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 1935-1939 > Part 18
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173
BRAGA'S DITCH
The completion of what is known as Braga's Ditch is an important water way for the entire section bordering this Ditch. A Catch Basin on easterly side of North Elm Street with ten-inch drain pipe across the street to Catch Basin on westerly side of street insures good drainage for surface water, and the open Ditch should care for much of the gen- eral drainage of this section.
SURVEYING
Our drainage streams are a very important factor to a large portion of citizens and no definite data was available at the office from which any information could be obtained when conditions required it. We, therefore, through the W. P. A. have had all important streams and drainage ditches survey- ed and grades noted, length of streams and ditches, locations, names, etc., put upon maps and bound in a large book, acces- sible as required.
TRIMMING TREES
The Federal allotment for this work has greatly aided the Tree Department in freeing our trees of dead and obstruc- tive branches and limbs.
CENTRE SCHOOL
This project was under way in 1935 and the special ap- propriation $2,000.00 carried over into 1936.
With the completion of this project we now have good sanitary arrangements, and buildings in good condition.
COMFORT STATION IN PARK
The building is constructed of stone, to keep constant the same idea general throughout, with modern sanitary condi- tions.
.
174
SEWING
This project has provided employment for six female em- ployees throughout the year. Their output is delivered to Headquarters at Brockton, where we may draw upon for our necessities.
CLEANING RIVER ABOVE DAM
This project has been conducted as water conditions would permit. In this work we are advised by the Agent of the Fish and Game Commission of the State the fish may be conserved and given an opportunity to thrive and propagate.
The stone dividing construction in the river, near the dam, was not in the original plan. However, in taking out the soil from the south bank to this point in the river a solid ledge was contacted which no doubt was the cause of ob- struction which finally chocked up the stream leading to the State Fish way. It was then decided to construct this divid- ing element so that a clear flow will continue on either side.
The shape of this construction is the result largely of the foundation lines upon which it is laid rather than any thought-out design at the start.
VITAL STATISTICS
In September a project was secured to search out all ori- ginal records of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, compare each with the book records, correct any found errors, transcribe in book records any not so recorded, and compile this infor- mation by dates prepatory to being bound. At this writing all records from 1879 to 1934 have been bound and tabulated, making forty-eight complete and corrected volumes.
The importance of the correctness of these Vital Statis- tics is becoming more and more apparent. The Book Records can now be verified by the original certificates which are easily accessible.
175
Laying Water Pipes and Renewing Services on West Centre Street;
Laying Water Pipes on Copeland Street;
Farm to Market Highways;
Spring Street Project are all reported elsewhere.
In the late Fall reductions were made in the working forces and orders given to the local office not to employ or to certify for employment anyone until further instructions were received. At this writing that order has not been with- drawn, although numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to have the most needy re-employed. We are instruct- ed, however, that this condition will soon be remedied.
H. E. BRYANT, Sponsor's Agent.
176
W. P. A. EXPENDITURES
Project
Federal Expense
Town Expense
From Special Town Appropriation
State Grant
Braga's Ditch
$ 1,149.38
$ 7.10
Surveying
329.00
43.00
Trimming Trees
1,273.46
$590.92
Manley St. Drain
578.39
112.56
Centre School
1,955.14
1,930.32
Comfort Station
775.23
195.85
Memorial Park
8,919.92
1,236.59
125.00
Sewing
4,449.06
6.30
Cleaning River
10,465.05
243.11
Vital Statistics
491.16
Laying Water Pipes West Centre St.
660.40
315.81
Laying Water Pipes Copeland St.
630.30
1,935.62
Moth
149.41
Spring Street
198.40
89.79
Farm to Market
10,586.51
$869.37
Total
$42,310.51
$2,250.11
$4,581.86
$869.37
Net Expense from W. P. A. Material Acct. $ 2,250.11
Special Town Appropriation for W. P. A. Projects
4,581.86
Total Expense to Town
$6,831.97
Total Grant from Federal Government
$42,310.51
State Grant
869.37
Total Funds Granted to W. P. A. Projects
$43,179.88
Federal and State Grants 84 %
Town Expense 16 %
Report of Plymouth Co. Extension Service
What does Extension Service stand for? To those in agriculture it supplies useful information and practical solu- tion of problems relating to the many branches of farming.
