Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1907-1910, Part 20

Author: Milford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 764


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1907-1910 > Part 20


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During the year the pumping plant was tested and, after some minor changes following the first trial, accepted. With reasonable attention, involving not more than a few minutes' time each day, this apparatus will automatically lift the low level sewage to the high level interceptor. It is well to remember that there is a limit to the powers of automatic apparatus and that reasonable and intelligent care is necessary in its maintenance.


It is understood that a modified contract is to be arranged,


131


whereby the present primary charges will be set aside when- ever your commission installs apparatus to prevent the dipping of the lights at the time when the pumps are thrown into operation. It is recommended that as soon as this change is brought about the station shall be re-wired so as to permit the placing of the automatic switches on the primary circuit and so cut out the present loss of current in the transformers when the pumps are idle.


Total miles of sewer constructed to date are as follows :


Main interceptor


2.85


Section III


3.42


Section IV


1.73


Section V .


.


.


1.15


Section VI


1.68


Total


10.83 miles


Respectfully submitted,


F. A. BARBOUR,


Engineer.


REPORT OF THE TOWN SOLICITOR.


MILFORD, MASS., Jan. 26, 1909.


HON. BOARD OF SELECTMEN,


Milford, Mass.,


Gentlemen: Without desiring to make any precedent in the line of new reports, it seems fitting to me that the citi- zens of the town should have a report of the legal affairs dur- ing the past year, and with that purpose in view, I submit the following :--


During the past year the office of the town solicitor has been more or less occupied with town affairs. Consultations. from all the public boards have been many and frequent, and at the outset, I desire to return to all of said boards my ap- preciation of their courtesy and patience in waiting for opin- ions on questions submitted. I have also found many citi- zens of the town ready and willing to render valuable · assist- ance when matters concerning the welfare of the town were before our courts.


Perhaps the most notable, if not important, case the town has had to contend with during the past year, was the case of William Vogel vs. the Town of Milford. This case has been aired so much by the public press that I feel any detailed. statement concerning it would be superfluous. Suffice to say that in the opinion of the writer the verdict was excessive. None the less we may get some solace from the fact that the evidence of the petitioner showed many times the value as expressed by the verdict.


The next case in the line of magnitude, at least, in which the town was a party, was a case from the office of the tax collec- tor. It involved the collecting from the Milford Pink Granite Co., taxes due to the town amounting to $2,771.20, and inter- est thereon. This concern being in the hands of a receiver, it


133


became necessary to file an intervening petition in the Circuit Court of the United States at Boston to allow the town to become a party to the proceedings. After two formal hearings on the matter, we finally accomplished our mission and re- covered the above amount and interest thereon.


During the past year there have been many takings of land for sewer purposes, and many cases have been settled through the board of sewer commissioners, and releases ob- tained from the owners thereof, said releases being properly filed with Worcester District Deeds. To my knowledge there still remain two claims against the town for land taken : the Barry heirs on Depot street, and also one of Charles F. Claflin, both for land taken for sewer purposes.


On August 6, 1908, there was filed a suit against the town of Milford by John H. Cunningham, for damages alleged to be due on his land on South Main street, from the con- struction of the sewer. That case was returnable at the superior court in Worcester, and afterwards amicably settled, and releases filed. In the same month Della M. Albee filed a similar suit in the Superior Court at Worcester against the town of Milford for damages alleged to be due on account of taking part of her land for sewer purposes. That case was also amicably settled, and releases filed.


There are still pending many matters which the town is a party to, of threatened suits, which must be disposed of some time or other. Perhaps the most important from a legal standpoint is the case involving the determination of the rights of the town in a certain tract of land leading into the Vernon Grove cemetery. One Nason sets up an adverse claim to the town's rights therein, and this case, in my opin- ion, should be adjudicated and a decision reached therein. The town appropriated money to open up this way at the last town meeting, but upon the advice of your solicitor nothing has been done towards improving this roadway, until the rights of the town are fully determined.


