USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 17
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sundries, 16 19
H. S. Leonard, services Selectman, etc, 100 00 Charles S. Damon, 66 100 00
H. C. Pomeroy, services tree warden, 30 00 H. W. Hill, 66 Town Clerk
and Treasurer, 125 00
A. S. Hills, services School Committee, 85 00 Emil H. Miller, 75 00 66
Saml. J. Edwards, Special Police, 70 00
R. F. Burke, sundry abatements 1903 taxes, 59 61
R. F. Burke, salary tax collector " 125 00
Moses H. Beals, services as Elector, 10 00
H. H. Nichols, Inspector of cattle, 27 00 66 veal, 10 00
H. W. Hill, recording births, deaths and marriages, 23 20
10 00
H. W. Hill, copying valuation book, 66 express and postage, 8 15
$1,391 45
20
AVAILABLE FOR CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$800 00
National Bank tax,
687 68
Corporation 66
135 70
Rent of Town Hall,
69 50
Compensation of Inspector of animals,
21 02
Sundry licenses and articles sold,
10 50
$1,724 40
Appropriation recommended,
$800 00
and State Corporation and Bank Tax.
PAUPER ACCOUNT.
EXPENDITURES.
For Ellen O'Brien,
$ 183 00
James H. Nichols,
135 05
Thomas Dehey,
120 00
Edmund Fowler,
135 05
James A. Wright,
136 47
Mrs. Mary Thayer,
142 80
William Navin,
145 05
George Cheney's family,
22 02
Salome Warner,
130 88
C. A. Damon,
37 84
Johanna Keating,
48 00
Mrs. Lottie M. French,
24 86
$1,261 02
AVAILABLE FOR PAUPER ACCOUNT.
Appropriation,
$1,450 00
E. Fowler's account,
91 76
Appropriation recommended,
$1,200
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
Paid Myron Ames, $ 90 00
Mrs. Margaret McGee,
75 94
Mrs. Emily Hill,
177 01
$ 342 95
-
$1,541 76
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AMOUNT AVAILABLE.
Appropriation,
$ 200 00
Received from Mrs. McGee, 24 00
66 66 Mrs. Hill, 96 00
$ 320 00
Appropriation recommended, $225.00
. FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Paid D. T. Clark, expenses for chemical engine, $ 7 30
M. L. Snyder, bill of fire hose, 409 89
Williamsburg Fire Co., 40 men, 80 00
Haydenville 66 50 "
100 00
Metcalf & Sheehan, stone for engine house, 4 95
Byron Loomis, wood for engine house, 2 75
D. T. Clark, hydrant, valves, etc., 34 10
C. R. Damon, wood,
6 45
For testing hydrants, 4 40
Fred Warner, labor on engine house, 1 00
$ 650 84
Appropriation, $650 00
ALMONERS OF WHITING STREET FUND.
Amount received, $ 230 00
Paid 46 beneficiaries, $5 each, 230 00
Respectfully submitted,
JENNIE L. BAKER, EDWARD T. BARRUS, Almoners.
MICHAEL E. RILEY,
SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
Received of H. W. Hill, Town Treasurer, $1,000 00
Deposited in Haydenville Savings Bank, 1,000 00
Respectfully submitted,
C. J. HILLS,
BYRON LOOMIS, Commissioners.
W. M. PURRINGTON, )
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LIST OF JURORS NOMINATED BY SELECTMEN.
John W. Hill,
Edwin F. Miller,
Fred C. Miller,
Alvin Lawrence,
Clesson W. Bradley,
Walter H. Leonard,
Frank L. Bisbee,
Edward L. Sheehan, Michael Cusick, Patrick J. Kelley, John Connell,
John A. Breckenridge,
Frank W. Wells, Thomas Coogan,
Don J. Dean,
Clarence D. Loomis,
Philip Mansfield,
Richard J. O'Neil,
Prescott W. Richards,
George E. Tennyson,
William H. Warner,
John Linehan,
Charles L. Hyde,
Hubert A. Smith,
Philip Moran,
Roderick D. Ames.
Respectfully submitted,
Silas Snow, Michael Shea,
LAWRENCE MOLLOY, CHARLES S. DAMON, HENRY S. LEONARD,
Selectmen of Williamsburg.
Report of Street Lighting Committee.
Town appropriation for street lights, $1,030 00 1,041 85
Paid Mill River Electric Lighting Co.,
This payment was made on a contract with the Electric Lighting Co., which provided that the Company should remove the two lamps located near the residence of Frank Cowing and the late L. W. Carr, and place one new lamp near the railroad station in Haydenville and one near the silk mill.
