USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1963 > Part 9
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1965
39,000.
10,000.
6,000.
25,000.
10,000.
10,000.
100,000.
1966
39,000.
10,000.
25,000.
10,000.
5,000.
89,000
1967
39,000.
10,000.
25,000.
10,000.
84,000.
1968
39,000.
10,000.
25,000.
10,000.
84,000.
1969
39,000.
25,000.
5,000.
69,000.
1970
39,000.
25,000
64,000.
1971
39,000.
25,000.
64,000.
1972
25,000.
25,000.
1973
25,000.
25,000
1974
25,000
25,000
1975
25,000.
25,000.
1976
25,000.
25,000.
1977
25,000.
25,000.
1978
25,000.
25,000.
$312,000.
$50,000.
$16,000.
$375,000.
$55,000.
$25,000.
$833,000
136
STATEMENT OF TAX RATE, VALUATION (REAL AND PERSONAL) and TAX LEVY FOR THE YEARS 1920 TO 1963
Year
Tax Rate
Valuation
Tax Levy
1920
$16.00
$ 4,250,789.
$ 67,992.62
1921
20.00
4,371,054.
87,421.08
1922
17.00
4,468,116.
75,957.98
1923
21.00
4,784,584.
100,476.43
1924
21.00
5,048,070.
106,009.36
1925
23.80
5,166,948.
122,972.14
1926
24.20
5,370,071.
129,957.01
1927
23.80
5,630,499.
134,005.09
1928
23.40
5,753,574.
134,663.62
1929
22.70
5,711,382.
129,649.54
1930
23.60
5,788,648.
136,613.32
1931
24.70
5,790,487.
143,025.54
1932
23.70
5,852,447.
138,703.59
1933
22.30
5,896,443.
131,490.68
1934
23.80
5,764,536.
137,195.96
1935
28.60
5,725,581.
163,751.62
1936
27.50
5,449,678.
149,866.14
1937
26.70
5,388,069.
143,862.20
1938
25.30
5,487,383.
138,830.79
1939
25.00
5,459,920.
136,498.13
1940
23.80
5,527,226.
131,548.11
1941
23.40
5,593,694.
130,892.44
1942
23.20
5,611,430.
130,185.20
1943
22.00
5,530,325.
121,667.15
1944
22.00
5,550,895.
122,119.69
1945
24.00
5,311,605.
127,478.52
1946
27.00
5,325,260.
143,782.12
1947
31.60
5,706,960.
180,339.95
1948
35.00
5,733,295.
202,644.66
1949
35.00
6,038,280.
212,178.14
1950
38.00
6,323,100.
240,277.80
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
1963
84.00
11,558,990.
970,955.16
REPORT of an AUDIT
of
THE ACCOUNTS
of the
TOWN of HAMILTON
For the year 1962
Due to an audit of the accounts of the Town by the State Bureau of Accounts for the year 1962 not being completed in time for printing in the 1962 town report, such report is being printed in the 1963 report.
The audit for the year 1963 will not be completed in time for printing in the town report, therefore, it will be printed in the 1964 report.
FRANCIS H. WHIPPLE
Town Accountant
138
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Corporations and Taxation Bureau of Accounts 80 Mason Street, Boston 11
LEO E. DIEHL Commissioner
ARTHUR H. MACKINNON Director of Accounts
April 8, 1963
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, 1962, 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: mdg
Mr. Arthur H. Mackinnon
Director of Accounts
Department of Corporations and Taxation
Boston, Massachusetts
SIR:
As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Hamilton for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1962, and submit the following report thereon:
An examination and verification was made of the recorded financial transactions of the town as shown on the books of the several departments receiving or disbursing money or committing bills for collection.
139
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined and checked. The receipts, as recorded on the ledger, 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 approved by the selectmen and with the treasurer's cash book. The appropriations and transfers, as recorded on the ledger, were checked with the town clerk's records of town meeting votes and with the finance committee's records of transfers authorized from the reserve fund. An analysis was made of the ledger accounts, a trial balance was taken off, and a balance sheet, a copy of which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town as of December 31, 1962.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined and checked in detail. The cash book additions were verified, and the recorded receipts were compared with the town accountant's books, with the records of the several departments collecting money for the town, and with other sources from which money is paid into the town treasury. The recorded payments were checked with the selectmen's warrants authorizing the treasurer to disburse town funds and with the accountant's records.
The cash balance on December 31, 1962 was verified by reconcilia- tion 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 securities and coupons on file and by comparison with the amounts falling due during the period covered by the audit. The outstanding coupons were listed, and, together with the de- posits in advance of maturities, were reconciled with the balance in the bond and coupon account as shown by a statement furnished by the de- pository.
