Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1922-1924, Part 22

Author: Scituate (Mass.)
Publication date: 1922-1924
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 606


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1922-1924 > Part 22


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HARVEY H. PRATT, President, for the Trustees.


117


Scituate Water Company


REPORT OF SCITUATE WATER COMPANY


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Year Ending December 31, 1924


Assets


Lands .


$17,250 00


Property account.


459,778 67


Discount on bonds


2,400 00


Notes receivable .


1,200 00


Materials and supplies


7,562 44


Cash


4,121 91


$492,313 02


Liabilities


Bonds . $200,000 00


Capital stock .


250,000 00


Notes payable.


20,000 00


Reserve for depreciation


22,169 82


Profit and loss


143 20


$492,313 02


TREASURER'S REPORT FOR 1924


Receipts


Cash January 1, 1924 $7,485 79


Bonds . .


50,000 00


Commercial sales


49,459 06


Hydrant rental.


11,850 00


Interest received .


268 11


Service maintenance


556 77


Metered revenues


1,409 62


Notes payable.


30,000 00


New services


3,619 76


$154,649 11


118


Scituate Water Company


Expenditures


Automobile equipment. $1,574 63


Construction (miscellaneous)


4,588 28


Six-inch line, Greenbush . 193 42


New pump and pump station . . . Six-inch line, Dreamwold


190 89


New filter construction .


5,067 08


New meter construction


1,002 67


New road construction .


92 97


Replaced 10-inch line, Greenbush Shallow line. .


754 38


Relaying 8 inches to 12 inches . .


575 78


New water storage


526 59


Well construction .


74 94


Electric power purchased .


622 47


Boiler fuel


1,681 91


Insurance.


388 19


Interest.


1,505 09


Interest on bonds


10,000 00


Legal expense 525 00


Accidents and damages


13 50


Inspecting customers'installations


7 89


Maintenance, fountains, troughs


28


Maintenance, general structures


124 47


Maintenance, hydrants


232 03


Maintenance, meters .


32 34


Maintenance, power pump build- ings . . 831 89


Maintenance,pumpingequipment


1,359 94


Maintenance, purification


280 62


Maintenance, service


465 03


Maintenance, shallow lines .


85 23


Maintenance, tran. and district mains . 798 42


Maintenance, storage, reserv. etc. . . . 10 42


Maintenance, watersupply build- ings, etc. 396 99


20,246 58


681 28 .


119


Scituate Water Company


Maintenance, grd. sce. water supplies


$53 80


Maintenance, surface sce. water supplies .


297 71


Miscellaneous expenses


1,422 64


Miscellaneous, pumping station supplies and expenses .


593 76


Miscellaneous transportation


supplies and expenses


356 82


Moore & Haines


879 27


Notes payable.


50,500 00


General office, supplies and


expenses .


3,038 50


Property account, additions


1,083 68


Pumping labor .


671 39


Purification, labor


1,675 91


Purification,supplies and expenses


1,453 10


Salaries, general office and clerks


6,142 16


New services .


1,558 19


Materials and supplies


7,651 80


Store expenses


37 14


Taxes, Federal


1,026 14


Taxes .


10,817 38


Transportation expense


1,336 61


Dividends .


5,000 00


Cash on hand January 1, 1925 .


4,121 91


-


$154,649 11


120


Report of Allen Memorial Library


ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY


TREASURER'S REPORT For year ending May 1, 1924.


Receipts


From Town of Scituate


$600 00


From fines .


45 00


From rentals .


213 00


Withdrawn from bank .


100 00


·


$958 00


Payments


Deficit May 1, 1923.


$4 28


For books ..


134 84


Electric light.


27 37


Janitor


236 00


Librarian


165 00


Fuel .


222 39


Insurance


4 70


Repairs .


99 10


Water tax.


15 00


Cash on hand May 1, 1924


49 32


.


$958 00


AMY ALLEN FRYE, Treasurer.


