USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1898 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Jan. 15. " City of Newburyport, $ 2 00 1 18. " Geo. G. Larkin, bricks, 75
22.
6 Canton Town Treasurer, 2 00
26. " Mass. School Fund, 341 71
29. " County Treasurer, dog tax, 149 04
Feb y 9. " School Com., books and supplies, 66
II. " School Com., books and supplies, 7 52
12.
" Geo. W. Cate, court fees,
2 59
" First National Bank, rent, 275 00
Thomas Parkin, acct. Sarg't hall, 113 50 " State Treasurer, Corporation Tax, 195 22 66 " National Bank Tax,
255 92
66 " State and Military Aid, 744 00
66
" Burial of Soldiers,
35 00
66 W. C. Russell, taxes, 269 40
" J. S. Clement, taxes, 21,745 84
-- ---- $ 45,742 02
CR.
By paid County Tax, $ 1,210 94
Treas. Com'th, bank and corp. taxes, 69 55
J. F. Ives, court fees, 2 13
State Tax, 945 00
National Bank Tax,
1,256 80
State Aid,
616 00
Military Aid, 144 00
Selectmen's orders,
40,786 31
Cash on hand,
71I 29
$ 45,742 02
Respectfully submitted,
D. J. POORE, Treasurer.
Merrimac, February 16, 1898.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT. 47
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
ASSETS.
Due from State and Military Aid, $ 863 00
Cities and Towns, 602 12
I-2 Cattle Commissioner's Salary,
37 50
Church of Nativity, sidewalk,
39 86
Cash on hand,
71I 29
Uncollected taxes, W. C. Russell,
1,190 82
J. S. Clement,
2,355 78
$5,800 37
LIABILITIES.
Balance of Note of September 13, 1897, $ 1,500 00
October 11, 1897, 1,500 00
December 23, 1897, 1,000 00
Accrued interest, 53 22
Outstanding orders,
23 75
Outstanding bills,
51 00
$ 4,127 97
Surplus,
$ 1,672 40
Decrease in assets the past year after abating $398.44 old taxes, $ 846 29.
Expended for bridge for which no appropriation was made, $ 1,309 04
Gain of assets independent of re-building bridge,
$ 462 75
Respectfully submitted,
Selectmen
T. L. GOODWIN,
R. H. SARGENT, R. S. BAILEY, of Merrimac.
-
Collector's Account for 1892='95.
W. C. RUSSELL, COLLECTOR.
W. C. RUSSELL; Collector, in account with the Town of
Merrimac.
DR.
Uncollected taxes March 1, 1897, $ 1,561 80
CR.
Abatements, $ 101 58
Cash paid D. J. Poore, Treasurer, 269 40
Balance Uncollected, 1,190 82
$ 1,561 So
Respectfully submitted,
W. C. RUSSELL, Collector.
Merrimac, Mass., February 15, 1898.
DELINQUENT TAX-PAYERS.
List of Taxes Remaining Unpaid Feb. 15, 1898. W. C. RUSSELL, COLLECTOR.
IS92.
Colby, Chas. 2 00
Battis, James W.
2 00
Currier, Oliver,
2 00
Battis, Geo. H.
2 00
Doucet, F. A.
2 00
Battis, Elmer E. 3 20
Doyle, Michael H. 2 00
Currier, Wm. A.
4º
Doyle, James jr
2 00
Parker, John C. 2 00
Frechett, Jno. B.
2 00
Tenney, Jno. E.
5 20
Gray, Herbert S.
2 00
Kimball, Stephen T.
So
Goodwin, Fred B.
2 00
Bagley, Thos.
So
Greeley, Peter,
16 00
Connell, T. J. 1893.
3 40
Hoyt, J. heirs,
23 63
Battis, Benj. H.
II 31
Hagg, Anton,
2 00
Battis, Geo. H.
2 00
Handley,-J. E.
2 00
Berran, Roger,
2 00
Hartt, J. J.
2 00
Currier, Jane A. heirs,
I 90
Jenkins, John
9 44
Connell, T. J.
45 70
Lyons, Wm. M.
S 57
Chaplin, Chas. L.
IO 55
.
Lea, Fred
2 00
Dovle, Michael H.
1 00
Lyons, Wm. M.
2 00
Greeley, Peter,
7 20
Murphy, James W.
