USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1921 > Part 3
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Mill Street. The appropriation made at the last Annual Town Meeting was not sufficient to finish the work : your committee was consulted, and we agreed to transfer $250.00 to put the street in safe condition, the work to be finished this year from the regular Highway appropriation.
Interest. We must of necessity borrow money and pay the prevailing rate of interest ; therefore the overdraft.
Industrial School. An appropriation over which we have no direct control.
Street Lighting. A new contract made during September, 1921, is the cause of overdraft.
Fire Warden. Overdraft offset by credits received by the town.
Overdrafts of Highway and Willowdale Bridge are taken care of by Article 5. We do not believe there should be overdrafts for these items ; only in extreme emergency should it be necessary.
Regular Appropriations under Article 4: Increased cost of maintenance make necessary an increase in some of the appropri- ations : Assessors, salary allowances ; Fire, insurance on building and fire alarm system; Street Lighting, new contract; Industrial School, tuition in other schools; Town Hall, work already done.
74
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
RECOMMENDATIONS.
ARTICLE 4.
Under Article 4, Salaries and Fees for each department, as well as expenses, are included in the appropriation for said depart- ment. A complete list of Salaries and Fees recommended is given on the page following the list of these department appropriations.
To raise and appropriate money for :
Appropriated Called for 1921 1922 Appropriated 1921
1922
mended 1922
Street Lighting
$5,500 00
$6,500 00
$6,500 00
Highway
14,000 00
15,000 00
14,000 00
Poor Department
4,000 00
4,000 00
4,000 00
State Aid
300 00
200 00
200 00
Soldiers' Relief and
Military Aid
700 00
600 00
· 600 00
Town Hall
1,600 00
1,800 00
1,700 00
Fire Department
1,250 00
1.500 00
1,500 00
Cemetery
850 00
500 00
500 00
Park Commission
100 00
50 00
50 00
Tree Warden
800 00
800 00
800 00
Selectmen
1,100 00
1,100 00
1,100 00
Assessors
1,200 00
1.500 00
1,400 00
Treasurer
900 00
900 00
900 00
Collector
800 00
800 00
800 00
Accounting
1,100 00
1,100 00
1,100 00
Town Clerk
550 00
550 00
550 00
Police
2,500 00
2,500 00
2,500 00
Snow Removal
1,500 00
1,500 00
1.500 00
Finance Committee
25 00
25 00
25 00
Board of Health
1,000 00
1,000 00
850 00
Recom- mended 1922
Called for
Recom-
75
FINANCE REPORT
Printing Town Reports
410 00
350 00
350 00
Brown Tail and Gypsy
Moth Work
4,500 00
4,500 00
4,350 00
Memorial Day
200 00
200 00
200 00
School House Loans
1,980 00
1,000 00
*1.000 00
Interest
2,500 00
3,000 00
*3,000 00
Boiler Insurance
40 00
125 00
125 00
Schools
40,300 00
41,000 00
40,300 00
West School
1,500 00
1,500 00
Industrial School
700 00
700 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
150 00
150 00
150 00
Election and Registration
650 00
800 00
750 00
Moderator
50 00
50 00
50 00
Legal Expenses
100 00
100 00
100 00
Legislative Committee
25 00
25 00
Certifying Town Notes
20 00
20 00
20 00
Cattle Inspector
75 00
75 00
75 00
Town Clock
50 00
50 00
50 00
Public Library
2,000 00
2,500 00
2,000 00
Forest Fire Warden
50 00
75 00
65 00
Reserve Fund
** 1,759 39
2,500 00
2,000 00
$96,109 39 $100,645 00
$95,885 00
* Recommended from Excess and Deficiency Fund. ** Transferred during year 1921.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
MEMORANDUM OF SALARIES AND FEES INCLUDED IN FOREGOING APPROPRIATIONS. UNDER ARTICLE 4.
Selectmen, Chairman $350 00 Overseers of Poor
2d member
250 00
Chairman 50 00
3d member 250 00 2d member 25 00
Treasurer 750 00
3d member 25 00
Collector
500 00 Registrars, $50 each
200 00
Town Clerk 300 00 Election Officers and
Allowance and ex-
Tellers, $8 each
penses and fees 150 00 Moderator, $10 per
Town Accountant
1,000 00
meeting 50 00
Board of Health
Sealer 75 00
Chairman
50 00 Forest Fire Warden
10 00
2d member
25 00 Allowance for fees of
3d member
25 00 Cattle Inspector 75 00
Assessors, per day 5 00
ARTICLE 5.
