USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1910 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officials
OF
<***
Y
MASS
TS
1775
ACHUS
FOR THE
Financial Year Ending March 1, 1910.
BARRE, MASS. : MRS. JENNIE C. SPOONER, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. GAZETTE OFFICE.
こ
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Town Officials
. OF
KH
Y
MAS
S
1775
ACI
S
FOR THE
Financial Year Ending March 1, 1910.
BARRE, MASS. : MRS. JENNIE C. SPOONER, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. GAZETTE OFFICE.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1909.
TOWN CLERK :
JESSE ALLEN,
Term expires 1912
SELECTMEN :
GARDNER M. DEAN,
Term expires 1912
JOHN P. DAY,
Term expires 1910
WILLIAM C. BLISS,
Term expires 1911
ASSESSORS :
WALTER A. WOODIS,
Term expires 1912
SYLVESTER H. HASKELL,
WILLIAM H. PARKMAN,
Term expires 1910 Term expires 1911
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR :
WM. H. PARKMAN, EDMUND CODY, JESSE ALLEN,
Term expires 1912
Term expires 1910 Term expires 1911
SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
JESSE ALLEN, J. NELSON BALL, MRS. M. L. WOODIS,
Term expires 1912 Term expires 1910 Term expires 1911
LIBRARY TRUSTEES ;
MRS. M. L. WOODIS, JESSE ALLEN, SARA E. BUTLER,
Term expires 1912 Term expires 1910 Term expires 1911
4
CEMETERY COMMITTEE :
MASON S. DEAN, JESSE ALLEN, JAMES P. FAIRBANK,
Term expires 1912 Term expires 1910 Term expires 1911
COLLECTOR : EDMUND CODY.
TREASURER :
GEORGE S. BUTLER.
AUDITOR :
WALTER M. ROBINSON.
TREE WARDEN :
CHARLES H. TROWBRIDGE.
4
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR : WILLIAM A. NYE.
FENCE VIEWERS : 1
JESSE ALLEN, S. H. HASKELL,
C. H. TROWBRIDGE.
CONSTABLES :
W. C. AYRES, W. R. DEAN,
H. W. BARTLETT, F. H. PARMENTER, M. F. LINCOLN.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK :
W. R. DEAN, JAMES LEYDEN.
MEASURERS OF LUMBER :
W. R. DEAN, O. D. WEBBER, J. LEYDEN.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES : OMER D. TOTTINGHAM.
5
FIELD DRIVERS.
J. W. DWELLY,
W. ANGIER,
DR. J. E. PICKERING.
CATTLE INSPECTOR :
CARL M. WHEELER. UNDERTAKER :
JAMES P. FAIRBANK.
AGENT TO PROSECUTE AND DEFEND ALL SUITS FOR OR AGAINST THE TOWN. FRANK S. CONANT.
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT :
CHARLES L. RANDALL. FOREST FIREWARD :
CHARLES H. TROWBRIDGE.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN. /
THE selectmen submit the following financial report for the year ending March 1, 1910 :
Paid Town Officers.
TOWN CLERK.
Paid town clerk for services,
$27 25
Dog license blanks,
1 00
Justice fees,
4 40
Express, postage, telephone,
3 97
$36 62
TREASURER.
Paid treasurer, for services,
$25 00
Postage,
4 87
-
$29 87
COLLECTOR.
Paid collector, for services,
$75 00
Postage,
8 34
Discount on taxes,
192 84
-- $276 18
-
7
SELECTMEN.
Paid Gardner M. Dean,
$25 00
John P. Day,
25 00
William C. Bliss,
25 00
Postage and telephone,
4 37
$79 37
ASSESSORS.
Paid Walter A. Woodis,
$52 00
Sylvester H. Haskell,
43 75
William H. Parkman,
43 75
Books, statements and postage,
1 95
$141 45
SEALER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Paid Omer D. Tottingham,
$5 00
Weights and acids, : 82
$5 82
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Paid for support of paupers,
$653 05
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid for support of schools,
$2808 86
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
Paid for highways and bridges,
$1319 33
BALLOT CLERKS AND TELLERS.
Paid John W. Dwelly,
$2 00
Wayland Angier,
2 00
James Leyden, 4 00
Alfred C. Morse,
2 00
Walter A. Woodis,
2 00
Edmund Cody,
2 00
$14 00
8
LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
Paid for support of library,
$85 50
AUDITOR.
