USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1890 > Part 6
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You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town. seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, but make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Braintree, this sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, J. FRANKLIN BATES, Selectmen of Braintree.
NORFOLK Ss.
BRAINTREE, June 17, 1890.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant at more than nine public places in said town of Braintree, seven days before the time set for said meeting, and I have likewise caused the said warrant to be pub- lished in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A true copy.
Attest : SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, June 24, 1890.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
Upon ballot, by the use of the check-list, Francis A. Hobart was elected moderator, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
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ART. 2. Voted, That the School Committee shall build an addition to the Pond Schoolhouse according to the plan presented by them.
Voted, That the School Committee shall build an addition to the Union Schoolhouse, but that said addition shall not be in accord- ance with the plan submitted to this meeting, nor shall said addition be any nearer Hollis Avenue or Washington Street than the present building.
Article 6 taken up.
Voted, To adjourn to July 8, 1890, at 8 o'clock P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, July 8, 1890.
The town met in accordance with the adjournment from June 24, 1890.
The meeting was called to order by the moderator.
Voted, To adjourn to the close of the new meeting.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, July 8, 1890.
The town met in accordance with the adjournment. The meet- ing was called to order by the moderator.
Voted, To take Articles 3 and 4 from the table.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
NORFOLK ss. To either of the Constables of the town of Braintree, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Braintree, on Tuesday, the eighth day of July, 1890, at eight o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
-
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ART. 2. To see if the town will rescind the vote whereby it directed the Water Commissioners to discontinue all or any opera- tions toward furnishing a water supply for the town until the ques- tions in controversy between the town and the Braintree Water Supply Company are settled, passed April 25, 1888.
ART. 3. To see if the town will choose a committee to examine and report the best means of supplying the educational needs of the town.
ART. 4. To see if the town will rescind the vote passed at a special town-meeting, held June 24, 1890, whereby it adopted plans for additions to the Union and Pond district schoolhouses involving the probable expense of $21,000, or more.
ART. 5. To see if the town will erect a fence between the garden of Mr. James Wilson and the yard of the Iron Works Schoolhouse.
ART. 6. To choose any committee, and hear the report of any committee, and act thereon.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and at- tested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, but make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Braintree, this thirtieth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, J. FRANKLIN BATES,
Selectmen of Braintree.
NORFOLK SS.
BRAINTREE, July 1, 1890.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up at- tested copies of this warrant at more than nine public places in said town, seven days before the time set for said meeting ; and I
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have likewise caused the said warrant to be published in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A true copy.
Attest : SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, July 8, 1890.
The town assembled in accordance with the above warrant, and was called to order and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
The ballot being taken with the use of the check-list, Francis A. Hobart was chosen moderator, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 2, a motion was made to rescind, but was nega- tived.
Article 3 was laid on the table.
Article 4 taken up.
Voted, To rescind the vote passed June 24, 1890, whereby it adopted plans for additions to the Union and Pond district school- houses.
Article 5 taken up.
Voted, That the School Committee are hereby instructed to build a fence between the garden of Mr. James Wilson and the yard of the Iron Works Schoolhouse.
Article 6 taken up.
Voted, That a committee of six be appointed to act, advise, and confer with the School Committee as to the adoption of fit and proper plans for the additions to the Pond and Union schools, and also as to the adoption of a heating and ventilating system for the Pond, Union and High schools, and also to examine into the best means of supplying the educational needs of the town, and report at some future meeting of the town.
Voted, That said committee consist of the following citizens : Francis A. Hobart, James T. Stevens, T. Haven Dearing, A. C. Drinkwater, Edward Avery, and Thomas A. Watson.
Voled, To adjourn sine die.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
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NORFOLK, ss. To either of the Constables of the town of Braintree, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Braintree, on Wednesday, the seventeenth day of December, 1890, at seven and one half o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To hear the report of the joint committee, consisting of the members of the School Board and a special committee appointed to take into consideration the best means of supplying the educational needs of the town ; to act thereon, and to authorize said joint committee, or such other committee as the town may appoint, to carry into effect the improvements recommended in said report.
ART. 3. To see if the town will appropriate such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for the purpose of erecting addi- tions to the Pond Schoolhouse and the Union Schoolhouse, and for fitting up said additions for school purposes.