2 00
Ilagg, Anton
2 00
Morrill, E. B.
2 00
Jenkins, John
2 48
Meehan, Dennis
2 00
McHugh, Wm.
2 00
McHugh, Wm.
2 00
Richardson, Henry C.
2 00
Nichols, H. H.
2 00
Scanlon, John N.
2 00
Nevins, J. P.
2 00
Rogers, Wm. H.
2 00
Noon, Michael heirs,
6 56
Currier, Thos. A.
I 90
Olson, Lewis
2 00
Peaslee, John S.
3 33
Parker, John C.
2 00
Kimball, Stephen T.
95
Pettigrew, F. O. heirs,
12 25
Bagley, Thos.
95 "
Richardson, Henry C.
2 00
Shays, Wm. E.
2 00
Sheridan, Thos. W.
2 00
Avery, Alden A. 5 07
Sheridan, James 50
Addison, Joseph
35 20
Scanlon, James F. 2 00
2 00
Battis, Benj. H.
17 58
Simmons, Chas. H.
2 44
Battis, Geo. H.
2 00
Scanlon, John N.
2 00
Battis, Joseph W.
2 00
.Thompson, Willard H.
2 00
Burns, Michael H.
2 00
Wallace, James L. Orpheon Club,
SS
Currier, Jane heirs,
1 75
Currier, Thomas A.
1 75
Currier, Wm. A.
2 44
Peaslee, John S.
3 07
Connell, T. J.
41 38
Favor, Mrs. Nancy
7 88
Chaplin, Chas. L.
9 97
Day, Joseph heirs
75
Bancroft, Leman E.
35 78
Schofield, Herman B.
2 00
Barker, John E.
2 00
·
Cooper, George E. I 894.
95
Hoyt, J. B. heirs,
7 00
50
DELINQUENT TAX-PAYERS.
Kimball, Stephen T.
SS
Lofqvist. Frank 2 00
Connor, John
5 69
Murphy, Chas. B. 2 00
Bagley, Thos.
SS
Morrill, Chas. B. 2 83
Nichols, Jno. A. heirs
2 19
Mahoney, Jeremiah 2 00
Cooper, George
88
McHugh. Wm.
2 00
Ford, Ella W.
5 25
Nichols, H. H.
2 00
1 895.
Abbott, Daniel G.
2 83
Parker, John C.
2 00
Blodgett, Lucy M.
4º 45
Bailey, Franklin P.
7 40
Pettigrew, F. O. heirs,
II 62
Barlow, Joseph
2 00
Pickard, Thurston
2 17
Battis, Wm.
2 00
Ruel, Lawrence
2 00
Battis, Geo. H.
2 00
Richardson, Henry C.
2 00
Bancroft, Leman E.
33 04
Ramsdell, Chas. F.
2 83
Baker, Chas. P.
2 00
Redman, Clarence
2 83
Betts, Frank W.
3 25
Blanch, Chas. D.
2 00
Shay, Win. E.
2 83
Blackburn, J.
35 20
Scanlon, James F.
2 00
Colby, Mrs. Brazillia
3 98
Scanlon, John
2 00
Chase, Wesley
2 00
Spofford, N. J. ·
22 47
Connor, Timothy E.
17 86
Scanlon, John N.
2 00
Connell, T. J.
3 25
Sargent, J. P. heirs
50 63
Carroll, Arthur C.
2 00
Sargent, Wm. A.
2 00
Carr, Robert
16 94
Wallace, Chas. A.
II 32
Crouse, Jas. C.
19 43
Williams, Walter S.
25 24
Callum, A. J.
2 00
Williams, Isaac W.
IO 68
Donahue, John E.
2 00
Webster, A. M.
II 96
Evans, John M.
2 00
-
Orpheon Club,
83
Frechett, Jno. B.
2 00
Peaslee, John S.
2 91
Goodwin, Fred B.
2 00
Day, Joseph heirs
I 66
Gunnison, Geo. G.
24 41
Connor, John
5 40
Greeley, Michael
31 90
Lane, Mary Ann
7 06
Hoyt, J. heirs
12 41
Noon, Mathew
2 49
Handley Geo. W.
2 00
Ford, Ella W.
4 98
Jenkins, John S 64
Tenney, John E.
3 32
Lovell, A. J.
2 00
Bagley, Thos.
S3
Loud, Otis S.
