USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1910 > Part 7
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Then, too, it is the duty of every citizen to actually observe what is being done with his money. He should be interested to know and should personally investigate the wisdom of his investment. He should not be obliged to take information in regard to his large investment in a second hand way. It is not good business.
SUPERINTENDENCY AND PRINCIPALSHIP.
For four years you have been maintaining this dual position and during the greater part of that time I have been advising the school committee to return to a separation of these two positions. I arge it now for these reasons : its probable illegality ; and its inefficiency .
It may be illegal. A prominent member of our State educa- tional department says that it is illegal, and either for this or some other strong reason no more than three instances of this dualism exist in the entire State of Massachusetts.
It is inefficient because of its insufficiency. One man cannot give to each of the two positions the time that it demands and have left the necessary time for the study and development of plans for the betterment and advancement of the schools.
There are eight elementary school buildings widely scattered throughout the town, containing altogether thirty-five teachers. It is a physical impossibility for one man to teach two periods per day in and attend to the administrative work of the High School and to give to each one of those schools the time that it should have. An average of eight to ten visits per year to a room is the best that can
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be done. That, however, leaves no time for the study of educational problems and of other school systems, nor does it permit the con- centration of one's mind for any length of time that is worth while on any one line of the school work.
A superintendent should be able to visit the schools often enough to know well the children of each room. He should be able to know directly the educational strength and weakness of each child in order that justice may be done in every case. He should be free to investigate cases that effect the discipline and well-being of the school, and to see that all children of school age in town actually attend school. He should administer all the educational affairs and should have the opportunity to intelligently modify and add to the curriculum so that it will be unified, correlated and harmonious.
The duties of the Principal of the High School are distinct from those of a Superintendent. The Principal should administer the affairs of his school. He should teach four periods out of the seven, and supervise the work of the other teachers the rest of the time. He should promote and take a leading part in the intellectual, social, and athletic interests of the school such as debating, receptions. baseball and track teams. He should have the opportunity to do these things.
The duties of these two positions differ widely and those of each position in a town of this size are sufficient to demand the exclusive attention of a man.
The fact that beneficial changes in our school system have been made during the past four years is no criterion upon which to base an argument for the continuance of the system since the truth is that it takes longer to learn what changes to make and longer to make under the present system than it would under the separated them arrangement.
The expense of the separated positions will be greater but that should not delay the change. The extra expense probably will not exceed seventeen hundred dollars ($1700) and the benefit that would accrue to the children of our public schools would be worth the additional expense.
No revolution will result from the change. The same routine no doubt will be followed, but opportunities for advancement will be more quickly seen and things will be more quickly done. In fine, the system will be more efficiently administered.
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The only valid objection to this change arises from the possible elimination of one teacher in the High School and the corresponding contraction of the courses in English and European History with the discarding of German altogether.
The four years' work in English would have to be reduced to that which could be done in three years and one term of sixteen weeks. The time devoted to Medieval and Modern History would have to be reduced from one year to a half year; and German would have to be omitted from the curriculum.
To all who by their interest and support have made possible a more successful school ; to the teachers for their continued co-opera- tion and ready acceptance of suggestions ; and to the members of the school committee for their united support and helpful suggestions I take this opportunity to express my deep obligation.
Respectfully submitted,
LEE T. GRAY, Superintendent.
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APPENDIX A. SCHOOL ORGANIZATION. MARCH 1, 1911.
Year Appointed
SUPERINTENDENT AND PRINCIPAL.
Salary
1907 Lee T. Gray, $2,000.00
HIGH SCHOOL.
1904
Genevra F. Clark, Latin.
