USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1888 > Part 2
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149 93
$270 72
BUILDING NEW ROAD NEAR ISRAEL PUTNAM'S.
L. K. Howard, labor and material. $17 00
D. W. Lane, labor. 13 00
4 00
$34 00
Bartlett & Dow, fence wire.
3 75
I. L. Putnam, posts ..
5 70 9 45
Staples Bros., drain pipe. . . .
5 28 5 28
$48 73
Frank St. Amour, labor.
21
CISTERN AND PUMP AT HALL, NORTH CHELMSFORD.
C. F. & J. B. Varnum, labor and material . ..
$54 26
C. W. Flint, labor.
3 00
$63 51
W. A. Mack & Co., pump and fixtures
19 37
19 37
S. P. Sampson, cistern.
37 75
37 75
George H. Smith, painting gutters.
8 25
8 25
$128 88
ADDITIONAL FACILITIES FOR EXTINGUISHING FIRES.
N. Y. Belting Co., hose.
$188 58
$188 58
City of Lowell, supplies
108 96
108 96
Silver & Gay, water pipe, etc.
61 67
Chelmsford Foundry Co., water pipe.
14 00
Proprietors Locks & Canals, iron pipe.
2 40
78 07
S. P. Sampson, laying water pipe ..
43 17
43 17
George C. Moore, hydrant valve.
26 00
26 00
J. A. Walkden, ladder carriage .
55 00
55 00
Bartlett & Dow, hardware.
1 25
1 25
John Wozencroft, blacksmithing
4 00
4 00
$505 03
CARE AND IMPROVEMENT OF CEMETERIES.
Thomas E. Symmes, survey and plan, Centre, L. K. Howard, labor and expense, Centre ... Charles E. Parkhurst, labor and stock, Centre, John Keats, labor, Centre.
$23 00
35 00
11 98
14 00
Frank St. Amour, labor, Centre
12 00
Willard Stone, labor, Centre ..
3 00
A. J. Lamphere, cutting grass, Centre .
2 50
John Wozencroft, blacksmithing, Centre ...
1 00
E. H. Warren, trees, Centre.
3 00
W. H. Spalding & Co., paint, Centre.
1 75
$107 23
Charles H. Dutton, labor and material, North Chelmsford
32 23
Arthur H. Sheldon, labor and expense, North Chelmsford
10 25
James D. Dunn, labor.
3 50
A. S. Peterson, labor.
2 55
George H. Smith, painting hearse-house. ...
12 95
61 48
George F. Snow, labor and material, West Chelmsford
5 10
Amounts carried forward $5 10
$168 71
.
6 25
Silas Holden, labor.
22
Amounts brought forward
$5 10
$168 71
J. W. Mason, labor, West Chelmsford 5 00
George Bussey, labor, West Chelmsford.
45
Dawson Pollard, labor.
20
Badger & Brooks, chestnut post.
2 00
12 75
D. P. Byam, labor, South Chelmsford
10 00
10 00
$191 46
TOWN OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES.
Paid E. H. Warren, services as treasurer. . . .
$50 00
E. H. Warren, expenses. 12 50
$62 50
Geo. A. Parkhurst, services and ex- penses as town clerk . .
57 43
Geo. A. Parkhurst, services and ex- penses as registrar.
17 73
75 16
N. B. Edwards, services and expenses as registrar (bill of '86, '87) .... L. M. Dutton, services and expenses as registrar .
15 75
15 75
H. S. Perham, services as warden, Precinct 1.
3 00
E. T. Adams, services as warden, Pre- cinct 1.
3 00
J. E. Warren, services as clerk, Pre- cinct 1.
3 00
J. P. Emerson, services as constable, Precinct 1.
3 00
12 00
Arthur H. Sheldon, services as warden, Precinct 2.
3 00
Chas. H. Dutton, services as warden, Precinct 2.
3 00
Fred T. Ripley, services as clerk, Pre- cinct 2.
3 00
Alfred Day, services as constable, Pre- cinct 2.