3 66
.
Burns, Michael P.
2 00
Redman, Charles E.
3 25
Sheridan, James
2 00
Currier, Wm. A.
2 42
Scofield. Herman B.
2 00
Connor, Katherine
83
Simmons, Chas. H.
2 41
Chaplin, Chas. L.
9 89
Thompson, Willard D.
2 00
Doucett, F. A.
2 00
Wallace, James L.
2 00
Daley, Timothy F.
2 00
Webster, Bert W.
2 00
Foster, Jas. H.
17 77
Currier, Thomas A.
66 I
Goodwin, Hayden T.
2 00
Kimball, Stephen T.
S3
Greeley, Martin
2 00
Parsons, P. H.
4 15
Greeley, Peter
15 28
Cooper, George
S3
Hoyt, Mrs. Carrie J.
14 II
15 28
Bullard, A. C.
3 16
Parsons, Andrew
2 00
Battis, Benj. H.
15 69
Noon, Michael heirs
6 23
Olson, Lewis
2 00
Prescott, Geo. S.
Richardson, Chas. A.
2 00
Collector's Report.
JOHN S. CLEMENT, COLLECTOR.
John S. Clement, Collector, in account with the Town of Merrimac.
DR.
To Uncollected Taxes, 1896, $ 1,646 99
Re-assessed,
3 40
Tax List and additions, 1897, 23,621 63 - $ 25,272 02
CR.
By Cash paid Treasurer,
$ 21,745 84
Discounts,
807 09
Abatements, 1896,
54 23
Abatements, 1897,
309 08
Uncollected taxes, 1896,
548 31
Uncollected taxes, 1897,
1,807 47
$ 25,272 02
List of Taxes Remaining Unpaid Feb. 15, 1898.
1896.
1897.
Bancroft, L. E.
$ 33 62
$ 33 62
Blotner, Moses
12 20
13 14
Blackburn, Joseph
36 00
36 00
Chase, Wesley
2 00
Crowley heirs,
5 10
13 60
DELINQUENT TAX-PAYERS.
IS96.
IS97.
Crockett, L. C.
$ 2 00
$ 2 00
Coleman, Mrs. C. E.
21 25
21 25
Conner, T. E., bal.
II 06
IS 31
Connell, Mrs. T. J., bal.
25 70
35 70
Doyle, James
IS 15
16 15
Elliot, E. and L. J.
IO 40
Farrington, O. C. heirs,
20 00
20 00
Greeley, Michael heirs,
36 13
Foster, J. II., bal.,
7 53
17 13
Greeley, Peter, bal.,
13 60
13 60
Greeley William, bal.,
9 53
16 46
Hoyt, Mrs. Job heirs, bal.,
12 95
22 95
Holbrook, F. G.,
2 00
2 00
Jewett, Mrs. L. W.
17 00
17 00
Jenkins, John
S So
S So
Morse, M. A.
IS 00
68 00
Means, D. M.
33 45
Miles, C. W.
13 IS
IS 58
Porter, J. W., bal.,
14 30
34 30
Pettigrew, F. O., heirs,
II 90
II 05
Parker, G. F.
2 00
Spofford, N. J., bal.,
23 98
34 02
Sargent, J. P., heirs,
32 34
36 29
Sargent, Clara J.
5 60
5 95
Twombly, Edward, bal.,
9 00
17 00
Williams, W. S.
25 80
25 So
Williams, J. A., bal.,
13 23
21 13
Webster, A. M.
12 20
12 20
Wentworth, Mrs. John
22 95
22 95
Kimball, S. T.
S5
85
Connors, John, heirs,
2 13
5 53
Sargent, O. Everett, bal.,
6 00
29 75
Cooper, Geo.
S5
S5
Ford, E. W.
5 10
5 10
Prescott, Geo. S., bal.,
2 13
2 13
Tuckwell, C. H.
23 68
23 68
F. A. Loud,
34 30
34 30
IS97.
Gunnison, Geo. G.
24 95
Evans, Mrs. J. M.
S 00
Griffin, Mary
5 TO
Farra, Robert
9 23
Gale, J. W.
2 85
53
DELINQUENT TAX-PAYERS.
Goodwin, T. Hayden, 2 00
Simmons, C. II. 2 00
Holt, J. T., heirs,
22 10
Scanlan, J. N. 2 00
Jenkins, Frank, 2 00
Scanlan, W. HI. 2 00
Kittredge, G. E.
