USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1944 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
2.06
William J. Walsh Perp. Care Fund
50.00
2.06
Margaret Ward Perp. Care Fund
50.00
2.07
Alice Warren Perp. Care Fund
10.00
.42
Albert C. and Edith Waterman Perp. Care Fund
50.00
2.02
Arthur Weston Perp. Care Fund
30.00
1.21
Edith M. Wheeler Perp. Care Fund
15.00
.60
Katherine Whipling Perp. Care Fund
30.00
1.20
Harry W. White Perp. Care Fund Lillian White Perp. Care Fund
100.00
4.16
Sally White Perp. Care Fund
10.00
.42
Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. White Perp. Care Fund
50.00
2.09
Richard Whittington Perp. Care Fund Richard Whittington Perp. Care Fund
10.00
.29
P. M. Wilkinson Perp. Care Fund
50.00
2.08
Gertrude Willson Perp. Care Fund
15.00
.60
15.00
.28
200.00
7.55
30.00
1.22
Louis H. Young Perp. Care Fund
15.00
.28
Louis H. Young Perp. Care Fund
15.00
.28
Mrs. Bernice Bartlett Perp. Care Fund
40.00
.33
James DelRossi Perp. Care Fund
40.00
.07
Christopher B. Dinan Perp. Care Fund
120.00
.20
Emily I. Foley Perp. Care Fund
80.00
.13
W. M. Gleason Perp. Care Fund
20.00
.17
Charles W. Wilson Perp. Care Fund Martha D. Wilson Perp. Care Fund Stanislaw Wojtylo Perp. Care Fund Ernest B. Wright Perp. Care Fund Duncan A. Young Perp. Care Fund
30.00
1.20
50.00
2.06
Percy Young Perp. Care Fund
50.00
2.08
10.00
.42
50.00
2.08
50.00
2.02
10.00
.42
20.00
.82
10.00
.52
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
173
Mrs. Mary G. Muse Perp. Care Fund Daniel W. Rideout Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Emily Roche Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Laura Ring Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Jennie M. Robinson Perp. Care Fund
20.00
.17
20.00
.03
20.00
.03
80,00
.53
Joseph Scandura Perp. Care Fund Charles Strong Perp. Care Fund
40.00
.20
Salvatore Alleca Perp. Care Fund Harry C. Ayscough Perp. Care Fund
80.00
Thomas Blair Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Rose Bonito Perp. Care Fund
40.00
20.00
Mrs. Frances I. Butler Perp. Care Fund
40.00
Percy H. Callbeck Perp. Care Fund A. F. Chirone Perp. Care Fund
60.00
William E. Collins Perp. Care Fund Secondina Colore Perp. Care Fund
40.00
Mrs. C. Daniels Perp. Care Fund
20.00
20.00
Mrs. Nora DeMarco Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Mary DeViller Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Louis G. Downes and Mrs. Alice M.
