USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1957 > Part 5
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Police Department Personnel
Regular Personnel consists of Chief of Police, two ser- geants, six regular patrolmen (one regular position being covered by an intermittent officer) and one principal clerk. The number of intermittent officers was reduced by one resignation in 1957.
With the full-time police department personnel being ten men new industries coming into our town this year are reported to consist of First National Super Market, Brock- ton Public Market and shopping center of several stores, the reported People's Market, and talk of Sears Roebuck locating adjacent to the First National Super Market. I am certain that the regular personnel is too low in number to cope with the problems that will be presented. It will be a police problem as soon as construction is started with valuable equipment on the sites until occupancy by the concerns.
The traffic will be increased to a large degree and, without question, accidents will involve vehicles entering or leaving these new businesses. These businesses must be given protection during closed hours.
The serious crimes in Fairhaven are known to you readers. Many juveniles and teenagers living in our town have been involved. This session of Superior Court, holden in Taunton, has meted out to two youths sentences of 10 to 12 years in prison. Another youth received 5 years and a day and another will be sentenced February 17 for his crimes.
In matters of personnel I will use for an example Ware- ham with a population of 8,600 as compared to the Fairhaven population of 13,376. Wareham has 16 permanent men with six full-time and ten part-time men during the summer months.
Ambulance Service
The very nice ambulance is still providing comfort and thankful services to persons requiring its use and had cov- ered 8,254 miles to October 12, 1956 when it was badly dam-
101
aged at the entrance to St. Luke's Hospital with the late Clifton Hacker as patient. Repairs were made and a new speedometer was installed which shows a mileage of 12,314 miles making a total of 30,568 miles covered.
Department Patrol Cars
Two cars were delivered to the police department on May 16, 1957. Car #1, covering the thickly-settled area, shows 40,600 miles traveled. Car #3, which will be used in 1958, shows 15,387 miles traveled. Car #2, a 1956 car de- livered in June, 1956, shows 73,389 miles traveled.
Traffic Safety Education Program
This program was not carried on in the public and paro- chial schools in 1957, although this program is very worth- while with vehicular traffic greatly increased yearly.
Youth Guidance and Beneficial Training
This group project is still very active under the leader- ship of Regular Patrolman Theodore P. Wolan and his boys, numbering about 50. They are known as the North Fairhaven Junior Patrol. They have rented quarters and can use some very welcome finance and adult male help to put the build- ing in proper shape. Won't you help this group, please?
Intermittent Officer Manuel Duarte is still active with his group of larger boys, the North Fairhaven Silent Police. Some of these boys could be into other ways of amusement which might be troublesome were it not for the interest of their leader who also plans an active 1958 season for them. Finance and adult help and interest is needed for this group. Can we count on you readers for a hand, please ?
Appreciation
I take this means to express my appreciation first to the Board of Selectmen and, secondly, to the regular and intermittent men of the department. My appreciation goes, too, to the courts; the District Attorney and his staff; the School Superintendent, school faculty, and student body; other town departments; State Police and other police de- partments; the Registry of Motor Vehicles; the press; Radio Stations WNBH and WBSM; the business men ; and the pub- lic in general. Much police work would be extremely diffi- cult and some impossible without help from outside the de- partment.
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Conclusion
To the four improvement associations in Fairhaven namely, Fairhaven Improvement Association, East Fair- haven Improvement Association, North Fairhaven Improve- ment Association and the Sconticut Neck Improvement As- sociation I give my support and praise for the outstanding work done throughout the year. The work of these associa- tions tends to provide youth with dances, Hallowe'en parties, Christmas parties, field days, etc., and these are a great help in curbing the so-called delinquency. Keep up the good work and I can assure you that your police department will coop- erate and do our part as we have always tried to do.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN D. SHURTLEFF,
Chief of Police
OFFENSES
Males
Females
Totals
Assault and Battery
9
1
10
Assault on a Police Officer
1
0
1
Assault with Dangerous Weapon.
4
0
4
Attempt to Commit Larceny
1
0
1
Being a Delinquent Child
54
1
55
Being an Unlicensed Operator .
2
0
2
Breaking and Entering and
Larceny in the Daytime
1
0
1
Larceny in the Nighttime
10
0
10
Breaking and Entering in the
Daytime with Intent to Commit Larceny
1
0
1
Breaking and Entering in the
Nighttime with Intent to
Commit Larceny
1
0
1
Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit a Misdemeanor
2
0
2
Breaking Glass
1
0
1
Carrying a Dangerous Weapon
.
