USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1939-1940 > Part 6
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722.26
From Tax Title Possessions
54.36
$47,185.82
Cr.
Redeemed Tax Titles
$6,660.06
Sale by Treasurer
952.00
Loss, account sale by Treasurer
1,700.51
To Tax Title Possessions-foreclosures
5,733.44
Balance to 1940
32,139.81
$47,185.82
Tax Titles-Revenue Account
Dr.
Redeemed Tax Titles
$6,660.06
Sale by Treasurer
952.00
Tax Title Possessions
5,733.44
Loss, account sale by Treasurer
1,700.51
Balance to 1940
32,139.81
....
$47,185.82
111
Cr.
Balance from 1938
$36,394.07
54.36
Tax Title Possessions Costs, 1939 Sale From Excess and Deficiency Account
722.26
10,015.13
$47,185.82
Tax Title Redemptions-Reserved
Dr.
Paid Commonwealth
$8,290.86
Balance to 1940
1,903.40
$10,194.26
Cr.
$18.05
Redemptions reserved
6,660.06
Tax Possessions sold (including low value land)
3,516.15
$10,194.26
Tax Title Possessions
Dr.
$3,624.74
Foreclosures by Treasurer
5,733.44
Cr.
Sale of properties
$2,564.15
Transferred to Water Department (Walfair property)
790.92
Tax Title Account
54.36
Loss in sales
2,821.03
Balance to 1940
3,127.72
$9,358.18
Tax Title Possessions-Revenue
Dr.
Sale of Properties
$2,564.15
Transferred to Water
Department.
790.92
Tax Title Account
54.36
Balance from 1938
Balance from 1938
$9,358.18
112
Loss in sales
2,821.03
Balance to 1940
3,127.72
$9,358.18
Cr.
Balance from 1938
$3,624.74
Foreclosures
5,733.44
$9,358.18
Abatement 1936 Taxes
Dr.
Balance from 1938
$661.58
Abated in 1939
95.78
$757.36
Cr.
Levied by Assessors
$661.58
Balance to 1940
95.78
$757.36
Abatement 1937 Taxes
Dr.
Refunded in 1939
$42.21
Abated in 1939
1,644.14
$1,686.35
Cr.
Balance from 1938
$1,002.41
Balance to 1940
683.94
$1,686.35
Abatement 1938 Taxes
Dr.
Refunded in 1939
$70.85
Abated in 1939
477.11
Balance to 1940
683.21
$1,231.17
Cr.
Balance from 1938
.....
$1,231.17
113
Abatement 1939 Taxes
Dr.
Refunded in 1939
$103.50
Abated in 1939
824.79
Balance to 1940
905.67
$1,833.96
Cr.
Overlay
$1,833.96
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS
Dr.
Estimated Amounts :
Income Tax
$23,845.95
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes
7,500.00
Licenses
4,500.00
Fines
25.00
Protection of Persons and Property
100.00
Health and Sanitation
800.00
Highways
150.00
Charities
3,600.00
Old Age Assistance
10,600.00
Soldiers' Benefits
400.00
Veterans' Exemptions
268.00
Schools (including dog licenses)
5,600.00
Library
60.00
Cemetery
400.00
Interest
4,700.00
Highway Gas Tax-Chapter 232
8,211.45
Reimbursement, loss of taxes (State)
7.47
$70,767.87
Refunds, Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes
123.44
Land Court fees (returned to owner)
4.25
$70,895.56
Cr.
Amounts Actually Received :
Income Tax
$23,985.00
Income Tax-Chapter 362
60.67
Licenses
3,989.00
Fines
6.81
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes
7,290.11
General Government:
Treasurer, refunded foreclosure fees .... 124.37
Tax Collector, refunded recording fees .. 20.00
114
Protection of Persons and Property :
Police, return insurance
premium
$1.92
Damage to police car ... 45.00
Miscellaneous
1.11
48.03
Building Inspection, fees
79.00
Sealing Weights and Measures, fees 62.43
Highways:
Return insurance premium ..
