USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1916 > Part 6
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Dr. GEORGE E. WALKER, Treasurer
$ 59,770.08
To balance from last report, cash . Hired on Temporary Loans . Sale Highway Construction note
270,000.00
Sale Lowell Street Construction note 4,000.00 Sale Extension Sewers, notes . 2,200.00
Receipts Municipal Light Department .
82,046.43
Receipts of Inspector of Buildings
1.00
Receipts Water Department .
31,413.02
Poor Department receipts
1,616.74
School Department receipts
2,623.92
Library receipts
193.14
Teachers' Retirement Fund assessments
1,727.00
Redemption Tax Title Deeds and interest on
1,087.39
Collector of Taxes, taxes and interest
326,664.72
Selectmen, license receipts . 430.00
326.00
Selectmen, rent gravel pit .
15.00
Selectmen, receipts sale of insurance forms
6.45
Receipts, Forest Warden
6.45
Wakefield Nat'l Bank, int. on Treasurer's balance
956.28
Sewer Department receipts
947.20
Sealer Weights and Measures receipts
154.04
Collector of Taxes, tax certifications
13.00
Town Hall receipts
418.67
Receipts from Court fines
650.03
Moth Department receipts
41.18
Highway Department receipts
59.77
Fire Department receipts
210.84
Forest Glade Cemetery receipts
165.90
Receipts from Trust Funds
974.25
Receipts of Town Clerk .
45.81
Receipts of Inspector of Milk
2.00
Middlesex County, dog tax, 1915
Middlesex County, for Lowell Street Construction
Com. of Mass., Tuition of children
66
, Industrial schools .
789.41
66
66 66
, Lowell Street Construction
2,000.00
66
66 , Corporation Tax, public service .
3,264.26
, Corporation Tax, business
6,818.43
National Bank Tax ,
2,584.47
66
66
66 , Military Aid ,
35.00
66 Soldiers' exemptions
455.29
66
66 , Pedlers' licenses
36.00
Carried forward, . $814,443.31
26.00
Receipts of Board of Health
831.06
1,853.33
983.75
66
6,000.00
-
Selectmen, receipts from Wakefield estate
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
79
1 in account with the Town of Wakefield, Cr.
By Cash paid, Selectmen's Warrants
$759,069.06
Cash paid, Discount of Temporary Notes . 7,869.11
Cash credit, Tax Collector, for Tax Title Deeds . 1,713.73
Cash credit, Offset State Credits
16,483.98
Cash credit, Acct. Court Expenses
95.88
Total payments
$785,231.76
Cash in Treasury .
36,049.41
$821,281.17
Carried forward, .
$821,281.17
80
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Dr.
GEORGE E. WALKER, Treasurer,
Brought forward . $814,443.31
Com. of Mass., State Aid
. 2,952.00
66 , Burial Indigent Soldiers & Sailors 50.00
66
, Street Railway Tax .
2,529.47
66 66 , Aid mothers with dep. children
518.21
Refund, Water Dept., cash advanced
50.00
66 , Soldiers' relief
14.29
Library, cash advanced ,
10.00
, Municipal Light Plant, cash advanced
100.00
66
, School Department, cash advanced
10.00
66
, Board of Health, Mrs. C. W. West
2.51
66 Board of Health, City of Lynn ,
56.50
Highway Department, Hildreth & Co. ,
17.00
66
Insurance, W. A. Hamilton
81.00
,
66 , Memorial Day, G. A. R. .
3.57
Wakefield Nat'l Bank, int. on Collector's bal.
242.82
Insurance, Hamilton School
46.00
Lead Lined Pipe Co., Legal costs
128.49
Order Eastern Star, damages .
20.00
Bay State St. Ry., Band concerts
6.00
Total receipts, .
$821,281.17
-
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER 81
in account with the Town of Wakefield, Cr.
Brought forward, . $821,281.17
$821,281.17
82
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
FINAL STATEMENT
During the year 1917, the following time loans will fall due and are to be included in the tax levy for that year by votes which the town has already passed :
From Water Department $12,000.00
From Light Department 13,500.00
From Tax Levy
32,500.00
Total $58,000.00
There will also be required the following amounts to meet our interest payments :
From Water Department $ 7,811.25
From Light Department 3,283.75
From Tax Levy
17,500.00
Total
$28,595.00
The borrowing capacity of the town, on temporary notes in anticipation of 1916 revenue, was $333,833.22, as determined by the State Bureau of Statistics. Of this amount, we were only obliged, by our needs, to borrow the sum of $270,000.00; and, of this latter amount, $100,000.00 has been paid, leaving $170,000.00 to be paid in 1917.
