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 1945-1949 > Part 37
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Our pumping cost about doubled during the time the town was consuming the large amount of water, because our pumps were working 24 hours a day. After the ban was put on, our pumps were operating about 14 hours per day, and at the present time they are operating 10 hours a day, which is about the normal op- erating time of the pumps.
During the year we installed a new water line on North Main Street from Copeland Street to the Brockton line. This is a new 8 inch line except for the last 600 feet, which is 6 inch. We also installed a new 6 inch line to supply Beacon Street, the new de- velopment in that section of the town. We estimated to install about 30 new services during 1949; we actually installed 67 new services. We also estimated to renew about 12 old services, but actually renewed 32 old services in the town during the year.
All meters are to be read twice a year to keep an actual record of the consumption of water by the takers at all times. Some people wonder why some meters which are on their property are out of operation and are not repaired by the department. We have looked into this matter, both from the side of the consumer and also in regard to the department. When you consider our views we hope you will agree with our decision for not repairing all of the meters in the town. Most of our meters are obsolete and the cost of replacing them would be a large cost to the department. When you consider that each consumer is allowed 48,000 gallons of water before they pay excess water rates, and the normal use of 80% of our users is 25,000 gallons per year, you can see that it would be a useless expense to the department to meterize the whole town, unless we were to drop our maximum allowance of water to below the normal consumption of the takers. If this is wanted by the town we will gladly purchase the meters and install working meters in every home, because the amount of excess de- rived from the users with smaller maximum amount would more than pay for the meters in a few years. We are trying to be fair with all the consumers in the town and the ones who now criticize
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the condition of the meters would be the first to complain on ac- count of an excess water bill. We have a high rate for water at the present time and don't wish to increase the water burden of our consumers at the present time, but if it is the wish of the town we will gladly comply with it. We would like to leave it entirely up to the consumers.
We wish to thank all who have cooperated with the depart- ment in the past and hope you will continue to do so in the future. We will be glad to meet any consumer or group of con- sumers who wish to see our new station and to explain to them the workings of the station; also to answer any other questions that they would like to have the commissioners settle.
Very truly yours, JAMES A. KINNEY EDWARD G. ASACK THOMAS J. CARNES Board of Water Commissioners
REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
Throughout the year, the Water Department has installed many new services for new construction and renewed some old services. There are still a great number of old services to be re- newed in the years to come.
Considerable work on the landscape around the well field and pumping station was also done this year.
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A new development off Matfield Street was connected to the water main. This year the Department has installed seventy-eight new services and renewed forty-one old services. Hydrants, mains, services and gate boxes were altered for new road construc- tion, also.
The usual work of maintenance, repairs of leaks on mains, services and hydrants was carried on. There seems to be no indi- cation that cost of materials and equipment will be reduced dur- ing the coming year to any great extent, and a great deal of new construction is anticipated for the coming year.
The equipment of the Department remains in good condi- tion at the close of the year, and there is a reasonable supply of tools and material on hand.
Respectfully submitted, ANTONE SOUSA, Superintendent
FIRE DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE NO. 4137 REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the West Bridge- water Fire Department for the year ending 1949.
PERSONNEL
One Chief, two Deputies, twenty-three members, one alarm Operator, one Electrician, five Deputy Forest Wardens.
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APPARATUS
One 500 gallon triple combination Buffalo Equipment on Diamond T. Chassis. Twelve years old.
One 500 gallon triple combination Maxim. Twenty-five years old.
One Chevrolet Combination Truck with 320 gallon tank and portable pump. Four years old.
One twelve foot boat presented to the town by the American Legion for emergencies.
One E & J Resuscitator and one National Cutting Unit for emergency use.
