USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1930 > Part 11
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Donald White made a plan for the landscaping of the grounds around the Col. Hartshorne House down to the lake shore. This plan for old time shrubs, herbs and trees, would be something, as Mr. White said, "to work towards for the future."
The Tercentenary Committee wishes that it might thank personally all or- ganizations, and men, women and children who contributed of their time, money and energy toward the success of the Tercentenary observance in Wakefield. The co-operation was generous and the Committee appreciates it.
The Colonel James Hartshorne House, repaired and to a certain extent res- tored, and seen as an excellent type of the simple colonial farm house, and the temporary but fitting housing of the Paul Revere bell, remain as permanent re- sults of the work of Tercentenary Committee.
The memories of "Old Home Week " with its various successful celebration features remain as a valuable part of the observance.
Expenditure of funds intrusted to the Committee will be found in the finan- cial report. $2,000.00 was spent upon the Col. James Hartshorne House and $146 86 was returned to the town from the appropriation of $500.00.
EVA G. RIPLEY, Secretary,
for the Tercentenary Committee
181
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
Report of Planning Board
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Town Planning Board herewith submits its annual report for the year 1930.
Following the March town meeting, the Board was organized with William Roberts, Chairman, Leon F. Reed, Secretary and Treasurer. Meet- ings have been held at irregular intervals as occasion required. The Plan- ning Board has been represented upon the committee which is investigating the water supply, and the committee which is investigating the treatment of lands on the shores of the two lakes.
ZONING
During the past year, the town Zoning law has been subjected to two serious tests in the courts of the Commonwealth. The first case had to do with the district at the head of Lake Quannapowitt, and the validity of town action at the spring town meeting, which changed part of this general locality from a business to a general residence district, was questioned. The court upheld the zoning law. The second case related to uses in a single residence district, and involved the definition of farming use. The par- ticular question was, could a permit for a large hen house be granted under the zoning law? The town's contention was that when the keeping of poultry was carried on in connection with a bona fide farm, it was permis- sible. On other occasions, the town has taken the position that the raising of poultry on a small lot, on a large scale, as the only or primary use of the land, constituted a business, and was not permissible. In this second case, the position of the town was upheld.
Both of these cases have strengthened the zoning law in Wakefield, and have carried the conviction to the townspeople that the law has teeth in it, and cannot be violated with impunity. There has been a tendency, when individuals wish to develop their property for non-conforming use, to immediately consider changing the law. This is a dangerous attitude, and the Planning Board cautions the town to permit no changes in the zoning law which are inspired by other than the good of the district and the town at large.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
PARKS
The Planning Board feels that in connection with our park system, sufficient funds should be made available for definite studies to be made for the proper development of the land southwest of Lake Quannapowitt and the Water Street playground. In connection with the Water Street play- ground, a good beginning has been made, but the town should continue to acquire property in this locality, which is low and not expensive.
REAL ESTATE
The Planning Board has been pleased to see that the subject of re- assessing property values throughout the town has become of general in- terest, and feels convinced that this should be done. While the subject of new assessors' maps has been considered officially by the town, they still are where they were, and are, as every one knows, in a deplorable condition. We believe the town should take definite action, and provide the means for keeping important records of its taxable property, up-to-date.
The Planning Board wishes to endorse the principle in regard to further grants of filling station permits, that sites for valuable business buildings should be reserved for that development, rather than for filling stations.
Members of the Planning Board have had occasion, during the last year to investigate the outlying conditions of the town, and find that many of the streets are in a deplorable condition. The Board feels that more stress should be put upon bringing these streets into at least passable con- dition, before any more money is spent upon streets which are already in fair condition.
We believe that the town should appropriate money for sidewalks, and that the sidewalks should be built of concrete and of standard design, and in all residential districts, with a grass plot and curbstone of granite. The Planning Board deplores the recent policy of patching out sidewalks with tar concrete carried across what should be the grass plot and into the street.
When any major highway construction is done, such as the Main Street to Melrose, the Planning Board wishes to hold up the high standard of concrete highway construction, even though it costs more at first. Per- manent construction is the only real economy.