2 00
Sargent, W. P., heirs,
31 45
Lovell, A. J.
2 00
Thompson, W. D. 2 00
Lawson, Alex. H.
24 10
Lewis, A. A.
20 70
Troughton, Thos., bal.,
3 70
Loud & Batchelder,
25 50
Taylor, Benj. H. 4 13
Morse, W. H.
2 00
Wadleigh, D. E.
17 30
Morse, E. W.
70 60
Wallace, J. L.
2 00
Morrison, Wm. H.
2 00
Dodge, J. W.
7 65
Morrill, II. C.
2 00
Currier, T. A.
1 70
Morrill, C. O.
2 00
Peasley, J. S.
2 98
Miles, Louise S.
51
Peasley, Richard
14 45
Adams, Geo.,
54 70
Favor, Nancy, heirs,
7 65
Adams, W. O.
3 70
Kelley, Myron
43
Adams, C. D.
2 00
Coombs, Alfred H. 85
Blodgett, Lucy
62 90
Bagley, Thos. 85
Bailey, F. P.
7 53
O'Neill, John
2 55
Bailey, L. M. bal.,
II 55
Langdon, Mary A.
7 65
Bartlett, F. E.
23 85
Howe, H. M.
107 10
Berran, Roger
2 00
Burque, Alphonso
32 30
Burns, M. P.
2 00
Baker, C. P.
2 00
Bassong, Ed.
2 00
Bassong, Wm.
2 00
Berry, Geo. W. : 85
Bailey, J. W.
2 85
Colby, J. W.
28 95
Currier, O. S., jr.,
2 00
Currier, J. W.
2 00
Carter, Wm. F.
16 03
Carter, C. H. 2 00
Chase, F. H. G. 2 00
Cummings, N. P.
29 20
Coleman, C. E. 2 85
Cummings, G. W. 2 00
Coombs, A. II. 2 00
Crouse, J. C.
19 43
Carpenter, W. J.
2 00
Callahan, J. D.
14 75
Donahue, J. E.
2 00
Davis, I. C., bal.,
21 43
Evans, H. E.
2 00
Noyes, C. II. A.
2 00
Gilday, Henry
2 00
Noon, Margaret
1 28
Gilday, G. S. H.
2 00
Newton, F. W.
6 25
Gilmore, Michael
2 00
Newton, Chas.
2 00
Grant, Geo. S. 2 00
Nicol, J. G.
2 00
Goldsmith, W. II. 2 60
O'Connor, L. J. 18 15
Hanley, G. W. 2 00
Parsons, Andrew
2 00
Keough, T. W.
2 00
Porter, J. N.
2 00
Patten, Jona.
5 40
Redman, Chas. E.
3 36
Ryan, Patrick
2 00
Redman, Clarence
2 00
Welsh, J. T.
2 00
Shay, W. E.
95
Wallace, Chas. E. 2 00
Sorenson, R. R., bal.,
14 20
Flynn, J. P.
2 00
Stickney, Mrs. heirs
15 73
Cherry, J. L. 10 20
FIREMEN.
Bunker, D. C.
6 57
Colby, Mrs. Berilla, heirs, 12 58 Coombs, P. R.
17 30
Carter, Alex. B. 2 00
Curtis, Geo. A. 2 00
Traverse, Michael 17 30
Auditor's Report.
I have reviewed the accounts of the Collector, Selectmen, and Treasurer, for the year ending February 1, 1898, and find vouchers for all orders drawn by the Selectmen, with the exception of orders for three bills, the payment of which to the right parties has been plainly proven. I find vouchers for all payments made by the Treasurer.
Total amount of orders drawn by Selectmen, $ 40,758 39
The Treasurer has paid Orders of last year, 66 this 66
51 67
40,758 39
Less orders not in
No. 615, 1 15
" 853,.
25
6 873,
I 05
66 SSI,
4 50
66 9IS, 16 So
23 75 40,734 64
Total of orders paid by Treasurer,
$ 40,786 31
PHILIP C. MEANS, Auditor.
Merrimac, Feb. 17, 1898.
School Report.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
T. H. HOYT, chairman, Term expires March 1898 *1899
BION GREEN, FRANK E. PEASE, secretary,
1 1900
SUPERINTENDENT.
