USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1932 > Part 6
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159
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING
ARTICLE 9. To see what action the Town will take in regard to printing and distributing a valuation book of the taxable prop- erty in the Town of Hamilton as per the Assessors' records and appropriate a sum of money for same, or take any other action thereon as petitioned for by Harold A. Daley and others.
ARTICLE 10. To see what action the Town will take in regard to changing Chapter IV, Section I and II of the By Laws of the Town of Hamilton, relative to legal affairs as petitioned for by Harold A. Daley and others.
ARTICLE 11. To see what action the Town will take in regard to changing Chapter V, Section I of the By Laws of the Town of Hamilton, relative to Town Contracts as petitioned for by Harold A. Daley and others.
ARTICLE 12. To see what action the Town will take relative to the discontinuance of the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School situated at East Hamilton as petitioned for by Bayard Tuckerman and others.
ARTICLE 13. To see what action the Town will take in regard to changing Chapter I of the Town's By Laws for the purpose of changing the time and manner of its annual Town Meeting as petitioned for by Richard H. Smith, Jr., and others.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the Town will grade and oil the sur- face of Farms Road, beginning at the Albert R. Merrill cottage and continuing past the houses along the road, as far as the Rail- road Bridge, and appropriate a sum of money for same as peti- tioned for by Mrs. Florence M. Smith and others.
160
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ARTICLE 15. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year beginning January 1, 1934, in anticipation of the revenue of said municipal year, such sums of money as may be necessary to meet the current expenses of the Town, giving the note or notes of the Town therefor, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from revenue of said municipal year.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will authorize the Collector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Sec- tion 37, of the General Laws.
ARTICLE 17. To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one at the Town Hall and one at each of the three post offices in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of hold- ing said meeting.
Given under our hands this 20th day of February A. D. 1933.
GEORGE E. SMITH ARTHUR C. CUMMINGS JONATHAN LAMSON
Selectmen of Hamilton.
TOWN OF HAMILTON
REPORT
OF THE
Finance and Advisory Committee ON THE
Appropriations and Articles
FOR THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
MARCH 14, 1933
HA
A
LTON
. HA
TTS.
ยท INCO
3.
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS
1933
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
The economic conditions of the year just closed have shown very clearly the results of the policies of extravagance or conservatism by which the various municipalities have been governed in the past years. The town of Hamilton, fortunately, has been, as a whole, in the conservative class, but while we have practiced economy, we, like all other towns, are finding that our efforts to a very large extent are offset by extravagance in state expenditures, which means that we receive a smaller amount from the state and have to pay a very much larger state tax.
As in many other municipalities one of our most perplexing problems is the mounting cost of unemployment. We call your attention to the fact that in January a meeting was called, and money appropriated for this purpose. An additional amount is requested at the annual meeting, and from present indications, another meeting will be necessary to appropriate money to carry out the needs of the current year.
The expenses of our Public Welfare Department have also increased by a very substantial amount, most of this increase being for old age pensions and out-of-town aid, two items over which the local board has no control.
The Finance Committee recommends for your consideration clos- ing the police station at South Hamilton and using a room at the Town Hall which is now vacant. It also recommends moving the branch library from its present location to the South School. The School Committee have given their consent to the use of a vacant room at the South School. This would bring the library nearer to the center of population and would also be more convenient for those school children who wished to take books from the library. These two moves would result in a saving of $550.00 annually to the town. The full saving would not be realized the first year on the library as there would be some expense in establishing the library in its new location.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
This is the time when the policy of "pay-as-you-go" as against the policy of paying for public improvements through bond issues is brought very clearly to the attention of the taxpayers. While we have, as a rule, paid for our improvements from the annual taxes, we should not overlook the rise in our fixed expenses for interest and maturing debt, which, in 1930, was $2,821.25, and in 1932, amounted to $12,925.52, an increase of $10,104.27. (These amounts do not include interest on temporary loans.) This is a permanent charge against the taxpayers until the last bond is paid, whereas those improvements for which we pay cash can be dis- continued now that the time for economy has arrived. Our perma- nent highways are one of the best investments the town has made, having resulted in the decrease of the highway maintenance charge of $6,000 representing a drop of little more than one dollar in the tax rate.
