USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1920-1924 > Part 28
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Superintendent, wages
$965.00
Labor
1,141.00
Team, spraying
246.25
Oil and gas, spraying
38.00
Storing sprayer
10.00
Tools
33.50
Equipment and repairs
170.90
Supplies
55.74
Insurance
72.00
Traveling expenses
3.00
Truck registration
2.00
Clerk
6.00
$2,743.39
Tree Warden :
Wages
$413.20
Equipment and supplies
26.50
$499.70
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Board of Health, quarantine, vital statistics and other expenses : Salaries Auto hire 8.00
$27.65
101
Tubercular work
33.20
Quarantine
36.00
Vital statistics
103.00
Laboratory work
43.00
Cesspool wagon
119.30
Express on wagon
3.00
Cleaning out cess-pools
38.00
Plymouth County Hospital
269.10
Mass. Hospital School
177.43
Mass. Homeopathic Hospital
67.50
Howard Infantile Par. Com.
26.35
$951.53
Plymouth Co. Hospital, maintenance Brockton Hospital
$738.84
$500.00
INSPECTION-SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Wages
$73.00
Printing
2.06
Insurance
14.34
Equipment and repairs
8.73
$98.13
INSPECTION-ANIMALS AND SLAUGHTERING
Animals :
Salaries
$100.00
Slaughtering :
Salaries
$378.00
Telephone
25.02
$403.02
HIGHWAYS
Superintendent's salary
$1,050.00
Labor on street
6,463.50
Gravel, sand and cement
129.59
102
Lumber and pipe
146.95
Repairs
272.71
Supplies
352.01
Equipment and Tools
205.22
Coal
90.45
Rent truck
10.00
Registration truck
2.00
Auto' hire
5.00
Freight and express
1.91
Oil and oiling
450.23
State highway tax
632.20
$9,811.77
WEST CENTRE ST.
Construction
$35,032.13
MATFIELD STREET
Construction
$172.90
SNOW REMOVAL, STREET SIGNS, SIDEWALKS AND BRIDGES
Snow removal
$632.35
Street signs
100.97
Sidewalks
350.29
Bridges
43.63
$1,127.24
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
State Aid
$494.00
Soldiers' Relief
58.00
Military Aid
60.00
$612.00
103
CHARITIES
Salaries
$10.00
Printing .85
Aid rendered to persons residing in
town settled elsewhere 2,017.60
Aid rendered to persons settled in town residing elsewhere 936.29
$2,964.74
STREET LIGHTING
Edicon Electric Illuminating Co.
$1,116.96
Edison Electric Illuminating Co., new lights
31.93
EDUCATION
General:
School Committee, salaries
$300.00
Superintendent, salary
1,932.98
Superintendent, expenses to convention
92.32
Clerk
65.00
School Physicians
200.00
Attendance officer
69.75
Telephone
121.63
Stationery, printing and postage
73.27
Traveling expenses
580.41
School census
4.50
Advertising
8.00
Tuition, town of Bridgewater
142.50
Continuation school
75.92
Teachers' salaries :
Elementary
20,056.21
High
11,638.67
School nurse :
Salary
626.65
Traveling expenses
178.75
104
Text and reference books :
Elementary
444.19
High
623.53
Equipment and supplies :
Elementary
1,185.45
High
554.66
Transportation, elementary
3,509.00
Transportation, insurance
230.00
Janitors' service, elementary
2,335.83
Fuel and light, elementary
2,537.42
Gas, high
29.91
Maintenance:
Water rates high
21.00
Water rates, elementary
173.25
Repairs, elementary
1,305.42
Electric power, elementary
23.52
New furnace, elementary
207.55
Repairing furnace
118.56
Craigulator
55.00
Janitors' supplies, elementary
66.86
Care of grounds, elementary
59.70
Furniture and furnishings, elementary
62.83
Diplomas and graduating exercies
71.10
Express, freight and carting
58.95
$49,840.29
LIBRARY
Salaries and wages
$420.53
Books
503.49
Supplies
40.79
Janitor
97.88
Fuel
21.00
Repairs
14.00
Light
12.84
Furniture
7.00
Care of Grounds
13.50
$1,131.53
105
RECREATION
Celebrations and Entertainment :
Memorial Day
$67.44
Defense Day
18.00
$85.44
PARKS AND GARDENS
Monument Grounds
$40.00
Flag pole
$197.00
New flag
13.75
Care of flag
4.00
$214.75
Playground
$175.97
UNCLASSIFIED
Printing and distributing town reports
$372.20
Insurance, fire
740.90
Insurance, liability
231.11
Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture
100.00
WATER DEPARTMENT
Administration :
Commissioners' salaries
$158.33
Clerk
160.00
