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 1960-1963 > Part 17
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A conference was held before school opened in the fall to reach an understanding of the art program in the elementary schools. Ideas and problems regarding children and their art were discussed in an effort toward better programming.
The installation of a three day schedule for art now enables all of the pupils from grade one through grade six to have the advantages of supervision once a week.
A decidedly major step of improvement made possible in the new scheduling is the inclusion of the Special Class. These young people especially need an opportunity to express themselves through art media.
In planning the activities in art, thought is given to children's experiences, their imaginative creation, their growing control over material and tools, and their individual and social awareness.
As in the past, we wish to express our thanks for the coopera- tion and helpful consideration shown to us by yourself and the rest of the administration and staff of the West Bridgewater Schools.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM RATHBUN Art Supervisor
DORIS J. PRINCE Elementary Art Instructor
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
The music program was altered somewhat during the past year. This was done in order to improve both the instrumental
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and vocal departments, as much as possible within the limitations of our scheduling and physical facilities.
The elementary vocal music program was directed by Mrs. Frances Hill during the first half of the year. In September, Mr. Albert Orlando assumed the duties of the elementary vocal pro- gram and also that of junior high choir director.
This year, the junior high vocal classes consist of theory for the seventh grade and music appreciation for the eighth grade. The seventh grade theory is a preparation for the eighth grade.
The high school choir has been divided into a boys' glee club and girls' glee club to facilitate learning of vocal parts.
The elementary instrumental program still retains third grade tonette classes as a pre-band preparation. The elementary band this year consists of fourth and fifth grade beginners. They have instrumental class five days a week and have made remarkable progress. Instead of the usual fifty per cent drop-out of beginners in previous years we have managed to retain the entire one hun- dred per cent this year.
The junior band consists of fifth, sixth, and seventh grade in- termediate pupils on a five day a week schedule. Our new plan is to expand this organization in the next two years into a large band consisting of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade band pupils as a feeder group for the high school band.
The high school band will lose its size for the next two years due to the gradual removal of the seventh and eighth grades from its membership. In three years the high school band will increase its size. This will all be due to the wonderful cooperation of the elementary and junior high administration in our rescheduling program.
The Music curriculum in the Elementary Schools of West Bridgewater affords each child the opportunity to experience music in a way that will lead to greater appreciation and enjoyment.
In the first four grades the fundamental rules of music read- ing, rhythmic responses and intonation are introduced and ex- ploited through singing and drill.
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Grades five and six concentrate on the study of musical in- struments; their physical characteristics, sound and place in the orchestra. This study helps to enlarge the pupils understanding and appreciation of the finer music. Singing in two and three parts is learned because it is pleasurable and a logical part of the child's musical growth and can lead to a still greater appreciation of beauty.
A chorus has been formed for the seventh and eighth graders who wish to further their musical participation beyond the general music class.
In closing we would like to thank all for their help in further- ing the study of music in our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER B. LEWIS Music Supervisor ALBERT ORLANDO Music Instructor
REMEDIAL READING
Mr. Bert L. Merrill Superintendent of Schools
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
Following is the report of the Remedial Reading Program. The same format of classes grouped in the Fall of 1960 was car- ried from the first of January to the middle of May. Additional help in the skills used as necessary tools to successful reading formed the basis of instruction given to the elementary grades at both Spring Street and Sunset Avenue Schools. The last six weeks were given over entirely to pupils of the first grade. This part of my program has proved to be very satisfactory. The children who get this extra help very seldom appear on the list of those who need help when tested at the beginning of Grade 2.
In September every child in Grade 2 and 5 were given the California Test of Mental Maturity. Then every child in Grades
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2 and 3 were given a diagnostic reading test. This year I have started a regular card file for reading reference. Each child tested has a card listing his strengths and his weaknesses. Now each classroom teacher has a point of reference for many youngsters who have reading deficiencies but not so great as to make them members of the regular remedial class.
This year I have added an extra seventh grade class. These are students having difficulty in the Language Arts and were rec- ommended for help by Mrs. Olivia Lawson, the Guidance Counsel- lor for Grade 7. The class meets twice a week for two hours in all. The work covered in this group will consist of:
1. Building Good Study Habits
2. Improvement in comprehension and speed through the use of the Secondary Reading Laboratory and Accelerators
3. An introduction to the different kinds of reading and how to approach each.
This year I am also spending one afternoon a week in Grade 5 and one afternoon in Grade 6. Here I have introduced the Ele- mentary Multilevel Reading Laboratory.
