USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1946-1950 > Part 32
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 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
234
growing love for music which will carry over into adult life.
The Senior High School vocal program has been ex- panded to include the following:
a) Girls' Chorus-110 girls, meeting once a week.
b) Boys' Chorus-30 boys, meeting once a week separately and once with Glee Club.
c) Glee Club-70 girls and boys selected from the choruses, meeting once a week regularly, and with many additional rehearsals after school hours.
d) Voice Class-30 students (boys and girls) meet- ing once a week.
There are also smaller groups meeting once a week or more after regular classes.
This year, for the first time, we have provided the Senior High students, who have not studied privately, the opportunity to study Voice through regular class work. The response has been most satisfying, and mem- bers of the class are already demonstrating their newly acquired skills in vocal expression.
The Glee Club presented the colorful and tuneful operetta "The Belle of Bagdad" on December 3, 1948. It was a highly successful performance following seven weeks of intensive rehearsing.
Members of the Girls' Chorus provided background music for the Thanksgiving Assembly program.
All choral groups participated with special numbers in the Christmas Assembly program.
The entire student body has participated in com- munity singing once each month, led by your Supervisor, in regular assembly periods.
My grateful thanks to you Mr. Wright for your cooperation and assistance; to the teachers for their fine cooperation and work in the schools ; to the principals, who have been invaluable in making my first months here in Agawam so pleasant and enjoyable; and to the student body in the schools who have been so loyal in their sup- port.
"To be happy, to be satisfied, man must express him- self in some way, and here, in music, we have the ideal medium of expression. Money, position, power - in the end these will all fail us. It is only from the things of
235
the spirit that lasting satisfaction eventuates, and among these music must be conceded to have a highly important place - possibly the most important."
Respectfully submitted,
MARY FRANCES HAYES Supervisor of Vocal Music
236
REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
January 14, 1949
Mr. Stanley W. Wright Supt. of Schools Agawam, Mass.
Dear Mr. Wright:
Industrial Arts has earned a recognized place in the field of general education. In the shops of the public schools boys learn the use of hand tools, work with materials of every day life, and acquire considerable skill slowly in much the same way as an infant learns to walk. Day by day, they find use for the arithmetic taught up- stairs. Employment of habits of good citizenship and the spirit of cooperation are a must in the intimacy of work- ing together in the shop. Expression for ideas and inter- ests grows as skills increase. Out of this melting pot of training comes first, a better future citizen ; second, a boy made project; and third, plenty of shavings.
Mr. D'Antonio and I are striving to live up to the high standards of this department in the past.
In addition to science classes, Mr. D'Antonio has all seventh grade and special class boys in the "small shop" this year. His is the very important task of laying the foundation for the whole program for some years to come. It is at this point that the fundamentals are taught and boy-interests developed. The excellence of the projects made speaks well for the work done here.
The eighth grade and senior high school classes are conducted in the so-called "big shop." Again, the activity centers around a project or series of problems involved in the making of an object. The use of power machinery becomes a fundamental to all except eighth graders. Repair maintenance of school furniture requires consider- able attention on the part of older students. Several school
237
projects such as new ticket booths for the football field, additional bulletin boards for classrooms, book cases, benches and tables for the lunch rooms, playground equip- ment, etc. have been undertaken.
A total of $234.70 has been turned back to the Town Treasurer during the past fiscal year.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY KANIS, Director of Industrial Arts.
238
TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS - 1948
APPOINTMENTS
Name
School
Subject or Grade
Began Service
Mary F. Hayes
Supervisor
Music
Sept., 1948
Harry Kanis
High School
Manual Training
Sept., 1948
David M. D'Antonio
Junior High
Man. Train. and Science
Sept., 1948
Genevieve R. Eames
Junior High
Mathematics
Sept., 1948
Paul A. Tatro
Junior High
Science
Sept., 1948
Constance T. Bresnahan
Agawam Center
Grade I
Sept., 1948
Mrs. Barbara Skolnick
Danahy
Grade V
Sept., 1948
Gertrude M. Strobelberger
Danahy
Grade I
Sept., 1948
Harriet E. Henry
Springfield St.
