USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1962 > Part 9
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1951
38.00
6,603,385.
250,928.43
1952
38.00
6,887,205.
261,713.79
1953
42.00
7,377,925.
309,872.85
1954
42.00
8,014,920.
336,626.64
1955
42.00
8,390,985.
352,421.37
1956
43.00
9,073,215.
390,148.38
1957
48.00
9,559,310.
458,846.88
1958
52.00
9,877,015.
513,604.78
1959
56.00
10,203,875.
574,405.00
1960
61.00
10,592,330.
646,132.20
1961
69.00
10,769,375.
743,086.90
1962
81.00
11,177,420.
905,371.02
REPORT of an AUDIT
of
THE ACCOUNTS
of the
TOWN of HAMILTON
For the year 1961
Due to an audit of the acounts of the Town by the State Bureau of Accounts for the year 1961 not being completed in time for printing in the 1961 town report, such report is being printed in the 1962 report.
The audit for the year 1962 will not be completed in time for printing in the town report, therefore, it will be printed in the 1963 report.
FRANCIS H. WHIPPLE
Town Accountant
132
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Corporations and Taxation Bureau of Acounts State House, Boston 33
GUY J. RIZZOTTO Commissioner
ARTHUR H. MACKINNON Director of Acounts August 7, 1962
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Lawrence Lamson, Chairman Hamilton, Massachusetts
GENTLEMEN:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hamilton for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1961, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. William Schwartz, Assistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours, ARTHUR H. MACKINNON
Director of Accounts
AHM: BR
Mr. Arthur H. Mackinnon Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
State House, Boston
SIRS
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hamilton for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1961, the following report being submitted thereon:
An examination and verification was made of the recorded financial transactions of the town as shown on the books of the departments re- ceiving or disbursing money or committing bills for collection.
133
The books and accounts in the office of the town accountant were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded, were checked with the records of the several departments making payments to the treasurer and with the treasurer's books, while the recorded payments were checked with the treasury warrants and with the treasurer's cash book. The ap- propriations and transfers, as recorded on the ledger, were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting votes and with the finance com- mittee's authorizations for transfers from the reserve fund. A trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1961.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The receipts, as recorded on the cash book, were checked with the records in the several departments in which charges originated or in which money was collected for the town, and with other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The payments were com- pared with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the town accountant's books.
The cash book was totalled, and the cash balance on January 16, 1962 was verified by reconciliation of the bank accounts with statements furnished by the banks of deposit.
The payments on account of maturing debt and interest were proved by examination of the cancelled bonds and coupons on file and by com- parison with the amounts falling due during the period covered by the audit. The outstanding coupons were listed and reconciled with the bal- ance in the bond and coupon account as shown by a statement furnished by the depository.
The transactions of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer were verified, and the savings bank books represent- ing the investment of these funds were examined and listed.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and checked. The amounts transferred from the tax levies were verified, and the tax titles on hand were listed and checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The deductions from employees' salaries on account of Federal and State taxes, and the county retirement system were listed and reconciled with the amounts paid to the proper agencies.
The books and accounts in the town collector's office were examined and checked. The tax, excise, assessment, departmental, and water ac- counts outstanding at the time of the previous examination, as well as all subsequent commitment lists, were audited and compared with the assessors' and departmental warrants. The recorded receipts were checked with the payments to the treasurer as shown by the treasurer's and the accountant's books; the abatements, as recorded, were compared with the assessors' and other departmental records of abatements granted; the taxes
134
transferred to the tax title account were verified; and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling ac- counts in the accountant's ledger.
The outstanding tax, excise, assessment, departmental, and water accounts were further verified by mailing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies received thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
The financial records of the town clerk were examined and checked. The recorded receipts on account of dog and sporting licenses were proved, and the payments to the town treasurer and to the Division of Fisheries and Game were verified.
The available records of departmental cash collections by the board of selectmen, the sealer of weights and measures, and the building, wire, and milk inspectors, as well as by the health, school, library, and ceme- tery departments, and by all other departments in which money was col- lected for the town, were examined and checked. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, and the cash on hand in the several departments was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds of the town officials required to file them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
In addition to the balance sheet, there are appended to this report tables showing reconciliations of the treasurer's and the collector's cash, summaries of the tax, excise, assessment, tax title, departmental, and water accounts, together with schedules showing the condition and trans- actions of the several trust and investment funds.
