USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1931-1935 > Part 5
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On account of an outbreak of scarlet fever, visits were made to the Agawam Center School to examine throats and skins, and to take temperatures on the following davs: November 18. 19. 23. 24, 25, 30; Dec. 1, 3, 4. 7 and 9. Ap- proximately eight children were given a special examina- tion at each visit, and three children were excluded with a diagnosis of scarlet fever.
This made a total of twenty visits to the Agawam Center School alone since the beginning of the fall term. The North Agawam. Springfield Street and Feeding Hills schools were each visited four times; and two visits each were made to the three rural schools.
Every child in the eight schools of the town, a total of 1761, was given a physical examination between the dates of September 15 and December 9, 1931. These examina- tions revealed the following :
Number of cases of Tonsils and Adenoids 433
Number of cases of Defective Teeth 602
Number of cases of Slight Goiter 6
Number of Orthopedic cases 7
Number of cases of Glands 61
Number of cases of Poor Nutrition 27 Number of Cardiac cases 15
109 Pupils were found to be physically fit.
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REPORT OF VISITS MADE BY SCHOOL NURSE :
Number of Schools visited 8
Number of Visits to Schools 933
Number of Visits to Homes 320 Number of First Aid treatments in Schools II70
Number of Inspections 2713
Number of Pupils taken to Oculist and Physician 2I
Number of Pupils taken to Hospital for Adenoid and Tonsil Operation 6
Pupils in North Agawam, Springfield Street, Feed- ing Hills, West, Suffield and South Streets, and Aga- wam Center, were measured twice and weighed five times.
2 mornings a week were spent at the Dental Clinic assisting Dr. Richey.
5 pupils were taken for X-ray, to the West Spring- field Chest Clinic, given by the Hampden County T. B. C. Association. 2/13/3I.
4 were Hilum suspicious, I negative.
At the Chest Clinic given at the High School 5/2/31, 42 X-rays were taken, 29 examinations were given, 2 Pulmonary cases, I suspicious Pulmonary T. B. C., 2 Hilum T. B. C., 3 Latent, 18 suspicious.
2 pupils were taken to Westfield Sanatorium for X-rays, both were negative.
4 pupils were taken to Camp Keepwell for the sea- son of 1931.
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In May three clinics were held for the inoculation of children for the prevention of diphtheria. At these clinics toxin-antitoxin was administered to 325 children by Dr. Chamberlin.
Number of cases of Scarlet Fever 29
Number of cases of Infantile Paralysis
5
Number of cases of Measles
Number of cases of Chicken Pox I
47
Number of cases of Mumps
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Number of cases of Whooping Cough 23
Number of children vaccinated
60
My sincere appreciation to the Parents, Superintendent, Principals and Teachers for their unfailing courtesy and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY LOUISE BLACK.
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DENTAL CLINIC REPORT
Town Appropriation $200.00
Paid for Equipment and Supplies
$199.53
Balance on hand .47
$200.00
Paid by Organizations :
Agawam Women's Club
$ 50.00
Feeding Hills Grange 15.00
Agawam Comm. Health Asso.
50.00
No. Agawam Welfare League
25.00
Agawam Ctr. Parent-Teacher Asso.
35.00
Teachers' Club
105.05
Paid by Agawam Ctr. School :
From Parents
51.75
Paid by Spfld. St. School :
From Parents
53.50
From Magazine Sale
10.75
Paid by No. Agawam School :
From Parents
54.75
From Magazine Sale
18.80
From Milk Fund
75.00
Total
$544.60
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Paid Dr. Richey
$521.75
Paid Miss Farr
1.00
Paid W. T. Bagley for moving chair
12.50
Paid Miss McIntire for mimeographing
2.65
Paid J. J. Crimmins for supplies 5.78
Balance on hand
.92
Total
$544.60
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WORK DONE AT DENTAL CLINIC
to December 8, 1931
Number of Temporary Fillings :
Agawam Center School 27
Springfield St. School 32
North Agawam School 3I
Total 90
Number of Permanent Fillings :
Agawam Center School 45
Springfield St. School 42
North Agawam School 25
Total II2
Number of Extractions :
Agawam Center School 57
Springfield St. School 42
North Agawam School 85
Total 184
Number of pupils who had teeth cleaned by Miss Farr :
Agawam Center School 85
Springfield St. School 87
North Agawam 92
Feeding Hills 3I
Jr. High School
98
Sr. High School 40
Rural Schools 8
Total 44I
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REPORT OF THE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Benjamin J. Phelps Superintendent of Schools Agawam, Mass.
