USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1936-1940 > Part 9
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9th Grade-Same as course given last year.
10th and 11th-Home making, one period daily-building the home, furnishing and caring for it, training of children, bud- gets and good living habits, toward Family and Community.
12th Grade-Same as course given last year.
As Dean of Girls, 119 pupils were given first aid attention.
The Cafeteria has the following report:
Cash on hand, January 1, 1936
$24.37
Total Sales for year
$1,575.30
Cost of supplies for cooking
Sewing and replacement of dishes
$1,391.43
Milk Supply
121.77
Special lunches for teachers and pupils . .
41.48
Flood Relief
20.02
Lost through theft
13.96
Cash on hand, December 31, 1936
11.01
$1,599.67
$1,599.67
1
:
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4. Manual Arts
We have had a very successful year, showing much progress. The department has worked at a minimum cost. There have been one power-driven Scroll Saw, made by Delta, added to our equipment ; one power-driven Tool-Grinder, made by Lombard & Co .; and five sloyd benches, made at the Concord Reformatory. Some repair work about the school has been done by the students who are doing general shop work In doing this, they get practi- cal training and help to keep the expense of repairs at a mini- mum. An inventory of all tools in the Manual Art's rooms, on January 1, 1937, shows a total valuation of $339.48.
5. Art
Grades 1 and 2: Elementary drawing, using illustrations of reader stories as a basis. This type of lesson leads itself tó free expression, the newest note in elementary drawing. This also is a partial correlation of drawing and reading. These grades have studied color, design and hand work.
Grades 3 to 6: Elementary drawing, using correlated illus- trations of reading, history, and geography lessons as a basis. S. P. C. A. poster projects are again being enjoyed by these grades. A more extensive study has been made, this year, of color and design.
Grades 7 to 12: Progressive work in sketching, color schemes, furniture, history of costumes, and interior decoration. Poster, "Torch" covers, and Christmas cards have been designed. The girls in grades 11 and 12 have made an extensive study of the various types of personal coloration.
6. Music
"The course which I have planned for the Schools in the Town of Acton is based upon the state outline of technical matter to be used in the various grades. I have prepared schedules for each teacher covering her year's work and bringing the text book used into agreement with the technical principles presented. I feel sure that the music in the grades is making wholesome progress and is growing into something of the ideal set for it.
Musical activities of the high school will be a continuation and expansion of those of the grade schools, with proper credit. Credit for outside work is now granted in several Massachusetts cities as well as for the school course. But where the music is confined to chorus singing during one period a week little is pos- sible to accomplish.
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How much Algebra or History could be taught under the same condition? The problems of the changing voice, reading from the bass clef and other technical practice require the methods of the classroom, and are impossible in a general assembly. Such results as are obtained are largely through rote, and it is usual that at graduation an acceptable program is possible, and during the year a limited number of choruses are learned.
The junior high school places its music program on the same basis as the High School i. e., one recitation a week, a result to be regretted. Normally, the seventh and eighth grades, having been thoroughly grounded during the six preceding grades in the technical principles of music reading, develop a high degree of skill in part singing and interpretation. It means intense con- centration and infrequent practice for children of this age, and they accomplish as a rule far superior results than the older high school chorus, with its limited practice. To lose this frui- tion of the earlier grades is a grave mistake.
The high school has an orchestra consisting of two pianists, four violins, three trumpets, one clarinet, one trombone. Though limited in variety and number of instruments, it is doing credi- table work and will be heard later."
Conclusion
I trust that this report will not prove too long. The year has been so full of interest that it is difficult for me to select and omit. I am very grateful to the school committee, teachers, and citizens for their many acts of kindness and cooperation. . .
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER F. HALL, Supt.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Walter F. Hall, Superintendent of Schools, Acton, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as School Physician.
The yearly physical examinations were completed on October 25th, 1936, and details of the same will be found in the nurse's report.
May 11, 12 and 13 we held our pre-school clinic.
May and June we held our clinics for diphtheria immuniza- tion, and toxoid was used in place of toxin anti-toxin, which we have formerly used for this purpose.
During the year, students participating in football, basketball, and hockey have had examinations especially for heart action during rest and increased exercise.
