USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1957 > Part 2
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An accurate report of the circulation of books and maga- zines for this past year cannot be given, but the library has been well used and the circulation has been as good as other years.
MARION MASCHO
Librarian
34
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Westhampton:
The Westhampton School Committee holds regular meet- ings on the third Thursday of each month except July and August.
The functions of the School Committee are:
(a) To serve as a planning and policy-making body.
(b) To review proposals and criticisms.
(c) To continually evaluate schools in terms of community needs.
The School Committee employs a Superintendent of Schools, whose function is to execute the formulated policies and interpret these policies to the town of Westhampton.
In the spring of 1957, the Easthampton School Planning Committee invited the School Committees of Southampton and Westhampton to meet with them and discuss the possi- bilities of a Regional High School for the three towns.
Your committee attended several meetings and in June the three towns held special Town Meetings and according to State Law, voted to have the moderator appoint three people, one of whom must be a member of the school committee. This committee of three and like committees from the other two towns (total of nine), to be known as the Regional School Planning Board.
In September the board started to work out an agreement. They met every week until the week before Christmas. During this time they went to Boston once to consult with the Massa- chusetts School Building Assistance Commission and also carried on much correspondence with said Commission.
35
An agreement was reached that was satisfactory to the entire board. This agreement has been approved by the Massa- chusetts Department of Education, the Massachusetts Emer- gency Finance Board and the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission.
By the time you read this report you will have received a copy of the brochure explaining about the proposed Regional School District.
Those representing Westhampton on the Regional School Planning Board are Mrs. Ruth Hover, Willis Fuller, and Frank Hathaway.
The following reports of our superintendent, Mr. J. Walter Richard; our principal, Mr. Richard M. Towse; art super- visor, Mrs. Marion Button; nurse, Mrs. Eunice Cernak, cover in detail the activities at the Center School.
These reports have been read and approved by the School Committee and are respectfully submitted to the Town of Westhampton.
FRANK E. HATHAWAY, Chm. MRS. WILLIAM B. MILLER, Sec. HAROLD B. WOOD School Committee
36
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools, Union #52, is herewith submitted. It is the fifth report since the five-town school union was formed.
The Westhampton School Committee reorganized at the regular monthly meeting held in March. Mr. Frank Hathaway was elected to serve as Chairman, Mrs. William Miller as Secretary and Mr. Harold Wood is the third member of the School Committee.
I am happy to report that several repairs and installations have been made at the Center School during this past year.
1. New covering was placed on part of the roof.
2. A concrete wall was installed at the rear of the build- ing.
3. The fire door was repaired and the fire door wall was pointed up.
4. A new metal fence was installed along the front of the school. This is a great improvement as it elimi- nates the danger of children running out of the school yard to retrieve play balls.
The Westhampton School Committee, together with the Superintendent of Schools and other School Committees in the area, attended a weekly seminar at Smith College in the Spring of 1957. The purpose of the seminar was to orient school com- mittee members in their duties and powers.
At the annual meeting of Union #52 held at Smith's School in Northampton, I was elected as Superintendent of Schools for three years. Mr. N. Deming Hoyt was elected as Adjustment Counsellor for the towns of Williamsburg, Westhampton, and Worthington. Mrs. Robert O'Neill was elected as Secretary for Union #52. We are most grateful to Mr. Lauri Ronka, Director, for giving us the opportunity
37
to meet at Smith's School where we were taken on a tour of the entire plant. The educational and vocational opportuni- ties provided to youngsters who wish to further their education were explained. At this meeting, Mr. Kenneth Sherk of Wil- liamsburg was elected Union Chairman and Mrs. Robert Lucey was elected secretary.
Mrs. Esther Norris of Westhampton resigned as Music Supervisor for the Center School at the end of the school year. We are most grateful to Mrs. Norris for the many years of service in the Westhampton School. Mrs. Elizabeth Torrey of Worthington is our new music supervisor. She comes to us very well qualified, having served in the same capacity in both Chesterfield and Worthington.
There were no changes made in our regular teaching staff. The organization is as follows:
Principal-Mr. Richard Towse Grades 5 & 6 Mrs. Patricia Norris Grades 3 & 4 Miss Rachel Bridgman Grades 1 & 2 Supervisors in specialized fields are as follows:
Mrs. Marion Button Art Supervisor
Mrs. Elizabeth Torrey Music Supervisor Rinehart Supervisor Penmanship
Enrollment figures were taken at the beginning of the school year. On October 1, 1957, Westhampton had 63 ele- mentary pupils and 36 Junior-Senior High School pupils.
