USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1936-1940 > Part 10
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Farm to Market Roads
A Farm to Market Project was completed August 12, 1937. North Street from Springfield Street to North West- field Street was widened, gravelled and graded, also that portion of Barry Street, west of West Street. These two roads were later given an oiled surface which makes this road much more satisfactory for automobile traffic. Mill Street was also gravelled during 1936-1937 by this project. Mill Street was given an oiled surface such as North Street. Federal funds $8,369.43. Town funds $4,987.09. Federal payment of trucks for this type of project was dis- continued during March. All trucks used after that date were paid for by town funds. The above roads total about 5 miles.
School Painting
A project for redecorating the interior of Agawam Schools was completed September 15th; very much im- proving walls, floors, and ceilings in the Agawam High School, Maple Street School, Springfield Street School, and Agawam Center School. Federal cost was $5,547.07-town cost $2,089.48.
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Main Street and River Road Sidewalks
Two sidewalks were completed in Agawam on River Road and Main Street, July 2nd. Federal expenditures on these during 1937 was $2,928.71 for labor and $150.00 for trucks. Federal material figures were not available to us. There were no town expenditures on this work.
South Park Terrace Water
A 6 inch water main about 1,500 feet long was in- stalled on South Park Terrace completed November 26, 1937. 3 hydrants were put on this line which should ma- terially lessen fire insurance rates. Federal funds on this project were $1,795.85-town expenditures $1,927.86.
Sewing Project
The Agawam Sewing Project employed an average of about 28 people for the year. Federal expenditures were $19,873.13, for labor only; town expenditures for the year were $1,611.71. A large number of the articles pro- duced on this project were returned to the town and dis- tributed through the commissary to W.P.A. workers and welfare recipients.
Reed Street Road
Reed Street Road, resurfaced during 1936, was finished too late for the last application of road oil during that year. During 1937 the last coat of oil was put on this road and covered with trap stone, making a much more satisfactory surface for this street than the former clay-gravel surface. Town cost $821.83-no federal expenditures.
Recreation
Two projects providing outdoor recreation during the summer and indoor recreation during winter months oper- ated during all of 1937 employing an average of about 9 people. Federal expenditures $7,783.10-town funds $438.34.
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Assessors' Maps
A project for making additions to and rechecking of previous work on maps for assessing purposes operated during all of 1937. Most additions have been made and a large share of the checking has been completed. This pro- ject will provide work for 10 people till about March 25, 1938. Federal expenditures 1937, $8,884.28-town funds $671.15.
Adams Street Drainage
The surface drainage system on Adams Street was constructed to a distance of about 1,700 feet from Main Street up to December 31, 1937. The remainder of this work should be completed about March 1st, 1938. 1937 federal funds $8,165.73. Town funds 1937, $3,094.93.
Statement of Completed W.P.A. Project Expenditures For the Year Ending December 31, 1937 Completed Projects
Federal Sponsors $25,369.91
W.P.A. Appropriations During 1937 $51,134.40
W.P.A. Expenditures During 1937 48,974.35 25,114.05
W.P.A. Balance December 31, 1937
$ 2,160.05 $ 255.86
Statement of Incomplete W.P.A. Project Expenditures For the Year Ending December 31, 1937 Incomplete Projects
Federal
Sponsors
WV.P.A. Appropriations Expended
1937
$61,021.53
$11,507.78
W.P.A. Expenditures During 1937 .... 46,207.08 8,380.41
Balance December 31, 1937 $14,814.45 $ 3,127.37
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An average of 128 People were assigned to W.P.A. projects during 1937.
HIGHWAYS
During 1937 Walnut Street was resurfaced as a Chap- ter 90 Project, the cost being shared by State, County, and Town.
This street is .75 mile long. Drainage on this street from Maple Street to River Street was done as a W.P.A. Project. This work if done as Chapter 90 would have re- quired more funds from County, State, and Town. Drain- age from Maple Street South was done with Chapter 90 funds, using the same outlet as the W.P.A. Drainage Pro- ject.
Shoemaker Lane and South Street were repaired with Chapter 90 Maintenance funds, costing the town $600.00 of a total cost of $2,400.00. These two streets combined are about 3.70 miles long.