121


Report of the Peirce Memorial Library


STATEMENT OF THE TREASURER OF THE PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY At the close of business, April 30, 1924


Receipts


Received from Town of Scituate.


$600 00


Received from Secretary


19 00


Received from Librarian


33 00


Received from use of library


25 00


Interest .


5 95


$682 95


Expenditures


Librarian, salary


$174 65


Janitor


102 30


Fuel .


179 85


Lights


28 01


Water


8 40


Insurance


31 65


Books . .


87 29


Periodicals


62 00


Printing


6 50


Repairs


18 00


Cleaning


9 00


Miscellaneous


4 00


$711 65


Deficit .


28 70


HAROLD W. POLAND, Treasurer.


1


122 Report of Committee on Street Nomenclature


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STREET NOMENCLATURE


To the Inhabitants of the Town of Scituate:


The appropriation made last March for street signs and guideboards has been contracted with Mr. Litchfield. for building more of the attractive signs which already adorn our highways. The amount will provide for many localities which have heretofore been neglected and guide- boards at prominent points indicating the proximity and direction to nearby towns. These will all be in place this spring. An appropriation of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) will amply provide for a continuation of the work and its appropriation is recommended.


HARVEY H. PRATT, For the Committee.


123


Report of the Park Commission


REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION


Scituate, January 6, 1925.


To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate


We take pleasure in submitting to you this annual report as we think we have made some improvements during this year.


The plots in the various parts of the town have been mowed and trimmed and in some cases regraded. Auto- mobiles still persist in using some of these plots for turning spaces and for this reason it is impossible to keep them in as good shape as we would like to have them.


Lawson Park has been kept in fine condition through- out the year and is considered by tourists one of the "beauty spots" of this locality.


A start has been made in building a curb around the park, one thousand feet having been completed. We are hoping to complete the work this next year as we consider it will be a vast improvement.


The grounds around Egypt Station were improved.


The parking space was in a very rough condition and numerous complaints were received regarding it. Applica- tion was made to the railroad and five carloads of cinders secured, which were spread and rolled, making the space smooth and hard.


The legal process of taking the High Street Schoolhouse has been completed although no settlement has been made with the former owner. This building is being used as a "Community Centre" by the people of the west part of the town.


The parking space at Minot has been further enlarged and it is now possible to park a large number of cars there.


The Lawson Clock was looked over by an expert from Boston and put in first-class condition. It was found neces-


124


Report of the Park Commission


sary to do considerable work as the clock had not been looked over for some time.


It was deemed advisable to entirely remove the plot at Fred Litchfield's Corner, thereby making the corner wider and as safe as it is possible for this department to make it.


In spite of the protests of the people living near the Common and realizing that this field was not a suitable place for sports, we allowed the High School and Athletic Association to use the Common for baseball and football games.


The only reason for granting this privilege was the fact that there was absolutely no other available place in the town for such sports.


The time has certainly come when the town should provide a suitable place for an athletic field where all the young people of the town shall have an opportunity to take part in athletic sports of all kinds.


We earnestly hope that the voters at the annual Town Meeting will see fit to appropriate enough money on the "Civic Centre Plan" to make possible a first-class play- ground that the whole town can enjoy.


The town already owns land enough at the centre adjacent to the High School building for this purpose, and this Department heartily approve this location for an athletic field.


LOUIS E. COLE, Chairman, JOHN F. DALBY, WALTER C. GARDNER.


125


Report of Special Road Committee


REPORT OF SPECIAL ROAD COMMITTEE


A public hearing was held March 31, 1924, on all Articles in the Town Warrant referring to road repairs and new construction. After viewing the roads in question, the Committee recommended that the appropriation of $30,000 be expended as follows:


Number of Feet Construc- built tion . Estimate Cost


Commit- tee's


Name of Street


First Parish Road


Harbor


1,380 Macadam $2,500 00 $2,300 00


Old Oaken Bucket Road.


5,150 Gravel


2,500 00 2,635 00


Otis Road .


