USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1931-1935 > Part 20
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Interest
Anticipation of Revenue Loans .... $
6,752.08
All Other
1,140.35
General Loans
High School Loan
6,800.00
Memorial Bridge
1,320.00
Sewer Loan
400.00
Other School Loans
.... .....
1,652.50
18,064.93
59
Debt
Anticipation of Revenue Loan .... $225,000.00
Municipal Relief Loan 571.67
Tax Title Loan 13,128.19
Memorial Bridge Loan
3,000.00
Sewer Bond
1,000.00
High School Loan
22,000.00
Other School Loans
6,000.00
Other Loans
7,000.00
277,699.86
Agency, Trust and Investment
Davis Trust Fund 625.03
Refunds
Taxes $ 91.14
Excise
118.29
Old Age Assistance
1.00
Interest on Taxes
2.55
Welfare
45.25
$ 258.23
Total Payments for year ....
$669,514.16
Recapitulation
Payments for year of 1934
General Government
$ 12,742.13
Town Buildings
667.07
Protection to Persons and Prop- erty
10,245.54
Community Nurse
1,948.96
Health and Sanitation
4,581.75
Suffield Street, Chapter 90, Con- struction
25,340.22
Highways
8,552.78
Town Improvement
4,973.41
Street Lights
6,995.39
Public Welfare
General Administration
4,128.55
Relief
54,766.94
Mothers' Aid
1,303.00
60
Old Age Assistance
8,949.76
Soldiers' Relief
8,696.18
State and Military Aid
129.00
Schools
124,999.13
Libraries
1,971.57
Unclassified
2,734.92
Surety Bonds
610.00
To County-Dog Licenses
1,513.40
To State-Parks and Hospitals
147.19
County Tax
12,898.86
Special State Tax
20.00
State Tax
13,700.00
Smith Hughes Fund
259.98
George Reed Fund
34.28
E.R.A. Accounts
31,855.37
Water Department
27,950.49
Cemeteries
150.24
Interest
18,064.93
Anticipation of Revenue
225,000.00
Tax Title Loan
13,128.19
Other Debt
39,571.67
Trust and Investment
625.03
Refunds
258.23
Total Payments for year .... Cash Balance on Hand 32,171.10
669,514.16
$701,685.26
Trial Balance After Closing Books December 31, 1934
Cash $ 32,171.10
Cash in School Department
50.00
Cash in Welfare Department 10.00
1932 Real and Personal Taxes.
901.10
1932 Poll Taxes
60.00
1933 Real and Personal Taxes.
44,711.88
1933 Poll Taxes
495.50
1934 Poll Taxes
924.00
1934 Real and Personal Taxes
116,035.37
61
1932 Old Age Assistance 25.00
1933 Old Age Assistance
254.00
Motor Vehicle Excise 1932 654.88
Motor Vehicle Excise 1933
842.28
Motor Vehicle Excise 1934
2,180.79
Accounts Receivable Sidewalks
1929 161.18
Tax Titles
90,426.52
Accounts Receivable Health
381.71
Accounts Receivable Sewer
555.44
Accounts Receivable Public Wel-
fare
5,316.86
Accounts Receivable Old Age Assistance 1,316.80
Accounts Receivable Soldiers'
Relief
438.57
Accounts Receivable Sealer
Weights and Measures
7.43
Accounts Receivable Schools
1,456.82
Water Rates
8,986.32
Water Entrances
123.80
County Aid to Highways (Suffield St.) ...
610.04
State Aid to Highways (Suffield St.)
929.91
Revenue Loans
150,000.00
Surplus War Bonus
2,701.14
Phelon Library Trust Fund
35.44
Old Cemetery Fund
114.29
Maple Grove Cemetery Fund.
