USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1885 > Part 1
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8
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
WESTHAMPTON, MASS.,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1885.
EASTHAMPTON, MASS .: PRESS OF THE EASTHAMPTON NEWS. 1885.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1885. EXPENDITURES. ON HIGHWAYS.
By Ira O. Shaw, snow bill, $ 1 97
66 Theo. Edwards,
11 01
" S. D. Lyman, 30 66
66 O. W. Bartlett,
6 00
66 William Slattery,
2 00
H. C. Williams,
5 18
66
M. L. Elwell,
3 00
66 Myron Pelton, 66
3 80
66
M. H. Montague; 66
2 20
C. H. Hooker, 66
2 45
F. C. Montague, 66
6 40
66 L. L. Rhodes, 66
6 30
$80 97
By S. D. Lyman, Road Commissioner.
On highways,
$563 36
bridges,
175 26
" railing,
21 70
$760 32
For Road Machine
$150 00
66 expenses on trial of Reversible Machine,
13 00
163 00
C. N. Loud, as per vote of town,
$50 00
Joseph Whalen, 66
15 00
$65 00
SCHOOLS.
By school committee,
$1,489 20
Insurance on school houses,
24 00
Cemetery, by committee,
$1,513 20 $34 05
PAUPERS.
Ezra French,
171 50
William Lawlor,
128 24
Charles Frisbee,
138 05
Anna Hall,
63 72
Margaret Keating,
21 14
Allen Damon,
13 CO
John Duggan,
7 35
543 00
State tax
$320 00
County tax,
397 91
Collecting taxes,
27 08
Discount on taxes,
89 90
Abatement 66
7 99
$842 88
Paid on account of Thayer fund, $60 00
66 Street and Wright fund, 92 00
152 00
Paint and painting Town Hall, $69 61
32 71
C'are of Hall, Wood for Hall, 3 00
105 32
MISCELLANEOUS BILLS.
F. II. Judd, recording births, deaths and
marriages,
$12 05
F. H. Judd, express and postage, 12 78
to Northampton, for Ballot box, 2 50
A. G. Jewett, making annual report, 5 00
A. D Rice, 66
5 00
66 express and postage, TO
Mrs A. K. Chapman, care of Library, 20 00
66 66 extra work in Library, 8 00
6 care of Library to Jan. 1, 15 00
Torrey Brothers, printing Reports, 10 50
66 notices, Registrars'
meetings, 50
Valuation blanks, 10 00
A. D. Montague, one half dog fund, 22 49
3
Lead pipes and laying,
34 83
A. S. Searle, damages, 5 00
Collector's book, 1 25
Work in Library, J. D. Norton & Son,
3 00
N. A. Kingsley, one half dog fund,
29 04
C. N. Loud, driving hearse,
18 00
Repairs on hearse,
2 95
G. E. Knight, tolling bell, etc. 5 50
224 09
TOWN OFFICERS.
F. H. Judd, Clerk and Elector,
18 00
66 66 Sealer,
5 00
N. A. Kingsley, Treasurer,
25 00
L. L. Rhodes, Selectman,
17 50
George Burt,
25 50
A. D. Rice,
29 75
A. K. Chapman, Constable,
2 00
O. W. Bartlett, 66
1 00
Registrars,
6 00
Auditors,
3 00
$132 75
Amount of expenditures, RESOURCES.
$4.616 58
Balance from last year, 1,764 54
Cash from other sources, (Treas. book), 811 46
Taxes assessed, 2,708 79
5,284 79
Balance, March 1st, 1885,
$668 21
Respectfully Submitted,
A. D. RICE, GEO. BURT, of
Selectmen
L. L. RHODES, J Westhampton.
We certify that we have examined the accounts of the Selectmen and found them correct, with vouchers for orders drawn to the amount of four thousand six hundred sixteen 58-100 dollars, ($4,616 58).
CHARLES N. LOUD, 2 Auditors. A. K. CHAPMAN, Westhampton, March 2nd, 1885.
Treasurer's Report FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1885- DR.
Balance from last year, $1,764 54
Cash from Southampton's school fund, 7 50
66 Wm. E. Lyman, from estate of Wm. Lawler, 13 00
Cash of Caleb Loud, Int. on Wright fund, 52 00
66 A. G. Jewett, for paint,
68
H. H. Chilson, Int. on Street fund, 60 00
66 F. H. Judd, Thayer " 37 50
66 N. A. Kingsley, 66 66
12 00
66 County treas., dog fund returned, 58 09
$6 State treas., corporation tax, 3 51
66
66 National bank tax, 259 57
School fund, 307 61
$2,576 00
Amount of assessment,
2,708 79
Total,
$5,284 79
CR
By paid orders of Selectmen,
$4,616 58
Due from Collector, 50 00
Balance in treasury,
618 21
- $5,284 79
N. A. KINGSLEY, Treasurer.
The undersigned hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the treasurer and find them correct, with vouchers on file for disbursements to the amount of four thousand six hundred sixteen 58-100 dollars, ($4,616 58), and a balance in the Treasury of six hundred sixty eight 21-100 dollars, ($668 21).
