USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1890-1895 > Part 22
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1,000 00
1,000 00
3,000 00
3,000 00
Voted by town to be paid from balance in treasury.
MAINTENANCE.
By Geo. A. P. Bucknam, salary as Superintendent, $1,000 00
Geo. A. P. Bucknam, use of horse, 200 00
J. C. Scott & Son, 951358 tons Webster coal, $3.53 F. O. B. Boston, 337 48
N.Y. & N.E. R.R., freight on coal,
62 10
William Gillooly & Son, carting 953358 tons coal to pump station, at $1.10,
105 16
Labor, storing coal,
21 00
G. E. Metcalf, 9 cords pine wood,
45 00
Printing, advertising, and stationery,
52 63
Labor at reservoir, cleaning, weeding, mowing grass, cutting wood, 30 00
John C. Pond, mowing reservoir, 1889
4 00
J. C. Lane, drafting form of guarantys for extensions, 1889,
6 00
Postage stamps,
13 00
Gas for office,
8 91
Leonard & Ellis, 20 gallons valvoline oil,
21 78
H. L. McLchose, boiler compound,
29 69
Supplies at pumping station,
32 69
Packing for pumps,
4 89
Win. Taylor, labor at pump,
3 00
1,977 33
Amount carried forward,
$8,977 33
-
99
Amount brought forward, $8,977 33
REPAIRS.
By Walworth Mfg. Co., fittings for boiler, $6 30
Walworth Mfg. Co., repairing tapping machine,
30 01
J. W. Roby, repairing iron work, 6 90
Labor on boiler at pump,
6 00
Repairing leak, Hill Street,
2 00
Repairing leak, Prospect Street,
2 00
Repairing leak, service pipe,
4 00
Repairing and raising hydrants, gate boxes, etc.,
23 00
Repairing register for pump,
1 00
Davidson Steam Pump Co., valve springs and duplicate parts for pump, 27 80
Re-laying reservoir gauge pipes, grading, and grass seed, pumping station,
127 00
236 01
$9,213 34
TOOLS.
By Walworth Mfg. Co., Hancock Inspirator, complete, for boiler,
$26 90
Wheelbarrow,
7 00
Roller,
7 00
40 90
PLANT ACCOUNT.
By Washington Street extension, John T. Langford, fur- nishing and laying 1,504 feet 8-incli pipe, at 95 cents,
$1,428 80
1 hydrant,
33 37
1 8-inch gate,
21 05
2 8 by 6-inch tees,
13 00
1 gate box,
4 15
1 8-inch plug
65
1 6-inch plug,
50
Town of Norwood, Selectmien, for water works, share of raising street,
100 00
G. E. Metcalf, moving rock,
2 00
1,603 52
Prospect Street extension, Jolın T. Langford, furnish- ingiand laying 1,715 feet 6-inch pipe, at 70 cents,
$1,200 50
5 ¿5 cubic yards rock excavation, at $4.00,
22 22
1 hydrant,
33 37
2 6-inch gates,
28 38
2 6-inch tecs,
8 50
2 6-inch crosses,
10 00
4 6-inch plugs,
2 00
2 gate boxes,
8 30
1,313 27
Amount carried forward,
$12,171 03
100
Amount brought forward, $12,171 03
By Day Street extension, John T. Langford, furnishing and laying 736 feet 6-inch pipe, at 70 cents,
$515 20
36 3 yards rock excavation, at $4.00,
144 45
Cutting out and setting tee,
11 60
1 hydrant,
33 37
2 6-inch gates,
28 38
2 6-inch tees,
8 50
2 gate boxes,
8 30
749 80
Cottage Street extension, John T. Langford, furnishing and laying 399 feet 6-inch pipe, at 70 cents,
279 30
1 6-inch gate,
14 19
1 gate box,
4 15
297 64
Granite Street extension, John T. Langford, furnishing and laying 322 feet 6-inch pipe, at 70 cents,
$225 40
37 zł cubic yards rock excavation, at $4.00,
148 15
Cutting out and setting tee,
8 95
1 hydrant,
33 37
1 6-inch gate,
14 19
1 gate box,
4 15
1 8 by 6-inch tee.
