USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1932-1936 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
4,950.00
4,729.67
4,450.00
4,450.00
Health Milk
375.00
267.45
375.00
375.00
Highways:
State and County Aid Roads
5,000.00
3,332.98
5,000.00
5,000.00
Town Roads
12,000.00
11,999.95
11,500.00
11,500.00
Snow and Ice
7,500.00
7,282.85
4,000.00
4,000.00
Tyngsboro Road
1,500.00
1,500.00
Street Lights
6,000.00
5,994.00
5,994.00
5,994.00
Welfare Department:
Outside Aid and Infirmary
18,100.00
20,391.56
19,000.00
19,000.00
Old Age Assistance
4,900.00
4,722.75
7,500.00
7,500.00
Soldiers' Benefits
4,800.00
5,581.99
5,000.00
5,000.00
Schools
66,000.00
63,804.82
65,000.00
65,000.00
Vocational Tuition
2,500.00
2,061.76
2,500.00
2,500.00
Public Library
1,800.00
1,800.00
1,950.00
1,950.00
Dog. Lic.
Dog Lic.
Dog Lic.
Dog Lic.
Care of Common
175.00
173.42
175.00
175.00
Band Concerts
400.00
Memorial Day
250.00
202.30
250.00
250.00
Town Reports
600.00
568.80
600.00
600.00
Land Damages
150.00
T. B. Hospital
1,867.47
1,867.47
1,800.00
1,800.00
Demonstration Work
10.00
10.00
10.00
10.00
Cemeteries
1,000.00
984.22
1,200.00
1,200.00
..
..
81
E. R. A. & W. P. A. No. 1.
5,500.00
5,801.91
4,000.00
4,000.00
E. R. A. & W. P. A. No. 2
6,000.00
General Loans
7,500.00
7,500.00
7,500.00
7,500.00
Interest on General Loans
2,805.00
2,431.62
2,165.37
2,165.37
Interest on Revenue Loans
1,500.00
563.14
1,000.00
1,000.00
Reserve Funds
3,000.00
2,146.10
4,000.00
4,000.00
Outstanding Bills
1,603.90
1,603.90
*2,000.00
2,000.00
Overdrawn Appropriations
622.25
2,291.56
2,291.56
State and County Taxes
12,963.72
12,963.72
*12,963.72
12,963.72
Total
$201,791.15
$190,524.65
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Corporation Tax
18,136.66
Income Tax
14,929.01
Poll Tax
2,186.00
Excise Tax
5,485.16
All Others
12,000.00
52,736.83
To be transferred from Surplus
$137,787.82
8,000.00
Amount to be raised by taxation Valuation of Town for 1935
*Estimated
$129,787.82 $3,948,135.00
82
83
Relative to the article for additional street lights, this committee does not approve of additional street lights at this time.
Relative to the article for additional hydrants, as there is no pipe on North street, we cannot recommend additional hydrants.
Relative to the articles on the appropriation of money for the Town's share on W. P. A. projects, this committee approves the ap- propriation of $4,000.00 to complete the projects in operation and those eminently in prospect. The appropriation of money for further projects we have left to the discretion of the voters of the town.
Relative to the appropriation for hydrants, the present rates are in- adequate for the proper operation of the company as heretofore. The Westford Water Co. is therefore asking for an increase over last year.
If the recommendation of the budget is followed, plus the appro- priations for additional W. P. A. projects, Band Concerts, the increase for Hydrants and the same returns come from the state and county, the tax rate will not be over $35.00 per thousand.
Respectfully submitted,
JULIAN A. CAMERON, OSCAR R. SPALDING, FRANK L. FURBUSH, P. HENRY HARRINGTON,
WILLIAM E. WRIGHT,
ROBERT PRESCOTT,
Finance Committee.
84
TOWN OF WESTFORD WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
To the Constable of the Town of Westford in said County: GREETINGS :
You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth afore- said, to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town, qualified to vote in elections and also in Town affairs, to meet at their sev- eral polling places, viz .:
Precinct 1. Town Hall, Westford Centre.
Precinct 1. Abbot's Hall, Graniteville.
Precinct 3. Abbot's Hall, Brookside.