The number of lamps thus agreed upon was seventy- eight (the arc light counting as five) which the company agreed to light from dark until eleven o'clock each evening when there was no moon.
The town to furnish lamps and renewals as specified in the terms of the franchise given to the said company when the poles were erected. During the two years that the elec- tric lights have been in operation 250 lamps have been required (including those now in use), and a bill is now pre- sented for lamps amounting to $164.70.
From this amount the company have offered to discount fifteen dollars for the possible damage to the lamps caused by too high a voltage at the starting of the plant.
Provision should be made for the payment of this bill, and for the purchase of lamps for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted, J. W. HILL,
1 Street Light
WILBUR PURRINGTON, S Committee,
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Rec'd from Town Treasurer on town note, $ 2,500 00
Rec'd from Town Treasurer, sale of Water Bonds, 52,240 58
Rec'd from interest on deposits,
, 535 21
Rec'd from A. S. Hills, for labor and use of tools, , 39 60
Rec'd from the Haydenville Co., do., V 57 68 66 66 sale of iron pipe, v348 06
Rec'd from sale of sundries to Hay- denville Co., V 28 18
Rec'd for water rents to Feb. 17, 1905, ¥ 880 39
Rec'd for water rents, hydrants and watering tanks, ¥ 800 00
Rec'd for service connections, V 862 97
Rec'd from Town Treasurer in pay- ment of loan and interest, : 2,017 50
Rec'd from C. B. Hosford, labor, 1 15
66
P. O'Brien, use sewer pump,
75
-- $60,312 07
EXPENDITURES.
Paid Charles Millar & Son Co. for iron pipe and specials, $21,646 20
Paid E. C. & E. E. Davis, engin- eering and inspecting, 2,237 16
Paid A. B. King & Co., printing bonds,
59 00
H. S. Gere & Sons, advertising,
4 10
C. J. Hills, expenses to Utica, 26 39
Paid Haydenville Sav. Bank, borrowed
money and interest,
2,507 64
Paid Harold L. Bond, for jute, 49 12
25
Paid Norwood Engin'g Co., hydrants, $1,107 93
66 gates and fixtures, 228 38
66
service boxes, 53 20
66 sundries, 53 06
Paid C. R. Damon, land and water rights, 425 00 Oscar Lilly, inspecting, 297 00
C. R. Damon, sundries, 1 97 66 66 drawing pipe, 21 26
Bingham & Taylor, curb boxes,
100 61
Geo. Thresher, land for intake dam,
200 00
66 66 care of reservoirs, 37 00
66 labor, 10 75
A. F. Holmes, 66
823 38
66
66 sundries, 2 77
L. K. Deane, service as inspector,
382 50
E. A. Warner, labor and material,
367 34
Foster Bros., padlock,
35
Byron Loomis, livery and trucking, 15 50
A. C. Matthews, rack, 11 51
J. A. Sullivan, ice chisel,
2 50
F. W. Warner, labor and material,
42 02
Metcalf & Sheehan, stove and pipe for shanty, 7 85
Metcalf & Sheehan, sundries, 5 44
Envelopes, 1 07
J. J. Handfield, blacksmithing, 11 25
C. T. Bagnall, tariff pamphlets, 10 69
James L. Tighe, engineering services, 55 00 Howard C. Pomeroy, labor with team, 4 95 National Meter Co., 20 80
F. A. Brooks, carting pipe, 66 66 sundries,
11 50
16 00
J. W. Hill, labor, 34 04 66 66 postage and stationery, 3 28
Building fence, lower reservoir, 21 65
H. C. Smith, sundry expenses, 10 38
Town, extra work on highway caused by trenches, 50 00
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Paid H. W. Hill, Treas., water rents, $1,680 39
accrued interest on bonds, 142 58
66 salary of H. C, Smith, 50 00 Loan, anticipation taxes, 2,000 00 N. Y., N.H. & H. R. Co., supervision, 4 95
Catherine Molloy, care danger lights, 2 50
Sumner & Goodwin, sewer pump, 52 92
C. S. Damon, labor on trenches, 23 52
Larkin Bros., lanterns, oil, etc., 8 62
Northampton Water Works, material, 10 35
Kingsbury Box Co., printing, 2 50
Holyoke Lead Pipe Co., lead pipe, 21 32
W. H. Warner, labor with team, 7 90
C. W. Warner, 66
4 12
Bisbee Bros., oil, 45
F. A. Shumway, labor with team, 4 00
J. Walter Nash, 66 66
7 95
George L. Damon, team, 3 50
O. L. Davis, labor, 1 75
G. M. Bradford, chestnut lumber, 3 80
W. A. Metcalf, labor, 2 00
S. E. Bridgman & Co., binding Plans, 4 75
Estate Jacob Hills, Akron pipe, 86
Gazette Printing Co., printing, 4 50
L. H. Longley, Tr., repairs on church, 1 43
Bessie M. Langdon, bookkeeper, 3 75
Bassett & Shaw, fees in Potter case, 134 90
J. Vaughn, lead, 65 38
J. B. O'Donnell, to settle Potter case, 220 29 Jehiel Vaughn, 13,090 00
The Haydenville Co., valves, plumb-
ing material, supplies, etc., 2,805 85
Acc't of work done at Haydenville, 3,415 20
Freight and sundry expenses, 21 30
Balance cash on hand, 5,531 20 - -- $60,312 07
A. S. HILLS, J. W. HILL, F. A. BROOKS,
Water Commissioners.
