USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1865-1869 > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
12
I have well considered all the objections which are made to this method of examination ; but, after an experience of several years, I remain of the opinion that, all things con- sidered, it is the best that I can devise for our schools.
Result of Examination of Primary Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Writing, Numbers.
Arith. .84
Geog. .94
.80
.84
Miss E. B. Perkins.
.92
.84
.85
.76
.90
C. J. Mace.
.76
.72
.59
.67
.89
C. R. Bearce.
.86
.89
.88
.83
.77
66
A. King ..
.95
.66
.66
.73
.83
H. G. Holmes.
.73
.68
.77
.90
.92
M. S. Holmes.
F. E. Hovey.
.74
.86
.62
.88
.86
Statistics of Primary Schools.
Mame of Teacher.
Length of School in weeks.
Wages of Teacher per month.
Whole Num- ber of Scholars,
Average Attend'ce .
Mrs. B. J. Austin.
35
$24
44
39
Miss. E. B. Perkins.
34
24
41
37
66
C. J. Mace.
35
24
54
39
C. R. Bearce.
35
24
54
45
A. King.
35
24
43
27
H. G. Holmes.
35
22
37
28
66
M. S. Holmes.
36
22
24
17
F. E. Hovey.
36
24
62
46
.-
Reading. Spelling.
Mrs. B. J. Austin.
.92
13
SECOND GRADE SCHOOLS.
In our Second Grade Schools an exercise has been introduced which will prove very advantageous to the scholars. I refer to the practice of requiring the pupils to express their thoughts frequently in writing. I have always desired to make this a daily exercise in all our schools ; but it has hitherto appeared so formidable an undertaking that I have not ventured to require it. I have perceived, however, that the influence of the written examinations has been very good in giving the scholars some facility in expressing their thoughts ; and I think the way is open now for the gradual introduction of the prac- tice of composition in all the graded schools above the Primaries. It will not be advisable to prescribe the exact method by which each teacher must accomplish certain results ; but to make known precisely what will be expected at the end of the year as a part of the examination, and more will be accomplished than in any other way.
At the examination for promotion, scholars of the Second Grade Schools are expected to be well acquainted with written arithmetic as far as complex fractions in Eaton's Common School Arithmetic, the whole of Guyot's Primary Geography, Hillard's Fourth Reader, and to be able to spell any words selected from this book. The necessity of doing all the work of examination in writing, which requires considerable skill, is expected to secure proper attention to penmanship.
*
14
Result of Examination of Second Grade Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Arith.
Geog.
Reading.
Spelling.
Miss A. L. Cushman.
.46
.52
.75
.77
" M. B. Robbins.
.52
.80
.74
.72
" P. M. Robbins.
.70
.90
.90
.76
Mrs. R. D. Ryder.
.60
.74
.77
.80
Statistics of Second Grade Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Length of School in weeks.
Wages of Teacher per month.
Whole Num- ber of Scholars.
Average Attend'ce.
Miss A. L. Cushman.
34
$28
50
37
" M. B. Robbins.
35
28
52
42
" P. M. Robbins.
35
26
38
29
Mrs. R. D. Ryder.
35
26
50
35
THIRD GRADE SCHOOLS.
We have only two schools which are ranked as Third Grade ; but a very great difficulty having been experienced in preparing scholars in the Wellingsly and North Grammar Schools to pass immediately into the High School, the requirements of those schools have been considerably modified, so that the scholars are fitted there to enter the Central Grammar Schools, which has been found to be a much better arrangement. As there are only two schools in each of the districts referred to, very young scholars passed out of the Primary Schools into these Grammar Schools, and scholars of eight years associated with those of fourteen cannot, of course, be so well instructed as a school properly graded. On this account, the teachers of these two
15
schools are required to fit their scholars for the examination for admission to the Central Grammar Schools.
Before scholars can be promoted from the Third Grade School to the Grammar Schools they are required to read well in Hillard's Intermediate Reader ; to spell any words selected from that book; to be well trained in Arithmetic as far as Interest in Eaton's Common School Arithmetic; and to be thoroughly acquainted with geography, as far as Europe, in Guyot's Common School Geography.
