USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1926-1930 > Part 25
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Our people that are being supported regularly in private homes, by other towns, and in our own town, remain about the same in number as in previous years but the number of families being aided temporarily is much greater than ever before.
We have found it necessary to furnish medicine and doctors' care in many cases. At this time we wish to express our appre- ciation of the cooperation received from the Community and School nurses. Many times, owing to prompt action on their part, children have been prevented from having serious illness.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
We have had no epidemics of contagious diseases this year. The scarlet fever cases have been scattered and one case of diph- theria proved to be a child that had not been immunized.
Our tubercular cases are always costly, also our share of main- taining the Tubercular hospital.
The case of smallpox also proved to be costly to this de- partment.
The final diphtheria immunization test has been completed this year.
ZONING DEPARTMENT
Owing to the business depression of the past year, building has decreased to a certain extent, but structures have been com- pleted which considerably increase our valuation.
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We have granted 109 permits during the year 1930.
Our property owners are making every effort to conform with our zoning laws and are careful to secure their permits before starting to build.
The number and type of building for which permits were granted are as follows :
Administration building for Airport
1
Greenhouse for nursery propagation
1
Additions to dwellings
6
Poultry and brooder houses
15
Garages
41
Tool Houses
5
Remodeled Milk Pasteurizing Plant
1
Milk Houses
2
Barns
5 4
Gas Stations
3
Golf Course
1
Public Laundry
1
One Family Dwellings
16
Two Family Dwelling
1
All other
6
Total permits 109
Respectfully submitted,
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Roads Stands
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EDWIN L. TALMADGE, GILES W. HALLADAY, JOHN L. BURKE, Selectmen, Public Welfare, Board of Health.
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REPORT OF THE Chief of Police
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen-I herewith submit to you the annual report of the Police Department from January 1, 1930, to January 1, 1931, inclusive.
ARRESTS
Assaults
2
Breach of Peace
2
Drunk
40
Escaped Prisoner
1
Gaming on the Lord's Day
11
Insane
8
Larceny
20
Lewd and Lascivious
3
Neglected Children
7
Non-support
1
Runaway Boys
2
Stubbornness
4
Violation of Liquor Law
4
Violation of Fish and Game Law
3
Violation Lord's Day
5
Violation Probation
6
Violation Auto Law
38
Vagrancy
4
Total Number of Arrests 161
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DISPOSITIONS
Appealed
3
Continued Day to Day
5
Discharged
2
Filed
4
Fined
98
Probation
2
Released
1
Restitution
4
Sentenced to House of Correction
8
Sentenced to Concord
1
Sentenced to Charleston
1
Sentenced to Shirley
1
Suspended Sentences
19
To Northampton (Insane)
8
Turned over to other Police
4
Total 161
Total Amount of Fines Imposed $5643.00
Total Amount turned back to Town Treasurer 2265.00
Restitution 295.00
Value Stolen Property Recovered 930.00
Value of Stolen Autos Recovered (11)
7600.00
In rendering my fourth Annual Report to the Town of Agawam, I wish to state that we have passed through a year of Depression and Crime that have taxed all Police Departments to their utmost capacity. I believe Agawam has been fortunate that we have not had as serious Crimes as some other communities, and that we have solved a large percentage of those that have been committed.
You will notice that the amount of fines turned back to the Town Treasurer this year is greater than any preceding year, which is mostly due to the large amount of larceny committed and fines coming from this source.
Accidents in the Town have showed a decrease the past year, and I believe we have made a great improvement at the Agawam Bridge in the installation of additional Street Lighting, the Caution Traffic Light and the new abutment at a comparatively small expense to the Town. There are other intersections that
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in the interest of Safety should receive attention, and I believe the most dangerous of these is the River Road and Main Street, but as these are two State Highways it will be necessary to look to the State for relief at these points.
I wish at this point to thank the Town Officers, the State Police and all others who have cooperated with me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PERLEY J. HEWEY, Chief of Police.
63
REPORT OF THE Board of Fire Engineers
For the Year Ending December 31, 1930
The Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Sirs-In submitting our report for 1930, we find it hard to get away from our old story.
Our losses by fire for the year were $35,000. Insurance to the amount of $22,387 was paid or reported paid by the losers with 3 unsettled accounts.
This loss, while large if borne by one, is in itself a good word for the efficiency of the Department as a whole. Our greatest losses were in district where we had no water. This is a great handicap and one that should be corrected as rapidly as possible. These losses also are much lower than in other towns of a like size in the State.
We have purchased a new fire truck during the year, which was installed at Feeding Hills. This, to the best of our knowledge, is giving satisfaction.