We have had no serious outbreaks of any of the contagious diseases, and the health of our school population at the present time is very good.
I feel that our physical training is doing much for the im- provement of the condition of the students, and they seem to take pride in being physically fit, which gives me a great deal of satisfaction.
Again I wish to thank the Superintendent, teachers, nurse and the townspeople for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
E. A. MAYELL, M. D.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Walter Hall Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report as School Nurse for year ending December 31, 1936. Included as a part of this report is that of your former nurse, Mrs. Lillian F. Taylor, whose good work I shall endeavor to continue.
The general program of inspections and examinations made by the nurse has been done in an effort to detect beginning ill- ness, oftimes contagious ; and to stimulate an interest in personal hygiene and public health. It also helps the teacher in her ef- forts to establish standards of cleanliness, which result in bet- ter health and more regular school attendance.
Physical examination of all school children was made by school physician in September and October.
Number of pupils examined 501
Number of pupils with poor teeth 226
Number of pupils enlarged tonsils 61
Number of pupils swollen glands 145
Number of pupils heart irregularities 46
Number of pupils malnutrition 17
Number of pupils faulty posture 39
The need for dental work was very apparent in the examina- tions. In some cases none had ever been done, in others none for quite a few years. It is hoped that some project may be devel- oped to care for those children whose teeth are a health menace.
We have, every year a Clinic, at which time children may be immunized against Diphtheria. This Clinic was held in April. Number of children having Schick test 80
Number of children having positive reaction 46
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The children who reacted positively, received three doses of Toxoid at weekly intervals. This clinic is open to pre-school children. This is a group who are most in need of protection from Diphtheria.
The School Clinic formerly called the Chadwick Clinic was held in September. The increasing number of requests from parents that their children have the test, which will show any exposure to Tuberculosis, was very gratifying. It is a privilege to get, at no expense to the parent, information which means so much to the future health of the child.
School population-grades 7-9-11 132
Children tested 74
% tested 56.1
Children reacting to test 15
Children X-rayed 15
All X-rays were negative, so no further examinations were re- quired.
It was possible to send two girls to the Southwestern Middle- sex Health Association Camp at Bolton for a period of four weeks each, during the summer. This Camp is maintained by sale of seals, every fall, and its purpose is to build strong bodies by proper diet and a life in the open.
The Audiometer was recently used to test hearing in Grades 4 through high school. There is a definite proof in 29 cases of the value it will prove to be to those pupils who were handi- capped by a definite hearing loss.
The eyesight examinations given in all the grades, in doubt- ful cases-twice, showed definitely that 26 pupils need prompt attention.
The Pre-school clinic is a very definite part of a child's prepa- ration for school. In June, 30 children were examined by the school physician. Conditions requiring attention can then be taken care of during summer.
Daily visits were made to the schools when possible and sani- tary inspections made.
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Number of pupil inspections
1204
Simple dressing's 301
Pupils excluded-symptoms contagion 34
Pupils taken home ill .
20
Pupils taken to Dentist
16
Pupils taken to Eye Specialist
11
Pupils taken to Clinic
14
I wish to express my appreciation for the splendid support received from school faculty and parents, during this my first year, as Public Health Nurse of Acton.
Respectfully submitted,
GENEVIEVE J. CREELEY, R. N.
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GRADUATES OF 1936
Clarence Edward Braman
*Eileen Frances Callanan Robert Stanly Converse *Mildred Rosalia Coolidge Leo Clement Cunningham, Jr. * Alicia Louise Middleton Bernice Louise Downie Sidney Porter Durkee Emma Thornton Fairbanks
*Barbara Ruth Jenks Frederick Francis Lawrence * Alice Isabelle Leveroni Albert Norman MacDougall
Arlene Kimball Mills *George Edward Moore Robert Thornton Moore Ralph Waldo Parker, Jr. John Pratt
Donald Oliver Feltus Robert A. Frazier Thomas Charles Gallagher, Jr. Jeanette Isabel Rifford
Earl Frank Hayward Olive Ellen Hill
William Dunlop Holland
Francis David Roche Marjorie Feltus Smith Gordon Parker Tate
Doreen Frances Jeffries *Irene Frances White *Honor Students
Student Essays :
First Honors : Irene White-"Is the Present Method of Deal- ing with Juvenile Delinquency Satisfactory ?"-A Defense.
