USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1897 > Part 1
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WESTHAMPTON, MASS.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1897.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
Westhampton, Mass.
FOR THE
Year ending Feb. 1st, 1897.
EASTHAMPTON, MASS. : PRESS OF JOHN LEITCH, JR. 189%.
Selectmen's Report.
EXPENDITURES ON HIGHWAYS.
S. D. LYMAN, SURVEYOR.
W. H. Lyman, 480 ft Plank, $ 6 72
Aaron Fisher, 5 30
M. G. Crandall, 2 25
A. L. Searle,
3 75
E. L. Gorham,
6 00
P. A. Connery,
12 00
456 feet Plank,
6 38
J. E. Janes,
1 83
S. D. Lyman,
32 75
Pole for Road Machine,
2 50
Dennis Courtney,
3 50
125 feet Plank,
1 87
84 85
FRANKLIN HOWARD, SURVEYOR.
E. H. Montague,
1 45
F. Howard,
25 75
Lewis Howard,
14 00
A. J. Griffin, 3 15
Arthur Howard,
7 50
4
W. Payson, 3 00
D. S. Bridgman,
5 00
F. Howard,
13 29
F. C. Montague,
75
43 89
OLD BILL.
H. M. Parsons, 5 35
850 feet Plank,
11 90
L. A. Howard, 3 50
20 75
LEVI BURT, SURVEYOR.
A. J. Griffin, 7 35
Levi Burt,
53 13
H. W. Montague,
10 11
Levi Burt,
12 60
126 feet Plank,
1 76
Spikes, 25
E. B Clapp, 192 feet Plank, 3 00
E. A. Kingsley, 2 25
90 45
JOSEPH HATHAWAY, SURVEYOR.
H. C. Williams, old bill, 85
J. Hathaway,
72 01
H. C. Williams, 3 50
C. T. Williams,
2 25
28 61
RESERVIOR BRIDGE.
F. C. Montague, timber, 5 00
G. A. Witherell, 15 04
20 04
SNOW
F. J. Hathaway, 1 17
G. L. Hathaway,
37
T. P. Elwell,
2 30
3 84
5
I. O. SHAW, SURVEYOR.
F. E. Holdridge, 16 00
W. Kingsley, ₹ 50
L. W. Clapp, 24 19
Timber,
13 50
180 feet Plank,
2 34
I. O. Shaw,
36 23
316 feet Plank, 4 10
R. W. Clapp,
3 00
F. A. Bridgman, 2 00
Irwin Prentice,
2 50 111 36
A. E. DAMON, SURVEYOR.
H. Haunton, 2 02
A. E. Damon, 71 65
83 feet Plank, 1 25
E. A. Bartlett, 7 25 82 17
A. T. EDWARDS, SURVEYOR.
A. T. Edwards,' 100 76
C. H. Bartlett, 4 00
C. Connors, 27 92
312 feet Plank, 4 65 137 33
PARSONS' BRIDGE.
H. M. Parsons & Son, 7 80
1890 feet Plank, 28 35
Timber and Spikes,
1 00
F. C. Montague, 4 50
G. E. Knight,
1 50 43 15
LYMAN'S POND BRIDGE.
F. Bates, for derrick' 9 00
T. G. Ring, 15 00
L. A. Howard, 2 00
6
A. D. Rice,
6 25
T. Slattery,
3 00
Merritt Miles,
2 25
5 25
F. C. Montague Timber, 1295 feet H. Plank,
4 75
12 95
65 45
TIMBER AND PLANK FOR OTHER BRIDGES.
F. C. Montague, Timber, 6 21
2043 ft Plank, 24 52 30 73
Total for Highways,
842 62
OVERSEERS OF POOR.
SUPPORT OF POOR.
Otis Witherell, board of Ellen Witherell, 16 00
Mary Colson, 66 " Mrs. Slattery, 24 00
William Dean, 66 " Mrs. Slattery, 58 00
F. F. Guilford, 66 " Mrs. Duggan,
113 56
James Moran, 66 " Mrs. Keating,
75 00
N. L. Hospital for Wm. Lawler, 169 92
Worcester L. Hospital for Dora Howard,
169 92 626 40
Watson Wicks, settlement Huntington,
20 00
20 00
Total for support of Poor,
646 40
Tramps,
1 50
1 50
TELEPHONE.
