USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1956 > Part 2
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30
ANNUAL REPORT
Interest and Costs
Total Collected Paid to Treasurer
$ 122 63
$ 122 63
$ 122 63 $ 122 63
Summary
Total Taxes collected
$ 31,507 99
Total Motor Vehicle & Trailer Excise
5,280 48
Total Interest & Costs Collected
122 63
Paid to Treasurer
36,911 10
$ 36,911 10 $ 36,911 10
Respectfully submitted,
W. G. CHAPMAN, Tax Collector
31
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the TOWN AUDITOR
This certifies that I have audited all bills submitted and approved by the Board of Selectmen, for the ensuing year. Also have audited the books and accounts of Town Treasurer and Tax Collector and find the same to be correct.
Respectfully submitted, O. HAROLD ERICKSON,
Auditor
Report of the CHIEF OF POLICE
Appropriation $ 150 00 Expended 92 00
Cases Investigated
Breaking and Entering
3
Breaking and Entering to Commit Larceny
3
Disturbing the Peace
2
Drunkenness
2
Hit and Run Drivers
4
Attempt to Wreck Car
1
Motor Vehicle Law Violations
2
Automobile Accidents
6
Trespassing
3
Transfers of Motor Vehicles Recorded
12
Summons Served
3
Convictions Obtained in Court
2
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER W. NELSON,
Chief of Police
32
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the FIRE DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
$ 1,500 00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
87 26
Total Available 1,587 26
Total Expended
1,587 26
Unexpended Balance Returned to Overlay Surplus (Refund)
1 95
Fires Reported to During Year
1-Building fire
1-Oil burner fire
1-Tractor fire
2-At Town Dump
Once to extinguish fire
Once to burn out dump
5-Grass and brush fires
The estimated loss from fires during the year was $2,000.00
Permits Issued during 1956
15-Oil storage
16-Oil burner installations
4-Gasoline storage
2-L. P. Gas
4 Blasting
A total of $20.00 in permit fees was collected and turned over to the Treasurer.
The year 1956 was a hard one for the Fire Department in many ways.
On October 3, the new dial telephone system of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company went into ope- ration.
This required the Fire Department to have an entirely different Emergency Warning System. An appropriation of $900.00 was voted by the Town for that purpose. The N. E. Tel & Tel. Co. installed the Red Network call system and the members of the Fire Department installed the siren and control.
The money spent for the siren installation was for mate- rials alone as the members of the Fire Department gave their time and labor.
The system is working quite well, we have most of the
INFORMATION FOR DISCUSSION MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1957
Article 1 - Annual Report
Article 2 - Election of officers
Article 3 - To choose all necessary town officers and committees not elected by ballot.
Article 4 - To fix salaries for elective town officers.
Expended
Office
1955
1956
Appropriated 1956
Recommended 1957
Town Clerk
$
150.00 $ 150.00
$ 150.00
$ 150.00
Selectmen
Chairman
125.00
125.00
125.00
$ 125.00
Member
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Member
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Clerk
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
Assessors
Chairman
# 125.00
$ 125.00
$ 125.00
$ 125.00
Member
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Member
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Clerk
75.00
75.00
75.00
75.00
School Committee
Chairman
$ 50.00 $
50.00
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Member
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
Member
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
Clerk
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
Moderator
$
20.00 $
20.00
$ 20.00
$ 20.00
Tax Collector
400.00
400.00
400.00
400.00
Treasurer
400.00
400.00
400.00
400.00
Auditor
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Library Trustees
Chairman
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
Member
10.00
10.00
10.00
Member
10.00
10.00
10.00
Clerk
10.00
10.00
10.00
Cemetery Committee
Chairman
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
$ 15.00
Member
10.00
10.00
10.00
Member
10.00
10.00
10.00
Clerk
10.00
10.00
10.00
Totals
$2,020.00 $2,035.00
$2,035.00
$2,035.00
Article 5 - Compensation for men and equipment working on highways.
Article 6 -
Expended 1955 1956
Appropriated 1956
1957
Bonding Town Officers
98.75
98.75
100.00
100.00
Article 7 - Appropriations to cover expenses and outlays of the several town departments for the ensuing year.
General Government
Town Officers' Supplies
598.93
305.06
400.00
400.00
Elections and Registration
140.00
269.75
200.00
200.00
Printing
499.88
521.16
600.00
600.00
Memorial Hall Maintenance
572.63
542.46
600.00
650.00
Protection to Persons and Property
Police
70.50
Fire Department
1,586.76
92.00 1,587.26
150.00 1,500.00 10.00
150.00 1,800.00
Sealer of Wts. & Meas.
