USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1952 > Part 11
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123
School Housing
The Superintendent has made a projection of population in the Reading schools and his figures indicate that it will be necessary to have additional classroom space by 1956. With the completion of the new Reading High School, scheduled for January 1954, not only will the high school pupils move to the new building but in September of 1954, 9th grade pupils in the Junior High School will move to this building. In September 1953 it will be necessary to open the last three available classrooms; one at Prospect Street School, one at Highland School, and the mechanical drawing room at the Junior High School, which will be converted into a regular classroom. With the moving of the 9th grade, possibly five classrooms will be available in the Junior High School for 6th grade pupils, which should be adequate until 1956. We are looking ahead to the time when growth of the Town will make it necessary to provide additional classrooms. Not only the Finance Com- mittee, but the School Committee has been eyeing the old high school building as a possible source of elementary classrooms and investi- gation will be made to determine just how much money would be necessary to renovate this antiquated plant. The School Committee has received a letter from Mr. Bernard Whitney, State building inspector, telling them that if the old building is to be used, it will be necessary to employ an architect to examine the building, particularly the third floor level. The Superintendent has been investigating the desirability of a wooden frame school building, with a sprinkler system, and finds as a result of a survey made in another town, that costs could be sub- stantially reduced by building such a structure. We in the schools are fully cognizant of the fact that the local real estate tax is high, as it is in almost every community in Massachusetts, partly because of the needs of the public school system, and with this in mind every attempt. will be made to meet the school housing needs satisfactorily but as economically as possible.
The Committee is looking forward to the development of Birch Meadow as an athletic field and a preliminary survey of the Meadow will be made in the near future.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to townspeople, the School Committee, and the staff of the Reading Public Schools for their cooperation and helpful guidance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR B. LORD, JR.,
Superintendent of Schools
124
READING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AGE-GRADE TABLE - October 1, 1952
Age
5 6
7 8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 20
26
Total
Grade
1
126 179
6
311
2
70 164
11
245
3
69 154
19
2
244
4
1
80
151
12
1
245
5
102
152
14
3
1
1
273
6
4 93
132
16
4
1
1
251
7
60
97
16
3
176
8
92
123
25
7
247
9
1 70 100
26
3
200
10
63 126
24
9
222
11
59 100
31
12
2
204
12
47 85
25
5
1
163
PG
1
1
Total
126 249 240 245 276 259 207 209 214
193 219 174 125
37
7
1
1
2782
Total St. Agnes' School (5 grades)
259
3041
Changes in Personnel
On Military Leave
Director of Physical Education
Returned:
From Military Leave
Alton C. Bennett History, Coach, High School Science, Junior High School John R. Copithorne Henry Gromyko Custodian and Maintenance, All Schools
From Leave of Absence
Aline L. Archambault, from England
A. Josephine Gould, from Germany
English, Senior High School Grade 1, Pearl Street School
Appointed: High School
James M. Aldrich Jane Cutcliffe
Science and Chemistry English
Junior High School
Edward J. Booth
Marjorie T. Pacino
Martin L. Robie
Anna K. Roewer
Mathematics Permanent Substitute, Mathematics Social Studies Mathematics
Joshua Eaton School
Lorraine Domingue
Grade 1
Beatrice Stasinopulos Glennalee Wedge
Grade 1
Highland School
Marlys D. Arnold
Grade 1
Arthur W. Lalime
Grade 5
Janet Priestley Angela O. Russotto
Grade 5
Lowell Street School Jessie L. Goddard
Permanent Substitute, Grade 3
Pearl Street School
Carol Berry
Grade 3, Transferred from Lowell St.
Prospect Street School
Dorothy Corindia
Grade 6, Transferred from Highland
Constance B. Loud
Grade 6, Transferred from Highland Grade 6, Transferred from Highland
Lorraine Pulson
Health Department Er Chang Ping, M.D.
School Physician
Maintenance Department and Custodial Service
Watson F. Baker (res.)
Maintenance Supervisor
Robert A. Vars
Maintenance Supervisor
Roy J. Brogan
Richard E. MacBrien, Jr.
