Water
3,093 55
$37,305 23
Receipts January 1 to June 30, 1922:
General
$385,700 06
Water
33,412 49
419,112 55
$456,417 78
Payments January 1 to June 30, 1922:
General
$320,042 59
Water
28,347 29
$348,389 88
Cash on hand June 30, 1922:
General
$99,788 36
Water
8,239 54
108,027 90
$456,417 78
Balance June 30, 1922:
Central National Bank $3,084 54
Webster and Atlas National Bank 158 73
Manufacturers National Bank 90,851 65
Security Trust Company . . 1,286 37
Cash in office June 30, 1922-
deposited July 1
4,407 07
$99,788 36
Security Trust Company (Water) $178 88
Sagamore Trust Company (Water) 6,977 79
Cash in office June 30, 1922-
deposited July 1 .
1,082 87
8,239 54
$108,027 90
Central National Bank.
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
$3,402 04
Balance June 30, 1922, per check book $3,084 54
Outstanding checks, per list
317 50
3,402 04
69
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1922]
Webster and Atlas National Bank.
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
$1,218 73 Balance June 30, 1922, per check book
$
158 73
Outstanding checks, per list .
1,060 00
1,218 73
Manufacturers National Bank.
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
$92,104 95
Balance June 30, 1922, per check book $90,851 65
Outstanding checks, per list
1,253 30
92,104 95
Security Trust Company.
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
$8,279 12
Balance June 30, 1922, per check book $1,286 37
Outstanding checks, per list
6,992 75
8,279 12
Security Trust Company (Water).
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
$360 39
Balance June 30, 1922, per check book $178 88
Outstanding checks, per list
181 51
360 39
Sagamore Trust Company (Water).
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
$8,392 07
Balance June 30, 1922, per check book
$6,977 79
Outstanding checks, per list .
1,414 28
8,392 07
RECONCILIATION OF BOND AND INTEREST COUPON ACCOUNT.
Commonwealth Trust Company.
Balance January 1, 1922
$ 332 50
Deposits January 1 to June 30, 1922 6,157 50
$6,490 00
Notes and bonds paid
$3,000 00
Coupons paid
3,385 00
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
105 00
6,490 00
70
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Coupons due and not presented for payment :
Sewer loan due September 1, 1915
$17 50
Water loan due April 1, 1921 . 17 50
Water loan due October 1, 1921
17 50
Water loan due February 1, 1922
17 50
Water loan due April 1, 1922
35 00
$105 00
First National Bank.
Balance January 1, 1922
$ 160 00
Deposits January 1 to June 30, 1922
22,393 52
22,553 52
Notes and bonds paid .
$12,000 00
Coupons paid
10,237 27
Balance June 30, 1922, per bank statement
316 25
$22,553 52
Coupons due and not presented for payment :
Sewer loan due November 1, 1921
$100 00
Sewer loan due April 1, 1922
45 00
Water loan due May 1, 1922 .
11 25
Sewer loan due May 1, 1922 .
140 00
Humphrey street loan due June 1, 1922
20 00
$316 25
Taxes -- 1919.
Outstanding January 1, 1922 .
$10 00
Abatements to June 30, 1922 . .
10 00
Taxes-1920.
Outstanding January 1, 1922 . .
$15,840 40
Adjustments :
Moth 1920 entered as taxes 1920
(p. 128-3)
$ 1 50
Moth 1920 entered as taxes 1920
(p. 124-4) 25
Sidewalks 1920 entered as taxes 1920 (p. 123-17) 40 82
Moth 1920 entered as taxes 1920 (p. 132-5)
1 15
Sidewalks 1920 entered as taxes 1920
(p. 123-17) 21 80
65 52
$15,905 92
1922]
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
71
Payments to treasurer to June 30,
1922
$14,966 05
Abatements to June 30, 1922
94 30
Outstanding June 30, 1922
845 57
15,905 92
Outstanding July 1, 1922
$845 57
Payments to treasurer to July 10, 1922
$296 70
Outstanding July 10, 1922, per list
548 87
845 57
Taxes-1921.
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$58,235 63
Poll tax collected and not committed
5 00
Amount paid to treasurer not on commitment .
48 45
$58,289 08
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922 .
$18,703 83
Abatements to June 30, 1922
17 00
Outstanding June 30, 1922
39,568 25
58,299 08
$39,568 25
Payments to treasurer to July 10, 1922
$ 629 00
Outstanding July 10, 1922, per list .
38,776 40
Cash on hand July 10, 1922 .