Grade VI
Sept., 1948
Mrs. Edith Arens
Springfield St.
Grade III
Sept., 1948
RESIGNATIONS
Service Ended
Supervisor
Music
June, 1948
Junior High
Man. Train. and Science
June, 1948
Junior High
Science
April, 1948
Junior High
Civics and Hygiene Mathematics
June, 1948
Junior High
June, 1948
Danahy
Grade I
Feb.,. 1948
Springfield St.
Grade VI
Jan., 1948
Springfield St.
Grade III
Feb., 1948
239
Mrs. Virginia C. Coffin Henry H. Baker Lewis W. Hatfield
Mrs. Shirley M. Marson Alexander F. Smith Candace H. Pratt Mrs. Josephine A. Finn Doris I. March
TRANSFERS
Evelyn R. Magoon
From Danahy, Gd. VI
To
Date
Junior High, Gd. VII
Sept., 1948
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT DECEMBER 31, 1948
Superintendent Stanley W. Wright
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agawam
June, 1946
Supervisors Mrs. Audrey M. Blake
Art
Mary F. Hayes Music
Junior-Senior High School Frederick T. Dacey Principal
Sept., 1922
Raymond E. Harris
Sept., 1930
Mrs. Hazel C. Aldrich Dorothy R. Hastings
Sept., 1922
Sept., 1936
Harry Kanis
Asst. Principal and Guidance Director Domestic Science Physical Train. and Coach of Girls' Athletics Manual Training
Mass. School of Arts, B.S. Sept., 1941 Sept., 1948 Lowell State College, B.S.
Fitchburg State Col., B.S. University of Mass., M.S. Fitchburg State Col., B.S. University of Mass., M.S. Skidmore College of Arts Bouve Boston School of Phy. Education-American International College, B.A. Fitchburg State Col., B.S.
Sept., 1948
Uni. of N.H., A.B .- M.Ed. Boston University
240
241
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT - CONTINUED
Mrs. Marjorie B. Kelly David Skolnick Harmon A. Smith
Frances Burke Mrs. Mary L. Coleman Ruth E. Dickerman
Arthur J. Foley J. Joseph Freme Paul R. Langlois Eleanor B. Miller Raymond J. Montagna
History and Geog. Science
Science Latin and Geometry Math. & Jr. Business Training English Commercial English
University of Mass., B.A. Salem State College, B.S. Middlebury College, B.A. Springfield College, M.A. Smith College, B.A.
Sept., 1942
Sept., 1946
Sept., 1942
Sept., 1922
Marjorie Ward
Subject or Grade
Voc. Household Arts Framingham S. Col., B.S. Agriculture University of Mass., B.S. Springfield College Physical Train. and Coach of Boys' Athletics French Commerical English
Trinity College, B.A. Bay Path Secretarial Sch. Mt. Holyoke College, B.A. Springfield College, M.E. Univ. of Mass., B.S., M.S. Colby College, B.A.
Sept., 1946
Sept., 1946
Sept., 1933
Sept., 1947
Sept., 1946
Sept., 1936
Sept., 1928
Sept., 1939
Mrs. Dorothea R. Nardi Queenie Parvanian Barbara H. Phelps
Eleanor H. Smith
Mathematics
History
Education
Began Service in Agawam
Sept., 1944 Oct., 1947
Sept., 1924
University of Maine, B.A. Smith College, B.A. American Int. College, B.S.
Columbia University, M.A. Smith College, B.A. Columbia University, M.A.
Sept., 1922
242
Subject or Grade Education
Began Service in Agawam
David M. D'Antonio
Manual .Training and Fitchburg S. Teachers, B.S. Sept., 1948 Science English
Our Lady of the Elms College, B.A. Westfield State Col., B.S. Springfield College, B.S. Johnson, Vt. Normal Sch. Westfield State College University of Mass., B.A. Springfield College, M.E. Holy Cross College, B.A. Fitchburg State College, M.E. R. I. College of Education Harvard College, B.S.
