USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1931 > Part 3
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Laura F. Cahoon
Harwich
Dec.
1 John Pena
Harwich
Justina Gonsalves
Harwich
Beatrice L. Ramos
Harwich
Nov.
Chatham Chatham
Deaths Registered in the Town of Harwich-1931
Residence
Date
Name of Deceased
Age Y. M.
D.
Cause of Death
1930
N. H.
Dec.
8
Olivia A. Hall
77
·
·
1931
E. H.
Jan.
24
Almena M. Freeman
76
1
22
Arterio Sclerosis
H.
Jan. 27
Vincent C. Bassett
71
3 25 Cardiorenal Disease
H. P.
Jan.
27 Charles D. Chase
85
1
1
Broncho Pneumonia
W. H.
Feb.
2
Annie M. Robbins
70
6 18
Carcinoma of Neck
H.
Feb
2
Ruth H. Nickerson
74
1 13
Arterio Sclerosis
H.
70
Feb.
10
Male (Eldredge)
·
. .
·
6
10 Broncho Pneumonia
H.
Feb
12
John Schroder
93
2
25 Broncho Pneumonia
E. H.
Feb. 21
Edwin J. Stalker
57
7 12
Automobile Accident
W. H.
Feb.
22
Edwin R. Doane
92
12 4 Chronic Nephritis
H. P.
Feb.
25
Ralph L. D. Cummings
18
1 12
Chronic Heart Disease
W. H.
Feb.
26
Josephine Snow Chase
83
4
12
Arthritis and Grippe
H. P.
Mar.
2
Geraldine Ruth Ryder
8
. .
Influenza
H. C.
Mar.
4 Richard H. Mullaney
42
About
Acute Indigestion
Mar.
10 Ursula Myrick Paine
74
3
27
Lobar Pneumonia
Mar.
11
Lydia N. Sears Nickerson
76
6
24 Cerebral Hemmorrhage
H.
Mar. 13 Estelle N. Tuttle
72
·
·
H. P.
Mar.
20
Laura E. Curtis
40
5 16
Chronic Parenchymatous
H.
Mar.
29
Oliver F. Kelley
72
. .
.
Septicemia
Apr.
11
Adam Burnie
52
4
20 Inhalation of Gas
E. H.
Jan.
16 Hanna R. Freeman
73
Pulmonary Embolism
. .
Stillborn
Feb. 11
Delores Silva
W. H.
H. C.
Broncho Pneumonia
H. P.
Mar. 15 Jane Barrar Maxwell
83
2
17 Arterio Sclerosis
H.
Broncho Pneumonia
Truro, Mass.
Deaths Registered in the Town of Harwich-Continued
Date
Name of Deceased
Age Y. M. D.
Cause of Death
Apr.
17
Winifred Witherell
55
·
. .
H.
May
7
Sarah Sheverick Kelley
58
2
5
Myocarditis
June
13
Florence A. Davis
58
6
7
Carcinoma
H. P.
June
14
Rufus H. Small
89
11
23
Angina Pectoris
H.
June
27 Manuel Amado
17
. .
. .
H. P. .
July
22
Female (Stalker)
76
1
6
Angina Pectoris
July
23
Andrew M. Kendrick
71
10
24
Carcinoma
E. H.
July
29
Albertine S. Ryder
68
3
17
Tetanus
H.
July
28
Christian Rose
36
. .
10
Broncho Pneumonia
H.
Aug.
2
Clinton Everett Nunes
61
16
Angina Pectoris
H.
Aug.
4
Harry C. Cahoon
83
4
3
Arterio Sclerosis
H.
Aug.
15
Alfretta F. Doane
92
2
6
Old Age
H. P.
Sept.
7
Mercy R. Cahoon
69
5
7
Cerebral Hemmorrhage
W. H.
Sept.
8
Elizabeth M. Ayotte
27
. .
·
About
Arterio Sclerosis
H.
Oct. 7
Albert Francis Clark
85
9 19
Arterio Sclerosis Ulcer Duodenum
W. H.
Nov.
1
Ellen Dana Orcutt
57
6
14 Chronic Heart Disease
H.
Nov.
1 Arthur C. Paine
1
3
29 Broncho Pneumonia
H. P.
Dec. 9
Alton Parker Goss
76
1
14
Heart Disease
Dec.
