USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1943 > Part 10
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Note : Highway includes all other departmental accounts not speci- fically mentioned below, such as Chapter 90, Betterments, Drainage, Snow and Ice, etc.
B.P.W. Water Highway Sewer
Park
Totals
Pay Roll $5,173.77 $21,084.17 $43,448.86 $4,790.16 $3,298.20 $ 77,795.16
Bills
660.09 24,565.98 33,596.06
4,086.16
691.80
63,600.09
Totals $5,833.86 $45,650.15 $77,044.92 $8,876.32 $3,990.00 $141,395.25
In closing this report, the Superintendent wishes to express his ap- preciation to the members of the Board for their many helpful sugges- tions and kindnesses extended to him during the year, and to assure all those in any way associated with him in carrying on the work of the Department of his gratitude for their interest and co-operation, and to acknowledge the assistance, co-operation and helpful suggestions which he has received from the other department heads of the town.
PHILIP WELCH, Superintendent
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SPECIAL DRAINAGE COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Reading, the Special Drainage Committee for the Lake Quannapowitt Drainage Area submits its fourth annual report :
The Committee held four general meetings during the year, and sub-committees held various meetings and conferences with State and Federal officials in relation to problems involving the drain construction. A meeting was also held with the Reading Planning Board to consider the possible effect of the drain ditch on the proposed location of Route 128.
The liquidation of Federal Works Progress Administration was con- summated on March 1, 1943 at which time all W. P. A. work on the Quannapowitt Drain project ceased. To continue the construction of Salem Street culvert and bridges over three private ways in the old Reading-Wakefield Fair Ground area, and other necessary work, peti- tion was made to the proper authorities for temporary appointment of certain men as laborers under civil service regulations. This petition was granted, and a small crew of workmen carried on the project. Also, at various times during the year, several public works employees, with Departmental equipment, worked on the project.
Under the provision of Chapter 458, Acts of 1939, which is the Read- ing Drainage Act, the Town of Wakefield was given the right to regu- late the height of water surface in Lake Quannapowitt between the high water mark as fixed from time to time by the State Department of Pub- lic Works and the low water mark of elevation 186.3 established by Chapter 539 Acts of 1909. On May 25, 1943, the State Commissioners of Public Works voted that the legal high water mark of Lake Quan- napowitt be fixed, until further action by the Department, as elevation 188. The previous elevation set by them on February 25, 1942 was 187.
The Drainage Committee herewith submits a report of progress in the actual construction of the drain ditch during 1943; and also of work remaining to be done :
Approximately 90% of the actual excavation of the ditch system has been excavated. This includes the main drain ditch from Vernon St., Wakefield to Ash Street, Reading; the section from Salem Street, Read- ing, to Ash Street, having been excavated in 1943, and three main tribu- tary ditches running from the main ditch to Salem Street, John Street and Eaton Street respectively. Remaining to be excavated is that sec- tion of the main ditch Westerly of Ash Street, also a short tributary ditch Easterly of John Street, Reading. A diversion dam must also be constructed Westerly of Ash Street, and a dike constructed along the Reading-Wakefield Town Line from John Street to Ash Street. The site of this dike has been cleared of trees and brush, but no actual con- struction work has as yet been accomplished on the dike. All other
121
structures, culverts, bridges, etc., have been completed, with the excep- tion of two traffic bridges.
Approximately 50% of all hand labor work, such as trimming and fine grading ditch banks, building gravel roadways, placing rip-rap, building guard rails, etc., has been completed.
The drain has functioned efficiently in the areas where the excava- tion has been completed. The bulk run-off of ground and surface water in these areas has been rapid, and large areas of swamp land have been drained to the relief of adjacent property owners. Water which for- merly stood in stagnant pools until evaporation took place because of the height of the underground water table is now non-existent due to the lowering of the water level by the ditch.
The Committee confidently expects that with the completion of the Quannapowitt Drainage System and the cleaning and regrading of the many small tributary or feeder ditches leading into it, the entire area of the town served by this watershed will be more efficiently drained, provided the main drain and tributary ditches are properly maintained in future years.
At the time of printing this report (February 8, 1944) the Bay City unit is excavating the ditch located Easterly of John Street and run- ning to the Quannapowitt Boulevard. It is planned to continue excava- tion through the winter months as weather conditions permit.
