USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1883 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN AND SCHOOL COMMITEEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1883.
HAVERHILL, MASS. : C. C. MORSE & SON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1883.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN AND SCHOOL COMMITEEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1883.
HAVERHILL, MASS. : C. C. MORSE & SON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1883.
ARTICLES IN WARRANT FOR
Annual Meeting, Monday, March 5, 1883, AT ONE O'CLOCK, P. M.
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Art. 2. To choose a Town Clerk,
Art. 3. To choose Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor.
Art. 4. To choose a Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, and fix the com- pensation for collection.
Art. 5. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise to defray the necessary expenses and charges of the town for the ensuing year, and inake appropriations for the same.
Art. 6. To choose one School Committee for three years.
Art. 7. To choose two Trustees of the Public Library for three years.
Art. 8. To see if the town will accept the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen.
Art. 9. To bring in their votes by ballot,-yes or no,-on the question, Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town.
Art. 10. On petition of Alex. Smart and others, To see if the town will appropriate the sum of seventy-five dollars to be expended under the direc- tion of Post 114, G. A. R., for the proper observance of Memorial Day, May 30, 1883.
Art. 11. To choose Constables.
Art. 12. To choose Highway Surveyors.
Art. 13. To choose Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark.
Art. 14. To choose Fence Viewers and Field Drivers.
Art. 15. To choose all other necessary Town Officers.
4
ARTICLES IN WARRANT.
Art. 16 T, see if the town will authorize their Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes if neces- sary, or to refund any portion of the town debt.
Art. 17. To see what discount, if any, the town will allow for the prompt payment of taxes, and to fix the time for the payment of taxes.
Art. 18. To see what interest, if any, the town will charge on taxes re- maining unpaid after the time fixed for the payment thereof.
Art. 19. On petition of G. W. Kendrick and others, "To see if the town will vote to build a sidewalk on Locust Street, commencing at Pleasant Street and continuing to the River Road."
Art. 20. To see what action the town will take towards providing ad- ditional school accommodations either by building a school house or other- wise, and make the necessary appropriations therefor.
Art. 21. To see if the town will adopt a code of truancy by-laws.
Art. 22. To see what action, if any, the town will take in regard to the letting of Sargent Hall.
Art 23. To see if the town will vote to build a pound and if so to fix the location thereof. Also to see if the town will vote to sell the lock-up.
Art. 24. To see if the town will vote to restrain neat cattle and horse kind from running at large.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
*
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS AT MERRIMAC CENTER -TEACHER'S PAY.
HIGH SCHOOL.
F. Wiggin, principal,
$950 00
Helen K. Spofford, assistant,
361 00
$1,311 00
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Ellen Gunnison,
360 00
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
Mary Ella Hoyt,
306 25
FIRST
PRIMARY.
255 00
Carrie M. Evans,
SECOND PRIMARY.
Josephine L. Oak,
255 00
MUSIC TEACHER.
Stella C. Larkin, 62 00
INCIDENTALS.
S. S. Blodgett, coal,
$126 49
J. E. Currier, wood,
10 00
J. Sheridan, sawing wood, 6 50
142 99
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
F. H. True, clock, $5 00
Post 114, G. A. R., 2 settees, 4 00
N. E. School Furnishing Co., furniture, 15 00
A. G. Whitcomb, furniture,
9 80
C. H. Fellows & Co., call bell.
1 37
F. W. Jacobs, matting,
8 50
A. W. Cram, wash bowl and fixtures,
6 18
F. Wiggin, blackboard erasers,
10 00
J. L. Hammett, supplies, 23 45
H. J. Cushing,
6 71
W. W. Lydston,
35 20
J. D. Pike, 4 84
B. F. Carter, organ, 40 00
$170 05
John Flannigan, repairs, $2 87
Wm. Jones, 61 10
Hamilton & Noyes,
10 44
Heath Bros.,
17 67
H. J. Cushing,
75
W. H. Thomas,
90
W. W. Lydston,
2 00
D. E. Wadleigh,
1 95
F. Wiggin, slating blackboards, 8 50
E. Sheridan, labor, 1 75
J. Lawton, 6 00
F. H. True, cleaning clocks, 1 50
CARE OF SCHOOL ROOMS, ETC.