58.64
Overlay Reserve
8,100.74
Overlay 1932
1,285.35
Overlay 1933
8,418.82
Overlay 1934
4,315.31
Tax Title Revenue
90,426.52
Motor Vehicle Excise Revenue
1932
654.88
Motor Vehicle Excise Revenue
1933
842.28
Motor Vehicle Excise Revenue
1934
2,180.79
62
Departmental Revenue
Special Assessment Revenue
9,498.58 161.18 9,110.12
Water Revenue
Revenue 1935
10,500.00
Excess and Deficiency
34,523.76
Suffield St., Chapter 90, Construc- tion
1,637.61
E.R.A. Accounts
918.96
Water Maintenance
1,156.94
$323,346.80
$323,346.80
63
REPORT OF Town Auditor
January 21, 1935
This is to certify that I have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk and Treasurer, also those of the Collector, and, in general, all office records for the year ending De- cember 31, 1934, and to the best of my knowledge and belief they are correctly recorded as stated in their annual reports.
Cash receipts and disbursements were tested and vouch- ers supporting disbursements were examined for proper approval. Bank balances were reconciled. Records kept in the Welfare Department were not all available, as I am given to understand that the law does not permit the check- ing of any case records.
I would recommend that a change be made so that all departments may be checked properly.
HENDRIK FICKWEILER,
Auditor
64
Board of Public Welfare AGENT'S REPORT
In my report of last year I called attention to the con- gestion in our town office, which was remedied by the Town leasing a building at O'Brien's Corner, which is centrally located and large enough for many uses.
The Town Nurse holds a baby clinic in the building every Thursday afternoon.
The E.R.A. Sewing Projects headquarters are located there with plenty of room for raw materials to be stored.
The rear of the building is used for storing playground equipment, welfare truck, Federal Food Commodities as well as many small tools.
The office has been equipped with visible Kardex rec- ords and new register for writing orders.
Relief of some kind was needed more in 1934 than ever before. This Government Relief reduced the amount spent by the Town (which is raised by property taxation) by 50% from 1933.
The C.W.A. and E.R.A. payrolls for 1934 were $83,426.31 for men and $29,707.45 for women, plus $3,558.79 allowed for trucks and about $6,000.00 worth of material for wom- en's sewing projects, making a total of $122,692.55.
The Town spent $31,608.71 as its share of this program, making a total of $154,301.26, which, added to our own
65
relief, would make about $210,000.00. In addition to the above figures the Government has furnished to Agawam about $14,000.00 worth of food, $10,000.00 worth of clothes which has been distributed to all needy in town and not just to those on welfare relief.
The food given out during the year is as follows :
Flour 350 bags
Butter 4,630 pounds
Sugar 1,200 pounds
Meat, smoked
7,65814 pounds
Meat, canned
5,856 cans
Meat, Veal
2,013 pounds
Cheese
400 pounds
Lard
870 pounds
Cabbage
7,676 pounds
Potatoes
1,227 pecks
Rice
768 pounds
Cereal
2,160 pounds
Also Coal
600 tons
The clothes given out during the year was as follows :
Federal blankets
8 dozen
Flannel sheets
380
Dish towels
1,989
Turkish towels
592
Huck towels
362
Sweaters
223
Slips
340
Broadcloth shirts
792
Broadcloth Boys' blouses
411
Night gowns
228
Flannel blouses
60
Cotton sheets
1,692
Pillow cases
2,399
776 Diapers
Quilts
301
Quilts crib
31
Dresses
1,148
.
.
.
.
.
306
Flannel shirts
66
Panties
366
Sunsuits
125
Knickers
129
Pajamas
40
Men's pants
119
Men's shorts
32
To investigate all cases that have applied for Federal products has been almost impossible, but I do not believe anyone has been refused who needed them, although some may have received them who did not need it, but with the assistance of the E.R.A. Investigator, they are being weed- ed out.
The Welfare Department has had about 150 cords of wood cut by E.R.A. workers and this project will continue.
The Accounting Officer's report in this book will show the Welfare expenses, which will need no explanation, ex- cept the item "All Other." About $700.00 of this item is for Fuel delivery, which was $2.50 a ton paid to the Coal Dealers, and set by the Government. The balance is for storage, freight and delivery charges on Federal foods.
The C.C.C. camps are still operating and Agawam re- ceives its quota of enlistments every three months. Every applicant who is eligible has had an opportunity to enlist.
Although the relief expenditures have decreased, the work has increased because of the Emergency Relief Re- ports each month and the extra work in giving out Federal products to all needy cases. The department has been assisted this year by the local E.R.A. personnel.