Precinct 4. Abbot's Hall, Forge Village.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1936
being the Second Monday in said month, at 12:00 o'clock noon for the following purposes:
To bring in their votes for the following officers:
For Three Years
Town Clerk One Selectman One Member of Board of Public Welfare
One Assessor
Two Members of the School Committee
One Member Board of Cemetery Commissioners
One Trustee of Public Library
One Member of Board of Health
For One Year
Moderator Town Treasurer Collector of Taxes Constable
Tree Warden One Member Board of Cemetery Commissioners (To fill vacancy)
The polls will be open from 12:00 o'clock noon to 8 P. M., and to meet in the Town Hall at Westford Centre on the following
85
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1936
at 1.00 o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the follow- ing articles, viz .:
1st. To hear the reports of the Finance Committee, other Com- mittees, Boards and Officers.
2nd. To determine the salary and compensation of elected Officers and such Officers and Officials as provided by law.
3rd. To appropriate money to meet the cost and expenses of the following departments, officers and purposes:
1. General Government.
2. Town Hall.
3. Police Department.
4. Fire Department.
5. Hydrants.
6. Sealer of Weights and Measures.
7. Fish and Game Warden.
8. Forest Fires.
9. Town Forest.
10. Tree Warden.
11. Moth Department.
12. Health Department.
13. Cattle Inspector.
14. Highway Purposes.
15. Board of Public Welfare.
16. Soldiers' Benefits.
17. School Department.
18. Vocational Tuition.
19. Public Library.
20. Care of Common.
21. Commemoration of Memorial Day.
22. Publishing of Town Reports.
23. Liability Insurance.
24. Fire Insurance.
25. Cemetery Commissioners.
26 General Loans.
27. Interest on General Loans.
28. Interest on Revenue Loans.
29. Electric Lights.
30. Reserve Fund.
31. Overdrafts of 1935.
32. Bills outstanding December 31, 1935.
4th. To see if the Town will appropriate $10.00 and elect a Direc- tor under the provisions of Section 40-45 of Chapter 128 of the General Laws as amended by Section 166 of the Acts of 1932.
86
5th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Trea- surer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the finan- cial year beginning January 1, 1936, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
6th. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum sufficient to pay the County of Middlesex as required by Law on account of assessments levied on the Town for its share of the principal of the Middlesex County Tuberculosis Hospital Funding Loan, Act of 1932, bonds maturing in 1936, issued in compli- ance with Chapter 10, Acts of 1932, also for any other in- debtedness incurred and outstanding under said Chapter 10, also for the Town's share of the cost and interest on said bonds due in 1936, also for the care, maintenance and repair of said hospital for 1935, and including interest on temporary notes issued therefor in accordance with sections of Chapter 111 of the General Laws applicable thereto, and for all other expenses in connection therewith, determine how money shall be raised, or in any way act thereon.
7th. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $400.00 for Band Concerts for the current year.
8th. To see if the Town will vote to request the Selectmen, in the hiring of trucks for highway purposes, to limit the number of trucks to one person or company, provided that an ade- quate number can be obtained by this method.
9th. To see if the Town will vote to install additional street lights as follows:
One on the Boston Road near the residence of Edwin B. Currier.
One at the junction of the Forge Village Road and Pat- ten Road. One at the culvert on the Patten Road.
One on the Lowell Road in extension of the present lighting system.
10th. To see if the Town will vote to install two additional hy- drants on North Street in extension of the existing hydrants.
11th. To see if the Town will vote to accept as a gift the deed from Bertha A. Williams of land as an addition to the school- house lot at Brookside.
12th. To choose a member of the Committee in charge of the Whit- ney Playground to fill a vacancy.
87
13th. To see if the Town will vote to accept the devise of land as given under the following clause in the will of Martina A, Gage, late of Lowell, deceased testate.
"I give, devise and bequeath all my real estate situated outside of Lowell to the city or town in which the same may be located."
14th. To appropriate money to meet the expenses incurred in con- nection with W. P. A. or other similar projects.
15th. To see if the Town will appropriate money to meet expenses to be incurred in connection with any future W. P. A., or other similar projects.
16th. To see if the Town will vote to enlarge Fairview Cemetery by acquiring the land bounded on the east and south by the cemetery, on the north by Main Street, and on the west by Tadmuck Road; such acquisition to be by purchase if the cir- cumstance relative to price and the right and willingness of the owner to convey the same warrant. Otherwise, to see if the Selectmen will be authorized to make written petition to the County Commissioners to take the same, and make appropriation therefor.