R. D. McKEEN,
Term expired July 31, 1897
C. C. FERGUSON,
L. FRANCES TUCKER,
ANNIE L. KNIGHT,
LUCY A. CRAWFORD,
JESSIE L. HOLMES,
ANNIE R. HUNTER, EMMA PEARSON,
Center Third Grammar
1 EMMA PEARSON,
Center Fourth Grammar
MARY H. HEAD,
MARY H. HEAD,
Prospect Street Intermediate ANNIE R. HUNTER, ETTA COLBY, Center . First Primary CARRIE M. EVANS, Prospect Street Second Primary LOUISE C. BRACKETT, Middle Street Second Primary IDA M. BLAISDELL, Merrimacport Grammar HATTIE A. BAXTER, Merrimacport Primary and Intermediate ABBIE L. CLEMENT, Bear Hill Teacher of Music
LIZZIE B. SMITH,
MARY L. COOK,
Teachers of Drawing
MRS. S. E. PRICE,
TRUANT OFFICERS.
CHARLES P. BAKER
ALEX. HANNA
*Resignation March IS98.
Principal High School First Assistant High School Second Assistant High School Center First Grammar Middle Street Second Grammar
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL.
GRADUATES, 1897 ..
SADIE M. COLLINS,
PERSIS L. CLEMENT,
NELLIE W. EATON, LILIAN .M. GUNNISON,
MINNIE M. GASSETT,
NORA M. GREELEY,
JEANNETTE L. GIBBS,
WINNIFRED M. HANNA,
JAMES L. HOWE,
CHARLES E. KNIGHT,
PEARLE K. NICHOLS,
JUDITH S. ROWELL,
NETTIE J. SPOFFORD.
ABBIE W. SMART,
MARGARET E. TEWHILL,
English Course English Course English Course English Course General Course English Course General Course General Course General Course
English Course General Course General Course General Course
General Course General Course
1
Twenty=second Annual Report.
The school committee respectfully submit the following report for the year 1897-S.
Population of the town, census of 1895, 2,301
Number of schools in town, I2
Number of teachers employed including special teachers, 15
Number of different teachers employed, including special teachers, 17
Number of children in town, May 1, 1897, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, as per census, 359
Decreased from last year, 2
Whole number of different pupils enrolled during the year, 461
Number of children in town, May 1, 1897, between the ages of S and 14 years,
as per census, 213
Decreased from last year, 2
Average membership for the year, 385
attendance 66
366
Per cent of attendance, 66
95
66
66 1897,
95
58
SCHOOL REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation by town, $ 8,300 00
Appropriation for Supt., 350 00
Rec'd from State on acc. of Supt., 500 00
66
Mass. school fund,
341 71
Dog Tax,
149 04
66 for Books and Supplies sold, 79 18
$ 9,719 93
Expended for Supt. and teachers, $ 7,131 48
Transportation of pupils,
372 50
Care of buildings,
587 75
Books and supplies,
672 63
Sundries,
355 64
Repairs,
235 69
Fuel,
308 78
Unexpended,
55 46
$ 9,719 93
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
No extensive repairs have been made the past year. All the buildings are in fair condition and reasonably appropri- ate for school purposes, excepting those at the Center.
Years ago the committee called the attention of the citi- zens of Merrimac to these buildings, and stated that they were inappropriate for the needs of the schools, and recom- mended that they be removed and a new building erected to take their place. At that time a committee of citizens were appointed by the town to investigate the matter, who agreed with the school committee in their recommendation ; but the immediate need of additional school accommodations at that time, resulted in the erection of the Middle street schoolhouse and no further action was taken by the town in regard to a new building at the Center. As was well understood, the
59
SCHOOL REPORT.
expedient was only temporary, and the necessity for a new building becomes greater and more apparent every year.
All the rooms in the Center building are inconvenient ; improperly lighted and ventilated, which causes them to be injurious to the eyes of the scholars, and detrimental to their health ; all the rooms in the older building are gloomy and in a dilapitated condition. It is impossible to remedy these defects by way of repairs, and additional rooms are now needed for proper school work. Since the opening of the schools last September, we have been using as a class-room, the Town Office in Sargent hall, which was vacated by the Selectmen, in recognition of the needs of the schools. This room is hardly suitable for a recitation room, because of its distance from the school and its want of appointments, but it is the best we could obtain, and we desire to publicly express our appreciation of the generous and public-spirited act of the Board of Selectmen in voting its use for our schools. Two more rooms are essential for school work at the center, but no proper ones seem to be available.