650


Gravel fill


2,500 00


2,495 00


Jericho Road.


3,485


Macadam


7,500 00 7,088 00


Egypt Beach Road .. 1,430 Gravel


1,000 00 1,100 00


Maple and Park Avenues .


800


Gravel


600 00


600 00


First Parish Road Center.


1,250 Macadam


2,500 00 2,650 00


Greenfield Lane.


1,250 Gravel


800 00


1,000 00


Bailey's Causeway.


1,350 Macadam


3,500 00 3,591 00


Common Street.


1,620. . Macadam


4,000 00


4,380 00


Otis Place.


1,480 Gravel


1,800 00


2,100 00


$29,200 00 $29,939 00


We recommend the work be continued on First Parish Road, Hatherly Road, Egypt Beach Road, Collier Avenue and Moorland Road.


Respectfully submitted,


ERNEST R. SEAVERNS, JAMES W. TURNER, HERBERT G. SUMMERS, WALTER HAYNES, ARCHIE L. MITCHELL.


126


Report of Light Committee


REPORT OF LIGHT COMMITTEE


Pursuant to your instructions we have attempted to fulfill the responsibilities placed upon us to the best of our ability. The more your committee studied the problems confronting them, the more convinced we were of the impor- tance of the lighting subject and we feel that we have only made a start.


We strongly recommend that a permanent committee be appointed by the Town to further study the placing of street lights, and rate reduction.


The Electric Light Company backed by their experts are constantly taking advantage of conditions to further their own interests. Is it not fair to assume that the Town should have a committee to guard the Town's welfare?


The problem divided itself into two parts, namely, the proper location of street lights and the cheapest possible rate with fairness to the Town and the company.


Your committee has held ten meetings, one of which was a public meeting. At our public meeting we gave the opportunity to every citizen who was interested to appear and counsel with us. Every article in the warrant of 1924 asking for street lights was considered by your committee in meeting and grounds viewed. After careful consideration we voted to locate thirty-three street lights.


Arrangements were made with the Light Company to install a multiple system controlled by time clock, covering seven lights on Front Street and 60 C. P. series lamps were replaced by 100 watt lamps to burn all night from November 1 to May 1, thereby doing away with the moonlight schedule which was in effect.


The committee felt that the importance of this locality warranted the additional expense involved.


It was found that the company was not carrying the necessary equipment to furnish street lights that in some


127


Report of Light Committee


instances were petitioned for, therefore we were unable to grant some of the requests. Having in mind the rapid growth of our Town, we felt that we were well within our rights in asking the Light Company to start at once neces- sary construction so that every citizen living in any part of our Town may have the comfort of house lights and the convenience of street lights.


You have already learned of the new light rate granted by the company which we feel was due in a small way to the efforts of your committee.


The rate is not ideal and is not entirely satisfactory to us. However, it is a start and provides a saving for 600 out of 900 takers.


Scituate is acknowledged by the Light Company, to be the best prospective customer in the group of towns served by them. This subject provides plenty of oppor- · tunities for students of finance and men of technical knowl- edge.


If the Town is to receive the rate they are entitled to, a committee must continue to study these questions.


The committee have placed on file at the Town Office a map showing the entire street light system, also all details of our meetings.


DENNIS H. SHEA, Chairman. CHARLES W. PEARE, Clerk, ERNEST R. SEAVERNS, JAMES W. TURNER, HERBERT G. SUMMERS, ARCHIE L. MITCHELL, WALTER HAYNES,


FREDERIC T. BAILEY,


HARVEY H. PRATT.


Light Committee.


128


Report of Tree Warden


REPORT OF TREE WARDEN


To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate:


In pursuance of the regular custom, I am herewith presenting my report as Tree Warden. The position has gradually become of more importance, as the public realize the value of the work done.


During the dry spell in July and August, I had all the trees that have been planted the last few years dug around and bone meal put around them.


All the roads and streets in town were gone oyer; the worst limbs were removed.