20.00
Sanderson Perp. Care Fund Francis E. Foley Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Agnes J. Fox Perp. Care Fund
60.00
Mrs. Katherine S. Gaines Perp. Care Fund
40.00
James Geary Perp. Care Fund
20.00
Mrs. Margaret Green Perp. Care Fund
40.00
Mrs. Lillian Horrigan Perp. Care Fund
80.00
50.00
40.00
20.00
20.00
40.00
20.00
Joseph Passamonte Perp. Care Fund
120.00
Minnie C. Phinney Perp. Care Fund
40.00
Mrs. Elizabeth Ellen Reid Perp. Care Fund
20.00
Henry Reid Perp. Care Fund
20.00
Warren A. Reiss Perp. Care Fund
80.00
Alexander L. Rhind Perp. Care Fund Elizabeth Ruggles Perp. Care Fund
40.00
Antonio Santoro Perp. Care Fund
120.00
Mrs. Lilla B Scott Perp. Care Fund
20.00
.27
40.00
.20
20.00
120.00
20.00
80.00
60.00
Mrs. Ruth K. Johnson Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Annie E. Lennon Perp. Care Fund Adeline Malonson Perp. Care Fund Charles H. Melendy Perp. Care Fund Mrs. Annie Meuse Perp. Care Fund Antonio Orsini Perp. Care Fund
80.00
Principal of Fund
Income Available
40.00
174
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Principal of Fund
Income Available
Mrs. Helen L. Sindona Perp. Care Fund Ellen Varney Perp. Care Fund
40.00
20.00
Mrs. Mary J. White Perp. Care Fund
80.00
$ 66,498.20
$ 2,290.32
The above trust funds are invested as follows:
Malden Savings Bank
$ 8,000.00
Charlestown Five Cent Savings Bank
5,546.61
Blackstone Savings Bank
601.53
Melrose Savings Bank
2,500.00
Cambridge Savings Bank
6,212.20
Wakefield Savings Bank
45,928.18
$ 68,788.52
INVESTMENT FUNDS United States War Bonds 21/2 % Series G
$100,000.00
LOAN ACCOUNT
During the year no money was borrowed on Temporary Notes in anticipation of revenue.
The following sums were borrowed on Temporary Notes in anticipation of. Highway Reimbursement, Chap. 90:
$3,000.00 at one percent discount.
PERMANENT DEBT
Permanent Debt January 1, 1944
$231,000.00
Paid during 1944 47,500.00
$183,500.00 The permanent debt has decreased $47,500.00 during the past year.
MATURITIES OF TOWN DEBT
Maturing
1945
$ 39,500.00
1946
35,500.00
1947
35,500.00
1948
20,000.00
1949
20,000.00
1950
17,000.00
1951
6,000.00
1952
5,000.00
1953
3,000.00
1954
2,000.00
$183,500.00
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
175
The debt is chargeable to the following:
Water Department Light Department Sewer Department Streets
$124,000.00
1,000.00
52,500.00
6,000.00
$183,500.00
CASH ACCOUNT
Dr.
John I. Preston, Treasurer $ 608,013.37
To Balance from last report, Cash
Board of Appeal Receipts
60.00
Building Inspector's Receipts
196.90
Cemetery Receipts:
Sale of lots
2,179.00
Perpetual Care
2,310.00
Miscellaneous
2,040.00
Collector of Taxes Receipts:
Advertising Costs
30.60
Committed Interest
2,793.05
Costs
831.00
Excise Tax
16,435.97
Moth Assessments
1,273.10
Sidewalks
7,788.85
Tax Certificates
104.00
Taxes and Interest
647,527.07
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Contagious Diseases
75.00
Corporation Tax
52,370.05
Meal Tax
3,814.99
Dept. of Public Health-Subsidies Cities and Towns
825.69
Tuition of Children
4,304.31
Division of Highways
296.45
Dist. Highway Fund
23,612.08
Old Age Assistance
49,968.76
Income Tax
79,196.40
Temporary Aid Transportation
1,252.44
Aid to Dependent Children
5,036.21
Vocational Education
879.46
Burial of Indigent Persons
100.00
State Aid
1,240.00
Military Aid
450.50
War Allowance
2,488.96
1
176
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Court Fines
1.504.50
Federal Tax Deductions
56,212.63
Fire Department Receipts
78.15
Health Department Receipts
508.90
Interest on Post War Funds
1,625.00
Insurance Received-Barnes
45.78
Insurance Received on Water Department Claims