George Rees
John L. Peters (res.)
Custodian, Pearl St. School Custodian, Highland School Custodian, Joshua Eaton School Custodian, Pearl St. School
126
Grade 5
Grade 2
Clerical Elizabeth A. Brush
Secretary, Junior High School
Left:
Royal Adams
Justin L. Anderson, M.D.
Maude M. Allen
Charles R. Baisley, M.D.
Watson F. Baker
Edward J. Booth Wellington A. Brewster Betty V. Buttles
George Castine
Pauline S. Gilman
Edward M. Halligan, M.D. Angela C. Martyn
Helen B. Morgan John L. Peters Florence Potter Anna M. Reck
William Schemack
Edward W. Smith
Jo Alice Stuckey Katherine A. White Wicas, Edward A.
High School, Science School Physician Junior High School, Secretary School Physician Maintenance Supervisor Junior High School, Mathematics Pearl St. School, Principal Junior High School, Mathematics All Schools, Custodian Pearl St. School, Grade 2 School Physician High School, Exchange Teacher Joshua Eaton School, Grade 1 Pearl St. School, Custodian Highland School, Grade 5 Junior High School, Mathematics Highland School, Custodian Pearl St. School, Grade 5 Highland School, Grade 3 History, High School Junior High School, Social Studies
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1953 - 1954
Schools Open
September 9, 1953
No Sessions:
Columbus Day Teachers' Convention Armistice Day
October 12, 1953 October 30, 1953
November 11, 1953
Thanksgiving Recess
From noontime, November 25, 1953 until following Monday
Christmas Vacation
From noontime, December 23, 1953, until January 4, 1954
Winter Vacation
Week of February 21, 1954 Week of April 18, 1954
Spring Vacation
No School
Good Friday, April 16, 1954 Memorial Day, May 31, 1954
Schools Close
June 19, 1954
127
SCHOOL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
A child, to be eligible for admission to Grade 1 in the Reading Public Schools, must have been five years of age on or before the 1st of January of the entering year, except that a child five years of age on or before April 1st of the entering year, who, on examination, demon- strates that he has a mental age of five years eight months, that he is ready for reading, and that he is socially and mentally mature, may be admitted to Grade 1. These examinations are to be given by a qualified psychologist selected by the Superintendnt of Schools and the School Committee, and is not to be a member of the Reading School System. Cost of the examination will be borne by the parents of the child who has the examination.
To enter school, each child is required to present a birth certificate and a certificate of vaccination. or in the case of unsuccessful vaccina- tion, a statement from the doctor certifying that three attempts to vaccinate have been made, all of which have proved to be unsuccessful.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
Radio announcement, when possible, over WNAC, WEEI, WBZ, and WLAW between 7:00 and 7:45 a.m. Fire alarm 2-2 repeated three times.
Since the elementary schools have two sessions, the afternoon ses- sion may be discontinued due to inclement weather. When afternoon sessions are discontinued, announcement will be made over the radio and fire alarm, as well as in the individual schools, on or before 11:30 a.m.
In most cases the decision as to whether or not children should attend school rests with the parent, in view of the fact that parents are in a better position to know whether or not their children may attend school in safety without injuring their health. Because the cost of operation of a school building, particularly during the winter months, is about the same whether or not school is open, it is the policy for the schools to be open every day except under emergency conditions. Con- sequently, the occasion for "no school" will seldom arise.
SCHOOL CLINICS
Dental Clinic: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at the Eaton School from 9:00 in the morning until 1.00 in the afternoon. Immunization Clinic: Annually by appointment.
SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Registration of children entering school in September is held in the different schools some time during May. Announcement of exact time will be made through the Reading Chronicle.
