USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1954 > Part 5
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I am sincerely grateful to all members of our organization who con- tinue to stand in readiness for any calls that may be made upon us.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. PERKINS, Director.
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REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE FOR 1954
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
The School Building Needs Committee is pleased to submit the fol- lowing reports of its activities for 1954. The report is in two parts: Part I consists of the preliminary report which was issued prior to the Special Town Meeting December 15, 1954, Part II describes the events subsequent to the Special Meeting.
PART I PRELIMINARY REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS COMMITTEE
THE COMMITTEE IS FORMED
At the annual town meeting on March 9, 1954, the Town of Hamilton authorized the appointment of a committee of eight to study the immediate and future needs for school facilities in the town.
The Committee, appointed by the Moderator, held its first meeting on April 7, 1954, laid out a plan of action, and proceeded to gather data which are presented in this report for your consideration.
THE COMMITTEE STUDIES THE NEEDS
The Committee began its work by studying the present and future educational needs of the children of Hamilton. As the study progressed certain factors, listed below, became apparent and they, in turn, dictated the areas in which the Committee hoped to be able to make meaningful recommendations to the Town.
1. Enrollment in the Hamilton public schools has increased to such an extent that present school facilities are inadequate.
2. Enrollment predictions emphasize the need for long-range planning even though the immediate space need seems to be at the elementary grade level.
3. Additional classroom space must be provided so as to be available in part at least by September, 1955.
WHAT ABOUT ENROLLMENT
In December, 1949, Educational Service Associates submitted a report in which population and school enrollment predictions were made and used as a basis for new school construction. It is interesting to note that our population now probably exceeds their estimate for 1965; that our present school enrollment exceeds their estimate for 1975 by nearly 100 pupils !
Predicting enrollments for the years ahead is as difficult now as it was in 1949. The Committee presents the following tables as its best estimate of the probable enrollment based upon children now in school :
TABLE I AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP 1950-1960 HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
1000
900
800
ENROLLMENT
ACTUAL
ESTIMATED
700
6 00
500
400
1950-51
-52
- 53
- 54
55
- 56
-57
-58
-59
- 60.
SCHOOL
YEAR
ENROLLED
1960 -61
99
TABLE II ENROLLMENT BY GRADES HAMILTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1950-1954 ACTUAL 1955-1960 ESTIMATED
Grade
Total
Grade
Total
Total K-12
K
1
2
3
4
5
6
K-6
7
8
9
10
11
12
7-12
1950-51
28
56
43
47
36
30
35
275
34
28
30
33
25
27
177
452
1951-52
68
47
53
49
44
42
31
334
38
37
27
29
31
27
189
523
1952-53
71
81
46
56
51
40
41
386
33
32
37
26
27
31
186
572
1953-54
84
111
72
52
56
60
49
484
52
35
30
35
20
23
195
679
1954-55
91
114
95
86
55
61
55
557
53
56
42
26
28
19
224
781
1955-56
90
110
100
90
84
53
58
585
52
51
52
40
24
26
245
830
1956-57
90
105
98
95
87
81
51
607
56
50
49
50
38
22
265
872
1957-58
90
105
95
96
92
85
80
643
49
53
47
46
48
36
279
922
1958-59
95
100
95
92
94
90
82
648
77
47
50
45
44
45
308
956
1959-60
95
105
95
92
90
91
87
655
80
75
43
47
43
42
330
985
1960-61
95 105
95
92
90
88
89
654
85
77
70
40
45
40
357
1011
67
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A study at the elementary school level of actual and predicted en- rollments, together with an appraisal of the present elementary school facilities, indicates immediate and future space needs as follows :
TABLE III
SPACE NEEDS FOR KINDERGARTEN AND GRADES I - VI
School
Year
Total Number Rooms in Rooms Available No. of Extra Rooms Needed M. Cutler School in High School Rooms Needed
1954-55
18
14
4
0
1955-56
20
14
2
4
1956-57
22
14
2
6
1957-58
24
14
0
10
1958-59
25
14
0
11
1959-60
26
14
0
12
The table above presents facts based on present known enrollments projected into the future. The Committee assumes that Hamilton will continue to grow in population but at a slower rate than has been true in the preceding four years. Rate of growth remains an unknown factor, however, and unforseen increases would serve to accelerate the needs as outlined in Table III.
