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 1930-1934 > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
2.00
Willis, Martin, Eastondale
9.82
Wilsey, Clifton L., 51 Belmont
2.00
Winberg, Albert D., Walnut
140.89
Winberg, Arvid L., 686 Manley
15.86
Winberg, Anna E., et al, 686 Manley
6.80
Winberg, Emil, 686 Manley
5.78
Winberg, Melvin G., Manley
2.00
157
Winslow, Edward F., 61 Plain
2.00
Woodbury, Frank, 42 Sinnott 2.00
Whitman, Asa and Ellen Miles, Brockton
11.32
Whitman Co-operative Bank, Whitman
146.77
Whitmarsh, Willard F., Bridgewater
45.30
Wilcox, John G.
30.20
Williams, Charlotte L., 45 River
21.90
Wood, Ada M., 145 Spring
174.41
Wood, Alexander, 351 Manley
2.00
Wood, Alexander H. M., 351 Manley
254.32
Wood, Eben T., 145 Spring
36.58
Wood, Melvert, 381 Spring
2.00
Woodward, Henry F., 65 Plain
2.00
Worthing, Frederic H., 265 Spring
2.00
Worthing, Laura W., 265 Spring
140.43
Wright, Chester E., Central Square
2.00
Young, Carl T., 268 N. Elm
2.00
Young, Cora C., 376 N. Elm
157.04
Young, Everett, 376 N. Elm
2.00
· Young, Herbert, Jr., 135 Prospect
2.00
Zeuli, Alexanter, 96 S. Elm
3.51
Report of Collector of Taxes
REAL AND PERSONAL TAXES-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$517.26
Payments to Treasurer 1934
$115.27
Collected in 1933 but not entered
137.45
Abatements 179.88
Tax Title
22.32
Outstanding December 31, 1934 62.34
$517.26
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$277.63
Payments to Treasurer 1934
$104.64
Abatements 62.55
Outstanding December 31, 1934 110.44
$2.77.63
REAL AND PERSONAL TAXES-1930
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$1,129,67
Payments to Treasurer 1934
$337.84
Collected in 1933 but not entered
47.24
Abatements
87.85
Tax Titles
248.40
Outstanding December 31, 1934
408.34
$1,129.67
159
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1930
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$919.11
Payments to Treasurer
$597.42
61.77
Abatements Outstanding December 31, 1934
259.92
$919.11
REAL AND PERSONAL TAXES-1931
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$2,633.02
Payments to Treasurer
$1,417.47
Collected in 1933 but not entered
156.75
Abatements
104.58
Tax Titles
128.84
Outstanding December 31, 1934
825.38
$2,633.02
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1931
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$1,433.47
Payments to Treasurer
$730.72
Abatements
143.36
Outstanding December 31, 1934
559.39
$1,433.47
REAL AND PERSONAL TAXES-1932
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$16,748.56
Payments to Treasurer $13,490.38
Collected in 1933 but not entered 72.50
Abatements
341.65
Tax Titles 1,913.08
Outstanding December 31, 1934 930.95
$16,748.56
160
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1932
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$1,815.45
Payments to Treasurer $1,127.60
Collected in 1933 but not entered 22.25
Abatementş 139.12
Outstanding December 31, 1934
526.48
$1,815.45
REAL AND PERSONAL TAXES-1933
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$49,202.27
Corrections and Refunds 72.66
$49,274.93
Payments to Treasurer $30,081.44
Collected in 1933 but not entered
240.83
Abatements
506.41
Tax Titles
1,326.99
Outstanding December 31, 1934
17,119.26
$49,274.93
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1933
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$2,271.08
Corrections and Refunds
47.59
$2,318.67
Payments to Treasurer $1,310.07
Collected in 1933 but not entered
3.00
Abatements 61.40
Outstanding December 31, 1934
944.20
$2,318.67
161
REAL AND PERSONAL TAXES-1934
Commitments per Warrant $95,310.13 Refunds 28.69
$95,338.82
Payments to Treasurer
$51,471.96
Abatements
339.28
Tax Titles
3,151.23
Outstanding December 31, 1934
40,376.35
$95,338.82
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAX-1934
Commitments per Warrant
$5,206.04
Refunds 25.80
$5,231.84
· Payments to Treasurer
$3,791.39
Abatements
231.83
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1934
1,208.62
$5,231.84
WALTER C. DUNBAR, Collector.
