USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1930-1939 > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
LOUIS H. OGDEN, Town Director.
Budget for 1935
The following budget has been approved by the Advisory Board :
Appropriated 1934
1935
Dept. of Public Welfare
$4,600.00
$5,000.00
Old Age Assistance
4,000.00
5,000.00
Infirmary
2,300.00
2,300.00
*Schools
30,000.00
30,500.00
Vocational Training
400.00
200.00
Highways, Joint Account
** State and Town
Article 4
4,700.00
4,700.00
General purposes
7,000.00
7,500.00
E.R.A. (Expense for Material)
612.00
Winter Street
800.00
Jacob's Avenue
300.00
Sign Boards
75.00
50.00
Snow Removal
1,500.00
1,700.00
Snow Plow
375.00
Notes
3,500.00
2,000.00
Interest
3,000.00
1,800.00
State and County Taxes
7,500.00
7,500.00
Town Officers
3,600.00
3,600.00
Incidentals
1,600.00
1,600.00
School and District Nurse
1,400.00
1,341.67
Transportation of Nurse
200.00
200.00
Dental Clinic
700.00
700.00
County Hospital Maintenance
794.00
848.37
State Aid
600.00
480.00
Board of Health
1,000.00
1,100.00
Electric Lights
500.00
500.00
Tent Caterpillar
100.00
100.00
Gaffield Park
Tree Warden
100.00
150.00
·
Recommended
106
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Mowing Bushes
200.00
200.00
Squares and Triangles
100.00
150.00
Spraying Elms
200.00
225.00
Gypsy Moth
865.73
855.73
Gypsy Moth, Stock and
Private Work
1,000.00
800.00
Fire Department
1,500.00
1,500.00
Fire Dept. Equipment
1,175.00
1,175.00
Mosquito Control, Article 6
450.00
450.00
Insurance
931.00
250.00
James Library
200.00
200.00
Ridge Hill Library
100.00
100.00
Soldiers' Relief
400.00
400.00
School Physician
100.00
100.00
Memorial Day
250.00
250.00
Sealing Weights and Measures .
150.00
150.00
Inspection of Animals
60.00
75.00
Washington Street Cemetery
100.00
75.00
Town Hall
50.00
50.00
Plymouth County Aid to
Agriculture, Article 5
100.00
100.00
Reserve Fund
1,000.00
2,900.00
Town Forest
Care of Veterans' Graves
50.00
50.00
Article 7
1,300.00
500.00
Totals
$88,500.73 $91,522.77
*State Credits and dog tax reduce this by $9,000.00 to $21,500.00.
To be expended under the joint direction of a State engineer and the selectmen which insures a grant from the State of $4,700.00 for additional highway work.
All articles involving an appropriation must be sub- mitted to the Advisory Board on or before February 15th, 1936.
107
TOWN OF NORWELL
REPORT OF ADVISORY BOARD
Provided the budget as submitted is approved, it will entail a tax rate of approximately $33.00. Any change in this total, either increase or decrease, will affect the tax rate $0.50 per thousand.
The Advisory Board wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen and the Superintendents of the various de- partments for their co-operation at this time in helping us to plan our budget.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. BARNARD, Chairman,
WILLIAM D. JACOBS, W. WALLACE FARRAR,
CHARLES W. THOMAS,
ALBERT L. SYLVESTER,
HENRY C. FORD, DR. MARSHALL H. BAILEY,
JARED A. GARDNER, ALAN C. VIRTUE, Secretary,
Advisory Board.
Transcript of Articles in Warrant
MONDAY, MARCH 4TH, AT 7 P. M.
Article 1. To choose a moderator.
Article 2. To hear the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the town and act thereon.
Article 3. To make necessary appropriations to de- fray the expenses of the town, and for other purposes and to raise such sums of money as the town shall deem expedient for the following purposes :
Department of Public Welfare, Old Age Assistance, In- firmary, Support of School, Vocational Training, High- ways, Article 4, general purposes, ERA expense for ma- terial, Winter street, Jacob's avenue, Sign Boards, Remov- ing Snow, Snow Plow, Notes, Interest, State and County Taxes, Town Officers, Incidentals, School and District Nurse, Transportation of Nurse, Dental Clinic, County Hospital, State Aid, Board of Health, Electric Lights, Tent Caterpillar, Tree Warden, Mowing Bushes, Squares and Triangles, Spraying Elms, Gypsy Moth, Fire De- partment and equipment, Mosquito Control, Insurance, James Library, Ridge Hill Library, Soldiers' Relief, School Physician, Memorial Day, Sealing Weights and Measures, Inspection of Animals, Washington Street Cemetery, Town Hall, Plymouth County Aid to Agricul- ture, Reserve Fund, Care of Veterans' graves, Article 7.