City of Brockton, water
5,655.49
Stationery and postage
42.00
Printing and advertising
126.25
Bonds
4,200.00
Interest
2,804.40
Insurance
181.49
106
Maintenance, Connections and Construction :
Labor
2,147.50
Teams
15.75
Pipe and fittings
1,199.09
Meters and fittings
10.04
Supplies
187.11
Tools and repairs
118.51
Freight and express
19.25
Hydrants
65.50
Truck repairs
109.94
Sidewalk boxes
163.40
$17,364.05
CEMETERIES
Care of Cemeteries
$98.00
INTEREST
On temporary loans
$1,198.30
On highway loans
1,262.50
$2,460.80
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS
Temporary loans
Highway loans
$50,000.00 9,000.00
$59,000.00
Taxes : State Tax County Tax
$4,000.00
4,836.60
$8,836.60
107
REFUNDS
Taxes
Water Department
$192.81
32.75
$225.56
$220,415.56
Cash balances :
$10,161.43
General
Water
33.38
$10,194.81
$230,610.37
BILLS UNPAID JANUARY 1ST, 1925
Schools
$24.55
Highways Health
275.65
155.25
Balance Sheet, December 31, 1924.
GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Cash :
In banks and offices :
General
$10,194.18
Water
63
Library
25.00
Permanent Road, Matfield St. 4,827.10
Water Department .63
Accounts receivable: Catherine M. Howard, Collector :
Taxes :
Levy of 1921
$57.27
Levy of 1922
950.49
Levy of 1922
1,889.42
Levy of 1923
627.31
Levy of 1923
4,391.13
Levy of 1924
311.58
$2,102.72
$36,010.90
$2,876.69
Water Rates, 1921
$16.50
Water Rates, 1922
42.00
Water Rates, 1923
159.09
LIABILITY
Appropriation balances : Motor Equipment, Highways $755.00
$10,219.81
Town Farm account reserve Overlay (reserved for abatements) :
Levy of 1921
$213.34
$5,582.73 $6,000.00
Levy of 1924
29,673.00
Surplus overlay Revenue loan, anticipation of taxes
Water revenue
$10,000.00 2,992.23
Water Rates, 1924 2,774.64 $2,992.23
Soldiers' War Bonus fund Surplus revenue
1,540.32 24,797.11
Commonwealth of Mass .:
Highways
$141.67
State Aid
476.00
Military Aid 30.00
$647.67
County of Plymouth :
Highways
$6,021.19
$55,891.80
$55,891.80
DEBT ACCOUNTS .
Water Loans
$66,940.00
Net Debt $80,940.00
Highway Loans 14,000.00
$80,940.00
$80,940.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds : William Burk fund $150.00 Mrs. Henry Copeland fund 106.43 Samuel G. Copeland fund 204.09 Martha K. Crosby fund 105.07
Trust Funds :
Cash and Securities
$22,152.07
Mary A. Dewyre fund 113.81
Frank L. Howard fund 100.00
Isabel Howard fund 105.74
Harriet M. Jennings fund
99.77
Henry J. LeLacheur Fund
103.99
Rosa R. Shaw fund
280.16
Oren Smith fund
156.65
So. St. Cemetery fund
282.58
Charles C. Thayer fund
172.51
$1,980.80
Library Funds :
Cornelia Alger fund $780.06
Nathan Copeland fund 503.69
Mary N. K. Edgerly fund 535.67
Francis E. Howard fund
535.67
Mary L. Perkins fund 1,081.38
Mary P. Whitman fund 16,734.80
$20,171.27
$22,152.07
$22,152.07
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STATEMENT OF TRUST FUNDS
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Savings Banks Deposits
Totals
On hand at beginning of year
$1,711.89
$1,711.89
On hand at end of year
1,980.80 1,980.80
Receipts
Deposited
Income
$76.91
Bequests
250.00
Deposited in Savings Banks
$326.91
$326.91
Witdrawn from
Savings Banks
58.00
Expenditures
58.00
$384.91
$384.91
BALANCE
Name of Fund
Jan. 1, 1924
Receipts $150.00
Withdrawn
Jan. 1, 1925 $150.00
William Burk
Mrs. Henry Copeland
$109.48
4.95
$8.00
106.43
Samuel G. Copeland
200.00
9.09
5.00
204.09
Martha K. Crosby
108.16
4.91
8.00
105.07
Mary A. Dewyre
108.88
4.93
113.81
Frank L. Howard
100.00
ยท 100.00
Isabel Howard
108.81
4.93
8.00
105.74
Harriet M. Jennings
100.00
3.77
4.00
99.77
Henry J. LeLacheur
107.13
4.86
8.00
103.99
Rosa R. Shaw
272.78
12.38
5.00
280.16
Oren Smith
161.34
7.31
12.00
156.65
So. St. Cemetery
270.29
12.29
282.58
Charles C. Thayer
165.02
7.49
172.51
$1,711.89
$326.91
$58.00
$1,980.80
112
LIBRARY TRUST FUNDS
Savings Banks Deposits Totals
On hand at beginning of year
$19,761.55 $19,761.55
On hand at end of year
20,171.27 20,171.27
Receipts
Payments
Income
$948.96
Deposited in Bank
$948.96.
