USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1936-1940 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35
11
27
10
28
11
Total
90
On March 27 in the morning, we held our first Ty- phoid Clinic, the second was the third of April, and the third on the seventeenth. Dr. I. I. Chamberlin was the Doctor in charge, with Mrs. Kellogg, school nurse, and myself assisting the doctor. 685 attended the clinic.
On May 22, 29, and June 5 we held our Diphthe- ria Clinic with Dr. I. I. Chamberlin in charge and Mrs. Kellogg and myself assisting. We had 534 at that clinic.
I took two patients to Tewksbury and one to Bald- winsville in June.
80
My baby clinic has been a decided success at all three stations. A total of 536 babies attending. On December 15, I held my first Christmas Party for my babies, at Aga- wam Center-35 attended. Refreshments, toys and a real Santa Claus were present. On December 17, I combined North Agawam and Springfield Street Clinics for a Christ- mas Party held at the Springfield Street School. 50 were in attendance.
I wish at the time to express my thanks to Mrs. Lewis Jones of Rowley Street who has so kindly given her ser- vices at all the clinics throughout the year.
The Women's Club of Agawam Center donated food and clothing. There were also donations from the Com- mercial Department of the High School along with several private family donations. The food and other donations were divided up into seventeen baskets which were given to families who were not on the welfare.
I wish to thank everyone in Town for their loyal sup- port and cooperation with me throughout the year.
I wish to thank you one and all for your kindness to me. I am your Town Nurse,
CLARA H. WILLIAMS, R. N.
81
REPORT OF THE W. P. A. AND HIGHWAY DEPTS.
For the year ending December 31, 1936
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
During Feb. 1936 an office was established for W.P.A. and Highway work at the Welfare Building. All highway and W.P.A. records are kept at this office. All engineer- ing, drafting and supervision of W.P.A. and Highway work is done by this office.
This work has been done by Superintendent of Streets and Engineering, who was appointed W.P.A. coordinator, one assistant and one clerk.
The following is a report of W.P.A. projects com- pleted during 1936.
Sanitary Sewer-Rowley Street
This sanitary sewer extension of the Suffield Street sewer will accommodate all present and future building in the vicinity of Rowley St. This sewer is of proper size and depth to allow for an extension in the future on Spring- field St. as far as Homer St. and will also accommodate all northerly side streets between Rowley and Homer St.
High Street Surface Drainage
High Street system was started in 1935 and was not connected to a proper outlet. The original intention was
82
for this to be one of five streets to be drained by the sys- tem now being constructed on Walnut St. This Walnut St. system will be completed before spring and will pro- vide a proper outlet for High St. Walnut St. Surface Drainage is designed in depth to serve as a drainage out- let for Cooley, Ottawa, River, Maple, Spring, and High Sts. In size, Walnut St. system would handle the severest storms that have been recorded in this section of Mass. during the last fifty years.
Walnut St. also serves as a permanent surface drain- age system for Walnut St. which will reduce the Chapter 90 costs for this road. This will also serve as an outlet for a drainage system on Walnut St., south of Maple St. to be constructed in conjunction with the Chapter 90 road work.
Reed Street Surface Drainage
This system is a permanent surface drainage system for Reed St. and Potomac Place. This can be extended to accommodate Virginia St., Vernon St. and Washington St. and a portion of Colonial Ave.
Reed Street Road
This work was planned and engineered in conjunction with Reed St. Drainage, and replaces a very poor type road. Grades were changed to provide proper drainage points and to conform with present sidewalk and property elevations. This is a 9" gravel road rolled and oiled. Con- struction of this could not start till completion of the drain- age, necessitating elimination of one coat of oil this fall, which will be put on in the spring.
Woodchopping
This project produced 535 cords of wood for use of the Welfare Dept.
83
Shoemaker Lane Repairs
This work of regraveling places in this road broken up during the flood by traffic over this route enabled the town to accomplish more with Chapter 90 repair funds allotted for this road.
School Painting
This redecorating was necessary and was accomplished at a minimum cost to the town.
Maple Street Walk And Wall
This project was started in 1935 but supplementary Federal Funds were required to finish this work in 1936.
