USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1920-1925 > Part 14
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On Standish Street part of the work was done but on ac- count of lack of funds it was laid over until spring. There are 60 barrels of asphalt on hand to be used on this road.
We also repaired the sidewalk and gutter in front of 'Dr. Noyes' house, he hiring the men and trucks and paying the Town for material used.
The machinery has been cleaned and housed for the win- ter.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. O'NEIL, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
The year just passed has been one of the worst in the his- tory of this department. For six weeks we fought fires al- most continuously. During that time we were called and assisted the towns of Kingston, Marshfield and Hanover.
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The men doing their work very efficiently were a credit to the town. I am having the Ford chassis that was taken from No. 2 Engine House fitted with a skeleton body, suita- ble for carrying extinguishers and other equipment for forest fire work, to be located at E. S. O'Neil's. Have installed the truck at North Duxbury previously mentioned. It has done good work and given general satisfaction. I am also having an emergency truck suitably equipped, located at Cushing's Garage. The railroad's right of way through the town was in a very dangerous condition, but they, co-operating with me, burned it, the work being done under my personal su- . pervision and as a result we have had practically no fires from that source. Asking for the same loyal support and co- operation you have given me in the past, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
H. E. MERRY, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
We have had very few house fires in the past year and no great financial loss. The quick response and hearty interest 'taken by the men, also the efficiency of the telephone opera- tors are responsible in a large measure for this.
At a bad woods fire the No. 2 Ford chassis, being overload- ed, broke an axle, putting the men to a great disadvantage in the face of a bad fire. At a special town meeting it was voted to purchase a suitable chassis for No. 2 Engine House. A Brockway truck was purchased, the Brockway being rec- ommended by the American La France Fire Engine Co. as being the best for work and would recommend at this time that a similar one be placed in Engine House No. 1.
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If this was done it would complete our fire fighting sys- tem. I would also call your attention again to the great effi- ciency of bicarbonate of soda as was demonstrated at the Blue Fish River Landings. There is nothing better known to science for gasoline, oil or chimney fires. I have it in cartons at the Town Farm, come and get it and make your homes and garages safe with it. Under other names it costs three dollars and a half, but this is free.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. MERRY, Fire Chief.
REPORT OF DUXBURY FREE LIBRARIY
To the Selectmen :
The number of books issued last year by the Duxbury Library was 15,545. This practically equals the circulation of the previous year. August was the banner month with an issue of 2,142 volumes. Approximately a quarter of the books taken out were non-fiction. North Duxbury, South Duxbury, Ashdod and High Street benefited as in the past through the basket delivery.
The Library has been strengthened by the addition of 737 new volumes. This excellent showing was made possible by the money appropriated by the Town. As many as 625 books have been rebound, and thus placed again in circula- tion.
The aim of the Board of Trustees is to secure for Dux- bury the choicest and best of what each year produces in the field of literature. The use made of the Library justi- fies the belief that Duxbury appreciates its opportunity.
RICHARD T. LORING, Clerk.
Duxbury Seven
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC. FOR THE YEAR 1922.
Town of
Duxbury
Wright
Fund
Winsor
Fund
Hathaway Fund
Duxbury
Hall Fund
Harding Fund
Total
Jan. 1, 1922. Balance
on hand per report,
$7.68
$ 4.22
$28.83
$ 40.73
Receipts,
1,000.00
2,422.50
245.00
112.36
71.25
45.50
3,896.61
Total,
$1,000.00
$2,430.18
$245.00
$116.58
$71.25
$74.33
$3,937.34
Temporary Loan borrowed in
anticipation of income,
400.00
$4,337.34
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Total,
PAYMENTS :
Salaries and care of library and grounds,
$1,481.50
$ 14.00
$1,495.50
Telephone,
25.15
25.15
Water,
15.50
15.50
Heat and Light,
223.15
60.00
283.15
Sundries,
167.28
167.28
Books and Magazines
(including bindings)
970.62
511.60
39.85
1,522.07
Bank loan interest,
6.00
6.00
Balance on hand,
29.38
171.00
116.58
71.25
34.48
422.69
Total,
$1,000.00
$2,430.18
$245.00
$116.58
$71.25
$74.33
$3,937.34
Temporary loan paid,
400.00
Total,
$4,337.34
The accounts of the Treasurer of The Duxbury Free Library, Inc., have been examined and found correct.