11
Emma L. Cahoon
84
7
11
Chronic Nephritis
H. C.
Dec.
16
Mildred Pearl Bassett
7
8
20
Pernicious Anemia
H. P.
. .
· ·
Stillborn
H.
July
22
Charles Smith
H.
71
Sept.
7
Sylvanus K. Howes
Automobile Accident
Brewster
Sept.
24 Emelia DeSenna Duarte
95
W. H.
89
9
19
Nov.
9 Margaret N. Bassett
H. C.
Cirrhosis of Liver
1
. .
Arterio Sclerosis
H.
S. H.
Heart Disease
Residence
72
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT FEBRUARY 1, 1932
Barnstable, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Harwich in said County
GREETINGS :-
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the Inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in Elections and Town affairs to Meet in Exchange Hall in said Town on Monday, Feb. 1st., 1932, at Nine O'clock A. M., then and there to act on the following Articles :-
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to Act at said Meeting.
Article 2. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees. Town Clerk, Town Treas- urer for one year; one Selectman, Overseer of Public Wel- fare and Board of Health, for three years ; one Assessor for three years; three Herring Committee for one year; one School Committee for three years; three Constables for one year; one Trustee of Brooks Library, for three years ; one Park Commissioner for three years.
Article 3. To choose all other necessary Town Offi- cers and Committees.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year, and act fully thereon.
Article 5. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees for the year 1931.
73
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town expenses for the ensuing year, and act fully thereon.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to Instruct its Selectmen to control, regulate and prohibit the taking of Eels, Clams, Quahaugs and Scollops within the Town limits as provided in Chap. 91, Section 85 and acts and amend- ments thereto of the revised laws of Massachusetts and to make any regulations in regard to such fisheries, as may be deemed expedient, and act fully thereon.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to erect and maintain three electric street lights on Park Street, Har- wich Center, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum for the same.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to erect and maintain street lights on the Chatham Road between the residence of James Derwin and the South Harwich church.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to establish two (2) Lights on Willow Street, West Harwich and ap- propriate money to defray cost of installation and act fully thereon.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to relocate and maintain an arc light at the junction of Sisson Road and Parallel Street, and appropriate the sum of $38.40 toward maintenance of same. (By Request).
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to install and maintain one electric light at the junction of Allen Street and Sisson Road.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars to harden with bituminous concrete (hot mix) the side walk on the North side of Main Street, Harwichport, from Bank Street to Freeman Street, and act fully thereon.
74
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to construct a side walk on the West side of Cross Street, Harwichport, from Main Street to Pleasant Street, and raise and appro- priate Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the same, and act fully thereon.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars to build a sidewalk in East Harwich, from the Church Corner, thence westerly on the north side of the street as far as the money will go. (By Request)
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred ($600.) Dollars to grade and harden a sidewalk beginning at Main Street, IIarwich Center going southerly on the east side of School Street to Parallel Street, then on the northerly side of Sisson Road as far to the west as money allows.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to erect five (5) street lights on Depot Street, West Harwich, and act fully thereon.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to dis- continue Mill Point Road, so called, and act fully thereon.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to discon- tinue the present dump in West Harwich, commonly known as the "Bells Neck Dump", and act fully thereon.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the Moderator to appoint a committee of five voters of the Town, said committee to be appointed ten days after the Annual Town Meeting at which this action is taken. This committee to procure an architect to form- ulate plans and specifications for a consolidated school build- ing to accommodate either or both High or Elementary grades of the Town; to secure competitive bids for the erection of said school building, and also to see if the
75
Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fif- teen Hundred ($1500.) Dollars to enable the committee to carry out the intent of this article and to secure such assistance to that end as they may deem necessary. This committee to report its findings at the next Annual Town Meeting to be held in February, 1933.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five Hundred ($2500.) Dollars to erect stone jetties for the protection of the South Shore between the Chatham and Dennis lines, providing that the State will give an equal amount. The work to be done under the supervision of the State Engineer.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to instruct its Selectmen to dispose of the so called Smith-Nickerson property on Kelley Lane, by public or private sale and act fully thereon.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to purchase or take by eminent domain under Chapter 79 of James H. Foster et al, a piece of land on the East side of Wych- mere Harbor, containing about 28,150 Sq. Ft., for a Town Landing and raise and appropriate $2,750.00 for the same and act fully thereon.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to trans- fer to the Town Treasury the following sums of money which were raised in the year 1928. Sixty ($60) Dollars which was voted for land damage on New State High- way in South Harwich. One Hundred ($100.) Dollars land damage to B. F. Bee road Harwichport. Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for Forest Patrol. Seventy-five ($75.) Dol- lars for Milk Inspector. Also Three Hundred ($300.) Dol- lars raised in 1929 for Kelley Lane Road in Harwich.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to accept Sections 21 and 28 of Chapter 136 of the General Laws as amended by Chapter 406 of the Acts of 1928.