In closing permit me to thank the various departments for courtesies extended through the year.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. WALKER,
Treasurer.
83
REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
Seventh Annual Report of the Wakefield Water and Sew- erage Board
The Board of Water and Sewerage Commissioners submit herewith their seventh annual report, including the fourteenth annual report of the Water Department and the seventeenth annual report of the Sewer Department.
Several changes have been made in the department during the year, the most important of which are recorded below:
On June 1st, by an arrangement with the Board of Selectmen, the offices of Highway Engineer and Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department were combined, making an annual saving to the town of $800.
On July 1st, the office in the Flanley Building was discontinued and quarters taken in the town hall, making an annual saving of $225.
In November, Mr. Paul Wyatt, who has faithfully performed the duties of assistant-clerk, resigned and his place will not be filled except possibly for a portion of the year when collections are made and the work of the office temporarily increased. This change will result in an annual saving of about $500 per year.
The attention of the citizens is called to the fact that the receipts for the year are $11,420.90 less than last year, and $10,- 449.37 less than our expenditures. This is accounted for by the fact that on May 1st the new meter rates went into effect, and instead of collecting all of the water assessments in advance, as heretofore, only the minimum charges are now collected in advance, the amount chargeable for water in excess of that allowed by the minimum rates being collected in arrears. The November collections which ordinarily cover the period to the next May only cover the minimum charges, and amount roughly to one-third the usual col- lection. This is a condition which is bound to exist in any change from fixture to meter rates.
The expenditures amount to $41,862.39 as against $43,134.39 for 1915. The bond retirements were reduced by $1,000 and the interest charges by $537.50.
The auto truck, which was purchased in December, 1915, has proved itself invaluable and has enabled the Department to render better and prompter service, especially in the case of broken water mains. Two horses have been sold, and the wagons converted to trailers, which are provided with tools, vises, etc., and towed by the auto truck to the places required, where they serve as work-bench and enable the auto truck to be used elsewhere. The Board has asked this year for $500 to purchase a light auto truck, so that the
84
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
remaining horse may be sold. This horse is held now simply for service when the auto truck is in use.
Mr. Starkweather has instigated several other labor-saving de- vices besides trailers, such as means of freeing clogged service pipes without any digging, modern lighting for trench work at night which cuts the labor charge in half, and other minor features.
A blacksmith has been hired in conjunction with the Highway Department, which has saved some money. Accurate costs are kept on all construction work, and while there were no adequate records of such work in previous years, the Board has every reason to believe that it is considerably less than formerly.
The hauling of coal and pipe has largely been done by the town's own equipment, where previously this work was done by hired teams.
A new telltale has been installed on the standpipe to avoid overflows which have been annoying in the past.
Sewers have been constructed in Overlook and Nowell Roads in Greenwood, Main Street at the Junction and on Richardson Street. The unexpended balance for sewer construction amounts to $1,561.56.
The Board considers that the various employees of the depart- ment have given efficient service. Contemplated plans for future development of the Plant will, when completed, result in considerable benefit to the department and the town.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
Maintenance
Appropriation
$ 1,100.00
Expended for labor and materials .
·
575.41
Unexpended balance
524.59
Connections
$ 1,000.00
Expended for labor and materials
$926.52
Stock on hand last year .
73.40
Stock on hand
77.12
922.80
Credit by cash received .
922.80
Unexpended balance
$ 1.000.00
Appropriation
999.92
85.
REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
Construction
Appropriation for Overlook Road and
Nowell Road, Main Street and Richardson Street
$ 3,979.44
Expended for labor and materials .
2,417.88
Unexpended balance
1,561.56
Connections
Applications for house connections to
date
814
Number of connections made
772
Number of connections during the year
27
WATER DEPARTMENT
Annual Financial Statement
Receipts :
From water rates
$29,945.85
Services
1,009.14
Rents
240.00
Sales (horse, wagon, junk, etc.) .
218.03
Total receipts
31,413.02
Expenditures:
By maintenance
16,238.28
Commissioners' salaries
300.00
Services
1,081.38
Construction
3,938.98
Bonds (Town Treasurer)
12,000.00
Interest (Town Treasurer)
8,303.75
Total expenditures
41,862.39 Statements of receipts and expenditures under the several appropriations follow:
Maintenance
Appropriation
$16,250.00
Expended
.
