USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 6
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90 00
Donnohue & Henneberry,
5 25
The Springfield News Co.,
16 15
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn,
28 84
University Pub. Co.,
2 40
Rand, McNally & Co.,
42 00
S. E. Bridgman,
5 00
$488 30
MISCELLANEOUS.
H. W. Sampson, truant officer for 1897,
$15 00
Leon Terron,
2 00
Rand, McNally & Co.,
24 00
E. T. Barrus,
14 76
Nonotuck Silk Co.,
I 52
Donohue & Henneberry,
45 50
J. Lucas,
2 40
F. P. Crosby,
5 25
R. F. Burke,
50
Forbes & Wallace,
9 00
A G. Cone,
17 05
E. W. Goodhue,
20 32
Mrs. H. G. Chapman,
3 00
The Beale Press,
11 00
C. C. Connell,
11 00
A. C. Morton,
3 05
Bryant Printing Co., .
4 75
J. F. Wells,
6 35
40
John Leitch,
$ 1 75
W. M. Purrington,
[4 00
R. E. Edwards,
3 80
Edwin H. Banister,
I 80
S. F. Myers Co.,
20 85
Samuel Edwards, Sr.,
I 50
J. M. Williams,
30
F. E. Smith,
40
J. L. Hammett Co.,
3 00
L. R. Chew,
4 00
George Mongeon,
1 00
George Ames,
22 87
L. D. James,
20
Freight and Express,
26 46
Dewey Williams,
I OO
H. A. Bisbee,
2 50
Charles Clark, legal services
10 00
$311 88
SUPERINTENDENT.
E. W. Goodhue, month of Feb., 1897,
$37 08
March,
37 08
April,
37 08
May,
37 08
June,
37 08
Sept.,
36 82
Oct.,
36 82
Nov.,
66
36 82
Dec.,
36 82
Jan., 1898,
36 82
$369 50
OUTSTANDING BILLS.
Due E. W. Goodhue, July Ist, 1898,
$184 10
Teachers,
216 00
" Ginn & Co.,
18 00
" Alvin Shaw,
34 75
Respectfully submitted, FREDERICK P. CROSBY, Treas.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN, TREASURER,
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
AND
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Williamsburg
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1899.
1898
PRESS OF THE BRYANT PRINTING COMPANY FLORENCE, MASS.
REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN, TREASURER,
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR,
AND
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Williamsburg
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 1899.
PRESS OF THE BRYANT PRINTING COMPANY FLORENCE, MASS.
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 Library Trustee for three years, and to vote on the question, "Shall licences be granted for the sale of intoxicating 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 sum.
NINTH. - To choose a committee to expend the income of the Whiting Street Fund.
TENTH. - To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the maintaining of street lights.
2
3
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 see if the town will" purchase a"Chem- ical Engine for the Williamsburg Fire Company.
FOURTEENTH,-To see if the town will take any action in regard to purchasing settees for the Town Hall.
4
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
TREASURY RECEIPTS.
Balance from 1898,
$ 1,184 61
Received from City of Northampton, 3 69
Town of Conway, 50 65
" Chesterfield, 91 00
" Northboro,
127 94
Taxes current year, 12,853 48
" 1897,
885 54
Sidewalk abuttors,
171 00
Rent of Town Hall,
32 00
Licenses,
9 00
State Corporation tax, 184 00
National Bank 454 02
State Aid, 730 00
Military Aid, 90 00
Whiting Street Fund, 210 00
State for burial of soldiers, 70 00
Refund of dog tax, 133 59
Income of State Sch'l Fund, 394 43
Supt. of Schools Fund,
245 48
State for inspection of animals, 61 07
State for education of
children, 74 00
North Street Railway Co., 31 28
State for support of paupers, 5 43
Sale of old plank, 3 00
Income of Collins Fund, 602 21
District Court, 53 00
Temporary Loans, 8,155 18
State Highway Com., 6,570 16
23 89
5
Hampshire Reservoir Co., 5,375 58 Interest on deposits, 23 37 -$38,898 60
TREASURER'S STATEMENT.
