USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1918 > Part 6
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6,405.00
Water meters
513.75
Main Street water main
112.50
Water Loan
6,200.00
Temporary Loans (estimated)
12,500.00
$27,529.25
Light Plant (included in Light Plant appro.) .
$2,263.75
$2,263.75
.
$29,793.00
The borrowing capacity of the town, on temporary notes in anticipation of 1918 revenue, was $348,098.73, as determined by the State Bureau of Statistics. Of this amount, we were only obliged to borrow the sum of $295,000.00, and of this latter amount $130,000.00 has been paid, leaving $165,000.00 to be paid in 1919.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR H. BOARDMAN, Treasurer
85
REPORT OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD
Report of Town Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
On account of the numerous war activities that the town and its citizens have been so completely engaged in during the past year, the Planning Board considered it inadvisable to propose anything new at this time. Consequently we have confined ourselves to the study of various questions which will be taken up in detail during the coming year.
HUBBARD B. MANSFIELD, Chairman
DR. J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL, Secretary
Report of the Board of Health
Following is a list of the contagious cases reported to the Board during the year 1918:
Diphtheria
54
Scarlet Fever
29
Chickenpox
43
Measles
54
Tuberculosis
16
German Measles
31
Typhoid Fever
2
Whooping Cough
38
Infantile Paralysis
3
Pneumonia
47
Tetanus
1
Influenza was not a reportable disease until October 4, 1918, and up to that time the estimated number of cases were 1,500.
From October 4th to December 31st, 570 cases were reported, making a total of 2,070 cases.
JOSEPH W. HEATH, M.D., Chairman
ERNEST C. TYZZER
AUGUSTUS D. JENKINS, Secretary
86
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Gentlemen :- The work of this department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1918, is as follows:
Number of permits granted .
36
Number of fixtures set
140
Bath-tubs
15
Closets
36
Lavatories
15
Sinks
44
Wash trays
30
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID TAGGART,
Plumbing Inspector
Report of Inspector of Milk
To the Members of the Board of Health of the Town of Wakefield :-
Gentlemen -I herewith present my annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1918.
On the above date there were in this town eighteen dealers and twenty- eight stores and restaurants licensed to sell milk, also twenty-one licensed dealers to sell oleomargarine.
Sixty-two samples of milk and six samples of cream were collected and analyized for their total solid and fat contents. Of these only two were sus- pected of adulteration and the dealers were warned.
The conditions and methods of producing and handling the town's milk supply were carefully watched. In some cases chances for improvement in the same were found, but owing to the scarcity and increased cost of labor it was practically impossible to accomplish a great deal along these lines, however, I think that these conditions will be remedied in the spring with the improvement in the labor situation.
The total receipts of this department for the year was $33.50.
CARL M. SMITH,
Inspector of Milk
87
REPORT OF TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY
Report of Tuberculosis Dispensary
For the past few years, the work of the Tuberculosis Dispensary has been carried on through the Board of Health, and although attention has been called to the work frequently, there are probably to-day, many in Wakefield, who do not know there is a Tuberculosis Dispensary with office hours on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. and Friday evenings from 8 o'clock, where clinical examinations are made of tuberculosis patients, suspicious tuberculosis patients and members of families where tuberculosis exists.
Also advice and instruction are given in regard to care and precautions to be taken for the prevention of the disease and the distribution of sputum boxes.
From Jan. 1, 1918 to Dec. 31, 1918, we have had one hundred and four (104) patients under supervision. Fifty-nine (59) of these have had Pul- monary T. B. and have been under the supervision of private physicians; twelve (12) have been under the direct supervision of the Dispensary, also two (2) of other forms of T. B. under the direct supervision of the Dispensary, with eight (8) of other forms of T B. under the supervision of private physi -- cians, and twenty-two (22) suspicious cases, eleven (11) under the care of each.
There were six (6) men in the town exempt from draft because of tuber- culosis or suspected tuberculosis.
There were twenty-six (26) deaths ih the past year from tuberculosis, mostly pulmonary form, which is more than double the number of deaths. of preceding year, from this disease.
On December 31, 1918 we have records of forty-one (41) pulmonary tuberculosis; eight (8) of other forms; twenty (20) suspicious; and eight (8). in sanatoriums.