ALARMS ANSWERED
Frame Buildings
26
Grass and Woodland (1391/2 Acres)
57
Automobiles and Trucks
4
Alarms (no fire)
1
Rubbish
7
Search for lost persons
3
Electric Wires on Poles
3
Aid Calls out of Town
6
Dumps
6
Emergency Calls, Resuscitator
2
Aid Calls for Police
1
Total Alarms Answered 116
In performing its duties in 1949, the Fire Apparatus has traveled 1117 miles, operated pumps at fires for 3711/2 hours, has laid 26,650 feet of booster hose, 14,000 feet of 11/2 inch hose, 12,450 fcct of 21/2 inch hose, and also raised a total of 760 feet of ladders.
VALUE LOSSES AND INSURANCE PAID
Assessors Valuc of Buildings
$116,325.00
Insurance Carried on Buildings $180,020.00
Estimate Fire Loss on Buildings $194,445.00
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Insurance paid on Buildings
$95,066.00
Estimate Value of Contents
$66,500.00
Insurance Carried on Contents
$34,324.47
Estimate Loss on Contents
$12,329.47
Insurance paid on Contents
$9,482.74
PERMITS ISSUED
Open Air Fires
578
Oil Storage and Burners
127
Bottle Gas Storage 49
I have investigated thirty-one complaints on smoke, Dumps and Rubbish Fires.
Bell Alarms and Whistle are tested daily at 7 P.M., except Sundays.
The drought this summer and fall accounted for most of the woods fires. These fires burned deep into the ground, assuming a great expense to extinguish.
On March 21, 1949 we suffered a very great loss when our High School was destroyed by fire.
We greatly appreciate the aid received from State Forest Fire Patrols and surrounding Towns on our woods fires, also from sur- rounding Towns and Cities on the High School fire.
It was necessary to renew our Bell Alarm system this year, when our old system was demolished by a high voltage wire dur- ing a storm. .
I highly recommend to the School Building Committee, that there be a Sprinkler System installed in the new High School when it is built, as such a system will give greater fire protection and also reduce the Insurance rates considerably.
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Board of Fire Preventions Regulations Rules and Regulations of Department of Public Safety Chapter 148 - Section 10
It is required by law that any installation or alteration of fuel oil burners of any type shall not be made by any person or firm unless in possession of a certificate of competency.
No oil burner of any type shall be installed without first filing an application for permit to the head of the Fire Department.
After installations of oil burners and tanks, a completion certificate must be filed with the head of the Fire Department for inspection of work.
No person or firm shall use or store liquified petroleum gas (known as bottled gas) used for cooking or heating purposes with- out first filing an application and obtaining a permit from the head of the Fire Department.
INSPECTIONS
Inspections have been made on Schools, Rest Homes and public buildings, and they were found in good order.
Permits must be obtained from the Fire Department for all open air fires.
ATTENTION
To help keep your fire loss small, CALL YOUR FIRE DE- PARTMENT IMMEDIATELY upon discovering a fire in a building, grass or woodland.
I wish to thank the Selectmen, Officers and members of the Department and all others who have helped in any way with the Department.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTONE SOUSA, Chief, Fire Department
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BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Total Appropriations at Annual Town Meeting,
March 14, 1949
$329,120.07
Appropriations at Special Town Meetings since 1949 Tax Rate was fixed None
Total Appropriations made since 1948 Rate was fixed $329,120.07
State Parks and Reservations Tax
274.89
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
287.56
County Tax-1949
11,490.41
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
5,317.54
346,490.47
Plus Underestimates of Previous Year
3,358.11
349,848.58
Overlay
6,080.56
Total Amount to be raised
355,929.14
Less Total Estimated Receipts
118,396.91
237,532.23
Less Amounts taken from Available Funds
36,045.06
NET AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXES
ON POLLS AND PROPERTY 201,487.17
TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Number of Persons, Partnerships, Corporations, etc., assessed:
On Personal Estate only
140
On Real Estate only
1,205
On both Personal and Real Estate
72
Total Number Assessed 1,417
100
Number of Polls assessed
1,291
Value of Assessed Personal Estate:
Stock in trade
34,850.00
Machinery
30,750.00
Live Stock
114,621.00
All Other Tangible Personal Property
386,068.00
Total value of Assessed Personal Estate
566,289.00
Value of Assessed Real Estate:
Land
759,399.00
Buildings
3,410,150.00
Total Value of Assessed Real Estate
4,169,549.00
TOTAL VALUE OF ALL ASSESSED PROPERTY
4,735,838.00
Tax Rate per $1,000.
