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 36
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Very truly yours, THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
The balance sheet and tables referred to are the same as those to be found in the Town Accountant's report.
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The Employed Upon the W. P. A.
During the year 1938 various projects have been in operation; some completed, some still being operated. Despite the criticism aimed at the workers employed upon the W. P. A. much has been accomplished that would not have been done in many years with the direct finances of the Town. Consideration must be given that the person- nel employed upon these subjects are men who do not seek this type of work from choice, but because of lack of opportunity in their own chosen field are forced to accept W. P. A. work. Consider the wide-spread differ- ence of pick-and-shovel, handling stone, etc. under all weather conditions, as against doing the work indoors, in which the machine largely is employed. Those who are in the positions to measure the accomplishments of our W. P. A. workers have no fault to find with them. We feel they will average with any miscellaneous group whose status is "need," rather than physical or other qualifications for this type of work. Within the ranks there are some physical defects which must be reckoned with, and requirements of those individuals regulated to keep them earning rather than force them upon the wel- fare through discharge. Remember it is either work or welfare! No doubt there are some who will take ad- vantage of this type of set-up. That, however, is not a new disease incident to the W. P. A. We always had it in all lines, and always will. The best intentioned among them work under adverse conditions, out of place, their weekly earnings only an existance for most of them and no hope in sight to better their present conditions.
Let us be considerate with our criticism !
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Report of the Administrators of the Financial Aid Under the Works Progress Administration
During the year 1938 much more has been accom- plished upon our highways than in the previous year. This is due to a greatly increased number of W. P. A. workers over 1937. From July to December 1937, there were upon the rolls only 27 male workers. During the year this number increased upwards of 62, until grad- ually some secured private employment leaving the present number of 62.
Last year left some finishing touches to be done to complete the Matfield sidewalk; this was done. The High- way department with W. P. A. labor.
Regraveled Scotland Street from Bridgewater line to Pleasant Street, a distance of 1/2 mile and later black topped the entire length of one mile.
Pleasant Street regraveled for a distance of 800 feet.
Lincoln Street regraveled and drainage through con- structed culvert completed and surface black topped dis- tance of 4000 feet.
Maple Street widened and regraveled for distance of 11/4 miles.
Manley Street from West Street to railroad crossing rebuilt by raising the roadbed, and widening. This made it necessary to excavate ditches 4000 feet in new location and to install new Culverts, and build several entrances to wooded properties along this highway. The hurricane added considerable work to the completion of this street. Although it was late in the season, it was considered best to apply Tarvia to hold the new construction, and be- cause of weather conditions the surface is somewhat rough, but engineers claim with Spring warm weather, the surface will iron out smooth again. Length of High- way completed-1 mile.
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Prospect Street regraveled, distance of 2180 feet.
Earlier in the Summer, Spring Street from property of Josiah Tuck to North Elm Street was rebuilt, drainage installed, stone walls set back bordering property of George Connors, and rebuilt into face wall for a distance of 1150 feet. Roadbed was widened and black topped a distance of 2375 feet. 500 feet of the stone wall, property of Alfred Howard, was entirely removed. All bushes grubbed up on both sides of the highway.
Crescent from Spring Street to North Elm Street re- graveled and black topped-528 feet.
On River Street fronting property of Hervey Dunham prior land taking in previous year, made it desirable to move back the stone wall 12 feet. Three quarters of this task has been accomplished at the close of the year, a distance of 400 feet.
At the close of the year work was begun on Forest Street. It is proposed to widen this street, and with proper easements in hand the stone walls are to be moved back and graveling completed and black topped when possible-1000 feet.
The annex to Memorial Park is well under way and will be finished during the permissable Spring weather.
On all the highway projects bushes have been mowed and where time and money would permit, roots grubbed up and pest harboring, poison vines and shrubs removed. W. P. A. Projects other than Highways:
The Town Yard completed during the early Summer has proven its worth upon several occasions, most nota- bly in clearing the streets of dangerous parking near the Church, the weekly Band Concerts, and the Town Carnival.