W. L. Smart, $3 75
Everett M. Heath, 46 50
E. R. P. Fourtin, 51 55
H. J. Cushing, paid for cleaning, 9 96
115 43
111 76
*
7
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
THIRD PRIMARY-TEACHERS' PAY.
Fannie L. Sherman,
$78 00
Etta H. Colby,
111 80
$189 80
INCIDENTALS.
S. S. Blodgett, coal,
$16 38
J. E. Currier, wood, 3 75
J. Sheridan, sawing wood, 1 50
21 63
L. Kimball & Son, call bell,
$1 87
·
J. H. Cleary, supplies, 1 75
N. E. School Furnishing. Co., supplies,
33 00
Wm. Jones, repairs,
1 00
F. H. True, cleaning clock,
15
37 77
Herbert C. Colby, care of room,
$14 50
T. H. Hoyt, paid for cleaning, 1 00
E. P. Sargent, Treas., rent of room,
40 00
55 50
Total expense of Schools at Center,
$3,394 18
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS' PAY.
Charles S. Davis, Grammar,
$270 00
Edwin S. Bailey,
110 00
Mary E. Rogers,
35 00
$415 00
N. Florence Carleton, Intermediate,
$271 75
Annie M. Collins, Primary,
255 00
941 75
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
INCIDENTALS.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal,
$73 94
J. W. Colby, wood, 4 00
D. F. Morrill & Son, wood, 6 00
C. H. Hughes, sawing wood, 4 00
$87 94
J. H. Cleary, supplies $2 76
N. E. School Furnishing Co., supplies, 4 40
A. M Lang, supplies, 72
Wm. Chase,
4 50
C. E. Rowell,
9 39
Prescott Bros., lightning rods,
6 00
27 87
James Whittier, repairs,
$32 55
Wm. Jones,
20 65
Wm. Chase, 66
28 50
J. P. Ransom,
-6 30
F. H True, repairing clock, 75
88 75
Newton Large, care of room, $5 00
Hughes and Parker, . "
9 00
Bailey Bros.,
7 84
J. Preble, ..
3 53
Wm. Chase, paid for cleaning and care,
35 00
- 60 37
Total expense for Schools at Merrimacport,
$1,206 68
BEAR HILL SCHOOL.
TEACHERS' PAY.
Lina A. Sherman,
$210 00
Mabel L. Jones,
75 00
$285 00
9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
INCIDENTALS.
Geo. W. Sargent, wood,
$14 50
Willie Chaff, sawing wood,
3 75
M. S. Gibbs, repairs,
$3 50
Z. J. Morin,
2 60
Wm. Jones,
1 50
S. Quimby,
3 00
H. J. Cushing, supplies,
1 60
12 20
Willie Chaff, care of house,
$14 50
James Doyle, cleaning house,
2 00
16 50
Total,
$331 95
LANDING SCHOOL.
Mattie A. Hughes, teacher, $143 00
INCIDENTALS.
D. F. Morrill & Son, wood, $5 00
Charles. H. Hughes, sawing wood, 75
5 75
W. W. Lydston, supplies,
$18 52
N. E. School Furnishing Co., supplies, 17 25
F. H. True, cleaning and repairing clock,
1 25
37 02
James Whittier, repairs,
$23 87
Hamilton and Noyes, repairs,
32 21
Wm. Jones, repairs,
14 50
Wm. M. Morrill, labor,
.
2 80
$18 25
73 38
10
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Mattie A. Hughes, care of room, $6 50
Wm. Chase, paid for cleaning room, . 2 00
$8 50
Total,
$267 65
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL.
Bessie Veal, teacher,
143 00
INCIDENTALS.
L. E. Bancroft, wood,
$6. 88
Geo. F. Jenkins, sawing wood,
2 25
9 13
John Jenkins, repairs,
$1 40
Geo F. Jenkins, repairs,
1 25
F. H. True, cleaning clock,
75
3 40
Geo. F. Jenkins, care of room,
$5 55
Mrs. Jenkins, cleaning room,
1 25
6 80
Total,
$162 33
BIRCH MEADOW SCHOOL.
Ella F. Willey, teacher,
$143 00
INCIDENTALS.
J. E. Currier, wood,
$3 50
M. W. Thompson, wood and sawing,
3 75
7 25
M. S. Gibbs, repairs,
$1 70
M. W. Thompson, care of room,
5 55
T. H. Hoyt, paid for cleaning room,
1 00
8 25
Total, $158 50
11
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
GENERAL SCHOOL INCIDENTALS.