Withdrawn from
Bank
539.24
Expenditures 539.24
$1,488.20
$1,488.20
Name of Fund
Jan. 1, 1924
Receipts
Withdrawn Jan. 1, 1925
Cornelia Alger
$742.48
$37.58
$780.06
Nathan Copeland
479.43
24.26
503.69
Mary N. K. Edgerly
523.25
23.04
$10.62
535.67
Francis E. Howard
523.25
23.05
10.63
535.67
Mary L. Perkins
1,029.27
52.11
1,081.38
Mary P. Whitman
16,463.87
788.92
517.99
16,734.80
$19,761.55 $948.96
$539.24
$20,171.27
ARTHUR C. PECKHAM, Town Accountant.
Report of Fire Department.
In compliance with the requirements I submit the report of the West Bridgewater Fire Department for the year ending Dec. 31, 1924, which will include the cost of maintaining, loss of property and cause of fire as near as can be ascertained.
CALL FORCE
The force consists of twenty-two men, one chief, one assistant chief, three captains, one lieutenant, and five for- est fire wardens. Combination 2 with a captain and five men has been put in commission at the Cochesett hook and ladder house. An alarm system installed and a call bell to every man's house.
WIRE DEPARTMENT
The maintenance of the Wire Department has been large the past year on account of the bad ice and snow- storms of February and March.
When all wires of the alarm system were blown down much of the wire had to be replaced with new wire. Prac- tically all had to be restrung.
There has been installed 3,500 feet of new insulated wire. There has been 7 new bells inserted and 3 bell changed.
114
APPARATUS
1 Triple Combination.
1 Auto Combination.
1 Auto Hose Truck.
In performing this service the apparatus has traveled 268 miles. The department has laid 8,500 feet 21/2 inch hose, 1,000 feet chemical hose. It has also raised 850 feet ladders and used 1,291 gallons of chemical.
FIRES AS THEY OCCURRED
Jan. 14. Chimney fire, Joe Howard's.
21. Chimney fire, Merton Vosmous'.
24. Grass fire, Tom Churchill.
25. Fire in cellar, caught from chimney, Henry An- drews.
26. Grass fire, Matfield, land owned by Henry Thayer.
27. Aid call to help Bridgewater.
28. Railroad fire, Joe Howards.
31. Railroad fire, Mike Azack.
Feb. 2. Railroad fire, Tom Churchills.
5. Chimney fire.
11. House and barn, Dr. LeLacheur.
12. Chimney fire, Manley St., Mr. Ames.
16. Arthur Fraites, Keenan St.
21. Chimney fire, Bill Phillips.
22. House fire, Katherine Canatselos, Walnut St.
Apr. 3. Grass and woodland, Thayer Ave.
4. Grass fire back of Lapworth's, Howard St.
4. Grass fire, rear Matfield Depot.
4. Woodland, Aldrich Road.
5. Woodland, near Brockton line in Matfield.
5. Grass and woodland, near Bridgewater line.
6. Chimney fire, Antone Bittencourt, Prog. Ave.
6. Grass fire, Commonwealth Ave.
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12. Woodland, Joe Howard's.
18. Chimney fire, William Curtis, Howard St.
24. Grass fire, McFadden's Crossing.
24. Woodland, near Brockton line side R. R.
24. Woodland, back of Harry Packard's, Matfield.
27. Grass fire, Commonwealth Ave., land owned by Mr. Lyons.
30. Grass fire and woodland, Henry Bartlett's.
30. Chimney fire, R. R. Depot, West Bridgewater.
30. Woodland, Manley's Crossing.
May 2. Grass and fence, near Matfield Depot.
