USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1911-1915 > Part 22
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Library-Trustees ask for $1,450.00.
This covers the usual appropriation of $1,000.00 together with $450.00 for insurance. We recommend that the amount asked for be voted.
Highways and Bridges-Highway Surveyor asks for $5,000.00.
There is an overdraft of $788.72 on the year 1913. We recom- mend that $4,500.00 be appropriated to cover the deficit and provide for necessary repairs.
Gypsy Moth-We recommend that $1,764.16, the amount of
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the Town liability under the State law (same being 1-25 of 1 per cent. of total valuation of preceding year), be appropriated.
Board of Health-Board asks for $1,150.00
The above includes $150.00 for animal inspection which prop- erly comes in this department. It is estimated that the expenses of this work as far as can be foreseen, will be materially less the coming year. We recommend that $1,050.00 be appropriat- ed to also cover the deficit of $293.16 in 1913.
Fire Protection-Engineers ask for $500.00
The past year has been a particularly disastrous one in this department and there is an overdraft of $254.68. We recom- mend the amount of $500.00 be appropriated.
Forest Warden-Warden asks for $300.00
There is an unexpended balance of $212.25 on 1913 account and we believe that $100.00 additional is sufficient to carry on this work. We recommend that $100.00 be appropriated.
Poor-Overseers ask for $2,500.00.
The expenses of this department are increasing and there is an overdraft of $153.70 in 1913. We recommend that the amount asked for be voted.
Soldiers and Sailors-There is an unexpended balance of $15.60 in 1913 also about $150.00 due from other towns. We recommend in addition to the above that $500.00 be appropriat- ed.
Town Physician-We recommend that $500.00 be appropriat- ed.
Repairs of Stone Road-Highway Surveyor asks for $2,500.00.
There is an unexpended balance in 1913 of $279.07; in addi- tion to this we recommend that $1,500.00 be appropriated. This will cover the usual amount of oiling, the balance asked for was for resurfacing a portion of Washington street. We believe that this work may well be delayed.
Municipal Loan and Interest, $1,890.00
Appropriation loan and interest, 1,650.00
We recommend that the above amount be voted.
Town Officers and Offices-We recommend that the payment of Town Officers be changed as follows :-
Town Clerk, $200.00 in lieu of fees.
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Town Treasurer, $400.00 in lieu of fees.
Tax Collector, $400.00 in lieu of fees.
All fees to be turned into the Treasury.
Selectmen $200.00 per year, same to cover one weekly meet- ing in the evening and at least one day per month.
Overseers of Poor, $50.00 per year.
Assessors $5.00 per day for all field and executive work.
One clerk, $400.00 per year, appointed by the Board of Select- men to do all clerical work in connection with the three boards, and Town Offices to be open every business day reasonable hours.
Art. 6. Will the Town appropriate two hundred dollars to be expend- ed under the direction of William Wadsworth Post No. 165, G. A. R., for the observance of Memorial Day.
Memorial Day-We recommend $175.00 be voted.
Art. 7. Will the Town appropriate five hundred dollars to continue the work on the Assessors' map of the Town.
We recommend that $500.00 be appropriated for this work.
Art. 8. Will the Town petition the Director of the Bureau of statis- tics for an audit of its accounts in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1910, and amendments thereto.
The method recently adopted by our board in keeping ac- counts makes it unnecessary at this time to call for an audit of its accounts by the State. We recommend that no action be taken on this article.
Art. 9. Will the Town authorize its Treasurer to borrow money in anticipation of revenue for the financial year beginning Jan. 1, 1915.
We recommend that the Town Treasurer be so authorized.
Art. 10. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of twenty- five hundred dollars for the improvement of Alden Street. By petition.
We believe that a suitable road of clay and gravel could be built for much less than the amount asked for and we recom- mend that $1,500.00 be appropriated for this purpose. We feel that the question that whether a portion of this road might well be built of macadam is worthy of careful consideration.
Art. 11. Will the Town make a sufficient appropriation to place the
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road from "Hall's Corner" to "Standish Shore," in thoroughly first-class condition. By petition.
Believing that it would not be advisable at this time to appro- priate a sum large enough to put the entire distance in first class condition we would recommend that $1,500.00 be spent in the most needed section.