HOW CAN THE NEEDS BE MET
The Committee has studied carefully every known way in which addi- tional school space can be provided. It has been constantly mindful of the 'necessity for the continuing development of good school facilities which in turn must be within the ability of the Town to finance and maintain. Several possible courses of action were presented and studied; each is sum- marized below :
1. Construction of a new twelve-room school - To begin such a project immediately would not solve the pressing need for four classrooms in 1955, and the large cost of such a structure would add a new and size- able debt to that already incurred for the Manasseh Cutler School and the High School addition. Estimates of cost seem to average $1600 per pupil or a total of $560,000 for a 350-pupil building. The State Building As- sistance Commission would probably share about 25% of the cost of this construction.
2. Construction of an addition to the Manasseh Cutler School - To add twelve rooms to this school would make an unwieldy administrative unit and seriously tax the cafeteria-auditorium facilities of the school. Here, too, cost and time factors are important considerations ; construction similar to that of the Cutler School would probably cost about $35,000 per room (a total of $420,000) and would certainly not be ready for Sep- tember, 1955. State aid would probably amount to 25% of the construc- tion cost.
69
3. Remodeling the Jonathan Lamson School - The Committee ex- amined this possibility most carefully. An architect was employed to study the building, draft plans and specifications necessary to meet mini- mum state safety requirements for a public school building and the mini- mum educational needs submitted by the School Committee, and to obtain accurate cost estimates for the remodeling. The total cost for remodeling and equipment was $139,040.00. The building would then contain nine classrooms and cafeteria but no auditorium-playroom and would still be a two-story wooden-frame building on its present limited site. This pro- ject, if started at once, could be completed by September, 1955. No State aid can be allowed for remodeling of existing buildings.
4. Construction of unit classrooms at the Manasseh Cutler School - A new plan of permanent unit classroom construction was presented to the Committee. This would make it possible to immediately erect, on trial and subject to approval through use, a two-room addition to the Manasseh Cutler School. This addition could be occupied and tried during this school year. If satisfactory to the School Committee and to the Town. an additional two-room unit could be added to the first and be ready for oc- cupancy by September, 1955, thus meeting the need for four new rooms by that date. The cost of each two-room unit, completely erected, furnished and equipped, is a guaranteed contract price of $45,000., - or $22.500. per classroom. The usual procedures in requesting state aid (approximate- ly 25%) on this construction will be followed. Drawings showing exterior and interior views of this two-room unit are included as part of this report.
THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS
After very careful consideration of all the needs and possibilities, the Committee unanimously recommends :
1. THAT the Town of Hamilton ask the New England Development Corporation to erect immediately a two-room addition to the Manasseh Cutler school. This unit will be built, furnished and equipped without present cost to the Town, and turned over to the School Committee for its use for school purposes. If, after a reasonable trial period, the structure is found to be satisfactory, then the School Committee will recommend its purchase by the Town of Hamilton for $45,000. If the unit should prove to be unsatisfactory, the New England Development Corporation will. by agreement, remove the unit and restore the site to its original condition without cost to the Town.
The two-room unit recommended above is made available to the Town on these terms because some of the people responsible for it are citizens of Hamilton who would like advantages of the plan to accrue to our town rather than to some other town.
2. THAT upon receiving a completely satisfactory report from the School Committee on the function and use of the original two-room unit, the Town of Hamilton appoint a building committee and appropriate suffi- cient funds for this committee to pay for the original two-room unit and erect another two-room unit, thus making a complete four-room addition to the Manasseh Cutler School, ready for use by September 1, 1955.
70
3. THAT pending a second satisfactory report on the function and use of the four-room addition to the Manasseh Cutler School. a building committee be appointed to plan and build a new eight-room elementary school. consisting of four double classroom units complete with cafeteria, auditorium-playroom. and administrative suite on the Manasseh Cutler School property, which should be increased in acreage for this purpose.
ALTERNATIVES TO COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee presents as a possible, but not recommended. alterna- tive to Number 1 above the remodeling of the Jonathan Lamson School as previously described.