222.04
Insurance Received on Police Auto Damage
1,529.50
Library Receipts
1,032.10
Moth Department Receipts
10.00
Middlesex County :
Division of Highways
296.45
Dog Tax
1,909.53
Fines
2.50
Municipal Light Department Receipts
415,280.61
Park Department Receipts
244.65
Police Department Receipts
331.90
Public Welfare Department Receipts Town Infirmary Old Age Assistance
25.00
1,468.09
Redemption Tax Title Deeds
6,023.18
Redemption Tax Title Deeds Interest
2,136.77
Redemption Tax Title Deeds Releases
51.00
Redemption Tax Title Deeds Land Court Costs
90.00
Refunds:
Old Age Assistance
813.60
Old Age Assistance Cash Advanced
15.00
Soldiers' Relief
69.48
Fire Department
3.75
Welfare Department
505.66
Welfare Department Cash Advanced
15.00
Robert Dutton
110.00
State Aid War No. 2
215.00
World War No. 2
20.00
State Aid
100.00
Library
27.66
Library Cash Advanced
50.00
Police Pension-1943
14.85
Police Department Cash Advanced
50.00
Health Department
5.50
Health Department Cash Advanced
25.00
Highway Department .48
School Department Cash Advanced
50.00
Water and Sewer Department Cash Advanced
25.00
5,180.69
177
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
Sale of Notes:
Anticipation of Highway Reimbursement
3,000.00
Salvage Committee
75.00
School Department Receipts
20,724.73
Sealer of Weights and Measures
106.28
Selectmen's Receipts :
Licenses
4,548.00
Lafayette Hall Rental
328.00
Town Hall Rental Miscellaneous
109.89
Sewer Department Receipts
7,096.28
Sewer Department Connections Deposit
2,105.57
Sewer Department Maintenance Receipt
.70
Tercentenary Committee Receipts
803.90
Town Clerk's Receipts
3,464.94
Trust Funds Receipts
887.36
United States Grant-Aid to Dependent Children
3,870.49
United States Grant-Aid to Dependent Children Administration
633.76
United States Grant-Old Age Assistance
49,037.38
United States Grant-Old Age Administration
1,661.18
Wakefield Trust Company:
Income of Willard Donnell Trust for use of
Welfare Dept.
270.86
For the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library:
Junius Beebe Trust
721.35
Decius Beebe Trust
399.54
Marcus Beebe Trust
478.93
Frederick Beebe Trust
25.98
Alice B. Carpenter Trust
431.28
Charles S. Beebe Trust
25.50
George O. Carpenter Trust
24.62
Sylenda B. Stearns Trust
48.33
Eleanor H. Beebe Trust
135.23
Katherine E. Beebe Trust
138.34
John H. Beebe Trust
65.07
J. Oliver Beebe Trust
139.98
Water Department Receipts
91,364.60
Water Department Maintenance Receipts
313.96
In Account with Town of Wakefield
Cr.
By cash paid, Discount on Temporary Note cash paid, Selectmen's Warrants cash paid, Offset State Credits
$ 2,208,627.29
$ 18.92
1,631,317.55
35,806.08
$ 1,667,142.55
171.10
178
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Cash in Treasury
541,484.74
$ 2,208,627.29
FINAL STATEMENT
During the year 1945, the following time loans will fall due and are to be included in the tax levy for 1945:
Extension of Sewer
$ 11,500.00
Street
2,000.00
$ 13,500.00
Water Loans (included in Water Department Appropriation)
25,000.00
Light Plant (paid from receipts of plant) 1,000.00
$ 39,500.00
There will also be required the following amounts to meet the interest payments:
Extension of Sewer
$ 960.62 87.50
Street
Temporary Loans (estimated)
2,951.88
$ 4,000.00
Water Loans (included in Water Department appropriation)
2,008.75
Light Plant (paid from receipts of plant) 40.00
$ 6,048.75
The borrowing capacity of the town on temporary notes in anticipa- tion of 1944 revenue was $750,775.08 as determined by the State Director of Accounts.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN I. PRESTON,
Treasurer.
