USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1926-1930 > Part 31
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In the Cooking Course of the eighth grade, using "Foods, Preparation and Serving," a wide field has been covered. Balanc- ing and Variety of Meals are two of the main objects, but at the same time keeping the costs as low as possible.
All the supplies of the Cooking Classes and the thread, needles and pins for the Sewing Classes are paid for out of the Cafeteria account.
The Cafeteria has the following report to make :-
Dr. Cr.
Cash Jan. 1, 1929 $ 16.17
Total Sales for Fiscal Year
1,632.60
Costs of Supplies, Cooking and Sewing
$1,605.79
Athletic Ass'n
20.00
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1929
22.98
$1,648.77 $1,648.77
Respectfully submitted, EDITH M. AMES.
24
SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. C. W. Lawrence,
Superintendent of Schools,
Acton Public Schools,
Dear Sir:
"In general, there seems to be a steady improvement in the condition of music in the schools. In the grades the attempt has been made to improve the standard of reading music, not for the sake of reading alone but for its bearing on the whole music situation.
Most educators agree to-day that it is necessary to have a good standard of music reading in order to insure efficiency and success, to say nothing of its effect in the attitude of the pupils. I often think of the splendid achievements of pupils in the read- ing of English. No thoughtful person will deny that there is better power to-day than there was twenty-five years ago in this respect. How is this brought about ? Mainly by "doing" read- ing. It is safe to say that the average sixth grade pupil has been through at least twenty books.
An examination of the leading music text books of the day reveals more general agreement in the matter of grading of material. It is apparent that there is no reasonable excuse for poor reading ability in music.
As in English it is necessary to do some individual work, so it is necessary to do some individual work in music.
There is much interest in the listening lessons in music and a good deal is being accomplished.
There is a more general interest and better power than be- fore in grades VII and VIII. The classes are doing very well for the time we have for practice.
Considering the number of those who can read music. I think we may feel pleased with the work of the high school .chorus. The girls' glee club is doing very well.
Yours very truly.
ELMER E. PIERCE.
SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. C. W. Lawrance,
Superintendent of Schools,
Acton, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
We do not try to make an artist of every child-we can only try to help him to realize that some of the finer things of life are right at hand if he will but look for them.
In the short period that I have been supervising the art
25
work, I have found a very pleasant and helpful group of teach- ers. Their co-operation, so necessary in this work, has been, and is, very gratifying. A visiting teacher who comes but once a week or every two weeks must necessarily leave much in the hands of the regular teacher, and each and every teacher has been very helpful in fulfilling their part of the task.
Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETH A. FARMER.
DENTAL WORK
The School Doctor and Nurse have repeatedly pointed out in their examinations the need for dental work, and for correc- tions of defective vision and hearing. For a large proportion of our children, neglect of defective teeth, especially, causes such an amount of poor health, loss of time from school, loss of pro- motion, etc., as to deserve special attention. Parents have been repeatedly notified of these dental defects. They are again re- quested to have these defects remedied, when the notices are sent. It is to their own advantage, as well as to that of the school and town, that dental defects be eliminated and that the health of the students, and their attendance at school be kept as high as possible.
The reports of the School Doctor and School Nurse follow.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. C. W. Lawrance,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as School physician.
Physical examinations were completed in early October.
Our pre-school physical examinations have worked to good advantage and have shown good results.
Our schools have been practically free from contagious diseases.
Details of health work will be found in the nurse's report.
I have had the hearty co-operation of the Superintendent, nurse and teachers for which I am grateful.
Respectfully submitted, E. A. MAYELL, M. D.
26
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Charles W. Lawrance, Supt. of Schools, Acton, Mass.
Dear Sir :
The Physical Examinations for the year were completed early in October with the following results :
Number of Examinations 465
Defects found :
Tonsils and Adenoids (diseased or enlarged) 54
Poor Posture
205
Glands 163
Teeth (badly in need of attention) 240
Heart
33
Report of School examinations during the school year done by the nurse :
Special Examinations 2204
Simple first aid dressings 181
Individual talks on Personal Hygiene 231
Sanitary inspections of various buildings 142
Home Visits 259
Pupils excluded from School .because of communicable
Disease . 18
The Schick test for diphtheria was given to thirty-four pupils in May-Sixteen of this number were positive and re- ceived three more doses of T. A. T. There were forty-seven given treatment for the first time.