If the original two-room unit recommended in Number 1 above is completed then the remodeling of the Jonathan Lamson School is presented as a possible, but not recommended, alternative to recommendation Num- ber 2 above.
If the four-room unit plan is followed as is recommended in Numbers 1 and 2 above, then the remodeling of the Jonathan Lamson School is presented as a possible, but not recommended. alternative to recommenda- tion Number 3 above.
CONCLUDING RECOMMENDATIONS
Because of the highly desirable flexibility which is inherent in the unit classroom plan outlined above, the Committee feels that this offers the best immediate solution to a pressing need. This same flexibility feature will make it possible to anticipate on short notice the changing needs of the public schools and to provide for these needs without undue delay. (Building time for a two-room unit is extremely short by compari- son with other known plans of construction).
The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the citizens of Hamilton authorize Town Officials to accept the trial offer of the original two-room unit described herein as the first in a series of steps designed to keep the school facilities of Hamilton always adequate for the educational needs of the children of our town.
The Committee recognizes that today's space needs at the elementary level become tomorrow's needs at the secondary level. The Committee rec- ommends that it be continued in existence for the purpose of studying the continuing needs at all levels and that it report its findings to the Town as quickly as substantiated conclusions can be reached.
PART II
At the Special Town Meeting which convened at the High School on December 15, 1954 the School Building Needs Committee was voted authorization to continue its studies of the future needs for school facilities in Hamilton.
It was also voted at this Special Town Meeting that the School Com- mittee be empowered to enter into contract with the New England Develop-
71
ment Corporation, as recommended by this committee, to erect for trial purposes a two-classroom addition to the Manasseh Cutler School. A con- tract has been agreed upon and signed and the foundation for the addition has been layed out. The two-classroom unit will be in use by April 1, 1955. If this addition proves to be suitable the School Committee will petition the Town of Hamilton to approve the purchase of this addition plus another unit of two classrooms so that the necessary classrooms will be ready for occupancy in September 1955.
It is evident to this committee that school enrollments will continue to increase in Hamilton for at least the next five years, which will call for comprehensive planning and study so that the school children of Hamilton will be provided with adequate school building facilities which will fit the expanded needs of modern public school educational practices.
We, the members of the School Building Needs Committee, thank all who have assisted us in making our investigations and we are grateful that our recommendations have met with the approval of the townspeople.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLAN MacCURRACH, Chairman DOUGLAS A. CHANDLER
GEORGE C. CUTLER
HENRY J. GOURDEAU
GRACE B. LAMSON
JOHN F. NEARY
MORLEY L. PIPER
JOSEPH C. QUINN SHERWOOD B. STOCKWELL (resigned)
72
Copyright, 1954, Stoner Associates
EXTERIOR VIEW OF RECOMMENDED TWO-ROOM UNIT
C
73
Copyright, 1954, Stoner Associates
INTERIOR VIEW OF RECOMMENDED TWO-ROOM UNIT
74
REPORT OF THE BUILDING AND ELECTRICAL CODE STUDY COMMITTEE
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Hamilton:
The following report covers the activities of the Building and Electri- cal Code Committee, appointed by the Moderator under the authority of Article 14 of the Warrant for the annual town meeting of 1954:
The Moderator appointed the Committee early in April of 1954, Captain Arthur M. Knight was appointed Chairman, and Bernard A. Cullen, A. Merrill Cummings, Jerome F. Flynn, and Omer J. Poirier as members.
The Committee met weekly and studied the needs of a Building and Electrical By-law and it was unanimously voted to draw up a proposed Building and Electrical By-law for consideration by the annual town meet- ing of 1955.
The proposed Building and Electrical By-laws will be found in the warrant and will be voted on at the annual town meeting on March 7, 1955. The Committee feels that the proposed By-laws are fair and just and that their adoption will be an asset to the town both in the interest of safety and fire prevention. The proposed By-laws, if passed would insure good construction and would protect the individual home builder and buyer.
Nothing in the proposed By-law should be construed to mean that an individual would be restricted from making ordinary repairs, a list of ex- emptions appears in article 3 of the proposed building By-law.