1
0
1
Destruction of Safe
2
0
2
Disturbing the Peace
5
1
6
Drunkeness
38
5
43
Entering in the Nighttime
1
0
1
Without Breaking
103
Breaking and Entering and
Males Females
Totals
False Alarm of Fire
1
0
1
Forgery
4
0
4
Fornication
2
2
4
Fraudulent Checks
1
0
1
Habitual Truant
1
0
1
Indecent Assault
1
0
1
Keeping Unlicensed Dog
1
1
2
Larceny
11
0
11
Larceny from a Building
4
0
4
Leaving Scene of Accident
After Injury to Person
1
0
1
Leaving Scene of Accident After Injury to Property
2
0
2
Lewdness
2
1
3
Neglect of Family
1
0
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle after License was Revoked
1
0
1
Operating a Motor Vehicle so as to Endanger
4
0
4
Operating a Motor Vehicle
While Under the Influence
10
1
11
Operating a Motor Vehicle
without having a Certificate of
Registration in Possession ...
2
0
2
Operating a Motor Vehicle without having an Operator's license in Possession
1
0
1
Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle
1
0
1
Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle
1
0
1
Possession of Burglarious Instruments
1
0
1
Possession of Lottery Slips
2
0
2
Promoting a Lottery
2
0
2
Receiving Stolen Property
1
0
1
School Bus Law Violations
1
2
3
Shellfish Law Violations
3
0
3
Speeding
11
0
11
Statutory Rape
1
0
1
Stubbornness
0
1
1
Threatening Bodily Harm
2
0
2
104
of Intoxicating Liquor .
Males Females Total
Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle after Revocation of License .. Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle
1
0
1
1
0
1
Unnatural Act
1
0
1
Vagrancy
1
0
1
Wilful Injury to Real Property
1
0
1
TOTAL LOCAL OFFENSES
215
16
231
OFFENSES IN ARRESTS
FOR OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE
79
4
83
TOTAL OFFENSES
294
20
314
DISPOSITIONS OF LOCAL CASES
Fined
34
3
37
Filed
38
3
41
Fined-Suspended
2
0
2
Continued
27
0
27
Massachusetts Correctional Institution
7
0
7
Nolle Prossed
1
0
1
Not Guilty
8
1
9
Dismissed
22
3
25
House of Correction-Suspended
8
1
9
Probation
5
0
5
No Probable Cause
2
0
2
Middlesex Training School
1
0
1
No Bill
1
0
1
Grand Jury
13
0
13
Appealed
0
2
2
House of Correction
4
0
4
Youth Service Board-Suspended
24
0
24
Released Without Arraignment .
17
3
20
State Farm
2
0
2
215
16
231
ARRESTS BY MONTHS
January
10
1
11
February
11
0
11
March
16
2
18
April
7
2
9
May
11
2
13
105
Males
Females
Totals
June
9
0
9
July
9
2
11
August
11
2
13
September
15
0
15
October
8
2
10
November
17
0
17
December
9
0
9
ARRESTS FOR
LOCAL OFFENSES
133
13
146
ARRESTS FOR
OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE
65
4
69
TOTAL ARRESTS
198
17
215
ARRESTS BY AGES
11-15 years
15
0
15
16-20 years
36
3
39
21-25 years
19
0
19
26-30 years
8
2
10
31-35 years
16
4
20
36-40 years
17
0
17
41-45 years
8
1
9
46-50 years
1
1
2
51-55 years
4
1
5
56-60 years
5
0
5
61-65 years
4
0
4
71-75 years
0
1
1
ARRESTS FOR LOCAL OFFENSES
133
13
146
ARRESTS FOR
OUT-OF-TOWN POLICE
65
4
69
TOTAL ARRESTS
198
17
215
POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPENDITURES
Chief Norman D. Shurtleff
$ 4,017.38
Regular Men
30,999.68
Intermittent Men
18,848.45
Flashlight Batteries and Bulbs
76.57
Telephones
538.54
Autos: Gas & Oil
1,994.56
106
Autos : Repairs
1,178.13
Printing
229.01
Office Supplies 134.25
Physicians and Hospitals
213.15
Traveling Expense
16.45
First Aid Supplies
14.42
Supplies
72.23
Office Expense
68.90
Equipment for Men
120.04
Photography
8.00
Auto Hire
192.01
Membership Fees
13.00
Out-of-State Travel
52.40
Radio Maintenance
201.16
Ambulance Maintenance
291.90
Police Boat and Trailer
5.49
Bicycle Registration
54.32
Advertising
11.39
TOTAL EXPENDED
$59,351.43
Unexpended
$ 1.81
APPROPRIATION ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
$59,353.24
Fines imposed in Fairhaven cases
$ 1,330.00
Fine money received by the Town
$ 1,049.00
Telephone calls, etc. Jan. 1- Dec. 31, 1957
36,936
Complaints
3,247
Reports
3,629
Resident arrests (88 males-8 females)
96
Non-resident arrests . . (45 males-5 females)
50
Stolen property reported to the value of
$25,781.19
Stolen property recovered to the value of
$27,643.28
Number of Motor Vehicle Injury accident reports filed with police department in 1957 . . 90