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES,
For the Year Ending February 1st, 1905.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Balance on hand from last year,
$ 1 95
Town appropriation, 100 00
Total, $101 95
C. A. Phillips, Librarian, $20 00
T. H. Ives, Asst. 5 00
Gazette Printing Co., book labels,
4 00
Metcalf & Sheehan, curtains,
4 75
G. M. Bradford, wood,
3 50
Donald Purrington, throwing in wood, 25
W. M. Purrington, insurance, 8 39
Balch Bros. & Co., 13th vol. Stoddard's lec- tures, 3 00
Miscellaneous, car fare, paper, stamps, cleaning library, electric lamp, fuse plugs, Brooks' express, magazines, etc., 6 30
S. E. Bridgman & Co., Haydenville News
Co., and others for books, 45 50
Balance on hand, 1 26
Total, $101 95
Haydenville, Mass., Feb. 12, 1905.
The trustees of the Haydenville Public Library present herewith the sixth annual report of that institution, and we are glad to state that the year has been a useful one, and that our books and magazines have reached nearly every family in the village, besides furnishing reading to many transient visitors.
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The library building has been opened weekly during the past year for the distribution of books, except one month when it was closed during a small epidemic of scarlet fever and afterwards the books were fumigated before going into circulation again.
The librarian and his assistant are kept very busy each evening the building is open, selecting and charging the books taken. Over 5,000 volumes are annually drawn from the library, thus showing what a large amount of good is being done by our small library and how eagerly the books are looked for as the new ones are added from time to time.
During the past two years we have made it a rule to buy what books we could afford as they come out from month to month instead of buying in one lot at the close of the year as formerly, and have found this the more acceptable way, both to our patrons and ourselves in the ease of pre- paring them for circulation.
Besides the purchase of over 75 volumes during the past year, we have received gifts of nearly 25 other volumes from Mrs. Charles Francis, and other volumes of public docu- ments from the Hon. T. P. Larkin.
Both the trustees, librarian and others connected with the library feel that it is doing a good work in our village, and has provided a valuable adjunct to the best modern progress, not only that it is used so widely, but that great pains are used in the selection of the books entered on our shelves, so that none can receive harm from the books taken from our library.
Quite a number of our patrons have inquired if there was a telephone in the library, or any intention of installing one, and in answer to this we will say that if enough peo- ple wish it, we will have one put in another year.
The library building is now in very good shape, and with a few small repairs the coming year, will remain so for some time to come.
T. J. COOGAN, A. R. THATCHER,
Trustees.
Report of School Committee.
For the Year Ending February 1st, 1905.
To the Citizens of Williamsburg :
The following Annual Report of the School Committee includes reports of Superintendent, Music Teacher, Treas- urer, and Truant Officers, and is respectfully submitted for your consideration.
The High Schools (ninth grade and above) have been in session forty (40) weeks, all others thirty-six (36) weeks.
The South Street School has been kept open on petition of the citizens of that district.
Nineteen pupils from Haydenville are attending the High School in Williamsburg for whom we are paying transpor- tation.
We have been fortunate in securing competent teachers who are doing excellent work, and we would be pleased to pay them higher salaries if our resources would permit. Smaller towns are able to pay more certain years owing to a larger percentage of income from State aid.
We are pleased to report a balance on hand this year instead of a deficit, and all bills paid to date. Citizens will note, however, the increased cost of running the schools. Expenditures have been kept down as low as possible. Strict oversight has been given every item of outlay. No advances in teacher's wages have been granted until after
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careful consideration as to their worth and capability. Increased cost of materials, supplies, repairs, etc .; higher wages for workmen together with shorter hours per work- ing day, etc., etc., all tend to swell the total. The sums received from the State and other sources of income were larger than last year, and aided us to the extent of $200. There is no certainty, however, of this being so every year. There is a good balance available for Haydenville schools (3rd district) from Hyde and Sanders Funds. This will enable the Committee to employ competent teacher in drawing and design for coming year, provided no other cause for its expenditure seems more profitable.