In January the Finance Committee called a meeting at which all the town officers were present. At this meeting the heads of the various departments discussed the probable needs of these departments for the coming year, and the result of this discussion is a much closer cooperation between the departments than we have had in past years.
The net result of this cooperative spirit has resulted in substan- tial savings to the town and will if the voters accept the recom- mendations as submitted to them, result in a decreased tax rate.
APPROPRIATIONS FROM TAXES
YEAR 1932 1933
Appropriation
Expended
vSelectmen
1,200 00
1,198 93
1,200 00
as &Accounting
1,300 00
1,294 39
1,300 00
Treasury
1,000 00
997 85
1,000 00
Collector
1,200 00
1,189 92
1,200 00
Assessors
1,800 00
1,761 92
1,600 00
Other Finance Acct.
50 00
22 00
50 00
Law
200 00
200 00
200 00
Law Special
750 00
Town Clerk
650 00
632 12
650 00
Elec. and Reg.
1,000 00
1,008 89
500 00
165
REPORT OF FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Town Hall
2,000 00
2,168 40
2,000 00
Police
2,000 00
2,242 93
/ 1,600 00
Fire
2,800 00
3,417 68
2,850 00
Fire Special
500 00
476 50
Sealer
350 00
327 56
300 00
Petroleum Insp.
25 00
18 50
25 00
Moth, Town
2,000 00
1,999 19
1,900 00
Moth, Private
1,500 00
1,425 75
1,200 00
Tree Warden
1,000 00
999 84
900 00
Forest Fire Warden
200 00
116 71
200 00
Game Warden
15 00
10 00
15 00
Health Department
2,400 00
1,974 07
2,200 00
Insp. of Animals
75 00
29 50
75 00
Highway
12,000 00
12,027 47
11,000 00
Snow
4,000 00
4,924 14
3,000 00
Street Lights
8,250 00
8,218 38
8,300 00
Public Welfare
7,500 00
9,953 42
9,000 00
State Aid
400 00
260 00
300 00
Soldiers' Relief
1,200 00
1,683 50
1,700 00
Schools
45,478 36
44,752 59
*41,665 00
Schools, Vocational Tr.
600 00
347 85
400 00
Public Library
2,000 00
2,073 57
1,800 00
Parks
200 00
199 65
150 00
Memorial Day
300 00
282 19
250 00
Town Reports
400 00
397 66
550 00
Town Clock
50 00
25 40
50 00
American Legion
250 00
246 00
250 00
Boiler Insurance
150 00
61 15
50 00
Reserve Fund
3,000 00
3,000 00
Cemetery
1,500 00
1,598 94
1,600 00
Interest
8,000 00
6,533 23
6,000 00
Maturing Debt.
6,500 00
8,000 00
8,000 00
Departments Total
125,043 36
118,780 00
Essex Sanitorium
1,451 53
1,451 53
1,372 03
Overdrafts
3,189 85
June Appropriation
6,500 00
6,235 05
Jan. Appropriation
8,000 00
166
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Special Appropriations Insurance Special Unemployment
19,776 70 21,373 77
1,200 00 8,000 00
Total from Taxes
152,771 59
141,541 88
* Dog Tax Additional
WILLIAM W. BANCROFT JOHN H. PERKINS STANDISH BRADFORD
WM. S. FORBES
Finance Committee
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR THE YEAR 1932
A
HAMI
LTON
HA
ITS.
INCO
.1793
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS
1933
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Citizens of Hamilton:
The School Committee presents herewith its report for the year 1932.
EDUCATIONAL
The stimulating effect of the clean, bright and adequate school environment afforded by our new High School building has been clearly in evidence during the past year.
In September, 1932, the State Department of Education issued a rule requiring all students to participate in a Physical Educa- tion program as a part of the regular curriculum.
The athletic program previously followed in our High School has been expanded to meet the requirements and has fulfilled the expectations of your committee.
Basketball for all High School grades has been inaugurated dur- ing the year and has proven financially successful as well as suc- cessful from the standpoint of physical education.
To participate in varsity athletics the student must obtain a passing grade in the academic studies.
Your committee wishes to remind all those who are vitally con- cerned with education that participating in athletics is a privi- lege that will be denied the student for failure in academic studies or unsatisfactory deportment.