During the past year miny questions have arisen con- cerning taxes of various kinds levied by the town, some of


134


which have been abated, and others of which are still pend- ing, especially those concerning betterment taxes levied on the laying out of new streets. Owing to alleged irregulari- ties in the levying thereof, nothing has been done as yet, but action is contemplated. One other case which the town is a party to, and which has been adjudicated, involved a ques - tion of taking of the land of the B. & A. R. R., who petitions. the Superior Court for a writ of certiorari to quash the taking on the ground that the town took a fee in their land, wherein they should only take an easement. The case came on to be heard, and by agreement of parties a writ was issued which quashed the taking. Incidentally, counsel for the railroad claimed that they were going to ask damages for the town crossing their property, which perhaps they may be entitled to. But, in case they should do so, I should advise the levy- ing of a full assessment, according to law, for sewer purposes. Also, a more careful scrutiny of the assessment of their pro- perty in the town of Milford.


During the past year, on account of the frequency of ap- parent incendiary fires, your board thought it advisable to. order the town solicitor to prosecute. Three cases were heard in the local court, and all three bound over to the Grand Jury, which resulted in the conviction of one. Owing to what seems a more or less erroneous impression existing both in the public press and also in the minds of many citizens I feel it incumbent upon me at this time to say that, as I under- stand the duties of the town solicitor, he is not expected to. become a prosecuting officer in any or all cases of alleged crime that may be committed within the jurisdiction of our town, but only does so when ordered to do so by the board of selectmen. There are existing two other threatened suits. against the town of Milford for alleged injuries due to defect in our highways, neither one of which, in my opinion, has. any standing. One is a notice served on the town by Eliza- beth Cochrane under date of December 15, 1908, for injuries sustained by falling into a driveway leading into the rear of the Town Hall. The other is by Abraham Rosenfelt under date of September 30, 1908, for injuries to a horse which


135


he claims fell on Main street, about opposite Chapin, due to an imperfection in the highway, when said highway was being re-constructed. Neither one has as yet brought his case to court.


The above statement contains a summary of the business that has been in the office of the town solicitor during the past year, all of which I respectfully submit.


Yours truly, J. C. LYNCH, Solicitor. .


AUDITOR'S REPORT.


I have examined the books of the different departments and find that the vouchers correspond with the orders drawn on and paid by the town treasurer. I have also examined the accounts of the tax collectors and treasurer and find them to be correct.


Respectfully submitted,


THOMAS F. MANNING, Auditor.


Jan. 27, 1909.


REPORT


-


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


- -- AND


Superintendent of Schools


- OF THE


TOWN OF MILFORD


-FOR THE


Year Ending January 20, 1909.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


J. C. LYNCH


J. E. SWIFT


66


66


1909


GEORGE E. STACY


66


1910


G. M. BILLINGS


66


1910


J. V. GALLAGHER


1911


W. B. WHITING


66


1911


ORGANIZATION. GEORGE E. STACY, Chairman. C. W. HALEY, Secretary.


SUB-COMMITTEES. Rules and Regulations.


J. C. LYNCE


G. E. STACY


J. V. GALLAGHER


Teachers and Salaries.


W. B. WHITING


Books and Supplies.


G. M. BILLINGS J. E. SWIFT


SUPERINTENDENT. C. W. HALEY.


The superintendent is a member of each sub-committee ex-officio.


COMMITTEE MEETINGS.


The regular meetings of the committee are held on the first Friday of each month at 8 P. M.


G. E. STACY


Repairs and Fuel.


J. C. LYNCH


Term expires 1909


3


SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.


Office at high school building. Office hours 4 to 5 P. M., daily when schools are in session, except Fridays ; 8 to 9 A. M., on Fridays.


SCHOOL SESSIONS.


High school -8 A. M. to 1 p. M. Grammar schools-9 A. M. to 12 M .; 1.30 to 3.30 P. M.


Primary schools -- 9 A. M. to 12 M .; 1.30 to 3.30 p. M.


Country schools-9 A. M. to 12 M .; 1 to 3.00 P. M.


HOLIDAYS.


February 22, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.


NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL. Adopted Jan. 1, 1908.


22 repeated three times on the fire alarm.


At 7.30 A. M .- No morning session for all schools, including the High school.


At 8.00 A. M .- No morning session below the High school. At 8.30 A. M .- No morning session for grades below the fifth . At 12.30 p. M .- No afternoon session for all grades.


Between 12.45 and 1.00 p. M .- No session for grades below the fifth.


At 6.30 P. M. - No session of the Evening school.