128
MEMBERS OF READING SCHOOL FACULTIES (Date indicates year of appointment in Reading)
School Committee Office
Arthur B. Lord, Jr., A.B., M.Ed. (1948) Er Chang Ping, M.D. (1952)
Superintendent of Schools School Physician
Supervisors
Margaret B. Clewley, R.N. (1939)
Florence G. Nichols, B.S.Ed. (1929) John D. Oliver, A.B., M.Mus.Ed. (1948) Geraldine F. Roy, B.S., M.Ed. (1950)
Supervisor of Health Physical Ed. Supervisor Director of Music
Supervisor of Art
Senior High School
Rudolf Sussmann, B.S.Ed. (1917) Luke Halpin, B.S., M.A. (1922) James M. Aldrich, Ph.B. (1952) Aline L. Archambault, A.B. (1948) Victor J. Archambault, A.B. (1951) Clifford W Baker, B.S., A.M. (1944) Elizabeth A. Batchelder, B.S.Ed. (1916) Alton C. Bennett, A.B., M.A. (1947) Elsie I. Bishop, B.A., B.L.S. (1943) Robert Bronner, B.S.Ed., M.S.Ed. (1940) Virginia Cox, A.B., A.M. (1945) Joseph A. Crowley, A.B., M.Ed. (1946) Jane R. Cutcliffe, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1952) Alberta F. Drury, Salem Normal (1917) Joseph F. Fitzgerald, A.B., A.M. (1929) Alice H. Franzen, B.S.E. (1947) William E. Hanlon, A.B., M.Ed. (1945) Svea W. Kling B.B.A., M.Ed. (1940) Frederick J. Pope, B.S., M.Ed. (1922) Edward W. Roewer, A.B. (1950)
Mary E. Shay, B.A., M.A. (1943) Arthur L. Spencer, A.B., A.M. (1938)
Marion B. Wadsworth, A.B., A.M. (1943) Henry W. Wegiel, B.M. (1951) Philip A. Wogan, B.S.Ed. (1949)
Helen R. Zimmerman, B.A., M.S., Ph.D. (1936)
Supervising Principal Asst. Prin., Math., Guidance Chemistry and Science English Physical Education Math., Guidance English History, Coach Librarian World History, ,Guidance English Mathematics, Coach English
Bookkeeping, Consumer Ed. Mathematics, Head of Dept. Sten., Type., J.C. Adviser History, Head of Dept. Commercial, Head of Dept. Physics, Chem., Head of Dept. Spanish, Coach English, Head of Dept. Latin, English, Dramatics Head of Student Council French Music
Biology, Math., Coach Biology
Junior High School
Robert F. Perry, B.S. (1935)
Ethelyn M. Cowperthwaite, B.S.Ed. (1945)
Ray C. Austin, B.Ed. (1951)
Lois E. Baldwin, B.A. (1951)
Harriet S. Beattie, B.S.Ed. (1937)
Elizabeth B. Beckett, A.B. (1950)
Stanley E. Butcher, A.B. (1949) John R. Copithorne, B.A. (1946)
Supervising Principal English Industrial Arts
Physical Ed., Hygiene Art English, Music
Social Studies
Science, Social Studies
129
Ethelyn M. Cowperthwaite, B.S.Ed. (1945) Marion D. Day, Bates College (1925) Louise J. Eldridge. B.A., M.A. (1950) Walter E. Hawkes, B.S., M.Ed. (1933) Hazel W. Hunt, B.A. (1949) Helen R. Knight, B.S.E., M.Ed. (1946) Roderick R. Macdonald, B.S.Ed. (1937) Barbara A. McCarthy, B.S.Ed. (1951) John B. Pacino, B.S., M.Ed. (1945) Marjorie T. Pacino, A.B. (1952) Dorothy B. Rice, A.B. (1949) Martin L. Robie, B.S.Ed., M.A. (1952) Neil C. Robinson, B.S., Ed.M. (1936) Ann K. Roewer, B.S.Ed. (1952)
Ernest G Spence, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1951)
Clementina F. Sudak, B.S.Ed. (1947) Margaret E. Tyacke, Boston Univ. (1926) Frederick C. Wales, B.S.E. (1942)
Alice A. Welch, B.S. (1950) Albert H. Woodward, A.B., Ed.M. (1940)
English Science Latin, French Physical Ed., Hygiene Social Studies English Ind. Arts., Head of Dept. Household Arts, Science Bus. Training, Social Studies Math. (Permanent Substitute) Mathematics Social Studies Social Studies Mathematics
Science English English, Social Studies Industrial Arts Household Arts Mathematics
Joshua Eaton School
Eleanor M. Skahill, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1943)
Supervising Principal
Clara A. Anderson, B.S.Ed. (1944)
