USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1952 > Part 9
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28 50
$61 80
Cash on hand January 19, 1953, verified,
$61 80
PUBLIC WELFARE DEPARTMENT
General Relief-Accounts Receivable
Charges 1952,
$1,146 40
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$1,146 40
Disability Assistance-Accounts Receivable-State Charges 1952,
$1.542 05
$1,542 05
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$13 50
$541 95
$33 30
153
Aid to Dependent Children-Accounts Receivable-Slate Outstanding January 1, 1952, $193 15 154 69 Charges 1952,
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$347 84 $347 84
BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Accounts Receivable-State
Charges 1952,
$18,752 58
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$18,271 69
Transferred from old age assistance recoveries 1952,
480 89
$18,752 58
Accounts Receivable-Cities and Towns
Charges 1952,
$1,222 29
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$874 86
Outstanding December 31, 1952 and January 6, 1953, per list, 347 43
$1,222 29
VETERANS' SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1952,
$205 50
Charges 1952, 1,352 25
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$1,557 75 $1,557 75
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1952, $240 00
Charges 1952, 1,010 00
$1,250 00
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$850 00
Outstanding December 31, 1952 and January 6, 1953, per list, 400 00
$1,250 00
154
Lunch Program
Receipts 1952,
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$12,067 18 $12,067 18
Receipts January 1 to 15, 1953,
$363 50
Payments to treasurer January 1 to 15, 1953,
$273 00
Cash on hand January 15, 1953, verified,
90 50
$363 50
Athletic Program
Receipts 1952,
$642 04
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$642 04
Miscellaneous Receipts
Receipts 1952 :
Manual training,
$78 75
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$78 75
LIBRARY
Cash balance January 1, 1952,
$1 73
Receipts 1952,
20 78
$22 51
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$14 79
Cash balance December 31, 1952,
7 72
$22 51
Cash balance January 1, 1953,
$7 72
Cash on hand January 15, 1953, verified,
$7 72
PARK DEPARTMENT
Tennis Courts
Receipts 1952,
$12 00
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$12 00
WATER DEPARTMENT
Rates
Outstanding January 1, 1952, Commitments, Refunds,
$1,910 33 19,873 72 36 10
$21,820 15
155
Payments to treasurer, Abatements,
$19,277 01 58 50
Outstanding December 31, 1952,
2,484 64
$21,820 15
Outstanding January 1, 1953,
$2,484 64
Outstanding January 6, 1953, per list,
$2,394 04
Cash balance January 6, 1953,
90 60
$2,484 64
Services
Outstanding January 1, 1952,
$193 52
Commitments,
1,642 29
$1,835 81
Payments to treasurer,
$1,445 05
Abatements,
2 00
Outstanding December 31, 1952,
388 76
$1,835 81
Outstanding January 1, 1953,
$388 76
Outstanding January 6, 1953, per list,
$386 76
Cash balance January 6, 1953,
2 00
$388 76
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
Accounts Receivable
Outstanding January 1, 1952,
$84 25
Charges 1952,
472 00
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$417 00
Outstanding December 31, 1952 and
January 6, 1953, per list,
139 25
$556 25
Miscellaneous Receipts
Receipts 1952 :
Bequests,
$625 00
Sale of lots and graves,
570 00
Interments,
499 00
Care of lots and graves,
25 00
$1,719 00 $1,719 00
Payments to treasurer 1952,
$556 25
156
DR. JUSTIN ALLEN LIBRARY FUND
Saving
Deposits
Total
On hand January 1, 1952,
$593 44
$593 44
On hand December 31, 1952,
$611 37
$611 37
On hand January 6, 1953,
$611 37
$611 37
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
1952
Income, $17 93 Added to savings deposits, $17 93
January 1 to 6, 1953 No transactions recorded
H. AUGUSTA DODGE LIBRARY FUND
Saving Deposits
Total
On hand January 1, 1952,
$1,189 89
$1,189 89
On hand December 31, 1952,
$1,228 85
$1,228 85
On hand January 6, 1953,
$1,228 85
$1,228 85
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
1952
Income
$38 96 Added to savings deposits, $38 96
January 1 to 6, 1953 No transactions recorded
MAXWELL NORMAN FUND
Saving Deposits
Total
On hand January 1, 1952,
$514 18
$514 18
On hand December 31, 1952,
$529 71
$529 71
On hand January 6, 1953,
$529 71
$529 71
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
1952
Income, $15 53 Added to savings deposits, $15 53
January 1 to 6, 1953 No transactions recorded
157
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Saving Deposits Total
On hand January 1, 1952,
$25,000 56
$25,000 56
On hand December 31, 1952,
$25,903 53
$25,903 53
On hand January 6, 1953,
$25,903 53
$25,903 53
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
1952
Withdrawn from savings
Added to savings
deposits,
$487 00
deposits,
$1,389 97
Income,
764 97
Transferred to town, 487 00
Bequests,
625 00
$1,876 97
$1,876 97
January 1 to 6, 1953 No transactions recorded
CEMETERY SALE OF LOTS AND GRAVES FUND