2. Woodland, Manley St.
2. Woodland, back of Kalot's, Cochesett.
2. Woodland, South St.
24. Brush fire, Sunset Ave.
31. Brush fire, side R. R., North Cochesett Depot.
June 1. Aid call, Campello, Davis Copeland Est.
21. Chimney fire, John Carlson.
26. Call to camps, no fire.
July 4. Gas Station, South Main St.
12. Woodland, side R. R, North of Matfield Depot.
16. Woodland, side R. R. North of Matfield Depot.
21 Woodland, side R. R. North of Matfield Depot.
22. Woodland, owned by Howard, East St.
23. Woodland, owned by Wilbur, East St.
24. Woodland, back of Mr. Roberts, East St.
29. Woodland, owned by Joe Howard.
Aug.
5. Woodland, West St.
6. Woodland, West St.
7. Woodland, West St.
15. Grass fire, Plain St.
16. Train wreck, Cochesett Depot.
19. Chimney fire, Charles Cowell's.
20. Grass fire, Mr. Smith, N. Elm St.
Oct.
19. Dump fire, Maple St.
19. Woodland, Sam Copeland's.
20. R. R. fire, west of Thayer's Bridge.
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23. Brushland, owned by Mrs. Howard.
24. House fire, Mr. Bluis, East Centre St.
26. Woodland, Bedford St.
30. Woodland, Chester Thayer's, Union St.
Nov. 1. Woodland, Bedford St., Mrs. Cotter's.
2. Woodland, Bedford St., Mrs. Cotter's.
2. Aid call from Brockton, Brockton Ice & Coal Co.
5. Woodland, Ash St.
6. Woodland, Bedford St., Mr. Sullivan's.
6. Brushland, Maple St., Mr. Lawson.
6. Woodland, William Shields.
15. Chimney fire, Mr. Barker's, Copeland St.
18. R. R. fire, Matfield. 18. Garage, Richard's Corner.
Dec. 10. Aid call, Bridgewater, Normal School.
10. Barn, Mrs. Eberson, South St.
12. Chimney fire, Manuel Luz, Grant St.
15. Chimney fire, Mr. Witheral, Plain St.
21. Chimney fire, Mr. Holmes, West Centre St.
In closing I wish to thank the Selectmen and all others who have in any way helped the department. To the offi- cers and members of the department I extend my hearty thanks for their co-operation.
WARREN P. LAUGHTON, Chief.
Report of Water Commissioners.
During the year 1924 this department has laid and ex- tended new water mains on the following streets :
Maolis Ave.
240 ft. of 2 in. pipe
Roosevelt Ave. 330 ft. of 2 in. pipe
Hillside Ave. 60 ft. of 2 in. pipe
Hillside Ave. 30 ft. of 4 in. pipe
South Main St.
6 ft. of 6 in. pipe
North Main St.
60 ft. of 2 in. pipe.
This year there have been installed 38 new service con- nections. In making these connections the department has used 2,780 feet of one inch pipe.
Stock used in new service construction :
2,780 feet of 1 inch pipe, 100 feet of 3/4 inch pipe, 15 corp'n cocks, 49 feet 1 inch lead pipe, 28 2 inch sleeves, 28 2 x 2 tees, 12 2 inch unions, 38 curb cocks, 38 street boxes, 38 stop and waste.
The department has replaced 16 1 x 3/4 stop and waste; have repaired 15 leaks; raised 3 6 inch gate-boxes on Mat- field Street, and 4 4 inch boxes on West Centre Street for new road construction; installed two gates, one on Roose- velt Ave., and one on Maolis Ave .; repaired and replaced 10 street boxes.
The expense of the above has all been paid for out of the income from water.
HERVEY DUNHAM, WARREN P. LAUGHTON, FRANK G. CHADWICK.
Report of Collector of Taxes
TAXES OF 1921
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1924
$72.69
Collections
$10.28
Abatement
5.14
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
57.27
$72.69
TAXES OF 1922
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1924
$3,776.88
Adjustment
18.93
$3,795.81
Collections
$1,872.10
Abatements
34.29
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
1,889.42
. $3,795.81
TAXES OF 1923
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1924
$21,609.14
Adjustment
31.39
$21,640.53
Collections
$17,144.84
Abatements
104.56
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
4,391.13
$21,640.53
119
TAXES OF 1924
Commitment Refund
$98,304.44 142.49
$98,446.93
Collections
$68,035.19
Abatements
738.66
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
29,673.08
$98,446.93
CATHERINE M. HOWARD, Collector.
