USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79
In the next few months I plan to make more use of record- ings, particularly of records featuring play and game songs. I also plan for the future the use of rhythm instruments, and possibly in May or June, a rhythm band.
Grade Two
The second graders became acquainted with notes and the way a printed song looks and is read by following the words below the notes in their music books. In November I started teaching them how to read the notes by first learning the names of the simpler notes and finally progressing to the point of read- ing and singing the entire scale. I am happy to report that the children have been very eager to learn how to read the notes and have done very well. They have also been introduced to the quarter note and its use in the songs they learn. A few rec- ords have also been used in the second grade.
In the future I plan to use more recording and to teach more games in the second grade. The children will be intro- duced more thoroughly to note reading, especially to the mov- able "do" and to more complex rhythms, the uses of the eighth, half, and whole notes. They have learned some music theory in the past, and I plan to extend this phase of the music pro- gram considerably.
Grade Three
The third graders have concentrated mostly on note and rote songs, and also on the rhythm phase of the music program. They have listened to several recordings including some of their own. They have also learned a few dances to accompany some of the songs that they have learned.
As the year progresses, I plan to do more teaching of songs by rote-note and note methods. I would like to devote more
32
time to teaching the children dances and games to accompany the songs they learn. I would also like to further the children's appreciation of good music through the use of more recordings.
Grade Four
The fourth graders have been singing many of their songs by note. They have progressed to the point where they are ready to learn how to find "do" and establish the key. I have also played the entire Metropolitan Opera Company's recording of Hansel and Gretel in English. We discussed the story; heard one act of the opera each week, and learned to sing a simple song from the opera. The boys and girls really enjoyed the opera and, to my surprise, criticized the singers' pronunciation and clarity of voice in certain sections.
In the future, I would like to play more of the children's classics for the fourth graders as they seem to appreciate the recordings that they have heard so much. I also plan to teach them the square dances that are in their music books. The children will learn more about the more complex rhythms be- fore the year is over.
Grade Five
The fifth graders have been learning almost all of their songs by note. Lately they have begun to learn two-part songs, and rounds. They have learned a great deal of music theory. They have begun to learn how to control their voices so that they may be able to sing with more ease and produce a more pleasing sound. Several of the classes have learned one square dance, and I plan to teach more when the weather is warm enough so that we may go outside. Hansel and Gretel was heard and enjoyed by these boys and girls. They discussed the opera more deeply than had the fourth graders.
In the future these boys and girls will begin their study of the minor keys and how they are used in the songs they learn. They are also about to learn how to make and draw the various musical characters and figures. They will have many more- and-more difficult two-part songs to sing. I also plan to make violin lessons available to the fifth and sixth graders who wish them. At present all phases of this program have not been completed.
Grade Six
Boys and girls in this grade devote most of their music class to the mastering of the complexities of two-part songs of a difficult nature, and to the development of a more pleasing tone when singing. They strive more for quality than quan- tity. However, they do not neglect the study of music theory.
33
One class has already had an examination on this subject, and the other classes are preparing to take one in the next couple of weeks. They very much enjoyed hearing and discussing the recording of Hansel and Gretel.
I plan to devote a lot of time to the study and singing of more two-part songs in the next few months. Since this is a difficult phase of the program for the children to master, I plan to spend a considerable amount of time on the two-part song. However, there will be periods left for listening to and discussing good recordings and musical television and radio programs that children their age can enjoy and understand.
All of the grades are visited weekly for a period of time varying from fifteen minutes in the first grade up to thirty-five or forty-five minutes in the sixth grade. The teacher is given a short plan of songs to review and teach during the week at some other time. I try to leave the individual teacher a lot of freedom in presenting the lesson to her class. In the case of a few teachers who have expressed their wish that I teach more songs in my lesson and let them do all the reviewing, I have tried to do this. Since I know that some teachers feel that their singing voices are inadequate for teaching purposes, I try not to pressure them with too many difficult songs to teach for the first time. Instead, I allow them to review songs that I have al- ready taught. On the whole, it is my belief that the music pro- gram has been running quite smoothly because of the wonder- ful cooperation and understanding of the classroom teachers. They have been most kind in bearing with my mistakes, and they have gone out of the way to help me in every possible way. Because of this, I think that the children have already begun to reap the benefits of the new music program.