I wish to thank all those of the school personnel, without whose help, I could not have a successful program.
Respectfully submitted, MARY E. NELSON Reading Supervisor
SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Bert L. Merrill
Superintendent of Schools
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Merrill:
It is a pleasure for me to submit herewith my fourth annual report as School Nurse of the West Bridgewater Schools.
Children cared for by Nurse 715
Children given first aid 253
Children to a doctor 12
113
Home visits 48
Other visits and consultations 215
Physical appraisals by school physician: Grades I, IV, VII and X 415 131
Students in sports
Audiometer tests given
1183
Failures
16
Massachusettts Vision Tests given
1195
Failures 58
Immunization clinics for Diphtheria, Whooping Cough and Tetanus were held at the Spring Street Elementary School on March 16th, April 13th and May 11th. Total inoculations 140.
Group conferences were held once a month, with our child psychologist, concerning individual pupils with specific problems.
Many classroom visits and nurse-teacher conferences were held. Since teachers are with pupils continuously throughout the school day, and because they are constantly dealing with the child, they play an important part in the entire school health program.
We are indeed grateful to the West Bridgewater Lion's Club for their thoughtfulness and generosity in supplying the schools with a new vision tester.
In closing I want to thank all those who have helped to make our School Health Program a success.
Respectfully submitted, E. MYRTLE HOWARD, R.N. School Nurse
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.
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As in previous years, children in grades 1 through 5 were given dental examinations in September. A total of 579 notices were sent home notifying the parents of the results of this examination. Of this number, 378 pupils were found to have dental defects.
Dental prophylaxis, cleaning the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist, removes stains and deposits from the teeth, thereby improving the appearance and making it easier to detect cavities. There is no evidence that dental cleaning is harmful to the teeth. 407 pupils availed themselves of the opportunity to have their teeth cleaned at the clinic at no charge to the parents. This repre- sents an increase of 79 over last year.
Pupils in grades two and five were again offered the sodium fluoride treatments. Approved by the American Dental Associa- tion and the U. S. Public Health Service, it lowers dental decay 40%. This year 170 pupils, an increase of 50 over last year, ac- cepted this treatment. There is no charge to the parent.
Through the efforts of the West Bridgewater Lions Club, a dentist is in the clinic one morning a week to care for emergency and routine dental defects through appointments made by the dental hygienist. There were 114 pupils who came to the dentist with 67 children having dental treatment completed.
The operation of the dental clinic was expanded to three days a week, making it possible to complete all sodium fluoride treat- ments and dental cleanings which were requested.
I would like to thank Mr. Merrill, Mr. Belcher, Mrs. Boynton and all the teachers who have been most helpful and cooperative.
Respectfully submitted,
ELEANOR L. SOULE Dental Hygienist
THE UNION COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of West Bridgewater:
The annual meeting was convened at the West Bridgewater High School on April 12, 1961 at 8:20 P.M. In attendance were
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Mr. Kemp, Mr. Thayer, and Mr. Churchill representing West Bridgewater and Mr. Seavey, Mrs. Faloon and Dr. Heywood repre- senting Raynham and Mr. Bert Merrill, Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Kemp was elected chairman and Mr. Seavey was elected secretary for the ensuing year.
The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and approved.
Mrs. Mather was re-elected as secretary of the Union for the ensuing year and travel expense of Mr. Merrill for the ensuing year was determined.
The following motion made by Mr. Thayer was seconded and approved:
"Each town's school committee having voted to dissolve Union No. 45 as of August 15, 1962 the secretary shall write to the Department of Education and request its approval of the action."
No action has been taken by the department to date.
Respectfully submitted,
Raynham-West Bridgewater Superintendency Union #45
THOMAS F. KEMP, Chairman ROBERT W. SEAVEY, Secretary ERLAND THAYER NORMAN CHURCHILL
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
Teacher
School
Subject or Grade
Preparation
Peter J. Sperandio, A.B. Ed.M.
High
Principal
Harold Bent, B.S.
High
Math, Science
Robert Chapman, B.A.
High
Science
Mrs. John Colford, B.S.
High
English
Mrs. Herbert DeVeber, B.S.
High
Household Arts
Frank, Dunn, Jr., Ed.M.
High
Guidance Director
Floyd Folsom
High
Industrial Arts
Gorham Normal
Frederic R. French, Jr., A.B.
High
Math
Brown University
Armand Gendreau, A.B.
High
Social Studies
Stonehill College
George T. Golding, B.S. Ed.
High
Boys' Physical Ed.
Boston University
Thomas E. Graffte, Ed. M.
