Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1956, Part 5

Author: Fairhaven (Mass.)
Publication date: 1956
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 260


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1956 > Part 5


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


I recommend an appropriation of Twenty-five Hundred Dollars for care of trees in 1957.


I am also recommending a special appropriation of One Thousand Dollars for the purchase of trees for planting in various sections of the town.


JOHN JARVIS


Tree Warden


MOTH CONTROL


During the past year all shade trees were sprayed and dead limbs in various parts of the town were removed and carted to the town dump where they were burned. Our trees, as a whole, are in a healthy condition.


I recommend an appropriation of Four thousand Dollars for Insect Pest Extermination in 1957.


JOHN JARVIS


Moth Superintendent


110


Tax Title


Book value of Tax Titles on hand January 1, 1956 $ 6,277.49 Tax Title redemptions, Book value 2,102.57


$ 4,174.92


Tax Takings - 1954 taxes


2,702.56


Added to Tax Titles - 1954, 1955 taxes


3,014.05


Book value of Tax Titles on hand January 1, 1957 $ 9,891.53


Tax Possessions


Book value of Tax Possessions on hand


January 1, 1956 $15,016.80


Tax Possessions sold by Selectmen, Book Value 266.66


Book value of Tax Possessions on hand January 1, 1957


$14,750.14


Total receipts from Tax Title redemptions and sale by Selectmen of Tax Possessions for the year of 1956 were as follows :


Tax Title Redemptions, Book Value $2,102.56


Tax Title Redemptions, costs and interest 148.32


Sale of Tax Possessions by Selectmen 361.44


Total $2,612.32


Respectfully submitted,


MICHAEL J. O'LEARY


Treasurer


111


Veterans' Benefits


The Veterans' Benefits case load opened in January with forty-eight cases receiving aid and closed in December with forty-nine cases. These were divided as follows:


Spanish War


1


World War I


8


World War II


34


Korean War 6


Assistance was granted to the following :


Dependent parents in their homes


15


Dependent parent in nursing home


1


Widowed mothers


11


Families due to illness of the Veteran


11


Widows of Veterans


6


Single Veterans due to illness


3


Due to unemployment of the Veteran


2


Because of the receipt of Old Age and Survivors Insur- ance, we have been able to reduce the Veterans' Benefits grants in several cases and to close some cases. Eight cases are receiving medical care only.


The Veteran who is ill is admitted to a Veterans' Ad- ministration Hospital whenever possible. During the time the Veteran is confined to the hospital, it is often necessary to aid the families. We have had six such cases during the year.


Before granting Veterans' Benefits, approval is received from the Commissioner of Veterans' Services in Boston. All expenditures are reported monthly to him and one-half of the amount expended is reimbursed to the town and is credited to the General Fund.


ALBERT E. STANTON


Veterans' Agent


112


Police Department


Below and on the following pages you will find the Annual report of the Police Department for the year end- ing December 31, 1956.


Department Patrol Cars


Two 6-cylinder four-door sedans were delivered on July 3, 1956 and on January 7, 1957 one had traveled 29,560 miles. This car is used in the thickly settled area west of Alden Road. The second new car has traveled on January 7, 1957 10,783 miles and will be used through 1957. The third car, a 1955 four-door Sedan showed 56,853 miles traveled on Jan- uary 7, 1957. This car is used east of Alden Road from Acushnet line to the Mattapoisett line, Sconticut Neck and West Island.


I am informed that no six-volt systems are available this year, which can be expensive, as we now have radio and Neece-Neville alternators built for six-volt systems.


School Safety Program


In June eight schools-Public and Parochial-were pro- vided with 15 traffic and safety programs by Motor Vehicle Inspector William G. DesRuisseau who is assigned to Safety Education by Registrar Rudolph F. King and Patrolman Albert E. Foster. 3,244 students benefited by these pro- grams. Four live radio broadcasts were made by these men plus tape recordings used in spot announcements when needed.


Bicycle Safety Days


Four bicycle safety days-sometimes referred to as Rodeos-were sponsored by the Fairhaven J. C. C. assisted by the writer and Patrolman Theodore Wolan. These were conducted on Saturdays on school playgrounds and in parks with owners being registered. Each rider went through a course of riding with safety after which their bicycles were scotchlighted by the J. C. C. and financed by them.