Drainage to eliminate mosquito areas: During the early Summer, the ditch with its source upon property north of Grant Street owned by Joseph Couite, and run- ning through various properties to Trout or Willow Brook crossing North Main Street, was surveyed for grace. excavated to specifications of W. P. A. 6 ft. x 3 ft. x 2 ft.,
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and a new bridge constructed on Grant Street. This was not only to care for mosquito pest but to care for North Elm Street drainage water turned upon land of Joseph Couite by the State in 1937, a distance approximately 11/4 miles.
Other projects are: Tree trimming; moth department work; surveying and mapping, streets, water mains on Crescent Street, Pleasant Street, and North Elm Street.
Work of cleaning up result of hurricane on September 21, was pursued to the point of removing dangerous con- dition to travel. At this point we were instructed to suspend operation until further notice. The project is again alive and will be continued to the completion al- lowable, which is only upon Town property.
In the Town Clerk's office, all records of births, deaths, and marriages have been transcribed upon cards, in- dexed and filed by years. This system will be continued, giving a second record. Also much more convenient in getting record for applicants and saves the books from constant handling. Research work of Historical nature is and has been operated. This will prove valuable to West Bridgewater History, as it is largely of that very early data not elsewhere in print. This History includes many sketches of buildings and scenes from the earliest periods of this Town. This project is under the super- vision of Ernest Robinson, School Superintendent, and the writer.
In all these projects, the Federal Government expects the municipality to donate a reasonable percentage of the costs. This naturally varies in amounts. The sponsors have tried to select those projects which will be of value to the Town in return for the dollars spent. We welcome suggestions for the future! The W. P. A. continues. The men must be provided with work, therefore, we must provide projects.
THE SELECTMEN, Sponsors.
H. E. BRYANT, Their Coordinator.
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W. P. A. EXPENDITURES
*Farm to Market
Federal Expense $18,911.97
Town Expense $6,385.77
From Special Town Appropriation
* * Couite's Ditch
5,940.00
158.19
** Moth Suppression
1,757.91
Park Annex
2,507.00
245.57
* * Hurricane Damage
1,291.56
$666.24
Rehabilitation in Park
403.00
* * Water Department Work
3,793.91
5,130.00
** Highway Beautification
1,173.99
52.50
** Town Yard
2,351.48
625.17
* * Surveying
2,065.54
230.35
*Sewing
3,505.59
556.45
* * Vital Statistics
1,751.00
54.85
*Historical
527.00
20.35
* Commissary
979.03
552.10
1
General Accounts: Supervisor
Clerk, Travel, Labor on
Project, Stationery
1,287.82
Total
$46,958.98
$10,169.12
$5,796.24
Note:
* Projects still operating.
** Projects finished.
Projects suspended temporarily.
Net Expense from W. P. A. Material Acct. $10,169.12
Special Town Appropriation for W. P. A. Projects
5,796.24
10,169.12
Total Expense to Town
$15,965.36
Total Grant From Federal Government to W. P. A.
Projects
$45,454.01
Federal Grants 75%
Town Expense 25%
100%
HERBERT E. BRYANT.
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Report of Plymouth County Extension Service (Trustees County Aid to Agriculture)
This service is available to every community and fam- ily in each of the towns of the county. It brings to each of our towns the resources not only of the local organiza- tion, but of Massachusetts State College, especially of its state extension service with its corps of specialists in phases of agriculture and home making.
The Extension Service looks to the towns for assistance in planning and carrying out the local program. In 1938, there were 560 men and women in the county giving this type of help. With their assistance, 5000 Plymouth County homes participated directly in the program, and many others indirectly. Sixteen hundred boys and girls from 10 to 21 years old enrolled in 4-H clubs, 1300 farms were definitely influenced by the agricultural extension work, 1904 were enrolled in home demonstration groups, and many others received help through home and farm visits, letters, telephone and office calls, and other means.
Farmers and others interested in farm projects have participated chiefly in the following programs: dairy, poultry, fruit, market garden, farm management, cran- berry culture.
Homemakers have participated in various programs in nutrition, clothing, food preservation, home grounds improvement, furniture renovation, kitchen improve- ment, child development, and recreation.