Sept., 1947
Genevieve R. Eames Charles L. Kistner Evelyn R. Magoon Emily M. McCormick
Mathematics History
Sept., 1948 Sept,. 1947
Sept., 1945
Ida C. Moggio
English
Sept., 1945
E. Joseph Roche
Georgraphy
Sept., 1946
Mrs. Marion C. Smith Paul A. Tatro
Special Class Science
Sept., 1929 Sept., 1948
Agawam Center School
Mary E. McDowell
Principal
Sept., 1926
Anna L. Zabaunik
Grade VI
Mrs. Esther B. Straszko ยท
Grade V
Mrs. Eloise D. Clark . Nora M. Chandler
Grade V Grade IV
Mrs. Alice E. Marion
Grade IV Grade III
Mrs. Stella S. Carignan Mrs. Marion F. King
Grade III
Eastern State Normal No. Adams State Col., B.S. Lydon, Vt., State Col., B.S. Castleton Normal Sch., B.S. Farmington Normal School No. Adams State Col., B.S., Westfield State Col., B.S. Yale Summer School
Sept., 1946 Sept., 1947 Sept., 1945 Sept., 1927
Sept., 1947 Sept., 1945 Nov., 1946
Esther Dillon
Civics and Hygiene Mathematics
Sept., 1924
TEACHERS UNDER APPOINTMENT - CONTINUED
Cecily C. Pratt Mrs. Mary E. McMahon Geraldine Merrick Harriet Miller Constance T. Bresnahan
Subject or Grade
Education
Began Service in Agawam
Grade II
Fitchburg State College Westfield State College
Sept., 1945
Grade I
Fitchburg State Col., B.S.
Sept., 1946
Grade I
Fitchburg State Col., B.S.
Sept., 1944
Grade I
Westfield State Col., B.S.
Sept., 1948
Danahy Shcool Mary T. Lynch
Principal & Grade VI Westfield State College
Sept., 1919
Boston University, B.S.
Grade V
Boston Teachers Col., B.S.
Sept., 1948
Grade IV
Bridgewater State Col., B.S. Sept., 1946
Mrs. Julia R. Crawford
Grades II-III
Westfield State College
Sept., 1934
Julia A. O'Connell
Grade. II
Springfield Kindergarten
April, 1927
Jennie M. Lucas
Grade I
Southington Training
Sept., 1900
Gertrude M. Strobelberger Grade I
Westfield State Col., B.S.
Sept., 1948
Elizabeth C. McCormick
Special Class
Westfield State College
Sept., 1927
Springfield St. School
Principal & Grade II Springfield Normal
Sept., 1909
Faolin M. Peirce Harriet E. Henry
Grade VI
Sept., 1948
Grade V
Sept., 1945
Mrs. Claire E. Formwalt Ada I. Bready
Grade IV
Sept., 1941
Mrs. Edith Arens
Grade III
Westfield State Col., B.S. Fitchburg State Col., B.S. Westfield State College Westfield State College
Sept., 1948
243
Mrs. Barbara Skolnick Mildred L. Downton
Sept., 1928
Grade II
Subject or Grade
Education
Mrs. Marguerite B. Dacey Grade I-II Grade I
Westfield State College Westfield State Col., B.S.
Began Service in Agawam Sept., 1947 Sept., 1941
Feeding Hills Shcool Mrs. Madrine W. Allen Principal & Grades V-VI
Plymouth, N. H., Normal
April, 1933
Mrs. Elizabeth L. Peirce Ruth M. Ripley Mrs. Eileen Eagan
Grades III-IV
No. Adams State Col., B.S. Sept., 1946
Grade II
Castine Normal School Sept., 1925
Grade I
Fitchburg State Col., B.S.
Sept., 1946
Thelma E. Meadon
244
REPORT OF THE The Planning Board
This Board has held twenty formal meetings during the past year, as well as numerous informal discussions and field inspections.
Nine requests for zone-change have been filed, recom- mended by this Board and acted upon favorably by the Town. One request which was filed was withdrawn, and one application was not completed.
Six applications for sub-division approvals have been filed, of which five have been approved and one was with- drawn.
