USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 11
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٩٠
REPORT
1
OF THE- -
Selectmen, Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor
and School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURG,
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1902.
NORTHAMPTON, MASS., C. A. PIERCE & CO., PRINT. 1902.
Curriculum (grades IX-XIIviclusine) p.
Articles in Warrant for Annual Town Meeting.
FIRST .- To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
SECOND .- To elect three Selectmen, one Town Clerk, one Treasurer, one Elector under the Will of the late Oliver Smith, Esq., two Constables, one Tax Collector, all for one year. Also one School Committee for three years, one Lib- rary Trustee for three years, one Library Trustee for two years, one Tree Warden for one year, and to vote on the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicat- ing liquors in this town?" Yes or No, all on one ballot.
THIRD .- To choose all necessary minor town officers for the ensuing year.
FOURTH .- To revise and accept a list of jurors nominated by the Selectmen.
FIFTH .- To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the current expenses of the town.
SIXTH .-- To provide for the current expenses of the town in anticipation of taxes.
SEVENTH .- To hear the report of the Selectmen, Treasurer, School and other Committees, and act thereon.
EIGHTH .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for Memorial Day, and choose a committee to expend the same.
NINTH. - To choose a committee to expend the income of the Whiting Street Fund.
-3-
TENTH .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for maintaining of street lights.
ELEVENTH .- To fix the amount of the salary for Tax Collector.
TWELFTH .- To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to contract for the building or finishing of a sec- tion of State highway the coming season.
THIRTEENTH. - To fix the amount of the salary for the School Committee.
FOURTEENTH .- To see if the town will take any action with regard to discontinuing any portion of the Goshen road that passes the premises of C. E. Tileston.
FIFTEENTH .- To hear the report of the committee on water supply.
SIXTEENTH .- To see if the town will vote to accept of the gift of Isaac F. Baker.
SEVENTEETH. - To see if the town will take any action with regard to building a bridge across Mill River near the residence of L. A. Alexander.
EIGHTEENTH .- To see what action, if any, shall be taken by the citizens of the town of Williamsburg toward securing a reduction in the fare on the Street railway between Williams- burg and Northampton.
NINETEENTH .- To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to pay the expense of a new floor in the Town Hall.
TOWN OFFICERS' REPORT,
For the Year Ending March 1, 1902.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
To the citizens of Williamsburg:
Your Selectmen, Treasurers, School and other Commit- tees hereby present the report of their doings, for the year ending February 1, 1902.
'The last annual report showed our town to have over $3000 of assets above all liabilities. Our this year's report shows a like condition of over $2200 of assets in cash, taxes and other amounts due us above all liabilities. Our expenses have been kept well within the amounts raised and appropri- ated and available for the same.
There was $450 appropriated for the purchase of two road machines, that was not raised by this year's taxation, the same being paid for from funds on hand. The town had a note in the bank for $300 on which they had been paying 6 per cent. interest for years, the "Strang" note so called. This note has now been paid for which we have the Strang place, for which the town is receiving $48 per year rent. Our high- way expenses have been very heavy this year, owing to extra expense caused by the State highway, also extra expense on the Chesterfield road including a new bridge, this being work ordered by the County Commissioners on petition of Chester- field people. We have been to extra expense this year on
-5-
bridges of over $150 and of $110.04 on our tool house. These expenses have all been paid from money available for highway and bridge purposes only. For our section of State highway built the past season and the other improvements connected therewith the public have much to be thankful for to the State and our town also, for we have done all that we have been called upon to do and in such a way as to corres- pond with State highway work, and that is of the best. We expect the State work to continue on down to the village this next season.
The following is a list of the appropriations for the year 1901, with the itemized expenditures under the different heads.
ITEMS OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1901.