76
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money not to exceed $1500. un- der the provisions of sub section 21 of Section 1 of Chap- ter 371 of the Acts of 1921 and any and all amendments thereof and additions thereto for the employing of a nurse through the Harwich Visiting Nurse Association, Inc.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars to keep the shores of Wychmere Harbor cleaned up.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate Ten Thousand ($10,000.) Dollars, pro- viding the State will give the same amount, to be used for jetties and dredging at Wychmere Harbor.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to accept the Workman's Compensation Act, and raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money and act fully thereon.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to have a night Police Officer to patrol the different sections of the Town each and every night in the year, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money and act fully thereon.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to change Article III of the Town By-Laws by striking out sixteen (16) and inserting therein thirty (30) so that Article III shall read as follows: All articles to be put in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant shall be presented to the Select- men not later than 30 days previous to the Town Meeting.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to pay laborers at the rate of forty cents (.40) per hour for all Town work.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the benefit of the Chase Library, West Harwich.
77
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to ap- propriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the benefit of the Harwichport Library Association.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1000.) Dol- lars for the purpose of repainting, overhauling, and the in- stallation of a Booster Pump and water supply tank on the present Chemical and Hose Wagon of the Fire Department, and act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.) Dollars to build a stone Jetty to save the beach from washing away. Work to be done just to east or west of Wa-Wa-Taysse Road as may seem best, providing the State will make an appro- priation for same.
Article 37. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Twenty-five Hundred ($2500.) Dollars for rip-rap- ping with stone on the east and west side, and dredging at Allen's Harbor, providing the State will make an ap- propriation for same.
Article 38. That the Citizens of the Town of Har- wich vote to exempt from taxes for the period of two years the Harwich Hospital property on Main Street, South Harwich, Mass., provided it is used for hospital purposes only.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote that the fuel supply for all Town buildings shall be put out to Bids to the Tax payers of the Town of Harwich for the year 1932, and each year thereafter; to be delivered as wanted, weighing certificate to accompany each load of coal de- livered. Contract to be awarded to the lowest bidder.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty ($750.) Dollars for use of Harwich Post No. 292 Ameri-
78
can Legion, in the proper observance of Memorial and Ar- mistice Day.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty ($250.) Dollars for the purpose of Surveying and placing bound stones on our highways.
Article 42. To see what action the Town will take in regard to purchasing shoreland and bath house at South Harwich from the United Cape Cod Cranberry Company.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to allow the Union High School Committee, appointed at the last annual town meeting, to continue its investigation and ap- propriate the unexpended balance of One Hundred and Fifty-five ($155.) Dollars to defray any future expenses.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate the sum of Two Thousand ($2000.) Dollars, the en- tire sum to be spent for the removal of garbage and re- fuse in the several congested villages of the Town of Har- wich, and to appoint a committee of three to take charge of the matter.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of seven to investigate the advisability of having a Planning Board and Zoning Laws.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five Hundred ($2500.) Dol- lars to be used under the direction of the Selectmen for the promotion of public recreation and amusement in the form of Baseball, in accordance with legislative acts of 1930, Chapter 12, Section 1.
Article 47. To see if the Town will accept Part I of the permissive act of the Massachusetts Legislature, Acts of 1932, authorizing the Town of Harwich to supply itself and its inhabitants with water or to take any action relative thereto.
79
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for supplying itself and its inhabitance with water as authorized by the Acts of 1932 and determine how the same shall be raised or take any action relative thereto.