Grade 3
Grade 2
Eileen R. Cummings, B.S.Ed. (1945)
Grade 1
Lorraine Domingue, B.S.E. (1952) Doris S. Forbes, Plymouth T.C. (1947)
Grade 5
R. Hilda Gaffney, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1941)
Grade 6
Grace L. Gifford, Wheelock (1943)
Grade 1
Jane Gross Carey, B.S. Ed. (1949)
Grade 2
Bernard A. Huntley, B.S. (1950) Esther Kempton, B.S.Ed. (1946)
Grade 6
Helena A. Markham, Framingham T.C. (1934)
Grade 3
Alberta R. Mathieson, Salem T.C. (1924)
Grade 2
Jacqueline A. Nickles, B.S.E. (1949)
Grade 5
Gloria S. Rosenthal, B.S.Ed. (1949)
Grade 4
Irene R. Royea, Aroostook Co. Normal (1928)
Grade 2
Martha E. Ryder. B.S.Ed., M.S.Ed. (1949) Beatrice Stasinopulos, Salem T.C. (1952) Nancy Sweet, B.S.E. (1951)
Grade 4
Grade 1
Grade 3
Highland School
Elizabeth Graham, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1941)
Supervising Principal
Marlys Arnold, B.S.Ed. (1952)
Grade 1
Dorothy Burgess, Leslie Normal (1926)
Grade 3
Catherine M. Chipman, Lowell T.C. (1944) Grade 2
Grade 2
Grade 5
Grade 5
130
Dorothy L. Cronin, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1933) Carolyn C. Grace, N. Adams Normal (1919) Olive L. Joney, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1946)
Creative Workshop Grade 5
Glennalee Wedge, Perry Normal (1952) Alice V. Wentworth, A.B. (1951)
Grade 4
Arthur W. Lalime, B.S.Ed. (1952) Dorothy Leslie, B.A. (1948) Janet V. Priestley, B.S.Ed. (1952) Angela O. Russoto, B.S.E. (1952) Stella M. Salva. B.S.Ed. (1951)
Ethelyn F. Stoutermire, B.S.Ed. (1951)
Grade 6
Grade 1 Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 1
Grades 3-4
Pearl Street School
Mary W. Moore, B.S.Ed. (1941) Acting Supervising Principal
Helen D. Stockwell, Salem Normal (1930) Asst. Principal and Gr. 5
Carol P. Berry, B.S.Ed. (1950)
Grade 3
Jean F. Bickford, B.S.Ed. (1948)
Grade 1
Elizabeth G. Cavanaugh, B.S.Ed. (1949)
Grade 6
Velma E. Curtin, Perry Kindergarten (1927)
Grade 2
A. Josephine Guild, B.S.Ed. (1944)
Grade 1
Frances Haskins, Aroostook Co. T.C. (1943)
Grade 4
Barbara Hill, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. (1949)
Remedial Reading, All Schools
Grade 6
George W. Hosker, B.S.Ed. (1951) Ann M. Howe, Framingham T.C. (1947) Margaret B. Jacobus, B.S.Ed. (1950) Elizabeth Kerrigan, A.B. (1950)
Grades 2-3
Beth G. MacGregor, B.S.Ed. (1943)
Grade 1
Dorothy L. Soar, Salem Normal (1951)
Grade 2
Marialice Stratton, B.S. (1948) Jane Weldon, B.S., M.Ed. (1951)
Grade 4
Lowell Street School
Nellie P. Beaton, Hyannis T.C. (1920)
Principal, and Grade 4
Jessie L. Goddard, Bridgewater T.C. Permanent Substitute, Grade 3
Grade 2
Ruth H. LeBrun, B.S.Ed. (1949) Marion Weagle, B.S.E. (1946)
Grade 1
Prospect Street School
Dorothy E. Corindia, A.B. (1952)
Grade 6
Constance B. Loud, B.S.Ed. (1948)
Grade 6
E. Lorraine Pulson, B.S.Ed. (1948)
Grade 6
SCHOOL SECRETARIES AND CLERKS
Senior High School
Myrtle W. Tilton, Secretary Jean S. Underhill, Clerk
Junior High School
Elizabeth A. Brush, Secretary
Joshua Eaton School
Dorothy L. Wardrope, Secretary
Highland School
Clarice D. Hynes, Secretary
Pearl Street School
Dorothy A. Walsh, Secretary
131
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 3
SCHOOL CUSTODIANS AND MATRONS
Senior High School
W. Ray Yorks, Head Custodian William J. Broussard Catherine M. Miller, Matron
Junior High School
Fred B. Riessle, Head Custodian Fred B. Gibson Andrew J. Lomax Agnes G. Hurley, Matron
Joshua Eaton School
Stuart R. Nichols, Head Custodian George Rees
Highland School Daniel J. Buckley, Head Custodian Richard E. MacBrien, Jr.