SCHOOL CAFETERIA REPORT EDITH M. FREEMAN, Supervisor
The number of pupils participating in the school lunch program has increased this year so that on many days over 500 are served. The high point was reached when 606 were served the Thanksgiving luncheon. There are approximately 80 Marcy Street children served at the present time. Seating facilities are inadequate, however, and this slows up the service.
New Equipment
New equipment added this year included a refrigerator, two large fans, and an attachment for the large mixer. This attachment enables the workers to prepare salads, etc., much faster, and it has proved a great convenience for the kitchen.
New floor covering has been installed in the dining, dish, and teachers' rooms and also in the kitchen. Work tables have
34
also been recovered. In addition these rooms have been redec- orated.
A deep freeze and refrigerator, donated by the Town In- firmary, are greatly appreciated, providing convenient and eco- nomical storage space for most of the Government Com- modities.
Milk and Lunch Programs
The Southbridge Lion's Club continues to furnish milk for those Elementary School children who cannot afford to pay for it. This milk program remains at a high level.
The Southbridge Evening Women's Club pays for the lunches of the needy children in the Special Class and Marcy Street School. This is a highly commendable project since good nutrition aids these children in better school work.
AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS DEPARTMENT REPORT EDWARD J. DESROCHES, Director
Research and experience continue to prove the tremendous educational value of audio-visual materials in the instructional program. The continuing research in this field serves as a con- stant reminder to teachers that children learn faster and re- member longer when audio-visual instructional materials are used to teach them.
Audio-Visual Uses
Teachers in the public schools of Southbridge seem very much cognizant of these findings as evidenced by their many requests for audio-visual instructional materials during 1957. Their use of the educational film, filmstrip, lantern slide, rec- ord, and tape recording was frequent and effective throughout the year.
New Equipment and Materials
The services of the Audio-Visual Department were further extended during 1957 by the purchase of a new 16mm sound motion picture projector, a dual-speed tape recorder, and a public address system.
In addition to the above purchases, forty-five filmstrips and three record albums were also purchased. The purchase of the record albums marks the beginning of what we hope will be a comprehensive educational record library covering all areas of the curriculum.
Student Projectionists
Students, selected and trained by the Director, continue to relieve teachers of mechanical details when projected aids are used. Since this service allows teachers more time for teaching,
35
it has done much to encourage teachers to make greater use of audio-visual instructional materials in their teaching.
Community Service
The services of the Audio-Visual Department were ex- tended to many community organizations during 1957. Equip- ment and operators as well as record albums were provided for the following organizations during the year: Mothers Club, Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Sitzmarkers Ski Club, As- sociation for the Mentally Retarded, Pilsudski Polish American Club, The National Secretaries Association International, and the Jacob Edwards Public Library where the equipment was provided for a weekly film program.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REPORT DR. LEWIS A. KYRIOS, Director
Our present Physical Education Program has been organ- ized to include all the elementary school students, the special classes, and the entire student body of Cole Trade High School. Grades six and seven, both boys and girls, participate in regu- lar classes, while all the students in grades one to five inclusive participate in programs prepared by the Director and super- vised by classroom teachers during the recess period.
Tumbling stunts, calisthenics, relays, and games are em- phasized in the regular gym classes. The program is flexible in order to provide a wide range of activities for the many in- terests and needs of the students.
Physical Fitness Tests
Physical fitness tests will not in themselves make a boy or girl physically fit, but they will provide the incentive and the challenge to them to improve their physical condition once they have the courage to match themselves against the standards and are brought face to face with their shortcomings.
