USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1929 > Part 4
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$17,513 35
Payments Jan. 1 to 15, 1930:
Per warrants
$2,300 44
Not on warrants 2 00
2,302 44
Balance January 15, 1930 : Cash in office (verified) $163 12
Merchants Natl. Bank 15,047 79
15,210 91
$17,513 35
MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK, SALEM, MASS.
Balance January 15, 1930, per statement $16,889 94
Balance January 15, 1930, per check book $15,047 79
Outstanding checks January 15, 1930, per list 1,842 15
$16,889 94
98
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
RECONCILIATION OF COLLECTOR'S CASH
January 15, 1930
Due from Collector January 15, 1930:
Taxes 1926,
$16 21
Taxes 1927,
27 78
Taxes 1928, 43 51
Taxes 1929,
1,709 08
Motor vehicle excise tax 1929,
26 19
Moth 1929, 10 69
Interest-taxes 1927,
1 63
Interest-taxes 1928,
2 70
Interest-taxes 1929,
20 01
Interest-motor vehicle excise tax, 1929 65
$1,858 45
Cash on hand Jan. 15, 1930 (verified) $1,845 92 Due from Collector January 15, 1930
(paid to Treasurer Feb. 12, 1930), 12 53
$1,858 45
TAXES-1924
Recommitment June 25, 1929, $4 20
Abatements June 25 to December 31, 1929, 4 20
TAXES-1925
Recommitment June 25, 1929, $13 52
Abatements June 25 to December 31, 1929, $13 52
99
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
TAXES-1926
Recommitment June 25, 1929 $3,546 24
Payments to treasurer June 25 to December 31, 1929, 1,491 39
Abatements,
80 08
Adjustments :
Taxes 1926 reported as taxes 1927, 121 01
Transferred to account of Charles W. Appleton, collector, per proof submitted, 181 00
Outstanding December 31, 1929,
1,672 76
$3,546 24
Outstanding January 1, 1930, $1,672 76
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 15, 1930 $70 84
Outstanding January 15, 1930, per list 1,585 71
Cash on hand Jan. | 15, 1930 (verified) 16 21 $1,672 76
TAXES-1927
Recommitment June 25, 1929, $6,994 53
Adjustments :
Taxes 1926 reported as taxes 1927, 121 01
Taxes 1929 reported as taxes 1927, 100 32
Duplicate abatement, 3 19
Payments to treasurer June 25 to December 31, 1929, $3,275 79
$7,219 05
100
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Abatements June 25 to December 31, 1929 111 49
Transferred to accounts of Charles
W. Appleton, collector, per proof submitted, 1,585 62
Outstanding December 31, 1929,
2,246 15
$7,219 05
Outstanding January 1, 1930, $2,246 15 Overpayment to treasurer, to be adjusted, .50
Outstanding January 15, 1930, per
$2,246 65 list, $2,218 37
Cash on hand January 15, 1930
(verified), 28 28
$2,246 65
TAXES-1928
Recommitment June 25, 1929 $14,000 47
Adjustments :
Abatement rescinded, 2 34
Moth 1928 reported as taxes 1928 3 57
$14,006 38
Payments to treasurer June 25 to
December 31, 1929:
Classified,
$7,791 62
Not previously classified, 21 06
$7,812 68
Abatements June 25 to Dec. 31, 1929, 240 85
Transferred to account of Charles W. Appleton, collector, per proof submitted, 447 49
101
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Outstanding December 31, 1929, 5,505 36
$14,006 38
Outstanding January 1, 1930, $5,505 36
Payments to treasurer Jan. 1 to 15, 1930 $9 14
Abatements Jan. 1 to 15, 1930 1 17
Outstanding Jan. 15, 1930, per list, 5,451 54
Cash on hand Jan. 15, 1930 (verified) 43 51
$5,505 36
TAXES -- 1929
Commitment per warrant, $130,973 54
Commitment list in excess of warrant, 5 50
$130,979 04
Payments to treasurer to · December 31, 1929 : Classified, $100,226 68
Not previously classified, 6,784 05
$107,010 73
Abatements to Dec. 31, 1929,
382 36
