USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1915 > Part 3
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The receipts from water rates were $5,955.63 on in- crease over last year of $293.91
It has been evident for sometime that we were not getting as much water from the wells as we should this is more evident when the lake is low, which is the case at
2
WATER REPORT
the present time and will probably be most of the time in the future owing to the use of the water for power in Amesbury.
In the month of December with the lake low, we were obliged to pump more hours and get over 23,000 less strokes than we did in the month of June with the lake high.
This makes pumping more expensive than it should be and as we do not get the amount of water that we should per stroke, it is impossible to tell how much water is being pumped.
We are advised by B. F. Smith & Co., the firm that installed the present system, that the only remedy is more and deeper wells. They advise the installation of 10 more wells at a cost of about $1,600.00.
ESTIMATES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
Expense
Gross expense of operation, $ 4,263 16
Bond payments,
3,500 00
Note payments,
850 00
Interest payments,
2,570 00
Construction,
125 00
$11,308 16
Income
Water rates,
$ 5,750 00
Rent of Station,
300 00
Appropriation for construction,
125 00
Appropriation for municipal use,
2,371 00
Appropriation for maintenance,
1,451 67
Cash on hand,
1,310 49
$11,308 16
3
WATER REPORT
Werecommend that the town
appropriate for water for
municipal use,
$2,371 00
For maintenance,
1,451 67
For Construction,
125 00
$ 3,947 67
We also recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $1,600.00 for new wells at the station.
WATER REPORT CONSTRUCTION
Wright Garage Co., 85
F. C. Williams,
2 85
Macbee Co., service pipe, 189 38
A. McInnis, frieght and trucking, 15 66
I. B. Little Co., supplies,
7 30
Payroll to employees
502 44
G. G. Davis, team,
178 00
O. F. Bennett, supplies,
65
Town of Merrimac, express paid,
47
Haverhill Gazette, advertising,
4 00
Newburyport Daily News, advertis- ing, 6 75
National Lead Co., lead,
136 50
Jonah and George, supplies,
8 23
National Meter Co., 1 1-2 inch me- ter and supplies, 49 60
G. P. Anderson & Co., supplies,
56 00
B. & M. R. R., frieght,
162 76
A. O. Nicol, teaming,
24 92
Union Meter Co., meters and sup- plies, 158 88
Builders Iron Foundary, service
boxes, 57 20
4
WATER REPORT
R. D. Wood & Co., 6 inch pipe, etc., 1,240 55
Norwood Engineering Co., hydrants, 112 00
R. G. Watkins, laying pipe, 1,222 43
J. P. Titcomb, engineering,
61 12
H. Franklin, labor, 14 80
F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance, 8 00
R. M. Emery, 30 00
W. A. Bailey, expense,
2 50
Z. Lovell & Co., supplies,
42
$4,249 76
Receipts
Appropriation, general, $200 00
Appropriation, Main St. extension,
3,500 00
Appropriation, Church St. exten- sion, 120 00
Sale of material,
55 39
Light dept., team,
94 75
Light dept., labor,
107 24
Laying service pipe,
223 76
Balance unexpended,
51 38
$4,301 14 $4,301 14
MAINTENANCE
Miscellaneous and Repairs
G. G. Davis, team, $13 75
Payroll to employees,
40 36
D. W. Gould, supplies,
50
G. P. Anderson & Co., supplies,
97 57
Town of Merrimac, express paid,
11 47
Revere Rubber Co., supplies, 15 68
I. B. Little Co., supplies, 8 03
O. F. Bennett, supplies, 1 34
Wright Garage Co., machine work, 9 20
5
WATER REPORT
Scannell Boiler Works, tools, etc., 141 50
D. Roy, stock and labor,
26 00
A. McInnis, freight and trucking,
11 69
Guy Bros., repairing boilers,
125 00
Mrs. F. N. Hargraves, meals,
2 10
W. A. Barbeau, auto and labor,
16 00
H. B. Titlon, meals,
70
H. Franklin, labor,
11 45
$ 532 34
Oil and Waste
G. P. Anderson & Co., oil and waste, $207 76
A. McInnis, freight and trucking, 11 25
219.01 $
Salaries
W. A. Bailey, superintendent,
$400 00
W. H. Scott, collector,
150 00
W. A. Bailey, commissioner,
12 50
G. A. Titcomb, commissioner,
12 50
W. A. Barbeau, commissioner
12 50