The question of future financing of the drain project has received considerable attention from the Committee, as Federal funds allocated to it for labor and materials were withdrawn when W. P. A. liquidated March 1, 1943. Since that time, the work has been carried on with day labor paid from Town funds deposited with the State Treasurer from initial appropriations. A report on the financial status of the project will be prepared for presentation at the March, 1944, Town Meeting.
In closing this report, the Committee wishes to express its appre- ciation of the cooperation received through the year from the State Department of Public Works, the Reading Board of Public Works, and the other Boards and officials with whom it has conferred.
WENDELL P. DAVIS, Chairman
HAROLD W. PUTNAM, Secretary
CARL W. GOODRIDGE
WILLIAM A. CONNELLY
PHILIP WHITE SAMUEL H. DAVIS
ARTHUR W. COOLIDGE
EDWARD A. BROPHY
HERBERT W. HUNT
FRED LAIDLAW
GEORGE ZANNI
Reading Drainage Committee
122
READING RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT FOR SUMMER PLAYGROUNDS - 1943
Early in May, the Board of Public Works, at the request of various citizens and organizations, invited a large group of citizens representing church, fraternal and civic organizations to a joint meeting, the purpose of which was to discuss the advisability of instituting a recreational and educational program during 1943 as a curb to and preventative of pos- sible juvenile delinquency. This group included representatives of many organizations such as all the Churches, all Town Boards, the Rotary Club, the Woman's Club, League of Women Voters, the Lions Club, the Neighborhood Betterment Association, Northern Residents, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Teachers Club, American Legion, Parent Teachers Association and many others. This group was unanimous in their opin- ion that a recreational and educational program was advisable. As a result, a committee was appointed to take action on the opinion as ex- pressed at the joint meeting and to place the matter before the Towns- people for their decision.
At a Special Town Meeting on June 1, 1943, a motion was presented to the Town which included a proposal to establish a Recreation Com- mittee and which further proposed an appropriation for a Recreational and Educational Program. This motion was carried. The Committee established under the motion included Mr. Gilbert M. Lothrop, repre- senting the Board of Public Works, Mrs. Charles A. Holcomb, represent- ing the School Committee, Mr. Herbert K. Miller, representing the Board of Selectmen and the Rev. Dr. Charles F. Lancaster, represent- ing the Churches. The Committee quickly organized to carry out the instructions given to them by the Town. Mr. Lothrop was elected Chairman. Mr. E. C. Grover, Superintendent of Schools and Mr. Philip Welch, Superintendent of Public Works, were requested to serve with the Committee as advisory members.
The aims formulated by the Recreation Committee were :
To occupy the energy of the youth of Reading with a construc- tive program ;
To prevent child delinquency which has become more prevalent in many communities since the start of the war ;
To supervise the young people during the hours that parents are away from home on defense work;
To have planned activity for the increased number of children
123
remaining in Reading during the summer months because of trans- portation difficulties ; and, finally,
To teach to all the children the proper use of leisure time.
Mr. Grant Longley, Director of Physical Education at Dean Acad- emy, Franklin, Mass., was appointed Director and was supplied with a staff of competent assistants, many of whom were specialists, in one or more particular sports or arts. Three playgrounds and four schools were selected as recreation areas, and members of the staff of instruc- tors assigned to each area.
An employment bureau was set up, and 28 employers offered 7 per- manent positions, 36 temporary positions, and 3 unfilled positions. There were 42 children registered for positions, and all but 3 of the positions offered were accepted.
An innovation was used in the method of charging the children for handicraft materials. Instead of being reimbursed for the materials, the Committee gave instructions for the children to buy a War Saving Stamp equal to the value of the material used, the children keeping the stamp as well as the materials purchased. War Saving Stamps to the amount of $154.05 were sold in this way.
Each week during the summer a special program was scheduled for the latter part of each week. These special programs were designed to be attractive and of interest to both the children as well as the par- ents.
The program opened with a Field Day at Washington Street Park on Saturday, July 10th. Originally it had been planned to hold the Field Day on July 4th but because of inclement weather it was postponed to July 10th. The Field Day was sponsored by the Board of Public Works and the prizes were donated by them. The program consisted of a series of races, novelty and special events. A total of 48 prizes were awarded to the winners of the various events. Approximately 300 chil- dren participated and a large group of adults were spectators.
Every Thursday evening throughout the summer a baseball game was played at Washington Park between the Playground All Stars and out-of-town teams. The Reading Team won the majority of these games.
On July 16th, a doll show was staged at Memorial Park with a large number of entrants in the doll show and doll carriage parade. Also on the same day, a model airplane show and flying contest was held at Birch Meadow which climaxed Doll and Airplane Week.
