USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1939 > Part 6
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Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to repair and to put in good usable condition the lower end of Brooks Road at its approach to Nantucket Sound, and to take any action thereto and to act fully thereon.
Article 24. To see if the town will vote to widen, harden and improve with oil, the road called Forest Street, beginning at the junction of Sisson Road and said Forest Street, in Harwich Center and ending at the junction of South Street and said Forest Street, in Harwichport; and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to meet the expense thereof.
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Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to accept from llelen R. Drake, a deed of the following described parcel of land: Beginning at a marble bound at Sisson Road, northeast of the Town tool house, formerly the hearse house; thence running Southeasterly by land of Drake at right angles to Sisson Road a distance of 50 feet to a point; thence Southerly by land of said Drake about 290 feet to a point which will intersect a line running N. 11 º 51' 20" E., being a line running from said marble bound to another marble bound standing on the edge of a ditch S. 11º 51' 20" W. 684.32 feet from the first men- tioned marble bound; thence from said intersection point N. 11º 51' 20" E. about 330 feet by land of the Town of. Harwich to the first mentioned marble bound.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to con- vey to Helen R. Drake in exchange for the land described in the above Article the following described parcel of land : Beginning at a marble bound at the southeast cor- ner of the premises at a ditch at land formerly of Brad- dock P. Allen, now of James O. Hulse; thence westerly 50 feet by land of said Hulse to a point; thence Northerly about 365 feet by land of the Town of Harwich to a point which will intersect a line running N. 11º 50' 20" E., be- ing a line running from said marble bound 684.32 feet to another marble bound standing on Sisson Road northeast of the Town tool house, formerly the hearse house; thence from said intersection point by land of Drake S. 11º 51' 20" W. about 392 feet to the marble bound at the point of beginning.
Article 27. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.) Dol- lars for the purpose of planting trees, shrubs, and seed, and to surface parking space at the new Junior-Senior High School. By request.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to close the Town Infirmary and make other and adequate pro-
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visions for the care and maintenance of its inmates, or to take such other action as will reduce the cost of maintain- ing the inmates. By request.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred ($200.) Dol- lars 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 30. To see if the town will vote to in- struct its Board of Selectmen, and does hereby instruct the Selectmen, to grant licenses under the provisions of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, Section 57 of Chapter 130 as amended by Chapter 329 of the Acts and Resolves of 1933, dealing with the Shell Fish Laws, said instructions to continue in effect until expressly rescind- ed by a vote of the town, or otherwise terminated by op- eration of law; and act fully thereon.
Article 31. To see if the town will vote to in- struct its Board of Selectmen to grant licenses under the provisions of the Laws of the Commonwealth as existent and expressed in the Acts of 1933, Chap. 329, dealing with the Shell Fish Laws, said instruction to continue in effect until expressly rescinded by a vote of the town, or other- wise terminated by operation of law; and act, fully there- on.
Article 32. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty ($50.) Dollars to care for the Town Docks and Floats at Wychmere Harbor, Harwichport, and Pleasant Bay, East Harwich, and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 33. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dol- lars for keeping, as far as possible, the beaches clean at West Harwich, Harwichport, and South Harwich; also
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care of raft at foot of Bank Street, Harwichport, and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Eight Hundred ($800.) Dol- lars to purchase and equip the Police Department with a new patrol car, to replace the old patrol car now in use, and to authorize the Selectmen to sell or trade the patrol car now owned by the town and the sum received there- for to be used toward the purchase of a new car, and to act fully thereon.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Fifty ($350.) Dollars for the purpose of purchasing a Snow Plough for Town use. By request.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.) Dol- lars to resurface Main Street, Harwich Center, with pea stone from Sisson Road. West. to Harwich Depot, and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Fifty ($350.) Dollars to purchase a Road Grader, and to act fully there- on. By request.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to dis- pose of old Grader, and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to pur- chase, for the use of the Moth Department, a Fitz Henry- Guptill Company's Power Sprayer, model F K J, with a 300 gallon solution tank, and necessary spray hose and suction hose, for the same, and to raise and appropriate the sum of One Thousand ($1,000.) Dollars therefor. By request.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Six Thousand Five Hundred ($6,500.) Dollars to purchase a 750 gal. Tripple Combina-
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tion Pumper to take the place of the old 1917 Hose Wagon which is being used by the Fire Department, and is be- ing operated on borrowed time, and act fully thereon.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars to finish off inside, the new addition to the Fire Station, and act fully thereon.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to sandblast and paint the Elevated Water Tank on Kildee Hill, Har- wichport, and act fully thereon. By request.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand ($2,000.) Dol- lars to be used for Extensions to the Town Water System when requested. Applicants for Extensions must guaran- tee the Town six (6) per-cent income on the investment. To see what action the Town will take and act fully there- on. By request.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Four Thousand ($4,000.) Dol- lars for the purpose of installing an automatic sprinkler system in Exchange Hall, and act fully thereon.
