Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1952, Part 7

Author: Wilmington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1952
Publisher: Town of Wilmington
Number of Pages: 154


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1952 > Part 7


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The multiple-level instructional program allows the pupils to join any group or groups that meet their needs. If one group is working on a specific reading skill, such as vocabulary develop- ment or some aspect of comprehension, any child who may profit by the work is free to join this group with the teacher's approval. In this manner the groups are flexible, and the children may work in two or more groups to satisfy their needs and promote their growth.


Every child reads successfully in a multiple-level reading pro- gram. With this in mind, plus the fact that both teachers and chil- dren are happy with the new basic readers, we are off to a good


90


start. The basic psychological principal of success functions. A child, just as an adult, will participate in, profit by, and enjoy the work in which he is successful.


I am very grateful to all teachers with whom I have worked this year. Their cooperation has been necessary in developing a common background, which must be shared by all, to make our reading pro- gram a success.


May I take this opportunity to thank all Principals, the Superin- tendent, and my staunch supporters on the School Committee.


SUPERVISOR OF ART


It is with profound gratitude that my eighth annual report of Art in the Wilmington Schools is submitted.


The natural desire to create is an innate part of every human being; however, the power of observation is undeveloped in most children, making this the assignment of the art department. Today our art education develops the child's awareness of his surround- ings. Through his drawn expression a student unconsciously por- trays his personality, thus his work, unsophisticated and frank makes for a charming result. No one claims that his work be skill- fully expressed.


Art assignments left for the grade teacher to present in the interval between supervisory visits need understanding of the group, its needs, interests, and abilities, without thwarting any creative desires. Precision instruments are made for exactness, but art experiences must be free from precision giving vent to individual exploration and experiment. The art period even in this age is some - times erroneously utilized as a time killer by tracing, copying and the use of mechanical crutches.


This type of work gives children a false feeling of achievement. Through encouragement, sympathy and understanding I strongly advocate self-expression in our school art.


High School Art has been available forty-five minutes weekly for those students able to forfeit a study period. Block printing and textile decoration proved a most favored phase of expression this past year. Skirts, blouses, luncheon sets and handkerchiefs were


91


decorated and displayed in the spring. Tempera, water color and pastels were other mediums employed.


Each seventh grade student has had forty minutes of art weekly, expressing his talents with water color, crayon and pastel. Due to the large eighth grade enrollment a rotation program has been sol- ved whereas each student has had two forty-minute art periods in three weeks.


Grades one through six were visited once in two weeks, an art lesson presented, and two assignments left for the grade teacher's facility in carrying on the art program.


Throughout the past year I have been striving to acquaint our youth in the Wilmington Schools with nature's beauty and for the artistic in our environment through constant .. and happy activities. Aiding a child to see beauty by training his mind and hand will assist him in making finer choices in life and be a better workman.


Recommendations that I might make for the art program would be additional art time and specified areas for art. My desire for smaller groups for longer periods may be explained - - a seventh grade group of forty students have filed into an ordinary classroom for art instruction. The period is forty minutes long, and the assign- ment of the day is never an easy one. Instructions are given as m monitors distribute the necessities. At the most the child will have twenty minutes working period before clean-up time, and clean-up must be prompt as the room must be vacated for a homeroom lunch period. A well-fitted art room, water and materials at hand for smaller group use and longer work period throughout our schools is the ultimate dream.


Another year of diligence and cooperation has drawn to a pleas- ant completion through the assistance of pupils, teachers, princi- pals, school committe, and you Mr. C. Good, for this a humble thank you.


SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC


The aims of music in the public schools are to provide the child- ren with an understanding of good music, and to arouse, stimulate, and increase the enjoyment of children in participating in musical activities through the medium of the voice, rhythmic responses, instrumental playing and intelligent listening.


92


In the Primary Grade, we assist each child to learn to sing in tune with as good voice quality as the individual child's aural and vocal organs permit. He is taught rote songs, games, dances, and also obtains rhythm band training which was revived this year.


