USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1927-1928 > Part 7
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We are holding pupils in high school better than ever before. The percentage of failures has been reduced and the morale of the school heightened.
There is still a chance for improvement. I request that all parents insist that their children finish the 12th grade before com- pleting their school career. The parents do not know all the teach- ers and the teachers certainly do not know all the parents, there- fore complete cooperation is impossible. The ideal situation is hearty cooperation on the part of teachers, pupils and parents.
There are so many organizations and activities in Wilmington that I hesitate to suggest a High School Parent-Teachers' Asso- ciation, but I am sure that its effect would be of a salutary nature. Such an organization would be a factor for good in the life of the school, and if it should be formed I strongly urge all to enroll.
In consideration of the High School building I should like to state that for a period of fourteen years the present structure has served the needs of the community, and on the whole the condition of the building is very good. Much of the credit for the excellent condition of the building is due to the untiring efforts of Mr.
105
Charles Perry. In order that the building may be kept in its pres- ent good condition and the work of the school facilitated, I have the following requests to make:
1. New shades for the front of the building to protect the eyes of the students properly.
2. Better lavatory and cloak-room facilities.
3. A coat of paint on the walls of the study rooms.
4. A door to be cut from the corridor to the dressing-room on the left of the stage, so that there will be more room for stage presentations.
5. Thirty new student armchairs.
6. Three new typewriters with tables, to take care of the growth of the commercial department.
The rapid growth of the Junior and Senior High School popula- tion makes the question of an extension program for the building a vital one. With an enrollment of two hundred students, the build- ing is filled to its capacity. I hope that you will consider the advisability of building an addition to the present structure to accommodate the seventh to the twelfth grades inclusive. If a wing could be added to the present building, the community would have an educational unit of which it could be proud. The addition should provide for two study halls and an auditorium-gymnasium suitable for all school functions and capable of taking care of the physical education of the students. The present assembly hall could be used for two classrooms or for the commercial department, which must have added space next year, and the old so-called gym- nasium for the relocation of the lunch counter or as a locker room. The present heating plant is capable of properly heating several additional rooms. If at the end of a period of five or ten years, more space should be needed, another wing could be added. This would give the community a well-balanced structure, which would serve its educational needs in a very satisfactory manner. At the pres- ent time the enrollment of the proposed school would be approx- imately three hundred students.
The extra-curricular activities of the school are becoming more appreciated by the student body every year. These activities in- clude at present the Athletic Association, the Library Council, the Alpha, the Glee Club, the Orchestra and dramatics.
All the young ladies of the high school are now receiving proper physical instruction from our new physical director, Miss Dobbins. We hope in the near future to have a teacher who can give the same type of physical instruction to the boys and coach athletics. That the school has maintained a good record in athletics for the year 1927 is proved by the fact that our basketball, football and baseball teams won more than half of the scheduled games, and that our track men were the champions in the Lowell Suburban Relay Race. Much of the credit for our success in football should be given to my friend, Mr. James Ross, who so gladly gave his services as coach.
The Library Council, which for the past two years has served the school so well, has continued by keeping its high standard of
106
scholarship and by furnishing material aid. The Council has earned seventy dollars during the current year, with which it has been able to furnish magazines, and reference and fiction books needed by the various departments of the school. Interested citizens have contributed seventy-five volumes, which are very much appreciated by the organization.
The Alpha, our community and school paper, opens many oppor- tunities to the student body. Since the students themselves carry on all the work of the paper, the scope of the work is varied and extensive. Literary and business training are closely related in the work. This year a plan of joint editorship has been adopted and has proved successful. Students are now eager to be chosen members of the staff, a fact which speaks for itself. The Alpha has tried to serve both the school and the townspeople during the past year. Cooperation from the citizens is always appreciated.
Music, too, holds a high place among the outside activities. Our Glee Club is larger this year than ever before. The quality of the work done by this organization has made it advisable to under- take an operetta, "The Windmills of Holland," a very artistic musical presentation, which will be given in March.
The orchestra includes sixteen pieces, nine of which are in the first orchestra. This organization under the direction of Mr. Fra- zee, is making rapid progress.
Interest in dramatics is very keen at present. During the past year two three-act plays have been presented. "Be an Optimist" was the annual play of the Senior Class, and "The Time of His Life" the annual presentation of the Athletic Association. In addi- tion to these longer plays, several short plays and sketches have been given by various members of the school in assemblies.