Cooper Street Water Pipe Extension
This project connected two dead ends on Cooper St. Three hydrants for fire protection were installed on this street.
Completed Projects Totals
Federal :
Appropriation
40,895.98
Exp.
34,618.84
Balance
6,277.14
Town :
Appropriation
26,175.52
Exp. ..
24,682.48
Balance
1,493.04
84
The following is a list of projects now operating but that are incomplete, and are to be completed during 1937 :
Sewing at North Agawam and Agawam Center
Woodchopping-Mill St.
Tree Trimming
Walnut St. Sewer
Gypsy Moth
Farm to Market Roads
Recreation Project
Assessors Mapping
Reed St. Road
Incomplete Projects Totals
Federal :
Appropriation
151,551.86
Exp.
102,699.10
Balance .. . 48,852.76
Town :
Appropriation
18,968.40
Exp.
11,075.94
Balance 7,892.46
The following is a report of work done with High- way funds.
North West St. was oiled during June and July. About 1.6 miles of road were finished using state Chapter 464 funds.
South West St. was first oiled as an E.R.A. project during 1935. Maintenance oiling was done on this road from Southwick St. to Barry St., a distance of about 1.75 miles.
Shoemaker lane and South St. were oiled as mainte- nance work during Sept. and Oct. Sections of these roads that were in very poor condition were oiled and honed. Funds for this work were furnished by State, County and Town. This road is 3.85 miles long.
85
Walnut St. Chapter 90 drainage was started very late in the year and this work was discontinued because of cold weather. Plans for this work were very late in being completed by the State Dept. of Public Works. This con- dition was true of all Chapter 90 work in western Mass., as the State Chapter 90 budget was not approved till late summer. This delayed the completion of plans for this work very much.
During the flood period in March $3500 was spent for materials and trucking. This work was practically all done with W.P.A. labor paid for by Federal Funds.
W.P.A. labor was also secured to fill in washouts on various roads during the heavy rains previous to spring flood.
There is a petition pending before the legislature, through the cooperation of the county commissioners for the acceptance of Springfield and Southwick Sts. as a State Highway.
The board of selectmen have also petitioned the State Dept. of Public Works for this acceptance. These two roads are in very poor condition and maintenance costs are very high.
It is expected that the Street Railway tracks on Spring- field Street will be removed during early 1937, requiring higher maintenance funds than during 1936.
Funds have also been requested as an addition to the present Chapter 90 Walnut St. appropriations. These funds combined would finance the cost of a road from Springfield St. to River St. a distance of eight tenths of a mile.
Funds have also been requested for Chapter 90 main- tenance for Shoemaker Lane and South St. This is to be shared by state, county and town during 1937.
Appropriations for Highways during 1936 were very small and this necessitated the elimination of much work that really should have been done.
Some of present highway equipment has not been re- placed for three years and other equipment is much older and in very poor condition. Much of this obselete equip- ment will need to be replaced for proper maintenance work on town streets during 1937. We recommend the purchase
86
of at least one new truck and a power road grader. A power road grader could be used for road construction and maintenance work. Much construction work has been done during recent years with poor equipment at a high cost.
Respectfully submitted, CLARK B. JONES W.P.A. Coordinator & Supt. Sts.
87
REPORT OF THE Sealer of Weights and Measures
To the Selectmen of Agawam :
Gentlemen :
I beg to call the attention of the townspeople to these facts :
Sellers of wood should remember that the law in this regard has not been changed.
By the decision of the Supreme Court, those selling fuel or range oil are peddlers and must have a peddler's li- cense: it is far better to obtain the license first than to take the chance of prosecution.
Practically no short weights of commodities found in store inspections.
Scales must be so located that the customer can read- ily see the weights. Why does the average customer not know just what weight he is getting?
Total work done:
Articles sealed 232
Articles condemned 11
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN U. LEONARD Sealer of Weights and Measures
88
ANNUAL REPORTS of the
School Committee and the
Superintendent of Schools of the Town of AGAWAM, MASS.
OF
INCORE
15.1855.