On July 23rd, an exhibition of dancing and of stunts was held at the Junior High School with children from all the playgrounds par-
124
ticipating. This program with its twenty-five various numbers climaxed. Dance Week.
An exhibition of nature collections from all the playgrounds was held at Memorial Park, July 30. In the afternoon, each playground staged a Pet Show at which all sorts of pets ranging from rats to mon- keys were shown. This feature brought to a close Nature and Pet Week.
On August 6th, a bicycle riding stunt exhibition was held at Wash- ington Park as the final program of Health and Safety Week.
A kite tournament for all playgrounds was held at Memorial Park on August 13th, while a hobby demonstration was staged at Birch Meadow and then the best hobbies were put on exhibition in an empty store window in the center of the town business district. This climaxed Hobby Week.
One of the best programs of the year was held at the Junior High School on the night of August 19th, when an amateur show of nineteen acts entertained 400 people. The talent was gathered from the play- grounds and proved to be of excellent quality. The following day the girls of the Junior High School staged a one-act play. This ended Music and Show Week.
For the final week, the boys and girls pointed for the climax day in the nature of a Play Day. On Friday, August 27, the children from all the various playgrounds journeyed to Memorial Park where the final championship matches and tournaments were held in the morning. Wrestling, boxing, volley ball, jump rope, hopscotch, and checker cham- pions were chosen. Then in the afternoon, a Horribles Parade with a large number of children dressed in costumes and many decorated ve- hicles such as carts, scooters, bicycles, etc., paraded through the streets near Memorial Park. The parade finally ended at Memorial Park and the season's prizes were given.
Travelling libraries furnished by the Reading Library visited the playgrounds continuously during the summer months. Story telling periods were held under leadership furnished by the Library.
Many tournaments were run throughout the season with at least on'e each week. Champions were crowned in stilt walking, checkers, boxing, wrestling, volley ball, softball, mumble de peg, jump rope and jackstones.
Evening Program
The Recreation Committee felt that there was a need for supervised recreation for teen age children during the evening hours. With this in mind, the Director attempted an evening program that would appeal to this age group.
125
Movies, parties, and dances were tried, with the dances proving to be the most popular by far. So many young people attended these dances, which at first were to recordings, that for the last five weeks an orchestra was hired.
A Youth Council was formed of young people that attended these functions. They met weekly to determine the policy at these and any other young people's programs. Over 300 young people of teen age reg- ularly attended these dances. Soft drinks were sold at cost. There was an intense desire on the part of the young people to continue these dances throughout the Fall and Winter. Consequently, the dances were continued through October till mid-December under the sponsorship, for one month each, of the Rotary Club, the Woman's Club and the Neighborhood Betterment Association. They were well attended and on the whole can be said to have served the purpose for which they were inaugurated.
Ragweed Contest
The Woman's Club of Reading sponsors annually a ragweed col- lection contest. Teams were organized on the playgrounds that worked hard and collected many pounds of this pesky weed. The winning team came from Memorial Park with over a ton of weeds to its credit.
Leagues and Contests
The boys of Reading are quite baseball minded, so that it was not difficult to organize three leagues : Midgets, Juniors, and Seniors, ac- cording to ages of the boys. Each league had four teams representing the three large playgrounds and another team organized at large. The Washington Playground had the outstanding ball players. One could visit that playground at any time and find a group on the baseball diamond. The result of this active interest was the winning of all three leagues by the Washington boys.
After much publicity and effort a men's singles tennis tournament was formed with sixteen entries. Russell Pollitz and Francis Messier fought their way to the finals with Russell Pollitz emerging the cham- pion with a score of 4-1.
Red Cross Work.
American Red Cross First Aid instruction was given by a staff member at Chestnut Hill School playground during the summer, with all children who attended this playground receiving this instruction. At the close of the season, nine children were awarded Junior First Aid Certificates.
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Beginners Swimming Instruction was given at Birch Meadow and Washington Playground wading pools. The shallowness of the pools offered many difficulties in the way swimming instruction could be given, yet approximately 140 children entered the classes at both pools. Due, however, to various circumstances, only five children were awarded American Red Cross Beginners Certificates.
During the months of July and August, the total attendance was 35,084. The average weekly attendance was 4,385 and the average daily attendance was 626.
The number of Reading delinquency cases declined in 1943, there being only two cases. The Recreation Committee feels that this decline in delinquency is due in great measure to the Recreation Program of the Town.
