USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1939-1944 > Part 34
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The foliage has been better this year than it has for 35 years owing to plenty of rain, spraying, etc.
Due to increase in cost of material and labor, I recommend $2000.00 for the coming year.
Yours respectfully,
HARRIS M. BRIGGS,
Moth Superintendent.
127
REPORT OF DOG OFFICER .
December 31, 1942.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Town of Tewksbury, Mass.
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Dog Officer from January 1, 1942 to December 31, 1942:
Dogs licensed 376
Dogs sheltered 35
Dogs destroyed 33
Dogs returned to owners 5
Dogs picked up from highway 8
Investigations (license), complaints, barking dogs, dogs killing chickens, etc. 200
Respectfully submitted,
GERALD J. FINNERAN,
Dog Officer.
128
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Tewksbury:
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Inspector of Animals from Jan. 1, to Dec. 31, 1942.
Cows inspected 600
Bulls inspected 21
Young Cattle inspected 494
Hogs inspected 1,080
Sheep inspected
93
Animals Condemned
Cows inspected and condemned 11
Young Cattle inspected and condemned 15
Hogs inspected and condemned 21
Livers inspected and condemned
25
Lungs (sets) inspected and condemned 35
Side of beef inspected and condemned
1
Hams inspected and condemned
2
Hogs head inspected and condemned
6
Cows head inspected and condemned
4
For dairy purposes I have released 147 head of cattle.
I have released 1 calf for slaughter purpose.
25 dogs were quarantined and 3 cats for rabies and released at the end of 14 days.
Sent 3 dogs to Lowell Humane Society.
Dead dogs picked up (picked) from highway (2).
Inspected 2 barns after state test. (Barns were infected to tuber- culosis).
Total 3,408 animals inspected at slaughter house.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. FENERTY, Inspector of Animals.
129
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
As Park Commissioners, we submit the following: .
During the summer the commons were raked, grass mowed and fertilizer applied. With plenty of rain the lawns were in exceptionally good condition the past year.
Several cords of cow dressing should be applied this coming year.
Since the start of war, the flag has flown with the exception of stormy days.
Lighting of the bandstand with colored lights was omitted during the holiday season to conform with war regulations.
Due to added care and costs of flags and dressing needed, we recommend an appropriation of $300.00.
Yours respectfully,
THOMAS C. McAUSLAND,
WALTER ROBERTS,
HARRIS M. BRIGGS,
Park Commissioners.
130
MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
The following is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service in the town of Tewksbury for the year 1942.
Dairy farmers have been assisted and advised on improvement of pastures, feeding dairy cattle, growing emergency pasture crops, and the vaccination of calves against Bang's Disease. The Rogers Farm was a cooperator in the hayland topdressing project. A twilight meet- ing was held at the farm in June to talk over improved roughage and crop yields, together with an ensiling of grasses and legumes.
Rogers Farm, Battles Farm, and the Massachusetts State Infirm- ary are members of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association.
Victor Cluff is president of the Middlesex County Dairy Herd Im- provement Association and a member of the County Dairy Committee.
Notices were sent to fruit and vegetable growers before each spray for insect and disease control, which aided the victory gardens and the commercial farmers.
Poultrymen have been assisted in their disease and production problems, and in record keeping thru farm visits and circular material.
Three poultry meetings have been held at the town hall at which time income tax filing, brooding, poultry ranges, disease control and poultry farm management were discussed.
A Civilian Defense Nutrition course was held for two groups, 39 finishing the course.
Five food preservation meetings were held with an attendance of 78 where the latest methods of canning were demonstrated.
Canning, clothing, home furnishing, foods, handicraft, poultry and gardening were the activities of 98 boys and girls enrolled in 4-H Club work, under the supervision of volunteer leaders, Mrs. Mary Hodgson; Mrs. Harry Treadwell; Mrs. W. Farwell; Mrs. Jessie Davis; Mrs. Gertrude Rutledge; Mrs. Samuel Crown; Mrs. Ellen A. Crowley; David Lynch; and James Sampson.
