USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1926-1932 > Part 16
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Outstanding August 10, 1925, per audit $ 13,048.34 Interest collections :
August 10 to December 31, 1925 ....
$ 403.38
1926
394.79
1927
120.39
January 1 to May 8, 1928
10.58
929.14
Abatement rescinded
15.40
Tax titles credited as taxes 1924 1.54
$ 13,994.42
Payments to treasurer:
August 10 to December 31, 1925 $ 7,605.05
1926
4,484.77
1927
1,393.09
January 1 to May 8, 1928
14.58
$ 13,497.49
Abatements:
August 10 to December 31, 1925 $ 15.40
1926
304.85
1927
23.87
January 1 to May 8, 1928
12.32
356.44
Unlocated difference
.72
Outstanding May 8, 1928, per list:
Taxes
$ 137.65
Moth assessment
2.12
139.77
$ 13,994.42
TAXES - 1925 J. C. Marshall, Collector
Commitments per warrants:
Taxes
$ 96,763.72
Moth
650.46
$ 97,414.18
94
Interest collections :
1925 $ 39.16
1926
1,057.11
1927
833.16
January 1 to May 8, 1928
6.36
Tax titles credited as taxes 1925
1.50
Unlocated difference 1.00
$ 99,352.47
Payments to treasurer:
1925
$ 66,553.19
1926
21,992.98
1927
9,429.55
January 1 to May 8, 1928 50.36
$ 98,026.08
Abatements :
1925 $ 181.80
1926
28.50
1927
31.50
241.80
Warrant in excess of commitment list
342.00
Outstanding May 8, 1928, per list:
Taxes $ 540.81
Moth
8.48
549.29
Cash on hand May 8, 1928 verified
193.30
$ 99,352.47
TAXES-1926 J. C. Marshall, Collector
Commitments per warrants:
Taxes
$ 99,632.14
Moth
551.47
$100,183.61
Interest collections :
1926 $ 62.09
1927
881.38
January 1 to May 8, 1928
419.85
1,363.32
Commitment list in excess of warrant
10.80
Tax titles credited as taxes 1926
179.03
Abatement after payments refunded
2.16
Overpayment to treasurer
.05
$101,738.97
95
1,935.79
Payments to treasurer:
1926
$ 69,543.92
1927
21,172.41
January 1 to May 8, 1928
5,463.18
$ 96,179.51
Abatements:
1926 $ 936.20
1927
4.65
January 1 to May 8, 1928
2.16
943.01
Outstanding May 8, 1928, per list:
Taxes
$ 4,409.26
Moth
11.49
4,420.75
Cash on hand May 8, 1928, verified:
Taxes
$ 178.88
Moth
1.50
Interest
15.32
195.70
$101,738.97
TAXES -1927 J. C. Marshall, Collector
Commitment per warrants:
Taxes
$ 92,793.85
Moth
672.94
$ 93,466.79
Interest collections :
1927
$ 66.11
January 1 to May 8. 1928
160.94
227.05
Commitment list in excess of warrant
3.99
Tax titles credited as taxes 1927 82.21
Abatements after payment-refunded
159.50
$ 93,939.54
Payments to treasurer:
1927 $ 63,987.55
January 1 to May 8, 1928 6,998.15
$ 70,985.70
96
Abatements:
210.10 1927
$
January 1 to May 8, 1928
16.68
226.78
Outstanding May 8, 1928, per list:
Taxes
$ 22,367.50
Moth
175.22
22,542.72
Cash on hand May 8, 1928, verified :
Taxes
$ 176.00
Moth
2.47
Interest
5.87
184.34
$ 93,939.54
97
FOSTER SCHOOL FUND
Par Value of Securities
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1927
$900.00
$900.00
On hand at end of year 1927
900.00
900.00
On hand May 8, 1928
900.00
900.00
Receipts
Payments
1927
Income
$38.25
Transferred to town.
$38.25
January 1 to May 8, 1928
Income
$19.12
Transferred to town ..
