USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Hatfield > Hatfield Annual Town Report 1906-1914 > Part 14
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41 38
R. F. Fitzgerald,
66
35 88
Val. Parada,
6
20 00
Fred Winzel,
38 76
M. J. Ryan,
33 00
E. A. Ryan,
33 00
F. H. Bardwell, sale of tile,
1 20
H. Shumway, sidewalk,
44 20
Mary J. Prince,
34 30
J. L. Proulx,
85 20
$41,378 06
To Cash received from Temporary Loans.
Northampton Inst. for Savings, eight mos. Note,
$8000 00
$49,378 06
CR.
By cash paid Selectmen's orders,
$31,440 35
Interest on Water Bonds, 2000 00 District Court Fees, 210 91
Bureau of Statistics, 3 00
39 64
John Gendron, 60
26 54
Charles Winter,
33
By cash paid Interest on temporary loans, $230 98 Water Com. advance con'stn 1300 00
County Tax, 1994 65 State Tax, 2135 50
Treas. Sinking Fund, 861 67
Balance in Treasury, 1201 00
-$41,378 06 By cash paid Northampton Inst. for Savings, note, $8000 00
$49,378 06
IN ACCOUNT WITH E. L. GRAVES, COLLECTOR
(1910 TAXES)
DR.
To cash received,
$3143 32
To Assessor's orders of Abatement,
316 22
$3459 54
CR.
By uncollected taxes,
$3349 88
Interest on taxes,
81 66
Addition to Warrant,
28 00
$3459 54
(1911 TAXES)
DR.
To cash received.
uncollected taxes,
$26,235 62
3448 63
discount on taxes.
508 89
-$30,193 14
34
CR.
By Assessor's Warrant, Addition to Warrant, Interest collected,
$29,350 34
809 40
33 40
-
-$30,193 14
I have examined the accounts of the Tax Collector, and find that he has been credited by the Treasurer, with the amount of $3143.32, of the taxes of 1910; and $26,235.62 of the taxes of 1911.
VERNET H. KELLER, Auditor.
Hatfield. March 5th, 1912.
WATER SINKING FUND
DR.
To thirty years four per cent. Water Bonds, $50,000 00
CR.
By Sinking Fund,
$17,494 24
SUMMARY OF TOWN ACCOUNT
DR.
To Notes outstanding, Bills due March 1st, not in,
$ 000 00
730 00
CR.
By uncollected taxes, 1911,
$3,448 63
Due from State Aid,
120 00
Inspection of Animals,
30 00
State, Smith School,
100 00
Sewer Assessments,
207 00
Balance in Treasury,
1201 00
$5106 63
Balance In favor of town,
$4376 63
35
I have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer of the Town of Hatfield for the year ending March 1st. 1912. I find Selectmen's orders on file to the amount of Thirty-one thousand four hundred forty and thirty-five one hundredths ($31,440.35) dollars, with evidence of their payment by him.
Also, cancelled notes and receipts for State and County taxes and interest paid.
I find a balance in the Treasury of One thousand two hundred one and no-hundredths ($1201.00) dollars.
VERNET H. KELLER, Auditor.
Hatfield, Mareh 5th, 1912.
Report of the Sinking Fund Commissioners
We have the following amounts placed to the credit of the Sinking Funds:
Nonotuck Saving Bank,
$ 1101 23
Haydenville Savings Bank, 1419 95
Florence Savings Bank, 1104 16
Easthampton Savings Bank,
872 99
Springfield Five Cent Savings Bank,
958 98
Northampton Institution for Savings,
1019 05
Springfield Institution for Savings,
937 78
Union Trust Co., Springfield,
2080 10
Boston & Maine R. R., bonds,
3000 00
2000 00
N. Y., N. H. & H., bonds, Springfield Street Railway, bonds, Hatfield Water Bonds,
1000 00
2000 00
$17,494 24
M. J. RYAN,
E. S. WARNER,
L. J. PELISSIER, Sinking Fund Commissioners.
I have this day examined accounts of Sinking Fund Commissioners of Town of Hatfield and find all securittes on hand as per list above.
