USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1938 > Part 6
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Accepted and adopted.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY K. BEARSE, Town Clerk.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
FEBRUARY 6, 1939
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 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 Af- fairs to meet in Exchange Hall in said Town on Monday, February 6, 1939, at Seven O'clock A. M., then and there to act on the following Articles :---
Article 1. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees: Town Clerk, Town Treas- urer, Tax Collector, for one year; one Selectman, Overseer of Public Welfare 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 Con- stables for one year; one Trustee of Brooks Library for three years; one Park Commissioner for three years; Mod- erator for one year; one Water Commissioner for three years; Surveyor of Highways for one year; one Cemetery Commissioner for one year ; one Cemetery Commissioner for two years; one Cemetery Commissioner for three years.
Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers and Committees.
Article 3. 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 rev- enue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1939, and
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to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 4. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees, for the year 1938.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to dc- fray Town expenses for the ensuing year, and act fully thereon.
Article 6. To see if the town will vote to instruct its Selectmen to control, regulate and prohibit the taking of Eels, Clams, Quahaugs, and Scallops, within the Town limits as provided in Chapter 91, Section 85, and acts and amendments thereto, to the revised Laws of Massachusetts, and to make any regulations in regard to such fisheries as may be expedient, and act fully thereon.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to maintain ene street light on South Street, Harwich Center, between the residence of Fred Chase and the residence of Charles Allen, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor, and act fully thereon.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to erect and maintain one electric street light in front of Arthur Lloyd Nickerson house on Great Western Road, Harwich; for the purpose of children which are in danger of automobile while crossing the street. By request.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to erect and 'maintain one electric light over the center of the street at the entrance to the School Yard (so-called) at Harwichport.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of money to erect and maintai.l
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two street lights; one between the Catholic Cemetery and the home of Mrs. Nellie Bassett; one opposite Lawrence B. Robbins.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate a sufficient sum to install and maintain (from May 1 to November 1 each year) three street lights on Wah-Wah- Taysee Road, in the Allen Harbor section of Harwichport, and act fully thereon.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum sufficient to construct a sidewalk on the south side of Lower County Road, Harwichport, from the shop of Walter Emery to Wyndemere Bluffs Road.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to erect and main- tain one street light in East Harwich, in front of Brother- hood Hall, on East Harwich-Brewster Road.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to erect and maintain two street lights on Depot Street, South Harwich, between the residence of Lester Crowell and the former site of the South Harwich Depot.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to put one pole and street light on Stomach Road.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise amount to erect and maintain one light between the corner of Smith's Lane and Cemetery Road (Depot Road, West Harwich) on pole already erected ; pole number Y.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to maintain one street light on the pole nearest the Boat Shop on Lower County Road at Allen's Harbor; and to raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money therefor, and act fully thereon.
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Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Hundred ($600) Dollars for the use of Harwich Post No. 292 American Legion, in the proper observance of Memorial Day and Armistice Day, and for other purposes.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote that, before any extension to the Town Water System is made, enough takers be secured so that the income from the water rates shall equal 6% on the cost of said extension to the Town; to see what action the Town will take and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to accept Chapter 415 of the Acts of 1938, said act being entitled as follows: "An act further regulating liens for, and the col- lection of, water rates and charges." By request.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the Selectmen, in consideration of Three Hundred ($300) Dollars, to convey to Mrs. Anne T. VanBuren, a strip of land six feet wide extending from Bayview Road to the beach, and act fully thereon; being the same premises which the Town voted to accept from Harold S. VanBuren by Article 10 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant for 1918.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to change the name of Stomach Road, which runs from Lower County Road to Main Street. Would like to change to Barre Road.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to change the order of the day of the annual town meeting so that the annual election of officers shall come after the reports of committees, unfinished business, and new business have been transacted ; and act fully thereon.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate money to pay all unpaid bills; and act fully thereon.
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Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money not to exceed Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.) Dollars, under the provisions of Sub-Section 21 of Section 1 of Chapter 371 of Acts of 1921, and any and all amendments thereof and additions thereto for the employ- ing of a nurse through the Harwich Visiting Nurse Asso- ciation, Inc.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars to be spent by the Selectmen for the following purposes : $100. to be spent for further improvement of parking space at the foot of Bank Street; $100. to provide and maintain a raft for bathers' use; and the balance $300. to be used in keep. ing the beaches clean; and act fully thereon.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to accept a deed for a small parcel of land in Pleasant Lake, from Alvin H. Bassett, Heirs or Devisees, to be reserved as a Memorial Park to Valmer H. Bassett, World War Veteran; to be kept and maintained perpetually by the said grantee.