The High School now has an excellent lunch counter, where stu- dents may buy a hot, nourishing lunch at a minimum cost. I ex- tend my thanks to Mrs. DeLoriea and Mrs. Waterman for the excellent manner in which they have conducted the project.
Miss Swain, in charge of the Eighth Grade, has the following to say: "The Eighth Grade or Sub-Freshmen have very happy rela- tionships with the High School. Each year the spirit of coopera- tion has grown. Mingling with older students has a salutary influence upon the Eighth Graders. If student armchairs could be had for classes meeting in the Assembly Hall, all arrangements would be ideal."
In order to carry on all of the activities of the school in a more efficient manner, I urge parents to bring directly to me any criti- cisms they may have, and I promise that any suggestions will be accepted in the spirit in which they are given. Many worth-while suggestions come from parents.
Respectfully submitted,
MELVIN C. KNIGHT,
Principal.
Wilmington, Mass.
107
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
To Mr. S. G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools:
As supervisor of Physical Education in Wilmington my report of progress to date is:
Posture exercises and gradings in all the schools. Introduction of field hockey for fall and spring competition and organization of teams in the High School. Folk dancing in all the grades. Dodge Ball and Schlag Ball for outdoor sports in grades IV, V, VI, VII, and Squash Ball and Long Ball in grade VIII. Grades VI, VII, VIII and the High School are having, in addition to reg- ular work tactics, dumbbell drills, high jumping and basketball.
The High School has done exceptionally well in basketball, hav- ing played four games and losing but one.
Wilmington 18 Chelmsford 0 Wilmington 20 Littleton 10
Wilmington 23 Cambridge 23
Since the first of the year basketball has been started for girls in the VI, VII, VIII grades, and for boys in the VI, VII grades. We hope to give the game a start and develop such interest and enthusiasm that when these boys and girls enter the High School we can have intramural competition, including everyone in the student body.
Just before school closed for the Christmas recess we put on a Christmas Revue, using all the children in the first four grades. This took place in the High School Hall, and admission was charged.
$49.00 was cleared, and the money put in the bank for the use of the department. A portable victrola and a number of records were purchased with part of the money. Official volleyballs were supplied the larger schools.
At the close of the spring term the Department of Physical Edu- cation will have its first big exhibition, and this will include all the school children of Wilmington, and will be held on the Common. Every grade and room will exhibit some phase of the year's work, and their alertness, posture, sense of rhythm and muscular co- ordination will be very pleasing, I am sure.
As every big or growing place has an exhibition in Physical Edu- cation at the close of the school year, we hope that this will be only the first of many successful exhibitions of improvement through better posture, keen physical alertness and more graceful carriage.
Respectfully submitted.
ELEANOR DOBBINS,
Supervisor of Physical Education.
February 10, 1928.
108
REPORT OF THE CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
The Mrs. Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Committee of the Town of Wilmington for the season 1927 and 1928 arranged for the fol- lowing course of lectures:
November 4, 1927, Mr. William F. Clap on "Creatures of the Woods, the Fields, and the Seas."
December 2, 1927, Mrs. Stella Marek Cushing on "Czecho-Slo- vakia."
January 16, 1928, Mr. Carveth Wells on "Seven Years in the Malay Jungle."
All three lectures were of superior merit. The first two were poorly attended. The attendance at the third was fairly good. The small audiences at these lectures have been called to general notice of late and it is hoped that there will be an improvement.
GERALD F. FRAZEE, Chairman, ARTHUR F. BLAKE, Treasurer, JOHN W. HATHAWAY, Secretary, MRS. WALTER E. NEILSON, ARTHUR F. GIROUX.
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TREASURER'S REPORT SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
Receipts
Jan. 1, 1927 Balance on hand.
$416.48
Nov. 18, From Frank L. Eames, Treas., Income 240.00
$656.48
Expenditures
Jan. 3, 1927
White Entertainment Bureau
$53.40
Feb. 2,
White Entertainment Bureau
150.00
Feb. 16,
John W. Hathaway, Alpha ad.
3.20
Feb. 16,
Fred A. Lowell, printing ........
2.00
Mar. 18,
White Entertainment Bureau
75.00
Mar. 18,
Grange Hall Corp., rent ..
..