Second Honors: Barbara Jenks-"Is the Present Method of Dealing with Juvenile Delinquency Satisfactory ?"-A Crit- cism.
Awards During Year :
Doreen F. Jeffries : Carlos B. Clark Acton History Award. Alice I. Leveroni, Frederick F. Lawrence: American Leg- ion Awards for best rank in Scholarship, Loyalty, and Achievement (Edwards-Quimby Post) .
Barbara R. Jenks: Washington-Franklin Medal for best rec- ord in American History (Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution) .
INDEX
Accountant
94
Appointments Made by Selectmen 1936
4
Assessors' Report
67
Auditor
137
Board of Health
75
Cemetery Commissioners
46
Dog Officer
64
Elizabeth White Fund Report
137
Finance Committee
12
Fire Department
72
Forest Warden 73
77
Inspector of Animals
64
Jury List
45
Librarian's Report
83
Middlesex County Extension Service
78
Old Age Assistance
16
Police Department
60
Presidential Election, Record of
29
Sealer of Weights and Measures
81
Selectmen's Report
14
Superintendent of Moth Control
65
Superintendent of Streets
Tax Collector
Town Clerk
Births
Marriages
36
Deaths
39
Non-Resident Burials
40
Dog Licenses
41
Town Meetings :
Annual Meeting
17
Special Town Meeting, October 21, 1936 27
Town Nurse
76
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant 7
66 68 33 34
Goodnow Fund
Page
Treasurer
Elizabeth White Fund
Page 126 129
Cemetery Funds
130
Luke Blanchard Cemetery Fund
132
Cemetery Surplus Fund
132
Firemen's Relief Fund 133
Wilde Memorial Library Fund 133
Acton Firemen's Relief Fund 134
Susan Noyes Hosmer Fund 134
Tree Warden 74
Welfare Department 15
WPA Sewing Project
16
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Committee 143
Comparison of Cost
144
Estimates for 1937
145
Graduates, 1936 172
Organization
140
Paid for Support, 1936
148
School Nurse
169
School Physician
168
School Superintendent
158
Standing Rules 141
Summary of Expenses 147
Teachers in Service
142
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Official Boards
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
E
NI
1735
^ACTON.
For the Year Ending December 31
1937
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Official Boards
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FE
1735
ACTON ..
For the Year Ending December 31
1937
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Town Officers, 1937
Moderator Albert P. Durkee
Selectmen
Ralph W. Piper James E. Kinsley Raymond F. Durkee
Term expires 1938
Term expires 1939
Term expires 1940
Town Clerk Horace F. Tuttle
Town Treasurer William Henry Soar
Assessors
Albert F. Durkee
Henry L. Haynes Warren H. Jones
Term expires 1938 Term expires 1939 Term expires 1940
Collector of Taxes Charles A. Durkee
Tree Warden James J. Knight
Board of Public Welfare
Raymond L. Hatch
Carl E. Backman
Mary M. Laffin
Term expires 1938 Term expires 1939 Term expires 1940
Constables
George A. Braman Michael Foley
Charles A. Durkee Norman L. Perkins
Cemetery Commissioners
Fred W. Green Wendell F. Davis Horace F. Tuttle
Term expires 1938 Term expires 1939 Term expires 1940
-4-
School Committee
Samuel E. Knowlton
Term expires 1938
Lulu L. Clark
Term expires 1938
Avis Howe
Term expires 1939
Randall N. Woodworth
Term expires 1939
Louisa N. Wood
Term expires 1940
Everett N. Montague
Term expires 1940
Trustees of Memorial Library
J. Sidney White Frank A. Merriam
Term expires 1938
Term expires 1939
Horace F. Tuttle
Term expires 1940
Board of Health
*Raymond F. Durkee
Term expires 1938
Frank E. Tasker
Term expires 1939
O. Lawrence Clark *Lillian F. Taylor
Term expires 1940
* Resigned
* Appointed to replace
Agent of Board of Health Ernest E. Allsopp
Trustees of Elizabeth White Fund
Warren H. Jones
Term expires 1938
Waldo E. Whitcomb
Term expires 1939
Charlotte Conant
Term expires 1940
Trustees of West Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
Arnold H. Perkins
Term expires 1938
H. Stuart MacGregor Term expires 1939
A. N. Hederstedt Term expires 1940