The Committee wishes to express their kind thanks to the Massachu- setts Department of Public Safety, Commissioner Richard Preston of the Massachusetts Department of Commerce, Mr. Francis Whipple, Town Clerk. Mr. Standish Bradford, Town Counsel, and the many members of the Massachusetts Building Inspectors Association that gave so much time and information in order that a fair set of Building and Electrical By-laws would be drawn up for adoption.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR M. KNIGHT, Chairman BERNARD A. CULLEN A. MERRILL CUMMINGS JEROME F. FLYNN OMER J. POIRIER
75
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We submit herewith a report of the Welfare Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The overall picture of the combined categories of assistance compares very favorably with that of the previous year, even though there was an increase of expenditures for each category.
Prior to this year, expenditures for General Relief showed a decrease for three consecutive years. Expenditures for 1954 showed an increase of $1,000. over 1953, which was due to an increase in the cost of hospitali- zation and an increase in payments to other cities and towns for assistance granted to persons for whom this town is responsible.
Expenditures under the Disability Assistance category showed a slight increase over last year due to medical needs of recipients.
Aid to Dependent Children expenditures increased approximately $1,000. over last year due to the addition of one family and increased medical needs.
Expenditures for Old Age Assistance increased approximately $2,000. over last year, which was the result of more persons receiving this type of assistance, increased medical costs and an increase in the amount paid to other cities and towns.
For the past several years there has been a very noticable increase in the overall cost of medical care and hospitalization. This increase has been due to rising costs rather than a larger percentage of individuals requiring such care.
The following figures show the expenditures during 1954, the amount of reimbursements received during the year, and the net cost to the town for each category of assistance :
GENERAL RELIEF
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town
$3,071.56
State of Mass. $1,005.00
Towns and Cities 255.94
Net Cost to Town 1,810.62
$3,071.56
$3,071.56
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
By Town $3,479.67
Reimbursements
Federal Government .. $1,062.21
State of Mass. 1,372.39
Net Cost to Town 1,045.07
$3,479.67
$3,479.67
76
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $5,606.31 Federal Government .. $2,036.60
State of Mass. 1,958.22
Net Cost to Town 1,611.49
$5,606.31
$5,606.31
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Expenditures
Reimbursements
By Town $47,485.38
Federal Government .. $18,647.46
State of Mass. 15,924.02
Towns and Cities 1,077.16
Net Cost to Town
11,836.74
$47,485.38
$47,485.38
Since the law requiring a lien on property of an old age assistance recipient became effective, the town has recovered $3,212.68 as a result of such property being sold by the recipients. Such recoveries are apportioned to the Federal Government, State and Town, to the extent of the contribu- tion by each in the assistance granted. In the case of this $3,212.68 re- covered, the apportionment was $1,678.02 to the Federal Government, $1,023.11 to the State, and $511.55 to the Town.
It is surprising to note that the town expended a total of $57,486.00 for assistance to residents under the public welfare programs. This amount is nearly one-tenth of the total expenditures by the town during the entire year for all purposes, including payments on debt, county tax, purchase of equipment, hurricane work, and each and every other expense of the town.
The cooperation by all local Physicians in an attempt to keep the medi- cal cost at a minimum without sacrificing the actual needs of any recipient has been apparent and appreciated. Likewise, the assistance rendered by Miss Clementina Haynes, our local Visiting Nurse, has played an impor- tant part in maintaining the health of recipients at a minimum cost.
We extend our appreciation to each and every one who has assisted us in the administration of this department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY EDWARD A. DEWITT Board of Public Welfare.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton:
We submit herewith our report of the Board of Selectmen for the year 1954.
The adoption of a Protective By-law by the annual town meeting and which became effective March 23, 1954, placed the responsibility of en- forcement in the Board of Selectmen. In order to carry out the provisions of this By-law, the Board prepared application for a permit, a permit form, and a card to be posted as visible evidence of the issuance of a permit. Mr. Frank W. Buzzell was appointed to assist the Board in receiving appli- cations and issuing permits under the title of Building Inspector. A re- port by Mr. Buzzell of his activities as such will be found elsewhere in the town report.
This By-law also provided that the Selectmen appoint a Board of Appeals. In compliance with this provision, the Board appointed Mr. George G. Beckett, Mr. John F. Neary, and Mr. Elmer H. Smith, with Mr. F. Harlan Clock as associate member.
