Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1926-1930, Part 3

Author: Agawam (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1926
Publisher: Agawam (Mass. : Town)
Number of Pages: 628


USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1926-1930 > Part 3


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$6,629.32


HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT


Highway and Bridges


General Administration


Expense


$41.75


$+1.75


Salaries and wages


Pay Rolls


5,956.49


5,956.49


Teams and Automobile hire


2,501.18


Gravel, stone, tar, etc .....


1,689.67


Equipment


Tractor


4,500.00


Snow Plow


1,050.00


Ford Truck


552.50


Tools


73.17


Hose


2.91


All Other Expense


State Highway Tax ....


2,226.30


Repair to Equipment .... Lumber for Wooden


628.59


Railings


47.65


Metal Road Guard ..


110.12


Repair to Waiting Station


5.80


Culverts


370.24


Gas and oil


630.08


14,388.21


Bridges


328.26


328.26


Snow and Ice removal


Labor, pay rolls


1,451.32


1,451.32


Teams and auto hire ..


1,715.11


All Other Expense ....


8.32


1,723.43


Street Lighting


9,002.68


9,002.68


Other Expense


62.49


62.49


Numbering Streets


100.00


100.00


Total Highways


$33,054.63


45


CHARITIES AND SOLDIERS' BENEFITS


POOR


General Administration


Salaries, Overseers


$225.00


Other Expense


93.00


$318.00


Outside Relief by Town


Groceries and Provisions


482.13


Fuel


308.30


Board and care


653.72


Medicine and medical


attendance


900.12


Cash Aid


1,122.00


Rent, clothing, transpor-


tation and undertaking


413.26


3,879.53


Outside Relief by other


Cities


1,800.19


$5,997.72


Soldiers' Benefits


State Aid


96.00 96.00


Total Charities and Soldiers' Benefits.


$6,093.72


SCHOOLS


General Administration


Salary of Superintendent


$4,099.98


Salary of Clerk


1,370.00


Salary of Truant Officer ++0.00


Salary of Supervisors


3,140.00


Printing, stationery and postage


144.38


Telephone


52.70


Traveling expenses


230.51


All Other General expense


13.86


$9,491.43


Teachers' salaries


High School


15,209.00


Elementary


59,482.50


74,691.50


Principals' Salaries


High School


1,290.00


Elementary


1,290.00


2,580.00


46


Text Books and Supplies


High


Text and Reference books


555.41


All Other


916.23


Elementary


Text and reference books


1,554.72


All Other


2,508.12


5,534.48


Tuition


Elementary


811.60


Vocational


1,347.00


2,158.60


Transportation


Elementary


4,402.59


4,402.59


Support of Truants


104.87


104.87


Janitors' Services


High


1,539.95


Elementary


6,643.50


8,183.45


Fuel and light


High


1,188.38


Elementary


7,088.27


8,276.65


Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds


High


Repairs


348.81


Janitor's supplies


63.68


All Other


131.28


Elementary


Repairs


1,382.09


Janitor's supplies


508.79


Insurance


+78.90


All Other


267.99


3,181.54


Sanitary at Feeding Hills School


7,506.83


Furniture and Furnishings


High


372.87


Elementary


517.02


889.89


47


Other Expenses


Diplomas and Graduation exercises .... 187.50


Addition to High School Library. ..


11.46 198.96


Total schools


$127,200.79


LIBRARIES


Salaries and Wages


Librarians


$300.00


Assistants


11.88


311.88


Books and Periodicals


Books


1,028.54


1,028.54


Binding


20.15


20.15


Fuel and light


19.52


19.52


Buildings and Grounds


Repairs


157.00


Janitor's supplies


1.00


158.00


Other expenses


Stationery and postage


..


22.43


Printing


8.40


30.83


Total Libraries $1,568.92


UNCLASSIFIED


Damage to Persons and Per- sonal Property $15.00


For taking land for State Highway construction.


