USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1917 > Part 3
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OF THE
Municipal Light Board
The Municipal Light Board herein submit their Fourteenth Annual Report for the fiscal ending De- cember 31, 1917.
This closes our first full year with purchased cur- rent. There has been some fault found with the lighting current as the regulator did not keep it even at all times. We think this has been remedied to a large extent and are hoping that it will be much more satisfactory in the future.
As was expected the output at the switchboard shows a decrease.
The total delivered at the switchboard was 286,112 K. W. H., a decrease of 117,038 K. W. H.
Power alone accounts for 113,670 K. W. H. decrease. Commercial and street lights show the balance or 3,368 K. W. H.
The additions have been eighteen lighting services and one power service and there were in use January 1, 1918, 200 lighting services and 10 power services.
Under Chapter 742, section 114, Acts of 1914 the manager has furnished the board with the following esti- mates of expense and income for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1918 :
2
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD REPORT
EXPENSE.
Gross expense of operation, .
$8,082 00
Interest, 216 00
Depreciation, 3% on $34,135.00,
1,024 05
Note payments,
600 00
Bond payments,
500 00
$10,422 05
INCOME.
From private consumers,
8,500 00
From municipal buildings,
250 00
Balance from earnings,
1,672 05
$10,422 05
No appropriation for the tax levy required.
CONSTRUCTION AND RENEWALS.
Street lines,
$1,391 31
Transformers,
27 43
Meters,
263 92
$1,682 66
Construction.
Street line,
$436 13
Transformers,
14 29
Meters,
219 71
Renewals.
Street lines,
601 99
Transformers,
13 14
Meters,
44 21
Miscellaneous credits,
353 19
$1,682 66
MAINTENANCE
Current purchased,
$6,097 14
3
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD REPORT
Station wages,
150 00
Repairs of lines, etc.,
128 52
Incandescent lamps, etc.,
1,656 03
Distribution tools,
18 98
Manager's salary,
440 20
Collector's salary,
270 76
Salaries municipal light board,
37 50
Office expense,
291 42
Rent of office,
84 00
Interest,
260 00
Incidentals,
100 00
Insurance,
82 70
Note payment,
600 00
Bond payment,
500 00
$10,717 25
COST OF CONSTRUCTION.
Steam plant,
$3,985 39
Electric plant,
4,481 01
Street lines,
18,180 93
Transformers,
4,177 07
Meters,
3,310 60
$34,135 00
BALANCE SHEET. On Hand and Received.
General cash on hand Jan. 1, 1917, $5,205 82
Depreciation fund in National bank, 329 94
Depreciation fund in Savings bank, 65 13
Sale of power and light, 10,171 23
Sale of lamps, etc.,
953 12
Lighting municipal buildings,
205 60
Miscellaneous,
366 64
Appropriation for construction,
450 00
Interest on depreciation fund,
2 62
Interest on reserve fund,
30 00
$17,780 10
4
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD REPORT
Expended and on Hand.
Construction and renewals,
$1,682 66
Maintenance,
10,717 25
General cash on hand Jan. 1, '18,
3,328 03
Depreciation fund,
522 16
Reserve fund,
1,530 00
$17,780 10
ASSETS.
Steam plant,
$3,002 02
Electric plant,
3,077 51
Street lines,
14,928 33
Transformers,
2,803 76
Meters,
1,983 13
General cash,
3,328 03
Depreciation fund,
522 16
Due for electricity,
1,480 29
Merchandise on hand,
1,400 44
Distribution tools on hand,
176 24
$32,701 91
LIABILITIES.
Appropriations for construction, $5,503 16
Overdrafts for construction, 322 67
Appropriations for bond payments,
4,500 00
Appropriations for note payments,
1,671 72
Bonds outstanding,
4,500 00
Notes payable,
1,200 00
Unpaid bills,
581 71
Interest accrued but not due,
105 83
Reserve fund,
1,530 00
Profit and loss surplus,
12,786 82
$32,701 91
WILLIS H. SCOTT, WARREN A. BAILEY, Municipal Light Board.
ANNUAL 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 Superintend- ent, Principal of the High School, Supervisors of Music, Drawing, and School Physician.
The Committee organized after the Annual Town Meeting as follows :
Ellen M. Murphy, Chairman.
William S. Tuckwell, Secretary.
C. W. Morrill, Purchasing Agent.
Centre, Prospect and High School buildings have been painted outside with two coats.