A proposed revision of the zoning plan, which will be presented in connection with the proposed revision of the zoning by-laws has been completed by the Board's Consultant and it is planned to hold hearings on this matter in the near future so that definite action on the revision may be taken at a Special Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
AGAWAM PLANNING BOARD WILLIAM E. VIGNEAUX, Chairman EDWIN B. SPRING FRED C. EMERSON GEORGE L. REYNOLDS PAUL B. JOHNSON
245
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS
During the year 1948 the Board received 24 petitions asking variations from the requirements of the Zoning By-Law or the Building Code.
Twenty meetings were held at which hearings on these petitions were given to the petitioners and other in- terested parties.
One petition was withdrawn before a hearing could be held, three petitions were withdrawn before decision was rendered, and four petitions were denied. Relief was granted to sixteen petitioners, in several cases such re- strictions were imposed as were deemed necessary by the Board to protect the best interests of the Town.
It should be understood by every citizen that any restriction placed upon a property by this Board when granting any requested variation is enforceable by law and that it is the intention of this Board to make sure that any and all restrictions are complied with, this is for the protection of the property rights of the other citizens of the Town.
The Board wishes to express its appreciation to the Board of Selectmen and the other Departments of the Town Government for their cooperation during 1948.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD C. ATWATER, Chairman JAMES P. KANE, Secretary JAMES H. KERR
246
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Agawam :
The Board of Water Commissioners respectfully sub- mit the Annual Report of the Water Department of Aga- wam, Massachusetts, for the year ending December 31, 1948.
The limitation of a meager budget this past year greatly handicapped the Water Department in its efforts to continue the long-range program of water main installa- tions. With only 25% of a requested budget granted, the following work comprised our new construction in- stallations in 1948. A six inch main running 2,100' was laid from Cooper Street to the dead end on Senator Ave- nue, thereby giving two way service on both of these streets. The eight inch main on Suffield Street was ex- tended 300 feet to take advantage of an opportunity to make this connection while the highway construction was underway. On North Street, the Department laid 715 feet of six inch main in conjunction with a developer, who paid for the excavation and back filling of the trench, as well as contributing $266.00 toward the cost of materials.
The Department has been severely criticized on sev- eral occasions for its apparent neglect in notifying home owners that water was to be shut off in a specific section while repairs were being made. This situation only goes to emphasize again, that unless the Water Department is given sufficient funds to correct and modify the many undesirable conditions that our present system contain, this trouble cannot be entirely eliminated.
In many sections of the town, where a break occurs, it often takes considerable time to isolate the section where the trouble originates, because of lack of adequate number of main line gate values, and the single feed to most areas. If our system was as it should be, there would be not more than a dozen houses without water, and for a very limited time, in the vicinity of the break,
247
but with conditions now prevalent, whole blocks are in- volved, and shut-offs often far removed from the area of the trouble.
The winter months early in 1948 were no less severe on the Water Department than on other town depart- ments. During the protracted cold space, we had 34 serv- ice lines freeze up, and we have tried to prevent a repeti- tion of this trouble by lowering a number of these lines to afford greater protection from the frost.
Revenue produced by the Water Department in 1948 reached an all time high of $48,729.54. Of this sum, serv- ice work by the Department including new entrances, cleaning or replacing existing entrances and other types of work amounting to $12,267.21. With ever increasing costs for operations, we feel that the personnel of the Department have done an outstanding job in this respect.
We purchased a new truck last year which we were badly in need of. It has sixteen compartments to carry our tools and fittings, also a flashing red and yellow light for safety precaution. It has a seat for four persons with a cover so as to take the men to and from work.
We list below for your inspection, a survey of our operations for the yast year :
Total water used - 1948 192,131,800 gals.
Average daily use 524,900 gals.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
Street Size of Main Distance
Senator Ave. 6"
2,100'
Cooper St. 6"
300'
North St. 6" 715'
Suffield St. 8" 300'
NUMBER OF NEW ENTRANCES - 120
REPAIRS TO BROKEN MAINS AND LINES
60 Services
7 New Hydrants Installed
2 Main Gates Repaired
34 Frozen Service Lines
HYDRANT REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS - 4 Re- placements ; 12 Repaired
Paid to City of Springfield for water $15,047.73
Water Commitments $36,462.33
Received from Water Rents $35,901.43
248
.