10.00
10.00
20.00
Plus fees
Plus fees
Moth Suppression
177.30
168.20
210.00
210.00
Dutch Elm Disease Control
193.42
184.10
210.00
210.00
Tree Warden
49.35
50.00
50.00
Inspection of Wires
5.00
39.00
25.00
25.00
Dog Officer
83.75
75.00
75.00
75.00
Health and Sanitation
Board of Health
25.00
387.50
50.00
350.00
Inspection of Animals
35.00
35.00
35.00
35.00
Inspection of Slaughtering
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
Welfare and Charities
Old Age Assistance
6,009.11
4,758.70
6,100.00
6,400.00
Aid to Dependent Children
223.60
577.50
250.00
550.00
Disability Assistance
760.25
369.10
1,200.00
900.00
General Relief
1,284.58
1,386.49
1,450.00
650.00
Administration
115.05
250.00
250.00
300.00
$4, 392.59 $7,341.79
$9,250.00
$8,800.00
Schools and Education
Schools
34,925.02 37,377.97
38,713.22
38,979.16
School Lunch
2,968.18
3,164.48
Library
1,801.88
1,295.63
800.00
800.00 Plus Int. 100.00
4-H Clubs
99.28
106.94
Cemeteries
831.49
866.67
500.00
500.00
.
Improvements to Center Cemetery
Retirement and Social Security Worcester County
Retirement Assessment
458.64
316.85
316.85
526.99
Employees Comp. Ins.
585.45
625.15
675.00
675.00
Plus Int. 100.00
Plus Int.
170.00
Plus.Int. 100.00
Recommended
Article 7 - Cont.
Expended 1955 1956
Appropriated 1956
Recommended 1957
Unclassifed
Memorial Day Observances$ 100.00
$ 125.59
$ 125.00
$ 100.00
Fire Insurance
223.75
288.01
600.00
300.00
Care of Town Common
60.00
60.30
60.00
60.00
Veterans' Benefits
5.00
0.00
150.00
200.00
Miscellaneous
177.58
320.02
200.00
275.00
Streets and Highways
Snow Removal and Sanding3,262.86 $ 8,759.52
$ 4,000.00
$ 4,000.00
Street Lights
429.00
396.00
396.00
396.00
Article 8 - Authority to borrow in anticipation of revenue.
Article 9 - Highways
Chapter 81 Maintenance Raise from taxation $ 1,100.00
$ 1,100.32
$ 1,100.00
$ 1,100.00
From available funds
in anticipation of reimbursement
12,100.00
12,100.00
12,100.00
12,100.00
Totals
$13,200.00
$13,200. 32
$13,200.00
$13,200.00
Article 10 - Highways
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Raise by taxation
$ 1,600.00 $ 1,599.76
$ 1,600.00
$ 1,600.00
Borrow or take
From available funds
in anticipation of
reimbursement
$ 3,194.37 # 3,199.52
$ 3,200.00
$ 3,200.00
Article 11 - Highways
Chapter 90 Construction-Complete South Road to existing hard surface road and start on Spencer Road from Price 's Xfrom towards No. Brookfield Road.
Raise by taxation $ 4,314.28 $ 3,502.82
$ 3,000.00
$ 3,000.00
Borrow in anticipation
of reimbursement $12,942.85
$10,511.59
$ 9,000.00
$ 9,000.00
Totals
$17,257.13
$14,014.41
$12,000.00
$12,000.00
Article 12 - To make certain repairs to Stone Road in order to reduce the cost of snow removal.
Raise by taxation
$ 600.00
Article 13 -
Civilian Defense
----
$ 84.32
$ 50.00
Article 14 -
Maturing Debt
$ 2,000.00 $ 2,000.00
$ 2,000.00
$ 4,000.00
Expended
Article 15 -
1955 1956
Appropriated 1956
Recommended 1957
Interest on Maturing and Temporary Loans $ 447.83 $ 568.56
$ 450.00 $ 500.00
Article 16 - Repairs to Wright Ball Park
$ 500.00 $ 500.00 Director of Accounts ruled that this money could not be spent until after January 1, 1957.
Article 17 - To paint Town Clock
$ 600.00
Article 18 -
Appropriation from Overlay Surplus for purposes of a Reserve Fund $ 156.09 $ 617.74 $ 1,000.00
$ 1,000.00
Article 19 -
Permanent repairs to Barre Road. - All funds for this work will by furnished in advance by the State.