I have set out two hundred and ten trees in different parts of the town. Some were replaced and others set on new streets.


The elm tree beetle is not so destructive as in years past, but the fight against it must not be stopped.


There are still signs of its work on some of our large elms.


I wish to state again this year that the Town Tree Warden has no authority to cut trees or bushes on the State Road. All complaints should be sent to Massachusetts Highway Commission.


Respectfully submitted,


WILLIAM F. FORD, Tree Warden.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


OF THE


TOWN OF SCITUATE


FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31


1924


ATE.


M


0


SETTS & 9


SATUIT


ORPO


E


PRINTED BY THE BOUNDBROOK PRESS, NORTH SCITUATE, MASS.


INDEX


ORGANIZATION . 4


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 6


REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 8


REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN 9


REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE


11


REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST 12


REPORTS OF SUPERVISORS


14


HIGH SCHOOL 20


HATHERLY SCHOOL 29


JENKINS SCHOOL


30 33


REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER


STATISTICS . 34


FINANCIAL STATEMENT. 35


ENROLLMENT . 37


GRADUATING CLASS 38


3


School Department


SCHOOL CALENDAR 1925


Schools open January 15.


Schools close February 27 - eight weeks.


Schools open March 9.


Schools close May 1 - eight weeks.


Schools open May 11.


Schools close June 27 - seven weeks.


Schools open September 7.


Schools close December 24 - sixteen weeks.


The statutes require high schools to have one hundred eighty sessions per year.


HOLIDAYS


January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.


The regular meetings of the committee are held at the office of the Superintendent, old High School building at 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.


Appointments with the Superintendent may be made upon request.


SIGNALS FOR "NO SCHOOL"


As soon as the installation of the fire-alarm is completed signals for omission of school sessions for lower grades and for High School will be arranged. It is, however, the policy of the committee to hold regular sessions whenever it is practical to maintain transportation service, because the daily expense, approximating $350, goes on, and it is not good business economy to stop the schools when unnecessary.


4


Who's Who in Scituate School Department


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Chairman, PHILIP S. BAILEY (6)* CLEVELAND COGSWELL (5) Secretary, (MRS.) MARION COLLIER ALEXANDER (7)


SUPERINTENDENT


FREDERICK E. BRAGDON (7)


·


Physician, T. B. ALEXANDER, M.D. (12)


Nurse, ALICE M. GAFFNEY, R.N. (7)


Dentist, F. A. DERBY, D.D.S. (4) Attendance Officer, ANNIE M. S. LITCHFIELD (4)


JANITORS


Jenkins School, FRANK YOUNG (11) High School, CHARLES G. EVERETT (5) Hatherly School, WALTER T. NEWCOMB (25)


TRANSPORTATION


Front Street Garage Company Egypt Garage Company J. W. Appleton G. Wilbur Damon Aaron Bates


*Years of service.


Public Office Involves Great Responsibility


5


Who's Who in Scituate School Department


SUPERVISORS


Music, JEANNE E. BRADFORD (5) Art, (MRS.) DORIS A. WARD (4) Penmanship, MAUDE M. SCOTT (1) Physical Education, ANNE L. CUNNEEN (2)


TEACHERS


High School Principal, L. A. MARTIN (5)


Sub-Master, HENRY H. SOMMERMAN (1)


ELLEN V. PIERSON (1)


BESSIE M. DUDLEY (4)


NETTIE E. ELLIOTT (4)


OLIVE BARROWS (4)


ELLEN M. HOWE (1)


Jenkins School Principal, CLARENCE B. WASHBURN (1)


MAUDE M. SCOTT (2)


MARGUERITE I. BLUE (2)


MARION A. STEVENS (1) E. GERTRUDE GARDNER (43)


ALICE G. LONGLEY (1) LILLIAN M. WEEDEN (4)


Hatherly School Principal, CARLTON A. BURNEY (3)


ANNE L. CUNNEEN (6) HILDA L. FEENER (3)


MARY E. MILLS (1) SARA M. KANE (26) DORIS A. TOBEY (3)


Our Teachers are Determining in a Large Measure the Future of Democracy


6


Report of School Committee


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


To the Citizens of Scituate:


The School Committee herewith presents for your con- sideration the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1924. Regular meetings of the School Board have been held each month for the consideration of school business. We appreciate the vote of the Town in authorizing the use of the Town Hall for athletics and it is now equipped and being used for such purposes adding a new interest for pupils.