Result of Examination of Third Grade Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Arith.
Geog.
Reading.
Spelling
Miss P. R. Raymond.
.61
.72
.77
.82
M. E. Deacon.
.84
.81
.84
.80
" L. M. Loring.
.68
.73
.73
.65
" A. Cornish.
.51
.70
.77
.54
Statistics of Third Grade Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Length of School in weeks.
Wages of Teacher per month.
Whole Num- ber of Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Miss P. R. Raymond.
35
$32
48
37
M. E. Deacon.
35
32
26
20
" L. M. Loring.
36
34
40
23
" A. Cornish.
35
32
20
16
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The Grammar Schools occupy a deservedly high place in our system of schools. Scholars are received into these schools, generally, between the ages of twelve and fourteen years, and
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
16
remain there two years ; though a few, in the Central Grammar Schools, pass through in one year, and a very small number require three years ; so that by the time they have completed their course here, many of our boys, at least, have to begin to think about the business by which they are to earn their living. Yet few of those who live near enough to make the High School accessible to them, fail to avail themselves of the advan- tages of that institution for a year or two. Owing to the distance of the Chiltonville and Manomet Grammar Schools from the High School, it is difficult for scholars to attend. This fact makes it necessary to have a programme of studies in these distant schools, differing somewhat from the course in others ; so that they, practically, fulfil the conditions of High Schools to their respective districts.
The scholars of the Chiltonville Grammar School have shown an interest in the welfare of their school the past year which deserves to be mentioned with much praise. Feeling the need of wall-maps, books of reference, a globe, and other con- veniences of the school-room, they turned to their own ingenuity, and, by the sale of useful and ornamental articles, made by their own hands, they realized a sum of money, over one hundred dollars, sufficient to purchase what they wanted.
These wall-maps have produced a very great change in the method of teaching geography in this school, a change I very much desire to see in many other of our schools, for I have never been quite satisfied with the amount of geographical knowledge which we impart to our scholars. No one is quali- fied, it seems to me, to teach geography whose knowledge of the subject is limited to a knowledge of the text-book, and who
17
cannot, when occasion requires it, leave his book, take up & topic and treat it in an interesting manner. The ability to do this implies careful preparation, if a teacher has not had a long experience ; constant reference to various works of science, books of travels, and other sources of knowledge pertaining to the earth's surface, is necessary ; indeed, there is scarcely any information which cannot be made available here. Every lesson should be illustrated by a constant use of a large map that can be easily seen by every member of the class. If this were done, the instructions of the teacher would not so often be destitute of all feeling and almost all thought. The exercises which I have witnessed in the Chiltonville Grammar School are of the right stamp, and promise important results.
The course of study for the Grammar Schools embraces Reading, Writing, Spelling, Eaton's Arithmetic finished, Tower's English Grammar, Guyot's Geography finished, an ele- mentary History of the United States, Tower's Intellectual Algebra, and Exercises in Composition.
Result of Examination of Grammar Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Alg. Arith. Gram. Geog. Spelling. Reading.
Hist
Mr. A. H. Cornish.
.80 .65
.60
.86
.80
.78
.77
Miss E. Davie.
.53 .51
.78
.67
.94
.71 .75
Mr. G. D. Bates.
.45 .25
.60
.65
.80
.65 .40
Statistics of Grammar Schools.
Name of Teacher.
Length of School in weeks.
Wages of Teacher per month.
Whole Num. ber of Scholars.
Average Attend'ce .
Mr. A. H. Cornish.
40
$80.00
65
Miss Davie.
40
42,50
54
47
Mr. G. D. Bates.
36
40,00
48
32
¥
18
HIGH SCHOOL.