Paid Walter M. Robinson,
$25 00
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
Paid G. M. Dean,
$8 00
J. P. Day,
8 00
W. C. Bliss, 8 00
Jesse Allen,
8 00
$32 00
STREET LAMPS.
Paid W. W. Russell,
$61 25
Earl Lawless,
60 00
C. H. Parker & Son,
15 60
G. S. Butler,
7 43
Wm. S. Crawford,
13 53
---- $157 81
UNDERTAKER.
Paid James P. Fairbank,
$28 00
TREE WARDEN.
Paid C. H. Trowbridge,
$6 50
BOND FOR TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid O'Brien & Russell,
$27 00
CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Paid for care of cemeteries,
$70 45
GRADING LIBRARY.
Paid for grading, $129 62
9
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid C. H. Trowbridge,
$48 24
W. H. Parkman,
1 33
W. A. Woodis,
: 53
D. Hallowell,
52
F. S. Conant,
11 20
W. M. Robinson,
1 24
C. M. Wheeler,
1 70
J. K. Bemis,
70
John Keep,
2 37
W. H. Boyd,
2 37
W. Angier,
3 75
A. B. Spooner,
1 75
Coldbrook Basket Co.,
3 76
Fred Parmenter,
53
Earl Lawless,
53
Edmund Cody.
1 35
H. K. Barnes,
11 08
C. H. Parker & Son,
8 12
C. H. Gleason,
50
-
$101 57
OPENING ROADS.
Paid for opening roads,
$489 90
GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH.
Paid C. H. Trowbridge,
$23 14
STATE AID.
Paid S. Amanda Reed,
$48 00
John E. Stone,
72 00
Horace M. Green,
36 00
Julia A. Guilford,
48 00
Russell Arnold,
3 00
Sara D. Vaughn,
24 00
$231 00
10
STATE AND COUNTY TAX.
Paid State tax,
$495 00
394 00
County tax,
- $889 00
INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS.
Paid S. H. Bullard's estate,
$38 50
C. M. Wheeler, 45 00
$83 50
INSPECTOR OF CATTLE.
Paid, C. M. Wheeler,
$34 27
STATE ROAD.
Paid selectmen,
$509 25
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid G. W. Stone, $3 00
W. R. Dean, 2 50
C. M. Wheeler,
2 50
G. S. Butler,
2 10
G. M. Dean,
65
$10 75
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid Jennie C. Spooner, printing reports, $37 00
G. M. Dean, express on reports, 40
W. C. Ayres, janitor of library, 104 00
Fred Parmenter, services as constable, 12 00
H. K. Barnes, 28 fire extinguishers, 322 00
John L. Smith, road scraper, 218 48
G. M. Dean, freight on scraper, 6 52
Jennie C. Spooner, printing voting lists. 7 50
F. E. Davis, care town hall, 2 00
Elmer A. Stebbins, one-quarter liquor license, 325 00
1
11
Paid Worcester County Abstract Co., ab- stracts, $7 70
Jennie C. Spooner, printing orders, 2 00
Arthur H. Warren, damages, 50 00
Wm. S. Crawford, repairs on hall, 12 06
W. C. Bliss. traveling expenses to
Spencer, 1 62
G. M. Dean, traveling expenses to Spencer, 1 62
H. K. Barnes, six extinguishers, 69 00
W. C. Ayres, printing guide boards, 2 07
W. C. Ayres, services as constable, 16 27
John P. Day, five cords wood, 20 00
G. M. Dean, labor on library, 3 85
C. H. Trowbridge, labor on library, 4 00
Vaughn, Estey & Clark, fees, 4 00
Fred Parmenter, Geary case, 5 14
A. W. Brownell, assessors blanks, 3 50
I. K. Bemis, shingling hall, 20 00
John P. Day, shingling hall, 18 00
C. H. Parker & Son, two barrels cement, 5 34
Worcester Trust Co., note, 503 84
John Keep, drawing coal, 15 55
W. H. Boyd, drawing coal, 2 92
Wm. S. Crawford, one-fourth repairs on church, 78 08
W. S. Crawford, shingles and nails, 71 52
M. C. Needham, coal for library, 73 90
Jennie C. Spooner, printing reports, 24 00
G. S. Butler, supplies for hall, 11 40
Fred Parmenter, dog officer,
5 54
Carl Christianson, work, 2 95
Henry K. Barnes, bottles for ex- tinguishers, 8 25
12
Paid F. E. Winslow, services as constable, $2 00
W. W. Russell. repairs on hearse house, 50
G. S. Butler, lamp and bracket, 6 65
J. P. Fairbank, death returns, 3 00
G. S. Butler, oil for library, 3 60
F. E. Davis, care town clock, 25 00
C. M. Wheeler, cleaning town hall, 6 03
C. M. Wheeler, janitor town hall, 25 50
C. M. Wheeler, quarantine cattle, 4 50
- $10,454 61
Revised List of Jurors.