$19.12
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Savings Deposits
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1927
$1,268.05
$1,268.05
On hand at end of year 1927
1,289.35
1,289.35
On hand May 8, 1928
1,289.35
1,289.35
Receipts
Payments
Income
$45.30
Savings bank deposit 1927 $21.30 Transfrd to town for care 24.00
Total $45.30
Total
$45.30
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TOWN OF TEWKSBURY Balance Sheet-December 31, 1927 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
Assets
Cash in bank and office $ 6,232.01
Temporary Loans:
$ 45,000.00 In Anticipation of Revenue
Accounts Receivable:
Taxes:
Levy of 1924 . $ 154.69
Levy of 1925
777.11
Levy of 1926
9,595.75
Levy of 1927
291327.27
39,854.82
Special Assessments :
Moth 1924
2.12
Moth 1925
8.48
Moth 1926
63.98
Moth 1927
253.68
1,621.46
Overlay-Reserved for Abatement of taxes:
Due from the State:
Levy of 1924
154.69
State Highways
200.00
Levy of 1925
777.11
Levy of 1926
2,089.21
Tax Titles
9,909.51
Levy of 1927
2,551.03 ..
..
1
5,572.04
Foster School Fund Income 210.41
Overpayment by Collector to Treasurer-
Taxes 1923
2.22
Appropriation 1927-Forward to 1928:
Moth
121.46
Foster School Land 1,500.00
328.26
Liabilities
Surplus War Bonus Fund
1,186.62
-
Expenditures not provided for in 1927:
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus 3,039.48 Highways
355.68 Tractor and Plow-loan and interest 2,556.25
Moth Assessment Revenue 328.26
Tax Title Revenue 9,909.51
2,911.93
Revenue Deficit
7,433.47
$ 66,870.00
$ 66,870.00
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt
$ 24,800.00
Town Hall Loans 8,000.00 Foster School Loan 16,800.00
$24,800.00
$ 24,800.00
TRUST FUND ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities
.$
2,189.35
Foster School Fund 900.00 Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund 1,289.35
$ 2,189.35 $ 2,189.35
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Middlesex ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Tewks- bury in said County :
Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabi- tants of the Town of Tewksbury, qualified to vote in Town affairs, to meet and assemble at Town Hall in said Tewksbury, on Saturday the 2nd day of February, 1929 at nine o'clock A. M., to act on the following articles : ART. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary Town Officers, to choose by ballot a Town Clerk, three Selectmen. three members of the Board of Public Welfare, three members of the Board of Health, a Town Treasurer, an Auditor, a Collector of Taxes, a Tree Warden and Constables, (Three) all to serve one year : one Highway Commissioner to serve three- years, one School Committee to serve three years ; two Trustees of the Public Library to serve three years ; one Park Commissioner to serve three years ; one Assessor to serve three years. The polls for the election of Town Officers to be opened at nine o'clock A. M., and close at four o'clock P. M.
ART. 3. To hear reports of Town Officers and Com- mittees and act thereon.
101
. .
ART. 4. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise by taxation to defray necessary ex- penses for the current year, and make appropria- tions for the same.
ART. 5. To see if the Town will vote the money aris- ing from licensing dogs, for the ensuing year, to aid in support of the Public Library.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year.
'The vote to be as follows :
Voted :- That the Town Treasurer with the approval of selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to bor- row money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1. 1929 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said finan- cial year.
ART. 7. To see what compensation the Town will vote for the collection of taxes, and at what rate and from what date interest shall be charged on taxes of 1929 unpaid after November 1, 1929 or to take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will vote to borrow, if necessary a sum not exceeding one twenty-fifth of one percent, of the current year's valuation, such sum of money to be used in the suppression of the Gipsy and Brown Tail Moths.
102
ART. 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $250.00 for the proper obser- vance of Memorial Day, and appoint a committee to expend the money. Said committee to be taken from members of the G. A. R., Spanish War Veterans, and American Legion, and Sons of Veterans.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will authorize the Select- men to institute suits on behalf of the Town or defend any suits that are, or may be brought against the Town.
ART. 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $175.00 or some other amount and elect a director; the money to be ex- pended by and the director to serve in cooperation with the Middlesex County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture in the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service, under the provisions of Sections 40 to 45. Chapter 128, General Laws of Massachu- setts.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will vote to install elec- tric lights on Coolidge St., (Shawsheen River Park), make appropriation for same, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will. vote to install elec- tric lights on Heath St., (Shawsheen River Park), make appropriation for same, or take any other ac- tion relative thereto.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will vote to install ele- tric lights on South St., from present ternenal to the residence of Dennis O'Connell, and make appro- priation for same or take any other action relative thereto.