Schools,
$4,200 00
Contingent,
800 00
Poor,
1,800 00
Highways,
1,400 00
Tuition,
180 00
School Superintendent,
380 00
Text books,
350 00
School house repairs,
250 00
Special school house repairs,
350 00
Road Machines,
450 00
Sidewalks,
350 00
Soldiers' relief,
200 00
Street Lights,
450 00
Interest,
250 00
Fire department,
375 00
Special police,
100 00
Public library,
100 00
Memorial day,
50 00
-$12,035 00
-6 -
EXPENDITURES UNDER CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
Paid B. Loomis, Auditor, $2 50
J. W. Hill,
66 2 50
J. W. Hill,
Ballot Clerk, 5 00
J. J. Morrissey,
5 00
W. S. Smith,
66
5 00
J. H. O'Brien,
5 00
H. E. Bradford,
Registrar, 5 00
E. H. Miller,
66
5 00
C. A. Phillips, 66
5 00
H. W. Hill, 7 00
Lewis Miller, Coal for Town Hall, 6 65
G. H. Ames, Coal Hod "
50
E. T. Barrus & Co., Sund.
3 98
T. M. Carter, Oil, etc., " 66 66 2 70
Merrick & Howlett, Sund. 66 66 20
J. M. Williams, Repairs in
66 1 75
Dewey Williams, Care of 66 39 65
C. A. Pierce & Co., for Printing
Reports, 34 46
Gazette Printing Co., for Printing
Ballots, 10 00
H. H Nichols, Cattle Inspector, 28 20
P. Murray, cleaning snow from walk, 2 55
Williamsburg Fire Department, for Services at Bradford, Handfield, and Thayer fires, 21 25
C. R. Damon, Tree Warden, 50 00
J. W. Arnold, expense in Guyott Case, 9 43
City of Northampton, money refunded in Guyott Case, 128 92
W. M. Cochran & Co.,
Collector's Bond, 12 00
Charles F. Sears, highway damage,
15 00
R. F. Burke, Collector, 125 00
- 7-
Paid J. F. Lucas, labor on Strang House, 1 31
H. W. Sampson, labor on " 16 16
H. C. Smith, Copying Valuation, 10 00
L. D. James, expenses to Boston and otherwise as Water Committee, 26 49
H. C. Smith, expenses to Boston as Water Committee, 8 00
1
W. M. Purrington, expenses to Bos- ton as Water Committee, 8 00
W. M. Purrington, for Insurance on School House, 60 00
W. M. Purrington, Services as School Committee, 75 00
T. P. Larkin, Services as School Com., 75 00
Rev. John Pierpont, Services as School Committee, 75 00
F. W. Wells, Care of Hearse, 18 00
H. A. Bisbee, Constable, 18 20
M. H. Beals, Elector, 10 00
H. W. Hill, Clerk and Treasurer,
100 00
Recording Births, Mar-
riages and Deaths, 21 35
For Returns of Births and Deaths, 7 00
For Books, Postage, Expressage, etc., 36 67
Sundry Abatements of Taxes, 1900, 91 32
H. C. Smith, Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of Poor, 125 00
C. S. Damon, Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of Poor, 100 00
L. Molloy, Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of Poor, 100 00
-
$1,521 74
AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
Appropriation, $800 00
Bank Tax, 608 21
State Corporation Tax,
136 15
- 8-
District Court Fines, Use of Town Hall,
127 02
96 00
From State, for Inspection of Cattle, For Licenses,
14 10
9 00
Due from Guyott Case,
128 92
Appropriation recommended for 1902,
800 00
Bank Tax,
State Corporation Tax.
HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE EXPENSES.
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS.
C. S. Damon,
Willard Williams,
· H. W. Graves,
C. H. Church,
F. W. Wells,
F. L. Guilford,
E. G. Chapin,
E. P. Hemenway, F. A. Shumway,
Myron N. Adams.