16,238.28
Unexpended balance
11.72
Construction
Appropriation
4,000.00
Expended
3,938.98
Unexpended balance
61.02
86
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Construction work:
Green Street, north end
6 inch pipe
726 feet
Druid Hill Avenue
6 inch pipe
34 feet
Grafton Street
6 inch pipe 421 feet
Vernon Street, north
6 inch pipe 475 feet
Wharton Park
6 inch pipe
491 feet
Morrison Road West
6 inch pipe 82 feet
Kendrick Road
6 inch pipe 314 feet
Ames Street
4 inch pipe 369 feet
Minot Street
4 inch pipe 134 feet
Babson Street
4 inch pipe
208 feet
Total
3254 feet
Meters
Balance of appropriation available .
$ 223.18
Expended
223.18
Commissioners' Salaries
Appropriation
$ 300.00
Expended
300.00
Services
Appropriation
$ 1,200.00
Expended
$1,081.38
Credit by cash collected
1,009.14
Net expenditures
72.24
New services added during year
53
Services relaid during year
17
Total
70
On private
On public land
Total
New services
1,152 ft.
1,404 ft.
2,556 ft.
Relaid services
337 ft.
612 ft.
949 ft.
Totals
1,489 ft.
2,016 ft.
3,505 ft.
land
REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
87
Hydrants
Number of hydrants Jan. 1, 1916
240
New hydrants added during the year
8
Present number of hydrants 248
Location of New Hydrants
Vernon Street, north of Lowell Street.
Wharton Park.
Green Street, near Main Street.
Green Street, near Dillaway Street.
Grafton Street, east end.
Greenwood Avenue, south end.
Greenwood Avenue, near school house.
Center Street.
Water Pumped During the Year
Gallons
January
18,766,566
February
19,387,626
March
18,449,884
April
16,839,552
May
17,531,238
June
21,700,270
July
24,198,321
August
19,680,572
September
17,781,318
October
18,064,498
November
17,150,296
December
16,826,088
Total
226,376,229
Greatest amount pumped in 1916, July 20 .
1,059,996
Greatest amount pumped in a week, July 17 to 20
5,834,724
Average daily pumping
618,514
Average daily per head of estimated population .
47.6
Uncollected service bills .
$92.30
Respectfully submitted, HERVEY J. SKINNER, JAMES H. KIMBALL, CHARLES H. LEAROYD,
Commissioners.
88
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Assessors
State Tax
$ 20,720.00
County Tax
13,371.48
Metropolitan Sewer Tax
10,720.06
Metropolitan Park Tax
6,741.68
Charles River basin
1,108.27
$ 52,661.49
APPROPRIATIONS
Moderator
$ 25.00
Selectmen Dept.
850.00
Town Accountant, salary and expenses
1,825.00
Treasurer, salary and expenses
1,100.00
Collector, salary and expenses .
1,125.00
Assessors, salary of board and expenses 2,550.00
Town Clerk, salary and expenses 800.00
Finance Committee
65.00
Election and Registration
1,200.00
Legal Dept.
1,365.00
Town Hall
4,300.00
Vital Statistics
150.00
Police Department
10,475.00
Fire Department
17,732.14
Fire Alarm system
1,200.00
Rifle range account
400.00
Inspector of buildings
500.00
Sealer Weights and Measures
175.00
Moth Department
5,000.00
Tree Warden Department
600.00
Forest Warden Department
275.00
Accident Comp. Acct.
2,000.00
Board of Health
6,260.00
Sewer Department
2,100.00
Highway Department
18,440.00
Poor Department
13,375.00
State Aid
3,300.00
Military Aid
200.00
Soldiers' Relief
3,500.00
School Department
87,800.00
Library
2,195.00
Park Department
2,650.00
REPORT ASSESSORS
89
Reserve Fund
2,000.00
Insurance account
1,875.00
Miscellaneous account
1,350.00
Light Department
24,400.00
Water Department
42,053.75
Cemetery Department
750.00
Interest account
19,800.00
Bonds and notes
38,900.00
Lowell street
2,000.00
Oak street land damage
269.50
Viola Slocumb land damage
100.00
Fire Alarm box
110.00
Post 12, G. A. R.