While engaged in making the audit cooperation was received from the several officials of the town, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM SCHWARTZ
Assistant Director of Accounts
WS: BR
REPORT of the HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1962
TABLE OF CONTENTS
School Committee 3
Report of the Hamilton School Committee 4
Report of the Building Needs Committee 6
Report of the Union Committee 7
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
8
FINANCES :
Cost Analysis 10
Comparison of Budgets for 1962 and 1963 11
Public Law 874 and Revolving Funds 11
Pupil Enrollments-October 1, 1952-1962 12
School Census as of October 1, 1962 13
Report of the Hamilton Junior High School Principal 14
Report of the Winthrop School Principal 16
Physical Sciences-Team Teaching 18
Report of the Cutler School Principal 19
MISCELLANEOUS :
School Staff Directory 20
Commencement Exercises
23
Regulations :
Age of Admittance 26
Vaccination 26
No-School Signal 26
School Calendar 26
TO THE CITIZENS OF HAMILTON AND WENHAM:
Report of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Committee 27
Report of the Principal of the Hamilton-Wenham
Regional High School
29
Budget
30
Financial Statement of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Committee 31
3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Members
Terms Expire
Morley L. Piper, Chairman, 428 Essex St., Hamilton 1964
James E. Hall, Vice Chairman, Rock Maple Avenue, Hamilton 1963
Louise Bick (Mrs.), 114 Linden St., S. Hamilton 1963
Dr. Harold D. Moses, 307 Essex St., Hamilton 1965
Matthew H. Rowell, 49 Plum St., S. Hamilton 1965
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School Mail Address: Bay Road, Hamilton, Massachusetts Telephone: 468-4464
Hammond A. Young Superintendent of Schools
Secretary
Marion E. Seaver (Mrs.)
Judith Noyes Bookkeeper
Joyce MacDiarmid (Mrs.) Part-time Clerk
Madeline Ricker (Mrs.) Census
Irene Dankowski (Mrs.) Truant Officer
4
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Hamilton School Committee is pleased to submit its annual report to the town.
The close of the school year in June marked the end of old Hamilton High School. Our last class graduated on a nostalgic note, and in Septem- ber the high school students entered the new Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School.
The old High School building, thus, became the Junior High School under the direction of Mr. Richard Snow, principal, marking the first time, at least in modern history, that the Junior High has had a building of its own. We have now embarked on a thorough program of revitaliza- tion of the program for this age level in the belief that in Hamilton as well as nationally, the Junior High had been allowed to become the stepchild of the public educational process, because of preoccupation with innova- tions at the elementary and High School grades.
At the elementary level, the system lost Dr. Geraldine Quint, prin- cipal of the Cutler School, just before school opened. The committee decided, upon advice of the superintendent, to appoint Mr. Edmund Dodge, principal of the Winthrop School, as head of both elementary schools, and Mr. Norman Pfaff, former fifth grade teacher, as assistant elementary principal.
The system continues to grow at a rapid rate. At the elementary level, in a short time it will be absolutely necessary to provide additional classrooms. The Junior High building, despite the loss of the high school students, has very little slack in it, and it will be only a few years at most before more space will be needed here, as well.
The committee is participating with the Union and Regional School Committees in a study this winter of the possibilities of regionalizing completely the Hamilton and Wenham school systems. The study is par- ticularly pertinent for Hamilton just now, in view of our need for addi- tional classroom space in the near future. Whatever is done about a com- plete regionalization, of course, would have an important bearing on any future school building construction. It would appear that it would be advantageous for Hamilton to join with Wenham in a regionalization at all grade levels from both educational and administrative standpoints, but a complete study of all aspects is necessary in order to make a definite determination.
We realize that the news of the need for more school construction is not good tidings to weary taxpayers. Hamilton's plight, however, is no different in the growing pains department from the problems in practically all other small residential communities near urban centers. It is the com-
5
mittee's belief that the rapid growth of these small towns has created problems which now exceed their ability to pay from revenues collected from the real estate tax. It points up clearly, in our opinion, the need for relief of the property tax structure through additional state and/or federal aid for education. It is the hope of the committee that the new state ad- minstration and the new Congress will enact legislation to relieve what is becoming an unreasonable tax burden as a result of the population explosion.
