USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1884 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Selectmen and School Committee
Town of Merrimac
FOR THE
YEAR ENDINO MARCH 1, 1884.
D. C. Ropas A Son. BOOK AND How PRINTHIGH ATD STATIONPIS.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Selectmen and School Committee
OF THE 1
Town of Merrimac
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1884.
HAVERHILL, YASS. : C. C. MORSE & SON, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, AND STATIONERS. 1884.
ARTICLES IN WARRANT
FOR
Annual Meeting, Monday, March 3, 1884.
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 compensation 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 make appropriations for the same.
Art. 6. To choose one School Committee for three years.
Art. 7. To choose one Trustee of the Cemetery for three years
Art. 8. To choose two Trustees of the Public Library for three years.
Art. 9. To see if the town will accept the Jury List as re- vised by the Selectmen.
Art. 10. To bring in their votes by ballot,-yes or no,-on the question, Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxi- cating liquors in this town.
Art 11. To choose Constables.
Art. 12. To choose Highway Surveyors.
Art. 13. To choose Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark.
4
ARTICLES IN WARRANT.
Art. 14. To choose Fence Viewers and Field Drivers.
Art. 15. To choose all other necessary Town Officers.
Art: 16. To see what action the town will take with regard to the assessment by the County Commissioners of the sum of $5,826.85 on the town on account of expense of rebuilding the Essex Merrimac Bridge.
Art. 17. On petition of C. O. Roberts and others, to see if the town will appropriate the sum of seventy-five dollars to be expended under the direction of Post 114, G. A. R., for the proper observance of Memorial Day, May 30, 1884.
Art. 18. On petition of F. S. Merrill and others to see if the town will vote to repeal article Sixth of the By- Laws.
Art. 19. On petition of II. O. Delano and others to see if the town will vote to purchase a Steam Fire Engine and hose for the same and to choose the necessary committees to carry your action on this article into effect.
Art. 20. To see what action the town will take in regard to laying out and suitably enclosing the new Cemetery and make the necessary appropriations therefor.
Art. 21. To see if the town will adopt a code of Truancy By Laws and to take such action as may be necessary to pro- vide a place for the confinement, discipline and instruction of truant children under Sec. 10, Chap. 48 of the Public Statutes.
Art. 22. To see if the town will authorize their Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to hire money in antici- pation of taxes if necessary.
Art. 23. 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. 24. To see what interest, if any, the town will charge on taxes remaining unpaid after the time fixed for the payment thereof.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to restrain neat cattle and horse kind from running at large.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The selectmen respectfully submit the following report of the receipts and expenditures for the municipal year of 1883, with brief mention of the more important transactions of the year. An article in the warrant for the annual meeting calls for action on the matter of the Essex Merrimac Bridge.
The County Commissioners, at the December term, 1883, assessed upon this town the sum of $5,826.85 on account of expense of rebuilding said bridge and draw, payable on the first day of February, 1884, with interest at four per cent. per annum from that date until July 1, 1884, and at six per cent. per annum thereafter until paid. In behalf of the town we have petitioned the Legislature to be relieved from the payment of any portion of said assessment, and we believe the interests of the town will be best subserved by delay- ing any action towards the payment thereof at this time.
The settlement of the " Baxter case," as will be seen, has been effected at a cost of, upwards of $1,200. This is much less than any terms we could make with the parties pre- vions to the bringing of the suit against the town, and we are confident that our course in the matter will be approved. "
The new school house has been completed and furnished at an expense, including land, of $3,369.68, and was occu- pied for the fall term. In view of the accommodations afforded we believe the cost will not be considered extrava- gant.
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The generous and timely gift of a lot of land for a Cem etery, by Mr. J. A. Lancaster, deserves special recognition. The manner in which the urgent needs of the town in this direction have been met must be a source of gratification and pride to every citizen. In justice to the donor, and for the credit of the town, we hope that a liberal policy will pre- vail in the laying out and adornment of the grounds.