We recommend the purchase of a new truck for North Agawam to be installed during 1931. This portion of our town is growing rapidly and demands the service that this modern apparatus will give.
The old Reo truck at Feeding Hills was stripped of all Fire Department equipment and the chassis turned over to the Highway Department. In this way we feel that the town received more for the truck than they would by selling it.
Attention is constantly being called to the poor system that is used for calling the Department in case of fire. This criticism is justified and should be corrected as soon as possible.
Fire Alarm systems are costly, and we do not believe that
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Agawam can afford the expense of a Permanent Department, a centrally located Fire Station and a Fire Alarm system at the present time.
We urge all citizens to get cards with full instructions for call- ing the Department. These may be received from Captain Roy of North Agawam, Captain Kellogg of Feeding Hills, and Cap- tain Shaylor of Agawam Center .
We wish at this time to thank these officers and the men in their companies for the splendid service they have rendered the town the past year.
The duties of the Board of Fire Engineers are constantly growing from year to year. Permits for the removal and installa- tion of all gasoline tanks, sale of fireworks, storing of and use of all explosives, and installation of domestic oil heaters. This last item is the greatest. More than 100 heaters are in use in town. These have to be inspected and permits issued for their operation once each year, a permit being good only for one year from date of issue.
The calls made upon the Department for 1930 are as follows :
Dwellings
31
Barns
5
Garages 4
Chimneys 9
Autos
4
Grass
17
Brush
10
These were divided as follows :
Co. No. 1 North Agawam 25
Co. No.2 Feeding Hills 23
Co. No. 3 Agawam Center
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Total Calls 80
E. J. GOSSELIN, Chairman. JAMES W. SHEA, Purchasing Agent. FRANK T. Goss, Secretary.
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Assessors' Report
To the Selectmen of the Town of Agawam, Mass .:
During the past year considerable improvement has been made in the office records of this department, including the installation of a card system as recommended by the State Department of Taxation.
Work is progressing on the Assessors' maps, and these are proving valuable, especially in equalizing assessments.
The present automobile excise tax law is believed to be an improvement over the 1929 law and, while necessitating a con- siderable amount of extra clerical work, it has in general proved more equitable.
Attention is called to the fact that the Assessors are holding meetings regularly on Friday evenings for the convenience of taxpayers.
ADOLPHUS PROVOST. CLARENCE H. GRANGER. PAUL B. JOHNSON.
STATISTICAL REPORT
Horses
289
Cows
531
Sheep
51
Neat Cattle
162
Swine
471
Fowls
10,774
Value of Fowls
$10,774.00
Houses
1,578
Acres of Land
13,9381/2
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VALUATIONS
Buildings
$5,345,625
. Land
2,888,100
Total Real Estate
8,233,725
Personal Estate
1,208,321
Total Valuations
9,442,046
Upon which taxes have been levied as follows :
County Tax
14,059.89
State Tax
8,890.00
State Highway Tax
3,386.55
State Audit Tax
1,043.11
State Snow Removal Tax
120.08
Town Appropriations
322,700.00
Overlay for current year
2,704.86
$352,904.49
Less Estimated Receipts :
Income Tax
$44,939.57
Corporation Tax
7,000.00
Bank Tax
200.00
Licenses
1,400.00
Fines
1,350.00
Special Assessments
800.00
General Government
200.00
Highways
75.00
Protection of persons and
property
100.00
Health and Sanitation
400.00
Charities
900.00
Soldiers' Benefits
100.00
Schools .
1,000.00
Libraries
75.00
Public Service Enterprises
100.00
Interest on Deposits
500.00
Interest on Taxes and Assess-
ments
6,500.00
Rentals
500.00
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Bills in Lieu of Taxes $800.00 Auto Excise Taxes 10,000.00
$76,939.57
Net Amount to be raised on Polls and Property
$275,964.92
No. of Polls 2017@$2.00 each 4,034.00
Taxes on Personal and Real Estate@ $28.80 271,930.92
To Howard W. Pond Tax Collector was committed for Collection the sum of
$275,964.92
Omitted Assessments
20.00
Auto Excise Tax
14,291.43
$290,276.35
ADOLPHUS PROVOST, CLARENCE H. GRANGER, PAUL B. JOHNSON, · Assessors
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REPORT OF THE Tax Collector
1930
Tax Committed
$275,966.92
$275,966.92
Cash paid to Treasurer
$175,921.12
Less transfer to previous year 200.00
$175,721.12
Abatements and Tax Titles
$1,250.50
Adjustments
4.41
Uncollected Taxes
98,990.89
275,966.92
PREVIOUS YEARS
January 1, 1930 balance due
$141,493.51
Adjusted balances 160.32
141,653.53
Cash paid Treasurer
$112,314.81
Plus transfer from 1930
200.00
Abatements and Tax Titles
2,995.74
Adjustments
125.45
Balance 1928
168.23
Balance 1929
25,849.60
141,653.83
Motor Vehicle Tax 1930
Tax Committed
$14,211.60
14,211.60
7
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Paid to Treasurer
$11,129.83
Abatements
1,059.82
Balance due
2,021.95
$14,211.60
Motor Vehicle Tax 1929
Balance due January 1, 1930
$5,044.08
Commitments
19.03
Adjustments
8.72
5,071.83
Paid to Treasurer
$4,274.62
Abatements
161.05
Balance due
636.16
5,071.83
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Auditor's Report
February 10, 1931
I hereby certify that I have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk and Treasurer also the Collector for the year of 1930 as set forth in their annual reports and to the best of my knowledge they are correctly and accurately recorded.
