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 1955-1959 > Part 33
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The high school band, comprised of both high school and junior high students, has now swelled its ranks from last year's twenty-eight members to thirty-five members at the present time. This con- tinual rate of increase in members will depend upon the expan- sion of the grade school band program. Very few recruits join the band from the junior or senior high classes. We are almost com- pletely dependent upon the elementary instrumental pupils.
All football games and the Veterans' Day parade were attended by our band. The band has made a showing of excellent spirit, especially when we consider its size! The band students have ex- cellent morale and enthusiasm whenever they play and their play- ing ability is vastly improved.
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Last February we had two members of the band accepted for the annual S.E.M.S.B.A. Concert. The Semsba is an association of band directors from the south shore area. Annually they present a band and choral concert, the chorus and band being comprised of the most talented high school musicians from the south shore area. This coming year we hope to have even more students accepted for the April concert in Plymouth. Three of our band members have even been auditioned for the coming all-state band concert. If we manage to place even one person in the state band we will have achieved an initial triumph as the band is limited to one hundred members and one hundred and eight schools sent students to be auditioned.
This coming year we expect to award band members band let- ters as a reward for their faithfulness, good attitude, and conduct.
The high school orchestra was replaced last September by a high school dance orchestra. It is only in the beginning stages of development at the present time but I' believe its purpose warrants its existence.
A dance orchestra is a small band with violins. The music can be easily bought. The rhythmical and melodic content of the music is much more difficult to play than regular band music. Therefore, only the best qualified band members are chosen to be members of the dance orchestra. This type of music has a greater incentive value and produces a more skillful musician, who in turn becomes the strong leader of his or her section of the regular band.
The vocal music has been divided into two distinct groups: the boys' glee club and the girls' glee club. Girls, in general, seem to retain their parts much more readily and effectively than boys. They also have much more musical interest at this period in their lives. More time is required to teach boys their parts. Hence, it becomes much more convenient when I can concentrate on the boys without having the problem of maintaining order over the girls' section. The same policy can be applied to the girls' section.
This year we have eight boys and seven girls auditioning for the Semsba chorus which will be part of the joint concert in April at Plymouth. This will be our first group to ever audition for the
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Semsba chorus and I feel confident that we shall place quite a few members in that group.
In conclusion I would like to say that the Principals and teach- ers of the West Bridgewater school system have extended them- selves beyond that which is normally expected to help insure as sound a music program as I am capable of producing. I believe that within four or five years at the most the music program will be stabilized satisfactorily.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER B. LEWIS, Supervisor of Music
REMEDIAL READING TEACHER
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
"Reading Improvement" rather than "Remedial Reading" would be a more appropriate name for the classes which have been organized in our school system. Last June when we knew this class was to be organized Mr. Merrill, Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Belcher, Principal of the Spring Street School, and I met to plan and formulate the aims of this class. With a school population of approximately one thousand, we realized that some criterion must be established for selecting the pupils, since there are not enough hours in the school day to take care of all who need help. It was decided to give help to those who would benefit the most. In order to do this we set up a careful screen process.
An extensive testing program was administered to second, third and fourth grade pupils at the Spring Street and Sunset Ave- nue Schools. The "California Test of Mental Maturity" and the "Iowa Every Pupil Silent Reading Test" were administered.
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In addition the "learning rate" in each room was determined and from the results an individual oral reading test was administered to those whose mental maturity showed that their reading should be much higher. This was done to establish the reading level of the individual child. This also gave a basis for forming the individual reading groups. Thus, in one group there are pupils from all three grades depending on the reading ability of the child. As he pro- gresses he is able to move from one group to the next.
The silent reading tests were also diagnostic so the particular skill in which the child needs to improve was scored, and, with him, these particular skills will form the predominant part of his instruc- tion. They also are a guide for the room teacher who can work with him on these same skills.
One class has been organized in the high school. The only prerequisites to join this class are: 1. The Students must have a normal or better than normal mental maturity score. 2. The stu- dents must enroll voluntarily. There are fifteen students in this class ranging from seventh grade through the twelfth. Most of them are potential college students and we are working on the particular skills they will need-principally comprehension and increasing their reading rates. One credit will be granted for satisfactorily completing this course.
In the fifth and sixth grades some pupils have been receiving remedial work from some other source-such as the Boston Univer- sity Reading Clinic. In order that this work will be carried on we have organized a class for them of four hours a week.