3 00
12 00
A. G. Parkhurst, services as warden, Precinct 3.
3 00
William Kiernan, services as w rden, Precinct 3
3 00
M. H. Winship, services as clerk, Pre- cinct 3. 3 00
J. H. Whidden, services as constable, Precinct 3
3 00
12 00
Amount carried forward.
$198 41
9 00
9 00
23
Amount brought forward.
$198 41
Paid L. K. Howard, services as selectman ...
$80 00
L. K. Howard, expenses as selectman .. .
12 50
92 50
72 00
27 00
99 00
39 00
15 00
54 00
40 00
15 00
55 00
35 00
50 00
C. W. Flint, services as assessor.
90 00
C. W. Flint, expenses as assessor .
11 85
101 85
L. K. Howard, services as assessor.
38 00
L. K. Howard, expenses as assessor . .
3 00
41 00
R. Wilson Dix, services as assessor
9 00
R. Wilson Dix, expenses as assessor
5 00
14 00
John Q. Battles, services as assessor. .
25 00
John Q. Battles, expenses as assessor. ..
10 00
35 00
Geo. F. Snow, services as assessor.
32 00
Geo. F. Snow, expenses as assessor
12 00
44 00
Alfred Day, services enforcing dog law,
12 42
Alfred Day, services as constable. .
5 00
17 42
J. H. Whidden, services as constable ... N. B. Edwards, services as committee on burying-grounds
5 75
5 75
J. P. Emerson, services posting warrants,
3 00
J. P. Emerson, services notifying 17 town officers . .
5 10
J. P. Emerson, traveling fees .
2 50
10 60
J P. Emerson, Daniel P. Byam, services as appraisers .
6 00
6 00
Geo. F. Dyar, services as constable. . . .
7 50
7 50
Ziba Gay, E. F. Richardson, services as auditors
6 00
6 00
$843 03
...
...
. ..
5 00
5 00
C. W. Flint, services as selectman ..... C. W. Flint, expenses as selectman .... R. Wilson Dix, services as selectman. .. R. Wilson Dix, expenses as selectman .. John Q. Battles, services as selectman, John Q. Battles, expenses as selectman, Geo. F. Snow, services as selectman. ... Geo. F. Snow, expenses as selectman. ..
15 00
24
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
S. W. Huse & Co., printing 600 Town and School Reports. . $48 00
S. W. Huse & Co., printing 7 25
S. W. Huse & Co., printing warrants 5 00
7 30
$67 55
Marden & Rowell, printing election cards. . ..
11 00
Marden & Rowell, printing voting lists. . ...
10 50
Marden & Rowell, printing license ballots ...
2 00
23 50
Bacheller, Dumas & Co., precinct books ....
5 00
5 00
Sargent & Gay, printing precinct notices .... M. R. Warren, order book.
6 50
6 50
Traders & Mechanics Insurance Co., insuring school-house No. 1.
36 74
Springfield Fire Insurance Co., insuring school-house No. 6.
8 00
44 74
G. H. Heald, et al., witnesses (Litchfield case), Alfred Day, services and witnesses' fees paid (Litchfield case) .
58 10
H. S. Perham, time and expense in Litchfield case .
10 00
113 10
James Kennedy, special police, District 6. . ..
21 00
Alfred Day, special police, District 6.
26 50
47 50
Geo. H. Holt, pump for Centre Hall (bill of 1886) .
16 35
Geo. H. Holt, lengthening pump (bill of 1886) L. K. Howard, labor on Centre town well ... A. B. Adams, plank, Centre town well ...
3 50
19 85
William Livingston, cement, Centre town well ..
1 40
9 62
John Wozencroft, 1 set Kimball patent run- ners for Centre hearse.
40 00
40 00
Jerry Ryan, stove pipe, etc., Precinct 3
4 23
John E. Berry, chairs, Precinct 3.
4 00
Geo. F. Snow, expenses, Precinct 3
3 00
11 23
Bartlett & Dow, 3 draw-locks, Centre Hall .. .
1 50
1 50
Dawson Pollard, reporting 2 deaths
50
50
A. J. Lamphere, care Centre Hall
9 50
A. J. Lamphere, repairs and supplies
1 30
10 80
Geo. E. Spaulding, setting glass in hall at North Chelmsford ..