Pearl Street School Edward F. Harrison, Head Custodian Roy L. Brogan
Lowell Street School William A. Lloyd
All Schools Henry Gromyko
CAFETERIAS
Supervisor Lois M. Connor
Senior High School
Mary A. Kingman, Manager Ida H. Johnson
Joshua Eaton School
Edith J. French, Manager Anna Roscoe
Junior High School
Highland School
Elsiemae Collins, Manager Flora MacPhail Eva E. Noble
Evelyn M. Davis, Manager Lila Hall (part time)
Pearl Street School Evelyn M. Mullen, Manager Nellie Laetsch
132
READING HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
Class of 1952 June 11, 1952
PROCESSIONAL MARCH High School Band
RAISING OF FLAG and PLAYING OF COLORS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Class President, John Robert McNabola, 3rd
STAR SPANGLED BANNER
Audience, Senior Class, and Band
PRAYER - Rev. William E. Billingham
Key-Smith
SALUTATORY "Universal Military Training" Thomas Tolman Lyons
TORCH ORATION
John Robert McNabola, 3rd, Class President
ESSAY "Rights, Heritage, Security" Audrey Jean Killam, Class Honors
ESSAY "Driver Education"
Carolyn Ann Donley, Faculty Honors
ESSAY
"Trends in Liberal Education" David Howland Dolben, Class Honors
ESSAY
"A Time for Decision" Gale Parker, Faculty Honors
VALEDICTORY
Peter Sterling Parsonson
CONFERRING SCHOLASTIC HONORS
Rudolf Sussmann, Headmaster
CONFERRING DIPLOMAS
Philip R. White, Chairman School Committee
AMERICA
Smith-Carey
Audience, Senior Class, and Band
BENEDICTION - Rev. William E. Billingham
RECESSIONAL MARCH
High School Band
133
CANDIDATES FOR DIPLOMAS
Betty Mae Abbott J. Scott Althoff Paul R. Amirault John Edwin Arsenault Donald H. Anderson Richard W. B. Anderson
Marjorie Ann Lake Charles K. Laughton
Ruth Lorraine Lewis
Sally G. Lothrop Thomas T. Lyons
Warren K. MacDonald
Barbara Bernadette Banfield
Raymond Stanley Mackenna
Allen L. Barrett
Bruce Taylor Macleod
Janet M. Barry
Sylvia Anne MacMillan
Marcia Louise Batchelder
David L. MacPherson
Beverly V. Bearse
Richard Francis Madden
Judith Elizabeth Beckler
Judith Blake
Josephine Ruth Mann June Dorothy Marschat Martin McCormack
David Arthur Bowman
Ernest Walter Boyd
Laurene Allison Boyd
Carl Brown
Donald C. Bryant
Carol Louise McSheehy Joan Ethel McSheehy
James Francis Bunker
Donald Littlefield Michelini
Claire R. Burns
Ronald Daniel Michelini
Carol Ann Burns
H. Kimball Miller, Jr. Richard A. Monty
Gerald F. Butler
Ruth Jeanne Moodie
Victor H. Cail, Jr.