Adjustments : Taxes 1929 reported as taxes 1927, 100 32
Taxes 1929 reported as interest -- taxes 1927, 7 25
Outstanding December 31, 1929, 23,478 38
$130,979 04
$23,478 38
$1,563 60
Outstanding January 1, 1930, Payments to treasurer January 1 to 15, 1930, Abatements January 1 to 15, 1930, 4 06
102
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Outstanding Jan. 15, 1930, per list, 20,201 64
Cash on hand Jan. 15, 1930 (verified) 1,696 05 Due from collector Jan. 15, 1930 (paid to treasurer Feb. 12, 1930), 13 03
$23,478 38
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES-1929
Commitment, $10,042 64
Adjustments :
Commitment not previously charged, 20 00
Abatements after payment, refunded, 22 86
$10,085 50
Payments to treasurer to December 31, 1929, $7,169 15
Abatements to Dec. 31, 1929, 724 45
Abatement not previously reported, 20
Outstanding Dec. 31, 1929, 2,191 70
$10,085 50
Outstanding January 1, 1930, $2,191 70
Aljustments :
Abatement after payment, refunded, 5 70
Abatement after payment, to be refunded 6 59
Overpayment to collector, to be refunded 9 19
$2,213 18
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 15, 1930, $41 22
Abatements January 1 to 15, 1930 11 58
Outstanding January 15, 1930, per list, 2,134 19
103
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Cash on hand January 15, 1930 (verified), 26 19
$2,213 18
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1926
Recommitment June 25, 1929, $18 84
Payments to treasurer June 25 to December 31, 1929, $3 47
Outstanding December 31, 1929 and January 15, 1930, per list 15 37
$18 84
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1927
Recommitment June 25, 1929, $44 19
Payments to treasurer June 25 to December 31, 1929, $23 08
Transferred to account of Charles
W. Appleton, collector, per proof submitted, 7 74
Outstanding December 31, 1929, and January 15, 1930, per list, 13 37
$44 19
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1928
Recommitment June 25, 1929, $245 20
Payments to treasurer June 25 to December 31, 1929, $205 90
104
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Moth 1928 reported as taxes 1928, 3 57
Transferred to account of Charles W. Appleton, collector, per proof submitted, 70
Outstanding December 31, 1929, and January 15, 1930, per list, 35 03
$245 20
MOTH ASSESSMENTS-1929
Commitment,
Payments to treasurer to
December 31, 1929 : Classified, $619 83
$956 39
Not previously classified,
118 17
$738 00
Abatements to December 31, 1929, 2 85
Warrant in excess of commitment list 70
Outstanding December 31, 1929, 214 84
$956 39
Outstanding January 1, 1930,
$214 84
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 15, 1930, $4 43
Outstanding January 15, 1930, per list, 199 72
Cash on hand January 15, 1930 (verified), 10 69
$214 84
105
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
INTEREST-TAXES 1926
Collections :
1929. June 25 to December 31, $349 45
1930 January 1 to 15, 19 16
$368 61
Payments to treasurer : 1929, June 25 to December 31, $349 45
1930, January 1 to 15, 19 16
$368 61
INTEREST --- TAXES 1927
Collections : 1929, June 25 to Dec. 31, $325 19
1930, January 1 to 15, 1 63
$326 82
Adjustments : Interest-taxes 1928 reported as interest taxes 1927, 5 63
Taxes 1929 reported as interest taxes 1927, 7 25
$339 70
Payments to treasurer June 25 to December 31, 1929, $338 07
Cash on hand January 15, 1930 (verified), 1 63
$339 70
INTEREST-TAXES 1928
Collections : 1929, June 25 to Dec. 31, $433 65
1930, January 1 to 15,
3 82
$437 47
106