350.00
Spanish War Veterans
50.00
July 4 celebration
500.00
Street Railway Fare Revision
100.00
Street lights, Herbert street
100.00
New street lights
300.00
Main street sower extension
600.00
Appropriations
State charges
329,140.39 52,661.49
Grand Total
$ 381,801.88
RECEIPTS 1916
Tax titles .
$ 646.40
Interest on tax titles
58.85
Interest on deposits
919.67
St. Ry. tax
3,600.18
St. excise tax
3,346.88
Nat. Bank Tax
2,722.29
Public service tax
1,960.96
Business corp tax
4,180.09
Military Aid
110.00
State Aid
2,836.00
Burial Soldiers and Sailors
50.00
Junk dealers' fees
200.00
All other fees
149.00
Milk inspector dept.
30.00
Court fines
477.00
›
90
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Wakefield estate
341.00
Town Hall
631.00
Insurance forms
5.35
Rent of hose house
58.75
Fire dept.
14.47
Sealer Weights and Measures
104.83
Moth dept.
49.50
Poor Department
2,078.51
School tuition
2,586.72
Water dept.
41,733.65
Water services
860.27
Rent Lakeside house
240.00
Sewer connections
851.94
Cemetery dept.
69.25
Sidewalks and curbing
527.79
Tax certificates
14.00
Sewer cards
2,011.86
Bug tax
1,669.10
Tax collector, interest
4,912.07
Board of Health
1.00
Library rec.
210.31
Telephone tolls
.20
Dec. levy of 1914 cash
1,726.00
Middlesex County, Lowell street
2,000.00
State of Massachusetts, Lowell street
2,000.00
Sewer connections
601.43
Industrial school fund
789.41
Total
$ 87,375.73:
Personal property
$ 2,324,595.00
Buildings
6,783,973.00
Land
3,588,060.00
Resident Bank stock
127,818.00
$ 12,824,446.00.
Gross Levy
$ 381,801.88
Less 3823 polls at $2.00 7,646.00
Less receipts
87,375.73
To enter the levy
$ 286,780.15.
Rate
23.20
Overlay
$ 10,747.00
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
91
NUMBER OF RESIDENTS ASSESSED ON PROPERTY
Individual
20.02
All others
339
Total 2341
NUMBER OF NON-RESIDENTS ASSESSED ON PROPERTY
Individuals
614
All others
· 101
Total 715.
NUMBER OF PERSONS ASSESSED
On property
3056
For poll tax only
2668
Total 5724
Number of poll tax payers 3823
Number of dwellings 2398
Acres of land 3987
Number of horses April 1, 1916
317
Number of cows April 1, 1916
261
Number of neat cattle April 1, 1916
3
Number of swine April 1, 1916
125
Number of fowl April 1, 1916
2160
Number of automobiles April 1, 1916
Pleasure cars
224
Commercial cars
30 254
PROPERTY EXEMPT FROM TAXATION
The First Baptist Church of Wakefield
Trustees, land and buildings $ 3,000
First Parish (Congregational) 134,275
First Baptist Society land and building 59,000
Episcopal Society land and buildings 30,000
Rom. Cath. Society land and buildings 60,000
Congregational Society (Greenwood) 4,900
Methodist Society land and buildings 21,525
Universalist Society land and buildings 26,500
Mont. Chapel Society land and building's
3,225 )
92 TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Mass. Baptist Woodville S. S. Ass'n
2,200
Young Mẹn's Christian Ass'n
39,500
Home for Aged Women
8,050
State Armory
54,500
Quannapowitt Agricultural Soc. 25,000
Mass. Baptist Ass'n land and buildings
12,000
ABATEMENTS ON THE 1916 LEVY
Soldiers' polls, soldiers' wives and widows $ 1,567.66
Widows and spinsters
1,146.39
Poll tax payers deceased
4.00
Inability
64.00
Over valuation
980.71
Moth tax
2.15
Sworn off by filing statement (personal)
1,638.92
Re-assessed
425.79
LIST OF MATURITIES PAID IN THE 1916 LEVY
Water Loan
$ 8,000
Water Meters, 1st
1,500
Water Meters, 2nd
1,500
Main Street Water Main
1,000
Junction School
1,500
Byron Street Sewer, 1st
1,000
Insurance Premiums, 2nd
500
North School
1,000
Sewer Loan, 1st
5,000
Greenwood School
1,000
High School Site
2,500
Main Street Construction, 1st
6,000
Elm and Armory Streets, sewers
1,000
Main and Franklin Streets, sewer
500
Main Street Construction, 2nd
6,000
Upper Gould Street, sewer
500
Motor Fire Apparatus
900
Byron Street Sewer, 2nd
500
Highway Construction (1915)
6,000
Lowell Street Construction (1915)
4,000
Extension of Sewers (1915)
1,000
-
$ 50,900
93
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
School property, land and buildings $
339,483.00
School property, furnishings 18,000.00
Town Hall, land and building
150,000.00
Town Hall, furnishings
9,000.00
Public Library, 18,500 vols.