The Grade Il children begin a music reading readiness program. Along with the rote songs taught, the child learns about the functions and uses of the clef, staff, key signatures, notations, scale, and by the end of the year should develop the ability to read the notations of very simple songs.


A pre-Instrumental Program in Grades 1I, 111, and IV, was or- ganized this year.


The Grade 11 children have Harmony Band instruments consist- ing of soprano, alto, and tenor chimes, and pipes. The child learns the basic fundamentals of music plus instrumental playing, and pro- vides harmony for the Flutophones used by the third and fourth graders.


The Flutophone is of simple construction, and is fingered basic - ally the same as a Flute, Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxaphone, and Bassoon.


The increasing use of simple pitch-producing instruments in the classroom, such as the Flutophone, has opened new possibilities fa more rapid musical development and greater musical enjoyment. Such a basic instrument as the Flutephone aids materially in the ease of song reading, appreciative listening, creative expression, rhy- thmic activities and the playing of any of the aforementioned instru- ments. Through the Flutophone classes, we are able to determine whether or not a child is musically inclined, and in what particular field of music his or her talent may lie. The response of the pre- Instrumental Classes was remarkable. Nearly every child in the third and fourth grade purchased a Flutophone.


In Grades III and IV, we develop the ability to read the notation of simple songs so as to produce the pitches, rhythms, tempi, and dynamic effects as indicated in scores of unison and part songs.


Grades V and VI, begin two and three part songs. These songs are taught with an understanding of the melodic, harmonic, and con- trapuntal effects involved. Instrumental lessons are also available to students of Graves V, VI, Junior High School, and the Senior High School.


93


After receiving permission from Mr. Good, and the School Committee, I invited the Hollis Music Supply Co., of Boston, to Wilmington, to give an instrumental demonstration of the various instruments played today, for the children of Grades V through the High School, in the hope that the Instrumental program of Wilming- ton would increase to a greater extent than in the past.


The demonstration proved quite a hit with the students, for, one hundred children enrolled in the Instrumental Class with in- struments either owned by the children themselves or rented on a three-month rental plan.


The price of the lesson is thirty cents, and the child receives forty minutes of class and semi-private instruction, either from Mr. Dominic DeGrazzia, musticteacher, or myself.


Soon after lessons were under way, a Junior High School Band was formed, consisting of eighty-five (85) members from Grades V, VI, VII, and VIII.


In the Junior High School Music classes, there is a continua- tion of two and three part songs, and the introduction of the bass clef. The students also develop a memorized repetoire of well- known Home and Community songs, and standard, musically worth- while songs. They are taught how to discriminate between tonal qualities of other voices as well as of standard music instruction.


The High School Music Program consists of a mixed chorus of ninety-one (91) members, and a Girls' Glee Club of sixty (60) members. The groups meet twice a week.


The instrumental program was available to the High School students also. However, the response here was not too great. Only eighteen (18) members enrolled in the instrumental classes. These students are preparing for orchestral and band training, which is still in the developing stage.


During the school year 1952-1953, we have been able to pur- chase music stands for the Junior High School Band, and the Har - mony Band instruments for Grade II. From the fund established by former Supt. Stephen Bean years ago, music was bought for the Glee Clubs, the band, the orchestra, and also for the other music activities. These purchases also include a tape recorder for the use of the Glee Club and other music activities. Funds raised from Music Presentations throughout the year are placed in this' Music Fund which is now in the hands of Supt. Good. With -


94


out the cooperation of the parents in attending the performances which were presented by the school children throughout the year, these pur - chases would not have been possible.


Public Performances:


"Christmas Musicale"


A program consisting of vocal and instrumental music. Grades I through VIII


"Minstrel Show"


High School Chorus and Glee Club


"Spring Music Festival"


Held on the Common by the child- ren of all Grades I through XII


"Graduation"


Junior and Senior High School


I am humbly and deeply grateful to you, Mr. C. Good, to the School Committee, and to the faculty members and parents who have been more than cooperative in helping me to build up the Music Dept. of the Wilmington Public Schools.