Dear Mr. Phelps :
In this, my fifth annual report, I shall endeavor to pre- sent a brief resume of the activities of the high school for the past school year.
Since the last report we have enjoyed the plaudits of the community for several public presentations and achieve- ments. "The Call of the Banshee," a three act play was produced with notable success by the class of 1931. Later in the spring the Junior Prom proved to be the most color- ful social event of the year. The commencement festivities and ceremonies were marked with dignity and general high quality. Our annual operetta was again presented during the fall term and was received with much enthusiasm, showing that the choice of "Jerry of Jericho Road," to- gether with expert coaching, were duly appreciated. To mention only some of the other outstanding achievements, I must speak of the signal success of the Commercial De- partment in winning practically all of the state commercial awards, and also the phenomenal record of our football team which came through the entire season unscored upon, with no tie scores, and best of all with no serious injuries to players. These demonstrations bespeak artistry in teaching and are indicative of exuberant school spirit and
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well tempered morale. This high tone has been retained and nurtured by a corps of teachers of excellent profession- al training who are furthermore vitally and dynamically concerned about the welfare of the Agawam High School and every student member. It seems to me that the rela- tionships between the members of the faculty and between teacher and student are of an unusually happy character. Such a situation means much in the realization of objec- tives in education.
With our largest seventh grade in the history of the school, coupled with the fact that fewer students have dropped out in the upper grades. we now boast the record membership of 691 students. In order to provide for the larger number of entering students it has been necessary to increase the home room enrollments in the 7th grade to forty. This condition, however, is not particularly serious, and even with a larger entering class next fall we have ample accommodations so far as the physical plant is con- cerned. The membership of the upper grades has increased somewhat but not to an unwieldv extent. There are at present five sections of the seventh grade numbering 183: five sections of the eighth numbering 161 ; two sections of the ninth grade numbering 125; three sections of the soph- omore class numbering 93; two sections of the junior class numbering 65 ; and two sections of the senior class number- ing 63. The following tabulation reveals the population situation in our student body since the beginning of the school.
Showing number of students in the several grades end- ing December 31, each year, for the ten years of the Aga- wam High School.
108
Year
Gr. 7
Gr. 8
Gr. 9
Gr. 10
Gr. 11
Gr. 12
Gr. No. of Percent 13 Grads. Grad. Total
1922
32
89
52
49
37
33
292
1923
70
64
87
46
40
32
26
365
1924
71
79
51
71
34
28
29
25
363
1925
55
102
62
54
49
32
24
28
378
1926
52
162
82
65
35
48
26
28
464
1927
61
172
124
45
37
37
24
476
1928
61
122
106
81
45
22
45
437
1929
159
156
113
81
65
26
28
18 600
1930
183
159
117
89
69
59
33
18
678
1931
183
161
128
94
62
63
63
34
691
1932
183
161
125
93
65
63
696
Increase
151
72
73
44
28
30
38
16
404
Further interpretation :
Since the opening of this school in 1922 there have been 910 different students enrolled. Of this number 290 have dropped out for some reason. In other words the mortali- ty has been approximately 32 per cent. At present there are 274 alumni.
5,440 students have been enrolled in the various classes since 1922.
The increase in membership has been about 42 per cent during the ten years.
Under our present school organization the retention of students has increased 18 per cent.
The abrupt increase in membership of the seventh grade in 1929 was brought about by the enlargement of the building to include all the seventh grade pupils in Town.
From all indications it appears that our classes have reached a plateau region of their growth curves, and that for a few years the rate of increase in membership will be slight.
109
In the upper grades a few students have experienced scholastic setbacks because of too general participation in extra-curricula activities. Both parents and teachers should advise students against an excess amount of athletic, club, or social work, in the school. As a school deterrent we enforce the ruling that students who fail to earn a passing grade in fifteen points of prepared work are ineligible for all the extra activities of the school.
The class of 1931 has the distinction of being the larg- est class to graduate from the school. A comparative tabulation shows their decided superiority in this respect.
Years
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929 28
1930
1931
Numbers 25
28
28
24
45
33
63
The graduates of last year are now engaged in many diverse occupations. A recent survey shows that one graduate has entered New Rochelle College; three have entered Mass. State College; one has entered Bouve School of Physical Education ; one has entered Northeastern Uni- versity ; and that one is at Dartmouth. Thirteen of the class are now employed in office or store ; five are attending night school; three are enrolled at Bay Path Institute; fifteen are at home; two are taking training at the West- field Normal School; six of the boys are engaged in farm work; and five of the class have returned here for post graduate work.