ENROLLMENT
Center School grade 1- 9 Williamsburg
grade 2-10 Junior High School 13
grade 3-12
Williamsburg
grade 4-11 Senior High School 5
grade 5-12 Northampton High School 13 Smith's School 5
grade 6- 9 -
63
36
38
The Westhampton School Committee voted in May to allow Westhampton pupils to attend Williamsburg High School if they so desired.
Of importance to all citizens is the new state minimum law, effective September 1957, raising teachers' minimum salary from $3,000 to $3,300. There is no doubt that, if we wish to staff our school with professionally prepared teachers, we must recognize that these people should be adequately paid. So few of our college graduates are entering the teaching profession that it would indicate there may be financial reasons why our young people are turning to better paying positions.
Again this year, a day was set aside for teachers to meet and study some area of the curriculum. Teachers indicated through a survey that Arithmetic was the subject they wished . to re-evaluate. The Mass. Department of Education has been most helpful in making this day possible. Miss Margaret Shea, Elementary State Supervisor, again this year furnished us with outstanding consultants who met with groups of teachers and discussed all areas of arithmetic learning in ele- mentary schools. These one-day-workshops, we feel, do much to stimulate and redirect the thinking on the part of teachers, which in turn should result in richer learning experiences for children.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the School Committee, teachers, Mr. Stanley Bartlett, members of the P. T. A. and other citizens of Westhampton for their loyal support during the past year.
J. WALTER RICHARD
Superintendent of Schools
39
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT - 1957
Since my last report to the Town, some changes have occurred at the Center School. In June, seven youngsters were promoted to junior high in Williamsburg. On September 4th, nine first graders began their formal education with us. Mrs. George Torrey is. the new music supervisor and has brought with her a program of instruction in the fundamentals of reading and singing music. The social studies program has been improved with the purchase of the Tiegs-Adams series of textbooks from Ginn & Co. We now have a uniform, modern set of texts on which to base our curriculum. New and up-to- date readers in the Scott-Foresman series were put into use this year also.
During October the teachers attended a curriculum work- shop which revealed to us more modern and meaningful tech- niques in the teaching of arithmetic. We applaud the oppor- tunity given us to improve our professional abilities through these workshops. Physical changes this year are on the positive side. The drainage system was revamped during the summer and new shades adorn the windows of the principal's room. In December, the budget allowed for the construction of a cyclone fence along the road side of the playground providing much needed protection for the children.
Religious training, Bookmobile service, 4-H Clubs, and field trips are some of the old features of our program we have retained. The three regular teachers returned in September. The value of retaining the same faculty is great. Sixty children participated in the school savings program and banked a total of $454.02 during the year. Forty-eight children are in- sured under the school accident insurance program this year.
A notable feature of the school year was the excellent talk Mrs. Patricia Norris, teacher of grade three, gave to the P. T. A. on children's literature.
40
Probably the finest program of its kind in town for many years was the operetta "Hansel and Gretel" which was pre- sented on graduation night last June. Marion Button, our Art Supervisor, did a professional job on the scenery which drew applause from the audience. The director, Mrs. Esther Norris, said "Good Bye" to our school after "Hansel and Gretel", terminating many years of outstanding service to the town of Westhampton.
I wish to express my thanks to those who made it possible for me to attend the Principals' Conference last spring in Amherst.
The children of Westhampton proved hale and hearty as the Asian Flu epidemic of last fall didn't pack enough punch to close our school as it did in most of the surrounding communities.
Dr. N. Deming Hoyt, Adjustment Counsellor; Dr. Keith Wilbur, School Physician; Mrs. Eunice Cernak, R. N., School Nurse; Marion Button, Art Supervisor; Mrs. George Torrey, Music Supervisor; Dr. Abel Ross, School Dentist; and Stanley Bartlett, Custodian; round out the able staff that attempts to fulfill the educational needs of Westhampton youth.
Challenging changes in the world have brought a new emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of our educational system. To be so smug as to believe we need not face this challenge would be folly. Here at the elementary level, we must build the foundations necessary to forge a stronger American system of government, morals, and technical skill. Status quo is inadequate. The assistance and support of every citizen is needed to help us take our place in the battle of educational systems. To the United States of America, to the Town of Westhampton, and to the children in our care, we, your school staff, are dedicated.
Respectfully submitted, RICHARD M. TOWSE
41
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Dr. C. Keith Wilbur did the yearly physical examinations in September.
