USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1930 > Part 5
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*Carl H. Bunker, 81 Hillside Avenue. 916
*Maude T. Clark, 34 Cliff Street. 897
*Foster P. Doane, 29 Cliff Street. 904
*Harold M. Estabrook, 10 Inverness Road. 903
*George A. Knight, 37 Crescent Hill Avenue. 900
*Ethel Ware Mead, 206 Appleton Street. 891
John D. O'Leary, 55 Bow Street. 629
*Charles W. Pierce, 3 Florence Terrace. 909
*Irving Poole, 210 Park Avenue. 886
*Martin J. Ryan, 200 Park Avenue. 780
*Clinton W. Schwamb, 27 Peirce Street. 816
Blanks 4618
Precinct Seven-Two Years (To fill vacancy)
*William C. Drouet, 56 Florence Avenue 324
*Arthur W. Sampson, 21 Cliff Street 842
Blanks 970
All ballots, used and unused tally sheets, total tally sheets, copy of Precinct Records of Election, and all other records pertaining to the election were delivered to the Town Clerk to be preserved by her during the time re- quired by law.
A true record of the election, Attest:
E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
RECOUNT
Arlington, March 8, 1930.
Petitions for a recount of the votes cast on March 3, 1930 for the office of Selectman, and for the office of
63
TOWN RECORDS
School Committee for the term of three years were filed in accordance with law in the office of the Town Clerk.
Accordingly a recount of the above mentioned offices was held on Saturday, March 8, 1930, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, in the Hearing Room, Robbins Memorial Town Hall.
The recount was conducted by the Registrars of Voters assisted by two regularly appointed election offi- cers from each precinct.
The candidates for the above mentioned offices were duly notified by registered mail.
Some of the candidates appeared in person accom- panied by counsel, and some were represented by counsel.
The meeting was called to order at nine o'clock A. M. by Eben F. Dewing, Chairman of the Board.
The Clerk read the petitions, broke the seals, and opened the boxes.
The result of the recount was as follows:
Selectmen
William
P. Dale
William
O. Hauser
Daniel
M. Hooley
Blanks
Total
Precinct 1
469
471
14
1006
Precinct 2
75
552
535
11
1173
Precinct 3
214
510
1009
28
1761
Precinct 4
205
337
259
20
821
Precinct 5
191
440
465
16
1112
Precinct 6
307
905
516
28
1756
Precinct 7
161
684
447
26
1318
1205
3897
3702
143
8947
The vote as re-
corded March 3, 1930
was
1203
3891
3702
150
8946
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
School Committee
Winburn
S. Cannell
Denis
A. McCarthy
Alexander
H. Rice
Clair
E. Turner
Mortimer H. Wells
Blanks
Total
Precinct 1
428
485
378
567
395
765
3018
Precinct 2
502
549
438
685
516
829
3519
Precinct 3
602 1128
724
770
512 1547
5283
Precinct 4
489
271
292
563
480
368
2463
Precinct 5
505
548
410
574
495
804
3336
Precinct 6
931
662
725
1156
986
808
5268
Precinct 7
653
518
522
887
720
654
3954
4110 4161 3489 5202 4104 5775 26841 The vote as re-
corded March 3,
.4105 4154 3487 5207 4122 5763 26838 1930
In accordance with law the ballots were returned to the Town Clerk.
A true record, Attest :
E. CAROLINE PIERCE, Town Clerk.
65
TOWN RECORDS
ANNUAL MEETING
Arlington, March 26, 1930.
Pursuant to the Warrant of the Selectmen served according to law upon the inhabitants of the Town by a Constable of said Town, notices having been sent by mail by the Town Clerk seven days before the day of meeting to the Town Meeting Members elected and qualified to act in Town Meetings in Arlington, and posted at two places in each precinct, the Town Meeting Members met in the Robbins Memorial Town Hall in said Town on Wednesday, March 26, 1930, at eight o'clock in the even- ing. The Warrant calling the meeting was the notice sent by mail by the Town Clerk.
Lists of the duly qualified Town Meeting Members were used at the entrances of the meeting place and were in charge of Albert K. Peirce and James E. Sweeney. The lists contained the names of two hundred and seventy Town Meeting Members.
The Check Lists filed with the Town Clerk at the close of the meeting showed that two hundred and three members attended the meeting.
The meeting was called to order at eight o'clock P.M. by the Moderator, Curtis H. Waterman.
The Town Meeting Members were sworn by the Moderator.