C. C. Morse & Son, school books,
$16 30
J. L. Hammett, 5 59
James A. Hale, paper,
10 01
F. H. True, printing,
7 25
B. & M. R. R., freight,
1 05
T. H. Hoyt, postage,
75
H. J. Cushing, expense,
34
E. W. Ricker, books and stationery, 36 67
$77 96
Total,
$5,599 25
.Town appropriation,
$5,250 00
Income Mass. School Fund,
189 59
Dog Fund,
134 17
Overdrawn,
25 49
5,599 25
To the above there is to be added the cost of a school house lot, bought of estate of J. P. Sargent,
for which no appropriation was made, 212 50
Making total expense in School Department, $5,811 75
POOR ACCOUNT.
Paid town of Amesbury for support of Poor as follows : Board, medical attendance and funeral ex- penses, Dolly Sargent, $274 75
104 00
Board of Eliza Patten, " " W. A. Buzzell and child, 4 00
12
SELECTMEN'S BEPORT.
MILITARY SETTLEMENTS.
Support of McCabe children, $96 10
" Mrs. Laroche, 39 20
Total paid Amesbury for Poor, $518 05
Paid City of Newburyport supplies to Caroline Sargent, 24 75
Paid A. P. Chaples board of Ann M. Waining, 104 00
Mary Pressy, house rent to Smith Quimby, 48 00
J. D. Pike, supplies to W. Folds,
5 20
H. J. Cushing, medical attendance, Wm. Addison, 1 00
SUPPORT OF R. S. PATTEN.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, $38 68
C. E. Rowell, supplies, 83 12
H J. Cushing, medical attendance, 20 00
R. A. Sargent, supplies, 2 25
A. M. Lang, 66 2 11
146 16
SUPPORT OF MARY ANN SARGENT.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal and wood, $48 01
C. E. Rowell, supplies, 5 95
A. M. Lang, 2 90
56 86
SUPPORT OF CHILDREN OF Q. W. GRAY.
Paid H. Maria Gray for board, 138 79
SUPPORT OF ALFRED C. HOYT.
Paid Danvers Lunatic Hospital, board and clothes, 185 53
" 66 66 for support of in-
mate, (to be refunded. ) 170 01
13
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SUPPORT OF W. A. BUZZELL AND CHILD.
R. A. Sargent, supplies,
$2 75
N. E. Collins, 66
8 25
Albert Sargent, bills paid, . .
19 00
$30 00
Dr. W. H. Gerrish, attending poor, 40 00
F. E. Hall, supplies to lock-up,
1 35
INDIGENT SOLDIERS.
James Roe,
$52 54
John Jenkins,
39 42
91 96
Total for Poor,
$1,561 66
Deduct from this
Due from State on acct. of indigent soldiers, $45 98
for support of inmate at Danvers, 170 01
Received from Amesbury acct. of Jenkins,
11 83
Estate of A. C. Hoyt, 141 14
State, account State Paupers, 1 75
370 71
Balance expense maintaining Poor,
$1,190 95
Appropriation,
$1,200 00
Unexpended,
9 05
- - $1,190 95
HIGHWAY ACCOUNT.
District No. 1, W. H. Blodgett, Surveyor.
Expended by Surveyor, $419 45
D. E. Wadleigh,
6 02
14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Heath Bros., snow plough,
$2 50
W. B. Chapman, labor on drains,
27 81
$455 78
$455 78
Apportionment,
550 00
Balance unexpended,
94 22
REMOVING SNOW.
J. L. Merrill, bill 1881,
$20 40
B. H. Battis, " "
6 36
W. H. Blodgett,
20 60
47 36
District No. 2, Moses Stevens, Surveyor.
Expended by Surveyor,
$404 00
Apportionment,
350 00
Overdrawn,
$54 00
REMOVING SNOW.
M. Stevens, bill 1881,
$35 67
M. Stevens, bill 1882,
29 00
64 67
District No. 3, J. J. Woodman, Surveyor.
Expended by Surveyor,
$249 30
Apportionment,
250 00
Unexpended balance, 70
15
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Expended by Surveyor on railing, $33 30
REMOVING SNOW.
