USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1940 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
ARTICLE 1. "To bring in your ballots for :
Moderator for one year
Town Clerk for one year
Three Selectmen for one year
Three Overseers of Public Welfare for one year
Treasurer for one year Tax Collector for one year
One Surveyor of Highways for one year
Tree Warden for one year
Three Constables for one year
One Assessor for three years One Member of the School Committee for three years One Library Trustee for three years
One Cemetery Commissioner for three years
One Park Commissioner for three years
One Water Commissioner for three years
One Water Commissioner for two years
229
WARRANT
The above named officers to be voted for on one ballot on Tuesday, the eleventh day of March, 1941 (March 11, 1941). The polls will be opened at 5:45 o'clock A. M., and may be closed at 4:00 o'clock P. M."
ARTICLE 2. "To choose and appoint all other Town Officers in such manner as the Town shall determine."
ARTICLE 3. "To hear the report of the Town Officers and of the Finance and Advisory Committee and all other committees and take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 4. "To raise and appropriate money for Schools, Highways and all other town expenses and determine the manner of expending same."
ARTICLE 5. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to be expended for work to be done on the Highways, the Cemetery, the Moth Suppression Department, the Parks, Fire Protection, the Water Supply Sys- tem, municipal buildings, and other municipal works and for materials and implements, to provide work for the needy un- employed of the town, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 6. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, to transfer the sum of $6,000.00 from the Excess and Defi- ciency Fund to the Selectmen Unemployment Account, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 7. "To see if the Town will vote, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation, to transfer the sum of $1,000.00 from the Overlay Surplus to the Reserve Fund, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 8. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the purpose of leasing or acquir-
230
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
ing by purchase for playground purposes a certain portion con- sisting of some ten acres, more or less, of land on the northerly side of Main Street at its junction with Asbury Street, belong- ing to the Myopia Schooling Field, a trust, Dudley P. Rogers et als. trustees, and to determine whether the money shall be raised by taxation and by transfer from the unexpended bal- ance of the appropriation for the purchase of land for play- ground purposes voted under Article 14 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting held on March 7, 1938, or take any action thereon."
ARTICLE 9. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the improvement of Asbury Street, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose ; or take any action in relation thereto."
ARTICLE 10. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the maintenance of various streets, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose ; or take any other action in relation thereto."
ARTICLE 11. "To consider the report of the committee ap- pointed at the last Annual Town Meeting to consider the advisability of the Town establishing a planning board and to see if the Town will vote to establish a planning board under the provisions of General Laws Chapter 41 (Chapter 211, Acts of 1936) section 81A, with all the powers and duties therein, to consist of five members to be elected by ballot at the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1942, one for a term of one year, one for a term of two years, one for a term of three years, one for a term of four years, and one for a term of five years, and thereafter in accordance with the provisions of the statute, or take any action relative thereto."
231
WARRANT
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote that a committee of five be appointed to investigate and inquire into the changes necessary in the Town Hall to provide additional space to remedy the existing crowded conditions therein."
ARTICLE 13. "To see if the Town will vote to accept Savoy Road, so called, from Lois Street to Howard Road, as per plan on file at the Town Clerk's office, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Timothy A. Moynihan and others."
ARTICLE 14. "To see if the Town will vote to accept Naples Road, so called, from Lois Street to Howard Road, as per plan on file at the Town Clerk's office, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Timothy A. Moynihan and others."
ARTICLE 15. "To see if the Town will vote to accept Howard Road, so called, as per plan on file at the Town Clerk's office, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Timothy A. Moynihan and others."
ARTICLE 16. "To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of two thousand ($2,000.00) dollars to pur- chase aproximately 37,883 square feet of land, bordering on Linden and Lois Streets extension, for playground purposes, and to determine whether the money shall be raised by taxation and by transfer from the unexpended balance of the appropria- tion for the purchase of land for playground purposes voted under Article 14 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meet- ing held on March 7, 1938, or take any action thereon, as petitioned for by Timothy A. Moynihan and others."
ARTICLE 17. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some convenient and public place in the Town fourteen days at least before the sale,
232
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
property taken by the Town under Tax Title procedure, pro- vided that the Selectmen or whomsoever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto."
ARTICLE 18. "To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1942, and to issue a note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws and amendments thereto."