700.00
1906 Pauline C. Melius, Mathematics, 700.00
1910 Jennie M. Linton, English,
650.00
1910 Eleanor F. Toolin, French and German,
600.00
1910 S. Ed McConnell. Commercial,
1,050.00
1911 Mary E. Dolbear, Science, 600.00
PALMER GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
1900
Elizabeth I. Heenehan, Prin., Grade IX,
608.00
1890 Annie E. O'Connor. Grade VIII. 456.00
1909 Florence M. Heenehan. Grade VII, 418.00
1909 Agnes I. Mahoney, Grade VI,
418.00
1909 Mary B. Dillon, Grade V,
456.00
1910
Elsie V. Bixby, Grade IV,
418.00
1906 Mildred Hartwell, Grade III,
456.00
1906 Jennie C. Roche, Grade II,
456.00
1910 Mary E. Ledyard, Grade I,
380.00
THORNDIKE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
1891 Katharine M. Twiss, Prin., Grades VIII and IX,
608.00
1909 Laura V. Arentzen, Grades VI and VII, 456.00
1910 Bridget Griffin, Grades IV and V, 380.00
1909 Ina D. Babb, Grade III,
456.00
1909 Natalie Jackson, Grade II, 418.00
1874 Mary E. Murdock, Grade I.
456.00
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THREE RIVERS GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
1907 Martha A. Buzzell, Prin., Grades VIII and IX,
$608.00
1910 Luna Whitlock, Grades VI and VII, 456.00
1910 Margaret W. Kennedy, Grades V and VI, 380.00
1910 Nellie L. Twiss, Grade IV, 380.00
1896 Lucy B. Twiss, Grade III, 456.00
1901 Julia G. Daley, Grade II, 456.00
1909 Flora Morey, Grade I, 380.00
1909 Bertha L. Pulsifer, Grade I, 418.00
BONDSVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
1894 Jennie C. Twiss, Prin., Grades VIII and IX,
608.00
1908 Lucy Fitzgerald, Grades VI and VII, 456.00
1910 Elizabeth A. Keefe, Grades IV and V, 456.00
1890 Cora Clark, Grades III and IV,
456.00
1910 Sophie E. Wilkie, Grades I and II,
418.00
1910 Rena Hemenway, Grade I, 418.00
PALMER CENTER SCHOOL.
1901 May E. Mahoney, Grades I and VI,
456.00
0
SHORLEY DISTRICT SCHOOL.
1909 Maude V. Foley, Grades I and VII, 380.00
FOREST LAKE SCHOOL.
1909 Margaret E. Scannell, Grades I and VI, 456.00
WIRE MILL SCHOOL.
1910 Marion Whitelaw, Grades I and IV, 456.00
1910 Nora C. Roberts, Assistant, 380.00
DRAWING AND MANUAL TRAINING.
1910 Anna D. McAuliffe, 600.00
MUSIC.
1897 Joanna V. Cantwell, 420.00
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APPENDIX B.
" NO SCHOOL " SIGNAL.
The signal is given by direction of the Superintendent of Schools.
The School Committee has adopted the following regulations respecting the " no-school" signals :
The " no-school " signal, when given at 8 o'clock a. m. indicates that there will be no morning session in grades 1, 2 and 3.
When given at 8.30 a. m. indicates that there will be no school in all grades.
When given at 11.15 indicates that there will be no afternoon session for grades 1, 2 and 3.
When given at 11.45 indicates that there will be no afternoon session for all grades.
The " no-school" signal in precinct A will be given on the fire alarm by three strokes of the bell twice repeated, making nine strokes in all, thus :
In precinct D or Bondsville the " no-school " signal will be sounded upon the steam chime whistle at the mill of T. D. Potter.
In other precincts the " no-school" signal will be given by three blasts on the steam chime whistles, each blast from 3 to 5 seconds' duration, a pause between each blast of from 3 to 5 seconds, thus : It will also be sounded by the chime whistle of the Wright Wire Co.
The " no-school " signal does not effect the High School ; sessions are held there every day.
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Art. 48. To see if the town will appropriate morey for the suppression of Gypsy and brown tail moths and elm tree wetles.
Art. 49. To see if the town will appropriate money for de- fraying the town's share of the support of the District Court,
Art. 50. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Qak street in the Depot village from South Main street to a point op- posite the residence of F. C. Sherman, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 51. To see if the town will vote to procure plans for a system of sewers for the village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 52. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Bel- chertown road, in the village of Three Rivers, from the crossing of the Boston and Albany Railroad, and extending thence northerly -o feet, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 53. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Pleas- ant street, in the village of Three Rivers, from the residence of Dellus Roberts to Main street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 54. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Rug- gles street, in the village of Three Rivers, from the residence of S. Camerlin to Main street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 55. To see if the town will construct a sewer in the village of Three Rivers from the intersection of Charles and Main street and thence along Main street westerly to the river, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 56. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Bourne street, in the village of Three Rivers, from a point opposite the residence of James Barber and thence easterly to Pleasant street, and raise and appropriate the sum of $600.00 to defray the cost of constructing the same.