J. Harlan Colby, bill 1881,
$1 95
J. J. Woodman, 7 20
9 15
District 'No. 4, J. C. Tucker, Surveyor.
Expended by Surveyor, $101 30
G. W. Hoyt, rebuilding bridge,
10 00
$111 30
111 30
Apportionment,
$150 00
Unexpended balance,
$38 70
REMOVING SNOW.
J. C. Tucker, bill 1881, 10 80
ADDITIONAL EXPENSES IN HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT.
Fiske & Coleman, drain tile,
$78 28
Hanscom Bros.,
24 25
George Tyler, road machine,
154 39
B. & M. R. R., freight,
8 85
G. W. Nichols, surveying streets,
6 00
Town of Amesbury on Rocks Bridge,
77 56
Essex M. Bridge,
146 51
495 84
Total expense Highway Department,
$1,881 50
4
16
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Appropriation,
$1,800 00
Overdrawn,
81 50
$1,881 50
EXPENSE ABATING NUISANCE.
J. L. Blaisdell, labor, $496 92
W. H. Blodgett, teaming, 7 90
Geo. Currier, brick,
112 00
R. W. Patten, “
4 00
J. E. Currier, sand,
3 75
S. A. Adams, drain tile,
51 70
G. D. Goodrich & Co., drain tile,
340 89
S. S. Blodgett, cement, 46 00
M. S. Gibbs, labor and stock, 31 95
D. A. Moulton, labor and stock, 11 75
Fulton Iron Foundry, grates;
68 00
W. A. Manufacturing Co., stock, 7 00
W. B. Chapman, labor, 65 57
J. H. Davis, survey,
15 00
C E. Little, horse-hire,
4 00
Albert Sargent, services,
bills paid, 25 00
John Cleary, services,
P. Chase, 6 00
Bailey Sargent, “ 10.00
F. E. Hall, lighting streets, 5 00
J. B. Swett, Commissioner,
60 00
Geo. Turner, 62 10
. S. Chase, 50 00
25 00
18 90
17
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
M. Perry Sargent, services,
$60 00
Officers and witness fees,
52 75
B. & M. R., freight,
92 13
$1,733 31
Deduct for drain pipe on hand,
73 08
Total cost, ·
$1,660 23
Assessed on abuttors,
$385 00
Cost to the town,
1,275 23
-- $1,660 23
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation, $1,000 00
Paid Niagara Engine Co.,
$502 49
Agile Engine Co., 452 50
--
$954 99
Unexpended balance,
45 01
- $1,000 00
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Regular appropriation,
$500 00
Appropriated for additional accommodations, 200 00
$700 00
Paid Wm. H. Hubbard, Treasurer,
$500 00
Heath Brothers, for shelves,
80 00
Unexpended balance,
120 00
$700 00
18
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
STATE AID.
Ann Edwards,
$48 00
Harriet C. Flanders,
48 00
T. S. Bradley, 18 00
Wm. F. Martins,
72 00
Hannah P. Tozier,
48 00
Rebecca Kennett,
48 00
Geo. F. Bailey,
36 00
Mary E. G. Gay,
48 00
John Jenkins,
6 00
$372 00
.
1.
POLICE.
John B. Heath,
$60 00
F. E. Hall,
40 00
P. J. Neal,
30 00
130 00
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT.
EXPENSES ON SARGENT HALL.
William Jones, repairs,
$22 15
W. W. Lydston,
32 71
D. E Wadleigh,
13 15
M. S. Gibbs, 66
40 33
N. L. Howe,
3 60
J. V. Holt,
3 50
19
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Heath Bros., repairs,
$1 20
W. H. Blodgett, labor, 4 95
Frye & Clement, brick,
61 20
Geo. Currier,
20 00
D. A. Moulton, lumber,
11 75
W. B. Chapman, labor,
' 259 59
Robert Driscoll, slating,
26 72
Howard Clock Co., repairing clock,
10 00
S. S. Blodgett, Coal,
14 27
G. W. Woodman, charcoal,
2 75
R. A. Sargent, Janitor,
51 25
66 care of clock, 12 00
4
591 12
PORTRAIT WM. P. SARGENT.
