USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1907 > Part 4
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ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA,
Agent, Precinct 1.
The following report of Agent of the Board of Health of Precincts Nos. 2 and 3 is submitted :
This part of Chelmsford is and always has been healthy. The natural drainage toward the Merrimack River and Stony Brook and a gravel soil have much to do with this.
If this healthy condition is to continue under the changing conditions something must soon be done in way of sewerage ; better care must be taken of closets and out-houses.
Our tenement houses are not properly cared for ; hen houses and hen yards are not kept clean and are in too close proximity to dwelling houses. Sanitary conditions at the North schools are a disgrace to the community and something should be done at once to correct this. The Rendering Plant between the North and West has given cause of complaint. It is evidently the desire of
82
the proprietors of this establishment to conduct their business so that it will not be obnoxious to our citizens. Some action should be taken to ensure a supply of pure milk of the required stand- ard. Stables, milk houses and milk containers are a source of danger.
I suggest that no person be allowed to sell milk without first obtaining a license to do so.
CONTAGIOUS AND INFECTIOUS
Scarlet Fever 18
Diphtheria
8
Membraneous Croup
1
Measles
2
Typhoid Fever
1
F. E. VARNEY, M. D., Agent Board of Health,
Precincts Nos. 2 and 3.
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSION
The Commission is pleased to report a satisfactory condition of the five cemeteries under its charge.
There has been no new work done at Forefathers during the past year.
At Pine Ridge we have had the growth kept down on that section not yet prepared for burial purposes ; done more clearing on the south portion and had all kept in an attractive condition.
We are very happy to make mention of the good work ac- complished at the West cemetery. Especially to note the generous public spirit manifested by the lot owners, which resulted in the erection of a building in the centre circle to afford protection from the heat of the day or inclement weather, as well as to give a place of rest to visitors weary in body or mind.
The local Superintendent, always enthusiastically interested in the work, has very artistically beautified its surroundings with lawn and shrubbery. Mr. Geo. F. Snow has assisted very gener- ously here in improving the entrance and roadway to the cemetery. Other friends have kindly assisted in the general improvement. Special mention should also be made of the donation by Hon. H. E. Fletcher of the stone foundation for their building.
Altogether, the West cemetery is one of which our citizens may well be proud.
No new work has been done at Riverside or Hart Pond, but these grounds have been well cared for by their respective Super - intendents.
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We now have 37 separate trust funds. A total of $4,650, with a yearly income of $186. While the earnings of these funds are applicable only to their respective lots, still it assists greatly in keeping up the general appearance.
There is a great deal to be done in all the cemeteries to bring them up to where they should be, but we feel that a very marked improvement has been made since the creation of this board and with the support of the people this will certainly continue.
The Commission has suffered a great loss the past year in the death of its chairman, Alexander J. Park. His going will not only be felt keenly by this board, but it means to the town the loss of a very able, consciencious and public spirited citizen.
CHARLES F. SCRIBNER. HARRY L. PARKHURST.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN AND LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK
March 1, 1907.
In rendering my report as Tree Warden, I will state that dur- ing the past year, sixty trees have been set out upon the highways and four have been removed.
The ever increasing demand for the services of the tree warden shows that the tree warden law is generally respected.
There has been one wilful violation of the law reported, but, occurring so late in the year, the facts of the adjustment of the case will appear in the next report.
The presence of moths, both brown-tail and gypsy, has been the all-absorbing question. Acting under the direction of the State officials the trees upon the highways and public places of the town were cleared of brown-tail moths last winter, 1905-1906.
The people were generally interested in the cleaning of private estates. But despite all efforts at extermination, the results of the fall of 1906 showed a large increase in the numbers of the brown-tail moths, although efforts are still being made to suppress them.
One year ago we knew of but one gypsy moth nest in the town, while now our territory is generally infested, the pest having been found in over three hundred different places in the town. In August the State men scouted the town finding a total of 812 nests. Since then the town has been thoroughly scouted by local men, with the result of 751 nests, making a total of 1,563 nests which have been treated in the town.
86
Under directions from the State the principal thoroughfares of the town were cleaned of bushes and superfluous trees to pre- vent the rapid spreading of the moths. The work was carried on as long as the season would permit, which resulted in a very much improved condition of the roadsides.
We are required by the State to burlap the trees for a hundred feet around every infested location. The burlapping of trees is considered the most efficient means of extermination, but in many places we may have to resort to spraying.
