USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1956 > Part 10
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
Although the national uproar over reading has subsided, we continue to give at subject much of our attention. We have up-graded the position of building
103
Town of Swampscott
assistant so we are now staffed with people in this position who are experience teachers with special interests and training in the teaching of reading. In Novembe all elementary pupils were dismissed for one day while we held a reading worksho for all teachers in grades kindergarten through six. At the High School a committe of teachers was organized in the spring to consider a program of development: reading at that level. It is expected that almost every teacher in the High School wi eventually become involved in this program, and we should see a general improv. ment in the reading abilities of secondary pupils as a result of the improved teachir. techniques and additional emphasis that will result from the work of this committe
Two educational events of no little significance were new to us this yea For the first time an Honor Society banquet was held in conjunction with th initiation of new members into that scholastic group. This affair which gay recognition to our academically more successful pupils was finely received and ma become an annual event.
The largest class in the history of the Swampscott schools, 141 in total, w: graduated in June. Since it was impossible to provide satisfactory facilities for eith the graduates or their guests in the High School auditorium, arrangements were mac to hold the exercises in the Surf Theatre during the morning. While we prefer graduate the pupils from our own facilities, this innovation seemed to be qui satisfactory.
Major Maintenance Projects Delayed
In 1956 salary increases and other essential services caused a substantial increa in the school budget. As a result the appropriation for maintenance projects w cut back. None of the much needed painting projects was accomplished, and v managed to postpone for one more year the replacement of the old boilers in tl High School.
Nonetheless, several improvements were made. We installed a new dishwash in the High School Cafeteria and hot water heaters in the cafeterias of both tl Hadley School and the High School. These new items were necessary for prop operation and had been directed by the Board of Health.
In the Machon School the electrical circuits were balanced to correct a conditi of overloaded lines that had plagued us for some time. Shades were installed the skylights of the Machon auditorium so that the room could be darkened for u of visual aids.
Members of the Industrial Arts Department and the Hadley custodial st. cooperated in remodelling the shop in the Hadley Annex. A partition was remov the room was painted, and the layout of equipment was completely reorganize With the new lights provided by the Hadley Building Committee, we now have much improved shop for the instruction of Junior High pupils in this field.
Five gas stoves in our homemaking departments were replaced by new mode Since these are purchased on a special education plan, the cost for frequent repla ment is extremely small.
It had been planned to correct the serious water penetration of one wall the Clarke School and another leaky wall in the Machon School, but both of the projects were postponed because of insufficient funds. The money appropriated 1 these projects was used to pay for fuel, the cost of which we had underestimat in our budget.
104
1956 Annual Report
Financial Statement for 1956
Total Appropriation
$793,161.00
Transfers and Refunds
162.21
$793,323.21
Expenditures:
General Control
$ 15,322.21
Instructional Service
624,795.42
Operation of Plant
98,606.47
Maintenance
7,192.37
Auxiliary Services
22,929.06
Capital Outlay
5,427.57
Special Accounts
5,412.00
$779,685.10
Balance at Close of Year
$ 13,638.11
Credits to the Department:
State Refund, Trade &
Vocational Schools
1,345.00
State Refund, General School Fund
54,483.00
State Refund, Special Services
5,015.00
Tuition Received
865.00
General Receipts
502.00
$ 62,210.00
ersonnel Changes
Maintaining an outstanding professional staff is the greatest single responsibility a Superintendent of Schools. In 1956 we lost several fine teachers, but we feel at we were fortunate in being able to secure excellent replacements for them.
The turn-over in teaching personnel was substantially smaller in 1956 than in e previous year. The opening of school in September found us with fourteen achers who had not been with us the previous year. One of these returned after a ave of absence, two represented additions to the staff, and eleven replaced persons ho had left our system. One teacher was added to the staff at the High School, ad another addition was made at the Junior High School.
Two teachers, both of whom had served the boys and girls of Swampscott for any years, retired in June. Miss Ruth James taught at the Clarke and Machon chools before joining the Hadley School faculty twenty-five years ago. George hutchinson, a product of the Swampscott schools himself, terminated many years f teaching Industrial Arts in the Junior High School. To each of these go the best ishes of all who had occasion to work with them.
Three teachers were granted leaves of absence in 1956. They were Marjorie arlson, Kathleen Gordon, and Katherine Walsh.
Resignations were received from Barbara Baker, Stanton Baker, Irving Fletcher, ban Dymond, Patricia McCormack, Priscilla Schryver, Helen Sharp, and just cently from Barbara Poole.