42.00
Tax for all purposes spread as follows:
On Polls
2,582.00
On Personal Estate
23,784.14
On Real Estate
175,121.03
TOTAL TAXES ASSESSED
201,487.17
Number of Horses assessed
52
Number of Cows assessed
730
Number of Yearlings, Bulls and Heifers assessed
124
Number of Swine assessed
145
Number of Sheep assessed
20
Number of Fowl assessed
23,681
Number of Goats assessed
14
Number of Mink assessed
25
Number of Turkcys assessed
698
Number of Acres of Land assessed
8935.09
Number of Dwellings assessed
1006
10]
EXEMPTED PROPERTY
Real Estate
Trustees of the Howard Funds in West Bridgewater
106,350.00 15,500.00
Old Bridgewater Historical Society
Baptist Society 6,700.00
Methodist Society
9,450.00
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston
24,100.00
Sunset Avenue Congregational Church
4,700.00
Unitarian Society
13,500.00
Cemeteries (Privately owned)
4,540.00
Town Hall and Lot
15,500.00
Fire Station
2,000.00
Highway Building and Lot
9,500.00
Library
3,400.00
School Dept. (Land and Buildings)
66,100.00
Parks
8,800.00
Water Dept.
12,000.00
Cemeteries (Town Owned)
600.00
Various Lots owned by the Town
5,045.00
Property of the Commonwealth
2,873.00
Total value of exempted Real Estate
310,658.00
Personal Property
Old Bridgewater Historical Society
8,000.00
Trustees of the Howard Funds in West Bridgewater
7,000.00
Town of West Bridgewater
Water Department
287,500.00
Fire Department
15,000.00
Library
8,000.00
School Department
7,000.00
Highway Department
4,000.00
Town Hall and Offices
3,000.00
Moth Department
2,000.00
Police Department
500.00
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Sealer of Weights and Measures Tree Warden
250.00
100.00
Total value of Exempted Personal Property 342,350.00
Total value of All Exempted Property
653,008.00
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
No. of Cars
Value
Excise
1st Commitment, Jan. 31, 1949
279
71,560.
2,952.53
2nd Commitment, Feb. 17, 1949
249
55,660.
2,275.22
3rd Commitment, Mar. 16, 1949
97
18,840.
768.15
4th Commitment, Mar. 30, 1949
119
36,850.
1,503.34
5th Commitment, Apr. 11, 1949
52
15,400.
634.46
6th Commitment, Apr. 12, 1949
60
17,930.
717.84
7th Commitment, May 5, 1949
175
40,070.
1,629.33
8th Commitment, June 7, 1949
99
42,230.
1,419.19
9th Commitment, July 27, 1949
44
23,040.
809.89
10th Commitment, Sept. 20, 1949
188
57,510.
2,243.56
11th Commitment, Oct. 5, 1949
11]
97,080.
3,525.64
12th Commitment, Nov. 9, 1949
196
93,160.
1,963.33
13th Commitment, Nov. 30, 1949
62
37,450.
650.41
14th Commitment, Dec. 14, 1949
42
23,210.
240.05
15th Commitment, Jan. 10, 1950
61
30,420.
249.23
16th Commitment, Feb. 1, 1950
9
11,400.
50.19
1843
671,810.
21,632.36
Average value assessed per car Average Excise per car
364.52
11.74
ROBERT G. DEAN WILLIAM W. PHILLIPS CLIFFORD H. CARLSON
Board of Assessors
103
THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The acceptance and adoption of new standards of Public As- sistance and methods of allocating and claiming administration expenses became effective July 1, 1949. To efficiently carry out this new program and continue to make Federal funds available and do the additional work for an increased case load, a change will be necessary. The establishment of full time employment for our present Welfare Agent and Junior Typist Clerk will take effect January 1, 1950.