RAT
D
For the Year Ending December 31
1936
Agawam Public Schools
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL BOARD
Clifford M. Granger, Chairman Term expires 1938 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Leslie C. Miller Term expires 1938
Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
Mrs. Grace B. Reed Term expires 1937
Post Office Address, Agawam
Warren C. Bodurtha Term expires 1937
Post Office Address, Agawam
Edson A. Ferrell Term expires 1939 Post Office Address, North Agawam
Sidney F. Atwood, Secretary Term expires 1939 Post Office Address, Feeding Hills
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Benjamin J. Phelps Telephone : 4-2831
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1937
Winter Term-January 4 to February 26
Spring Term-March 8 to April 30
Summer Term-May 10 to June 18, Elementary Schools Summer Term-May 10 to June 25, High School Fall Term-September 8 to December 24
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:
In accordance with time honored custom and tradition we, as a Committee, are prepared to render our annual report to those who may be interested enough to read that same.
The year 1936 was, for the most part, one of marked progress along all educational lines. In Agawam, as usual, we were obliged to maintain the strictest economy in order to keep within the limits of our budget.
Two years ago, as you may remember, the generosity of our voters enabled us to return to our teachers and janitors a per cent of their previous wage cuts. Most of our surrounding towns and cities have returned to their teach- ers the cuts of depression times, and some have even re- vived the practice of giving the usual annual increments. Financial and industrial conditions are apparently much improved in business and manufacturing centers, but Aga- wam, as you know, must still be classified as an Agricul- tural community. Farm produce during the past year has. in many cases, reached a new all-time low in the price field. On the other hand, practically every item that the farmer must purchase has risen tremendously in price. The burden of taxation always falls heaviest on that part of our tax payers because they have no certain fixed income. To maintain good schools we must have adequate build- ings and equipment, and what is even more important,
93
competent and efficient teachers. An individual must of necessity forge ahead in life's giddy whirl or else be side- tracked by his more ambitious fellows. The same princi- ple must hold true in our educational program. During the depression we were just marking time as it were, but in 1937 we must either push ahead with new courage or else fall behind and be bogged down in the ruts of failure and inefficiency. It may mean hardship for some and sacrifice for others, but we are sure that our citizens will, for the most part, give our schools the same loyal support in the future that they have in the past.
In our last annual report we spoke of the need of more adequate fire insurance protection for our town buildings. We favored a blanket policy covering all insurable items, with a certain fixed premium to be paid yearly. This plan should be as feasible in Agawam as in other towns where it is now in operation. Following the fire in the Agawam Center School building, the State Building Inspector or- dered the Committee to install fire-stop partitions in the first and second floor corridors. We had hopes of putting these partitions in at the Agawam Center School as part of a WPA project. However, we were not able to do that, so we must provide funds in our 1937 budget for their in- stallation.
We have noticed that many of our more modern and progressive cities and towns are at this time making more adequate provision for school playgrounds and school ath- letic fields. Every first-class, up-to-date high school should have as a part of its equipment an A-No. 1 athletic field. This matter has been under discussion for several years but no definite legal action has as yet been taken. At the last annual town meeting a committee was appointed to in- vestigate this matter with instructions to report its find- ings at the next town meeting. With real estate prices at their present low level, it would seem to be an opportune time to take decisive action in this matter.
94
During the past year your Committee voted to close temporarily the West Street School at Feeding Hills and to transfer the pupils attending that school to the Feeding Hills Center School. By so doing we were able to get along with one less teacher in that district besides making some saving on fuel and janitor service. The Suffield Street School was voted closed permanently. We under- stand that the local American Legion Post are interested in securing that building for their quarters. If that is so, it would seem to be an act of courtesy for the town to turn it over to them for their permanent headquarters.
During 1936 as in 1935 a program of recreational ac- tivities was conducted as a Federal project, under local supervisors. The juvenile part of the program was carried on during the summer months at the various playgrounds in town, while the adult part of the set-up has been, as before, centered at the High School. These projects have greatly increased the cost of school maintenance in practic- ally every town where they are in vogue. If they are to be continued, provision should be made for them in our budget. It seems to us that it would be well for the tax payers to have an opportunity to pass on this proposition. Let them decide whether the benefits derived by the people of Agawam as a whole are in proportion to the cash ex- pended.