PAID
C. S. Damon, team and labor, $ 85 43
H. W. Graves
33 20
F. W. Wells 66 73 76
E. G. Chapin
71 65
E. P. Hemenway, team and labor,
58 95
C. H. Church
117 62
Robert Bradley
79 00
F. A. Shumway
66
173 79
Willard Williams 66
43 00
F. L. Guilford
66
204 74
Myron N. Adams
66
9 02
G. M. Bradford
63 63
$1,790 48
$1,919 40
Rob Bradley,
-9-
George Thresher,
team and labor 36 55
C. A. Nichols
33 18
Mrs. Mari Wells
66
68 21
John O'Neil
16 87
Wm. H. Warner
26 25
Thos. Culver
16 00
F. C. Richards,
labor
2 10
Jesse Wells
3 25
Byron Loomis
6 45
E. S. Warner
2 12
Henry W. Warner
5 10
Harry Warner
10 13
Dennis O. Waite
10 25
Henry Loomis
1 50
John Welch
35 74
Wm. O'Brien
66
38 66
Richard O'Brien
3 00
Carl Weston 66
6 66
Frank Cowan
27 06
Charles Patch
3 00
P. J. Kelly
8 77
Henry Leonard
1 05
P. McGowen
16 52
E. L. Leonard
7 65
O. W. Nash
2 25
Geo. Brazell
11 10
Wm. Case
3 50
J. Vachelli
8 35
Frank Loomer
37 45
George Hill
66
6 00
A. Manvell
5 10
A. Selva
18 60
W. E. Pillinger
7 90
J. Cass
25 00
H. Dhamkie
66
19 64
Graves Brothers
16
2 50
J. P. Davenport
1 65
66
- 10-
J. Mangle labor 4 50
J. Minor
14 50
Michael Phillips 66
6 75
Nelson Demorest
15 75
Charles Cheney
4 50
H. H. Nichols
1 95
Charles E. Ti'eston
21 75
John Clapp
18 75
John Alvord
4 50
Geo. H. Bisbee
1 95
Jacob Symansky
29 20
J. I. Zasky
23 05
Wm. Zasky
4 50
A. E. Lawton
14 25
John Black
16 50
Robert Trainor 66
8 70
J. C. Mellen
4 50
W. L. Sanderson
5 35
A. P. Miller
7 25
F. B. Hosford 66
12 00
Howard Loomis 60
9 25
George Loomis
10 95
N. H. Damon
66
39 53
Wm. Crow 66
6 00
Robert Damon
5 40
L. Dolan
66
1 40
D. C. Wade
66
4 50
E. Kinney
2 75
John J. Keyes
8 78
F. Walpole
11 75
L. H. Cranson
4 50
L. C. Graves
6 50
James Loud
6 75
Samuel A. Clark
3 50
Oliver Everett
10 00
Samuel Gougon
2 70
J. Walter Nash for town plank
352 87
-11 -
H. N. Brewster & Co. for Akron tile 36 96
James Loud for 4 bridge stringers 20 00
F. A. Shumway for labor on same 12 00
" for 4 bridge stringers delivered 32 00
Francis Loomis for gravel
1 55
H. C. Nash ( 6
50
H. G. Hill
1 00
Harriet L. Nash
1 00
Metcalf & Sheehan for nails
67
Smith & Fay for hardware, etc. 2 87
State Treas., State highway repairs 57 00
J. Russell & Co. for iron for railing 7 09
The Haydenville Co. for labor 50
F. W. Thayer for hardware 3 16
E. T. Barrus & Co. for nails, etc. 7 53
Merrick & Howlett for nails, etc. 3 41
J. B. Rogers, land damage for State highw'y 200 00 Warren Foundry & Machine Co., iron pipe 303 67 A. D. Bridge for laying iron pipe and building temporary bridge 145 00
Collins & Norton for iron bridge on
Chesterfield road 245 00
J. Walter Nash, lumber for same 30 83
$275 83
EXPENSE BLASTING OUT LEDGE ON CHESTERFIELD ROAD.
J. Vachelli, labor 37 41
J. J. Keyes 47 11
S. W. Woodbury, blasting material 24 00
J. Handfield, labor 9 45
F. L. Guilford, labor and team 58 50
C. R. Damon
66
3 50
$179 97
-12-
EXTRA WORK ON CHESTERFIELD ROAD.
John J. Keyes, labor
19 94
P. J. Kelly
13 50
James Welch
23 06
John Black
4 33
Wm. O'Brien
10 50
Thos. Culver
and gravel
25 30
F. L. Guilford, team and labor
54 65
$151 28
REPAIRS ON TOOL HOUSE.