Report of Collector of Water Rates
WATER RATES OF 1921
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1924
$16.50
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
16.50
WATER RATES OF 1922
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1924
$140.25
Collections
$93.00
Abatements
5.25
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
42.00
$140.25
WATER RATES OF 1923
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1924
$2,655.05
Adjustments
20.50
Sub. Commitments
46.26
$2,721.81
Collections
$2,348.47
Abatements
214.25 .
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
159.09
$2,721.81
WATER RATES OF 1924
Commitments
$16,387.44
Collections
$13,476.75
Abatements
136.05
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1924
2,774.64
$16,387.44
CATHERINE M. HOWARD,
Collector.
L
Report of Town Treasurer.
Cash balance Jan. 1, 1924
$16,417.04
Total receipts for year 1924
214,193.33
$230,610.37
Total payments for year 1924
$220,415.56
Cash balance Dec. 31, 1924
$10,194.81
CATHERINE M. HOWARD, Treasurer.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1924
A. H. WILLIS, PRINTER Bridgewater, Mass.
1925
Report of School Committee.
The past year in the school department, despite the handicaps of restricted class-room space and a school plant that is too widely scattered, has been one of progress. We have been pleased to note a decided advance in the scholar- ship of the town's pupils. This has been general, though more marked in some schools, notably the Center, than others. It continues to be the board's observation that, other factors equal, the swiftest progress is being made in the larger schools, where no more than two grades are taught by one teacher.
These statements are not made on guesswork, for, as a result of a test system introduced last year in the schools by the superintendent, it is possible to measure the progress of the pupils and compare the progress of different schools with a fair degree of accuracy. This is but one of several innovations made by the superintendent which are proving their worth in setting and maintaining a high standard for teachers and pupils. The committee has been impressed by the vigorous and common-sense way in which he has sought facts and acted upon them.
The committee also must commend the manner in which the principal of the Howard High School has handled his problems, both of discipline and of instruction. Under his guidance the school has gone ahead to a marked degree.
The town is fortunate in having a most faithful corps of teachers, absorbed in their work and striving always for better results. Greater financial inducements held out by
126
cities, however, have resulted in the loss during the last year of several very capable teachers. One was hired away at an advance of $300 over our maximum salary and event- ually will receive $600 more.
While the board feels this town can not hope to meet the salary competition of the larger cities, it has aimed, nevertheless, to maintain a salary level high enough to keep always a strong nucleus of experienced teachers. To do otherwise is false economy.
Among changes made during the year in school prop- erty were the following: New fire pot in heater at Center school, replacing one worn out; new one-pipe heater for hallways at Center, replacing old heater more expensive to operate; new stoves for East and North schools; bubblers in all schools where needed; cement floor in Center school basement resurfaced for recreation and exercise room ; water pipes boxed in at small schools to prevent freeze-ups ; water service put into portable school at Matfield.
In striving for economy, your committee has attempted to reduce the fuel item among others. One Craigulator was purchased and tried out at the Center school. If this con- tinues to produce the coal saving which has been shown so far (sufficient to pay for itself in one season), others will be installed.
The committee takes pleasure in noting the gift, ac- cepted with impressive ceremonies on Flag Day, of a splen- did flagpole and flag to the Center school by the late Farn- ham Gillespie. Such gifts are the more gratifying as they give convincing evidence of citizens' interest in our schools.
In this connection your committee ventures the hope that other schools, present and future, will be similarly equipped.
It has been particularly annoying both to school of- ficials and to a large number of citizens to learn that flags were not flying in accordance with law and patriotic prac- tice. This generally has resulted because flag-poles have been in inaccessible positions on school buildings rather than
127
set in the ground. The pole on the Sunset Avenue school has been twice altered in an attempt to meet this difficulty.
Due in part to exercise of economy and in part to con- ditions that threw doubt on the future of certain school buildings, for which repairs had been planned, the depart- ment this year turned back to the town treasury a consid- erable surplus from its appropriation. It is doubtful if such a saving, on the repair item, can be, or should be made another year. Several buildings will be in serious need of painting, and most of the one-room buildings, if continued in use, must soon have a complete overhauling.