The most important feature in a Physical Education program is not the victorious team on the field, but equal opportunity to each student to participate in some form of physical exercise and learn the true value of sportsmanship.
Constant changes in the personnel of the teaching staff involves a great waste in educational capital. It is with great satisfaction that this year we have had to replace only four of our teachers.
4
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
We believe that any move which would tend to make our teachers dissatisfied would result in a tremendous loss in efficiency and productivity. The committee feels that the vacancies have been adequately filled.
FINANCIAL
For the year 1932 your Committee received an appropriation of $45,860. including the Dog Tax, to operate the school system. The sum of $1,108.56 has been returned to the town.
This has been accomplished by placing the teaching staff on a twelve months basis instead of a ten month basis as has been the custom heretofore.
The town has been reimbursed by the State in the sum of $3,530. which brings our net school cost down to $41,221.34 for the year 1932.
The amount of this reimbursement is based on the salary and the length of service of the teachers.
In addition the removal of the annexes affords a substantial savings in insurance and fuel charges. Careful and conservative calculation with a view both to economy and efficiency places our financial needs for 1933 at $41,890.60 which includes the Dog Tax. This budget shows a reduction of over 9% from our 1932 appropriation.
The Committee feels that the most permanent and less painful method of reducing salaries is through the operations of filling vacancies at lower salaries than previously paid, thereby, maintain- ing the same educational standard. By following this policy the Committee was able to accomplish a saving of $1450. for the year 1932.
Your Committee realizes the drastic reductions in income suf- fered by all taxpayers and it is with great satisfaction that we are able at the particular time to show the largest reduction in the
5
SCHOOL REPORT
appropriation for schools which has been made for many years. We believe that in spite of the reduction in appropriation we shall be able to maintain the usual high educational standards.
Budget 1932
Budget 1933
Salaries (including all salaries)
$33,437.00
$31,999.16
Textbooks and Supplies
1,575.00
1,565.00
Fuel
2,800.00
1,600.00
Electricity and Gas
455.00
600.00
Janitor's Supplies
425.00
235.00
Repairs
50.00
200.00
Transportation
4,283.00
4,436.30
Insurance
1,431.50
780.00
New Equipment
500.00
200.00
Miscellaneous
503.50
275.00
Furniture and fixtures
400.00
$45,860.00
$41,890.46
The valuable assistance rendered by the Unemployment Com- mittee in cooperating with your Committee in grading of the South School grounds and improving the appearance of the High School area is greatly appreciated.
In closing your Committee wishes to express its sincere apprecia- tion for the whole-hearted support and tireless efforts rendered by the teaching staff, and the support received from the parents, pupils and townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT ROBERTSON. JR ..
Chairman
JAMES H. CONWAY Secretary FREDERICK C. HOLLAND
In Memoriam
EDITH L. FLETCHER
TEACHER IN SOUTH SCHOOL 1906 --- 1932
7
SCHOOL REPORT
DEDICATION HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL
MAXWELL NORMAN MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 4, 1932 EIGHT O'CLOCK
PROGRAM
SELECTION Orchestra Rev. A. S. Anderson
INVOCATION
PRESENTATION OF BUILDING To Building Committee - Charles G. Loring, Architect ; Frederick C. Holland, Secretary of Building Committee. ACCEPTANCE OF BUILDING On behalf of Town of Hamilton - Jonathan Lamson, Chairman of Board of Selectmen.
CUSTODY OF BUILDING Accepted by School Committee - Robert Robertson, Jr., Chairman.
ADDRESS Payson W. Smith, Commissioner of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
AMERICA BENEDICTION SELECTION
VOCAL SELECTIONS
Entire Audience Rev. W. F. A. Stride
Orchestra
Weber Quartette
8
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL Erected 1931
BUILDING COMMITTEE
Jonathan Lamson
Frederick C. Holland
Leverett A. Haskell
George S. Mandell George E. Smith
BOARD OF SELECTMEN Jonathan Lamson Arthur C. Cummings George E. Smith
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Robert Robertson, Jr. Clarissa E. Ready Frederick C. Holland
ARCHITECT Charles G. Loring
BUILDER D'Amore Construction Company
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
John D. Whittier
PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL Willard B. Spalding
9
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee,
Dear Sirs :
I herewith submit my tenth annual report as superintendent of your schools.