162 40
Unlocated difference
45
39,568 25
Taxes-1922.
Commitment
$11,920 00
Supplementary commitment
35 00
$11,955 00
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922 .
$4,947 00
Outstanding June 30, 1922
7,008 00
11,955 00
Outstanding July 1, 1922
$7,008 00
Payments to treasurer to July 10, 1922
$3,014 00
Abatements to July 10, 1922 .
460 00
Outstanding July 10, 1922, per list
3,371 00
Cash on hand July 10, 1922 .
163 00
Outstanding July 10, 1922
7,008 00
Outstanding July 1, 1922
72
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Moth Assessments-1918.
Outstanding January 1, 1922 $2 25
Outstanding June 30, 1922 . 2 25
Moth Assessments-1920.
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$137 95
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922
$122 55
Adjustments :
Moth 1920 credited as taxes 1920
(p. 128-3)
$1 50
Moth 1920 credited as taxes 1920
(p. 124-24) 25
Moth 1920 credited as taxes 1920
(p. 132-5) 1 15
2 90
Outstanding June 30, 1922
12 50
137 95
Outstanding July 1, 1922
$12 50
Payments to treasurer to July 10, 1922
$4 50
Outstanding July 10, 1922, per list .
8 00
12 50
Moth Assessments-1921.
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$284 66
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922
$ 44 25
Outstanding June 30, 1922
240 41
284 66
Outstanding July 1, 1922
$240 41
Unlocated difference
50
$240 91
Payments to treasurer to July 10, 1922 . $ 2 50
Outstanding July 10, 1922, per list .
238 41
240 91
Sidewalk Assessments-1920.
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$162 46
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922 Adjustments:
$82 34
Taxes 1920 credited as sidewalks 1920
(p. 123-17)
$40 82
Taxes 1920 credited as sidewalks 1920
(p. 123-17) 21 80
62 62
Outstanding June 30, 1922
17 50
162 46
73
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1922]
Outstanding July 1, 1922 .
$17 50
Cash on hand July 10, 1922
17.50
Sidewalk Assessments-1921.
Outstanding January 1, 1922 $552 07
Outstanding June 30, 1922, per list
552 07
Apportioned Sewer Assessments-1919.
Outstanding January 1, 1922 $6 14
Abatements to June 30, 1922
6 14
Apportioned Sewer Assessments-1920.
Outstanding January 1, 1922 $38 71
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922 .
38 71
Apportioned Sewer Assessments-1921.
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$174 50
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922
$ 36 71
Apportioned sewer assessments 1921 credited as interest
7 65
Outstanding June 30, 1922, per list .
130 14
174 50
Unapportioned Sewer Assessments.
Outstanding January 1, 1922
$3,529 22
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922 .
$2,123 69
Outstanding June 30, 1922, per list .
1,405 53
3,529 22
Town Clerk's Department.
Town Licenses.
Junk,
3 @ $75 00 $225 00
Auctioneers',
2 @ 2 00 4 00
Pool,
1 @ 2 00 2 00
Bowling,
1 @ 2 00 2 00
$233 00
Paid town treasurer to June 30, 1922,
233 00
74
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Dog Licenses.
Males,
115 @ $ 2 00
$230 00
Females,
24 @
5 00
120 00
Breeder's,
1 @ 25 00
25 00
$375 00
Less clerk's fees
140 @ 20
28 00
$347 00
Paid County Treasurer
347 00
Hunters' and Fishermen's Licenses.
Resident fishermen's
20 @ $1 00
$20 00
Lobster fishermen's,
16 @
1 00
16 00
Combination certificates,
37 @ 2 00
74 00
Resident hunters' and trappers',
2 @
1 50
3 00
Non-resident fishermen's,
1 @
2 00
2 00
$115 00
Less clerk's fees,
76 @ 15
11 40
$103 60
Paid State Department of Conservation
103 60
Library Department.
Cash on hand January 1, 1922 .
$ 61 98
Receipts from January 1 to June 30, 1922
147 55
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922 .
$172 72
Expenditures for postage, express, etc.
17 47
Cash on hand June 30, 1922 .
19 34
209 53
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Cash on hand January 1, 1922 . $ 8 44
Fees to June 30, 1922 . 51 97
$60 41
Payments to treasurer to June 30, 1922
$34 31
Cash on hand June 30, 1922 . 26 10
60 41
Water Department Accounts Receivable.