Treasury
Cash in General Savings Deposits Total
On hand January 1, 1952,
$610 00
$10,668 10
$11,278 10
On hand December 31, 1952,
$200 00 $11,070 54
$11,270 54
On hand January 6, 1953,
$200 00
$11,070 54
$11,270 54
RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
1952
Withdrawn from savings deposits,
$900 00
Income,
322 44
Transferred to town, 900 00
Sale of lots and graves,
570 00
Cash in general treasury December 31, 1952, 200 00
Cash in general treasury January 1, 1952, 610 00
$2,402 44
$2,402 44
Cash in general treasury January 1, 1953, $200 00
Added to savings deposits $1,302 44
January 1 to 6, 1953
Cash in general treasury January 6, 1953, $200 00
158
TOWN OF HAMILTON Balance Sheet-December 31, 1952 GENERAL ACCOUNTS ASSETS
Cash :
In Banks and Office,
$210,849 18
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes :
Levy of 1952 :
Personal Property,
$1,178 80
Real Estate,
9,713 29
10,892 09
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise : Levy of 1952, 978 67
Special Assessments :
Moth 1952,
7 90
Tax Titles,
499 55
Departmental :
Old Age Assistance,
$347 43
School,
400 00
Cemetery,
139 25
886 68
Water:
Rates,
$2,484 64 388 76
Services,
2,873 40
Aid to Highways : State, County,
$4,621 00
2,060 50
Underestimates 1952 : State Parks and Reservations,
$44 88
Audit Municipal Accounts,
66 88
111 76
Overlay Deficit : Levy of 1950, 309 70
$234,090 43
6,681 50
159
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Premium on Loans : School,
$2,414 51
Trust Fund Income : Library, Cemetery,
$8 59
662 23
670 82
Federal Grants :
Disability Assistance :
Administration,
$57 77
Assistance,
1,125 00
Aid to Dependent Children : Administration,
155 05
Aid,
3,322 48
Old Age Assistance :
Administration,
3,071 57
Assistance,
11,568 12
Revolving Funds :
School Lunch,
$1,712 21
School Athletics,
79 28
Appropriation Balances :
Law,
$400 00
Town Clerk-Equipment,
68 31
Town Hall-Painting,
281 90
Town Hall-Renovations,
8,000 00
Tree Warden-Planting Trees,
175 00
Civilian Defense,
579 25
Highways-Chapter 90, Construction,
8,148 15
Highways-Sidewalks,
738 98
Highways-Gravel Roads,
538 45
Highways-Forest Street,
811 67
Reconstruct and Extraordinary Repairs and
Equip High School Building,
14,718 83
Construct and Equip Elementary School and Addition to High School,
33,032 09
School Building Committee,
1,276 74
Water-Extension of Mains,
86 61
Water-Additional Supply,
322 02
Water-Fluoridation,
1,100 00
Water-Acquiring Land,
300 00
Overestimates 1952 :
County : Tax,
$1,545 06
Hospital Assessment,
987 80
70,578 00
2,532 86
19,299 99
1,791 49
160
Sale of Town Property Fund,
825 00
Cemetery Sale of Lots and Graves Fund,
200 00
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus, Overlays Reserved for Abatement of Taxes : Levy of 1952,
2,567 17
Revenue Reserved Until Collected :
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise,
$978 67
Special Assessment. Tax Title, Departmental,
499 55
886 68
Water,
2,873 40
Aid to Highways,
6,681 50
11,927 70
Surplus Revenue,
117,013 55
$234,090 43
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt,
$891,000 00
$891,000 00
Water Loan 1939,
$30,000 00
Water Loan 1947 (Mains),
79,000 00
Water Loan 1947 (Reservoir),
20,000 00
Water Loan 1951 (Well Pump House and Main),
12,000 00
School Loan 1952 (Construct and Equip),
750,000 00
$891,000 00
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities,
$39,344 00
$39,344 00
Dr. Justin Allen Library Fund,
$611 37
H. Augusta Dodge Library Fund,
1,228 85
Maxwell Norman Fund,
529 71
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds,
25,903 53
Cemetery Sale of Lots and Graves Fund,
11,070 54
$39,344 00
4,269 34
7 90
REPORT
of the
HAMILTON
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1952
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORTS OF :
School Committee 3
Superintendent 6
Principal of the High School 11
Principal of the Elementary School 14
School Physician 16
School Nurse 17
Cafeteria Manager 19
Faculty Manager of Athletics 20
APPENDICES :
1. Hamilton Public Schools' Financial Statement of 1952 and Budget of 1953 21
2. Local and State Reimbursements for 1952 23
3. Special Financial Reports :
a. Cafeteria 24
b. Athletics
24
4. School Census 25
5. Membership Chart
26
6. Hamilton Public Schools' Directory 27
7. Commencement Exercises 29
8. Dedication Exercises 31
9. School Calendar 33
10. Miscellaneous Regulations :
a. Age of Admittance 34
b. Vaccination 34
c. No-school Signal 34
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The highlight of the School Department's year, although actually an accomplishment of the splendid School Building Committee, was the com- pletion and subsequent occupation of the new elementary school and the addition to and renovation of the High School. These new facilities, ded- icated on December ? at colorful ceremonies, give the town two splendid school buildings that make the task of our educators in teaching, and our children in learning, immeasurably easier.