General repairs on buildings were made besides a new roof on the old High School and special treatment for the slate roof at Jenkins School where interior decorating was necessary as the leaks had affected many of the walls and surroundings. New furnaces were necessary at Hatherly School.


We acknowledge the following gifts received during the year: The Nursing Service provided an electric engine and sterilizer for the dentist's work. Mrs. Silas Pierce presented a set of stuffed birds to the High School. Mrs. George F. Welch presented several books for the High School Library, and the Educational Department of the Woman's Club a set of Hawthorne's works. A beautiful silk flag and standard was presented by the G. W. Perry Relief Corps for the High School Assembly Hall.


A new set of lockers have been put in the High School basement for the protection of personal property and athletic uniforms. This year we required of the transporta- tion people "glassed-in" busses with rear-end exits for emergency.


It gives the committee pleasure to call your attention to the superior qualities of our Superintendent, Mr. Frederick E. Bragdon. His books bear examination. His systems run


7


Report of School Committee


smoothly. His plans are developing and his efforts and interest in the progress of our schools should be appreciated.


Detailed accounts of the organization and activities of the schools of Scituate may be found in the report of the Superintendent of Schools. We estimate the budget for next year to be $61,500.


Respectfully submitted,


MARION COLLIER ALEXANDER, Secretary of the School Committee.


8


Report of Superintendent of Schools


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT


To the School Committee:


The cordial reception of our report last year in unusual form as indicated by numerous comments of citizens of this and of other towns, prompts to another effort along similar lines, to give to our citizens in form, conveniently arranged for quick reference, such facts, comments, criti- cisms, and recommendations as seem fitting at this time.


I know of no instance of friction in the personnel of the department. In fidelity, cooperation, personal interest in the schools, and willingness to work overtime when necessary, Scituate teachers leave nothing to be desired. The generous support of the people, the constantly improved facilities for our work, the genuine interest of parents, manifested by their frequent visits to the schools and passing words of praise, the decreasing, almost negligible, amount of fault- finding, supplanted by kind, constructive criticisms, are large factors contributing to what success we have realized this year.


Suggestions for new features for which there seems to be a demand will be found in connection with paragraphs or pages relating to each several department.


Respectfully submitted,


FREDERICK E. BRAGDON, Superintendent.


9


Our Health Program


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN


To the School Committee of the Town of Scituate:


Examination of the pupils of the Scituate Schools has been along the line previously adopted, viz., examination of the first eight grades has included height, weight, nose and throat, heart and lungs, posture and general appearance.


The results of twenty visits with the School Nurse are as follows:


461 examined


90 defectives


35 have had corrections


51 underweight


40 underweight pupils have gained at least five pounds


The old adage that the child is father of the man is well illustrated by the pupils of our schools. In many cases the corrective work has been done because of the insistence of the pupil, the apathy of the parent being overcome by the positive desire of the child for corrective measures.


I like to speak of the cooperation of the parents in this work of interest to their own children and in many instances a helpful attitude is taken. The number of defectives has greatly decreased during the last few years.


Underweight is a condition that calls for watchful observation. Underweight is a condition where the soil is ready for the seed. In this instance the seed is that of any disease that may be prevalent or to which the individual may be exposed.


A child may be somewhat underweight and at the same time healthy. The rapid growth and great activity use up so much energy that it is difficult for them to put on enough weight. In such cases it is well to try and in some measure restrict their activity. The serving of milk and cocoa daily is a great help along this line. Accurate record is kept and


10


Prevention is Better than Cure


regular weighing and measuring at frequent intervals of those who are below weight is part of the program.