Number of non-injury accident reports filed under Section 1, Article 1A, Traffic Rules and Regulations as amended 49
Number of dead bodies found 12
Number of persons injured in motor vehicle accidents 163
107
Number of persons killed in motor vehicle accidents 1
Number of doors found unlocked or open 43
Number of windows found unlocked or open 10
Number of street lights reported out
413
Number of ambulance cases
294
Number of Motor Vehicle Sales and Transfers
filed with the police department in 1957:
Class 1 310
Class 2 422
Class 3 0
Individual 591
1,323
Mileage covered by ambulance in 1957
3,821
Number of children lost and returned to their homes 9
Number of traffic checkups 551
Number of above checkups which resulted in operators' license or rights
being recommended suspended or revoked .. 49
Number of operators' license and rights suspended or revoked 114
Number of motor vehicle registrations suspended or revoked 20
108
SCHOOL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN
MASSACHUSETTS
FAIRHA
OF
N
NMOL
M
ASS,
INCORPOR P
TOWN HALL
R
22-1812.
ED
FEB
FOR THE
YEAR 1957
School Committee
Terms Expire
Cecil H. Whittier, 68 Laurel St.
1958
Clarence E. MaGuire, 39 Wilding St.
1958
Clarence I. Bangs, 125 Laurel St. Chairman
1959
John T. Morgan, 10 Coggeshall St. 1959
Albert M. Gonsalves, 145 Washington St.
1960
Vice Chairman
Waldo E Haydon, 43 Hedge St. 1960
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
110
School Calendar
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
1958-59
Weeks
Open
Close
Days
First Term
16
Wed., Sept. 3
Fri., Dec. 19 73
Second Term 8
Mon., Dec. 29
Fri., Feb. 20
39
Third Term
7 Mon., Mar. 2
Fri., Apr. 17 34
Fourth Term
8
Mon., Apr. 27
Wed., June 17 38
39
184
There will be no school on the following days which oc- cur during the scheduled terms of 1958 :
April 4 Good Friday
May 30 Memorial Day
Oct. ยท 13
Columbus Day
Oct. 31 Teachers' Convention
Nov. 11
Veterans Day
Nov. 27-28 Thanksgiving Recess from noon Nov. 26
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.
111
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
MEETINGS
The Committee has held 26 meetings averaging three hours each during the year at which the public and press were welcome, except when the Committee met in executive session. One or more members of the Committee have met at other times with groups of townspeople, P.T.A.'s and school staff on special problems. Within the limits of time permit- ted by their personal affairs, members welcome the oppor- tunity to discuss school problems with individuals or groups.
ENROLLMENT
As of October 1, 1957, the public schools had 2387 pupils, an increase of 82 in one year, 160 in two years and 267 in three years. Enrollment projections indicate that the trend will continue and that the High School will soon be over- crowded even with the eighth grade transferred to the new Junior High School. The Committee has, therefore, felt obliged to notify Mattapoisett that their pupils could not be accommodated after June 1960.
BUILDING NEEDS
With this restriction and the additional facilities now being built our plant will be adequate until 1961, by which time enrollment trends indicate an addition to the Junior High School to house the ninth grade should be made avail- able.
We repeat last year's recommendation that the town ap- point a committee to study population trends and report on the desirability of acquiring additional school sites. The Planning Board may be the appropriate agency to make such a study.
TEACHER SHORTAGE
Teachers continue to be in short supply. As of September 1957, the legal minimum salary for teachers became $3300.00, $50.00 less than the minimum in the salary schedule adopted
112
by this committee in December 1956 to become effective in September 1957. The Committee adopted in December 1957 a basic teacher salary schedule to become effective in Sep- tember 1958 providing for a minimum salary for holders of a Bachelor's Degree of $3400.00 with corresponding adjust- ments in other salary steps to reach a maximum base pay of $4900,00. The median maximum for 29 towns of similar size in Massachusetts was $5000.00 in October 1957.
