USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1912 > Part 5
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When our cataloguing is finished, we intend to open ex-
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tension centers in each of the three villages. Some suitable place will be selected in Thorndike, Three Rivers, and Bonds- ville. A certain number of books will be placed there, so that the same may be more easily accessible to the inhabitants of these villages. We believe that the people of these villages will appreciate this move on the part of the library and we are certain that it will have a very material influence upon the increasing of our circulation. Our ideas relative to the in- stallation of these centers are pretty firmly established in our own minds, and nothing but the unfinished state of our cata- loguing prevents the immediate installation.
We are certainly considering experimenting in supplying books printed in Polish for the use of the Polish people of the villages. It is really a difficult matter to secure many books printed in this language ; nevertheless, through the Free Pub- lic Library Commission, we shall be enabled to secure some. We shall probably, if we adopt the scheme, select some one of the villages in which to try out our plan. Your Librarian has already conferred with one of the mill agents, and feels certain that we will have the co-operation of all the mill agents in carrying out our ideas. We cannot definitely state that this plan will meet with success, but it seems to us that these people, who cannot read our language but who can read their own language, would be very glad of an opportunity to se- cure books of this character. Probably next year, we will have something definite to report upon our experiment in supply- ing Polish books to the Polish people.
OUR POLICY The success of any institution, bus- iness or educational, will largely de- pend upon the policy of its directors. If your directors are extremely conservative, you can look for but little growth. If your directors are extremely progressive, you may wreck your bark upon some unseen reef. If, on the other hand, vour directors are progressive, but still have, for a balance wheel, a good sprinkling of conservatism, you may look for great growth. The policy, then, of our library ought to in- terest the citizens of the town very much; we will attempt
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to state the matter as specifically as possible.
In the first place, we believe that the library belongs to the citizens of this town. We believe that we ought to supply them with the sort of reading matter they desire, provided this material is of good standard quality. Furthermore, we believe that the patrons ought to be accorded every privi- lege in the amount of freedom that they have in the use of our library. We believe that we are simply the directors of this institution and that it is our business to supply every need that our patrons demand. While we shape the policy of the library, to a certain extent, we wish to understand thoroughly the desires and needs of the public, in order that we may guide the library along the lines of greatest useful- ness to this community.
We have printed some suggestion slips upon which any patron has an opportunity to make any suggestion relative to the purchase of books or anything else that concerns the use, needs, and shortcomings of our present library. We will gladly welcome such suggestions. Our only criticism is that people do not use these suggestion slips much more freely.
It is our purpose to broaden our extension work in the villages. In doing this, we invite any criticism, constructive or destructive, that will tend to make this work more useful and serviceable to those for whose benefit it will be put into operation. It is our policy in doing this sort of work to make our library serve the needs of every individual in our town.
Our possible work among the Polish people is a still further evidence of our desire to be of use to all of the in- habitants of our town. As can be readily seen, it is our pur- pose to give to the citizens of the town the widest possible use of the public library. We wish to increase its efficiency in every way possible. Our policy is possibly ambitious, yet it is not too ambitious when you consider the needs and pe- culiar geographical layout of our town.
The policy as outlined above is a policy that will grad- ually cost more and more money. You cannot expect to maintain your average rate of increase in circulation with-
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out supplying more books. An increase in circulation means an increase in library expenses. The establishment of ex- tension centers in the villages will, undoubtedly cost us some money. We will have to pay some one for looking out for the books and also for transportation of the same. There is no question in my mind but that we will need more money ; and also there is no question in my mind that we will se- cure, without a protest, more money, provided we meet the needs of the community as we plan.
CONCLUSION Another problem that will demand a solution before long will be more room for housing our books. Our present stack room is well filled, and in order that every book may have a permanent home in some stack, it will soon be necessary to provide more room for these stacks. This is a problem that will have to be carefully gone into. At the present time, I am not in a po- sition, because of the lack of definite information, to make any recommendation.