CHARLES N. LOUD, 2 Auditors. A. K. CHAPMAN,
March, 2nd, 1882
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF WESTHAMPTON, MASS. FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1885.
Our schools were unfortunate this year at the beginning of the summer term, on account of the new law requiring the town to furnish text books. Your committee supposed they had arranged for a supply but were disappointed, in com- mon with many other committees, and the first two weeks of that term were necessarily left mostly to the skill and ingenuity of the teachers, but they did their best and the time was by no means lost. We believe most of our teachers have done good service, with such material as they have had to work upon, but it is very discouraging when the scholars are allowed to be so irregular in their attendance. It seems to us that the parents or guardians are growing more and more lax in this matter, notwithstanding all that has been urged in our former reports. It seems almost unaccountable, if you have natural regard for your children, that you do not see to it yourselves of choice. Our school laws require, under penalty of not more than twenty dollars fine, that the parent or guardian of every child between the ages of eight and fourteen, shall cause such child to attend some public school in the town in which he lives for at least twenty weeks (one hundred days) each year, without there is good and sufficient reason for not doing so. Children growing up
6
without thus attending school, are liable to arrest and are to be sent to the truant school. Our town has already provided a place of confinement for such offenders, and we shall feel obliged to turn them over to the truant officers unless there shall be a decided improvement. All our schools are at fault in this respect but the South is especially so. Some children in that school have not attended but about one half or two thirds the required time, and some even less. In the Hill school there are some that fall far short of the required time. In the Center school are also a few that have had but very little time in school. The North West school has been the banner school for regular attendance in the past, but . they have fallen below their high standing the last year.
It seems to us now that the truant officers will have a report to make at the close of the next year of considerable work performed. It would be much better if the parents would take this matter in hand, but if they persist in neg- lecting it, it becomes our duty to the children as well as to the school laws, to see that the evil is remedied. We have had no school in the North East school house since 1881, until the past summer, as there have been so few scholars to attend it seemed to us best to provide transportation to the North West school for the few, than to support another school. The average attendance has fallen off sadly in the North West this year, which would indicate that the method of transportation is best as well as least expensive. The North East school was kept but one term and there were few scholars, but the school was excellent. In the Center your committee have yearly an unwelcome task to perform in awarding the Clark Scholarship prize at the last school day of the year. It is sometimes alleviated somewhat when there is a marked superiority of one scholar over all others, but it often occurs that the prize is so closely contested that it is a difficult task to decide, yet it must be awarded to some one. We say the committee find it hard to decide; perhaps the difficulty might be remedied if those who stay away from the contest, and yet say emphatically that they know how it should be done, would be on hand with their superior judg- ment so that it could be made available. Such intuition
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would be exceedingly valuable to the committee. We are sorry to observe that the prize seems to have only a paltry pecuniary value in the eyes of some. If the whole class do not get the cash, they do get that which is of more value, the acquisition of good spelling and reading. This is plainly to be seen, and this is of lasting value, while the money is soon gone. This was, we believe, the principal object of the donor, the late Dorus Clark, D. D. That a perfectly just decision can always be arrived at, with the utmost care, we doubt, one reason being the varying temperaments of the competitors, many being so frightened under test as to fall short of their ordinary effort, while occasionally one seems to be stimulated to best efforts. Your committee have endeavored to make the test as fair and impartial as possible and believe we have done so. In the North West school the change of teachers every term is to be regretted, but it is very difficult to obtain a teacher for that school in winter and we are not always able to place such a one there as we would like. There is one exceedingly bad habit in most of our schools, that of boisterous shouting and laughing and noise in the school rooms in the presence of the teacher and others, even strangers. It is very rude and ill-mannered and we hope there will be an influence from the homes to coun- teract it. The child is almost sure to reproduce home man- ners at school. It is most desirable that the children should be constantly taught at home, as well as at school, that it is of great importance that they make the most of their time in their childhood and youth, it being the best time to fasten knowledge in the mind, and the golden opportunities will soon be past. This is the time for them to fit themselves to act well their part when the burden of care is laid upon their shoulders. In our form of government the hope for success in the future is the intelligence of the people. We should see to it then that the children have the full benefit of our schools that they may be fitted for the duties so near at hand, but which seem so far away. Parents, the time is near when you must lay down the more active cares of life, and be dependent in a great measure for comfort in declining years upon these very children in whose future character
C
8
and usefulness you to-day exert so much influence. Let us do all in our power to make that future what it should be, and be mutual helpers.