4-H clubs include poultry, dairy, garden, conservation, handicraft, food, canning, clothing, home furnishing, and other agricultural or homemaking subjects.
West Bridgewater's chief agricultural interest has been in the dairy program. Farmers have also partici- pated in poultry, fruit, and vegetable growing meetings.
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Homemakers have enrolled in clothing and food preser- vation groups and participated in the home grounds im- provement and recreation programs. Girls and boys were enrolled in the 4-H canning, dairy, garden and poultry projects.
This varied and valuable service is free to all the citi- zens of the town.
CORELLI C. ALGER
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Report of Inspector of Animals For the Year Ending December 31, 1938
There have been inspected during the past year 81 stables and 985 cattle. Besides these cattle there were 66 hogs, 6 sheep and 4 goats.
Under the head of slaughtering the number of animals slaughtered were:
Calves
71
Hogs
189
Cows
3
Total
263
Animals condemned :
Calves
2
DAVID DAILEY,
Inspector of Animals.
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Report of Town Treasurer
The financial transactions of the Town for the year 1938 may be briefly summarized as follows:
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1938
$41,368.84
Receipts during 1938
184,263.34
$225,632.18
The receipts were divided as follows:
Received from Collector
$119,683.41
Received from other sources
64,579.93
Total receipts for year Payments during the year 1938 Cash on hand December 31, 1938
$184,263.34
$191,012.24
$34,619.94
Payments on Water Bonds during year Payments on Interest on Water Bonds
$4,030.00
during year
$554.67
Outstanding Water Bonds, December
31, 1938 $11,300.00
A comprehensive statement of the Tax Title Account may be found in the Town Accountant's Report. An itemized statement of the Cemetery Trust Funds and the Library Trust Funds may also be found in the Town Accountant's Report.
Two new funds have been added to the Cemetery Trust Funds :
Betsy C. & Mary L. Copeland
$1,000.00
Etta L. Hartwell
$300.00
ORVIS F. KINNEY, Treasurer.
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Report of Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my annual report of the Police De- partment for the year 1938.
Appropriation $1,800.00
Unexpended Balance
$.50
Fines returned to Town .00
.50
Department cost for year $1,799.50
During the year the following cases were disposed of according to the necessity of the case:
Automobile violation
105
Driving to endanger
11
Driving under influence of liquor
9
Drunks
14
Automobile accidents
35
Automobile accidents where persons taken to doctor 17
Automobile accidents where persons taken to hospital 14
Stolen property recovered $1,135.00
Complaints investigated 387
Register on police car shows mileage of 9760 miles.
My thanks are extended to the School Authorities and children who have cooperated in many valuable ways to prevent accidents.
In closing I wish to extend thanks to the officers and to the Board of Selectmen for their valuable assistance throughout the year.
ERVIN W. LOTHROP,
Chief of Police.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
of the Town of
WEST BRIDGEWATER
for the Year 1938
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MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Harvey A. Scranton, Chairman
Term expires 1939
Lloyd P. Tyrer, Secretary
Term expires 1941
Clare E. Parker
Term expires 1940
Faelton C. Perkins
Term expires 1939
Sherman H. Perkins
Term expires 1941
Henry F. Woodward
Term expires 1940
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
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Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
With the completion of the new sanitation system in the primary building of the Center School we are able to report that all of our schools now have modern sanitary units, thus completing a program which began six years ago.
Many other repairs have been made during the year, including new floors at Cochesett in both rooms; repairs to the roof at the Center School which was badly damaged by the hurricane; insulation of the manual training room to deaden noise; the successful solution of the drainage problem at the Sunset Ave. School. Repair of the roof and chimney of this school is also in progress. Improve- ments at the Howard High School include painting of some rooms and new desks. It is to be hoped the Trustees will find it possible to install hot shower baths in the near future.
The courses in Manual Arts have been extended one additional day whereby we can accomodate more pupils. From all reports these new courses have been received with enthusiasm by both girls and boys. It would seem that the slight expense to the town has been more than justified by the excellent results obtained.