Our Town can never lower its costs very much owing to the many districts. We have sixteen schoolrooms against eight, ten and twelve in other towns of same size and valu- ation more compactly built. Maintenance of the larger number is a heavy handicap to us. To transport the pupils to the Center cannot be done as there are no accommoda- tions for them there. It might pay the town later to erect a larger building in the center, and transport all scholars from outlying districts. This would bring about a large saving on teachers, fuel, etc., and we would have schools better graded, taught and superintended.
The Committee suggest a careful reading of the Superin- tendent's report and a thoughtful consideration of suggest- ions made, especially regarding new High School building.
REPAIRS.
Williamsburg Center School .- We have put town water for drinking purposes into the building, have painted the Intermediate Room, and made other slight repairs.
Searsville School has been painted inside, also the wood- work outside.
North Street School .- We have repaired brick work, patched the roof and ceiling, and also have painted the in- side, This building will have to be re-shingled the coming year, and should be newly plastered.
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Nash Street School has been painted inside.
Skinnerville School has been painted outside, and slight repairs have been made.
Haydenville Center School .- A new floor has been laid in the Grammar Room, and a storeroom for supplies was made in the basement. The roof and foundation have been painted. Complaint has been made that the light in the Third Primary Room is insufficient, and something should be done to improve this. There should be new window sash put in Grammar and High School Rooms.
Mountain Street School has had repairs made on roof and ceiling, and Myrtle Street School has had roof and founda- tion repaired.
We recommend the following appropriations for the year 1905-6 :
Teachers,
$4,300 00
375 00
Superintendent,
450 00
Text-books and supplies, Repairs, Tuition,
300 00
275 00
$5,700 00
ALBERT S. HILLS, EMIL H. MILLER, FRANK T. DUNLEAVY.
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg :
GENTLEMEN :- The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith presented for your consideration. The present custom of reporting to the State for the year ending September 1st has the effect of making the statisti- cal portion somewhat ancient history, with this exception, the report will have reference to the year ending in Febru- ary. The schools, with the exception of the high schools, have been in session thirty-six weeks during the past year. Twenty-six different teachers have been employed and three transfers made. It is unfortunate that conditions have made necessary the changing of teachers so frequently as it is conceded that this cannot be done without some injury to the pupils. In general, it may be said that the sohools have been good and profitable and, in some ways, the present conditions are more satisfactory. The unfortu- nate prevalence of epidemics at the beginning of the year greatly interfered with attendance, making it necessary to close several schools for a time. The conscientious and sys- tematic work of the teachers is worthy of commendation, and we have been very fortunate in securing and retaining the services of so many excellent instructors under existing circumstances. The village schools are in a satisfactory condition so far as attendance, character of work done and discipline are concerned. The out schools have maintained a good standing, with very few exceptions, and the results obtained are better than in some previous years. Consider-
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ing the adverse circumstances often met with in these neighborhoods :- low rate of wages; difficulty in securing board convenient to the houses, even the unwillingness to board a teacher at all, sometimes shown ; location; condi- tions of roads, etc., we have been extremely fortunate in securing teachers of more than average ability for them. The adding to the number of our pupils of many children with foreign parentage, together with so many state and city wards, has greatly increased the labor of the teachers, and made necessary much unusual and extra work.
There has been very little trouble in the matter of disci- pline ; representatives of the State Board of Education and other competent judges visiting our schools, have expressed themselves as greatly pleased with the conditions in this respect. We have received visits from three agents of the Board, two of whom have complimented us on our schools, the report of the third, while strongly condemnatory, had reference more particularly to certain courses of study and the work done with them.
Decided improvement in several branches of study is evident, our pupils are becoming better readers, writers and spellers, because the teachers have been impressed more and more with the importance of a thorough knowledge of these studies. The continued use of selections and gems from our best authors has led to a greater appreciation of good literature, and carefulness in the use of language which is apparent not only in the schoolroom, but in many cases in the home and on the street.
There is a marked decrease in the number of truants, very few cases of genuine truancy are now reported. The aggressive and determined policy adopted by our truant officers has produced most gratifying results.