$ 7,684.77
Article 20 - Transfer from Highway Machinery Fund to Account. $ 3,324.32 $ 5,517.42 $ 3,500.00 $ 2,000.00
Totals of all appropriations
Raised by taxation $67,005.92 $73,211.46 $70,411.07 $74,597.15
Article 21 - To use $8,000.00 or any other amount to reduce the tax levy. $10,000.00 used in 1955 and 1956.
Article 22 - To accept Cemetery Trust Funds.
Article 23 - To hear report of committee on proposed zoning regulations.
Article 24 - To give the selectmen authority to appoint one of their members Chief of Police, and to set the rate of pay for said work.
Article 25 - To appropriate the sum of $50.00 from the Cemetery Sale of Lots Account for use by the Cemetery Committee for providing new lots.
33
ANNUAL REPORT
"bugs" out of it. An engineer from the siren manufacturer is expected in the near future to check the siren location for best results.
We had two serious fires during the year. There were no very severe thunderstorms and no fires were set by lightning. We believe that our strict enforcement regula- tions regarding installations of oil burners has helped very much to reduce the number of house fires and our strict issuing of burning permits and close checking of signs of fires has kept down the number and size of brush and grass fires.
A great deal of credit also goes to the people of Oakham for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, LEONARD A. HARDY, Chief of Fire Department
34
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the
DIRECTOR of CIVILIAN DEFENSE
Appropriation
$ 0 00
Carried over from 1955
·
275 00
Available
$ 275 00
Expended
84 32
Oakham has been designated a neutral zone, which means that Oakham is neither an evacuation nor a reception zone. The people of Oakham have a choice of leaving their homes or staying in them, if there is an Atomic Attack. For those who elect to leave, New Braintree, Hardwick, or Barre are their reception zones. Those who remain in their homes should seek shelter in the cellar of their home, in a corner close to an exit. Each family should take ample supplies of canned food, water, clothing, bedding, first aid kits and flashlights with extra batteries plus a battery powered A.M. radio tuned to 640 or 1240 kilocycles for information and instructions.
Farmers and others, who have livestock, chickens and other animals should provide dustproof shelters with tight shutters for the windows. They should have water and feed for at least three days and should make some arrange- ment for caring and feeding the animals without going out- side and exposing themselves to the danger of radiation until all danger is passed.
Fallout, or the dust that falls from the air after an Atomic Bomb Burst, is very radioactive. It is these radio- active rays which are harmful.
A heavy rain or three or four days of heavy dew reduce the danger.
Respectfully submitted,
W. FRANCIS BRENNAN,
Director of Civilian Defense
35
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
Moth Suppression
Appropriation Expended
$
210 00 168 20
Dutch Elm Disease Control
Appropriation Expended
$ 210 00 184 10
A total of 16 elm trees infected with Dutch Elm Disease were cut down and destroyed by Town and Department of Conservation crews. Also six infected elms on Metropolitan District Commission property were cut down and destroyed by the Metropolitan District Commission.
A survey of the town indicated that there were no areas infested with gypsy moths to any appreciable extent.
In view of this it was not considered advisable to do any further work on gypsy moth control at present. As an alternative all elm trees along the town roads were sprayed in an attempt to cut down the rate of spread of the Dutch Elm Disease.
Respectfully submitted, H. ROSCOE CRAWFORD, Moth Superintendent
In Memoriam
J. FRED ALLEN Moth Superintendent and Field Driver ELMER V. NEWTON Former Highway and Moth Superintendent
36
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the WIRE INSPECTOR
Appropriated
$ 25 00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
14 00
Total Available Expended
$ 39 00
$
39 00 In the year 1956 I have inspected and passed the follow- ing:
Wiring in New Buildings Inspected 3
Oil Burner Installations 9
Fire Siren Installation 1
Service Entrance
1
Building and Yard Lighting
Improvements
1
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH L. DOWNER,
Wire Inspector
Report of the BOARD OF HEALTH
Salk Polio Immunization Program
9-First inoculations administered.
2-Second inoculations administered.
126 First and second inoculations administered.
6 Third inoculations administered.
2-Expectant mothers - First and second inoculations.