VERNET H. KELLER, Auditor.
Hatfield, Mass., March 2, 1912.
36
Water Commissioners' Report
The following is respectfully submitted as the sixteenth annual report of the Board of Water Commissioners.
We have received the past year as follows :-
Balance of cash from last years account, $ 557 15
Cash from collection of water rates, 4,303 29
Connection and supplies furnished, 92 56
Advance from the town on new construction, 1,300 00
$6,253 00
We have paid the past year as follows :-
Town of Hatfield, from water rates, $2,900 00
Town of Hatfield, advance for construction, 300 00
Charles Millar & Son Co., iron pipe and lead, 1,314 71
Norwood Engineering Co., hydrants and supplies, 188 90
W. H. Riley & Co., lead and supplies, 142 05
B. & M. R. R., freight and car service, 4 53
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., expense crossing track, 10 61
M. D. Patterson, as engineer, 47 39
M. J. Ryan, contract laying pipe, 716 95
M. J. Ryan, cash paid for 2 in. pipe and supplies, 108 95
Northampton Water Works, supplies,
41 97
O'Connor & Davies, jute packing,
4 13
O, Connor & McGrath, lead,
9 60
M. J. Proulx, labor and expense, 70 50
Fred T. Bardwell, carting and laying stone,
9 75
37
38
A. L. Strong, labor and team,
$ 4 25
Charles W. Wade, collection of water rates,
63 07
Edson W. Strong, 66 03
Edson W. Strong, labor and cash paid,
112 45
Balance cash on hand,
137 16
$6,253 00
The total cost of the water works to March 1, 1912, is $61,084.43.
There are now 341 connections with private property, 96 hydrants for fire protection, 5 water tanks and water in 5 school houses and in Memorial Hall.
The extension of the water main the past year has been 1894 feet of 6 in. cast iron pipe, 2202 feet of 4 in. pipe and 437 feet of 2 in. wrought iron pipe, at a cost of $2,040.89 at West Brook and $417.00 at East Division, total $2,457.89.
There are now 18,781 feet of 8 in. pipe
49,680 6 in. 34,798 4 in.
1,757
2 in.
10,658
1 in.
1,070
34 in. 66
Total 116,744 feet or over 22 miles.
MICHAEL J. PROULX,
DANIEL W. WELLS,
ARTHUR R. BREOR, Hatfield Water Commissioners.
Hatfield, Mass., March 1, 1912.
I have this day examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer of the Water Commissioners of the town of Hatfield and find them correct with vouchers on file for all payments made.
VERNET H. KELLER, Auditor. Hatfield, Mass., March 1st, 1912.
Town Clerk's Report
The vital statistics for the Town of Hatfield for the year 1911, are as follows:
BIRTHS BY MONTHS
No.
Males
Females
January,
8
2
6
February,
7
4
3
March,
7
4
3
April,
4
2
2
May,
6
5
1
June,
4
1
3
July,
2
0
2
August,
7
5
2
September,
7
5
2
October,
4
3
1
November,
3
0
3
December,
10
4
6
-
-
-
Total,
69
35
34
BIRTHPLACE OF PARENTS
Father
Mother
Born in Canada,
0
3
United States,
17
15
Poland,
46
45
Germany,
1
1
Hungary,
5
5
-
-
69
69
40
BIRTHS FOR THE FIVE PREVIOUS YEARS
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
68
67
92
64 79
MARRIAGES BY MONTHS
No.
January,
4
March,
1
April,
1
May,
3
July,
1
August,
1
September,
6
October,
2
November,
2
First marriage of both parties,
19
Second marriage of groom, first of bride,
2
Second marriage of bride, first of groom,
1
The oldest and youngest grooms were fifty-two and twenty years of age respectively.
The oldest and youugest brides were thirty-nine and eighteen years of age respectively.