Lyell Carr, 225 00
L. R. Menzer, frame,
50 75
M. S. Gibbs, labor and stock, 2 52
278 27
Geo. H. Connor, care of lamp 2 years, - $24 00
C. E. Rowell, supplies to “ 3 03
Wm. Chase, com. on fire apparatus,
I. B. Little, " 25 00
10 00
J. E. Currier, hauling engine to fire
€: 2 50
J. Oak, 66
8 00
Geo. W. Currier, town warrant, 7 00
C. C. Morse & Son, printing town reports, 46 00 Post 114, G. A. R., Memorial Day, 68 04
M. Haggerty, burying carrion, 1 00
- P. J. Neal, 1 00
1
20
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
F. H. True, printing, $5 75
C. W. Damon, plans for school house, 50 00
J. J. Woodman, care of lower cemetery, 5 00
G. W. Currier & Co., printing, 1 35
C. E. Little, horse hire, 14 00
W. H. Blodgett, teaming, 9 60
J. B. Heath, return of deaths, 8 25
66 notifying town officers, 2 00
Little's Express, sundries and expressing, 12 75 Bailey Sargent, census of scholars, postage, &c.10 20 John Cleary, use of horse 10 00
324 47
Total,
$1,193 86
Appropriations, Miscellaneous, $600 00 Portrait, Wm.
P. Sargent, 300 00
$900 00
Overdrawn, !
293 86
$1,193 86
CEMETERY ACCOUNT.
John B. Heath, in Account with Merrimac Burial Ground. Dr.
Balance from last year's account, Interest, 11 54
$197 18
$208 72
21
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Mar. 21, Sale of lot No. 139,
$20 00
. 31,
136,
20 00
" wood,
2 00
Sept. 5,
"
lot
137,
20 00
15
141,
17 00
16,
129,
10 00
Oct. 5,
140,
35 00
Jan. 15,
142,
17 00
23,
143,
15 00
156 00
$364 72
Cr.
July 27, W. W. Lydston, pump,
$7 00
Mowing cemetery, 8 00
Aug. 12, W. H. Blodgett, hauling gravel, Repairing fence,
33 00
40
Sept. 5, D. B. Mozier, labor,
19 65
6, John E. Currier, hauling gravel,
57 75
J. B. Heath, services,
5 20
131 00
Balance deposit in bank,
233 72
$364 72
SCHOOL BOOKS FURNISHED BY COMMITTEE.
J. A. Perry,
$1 20
S. Evans,
4 30
J. O'Brien, 15
22
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
J. Patten, 15
Jas. Doyle,
1 07
$9 87
TOWN OFFICERS.
Albert Sargent, Selectman, Assessor and
Overseer of Poor, $200 00
John Cleary, Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of Poor, 125 00
Phineas Chase, Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of Poor, 125 00
H. J. Cushing, School Committee, 50 00
T. H. Hoyt,
50 00
William Chase,
50 00
Bailey Sargent, Treasurer and Collector, 225 81
16
Town Clerk, 68 55
" Constable, warning meetings, 12 00
$906 36
Appropriation, $800 00
Overdrawn, 106 36 $906 36
NOTE AND INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Paid town of Amesbury 2-5 interest on Notes and Bonds, $880 00
Discount on taxes, 652 92
23
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ABATEMENTS.
Collector's list, 1878,
$12 00
1879,
11 27
1880,
57 54
1881,
75 30
1882,
49 65
205 76
$1,738 68
Appropriation,
$1,600 00
Overdrawn,
138 68
$1,738 68
REPORT OF THE JANITOR OF SARGENT HALL.
During the year the hall has been opened thirty-seven times, as follows :
Political meetings and caucuses,
5
Town meetings,
3
Temperance meetings,
9
Concerts,
6
Entertainments,
3
Lectures,
6
Miscellaneous,
5
37
Cash received for use of hall, $133 00
POLICE OFFICER'S REPORT.
Number of arrests during the year : For disturbance,
" assault,
3
24
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
For drunkenness,
2
" larceny,
1
Number of times called to quell disturbance,
12
assisted home under the influence of liquor, 12
times called for other purposes, 33
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT.
Dr. 1882.
March 1. To uncollected taxes, $3,957 30
" cash, 3,227 55
$7,184 85
Feb. 28, Rec'd of State Treas. Corp. tax, 239 85 -
March 9, A. M. Webster, for school books, 22
14, Newburyport, support P. Whalan,
7 75
Dec. 10, State Treas. Corp. tax, 508 80
Nat. Bk. " 215 64
66 State Aid, 374 00
Indigent Sol. 91 22
State Paup.