LEAFIE N. MAYNARD, Auditor.
771
Annual Report from the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture and the Hampden County Improvement League
For the Year Ending December, 1930
To the Town of Agawam:
The town of Agawam appropriated the sum of $400 to the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, for the purpose of further promoting locally 4-H Club work, Home Making, and improved practices in Agriculture. The larger part of this appro- priation was used to reimburse local leaders for expenses in- curred by them in the performance of their duties as group leaders, assisting the county agents to render larger and better services in the town of Agawam.
In the 4-H Club Department, for example, there were 183 boys and girls enrolled during the year.
Three Agawam boys won County Championship honors. These were: Kenneth Brown in the 4-H Dairy Club; Chester Pilch in Bees, and Creighton Abrams in Beef. Chester Bailey was awarded state honors in the 4-H Sheep Club Project, while Elbert Jenks captured for the second time the grand champion- ship honors on his Baby Beef at the Eastern States Exposition, which animal sold at 55 cents per pound, live weight. Elbert was also awarded a gold medal by the State Department of Agricul- ture, and a gold watch valued at $50, by the Thomas Wilson Company of Chicago.
Dorothy Brown won a seventh prize in the National Canning Contest in cooperation with women and girls all over the United States.
The following local leaders gave valuable assistance to the county agents during the year in this 4-H work-D. E. Bailey,
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Mrs. Lee Jenks, Mrs. Warren Bodurtha, Mrs. Harry A. Bell, Mrs. Eva Pierson and Miss Marion Allen.
In the Home Bureau Department 143 women were enrolled. Mrs. Hendrick Fickwieler was Chairman of the Agawam Group and Mrs. Dwight Hawley, Vice-chairman; at Feeding Hills, Mrs. Wm. J. O'Connor was Chairman and Mrs. Wm. Costine Vice-chairman.
In the Home Grounds Department, thirteen homes were visited and given direct assistance in work pertaining to lawns and other home grounds problems.
The services of all these county wide workers are free to the town and its people. Nearly two hundred personal farm and home visits were made by the county workers in the town of Agawam during the year, aside from the numerous letters written, phone calls and personal calls at the League office.
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REPORT OF THE Board of Water Commissioners
RECEIPTS
From Water Rents
$20,911.02
From Water Connections
1,382.89
Pipe to Agawam Airport
156.50
$22,450.41
EXPENDITURES Maintenance
Commissioners
$300.00
Superintendent and Registrar
1,560.00
Collector
500.00
Printing, Stationery and Postage
204.56
Other expense
575.31
Water .
9,247.08
Meters and repairs to same
1,053.70
All other expense
867.14
Service Pipe
1,775.50
16,083.29
CONSTRUCTION
Agawam Airport
$234.00
Lealand Avenue
577.83
811.83
FINANCIAL
Payment and Interest on Bonds
$8,506.25
8,506.25
Total
$25,401.37
W. S. KERR, D. M. CROWLEY, D. K. BODURTHA, Water Commissioners.
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REPORT OF THE Library Trustees
BOOKS
Number at Agawam 9496
Number at Feeding Hills
6235
Number at North Agawam
2289
CIRCULATION
Agawam
17,434
Feeding Hills
9049
North Agawam
10,247
BORROWERS
Agawam
950
Feeding Hills
255
North Agawam
410
ALICE B. GRANGER, ANNA H. RUDMAN, IDA BERNATCHEZ,
Library Trustees.
75
REPORT OF THE Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Selectmen of the Town of Agawam:
Gentlemen-The total number of articles sealed in 1930 was 587 ; condemned, 8.