BIRTHPLACE OF PERSONS MARRIED
Groom
Bride
Born in United States,
4
4
Poland,
16
16
Hungary,
1
1
Canada,
1
0
Ireland,
0
1
-
-
22
22
-
22
41
MARRIAGES FOR FIVE PREVIOUS YEARS
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
22
33
21
33
26
DEATHS BY MONTHS
No.
Males
Females
January,
4
4
0
February,
3
3
0
March,
6
2
4
April,
2
0
2
May,
2
1
ยท
1
June,
2
1
1
July,
1
1
0
August,
1
0
1
September,
1
0
1
October,
1
1
0
November,
3
0
3
December,
2
0
2
-
-
-
28
12
15
No.
Males
Females
Under 1 year of age,
7
4
3
Between 1 and 5 yrs., 1
5
10
1
0
1
10
20
1
1
0
20
30
2
2
0
30
40
2
0
2
40
50
0
0
0
50
60
1
1
0
60
70
4
0
4
07
80
3
1
2
80
90
,6
4
2
-
-
-
28
13
15
0
1
42
Age of oldest person deceased (female) 88 years, 11 months and 10 days.
CAUSES OF DEATH
Classified according ta the nomenclature adopted by the State board of Registration.
ZYMOTIC DISEASES
Malarial Fever,
1
Cholera Infantum,
1
.
CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES
Hydrocephalus,
1
Infantile Debility,
1
Premature Birth,
1
Still Born,
4
Senility,
1
Brain Disease,
1
LOCAL DISEASES
Hernia,
1
Apoplexy,
2
Pneumonia,
6
Heart Disease,
2
Bronchitis, Acute,
1
Nephritis, Chronic,
2
VIOLENT DEATHS
Burns-accidental,
1
Struck by train-accidental,
1
Killed by live wire-accidental,
1
43
NAMES OF PERSONS DECEASED
Henry Albert Wade
Lawrence Vollinger
Ralph Hervey Howard
Roswell Billings
Robert E. Fitzgerald
Armena Rodier Kiley Elizabeth Pecten
Edward Proulx
Emma Cooper Shank
Annie M. Kleasner
Sarah Jane Porter
Bridget F. McGrath
Peter Saffer .
Hannah S. Wells
Paul Vachula
Agnes Czelotka Nellie Maria Belden
Henry Radziwon
Angeline W. Dickinson
Silas Porter
Bridget Fitzgerald
Anna Vachula
Augusta A. Porter Graves
Stella Czelotka
DOG LICENSES
The number of dogs licensed during the year ending November 30, 1912, with the recelpts and settlements of the account with the County Treasurer, is as follows :-
76 male dogs at $2.00 each, $152 00
5 female dogs at $5.00 each, 25 00
$177 00
Less fees, 81 dogs at 20 cents each,
16 20
Paid to County Treasurer,
$160 80
Respectfully submitted,
L. H. KINGSLEY,
Town Clerk.
Assessors' Report
Value of assessed personal estate, $ 401,958 00 Value of assessed real estate, 1,212,805 00
Total value of assessed estate, $1,614,763 00
Value of assessed buildings,
$664,140 00
Value of assessed land,
548,665 00
$1,212,805 00
546
327
54
No. non residents assessed on property, For poll tax only, 296
761
Rate of tax per $1000,
$17.50
No. of horses assessed,
451
No. of cows,
325
No. of neat cattle,
25
No. of swine,
29
No. of fowls,
176
No. of dwelling houses,
344
No. of acres of land,
9,258
No. polls assessed, No. residents assessed, All others,
381
465
45
State Tax,
$ 2,135 50
County Tax, Town Tax, Overlayings,
1,994 65
24,798 00
422 19
$29,350 34
Estimated Bank and Corporation Tax,
850 00
Excise Tax,
671 84
Value of property exempt from taxation, Chapter 490, Acts of 1909.