$118.82
Snow removal, State
145.13
Junk sold
20.00
Gravel sold
34.83
Dynamite sold
22.37
Plowing snow
.50
341.65
Charities :
Board of Public Welfare:
State, aid rendered
$2,076.30
Cities & Towns, aid rendered
1,260.04
Refunds
13.00
Sale, printed forms
5.25
3,354.59
Aid to Dependent Children, State
79.67
Old Age Assistance, State .... $11,647.61
Cities and Towns
668.01
12,315.62
Soldiers' Benefits:
State Aid, State
140.00
Soldiers' Relief, Cities and Towns
5.00
Veterans' Exemptions, State
243.77
Schools: dog licenses (County)
$706.39
Tuition and transportation,
Towns
904.89
Tuition State wards, State ..
1,887.58
Account Supt .- State
1,205.77
Account English speaking
classes-State
70.50
4,775.13
Vocational Training, State
39.68
Library: Fines, etc.
81.13
Cemetery: Burial expenses .....
$524.00
Foundations and markers.
104.35
628.35
115
Unclassified: Disposal of dogs, County .... 221.00 ..
Interest: On Redeemed Tax Titles $686.50 On Taxes 3,716.63
On Motor Vehicle Excise
Taxes
74.12
On School Loan (accrued) ..
7.03
On Municipal Relief Loan (accrued)
1,25
4,485.53
Highway Gas Tax-Chapter 232 8,211.45
Reimbursement, loss of taxes, State 7.47 .. $70,595.46
-
Balance (deficiency) to Excess and Deficiency Account.
300.10
$70,895.56
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(Highway Account)
Dr.
Balance from 1938
$6,100.62
Allotment, Chapter 90 Maintenance
999.99
Cr.
Received during 1939
$6,792.08
Adjustment of Allotment Account Chapter 90,
Construction :
Alloted $6,000.00
Received 5,998.42
1.58
Balance due, to 1940
306.95
$7,100.61 $7,100.61
County of Middlesex (Highway Account)
Dr.
Balance from 1938
$3,100.62
Allotment, Chapter 90, Maintenance
999.99
Cr.
Received during 1939
.... $3,792.86
116
Adjustment of Allotment Account Chapter 90,
Construction :
Alloted
$3,000.00
Received ......... 2,999.20
.80
Balance due, to 1940
306.95
$4,100.61
$4,100.61
Tax Revenue Account
Dr.
Appropriations, for Town purposes
$217,733.29
1939 State Tax
12,420.00
1939 State Parks and Reservations
242.28
1939 County Tax
5,930.47
1938 State Tax (underestimate)
6,210.00
1938 State Parks and Reservations (under estimate)
14.85
1938 County Tax (underestimate)
9.85
Abatement 1936 Taxes
661.58
Overlay, 1939
1,833.96
Balance to Excess and Deficiency Account
23.92
$245,080.20
Cr.
Committed to Collector:
Poll Taxes
$3,036.00
Property Taxes
171,276.33
$174,312.33
Estimated Receipts 70,767.87
$245,080.20
Excess and Deficiency Account
Dr.
To Estimated Receipts (deficiency)
$300.10
To Tax Titles Account
10,015.13
Balance to 1940
48,392.95
$58,708.18
Cr.