Mrs. Mary Hodgson was chairman of the committee which spon- sored 4-H club work.
Three club members attended Camp Middlesex at Ashby.
David Sargent was awarded a prize in the Garden Contest spon- sored by the Middlesex North Agricultural Society.
131
REPORT OF WPA SPONSOR'S AGENT
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
During the year the following work on Streets has been done; finished gravelling Pratt Street, gravelled Oak, Pinedale and Dudley Road. Removed considerable stone and gravelled Court, Wilson and were working on Kittredge Streets when all work on roads ceased July 1.
What sewing machines were in good condition were lent to the Red Cross and are being used by them at the present time.
We have maintained the School Lunch Project at a total cost of $2882.05 and to the best of my information will be allowed to continue it until the end of the school year. Owing to the removing of various commodities from the surplus list, we have been obliged to purchase more material than formerly which has had a result of materially rais- ing costs during the later part of the year. We have served 62,104 meals at an average cost to the Town of 4.643 cents per meal for the year. During April, May and June we were able to get surplus meat from the Government which materially reduced costs for those months. There are at the present time 17 women assigned to this project.
We have purchased a second-hand Chevrolet to replace the G. M. C. which was worn out. I believe the trucks should be turned over to the Highway Department. On stopping of road work the loader was taken over by the Highway Department and has been used by them ever since.
The typewriter at Commodity Distribution Center was overhauled and loaned to the Rationing Board.
I feel that the School Lunch program should be continued until the close of the school year and that an appropriation of $2000 in addition to the unexpended balance should be ample even though costs of food have increased and will in all probability be higher before July.
According to present information all activities under the Work Program Administration will cease July 1, 1943, the end of the Federal Fiscal year.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT H. KING,
WPA Sponsor's Agent.
132
JURY LIST
Name
Occupation
Allen, Herman O.
Chauffeur
Anderson, Clifford H.
Salesman
Anderson, Adelbert A.
Dairy Farmer
Bailey, William I. Garage Owner
Battles, Philip M. Farmer
Bell, Lester W.
Servicemalı
Bennett, William H.
Hydraulic Engineer
Berube, Louis O.
Agent
Blanchard, Omer O.
Farmer
Bonugli, Leo M. Merchant
Briggs, Harris M. Moth Superintendent
Cameron, Duncan J. Milk Dealer
Carter, William I. Florist
Collins, Leslie Laborer
Daniels, Everett P. Fireman
Dugau, Fred A. Weaver
Fairbrother, Herbert A.
Supervisor
Felker, Onestus A.
Farmer
Goodwin, Walter E.
Salesman
Greene, Bernard H.
Engineer
Hickey, Francis P.
Supervisor
Hinton, Edgar G.
Filling Station Attendant
Kelley, John H.
R. R. Operator
Kinney, Uel
Cutter
Lanner, Roy G.
Merchant
Lundquist, Victor M. Florist
McGowan, William H.
Supervisor
Meloy, Frederick F. .Contractor
Mills, Harold W.
Rubber Worker
Murphy, Stuart H.
Poultryman
Ogston, James R. Laborer
Patterson, Harry W. Chauffeur
Roberts, Lindley A. Printer Sargent, Ross E. Mechanic
Sherlock, Francis Caretaker
Treadwell, Harry A. Fireman
Trull, John A.