The case load has run very even throughout the year, showing some increase in the last three months; 158 fam- ilies representing 649 persons, receiving aid in December, with 50% E.R.A. workers receiving supplementary aid.
The Old Age Assistance has held very uniform with about 30 cases receiving aid.
67
I most cordially invite the citizens of Agawam to visit the Welfare Department to discuss any case which they believe are receiving relief who should not be, or any case of relief needed that has been refused.
Respectfully submitted, J. GILMAN CLARK, Agent, Board of Public Welfare January 17, 1935.
68
REPORT OF THE Board of Public Welfare
Following the election of last year, your newly elected and first Board of Public Welfare to be elected, held its first meeting and elected Joseph J. Borgatti chairman of the board and O. T. Barker, secretary. Meetings have been held each Thursday evening in the Welfare building and at other times when necessary.
The report of our agent, J. Gilman Clark, covers the transactions of this department, and this board wishes to repeat that we will gladly review any case in confidence where there is any feeling of dissatisfaction on the part of the taxpayers.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH J. BORGATTI, Chairman,
O. T. BARKER, FRANK W. KELLOGG,
Board of Public Welfare,
Agawam, Mass.
January 18, 1935.
69
REPORT OF 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, 1934, to Decem- ber 31, 1934, inclusive.
Arrests
Assault
9
Assault and Battery
1
Automobile Violations
148
Carrying Revolver
1
Cruelty to Animals
2
Drunkenness
45
Fugitive from Justice
2
Default
1
Indecent Exposure
1
Larceny
7
Liquor Violation
1
Receiving Stolen Goods
1
Suspect
2
Trespassing
5
Violation of Game Laws
1
Vagrancy
1
Unnatural Act
4
Total Number of Arrests 232
70
Dispositions
Continued from day to day
19
Discharged
3
Filed
4
Fined
166
House of Correction
5
Probation
11
Released
11
Suspended Sentences
8
Sentenced to State Farm
2
Sentenced to Belchertown
1
Turned Over to Other Police
2
Total
232
Total Amount of Fines Imposed.
$4,554.00
Total Amount Turned Back to Town Treasurer .. 2,289.00
Total Amount Turned Back to State 2,265.00
In submitting this, my eighth Annual Report to the Town of Agawam of the Police Department, you will note that it has been a busy year, by the number of arrests made and the dispositions imposed.
We have tried to do our utmost toward the suppression of crime and disturbances in general, and believe we have succeeded.
I wish to state a new State Law has been recently passed whereby practically all automobile fines will be turned back to the Cities and Towns where the arrests were made. This, in the future, will make a large difference in the amount of money turned back to the Town of Agawam, and should put the Police Department on nearly a self- supporting basis.
I wish, at this time, to thank the Town Officers, under whom I have served, and also all other citizens who have cooperated with me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PERLEY J. HEWEY, Chief of Police
71
.
.
.
.
.
REPORT OF Board of Fire Engineers
For the Year Ending December 31, 1934
The Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Dear Sirs: Following is our report for the Fire Depart- ment for 1934 and recommendations for 1935.
Fewer calls were made upon the three units of the De- partment during the past year than were made during 1933. The loss by fire was also much smaller than in the past few years.
Many things contribute to these conditions. We believe a more careful check of fire hazards are being made by all the people in Town. In particular, this is noticed in the setting of outdoor fires.
The equipment at all three stations is in good condition and well taken care of. The firemen in all cases respond quickly and do their work in a business-like manner. Dur- ing 1934 Firemen from all three companies attended the Firemen's Training School at Springfield. One group at- tending the school during the Spring and Summer, the second group were those who had completed the first course, and took up the advanced course offered by the school. The knowledge that these men have gained is now being proved by the better care that is given the equip- ment and the more efficient manner in which they work while at a fire. Too much credit cannot be given those who gave of their time to complete these studies.
All three stations have been used during the past year by the E.R.A. Administrator as workrooms for sewing. This has caused a rise in the cost of heating, which, up to
72
the present time, has not been met by the Fire Department.
Considerable new equipment will have to be purchased during 1935. This should include a fire siren for North Agawam and Feeding Hills districts. The one for North Agawam has been promised, but Feeding Hills should be taken care of with a fire alarm, and this we recommend.