The transactions of the trust and investment funds in the custody of the town treasurer were verified. The savings bank books representing the investment of these funds were examined and listed.
The records of tax titles held by the town were examined and check- ed. 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 audit, together with all subsequent commitments, were audited and compared with the assessors' and other departmental warrants. The recorded receipts were checked
140
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 transferred to the tax title account were verified; and the outstanding accounts were listed and proved with the respective controlling accounts 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 collections by the selectmen, the sealer of weights and measures, and the building, wire, and milk in- spectors, as well as by the health, school, library, and cemetery depart- ments, and by all other departments in which money was collected for the town, were examined and checked. The payments to the treasurer were verified, and the cash on hand in the several departments was proved by actual count.
The surety bonds of the several town officials required to furnish them for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
Appended to this report, in addition to the balance sheet, are tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash, summaries of the tax, excise, assessment, tax title, departmental, and water accounts, together with schedules showing the condition and transactions of the several trust and investment funds.
For the cooperation extended by all the town officials during the progress of the audit, I wish, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM SCHWARTZ
Assistant Director of Accounts
WS:mdg
REPORT of the
HAMILTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1963
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-
School Committee 3
Report of the Hamilton School Committee 4
Report of the Superintendent of Schools 6
Report of the Union Committee 8
Report of the Hamilton Junior High School Principal 9
Report of the Cutler and Winthrop Schools Principal 11
Report of the Cutler and Winthrop Schools Vice Principal 13
FINANCES :
Comparison of Budgets for 1963-1964 14
Cost Analysis
14
Public Law 874 and Revolving Funds 15
Pupil Enrollments - October 1, 1953-1963
15
Membership by Age and Grade
16
School Census as of October 1, 1963 16
School Staff Directory 17
REGULATIONS :
Age of Attendance 20
Vaccination 20
No-School Signal 20
REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee 22
Report of Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Committee 23
Report of the Superintendent 25
Report of the Principal 27
Financial Statement
28
Budget
30
Lunch Program Financial Statement
32
Staff Directory 33
Commencement Exercises
35
3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Members
Terms Expire
Morley L. Piper, Chairman, 428 Essex St., Hamilton 1964
James E. Hall, Vice Chairman, Rock Maple Ave., Hamilton 1966
Louise Bick (Mrs.), 114 Linden St., S. Hamilton 1966
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: 775 Bay Road, Hamilton, Massachusetts 01936 Telephone : 468-4464
Hammond A. Young Superintendent of Schools
Marion E. Seaver (Mrs.) Secretary
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 voters.
The committee continued its efforts in 1963 in cooperation with the professional staff to improve the curriculum and academic standards of the elementary and junior high school programs. Details of the progress may be found in the reports of the superintendent and principals.
At our direction, the superintendent and principals have spent a great deal of time developing new sources for recruiting teachers in this highly competitive market, with the result that we believe we have brought into the system an unusually good group of new teachers from a wide variety of places. We have also taken steps to improve the position of teachers generally, through salary increases and fringe-type benefits of a professional nature, in an effort to retain desirable people in the system.
New teachers who came into the system in September include: Mrs. Marie B. Fontaine, third grade; Miss Gail B. Hoxie, second grade; Miss Kathryn S. Hunt, kindergarten; Miss Carole Johnson, first grade; Mrs. Louise Leach, second grade; Mrs. Ann E. Reid, second grade; Miss Edith Ross, second grade; Miss Catherine M. Bollard, fourth grade; Mrs. Deborah Younger, third grade; Miss Linda Hayden, fifth grade; Mrs. Jane B. Pedersen, fourth grade; Miss Ann Van De Bogert, fourth grade; Miss Anne M. Brochu, French; William T. Chambers, sixth grade; Miss June L. Gustafson, Science; Daniel T. Kardaris, Math; Peter M. Smith, Math and Science; Robert S. Wilkinson, English.
A special "thank you" to Margaret Batchelder and Mrs. Carolyn Lander for their great contribution to the education of Hamilton children. Miss Batchelder taught a total of nearly 44 years and Mrs. Lander 26 years. They retired in June 1963. This is a wonderful record and hun- dreds of young people benefited from their teaching.
We regret to report that on January 12, 1964, one of our new staff members, Mrs. Deborah Younger of Marblehead, passed away suddenly after an illness of only a few days. Mrs. Younger was a capable teacher, well-liked by colleagues and students alike. Although she had been here only a short time, she had already made her mark and will be missed. We have been fortunate to obtain the services of Mrs. Ruth Stevens of Wenham, an experienced elementary teacher, for Mrs. Younger's third grade for the balance of the school year.