17th. To see if the Town will vote to enter into a contract with the Westford Water Company for water service during a definite period of time, and act in relation to the same.
18th. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Sec- tion 97 of Chapter 41 of the General Laws relative to the appointment of a Chief of Police and the establishment of a Police Department by the Board of Selectmen.
19th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Select- men to introduce on its behalf a bill in the General Court providing for the placing of the Chief of Police of the Town of Westford under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service laws.
20th. To see if the Town will vote to accept the legacy under the will of Albert E. Prescott for the benefit of the J. V. Fletch- er Library, and authorize the Town Treasurer or other offi- cials to receive and receipt for the same and assent on be- half of the Town to the account of the executor of the will of said deceased.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up true and attested copies thereof at the Town Hall and each Post Office in said Westford, seven days at least before the time of holding said meet- ing.
88
Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding the first meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this thirtieth day of January, in the year of our Lord 1936.
WILLIAM R. TAYLOR, ARTHUR M. WHITLEY, W. OTIS DAY, Selectmen of Westford.
A true copy : Attest.
Constable of Westford
Annual Report
of the
School Committee
of the
Town of Westford, Mass.
F
WESTFO
TOWN
R
D
INCORP
1729.
ORPORATED
SEPT. 23
For the Year Ending December 31, 1935
....
90
ORGANIZATION-SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Edward Buckingham, Chairman Term Expires 1938
Edmund Whitney
Term Expires 1938
Albert G. Forty Term Expires 1937
Mrs. Dorothy Chandler
Term Expires 1937
Mr. Eric Anderson Term Expires 1936
Mr. George Gibbons, Secretary
Term Expires 1936
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Robert W. Barclay, Westford, Mass. Tel. Residence 155 Office 133 Westford Academy Office hours-By appointment SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dwight W. Cowles, M. D., Graniteville, Mass. Tel. 70
SCHOOL NURSE C. Veronica Meagher, R. N., Westford, Mass. Tel. Residence 185 Office 50-4 Town Hall
91
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
January 1, 1936.
To the Citizens of Westford:
I herewith submit my annual report as Chairman of the School Committee for the year 1935.
There was one change in the membership of our committee. Mr. Edmund Whitney was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the re- tirement of Mrs. Olive Heathcote. At our first meeting we or- ganized. Mr. Edward Buckingham was re-elected as chairman, and Mr. George Gibbons as secretary. The building committee was en- larged to include the following members: Mr. Buckingham, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Forty, and Mr. Whitney.
The function of the building committee, which has been in exist- ence for three years, is to investigate all conditions where major repairs on school property seem to be needed, and to make its re- commendations to the School Board. The Board in turn votes its approval or disapproval at regular or special meetings. Every job let out has been authorized by a vote of the School Committee.
At the annual Town Meeting the citizens voted us $66,000.00 in a lump sum as recommended by the Finance Committee. This was about $500.00 less than the amount appropriated the preceding year, and seemed to be a very small allowance with which to meet our needs since the prices of materials are steadily advancing. Although our old buildings and equipment are continually requiring repairs, we have made only the necessary and the most urgent ones in an endeavor to keep within our budget. This we have been able to do, and we have $1,322.32 left to apply to the credit of the Town for 1936.
The new transportation routes that we started last year have been working very satisfactorily. We feel that we are now furnishing better transportation than most towns, and at a great saving over our previous arrangements.
After much consideration we have decided to ask the sum of $65,000.00 to maintain our public schools for 1936. We hope to be able to keep within this amount and, if possible, to turn back some money as we have done this year.
Our tuition bill from the Vocational School will be between $2,000 and $2,500. We therefore request the sum of $2,500 for vocational tuition for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD C. BUCKINGHAM
Chairman.
92
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
January 1, 1936.
To the School Committee.
I herewith submit for your consideration my fourth annual report of the Westford Schools, which covers the fiscal year 1935. This report includes those of my colleagues, and the usual statistical data.