Henry Bartlett,
James Leyden,
Charles H. Trowbridge,
Frank E. Davis, James P. Fairbank, George S. Butler, Winthrop H. Boyd.
Respectfully submitted,
GARDNER M. DEAN, JOHN P. DAY, WILLIAM C. BLISS.
Selectmen of Oakham.
Treasurer's Report.
DR
To cash on hand, $1214 27
Received of M. C. Needham & Co.,
liquor license, $1300 00
E. Cody, taxes, 1907, 164 09
E. Cody, taxes, 1908, 729 12
E. Cody, taxes, 1909,
4124 97
E. Cody, discount on taxes,
192 84
C. H. Trowbridge, three fire extin- guishers. 34 50
L. Sibley, fire extinguisher. 11 50
Two butchers' licenses, 2 00
State of Massachusetts, tuition of children, 115 50
Income of Massachusetts school fund, 988 90
. Boston, appropriation for schools.
181 00
High school tuition, 200 00
Dog fund,
122 19
State of Massachusetts, support of sick pauper, 1 50
Auctioneer's license, 2 00
Trustees of Lyman and Industrial schools, 5 00
Jesse Allen, account of school super- intendent, 187 50
14
Received, corporation tax,
$42 29
National Bank tax.
42 64
State aid,
284 00
State, returns of inspection of ani- mals, 14 50
Worcester Trust Co., borrowed,
500 00
G. M. Dean, from Library fund,
13 46
A. C. Morse, dynamite,
1 00
Cemetery committee, sale of lot No.6,
10 00
Rent of hall, 46 00
Rent of piano,
8 00
O. D. Tottingham, grass,
2 00
City of Chicopee, account of D. Shea,
39 25
Balance of fines in criminal cases,
9 32
Sumner Reed estate,
100 00
G. M. Dean, road scraper,
10 00
Interest on deposit,
24 14
$9509 21
$10,723 48
By paying selectmen's orders,
10,454 61
Balance in treasury,
$268 87
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS. .
George H. Gould,
$100 00
Daniel H. Dean,
100 00
Caroline M. Maynard,
150 00
Stephen Lincoln,
50 00
Charles A. Fobes,
100 00
Martha M. Macullar,
100 00
Mrs. Samuel B. Ripley,
25 00
15
Fannie W. Kimball,
Mary E. Brown,
$50 00 50 00
LEGACIES.
Benjamin P. Clark,
$408 06
Charles A. Fobes,
$100 00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE S. BUTLER,
Treasurer.
Collector's Report.
DR.
To uncollected taxes for 1907,
$142 36
Interest on taxes,
30 31
--
$172 67
CR.
By treasurer's receipts,
$164 09
Abatement,
1
4 95
$169 04
$3 63
DR.
To uncollected taxes for 1908,
$947 04
Interest on taxes.
18 67
$965 71
CR.
By treasurer's receipts,
$729 12
Abatement,
10 53
$739 65
--
$226 06
--
17
DR. Taxes Committed for Collection, 1909.
State tax.
$495 00
County tax,
394 00
Town tax,
4170 00
Overlaying,
97 30
Omitted tax,
34 47
Interest,
3 18
--- -$5193 95
CR.
By treasurer's receipts,
$4314 63
Abatements,
37 04
$4351 67
$842 28
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND CODY, Collector.
2
REPORT OF Superintendent of Streets.
REPAIRING HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Paid W. A. Nye,
$501 53
Edmund Cody,
124 00
S. F. Woodis,
111 92
N. J. Green,
105 00
L. P. Green.
92 05
F. E. Winslow,
126 00
J. C. Woodis,
132 30
Edwin Green,
22 22
F. H. Boyd,
31 15
W. H. Boyd,
29 40
F. E. Loring,
10 91
A. B. Spooner,
10 40
C. H. Parker,
8 90
G. H. Morse,
6 40
H. D. Bullard,
4 00
C. H. Trowbridge,
3 15
$1319 33
Respectfully submitted,
W. A. NYE,
Superintendent of Streets.