High
Math
Boston University
Miss Carolyn Gravelin, B.S.
High
Girls' Physical Ed.
B.U., Sargent's College
Mrs. John Kent, B.S.
High
Math
Bridgewater State
David Leveille, B.S. Ed.M.
High
Science
Boston University
Walter B. Lewis, Music B.
High
Music
N.E. Conservatory of Music
Mrs. George Litzen, B.S.
High
Household Arts
University of Massachusetts
Charles Loverin, B.S.
High
Social Studies
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Robert Mitchell, B.A.
High
English
Barrington College
Mrs. John C. Molloy, A.B.
High
Social Studies
Stonehill College
Terrence O'Donnell, B.S.
High
History
Bridgewater State
Robert W. Orr, B.A.
High
English
Boston University
Thomas Peters, B.S.
High
Social Studies
Curry College Tufts College
William Rathbun, B.S.
High
Art
Miss Janice Rylander
High
Languages
Boston University
Miss Ruth V. Sherry, A.B.
High
English
Stonehill College
Mrs. John Shukis, MCS
High
Commercial
Boston University
Mrs. Marie A. Sullivan, B.S.
High
English
Bridgewater State
St. Anselm, Harvard Bridgewater State University of Vermont Bridgewater State
Nasson Bridgewater State
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Teacher
School
Subject or Grade
Preparation
High
Science
Boston University
High
Commercial
Salem Teachers College Bridgewater State
Elem.
Principal
Margaret Boynton, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 3
North Adams Teachers
Thelma Cook (Mrs. Albert B.)
Elem.
Grade 4
Castine Normal
Mrs. Edwin Ditchett
Elem.
Grade 4
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Floyd Folsom
Elem.
Grade 4
Washington State Normal
Mrs. Gladys S. Freeman
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Thomas Garvey, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 1
Bridgewater State
Mrs. John Howard
Elem.
Grade 1
Keene Normal
Mrs. Lauren Humphrey
Elem.
Grade 5×
Monmouth College
Mrs. Edwin B. Johnston
Elem.
Grade 2
Keene Normal
Mrs. Reginald Kimball
Elem.
Grade 6 -
Bridgewater State
Mrs. R. E. MacDonald, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 1
Massachusetts School of Art
Mrs. Ralph G. Marr
Elem.
Grade 3
North Adams Teachers
Miss Mary E. Nelson, B.S.
Elem.
Remedial Reading
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Thomas F. O'Keefe
Elem.
Grade 5%
Bridgewater State
Albert J. Orlando, Music B.
Elem.
Music
Boston Conservatory of Music
Mrs. Joseph Pope
Elem.
Grade 6 -
Salem Teachers
Mrs. Leo E. Prince
Elem.
Art
Boston Museum School of Fine Arts
Mrs. John Prescott, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 6 -
Boston University
Mrs. David M. Rohdin
Elem.
Grade 3-
Lesley Normal
- Mrs. William Ryan
Elem.
Grade 2
Castine Normal
Mrs. Howard J. Shurtleff
Elem.
Grade 5X
Worcester Teachers
- Mrs. Frederick P. Sullivan, B.S. Mrs. Earl E. Taylor
Elem.
Grade 3 -
Keene Normal
Mrs. Alfred C. Thorpe, B.S.
Elem.
Grade 2
Bridgewater State
Patrick Guercio, Ed.M.
Elem.
Special Class
Bridgewater State
Mrs. Donald B. Lawson, A.B.
High Guidance Counsellor
Upsala College
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-
Elem.
Grade 2
Boston University
-
Harry E. Tozier, B.S. Mrs. Clifford H. Wheeler Richard Belcher, B.S.
IMPERIAL MILLWORK, INC.
HOCKOMOCK FARM, INC.
TRI
S
TRI-S SERVICE STATION
MATHER'S SERVICE STATION
119
Knickerbocker
J. J. TAYLOR DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, INC.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
The pictures on the accompanying pages are glowing testi- mony to the success of the past year in the development of West Bridgewater.
The J. J. Taylor Company purchased a parcel of land early in the year off Walnut Street. Construction took place during the spring and summer and an open house was held in early October as the company began operating in their new quarters. Mr. Taylor was impressed with the presentation of the Town of West Bridge- water by your commission. His questions were answered honestly and promptly and his continued consideration of sites until he found the right one indicated his faith in our town. He likes West Bridgewater and is one of our most helpful promoters of future development.