During the Christmas holidays the Student Council sponsored the second annual alumni dance. While the event was not heavily attended those who were able to come seemed to enjoy meeting again former class-mates and teachers. I am hopeful that this annual event will gain in popularity and that eventually we can entice back all near-by alumni for reunion.
A thorough revision of the courses of study offered in the high school has been in progress for several months and
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is now nearing completion. In this survey the emphasis is not being placed on itemized or detailed analysis of sub- ject matter, but rather on the formulation of valid course objectives, careful correlation, and the general modernizing of subject material. Following the same line of thought it may be appropriate to suggest that perhaps the time is not far distant when we must re-evaluate our subject offerings in the various curricula in the light of progressive educa- tional tendencies. We are now living in an age when such subjects as economics, sociology, psychology, commercial geography, political economy, problems of democracy, world history and the various sciences are of paramount importance-and yet it is a fact, that the large majority of high school students in Massachusetts are studying French, Latin, algebra and geometry. Obviously I do not believe that these so called traditional courses should be ostracized entirely, but I am of the opinion that students taking such courses should have a definite need for them as well as ade- quate mental equipment for their successful completion. For the mass of students the social studies and scientific subjects are of greatest benefit both to the individual and the state. Of that there can be but little question.
In one of your recent school reports you advocated the organization of a Parent-Teachers Association in the high school. Action was taken early in the year of 1931, and we are now well launched on our first year's activities. Our initiatory meetings have been well attended and I believe that both parents and teachers find mutual satisfactions and benefits forthcoming. The objects of the association as set forth by the National Congress of Parents and Teachers are: "To promote child welfare in home, school, church and community; to raise the standards of home life; to secure more adequate laws for the care and pro- tection of women and children; to bring into closer relation the home and the school that parents and teachers may co- operate intelligently in the training of the child; and to develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for every child the highest
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advantages in physical, mental, moral and spiritual educa- tion." Our hope is that by offering programs of sufficient merit, and by approximating the ideals of the association, we shall eventually enjoy the active support of all parents who have children in the school.
Nine years ago moving picture equipment was installed in the auditorium. Since that time visual education has been a regular and important feature in our system of in- struction. The cost for the film has been little or nothing because of the availability of free industrial and commercial film. In other words, the only important outlay was made when the school building was receiving its initial equip- ment. While our projection apparatus has given us good results until recently, the time has now come when new equipment is needed badly. As sound pictures have now been perfected and possess far greater educational value, it seems that we should seriously consider such a machine rather than another silent projector. An excellent sound picture system installed in our auditorium would cost ap- proximately $1500. While the cost seems large as a whole the per pupil cost would be only about $2.15 and as that amount would be distributed over a period of at least ten years the actual investment would cost the town but about 22 cents extra for each student-less than the price of one admission to a talking picture. It seems to me that this replacement might be considered a legitimate upkeep item rather than an expansion project.
As in previous years I am glad of this opportunity to acknowledge publicly my indebtedness to you and the many others who have contributed toward the success of the school year. Without this sustained enthusiastic sup- port my work would indeed be impotent and savorless.
Respectfully submitted,
F. EARL WILLIAMS
II2
HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH ROOM REPORT
Cash Receipts and Expenditures for School Year 1930-1931 Receipts :
Stock on hand September, 1930 $ 59.7I
Cash on hand September, 1930 488.76
Receipts (Sept., 1930-June, 1931) 7378.14
7926.61
Expenditures :
Salaries
1260.32
Food
5661.23
Supplies
134.61
Stock on hand June, 193I 88.97
Cash on hand June, 193I
781.48
$7926.61
It may be of interest to some who have never visited our school lunch room to read a brief account of its opera- tion and what it has to offer.
The number of salaried employees has grown from one to three while the student help has increased from five to nine. The student help receives twenty and twenty-five cents worth of lunch a day in payment for their services during the lunch hour.
Tickets are sold to the students so that only two girls handle the cash thus making it quite simple to check re- sults each day.
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One serving of any of the suggestions named below may be purchased with a five cent ticket.
Soup
Hot Dish
Sandwiches
Desserts
Beverages
Vegetable
Hamburg & Potato
Meat
Puddings
Choc. Milk
Tomato
Hash
Jelly
Ice Cream
Plain Milk
Cr. Dried Beef & Potato
Egg
Fruit Cup
Tea
Corn
Beans
Peanut Butter
Eskimo Pie
Cocoa
Pea
Creamed Salmon & Potato Welsh Rarebit
Cheese Lettuce
2 Cup Cakes Pie
Coffee
cracker served with soup
Macaroni & Cheese
Cheese Fondue
Baked Apple Candy Bar
Spaghetti & Tom. Sauce
Parents and friends are cordially invited to visit our lunch room at any time.