It is obvious from the above that the scales and measures are improving in quality.
Commodities inspected
204
Correct
139
Underweight 9
Overweight
56
Pedlers' licenses inspected 42
Convictions
.
1
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN U. LEONARD,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
76
REPORT OF THE Superintendent for Gypsy Moth Control
To the Selectmen:
Gentlemen-The Gypsy Moths are being gradually brought under control, but they are not as yet wholly eradicated. Old infestations we can and do kill in a large measure, but new ones are constantly coming in, and these must be found and taken care of in order to keep the town free from a general infestation.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN U. LEONARD, Moth Superintendent.
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Annual Reports
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE and the SUPERINTENDENT of SCHOOLS
of the
Town of Agawam
Massachusetts
OF
INCORP CC
15.1855.
P
RI
T
D
For the Year Ending December 31 1930
Agawam Public Schools
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL BOARD
CLIFFORD M. GRANGER, Chairman Term expires March, 1932 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
MRS. GRACE B. REED Term expires March, 1932 Post Office Address, Agawam
ARTHUR RUDMAN Term expires March, 1931 Post Office Address, Agawam
THOMAS H. STAPLETON Term expires March, 1931 Post Office Address, Agawam
JOSEPH L. ROY Term expires March, 1933 Post Office Address, North Agawam
SIDNEY F. ATWOOD, Secretary Term expires March, 1933 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
BENJAMIN J. PHELPS Telephone : 4-2831
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1931
Winter Term-January 5 to April 3. Spring Term-April 13 to June 5, Elementary Schools. Spring Term-April 13 to June 12, Junior-Senior High School. Fall Term-September 8 to December 23.
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OFFICE HOURS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
High School Building-School Days, 8.30-9.00 a.m., and by appointment.
Secretary EMMA MELLOR Telephone 2-7176
HOURS OF SESSIONS
Elementary Schools 9.00-12.00 a.m. 1.00-3.30 p.m.
Junior High School 9.00-12.00 a.m. 12.30-3.00 p.m.
Senior High School 9.00 a.m .- 12.30 p.m. 1.00-3.00 p.m.
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REPORT OF THE School Committee
In accordance with an ancient and most honorable custom, we herewith present for your consideration our annual report as a committee. As usual, the Superintendent's yearly message covers nearly all the field of our educational activities. Consequently, we have but few topics of importance for your perusal.
The year 1930 was in many ways an important one in the history of our town. As you all know, Agawam celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of her incorporation as a town with a colorful parade and a splendid historical pageant. Although the School Department had no special part in the exercises of the Day, we feel proud of the fact that our educational program for 1930 showed that phase of our civil development matching step with the local advance along religious, social, political and in- dustrial lines.
There were a few so-called "high lights" in the educational line-up of the year just closed. We would like to make mention of them in a very brief way. Perhaps the most important of all was the installation of an improved system of transportation for our school population. For many years we have been struggling along with a poor and inadequate system for carrying our chil- dren to their various school buildings. One of our local drivers came before your Committee with a proposition for bus trans- portation for the whole town. After a careful consideration of the same we decided that such a plan, though somewhat more expensive than our "hit or miss" scheme, would be a tremendous improvement over existing methods. Realizing that some of the other drivers might be interested in handling such a proposition, we felt, in all fairness to them, that they should have an oppor- tunity to submit bids. Several bids were received by the Com-
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mittee, and, according to custom, the contract was awarded to the highest bidder. The adoption of this plan of transportation has to our mind been the most progressive step we have taken in years. Of course, it is still in the trial stage, but the results so far have been very gratifying. Our school attendance has reached a higher percentage than ever before, and, furthermore, the general health of our pupils has been exceptionally good for this season of the year. Regular busses run on regular schedule- with comfortable seats for all who are eligible to ride, and with ample protection from snow and rain-seem to us the ideal method of transportation.
We would like to say just a word about our health program during the school year just closed. In cooperation with the Board of Health, we have had a large percentage of our school enroll- ment subjected to tests preventive of diphtheria. At this time there is a prevalence of that dread disease in some of our nearby towns and cities. This year we have been spared such an epi- demic. This coming spring we are in hopes of completing this work of immunization among all our school children.
One matter that we have spoken of several times in the past we would like to bring to your attention again; that is, the need of a larger and better playground and athletic field for our High School. This matter has been under discussion now for several years, but we are still waiting for some definite action on the part of the town. The real estate boom seems to have collapsed, temporarily at least, and such being the case it would seem to be the best of economy to acquire the necessary land at the earliest opportunity.