ART. 4. To see if the town will authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow on the credit of the town such sum or sums of money as the town shall appropriate or direct him to borrow; and the money to be thus borrowed shall be expended in defraying the expenses incurred in building additions to the Pond Schoolhouse and the Union Schoolhouse, and for fitting up said additions for school purposes.
ART. 5. To see if the town will accept Chap. 386 of the Acts and Resolves of the Legislature of 1890.
ART. 6. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen in rela- tion to any of the lawsuits now pending, in which the town is the defendant.
ART. 7. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to defray the expenses of the lawsuit between the town and the mill owners.
ART. 8. To choose any committee, or hear the report of any committee, and to act thereon.
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You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.
Hereof fail not, but make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Braintree, this eighth day of Decem- ber, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, J. FRANKLIN BATES, Selectmen of Braintree.
NORFOLK, ss. BRAINTREE, Dec. 9, 1890.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant, at more than nine public places in said town, seven days before the time set for said meeting, and I have caused the within warrant to be published in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A true copy.
Attest : SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, Dec. 17, 1890.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
Under Article 1, Francis A. Hobart was elected moderator by the use of the check-list, and was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Voted, To adjourn this meeting to Tuesday evening, Dec. 30, 1890, at 7.30 o'clock P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
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BRAINTREE, Dec. 30, 1899.
The town met in accordance with the adjournment.
Voted, To adjourn to Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1891, at 7.30 o'clock P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES,
Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, Jan. 28, 1891.
The town met in accordance with the adjournment from Dec. 30, 1890.
Moderator called the meeting to order.
The committee to whom was referred the educational needs of the town made the following report : -
The following report of the joint committee, consisting of the School Board and a special committee appointed to act, consult, and advise with said Board as to the best means of supplying the educational needs of the town, is most respectfully submitted.
The committee had, in the first place, to consider in what respect the present schoolhouses were insufficient for the use and accommodation of all the children entitled to attend the public schools. The committee, upon inquiry and investigation, ascertained that the most serious difficulty was a lack of room and seating capacity in many of the schools, and particu- larly so in the Pond and Union schools. It was evident to the committee that something should be done at once in the way of remedying this difficulty, and of providing additional accommodations for the children entitled to attend these schools.
The rapid increase in our population is undoubtedly gratifying, but at the same time it is an embarrassing problem to provide the increased number of pupils incident thereto with proper and suitable accommoda- tions.
At the Pond School, on Nov. 1, 1890, there were in attendance in gram- mar room, 35 pupils (48 desks) ; in the intermediate room, 51 pupils (48 desks) ; in the first primary room, 60 pupils (45 desks) ; in the second primary room, 59 pupils (54 desks) ; total number of pupils in all the rooms, 205.
At the same time last year, 187 pupils; showing an increase of 18, or 93 per cent in one year. The overcrowded condition rendered it neces- sary to employ six teachers to properly instruct the large number of pupils in attendance.
It was impossible for the School Committee to procure a suitable place for a school, outside of the present building. It was, therefore, neces- sary to place extra desks in the aisles and passageways, in order to seat
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the children. It is obvious that this causes a great deal of trouble and inconvenience to the teachers in charge, as well as having a tendency to impair the health of the scholars.
At the Union School, on Nov. 1, 1890, there were in attendance in the grammar room, 47 pupils (49 desks) ; in the intermediate room, 34 pupils (36 desks) ; in the first primary room, 46 pupils (48 desks) ; in the second primary room, 51 pupils (66 desks) ; Winter's shop, an outside room fitted up for school purposes, 28 pupils (28 desks). Total number of pupils in all rooms, 206. Last year at same time, 172; an increase of 34, or 192 per cent.
Five teachers are necessarily employed in this school. An examination of the above statistics shows that the present available room is com- pletely taken up in both the Pond and Union Schools, particularly so in the lower grades. In the next place, the committee had to consider how such additional accommodations as are obviously required might be procured. At first, two propositions suggested themselves : (1) To en- large the present buildings; (2) to build entirely new ones. The com- mittee, after due consideration, unanimously agreed that it would be more satisfactory and decidedly more economical to build additions to the present Pond and Union Schoolhouses. An architect was accordingly engaged to prepare plans and specifications to that end. It was the endeavor of the architect to disturb the existing buildings as little as was consistent with a proper solution of the problem. In the case of the Pond School, it has been found quite easy to add two wings to the present building without in . any way disturbing the old portions. The drawings pre-
sented herewith will illustrate the arrangement. The committee rec- ommends that the plans for the proposed extensions to the Pond School be adopted substantially as drawn and prepared by the architect, and that the sum of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) be appro- priated for the purpose of building and fitting up said extensions.