179
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee for 1944
Patrick H. Tenney, Chairman
Term Expires 1946
14 Emerson Street
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary 20 Lafayette Street
Term Expires 1946
James M. Henderson, Treasurer 118 Prospect Street
Term Expires 1945
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick 129 Pleasant Street
Term Expires 1945
Paul A. Saunders 309 Albion Street
Term Expires 1947
Walter C. Hickey 25 Gould Street
Term Expires 1947
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Committee as a whole acts as sub-committees with the following chairmen :
Mrs. Tredinnick-Text Books and Supplies
Mrs. Ripley-Personnel
Mr. Henderson-Finances and Accounts
Mr. Saunders-Courses of Study
Mr. Hickey-Public Property
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Willard B. Atwell, 94 West Chestnut Street
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT Pauline E. Meads, 7 Park Avenue
SECRETARY Doris Skinner, 9 Franklin Street
180
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The School Committee wishes to report that, during the year 1944, it continued to do its best to comply with the many changes and demands created by the present war situation.
Because of lack of proper facilities and war conditions, during the past year, it became necessary to curtail the physical training program in the elementary schools.
Because of the many changes in the personnel, and the acquiring of new teachers, it became evident that closer supervision of teachers was necessary in the elementary schools in order that the children might receive adequate, uniform, and proper training. In order to attain this result, Mr. Jules I. Philie was appointed as Supervisor of Elementary Instruction, assisting Willard B. Atwell, superintendent. This Mr. Philie has done in addition to his duties as principal of the Warren and Woodville schools.
Many of our boys and girls are still leaving school to enter the armed forces. To all seniors, who are doing satisfactory work, we have given diplomas. We are continuing military training which was restored in September 1942.
We wish to thank the teachers for their splendid co-operation in the year 1944.
We also wish to thank the janitors for the countless hours they have worked because of the increased use of school buildings.
At the Montrose School, considerable difficulty has been encountered trying to accomodate all pupils who wish to eat their lunch in school. Because of lack of facilities, it was deemed best to eliminate the lunch program at the Montrose School, but this was impossible to do in entirety, because of the fact that the Office of Defense Transportation regulations prevented the department from furnishing transportation at noon to pupils at the head of the lake who attended the Montrose School.
The Committee finally adopted a rule that only those children trans- ported by bus from the head of the lake and those children who are physically handicapped may eat lunch at school during the noon recess. This has tended to eliminate to a great extent a serious problem of con- gestion as well as one of discipline and supervision.
The number of boys and girls who were absent from our elementary schools and High School with no apparent legitimate reason is entirely too large. In many cases, both the mother and father work and the children have little or no surveillance. In many cases it is apparent that the parents do not care whether their children attend school or not. This condition is getting serious, that in the near future it will be necessary for the school department to prosecute the parents in cases where the children are absent from school for no legitimate reason and the parents give no co-operation to the school authorities.
We are continuing to maintain courses at the High School as suggested by the War Department to boys who are entering the armed forces. We also established a course of home nursing for girls at the High School.
181
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
We are conducting an Educational Guidance program at the High School under the direction of Mr. Howard J. Heavens.
During the year 1944 the town purchased at the request of the Com- mittee the house and land immediately north of the Hurd School, at a price of $2,300.00. This will provide space for an addition to this school, which according to present indications will have to be made in the near future.
The locker situation at the High School still needs to be remedied. Many other repairs are needed in the various buildings; but it is difficult to do major repairs because of the scarcity of labor and materials. Only absolutely necessary work is being done.
The present war has indicated many deficiencies in our present educational system, both in mental and physical training. Many changes will have to be made, especially in the training of discharged servicemen. The Committee is ready to adapt itself to desired changes.
PATRICK H. TENNEY, Chairman EVA G. RIPLEY, (Mrs. W. S.), Secretary
JAMES M. HENDERSON, Treasurer MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK, (Mrs. F. A.) PAUL A. SAUNDERS WALTER C. HICKEY
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee:
Herein is submitted the annual report of the School Department. Statistical data are given in a separate section following this written section. The statistics give a detailed account of the expenditures, regis- tration and attendance of students, and a list of the personnel, together with the training and positions now held.