TEACHERS
Several changes have taken place in our teaching force.
At the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School Miss Katherine Malone was elected to the position made vacant by transferring Miss Marjorie Underhill to grade three at the South School to fill vacancy caused by death of Miss Edith L. Fletcher. Miss Wil- helmina Ready was elected to position made vacant by Miss Mur- ray's resignation.
At the High School three resignations have taken place. Mr. Roland Payne was elected to fill the position as principal follow- ing the resignation of Mr. Spalding. Miss Ruth Barker and Mr. Nelson Progin were elected to fill positions previously held by Miss Whitney and Mr. Bezanson.
Due to the resignation of Mr. Spalding which took effect about six weeks before the close of schools in June, it seemed advisable that Mrs. Hazel Ramer be appointed to serve as principal the balance of the school year while a substitute was secured to teach the required classes. I have only words of commendation for the splendid service rendered by Mrs. Ramer in administering the school at a most difficult season of the year. Her many years' service as a teacher, intimate knowledge of the workings of the school and loyal support from fellow teachers and pupils, made it possible for her to administer the school most efficiently.
10
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
The recommendation of an applicant to fill a position as prin- cipal of a school is most exacting. One must first consider the work to be done in the particular position, and secondly consider the qualities of the several applicants to do the required work.
There were approximately one hundred fifty applicants for the position as principal in our school. I personally interviewed about one hundred of them. The records of most of these were carefully examined to determine the qualities possessed which would be of value in our system.
The few candidates who seemed the best prepared met with our committee, with the result that the position was offered Mr. Roland W. Payne, who has shown by his painstaking efforts and qualities of leadership that no mistake was made in recommending him for the position he now holds.
Mr. Payne has taken up his duties with a firm determination to use the physical layout to the greatest possible extent for the best interest of the school, to secure the most efficient work from teachers and pupils, and to make this an outstanding small high school. I believe he will accomplish this if given the necessary co-operation.
It is with profound regret that I mention the passing of Miss Edith L. Fletcher, who had been in the employ of the school de- partment since 1906. For twenty-five years she had faithfully performed her duties as teacher-teaching boys and girls who were fortunate to have come under her guidance.
HELPING TEACHERS
It has been possible to have free part-time services of teachers in the grades. Miss Featherstone has worked one-half day weekly in all grades at the South School, giving instruction in physical training to fill her requirement for practice teaching at Sargent School. Miss Barron has devoted the full time to special groups from grades one to three for the purpose of gaining experience
11
SCHOOL REPORT
in her work. The schools profit from this service rendered and these prospective teachers consider that they are obtaining much practical experience in preparing them for their work.
REORGANIZATION OF SOUTH SCHOOL
With the removal of the Junior-Senior High School pupils to the new building it has been possible to effect many changes advan- tageous to the teachers and pupils of the first six grades in the South Building.
Miss Marion Joseph has been appointed principal of the school. Sanitary conditions in the basement have been made ideal.
Three rooms on each floor of the building are now used for single grades. The extra room on the first floor is used for phys- ical training purposes, while the fourth room on the second floor is unused.
The two offices are now used by the art teacher and school nurse.
There is now provided at this building ideal working condi- tions for both teachers and pupils. Rooms are sufficiently large to care for the present enrollment and for any reasonable increase during the next few years. The building is well equipped with materials for doing the required work.
Since the removal of the two annex buildings the grounds have been drained and graded with the assistance of the unemployment department, thus providing an adequate playground for the chil- dren.
THE NEW HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL
Since the first of last March much time and thought have been devoted to the many problems brought about by the removal of the Junior-Senior High School into the new building. It has been my purpose to have the building used to its fullest capacity that every teacher and pupil may profit to the greatest degree physically and academically from the ideal conditions provided.
12
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
I find that the teachers are endeavoring to do more thorough work with the pupils in their daily classes and that, for the most part, pupils are showing a desire to profit from the advantages provided.
The auditorium-gymnasium is providing an opportunity to develop our boys and girls academically, physically, and socially as could not possibly have been brought about at the old building.
Every pupil is now required to take physical training work and, in addition, is encouraged to engage in the many activities carried on in the gymnasium.