6 50
1 6-inch tee,
4 25
1 6-inch cross,
5 00
3 6-inch plugs,
1 50
451 46
Highland Street extension, John T. Langford, furnish- ing and laying 408 feet 6-inch pipe, at 70 cents, 97 49 cubic yards rock excavation, at $4.00,
$285 60
1 hydrant,
33 37
1 6-inch gate,
14 19
1 gate box,
4 15
1 6-inch tee,
4 25
1 6-inch plug,
50
732 87
Reservoir fence, Walker & Goodwin, as per contract, Hardware for same,
9 15
632 39
Freight and express charges on special castings for cx- tensions,
10 31
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
By Service pipe labor,
$209 00
Walworth Mfg. Co., pipe and fittings,
118 48
King & Goddard, pipe and fittings,
65 48
Boston Lead Co., lead pipe,
20 85
H. B. Mylod, pipe furnished,
1 30
American Powder Co., powder and fuse,
4 90
John T. Langford, 50 service boxcs,
57 50
Hersey Meter Co., meters,
383 25
J. W. Roby, sharpening tools, and material,
9 68
Estate, E. F. Talbot, filling trenches,|
18 76
William Foreman, labor and materials,
16 05
Freight and express charges,
18 03
923 28
Amount carried forward,
$15 968 78
390 81
$623 24
101
Amount brought forward, $15,968 78
By E. Fred. Fletcher, rebate on overcharge, on guaranty,
1889, 2 35
$15,971 13
Balance in hands of Treasurer, January 1, 1891, 3,131 98
$19,103 11
We have examined the books and accounts of the Water Commissioners, and find the same correct, and correctly stated in above report.
JAS. P. MANNING, WALTER S. IHILL, EUGENE E. WINSLOW,
- Auditors.
All water rates for 1890, with the exception of Chas. L. Walper, amounting to $19.69, have been collected. This rate will probably be paid by the owners of the property. There is due the town from James A. Hartshorn the sum of $92.60, for excess of water over allowance of meter rates furnished in 1888 and 1889. This excess is owing to a leak in the pipes on the premises of Mr. Hartshorn. The town voted to abate the amount charged in 1888, but no action has been taken for the amount charged up in 1889. The Board would rec- ommend that they be authorized to make the abatement, but that in future all takers through meters should pay for all water passed through same in excess of the usual allowance, unless meter is proven defective.
The Commissioners desire to thank Mr. Bucknam, Super- intendent and Collector, for the manner in which he has per- formed his duties.
As Trustees of the Sinking Fund, we have to report that the following bonds, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, of one thousand dollars each, amounting to ten thousand dollars, have been paid and cancelled.
102
The bonded debt of the town, issued for water .works, now is, $90,000.00, less Sinking Fund, January 1, 1891, $8,407.93. Net debt, January 1, 1891, $81,592.07.
The investments of the Sinking Fund will be found in the Treasurer's Report.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND J. SHATTUCK, T. FRANCIS GUY, JOHN GILLOOLY,
NORWOOD, JAN. 1, 1891.
Water Commissioners.
COST OF PLANT.
January 1, 1890,
$117,591 89
EXTENSIONS, 1890.
Washington Street, from end to Geo. H. Morse's house, $1,603 52
Prospect Street, from Winter Street to Cottage Street, 1,313 27
Day Street, from Washington Street to Broadway, $761 55
Less material from stoek, 11 75 749 80
Cottage Street, from Prospeet Street to end,
297 64
Granite Street, from Washington Street to Highland Street,
451 46
Highland Street, from Granite to end,
732 87
Reservoir fence
632 39
Freight and express on special castings,
10 31
$5,791 26
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
Service pipes, labor, materials, ete., $923 28
Less sales, meters, etc., 349 12 $574 16
6,365 42
Total cost January 1, 1891,
$123,957 31
103
The Water Board herewith submit to the town for their approval, a new tariff or schedule of water rates, and rules and regulations necessary for the management of the water works, to take effect July 1, 1891.
The schedule of rates established by the first Board are a source of considerable misunderstanding, and are in our opin- ion inadequate for the present needs of the works. The prices, with one exception, remain the same as the old rates, - we have introduced rules regarding abatement in absence of any in the old schedule. To prevent waste of water, the rules regarding hand hose have been changed.
WATER RATES AND REGULATIONS.
WATER RATES.
The following rates are established until further notice, namely :-
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet . $6 00
For each additional faucet to be used by the same family . 2 00
If occupied by more than one family, one faucet being used by all, for each family . 5 00
If occupied by more than one family, each family having one faucet, for each family 6 00
For the first bath-tub 5 00
If used by more than one family in same house, eaeli family 4 00
For each additional bath-tub
For the first water-eloset 2 00
5 00
If used by more than one family in same house, eaeli family
4 00
For each additional water-closet . 2 00
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, emptying into the same basin, only one charge will be made for both
For first laundry faucet 5, 00
For each additional faucet . 2 00
BOARDING HOUSES.