While we do not, by reason of the long period of busi- ness depression, which our town in common with other places has experienced, recommend the erection of a new building at once, we should feel that we had omitted to perform a duty, which we as school officers and citizens, owe to our town, should we fail to emphatically present the subject in this report, and to urge the action of the town in this regard at no distant future.
The question of a water supply, which would involve the expenditure of large sums of money and consequently would increase taxation, has received the active attention of our citizens. While we are in no wise hostile to any feasible public improvement, we believe that the welfare of the children of the town, and therefore the welfare and honor of
60
SCHOOL REPORT.
the town itself, require that its first permanent public im- provement should be a new building at the Center. It is better to tax property even in times of business stagnation, than to tax the moral, mental and physical growth of the children.
SUPERVISION.
Merrimac voted last March to form a union with West Newbury, Salisbury and Newbury, or with any two of said towns, for the purpose of employing a superintendent of schools, but none of them voted to form a district, conse- quently we have had no superintendent since the first of August last, when the union of Bradford and Merrimac was dissolved because of the annexation of Bradford to Haverhill. We trust that two of the towns with which we voted last year to form a district for the purpose of employing a superintend- ent, will at their next town meetings in March, vote to unite with Merrimac. No further vote to unite with these towns is necessary on the part of our town, as her vote of last year still continues in force. We recommend an appropriation of $350 for the employment of a district superintendent.
TRANSPORTATION OF PUPILS.
Authorized by a vote of the town, the school committee expended a part of the general appropriation for schools, in conveying the pupils in the Birch Meadow and Highland districts, to and from the Center schools. The benefits result- ing from this consolidation of schools are beyond question, and should be continued. The cost of transportation is about the same as for the support of the two district schools. The pupils receive about two months more schooling, and have better school advantages. The parents and pupils in both districts appreciate the increased benefits, and are satis- fied with the manner in which the transportation has been conducted.
61
SCHOOL REPORT.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The High School under the principalship of Mr. Fergu- son has made excellent progress and is in good condition. It became necessary at the beginning of the year in September to employ another assistant teacher, and Miss Annie L. Knight of Portland, a graduate of Colby University was elected to that position. Our facilties for doing High school work are very limited. We need a better school-room, better recitation rooms, better laboratory conveniences, and better furniture. The seats and desks belong to a primitive age and have been in constant use ; they are rough, rickety and repul- sive. They are defaced by the deeply engraved and uncipher- able hieroglyphics of many generations of energetic youth, . in accordance with a practise of years ago, happily to a large extent now extinct. Those desks and seats should be removed and the room refitted with more modern and appropriate furniture. We recommed an appropriation of $400 for this purpose. Our High School is an honor to the town, and deserves, with all the other schools, the hearty and liberal support of its citizens. Attention is called to the report of the Principal appended hereto.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
Physical exercises have been required in all the schools since their opening in September. We think importance should be given in the school-room to the fact that the highest development of the moral and mental faculties cannot be reached, if the physique is neglected. No special instructor has been employed, so there is no uniformity of exercises, although they are similar throughout the schools. Most of the teachers have entered earnestly into the work, and in a large measure the results are gratifying.
PENMANSHIP.
More attention has been given to this important branch of education and in many of the schools much improvement
62
SCHOOL REPORT.
has been made.' Prof. D. Moyer Staley of Billerica, Mass., was employed during a part of the spring term to give special instruction to the teachers and scholars. We are using the slant system as heretofore. While many cities and towns have adopted the vertical, the comparative merits of the two systems has not yet been determined by agreement of leading educators, and in a spirit of conservatism, we have adhered to the old system, not yet feeling sure that the innovation is not a "fad."
COURSE OF STUDY.
The outlines of the partial course of study for the lower grades, adopted under the supervision of Mr. McKeen, have been followed, and there has been no change in the method of teaching. The revision of the IS90 course of study should be completed and published the coming year.
TEACHERS.