103
.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will vote to install elec- tric lights on Mill Street, from Shawsheen Street to the residence of Henry Pringle, and make appropria- tion for same or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will vote to install elec- tric lights on Shawsheen Street, from present ter- minal to Vale Street, and on Vale Street to the res- idence of N. F. Saunders, and make appropriation for same or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 for specific repairs on Andover Street, provided the state and county each appropriate a similar amount as provided in Chapter 90, of the General Laws, or take any other actions relative thereto.
ART. 18. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the purchase of a new gravel pit for the Highway Department, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3000.00 for oil or other binder or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $3000.00 for cinders or gravel, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1000.00 for specific repairs and extension of the bituminous macadam on East Street, provided the state and county each ap- propriate a similar amount as provided in Chapter 90, of the General Laws.
104
ART. 22. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of $6000.00 to purchase a road roller for the Highway Department, or take any other action rela- tive thereto.
ART. 23. To see if the Town will vote to purchase the Roper Property adjoining the Town Hall and raise and appropriate money for same or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $500.00 or such sum necessary to print Real Estate Valuation Book.
ART. 25. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1129.73, to meet balance of money due on seizure of Lynch land.
ART. 26. To see what action the town will take on the appointment of a committee of three to invest- igate the cost of Electric light and Power Extensions to determine why all remaining extensions on all accepted streets and ways cannot be completed with- out any further expense to the town on the adjoining property owners, conferring with the Electric Light Company also the Public Utilities commission if necessary. or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 27. To see what action the Town will take to provide hydrants for fire protection in that area of Tewksbury bounded by Main St. Lake St. and South St. or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 28. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1100 to meet unpaid bills of 1928 or take any action relative thereto.
105
.
ART. 29. To see what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate for cutting brush during 1929. or take any action relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by post- ing up attested copies thereof, one at each of the Public Meeting Houses, one at the Town Hall, one at each of the Post Offices, and leave one hundred copies for the use of the citizens at the Post Offices in said Town, 8 days at least, and over two Sundays, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due returns of this War- rant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of Meeting as aforesaid :-
Given under our hands, this 12th day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine.
IRVING F. FRENCH, - WILLIAM H. KELLEY, JOSEPH W. JORDAN, L Selectmen of Tewksbury.
106
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL ' COMMITTEE
of the
TOWN OF TEWKSBURY
ALSO REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
for the
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1928
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO REMODEL THE NORTH SCHOOL BUILDING
After many meetings in which plans were discussed and revised, final plans drawn by the architect Harry P. Graves of Lowell were accepted. Bids on work were requested and those selected were as follows:
James H. Wilkins Co., Carlisle, general contract. Craig & Mc- Laughlin, Dracut; heating, piping, plumbing and ventilation. The desks and chairs were bought of J. L. Hammmett Co., Cambridge.
The one room addition has given the school a good sized, bright, cheerful, well arranged, well furnished school room. Also good corri- dors and properly equipped cloak rooms. Part of the large room in the main building was taken for a corridor, leaving a better sized, more comfortable school room. We are thus enabled to use the two small rooms for class rooms, giving the different grades a better op- portunity for class work by themselves. On account of the impossi- bility of drainage from the basement, the toilets had to be put on the first floor. This could be done most economically by using the large closets on the front which were not needed for other things. The new steam heating plant installed in the old basement is giving ex- cellent service, and will heat the entire building at all times. The new basement has two good sized play rooms for the children thus providing for them a warm, comfortable, place to play in stormy weather.
The building was thoroughly painted both inside and out, also well equipped with electric lights. New windows were put in front also the front entrance was remodelled to correspond with the side entrances. New front steps were built and splendid cement side walks running both sides of the building. The grounds in the rear have been filled in and levelled making a good play ground for the children in pleasant weather. The grounds in front of the building have been graded, sodded and seeded anew, and certainly will add very much to the appearance of the school. Your committee held nine meetings during the summer. They have been greatly interested in making the best building possible for the children at North Tewks- bury. We are proud of the results, for we now have a modern, bright, well equipped, well ventilated, and heated school building, with ex- cellent sanitary conditions. A great deal of time and sincere interest was given to this work by the members of the Committee at the North, Mr. Herbert L. Trull and Mr. George Bennett.
