USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1925 > Part 4
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The gross expense of the Bear Hill extension was $6,369.28 received and due for laying service pipe, $204.99, net cost, $6,164.29.
Repair bills for the ensuing year will show an in- crease, as the stand pipe needs painting and the station needs repairs to the walls and gutters, also service pipe after 21 years' use are likely to need renewing.
ESTIMATES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR
Gross expense of operating,
$ 8,235.00
Bond payment, 3,500.00
Note payment, 700.00
Interest, 1,050.00
Construction, 250.00
$13,735.00
Estimated Income
Water rates,
$ 8,250.00
Runt and engineer,
650.00
Water in town buildings,
100.00
Hydrant service,
2,370.00
Maintenance,
96.18
Cash on hand,
2,268.82
$13,735.00
-
86
TOWN REPORT
We recommend that the Town Appropriate :
For water in town buildings, $ 100.00
For construction, 250.00
For hydrant service,
2,370.00
For maintenance,
96.18
$ 2,816.18
Construction
Total expended,
$ 8,616.24
Credits
Appropriations,
$6,550.00
Cash on hand,
129.62
Light Dept. account payrolls,
1,072.05
Sale of material,
131.80
Laying service pipe,
417.52
Balance,
315.25
$ 8,616.24
Maintenance
Miscellaneous and repairs,
$ 1,400.80
Oil and waste,
82.72
Salary of superintendent,
799.76
Salary of collector,
398.92
Salary of commissioners,
75.00
Fuel,
1,870.94
Station wages,
1,205.00
Office expense,
509.99
Bond payment,
3,500.00
Note payment,
1,050.00
Interest payment,
1,221.50
Insurance,
165.66
$12,280.29
Total receipts and cash on hand,
$23,165.35
Total expended,
20,896.53
$ 2,268.82
87
TOWN REPORT
MONTHLY REPORT OF PUMPING STATION
Gallons Pumped
Hrs.
Mins.
January,
3,768,000
152
February,
3,408,000
145
25
March,
3,336,000
139
April,
3,360,000
140
May,
3,312,000
134
June,
4,704,000
199
21
July,
5,736,000
219
45
August,
5,851,200
235
45
September,
4,486,800
177
35
October,
3,888,000
160
40
November,
3,912,000
172
45
December,
3,792,000
168
10
49,554,000
COST OF CONSTRUCTION AND RENEWALS
Cost to December 31, 1924,
$ 96,091.30
Expended 1925,
6,994.87
$103,086.17
BALANCE SHEET On Hand and Received
Appropriations for construction,
$ 6,550.00
Appropriation water in town buildings,
100.00
Apropriation hydrant service,
2,370.00
Appropriation maintenance,
40.21
Water rates,
8,753.66
Repairing service pipe,
208.02
Laying service pipe,
417.52
Miscellaneous,
35.25
Light Dept. station wages,
400.00
Light Dept. rent of station,
250.00
Light Dept. office expense,
195.35
Light Dept. payrolls,
1,072.05
88
TOWN REPORT
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1925.
2,773.29
$23,165.35
Expended and on Hand
For construction,
$ 8,616.24
For maintenance,
12,280.29
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1926,
2,268.82
$23,165.35
WILLIS H. SCOTT,
WARREN A. BAILEY, WM. H. FRANKLIN, JR., Board of Water Commissioners.
e
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Department of Public Health Subject to Correction Merrimac Water Analysis (parts in 100,000)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE
AMMONIA
Nitrogen As
Number
Date of Collection
Turbidity
Sediment
Color
Residue on
Evaporation.