The committee once again wishes to compliment the Building Commit- tee, Finlay D. MacDonald, chairman, Mrs. Ruth F. Donaldson, secretary, Standish Bradford, Forrester A. Clark, and G. Gordon Love, on the ful- fillment of its arduous task in a most exemplary manner, and to extend our grateful appreciation to the townspeople for providing the funds to make this great project possible.
Although these much needed facilities have been completed, and the School Department's situation is much alleviated as a result, the town con- tinues to grow by leaps and bounds. So much so, in fact, that the new elementary school is already one room too small and by September, 1953, it will lack by two rooms of filling our needs. Fortunately, the renovation and addition to the High School have given us space that can and doubtless will be used to take care of this situation through 1953-1954 but the com- mittee deems it advisable to issue an early warning that for the school year 1954-1955, more classroom space will be needed to handle the ever-increas- ing school population in the elementary classes.
It is obvious that the best possible solution to the problem is an early action on an addition to the new elementary school, both from a standpoint of long-range economy and of keeping the elementary system centralized under one roof. The old Jonathan Lamson School, of course, still stands erect but in order to use it for very long as a school, extensive repairs in- volving untold thousands of dollars would be required to put it in shape. It would also mean extra janitorial help and maintenance of a cafeteria for a third building, factors not conducive to economy, nor for the smooth functioning of a school system.
The town can well deem itself fortunate to have made up the loss of such a fine superintendent as Milton C. Blanchard, who resigned in June to accept the superintendency of the large system in Dartmouth, Massachu- setts, by the gain of a man with the abilities of Douglas A. Chandler. Mr. Chandler was elected from a field numbering nearly fifty and it is quite apparent that the town has a superintendent who is continuing in an out- standing way the program of improvement to our school system's curricu- lum, physical plants, activities, and administration. Mr. Chandler came to us after four years as principal of the large Attleboro High School. He had previously served as submaster of Watertown High School and had taught accounting for several years at Burdett College. He is still on the staff
3
1
at Boston University. The committee, and all other town officials and private citizens who have come in contact with him, have been impressed with his personality, and knowledge of school affairs. We hope that we shall be able to keep him a long time.
The committee lost but two teachers during the year. E. Luther John- son resigned as teacher of languages due to a call to duty in the armed forces and Mrs. Jeannette Houle decided to take further full-time schooling and retired as girls' physical education teacher and instructor in mathematics.
On the other hand, we replaced the above two with Mrs. Eleanor Mc- Key as foreign language instructor and Miss Helen Maskiewicz as girls' athletic instructor and instructor of mathematics ; and created five new posi- tions to handle the tremendous new influx of youngsters in the school sys- tem. These five positions were filled as follows: Miss Carol Westerlund, kindergarten, Mrs. Nena Hayes, first grade, Miss Alice Barry, fourth grade, Mrs. Esther Goddard, fifth grade, and Robert J. Mattsson, sixth grade. Miss Barry was hired to relieve Miss Marian Joseph, elementary school principal, of teaching duties in order that she might devote all her time to administration.
In addition, the expanded school plants have necessitated the hiring of a third janitor and although we shall attempt to maintain our buildings with three, there is a good possibility that a fourth may be needed before the year is out. Mr. Fred C. Morris was hired by the committee as of January 1, 1953, to assist the present two custodians.