Conclusion
Good schools can be operated and maintained only by the coordinated efforts f large numbers of competent and dedicated people. We have been fortunate in 956 to have so many people genuinely concerned about our schools and anxious help in many ways to provide sound and effective education for the boys and
105
Town of Swampscott
girls of Swampscott. The School Committee, the principals and school staff, an other citizens who have served the schools well deserve, and do receive, my person: appreciation for their contributions throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT D. FORREST Superintendent of Schools
Pupils Enrolled - October 1, 1956
Freshman Sophomore
Juniors 164
Seniors
High School
204
212
120
Total 700
Class I
Class II
Junior High
191
187
378
Grades
Kind.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sp. Total
Clarke
63
53
60
63
62
47
51
399
Hadley
29
43
52
46
51
59
50
330
Machon
31
25
35
40
39
27
23
220
Stanley
55
71
69
79
61
73
63
13
484
178
192
216
228
213
206
187
13
1433
High School
700
Junior High
378
Elementary
1433
2511
106
1956 Annual Report
New Addition to Public Library
Public Library
TRUSTEES GEORGE W. HOWE, Chairman ANDREW R. LINSCOTT RUTH M. BARRY, Secretary
STAFF (December 31, 1956) EDITH N. SNOW, Librarian ELIZABETH W. FORBES, Children's Librarian RUTH E. POLLARD, Reference Librarian MARGUERITE W. CONDON, Part-Time Assistant BARBARA E. MANSUR, Office Assistant SANDRA J. CROWLEY, General Library Assistant ANGELO M. LOSANO, Janitor ANTHONY DI PIETRO, JR., Night Janitor
For years "building" has been uppermost in Swampscott Library reports, and his year is no exception, but with what a difference!
The enlarged and remodelled library was opened for public view on Sunday fternoon, March 11, when it was visited by about 700 townspeople. Service was esumed March 12. Comments were generally approving, with particular admiration or the colors (chosen by J. Sanger Attwill, who had been retained by the Building Committee for that purpose) and the many beautiful flower arrangements given by he 9 garden clubs and by individuals, including Mrs. Harold A. Carlson.
107
Town of Swampscott
An Exhibit Case in the Library Lobby
The following week the North Shore Library Club meeting here gave 8 librarians a chance to inspect the building. A description was printed in the summe! issue of The Bay State Librarian under the title "A North Shore Library Grows".
People from other towns have commented frequently upon how much con munity cooperation is evident - and we agree - as gifts are designated: furnishing in the Children's Room given in memory of Harold A. Carlson by the Junior Ai Society; staff room refrigerator-stove and other furniture from the Woman's Club a 4-speed record player from Rotary Club; reference desk from Benjamin A. Shulkir grading and planting, as well as repair to walks, by the Department of Public Work a set of dishes from the Woman's Republican Club. Most recently received are framed flower print from the Garden Club of Swampscott and an oil paintin "Along Swampscott Shore" planned and executed for the spot it occupies, by Clyc Witham. All Christmas decorations were designed and put up by Cottage Gardene as a gift.
Another frequent comment by both librarian and layman expresses surprise th there is so much more building than shows from Burrill Street! The chief gains ma are: Children's Room at street level, with only one main entrance for all age stackroom 20 x 29 feet on the north side of the old building; single large baseme stack (made from what was formerly 5 rooms) reached conveniently via the sh( axis of the building, making the book capacity about 50,000 volumes; 57 seats f adults instead of the former 31; a quiet, dignified reading room in the Henry Baldwin Historical Room with a most interesting wall of framed early maps, ma of them drawn to scale by Mr. Baldwin himself; stackroom for back files magazines ; new public toilets ; small rest room for staff; a listening room, equipp
108
1956 Annual Report
All Ages Use the Library Children's Room
ith player by the Rotary Club; "research room" on the top floor which is beginning be stocked with files of donated journals.
Enlargement of facilities was made successfully with no more staff required or supervision. A part-time janitor was an essential, both because of the increased rea in public use which must be cared for, and to insure supervision of the basement bilets in the evening. We were fortunate to secure a good person in Anthony Di Pietro.
As far as work goes it is no year to compare with preceding ones. The adult epartment was closed entirely during January, February and the first week of March, which was for the rest of the month a succession of blizzards.
Some systematic work was done on the adult book collection in science, par- cularly chemistry, and the electrical and automobile books. More of this kind of urvey and purchasing should be done. Short booklists, compiled here and mimeo- raphed for distribution would be of value, but such work has been impossible uring the last two years. The effort to promote recreational reading among the igh school group is very desultory. No inventory has been taken since 1952. Index- ng of the materials issued for the centennial in 1952 has never been finished, nor ould it have been typed if it were ready. Therefore the request for an added general ssistant is being made. Her presence would make possible more bibliographic work y the older members of the staff. We would still need some high school help to helve books and do simple mending.
The psychiatrist who described a child as "tending toward maladjustment - kes to read" would be horrified in Swampscott where 1,342 children have library ards and have used them to such purpose that slightly over 50 per cent of this year's irculation was from that department.