There have been but few changes during the year. In September Miss Pearson was transferred from grade V to grade VI; Miss Head from grade IV to grade V; and Miss Hunter from grade VI to grade IV. Miss M. A. Pearson, teacher of drawing, resigned in January, 1897, to accept a high position in one of the Mass. Normal schools; she was succeeded by Miss Mary L. Cook of West Roxbury, Mass., who remained until the close of the spring term. Mrs. S. E. Price of Manchester, N. H., a former teacher in the public schools of Merrimac, has had charge of this department since the beginning of the fall term.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
There have been several meetings during the year under . the auspices of the Merrimac Teachers' association. These meetings have been addressed by Mr. Henry T. Bailey and Mr. John T. Prince, agents of our State Board of Education, Prof. Arthur Boyden, of the Bridgewater Normal school, and President Stanley Hall of Clark, University. There have also
63
SCHOOL REPORT.
been frequent meetings under the direction of the teachers of drawing.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
We express our thanks to the Trustees of the Public Library for the continued privilege of using books of the Library in the schools. We hope the privilege may be con- tinued, as it is of the highest benefit to the scholars in many ways, apparent to all.
CONCLUSION.
We are gratified to be able to report a year of successful and uninterrupted work for the schools. Nearly all of them have made good progress and many of them have been very successful in their work. As good as our schools are they should improve every year. They cost money, but the town cannot afford to have poor schools whatever it costs to main- tain them in good condition. The very best education and training are none too good for fitting our children and youth to be true and loyal citizens of the town and nation, and for their own happiness and success in life. The best results cannot be accomplished without good and cheerful school rooms, pleasant school surroundings, and good facilities for school work. We should have the best teachers, and in order to have them we must pay good salaries. We ask for an in- creased appropriation this year, which we think should be, and will be, cheerfully granted. We ask for no more than the schools need. After careful consideration we recommend that appropriations he made as follows :
For a District Superintendent, $ 350 00
Desks and seats, 400 00
Conveyance of pupils, 500 00
General school purposes, 8,750 00
T. H. HOYT,
BION GREEN,
School Committee.
FRANK E. PEASE,
1
64
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.
1
Merrimac, Mass., Feb. 2, 1898.
To the Chairman of the School Committee :
There have been several improvements in the High School during the past year.
Owing to the purchase of some new physical and chem- ical apparatus, we have been enabled to do considerably more work than heretotore in these studies. Together with other apparatus a fine dynamo has been presented to the school by several public spirited citizens. This gift was practical and useful and was highly appreciated, and has added greatly in making the study of electricity more interesting.
However, most satisfactory work cannot be expected in Physics and Chemistry without a room so equipped that the pupil may perform his own experiments; such a room could be obtained by devoting the upper floor of the Center school building to High School purposes and at no great expense, this would also remove the inconvenience of sending classes from the school building as is now done, for the same room could be used as a labratory and for recitations.
As in preceding years, we have been allowed free access to the Public Library and have found its reference books in- valuable for school purposes. The debating society for the scholars has been continued and with better results this year than heretofore.
A plan of having the leading periodicals in the school room has been started, and it is hoped that its success will
65
SCHOOL REPORT.
guarantee its continuance. Some work has been done in physical training and through the kindness of the selectmen, we have been permitted to use Sargent hall for this purpose about twenty minutes each day. The advantages of such training do not require mention as they are known to all.
The seats in the High School room are in many cases too small, for the most part rickety and all unsuitable and unsatisfactory. New desks also would. permit a different arrangement of the seats so that the pupils would not have to face the windows as they do now and with consequent danger to their eyesight.
The increase of the teaching force of the school has allowed many improvements that were before impracticable. By giving longer recitation periods, it secures to each class more attention and longer time, and this is of vital importance to many classes, particularly in Language, Mathematics and several of the sciences. Also the change has permitted a revision of the course of study in such a way as to make it more disciplinary and thorough. The general effect has been most satisfactory and the wonder seems to be how it was ever possible to get along with a smaller teaching force. The new course, to be maintained, will require a continuance of the same number of teachers as is now employed.
Indeed, I might say, the success of a college preparatory course depends in a large measure upon this, and the well being of the school demands it.
Respectfully submitted,
C. C. FERGUSON.
66
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
The schools have been under my supervision since Sept- ember and are now doing very good work. Each school has been visited twice each month, the work inspected, a lesson given and such aid as was needed.