Art. 12. What action will the Town take relative to repairing the bridge on Marshall Street (near Standish Shore).
Estimated cost of repairs $1,500.00. We realize that this bridge is in bad condition and we are not sure of the best meth- od to pursue and we prefer to make no recommendation.
Art. 13. What action will the Town take relative to the purchase of a steam roller.
We would refer you to the report of the committee on Steam Roller as printed in the town report which we approve.
Art. 14. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of four hun- dred dollars for the improvement of the Town landing at Mattakeesett Court, with the understanding that this money shall not be spent unless the State shall do the dredging to channel and basin as petitioned for. By request.
We would recommend that $400.00 be appropriated subject to the provisions of the Article.
Art. 15. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the construction of a bath house and bathing beach at the Town landing at Mattakeesett Court. By petition.
This article is fully covered in article 14.
Art. 16. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of eight hun- dred dollars to be expended for the installation of electric lights on the following streets: St. George street from Tremont street to Wash- ington street; thence on Washington street to Depot street; thence on Depot street to South Duxbury railroad station. By petition.
We believe that this is a necessary improvement, but owing to the large appropriations called for we believe this is not the time to appropriate for this purpose.
Art. 17. Will the Town authorize the placing of the Bank and Cor- poration taxes with the appropriations for State and County taxes, for payment of same.
We recommend that the Bank and Corporation tax be so placed.
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Art. 18. Will the Town vote that taxes shall be paid on or before Oct. 10, 1914, and after that date interest shall be charged at the rate of six per cent. per annum.
We recommend that article 18 be adopted.
Art. 19. Will the Town authorize its treasurer to borrow money to continue the Moth work from Dec. Ist, 1914, to March Ist, 1915.
We recommend that the Treasurer be so authorized.
Art. 20. Will the Town accept the proposed by-laws relative to the clam industry as submitted by the Selectmen and others.
We would recommend that these by-laws be adopted.
Art. 21. What action will the Town take relative to a close season on the digging for, or exportation of clams, beyond the limits of the Town, between the dates of April Ist and Oct. Ist in any year.
We recommend that the Close Season be adopted.
Art. 22. Will the Town repeal all votes and resolves relative to the clam industry, passed by the Town previous to Jan. Ist, 1914, provided that the proposed by-laws (Art. 20) become operative.
We feel that if the by-laws of Article 20 are adopted, that all previous laws be rescinded
Art. 23. Will the Town direct the Moderator to appoint one citizen as a committee to confer with a like committee from the Towns of Plymouth, Kingston, Marshfield and Scituate, in connection with the clam industry.
We would recommend that this committee asked for be appointed.
Art. 24. Will the Town rescind the vote of March 2nd, 1912, whereby it voted that a reward of fifty dollars be paid, with one-half of the fine, to any person for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person caught selling liquor in the town.
We would recommend that this vote be repealed as we are advised by our counsel it is unconstitutional.
THEODORE W. GLOVER, SIDNEY C. SOULE, HARRY B. BRADLEY, Selectmen of Duxbury.
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By Laws Prepared by the Selectmen and Others.
CLAMS.
ARTICLE 1.
SECTION 1. The Selectmen of Duxbury under Chapter 195, "Acts of 1870," may grant a license for five years to plant, cultivate, and dig clams as follows, to any legal resident of Duxbury, not to exceed one acre of off shore barren flat to any one person.
SECTION 2. To any owner of water front, one-third of that frontage not exceeding one hundred lineal feet, not, however, impairing the private rights of any person.
SECTION 3. Said grants are non-transferable and may be cancelled by the Selectmen at any time after due notice to the Licensee in case in the sole opinion of the Selectmen, the Licensee is not fulfilling the conditions of the lease.
SECTION 4. The Selectmen may renew any license at any time within one year prior to the expiration of said lease.
SECTION 5. That any person not a legal resident of the town of Duxbury, shall not dig any more than their allowance as pro- vided by Public Statute.
THEODORE W. GLOVER,
For the Committee on Clam By-Laws.
TOWN WARRANT
MARCH 7, 1911.
