USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1947 > Part 4
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57.00
Cabin 1.00
Sausage 10.00
Common Victualler's 45.00
Auctioneers 2.00
Dance Permits 6.00
Advertising Costs
7.97
$2,011.15
73
ANNUAL REPORT
Town Clerk:
Dog Licenses
762.60
Court Fines
245.60
Sale of Town Car
650.00
Land Court Fee Returned
4.00
Dighton Electric Light District Adjustment
2.50
Tax Title Redemption Fees
5.00
Tax Title Redemption
23.57
Tax Possession Sale
1,500.00
Federal Withholding Tax
13,309.59
Bristol County Retirement Fund
309.96
U. S. Grants:
Aid to Dependent Children
704.01
Aid to Dependent
Children Ad-
ministration 51.78
Old Age Assist-
ance
11,780.13
Old Age Assist-
ance Adminis-
tration
618.73
Geo. Barden Fund
100.00
13,254.65
$396,262.27
Expenditures for 1947
Departmental:
General Government ---
Selectmen's Department:
Salaries
$1,762.13
Printing and
Postage
45.46
74
ANNUAL REPORT
Travel and
Expenses 23.73
Association
Dues
6.00
$1,837.32
Auditing Department:
Salary
500.04
Office Supplies 20.10
520.14
Treasury Department:
Salary
850.08
Printing, Station-
ery, Postage 65.00
Association Dues
1.00
916.08
Collector's Department:
Salary
1,050.00
Printing, Station-
ery, Postage
285.89
Surety Bond
110.25
Deputy Collec-
tor's Bond 5.00
Association Dues 1.00
Office Rental 75.00
Deputy Collector's Fees 11.00
Miscellaneous
Expenses 24.00
1,562.14
Assessor's Department: Salaries of
Assessors 1,799.88
Salary of Clerk 602.01 Transportation 99.25
75
ANNUAL REPORT
Printing, Station-
ery, Postage 113.94
New Office Lights 48.50
Association Dues 6.00 Miscellaneous
Expense
12.70
2,682.28
Town Clerk's Department:
Salary
433.22
Surety Bond, Ass't. Town Clerk 9.70
Printing, Station-
ery, Postage
88.13
Recording Fees
3.55
Association Dues
3.00
537.60
Election Department:
Registrars
530.00
Election Officers
72.00
602.00
Town Office Department: Insurance on Pub- lic Property 3,750.99
Telephone
44.21
Printing, Station-
ery, Postage
127.37
3,922.57
Other General Government: Printing Town Reports and Tax Lists 489.60 Advertising Costs 27.26 Salary Moderator 20.00
76
ANNUAL REPORT
Check Valve-
Water Dept. 187.75
Hydrant Connec- tion-Water Dept. 12.50
Legal Fees 225.10
Two Typewriters 261.64
Miscellaneous
Expense 19.55
Tree Warden,
Salary 35.00
1,278.40
Total General Government $13,858.53
Protection of Persons and Property:
Police Department:
Salary of Chief 499.92
Wages of Officers
371.00
Mileage
300.00
Telephone
87.20
Postage
9.95
Dog License
Notices
39.79
Supplies
8.50
Miscellaneous
Expenses 44.19
1,360.55
Police Department Special:
Wages
15,519.40
Fire Department:
Wages 1,294.75
Janitor
110.00
Supplies
123.95
Repairs
444.49
77
ANNUAL REPORT
Hose
1,049.18
Gasoline
120.23
Fuel
44.30
Light
12.00
Rent
182.50
Repairs, Fire
House
18.65
Telephone
123.94
Association Dues 3.00
Miscellaneous
Expense 19.00
3,545.99
Purchase of Land and Buildings, South Dighton Fire Department 2,500.00
Fire Department Special:
Wages
672.00
Gypsy Moth Department:
Wages
148.50
Materials 16.25
Spraying Cost 570.00
734.75
Total Protection of Persons and
Property $24,332.69
Health and Sanitation:
Mosquito Control:
State Reclamation Board
$125.00
Board of Health Department: Administration
Salaries $399.84
Nurses' Salary 1,206.24
Telephone
44.80
Ambulance, Repairs
and Supplies
111.64
78
ANNUAL REPORT
Hospital Care
73.50
Medicine and Medi- cal Attention 17.67
Clothing 31.18
Tuberculosis:
Board and
Treatment 972.00
Vital Statistics:
Births 185.25
Deaths
43.00
Marriages
41.00
Affidavits
11.00
Inspector of Milk 249.96
Inspector of Ani-
mals (2 yrs.) 350.00
Sealer of Weights & Measures
(2 yrs.) 200.00
Water Delivery 556.45
Playground Rental 35.00
Association Dues
and Magazine 7.00
Miscellaneous
Expense
13.44
4,548.97
Total Health and Sanitation
4,673.97
Highways and Bridges:
Superintendent Salary 240.00
Wages
1,474.37
Truck and Bull-
dozer Hire 40.00
Stone, Gravel,
etc.
