Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1937-1938, Part 4

Author: Wilmington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1937
Publisher: Town of Wilmington
Number of Pages: 348


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1937-1938 > Part 4


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100.00


12.94


3.00


109.94


John W. Perry


Mechanics No. 10967


100.00


12.48


3.00


109.48


Mary E. Kelley


Mechanics No. 10968


100.00


9.99


3.00


106.99


Caleb S. Harriman


Mechanics No. 11642


100.00


12.13


3.00


109.13


Amount


Accumu- lated Interest


With- drawn


Balance on Deposit


John N. Eames


Mechanics No. 11643


100.00


12.55


3.00


109.55


Sarah H. Jackson


Mechanics No. 12494


100.00


14.19


5.00


109.19


Lemuel C. Eames


Mechanics No. 12493


100.00


12.99


3.00


109.99


Henry G. Gowing


Mechanics No. 12495


150.00


24.82


10.00


164.82


Susan A. Hamlin


.Mechanics No. 12820


100.00


12.75


3.00


109.75


Wm. H. McCabe


Mechanics No. 12821


100.00


12.75


3.00


109.75


Walter A. Hill


.Mechanics No. 13322


100.00


11.07


3.00


108.07


Rachel Clough


Mechanics No. 13323


100.00


11.07


3.00


108.07


Samuel Manning & Stephen Buck


Mechanics


No. 13324


100.00


11.07


3.00


108.07


Clifford H. Wilson


Mechanics No. 13325


100.00


11.07


3.00


108.07


Edward B. Manning


Mechanics No. 13360


100.00


13.11


5.00


108.11


Thomas J. Morley


Blackstone No. 11491


100.00


7.10


2.00


105.10


Sydney C. Buck


Blackstone No. 11578


100.00


6.25


2.00


104.25


John Simpson (Levi Swain Lot)


Blackstone No. 11602


150.00


10.53


2.00


158.53


Mrs. W. J. Duffy


.Blackstone No. 11601


100.00


5.97


2.00


103.97


Deacon Levi Parker


Mechanics No. 15602


100.00


5.60


105.60


Annie L. Priggen


Blackstone No. 12146


100.00


3.36


103.36


Chas. & Ella Blaisdell


Mechanics No. 17267


100.00


100.00


Geo. Gowing


.Mechanics No. 17268


100.00


100.00


$14,207.00


$2,012.49


$579.50


$15,639.99


CALEB S. HARRIMAN,


PHILIP B. BUZZELL, EDWARD N. EAMES,


Trustees of Trust Funds.


REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL


January 31, 1938.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


In accordance with the requirements of the Town By-Laws, I submit herewith my report as Town Counsel covering the year 1937.


A. On January 1, 1937 there were pending the following actions by or against the Town (exclusive of actions in which the Town was merely summoned as Trustee and in which it had no interest and of tax lien foreclosure proceedings in the Land Court) :


Hakey v. Town of Wilmington, Middlesex Superior Court. Ac- tion of tort by Mary Jane Surrette Hakey to recover damages for personal injuries alleged to have been received by reason of a defect in Middlesex Avenue; ad damnum $5000).


City of Woburn v. Town of Wilmington, Fourth District Court .of Eastern Middlesex. (Action of contract by City of Woburn to recover for aid furnished in a public welfare case in which $102.64 is claimed to be due.)


City of Woburn v. Town of Wilmington, Fourth District Court of Eastern Middlesex. (Action of contract by City of Woburn to re- cover for aid furnished in a public welfare case in which $68.84 is claimed to be due.)


City of Woburn v. Town of Wilmington, Fourth District Court of Eastern Middlesex. (Action of contract by City of Woburn to re- cover for aid furnished in a public welfare case; ad damnum $3000.)


City of Lowell v. Town of Wilmington, District Court of Lowell. (Action of contract by City of Lowell to recover $275.96 for special vocational training of certain pupils.)


City of Lowell v. Town of Wilmington, District Court of Lowell. (Action of contractby City of Lowell to recover $657.77 plus interest for aid furnished in a public welfare case.)


City of Lowell v. Town of Wilmington, District Court of Lowell. (Action of contract by City of Lowell to recover $721.90 for aid fur- nished in a public welfare case.)