Literary Institutions,
$73,626.00
Church property,
27,000 00
$100,626 00
Respectfully submitted,
EDSON W. STRONG,
WM. H. BELDEN,
L. H. KINGSLEY,
Assessors of Hatfield.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
Town of Hatfield
FOR THE
Year Ending March 1, 1912
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Thaddeus Graves, Jr., Chairman,
Term cxpires 1912 66 1913
A. R. Breor, Secretary,
Rev. W. E. Foley,
1914
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Clinton J. Richards,
22 Prospect Avenue, Northampton
Telephone 858-W
TRUANT OFFICERS
S. W. Kingsley A. L. Strong
SCHOOL CENSUS, SEPT., 1911
Boys between the ages of 5 and 15, 175
Girls between the ages of 5 and 15, 172
Total, Total for September, 1910,
347
282
Increase, 65
49
Report of School Committee
At the beginning of the year the Academy trustees granted to the School Committee the privilege of using a room in the Academy. The eighth and ninth grades were put into this room, and the room vacated was used for a new first grade. Even this additional room was not enough and some of the first grade pupils had to be returned to the Hill School. This is not satisfactory as it hampers the work of the second and third grades in that school.
As the birth-rate has been increasing for the past six years this over-crowding will continue and increase until some further provision for relief is made - either a new room added or a new building put up.
Toilet rooms for the girls and for the boys have been put in the Hill School. New windows were put in the Brad- street School, and the cellar of the Center School has been cemented. In the North Hatfield School needed repairs were made in the hall.
The severity of the winter has fully shown up the weak points in the heating system of the West Hatfield School, and some more serviceable system ought to be put in. Also the ventilating system in the schools at North Hatfield and Bradstreet should be changed.
The school work has been interrupted by the usual winter epidemic-this year it was measles, whooping-cough, and chicken-pox.
The committee has approved a set of rules and regula- tions which will be found on another page.
THADDEUS GRAVES, JR., Chairman.
50
51
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
RESOURCES
Town appropriation,
$6100 00
Music and Drawing,
300 00
Supplies sold,
9 07
From City of Boston,
62 00
State, Supt. of Schools,
462 97
Mass. School Fund,
755 68
Dog Fund,
122 30
$7812 02
Orders drawn on Treasury,
$7735 64
Balnce unexpended,
$76 38
Report of Superintendent of Schools
I hereby submit my annual report. As my connection with the schools covers a period of but one-half of the school year. I shall only attempt to give briefly some of my impres- sions of present conditions and to suggest certain lines along which improvement might be made.
Nothing revolutionary or spectacular has been or will be attempted during the present management. We are trying to place emphasis on what are generally recognized as the essen- tials of education-comprising the subjects of morals, hygiene, reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, and language. These essentials should be our first concern, but there must be built upon and added to them various other subjects, if we are to more completely equip our boys and girls for happy and useful living.
TEACHERS
As may be seen by referring to the statistical tables, there have been several changes in teachers since the last report was made. The resignations at West Hatfield made it necessary to secure two new teachers for those schools, and the transfer of Miss Breor to the Center Primary created another vacancy at Bradstreet. All of the present force appear to be working faithfully and for the most part with commendable results.
The importance of the service rendered by a truly efficient teacher can hardly be over-estimated. Such a teacher de- serves the hearty support of every citizen. She should receive not only an adequate salary, but also such a degree of personal
52
53
sympathy and encouragement that she may feel that her efforts in behalf of our children are being appreciated.
The most satisfactory school systems are usually found in those places where the conditions of service are made so attractive that efficient teachers can be retained for a series of years.
COURSE OF STUDY
At the beginning of the present school year each teacher was provided with a copy of a course of study prepared for another district where the school conditions are much the same as here. This has been found helpful and suggestive, but a considerable revision would make it more valuable.
The work of our schools too largely tends to develop the ideals that find their expression in city rather than in country life. Not every country-bred boy or girl should be a farmer, but the large majority of them would be vastly better off to remain on the farm than to go to the city. By all available means, our children should be led to develop an appreciation of rural life and a capacity to enjoy its comforts and advant- ages. The public schools should lead in the movement to enrich and enlarge the life of the country and the country child.