In 1930 we practiced the strictest economy and by so doing we kept our expenses within the limits of our budget. Owing to the prevailing industrial depression, we feel that our 1931 appropria- tion should be kept down to the lowest possible figure. Some items, such as transportation, teachers' salaries, wages of janitors and tuition, are in the nature of fixed charges ; con- sequently our savings must be along the lines of fuel, textbooks, supplies and repairs. We have nearly $1800 of insurance on school buildings falling due this year. This item must be met as well as the increased costs of our more modern transportation. These two items may necessitate a slight increase in the appro- priation for 1931, but, as usual, we shall figure our budget as closely as possible.
In concluding our report we wish to thank the parents and
84
citizens of this town for their very cordial support in the past. It has been said by many school men that no town of its size has a better school system than Agawam, and that very few towns can boast such an efficient and loyal corps of teachers. Our High School, ever since it was established, has maintained a very high standard of scholarly efficiency and has acquired distinction throughout the State. If these statements are true- and what loyal citizen would wish to doubt them-a large part of the credit therefor belongs to the parents of our boys and girls, and their friends. The parents and taxpayers have always been generous to the schools and ever cooperative with the school authorities.
Respectfully submitted,
S. F. ATWOOD, JOSEPH L. ROY, GRACE B. REED, THOS. H. STAPLETON, ARTHUR RUDMAN, CLIFFORD M. GRANGER.
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Financial Statement of Schools
December 31, 1930
General Expense
$7,401.69
Salaries of Teachers, Supervisors and Principals . .
98,901.50
Text Books
2,511.62
Stationery, Supplies, etc.
4,455.12
Wages of Janitors
10,253.07
Fuel
5,657.97
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses
2,530.33
Repairs and Replacements
3,400.23
Libraries
280.52
Health
2,221.40
Transportation
7,784.20
Tuition
3,010.19
Miscellaneous Expenses
1,364.56
Outlay-New Equipment
456.07
Agriculture
2,771.24
Total
$152,999.71
86
Superintendent's Report
To the Members of the Agawam School Committee:
Gentlemen-The following report, for the most part, is written about certain administrative improvements which have been made in the Agawam schools during the past two years. It is quite unusual for a school report to be written on such a topic, but since these improvements have been far-reaching in character, and since they are fundamental in nature in that they touch our educational program in vital places, they form an excellent sub- ject for a school report. The following items will be presented for your consideration : Improved Consolidation of Schools ; Special Class in Junior High School; Agricultural Course ; Im- proved System of Transportation ; Improved Health Program ; Parent-Teacher Association. In connection with the Superin- tendent's report there will also be the reports of the High School Principal, and the Supervisors of Music and Art.
IMPROVED CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS AND SIGNIFICANT RESULTS
The seventh and eighth grades from all parts of the town have been housed for the past year in the Junior-Senior High School building, and, in consequence thereof, we have com- pleted the first year of a genuine six-year high school program. At present there are four classrooms of seventh grade pupils and a like number of classes of eighth grade pupils. In addition there is a special classroom of pupils of junior high school age who are three or more years retarded.
The pupils in these classrooms are grouped according to ability. This classification of the pupils is established by the record of the pupils in classroom work, their marks in standard achievement tests, and the judgment of the teachers in each
87
individual case. In all groups the regular work of the grade is stressed throughout the year, and in the highest ranking groups more extensive work is accomplished. This grouping of pupils is found to be very helpful, for by such an arrangement all pupils can be given work which will test their mental powers and which will command from each his maximum ability. At the same time, there is present in the divisions a sufficiently wide enough range of pupil ability to stimulate the group and to prevent the prevalence of a benumbing dead level.
The honor rolls published at the end of each marking period have increased in proportions, and well over 25% of the Junior-Senior High School pupils have been listed on the same. On these honor rolls pupils' names in representative ratios from all parts of the town appear. This would indicate that in the various elementary schools of the town our pupils are receiving instruction in the same work with the same effective emphasis.
Standard achievement tests are given the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades twice a year, once in November and again in May. These tests are of great diagnostic value in the 5th and 6th grades, in that they provide the pupil and teacher with a definite basis for individual work, and thereby make it possible for the elementary schools to give a better preparation to the pupils who are soon to enter the junior high.
Early in the school year a conference of the sixth grade teachers with the teachers of the junior high was held in the Junior High School. The ways and means of bridging the gap between the elementary school and the junior high school was the point at issue. Many helpful suggestions were given and received by the teachers of both schools. In a brief statement, we can definitely report that in the consolidation of schools the junior high school has reached down to improve the work of the grades, and the elementary school has reached up to improve the work of the junior high school.
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