USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1916 > Part 4
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Art. 6. To hear and act on the reports of committees.
Art. 7. To choose committees and give them in- structions.
Art. 8. To determine the date from which taxes shall bear interest.
Art. 9. 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. 10. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors.
Art. 11. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the Young Men's Library Association.
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Art. 12. 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. 13. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the celebration of Memorial Day.
Art. 14. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to sewers.
Art. 15. 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 ap- propriate money for the same.
Art. 16. To see what action the town will take in reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
Art. 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the care and improvement of cemeteries.
Art. 18. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks and curbing.
Art. 19. To see if the town will vote to maintain night police in the several villages, authorize the Selectmen to employ and appoint in addition a chief of police and to make rules and regulations for the government of all the police officers of the town, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 20. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
Art. 21. To see if the town will make provision for reimbursing the police officers for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 22. To see if the town will appropriate money for the suppression of gypsy and brown-tail moths and elm tree beetles.
Art. 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate money for the repair and maintenance of the clock located in the Universalist Church tower, in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
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Art. 24. To see if the town will vote to raise and appro- priate $300.00 for insurance and maintenance of the auto fire truck, for the coming year, or see what action it will take relative thereto.
Art. 25. To see if the town will appropriate money for defraying the town's share of the support of the District Court.
Art. 26. To see if the town will appropriate such sum of money as may be necessary to defray the cost of the rent, janitor service and maintenance of the town offices in the Holbrook Building.
Art. 27. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for watering public streets and determine the extent to which, and the manner in which, the cost of watering said streets shall be assessed upon the abutting estates, or take any other action relative thereto.
Art. 28. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $1,000.00, or any sum, and pay the same to the Wing Memorial Hospital Association, to be used by it for the charitable purposes of the association within the Town of Palmer.
Art. 29. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $300.00 for the support of agricultural demon- stration work on land owned by it or by any resident of the town, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 707 of the Acts of 1914.
Art. 30. To see if the town will vote to construct a sidewalk, with curbing, in front of the residence of J. P. Lynde on the westerly side of North Main Street in the Depot Village, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 31. To see if the town will vote to extend the present sewer from a point near the French Catholic Church in Three Rivers northeasterly to a point nearly opposite the Town House, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
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Art. 32. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer from a point in Oak Street in the Depot Village nearly opposite the house of Herbert L. Capen about 300 feet to the Quaboag River, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 33. To see if the town will vote to build a sewer in Harvey, Avenue in Thorndike, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 34. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in Randall Street in the Depot Village from Main Street to Shearer Street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 35. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in State Street in the Village of Bondsville from a point opposite the residence of Patrick T. Cavin westerly to a connection with the present sewer near Pleasant Street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 36. To see if the town will establish and maintain an electric light on the corner of Holbrook and Pine Streets in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 37. To see if the town will vote to locate and maintain two cluster lights on Main Street in the Depor Village between Central and Church Streets, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 38. To see if the town will vote to establish a street light on Central Street in the Depot Village between Main and Pleasant Streets.
Art. 39. To see if the town will vote to locate and maintain an electric light on Church Street in the Depot Village, midway between Main and Pleasant Streets, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 40. To see if the town will vote to establish an incandescent light at a point near the highway leading across the Boston & Maine Railroad, near the property of the late Humphrey Sullivan in Bondsville, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
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Art. 41. To see if the town will vote to build a new concrete sidewalk in the Village of Bondsville from a point at the east side of the bridge leading to the Boston & Albany Railroad station to connect with the present concrete walk on Main Street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 42. To see if the town will vote to repair the retaining wall on the east side.of Main Street, in the Village of Bondsville against property of the late O. A. Parent, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 43. To see if the town will vote to construct a concrete sidewalk on the southerly side of Converse Street in the Depot Village from the easterly boundary of W. E. Stone's property to the terminus of the present concrete walk opposite property of H. D. Converse, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 44. To see if the town will vote to repair and raise the walk in Main Street, Bondsville, from a point opposite estate of O. A. Parent northerly along Main Street about 200 feet, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 45. To see if the town will vote to pave or other- wise improve Main Street in the Depot Village from Cen- tral Street to the railroad bridge at Church Street, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 46. To see if the town will vote to grade and harden the northerly end of Holbrook Street in the Depot Village, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 47. To see if the town will vote to re-surface that part of the macadam road in Church Street, Thorndike, between the junction of Main and Church Streets, near No. 1 Mill, and the canal bridge near No. 2 Mill, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 48. To see if the town will vote to macadamize Commercial and High Streets in the Village of Thorndike, from the end of the present macadam near Exchange Block to Lake Junction, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
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Art. 49. To see what action the town will take to raise the price paid per day for teams from $4.50 to $5.00 per day of eight hours.