Total receipts, $38,898 60
Paid state tax, $ 510 00
County tax, 1,809 99
Temporary loans, 7,500 00
Orders of School Com. for Schools, 6,941 25
" selectmen for poor acct., 2,392 50
66
" highways and
bridges,
2,507 70
Orders of selectmen for cont'g acct.,
1,506 91
",
" sidewalks, 587 91
" St. lights, 456 72
66
" Fire Dept., 258 59
" Interest Acct., 367 75
66
" Special Police, 95 00
" Rep'r Town H., 250 35
Memorial Day committee, 50 00
Alimoners of Whiting Street Fund, 210 00
State and Military Aid, 848 00
First Nat'l Bank of Newburyport, 10,606 74
Physicians' return of births, 10 75
Collins & Norton, for state highways and bridges, 1,139 00
Public Library, 100 00
State Treasurer for license fees, 25
Balance, Cash on hand, 749 19
$38,898 60
Respectfully submitted, HENRY W. HILL, Treasurer.
TOWN OFFICERS' REPORT.
To the Citizens of Williamsburg :
Your Selectmen, Treasurer, School and other Committees hereby present the report of their doings, for the year ending February 1st, 1899.
STATE HIGHWAY.
Your board of Selectmen have to report that our petition for a new layout of a section of State highway was accepted by the State highway commission and the same was con- tracted for and partly completed, and will be finished without doubt this season. The town has thusfar been to no expense in the matter except the payment of $100 to George Loomis for land damage.
The amount available of the appropriation for the contin- gent account is less than usual by more than $300 on account of the failure of the Hampshire County National Bank and the reduction of the capital stock of other banks, otherwise the receipts would have been sufficient to pay the expenses, including the payment for collection of taxes.
The highway and bridge account exceeds the appropriation on account of the expense of the new iron bridge and expenses connected therewith, on the Ashfield road, and $420 expense for widening the bridge near the woolen mill. By vote of the town this was left to be done at the discretion of the Select- men and we thought the public convenience demanded it, therefore we had it changed. We have heard no complaint thusfar, because of the alteration.
The pauper account exceeds the appropriation 272.50, which we deem to be a very fortunate state of things considering the situation of business in our town the past year.
6
The amount voted for street lights, $450 and the repairs on the Town Hall, $250, were paid from cash on hand last year, over and above liabilities, thus leaving the amount to be raised by taxation that much less.
Our town, especially the village of Williamsburg, during the past year, has had much done to improve the looks, both by the town, and public and private enterprise. Such kind of work pays for any place and is money well invested. Good roads, bridges and sidewalks are a credit to this or any town and ours will compare favorably with others in these respects.
With the present prospects for resumption of business in the Brass Shop in Haydenville we feel as did one of old, to " thank God and take courage."
CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
G. M. Bradford, bridge plank, $290 78
G. M. Bradford, wood for Town Hall, 5 00
Dewey Williams, care of hall and clean- ing snow from walk, 45 25
Lewis Miller, coal for hall,
6 12
W. S. Smith, ballot clerk, 5 00
A. Bailey, 5 00
R. F. Burke,
66
5 00
L. E. Coogan,
66
2 50
J. J. Morrissey, 66. 66
2 50
Byron Loomis, auditor,
2 50
P. W. Tarbox,
2 50
H. E. Bradford, registrar,
5 00
E. H. Miller,
5 00
C. A. Phillips,
5 00
H. W. Hill, 66
5 00
Graves Brothers, labor,
3 00
O. N. Ames, shoveling snow,
4 35
Bryant Printing Co.,
37 50
John Landy, repairing wall, 125 00
John Landy, repairing underpining to hall, 10 00
--
8
John C. Paige & Co., collector's bond, $ 15 00 A. B. Lee, repairing and new tinning town hall roof, 28 00
H. W. Sampson, mason work on hall, 11 50
J. M. Williams, new stove pipe,
T. P. Larkin, elector, 2 20
10 00
P. W. Tarbox, cleaning snow from walk, 2 00
J. J. Ball, labor on hall, 5 00
H. C. Smith, copying valuation, 10 00
L. D. James, supplies for hall, 2 13
T. M. Carter, supplies for hall, 1 95
Wm. J. Bray, distribution bills, 10 00
W. M. Purrington, insurance, 12 50
H. A. Bisbee, services as constable,
23 55
Books, postage, expressage, etc., 29 62
W. C. T. U., use of hall, 1 50
H. W. Hill, clerk and treasurer,
100 00
H. W. Hill, recording births, marriages and deaths, 27 50
Mrs. T. L. H. Weyant, school committee, 85 00
W. M. Purrington,
70 00
A. G. Cone,
75 00
Selectmen, assessors and overseers of poor, 300 00
District Court fees, 62 06
H. H. Nichols, cattle inspector, 50 40
- $1,506 91
AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
Appropriation, 800 00
National Bank tax,
454 02
State corporation tax,
184 00
District Court,
53 00
Rent of hall,
32 00
From State for inspection of cattle,
25 20
$1,548 22
9
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS :
John O'Neil,
Robert Damon,
H. W. Graves,
C. S. Damon,
C. W. Warner,
C. H. Church, E. P. Hemmenway,
D. E. Clary.
John O'Neil,
team and labor, $ 51 50
Robert Damon,
66 40
E. P. Hemmenway,
62 98
W. E. Pillinger,
137 24
C. W. Warner,
39 54
C. R. Damon,
66
48 75
C. H. Church,
61 99
H. L. & H. W. Graves, team, labor and material, 105 23
C. S. Damon, team, labor and material,
85 19
D. E. Clarey,
team and labor,
76 19
G. M. Bradford,
66
92 98
C. A. Nichols,
16 82
H. H. Nichols,
34 16
F. L. Guilford,
66
47 98
F. P. Shumway,
19 15
John Ice,
66
66
28 00
A. M. Shaw,
12 21
George Thresher,
12 95
L. H. Cranson,
14 40
C. W. Bradley,
66
33 00
John Phinney,
7 00
P. J. Kelly,
11 17
Thos. Dolan,
23 55
Lucinda K. Nash, team labor and material, 35 50
J. F. Clapp,
labor,
7 67
A. L. Waite,
"
1 35
W. L. Sanderson,
3 65
M. Dolan,
75
W. E. Pillinger,
10
Thomas Foran,
labor,
$ 75
J. S. Graves,
4 25
George Robinson,
1 25
L. Dolan,
66
75
Thomas Trainor,
83
Thomas Dehey,
1 35
William O'Brien,
5 25
J. W. Alvord,
66
3 00
George Cheney,
2 63
George Cook,
2 10
George Carroll,
1 20
Henry Waite,
1 20
A. Guyott,
32 25
R. Staab,
66
1 50
Orange Hill,
24 53
S. A. Clark,
‹‹
1 50
F. C. Richards,
2 99
F. Stray,
1 95
F. Truhart,
66
14 25
F. Washburn,