The influence of the High School is increasing in value every year. Whatever accomplished teachers could do, has been done ; and having been singularly fortunate in its teachers, for a series of years, it has won a high reputation in the community, which the annual result of its work fully justifies. It receives about fifty scholars every year from the Grammar Schools who are specially fitted for this institution ; and if, in addition to this fact, we consider the ability of its teachers, and its liberal course of study, some conception of its importance in diffusing a higher culture throughout the town may be formed. The course of study has a two-fold object : the one, to give a classical, the other, to give an English education, in order to suit the wants of all. A very large majority confine them- selves to the English department ; yet, not all who ought to do so, for we have a small number in every entering class who commence the study of Latin, and finding by experience that . this study is not suited to their wants, they give it up. This, of course, involves a waste of time and money which ought to be avoided, if possible ; but, as it is necessary to make Latin an elective study, we have no resource but to offer advice, and, if this is not followed, to let experience do the work more effec- tually. To all scholars, no matter what business they may expect to pursue, a knowledge of the English language and licerature, and the branches of science taught in the High School are of prime importance; and, consequently, every effort is made to enable all to acquire this knowledge. But, so far as the practical use of our own language is concerned, I have always been aware that our instruction was not very successful ;
19
but the present arrangement of requiring some exercise in com- position in every examination for promotion, from the Second Grade School to the High School, will, I hope, enable all of our scholars to acquire readiness and accuracy in that all- important art. After entering the High School, no promotion from class to class will be made without the same kind of test ; and, in each year of the course, one study will have special reference to this matter ; so that, hereafter, whatever else our scholars may be ignorant of, of the use of their own language in writing, they must have some practical knowledge.
Result of Examination of High School.
Chemistry. .87
Physiology .93
Eng. Lit .. .98
Spelling .. . . ...
.92
4th Latin .59
. 1st History .84
Nat. Philosophy .82
3d Latin . .80
2d History. .73
Greek Lessons. . .93
Geometry .81
Algebra. .63
2d Lat., Virgil. . .89
3d French .84
Geography .72
Mental Phil. .. .92
2d 66
.80
Rhetoric. .92
1st
.87
Arith. Problems .. .67
4th
. . .
.83
Statistics of High School.
Teachers.
Length of School
Wages of Teacher per month.
Whole Num- ber of Scholars. 115
Average Attend'ec.
Mr. Theo. P. Adams, Princ'l. 40
103
Miss J. A. Stetson, Ass't.
45.00
4,6 M. R. Goodridge, “
45.00
in weeks.
$130.00
F
20
UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
Besides the nineteen schools in the central part of the town, which are graded and combined into an exact system, we have ten other schools in the rural districts which do not, on account of their situation, admit of being graded, each serving all the purposes of a Primary and Grammar School in the isolated community in which it is placed. Not enjoying the advantages of a division of labor, it would not be reasonable to expect them to make as much progress as the graded schools. They have been fortunate, however, in having, for a series of years, the best educated young ladies of our town as teachers. I am well acquainted, of course, with the character and scholarship of all the graduates of the High School, and from the most promising of those who wish to enter the profession all our young teach- ers are selected ; and, with two exceptions, none of these, for a period of five years; have failed in managing their schools. The number of scholars in these schools is slowly decreasing, so that it has been necessary, within the last three years, to close three of these for want of scholars; one in the West District, one at Chiltonville, the other at Manomet Ponds. The school at Indian Brook now numbers only seven, and five of these must soon leave. I suppose the diminution in the number of scholars in these schools is owing to the fact that the better these young people are educated, the less inclined are they to remain in places which offer so few opportunities for employment.
These schools have no fixed programme of studies, because the varying wants of the community will not permit such an
21
arrangement ; and they are examined orally, so that no results can be given in figures, except the general statistics of the year.
Statistics of Ungraded Schools.
School.
Teacher.
Length of Wages of Whole No. Average School Teacher of
in weeks. per month. Scholars. Attend'ce
Manomet Gram.
Miss A. Holmes.
35
$36.00
51
30
Indian Brook.
L. I. Bartlett.
32
22.00
7
5
Ellisville.
J. Sears.
32
22.00
21
18
Cedarville.
" J. Finney.
33
22.00
22
19
Long Pond.
Mrs. E. S. Free. 32
22.00
22
19
East Chiltonville.
M. Z. Cornish,
33
22.00
86
25
Russell Mills.
..
S. L. Morton.
33
22.00
34
29
South Pond.