When the no-school signal is sounded in the morning and not repeated in the afternoon, there will be an afternoon session.


REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.


TO THE CITIZENS OF MILFORD :-


Again we are called upon to render an account of the condition, and to suggest needs for the more successful work of our schools. We live in an age of improvement, conse- quently we must advance with the times, or be relegated to the rear. .


Educational methods are being treated with the knowl- edge that comes from the experience of experts, in leading the youth in the most advantageous manner in obtaining the fundamentals which are necessary to the building of intelli- gence, morality, and the well rounded citizen.


"The common school is the bulwark of American civiliza- tion." If we are to press forward to a still more advanced civilization we must continue to strengthen and improve our schools. We believe Milford will in the future, as in the past, do all that can reasonably be asked for the maintenance of the public schools, thereby helping to fit the rising generation for deeds of more exalted usefulness.


Our school accommodations are becoming inadequate. There are more children than can now be properly cared for in the buildings we have. Something must be done in the near future to relieve the situation. It is proposed to admit no scholars to our schools until they are six years of age. This is being done in many places, and good results are ob- tained thereby. The child is more mature, advances more readily and is sooner and better qualified for promotion, so that as the course of study will be arranged, less time will be required to pass through the primary grades than heretofore. It is not for the interest of most of our first-grade pupils, that the school shall become a nursery for the care of children Away from home. If this change is made, a partial relief will


5


occur for one year, and then the over-crowded situation returns.


The condition of school matters and their imperative needs are portrayed in the Superintendent's report, to which we invite careful attention.


We recommend the following appropriations for the end


suing year :-


Teaching


·


·


$26,000 00


Supervision


·


.


1,800 00


Carriage hire for teachers


450 00


Transportation of pupils


650 00


Janitors


2,900 00


Fuel


.


.


3,000 00


Repairs ·


.


1,800 00


Supplies


.


·


2,000 00


Incidentals .


1,700 00


Medical inspection .


200 00


Connecting Spruce street school with sewer


1,500 00


.


·


.


·


.


.


$42,000 00


GEORGE E. STACY,


For the Committee.


SECRETARY'S REPORT.


RECEIPTS.


„Appropriation .


$40,500 00 .


Tuition . .


·


.


532 50


-Sales .


18 35


$41,050 85


EXPENDITURES.


Teaching


.


$25,685 31


Supervision


1,800 00


Carriage hire for teachers


453 00


Transportation for pupils


710 50


Janitors


2,874 50


Fuel


3,056 22


Repairs


1,263 83


Supplies .


2,393 80


*Incidentals


1,935 72


$40,172 88


Balance


877 97


$41,050 85


*Includes $200 for Medical Inspection,


ITEMIZED ACCOUNTS.


REPAIRS.


Harry S. Clark


$ 96 06


A. B. Edmands


40 27


Weed Bros.


.


·


79 90


American Seating Co. .


9 00


W. E. Cheney .


18 50


H. H. Lent


.


1 24


Bernard Rosazzo .


8 00


.


---


.


.


.


.


.


7


D. J. McNeill .


$ 5 00


Munyon & Dewing


217 75


Fred N. Cass .


35 58


Eldredge & Son


29 23


T. E. Morse Co.


70 00


Waters & Hynes


89 29


Otis Whitney & Son


166 03


Standard Blackboard Co.


22 33


Dillon Bros.


55 50


Cooney & Higgiston


.


21 90


Clark Ellis & Sons


62 15


Staples & Gould


114 10


Harvey E. Trask


22 95


Thomas E. Griffith


5 56


Arthur P. Clarridge


9 45


Pratt Bros.


17 99


Thomas McGuire


66 05


$1,263 83


FUEL.


Harold M. Curtiss


$519 89


Macuen Bros. .


.


.


271 35


H. A. Barney .


582 55


C. S. Mullane .


1,101 96


Wm. Johnston & Co. .


100 13


Johnston Coal Co.


480 34


--


$3,056 22


SUPPLIES.


'American Book Co.


$318 85


E. E. Babb & Co.


912 71


Carter, Rice & Co.


25 89


Educational Pub. Co. .


20 00


Ginn & Co.


187 23


Houghton, Mifflin & Co.


29 04


Little, Brown & Co.