During the year we have given much study to the ques- tion of proper lighting. Aside from the desirability of protecting the eyesight of the children over which there can be no question, it seems obvious that both pupil and teacher can do better work with proper illumination. As a result of our investigations we decided to install modern lighting in the worst room in the system, at the same time painting the walls and ceilings as recommended. The results were so good and the work of the room so improved we believe modern lighting should be extended to other rooms as fast as appropriations will allow.
Lest it be concluded that we give all our time to repairs
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and physical improvements we hasten to add that the maintenance of an efficient teaching personnel and a high quality of instruction is our constant and chief concern. With the able guidance of our Superintendent this has been maintained at a high level. But the best results will be obtained only where parents cooperate fully in seeing to it that lessons come first and that home work is thoroughly prepared.
An analysis of amounts spent in 1938 and proposed expenditures in 1939 is appended. It will be noted that the 1939 figures call for an increase due to the yearly increment in teachers' salaries as well as an additional amount for fuel.
As in previous reports the Committee again solicits the active cooperation of all interested in the progress and welfare of our schools.
Administration
1938 Expenditures $3,946.86 30,263.02
1939 Estimates $3,930.00
Salaries
31,102.00
Books and Supplies
2,392.19
2,400.00
Janitors
2,477.00
2,460.00
Fuel and Light
1,578.23
1,900.00
Repairs
1,606.22
1,300.00
Transportation
4,148.25
4,095.00
Tuition
705.60
1.000.00
Health
1,160.21
1,180.00
Misc.
137.22
140.00
$48,414.80
$49,507.00
Respectfully submitted,
HARVEY A. SCRANTON,
Chairman.
..........
EXIT
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SAME ROOM WITH NEWLY INSTALLED LIGHTING SYSTEM
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Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee :
In conformity with your customary requirement, the following report of the past school year is herewith pre- sented, embodying the usual numerical data comprising the number of teachers, pupils, attendance and distribu- tion by grades, together with such other information concerning school activities and educational progress that may be of interest to the citizens of this community.
COMPARATIVE MEMBERSHIP TABLE
School
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
Howard High
132
134
146
164
186
Center
209
219
250
243
237
Sunset Ave.
172
163
164
153
150
Cochesett
57
57
53
41
41
Matfield
62
62
32
34
28
Jerusalem
23
27
26
24
18
Total
655
662
671
659
660
A cursory examination of the foregoing table reveals a somewhat unusual trend of membership figures, namely the disproportionate growth of high school membership, while that of the elementary schools has experienced a general decline over a period of five years. The current membership of the Howard High School is twenty-one greater than last year, while the current elementary school membership is twenty-two less. This is not a nor- mal rate of access or decline in any public school mem- bership. A possible reason for the high school increase in population may be found in the greater attractiveness of the present high school curriculum enriched as it has
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been by the introduction of manual training and house- hold arts courses. The following table is suggestive :
Grammar School Graduates In June
High School Freshmen in September 41
Percentage Of Grammar School
1936
61
Graduates Entering High School 68%
1937
61
56
91%
1938
59
58
95%
From the above figures it is fair to assume that the present high school curriculum is mainly responsible for the marked increases noted. No clear reason can be formed for the decline in elementary school membership other than chance elements that cause sporadic varia- tions.
The new importance of secondary education in the United States is demonstrated by President Conant of Harvard University in a few figures. In 1900 only about 10 per cent. of the children of the country of high school age attended high school. Today 65 per cent. of them do. Measured in actual numbers the change is even more impressive. In 1900 American high schools had 630,000 pupils; in 1936 they had 6,300,000. Mr. Conant agrees that these millions of boys and girls must be taught in various ways, probably with the accent on vocational training, to fit them immediately for earning a livelihood.
We have lost during the past year but one teacher, Miss Elizabeth Walker, of the English department in the Howard High School, who was succeeded by Miss Elizabeth S. Merrill, who is doing excellent work in her department. At the present time we have a very capable corps of teachers throughout the school Teachers system, alert and enthusiastic in their at- titude towards their work, who keep themselves informed of current improvements and devel- opments in education by teachers' magazines, books and special college courses bearing on their work. It is a pleasure to be associated with such a fine spirited and
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able group of teachers, whose creative results in teach- ing are clearly evident in our school system.