95


MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1952


Age - Grade Distribution


Totals


6


7


8


9 10


11 12


13


14 15 16 17 18 19


Grade 5


239


1


53 169


16


1


195


2


36 124


32


3


3


35 104


37 4


6


4


26 131 232


5


5


37 88


36 8


1


170


27 73


39


8


6


153


24 60


25


7


3


119


8


26 70


29


7


4


136


31 72


24


2


129


9


24


59 20


2 1 1


107


10


19 44 21 2


86


11


13 49 5 2


69


12


1


1


13


2


5


5


3


2


2


19


Total


53 205 175 162 209 151 146 138 140 141 114 85 72 8 4


School - Grade Distribution


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10 11 12 13 SC Tot.


School


West


22


20


42


Maple Meadow


29


30


59


Mildred Rogers


53


49


45 62


209


Walker


38


42 42


34


156


Whitefield


38


42


41


46


167


Center


57


14


58


52


181


Buzzell


170 153


323


Jr. High


119 136


255


High School


129 107 86 69 1 19 411


Total


237 197 186 194 170 153 119 136 129 107 86 69 1 19 1803


186


194


6


7


Ungraded


1803


96


TOWN MEETINGS


Adjourned Town Meeting - January 3, 1952.


The adjourned Town Meeting was called to order by the Moderator at 8. 45 p. m. January 3, 1952, at the High School Cafeteria.


The Moderator announced that the Town Counsel concurred in the Moderator's opinion that a quorum should be present at all times for action on By-Laws, at which time the by-laws and building laws of the town were voted, with cor- rections made from the floor authorizing the Town Clerk to change the num - bering of sections and to correct grammatical errors.


Subject to the amendments made at this Town Meeting, the motion of Mr. C. Black that the by-laws recommended by the By-Laws Committee be adopted as the by-laws of the Town of Wilmington - - passed unanimously 75 to 0.


This meeting adjourned at 11. 30 p. m. There were 90 voters checked in.


Record of Proceedings of Annual Town Meeting held March 3, 1952 at the High School Cafeteria, Wilmington


In accordance with the above Warrant the voters assembled at the High School Cafeteria on the above date.


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. David I. Elfman. Article 1 was read by the Town Clerk. On a motion by Mr. Ernest Eames it was voted tu dispense with further reading of the Warrant.


The Moderator, Clerk, and Chief of Police examined the ballot box which was found to be empty, the register indicating 0000. The ballot box was then locked and the keys delivered to the Chief of Police, Paul J. Lynch.


The ballot clerks and tellers having been duly sworn to the faithful perform- ance of their duties, the official ballots were delivered to the ballot clerks and receipts taken by the Moderator.


At 10. 00 a. m. the Moderator declared the polls open.


At 8. 00 p. m. the Moderator declared the polls closed.


The names checked on the check lists numbered One Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-one. The register indicated One Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty-one (1421).


Following is the vote for Town Officers as announced by the Moderator:


Selectman - 3 years


Votes


Votes


Elected


- Henry J. Lawler, Five Hundred Sixteen 516 516


Timothy F. Cunningham, Four Hundred Seventy-nine 479 George E. Reynolds, Two Hundred Eighty-seven 287 Paul J. Brennan, One Hundred Eleven 111


All others, None


Blanks, Twenty-eight


28


97


Moderator - 1 year


Elected - David I. Elfman, Eleven Hundred Sixty - seven All others, Ten Blanks, Two Hundred Forty-four 244