Plymouth, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Duxbury in said County.
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are directed to notify the inhabitants of Duxbury, qualified to vote in elections and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Duxbury on Saturday, the seventh day of March next, at six o'clock, in the forenoon, then and there to act on the follow- ing articles, viz :
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
Art. 2. To bring in their votes for one Selectman for the term of three years, one Assessor for the term of three years, one Overseer of the Poor for the term of three years, for Town Clerk for one year, for Town Treasurer for one year, for Tax Collector for one year, for Tree Warden for one year, for one person for Board of Health for the term of three years, for one School Committee for the term of three years, for one Surveyor of Highways for one year, for one Cemetery Trustee for the term of five years, for three Constables for one year, for two Auditors for one year, all on one ballot ; also on the same ballot, will the Town grant licenses for the sale of intoxicating liquors for the ensuing year ? The vote to be "yes or no" in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town?
Polls will be open at 6.10 a. m., and may close at 11 a. m.
Art. 3. What action will the Town take relative to the ap- pointment of necessary officers not chosen by ballot.
Art. 4. To hear the reports of the various Town Officers and Committees and act thereon.
Art. 5. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray Town charges.
Art. 6. Will the Town appropriate two hundred dollars to be expended under the direction of William Wadsworth Post No. 165, G. A. R., for the observance of Memorial Day.
Art. 7. Will the Town appropriate five hundred dollars to continue the work on the Assessors' map of the Town.
Art. 8. Will the Town petition the Director of the Bureau of statistics for an audit of its accounts in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1910, and amendments thereto.
Art. 9. Will the Town authorize its Treasurer to borrow money in anticipation of revenue for the financial year beginning Jan. 1, 1915.
Art. 10. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for the improvement of Alden Street. By petition.
Art. 11. Will the Town make a sufficient appropriation to place the road from "Hall's Corner" to "Standish Shore," in thoroughly first-class condition. By Petition.
Art. 12. What action will the Town take relative to repairing the bridge on Marshall Street (near the Standish Shore).
Art. 13. What action will the Town take relative to the pur- chase of a steam roller.
Art. 14. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars for the improvement of the Town landing at Mattakeesett Court, with the understanding that this money shall not be spent, unless the State shall do the dredging to channel and basin as petitioned for. By request.
Art. 15. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the construction of a bath house and bathing beach at the Town landing at Mattakeesett Court. By petition.
Art. 16. Will the Town raise and appropriate the sum of eight hundred dollars to be expended for the installation of electric lights on the following streets: St. George street from Tremont street to Washington street; thence on Washington street to Depot street ; hence on Depot street to South Duxbury railroad station. By petition.
Art. 17. Will the Town authorize the placing of the Bank and Corporation taxes with the appropriations for State and ('ounty taxes, for payment of same.
Art. 18. Will the Town vote that taxes shall be paid on or before Oct. 10, 1914, and after that date interest shall be charged at the rate of six per cent. per annum.
Art. 19. Will the Town authorize its treasurer to borrow money to continue the Moth work from Dec. 1st, 1914, to March 1st, 1915.
Art. 20. Will the Town accept the proposed by-laws relative to the clam industry as submitted by the Selectmen and others.
Art. 21. What action will the Town take relative to a close season on the digging for, or exportation of clams, beyond the limits of the Town, between the dates of April 1st and Oct. 1st in any year.
Art. 22. Will the Town repeal all votes and resolves relativo to the clam industry, passed by the Town previous to Jan. 1st, 1914, provided that the proposed by-laws (Art. 20) become operative.
Art. 23. Will the Town direct the Moderator to appoint one citizen as a committee to confer with a like committee from the Towns of Plymouth, Kingston, Marshfield and Scituate, in con- nection with the clam industry.
Art. 24. Will the Town rescind the vote of March 2nd, 1912, whereby it voted that a reward of fifty dollars be paid, with one- half of the fine, to any person for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person caught selling liquor in the town.
Art. 25. What action will the town take in regard to the $1,000 paid by Plymouth County on account of South Duxbury road.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies, thereof, as prescribed by vote of the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not. and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this twenty-first day of February, in the year one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
THEODORE W. GLOVER, SIDNEY C. SOULE, HARRY B. BRADLEY, Selectmen of Duxbury.