The sum of $8,000 was hired in June to pay the town of Amesbury bonds maturing at that time. This money was obtained at four per cent. per annum, on notes of $1,000 each maturing one cach year, the first' one becoming due June 2, 1884.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS, AT MERRIMAC CENTER. .
Teacher's Pay.
HIGH SCHOOL.
John A. Nichols, principal,
$250 00
G. Fred Joyce, 647 33
Helen K. Spofford, assistant, 361 00
$1,258 33
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Ellen Gunnison, 405 00
INTERMEDIATE.
Mary Ella Hoyt,
306 25
FIRST PRIMARY.
Carrie M. Evans, 255 00
7
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SECOND PRIMARY.
Josephine L. Oak, 255 00
THIRD- PRIMARY.
Fannie L. Sherman,
232 50
FOURTII PRIMARY.
Flora E. Fourtin,
1 142 50
MUSIC.
Stella C. Larkin, 97 00
Total for Teachers, $2,951 58
Incidentals.
S. S. Blodgett, coal, $136 26
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, 8 52
Sargent & Currier, wood,
15 00
J. W. Colby, wood,
2 59
J. Sheridan, sawing wood,
1 35
II. M. Fourtin, “
1 50
E. M. Heath, “ 1 00
166 13
W. W. Lydston, supplies, $6 68
A. M. Lang,
1. 91
Walbridge Bros.
. 1 65
Brooks Bros.,
2 00
E. R. P. Fourtin,
1 75
T. II. Hoyt,
1 50
B. H. Jacobs,
7 20
S. A. McConnell,
70
J. H. Cleary,
4 71
G. G. Davis,
66
6 68
G. Fred Joyce,
1 24
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
E T. Haskell, supplies, 70
Wmn. Warc & Co , books,
15 50
E. W. Ricker, stationery and books, 15 13
L. Kimball & Son, call bell,
1 75
F. II. True, repairing and clean-
ing clocks,
1 50
J. P. Ransom, cleaning stoves,
7 00
Heath Bros .. repairs, 94 47
W. H. Thomas, "
80
E. Sheridan, labor,
S 00
180 87
E. T. Ilaskell, care of room,
$10 00
E. R. P. Fourtin, “ 18 85
Harry J. Cummings, care of room, 16 50
II. M. Fourtin,
66
37 50
Fred R. Williams,
10 50
John T. Pease,
18 25
E. M. Heath,
66
14 00
IT. C. Colby.
6 00
Mrs. E. Sheridan,
cleaning
26 25
157 85
E. P. Sargent, Treas., rent of
Mechanics Hall,
13 33
B. F. Carter, organ,
$40 00
I. B. Little, in part for piano,
50 00
90 00
Total for Schools at Center, 3,559 76,
MERRIMACPORT SCHOOLS. Teacher's Pay. Chas. S. Davis, Grammar school, $435 00
9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
N. Florence Carleton, Intermedi-
ate school, 271 25
Annie M. Collins, Primary school, 255 00
Stella C. Larkin, Music, 25 00
986 25
Incidentals.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal,
79 00
William Chase, supplies, 40 90
W. W. Lydston,
2 25
C. E. Rowell,
2 28
William Chase, repairs, 2 00
James Whittier,
58 04
J. L. Blaisdell, 66
7 25
William Chase, cleaning and care
of rooms, 40 50
232 22
Total for Schools at Merrimacport, 1,218 47
BEAR HILL SCHOOL.
Teacher's Pay.
L. A. Sherman,
$105 00
Bessie A. Veal,
210 00
Stella C. Larkin, Music, 8 00
323 00
Incidentals.
N. D. Tilton, wood, $20 00
Fred A. Currier, sawing wood, 1 42
Willie Chaff,
1 00
Henry L. Woodman, “
1 50
23 92
10 SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Heath Bros.,
repairs,
1 82
W. B. Chapman, 2 50
W. H. Thomas,
1 25
S. A. McConnell, binding books,
1 50
F. A. Currier, supplies,
10
7 17
Fred A. Currier, care of room, 6 00
Willie Chaff,
66
2 00
Henry L. Woodman,“
5 20
Total,
13 20
367 29
LANDING SCHOOL.