Transfer from Excess and Deficiency Fund to meet overdrafts in Highway and Willowdale Bridge appropriation.
Called for by Article, $1,301.20 Recommended, $1,301.20 ARTICLE 6.
Relocation of Bridge St .. construction of same and payment of land damage.
Called for by Article. $1,900.00.
Your committee recommend that the sum of $300. be appro- priated for land damages, and that not exceeding $1,600. be appro- priated for the construction. No overdraft to be allowed, the work to be carried on in such manner that when the money is expended the work will be in a finished condition.
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FINANCE REPORT
ARTICLE 7.
Barberry Hedge and other work on Engine House Lot. Called for by Article, $250.00. Recommended $250.00 ARTICLE 8.
Dog Tax for maintainence of Public Library.
Recommended, that the money received from the Dog Tax, be divided equally between the Public Library and Schools.
ARTICLE 9.
Repair of Main St. Scales. Called for Article, $128.41. Recommended $128.41
ARTICLE 10.
Petition of A. P. Gardner Post, American Legion.
Called for by Article $200.00 Recommended $200.00
ARTICLE 11.
Tax for maintainence, care and repairs of Essex County Tuber- culosis Hospital, June 1, 1921 to December 31, 1921. Called for by Article, $563.58. Recommended $563.58. ARTICLE 12.
Borrowing after January 1, 1923, in anticipation of taxes.
We recommend authorizing the Treasurer to borrow, as set forth in this article of the Warrant. ARTICLE 13.
Collection of taxes. Recommended. 1
GRAND TOTAL OF APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED.
From surplus $7,301 20
From taxes 92,926 99
From all sources
$100,228 19
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Corresponding totals in 1921, appropriated in four Town
Meetings, as follows; From surplus From taxes
$ 7,143 00
111,520 00
From all sources
$118,663 00
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER H. KNOWLES, Chairman, EDWARD J. READY, Clerk, LESTER E. McGARRY, PERCIVAL W. BURTON,
Finance and Advisory Committee of the Town of Hamilton.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Board of Fire Engineers
OF THE
Town of Hamilton FOR THE YEAR 1921
MASSA
A
EX. HAMILTON
HA
ETTS.
· INC
21.1793·
SALEM, MASS. NEWCOMB & GAUSS. PRINTERS 1922
GEORGE F. PENDEXTER
In Memoriam
On October 11, 1921, our respected and honored Chief passed to that bourne from which no traveler returns.
George F. Pendexter, son of George H. and Susan Pendexter, was born in Waltham, Mass., May 5, 1876, and was educated in the public schools of that city, after which he entered the employ of his uncle in Somerville, from whom he learned the drug business.
He came to Hamilton in February, 1907, as manager of " drug store. In 1908 he purchased the periodical business in Depot Square, which business he conducted successfully until his death.
He was a life member of Gloucester Lodge B. P. O. E.
On May 4, 1915, he was appointed to the Board of Fire Engi- neers, which position he continued to hold until May 3, 1921, at which time he was elected Chief Engineer of the Hamilton Fire Department.
The Town loses a noble, conscientious man, whose character was built upon the eternal principles of charity, right and justice. To know him was to love and respect him. He has passed from among us, but the life he lived while here we will hold in sweet remembrance of him.
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen : We wish to submit to you the Seventh Annual Report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1921.
FIRES
Date Owner
Street
Dist. No. Nature of Fire
Jan. 26 George C. Vaughan
Moulton 24 Meadow
Mar. 21 Myopia Club
Miles R. R. 16 Grass
Apr. 2 Geo. Thomas
Willow
21 Grass
Apr. 12 Smith Tinkham
Hamilton
21 Chimney
Apr. 28 Out of town
T. A. Moynihan
Willow
21 Wood Shed
June 1 Wm. Stevens
Chebacco Rr.
15 Auto.
June 3 Q. McGregor
Main 21
Chimney
June 28
W. A. Buxton
Bridge
14
Auto.
Aug. 16
G. K. Knowlton
School
12
. .....
Sept. 1 Wm. T. Lambert
Main
23
Meadow
Sept. 8 False
Main 23
Grass
Sept. 11 Out of town
Wenham . .
. . . .
Oct. 8 John Woodbury
School
12
Meadow
Oct. 28 G. A. Peterson
Willow
21
Brush
Nov. 16 Percival Burnham
Bridge 14 Auto.
Nov. 19 Max Litman
Chebacco Rd. 15
Auto.
Dec. 9 Myopia Club
Off Walnut
21 Grass
...