1 50
1 50
5 75
5 75
L. K. Howard, reporting 23 deaths, 1886-87, Daniel P. Byam, reporting 5 deaths .
1 25
1 25
$411 14
S. W. Huse & Co., stationery
1 25
1 25
45 00
6 50
1 72
AGGREGATE OF APPROPRIATIONS, RECEIPTS, AND EXPENDITURES.
ACCOUNTS.
Appropria- tions.
Expendi- tures.
Surplus.
Deficit.
Schools, appropriation.
$5,000 00
School fund.
181 01
Dog tax ..
351 12
Tuition from non-resi-
42 20
Teaching.
$5,193 00
Care of houses
293 37
Fuel
472 79
Sale of fuel.
15 56
369 27
School incidentals
450 00
476 08
26 08
Free text-books, appropriation .. .
400 00
Free text-books, receipts.
86 44
716 08
229 64
Support of poor, appropriation. .
2,000 00
Support of poor, receipts.
1,184 54
2,718 10
466 44
Highway, appropriation
3,500 00
Highway receipts
18 50
3,663 80
145 30
State aid, receipts.
429 00
455 50
26 50
Repairs of public buildings, ap- propriation
300 00
341 86
41 86
Relief of indigent soldiers and sailors, appropriation
100 00
Relief of indigent soldiers and sailors, receipts.
62 50
80 00
82 50
Town officers and committees, appropriation.
850 00
843 03
6 97
taxes, appropriation. . Miscellaneous expenses, appro-
400 00
270 72
129 28
priation
300 00
411 14
68 26
Enforcement of liquor law ....
200 00
66 25
133 75
Cistern and pump for Town Hall, North Chelmsford ..
100 00
128 88
28 88
Care and improvement of ceme- teries. ..
300 00
191 46
108 54
Survey and plans of town wood- lots ..
25 00
22 00
3 00
Townway near Israel Putnam's ..
50 00
48 73
. 27
Additional facilities for extin- guishing fires
500 00
505 03
5 03
$17,025 27
$16,897 82 $1,000 01 127 45
127 45
$17,025 27 $17,025 27 $1,000 01
$1,000 01
Appropriations
.$14,475 00
Amount of orders
$16,897 82
Receipts.
2,550 27
Surplu + 127 45
$17,025 27
$17,025 27
L. K. HOWARD, CHARLES W. FLINT, R. WILSON DIX, JOHN Q. BATTLES, GEORGE F. SNOW,
Selectmen.
Collection a̱nd abatement of
Miscellaneous expenses, receipts,
179 40
$872 56
dent pupils
AUDITORS' REPORT.
We have examined the account of the Treasurer for the year end- ing Feb. 29, 1888, and find his receipts and payments properly en- tered and vouched, and a balance of six hundred and eighty-seven dollars and forty-three cents ($687.43) in his hands.
We have also examined the vouchers in the hands of the Select- men, and find bills and receipts amounting to sixteen thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven dollars and eighty-two cents ($16,897.82), vouching for orders drawn by them amounting to sixteen thousand eight hundred and sixty-one dollars and eighty-two cents ($16,861.82), paid by the Treasurer, and one for thirty-six dollars ($36) outstand- ing.
We find -
Cash in the treasury .
$687 43
Tax of 1886, uncollected.
$ 91 96
Interest due on tax of 1886
9 11
Tax of 1887, uncollected.
1,029 40
Interest due on tax of 1887
30 01
1,160 48
School books and supplies
192 86
Due from the State -
For State Aid to January, 1888.
$448 50
State Aid for January and February
77 00
Relief to January, 1888
42 50
Relief for January and February
7 50
Armory rent.
150 00
725 50
$2,766 27
Outstanding order
$ 36 00
Kimball Fund .
100 00
Interest on Kimball Fund
22 64
Silver Fund . .
100 00
Interest on Silver Fund.
13 00
Liabilities (estimated).
200 00
Abatements (estimated)
100 00
571 64
Balance of assets
$2,194 63
ZIBA GAY, E. F. RICHARDSON, Auditors.