Mattie A. Hughes, teacher, 1 $126 50
Incidentals.
H. M. Hughes, sawing wood,
75
William Chase, supplies,
4 00
Mattie A. Hughes, care of room,
. 2 75
H. M. Hughes,
3 00
Wm. Chase, cleaning room,
1 00
11 50
Total,
138 00
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL.
Bessie A. Veal, teacher,
$66 00
Etta H. Colby,
66
66 00
132 00
Incidentals.
L. E. Bancroft, wood,
$7 75
Annie E. Jenkins, care of room,
5 60
13 35
Total, 145 35
11
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
BIRCH MEADOW SCHOOL.
Flora E. Fourtin, teacher, $66 00
Minnie C. Currier, “ 66 00
-
- 132 00
Incidentals.
M. W. Thompson, wood and sawing, $3 50
Waldridge Bros , supplies, 1 65
T. II. Iloyt,
17
Calvin Sargent, repairs, 1 20
M. W. Thompson, " 2 15
M. W. Thompson, care of room, 5 80
G. W. Hoyt,
1 59
15 97
Total,
147 97
GENERAL SCHOOL INCIDENTALS.
C. W. Clark, supplies, $39 02
Cowperthwaite & Co., “
13 23
E. W. Ricker,
22 52
F. L. Parker,
1 50
H. H. Story,
1 10
F. II. True, printing,
1 25
0. W. Little, expressing,
1 80
-
T. H. Hoyt, postage &c.,
1 25
81 67
Total,
$5,658 51
Town appropriation,
$5,500 00
Income Mass. School Fund,
192 90
Dog Fund, 140 65
-- $5833 55
Unexpended balance,
175 04
5,658 51
12
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
COST OF NEW SCHOOL HOUSES.
Heath Bros., contractors, $2,882 87
J. M. Littlefield, architect, 30 00
C. W. Clark, furniture,
163 37
A. G. Whitcomb, “
5 50
F. II. True, clocks,
10 00
W. W. Lydston, sundries,
49 74
0. W. Little, registers,
12 27
N. L. Howe, labor, 50
B. & M. R. R., freight, 2 93
3,157 18:
Total,
$8,815 69
POOR ACCOUNT.
Paid town of Amesbury for support of Poor, as follows :
Support of Eliza Patten, $104 00
" Josie Sprague, 27 75
2-5 support of McCabe children, 67 60
66 Mrs. Laroche, 7 13
Total paid Amesbury, $206 48
Support of family of W. O. Gray,
II. Maria Gray, board of children, $135 51
Calvin Sargent, board of child, 80 00
L. J. Lewis, board of Mrs. Gray, 74 00
289 51
Support of Pat Noon.
J. A. Fitzhugh, medical attendance, $6 00
J. O'Brien, board,
23 (0
29 00
13
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Support of Mary Ann Sargent.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, $45 12
C. E. Rowell, supplies, 2 99
B. S. Blake, coffin, etc., 15 00
J. B. Heath, undertaker, 5 00
68 11
Support of Maria Sargent.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, 14 00
Support of R. S. Patten.
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, $29 28
J. W. Colby, wood, 8 00
J. II. Cleary, supplies,
86 46
A. M. Lang, 1 73
J. II. Cushing, 85
126 32
Support of Michael Burke.
J. A. Fitzhugh, medical attendance,
$29 00
Town of Salisbury, supplies, 30 90
C. E. Rowell, 24 99
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, 12 50
97 39
Support of D. W. Currier.