The past year has been a busy one for those connected with our library. We have already given Miss Robinson addi- tional help by hiring a young man for ten hours each week, and we anticipate a still busier and, we trust, more useful year in the one which is now before us. We trust that our endeavors to meet the wishes and needs of the patrons will be appre- ciated by a still larger use of our library.
Your careful attention is called to the Treasurer's report which is appended to that of the Librarian. Careful and discriminate judgment has been used, we think, in the use of the appropriation for this year. Our fixed charges run fairly heavy. The amount of money out of the appropriation left for the purchase of books and other necessary supplies is not as large as it might seem. I do not see how we can possi- bly maintain our present efficiency and usefulness, and con- tinue to meet the demands of our users, unless we have at least $2,000 for an appropriation this year. You will note that the balance remaining this year is a very small one. Last year, we had $237.11 as cash on hand. This will mean
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that we will have some $200 less to expend than we had this year. Further, we cannot possibly continue our good work with an apropriation less than $2,000. I believe that the work that the library is doing warrants such an expenditure. I further believe it will be willingly given.
The circulation for the past year has been as follows :
Fiction,
22,139
Non-fiction,
3,868
Total circulation, 26,007
Books on hand March 1, 1912,
8,521
Purchased, 638
Donated,
20
Books on hand March 1, 1913,
35,186
Number of papers and magazines supplied,
48
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON,
Librarian.
Report of Committee of So- Called Permanent Highways
To the Voters of the Town of Palmer :-
GENTLEMEN : The Committee appointed at the Special Town Meeting, held April 22, 1912, to carry out the vote of the Town relating to the construction of so-called permanent highway, make the following report :
Your Committee met promptly and organized with Charles L. Waid as Chairman. As soon as a date could be arranged the Committee met F. D. Kemp, of the State Highway Commission, and J. A. Johnson, division engi- neer, for the purpose of finding out just what assistance conld be obtained from the Highway Commission. We were unable to obtain the services of their engineers, but did obtain the help of the Commission in advertising and platting the work and in preparing the specifications. They also recommended to us, at our request, a man thoroughly competent to make the surveys and plans from which to obtain a fairly accurate knowledge of the work to be done, and the cost of the same.
Engineer Walter M. Charles and his assistants commenced the field work May 28th and completed same about July 7th. The plans were completed about the first of September and the work at once platted and specifications prepared by the State Highway Commission. The cost of the field work and plans was $1,356.62. The distance covered was about 11 miles or an average cost of about $123.331/3 per mile. The sections covered in this survey are as follows :
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PALMER DEPOT-Park, Pleasant, School, Church, Cen- tral, Pearl and South Main streets.
THORNDIKE-Parts of Church and Commercial streets, Ware road and Main street to Three Rivers.
THREE RIVERS to Shearer's Corners.
FOUR CORNERS to Bondsville.
FOUR CORNERS to Burleigh's.
THORNDIKE to Bondsville road, near residence of Fred Collis.
Plans were made for all of the foregoing except the last two sections mentioned. The field notes for these two sections are in the office of the State Highway Commission and plans can be drawn from them at any time.
Bids were advertised for, covering five sections in Palmer Depot-in Park, Pleasant, School, Church and South Main streets ; three sections in Thorndike-in Church, Commercial and Main streets to Three Rivers; from Four Corners to Bondsville, and from Three Rivers to Shearer's Corner.
The bids received were as follows :
Sections and Bidders
Estimated Cost of Work from Prices Bid
Palmer Depot, 5 sections :
R. E. Hudson, Melrose,
$15,348.00
C. E. Horne, Millbury,
16,409.50
W. N. Flynt Granite Co.,
14,502.00
N. E. Construction Co.,
15,867.00
Thorndike Village, 3 sections :
R. F. Hudson, Melrose,
$10,212.00
C. E. Horne, Millbury,
10,375.00
W. N. Flynt Granite Co.,
10,009.00
N. E. Construction Co.,
10,220.00
Three Rivers to Shearer's :
R. F. Hudson, Melrose,
$17,932.50
C. E. Horne, Millbury,
18,026.50
Four Corners to Bondsville :
W. N. Flynt Granite Co.,
$17,881.50
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N. E. Construction Co., 19,967.50
The above bids provide for about 31/2 miles of gravel road between Four Corners and Bondsville, Thorndike and Three Rivers, and Three Rivers and Shearer's Corner, and about 1,000 feet of bituminous macadam with concrete base on Pleas- ant and School streets in Palmer Depot, the balance being bituminous macadam.