113


A final was conducted at the Fairhaven Drive-In where awards were presented to high-point winners. I hope this can be another project for 1957.


Accident Record at a Glance


To inform readers as to the accidents in the years 1950 through 1956 I submit the following data from our files :


Accidents reported to Fairhaven Police


Non-injury


Injury


Totals


1950


79


92


171


1951


105


93


198


1952


92


72


164


1953


90


92


182


1954


76


89


165


1955


54


94


148


1956


53


76


129


These figures show fewer accidents in Fairhaven in 1956 back through 1950.


There certainly can be only one answer to the reduction of accidents which is a greater emphasis on the three E's, namely ENGINEERING-improved state and local high- ways and streets; EDUCATION-Safety programs by the Registry and law enforcement personnel plus the schools' driver education behind the wheel; and ENFORCEMENT- Traffic control, periodic inspections, posted speed regula- tion, control by Registry, State and local police with arrests or Registry action in flagrant cases.


Records at the Registry of Motor Vehicles reveal :


An increase of 81,000 registrations in 1956


An increase of 101,000 licenses in 1956


A decrease of 14 automobile fatalities in 1956


A decrease of 3 out-of-state operators involved in fa- talities in 1956


An estimated increase of 750,000,000 miles traveled in 1956


Youth Guidance and Training


During 1956 the North Fairhaven Junior Patrol under the guidance of Patrolman Wolan and the North Fairhaven Silent Police guided by Intermittent Patrolman Duarte were


114


very active and held regular meetings to plan their financial and recreational doings for the year.


Their leaders spend much of their off-duty time and days off with their groups and much of their finances are hard- earned.


I was very happy to have been able to present a sum of money which was given to me to distribute as I saw fit to these two groups. The donors requested that they remain anonymous. Readers: Your help would be very welcome, financially or otherwise.


Conclusion


Realizing that successful police work depends to a great extent on the availability of reliable information, many per- sons faithfully bring to our attention those things which properly come within our province.


I am glad of this opportunity to thank those citizens who have facilitated the work of the department.


Also, I thank the F.B.I., District Attorney Maurice M. Lyons and his staff, the courts, the Board of Selectmen, Superintendent Flavel M. Gifford, the school faculty, the student body, other town departments, state and other police departments, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, the press, Radio Stations WNBH and WBSM, the four improvement associations in Fairhaven, the businessmen, and the public in general.


NORMAN D. SHURTLEFF


Chief of Police


OFFENSES


Males


Females


Totals


Adultery


1


0


1


Assault and Battery


7


0


7


Allowing an Improper Person to Operate


2


0


2


Assault with a Dangerous Weapon


1


0


1


Attaching Registration Plates to a


Motor Vehicle other than to which Assigned


1


0


1


Attempt to Break and Enter in the Nighttime to Commit Larceny


2


0


2


115


Males Females


Totals


Being a Delinquent Child


40


0


40


Being an Unlicensed Operator


6


0


6


Breaking and Entering and Larceny in the Daytime Breaking and Entering and Larceny in the Nighttime


7


0


7


Breaking and Entering in the Night-


time with Intent to Commit Larceny


1


0


1


Disorderly Conduct


1


0


1


Disturbing the Peace


8


2


10


Drunkenness


43


4


47


Failing to Stop for a Red Light


3


0


3


Failing to Stop when Signalled So to Do


3


0


3


Fairhaven By-Laws Violations


2


0


2


Fairhaven Shellfish Regulations Violations


1


0


1


False Alarm of Fire


2


0


2


Giving False Name and Address to Police Officer


1


0


1


Illegitimate Children Law Violations


2


0


2


Incest


1


0


1


Indecent Assault


1


0


1


Keeping Unlicensed Dog


6


0


6


Larceny


4


0


4


Leaving Motor Running Unattended


1


0


1


Leaving Scene of Accident after Injury to Property


5


2


7


Lewdness


1


0


1


Loaning Operator's License


1


0


1


Neglect of Family


1


0


1


Operating a Motor Vehicle after License was Suspended


4


0


4


Operating a Motor Vehicle So as to Endanger


10


1


11


Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the influence of Intoxi- cating Liquor


17


0


17


Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Having Certificate of Registration in Possession