The Puretone audiometer was used to test all the children in October. The Massachusetts vision test was used for visual defects in November. In the majority of the children that failed, the parents took prompt corrective measures.
Dr. Abel Ross examined for dental defects in October. This year also, many children had large amounts of dental work done.
In October all children were weighed and measured and asked to use good hygiene and general cleanliness to help during outbreaks of the flu.
In November many children were absent with the flu, but not enough at any one time to necessitate the closing of school.
The Town Hall facilities were used again this year for the physical, eye and ear examinations.
I wish to thank the teachers for their cooperation in all health matters and also Mr. Stanley Bartlett for the cleanli- ness of the school building.
Respectfully submitted,
EUNICE H. CERNAK, R. N. School Nurse
42
REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
The Westhampton Center School Art classes are held every other week. One hour is given to each classroom.
The first and second grades have been working with crayon and basic techniques of water colors. The third and fourth grades have done very well in using many different media. This fall each grade has been given instruction in drawing in more than one dimension and this has made a great improvement in their classroom paintings and drawings.
Some of the construction and painting on the scenery for "Hansel and Gretel" was done by the older classes. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience the details and painting involved in making stage sets.
I want to thank those responsible for the supplies which make the Art program possible.
MARION S. BUTTON
Art Supervisor
43
REPORT OF STATE AIDED VOCATIONAL TRAINING
The Town of Westhampton voted the sum of $200.00 for Vocational Training at the 1956 Town Meeting. This money was not used and reverted to the Town Treasury on Decem- ber 31, 1957.
A class in Cake Decorating began on March 15, 1957. The course was conducted by Mrs. Hughes of Amherst. Seven- teen pupils enrolled and only fifteen could be instructed under the State Law which limits the classes.
The expenses of this course was taken from the George Barden Fund of $200.00 which is a federal grant. The State has reimbursed us $41.50-leaving $158.50 in the Barden Fund.
There are no classes planned in the Practical Arts in the immediate future.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRIETTE P. MILLER Secretary School Committee
44
FINANCIAL STATEMENT EXPENDITURE
Appropriation
$38,500.00 36,279.74
Expended in 1957
Balance
$2,220.26
Administration
J. Walter Richard, Salary
$831.12
J. Walter Richard, Travel
75.00
Ruth S. Hover, Census
15.00
Jeannette M. O'Neill, Secretary
248.04
School Committee Expenses
12.00
$1,181.16
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries :
Richard Towse
$3,620.00
Rachel Bridgman
3,166.72
Patricia Norris
3,100.00
Esther Norris, Music
60.00
Marion Button, Art
200.00
Elizabeth Torrey, Music
110.00
Rinehart Handwriting System
200.00
Marion Mascho, Sub.
56.00
Helen Tilley, Special
135.60
N. Deming Hoyt, Salary
933.36
N. Deming Hoyt, Travel
150.00
Books
422.03
Supplies
11,791.68
277.33
45
Maintenance
Janitor's Salary
$975.00
Fuel
442.50
Operating Expenses
480.53
Repairs and Replacements
1,810.68
3,708.71
General
Health:
Eunice Cernak, R. N.
$200.00
Dr. Keith Wilbur
200.00
Dr. Abel Ross
20.00
420.00
Transportation :
Elementary-W. Witherell
$3,921.22
High and Vocational-W. Witherell
2,718.00
Junior High-Hampshire Trans.
3,000.00
9,639.22
Tuition :
Springfield Public Schools
Adult Education $14.25
High School
Town of Williamsburg
3,202.38
City of Northampton
4,379.84
Vocational
Smith's School
1,120.74
8,717.21
Contingent Outlay 122.40
Total Expenses for Schools for 1957 $36,279.74
46
RECEIPTS
Funds Received in 1957 Toward School Expenses:
Mass. School Fund, Chap. 70 $6,886.01 Mass. School Fund, Chap. 71 Transportation
9,100.50
Superintendent's Salary
466.66
Vocational Tuition
136.25
Vocational Transportation
58.83
Adult Practical Arts
41.50
Youth Service Board
900.00
17,589.75
NET COST OF MAINTAINING SCHOOLS FOR 1957
$18,689.99
SCHOOL CENSUS - OCTOBER 1, 1957
16 Yrs.
5 - 7 yrs.