·


24 75


C. E. Mather


7 25


A. N. Palmer Co.


4 80


.Silver, Burdett & Co.


98 07


.


.


.


.


.


8


Thompson, Brown & Co. $ 24 59


J. L. Hammett Co. 203 54


Hampden Pub. Co.


5 25


Wadsworth, Howland & Co.


44 79


D. Appleton & Co.


15 67


Kenney Bros. & Wolkins


62 25


American Humane Ed. Society


7 50


J. B. Lippincott Co.


·


32 00


C. C. Birchard & Co.


8 80


W. R. Ferry


6 40


. Parker P. Simmons


12 82


Rand, McNally & Co.


7 72


L. E. Knott Ap. Co.


7 46


Gaylord Bros. .


2 15


F. W. Draper & Co.


6 55


Clark Ellis & Sons


13 79


J. Allen Rice & Co.


40 27


Milton Bradley Co.


31 20


Underwood Typewriter Co.


97 00


Perry Mason Co.


7 50


D. C. Heath & Co.


81 33


Allyn & Bacon


44 13


Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover


2 50


$2,393 80


INCIDENTALS.


Patrick Fitzgerald


$ 9 50


J. H. McLoughlin


4 41


J. L. Hammett Co. Neostyle Co. .


30 00


Chandler & Barber


1 80


Avery & Woodbury


41 25


G. M. Billings .


94 00


M. M. Moran


13 00.


C. W. Wilcox .


3 25


Clark Ellis & Sons


69 58


Staples & Gould


45 92


Edwards & Heroux


12 00


.


37 80


9


Otis Clapp & Son


$ 6 00


Peter Scartassie


.


5 00


American Seating Co.


51 00


J. F. Barrett


86 50


W. E. Cheney .


2 75


Milford Journal .


.


.


2 75


E. E. Vaughan


1 66


L. E. Belknap


1 45


A. W. Gould


.


.


3 80


Pratt Bros.


11 47


O. K. Window Cleaner Co.


5 50


Dr. J. M. French


100 00


Dr. J. V. Gallagher


.


100 00


S. A. Eastman .


1 00


E. F. Lilley


7 00


Remington Typewriter Co.


2 40


Raphael Marino


21 00


Italian Labor society .


170 00,


August Peterson


5 00


F. W. Martin . ·


6 00 .


C. L. Barnard .


5 25


Cheney Bros. .


10 13


Harold M. Curtiss


3 00


Dustbane Mfg. Co.


21 00


W. R. Ferry


2 75


Wm. Johnston & Co. .


12 40


Milford Iron Foundry


5 60


Milford Water Co.


196 88


W. C. Tewksbury


26 96


W. B. Whiting


10 44


M. E. Light and Power Co. ..


94 33


Davoren's Express


8 50


Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover .


2 94


Edw. J. McEnnelly .


2 50


H. Edson Wheeler .


6 00


Milford Gaslight Co. . .


40 99


Library Bureau .


12 30 .-


·


·


·


.


1


·


·


.


IO


Oliver Ditson Co.


$ 2 10


G. A. Sherborne


26 26


James M. Murphy


15 00


Bryan Brennan


5 00


Thomas Welch


6 00


James M. Sullivan


116 86


Wm. E. Phillips


88 83


Mrs. C. Norman


1 50


Wm. Johnston Teaming Co.


10 00


J. L. Buxton


·


7 90


J. B. Henderson


28 50


James B. DeShazo


10 00


G. F. Murdock


2 60


D. M. O'Brien


4 00


Dwight Tower


2 25


G. P. Walcott .


3 23


Young & Kimball


24 49


Dillon Bros.


20 00


W. H. Wilson .


7 70


Fuller & Wilson


48 00


Nrs. H. A. Anderson


4 00


N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.


2 89


Thos. Quinn


1 50


Secretary's salary


50 00


Postage


19 58


Travelling expenses


.


7 57


Telegrams


95


Adams Express


2 60


American Express


1 65


·


.


.


.


$1,935 72


·


.


II


TABLE SHOWING RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.


The following table shows the estimated amounts under the several headings for school expenses in 1908, the amount expended under the different headings, also the balance or deficit of each :-


APPROPRIA . TION.


EXPENDED


UNEX . PENDED.