295.01
79
ANNUAL REPORT
Equipment and
Repairs 145.98
Tree Warden 1946 35.00
Snow and Ice Removal 1,328.00
Traffic Lamps
36.00
3,594.36
Dighton-Berkley Bridge:
Wages 840.00
Electric Power 12.00
852.00
Street Department-Chapter 81:
Wages
5,202.67
Materials 5,189.83
Truck, Roller,
Tractor, etc.,
Hire
6,857.50
17,250.00
Street Department-Chapter 90:
Wages
551.46
Truck and Ma-
chinery Hire 327.50
Materials
621.04
1,500.00
Street Department-Chapter 90: Construction: Paid to Con-
tractor
23,040.90
Materials
179.02
Advertising Cost
for Bids ®
20.08
23,240.00
1
80
ANNUAL REPORT
Land Taking on Williams St .:
Legal Fees
57.66
Other Costs 10.00
67.66
Total Streets and Bridges
$46,504.02
Charities and Soldiers Benefits: Old Age Assistance:
Direct Aid $27,729.49
Outside Relief 215.70
$27,945.19
Old Age Administration:
Wages 255.00
Aid to Dependent Children:
Direct Aid
1,296.70
Soldiers' Relief:
Aid 962.70
Medical Attention
8.25
970.95
General Relief Administration:
Administration
Salaries 399.96
Social Worker 765.00
Clerk 1,172.14
Stationery and
Postage 122.61
Telephone 118.61
Mileage 14.28
2,592.60
Taunton Greyhound Association: Christmas Donation 510.00
Public Welfare Department: Groceries and
Provisions 62.46
Board and Care 644.53
81
ANNUAL REPORT
Medicine and Medical At- tendance
56.20
Rent
24.00
Office Supplies 8.07
Association Dues 5.00
Child Guardian-
ship 425.00
Cash Payments 1,488.28
Clothing
38.94
Outside Relief:
Various Cities 864.63
Various Towns 25.41
3,642.52
Total Charities and Soldiers' Benefits
$37,212.96
Schools and Libraries:
School Department:
For Classification, See
School Report
$108,713.90
School Water Supply:
Power
$215.70
Services 684.95
Supplies
34.74
935.39
U. S. Grants:
George Deen Funds: Salaries 40.00
Public Library:
Salary-
Librarian
450.00
82 ANNUAL REPORT
Salary ---
Librarian
Assistant
28.50
Janitor Service 180.00
Books and
Periodicals
435.83
Fuel
77.58
Light
20.95
Building Repairs 176.20
Janitor's Supplies
3.19
Stationery
19.10
Water
6.00
1,397.35
Library Oil Burner Acct .:
Cost of Oil Burner 290.00
Total, Schools and Libraries 111,376.64
Miscellaneous and Unclassified:
Gravel Bank Purchase 500.00
Town Cemetery Account: Wages 36.80
Memorial Day Observance:
Flowers
60.00
Flags
11.70
71.70
Land Purchase and Legal Costs
for New South School:
Surveying 18.00
Dighton Electric Light
District:
Tax Possession Sale
.
29.72
Total Miscellaneous
656.22
83
ANNUAL REPORT
Interest and Maturing Debt:
Interest:
High School
Bonds 600.00
High School
Notes
140.63
740.63
Bond and Note Payments:
High School
Bonds 4,000.00
High School
Notes
2,500.00
6,500.00
Total Interest and Maturing Debt
7,240.63
Tax Title Redemption Costs:
Fees and Costs 103.68
Agency, Trust and Refunds:
State:
State Taxes 2,750.00
State Parks 142.51
Auditing
Accounts
495.88 3,388.39
County:
County Tax 7,184.27
T.B. Hospital
Assessment 4,773.88
Dog Licenses
762.60
12,720.75
84
ANNUAL REPORT
1
Federal Taxes:
Withheld from Wages 12,990.13
Bristol Co. Retirement Fund: Withheld from Wages 232.09
Trust Funds:
Cemetery P.C.