Balance from 1938
$45,964.15
Tax Revenue Account
23.92
Chapter 90, Maintenance, 1938, balance
75.92
Tax Title Loan
10,000.00
117
Unexpended Balances:
Selectmen
$27.43
Town Accountant
9.65
Treasurer
18.46
Tax Collector
13.11
Assessors
25.66
Finance Committee
32.60
Town Counsel
13.53
Town Clerk
23.07
Election and Registration
96.39
Planning Board
25.00
Town Hall
2.73
Police Department
.19
Fire Department
2.21
Inspection of Buildings
.85
Board of Appeal
2.75
Sealing of Weights & Measures
14.31
Suppression of Moths
1.42
Tree Warden
.38
Health and Sanitation
14.20
Highways
69.82
Chapter 90, Maintenance
.01
Chapter 90, Construction
.54
Road Machinery Account
113.34
Board of Public Welfare
27.38
Aid to Dependent Children
Town
693.28
Old Age Assistance-Town
344.04
Military Aid
10.00
Soldiers' Relief
2.13
Schools
69.58
Vocational Training
10.52
Library
10.00
Parks
2.93
Memorial Day
15.15
Unclassified
11.70
W. P. A. Projects
4.53
Cemetery
16.22
Interest
895.60
Reserve Fund
23.48
$2,644.19
$58,708.18
118
STATEMENT OF TOWN DEBT
Temporary Loans (Anticipation of Revenue)
Outstanding January 1, 1939:
Note No. 224
$5,000.00
Note No. 234
25,000.00
Note No. 235
10,000.00
Note No. 236
5,000.00
Note No. 248
25,000.00
Note No. 249
25,000.00
Note No. 250
25,000.00
Note No. 251
10,000.00
Note No. 252
10,000.00 $140,000.00
Borrowed during 1939:
Note No. 254
$25,000.00
Note No. 255
15,000.00
Note No. 256
25,000.00
Note No. 257
15,000.00
Note No. 271
5,000.00
Note No. 275
10,000.00
Note No. 277
10,000.00
Note No. 278
10,000.00
Note No. 279
10,000.00
Note No. 280
10,000.00
Note No. 281
25,000.00
Note No. 282
10,000.00
Note No. 283
10,000.00
Note No. 285
25,000.00 $205,000.00
$345,000.00
Paid during 1939:
Note No. 224
$5,000.00
Note No. 234
25,000.00
Note No. 235
10,000.00
Note No. 236
5,000.00
Note No. 248
25,000.00
Note No. 249
25,000.00
Note No. 250
25,000.00
Note No. 251
10,000.00
Note No. 252
10,000.00
Note No. 254
25,000.00
Note No. 255
15,000.00 $180,000.00
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$165,000.00
119
Temporary Loans (From Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Account Tax Titles)
Outstanding January 1, 1939:
Note No. 241 (Balance)
$3,392.69
Note No. 242
15,000.00
Note No. 253
10,000.00
$28,392.69
Borrowed during 1939:
Note No. 276 (renewal)
$10,101.83
Note No. 284
11,350.00
Note No. 286 (renewal)
10,000.00
31,451.83
$59,844.52
Paid during 1939:
Note No. 241 (Balance)
$3,392.69
Note No. 242
15,000.00
Note No. 253
10,000.00
$28,392.69
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$31,451.83
Municipal Relief Loans
Outstanding January 1, 1939:
Issue of 1937
$3,000.00
Issue of 1938
7,000.00
$10,000.00
Borrowed during 1939
6,000.00
$16,000.00
Paid during 1939:
Account issue of 1937
$3,000.00
Account issue of 1938
2,000.00
5,000.00
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$11,000.00
School Department Notes
Outstanding January 1, 1939:
Issue of 1935-Buzzell School
$18,000.00
Borrowed during 1939:
Land-Silver Lake
2,000.00
Silver Lake School Building
10,800.00
$30,800.00
120
Paid during 1939: Account of 1935
3,000.00
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$27,800.00
Water Department Bonds
(Issue of 1928)
Outstanding January 1, 1939
$250,000.00
Paid during 1939
12,500.00
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$237,500.00
Water Department Notes
(Issue 1935, 1936)
Outstanding January 1, 1939
$11,800.00
Paid during 1939
2,400.00
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$9,400.00
Summary of Town Debt
Temporary Loans
$165,000.00
Tax Title Loans
31,451.83
Municipal Relief Loans
11,000.00
School Department Notes
27,800.00
Water Department Bonds
237,500.00
Water Department Notes
9,400.00
Outstanding December 31, 1939
$482,151.83
Outstanding December 31, 1938
$458,192.69
Increase in Anticipation of Revenue Loans .. $25,000.00
Decrease in Fixed Debt 1,040.86
Net increase
$23,959.14
121
BALANCE SHEET, DECEMBER 31, 1939
Cash in Treasury $109,196.16
Uncollected Taxes :
1937
$398.69
1938
33,275.47
1939
80,873.05 $114,547.21
Trust Funds (income due)
290.04
Abatement 1936 Taxes
95.78
Abatement 1937 Taxes
683.94
Authorized Loans
2,000.00
Shawsheen Ave .- Lake St. Water Mains
2,500.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
306.95
Cemetery Reserve Fund
816.00
Abatement 1938 Taxes
683.21
Abatement 1939 Taxes
905.67
Tax Titles
32,139.81
Tax Titles-Revenue Account
32,139.81
Tax Title Possessions
3,127.72
Tax Title Possessions-Revenue 3,127.72
Tax Title Redemptions-Reserved 1,903.40
1937 State Tax (Balance)
502.50
1937 State Parks and Reservations (Balc) .... 41.69
78.05
1939 State Parks and Reservations (Balc)
25.03
Surplus War Bonus Funds
1,475.83
1937
1,243.67
1938
443.70
Temporary Loans (Anticipation of Reve- nue) $165,000.00
Town Counsel 486.47
Road Machinery Fund 2,056.40
Aid to Dependent Children-U. S. Grant.