4 50
James Welsh,
11 25
M. N. Adams,
3 66
L. Dumphy,
4 50
A. E. Lawton,
1 12
Oliver Nash,
1 00
F. Cowan,
42 15
Robert Trainor,
46 20
O. N. Ames,
4 50
T. J. Brady,
6 00
John Connelly,
31 45
N. H. Damon,
17 25
Arthur Smith,
1 95
Richard O'Brien,
3 75
George Phillips,
75
L. Malloy,
2 70
H. Donsereaux,
2 70
A. Bailey,
6 00
J. J. Ball,
8 50
66
11
J. M. Rider,
labor,
$ 3 38
A. Tanner,
12 30
Arthur Damon,
75
C. L. Hyde,
75
O. H. Everett,
66
10 00
Dell Cranson,
66
2 10
J. Vachelli,
23 63
J. G. Miller,
"
90
H. Dhankie,
66
21 98
A. Nash,
66
2 75
F. Fournier,
16
4 50
J. C. Mellen,
66
4 50
D. B. Bradford,
75
D. Wade,
66
5 30
G. H. Bisbee,
66
7 55
C. E. Tileston,
66
5 30
E. H. Clarey,
1 13
C. A. L. Patch,
82
Charles Miller,
66
82
Watson Tucker,
3 00
E. F. Moakler,
1 35
Russell & Co., for hardware,
3 75
F. V. Woodbury, for powder, fuse, etc.,
8 35
A. B. Lee, drain tile,
19 42
E. T. Barrus, nails, etc.,
9 93
Paid for gravel,
3 60
Nonotuck Silk Co. for use of derrick,
25 50
John Handsfield, blacksmithing,
11 84
State Highway, freight, 23 89
State Highway, land damage,
100 00
Collins & Norton, Ashfield road bridge,
300 00
Collins & Norton, widening and repairs on bridge, 420 00
$2,507 70
24 00
J. Tedford,
3 75
R. Bradley,
12
AVAILABLE FOR HIGHWAY.
Appropriation, From State,
$1,400 00
23 89
From Street Railway Co.,
31 28
$1,454 17
Balance,
$1,053 53
Appropriation recommended for 1899,
$1,400 00
PAUPER ACCOUNT.
Number of poor aided for year ending Feb. 1, 1899, 59 : 13 men, 17 women, 18 boys and 11 girls under 14 years of age. Now being aided, 6 men, 12 women, 10 boys and 5 girls.
Miss Saloma Warner,
$130 38
Mrs. Oliver Grace,
152 96
Mrs. Margaret Moakler,
146 57
Mrs. William Keating,
96 00
Mrs. Winifred Phillips, at hospital,
143 92
Mrs. Ellen Williams, at hospital,
169 46
Miss Cora Tucker, at hospital,
169 47
Richard Keating, at hospital,
17 18
Mrs. Johanna Smith, Northampton,
17 95
Mrs. Edna Hunt, Conway,
62 00
Mrs. F. Montgomery and family,
132 04
Mrs. John A. Young and family,
207 13
Mrs. Martha Green and family,
21 72
Mrs. Howard W. Loomis and family,
27 86
N. Lampreau, deceased,
52 59
C. Truhart, decased, Northampton,
134 69
George T. Culver Chesterfield,
91 00
Peter Paul and family,
12 95
James W. O'Brien and family,
32 04
William Herrman and family,
30 00
Howard Witherell,
2 75
Edmond Fowler, 139 87
13
James H. Wright,
$137 67
James H. Nichols,
140 49
Truman Carlton, deceased,
107 36
Samuel Kingsman,
12 25
Twenty-one tramps,
5 70
-
$2,394 00
AVAILABLE FOR POOR.
Appropriation,
$1,800 00
From Northboro,
127 94
From Chesterfield,
91 00
From Conway,
62 00
From Northampton,
17 95
From State,
5 43
From Michael Keating,
17 18
$2,121 50
Balance,
$272 50
Appropriation recommended for 1899,
$1,800 00
SIDEWALKS.
WILLIAMSBURG VILLAGE.
Expense 330 yards concrete walk,
$258 84
Received from abuttors,
43 00
Appropriation,
$200 00
HAYDENVILLE.
Expense 479 yards concrete walks,
$329 07
Received from abuttors,
128 00
Due from abuttors,
16 72
$144 72
$184 35
$200 00
Appropriation
$215 84
14
STREET LIGHTS.
WILLIAMSBURG VILLAGE. H. E. Wright, Committee.