Town of Wilmington v. Wyckstrom, Administrator Middlesex Probate Court. (Suit in equity seeking to collect judgment previ- ously obtained against above administrator in the Superior Court for Middlesex County.)


76


Town of Chelmsford v. Town of Wilmington, District Court of Lowell. (Action of contract by Town of Chelmsford to recover the sum of $63.84 for aid furnished in a public welfare case.)


Town of Chelmsford v. Town of Wilmington, District Court of Lowell. (Action of contract by Town of Chelmsford to recover for aid furnished in a public welfare case; ad damnum $300.)


B. During the year 1937 the following new actions were brought against the Town:


City of Boston v. Town of Wilmington, Suffolk Superior Court. (Action of contract by City of Boston to recover for aid furnished in various public welfare cases totalling $2902.16.)


Louis I. Elfman v. The Building Inspector and Members of the Board of Appeal, Supreme Judicial Court for Middlesex County. (Pe- tition by Louis I. Elfman for writ of mandamus to compel the re- spondents to revoke a building permit and to bring a bill in equity to restrain the erection of a certain building in Thompson's Grove.


Edward Carroll v. Town of Wilmington, Fourth District Court of Eastern Middlesex, Small Claims Procedure. (Action of Edward Car- roll seeking to recover the price of five wheelbarrows which he claimed to have furnished to the Town).


The Town brought no new cases during the year 1937, except sundry tax lien foreclosure proceedings in the Land Court.


C. During the year 1937 the following actions by or against the Town were settled or disposed of:


City of Boston v. Town of Wilmington. This case was disposed of by the entry of final judgment in favor of the defendant as a result of the action of the Court in sustaining a demurrer filed on behalf of the Town to the plaintiff's declaration.


Edward Carroll v. Town of Wilmington. This case was disposed of by the entry of judgment in favor of the defendant after hearing.


D. Compensation received by the Town Counsel in said matters and in all other matters during the year as follows:


Compensation $420.00 Disbursements 2.30


(The above payment was entirely on account of services rendered and disbursements paid in the calendar year 1936.)


Respectfully submitted,


PHILIP B. BUZZELL,


Town Counsel.


77


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I herewith submit my report of the Wilmington Police Department for the year 1937.


The year has passed and although no major crimes were com- mitted in this town the Department experienced the busiest year in its history as is shown in my statistical report.


Although this Department has a small personnel it can be safely said that the efficiency of the Department can compare very favor- ably with Police Departments of other towns of the size of Wilming- ton.


During the past few years the Wilmington Police Department has become more closely organized thereby promoting a higher degree of efficiency and also with the new equipment which has gradually been added from year to year it is now in position to combat crimes of all kinds.


I believe that the primary obligation of a Police Department is the protection of the lives and property of the citizens and to make the homes, streets and places of business safe for our people at all hours of the day and night by concentrating as far as humanly possible every effort toward the prevention of crime.


Our present communication system with other Departments has seen rapid transformation and at the present time I am pleased with the radio hookup with the State Police in both the cruiser and sta- tion. The present radio hookup has many merits and already has proven itself indispensable, however Law and Order Forces can never be too well equipped to combat organized crime.


I look forward to the day when the present communication sys- tem will be improved with the installation of a teletype system which will give the Department a closer contact with the Police Departments of other cities and towns. While this addition is not possible this year it will become a reality, no doubt, in the near future.


78


I believe the town in general is well taken care of by this Depart- ment with one exception and that is, Silver Lake District during the summer months. This section each year becomes more congested and I recommend that additional police protection be given to that section especially during the period herein mentioned.


A course of instruction in marksmanship extending over the past three years under the supervision of Col. Duncan Stewart of Stone- ham has proven its merits with most officers on this Department hold- ing sharpshooting ratings.


During the past year the Department has conducted a safety drive in the schools with short talks being given in the class rooms of the elementary grades.


Another feature in our school safety drive was my organization and work of a group of boys who regulate traffic at points where the school children find it necessary to cross the street.


Our Red Cross Emergency station here which was widely pub- licized as being the second of its kind to be established in New Eng- land has proven its worth with relief and first aid having been given in many cases during the past two years, the Officers of this Depart- ment being instructed in First Aid making them capable of handling ordinary emergencies.