Ex. CEEDED.


Teaching,


$26 000 00


$25,685 31


$314 69


Supervision,


1,800 00


1,800 00


Carriage hire for teachers,


450 00


453 00


$ 3 00


Transportation for pupils, Janitors,


650 00


710 50


60 50


2,900 00


2,874 50


25 50


Fuel,


3,000 00


3,056 22


56 22


Repairs,


1,800 00


1 263 83


536 17


Supplies,


1,900 00


2,393 80


493 80


Incidentals,


1,800 00


1.735 72


64 28


Medical inspection, Received for tuition,


532 50


532 50


Received for sales,


18 35


18 35


Balance,


$41,050 85


$40.172 88 $1.491 49 877 97


$613 52 877 97


$41,050 85


$41,050 85 $1.491 49 $1,491 49


200 00


200 00


At a meeting of the school board held Monday, February 1, the reports of the secretary and superintendent were read and accepted, and will constitute a part of the report of the board to the citizens of Milford.


C. W. HALEY, Secretary.


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MILFORD:


Gentlemen :-


My thirteenth annual report and the thirty-second in the series of superintendents' reports is hereby submitted to you. and through you to the citizens of Milford.


STATISTICS.


Number of children in town September 1, 1908, between 5 and 15 years of age, as reported by the the census. enumerator :---


Number of boys


1098


Number of girls


.


.


1078


Total number between 5 and 15 years ·


2176


Total number in September, 1907


2100


Increase


·


.


76


SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.


Number enrolled under 5 .


8.


66


between 5 and 8 . ·


586


66


8 and 14 . .


1055


66


14 and 15


·


124


66


66 15 and 16


87


66


66 over 16 .


111


Total enrollment


1971


66


between 5 and 15


1765.


Average membership in all the schools-


1790.1


Average attendance .


.


1716.7


Per cent of attendance


95.9


Number of cases of tardiness in all the schools


1509


66 dismissal 66


.


683


66


corporal punishment .


.


3.1


66


truancy .


.


3.7


Visits by superintendent


·


.


635


committee


50


" others


1479


.


.


.


·


The census report as taken last September shows an in- crease of 76 children in town between the ages of 5 and 15, years.


13


The attendance of three consecutive years is given below for comparison :-


1906


1907.


1908.


Total enrollment


·


1,824


1,901


1,971


Average membership


·


1,642


1,701.9


1,790.1


Average attendance


1,555.2


1,621.6


1,716.7


Per cent of attendance


94.7


95.2


95.9


Number of half days' absence


28,906


31,397


27,326


Number of cases of tardiness


1,372


1,416


1,509


Number of cases of dismissal


882


904


683


ACCOMMODATIONS.


Again one of the most vital questions in connection with the administration work of our schools is their overcrowded condition in certain sections of the town. As the opening of schools last September the influx of pupils was such that we found many of the rooms overflowing.


Because of the depression of business, and many families moving from town during the spring and summer we did not expect an enrolment exceeding that of the previous year, but on the contrary there were nearly 100 more pupils who pre- sented themselves for registration in the various schools than at the same time in 1907. Several rooms were filled entirely beyond their capacity and immediate relief was imperative. To arrange for the best accommodations of the pupils without additional rooms was a difficult problem. However, transfers were made and the pupils finally accommodated, although it was necessary to send many to schools other than those to which they naturally belonged, and in one instance grades had to be combined. The rooms most congested were the first, fourth and seventh grade rooms at the Plains, the eighth grade at the Park, the first and sixth at the Claflin, the first and fourth grade rooms at the Oliver Street, and the Hoboken building.


On the first of October after the transfers had been made and the classes equalized as much as possible, 25 different teachers had an average of 45 pupils, and 11 out of this num- ber had an average of 48 pupils. It will be seen, there- fore, that a large proportion of our teachers have very large


14


classes. This is an undesirable condition of things and we are fully aware that the best results cannot be secured under such circumstances.


It is becoming more evident each year that our schools are fast outgrowing their present accommodations. The north part of the town is already congested and the south part is fast becoming so. I therefore again recommend that some move be made to provide for future needs of the schools, and I suggest that, before any more two or four-room school build- ings are built, the town consider carefully the advisability of erecting, on some central site, one large substantial building, containing at least eight or ten class-rooms and an assembly hall. With such a building there would be economy in heat- ing, economy in repairs, economy in janitor service, economy in administration and convenience in classifying. It has seemed to me for several years that small wooden buildings scattered here and there are undesirable and not economical.