The committee has continued to cooperate with the Hamilton-Wen- ham Superintendency Union Committee, the Hamilton-Wenham Re- gional District School Committee, and the Wenham School Committee in
5
a study of the possibility of further regionalization of the school systems in both towns. The study, at this writing, is in its final stages and within a few months the combined committees should come to a decision as to whether or not to recommend some form of further regionalization, the alternatives being to regionalize only the junior high schools; or to com- pletely regionalize everything down through the elementary schools; or to remain in our present status of a regional high school and separate school systems.
Regardless of what is done in this connection, Hamilton will need additional elementary school space in the immediate future. We are com- pletely out of space at this level as of this year, and to alleviate the prob- lem, we would hope that the town would allow us to construct a six or eight room addition to the Winthrop School. During 1964, we expect to work closely with Hugh Stubbins Associates, the architectural firm which designed the Winthrop School, in drawing up preliminary plans and pre- paring estimates for such an addition, in order that we can recommend this construction to the voters at the 1965 town meeting. It is further hop- ed that through a transfer of funds from the town's excess and deficiency account, some use of the town's stabilization fund which has been build- ing up for several years for such an eventuality, plus whatever state aid for which we may qualify, the town would need to raise only a compara- tively small amount of money.
The committee wishes to express its thanks to the superintendent, the school staff and the many town officers and boards who have extended assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted, MORLEY L. PIPER, Chairman JAMES EDWARD HALL, Vice Chairman MRS. JOHN A. BICK DR. HAROLD D. MOSES MATTHEW H. ROWELL
6
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
In this, my third annual report, the following areas will be briefly discussed: policies, immediate building needs, costs, and building main- tenance.
Positive policies have been developed which are designed to encour- age the staff to be even more effective teachers. These are the result of ideas from school committee and staff members and include:
1. Improving the salary schedule, including discussions of ways of recognizing outstanding teachers in order to continue to retain the most effective staff members.
2. Paying one-half the cost of tuition of staff members for approved credit courses in order to encourage teachers to constantly strengthen themselves in academic knowledge and in skills of teaching.
3. Sponsoring in-service courses given locally, such as the one offered in the fall of 1963 in Mathematics.
4. Sponsoring workshop programs, such as the one at the opening of school and the December 3 workshop in skills and methods of Language Arts.
5. Encouraging the staff to continuously study material to be in- cluded in each course and the curriculum.
6. Making it possible for teachers to have a leave of absence for advanced study with partial payment.
The increase in enrollment in 1963-4 made necessary the use of the stage at the Cutler building for one kindergarten class. The four sixth grade classes average 31 students each, which is too many for the size of the classrooms in the Junior High building, and for the most effective teaching. An added section for grade 6 will be necessary next year and even then there will be about 28 per class. The enrollment in kindergarten is 12 fewer this year, and therefore it may be possible to schedule only five first grades instead of six for 1964-5. This would provide room for the additional sixth grade group within the present buildings. The alternative is to find space outside the school buildings for one or more sections. Each spring and summer some pupils move with their parents to other areas, and new ones come to our schools. Hamilton has typically received an enrollment increase of from 8-12%, as stated elsewhere in the school report.
The immediate solution to the building needs should be an eight- room addition to the Winthrop School. This building is so constructed that rooms may be added at a minimum of cost. Attention must soon be
7
given to the needs at the Junior High School for adequate space for a complete program. The building is designed to accommodate about 350 students in classrooms, but space is entirely lacking for health examina- tions, nurse's and physician's needs, and for music, art, and guidance. The space is very inadequate for the kitchen, shop, home arts, and teachers' room. It would also be most desirable to provide this age student with a cafeteria-auditorium, such as is at the Winthrop school. I believe that a Re- gional Junior High School in combination with Wenham is the postive way to solve the building problems for grades 7 and 8 and also to provide the desirable academic program for these students from both communities. An addition to the present Hamilton Junior High building with some changes and improvements to the present rooms and facilities is an effec- tive way to provide the housing for a Regional Junior High.
The maintenance program is designed to prevent major repairs by keeping equipment and facilities in satisfactory condition. Some major items have been accomplished in the last two years. For example, the fur- naces and heating systems have been repaired and are operating more efficiently at the Cutler and Junior High Schools.
The cost of education continues to increase, primarily for two reas- ons: first, increased enrollments; and second, rising educational costs for salaries, books, supplies, and maintenance. The Hamilton salary schedule has been competitive with other communities, but other schedules are being raised, and thus this area must annually be studied in order to meet the competition. Special discussion has taken place regarding ways to make the schedule attractive to the outstanding teacher and ways of rewarding unusual teaching success. This is a difficult area, but some progress appears to have been made.