Trustees of Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
James E. Kinsley
Term expires 1938
Clarence Frost Term expires 1939
Herbert Merriam Term expires 1940
Trustees of Goodnow Fund
Charles E. Smith
Term expires 1938
Charlotte Conant Term expires 1939
Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1940
Term expires 1938
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Appointments Made by Selectmen-1937
Finance Committee
Murray Brown
William T. Merriam
Alfred W. Davis
Alden C. Flagg
Webster S. Blanchard Howard J. Billings
Superintendent of Streets A. H. Perkins
Town Accountant
Howard L. Jones
Term expires 1938
Registrars of Voters
Daniel W. Sheehan
Term expires 1939
*Edwin A. Phelan
Term expires 1940
Arthur Lee
Term expires 1938
Horace F. Tuttle
Ex-Officio
** Walter L. O'Neil
* deceased
** appointed to replace
Election Officers Precinct I Warden-James W. Coughlin
Clerk-Arthur W. Wayne Inspector-Arthur F. Davis *Inspector-Harold F. Coughlin Deputy Warden-George A. Murphy Deputy Clerk-Spencer H. Taylor Deputy Inspector-S. E. Knowlton Deputy Inspector-Leo F. McCarthy *Inspector-Timothy Condon * Inspector-Paul G. Coughlin
Precinct II Warden-Theron Lowden xClerk-William F. Driscoll Inspector-Clare Milbery Inspector-Timothy Hennessey Deputy Warden-John G. Maguire Deputy Clerk-Thomas Murray.
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Deputy Inspector-Frank A. Merriam Deputy Inspector-James Brown xxClerk-Thomas Yetman
Precinct III
Warden-Bertram D. Hall
Clerk-Peter Duggan
Inspector-Havelock J. Schnair
Inspector-Frank McDonald
Deputy Warden-Fred S. Whitcomb
Deputy Clerk-Daniel J. Hurley
Deputy Inspector-Harry Holt
Deputy Inspector-John J. Duggan
x Resigned
XX Appointed to replace x
* Deceased
*
* Appointed to replace *
* Appointed to replace *
Fire Engineers
H. Stuart MacGregor, Chief Engineer Clarence Frost, Asst. Engineer-Precinct I David Clayton, Asst. Engineer-Precinct II Arno H. Perkins, Asst. Engineer-Precinct III
Cattle Inspector Ernest E. Allsopp
Forest Warden H. Stuart MacGregor
Dog Officer Arthur Fraser
Sealer of Weights and Measures Clare Milbery
Superintendent of Town Forest Charles A. Durkee
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Surveyors of Wood and Lumber
Bertram D. Hall
George H. Reed
Charles E. Smith
Field Drivers
Michael Foley
George A. Braman
Norman Perkins
Superintendent of Moth Work James J. Knight
Police Officers Michael Foley, Chief
George A. Braman
C. A. Durkee
Norman Perkins
Burial Agent Charles A. Durkee
Soldiers' Relief Agent Waldo J. Flint
Public Weighers
George H. Reed
Alfred Davis, Jr.
William Braman
W. H. Soar
A. W. Davis
G. Howard Reed
F. D. Harrington
W. H. Francis Davis
M. B. Ferber
Thomas Hearon
Phillip Newell
Fred Burke
Daniel MacMillan
Fred Stone
Albert S. Braman
Clarence E. Braman
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TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss.
A
ATED
735
ACTON
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greetings :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the legal voters in said town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town af- fairs. to meet in their respective precincts, to wit:
Precinct 1-Town Hall, Acton Center
Precinct 2-Universalist Church, South Acton Precinct 3-Woman's Club House, West Acton
at 12 o'clock, noon, Monday, the seventh day of March, 1938, 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 seventh day of March.
To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers : Moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, collector of taxes, one selectman for three years; one assessor for three years; one member of the board of public welfare for three years; four constables for one year; one cemetery commissioner for three years, two members of the school committee for three years, one member of the board of health for three years, one trustee Me- morial Library for three years, and a tree warden.