ARTICLE 19. "To see if the Town will authorize the Col- lector to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer, when appointed Collector, may use agreeable to Chapter 41, Section 37, of the General Laws and amendments thereto."
ARTICLE 20. "To act on any other matter that may legally come before said meeting."
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attest- ed copies thereof, one at the Town Hall, and one at each of the three postoffices 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 holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this 27th day of January A.D. 1941. A true copy, Attest :
JOHN H. PERKINS EDWARD A. DEWITT LAWRENCE R. STONE Selectmen of Hamilton.
TOWN OF HAMILTON
REPORT
OF THE
Finance and Advisory Committee ON THE Appropriations and Articles FOR THE
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 3, 1941
MASSA
X. HAMILTON
A
, HA
TS
·INCORP.
21.1793·
JUN
SALEM, MASS. NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS 1941
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
We recommend appropriations of $164,484.28 for the cur- rent year. In making these recommendations we hope that there will be no increase in the tax rate. There are, however, a number of factors over which we have no control, which have not yet been determined. These factors include the state tax upon cities and towns, which we anticipate will be slightly larger in net amount than that of 1940; the county tax which we expect may also be larger; the amount required for snow removal ; and any additional appropriations made at the town meeting.
We wish to call your attention particularly to the following :
1. The recommendation for the Unemployment Fund is $11,000, which is $2,000 less than 1940. Of this amount we suggest that $6,000 be transferred from the Excess and Defi- ciency Fund. The Unemployment Fund is used in part in connection with the W. P. A. Project.
2. The appropriation for Police is recommended to be in- creased from $2,500 to $3,000, the additional sum to be used in connection with an increase in patrol work and maintaining a police office in South Hamilton.
3. Although Public Welfare will be less in the coming year, the reduction is more than taken up by an increase in Old Age Assistance from $8,700 to $11,500, and an increase in Aid for Dependent Children.
236
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
4. The total School Budget as recommended for the coming year is less than 1940, although that part which represents the regular budget is increased approximately $1,100. Of this amount, teachers' salaries and repairs and equipment are the chief items.
5. There is an increase in the amount suggested for Water from $2,350 to $3,585. The difference is represented chiefly by an increase in the superintendent's salary and a reserve to pay for the cost of making new connections.
6. There are a number of small increases, including salaries of town officials.
The town has had five consecutive tax reductions. This has been made possible primarily through the spirit and coopera- tion of the town officers. No increases in salaries have been given, with one exception, for a number of years, and the Finance Committee feels that recognition should be given the officers for their services.
A comparison of the appropriations for 1940 and the rec- ommendations for 1941 is as follows :
237
FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
1941 Recom- 1940 Appro- mend- priations ations Increases Decreases
Selectmen, salaries
$850 00
$850 00
0
0
expenses
350 00
350 00
0
0
Unemployment fund
13,000 00
11,000 00*
0
2,000 00
Accounting, salaries
1,200 00
1,250 00
50 00
()
expenses
150 00
125 00
0
25 00
Treasury, salaries
750 00
800 00
50 00
0
expenses
250 00
500 00
250 00
0
Tax Collector, salaries expenses special
800 00
1,000 00
200 00
0
450 00
460 00
10 00
0
65 00
0
0
65 00
Assessors
1,800 00
1,800 00
0
0
Other Finance Accounts
5 00
25 00
20 00
0
Town Clerk, salaries expenses
150 00
150 00
0
0
Law
500 00
500 00
.0
0
Election and Registration,
salaries
200 00
200 00
0
0
expenses
1,100 00
600 00
0
500 00
Town Hall
2,400 00
2,400 00
0
0
special
200 00
0
0
200 00
Police
2,500 00
3,000 00
500 00