The roof of the rear part of the Centre School build- ing has been slated. In all the rooms the furniture has been varnished and floors oiled.
In a number of the rooms slate blackboards have been placed.
Prospect Street School needs a new heating plant. It is impossible to heat the building.
The expenses of the past year have been exceptional- ly heavy on account of advanced prices in material and labor.
The transportation problem is one of the most serious the Committee have to deal with.
2
SCHOOL REPORT
To be fair to all is our aim. We have dealt personal- ly with several complaints and are always willing to talk it over with any parent who feels they have a grievance.
The teachers have sent a petition to the School Com- mittee for a raise in salary. In order to do this the Town will have to appropriate more money.
The Committee have the welfare of the schools at heart and have tried to deal justly with all who have come under their supervision.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed)
ELLEN M. MURPHY, WILLIAM S. TUCKWELL, C. W. MORRILL,
School Committee.
School Calendar.
Fall Term.
Begins
Closes
High School
Sept 10
Dec. 21
Elementary Schools
. Sept. 10
Dec. 21
Winter Term.
High School
.Jan. 2
Mar. 29
Elementary Schools
Jan. 2
Mar. 29
Spring Term.
High School
April 8
June 28
Elementary Schools
April 8
June 14
3
SCHOOL REPORT
Financial Statement.
Receipts.
General appropriation,
$10,640 00
Transportation,
1,300 00
Superintendent,
680 00
Massachusetts School Fund,
968 92
Tuition State Minor Wards,
230 25
Tuition Minor Wards, City of Boston,
52 50
County of Essex, balance of dog tax,
129 80
State's rebate on account of superintendent,
500 00
Town of Salisbury, tuition,
116 41
Town of Newton, N. H., tuition,
40 00
Sale of books,
2 65
Sale of old books for junk,
6 35
Sale of grass,
1 00
$14,667 88
Expenditures.
I. Administration,
School Committee, expenses,
$ 3 62
Superintendent, salary,
699 96
Expenses,
24 23
Census, attendance officer,
35 00
II. Instruction,
Teachers' salaries,
$6,919 50
High school principal,
$1,200 00
Assistants,
1,562 50
Elementary school,
4,157 00
Text books,
500 72
High,
229 33
Elementary,
271 39
4
SCHOOL REPORT
397 68
Supplies,
High,
132 03
Elementary,
265 65
Supervisors,
250 56
III. Operation,
Janitors,
760 00
High,
270 00
Elementary,
460 00
Fuel,
1,221 89
High,
448 32
Elementary,
773 57
IV. Maintenance, repairs, High, 420 97
1,922 79
Elementary,
1,501 82
V. Auxiliary agencies,
Transportation,
1,304 25
VI. Miscellaneous,
Tuition,
176 00
Sundries,
284 86
New equipment,
104 55
$13,655 61
Balance,
1,012 27
Janitors.
High School.
Salary
F. H. Trefethen, per month, $30 00
Center.
A. G. Flower, per month, 30 00
Prospect.
Roger Stanley, per month, 10 00
Merrimacport.
Mrs. J. Coleman, per month,
6 00
Transportation.
G. G. Davis, $50 00
R. C. Sargent, 40 00
Mrs. E. A. Leslie, 36 00
5
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Merrimac, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Herewith is transmitted to you the reports from the various departments of your school system for the past year.
We are especially fortunate in these times to be able to operate our schools as usual. Public education in many places in the New England States is suffering as never before in our recollection and many schools are operating on short time or are closed altogether from privations due to a state of war. Then, too, many teachers are forsaking their positions for the higher paid work which the Gov- ernment and industrial plants are offering to women, while many male teachers have been drafted into the fighting forces. In fact, so widespread is this desertion of teachers that our Commissioner of Education has sounded a warning of a shortage of trained teachers for the schools and fears that another year 10,000 children will be deprived of the services of trained and ex- perienced teachers.
There have been no desertions for these causes among the Merrimac teachers, and the draft has made no inroads. upon us. There have, however, been many changes of teachers to other teaching positions. The table at the end of the report will show the changes which have occurred since the opening of the schools in September. At the end of the last school year Miss Esther J. Woods, Miss Marguerite Burbank, Miss Helen R. Wiley, and Miss Mae M. Smilie resigned their po- sitions. These were all tempted away by the offer of
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SCHOOL REPORT
larger salaries except Miss Smilie who entered a com- mercial position.