While figures of 1918 are much in excess of previous years, it is due to . cases being reported more promptly than heretofore. Yet, for the next year and years to come, we trust that every individual in the town of Wakefield or (city as may be) who has any knowledge of this terrible disease, shall do. their utmost in trying to prevent its spread and use every means available, to remedy what already exists as after war conditions show an alarming increase among French and English soldiers of tuberculosis.
The semi-annual report, rating The Relative Standing of Tuberculosis Dispensaries, which is sent out by the State, has not been received to date.
From October 7th to October 21st, the Health Offices were opened to an Emergency Committee, appointed by various Town Boards and authorized to take charge of the Influenza epidemic situation, which was a serious one in the town at that time.
J. W. HEATH, M.D.
Dispensary Physician
MARGARET H. ENGLISH, V.N. Tuberculosis Nurse
88
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Sweetser Charity
Rosa B. Cutler, Treasurer
In account with Sweetser Charity
Dr.
To balance on hand Jan. 1, 1918
$269.91 March 8, 1918:
Received from Treasurer of Sweetser Lecture Committee 166.41
Received dividends from Wakefield Savings Bank . 9.65
Cr. $416.00
By disbursements .
83.33
Jan. 1, 1919 balance
$362.67
ROSA B. CUTLER, Treasurer
Report of Overseers of the Poor
The Overseers of the Poor herewith submit their report for the year 1918.
At the Home there are twelve inmates, many of whom are bedridden, requiring much care and attendance. We are fortunate in retaining the services of Mr. Jacob Blick and Mrs. Blick, who care for their charges in a very satisfactory manner.
HUGH CONNELL, Chairman
ALBERT D. CATE, Secretary GEORGE ZWICKER
Report of Assessors
State tax
$28,380.00
County tax
14,064.50
Metropolitan Sewer tax
12,673.22
Metropolitan Park tax
6,709.73
Charles River Basin
1,178.24
Light supervising
72.66
Total State and County chargés
$63,078.35
Town purposes
392,707.84
Grand total
$455,786.19
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
89
State receipts
$32,853.17
All other receipts
73,344.03
Total receipts
$106,197.20
Polls, 3,894 at $2.00
7,788.00
Amount to be raised by taxation
341,802.99
Overlay
6,462.19
Rate $26.50
Number of residents assessed on property 2,077
All others
342
Total
2,419
Number of non-residents assessed on property 614
All others
120
Total
734
Number of persons assessed :
On property
3,153
For Poll Tax only
. 2,693
Total 5,846
Number of poll tax payers
3,894
Number of dwellings
2,476
Number of acres of land
3,987
Number of horses April 1
240
Number of cows April 1
274
Number of near cattle
7
Number of swine April 1 .
195
Number of autos-pleasure cars
365
Number of autos-trucks
69
Number of square miles of area
7.65
Number of acres in Crystal Lake
82.86
Number of acres in Quannapowitt Lake
247.94
Property exempt from taxation
$511,675.00
Abatements in the 1918 levy 4,619.73
Re-assessed
245.16
90
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
School property, land and buildings
$371,083.00
School property furnishings
18,000.00
Town Hall, land and building's
150,000.00
Town Hall furnishings
9,000.00
Public Library
33,100.00
' Fire Station, land and buildings
26,475.00
Fire apparatus
25,000.00
Almshouse and land
31,800.00
Almshouse, personal property
3,500.00
Highway property, including crushers
10,000.00
Trust funds
25,980.00
Cemeteries
12,500.00
Band-stand
1,500.00
Common
54,450.00
Rockery and land
6,250.00
Parks
147,015.00
Park,-Lakeside
24,530.00
Park-Hart's Hill
1,500.00
All other land owned by the town
10,000.00
Water works
340,223.18
Sewer system
337,917.00
Light plant
324,051.92
Light plant land purchase price
11,750.00
Total
$1,989,035.10
Bonded debt Jan. 1, 1919
459,400.00
Assets above liability
1,529,635.10
Personal property value
$2,452,409.00
Buildings
7,100,773.00
Land
3,588,825.00
Total value of the town
$13,142,007.00
Total value of new buildings from April 1, 1917 to April 1, 1918
89,233.00
Bonds and notes paid in this levy
38,500.00
Number of voters Prec. 1
1,413
Number of voters in Prec. 2
414
Number of voters in Prec. 3
666
Total voters
2,493
Number of auto trucks April 1, 1918
69
Value of the same
$44,575.00
Revenue from taxes
1181.24
REPORT OF ASSESSORS
9I
Number of auto pleasure cars April 1, 1918 . Value of the same
Revenue from taxes .