Farmer
Wells, Arthur W. Salesman
IRVING F. FRENCH BERNARD H. GREENE DUNCAN J. CAMERON
Selectmen of Tewksbury
133
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Middlesex, ss :
To either of the Constables of the Town of Tewksbury in said County :
Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you
are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Tewksbury, qualified to vote in Town Affairs, to meet and assemble at Town Hall in said Tewksbury on Wednesday, February 3, 1943, at ten o'clock A. M., to act on the follow- ing articles :
ART. 1. To choose all necessary Town Officers, to choose by ballot a Moderator, Town Clerk, three Selectmen, three members of the Board of Public Welfare, three men- bers of the Board of Health, a Town Treasurer, an Audi- tor, a Collector of Taxes, a Tree Warden and three Constables, all to serve one year; one Highway Commis- sioner to serve three years; one member of the School Committee to serve three years ; two Trustees of the Pub- lic Library to serve three years ; one Park Commissioner to serve three years; one Assessor to serve three years, one Assessor to serve two years to fill a vacancy ; one Commissioner of Trust Fund to serve three years.
The polls for the election of Town Officers to be opened at ten o'clock A. M. and to be closed at 8 P. M.
And you are also hereby further required and directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants of the Town of Tewks- bury, who are qualified to vote on elections and Town affairs. therein to assemble subsequently and meet in Town Meeting at the Town Hall in said Town of Tewksbury on Wednesday, February 10, 1943, at eight o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the following articles :
ART. 2. To hear reports of Town officers and committees and act thereon.
134
ART. 3. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise by taxation to defray necessary expenses for the current year, and make appropriations for the same.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will vote the money arising from licensing dogs, for the ensuing year to aid in sup- port of the Public Library.
ART. 5. 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, 1943, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note oor notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
VOTED: That the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1943, 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 11, Chapter 44, General Laws.
ART. 6. To see what regulations the Town will make for the possession, management and sale of land sold for un- paid taxes and for the assignment of Tax Titles not in- consistent with law or with the right of redemption as provided by Sec. 52 of Chap. 60 of the General Laws as amended by Sec. 3 of Chapter 126 of the Acts of 1927. and to see what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate for the enforcement of such rules and regula- tions.
ART. 1. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $350.00 for the proper observance of Memorial Day, and appoint a committee to expend the money. Said committee to be taken from members of Spanish War Veterans, American Legion, or Sons of Veterans.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to institute suits on behalf of the Town or defend any suits that are, or may be brought against the Town, and to sign any contracts or agreements in behalf of the Town.
135
ART. 9. To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 1 of Chapter 123 of the Acts of 1939 which was an amendment of Section 1 of Chapter 358 of the Acts of 1938.
Section 1 of Chapter 123 of the Acts of 1939 is as fol- lows :- The Mayor of any city or the Selectmen of any Town which holds property acquired by foreclosure of tax titles or acquired under the section eighty of chapter sixty of the Gen- eral Laws may appoint a custodian who shall have while this act remains in effect the care, custody, management and con- trol of all property so acquired by said city or town, whether acquired before or after his appointment, or before or after the effective date of this act. The custodian shall serve during the pleasure of the mayor or Selectmen and shall receive as his compensation, if any, a sum fixed by the mayor or the Board of Selectmen.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex, as required by law, the Town's share of the net cost of the care, main- tenance, and repair of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital, as assessed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 111 of the General Laws and Acts in amend- ment thereof and in addition thereto including Chapter 400, Section 25 G (6) (a) of the Acts of 1936 or take any action in relation thereto.
ART. 11. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Se- lectmen to sell, after first giving notice of the time and place of sale by posting such notice of sale in some con- venient and public place in the town fourteen days at least before the sale, property taken by the town under tax title procedure provided that the selectmen or whom- soever they may authorize to hold such public auction may reject any bid which they deem inadequate, or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Select- men to sell any parcel or parcels of land acquired by the Town through Tax Title foreclosure proceedings whose Tax Title value is less than $50.00, for whatever sum it may be in their judgment to the best interest of the Town, or take any other action relative thereto.
136
ART. 13. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen and the Treasurer to foreclose either through the Land Court or by affidavit of the Commis- sioner of Corporations and Taxation, any Tax Title held by the Town for more than two years, and to see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate therefor or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will vote to establish a Road Machinery Fund and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing, repairing and operating road ma- chinery ; to which fund shall be accredited-in addition to the sum appropriated-such sums as may be allotted for the use of town-owned highway equipment operated for highway purposes in conjunction with the State and County, or take any other action thereto.