Instruction in morals and manners is receiving attention and it is pleasing to note the respect usually shown teachers and others in the schoolroom and on the street. While there is opportunity for much improvement along these lines, yet the seeming lack of it should not be charged to the teachers, as it is impossible for them to overcome in the
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few hours of the session, the effects of those immoral influ- ences to which many are exposed for a great part of the time. We find certain men with whom these pupils asso- ciate, who seem utterly indifferent as to the character of language used in their presence, or examples presented them. If citizens would co-operate with the schools in this matter by suppressing some of the indecent, profane and obscene language too often heard upon the streets, and the parents by keeping children off the streets at improper hours, a much more desirable state of affairs would soon result.
Our high schools have been successful and well attended, when we consider the present disadvantageous arrangement under which they exist, it is remarkable that such excellent results are secured. The interest shown by the pupils in their studies, and their loyalty to school and teacher is com- mendable in a high degree. The removal of some disturb- ing elements from the schools during the year has resulted in greatly improving the standing of at least one class. The excellent reports received from former pupils now attend- ing more advanced educational institutions is evidence of the good work done with us. The present corps of teachers is efficient, faithful and painstaking, and has secured the respect and good-will of all.
A class of four was graduated from the Williamsburg High School June 30, 1904, the exercises held in the Town Hall were of high literary and musical merit. Nineteen pupils are now attending the school from Haydenville, four are having tuition paid by the town in Northampton High >School. Our courses of study have been revised to a con- siderable extent and must be still further. It is a just crit- icism that we make them for the needs of the few, and even have in mind these few when we engage our instructors, expecting they will devote a large part of their time and energies to them while the great majority is left to get about what it can. It is manifestly wrong that we consider a classical course as the most important. By far the greater number of our girls and boys are preparing to enter
35
upon practical business lives where such instruction as the classical course affords will be of little value to them. J. W. Macdonald, Agent of the State Board of Education, in his.report for 1903 says, "The opinion is strong among thinking people, that the general pupil in the high school . should receive instruction that will make him in some measure acquainted with the things that are under his feet and over his head and around him; that will teach him the universe in which he lives is a universe governed every- where and in every detail by laws ; that will inform him how to take advantage of these laws, to do his will, and improve his conditions ; that will give him a vision, at least, of the æsthetic side of life, and of the moral founda- tions of society, and thus fit him for the intelligent dis- charge of his duties as a neighbor and a citizen; and lastly, that will train him to do things, in order that his equip- ment for earning an honest living may be increased." To the pupil looking for this it is probable that the study of Latin and Greek serves rather to uneducate than to educate him. Our course must contain much more of science and business just as soon as we can be furnished with proper conditions for the teaching of them.
The instruction in vocal music has been in charge of Miss Mary V. Kiley during the entire year. It is evident that good progress has been made and the results obtained are proof of the excellence of the system employed and the faithfulness of the instruction given. A special report of the teacher will be found following this. It is greatly to be regretted that a teacher of drawing could not be secured as the study of this subject is of great value to all grades, and it is hoped that the work can be resumed soon.
There are many things still needed to make the surround- ings of our pupils accord with twentieth century ideas. It is just as well to acknowledge that, as more is demanded by the public in social and national life, so more is demanded by the people, teachers, and pupils in school life. They are not content to march alone in the rear, and
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uncomplainingly accept conditions no better than were afforded their predecessors of generations past.
Some of these things are suitably heated, lighted and ventilated rooms with modern desks, seats and appliances necessary to comfort and health, adequate room for play- grounds, and sufficient and proper arrangements for clos- ets, lavatories, etc., to meet the demands of decency and sanitation. That there has been great improvement on the conditions existing but a few years ago is true, but are they equal to those made in the home and in public build- ings generally ? It is imperative that we carefully consider the present status of our educational interests and accept the conclusions of wise and competent judges. Prominent educators for a long time have considered it vastly unfair to the rising generation, and dangerous to the Common- wealth that so many citizens should be content to place children under the care and tuition of persons unfit to teach, because of false ideas of economy. It is well known that no interest is more vital to the prosperity of the Com- monwealth than the education of the young, yet there are too many demanding the most modern of everything in their business and homes who permit their children to receive instruction from incompetent teachers, surrounded by inconvenient and health-threatening environments. During the critical time of life when the body is undergo- ing processes of development, and easily susceptible to permanent injury they are often compelled to work for weeks and months at a time with insufficient light, back- breaking seats and sanitary conditions which are pretty near a disgrace to civilization.
The State, in great measure, has come to agree with these educators, and after numerous suggestions and admoni- tions, generally unheeded, has legislated in many matters. First, it has so generously increased the amount of money given the smaller towns as to take away, in great measure, the excuse of lack of funds, and it now wishes to see some appreciation of this gift manifested by the recipients in an
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increased willingness to give up methods long condemned, and a desire to conform as far as possible to its policy.
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