CHELMSFORD, March 3, 1888.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
MIDDLESEX, SS. To either of the Constables of the Town of Chelmsford, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are hereby re- quired to notify the legal voters of said Chelmsford to meet at the Town Hall, at Chelmsford Center, on Monday, the nineteenth day of March current, being the third Monday in said month, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz .:-
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator.
ART. 2. To hear reports of town officers and committees, and act thereon.
ART. 3. To determine the manuer of collecting the taxes.
ART. 4. To determine the manner of repairing the highways, townways, and bridges.
ART. 5. To choose all necessary town officers.
ART. 6. To act in relation to the list of jurors prepared by the selectmen.
ART. 7. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be required to defray town charges for the ensuing year.
ART. 8. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer to borrow such sums of money as may be required for the demands upon him in anti- cipation of the taxes of the ensuing year, and payable therefrom.
ART. 9. To see if the town will vote to grant licenses for the sale of intoxi- cating liquors for the current year.
ART 10. To see if the town will vote to sell the Parker wood-lot, so-called, containing four acres, more or less, or act in relation thereto.
ART. 11. At the request of Riley Davis, E. W. Sweetser, and others, to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dol- lars ($50) to dig a well and put in a pump at the school-house in District four, or act in relation thereto.
ART. 12. To see if the town will vote to pay T. S. Edmands the sum of ten dollars ($10) for police service in School-district number six.
ART. 13. At the request of Samuel Naylor, J. A. Parkhurst, J. H. Whidden, and others, to see if the town will vote to put in a bank wall in front of school-house number nine, in village of West Chelms- ford, and properly grade said lot, and appropriate four hundred dollars ($400) for the same, or such an amount as may be deemed sufficient.
28
ART 14. To see if the town will vote to accept a townway as laid out by the selectmen, beginning at the terminus of an old townway, near the residence of Ephraim Crosby, running easterly about one hundred and eight rods to a stake and stone in a wall, about forty rods northerly of the point where the Old Colony railroad crosses the road from Chelmsford Center to Lowell.
ART. 15. To see if the town will vote to remove the pound and locate an- other in some more desirable place, or act in relation thereto.
ART. 16. To see if the town will authorize the selectmen to act as their agents in any suit or suits which may arise during the ensuing year.
ART. 17. First, To see if the town will vote to instruct the town clerk to collect the old School-district Records and place them in the town safe; second, To see if the town will vote to instruct the town clerk to catalogue the records and documents belonging to the town; third, To see if the town will vote to transcribe the early town records and raise and appropriate money for the sev- eral objects of this article.
ART. 18 At the request of the School Committee, to see if the town will appropriate money to provide suitable closets for the safe keep- ing of books and school apparatus; also, to provide sinks for use of such schools as may need them.
ART. 19. To see what provision the town will make for the education of truants, or act in relation thereto.
ART. 20. At the request of Charles E. A. Bartlett and others, to see if the town will raise and appropriate money to make necessary alterations in town building at Chelmsford Center, or act in relation thereto.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant, by posting up at- tested copies thereof at the post-offices in the Center of the town,. South Chelmsford, North Chelmsford, West Chelmsford, and at the school-house at East Chelmsford, ten days at least before the time appointed for holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make return of this Warrant, with your do- ings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of holding the meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this seventh day of March, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighty-eight.
L. K. HOWARD, CHARLES W. FLINT, R. WILSON DIX, JOHN Q. BATTLES, GEORGE F. SNOW, Selectmen of Chelmsford.
I have served the foregoing Warrant, by posting up true and · attested copies of the same at the places above mentioned, more than ten days before the day of holding said meeting.
A true copy attest : JAMES P. EMERSON,
Constable oj Chelmsford.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF CHELMSFORD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING FEB. 29, 1888.
LOWELL, MASS. : VOX POPULI PRESS: 130 CENTRAL STREET. 1888.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT.