The Recreation Committee would herewith like to extend its thanks to all who have in any way assisted them in their efforts to carry on a Recreational and Educational program. The Committee particularly appreciates the active cooperation extended to them by the Board of Public Works, the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen, the Li- brary Trustees, the Police Department, the Churches, the Rotary Club, the Woman's Club and the Neighborhood Betterment Association.
The Recreation Committee believes that the 1943 recreation pro- gram was well worth the monetary cost and sincerely recommends that a similar program be attempted in 1944.
Recreation committee,
GILBERT M. LOTHROP, Chairman MRS. CHARLES A. HOLCOMB HERBERT K. MILLER REV. DR. CHARLES F. LANCASTER
127
-
Annual Report
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Reading, Massachusetts
For the Year Ended December 31
1943
In Memoriam
OLIVE S. PERRY TEACHER 1916 - 1943
DR. CHARLES R. HENDERSON
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN 1918 - 1943
Their lives were given to the service of youth above gain for self
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
School Committee
Irving C. Austin, Chairman, 180 Prescott St.
Term expires 1944
Bernard L. Maxwell, 24 Highland St. Term expires 1944 Miss Margaret Canty, 67 Mineral St. Term expires 1945
Dr. Merle W. Wescott, 16 Sanborn St. Term expires 1945
Norman L. Duncan, 54 Longview Rd. Term expires 1946
Mrs. Edith W. Holcomb, 197 South St. Term expires 1946
School Committee Office
Grouard House, 25 School St. Telephones Reading 0180; 0059 Open daily, 8:30 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. Saturday, 9:00 a. m. to 12 m. Vacations, 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m.
Superintendent of Schools .
Elbridge C. Grover, 6 Pine Ridge Rd. Tel. Res. 0479; Office 0180; 0059
Secretary to Superintendent
Ruth C. Roberts, 21 Sanborn St. Tel. Res. 0290-M ; Office 0180 ; 0059
School Committee Clerk
Helen M. Pratt, 47 Mt. Vernon St. Tel. Res. 0225-W; Office 0180; 0059
Visiting Teacher
Jean F. Ramsay, 385 Summer Ave. Tel. Office 1475
Attendance Officer
Warburton J. Murray, 27 Berkeley st. Tel. Office 1475
School Physician Dr. Thomas F. Halpin, 26 Linden St. Telephone 0086
School Nurse
Margaret B. Clewley, 131 Pleasant St., Woburn Tel. Office 1475; Res. Wob. 0316
131
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
Fire alarm 2-2 repeated three times. Street lights turned on for five minutes.
Radio announcement when possible over WNAC and WEEI between 7:00 and 7:45 a.m.
7:15 a. m. for Senior High School. 7:30 a. m. for Junior High School. 7:45 a. m. for Grades 1-6 inclusive.
SINCE SCHOOL BUSSES FOR THE DURATION ARE AVAIL- ABLE FOR TRANSPORTATION ONLY TWICE A DAY, MORN- ING AND NIGHT, NO SCHOOL SIGNALS IN THE MORNING MEAN NO SCHOOL FOR ALL DAY.
High School sessions will be called off only in cases of extremely severe weather or other emergencies. None of the schools will be closed except in severe weather, but it is hoped that parents will at all times use discretion as to whether their children should attend, even when the schools are in session.
SCHOOL CLINICS
Dental, Tuesday and Thursday at the Grouard House, 9-12 and 1-3. Pre-School at the Town Building, Room 19, every Tuesday, 2-4 p. m. Tuberculosis Prevention, annually by announcement.
Diphtheria Prevention, annually by announcement.
SCHOOL JANITORS
High School :
John Maguire, 61 Vine St. Telephone : 0281-J
Percy Curtis, 161 Ash St. 1518-W
Mary J. Kennedy, 25 Sanborn St.
Junior High School:
Fred Riessle, 10 King St. 1617-M
Walter Smith, 36 Temple St. 1445-M
Kenneth L. Beverage, 8 Morgan Park 1336-W
Agnes Hurley, 23 King St.
132
School Janitors (continued)
Highland School:
James L. Healey, 201 West St. 0047-M
William Ray Yorks, 16 Track Rd.
Emma Tibbets, 65 Grove St. 1760-J
Pearl St. School:
Edward McBrien, 213 Forest St. 0228
Simon A. Castine, 21 Green St.
Prospect St. and Chestnut Hill Schools :
Leander Smith, 193 High St.
1325
Lowell St. School :
William A. Lloyd, 128 Bancroft Ave.