The equipment appropriations for this year made pos- sible the purchase of the new Caterpillar Auto Patrol, a new Chevrolet dump truck and a Chevrolet pickup truck. The new Caterpillar Patrol has made it possible to more properly and quickly scrape the gravel roads in town. This patrol was also used for reshaping work on new oiling and on the Walnut Street Chapter 90 construction work.
Ash Collection
During the spring ashes were collected and it is hoped that with a slight additional appropriation this work may be done in the spring and fall during 1938.
Town Dump
A town dump was established on Garden Street dur- ing 1937. This can be maintained during 1938 with a very small appropriation.
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Springfield Street and Southwick Street
These streets were not accepted by the State Highway Department, and will not be accepted during 1938. It is hoped that this will be taken care of during 1939 and in- cluded in the State Highway Department appropriation.
$2,500.00 of $5,000.00 for maintenance has been granted by the State for Springfield Street which will permit the oiling of the shoulders of this 18 foot wide road to a width of 30 feet, provided the Town and County each appropriate $1,250.00
Machinery Rental
A machinery rental account was established during 1937 and an appropriation of $100.00 was made for this purpose. Rentals of town machinery on Chapter 90 work amounted to $901.88. Without this account the town could not collect for the use of machinery on Chapter 90 con- struction work.
Suffield Street
$10,000 of a total cost of $20,000 has been approved for Chapter 90 extension of resurfacing of about 2/3 mile of Suffield Street, provided that the Town and County each appropriate $5,000.00 during 1938.
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REPORT OF THE Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Selectmen of Agawam
Gentlemen :
The year just closed was conspicuous for the convic- tion of a seller of "short-wood", the closing of four stores; and the watching and checking of the activities of a large contingent of peddlers-forty-seven strong.
Weights sealed 171
Weights condemned 12
No short weights.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN U. LEONARD Sealer of Weights and Measures
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REPORT OF State Audit
December 9, 1937
To the Board of Selectmen Mr. Giles W. Halladay, Chairman Agawam, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Agawam for the period from November 18, 1934 to September 2, 1937, made in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
THEODORE N. WADDELL, Director of Accounts.
TNW :O
Mr. Theodore N. Waddell Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir :
In accordance with your directions I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Agawam
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for the period from November 18, 1934, the date of the previous examination, to September 2, 1937, and submit the following report thereon :
The financial transactions as recorded in the books of the several departments collecting or disbursing money for the town, or committing bills for collection, were ex- amined, checked, and verified.
The receipts for licenses issued by the board of Select- men were checked with the record of licenses granted, and the payments to the treasurer were verified. The surety bonds filed with the town by individuals to whom liquor licenses were granted, were examined and checked with the record of licenses issued.
The books and accounts in the bookkeeper's depart- ment were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the records of the departments collecting money for the town or committing bills for col- lection and with the treasurer's cash book. The payments as recorded were compared with the selectmen's warrants and the treasurer's records.
It was noted that numerous changes have been made in the amounts entered on the treasury warrants, and it was necessary to verify the addition of all warrants drawn during the period covered by the audit. Greater care should be exercised in the preparation of the warrants and any necessary corrections should be plainly indicated in order to insure the accuracy of the payments made by the treasurer.
The appropriations, transfers, and loan orders voted by the town were listed from the town clerk's record of town meetings and were checked with the appropriation ledger accounts. A comparison with the aggregate amounts chargeable against each appropriation showed that several accounts had been overdrawn, contrary to the provisions of Section 31, Chapter 44, General Laws.
The ledger accounts were analyzed, the necessary ad- justments resulting from the audit were made, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is ap-
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pended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on September 2, 1937.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The recorded receipts were checked with the records of the departments collect- ing money for the town and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury, while the payments were compared with the treasury warrants ap- proved by the selectmen authorizing the treasurer to dis- burse town funds and with the bookkeeper's ledger.
The cash book was footed for the period covered by the audit and the cash balance September 2, 1937, was proved by a reconciliation of the bank balances with state- ments received from the banks of deposits and by actual count of the cash in the office.