$
587 50
Fuel,
Light dept., fuel,
$ 1,025 99
$ 1,025 99
Supplies to Station
G. P. Anderson & Co., supplies, 78 80
Town of Merrimac, express and freight, Z. Lovell & Co., supplies, 11 39
3 10
$ 93 29
6
WATER REPORT
Station Wages
Geo. G. Hall, engineer,
$ 1,080 00
W. B. Perry, labor,
8 75
R. Stewart, labor,
8 75
A. H. Austin, labor,
26 25
A. Poland, labor, 1 75
$ 1,125 50
Office Expense
Telephone,
51 82
Merrimac Post Office, stamps and .box rent,
51 00
D. W. Gould, supplies,
1 15
Payroll,
2 88
Merrimac Job Print, books and printing,
46 00
Amesbury Pub. Co., printing,
6 35
I. B. Little Co., supplies,
40
C. S. Woodman, caning chairs,
3 00
Sargent Coal Co., coal,
86 90
O. F. Bennett, supplies,
3 90
H. Franklin, labor, 4 95
H. H. Story, supplies,
1 10
W. H. Scott, supplies,
4 45
Z. Lovell & Co., supplies,
5 50
$ 269 40
Insurance
Merrimac Insurance Agency, com- pensation, $42 41
$42 41
7
WATER REPORT
Bonds, Notes and Interest
Bond, payments,
$ 3,500 00
Note payments,
500 00
Interest payment,
2,590 00
$ 6,590 00
Total
$14,735 20
COST OF CONSTRUCTION
Cost to Jan. 1, 1915
Pumping station,
$ 6,631 74
Boilers,
3,473 70
Pumps
5,889 06
Coal shed,
339 60
Road to station,
272 00
Suction pump,
2,369 86
Pipe line,
26,304 47
Pipe laying,
12,808 57
Clearing land,
620 08
Stand pipe,
6,165 21
Investigating committee,
2,344 12
Meters,
3,114 90
Engineering,
3,036 10
Freight and express,
245 99
Miscellanoeus,
971 98
Salaries,
1,500 00
Land,
3,475 34
Service pipe
7,562 25
Reservior at station,
137 99
$87,262 96
-
8
WATER REPORT
Additions 1915
Pipe line,
$ 1,679 51
Pipe laying,
1,379 92
Engineering,
61 12
Meters,
127 92
Service pipe,
573 84
$ 3,822 31
$91,085 27
BALANCE SHEET
Receipts
Appropriations for Construction, $200 00
Appropriation Main St. extension, 3,500 00
Appropriation Church St. extension, 120 00
Appropriation Municipal use,
2,271 00
Appropriation Maintenance, 2,563 64
Repairs to service pipe and sale of material, 55 39
Light dept., team,
94 75
Light dept., labor,
107 24
Light dept., oil and waste,
169* 63
Light dept., rent of station,
300 00
Light dept., office expense
111.05
Light dept., supplies to station,
40 86
Laying service pipe
223 76
Miscellaneous,
28 33
Water rates,
5,955 63
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1915,
304 41
$16,045 69
1
9
WATER REPORT
Expended
For construction,
For maintencnae,
$ 4,249 76 10,485 44
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1916,
1,310 49
$16,045 69
WARREN A. BAILEY, WILFRED A. BARBEAU, GEORGE A. TITCOMB,
Board of Water Commissioners. 1
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Subject to Correction
State Department of Health Merrimac Water Analysis (parts in 100,000) 1915.
DATE OF
APPEARANCE
ODOR
Number
Collection
Turbidity
Sediment
Color
Cold
Hot
Residue on
Evaporation
Free
Albu-
Chlorine
Nitrates
Nitrites
Hardness
Iron
Feb 1915
122004
3
none
none
.00
none
none
6.90
.0004
.0016
.55
.0100
.0000
2.9
.008
Welis
122491
3
v slight v slight
.00
none
none
6.70
0000
.0030
.60
.0060
.0000
2.9
.045
Wells
May 1915
iron
none
none
.00
none
none
6.80
.0005
,0016
.54
.0060
.0000
3.0
.005
Wells tap
124642
30
none
none
.00
none
none
6.00
.0000
0012
.52
.0180
.0000
2.6
.016
Well
126085
27
none
none
,00
none
none
7.30
0004
.0010
54
.0040
0000
2.7
.010
Wells
127361
26
none
none
.00
none
none
6.70
.0006
.00 50
.0160
.0000
2.7
.007
Wells
-
123670
8
June 1915
Aug 1915
Oct 1915
AMMONIA
Nitrogen As
minoid
Remarks
Mar 1915
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Municipal Light Board
The Municipal Light Board herein submit their twelfth annual report for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31, 1915
At the beginning of the year, the outlook for business was anything but encouraging and not until the early sum- mer was there any indication of its being the record year that it has been, the receipts from sales of light and power exceeding the previous record of 1910 by $873.71 and exceeding the receipts of last year by $2,067.47.