Athletics play a very prominent part in the health life of school children and it is hoped that this may be increasingly stressed. The time has come when the High School should have an athletic field. The health, morals, and school work can not but be helped by such an addition. Postural defects are constantly with us in greater or lesser degree and measures to help correct this tendency are part of the work of the school exercises.


The general health of the schools is at present excellent; there have been no epidemics. The school is practically one hundred per cent vaccinated against smallpox.


The Schick test for protection against diphtheria is available to all those who wish for this service. This is in no way compulsory but is strongly advised as a positive and proven remedy against this dire malady.


At a meeting of School Physicians at Bridgewater last fall the subject of closing school during epidemics was discussed and it was the opinion that this was not necessary except in cases of unusual severity. In case a contagious disease of grave character occurs in school, a daily inspection of those who have had contact with the individual should be made during the period of incubation and followed up as long as fresh cases develop. This procedure has been followed in the Scituate schools during the past year.


Inspections of the various school buildings have been made from time to time and they have always been found clean and well kept, in fact unusually sanitary.


Respectfully submitted,


T. B. ALEXANDER, M.D., School Physician.


11


Health is the First Objective in all Education


REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE For the Year from January 1, 1924, to December 31, 1924


Number of visits to schools . 253


(Includes visits made with School Physician)


(Includes visits made with School Dentist)


(Includes visits made with principals to give eye and ear test)


Number of children examined . 461


Number of inspections (sanitary) 42


Number of inspections (scalp, skin, hair, teeth and throats) 160


Number of children excluded during year


(Excluded on account of pediculosis)


17


(Excluded on account of empeligo)


4


(Scarlet fever contacts)


2


(Infective eyes).


1


(Skin rash)


2


Number of visits to dental clinic.


50


(Children carried to dental clinic)


40


(Children carried to physician)


2


(Children carried họme ill) 3


Number of visits to homes of school children. 115


Number of children with physical defects . 90


Number of children having defects corrected 35


Number of underweight children 51


Number gaining over five pounds during year 40


I wish to thank every one connected with the schools, the parents and the children for their cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


ALICE M. GAFFNEY, R.N.


Underweight Children are Gaining Weight


5


(Diphtheria contacts)


3


12


Our Dental Clinic


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST


Town of Scituate, Massachusetts.


Board of Education.


It gives me pleasure to submit to you the following report as a summary of work completed by me from January 1 to December 31, 1924.


During the past year the time given to preventative work has equalled that given to reparative work, particu- larly in the first three grades.


Operations completed as follows:


Silver nitrate treatments


334


Silver fillings


341


Enamel fillings


84


Cement fillings


11


Root canal fillings


2


Teeth extracted.


126


Treatments .


117


Cleansings


174


JENKINS SCHOOL


Grade


Number of Pupils In Grade


Number Worked for by School Dentist


Number Worked Completed at for by Family Dentist · School Clinic


Incomplete


1


30'


25


5


21


4


2


22


20


2


18


2


3


21


19


2


18


1


4


34


30


4


29


1


5


26


23


3


21


2


6


16


12


4


12


0


7


17


13


4


11


2


8


16


12


4


12


0


182


154


28


142


12


Eighty-four per cent (84%) of the children have their work done at the School Dental Clinic.


Our Dental Clinic


13


Our Dental Clinic


HATHERLY SCHOOL


Grade


Number of Pupils In Grade


Number Worked for by School Dentist


Number Worked for by Family Dentist


Completed at School Clinic


Incomplete


1-2


27


21


6


7


14


3-4


32


.


27


5


20


7


5


29


26


3


22


4


6


25


22


3


21


1


7


21


16


5


10


6


8


12


10


2


8


2


146


122


24


88


34


Eighty-three per cent (83%) of the children have their work done at the School Dental Clinic.




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