The payments on account of debt and interest were checked with the amounts falling due and with the can- celled securities on file.
In checking the treasurer's accounts, the treasurer was charged with the following amounts collected but not en- tered as receipts on his cash book :
County Aid to highways, $ 300.08
Dog licenses,
455.60
Selectmen's licenses,
2.00
Road machinery earnings,
3.38
Tax title redemptions,
35.90
Sale of tax possessions,
205.00
$1,001.96
The final reconciliation of the treasurer's cash as of September 2, 1937, showed that the amount of cash in the banks and office was $53.36 less than the corrected cash book balance on the same date.
In 1935 a special highway construction program was carried out in cooperation with State, County, and Agawam Breeders and Racing Association, but there was no cash book record kept of the financial transactions in connection
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therewith. The receipts from the several sources were veri- fied and checked with the deposits in the separate check- ing account. The payments were checked with pay-rolls, material sheets, and vouchers approved by the State Department of Public Works and with the cancelled checks on file. The cash balance September 2, 1937, was proved by a reconciliation of the bank balance with a statement re- ceived from the bank of deposit. The cash balance Sep- tember 2, 1937, was set up on the bookkeeper's ledger.
The tax titles, representing liens on real estate held by the town for the non-payment of taxes, were examined. The tax title register was analyzed and checked with the collector's and the treasurer's accounts and with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were ex- amined and checked in detail. The taxes outstanding at the time of the previous examination were audited, and proved, and all subsequent commitment lists of taxes were added and reconciled with the assessors' warrants. The re- corded collections were checked with the commitment lists, the payments to the treasurer were verified by a comparison with the treasurer's record of receipts, the abatements were compared with the assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the bookkeeper's ledger.
Verification of the outstanding accounts was made by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names ap- peared on the books as owing money to the town, the re- plies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The collector's cash balance September 2, 1937, was proved by actual count of the cash in the office.
In checking the collector's accounts it was noted that a great many changes in the records had been made by the collector to correct errors in entering collections, reporting tax titles, etc.
The additional time needed to verify and correct these adjustments and prove the collector's accounts added mate- rially to the cost of the audit.
92
The financial transactions of the town clerk were ex- amined and checked. The receipts from dog and sporting licenses were checked with the record of licenses issued, the payments to the State and town treasurers were veri- fied, and the cash on hand September 2, 1937, was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds of the town clerk, treasurer, and tax collector were examined and found to be in proper form.
The computation of the tax rates by the assessors for the period covered by the audit was checked, and it was noted that the amount raised by taxation in 1936 was $1,072 in excess of the requirements for that year, apparent- ly due to the fact that the town clerk, in reporting the appropriations voted by the town, did not clearly specify that two appropriations in the above amount were to be provided for by transfer from available funds. Attention in this connection is called to Section 15A, Chapter 41, General Laws, which provides that town clerk's shall, as soon as a vote appropriating money becomes effective, cer- tify to the assessors each appropriation in detail and the provision made for meeting the same.
The accounts of the sealer of weights and measures were examined. The receipts were checked with the record of work done and the payments to the treasurer were veri- fied. The examination of the sealer's accounts shows that there was $69.62 due from him on October 8, 1937.
The receipts from the rents of town buildings were checked with the record of rentals, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The records of accounts receivable of the health, sewer, public welfare, soldiers' relief, old age assistance, and school departments were examined. The charges were listed, the recorded collections were checked with the treasurer's record of receipts, the abatements and disallow- ances were verified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the bookkeeper's ledger.
The school department record of collections for rentals
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and miscellaneous charges were checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
The receipts for the sale of manual training projects were checked with the record of collections, and the pay- ments to the treasurer were verified.
The librarian's records of receipts from fines, etc., were checked, the payments to the treasurer were verified, and the cash on hand was counted.
The accounts of the water department were examined and checked. The recorded charges were compared with the commitments reported to the bookkeeper, the collec- tions were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the abatements were checked, and the outstanding ac- counts were listed and reconciled with the bookkeeper's ledger.