321.41
Old Age Assistance-U. S. Grant .. 445.80
Silver Lake School Building and F. 226.38
Vocational Training 695.24
Water Department
774.40
122
County of Middlesex
306.95
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes:
1936
$279.23
1937 County Tax (Balance)
State Highway Damages 84.00
Dog Licenses (due County) 12.60
1939 348.34 2,314.94
$265,009.50
Net Funded or Fixed Debt $317,151.83
Tax Title Loans
$31,451.83
Municipal Relief Loans 11,000.00
Water Department Bonds
237,500.00
Water Department Notes
9,400.00
School Department Notes
27,800.00
$317,151.83
$317,151.83
S. D. J. Carter Lecture Fund
$6,748.37
Sears Cook Walker School Fund
289.18
Chester W. Clark Library Fund 648.67
Burnap Library Fund 257.10
Benjamin Buck Library Fund 587.42
Charlotte C. Smith Library Fund
800.10
Sabra Carter Common Fund
209.54
Lizzie T. B. Sweatt Cemetery Fund
5,000.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
8,211.93
$22,752.31
$22,752.31
HARRY R. DEMING,
Town Accountant.
123
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities $22,752.31
Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes-Revenue. 2,314.94 Excess and Deficiency Account 48,392.95
$265,009.50
..
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF TRUST FUNDS, 1939
Interest
Accumu-
lated
With- drawn
Balance on Deposit
S. D. J. Carter Lecture Fund
Woburn Mechanics
56672 11437
$2,000.00 4,578.50
$98.12
$51.00
$2,047.12
236.30
118.00
4,696.80
$6,578.50
$334.42
$169.00
$6,743.92
Sears Cook Walker, Walker School Fund .......... Mechanics
12819
$257.00
$39.44
$296.44
Library Funds :
Chester W. Clarke
Mechanics
17540
500.00
164.97
664.97
Burnap
Andover
8512
200.00
63.56
263.56
Benjamin Buck
Andover
18341
500.00
102.19
602.19
Charlotte C. Smith
Mechanics
4215
500.00
320.23
820.23
Sabra Carter Common Fund
Andover
18349
200.00
14.80
$14.80
200.00
Cemetery Funds :
Lizzie T. B. Sweatt
Town Note
No. 271
5,000.00
162.50
162.50
5,000.00
Isaac Cazneau
Andover
18985
100.00
24.79
2.50
122.29
Geo. W. and Minnie A. Sidelinker
Andover
22450
200.00
24.64
5.00
219.64
Susan S. Carlton
Andover
18345
75.00
12.97
1.50
86.47
Sabra Carter (Jaques Lot)
Andover
18347
200.00
40.18
5.00
235.18
William H. Carter
Andover
24631
100.00
21.68
2.50
119.18
Dolly Harnder
Andover
18342
100.00
13.08
2.50
110.58
Bank
Book No.
Amount
124
125
Interest
Accumu-
With-
Bank
Book No.