COMPARISON OF BIDS.
R. F. Hudson, Melrose, $43,492.50
C. E. Horne, Millbury, 44,811.00
W. N. Flynt Granite Co., 42,392.50
N. England Construction Co., 46,054.50
Oil additional to each of the above, 1,845.00
Alternate bids were received for all bituminous macadam on the five sections in Falmer Depot, the Three Rivers to Shearer's Corner and the Four Corners to Bondsville sections as follows :
Sections and Bidders
Estimated Cost of Work from Prices Bid
Palmer Depot, 5 sections :
R. F. Hudson,
$14,181.00
C. E. Horne, 14,830.00
W. N. Flynt Granite Co., 13,670.00
N. E. Construction Co., 14,700.00
Oil additional to each of the above,
940.00
Three Rivers to Shearer's :
R. F. Hudson, $29,610.00
C. E. Horne, 31,190.00
W. N. Flynt Granite Co., 30,020.00
N. E. Construction Co., 34,440.00
Four Corners to Bondsville :
Oil additional to each of the above, $1,885.00
The lowest bidder being the W. N. Flynt Granite Co., of
105
Monson, the Committee awarded the contract to this firm, the same being accepted by them and signed October 11, 1912, the whole work to be completed on or before October 1, 1913.
Bonds for the performance of the contract to the amount of $14,500.00 were required of the contractors and furnished by them.
Work was commenced by the contractors October 21. 1912. and the estimated amount of work done by them to date is $9,645.68, as follows :
Section Four Corners to Bondsville, $6,510.18
Section Three Rivers to Shearer's Corner, 1,515.50
Section Thorndike to Three Rivers, 1,620.00
$9,645.68
Eighty-five per cent of this amount, $8,198.83, has been approved by the Committee for payment.
A small section at Shearer's Corner has been constructed under the supervision of the State Highway Commission at a total expense of $757.94, a small share of which should be borne by the Street Railway Company.
A summary of the bills approved by the Committee to date is as follows:
Surveying and plans, including board and expense
of surveying party, $1,356.62
W. N. Flynt Granite Co., account contract, 8,198.83
Construction at Shearer's Corner, 757.944
Sundry expense of Committee, 13.44
$10,326.83
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. WAID,
ROSCIUS C. NEWELL, SAMUEL STEWART,
CHARLES A. LEGRO,
CHARLES A. TABOR,
Road Committee.
Palmer, Mass., February 26, 1913.
Report of Tax Collector
I911.
Outstanding last report, Added by Assessors,
$266.59
42.00
Total to be collected,
$308.59
Paid Treasurer,
$288.78
Abatements,
19.81
$308.59
1912.
Amount on Assessors' Books.
$84,161.35
Non-resident Bank Tax,
833.12
Amount added by Assessors.
171.93
Excise Tax,
3,417.06
Interest, 229.44
Total to be collected.
$88.812.90
Paid Treasurer.
$83,239.37
Non-resident Bank Tax,
833.12
Excise Tax,
3.417.06
Abatements and Claims,
1.067.72
Estates in Bankruptcy,
51.20
Property to be sold,
81.84
Abatement asked for,
102.59
Outstanding.
20.00
$88,812.90 J. AUSTIN HAWKES, Tax Collector.
Report of Auditors
TOWN TREASURER.
Balance Feb. 15. 1912,
$5.840.37
Receipts during year,
209,017.72
Total receipts,
$214,858.09
Total disbursements,
159,394.80
Balance in Treasury, $55.463.29
ACCOUNTS OF TAX COLLECTOR. Year of 19II.
Outstanding last report,
$265.59
Amount added by Assessors,
42.00
$308.59
Total, Abatements, Paid Treasurer.