19
OPENING ROADS.
1909-1910.
Paid W. A. Nye,
$34 31
S. F. Woodis,
15 65
R. M. Briggs,
5 26
C. M. Wheeler,
19 54
T. C. Gaffney,
68 34
John Robinson,
7 61
J. Cummings,
2 45
W. A. Bushnell,
4 20
C. H. Ferren,
4 18
Burpee Banks,
3 33
Leroy Burt,
9 20
H. Clifford,
1 40
J. M. Moran,
1 40
Wm. Moran,
65
S. H. Haskell,
2 56
John P. Day,
2 19
J. E. Rawson,
6 47
J. Gilboy,
7 52
W. Bowers,
4 74
C. Christian,
4 76
W. H. Parkman,
24 22
D. Hallowell,
8 40
H. Grimes,
2 36
C. Grimes,
3 67
E. Bullard,
10 60
A. L. Newton,
4 46
W. E. Swindell,
7 62
Wm. Gilboy,
8 05
James Gilboy,
9 62
Edmund Cody,
9 89
F. E. Winslow,
6 00
20
Paid A. B. Spooner,
$2 63
A. W. Dean,
2 80
G. W. & H. W. Stone,
7 70
M. F. Lincoln,
25 72
James Scott,
39 72
Wm. Gaffney,
21 70
Geo. Edson,
60
Fred Parkman,
13 00
J. Gaffney,
5 77
H. A. Crawford,
10 96
H. D. Bullard,
4 38
J. H. Keep,
3 85
N. A. Fisk,
27 01
L. C. Ford,
79
John McDonnell,
87
Fred Allen,
68
F. A. Dexter,
1 22
Chas. Clifford,
2 80
Orvis Banks,
1 13
Leon DuTemple,
50
C. H. Trowbridge,
88
Van Malcombe,
2 54
G. A. Briggs,
79
Martin White,
8 40
M. S. Dean,
1 93
W. H. Bullard,
88
$489 90
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS of the POOR.
Paid for aid furnished Job Simmons,
$228 65
For aid furnished Charles Winslow,
113 55
For aid furnished Henry Cummings,
226 60
For aid furnished Daniel Shea,
39 25
Jesse Allen, overseer, services,
25 00
W. H. Parkman, overseer, services,
10 00
Edmund Cody, overseer, services,
8 00
Postage and telephoning,
2 00
$653 05
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE ALLEN, W. H. PARKMAN, EDMUND CODY,
Overseers of the Poor.
Free Public Library.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
DR.
Balance on hand,
$3 32
Fines and cards,
5 77
Received from town,
85 50
$94 59
CR.
Paid F. E. Davis, librarian, $50 00
G. N. Briggs, exchange of books for Coldbrook,
25 00
Magazines,
10 50
Express and postage,
8 49
Balance on hand,
60
$94 59
Number of catalogued volumes,
1737
Books that are loaned,
29
Reference books,
248
Books added during the year,
123
Circulation,
3075
Largest number charged in one day,
58
Smallest number charged in one day,
9
Number of persons taking books,
177
23
Periodicals found in the reading room: McClure's, New England. Independent, Good Housekeeping. Review of Re- views, Technical World. Literary Digest, Argosy, Success, Youth's Companion, Ladies' Home Journal, Christian Endeavor World, Christian Herald, Farm Journal, Our Dumb Animals, Woman's Journal, Woman's National Daily, Worcester Tele- gram.
Contributors to the Library during the year : Dean Henry P. Wright, Mrs. S. F. Woodis, Miss Mildred Burt, Mrs. O. D. Tottingham, F. E. Loring, Mrs. Celia E. Fobes, Miss Emily Mellen, A. K. Reed, George H. Morse, Miss Laura Maynard, Edmund Cody, F. E. Davis, Henry B. Wright, Mrs. E. D. Batcheller, Miss J. H. O. Lovell, William Chamberlain, Henry C. Fobes. Charles Joslyn, G. M. Dean, Miss E. P. Sohier, Mass. State Library Commission.
Our circulation, 3075, is larger than any former year. A growing interest is shown by the citizens of the town, especially by the teachers, who are making great use of the library in connection with their schools.
MINNIE L. WOODIS, JESSE ALLEN, SARA E. BUTLER,
Library Trustees.
REPORT OF The Cemetery Committee.