ART. 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $2000. for the Maintenance of Chapter 90, Highways : said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County, or both, for this purpose, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 16. To see what sum the Town will vote to pay the Town Treasurer as a salary for the year of 1943.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will vote to install one street light on Court St. between Washington St. and Clinton St. or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will vote to install one light on Main St. near the residence of Leo Morris, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 19. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salary of the Inspector of Slaughtering $200.00 per year, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will vote to purchase the prop- erty on the south side of the Town Hall, now owned by the Lowell Co-operative Bank, appropriate $3,000.00 for same, or take any other action relative thereto.
137
ART. 21. To see if the Town will vote to approve the lay- out of the road commissioners relocating Texas Road, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money sufficient to erect and maintain a memorial and honor roll which will contain the names of all citizens and residents of the Town of Tewksbury who have entered and served in the armed forces of the United States of America in the present war.
ART. 23. To see if the Town will vote to place a day man and a night man on duty at the Fire Station, with a salary of $35.00 per week, for each man, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 24. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $500.00 to gravel Robinson Avenue 14 ft. wide, on the original road, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 25. To see if the Town will vote to choose by ballot at the Annual Town Meeting in February 1944 three Select- men, three members of the Board of Public Welfare, and three members of the Board of Health, one to serve three years, one to serve two years and one to serve one year, and each succeeding year to choose by ballot one Select- man, one member of the Board of Public Welfare and one member of the Board of Health, to serve for the period of three years or to take any action relative to same.
ART., 26. To see if the Town will vote that all Motor Ve- hicles owned by the Town of Tewksbury shall be lettered with the name of Department to which the vehicle be- longs, or take any action relative to same.
ART. 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum not exceeding $350 for repairs to and main- tenance of the athletic field and structures thereon at the High School and for the maintenance of athletics at the High School.
ART. 28. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for a reserve fund under Section 6 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws or take any other action thereto.
138
ART. 29. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the expenses of the School Lunch Project in conjunction with Federal W.P.A. Funds, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 30. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for necessary expenses of the Civil- ian Defense Committee, or take any other action thereto.
ART. 31. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of $50.00 in support of the Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, through the Middlesex County Extension Service, and elect a director. Said money to be spent under the direction of the local director, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 32. To see if the Town will vote to pay the following unpaid bills : vocational school $43.09, dog officer $98.50, police $42.63, fire department $62.80 or take any action relative to same.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting 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 Office 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 Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of Meeting as aforesaid :-
Given under our hands, this 13th day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and forty-three.
IRVING F. FRENCH, BERNARD H. GREENE, DUNCAN J. CAMERON,
Selectmen of Tewksbury
A true copy attest :
Constable of Tewksbury
139
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Tewksbury
OF TEWK S
TOWN
RY
INC
ORP
1734
ORATED
ALSO
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
For the Year Ending December 31,"
1942
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mrs. May L. Larrabee
1940-1943
Chairman
Tewksbury, Mass.
J. Harper Gale
1941-1944
Secretary
Tewksbury, Mass.
Ralph Battles
1942-1945
No. Tewksbury, Mass.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Stephen G. Bean
Wilmington, Mass.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Herbert M. Larrabee
Tewksbury, Mass.
SCHOOL NURSE
Miss Edith E. Haines
Tewksbury, Mass.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Harry Wiley
Tewksbury, Mass.
142
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The work and supervision in the schools has been carried on as usual during the past year.
Necessary repairs have been made on all the school buildings. The rear of the Ella E. Fleming School was re-clapboarded and the entire building was painted during the past summer.