Lighting 50 lamps 124 nights,
$124 00
463 1/2 gallons oil, 46 35
Three lamps complete with posts,
19 83
Chimneys, glass, wicks, etc.,
25 27
Appropriation,
$241 27 $225 00
HAYDENVILLE. L. J. Malloy, Committee.
Lighting 45 lamps 120 nights, $119 75
239 1/2 gallons oil, 28 54
Chimneys, glass, wicks, etc., 33 82
Lighting, etc., Nov., Dec., and Jan., '97. '98, 58 16
Appropriation,
$215 45 $225 00
SPECIAL POLICE.
L. J. Malloy, 75 00
H. A. Bisbee, 20 00
$95 00
Appropriation,
100 00
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
H. A. Bisbee, labor, $ 2 74
H. H. Forsythe, watching fire, 1 50
T. J. Curry for Haydenville Department, $100 00 G. M. Bradford, 1/2 cord wood, 2 50
W. R. Damon, Williamsburg Department, 68 00
15
Henry K. Barnes, supplies for Williams- burg Department,
$71 75
F. W. Thayer, for supplies, 2 10
For watching fires at Longly's 5 00
For watching fires at John Alvord's
5 00
Appropriation,
$258 59
$300 00
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid H. A. Bisbee, Committee, $50 00
Appropriation, 50 00
REPAIRS AND PAINTING TOWN HALL.
John Lucas, $208 00
A. B. Lee, painting roof, 32 00
Joseph Hebert, for bill boards, 2 70
For door handles, sash fasteners, springs, etc., 7 65
Appropriation,
$250 35 $250 00
WHITING STREET FUND.
The committee of the Whiting Street Fund respectfully submits this report for the year ending February 1, 1899. Cash received from the Town Treasurer $210. which has been distributed as follows :
William Navin, $ 6 00
Master George Forsythe, 4 00
Mrs. R. R. Farnsworth, 6 00
16
Mrs. H. C. Thayer,
$5 00
" Lewis Guilford,
6 00
Champion Brown, 6 00
" Simeon Bartlett,
6 00
" Mary Everett,
6 00
" William Braziel,
5 00
Miss Hattie Johnson,
5 00
Mrs. Charles Marks,
6 00
" Hitchcock,
6 00
" Jennie Forsythe, 5 00
" Ludden,
6 00
" Dorcas Chapman,
6 00
Cowing, 6 00
5 00
Miss Minnie Leonard,
5 00
" Addie Alvord,
5 00
Mrs. M. Connell,
7 00
" John Ellsworth,
7 00
" M. Fenton,
5 00
" Thomas Foran,
5 00
" C. Harlow,
7 00
" Wm. Mahar,
7 00
" Mary O'Neil, 6 00
Francis Sharp,
6 00
" Charles Porter,
5 00
Macomber,
6 00
Walpole,
5 00
" M. Burke,
7 00
" Hugh McGee,
5 00
" A. Phillips,
6 00
" Margaret Larkin,
5 00
" P. Moakler,
5 00
" John O'Brien,
6 00
Miss Katherine Phillips.
5 00
$210 00
MISS J. L. BAKER, F. E. PORTER, J. H. O'BRIEN.
Almoners.
Johsua Crosby,
17
SCHOOL ASSETS.
Balance due from 1897,
$ 21 54
Town appropriation,
4,500 00
Income of Collins Fund,
602 21
" State School Fund,
394 43
" Superintendent Fund,
245 48
" " dog tax refunded,
133 59
Appropriation for books and supplies,
400 00
66
" repairs of school houses, 200 00
" superintendent,
370 00
Tuition of state children, 74 00
$6,941 25
Amount expended as per statement,
6,941 25
TOWN ASSETS.
Remainder in treasury,
$ 749 19
Due on taxes of 1897,
331 28
Interest due on same,
37,12
Taxes " of 1898,
449 74
Due from Town of Conway,
62 00
" Northampton,
17 95
Michael Keating,
17 18
on account of State Aid,
668 00
" Military Aid,
90 00
" inspection of cattle,
25 20
Balance liabilities over assets, 1,431 39
$3,879 05
TOWN LIABILITIES.