The year 1936 showed a slight increase in the amount of truancy in our schools. A few years ago when our funds were low we dispensed with the services of our tru- ant officer, but at this time it would seem necessary to make suitable provision in our 1937 budget for the em- ployment of a part-time attendance officer. To obtain the best results pupils must be regular in attendance. Oftentimes a pupil's failure to pass his grade at the end of the year may be due to absence from class at some particularly vital point in the course. As parents and tax payers you cannot afford to keep your children out of school unless it be ab- solutely unavoidable. There are always a few families that
95
constantly offend in this respect, and it is to them that we appeal for co-operation in this matter.
It has been some time since we have been obliged to call to your attention crowded conditions in our grade schools. At the present writing we are badly in need of more adequate school accommodations at the Agawam Center School. An overflow class is being conducted in the Town Hall along the side of the room next to the windows. Of course, this set-up is anything but ideal and some remedy must be found before another school year opens. Various suggestions have been made for a solu- tion of this problem. Some have talked portable school, but that at best would be only a temporary expedient. Others favor building on another addition to the present structure. It would seem to us to be a rather difficult matter to make such an addition fit into the present lay- out so that the whole would form a convenient, modern, well-arranged school unit. Of course the most acceptable plan would be to erect an entire new school building cap- able of caring for the needs of Agawam Center for many years to come. If Agawam could secure a sufficient Fed- eral grant towards the cost of erecting such a school, the town might perhaps be able to carry its share of the financ- ing. Considerable thought must be given to this situation in order that some form of relief may be offered at the earliest possible moment.
Your Committee wish to thank the parents, the teach- ers and the pupils for their loyal support during the year 1936, and we hope for continuance of the same for 1937.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD M. GRANGER, Chairman SIDNEY F. ATWOOD MRS. GRACE B. REED WARREN C. BODURTHA LESLIE C. MILLER EDSON A. FERRELL
96
Financial Statement
DECEMBER 31, 1936
Appropriation
$ 132,000.00
Insurance on account of Fire at Agawam
Center School
1,012.00
Smith-Hughes Funds (Federal)
263.07
Total
$ 133,275.07
EXPENDITURES
General Expense
$ 5,647.34
Salaries of Teachers, Supervisors and
Principals
81,315.05
Text Books
1,700.70
Stationery and Supplies
4,401.11
Wages of Janitors
9,320.02
Fuel
5,544.42
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses
2,510.68
Repairs and Replacements
2,382.86
School Libraries
141.76
Health
1,909.62
Transportation
10,731.87
Tuition
2,658.54
Insurance on Buildings and Equipment
830.81
Miscellaneous Expenses ..
513.28
Outlay-Buildings and Equipment
1,029.31
Agriculture
2,636.74
Total ...
$ 133,274.11
97
COST OF SCHOOLS TO THE TOWN
Total Expenditures .... $ 133,274.11
Returns to the Town on account of Schools but not returnable to School Department :
From the State :
On account of Teachers' Salaries $ 14,400.00
For Agricultural Instruction
1,551.83
On account of Trade School Tuition
1,543.20
On account of Continuation School Tuition
7.28
Tuition for State Wards
162.44
High School Tuition from other Towns
2,095.90
Rental of School Buildings
175.00
Miscellaneous Receipts
3.98
$ 19,939.63
Paid to the School Department :
Insurance
1,012.00
Smith-Hughes Funds (Federal)
263.07
21,214.70
Amount paid for Schools from Local Taxation
$112,059.41
98
REPORT OF THE Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and the Citizens of Agawam:
I hereby submit the annual report of the Superin- tendent of Schools.
The most important topics in my report this year are School Housing, School Finances, Teachers, New Equipment and Replacements.
SCHOOL HOUSING
During the past year the West Street rural school has been closed and the children of that district have been transported to the Feeding Hills Center School. The committee discontinued the West Street school because the building was worn-out and out-moded for school pur- poses. It did not seem reasonable to expend a large sum of money for a new building at West Street. The number of pupils in that district was not sufficient to warrant such expense. From the standpoint of economy the trans- fer of these pupils to the Center School was important. The services of one teacher were saved, also the expenses of maintaining the rural building were eliminated.