E. R. BELCHER, Auditor.
Respectfully submitted, B. C. LEAVITT, Treasurer.
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In Memoriam Elisha Heterson
October 20, 1857-October 4, 1922
By the death of Mr. Elisha Peterson, who for more than thirty years was a member and Secre- tary of the Board of Trustees of Duxbury Ceme- teries, the remaining members of the board feel that the community have lost an energetic and effi- cient official and that we have lost a cordial co- worker and loyal friend.
In his quiet, unassuming way and the sympa- thetic manner in which he discharged his duties in times of sorrow and affliction, he won the re- spect and gratitude of those whom he served and many are the expressions of esteem and sense of loss that have been spoken.
During his long service as Trustee he obtained much historical data that has been of great help in making our records as complete as possible, and for their accuracy much credit is due to his untiring efforts.
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REPORT OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Much work has been accomplished in the cemeteries this past year. The Gypsy moths have been kept well in hand. Quite a number of trees have died during the year, several of them large ones, and have had to be removed. Much credit is due to the cemetery workmen in getting these trees down and cut up without causing any damage to the nu- merous monuments with which they were surrounded.
The cemetery lots have been fertilized and have been mowed several times. That together with the copeous rains has given them a fine appearance.
Many of the avenues have been rebuilt and are now in good condition, this being made necessary by the heavy motor vehicle travel and also by the wash of the rains on the side hills. The leaves have been raked in Mayflower ceme- tery and other necessary work has been done in this and other cemeteries under our care. Martin Hanigan was ap- pointed superintendent to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Elisha Peterson, who filled the position in such an able manner for so many years. We feel that the appropria- tion for the past year has been judiciously spent and would ask for a like appropriation for this coming year, namely fifteen hundred dollars.
In asking for this amount for cemeteries for 1923 we would respectfully call your attention to the fact, that aside from Mayflower cemetery there are three outlying cemeteries that come under our supervision. Ashdod Cemetery, one of the early burial places and still in use for the purpose for which it was intended, is of great interest to the citizens in that vicinity and requires care and attention. Standish Cemetery, situated on one of the main streets at South Duxbury is of historical interest, and is visited by many
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people from all sections of our country. For the good name of the town, if for no other reason, it should be kept in as neat and attractive appearance as possible. Dingley Cemetery at North Duxbury is one of, if not the earliest burial grounds in the westerly part of the town. There have not been any interments there in recent years, but one Revolutionary soldier, one of the war of 1812, and several of the early set- tlers of the town were buried there. It is now surrounded by a neat fence and we feel that the grounds should not be allowed to grow up to weeds, brush and scrub oaks.
PERPETUAL CARE FUND.
We are told by the State Bureau of Statistics that May- flower, as a town cemetery, has one of the largest "Perpetual Care Funds" in the State. For the benefit of some who do not understand the way the law requires that the "Perpetual Care Funds" be expended, we would explain. When a sum of money is provided for the perpetual care of a lot, that money is deposited in the bank and the interest withdrawn 1 by the Town Treasurer. That interest is expended upon the lot by direction of the Cemetery Trustees, and then only by the approval of the Selectmen. The principal cannot be used. December 31, 1921, there were one hundred four- teen named funds in the Duxbury Cemetery Trust Fund Ac- count.
This past year, 1922, thirteen more have been added.
CEMETERY EXTENSION.