Merrick Lumber Co. 5 40
G. M. Bradford for lumber 36 00
Smith & Fay for hardware
6 06
C. W. Bradley, labor
17 91
Wm. H. Warner “
11 86
N. H. Damon 66
6 56
E. J. House, labor and paint
26 25
$110 04
$3692 26
AVAILABLE FOR HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE EXPENSE.
Appropriation $1400 00
Balance Street railway tax on hand 1656 17
Street railway corporation tax 1901 971 28
Street railway excise tax 1901 334 33
$4361 78
Appropriation recommended for 1902
$1400 00
PAUPER ACCOUNT.
Number of persons aided for the year ending February 1, 1902, 59 : 12 men, 17 women, 15 boys and 15 girls under 14 years of age. Now being aided, 5 men, 11 women, 5 boys and 4 girls.
-13 -
EXPENDITURES.
For Mrs. Henry C Thayer, $132 06
Mrs. Margaret Moakler,
136 44
Mrs. William Keating. 183 10
Mrs. F. Montgomery and Family,
48 00
Mrs. John A. Young 66
80 00
Mrs. Clara Westfield 66
30 00
Mrs. Evaline Trombley
42 00
Joseph Gerritt
20 00
Henry Balise
66
81 73
Thomas Dehy
66
120 00
Michael Fahey and family, North'n,
104 00
Frank Dumar and family, State,
6 00
Roxton Depot,
8 00
Daniel Murphy,
3 00
Mrs. Ellen Williams, hospital,
169 46
Miss Cora Tucker,
169 47
Miss Ellen O'Brien,
4 50
Miss Johanna Keating,
44 00
Miss Saloma Warner,
193 69
Edmond Fowler,
137 24
James H. Nichols,
133 69
James A. Wright,
12 36
Samuel Kingman,
15 75
George O. Sweet,
20 00
Four tramps,
1 35
$1,895 84
AVAILABLE FOR PAUPER ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$1,800 00
Due from Northampton, 66 State,
104 00
17 00
¥1,921 00 -
Appropriation recommended for 1902,
1,800 00
- 14 -
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
EXPENDITURES.
For Mrs. Margaret McGee, $130 44
Myron Ames, 62 00
$192 44
AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation, $200 00
Received from Mrs. McGee, 96 00
$296 00
Appropriation recommended for 1902, 150 00
STREET LIGHTS,
Williamsburg Village H. E. Wright, Committee
For lighting 50 lamps 121 nights 121 00
370 gallons oil 42 53
Chimneys, Lamps, Glass, Wicks, etc. 48 65
$212 18
Appropriation $225.
Haydenville, L. Molloy, Committee.
For lighting 49 lamps 132 nights 132 00
376 gallons oil
42 91
Chimneys, Lamps, Glass, Wicks, etc. 48 02
$222 93
Appropriation $225.
SPECIAL POLICE.
Paid Henry A. Bisbee
25 00
Paid Patrick J. O'Brien
50 00
Appropriation $100. $75 00
-15 -
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid Charles L. Hyde for watching fire 5 00
M. L. Snyder for fire hose 98 00
Williamsburg Fire Co .- 40 men 80 00
Haydenville Fire Co., 50 men, 100 00
J. J. Ball, for shingles, lumber and labor, 29 00
H. W. Sampson, labor, 1 50
E. T. Barrus & Co., sundries, 4 71
P. Crotty, drawing engine to fire, 1 00
Leon Graves, building fires, 3 15
C. R. Damon, for wood, 10 00
G. M. Bradford, for wood,
2 50
Geo. H. Ames, for hardware, 75
$335 61
Appropriation, $375 00
Received for rent of engine house hall,
1 00
$376 00
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid for speaker, music, etc., $50 00
Appropriation, 50 00
SPECIAL FOR ROAD MACHINES.
Paid A. B. Black for 2 Machines, $450 00
Appropriation, 450 00
SIDE WALK ACCOUNT.
Paid L. G. Stearns for new concrete walk and repair of old, $370 54 6 65
Wm. O'Brien, for labor,
George A. Thresher, for labor, 1 95
Frank Wells, for labor,
7 95
Mrs. Mari Wells, team and labor, 11 31
Henry A. Bisbee, for labor,
2 50
Lyman Parsons, 1 50
James H. O'Brién, 2 50
$404 90
-16 -
AVAILABLE FOR SIDEWALKS.