Due Haydenville Savings Bank,
$1,000 00
Trustees of Meekins Library,
1,200 00
" Forbes
524 00
Collins Fund,
$655 18
Jesse Wells, salary,
174 87
Henry A. Bisbee, salary,
125 00
First National Bank of Newburyport,
200 00
$3,879 05
18
ASSETS OF COLLINS SCHOOL FUND.
21 shares First Nat'l Bank of Greenfield.
21 66 " " Northampton.
21 Hampshire County National Bank.
20 Northampton National Bank.
21 Mechanics National Bank of Worcester.
$1,400 cash in Haydenville Savings Bank.
$655.18 loaned Town of Williamsburg with approval of Selectmen.
REVISED LIST OF JURORS.
O. J. Blinn,
H. H. Nichols,
S. Le Madoline,
A. W. Alexander,
E. P. Larkin,
E. H. Clary,
G. M. Bradford,
George A. Buck,
Elijah H. Luce,
Hiram G. Hill,
George H. Warner,
Edwin F. Miller,
Henry E. Wright,
Patrick J. Kelly,
John McCalman, Henry Welch, S. Edwards, Jr., Adelbert L. Waite,
Dorus B. Bradford, Lawrence Morissey, C. A. Phillips, Clesson W. Bradley,
Wm. H. Hosford,
N. H. Damon, M. Cusick, William H. Warner, R. F. Burke, Frank C. Graves.
Respectfully submitted,
H. C. SMITH, Selectmen of JOHN O'NEIL, C. S. DAMON, Williamsburg.
WILLIAMSBURG, MASS., Feb., 15. 1899.
We the undersigned, certify that we have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Town Treasurer, and School Committee, and find them correct, and properly vouched for to the best of our knowledge and belief.
BYRON LOOMIS, JOHN W. HILL, S Auditors.
19
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Paid Haydenville Savings Bank,
$127 24
Trustees of Forbes Library,
40 86
Estate of Samuel House,
39 37
First National Bank,
104 63
Collins School Fund,
19 65
Trustees of Meekins Library,
36 00
Available for interest Account,
$367 75
Town appropriation,
300 00
Received for interest on deposits,
23 37
$323 37
Overdrawn,
$44 38
DOGS.
Whole number licensed,
102
Whole number males at $2.00,
101
$202 00
Whole number females, at $5.00,
1
5 00
$207 00
Clerk's fees,
20 40
Paid County Treasurer,
186 60
VITAL STATISTICS OF THE TOWN OF WILLIAMS- BURG FOR THE YEAR 1898.
MARRIAGES RECORDED.
Whole number,
17
Males,
25
Females,
17
Whole number,
42
DEATHS RECORDED.
Males,
10
Females,
14
Whole number,
24
HENRY W. HILL, Town Clerk.
BIRTHS RECORDED.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WILLIAMSBURG
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1899
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For the Financial Year Ending March 1, 1899.
To the Citizens of Williamsburg:
We herewith respectfully submit our annual report for the financial year ending March 1, 1899. It includes the report of the Superintendent of Schools, Music and Truant Officers.
Your committee wishes to thank the town for the liberal appropriations and support for the year now drawing to a close. We have endeavored to keep expenses as low as pos- sible, without injury to the schools, hoping that we could have forty weeks of school, and it is with regret that we had to close with thirty-eight. A comparison of funds at our disposal in 1897 and 1898 shows that this year we had $1,036 more than in 1897. Of this amount $265 was expended in paying last year's bills. Our teachers have received $997 more this year than in 1897, and our pupils have had six weeks more of schooling.
HAYDENVILLE.
Due to lack of room, we were obliged to place two of the Grammar grades in the High School room. This necessi- tated either an assistant teacher or uniting the graduating class at Williamsburg. The latter was attempted, with this result: That either the pupils would lose the remainder of the school course or allow them to return. Thus an assistant teacher had to be obtained.