Accounts Receivable Revenue $ 6,277.21 Water Connections Revenue $ 5,990.00
Respectfully submitted,
DUDLEY K. BODURTHA, Chairman LOUIS MERCADANTE, Superintendent EDWARD G. CONNOR, Clerk Board of Water Commissioners
249
Articles in Warrant for Town Meeting
FEBRUARY 26, 1949
Article 1. 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 Public Welfare for the ensuing year.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300. or any other sum for the proper observance of Memorial Day, and provide for its expenditure.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $400. or any other sum for Fore- closure of Tax Titles.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $600. or any other sum for the payment of a proper charge of an Insurance Company for acting as Surety on the official bond of its officers.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,500. or any other sum for the Liability Insurance of its employees.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for employment of a District Nurse or Nurses, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for employment of a Board of Health Doctor, pass any vote or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000. or any other sum towards the purchase of a new car for use of Town Nurse, and to
250
authorize the Board of Health to trade in the present car to make up balance of purchase price.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000. or any other sum towards the purchase of a new car for use of Police De- partment, and to authorize the Police Commissioners to trade in a car to make up the balance of purchase price.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for enforcement of the dog law, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $253. or any other sum for bills contracted in various departments in 1948 and not pre- viously presented, pass any vote or take any action rela- tive thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $536.43 expended by the Airport Committee in 1948, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 15 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1949, and to isuue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $10,000. from the Overlay Reserve Fund, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Assessors to use a sum not exceeding $25,000. from available funds for the reduction of the amount to be raised by taxation during the current year.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50. to be expended in the Town of Agawam by the Hampden County Trustees for Aid to Agriculture in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the Commonwealth.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $4,340.20 for the Contributory Retirement System of the Town.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to transfer
251
the sum of $100. from the Road Machinery Fund for the purchase of a Highway Paint Marker, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $650. from the Road Machinery Fund for the purchase of a Rotary Broom Attachment, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $10,000. for Chapter 90 Construc- tion of Springfield Street, with the State and County co- operating, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto. -
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,200. for Chapter 90 Mainte- nance of Highways, with the State and County cooperat- ing, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to appro- priate, by transfer from the Post-War Rehabilitation Fund, $50,000. for sewer construction, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $1,750. for the construction of a sidewalk between Reed Street and Federal Street, the same to be constructed under betterment assessments, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $8,000. for the construction of Surface Drainage on Monroe Street, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $23,500. for the construction of sidewalks, curbing, and permanent highway on Monroe Street, the same to be constructed under betterment assessments, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $5,000. or any other sum for the reconstruction of highways, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 29. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000. or any other sum to pro-
252
vide for the monthly collection of rubbish, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 30. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $28,000. or any other sum for the reconstruction of Leonard Street with Surface drainage, for a distance of 1300 feet east- erly of Main Street, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 31. To see if the Town will vote either to authorize the Board of Selectmen or to appoint a Com- mittee to make a survey of salaries and compensation, duties and classifications of all town officers and em- ployees, and to raise and appropriate, or otherwise pro- vide, a sum of money to effect the Survey, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 32. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws, as amended, effective from January 1, 1949.
Article 33. To make the necessary appropriations for the ensuing year.
Article 34. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,160. or any other sum for School Traffic Officers, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500. or any other sum, to be expended by the Parks and Playground Commission, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to the School Department the sum of $18,000. for the renovation of the basement locker and shower fa- cilities in the boys' section of the high school, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or otherwise provide the sum of $7,250. for payment of judgment for damages assessed by the Jury for the taking of the Wood property for school pur- poses, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to transfer to Philip Barry the parcel of land located at the rear of the former Hill Property between the center line of the old Spur Track and the former fence line, averaging a
253
width of less than ten feet; Philip Barry to convey to the Town in exchange for the parcel above thirteen feet of width along the northerly end of this property, an easement for drainage, pass any vote or take any action relative thereto.
Article 39. To hear and act upon the report of the School Survey Committee appointed at the Annual Town Meeting in 1948.
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.