Article 28. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a sum not exceeding Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars for the establishment and maintenance of a free bed in the Cape Cod 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, under the pro- visions of General Laws Ter. Ed. Chapter 111, Section 74.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty ($750.) Dollars, providing the State will contribute the same for the purpose of dredging, to widen and deepen, the entrance of Round Cove at Pleasant Bay at East Harwich, and act fully thereon.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the action taken at the regular town meeting on Feb. 2nd
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1931 whereby it accepted Section 1, 3, 6, and 7 and Sectior. 11 and 16 (inclusive of Chapter 142 G. L. and all amend- ments and additions thereto said act being relative to the supervision of plumbing.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote to place the Plumbing Inspector on a salary and to raise and appropri- ate a sufficient sum of money therefor and act fully thereon.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the action taken at the Annual Town Meeting of Feb. 6th 1933 whereby the Town voted to accept Article 31 of the Town Warrant to accept the provisions of Setion 97 Chap. ter 41 contained in Vol. 1 Chapter 132A of the General Laws of Massachusetts known as the Tercentenary Edition, which provided for the establishment of a police department un- der the directions of the Selectmen.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to elect a Chief of Police for a term of one year by popular vote at cach annual town election.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to re-im- burse Martha W. Thompson for damages to her building situated near the South Harwich Depot and raise and ap- propriate the sum of $75.00 therefor. By request.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to elect by ballot at the next annual Town Meeting, a Tree Warden, for the term of one year, and act fully thereon.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty ($50.) Dollars to care for and repair the Town floats at Wychmere Harbor and at Pleas- ant Bay, East Harwich.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Assessors to cause to have listed in the back of the An- nual Town Report the property tax payers of the Town and the amount of assessments on their various properties, and to act fully thereon.
.
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Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to have signs painted and placed at suitable places on the highway, for the purpose of directing tourists to different parts of Harwich and to other towns.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.) Dollars for improving and resurfacing with tar or other suitable mater- ial the Chatham Road, beginning at the intersection known as the Eagle, (across from the residence of J. William Crowell), and continuing as far as the money will allow.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand ($4,000.) Dollars to purchase a Road Grader, and to act fully thereon.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Seven Hundred ($700.) Dollars to be used for replanking the so-called Over-Head Railroad Bridge, and to act fully thereon.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to place its Police Officers and Chief of Police under Civil Service, and to accept Sections 48 and 49 of Chapter 31 of the General Laws Ter. Ed. and all acts and amendments thereto.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to expend the refunded dog tax for 1937 and 1938 for the support of the Brooks Library, $914.65
Article 44. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate a sufficient sum of money to widen the present drive- way to the new High School on Sisson Road and to harden with suitable material the extension of this driveway to South Street. The said extension having been recently laid out by the W.P.A.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars to be used
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for extensions to the Town Water System when requested Applications for extensions must guarantee the Town 6% income on the investment. To see what action the Town will take and act fully thereon.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the Assessors to use a sum of money not exceeding $15,000. from the free cash in the treasury for the reduction of the 1939 tax rate.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty-five Hundred ($2,500.) Dol- lars to be used under the direction of the Selectmen for the promotion of public recreation and amusement, in accord- ance with Legislative Acts of 1930, Chapter 12, Section 1, and any acts and amendments thereto.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the benefit of Chase Library, West Harwich.
Aticle 49. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars for the benefit of the Harwichport Library Association.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.) Dollars to be expended in connection with W.P.A. work, said money to be expended under the supervision of the Selectmen.
Article 51. To see what action the Towu will take in regard to its Herring Fisheries.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of Har- wich-Orleans Road; 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 to take any other ac- tion in relation thereto.
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Article 53. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ($200.) Dollars to stock ponds and streams with fish and for the feeding and propagation of game within the town limits, and that a committee of three be appointed by the chair to have charge of the work.
Article 54. To see if the Town will vote to eliminate that portion of Article 15 of the Town By-Laws which re- quires "The Town Clerk's Report shall include his record of the annual town meeting and all special meetings held during the year for which the report is made."
Article 55. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,500., said money to be used in conjunction with $1,500. from the County, and $3,000. from the State, to eliminate curve at Pleasant Lake.