0
special
240 00
0
0
240 00
Fire
2,800 00
2,800 00
0
0
new hose
550 00
300 00
0
250 00
Moth, Town
2,000 00
2,000 00
0
0
private
1,300 00
1,300 00
0
0
Tree Warden
900 00
900 00
0
0
small sprayer
350 00
0
0
350 00
small truck
600 00
0
0
600 00
Forest Fire Warden
75 00
75 00
0
0
Sealer
300 00
300 00
0
0
Health
2,200 00
1 2,200 00
0
0
Inspector of Animals
75 00
75 00
0
0
Highways, salaries expenses
11,200 00
11,200 00
0
0
Chap. 90, construction maintenance
1,000 34
0
0
1,000 34
860 00
1,000 00
140 00
0
Snow
8,500 00
8,500 00
0
0
Street lighting
7,000 00
7,000 00
0
0
Public welfare
13,000 00
11,500 00
0
1,500 00
Soldiers' Relief
1,200 00
900 00
0
300 00
State and Military Aid
700 00
400 00
0
300 00
Old Age, administration
500 00
500 00
0
0
assistance
8,700 00
11,500 00
2,800 00
0
0
0
1,800 00
1,800 00
500 00
550 00
50 00
0
238
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
1941 Recom- 1940 Appro- mend- priations ations Increases Decreases
Aid to dependent children
administration
25 00
25 00
0 600 00
0
assistance
600 00
1,200 00
0
School
42,397 78 43,554 491
1,156 71
0
new boiler, Lamson School
3,400 00
0
0
3,400 00
domestic science
75 00
0
0
75 00
vocational
350 00
400 00
50 00
0
cafeteria
1,500 00
1,500 00
0
0
educational trips
50 00
50 00
0
0
painting
275 00
300 00
25 00
0
desks, tables, chairs, and benches
649 00
96 00
0
553 00
music and records
0
61 00
61 00
0
projecting screen and shade
0
112 50
112 50
0
encyclopedia
0
80 00
80 00
0
repairs to roof High Sch. and Lamson School
0
300 00
300 00
0
Public Library
2.400 00
2,400 00
0
0
American Legion
300 00
325 00
25
0
Boiler insurance
150 00
70 00
0
80 00
Insurance fund
1,075 00
975 00
0
100 00
Reserve fund
2,500 00
2,000 00±
0
500 00
Memorial Day
250 00
250 00
0
0
Parks
250 00
325 00
75 00
0
Town clock
50 00
50 00
0
0
Town Reports
500 00
550 00
50 00
0
Water Department
2,350 00
3,585 00
1,235 00
0
Cemetery
1,400 00
1,450 00
50 00
0
Interest
3,500 00
3,125 00
0
375 00
Maturing debt
13,000 00
11,890 29
0
1,109 71
B. & M. R.R. Jand taking.
10 00
0
0
10 00
Committee on By-Laws
. ...
100 00
0
0
100 00
170,227 12 164,484 28
7,890 21
13,633 05
*It is recommended that $6,000 of this amount be transferred from the Excess and Deficiency Fund.
¡The dog tax, amounting to $599.75 for 1940, was applied against the 1940 appropriation for schools. It is recommended that the dog tax for 1941, in the amount of $688.51, be transferred to the School Department and applied against its regular appropriation.
¿It is recommended that $1,000.00 of this amount be transferred from the Overlay Reserve.
239
FINANCE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Article 6 of the Warrant provides for the transfer of $6,000 of the Excess and Deficiency Fund to the Unemployment Fund. As indicated above, we are in favor of this transfer.
Article 8 is to see if the town will acquire for playground purposes a portion of the Myopia Schooling Field. The Finance Committee is in favor of the town acquiring by lease for a period of years a portion of the Schooling Field for play- ground purposes and recommends that the $500 appropriated in 1938 for playground purposes be transferred to be expended by the Selectmen in this connection.
Article 9 is to see if the town will raise money for the im- provement of Asbury Street to be used in conjunction with money to be allotted by the state or county. This is a Chapter 90 project and would complete Asbury Street to the Topsfield line but at a cost to the town of $6,250. The Finance Com- mittee is in favor of making Asbury Street a permanent road but recommends that the Selectmen arrange with the state that the work be done in 1942 rather than 1941.
Article 10 suggests the expenditure of money for mainte- nance of certain roads named therein. We are in favor of the expenditure of $1,000 for this purpose, and it is so recom- mended above under the heading "Chapter 90, Maintenance."
Article 16 is to see if the town will vote to purchase approxi- mately 37,883 square feet of land bordering on Linden and Lois Streets for playground purposes and to appropriate $2,000 therefor. The Finance Committee in view of the recommenda- tion above suggest that this purchase not be made.