30.00
Nov. 11,
Fred A. Lowell, circulars ......
2.00
Nov. 11,
Gerald F. Frazee, circ. delv ...
3.00
Nov. 11,
White Entertainment Bureau
51.12
Dec. 12,
White Entertainment Bureau
52.24
Dec. 15,
Fred A. Lowell, circulars.
2.00
423.96
Jan. 1, 1928 Balance on hand. $232.52
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Committee, A. F. BLAKE, Treasurer.
110
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT AND TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The work in the Tree Warden Department for the past year has consisted of the usual trimming, repairing and planting of trees on the roadside.
The customary spraying for gypsy and brown-tail moths has been done as usual and at this time the work of creosoting the egg masses is being done on town property and such private property where the owners do not take care of it themselves.
The financial transactions of these departments are embodied in the report of the Town Accountant, to which I refer you for any information along this line.
Respectfully submitted.
OLIVER A. McGRANE,
Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
111
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit my report as Inspector of Animals for the year 1927.
Every place where cattle were known to be kept was examined and reported on blank furnished for such purpose.
Conditions were reported as found and recommendations for better conditions made. These recommendations were received kindly by owners and carried out successfully.
The milk supply furnished for Wilmington compares favorably with that of any town. The cattle are clean and well fed and healthy. Many have been Tuberculin Tested. There are upward of 250 head of cattle kept within the town limits.
The swine interests appear to be increasing, two herds being kept within the town limits. Immunization against cholera is prac- ticed and proves to be a great saver of stock and money.
Rabies is with us as usual. Several cases have been reported from Wilmington though fortunately few people were bitten. It is to be hoped that the 90 day quarantine will do a lot of good in cleaning up the situation, which is at present quite serious. If people will familiarize themselves with the symptoms of Rabies which are printed on the back side of their dog license and keep away from strange dogs, much suffering and anxiety can be saved. I am ready and anxious to investigate any case of sus- picious nature and if notified will be glad to do so.
Respectfully submitted,
C. H. PLAYDON, M. D. V.,
Inspector of Animals.
112
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
The Department of Public Welfare herewith submit their annual report.
We have one case now being cared for at the Wakefield Town Farm. All the other cases aided have been in own homes and con- sisted in most cases of food, fuel and rent.
We have had a number of hospital cases which were sent to State Hospital for treatment.
The overdraft in this department is larger than last year due, no doubt, to many being out of work this winter. The overdraft is offset by having due from the State, Cities and Towns $2,582.43. The overdraft in Military Aid and Mothers' Aid is offset by having due from other cities $377.00.
The Wilmington Town Farm has been let to Mr. S. P. Pike and all the cleared land is being cultivated and is in good condition.
Respectfully submitted,
CARL S. PETTENGILL, Chairman. CHAS. F. PERRY, WALTER L. HALE.
113
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen : I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaughtering in the Town of Wilmington for the year 1927:
On February 7th, 8th, 9th, 17th, 24th, and March 3d and 17th: One hundred and thirty-one cattle were slaughtered and in- spected at the American Rendering Company's plant on Eames street. Eight of these were condemned.
Seven hundred and seventy-six pigs were slaughtered and in- spected at the Blue Hog Breeding Company's slaughter house. Eighty-two of these were condemned.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) ARTHUR W. SPRAGUE,
Inspector.
114
COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT
Account of 1926 Tax
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1927 Additional
$56,758.26 12.00
$56,770.26
Taxes collected
$56,162.56
Taxes abated
607.70
$56,770.26
Interest collected
$2,545.79
Account of 1927 Tax
Commitment
$117,537.82
Additional
154.11
$117,691.93
Taxes collected
$64,734.25
Taxes abated
48.80
$64,783.05
Uncollected Jan. 2, 1928
$52,908.88
Interest collected
$97.26
GEORGE W. BUCK,
Collector of Taxes.
115
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby submit the following report as Superintendent of Streets for the year 1927.
Oiling and tarring extended over Glen Road, Wildwood Street, West Street and Federal Street, in addition to what had been done in the past. All streets previously oiled have been reoiled, or re- tarred, resurfaced, graded and widened in parts.
A new cement bridge was completed on Wildwood Street, also Catch Basins and Drains put in on Middlesex Avenue.
Grading was done from Swain Road to Aldrich Road and from Forest Street to the Billerica line. Ballardvale Road, Chestnut, West and Woburn Streets have been graded in parts.