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Payments to treasurer :
1929, June 25 to Dec. 31, $428 02
1930, January 1 to 15, 1 12
429 14
Interest-taxes 1928 reported as interest taxes 1927, 5 63
Cash on hand January 15, 1930 (verified), 2 70
$437 47
INTEREST-TAXES 1929
Collections :
1929, June 25 to December 31, $103 05
1930, January 1 to 15, 40 43
$143 48
Payments to treasurer : Classified :
1929, June 25 to Dec. 31, $102 93
1930, January 1 to 15, 20 42
Not previously classified, 1929, 12
$123 47
Cash on hand Jan. 15, 1930 (verified)
20 01
$143 48
INTEREST-MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE TAXES 1929
Collections : 1929, $1 08 1930 to January 15, 91
$1 99
Payments to treasurer : 1929, $1 08
107
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
1930 to January 15, 26
$1 34
Cash on hand Jan. 15, 1930 (verified) .65
$1 99
HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES
Licenses issued :
118 @ $2.25, $265 50
18 @ .75, 13 50
2 @ .50, 1 00
$280 00
Payments to Department of Conser- vation, per receipts on file, $240 00
Town clerk's fees, 136 @ 25c, 34 00
Due Department of Conservation, December 31, 1929, 6 00
$280 00
Due Department of Conservation, January 1, 1930, $6 00
Licenses issued Jan. 1 to 29, 1930 :
9 @ $2.25, $65 25
5 .75, 3 75
69 00
$75 00
Payments to Department of Conservation January 1 to 29, 1930, $6 00
Town clerk's fees Jan. 1 to 29, 1930: 34 @ 25c, 8 50
Cash on hand Jan. 29, 1930 (verified) 60 50
$75 00
108
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
DOG LICENSES
Due county treasurer Jan. 1, 1929, $56 40 Licenses issued :
122 @ $2.00, $244 00
31 @ 5 00, 155 00
3 @ 25.00, 75 00
2 @ 50.00, 100 00 574 00
$630 40
Payments to county treasurer,
per receipts on file :
May 24, 1929,
$245 20
November 15, 1929, 353 60
$598 80
Town clerk's fees-158 @ 20c,
31 60
$630 40
Licenses issued Jan. 1 to 28, 1930 :
3 @ $2.00,
$6 00
5 00 .
1 @ 5.00, $11 00
Town clerk's fees-4 @ 20c,
80
Cash on hand Jan. 29, 1930 (verified) 10 20
$11 00
REVOLVER LICENSES
Licenses issued 1929, $9 00
Due treasurer December 31, 1929, $9 00
109
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
Due treasurer January 1, 1930, $9 00
Licenses issued January 1 to 30, 1930, 9 00
$18 00
Cash on hand January 30, 1930 (verified), 18 00
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Fees for sealing and adjusting 1929, $40 90 Payments to treasurer 1928, $40 01
Overpayments to treasurer (adjusted), 89
$40 90
Fees for sealing January 1 to February 1, 1930, $5 06
Payments to treasurer January 1 to February 1, 1930, $5 06
H. AUGUSTA DODGE LIBRARY FUND
Sav. Bank Deposits Total
On hand at beginning of year 1929,
$1,000 00 $1,000 00
On hand at end of year 1929, $1,000 00 $1,000 00
Receipts Payments
Income, $50 63 Transferred to town, $50 63
DR. JUSTIN ALLEN LIBRARY FUND
Sav. Bank Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1929,
$500 00 $500 00
On hand at end of year 1929,
$500 $500 00
Receipts Payments
Income,
$24 29
Transferred to town, $24 29
110
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUND
Sav. Bank Deposits Total
On hand at beginning of year 1929,
On hand at end of year 1929,
$9,881 33 $9,881 33 $10,595 78 $10,595 78
Receipts
Payments
Income,
$580 75
Added to savings deposits, $714 45
Bequests,
450 00
Care of lots, 316 30
$1,030 75
$1,030 75
CEMETERY SPECIAL FUND
Sav. Bank Deposits Total
On hand at beginning of year 1929,
$1,858 69 $1,858 69
On hand at end of year 1929, $2,210 08 $2,210 08
Receipts
Payments
Income,
Sale of lots,
$41 39 Added to savings 310 00 deposits, $351 39
$351 39