22,500.00
Fire Stations, land and buildings
26,475.00
Fire Apparatus
25,000.00
Almshouse, land and buildings
31,800.00
Almshouse, personal property
3,500.00
Highway property including stone crusher
10,000.00
Trust funds
25,980.00
Cemeteries
12,500.00
Band Stand
1,500
Public Lands
Town Common
54,450.00
Town Rockery 6,250.00
Town Park
147,015.00
Town Park - Lakeside
24,530.00
Town Park - Hart's Hill
15,000
All other town lands exclusive of tax
titles .10,000.00
Water Works
331,000.00
Sewer System
335,500.00
Gas and Electric Light Plant, exclusive
of land
268,000.00
Gas and Electric Light Plant, land 11,750.00
Bonded Debt Jan. 1st, 1917
$ 1,879,233.00 529,400.00
Assets above liabilities $ 1,349,833.00 For department expenses see Accountant's report. Samuel T. Parker, Chairman George H. Stowell, Secretary Charles A. Cheney
94
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Financial Report of Sweetser Lecture Committee
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :- The Sweetser Lecture Committee submits here- with its financial report for the year 1915-16. Attached hereto are receipts for each and every item of expenditure.
RECEIPTS
Nov. 4
C. H. Howe-Season tickets . $329.50
Nov. 11 Income C. Sweetser Lecture Fund 400.00
Nov. 17 3 Admissions .75
Nov. 17 5 Season tickets 2.50
Nov. 18 L. L. McMaster-100 Admissions 25.00
Nov. 18 L. L. McMaster-190 Season tickets 95.00
Dec. 1 7 Season tickets
3.50
Dec. 1 30 Admissions
6.00
Jan. 5 27 Admissions 5.40
Jan. 19 18 Admissions . 3.60
Feb. 2 26 Admissions 5.20
Totals Receipts
$876.45
EXPENDITURES
Nov. 17 1 Ticket punch
$ .65
Nov. 17 David Redfearn-Taking tickets 1.50
Nov. 19 J. F. Parker & Co-Torches 4.50
Nov. 19 Boston Regalia Co .- Badges . 6.30
Nov. 19 William H. Taft-Lecture & Expenses
310.46
Nov. 22 G. D. Chapman-Drum Corps 9.00
Nov. 30 A. L. Ripley-Music
15.00
Dec. 1 H. W. Gleason-Lecture 50.00
Dec. 4 M. H. Carter-Decoration
5.00
Jan. 5 A. L. Cutler-Lecture & Expenses
60.00
Jan. 19 Charles E. Fay-Lecture . 50.00
Feb. 2 L. Dupriez-Lecture
30.00
Feb. 2 A. L. Cutler-Stereopticon 10.00
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
95
Feb. 2 H. S. Parker-Police and Fireman . 19.50
Feb. 2 Wakefield Daily Item-Print. & Adv. 47.30
Feb. 2 Norman Hudson-Selling tickets . 5.50
Feb. 2 Albert Hudson-Taking tickets 5.50
Feb. 3 Scott Printing Co .- Adv. 12.00
Total Expenses $642.21
Balance paid to Mrs. Rosa B. Cutler,
Treas. Sweetser Charity Fund $234.24
$876.45
Respectfully Submitted,
W. S. PERKINS,
J. LOWE McMAHON, EDWIN C. MILLER,
HARRIS M. DOLBEARE,
HARRY M. WHEELER.
Report of Oveersers of the Poor
The Overseers of the Poor herewith submit their report for the year 1916.
There are ten inmates at the Home, four women and six men.
The Home is in excellent condition and the inmates are well cared for by the Superintendent and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Blick, Jr.
HUGH CONNELL, Chairman, ALBERT D. CATE, Secretary, GEORGE E. ZWICKER.