1,300.00


Memorial Day


150.00


Printing Town Reports


343.65


Workingmen's Compensation Insurance


669.46


Aid to Agriculture


+00.00


Aid to Fire Department


30.00


Total Unclassified ..


$2,908.11


PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISES


Water Department Salaries and wages Superintendent $1,715.50


Clerical


500.00 2,215.50


48


Printing, stationery and


postage


122.57


122.57


General


Labor


379.96


Truck


941.45


Meters and equipment ....


763.00


Water purchased


3,481.62


All Other general


expense


109.46


5,675.49


Service Pipe


Labor pay rolls


948.00


Pipe and fittings


3,039.39


All Other expense


74.37


4,061.76


Total Water Department $12,075.32


CEMETERY


Care of North Cemetery. ....... $50.00 $50.00


INTEREST AND MATURING DEBT


Interest


Temporary Loans in Anticipation of Revenue


$5,230.00


General Loans-Schools 4,118.75


High School Loan


9,900.00


Bridge Loan


2,480.00


Highway Loan


1,637.50


Water Loans


3,976.25


Sewer Loan


720.00


Total Interest $28,062.50


Municipal Indebtedness


Temporary Loans in Anticipation of Revenue


$195,000.00


School Loans


8,000.00


High School Loans


13,000.00


Memorial Bridge Loan


4,000.00


Sewer Loan


1,000.00


Highway Loans


15,500.00


Water Loans


5,500.00


Total Municipal Indebtedness ...... $242,000.00


49


AGENCY, TRUST AND INVESTMENT


Agency


State Tax


$13,320.00


County Tax 10,666.66


State Audit 1,786.25


State and Non-resident Bank tax.


46.35


Soldiers' Exemption


37.02


Income Davis Library Fund.


718.59


Old Cemetery Fund


32.56


Total Agency $26,607.43


Trust


Perpetual Care Funds


Maple Grove Cemetery Fund.


500.00


500.00


REFUNDS


On Taxes


327.01


All Other


120.50


Total Refunds


447.51


Total Payments $503,939.10


Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1926.


7,763.51


Total cash and payments


$511,702.61


RECAPITULATION


Payments for year 1926


General Government $9,215.10


Protection to Persons and Property. 7,525.75


Health and Sanitation 6,629.32


Highway Department


33,054.63


Charities and Soldiers' Benefits


6,093.72


Schools


127,200.79


Libraries


1,568.92


Unclassified


2,908.11


Public Service Enterprises


12,075.32


Cemetery


50.00


Interest and Maturing Debt


Interest


28,062.50


Municipal Indebtedness


2+2,000.00


50


Agency Trust and Investment. 26,607.43


Trust


500.00


Refunds 447.51


Cash on hand December 31, 1926 ....


7,763.51


Total payments and cash


$511,702.61


TRIAL BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1926 AFTER CLOSING BOOKS


Cash


$7,763.51


Taxes 1922


305.53


Taxes 1923


2,357.78


Taxes 1924


8,117.47


Taxes 1925


45,383.62


Taxes 1926


106,178.07


A/C Receivable


Co Aid to Highway


15,000.00


Water Rates


5,624.33


Water Entrances


690.08


Tax Titles


147.51


Loans Authorized


16,000.00


Revenue Loans


$80,000.00


Surplus War Bonus


2,701.14


Overlay 1924


4,640.70


Overlay 1925


1,184.61


Overlay 1926


1,842.09


Water Revenue


6,831.42


Tax Title Revenue


147.51


Excess and Deficiency


55,209.42


Maple and Bridge Street Pavement.


29,965.13


Springfield Street School


2,000.00


North Agawam School


5,711.06


Water Maintenance


12,334.82


Water Main Construction


5,000.00


$207,567.90 $207,567.90


L. N. MAYNARD,


Accounting Officer.