Free
Albu-
minoid
Chlorine
Nitrates
Nitrites
Hardness
Iron
182216 183601
29
Apr. 1925 July 1925
none
none
.00
8.60
.0002 .0000
.0018
.44
.0250
.0001 .0000
3.8
.010
Wells
8
none
none
.00
10.50
.0012
.46
.0260
3.4
.008
Wells
Remarks
90
TOWN REPORT
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
BIRTHS
Number of births returned,
39
Males,
28
Females,
11
Father native born,
32
Mother native born,
1
33
Father and mother both native born,
30
Father and mother both foreign born,
4
Mixed parentage,
5
DEATHS
Number of deaths recorded,
35
Males,
18
Females,
1.7
Under five years,
1
Males native born,
15
Females native born,
13
Males foreign born,
3
Females foreign born,
4
Of native parentage,
19
Of foreign parentage,
10
Of mixed parentage,
4
Average age,
63 years, 7 months, 5 days
Oldest person,
93 years
MARRIAGES
Number of marriages recorded,
23
First marriage of groom,
19
First marriage of bride,
20
Grooms native born,
20
Brides native born,
22
91
TOWN REPORT
Grooms foreign born,
3
Brides foreign born,
1
Average age of groom,
Average age of bride,
29 years, 2 months, 14 days 25 years, 6 months, 18 days
DOGS
Number of dogs licensed,
102
Males,
82
Females, 20
Breeder's license,
1
CLIFTON B. HEATH,
Town Clerk.
JANITOR'S REPORT
Report of F. H. Hargraves, janitor of Town Hall for year 1925.
$68.00 68
Total number of openings,
Paid,
10
Free,
58
68
Cash received, $110.00, and paid Town Treasurer.
F. H. HARGRAVES, Janitor.
92
TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
The Public Health Nurse submits the following re-
port for 1925:
Nursing visits made to adults,
891
Nursing visits made to children,
42
Maternity cases,
13
Surgical cases,
8
Pneumonia,
2
Sciatica,
2
General debility,
7
Tonsilitis,
2
Shock,
3
Grippe,
3
Entiritis,
4
Cancer,
2
Bronchitis,
2
Arthritis,
2
Miscarriage,
2
Asthma,
2
Heart trouble,
2
Colds,
2
Bright's disease,
1
Boils,
2
Indigestion,
4
Fracture,
2
Convulsions,
2
Erythema,
1
Total number of cases 70
Patients died,
5
Patients accompanied to doctor,
4
Patients accompanied to hospital,
3
Prenatal visits,
9
Attendance at deliveries,
5
Assistance at operations,
5
Respectfuly submitted,
DOROTHY J. SAWYER.
-
Annual Report
of the School Committee of the
Town of Merrimac For the Year Ending Dec. 31, . 1925
3
SCHOOL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Merrimac:
The School Committee respectfully submits this, their 49th annual report.
Immediately after the town meeting in March, and the qualification of Willard T. Kelly, who was re-elected as a member, the committee organized as follows:
HARRY A. PEASE, Chairman.
WILLARD T. KELLY, Purchasing Agent and Secre- tary.
The committee feel that they can rightly report prog- ress for the year just passed. We believe that the town expects us to furnish first-class education for all the grades, yet to do so on an economical and businesslike basis that will not effect adversely a satisfactory educa- tional result. The co-operation of our fellow townspeople in allowing us to proceed with our plans without undue criticism is deeply appreciated, and we hope to continue to merit their confidence.
The policy of the School Committee is to improve the standard of the schools, and so far as they are able, to em- ploy the best teachers that can be secured for the salaries that they feel justified in paying. There has been a feel- ing in the committee for some time that our schools were not up to the standard that they should be for a town the size of Merrimac. The salaries paid the teachers here has been low in comparison with those paid in other towns of approximately the same population. The only way to im- prove the schools seemed to be to secure more efficient teachers, which necessitated the paying of higher salaries. This called for the expenditure of more money than the
1
4
SCHOOL REPORT
usual appropriation would permit.
The matter was brought to the attention of the voters. at the last annual town meeting, to find out whether the taxpayers would be satisfied to allow conditions to remain as they were, or whether they wished to increase the ap- propriation sufficiently to allow the School Committee to employ more efficient teachers.
By a practically unanimous vote it was shown that the sentiment of the voters was in favor of better teachers and better schools.