A great deal of time has been spent laying the groundwork for this class. In order to enable us to get a full evaluation of the year's work we are keeping an extensive and running record of each pupil's work and progress from month to month. In this way we can determine what is worthwhile and what is not. In short, we can "improve" the "improvement program."
Without the cooperation of a very fine roster of school per- sonnel none of this would be possible.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. NELSON
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SCHOOL DENTAL HYGIENIST
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
I hereby submit the annual report of the West Bridgewater School Dental Clinic:
A total of 512 dental examinations were given pupils in grades one through five. Sixth grade pupils will be given examinations in January 1958. Of the 512 examinations made, 371 pupils were found to have dental defects. Dental notices have been sent home to the parents of those pupils in need of treatment.
All pupils were offered the opportunity of having their teeth cleaned. A total of 284 pupils accepted.
Pupils in grades two and five were offered the opportunity of having their teeth treated with sodium fluoride. Only 90 pupils accepted.
Dental health instruction has been given in classrooms as time permitted.
Individual instruction as to the proper method of brushing the teeth has been given pupils visiting the clinic for cleaning and sodium fluoride treatments.
I wish to thank Mr. Merrill, Mr. Belcher, Mrs. Hewitt, Mrs. Boynton and all the teachers who have been most helpful and cooperative.
Respectfully submitted,
ELEANOR L. SOULE, D.H., Dental Hygienist
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THE UNION COMMITTEE
The annual meeting of the Raynham-West Bridgewater Sup- erintendency Union #46 was held on April 16, 1957, at the West Bridgewater High School with the following members present: Mr. Thomas Kemp, Mr. Charles Ensher and Mr. Walter Olson of West Bridgewater; Mr. Ralph Moye, Mrs. Laura Bearse and Mr. George Bellamy, Jr. of Raynham, and the Union Superintendent, Mr. Bert L. Merrill.
Mr. Thomas Kemp was elected chairman and Mr. George Bellamy, Jr. was re-elected secretary for the ensuing year.
Superintendent Bert L. Merrill submitted his annual report and it was accepted by the Committee.
Mr. Bert L. Merrill, after serving six years as union superin- tendent, was re-elected to serve at the discretion of the Union Committee.
Mrs. Annette B. Chadwick was re-elected secretary for the next year beginning July 1, 1957.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYNHAM-WEST BRIDGEWATER SUPERINTENDENCY UNION #46
THOMAS KEMP, Chairman GEORGE BELLAMY, JR., Secretary WALTER OLSON CHARLES ENSHER RALPH E. MOYE LAURA BEARSE
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
Teacher
School Subject or Grade
Peter J. Sperandio, A.B., Ed.M.
High
Principal
Lena Allaire, B.S.
High
Physical Education
Urbino Barreira, B.S.
High
Science, Coach
Lawrence Cashin, A.B.
High
Junior High English
Pauline DeVeber, B.S.
High
Household Arts
Nasson Bridgewater Teachers College
Floyd Folsom
High
Industrial Arts
Gorham Normal
Wendell Gallup
High
Mechnical Drawing
Eastern Nazarene College
George Golding, B.S.
High
Physical Education
Boston University
Thomas Graffte, M. Ed.
Iligh
Math
Boston University
Geraldine Hampe, B.S.
High
Household Arts
Framingham Teachers College
Marietta Kent, B.S.
High
Math
Bridgewater Teachers College
144
Miriam Kochakian, B.A.
High
English
University of Maine
Luice McCormack, M.A.
High
English, Speech
Emerson College
Oliver Millet, Jr., M. Ed.
High
Chemistry & Physics
Colby, Bridgewater Teachers College
Lco Montebello, M. Ed.
High
Social Studies
Boston University
William Henry Moss, M.A.
High
English
Boston University
Joseph O'Brien, B.S.
High
Social Studies, Coach
Bridgewater Teachers College
Terrence O'Donnell, B.S.
High
Social Studies
Bridgewater Teachers College
Olivia Pearson, A.B.
High
English
Upsala University
Janice Rylander, A.B.
High
Languages
Boston University
Sarah Shukis, M.S.
I ligh
Commercial
Boston University
John Tivnan, Jr., B.S.
High
Social Studies, Coach
George Washington University
Bertha Wheeler
High
Commercial
Salem 'Tcachers College
Roger Viens, M.A. Ed.
I ligh
Guidance
Clark University
Preparation St. Anselm, Harvard Bridgewater Teachers College George Washington University Stonehill College
Frank Dunn, Jr., Ms. Ed.
High
General Science
Teacher Richard Belcher, B.S. Margaret Boynton, B.S. Barbara Colby, B.S. Thelma Cook Bernice Ditchett, B.S.