The output of electric current at the station for the year was 279.965 K. W. H. Power two phase 179.640, single phase, 2280, commercial an domestic lighting, 60.925; street lighting, 37.120.
This is an increase over last year of 89.385 K. W. H. power, showing an increase over last year of 82642; com- mercial and domestic lighting an increase of 8663 while street lighting, although they were lighted 136 more hours shows a decrease of 1920 K. W. H., owing to the use of Mazda lamps.
This does not show a net saving in the cost of lighting the streets for while the streets are much better lighted, the lamps cast more and do not appear to last as long as the carbon lamps on the streets.
The additions have been 25 domestic sercive and 4 commercial services and there are in use, 115 domestic, 60 commercial and 12 power services.
2
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
It became evident in the early fall that we were ac- cumulating more of a power load than we could safely carry and with "the prospect" of more being added, we began negotiations for additional equipment or the pur- chase of current, soon after this came the demand of the G. W. J. Murphy Co., for continuous service which re- sulted in the calling of a town meeting and the choosing of a committee to carry this into effect.
The committee voted to start the town plant at once, and run it 24 hours per day . This was done, starting Nov. 29 and we have been able to carry the load so far by limiting the power load at times.
We have turned back to the town the entire amount to be appropriated, viz. $1,963.63 and have the sum of $951.03 as a reserve fund. In reality, this means no ap- propriation for maintenance for the coming year.
Under Section 114 of Chapter 742, Acts of 1914, the Manager has furnished the Board with the following estimates of income and expense for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 1916.
EXPENSE
Gross expense of operation, $8,080 02
Interest,
304 00
Depreciation,
979 61
Notes,
600 00
Bonds,
500 00
$10,463 63
INCOME
From private consumers,
$ 8,500 00
From appropriation for main-
tenance,
1,963 63
$10,463 63
3
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
The sum of $1,963.63 is the amount to be included by the town in the annual appropriation and in the tax levy.
CONSTRUCTION
Street Lines
F. C. Williams, stock and labor, 1 40
G. G. Davis, team, 11 50
A. McInnis, freight and trucking, 4 52
Payroll, 30 23
I. B. Little Co., supplies, 1 93
Pettingell Andrews Co., supplies,
56 64
J. H. Stuart, teaming,
1 00
Town of Merrimac, express paid,
6 98
C. E. Moss Co., supplies,
1 74
J. P Tticomb, plans, 10 90
Wright Garage Co., supplies,
85
Water dept., team and labor,
73 96
$ 201 65
Transformers
Westinghouse Co., transformers, $ 133 54
A. McInnis, freight and trucking, 1 94
$ 135 48
Meters
Westinghouse Co., meters,
$
202 88
A. McInnis, freight and trucking,
2 94
$ 205 82
MAINTENANCE
Fuel
Sargent Coal Co., fuel and teaming, $ 1,104 70 Atkinson Coal Co., fuel, 2,228 55
4
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
N. E. Coal and Coke Co., fuel, 395 06
B. &. M. R. R. ,feright, 892 54
$ 4,620 85
Oil and Waste
Water dept., oil and waste, $ 169 63
$
169 63
· Station Wages
A. J. Cottam, engineer, $ 1,080 00
W. A. Barbeau, engineer, 70 00
Geo. G. Hall, engineer, 10 00
$ 1,160 00
Repairs of Steam Plant
Wright Garage Co., stock and labor $ 46 10
Water dept., supplies, 40 86
Town of Merrimac, express paid, 4 74
$
91 70
Repairs of Electric Plant
P. N. Fernald, labor and expense, $ 28 71
Town of Merrimac, express paid, 2 97
Westinghouse Co., supplies, 42 38
Pettingell Andrews Co., supplies,
1 50
I. B. Little Co., supplies, 80
Condit Mfg. Co., supplies, 6 88
W. H. Scott, express paid, 25
$ 83 49
5
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
Repairs of Street Lines, etc.