May 23 May 23 Edw. Stone
Willow
21
Grass
Apr. 15 Dr. C. H. Davis
Wenham
.
Sagamore
24 Chimney
Grass Fires, 5; Automobiles, 4; Meadow, 3; Chimney, 3; Buildings 1; Brush, 1.
7
FIRE ENGINEER'S REPORT
We take this opportunity to assure your Honorable Board and the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton, that we greatly appreciate the creating of the appropriation which enabled the Engineers to remodel the old Engine House, thereby securing more room and better sanitary conditions. From the time of our return to the remodeled building it is very noticeable that much more interest is being taken by the members of the Company in the Department.
Harmony among the members of a Company and pride in their building and apparatus go a long way in making an efficient Fire Department, and we firmly believe that compared with other towns of our size our department ranks with the topmost.
We have succeeded in making a lawn of what was formerly a very rough piece of land upon the Railroad Avenue side of our lot, and in order that we may further improve the lot and retain · what we have got it is necessary that some kind of protection be put around the lawn. A barberry hedge seems to the Engineers to be the best solution to the problem. Our backyard needs gravel- ing, in order that coal teams may get in and out. This yard would also serve as a parking place for automobiles, which the members now leave upon the street. A short section of curbing is also re- quired in front of the Engine House.
These three requirements are the reason for our asking for an extra appropriation in the Warrant.
Thanking everyone who has been of assistance to us in our work, we remain,
Respectfully, LESTER M. WHIPPLE, Chief. HARRY R. MCGREGOR. RODNEY H. ADAMS. RAYMOND C. GOULD. FRANK DANE.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Hamilton
FOR THE YEAR 1921
ASSA
LEX.
HAMILTON
, HAM
A
TTS.
INCORP
21.1793·
JU
SALEM, MASS. NEWCOMB & GAUSS. PRINTERS 1922
School Committee's Report
Annual Report of the School Committee of the Town of Hamilton for the year 1921.
ORGANIZATION.
HAROLD S. MARTIN, Chairman, Term expires 1924
Resigned November 1921.
ADELAIDE D. WALSH,
Term expires 1923
FLORENCE M. LULL, Secretary, ADELAIDE D. WALSH, Purchasing Agent Superintendent
Term expires 1922
ARTHUR B. LORD,
JOHN G. CORCORAN, School Physician School Nurse
HELEN GRADY,
The School Committee makes its report for the year 1921 as follows :
During the year many changes have taken place in the per- sonnel of the schools, changes which were regrettable but unavoid- able. Mr. Harvey R. Williams, who assumed the superintendence of the school July 1st, retired from all educational work at the close of the school year last June, and at the same time Mr. Her- bert H. Archibald resigned as principal. Both of these men did excellent work and labored faithfully for the good of the schools, and left them in far better condition than they were in when they began their work in Hamilton.
The Town is to be congratulated in now having as its Super- intendent of Schools, Mr. Arthur B. Lord, who, before coming to
3
4
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Hamilton schools was one of the State Superintendents of Connec- ticut, and as Principal of the South School Mr. Elwood S. Fraser, from the Taunton High School. These gentlemen have met many difficult and annoying problems in their efforts to bring the school up to their ideals of what it should be, and we bespeak for them the earnest and active co-operation of parents, pupils and all other citizens interested in the welfare of our young people, for without such co-operation their efforts will be greatly nullified.
We again invite parents and all others interested in our schools to visit them and gain some idea of the excellent work that is being done by teachers and pupils alike.
The High School is still hampered in its work, and each year makes the need of a new high school building more pro- nounced, but the crowded condition in the lower grades has been entirely relieved by the new two-room building on the South School grounds, in which the Fourth and Fifth grades are comfortably and satisfactorily housed. This building is very complete, with its own heater, ventilators, toilets, wash-basins and bubbler. Water is piped in from the main building.
Soon after school opened the Center School was found to be overcrowded, and to relieve that condition the fourth and fifth grades are now being transported to the South School, where there is ample room.
The North School is taking care of all pupils in that district, up to and including the sixth grade.
The Committee had never been in favor of opening the West School, but as the Town voted to do so we have done our best to make the school pleasant, attractive and profitable. It did not seem right to deny parents the privilege of sending their children to the graded school with its superior advantages, when it could be done without additional cost of transportation, therefore those children above the first grade whose parents desired to continue
5
SCHOOL REPORT
sending them to the South School were allowed to do so. From an educational point of view, no school with so few pupils and so many grades can be considered efficient, and everyone will perceive that from a financial standpoint the cost of operating the West School is entirely out of proportion, being nearly $120 per pupil per year.