The insulation of the manual training room to deaden sounds of workers and machinery in action, has worked out satisfactorily, so that the attention of the primary pupils in the room directly above them is Material Improvement no longer distracted from their own activ- ities. This is a great help to the primary teacher, one of whose chief objectives is to gain and hold the interest and attention of little ones whose attention is easily diverted by any extraneous activity or noise.
The laying of new floors at Cochesett has been of sub- stantial value from the the standpoint of health and ef- ficiency both from the teaching and custodial point of view. Re-treading the stairs has removed the danger of accident always imminent with the old Stream of Time worn out treads replaced. When the old floor boards were taken up, a dusty copy of the New England Journal of Education of the date of January 2, 1875, was found tucked between the floors. Some of the edges were fragile and frayed, but the main body of the Journal was intact and the printing even legible.
One article in it written by Dr. M. H. Buckham, then President of the University of Vermont, reveals clearly the strong convictions held by representative New Eng- land thinkers of the day on the value of education to them and their children. President Buckham wrote with great force and feeling, "May I present one more appeal to the heart of every true father and mother? Let us all resolve that our children shall start in life with a better education than we had. Let us not have the selfishness to say, 'what was good enough for us, is good enough for our children!'
Let us rather say, 'May our children never know the mortifications, the hardships and failures which we have met because of a defective education.
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March of Time
Many of our errors, it is now too late for us to retrieve, but we can help our chil- dren by guarding them against our mis- takes and giving them better advantages than we had. and with the help of the Lord we will do it! "
And in this significant plea for better conditions for those who come after us we recognize the age-long yearnings of the elders for higher ideals and better con- ditions of life for succeeding ages. This spirit is still vig- orous and vibrant today as the evidence of fine new school buildings, competent teachers, modern equipment. sanitary operation and generous support by our com- munities abundantly testifies to as we look over the mod- ern educational field.
Every minor repair, every new expression of educa- tional activity, the introduction of new courses, every improvement in methods, morale, or material condition contributes to the foregoing ideal of striving to give more to each oncoming generation than we had in our own day. And this is the essence and spirit of the growth of civilization.
The majestic lines of Daniel Webster present this idea with beauty and force. "If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will Daniel efface it; if we rear temples, they will Webster crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds, if we embue them with principles. with the just fear of God and love of our fel- low-men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten all eternity!"
It is an interesting fact to note that the New England Journal of Education was subsequently edited and man- aged by Dr. A. E. Winship, who was born in Cochesett. and who later became a nationally known and respected educational leader for over fifty years.
The report of the various supervisors and department heads will repay careful study as their special aims. methods and problems are thoroughly presented by each writer. Principal Lindell in his excellent report has pre-
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sented some challenging figures and questions in regard to the future development of our high school and his pre- sentation merits the careful consideration of every citi- zen interested in the welfare of our schools. The prob- lems of the newer departments of the Manual and Do- mestic Arts are well set forth by their respective heads and merit special attention because of their practical ob- jectiveness.
In conclusion may I again express my thanks to the School Board for helpful advice and assistance in my su- pervisory work.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST W. ROBINSON.
The Common School
The common school is a school for the chil- dren of the whole people, in which they are to be given that instruction and that disci- pline which lay the foundations not for leadership in a state and not for subordi- nation in a state, but for citizenship of a state; and these are the same for all. It is of the essence of democracy that every in- dividual shall be called upon to do the best that is in him, and to do this in such man- ner as not to limit the similar right and the equal opportunity of every other individual to do the same.
-Nicholas Murray Butler
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Report of High School Principal
Mr. Ernest W. Robinson Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my annual report as principal of the Howard High School.
The last decade has witnessed important changes in Howard High School. These transformations are wide- spread in application affecting practically every phase of the school's program. New courses meeting new needs have been added, old courses no longer serving the purposes for which they were organized have been discarded. Courses have been combined for more ef- fective and economical teaching and materials of in- struction have been revised to meet new conditions. The sports program has been developed and extended to in- clude more students. The school's philosophy and ob- jectives have been altered to make the institution more truly democratic in practice as well as in theory.
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