Art. 50. To see if the town will vote to purchase a safe for the use of the Town Treasurer, and raise and ap- propriate money for the same.
Art. 51. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $125.00 for new floor and stairs in the engine house on Park Street in the Depot Village.
Art. 52. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $400.00 for new fire hose.
Art. 53. To see if the town will vote to adopt any by-law or regulation regarding the driving of motor vehicles and teams at intersections and crossings of public ways in and through village streets.
Act. 54. To see if the town will vote to join hands with the Springfield Street Railway Company in the con- struction of a bridge in place of the present Dutton Bridge, or vote to pay to the Springfield Street Railway Company any sum of money toward the construction of an inde- pendent bridge for the sole use of said Railway Company, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 55. To see if the town will vote to provide addi- tional school accommodations, to acquire, by purchase or by right of eminent domain, any land or site for a school building or buildings or for school purposes, and raise money for the same by taxation or by an issue of bonds, notes or script, and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary therefor, or take any action relative thereto.
Art. 56. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 153 of the General Acts of the year 1916 relative to the license fee for slaughter houses in towns having less than ten thousand inhabitants.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in some one public place
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in each of the four villages of the town, known as the Depot Village, Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville, seven days at least before the holding of said meeting, and by publishing an attested copy thereof in at least two issues of the Palmer Journal, a newspaper published in said Palmer, the first publication to be not less than seven days before the holding of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the holding of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-third day of Jan uary, A. D. 1917.
HAROLD W. BRAINERD, CHARLES D. HOLDEN, WILLIAM B. KERIGAN, Selectmen of Palmer.
Town of Palmer
School Report
For the Year Ending December 30, 1916
1
School Committee 1916-1917
Dr. George A. Moore, Chairman. Clifton H. Hobson, Secretary.
Dr. George A. Moore,
Term Expires 1919
John F. Shea,
Term Expires 1919
William Kerigan,
Term Expires 1918
Dr. John F. Roche,
Term Expires 1918
Samuel E. Thayer,
James Wilson,
Term Expires 1917 Term Expires 1917
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 before 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 .; Saturdays, 9 a. m. to 12 m .; Tuesdays, 7 to 8 p. m. except the Tuesday before the last Friday of each school month.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
George A. Bills, T. J. Crimmins,
Edward McKelligett,
Thomas Holt,
William Smith,
John Mansfield, Arthur Bennett,
Depot Depot Thorndike Three Rivers Three Rivers Bondsville Forest Lake
JANITORS.
Charles Johnson, Charles Johnson, Cyril Gay, C. E. Fuller, William Smith,
High School Palmer
Thorndike Bondsville Three Rivers
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ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
February 1, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Shea.
February 15, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Shea, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Thayer.
February 28, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche.
March 3, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Kerigan, Mr. Shea.
May 23, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Wilson. June 27, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Shea.
August 14, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Kerigan, Mr. Shea. September 1, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Kerigan, Mr. Thayer. September 26, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Wilson. October 24, 1916. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Shea, Mr. Thayer.
Calendar
-
HIGH SCHOOL.
Winter term begins January 2, 1917; ends February 23, 1917. Spring term begins March 5, 1917; ends April 27, 1917. Summer term begins May 7, 1917; ends June 29, 1917. Fall term begins September 4, 1917; ends December 21, 1917. Winter term begins January 2, 1918; ends February 22, 1918. Spring term begins March 4, 1918; ends April 26, 1918. Summer term begins May 6, 1918; ends June 28, 1918.
OTHER SCHOOLS.