Dr. Y. G. . Hurd, board, etc., $32 18
Blaisdell & Huntington, coal, 7 50
Dr. J. A. Douglass, certificate, 3 00
F. E. Hall, time and expense,
13 00
55 68
Paid 1. P. Chaples, board of Ann M. Waining, 104 00
14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Paid Mary Pressey, house rent Smith Quimby, 44 00
Paid J. II. Cleary, supplies, W. Ad- dison, 4 05
Paid Danvers Lunatic Hospital, board of A. C. Hoyt, 186 37
Paid Danvers Lunatic Hospital, board of A. R. Lawson, 169 64
Paid Danvers Lunatic Hospital, board of inmate, (since refunded, in- cluding expense of officer, 139 23
495 24
S. S. Blodgett, coal to lock-up,
14 00
Dr. H. J. Cushing, medical atttendance and certificate, 33 00
Total för poor, 1,580 78
Deduct from this
Received from State for indigent soldiers, $74 23
Received for inmate at Danvers, 139 23
213 46
Balance expense maintaining poor,
1,367 32
Appropriation, $1,200 00
Overdrawn,
167 32
1,367 32.
HIGHWAY ACCOUNT.
DISTRICT NO. ONE, J. L. MERRILL, SURVEYOR. Expended by Surveyor, $546 55
.15
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
D. Wadleigh, 2 30
W. H. Blodgett, repairing bridge, 10 00
W. B. Chapman,
5 75
Sargent & Currier, plank,
3 67
568 27
Apportionment,
$550 00
Overdrawn,
1
18 27
568 27
REMOVING SNOW.
J. L. Merrill,
$27 50
W. H. Blodgett,
18 20
45 70
DISTRICT NO. TWO, MOSES STEVENS, SURVEYOR.
Expended by Surveyor,
$398 38
·398 38
Apportionment,
$350 00
Overdrawn,
48 38
398 38
REMOVING SNOW.
.
Moses Stevens, 50 80
POSTS AND RAILING.
Newell Boyd,
$19 60
Sargent & Currier, 7 50
27 10
DISTRICT NO THREE, J. J. WOODMAN, SURVEYOR.
Expended by Surveyor,
$252 93 252 93
Apportionment,
$250 00
Overdrawn,
2 93
-
252 93
. J. Woodman,
REMOVING SNOW. 20 57
16
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
DIRTRICT NO. FOUR, CALVIN SARGENT, SURVEYOR.
Expended by Surveyor, $142 95 142 95 - Apportionment, $150 00
Balance unexpended,
7 05
142 95
Paid Gco. D. Goodrich & Co., for
drain pipe,
91 56
Total expense Ilighway Department, 1,598 19
Appropriation, $1,800 00
Balance unexpended,
201 81
1,598 19
Expenses of Baxter ease for damages on highway,
Paid S. J. & J. B. Thomas, for services, $125 00
0. B. Shreve, M. D., “ 66 110 00
Witness fees, 1 65 40
O. S. Knapp, on settlement, 900 00
1,200 40
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation, $1,200 00
Paid Niagara Engine Co., $525 00
Agile 66 474 16
Wm. P. Sargent H. & L. Co., 195 00
Hunneman & Co., for suction
hose for Niagara, 56 00
1,250 16
Overdrawn,
50 16
1,200 00
SELECTMEN'S REPORT. 17
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Appropriation, 500 00
Paid Wm. II. Hubbard, Treas.,
$200 00
S. S. Blodgett,
300 00
500 00
STATE AID.
Ann Edwards,
$4 00
II. C. Flanders, 48 00
T. S. Bradley, 18 00
Wm. F. Martins,
72 00
Hannah P. Tozier,
48 00
Rebecca Kennett,
48 00
George F. Bailey,
36 00
Mary E. G. Gay,
48 00
John Jenkins, 36 00
358 00
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT.
EXPENSES ON SARGENT HALL.