Paid Edwin Green, superintendent, for general care of all the cemeteries, $70 10
F. S. Conant, for a lock, 35
$70 45
We now have fifteen lots that receive annual care at the expense of individuals.
Under the efficient care of our superintendent, the appear- ance of our cemeteries is greatly improving year by year.
LOTS NOW PROVIDED WITH PERPETUAL CARE.
Pine Grove cemetery .- Fohes, Gould, S. Lincoln, Ripley, Kimball and Maynard lots.
South cemetery .- Dea. C. Reed, Edmund Dean and Sum- ner Reed lots.
South West cemetery .- Andrew Spooner lot.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE ALLEN, J. P. FAIRBANKS, M. S. DEAN, Cemetery Committee.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES.
School fund,
$988 90
Support of schools,
1200 00
School superintendent,
60 00
Medical inspection, 20 00
State return for school superintendent,
187 50
Education of State children, '
115 50
Education of Boston children,
181 00
Education of Lyman school children,
5 00
High school tuition refunded,
200 00
$2957 90
School Expenses. SALARIES.
Paid Superintendent C. L. Randall,
$233 75
Miss F. E. Bothwell,
352 00
Miss Ethel Braman,
320 00
Miss Effie T. Swindell,
330 00
Miss Ruth Butterfield,
320 00
Miss Celia MacMahon,
100 00
Miss Mildred Burt,
187 00
Mrs. Ruth Dwelley, musical instruction,
96 00
Mrs. George Edson,
12 CO
$1950 75
26
TRANSPORTATION.
Paid Mrs. George Edson,
$36 40
SUPPLIES.
Paid for supplies,
$170 93
FUEL.
Paid William Gaffney,
$20 00
Edmund Cody,
20 00
G. W. Stone,
8 75
F. Winslow,
15 00
W. R. Dean, ;
6 75
H. D. Bullard,
3 75
D. A. Rutherford,
1 00
$75 25
TUITION.
Paid town of Barre,
$200 00
REPAIRS.
Paid for repairs,
$226 85
CARE OF HOUSES.
Paid Carl Christianson,
$42 55
Charles Foster,
5 00
Guy Cheever,
6 00
R. E. Butterfield,
5 30
Sadie Shea,
6 00
Donald Rutherford,
4 00
Francis Gaffney,
3 00
Willie Gaffney,
6 00
$77 85
27
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid Jesse Allen, services,
$45 00
M. L. Woodis, J. N. Ball, 8 00
17 83
$70 83
Total,
$2808 86
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE ALLEN, MINNIE L. WOODIS, J. NELSON BALL, School Committee.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
This is to certify that I have examined all original bills and vouchers of the several town officers for the year ending March 1st, 1910, and have found them correct.
W. M. ROBINSON, Auditor.
28
Roll of Honor for Oakham.
TWO YEARS.
CENTER SCHOOLS :
Or vis Banks, Blanche Yeo, Ida Yeo, George Dean.
COLDBROOK : Doris Bruce.
ONE YEAR.
CENTER SCHOOLS :
Allie Swindell, Gladys Stone, Grace Thomas.
COLDBROOK : Earl Lawless.
TWO TERMS.
CENTER : Carl Christiansen, Arthur Rymill, William Morse, Rose Rymill, Albert Briggs, Beatrice Howe, Walter Thomas.
COLDBROOK : Oscar Halvorsen, Eric Harvey, Earl Parker, Marion Winslow, Susie Winslow, Evelyn Cody, Henry Blake.
SOUTH : Walter Tucker, Dorothy Newton.
WEST : Edward Gaffney.
ONE TERM.
CENTER Charlotte Keep, George McDermott, May Robinson, Hazel Robinson, Nellie Hale, Raymond Thresher, Walter Howe, Gladys Russell, Ella Ferrin, Violet Guilford, Roy Howe, Julia Lee, Orton Butler, Ralph Keep, Alfred Morse, Dorothy O'Donnell, Fred Thomas.
COLDBROOK : Albert Menchin, Earl Matteson, Mary Matteson, Jennie Shaw, Gladys Cheever, Ralph Cody, Albert Eggleston, Jennie Bullard, Ruby Bullard.
SOUTH : Bernard Dean, Herman Dean, Benjamin Eldredge, Grace Shea, Sady Shea. WEST: Francis Gaffney, Thomas Moran, Willie Moran, Jen- nie Stoebel.
REPORT OF THE Superintendent of Schools.