From the viewpoint of better school housing some: gain was made for these pupils, yet the coming of these. pupils to the Center School could not but emphasize the: need of better school housing facilities for Feeding Hills, for here we find one of the oldest school buildings in Western Massachusetts. This building is far from being
99
up to date. There are not many more years of service left in the building. The cost of upkeep and repairs has been very high in recent years. If the building is to con- tinue in use, then the town must expect to pay rather large repair bills, and have at hand an unsatisfactory school home for the children.
THE PLAINS SCHOOL
During the depression the enrollment in this school has decreased to a greater extent than is the case in any other part of the town. There has been a loss of sixty pupils over a period of six years, and there are two vacant classrooms in the building. From present enrollments in the various grades of the building, it is safe to conclude that there will be for some time six grades of sufficient size to warrant the employment of six teachers. A slight increase in the school population of this part of the town would bring back into use one of the vacant rooms. The housing conditions of this building are excellent.
NORTH AGAWAM SCHOOL
The largest elementary enrollment of pupils in the town is found in North Agawam. There is one vacant room in this school building, which will be put into use the coming school year since large classes are entering this school. The building is adequate and the school accommodations are excellent.
AGAWAM CENTER SCHOOL
A lack of good housing facilities in this part of the town has been evident for several years. The objection- able features center about four situations, namely : the use of a one-room school located in the school yard; the use of the old library room for a classroom; the use of one corner of the town hall for another classroom, and the poor basement facilities. In fact, these objectionable fea- tures involve the entire building, with the exception of the four classrooms which are in the addition constructed in 1914-these rooms are comparatively good school units.
100
I feel that the best interests of the town require a new building for the Center.
JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The housing conditions in the Junior-Senior High School are excellent and will serve the town for many years to come. The great need here is more land adjacent to the building for athletic and recreational purposes. No school build- ing today is adequate if there is a lack of playground space. By the addition of a small plot of land, our high school plant would become outstanding for its usefulness in serving the needs of our boys and girls.
COSTS OF EDUCATION
The burden of my report over the past few years has been "Educational Costs". In my last report data from comparative "Costs of Education" in the 83 towns of Agawam's classification showed that the per pupil costs of education in Agawam are much below the average.
The most potent factor in lowering school costs in Agawam was the reduction of 19% in teachers' salaries. This took place in the early years of the depression. Two years ago 5% of the salary cut was restored to the teachers. Except in a few cases no salary increments have been given to teachers since the onset of the depression. More than 50% of the towns and cities of our commonwealth have given to the teachers full restoration of salaries and increments. Indeed, it would be difficult to find any num- ber of towns in which a salary reduction of 14% is still in force.
In spite of this situation, which was brought about because of abnormal economic conditions in our town and state, our teachers have not failed to give full service to their classroom obligations. The spirit and morale of the teachers is very commendable. They are facing heavier burdens in this period of recovery, due to the rise in costs
101
of living and the increased demands for professional im- provement. Because of these facts, the school committee has placed a sum of money in the school budget of 1937 for the purpose of readjusting teachers' salaries. It is hoped that their wisdom and foresight will meet with the approval of the citizens of the town.
TABLE I
For the eight largest towns in Western Massachusetts the per pupil expenditure for the year ending December 31, 1935 was as follows:
Amherst
94.88
West Springfield
94.42
Greenfield
87.08
Ludlow
85.34
Ware
84.00
Palmer
80.02
Agawam
75.29
Easthampton
75.04
There are 83 towns in Agawam's classification. Aga- wam ranks 60 on the list in the expenditure per pupil ; that is, there are 60 of the 83 towns ranked above Agawam. Last year Agawam ranked 54.
PUPIL-TEACHER RATIOS
There are fifty-nine teachers employed by the school department at the present time. This is one teacher less than was employed last year. The consolidation of the West Street school with the Feeding Hills Center school accomplished the elimination of one teacher. The grades of the North Agawam school were reclassified with the result that one less teacher was required for that build- ing. At Agawam Center it was necessary to add one tea- cher to the staff, due to the increase in the number of pupils entering Grade I.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.