$19.81 288.78
$308.59 .
Year of 1912.
Amount on Assessors' Books,
$84,161.35
Non-resident Bank Tax,
833.12
Additions by Assessors.
171.93
Excise Tax,
3.417.06
Interest, 229.44
Total to be collected. $88,812.90
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Abatements, Paid Treasurer, Outstanding,
$1 067.72 87,489.55 255.63 $88,812.90
TRUST FUNDS.
For care Cemetery Lots,
Interest account,
$10,635.00 669.66
Merrick Fund, Thompson Fund,
$11,304.66 $850.00 951.28
CHARLES K. GAMMELL, EVERETT W. CARPENTER, Auditors.
Report of Treasurer
Cash Account Fiscal Year Ending February 15, 1913. RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand, Feb. 15, 1912,
$5,840.37
J. A. Hawks, taxes, 19II,
$288.78
J. A. Hawks, 1912,
83,239.37
J. A. Hawks, non-resident bank tax,
833.12
J. A. Hawks, excise tax, 3,417.06
Cemetery Commissioners, earnings, 991.62
Cemetery Commissioners, sale of lots, 378.00
Sewer Entrances, 1,025.00
Sewer Connections, 209.27
Town of Monson, bridges,
500.53
Town of Warren, 173.60
Town of Ware, 74.00
City of Springfield,
66.75
City of Worcester,
I37.85
Town Farm,
734.38
District Court,
36.18
R. L. Day & Co., Highway Construction Bonds, 50.000.00
R. L. Day & Co., Premium on Bonds, 329.50
R. L. Day & Co., accrued interest on Bonds, 266.67 Highway Surveyor, 14.73
Lockup Fees,
2.00
Sale of School Supplies, 17.50
Liquor Licenses,
10,405.00
All other licenses,
702.00
Interest on deposits,
543.29
110
Palmer Savings Bank, temporary loans, 33.221.85
Sealer Weights and Measures. 67.39
Milk licenses, 25.00
Oleomargarine licenses, 2.50
Interest, Thompson Fund,
38.42
Interest, Merrick Fund,
34.34
Sale of sewer pipe, 28.26
House of Correction.
158.00
Rebate on School Insurance,
20.40
Rent of Pest House,
4.00
Sale of stone crusher,
700.00
Dog Tax,
750.81
Outside Tuition,
556.20
State, Corporation Tax, 19II,
.92
Corporation Tax, 1912,
7.929.19
Public Service Corporation Tax. 502.74
National Bank Tax,
220.95
Street Railway Tax,
8.798.55
Temporary aid,
130.50
Support of sick paupers,
139.80
Tuition of children,
312.50
Burial of paupers,
34.00
State aid, 872.00
Burial of soldiers and sailors,
74.00
Transportation of paupers. 4.20
Certification fee on Town Note
No. 5.
3.00
$209,017.72
$214,858.09
DISBURSEMENTS.
Palmer Savings Bank, temporary loans, $32,500.00 Palmer Savings Bank, interest, 1,487.82
Town Bonds, 7 600.00
Interest on Town Bonds,
3.297.25
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State aid, 676.00
One-fourth liquor licenses,
2,601.25
District Court,
809.65
State Tax.
7,687.50
State Highway Tax,
496.00
National Bank Tax,
844.28
County Tax.
4.497.29
Selectmen's pay rolls,
37,341.22
Overseers of Poor, pay rolls,
9.441.60
School Committee's pay rolls,
40,060.21
Highway Surveyor's pay rolls,
10,054.73
Total disbursements,
$159.394.80
Balance.
55,463.20
$214,858.00
INDEBTEDNESS OF THE TOWN OF PALMER.
Refunding Loan,
$10,000.00
Grammar School Bonds,
12,800.00
Three Rivers School Bonds,
15,000.00
High School Bonds,
15,000.00
Highway Construction Bonds,
50,000.00
Funding Bonds,
21,000.00
Temporary Loans,
3,221.85
$127,021.85
GEORGE E. CLOUGH, Treasurer.