Amount
lated
drawn
Balance on Deposit
Thomas P. Eames
.Andover
18346
100.00
22.18
2.50
119.68
Sabra Carter
Andover
18348
100.00
29.39
2.50
126.89
Rich Carter
Andover
22451
100.00
15.20
2.50
112.70
James Frazer
Andover
18343
200.00
36.31
5.00
231.31
Martha Temple
Andover
18344
100.00
15.76
2.50
113.26
S. D. J. Carter
Andover
22579
200.00
90.83
5.00
285.83
Charlotte C. Smith
Mechanics
4214
50.00
6.28
1.00
55.28
Chas. H. Hopkins
Mechanics
17526
200.00
53.41
5.00
248.41
Abner C. Childs
Woburn
33384
100.00
10.98
2.50
108.48
Gilman C. Harnden
Woburn
32614
100.00
10.30
2.50
107.80
Laura Parker
Woburn
32615
50.00
8.74
1.00
57.74
Sarah G. Sheldon
Woburn
33814
200.00
75.24
5.00
270.24
Rufus C. Eames
.Mechanics
17527
100.00
13.60
2.50
111.10
John Sheldon Sargent
Mechanics
17528
100.00
13.60
2.50
111.10
Isabelle Holt
Mechanics
17529
75.00
8.50
1.50
82.00
Henry Blanchard
Mechanics
17530
50.00
5.72
1.00
54.72
Nathan B. Eames
.Mechanics
6899
100.00
13.83
2.50
111.33
Thomas Day
Andover
31514
100.00
15.50
2.50
113.00
Lorenzo Meads
Mechanics
7176
100.00
13.13
2.04
111.09
Almia J. Carley
Andover
32237
100.00
20.73
2.50
118.23
George E. Swain
Mechanics
17531
100.00
10.85
2.50
108.35
Josiah Munroe (Elbridge H. Carter and Walter Blanchard Lots)
Mechanics
7559
100.00
13.31
2.50
110.81
Jacob H. Shedd
Mechanics
17532
100.00
12.07
2.50
109.57
126
Interest
Bank
Book No.
Amount
Accumu- lated
With- drawn
Balance on Deposit
George T. Eames
.Mechanics
17533
200.00
26.33
2.50
223.83
Jonathan Eames, 2nd
Andover
35188
100.00
14.89
114.89
Newman Parker, Jr.
Mechanics
17534
100.00
10.92
110.92
Erwin E. Morse E. Morse
.Mechanics
8531
100.00
17.60
117.60
Sylvester and Lois R. Carter
Mechanics
8990
100.00
13.54
113.54
Capt. George W. McIntosh
Mechanics
9662
200.00
35.84
235.84
Mary A. Gowing, Lot 410
Mechanics
10283
100.00
13.08
113.08
S. Lizzie Carter, Lot 439
Mechanics
10282
100.00
17.46
117.46
Julia M. Parker, (Ward Parker Lot)
.Mechanics
10641
100.00
13.08
113.08
Manuel and Elizabeth Dexter
Mechanics
10640
50.00
6.25
56.25
Jaques Gowing
Mechanics
10639
100.00
12.89
112.89
Maud K. Tuttle, Lot 60 B
Mechanics
10693
100.00
12.64
112.64
Benjamin T. Glover, Lot 416
Mechanics
10953
100.00
15.52
115.52
John W. Perry, Lot 222, Sec. D
.Mechanics
10967
100.00
15.03
115.03
Mary E. Kelley, Lot 322, Sec. E
Mechanics
10968
100.00
12.42
112.42
Caleb S. Harriman, Lot 53
Mechanics
11642
100.00
14.67
114.67
John N. Eames, Lot 137
.Mechanics
11643
100.00
15.10
115.10
Lemuel C. Eames
Mechanics
12493
100.00
15.57
115.57
Sarah H. Jackson, Lot 497
Mechanics
12494
100.00
14.73
114.73
Henry G. Gowing, Lot 20
Mechanics
12495
150.00
12.43
162.43
Susan A. Hamlin, Lot 646 A
Mechanics
12820
100.00
15.31
115.31
William H. McCabe, Lot 334
Mechanics
12821
100.00
15.31
115.31
Walter A. Hill, Lot 458
.Mechanics
13322
100.00
13.56
113.56
Rachael Clough, Lot 132
Mechanics
13323
100.00
13.56
113.56
Interest
Accumu-
With-
Bank
Book No.