Winter term begins January 2, 1917; ends February 23, 1917. Spring term begins March 5, 1917; ends April 27, 1917. Summer term begins May 7, 1917; ends June 15, 1917. Fall term begins September 4, 1917; ends December 21, 1917. Winter term begins January 2, 1918; ends February 22, 1918. Spring term begins March 4, 1918; ends April 26, 1918. Summer term begins May 6, 1918; ends June 14, 1918.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS.
Winter-February 23, 1917, to March 4, 1917, inclusive. Spring-April 27, 1917, to May 6, 1917, inclusive. Summer-(Grades) : June 15, 1917, to September 3, 1917, inclusive. (High) : June 29, 1917, to September 3, 1917, inclusive. Fall-December 21, 1917, to January 2, 1918, inclusive. Winter-February 22, 1918, to March 4, 1918, inclusive. Spring-April 26, 1918, to May 5, 1918, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS.
Fair Day, Columbus Day, Convention Day, Thanksgiving (with the day following), Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day.
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Palmer :
Your School Committee herewith submits its annual re- port.
The condition of the school property is 'but little changed, and is therefore one of a fair state of repair.
Grammar school buildings in Three Rivers, Thorndike and Palmer are crowded, and the school in Bondsville is filled to its extreme capacity. The crowding in Three Rivers and Palmer is such that we were obliged to secure housing for certain classes in other than grammar school buildings.
Work done by the teaching force this year has been of the usual conscientious and able sort. The work is not the easier-particularly in English branches-because of the fol- lowing astonishing fact: In more than 70 per cent of the children's homes in the villages of Thorndike, Three Rivers and Bondsville, English is not spoken. Naturally enough, this home condition finds reflection in the English work of the pupils at school.
The evening school for illiterates-so-called-although all who attend by no means belong under that head, has amply justified itself. Beyond question a great deal of good has already been accomplished.
The evening Commercial course is an experiment. It is popular, and may be profitable to the town. If after proper trial this latter proves a fact and the citizens approve, we will continue the work on some basis.
The Summer school was given a trial, with misgivings upon the part of at least some of your committee. It was felt that the young should have this part of the Summer sea-
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son for recreation, considering the urge of the regular work during all the school year. It is undecided as to the contin- uance of this work.
Your committee will require $56,385.00 to prosecute the school work this year. This is an increase of $3,260 over last year.
All school materials are much higher in cost than they were last year, and some necessary increases in salaries of teachers have been made. Probably this latter item will 'show a further increase soon, and in the opinion of your committee it is right that it should.
A considerable sum of money has been saved by antici- pating needs and making purchases of supplies at times preceding advances in price.
A report will be made in due season of a plan for in- creased school accommodations. The committee having this in charge has brought experience and good judgment to the task, and doubtless will offer valuable suggestions for the relief of our crowded school condition.
The report of the Superintendent of Schools is made a part of this report.
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COMPARISON OF RECOMMENDATIONS*
1917
1916 Difference
General Expenses,
$3,490
$3,225
+$265
Teachers' Salaries,
30,150
27,700
+2,450
Textbooks and Supplies,
3,000
2,750
+250
Transportation,
3,080
3,100
-- 20
Janitors' Services,
2,765
2,650
+115
Fuel and Light,
4,450
3,650
+800
Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds,
1,000
1,000
0
Rent,
150
200
-50
Repairs of School Buildings,
800
1,800
-1,000
Music, Manual Training, and Drawing,
2,100
1,950
+150
Commercial,
3,700
3,500
+200
Furniture and Furnishings,
600
600
0
Other Expenses,
1,100
1,000
+100
$56,385
$53,125
+$3,260
Total Increase, * "+" indicates increase ; "_", decrease.
$3,260
Respectfully submitted, DR. GEORGE A. MOORE, DR. JOHN F. ROCHE, WILLIAM KERIGAN,
JOHN F. SHEA,
JAMES WILSON,
SAMUEL E. THAYER,
COMMITTEE.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer :
Gentlemen :- I herewith present my sixth annual re- port as Superintendent of Schools in Palmer. This is the twenty-fourth in the series of reports issued by the superin- tendents of the town.
INTRODUCTION.
Every school report should possess certain distinctive features, said features depending upon certain distinctive conditions, as locality, time, changing conditions, and in- creasing demands. Every school report, further, should be addressed to a particular audience. This report will follow these two requisite demands. Needs and desires will be discussed ; and the selected audience will be the citizens of Palmer.