The committee also authorized the superintendent to hire an extra, part-time cafeteria worker, Mrs. Marybelle Dolliver, in October. Should we experience increased participation in the cafeteria hot-lunch program, a most worthwhile undertaking, it would be necessary to establish a full-time position at the least, or possibly a fourth person.
Aside from the possibility of additional janitorial and cafeteria help, the committee has made provisions in its budget to hire two new teachers for next year. One of these will be another second grade teacher. making a total of three for that grade; and the other will fill the long felt for need of an additional teacher in the high school.
The committee deliberated long and hard on the 1953 budget and al- though a substantial increase is represented, practically all of this has been occasioned by the increased enrollment which caused us to hire additional teachers and to purchase increased amounts of supplies. Last year, the five new positions created on the teaching staff cost the town only a fraction of a year's salary for each post but this year, these jobs are reflected at a full year's pay which explains a great deal of the increase in the item for "Expense of Instruction."
The committee also reworked the teachers' salary schedule with the superintendent and arrived at a schedule that will be more equitable and advantageous to the teachers at a relatively small cost to the town. There was no general salary increase this year for the teaching staff; aside from the usual step-rate raises granted every year for seniority and additional educational credits.
We have included in our budget only a small amount for normal main- tenance and repairs. The new school obviously will need scarcely no re-
5
pairs but there is still a considerable amount that needs repairing in the High School building. The School Building Committee intends to do as much of this repairing as there are funds left available in their account. We have planned on very little in the way of new equipment, allowing Mr. Chandler a full year to complete a study of the high school equipment. The new school, of course, has all new equipment. This year, however, we are purchasing three pieces for the high school to fill needs long felt, an electric typewriter for the commercial department, a floor scrubbing- polishing machine and a wet-dry heavy commercial vacuum cleaner for the janitorial staff.
Although we are planning changes in the curriculum through the guidance of the superintendent, most of these will cost little, if anything. The only new program being considered that will cost money is the Driver Training Program, an extremely valuable course, which will represent an investment per year of about $250-300. The car is given the school in these cases for $1.00 and the expense is involved through installing dual controls, purchase of gasoline and oil, maintenance, insurance, etc. Miss Millicent Boswell, a member of the staff, is taking a course in Driver Train- ing at this moment. Chiefs of Police, Registry officials, insurance com- panies, and others connected with public safety, all highly recommend Driver Training as invaluable. It is hoped we may be able to institute this course next fall.
We have had one committee change since our last report. Mrs. Ruth F. Donaldson, a fine committee member and still a member of the Building Committee, retired at the expiration of her term last March, and Allan Mac- Currach, a veteran of 10 years' service on the School Committee, returned to the board at the annual town election.
It has been a pleasure for the committee to have served the town during the eventful year 1952. Our task was made considerably the easier through the genuine cooperation of the school administration, the teaching staff, members of many other town departments and town officials, the Parent- Teacher Association, the youngsters and the townspeople at large. We ap- preciate every bit of help that we received.
Respectfully submitted. MORLEY L. PIPER, Chairman.
GRACE B. LAMSON ALLAN MACCURRACH
6
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Hamilton:
I am pleased to submit my first annual report, the fifty-first in the series of superintendent's annual reports for the Town of Hamilton. It is based on my term of office which began on September 1, 1952, together with records and information which were available in the superintendent's office.
School Plant
1952 will be a year long remembered in Hamilton because it marked the completion of a new elementary school building and a major addition to the high school building. With the opening of school on September 8, it became necessary to hold elementary school classes in the Jonathan Lam- son School, the High School and the Town Hall, until the new building was completed. Work in both buildings progressed rapidly and formal dedica- tion exercises were held on Sunday, December 7. A copy of the dedication program is included as an appendix of this report.
The new elementary school was opened for classes on December 22 with all classes except one section of the kindergarten taking part in "moving day." Because it became necessary to divide an unusually large first grade into three sections instead of two, one kindergarten room had to be used to house the extra division of grade one.
The pupils and staff of our schools are enjoying their new quarters. Our magnificent gymnasium-auditorium at the high school, together with new shower and locker rooms has given a new perspective to our physical education-athletic program. The new classrooms and cafeteria at the high school will continue to provide urgently needed space for some years to come. When the athletic field adjacent to the high school is reconditioned for all out-of-door activities we shall have a complete and modern secondary school plant of which the community can be justly proud.