51


APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES


Appro- priations


Expen- ditures


Assessors


$2,200.00


$2,210.17


Town Buildings


2,000.00


1,453.12


Town Clerk and Treasurer


2,500.00


2,500.00


Town Office


5,000.00


4,771.08


Surety Bonds


300.00


322.50


Forestry


900.00


891.74


Fire Department


3,000.00


3,044.47


Police Department


3,500.00


3,007.27


Health


2,200.00


2,375.49


Highway and Bridges


20,000.00


21,690.78


Maple and Bridge Street Paving.


15,000.00


34.87


Land Damage


1,300.00


1,300.00


Street Numbering


100.00


100.00


Street Lights


8,700.00


9,002.68


State Aid


100.00


96.00


Poor


5,000.00


5,997.72


Schools


121,000.00 120,999.56


Sanitary at Feeding Hills School


8,500.00


7,506.83


Library


1,483.90


1,443.42


Contingent


600.00


156.01


Memorial Day


150.00


150.00


Aid to Agriculture


+00.00


400.00


Liability Insurance


400.00


669.46


North Cemetery


50.00


50.00


Interest


27,000.00


24,881.57


Town Debt


47,000.00


41,500.00


$278,383.90 $256,554.74


52


Treasurer's Report


Year ending December 31, 1926


Cash on Hand January 1, 1926. $ 8,481.44


Receipts 1926 503,221.17


Total


$511,702.61


Payments 1926 503,939.10


Cash on hand December 31, 1926


$ 7,763.51


TRUST FUNDS


Whiting Street Fund


On Hand January 1, 1926


Cash


$ 912.34


Securities


5,500.00 $ 6,412.34


Received


Sale of securities


2,000.00


Accrued interest


24.75


Income from fund


344.42


Premium on securities ....


10.00


2,379.17 $ 8,791.51


Savings Banks deposits. ......


2,000.00


Expended for worthy poor


257.40


2,257.40


Cash on hand December


31, 1926


1,034.11


Securities


5,500.00


6,534.11


8,791.51


Desire A. Pyne Fund


On hand January 1, 1926


Cash


Securities


221.13 2,000.00 2,221.13


Income from fund


91.38


91.38


2,312.51


53


Expenditure for worthy


poor


180.70


180.70


Securities


2,000.00


Cash on hand December 31, 1926


131.81


2,131.81


2,312.51


Phelan School Fund


On Hand January 1, 1926


Cash


+26.97


Securities


4,150.00


4,576.97


Income from fund


238.88


238.88


4,815.85


By orders of school


committee


+1.00


+1.00


On hand December 31, 1926


Cash


624.85


Securities


4,150.00


4,774.85


4,815.85


Maple Grove Cemetery Fund May 28, 1926, Bequest under the will of Lydia Roberts


500.00


Deposited in Springfield Institution for Savings


500.00


Davis Library Fund


Income received from Springfield Safe Deposit & Trust Co.


$ 718.59


Paid to F. A. Worthing, treasurer of Agawam Library Association


718.59


Phelon Library Fund


Amount of Fund


$ 500.00


Income from fund


22.75


522.75


By paying town treasury


22.75


Amount of fund


500.00


522.75


Old Cemetery Fund


Amount of Fund


700.00


Income from fund


32.56


732.56


By paying treasurer of Cemetery.


32.56


Amount of fund


700.00


732.56


HENRY E. BODURTHA,


Treasurer.