Art. 57. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Pleasant street, in the Depot village, from Walnut street to Cross street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
v Art. 58. To see if the town will construct a sewer in the Depot village, in Orchard street, Three Rivers road and Springfield road, according to plans prepared for the town, and raise and ap- propriate money for the same.
Art. 59. To see if the town will construct a sewer in the Depot village for the use of the inhabitants residing in the vicinity
៛ the Carpet Mill, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 60. To see if the town will vote to establish the rate of
(
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charge fai entrance into public sewers, and establish regulations concerning the same.
Arı. 61. To see if the town will vote to raise the grade of the sidewalk in North Main street, in the Depot village, in front of the block of H. G. Loomis and the residences of Dr. S. R. Carsley and L. E. Chandler, and raise and appropriate $250.00 to defray the cost of same.
Art. 62. To see if the town will vote to locate and maintain fou: street lights in North street, in the village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 63. To see if the town will vote to locate and maintain street lights in Arnold street and Three Rivers road, in the Depot village, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 64. To see if the town will locate and maintain a stree: light at the intersection of Barker street and Belchertown road, in the village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 65. To see if the town will vote to locate and maintain a street light at the intersection of High and Maple streets, in the village of Three Rivers, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 66. To see if the town will vote to construct a strip of macadam road in East Main street, in the village of Three Rivers, beginning at the easterly end of the bridge over the Quaboag River, and running thence easterly along said East Main street, and raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 for the same.
Art. 67. To see if the town will accept and allow a new town way, as laid out by the Selectmen, as follows: Beginning at a stone bound on the southerly side of South Main street, said bound being three hundred twenty-seven and two-tenths (327.2) feet from the stone bound, on or near the division line between land of Rufus L. Bond and Thomas Blanchard, which marks the beginning of the layout of South Main street, thence S. 48º 15' , W. two hundred twenty (220) feet to a stone bound at the corner of land of Michael Barrett and the New London Northern Rail- road Company. The foregoing describes the westerly line of said way, and the easterly line is parallel therewith, and thirty-three (33) feet distant easterly therefrom. Said town way is laid out over land of the New London Northern Railroad Company.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at the different public places designated by the vote of the town, seven days at least before the holding said meeting, and cause this warrant to be printed in the P- Journal at least two issues before the holding of said meet
Town Warrant.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
County of Hampden, ss. Town of Palmer.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County. Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabitants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town officers, to meet at the several polling places in said Palmer, designated by the Select- men, to wit: In Precinct A, at the Engine House on Park street in the Depot village; in Precinct B, at Temperance Hall on Com- mercial street in Thorndike; in Precinct C, at Ruggles' Hall on East Main street in Three Rivers; and in Precinct D, at Holden's old store in Bondsville, on Monday, the 20th day of March, A. D. 19II, at 6 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the precinct officers of the several voting pre- cincts of said town, for the following town officers, to wit: Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Tax Collector, two Auditors, five Constables, three Fence Viewers, three License Commissioners and a Highway Surveyor, all for the term of one year; one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, two members of the School Committee, one member of the Board of Health, and one Cemetery Commis- sioner, all for the term of three years; also to vote by ballot, which shall be "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?"
The polls will be open at 6 o'clock in the forenoon, and may be closed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners, in said Palmer, on Monday, the 27th day of March, A. D. 1911, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz .:
Article I. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
C. T Hugues R &s. Bland
Chas Keith In Wordune.
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Art. 2. To choose two or more Field Drivers, Measurers of Wood and Bark, and all other usual town officers.
v Art. 3. To see if the town will vote to hire or build a tramp room and lockup. Selection ×235.
Art. 4. To act on the reports of the town officers.
Art. 5. To raise money and make appropriations to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
Art. 6. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow money in anticipation of the taxes of the ensuing year, the same to be paid from said taxes.
Art. 7. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow money not to be paid from the taxes of the ensuing year.
Art. 8. To hear and act on the reports of committees.
Art. 9. To choose committees and give them instructions.