. E. M. Douglass. 33
22.00
25
22
Cliff.
" E. B. Cushman.
33
22.00
27
24
In concluding the work of another year, I beg leave to re- turn my very sincere thanks for the great freedom of action which you have allowed me, and the confidence you have re- posed in me in all things pertaining to the interests of the pub- lic schools.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES BURTON.
WM. H. WHITMAN, )
WINSLOW WARREN,
School
ALEX. JACKSON,
BENJ. HUBBARD,
Committee.
B. M. WATSON,
Plymouth, March 1, 1869.
-
-=
Prim.
" M. Bartlett.
-
22
HIGH SCHOOL.
Names of Scholars whose average of correct answers at Ex- amination and yearly average combined was 60 per cent. and upwards.
:1. Charles C. Bates,
98.15 + 33. Henry Harlow, 85.2
.2. Lucy H. Goddard,
98.1
-34. William T. Whitman, 84.97
3. Eliot Lord, 97.71 35. Robert A. Brown,
84.7
4. Annie w. Macomber, 97.45 36. Chandler P. Hall, 84.65
5. Frederic Lucas,
96.9 37. Pella Perkins,
84.
6. ~. Mary J. Collingwood,
96.75 38. Mary Churchill, 83.75
96.6 39. Agnes C. Morton, 83.
82.9
9. Fannie A. Hoxie,
95.37 41. Laura E. Barnes,
82.3
10 .: Celestina E. Langford,
95.13
42. Isaac M. Jackson,
80.88
11. - Abbie P. Dunham,
94.53
43.
Henry C. Rogers,
80.86
12. Thomas R. Watson,
94.4
44.
Stephen R. Wilson,
80.65
13. Annie L. Barnes,
94.35
45.
Annie Bishop,
79.8
14. - Katie S. Lewis,
93.37
46
John W. Churchill,
78.
15. Hattie O. Hoyt,
92.2
47. Emma S. Hall,
77.72
16. Annie S. Thomas,
91.6
48. Hannah B. Burbank,
77.7
17. Alice Lanman,
91.5
49. Charles F. Perkins, 77.57
18. William Davis,
90.6
. 50. Delia S. Lanman, 76 5
51. Lizzie Bartlett, 76.4
52.
Laura C. Harlow,
76.3
21. Julia F. Sears,
89.8
53. Jennie C. Churchill,
76.1
22. Lizzie Sears,
89.8 54 Edward C. Hall,
75.88
23. Lucy J. Collingwood,
88.6
55. Frank L. Eddy,
74 32
24. . Marion F. Whiting,
88.4
William F. Spear,
73.25
25. Frank Blackmer,
88.25
56. 57. Alice Whitten,
73.
26. Deborah F. Sampson,
88.
58. Frank Harlow,
71.97
27. Cynthia L. Swift,
87.42
59. Lizzie Stevens,
70.3
28. Francis D. Sears,
86.65 60.
Emma L. Holbrook,
69.9
29. Clara P. King,
86.5 61. Emma E. Stephens,
68.7
30. Jerusha B. Thomas,
86.5
62. Albert T. Harlow,
66.9
31. Mary E. Harlow, 86.4
63. Charles Finney, 66.1
32. Josiah D. Churchill, 85.67
64. Lothrop H. Faulkner, 60.4
7. Carrie Bachelder,
8. Mary Loring,
95.45 40. Carrie G. Bates,
19. Lizzie W. Brown,
90.3
20. - William E. Weston,
89.97
23
GRAMMAR SCHOOL No. 1.
Names of Scholars whose average of correct answers at Examination was 60 per cent. and upwards.
1. Willie Drew, 90.
7. Hattie M. Ellis, 75.71
2. George S. Dyer,
85.71
8. Bessie J. Robbins, 74.28
2. Howland Davis, 85.71
8. Annie S. Holmes, 74.28
2. George H. Stoddard, 85.71 8. Willie J. Thomas,
74.28
3. Frank Stephens, 81.41 ap 9.
Henry S. Pember,
70.
4. L. T. Loring, 80.
9.
Arthur L. Tribble, 70.