365 $228,470.00 6,054.46
Total auto revenue
$7,235.70
We consider it our duty to draw the attention of the taxpayer to the ever increasing tax rate.
The outlook for the coming year is not as promising as we would wish, our receipts are more apt to be less than the past year, new buildings are scarcely worth mentioning and the only way to hope for any lower rate is strict economy in the appropriations.
It should be the aim of every department to ask for as small an appro- priation as possible without retarding their efficiency.
A complete co-operation will be required the coming year or the tax rate will be a great detriment to the growth of the town.
SAMUEL T. PARKER, Chairman GEIRGE H. STOWELL, Secretary CHARLES A. CHENEY
1
92
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1918-1919
J. Lowe McMahon, Chairman, Prospect St. . Term expires 1919
Mrs. Ida Farr Miller, Sec., 21 Richardson Ave.
Harry B. Allman, Treas., 55 Greenwood Ave.
66
66 1921
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, 40 Emerson St.
1919
Arthur H. Boardman, 56 Pleasant St.
66 1920
*J. Richard Lunt, 213 Lowell St.
*Appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Dr. Montague
SUB-COMMITTEES
Public Property
Mr. Lunt
Mr. Boardman Mr. McMahon
Finance and Accounts
Mr. Boardman
Mr. Allman Mr. McMahon
Teachers and Salaries
Mrs. Miller
Mrs. Ripley Mr. Lunt
Courses of Study
Mrs. Ripley
Mrs. Miller Mr. Lunt
Text Books and Supplies
Mrs. Ripley Mr. McMahon
Mr. Allman
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, Odd Fellows Building.
Telephone, Office, 122. Residence, 363-M.
Clerk, Miss Gertrude V. Lofstrom. Hours, 8 to 12 and 1.30 to 5 on school days, and 8 to 12 on Saturday. Telephone 645-W.
REGULAR MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Second and fourth Fridays of each month at 8 p.m., at Committee Rooms, . Odd Fellows Building.
1921
93
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1
Report of School Committee
The schools have never before required more thoughtful attention to their needs than at present. Increased cost in every direction brings our town face to face with the necessity of increasing school appropriations for the coming year, and it will not be safe to handicap them with a policy of retrenchment. Realizing this important feature, and in spite of enormous war expenditures, France is giving unprecedented attention to her public schools, and England has increased her expenditures for public education 30% over the preceding year. We must realize fully that this is the age of the educated man and among the most important of the after-war problems will be that of maintaining a vigorous educational policy.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
The most important problem that confronts the Committee at the present time is that of properly housing and accommodating pupils of the high school. At present there are five hundred and twenty-four pupils in this institution and the accommodations are inadequate both as regards size and equipment. The efficiency is diminished greatly by present conditions. It is to be hoped that a speedy remedy will be adopted in the nature of a new high school building.
TEACHERS
It is becoming more and more difficult to secure and keep good teachers on account of more attractive salaries paid elsewhere. The Committee has considered the question of salaries and decided to recommend that the Town appropriate a sufficient sum of money to increase the salaries of teachers in town $100.00. This will make the maximum salary of the grade teachers $900.00, and of the high school teachers $1,050.00.
JANITORS
The Committee recommend that an increase be granted janitors of two- room buildings $50.00, janitors of four-room buildings $75.00, and janitors of larger buildings $100.00.
REPAIRS
The usual necessary repairs to the school buildings and property were attended to during the summer, the principal repairs being to the heaters in the Hurd School, which had to be partially renewed. The Committee have under advisement improvements in the Warren School entrances and recommend providing for repairs to heaters in the Franklin and Greenwood Schools, should such repairs be necessary after the winter.
The Committee are pleased to see the wide use being made of the school buildings outside regular school hours and appreciate the continued interest of the Parent-Teachers Associations. We are also pleased to note the success
94
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
with which the Food Production and Conservation was carried through. The many excellent home gardens and satisfactory results in canning indicated a patriotic interest which is to be highly recommended. We are also pleased to note the progress made by the Junior Red Cross during the past year.
The Committee were able to resume the two-session plan at the first grade in the Lincoln School, which we believe is proving much more satis- factory than the old arrangement. Electric lights have been installed in the Montrose school as also telephones in some of the school buildings.