$351 39
MAXWELL NORMAN FUND
Cash in Genl. Sav. Bank Treasury Deposits Total
On hand at beginning of year 1929. $10,330 00 $10,330 00
On hand at end of year 1929, $10,748 37 $10,748 37
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
111
Receipts
Income,
$418 37
Cash on hand at beginning of year 10,330 00
$10,748 37
Payments Deposited in savings bank, $10,748 37
$10,748 37
112
IIAMILTON TOWN REPORT
TOWN OF HAMILTON BALANCE SHEET-DECEMBER 31, 1929 GENERAL ACCOUNTS ASSETS
Cash :
In Bank and Office,
$15,609 41
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes :
Levy of 1926,
$1,672 76
Levy of 1927,
2,246 15
Levy of 1928,
5,505 36
Levy of 1929,
23,478 38
32,902 65
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes 1929,
2,191 70
Special Assessments :
Moth 1926,
$15 37
Moth 1927,
13 37.
Moth 1928,
35 03
Moth 1929,
214 84
278 61
Departmental :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
State Aid,
$228 00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Soldiers' Burial,
40 00
Health,
387 40
Public Welfare,
901 18
1,556 58
Charles W. Appleton, Collector,
3,454 28
$55,993 23
.
113
DIVISION OF ACCOUNTS
LIABILITIES
Temporary Loans :
In Anticipation of Revenue,
$20,000 00
Tailings,
61 16
Allen Library Fund Income,
74 28
Dodge Library Fund Income,
60 50
Surplus War Bonus Fund,
965 37
Unexpended Balance :
Bridge Street, 86 91
Overlays-Reserved for Abatement of Taxes:
Levy of 1926,
$1,106 44
Levy of 1927,
1,161 21
Levy of 1928,
1,649 04
Levy of 1929,
1,764 61
5,681 30
Revenue-Reserved until collected :
Motor Vehicle Excise,
$2,191 70
Special Assessment,
278 61
Departmental,
1,556 58
4,026 89
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus,
3,911 55
Surplus Revenue,
21,125 27
$55,993 23
DEBT ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt,
$20,000 00
$20,000 00
114
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
LIABILITIES
East Schoolhouse Loan, $6,000 00
Essex County Tuberculosis Hospital Loan,
14,000 00
$20,000 00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Trust and Investment Funds :
Cash and Securities, in custody of Treasurer, $25,054 23
$25,054 23
LIABILITIES
Allen Library Fund,
$500 00
Dodge Library Fund,
1,000 00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund,
10,595 78
Cemetery Special Fund,
2,210 08
Maxwell Norman Fund,
10,748 37
$25,054 23
TOWN OF HAMILTON
REPORT
OF THE
Finance and Advisory Committee ON THE Appropriations and Articles FOR THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 11, 1930
M ASS
ALEX. HAMILTON
HAN
SETTS.
INCOR
1793
P.
SALEM, MASS. : NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1930
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
There follows a complete list of the recommendations as to the appropriations for 1930.
It will be noted that, with few exceptions, the expenses of the various departments are greater than a year ago. By adopt- ing a pay-as-you-go policy, the funded debt of the town has shown a steady reduction, the funded debt now being but $20,000.
We wish to emphasize particularly the importance of pursu- ing a definite policy as to highways; namely, that of building as much "permanent" road as possible each year. The original expense is high, but under modern conditions of locomotion, building a gravel road on main highways is only temporary and is money wasted.
If the voters would leave the matter of roads in the hands of the Selectmen, the Surveyor of Highways, and this Com- mittee, the permanent road program could be carried out more economically and with less delays.