The physical fitness and proficiency tests of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States have been used in testing the Cole Trade High School students. The final tests will be completed in the early spring. These tests are being used widely by many types of organizations throughout the United States. The tests are designed for motivation of boys and girls, six to eighteen years of age, to increase athletic sports parti- cipation for the development of physical fitness. They are con- sidered well within the "safety zone" and capacity of the aver- age healthy boy and girl.
After-School Athletic Program
The after-school athletic program has been organized to
36
give the elementary student an opportunity to participate in competitive sports with proper supervision. Touch football, basketball, and baseball are offered to the boys. The girls may participate in basketball and softball. Coaches have been ap- pointed to insure proper supervision. Schedules are carefully prepared to protect the health and safety of the students. Prop- er equipment and facilities have been received.
ADULT CIVIC EDUCATION REPORT CONSTANCE M. L'ECUYER, Director
Owing to the limit of quotas having been reached last year, our classes this fall have not been as large as usual. Yet we hold these classes so that no one is denied, by the town, the op- portunity he seeks. This year we have the northern countries of Europe represented with Sweden, Wales, England, and Ger- many. Heretofore, southern European countries were more predominant in number.
Each year I take opportunity to reiterate the provisions of the New Immigration Act which permits the filing of papers after five years of residence and after only three years for a husband or wife of a United States citizen. Also children can acquire citizenship through their parents only if they are under sixteen years of age. We are gratified that parents have been interested in doing this for their children's sake.
I wish to repeat that everyone must be finger-printed be- fore going before the examiners for Naturalization. Locally, the Police Department has been most cooperative in this matter so that applicants need not go to Worcester.
Most people have now heard that a person fifty years of age or over and who has lived here twenty years is not required to read English, but the law also says that these people must pos- sess a knowledge and understanding of U. S. History and Gov- ernment. Therefore, these people must acquire this knowledge through help in the home or through private help from the Evening School Director. She has found that children in Junior and Senior High Schools have been able to teach their parents or grandparents quite well with her help.
Lately, a number of Southbridge residents have been turned down by the Examiners in Worcester because they had not studied American History. These names are received by the School Department, and every effort is made to reach and help them if they desire this help. Our Evening School class in U. S. History and Civics covers the necessary requirements for Naturalization.
The Southbridge School Department is giving every op- portunity to the non-citizen to help him become a Naturalized American. There is not one instance of a person's failing be-
37
fore the Board of Examiners if he has attended Evening School courses.
This year, every Monday evening, the Director of Evening School is available for the filing of Application Forms; for the posting of Bonds by relatives or children to enable their par- ents to migrate to these shores; for the filling out of Displaced Person Reports as well as Alien Address Reports each Janu- ary; and for the filing of Derivative Citizenship Papers for chil- dren of citizens.
The Director will supervise those who cannot possibly at- tend school but wish to follow a Home Study Course in History and Government.
Every effort is made by the Civic Education Division of the School Department to obtain any data needed for an applica- tion no matter how difficult the task may seem. Please con- tact the Director so that she will have the opportunity to do the work that the Town and School Department wish to have her do for everyone, whether that person is a new arrival or a long-time resident of the United States.
ART DEPARTMENT REPORT CLAIRE BIRTZ, Director
The integrated art program in the Elementary grades in Southbridge gives each child an opportunity to enjoy a variety of art experiences. Creative painting and poster lettering are included in this program. The pupils also work with three di- mensional mediums.
Graded lessons covering each class are available to the classroom teachers, and a workshop in art for teachers will be held in March. A good reference library of arts and crafts books, plus fine reproductions of painting, is being built up in each school.
Because of the limtied time which can be allotted to each school, classroom teachers must carry on many of the art proj- ects, and they are to be complimented on the fine work being done in our schools. Children in lower grades lean toward story illustration and creative painting, while older children are more interested in crafts. The classroom teachers have helped to carry on this work most efficiently.