Amount
lated
drawn
Balance on Deposit
Samuel Manning & Stephen Buck, Lot 73
Mechanics
13324
100.00
13.56
113.56
Clifford H. Wilson, Lot 54
Mechanics
13325
100.00
13.56
113.56
Edward B. Manning, Lots 196, 203
Mechanics
13360
100.00
13.60
113.60
Thomas J. Morley, Lot 81, Sec. F
Mechanics
17535
100.00
10.44
110.44
Sydney C. Buck, Lot 274, Sec. D
Mechanics
17536
100.00
9.54
109.54
John Simpson, (Levi Swain Lots 134, 140, Sec. B
.Mechanics
17537
150.00
16.59
166.59
Mrs. W. J. Duffy, Lot 11, Main Ave. Sec. A ........ Mechanics
17538
100.00
9.24
109.24
Deacon Levi Parker, Lot 02, Old Cemetery.
Mechanics
15602
100.00
10.95
110.95
Annie L. Priggen, Lot 75, Sec. F
.Mechanics
17539
100.00
8.60
108.60
Chas. and Ella Blaisdell, Lot 8, Sec. F.
Mechanics
17267
100.00
4.65
104.65
George Gowing, Lot 178, Sec. F
Mechanics
17268
100.00
4.65
104.65
Mary C. Roman, Lot 501, Sec. E
Mechanics
18151
100.00
2.08
102.08
Wilford Fletcher, Lot 637, Sec. B
.Mechanics
18152
100.00
2.08
102.08
Milo Van Steensburg, Lot 93A, Sec. F
Mechanics
18153
50.00
.52
50.52
Sarah A. Call, Lot 295, Sec. D
Mechanics
18955
100.00
100.00
$14,557.00
$2,008.28
$260.34
$16,304.94
C. S. HARRIMAN, EDWARD N. EAMES,
Trustees of Trust Funds.
127
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Together with the Report of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS For the Year Ending December 31st 1939
129
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT SCHOOL OFFICIALS
Name
Residence
Term
Mr. John W. Hathaway, Chairman
No. Wilmington
1939-1942
Mr. Joseph Ring
No. Wilmington
1939-1942
Mrs. Vilma Bedell, Secretary
Wilmington
1938-1941
Mr. Samuel F. Frolio
No. Wilmington
1938-1941
Mr. Burt Tilley
Wilmington
1937-1940
Mr. Peter Neilson
Wilmington
1937-1940
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Mr. Stephen G. Bean
Wilmington, Tel. 343
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. Ernest C. MacDougall
Wilmington
SCHOOL NURSE
Mrs. Esther Nichols
Wilmington
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Fred Fields
Wilmington
130
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1940
January 2 to February 23
Mid-Winter Vacation
March 4 to April 26 Spring Vacation
May 6 to June 14-Elementary May 6 to June 21-High
Summer Vacation
September 4 to December 20
Chistmas Vacation
HOLIDAYS
February 22
October 12
Good Friday
November 11
April 19 Thanksgiving
May 30
131
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Wilmington School Department can report that the attendance for the school year 1939-1940 has not increased over that of the previous year.
The erection of a new school at Silver Lake gave relief from over- crowding and "platooning" in that district. The building was well planned and well built and allows for additions in the future.
The South District School was not opened for use in September. The number of small children in the neighborhood has been growing smaller for some years and the number of prospective pupils last autumn was smaller than ever.
The three schools at the centre of the Town have been benefitted by the completion of a driveway in which the buses can park to load and unload.
The school buildings are now in fairly good repair but all show the need of repainting.
The High School should be enlarged by the erection of a large assembly room. Such a room would have many uses, in fact it is very badly needed.
The satisfactory service of all on the payroll calls for public ap- preciation.
The School Committee.
132
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee Wilmington, Massachusetts
Madam and Gentlemen:
The following is my sixteenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Wilmington. I have been advised to be very brief for the sake of economy. For this reason I am omitting nearly all of the very important financial and comparative tables which I have previously introduced to show just what this town is getting for its educational dollars as compared to other towns and to the State in general. It is still safe to say that our operating costs are still about the lowest in the State. This can be verified by a little study of Public Document No. 2 published annually by the State Department of Edu- cation.