We started this fiscal year with many burdens resulting from the segregated budget of 1934. Our present unified budget was ap- proved by the Finance Committee on condition that we should re- shingle the Sargent School roof. This we have done, and we are happy to turn back $1,322.32 to the taxpayers.
The mild weather this fall has made is possible for us to keep within our estimate of the amount needed for procuring fuel. Other- wise, we could not have done so, as the price of coal has advanced steadily since that estimate was made. We must now pay about one dollar a ton more than in 1935, and will, therefore, require a larger allowance for this purpose during the coming year.
Our enrollment in September was below normal because of an epidemic of children's diseases at that time. By October first most of those absent on account of sickness had returned to school. The following figures show the comparative enrollment of the various buildings in 1934 and 1935:
1934
1935
Academy
192
199
Frost
137
140
Cameron
217
213
Sargent
198
182
Nabnassett
62
49
Membership in the upper grades was smaller than anticipated be- cause many of our prospective pupils had taken advantage of the opportunity to work at the mills, where employment could be ob- tained. The French School in Lowell continued to attract several from the lower grades.
The following changes were made on our teaching staff:
Mr. Frederick Delaney was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Reginald Steeves.
Mr. Chester V. Sweatt was moved from the eighth grade to the Academy faculty to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Ernest V. Knapman.
93
Miss Virginia Rogers was appointed as coach for the Academy girls, and teacher of Grade VIII in place of Mr. Sweatt.
Mr. John Timon was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Evelyn Pickard.
Miss Ethel Tewksbury was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Dorothy Vincent.
Miss Lilly Mae Moran was appointed as part time music super- visor.
The book situation in our schools is deplorable. Many of our texts are out of date, and most of them are in very poor condition. This year we have made some progress in our efforts to bring about an improvement in the upper elementary grades. Lack of funds has prevented us from going further. We have put in new general science books in Grades VII and VIII, and new histories and geo- graphies in Grades VI, VII, and VIII. As we replace our old books, we are endeavoring to revamp our courses of study in each subject in accordance with the latest ideas. Some of our new purchases have not yet been given out to the pupils, since the shipments did not arrive until the Christmas vacation. We were unable to se- cure them earlier in the fall, as we were not certain just how much money would be available from our budget. We hope that next year more funds will be provided with which to continue this neces- sary replacement.
There has been an increasing demand by educational institutions and employment agencies for the intelligence quotient of pupils who register with them. This information is not available in Westford, as the testing program was dropped three years ago in order to meet the cut in our budget. This fall through the co-operation of the Boston University School of Education we have given tests in Grades V, VI, VII, and VIII. As soon as the results have been tabulated and returned to us, we are planning to have the scores recorded and attached to the permanent record cards in our files, where they may be consulted when the need arises.
Achievement tests are also being given in these grades in reading and in arithmetic processes. The results of these tests will help to guide us in locating the individual pupil's weakness in these subjects.
About three years ago we were forced to abolish the position of Music Supervisor. Since then some instruction in music has been given by the teachers, but as this arrangement proved very unsatis- factory in most cases, the School Committee decided to hire a super- visor for two days a week. Miss Lilly Mae Moran, who once at- tended the Westford schools, was engaged to fill the position. As
94
she has been in our employ only one month, she has not been asked to write a report for publication at this time. However, she seems to be making considerable progress.
The nursery schools that were started last year as part of the W. P. A. program were continued through June with an attendance of 35 pupils. Miss Priscilla Wright and Mrs. Evelyn Rossi were employed as teachers. This fall we have been unable to get these projects under way because of changes in Federal regulations and much red tape. However, we have been promised full time employ- ment of three individuals for every thirty pupils enrolled. With the survey of the town not yet completed, we are practically assured of a membership of more than seventy-five children. Instruction in these classes has thus far cost the town nothing. A small room in the Frost building was used for one group, and a suitable room at Forge Village, generously provided by the Abbot Worsted Company was used for the second. Under new restrictions issued by the government this fall, we shall be unable to use the room in the Frost school again, and it will become necessary for the Town to provide a larger one, if the first group is to be accommodated. We hope that we shall be able to obtain a suitable room in Forge Village for the second.