Article 49. To elect by ballot a board of water commissioners as set forth in an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, Acts of 1932, authorizing the Town of Har- wich to supply itself and its inhabitants with water.
Article 50. To see if the town will allow one of its board of water commissioners to serve as superintendent of the water department and to receive compensation there- for, or to take any action relative thereto.
Article 51. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sum of money to purchase water service pipes. meters, and fittings and to install the same on private property.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to raise the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for vocational school tuition, and act fully thereon. (By Request)
Article 53. To see if the Town will vote to accept the lay-out or relocation of Snow Inn Road or Freeman Street, according to lay-out or relocation made by the Se- lectmen, according to a plan of Arthur L. Sparrow, on April 3, 1930.
Article 54. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate the sum of Eleven Hundred ($1100.) Dollars for repairs to Brooks Free Library.
Article 55. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to sell water to the Trustees of Pilgrim Lodge, A. F. & A. M. from the Exchange Building water supply, and to fix a price or rental therefor, all costs to be paid by the said Trustees; and also to provide a faucet
80
or other suitable source of water supply at some point on the outside of the Exchange Building for public use in non-freezing weather.
Article 56. To see if the Town will vote to build a cistern thirty feet wide and fifteen feet deep on the property of Elizabeth H. Pratt, for fire protection and raise and appropriate the sum of Fifteen Hundred ($1500.) Dollars therefor.
Article 57. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not to exceed Five Hundred ($500) to be paid to the Cape Cod Hospital for the establishment and maintenance of a free bed in the Hospital for the care and treatment of persons certified by the Selectmen to be residents of the Town and unable to pay for such care and treatment, in accordance with section 74, of Chapter III of the General Laws, or take any action in relation thereto, and act fully thereon.
Article 58. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to defray costs of mosquito control for the year 1932, under Chap. 379, Acts of 1930 or any amendment thereto.
Article 59. To see if the Town will vote to rescind its action of a former Town Meeting at which it was voted to establish the rate of wages for labor at 50 cents per hour.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF HARWICH
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR 1931
2
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1931
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Ralph W. Doane, Chairman Term expires 1932
Grace M. Fifield Nichols, Secretary
Term expires 1933
Henry M. Thompson, Treasurer
Term expires 1934
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Charles H. Pratt, A. M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS H. D. Handy, M. D. John P. Nickerson, M. D.
SCHOOL NURSE Hope Becker, R. N.
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
John T. Wood
3
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The reports submitted by the Superintendent, Prin- cipal of High School, Physicians, and Supervisors to be found on following pages, present their efforts and accom- plishments during the past year.
These reports should be read carefully to become familiar with conditions you will be called upon to meet. The High School will be overcrowded when the school year begins next September.
Several ways are open to meet this condition all of which are objectional makeshifts.
If the Elementary grades could be consolidated be- fore next September, the Elementary building at the Cen- ter could be used to good advantage in the High School work and take care of the overflow.
Being in close touch with the school activities, your committee cannot fail to see the need of consolidating the elementary grades, and would recommend that this be done, as soon as the town may feel it wise to make the neces- sary investment.
Improvements on School Buildings the past year con- sisted of several improvements in sanitation, interior clean- ing and painting and replacing of old double desks with single ones at North Harwich which completes the replace- ment of the old desks in all the schools. The new larger buses are appreciated and have greatly improved trans- portation conditions.
We are indebted to Mrs. Avis Brett for a playground for the students of the High School, and we take this op- portunity to publicly express our appreciation of her gen- erosity and kindness which we feel sure is shared by every citizen.