The Imperial Millwork Company also purchased land early in the year off Pleasant Street with the assistance of your Indus- trial Commission and a local realtor. This growing company from
120
Norwood needed increased flow of water for sprinklers and your commission and the Water Board showed a sympathetic Town Meeting that it would be economically sound to accelerate the Board's long range plan to provide the needed improvements in service. This company plans occupancy in early spring of 1962. They since have purchased additional land for further promotion of industry which attests to their faith in the future of West Bridgewater.
The Hockomock Farm Store is not a direct result of your com- mission's work but we have tried to be helpful in planning and expediting the future improvement of the Elm Square area as to recommending street widening, curbing, and sidewalks as an ad- junct to the new shopping center. We feel that the great faith that the Amerigian family have in the future of this town should quicken the hearts of all our townspeople and should indicate to outsiders that West Bridgewater is more than just a little bit special.
The Tri-S Station at Elm Square though modest in size, is being presented as a long awaited improvement in the Elm Square area. The old landmark fell to the bulldozers and this site has taken its place along side the other fine improvements in town facilities in the past year.
The Chevron Station at the junction of Copeland and North Elm Streets is another outstanding example of complete improve- ment of a business property for the immediate neighborhood and also for the general appearance of the town. The improvements extend to the grading and clearing which makes the corner more attractive and considerably safer for vehicular traffic. Much credit to Myron Mather who figured largely in the Company's decision to remake the old station. We join the townspeople in wishing continued success and prosperity to Mr. Mather.
The five pictures show only completely new establishments and improvements in the town's development. In addition to these there are other things going on in our business community which reflect a good measure of confidence and growing success.
121
Mr. William Turner has this year completed a sizable addition to his plant, the Turner Steel Company Incorporated.
Mr. Charles Freeman has added again to his ever-growing Old Homestead Rug Company.
Mr. Randolph G. Barker this year added a new section to his expanding industry, the Component Manufacturing Service, In- corporated.
Mr. R. Cameron Mossman has enlarged his establishment operated as the Garden and Gift Shop.
Mr. David Cohen, the new operator of Crowley's, has com- pletely renovated the store which now is also a licensed pharmacy.
The Pagani Brothers, Arthur and Nando, at year end com- menced the construction of a new shopping center on the old Bel- more site. This should prove to be one of the outstanding features in our economic growth next year.
In reviewing the successes and new installations of a very busy and exciting 1961 it would be unfair to the members of the Commission not to mention one company which was the "nearest miss" that we have ever had. The Electronic Space Structures Company, Incorporated took a long look at West Bridgewater. This newly formed corporation made up of a group of scientists from the M. I. T. Lincoln Laboratory were impressed with what we had to offer. After negotiating and examining several sites for their specialized requirements this dynamic prestige-type elec- tronics company left in search of other locations. Shortly they came back to West Bridgewater with a specific site in mind. They also had lease-back figures from a Brockton-Area developer which were the best figures of their three final choices of locations. They needed only definite tax figures to make their final decision.
We worked diligently to obtain the facts and figures and to present West Bridgewater as an ideal location for their new plant. Several weeks later they notified us that their choice was West Concord perhaps mostly because this was nearer the homes of the scientists and engineers that were in the company.
122
This year has proven to us that our methods are successful and that our long hours of study and discussion are paying off. We are now eagerly and confidently pursuing the challenges of 1962.
Respectfully submitted,
ADVISORY COMMITTEE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
William W. Phillips
Merton H. Ouderkirk, Chairman
Ronald F. Brodrick
George V. Hollertz, Jr., Secretary
Edward D. Cross
Frank S. Miller
Charles K. Higgins
Francis LeBaron, Jr.
Joseph A. Perry
Leon F. Beaulieu
REPORT OF WAGE AND PERSONNEL BOARD
The Wage and Personnel Board has continued its work dur- ing the year, meeting with department heads and others and ob- taining information upon which to base a recommendation to the Town.
After careful study, we have decided not to recommend a formal wage and salary classification plan for town employees. We feel that such a plan is too elaborate for a town of our size. The following reasons influenced our decision:
1. The plan would not apply to elected employees.
2. The plan would not apply to school department employees except that non-academic employees could be covered by informal agreement.
3. We have no full-time employees in the fire department.
4. There are only four full-time employees in the police de- partment and each has a separate title.
5. Not including department heads, there are only nine full- time employees in the highway, water and tree depart-
123
ments. The department heads and the Board have agreed that all of these employees should receive the same hourly rate and that a step-rate increase plan would not be neces- sary because in a relatively short time a satisfactory em- ployee should be paid the rate of the job.