In home demonstration work it assists home-makers with problems in practical management of the home, bringing up of children and providing a good home environment.
In 4-H Club work it provides opportunities for boys and girls to become proficient in various club projects under the supervision of trained leaders. This results in improved home environment
In West Bridgewater this year there has been a Home Management group. A demonstration on Cleaning Savers was given in Jerusalem, West Bridgewater. Women also took part in the Problems of Adolescence meetings held in a nearby town.
Calls were made on 44 men regarding Agriculture pro- blems. Twenty-two enrolled in the National Soil Conserva- tion program, the Farm Inventory and Farm Accounts pro- jects. Five meetings were held in town, while many were in attendance at meetings of county-wide interest. Informa- tion was sent through the year to poultrymen, dairymen, fruit growers, market gardeners. Eighty-eight men are on these lists.
Approximately 35 boys and girls enrolled as 4-H Club members in the dairy, food, garden and poultry projects.
Earle Gummow and William Gibson, Jr., both exhibited
178
animals at the Brockton Fair 4-H Dairy Show. Gibson also exhibited in the 4-H shows at Sturbridge Fair and the East- ern States Exposition at Springfield.
As one of the outstanding 4-H Club members in Massa- chusetts, the accomplishments of Wm. Gibson, Jr., during the past year are listed:
Won the 4-H Showmanship Contest at Brockton Fair; Won the 4-H Showmanship Contest at Eastern States, Springfield.
Won the 4-H Vegetable Judging Contest at Northamp- ton Fair;
Tied for 2nd in the Poultry Judging Contest at North- ampton Fair;
Member of the Plymouth Co. 4-H Dairy Judging Team that won the Dairy Judging Contest at Springfield and a special silver cup at the Annual 4-H Contest in Amherst;
Won a State Camp Scholarship for having one of the four best Dairy Records in the State;
During this past summer he also visited all of the poul- try and garden club members in the town.
Every town in the County has the opportunity to partici- pate, if it deslres, in the Extension Program. This service is given upon request, and I hope the requests will be many.
CORELLI C. ALGER.
Report of Inspector of Animals
There have been inspected during the past year 81 stables and 830 cattle. Besides these cattle there were 93 hogs, 18 sheep and 1 goat.
Under the head of slaughtering the number of animals slaughtered were:
Calves
141
Hogs
224
Cows
3
Total
368
Animals condemmed:
Calves
3
Hogs
1
Total
4
DAVID DAILEY, Inspector of Animals.
Report of Town Treasurer.
The financial transactions of the Town for the year 1936 may be briefly summarized as follows:
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1936, $27,008.36
Receipts during 1936, 181,242.95
$208,251.31
Expenses 1936,
$181,797.48
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1936,
26,453,83
$208,251.31
The receipts were divided as follows:
Received from Collector,
$116,489.70
Received from other sources, 64,753.25
Total receipts for year,
$181,242.95
A more detailed account of both receipts and payments will be found in the Town Accountant's report.
The Town borrowed $15,000.00 as a temporary loan on June 15 at a rate of one-half per cent. This was due on Nov. 15 and was paid on Nov. 10. The total interest charge on this loan was $30.42. The only other indebtedness of the town is its water bonds. Such of these as came due were paid together with any accrued interest. These payments totaled $4,908.73.
The outstanding water bonds which have not yet come due, amounting to $19,360.00, are the only indebtedness of the Town at the close of the year.
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Tax Titles present something of a problem. It seems reasonable to hope that better economic conditions may bring a reduction in this account. A statement of this account for 1936 is as follows:
Tax Title account Jan. 1, 1936,
Added by Collector during year,
$8,739.49 6,619.93
$14,909.42
Collected during year,
4,597.86
Balance on account Dec. 31, 1936
$10,311.56
Number of Tax Titles represented by above, 82
During the year, with the co-operation of the Library Trustees, some changes were made in the handling of the Library Trust Funds which we hope will be beneficial.
Amounts in excess of the original principal were drawn from the accounts and set up on the interest accounts. This enables both the Trustees and Treasurer at any time to read- ily ascertain the amount of funds available for Library pur- poses, doing away with the necessity, as in the past, of checking over several different accounts.
ROBERT G. DEAN, Treasurer.