HOLDEN, MASS., MARCH 10, 1910.
To the School Committee of the Town of Oakham :
IN my second annual report I wish to review the work of the year, state the present condition of the schools, and make recommendations for the future.
TEACHERS.
I am pleased that so few changes in teachers have been necessary this year. In the West Miss MacMahon, who did such successful work last year, resigned at the beginning of the present school year and was succeeded by Miss Mildred Burt, who is doing all that an inexperienced teacher can. The remainder of last year's teachers are with us and are doing effective work.
The strength of a school is in the teacher. When a suc- cessful teacher can remain in a school several years, can visit other schools, compare her work with that of other teachers, keep her ambitions aroused, and thus keep from ruts and a tendency to go backward. then the school will be a successful school and the pupils will make progress.
Oakham has several schools where the conditions are well nigh ideal, where the relations between teacher and pupil are of the best, where the school spirit is always good, where the pupils are doing "good work," where, in short, the environment
30
is that of a school home. In such cases the rural school is at its best. I believe in such schools and wish to see them still further become centers of good influence in their communities.
DRAWING.
Training in some kind of hard work is important. Draw- ing seems to furnish the primary means of beginning this training ; there is nothing along this line that can more readily be taken up. Its importance can hardly be over estimated. A Worcester business man, with whom I was talking recently, sent me a sketch made of one of the "stock piles" of the firm for the purpose of estimating the quantity of material on hand. He says, "Our stock clerks are obliged monthly to make esti- mates on certain piles and must be able to make such a sketch. Certainly, if they come to us with some knowledge of draw- ing, they are better equipped to do such work than if they have never been taught the elements of form, perspective and proportion."
"I recall my first experience," he continues. "in attempting to make a working drawing of a cabinet which I wished built for filing purposes. I was told our draughting department had more important work than making up a drawing of a simple cabinet, and if I wanted it built I must give the carpenter's shop a working drawing. It took several days to prepare a crude plan of what I wanted. I realized then, as I have many times since, that the accounting department of these days must have a knowledge of other things besides the 'three R's' important as these are."
Mr. Burnham, the "Agent for the Promotion of Industrial Arts", spent a day with our teachers last November. He strongly recommended the employment of a supervisor of drawing for this town. I trust that an opportunity may occur in the near future for Oakham to secure the services of a good teacher of drawing.
31
COMMON STUDIES.
I have no patience with slovenly work in the essential studies. During the present year we have continued the work in reading which was begun last year. I believe that it is not too much to say that the reading generally is good. In both English and arithmetic we have tried to improve the work, attempting to have the children use the same kind of English they are studying.
In arithmetic we are attempting to have the children, espe- cially in the upper grades, familiar with the same kind of prob- lems that the every day man or woman will have to meet, reckoning bills, computing interest, allowing discounts, estimat- ing the cost of carpeting or painting.
In spelling we have just introduced a new method of study and drill which we expect will improve the quality of the work. It is too early to speak definitely of that now, but I hope to report progress later.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Believing the health of the child to be of the highest im- portance the school board has made an attempt to place the services of the school physician on a more business-like footing.
Dr. Pickering has been engaged to examine each child once a term, making whatever recommendations to parents and pupils seem to him best. There has not been sufficient time since Dr. Pickering's appointment to judge of the merits of this work. but it seems to me that, if it is systematically con- tinned, it will produce good results in insuring cleanly and hygienic habits, in forestalling disease, and guarding against contagion.
I believe it well to secure for the pupils individual drinking cups. Mr. Hanff of the Rutland committee has obtained a small glass in a neat pasteboard box, which can be furnished at the rate of three cents each.
32
Contagion in a neighboring town has emphasized the import- ance of enforcing the vaccination law. I trust that parents and guardians will see to it that children now in school be vac- cinated and that young children who have not yet entered school be vaccinated before another fall.
GRADUATION.
Friday evening, June 11, 1909, occurred the first promotion or graduation exercises of the public schools of Oakham. Nine pupils were graduated .-- a large class for a small town. This is a custom that I would like to see continued. I believe that in towns where there is no high school it is important for the pupil to look forward to receiving a diploma from the public schools.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I can see three changes which I believe would improve the quality of Oakham schools.
First. The introduction of drawing in the schools. See topic entitled drawing.