Report of the Collector of Water Rates
Outstanding January 1, 1934
$9,509.57
Commitment 1934
January
$3,932.50
Excess
907.64
April
4,105.36
July
4,146.61
October
4,240.15
$17,332.26
$26,841.83
Payments to Treasurer
$19,238.18
Abatements 1934
353.60
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1934
$7,250.05
$26,841.83
WATER COLLECTIONS 1934
January Commitment
$3,932.50
January Commitment Excess
907.64
$4,840.14
January Collections
$1,874.39
February Collections
719.45
March Collections
934.30
Transfer
108.00
$3,636.14
$1,204,00
163
April Commitment
$4,105.31
April Collections May Collections June Collections
$2,576.39
1,540.15
802.37
$4,919.41
$814.05
July Commitment
$4,146.61
July Collections
$2,643.86
August Collections
2,079.87
September Collections
846.95
$5,570.68
$1,424.07
October Commitment
$4,240.15
October Collections
$2,508.18
November Collections
1,167.59
December Collections
1,436.18
$5,111.95
$871.80
WALTER C. DUNBAR, Collector.
Superintendent of Streets' Report
-
In the early part of the year the usual Highway duties were attended to in addition to the various graveling and drainage projects under E. R. A. This consisted mainly of Manley, Crescent and Walnut Streets which were not com- pleted owing to weather conditions and lack of funds. Spring Street, Copeland and Howard Streets and short portion on South St. were seal coated. West Center St. sidewalk from Central Square to Elm Square, Main St. sidewalk to Howard St. sealcoated.
During the early Spring a period of approximately three weeks was needed to patch the various black top roads. This particular part of the highway maintentance will require con- siderable attention each year to keep our roads in good condition.
At this period, July 10, Mr. O. P. Pearson was appointed Superintendent of Streets due to the resignation of Mr. Daniel Penpraese.
In assuming the duties, and to carry out the vote of the Annual Town Meeting, East St. and rebuilding S. Main St. were started. East St. from E. Center St. to Bridgewater line was regraveled and black topped the entire distance, proper drainage with culverts and catch basins were installed where needed. So. Elm St. in conjunction with County and State was rebuilt from Elm Sq. to junction of Lincoln St. a distance of something over a mile. Following his Sunset Ave. was put into shape and black topped from North Elm St. to Schonl House.
165
For the balance of the year many projects under E. R. A. Labor were promoted, the Department finished Crescent, Walnut and Manley Streets, installed 1360 ft. 12 inch drain pipe on Spring St. from a point near Crescent St. to location opposite property of Eben Wood with the open ditch and pipe drain, with two catch basins and necessary fittings for a dis- tance of approximately 1500 feet.
Center School and Matfield School yards were filled and graded.
An inspection of the bridge known as Skim Milk Bridge shows the same to be in bad condition and not safe for traffic, Oil tank trucks and such heavy trucking should be prohibited . from use of this road until such times as bridge is put into a safe condition. In addition I wish to report that the rail fence bordering the bridge on Arch St. is in a dangerous con- dition and should, in great part be renewed, or some other type of fence installed. I wish to further report that condi- tions of sidewalks on West Center St. from Elm Sq. to Cochesett; North Elm St. from Sinnott St. to Brockton line; from Brooks Place or North Elm St. should be seal coated this year to save them from breaking up.
Respectfully submitted,
O. P. PEARSON, Supt. of Streets.
Report of Committee on Salaries
To the Board of Selectmen, West Bridgewater, Mass .:
In accordance with the vote of the Town the Committee appointed by the Moderator to consider and recommend sala- ries and wages of officials and other employees of the Town' herewith makes its report.
In making this report, the Committee realizes the addi- tional duties that some of the officials have been obliged to assume owing to government projects and present day eco- nomical conditions, but the Committee has not taken into consideration this extra labor, feeling that such work should be contributed without charge in the interest of the people and the community.