Unfortunately, because of large classes and lack of work areas, we cannot offer upper-grade students the type of pro- gram which we would like to present to them, but we do offer as interesting and as stimulating an art program as possible. The classroom teacher deserves a great deal of credit for this work, too.
High School art is elective. Our students are doing fine work, but we have a serious handicap. Because of the limited time in which the Art Teacher is in the High School building,
38
no student is able to work during a free period. Also no stu- dent can take more than two periods of art a week. This is not enough time for those who are seriously interested in making art their careers.
Two new cabinets have just been added to the art room. These will help relieve our pressing need for storage space. Our school art library is now quite large with good books on a variety of phases of art. We have excellent materials with which to work, but we are short of time in which to carry on the many varied art activities which can be carried on in a good high school art room.
CONCLUSION
In closing, I wish to express sincere appreciation for the help and cooperation that has been extended to the schools and to me during the past year. The community as a whole and many of its public and private agencies have been most help- ful. I am especially indebted to the principals, teachers, and to the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted. ROBERT L. FOX Superintendent
39
EMERGENCY PHONES
Police PO 4-3310
Fire
PO 4-2155
Ambulance
PO 4-2155
Water Supply
PO 4-8692
Gas and Electric
PO 4-3261
Highway
PO 4-7271
Hospital
PO 4-2511
Annual Reports
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
THE
ALTH
EYE
O
TH
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
YEAR ENDING
December 31, 19.58
SOUTHBRIDGE TYPESETTING COMPANY SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 1959 X
٠٠
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
GE,
FEB. 15
INCORPORATEO
S
1816
THE EYE
ILTH
E
OF
THE
C
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE
YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1958
SOUTHBRIDGE TYPESETTING COMPANY SOUTHBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 1958
S
Table of Contents
Town Officers for 1958
3
Jury List
9
Selectmen's Report
16
Tabulation and Litigation
17
Town Treasurer's Report
19
Town Clerk's Report
21
Warrant, Annual Town Meeting
24
Annual Elections, March 7, 1958
37
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
61
Special Town Meeting, Sept. 8, 1958
71
Warrant, Primary Election
80
Primary Election, Sept. 9, 1958
82
Warrant, State Election
85
State Election, Nov. 4, 1958
88
Warrant, Special Town Meeting
91
Special Town Meeting, Dec. 15, 1958
95
Assessors' Report
98
Tax Collector's Report
100
Sealer of Weights and Measures
104
Board of Health Report
105
Director of Veterans' Services
110
Public Improvement Committee
114
Police Department Report
116
Planning Board Report
118
Cemetery Committee Report
119
Town Engineer's Report
120
Dog Officer's Report
122
Recreation Committee
122
Inspector of Wires
128
Tree Warden's Report
128
Dutch Elm Disease Dept.