In closing I wish to thank the Honorable Board of Selectmen, the personnel of my Department and all the various Departments in the town who have so generously cooperated with me to carry out my work as Chief of the Police Department.


Respectfully submitted,


HARRY J. AINSWORTH,


Chief of Police.


79


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I submit the following report of the work of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31st, 1937.


Number of Arrests 190


Males


179


Females


11


Residents


66


Non Residents


124


Causes of Arrests


Armed Robbery


3


Assault and Battery


17


Bastardy


1


Breaking and Entering


5


Default


2


Drunkenness


65


Evading Payment of Fare


1


Insane


1


Larceny


6


Lewd and Lascivious Cohabitation


1


Misappropriation of Automobile


1


Violation of Motor Vehicle Laws:


Driving under the Influence


7


Leaving the scene of Accident


2


Failing to Stop for Officer


5


Speeding


28


Driving so as to Endanger


5


Failing to Slow down at Intersection


12


Driving without license


4


Driving Unregistered Car


1


Driving after Revocation of Registration


1


Driving after Suspension of License


1


Driving Uninsured Car


1


Failing to Stop on Stop Sign 5


72


80


Non Payment of Fine


1


Non Payment of Wages


3


Non Support


2


Receiving Stolen Property


3


Stubborn Children 2


Suspicious Persons


2


Vagrancy


1


Sodomy


1


Disposition of Cases


Released


56


Filed


33


Discharged by Court


11


Suspended Sentence


12


House of Correction


11


To Officers of other Cities and Towns


10


To Danvers State Hospital


1


Fined


50


Fines Imposed


$585.00


Probation


6


Miscellaneous


Accidents Reported 61


Persons Injured


76


Automobile Licenses Revoked and Suspended


68


Automobile Registrations Revoked


37


Buildings Found Open


55


Dogs Disposed of


97


Dogs Returned to Owners


11


Complaints


709


Complaints Investigated


709


Drownings


2


Emergency Messages Delivered 59


Persons Bitten by Dogs


25


Persons Missing


19


Persons Found


20


Permits to Work on Lord's Day 10


81


Persons killed by Lightning 1


Number of Town Warrants Posted 8


Number of Notices Posted for Registrar of Voters 8


Number of Sickness Signs posted for Board of Health 4


Number of Officers detailed to Public Assemblages


21


Notices to Delinquent Taxpayers on Dog Licenses 76


Posting No Trepassing Signs


8


Property Found and Recovered


$7783.50


Recommendation to Registrar of Motor Vehicles for suspension of licenses 46


Transfer of Automobiles 320


Warrants and Summons Served 89


Warnings for Violation Motor Vehicle Laws 424


Ambulance; 1937


Ambulance Cases 69


Males


32


Females


37


Town Cases


56


Out of Town Cases


13


Accident Cases


4


Ambulance Fund;


Balance December 31st, 1936


$ 104.18


Interest


1.95


Cash Received


138.63


Balance


244.76


Paid Out


168.22


Balance


76.54


Respectfully submitted,


HARRY J. AINSWORTH,


Chief of Police.


82


REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my Twentieth Annual Report as Chief of the Wilmington Fire Department.


This Department has responded to the following alarms for the year ending December 31, 1937.


Building


Chimney


Grass & Brush


Auto


Truck


Oil Burner


Furnace


Over-heated


Dump


Inhalator


Animal Res .....


Wire


False


Total


January


2


1


1


1


5


February


2


3


10


15


March


4


4


12


1


2


1


24


April


1


1


17


1


20


May


3


1


17


1


1


1


24


June


1


1


2


July


2


3


1


2


3


11


August


2


8


1


1


1


1


14


September


1


2


1


1


1


6


October


2


8


1


1


2


14


November


3


9


1


13


December


2


2


2


2


1


1


10


Total


23


13


90


6


2


6


2


7 4


1


1


3


158


Valuation of Buildings Not Destroyed


$ 21,875.00


Valuation of Buildings Destroyed


5,225.00


Damage to Buildings


1,215.00


Valuation of Contents


1,070.00


Damage to Contents


525.00


Valuation of Autos


1,760.00


Damage to Autos


450.00


Feet of 21/2 inch Hose used


9,900


Feet of 11/2 inch Hose used


32,200


Oil permits issued


41


Hydrants used


22


Mileage of Trucks


Reo


386


La France


120


Ford No. 4


369


...