Article 56. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300. to finish resurfacing Lower County Road, providing the County and State each con- tribute an equal amount to be used under Chapter 90.
Article 57. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $800. providing the County and State each contribute an equal amount, to resurface Sisson Road under Chapter 90.
Article 58. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the unexpended surplus overlay of $1,731.25 to the Reserve Fund, and act fully thereon.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by post- ing attested copies thereof one in each Post Office in said Town, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting. The polls will be open at 7 o'clock A. M. on Monday, February 6, 1939, and may be closed at 2 o'clock P. M.
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Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this 12th day of January, 1939.
JABEZ W. CROWELL, CHARLES D. HOLMES, CHARLES T. CHASE, Selectmen of Harwich.
A true copy. ATTEST :
Constable.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF HARWICH MASSACHUSETTS
For the Year 1938
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ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1938
School Committee
Loring G. Williams, Chairman
Term Expires 1939
Norman E. Holmes
Term Expires 1940
Howard Cahoon
Term Expires 1941
Superintendent of Schools Charles H. Pratt, A. M.
School Physicians II. F. Rowley, M. D. John P. Nickerson, M. D.
School Nurse Adelyn J. Peabody, R. N.
Supervisor of Attendance
Victor S. Ryder
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1938
The progress and activities of the schools are care- fully covered in the following report of the Superintendent of Schools. We will, however, outline briefly some of the things that have been done.
With the introduction of new departments in our High School we have had many problems to consider. This year we have completed equiping the Home Economics de- partment. This department is now in full operation and has proven very beneficial in its instruction. Much equip- ment has been purchased for the Gymnasium and Shop. We were fortunate in securing the services of our Shop Instruc- tor, Mr. Harry Kanis. He has proven very satisfactory.
We are considering improvement of the grounds surrounding our new High School during the coming year.
The North Harwich school has been modernized with the installation of heating and plumbing. This was greatly needed and is certainly appreciated by the children attend- ing school there.
Contract for the transportation of school children expired in June and we were very fortunate in renewing the contract at the same figure considering the fact that new modern buses were purchased this year.
We feel that the schools under our Superintendent. Principal and efficient Corp of Teachers have accomplished a great deal during 1938.
In closing we extend our thanks to those who have helped to make our schools a success during the year.
NORMAN E. HOLMES, LORING G. WILLIAMS, HOWARD C. CAHOON, School Committee.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expenditures for 1938
Needed in 1939
GENERAL CONTROL :
School Committee-
Salaries $450.00
Superintendent of Schools-
Enforcement of Law-
Salaries
2,105.50
Other Expenses
320.56
$2,876.06
$2,894.00
Instruction :
Supervisors
$1,638.00
Principal & Teachers
27,640.00
Textbooks
738.51
Supplies
1,238.75
31,255.26
32,282.00
Operation :
Janitors
$3,490.82
Fuel
2,232.96
Miscellaneous
1,955.94
7,679.72
8,000.00
Maintenance :
Repairs, Replacement
and Upkeep
$1,553.51
1,553.51
1,500.00
Auxiliary Agencies :
Libraries
$48.00
Health
652.01
Transportation
4,800.00
Miscellaneous
1,113.09
6,613.10
7,160.00
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Outlay : New Grounds and Buildings New Equipment
$2,196.34 2,196.34
1,400.00
Total
$52,173.99 $53,236.00
Appropriated for 1938
52,185.72
Expended in 1938
52,173.99
Balance
$11.73
NET COST OF SCHOOLS
Expenditures during 1938
$52,173.99
Receipts and Reimbursements :
Mass. General School Fund Part 1
$3,847.60
State Tuition
$61.03
State Transportation
17.95
78.98
Boston Tuition
$1,195.11
Boston Transportation
176.15
1,371.26
Town of Chatham Telephone $18.88
Town of Eastham Telephone
7.17
Town of Orleans Telephone
24.02
50.07
Rental of High School
15.00
5,362.91
Net Cost
$46,811.08
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Harwich :
The following constitutes my report of the Harwich Schools for the year 1938.
In this report von will find sections from reports sub- mitted to me by the Principal of the High School, the Sup- ervisors of Music and Art. the School Physicians, the School Nurse and the Supervisor of Attendance. There are also included the various statistical tables and information which we have been accustomed to report in that manner.