Respectfully submitted, STANDISH BRADFORD JOHN KING PERCIVAL D. WHIPPLE J. EDWARD COX FORRESTER A. CLARK
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
FOR THE YEAR 1940
MASS
ALEX.
HAMILTON
. HAN
TTS.
INC
793.
OR
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS NEWCOMB & GAUSS CO., PRINTERS
1941
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Hamilton:
The School Committee herewith submits its annual report.
The year 1940 passed quite quietly regarding school matters. There was no apparent friction or dissatisfaction. Teachers, pupils and parents seemed to have cooperated in making this a satisfactory year, educationally.
The only major item of expense on the plant was the instal- lation of the new boiler in the Lamson School by V. J. Ken- neally, under the supervision of John E. Chatman. This boiler should last for the life of the building.
The only change in personnel among the teachers came with the replacement, by Miss Betty Herndon, of Miss Dorothy Ward, who resigned her position as commercial teacher in order to be married; and the appointment of Mr. Robert Steele as Junior-Senior High School Music Supervisor.
The school cominittee wishes to express its regret at the death of Miss Nellie Cutting, who died at her home in Bellows Falls, Vermont, on January 23, 1941. Miss Cutting recently resigned from her position as teacher to grade one, after more than thirty years of faithful and inspiring service.
Budget
This year the committee is asking the town for a budget of $43,554.49, which is an increase of $1,156.61 over the $42,397.78 granted last year. The major increases are as fol- lows: 1. A net increase of $534.88 in money allowed for teachers' salaries ; 2. A net increase of $85 in textbooks and
4
SCHOOL REPORT
supplies ; 3. An increase of $100 for the manual training de- partment ; 4. An increase of $150 in the allowance for fuel to heat the buildings; 5. An increase of $100 for electricity ; 6. An increase of $35 for water; 7. An increase of $50 for repairs to the High School; 8. An increase of $75 for new equipment for the High School. This item is to be used for the purchase of new typewriters. 9. An increase of $50 for new equipment for athletics.
All these increases have been arrived at by careful scrutiny of money spent on these items during the last few years and by taking into consideration the needs of the present, with due regards for the demand of the future.
The major items on the list of special appropriations are $300 for painting and $300 for repairing a serious leak in the roof at the Lamson School and repairing the roof at the High School.
We hope that the town will see fit to grant this budget which has been approved by the finance committee.
Respectfully submitted, FREDERIC WINTHROP, Chairman GRACE B. LAMSON, Secretary HARRY S. GILCHREST
February 4, 1941.
5
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Members of the School Committee,
Dear Madam and Sirs:
My eighteenth annual report is herewith submitted for your consideration.
Grade
Enrollment, September, 1940 Jonathan Adelaide Lamson Dodge Walsh High
1
30
5
2
20
5
3
32
3
4
30
5
5
34
2
6
36
7
34
8
36
9
35
10
31
11
28
12
24
Totals
182
20
188
Grand Total
390
Teachers
For a period of two years the school system was without a change in the teaching force. The maintenance of a teaching force for a period of this length very seldom happens. Be-
6
SCHOOL REPORT
cause of this fact it has been possible for the system to func- tion to the best advantage from an administrative as well as from an educational standpoint.
Miss Dorothy Ward, who had most satisfactorily taught in the commercial department, and taken a most active interest in the social life of the students, resigned, to be married, in December. To fill the position vacated by Miss Ward, Miss Betty Herndon, a graduate of the Salem Teachers College. with some over a year's experience in the Biddeford, Maine, High School, was elected. Reports and observations are con- vincing proof that Miss Herndon is to be a valuable teacher to follow her predecessor.
I am pleased to report that other resignations are not antici- pated and for the good of the system I should hope that none would occur for at least another two-year period.
Professional Improvement
At the invitation of Superintendent Starr King and the Bev- erly Teachers Association, all teachers have attended two full day Institutes at Beverly. The morning programs were de- voted to sectional meetings in which our teachers could par- ticipate in at least two discussions while the general meetings of the afternoons were participated in by all.
Realizing that Dr. W. H. Burton of Harvard Graduate School of Education would be an inspiration to our teaching force, his services were secured for one day that he might visit many of the classrooms and address the teachers of this Super- intendency Union at the close of school on the topic :- "Ear- marks of Good Teaching."
Four reading demonstrations by specialists in that most im- portant subject have been attended by the elementary teachers.