The Town should constantly be alert in regard to the right-of-way of the Boston & Maine along the abandoned Salem Branch. This right-of-way should eventually be a new road. One of Wakefield's greatest assets is the large area of unbuilt land, but suitable for residential development, lying in Montrose, in the great triangle between Water Street, Montrose Avenue, and Salem Street. Any large future growth of Wakefield will be in this area, and this proposed new road will pass through the middle
183
REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
of it. We believe that the town would do well to appoint a committee to go into this matter in detail with the Boston & Maine R. R.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
The Planning Board feels that it would be advisable to have some group, properly qualified, appointed to pass upon all plans for public im- provements in the park system or its vicinity, and on all new public build- ings. Wakefield has been fairly fortunate so far, that no serious aesthetic blunders have been made, but these improvements handled by separate committees, preoccupied principally with practical and economic matters, and frequently without representation of outstanding good taste, are likely to result in public improvements falling far below the best public interest.
Respectfully yours,
(Signed)
WILLIAM ROBERTS, LEON REED, DR. FRANK T. WOODBURY,
DR. T. FULTON PARKS,
E. M. BRIDGE.
Town Planning Board.
184
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Supt. of Moth Dept.
January 10, 1930.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Supt. of the Moth Department for the year 1930.
This year we planted 200 young trees along the streets and expect to put out 100 more next spring.
The condition of the Gypsy and Brown-tail Moths is about the same as last year but we are having other insects to contend with, that never bothered much before.
This year we spent $2,088.61 for Moth work; $1,751.18 for Tree War- den; $1,702.91 for spraying; and $2,077.51 for cutting brush.
For other expenditures and appropriations of this department see Town Accountants report.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN A. LANDRY,
Superintendent.
185
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
Report of Inspector of Animals
Greenwood, Mass., January 1st, 1931.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town of Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I wish at this time to submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1930.
On one dairy farm there were ninety-three reactors taken by the State and slaughtered, while on another dairy farm thirty-five reactors were taken by the State and slaughtered.
Approximately two hundred and fifty cows were examined.
We have had no rabies during the year.
Respectfully,
PALMER CORBETT, V. S.,
Inspector of Animals.
.
186
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Bath House Instructor
Wakefield Park Board, Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I am submitting my report for the season of 1930 and I am sure your co-operation has been of the best.
Our present bath house will need attention another year. The toilet situation is extremely delicate and the floor of the house must be rebuilt to allow the water to drain off. This water is due to the wet bathing suits and at times it is impossible to find a dry area to stand on while dressing.
It will be necessary to rebuild our raft as the under braces have rotted away. I would suggest that Mr. Doyle place a cement base at the raft location so that next year we can moor our raft to it. Anchors are a source of danger and I am sure they offer some strain on the framework of the raft.
The following statistics will give you an idea of the attendance and of the work we carry on during the season.
Number of days open
60
Total number of bathers
27,900
Average number of bathers
465
Maximum number of bathers
1,445
Minor injuries
61
Beyond depth
11
Suspended
5
Expelled
2
Serious injuries
0
Instructions in swimming (first lessons)
78
If it is possible the area just off the shore should be well sanded this winter while the ice is on the pond. I hope that you will call on me for any information you want when you are ready to discuss next year's program.
Yours truly,
JOSEPH E. HARRINGTON.
187
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee for 1930
Harry B. Allman, Chairman, Greenwood Street Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary, Emerson Street Dr. J. William O'Connell, Treasurer, Fairmount Ave. *Leo A. Rogers, Stedman Street John B. Sawyer, Summit Avenue Mrs. Mabel W. Sweetser, Main Street
Thomas F. Kenney, appointed to succeed Leo A. Rogers
Term Expires 1933 Term Expires 1931
Term Expires 1931 Term Expires 1932 Term Expires 1932
Term Expires 1933 Term Expires 1931
SUB-COMMITTEES
*Mr. Rogers
Public Property Mr. Allman
Mr. Sawyer
Finance and Accounts
Dr. O'Connell Mr. Allman
Mrs. Ripley
Mrs. Sweetser Dr. O'Connell
Courses of Study
Dr. O'Connell
Mrs. Ripley Mrs. Sweetser
Text Books and Supplies
Mrs. Sweetser
Mrs. Ripley *Mr. Rogers
Superintendent of Schools
Willard B. Atwell, 94 West Chestnut Street
Secretary to the Superintendent Pauline E. Meads, 240 Lowell Street
*Deceased
Mr. Sawyer
Teachers and Salaries
188
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Office, High School Building. Hours: 8 to 12 and 1:30 to 5.