The work has assumed proportions which require the con- stant employment of several men and is of great importance to the town, as it is only by strenuous efforts that the pests can be kept under control until parasites, which are the only hope of prominent entomologists, can be introduced.
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE B. B. WRIGHT.
LIST OF JURORS
As prepared by the Selectmen, February 28, 1907
Adams, Eben T. . . Grocer
Brown, Fred M Carpenter
Billson, Amos Engineer
Bean, Minot A
. Clerk
Dix, R. Wilson Stone Contractor
Durgin, Geo. A. .Farmer
Emerson, John B. . Grocer
Emerson, Walter B Farmer
Fulton, Charles S
. Clerk
Foote, Frank G Merchant
Finnigan, John
Iron Worker
Fallon, Edward
Overseer
Grant, Arthur W
Salesman
Hall, Wm. H.
Mechanic
Hodson, Fred M
Plumber
Holt, Chas. A.
Real Estate
Harrington, John E.
Insurance
Knight, Isaac N Plumber
Lapham, Edgar B. Farmer
Martin, Wm. E.
Operative
Martin, Frank P.
Operative
Monohan, John J. Contractor
McManomin, John F . Grocer
McNally, Owen F
Moulder
McMahon, Patrick T Merchant
Ogley, Samuel
Overseer
Parker, Edgar R Farmer
88
Parker, Edward F. Farmer
Park, A. Heady . Farmer
Phillips, James B Farmer
Quigley, Wm. J. Overseer
Quinn, John P.
Merchant
Reardon, Daniel A
. Coal Dealer
Reed, Arthur E
Wheelwright
Russell, Fred A.
Farmer
Scoboria, John P
. Carpenter
Scribner, Chas. F
Post Master
Smith, Thomas.
Farmer
Spaulding, Geo. O
Farmer
Stetson, Geo. . .
Overseer
Sweetser, Herbert C. Merchant
Tuck, Edward. Overseer
Upton, John P.
Merchant
Ward, James W Wire Worker
E. T. ADAMS,
Chairman.
Aggregate of Appropriations, Receipts and Expenditures
ACCOUNTS
Appropria- tions and Receipts
Expendi- tures
Surp us,
Deficit
Teaching care and fuel.
$16,000 00
Receipts from State.
937 50
$16,909 05
807 45
Superintendent ..
562 50)
On account of Education of children from State and others
216 50
Text books and supplies
1,100 00
1,180 87
30 87
Incidentals.
200 00
151 39
48 61
Apparatus.
50 00
39 82
10 18
Furniture and repairs.
900 00
546 61
353 39
Transportation
800 00
988 00
188 00
Sale of books
1 00
1 00
Highways ..
5,500 00
7,102 31
13 78
Receipts
1,538 53
Support of Poor
1.500 00 }
3,298 40
268 00
Street Lighting.
1,800 00
1.767 72
32 28
Trust fund receipts
194 00
194 00
State and Military aid receipts
1,559 00
1,603 00
44 00
Indigent soldiers and sailors.
300 00 }
105 00 5
369 00
36 00
Town officers and committees.
3,000 00
3,129 12
129 12
Collection and abatement of taxes
700 00
836 90
Adams Library.
800 00
800 00
Loans and Interests
4,747 80
4,737 80
Rifle range.
150 00
146 50
3 50
Memorial Day
100 00
84 20
15 80
Cattle inspection
150 00
150 00
Enforcing liquor law.
100 00
14 50
85 50
Tree Warden.
200 00
128 45
71 55
Moth work .. Receipts
1,000 00 }
2,749 68
777 68
Widening West Chelmsford road
1,200 00
1,081 44
118 56
Firemen's Relief Association ..
200 00
200 00
Sidewalk North Village
55 25
36 40
18 85
Repairs at South Village School.
500 00
285 29
214 71
Grading at West Village School.
300 00
249 80
50 20
Miscellaneous Expenses. Receipts
1,000 00 }ยท
2,399 05
337 20
Land Damage West Village receipts
1,417 00
1,417 00
700 00 }
595 21
347 79
Repairs Public Buildings
600 00
592 50
7 50
$55,743 53 $54,224 01
$3,207 87
$1,688 35
Net Surplus
$55,743 53 $55,743 53
$3,207 87
$3,207 87
Appropriations Receipts.
$44,083 05
Expenditures Surplus
$54,224 01
11.660 48
1,519 52
55,743 53
$55,743 53
EBEN T. ADAMS, R. WILSON DIX, JAMES P. DUNIGAN, JOHN J. DUNN, WILBUR E. LAPHAM, Selectmen.