Accordingly three new teachers have been secured, two as assistants in the High School, and one for the 7th Grade, and these with the three employed last year, Miss Grace R. Jerardi, English teacher in the High School, Miss Wilma Kingsbury, principal of the Center School, and Mr. Frank A. Robinson, principal of the Prospect School, have improved and strengthened the teaching to a remarkable degree.
It was decided at the beginning of the fall term in September to hold two daily sessions in the High School, and this arrangement has worked out well, both for tre scholars and the teachers. Mrs. Pearl C. Van Houten, formerly teacher in the Eighth Grade, has been trans- ferred to assistant teacher in the High School. By this change it is possible to have longer recitation periods, and to devote a whole year to the study of History and Civics, instead of a half year as formerly, and to allow the Prin- cipal several periods cach week, when he will not be hear- ing recitations, and can thus devote more time to the business of running the schools.
The Eighth Grade, which has formerly been con- ducted in the High School building, has been transferred to the Prospect school building, and Mr. Frank A. Robin- son, former teacher of the Seventh Grade, has been given the Eighth Grade. Miss Rose Schifino, a new teacher, has been given the Seventh Grade. These two grades are both in the same building and Mr. Robinson is the Principal.
5
SCHOOL REPORT
This arrangement has proved to be a great improvement over the previous plan.
The matter of free transportation to and from school has, as usual, given the committee much concern and con- siderable study has been given to this problem. Many people have asked for transportation who are living less than a mile from the school houses. We are required by law to transport only those living over two miles from the schools. The people must realize that we are obliged to draw the line somewhere. Those pupils living at Lake Attitash, in the Bear Hill district and at Birch Meadow and the Highlands are receiving transportation.
Mr. Chas. H. Staples has been employed to transport those scholars who live in Birch Meadow and the High- lands, replacing Mr. Vaughn W. Aiken, who has resigned.
Chief of Police James P. Donahue has been elected truant officer, and is making periodical reports of his activities to the School Committee.
The school buildings and furnishings are in good serv- icea'ble shape. The Prospect school building has been painted and shingled and necessary repairs made inside. One room has been furnished with new desks and chairs. . All the furniture in the High School building has been thoroughly overhauled and revarnished. The three fur- naces in the Center school building have been repaired, and new fire pots have been installed in them and they are now all in excellent condition.
HARRY A. PEASE, Chairman, F. E. SWEETSIR, M.D., WILLARD T. KELLY, School Committee.
SUMMARY OF EXPENSES, 1925 General Control
School Committee, $ 175.00
School committee expenses,
1.50
6
SCHOOL REPORT
Superintendent's salary,
625.00
Traveling expenses-Census-Attend-
ance officers,
105.80
$ 907.30
Instruction Costs
Salaries of supervisors,
517.50
Salaries of High School teachers,
6,008.00
Salaries of Grade School teachers,
10,073.25
Books and supplies-High School, 399.81
Books and supplies-Grade Schools,
741.02
$17,739.58
Care of Buildings
Salary of janitors,
$ 970.00
Fuel,
1,943.69
Cleaning and supplies,
243.89
Repairs,
1,711.54
Health,
330.51
Transportation,
2,704.98
Tuition,
90.00
Miscellaneous,
116.83
New qeuipment,
638.01
$27,396.33
Total credits paid,
6,839.86
Balance,
$20,556.47
RECEIPTS FOR 1925
General school fund Pt. II,
$3,514.93
General school fund Pt. I,
2,661.00
Doris Trickey,
13.75
Dog tax,
160.85
isale of grass,
5.00
J. W. White,
1.00
Total,
$6,839.86
$ 3,157.58
7
SCHOOL REPORT
Tuition and transportation, 1,188.03
$8,027.89
8
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee of Merrimac:
Gentlemen :
It gives me pleasure to report briefly on the activities of the past year and the present conditions of the schools.