1


0


1


1


0


1


116


Males Females


Totals


Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Lights


2


0


2


Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle


2


0


2


Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle


2


0


2


Possession of Burglars' Tools


2


0


2


Rape


1


0


1


Speeding


14


0


14


Statutory Rape


1


0


1


Truancy


1


0


1


Unlawful Appropriation of Motor Vehicle


3


0


3


Wilful Injury to Real Property


1


0


1


TOTAL LOCAL OFFENSES


218


8


226


OFFENSES IN ARRESTS FOR OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE


121


*


7


130


TOTAL OFFENSES


339


15


356


* Plus 2 by artificial persons


DISPOSITIONS OF LOCAL CASES


Continued


40


0


40


Filed


42


2


44


House of Correction


10


0


10


Probation


7


0


7


Dismissed


35


2


37


Youth Service Board


3


0


3


Fined


37


2


39


House of Correction-Suspended


1


0


1


Fined-Suspended


13


0


13


Not Guilty


7


0


7


Released Without Arraignment


12


1


13


Defaulted


1


1


2


Pending


1


0


1


No Probable Cause


1


0


1


Fine-Committed


6


0


6


Appealed


1


0


1


Mass. Correctional Institution


1


0


1


218


8 226


117


ARRESTS BY MONTHS


Males


Females


Totals


January


8


0


8


February


11


0


11


March


21


1


22


April


5


0


5


May


6


0


6


June


17


1


18


July


15


2


17


August


21


1


22


September


6


0


6


October


5


0


5


November


6


1


7


December


15


0


15


Unknown


1


0


1


ARRESTS FOR LOCAL OFFENSES


137


6 143


ARRESTS FOR


OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE


80


*


6


87


* Plus 1 artificial person


TOTAL ARRESTS


217


12


230


ARRESTS BY AGES


11-15 years


12


0


12


16-20 years


32


0


32


21-25 years


29


0


29


26-30 years


19


1


20


31-35 years


11


3


14


36-40 years


11


0


11


41-45 years


5


0


5


46-50 years


4


0


4


51-55 years


4


0


4


56-60 years


4


1


5


66-70 years


1


0


1


76-80 years


1


0


1


81-85 years


2


0


2


Unknown


2


1


3


ARRESTS FOR LOCAL OFFENSES


137


6 143


118


ARRESTS FOR OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE


80


*


6


87


* Plus 1 artifical person


TOTAL ARRESTS


217


12


230


POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES


Chief


$ 3,851.74


Regular Men


29,812.66


Intermittent Men


16,459.27


Flashlight Batteries and Bulbs


48.78


Telephones


581.40


Auto Maintenance: Gas & Oil


1,892.28


Auto Maintenance: Repairs


1,079.38


Printing


51.32


Office Supplies


80.70


Traveling Expense


8.28


First Aid Supplies


2.88


Supplies


48.83


Office Expense


27.15


Equipment for Men


128.24


Photography


.54


Auto Hire


57.96


Membership Fees


13.00


Out-of-State Travel


52.65


Radio Maintenance


193.64


Ambulance Maintenance


277.78


Furniture and Fixtures


.95


Police Boat


7.85


Bicycle Registration


7.00


TOTAL EXPENDED


$54,684.28


Unexpended


$


238.72


APPROPRIATION ANNUAL TOWN MEETING


$54,923.00


Fines imposed in Fairhaven cases


$ 1,751.00


Fine money received by the town


$ 473.00


Phone calls, etc., January 1 to December 31, 1956


27,220


Complaints


2,975


Reports


3,239


Resident arrests


64


119


Non-resident arrests 79


Stolen property reported to the value of Stolen property recovered to the value of


$15,901.09 $14,623.25


Number of Motor Vehicle Injury accident reports filed with the police department in 1956 76


Number of Motor Vehicle Non-injury accident reports filed with police department under Section


1, Article IX, as amended, Traffic Rules and Regulations 53


Number of dead bodies found 3


Number of persons injured in motor vehicle accidents 136


Number of persons killed in motor vehicle accidents 3


Number of doors found unlocked or open 21


Number of windows found unlocked or open


8


Number of street lights reported out


463


Number of occasions when sections of the town were without street lights 1


Number of ambulance cases


266


Number of Motor Vehicle Sales and Transfers filed with the police department in 1956 :


Class 1 393


Class 2 540


Class 3 0


Individual 661


1,594


Mileage covered by ambulances in 1956 3,582


Number of children lost and returned to their homes


4


Number of traffic checkups


423


Number of above checkups which resulted in operator's licenses being recommended suspended or revoked 46


Number of operators' licenses and rights suspended or revoked 111


Number of motor vehicle registrations suspended or revoked 3


120


Dog Officer


I have made five investigations of dog disturbances; served one restraining order and made fifty calls on owners of unlicensed dogs. Five persons were brought into court for keeping unlicensed dogs.