The work of the schools has been progressing well this year. We have been urged by various organizations to take up many lines of war work in our schools. So far the only war work we have felt justified in entering upon is the sale of Thrift Stamps. I believe the encouragement of saving is no less" a benefit to the pupils than is the loan of the money to the Government. From both view- points it seems a very desirable work especially if the money invested in the war loan is money earned by the children themselves. The instruction being given by the teachers in the schools this year seems of a high quality- the standard of scholarship among the teachers is excei- lent. And a splendid spirit of co-operation is manifest. We are fortunate in the almost entire absence from year to year of that spirit of jealousy among our teachers of which some school officials complain and which is one of the most deadly enemies of good school progress which can exist. The teachers should be commended for the existence of this excellent school spirit.
Respectfully submitted,
H. H. PRATT.
7
SCHOOL REPORT
.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
To the School Committee :
For the period from January to June inclusive, the statistics of the school are as follows : :
Aggregate attendance .6357.
Average attendance 56.24
Total membership 63.
Average membership 61.97
For the period from September to December inclu- sive :
Aggregate attendance .5040.
Average attendance 67.99
Total membership 80.
Average membership 75.59
Seven students were graduated last June as fol- lows :
Raymond John Bagley
Orietta Elizabeth Berry
Grace Evelyn Hargraves
Gertrude Asenath Heath
William Porter
Edward Wells Roberts, Jr.
Annie Emma Woyvoda.
There have been three changes in our teaching force since last June. At the opening of the school year in September, Miss Helen S. Mitchell of Buckfield, Maine, took Miss Cobb's place as teacher of foreign languages ; Miss Brown's place as English teacher was taken by Miss
8
SCHOOL REPORT
Ruth V. Weston of Georgetown. At the Christmas re- cess our commercial teacher, Miss Skinner, left us to take a similar position in Shamokin, Penn. Her place has been taken by Miss Helen Minahan of this town.
The class which was graduated last June had, during the four years, thirty-four different students in its enroll- ment.
Eight finished the four years course ,although one failed to secure a diploma. Nine removed from town during the course. One was promoted to the preceding class and graduated with it. Two left school because of illness of a permanent nature. One left because the pro- ceeds of the student's labor were needed by the family, an overworked excuse, but one, whose validity seems un- questionable in this case.
This analysis seems to leave thirteen students, the loss of whom is or may by possibility be attributable to the teachers, the school, the school authorities or the school system.
One of the thirteen was dropped into the class from the preceding one and left, after four days' attendance on finding that the sentence of demotion was irrevocable. Of two who had fallen behind in their studies, one decided that he would never be able to make up his work, the other knew that he could do so whenever he chose, but chose to leave school rather than make the effort.
One left after five weeks' attendance because "the High school studies were too hard." One entered late, in January ,and left after seven weeks, having made no real progress. One left because the marks on the report card were not "satisfactory."
Five failed of promotion and left at the end of the vear or shortly after.
In the cases of two of the thirteen no reliable infor- mation is obtainable. They left school and secured regu- lar employment. Similar analysis applied to our present senior class leaves nineteen students for whose loss the
9
SCHOOL REPORT
school may be accountable. For our present junior class the number is eleven.
This state of affairs has been the subject of deep study and consideration by educators the country over for several years. Much has been offered in excuse and explanation. Lack of mentality on the part of the stu- dent; lack of interest on the part of parents; the need in the home for the money the child earns are some of the most common excuses. All and others like them un- doubtedly have a bearing on the matter but altogether they are totally inadequate to account for what has been termed "our frightful waste of raw material."
In our own case I wish to call especial attention to the following facts :
Of the above-mentioned forty-three who have left school for no reason that we know to be absolutely sound, all but six were deficient in their studies. Twenty-seven left during or at the end of their first year. Eleven left during or at the end of their second year, leaving only five who have left after their second year in school and of these only two had been promoted to the junior class.
Now the students come to us from the grade schools. They have been constantly in the care of their teachers. Their study and their written work are done under direct supervision. Home study is hardly an important factor for most of the pupils.
When the student enters the High school the change is sharp, abrupt. While he studies or prepares written work his teacher is busy hearing other recitations. Home study is an absolute essential to success. I believe that our appalling loss of students during the first two years of High school is very largely due to the difficulty which the pupil finds in adapting himself to his new conditions.