Before entering upon this discussion, very brief state- ments will be made upon facts that need attention every year.
ATTENDANCE.
The attendance statistics for the school year of 1915-16 show the existence of a healthy school condition. The per- centage of attendance, 96.2%, is but .24% below the highest ever attained-96.44%. There were 151 tardy cases, or an average of one for 11 1-3 pupils. There were 205 pupils perfect in attendance-neither absent nor tardy ; this means that 12% of the average membership was perfect.
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COST.
The question of cost is "always with us." This year, in particular, is this so, because of the tax rate prevailing locally. There is no question about the rate being high. This condition exists very generally throughout the state. The demands upon the public treasury are growing greater and greater with each succeeding year. The public demands more and more. The community now undertakes projects which formerly were left to the individual, if done at all. The building and maintenance of roads, streets, and sewers, the provision of police and fire protection, and even the fur- nishing of educational opportunity-all now publicly financed-were once done by the individual or a small group of individuals, if at all. Constantly, the undertakings by the community are growing more varied and extensive.
This is a good tendency along many lines. Better, more universal provision can be made at less expense in this way. The recognition of man's social obligations is es- sential to the right kind of living. Yet, it must be remem- bered that all of these things cost money ; that they can not be done without the tax rate growing larger and larger. The public expense is greater ; the private much smaller than it would be without the public provision.
The people would refuse, for the most part, to go back to the days without police and fire protection, street lights, good water, proper sewerage, public schools, and good roads. Consequently, if they will have these things-and they should-they must pay the bills. Directly or indirectly, whether property owner or tenant, all the people help pay the bills. The only possible means of alleviation is the strict practice of economy. True economy is practiced where all necessary things are provided for the best pros- ecution of the work, where neither reprehensive parsimony nor prodigality is indulged in.
Two tables are herewith submitted which will give an excellent basis for comparison between Palmer and some
11
other towns in the state. These tables are not selected with the thought in mind of choosing only those towns whose comparison with this town will make Palmer seem to be a fortunate community.
There are two reasons for the inclusion of these tables. Table I is made up of the seventeen (17) towns out of three hundred fifty-three (353) in the state which had a smaller valuation per pupil in average membership in the public schools for the school year ending June 30, 1916. Other pertinent facts that should be furnished so that a thorough comparison can be made-population, tax rate, expenditure per one thousand dollars ($1,000) for school purposes, total expenditures from local taxation and all sources-are given. Palmer, sixty-fourth (64th) in population in the state, is three hundred thirty-sixth (336th) in valuation per pupil; one hundred ninety-first (191st) in tax rate and thirteenth (13th) in expenditure per one thousand dollars ($1,000), is three hundred thirty-fifth (335th) in average cost per pupil. In other words, eighteen (18) towns only have a smaller cost per pupil.
Table II includes the eighteen (18) towns whose cost per pupil for the year ending December 31, 1915, was less than that of Palmer. Notice, if you please, that the tax rate in these towns is, on an average, two dollars and fifty- nine cents ($2.59) more and the cost per pupil-remember that only towns with a smaller cost were taken-only two dollars and nineteen cents ($2.19) less. Palmer's cost is thirteen dollars and twenty-five cents ($13.25) less than the average cost of the state.