136 90
North Chelmsford Library Association
400 00
400 00
Village clock ..
30 00
30 00
972 00
1,736 25
Care and Improvement of Cemeteries. Receipts
243 00 5
1,519 52
1,519 52
Receipts
1,530 40 5
Dog Licenses
647 80
647 80
ANNUAL REPORT
Of the School Committee and the
Superintendent of Schools of the
TOWN OF CHELMSFORD
For the School Year Ending Feb. 28, 1907
School Committee, 1906-7
DR. FRED E. VARNEY, -
-
Term expires 1907
JOHN J. MONAHAN, CHARLES H. ELLIS, - Term expires 1909
Term expires 1908
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
FREDERICK L. KENDALL.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1906-07
TO THE CITIZENS OP CHELMSFORD :
Your Committee presents herewith its report for the fiscal year ending February 22, 1907, together with that of our Super- intendent.
The Committee cannot make the unqualified assertion that our schools are doing superior work. Some of them are not as satis- factory as we would like to report them.
We believe that in general the work accomplished in our schools is good, that is improving, and that with the active, steady co-operation of all our citizens, particularly of those parents whose children are in school, we will be able to give our children a train- ing equal to that received in the schools of any town in Massa- chusetts.
Our schools have suffered during the past year from the many changes and substitutions in the teaching force made necessary by sickness and resignations . We believe that both these causes may be materially mitigated by giving teachers adequate salaries. They would then be able to rest during vacation time, would return to their duties clear of head and strong of body, and we would not be continually losing trained teachers to other towns and cities where advantages and salaries are much greater than anything we can offer. Your Committee has given small increases of salary each year to those teachers who remain in the town's service. We propose to further increase the salaries of our com- petent teachers until in the judgment of the Committee they are receiving a fair return for their services.
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More school accommodations must be furnished very soon. At South Chelmsford there is immediate need of a new two-room building, and an article has been inserted in the warrant for our next annual town meeting in relation to a new building at that place. At North Chelmsford both buildings are crowded and something must be done to relieve conditions there. At the Cen- tre the building is being rapidly outgrown.
As it now appears to your Committee there must, within a short time, be two new buildings, one at the North and the other at the Centre, or one new building erected at some point nearly equidistant from North and Centre. If a location can be secured at some central point, and a building erected thereon to accommo- date all the High School and Ninth Grade pupils in town, the question of new buildings will have been wisely solved ; the town will have but one High School to maintain, and we believe our children will receive a much better training than it is at the present time possible to give them in the High Schools we are trying to run with underpaid teachers. The transportation problem that would arise would be met and worked out without causing undue hardship to anyone.
We believe Chelmsford desires to keep up and improve her standard in education. Your Committee invites intelligent crit- icism, and urges upon the parents the necessity of frequent visits to the school-room, that they may know of their own knowl- edge of the work that there is being done. We ask and expect of all citizens a continued and liberal interest in the education of our children.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend the acquisition by the town of sufficient land around the Centre School to make a suitable play-ground. We think the present conditions are unsatisfactory, and small children are in continual danger of bodily injury while running back and forth across the street.
We recommend the appropriation of a sum of money to pro- vide for Medical Examiners in the schools, in accordance with Chapter 502, Acts of 1906. Examinations already made by order
95
of the State Authorities disclose in our schools ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY cases of defective eyesight, and FIFTY-FIVE cases of defect- ive hearing.
We recommend the erection of a two-room schoolhouse at South Chelmsford. The present building is inadequate, and we do not consider it economy to spend any more money on it.
We recommend the appropriation of sums of money for the laying out and grading of the schoolhouse ground at West Chelms- ford and East Chelmsford.
To enable us to properly meet the requirements for the com- ing year, we recommend the appropriation of the following sums of money : -
For Teaching. $14,650 00
Care.
1,700 00
Fuel.
1,600 00
Apparatus
100 00
Text books and supplies
1,200 00
Transportation .
1,000 00
Furniture and repairs
900 00
Incidentals .
200 00
Total $21,350 00
In order that all may understand the requirements expected from applicants for the position of teacher in our town schools : -
Applicants for position in grades One to Eight in- clusive must be graduates of a Massachusetts State Normal School, or have had experience in teaching in Public Schools equal to Normal training.
For grades Nine and High School, College training is required.
Your attention is called to the report of our Superintendent of Schools, and we request that it be carefully read.