CHANGE IN ORGANIZATION
The decrease in the size of the second grade made it possible to plan for the central third grade teacher to take care of both divisions of last year's second grade when school should open in September. This left us with a spare room again at the Prospect School. The growth of the High School had reached a point where very crowded con- ditions would prevail if another large eighth grade were to enter in September. Therefore it seemed best to keep both rooms of the Prospect School open. We put Mr. Rob- inson there in charge of the seventh and eighth grades with an assistant so that departmental work could be done. Thus we have started what may grow into a Junior High School organization.
Five teachers were assigned to the High School, two to the Prospect, six to the Centre and one to Merrimac- port, a total of fourteen full time teachers the same as last year. The following is the present force of teachers:
High School Principal-Mr. Aubrey W. Tabor, mathe- matics and science.
High School Assistant-Grace R. Jerardi, Latin and French.
High School Assistant-Dorothy Dixon, English.
High School Assistant-Viola P. Evans, Commercial.
High School Assistant-Mrs. Pearl C. Van Houten,
9
SCHOOL REPORT
History.
Junior High-Principal, Frank A. Robinson.
Junior High-Assistant, Rose Schifino.
Centre School-Principal, Grade VI, Mrs. Wilma Kingsbury.
Centre School-Grade V, Sarah B. Titcomb.
Centre School-Grade IV, Mrs. Grace Sawyer.
Centre School-Grade III, Mrs. Ethel Davis.
Centre School-Grade II, Mrs. Clara Twombly.
Centre School-Grade I, Katherine Collins.
Merrimacport-Grades I, II, III, Mrs. Annie Sargent.
Music Teacher-Mrs. Pearl Stevens.
Drawing Teacher-Mary E. Hilton.
As will be seen by this, there has been but three new teachers. Elizabeth M. Strout resigned. Miss Rose Schifi- no of Avon, a graduate of the four year course at Bridge- water was selected to work with Mr. Robinson in the new organization at the Prospect building in her place, Resignations were received from Miss Alice E. Manning and Miss Gladys H. Bean of the High School. Miss Doro- thy Dixon, a graduate of Boston University, was elected English teacher, and Miss Viola P. Evans, a graduate of Salem Normal School in the Four Year Commercial Course, was appointed as the Commercial teacher. Mrs. Pearl Van Houten was transferred from the eighth grade and part time High School work to a full time position there and given the History and Civil Government classes.
Of our teaching force three are college graduates, three graduates of the Four Year Normal School Courses, five are graduates of a two year normal training course, three are High School graduates with long experience and with some training from summer schools for teachers. All seven teachers of the lower grades have had consider- able experience. In the Junior and Senior High, Mr. Ta- bor, Mrs. Van Houten and Mr. Robinson have had long and varied experience. Miss Jerardi started with us last year. Three are without experience. The town probably
10
SCHOOL REPORT
has never had a better trained or more faithful group of teachers. In my judgment the morale of the schools has shown marked improvement in the last two years. This change began with having a principal at the Centre School last year and Mr. Robinson as teacher of grade seven. i.t has continued and increased with the reorganization of the Senior and the new organization of the Junior High this year. Put in another way, it means better discipline, better attendance, better scholarship.
INCREASE IN MEMBERSHIP
The average membership for the year ending last June was 401. The average membership of Fall Term of four months ending Dec. 23rd, 1925, was 437, a gain of 36. While many children have moved in during the Fall, some have moved away; but we have gained since September rather than losing a little as we have usually done in the past. The attendance has been fairly good for the Fall term; the per cent. was 95.4. For the large classes now enrolled in the Centre Building conditions of heat, light and ventilation are poor.
THE CHANGE IN SCHOOL HOURS
After a discussion of pros and cons of the two session day over a period of two or three years the committee finally voted to try out the two session day in both the High and Junior High School. The main arguments in fa- vor are the promotion of better health habits in eating and in nervous control, a better opportunity for conferences, for making up studies and for detention of pupils for failure in their lessons, a better oportunity for extra activities of Senior Class, and school in general when both teachers and pupils are not too tired and hungry after school to meet and to plan together for entertainments, dances, clubs, athletics, etc., a better day for those who have transportation on school buses, a better chance to do more
C
11
SCHOOL REPORT
of the school lessons at the school house and hence a better chance for better scholarship and better habits of study.
THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The principal, Mr. Robinson, organized a football team in the Fall which responded very creditably to his coaching and which played some very creditable games.
The work in music has been helped by the use of the piano formerly in the Town Hall, which the pupils earned money enough to put in usable condition.
The Christmas cantata given by this school was a very successful affair reflecting credit upon the teachers and pupils. But best of all, I believe for several yeares past, we have had nothing like as general interest in the regular school lessons. This means better scholarship and better preparation for High School.
TEACHERS STUDYING
A copy of Moore's Minimum Essentials of the Course of Study has been placed in the hands of each grade teacher. They are studying this book and using it as a guide and check upon their own class work. As the year progresses they will also each study the work of the grade next above and next below her own so that her own work may fit in with the general plan and purpose of the course of study. A visiting day was held last Spring, and another one this month.
The report of the High School principal is submitted and gives some interesting details of its activities. Your attention is called to the statistical report which gives lists of graduates and honor attendance together with total membership, average membership and percents of attendance in each school for the school year 1924-1925. This table also contains the names of the teachers of each grade.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN N. KNOX, Supt. of Schools.
12
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL
Merrimac, Mass., January, 1926.
To Mr. H. N. Knox, Superintendent, and the Members of the School Board :
Dear Sir :
My annual report is as follows :
The enrollment of the High School has been constant- ly increasing since I came here, from 60 to 80-86-87-90 to 106 for this year. The present enrollment is :
Girls
Boys
Totals
Freshmen,
19
17
36
Sophomores,
18
15
33
Juniors,
8
8
16
Seniors,
12
9
21
Totals,
57 49
106
The attendance (94.71%) for the Fall term is very much lower than it should be. Six of the 1925 graduates. are continuing their education in other institutions.
The school is in Class A, approved by the State Board of Education ; and our certificate is accepted by the New England Entrance Certificate Board.
The usual activities have been carried on during the last year. In addition, a debating club has been organ- ized and a Hi-Y Club has been started in the school. This latter is an organization which reveals and develops a high standard of character in our boys. The Senior play, "Ana Billy Disappeared," is to be presented the latter part of this month; and a Stunt Night Program is to be given later.
The Class of 1925 made to the school a donation of
13
SCHOOL REPORT
$20, which was used toward the purchasing of a set of books for the School Library.
The transferring of the Eighth Grade to the Pros- pect School and the employing of another full time teach- er in the High School has given us much needed room, and put the History curriculum on a much more satisfactory basis. I believe the changing to the two session day has been much better for the student body. It enables the pupils to obtain a hearty noon day meal; a needed relaxa- tion, more exercise and fresh air that renews their interest and attention for the last three periods of the day, which last year had a tendency to drag. The disadvantages it may have for the few are greatly outweighed by the ad- vantages for the majority.
The honor roll for the latest report period includes the following: Every mark 90% or higher: May Ham- mond, Jean MacDougall, Allen Manning and Robert Dickey. An average of 85% or higher: Andrew Mader, Sherman Mccutcheon, Olga Tankins, William Bean, Flor- ence Hargraves, Evelyn Hirst, Marjorie Kidston, Lois Lane, Beatrice Smith, Isabel Wright, Clara Craig, Beatrice England, Doris Ordway, Wilfred Purdy, Louise Tucker, and Dorothy Wright.
I wish to thank the Superintendent and the members of the School Board for their helpful co-operation in carrying on the school work.
Respectfully submitted,
AUBREY W. TABOR,
Principal of the High School.