This year the State and County are assisting us in the con- struction of Highland Street. The first section to be built is from the Wenham Town line to Asbury Grove. The State and County are paying two-thirds, and the town of Hamilton one-third of the cost.
Bridge Street, the first section of which was built last year, should be completed as soon as possible so as to have a connect- ing link between Main and Essex Street.
If this year's road program is carried out as recommended, the town will see by the increased mileage of "permanent" road, that this policy consistently adhered to by this Committee for the past five years, is vielding dividends in increased pleasure and economy of operation over good roads.
The Selectmen and all the other departments strive to serve
117
118
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
the best interests of the Town and are willing to co-operate with this Committee when economies are pointed out to them.
As to other departments, sincere congratulations are due to Chief Southwick and the Police Department. The Fire De- partment is always prompt and efficient, thanks to the volun- teers who make up the ranks.
As a committee we regretted losing through resignation Col. J C. R. Peabody and Leverett A. Haskell. We thank them for the help and co-operation they rendered and we welcome the new appointees. Mr. John H. Perkins and Mr. Frederick Winant.
The question of water for fire protection is again brought up. We feel that if the town wishes to provide more water for fire purposes, that some of the outlying sections, which are entirely without water, should be taken care of before building a dupli- cate system for the sections already covered.
As we pointed out last year, a comparison of other towns led us to believe that the schools could be operated more efficiently and we feel that it would not be advisable to spend money for new buildings under present conditions.
The list of appropriation recommendations follows :
Tax Rate - 1927
$23.80
1928 $23.40 Spent 1927
Spent
1928
Spent 1929 $372.53
$500.00
· ....
Selectmen Salaries
350.00
350.00
350.00
350.00
. . . . . .
250.00
250.00
250.00
250.00
. . ..
250.00
250.00
250.00
250.00
$1,350.00
Accounting Salaries
1,200.00
98.51 1,200.00
1,200.00
1,200.00
1,300.00
Accounting-Extra
for Adding Machine
. . .
300.00
300.00
Treasury Dept.
146.17
194.25
166.50
200.00
Treasury Salary
750.00
750.00
750.00
750.00
950.00
Collector Dept.
270.97
281.39
384.75
400.00
Collector Salary
600.00
600.00
600.00
600.00
1,000.00
Assessors
1,499.30
1,497.81
993.65
1,000.00
. . . .
1929 $22.70
Recommended 1930
Selectmen Dept.
$346.01
$331.80
Accounting Dept.
67.52
97.88
100.00
..
119
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Spent 1927
Spent 1928
Spent 1929
Recommended. 1930
Assessors Salaries
5.00P.D.
5.00P.D.350.00
350.00
. . . . . .
. .
.
Cert. of Notes
10.00
12.00
12.00
20.00
20.00
Law Dept.
200.00
200.00
200.00
Town Clerk Dept.
127.47
141.96
149.84
150.00
650.00
Elec. and Reg.
472.07
949.82
490.27
950.00
Town Hall
2,103.32
2,174.10
2,199.11
2,200.00
Police Dept.
2,151.99
2,032.22
2,099.72
2.000.00
Police Spec. Extras
200.00
Fire Dept.
3,130.26
3,440.84
2,774.54
2,800.00
Fire Hose and Ins.
500.00
Sealer
299.97
295.61
347.86
350.00
Moth Dept.
2,199.53
2,199.60
2,570.77
2,200.00
Moth -- Rep. to Sprayer ...
400.00
Moth-(Priv. Work)
1,500.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
Tree Warden
499.60
517.51
999.65
1,000.00
Forest Warden
137.10
98.76
112.48
125.00
. .. .
Forest Warden-Salary
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
150.00
Health Dept.
1,698.82
1,647.18
2,622.12
2,500.00
Health Dept. Salary
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
2,600.00
Insp. of Animals
47.25
43.16
22.10
75.00
Highway Dept.
20,036.52
14,991.24
15,489.56
15,500.00
Highway Dept. Sal.