4. E. B. Holmes,
80. 10.
Lillie Clark,
68.57
4. E. W. Watson, 80.
10.
E. L. Edes,
68.57
4. C. F. Richardson, 80.
11. Flora L. Gooding,
67.14
5. Alex. Jackson,
78.57
12. F. W. Ellis,
62.85
5. Walter H. Nelson,
78.57
12. L. A. Bradford,
62.85
13. Sarah Bramhall,
61.42
GRAMMAR SCHOOL No. 2.
Names of Scholars whose average of correct answers at Examination was 60 per cent. and upwards.
1. A. S. Burbank, 88.57 8. George B. Barnes, 67.14
2. J. B. Weston,
84.28 8. E. W. Harlow, 67.14
3. G. Ryder, 78.51 9. J. L. Bachelder, 65.71
4. L. A. Bartlett, 77.14 10. C. B. Whiting, 64.28
5. B. F. Spear,
74.28 10. S. S. Wadsworth, 64.28
6. A. M. Whiting, 72.85 10. R. A. Bagnell, 64.28
6. J. C. Howland, 72.85 11. Eliza W. Blanchard, 61.42
7. M. E. Wood,
71.42 11. L. M. Fuller, 61.42
CHILTONVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
S. C. Cox, .. 64.28
The scholars who apply for admission to the High School are the only ones reported from the Chiltonville Grammar School.
6. Geo. W. Collingwood, 77.14 4
7. Eudora Rickard, 75.71
1868
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1869.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 1, 1869.
PLYMOUTH: PLYMOUTH ROCK STEAM PRESS. 1869.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH,
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1869.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 1, 1869.
PLYMOUTH: PLYMOUTH ROCK STEAM PRESS. 1869.
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
الجورب
108-1869
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Ix compliance with the vote of the town, the Selectmen pre- sent the following report upon the finances of the town for the year ending January 1, 1869.
On the first of January, 1868, the Treasurer was charged with :
Cash on hand, .$7,141 52
and has since been charged with :
Dividend Old Colony National Bank, 500 00
School Fund 420 92
State Aid Reimbursements, 6,800 00
Corporation Tax, 5,356 02
Water Rents,. 6,462 40
Liquor Licenses, 150 00
Almshouse Reimbursements,
587 42
Hospitals, . 239 20
Circus and Menagerie, 80 00
Halfway Pond Fishery, 207 00
Note from State, . 16,724 65
Military Bounty,
718 00
License Tax,.
43 19
Rent of Building, 50 00
Burial Hill, 79 09
Fire Department,. 25 20
Overcharge Schools, 1867, 15 56
4
Overcharge, Water Works,. 5 00 C. T. May, Liquor Agent, 550 01
Taxes of 1865, 5 22
" 1866,. 125 21
" 1867, 3,432 65
66 " 1868,. .50,248 16
Total, $99,966 42 and is credited with the following payments :
To paid State Tax, $6,820 00
County Tax, 3,534 23
Schools, 13,426 87
Almshouse, 6,830 62
Lunatic Hospitals, .
2,384 98
Roads and Bridges,
5,113 33
New Roads,.
4,848 20
Town Debt,
23,807 57
Contingent, 5,089 29
Fire Department, . 1,717 29
Water Works and Scrip, 7,150 29
Assessors, . 481 13
Distribution to Widows 166 00
Treasurer, 500 00
Sexton, .. 118 75
Burial Hill,. 424 24
State Aid,
4,450 72
Lighting Streets,
681 70
Building, corner of High and Market St's., 1,000 00
Adams' Note,
1,000 00
Cash on hand,
10,421 21
Total,
$99,966 42
5
The table on page 6 will exhibit the condition of each de- partment, and its cost to the town so far as shown by bills paid. Under the present system of requiring all bills, so far as known, to be brought in at the close of the year, this varios but little from the actual cost. The prompt presentation of bills is, in the judgment of the Selectmen, nearly as essential to economy and intelligent management of the finances of the town, as prompt collection of its demands, and should be further encour- aged by restricting the power of the Selectmen to draw orders upon bills more than a year old, until such bills have been sub- mitted to the town for approval.