For first faucet $10 00
For each additional faucet . 3 00
For first bath-tub 10 00
For each additional bath-tub . 3 00
For first water-closet 10 00
For each additional water-closet .
3 00
Or, if so determined by the Water Commissioners, water to be meas- ured. (See " Measured Water.")
105
HOTELS.
Water to be measured. (See " Measured Water.")
Offiees, stores, markets, and barber shops, when used for ordinary purposes, same rate as for dwelling houses.
STABLES.
For first horse . $5 00
For each additional horse 2 00
For first cow or ox . 2 00
For each additional cow
1 00
The above prices include water for washing carriages without hose. Where hose is used five dollars per year will be charged for same with one-quarter inch nozzle, and ten dollars per year for one-half inch.
HAND HOSE.
With nozzle, not to exceed one-quarter of an inch in diameter,
and use limited to two hours per day, six months in the year $5 00
The use of hand hose must be confined to the premises of the taker for washing windows, for gardens and lawns, and the street immediately bordering such premises. It must be used by hand only, and not adjusted upon temporary support of any kind. It must not be used for filling tanks or reservoirs, or for domestic or stable use, except as before mentioned, or for use in fountains, or ornamental sprinklers of any descrip- tion whatever, except by parties using water through meters.
MANUFACTURING PURPOSES.
See " Measured Water."
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For each cask of lime.or cement . $0 06
For fountains, greenhouses, gardens, hydrants, or other purposes not herein mentioned, special rates will be made by the Water Com- , missioners.
106
MEASURED WATER.
Where water is measured the consumer must provide, and keep in repair at his expense, a meter of a pattern approved by the Water Commissioners. Where a meter is put in for the purpose of measuring the water used by consumer, a mini- mnm water rate, to be paid in advance, will be charged, which will cover the cost of a certain yearly quantity of water, and all water drawn in excess of such quantity shall be paid for by the thonsand gallons.
Where a meter is put in for the above purpose the mini- mum annual rate shall in no case be less than ten dollars.
METER RATES.
A consumer using not more than one hundred thousand gallons of water per annum shall pay, semi-annually in advance, a minimum annual rate of ten dollars, which pay- ment shall entitle him to use forty thousand gallons of water per year, for one year, and thirty cents for each and every thousand gallons of water drawn in excess of this quantity.
To a water taker who supplies not exceeding two families on the same premises through one meter, the minimum annual rate shall be fifteen dollars, payable semi-annually in advance, which payment will entitle the taker to use sixty thousand gallons of water per year, for one year, and thirty cents for each and every thousand gallons of water drawn in excess of this quantity.
A consumer using more than one hundred thousand and less than five hundred thousand gallons of water per annum shall pay, semi-annually in advance, a minimum annual rate of twenty dollars, which payment shall entitle him to use one hundred thousand gallons of water per year for one year, and twenty-five cents for each and every thousand gallons of water drawn in excess of this quantity.
A consumer using more than five hundred thousand gallons of water per annum shall pay, semi-annually in advance,
107
a minimum annual rate of one hundred dollars, which payment shall entitle him to use five hundred thousand gallons of water per year for one year, and twenty cents for each and every thousand gallons of water drawn in excess of this quantity.
When water is required for purposes or in quantities not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rate shall be fixed by the Water Board.
All water that passes through a meter must be paid for, whether used or wasted, provided the meter is proven correct.
REGULATIONS OF THE NORWOOD WATER WORKS.
The following regulations, until further notice, shall be considered a part of the contract with every person who uses water : - -
1. All applications for the use of water must be made at the office of the Water Commissioners, and state fully the pur- poses for which it is intended to be used.
2. All persons nsing water must furnish pipes, connec- tions, and all fixtures, and keep them in good repair and protected from frost at their own expense, and the Commis- sioners will not be liable for any damage resulting from a failure to do so. No person will be permitted to insert, or cause to be inserted, any faucet in any water pipe, or connect any service pipe for conveying water from any of the main or distributing pipes to any house, building, or manufactory, or for any purpose whatever, without the written permission of the Superintendent of the works; nor shall any addition to, or alteration of, any water pipe or fancet be made withont such written permission.
3. The water must in no case be left running to prevent freezing, or for other purposes, without the permission of the Water Commissioners or their duly authorized agent.
4. Water rates shall be assessed semi-annually, on Janu- ary 1 and July 1 of each year, and are payable at the office of the Commissioners, in advance, beginning at the above-men- tioned dates, or at such time as the water may be let on.