7 - 16 yrs.
or over
Boys
11
52
3
Girls
9
45
3
Total
20
97
6
WESTHAMPTON SCHOOL DEPT. BUDGET
Budget 1957 $1,000.00
Spent 1957
Budget 1958
Administration
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries
13,000.00
11,791.68
12,500.00
Books
300.00
422.03
300.00
Classroom Supplies
300.00
277.33
300.00
$1,181.16
$1.337.50
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Maintenance
Janitor's Salary
1,100.00
975.00
1,000.00
Fuel
700.00
442.50
500.00
Operating Expense
400.00
480.53
400.00
Repairs
2,000.00
1,810.68
1,200.00
General
Health
350.00
420.00
350.00
Trans .- High and Voc.
5,700.00
5,718.00
5,700.00
Trans .- Elem.
4.200.00
3,921.22
4,000.00
Tuition-High and
Jr. High, Vocational 11,000.00
8,717.21
13,888.00
Outlay
250.00
122.40
150.00
Contingent
500.00
100.00
$40,800.00 $36,279.74 $41,725.50
Budget Voted by Town $38,500.00
48
REPORT OF THE WELL CHILD CONFERENCE
The Well Child Conference was held in the Westhampton Town Hall on June 5, 1957.
The Staff included:
Dr. C. Keith Wilbur
Physician
Dr. Abel Ross Dentist
Mrs. Irene Delisle Registrar
Mrs. Ruth Hover Nurse
There were 22 children examined of which 8 were new cases. Dr. Wilbur wished to conduct this conference mornings which eliminated the need for the Mothers Club to plan luncheon.
Dr. Abel Ross examined 17 children and 6 were found to have caries with 11 in good condition.
Vaccinated 3.
DIPHTHERIA AND POLIO CLINICS
Diphtheria P. T. Vaccine 10
Polio-May 1, 1957 14
Polio-May, 1957
Dr. Wilbur's Office 21
Polio-June 5, 1957 6
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH S. HOVER
49
REPORT OF THE CENTER CEMETERY
1957 marked the thirteenth year I have served as care- taker of the cemetery.
Throughout those years there has been considerable grounds improvement work especially in making it easier to take care of the cemetery. Most of this grading work was done by tedious wheelbarrow and shovel hand labor. Heavy labor saving machinery is out of the question because of possible damage to monument or the collapsing of graves. Seeding of newly graded work is a serious problem as natural rainfall is so undependable when young grass needs daily attention. Many thousands of square feet of grass sod were cut, lifted, and reset to keep the cemetery always looking its best while grading work was being done. More improvement work is scheduled just as soon as spring arrives.
During October and November the new addition to the cemetery was given considerable attention. The brush was all cut off and burned. The fence bordering the new addition was taken down. Most of the boarding was saved and stored in the cemetery equipment shed. Very few of the locust posts were worth saving. A bulldozer was brought in and pushed all of the stumps out of the way and leveled off the land. The new addition is 200 feet by 350 feet or approximately one and two-thirds acres.
The routine maintenance work was performed as usual, such as raking, mowing, fence and road repair.
There were five burials this year.
STANLEY BARTLETT
Caretaker
50
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
This is my second year as head of the Fire Department.
The past year has shown a great improvement in our fire fighting equipment and at the same time proved our fears of antiquated apparatus breakdown. Early last spring a truck suitable to carry our 1,500 gallon water tank was located in Greenfield. Members of the Fire Department mounted the tank on the chassis and painted the entire tank and truck. The tanker is equipped with a portable pump and several lengths of hose. It has served us well on two occasions last summer. Our original piece of fire appartus failed us when it was needed the most at a house and barn fire last summer. The pump was being operated continuously for three hours when it froze up and stalled the engine. The pumper was out of service for ten weeks during the severe drought while waiting for replacement parts to be made. A long period of inadequate fire protection must be expected in the future should a breakdown occur again.
Twice in 1957, the Governor closed the woodlands of the Commonwealth to reduce forest fire conflagrations such as occurred at Miles Standish State Forest. During such decla- ration of emergency all organized Fire Departments were placed under control of the State Civil Defense Agency and may be called to give assistance to any town in the State. No outdoor fires of any kind may be started during such Governor declared emergencies except by permission from the local fire chief only. No fires were reported in town during these emergencies thanks to the splendid cooperation of the townspeople.