DR. FRED E. VARNEY, JOHN J. MONAHAN, CHARLES H. ELLIS,
Committee.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1907-1908
Spring term, 1907, April 1 to June 21, twelve weeks.
The school year for 1907-1908 will begin September 3, 1907, and end June 19, 1908.
The fall and winter terms in the high schools will each be fourteen weeks in length, and the spring term, twelve weeks.
The fall and winter terms in the common schools will each be thirteen weeks in length, and the spring term, twelve weeks.
VACATIONS
High Schools : December 21 to 29, and March 21 to 29, inclusive. Common Schools: December 21 to January 5, and March 14 to 29, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS
Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, February 22, April 19 and May 30.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Gentlemen of the School Committee:
I respectfully submit the following report concerning the schools of Chelmsford for the year ending February 28, 1907.
STATISTICS
Population of the town, census of 1905 4.254
Valuation of the town, May 1, 1906. $3,153,080
Children between five and fifteen years of age,
September, 1906: boys, 411; girls, 384; total 795
Children between seven and fourteen years of age,
September, 1906: boys, 307; girls, 272; total 579
Illiterate minors over fourteen years of age, Sept- ember, 1906 0
FOR THE YEAR ENDING IN JUNE, 1906
Different pupils . 882
Pupils under five years of age 7
Pupils over fifteen years of age 64
Pupils between five and fifteen years of age. 811
Pupils between seven and fourteen years of age 626
Average membership in all the schools. 750.9
Average attendance in all the schools.
685.3
Per cent. of attendance . 91.3
Average length of all the schools. .9 months, 51/2 days Average length of the high schools 9 months, 16 days Teachers now required 27
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TEACHERS
Since the writing of last year's report, seven of the teachers then on the force have resigned; namely, Miss Plaisted and Mrs. Furbush of the Centre school, Misses Shaw, Ramsay, Wheeler and Hoyt of the North school, and Miss Emerson of the West school.
Of these resignations, that of Miss Hoyt deserves more than a passing notice from the fact that when she tendered her resignation just before the Christmas vacation she had just completed twenty-six years of continuous teaching in the same school. Her abundant geniality, and her faith and interest in the children who came to her for their start on the road to knowledge were so refreshing and inspiring, that while we regret her resignation, we can but wish her happiness and prosperity in her new sphere of activity.
The vacancies caused by these resignations have been filled by the election of a new teacher to the place vacated, or by the transfer of a teacher already in the service to a position which for some reason seemed more desirable. The vacancies caused by these transfers have been filled by the election of new teachers.
Miss Alice J. Potter of Marblehead, a graduate of Middle- bury college, succeeded Miss Helen F. Plaisted as assistant in the Centre high school in January; and Miss J. Irena Gurney of Adams, a graduate of the Adams high school, and a teacher of experience, became the teacher of the Centre sixth and seventh grade room after the Christmas vacation. Previous to that time, four different teachers had been in charge of that room since the beginning of the fall term in September. The first one was obliged to leave on account of ill health, the next two were substitutes, and the fourth sent in her resignation just before Christmas. At the North school, Miss Lena R. Edmands of Saugus, a graduate of Boston University, has suc- ceeded Miss Clara L. Shaw as assistant in the High school, and Miss Katherine M. Quinn of Lowell, a graduate of the Lowell Normal school, has the room formerly taught by Miss Sara E. Wheeler. Both of these teachers began work in Sept-
99
ember. On the same date, Misses Ena G. Macnutt of Chelms- ford and Alice L. Clarke of Lowell, graduates of the Lowell Normal school, became teachers of the North Row and South Row schools, respectively. When Miss Macnutt was trans- ferred to the West school, Miss Margaret C. Gookin of Lowell, also a graduate of the Lowell Normal school, was elected as her successor.
The following transfers have been made during the year :
Miss Harriet M. Hall from the Golden Cove school to the North school, grade II, September, 1906.
Miss Catherine E. McDermott from the South Row school to the West school, grades I, II, and III, September, 1906.
Miss Ellen R. Breen from the North Row school to the Golden Cove school, September, 1906.
Miss Catherine E. McDermott from the West school to the North school, grade I, January, 1907.
Miss Ena G. Macnutt from the North Row school to the West school, grades I, II, and III, January, 1907.