Monday Evening, 7 to 8. Saturday, 8 to 12. On Wednesday and Friday the office is open until 5:30 P. M.
Office telephone 0122. Superintendent 0363. Secretary 0493-R.
Regular Meetings of the School Committee: Second and fourth Fridays of each month at 7:30 P. M. at Committee Rooms.
LEO A. ROGERS
189
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
LEO A. ROGERS
On Saturday, December 6, 1930, the community of Wakefield was shocked and grieved to learn of the death of Leo Abraham Rogers, a mem- ber of the School Committee. His death had occurred after an illness of about five months and failing health of about a year. In the days immediate- ly following his passing, hundreds of citizens in Wakefield gave expression to their sense of personal loss and to the high respect in which they held their fellow townsman. Flags were flown at half-staff on the school build- ings through Tuesday, the day of the funeral service in St. Joseph's Church. Principals and teachers in the schools spoke to their pupils about Mr. Rogers and his interest in, and work for them, and the school remained closed dur- ing the forenoon of Tuesday, December 9. At the meeting of the High School Parent-Teacher Association on the evening of Wednesday, Decem- ber 10, Ebb Yeuell, President of the Association, paid a tribute to Mr. Rogers; and at the dedication of the new Montrose School, which took place that same evening, Mrs. W. S. Ripley a member of the School Commit- tee, also paid tribute, on behalf of the Committee, to their fellow-member. Resolutions were passed at the meeting of the School Committee on De- cember 12, and these were placed upon the records of the Committee and sent, engrossed, to the family of Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers was serving in the eleventh year of his membership on the School Committee. He had at all times rendered valuable service by his attendance at meetings, his advice, his study of special problems, and his work on sub-committees. His own education and culture gave him a natural interest in educational problems; his legal training caused him to consider all questions judicially; his interest in and love for boys and girls made him covet for them the best things; and his generous and kindly spirit together with his sense of justice, made him desire for all those in service in the schools of Wakefield, in whatever capacity, the highest possible recog- nition of their service.
He made himself a valued and valuable member of the School Com- mittee from the very beginning of his service and his loyalty to the schools of Wakefield, as well as to the town itself, was notably fine.
His last public appearance in Wakefield was at the graduation exer- cises on June 12, 1930. He made the address which preceeded the awarding of the diplomas. The address was characteristically optimistic and pro- gressive in spirit.
The School Committee and the Town of Wakefield have lost an able, conscientious and high-minded town official and citizen. Without exception they mourn his loss while at the same time they rejoice in the good work which he was able to do here.
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190
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
191
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Report of the Public Schools
The School Committee hereby renders a report of the Public Schools which has been compiled by the Superintendent.
Two years ago the Superintendent rendered a separate report to the School Committee giving the results of a survey made of school accom- modations, including a building program.
At the annual Town Meeting the Town authorized an addition to the Montrose School which should accommodate the pupils of the Montrose District and those pupils who live at the head of the lake. The removal of the latter has made conditions at the Hurd School much more comfort- able.
The Building was completed this fall and the new portion was occupied at the beginning of the fall term. Early in the evening of December 10, before the dedicatory exercises, the citizens of Montrose gave a fine turkey supper to the Building Committee, School Committee, and other town officers.
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MONTROSE SCHOOL
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MONTROSE SCHOOL
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN ........