108
After the building was completed, an evening was given to the parents and friends for inspection. A very delightful program was ar- ranged by Mr. Clarence Weed of the Lowell Normal School. The building is open for inspection at any time, and the Committee cor- dially invite every one interested to visit our splendid North School.
Financial Statement
James H. Wilkins Co., general contract $ 9,704.00
James H. Wilkins Co., extras
756.00
Harry P. Graves, architect
780.00
Craig & Mclaughlin, heating and plumbing 3,228.00
J. L. Hammett Co., desks and chairs
532.00
Total $ 15,000.00
Respectfully submitted
HERBERT L. TRULL, Chairman
GEORGE E. BENNETT
HERBERT A. PAGE
ARTHUR FOSTER
MAY L. LARRABEE, Secretary
109
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The regular work and supervision of the Schools has been car- ried on as usual this year. Very little repair work was needed this summer in any of the buildings except at the North. We have given most of our attention there, that the work on the building and grounds might be completed.
The Foster and West Schools had necessary painting done inside. During the Christmas vacation many desk tops badly worn, have been refinished. Also thirty-nine new desks and chairs have been added.
The kitchen at the Foster School has been thoroughly cleaned and painted and the hot lunches for the children started. Also some new equipment has been purchased for the kitchen. The children are getting one hot dish every day of some kind for five cents. On ac- count of the higher cost of food, we feel that another year it will be necessary to raise this price.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT L. TRULL, Chairman ARTHUR A. FOSTER MAY L. LARRABEE, Secretary
The School Committee recommend the sum of $49,155.00 be ap- propriated for the schools for 1929 based upon the following proposed budget:
Teachers
$ 19,000.00
Superintendent
1,295.00
Supervisors
1,500.00
Transportation
8,700.00
Janitors
3,910.00
Books and Supplies
1,000.00
Fuel
1,500.00
Insurance
900.00
Repairs
500.00
Health
1,350.00
Tuition
9,000.00
Miscellaneous
500.00
$49,155.00
110
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Tewksbury.
Mrs. Larrabee and Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my sixteenth annual report which is the thirty- eighth in the series of superintendents' reports. The year has been one of good work on the part of the teachers and pupils, but one of no marked changes from other years.
Teachers and Supervisors. I am pleased that few changes have taken place among the teachers. Miss Mary Brackett, supervisor of draw- ing, resigned at the end of the school year to be married. Her place was filled by Miss Christine Young, a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Art. Miss Young is without experience, but was highly recommended by the supervisor of the school at which she was train- ed. The only change among the teachers was one deeply to be re- gretted, that of Miss Marguerite Benson, for three years teacher of the seventh grade at the Foster School and recently elected under the Tenure Act. Miss Benson was a teacher of marked ability and a woman of exceedingly fine character. We are sorry to lose such people from among our teachers. Miss Sarah O'Brien, who has served for three years, as an assistant teacher in the upper grades at the Foster School, was given charge of the seventh grade. Miss Hazel Young, a recent graduate of Lowell Normal School, was engaged as an assistant at the Foster School. It is expected that these changes will prove a success. It is the law that no teacher should have over fifty pupils without an assistant. In my opinion no teacher should be given over forty pupils, but in the Foster School both grade eight and grade five have over fifty children. The enrollment in grade eight is fifty-six, and in grade five, fifty-seven. Miss Young serves part time in each of these two grades. The above are the only changes this year in the teaching force.
School Situation. The new building at the North School takes care of the pupils of that part of the town very acceptably. At the Shaw- sheen School it has seemed wise to the committee not to transport grade seven this year as has been done for many years, therefore Miss Wiggin of this school has four grades. Grades four to six, inclusive, being under the direct supervision of the Normal School, but grade geven doing precisely the same as is being accomplished at the Foster School. At the Spaulding School grade oue proved too large for one
111
teacher, therefore it was thought best to retain Miss Hicks in the same capacity that she held last year. The West School, this little school is in fine condition doing splendid work. This brings us to the Foster School. The teachers at this building are doing faithful, con- scientious work. The schools are all large and in two classes already noted contain more children than any teacher should be expected to teach.