Eighty-five calls were made upon the Department during 1934, as follows :
North Agawam 23
Feeding Hills 28
Agawam Center 34
Total calls 85
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD J. GOSSELIN, Chairman
JAMES W. SHEA, Purchasing Agent
FRANK T. GOSS, Secretary
73
Assessors' Report
The Board of Assessors express their appreciation of the cooperation given us by many of the people of the Town during the past year. We realize that these are difficult times and this condition has made our work ex- tremely difficult. We call your attention to the fact that a new State Law advances the date of assessment from April 1st to January 1st, 1935.
Horses
227
'Cows
625
Sheep
16
Neat Cattle
183
Swine 698
Fowls 8,135
Value of Fowls $ 7,495.00
Value of Assessed Stock in Trade 53,500.00
Value of Assessed Machinery 762,579.00
Value of Assessed Live Stock.
59,022.00
Value of All Other Tangible
Personal Property
397,248.00
Number of Dwelling Houses
1,638
Number of Acres of Land
Assessed
13,950.45
Valuations
Buildings
$5,443,050.00
Land
2,669,345.00
Total Real Estate $8,112,395.00
Personal Estate 1,272,349.00
Total Assessed Estate
$9,384,744.00
74
Upon which Taxes have been levied as follows :
County Tax
$ 12,898.86
State Tax
13,700.00
State Parks and Reservations
89.19
Hospital and Home Care ..... 58.00
Overlay for Current Year. ..
5,093.76
Town Appropriations
380,774.11
$412,613.92
Less Estimated Receipts :
Income Taxes $ 32,637.63
Corporation Taxes
2,723.58
Railroads, Tel. & Tel. Co.
239.83
Motor Vehicle Excise
7,500.00
License
3,500.00
Fines
. .
1,000.00
Grants and Gifts
8,580.43
Special Assessments
150.00
General Government
90.00
Rentals
500.00
Health and Sanitation
850.00
Charities
15,500.00
Old Age Assistance
2,600.00
Soldiers' Benefits
100.00
Schools
6,000.00
Libraries
100.00
In Lieu of Taxes
850.00
Water Department
22,000.00
Street Railways
100.00
On Account of Trust Com- panies
10.94
Gas, Electric Light and
Water Companies
607.67
On Account of National Banks
2.41
Interest on Taxes and
Assessments
5,500.00
$ 111,142.49
75
Available funds $15,533.11 (voted by Town meeting to be used by Assessors) upon written author- ity from the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation. $ 15,533.11
$126,675.60
Total Deductions $126,675.60
Net amount raised by Taxation on Polls and Property
$285,938.32
Number of Polls 2198 @ $2.00 each. 4,396.00
Total Valuation $9,384,744. Tax Rate $30.00.
281,542.32
Total amount of all taxes listed in Collector's commitments list for year 1934. 285,938.32
Additional Polls committed Nov. 23, 4 @ $2.00 each 8.00
1933 Excise committed Jan. 17, 1934.
109.39
ADOLPHUS PROVOST CLARENCE H. GRANGER ARTHUR A. RANDALL
Assessors of Agawam
76
1935 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR COUNTY AID TO AGRICULTURE FOR THE TOWN OF AGAWAM
FINANCIAL
Receipts
Balance carried over from 1933
$ 27.56
Appropriation for the year 1934 100.00
Total
$127.56
Expenditures
4-H Club Department $59.24
Home Bureau Department 20.44
Agriculture Department
Total 79.68
Balance
$ 47.88
ACTIVITIES CARRIED AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF RESULTS ACCOMPLISHED
4-H Club Department
One hundred and eighty-five (185) boys and girls did 4-H Club work in the following projects : Baby Beef, Can- ning, Clothing, Dairying, Garden, Foods, Forestry, Pig, Poultry and Sheep.
Thirteen (13) local leaders assisted as volunteer lead- ers for this 4-H work. The expenditures shown above for this department were for the necessary expenses in-
77
curred by these local leaders during the year for making home visits, attending training conferences at the League office and in a few instances at the State College in Am- herst. Thirty-four (34) meetings were held in the Town by the County and local leaders with an attendance rec- ord of three hundred and seventy-five (375) boys and girls.