Report of Chief of Police.
To the Honorable Board of Selectme:
I herewith submit my annual report of the Police Depart- ment for the year 1936.
Appropriation,
$2,200.00
Unexpended balance,
206.04
Fines returned to Town,
27.00
233.04
Cost to run Department,
$1,966.96
Cause of Arrests and Summons-Automobile violation 85; Driving to endanger 8; Driving under influence 4; Drunk 4.
Miscellaneous-Auto transfer papers 43; auto accidents 20; accidents where persons taken to doctor 10; accidents where persons taken to hospital 6; breaking and entering 3; stolen property recovered $470; complaints and investigations 255; Police car travel 8,315
Again I want to thank the school children for their co- operation in lessening the danger of playing, bicycle riding and roller skating on streets and sidewalks. I wish to thank the school teachers for their hearty co-operation in this work.
In closing I wish to thank the Selectmen and all others who have in any way helped the Department. To the officers I extend my hearty thanks for their co-operation.
ERVIN W. LOTHROP,
Acting Chief of Police.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE TOWN OF
WEST BRIDGEWATER
FOR THE YEAR 1936
AHWILLI PRINTED HOYBOLWATER MASS
MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Harvey A. Scranton, Chairman
Mrs. Corelli Alger, Secretary
Mrs. Edith Alger
Faelton Perkins
Clare E. Parker
Lloyd P. Tyrer
Term expires 1939 Term expires 1937 Term expires 1938 Term expires 1939
Term expires 1937 Term expires 1938
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Ernest W. Robinson Office, Howard High School Telephone Brockton 5094 Residence, 19 Ash St., West Bridgewater Telephone Brockton 6811-W
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Joseph Berkowitz, M. D.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER Ervin W. Lothrop
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater :
We submit herewith, the following analysis of expendi- tures for 1936 and estimates for 1937 :
1936 Expenditures
1937 Estimates
Administration
$3,759.00
$3,850.00
Salaries
29,701.63
29,800.00
Books and Supplies
2,474.18
2,000.00
Janitors
2,277.40
2,375.00
Fuel
1,535.20
1,900.00
Repairs
1,331.66
1,300.00
Transportation
3,728.79
4,100.00
Tuition-Trade School
960.98
1,250.00
Health
1,112.86
1,125.00
Miscellaneous
116.91
100.00
Changes in Curricula
1,700.00
$46,998.61
$49,500.00
In keeping the 1936 expenditures to the lowest figure for many years we were helped by the following factors which could not be foreseen when we submitted our estimate of $47,000.00 a year ago:
4
1. The closing of the portable building at Matfield, thus saving the salary of a full-time teacher.
2. The resignation of several teachers draw- ing maximum pay who were replaced by new teachers at the minimum wage.
3. The unusually warm winter which saved us a substantial amount of fuel.
Due to these favoring conditions we were able to stay within our budget and still maintain our school standards. We were even able to replenish our school books and sup- plies which have suffered from several lean years, as well as to make much needed improvements in heating and sani- tation at Jerusalem.
On the other hand, had we been less fortunate, it ap- pears that the school system would have suffered because of the low estimate of expenses.
Our school plant is now in fair condition. However, improvements are needed in the sanitary conditions at Sun- set Ave. and the rear Center School.
For some time we have felt that the various school grounds might be made much more attractive without great expense. To this end we have had plans drawn showing walks, lawns, shrubbery, and hedges, with proper space for playgrounds and gardens. We hope to have this work done either by a federal project or out of the regular school ap- propriation over a period of years.
In our last report we stated that the portable building at Matfield should be replaced by an addition to the main building there. That was our conviction at the time. We had plans drawn for a suggested addition to cost about $6,000.00. However, before asking the town for this amount to accommodate about 30 children we decided to try trans- porting them to the Center School. This seems to have
5
worked out well. The parents of the children involved, who were at first strongly opposed to the move, have since then registered no objections and the children themselves are doing as well, or better than previously.
Before renewing the contracts of our bus drivers this fall, we requested them to obtain new buses with steel bodies and all safety features. These buses cost over $2,000.00 each and liability insurance costs about $100.00 each. For this increased protection for our children we are asking an increased appropriation as shown by the estimate.