109
5. In every case of non-payment of the water rent for sixty days after the same is due, the Board shall cause a. written demand to be left at the premises where the water is taken ; and, unless the rent is paid within three days there- after, together with twenty cents for the demand, the Board shall cut off the supply. The water shall not be let on until the amount due, together with said fee, and two dollars for the shutting off and letting on, is paid, whether other persons. taking water through the service pipe are delinquent or not. In every case of non-payment of water rent, the owner of the premises, whether he is the occupant or not, shall be required to pay the same, and all charges connected therewith, provided he has been duly notified of the use of the water, and has made no objection. Whenever the water is shut off by request of plumbers, for the sake of making repairs, the charge for shutting off and letting on shall be one dollar.
6. When water is supplied to more than one party through a single tap, the water may be shut off in case of non- payment of either party, notwithstanding one or more of the parties may have paid his or their amount due.
7. No water taker shall supply water to parties not enti- tled to its use except by written permit.
8. All apparatus and places supplied with water must. be accessible at all times to the inspection of the Conmis- sioners or their agent, and all pipes and fixtures shall be sub- ject to rejection by said board if considered unsuitable for the purpose.
9. Water will be furnished for external fire protection free of charge; but no one will be allowed to use water through fire hydrants or pipes for any other purpose, except. upon a written permit from the Board of Commissioners.
10. The Commissioners reserve the right to restrict the use of hose or fountains, to shut off the water in all cases when it becomes necessary to make extensions or repairs, or
-
110
for violation of any of the regulations; or to put in meters for the purpose of measuring the quantity of water used.
Abatements for vacant premises will be made as follows :
11. To obtain an abatement, all fixtures upon which abate- ment is desired must be disconnected or sealed. By notifying the Superintendent or Commissioners, fixtures will be sealed for twenty-five cents for each faucet, and an abatement allowed while they remain sealed or disconnected. In case the seal is broken without previous notice to the Commission- ers, the regular rates will be collected from the time the fixture was sealed or disconnected.
Abatements shall date from the time when notice is given to the Commissioners, and no abatement will be made unless such notice is given, nor any abatement be made for less than one month.
No abatement will be made from hand hose rate unless all other fixtures on premises are disconnected or sealed.
1
NINETEENTH REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In submitting the nineteenth annual report of the School Committee, there is cause for congratulation that no epidemics have visited our schools ; that the attendance has been fully up to the average of preceding years ; that truancy has nearly ceased, and deportment has greatly im- proved within the schools and about the yards and build- ings.
Three additional members were elected upon the Committee last spring, increasing the number to six. At the first meeting George Hill was chosen chairman and J. A. Crocker secretary and book agent. To facilitate the work of visitation, different schools were assigned to separate members, each one to visit all the schools as often as convenient or necessary, with the High School in the care of the whole Committee. Regular meetings have been held on the first Tuesday evening of each month, and special meetings as often as necessity required. Elec- tions of teachers, promotions of scholars, suspensions and expulsions, have been decided by vote of the Committee.
In the month of June Dr. Lyman Bigelow resigned his position on the School Board. An attempt was made, in convention with the Board of Selectmen, to fill the vacancy, but with a tie vote on candidates. The question was referred to the next March meeting.
112
The town grant for carrying on the schools for the current year was $11,300.00; $7,800.00 for teachers' sal- aries, $300.00 for the teaching of music, $2,400.00 for incidental expenses, including fuel, janitors' salaries, re- pairs, school furniture, cleaning and sweeping. The above sum of money has been carefully and economically ex- pended, as the account reported by the Selectmen shows : paid teachers, $7,591.35, music teacher, $307.89, for school books, $856.65, for incidentals in all the schools, $2,161.46 ; making a total of $10,917.35.
The sum expended for school books and supplies is larger than was anticipated. The free school book law is a boon to the children and a boom for the publishers. The variety and quality of school books have improved ; but the better paper, larger print, and more beautiful illustrations have diminished the amount of matter, and increased the cost of each number in the series. If the publishers studied the economy of the towns, they might condense the numerous editions of a series into two or three numbers, thereby diminishing the cost nearly one- half. High School books are quite expensive, and the ordinary school books, in the hands of our six hundred active, restless children, soon wear out and become un- serviceable, in spite of the care of the Committee and the vigilance of the teachers.
For school furniture, sixteen additional desks, fifty rubber tipped chairs, two dozen recitation chairs, and a teacher's desk, have been purchased for the High School, and forty desks and chairs, with one teacher's desk, for the new primary school in the Everett building.