The sewing, cooking, manual training, and lunch room in the basement; the offices and teachers' room on the first floor; the study hall-library, science laboratory, and commercial rooms on the second floor ; the toilet facilities on each floor, and regular class- rooms on the first and second floors are providing the physical surroundings most adequate for doing secondary school work.
I am positive that a visit to our building on any school day between the hours of eight a. m. and five p. m. will convince the taxpayer that the fullest possible use is being made of our high school building and facilities.
During the past year interested citizens have donated several volumes for our school library, provided a flag-pole and flags for the building, set out a hedge across the front of the lot, and had erected most artictic wrought-iron gates above the entrances to the school lot. These gifts are of material value to the school and show that the donors have an interest in the schools of our town.
Thinking there are others who might wish to make gifts, I take this opportunity of bringing to their attention some of our needs which it does not seem possible to provide through channels of taxation at the present time.
13
SCHOOL REPORT
High School Building Sewing Room Display case for garments Three-way mirror Sewing tables Chairs
Cooking Room Cooking cabinets Kitchen tables Stools Breakfast set-table and four chairs
Silver for setting the table
Refrigerator-electric
Cafeteria
Complete layout for sixty pupils
School Library
Volumes by standard authors
Approved fiction
Biographical and historical books
Scientific books
Current magazines
Rest Room (Pupils)
Studio couch Blankets Chair
Table
Rest Room (Teachers) Studio couch Blankets Rocker Writing desk and chair
14
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Manual Training Room Circular saw
Auditorium-gymnasium Curtain for the stage
School Grounds
Tennis court
Shrubbery about building
I believe there must be citizens in our community who would wish to donate either the whole or part of the articles needed under one of the headings in memory of some teacher, pupil or interested citizen. Upon request I shall be pleased to give detailed information in regard to the above needs.
THE CHALLENGE
In these times when it is most difficult to secure necessary funds to administer our government, I believe school executives have one of the most difficult challenges to meet-every cent must be wisely expended.
Expenditures must be for those things which will most materially react to the educational advantage of the children. These young people must not be deprived of that education which will prepare them to meet future problems that will doubtless be more difficult to solve than any of those the present generation have met.
If education has been of value in the past in helping us solve our intricate problems its value should be ten times greater in helping solve future problems.
In conclusion I wish to thank you, gentlemen, for your hearty co-operation in assisting the teachers and myself in raising the standard of our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
January 25, 1933.
J. D. WHITTIER.
15
SCHOOL REPORT
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Mr. John D. Whittier Superintendent of Schools Hamilton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir :
This is my first annual report and I am able to present only those items of interest which have occurred during the Autumn months of the school year. The school in its entirety has been one of pleasure in which to work.
Before the opening of school on September 7, 1932, I spent con- siderable time making a schedule which would meet the require- ments of all concerned. Many individual programs were changed for the best interests of the pupil. The members of the Senior Class at present are confident of receiving their diplomas in June providing that they earn a passing mark in each of the subjects which they are now pursuing.
Responsibility is given a group of pupils elected by the student body, through participation in the school government. This group of student representatives comprise what is known as the student council. They meet with me at least once every two weeks during school time, and formulate plans which are for the best interests of the school.
A little explanation regarding school dues might be of interest at this time. School dues are paid instead of class dues. This has been approved by the student council as a means of keeping the pupil "school-minded" rather than "class-minded." No class has a treasury of its own. The council appropriates money from the central fund to sponsor all class activities. In the past, a large share of this money went toward the senior trip to Washington. This year there is to be no trip and at present the amount of the dues have been reduced as much as 50% in some classes. This
16
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
means less money coming in for the council appropriations. Then, too, the pupils are not paying their school dues as regularly as they should.
Pupils are given definite assurance of something in return for the payment of their dues to the school. A ticket is issued to each student. On the reverse side of this are printed the school affairs to which the student is admitted free when dues are paid to date. If admissions were paid to all of these, the sum would exceed what they pay for dues. I wish that more students would keep their school dues paid to date. This would serve as assurance that they were backing our athletic teams and other activities requiring money. Membership in any organization whatever entails the payment of dues, and pupils by realizing and meeting their obliga- tions in school, will learn a lesson of responsibility helpful through out their entire life.
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