Votes


1167


10


School Committee ยท - 3 years


Elected - Ruth M. Gratcyk, Seven Hundred Twenty-one 721


Elected - Warren G. Willis, Four Hundred Sixty-six 466


Max Leiter,- Three Hundred Sixty-eight


368


John J. Farrell, Three Hundred Forty-three


Francis J. Farrell, Three Hundred Eight


343


Wesley H. Baker, Two Hundred Sixty-six


George L. Beal, Seventy-six


All other, None


Blanks, Two Hundred Ninety-four


294


Wilmington Housing Authority - 5 years


Elected -


Joseph McManus, One Thousand Sixty-six


1066


All others, Two


2


Blanks, Three Hundred Fifty-three


353


Wilmington Housing Authority - 3 years


Elected -


William A. Anderson, One Thousand Sixty-one


1061


All others, One


Blanks, Three Hundred Fifty-nine


359


1


Wilmington Housing Authority - 1 year


Elected -


Gardner I. Ritchie, One Thousand Ninety


1090


All others, Two


2


Blanks, Three Hundred Twenty-nine


329


At 9. 10 p. m. on a motion by Mr. Ernest Eames it was voted to adjourn.


A true copy.


Attest:


(Mrs. ) Mary E. Gilligan


Town Clerk


Record of Proceedings of the Annual Town Meeting held March 10, 1952 at Villanova Hall, Wilmington.


In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the meeting was called to order by the Moderator, Mr. David I. Elfman, at 8. 05 p. m.


On a motion by Mr. Kenneth M. Lyons a rising vote of appreciation to Father Shea was taken for the use of Villanova Hall.


On a motion by Mr. Kenneth M. Lyons it was voted to dispense with the read- ing of the Warrant at this time.


Mr. Elfman stated that as it is an established custom in most towns to open Town Meeting with a prayer, while he is moderator this custom will be fol- lowed. Father Shea offered the prayer at this meeting and it has been agreed that either the Congregational or Methodist minister will be at the next meeti and they are to agree among themselves as to which one will do it.


98


308


266


76


Motion by Mr. Larz Neilson. James J. Gilligan, an honorable Selectman of this town, from 1945 to 1948, is not with us tonight. He was a man who gave freely of his time and talents, for the youth, and for the citizens of his town. I move you, sir, that this meeting observe one minute of silence wu a espect to the late James J. Gilligan. This was done.


At the request of the Moderator the minutes of the last Towu Meeting with regard to the voting precincts were read by the Town Clerk.


On a motion by Mr. Joseph M. Grimes it was voted to take the article on voting precincts from the table to be acted upon.


At the request of the Moderator for a representative of the Committee, Mr. Kenneth M. Lyons read the report of the Selectmen with regard to dividing the Town into six precincts.


Mr. Ralph R. Currier questioned the validity of the motion as the article had not been included in the Warrant as instructed by the previous Town Meeting. Mr. Philip B. Buzzell, Town Counsel, stated that it was possible that the Secretary of State would declare it invalid. Mr. Lyons reported that the Selectmen had agreed it was not necessary to put it in the Warrant and sug- gested that it be voted upon and then let the Secretary of State decide, and if necessary it could then be put in the next Town Meeting Warrant.


A voice vote was taken on the motion by Mr. Grimes and it was defeated.


Article 2. The report of the Water Main Extension Committee was given by Mrs. Wavie M. Drew. On a motion by Mr. Larz Neilson it was voted to accept the report as read.


On a motion by Mr. E. Hayward Bliss it was voted to take up the report of the Special School Building Committee with Article 27.


Article 3. On a motion by Mr. Herbert C. Barrows it was voted that the amounts of money approved by the Finance Committee in its Report be raised and appropriated, the several items to be voted upon by groups with each item subject to amendment. He stated there is an Available Balance of $57, 361. 56 which may or may not be taken into consideration.


Under Mr. Barrows' motion it was voted to raise and appropriate the follow- ing amounts:


General Government


Taxation


Town Manager


Clerk, Twenty-five Hundred Dollars


2,500. 00


Salary, Six Thousand Dollars


6,000.00


Expenses, Two Thousand Dollars


2,000.00


Selectmen


Expenses, Three Hundred Fifty-five Dollars


355.00


Town Accountant


Salary, Eighteen Hundred Dollars


1,800.00


Expenses, One Hundred Twenty Dollars


120.00


Treasurer


Salary, Twenty-five Hundred Dollars


2,500.00


*


2, 600. 00


Collector


Expenses, Twenty-six Hundred Dollars Salary, Twenty-five Hundred Dollars Expenses, Twenty-four Hundred Dollars Expenses, Two Hundred Fifty Dollars


2,500.00


2,400.00


Finance Comm.