54


LIABILITIES, DEC. 31, 1926


Sixteen bonds of $1,000, payable an-


nually, Oct. 1, 1927-42, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 4%, water loan. $ 16,000.00


Bond of 1913 water loan, payable $3,500 annually, July 1, 1927-34, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 41/2% 54,500.00


1916 schoolhouse loan, $1,000, payable an- nually July 1, 1927-34, to Old Colony Trust Co., at +% 8,000.00


Schoolhouse bonds of 1917, payable $1,000 annually, Sept. 1, 1927-32, to Old Col- ony Trust Co., at 41/2%. 6,000.00


Sewer Bonds of 1916, payable $1,000 an- nually, Dec. 1, 1927-43, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 4% 17,000.00


Water bonds of 1917, payable $1,000 an- nually, Oct. 1, 1927-42, to Old Colony Trust Co., at +1/2% 16,000.00


High School bonds, payable to Old Colony Trust Co., $13,000 annually, Sept. 1, 1927-31; $12,000 Sept. 1, 1932-41, at 5% 185,000.00


Schoolhouse loan of 1924, payable $3,000 annually, June 1, 1927-30; $2,000 June 1, 1931-44, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 414% 40,000.00


Memorial Bridge loan, payable $4,000 annually, Oct. 1, 1927-30; $3,000 an- nually, Oct. 1, 1931-44, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 4% 58,000.00


55


Highway loan payable $2,000 annually, Oct. 1, 1927-33, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 4% 14,000.00


Schoolhouse loan of 1925 payable $3,000 annually, June 1, 1927-40, to Old Col- ony Trust Co., at +%. 41,000.00


Highway loan of 1925 payable $4,000 an- nually, June 1, 1927-29, to Old Colony Trust Co., at 4% 12,000.00


Temporary loans 80,000.00 $547,500.00


56


REPORT OF


Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Board of Health


During the year the State Auditors made a thorough audit of the Town accounts and introduced an entirely new and up-to- date system of bookkeeping; this system requires the Town Audi- tor or Accountant to go over each week the bills and expenditures, and the books are brought right up to date, so that any one can tell at a glance where each department stands.


By watching accounts carefully we were able by transferring a little money from one account to another to keep well within our appropriations.


BOARD OF HEALTH


Again we are glad to report that there has been no serious epidemic of contagious diseases in our midst.


Under the new state system of accounts, the cost of slaughter house and cattle inspection comes under this department, neces- sitating a larger appropriation.


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR


As the population of a suburban town increases, the percent- age per thousand people requiring aid from this department in- creases.


This is not encouraging, but we must take it into considera- tion and face the fact.


We have tried to make our appropriation go as far as possi- ble, but owing to the industrial depression many demands have been made upon the department, we have spent the appropriation and could have used more.


57


POLICE


Chief Melvin H. Ransom, with the co-operation of the State Police, and the aid of the constables and the special police appoint- ed have kept the expense of this department very low, considering the size of the Town and the great volume of automobile travel that passes through the Town during a year's time.


TOWN OFFICE


At the conclusion of the State Audit it was found that it would be necessary to have an experienced accountant take charge of the books, so an agreement was entered into with the Town Auditor, Leafie N. Maynard, and she now spends two half days a week at the office, and we are well satisfied that all accounts are well and correctly kept.


TOWN BUILDINGS


We strongly recommend an appropriation in this department for 1927 that will enable us to repair the Agawam and the Feed- ing Hills halls, these are both in very bad condition. All other Town buildings are in very good condition, and will require no repairs as far as we know.


HIGHWAYS


The contract for Maple and Bridge Streets has been let to Daniel O'Connell's Sons of Holyoke, and work will be started as soon as weather permits this spring.


We bought a five ton tractor and snowplow, which has more than justified itself for snow work, enabling us to keep all roads open all the time. This is one big step in the right direction, and we strongly recommend that more highway equipment be added each year, until we have our equipment thoroughly modern and up to date, which, after all, is the only way to maintain roads for the demands that are now made upon them.


For the past four years we have received aid from the State and County for permanent work and we feel that this plan can be carried on much to our benefit, if our own town can only agree where to build, instead of one section pulling against the other.


GILES W. HALLADAY, Chairman, CHARLES W. HULL, Chairman, Overseers of Poor, H. PRESTON WORDEN, Clerk.