1 75
1,191 41
1883.
Jan. 10. Rec'd of County Treas. dog money, 134 17 J. P. Sargent's est. sew. ass. 50 00
" for tile, 2 55
52 55
26 State Treas. Income School Fund, 189 59
Feb. 13, for support of inmate at Danvers Asy. 26 74
of Amesbury for Bank and Corp. taxes, 78 14
· SELECTMEN'S REPORT. 25
of Amesbury, support of J. Jenkins, 11 83
89 97
1st Nat. B'k, 1 year's rent,
275 00
G. E. Ricker,
250 00
R. A. Sargent, "
225 00
Janitor Sargent's Hall,
133 00
883 00
Estate of A. C. Hoyt,
141 14
Tax List 1882, committed for collection, 17,131 59
Re-assessments, 71 20
-
17,202 79
Interest on taxes,
9 03
$27,353 06
Cr.
By paid State Tax,
$1,120 00
County Tax,
914 39
National Bank Tax,
1,119 39
Selectmen's orders,
16,873 98
Uncoll. Taxes, 1879, $104 52
1880,
255 44
1881,
779 39
16
1882,
2,721 01
3,860 36
Cash on hand,
3,464 94
-$27,353 06
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The town is indebted as follows : Two-fifths Amesbury Bonds, $8,000 00
1
26
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Two-fifths Amesbury Notes,
$8,000 00
Interest on Notes and Bonds,
180 00
Engine Companies, 917 80
200 00
Outstanding demands,
--- $17,297 80
Cr.
Due from State for State and Military Aid, $513 47 for support of inmate at Danvers, 143 27
Uncollected Taxes, 3,860 36
Cash on hand,
3,464 94
7,982 04
Town Debt, March 1, 1883,
$9,315 76
Town Debt, March 1, 1882,
$9,388 69
Reduction of debt,
72 93
$9,315 76
ALBERT SARGENT, ) Selectmen PHINEAS CHASE, of
JOHN CLEARY. Merrimac.
S
RECAPITULATION OF ORDERS DRAWN.
Schools,
$5,811 75
Poor, including indigent soldiers,
1,561 66
Highways,
1,881 50
A bating nuisance,
1,733 31
Fire department
954 99
Public Library,
580 00
State aid,
372 00
School Books,
9 87
27
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Note and int. acct., dis. and abatement,
1,738 68
Town officers and police, 1,036 36
Miscellaneous,
1,193 86
$16,873 98
STATISTICS FROM VALUATION BOOK.
1881
1882
Valuation of real estate,
$702,830
$726,325
" " pers. prop.,
396,916
395,530
$1,099,746 $1,121,855 gain $22,109
Number of polls, 702
Rate on polls, $2 00
Rate of taxation, $13 00 per $1000,
Total tax assessed.
$15,958 11
Non resident bank valuation,
87,960 00
Tax on same,
1,143 48
Number of acres of land, 5,071.8
1881
1882
"
" dwellings,
425
430
"
" horses,
258
252
" cows,
195
215
" " sheep,
41
33
28
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Sargent Hall,
$20,000 00
School Houses,
18,000 00
Public Library,
2,500 00
Fire Apparatus,
2,000 00
Cemeteries, hearse and house,
1,700 00
Town-landing, lockup, etc.,
300 00
Town standards,
150 00
Law reports,
350 00
-$45,000 00
29
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
14,327 books have been taken from the library during the past year. The fines for keeping out books beyond the regu- lar time have amounted during the past year to forty-one dol- lars and forty-four cents. The rigid enforcement of the rules concerning fines has had a good effect in the community., Ad- ditional shelf room has been put into the library under the di- rection of a special committee consisting of Messrs. I. B. Little and George Adams, at an expense of about half the appropria- tion voted for this purpose by the town. We have received a valuable addition to our library from its liberal patron Dr. James R. Nichols, in the gift of a new edition of the Encyclo- pædia Britannica. We have also received from the estate of Deacon A. E. Goodwin two hundred dollars "to be spent as the trustees may desire." The trustees have deposited this money in the Merrimac Savings Bank, the income to be spent in books. The Trustees of the Public Library require of the town an appropriation of five hundred (500) dollars for the li- brary for the coming year.