Our school physician, Dr. Cowles, with the assistance of the town nurse has given every child the annual physical examination. He has also examined all athletes in the Academy in order to determine their fitness to participate in school games. The doctor has given freely of his time in performing his duties. It is gratifying to know that more parents than before appreciate his careful atten- tion to each child's throat, lungs, and heart, and that they are doing more follow-up work. This is bound to improve the general health of our pupils. Since free milk and suitable clothing are offered to the needy, there is no reason for any school child's suffering. The local Red Cross unit, the Welfare Department, and other organi- zations have taken care of all needy cases reported in the past, and stand ready to give similar aid in the future.
Christmas parties were held in the various school buildings with the assistance of liberal gifts from the Abbot Worsted Company and the C. G. Sargent Sons, Incorporated. Gifts of toys and candy were distributed as usual. It is encouraging to note that much interest was shown this year by the parents, many of whom attended the exercises. It is hoped that an even larger number will attend next year.
Three roofing problems have arisen during the year. They have been taken care of as follows:
A roofer was engaged to stop several leaks at the Academy. His workmen located the places where slates were missing and broken.
95
They also found it nesessary to replace the copper valleys which had been punctured by falling slates and chafed through by loose ones. New shingles were put on the sides of the auditorium where the old ones had fallen off.
The roof of the Cameron School has been leaking for a number of years. Roofers have patched the improperly laid valleys several times, but with only temporary success. The conditions grew so bad that there were more leaks than there were pails available in which to catch the water from them. Consequently several ceilings were damaged. This situation has been remedied by installing new copper valleys. The roofers, while making the repairs, reported that the short, cheap shingles in one section had nearly outlived their usefulness, and would last only about two years more.
In accordance with our promise to the Finance Committee, the main roof of the Sargent School has be recovered. The old wooden shingles have been replaced by fire resisting ones which should last for about twenty years. While the staging was in place, it was de- cided to repair the gutters that had rotted through at several points.
The coils in the ventilating shafts at the Sargent School were re- placed by new ones made up at the C. G. Sargent Sons, Inc., of Graniteville. These coils are so designed that is should be impos- sible for water formed by condensing steam to remain in them. We also had larger return pipes installed as we felt that the old ones were too small.
The outside doors at the Frost School have been in bad condition for some time. We have made several efforts to repair them, but without any permanent results. They finally reached the point where they could not be opened or locked without a great deal of difficulty. It therefore became necessary to replace them. The new front doors are equipped with small lights of glass that permit better outside supervision. It is also now possible for a pupil to stay indoors while watching for the conveyance that is to carry him home.
During the summer months we had the driveways tarred at the Academy and at Sargent and Cameron Schools. As the cost of this undertaking was higher than we had anticipated, we were unable to complete the work at the Cameron building. There still remains considerable tarring that should be done at the Frost and Nabnas- sett Schools.
In addition to the further purchase of books, the following rec- ommendations for repairs and improvements are suggested:
1. That the tarring of our school walks and driveways be finished.
96
2. That all iron fire escapes be repainted, as they are rusting badly.
3. That the playground equipment be either repaired or taken down. If it is repaired, it will be necessary to replace the planks on nearly all of the see-saws and the wooden seats on the swings, to repair or replace some of the iron fixtures, and to paint every- thing.
4. That the roof on Nabnassett school be repaired. Its present leaky condition seems to be due to the fact that it has sunk in the center so that the water does not run off. In order to correct this, it may be necessary to remove the present roof and relay it.
5. That the windows and fire door at Nabnassett School be weatherstripped.
6. That the dilapidated shades in the Frost School be replaced by new modern shades.
7. That the return pipes in the heating systems at the Sar- gent School be replaced, as they have been standing full of water for years and are showing signs of rusting through in places. One section rusted through and burst over a year ago. If another break should occur, it might result in serious damage to the boiler if not discovered in time.
In closing my report, I wish to express my appreciation for the many hours which the Committee have given to the problems of the schools, and to thank the teachers and all others who by their co-operation with me have shown their interest in improving con- ditions for both mental and physical growth of the children of Westford.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT W. BARCLAY Superintendent of Schools.
REGISTRATION Westford Public Schools October 1, 1935
SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
P. G. Tot.
Academy
59
51
31
24
1
166
Wm. E. Frost
16
14
23
20
13
24
30
33
173
Sargent
21
19
21
19
23
26
24
29
182
Cameron
36
27
22
16
28
28
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.