Under the most economical administration, the public schools cost a good deal of money. Nearly one-third of the sum raised by taxation goes for their maintenance and
113
1
support. The town has been liberal in its appropriations, asking only for a fair return for the monied output. It has no money to throw away on fanciful experiments or luxurious appointments ; but, as a plain hard working people, it expects good accommodations and faithful in- struction in its schools. Our town stands as the sixth in the State for cost of tuition per scholar, the expense being about twenty dollars a year for each one. But when we look upon the bright young men in the various trades, professions, and vocations of active life, graduates of our schools, and the many young women better prepared for the labors and duties before them, we are satisfied that the cost of our schools is constantly returning to us in the increased happiness and usefulness of the rising gen- eration.
We now have thirteen separate schools and fourteen teachers. The enrollment of pupils is rising -six hun- dred; and the number between five and fifteen is five hundred and ninety-four. They are admitted at the age of six; the regular course is twelve years; so that they may graduate from the High School at the age of eigliteen.
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
The Committee have not discovered as yet any way whereby to retain good teachers when they see fit to leave us. When such calamities, however, do occur, they have generally been able to fill their places with others equally competent, so as to reduce the injury of change as nearly to a minimum as possible. Mr. N. L. Sheldon, of the High School, resigned in May, and was succeeded, without any interruption of the work, by Mr. Wm. G. Goldsmith, who, from his ample qualification and long experience, is fast
114
bringing the school into a good condition. At the end of the year, Miss Hattie N. Gage, the assistant, resigned, that she might return to Wellesley College and complete the course, in preparation for higher work. Miss Helen L. Nourse, a graduate of the same college, with a year's ex- perience in teaching, was elected to the situation, with sat- isfactory results.
Miss Ida Everett and Miss Florence Hill, two of our oldest and most efficient teachers, were the next to resign, one to attend school, the other for rest; and their places were fortunately filled by the choice of Miss Alice E. Bentley to the Everett and Miss Annie B. Kimball to the Balch, whose faithful labors have justified the confidence of the Committee.
Miss Ruth Gould was appointed to the new primary school placed in the vacant room of the Everett building. At the end of the first term her health gave way, and, not sufficiently improving, she was obliged to resign at the beginning of the winter term; and Mrs. E. S. Spear, of Walpole, an experienced teacher, was elected to the va- cancy, and is doing faithful and excellent work.
During the latter part of the fall term Miss Lydia B. Thompson, who had done long and faithful service in the North School, resigned, to take charge of the singing in a school in New York, and Miss Florence Hill was elected to the vacancy, with no interruption of the school, and no deterioration in the work.
At the close of the winter term Miss Alice L. Barron resigned, and has since become a resident citizen of the town. The vacancy in the East School was supplied by the election of Miss Mariette Hammat, a graduate of Bridgewater Normal School, with some experience in teach- ing. The choice has proved satisfactory.
115
This is a long list of changes for one year, and with schools under a less perfect organization would have proved demoralizing. Frequent changes are much to be deprecated ; they are an injury. But with due circum- spection and fortunate selections, disastrous results can be avoided.
COURSE OF STUDY.
Lack of room is a severe hindrance to the complete grading and classification of our schools ; and this fact has retarded the completion of the revision of the course of study. A new course has been drawn up during the year, submitted to a committee of the older teachers for criticism, and is now under consideration by the School Committee for final adoption. It proposes an eight year course in the common and a four year course in the High School, mak- ing the entire course twelve instead of thirteen years, when the scholars entered at five years of age.
DRAWING AND MUSIC.
In music, some improvement has been made during . the year. Mr. Young is now giving a third more time to the schools ; and a new interest has been awakened in the grammar department by the efficient leadership and thorough drill given his pupils by Mr. O'Brien.
Mr. Herbert Bailey has visited Norwood twice during the year, and given special lessons to the teachers in practical methods of drawing. All the teachers are doing something in this useful art, and what they do is in the right direc- tion, so far as they follow Mr. Bailey's plan and method of work.
116
TRUANCY.
This evil, since the opening of the county truant school, has nearly ceased. Absenteeism has not ceased, because parents foster it by allowing their children to stay out and then writing frivolous excuses to the teachers. No greater injury can be done to a scholar. It fosters in- dolence, destroys habits of study, nourishes dislike of teacher and school, and almost invariably yields such low percentages as to prevent promotion. It is a violation of the law of compulsory attendance, which applies to parents as much as to children. They must go their twenty weeks continuously, not in day and half day fragments. Teach- ers have a right to demand reasonable excuses for the too frequent absence of members of their classes.
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