It has been intimated officially that the State Department of Education is to prepare a course of study for the schools of the state. Unless such a course-adapted for use in the rural as well as the city schools-is furnished, it will be necessary to prepare independent outlines for the town or district.
Any comprehensive plan of work for our public schools should include at least these three aims:
1. To provide for a complete general education.
2. To prepare for a more extended education in college, technical, or industrial school.
3. To provide those who leave school at any time with the best possible education up to that time.
54
TEXT-BOOKS
The only changes of any importance have been the intro- duction of the Aldine Readers to replace the Ward System of reading, and of the Palmer System of Penmanship in place of the old Vertical System which has everywhere proved inade- quate for school or business purposes.
The results of the change in writing differ according to the skill and interest shown by teachers, but the improvement will become more apparent in the higher grades. In the ver- tical writing the attention was given chiefly to correct forms. The Palmer System places the emphasis at first on position and movement. It has been widely adopted, including the cities of New York and Boston. Its principles are the same as those taught in our leading Normal Schools and Business Colleges, and wherever it has been intelligently continued for a series of years, the pupils have acquired a style of penman- ship that combines legibility, rapidity, and ease in execution.
The improvement in reading has been very marked in the primary grades since they began using the Aldine books. Children learn to read by reading, and they need an abundance of easy and interesting material involving much repetition and review if they are to develop facility and expression. To secure the best results several more supplementary primary readers are needed.
To make anything like a complete course in history several elementary texts should be added. We have an abundance of myths and fairy stories. A limited number of such books are desirable, but they should not be allowed to take the place of those dealing with the real persons and in- cidents of our own and other countries.
We could reasonably expect much more satisfactory re- sults in arithmetic if a modern three-book series could take the place of the books now in use, and the introduction of an up-to-date spelling book would also strengthen the work in that subject.
55
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
In addition to the changes and repairs which are obvious- ly necessary in the present buildings, it is evident that some provision must be made before very long for the accommoda- tion of the increasing number of children in our schools. The present first grade contains 85 pupils. This number is unusual and the entering class for 1912 is not expected to be as large. But the birth-rate in town for seven years beginning with 1905 has averaged 72, as shown by the Town Clerk's records. This means that the first grade for several years to come is likely to average at least 65 without allowing for any increase on account of persons moving into town. If these pupils enter at six years of age and remain only eight years- the legal requirement-this will mean a school population of about 500 in from five to eight years as compared with our present enrollment of 315.
In providing accommodations for the increasing number of children the citizens of the town will have to decide be- tween the policy of erecting several small scattered buildings or one or two larger central buildings. Immediate action is not suggested, but if present conditions continue it would seem that the town would have to face the question next year.
In this connection it may be appropriate to consider some of the advantages of consolidation. The centralizing of schools as far as possible in one building brings many advan- tages. Among them are the following :- more regular and longer attendance, better classification and grading, better teaching and supervision, more complete care and control of pupils at school with healthful surroundings, a broader com- panionship and better community feeling, equalization of ad- vantages, larger opportunity for instruction in special branches, -all these leading to greater interest, progress, and a more complete preparation for citizenship, the fundamental purpose of our schools.
To make consolidation completely successful the follow- ing conditions must he fulfilled: (1) Comfortable and safe
56
conveyance sbould be furnished for those pupils living at too great a distance to travel on foot; (2) There should be suit- able care and control of pupils-especially the younger ones -not only when school is in session, but during the recesses and noon intermission; (3) Modern school buildings and ample grounds should be provided making adequate pro- vision for heat, light, ventilation, seating, and sanitary arrangements, and cared for by a competent janitor.
In all our plans for the future of our schools, we would do well to keep in mind the great advantages to be derived from consolidation when properly managed.