We put in a Macadam Road on Salem Street, under the super- vision of the State, this work being let out under contract during 1926, also did repair work on Salem and Lowell Streets to meet with their requirements.
Our new equipment has enabled us to complete this work to a greater advantage and as a result, we have several miles of road in good condition for oiling.
The Department earnestly recommends that this work be con- tinued in a like manner throughout the coming year.
Respectfully,
CHARLES V. BLAISDELL, Superintendent.
116
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS, 1927
Amount
Accum'd Interest
With- drawn
Bal. on Deposit
Library Funds:
Chester W. Clark
Blackstone
No. 9497
$500.00
$22.24
$522.24
Burnap
...
Andover
No. 8512
200.00
120.64
320.64
Benjamin Buck
Andover
No. 18341
500.00
105.68
605.68
Charlotte C. Smith
Mechanics
No. 4215
500.00
222.33
722.33
Sabra Carter, Common Fund.
Andover
No. 18349
200.00
136.38
$6.00
330.38
Cemetery Funds:
Isaac Cazneau
Andover
No. 18985
100.00
61.47
6.25
155.22
Susan Carlton
Andover
No. 18345
75.00
20.71
95.71
Geo. W. and Minnie A. Sidelinker
Andover
No. 22450
200.00
81.82
13.00
268.82
Sabra Carter (Jaques Lot).
Andover
No. 18347
200.00
93.00
7.25
285.75
William H. Carter
Andover
No. 24631
100.00
26.25
5.25
121.00
Dolly Harnden
Andover
No. 18342
100.00
20.73
6.25
114.48
Thomas P. Eames.
Andover
No. 18346
100.00
22.12
4.00
118.12
Sabra Carter
Andover
No. 18348
100.00
51.97
5.25
146.72
Rich Carter
Andover
No. 22451
100.00
17.84
6.25
111.59
James Frazer
Andover
No. 18343
200.00
82.49
11.00
271.49
Martha Temple
Andover
No. 18344
100.00
76.70
3.00
173.70
S. D. J. Carter.
Andover
No. 22579
200.00
112.05
5.25
306.80
Charlotte C. Smith.
Mechanics
No. 4214
50.00
6.75
2.00
54.75
Charles H. Hopkins.
Blackstone
No. 4248
200.00
62.83
6.25
256.58
Abner C. Childs
Woburn
No. 33384
100.00
31.83
5.50
126.33
Gilman C. Harnden ..
Woburn
No. 32614
100.00
14.44
6.50
107.94
Laura Parker
Woburn
No. 32615
50.00
9.73
4.00
55.73
Sarah G. Sheldon
Woburn
No. 33814
200.00
58.46
6.25
252.21
Rufus C. Eames ..
Blackstone
No. 4642
100.00
22.14
4.00
118.14
John Sheldon Sargent.
Blackstone
No. 4859
100.00
18.89
2.00
116.89
Isabelle Holt
Blackstone
No. 5169
75.00
11.36
3.00
83.36
Henry Blanchard
Blackstone
No. 5604
50.00
6.07
3.00
53.07
..
...
Nathan B. Eames. .
. Mechanics ·
No. 6899 No. 31514
100.00
20.25
3.00
117.25
. . ..... .. . Thomas Day .. . .
Andover
· 100.00
20.01
6.25
113.76
Lorenzo Meads ...
Mechanics
No. 7176
100.00
14.19
6.25
107.94
Almira J. Carley
Andover
No. 32237
100.00
15.99
115.99
George E. Swain
Blackstone
No. 7304
100.00
16.57
5.25
111.32
Josiah Monroe (Care Elbridge Carter and Walter H. Blanchard Lots)
Mechanics
No. 7559
100.00
12.27
5.00
107.27
Jacob H. Shedd
Blackstone
No. 7701
100.00
10.68
4.00
106.68
George T. Eames
Blackstone
No. 7746
200.00
35.69
6.25
229.44
Jonathan Eames, 2nd.
Andover
No. 35188
100.00
11.92
111.92
Newman Parker, Jr.
Blackstone
No. 8259
100.00
24.61
4.00
120.61
Irwin E. Morse ...
Mechanics
No. 8531
100.00
10.43
4.00
106.43
Sylvester and Lois R. Carter.