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TABLE I. SEVENTEEN TOWNS WIT
Valuation per Pupil in Average Membership, Year
Rate of Total
Tax per $1,000 Valuation, 1915 Amt. Rank
Year ending Dec. 31, 1915 Amt. Rank
Population Valuation. ending June 30,
April 1, 1915. Amt. Rank
Groveland
2,377
$1,386,298
$3,054
337
$22.20
57
$7.78
38
Somerset
3,377
1,837,798
3,028
338
19.50*
150
7.24
64
Huntington
1,427
774,305
2,990
339
23.00
17
8.52
17
Auburn
3,281
1,786,575
2,958
340
17.60
217
8.45
21
Rehoboth
2,228
1,070,243
2,893
341
16.70
244
4.93
226
Chester
1,344
854,481
2,848
342
21.00
95
8.40
22
Colrain
1,829
916,439
2,837
343
22.50
46
8.81
11
Middlefield
325
217,883
2,830
344
20.00
135
8.51
18
Templeton
4,081
2,025,073
2,813
345
22.10
58
9.49
5
Provincetown
4,295
2,452,213
2,793
346
22.70
43
7.69
43
Blackstone
5,689
2,465,488
2,603
347
20.60
107
9.59
4
Avon
2,164
1,126,528
2,560
348
24.00
18
8.04
29
Leverett
779
383,144
2,554
349
21.00
97
5.55
177
Belchertown
2,062
1,000,855
2,483
350
22.00
64
7.76
40
Clarksburg
1,114
299,414
2,052
351
23.00
38
9.94
6
Savoy
524
196,755
1,874
352
27.00
2
7.81
36
Gay Head
175
45,090
1,455
353
11.00
340
3.63
312
Average
2,181
$1,108,152
$2,625
345
$20.94
102
$7.77
63
Palmer
9,468
5,369,660
3,142
336
18.20
191
8.67
13
State Average
10,463
13,512,253
8,686
177
18.33
177
4.64
177
Expenditure p $1,000 of Valu tion for Schoc purposes fror Local Taxatic
1915
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MALLER VALUATION PER PUPIL.
TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
From Local Taxation
Per Pupil
From Other
Amt.
Memb. Rank
Amt.
Memb. Rank
Amt. Memb. Rank
0,786.17
$23.76
307
$12,546.08
$27.63
341
$1,679.40
3.70
178
$,298.06
21.91
321
14,857.67
24.48
350
1,546.61
2.55
193
13.00
5,600.00
25.48
288
9,431.48
36.41
237
2,245.48
8.67
120
5,104.42
25.01
290
16,908.25
27.99
338
1,803.83
2.99
186
6,278.95
14.27
350
8,786.77
23.75
351
3,227.82
8.72
119
280.00
7,181.71
23.94
303
10,502.44
35.01
264
2,461.23
8.20
125
859.50
3,073.27
24.99
291
11,889.59
36.81
228
3,816.32
11.82
97
L,853.15
24.07
300
5,230.83
67.93
30
3,084.74
40.06
18
292.94
9,211.93
26.68
272
21,413.54
29.74
320
1,944.32
2.70
191
257.29
3,847.74
21.47
323
20,392.25
23.23
352
1,543.51
1.76
199
3,647.74
24.97
292
24,481.07
25.85
347
833.33
.88
211
9,058.35
20.59
329
11,137.51
25.31
348
2,012.16
4.57
163
67.00
2,125.85
14.17
351
4,335.07
28.90
331
2,209.22
14.73
81
7,763.92
19.27
340
10,901.20
27.05
343
2,609.83
6.48
143
527.45
2,825.70
19.35
339
5,379.45
36.84
227
2,553.75
14.49
82
1,536.08
14.63
349
3,191.38
30.39
314
1,631.30
15.54
78
24.00
163.89
5.29
353
1,477.14
47.65
109
1,313.25
42.36
14
9,020.99
$20.60
317
$11,343.69
$32.65
284
$2,148.00
11.19
129
$141.27
6,532.03
$27.23
264
$48.580.19
$28.43
335
$574.25
.34
225
$1,473.91
2,706.82
$40.31
177
$64,829.58
$41.68
177
$1,251.25
.80
177
$871.51
1g
15
IT
alu pho
fro
ati
in Av.
From all Sources Per Pupil in Av.
From State Per Pupil in Av.
Sources
$80.51
TABLE II. EIGHTEEN TOWNS WITH SMALLER COST PER PUPIL.
Valuation April 1, 1915.
Population Census, 1915. Number. Rank.
Amount.
Rank.
Amount. Rank.
Cost Per Pupil. Amount. Rank.
·Randolph,
$3,167,150
4,734
117
$19.80
140
$5.79
157
$23.03
353
Provincetown,
2,452,213
4,295
122
22.70
43
7.69
43
23.23
352
Rehoboth,
1,070,243
2,228
178
16.70
244
4.93
226
23.75
351
Somerset,
1,837,798
3,377
135
19.50
150
7.24
64
24.48
350
Rockport,
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