250.00


99


Taxation


Assessors


Salaries, Seventy-seven Hundred Dollars 7,700. 00 Expenses, Fifteen Hundred Dollars 1,500.00


Clerk, Twelve Hundred Dollars


1,200.00


*Collector Town Counsel Town Clerk


Salary & Expense, Six Hundred Twenty-five Salary, Twenty-five Hundred Dollars


625.00


2,500.00


Expenses, Five Hundred Dollars


500.00


Election


Wages & Expenses, Two Thousand Dollars


2,000.00


Registration


Wages & Expenses, Fourteen Hundred Twenty- five Dollars 1,425.00


Expenses, Two Hundred Dollars 200.00


*Town Hall


Board of Appeal


Salary & Expenses, Seventeen Hundred Dollars One Hundred Dollars


100.00


On an amendment by Mr. Lyons it was voted that the Collector, Clerk, be included in the Town Hall Expenses.


"Later in the Town Meeting on an amendment by Mr. Lyons it was voted that the appropriations already made under the heading of General Government, the following items be segregated, namely:


Treasurer, Expenses $2,600. 00


Collector, = 2,400. 00


Assessors,


1,500.00


Collector, Clerk 1,200.00


Town Clerk, Expenses


500.00


Town Hall, Salary and


Expenses 1,700.00


and combining the same as a single item of appropriation in the total amount of $9,900. 00; the remainder of said group to be left as separate items as already voted.


He explained that the item of Collector, Clerk, was not intended as a clerk for the Collector only, but was to be a part-time service for the various departments and made the above motion to facilitate the work of the Town Accountant.


It was voted in a group to raise and appropriate the sum of Forty-two Thous- and, Four Hundred and Seventy-five Dollars for the various items as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee.


Protection of Persons and Property: A motion was made by Mr. Paul J. Lynch that the figure of $21, 680. 00 re - commended by the Finance Committee be amended by inserting in place there- of the amount of $28, 692. 00.


On a motion by Mr. Lynch it was voted to use Yes and No ballots and while the ballots were being counted the following items were taken up.


Police Dept. , Expenses, Thirty-six Hundred Dollars 3,600.00 Ambulance, Four Hundred Fifteen Dollars 415. 00 50.00


Constable, Fifty Dollars


Fire Dept. , Salaries & Wages, Twenty-one Thousand Eight Hundred and Ten Dollars 21,810.00


100


1,700.00


Planning Board


Taxation


Fire Dept. , Expenses, Three Thousand Dollars 3,000. 00 Outlay, Hose, One Thousand Dollars 1,000.00


Sealer of Weights & Measures, Salary, Two Hundred Fifty Dollars 250.00 Expenses, Seventy-five Dollars 75.00


Civilian Defense, $417. 66 voted last year Tree Warden, Salary, Twenty-five Hundred Dollars 2,500.00 (Chapter 660 - $650. 00, 761 - 1171. 00, Shade Tree - 675) Tree Warden, Expenses & Wages Chapter 660, Twenty-six Hundred Dollars 2,600.00 900. 00 Moth, Nine Hundred Dollars Shade Trees, Five Hundred Dollars 500. 00


It was voted in a group, with the exception of the Police Department Salaries and Wages to raise and appropriate the sum of $36, 700. 00 for the various items as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee. 36,700. 00


Health & Sanitation:


Sanitarian Salary & Building Inspector, Three Thousand Dollars


3,000.00


Board, Expenses, Three Thousand Dollars 3,000. 00


Town Nurse, Salary, Twenty-five Hundred Dollars 2,500. 00 Expenses, Five Hundred Dollars 500.00


Animal Inspector, Salary, Two Hundred Fifty Dollars 250.00


Voted as a group as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee.