The Union School was more difficult to treat, both in exterior arrange- ment and in plan, as it required more radical changes to obtain a satisfac- tory arrangement. The additions to this building are proposed to be made by building an extension in the rear. The drawings herewith presented will illustrate the manner in which the proposed changes are to be carried into effect. The committee recommends that the proposed alterations of this building, as shown by the plans of the architect, be substantially carried out, and that the town appropriate the sum of eight thousand dollars ($8,000) for that purpose and for procuring such school fittings as may be necessary.
The committee is of the opinion that tlie alterations proposed to be made substantially as called for by the plans and specifications herein referred to will be entirely satisfactory in all respects, and that when these proposed extensions are completed, the town will possess, not only
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interesting architecturally, but also providing sufficient, suitable, con- venient, and healthful accommodations for the pupils attending them.
The committee therefore unanimously recommends that the town ap- propriate such sums of money as may be necessary to build said additions in a proper and substantial manner, and take such further action in the premises in order that the proposed extensions may be ready for occu- pancy by the first day of September next.
The committee submits these suggestions at this time, because it is absolutely essential, in the opinion of the committee, that the over- crowded condition of the within-mentioned schoolhouses and compliance with the law demand immediate action on the part of the town.
It will be remembered that a year has almost passed since. the School Committee was ordered by the Board of District Police to make certain improvements in said buildings, and although the Board has so far been willing to delay the carrying out of these improvements at the request of the committee on the supposition that the town was going to take action in the matter, it is doubtful how much longer they will be willing to con- tinue this delay.
Certainly the needs of the schools, as well as the keeping of good faith with the Board, requires immediate and decisive action on the part of the town.
F. A. HOBART,
T. H. DEARING, JAMES J. STEVENS, THOMAS A. WATSON, A. C. DRINKWATER, EDW. AVERY, Special Committee.
ALBERT E. AVERY,
L. H. H. JOHNSON,
E. A. WILDE, MRS. R. H. MORRISON,
HENRY L. DEARING, ANN M. BROOKS, School Committee.
NOTE. - Though not quite satisfied with the whole plan, I sign, as probably it is the best that can be agreed upon. T. H. D.
Voted, To receive the report and discharge the committee.
Voted, That the report be referred to the next annual meeting.
Voted, That Articles 3 and 4 be referred to the next annual meeting.
Voted, That Articles 5, 6, and 7 be indefinitely postponed.
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ARTICLE 8. The committee chosen Jan. 18, 1891, on law suits against the town submitted the following report :-
The committee appointed at the town-meeting held Jan. 14, 1891, to whom was referred Article 3 of the warrant, present herewith the follow- ing recommendations :-
First. In the suit of the Braintree Water Supply Company v. Town of Braintree, your committee are informed that, with the exception of the closing argument, the hearings have been finished, and they recommend that no action be taken by the town at the present time, other than that the same should be brought to a settlement as speedily as possible.
Second. In the suit of Mill Owners v. Towns of Braintree, Holbrook, and Randolph, your committee are informed that the towns of Holbrook and Randolph have appealed from the decision of the Commissioners, and asked for a jury trial, and are also informed that Braintree is bound by the action of the other towns. If this information is correct, then, since the interests of the three towns are identical, one counsel ought to be sufficient to defend our rights, and the committee recommend that the Selectmen be instructed to make such arrangements with the other towns as may be necessary to have the three towns represented by one counsel, and the expense to be shared equally ; or, if the claims against the town of Braintree can be settled independently of the towns of Hol- brook and Randolph, the Selectmen should be instructed to take such action advisable to settle said claims.