Two dogs which had been hurt were taken to a veteri- narian.


At the present time there are 1367 licensed dogs in Fairhaven.


SAMUEL C. BARRETT


Dog Officer


121


Civil Defense


Meetings have been held during the past year and mem- bers of the Advisory Committee have been advised of meet- ings when the Director has needed the assistance of these eight men in matters of Civil Defense Finances.


Members of the Advisory Committee :


Louis Roggisart, 399 Main Street William Brennan, 74 Raymond Street John Gage, Jr., 79 Pilgrim Avenue Jose Urquiola, 39 Wilding Street Walter Silveira, 248 Green Street Albert E. Stanton, 141 New Boston Road


Charles W. Knowlton, 30 Elm Avenue Michael J. O'Leary, 89 Laurel Street


The year 1956 marked another 'First' in the steady pace of Civil Defense to insure the utmost protection for the people of the Town of Fairhaven.


The Boy Scouts of America, Troop #55, were accepted into our Area 2 Civil Defense Organization as the first com- pletely organized and trained Boy Scout Unit in the State. To quote Mr. Louis A. Saba, Area Director, "possibly the first in the Nation."


This unit, consisting of thirty-six boys and leaders, is thoroughly trained to take over and man a Civil Defense Shelter for twenty-four hours. This procedure includes the necessary Information, Communication (including radio mes- senger), Warden (Traffic Control), First Aid and Fire Pro- tection.


1956 proved very quiet as far as hurricanes were con- cerned. We used the breathing spell to further expand our First Aid Training and to complete our joint co-operation plan with the American Red Cross (New Bedford Chapter).


Our Ground Observer Corps Post on West Island was activated and was photographed for one of the sequences in


122


a new Ground Observer Corps Training film shortly to be released throughout the United States.


Our staff have continued the policy of this office, of quietly and efficiently adapting existing services and person- nel to best Civil Defense uses, whenever practical. The spirit of cooperation between the various Town Departments has been very gratifying to your Director and the willingness of Department Heads to serve as head of the comparable Civil Defense service gives us a very practical organization.


Our membership has shown a steady growth and we were complimented by the State Civil Defense Agency for our fine percentage average of population enrolled in Civil De- fense, as compared to other Towns and Cities of comparable size, in 1956.


The foresight of Civil Defense in purchasing an Auxil- iary Generator for the Town Hall, paid off on the last day of the year when a terrific storm hit this area. Our Auxil- iary generator supplied the necessary power to assist the Police Department and other offices within our Town govern- ment to maintain a normalcy in operation.


Once more, let me impress upon you that Civil Defense is Everybody's Business: and our slogan for this year, ALERT TODAY, ALIVE TOMORROW .-


In closing my report, may I give my personal thanks to all of those now serving in Civil Defense for your splendid cooperation, and a special invitation to those who are not now members of our Civil Defense organization to join with us as each in his own way has a very special place, and all of us required some training for the job we are now doing.


Special talent is not necessary, call WY 8-5107 for more information as to what you can do to help create a fine Civil Defense . Our office is located in the basement of the Town Hall. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are contribu- ting to your own safety and welfare.


Remember : CIVIL DEFENSE IS YOUR DEFENSE.