In 1949, the receipts, expenditures and the town's net share were as follows:
Category
General Administration
Payments $ 3,140.70
Receipts $ 975.35
Town's Net Expense $ 2,165.35
Aid
General Relief
10,433.11
4,374.17
6,058.94
Old Age Assistance
53,642.65
43,188.30
10,454.35
Aid to Dep. Children
3,275.45
2,272.81
1,002.64
Child Welfare Service
1,577.66
1,403.08
174.58
Totals
$72,069.57
$51,238.36
$19,855.86
Comparative case load for the past four years
Year
General Relief
Ο.Α.Α.
A.D.C.
Totals
1946
9
88
3
100
1947
14
84
4
102
1948
16
83
6
105
1949
23
93
5
121
WILLIAM W. NOYES FRED G. CHISHOLM FRANK SANBORN Board of Public Welfare ALICE M. DEAN
Welfare Agent
104
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
During the year 1949 in addition to our regular maintenance work, the Highway Dept. has completed the following program:
New Construction
Progressive Ave .- Widened, graveled and seal coated.
Matfield Street-Excavated, gravel fill-2 foot seal coated.
Beacon Street-Graveled, graded and seal coated. High Street-Graveled and seal coated.
Merritt Street-Graveled and seal coated.
Cyr Street-Scarified, graveled, rolled and seal coated.
Manley Street-Seal coated from Walnut Street to West Street. Sinnot Street-Widened and seal coated.
Mix In Place
Prospect Street-1400 ft., near West Center Street.
Spring Street-800 ft., near Howard Street.
Chapter (90)
North Elm Street-Completed from Buttonwood Avenue to West Center Strcet.
West Center Street-Completed from West Street to Easton line.
Drainage Work
Catch basins were installed on Maolis Avenue and 400 ft. of tile pipe laid.
One (1) catch basin built on East Street and 120 ft. of pipe laid. All catch basins were cleaned of sand and many open ditches were dug out and cleaned.
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Painting
Many fences repaired and painted.
Wire fences painted with aluminum paint on Walnut Street, East Center Street and River Street.
Highway garage doors and wood trim painted.
Traffic lines painted on West Center, East Center and West Sts.
Brush Cut On Corners
Brush was cut on Pleasant Street, Lincoln Street, Spring Street, Prospect Street and South Street.
Snow Removal
Snow was removed as quickly as possible.
Sand treated with salt was spread whenever conditions warranted.
In closing I would like to make the following recommendations: That the 1947 Ford Truck be replaced next year.
That the Highway Dept. purchase a tractor with snow bucket, cutter blade and broom attachments.
That the Highway Dept. purchase a 1/2 ton (half-ton) pick-up truck.
Respectfully,
GEB:ES
GEORGE E. BAKER, Superintendent
106
REPORT OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE
(Plymouth County Extension Service ) 1949
The towns of Plymouth County have the opportunity of con- tributing directly to the budget of the Plymouth County Extension Service by town appropriation, which is sent directly to the County Treasurer for the use of this Department. Town Directors are chosen to represent the town in the administration of the Extension Service wherever possible.
The Extension Service is an educational organization sponsored jointly by the County of Plymouth, University of Massachusetts, and the United States Department of Agriculture. There are three Departments within the Extension Service - Agriculture, Home- making, and 4-H Club Work. The major objectives of the Exten- sion Service are directed to farm and rural people, but since funds from tax sources are used, there is an obligation to all the citizens of the County.
The direction for the Extension Service is by board of nine trustees who are appointed by, and report to, the Board of County Commissioners. In addition, each Department has an advisory council and commodity committees which give counsel in the for- mation of educational programs for their respective groups.