YOUR School Committee herewith respectfully sub- mit their Annual Report for the year 1887-8. The term of service of S. J. Garland, J. H. Hazen, and George F. Lock having expired, the following were elected their successors at the March election : F. C. Byam, Riley Davis, and F. A. Furlong ; subsequently Mr. Furlong resigned from the board, he having moved from Chelmsford to Lowell; and at a special joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen and School Board, called at the request of R. S. Ripley and other members of the board, Mr. Robert Fletcher was elected to fill the place made vacant for such time, or until his successor shall be elected at the regular Town Meeting at this coming March election.
As re-organized, the board made choice of R. S. Ripley chairman, and Rev. N. C. Saunders secre- tary. The board then proceeded to the election of Superintendent of Schools, and George F. Snow was unanimously elected, and it goes without say- ing that he has given the most perfect satisfaction,
4
not only to your School Board, but to the teachers and scholars of all the schools. He is justly fitted for the manifold duties incumbent upon a Superin- tendent; for while he is knowing to the wants and requirements of the schools, he has the ability, tact, and determination to carry out the same for the best interests of all concerned. You will find his report herewith appended in all its completeness.
Your Committee have reason to feel satisfied that the school work as a whole, for the past year, has in no way deteriorated from their previous good work, but has rather advanced a step forward in the march of improvement, as called for by all interested in our public schools, and in the educa- tion of our children. We are endeavoring to please all by -
First. Making our schools so good that all scholars will love to come, and parents will insist on send- ing them.
Second. By procuring the best Superintendent and teachers for our schools, and by proper treatment and good salaries, keeping them with us.
Third. By teaching more the English branches, in order that the majority of our children may receive an education more in keeping for the general and active duties of life, leaving the sciences for those who desire a profession as a means of livelihood.
Fourth. To fully carry out the provisions of the law relating to the employment of minors under
5
fourteen years of age, or over fourteen years who can neither read nor write the English language, in order that they may become, by education, hon- ored and respected citizens, rather than a disgrace and burden on our commonwealth, by reason of ignorance.
Many new ideas and suggestions are continually being advanced, to further the efficiency of our common schools, and your Committee are honestly and conscientiously trying, each in his several district, to carry out such work as will best meet the pleasure and approbation of all citizens, whose servants "we are. While your Committee have tricd to keep the school expenditures within the appro- priation, the past year, they know they have ex- ceeded it somewhat slightly by reason of the in- crease of salary which they thought necessary to many of the lady teachers, it seeming to us proper to comply with a general demand from all over the State that this be done, in order that we may keep with us those to whom we may safely en- trust the moral and physical, as well as the mental, welfare of our children. We believe the compen- sation none to, high now, for we demand now a higher qualification as teachers than in the past, and must of necessity pay for it. Your Committee find it difficult to procure suitable masters or prin- cipals for their high schools, many declining to come on account of the meager salary, and those
3
6
who do come only do so until such time as they may receive better positions. Now, as we have two high schools in Chelmsford, we feel as though a larger school fund would be necessary if we may have and keep the best teachers for these schools.
We would therefore most respectfully ask the voters of Chelmsford to see the wisdom of our request, and see to it that we get such sums as shall permit us to carry out the school work as shall do honor to all, and that shall compare favorably with other schools in the State.
Your Committee also recommend the extending of the school term from thirty-four (34) weeks to forty (40) weeks. Most of the larger towns, and all cities, have the longer term, and there seems no just reason why we may not. We find, by inquiry among many parents, - in fact, almost without ex- ception, outside the farming districts, - it to be the desire of all to so lengthen the school year. Can this be done in the near future, we shall have ac- complished much good and a much-needed reform, at a little extra expense.
We also desire to bring to the attention of the voters of Chelmsford the much-needed improvement in the manner of heating our school-rooms, es- pecially in the larger schools. As now, we have the old box stoves, which have been in vogue for many years in all the schools, except the school at Chelmsford Center. We do not need to enter
1
into a discussion of the many reasons why the present method should be done away with, and new systems substituted, such as furnaces, or what is much more valuable, steam heat, because you are well aware of the many disadvantages which accompany the first, as compared with the many advantages of the last, way. As you value the health and comfort of your children above all money consideration, would it not be well to care- fully look into this matter, and see that some change shall be made, tending to the better health and comfort of our children, and teachers as well ?