Art. 10. To see if the town will allow a discount, and deter- mine what interest shall be paid on the taxes to be assessed for the ensuing year.
Art. II. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year, and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
Art. 12. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors.
Art 13. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the Young Men's Library Association.
18
Art. 14. To see if the town will raise money to convey pupils to and from the public schools, and instruct the School Committee as to the manner of letting the contract for such conveyance.
Art. 15. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the celebration of Memorial Day.
Art. 16. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
Art. 17. To see what action the town will take in regard to lighting the streets, and whether it will authorize the Selectmen to make contract therefor, and raise and appropriate money for same. Art. 18. To see what action the town will take in reference % to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
Post Lavado
500
v Art. 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the care and improvement of cemeteries.
Art. 20. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks. 580
Art. 21. To see if the town will vote to maintain night police in the several villages, and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
$ 1600 .- for it welliges.
$ 200
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Art. 22. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Art. 23. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for necessary aid to soldiers and sailors and their families, and the families of the slain, and entrust the same to L. L. Merrick Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, under the provisions of law.
Art. 24. To see if the town will vote to elect its Selectmen in the manner provided by Section 339 of Chapter II of the Revised Laws.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Sections I to 12, both inclusive, of Chapter 104 of the Revised Laws relative to the inspection of buildings.
Art. 26. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 423 of the Acts of the year 1909, relative to the sale of ice cream, confectionery, soda water and fruit on the Lord's day.
Art. 27. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 216 of the Acts of the year 1908, relative to the ap- portionment of sidewalk assessments and for the payment of interest thereon.
Art. 28. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Section 22 of Chapter 25 of the Revised Laws, as amended by Chapter 452 of the Acts of the year 1908, relative to the appropria- tion of money for the purpose of watering public streets.
Art. 29. To see if the town will appropriate money for watering its public streets, and provide that its assessors shall assess upon the estates abutting on the streets so watered the whole or any portion of the cost thereof; determine the portion of said cost to be assessed, or take any other action relative thereto.
'Art. 30. To see if the town will vote to lay water pipe from their lake near George Smith farm to the Palmer Alms House, and also give a privilege to the property holders of Palmer Center to connect with said main pipe, that they may receive water supply by paying to the town a fair yearly water tax.
. Art. 31. To see if the town will vote to give $800.00 toward erecting an appropriate monument, her Selectmen choosing com- mittee to act on the same, to be placed in the center of the Palmer Center Common to mark the sacred spot where our 44 "Minute Men" of the Revolutionary War were mustered in and mustered out, thereby perpetuating our town history to her coming genera- tions.
· Art. 32. To see if the town will vote to provide a water supply for use at the town farm, raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any other action relative thereto.
37
Sancho
0
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Art. 33. To see if the town will vote to mark the graves of the soldiers of the Colonial Wars and the War of 1812, and to raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 34. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the repair and construction of a section of highway in the village of Bondsville or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 35. To see if the town will vote to construct a section of permanent road in the town of Palmer, or take any action relative thereto, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 36. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the repair of the old section and construction of a new section of highway, leading from the intersection of Main and Thorndike streets in the Depot village to the Ware River Rail- road track near the residence of Michael Roche in the village of Thorndike, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 37. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to defray the cost of painting the town house at Four Corners.
Art. 38. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from the license money the sum of $4,000 for permanent road, $1,000 to be used in each precinct.
Art. 39. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $400 to install a new heating apparatus in the engine house on Park street in the Depot village.
Art. 40. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $4,500 to purchase a combination fire auto truck.
Art. 41. To see if the town will vote not to receive the series of public documents named in Section 7 of Chapter 9 of the Re- vised Laws.
Art. 43. To see if the town will vote to establish a uniform wage rate for employees of the town in the department of the Sur- veyor of Highways or in the department of any other officer or board.
Art. 44. To see if the town will vote to construct a strip of macadam road in North Main street in the Depot village, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 45. To see if the town will vote to purchase suitable fireproof safes for use of the Cemetery Commissioners, Board of Health and School Committee, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 46. To see if the town will vote to allow each of the paid police officers a vacation of two weeks, with full pay, during each year.
Art. 47. To see if the town will make provision for reim- bursing the police officers for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
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