Appropriation, . Received from Abuttors, .
$350 00
90 69
$440 69
LIBRARY TRUSTEES' REPORT.
Received Town Appropriation,
$100 00
Balance from last year, 5 41
$105 41
Paid J. Lucas, for painting, $19 20
For Librarian's Book,
1 50
Librarian's salary,
20 00
S. E. Bridgman & Co., for books, 61 93
Balance Cash on hand,
2 78
$105 41
James H. O'Brien, Į John E. Bennett,
Trustees.
REVISED LIST OF JURORS, 1902.
M. L. Soruborger,
William H. Warner,
H. H. Nichols,
M. Cusick,
Philip Moran,
Thomas Dunphy,
Joseph S. Graves,
Alvin Lawrence,
F. A. Brooks,
T. L. Barrus,
D. B. Bradford,
Henry Leonard,
C. A. Phillips,
C. W. Bradley,
F. Walpole,
Michael E. Riley,
Patrick P. Dunphy,
Henry W. Hill,
Henry C. Nash,
Arthur D. Damon,
Michael J. Ryan, Jr.,
Frebun E. White,
Clinton L. Eddy,
George H. Warner,
- 17 -
Edwin F. Miller,
R. F. Burke,
Patrick J. Kelly,
S. A. Clark.
Respectfully submitted,
H. C. SMITH, C. S. DAMON, L. MOLLOY, Selectmen of Williamsburg.
WHITING STREET FUND.
The committee of the Whiting Street Fund respectfully submits this report for the year ending February 1st, 1902. Cash received from the Town Treasurer, $290, which has been distributed as follows:
William Navins, $10 00
Sylvanus Hubbard,
8 00
Whitney Hill,
8 00
E. G. Chapin,
6 00
Mrs. Jane Cowing,
8 00
16
Jennie Forsyth,
5 00
Maurice Conell,
8 00
J. Ellsworth,
7 00
Lewis Guilford,
8 00
66
M. Fenton,
5 00
Champion Brown,
6 00
T. Foran,
5 00
Edwin Everett,
8 00
66
C. Harlow,
7 00
16
William Mahar,
7 00
Ellen O' Brien,
7 00
66
Medad Hill,
5 00
Mary O'Neil,
6 00
Jennie Warner,
5 00
Frank Sharp,
6 00
- 18 -
Mrs. Charles Marks,
8 00
M. Macomber,
6 00
" Lyman Hitchcock, 6 00
Peter Shea,
5 00
Dorcas Chapman,
8 00
66
John McGowan, 8 00
Margaret Larkin,
8 00
Thomas Walpole,
8 00
66 Lampreau,
8 00
66
John Young,
8 00
Emily Ludden,
6 00
Alice Phillips,
6 00
John O'Brien,
6 00
E. W. Richardson,
5 00
Patrick Moakler,
6 00
66
Richard Farnsworth,
5 00
66
Mary Demorest,
6 00
Dewey Williams,
5 00
66 M. Damon,
5 00
Miss Ellen O'Brien, 10 00
66
Hattie Johnson,
6 00
Kittie Phillips,
5 00
Minnie Leonard,
5 00
Addie Alvord,
6 00
$290 00
BYRON LOOMIS, JOHN O'NEIL, MRS. A. J. HAWKS, Almoners Whiting Street Fund.
AUDITORS' CERTIFICATE.
WILLIAMSBURG, MASS., Feb. 12, 1902.
We, the undersigned, certify that we have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Town Treasurer and School Com- mittee, and find them correct and properly vouched for to the best of our knowledge and belief.
BYRON LOOMIS JOHN W. HILL.