NORTH HARWICH
During last summer vacation the building at North Harwich was completely renovated inside. A new heating plant was installed, running water and inside plumbing, heating and ventilating systems were provided. Boys' and Girls' toilets with running water and wash basins have been built in the space formerly occupied by the lower and up- per corridors. A new central front entrance with stair's leading to the second floor and basement improves the out- side appearance as well as the inside of the building. All floors were sanded and finished, the interior was redecorat- ed throughont and steel lockers for pupils' use were built into the inside walls of the class-rooms.
This old building has thus been converted into a modern school plant and one which may be considered very satisfactory for use of the first six grades.
HIGH SCHOOL
It is a source of much satisfaction to note that an active organization of the Alumni of the High School was started during the first commencement period at the new building. An active alumni association can contribute
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much to the dignity of an institution like this. It is well for a student body to be aware of the traditions established during earlier years and to feel conscious of the influence the school may have had in helping others to live lives of usefulness wherever they may be. The school would also be happy if it might be an agency whereby old friends are re- united and new acquaintances made. The activities of the president, Mrs. Mary Stanford and the Secretary, Mr. John H. Paine have been largely responsible for the calling to- gether of this fine body of people in the halls of their old Alma Mater.
The new High School is beginning to get its stride. There are ahead many things which we anticipate may and will be done to improve it. After one and a half years in the new building, we are glad to render a report which might easily seem to be that of an entirely different school than was reported two years ago. It is to be expected that new interest and increased loyalty to higher aims and ideals will continue to be developed.
According to Mr. Morris : Three years ago when the enrolment in the High School reached 215 and had manin- tained that figure for two years, we thought that the peak had been reached. The number of pupils last year was 209. However, the enrolment for this school year has shown an unprecedented rise as indicated on TABULAR STATE- MENT OF MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES AS OF OCTOBER 1 for YEARS 1928-1938 also MEMBERSHIP BY SCHOOLS October 1, 1938.
As the grades get higher, the number of pupils gets fewer. The question is: How many pupils entered the school in these classes ?
In June 1939, we expect to graduate a class number- ing 27. In' the seventh grade, there were 59 in this class. Last year we graduated 26; there were 39 in the beginning. In 1937, 21 graduated from a start of 51. In 1936, 13 com- pleted the course out of 34 beginning.
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Leaving for a time consideration of those who do graduate, let us turn our attention to those who do not graduate and ask this question: Has the public school in Harwich done all in its power to prepare these boys and girls to be worthy citizens, to train their minds in the fund- amentals of living and their hands in useful skills for the earning of a livelihood. The conditions of the above ques- tion seem to be the primary purposes of a public school.
The town should be aware that the school is really doing something definite and specific to meet this challenge. If you recall the listing of the facilities of the new building, together with an account of its beginnings, in the report of a year ago, you will appreciate the fact that the present. program is a practical one with previously stated aims as its goal.
A useful citizen should be a healthy citizen, both in mind and body. The procedure in Health and Physical Ed- ueation is based on the findings of the health examinations given at the beginning of the school year. The actual physi- cal condition of the child is noted. Instruction in physiol- ogy is given in order that the pupil may understand cause and effect. Then, exercises and games of a corrective na- ture, if any are needed, are conducted under the leadership of a trained instructor. The school physicians have in- formed us that the general health of the pupils is more sat- isfactory than has been the case.
The Science classes are less theoretical and more practical. The pupil is taught to understand the natural phenomena about him. He is taught to use and repair the common devices found in his usual experiences. He is guided in his thinking so that he will thru his own efforts be able to solve more satisfactorily many of the perplexi- ties he will meet.
The Commercial Department is practical. If the work is mastered, the pupil should be able to keep books, to
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do rapid stenography and accurate typing. These are sal- able skills and desirable ones.
In the Household Arts Department we are following an expanding course of study, much more comprehensive than the usual cooking and sewing. We expect it to be of such a nature that the mastery of all or any part of it will be of considerable benefit to the pupil. The work being done is very commendable. Interest in achievement is high. Many of the girls are doing a high grade of work and en- joying it fully.
The achievement in the General Shop Work is ful- filling our expectations. We understand that every boy in the department has or soon will have actual experience in carrying on projects which involve skill in manipulating all of the power tools as well as the hand tooys, not alone with wood, but also with metals both hot and cold, electrical devices, painting and cement mixing. Projects now under- way range anywhere from the repairing of a two-inch toy to the construction of a twenty-one foot sailboat. We feel that the boys getting this constructive training will become more useful members of society.
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