Funds 274.00
Hon. Chas. S.
Chase Fund
20.10
294.10
Refunds:
Poll Tax 2.00
Real Estate Tax 96.25
Motor Vehicle
Excise Tax 27.69
Dighton Elec. Light
Dist. Tax 2.50
128.44
Total, Agency Trust and Refunds 29,753.90
Total Expenditures 275,713.24
Cash Balance, December 31, 1947 120,549.03
$396,262.27
Departmental Statement
General Government:
Appropriation $12,436.90
Transfer from
School Dept. 105.00
Reserve Account 1,400.00
Total 13,941.90
Expenditures 13,858.53
Balance $83.37
85
ANNUAL REPORT
Police Department:
Appropriation
1,350.00
Reserve Account 10.55
Total
1,360.55
Expenditures
1,360.55
Balance
None
Fire Department:
Appropriation
2,997.50
Reserve Account 548.49
Total
3,545.99
Expenditures
3,545.99
Balance
None
New Fire Truck Account:
Appropriation
100.00
Expenditures
None
Balance
100.00
Gypsy Moths:
Appropriation
750.00
Expenditures 734.75
Balance
15.25
Board of Health:
Appropriation 5,336.24
Expenditures 4,548.97
Balance
787.27
Mosquito Control:
Appropriation 125.00
Expenditures 125.00
Balance
None
Street Department:
Appropriation
3,100.00
86
ANNUAL REPORT
Reserve Account
500.00
Total
3,600.00
Expenditures 3,594.36
Balance
5.64
Street Dept .- Chapter 81 :
Appropriation 6,900.00
Due from State 10,350.00
Total 17,250.00
Expenditures 17,250.00
Balance
Street Dept .- Chapter 90:
Appropriation 500.00
Due from County 500.00
Due from State
500.00
Total 1,500.00
Expenditures 1,500.00
Balance
None
Dighton-Berkley Bridge:
Appropriation 900.00
Expenditures 852.00
Balance
48.00
Land Taking-Williams Street:
Appropriation 200.00
Expenditures 67.66
Balance 132.34
Welfare Department:
Appropriation 5,000.00
Expenditures
3,642.52
Balance 1,357.48
1
None
ANNUAL REPORT 87
Aid to Dependent Children:
Appropriation
1,000.00
U. S. Grant 803.33
Total 1,803.33
Expenditures 1,296.70
Balance in-
cluding U.S.
Grant
(506.63)
Balance,
Town Ap-
propriation 330.90
Old Age Assistance:
Appropriation 16,000.00
Reserve Account 165.06
U. S. Grant 11,780.13
Total
27,945.19
Expenditures 27,945.19
Balance
None
Soldiers' Relief:
Appropriation
700.00
Reserve Account 400.00
Total
1,100.00
Expenditures 970.95
Balance
129.05
General Relief Administration:
Appropriation 2,734.68
Expenditures 2,592.60
Balance 142.08
88
ANNUAL REPORT
World War 2:
Appropriation
100.00
Expenditures None
Balance 100.00
School Department:
Appropriation 108,242.40
Dog Fund 582.39
Total 108,824.79
Expenditures 108,818.90
Balance
5.89
School Water Supply:
Appropriation 1,000.00
Expenditures 935.39
Balance
64.61
Public Library:
Appropriation 1,400.00
Expenditures 1,397.35
Balance
2.65
Library Oil Burner Account:
Appropriation 350.00
Expenditures 290.00
Balance 60.00
Fees and Costs, Tax Title Redemptions:
Appropriation 200.00
Expenditures 103.68
Balance
96.32
Memorial Day:
Appropriation
100.00
Expenditures 71.70
Balance 28.30
89
ANNUAL REPORT
Land Purchase, Fire House Construction:
Appropriation 1.00
Expenditures None
Balance 1.00
Gravel Bank Purchase:
Appropriation
500.00
Expenditures
500.00
Balance
None
Purchase of Land and
Buildings for South Dighton Fire Department:
Appropriation
2,500.00
Expenditures
2,500.00
Balance
Interest-H. S. Bonds and Notes:
Appropriation
740.63
Expenditures
740.63
Balance
H. S. Bond Retirement:
Appropriation
4,000.00
Expenditures
4,000.00
Balance
H. S. Notes-Payment:
Appropriation
2,500.00
Expenditures
2,500.00
Balance
None
Reserve Account:
Appropriation 5,000.00
To General
Govt.