School
Subject or Grade
Preparation
Elem.
Principal
Elem.
Grade 3
Elem.
Grade 2
Elem.
Grade 4
Elem.
Grade 4
Bridgewater Teachers College
Mary Doyle, M. Ed.
Elcm.
Grade 6
Bridgewater Teachers College
Gertrude Estabrook, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 5
Bridgewater Teachers College
Grace Folsom
Elem.
Grade 4
Washington State Normal
Gladys Freeman
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater Teachers College
Geneva Garvey, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater Teachers College
Alice Howard
Elem.
Grade 1
Keene Normal
Mary Humphrey, A.B.
Elem.
Grade 6
Monmouth College
Velma Johnston
Elem.
Grade 2
Keene Normal
Ruth Kimball
Elem.
Grade 6
Bridgewater Teachers College
Ethel Marr
Elem.
Grade 3
North Adams Teachers College
Mary Nelson, B.S.
Elem.
Remedial
Bridgewater Teachers College
Anne O'Keefe
Elem.
Grade 5
Bridgewater Teachers College
Katharine Pope
Elem.
Grade 4
Salem Teachers College
Ida Prescott, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 6
Boston University
Myrtle Ryan
Elem.
Grade 2
Eastern States Normal
Marguerite Shurtleff
Elem.
Grade 5
Keene Normal
Marie Sullivan, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 2
Bridgewater Teachers College
Emma Taylor
Elem.
Grade 3
Bridgewater Teachers College
Priscilla Walters, B.S.
Elcm.
Grade 1
Bridgewater Teachers College
Walter Lewis, B.M.
All
Music
Conservatory of Music
William Rathbun, B.S.
All
Art
School of Museum of Fine Arts
Bridgewater Teachers College North Adams State Teachers College Indiana University Castine Normal
145
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REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
The Board of Water Commissioners, Superintendent and men of the Water Department wish to express their thanks for the new truck, with the special body, which has made it easier and more efficient to perform our duties. The truck is fully equipped for emergencies. It carries tools of numerous description, plus fittings, soldering tank, boots, foul weather gear, fire extinguisher, locators. In case of an emergency in any other town, this truck could arrive on the scene fully equipped in a minimum of time.
We would like to thank the people for having faith in the water department and granting us permission and money for the new trunk line which saved us from a full summer of water banning and allowed us to help some market gardeners whose crops would have been a total loss. This new line has cut our pumping time twenty-five per cent. This line was put in operation May 6, 1957 and consisted of 4,547 feet of 12 inch pipe; three hydrants have been installed on this line. Since then the department has tied in the dead ends at Norman Avenue, Pinecrest Road, Purchase Street and Vital Avenue, and a connection of Woodland Road was made.
All Hydrants have been painted and carefully checked and tested for leakage prior to the beginning of cold weather. Two hydrants were pulled apart and repaired. One hydrant was broken off and had to be replaced. Two hydrants were fitted at two points in town to furnish water for several unfortunate people whose wells had gone dry.
A total of 58 new and renewal services were installed during the year, of which six were for business establishments.
There were 146 calls for meter removal or installation, 124 house calls.
"There were 456 hours of overtime spent on emergency calls and maintenance.
The department has built a cement block barrier around the
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fuel oil tank at the pumping station to prevent any outside destruction.
The underground gasoline tank has been scraped and painted.
The underground installation at the water tower was scraped and painted. .
The curb boxes of Pinecrest Road, Purchase Street, Oliver Street, and Norman Avenue were located and charted plus many more in other parts of the town.
All hydrant gates have been located and charted for future reference.
Several gate box extensions have been installed to bring gate shut off boxes flush with road surfaces.
There were 16 separate analyses of our town's drinking water made during the year by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. As usual all reports were most satisfactory, showing highly acceptable quality and much greater freedom from bacterial elements.
Several test wells were driven and two were very promising, one of 300 G. P. M. and one of 600 G. P. M. and with the co-opera- tion of the town we would like to test, sink, and equip the 600 G.P.M. gravel packed well to meet the coming summer emergency.
During the year a total of 105,364,436 gallons of water was pumped, that is 15,098,364 gallons more than any previous year. The highest amount pumped in any one month was the month of July with a total of 13,815,316 gallons which again exceeded all pre- vious records, also the month of June exceeded previous records. The highest amount of water pumped in any one day was July 7 with a total of 607,410 gallons which also exceeded previous rec- ords. We had numerous days when the pumps were off for only 2 to 3 hours, we had continuous pumping hours of 58 hours, 86 hours, 1363/4 hours and 2741/2 hours. And at this period the depart- ment worked a 48 hour stretch-running the auxiliary pumps to try and hold the demand of the town but to no avail. At this time we regret that we had to put a water ban on for the protection of
148
the town. With the co-operation of the town people we were soon out of danger.