I therefore believe that a six-year High school is one of the prime needs of our public school system. By mak- ing the seventh and eighth grades a part of the High school this abrupt change may be made gradual, almost
10
SCHOOL REPORT
imperceptible to the student. In school systems where this plan has been tried, grade methods are kept to a great degree in the seventh grade. In the eighth grade more of High school methods are used and the students gradually learns to stand on his own feet, to assume re- sponsibility for his own work, without being obliged to face the sudden chance of conditions which now con- fronts him on entering the High school.
Perhaps no question has received more attention during the past year from those engaged in High school work in this state than that of a longer school day. The opinion seems to be almost unanimous that the change should be made. The need of more time in which teach- ers can give personal assistance to students is urged. It also appears to be the prevailing opinion that more ef- ficient study can be done in school than out. Great stress has been laid on the poor quality of home study. A care- ful analysis of conditions at the Merrimac High School brings the writer to these conclusions.
That we get effective home study from practically every student in the two upper classes; that we get the same result from considerably more than half of the stu- dents in the two lower classes, the percentage being higher in the second year than in the first. The reason for this state of affairs may be found in the above discus- sion of the six-year High school plan, namely, that stu- dents rarely enter the junior class if they are deficient in their studies.
Many of the students have regular employment out of school hours; practically all are on the alert to secure such employment; but this difficulty has been found easy of adjustment in schools where the longer day has been tried.
I would therefore recommend a longer school day for the Merrimac High School and would suggest the follow- ing plan as offering the greatest benefit with the least dis- turbance. The two upper classes to attend precisely as
11
SCHOOL REPORT
at present, the two lower classes to be dismissed at 11.30 and to return at 12.30 for an afternoon session of two and one-quarter hours.
This plan would make it necessary for some students and (probably) also the teachers to bring lunches to school ,but this is so common a practice in Massachusetts High schools, that I do not see how it can work great in- convenience in Merrimac.
The above change would also assist, if, perhaps, but little, in relieving the situation caused by the fact that our teaching force is not large enough. The situation is even more acute than last year. In previous years the principal has regularly instructed one class in the after- noon. This year he has two. The English teacher has and is instructing parts of classes in the afternoon. Of course, this leaves the teachers involved with less time to devote to the regular work of the afternoon session, that of giving personal instruction to the student. All but a very insignificant part of this condition would be rem- edied by adding another teacher to our present force.
The present course of study contains two more sub- jects than that of four years ago. It calls for twenty more periods of recitation per week, and this course of study represents the minimum of work by which we can maintain our present standard. We met the difficulty by alternating studies, but as I have stated elsewhere, we do not conquer it.
Respectfully,
C. C. PUTNEY.
12
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of Merrimac:
In accordance with the rules and regulations, the children in the public schools have been examined and the following results obtained :
Total number examined, 284
Total number who have had measles, 221
Total number who have had scarlet fever, 22
Total number who have had diphtheria, 10
Total number who have had mumps,
141
Total number who have had chicken pox,
11S
Total number who have had whooping cough, 61
Total number who have had pneumonia, 20
Total number who have had rheumatic fever,
2
Total number who have tuberculosis history, 4
Total number who have been vaccinated,
275
Nutrition-Poor 4, fair 68, good 211 ,excellent 1.
Nose-Normal 279, defects 5.
Throat-Normal 212, defects, tonsils enlarged 42, in- flamed 2, tonsils and adenoids absent 28.
Lungs-Normal 280, defects 4.
Heart-Normal 276, defects 8.
Skin-Normal 274, defects 10.
Teeth-Poor 89, fair 116, good 79. '
Digestive organs-Normal 267, defects 17.
Deformities-1.
Respectfully submitted,
G. F. WORCESTER, M.D.
13
SCHOOL REPORT
DRAWING.
To the Superintendent and the School Committee of Mer- rimac :
High School.
What are we teaching ?
A course in each of the following subjects is given : Object Drawing, Costume Designing, Advanced Me- chanical and Beginners' Mechanical.
Why are we teaching it ?
To furnish pupils with a new language of expression (pictures) which is understood by all people in the world, hence a more universal language than a language of words.
Drawing given to the average pupil under average conditions gives him skill which may be practically ap- plied in many fields. We do not teach drawing to make artists or near-artists of the pupils, although we do dis- cover the exceptionally gifted ones and encourage them in that line. We teach drawing so that teachers, mil- liners, dressmakers, illustrators, tailors, carpenters, cab- inet makers, salesmen, embroiderers, builders, engineers, real estate salesmen and contractors may find skill in drawing of surpassing value in increasing the success of their vocation.