General educational programs are conducted through meet- ings, circular letters, newspaper and radio publicity. In addition, farm and home visits are made to promote rural welfare among the men, women, and youth interested in better farm and rural living.
-
107
STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Home Agri. Demonstration Department
Club Dept.
Total
Farm or Home Visits
859
216
588
1,663
Telephone Calls
5,747
1,322
1,840
8,909
Office Calls
2,173
395
307
2,875
News Stories
131
39
1,880
2,050
Radio Talks
273
104
12
389
Bulletins Distributed
4,902
10,721
7,614
23,237
Individual Letters Written
2,723
423
1,041
4,187
Circular Letters Written
196
60
120
376
Copies Mailed
72,792
30,433
14,275 117,500
Number of Leaders
96
294
165
555
Meetings of Leaders
83
13
13
109
Attendance
1,156
113
271
1,540
Demonstration Meetings
98
151
12
261
Attendance
5,143
256
486
5,885
Other Extension Meetings Attendance
46
124
276
446
2,456
3,721
13,513
19,690
Meetings with other organizations
58
254*
3,840*
4,152
Attendance
5,505
12,703
35,560
53,768
4-H
Dept.
No. 4-H Clubs 121; No. Club Members enrolled in 4-H Clubs, 987. No. 4-H Achievements Days, 1; Attendance 450.
Includes meetings held by Local Leaders and 4-H Clubs.
108
ANNUAL REPORT BOARD OF SELECTMEN West Bridgewater, Mass. January 1950
The Board of Selectmen respectfully presents to you the Town Report for the year 1949.
The reports of the various town officials and departments are called to your attention and we recommend that you give them careful consideration.
Chapter 90 construction of North Elm Street was completed this year and it is planned to start construction of Crescent Street under this same chapter this coming year.
Permits were issued for the construction of thirty-three new homes, twenty-four garages, etc., and eighteen additions to homes and business buildings.
The fire situation in West Bridgewater during 1949 was ex- tremcly serious and costly. The cost of operating the Fire Depart- ment is only a small part of the loss sustained. The most serious loss to the town was the total destruction of the Howard High School. The loss of the building, although not town property, placcd a serious burden and expense upon the school department. We wish to congratulate the School Committee and Officials and Teachers for the manner in which they have handled this situation. The general dry weather throughout the year made conditions such that scvcral serious woods fircs helped make the cost of the depart- ment greater than normal.
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We regret to include in this report the passing of four men who have given years of service to the town.
We wish to express our appreciation for the cooperation and friendliness of the town officials, department heads, and towns- people during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM W. NOYES FRED G. CHISHOLM FRANK SANBORN
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SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
From January 1 to May 28, 1949, efforts of the committee were directed toward informing the townspeople of the advantages of cooperating with adjacent towns in a Regional Junior Senior High School. This work was done under the chairmanship of Harvey Scranton. On May 28, the town voted not to participate in a survey of the regional school problem, but voted to instruct the building committee to choose a site for a Junior Senior High School for West Bridgewater. After this town meeting several people were appointed to the committee, including Mrs. E. W. Jones, Richard Grodin, William Rodgers, Bruce Soderholm, and Roger Burrill. Roger Burrill was elected chairman by the committee. A survey of seven desirable sites for a school was undertaken and the committee sub- mitted the site of approximately 20 acres owned by Henry Howard on the corner of West Center Street and Howard Street, adjoining the present Center School property. At a town meeting on July 12 this site was voted to be purchased by the town, and the building committee was instructed to bring in preliminary plans for a Junior Senior High School.
Eleven architects were interviewed by the committee during the summer months. On October 1 the firm of Adden, Parker, Clinch and Crimp was engaged to do the work. The committee also engaged Dr. Homer W. Anderson of Newton as educational consultant. Engineering surveys and borings of the site were under- taken to determine the topographical and subsoil conditions. These surveys indicated that the site was suitable for construction. Pre- liminary plans were developed by the architect and educational consultant in conference with the committee and were finally ap- proved by the committee on December 1, 1949. Due to the impend- ing Christmas scason it was deemed advisable to delay special town mceting until after January 1, 1950.