129
Gypsy Moth Department
130
Highway Superintendent's Report
130
Trustees of Edwards Memorial Library
137
Board of Public Welfare Report
144
Fire Department Report
144
Forest Fire Department Report
149
Ambulance Department Report
150
Dept. of Civil Defense
151
Advisory Board of Review
154
Building Inspector's Report
154
Town Accountant's Report
156
Balance Sheet. Dec. 31, 1958
191
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1958
ELECTED TOWN OFFICERS
Selectmen
Raymond J. Lataille, Chairman
1958-1959
Armand O. DeGrenier, Clerk
1958-1959
Peter Graf
1958-1959
Treasurer
Norbert C. Benoit 1958-1961
Town Clerk Clare P. Boyer
Board of Public Welfare
John M. Beaudry, Chairman
1956-1959
Raymond Boucher, Clerk
1958-1961
Hermas Lippe, 3rd Member
1957-1960
Lilian G. Proulx, Welfare Agent
Assessors
Charles Normandin, Chairman
1956-1959
Rosario Arpin, Clerk
1958-1961
Ernest Farland
1957-1960
Board of Health
Dr. Raymond Haling, Chairman 1956-1959
Dr. Armand DeGrenier, Clerk
1957-1960
Henry Demers
1958-1961
Ernest Tetreault, Agent
Rachel Jolicoeur, Nurse
School Committee
Ralph Racicot
1958-1961
Belmore St. Amant
1958-1961
Armand A. Bellerive - Appointed
1959
Lorenzo Beaupre
1957-1960
Louis VanDernoot, Chairman
1956-1959
Edgar J. Bourgeois, Vice-Chairman
1957-1960
Mario DeAngelis
1957-1960
World War Memorial Trustees
Albert J. Tremblay 1956-1959
Henry Peloquin 1957-1960
3
Ovila Donais Stavre B. Yanka Hormidas Beaudry
1958-1961 1957-1960 1956-1959
Cemetery Committee
George Dumas, Chairman
1956-1959
Jesse Blackburn, Clerk
1958-1961
Lectance Landry
1957-1960
Seaver Rice, Superintendent
Constables
Charles L. Montigny
1958-1961
Blaise Trudeau
1956-1959
Paul Libuda
1957-1960
Tax Collector
Elizabeth M. Duhamel
1957-1960
Planning Board
James J. Fallon, Investigator
1954-1959
Roland A. Pontbriand, Chairman
1957-1960
Roger Madore, Resigned
Ernest Tremblay
1958-1963
Leon Livernois
1956-1962
Sewer Commissioners
Alfred J. Goudreau, Chairman
1956-1959
Edgar McCann
1958-1961
Bernard Allard
1957-1960
Park Commissioners
Albert Gendron
1955-1959
Arthur Roy
1957-1960
Roger LeBoeuf
1958-1961
Moderator
Willard R. Stark
1958-1959
Commissioners of Trust Fund
Vincent T. Walsh
1958-1961
James J. Fallon
1956-1959
Charles Hart
1957-1960
Tree Warden
Chester J. Maska
1957-1958
4
Southbridge Housing Authority
1956-1961
Alphonse V. Renna Leon Livernois
1954-1959
1955-1960
Lionel Duval Alfred J. Dumas, Jr. August Kowalski, appointed by the State.
1958-1963
APPOINTED TOWN OFFICERS
Assistant Clerk to Selectmen
Doris Nolan
1958-1959
Town Accountant
Leon Caron
1956-1959
Town Counsel
Harold C. Peterson, Jr.
1958-1959
Town Engineer
Henry Racicot
1958-1959
Veterans' Benefit Agent
Roland G. Hetu
1958-1959
Veterans' Service Department
Roland G. Hetu
1958-1959
Superintendent of Streets
Joseph E. Benoit
1958-1959
Care of Town Clock
Earl O'Clair
1958-1959
Recreation Committee
Frank P. Skinyon 1961
Louis Brunelle 1959
Henry Racicot
1959
Lorenzo Beaupre
1959
Raymond Dartt
1959
Herminigile Cournoyer
1959
Albert Gendron
1959
Fred Volpini 1959
Arthur Roy 1960
Marcy Osimo 1959
Lewis Kyrios
1961
Alex Lesniewski
1959
Louis VanDernoot
1961
Edgar McCann
1960
John Merrill
1959
Eugene LeBlanc
1960
Roger LeBoeuf
1961
Armand Bellerive, Jr. 1961
Robert LaMarre
1961
Edgar Bourgeois
1960
5
Superintendent of Schools Robert L. Fox Keeper of Lock-Up
Ovide Desrosier 1958-1959
Louis Bucci, Assistant
1958-1959
Custodian of Town Hall
Emil Leduc
1958-1959
Animal Inspector
Alcide Fournier 1958-1959
Plumbing, Milk and Food Inspector
Arthur Ballard
1958-1959
Building Inspector
A. Raymond Dartt
1958-1959
Wire Inspector
Arthur Eno
1958-1959
By-Laws Committee
D. W. Morrill
John O. Martin
Mitchell Kurposka
J. Beldon Sly Alfred Ferron Oswald Laliberte
Registrars of Voters
Ferdinand Lemoine 1958-1961
Albert Maramo
1957-1960
Raymond Varin, Jr.