Bill for Jan., Feb., and March, 22 95
Received for use, 8 00
14 95
Bill for April, May, and June,
22 15
Received for use,
6 70
15 35
Bill for July, Aug. and Sept.,
20 30
Received for use,
6 85
13 45
Bill for Oct., Nov. and Dec.,
22 50
Received for use,
7 20 15 30
55 09
STREET LAMPS.
Care of Lamps, 16 50
New Lamps, 11 48
Oil and Chimneys for Lamps and Town Hall 10 59 38 57
Distributed by Almoners Street & Wright Fund, 165 00
LIBRARY.
E. P. Torrey, Book Case 26 50
G. E. Knight, Librarian, 20 00
Dog Fund for Library, 78 36 124 86
MISCELLANEOUS.
John Leitch, Jr., for printing reports, 26 60
F. H. Judd, Stamps, Stationery and Express, 3 15
F. H. Judd, Record Book, 3 25
A. D. Rice, Tax Book, 1 10
66
66 Express,
35
Merrick Lumber Co. Lumber for vault shelves 9 69
A. K. Chapmin, S.nith work 6 55
E. D. Vailette, Painting Hearse, 10 00
Paint and Varnish, 5 48
H. A. Parsons, Spikes, Nails and Chimneys, 2 65
G. E. Knight, Sexton, 6 Labor in Cemetery, ₹ 50
4 00
8
G. E. Knight, Care Town Hall, 5 00
C. W. Smith, Shingles for Hearse House, 13 50
Westhampton Water Co., 7 50
E. J. Burt, work on Hearse House, 1 36
A. D. Rice, 66 66
66 60
17 50
E. W. Kingsley, work on Hearse House, 13 54
66 66 Book Case for Vault, 11 00
66 66 Fastenings on Door and Window, 3 75
66 66 Work on Tomb, 1 20
66
66 Brick and Lime, 2 16
E. A. Kingsley, work on Tomb, 3 60
E. A. Kingsley, work on Hearse House, 1 80
E. B. Bridgman, work on Tomb,
8 60
F. H. Judd, Express and Postage,
7 29
A. D. Montague, Thayer Fund for Parish, 25 00
E. P. Torrey, repairs and cleaning Organ,
1 00
F. H. Judd, Express and Stamps,
60
Heirs of N. Burt, land for Hearse House, 15 00
G. E. Knight, Care Town Hall, 5 50
66 Cement for Tomb, 1 60
W. H. Lyman, Housing Road Machine, 1 00 233 54
INTEREST, TAXES, DISCOUNT AND MONEY BORROWED.
N. A. Kingsley, Interest, 2 15
Haydenville Savings Bank, Interest, : 95
County Tax, 395 88
Haydenville Savings Bank, paym't on note 100 00
Interest, 8 45
State Tax, 115 00
Interest, on note, 98
S. D. Lyman, Collector, 36 90
3 25
G. E. Knight,“ 66 66 Timber and Plank, 1 97
9
Discount,
112 98
Interest on Note,
5 80
Paid Money Borrowed,
1400 00
Abatement of Taxes,
7 05 2261 13
TOWN OFFICERS.
F. H. Judd, Salary Clerk, 15 00
66
Recording Births, Deaths and Marriages,
8 10
66
Salary Sealer,
5 00
66
6
Elector, 4 00
66
66 Registrar,
7 00
66
66 Making Clerk's report, 5 00
66
66 Office room, 2 00
46 10
A. K. Chapman, Treasurer,
25 00
25 00
F. C. Montague, Assessor,
13 75
66
66
Selectman,
10 00
66
Overseer of Poor,
6 00
66
66 Registrar,
6 00
35 75
L. W. Clapp, Assessor,
15 00
66
66 Selectman,
8 50
66
Registrar,
6 00
29 50
A. D. Rice, Assessor,
15 00
66
Selectman,
16 50
66
.66
Registrar,
6 00
66
66 Making Reports,
7 00
44 50
A. G. Jewett, Auditor,
2 00
2 00
Levi Burt, Constable,
5 50
6 50
John Pollard, Election Officer,
1 50
1 50
N. L. Montague, Election Officer,
1 50
1 50
O. W. Bartlett, Inspecting Meat,
3 00
3 00
W. J. Lyman, 66
4 35
4 35
A. D. Montague, Jr., Cattle Inspector,
17 50
Quarantining Cattle,
2 00
19 50
19 2.50 C14 1
218 20
,
10
RECAPITULATION.