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AUDITORIUM ALTERATION . ..... M DA .... ARCHITEET
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PROJEET A
MONTROSE SCHOOL
NICHT ROOM ADDITION
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193
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The following is a brief description of the building. Cuts of the floor plans are included as a part of this report. There are eight class rooms, heated by univent units, thermostatically controlled. This method of heating should prove to be economical in maintenance for each room is a unit by itself, and no excess heat is needed in a fan-room for some space which may be hard to heat. The corridors, stair wells, and the two rooms over the coal bins and boiler room are fireproof. The old building has been turned into a large room which may be used as a gymnasium and as an auditorium. In connection with this are the usual ante-rooms, and a large space for the storage of books and supplies. The Architect, Mr. E. M. Bridge, of Wakefield took due considerations for future extensions when they may be needed. All steam and water mains in the basement are large enough to take care of future additions, doubling the present capacity with- out any ripping out of walls or floors. The toilet rooms are large enough for the completed building, and feed waste, and ventilating pipes are all in place ready for the installation of additional equipment which may be neces- sary. This of course added some to the cost of the building but it will save expense and appearances when this community needs increased accom- modations.
The second step in meeting the housing needs as given in the survey was taken at the last annual Town Meeting in the spring. A Committee of nine was appointed and allotted an appropriation of $6,500.00. This Committee is empowered to hire architects and engineers to furnish plans, specifications, and costs of a new Intermediate School. The Town also voted to take three lots of land south of the present High School Building as a new site. The services of Professor L. L. Dudley of Harvard were secured through the architect to make a study of the needs and to make recommendations for the accommodations to fulfill these needs. Professor Dudley met with the School Committee for conferences and discussions of the report which he rendered to the Intermediate School Committee. The details of the report, undoubtedly, will be given in the report of the Special Committee. According to all advice it would be advisable for the Town to take advantage of the present low prices.
Last year a committee of principals and teachers made a study in arithmetic and rendered a report recommending the adoption of a new text. A similar committee has been working on a language text. They have given much time and careful consideration to the matter and have submitted a report to the superintendent and through him to the School Committee, recommending a new text. Action upon this will take place soon.
HIGH SCHOOL
The enrollment at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
194
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Boys Girls
Total
Post Graduate
6
6
12
Seniors
96
116
212
Juniors
92
107
199
Sophomores
118
117
235
Freshmen
159
119
278
471
465
936
We had an enrollment of 936 pupils which is the largest we ever had, and much larger than we anticipated. We have had an annual increase since entering the new building in 1923 of nearly fifty pupils each year. Our senior class last year was 177 and this year it is 212. Our Freshmen class is a little larger than last year and strange as it may seem, we have fifty more boys in the class than girls. In fact we have 471 boys in school and 465 girls. Generally we have 100 or more girls than boys.
Our traffic problem was very complicated as we have but two stair- ways, one at each end of the building, and because so many pupils have to keep their books in their lockers as they have no home room desks, we have inaugurated a one way traffic which relieves the passing considerably, es- pecially at the doorways in the corridors. Now all pupils go up the north stairway and down the south stairway. We are tremendously crowded and I hope every effort will be made to relieve us as soon as possible. If we should have an increase of forty or fifty pupils next September, I be- lieve we will have to go on morning and afternoon sessions as there will not be seats enough for all pupils.
With the crowded conditions under which we are operating the problem of studying in school during study periods is a very serious one. Practically every room in the building is used every period for recitations, and pupils must study in rooms where a recitation is going on. Most pupils find this difficult, especially freshmen who have not learned how to concentrate. In fact I find all pupils are working under a serious handicap and it does affect the efficiency of our school work. Just imagine how much studying a pupil can do in the cooking room when a class is cooking, or in the sewing room when a class is sewing, for in these classes there is more or less moving about and talking; or in the typewriting room when the typewriters are going, or the teacher dictating work to the pupils.
We have had to use the auditorium this year as a home room and every recess the pupils go in when it is too cold to go out of doors. They are not allowed to gather in the corridors as the noise they make would disturb the classes on the first floor who are reciting while the pupils have their second recess. This means that the auditorium must be heated all the time, and that is costing money for heat, as we must use the fan to drive heat into that large room. I believe it would be less expensive if we had two long radiators in the front of the auditorium.