Second. The lengthening of the school year to thirty-four weeks. Your teachers are doing good work, they would do even better if some of the stress under which they work could be removed. They are attempting to do in thirty-two weeks what Rutland teachers are doing in thirty-four, Holden in thirty-six and Paxton in thirty-eight weeks. That they are successful speaks volumes for the merits of the teachers.
Oakham people are proud of their schools and take great interest in them. I tell you, honestly, that in my opinion a reasonable increase of the length of the year is the best way to increase the worth of the schools.
Third. Adjustable desks and seats in the primary room. The desks in the room at present would not be a loss as they could be sold or exchanged. I believe that with all pupils, but especially in the younger grades, the growing child should be seated at a desk adjusted to his own person.
33
Statistics. In the "roll of honor" you will notice the names of several pupils who have been on the "roll" for two years. I commend these pupils and trust that they may find their names on the three years' list next year. In the table of statistics you will observe that the "per cent of attendance" is high, both teacher and pupils, and I sometimes think parents deserve credit for this good attendance.
I am pleased to see that so many parents and friends have visited the schools during the past two terms. This is as it should be; there is no way one can thoroughly understand the work of the schoolroom but by freqnent visits. I am sure these visits will be welcomed by the teacher ; nothing in school life is more helpful to the welfare of the child than intelligent, kindly co-operation between teacher and parent.
In closing I wish to call your attention to the report of the music supervisor and of the school physician, which follow.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. L. RANDALL, Superintendent.
Report of the School Physician.
In accordance with Chapter 502 of the Acts of 1906, parent or guardian were notified by me as school physician, to secure competent medical advice in the cases mentioned below :
Three follicular tonsilitis. Four postnasal adenoids. One acute catarrhal laryngitis. Two scabies. One sclerosis middle ear. One corneal abscess. One irregular astigmatism. One myopia.
J. EVERETT PICKERING, M. D.
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Report of the Supervisor of Music.
Mr. C. L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :- I submit the following report of the music in the public schools of Oakham.
Music is one of the important studies in our schools of to- day and as a large percentage of the pupils get little or no training elsewhere ; great care should be taken in giving them as much help as possible in this way.
The music period should be a bright spot in the day's regular routine : one to be looked forward to with pleasure and a sense of appreciation.
It has been my aim to stimulate an appreciation of the best music, to develop tone, quality, and to teach the fundamental principles of note reading.
. The individual reading of music is doing much for the pupils, and the time spent in this way cannot help but show results.
The songs which are taught are selected for their musical value as well as for the value of the thought and suggestion. A school song in the heart of a child will do as much for his character as a fact in his memory or a principle in his intellect.
I have introduced three part singing in some of the higher grades, and considering the time devoted to it I feel much pleased with the results.
The work done in music in the district schools is to be commended, for these schools are handicapped by many grades.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge here the kindly direction and helpful assistance of the superintendent, also the cordially given help of the teachers. May I not also add that I appreci- ate the support of the parents and the kindly reception and advances made by the pupils.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH B. DWELLEY.
TABLE OF STATISTICS.
School
Teacher
Preparation
Total Enrollment
Present Enrollment
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per cent. of Attendance
Number of Visitors
Number of Visits
No. of Pupils 7 to 14
year
Grammar Primary Coldbrook South West
Florence E. Bothwell Ethel M. Bramen
30
25
23.3 26.8 19.3 19
21.5 25.1 18.8
93.2 93.5 97.4
16 53 27
109 1 6
20 24
32
Ruth E. Butterfield Effie T. Swindell
25
20
19
16
91.4
39
78
17
32
Celia MacMahon Mildred L. Burt
15
11
12.4
11.4
91.7
29
67
15
11
21
NOTE-Statistics based on records since September.
" Present enrollment" means at close of winter term.
1
No. of weeks service this
North Brookfield High Northfield Seminary Worcester Normal Barre High Framingham Normal Oakham
26
21
32
50
13
32
23
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS For the Year 1909.
BIRTHS.
DATE. CHILD'S NAME. PARENT'S NAME. January 31, son, Harold John, to John E. and Mary L. Stone. February 9, son, Lionel, to Isadore and Laura D. Sney.
March 9, daughter, Mildred Lillian, to Abert F. and Rosa B. Hapgood.
May 29, son, Henry Roscoe, to Henry W. and Edith B. Craw- ford.
July 24, daughter, Georgie Elizabeth, to Albert G. and Elsie M. Winslow.
September 3, daughter, Shirley, to Clifford and Lillian C. Rutherford.