Article 4. Will the town raise and appropriate the sum of forty-seven hundred dollars to be expended on highways under the provisions of Section 26 of Chapter 81 of the General Laws as amended ?
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
109
TOWN OF NORWELL
Article 5. Will the town vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture a sum not exceeding $100 and chose a town director as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws?
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Article 6. Will the town vote to raise and appropriate $450.00 in accordance with the provisions of Chapt. 112 of the Acts of 1931 for the maintenance of work on Mos- quito Control ditches?
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Article 7. Will the town vote to raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding $500.00 to purchase materials and supplies to further Civil Works Administration projects ?
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Article 8. Will the town accept the way leading from Central Street, near the residence of Samuel Turner, through to Winter Street, known as Mill Lane, as a Town way ?
(Request of Mr. Henry McHugh and others.)
(Not approved by the Advisory Board.)
Article 9. Will the town accept that portion of Mill Lane substantially as laid out by the Selectmen July 7, 1934, and filed with the Town Clerk July 14, 1934, as a Town way ?
Article 10. Will the town make an appropriation or instruct the Highway Surveyor to expend from the gen- eral Highway appropriation a sum to carry out any ac- tion that may be taken on either of the two above articles ?
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to instruct its Highway Surveyor to grade and tarvia the section of Stetson Road beginning at the triangle (including both curves) at River Street near the residence of Henry J. Tolman and continuing to the point near the property of
110
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Norman Stansfield which is now surfaced, or take any other action relative thereto.
(Request of Gleason L. Archer and others.)
(Not approved by the Advisory Board.)
Article 12. Will the town authorize the Board of Se- lectmen to lease the land now occupied by the State Po- lice Barracks at the corner of Main and Central Streets to Elmer N. Josselyn under terms and conditions fixed by said Board ?
(Request of Ernest H. Sparrell and others.)
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Articles 13. Will the town adopt the following By- law? "Two hundred voters shall constitute a quorum at Special Town Meetings, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time."
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Article 14. Will the town adopt the following By- law? "No bill board or other advertising device shall be erected in view of the highway more than fifty feet from the place of business advertised, unless approved by the Board of Selectmen."
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Article 15. Will the town vote to appropriate $50.80, fees received for rental of Town Hall, for the use of the School Committee to defray expense of heating and lighting the Town Hall?
(Approved by Advisory Board.)
Article 16. To make allowances to town creditors.
Article 17. Will the town give any instructions to town officers ?
Articles 18. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1,
111
TOWN OF NORWELL
1935, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 19. What salary and compensation will the town vote to pay all its elected officers? To conform with Section 108, Chapter 41, General Laws.
Article 20. Will the town act with the town of Han- over to maintain electric lights at the junction of River Street, Norwell, and Broadway, Hanover, and at Assinip- pi ?
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 11 A. M. TO 6 P. M.
Article 21. To bring in their votes for a Town Clerk, one Selectman, one Assessor, and one member of the Board of Public Welfare, for three years; a Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, an Auditor, a Surveyor of Highways, five Constables and a Tree Warden for one year; one member of the School Committee for three years; one member of the Board of Health for three years; one Trustee for the Ridge Hill Library for three years, and to vote "yes" or "no" in answer to the following ques- tion :
"Shall the operation of Section One Hundred and Five B of Chapter One Hundred and Thirty-one of the Gen- eral Laws, requiring for the taking of fur-bearing ani- mals the use of traps that kill at once, or take such an- imals alive unharmed, be suspended within this town?"
Norwell School Directory
School Committee
BENJAMIN LORING, Chairman, Tel. Norwell 67-3.
MRS. GERTRUDE DYER
Tel. Hanover 195
MRS. NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary and Treasurer Tel. Norwell 76-3
Superintendent of Schools WILLARD B. SPALDING Tel. Hanover 91
Supervisors MRS. PANSY B. STETSON, Music RODMAN BOOTH, Drawing ,
School Physician WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, M. D.
School Nurse CATHERINE A. ROE, R. N.
School Dentist WILLIS B. PARSONS, D. M. D.