14
SCHOOL REPORT
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Class of 1925
Frederick Francis Calnan Alfred Andrew Minahan
Marian Antoinette Dore
Mary Adeline O'Keefe
Merrill Nichols Folansbee
Velma Christine Gibbs
Norman George Paine George Rundquist Reynolds
Warren Florian Heath
Charles Francis Sande
Evelyn Ethel Kierstead
Muriel Carmen Sylvester
Apphia Pauline Manning
Edith Goldsmith Wood
GRAMMAR SCHOOL Class of 1925
Laurence Calnan
Eleanor Merrill Carter
Leslie Herbert Carter
Bessie Moore
Claudia Edwina Chard
Lillian Frances Noble
Grace Laura Clark
Joseph O'Keefe Grace Evelyn Pettigrew
Edgar Palmer Sargent
Lois Evelyn Schultz
Ralph Edward Smith
Elmer Earl Stewart Constance Eugena Sylvester
Olga Tankins
Ruth Alice Heath
George Raymond Hoyt
Martha Virginia Kinney
Mura A. Trenholm
Henry Blaisdell Whitcomb
Marjorie Alice Williams
Lillian Margaret Clark Perry Eugene Clevesy Leonard Welch Connor Theron Elwin Condon George Henry Davis Leslie Wallace Dore Annah Gertrude Eaton Rosamond Marie Foster Ralph Wilfred Gibbs Frank Russell Haskell Dorothy Gladys Laskey Ruth Marie Liberty Catherine Louise Little
Andrew Mader
Sherman Mccutcheon
15
SCHOOL REPORT
HONOR ATTENDANCE Pupils not absent from September, 1924 to June, 1925 High School-Merrimac
Harold Clark Marguerite Deminie May Hammond Warren Heath
Evelyn Kierstead
Albert Messier Doris Ordway Marjorie Sargent Ellsworth Tucker Grade 8
Grace Clark Anna Eaton
Ruth Heath Lois Schultz
Grade 7
Arthur E. Carroll
Elizabeth A. Merrill
Laurence Colman
Cecile M. L. Roberge
Grace Chaput
Raymond Sawyer
Bessie E. Dow
May Shackleton
Mary Antonia Godin
Lorin Sheldon
Donna E. Hall
Loyd R. Stanley
Grade 6
Evelyn H. Beloff Thelma Dimack Frances Gilmore
Pearl Morgan Albert Quinney Paul R. Schultz Grade 5 Charlotte Franklin Grade 4 Jenny Joudrey Grade 3 Ida Thornton
Edward Stanley
Lorin Clark
Grade 2 Gladys McGregor Port School Sylva Clark Phyllis Harvey
16
SCHOOL REPORT
ATTENDANCE DATA-SCHOOL YEAR 1924-1925
School
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Per cent. of
Attendance
Teachers
High
91
84.9
94.1
Aubrey W. Tabor, Prin.
Alice E. Manning
Gladys H. Bean Grace R. Jerardi
Grade VIII
39
38.2
92.9
Pearl C. Van Houten
Grade VII
44
42.1
94.8
Rachel M. Rolfe Frank A. Robinson
Grade VI
44
42.2
96.2
Wilma B. Kingsbury
Grade V
41
36.1
92.8
Sarah B. Titcomb
Grade IV
39
32.4
92.9
Grace E. Sawyer
Grade III
33
28.1
94.1
Ethel E. Davis
Grade II
30
24.4
92.4
Clara A. Twombly
Grade I
41
36.1
91.1
Katherine Collins
Port
25
20.8
96.0
Annie M. Sargent
449
400.7
93.6
1
CONTENTS
Page
Appropriations Made in 1925
7
Appropriations Recommended for 1926
5
Jury List. 10
Town Officers
2
Reports: Assessors
62
Auditor
64
Fire Engineers
71
Janitor Town Hall
91
Municipal Light Board
82
Police Department 65
92
Public Library.
77
Sealer of Weights and Measures
76
Selectmen and Overseers of Poor
11
State Auditor
29
Tax Collector
58
Town Clerk
90
Town Treasurer 46
80
Trustees Locust Grove Cemetery
81
Water Commissioners
85
SCHOOL REPORT
Attendance Data 16
High School Graduates
14
High School Principal's Report.
12
Honor Roll of Attendance
15
School Committee's Report
3
Supt. of Schools Report
8
Public Health Nurse
Trustees Kimball Park
1
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