96
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1916-1917
Arthur H. Boardman, Ch'n, 56 Pleasant St. Mrs. Ida Farr Miller, Sec., 21 Richardson Ave. J. Lowe McMahon, Treas., Prospect St. Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, 40 Emerson St. Dr. Charles E. Montague, 15 Richardson Ave. Edward E. Lee, Greenwood, Mass.
Term expires 1917
1918
66 1919
66 1919
66
1917
66
66 1918
SUB-COMMITTEES PUBLIC PROPERTY
Dr. Montague
Mr. Lee
Mr. Boardman
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
Mr. McMahon Mr. Lee
Mr. Boardman
-
TEACHERS AND SALARIES
Mrs. Miller
Mr. Lee Dr. Montague
COURSES OF STUDY
Mrs. Ripley
Mrs. Miller Dr. Montague
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Mr. Lee
Mrs. Ripley Mr. McMahon
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Willard B. Atwell, 20 Stedman St.
OFFICE HOURS
Mondays, 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 8.30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5.30 p.m. Office, Flanley Block.
Telephone, Office, 122. Residence, 363-J.
Clerk, Miss Gertrude V. Lofstrom. Hours, 8 to 12 and 1.30 to 5 on school days.
REGULAR MEETINGS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Second and fourth Fridays of each month at 8 p.m. at Com- mittee Rooms, Flanley Block.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Committee suggested in its last report the purchase of a two-room portable building for the Lincoln School. This would have pro- vided accommodations for all the grades at that school for full time and
97
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
would also have provided for the transfer of a few pupils from the Woodville School to relieve the crowded condition in the lower room.
The refusal of the town to appropriate money for the purchase of such a building has necessitated the continued division of the first grade, a part attending the morning and the remainder the afternoon session. The teachers of these sections have assisted each other in their respective classes. This seems to be the only schedule possible at the present time. The committee does not consider this arrangement satisfactory and hope that accommodations may soon be provided for regular sessions.
Because of previous reports of the School Committee and the Principal dealing with the High School situation and because of the continued increase in enrollment, the committee feel that it ought not to be necessary to present any further arguments indicating the need of a new high school building.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS
Further improvements have been made to the Franklin School playground. The remainder of the low ground has been filled in and the banking on the Nahant Street side has been graded and an iron fence with cement posts has been erected. Two hundred and fifty dol- lars was expended from the school appropriation and the balance of the cost of the improvement was paid by individuals living in the dis- trict. The work was done under the supervision of the Superintendent of Streets.
FIRE PROTECTION
In our last report we mentioned changes made in several of the buildings to better protect them against fire. At the Hurd and Hamil- ton Schools brick walls have been built about both basement stairways and fire doors installed, thus shutting off the corridors and exits by these walls and fire doors. At the High School a sprinkler system has been installed in the basement and chemical laboratory with stand- pipes to the top floor with two outlets on each floor with fire hose.
HEALTH CONDITIONS
The epidemic of Infantile Paralysis last fall caused many cities and towns in Eastern Massachusetts to delay the opening of schools. After careful consideration, and conference with the Health Authori- ties, it was decided to keep our schools in session unless cases actually occurred among pupils, but to further safeguard the liability of con- tagion, three nurses were secured to give their entire attention to look- ing after the health of pupils in schools and particularly to following up and investigating all known cases of illness in the family at home unless under the care of a physician. After about three weeks, two nurses were released, but the services of one has been retained and
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
we are asking an appropriation to make this a permanent position. We consider a school nurse almost a necessity. She has proven of great assistance to the school physician, to principals and to teachers in discovering and following up in school and at home parasitic and contagious skin diseases and in looking after the general welfare from a health standpoint. The Board of Health strongly recommend her re- tention.
PARENT-TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION
The committee appreciates the interest taken in the schools by the Parent-Teachers' Associations which is being manifested in many helpful ways. The Association of the Franklin School has provided suitable apparatus for the new playground. The Greenwood Associa- tion which was last year instrumental in organizing supervised play at the Greenwood School has continued its interest, and is now em- ploying a teacher of physical training who gives instruction two days a week during the recess periods. This association has made a trial of furnishing paper towels.
The Committee believes in physical education and hopes in the near future to be able to provide for the schools a director in physical training.
The Associations connected with the High School, the Warren, Hurd, Montrose and Woodville Districts have shown great interest and enthusiasm and are proving helpful to the schools and the school management.
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