Home Bureau Department
Two hundred and forty-seven (247) women were en- rolled during the year in one or more of the following Home Bureau projects : Recreation, Garment Finishes, Cot- ton Dress, Sewing Machine Attachments, Sewing Machine School, Home Care of the Sick, Dressform, Christmas Gifts, Your Money's Worth, Christmas Greens, Dramatic School, Children's Coats and Hats and Food Preservation.
Agriculture Department
Sixty-nine (69) farm visits were made by the Agri- cultural Agent and State Specialists in the Town of Aga- wam. Thirty-nine (39) days of the agent's time were spent on these visits and attending group meetings of men interested in poultry, market gardening, fruit, potatoes, agricultural engineering, dairying, corn-hog and tobacco projects.
OTIS E. HALL Managing Director and Clerk
78
REPORT OF Library Trustees
During the year just passed, the E.R.A. workers un- der their respective leaders have done a considerable a- mount of work in all Libraries of the Town. The women's work was mending the books, and in Agawam Center, made some scrap books, magazine covers, etc.
The State furnished one worker to do research work. She made type-written copies of valuable papers, and ad- ded some new facts regarding the Town's history.
The men workers have put new ceilings on two rooms in the Feeding Hills Library and refinished the side walls and bookcases-work which had not been done since the Library was built. They also installed new electric light fixtures and built two new bookcases which are greatly appreciated.
In North Agawam they built a new outside entrance so that now there is no more necessity for using the School entrance.
In Agawam Center beginning September 1933, a 'Pen- ny a Day' charge has been made for selected shelf of new fiction. The borrowers have liked the plan and the books circulated better.
The money received has been turned over to the Town Treasurer, and if the Town's people so vote, the sum equal to the amount turned in will come back to the Library to buy more books.
With what money is provided for Library use, we all try to keep pace with the best new books. We can report an increasing interest in non-fiction books.
79
The statistical report follows :
Agawam
Feeding Hills
No. Agawam
Number of books
7,461
7,485
2,942
Circulation
23,782
14,924
14,956
Number of Borrowers
1,000
405
788
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE B. GRANGER ANNA H. RUDMAN IDA BERNATCHEZ
Library Trustees
80
REPORT OF THE Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Selectmen of Agawam:
Gentlemen :
Commodities Tested
247
Correct
231
Under Weight
0
Over Weight
16
Articles sealed
253
Articles condemned
11
Respectfully submitted,
E. U. LEONARD Sealer
81
REPORT OF Gypsy Moth Control
To the Selectmen of Agawam :
Gentlemen :
Federal scouting and the town work produced 952 Gypsy moth egg clusters that were destroyed.
More infestations of the pest are coming in, and there seems to be more every year.
Enjoying our climate and home-like atmosphere I think the Gypsy Moth like our town.
Respectfully submitted, E. U. LEONARD Superintendent Pest Control
82
REPORT OF THE Forestry Department
To the Selectmen of Agawam:
Have done some trimming this year. Have taken out poplar trees where the roots were doing harm.
With the appropriation for setting trees, fifty trees were set, also through the generosity of Atwater Nursery a tree was set in Federal Circle to replace one that did not live. William Crouse also gave some trees to be set out.
Although no money was appropriated for spraying elm trees, it seemed best to have it done to save the trees.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK W. RANDALL Tree Warden
83
REPORT OF THE Board of Water Commissioners
Receipts
Water Rates
$ 19,283.47
Water Entrances
268.00 19,551.47
Payments
Water Maintenance
Commissioners' Salaries $ 270.00
Salary of Superintendent
1,200.00
Salary of Clerk
500.00
Printing, Stationery & Postage
....