SCHOOL SCHEDULE January, 1944 to June, 1945, Inclusive
Winter Vacation week of
February 20, 1944
Spring Vacation week of
April 16, 1944
No sessions :
Memorial Day
May 30, 1944
Schools close for summer
June 21, 1944
Schools open
September 6, 1944
No sessions :
Columbus Day
October 12, 1944
Teachers' Convention October 27, 1944
Thanksgiving Recess from noon November 29, 1944 to December 4, 1944 Christmas Vacation from end of regular sessions December 21, 1944 to January 3, 1945
Winter Vacation week of
February 18, 1945
Spring Vacation week of
April 15, 1945
No sessions : Memorial Day May 30, 1945
Schools close for summer
June 20, 1945
133
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading, the School Committee submits its annual report.
As the war progresses, we are faced not only with immediate war- time school problems, but must look ahead to the realization that soon after the end of hostilities there will be greater demands on our schools. This will be not only through increased enrollment. but there will be demands on the school for more services. At this time, with the help of the High School faculty, we are cooperating with the Post-war Planning Committee in taking care of any returning veterans who need advice as to further education, assistance in finding work, and informa- tion relative to any services due them as veterans. As the number return- ing increases, it will be necessary to have a full-time person for this office.
The Superintendent's report gives a full account of our transporta- tion difficulties, changes in the present courses of study relating to war needs, and also our efforts to maintain our present teaching staff.
It is, of course, realized by the Town the great help the teaching force has been in cooperating with the Government-giving their extra time for rationing, aiding the sale of bonds and stamps, and organizing children for scrap drives.
Due to a reduction in transportation ordered by the ODT and the fact that many of the materials we had planned to buy for general maintenance were not available, we are this year returning to the Town $7,406.86, as follows :
Salaries
$1,315.72
Maintenance
1,790.88
Transportation
2,798.06
Industrial tuition
610.05
Lunches 892.15
$7,406.86
134
For many years your Committee and Superintendent have called attention to the definite need of some action being taken regarding a new Senior High School. The present building was opened in Sep- tember, 1906, and the only additions in room space have been made at the expense of corridors and assembly hall. With our present school system, it is the advice of your Committee to follow the original plan of building a new Senior High School in connection with the Junior High School. While these would operate as two units, it would be possible to consolidate some of the services, such as lunchroom, audi- torium, shop, and home economics. In order for the Town to be in a position to take advantage of probable Government aid after the war, we strongly urge that money be appropriated so that working plans be immediately started. The early application for Federal Aid, with complete specifications and plans, would place this town in a most advantageous position.
In addition to a new Senior High School, the citizens should have in mind our need for new elementary schools. With the increased num- ber of pupils each year, it is now apparent that we should carry on with plans under consideration for many years-first, a new Elementary School in place of the Prospect and Chestnut Hill schools; second, a new Elementary School for the district now served by the Lowell St. School.
We regretfully accepted the resignation of our Chairman, Mr. Ralph W. Allen, from the School Committee on October 20, 1943. Dr. Merle Wescott was appointed to fill Mr. Allen's vacancy on the Com- mittee as of January 17, 1944.
The terms of Irving C. Austin and Bernard L. Maxwell expire this year.
Respectfully submitted,
IRVING C. AUSTIN, Chm. MARGARET S. CANTY NORMAN L. DUNCAN EDITH W. HOLCOMB BERNARD L. MAXWELL MERLE W. WESCOTT
135
RECEIPTS NOT FROM TAX LEVY-SHOWING NET COST TO TOWN
Appropriation and Transfers 1943
Expended and Receipts 1943
General Account:
Total Expenditure
$271,214.34
Receipts :
State Reimbursement on Teachers
$ 17,972.00
Tuition
10,336.47
30,450.00
150.00
Sundry
183.65
28,492.12
$246,669.00
NET COST TO TOWN
$242,722.22
School Lunches:
$ 14,500.00
Receipts
13,702.32
Inventory
457.09
$ 14,159.41
14,500.00
Expenditures
13,614.45
NET COST TO TOWN
$
NET GAIN TO TOWN
$ 544.96
Industrial Tuition:
$ 1,500.00
Total Expenditure Receipts :
$ 889.95
600.00
State Reimbursement
725.05
$ 900.00
NET COST TO TOWN
$ 164.90
$277,119.00
$ 17,800.00 12,500.00
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET-1943
Appro. & Transfers 1943
Expended 1943
SALARIES:
$195,054.43
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