Highway,
842 62
Poor,
646 40
Street and Wright Fund,
165 00
Telephone,
59 05
Street Lamps,
38 57
Library,
124 86
Miscellaneous,
233 54
Town Officers,
218 20
State Aid,
4 00
Tramps,
1 50
Taxes, Discount and Interest,
861 13
Borrowed Money,
1400 00
Total Selectmen's Orders, 4594 87
School Committee,s Order, 1574 12
Total expenditures,
6168 99
Balance Mch. Ist 1896,
567 16
Taxes Assessed,
3522 61
Receipts of Treasurer from other sources,
3005 51 7095 28
Balance Feb. 2nd 1892,
926 29
L. W. CLAPP,
F. C. MONTAGUE
Selectmen of
A. D. RICE,
Westhampton.
Westhampton, Feb. 2, 1897.
Having examined the accounts of the selectmen to date, I find them correct and that they have vouchers for orders drawn to the amount of forty-five hundred and ninety-four and 87-100 dollars, ($4594.87.) A. G. JEWETT, Auditor,
Assessors' Report.
Total valuation, Total Tax, Tax levy,
219211 00
3522 61
State Tax,
175 00
County Tax,
395 88
Schools,
800 00
School Books,
50 00
Superintendent,
50 00
Book Case for Library,
35 00
Highways and Bridges,
800 00
Support of Poor,
600 00
Town Officers,
200 00
Vault Note,
100 00
Discount on Taxes,
100 00
Interest paid by N. A. Kingsley,
2 75
Contingent Fund,
200 00
Overlayings,
13 98
3522 61
L. W. CLAPP Assessors F. C. MONTAGUE. of
A. D. RICE 5 .Westhampton.
11
12
List of Jurors.
Fred D. Bridgman, Willie W. Kingsley,
Dwight S. Bridgman,
Henry A. Parsons, Edward A. Bartlett, Nelson A. Kingsley,
Eugene J. Hathaway.
Town Clerk's Report.
FOR THE YEAR 1896.
BIRTHS RECORDED,
/ Feb. 10, Eva Boucher
1 June 28, Evelyn Herbert Hathaway
3 July 3, Ovilla Blakesley
4 00 13, Ernest Ray Witherell
5 Aug. 10, Mabel Clarissa Bridgman
6 " 28, Marion Gladys Williams
7 Sept. 15, Marion Montague Clapp
& Nov. 9, Charles Russell Burt
9 00 27, Jennie Arcoit.
Births recorded in recent years.
1886
'87
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
$94
195
10
10
8
12
12
15
15
12
13
MARRIAGES RECORDED. 1896
/ June 3, William A Judd of Easthampton. Chastine B. C. Rowley of Westhampton. 2 June 30, John Patterson of Easthampton. Isabell L. Gaitenby of Easthampton.
3 Dec. 24, Richard Gellis of Northampton. Blanche L Fisher of Northampton. 4 Dec. 30, Clayton A. Bartlett of Amherst. Emily A Edwards, of Westhampton,
Marriages recorded in recent years.
1886 5
'87
'88
'89
'191
'92
'93
'04
'95
5
4
6
4
3
4
5
5
2
DEATHS RECORDED. - 1896
/ Mar.
12, Lima L. N. Bartlett, 65-4
2 .April 3
3, Alfred J. Pelton, 15-7-4.
12, Sybil Howard, 1 d.
4
24, Leander L. Rhodes, 63-1-1.
5 July 3, E. Payson Lyman 62-1-6
Deaths recorded in recent years.
1886
'87
'88
'89
'90
$91
'92
$93
$94
'95
1
6 14
5
5
4
5
13
12
10
11
Causes of death. Cerebral Hemorrhage, 2; Tuber- culosis, 1; Dislocation of Shoulder and Hip, 1; Still Born, 1. Mortgages of personal property, 3.