1956-1959
Clare P. Boyer, Ex-Officio.
Moth Superintendent
Chester J. Maska
1958-1959
Fire Department
Alva J. Gregoire 1958-1959
Daniel Daniels, Deputy Chief
Superintendent of Fire Alarms
Norman Larochelle, appointed by Fire Dept. 1957-1958
Fire Wardens, Appointed by Fire Chief
Alva J. Gregoire 1958
Harry Michaels 1958
Joseph Mandeville 1958
Albert Servant 1958
Emile Caouette
1958
Rosario Bellerose 1958
Romeo Lippe
1958
Ovila Donais 1958
Daniel Daniels
1958
6
Fence Viewers
Alphonse V. Renna
1958-1959
Herman Giroux
1958-1959
August Kowalski
1958-1959
Clifford Mckinstry
1958-1959
Roland D. Martel
1958-1959
Finance Committee
George Metras, Chairman
1958-1961
Armand Lacasse
1956-1959
John Rischitelli
1957-1960
Edward Belair
1956-1959
Victor Peloquin
1957-1960
Ernest Lavallee
1958-1960
Francis Strenk
1958-1961
Louis Gubb
1958-1961
G. Daniel Dumas
1958-1961
Clifford Eaton
1955-1958
Albert Lusignan
1956-1959
Steve Simonelli
1957-1960
Richard Genereux
1957-1960
Richard Harwood
1957-1960
Thadeus Kwarciak
1958-1961
Ercell Teeson
1958-1961
Measurers of Wood and Bark
Thomas L. Hughes
1958-959
Arthur Gendron
1958-1959
Royce Fitzpatrick
1958-1959
Field Drivers
Jacob Gouin
1958-1959
Soldiers Burial Officer
Roland G. Hetu
1958-1959
Public Weighers
Jacob Edwards
Royce Fitzpatrick
Clifford Mckinstry
Jacqueline Jalbert
Loretta Fitzpatrick
Argentina Damian
William Cox
Arthur Gendron
Rose Gauthier
Mary Culliton
Harry Michaels
Emile Corriveau
Thomas Hughes
Anna L. Hughes
Zoning Board of Appeals
Robert Graf 1957-1958
Edward Seremet 1957-1958
Edgar McCann
1956-1959
7
Dog Officer
Moise Reopel
1958-1959
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Roland A. Varin
1958-1959
Care of Veterans Graves
William J. Congdon
1957-1958
George LaCroix, Assistant
1957-1958
Retirement Board
Leon Caron
1956-1959
George W. Silk
1957-1960
Signe E. Braman
1958-1961
Airport Committee
Edgar Lewis
1954-1959
William LeGate
1956-1969
Louis Stevens
1955-1960
Emile Arsenault
1957-1962
Albert DiGregorio
1953-1958
Library Trustees
Edward P. Sheehan
1957-1960
Oswald Laliberte
1956-1969
Dr. Nerio Pioppi
1955-1958
Board of Review
Robert Jolie, Chairman
1958-1961
Archie Champagne, Secretary
1957-1959
Vincent T. Walsh
1957-1960
Pound Keeper
Frederick H. Dowling
1957-1958
Civil Defense Director
Charles McLam
1957-1958
Southbridge Public Improvement Committee
Clarence Peloquin, Chairman
Charles Havener, Clerk Joseph Swiacki
Michael Morrill
John Rossi
8
JURY LIST
MALE
Name - Residence Business or Occupation and Address of Employer or Business
A
Abrahamson, Stanley F., 26 Franklin Ter. Deary Brothers,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.