Outstanding January 1, 1922:
Charges prior to 1915 $ 50 41
Charges of 1915
1 00
Charges of 1916
74 37
Charges of 1917
368 98
$209 53
1922]
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Charges of 1918
994 81
Charges of 1919
1,998 96
Charles of 1920
4,438 13
Charges of 1921
10,170 67
Services
278 92
$18,376 25
Commitments :
Charges of 1922
$34,335 68
Services
894 69
$35,230 37
Adjustments :
Account No. 135 overpaid (re-
funded by treasurer)
$10 86
Refund of departmental bill cred- ited as water receipt
10 00
20 86
Cash in water office
25 00
$53,652 48
Payments to treasurer :
Charges of 1916
$ 1 32
Charges of 1917 .
85 99
Charges of 1918 .
158 54
Charges of 1919
691 24
Charges of 1920
2,060 66
Charges of 1921 .
5,056 33
Charges of 1922
24,630 08
Services
728 33
$33,412 49
Abatements to June 30, 1922:
Charges prior to 1915
$ 50 41
Charges of 1916
54 18
Charges of 1917
143 86
Charges of 1918
215 69
Charges of 1919
402 84
Charges of 1920
721 83
Charges of 1921
254 95
Charges of 1922
11 00
1,854 76
Outstanding June 30, 1922, per list:
Charges of 1915
$ 1 00
Charges of 1916
18 87
Charges of 1917
139 13
Charges of 1918
620 58
75
76
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Charges of 1919
904 88
Charges of 1920
1,666 50
Charges of 1921
4,859 39
Charges of 1922
9,704 60
Services
445 28
18,360 23
Cash in water office June 30, 1922
25 00
$53,652 48
Water Accounts Receivable.
July 1 to July 31, 1922
Outstanding July 1, 1922:
Charges of 1915
$ 1 00
Charges of 1916
18 87
Charges of 1917
139 13
Charges of 1918
620 58
Charges of 1919
904 88
Charges of 1920
1,666 50
Charges of 1921
4,859 39
Charges of 1922
9,704 60
Services
445 28
Cash in water office July 1, 1922
$18,360 23 25 00
Commitments and adjustments :
Charges of 1919
$ 28 60
Charges of 1920
7 56
Charges of 1922
15 50
Services
936 32
987 98
$19,373 21
Payments to treasurer to July 31, 1922:
Charges of 1915
$ 1 00
Charges of 1916
7 87
Charges of 1917
17 74
Charges of 1918
66 64
Charges of 1919
115 74
Charges of 1920
552 84
Charges of 1921
1,631 64
Charges of 1922
2,123 05
Services
401 13
$4,917 65
Abatements to July 31, 1922:
Charges of 1916
$ 11 00
Charges of 1917 16 36
1922]
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Charges of 1918
46 75
Charges of 1919
80 25
Charges of 1920
139 29
Charges of 1921
68 26
Charges of 1922
209 60
Outstanding July 31, 1922:
Charges of 1917
$ 105 03
Charges of 1918
507 19
Charges of 1919
737 49
Charges of 1920
981 93
Charges of 1921
3,159 49
Charges of 1922
7,387 45
Services
980 47
13,859 05
Cash in water office July 31, 1922
25 00
77
571 51
$19,373 21
78
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT. BALANCE SHEET-JUNE 30, 1922. General Accounts. ASSETS.
Cash :
In banks
·
$102,537 96
In office
5,489 94
Petty cash (Water Department)
25 00
$108,052 90
Accounts receivable :
Taxes-
Levy of 1920
$845 57
Levy of 1921
39,519 80
Levy of 1922 (polls) .
7,008 00
47,373 37
Special assessments-
Moth 1918
$ 2 25
Moth 1920
12 50
Moth 1921
240 41
255 16
Sidewalks 1920
$ 17 50
Sidewalks 1921
552 07
569 57
Unapportioned sewer
$1,405 53
Apportioned sewer 1921
130 14
1,535 67
Property taken for taxes
$309 61
Tax titles
781 19
1,090 80
Water Department:
Charges of 1915
$ 1 00
Charges of 1916
18 87
Charges of 1917
139 13
Charges of 1918
620 58
Charges of 1919
904 88
Charges of 1920
1,666 50
Charges of 1921
4,859 39
Charges of 1922
9,704 60
Water services, etc.
445 28
.
18,360 23
1922]
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
79
Revenue 1922 (appropriations) .
$436,745 10
Less estimated revenue (receipts) . · 10,830 72
425,914 38
Loans authorized
71,300 00
Overdrawn accounts:
Special assessments abated .
$ 14
Forest Warden
163 66
Trust fund transactions
584 40
Refunds
23 06
777 26
$675,229 34
80
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT. BALANCE SHEET-JUNE 30, 1922. General Accounts LIABILITIES.