A person's ability to sketch with the pencil what is in his mind makes him more intelligible, more forceful and more efficient.
Drawing creates refining influence in the care, beauty and ordiliness of the home, and is reflected in the per- son's personal appearance. It teaches discrimination and
14
SCHOOL REPORT
good taste in the selection of draperies, wall papers, rugs, furniture and dress.
Drawing properly outlined and taught not only aids one's practical, bread-winning powers, but makes life more enjoyable and peaceful because it means so much towards culture and refinement.
Grades.
In September the pupils make a few nature draw- ings. Then we take up design and color work.
During December, January and February objects are constructed and designs originated and applied to them. This work requires careful planning and accurate meas- uring.
Through March, April and part of May object draw- ing will be given. Pupils in the higher grades taking va- rious problems in perspective work. They will draw boxes, suit-cases, chairs, and tables.
During the remainder of the year, landscape and na- ture work will be given.
The efforts of the Superintendent, Teachers and School Committee in behalf of the drawing work is ap- preciated.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGIA L. BLAISDELL.
15
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
As I have been connected with the public schools of Merrimac only a short period of time, my report on music will take the form of a brief outline of the work.
The first and second years' work is devoted largely to rote songs, stimulating the children's interest in music and teaching them to sing tunefully together. Monotones receive individual assistance.
The reading of scales and simple diatonic exercises is introduced before the end of the first year, followed by a systematic study of more difficult exercises containing in- tervals ,during the second and third years.
The principles of time or rythm as prescribed by the Educational method ,also key signatures and intermediate tones, form the basis of work in grades four and five.
Two-part music is introduced in the fifth year and continued through the sixth with thorough drill on Types or Time Motions and intermediate tones.
The outline for grades seven and eight requires three-part music, the study of minor keys and sight-read- ing from the F Clef, preparatory to the four-part work of the High School Chorus.
A certain amount of written work is required of all grades above the second and a test of voices was made last September in the upper grades and High School.
The efficient work of the teachers is most gratifying and we hope to show greater improvement in sight-read- ing and tone-quality before the end of the school year.
The pupils of the High School display an excellent spirit in the chorus work, and two violinists playing with
16
SCHOOL REPORT
the pianist add much to the pleasure of the chorus.
In closing I gratefully acknowledge the support of the Superintendent and Committee and the hearty co- operation of the teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE M. GENTHUER.
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1917.
Boys
Girls
Total
Children of 5 years of age and under 7,
46
74
Children 7 years of age and under 14,
112
132
244
Children 14 years of age and under 16,
27
23
50
Totals,
185
183
368
The above census was taken at the beginning of the present school year but the ages were computed as of April 1, 1917 in accordance with a change in the state law
TEACHERS IN SERVICE IN MERRIMAC 1917-1918.
Name of Teacher
Home Address
Where Educated
Salary
Remarks
Clifton C. Putney, Prin. Helen M. Skinner
|Merrimac
Williams College
$1,200
Bay Path Inst.
550
Helen J. Minahan
Springfield, Mass. Merrimac
Haverhill Business College
650
Helen S. Mitchell
Buckfield, Me.
Bates College®
500
Ruth V. Weston
Georgetown
Mt. Holyoke
500
8 Inez A. Nelson
Gloucester
Salem Normal
500
7 Dorothy B. Hall
Lynn
Salem Normal
450
6 Alice G. Warren
Abington
Bridgewater Normal
475
Resigned
Gertrude A. Duffy
Newburyport
Salem Normal
425
Dec. 21
5 Annie M. Kelley Helen B. Peabody
Rowley
Salem Normal
Resigned
4 Hilda Culliford
Bradford
Bridgewater Normal
425
Feb. 7
3 Mary A. Hughes
Merrimac
450
2
Dorice E. Lane
Amesbury
Fitchburg Normal
425
Beverly
Salem Normal
450
Resigned Dec. 21
Annie M. Sargent
Merrimacport
450
Alice M. Genthuer Georgia L. Blaisdell
Wenham Lowell
150
Normal Art School
175
Elementary Grades
Georgetown
Perry Normal
525
1 Helen B. Cressey Katherine D. Regan Port :
Bradford
Salem Normal
425
Resigned Dec. 21
High
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