CHARLES H. HOWE
The Angel of Death has entered amongst us and laid its grim hand upon one whose life and labors were an open book to us. Only a few weeks ago, Mr. Charles H. Howe, Principal of the Wakefield High School, was with us in the fullness of health and vigor, with the same zeal and same enthusiasm which were ever the characteristics of his devotion to his life's work which is now ended. God has beckoned him away from our ranks and the simple, unassuming character of him we mourn, would bid us cherish in silence the memory of our comrade and friend. But the great blow given by his death to the interests of the High Schoo land the tremendous loss which his parting brings to the citizens of Wakefield who knew his worth and appreciated his merits will not permit that he go down to his grave without some brief tribute of respect to his memory. All will greatly miss him, none more than the teachers and pupils of the High School, with whom he was so intimately associated. For them he was more than a fellow-worker; he was a friend in all that the term implies. He was an example, a counsellor, a guide. In his death, the School Department has sustained an enormous loss, but their loss will serve as an incentive to take up his cherished work with greater enthusiasm.
MISS HELEN W. POOR
Miss Helen W. Poor, head of the Mathematics Department of the High School, and who taught in our schools for twenty-one years, has also been called to her reward. God, the Arbiter of life and death, has taken her unto Himself, but the memory of her whom we cherish will not be lost in the oblivion of the tomb. Two such losses as the Wakefield High School has sustained this year are hard to overcome. "Men are great whose hearts are noble, whose minds harbor noble ideals and whose interests urge them to battle for noble ends." It may be truly said of both Mr. Howe and Miss Poor that the world is better for their having lived.
PRACTICAL ARTS
The Practical Arts Department is considered a very important one in our school system, and the Committee wish to extend this work into the more advanced grade, including lathe work. To this end, a course has been started for the freshmen in the High School, and the results so far have been very gratifying. When a new High School is built we hope to carry along this work into more extensive lines.
95
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
We reommend appropriations as follows:
Salaries
$101,084.00
Fuel
10,500.00
Contingent
10,000.00
Books and supplies
4,500.00
Evening School
1,000.00
Practical Arts
600.00
$127,684.00
The tuitions and receipts are estimated to be $3,300.00.
We would recommend for your careful and kindly consideration, the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
J. LOWE McMAHON IDA FARR MILLER HARRY B. ALLMAN ARTHUR H. BOARDMAN EVA GOWING RIPLEY J. RICHARD LUNT
96
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
RESOLUTIONS
ON THE DEATH OF PRINCIPAL CHARLES H. HOWE
Passed by the Wakefield School Committee, Friday, January 10, 1919 Whereas, It has seemed best to an all wise and merciful Providence to summon into the larger service of the heavenly life, Charles H. Howe, Principal of the Wakefield High School, and
Whereas, We are deeply conscious of the irreparable loss which we have sustained in his passing,
Be it resolved, That we, the members of the School Committee of Wakefield, here pay tribute to the high character of the services which Mr. Howe rendered during almost twenty-three years of continuous labor in the school; to his constant devotion to his duties; to his untiring efforts to maintain a high standard of schol- arship and conduct in the school; and to the superior quality of his own intellect, attainments and abilities; and further,
Be it resolved, That we recognize his profound influence for good, both in the school in general and upon the individual students- an influence which made itself felt for good discipline, for self- control, for consideration for others, and for the best kind of school spirit; an influence further that so moulded the lives of hundreds of boys and girls that these gained and retained true ideals of per- sonal honor, square dealing, patriotism, democracy and service; and further
Be it resolved, That we here record our deep appreciation of the fine Christian character of our late principal, whose recognition of the value of spiritual things was the mainspring of his daily living and gave meaning, weight, and permanency to his life in the community as principal, teacher, citizen and friend; and finally,
Be it resolved, That these resolutions be sent to the family of Mr. Howe and be spread upon the records of the School Committee.