170.92
Telephone
29.49
Upkeep of Truck
136.71
Gas & Oil
376.16
Pipe & Fittings
542.95
Meter Equipment & Repairs
1,873.74
Labor
2,034.27
Thawing Pipes
1,184.83
All Other
98.52
Water Consumption
9,466.23
Water Bonds
6,500.00
Interest on Water Bonds
1,543.12 $25,926.94
Water Construction
Pipe & Fittings $ 1,898.22
All Other
125.33 $ 2,023.55
W. S. KERR, D. M. CROWLEY, D. K. BODURTHA. Water Commissioners
84
REPORT OF THE Inspector of Animals
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
I have completed the yearly inspection of the condi- tions of barns and animals in this town.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW CHRISCOLA Inspector of Animals
85
REPORT OF Town Nurse
My annual report from February 1, 1934 to December 31, 1934:
Total Number of Nursing calls, 2242
Total Number of Dressings 613
Total Number of General Cares (Bath, etc.) 664
Total Number of Mothers & Babies 106
Total Number of Prenatal or Expectant Mother 70
Total Number of Well Babies 132 Total Number of Temperature, Pulse & Alcohol rubs 460 Total Number of Miscellaneous calls 197
2242
I have taken patients to hospitals and delivered clothes during the day. These are included in my miscellaneous calls. I took 10 patients to Westfield Sanatorium, 12 pa- tients to Doctors office and made 28 visits to playgrounds during July and August. We sent 16 expectant mothers to Prenatal Clinics held at Mercy and Wesson Hospitals. Made 14 appointments for T & A.
A Well Baby Clinic has been held at the Welfare Build- ing every Thursday from 2-4 starting May 2, 1934. 310 babies have been weighed and measured. I wish more mothers and babies would attend this clinic. All wel- come from 3 weeks to 6 years of age.
Mrs. L. Jones has kindly given her services to help with the clinic each week.
86
Number of Free Calls
2076
Number of Insurance Calls 136
Number of Paid Calls
30
2242
Cash received during the year
John Hancock
84.00
Metropolitan Life
129.00
Cash
22.75
$235.75
At this time I wish to thank everyone in Town for their loyal support and cooperation, hoping we can con- tinue on the same.
If anyone wishes my services, please call between 8:30 to 9:10 A.M. or 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. at Town Office-7-0326. Please try to call at this time as it will save the office people extra work. I thank you one and all.
I am, Your Town Nurse
CLARA H. WILLIAMS, R.N.
87
ANNUAL REPORTS of the
School Committee and the
Superintendent of Schools of the Town of AGAWAM, MASS.
OF
TO
INCOR
15.1855:
PC
ORA
For the Year Ending December 31
1934
Agawam Public Schools
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL BOARD
Clifford M. Granger, Chairman Term expires 1935 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills.
John J. Caldon Term expires 1935
Post Office Address, Agawam
Sidney F. Atwood, Secretary Term expires 1936 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Joseph L. Roy Term expires 1936 Post Office Address, North Agawam
Warren C. Bodurtha Term expires 1937 Post Office Address, Agawam
Mrs. Grace B. Reed Term expires 1937 Post Office Address, Agawam
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Benjamin J. Phelps Telephone : 4-2831
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1935
Winter Term-January 2 to February 21
Spring Term-March 4 to April 26
Summer Term-May 6 to June 14, Elementary Schools Summer Term-May 6 to June 21, High School Fall Term-September 4 to December 20
91
OFFICE HOURS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT Office : High School Building-School Days, 8.30-9.30 a.m., and by appointment.
SECRETARY
Emma Mellor Telephone : 4-1630
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.
92
REPORT OF School Committee
To the Citizens of Agawam :
Agawam was incorporated as a town in June, 1855. Dur- ing all the years since that important event in the history of our town, the officials of her various departments have, at more or less regular intervals and with perhaps a more rather than a less flow of words, sought to give account of the conduct of affairs in their several fields of town admin- istration. Probably only a small percentage of tax payers read the reports of their various town officers as presented to them in the annual reports. However, tradition must in this case be adhered to, so we are again bringing to your attention a brief account of school activities during the year 1934, together with the principal problems confronting us in 1935.
The year just closed was very much like 1933 so far as your school situation was concerned. Our agricultural and industrial status showed only a slight improvement over that of the preceding year. As Agawam must still be re- garded as a rural community rather than an industrial center, our financial problems are still very perplexing. With a skeleton budget to work with we were obliged to practice all kinds of economy. With the funds available, we were unable to maintain a proper standard of efficiency along every line of school needs. No builder can erect a substantial, well-planned structure without adequate ma- terial and supplies. No farmer can raise worth-while crops without proper care and fertilization. Nor can any school
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