The summer round-up conferences were held for the first time last June in an endeavor to bring our first graders to school more physically fit. The response was very satisfactory. All children not examined at the conference were examined by their own family physician before school began. Five out of the enter- ing classes had their Tonsils and Adenoids removed before school opened. That alone was a great help in getting these children started right. In most instances children came on the first day of school with their birth certificate, thus overcoming past dif- ficulties in complying with the state laws in regard to these matters. We feel deeply grateful to the hearty co-operation of the parents in this matter.
Three children were taken to the Bolton summer camp. One child gained nine pounds and greatly improved health during her stay at camp.
Four children were re-examined at the under-weight con-
27
ference. Three were found greatly improved, while the other one was found to be in about the same condition.
The additional play-ground work at high school has proved a great help to Physical Education but we are still very much in need of more time and equipment for this work, especially for indoor work during the winter.
Nearly fifty percent of the students need dental work of a serious nature. If this work is continually neglected it means that the health of the child is greatly impaired and therefore proper progress in school can not be made. We still have no local facilities for this work.
Respectfully submitted, LILLIAN E. FROST, R. N.
IN CONCLUSION
The past year has been very satisfactory in the cooperation of the school teachers and supervisors with myself and the school committee. Every school plan which covers the educa- tional activities of even four hundred and fifty pupils in twelve grades is intricate and never easy to carry out. May I thank all the teachers and pupils for making their work so successful, and the school committee for their careful planning and considera- tion of school problems.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. LAWRANCE.
INDEX
Accountant
30
Appointments by Selectmen
4.
Assessors' Report
58
Auditor
Board of Health
Cemetery Commissioners
Collector's Report
Electric Light Committee
Extension Service
Finance Committee
Fire Department
Forester
Health Nurse
Inspector of Animals
Inspector of Slaughtering
Jury List
Library Report
Police Department
Public Welfare
Selectmen's Report
Superintendent of Streets
Town Clerk
Births
Deaths
Dog Licenses
Marriages
Non-Resident Burials
Town Meetings
Town Officers
Town Warrant
Treasurer's Report
Cemetery Funds
Elizabeth White Fund
Firemen's Relief Fund
55 54 54 55
Nineteenth of April Fund Wilde Library Fund
Trustees Goodnow Fund
. . 57
Trustees Elizabeth White Fund
57
12 60 71 59 66 65 11 62 62 61 63 61 6 83 63 61 13 64 14 15 19 27 17 20 21 3 7 51 53
SCHOOL INDEX
-
School Report :
Domestic Science 23
Financial Statement
7
Graduation
21
Legal Holidays
4
Organization
3
School Calendar
3 6
School Committee
26
School Physician
25 4
Standing Rules
Superintendent's Report
16
Supervisor of Drawing
24
Supervisor of Music
24
Teachers
5
School Nurse
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Official Boards
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1930
RATED
ONI
-1735.
ACTON ..
THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE HUDSON, MASS. 1931
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Official Boards
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1930
ATED
ONI
. 1735.
ACTON.
'THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE HUDSON, MASS. 1931
.