Report of Treasurer
Receipts.
Cash on hand March 1, 1912;
$237.11
Town of Palmer,
$1.800.00
G. A. R. 1911 coal bill,
30.09
Fines,
46.00
Membership fees,
70.00
Sale of counter,
10.00
Sale of old papers,
7.18
1.963.27
$2,200 38
Disbursements.
Miss Robinson, Attendant,
$420.00
Oliver Bearse. Assistant Attendant.
17.00
James Knox. Janitor,
115.50
E. W. Spaulding, Janitor,
20.00
Labor,
85.30
Fuel and lights.
361.60
Repairs,
10.4.23
Binding,
41.70
Books,
812.65
Supplies,
125.12
Miscellaneous.
19.55
Cataloging,
68.05
2 190.70
Cash on hand March 1, 1913.
$9.68
L. E. CHANDLER, Treasurer.
School Committee 1912-1913
JOHN C. SULLIVAN, Chairman. CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Secretary.
William Kerigan, Term expires 1915
Dr. John F. Roche,
Term expires 1915
George D. Mooers, Term expires 1914
James Wilson, Term expires 1914
John F. Shea, Term expires 1913 John C. Sullivan, Term expires 1913
Regular meetings of the school committee are held at 7.30 p. m., on the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month. ,
All bills must be in the hands of the superintendent he- fore the above date.
Superintendent of Schools, CLIFTON H. HOBSON. Office, High School Building. Telephone, 54-4.
Residence, 30 Pearl street. Telephone, 54-3.
Office hours: 8 a. m. to 12 m., 1.30 to 5 p. m .; Satur- days, 9 a. m. to 12 m .; Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p. m., except the Tuesday before the last Friday of each month.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
George A. Bills, T. J. Crimmins, Edward McKelligett, James Manning, William Smith, John Mansfield,
Depot Depot Thorndike Three Rivers Three Rivers Bondsville
JANITORS.
Charles Johnson, Charles Johnson, P. J. Sullivan, C. E. Fuller, William Smith,
High School Depot Thorndike Bondsville Three Rivers
-
Lerester irminaD Jondo2
Calendar
SCHOOL YEAR, 1912-1913. HIGH SCHOOL.
Spring term begins March 3, 1913 ; ends April 25, 1913.
Summer term begins May 5, 1913; ends June 27, 1913. Fall term begins September 2, 1913; ends December 19, 1913. Winter term begins December 29, 1913; ends February 20, 1914.
Spring term begins March 2, 1914; ends April 24, 1914. Summer term begins May 4, 1914; ends June 26, 1914.
OTHER SCHOOLS.
Spring term begins March 3, 1913; ends April 25, 1913. Summer term begins May 5, 1913; ends June 13, 1913. Fall term begins September 2, 1913; ends December 19, 1913. Winter term begins December 29, 1913; ends February 20, 1914.
Spring term begins March 2, 1914; ends April 24, 1914. Summer term begins May 4, 1914; ends June 12, 1914.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS.
April 26 to May 4, 1913, inclusive.
June 28 to September 1, 1913, inclusive.
December 20 to December 28, 1913, inclusive.
February 21 to March 1, 1914, inclusive.
April 25 to May 3, 1914, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS.
Fair Day, Columbus Day, Convention Day, Thanksgiv- ing (with the day following), Washington's Birthday, Pa- triots' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day.
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Palmer:
The school committee submits herewith for your consid- eration, in compliance with the statutes of the Common- wealth, its sixty-third annual report :
NEEDED ROOM.
The crowded condition of the lower grades in the Bonds- ville school has been such during the year that more room will be needed for properly carrying on school work. We have, therefore, decided to ask you for the necessary funds to erect a two-room addition and install a new heating sys- tem in place of the three furnaces and one small steam boiler now in use. A similar condition of over-crowding exists in the lower grades in the Palmer school, and it has been decided to overcome this for the present by transferring one class to the High school. This plan will inconvenience the work of the High school to some extent, but it is thought it can be car- ried out successfully during the next school year.