During January and February while the adult department was closed the children's Room lent books as usual. In addition a rearrangement of all fiction by
109
Town of Swampscott
"reader interest" was made, with assistants from the adult department aiding M Forbes in the tremendous amount of detail. A faster method of charging was ai worked out for adoption in the new room; and the picture collection headings we revised.
Moving the 8,000 books was done in 4 days with several troops of Boy Sco doing the carrying, and some Girl Scouts helping to arrange shelves, all supervis by Mrs. Forbes and Angelo Losano.
Features which give the room some of its individuality are the Detroit-styl magazine rack; and the case near the entrance where miniature bronze figurines Beatrix Potter characters parade, the gift of various friends: Mrs. Nelson J. Darlit Jr., Mrs. Walter H. Forbes, Jr., Miss Deborah Forbes, Miss Ruth E. Pollard, M James Walker, Mr. James Walker, and Mrs. Robert Shapiro. Recently Mrs. Hard Manker has given 4 German-constructed gnome musicians who add another pleasul able touch to the room.
The Summer Reading Club with the seashore as theme required an entrar fee of a mounted, identified shell from the beach. One hundred and three memb were eligible for the concluding party held in our own (unfinished) auditorit with a film program and refreshments.
Regular monthly story hours have been held by Mrs. Philip Kitfield, a volunt to whom we are very grateful, and Mrs. Forbes. A very special event occurred December 29 when an author and illustrator, Barbara Cooney, read a story a illustrated it on the spot, leaving three of the pictures with us to keep. She ca through Mrs. Kitfield's interest also.
One more gift, in this year of many gifts, was the bequest from Granvi Ingalls of two funds of three thousand dollars each, to be known as the Benjan G. Ingalls Fund, and the Clara F. Ingalls Fund, for his father and mother.
To the Garden Clubs for the weekly flowers, again thanks. And to Mr. Har P. Willett our appreciation for the photographs used to illustrate this report, a for others on file. A list of donors of books and magazine subscriptions is pos in the Library.
No report could fail to mention Angelo Losano's many extra services beyo the call of duty. No one knows all the extra trips he has made back to the build: during its remodelling; he planned and executed many of the moves, tempor and permanent, which were needed; he refinished a number of smaller pieces, su as footstools; and is continually making improvements in small things which ma work easier for the entire staff. Comments by visitors on the condition of building recognize his exceptional care.
110
1956 Annual Report
Town Counsel
LESTER B. MORLEY
Since my Appointment on March 22, 1956, some of the more important legal natters attended to and professional services performed, are as follows:
Attended the various Meetings of the Board of Selectmen, and, when requested, he meetings of other Boards and Committees; and gave advice and rulings on hatters arising.
Numerous contracts and agreements were prepared for the several Boards and Departments including those for the purchase of items of new equipment by the Board of Public Works.
The sum of $1,599.70 was collected from the estate of a deceased person to eimburse the Town for Old Age Assistance; after Court action was instituted and eal estate attached. Collected also, the sum of $500.00 for the Tax Collector by Court action against the estate of the deceased owner of real estate for reimbursement f the amount of exemptions from tax granted by the Town to the owner as provided y law.
Prepared deeds, releases and waivers, to be executed by the various property wners on Banks Court; the Greenway; Worcester Avenue; Eureka Avenue; Young Avenue and Elwin Street.
Prepared Warrants for (a) Presidential Primary (b) State Primary (c) the tate and National Election; and for a special Town Meeting held on October 16, 956.
Prepared numerous orders for the construction of sidewalks and the assessment f the proportionate costs on the property owners; had same executed and recorded t the Registry of Deeds.
Prepared case for trial in behalf of the Board of Public Health concerning a ublic nuisance and had the matter disposed of by the Court in the Town's favor.
Numerous conferences by telephone and in person with various officials oncerning Town projects and problems.
Examinations of records at the Registry of Deeds on land takings; sidewalk rders, deeds, and waivers.
Examined records of the Assessors, Town Treasurer, and Board of Selectmen ; nd also at the Registry of Deeds in connection with the sale and conveyance of ertain land owned by the Town, acquired by tax title foreclosures;
Prepared advertisements and information sheets for use at public auction and ttended public auction and gave rulings as requested.
Prepared order of taking by eminent domain of certain land on Forest Avenue nown as the Blaney Triangle, for public school purposes as voted by the Town Meeting of October 16, 1956 and sent notices to the owners of record as required y law.
Prepared and filed appearances in behalf of the Town in the matter of the etition for land damages brought against the Town by Wiley, et al for the taking f their land in the Whitney Estate for purposes of a public school; prepared and led in Superior Court Interrogatories to the Plaintiff; engaged the service of an xpert appraiser to appraise the said property for the purpose of enabling the Town settle the claim reasonably, or, if this proves to be impossible, to have such expert estify at the Court Hearing on the petition for damages ; conferences with appraiser t locus and elsewhere.