Janitors RICHARD WHITING JOSEPH F. MERRITT MRS. MARY BRUCE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REGULATIONS
Children who become five years of age on July first may enter school the following September.
No child under seven years of age will be admitted to school for the first time after October first of any year.
A child entering school for the first time is required to present to the teacher a birth certificate and a vacci- nation or exemption from vaccination certificate.
School Committee
To the Taxpayers of Norwell :
The School Committee for 1935 organized as follows: Benjamin Loring, Chairman. Nellie L. Sparrell, Secretary and Treasurer
In July Proposals for Fuel and Transportation were sent out.
July 18th the following bids for Fuel were received :
COAL
National Coal Sales Co.
New River Run of Mine
$6.21 per ton
City Fuel Co.
New River Run of Mine
7.75 per ton
John T. Fitts
New River Run of Mine
6.65 per ton
White Ash, egg size
12.25 per ton
White Ash, nut size
12.25 per ton
Basil Simmons
White Ash, egg
12.35 per ton
White Ash, nut
12.35 per ton
Taylor Coal Co.
New River Run of Mine
6.75 per ton
White Ash, egg
11.75 per ton
White Ash, nut
11.75 per ton
OIL
Robie Leslie No. 1 71/2c per gal.
John T. Fitts, sellers' established price
but not to exceed
105/gc per gal.
Form Eight
114
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
WOOD
Basil Simmons
Hard Wood
$7.00 per cord
Slabs or pine trash
6.00 per cord
Fitting
1.25 per cord
Perry H. Osborn
Hard Wood
$7.75 per cord
Slabs
6.25 per cord
Fitting
1.25 per cord
John T. Fitts
Hard Wood
$8.00 per cord
Slabs
7.00 per cord
Fuel contracts were awarded as follows :
National Coal Sales Co.
New River Run of Mine
$6.21 per ton
Robie Leslie No. 1 Oil
.071/2c per gal.
Basil Simmons Hard Wood
$7.00 per cord
Slabs
6.00 per cord
The transportation bids which were opened July 30th at Mr. Loring's home, Mr. Charles Williamson and Mr. Frederick Hall being present, were as follows:
Charles Williamson
Route 1.
1 year basis
$1600 per year
3 year basis 1525 per year
Any increase in mileage 181/2c per mile.
Route 2.
1 year basis $975.00 per year
3 year basis 925.00 per year
Any increase in mileage 181/ec per mile.
115
TOWN OF NORWELL
Frederick H. Hall
Route 1.
1 year basis
3 year basis
$1580.00 per year 1,496.00 per year
Route 2.
1 year basis
$950.00 per year 900.00 per year
3 year basis Any increase in mileage 18c per mile.
John H. Sparrell
Route 1.
$1,960.00 if two busses used or
1,540 if Church Hill bus be used one trip in afternoon.
Route 2.
$26.00 per week
C. O. Litchfield
Route 3.
1 year basis
3 year basis
$35.00 per week 30.00 per week
Minot F. Williamson
Route 4.
1 year basis
$29.50 per week
3 year basis
28.00 per week
Herbert Joseph
Route 3.
1 year basis
$25.00 per week
3 year basis
22:50 per week
Route 4.
1 year basis
$28.00 per week
3 year basis
25.50 per week
The contracts for transportation were awarded as follows :
Route 1 John H. Sparrell
$1,560.00
Route 2 John H. Sparrell
1,040.00
Route 3 Herbert Joseph
1,000.00
Route 4 Minot Williamson
1,120.00
116
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Total cost of a school year, September to June $4,720.00 Our busses are now uniform in color.
Our primary buildings at Ridge Hill and Norwell Centre are in excellent condition. As the water sys- tems at Norwell Centre has not been completed, the out- door toilets are still in use, a condition entirely beyond our control.
We wish to call your attention to the condition of the High School Building, a true picture of which is to be found in the detailed report of the Superintendent of Schools. Something should be done in regard to the heating system, also concerning the overcrowding which will be still further increased by twenty-five pupils next year.
We recommend that a committee be appointed at the annual meeting to serve with the School Committee to investigate the situation and report at the next annual or any special meeting. The Committee wishes to state that it has not now or at any time had, any intention of asking for a new building from any source.
Due to the reduced appropriation in 1934, the maxi- mum salary of the grade teachers was reduced from $1200 to $1100 per year, and the maximum of High School assistants from $1600 to $1400. Mrs. Turner, the only teacher who had reached the maximum, was there- by cut $200, while Miss Hurley, Mr. Jackman, Mr. Booth, Miss Minard, and Mrs. Stetson were each cut $50.