Article 45. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dol- lars, provided the County contributes Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars, and the State Six Hundred ($600.) Dol- lars, for Jetty work and Shore protection between the Chatham and Dennis lines.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Fifty ($150.) Dollars to pay the land damages to Makepeace Inc., on Pleasant Lake Road, and to act fully thereon.
Article 47. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Forty-two Dol- lars and three cents ($542.03) to be paid to the County
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of Barnstable for one-half the engineering and recording fees paid by the County during 1938 on Decree No. 1227, Harwich-Brewster Road, and to act fully thereon.
Article 48. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Thousand Eight Hun- dred ($3,800.) Dollars for the purpose of extending the water mains southerly from the State Road in Harwich- port, along Harbor Road and Mill Road, to give water service to the residents in the Wychmere Pines section so- called, and to act fully thereon. By request.
Article 49. 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 cf officers, committees and trustees, unfinished business, and new business have been transacted; and act fully thereon.
Article 50. To see if the Town will vote to pur- chase a sewage disposal vehicle and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money ; and act fully thereon.
Article 51. To see if the Town will by ordin- ance or by-law authorize the Collector of Taxes to be "Town Collector" under Chapter 41 Sec. 38A, and act fully thereon.
Article 52. To see if the Town will vote to in- vestigate and correct the extravagance, waste and ir- regularities in the receipts, expenditures and records of the various departments of the town, and the acts of its officers and employees; to recover for damages or loss- es ; and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money for expenses; and act fully thereon.
Article 53. To see if the Town will vote to in- stall a system of books, maps, and photographs, or other recording devices for use of the assessors; raise and ap- propriate the necessary funds, and act fully thereon.
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· Article 54. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dol- lars to be expended by the Cemetery Commissioners for the care of the old cemeteries of the town.
Article 55. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred ($500.) Dol- lars providing the State will contribute Five Hundred ($500.) Dollars for the purpose of rip rapping the beach at round Cove Pleasant Bay.
Article 56. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dol- lars providing the State and County will contribute a like amount for the purpose of rip rapping and repairing Lower County Bridge, West Harwich.
Article 57. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hundred ($300.) Dol- lars providing the County or private individuals will con- tribute Three Hundred ($300.) Dollars and the State Six Hundred ($600.) Dollars for the purpose of dredging the mouth of Herring River and to act fully thereon.
Article 58. To see if the Town will vote to ap- point a committee to look into the advisability of having a town owned seining pool and report at the next annual town meeting.
Article 59. To see what action the Town will take in regard to disposing of the Herring for the year of 1940 and act fully thereon.
Article 60. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $900. for the purpose of pur- chasing a new truck for the Road Department and to au- thorize the Selectmen to sell or trade the truck now owned by the Town and the sum received from the same to be used towards the purchase of a new truck, and to act fully there- on.
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Article 61. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000. to be used for general repair of roads, under Chap. 90 of the General Laws. Twelve hundred fifty dollars of the said amount to be raised by Taxation in the year 1940 and Twenty-seven hun- dred fifty dollars to be taken from the unexpended balance of the 1938 Gas refund tax under Chap. 500, Acts of 1938. These amounts to be applied to such roads as agreed upon between the State, County and Town and to 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 9 o'clock. A. M. on Monday, February 5, 1940, and may be closed at 2 o'clock P. M.
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 15th day of January, 1940.
CHARLES D. HOLMES, CHARLES T. CHASE, HOWARD C. CAHOON,
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 1939
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ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1939
School Committee
Norman E. Holmes, Chairman
Term Expires 1940
Howard C. Cahoon
Term Expires 1941
Wilbur Crowell
Term Expires 1942
Superintendent of Schools Charles H. Pratt, A. M.
School Physicians H. 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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REPORT OF THE HARWICH SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich :-
During the year 1939 our schools' have had a very successful period. This has been accomplished without ex- travagance to the town or curtailment of the advantages of the pupils. We have given them the best in teachers and equipment. New methods of teaching have been in- troduced into our schools and sheet metal work courses placed in our shop department. Further explanation of the accomplishments in 1939 are more fully explained in the Superintendent's report which follows.
Every problem, however small, has been given our undivided attention. They have been solved to what we believe to the best interest of the town.
The financial report of the school department which follows in this town report will reveal that we have given much time and effort to the careful management of our schools and their needs.
We wish at this time to extend our thanks to the Harwich Garden Club for their contribution to the beau- tifying of the grounds at the so called Old High School.