111
Town of Swampscott
There are now pending against the Town two petitions for land damages, bo referred to above, which will come before the Town Meeting in March for action the Town Meeting Members on the matter of settlement without trial. The questi is simply the fair value of the property at the time of the taking and is one for qualified, competent appraiser to answer. The Town has been fortunate in obtainil the services of one considered to be one of the best available. It is believed that t Town Meeting should be given the opportunity to settle these claims and that t interests of the Town will be served thereby.
The volume of work for the Town Counsel to perform during the past ye has been extremely heavy and has taken up a considerable part of every day. The is also a great amount of detail and stenographic work entailed in the performar of duties of the Town Counsel. All of this suggests the immediate need for appointment of an Assistant Town Counsel.
My heartfelt appreciation is extended to you and to all other Town Offici: and persons who have assisted and cooperated with me so much during the ye: One of the many satisfactions of public service is that which comes from deali with fine persons in the performance of one's work. This is especially so here Swampscott.
General Informatio
Swampscott was incorporated as a Town on May 21, 1852.
Situation: About 15 miles northeast of Boston.
Population: 13,075.
Area: 3.05 square miles.
Assessed Valuation : $31,785,775.
Tax Rate: $56.60.
:
Administration Building: 22 Monument Avenue.
Senators in Congress: Leverett Saltonstall and John F. Kennedy.
State Senator: Charles V. Hogan of Lynn (1st Essex District) .
Representative in Congress: William H. Bates of Salem (6th Congressior District).
Representatives in General Court: Thomas M. Newth of Swampscott ; John Davis, Marblehead; and Ernest W. April of Salem (14th Essex District) .
Member of Governor's Council: Augustus Means of Essex (5th District) .
Qualifications of Voters: Must be 21 years of age, born in United States fully naturalized; a resident of Massachusetts one year and Swampscott six mont Registration Monday through Friday, 9-12 A.M. 1-5 P.M. Special sessions he preceding elections.
Where to vote:
Precinct 1 - Machon School on Burpee Road.
Precinct 2 - Clarke School on Norfolk Avenue side adjoining Abbott Park.
Precinct 3 - Old Town Hall on Burrill Street.
Precinct 4 - Hadley School on Redington Street.
Precinct 5 - Essex Oil Filling Station, 638 Humphrey Street.
Precinct 6 - Phillips Beach Fire Engine House, Phillips Avenue.
Tax Bills: Due and payable on or before October 1. Law provides for addit of interest from October 1 on bills unpaid after November 1. Poll and motor exc taxes are payable 30 days and water bills are payable 60 days from date of issue.
112
For Your Convenience
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
AMBULANCE
LYnn 5-1111
CIVIL DEFENSE
LYnn 8-9622
FIRE LYnn 5-4050
POLICE
LYnn 5-1111
Information on:
Call:
At:
Assessors
LYnn 5-1644
Police
LYnn 5-1111
Town Accountant
LYnn 5-1648
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Building Inspector
LYnn 3-4538
Cemetery Superintendent
LYnn 3-4369
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Dog Officer
LYnn 2-9896
Draft Board No. 68
LYnn 8-9144
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Town Engineer
LYnn 2-1696
Selectmen
LYnn 5-1645
Fire Department
LYnn 5-4050
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Health Department
LYnn 5-1643
Public Library
LYnn 3-8380
Selectmen
LYnn 5-1645
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Health Department
LYnn 5-1643
Town Clerk
LYnn 5-1646
Old Age Assistance
LYnn 8-4400
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Plumbing Inspector
LYnn 5-1643
Board of Registrars
LYnn 3-1873
Health Department
LYnn 5-1643
School Department
LYnn 2-2067
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Tax Collector
LYnn 5-1646
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Veterans' Service Department
LYnn 3-4313
Voting, Registration Water
Board of Registrars
LYnn 3-1873
Public Works
LYnn 5-1647
Sealer
LYnn 5-4764
Welfare Department
LYnn 8-4400
Wire Inspector
LYnn 3-4538
Building Inspector
LYnn 3-4538
Assessments Bicycle Licenses Bills and Accounts Birth Certificates Building Permits Cemetery Death Certificates Dog Licenses Dogs - Lost and Found Draft Board Elections Engineering Entertainment Licenses Fire Permits Fishing and Hunting Licenses Garbage Collection Library Lights, Street Marriage Certificates Milk Inspection Mortgages, Personal Property Old Age Assistance Parks and Playgrounds Plumbing Permits Resident Listing Rubbish Collection Schools Sewers Streets Tax Collections T'rees Veterans' Benefits
Weights and Measures Welfare Wiring Permits Zoning
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.