58


Report of Chief of Police


FROM JANUARY 1, 1926, TO DECEMBER 31, 1926


Number of Liquor cases Investigated


12


Number of Arrests


7


Number of Convictions


7


Number of all other cases Investigated.


987


Number of Arrests


54


Number of Convictions


54


Number of stolen Automobiles recovered


10


Number of Dogs killed


21


Number of Summons served for other Police Depts.


127


Value of stolen property recovered


$


176.84


Amount of Fines, drunk and liquor cases.


415.00


Amount of Fines, Automobile cases


1,075.00


Number of Juvenile cases Investigated


47


Number of disturbances suppressed


15


Investigated breaks in houses and stores


3


Arrested for breaks in houses and stores.


3


Automobile accidents investigated


48


Deaths from Automobile accidents


7


Arrests for carrying dangerous weapon, assault, etc.


3


M. H. RANSOM, Chief.


59


Report of Tree and Forest Warden


SHADE TREES


Owing to severe storms and winds the past season we have had several costly jobs in removing trees and debris, but fortu- nately no very heavy damage occurred. We have removed all the really dangerous trees, also many large and dangerous dead limbs, but there are several more old and decaying shade trees which should be removed in the near future. The coming season our elm shade trees should be sprayed for the elm leaf beetle, as the past season the beetles were very numerous, especially through Agawam Main Street. In making up the annual Town budget this should be taken into consideration as the cost of this spraying would be about three hundred ($300.00) dollars.


MOTH WORK


Although we found nearly 100 more Gypsy Moth Egg- Masses in 1926 than in 1925, it does not mean that the Gypsy Moth is increasing materially in this Town, as we found the most of this increase in one old apple tree which previously we could not get at without cutting, but fortunately was broken down by the wind, giving us a chance to make a clean-up. However, we did find a few more in woodland than usual. The season of 1926 will be noted for the worst infestation of Tent Caterpillars ever known in this section of New England. From this, some idea may be had of what would happen to our trees (not only fruit trees, but all trees) if the Gypsy Moth becomes strongly estab- lished, as so far there are no natural enemies to keep the Gypsy Moth in check as with most other kinds of Caterpillars.


EXPENSE, MOTH WORK


Pump and Supplies $ 54.66


Spraying 30.00


Scouting 283.00


$367.66


For moth work for 1927 would recommend an appropriation of three hundred ($300.00) dollars.


Respectfully submitted, EDWIN M. HITCHCOCK, Tree and Forest Warden.


60


Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures


Agawam, Mass., Jan. 1, 1927. To the Selectmen of Agawam,


Gentlemen :


My report for the year 1926 is hereby submitted.


Total articles sealed


441


Condemned


127


Commodities weighed


159


Correct


89


Under


18


Over


52


Coal weighed in transit


6


Correct


3


Under


2


Over


1


Coal certificates inspected


27


Respectfully,


EDWIN U. LEONARD,


Sealer of Weights and Measures.


61


1


Report of Board of Fire Engineers


In submitting our report for 1926 we feel as tho we were telling an old story, but nevertheless, it must be told.


With the growth of the Town come more calls and greater demands upon this department, and with this comes the greater necessity of keeping the equipment up to date so that greater fire loss may not result.


We wish to impress on the minds of our citizens that under ro circumstances should they start a brush or grass fire without first obtaining a Fire Permit from the Fire Warden, and then using good judgment as to whether it is advisable to start a fire or not.


A large number of fires occur at a time when our men are away from town at their various places of employment, and the task of putting out these fires falls upon the few men who are employed in Town. This is a hardship on these men, so we again ask you to be cautious.


During the past year we have purchased only that equipment for the department that was needed for the time being. In doing this we avoided exceeding our appropriation, which would have been an easy matter to do.


As it was, a few bills were held up awaiting the 1927 appro- priation. The purchase of 300 feet of 11/2 inch fire hose which was placed at the Feeding Hills Station, is, we believe, a step in the right direction. The use of smaller hose makes it possible for one man to handle a nozzle to an advantage, when only a few men are able to answer an alarm.