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DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS, DECEMBER 1913.
NUMBER IN GRADE.
SCHOOL
12345678
Freshmen
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Room totals
Academy
17|14
6|11|
48
Village Grades, 7, 8
23
13
36
Village Grades, 5, 6.
13
26
.
0
16
Tarkiln Primary
5
2
6
5
18
Millbrook
11
8
3
Point
3
6
3
3
15
South Duxbury
3
6
12
.
.
28
Island Creek
4
4
6
1
5
20
Ashdod
5
1
4
2
2
14
North Duxbury
3
5
6
2
2
.
.
. .
.
18
Enrollment by grades 34 33 38 28 26 32 29 13 17 14
6 11
281
EYE AND EAR TESTS.
Whole number of pupils examined,
249
Number found defective in sight,
26
Number found defective in hearing,
Number of parents notified,
28
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
.
39
· Tarkiln Grammar
4
6
6
.
·
. .
.
.
. .
.
29
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Board-
In accordance with your regulations the following is sub- mitted as my fifth annual report of the schools of Duxbury.
Statistics.
Number of schools, 11
Number of pupils enrolled in the schools, 313
Number enrolled over 15 years of age, 29
Number enrolled between 5 and 15 years of age, 218
Number enrolled between 7 and 14 years of age, 219
Average membership of all the schools,
257.58
Average attendance, 244.51
Percentage of attendance,
94.02
Number completing the Grammar School course, 19
Number completing the High School course, 9
Number of women teachers, 12
Number of men teachers, 1
Number of teachers who have graduated from college, 3
Number of teachers who have been graduated from Normal school, 3
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, 99 17-30
Average number of months the schools have been kept, 91 6-11
3
Number of regular teachers in Academy,
Number of different pupils in Academy during the year, -13
Number of pupils admitted to freshman class, September, 1912, 13
Number graduated June 1913, a
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There are still parents in town who evidently do not know the law in regard to school attendance and who think it the right thing to send their children to school in the forenoon and regularly keep them out in the afternoon.
Our standards of attendance for the last four years however have gradually improved. Last year the percentage was higher than any previous record to be found and this year we have made further improvement.
Realizing that constant attention must be given to this matter to maintain our present standard, the schools are again listed according to their percentage of attendance. They stand as follows :
Millbrook Primary, 98.
South Duxbury Primary,
97.86
Point Primary, 97.
Academy, 95.76
Ashdod Primary,
95.40
Island Creek Primary,
95.00
Village Grammar, grades ? and 8,
94.75
Village Grammar, grades 5 and 6,
94.27
Tarkiln Primary, 91.31
Tarkiln Grammar, 90.58
North Duxbury Primary, 87.00
It is somewhat singular that the school at North Duxbury should without apparent cause have dropped from the head of the list last year to the foot this year.
Although the total enrollment of pupils in town shows a slight increase in number there are no longer any over-crowded rooms. The largest number of pupils in any one room is 39 at the Village Grammar and the smallest 14 at Ashdod.
At the close of the school year in June, Miss Mary A. Doh- erty and Miss Edith W. Simpson resigned their positions in the schools at Tarkiln. Both had been with us for a number of years and were efficient and well equipped for their work. In the fall Miss Nellie H. Smith took charge of the grammar de-
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partment and Miss Ina B. Talbot the primary department. We were fortunate in our selections for these positions and the work at Tarkiln is progressing without interruption or discord.
Soon after the beginning of the schools in the fall Miss Har- riet J. Ford, supervisor of Drawing, who for quite a period of years has rendered faithful and efficient service in her depart- ment of work, resigned her position, leaving a vacancy difficult to fill. Mr. Samuel Warner of Pembroke was elected to the vacancy and the work in drawing continues to be under cont- petent direction.