145 Inoculations administered - 273 c.c. of serum used. Cases Investigated
2
Dumping on Private Property
Non-Residents Using Town Dump 2
Water Contamination 1
Sewage Disposal 1
Outpatient examinations - Worcester County Hosp. 4
Persons Admitted to Worcester County Hospital 1
Contagious Diseases Reported 8
Received for licenses and permits $3.50
Respectfully submitted, WALTER W. NELSON
37
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Account
Town Funds Expended
Total Expended
Old Age Assistance
$ 4,758 70 $
8,850 05
Aid to Dependent Children
577 50
1,013 95
Disability Assistance
369 10
1,244 70
General Relief
1,386 49
1,386 49
Administration
250 00
495 23
Totals
$ 7,341 79 $
12,990 42
The Board of Public Welfare continued in operation until March 5th, after which the duties of the board were taken over by the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the vote of the town on the referendum included on the official ballot for the annual town meeting.
The administration of the town's welfare program was carried out by the staff of the Quaboag Welfare District, of which Oakham is a member, and the work has been done with efficiency and consideration.
The following is a tabulation of the average case load for the town and the net cost to the town of the various pro- grams:
Program
Avg. No. Net Cost of Cases to Town
Old Age Assistance
11
$ 558 75
Aid to Dependent Children
1
256 69
Disability Assistance
2
198 80
General Relief
2
561 72
Totals
16 $ 1,575 96
The estimated net cost to the town of administering this program was $227.60.
Old Age Assistance, Aid to Dependent tChildren, and Disability Assistance benefits were increased 5% effective July 1st due to an equal increase in the cost of living index since the last adjustment was made in August of 1951.
Also acts have been passed by the State Legislature extending Old Age Assistance benefits to certain non-citi- zens who have lived in this country at least 20 years and providing for an increased exemption under specific circum-
38
ANNUAL REPORT
stances in the proceeds of the sale of real estate owned by recipients.
A complete financial report prepared by the staff of the Quaboag Welfare District is included in the financial section of this report.
Quaboag Welfare District
Prudential Committee Administrative Staff
Silvieau. Ledoux, Chairman George H. Deotte, Agent
Roger H. Lonergan, Clerk
Yvonne S. Barr,
Charles J. Woodis
Social Worker
Romeo J. Kardas
Marjorie S. Flandreau, Senior Clerk M. Alice Ledoux, Jr. Clerk
Oakham Welfare Board
Roger H. Lonergan Walter W. Nelson
Chairman John P. O'Donnell
39
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the CHARLTON HOME FARM ASSOCIATION
For year ending December 31, 1956
Land and Buildings
$
15,000 00
Deposit in Savings Banks 12,905 61
Personal Property 4,205 00
Amount Receivable from Towns
2,113 50
Cash in Warden's account 300 00
Balance in checking account
3,035 39
$ 37,559 50
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1956 $ 2,509 98
3 U. S. Bonds sold 3,000 00 4
Received from 3 towns, joining Ass'n 600 00
Received from Towns and Boarders . 19,073 02
Sale of Land and Gravel
for New Turnpike 4,822 75
$ 30,005 75 -
EXPENDITURES
Bills Paid Bank Balance, Dec. 31, 1956
$ 26,970 36 3,053 39
$ 30,005 75
Number of Boarders - 25
During the year, many improvements were accom- plished at the Home Farm to meet the requirements of the State Department at a cost of $9,187.86.
DONALD R. PERKINS, President LESTER P. GATES, Secretary and Treasurer CARL F. DAVIS, Auditor
40
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT
Account
Total Total to be Net Expense Expended Reimbursed To Town
Chap. 81 Maintenance $ 13,200 32 $ 12,100 00 $
1,100 32
Chap. 90 Maintenance 4,799 28 3,199 52
1,599 76
Chap. 90 Construction 14,014 41
10,511 59
3,502 82
Snow Removal & Sanding 8,759 52
8,759 52
Emergency Flood Relief
951 20
951 20
Purchase & Maintenance
5,517 22
5,517 22*
Totals $ 47,241 95 $ 32,279 53 $ |14,962 42 *Received from machinery rentals.
The following is a summary of the work done on roads and streets of the Town of Oakham during the year ending December 31, 1956.
Chapter 81 Maintenance
Work done under Chapter 81 Maintenance included scraping, patching, graveling and maintaining the drainage on the town roads. Under an agreement with the New Eng- land Telephone and Telegraph Co., brush was cleared by the telephone company along all sections where there were utility poles with the understanding that the town would remove the brush and maintain the roadside after the tele- phone company had given all areas an initial treatment of weed and brush eradicator.