There are many things which your Committee would like to speak of, but time and a desire not to tax your patience forbid.
We can not close our report without extending to Mr. George F. Patridge, a former principal of the high school at North Chelmsford, our most grateful thanks for his very valuable gift to the above school of a set of three (3) volumes of " The People's Cyclopædia." They are now being con- stantly used by the teachers and scholars, and found to be one of the most valuable acquisitions to our schools.
Your Committee find that the position and duties on the School Board are no sinecure, but rather thankless ones, and often criticised and blamed for . any and all real or imaginary shortcomings that may occur in the school work; and coming, as it
8
does, from those whose only interests are governed by its increased expenses, leads us to ask, Do you wonder it is hard to find capable and willing men to serve you under such circumstances ?
Yet, there are many pleasant things connected with the duties of your Committee, which give them courage to go on doing their work as they, in their judgment, think best, bearing in mind at all times that they are but carrying out the desires and wishes of the tax-payers of Chelmsford.
R. S. RIPLEY, Chairman, N. C. SAUNDERS, Secretary,
J. C. HOBBS,
T. S. EDMANDS,
RILEY DAVIS,
M. H. WINSHIP,
F. C. BYAM,
E. E. DUTTON,
ROBERT FLETCHER,
School Committee.
NORTH CHELMSFORD, MASS., March 1, 1888.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Gentlemen of the School Committee :
IT is a pleasure to report a steady and substantial growth in the educational affairs of this town, rather than any decided innovations.
During the past year I have made one hundred and eighty official visits. These visits were made without notice to any one, so that I found the schools in their ordinary working condition. Allowing the teacher to proceed with the regular order of work, I was thus en- abled to judge of the teacher's ability to instruct and the quality of work done. During or at the close of these visits I asked such questions and made such sug- gestions as, in my judgment, seemed called for. The good spirit in which all suggestions have been received, and the willingness to comply with the same, have pleas- antly impressed me with their desire to heartily co- operate with all school authorities in measures tending to improvement.
Our schools have taken no step backward; and while there is certainly room for improvement in some, the majority are in the most flourishing and healthy condi- tion, and good results are flowing from the efforts of the teachers employed in them, - results gratifying alike to teachers, Superintendent, and patrons.
10
CHANGE OF TEACHERS.
Fortunately for the town, but few changes have oc- curred in our corps of teachers during the year. Teach- ers should be engaged, not for a single term or a single year, but during satisfactory service, or until attacked by the all too fatal malady - matrimony.
CAREFUL PREPARATION.
Our teachers are endeavoring to better prepare them- selves, both in matter and method, for teaching the various subjects required in the schools. Educational papers are taken by all of them, and have a tendency to arouse discussion as to the best manner of presenting different subjects, and often suggest valuable ideas. Most teachers realize that it is as essential for them to read educational works as for the physician or lawyer to read books devoted to their professions.
SCHOOL-BUILDINGS.
Our school-buildings are generally in good condition, but their surroundings ought to be made more attractive. Public sentiment in each district should be turned in this direction. The teachers can do much toward arous- ing such a sentiment by inducing pupils to interest themselves in improving the school-room and grounds. I have gone from a school-room, with bare and cheerless walls, to one in which the teacher and pupils had placed plants and fragrant flowers in the windows, and decorated the walls with paper and pictures, and the contrast has greatly impressed me. A different atmosphere seemed to pervade the latter school. Whatever work one does can be better done in the midst of pleasant surround- ings, and this applies equally to the school-room, the
11
workshop, and the office. Parents do not thoughtfully consider how many hours their children spend in and about the school-house, or they would take a greater interest in the improvement of buildings and grounds. The school-house and its patrons should be brought closer together. Let us applaud all efforts toward bring- ing about this much-desired result.
TEXT-BOOKS.
Since the introduction of Lippincott's series of read- ers (five in number), the interest in the reading lesson has greatly increased ; the pupils have been more atten- tive, and there has been a decided improvement in tone, pronunciation, and fluency.
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