In September Mr. Leonard Allen was secured as a substitute to replace Miss Ollendorf, who was seriously injured in an automobile accident. Miss Heathcote, the teacher of domestic science, secured a higher position in Newton in November, and Miss Chloris Jenkins was hired to fill the vacancy.
A helpful sign in the interest of their schools has been shown by certain parents in the formation of a Parent Teachers' Association. Much good may be accomplished by this body in constructive criticism and encouragement to the entire school system. By meeting and talking
117
TOWN OF NORWELL
over our problems, we should be able to reach a solution in a manner more satisfactory to all.
Urging your continued interest and support we are :
Respectfully, BENJAMIN LORING, Chairman NELLIE L. SPARRELL, Secretary and Treasurer GERTRUDE L. DYER.
School Superintendent
To the School Committe of the Town of Norwell :
The past two years have been so full of financial problems that those relating more closely to the work in the schools have not been given the same prominence which they received in the past. I believe that the time has come to turn our attention to the main task, that of educating our boys and girls. For this reason I am omitting from my report any comment upon the times as they affect the schools.
The most pressing problem before us today is the overcrowded condition in the High School. There are 222 pupils in the building and 204 seats: While the school is in session, at present, it is necessary to use the lunch room and the balcony of the Town Hall as class rooms. These two places are very unsatisfactory. The lunchroom has no desks and seats, but is equipped with benches which seat pupils, but do not afford any facilities for writing. In addition to this, the class must sit so that only one-half can face the teacher. The room is poorly ventilated, poorly lighted, and is heated by a stove. The Balcony is so situated that it is necessary to heat the whole of the Town Hall before the balcony is warm. Besides being expensive, this is impossible in extreme weather. There are no windows in the balcony. The only light is from two fixtures. Pupils working here are subject to considerable eye-strain. In the warm months, the roof is so low that the balcony becomes unsufferably hot. It should not be used.
Eliminating these two rooms as classrooms is impos- sible at the present time without the addition of two other rooms. While the present situation exists, it will be necessary to use these rooms as there are not enough seats to care for the pupils in the building without this
119
TOWN OF NORWELL
use. It is impossible to add extra seats to any room that is in use at present as each one is full.
In addition to this difficulty of overcrowding, the equipment for the teaching of science is non-existent. The subjects of chemistry, physics, and biology are es- sential to college preparation. The requirements of the College Entrance Board specify that each pupil shall complete a certain number of experiments. In certifying pupils for admission the teacher must state that these have been completed. This is impossible at present. The room used for this purpose has no adequate table. It has no source of heat. It contains no ventilating hood for the elimination of harmful gases. This latter defect makes it impossible to perform any experiments requiring these gases as to do so would be to spread them over the whole building. This would be unpleasant, and in some instances dangerous. Besides the lack of these major items, I find that there is no equipment for the performing of experiments by the pupils or by the teacher. The few chemicals which are in the school are so old that most of them are no longer pure, and no experiment has a predictable result. If these subjects are to be taught at all, it is necessary to provide equip- ment which will make this teaching meet the college entrance requirements.
Besides the failure to meet these, the laboratory fails to meet the requirements for classification as a Class A school under the State Department of Education. Nor- well receives $1250 under Section 5 of Chapter 71 of the general laws. This chapter says in part, "But no town shall receive any such reimbursement unless its high school is approved by the department." I have al- ready received from the Supervisor of Secondary Edu- cation, a rather strong letter in regard to the condition of the laboratory. I believe that it would be wise to comply with the opinion expressed there and improve the laboratory. The State Department of Education has
120
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
published a manual for the purpose of establishing a standard for equipping a high school laboratory. In order to meet this standard many changes and much new material must be provided.
I wish also to call your attention to the physical con- dition of the present building. Water stands in the cellar for much of the time during the spring and summer. This has meant a steady deterioration of the plaster and a continual warping of the floors. Steps should be taken immediately to insure the elimination of this trouble. It occurs mainly because the cellar under the Town Hall is higher than that of the school, and water flowing in there runs eventually under the main building. It is necessary to place a drain connecting with every gutter and leading well away from the building to insure the elimination of the excess water from the roof.
In addition to this defect, there are many others. I will list these without comment, save to say that the immediate repair of them is an essential item for next year. Any further delay will mean that the expense will become much greater.