William Jones, repairs,
$ 8 25
Heath Bros., 66
20
J. H. Cleary, supplies, 14 44
G. W. Woodman, charcoal, 90
A. N. Chency, 2 25
S. S. Blodgett, coal, 24 50
-
18
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Hanscom Bros., tarred paper, 1 39
R. A, Sargent Janitor, 61 71
66 care of clock, 12 00
125 68
Post 114, G. A. R., Memorial Day, $75 00
W. H. Blodgett, removing flag staff, 3 00
J. B. Heath, notifying town officers, 2 00
66 return of deaths, 5 75
Wm. Chase, census of scholars,
5 00
Bailey Sargent, do. do. 5 00
E. Barlow, care of lower cemetery, 1 50
D. M. Means, painting hearse, 14 00
F. E. Hall, expense in Evans liquor case, 11 00
P. J. Neal, repairs to Agile Engine, 30 79
0. W. Little, expressing, 5 65
C. E. Little, horse hire, 12 25
John Cleary, use of horse, 17 50
II. J. Cushing, birth certificates, 5 00
W. H. Gerrish, " 1 00
Bailey Sargent, insurance on new school house, 43 13
Bailey Sargent, postage, &c.,
2 66
240 23
C. C. Morse & Son, printing town re- ports, $50 60
T. Groom & Co., assessors and col lector's books, 2 50
G. W. Currier, printing and advertising, 1 70
F. II. True, " 'tax bills, 4 75
E. A. Poyen & Carter, printing and adv. town warrants, 5 00
Ilcath Bros., labor, etc,, cemetery fence $32 30
64 55
19
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
J. D. Pike, stock for cemetery fence, 10 81
W. II. Thomas, painting fence, 12 25
55 36
C. E. Rowell, supplies to lamp at wa-
tering place,
2 80
G. H. Connor, care of lamp at water. ing place, 7 00
F. E. Nutter, burying fish,
5 00
Pat Noon, 66
3 00
I. W. Hughes,
3 00
11 00
Total .
506 62
.
Appropriation,
$600 00
Unexpended balance,
93 38
506 62
TOWN OFFICERS.
Albert Sargent, Selectman, Assessor,
and Overseer of Poor, $200 00
Phineas Chase, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of Poor, 125 00
John Cleary, Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of Poor, 125 00
Thos. II. Hoyt, School Committee, 75 00
William Chase, 66 75 00
M. Perry Sargent, “
50 00
Bailey Sargent, Treas. and Coll.
245 23
Town Clerk, 62 60
16 Constable warning meetings 9 00
966 83
-
9 80
20
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Appropriation, Overdrawn,
800 00
166 83
POLICE.
J. B. Heath, $50 00
P. J. Neal, 30 00
F. E. Ilall,
37 50
S. P. Jackman,
12 50
130 00
EXPENSE OF TOWN POUND.
George W. Sargent, posts and rails, $19 67
W. Amesbury M'f'g. Co. planing lumber, 3 50
David Wadleigh, labor, 2 95
Heath Bros., 25 41
51 53
SCHOOL BOOKS FURNISHED BY COMMITTEE.
S. Evans, 30
J. Rowell, 15
W. Thompson, 1 40
1 85
21
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
NOTE AND INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Paid Town of Amesbury Bonds and in- terest, $8,680 00
Paid interest on notes to order of Town
Treasurer,
160 00
Discount on taxes
765 68
ABATEMENTS.
Collector's list 1880,
34 28
1881,
74 43
" 1882,
88 05
16 1883,
72 44
9,874 88 -- $269 20
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
The town is indebted as follows :
Two-fifths Amesbury notes,
$8,000 00
Notes to order of Town Treasurer,
8,000 00
Interest accrued,
160 00
Engine and II. & L. Co.'s
1,000 00
Outstanding demands estimated,
200 00
$17,360 00
Cr.
Due from State for State Aid,
$425 00
Uncollected taxes,
5,523 82
Cash on hand,
2,823 65
8,772 47
Town debt March Ist, 1884,
8,587 53
Town debt March 1st, 1883.
9,315 76
Reduction of debt,
728 23
8,587 53
ALBERT SARGENT, ) Selectmen
PHINEAS CHASE, of
JOHN CLEARY, S Merrimac
22
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT.
1883.
March 1, To uncollected taxes, $3,860 36
" cash, 3,464 94
7,325 30
Received of J. M. Wood for
· old lockup, 35 00
Received of G. W. Sargent for old stove and funnel, 1 42
June 15. Received of J. L. Blaisdell for old flag staff, 5 00
Aug. 24. Received of II. J. Cushing,
overpaid on school acct. 45
June 2. Received on Town Treasurer's notes 8,010 00
Sept. 1. Received of School Committee for books, ] 62
Nov. 19.