The outstanding departmental accounts receivable, in- cluding the water accounts, were verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, and from the re- plies received it appears that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
In checking the accounts receivable, it was noted that a number of the outstanding accounts, particularly for side- walk assessments and sewer and water entrances are of several years' standing, and it is recommended that a deter- mined effort be made to secure a prompt settlement of these accounts.
The securities, including the savings bank books, rep- resenting the investment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer were examined and listed. The in- come was proved and the withdrawals from the funds were verified.
The Davis Library Fund in the custody of a trustee was examined. The securities were examined and listed, the income was proved and the expenditures and payments to the town treasurer were verified.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax and departmental accounts, to-
94
1
gether with tables showing the transactions and condition of the trust funds.
While engaged in making the audit cooperation was received from all town officials for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts
HBD :O1
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BALANCE SHEET September 2, 1937 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
Assets
Liabilities and Reserves
Cash :
General
$69,201.66
Special Highway Account .. 4,053.33 $73,254.99
60.00
Temporary Loans : In Anticipation of Revenue 1936 $ 50,000.00 In Anticipation of Revenue 1937 150,000.00
Cash Advances Accounts Receivable :
Taxes :
Levy of 1933 6.00
Levy of 1934
25.95
Unpaid Warrants
Levy of 1935
1,019.90
Levy of 1936
56,306.55
Levy of 1937
277,891.32 335,249.72
Old Age Assistance Taxes : Levy of 1933
4.00
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes :
Levy of 1933 21.01
Levy of 1934
71.83
Levy of 1935
463.03
2,701.14
Levy of 1936
1,448.25
Levy of 1937
3,775.36
5,779.48
$200,000.00 144.46
Overpayment of Tax Title Redemption, to be refunded
37.82
Dog Licenses-Due County ..
988.80
State Tax 16,501.58
County Tax 14,598.82 31,100.40
Road Machinery Fund 643.87
Surplus War Bonus Fund .. Emergence Finance Loan Unissued 8,000.00
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Special Assessments : Sidewalks 1929
161.18
Tax Titles
95,428.53
Tax Possessions
3,836.88
99,265.41
Departmental :
Health
242.42
Sewers
226.50
Community Nurse
4.50
Public Welfare
6,876.30
Old Age Assistance
761.39
Schools
619.26
8,730.37
Water Department :
Rates
12,645.39
Miscellaneous
602.88
Liens
334.44
13,582.71
Aid to Highways :
State
8,046.12
County
4,450.00
12,496.12
Overlays Reserved for Abatements : Levy of 1933 6.00
Levy of 1934
25.95
Loans Authorized
8,000.00
Levy of 1935
1,019.90
Revenue 1937
8,000.40
Levy of 1936
3,481.91
Estimated Receipts to be
Levy of 1937
4,091.79
8,625.55
Collected
+1,245.28
Trust Fund Income : Phelon Library Fund 16.05
Maple Grove Cemetery Fund 32.82
Old Cemetery Fund 101.67
150.54
Smith-Hughes Fund
290.12
Appropriation Balances : General
162,955.21
Special Highway
Construction 1935
4,053.33
Federal Grant Old Age
Assistance :
Assistance 2,009.14
Administrative 232.39
Federal Grant : Aid to Dependent Children 408.49 169,658.56
Reserve Fund- Overlay Surplus
4,574.24
..
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98
Overdrawn Accounts : Old Age Assistance Tax Abatements
74.00
Forestry
12.20
State and Military Aid
5.00
Surety Bonds
4.50
95.70
Revenue Available When Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise Tax 5,779.48
Special Assessment 161.18
Tax Title
99,265.41
Departmental 8,730.37
Water
13,582.71 127,519.15
Surplus Revenue
51,490.71
$605,925.36
$605,925.36
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt : Inside Limit Outside Limit
Bridge Loans
$ 24,000.00
$ 49,000.00
Sewer Loans
7,000.00
128,500.00
School Loans
90,000.00
Water Loans
29,500.00
Municipal Relief Loans ..
27,000.00
$177,500.00
$177,500.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Whiting St. Charity Fund ..
$ 6,741.34
Desire Pyne Charity Fund ....