..


......


...


..


:


..


83


ROLL OF DEPARTMENT


Chief


Edwin L. Day


Asst. Chief Winifred W. Rice


Captain Chester T. Horton


Clerk Charles H. Black


Members


W. G. Buckle F. A. Field


N. W. Rice


J. W. Castine


J. R. Gracie


J. J. Regan


H. J. Cutter


F. J. Muse


C. D. Sumner


E. H. Downing


N. W. Perry


W. E. Townsend


R. W. Deming


H. W. Pietzsch


R. K. Wood


E. W. Eames


H. S. Quigley


J. G. Watters


NO. WILMINGTON DEPARTMENT


Captain Donald W. Foster


Members


H. H. Cutter


L. A. Durkee


E. H. Sargent


H. W. Cutter


E. W. Eaton L. M. Swain


A. S. Williams


The No. Wilmington Department have responded to the follow- ing since July 17, 1937.


Building


10


Grass & Brush


15


Inhalator


4


Respectfully submitted,


EDWIN L. DAY,


Chief Fire Department.


84


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Gentlemen:


I herewith submit my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year 1937.


Sealed Adj. Condemned


Platform scales over 5,000 1bs 2


Platform scales 100 to 500 1bs 11


1


Counter scales 100 lbs. or over 3


Counter scales under 100 1bs.


6


Spring scales 100 1bs. or over 6


Spring scales under 100 1bs. 34


10


2


Computing under 100 1bs. 17


2


Personal Weighing Scales


3


Avoirdupois


97


2


Liquid Measures


13


Oil Jars


71


Meters 1 inch inlet


38


10


Bulk and Tank Trucks Meters over


1 inch inlet


13


8


Gasoline Measuring Pumps


8


Oil Measuring Pumps


10


1


Grease Measuring Pumps


1


Quantity Measures on Pumps


55


12


Sealing fees collected and turned over to Town Treasurer $63.13


The following are reweights of commodities for immediate deliv- ery:


-Incorrect-


Tested


Correct


Under


Over


Coal in Paper Bags


41


10


31


Butter


34


18


16


Meats and Provisions


6


6


85


Bread


38


5


33


Confectionery


4


4


Beans


15


5


10


Lard


34


16


18


-


Total


172


54


None


118


Number of Licenses Inspected


7


Hawkers and Peddlers Scales


3


Junk Dealers


2


Clinical Thermometers


9


Appropriations and Expenses of Department are as follows:


Appropriation


$380.00


Total Expenses


358.00


Unexpended Balance


$ 22.00


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN F. MUSE,


Sealer of Weights and Measures.


86


.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS


Wilmington, Jan. 24, 1938.


Honorable Board of Selectmen:


I herewith submit my report as Building Inspector for the year ending Dec. 31, 1937.


The number of permits granted was: 31 new buildings at estimated value of $26,365.


30 alterations at estimated value of $5,710.


The development at West and Woburn street started in 1936 has been continued through the past year, five new houses of $2800-$3200 value each, having been constructed.


Six applications to build were refused pending hearings before the Board of Appeals and after such hearings four were ordered grant- ed the others being refused.


On Nov. 9, 1937 a permit was granted Mrs. Florence Thompson to repair and reconstruct a refreshment stand at Thompson's Grove and Mr. Louis I. Elfman has brought suit claiming violation of Zoning Laws. This suit is still pending.


I wish at this time to thank the Police Department for the co- operation given me during the past year.


The fees amounting to $46.00 were collected and turned over to Town Treasurer.


Respectfully submitted,


CHESTER T. HORTON,


Inspector of Buildings.


87


REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY


The librarian has attached a report in detail showing the ac- tivities of the library during the past year. Books have been purchas- ed during the past year with the funds available. While the trustees would be glad to purchase books on various subjects, the funds are limited and we endeavor to purchase the type of reading for which there is the greatest demand.