Received of J. A. Perry, for
school books,
1 20
-
8,054 69
Dec. 10. Received of State Treas. Corp. tax, 492 64
Received of State Treas. Bank tax, 222 14
Received of State Treas. State Aid 366 00
Received of State Treas. indi- gent soldiers, 74 23
1,155 01
1884.
Jan. 10. Received of County Treas. dog money, 144 65
23
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Jan. 23. Received for support of Inmate at Danvers 139 23
Jan. 31. Received of State Treas School Fund, 192 90
472 78
Feb. 18 .. Received of Amesbury Bank and Corp. taxes, 120 78
Received of First Nat'l Bank
1 year's rent, 275 00
Received of G. E. Ricker one year's rent, 250 00
Received of R. A. Sargent,
year's rent, 225 00
Received of Janitor, Sargent Hall, 98 50
848 50
Tax List 1883, committed for collection, 20,546 16
Re-assessments, 26 36
Drain assessment, 385 00
20,957 52
Interest on taxes,
62 18
38,996 76
Cr.
By paid State Tax,
$1,035 00
66 County “
1,326 87
66
Bank “
1,452 49
Selectmen's orders,
26,834 93
30,649 29
Uncollected Taxes 1880,
176 83
1881, 306 51
24
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Uncollected Tazes 1882,
1,025 35
66 1883, 4,015 13
5,523 82
Cash on hand
2,823 65
38,996 76
POLICE REPORT.
Number of arrests :
I
For keeping liquor nuisance, illegal sale of liquor, assault,
1
drunkenness,
4
Number of times called to quell disturbance,
16
for other purposes, 22 JOHN B. HEATHI, P. J. NEAL.
REPORT OF THE JANITOR OF SARGENT HALL.
The hall has been opened during the past year forty-four
times as follows :
Political meetings and caucuses,
7
Town meetings,
2
Temperance,
4
Concerts,
3
Entertainments, 9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT. 25
Lectures,
19
Total, 44
Cash received for use of hall, $98 50
CEMETERY ACCOUNT.
Report of John B. Heath, Agent for Merrimac Burial Ground.
Dr.
Mar. 1, 1883. Amount deposited in Mer-
rimac Savings Bank, $233 72
June 21.
Sale of lot No. 127, 12 00
July 23. 16 144, 15 00
Oct. 17.
Interest on deposit in Merrimac Savings Bank, 10 35
$271 07
Cr.
Aug. 27. Mowing yard, $8 00
D. B. Mozier, work in yard, 27 80
Lock for hearse house, 38
J. B. Heath, for services, 4 50
Deposit in Merrimac Sav. Bank, 230 39
$271 07 JOHN B. HEATH, Agent.
STATISTICS FROM VALUATION BOOK.
1882
1883
Valuation of Real Estate,
$726,325 00
$744,825 00
Personal Estate,
395,530 00
387,698 00
Total, Gain in 1883,
$1,121,855 00 $1,132.523 00
-10,668 00
26
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Number of polls, 714
Rate on polls, $2 00
Rate of taxation, $15 60 per $1,000
Total tax assessed,
$19,095 35
Non resident bank valuation,
$93,000 00
Tax on same, Number of acres of land, 5,015.8
$1,450 81
1882
1833
Number of dwellings,
430
437
horses,
252
235
66
cows,
215
206
66 sheep,
33
28
1
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Sargent HIall,
$20,000 00
School Houses,
21,000 00
Public Library,
2,500 00
Fire Apparatus,
2,000 00
Cemeteries, Hcarse and Houses,
2,700 00
Town Landings,
300 00
Town Pound,
50 00
Town Standards,
150 00
Law Reports,
350 00
49,050 00
27
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
The number of books taken out during the past year was 12,452.
The amount collected on fines, for keeping the books out over the regular time, $33.61.
Much inconvenience is experienced from our imperfect cat- alogue now in use, many books having been worn out and withdrawn from the Library, and many new ones added not on the catalogue.
After due consideration, the Trustees have decided to call in and re-catalogue the books at an early day.