Considering the area and shape of the tract of land on the westerly side of Mayflower Street, a part of the present cemetery but never used, it was not thought to be economical or practical to develop it in its present condition as it would only meet the requirements of the community for a limited period. The Conservation Committee relinquished their
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control of a tract of land for cemetery purposes. The George M. Winslow heirs sold to the town the so-called Winslow Lot, for the same purpose, for one hundred dollars. At the same time the Winslow heirs deposited one hundred dollars in the "Perpetual Care Fund" for the care of the George M. Winslow lot in Mayflower Cemetery. There was also pur- chased a tract of land of the Rural Society for two hundred dollars and while the whole of this tract may not be needed at the present time, it was considered a good investment. * Taking the whole of some and parts of other lots, we have had an ideal tract surveyed giving a frontage of one thousand five hundred eighty-five feet on Tremont Street and ex- tending back about nine hundred feet, with practically straight boundary lines which will meet the requirements. of the town for many years. It is our purpose to reserve a strip of land along Tremont street with a depth of about thirty feet for trees and shrubs, thus helping to beautify the grounds. After the first cost of starting the building of some of the main avenues preparatory to the laying out of lots, with an annual appropriation, which need not be ex- cessive or burdensome to the tax payers, it can be developed to meet all requirements and result in one of the finest and most beautiful burial grounds in Southeastern Massachu- setts. There has been expended three hundred dollars for land, for surveying and plans, one hundred sixty-one dol- lars and thirty cents; for cutting wood, clearing underbrush and other labor, one thousand three hundred ten dollars. There has been paid to the Town Treasurer one hundred seventy-nine dollars for wood sold. We would ask for an appropriation of two thousand dollars, which will enable us to get this beautiful addition to our cemetery in condition to open to the public. There is another matter which we wish to bring to the attention of the town. The cemetery as it now stands is divided practically in the center by a town street. Your Trustees feel that this is a detriment in many
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ways. If the course of Mayflower Street could be changed, beginning at that section known as "Soule's Bear" and running practically straight to Tremont Street, the easterly end of the present Mayflower Street could be used for the main drive into the cemetery. This would not be a very great expense to the town and would be much more satis- factory than the present arrangement. Should Mayflower Street remain as it is, it will necessitate building a fence on both Mayflower and Tremont streets, but if the street be changed the fence which is on Mayflower Street, beginning at the Soldiers' Monument and running to the end of the cemetery lot could be removed and placed on the Tremont Street side. This would save some expense as granite posts to match the present fence are more expensive than when the fence that now surrounds the cemetery was built. The plan on the following page will show the present line of May- flower Street and the proposed change.
Should the question be raised regarding the approach to the town dump, that matter was taken into consideration, and we feel that the Dump can be reached much better from the proposed new part of Mayflower Street and be much more satisfactory than the present entrance. We hope our action thus far will meet the approval of our citizens.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT M. GOULDING, Chairman, JOHN SIMMONS, Secretary, WILLIAM J. ALDEN, HENRY F. WHITE.
Trustees.
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Island Creek Pond
St.
Straightening 05
Mayflower Street Proposed by the Cemetery Trustees Duxbury, Mass.
January 1, 1923. J. B. Knapp, Cio. tuy
7 st.
Road
.
=
"
N E.M
Present
1
1
Proposed
7
1
1
cemetery
Extension
Present
Mayflower
Cemetery
Bailey's :Corner
Tremont
Street
mayflower
Soulés Bear
scale
'8 mill
1/4 mile
Mayflower
=
=
Joby Garden Street
1
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Duxbury
For the Year Ending December 31
1922
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ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Ralph K. Bearce, Chairman,
John Simmons, Elizabeth A. Phillips, Secretary,
term expires in 1923 term expires in 1924 term expires in 1925
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. Frederick E. Bragdon, Egypt, Mass. Telephone Scituate 289-2
School Physician,
Attendance Officer,
School Nurse,
Roger Spalding, M. D. Edward S. O'Neil Annie L. Williams, R. N.
SCHOOL CALENDAR.
1923.
SCHOOLS open
January 2
close
February 16-7 weeks
open
February 26
close
April 13 -- 7 weeks
open
April 23
close
June 29
-10 weeks
open
September 5
close
December 21-16 weeks
Length of School Year,
-40 weeks
HOLIDAYS.
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The School Committee, Superintendent of Schools, Princi- pal of High School, Supervisors of Music and Drawing, School Physician and Nurse herewith submit their several reports.