J. LOWE McMAHON
IDA FARR MILLER HARRY B. ALLMAN
ARTHUR H. BOARDMAN
EVA GOWING RIPLEY
J. RICHARD LUNT
CHARLES H. HOWE
-
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
97
RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF MISS HELEN W. POOR 1
Passed · by the School Committee of Wakefield, November 22, 1918
Whereas, It has pleased God in His infinite wisdom and mercy to summon into the larger service of the Heavenly life Helen W. Poor, a member of our High School teaching force, and
Whereas, We the members of the School Committee of Wakefield, are deeply sensible of the loss which has befallen us,
Be it resolved, that in the passing of Helen W. Poor, the Wakefield School Board has lost a teacher who, during her twenty-one years of service, was unfailing in her devotion to her tasks, deeply interested in the progress of her pupils before and after their graduation, helpful in many ways in various school activities, willing to take upon herself many responsibilities connected with the discipline and management of the school, and further
Be it resolved, that we thus pay tribute to the distinguished qualities of her teaching of the sciences and mathematics which was of such a high character that her pupils gained a liking for the subjects and the school has maintained a high standard for the preparation of its pupils in the colleges; we further pay tribute to her personal qualities which were such that her pupils at all times were conscious that she was just and fair in her dealings with them and that she was their friend as well as their teacher, and finally
Be it resolved, that the community has lost one who stood for what is best in education and life, who recognized true values in the things of the spirit as well as in the things of the mind, whose memory will be cherished and revered by all who knew her, whether pupil, fellow teacher, school official or citizen.
J. LOWE McMAHON
IDA FARR MILLER HARRY B. ALLMAN ARTHUR H. BOARDMAN EVA GOWING RIPLEY .
J. RICHARD LUNT
98
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee :-
Ladies and Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my annual report for the School Department for the town year ending December 31, 1918.
The tables which will be found at the end are made up from data for the school year ending June 30.
MR. CHARLES H. HOWE MISS HELEN W. POOR
For the first time in many years we have lost teachers by death during the school year. The whole town was shocked to hear of the death of two strong teachers in the High School, Miss Helen W. Poor and Principal Charles H. Howe.
Miss Poor had been a teacher for more than twenty-one years and was beloved by the students. She was their friend and confident while still in- spiring the best that was in them.
Mr. Howe had been principal for more than twenty-two years and had seen the school grow from a few more than a hundred to 524. He came to Wakefield a young man and grew to be a strong influence for good in the community. Modest and retiring by nature, he did not know, nor realize how strong was his influence, nor in how high regard he was held by not only students, but by the citizens of the town. Many a student has received valued assistance from a source of which Mr. Howe was the prompter. His counsel was wise and carefully thought out.
The Town has lost two valued citizens, the School two strong, competent teacher. I feel the loss keenly of two personal friends as well as co-worke
VINDICATION OF AMERICAN SYSTEM OF EDUCATION
I believe that the part these United States played in the War is a vindi- cation of the American system of education.
The Huns did not believe that we would enter the conflict, and if we did, we could not get enough men ready to fight to make any material difference, and if we could get enough men ready, we couldn't Officer them. They were mistaken in all three premises; we did enter, we did get enough men ready to materially help the Allies, and not only did we find enough officers, but we found an almost inexhaustible supply.
I believe that all of this, especially the last two cases is the result of American education. Because of the initiative and self reliance taught in the schools, the men and officers were more easily trained and thereby the Hun confounded and the War shortened.
The boys will come back to us men, schooled to a greater degree because of the ordeal through which they have passed.
-
99
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BROKEN SCHOOL YEAR
Our school work has been seriously interrupted this fall by the epidemic of influenza. We lost three weeks and two days for all the schools, and we closed one building for another week later, and still another for a few days the last of the term. Taking everything into consideration we have been much more fortunate than many communities in regard to actual loss of time.
There will be but one week of vacation between Christmas and the end of the school year. By taking out one vacation and continuing one week longer in June, our net loss for the year will be very little.
The loss in school work because of war activities is not large, for most of these have been carried on outside of school hours. Those that have been done in school time were of educational value and have counted as a part of our regular work.
There have been no serious epidemics other than the one already men- tioned. The efficient work of the School Physician and School Nurse has taken care of the ordinary disturbances.
NEW BUILDING AT MONTROSE
Last summer a new one-story, brick building was completed in the Montrose section, and was occupied at the beginning of the fall term. This has two rooms and assembly hall, and a small kitchen, together with the usual facilities and accommodations. It is situated on the highest point of land in this section, and should prove to be a decided benefit to the citizens as a community center.
The registration of Montrose had not varied much during the past ten years, but this fall we have enrolled more than at any time for many years. If the electric car service is maintained there is no reason why we should not have a steady growth for this school.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
Because of conditions created by the world conflict, the proposed new High School Building has not been built. I sincerely hope that things will so change that the Town may begin building operations this year. Our need increases constantly. Never has there been such a demand for industrial and domestic training. At present we do not and cannot take care of this to any extent.
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