Temporary loans-
Anticipation of revenue .
$300,000 00
Apportioned sewer assessments 1922 paid in
advance
78 62
Premium on notes and bonds
957 63
Cemetery lots fund
1,578 50
December taxes
592 44
Unexpended balances :
General purposes
$191,570 10
Library building fund
308 59
Municipal insurance fund .
402 00
Victory celebration
236 81
Water
8,239 54
Cemetery
1,358 93
Interest
10,377 01
Debt
31,900 00
Appropriation from loans .
80,948 34
325,341 32
Reserve fund-overlay surplus .
1,835 99
Overlay reserved for abatements:
Levy of 1920
$2,186 37
Levy of 1921
2,443 59
4,629 96
Water revenue (reserved for Water Department when collected)
18,385 23
Surplus revenue:
Property taken for taxes
$ 309 61
Tax titles
·
781 19
Excess and deficiency
20,738 85
21,829 65
.
·
$675,229 34
81
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1922]
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT. BALANCE SHEET-JUNE 30, 1922. Deferred Revenue Accounts.
Apportioned assessments-not due
$1,182 02
$1,182 02
Debt Accounts.
Water loan sinking fund .
$111,703 08
Net funded or fixed debt .
685,146 92
$796,850 00
$796,850 00
.
.
Trust and Investment Accounts.
Trust and investment funds: Cash and securities
$29,233 19
$29,233 19
82
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT. BALANCE SHEET-JUNE 30, 1922. Deferred Revenue Accounts.
Apportioned Sewer Assessments-
Due 1922 to 1929 .
$1,079 80
Apportioned Sidewalk Assessments-
Due 1922 to 1924 .
102 22
$1,182 02
$1,182 02
Debt Accounts.
Permanent improvement loans .
. $323,300 00
Sewer loans (serial)
.
.
229,750 00
Water loans (serial)
93,800 00
Water loans (sinking fund) .
150,000 00
$796,850 00
$796,850 00
Trust and Investment Accounts.
Phillips School Medal Fund:
Principal
$1,000 00
Income
924 02
$1,924 02
Joanna Morse Library Fund:
Principal
$5,196 00
Income
2,235 33
7,431 33
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund :
Principal
$1,000 00
Income
.
191 54
1,191 54
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund :
Principal
$2,000 00
Income
233 50
2,233 50
A. F. Nesbitt General Cemetery Fund :
Principal
·
$200 00
Income .
119 09
319 09
.
.
.
1922]
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
83
A. F. Nesbitt Private Cemetery Fund :
Principal
$200 00
Income
62 51
262 51
Cemetery Lots Investment Fund :
Principal
.
.
$9,950 71
Income
.
.
1,811 84
11,762 55
Municipal Insurance Fund:
Principal
$3,500 00
Income
608 65
4,108 65
.
$29,233 19
84
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 1922
REV. EDWARD TILLOTSON, Chairman ·
60 Monument avenue Telephone 2481
MRS. MABEL A. HARDY, Secretary Telephone 4041
148 Burrill street
DR. JOHN VANNEVAR Telephone 6111-M .
53 Farragut road
Regular meeting, first Tuesday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools. Harold F. Dow. 185 Burrill street, Telephone 8451-W
Office of Superintendent of Schools, Hadley School; Telephone 2067.
The Superintendent's office is open on school days from 8.15 A. M. to 12 M. and from 1 to 5 P. M .; Saturdays from 9 A. M. to 12 M.
The Superintendent's office hours on school days are from 8.30 to 9 A. M. and from 2.30 to 4 P. M. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Other times, by appointment.
School Calendar.
Winter Term closes on Friday, February 16, 1923. Spring Term begins on Monday, February 26, 1923. Spring Term closes on Friday, April 13, 1923. Summer Term begins on Monday, April 23, 1923. Summer Term closes Thursday, June 21, 1923. High School Graduation, Friday, June 22, 1923. Conference for Teachers, Wednesday, September 5, 1923. Fall Term begins on Thursday, September 6, 1923.
Legal Holidays.
The words "legal holidays" shall include the first day of January, the twenty-second day of February, the nineteenth day of April, the thirtieth day of May, the fourth day of July, the first Monday in September, the twelfth day of October, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, or the day following when any of the four days first mentioned, the twelfth day of October or Christmas Day occurs on Sunday; and the public offices shall be closed on all of said days .- Chapter 126, Acts of 1911.
85
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
1922]
Observance of Flag Day.