October 9, son, Alexander Bruce, to Edward J. and Laura N. Crawford.
October 30, son, John Carleton, to John P. and Minnie M. Day.
MARRIAGES.
April 17, Bert S. Trumble to Alice M. Loring.
April 21, Charles F. Caldwell to Ida F. Needham.
October 18, Arthur D. Keown to Alice L. Dwelly.
November 16, Morton F. Lincoln to Clara A. Anderson.
November 20, Fabius W. Beckwith to Rhoda L. Canfield.
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DEATHS.
Y.
M.
D.
January 9, Maria Tomlinson,
79
4
22
February 6, Lysander Harding,
71
10
21
February 9, Lionel Sney,
1
March 25, Caroline M. Bullard,
79
0
19
March 27, Sanford H. Bullard,
73
7
10
April 23, Louis Geoffrey,
67
0 0
May 10, Ellen M. Crawford,
67
9
6
June 20, Mary O'Donnell,
63
0 0
July 1, Dora Beaulieu,
38
0
0
August 11, Herbert W. Ferreo,
9
25
September 20, Job Simmons,
87
9
5
October 14, Eliza L. Whitaker,
80
2
6
October 17, Mary R. Conant,
78
9
14
October 23, Clarence McLeod,
39
S 0
November 3, Mary A. Parker,
80
4
22
November 29, Daniel Shea,
35
1
10
December 30, Elizabeth B. Morse,
82
2
22
BURIED IN TOWN.
October 22, George M. Ayres,
52
22
December 24, Nellie G. Murphy,
22
6 21
Population, 519.
Number of voters, male, 141; female, 10.
Number of dogs licensed, 72; male, 67; female, 5.
Number of hunter's licenses issued, 34.
JESSE ALLEN,
Town Clerk.
TOWN WARRANT.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
To either of the constables of the town of Oakham, in the County of Worcester,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Oakham, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the town hall, known as "Memorial Hall," on Monday, the fourth day of April next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1st. To choose a Moderator, to preside at all town meetings, except for election of State officers, during the coming year.
Article 2d. To hear the annual report of the several town officers and act thereon.
Article 3d. To choose one Selectman, one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trus- tee, one Cemetery Committee for three years, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, Highway Surveyor, three Fence Viewers and six Constables, for one year. Also to vote "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" all on one ballot. The polls to be opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
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Article 4th. To choose all necessary town officers and committees for the ensuing year not required to be elected by ballot.
Article 5th. To see what compensation the town will allow their Treasurer and Collector.
Article 6th. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the relief of poor and needy soldiers, as required under Chapter 79, Section 18, Revised Laws.
Article 7thı. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for bonding their officials.
Article 8th. To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads for the ensuing year.
Article 9th. To raise such sums of money as may be nec- essary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations for the same.
Article 10th. To see if the town will authorize the treas- urer, with approval of the selectmen, to borrow such sums of money in anticipation of taxes as may be necessary for the ensuing year.
Article 11th. To determine the manner of collecting taxes the ensuing year.
Article 12th. To see if the town will employ some person or persons to care for the Town Hall, Town Clock and Library Building for the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 13th. To determine the manner of supporting paupers the year ensuing.
Article 14th. To see if the town will provide for lighting the street lamps the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 15th. To see if the town will vote to have their valnation, by the Assessors, printed each year, till otherwise voted.
Article 16th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the proper observance of Memorial Day.
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Article 17th. To see if the town will appoint some person or persons as agents to prosecute and defend all suits that may be brought for or against the town for the ensuing year.
Article. 18th. To see if the town will take any action towards purchasing a chemical fire engine, or fire wagon and extinguishers, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 19th. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money towards a fund, the income of the same to be used for the support of the Fobes Memorial Library.
Article 20th. To see if the town will vote to accept of the gift of relics and other articles of interest and valne that may be donated, from time to time, to the town, to be kept in the Library Building, and take proper care of the same.
Article 21st. To see if the town will take any action towards joining a poor farm association, or pass any vote rela- tive thereto.
Article 22d. To see if the town will vote to accept of trust funds to be used for the care of burial lots in town, or pass any vote relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up three attested copies thereof, one at each of the Post Offices, and one at the Congregational meeting house, in said town, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make dne return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this ninth day of March, in the year one thousand nine hundred and ten.
GARDNER M. DEAN, ) Selectmen JOHN P. DAY, of WILLIAM C. BLISS, ) Oakham.
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