Because of the poor condition of several of the hard surface roads as a result of the heavy rains in August of 1955, a total of 30,100 feet of existing hard surface roads were re-oiled.
Other work included grading and preparing about 1500 feet of Gaffney Road for surface treatment, improving the drainage on Ware Corner Road, oil treating 1600 feet of Lupa Road and graveling Bullard and Edson Roads.
Cost Breakdown
Brush
$ 2,171 60
Drainage
1,158 60
Grading
150 40
Graveling
1,094 20
Patching
2,487 20
41
ANNUAL REPORT
Scraping Surface Treatment
440 40 5,697 92
Total
$ 13,200 32
Chapter 90 Maintenance
Maintenance under Chapter 90 consisted entirely of patching and surfacing treating the following roads: Old Turnpike Road $1,447 50
Spencer Road
507 20
North Brookfield Road
598 40
Coldbrook Road
1,974 50
Rutland Road
271 68
Total
$ 4,799 28
Chapter 90 Construction
Reconstruction of South Road was continued for an ad- ditional 1500 feet and final grading and surface treatment of the section done in 1955 was completed.
Equipment
The following are the major items of equipment owned by the town at the end of the year:
1-1953 Ford F-6 Truck
1-1956 Ford F-6 Truck
1-Ferguson Tractor
1-Tractor Mower
1-Good Roads Automatic Sander
1-Wagner Loader
1- Sander
4-Snow Plows
1-Power Grindstone
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH T. YOUNG, JR.
Highway Superintendent
42
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Appropriation $ 500 00
Transferred from Income of Trust Funds
366 67
Total Available
$ 866 67
Expended for
Labor
$ 737 78
Maintenance of Equipment
4 93
Supplies
86 96
Equipment hire
20 00
Expenses and Mileage
17 00
Total Expended
866 67
Appropriated from Cemetery Sale of Lots Account $ 127 50
Expended for providing new lots, Jamara Bros. $ 127 50 $
Total Expended
127 50
Unexpended Balance 0 00
Received for Annual Care of Lots
$
97 00
Perpetual Care Bequests
$ 300 00
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR WEBB, Secretary
43
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the OAKHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE
for the year ending December 31, 1956
Appropriated Expenditures
$ 38,713 22 $ 38,713 22 37,377 79
Unused Balance
1,335 43
Receipts
18,565 17
19,900 60
Actual Cost to Town Receipts:
Chapter 70
$ 5,484 73
Transportation
12,741 80
Superintendent
179 04
Vocational Aid
159 60
$ 18,565 17
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Willard C. Rutherford, Chairman
Term expires 1957
Mrs. Mary H. Parsons, Secretary
Term expires 1958 Term expires 1959
Philip Dwelly
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
William H. Buker Holden, Mass.
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT
Mrs. Lois P. Drawbridge®
Mrs. Addie P. Wentworth
Holden, Mass. Holden, Mass
TEACHERS
Mrs. Esther G. Hawkes
Mrs. Marjorie C. Hamilton
Miss Helena K. Rutherford
Grades VI, VII, VIII Grades III, IV, V Grades I. II, III
SUPERVISORS
Miss Ruth S. Innes
Miss Constance E. Brown
George N. Morris Rinehart Handwriting System
MUSIC MUSIC ART
PENMANSHIP
$ 18,812 62
44
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL HEALTH
Channing H. Washburn, M.D.
Mrs. Helen P. Olmstead, M.P.H.
Mrs. Brenda T. Sullivan, R.N.
Paxton, Mass. Worcester, Mass. Holden, Mass.