Respectfully submitted, HAZEL C. ALDRICH
II4
TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS-1931
APPOINTMENTS
Name Theresa Kuivila Marian A. Agan
Subject or Grade Grade I
School
Began Service
Sept., 1931
Grades I-II-III-IV
Agawam Center West Street Sept., 1931
RESIGNATIONS
II5
Virginia Keeney Helen E. Talmadge Dorothy E. Smith
Grade I
Agawam Center June, 1931
Grade II
Springfield Street June, 1931
English
Junior High School June, 1931
TRANSFERS
From West Street School
To Date
Lora M. Bettinger
Springfield Street, Sept., 1931
Grade II
Junior High School Sept., 1931
Viva M. Potter
Springfield Street, Grade VI
Service Ended
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT
DECEMBER 31, 1931
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agawam
Superintendent Benjamin J. Phelps
Yale College, B. A. Teachers' College, M. A.
July, 1922
Supervisors Mary M. Crowley Art
Mass. Normal Art School, B. S.
Sept., 1926
Ruth A. Perry Music
Keene Normal School
Sept., 1926
Montpelier Seminary
High School F. Earl Williams Principal
Sept., 1927
Mrs. Hazel C. Aldrich Domestic Science
Mass. Agricultural College, B. S. Skidmore College of Arts Fitchburg Normal
Sept., 1922
Frederick T. Dacey Marian A. Edgell
Sept., 1922
Sept., 1929
Harmon A. Smith
Sept., 1924
Louis H. Moseley
Sept., 1929
Gertrude M. Belyea Nellie I. Button
Manual Training Physical Training and Coach of Girls' Athletics Physical Training and Coach of Boys' Athletics Agriculture Sr. Commercial Sr. English
Boston School of Physical Education Y. M. C. A. College
Mass. Agricultural College Nasson Institute Middlebury College, M. A.
Sept., 1930 Sept., 1922
II6
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)
Subject or Grade Sr. Science
Allan M. Hadley
Elaine W. Mansfield
Sr. French
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1930
Dorothy H. Lilly
Sr. English
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1928
Clara L. McIntire
Sr. Commercial
Bay Path Institute
Sept., 1922
Eleanor B. Miller
Sr. Latin and Math.
Northeastern Univ., B. A. Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1928
Katharine M. Phealan
Sr. Eng. and Hist.
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1927
John M. Quirk Sr. Science
Middlebury College, B. A.
Jan., 1923
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1922
Teachers' College, M. A.
Smith College, B. A.
Sept., 1922
Teachers' College, M. A.
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1922
Annette E. Deely Jr. History
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1921
Mae P. Lynch Jr. Mathematics
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1919
Raymond E. Harris Jr. Science
Fitchburg Normal
Sept., 1930
Emily M. McCormick Jr. Mathematics
Westfield Normal Bay Path Institute
Sept., 1924
Hazelle J. Merrill Jr. Social Science Mrs. Viola W. Phillips Jr. English
Farmington Normal
Sept., 1929
New Britain Normal
April, 1920
Springfield Commercial
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1917
Catherine T. Powers Jr. Social Science Viva M. Potter Jr. English
Barton Teachers' Training Sept., 1925
Course, Keene Normal Providence Normal
Sept., 1929
Mrs. Marion C. Smith Special Class
Education Clark University, B. A.
Began Service in Agawam Sept., 1927
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Eleanor H. Smith Sr. Mathematics
Marjorie Ward Sr. History
Cora M. Barnes Jr. History
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)
Subject or Grade
Education
Agawam Center School
Mary E. McDowell
Principal
Eastern State Normal
Sept., 1926
Doris K. Kenney
Grade VI
Sept., 1930
Jean Carman
Grade V
Westfield Normal Westfield Normal Farmington Normal
Sept., 1929
Nora M. Chandler
Grades IV-V
Sept., 1927
Mary F. Holmes
Grade IV
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930
A. Marion Loomis
Grade III
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1929
Grade II
Fitchburg Normal
Sept., 1928
Cecily C. Pratt Theresa Kuivila
Grade I
Worcester Normal
Sept., 1931
North Agawam School
Principal
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1899
Eleanor C. Daly
Grade VI
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1923
Ruth M. Mason
Grades V-VI
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930
Kathryn M. Roache
Grade V
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1922
Alice Mckeown
Grade IV
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1923
Alice E. Hannon Olive A. Fox
Grades III-IV Grade III
Lowell Normal Westfield Normal
Sept., 1930 Sept., 1914 Dec., 1929
Alice B. Connolly
Grade II
Fitchburg Normal
Julia A. O'Connell
Grade I-II
April, 1927
Jennie M. Lucas
Grade I
Nora C. Murphy
Special Class
Spfld. Kindergarten Southington Training Springfield Normal Training School
Sept., 1900 Sept., 1930
Began Service In Agawam
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Katherine G. Danahy
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT-(Continued)
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agawam
Springfield St. School Faolin M. Peirce
Principal
Springfield Normal
Sept., 1909
Mrs. Mildred T. Clark
Grade I
Higgins Classical Inst.