DOGS LICENSED,
F. H. Judd, 3
April 1
W. J. Anderson,
May 4
T. P. Elwell,
66
11 F. H. Judd
4
W. J. Lyman,
66
11 P. Gagnon
66
F. Howard,
13 F. H. Judd,
9
I. O. Shaw,
15 F. J. Pomeroy, 66
9
A. E. Howard,
66
22
H. Haunton, 66 16
16
14
E. D. Pollard,
24
E. P. Lyman, 66 28
L. W. Clapp,
66
24
F. Blakesley,
June 3
F. C. Montague,
66
24
A. L. Snow,
66
6
Miss A. S. Bridgman
66
24
Levi Burt,
July 13
H. L. Dodge,
66
24
E. A. Bartlett
66
21
H. M. Clapp,
29
N. Damon.
27
S. A. Rust,
66
29
M. J. Crandall,
66 30
W. R. Lyman, . 66
29
Geo. Tower,
66
30
J. H. Kingsley,
66
29
G. A. Witherell,
Aug.
1
J. Hathaway,
66
29
H. Cassady,
66
22
Irwin Prentice,
66
30
P. Connery,
Sept.
1
G. H. Coleman,
May 1
M. K. Parsons,
66
1
Mrs. M. C. Pelton,
66
1
E. W. Payson,
66
17
A. D. Montague, Jr.
66
2
M. J. Slattery,
66
23
H. Hathaway,
66
2
H. W. Montague,
66
30
C. Connors,
66
4
W. H. Lyman, 66
30
P. Connors,
66
4
Amount received for Licenses in
1886
'87
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
$103
120
124
129
106
95
115
95
108
99
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
To Cash rec'd for 32 Licenses at $2.00 to June 1, '96. $64.00
66
66
1 60
$5.00 66
66
5.00
$69.00
Less 33 fees at 20 cents
6.60
Due County June 1, 1896.
$62.40
Cash received for 16 licenses at $ ?. 00 to Dec. 1, '96. $32.00
Less. 16 fees at 20 cents,
3.20
Due County Dec. 1st, 1896,
28.80
17
A. D. Rice,
65
J. Gravelin, 1
15
By County Treasurer's Receipt June 1, 1896, 62.40
By County Treasurer's Receipt Nov. 30, 1896, 28.80
Whole Amount received from licenses, $101.00
Whole Amount returned from Co. Treasury, 78.36
Respectfully submitted, F. H. JUDD, Town Clerk.
Westhampton, Feb. 2nd, 1897.
I find ou examination, that the accounts of F. H. Judd, Esq., Town Clerk, are correct to date and that he has receipts for monies paid and has charged himself with what he has received.
A. G. JEWETT, Auditor.
Treasurer's Report.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 2nd, 1897.
Dr.
Balance from last year, $ 567 16
A. G. Jewett, interest on Wright Fund, 25 00
N. A. Kingsley, “ 25 00 66
City Northampton, (Morrison Case.) 24 00
Easthampton Savings Bank Int. Thayer Fund 17 37 City Holyoke, 55 00
State Treasurer Insane Poor, 236 86
T. J. Slattery, board of Mrs. Slattery, 46 25
Hampshire Savings Bank, 1400 00
Hampshire Co. Bank, Clark Scholarship Fund, 5 00
Cattle commissioners,
13 92
Trustee Estate, Whiting Street,
52 50
State Treasurer, Tuition Children,
145 00
Corporation Tax,
22 25
National Bank Tax,
295 76
66
State Aid,
48 00
66
Rebate National Bank Tax,
66
66 Scholarship Fund,
1 42 ,
Co. Treasurer Dog Fund, 78 36
16
66
17
State Treasurer Mass. School Fund,
462 57
F. H. Judd, Int. on Thayer Fund,
31 25
Town of Huntington,
20 00
3572 67
Amount of assessment,
3522 61
Total,
7095 28
Credit.
By paid orders of Selectmen, $4,594 87
66 School Committee,
1,574 12
By Balance in treasury, 218 68
By Balance due from Collector,
707 61
~$7,095 28
A. K. CHAPMAN, Treasurer.
Westhampton, Feb. 3, 1897.
Having examined the accounts of A. K. Chapman, Esq., Town Treasurer, I find them correct. That he has paid or- ders of the selectmen to the amount of forty-five hundred and ninety-four and 87-100 dollars (4,594.87) and of the school committee to the amount of fifteen hundred and seventy-four and 12-100 dollars $(1,574.12), and that to meet a balance due the town of nine hundred and twenty-six and 29-100 dollars ($926.29), there is due from the Collector unpaid tax- es, seven hundred and seven and 61-100 dollars ($707.61), and that he has on hand two hundred and eighteen and 68-100 dollars ($218.68).