We recommend the purchase of at least 600 feet of this size hose, so that each company may have it as part of their equip- ment.


Fire protection is of more value than fire fighting. Look well to your chimneys and keep them clean. Use no wooden ash bar- rels. Don't let your home be a fire menace.


BE CAREFUL, BE CAUTIOUS, BE SAFE. IT PAYS.


62


We wish to thank the members of the Fire Department for their fine work, and hope that the year 1927 will be easier for them.


Total loss by fire for 1926 was $46,055 and the value of property saved was $28,000.


CALLS MADE DURING 1926


Dwellings 40


Chimneys 14


Barns 3


Grass and Brush


22


Automobiles


6


Garages


4


Of these 32 were in North Agawam, 27 were in Feeding Hills, and 40 were in Agawam Center.


EDWARD J. GOSSELIN, Chairman,


RILEY S. FARNSWORTH, Purchasing Agent


FRANK T. GOSS, Secretary.


63


Assessor's Report


TOWN OF AGAWAM, MASS.


We regret to report the death of our most esteemed Brother Assessor, R. Mather Taylor. Mr. Taylor had served as Chair- man of the Board of Assessors for over twenty years and had always been a very able and efficient servant of the Town, and his death was keenly felt by all who knew him.


At a joint meeting of the two remaining members of the Board of Assessors and the Selectmen, Clarence H. Granger was appointed as Assessor to complete Mr. Taylor's unexpired term.


REPORT


Horses


499


Cows


610


Neat Cattle


130


Swine


181


Sheep


17


Fowls


8,300


Value of Fowls


$8,300


Houses


1,363


Acres of Land


14,348


VALUATION


. Buildings


$4,572,753.00


- Land 2,820,977.00


Total Real Estate


7,393,730.00


Personal Estate


1,216,089.00


Total Valuation


8,609,819.00


Upon which taxes have been assessed as follows:


County tax


$ 10,666.66


State tax


13,320.00


State highway tax 2,226.30


State auditing tax 1,786.25


64


Schools


121,000.00


Care of poor


5,000.00


Highways and bridges


20,000.00


Town offices


5,000.00


Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector


2,500.00


Police


3,500.00


Memorial Day observance


150.00


Board of health


2,200.00


Assessors' department


2,200.00


Fire department


3,000.00


Forestry department (gypsy moth exter- mination )


900.00


Street lights


8,700.00


Libraries


300.00


Town buildings


2,000.00


Contingencies


600.00


Surety bonds


300.00


Liability Insurance


400.00


County aid to agriculture


400.00


Street numbering


100.00


Care of North Cemetery


50.00


Deficit overlays


2,636.24


State aid


100.00


Taking of land for High School


2,000.00


Maple and Bridge Sts.


5,000.00


Committee on sanitaries


200.00


Taking of land


300.00


Interest


27,000.00


Indebtedness


47,000.00


Overlay


2,000.33


$292,535.78


Less estimated receipts :


Income tax


$ 18,813.00


Bank tax


85.00


Licenses


1,100.00


Fines


800.00


Highways


1,100.00


Rentals


500.00


Schools


1,800.00


Soldiers' exemptions


15.00


Interest on deposits


350.00


Interest on taxes


7,000.00


65


Corporation tax 4,500.00 Water rental 5,000.00 $ 41,063.00


Amount to raise $251,472.78 Tax on 1755 poll at $2. $ 3,510.00 Tax on personal and real estate at $28.80 247,962.78


$251,472.78


To H. Preston Worden, Tax Collector, was com-


mitted for collection the sum of. $251,472.78


Omitted assessments 879.68


Total


$252,352.46


Abatements allowed 243.79


$252,108.67


E. HAROLD HAMBLEN, ADOLPHUS PROVOST, CLARENCE H. GRANGER,


Assessors


66


Report of Tax Collector


1926


Tax Committed


$251,472.78


Omitted assessments 879.68


$252,352.46


Cash paid treasurer 145,136.47


Abatements 158.24


Uncollected taxes Dec. 31, 1926


107,057.75


$252,352.46


Previous Years


Balance due Jan. 1, 1926.