The year 1922 has been of very little moment in regard. to changes in the primary grades. The same teachers, except one, have continued with their ever faithful services. The High School has met with a decided change in the corps of assistant teachers and the report has been very satisfactory. The expense of repairs in many instances, have been beyond the past few years, as the time arrived when the Committee felt obliged to make them to preserve the buildings. As water was not accessible near the Ashdod school house, we were forced to furnish a well and pump at a great expense, as it had to be driven at a considerable depth through sub-soil and rocks, but is now giving very good satisfaction. The shades were in poor condition in Ashdod, South Duxbury, Tarkiln Intermediate, Tarkiln Primary and Village Gram- mar schools, therefore, they were replaced. Both sides of the roof of South Duxbury school building were shingled, the front of Tarkiln Primary building was painted and sashes drawn. The furnace at the Village Grammar school has been a source of trouble and expense for some time but at last the cause was found and remedied at an expense of (ap- proximately) two hundred dollars and is now giving perfect satisfaction. The furnace at Tarkiln Grammar was also in need of new grates, etc.
The major repairs for this year were unforseen by the Committee, but thanks to our generous voters we were able
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to cope with them. All yearly minor repairs were made, such as buildings cleansed, floors oiled, latches, knobs, catches and cords replaced. A teacher's desk was furnished for Tarkiln Primary, new typewriters for High School, and also reference books which were very much needed.
For the ensuing year we recommend an appropriation of thirty-five thousand dollars. This amount includes the re- imbursements received from the State treasurer on account of schools.
Respectfully submitted, RALPH K. BEARCE, Chairman, ELIZABETH A. PHILLIPS, Secretary, JOHN SIMMONS.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Duxbury :
I have the honor of presenting herewith in statistical and tabulated form such information concerning the schools as in my judgment should be had for immediate and future reference. The facts presented do not differ materially from those of former years upon which you have based your belief in the desirability of a partial consolidation of the schools and a reorganization of the system. The arguments are well known by yourselves and by all who have interested them- selves in the problems, and need not be repeated here.
The schools have been conducted as heretofore. We have striven to emphasize essentials and to abate undesirable prac- tice. The program of studies is gradually being changed to conform to the best practice of today. We have constantly in view the ultimate organization of a six-year elementary course to be followed by a six-year comprehensive high school course so that when the housing problem has been solved, we shall be in the best possible condition to use the new equip- ment.
The essential achievements of the pupils in the first six years should be, ability to read and speak fluently, to figure rapidly and accurately, spell correctly, and write beautifully. To these fundamentals we shall, of course, add as much as possible of information in history, geography and hygiene, and some skill in manual expression of thought.
The seventh and eighth years will be marked particularly by the attempt to train reasoning faculties, to establish cor- rect habits of study and desirable social reactions and to help the pupil discover his own talents and aptitudes. To a pupil who has through these years acquired a desire for fu-
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ture study along specific lines, the high school curriculum should offer a much more varied program than it does at present. The handicap of limited building accommodations and small faculty prevents for the present any further ex- tension of the curriculum. At the present time choice of course is limited to a college preparatory and a short com- mercial course.
I feel that the work in music should be and can be improved by offering more than merely a weekly chorus period, and by allowing the same measure of credit as in other branches for an equivalent of effort. I personally believe that credit should be given for the study of piano, violin and other musi- cal instruments, and that such study and practice should be included in the pupils' school-day program.
If art study is to be recognized at all I believe it, too, should have a sufficient amount of time. A place should be made for it in the program, and those who elect to receive instruction in art should be required to be as faithful in preparation of their work as they are in that of any other assignment. The adoption of these suggestions involves a modification of the curriculum and an increase in the amount of time given to the high school by the special teachers.
Some weak spots in the course of study in the elementary grades are to receive immediate attention. Heretofore we have relied too much on the individual teacher to give in- struction in physiology and hygiene. The result has been variable, not so much through neglect on the part of the teachers as because of the inevitable difference in choice of topics and the frequency of presentation. To introduce sys- tematic instruction from year to year and not further burden the already over-crowded program, has been and is still the problem. A series of supplementary readers dealing with the subject in a progressive manner has been provided-a book a grade above the third-and the teachers instructed
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to use these books for reading and discussion at least once each week in the period usually devoted to reading. The nurse will naturally know what work is thus done and be able to correlate her instruction with it.