Copies of the Warrant having been supplied to the Town Meeting Members, the Town Clerk read only the Call and the Constable's Return of the Warrant, the meet- ing voting on Arthur P. Wyman's motion to dispense with the reading of the remainder of the Warrant.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
On motion of Arthur P. Wyman:
Voted : That if all the business of the meeting as set forth in the Warrant is not disposed of on this date the meeting adjourn to Wednesday evening, April 2, 1930, at eight o'clock.
On motion of Arthur P. Wyman :
Voted: That Article 2 be taken up.
Article 2 taken up. (Choice of Other Town Officers.)
Voted : That the Town Clerk cast one ballot for each of the officers for the term of one year, designated as follows:
Fish Preserver Napoleon J. Hardy
Measurers of Wood and Bark Patrick F. Brosnahan Arthur B. Peirce Charles E. Hale
On Motion of Arthur P. Wyman :
Voted: That Article 3 be taken up.
Article 3 taken up. (Reports of Selectmen-other Town Officers and Committees.)
Alfred W. Lombard for the Committee on Construc- tion of a Police Station House read the following report for Mr. Charles B. Devereaux, Chairman of the Com- mittee :
"The Committee appointed to build the New Police Station submit the following report ;-
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TOWN RECORDS
Under Article II at a special Town Meeting held March 26, 1926 the sum of $115,000.00 was appropriated for the purpose of constructing a Police Station House upon the Land of the Town situated on Central Street ; substantially, as follows ;-
For the Construction of such Building $100,000.00
For the original Equipment & Furnishings 15,000.00
The Moderator appointed the following committee ;--
Charles B. Devereaux,
Elliott R. Barker,
Thomas J. Donnelly, Sr.,
Alfred W. Lombard, Hollis M. Gott.
Mr. Gott resigned from the Committee and his resig- nation was accepted.
Charles G. Loring of Boston was engaged as Architect.
The Contract was awarded Dacey & Tibbetts of Boston.
The following is a statement of Expenditures for the New Police Station ;-
Dacey & Tibbetts, Construction. . $ 89,271.38
Miscellaneous Items of Construction 2,815.28
Architect 5,239.85
Furnishings & Equipment 7,243.36
Police Signal System-Gamwell Co. 7,250.00
Insurance 1,961.13
$113,781.00
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Appropriation
Expenditures
$115,000.00 $113,781.00
Balance $1,219.00
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES B. DEVEREAUX
ELLIOTT R. BARKER THOMAS J. DONNELLY ALFRED W. LOMBARD
Building Committee."
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted: That the report be accepted, and the com- mittee discharged.
Alfred W. Lombard, Chairman of the Committee to Consider the Condition of Spy Pond, read the following report :
"March 4, 1930.
Mr. Moderator:
The committee appointed to Consider the Condition of Spy Pond respectfully submits the following report for the year 1929.
The committee followed its usual method and kept a close watch of the pond during the year. The pond was given an extremely severe test the past year, such per- haps, as it will not receive again in many years. This was due to lack of rain and excessive evaporation the latter part of the season, which lowered the surface of the water 18" below the overflow point for its minimum level. This is lower than at any time since the dam was
69
TOWN RECORDS
repaired. However, the system established for care, dem- onstrated its efficiency, and the pond continued to remain in first class condition throughout the year.
The aqueous weeds grew very rapidly for a short period between the days of observation. To eventually eradicate this weed growth, a certain amount of weeding will be necessary each year for some years to come. It will also be necessary to apply at least three chemical treatments to the water every year to keep the pond in proper condition.
The committee believes that it will be necessary at times, to supply additional water to the pond, and would therefore recommend that the same treatment as applied to the water of the pond, be applied to the water of the reservoir at the Heights. The water from the latter can then be turned into the pond at times when conditions are favorable, pipe connections, with this end in view, having already been made.
The financial report for the year is as follows :
Balance on hand January 1, 1929. ... $2,245.03 Additional appropriation March 27,
1929 800.00
Total
$3,045.03
Expenditures :
Weeding Pond $ 147.00
Chemicals 116.72
Engineering 360.50
Excavating and laying pipe to connect with reservoir 2,005.94
Amount reserved to resurface
Lombard Road and Terrace. 125.28
Total Expenditure $2,755.44 289.59
Balance available
70
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The laying of pipe to connect with the reservoir re- quired a certain amount of excavation in Lombard Road and Lombard Terrace, and the committee will see to it that these thoroughfares are properly resurfaced early the coming year.