Approximately 60 meetings of the committee were held during 1949. Twenty-five schools throughout the state were visited and
111
inspected. Scores of designs of other schools were examined. Many open meetings and round table conferences were held with towns- people throughout the year in an effort to get the facts to as many voters and taxpayers as possible.
Respectfully submitted, School Building Committee
CLYDE MANCHESTER HARVEY SCRANTON ALLEN FOYE
LEON LOTHROP
E. MARION ROBERTS
A. PHILIP ERBECK
MRS. L. MERRILL CASWELL
FRED BISBEE
BRUCE C. SODERHOLM
CLIFFORD CARLSON
MRS. E. W. JONES
SAMUEL READ
RICHARD GRODIN
MRS. RALPH FISH
WILLIAM RODGERS
JULIAN E. LUCINI, Secretary
ROGER H. BURRILL, Chairman
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Vital Statistics Received Too Late For Classification
ADDITIONS TO BIRTHS
Date
Name
Parents
December
19 David Russell Wood
Russell C. and Jennie Sergi
28 Kathleen Tingley
John J. & Audrey L. Lawson
BIRTHS ELSEWHERE TO WEST BRIDGEWATER PARENTS
Date
Name
Parents
July
17 Malburne Jewett Peabody, Jr. Malburne J. and Anne M. Harp
ADDITION TO MARRIAGES
October
22 Myron F. Lawson of East Bridgewater and Laura E. Ander- son of West Bridgewater at Providence, R. I., by William T. Wallace, Clergyman.
December
25 Merle V. Keith of North Easton and Mary B. Emerson of West Bridgewater at West Bridgewater, by Paul E. Lauffer, Minister.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER
TER
MASS.
1656
X
PULPIT ROCK
FEB. 16. 1822
RPORATED
FOR THE YEAR 1949
DORR'S PRINT SHOP BRIDGEWATER, MASSACHUSETTS
114
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the citizens of the Town of West Bridgewater Greetings:
On March 21, 1949, the Town of West Bridgewater lost the use of the Howard High School by fire. We, the school committee, are deeply grateful to Superintendent William Rodgers, Principal Richard Grodin and the entire high school staff for the tremendous amount of work accomplished which resulted in starting our sec- ondary educational program at Bridgewater Junior High School the following Monday. We are also grateful to the school commit- tee of Bridgewater for their kind gesture in offering the use of their buildings for our students, thus making it possible for the entire student body to be together and for the Town of West Bridgewater to continue to operate a high school with its own principal and staff of teachers, but with a curtailed program. This is a temporary situation and we sincerely hope our own junior-senior high school will be complete at the earliest possible date.
The school committee believes that the education of the chil- dren of West Bridgewater should be of the same level as children are receiving elsewhere. With this in mind, the following curricu- lum was approved to present to the School Building Committee as a basis for their plans for a new junior-senior high school - Class A, as proposed by Russell Mack, supervisor of secondary education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This includes full course offerings in industrial arts, homemaking, science, commercial work, drawing and art, music, English, social studies, mathematics, lan- guages, health, dramatics, and physical education.
In accordance to the law of 1901 - Chapter 325, April 30, the school committee authorized the superintendent to file a letter with the assessors of the Town of West Bridgewater to the effect
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that the Trustees of the Howard Fund have not maintained during the school year a high school satisfactory to the superintendent.
The Department of Public Safety of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts made it necessary to fireproof all basements, accord- ing to specifications demanded by Mr. Arthur V. Beaudry, In- spector of Public Buildings, rearrange fire escapes, make new exit doors and install safety hardware before the elementary buildings could be operated as public schools with certificates of inspections. All schools are now so certified.
We are attempting to better the lighting in the elementary classrooms by painting the ceilings and walls. This work should continue until all the schools are done and additional lighting fix- tures should be installed to help overcome eyestrain.
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