Project work suggested in the state course of studies has been taken up in the schools, Raffia Reed, yarn and other articles have been added to the list of supplies in order to en- able the teachers to do work in this line, and such articles as baskets, doilies, waste baskets, paper boxes, broom holders, pin balls, port folios and mats have been made by the pupils. Some of the girls of the higher grades have done sewing and embroid- ery. Each teacher has been furnished with desk books on in- dustrial work and supplies and has been allotted definite time in the weekly program to persue this work. No uniformity of work in the practical arts has been attempted for the different schools ( as it was soon found that some projects appealed to one teacher and other projects to another teacher. The success with which this work is carried on must depend largely upon the personal initiative of the teacher.
In taking up this new work one is forcibly reminded of the old but ever true saying, "As is the teacher so is the school." The outlying school with its several grades and one teacher, is nuch more dependent upon the resourcefulness of the teacher than is the city school with its numerous special supervisors, supervising principal departmental teaching and with but one grade for the room teacher.
It is the province of school officers, in so far as they are able, to see that the schools are furnished with suitable buildings, equipment, books and supplies and that conditions in all ways
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are made as favorable as possible to good teaching; but after all these things have been done the good teacher makes the good school and the poor teacher makes the poor school.
The recently inaugurated policy of your board to employ only normally or college trained teachers, or those of equivalent fit, in filling vacancies cannot fail if adhered to in future to be of far reaching benefit to the schools. It would be a great help to the schools if the graduates of the Academy who wished to teach would attend a normal school and return to teach in Duxbury. It is however doing a questionable kindness to a graduate of the Academy to give her a school without insisting on a normal fit or its equivalent. The time has come when the world is calling for trained workers in all lines of endeavor and the teacher who begins work without adequate training stands little chance of professional advancement.
The new policy means better teachers but we must frankly face the fact that it also means better paid teachers. It is hardly fair to expect teachers to fit themselves and come to us professionally trained workers and accept a salary so low that more than half of it is taken for the one item of board. But can the town afford to pay more money for teachers' salaries ? Is Duxbury not paying now all it can afford to? The follow- ing taken from the latest State report may throw some light upon the subject.
The average salary of teachers for the state is $1,022.00. The average salary of teachers for Duxbury is $598.09.
Amount appropriated for schools per $1,000. valuation,
for the State, $4.37
Amount appropriated for school per $1,000. valuation
Duxbury, 3.82
Amount appropriated for schools per 1,000. valuation
Pembroke, 7.82
The above statistics indicate that it would not be out of the question to increase the salaries of our grade teachers. At pres- ent salaries it is very difficult to secure and retain the services
Duxbury 5
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of properly trained teachers. Even a small increase in salary would make a material difference in this respect.
In closing attention is called to the special reports. The school calendar and statistics appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN, Superintendent of Schools.
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SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. W. E. Chaffin, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :- Having held the position of Drawing teacher in your excellent schools but a short time, I would like to state briefly and plainly what we hope to accomplish in this line after sufficient mastery in drawing has been gained, and how this ability to draw can be applied in a practical manner. For anything worth while should be applied to the useful and beau- tiful things of life and realized in a most efficient and excellent manner.
Above all we wish to give the workers a thorough course in Lettering. Taking up the different sets of letters and mem- orizing same, to the end that an architectural draftsman, a civil engineer, a sign painter and a clerk in any kind of a store may all use same for their practical requirements. As the architectural draftsman and the civil engineer must have know- ledge of lettering, and the sign painter should master all let- ters. While the clerk in any line who can draw a bit has the ability to make up catchy posters explaining advantages to be had for the possible buyer, has doubled his or her efficiency and increased his earning capacity. Then the blocks, with those who can design and make a working drawing of same can produce good wrought iron work which if properly marketed commands an excellent price, while the able carpenter or cabinet maker who can draw and produce original design (not copied), and make his working drawings for carved wood-work and execute same upon any kind of wood with chisel and gouge is doubling his possibilities.
Young ladies, too, who can draw and have a knowledge of
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plant forms and flowers can produce working drawings of or- iginal design that can be worked out with the needle upon any kind of fabric and sufficiently good to be classed as professional work. Then interior decoration of houses and color schemes which apply to every day furnishing of houses by the people will receive attention and time enough to demonstrate its prac- tical side and the exhibiting of our results every year we hope to make a feature and a proof of what we do.
There is much excellent material a plenty in the Duxbury schools that with concentration and co-operation should gain splendid results.
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