1,400.00
None
None
None
90
ANNUAL REPORT
To Street Dept. 500.00
To Fire Dept.
548.49
To Old Age
Assistance 165.06
To Police Dept.
10.55
To Soldiers'
Relief
400.00
Balance
1,975.90
Total Appropriation
Balances
5,466.05
Revenue Receipts over the Assessor's Estimate 8,560.57
To Surplus Revenue Account
for the Year 1947 14,026.62
I certify, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that the reports contained herein are correct. All pay- ments to the Treasurer have been properly warranted, and all receipts have been recorded. The Tax Collector's report as published is correct. Abatements have been examined and were found to be in accordance with those granted by the Board of Assessors. The Tax Titles taken by the Collector are in order. Cash and Securities of the Trust Funds have been verified, all income accounted for, and all payments warranted.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY Auditor.
TOWN OF DIGHTON BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1947 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
Assets
Liabilities and Reserves
Cash
$120,549.03
Liabilities:
Accounts Receivable:
State Taxes and Assessments
$52.65
1946 Real Estate Taxes
$903.34
County Taxes
4,274.78
1946 Personal Taxes
3.81
U. S. Grants:
A.D.C. Administration $131.24
Old Age Administration 494.86
Aid to Dependent Children
175.73
George Deen Funds
2.04
1947 Motor Vehicle Taxes
469.89
Tax Possesions
1,156.16
903.87
Tax Titles
421.98
Chapter 90-Construction
875.32
Departmental:
High School Construction
Public Welfare
60.00
Chapter 44-Sec. 20
1,754.75
Old Age Assistance
437.77
Town Cemetery Account
17.00
Aid to Dependent Children
111.47
Tax Possession Revenue
1,156.16
School Department
6,308.47
Sale of Real Estate Fund Witherell Bequest Fund
333.05
Dighton-Berkley Bridge
3.60
Fire Department
37.50
6,958.81
and Install Equipment Land Purchase for New Elemen- tary School 3,382.00
2,440.86
Remodel and Repair Fire House
9,500.00
1947 Real Estate Taxes
6,282.37
1947 Personal Taxes
790.88
7,980.40
George Barden Funds
100.00
Highway Revenue Cemetery P. C. Fund 1948 Revenue
11,350.00
12.30
300.00
Expenses of New Elementary
School Planning Committee 300.00
Withholding Tax-December, 1947
1,253.10
County Retirement Fund- December, 1947
77.87
Reserves:
Overlay, Reserved for Abate- ment of Taxes:
Levy of 1946
605.96
Levy of 1947
1,801.76
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
16,204.41
Revenue Reserved until Collected
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Revenue
469.89
Tax Title Revenue
421.98
Departmental
6,958.81
Excess and Deficiency : Surplus Revenue
7,850.68
96,414.35
$149,198.57
$149,198.57
2,407.72
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded Debt
$30,000.00 High School Construction Bonds High School Addition Notes
$20,000.00 10,000.00
$30,000.00
$30,000.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities
$13,989.49 Cemetery P. C. Funds
$7,944.45
Joshua Bliss Cemetery Fund
5,035.04
Hon. Charles S. Chase Fund
1,010.00
$13,989.49
$13.989.49
94
ANNUAL REPORT
JURORS DRAWN DURING 1947
January 8-
Victor Repoza, School Lane, Mill Worker
Joseph Corey, Sr., Tremont St., Textile Worker
Lester Ball, Main St., Bank Teller
February 5-
Elliot W. Hathaway, Centre St., Farmer
February 18-
Jule A. Ludovicz, Wellington St., Sheet Metal Worker
March 10-
E. Austin Wheeler, Walker St., Steam Fitter
April 2-
Paul S. Horton, Williams St., Carpenter
April 9-
Ernest H. Atwood, Somerset Ave., Millwright May 7-
John P. Pacheco, Middle St., Truck Driver August 6-
Richard DeMello, Elm St., Electrician
Edward O'Connell, Summer St., Truck Foreman October 9-
Burton F. Simmons, Main St., Watchman November 6-
Russell M. Conn, Summer St., Textile Machine Operator
December 11-
Randall W. Hopkins, Somerset Ave., Nursery Man Harry F. Willis, Forest St., Maintenance Man
December 18-
Harold M. Mendoza, Main St., Mill Operator
95
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Board of Public Welfare
To the Citizens of Dighton:
The Welfare Appropriations for the year 1947 was $5,000 and expenditures amounted to $3,642.52, leav- ing a balance of $1,357.48. Expenditures were $326.71 greater than 1946, which was due to increase in persons aided. During the year, 7 cases, representing 12 persons participated in Temporary Aid, and in addition, out-of- town residents, whose legal settlement is in this town, for whom Dighton is financially responsible.