The Committee places its findings upon the basis of a fair remuneration for labors performed under normal condi- tions. It has endeavored to be thorough in its investigation, and as a result of its consultation with the more important divisions of the Town Government makes the following recommendations:
1. That the members of the Board of Selectmen shall be paid at the rate of $5.00 per day or $3.00 per one-half day for time actually spent in connection with duties required by their office.
2. That members of the Board of Public Welfare be paid at the rate of sixty cents per hour while performing such duties as the office may require.
169
3. That the Town Collector receive a salary of $1,000.00 per annum.
4. That the Town Treasurer receive a salary of $400.00 per annum.
5. That the Town Accountant receive a salary of $650.00 per annum.
6. That the Town Clerk receive a salary of $540.00 per annum.
7. That the Head of the Fire Department be paid at the rate of $1.00 for the first hour and at the rate of fifty-five cents for each additional hour. That all other members receive $1.00 for the first hour and fifty cents for each additional hour. That the rate recommended for the first hour of ser- vice be allowed only for actual performance of duty at a fire.
8. That Labor be paid at the rate of fifty cents per hour except that the Heads of Departments, unless otherwise specified shall receive remuneration at the rate of fifty-two and one-half cents per hour.
9. That the members of the Board of Health, Assessors, Water Board, Police and all other Departments not otherwise mentioned be paid at the present rate of remuneration.
In the opinion of the Committee, the amounts recom- mended are sufficient for the efficient and faithful perform- ance of the duties required by the members of the different. departments; and whenever clerical hire is necessary it should at all times be kept at a minimum of expense.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE WILLARD PETERSON, EMMONS G. PORTER, EBEN T. WOOD, LESTER J. CHARNOCK, LOUIS P. HAYDEN,
State Auditor's Report
January 30, 1935.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. James A. Hemenway, Chairman, West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of West Bridgewater for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1934, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
TNW/MFC
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell, Director of Accounts, Department of Corporations and Taxation, State House, Boston.
Sir :
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the general accounts of the town of West Bridgewater for the year
--------
171
ending December 31, 1934, and of the tax collector's ac- counts for the period from August 3, 1934, the date of the previous audit, to the end of the fiscal year 1934, and sub- mit the following report thereon :
The financial transactions, as recorded on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town or committing bills for collection, were ex- amined and checked.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and compared with the treasurer's books and with the records in the several departments collecting money for the town.
The appropriations and transfers as recorded on the accountant's ledger were checked with the town clerk's records of town meetings and with the records of the finance committee.
The ledger accounts were analyzed, a trial balance was taken off, proving the accounts to be in balance, and a balance sheet, showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1934, was prepared and is appended to this report.
The books and accounts of the treasurer's department were examined and checked. The recorded receipts were compared with the records in the several departments collecting money for the town and with other sources from which money was paid into the treasury, while the pay- ments were checked with the selectmen's warrants author- izing the treasurer to disburse town funds. The cash bal- ance on January 14, 1935, was verified by a count of the cash in the office and a reconciliation of the bank accounts with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The records of town debt, revenue loans, and interest were examined and listed, and the payments were verified by a comparison with the amounts falling due.
The securities and savings bank books, representing
172
the investments of the trust funds in the custody of the treasurer, were examined and listed, the income being proved and the transfers to the town verified.
The records of tax titles taken by the town were ex- amined and checked with the actual deeds on hand and with the tax commitments.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked. The accounts outstanding at the time of the previous examination were audited, and all sub- sequent commitments of poll, property and motor vehicle excise taxes, and of water rates and services were proved and compared with the warrants of the assessors and the water commissioners. The payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's cash book, the abatements were checked to the assessors' and water commissioners' records of abatements granted, and the outstanding ac- counts were listed and proved to the accountant's ledger.
The outstanding accounts were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The town clerk's records of dog licenses issued on be- half of the county and for sporting and trapping licenses, the proceeds of which are paid to the State, were examined, the payments to the town and to the Division of Fisheries and Game being checked and the cash on hand being veri- fied.
The records of other licenses and permits granted were examined, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The accounts of the sealer of weights and measures were examined. The recorded receipts were checked with the records of the weights and measures sealed and ad- justed and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
In addition to the departments mentioned, the avail-
173
able records of all other departments receiving money for the town were checked and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The surety bonds of the treasurer, tax collector, deputy collector, and water collector were examined and found to be in proper form. The surety bond of the town clerk could not be located during the progress of the audit, but it was noted that a premium had been paid for such a bond for the current year.