A. G. JEWETT, Auditor.
Report of Joint School Board
TO DISTRICT COMPRISING TOWNS OF EASTHAMPTON, SOUTH- AMPTON AND WESTHAMPTON FOR YEAR ENDING JULY 1ST, 1896.
Received from State Treasurer, 1250 00
Credited to Superintendent, Salary,
750 00
Credited to towns of district on basis
of average total membership of schools of district for year end- ing July 1st, 1896,
To Easthampton,
384 49
To Southampton,
84 82
To Westhampton,
30 69
500 00 500 00
1250 00 1250 00
18
19
Received from towns of district on basis of average total membership for year ending July 1st, 1896,
Town Easthampton share Superintendent's salary, 653 63
Town Southampton share Superintendent's salary, 144 19
Town Westhampton share Superintendent's salary, 52 18
850 00
850 00
State Treasurer Credited to Supt. salary 750 00
1600 00
Paid Superintendent's salary for year ending July 1st, 1896, 1600 00
Net cost to Easthampton year ending July 1st 1896, 269 14
Net cost to Southampton year ending July 1st 1896, 59 37
Net cost to Westhampton year ending July 1st 1896, 21 49
350 00
Amounts to be appropriated by towns of district to secure State appropriation for Supt. salary for year ending July 1st, 1897, approximate estimate. Supt. Salary, 1500 00
Easthampton,
575 00
Southampton, 125 00
Westhampton, 50 00
750 00
20
Net cost for year ending July 1st, 1897, ap- proximate estimate,
Easthampton,
175 00
Southampton,
50 00
Westhampton,
25 00
250 00
EDMUND H. SAWYER, Chm. Joint Com. CHAS. N. LOUD, Secretary.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF WESTHAMPTON.
STATEMENT OF SCHOOLS, TEACHERS EMPLOYED, WAGES, ETC.
CENTER SCHOOL.
Miss Myra E. Kingsley,
No. of pupils enrolled
23
Average membership
20
Average attendance
19
No. of pupils over 15 years
0
No. of pupils under õ years
1
No. of pupils between 8 and 14
13
No. of weeks school,
32
Wages paid teacher,
$266 00
Water Co.
5 00
21
22
Fuel, L. A. Howard,
14 60
Cleaning schoolhouse
3 50
Making fires etc. 4 00
Orville Flint, repairs 1 50
E. P. Torrey, repairs 3 45
C. N. Loud, repairs 4 60
The Clark Scholarship Prize, for the best reader and speller at the close of the winter term was awarded to Lillian M. Parsons.
Not absent or tardy during the year, Dana and Nettie Pelton, Vera Chapman, Myron Clapp.
At the commencement of this school year, we found that the transportation of pupils from the North East school would seriously inconvenience several of the families who send to that school and we concluded to have a school in this section of the town, and we think this decision was a wise one.
The average membership has been somewhat reduced thereby in this school, but there has been a very perceptible improvement made, especially in reading and spelling.
Nature work is interesting and instructive and tends largely to develop the faculties of observation, but in our opinion it ought never to take the place of those branches which are commonly taught in our schools, a thorough know- ledge of which are so essential to those pupils who will never have the advantage of a high school and whose education is completed when they leave the common school.
In this school as well as in all our schools, there has been especial interest taken in the subject of letter writing and the pupils have made a very great improvement in this, as the letters sent to your Committee show. Music has also been taught in our schools, for which we as teachers, pupils and committee, would extend our thanks to the superintendent.
The law passed by our legislature last winter, which
23
went into effect in the fall term, giving to towns whose val- uation is less than two-hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a sum not to exceed two dollars a week, has enabled us to keep teachers who would not have staid at the price we have commonly paid to our teachers. A copy of this act will be found in our report.
HILL SCHOOL. A. Frances Wilson, Harriet F. Judd.