The following table shows the number of pupils in each grade in town, the number in each building, and the number in all of the buildings on the first of October, 1908 :


SCHOOL.


I.


II.


III.


IV.


V.


VI.


VII.


VIII.


IX.


SOPHOMORE.


JUNIOR.


SENIOR


TOTAL.


High,


79 48 26,27


180


Park,


4


36


30


49


35


150


South,


45


43


46


40


174


Plains Gram.,


4


50


39


40


27


21


177


Plains Prim.,


4


97


95


192


Plains Annex,


2


81


12


93


Italian Hall,


1


34


34


Claflin,


6


51


38


43


45


42


28


15


262


Spruce St.,


4


49


39


21


28


37


174


Oliver St.,


4


42


34


20


20


47


163


Chapin St.,


3


39


29


26


17


111


West St.,


2


21


19


18


19


77


Hoboken,


1


26


15


41


Fountain St.,


1


11


7


11


6


35


Purchase Gram.,


9


12


9


5


35


Purchase Prim.,


1


15


8


8


9


40


Bear Hill,


1


1


2


4


1


3


11


Braggville,


1


5


4


2


6


17


Totals,


391 290 230 216 175 164 124 121


75 79 48 26 27 1966


NO. OF ROOMS


IN BUILDING


-


-


FRESHMAN.


1


15


REPAIRS.


Less than usual has been expended on repairs during the past year, owing partly to the fact that the buildings were in fair condition, and partly to our uncertainty as to whether the general appropriation would be sufficient to meet the neces- sary expenses of the department.


The most important work in the line of repairs during the year was the outside painting of the Spruce street, Chapin street, Purchase Grammar and Braggville buildings. At the Claflin building the plastered walls were painted and the ceil- ings kalsomined. In the High school building coils of steam pipe have been installed in the drawing and commercial rooms hoping thus to properly heat these rooms. Other minor repairs have been attended to as needed.


In my opinion the inside finish of the Plains Primary, the inside finish and the pupils' desks at the Claflin and Oliver street buildings and the pupils' desks and chairs at the South school should all be varnished during the coming sum- mer. I believe it is economy to keep pupils' desks and chairs well varnished as, after receiving a certain amount of wear, they depreciate very rapidly. The Claflin, Hoboken and Bear Hill buildings should be painted upon the outside.


The West street building will need shingling, and the hoods over the ventilating stacks at the High school building should be replaced with a granite or blue-stone slab properly supported at the corners and sides, with suitable openings on the sides and ends. The hoods have recently been examined and the report indicates that they can hardly be expected to last through another winter after this. I believe they should be removed before they blow down and damage the roof, pos- sibly more than the cost of removing them and replacing them with the granite slab.


COST OF THE SCHOOLS.


In last year's report I dwelt upon this matter at some length, making comparisons with ten other towns of about the same size as Milford, showing that the average cost per pupil for Milford was $2.74 less than the average per pupil for the


16


towns compared, and also $3.47 less than the average for the state for the same year. It may be interesting to note that the average cost per pupil for the state, taken from the latest report of the State Board of Education, was $29.22, an in- crease of 43 cents over the previous year, while our own aver- age, taken from the same report, was $23.58, which shows a decrease of $1.74 from the average of the previous year, due ¡largely to an increased number of pupils, and which is also $5.64 below the average for the state. While this shows economy, it also indicates a large number of pupils per teacher, and to some it might indicate a condition of things mot conducive to the best educational interests of the pupils.


Our having a balance of $877.97 on hand in the school department does not indicate that we did not need the money, for we certainly did need it, and should have used it, but for some reason we were laboring under the impression that our appropriation was an even $ 40,000.00, and with our desire not to exceed the appropriation we did less repairing and econo- anized in various other directions in order to keep within svhat we supposed was our limit. At the last moment we found that we had $500 extra appropriation and that the treas- arer had received from the state $190.50 as tuition for state charge children. The reason for having an unexpected large balance is thus explained.




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