1
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The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 8 o'clock p. m.
You are further requested in the name of the Commonwealth to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, as aforesaid, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Acton on Monday, the four- teenth day of March, at 7 o'clock p. m., 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 several reports of the town officers.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any commit- tees chosen at any previous meeting that have not already re- ported.
Article 4. To see what sum of money the town will appropri- ate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the several 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 sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the maintenance of the fire department, or vote anything thereon.
Article 7 To see if the town will pay for fighting brush fires and fix a price thereon
Article 8 To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to insure the employees of the town or act anything thereon.
Article 9. To see what amount of money the town will appro- priate for the payment of premiums on the treasurer's and col- lector's bonds, or act anything thereon.
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to authorize the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1938, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes
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as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to employ a public health nurse, and appropriate a sum of money for the mainten- ance of same.
Article 12. To see if the town will vote to accept Chapter 77, Acts of 1937; an act providing for absent voting at regular town elections.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of $1,500.00 more or less, to drain and repair the road known as Central Street, in West Acton, beginning at its intersection with Massachusetts Avenue, thence northerly to or near the residence of Millard J. Handley, or act anything there- on.
Article 14 To see what action the town will take to meet the assessment of $1,543.30 heretofore made on it for the purpose of paying its share of the cost of making alterations and construct- ing additions in and to the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hos- pital under Chapter 417 of the Acts of 1935, as amended by Chapter 205 of the Acts of 1937; to see whether the town will vote to appropriate all or any portion of said assessment and to raise the amount so appropriated in whole or in part in this year's tax levy or to transfer such amount in whole or in part from any available funds; to see whether the town will vote to appropriate all or any portion of said assessment and to borrow the amount so appropriated on bonds or notes of the town ; to see whether the town will elect that all or any portion of said assess- ment shall be funded through the issue of bonds or notes of the County of Middlesex as authorized by said Chapter 417, as amended; in case the town shall elect to fund under said Chapter 417, to see whether the town will elect that the assessments to be hereafter made upon it on account of any such funding loan shall be payable by it over the maximum permitted term of fifteen years or over a lesser period; to see whether the town will vote to direct the Town Clerk to file with the Middlesex County Commissioners promptly, and in any event not later than April 15, 1938, an election to fund all or any portion of the assessment already made upon it as aforesaid ; and to take any action in con- nection with the matters contained in this article.
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Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the improvement of Main Street, from the Carlisle line to the State Road in East Acton; said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose; or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $200.00 for the use of the treasurer, to pay the expenses of the local dog officer. The town will be reimbursed for the amount spent by the County of Middlesex, or act any- thing thereon.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the specific repairs and widenings of School Street, South Acton; said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose; or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 18. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1,400.00 or any other sum for the suppression of brown-tail and gypsy moths or act anything thereon.
Article 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200.00 or any other sum for the care of shade trees or act anything thereon.
Article 20. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for Work Relief or act anything thereon.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of One hundred dollars ($100.00) for the redemption of tax titles held by the town.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex, as required by law, the town's share of the net cost of the care, maintenance, and repair of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital, as assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 111 of the General Laws and Acts in amendment thereof and in addition thereto and including Chapter 400, Section 25G. (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936, or take any action in relation thereto.
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Article 23. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $550.00 or any other sum to purchase new fire hose.
Article 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair the Acton Center fire house or vote any- thing thereon.
Article 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair the South Acton fire house or vote any- thing thereon.
Article 26. To see if the town will vote to increase the salar- ies paid to the members of the Board of Selectmen to the follow- ing figures : the chairman-$300.00, the other members,-$200.00 a year. To do or act thereon.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to investigate all cases presented by property own- ers who claim to have been exempt from two thousand dollars of taxation on their property during the years 1936 and 1937, under the provisions of paragraph 17, section 5, of Chapter 59 of the General Laws; and to authorize the refund, on order of the Board, of such exempt taxes to those who have paid their tax bills ; and to pay the tax collector, (without commission), if those tax bills that have not been paid by the recipients, in all cases where the exemption is clearly shown; to do or act thereon.
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