Respectfully submitted,


EDWARD N. EAMES, Chairman CHARLOTTE HATHAWAY HELEN BUCK PHILLIP BUZZELL L. T. McMAHON PETER NEILSON


Trustees of the Public Library.


88


REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN


To the Honorable Board of Trustees:


I herewith submit my annual report as Librarian:


Public documents, books, pamphlets, catalogues, leaflets, bulle- tins and posters received, 240. Bulletins and leaflets for posting and distribution have been received from the State Department of Edu- cation.


The following books have been presented:


Year Book of Agriculture 1937 by Mrs. Edith Nourse Rogers; High Water Data, Flood of March 1936 in Mass. by E. C. Houdlette, Director of Mass. Geodetic Survey W. P. A. for Mass .; Horace Mann Centennial 1837-1937 and Selective and Antical Bibliography of Hor- ace Mann by James G. Reardon, Commissioner of Education, Com- monwealth of Mass .; Alexander Legge 1866-1933 by Alexander Legge Memorial Committee; From Wheat to Flour by Wheat Flour Insti- tute; Blue Eagle from Egg to Earth by Doubleday, Doran & Co .; Life Insurance by Mass. Savings Bank Insurance League; Story of Rayon by American Viscose Corp. and Bertram and his Funny Ani- mals by Rand McNally & Co.


Number of new books purchased 170 volumes Number of books purchased to replace. 13 volumes


Two books have not been returned by borrowers, (but have been paid for). Sixty-six have worn out and been discarded, eight not re- turned on account of contagious disease and two objectionable books taken from Library.


Some books previously discarded and thirty-two discarded this year have been given to Andover Camp, North Reading.


Number of books in library 7481 volumes


Number of persons taking out books during the year 911


Number of books taken out during the year 11,206


Number of magazines taken out during the year. 567


Number of other reading table literature circulated. 16


Four books have been borrowed for people from Division of Pub- lic Libraries at the State House.


89


The reading table has been supplied from the Town appropriation with a good assortment of twenty-one magazines; friends have con- tributed the following: Our Dumb Animals, New England Poultryman, Bell Telephone Quarterly, Specialty Salesman, Recruiting News, Travelers' Standard, Selected Motion Pictures, Motion Pictures and the Family, Mass. Health Journal and some copies of Consumers' Di- gest, Esso Road News, International Student of the World Problem of Alcoholism, Tax Talk, National News of the American Legion Auxiliary and Wilmington News. The Christian Science people have given the Wednesday Christian Science Monitor with Weekly Maga- zine Section and Christian Science Journal, and the Wilmington Grange gave the National Grange Monthly for a year beginning with the February number.


A cement walk has been laid at the Library entrance which is a great improvement.


Receipts


Fines on Library books $76.27


Twenty-six old books sold 2.60


Two books not returned by borrowers & one book damaged. 2.39


Passed in to Town Treasurer $81.26


Respectfully submitted,


ANNA T. SHELDON,


Librarian.


90


REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:


Wilmington, Mass.


We respectfully submit to you the following report of the Me- morial Day Committee.


The Memorial Day Committee was comprised of the Veterans Council with Mr. Caleb S. Harriman as their Chairman.


At 9 A. M. the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion proceeded to Nee Park and Regan Park with Chaplains, Buglers, and Firing Squads where Memorial Services were held in memory of these Veterans.


At 9.45 A. M. the parade formed on Church street, opposite the Masonic Hall, the Roster of the parade was as follows.


Detail of Police, Selectmen, President of Veterans Council Colors and Guards, (Massed Colors), Automobiles with G. A. R., Disabled Vet- erans and Gold Star Mothers, Band, Spanish War Veterans, Officer of the Day Henry Meade of Middlesex County V. F. W., Nee Ellsworth Post 2458 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Joseph Woods, commander District No. 5 Middlesex County A. L., Wilmington Post No. 136, The American Legion, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 136, Nee Ellsworth Post 2458 Auxiliary, Susan T. Esler State Vice President of the Department of Mass., Auxiliary, Wilmington Post 136 American Legion Auxiliary, Boy Scouts, other Patriotic Organizations, Flower Girls who were Daughters of Veterans and Automobiles.


The parade stopped at Mill Brook, Rogers Park, Soldiers Monu- ment, and Soldiers Lot.