With this accomplished the committee will request that it be discharged, and recommend that future appro- priations voted by the town for the care of Spy Pond be expended under the direction of the Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
Committee to Consider the Condition of Spy Pond
ALFRED W. LOMBARD J. HOWARD HAYES ROGER W. HOMER WARREN A. PEIRCE"
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn:
Voted : That the report be received.
Elliott R. Barker, Chairman on Construction of the Junior High School East Building read the following re- port :
"To the Moderator and Town Meeting Members ;-
Your committee on the construction of the new Arlington Junior High School East Building, having fin- ished its work, begs leave to submit the following final report.
At the Special Town Meeting held January 20, 1927 under article 4 of the Warrant calling said meeting, it was voted; "That a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to procure plans and estimates for the construction of a Junior High School building on land of
71
TOWN RECORDS
the Town situated on Tufts St., or on any other land within the area bounded by Foster Street, Massachusetts Avenue, Harlow Street and Broadway, such committee to have the power to fill vacancies, and to report to the Town not later than the annual meeting of 1927; and that the sum of $1,000 be and hereby is appropriated for the use of said committee.
The Moderator appointed the following committee :
ELLIOTT R. BARKER, Chairman WALTER F. ROBINSON CHARLES B. DEVEREAUX CHARLES H. HIGGINS WILLIAM A. CORCORAN
In order to obtain a design of the most attractive appearance and at the most reasonable cost we arranged a competition among several architects for the plans, and as the result we accepted the plans of the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation of Boston.
At the adjourned Town Meeting held April 14, 1927 under article 51 of the Warrant an appropriation of $300,000 was voted for this building. At the adjourned Town Meeting held March 28, 1928 under article® 26 of the Warrant an appropriation of $50,000 was voted for original equipment, furnishings, walks, sidewalks, drives, fencing and grading of the School lot. Both appropria- tions were made available to the above-mentioned com- mittee.
During the summer of 1927 we awarded the contract for the construction of this building to C. S. Henry & Co., Inc. of Boston who completed their work in June, 1928. The furnishings were installed during the summer
72
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
of 1928 so the School Department took over the building at the beginning of the school year in September, 1928.
Our financial statement follows ;---
Appropriation for building. ... $300,000.00 Appropriation for furnishings, walks, etc. 50,000.00
Other credits. Rebate on insurance 203.45
Freight refund
45.51
$350,248.96
Expended :
Construction $300,042.12
Furnishings, etc. 48,611.88
$348,654.00
Unexpended balance
$1,584.96
At this time we wish to record our appreciation to the Finance Committee and Town Meeting Members, who in their wisdom recommended and voted the funds for this school; to the architects for their design of so complete and beautiful building; and to the contractor for the ex- cellent job he did, all combining to produce a school build- ing of which the Town is justly proud.
Respectfully submitted
ELLIOTT R. BARKER, Chairman WILLIAM A. CORCORAN
CHARLES B. DEVEREAUX
CHARLES H. HIGGINS WALTER F. ROBINSON."
Arlington, Mass., February 24, 1930
73
TOWN RECORDS
Voted : That the report be accepted and the com- mittee discharged.
Roger W. Homer, Chairman of the Committee on Investigation of Junior High School System in Arling- ton, read the following report :
"To the Citizens of Arlington :
The Committee to Investigate the Junior High School System of Arlington Submits Its Report :
I. The Vote and Personnel of The Committee :
At the special town meeting held on April 4, 1928, under Article 6 of the Warrant calling said meeting, the following vote was passed :
Voted: That a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to make an investigation of the Junior High School System, said committee to have the power to fill vacancies and to report to the Town not later than the Annual Meeting of 1929 and further that the sum of $500 be appropriated for use of said committee; said sum to be raised by general. tax.
On November 7, 1928, the Moderator appointed the following committee of five:
Roger W. Homer .25 Addison Street John W. Downs. 100 Brantwood Road Mrs. Othilie J. Lawson. 13 Ravine Street
William H. Keefe. 27 Davis Avenue
M. Norcross Stratton ... 11 Trowbridge Street At the special town meeting held on March 27, 1929, a report of progress was given by the Chairman and a vote was passed extending the time for the final report to March, 1930.