Because of the loss of the High School operation, the Hamilton School Department budget will go down approximately $30,000 in 1963. In addition, we expect an additional $11,000 in state revenue this year.
For detailed reports on the educational progress during the year, we refer you to reports of the superintendent and principals on the following pages.
The committee continues to pledge its utmost towards a top educa- tional system in Hamilton and we take this opportunity to compliment the superintendent, the principals, and the staff for their unstinting efforts to this end.
Respectfully submitted, MORLEY L. PIPER, Chairman JAMES EDWARD HALL, Vice Chairman LOUISE M. BICK HAROLD D. MOSES MATTHEW H. ROWELL
6
SCHOOL BUILDING NEEDS STUDY COMMITTEE
The committee has become active again because of the necessity for additional classroom space in Hamilton within the next few years.
The elementary system has the most pressing problem, although the Junior High is close behind. At the elementary level, it will be necessary to use the stage at the Cutler School and the Remedial Room combined with the Teachers Room at the Winthrop School next September as class- rooms, and thereafter we will be two additional rooms short each year. There are numerous factors involved in the next step in school construc- tion in the town. The committee will give careful thought to the various alternatives, and will have a recommendation to the voters at the appro- priate time.
The committee is also co-operating with the other school groups in Hamilton and Wenham in a study of the possibility of a complete region- alization of the schools systems in the two towns. Developments of this study will be watched closely, since whatever is done in this regard will, of course, have a serious bearing on any future school construction in either town.
The committee also investigated during the year the possibility of acquiring the land between the Winthrop School and the Methodist Church for future school use as a result of the Planning Board's bringing to its attention an imminent sale of the land for development purposes. However, upon investigation, the owners of the property felt that the prospective sale had progressed to the point of no return, and it was no longer feasible to consider a sale to the town.
Respectfully submitted,
MORLEY L. PIPER, chairman JOHN F. NEARY, vice chairman HAMMOND A. YOUNG, clerk GEORGE C. CUTLER HENRY J. GOURDEAU JAMES EDWARD HALL JOSEPH M. HURLEY HAROLD D. MOSES ALLAN MACCURRACH, resigned
7
HAMILTON-WENHAM SUPERINTENDENCY UNION COMMITTEE
The Union Committee has met several times during the year to act upon administrative policy matters mutually concerning the school sys- tems of the two towns.
The Committee this year began a cooperative effort between the two towns in several educational areas at the Junior High level, sharing in- structors in instances where one town alone could not justify a full-time specialist. As examples, Mrs. Elaine Gross is handling French in both school systems; Mr. Natale Federico is serving as boys' physical educa- tion director; and Mr. Paul Bono is in charge of shop activities for both.
The committee, in co-operation with the Hamilton-Wenham Region- al High School Committee, is co-ordinating a study this winter of the feasibility of completely regionalizing the school systems, at some future date, at the Junior High and elementary levels, as well as at the High School. It is hoped that the study will be far enough under way late in the spring or early summer to warrant a public report on the issues in- volved in such a venture. The study is being undertaken by members of all school committee groups in both towns, as well as by a number of citizens-at-large, who are assisting in specialized areas. These people include: Mrs. Frederick Nagel, Francis Chiary, Edward Reinhalter, Don- ald L. Miller, Joseph M. Hurley, John F. Neary, of Hamilton; Ben Brett- ler, Thomas Steele, Malcolm White and Frank Pemberton of Wenham.
The committee is indebted to the superintendent of schools and his staff for their invaluable assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted, MORLEY L. PIPER (H), chairman ROBERT N. SECORD (W), clerk LOUISE M. BICK (H) JAMES EDWARD HALL (H) ELEANOR F. KENNARD (W) JOHN W. PAGE (W)
8
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
Your attention is called to the Principals' statements which are printed in this report. Their careful analysis of the school program is an indication of the strong leadership which they are exerting and from which the students are benefiting.