Similar criticism can be made justly of our requirements in the United States history. We have not had a definite program to follow in the first years. The formal study of history began in the sixth year. A progressive series of his- tory readers suitable for each grade has been provided as a basis for oral instruction in the earlier years. Details of these books and the years to which they are assigned are given elsewhere in this report. It is intended that these like the health books shall be used as supplementary readers and not as a separate study until the sixth year.
The outline of the requirements in English is confessedly quite general and lacking in specific character especially for the first four years. The outline given in the Baltimore Course of Study which has been supplied to each teacher, is comprehensive enough, and the suggestions as to the methods are splendid but there seems to be difficulty in procuring much of the material needed to carry out the plan. As yet I have failed to find any one series of books which gives promise of satisfying this particular desire of the teacher for a definite minimum outline. The small supplementary book by Hammond comes as near to doing this as any I have yet found. If it is followed and supplemented by similar exer- cises from whatever books are available the several classes can not get far apart in subject matter presented.
One more criticism may be made. Penmanship seems to defy all our attempts at mastery. I see no hope of getting real satisfactory results under existing conditions. The art of writing is a peculiar one and the teaching of it unlike any other teaching. Our teachers have not the time in these four- grade schools to give the supervision needed to insure desira- ble results. When consolidation is achieved one obstacle will
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be removed-there will be less degree of variation of ability in a single room. The teachers will have a better chance to get results, but even then, there should be a teacher whose sole business' is teaching, drilling, Judging and insisting upon the proper use of the pen and pencil in writing. The advantage of such instruction will appear in better postures and a more beautiful handwriting.
Toward the correction of these and other recognized de- fects we are working as rapidly as we can. Progress in social development of any sort is usually slow and involves the cooperation of many agencies, such as public sentiment, aggressive leadership, real team-work of employers and em- ployees, official support, and financial resources. Much of this we already have and more is constantly developing.
I gladly testify to the prevalence of a spirit of cooperation and interest in the solution of our problems manifested by citizens and teachers in various ways, and thank each of you for the continuance of your confidence and support during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. BRAGDON, Superintendent.
·
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
To the Superintendent of Schools.
The school year beginning September last, opened with a greatly improved faculty so far as the High School is con- cerned. And there has resulted a very noticeable increase in smoothness of operation, school spirit, attendance, enroll- ment and study. Substantial additions to our text-book equipment have been made freely by appreciative officials.
We are trying this year to emphasize excellence in class- room work by posting monthly, lists of pupils who are doing work of excellent quality. We have established a High Honor List on which are placed the names of those pupils who during any one month have no mark lower than 1 (Ex- cellent). On a second list are the names of those pupils who have no mark lower than 2 (Very Good). This list we call the Honor List.
We believe scholarship merits all possible recognition, and we, therefore, present herewith, our High Honor and Honor lists for the four months whose record is already completed ; September, October, November and December.
HIGH HONOR LIST SEPT. 1922.
Having work completed an! no mark lower than 1 DeLorenzo, Antonio, 25 Hastings, Margaret, 26
HONOR LIST SEPT. 1922
Having work completed and no mark lower than 2.
Delano, P., '23
Noyes, E., '25
Osborne, R., '23
Thomas, D., '25
Battilana, P., '24
Walker, D., '25
Freeman, I., '24
Delano, L., '26
Jones, W., '25
Goodrich, V., '26
Merry, R., '25
Swanson, C., '26
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HIGH HONOR LIST, OCT., 1922 Having work completed and no mark lower than 1 DeLorenzo, Antonio, '25 Walker, Dorothy, '25
Merry, Robert, '25
Hastings, Margaret, '26
HONOR LIST, OCT., 1922.
Having work completed and no mark lower than 2.
Osborne, R., '23
Byrne, B., '26
Peterson, E., '24
Delano, L., '26
DeLorenzo, B., '24
Goodrich, V,., '26
Noyes, E., '25
Scholpp, M., '26
White, E., '25
Swanson, C., '26
HIGH HONOR LIST, NOV., 1922.
Having work completed and no mark lower than 1 Hastings, Margaret, '26 Walker, Dorothy, '25 DeLorenzo, Antonio, '25
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