74
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
II. The Scope of the Investigation and Procedure.
A. Organization.
The committee held its first meeting on Wednes- day, November 14, 1928. Mr. Roger W. Homer was elected Chairman, and Mr. M. Norcross Stratton was elected Secretary. Since that time, the committee has held 17 meetings, and one public hearing which was attended by many interested citizens. The committee also visited the three Junior High Schools, prepared and completed a questionnaire, and called before it school officials for conference.
B. Procedure.
At the start of the investigation the committee de- termined upon the following procedure.
(1) A study of the fundamental objectives and or- ganization of the Junior High School System. What a Junior High School System is expected to accomplish.
(2) A study of the Junior High School System as applied in Arlington.
C. Limitations.
The work of the committee was made rather diffi- cult by the following limitations :
(1) The committee was asked to investigate a sys- tem which was already installed in the schools of the Town and consequently any decision against the system on its part would call for some constructive arrangement being sug- gested whereby the town would profit by the change.
(2) The committee was asked to study only one part of the educational system of the town, and
75
TOWN RECORDS
even though this part is influenced greatly by its relationship to the rest of the system, the committee felt that the article as voted upon at the town meeting confined it definitely to the Junior High Schools only.
(3) The committee confined its efforts to a study of the general principles of the Junior High School system and to the effectiveness of the system in Arlington, as an educational oppor- tunity for all the children.
D. Definition.
After studying numerous printed reports bearing upon this question obtained from the State and out- side the State and carefully considering the records of the Arlington School Committee, the following descrip- tion of the Junior High School System was adopted by the committee :
A Junior High School System is a school system in which the seventh, eighth and ninth grades are seg- regated in a building by themselves; possesses an or- ganization and administration of its own that is dis- tinct from the grades above and the grades below and is taught by a separate corps of teachers. It is character- ized by the following :
(1) Program of studies including more subjects than are taught in the traditional elementary school.
(2) Pupil choice of subjects elected under super- vision.
(3) Departmental teaching.
(4) Promotion by subject.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
(5) Provision for testing out individual aptitudes in academic and vocational work.
(6) Recognition of the plan of supervised study.
III. Conclusions and Recommendations of Committee.
A. Our study seems to indicate that the theory of the Junior High Schools has, practically without dis- sent, been approved by educators in the United States, and everywhere the tendency toward their organiza- tion is seen. Nearly all the large cities have adopted them, and are yearly increasing the number. In Massa- chusetts 89 cities and towns have a total of 183 Junior High Schools of one type or another.
B. After considering the aims and principles of a Junior High School System as described above the com- mittee finds that :
(1) It is in accord with the principle that children of the adolescent period, usually from 11-15 years of age, are benefited by a special type of school opportunity; that the Junior High School recognizes this and segregates the chil- dren of the adolescent age. It has certain ad- ministrative advantages. By collecting into one building all of the pupils of Grades 7-9, classes of approximately normal size can be maintained, and the school plant can be com- pletely and economically used. The advantage of separate buildings, and separate corps of teachers, making possible departmental work, is recognized by this committee.
(2) Arlington has invested a large amount in Junior High School buildings. It would be an unwise policy to make any change in the organization which would necessitate new
77
TOWN RECORDS
buildings of a different type, or to attempt to adjust the present buildings to a type of school work for which they are not designed.
C. The committee agrees with the fundamental principle that pupils have different aims, both voca- tional and educational, and recognizes that the Junior High School provides for the needs of pupils due to individual differences of abilities, of aptitudes and of prospective careers. It is easier and more effective to do this when a number of pupils of the same age and characteristics are congregated in one building.
D. The committee also agrees that the Junior High School conducted on the 6-3-3 plan provides an oppor- tunity for one more year of education for those pupils who do not intend to complete their high school educa- tion. It facilitates the promotion of pupils to higher schools by destroying the sharp break between elemen- tary and secondary education.
E. Our investigation shows that the better teachers in training are specializing in Junior High School work; therefore the committee is of the opinion that the Junior High School finds and develops a better grade of teachers and secures better teaching. It seems rea- sonable to conclude that pupils will more easily adjust themselves to secondary school subjects under methods and guidance of teachers trained for teaching pupils of the adolescent age in Junior High Schools.
F. The Junior High School offers an opportunity for extra curricula activities. We believe that care- fully supervised activities of this nature are desirable, but that there is danger in introducing too many activi- ties of this kind which interfere with the regular work of the school. We suggest that more careful supervision of extra curricula activities should be given and that
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
no such activities should be introduced without the sanction of the school committee.