It is imperative that we maintain a salary schedule that is competitive in the area if we are going to secure and main- tain a competent staff. The Committee has given preliminary thought to merit raises and incentive raises for teachers who take courses to improve their teaching.
COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES
We have consistently spent less per pupil than the aver- age cost in the state at large or in Group II, the towns with populations of 5000 or more. The most recent reports show the following average cost for the year 1956-57 for support which includes transportation but not capital outlays or general control :
Grades
Fairhaven
Group II
State
Elementary 1-8
214.65
234.22
241.01
High School 9-12
250.75
357.58
364.47
The large difference found in the High School figures is due principally to our higher than average enrollment per teacher and our lower than average salaries.
1957 APPROPRIATIONS AND COURT ACTION
Because the town appropriated less than the Committee budget in 1957, teachers have been paid at the rate of $175.00 less per annum than the salary schedule since September 1957 and the budget was revised in other respects to keep within the available funds. Though the action brought by taxable inhabitants against the town to compel the town to provide the full budget was decided in the petitioners' favor in late December by the trial court, no action will be possible by the School Committee to pay the deficits, pending a final decree in the case.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS 1957
Fire doors and smoke screens were installed in the High School and fire escapes erected at either end of the building pursuant to the recommendation of the Department of Public Safety.
113
It is regrettable that the fire escapes are not objects of beauty, or less conspicuous, but their functional utility for the purpose intended is undeniable.
A special committee authorized at the 1957 town meeting will report on High School heating.
Rogers School gutters, flashings and drains have been replaced, but the appropriation was inadequate to permit scrub coating and other repairs.
TRANSPORTATION
Formerly pupils on Weeden Road were transported to East Fairhaven School while those living a greater distance to the east of the school are not. Buses were so crowded last September that after some vacillation, the Committee determined to transport on existing bus service only pupils in grades one to three living on and to the west of Weeden Road, and required that the Weeden Road pupils walk to Washington Street and be picked up by the buses there. It must be recognized that this policy has some inconsistencies and discriminations. In general the policy of the Committee is to furnish transportation for pupils living one and one- half miles from a school. The exception at East Fairhaven has been made because of the hazardous conditions along Washington Street. Any further extension will be possible only if sufficient transportation funds are appropriated by the town meeting.
THE SUPERINTENDENCY
As of June 30, 1957, our superintendency union with Mattapoisett was terminated, and Mr. Flavel M. Gifford con- tinued as superintendent of our schools on a full time basis. We are sorry to report that he submitted his resignation in November to take effect not later than June 30, 1958. He has served the town and its children long and faithfully and the committee will miss his careful attention to the problems of his office, thorough preparation for each committee meeting and unselfish devotion to his job.
With the increased enrollment, and attendant problems of space, lunchrooms, transportation, discipline and build- ing problems and two building committees requiring his at- tendance during most recent years, in addition to regular and special meetings of this committee, he had spent an average of 50 hours weekly upon his duties, and taken only a two-week vacation annually. Evening meetings have aver- aged twice weekly for him.
114
The Committee repeats the recommendation of last year that an administrative assistant is required in our system to permit more time for more educational supervision. To overburden the superintendent with business details is to waste his talents as an educator. The 1958 school budget contains provision for hiring such an assistant.
CONCLUSION
Your attention is called to the report of the Superin- tendent of Schools and to other reports included herewith as part of the report of the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE I. BANGS, Chairman
ALBERT M. GONSALVES, Vice-Chairman
WALDO E. HAYDON
JOHN T. MORGAN
CECIL H. WHITTIER
CLARENCE E. MaGUIRE
School Committee
115
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the Fairhaven School Committee:
I submit herewith my nineteenth annual report as Super- intendent of Schools.
ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
1953-54
1954-55
1955-56
1956-57
Average Membership
1967
2103
2220
2276
Percent of Attendance
94.79
93.11
94.34
95.07
Further information concerning enrollment by school, grade, and age may be found in the accompanying tables.