22
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We believe our schools are doing good work and compare favorably, grade for grade, with those of other towns in the state.
Several complaints were made from the middle room at Williamsburg during the fall. The complaint was promptly investigated, and some stringent measure adopted, with the result that the pupils are doing good work, and are well on the course.
REPAIRS.
The school buildings at Skinnersville and Maple Street have received a much needed coat of paint. Most of the buildings are in good shape. Sheds are needed at all of the out districts for wood and other necessities, and it is the plan of your committee to build one each succeeding year until each school has a shed.
The stoves at the central building at Haydenville are in bad shape. Some sort of heating apparatus will have to be put in before another fall. Your committee have carefully examined the rooms, and advise replacing the stoves with a hot-air furnace. This will not only supply sufficient heat, but good fresh air -a very desirable feature. The estimated cost will be about $350.
The following appropriations for the ensuing year are recommended :
Schools,
$3,500 00
Superintendent,
380 00
Text Books,
350 00
Repairs,
200 00
Heating Apparatus,
350 00
ALFRED G. CONE, T. L. H. WEYANT, WM. PURRINGTON.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg:
In compliance with the requirements of your regulations, we herewith present for your consideration our first annual report. It is the tenth of this department under district supervision. We entered upon the duties of the office July 1, 1898, and as the term of service has been short, the report must necessarily deal more with conditions as observed than with any account of results attained.
The distribution of time by the joint board has required a slight increase in the amount bestowed upon your schools. The allotment has been essentially followed. A careful record of all visits, and of the work done, has been kept. It is always open for inspection. In the visits we have endeav- ored to observe carefully the methods of each teacher; to examine the work done, or expected to be done, by the pupil; to justly estimate the general and special results secured, and to note the failure to secure the expected or desired results. Only by a thorough understanding of the work each teacher is doing can a superintendent have that knowl- edge which will enable him to be most helpful to the teacher; and only by a just and generous appreciation of the faithful and conscientious work done by both teacher and pupil can he come into those cordial and sympathetic relations with the schools which are among the most helpful and inspiring influences in the school room. The register is examined and absences noted. When these absences are frequent inquiry is made and an explanation is asked for. The discipline is observed, suggestions in regard to school management and attendance are made, and attention is called to approved methods of teaching and to how the teaching may be most effective.
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In the conduct of the schools we have tried to utilize what- ever of good there may be in material, means and method, and while avoiding startling changes, to work gradually towards a high and uniform standard. In this way it is hoped even radical reforms may be wrought while steady advancement is made. Other changes will be suggested as occasion may require and experience demonstrate their use- fulness. Real progress in education is of slow growth, and time is a very important factor. Statistics can indicate only partially the quantity of work done. The quality of the instruction given, the influences that are moulding the minds and characters of the children, can best be learned by personal observation. Parents should visit the schools often. A great hindrance in the way of making our schools what they ought to be is a want of rational and definite informa- tion on the part of the many of their aim, their conditions, and their needs. An intimate acquaintance with the schools would beget a sympathy which would be a potent factor for the best good of all. Irregularity of attendance, the great drawback to the progress of the schools, would diminish, and improvements in many ways be manifested. Even moder- ate success is hardly possible unless a good attendance is secured. If all the pupils entitled to be enrolled were punc- tual in attendance, results would convince the parents that such patronage pays. And here we would leave one thought with the parents. The school system is the largest business enterprise of the town. You have more than four hundred pupils, each of whom is to be considered as a worker build- ing up his own education. As in any other business, the work can only be carried on successfully under suitable conditions. To be successful, the school work should be considered the vocation of the pupil during the years of school life. Too often every other interest absorbs the atten- tion, and then, if any time and strength be left, it may be given to school. Much may be done by school officers towards achieving success, but if parents and children neglect the opportunities afforded, results must be unsatis- factory.
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