The general condition of the schools has continued on about the same level as in past years. There are some high lights worthy of mention.
The outstanding accomplishment for the year is the addition of a two room building to the facilities available to children in the Silver Lake section. Here the town has secured an excellent value for the amount invested. The building reflects credit on the building com- mittee and the contractor. It is much more building in construction, finish and equipment than I had believed possible for the sum avail- able.
The new building has made it possible for all children of the first four grades in this section to get a full day of teaching. It was found necessary to use only three of the four rooms which were available. This left a room available for a music room and it has been used to good advantage, thanks to the presence in the group of teachers of a young lady who has special ability as a teacher of music. This was one of the elements which we had to neglect somewhat during the time when we were operating on the part time plan.
The fact that all four rooms were not in use this year is surprising. All indications were that enough children would be resident in this
133
section to fill four classrooms. Strangely enough there were the ex- pected children in this vicinity but they were not in Wilmington. Tewksbury was obliged to reorganize its schools in order to take care of the children who appeared in the Silver Lake section but not on the Wilmington side of the boundaries. This is an excellent demonstration of the difficulty we experience in planning for housing pupils.
Last year at this time we had every reason to expect an enrollment this year in excess of thirteen hundred pupils. On October first there were less than twelve hundred fifty. We can never tell from June to September what may happen to our school enrollment. There has been one year in which we had a total increase of ninety-six children from one school year to the next. This is the first year to show a decrease in the past fifteen.
Another high light of the year was the demonstration of what our schools can accomplish in musical productions. The concert by the High School Glee Clubs was comparable to any that could be pro- duced by the finest school systems in the State. This was shown by the standing attained in competition at the Music Festival in Bel- mont. One number was successfully produced which most high school choruses will not even attempt.
The Mikado was put on by the children of the Daniel T. Buzzell School in a manner and with a finish which would do credit to artists of much greater maturity. It also did credit to the teachers who di- rected it.
To complete the roster came the concert by the elementary grades comprising a series of operettas by the different schools and a most finished and ably directed toy orchestra or rhythm band from the first grades. Each offering was produced in a highly creditable and finished manner.
All in all we feel that the town owes a debt to the supervisor Miss Carabello and all of the teachers who gave so much time, labor and even money to make these productions worthy of the town and its children. Wilmington is on the school music map definitely.
While on the subject of music, we should pay tribute to the won- derful progress made by the Community Band under sponsorship of the American Legion. This is an organization of school children and for school children and has the hearty support of the school department.
May brought another bright spot in the form of the annual exhi- bition of the Department of Physical Education, under the direction of the then Miss Anne Mullane. These festivals have seemed to im- prove each year.
134
The crowning of the May Queen was beautiful, graceful and im- pressive. Any parent of a daughter in that pageant could be justifiably proud. The town should be proud of such a bevy of handsome whole- some girls.
Demonstrations, from all of the schools in town, of work which is done in the various classrooms showed care and precision in training, with a well defined plan of physical development shown progressing through the grades from primary through high school.
In competitive sports the year was eminently satisfactory for both boys and girls. Two undefeated teams in one year is a high average for any school and peculiarly so for a school so handicapped for facili- ties for practice as we are here.
The success of the girls in field hockey is becoming a tradition. This was just another (the eighth) undefeated team. Something of a record! ! !
The girls basketball team had a most successful season. With a little more good fortune they might well have been champions of their league.
Of course football gets the major following in any high school so that a successful season in that sport almost constitutes a completely satisfactory year. When the school has an undefeated team for the year it naturally follows that the athletic skies are rosy. Wilmington had such a team this year and the coach and his boys deserve great credit because it was almost an "Iron Men" or a "sixty-minute" team, since replacements of size and experience were not numerous and the "first string" had to last the full game.
Credit should also be given to the boys on the squad who spent hours of hard work helping the team to perfect the fundamentals. They are the hope for the future.
The support given by the friends of the school has been most grati- fying and is fully appreciated by those of us who are charged with the education of these young people. In my official capacity, however, I want to protest that the tail must not wag the dog. Athletics are im- portant and desirable, but not the main issue. Properly conducted they can be of great value to the young people, but they are but a means to an end; not an end in themselves.
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