Transfer


Highway Dept. General:


13,600. 00


Salaries & Wages, Thirteen Thousand Six Hundred Expense, Twelve Thousand Five Hundred Dollars *Machinery Fund


12,500.00


10. 000.00


On an amendment by Mr. Barrows it was voted to transfer the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars from Ex- cess & Deficiency Account


3,000.00


Chapter 90 Construction 1952, Three Thousand Dollars On a motion by Mr. Barrows it was voted to change the date 1951 as printed in error on the Finance Committee Report


Chapter 90 Maintenance, Fifteen Hundred Dollars Chapter 81, Nine Thousand One Hundred Fifty Dollars 9,150. 00 Snow Account, Eleven Thousand Dollars 11,000.00


1,500.00


On an amendment by Mr. Barrows it was voted to substitute $11, 000. 00 for the $8, 000. 00 in the Finance Committee Report. Mr. Cushing explained this was because of the unusual four NE storms in the last twenty days and in addition $2, 000. 00 was used as rent for the Walters Snow fighters, which amount will go toward the purchase price if the Town votes to buy the fighters.


Chair in doubt as to voice vote, a standing vote was taken. Yes - 223 No - 48 It was declared voted.


*Machinery Account, Eight Thousand Dollars 8,000.00 9,800.00


Street lights, Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars


101


With the exception of the $ 10, 000. 00 to be transferred and the $11, 000. 00 already voted, it was voted in a group to raise and appropriate the amounts as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee.


Taxation


68,550.00


At this time the vote on the amendment to the Police Department Salaries & Wages was given.


Yes - 203 No - 211


Amendment declared lost.


It was then voted to raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty- one Thousand, Six Hundred Eighty Dollars for Police Dept.


21,680.00 Salaries & Wages


1,500.00


Public Welfare, Administration, Fifteen Hundred Dollars


12,000.00


Public Welfare, Aid, Twelve Thousand Dollars


1,000.00


Aid Dependent Children, Administration, One Thousand Aid Dependent Children, Aid, Fifteen Thousand Dollars


15,000.00


Old Age Assistance, Adm., Three Thousand Dollars


3,000.00


Old Age Assistance, Aid, Thirty-six Thousand Five Hundred


36,500. 00


Disability Assistance, Five Thousand Dollars 5,000.00


9,000.00


Voted in a group to be raised and appropriated, as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee.


Schools & Libraries:


Salaries & Wages, Two Hundred Two Thousand Two Hundred Seventy-nine Dollars


202,279.00


Mr. Barrows read a letter from Mr. Good, Supt. of Schools giving an approximate figures of $96, 325. 00 for State Aid for the School year 1951-1952.


Expenses, Seventy-nine Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-nine 79,929. 00


Vocational Training, Five Thousand Dollars 5,000.00


Libraries, Twenty-three Hundred Dollars 2,300.00


Voted $289, 508. 00 as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee.


Unclassified, voted to raise and appropriate Four Thousand 4,000.00


Public Service Enterprises: Cemetery & Parks


Transfer


2,000.00 10,000.00


* On a later motion it was voted the $2, 000. 00 be trans- ferred from Cemetery Reserve Fund to Cemetery & Parks and $10, 000. 00 be raised by taxation.


Hydrant Service, Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars Water Dept., Salaries, Twenty-three Thousand Dollars Water Dept., Expenses, Twenty-two Thousand Dollars


7,500. 00


23,000. 00


22,000.00


Voted as a group as read by the Moderator and approved by the Finance Committee and later amended as above.


102


Charities & Soldiers' Benefits:


Veterans' benefits, Nine Thousand Dollars


Transfer Taxation 12, 500. 00 36,000. 00


Maturing Debt


On a motion by Mr. Barrows it was voted to transfer the sum of $ 12, 500. 00 from Water Available Surplus to Maturing Debt Account and to raise $36, 000. 00 by taxation.


1,388. 88 12,276. 12




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