ARTHUR J. MULLEN


Civil Defense Director


123


FAIRHAVEN WATER COMPANY


Report of the Treasurer for the Year Ending December 31, 1955


FAIRHAVEN WATER COMPANY Comparative Balance Sheet - December 31, 1955


ASSETS


12-31-54


12-31-55


Cash-National Bank of Fairhaven


$7,564.88


$7,011.33


" -In Drawer


100.00


100.00


Accounts Receivable


48,984.38


52,071.77


Materials & Supplies Inventory


2,211.31


2,054.09


Land


11,202.70


11,202.70


Buildings


45,138.95


44,968.95


Standpipe


. 52,017.98


52,017.98


Pumping Plant Equipment


82,731.65


88,416.50


Trans. & Dist. Mains-


Pipe Account


143,579.26


147,555.06


Pipe Laying


157,953.66


160,849.39


Miscellaneous Equipment


10,842.87


10,842.87


Services


83,049.51


86,072.98


Hydrants


21,015.40


21,457.50


Office Equipment


2,205.83


2,205.83


Shop Equipment


7,763.12


7,456.76


Trucks and Autos


5,436.52


5,436.52


Insurance Prepaid


1,874.36


1,040.47


$683,672.38


$700,760.70


LIABILITIES


Notes Payable


$100,000.00 $100,000.00


Accounts Payable


2,240.07


1,701.94


Consumers' Deposits


200.00


124


Depreciation Interest Accrued Taxes Capital Stock Surplus


399,158.91


407,314.12


1,666.67


1,666.67


498.78


503.65


160,000.00


160,000.00


19,907.95


29,574.32


$683,672.38


$700,760.70


ANALYSIS OF SURPLUS


Surplus - 1-1-1955


$19,907.95


Dividend - 1955


4,800.00


$15,107.95


Gain - 1955


14,466.37


Surplus - 12-31-1955


$29,574.32


Operating Statement - Year Ending December 31, 1955


INCOME ACCOUNT


Metered Sales


$91,125.07


Hydrant Rentals


12,675.00


Jobbing and Merchandise


2,085.12


Other Water Rates


426.00


Miscellaneous


1,063.06


$107,374.25


OPERATING CHARGES


Salaries General Officers and Clerk


$8,594.84


Pumping Labor


9,285.91


Interest


4,000.00


Taxes


19,564.58


Insurance


3,391.15


125


MAINTENANCE


Water Supply Bldgs. and Fixtures $ 307.43


Ground Source of Water Supply


168.82


Pumping Equipment 1,405.43


Power Pumping Bldgs., Fixtures & Grounds 726.03


Misc. Trans. & Dist. Supplies & Exp.


813.40


Misc. Trans. & Dist. Mains 1,561.87


Services 17,407.78


Meters


3,304.99


Hydrants


637.48


General Structures


312.03


Misc. Pumping Station Supplies & Exp. 2,017.96


28,663.22


Uncollectible Revenue


173.72


Fuel Oil


4,303.65


General Office Supplies and Expense


1,047.98


Transportation Expense


2,402.89


Misc. General Expense


1,678.33


Water Purchased for Resale


1,646.40


Depreciation


8,155.21


92,907.88


GAIN


$14,466.37


126


SCHOOL REPORT


OF THE


TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN


MASSACHUSETTS


FAIRHA


OF


NM


TO


SS.


INCORPO


TOWN HALL


22 -1812.


TED


FEB


FOR THE


YEAR 1956


School Committee


Albert M. Gonsalves, 145 Washington St.


Terms Expire 1957


Waldo E. Haydon, 43 Hedge St. Chairman


1957


Clarence E. MaGuire, 39 Wilding St. 1958


Cecil H. Whittier, 68 Laurel St. 1958


Vice-Chairman


Clarence I. Bangs, 125 Laurel St. 1959


John T. Morgan, 10 Coggeshall St. 1959


Regular meetings are held in the Town Hall on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 P.M.


SECRETARY AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


Flavel M. Gifford, 37 William St. Office WY 3-1241 Residence WY 2-1355


OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT TOWN HALL WY 3-1241


Beatrice M. DeCoffe, 212 Main St.


Secretary


Grace M. Battistelli, 73 Main St. Clerk


The office of the Superintendent is open daily from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. except Saturdays when it is open in the forenoon only.


Personal appointments with the Superintendent may be made by calling the office.


SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Merrill F. Gardner, M.D., 50 Union St.