During the coming year painting and repairs are contemplated on the elementary schools.
The Superintendent, Principal and teachers as well as the entire townspeople have shown a fine spirit of co- operation during the past year and we are looking for- ward to another very successful year in 1940.
Respectfully submitted, NORMAN E. HOLMES, Chairman HOWARD C. CAHOON, WILBUR H. CROWELL, Harwich School Committee.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expenditures for 1939
Needed in 1940
GENERAL CONTROL:
School Committee-
Salaries & Expenses $468.00
Superintendent of Schools-
Enforcement of Law-
Salaries
2,112.00
Other Expenses
295.73
$2,875.73
$2,910.00
INSTRUCTION :
Supervisors
1,604.00
Principal & Teachers
28,140.00
Textbooks
555.61
Supplies
1,209.65
31,509.26
32,422.00
OPERATION :
Janitors
3,628.12
Fuel
2,515.35
Miscellaneous
1,601.81
7,745.28
8,050.00
MAINTENANCE :
Repairs, Replacement
and Upkeep
1,693.19
1,693.19
2,000.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES :
Libraries
185.90
Health
651.25
Transportation
4,809.00
Miscellaneous
3,259.82
8,905.97
9,760.00
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OUTLAY :
New Grounds; and
Buildings
115.00
New Equipment
937.50
1,052.50
500.00
Total
$53,781.93
$55,642.00
Appropriated for 1939
56,736.00
Expended in 1939
53,781.93
Balance
$2,954.07
NET COST OF SCHOOLS
Expenditures during 1939
$53,781.93
Receipts and Reimbursements
Mass. General School Fund Part I
$4,216.00
State Tuition
$65.86
State Transportation 17.80
83.66
Boston Tuition and
Transportation
1,547.06
Town of Eastham,
High School Tuition
31.14
Receipts from School Lunch
2,501.83
Receipts from Rental of Auditorium
50.00
Textbooks lost
2.70
Town of Chatham Telephone $13.70
Town of Eastham Telephone 5.10
Town of Orleans Telephone 32.40
51.20
8,483.59
Net Cost
$45,298.34
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Harwich :
Herewith I submit my School Report for the year 1939.
MAINTENANCE
Enumeration of items which have received attention during the past year includes the following :
High School: The wood trim and exposed metal surfaces on the outside of the building have received two coats of paint. A catch basin was constructed to dispose of drainage from part of the easterly section of the newly graded school grounds. The original drive has been wid- ened and hard surface applied to the roadway from the building to South Street. The road bed has been graded by P. W. A. labor. The special appropriation amounting to $1,400.00 was expended for surfacing the drive.
Parking lights on the corner of the building have been of value when the school is used in the evening.
A piano has been secured for the auditorium and a small safe has been purchased for use in the school. This is necessary in connection with the care of lunch funds and miscellaneous receipts. A new Delta Scroll Saw and tools for sheet metal work were purchased as new equipment for the Shop. The outlay for this totaled $225.56.
Old High School: We take this opportunity to ac- knowledge our appreciation of the interest of the Garden Club and the improvement which resulted from the plant- ing of trees on the corner and at the Parallel Street en- trance. After loam was spread on a part of the lawn, fer- tilizer was worked in and seed was sown by the children of the Center Schools. These manifestations of civic pride are most constructive and helpful.
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A bituminous walk was built along the west side of the Old High School from the rear exit to a line opposite the front steps.
Center Elementary Building: The floors through- out this building were sanded and treated during the sum- mer vacation. Ceilings were patched where needed and the sash was repaired and painted. The fire escape was thoroughly reinforced and painted. The landing and first floor exit at the rear of the south-west class room were re- paired and painted. A bituminous walk has been built in front and along the west side prior to which a few loads of gravel were so placed as to fill the low spots.
North Harwich: The roof was repaired, a new gut- ter put in on one side of the building, and the steam pipes in the basement were covered. Minor repairs and adjust- ments are continually receiving attention but probably do not merit space for enumeration here.
MEMBERSHIP
It is well to refer to the Tabular Statement of Mem- bership by Grades as of October first of the years 1929 to 1939 inclusive. Totals at the foot of this table show that the membership of grades 7 to 12 inclusive has grown from 110 in 1929 to 235 in 1939. Membership in grades 1 through 6 has dropped from 297 to 253. The highest point for grades 1 through 6 was in the year 1932 when the numbers reached 354. Since then the totals show a steady decline to the present 253. It will be noted, however, that October 1939 showed the highest membership on record for the Junior-Senior high school grades. We also observe that the growth of these grades has been continuous during the past eleven years. This situation is not confined to Har- wich. It has been wide spread during these years. More young people remain in school to graduate. Fewer leave . to go to work than was formerly the case. Compare the size of the first grade with the size of grade twelve in all these years. In 1929 there were 60 in Grade one and 6 in
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Grade twelve. In 1939 there are 47 in Grade one and 23 in Grade twelve.