During the last two years the seventh grade pupils of the east district have been retained in the East School. The seventh grade is the first year of the junior high school, and it is not to the advantage of pupils in that grade to be deprived of the activities of the junior high in the South School.
Unless the number of pupils in the east district increases very materially it will only be a short time when one of the rooms of that building should be closed to avoid an excessive cost per pupil in maintaining that school.
For insurance expiring this year an appropriation of $200 is recommended.
For the maintenance of the schools this year, not including the West School, an appropriation of $41,000 is recommended.
For the maintenance of the West School, if it is to be kept open, an appropriation of $1,500 is recommended.
For tuition in the Beverly and Lawrence Industrial Schools an appropriation of $700 is recommended.
Respectfully submitted,
ADELAIDE D. WALSH,
FLORENCE M. LULL, School Committee.
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee, Town of Hamilton.
Members of the Committee and Citizens: I have the honor to submit for your consideration my first annual report of the Hamil- ton schools.
GRADING OF PUPILS.
Standard tests and measurements have been given which show that the majority of our pupils are placed in the grade where they can do the best work. Many pupils are, however, from three months to a half year behind their grade. By keeping the indi- vidual needs of pupils before them teachers will endeavor to bring such pupils up to the minimum standard. The only just method of grading is the placing of individual children in the grade where they can best do the work. If it is found pupils cannot with understanding do the work of the grade in which they are placed, the only fair treatment is to put them back and give them more time in the grade below. Other pupils may progress more rapidly and should not be held a year in a grade when less time is required for an understanding of the work. The system of grading must provide, for the individual, the amount of time he may need for a. given amount of work, be it a half year, a year, or a year and a half. The tests we are using as measurements have become stand- ardized. They are, the National Intelligence Tests, the Monroe Silent Reading Tests, the McCall-Woody Arithmetic Tests, the Dearborn-Peet Progress Tests in Arithmetic, the Trabue Language Scales, the Iowa Spelling Tests, and the Thorndike Penmanship Scale.
6
7
SCHOOL REPORT
ATTENDANCE.
An education is the most important factor in the life of a boy or girl. They should be made to feel that school should come before all else. The law recognizes only two reasons for non-atten- dance at school, mental or physical disability. Children will never realize the importance of school when parents keep them out or allow them to stay out for unnecessary reasons.
From September to December 23rd, there were 308 cases of tardiness and a total of 1,637 days of school were missed by pupils. Among the reasons given in notes from parents were: "week-end trip," "to go to the city," "to help at home," "over-slept," "clock slow," etc. How long would a business house stand such a record by its employees? Yet boys and girls are forming habits which will be with them through life. Promptness and regularity are habits worth forming.
The law allows the superintendent of schools, either in person or through the teachers, to excuse pupils for irregular attendance not to exceed seven times during a six month period. It is my intention not to excuse pupils unless a request from parents giving a good reason for such action is received. Seven unexcused cases of irregular attendance in a six month period are, under the law, subject to court action.
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL.
In the South School many difficulties are the result of having the grades and the high school in a building ill fitted for the needs of the schools. When school opened in September it was apparent the efficiency of the school was seriously affected by the almost con- stant changing about in the building. The high school now opens at 8.30 and closes at 2.30. This plan gives one-half hour more time than the plan in force last year. It allows time for physical
S
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
exercises and for at least a part of the recitations that previously came four times a week to be heard daily.
The State Department of Education, in "A Manual for High Schools" says, "In order to carry out the purposes of secondary education it is necessary that the school day should not be too short. The school day, including recess and lunch periods, should not be less than six hours, and exclusive of lunch periods and recess not less than five and one-half hours."
A program following the present hours of the high school necessitates the preparation of lessons at home. This is not being done in many cases, with the result that the work of such pupils is unsatisfactory.
We have a very conscientious corps of teachers. They are ready and willing to help pupils to understand their work. Teach- ers. by turn, remain two hours after school daily to assist pupils. The pupils are. however. the ones who must do the work, if they are to get anything from school or are to graduate.
Rank cards are sent out every eight weeks, and in case pupils are doing unsatisfactory work. notice is sent home every four weeks that parents may know of the facts and co-operate in improving conditions.
We have all the requisites of a good school, but we need three things-
A new building on a separate lot,
A loyal school spirit.
The firm backing on the part of the townspeople.