2,256.89
Mary A. Phelon School Fund
5,106.97
In Custody of Trustee
13,442.88
500.00
Mary A. Phelon Library Fund Charles Palmer Davis Library Fund .
13,442.88
Old Cemetery Fund
700.00
Maple Grove Cemetery Fund 1,405.79
$30,153.87
$30,153.87
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Trust Funds, Cash and Securities : In Custody of Town Treasurer
$16,710.99
ANNUAL REPORTS of the
School Committee and the
Superintendent of Schools of the Town of AGAWAM, MASS.
OF A
TO
INCO
1855.
PORAT
JL
ED
For the Year Ending December 31 1937
Agawam Public Schools
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL BOARD
Clifford M. Granger, Chairman Term expires 1938 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Leslie C. Miller Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Term expires 1938
Sidney F. Atwood, Secretary Term expires 1939
Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Edson A. Ferrell Post Office Address, North Agawam
Term expires 1939
Mrs. Grace B. Reed Term expires 1940 Post Office Address, Agawam
Warren C. Bodurtha
Term expires 1940
Post Office Address, Agawam
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Benjamin J. Phelps Telephone : 4-2831
OFFICE HOURS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT High School Building-School Days, 8.30-9.30 A. M. and by appointment
SECRETARY Emma Mellor Telephone : 4-1630
103
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1938
Winter Term-January 3, to February 25 Spring Term-March 7 to April 29
Summer Term-May 9, to June 17, Elementary Schools
Summer Term-May 9 to June 22, High School Fall Term-September 7 to December 23
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.
104
REPORT OF THE School Committee
To the Citizens of Agawam :
Time marches relentlessly on, and once again it be- comes necessary for us, as a committee, to prepare our annual report. As we take our editorial pen in hand two questions flash into our minds. Shall we continue this time-honored custom as usual? And if we do, how many of our taxpayers will read our report after it is published ?
The year 1937 showed a steady, but not a spectacular advance along all lines in our educational setup. Economy was, as usual, our watchword, and we take great pride in recording, during the past few years, so many worthwhile economies in the administration of the Agawam Schools. Last year, as you may remember, the generosity of the Finance Committee, plus that of our voters, enabled us to return to our teachers and janitors another substantial part of their previous wage cuts. At that time financial and industrial conditions seemed apparently much improved, but at the present writing government reports from numer- ous industrial centers show a large increase over last month in the number of those on relief. Of course, only a small part of that pay restoration came out of last year's budget, so in consequence thereof we must have a some- what larger budget for 1938 in order to meet all expenses.
We have spoken several times about the need of more adequate fire insurance protection on our town buildings. We are still strongly in favor of the blanket policy idea, which would provide us with ample coverage with a cer-
105
tain fixed yearly premium. Many of the surrounding towns have adopted such a plan and we can see no reason why it would not be efficient and practical for Agawam.
When school opened in September we made plans to renew war on our truants by putting our truant officer back on the job. The results obtained have been very gratifying, as our attendance records will show. Certain chronic offenders have been checked up and regularity of attendance has been in evidence in every school.
Many of our towns and cities are at this time making more adequate provision for school playgrounds and school athletic fields. Agawam has for several years been try- ing to secure additional land adjacent to our High School property for those improvements. However, there seems to be no immediate chance of anything being done along that line, even though the need for such expansion becomes more pressing every year.
At the last annual town meeting a committee was appointed to investigate the need of additional school accommodations at Agawam Center. This committee re- ported at the special meeting held in May and were unan- imously in favor of securing improved conditions at that school. At that meeting another investigating committee was appointed with instructions to make recommendations, submit tentative plans, and furnish approximate costs of the same at the annual meeting in February, 1938. In last year's report we spoke at length concerning the situa- tion at Agawam Center, and we feel that the need of im- mediate action there is even more imperative than it was a year ago. The toilet setup there is very unsanitary as well as entirely inadequate. The lunchroom lacks proper light- ing and is in too close proximity to the toilets. We have there at present only one boiler in working order, and in any event, we must provide for another one for use in an emergency or in unusually severe weather. Several of the school rooms there, now in use, are poorly lighted and it is necessary to use electric light very freely. The most
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