ATTENDANCE
It is a maxim of school management that regular attend- ance is indispensible to satisfactory school work. It was necessary during the fall to report to the truant officer a few cases of children who were being kept out to work. During the winter term the attendance in some schools has been very. irregular on account of contagious diseases. This has been particularly true of the schools of West Hatfield where the at- tendance for the winter term has been less than fifty per cent.
One of our most difficult problems is how to hold in school the children of fourteen and over. At this age their labor is worth least to the industries, and at the same time they could best appreciate and comprehend the instruction afforded in school. Many parents remove their children from school as soon as they can do so legally, and put them to work without regard to the child's need of further schooling. In the absence of any law requiring attendance after the age of fourteen, some means should be sought to impress parents with regard to their children's welfare. Meanwhile during the limited time that we can hold them, it is our special duty to give them not only the essentials of an education, but as rich and varied a program of studies as possible.
57
TEACHERS' MEETINGS
Three teachers' meetings have been held this year. One of these relating to penmanship was held in this town with the teachers of both Hatfield and Hadley in attendance. Another will doubtless be called during the spring term.
In these meetings not only are matters relating to organ- ization and management considered, but also the larger prob- lems of how the schools can become most servicable to their pupils and to the community life.
HEALTH AND SANITATION
The health of school children is of vital tmportance, for without good health no satisfactory progress can be made in any direction. Following are some suggestions for improve- ments:
Water-closets should be provided in buildings where a water supply is available.
Where water if not available, clean and decent out-build- ings should be furnished.
Drinking fountains should also be installed where possi- ble. The only one now in use is at Smith Academy.
Facilities for washing hands and face should be provided, including paper towels.
As far as practical an abundance of light should be fur- nished, coming from left and rear.
Pupils should not suffer for lack of pure air.
The heat of the rooms should be maintained at about sixty-eight degrees.
Parents should see that physical defects reported by teachers or school physician are treated intelligently.
Pupils should be supplied with individual pencils, rulers, books, and other school supplies.
The essentials of hygiene should be taught more symtem- atically in all grades.
Suitable physical exercises should be given to all pupils.
58
DRAWING AND MUSIC
Fortunately no argument is needed to convince any one of the value of these two subjects or of the necessity for spec- ial instructors. We have been able to retain the services of both Miss Charlotte Woods of Hatfield as Supervisor of Music, and of Miss Beatrice Hibbard of North Hadley as Supervisor of Drawing. Both are working with zeal and intelligence, and there seems to be a good degree of interest and progress in their classes. Their reports annexed will give some idea of their methods and aims.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The calendar printed in the report of last year will be followed for the school year ending June, 1912. All Hatfield schools will open Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1912. A calendar for the school year 1912-1913, will be announced during the month of September, 1912.
In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation of the interest and co-operation of school officials, teachers and citizens in the efforts being made to improve school conditions in town.
CLINTON J. RICHARDS.
Report of Supervisor of Music
In submitting a report of the work in music, we can fairly say that some progress has been attained. We feel that a large per cent of the children have a grasp of the meaning of musical signs and symbols and can sing independently, relying on self alone to tell them how it should be done cor- rectly. It is one thing to learn from another how a certain song or exercise should sound and after repeatedly hearing the same selection sung and resung, to be able to imitate and render it without mistake. It is quite another accomplishment to be able to sing that same song or exercise on first acquaint- ance and to know because of thorough knowledge of musical form, that it has been sung, technically speaking, without a flaw.
We are endeavoring to have the children understand musical language as well as they do the reading of their "mother tongue." We would not have them in the place of the little boy who, although he can repeat his Mother Goose rhymes verbatim, insists on holding his book before him, thus reminding himself that he is reading what is, in reality, illeg- ible to him. We all have seen school children insist likewise in having music books in their hands when they do not need any, deceiving themselves that they have attained some know- ledge of musical notation, whereas, on the contrary, they are merely singing the songs as they have learned them by imita- tion and have no idea at all what the notes mean.
The work is being carried on in these several lines-song drill, sight singing, individual work, and theory.
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