رمـ
TOWN OFFICERS, 1930
MODERATOR Allen Brooks Parker
SELECTMEN
Wendell F. Davis Term expires 1931
Howard J. Billings Term expires 1932
Waldo E. Whitcomb Term expires 1933
TOWN CLERK Horace F. Tuttle
TOWN TREASURER Frank W. Hoit
ASSESSORS
Warren H. Jones Term expires 1931
Albert P. Durkee Term expires 1932
Henry L. Haynes Term expires 1933
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Howard J. Billings Term expires 1931
Waldo E. Whitcomb Term expires 1931
Wendell F. Davis Term expires 1931
COLLECTOR OF TAXES Charles A. Durkee
TREE WARDEN James O'Neil
CONSTABLES
John T. McNiff
Charles A. Durkee
CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1931
Fred W. Green Term expires 1932
Wendell F. Davis Term expires 1933
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
* Randall N. Woodworth Term expires 1931 Louisa N. Wood . Term expires 1931
Arthur M. Whitcomb Term expires 1931
Forrest E. Bean Term expires 1932
Lulu L. Clark Term expires 1932
Alberta M. Mead Term expires 1933
* (Appointed to fill vacancy )
4
TRUSTEES OF MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1931 J. Sidney White Term expires 1932
Lucius A. Hesselton
Term expires 1933
BOARD OF HEALTH
George H. Tuttle Term expires 1931
Raymond F. Durkee Term expires 1932
Frank E. Tasker Term expires 1933
TRUSTEES OF THE ELIZABETH WHITE FUND
William H. Kingsley Term expires 1931
Warren H. Jones . Term expires 1932
Waldo E. Whitcomb Term expires 1933
TRUSTEES OF THE WEST ACTON FIREMAN'S RELIEF FUND
A. N. Hederstedt
Term expires 1931
C. D. Cram . Term expires 1932
H. Stuart MacGregor Term expires 1933
TRUSTEES OF GOODNOW FUND
Horace F. Tuttle . Term expires 1931
Charles E. Smith . Term expires 1932
Charlotte Conant Term expires 1933
Appointments by the Selectmen
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Murray Brown . Frank W. Hoit Alfred W. Davis
William Rawister George A. Richardson Webster S. Blanchard
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS Albert H. Perkins
TOWN ACCOUNTANT Howard L. Jones
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
Clarence D. Chickering . Term expires 1932 Daniel W. Sheehan, Jr. Term expires 1933 Edwin A. Phelan Term expires 1931
Horace F. Tuttle, ex-officio
5
ELECTION OFFICERS
Precinct 1
Warden
James W. Coughlin
Deputy Warden
George A. Murphy
Clerk . .
Arthur W. Wayne
Deputy Clerk
Spencer H. Taylor Arthur F. Davis
Inspector
Deputy Inspector
Willis N. Holden
Inspector
Leo F. McCarthy
Deputy Inspector
Harold Coughlin
Precinct 2
Warden Theron F. Newton
Deputy Warden
Theron A. Lowden
Clerk .
John J. Manning
Deputy Clerk
Thomas Murray
Inspector
Lewis C. Hastings
Deputy Inspector Frank A. Merriam
Inspector . .
Timothy Hennessey
Deputy Inspector James Brown
Precinct 3
Warden Bertram D. Hall
Deputy Warden
Fred S. Whitcomb
Clerk .
David R. Kinsley
Deputy Clerk
Frank McDonald
Inspector
A. R. Beach
Deputy Inspector , Harry Holt
Inspector .
James Kinsley
Deputy Inspector
Guy P. Littlefield
FIRE ENGINEERS Frank W. Hoit, Chief
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS
Precinct 1 Precinct 2
Samuel E. Knowlton George K. Hayward
Precinct 3 H. Stuart MacGregor
CATTLE INSPECTOR
FOREST WARDEN
Fred S. Whitcomb Alan B. Frost
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Theron F. Newton
SUPERINTENDENT OF TOWN FOREST Charles A. Durkee
6
BURIAL AGENT Frank W. Hoit
SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND LUMBER Frank W. Hoit Charles E. Smith Bertram D. Hall George H. Reed
FIELD DRIVERS
Michael Foley Alan B. Frost John T. McNiff
SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK James O'Neil
POLICE OFFICERS Chief, Michael J. Foley
John T. McNiff Alan B. Frost
DIRECTOR MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE Harlan E. Tuttle
Jury List
Revised 1930
Precinct 1
Oliver D. Wood James W. Coughlin George S. Tucker Charles E. Willett
Precinct 2
James Brown Herbert Pratt Timothy Hennessey John C. Starbuck
Precinct 3 James E. Kinsley James A. Grimes John T. McNiff
William J. Benere
Edgar I. Blaisdell
Fred Billings Arthur Emerson David Morrison Frank E. Parsons Spencer H. Taylor
Charles Miles Herbert A. Thayer Elwyn W. Harris Carl Flint
David R. Kinsley William Johnson Howard C. Tracy Eugene L. Hall Clarence D. Chickering
7
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss.
RATED
OONI
-1735.
ACTON ..
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the legal voters of said town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town affairs, to meet in their respective precincts, to wit:
Precinct 1-Town Hall in said Acton.