Considerable improvement in the manner in which the several departmental records and accounts have been kept was noted.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and collector's cash, summaries of the tax, tax title, and water accounts, as well as tables showing the trust fund transactions.
For the co-operation extended and the assistance rendered by the several town officials during the audit, I wish on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts.
HBD/MFC
The balance sheet and tables referred to above are a repetition of those contained in the Town Accountant's report.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1934
AHWILLE PRINTER HADOUNAJE MAN
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Harvey A. Scranton, Chairman
Term expires 1936
Mrs. Corelli Alger, Secretary
Mrs. Edith Alger
Dr. W. C. Whiting
Faelton Perkins
Term expires 1936
William Curtis
Term expires 1935
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Ernest W. Robinson Office, Howard High School Telephone Brockton 5094
Residence, 40 Ash St., West Bridgewater Telephone Brockton 3559-R
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. Ellis LeLacheur
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER Ervin W. Lothrop
.
Term expires 1937
Term expires 1935
Term expires 1937
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
We herewith present the annual report of the school administration for the year just closed. The following table shows the cost of our schools for the year 1934 to- gether with the proposed budget for 1935:
SCHOOL EXPENDITURES AND ESTIMATES
Administration
$4,165.00
$4,050.00
Salaries
29,391.83
30,500.00
Books and Supplies
2,855.44
1,800.00
Janitors
2,211.38
2,200.00
Fuel
1,861.82
1,800.00
Repairs
1,936.48
700.00
Transportation
4,003.79
3,800.00
Tuition
1,936.31
1,500.00
Nurse
808.36
800.00
Miscellaneous
103.79
75.00
$49,274.20
$47,225.00
It was only by the exercise of the strictest economy that your committee was able to stay within the 1934 budget. It is, therefore, with reluctance that we have sub- mitted a still lower budget for the current year, feeling as we do, that it is of the utmost importance that the present high standards of our schools be consistently maintained. We recognize, however, that the request of the Finance
178
Committee for a 5% reduction in all departments of the town's activities, is a vital one under existing conditions, and we have accordingly revised our original estimate to conform with their request.
Against the total expenditures, above listed for 1934, it should be borne in mind that the state refund on account of schools together with the City of Boston tuition for city wards amounted in the same period to $8,283.89, or nearly 17% of the total expenditures for the year. With this refund the net cost of running the schools amounted to $10.21 per $1,000 of valuation for 1934. The local cost per pupil is less than the state cost or the cost of Group III (108 towns of less than 5,000 population and which main- tain a high school) as shown by the following tabulation :
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL
West Bridgewater
$87.20
$57.71
Group III Average
110.18 63.51
State Average
98.84 71.02
Your committee is alive to its responsibilities in ° handling so large a part of the town expenditures. We be- lieve, however, in view of the standing of our school sys- tem, and the excellent work of our superintendent and the teaching force, that the town is receiving full value of every dollar expended for public education.
During the past year, with federal assistance, the school grounds were graded at the Center, Matfield and Sunset Avenue Schools; and all buildings except the Center group were painted. Heating and sanitary facilities were installed at Cochesett and Matfield Schools. The first in- tense cold snap put the Cochesett School sanitaries out of commission, but action has been taken to remedy this sit- uation.
In accordance with statute requirements, a fire alarm system has been installed at Cochesett, Sunset Avenue and
179
Center Schools, and at the latter upper grammar building a swinging window for exit to the fire escape. Heavy iron handrails have been placed on the outside steps at Sunset Avenue and Center Schools.
Careful study has been given the subject of pupil transportation during the past year, and bus routes so or- ganized that the maximum service can be rendered the town as a whole. Occasional expressions of individual dis- satisfaction have been received, but your Committee does not feel that it can at this time add any extra burden of cost to this item of school administration, by shortening the distance limits now in effect and thereby increasing at once the operating costs of this department.