Old Age Assistance granted aid to 55 cases. The Town Appropriation was $16,000 plus $165.06 trans- ferred from Reserve Account, and U. S. Grants in the amount of $11,780.13, making total available funds in the amount of $27,945.19. There was no balance in this account. Total expenditures were $1,736.69 in excess of 1946. Although there has been only a slight variation in case load for this category of relief, it is observed that greater expense involved is attributed to the many cases receiving medical and convalescent care. Budgets were increased in accordance with the revised State Standards, effective as of September 1st, which increased expenditures by $433.20.
In the Aid to Dependent Children category, 3 cases representing 8 dependent children received relief. The Town Appropriation was $1,000 and U. S. Grants amounted to $803.33. Total expenditures were $1,296 .- 70 leaving balance in U. S. Grant in the amount of $506.63 and town balance of $330.90. Expenditures
96
ANNUAL REPORT
were $490.90 greater than the year 1946, due to increase in number of children participating in aid.
Our Social Worker, Mrs. Bella M. Boucher, who handles all categories of relief and assistance, now re- sides on Pleasant Street, Dighton and may be reached by Telephone at Dighton 2731.
Assistance and courtesies extended by the State De- partment are gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
CLAYTON H. ATWOOD JOHN BOLGER GEORGE V. TINKHAM
ANNUAL REPORT 97
ACCOUNT OF AUDIT
Mr. Francis X. Lang
Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Dighton for the period from September 8, 1946, the date of the previous exami- nation, to November 30, 1947, the following report being submitted thereon:
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collections, were ex- amined and checked for the period of the audit.
The books and accounts kept by the town auditor were examined and checked in detail. The general and appropriation accounts were analyzed and proved. The recorded receipts were compared with the treasurers' cash book and with the treasury warrants. The appro- priations as shown on the ledgers were checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings the necessary ad- justing entries resulting from the audit were made, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on November 30, 1947. An examination of this balance sheet shows that the town is in very good financial condi- tion.
7
98
ANNUAL REPORT
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked. The cash book was footed and the recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash balance on November 30, 1947 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The recorded payments on account of maturing debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the cancelled securities on file.
The savings bank books representing the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed, the income was proved, and all recorded transactions were verified.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts transferred to the tax title account were compared with the collector's records, the recorded redemptions were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed and reconciled with the auditor's ledger.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The town and district taxes and motor vehicle and trailer excises outstanding according to the previous examination were audited and all subse- quent commitments were proved. The cash books were footed and the reported collections were compared with the payments to the town and district treasurers. The abatements, as recorded, were checked to the assessors'
99
ANNUAL REPORT
record of abatements granted, and the outstanding ac- counts were listed and proved.
The records of departmental accounts receivable were examined. The charges were analyzed, the pay- ments to the treasurer were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved.
The outstanding tax, excise, and departmental ac- counts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town and the districts, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are cor- rect.
The financial accounts of the town clerk were examined for dog and sporting licenses issued, the report- ed payments to the town and the State being verified.
The surety bonds of the town officials required by law to file them were examined and found to be in proper form.
The records of the sealer of weights and measures and the library department, as well as of all other depart- ments collecting money for the town, were reconciled with the treasurer's and the auditor's books.
There are appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and collector's cash, summaries of the tax, excise, tax title, and departmental accounts, together with tables showing the condition and transactions of the trust funds.