As this will incur considerable expense the Trustees would request the town to make a liberal appropriation for the current year.
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Trustees.
S. S. BLODGETT, Secretary.
ALBERT SARGENT, GEORGE ADAMS, WM. CHASE,
DR. JAMES. R. NICHOLS, W. H. HUBBARD,
S. S. BLODGETT,
J. B. JUDKINS,
Trustees of Public Library.
28
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT ..
TREASURER'S REPORT.
From March to August 1883. Merrimac Public Library in account with W. H. Hubbard, Treas. Dr.
To cash paid F. H. True for printing, $ 6 50 Edmund Ricker for magazines, 29 45
II. D. Noyes 14 35
¿ Estes & Lauriat for books, 73 41
Librarian on account of salary, 43 75
turned over to new Treasurer, 37 02
$204 51
Cr.
By cash on hand March 1, 1883,
$
4 51
66 from town appropriation, 200 00
1 204 51
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Trustees.
. WM. IT. HUBBARD, Treasurer.
Merrimac Public Library in account with S. S. Blodgett, Treasurer :-
Dr.
To cash paid for printing, $ 14 00
books, 106 80
66
binding books, 19 93
29
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
To cash paid for insurance for 5 years, 45 00
Librarian, 131 25
$316 98
" on hand
53 65
370 63
Cr.
By cash on hand Sept. 20, 1883, $337 02
received from fines 33 61
370 63
S. S. BLODGETT, Treasurer.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
The School Committee respectfully submit their eighth an- nual report.
The year just closing has been a quiet and successful onc. None of the schools has been seriously disturbed by disorder on the part of the scholars, and nearly all have had the ad- vantage of being under the instruction of teachers who had achieved success in our own schools.
On account of the prevalence of scarlet fever in January, the two Primary schools at the Center were so reduced in numbers that it become necessary to close them for three weeks; with this exception none of the schools has been closed because of the prevalence of epidemic disease.
It has been the constant aim of the committee to raise the standard of all the schools, both as to scholarship and discipline ; but by no harsh or revolutionary measures. To this end the oral and written class examinations and exami. nations for promotion have been continued in the higher schools, and have there come to be more exacting and have also been gradually introduced into the primaries. By the
32
SCHOOL REPORT.
requirement of committee and teachers in these examinations, the duller and more indolent pupils are roused to greater effort, while it is beneficial to all to understand that the necessary qualifications for advancement consist in something more than a stay in the school room for a certain number of months or years. Beside the higher scholarship resulting from these frequent examinations, the discipline acquired by the pupil is not of slight importance.
In this connection we would remark that as an important and necessary aid to the scholars in the acquirement of knowledge, suitable books of reference should be placed in all the school rooms, that by their use the pupils may ac- quire the habit and power of gaining knowledge by their own investigations. During the year several books of this kind have been placed in the High School room, and we were pleased to note that constant and intelligent use was made of them by the scholars ; other works should be added to the list and suitable books furnished the other schools.
While Latin, French and the higher mathematics are taught in our schools, we have not forgotten that reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic and grammar are still the essential and most important branches of study, and it has been our aim to furnish thorough instruction in these studies in our schools.
We believe that vocal music should receive more attention. While there are some in every school who are capable of making but slight progress in this branch, there is not one who is not benefitted by the singing exercises, and by reason of them, all are better able to attend to the regular school studies. The teaching of vocal music was adopted in some of our schools as an experiment, and under the tuition of
33
SCHOOL REPOI.T.
Miss Larkin we think it has been an eminently successful one, and has been demonstrated that if properly attended to in the primary schools an active interest in this important branch may be developed in a large majority of children.
If any one doubts the good effect of music in the schools let him visit them at the time of the weekly singing. lesson or the daily morning exercise.
During the year our music teacher has given weekly sing- ing lessons in the High School and in all the schools at Merrimacport. Thus all our village schools, excepting those in the new house have had the advantage of musical instruc- tion. We hope the time may soon come when all our schools will open daily with an exercise in vocal and instrumental music.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.