April, 1922
Lora M. Bettinger
Grade II
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1928
Ruth M. Cassidy
Grade III
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1929
Elizabeth C. McCormick
Grades III-IV
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1927
Cora Y. Desmarais
Grade IV
Sept., 1927
Dorothy M. Emerson
Grade V
New Haven State Normal Univ. of Vermont Training Class Framingham Normal
Sept., 1925
Geraldine H. Parker
Grade VI
Sept., 1930
Feeding Hills School Phyllis R. Gray
Principal and
Portsmouth Training School
Sept., 1930
Marguerite C. Kramer
Grades IV-V
North Adams Normal
Sept., 1930
Ruth M. Ripley
Grades II-III
Castine Normal
Sept., 1925
Madeline E. Townsend Grade I
North Adams Normal
Jan. 5, 1931
South School
Merriam S. Weeks
Grades I-II-III
Westfield Normal
Sept., 1926
Suffield St. School
Ethel M. Wood
Grades I-II-III
Framingham Normal
Sept., 1930
West St. School Marian A. Agan
Grades I-II-III-IV Westfield Normal
Sept., 1931
Grade VI
119
Articles in Warrant
Articles in Warrant for Annual Town Meeting March 12, 1932
Article I To choose two or more Fence Viewers and two or more Field Drivers.
Article 2 To hear and act upon the reports of the Town Officers.
Article 3 To see what method the Town will adopt for the support of the poor for the ensuing year.
Article 4 To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day and provide for its expenditure.
Article 5 To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the payment of a proper charge of an In- surance Company for acting as surety on the official bond of its officers.
Article 6 To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for liability insurance of its employees.
Article 7 To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $300 to be expended by the Hampden County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture in the Town in accordance with the provision of the Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
I2I
Article 8 To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $14,000 provided the State and County shall each appro- priate a like amount for the purpose of finishing the con- struction of Westfield Street.
Article 9 To see if the Town will appropriate any sum - of money for construction of sidewalks.
Article 10 To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the care of North Cemetery.
Article II To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the Old Age Pension Act.
Article 12 To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the care of the Town burial lot in the Springfield Street Cemetery.
Article 13 To see if the Town will vote to make any changes in the officers to be elected annually by ballot hereafter.
Article 14 To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the extension of its water system in Cooper and Suffield Streets.
Article 15 To see if the Town desires to take any ex- pression as to their favoring the continuance of the Old Age Assistance Law in Massachusetts in its present form of operation.
Article 16 To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $90.00 for the purpose of suitably marking the graves of soldiers of the War of the American Revolution- in the Town of Agawam, under the provisions of Law.
Article 17 To see if the Town will appoint a com- mittee to work out a program for proper observance of the 200th birthday of George Washington, and appropriate any sum of money therefor or for the purpose of placing a fitting tablet to his memory.
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Article 18 To see if the Town will vote to amend its zoning by-laws by changing from Residence A to Business the following described premises :
Beginning at a point on Main St. at the intersection of property of Joseph and Ida Williams, and the property of Florence Williams and running Southerly on Main Street 45 feet : thence Westerly across property of Joseph and Ida Williams 75 feet : thence Northerly across property of Joseph and Ida Williams 45 feet: thence Easterly along property of Florence Williams 75 feet to point of beginning.
Article 19 To see if the Town will appoint a com- mittee to revise the by-laws of the Town and report a codi- fied set with needed additions, at some future town meeting.
Article 20 To see if the Town will authorize its Trea- surer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow during the current municipal year beginning January 1, 1932 in an- ticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town.
Article 21 To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
Article 22 To see if the Town will give a deed to Paper Makers Chemical Corporation, a corporation duly or- ganized by law, and having its usual place of business in Chicopee in this county, releasing all acqueduct and other rights acquired by the town by virtue of a vote passed by it on May 26, 1920 for the taking of land of Walter S. Barr, which taking was dated June 1, 1920 and recorded in Hampden Registry of Deeds, Book 1053, Page 195. Said rights being set forth in an instrument recorded in said Registry Book 294, Page 515.
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