There are two ceilings which need replacing.
There is one ceiling which needs a very large patch.
There is one ceiling which needs a smaller patch.
There is need of paint on every ceiling.
. In every room the plaster under the chair rail needs patching.
In every room the paint should be given two coats.
In the Principal's office the walls and ceiling need patching badly.
Every corridor needs painting.
The steps leading into the building need new treads and in some places new supports.
121
TOWN OF NORWELL
The metal fire doors need repainting.
There is one leak in the roof of the main building. There is one leak in the roof of the Town Hall.
The toilets are insufficient to care for all of the pupils now in the building.
The heating system in the present building has never been adequate. There are six heaters and one stove in operation. Two of these heaters are connected with the Town Hall. Four of them are connected with the school building. The stove is located in the Lunch Room. It is physically impossible for any janitor to have every heater wide open on a cold day and get from one to the other fast enough to keep all fires in good condition. This means that there are many days when it is im- possible to have the rooms properly heated. Even under the best conditions, the heat varies from room to room. There were many days last winter, when school was not dismissed, but when the rooms were not all warm. The same condition will exist as long as such an out- of-date system is in use. This heating system should be replaced. I believe that the saving from the installation of an adequate heating system would eventually more than pay for the cost of installation.
There is a considerable increase in the number of chil- dren desiring to learn those subjects of a more practical nature, such as bookkeeping, economics, typing, and the like. This increase in enrollment has brought about a situation which means more classes next year. It has been the custom, because of small enrollment, to offer bookkeeping in alternate years. Were this to be car- ried out next year, there would be forty-one pupils in the class. This is an impossible number as there is no room which can house them. It will be necessary to give this subject every year in the future.
The same situation exists in other instances. In order
122
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
to maintain our present curriculum, at least three new classes must be provided for. There is no way of doing this at present as each teacher is busy all of each day. In addition, there are certain courses taught by Mr. Dag- gett, which he should not be expected to teach. A prin- cipal should be free to spend at least one-half of his time in supervising the work of his teachers. It is particular- ly important to do this when the building is as crowded as it is today. The only solution of this matter is the employment of an additional teacher to make it possi- ble to offer the subject which pupils wish to learn. The employment of such a teacher is impossible as there is no room available in which she could work.
In September, 1932, test were given in every grade school to every pupil in grades 2-6. These were of the type known as "Standard Tests." This name is given them because they have been given in so many schools and in so many instances, that the response to be expected of an average class has been standardized. It is reason- able to suppose that pupils in the Norwell Schools should do as well as the average of all who were so tested. These tests should serve as a measure of the teaching and learning in our schools.
The results were as follows :
1. In general students in the Norwell Schools are de- ficient in literary background. They are unfamiliar with the great stories of our language.
£
2. Students in our schools do much better than the average in arithmetic.
3. The students are better than the average in the use of English.
4. Their knowledge of history and social problems is somewhat lower than the average.
5. The achievement of the pupils in geography is con- siderably above that in most communities.
123
TOWN OF NORWELL
6. Norwell boys and girls cannot read for comprehen- sion as readily as we should expect them to.
7. The pupils know about as much in the fields of hy- giene and science as do similar pupils in other schools.
The mere giving of tests is of no value unless it is coupled with an attempt to hold fast to that which we have and to get that which we have not. Repetitions of the test each year have shown that we are going ahead. There is much to be done before our schools are at the high standard which should be theirs.
The ability to read is basic to the comprehension of any branch of school work. The failure of Norwell pu- pils to read and understand what has been read is due, in my opinion, to the reading system now in use in the schools. The present reading system is based entirely upon memory and not at all upon the ability of the child to sound out words. The Child-Story system is in use. Under this system the teacher tells the child the word and the child repeats it in reading, seat-work and the like until he has learned the word. There are not at- tempts to "sound out" the letters. It is my opinion that pupils need to be trained to pronounce unfamiliar words and to learn them through their sound, rather than by sheer memory. It is my belief that this reading system should be replaced by another.
After considerable study of the field I believe, that the Elson-Gray system, published by Scott-Forseman, is the best for our purposes. This series of books is scientifi- cally devised. Each new word is repeated in the text at correct intervals. The teaching of sounds and the learn- ing of new words through sound is given a place. The books in this series cover the fields of mathematics, sci- ence, history, and art. The words necessary for the un- derstanding of these subjects are taught as a part of the reading lesson. This eliminates many of the failures.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.