-19-
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance from last report, $ 1,184 75
Received from temporary loans, 12,500 00
Taxes of 1901, 12,571 44
1900,
998 33
66 City of Northampton, 112 50
for temporary aid to State Poor, 31 42
schooling of State Wards, 165 50
City of Boston do. 258 50
Interest on deposits, 127 31
66
unpaid taxes, 10 88
Compensation of Inspector of
animals, 14 10
Burial of deceased soldiers, 35 00
Rent of Town Hall, 96 00
Sundry Licenses, 9 00
66
District Court Fines, 127 02
on account of State highway, 10 00
Income of Collins School Fund, 636 63
66
Mass. School Fund, 917 44
66 66
66 Whiting Street Fund, 290 00
66 Supt. of Schools Fund, 229 62 Refund of Dog Tax, 141 02
60
from State Corporation Tax, 136 15
66
National Bank Tax, 608 21
State and Military Aid, 784 00
Street Railway Tax, 971 28
66
Sale of old lumber, 5 15 " Flag stones, 5 75
Rent of Strang house, 48 00
66 Tool house, 6 00
Sidewalk Abuttors, 90 69
6 6
Mrs. McGee pension, 96 00
-$33,217 69
- 20 -
TREASURER'S STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES.
Total receipts,
$33,217 69
Paid State Tax,
$560 00
County Tax,
1,560 65
Temporary Loans,
11,000 00
Strang Note,
300 00
School Committee,
8,099 96
for support of Poor,
1,895 84
Highways and bridges,
3,692 26
Contingent account,
1,521 74
Street Lights,
435 11
Sidewalks,
404 90
Soldiers' Relief,
192 44
Road Machines,
450 00
Interest account,
292 62
Fire Department,
334 61
State Aid,
718 00
Special Police,
75 00
Memorial day committee, 50 00
Almoners of Whiting Street Fund,
290 00
Trustees of Haydenville Library,
100 00
District Court Fees, 14 55
Asa Goddard, account State Highway, 10 00
License fee to State Treasurer, 50
Balance, cash on hand,
1,219 51
-
$33,217 69
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Paid Bond & Goodwin interest on loan, 283 12
Haydenville Savings Bank on Strang note, 9 50
Received interest on Deposits,
127 31
unpaid taxes in 1900, 10 88
292 62
138 19
Balance, 154 43
Town appropriation, $250 00
- 21 -
COLLINS SCHOOL FUND.
Div. on 20 shares Northampton
National Bank Stock, $200 00
Div. on 20 shares Hampshire Co.
National Bank Stock, 80 00
Div. on 12 shares Mechanic National Bank Stock, 48 00
Div. on 21 shares First National
Bank of Northampton, 126 00
Div. on 21 shares First National Bank of Greenfield, 126 00
Interest at Haydenville S. B.
56 63
636 63
Paid School Committee,
636 63
SCHOOL ASSETS.
Town appropriation, $4,200 00
Supt. of Schools, 380 00
Text books and supplies,
350 00
General repairs,
250 00
Special
66
350 00
Tuition, 180 00
Received from State School Fund, 917 44
Income Collins School Fund, 636 63
Supt. of School Fund,
229 62
City of Boston,
258 50
State of Massachusetts, 165 50
Town of Whately, tuition, 12 00
Chesterfield, “
20 80
Amherst, 8 45
Refund of Dog Tax, 141 02
Paid on orders of School Committee,
$8,099 96 8,099 96
-22 -
TOWN ASSETS.
Remainder in Treasury, 1,219 51
Due on Taxes of 1901,
1,676 94
State Aid, 718 00
from City of Northampton, . 104 00
State, for aid to Poor, 6 00
on account of Cattle Inspector,
14 10
Guyotte case, 128 92
$3,867 47
TOWN LIABILITIES.
Due Haydenville Savings Bank, 1500 00
Due R. F. Burke, salary, 125 00
Balance Assets over Liabilities, 2242 47
$3,867 47
DOGS.
Whole number Licensed, 103.
Whole number of males, at $2, 102, 204 00
females, at 5, 1, 5 00
$209 00
· Clerk Fees,
. 20 60
Paid County Treasurer,
188 40
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY W. HILL, Treasurer.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Whole number of births recorded, 33
Whole number of marriages recorded, 23
Whole number of deaths recorded, 34
HENRY W. HILL,
Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
School Committee
- -OF THE-
TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURG
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1902.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg:
The fourth annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith submitted. It is the thirteenth since the office was established. The High School Course of Study and a School Calendar is appended, with the usual table of statistics, giving such information as is likely to be sought by parents and others interested in the schools. This table covers the school year from September, 1900, to June, 1901, thus conforming to the custom now uniform throughout the state.