Resolved: That the Governor shall annually set apart the fourteenth day of June as Flag Day, the date being the anniversary of the adoption of the national flag by the Continental Congress in the year seventeen hundred and twenty-seven; and shall issue his proclamation recommending that the day be observed by the people of the Commonwealth in the display of the flag and in such other ways as will be in harmony with the general character of the day .- Chapter 5, Resolves of 1911.
Hours of Session.
Junior and Senior High Schools and Grades V and VI, 8.30 A. M. to 1.30 P. M.
Grades III and IV, 8.30 A. M. to 1 P. M.
Grades I and II, 9 A. M. to 1 P. M.
No School Signal.
Two double strokes on the fire alarm, 2-2.
7.20 A. M. No school in the Junior or Senior High Schools and Grades V and VI.
7.50 A. M. No session in grades I to IV, inclusive.
Important: If the signal does not ring at 7.20 but rings at 7.50, sessions of school will be held in the Junior and Senior High Schools and grades V and VI, and no school in grades I to IV inclusive.
86
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott:
Again it is our great pleasure and high privilege to render to you an account of our stewardship during the past year. We beg that you will read carefully the reports of this important department of the town's activities. This is the largest single department of the town, affecting the greatest number and calling for the largest appropriation of the town's money.
We are happy to state that we have kept within the appropriation granted the department at the last annual town meeting, with every bill for the past year paid in full, and a balance of $678 returned to the Town Treasurer. The coal situation has in part helped to make this possible, for unlike former years when we have filled the bins of the various build- ings for the year's supply, this past fall we have only been able to secure small lots at a time.
Never in the judgment of the committee have the schools been in a better position than they are at this moment. Great credit is due to our superintendent, who with skill, care, accuracy, foresight and business abil- ity has handled well the many intricate questions and problems that have faced him. Our town, through a former School Committee, chose wisely and well in calling Mr. Dow to this important position. He has had in his work the loyal and unstinted co-operation of principals and teachers. A remarkable degree of harmony prevails today throughout the system. We feel that superintendent, principals and teachers are giving, at all times, their best for the pupils' best. As in the past, Swampscott must continue to maintain its high level and standard of educational opportunity.
The material fabric of our system is in good condition, but we must always bear in mind that the passing of time means replacement and tuning up in this material fabric. It is the aim, therefore, of the commit- tee, year by year, to replace that which is worn out. Along this line, we would enter a strong plea for external adornment. We are behind com- munities of our size in this matter, and this year's estimated budget calls for a beginning in this respect. The Hadley school yard with its shrubbery is a delightful sight to the eye, and we should treat in a similar way the grounds about the other school buildings. A comparatively small appro- priation over a five-year period would work wonders in this respect.
The remodeled Palmer school was opened about the first of October. It reflects great credit upon the building committee and the contractor. We were able not only to keep within the appropriation granted, but to add a few things not called for in the original specifications and to turn back a small balance to the Town Treasurer. This school fits well now the neighborhood in which it is placed, and with its enlarged accommodations
87
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
1922]
ought to take care of the elementary school problem in that section of the town for some years to come.
Two schools of a private character were opened last fall, the Parochial school and the Country Day school. Your committee wondered what the practical result of this step would be, and every possible endeavor was made to get some light upon the subject, but it was not until the pupils actually assembled that we really knew. In point of fact on the first of December our public school system had an enrollment of only six less pupils than on the corresponding date of the previous year.
With this enlarged opportunity from an educational point of view, one fact stands out very clearly in our minds, viz., our Junior and Senior High schools will continue to enlarge and expand in the number of pupils seeking admission thereto. The enrollment at the High school next Sep- tember will be approximately 325 pupils, and the building, as at present constituted, will be entirely inadequate. The Junior High school is grow- ing by leaps and bounds, and the time is not far distant when the present Hadley school building will have to be given over entirely to the Junior High school. As a committee, we see these things close at hand, and it is our bounden and solemn duty to warn you of them, that you may take the necessary steps to prepare for the coming emergency.
Your committee would like to see early action taken looking to a new high school building with the using of the present building, after proper alterations, and in the judgment of the committee not many such are needed, as an elementary school. Such a step would take care of the increasing growth at the High school, it would relieve the pressure upon the Hadley school, and it would easily accommodate the increasing elemen- tary school population in the rapidly developing Shaw estate and the so-called Swampscott Heights section of the town. So keenly are we aware of this coming need, that we recommend that the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen be appointed a committee to study carefully the whole situation and make a report at some subsequent town meeting in the near future.
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