The enrollment in the High School at the beginning of the year was as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Seniors
59
109
168
Juniors
102
110
212
113
144
257
Sophomores Freshmen
167
147
314
--
441
510
951
The attendance in the High School has not dropped as much as we expected it might. The enrollment at the present time is practically the same as last year at this time, or to be exact, it is an increase of two. The proportion of boys in the upper classes is growing smaller. At the present time there are only fifty-nine boys enrolled in the senior class, the smallest number in twenty years. As soon as a boy becomes 18 years of age he is called to the Service. The call by the Selective Service Board does not ensure a choice of the branch of Service, consequently
182
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
many boys enlist before they become eighteen, to enable them to make sure they may enter the particular branch in which they are most interested.
We are continuing our co-operation with the Government in trying to adapt our work to give the students, particularly the boys a pre-induc- tion preparation. To do this, we have modified the contents of several courses rather than to offer new courses. Two new classes have been offered in the High School; First Aid and Home Nursing. Both have been given under competent instructors. The latter was taught by a qualified Red Cross nurse.
We find it is harder to get pupils to do their regular studying. A larger number work afternoons, and since there are many cases where both parents are working, there is no supervision of the home study. This lack of supervision also applies, in many cases, to the evenings when par- ental oversight is most needed.
The uneasiness caused by the conditions of today has decidedly in- creased the number of absences and truancies in both the High School and in the elementary grades. Never before have we had such a large number of unexcused absences. In some cases the parents are more to blame than the pupils. In fact some parents show a complete disregard for their own responsibilities; and seem to feel that it is the job of the school to take care of their children for them, not only in the matter of child discipline but they also should assume liability for the child's activities when outside of school.
The child between 14 and 16 years of age who does not seem to be in- terested in school but is intrigued by the larger weekly envelopes of many children over 16 years of age, feels very uneasy and discontented and does not see why he should not be making money now. The youngster is disgruntled because he is handicapped by the laws which prohibit em- ployment in businesses engaged in work which is controlled by regulations covering Inter-state trade. This means that the number of jobs open to them are very few.
During the fall, the Committee caused a census of children under five years of age in the Hurd, Montrose and Woodville districts. This is to be used as a basis for the probable enrollment in these districts in the next few years. This is the first step in making a complete School Census for all districts, for the purpose of determining future needs of adjustments. It now looks as though the Hurd School will be filled to overflowing within six years.
The enrollment in the Woodville School has decreased to a point where it did not seem to be wise or economical to operate this building with all rooms open.
The Committee considered closing the entire building, but at the urgent request of a delegation of parents, decided to keep two rooms open for grades 1-4. As there are only 30 pupils registered in the two rooms, a very uneconomical situation is involved. The pupils of grades 5-8 are distributed in the Franklin, Lincoln and Montrose Schools without any hardship to any pupil.
183
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The increase in numbers of some of the grades at the Montrose School made it imperative to use another room. The Beebe Library had been using this room for a Branch Library. By mutual agreement we have found it possible to use this room for a class and still leave it avail- able for use by the library. In the near future, possibly by next fall, we shall need the entire room for a classroom.
Miss Dorothy Shepard, teacher of Physical Education in the elemen- tary schools, resigned to accept a position in Walpole at a large increase in salary. William Piscione resigned to accept a position with an in- crease in salary. Mr. Piscione was teacher of Physical Education for the boys in the two upper grades, assistant in the High School and assistant in football. At the present time the classroom teachers are carrying on with the supervision of the Physical Director. The work is, therefore, considerably restricted and limited.
The Committee has appointed for this year a supervisor of elemen- tary instruction in addition to his work as principal. Each teacher is visited in a co-operative and advisory spirit. The plan seems to be working well.
The Junior Red Cross work is doing well. Every class room in town has a membership.
During the early fall the Government asked school children to gather milkweed pods and dry them. The floss was to be used for life belts and jackets which means a possible saving of many lives. The children of Wakefield collected 145 bags and we forwarded them to Potes- key, Michigan, for the War Hemp Industries.