6. Except for the following, all other employees are part-time and difficult to classify :
Highway superintendent
Water superintendent
Two welfare department employees who are subject to civil service
Three communication center employees
We also want to point out that the school committee, the finance committee and many other committees and individuals serve the town without pay.
Very few towns our size have a salary classification plan or even a Wage and Personnel Board. Even though our town were larger, we would hesitate to recommend a salary classification plan because of the difficulty many towns are having with their plans. For example, Bridgewater voted a salary classification plan in 1959 which at the outset appeared to be satisfactory, yet, within two years the plan was upset by a town meeting which arbitrarily increased the classifications for the police department by four grades.
We feel that the Finance Committee could continue to serve as a wage and personnel board as it has in the past. This has worked out very satisfactorily because we found very few instances where salaries or wages were out of line.
Because we expected to be called upon to make wage and salary recommendations to the Finance Committee, we made a survey of salaries and wages in surrounding towns. This survey is the basis for the recommendations which we made to the Fi- nance Committee. The recommended rates which appear in the Finance Committee report is the consensus of a group made up of
124
the Finance Committee, the Board of Selectmen and the Wage and Personnel Board.
Respectfully submitted,
WARREN H. ANDERSON, Chairman STANLEY O. CARLSON EDWARD J. GRANT, Secretary HARRY J. POMEROY, SR. FRED L. WRIGHT
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN ACCOUNTANT OF WEST BRIDGEWATER Massachusetts
For the Year Ending December 31, 1961
To the Board of Selectmen:
I submit herewith my Annual Report in accordance with Sec- tion 61, Chapter 41, General Laws, for the year ending December 31, 1961, giving a statement of the receipts and disbursements of the Town, and showing the amount of each specific appropriation with statements showing the Town debt and Trust funds.
ARTHUR E. CHAVES
Town Accountant
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER Balance Sheet, December 31, 1961 General Fund
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Unexpended Appropriations:
General
$106,078.62
School
117,546.25
$223,624.87
Federal Grants ...... Schedule B
27,251.24
U. S. Treasury Bills:
General
99,570.51
Other Accounts ... Schedule D
3,908.36
School
197,300.33
296,870.84
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
7,168.51
Revenue Reserved Until Collected:
Taxes Receivable-1961:
Motor Vehicle Excise 7,901.42
Poll
16.00
Real
21,818.35
Personal
2,985.55
24,819.90
Highway-Chapter 90
17,250.00
50,483.31
Motor Vehicle Excise:
Overestimates:
1961
7,789.91
1960
111.51
7,901.42
Tax Titles
9,550.30
General
106,023.02
Tax Possessions
2,114.89
11,665.19
Water
5,242.53
111,265.55
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Tax Titles & Possessions
11,665.19
Departmental Receivables
7,060.27
Water Receivables
6,606.43
Plymouth County Assessment
1,194.78
State Parks & Reservations 204.77
1,399.55
Surplus:
Cash:
General Schedule A $382,157.88
Water Schedule A 23,608.13 405,766.01
Special Accounts ... Schedule C
6,747.61
Departmental Receivables:
Health
785.93
Public Welfare-Individual
623.62
Old Age Assistance
1,582.33
Disability Assistance
214.02
Aid to Dependent Children
1,253.24
Medical Aid to Aged
1,554.88
Veterans' Services
776.23
Farm Excise
170.02
7,060.27
Water Receivables:
Rates
5,766.95
Liens
839.48
6,606.43
Highway-Chapter 90:
Construction
11,000.00
Maintenance
6,250.00
17,250.00
Underestimates:
Abatements of 1961 Taxes
191.22
Revenue-1962
18,000.00
TOTAL
$613,990.14
TOTAL
$613,990.14
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DEBT FUND
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
$1,513,000.00
School Loans
$1,371,000.00 97,000.00
Water Loans
Library Loans
45,000.00
TOTAL
$1,513,000.00
TOTAL
$1,513,000.00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT FUNDS
Cash and Securities
$ 98,744.15
Stabilization Funds
$ 41,297.81
Library Funds
37,603.02
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
14,617.90
Wm. J. & A. C. Howard Scholarship Fund 5,225.42
TOTAL
$ 98,744.15
TOTAL
$ 98,744.15
-
128
129
TOWN OF WEST BRIDGEWATER Balance Sheet, December 31, 1961 General Fund
SCHEDULE A - UNEXPENDED APPROPRIATIONS
General:
Civil Defense Equipment
$ 1,184.46
Chapter 90 Highway Construction
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