The school committee. the superintendent, the principal. or the teachers, be they ever so well qualified, cannot make a school of high educational standards unless the townspeople sincerely desire such a school and insist on their sons and daughters doing the work which is assigned for them to do.
If the schools are to remain in the same building, they should follow the same program of hours.
9
SCHOOL REPORT
PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
Complying with the law passed by the last legislature, and following the lead of the larger towns and cities around us, a school nurse has been employed, and Health or Physical Education added to the school program.
In September every child had a physical examination by the school physician assisted by the school nurse. The examination shows the following conditions :
Number of children examined 302
Number having defective teeth 83
Number having defective hearing 1
Number having defective sight 8
Number having enlarged tonsils or adenoids 25
Number under weight 35
Number of miscellaneous defects 9
The most noticeable defects were stooped-shoulders, "hollow chests," and underweight or malnutrition. The school nurse visits the schools two afternoons a week, where she gives health instruc- tion. weighs and measures and examines the children. She also makes many home calls for conference with parents as to the health of their children.
Formal physical exercises designed for physical development and correct posture have been introduced. At recess time a lunch consisting of a half-pint bottle of milk and graham crackers, is being sold in the South School at cost. About 100 children are buying this lunch.
At noon, the domestic science department serve either hot cocoa, soup, or chowder to each child who remains in the building during lunch hour.
10
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
D
The activities of the nurse since September have been as follows :
Visits to schools 40
Visits to parents 38
Children sent to physicians
6
Children sent to dentist
72
Children sent to hospital
3
Children having teeth filled 72
Children having adenoids removed 4
Children having glasses fitted
4
Other defects treated 2
The Red Cross of Hamilton-Wenham conducts every Friday morning a Dental Clinic for school children, at the office of Dr. King. While all school children cannot attend the clinic in the limited time available, it is the intention of the Red Cross com- mittee in charge to take those cases most needing attention from the two towns.
The Modern Health Crusade as a means of forming right habits of diet, sleep, cleanliness and exercise has been introduced. Great interest has been shown by the children, and saner hours of sleep and improved diet have resulted in better school work in many cases.
Outdoor play for children is a requisite of good health. Every child should be outdoors at recess. This play period is supervised by the teachers, who make sure all actively participate in some game or exercise.
Statistics prove that city children are more "physically fit" than country children. This improved condition in the cities has been brought about by free clinics, health instruction, district nurses, school nurses, open-air schools, free lunches, etc., which
11
SCHOOL REPORT
have for some years been conducted in the larger cities. These projects have in many cases been looked upon as "fads" by country people, and they have been slow in adopting them. Twenty years ago the percentage of physical defects in city children was much greater than among country children. As a result of the health work in the cities during the past few years, conditions are now just the reverse.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
The question of a new high school building should not be lost sight of.
The boys and girls of Hamilton are not now getting a square deal. The fundamental basis of education in this Commonwealth is equal opportunity to all the boys and girls of the state. The children of Hamilton are not now having an equal educational opportunity with the great majority of young people, not only in Massachusetts, but in all New England, when their work is handi- capped for lack of a proper building.
With no place for physical training except the class rooms and the corridors, and with no desirable place for basket-ball and other indoor athletics, the need of a gymnasium is most pressing. If a new building were constructed, the gymnasium would meet all the needs of the school and be available for all other local organi- zations who desired to make use of it.
Are the citizens of Hamilton not now ready to sell the two annexes and build the excellent building, the plans of which were submitted to the town a year ago? That building, adequate in every way, would assure Hamilton boys and girls of proper housing conditions for at least a quarter of a century.
12
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
WEST SCHOOL.
A rural school of several grades cannot do as satisfactory work as a school with one teacher to a grade. When the number of pupils in attendance is only eleven, as is the case in the West School, the spirit of competition is lacking and adds another handi- cap.
We were fortunate in securing a normal graduate of a year's experience for the West School. She has done good work, but from reasons entirely outside her control, this school, or any other of its type, cannot be considered educationally efficient. Two of the eleven pupils will enter junior high school in September. Is it the wish of the voters that $1.500 per year additional school funds be expended to operate a school for ten or twelve pupils ?
IN GENERAL.
The "no school" signal has been abolished. On stormy days teachers will be in their respective rooms. Parents will use their judgment as to sending their children to school, as they know the facts with reference to their particular case, as to distance, condi- tion of the roads, clothing of children and their physical condition.
The East School is quite small at the present time, having but 26 pupils, 13 in each schoolroom. The time is not far distant when it will be of advantage to all concerned to close one room, place the first five grades under one teacher. and transfer the few children in the upper grades to the South School.
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