In the Primary grades we have taken Form, Color and Drawing, doing regular grade work. As this is the most important period of a child's instruction we aim to do very thorough work.
In the Grammar grades we aim to acquaint the pupils with the rudiments of mechanical and free-hand drawing, both being equally important, one being the foundation of industrial art, and the other of the fine arts.
In the High school one hour twice a month is all the : time that can be given to Drawing, therefore the progress is necessarily ślow.
The pupils show marked improvement in ability to express what they see, and to do accurate work. Skill and power to express our perception of beauty accurately, come only through persistent practice in Drawing.
The aim has been to do thorough, practical work in all grades thereby making this study of great value to the pupils in many ways.
· Respectfully,
MRS. S. EVANNAH PRICE.
67
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To the School Committee of Merrimac :
I submit the following report :
I feel that the ground covered by the Music course in the public schools of Merrimac, Mass., has been all that could have been asked for. In the ninth grade, the work has been marked by an earnestness and evident enjoyment on the part of the pupils, which has added greatly to the result obtained. I take pleasure in noting the uniform work done by the boys of all my grades, this being a feature of the work especially gratifying.
I have introduced Coda work at different intervals to the gain thereby of the pupils, as a break in the book routine. I recommend the placing of No. I Readers in the third grade, second year work, as soon as possible. Time drill and sight reading, essential points in schoo! music, have been carefully carried on by my teachers, and with their assistance, I have endeavored to make music a practical and useful study, as well as a pleasure to the pupils of the public schools.
To those who have been engaged with me in this work, to the committee, for their co-operation and support, my sincere thanks are due ; and to the townspeople of Merrimac, I extend a cordial welcome and invitation to visit the schools at music periods, thus encouraging both pupils and teachers.
Respectfully, ELIZABETH B. SMITH.
Merrimac, Mass., January 27, 1898.
68
SCHOOL REPORT.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER. 1
To the School Committee of Merrimac :
I would respectfully submit the following report for the year ending January 31, 1898.
Number of visits made, 13 Truants taken to school, 3
Respectfully,
1 Merrimac, Mass., February 9, IS98.
C. P. BAKER.
SCHOOL SIGNALS.
2 blasts repeated twice, ! ! ! ! ! ! , at S.oo a. m., no forenoon session.
Same signal at 12.45 p. m., no afternoon session. Same signal at 11.30 a. m., one session.
ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT
FOR THE
ANNUAL MEETING, MONDAY, MARCHI 7, IS98.
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To bring in their votes on one ballot for Town Clerk ; three Selectmen, who will be Assessors and Overseers of the Poor; Treasurer; Collector of Taxes; one School Committee for three years ; one School Committee for one year; one Trustee of Cemetery for three years; two Trustees for Public Library for three years; three Consta- bles ; three Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark; three Fence Viewers; three Field Drivers ; Auditor of Accounts. Also to bring in their votes upon the same ballot, Yes or No, on the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town." In voting under this article the polls will be opened at nine o'clock in the forenoon, and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon. /
ARTICLE 3. To determine what sum of money shall be raised to defray the necessary and usual charges and expenses of the town for the ensuing year and make appropriations for the same.
ARTICLE 4. To fix a time for payment of taxes and see what discount if any the town will allow for prompt payment of taxes.
70
TOWN WARRANT.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the town will authorize its Col- lector of Taxes to use all means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer may use when appointed a Collector of Taxes in accordance with Section 19, Chapter 423 of acts of 1893.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the town will authorize its Treas- urer, under direction of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes and pay any indebtedness of the town.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the town will vote to accept the jury list as revised by the selectmen.
ARTICLE 8. Ou petition of D. O. Leavitt and forty- one others, to see if the town will vote to construct during the present year a suitable drain on Church street to carry off surface water, said drain to begin near house of Horace Hoyt and extending with necessary openings and to connect with the sewer near the Congregational church or to brook which crosses said street ; also a branch extending into Maple street twenty-five feet. If so, to make necessary appropria- tions therefor.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to employ a Town Physician.
ARTICLE IO. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to make necessary repairs on town hall and if so to make appropriations for the same.
ARTICLE II. On petition of John B. Heath and others to see if the town will vote to build a new tomb and if the town shall vote so to do, to make the necessary appropriation and choose the necessary committee to carry the article into effect.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the town will vote to restrain neat cattle and horse kind from running at large. And to transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.