Number of children in the town May 1st, 1884, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 113; between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 74.
The Clark Scholarship prize, for the best reader and speller in the Center school at the close of the winter term, amounting to $8.54, was awarded to Harry B. Montague.
The Truant Officers make no report this year.
The extra expense incurred in consequence of the new law requiring towns to furnish text books and supplies has been for us, about two hundred and sixty dollars,($260.) Most of the towns called an extra town meeting and appro- priated an estimated amount for this purpose, but your com- mittee being at loss where to fix the sum, and as there was a balance in the treasury, thought best not to ask for an appro- priation last summer, but to make the best arrangements we could and wait for the annual meeting when we could estimate more intelligently. Two of the school houses need shingling immediately, which will probably cost about $125. The extra amount for books and supplies and expenses for the coming year we estimate at $200. We ask for an extra appropriation of $675, and the usual one of $1,000 for ordin- ary running expenses.
There were books and supplies on hand Aug. 1, 1884, $ 26 18 Charged out,
9 81 Furnished to the schools to the estimated amount of 164 66 On hand March 1, 1885, 76 61
The bill for the Loudville school has not yet been pre- sented, There is also an unsettled bill for books of about $75.
TERMS, WAGES AND ATTENDANCE.
Fractions Discarded.
Teacher's Wages & Board per Week.
No. of Scholars.
Average Attendance
Tardiness.
No. Not Tardy.
No. Absent.
No. Not Absent.
SCHOOLS.
Spr.
Sum.
Win.
Spring.
Summer.
Winter.
Spring.
Summer.
Winter.
Spring.
Summer.
Winter.
Spring.
Summer.
Winter.
Spring.
Summer.
Winter.
Spring.
Summer.
Winter.
Center.
32 7.00|7.00,7.00| 33
34
37
30
30
31
3
13
23
31
26
29
29
30
31
4
4
6
Hill.
32 ,6.00 6 00 6.50|
19
22
22
16
18
15
27
12
11
11
16
15
16
20
20
3
2
2
South.
32 ,6.00 6.00 6.50
22
28
17
15
11
8
10| 13
15
21
9
20
24
15
2
4
2
N. West.
32 6.00 6.00 6.50 5.00
16
14
12
13
8
0
1
0
16
13
12
11
8
8
5
6
4
N. East.
11
10
9
8
6
4
6
JOSEPH WHALEN, GRACIE J. EDWARDS, FRANK L., HENRY C., and EDGAR P. WILLIAMS, have not been tardy or absent through the year.
No. of Weeks.
DOLLARS.
17 11
10
FINANCIAL ACCOUNT. EXPENDITURES.
Loudville school,
$125 42
Teachers' salaries,
873 00
Text books etc.
126 32
Book cases,
56 62
Transporting scholars,
20 00
Fuel,
57 35
Blackboard and Mason work,
43 89
Painting school houses,
26 50
Repairs and cleaning,
50 61
Supplies, express, postage, etc.
10 96
Furniture,
5 98
Care of school books,
5 00
Janitors,
6 50
Care of schools and school houses,
27 30
Committee's fees, Miss Carrie Burt,
10 00
66
A. D. Montague,
12 00
66
F. H. Judd,
23 75
Cash on hand,
8 00
Balance not drawn,
193 01
1,682 21
RESOURCES.
Balance from last year,
345 55
Town's appropriation,
1,000 00
State school fund,
307 61
One half dog fund,
29 05
1,682 21 A bill for $13 00 has been sent to the town of South- ampton which has not yet been paid.
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TEACHERS.
South School : Miss Mattie L. Clark.
Hill School : Miss Addie S. Bridgman, Mr. T. Wat- son Phelps.
Center School : Miss Hattie A. Gibbs; Miss Lizzie C. Ewing.
North West School : Mr. Harlan J. Porter, Miss Nellie Coit, Miss Lillian A. Proctor.
North East : Miss Myra E. Kingsley.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
A. D. MONTAGUE, term expires March, 1885
F. H. JUDD, term expires March, 1886
MISS CARRIE BURT, term expires March, 1887
Respectfully submitted, F. H. JUDD, for the committee.
The Auditors of accounts for the town of Westhampton hereby certify that we have this day examined the accounts of the school committee for the year ending March 1st, 1885, and find them correct, with an unexpended balance of school money in the hands of the treasurer, of one hundred ninty three 1-100 dollars, (193 01).
CHARLES N. LOUD, ? A. K. CHAPMAN, Auditors.
March 2nd, 1885,
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