J. E. Currier, supplies, 30
G. G. Davis, team,
30 75
Pettingell Andrews Co., supplies,
39 50
J. H. Stuart, teaming,
50
A. McInnis, teaming,
10
Payroll,
42 29
Water dept., team and labor,
128 03
Sargent Coal Co., supplies,
50
$
241 97
Incandescent Lamps, etc.
Pettingell Andrews Co., lamps, etc., $
887 40
$ 887 40
Distribution Tools, etc.
Pettingell Andrews Co., tools, $ 2 05
J. L. Fales, ladders, 12 00
I. B. Little Co., tools,
60
Amesbury Electric Co., supplies,
2 20
W. H. Scott, express paid,
50
$ 17 35
Salaries
W. A. Bailey, manager, $ 400 00
W. H. Scott, collector and book- keeper,
250 00
W. A. Bailey, commissioner,
12 50
G. A. Titcomb, commissioner, 12 50
W. A, Barbeau, commissioner,
12. 50
$ 687 50
6
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
Office Expense
Merrimac Job Print, supplies, $ 18 50
W. H. Scott, expense, 5 52
Water dept., expense,
111 05
$ 135 07
Insurance and Incidentals
Merrimac Insurance Agency,
Compensation and liability, $ 266 03
Water dept., rent of station, 300 00
566 03
$
Bonds, Notes and Interest
Bond payment, $ 500 00
Note payments,
1,300 00
Interest on bonds,
240 00
Interest on notes,
122 00
$ 2,162 00
Total,
$11,365 94
Balance Sheet
General cash on hand Jan. 1, 1915, $
640 22
Depreciation fund, · 60 21
Interest on fund, 2 42
Sale of power and light,
9,422 96
Appropriation for maintenance,
2,817 26
Sale of lamps, etc.,
720 02
Miscellaneous, 5 22
Water dept., fuel,
1,025 99
$14,694 30
7
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
Expended
For construction and renewals less credits, $ 612 27
For maintenance,
10,753 67
$11,365 94
General cash on hand Jan. 1, 1916,
2,914 66
Depreciation fund, 413 70
$14,694 30
Cost of Construction
Steam plant,
$ 3,985 39
Electric plant.
4,481 01
Street lines,
17,367 05
Transformers,
4,162 78
Meters,
2,657 55
$32,653 78
Assets
Steam plant,
$ 3,002 02
Electric plant,
2,950 79
Street lines,
14,682 56
Transformers,
2,959 88
Meters,
1,785 87
Due from light and power,
1,909 65
Lamps, etc. on hand and charged,
285 23
Fuel on hand,
634 56
Tools on hand,
153 16
General cash,
2,914 66
Depreciation fund,
413 70
$31,692 08
8
LIGHT BOARD REPORT
Liabilities
Bonds outstanding, $ 5,500 00
Notes payable, 2,400 00
Appropriations for construction,
5,375 83
Appropriations for bond payments,
4,500 00
Appropriations for note payments,
1,671 72
Unpaid bills, 37 52
Interest accrued but not due, 147 50
Profit and loss,
12,059 51
$31,692 08
WARREN A. BAILEY, WILFRED A. BARBEAU, GEORGE A. TITCOMB, Municipal Light Board.
1
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Merrimac:
The School Committee make the following report and also submit herewith the reports of the Superintendent, Principal of the High School, Supervisors of Music and Drawing and School Physician.
The Committee organized after the annual town meet- ing as follows:
Frederick C. Grant, Chairman. Mrs. Ellen M. Murphy, Secretary. William S. Tuckwell, Purchasing agent.
At a meeting of the joint committee representing the towns of West Newbury, Newbury, Salisbury and Merri- mac held in May last, Mr. Henry H. Pratt was appointed Superintendent of Schools of the District at a salary of $1,700.00 per annum, which includes his traveling ex- penses, succeeding Mr. Small, whose term expired June 30, 1915. We are to pay 2-5 of the salary and get 2-5 of his time.
There has been one change in the teaching force at the High School during the year, Miss Bagley, teacher of English, resigned in June and was succeeded by Miss Bessie M. Felstiner.
The changes in the Grades have been four in number, Mr. Broadfoot, teacher in the eighth grade, Miss Williams, teacher in the sixth ,Miss Wing, teacher in the second and Miss McEttrick, teacher in the first grade, resigned at the close of the last school year and were succeeded by Miss Helen R. Wiley, in the eighth grade, Miss Esther J. Woods in the sixth grade, Miss Marguerite E. Burbank in the second grade and Miss Helen B. Cressey in the first grade.