No. of pupils enrolled 15
Average membership 14
Average attendance, 13
No. of pupils over 15 years
0
No. of pupils under 5 years
2
No. of pupils between 8 and 14
9
No. of weeks school,
32
Wages paid teacher 234 00
Fuel, H. A. Parsons 4 75
O. C. Bartlett, sawing wood 2 25
O. C. Bartlett, making fires 1 50
Repairs and cleaning schoolhouse
8 41
The attendance in this school for the first term was very irregular but the last two terms it has been very much better and the pupils have been interested in their work. Consider- able progress has been made in arithmetic, reading and spell- ing and especially in music and letter writing.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Mary Whelan, Nellie M. Ingoldsby,
No. of pupils enrolled 20
Average membership 18
Average attendance 16
No. of pupils over 15 years,
0
No. of pupils under 5 years, 0
24
No. of pupils between 8 and 14
No. of weeks school
11 32
Wages of teacher
$234 00
Repairs,
4 65
Cleaning schoolhouse
2 00
Making fires 2 00
Not absent or tardy during the year, Casper Connery, George B. Searle.
This school has increased in numbers during the past year and the work done here has shown good results. Both the teachers of this school the past year have had a normal school training as we have before stated and it was our desire to retain Miss Whelan in town but we did not feel sure of of- fering the extra two dollars until she had engaged elsewhere at a larger salary.
We are fortunate however in securing a teacher who has done excellent work and although the pupils are all quite young and some of them have a long way to walk, the at- tendance has been much better than the previous year.
NORTH EAST SCHOOL.
Miss Ellen D. Leonard.
No. of pupils enrolled
12
Average membership 10
Average attendance, 9
No. of pupils over 15 years
0
No. of pupils under 5 years
2
No. of pupils between 8 and 14
5
No. of weeks school
29
Wages paid teacher 202 00
Fuel, Geo. Witherell 8 00
Repairs, A. D. Montague, Jr.
1 40
Not absent or tardy during the year, Ella L. Bridgman, Alice L. Bridgman, Hugh M. Bridgman, Ernest M. Shaw.
25
We have been able to have a school in this section of the town twenty-nine weeks. Several of the children are quiet young and have a long distance to walk, but the register shows the most uniform record in attendance and punctuality of any in town.
We have also been very fortunate in securing a teacher of large experience, and one who is well adapted for the kind of work needed in such a school.
NORTH WEST SCHOOL.
Nollie M. Ingollsby, Elizabeth E. Mann.
No. of pupils enrolled 9
Average membership
8
Average attendance
No. of pupils over 15 years 0
No. of pupils under 5 years
1
No. of pupils between 8 and 14 4
No. of weeks school 26
Wages paid teacher,
$162 00
Your committee found that it would be necessary to close this school for the winter months as there were only three pupils who would attend if a school was kept here. One of these pupils has attended the school at the center and we would recommend that this school be transported to the North East school unless a larger number of pupils can be obtained than there has been for the past year.
It will be necessary to make considerable repairs on this school house, and the building will need shingling this sum- mer. Not less than one-thousand dollars is needed to keep the buildings in repair and to secure good teachers beside pro- curing all necessary supplies.
EXPENSES. 979 80
Teachers' salaries
26
Loudville school Superintendent
162 92
21 49
Books, Ginn & Co.
50 00
Taintor & McAlpine
12 48
D. C. Heath & Co.
48 60
A. B. Morrill
8 25
J. Leitch Jr.
1 35
S. E. Bridgman & Co.
19 41
American Book Co.
27 08
Northampton School Department
1 54
Geo. L. Munn
1 75
170 46
Tuition, E. A. Kingsley,
15 00
Elsie Bartlett
45 00
Grace J. Edwards
40 00
Flora M. Kingsley
25 00
Grace H. Kingsley
25 00
Edith L. Shaw
25 00
175 00
Fuel,
29 60
Janitors' Services
3 50
Cleaning school houses
3 00
Repairs,
13 25
J. D. Norton & Son tables
10 00
J. B. Lyman, Chair
2 00
1574 12
RESOURCES.
Town appropriation
800 00
Books
50 00
Supt. salary
50 00
State appropriation
462 57
High School tuition
145 00
Bal. from last year
230 06
1737 53
2%
In the above amount expended for books is included paper, pens, pencils, maps, globes, in fact, everything used in this line of work in the schools. Another year it will not be nec- essary to spend so large an amount.
The financial statement is given only to the first of Feb. andl there remains, unpaid at this date, nearly ($200 00) two hundred dollars, which added to the amount given, will be nearly ($1800.00) eighteen hundred dollars.