$146,770.86 146,770.86


Paid treasurer


88,666.34


Abatements


1,921.27


Tax Titles


18.85


Uncollected Dec. 31, 1926


56,164.40


$146,770.86


67


Auditor's Report


February 17, 1927


I hereby certify that I have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector for the year of 1926 as set forth in his annual report, and to the best of my knowledge and belief they are correctly and accurately recorded.


LEAFIE N. MAYNARD, Auditor.


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REPORT OF Board of Water Commissioners


RECEIPTS


From water rents


$17,215.80


From water connections


2,140.63


$19,356.43


EXPENDITURES


Superintendent


$1,715.50


Printing and postage


122.57


Other administration


533.02


Labor


1,294.94


Teams


941.45


Meters


763.00


Water


3,481.62


Pipe and fittings


3,039.39


All other


183.83


WALTER S. KERR, D. M. CROWLEY, JOHN L. BURKE, Water Commissioners.


69


REPORT OF THE


TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE COOPERATING WITH THE HAMPDEN COUNTY IMPROVEMENT LEAGUE 1926


The town of Agawam, lying as it does near the geographical center of the county and almost at the doorstep of the headquarters of the Hampden County Improvement League, is one of the towns where the various programs of League work are carried out to their fullest extent. From the standpoint of the Extension Service, Agawam is nearly an ideal town. It lends itself readily to the type of work done by the League, and because of its adaptability the work is carried on with rather more than ordinary success.


Last year there were 188 Agawam boys and girls enrolled in the various club projects carried on by the Hampden County League. There were 44 women enrolled in millinery, clothing, nutrition and other Home Economics courses conducted by the League Home Department. Dairymen, fruit growers, poultry- men, market gardeners and other farmers were given service through organized groups and directly by personal visitation by the county agricultural agent.


In club work Agawam produced three of the county's twelve club champions for 1926. Albert Jenks of Feeding Hills won the championship in corn growing. Robert Allen was adjudged the best pig raiser and Chester Bailey was sheep club champion for the year. In addition to these, there are three or four other boys and girls who did outstanding club work. This work has been under the general local leadership of Mrs. Preston H. Wor- den, who has been assisted by Marion Allen, Mrs. Lee Jenks, Mrs. William O'Connor and Mrs. Harry Briggs.


In Agawam Center the Home Department carried on a


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course in Food Preparation under the leadership of Mrs. George Touissant, who was assisted by Mrs. Dwight Hawley, foremost among the commercial home canners in the county.


In Feeding Hills a group studied the question of Food Selection under the local leadership of Mrs. Etta Stebbins and Mrs. Harry Brown. The committee in charge of the work at Feeding Hills was Mrs. Charles Sunden, chairman; Mrs Arthur Fournier, vice-chairman; and Miss Ethel Snow, secretary.


A group in West Agawam studied the use of sewing machine attachments and advanced clothing under the leadership of Mrs. George Bryce, Mrs. Alfred Prevost and Mrs. Fred Petithory. In North Agawam Miss Jenkins, League nutrition specialist, took part in a tuberculosis clinic as part of her nutrition program.


The League has closed a very successful year throughout the county. Possibly its outstanding achievement has been the part it has played in reestablishing confidence in tuberculin testing of cattle. The League has reached more people this year than ever before and has carried to them a wider variety of service.


Agawam, together with every other town in the county, makes an annual appropriation to the work of the League. In Agawam this amounts to $400.00 and the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, who carry on their work through the League, respect- fully request the renewal of this appropriation for the coming year.


Respectfully submitted,


TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE,




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