Several rooms in the basement of the High School and also two rooms in the Foster School were painted. Part of the basement in the Foster School has been redecorated and plans have been made to have a lunch room installed so that the pupils may have hot lunches each day. This project will be similar to ones now in operation in the High and Shawsheen Schools. The Parent-Teacher's Association has been raising money towards the purchase of equipment for this pro- ject. This will benefit many children who are obliged to carry lunches to school each day.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Superintendent
$ 877.00
Supervisors
1,020.00
Teachers
18,900.00
Health
1,600.00
Janitors
3,528.00
Transportation
6,000.00
Fuel
1,500.00
Books & Supplies
1,500.00
Insurance
600.00
District
150.00
Miscellaneous
1,000.00
Repairs
1,250.00
$ 37,925.00
143
HIGH SCHOOL
Supervisors
$ 350.00
Teachers
15,667.00
Janitors
1,404.00
Transportation
2,900.00
Fuel
1,000.00
Books & Supplies
1,400.00
Miscellaneous
1,400.00
Equipment & Repairs
700.00
$ 24,821.00
Total
$ 62,746.00
Respectfully submitted,
MAY L. LARRABEE, Chairman, J. HARPER GALE, RALPH S. BATTLES.
144
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee Tewksbury, Massachusetts:
Madam and Gentlemen:
Subscribed please find my twelfth annual Report of the Superin- tendent of Schools. Since it covers the first complete year under war conditions it is necessarily affected by the impact of these conditions.
War has definitely come into the school lives of all pupils during the past year. The effects have not been of benefit in any way unless it be to encourage thrift and motivate our endeavors to instill patriotism. The various interruptions which have occurred due to the rationing pro- grams have seriously interrupted the continuity of our educational ef- fort. The continual excitement engendered by our almost universal habit of expressing our opinions before children, are certainly produc- ing a profound effect on their mental, and especially their emotional reactions. This is clearly evident to one who has daily contacts with numerous different classrooms.
The greatest unrest is naturally found among those pupils in the upper classes in the high schools. The boys are under the pressure of the effects of the drafting of the eighteen year olds. Those who are ap. proaching eighteen are almost as much affected as those of that age. They are wondering just what is the best way to prepare for what the near future may bring. Pupil unrest is naturally reflected in the teachers and administrators who are also wondering just what is best to do for these young people, and how best to do it. They have changes in curriculums, and content of specific parts of curriculums, handed to them in a very sketchy form. They are constantly faced with the neces- sity of adapting such suggestions to peculiar local conditions. Such adaptations are particularly necessary in the small community because they are usually designed for large cities with all types of special schools and equipment.
Another pressure felt by the schools as a direct result of the war effort is the demand for increased vocational training. All of those not in the armed forces are supposed to be prepared for some kind of effort directly supporting the armed forces. This group will comprise about 20% of each graduating class. These must be prepared for the various
145
non-combatant aids to the total war effort. Their preparation will not be the same as that special training which we are asked to give to the other 80% who will be in one or another of the fighting services.
The problem is further complicated by the question as to how long the war will last and therefore how far down in the schools these special preparations should be started. Most of the present planning has to do with those classes whose members will be of draft age within the next year or two. Meanwhile we have other classes coming along who must be prepared to live in a new type of world situation. They must be helped towards finding their way in a very different social and economic setup than that which their parents knew.
Farther down in the elementary schools we must still provide the youngsters with a solid foundation of the tool subjects by use of which true education must be attained. We will still be obliged to teach the "Three R's" in a thorough-going manner. An efficient reading tech- nique must be developed and, if possible, a will and desire to use this skill. Fundamental number processes and their application to solution of commonplace problems will still be necessary. We need still to know the history of our own country in order to profit by both its mistakes and its successes. A much better knowledge of geography will be needed as an aid to a better understanding of conditions within a greatly ex- panding horizon. An elementary knowledge of science will become al- most a necessity because the aftermath of this war is likely to be a wholly new set of mechanical and technical surroundings and a much greater degree of mobility as will befit an air age.
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