SCHOOL NURSE AND SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE Mrs. Louise F. Dennie, R.N., Spring St., Marion


128


School Calendar


1956-57


Weeks


Open


Close


Days


First Term


16


Wed., Sept. 5


Fri., Dec. 21


73


Second Term


7


Wed., Jan. 2


Fri., Feb. 15


33


Third Term


7


Mon., Feb. 25


Fri., Apr. 12 35


Fourth Term


9


Mon., Apr. 22


Wed., June 19


42


39


183


1957-58


Weeks


Open


Close


Days


First Term


16


Wed., Sept. 4


Fri., Dec. 20 74


Second Term


7


Thur., Jan. 2


Fri., Feb. 14


32


Third Term


7


Mon., Feb. 24


Fri., Apr. 11


34


Fourth Term


9


Mon., Apr. 21


Wed., June 18


42


39


182


There will be no school on the following days which occur during the scheduled terms of 1957:


May 30


Memorial Day


Oct. 25 Teachers' Convention


Nov. 11


Veterans Day


Nov. 28-29


Thanksgiving Recess from noon Nov. 27


NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL 22


7:00 a.m. Indicates no school for all day.


11:30 a.m. Indicates no afternoon session for grades 1 to 8.


Announcement will be made as early as possible on Radio Stations WBSM and WNBH.


It is the policy of the School Committee to order the no- school signal only in the most severe weather conditions or when the transportation service is interrupted. When school is held in inclement weather, parents are expected to use their own judgment in sending children to school.


·


129


Report of the School Committee


To the Citizens of Fairhaven :


The School Committee submits the following report on the year 1956.


MEETINGS


The School Committee has held 25 meetings during the year. Increased enrollment, building needs, and teacher shortage have continued to be the more knotty problems con- fronting the Committee. Business has been carried on in meetings open to the press and the public except when the nature of the subject required an executive or closed session.


ENROLLMENT


Grades 8-12 inclusive have reached such a size that the facilities at the High School are over-taxed. Since Septem- ber 1, 1956 the eighth grade has attended school at the High School Addition in the afternoon only. Usual hours of school attendance for grades 9-12 are continued as in the past, though some classes have to use inadequate facili- ties between the time the eighth grade classes begin and the close of school. The Committee regretted the necessity of handling the over-crowding in this manner and did so only after holding an open meeting with the parents and other interested townspeople to discuss possible solutions. Of necessity, similar schedules will continue at the high school until a junior high school, for which funds were voted by the town in December 1956, is put into operation, probably in September 1958.


The elementary schools continue to operate at near capacity enrollments. The problem of too large classes at the Rogers School where eight rooms are available for six grades, has been met in part by having a combination-grade class in addition to seven single-grade classes, but the capaci- ty of the building is becoming increasingly overtaxed. There are 39 pupils in the third grade in a single room with no classroom space for additional combination or double classes. The seventh grade, which normally would be at the Rogers School, has been at the Boys' Club since May 1955 under far from ideal conditions. All seventh grades will


130


eventually be in the new junior high school, but it is probable that the Boys' Club may need to be used to house other Rogers School classes until additional elementary school rooms are provided by the Town.


BUILDING NEEDS


As indicated above, we are getting along with inadequate facilities until 1) a junior high school has been constructed and 2) an addition of four rooms, all-purpose room and administrative facilities are provided at the Rogers School.


Thereafter, the building facilities will, on the basis of present forecasts, be adequate until 1961 by which time the Town should provide an addition to the junior high school to house the ninth grade.


The School Committee feels that the continued building of new homes throughout the town may indicate a trend which will require new schools at some time in the future. While the present plans will take care of the needs for an indefinite number of years, some thought should be given to long range planning. We recommend, therefore, that the town appoint a committee to study the desirability of acquiring one or more school sites and to report to a future town meeting.


TEACHER SHORTAGE


The shortage of teachers is not peculiar to Fairhaven. However, it may be intensified in this area by lack of at- traction for out-of-town teachers and the generally low salary schedules prevailing in the area. The economic prin- cíple of supply and demand makes teachers who can com- mand higher salaries unavailable to us unless we are willing to increase our teachers' salary schedule substantially above the level in this area. By law, the minimum salary for a teacher is $3000.00 which is the present minimum salary in Fairhaven for the holder of a Bachelor's degree. The Com- mittee has felt that the existing schedule is too low to main- tain an adequate teaching staff and has adopted a salary schedule effective September 1, 1957 providing for a mini- mum salary for holders of a Bachelor's degree of $3350.00 with corresponding adjustment of other salaries.


We have also endeavored to overcome the shortage of teachers through continued recruiting of local married form- er teachers who have been willing and able to carry on a teaching schedule in addition to their home-making duties.




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.