Educational Planning
After the social studies curriculum had been studied, and compared with the programs from many of the better school systems of the country, a re-organized and stronger program was prepared during 1962. Students are benefiting from the new curriculum and the materials which have been made available.
The Audubon science work for grade five is proving to be especially stimulating. The team teaching in middle-grade science gives advantages in this important area which are impossible under the usual methods of teaching science.
Mathematics teaching has changed in recent years. The Hamilton program has changed to include the newer material and methods that appear to improve the program. The staff in the primary grades is studying and working with materials in order to find the program which will be most beneficial to the students. The mathematics program is planned with several different levels of depth in order to offer a real challenge to each student.
Pupils are grouped in classes in order that each child may have the opportunity to learn all aspects of the school work as rapidly and as fully as he can. Careful planning is carried out so that each student is given the opportunity to make progress at a speed consistent with his maturity and with his understanding of the subject taught. Care is taken to have the work presented so that each student advances in a consistent pattern from grade to grade and from one school to the next.
Physical education and physical fitness programs have been carried out in the schools for several years. The school program in grades 7 & 8 provides real benefit to the students. Additional staff would be necessary to have a more desirable program for the 700 students in grades 3-6.
The field of music offers great opportunities for the development of a consistent program from grades K-12, and work is being carried on in this area under the leadership of the Regional director of music. Much is yet to be accomplished.
The school physician has outlined to the staff the objectives of the health and physical fitness program and has prepared material to guide
9
the teachers in fulfilling their responsibility in this area. This has given new impetus to the study of health and to work improving physical and mental well-being. The Board of Health, the School Doctor, and many others have made possible the polio clinic and the test for tuberculosis. There is a serious need for adequate facilities for physical examinations at the Junior High School. The dental clinic has provided an important service in examining the teeth of pupils in grades 1-3, and some corrective work has been done under the sponsorship of the Board of Health.
Great enthusiasm is developing at the junior-high level. However, there are real needs in order to meet the aims of the staff for the highest quality education for these students. A serious examination of the program and building needs at this level is being made, as stated in the chairman's report.
One kindergarten class will be housed on the Cutler stage this next year, and the teachers' room and remedial class room will be combined at the Winthrop school for use as a classroom. Three additional classrooms will be needed on the elementary level by 1964-5.
The possibility of a sensible summer term of greater variety of sub- jects should be explored. If students signify an interest, classes will be planned for four or six weeks at the elementary level and at the Regional High School. Much success was achieved last summer with over 100 students in classes in mathematics and in typing.
In these days when Federal budgets are outlined in multi-billion- dollar terms, there is a special responsibility for those who help to guide local expenditures to get full value for every expenditure. Three factors make increases inevitable :- first, in Hamilton an annual 10% increase in number of students; second, the scarcity of teachers; and third, a de- sire to improve the quality of the program. The budget at the close of the fiscal year, December 31, showed a balance of $20,000. The 1963 bud- get is less than in 1962 because grades 9-12 are educated from the re- gional budget.
A special word of gratitude to the entire staff for the enthusiasm with which you work to make possible education of a high order for each student. Custodians, clerks, cafeteria workers, bus operators-all help very much to have each task well done. My sincere thanks to each of you. The co-operation and help of the School Committee is very much appre- ciated, as is the co-operation of the other departments of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
HAMMOND A. YOUNG
Superintendent
10
COST ANALYSIS (Estimate)
Appropriation, State and Local Reimbursements for Hamilton Public Schools
Budget
$513,123
$483,936
Returned to Town from:
Budget 1962
Budget 1963
Unexpended Budget
4,132
20,400
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
General School Fund
51,813
58,053
Special Regional Aid
7,772
8,708
Transportation-Regular
10,723
10,596
Transportation & Tuition-Vocational
425
400
Special Class
3,142
3,000
Public Law 874
10,219
9,000
National Education Defense Act
1,212
1,300
Tuition-Special Class
1,200
2,000
Tuition-(Personal Payment)
400
Payment from Regional for Books
5,000
Miscellaneous
500
500
$91,538
$118,957
NET COST TO THE TOWN
$421,585
$364,979
Estimated Local Decrease
$56,606
11
COMPARISON OF BUDGETS FOR 1962 AND 1963
Categories
Budget 1962
Expended 1962
Budget 1963
Per cent of Increase or Decrease
General Control
$15,487
$14,428
$17,484
+1.14
Expense of Instruction
361,816
352,971
326,930
-10.67
Textbook and Supplies
21,856
19,245
23,600
+7.38
Operation of Plant
49,904
47,032
50,755
+1.67
Maintenance of Plant
15,160
13,394
15,500
+2.10
Auxiliary Agencies
36,653
35,836
38,417
+4.59
Outlay
9,747
8,290
8,750 -10.24
Vocational
2,500
1,518
2,500
$513,123 $492,714 $483,936
-6.03
PER CENT OF INCREASE 1955- 1963
1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 over over over over over over over over over 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962
Total Budget
16.3
16.6 22.1 15.6 15.3 12.5 12.7
4.9 -6.03#
Enrollment
14
12
8
10
13
11
10
8
9.4*
* Enrollment for grades K-8 for 1962 compared to 1963 estimated enrollment for the same grades.