Precinct 2-Universalist Church, South Acton.
Precinct 3-Fire House, West Acton.
At 12 o'clock noon. on Monday, the second day of March, 1931 by posting a copy of this warrant, by you attested, at each of the places as directed by vote of the town, seven days at least before the said second day of March.
To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers: One moderator for one year, one town clerk for one year, one selectman for three years, one assessor for three years, three for department of public welfare for one year, one treasurer for one year, one collector of taxes for one year, four constables for one year, two for school committee for three years, one for school committee for two years to fill the unexpired term of Frank Toohey, one for board of health for three years, one cemetery commis- sioner for three years, one trustee Memorial Library for- three years, one tree warden for one year.
The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 7 o'clock P. M.
8
You are further requested in the name of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, to notify the legal voters of said town of Acton, as aforesaid, to meet at the town hall, in said Acton, on Monday, the ninth day of March, at 9 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose all necessary town officers and com - mittees, and fix salaries of all town officers.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to accept the sev- eral reports of the town officers.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any com- mittees chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Article 4. To see what sum of money the town will appro- priate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the sev- eral departments of the town and determine how the same shall be raised.
Article 5. To see what sum of money the town will raise for the observance of Memorial day.
Article 6. To see what action the town will take in regard to the collection of taxes.
Article 7. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the maintenance of the fire department, or vote anything thereon.
Article 8. To see if the town will pay for fighting brush fires, and fix price thereon.
Article 9. To see what action the town will take toward the suppression of the brown-tail and gypsy moth.
Article 10. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to insure the employees of the town, or act anything thereon.
Article 11. To see what amount of money the town will appropriate for the payment of premiums on the treasurer's and collector's bonds, or act anything thereon.
Article 12. To see if the town will authorize the treas- urer, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1st, 1931, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to employ a public health nurse, and appropriate a sum of money for the maintenance of the same.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of fifty ($50) dollars, or some other amount, in furtherance of and the director to serve in co-op- eration with the Middlesex County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture in the work of the Middlesex County Exten- sion Service, under the provisions of Sections 40-45, Chap- ter 128, General Laws of Massachusetts.
Article 15. To see if the town will appropriate the sum
9
of eight hundred dollars ($800) for the purpose of complet- ing the action taken under Article 32 of last year or take any action thereon.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to continue the reconstruction of Nagog Hill Road from a point about 100 feet east of Main street to the intersection of said Nagog Hill Road with Concord street, a distance of about 1,000 feet, or act anything thereon.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to close the dump at South Acton, or act anything thereon.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to insure its Town Hall or act anything thereon.
Article 19. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,350.00 to purchase and install a fire whistle, or other fire signal device, for use at Acton Centre, or act anything thereon.
Article 20. To see what action the town will take to- ward locating the new forest fire pump in any particular precinct.
Article 21. To see if the town will accept the provisions of law relative to choosing one highway surveyor or a board of road commissioners,
Article 22. To see what action the town will take in recognition of the gift to the town, of the sidewalks along Main Street in the Centre Village.
Article 23. To see if the town will take some action to enlarge and improve the condition of the vault in the Memo- rial Library, now used for the keeping of the public records, and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to purchase a gas range for the town hall and a gas radiator heater for the town clerk's office in the town hall, or act anything thereon.
Article 25. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $2.000 to rebuild the Stow Street bridge or act anything thereon.
Article 26. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $2,000 to install heat and make necessary repairs on the West Acton Fire House, or act anything thereon.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to install 18 1.000 candle power lights, six lights to be installed in each village, or act anything thereon.
Article 28. To see if the town will vote to appoint a planning board in accordance with Chapter 41, Section 70, General Laws. -
Article 29. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1.500 for the purpose of preparing a zoning map and zoning law for the town, to be brought before the town at the next annual town meeting, and appoint a committee to carry out this article, or act anything thereon.
Article 30. To see if the town will vote to purchase a
10
strip of land of the Citizens' Library Association situated on the northerly side of the Fire House in West Acton, or act anything thereon.
Article 31. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $2,000 to lay approximately 1,000 feet of pipe from the Maynard line to the property of the American Powder Com- pany, and install two hydrants, or act anything thereon.