Of this amount, we expect to receive from the state, the two dollars extra, which we have paid to our teachers, a- mounting to over three hundred dollars; for tuition about one hundred and twenty five dollars; state appropriation over four hundred and fifty dollars, leaving to the town to pay, just about one thousand dollars and this amount we trust the town will vote to give for the support of schools.
A. D. MONTAGUE, JR., F. D. BRIDGMAN, C. N. LOUD,
School Committee.
Westhampton, Feb. 2nd, 1897.
Having examined the accounts and vouchers of the school committee from March 4th 1896 to date, I find them correct with orders drawn to the amount of fifteen hundred and sev- enty-four and 12-100 dollars. (1574.12)
A. G. JEWETT, Auditor.
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Chapter 408, Acts of 1896.
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE SALARIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SMALL TOWNS.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows:
With the approval of the State Board of Education there may be paid from the income of the school fund, to any town having a valuation of less than two hundred and fifty thous- and dollars, a sum not exceeding two dollars per week for the actual time of service of each teacher, approved by the school committee of said town after special examination as to excep- tional ability, employed in the public schools of said town, which sum shall be added to the salary of such teacher : pro- vided, that the amount paid by the town toward the salary of such teacher shall not be less than the average salary paid by said town to teachers in the same grade of school for the three years next preceding, and that by said addition no teacher shall receive more than ten dollars per week. [Ap- proved May 16, 1896.
REPORT
OF THE
School Superintendent.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
GENTLEMEN :-
I respectfully submit the annual report of the Superin- tendent of Schools for the school year 1896-'97.
The town has been especially fortunate in its teachers. All have shown an interest in their duties that has produced excellent results. It is generally true that when the teacher is interested in the school work, the pupils will be interested.
The addition of $2.00 a week received from the state will enable the town to pay salaries that compare favorable with those of surrounding towns.
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30
MUSIC.
The pupils have been much interested in their music. I have given a few minutes to this work at each visit and the pupils in all the schools are able to read quite readily in the key of C and the older ones are beginning to sing in two part music. By the end of the year we hope to be able to read simple pieces in two parts in the key of C at sight and to have made a beginning in the next key. As the whole ex- pense of the work in music has been a small item for singing books, which are good for many years of service, it seems to be a pleasant and profitable part of the school exercises. Of course much of the success in any work of this kind is due to the regular daily drill by the teachers.
LETTER WRITING.
I believe that every pupil who is old enough to express himself in writing ought to be taught to write a letter that is in good form, correctly punctuated etc. In addition to the practical value of the work, it affords an excellent opportun- ity to teach expression. Letter writing should be begun as soon as possible, because many leave school early in the course. The common business forms, as orders, receipts, etc. are also of practical value. We have done what we could to improve in this line.
NATURE WORK.
An outline in nature work, which gives the subject for each month, has been made. Subjects have been selected that seem to be the most practical and that every boy and girl will want to know about. At the same time it is intend- ed to teach them to see for themselves the wonderful things in nature about them. All the exercises in nature work have been used as exercises in writing, and in this way but little
31
extra time is taken. The pupils must have exercises in writing and they may as well write about something in which they are interested, as to write compositions about subjects in which they are not interested.
Respectfully, W. D. MILLER.
ARTICLES
IN THE
Warrant for Town Meeting March 1st, 1897.
Article 1. - To choose a Moderator.
Art. 2 .- To choose a Town Clerk.
Art. 3 .- To act on all Reports presented at said meeting.
Art. 4 .- To choose all necessary Officers to serve the town the ensuing year.
Art. 5 .- To see if the town will accept the list of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen.
Art. 6 .- To see if the town will sell the Organ in the Hall and give the proceeds to the Lanman Mission Band to be used for paying the debt on the Piano.
Art. 7. - To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges the ensuing year.
Art. 8 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate any money for the observance of Memorial Day.
Art. 9 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate any money for surveying a piece of road for a State Highway.
Art. 10 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate any money to build a sewer from near the church to just below A. K. Chapman's shop.
Art. 11 .-- To see if the town will give the Village Improve- ment So isty leave to discontinue or change any of the roads near the church.
Art. 12 .-- To vote Yes or No on the question, shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating Liquors in this town.
Art. 13 .- To take action in regard to the collection of taxes.
Art. 14 .- To see if the town will authorize its treasurer to borrow money to meet current expenses in anticipation of taxes.
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