Under the Protective By-law it is necessary to have a permit to erect, locate or re-locate any building, and to alter the exterior, or the interior if the number of families is to be increased. It seems well to mention that the Protective By-law deals with the use of land as well as the use and location of a building, and not with the manner of construction of a build- ing.
Chapter 90 Construction work during the year consisted of completing a hot-top surface on Essex Street. This work was done under a contract with the Trimount Company to apply the hot-top, and the Highway De- partment doing incidental work.
We are proposing that Linden Street, from Lois to Highland Streets be built under Chapter 90 Construction in 1955. It is estimated the total cost to be $14,000. of which the State will contribute $7,000 .; the County $3,500 .; and the town $3,500.
In accordance with a policy adopted last year to erect street signs, twenty-seven such signs and posts were purchased by the Selectmen and were erected by the Highway Department. It is the intention of the Board to continue such practice until every street is properly identified by a street sign of uniform design. Traffic signs regulating vehicular travel were purchased by the Board and erected by the Highway Department at appropriate locations.
A report was received from the Post Office Department explaining the proposed plan for mail delivery in town. This proposed plan called for the closing of the Hamilton and Asbury Grove Post Offices, and the present South Hamilton Post Office serving the entire town. House deliv- ery would be made in the South Hamilton, Asbury Grove. and Hamilton Centre areas, but some of the outlying areas would continue to be served by existing R.F.D. deliveries, or receive mail at the South Hamilton Post Office. This information was published in detail in the local papers and the Board received many protests by residents now being served through
78
the Hamilton Post Office. In view of the objections received, the Board recommended that the Post Office Department amend its proposed plan to establish delivery in the South Hamilton and Asbury Grove areas and leave the Hamilton area as it is. No report of any action on this recommenda- tion has been received up to the present time.
Hurricane "Carol" on August 31, 1954, caused considerable damage to town trees, the roof of the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School, now used as headquarters for the Legion, and disrupted electrical and telephone service. Immediately after the storm had receded the Board met and declared the existance of a "state of emergency", and authorized the appropriate town officials to take necessary steps to make the streets passible and clean up the debris. This work necessitated the hiring of extra help and equipment for several weeks to augment town departments. Total expenditures for this work to December 31, 1954, amounted to $12,174.43. There are more uprooted tree stumps that will be removed in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the ground.
As a result of a petition having been received, the Board caused a survey and plan to be made for the relocation of Cutler Road at the inter- section of Bay Road to alleviate a traffic hazard. An article has been in- serted in the warrant for the 1955 annual town meeting in order that the town may vote on this proposed relocation.
The upkeep of street numbering is a responsibility of the Board of Selectmen. In this respect it is the policy to make a survey of all the streets twice a year and set up the numbers of the buildings in a book kept for such purpose. With new buildings being erected so rapidly it is quite difficult to maintain an up-to-date record at all times.
We express our sincere appreciation to all townspeople and officials who have assisted us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD A. DeWITT LAWRENCE R. STONE EVERETT F. HALEY
Board of Selectmen
79
JESSE S. MANN
Jesse S. Mann was born in Shapliegh, Maine, September 23, 1873, the son of John R. and Betsy M. Mann, and died July 1, 1954.
Coming to Hamilton at an early age, he became interested in town and civic affairs. At the annual town meeting in 1915 he was elected a Measurer of Wood, Lumber and Bark, and re-elected to this office each succeeding year until his passing, making a total of forty consecutive years of being elected to this office.
In 1919 Jesse sought election to the office of Assessor and was elected for a three year term. In 1924 he again was a candidate for the Board of Assessors and was elected for a three year term, and was re-elected to such office at the expiration of each succeeding term, and which office he held at the time of his passing. His thirty-three years service as an Assessor, thirty of which were consecutive, clearly indicates the confidence placed in him by the people of Hamilton, and being chosen Chairman of the Board for many years also showed the confidence placed in him by his associates in office.
Always maintaining a fair and impartial stand, he was able to render justice to all in performing the duties of his office.
Jesse was a sincere and active member of the Methodist Church, a member of John T. Heard Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Ipswich, and maintained a sincere interest in the Asbury Grove Camp Meeting Association, as well as many other civic affiliations.
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