Addresses were made by the following, at Mill Brook: Rev. A. A. Simmons, at Soldiers Monument, Rev. Benjamin Seaboyer at Soldiers Lot, Comm. Clarence Doucette V. F. W., and Rev. Fr. James McGoohan.


At 12 o'clock Noon Dinner was served to the Veterans and Guests, catered by Huntleys Catering Service.


The Committee wish to thank the Wilmington Grange for giving their Hall to us for this occasion.


Respectfully submitted,


CALEB S. HARRIMAN, President


JAMES W. CASTINE, sec. Treas. JOSEPH T. KELLEY


LEROY BEDELL FRANK POITRAST


WALTER FITCH HERBERT HIGGINBOTHAM


Wilmington Veterans Council.


91


Expenses of Memorial Day Committee


Amount approved at Annual Town Meeting


$ 400.00


Printing and Postage


$


18.15


Music


100.00


Dinners


150,00


Flags


7.50


Transportation


10.00


Flowers


54.75


$ 340.40


340.40


Balance


........ ..


$ 59.60


JAMES W. CASTINE, Sec., Treas.


92


REPORT OF AGENT OF BOARD OF HEALTH


During the year ending December 31, 1937, the following diseases dangerous to the health of the community were reported to the Board of Health.


Chicken-pox


10


Dog-bite


12


German Measles


3


Measles


24


Mumps


2


Scarlet fever


3


Pulmonary tuberculosis


6


Whooping-cough


7


Lobar pneumonia


2


Typhoid fever


1


Gonorrhea


4


Syphilis


10


Attention is called to the case of typhoid fever reported. This case came from a section of the town where the water supply of the vicinity is from wells that are not all well placed in regard to surface and sewage drainage. The nature of the soil and the contour of the land makes the possibility of pollution very high. In spite of the com- bined efforts of the local and State health officials, it was impossible to get all of the contacts to submit to immunization but the majority of the known contacts were given treatment. Because of the conditions as stated, the early Spring rains may give us other cases in this vicinity.


Respectfully,


E. C. MacDOUGALL, M. D. Agent of the Board of Health of Wilmington.


93


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Together with the Report of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS For the Year Ending December 31st 1937


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


The School Committee of Wilmington can report that the year 1937 was unusually satisfactory from an educational point of view. A real spirit of cooperation among the teachers and employees and to a great extent, among the scholars, has shown itself in the progress and im- provement in the achievements of the scholars, not only in the class room, but on the athletic field.


We should all be very grateful to the staff of the schools for this result, and especially so in view of the fact of the low salary standard to which we are held by the inadequate financial provision made by the town at the annual meeting last March. This curtailment of income must not continue.


Repairs which should have been made long ago cannot be post- poned longer. During the past year we have been able, with the help of outside resources, to install new sanitary equipment in the old Center School house. Federal aid towards school house improvements and repairs can no longer be extended and the town must assume the expense of keeping its school property in suitable shape, otherwise the buildings and equipment will deteriorate and in the long run the town will suffer a loss.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN W. HATHAWAY, Chairman, VILMA B. BEDELL,


OLIVIA H. NORCROSS, HARRY W. DeLOREIA, PETER NEILSON, BURT E. TILLEY,


Wilmington School Committee.


96


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


To the School Committee of Wilmington:


Ladies and Gentlemen:


I herewith present for consideration my fourteenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.


My report could well take the same form as that of last year. In fact, that report, with changes in the amounts given to even smaller figures, is just what ought to be repeated this year. The whole story of the year's endeavors hinges on inadequate financial support. Par- ents criticize the superintendent and the School Committee for not providing conditions which they, the parents, desire. They do not place the blame on the forces which give us a school appropriation which is the lowest in the state, to the best of my belief. The school administration cannot provide $98.00 schools for $55.00. It just can't be done. That is exactly the problem we have faced during this year. While the State average cost per pupil was about $98.00, the local ex- pense for the same item was $55.00, or less. When reimbursements from the State are subtracted from the total expenditure, the actual net cost to the town is about $50,000.00, or just over $40.00 per pupil. This is what it costs a family of three to attend the movies once each week in the year at the rate of twenty-five cents for each person. It is less than it costs to register an automobile.




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