Your attention is called to the reports from the three principals. These reports reflect the enthusiasm of the administration, the teachers, and other employees for the positive policies promoted by the School Committee.
My sincere thanks to everyone who helped in any way to promote enthusiastic educational programs during 1963.
Respectfully submitted, HAMMOND A. YOUNG
Superintendent of Schools
8
HAMILTON-WENHAM SUPERINTENDENCY UNION COMMITTEE
The Union Committee devoted its time in 1963 to cooperating with other school committees in both towns in studying the possibility of re- gionalizing the school systems below the high school level.
Various subcommittees have been at work on all aspects of the issue and the work of the group is now nearing completion.
As has been said several times in the past, there appears to be little doubt that the committees believe further regionalization desirable from academic and administrative standpoints. The questions at issue are the extent of further regionalization (just the junior high schools or com- pletely through elementary school), and whether the effort would be financially sound for either town. The financial considerations center around the facts that Hamilton will need to build considerably more elementary school rooms in the future than Wenham, while Wenham will have much more of a junior high school problem than Hamilton.
It is hoped that a detailed report can be issued sometime during the year which will carry the committee's recommendations for future con- sideration.
The committee wishes to express its appreciation to the superintend- ent and the office staff for their assistance and counsel during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
MORLEY L. PIPER, chairman (H) THOMAS W. STEELE, secretary (W) MRS. JOHN A. BICK (H) MRS. WENTWORTH KENNARD (W) JAMES EDWARD HALL (H) ROBERT N. SECORD (W)
9
REPORT OF THE HAMILTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report of the Hamilton Junior High School. Three hundred and forty-seven youngsters reported to school this September to attend grades 6, 7, and 8. Although the seventh and eighth grades remained about the same in number as last year with an average of 25 students per class, the sixth grade showed an increase in enrollment which brought the average number per class up to 31.
During the summer two sixth grade rooms were renovated with blackout shades and this fall the science program of "the 21 inch class- room" was introduced into the sixth grade curriculum. To date this program has been received by both teachers and students as a strong sup- plement to the existing classes. The sixth grade program was also strength- ened in the specialty areas of physical education and music. Each sixth grade section was given the opportunity to meet with the physical educa- tion specialist once a week while the music supervisor's meetings with the sixth grade classes were increased from one to two meetings a week.
The grouping of students by ability in grades seven and eight con- tinued to produce positive results for all concerned. Achievement test scores showed our students to be well above the average norms in all areas when compared not only with national averages but with sectional and local scores as well.
In the subject matter fields, the teachers of English are concentrating their efforts this year on improving the student's power of written ex- pression, while the mathematics people are busy incorporating the prin- ciples of modern math with the traditional subject matter while making sure each part receives its proper emphasis. Our science program has been improved not only by the purchase of such necessary items as a fully equipped portable laboratory but also by the inclusion of introductory units in chemistry and physics at the eighth grade level. In the field of social studies the study of the Eastern Hemisphere has been enhanced by the inclusion of strong units on communism, Russia, Africa and the other countries of the Near and Far East.
A group guidance program was initiated this year in the eighth grade with the youngsters meeting once a week to discuss such areas of import- ance as social adjustment, the physical and mental aspects of personality, and information concerning the educational and occupational require- ments of the future. Panel discussions utilizing many professional people from the local area were held in conjunction with many field trips to help make the entire program more meaningful.
10
The physical plant continued to receive "loving care" during the summer months with many rooms receiving new and much needed light- ing as well as new paint and plaster repairs. This work must be continued if the present building is to remain a fitting part of our educational picture.
In closing I wish to thank you on behalf of the faculty and the stu- dents for your assistance in aiding us in our quest for the best in quality education.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD A. SNOW
Principal
11
REPORT OF THE CUTLER AND WINTHROP SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
It is with pleasure that I submit to you my annual report as principal of the Cutler and Winthrop Schools.
Opening day of the current school year found 32 classroom teachers welcoming about 860 youngsters in Grades K through five only, as our sixth graders are housed at the Junior High School. Needless to say every available space is filled, including our stage at Cutler School.
In the area of curriculum, many varied and interesting activities are being carried out as reported by the Assistant Principal. In addition to those, it should be noted that our Arithmetic program took on added strength in two ways:
(a) After a very comprehensive investigation last spring, a new text was adopted this year for Grades 1, 2 and 3. The use of it has added strength to the curriculum.
(b) Many of the elementary teachers attended a ten-week course in methods of teaching the new arithmetic.
Our reading program in Grades K-5 continues to be based on using many teaching devices, varied reading books, phonics material and good teaching. Special help is given outside the classroom by our reading tea- cher to those pupils needing such help.
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