As in other reports, the committee feels constrained to point out that the townspeople must give serious thought to its school equipment. We have 10 grade schools in eight different locations, a distribution that is in itself a handi- cap to teachers, and is expensive to maintain. Of these buildings only three are in first-class shape. The others are deteriorating very fast. Only complete rebuilding in some cases can produce a school structure meeting modern re- quirements in heating, lighting, ventilation, sanitation, etc.
The situation is the more serious because of a con- tinued shortage of class-room space, making increasingly difficult the proper organization af classes.
Though the past year showed only a slight gain in the number of pupils, instead of the considerable average gain of recent years, the pressure at the Center school was re- lieved only by instituting in the seventh and eighth grades a departmental system and using hallways for classrooms. It became necessary also to retain another grade at the South school under a teacher who already had too many grades.
The Westdale school, unused for several years, was re- opened to house the Center fifth grade when the small room available for them at the High School was found en- tirely unsuitable.
Lack of space has forced the school system to take a step backward, rather than forward. The fact that the
128
pupils have made satisfactory progress is vastly to the credit of the superintendent and the teaching force.
So critical is the situation that any marked increase in the number of pupils-an increase which may come at the opening of any term-would disrupt a large part of the school organization. The committee would be at a loss to know what more to do to avoid putting scores of pupils on half time.
That a considerable minority of citizens has refused to believe the situation one warranting action was shown in two town meetings last Spring when a bond issue for the erection of a new building at the Center was voted down, first by a margin of three votes, then by a margin of two, on a two-thirds vote. Your committee, looking well into the future, still believes that the best solution would be a large building at the Center.
It is ready, however, after the closest study of proba- bilities for the next year, to offer a solution which will not only relieve the present pressure and take care of increases for a short time in the future, but will also show an annual saving of more than $2,000 in the conduct of the schools. This measure, too, can be taken at less cost than- the one originally proposed, though relief from it will not be so long felt.
By erecting a two-room addition at the Sunset Avenue school, the town can save the services of two teachers, close three small schools and make a net saving of the cost of transporting more than 30 pupils.
Under this plan the North school would be closed and all grade pupils of the North End would attend the Sunset Avenue school, two grades in each of four rooms. This would so relievc the Center school that all remaining sev- enth and eighth-grade pupils could be housed in the two- room building, leaving more room than formerly for the lower grades. It would then be possible to close the South school and distribute its pupils among the grades at the Center, and to close the Westdale school and house the fifth
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grade in space given up by the seventh.
Your committee estimates that this plan, while giving more pupils the advantage of instructions in large schools, would at the same time be a good business deal for the town. Its figures may be subject to slight revision, but at the present writing the following items seem assured :
There would be a reduction in annual expenditures of $1,311 for pupils now being transported, $2,050 for salaries of teachers, $347 far janitorage and fuel-a total of $3,556.
Against this must be balanced an estimated cost of $570 for transporting South End pupils to the Center, and a probable $658 for additional fuel and other items at Sun- set avenue.
The net saving on annual carrying charges for the schooling of the same number of pupils would therefore be $2,328.
This sum is the interest on $38,800.
If the addition should cost $15,000, the saving to the town annually would equal the income on $23,800. In other words, the building would pay for itself in a little less than 11 years.
Your committee feels that to overlook this opportunity would be most unwise, especially since only a part of the sum expended would come on the tax rate each year and would be virtually offset by the saving in operating expense.
It is interesting to note that a two-room addition at the Center would not effect the same economies, because of the distribution of pupils and arrangement of classes. A similar economy could be effected only at a larger expendi- ture for a new four or six-room building at the Center, in which would be housed most of the pupils now being taught in small schools.
While some have looked to the Howard High School building for relief, your committee has failed to find it there. All indications are that the High School registra- tion next Fall will set a record and leave no room for other pupils.
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Your committee feels that with an eye to the future, as well as regard for present uses, the town should acquire the Howard tract of 10 acres opposite the Center school. The Center school will continue to be used by at least 250 pupils, who are finding the playground around the school buildings inadequate. For several years they have used much of the Howard tract both for ordinary play and for ball games. The tract has also been used by High School teams and by other young people. No charge for this use has ever been made by the owners. This tract is the only one near both the High and Center schools which your com- mittee has considered suitable both for school-site and play- ground purposes. If not taken by the town, it is only a question of time before it will be devoted to other uses. It is the committee's suggestion that a sum of money derived from sale of the poor farm, which has been lying in the town treasury, be devoted to this purpose. Purchase in this way would not increase the tax rate.
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