War Stamps and Bonds have been sold through the schools. These sales have been handled by the teachers, but this fall the Committee on War Bonds and Stamps, on their own initiative, made arrangements whereby the three banks in town send representatives to the various schools where they handle all the business. The largest amount of sales for the year by a school was about $11,000.00.
The librarian in the High School is complimented for her work in making, and keeping to date, a scrap book of clippings from the "Daily Item" of articles, news and pictures about Wakefield in World War II. These will be valuable as a historical reference.
During the summer, changes were made in the High School to enlarge the lunch room. It is now possible to have all science classes on the third floor. The room formerly used for biology is used as a recitation room, and is available during the lunch period as an eating place for the boys. Changes in the sewing room have made this available for the use of the girls during the lunch periods. The Department purchased 100 tablet arm chairs for use in these rooms.
The Committee has granted the use of the lunch room and the gym- nasium to the young people. This was done upon the request of the Youth Guidance Committee appointed by the town. Each week the young people have a "Night Club" meeting supervised by themselves with
184
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
the advice and assistance of a few adults. These meetings have been very successful in giving the young people a common meeting place and has served as a means of keeping them off the streets Friday or Satur- day nights.
We have been carrying on work for guidance, particularly for High School students. Guidance in secondary schools is recognized by the State Department of Education, by industry and by all branches of the Armed Service. While we have made a start, to do the job well, it de- mands the full time of an individual.
HEALTH
The present School Physician assumed his work on October 10. The following excerpts is a report on his work since his appointment. "How- ever, we have examined 16 Freshman boys, all of the others having been examined by Dr. Burke. The health of these boys, on the whole is excellent. There were several who needed dental work, only one or two who had diseased throats and three with hard wax in the ears, which made it difficult for them to hear.
The Freshmen girls were all
examined, 132 in number. £ Of this number three had perfect teeth. There were 39 who had 70 cavities with notices sent home. There were a large number of fillings, a good many which had been done recently, that is, within the last six months. Throat conditions were negligible,
only one requiring notice sent to the parents. There were four girls with organic heart disease, all of whom were under the care of their physician. Three cases of skin acne to whom advice was given was to the care of same. Six cases of wax in the ear were advised to have same removed.
"The First Grade of all schools were examined to the number of 211 pupils. Of this number twelve were found with perfect teeth. A large number found with cavities requiring immediate attention by the dentist. 67 notices were sent home for this condition. Only a few were found to have diseased tonsils, 8 in number. There were 63 children who had had their tonsils removed. Six who were found to have heart murmurs, all of which were functional type, and only four were found to have wax in their ears.
"Immunization against Diphtheria was carried out in all of the grade schools to those from whom permission was obtained. Three doses at three-week intervals have been given to 231 children, which is a good proportion of the children of the first four grades, the majority being from the first and second grades. This brings the immunization pro- gram up to date as per schedule."
ATTENDANCE
"Again we have the problem of the children between fourteen and sixteen years of age who do not care for school and yet are forced to attend. We have had more trouble during 1944 from this source than in any of the previous war years. Working permits have been approved by
185
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
the Superintendent in many of these cases, but the number of jobs for children of these ages is rather limited, due to the legal restrictions of the state and federal governments.
"Truancy and non-attendance showed an increase over the previous year. Some cities and towns nearby have a worse record than ours. Recently, on the day following a snowstorm, one High School had 120 pupils absent out of a 430 enrollment. Another had a percentage of absences of 20 percent and another had 15 per cent, while our town had "only" ten per cent.
"A ten per cent absence slows up production in the High School and causes a sheer and economic waste. Any boy or girl who remains out of school without good and sufficient reason is shirking his duty and obli- gation to the town and nation."
MAINTENANCE
The shortage of help, increased costs and priorities covering building materials again, as in 1942 and 1943, prohibited the undertaking of any large projects. Several painting and desk varnishing projects were among those that had to be postponed. There were, however, many minor repair jobs completed and some changes made during the year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.