The wells through this trying time dropped a total of 6 feet 8 inches and to date have only recovered 2 feet 9 inches and we feel without any additional supply for the coming summer we will be in a serious condition. However, with present plans we hope with the co-operation of all we can meet this situation.
Thanking everyone for their full co-operation and hoping we can depend on you in our other emergencies and in our future plan- ning for a better system for our protection and future service.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD G. ASACK WILLIAM E. CROWLEY JOHN W. NOYES Water Commissioners WILLIAM E. NICKERSON, Superintendent
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report for work done by the Highway Department for the year 1957.
In addition to the usual routine work, such as cleaning catch basins, digging out waterways, cutting brush, etc., the following work has been done by the Department:
These streets or portions thereof, were seal-coated: Aldrich Road, Belmont St., Buttonwood Ave., Charles St., Columbus Ave., East St., East Center St., Ellis Ave., Forest St., Francis Ave., Man- lcy St., Matfield St., Pleasant St., Samuel Ave., South St., South Elm St., Spring St., Union St. and West St.
Mixed-in-place Black Top was applied full length on Union St., and on East St., 2400 ft. south from East Center St.
149
On Chapter 90 Maintenance work, mixed-in-place black top was put on East Center St. for 3,000 ft., and the road was then completed. On Chapter 90 New Construction, Manley Street was excavated, graded and properly drained, and 4,000 ft. was bitu- minous coated. Type I surface was applied for 700 ft. with a thick- ness of three inches.
West Center Street was resurfaced from Elm Square to West St., and approximately 2,000 tons were used. This was constructed in three courses; a leveling course (where road had settled two inches or more) a base course of 11/4 inch thickness, and a top course of 11/4 inches. All catch basins and man holes were raised, driveways graded to the new surface with "Hot Top," and shoulders built up on south side of road.
Highland Ave. was excavated, widened, and gravelled in prepa- ration for black-topping at a future date. 1400 cu. yds. of gravel fill were used on the street.
For drainage work, 450 ft. of 12" pipe was laid from Bryant St. to the Town River, with two drop inlets installed in the line. Willow Brook brush was cut, dug out and cleaned.
The Highway Department is grateful for the co-operation and support received from the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted, RICHARD BERGLUND, Highway Superintendent
REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICE AND LIBRARY SURVEY COMMITTEE
The Town Office and Library Survey Committee was ap- pointed by the Moderator after the regular Town Meeting in March 1957.
We have visited other towns with relatively new Town Office Buildings or Town Libraries but none have been suitable to our needs.
150
In view of rising costs and expenses, we do not feel that the townspeople are ready at this time to pay for any new building. However, the problem is complex, and we would like to have the privilege of a year's extension to make further study and report to the annual Town Meeting in March 1959.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH L. BUKER, Chairman WARREN H. ANDERSON GEORGE V. HOLLERTZ WINFIELD C. LEAVITT
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Following is a list of unpaid Taxes and Water Rates as of December 31, 1957:
1953 Personal Taxes $ 4,356.00
1954 Personal Taxes 896.00
1956 Motor Vehicle Excise 433.18
1956 Personal Taxes 64.80
1957 Motor Vehicle Taxes
5,593.55
1957 Farm Animal Excise
147.26
1957 Personal Taxes
2,497.95
1957 Water Liens
588.14
1957 Real Estate Taxes
22,610.40
1957 Poll Taxes
38.00
Total $ 37,225.28
Water Rates Unpaid
$ 6,401.15
Total Gross Collections 1957
$561,224.29
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER C. DUNBAR, Tax Collector
151
PLYMOUTH COUNTY MOSQUITO CONTROL PROJECT
Commissioners of this project as appointed by the State Recla- mation Board are as follows: Chairman, Herbert H. Lanman, Plymouth. Vice-Chairman and Secretary, Frank E. Parris, Pem- broke. H. Roy Hartshorn, West Bridgewater. Phillip L. Jenkins, Brockton, and G. Ward Stetson of Middleboro.
Headquarters was established in Pembroke Center in mid October with an office and a service building leased. Warren G. Harding has been appointed as superintendent with Norman S. Kent as assistant superintendent. Initial tentative plans and early objectives of the program have been formulated.