Due to the increasingly large entering classes at the Sunset Avenue School last fall, it has been found necessary to institute part-time classes for the first four grades, under a so-called stagger system of attendance, whereby two groups attend the morning and two the afternoon, and both sets of groups alternate once a month in morning and afternoon attendance. As explained in the report of the Superintendent this part-time system is operating with- out educational loss up to the present, in the lower grades, but its extension to include upper grades would definitely impair the efficiency of these grades. If the present rate of increase persists, it seems probable that serious consid- eration will have to be given in the near future to the prob- lem of adequate school. accommodations in this district.
In September, your Committee sustained a severe loss in the resignation of its chairman, Harold S. Lyon, who has given many years of valuable service to the cause of edu- cation in this community, a service that has been keenly appreciated by the Committee, teachers and citizens of West Bridgewater for many years.
HARVEY A. SCRANTON,
Chairman.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
-
To the School Committee:
The educational work of the past year has been quietly progressive in every department of the school system. The restoration of a part of the salary reduction of the preced- ing year has given the teaching force a stimulating evidence of the appreciation, by the School Board, of their work and an understanding of the economic conditions under which they are doing this work. There has been no diminution of interest or efforts on the part of our teachers at any time in the troublous days of unrest and uncertainty that have unsettled industry and exerted a disturbing influence wherever they existed. For this strong sense of responsi- bility and duty our teachers merit the appreciative thought of the community and are themselves mindful of the sympa- thetic attitude of the School Board.
ATTENDANCE
The membership figures for the current year as com- piled January 1, 1935, show a falling off in the total amount, of twenty-three pupils from last year's record, or 655 against 678. Most of the loss has been sustained by the Howard High and Center Schools as the accompanying table reveals :
181
Comparative Membership Table
School
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
Howard High
139
142
138
141
132
Center
225
209
219
223
209
Sunset Avenue
140
152
150
167
172
Matfield
57
65
68
66
62
Cochesett
68
52
66
57
57
Jerusalem
24
24
26
24
23
653
644
667
678
655
This loss is represented in part by the re-absorption into industrial occupations of those pupils who in a mea- sure were marking their time in school until they could find useful employment elsewhere. An examination of the membership figures of the Sunset Avenue School will show the consistent gain that has been made over a five year period, amounting to thirty-two additional pupils, ap- proximately enough for another class room. With a large entering class of twenty-four in September, making a total of. 105 pupils in two rooms originally designed to accommo- date eighty-five, it was deemed expedient to institute the part time system of attendance in the first four grades. Under this system, one grade attends the morning session, the other a session of equal length in the afternoon, alter- nating sessions every month. Because of the smaller num- bers in these classes, the teaching results have been very satisfactory, and the classes kept up to grade because in- dividual help is available for slower moving pupils. One reason for the enlarged enrollment seems to be the in- creased number of new families taking up residence in this school district.
SANITARY CONDITIONS
Last year attention was drawn to the unsanitary con- ditions prevailing at the Center, Jerusalem, Cochesett and
182
Matfield Schools. Since then, there has been installed as a federal project, a first-class heat and lavatory system in both the Cochesett and Matfield Schools part of the cost of which was paid out of the regular school appropriation for repairs. For the first time since these buildings were erected it has been possible to obtain adequate and uniform heating and ventilation. The lavatories at the Cochesett School got out of order in the first severe cold spell of the winter, but it is expected that it will not be a very difficult matter to put the system in to good working condition in a very short time. Temporary arrangements pending these repairs have been made.
The problems of the Jerusalem and Center Schools still remain however. At the former, some system of inside non-freezing lavatories will have to be devised as there are no night fires to keep the building temperature above the freezing point. At the Center School, the largest gram- mar group in the town, we have both outside toilets and inside ones that function only in part due to their original faulty construction. Our attention must next be focused here if we are to give the pupils of this larger group the protection and convenience afforded in other buildings of the system. Action on this problem is already underway.
EDUCATIONAL TRENDS
The chief emphasis in elementary and secondary edu- cation has been for many years, "education for efficiency, and training for service," both excellent objectives. The gospel of work for work's sake as a disciplinary, regulatory agency in every active life has been inherited from the early builders of the nation, who found health, progress and security by "the toil of their hands and the sweat of their brows".
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.