Roger Kenneth Moores
Dorothy G. Campbell
Catherine Alice Moulton
Donald Carleton Joan Marilyn Carr
Robert Thomas Murphy
Ethel Ann Carter Jean F. Cassely
George Harold O'Brien
Dorothy Florence Caulk
Jean Marie O'Dowd
Helen Linea Ceder
Gale Parker
Helen Lucretia Chapman
Peter Sterling Parsonson
Marjorie Joyce Clapp
John Arthur Peach
William Roger Pelletier
Joseph E. Penno Theresa Catherine Peters
John Eric Francis Pettipas, Jr. Judith Ann Priebe Karlene Reichardt
David Wesley Reynolds
134
Donald Charles Colby Norman J. Comeau John R. Condon, Jr. Eleanor F. Coneeney W. Jackson Corindia Beverly Ann Cornwall Bruce Courtemanche
A. Eileen McGrath Patricia Delma McMahon John Robert McNabola, 3rd
Nancy Buck
Lee Burns
George Joseph Murdock, Jr.
Marion G. Nugent
Charles Malcolm Crosby Melvin E. Crouse Dulena Mae Crowe
Peter M. Cunningham, Jr. Barbara Ann De Ferrari Richard Scott Dempster Robert E. Dodge
David Howland Dolben
Carolyn Ann Donley
Myrtle M. Ryan
Robert Arthur Downs
William F. Sampson
Frank Henry Driscoll
Kaye Sanborn
Loring Burns Sands
William Charles Schumaker
Donald Stevenson Scott
Joyce Louise Frazier Barbara Ann French
Elizabeth Jane Selfridge Harriet Frances Smith
Mary E. Gaffney
Lillian P. Shields Doris Ann Shulkey
Robert Irving Galley
Christopher J. Gallagher, Jr.
Marie Blanche Skinner
Elizabeth Ann Galvin
Ralph Kenneth Spicer, Jr.
Jane T. Garden Robert A. Gardiner
Madelyn Margaret Steele
Robert Crawford Gardner
Dorothy Ann Strassell
Roland James Sturge
Nancy May Gifford Elizabeth Ann Giuliano Julia Frances Glynn Susanne Griffith Ruth Evelyn Hall
Ellen Jean Surette Ralph J. Sweetland, Jr.
Nancy Jean Symonds June Claire Talbot
Charles O. Hamilton
Beverly Ann Thompson
Paul S. Hanson
Barbara Marie Tilley
Donald Edson Trask
David W. Turner
Eleanor Jane Turner
Joan Aileen Turner
Irene Odette Van Laethem
Edwin Russell Walkup
Walter Wells
Robert Kevin Whelton James W. White
Eleanor Francis Williams
Johanna Christine Worcester
Stephen S. Zagorski, Jr. Joseph Zanni
135
Constance Bette-Jane Richardson Joanne Rigione
George A. Robertson
Robert Briston Patrick Roche
Everett James Roscoe
Beverly Ann Ross Judith Elizabeth Russell
Ellen Mary Russo
Margaret Fino Shirley F. Fleming Janet Marie Forbes
James F. Stanton
Robert Melvin Henderson
Kenneth J. Hickman
Ellen Esther Hill Martha Hoag Mary Lou Hobby Karl M. Hovey Alfred G. Hoyt, Jr. Charles Betts Hughes, Jr.
Robert John Kennedy Audrey Jean Killam Ralph William Killam
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF WIRES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report for the year 1952.