# No High School charges in this budget.
PUBLIC LAW 874 REVOLVING FUND 1962
Balance, January 1, 1962
None
RECEIPTS during 1962
$10,193.00
Balance
$10,193.00
12
CAFETERIA REVOLVING FUND
Cash Balance, January 1, 1962
$ 1,865.42
Receipts during 1962: Sale of Meals
40,820.61
Federal Subsidy
17,462.05
Expenditures during 1962
$60,148.08 54,882.94
Cash Balance, December 31, 1962
$5,265.14
Accounts Receivable, December 31, 1962 : Commonwealth of Massachusetts $2,752.53
Accounts Payable, December 31, 1962
2,869.43
ATHLETIC REVOLVING FUND
Balance, January 1, 1962
$3,079.24
Receipts during 1962 :
515.80
Total
$3,595.04
Expenditures during 1962
1,733.76
Balance, December 31, 1962
1,861.28
NATIONAL DEFENSE EDUCATION ACT REVOLVING FUND
Balance, January 1, 1962
$1,387.02
Received during 1962
400.20
Balance, December 31, 1962
$1,787.22
PUPIL ENROLLMENTS OCTOBER 1, 1952-1962
Year
K-6
7-12
Total K-12
1952
386
186
572
1953
486
195
679
1954
539
224
763
1955
609
263
872
1956
695
283
978
1957
749
305
1054
1958
794
365
1159
1959
853
416
1269
1960
865
480
1345
1961
912
558
1470
K-6
7-8
Total K-8
1962
940
235
1175
13
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE
AGE
Grade 4
5
6 7
8
9 10
11 12
13
14 15
16 17 18 Total
Kdg.
18 112
4
134
1
26 122
7
155
2
25 101
15
141
3
27 102
20
1
150
4
16 100
14 1
131
Special
2
1
4
1
4
1
1
14
5
12 91
11
5
119
6
19 77
12
2
110
7
20
66
16
4
106
8
22
70 20
14
2
1
129
Total
18 138 151 137 134 132 129 110 105
92
25
14
3
1
1189
SCHOOL CENSUS AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1962
Boys
Girls
Number between five and seven years of age
181
145
Number between seven and sixteen years of age
665
582
Totals
846
727
Total Census
1573
Distribution of above minors, October 1, 1962 :
In the Public Day School
1422
In Vocational School
1
In Private School
145
In State and County Institutions and Special Schools for Defective Delinquents
5
Not enrolled in any day school
0
Total
1573
14
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR:
Last September brought the welcomed problem of initiating a junior high school program that would not be limited by lack of physical space or restricted because of the necessary considerations that a senior high school program demanded. The added room and freedom of scheduling provided the opportunity to organize the seventh and eighth grades into five sections each. Class sizes were reduced from the undesirable 35 to 40 pupil range to the more compatible 25 to 30 figure. This reduction in class load has allowed the teachers to make better adjustment in their teaching approach. The needs of the individual can be met much more readily and a greater flexibility within the entire structure maintained. Ability grouping was maintained with programs organized to meet the needs of the fast learner, the average and the slow learner. Assignments to groups are made only after a careful analysis of mental abilities, achieve- ment scores, and teacher judgments. Pupils are shifted within these groups whenever their need indicates that such a change is desirable.
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