100
ANNUAL REPORT
During the progress of the audit cooperation was extended by the various town officials, for which I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express . appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE
Assistant Director of Accounts.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1947
ANNUAL REPORT 3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
G. Russell Horton, Chairman North Dighton
1948
Mrs. Jessie Christenson, Secretary Dighton
1950
Leland F. Bullard, Financial Secretary 1948
Segreganset Harold O. Woodward
1949
Segreganset
Gene Perry
1949
Dighton
Charles Swartz North Dighton
1950
Superintendent John J. Rolfe, B.Ed., M. Ed. Residence: 117 School Street, North Dighton Office: Dighton High School, Segreganset Telephone: Dighton 3361 (Office) Taunton 2435 (Home)
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.
Secretary Marjorie A. Travis
School Physician C. M. Souza, M.D.
School Nurse Esther Bowden, R.N.
Attendance Supervisor Howell S. Carr
4
ANNUAL REPORT
GENERAL INFORMATION
Entrance Age
First grade registration in September of any year will be limited to those children who are at least six years of age or who will become six years of age on or before the following January 1. There will be no exceptions made to this ruling.
Birth Certificates
Presentation of a birth certificate is required for entrance to the first grade.
Vaccination
Every child who enters school for the first time must present a certificate of vaccination or a statement from his physician that vaccination is inadvisable.
NO SCHOOL INFORMATION
Elementary Schools
Whenever it seems advisable to close the elemen- tary schools the notice will be broadcast over Radio Sta- tion WEAN at 7:05 A.M. and at 8:20 A.M. and over Radio Station WBZ at 7:05 A.M., 7:30 A.M., and at 8:30 A.M. In addition in North Dighton the street lights will be turned on from 7:45 to 8 A.M. In South Dighton three blasts on the Anchor Color and Gum Works whistle will be sounded at 7:45 A.M.
High School
Whenever the school buses can be safely operated there will be school at Dighton High School unless unfore- seen emergencies make it necessary to close. In the
5
ANNUAL REPORT
event of closing the information will be specifically an- nounced over the radio as indicated above for the ele- mentary schools.
Transportation
The law requires that transportation be provided for pupils residing more than two miles from the school attended or more than one mile from the nearest bus stop. Many pupils living at lesser distances along estab- lished routes are transported if the seating capacity of the bus will permit. From time to time it is necessary to refuse transportation to some of those living under the required distance when our buses are filled to capacity with children living at a greater distance.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the Citizens of the Town of Dighton:
Herewith is submitted my fifth annual report as Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Dighton. The increase in the cost of printing makes it necessary to limit this report to the most pertinent information regard- ing our schools. Further details will be gladly furnished by the school office to any who might be interested.
Transportation
From time to time requests are received for the furnishing of transportation to children who live less than a mile from our established bus lines. Because our buses are already operating on a full schedule, the granting of these reqeusts would necessitate paying for one or more additional buses, thereby adding considerably to our transportation expense. Most of the requests come from parents who live on roads that are not suitable for bus travel.
6
ANNUAL REPORT
Three bids for transportation of school children for the three year period beginning in September, 1948 were received by the School Committee in December. The contract was awarded to Mr. Carl Gorden at a bid of $7,920 per year, an amount seventy dollars per year higher than the lowest bidder. Three new buses will be provided when school commences in September.
Educational Costs
The net operating cost of Dighton Schools has in- creased from $50,031.78 in 1940 to $75,284.51 in 1947 or 50.47%. Advances in salaries account for the bulk of the budget increases. Although the cost of all ser- vices, equipment, supplies, books, fuel, repairs, etc. have advanced it is interesting to note that most changes occur in items that are largely beyond our control. For some items we are allowing no more in our budget than was spent seven years ago even though costs have risen appreciably.
The average salary paid in Dighton to classroom teachers is less than the median paid in towns under 5,000 population with high schools. This situation re- sults in a larger than normal turnover and the towns- people must expect it as long as we employ efficient teachers. If we wish a relatively small change in teacher personnel we must do one of two things; raise salaries or hire teachers other communities don't want. If the town cannot pay salaries in competition with many other com- munities it will be much better to employ good teachers with the expectation of losing them after two or three years than to load up our system with incompetents. Fortunately other factors than salary help us keep many of our better instructors here. Just as long as we can keep teacher employment strictly on an impartial, un- emotional, efficiency, non-political basis, we shall be
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