TEACHER CHANGES
Name
Began
Left
Memo Was on Leave
Alice P. Mackenzie
Sept. 1943
June 1957
To New Bedford
George M. Cook
Sept. 1950
March 1957
To Professional Tennis
Patricia A. Auger
Sept. 1952
June 1957
To Danvers
Marianne A. Kennedy
Sept. 1952
June 1957
To Bourne
Alipio C. Bartholo
Sept. 1953
Oct. 1957
Katherine A. McKnight
Sept. 1953
June 1957
To Study
Barbara L. Hooper
Sept. 1953
June 1957
To Beverly
Wilma F. Baker
Sept. 1954
June 1957
Elizabeth Acheson
Sept. 1955
June 1957
G. Ralph Desjardins
Sept. 1955
June 1957
To Dartmouth Was on Leave
Mary P. Brennan
Sept. 1955
June 1956
Richard D. Hatton
Sept. 1956
June 1957
Ruth P. Covill
Nov. 1956
June 1957
Truly Bacas
Sept. 1956
June 1957
June P. Wenzel
Sept. 1956
June 1957
To Japan
Harriett C. Woodward
Sept. 1957
Sept. 1957
Marilyn F. Kollmeyer
Sept. 1957
Dec. 1957
Leave of Absence
Grace L. Downing
Sept. 1939
Nov. 1956
The source of new teachers has become almost entirely the local area. No longer is the teacher a transient who seeks room and board but, in practically every instance, is a resident of Fairhaven or of a neighboring community. Of the 16 new teachers this year, ten were beginners and only
116
six had taught previously. Three positions have been filled by teachers without state certificates, but teachers who may qualify soon. One position, that of special reading teacher, has not yet been filled.
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOLS
We are continuing the same organization and with the same difficulties as last year with many crowded classrooms and with the eighth grade attending afternoons only. The Junior High School and the addition to the Rogers School are both scheduled to be ready for the opening of school in September 1958. The schools will be then on a 6-2-4 plan with room enough to provide for a considerable improvement in the educational system.
You will note in the report of the High School Principal that many teachers are overloaded with large classes. This situation should be relieved by adding two teachers to his staff. Several other additional teachers will be required for the Junior High School and the elementary grades.
ORGANIZATION OF SUPERVISION
During the past few years the superintendent's time has been more and more taken up with duties which could not be delegated to others because there were no others to whom delegation could be made. This situation has, to too large an extent, kept him away from the principal purpose of his office. It is fortunate for the town that we have a fine staff of teachers and a capable and experienced staff of principals. Even so, in a town of this size, a new organization is neces- sary to provide the proper supervision and improvement of instruction.
DRIVER EDUCATION
The driver education program was extended late this year by using the services of Mr. Grace in addition to continu- ing with those of Mr. Boyce. Each September for several years the Motor Sales Company has furnished us with a new car and has taken it back in June for the purchase price of one dollar. During the year 36 drivers were licensed and 41 others were certified so that they or their parents could obtain the benefits of lower insurance rates. The course is now limited to Seniors but could be extended to others, if more time for instruction could be arranged.
117
MAINTENANCE
The maintenance men under the foremanship of Mr. Robinson have taken care of a great many repairs during the year. Among the more important items are the following :
Painted all exterior trim at Oxford
Resurfaced east roof at East Fairhaven Made and installed screens at Anthony Refinished gym floor at High School
Painted all classrooms at Oxford Repaired cement wall at Tripp
General work in all schools included repair, cleaning, and painting of gutters, repairs to doors, locks, door checks, win- dows, roofs and furniture. The maintenance men have also been used as substitutes for custodians when necessary.
The work involved in maintaining our oil burner equip- ment has been done by local plumbers. It has become so extensive that the Committee might well consider placing the care of all of them under a single contract with one person to be called day or night in case of emergency.
The largest items done by outside contractors this year have been the repair of the Rogers School roof and the reno- vation of the boys' toilet in the High School.
CONCLUSION
I am including herewith the reports of the High School Principal and the School Nurse and a number of statistical reports of general interest.
The cooperation of members of this and previous school committees since my coming here in 1939 has been greatly appreciated. My appreciation extends also to the many mem- bers of the building committees with whom I have worked and to the many teachers and principals whose united effort has maintained a fine school system.
Respectfully submitted, FLAVEL M. GIFFORD Superintendent of Schools
118
Report of the High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I present my twentieth annual report as Principal of the Fairhaven High School.
CLASS OF 1957
On June 12, 1957 Mr. Clarence I. Bangs, Chairman of the School Committee, presented diplomas to 134 seniors. Of these about 40 per cent are continuing their education. Thirty-one have gone to four-year colleges, seven to junior colleges, eleven to business schools, and seven to nursing schools. Forty-six are employed, twenty are in the Armed Services, six are at home, and from six we have no report at this time.
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