The North School. The appropriation of a year ago has been expen- ded with the result that building and equipment are practically new. The original building containing one school room has been renovated in every respect and an attractive primary room has been made. The smaller classrooms, which for several years have been thrown together, have been again put back in the original form as classrooms for the training pupils from the Lowell Normal School. The addition in the rear of the building contains a modern well-lighted, well-heated, well-ventilated classroom, also large, ample halls, and adequate toilets. The basement and the heating and ventilating plant in the basement are entirely new and entirely efficient. The school is as complete and modern a two-room building as will be found any where in the state. When you take into consideration the fine qualities of the teachers who are employed here, you may well agree with the principal of the Lowell Normal School in saying that it is a Model School.
Play Ground Equipment. I called attention one year ago to the fact that not alone was a play ground needed but good play ground equip- ment as well. The Parent-Teachers' Association has done valiant work in making a substantial start in play ground equipment. The immediate and most urgent need at the present is the grading of the new grounds.
Lunch Serving. Lunch serving which was started a year ago has been continued under most favorable auspices. Mrs. Maclaren so arranges her time that she may be present at the lunch period during the winter days. Under her efficient direction hot cocoa, and at least one other article of warm food is served to about one hundred children at a nominal cost. The basement near the kitchen is fitted up with comfortable tables and benches. I consider this feature a very successful part of school life.
Four-H Clubs. The Middlesex County Farm Bureau has been conduct- ing successful club work with both the boys and girls of your school during the past school year. However, owing to the recent illness of your superintendent a detailed report of this work cannot be given.
Banking. It is simply amazing how the interest in the school savings bank continues in hard time as well as in good times. Every week a
112
comparatively large sum of money is deposited by the children and afterwards finds its way through regular routine to savings bank books owned by them. You will note that during the past year $2,664.57 has been deposited by the pupils of Tewksbury. As this banking is carried out under state regulations and is actually per- formed in the identical manner in which it is done in any one of the nearby savings banks, I consider that not alone is thrift taught but good business habits as well. The most friendly relations continue to exist between your teachers and the bank officials of the Lowell Mechanics Savings Bank ..
Dental Clinic. With the consent of the school board and with the cooperation of Dr. Larrabee and the school nurse, a dental clinic has been started in the schools of your town. A competent dentist, Dr. McNally, has been secured who attends to the wants of the children right at the school building in such a manner that it costs the parent not over one half whatever would be paid for the same work at a dentist's office. Dr. McNally was not entirely unknown to us as he had done very satisfactory work in the towns of Dracut and Chelms- ford.
Parent-Teachers' Association. The Parent-Teachers' Association of the town has continued a helpful influence in the schools. By prizes which have been given by the association better attendance has been secured, and work in music appreciation has been stimulated. I have already mentioned elsewhere the great help done by this association in play ground equipment.
State and Town . The financial relations between the Commonwealth and your town are not always understood by all the citizens. For example, if the town raises fifty thousand dollars, let us say, for its school budget this does not mean that the schools actually cost the town this amount of money. A large proportion of this sum is borne by the state. High school tuition and high school transportation come in for their assistance by the state. A good sum of money is paid towards the teachers' salary and a certain proportion of the super- intendent's salary is paid by the state, therefore in the case of a state aided town, the committee and superintendent are not alone the man- agers of the town's money, but they are to a marked degree trustees for the state and must see that the state money is wisely expended for the best interest of all the people. Last year the state paid towards the schools of Tewksbury the sum of $12,721.13.
Manual Training. It seemed wise to the committee to release Mr. George Robeson at the close of the last school year. An attempt was made this fall to secure a summer student from Pittsburg Normal
113
.
School to give instruction in manual training, but this arrangement could not be made satisfactorily on account of the conflict in the schedule. Mr. Raymond Norton was secured in October for the com- pletion of the year. Mr. Norton has been teaching successfully for several years in nearby towns. He is an accurate workman and seems to have the faculty of managing boys. At the time of this writing it looks as though this department would prove a success.
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