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Trustees.
WM. H. HUBBARD, Secretary.
ALBERT SARGENT, GEORGE ADAMS, WILLIAM CHASE, DR. JAMES R. NICHOLS, W. H. HUBBARD, GEORGE O. GOODWIN, ISAAC B. LITTLE.
Trustees of Public Library.
30
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
For the year ending March 1, 1883. Merrimac Public Li- brary in account with Wm. H. Hubbard, Treasurer. Dr.
To cash paid for printing, 16 30
binding books,
18 69
Librarian,
175 00
Sec. and Treas.,
5 25
books and magazines, 346 23
561 47
cash on hand, .
4 50
$565 97
Cr.
By cash on hand March 1, 1883,
3 75
received for books sold at auction,
20 78
from fines, 41 44
66 Town appropriation, 500 00
565 97
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Trustees.
WM. H. HUBBARD, Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
In compliance with law and custom . the School Committee submit their Annual Report for the year ending March 1st, 1883.
No report can be of greater importance than the one con- cerning our schools. Your committee are glad to say that the school year now closing has been quite successful. Many of the schools have done good and satisfactory work in which the teachers have shown themselves competent and able to comprehend the little things necessary to make a school a success. In a few of them, while there is much to approve, and not much to complain of, they do not come up to that standard of excellence we all want to see.
School Statistics. Money expended for schools $5,573 76; of this sum $189 59 from the state fund, and $134 17 from the dog fund. Money expended over the appropriation, $25 49. Whole number of scholars in all the schools 474. Increase over last year 48. Average cost per scholar $11 76. Average wages of female teachers $30 50. By the increase of appro- priation the Primary and Grammar grades have run two weeks longer than usual. Owing to the number of scholars in the Landing district we thought it best to re-open the school there.
32
SCHOOL REPORT.
Repairs. The Landing school house had to be considera- bly repaired before it could be occupied, incurring an ex- pense of $73 38. The buildings at Merrimacport and at the Corner needed very much to have their walls whitened and painted. This work, with some other necessary repairs, has cost about $140 00. These large repairs will explain why the money was overdrawn, and still the schools continue as long as the town expected. There are minor repairs al- ways. See Incidentals.
School Accommodations. Steps should be taken at once to furnish two suitable school rooms. As is well known a room in Mechanics Hall has been occupied as a school room for nearly two years. This was merely intended for temporary occupancy. It should not be considered in any other light. It is impossible to make it a suitable school room either in regard to light, shape, ventilation, locality or surroundings. At the opening of the schools in April we shall expect about 85 scholars in addition to those who will be accom- modated in the school building.
Teachers. Less changes have occurred with our teachers the past year than usual. Most of our teachers reside in town. We are glad we can speak words of commendation as to their faithfulness and efficiency. No time since the divi- sion of the town have we had a better corps of instructors than now. The basis of good schools is "to secure and re- tain the services of the best teachers."
Music. During the year musical instruction has been giv- en at the Corner in the Primary and Grammar grades. The two Primary schools uniting for a lesson, and. the Interme- diate and Grammar uniting. A lesson given once a week. Miss Stella Larkin has been teacher. Heretofore musical in-
33
SCHOOL REPORT.
struments have been hired for one dollar a month each. The Committee thought the town was too poor to spend money in that way. As instruments are considered neces- sary to lead the singing in a school room, it was considered money-saving to own them. So two suitable ones were pur- chased last summer for $80. One to be paid for this year, and the other next year. In the purchase of these organs valuable assistance was rendered by Mr. Bailey Sargent. These instruments should last twenty-five years. Enough would be paid for two hired ones in five years to pay for both of them. On this basis it would cost five times as much to hire as it would to own
High School. The importance of raising the grade of the High School has been a matter of consideration for two or three years. The object of this change is not so much to increase the number of studies as the time to be devoted to them. What we all want is a school that will afford the advantages of a good, practical education for all who desire to avail themselves of. it without the expense of going away from home for it. While the law requires Latin to be taught in our High School, parents who desire their children to pur- sue only an English course, have the privilege of doing so. Such scholars as cannot avail themselves of the full course, have the choice of selecting such studies as will be especially beneficial to them in the future.
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