2
SCHOOL REPORT
It was thought advisable to add Drawing to the sub- jects taught at the beginning of the school year in Septem- ber and Miss Alice P. Killam was secured for that purpose. She teaches one day each week dividing her time among all the schools.
There appears to be but little friction in the schools and the scholars seem disposed to profit by the advantages offered. There probably has been some disadvantage through so many changes in the teaching force, but on the whole the work may be considered satisfactory. Parents are urged to co-operate with the teachers in maintaining discipline among the scholars and in striving for a high grade of work in the studies.
From the special appropriation we have paid the bills for the repairs made during the last year at the High and Grade schools .. At the Prospect Street School wefound it imperative to build a new piazza as the old one was so badly rotted that it had become unsafe. N. S. Cole & Son received the contract to build the new one, their figure being $274.00 for a complete job including painting. The work was completed in a very satisfactory manner. This expense and the extra cost of transportation over the estimate, together with the cost of introducing Drawing will account for the overdrawn shown in the Financial Statement.
Your Committee made a report of the conditions in the Centre School building at a special town meeting. The joint committee appointed at that time to consider the matter will report at the annual tow'n meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK C. GRANT, ELLEN M. MURPHY, WILLIAM S. TUCKWELL, Committee.
1
SCHOOL REPORT 3
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Teachers' Salaries
Per Month.
High School:
Principal, C. C. Putney,
$120 00
Assistant, Annabelle Lyons, 60 00
Assistant, Louise A. Morrison,
55 00
Assistant, Bessie M. Felstiner,
50 00
Eithth grade:
Helen R. Wiley,
50 00
Seventh grade:
Edna G. Smith,
50 00
Sixth grade:
Esther J. Woods, 47 50
Fifth grade:
Anna M. Kelley,
45 00
Fourth grade:
May M. Smilie,
45 00
Third grade:
Mary A. Hughes, 45 00
Second grade:
Marguerite E. Burbank,
40 00
First grade: Helen B. Cressey, 40 00
Merrimacport,
45 00
Annie M. Sargent,
Janitors
High School: F. H. Trefethen, Centre school:
25 00
A. G. Flower, 30 00
*
4
SCHOOL REPORT
Prospect Street school: Mrs. Dwinnells, 10 00
Merrimac portschool: Mrs. Coleman, 6 00
Transportation
R. H. Sargent 40 00
G. G. Davis, 40 00
Receipts,
General appropriation, $ 8,100 00
Transportation, 750 00
Acc't Superintendents salary, 375 00
Special, for repairs made last year,
1,080 00
Treasurer of the Commonwealth:
Tuition of minor wards, 122 25
Mass. School Fund,
921 62
Acc't Sup'ts' salary,
437 50
County of Essex, dog tax,
145 93
City of Boston, tuition of wards,
117 00
Mrs. H. A. Watts, tuition,
25 00
Town of Salisbury, tuition,
205 00
Town of Newton, N. H., tuition,
41 00
Fred Beckford, tuition, 25 00
A. G. Flower, reimbursement,
11
$12,345 41
Expenditures,
School committee,
Office expense,
6 35
Sup't's aslary, 637 51
Sup'ts office expense,
5 72
Census officer, 25 00
Supervisors of Music and Drawing, 272 00
Principal of High School,
1,140 00
5
SCHOOL REPORT
Assistants, High School,
1,590 00
Teachers, elementary,
4,130 75
Text books, High,
202 40
Elementary,
216 50
Stationery and supplies,
High,
156 72
Elementary,
104 90
Janitors, '
High,
250 00
Elementary,
460 00
Fuel,
High,
293 79
Elementary,
422 76
Repairs,
High,
712 22
Elementary, 1
914 98
Transportation,
799 00
Tuition,
175 00
New equipment, fire extinguishers,
87 50
Typewriter repairs and miscel.,
64 33
Overdrawn,
$12,666 62 321 22
6
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Merrimac:
Gentlemen :- I have the honor of submitting to you my first report on the school system of your town and, as it is my first report, an attempt will be made to deal in a serious way with the problems that confront us and to place before you and the people of Merrimac some result of my study of the schools. This makes no attempt to state in any complete way the condition of the schools but only to state the prominent facts and to leave to some future report many minor details.