Mechanics
No. 8990
100.00
7.95
4.00
103.95
Captain George W. McIntosh.
Mechanics
No. 9662
200.00
16.19
4.00
212.19
Mary A. Gowing, Lot 410
Mechanics
No. 10283
100.00
100.00
S. Lizzie Carter, Lot 439.
Mechanics
No. 10282
100.00
100.00
$6,200.00
$1,733.67
$175.25
$7,760.42
117
S. D. J. Carter Free Lecture Fund:
Am. Tel. & Tel. Co. 4% Col. Bonds, Nos. 17546, 19667, 3986, 3991, 3992, 3993 Blackstone Savings Bank No. 1879
578.50
$6,120.00
Bond interest, 1927
240.00
Bank interest, 1927
145.38
$6,505.38
Paid Frank L. Eames, Treasurer.
240.00
$6,265.38
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CALEB S. HARRIMAN, PHILIP B. BUZZELL. EDWARD N. EAMES, Trustees.
$5,541.50
.....
118
TOWN WARRANT
To Walter A. Hill, Constable of the Town of Wilmington:
Greeting-In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws of said Town, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town qualified by law to vote in Town affairs to meet and assemble at the Town Hall on Monday the fifth day of March next at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, the polls to be opened at 9.45 A. M. and shall be closed at 8 P. M. for the election of Town Officers.
Article 1. To bring in your votes on one ballot for three Select- men, who shall also act as Board of Public Welfare and Board of Survey; one Assessor for three years; one Assessor for one year, unexpired term; Town Clerk; Treasurer; Collector of Taxes; Con- stable; three Fence Viewers; two members of School Committee for three years; two trustees of the Public Library for three years; one Trustee of Trust Funds for three years; one member of the S. D. J. Carter Lecture Committee for five years; one Water Com- missioner for three years; three members for a Planning Board; one for three years, one for two years and one for one year; Tree Warden; Moderator.
You are also hereby further required and directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants of the Town of Wilmington, who are qualified to vote on elections and Town affairs, therein to assemble subsequently, and meet in Town Meeting at the Grange Hall, Wild- wood Street, in said Town of Wilmington, on Monday, the twelfth day of March, A.D. 1928, at eight (8) o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 2. To choose all other Town officers for the ensuing year.
Article 3. To hear the reports of Committees and act thereon.
Article 4. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the following items:
General Government Cemetery Town Indebtedness
Protection of Life and Property Health and Sanitation Highways
Street Lights
Unclassified
Charities and Aid
Finance Committee
Soldiers' Benefits Interest
Reserve Fund
Education
Public Library
Water Department
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of revenue of the present financial year.
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars for Public Health Work, or do anything in relation thereto.
119
Article 7. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the observance of Memorial Day and to deter- mine how the same shall be expended.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred sixty-five ($165) dollars for the upkeep of Wilmington parks, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to contract for three (3) Norvalux lights on Main Street, one at the corner of Middlesex Avenue and Main Street, one in front of the proposed new bank and one at the corner of Forest Avenue and Main Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to place four (4) lights on the poles now there be- tween Forest Street and the Bousefield Estate, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to contract for nine (9) electric lights to be installed on Salem Street from Woburn Street easterly to the North Read- ing line, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to place one (1) street light on Shawsheen Avenue opposite Grand Street, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to grade Aldrich Road from Shawsheen Avenue to the town line or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropri- ate the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) to be used to grade and resurface Chestnut Street from the Woburn line as far as Hillside Way, and to widen the dangerous curve at the junction of Chestnut Street and Hillside Way, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) or some other amount and elect a Director, the money to be expended 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, Chap- ter 128, General Laws of Massachusetts.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to increase the salary of the Town Clerk, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to abolish the Cau- cuses and have all candidates for Town Offices run by means of nomination papers, or do anything in relation thereto.
Article 18. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to pay the land and grade damages caused by the building of the State Highway from North Woburn line to Wil- mington Square, or do anything in relation thereto.
120
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept the following amendments and additions to its Building Laws:
Amendments and Additions to the Building Laws in the Town of Wilmington
Section 2a (Amendment). The Inspector shall examine all build- ings dangerous or damaged by fire and for that purpose shall have right of entry and shall take such measures as the conditions demand. He shall keep a record of all examinations and in any case where action is to be taken he shall notify the Board of Se- lectmen and report all facts relating thereto.
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