Third. In the suit of John Cavanagh & Sons v. Town of Braintree. As hearings in this suit are now in progress before a Commissioner, it has been impossible for your committee to obtain such definite informa- tion as they would like. They are of the opinion, however, that it is possible to compromise the suit without the delay and expense attendant on a long hearing, and they believe such action to be advisable. They therefore recommend that a committee be appointed by the town with full powers to act in this matter.
Fourth. In the suit of the late W. C. Boyce v. Town of Braintree, with the information the committee has received, would recommend the Selectmen to settle said claim at once.
Fifth. In the claim of the White heirs for mill damages against the town, the Selectmen having had notice that suit would be made, but not entered for trial, we recommend that the same committee take this matter under consideration, and, if possible, adjust the claim without further litigation.
DANIEL POTTER, For the Committee.
BRAINTREE, Jan. 28, 1891.
Voted, 'To receive the report, and place the same on file.
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Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to take into consideration the educational needs of the town and report at the annual meeting in March next.
Moderator appointed Daniel Potter, Josephus Sampson, and Thomas A. Watson.
Voted, That we adjourn.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
NORFOLK, ss. To either of the Constables of the town of Braintree, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Braintree, on Wednesday, the fourteenth day of January, 1891, at seven and one half o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to defray the expenses of the lawsuit between the town and the mill owners.
ART. 3. To see if the town desires to take any action in relation to the lawsuits now pending.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town, seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer. Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Braintree, this sixth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety- one.
ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, J. FRANKLIN BATES, Selectmen of Braintree.
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NORFOLK, ss.
BRAINTREE, Jan. 7, 1891.
Pursuant to the within warrant, I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, herein described, to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this warrant at more than nine public places in said town of Braintree, seven days before the time set for said meeting, and I have caused the said warrant to be published in the Braintree Observer once before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A true copy.
Attest : SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, Jan. 14, 1891.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the meeting was called to order, and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
A ballot was then taken under Article 1, with the use of the check-list, and B. Herbert Woodsum was declared elected modera- tor, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to pay the expenses incurred in the lawsuit between the town and the mill owners from moneys in town treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Voted, That the Selectmen pay the bill of Thomas E. Major out of the money in the treasury.
ART. 3. Voted, That Article 3 be referred to a committee of five, who shall be appointed by the Chair, to take the matter into consideration and report at the next annual meeting.
Chair appointed as that committee, Daniel Potter, John Reed, Joel F. Sheppard, George H. Arnold, and George D. Willis.
Voted, To adjourn at 10.25 P. M.
SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The members of the School Committee of Braintree respectfully submit the following report for the year 1890-1891 : -
As heretofore, of late years, they have made no attempt to discuss educational topics and theories, or to go into a detailed account of the working of the schools under their charge, believing that such subjects come more properly within the province of the Superintendent's report, but have confined themselves to a state- ment of the appropriations and expenditures, estimates for the ensuing year, a brief account of the more important questions coming before them during the year for settlement, the condition of the town property in their special department, and such general items in regard to the schools as may be interesting to all citizens in the town.
APPROPRIATIONS.
For schools
$9,500 00
Town school fund
.
350 00
State school fund
40 25
Dog tax .
714 84
Incidentals for schools
300 00
Incidentals for schoolhouses
1,100 00
Text-books and supplies
700 00
Superintendent's salary
1,200 00
For conveyance
200 00
Total
. $14,105 09
EXPENDITURES.
For schools
. $10,432 17
Incidentals for schools
.
622 92
Incidentals for schoolhouses
924 21
Text books and supplies
869 16
Superintendent's salary
1,200 00
For conveyance
115 58
Total
. $14,164 04
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The expense incident to the furnishing of the room for the temporary school in the Winter Building, the rent paid for the same, and the salaries of the extra teachers employed, will more than account for the amount by which the total appropriations for school purposes have been overrun.
ESTIMATES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
For schools (in addition to income from school fund
and dog tax) . $10,400 00
Incidentals for schools
500 00
Incidentals for schoolhouses
. 900 00
Text-books and supplies
700 00
For conveyance
200 00
Superintendent's salary
1,200 00
Total
. $13,900 00
In one respect, at least, the past year has been a remarkable one in the history of our schools. There has been an unprece- dented increase in the number of scholars, so great in some parts of the town that the accommodations proving utterly inadequate to the demand, the question at once arose as to the best method of providing additional room.
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