It appears from the above that we are fortunate in- deed to have made provision in the junior-senior high school building, not only to care for the numbers which changing times have kept in school, but to have provided equipment for their education as well.
Provision is made for health, physical education and sports. A gymnasium and showers are under the direction of a full-time instructor who is doing an excellent job. We look forward to the completion of the grading of the school grounds when ample outdoor space will be available.
The school lunch has proven very popular and bene- ficial in the high school. I hope early provision may be made for inclusion of the lower grades in the plan for school lunch. This service is even more important for the carlier school years but to date they have not been taken care of.
Household Arts: This work started in a real way when the new building was occupied in the fall of 1939. In the two years since that time much good work has been done. Miss Glynn promotes an expanding program. More advanced work and clearer appreciation of the problems are apparent. According to Mr. Morris, "Garments made in classes and exhibited last spring included evening dress- es, street dresses, house coats, blouses, wool skirts, jumper dresses, smocks, pajamas, night gowns and aprons. Two of our pupils won State awards for excellence."
General Shop: The work of this department con- tinues to grow. We have what the name implies, a general shop. This year cement work has been added and sheet metal equipment will make further diversification possible. Mechanical drawing equipment has been purchased so that by this means the pupils learn to show their plans on paper before work begins. The presentation is practical, clear and well thought out. Mr. Kanis is in his second year with
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our boys and is to be highly commended for the work he has done and the spirit which he is developing.
Traditional courses have been somewhat modified and some substitutions and additions have been made. We hope those who complete the high school work may find the time so spent will yield rich rewards in the years ahead.
Mr. Morris writes: "For Juniors and Seniors we have a class in Consumer Science. This is to teach the basic principles of science through the familiar objects and occurrences of everyday life. Consumer viewpoints and consumer applications are points of approach. Through this study the students should gain a facility in applying these principles in their thinking about and the solution of life problems.
For Sophomores we have reorganized the class in Bookkeeping to place emphasis on the knowledge, skill, and proper attitudes needed for satisfactory service as clerks and other junior occupations which are found in practically all business offices, together with various budgets which apportion the family income in such a manner as to insure from month to month an amount necessary to meet the needs of the members of a family. Practical methods of elementary bookkeeping and accounting procedures are included. This class takes the place of the purely theor- etical "business course" which is commonly taught in high schools.
For Freshman we have introduced two new classes. The first is General Business. This is to give the pupil an understanding of how business operates, and an apprecia- tion of the relationship between business and the commun- ity in which he lives. It should aid in developing an aware- ness of citizenship responsibilities, through teaching the fundamental business practices. It should also aid in dis- covering aptitudes, abilities, and interests that will help eventually in selecting a vocation.
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The second class for Freshmen is one in General Mathematics. It offers practical work in mathematics which the citizen will meet in everyday life in the com- munity. Some of these are: Home life problems; leisure time problems; community life mathematics; and elemen- tary business mathematics. This class replaces the tradi- tional one in "Commercial Arithmetic."
The fifth new class which is about to be started is a short one in community safety which will be known as "pre- driving." It will be for those pupils who are about to secure licenses to operate automobiles. It is intended not to make young drivers danger conscious but rather to instil into them a deep safety consciousness that shall in- fluence their judgment and their acts while they are at the wheel so that they shall drive well.
Assemblies : The objective or goal of the Friday morning assembly has been definitely set this year to de- velop a genuine participation in public speaking. Each week four students write speeches on some subject of their cwn interest, and deliver them before the student body. We believe that to face a critical audience of approximate- ly two hundred and forty persons and do a creditable bit of speaking, is a real achievement. The new programs are being very well received."
ART
This department is directed by Mr. Clarence K. Brayton who succeeds Mrs. Beulah S. Bowers. Mr. Brayton reports in part as follows: "Every child has a natural tendency toward drawing if the opportunity is his. It is our aim to present the subject matter in a practical way related to the child's daily life rather than on a theoretical basis. This method teaches the child to think and create, rather than copy, which is an essential element in the de- velopment of the child.
The work in the seventh and eighth grades is or- ganized so that the students may have a practical back-
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ground of Art Education before reaching the high school grades. The high school work is planned in a practical and useful way with a varied program of work. Our purpose is not to turn out finished artists, but rather to cover the field in a general way with two thoughts in mind; first, the students planning to go to Art school will have the ne- cessary background, and second, the remainder of the class will have a general background of appreciation and the useful elements of drawing and painting."
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