SALARIES
A committee appointed by the Middlesex County Teach- ers' Association something over a year ago to investigate the question of teachers' salaries endeavored to ascertain whether, during the last ten years, the salaries of grade teachers had increased; whether the cost of living had also increased; and whether or not, the increase in salaries, if any, had kept pace with the increased cost of living.
Figures obtained by this committee from eleven cities and eleven typical towns brought out the following facts regarding the changes, during the last ten years.
Average increase in salary maxima in the eleven cities, 9.6 per cent.
Average increase in cost of living for teachers in the eleven cities, 19.6 per cent.
Average increase in salary maxima for the eleven towns, 12.3 per cent.
100
Average increase in cost of living for teachers in the eleven towns, 18.9 per cent.
Average increase in salary maxima for the twenty-two com- munities, 10.8 per cent.
Average increase in cost of living for teachers in the twenty- two communities, 19.3 per cent.
From these figures it is evident that while salaries have increased, they have not increased in the same ratio as has the cost of living.
The committee further states that it is their belief that the salaries of grade teachers are not commensurate with the re- quirements of the position, either professional or social. The best positions are open only to those who have had a thorough scholastic and normal school training together with some years of successful experience; and when in the position, the require- ments in the way of dress and social obligations are such that a greater expenditure is necessary than in less prosperous times.
Further, the committee affirms that it should not be for- gotten that there are many other lines of work open for women, in many of which they can earn as much, if not more, and with less nervous exhaustion. And unless teachers are paid good salaries. many of the brightest and strongest characters will prefer other lines of work where the financial return is greater. The teachers' terms of service will be shorter, their ambition will be checked, and they will have less opportunity for profes- sional growth, an outcome which will be detrimental to the schools. A standard of salaries high enough to command the best talent is therefore of vast importance to the public.
In the opinion of the committee, " one of the chief obsta- cles to adequate financial compensation for teachers lies in the lack of appreciation on the part of the public; (a) that the most vital interests at stake in a community are those involved in public education, (b) that the best results in this field can be secured only by employing first-class teachers and making their tenure as permanent as possible, and (c) that first-class teach- ing talent and permanency of service on the part of the teach- ers cannot be secured unless reasonably high salaries are paid."
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HIGH SCHOOLS
As noted elsewhere in this report, the assistants in each of the high schools, Miss Shaw and Miss Plaisted have resigned dur- ing the year, and their places have been taken by Miss Edmands and Miss Potter. These frequent changes will be inevitable, I presume, unless we pay larger salaries. Notwithstanding this disadvantage, I feel that good work is being done in each of the schools
A class of thirteen was graduated from the Centre school last June, eleven from the four-years' course, and two from the three-years' course. Of these, Mr Robert D. Russell and Wiss Julia A. Atherton have been continuing their studies at a busi- ness college, and Misses Nora H. Brooke, Mary A. Dunn, Agnes V. Eaton, Alice R. Gould, Helen J. Lord, Elsie S. Perham, Margaret E Shinkwin and Eliza Spaulding entered the Lowell Normal school in September. By adding to this list the names of Miss Florence L. Feindel of the previous class and Misses Mary A. Garvey and Charlotte O. Lowe of the North school, class of nineteen hundred five, we have a total delegation of eleven in that school from Chelmsford.
There were no graduates from the North school last June.
At the present time, there are fifty-four high school pupils in the town, thirty-three in the Centre school and twenty-one in the North school. There are forty pupils in the three ninth grades, thus making a total of ninety-four in the ninth grades and high schools. If all of these could be brought together into one building, located about midway between the two large villages, several advantages would result; namely, the pupils would be separated from those in the lower grades, a more dis- tinct high school spirit could be developed, the present dupli- cation of classes could be dispensed with, more courses could be offered, the associating together of young people from dif- ferent parts of the town would tend to develop the feeling of township unity, and all citizens would have a common and central point of interest.
At first thought this proposition may seem somewhat dif- ficult, but a later and more careful thought may lead to the
102
feeling that it is worth considering. A large number of the of the pupils would be within a mile and a half and but few would be more than two miles away. The chief objection would be the lack of public conveyance on Centre street. If, how- ever. there should be a high school building in the place men- tioned, there would be a tendency to build towards it. and this, in turn, would attract the attention of those interested in street railway transportation.
ENROLLMENT
The tabular statement which follows gives the enrollment in October, 1896, and also in October, 1906.
October, 1895
October, 1906
Centre
194
258
North
174
312
West
61
82
East
46
57
South
29
42
Byam's
17
South Row
19
20
North Row
15
21
Golden Cove
34
16
Totals
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