G. As now planned the Arlington Junior High Schools are conducted on a two-session basis with ample time for supervised study during the school session ; thus minimizing the amount of home work which should be assigned the pupils.
We are in accord with the two-session plan pro- vided it results in less home work and more supervised study, and that the extra time is not used for the in- troduction of additional subjects, and extra curricula activities.
The committee finds that the matter of supervised study needs more careful organization and attention; evidence indicates that too much home work is assigned by many teachers; and that too little time is given to supervised study in the classrooms.
We find that the two-session plan is not working out as intended ; it has resulted in but little supervised study in some of the schools, and home work has not been reduced in proportion. We therefore recommend in order to remedy this situation that the program under the two-session plan be reorganized under the supervision of the School Committee or that the one- session plan be adopted.
IV. Summary.
Arlington has three Junior High Schools offering three-year courses. These schools now take care of 1,385 children in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades; 408 children are in the ninth grade, corresponding to the Freshman class of High School. Under the old 8-4 plan these 408 children would need to be taken care of in the High School which would greatly increase the
79
TOWN RECORDS
cost of that institution and require a much larger build- ing program. Investigation shows that the cost per pupil is less in the ninth grade of a Junior High School than in the same grade when part of a Senior High School organization.
From the standpoint of the pupils it is unfair to make radical changes in a school program.
A school system organized on a 6-3-3 plan is in it- self no guarantee that the children are receiving a bet- ter education unless those in charge take advantage of the opportunity afforded by such an organization to improve the work in accordance with the purposes and functions which have received approval. This is the duty of the School Committee and its agents.
It is the application of the system rather than the system itself that should be studied for praise or criti- cism. The School Committee is intrusted with the re- sponsibility of administering the schools and it is to that body that the citizens should look for the proper and economic conduct of its school system.
In our opinion Arlington is conducting its Junior High Schools in a much simpler and more economical manner than when the system was first introduced here.
We find that the Arlington Junior High Schools are conducted on a more conservative basis than is usually found in most cities and towns. We believe that the School Committee should continue to keep the system on a conservative and economical basis.
The committee feels that the children of Arling- ton are entitled to the advantages of the Junior High . School System, and it is the unanimous opinion of the committee that the Junior High School System on the
80
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
6-3-3 plan should be continued in the town of Arlington.
V. Acknowledgments.
We take this opportunity to thank the Arlington School officials and other officials for their cooperation and help, and the various departments and agencies which contributed printed matter and reports, also the citizens of Arlington who have given us their opinions and criticisms.
Respectfully submitted,
ROGER W. HOMER, Chairman M. NORCROSS STRATTON, Secretary JOHN W. DOWNS, MRS. OTHILIE J. LAWSON, WILLIAM H. KEEFE."
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn :
Voted: That the report be received and the com- mittee discharged.
Mr. Warren A. Peirce, of the committee under vote of the Town passed April 4, 1928, to make a compre- hensive study of a community or other building as a memorial to commemorate the services and sacrifices of persons who served in the World War, made a report of progress, asking for further time.
On motion of G. Bertram Washburn :
Voted : That the report be received.
Hollis M. Gott, Chairman of the Committee on Con- struction of the Fire Station on Massachusetts Avenue on the site of the old Highland Fire Station, read the
81
TOWN RECORDS
following report and requested that the committee be discharged :
"March 20, 1930.
The committee appointed by the Moderator subse- quent to the annual Town meeting of 1928, to construct a fire station on the site of the old Highland Station on Massachusetts Avenue, opposite Walnut Street, sub- mits its final report :
At the annual town meeting held March 28, 1928, it was voted (unanimously) :
That there be and hereby is appropriated the sum of sixty thousand ($60,000) dollars for the purpose of constructing a building to be used for an engine house upon land of the Town on the northerly side of Massa- chusetts Avenue and now occupied by the Highland Hose House so called; that for this purpose fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars be raised by general tax, and for the balance, forty-five thousand ($45,000) dollars, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow the said sum of forty- five thousand ($45,000) dollars and to issue bonds or notes of the Town therefor, said bonds or notes to be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws, and all acts in ad- dition thereto or amendment thereof, so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than fifteen years from the date of issue of the first bond or note or at such earlier date as the Treasurer and Selectmen may deter- mine; and further, that said appropriation be expended under the direction of a committee of five to be ap- pointed by the Moderator, said committee to have full authority to construct said building within the sum herein appropriated, substantially in accordance with plans presented at this meeting, and with power to fill any vacancy in said committee.
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