BUS DRIVERS
Leonard A. Hardy John O'Donnell
ATTENDANCE OFFICER Donald Agar
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Winter Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Fall Term
January 2 through February 15, 1957 February 25 through April 12, 1957 April 22 through June 7, 1957 September 4 through December 20, 1957
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
May 30, 1957
Memorial Day
November 1, 1957
November 11, 1957
November 27, 28, 29, 1957
Teachers' Convention Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Recess
Enrollment, December 31, 1956
Center School
Grades I & II 24
Grades III, IV & V 27
Grades VI, VII & VIII
33
Wachusett Regional High School
22
North Brookfield High School
5
Girls' Trade High
1
TOTAL
112
SCHOOL CENSUS - October 1, 1956
Boys
Girls
Totals
5 to 7 years of age
12
11
23
7 to 16 years of age
43
43
86
55
54
109
ELEMENTARY GRADUATES
Ronald Edward Chestna
Beverly Ann Stone
Gladys Cawford
John Roger Lonergan
Lily Cynthia Nahkala
Susan Ruth Parsons
Robert George Stone Mary Boyd Troy William Neal Wareing Betty Ann Wilder
45
ANNUAL REPORT TUITION STUDENTS Wachusett Regional High School Grade IX
Gladys Crawford Susan Parsons Beverly Stone Mary Troy Betty Wilder
Dorothy Zysk Ronald Chestna John Lonergan Robert Stone Neal Wareing
Lowell Arms Albert Fontaine
Jordon Dean
Donald Hardy
Joan Butler
Leslie Downer Leslie LaCount
Barbara Hutchins
Grade XII
Shirley Crawford Vivian Crawford
Nancy Rutherford Paul Downer
NORTH BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Arthur F. Bealand
Grade XII Grade XI Grade XI
Judith M. Foley
Joan A. Nahkala
Grade X
Timothy E. Narrow
Lily C. Nahkala
Grade IX
GIRLS TRADE HIGH SCHOOL Effie M. Crawford
Respectfully submitted,
Oakham School Committee Willard C. Rutherford, Chairman Mary H. Parsons, Secretary Philip Dwelly
Grade X
Grade XI
46
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of Oakham:
This annual report is the fifty-seventh in the series, and my ninth.
It is important that a report of major activities be re- corded for the citizens of today as well as for citizens of tomorrow.
Mrs. Winifred B. Lane who had taughtt five years in the Oakham School resigned to accept a position in the Chaffins School in Holden. Mrs. Marjorie C. Hamilton of Worcester was elected to replace Mrs. Lane.
Owing to the increased enrollment in the schools of Union No. 25, it has been necessary to increase personnel in the health department. Mrs. Helen P. Olmstead was elected and joined the staff August 1, 1956. With approxim- ately 2,300 pupils to examine each year and clinics to be held, it was impossible for one nurse to carry out this work. An area in the cafeteria has been curtained off to provide space for the nurses and doctor to carry out their program. A desk and roll-away bed have been purchased for this health area.
Miss Ruth S. Innes, music supervisor, returned in September after a year's leave spent in Europe. Miss Con- stance E. Brown was elected to assist with the music pro- gram. There are approximately twenty-five pupils taking lessons in instrumental music from Miss Brown each week.
The School Committee purchased new desks to replace the old ones in Miss Rutherford's room.
Mental maturity and achievement tests have been giv- en. The scores from these tests show that the pupils in Oak- ham compare favorably with those in neighboring towns.
Many Oakham students who are attending secondary schools are receiving scholastic honors. This speaks well for their elementary preparation.
The School Lunch Program has been managed again this year by Mrs. Shirley Wareing. The pupils get nou- rishing, well-balanced meals, prepared in accordance with standards set up by the State.
The pupils have continued the program of selling Christ- mas cards. The profit from this project is used to buy films for the school.
There is also commission money from the sale of pupils'
47
ANNUAL REPORT
pictures, which is divided among the teachers to be used at their discretion for the school work.
The people of Oakham are to be commended for having a vital and active interest in their school. This cooperation assists greatly in more efficient operation of the school pro- gram.
I wish to express appreciation of my association with the school committee, town officials, pupils and parents of Oakham.
WILLIAM H. BUKER
Report of the Trustees of the FOBES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Appropriation
$ 800 00
Received from refund on Dog Taxes 245 29
Transferred from Income of Trust Funds 250 34
Total Available $ 1,295 63
Total Expended 1,295 63
Mrs. Percy Wilbur who has served as libarian for five years resigned and we wish to thank her for the stimulating effect her work has had on the library. She gave gene- rously of her time and has made our library a living part of the town.
We were fortunate in gettting Mrs. Nelson Mayo to serve as librarian. Under her enthusiastic leadership, the library will continue to serve the community.
. Mr. Raymond H. Field, Trustee, made and donated the handsome reading lamp on the reading-room table; this lamp was especially designed to harmonize with the period of the library and the oak furniture of the reading-room.
Since the library is only opened one day a week, the Trustees' felt the expense of the telephone under the new system would not be warranted. However, the New Eng- land Telephone and Telegraph Company gave the library the telephone fixture and donated a suitable plaque comme- morating the gift of service the library enjoyed under the Conant-Parker ownership. We wish to thank the Conants again for the years of service they gave the library.
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