1,500.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
17,000.00
Special Streets
17,305.74
25,000.00
20,599.58 Highland
(Inc. perm. and temp. constr.)
Bridge
Guard Rails and Signs
999.23
Snow Removal
9,330.91
3,768.83
5,616.65
2,500.00
Street Lights
7,812.50
7,843.12
7,882.69
8,100.00
Public Welfare
3,625.06
3,872.91
4,294.40
3,900.00
.....
Public Welfare Sal.
50.00
50.00
50.00
50.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
25.00
4,000.00
State Aid
264.00
309.00
234.00
300.00
300.00
Soldiers' Relief
550.33
905.64
644.59
800.00
Schools
44,944.00
47,022.00
46,447.63
46,100.00
(Inc. Dog Tax)
Extra. . Vocational Tr.
725.00
Public Library
2,008.58
2,177.60.
2,057.28
2,000.00
Parks
349.70
349.95
349.81
, 400.00
Memorial Day
250.00
261.57
290.53
300.00 ·
Town Reports
386.87
379.30
417.20
425.00
Town Clock
25.00
25.00
25.00
100.00
American Legion
250.00
250.00
250.00
250.00
Boiler Insurance
41.39
103.52
62.11
50.00
Game Warden
10.00
10.00
10.00
15.00
Reserve Fund
2,897.64
2,895.25
1,972.42
3,000.00
Cemetery
824.75
1,012.65
840.00
. . . .
.
. .
225.00
225.00
225.00
225.00
1,800.00
200.00
Town Clerk Salary
500.00
500.00
500.00
500.00
2,968.00
..
. . . . . .
120
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Spent 1927
Spent 1928
Spent 1929
Recommended 1930
Cemetery Salaries
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
900.00
Interest
3,783.94
3,517.87
4,336.15
** 3,600.00
Town Hall Insurance . ..
1,800.00
Maturing Debt
5,000.00 ** 5,000.00 ** 4,500.00 **
** 2,000.00
$142,230.28 $143,026.87 $143,987.00
** Less paid from surplus
5,000.00
5,000.00
4,500.00
Total charges to
taxes
$137,230.00 $138,026.00 140,120.00
Warrants
Article No. 5 to be contracted for by Selectmen
Requested $10,000.00 8,000.00
Recom- mended $10,000.00
17 66
66
66 .6
2,800.00
2,500.00
.6
.“
66
66
6%
1,800.00
1,800.00
66
66
66
6,500.00
13,000.00
6.
11 12 general road appropriation
1,200.00
1,000.00
.6
13
66
66
66
15
850.00
850.00
66
16 taken care of by Article No. 10
6.
19
3,000.00
Not. Rec.
.6
20
750.00
.6
21
1,500.00
..
66
23
300.00
300.00
Total charges to taxes
$151,710.00
FINANCE COMMITTEE,
G. v. L. MEYER, Chairman, WM. W. BANCROFT, FINDLEY D. MACDONALD,
JOHN H. PERKINS, FREDERICK WINANT.
8
66
66
1,400.00
1,000.00
..
10
6 **
66
66
8,000.00
.
. .
.
14
22
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR THE YEAR
1929
AS
ALEX. HAMI
LTON
. HA
ETTS.
INCOR
93
SALEM, MASS. NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1930
=
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
We present herewith our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1929.
During the summer months our Secretary, Mr. Lawrence G. Bush resigned, as he had accepted a position on Long Island, N. Y. We were unfortunate in losing the benefit of Mr. Bush's practical advice and experience.
His successor, Mr. Chester A. Foster, appointed by a joint meeting of the Selectmen and School Committee, has filled the position very acceptably.
The largest items of expense for repairs were for re-laying another section of the South School roof, refinishing the in- teriors of the two Annex buildings, and shingling one Annex.
There are still two sections of the South School roof to be done when our funds permit.
One of the outstanding improvements in the South School was the installation of gas for use in Chemistry, Domestic Science and Manual Training.