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
This course having been introduced lately has now fifty pupils and comprises one-third of the High school. The teach- ers in charge of this department are meeting well the test that the efficiency of a teacher shall be measured by what the pu- pils can do in the subject taught. Nearly all of the grad- uates have obtained positions paying from three hundred to . six hundred dollars per year. If this income earning power is subjected to a commercial point of view and considered as interest on the capital invested, we find that the general
6
health and educational ability of each pupil has been capi- talized at five to ten thousand dollars on a six per cent basis.
GENERAL STUDIES.
The improvement of all studies under the plan of having a. superintendent devote his entire time to supervision con- tinues from the first grade, where number work is now taught, up to the ninth grade where pupils exhibit a quickness of apprehension and a retentiveness of memory regarding the subjects taught that is very encouraging for good work in the High school. The idea that the pupils should be occasionally allowed to talk and acquire some practice in the art of ex- pression, even though silence be required of the teacher for awhile, is receiving more consideration in the grade work. This work is bearing fruit in the High school as can be read- ily seen in the weekly rhetoricals, and in the monthly meet- ings in charge of the pupils where the result of the study of current events is presented by the pupils in a manner that in- dieates they are being trained to do things orderly and effi- ciently.
WORKING DISCIPLINE.
Teaching punctuality and promptness in the perform- ance of duties are important. Habitual tardiness and ab- sence from school work without good reason must receive such punishment for the offence as will reduce these to a mini- mum. The canse of both tardiness and absence from school in some cases is due to cigarette smoking on the part of the boys. The habit of cigarette smoking is one that impairs rap- idly a boy's mental power, weakens his sense of moral obli- gation and robs him of that honesty and sturdiness of char- acter so essential to success in his work. The requirement that pupils shall come to the High school and study in the af- fernoon because of tardiness, and for failure to maintain a passing standard in their daily work, is for the purpose of in- culeating habits of promptness and a spirit of industry thaf will enable them to perform skillfully and justly their private
.
7
and public duties in after life. We ask the earnest co-opera- tion of all parents in this matter.
EXPENSE.
Our expense continues to increase with the increased number of pupils requiring more teachers, and because of the variety of studies offered in our High school to supply the ed- ucational needs and requirements of our citizens. Any in- quiry into this matter will show that our schools are con- dueted economically. Our rank among the three hundred and fifty-three cities and towns of the state based on the amount raised by local taxation and expended for the education of each child in the average membership of the public schools is two hundred and thirteen, and the amount so spent is twenty- six dollars ($26.14) fourteen cents. That is, there are two hundred and twelve cities and towns spending more per pu- pil than we do. Our teachers are paid rather below the aver- age for towns of our size, and the number of pupils per teacher is rather above the average. These facts indicate that the expense is kept well within reasonable limits.
Our rank among the cities and towns of the state based on the amount appropriated for the support of public schools for each thousand dollars of valuation is twenty-sec- ond, while last year it was seventh. This indicates that our citizens have placed our town well up among the cities and towns of the state by their generous support of our public schools. They have a right to expect that the quality of the work in our schools shall be excellent, and we believe that this condition exists. We call your attention to the report of the superintendent of schools, which is herewith made a part of this report.
JOHN C. SULLIVAN, W. B. KERIGAN, J. F. SHEA, JAMES WILSON, GEORGE D. MOOERS, J. F. ROCHE, D. D. S.
Cost per School.
ACCOUNTS
High School
Palmer
Three Rivers
Thorndike
Bondsville
Districts
Office
Total
Salaries
$ 5,167.25
$ 4,798.12
$ 3,703.95
$ 2,786.84
$ 2,704.86
$ 2,019.80
$ 2,273.36
$23,454.18
Janitors
500.06
500.06
458.00
396.00
396.00
112.50
2,362.62
Music .
65.59
119.96
124.47
119.96
119.95
50.00
599.93
Manual Train'g, Draw'g
201.96
217.37
191.01
223.31
215.78
100.57
1,150.00
Transportation .
692.40
1,097.00
3.00
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