Article 32. To see if the town will authorize the School Committee to dispose of the old building formerly used for toilets at the West Acton School, or take any action thereon.
Article 33. To see if the town will vote to re-insure the high school building and its contents on the expiration of its present policies, November 1, 1931, and appropriate a sum of money to pay for such insurance, or act anything thereon.
Article 34. To see if the town will vote to accept the proposed additions to the by-laws as printed in the town report, or act anything thereon.
Article 35. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $4,000 to continue the reconstruction of the Newtown Road to the Littleton line provided a like sum is allotted to the town by the state and a similar sum by the County of Middlesex, or act anything thereon.
Article 36. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $3,000 to rebuild High Street, from a point oppo- site the home of Wm. Rawitzer to the Sudbury line provided a like sum is allotted to the town by the state and a similar amount by the County of Middlesex, or act anything thereon.
Article 37. To determine whether the Town of Acton will relocate Newtown Road, so called, near by, or through the property of the Church of Jesus Christ, in accordance with plans satisfactory to the Department of Public Works, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 38. To see if the town will vote to purchase new chairs for the town hall and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or act anything thereon.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the town clerk at or before the first time of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands at Acton, this fourth day of Feb- ruary, 1931.
WENDELL F. DAVIS, HOWARD J. BILLINGS, WALDO E. WHITCOMB, Selectmen of Acton.
.
11
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
We submit herewith for your approval a report of the various departments of the Town for the year ending De- cember 31, 1930.
In addition to the supervision of the regular work of the various departments which come under our jurisdiction, we were instructed to carry out certain special work under Articles 18, 19, 26, 27, 29 and 32.
Article 18. We have completed the reconstruction of Summer Street from Central Street to the Boxboro line ac- cording to the provisions of the vote.
Article 19. We have completed the reconstruction of about 6,000 feet of the Newtown Road, starting at Acton Centre and going toward the Littleton line. Both Summer Street and the Newtown Road were let out as one contract to John J. Watkins of Amesbury, Mass. By letting both of these roads under the one contract we were able to get a much more favorable bid on this work.
Article (26. The improvements on the Fire House at Acton Centre called for under this article have been com- pleted. The contract for this work was awarded to John Smith and Ellwyn Hollowell for the sum of $1,000.
The very creditable work of improving the outside of the Acton Centre Fire House including the cement driveway and cement sidewalk has been done by the Acton Chemical Com- pany No. 1. Mr. Thomas F. Drummond was chairman of the committee who raised the money necessary for this work by public subscription. The Selectmen wish to take this op- portunity to again thank the Fire Company on behalf of the Town for this work.
Article 27. The installation of the compressed air fire whistle has been completed in the South Acton Fire House. We wish here again to thank the members of the South Acton Fire Company who gave so much of their time to the work of installing this whistle. The committee in charge of this work were: Mr. George K. Hayward, Mr. Earl Hay- ward, Mr. Ralph Piper and the Selectmen.
Acting under Article 29 the Selectmen have had the foun- tain formerly located in the centre of Quimby Square re- moved and have connected the water and installed a drink- ing fountain in the old stone trough on School Street.
Article 32. The County Commissioners have relocated
12
the line of the highway at the southeast corner of Quimby Square.
The new cement sidewalks which have been constructed in Acton Centre during the past year were made possible by the generosity of Mr. Augustine B. Conant and we extend to him and to the other citizens who contributed in this work, the sincere appreciation of the people of Acton for this out- standing improvement.
We feel that the financial condition of the Town is very favorable, largely due to the careful planning of the Finance Committee before making their recommendations to the Town and further to the co-operation which the towns- people have shown in following the recommendations of that committee. We now have a very reasonable tax rate and we feel sure that the business of our town can be prop- erly conducted without greatly increasing this tax rate, pro- viding this policy of careful planning and co-operation is continued.
HOWARD J. BILLINGS, WALDO E. WHITCOMB.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the citizens of the Town of Acton :
We have rendered aid continuously through the year to two elderly persons who are being cared for in private fam- ilies. We also have another permanent case in the State hospital at Tewksbury.
Two other families have received temporary aid, one re- siding in the town of Acton and one in the town of Littleton.
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