Members of the Fire Department answered the following calls for assistance:
2 Soot Clogged Chimneys
5 Brush and Grass Fires
1 House and Barn
51
Permits Issued :
82 Outdoor Fire Permits
4 Power Burner and Oil Storage Permits
1 Space Heater and Oil Storage Permit
3 Liquid Petroleum (Gas) Storage Permits
Parts and Equipment Purchased:
1 Cab and Chassis Truck
1 Pair Asbestos Gloves
1 Stainless Steel Indian Tank
6 Long Handle Shovels Forest Fire Rakes Pumper Repair Parts
1 Portable Pump and Hose Adaptors
1 Tank Truck Tire
6 Carpenter's Adz Grass Fire Brooms
Tire Chains
Fire Extinguisher Recharges
New members joining the Fire Department :
Alfred Blakesley Harold Lacombe Robert White
The firemen held an open house at the fire station and club room to acquaint the townspeople with the many hours of hard work volunteered by their fellowmen in providing fire protection to the town. All equipment was on display and an elaborate exhibit and demonstration was planned. Disappoint- ment over the few townspeople responding cancelled the pro- gram.
Again I wish to emphasize giving serious consideration to replacing the 21 year old pumper. Your present fire insurance rating may at any moment be cancelled because of antiquated equipment.
52
Since waterhole appropriation fund is inadequate for new construction such fund is used to maintain present water- holes and their approaches. I recommend to groups of property owners where water supply for fire purpose is lacking to combine their efforts and build waterholes. Excavating ma- chinery is right here in town or near by for the asking.
I wish to thank everyone for their heroic effort at the Aloisi fire. Physical discomfort was rejected and no expense was too great. I wish to thank the Hampshire Sand & Gravel Co. for donating the use of their equipment to clean out and enlarge the waterhole near Mrs. Minnie Loud's house. Also thanks to Oliver Bishop for his many hours of welding and painting the tank truck. To Morris Frary for recondi- tioning the tank truck, reupholstering the pickup truck seat and his many other contributions. To Phillip Clapp and Henry Parsons for lumber contributions. To all of those who helped work on the tank truck and pumper repair and es- pecially to Frank Munson, Earl Gett, Harland Lemery, Harold Lacombe, Richard Warren, and James Hickey many thanks.
In 1957, your Fire Chief attended several meetings in Amherst with Civil Defense authorities regarding assistance to areas hit by natural disasters or enemy action. He attended the Rural Fire Department Conference in conjunction with the Agricultural Union Meetings in Worcester. Also visited the Civil Defense warehouse in Taunton to purchase surplus material for the Fire and Highway Departments.
STANLEY BARTLETT
Fire Chief and Forest Warden
53
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Building Permits Issued in 1957:
Frank Miller
Picnic Shelter
Fred Bongiovanni
House and Barn
Fred Lavalley
Barn
Otis Blethen
Summer Camp
Arthur Delisle
House
Leo Aloisi Milk Room and House
Roscoe Hurd, Jr.
House
Sidney Cole
Poultry House
W. F. Sheckler
Barn and House
Oliver Bishop
Barn
Arthur Delisle
Barn and House
Ralph Bridgman
Skating Shelter
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD LACOMB
Building Inspector
54
ARTICLES OF THE TOWN WARRANT
TOWN MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 3, 1958 Ten A. M. - Prompt
Article 1. To hear and act on all reports presented at said meeting.
Article 2. To elect by ballot necessary officers to serve the ensuing year.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to leave the care of the highways in charge of the Selectmen.
Article 4. To vote in compliance with Section 108, Chapter 41, General Laws, which requires that salaries of elected officers be fixed by vote of the Town.
55
Article 5. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town charges the ensuing year.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1958, 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 less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 and Chapter 90 Highways, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $1,000.00 to cover the 1958 note on the Town Hall and $140.00 for the interest on the same.
56
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote one week vaca- tion with pay (forty-eight hours) to permanent employees.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $100.00 for Insect Pest Control.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $180.00 for Dutch Elm Disease.
Other articles may appear in posted warrant.
57
INDEX
PAGE
Assessors, Report of the Board of 31
Budget Recommendations for 1958 28
Center Cemetery, Report of the 50
Fire Department, Report of the 51
Inspector of Buildings, Report of the 54
.......
Jurors Drawn in 1957 30
Jury Box, Names in the
30
Librarian's Report-1957
34
Recapitulation 27
Selectmen, Report of the Board of
11
School Department:
School Committee, Report of the 35
Superintendent of Schools, Report of the 37
Principal's Report-1957 40
School Nurse, Report of the
42
Art Supervisor, Report of the 43
State Aided Vocational Training, Report of
44
School Financial Statement
45
School Department Budget 47
Town Clerk, Report of the 3
Town Treasurer, Report of the 6
Trust Funds 9
Warrant, Articles of the Town 55
Well Child Clinic, Report of the 49
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