195
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
We had several new teachers this year. Miss Annette Lane is teach- ing English in place of Mrs. Annie Potter, Miss Eleanor Abbott in place of Mrs. Katherine McCay, Miss Evelyn Noreen is teaching History and Community Civics in place of Miss Florence Ruoff and Miss Mary Butler is teaching French in place of Miss Edna McClenahan. Miss Thelma Fer- guson who teaches Elementary Science, Algebra and English and Mr. Donald White who teaches History and Community Civics are extra teachers.
In looking over our percent of attendance for the last three years, I find it was 94.659 in 1927-1928, 94.653 in 1928-1929, and 95.94 in 1929-1930. It seems to me with pupils of high school age that it should be even higher than it is. We had 7,328 absences in 1927-1928, 6,886 in 1928-1929, and 5,871 in 1929-1930. This shows that with an increase in the number of pupils we have a decrease in absences, which is encouraging. With tardi- ness it was not so good. In 1927-1928 we had 2,406, in 1928-1929 we had 2,755, and in 1929-1930 we had 2,560. To my mind that is too many, still if we are too severe with tardy pupils they will be absent instead of tardy, and I believe that is worse. Yet one of the essentials to good citizen- ship is punctuality, and if we can not teach that successfully I feel that we have fallen down on our job. Our big obstacle to the enforcement of tardi- ness is the attitude of the parents. They feel that being tardy does not amount to much inasmuch as the pupil does not lose any school work. In fact, our greatest offenders come from homes who feel that school begins too early and have little sympathy with our desire to get the pupils to school on time.
It may be of interest to know that at present we have 116 pupils taking freehand drawing, 181 taking mechanical drawing, or 40% of the boys in school; 46 pupils taking printing, 141 boys taking woodwork, or 30% of the boys in school; 134 girls taking cooking, or sewing or 29% of the girls in school. There are 366 pupils taking college preparatory work, or 39%; 314 pupils taking Commercial work, or 33%; 56 pupils taking the Industrial Arts course and 201 pupils taking the English course. It is remarkable to have so large a number taking college preparatory work.
We have no data on the number of pupils who use the Library but we have data on the home circulation of books. When we realize that most of our books are for reference it is a remarkable showing. In 1923-1924 there were 1,521 books taken; in 1924-1925, 3,029; in 1925-1926, 3,844; in 1926- 1927, 4,795; in 1927-1928, 5,430; in 1928-1929, 5,147; and in 1929-1930, 5,778.
We have made a change in the method of giving rhetoricals. Now in each of the Senior English Classes every pupil gives a rhetorical before the members of his class. The pupils vote and select the best two in the class, and then these pupils have series of try-outs before the teachers of the English Classes, and fourteen are chosen. Then at two different as- sembly periods, seven pupils speak before the whole school. Judges are appointed who decided which pupils speak the best, and first and second
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
prizes are awarded. Last year the prizes were given by Miss Bernice Cas- well. This year they will be given some other way. I am not decided yet how it will be done. I do not believe it is right to expect the teachers to give the prizes. The speakers at graduation outside of the Valedictory, Salutatory and Honor Part will be chosen from this group of students. That method will assure us of good speakers at graduation.
The past year has seen a decided improvement in Athletics. We again won the Middlesex championship in basketball. This is the second year in succession that we have won the championship. In baseball we did well, we won half of our games. In football we won six and lost four games. This is the best season we have had for many years. The outlook for next year is promising. We awarded twenty-four letters in football, the largest number ever awarded in one season. We did not do so well in track. The girls have no inter-school games the same as the boys. They have no first team in any sport. There are class teams in all sports. In this way we have a greater number of girls taking part in sports. Last year we had 114 different girls playing hockey, 121 girls playing basketball, 57 girls play- ing baseball, 58 took part in track and 55 played tennis. Our girls played with Framingham and Reading High Schools in Hockey but when we played we had four teams made up of Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen, and these teams played teams of Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and Freshmen classes of the other schools. I wish we could do the same with boys sports but the time does not seem ripe for such an innovation. After we are through with our regular basketball schedule we have class basketball for the boys and when we play off for Class Championship we have much more enthusiasm than at regular games. In these games the boys on the regular team can- not take part except to coach the various class teams.
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