Though still below the average for the state, this town has the past year improved the attendance nearly two and one-half per cent. Every school in town, with one excep- tion, has contributed to this increase. The teachers have been untiring in their efforts, and pupils have manifested commendable zeal in securing these results. In attendance · the Nash Street school continued to hold first rank, furnish -. ing one-fifth of its membership for the honor list. This list is unusually large, as several schools have shown an increas- ing interest in this feature of the report. The matter of tardiness and dismissal demands the most earnest solicitude. While there were fewer pupils enrolled, the number of cases has increased beyond any reasonable limit. Teacher and parent need to work together to secure regularity of attend- ance.
It will be observed that the number of schools is one less than previously reported. The closing of the South Street
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school has resulted not only in a financial saving to the town, but the transported pupils have been benefited to an untold degree. Not the least of these benefits is the inspiration which comes from the rivalry of classmates. There are still several small and thereby expensive schools. The "rural school problem" is one which attracts much attention these days, and occasions no little discussion. A report of a com- mittee of the New England Association of School Superin- tendents, after discussing this problem quite freely, concludes with these words: "Therefore, it is recommended that, unless extraordinary conditions prevent, all schools of an average attendance of eight pupils or less be closed ; that transportation, with state aid therefor, be furnished to pupils thus compelled to travel unreasonable distances ; and that the work be so arranged and the pupils so classified and graded as to minify the number of recitations per day usually obtaining in ungraded schools."
The year has been one fruitful of results following faithful, honest work. Not many new things have been attempted ; we have held rather to well established lines of work, and all our energies have been expended in the direc- tion of securing more satisfactory results within these limits.
Evening schools are coming to constitute a very im- portant part of every progressive school system. During the present winter, at Haydenville private enterprise has pro- vided evening school instruction in the elementary branches. We have a good percentage of young men and women who need this opportunity, and we ought to do all that is possible to bring the evening grammar school within convenient reach of the people. Many may get a start in an evening school that will prove to be of the utmost value in later life. This work deserves the sympathy and hearty. support of the people.
The law that requires the teaching of reading, writing and arithmetic, or what is commonly known as the "three r's," requires also that instruction shall be given in drawing. A new outline prepared by the State Board of Education has
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been placed in the hands of each teacher, many of whom are getting some really good work in this department of art. The chief aim and duty is to lead the children to see the beautiful around them, to help them to appreciate it and to encourage them to make for themselves a world beautiful in a world of facts. Color, form and arrangement are subjects on which much time can be spent and from which much can be learned. Expert supervision is now provided for the schools of Haydenville, through the beneficence of the Hyde and Sanders Fund. Miss Edith A. Barber, a teacher of experience and thorough training, who has charge of this work, is being well received by teachers and pupils. Atten- tion is being given to studies from nature, model and object drawing, design and some mechanical work.
The perfection of school organization, as I understand it, is reached when every pupil has a chance to do his best. A great want in many towns has been a goal to stimulate pupils and parents to improve all the opportunities within reach. Even though the pupil may never attain the goal, his own scholarship and mental habits are improved by the efforts inspired. The boys and girls of every community should thus be aroused to an exalted ambition. Every family has an interest in such a movement. Have you children in the primary or intermediate grades, or have you no children for any of the grades, you are interested because it cannot fail to give character to the community through the rising generation. The elementary schools are designed to prepare for high school a relatively small but important portion of the community, and to provide for all such training and in- struction as it is possible to give to children between the ages of five and fourteen years. During the year an arrangement has been perfected whereby pupils, when qualified, may be admitted into the High School, on trial, on the recommendation of teacher and superintendent. Application must be made in stated form, on blanks which will be furnished on request. They certify that the applicant is prepared to do high school work ; has completed the statute requirements in grammar school sub- jects ; and has (or has not) been successfully vaccinated, as
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