A new item of expense confronts the Committee this year in the State Requirement for the payment of tuition and trans- portation for students attending the Trade School at Beverly. A portion of this tuition is rebated to the Town by the State.
Last year the Town voted an appropriation of $46,115. for school purposes.
We ask this year for an appropriation of practically the same amount namely $46,100. which includes the Dog Tax of ap- proximately $300.
Respectfully submitted,
R. ROBERTSON, JR., Chairman. CHESTER A. FOSTER CLARISSA E. READY
Hamilton, Mass., February 11, 1930. School Committee,
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee,
Dear Madam and Sirs: I herewith submit my seventh an- nual report as superintendent of your schools.
ENROLLMENT
At the close of school in December, 1929 there were 200 pupils enrolled in grades one to six and 181 in grades seven to twelve. This is the lowest enrollment there has been in the schools in several years. The decrease is largely due to the- fact that the age limit allowing pupils to enter school has been raised six months.
TEACHERS
The success of a system is largely dependent upon the corps of teachers employed. They must be well trained, professionally interested and paid a salary which will induce them to give a long period of service where their work assures them of suc- cessive reelections. It has been necessary to fill four vacancies. in our system during the past year. Our school system as a whole has greatly profited through the retention of a most satisfactory corps of teachers.
READING
The Aldine System of Reading has been used several years as the basal system.
Doubtless at the time this system was adopted it was one of the most up-to-date. Results obtained throughout the use of this system have been most satisfactory. But students of edu- cational method and material are ever finding new methods. and materials to supplement and replace the old.
5
SCHOOL REPORT
Our teachers, who have been taking courses, realized that the old system did not provide the latest methods and materials to accomplish the desired results. They were provided with sets of readers by several publishers who also sent demonstrators to emphasize the content and methods as brought out in the particular system.
All materials, including supplementary, have been purchased for carrying out the work as outlined through the fourth grade. The methods demonstrator, representing the publishers of the texts, has already met with teachers of grades one and two for two conferences and will doubtless hold another conference during the year.
Teachers are most enthusiastic about results in reading thus far obtained with those pupils who entered school in September. We have every reason to believe that no mistake has been made in adopting this as our basal system.
PENMANSHIP
It has been my opinion, as well as that of many others in- cluding the teachers, that we were not obtaining satisfactory results in penmanship. Teachers complained that the system used did not have methods sufficient to guide them, that there were no standards for their guidance and as a consequence they did not feel that they were obtaining even reasonably satisfac- tory results.
After an exhaustive study of five different systems of pen- manship it seemed that the Zaner-Bloser System of Correlated Handwriting would most satisfactorily meet our needs for the following reasons :
1. Because it furnishes a series of carefully graded writing books for the pupils together with a corresponding series of manuals for teachers.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
2. Because these books encourage free flowing arm move- ment which can be attained by every pupil.
3. Because there are certain definite standards for every grade emphasizing uniformity of slant and alignment, quality of line, letter formation and spacing.
4. Because it would be possible to secure the services of a supervisor of penmanship, teaching this system, to in- struct the teachers.
5. Because there are Certificates of Award to be presented to the pupils as they reach desired goals.
Through the generosity of Miss Olive Adams, Supervisor of Penmanship in the Beverly Public Schools, it has been possible to provide all teachers with a graded outline definitely outlining the work by months for the several grades.
Results desired will be attained only as pupils in lower grades advance to the upper grades meeting the several standards. However, it is fully expected that pupils in the intermediate and upper grades will show a fair degree of improvement in penmanship even though not having had the advantages of this system in their early years of schooling.
ARITHMETIC
To supplement the text in Arithmetic which is for teachers use only of grades one and two there has been prepared and placed in the hands of these teachers an outline of work re- quired by months in these two grades. With the use of this outline it will be possible for teachers to plan their work more methodically and promote pupils to the third grade better pre- pared to carry on the work of the texts used in this grade and thereafter.
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