Additions to existing wiring
155 Oil Burners
226
Air Conditioning
4
Pottery Kiln
1
Alterations to existing wiring
21
Ranges (Electric) 155
Barns
1 Refrigeration
5
Churches
1 Repairs to old wiring
42
Compressors
6 Repairs after fire damage
3
Dishwashers
3
Repairs after lightning dam- age 4
Dwellings (New)
135
Restaurants
1
Dwellings (Old)
1
Services replaced
34
Garages
8
Schools (Additional wiring)
8
Garbage Disposal Units
4 Shops
14
Gasoline Pumps
8
Signs
4
Gasoline Stations
1 Stokers
1
Gas Heater Controls
12
Telephone Booths
2
Greenhouses
1 Trailers
2
Heat Regulators
8 Ventilator Fans
16
Laundry Dryers
15 Washers - Automatic
4
Merry-Go-Round
1 Water Heaters (Electric)
21
Motors
11 Wiring condemned account fire 4
It was necessary to reinspect nine installations account improper wiring.
Complaint made to the Municipal Light about hooking up service drops before meter installed. Matter taken care of. Due to articles written for Chronicle several requests received to inspect wiring and suggestions made to remedy faulty wiring which were carried out. Pur- chase of tester has been of great help in determining over loads.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. FOGG
Inspector of Wires
136
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
January 16, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Reading, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Moth Superintendent for the year 1952.
The yearly check for Gypsy Moth egg clusters showed no heavy in- festation in any part of the town.
There was a slight decrease in the amount of spraying on private property. The absence of caterpillars was responsible for this. The majority of people do not have their property sprayed unless they see caterpillars feeding.
Cuttings were taken from two hundred and fifteen trees, checking for the Dutch Elm disease. Fifty-six of these trees appeared to have the disease. The cuttings from these trees were sent to the Shade Tree Laboratory at Amherst to be cultured. Thirty-nine were certified as having the disease. This was an increase of nine trees over 1951. All of these trees have been burned. This work was done as soon as pos- sible after the trees were certified in an effort to control the disease. Twenty-six of the infected trees were on private property, in most cases in locations where it was impossible to spray them because of the danger to cattle or chickens. The remaining thirteen were either on the roadside or other public property. Most of the elm trees on the roadside were sprayed by helicopter, with a twelve per cent solution of D.D.T. This is the recommended spray to control Bark Beetles, the car- rier of the Dutch Elm disease. It is not possible to spray all the road- side elms because of the danger to livestock.
Due to the increase in Dutch Elm disease control work, the income from the Tree & Moth departments was over seven hundred dollars less than in 1951. This control work calls for the removal and burning of all dead and dying wood from the elms as well as the removal and burning of all trees infected with the disease. Wherever it is possible the stumps of the infected trees should be dug out and burned. If this is not practical the stump should either be cut below the grade or the bark peeled below the grade. The average elm tree is so large that it takes several hours to trim it. For this reason we were unable to devote as much time to line clearance as in past years. The expense of all line clearance work is paid by the Light Department.
With the funds appropriated for this purpose, the department pur- chased a used 1932 G.M.C. chassis with the cab over the motor. The Bean model fifty sprayer has been mounted on this chassis and makes a very serviceable piece of equipment.
The department also purchased one used Hardy, thirty-five gal- lon per minute sprayer, complete with a three hundred gallon tank, with funds appropriated for this purpose.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and all others who have as- sisted me in the past year.
Respectfully yours,
MAURICE H. DONEGAN Moth Superintendent
137
REPORT OF WELFARE AGENT
To the Board of Public Welfare:
As Welfare Agent and Director of Old Age Assistance I submit the following condensed report for the year 1952:
The number of cases assisted by the department followed very closely the two previous years, with the exception of General Aid, which showed a drop in case load. This decrease has been due to the best employment conditions for many years and by the fact that the new category of Disability Assistance has absorbed several cases which would formerly have been handled under General Aid. Actual case load figures are shown below.
General Aid
32 cases
Aid to Dependent Children 23
",
Disability Assistance 14
Old Age Assistance
284
The recent legislation and changes in state regulations, mention- ed in last year's report, more especially the increased mandatory mini- mum grants in Old Age Assistance and liberalization of children's li- ability for support of parents, have been in full effect during 1952. These factors, as well as a one-third increase in medical expenditures, have brought about a cost-per-case higher than that of any previous year.
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