7
SCHOOL REPORT
Two conferences devoted to the Junior Red Cross were held for building up interest and participation in this work.
That the principals and teachers of all, or special, subjects might be informed as to the program of the State Department of Education in special phases of educational work, state super- visors were invited to meet with teachers. Mr. Daniel J. Kel- ley, State Supervisor of Physical Education, held a round table conference with principals and physical training instructors ; Miss Martina McDonald, State Supervisor of Music, assisted by others, gave a demonstration on Tonettes and brought to the attention of teachers several useful helps in the field of music.
To keep alive in the minds of pupils the necessity of safety observance throughout their waking hours, Mrs. Ida Curley, State Supervisor of Safety Education, gave talks to the pupils with the use of moving pictures.
Several teachers are availing themselves of the opportunity to attend the "Tenth Annual Education Conference" to be held at Boston University on January 31 and February 1.
The National Education Association is holding its annual meeting in Boston the latter part of June, which meeting, ex- tending over several days, teachers will doubtless attend.
I believe the above will convince you that our teachers are availing themselves of professional improvement through insti- tutes, meetings, conferences, and round table discussions, as well as through their educational courses mentioned elsewhere in this report.
Music
Mr. Wescott has continued his work in instrumental music at the Lamson School on each Friday.
Nine pupils are being instructed as drum majorettes, ten as drummers, and eleven as buglers.
·
8
SCHOOL REPORT
On May 24th the combined drum and bugle corps of Hamil- ton, Wenham and Topsfield staged a street parade and demon- stration at Hamilton. Another demonstration is to be given . at the Community House in February. A field demonstration will be given at Topsfield in May.
Mr. Robert Steele assumed his duties as instructor of vocal and instrumental music at the Junior-Senior High School dur- ing September. Through required music classes, volunteer glee and instrumental club membership he has aroused consid- erable interest in music. If he can have sufficient time with pupils during the day he is working at the school, together with sufficient instruments, sheet music and records, he will be in a position to develop the musical ability of the pupils to a high standard. Miss Maude Thomas now devotes her full time to musical instruction in the Walsh and Lamson Schools. She now has sufficient time to do more thorough work in the text- book and appreciation work as well as to make the work more functional through plays, pageants and operettas which are of so great value in the school life of every child.
The Christmas entertainments presented by Miss Thomas and the teachers of both the Adelaide Dodge Walsh and Jona- than Lamson Schools were exceptionally well done.
At the Walsh School Miss Barron and Miss Wallace, who assisted her, are to be commended for the entertainment pro- vided. This school has made this an annual event to have enjoyment in their work and to secure money for their school fund.
The teachers and pupils at the Lamson School were able to provide a musical entertainment followed by a Christmas play, there having been provided benches and a stage for the audi- torium by the town. With money raised in several ways the teachers secured materials and made stage curtains to be used for the first time for this entertainment.
9
SCHOOL REPORT
Art
Mrs. Abbie Eaton, Supervisor of Art in the Elementary Schools, with the assistance of the teachers, staged an Art Pro- gram at the Lamson School on June 15th before a large gather- ing of parents and friends. This program was built around the great artists and their works which have been studied in the schools over a period of years. Pupils representing each grade were posed in a frame to represent "Baby Stuart" by Anthony Van Dyck, the "Boy with the Rabbit" by Sir Henry Raeburn, the "Age of Innocense" by Sir Joshua Reynolds, the "Whistling Boy" by Frank Duveneck, the "Girl with the Cat" by Paul Koechor, the "Blue Boy" by Sir Thomas Gainsbor- ough, "The Gleaners" by Jean Francois Millet, "The Song of the Lark" by Jules Breton, "The Artist's Mother" by James M. Whistler. A most fitting close to this splendid program was the gathering of the children about the last picture when they sang the chorus of "Mother."
School Organization
Since the organization of the Junior-Senior High School all pupils of the first six grades in the east part of the town, with but few exceptions, have been schooled at the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School. That the number of classes for the teacher might not be so large and that the pupils entering the junior high might be better prepared to carry on junior high work, the sixth grade pupils, who would ordinarily attend school at the Walsh School, are now receiving instruction at the Lam- son School. Parents of these pupils transferred have co-oper- ated on all matters affecting the schooling of their children.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.