For a number of years Mr. Lindell has been suggesting additional courses in manual and household arts. Last year we added a course in agriculture. This year we should like to make a beginning in drawing, household and manual arts, and have recommended a moderate appropriation for that purpose in belief that such courses will be of decided benefit to the majority of our pupils.
In figuring the estimate for salaries for 1937 we are asking for a restoration of our teachers' pay to the regular basis. Ten percent was deducted from their wages in 1933 and half of this was restored in 1934. We are now able to restore the second half of the deduction with only a nominal increase over the 1936 figure for salaries. Our teachers have suffered this loss of wages without complaint while continuing to give us the same high quality of service as previously. We have felt their wages should be restored and recommend that this restoration be made to take effect in September, 1937.
The committee believes it expresses the feeling of the town as a whole in voicing regret at Mrs. Corelli Alger's decision not to be a candidate for re-election. Her record of over a quarter of a century of faithful and devoted service to our schools should be an inspiration to pupils, teachers, and all who are interested in public service.
6
In closing this report, we wish to urge all the citizens to take a live interest in school matters and invite their constructive criticism and cooperation at all times.
The School Committee meets at the Center School the second Monday of each month, at which time any citizen is welcome to express his views on school matters.
Respectfully submitted,
HARVEY A. SCRANTON,
Chairman.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee :
I take pleasure in presenting herewith my eighth an- nual report of the school system of West Bridgewater. The past year has been marked with consistent Textbooks and progress as measured by periodic testings of results throughout the various grades. In near- Teaching ly all the school subjects taught today, the text- books used, provide at the end of each chapter or topic, an excellent series of searching questions on that part of the text just finished, with periodic general ques- tionnaires that tie up the different topics developed in that course of the study, into a cohesive unit of information, or achievement skill. As a consequence, teaching is constantly growing more purposive, non-essentials are being continu- ally eliminated from the course of study, and valuable time for both teacher and pupils is being increasingly conserved. The modern text-book is a powerhouse of material and method.
We have had more changes in the teaching staff during the past year than we have had for several preceding years. From the high school we lost Miss Margaret Teacher Changes Hayes, a competent teacher of much exper- ience, and Miss Louise Scott who succeeded Miss Miriam May in the preceding year. We have been fortunate in replacing these two capable teachers by two very promising teachers, Miss Elizabeth Walker in
8
the English department, and Miss Myrtle Otto in the com- mercial department. Both teachers come to us with excel- lent records of scholarship and accomplishment.
In the grade schools we lost Miss Priscilla Smith, prin- cipal of the Cochesett School and Miss Winifred Darling of the Jerusalem School. Both these teachers had given good service, this being especially true of Miss Darling, whose long tenure of service in her school had built up a record of achievement in her work and a helpful spirit of coopera- tion in the community she served. Her successor is Miss Marian Cushman of Bridgewater, while Miss Wilmar Har- low has succeeded Miss Smith in Cochesett. Both are grad- uates of the four year course at the Bridgewater Normal College.
A cursory examination of the accompanying age and grade table will reveal a condition of over age for grade at certain points along the scale, that means Age and Grade trouble and difficult problems for the teachers in the grades affected. In the table as presented the black face figures on each grade line repre- sent the number of pupils of normal age for their grade. Preceding these numbers of normal aged pupils are those of pupils a year or more younger than their grade whose age immaturity is usually offset by quicker mental activity. But those pupils found on the right of the normal aged pupils, who are older than the grade average, begin to accumulate at the third grade and increase in number through the intermediate years, furnishing serious problems of teaching and discipline where they are present in too great numbers. In larger school systems such pupils are formed into groups under a special teacher who tries throughout the year to prepare them to re-enter a grade nearer their age level. But in smal systems, where school room is at a premium, such a method is not feasible, and special treatment is given these cases of lagging pupils (who usually form the B and C divisions of their classes)
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1936
Age 5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Grades 1
19
44
4
2
18
29
6
5
3
1
18
34 15
25
9
6
6
2
1
6
1
12 37
18
6
1
9
7
10
35
14
7
1
8
26
26
7
7
2
9
1
11 28
11
4
3
10
7
23
4
2
1
11
3
9
14
3
3
12
1
16
6
1
13
1
1
1
5
1
9
45
6
2
1 5
4
2
10
as far as is consistent with the main objective of the teacher in giving the normal pupils their proper proportion of her time and effort. In the upper grammar and high school years there is a progressive diminution of such pupils, as the intellectual pace becomes faster, and oppor- tunities for industrial work influence most of them to leave school and find work better suited to their particular capac- ities.