Trucks, spraying equipment and drainage tools have been requisitioned or already delivered. A winter dusting program was started early in January in various parts of the county, and we will be in a position to start on an effective mosquito control program as soon as the spring broods are in evidence.
A limited number of personnel have been employed and as seasonal activities increase, additional qualified personnel will be needed.
During the first year an extensive survey will be made to determine the exact species of mosquito breeding at specific loca- tions, this is necessary in order to use approved control measures at the proper time. During the coming summer season the breeding problems will be corrected whenever time and facilities permit. This will include hand spraying, dusting, power dusting, hydraulic and mist blower spraying, fogging and aerial spraying.
Until the census of species has been completed, we will ap- preciate the cooperation of each municipal official who has handled the control work on the local level with valuable information as to local breeding areas.
A comprehensive study will be started the first year to deter- mine the drainage potentials of the salt marsh and fresh water
152
breeding areas, as drainage of such areas is the semi-permanent solution to mosquito control.
It will be the ultimate goal of this project to advance the drain- age of the salt marsh and fresh water breeding areas each season. As these breeding points are eliminated by proper and adequate drainage ditches, the control by use of insecticides will be reduced.
A major problem in this county is the "Hockomock Swamp" which has proved to be the focal point for the bird life showing the virus of the eastern equine encephalitis and with mosquitos the known vector of this virus we will have to control mosquitos in this vital area for the health protection of the entire county.
With the household mosquito (Culex. pipiens) as a major nuisance in the residential areas, we will conduct a program to elim- inate their breeding in storm sewers and catch basins. These points proved to be the paramount breeding places for this species.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
The Board of Selectmen respectfully submits the Town Report for the year 1957. It is recommended that the reports of the Depart- ments and Committees be studied to familiarize each one with the operation of your town's business.
Building permits issued, with costs estimated, were for:
24 New Dwellings, $234,300.00
18 Private Garages, $13,440.00
5 Commercial and Manufacturing Buildings, $34,200.00
11 Sheds, Barns, etc., $7,000.00
22 Additions and Repairs to Dwellings, $17,275.00
11 Additions and Repairs to Commercials, $23,900.00
The new branch office of the Bridgewater Savings Bank, the new Post Office Building, and the new front at Crowley's are assets to the center of the Town.
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Chapter 90, New Construction, on Manley Street from the old railroad crossing to Walnut Street was completed. The section of Manley Street which was started in 1956 was completed this year. However, a portion of this section was only Tack-coated, as it is desired to allow it to settle before putting on the permanent top.
The section from Walnut Street to the Brockton line is ex- pected to be completed in 1958.
The Board wishes to thank all who have been of assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM W. NOYES, Chairman H. ROY HARTSHORN, Clerk MARJORIE E. MACDONALD
TREASURER
The financial transactions of the Town for the year 1957 may be briefly summarized as follows:
Cash on hand December 31, 1957:
General Fund $188,033.50
High School Construction Fund Balance 1,338.84
Elementary School Construction Fund Balance
5,084.21
Receipts from Tax Collector
561,224.29
Receipts from Other Sources 453,080.77
Payment of Selectmen's Warrants
1,040,068.13
Tax Title Account, December 31, 1957 13,984.04
Tax Title Redemptions in 1957 2,049.87
PUBLIC TRUST FUNDS
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS
12-31-57
12-31-57
Name of Fund Evrard-Alger
Balance
Name of Fund
Balance
$214.25
Samuel Howard
102.04
Alfred E. Alger
206.34
Harriet M. Jennings
100.60
Nathan Alger
101.95
Abbie B. Jones
100.83
Sanford Alger
50.74
Frank HI. Jones
166.81
William Burke
411.33
Smith R. Kelley
528.53
M. A. Clapp
157.70
Sumner D. Keith
114.38
Davis Copeland
203.12
Warren C. Kinney
203.27
Mrs. Henry Copeland
101.91
Henry J. LeLacheur
103.04
Lyman & Pardon Copeland
666.98
Elihu Leonard
313.77
Samuel G. Copeland
205.64
Axel Lothrop
166.81
Samuel G. & James Copeland
1,129.26
Joshua Morse
124.80
Martha K. Crosby
103.91
Emma F. Packard
316.13
Mary A. Deweyer
101.97
Fred A. Perkins
101.12
Michael Deweyer
100.96
Rosa R. Shaw
359.95
John E. & Desire L. Gould
100.42
Sarah F. Shipman
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