The new elementary school delights all who step inside its doors. The classrooms, bright and colorful, furnished with the newest in movable furni- ture, provide a physical environment that challenges teachers and pupils to put forth their best efforts. With the completion of landscaping and the installation of playground equipment the work of construction will be com- plete. Our educational program is given a big lift up through these marv- elous facilities.
Since coming to Hamilton, it has been my privilege to work with the School Building Committee. It has been heartwarming to observe the zeal with which this group. headed by its most able chairman, Mr. Finlay Mac- Donald, has worked for the completion of these buildings. The town of Hamilton is truly fortunate to have had the services of this public spirited group. We of the public schools shall be ever grateful for their contribu- tion in helping so materially to provide a better education for the boys and girls of our town.
No report on the school plant can be complete without a quick look to the future. As we all know, Hamilton is a rapidly growing community. New families mean more children enrolled in our schools. When the new elementary school was planned its proposed size was based upon a careful study of present and predicted enrollments. Factors of growth beyond the scope of the most careful pupil projection have now served to make our available space too small.
In September 1953, we shall need to provide for three sections of grade two in all probability. If we have as large a kindergarten and first grade group as we now have and divide them into the same number of sections, we shall obviously need at least one more classroom. The present grade six with an enrollment of 43 poses the probable necessity for two sections of this group. By housing both sections of the kindergarten in the high school, we can go through the school year 1953-1954 with our present facilities.
As these larger enrollments in the early primary grades move along up, additional sections of the intermediate grades become a necessity. Granted no material reduction in the numbers of pupils entering school, it becomes axiomatic that additional classrooms must be found. Your School Com- mittee is keeping the Jonathan Lamson School closed on a temporary basis so that it can be used if necessary.
It is my considered opinion that our town should begin now to plan for additional space for future elementary school pupils. Our new school was designed so that an addition to it could be easily made. In the inter- ests of providing equal educational opportunity for all pupils, I recommend that a careful study be made to determine the proper course to follow in the years ahead.
The Staff
Every reasonable effort is being made to attract outstanding teachers to our staff. We like to feel that good teachers will find our schools an en- joyable place in which to work and that they will be challenged to nurture the greatest possible growth in our pupils. From my limited observation of our staff to date I am pleased to report that Hamilton has a far better than average group of professionally minded teachers who are making sig- nificant contributions in the lives of our young people. The School Com- mittee and the administrative officers are working to encourage continued progress in each teacher's ability and understanding so that even greater service may result from our common efforts.
In September 1952, we welcomed the following new teachers to our staff : Miss Carol Westerlund, Kindergarten; Miss Alice Barry, Grade IV; Mrs. Esther Goddard, Grade V ; Robert Mattsson, Grade VI; Mrs. Eleanor McKey, Languages, and Miss Helen Maskiewicz, Business and Physical Education. On November 1, when Grade I was divided into three sections, Mrs. Nena Hayes became the teacher of section three.
Many teachers are carrying out planned programs for self-improvement through travel and through courses taken at several colleges, universities and regional university extension facilities. Our salary scale requires steady
8
professional advancement as well as satisfactory service as an incident to earned annual increments.
Our pupils have enjoyed the benefits of the most competent and con- scientious services of our doctor and nurse. The dental clinic, under the direction of Dr. John King, is helping to provide adequate dental care for our boys and girls. Dr. Daniel Rogers, school physician, and Miss Florence Stobbart, school nurse, have amplified our examination and follow-up pro- cedure so that a closer watch on student body health and physical fitness can be maintained. With an expanded school population it will soon be necessary to employ our school nurse on a full-time basis.
Our janitors, Bernard Cullen and Hovey Humphrey, have cared for our larger school plant in a most commendable manner. They put in many extra hours of work in a valiant effort to keep up with the greater demands of the expanded buildings, but it was soon obvious that extra help was necessary. Frederick Morris was added to the staff and began work at the start of the new year, dividing his time between the two schools. We all join in expressing our appreciation to these men for providing us with clean and well cared for buildings in which to work.
The cafeteria personnel, Miss Millicent Boswell, director, Mrs. Marga- ret Back and Mrs. Loretta Tremblay, carried on under very difficult condi- tions when it became necessary to reestablish a working kitchen in the Jona- than Lamson School pending the opening of the new school. Mrs. Marybelle Dolliver was added to the staff in September on a part-time basis. Our hot lunch program is an important part of our school program and we are grateful to the cafeteria workers for the nourishing and attractive meals which are served daily.
To provide for increased pupil enrollment and an expanded curriculum we are planning for the addition of two new teachers in September 1953. At that time we shall have thirty full-time teachers and principals, and three part-time supervisors.
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