Many boys and girls have been kept in school and to their own benefit, by giving them an opportunity of doing elementary manual arts, wood and leather
Manual working, basketry, and domestic arts. In offer- Arts ing such courses to pupils, the idea is not to
make expert craftsmen, but to augment and preserve the dwindling interest of pupils who are not "book-minded" but have some ability to do good work with their hands, and who need some strong impelling purpose in their work to hold their interest, and develop the habit of planning and carrying through to completion some type of creative effort even of the simplest form. Some surprising- ly beautiful and effective work is revealed each time special effort are called for from any class, in poster design, models for study of transportation, historical events and miscellaneous responses to varied calls for representative illustration material; and the over age for grade pupils often produce the most striking examples of this type of manual effort at such a time. The manual arts have been so long the means of developing latent creative powers in many backward seeming boys and girls, as well as the more tal- ented pupils, that it needs no special pleading to prove their value to any school system, large or small. Expensive pro- jects are not needed to get the real good from this type of work. Many simple projects in manual and domestic arts have been developed in recent years to meet the needs of small communities. As such we should have them in our own system to be progressive and keep step with the times.
11
We have economized rigidly for several years in the scope of our work, and it seems a fitting time to consider giving back to our pupils some of the former opportunities for a wider variety of work in the near future.
In closing up the primary building at Matfield and hav- ing the intermediate grades transported to the Center School. an unhygienic condition was remedied School Accommo- at the former school but a problem of pupil adjustment created at the latter similar to dations that existing at the Sunset Avenue building, in
the fourth grade which has a disproportionally large part of the entire school membership.
At Sunset Avenue School, however, a real problem of pupil accommodations has existed since the entrance of a very large primary class four years ago. Since this number was 32, double the usual entering class, we have tried to adjust this "bulge" each year, once by the "stagger" plan of part-time, and after that was given up, by having an as- sistant teacher in the room affected. This method is never wholly satisfactory, but the best we can devise. It seems best for the present to hope that this large class, as it com- bines with the smaller classes ahead of and behind it, will eventually be graduated successfully without special provi- sion having to be made for its accommodation.
Sanitary improvements have been made at the Center grammar school where up to date accommodations of this sort have been provided at long length for Sanitary Progress these pupils. The sanitary conditions in the rear building at the Center are very poor, and inimical to the health and comfort of every one in the building. Characteristic effluvial odors permeate the building at times and the discomfort of every one affected. Although much effort has been exerted to correct conditions here, it seems as though some more thorough method of correction must be devised. Since the same conditions pre- vail at times at the Sunset Ave. sanitaries, it is possible
12
that small ventilation blowers can be installed for substan- tial improvement and advantage.
During the summer of 1936, the trustees of the Howard Seminary made additional improvements at the Howard
High School by installing an exterior fire es- Howard cape on the east side of the building, and cut- High ting doorways between class rooms to facili- tate rapid exit in case of emergency. With this addition the whole top floor of the school has been made safer for use than ever before in its history, and marks an- other step in the series of improvements accomplished by the trustees in their efforts to modernize an older type of school construction, which presents many problems of ad- justment whenever an improvement is attempted in the working mechanism of the building.
The following table reveals the membership for five years :
Comparative Membership Table
School
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
Howard High
138
141
132
134
146
Center
219
223
209
219
250
Sunset Avenue
150
167
172
163
164
Matfield
68
66
62
62
32
Cochesett
66
57
57
57
53
Jerusalem
26
24
23
27
26
667
678
655
662
671
Since this year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the appointment of the noted educator, Horace Mann, to the position of Secretary to the State Board of Horace Education in 1837, it is planned throughout the Mann state that his work and influence upon his own and later times shall be stressed by suitable ob- servances in the schools of the state. This we plan to do in fitting fashion at various times during the year.
13
"If ever there was a cause, If ever there can be a cause Worthy to be upheld by all Of toil or sacrifice that the Human heart can endure, it is The cause of education." Horace Mann.
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