Respectfully submitted, Ralph W. Doane Grace M. Fifield Nichols
Henry W. Thompson
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Needed
Expenditures 1931
1932
GENERAL CONTROL $
$
$
Salaries
2,069.00
Other expenses
328.69
2,397.69
2,487.00
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
Supervisors
1,599.40
Principal and Teachers
23,439.18
Textbooks
1,843.19
Supplies
1,497.16
28,378.93
30,156.00
EXPENSES OF OPERATION
Janitors
2,122.68
Fuel
1,649.25
Miscellaneous
601.93
4,373.86
4,475.00
MAINTENANCE
Repairs, replacement
and upkeep 4,366.29
4,366.29
1,300.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
Libraries
30.04
Health
659.80
Transportation
4,614.60
Miscellaneous
164.22
5,468.66
5,982.00
5
OUTLAYS New Grounds and Buildings New Equipment
1,132.10
1,132.10
600.00
TOTALS $46,117.53 $46,117.53 $45,000.00
SPECIAL for Vocational Tuition 300.00
Appropriation 1931 Expended
$50,000.00
46,117.53
Unexpended
$3,882.47
NET EXPENDITURE FROM LOCAL FUNDS
School Expenditures for 1931
$46,117.53
Receipts :
From City of Boston for Tuition and Trans. of
City Children (due in 1930 but received in 1931)
$ 711.63
City of Boston Tuition and Trans.
678.44
Commonwealth of Mass. Tuition
and Trans. 1,417.97
Commonwealth of Mass.
Reimbursement for tuition to
Bristol Co. Agric. School 47.50
Commonwealth of Mass. General School
Fund Part 1 3,190.00 6,045.54
Net from Local Taxation $40,071.99
6
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Harwich :
Herewith I submit my second annual report as Su- perintendent of your Schools.
A survey of our school organization at this time reveals the same outstanding need which was emphasized in my report of a year ago. Namely, the need of more room and provision for such educational service as is in keep- ing with the times and with the standards of the Town of Harwich. A tabular statement of the increase in school membership during the last ten years is shown in the tables following this report. You will note that during this period the total membership has grown from 256 to 490 or an increase of 91 per cent. During this time the membership of the four upper grades (9-12 inclusive) has increased but 31 per cent. This shows that too many of our older pupils fail to find high school work suitable to hold their interest or to fill their need.
If a high school aims to create interests, cultivate habits or impart knowledge which will enable its gradu- ates to become better citizens or lead more satisfying and efficient lives, we must admit that the loss of these ad- vantages to so many of our boys and girls constitutes a serious community problem.
At the beginning of the present school year a sev- enth grade of fifty seven pupils entered the Junior High School. This class is sufficiently large to make it neces- sary to divide them into two groups for class work. It was also necessary to add another teacher to the faculty of this building. Mrs. Ada Lovering who had previously taught the sixth grade was the logical one for the position.
Next September we are confronted with the pros- pect of another entering class of approximately forty five.
7
By reason of this further increase in numbers we shall be forced to choose between a double session day, the pro- vision of an extra class room, or what seems intolerable crowding of pupils in the present rooms. I would strongly oppose further expenditure for additions to present build- ings. These buildings are quite unsuited to the schools. Further expenditure would be a waste of money for by no form of alteration or addition can they be made into suitable quarters. At best this procedure would only serve to create a false sense of security and postpone that which eventually must be done.
A new building appears to me to be the logical solution. I would recommend the erection of a building for the elementary grades of the town. High School facil- ities, in my opinion, could be best provided by the con- solidated Union High School as outlined in my last annual report. Let me again recommend that this matter be con- sidered with discerning care.
I would here take occasion to recognize the effi- ciency and energy of our corps of teachers who are striv- ing so earnestly to maintain high standards in our schools.
Some very creditable work is being accomplished in drawing. This might easily be expanded to include a va- riety of craft work such as modeling, design, decoration and the manufacture of useful and ornamental articles. There is an interest in these branches and I trust that suitable provision for this work may be made in the near future.
It is a pleasure to say that an expenditure has re- cently been made for manual training benches and some tools. Mr. Fraser, the Cape Cod 4H Club leader, has of- fered his services two days per week to the schools of Harwich and Chatham. Harwich is to receive one half of this instruction. The quarters are simply those former- ly used for a supply room at the Center Elementary build- ing. The room is small yet it enables us to make a start
8
in the right direction. Need of this work is very great. The equipment purchased, though not at all elaborate, is of good quality and suitable to be used in future quarters of whatever nature.
Vocal and instrumental music is becoming establish- ed in a creditable manner. Our vocal music course is quite consecutive through the elementary grades. Some very good results are shown. Owing to the crowded pro- gram and entire lack of assembly space, the work has not grown so rapidly in the Junior-Senior High Schools as we could wish. ' In those grades it receives but one regu- lar period per week. I would like to see a credit course of vocal music carried through the Senior High School.
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