The school system comprises eight grades. This means, or should mean, that the same amount of work is accomplished below the high school as in nine grades only it is divided into eight parts instead of nine. No work is supposed to be dropped out at all: simply the pupil completes one-eighth of the total work each year instead of one-ninth. The eighth-grade system is in favor to- day, largely for the reason that it saves a year or more in the child's life which is important in the case of many children. Any change in a school system from nine grades to eight should be accompanied by a total redistribution of work among the grades as described above. This, so far as I can find has not been done. One serious need in our schools at present is for teachers to be provided with written plans and specifications which shall definitely lay out the work which is to bedone in eachgrade. At pres- ent each teacher is a law unto herself and is absolutely unprovided with any sort of a study plans, with the excep- tion of such beginnings in this work as I have already made. Working plans are the basis of a system. We are lacking in system; in proper organization of school work, and no
7
SCHOOL REPORT
child can be properly educated unless he is taken along the road to knowledge by means of proper maps and guide- boards.
I have found very few records of the past in the office. Any well-managed business, however small, preserves proper records. These are essential to progressive work. There are no past records of pupil's rank, very few of their promotions, no record of their progress through the grades, of their business after graduation, and no records of the work teachers have done in the grades to work with. Finding such scanty records, I have consequently, spent much time in getting together facts about the schools which it was necessary to know. It is expected that this condition will be remedied after this year.
Our school equipment is poor. Perhaps I ought not to say just how poor it is, but it is very much depleted and below that usually found in good schools. Our stock of text books is seriously deficient. One of my first tasks here was to get a working inventory of our stock of books. That has now been done and on the strength of what that inventory reveals, intelligent purchases can be made. Purchasing for the schools without a plan is not economy. Equipment should be purchased to carry out definite plans of school work. Good management of the book supply, for example, would demand a certain regular purchase of so many new books each year to allow for depreciation and above that certain regular expenditures for additional purchases to enlarge our stock. A stock of books will depreciate certainly 25 per cent. each year. We do not know as yet what our invested value in books is,-that will be completed later-but suppose it to be $2,000.00 This would necessitate a regular annual ex- penditure of $500.00 for books simply to keep up our stock. We are lacking in maps and globes, reference books, both in high school and grades, supplementary reading, material for teaching writing. The children are in some cases unprovided with much needed text books, dictionaries, etc.
8
SCHOOL REPORT
Add to the book supply money that is needed for stationery, science apparatus and special equipments such as type- writers, and you get an idea of our needs in this line.
It is difficult for people not familiar with the work of schools to realize how much money is needed to main- tain really good schools but perhaps these figures wil! help somewhat. It is a very generally accepted estimate that annual expenses for books and stationery for each high school pupil will be about $4.00 per pupil, and for each grade pupil about $2.00. With our present enrollment this makes $328.00 for the high school and about $550.00 for the grades, a total of $878.00 per year. And even this does not allow for needed increases in equipment if our schools are to advance with the times.
But this condition will be well on the high road to improvement this year and while the expenditure of money will have to be considerable to put usin a thoroughly good condition it need not all comeon this year. But a def- inite plan of purchase ought to be entered upon covering possibly two or three years with the total necessary ex- pense distributed over that time. In this way the schools could be left with excellent equipment at the end of that period and the cost be unfelt.
I believe we have an unusually good corps of teachers in comparison with towns of our size. I have worked with many teachers during the past ten years and I have only. words of appreciation for the Merrimac teachers. There is not one in the corps whose excellences do not exceed the qualities which might be criticised. They are especially willing and earnest in their work; they are suceeding better than we have a right to expect under the circumstances.
The housing conditions of our schools are not ade- quate to modern school work. In the Center building we have two grades in oneroom working under two teachers. The confusion and interruptions, while far less than I should expect under the efficient management of our pres-
9
SCHOOL REPORT
ent teachers, is such as to seriously interfere with the prog- ress of their work. There are over seventy pupils in this room. It is a condition which ought not to exist. They should be separated into different rooms. The back part of the building is not suitable as it stands for school purposes. The sanitary conditions are open to very serious criticism. The heating, ventilation and the lighting, are entirely inadequate. Parents do not usually feel the serious consequences to health which may and do result from poor ventilation, from eye-strain due to poor lighting and from hygienically wrong seating positions. Most of the desks in this building are of old and unadjust- able type, a good many of which are neither comfortable nor wholesome for children who have to occupy them for five hours in the day. The installation of slate black- boards would improve facilities considerably. The amount of blackboard space is not sufficient for the needs of some of the grades.
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