The balances undrawn are $24,473 37
Temporary loans, 20,111 39
Total, $44,584 76
'To meet which there are abatements, discounts,
commissions in the accounts of Collector
not yet entered upon the Treasurer's account,
and uncollected taxes, for 1865,
$4,635 76
Do. for 1866,. 4,831 98 Do. for 1867, 5,679 60
Do. for 1868,
6,831 54
Due from State, on State Aid accounts, 9,922 89
Cash on hand,. 10,421 21
Total, $42,322 98
Which leaves a deficiency of. $2,261 78 made up as appears in the table.
2
SUMMARY OF THE SEVERAL ACCOUNTS.
NAME OF ACCOUNT.
Balance Deficiency Jan. 1, 1868. Jan. 1, 1868.
Appropria- tion for 1868.
Appropria- tion for Deficiency.
Other Receipts.
Actual Credit.
Payments in 1868.
Balance Deficiency Jan. 1, 1869. Jan, 1, 1869.
Cost to Town for
State Tax.
6,820.00
6,820.00
6,820.00
6,820.00
County Tax.
3,534.23
3,534.23
3,534.23.
3,534.23
Schools ...
66.82
13,000.00
436.48
13,369.66
13,426.87
57.21
12,990.39
Almshouse .
1,752.30
6,000.00
1,752.30
587.42
6.587.42
6,830.62
243.20
6,243.20
Highways and Bridges.
737.77
4.500.00
737.77
4,500.09
5,113.33'
613.33
5.113.33
New Roads.
1,102.27
3,500.00
4,602.27
4,848.20
245.93
4,848.20
Town Debt ..
1,224.92
6,000.00
16,224.65
23,949.57
23,807.57
142.00
7,082.92
Lunatic Hospitals
649.94
2,000.00|
239.20
2,889.14
2,384.98
504.16
2,145.78
Fire Department ..
54.83
2,4 0.00
25.20
2,370.37
1,717.29
653.08
1,692.09
Water Works ...
319.22
850.00
6,467.40
6,998.18
7,150.29'
152.11
682.89
Contingent ..
4,474.04
7,052.98
6,530.02
5,089.29
1,439.73
5,089.29
Assessors .
39.38 .
500.00
539.38
481.13
78 25
481.13
Discounts ..
9,342.91
3,500.00
1,000.00
13,842.91
13,842.91
3,110.3%
Herring Money.
1,020.59
333.33
1,353 92
1,353.92 .
343.75
Distribution to Widows
.66
166.67
167.33
166.00
1.33' .
166,00
Treasurer .
104.17
500.00
604.17
500.00
104.17 ·
500.00
Sexton ..
.
4.58
125.00
120.42
118.75
1.67 .
118.75
Burial Hill .
23.30
375.00
79.09
477.39
424.24
53.15.
344.15
Training Green ..
254.83
334.83
334.83 ;.
Collection of Taxes
614.28
450.00
342.70
1,406.98'
1,406.98.
450.00
Abatements ..
1,395.42
1,000.00
1,000.00
1,000.00
18.30
681.70
Recruiting ....
342.95
342.95
50.00
51.00
1,000.00
950.00
950.00
TOTAL.
$20,291.19
$3,278.47 $45,400.00 $12.272.17
$4,175.72 $15,746.00 $6,800.00
106,200.08 $84,094.49 $24,473.37 $4,450.72
$2,261.78 $9,922.89
$03,821.27
State Aid ...
.
13.72
13.72.
· 13.72.
..
3,545.17 .
3.545.17 .
433.59
Lighting Streets.
700.00
700 00
681.70
Building corner High and Market streets ..
...
.
6
Fresh Brook Fishery.
Soldiers' Monument ..
2,119.75
80.00
7
Authority was given to hire money for the purchase of the building at the corner of High and Market streets, but no specific loan has been made for that purpose, and thus the ac- count stands as overdrawn. If the deficiency in that account is deducted, the actual expense incurred by the several depart- ments in excess of authority would stand $1,311.78.
The Accounts of the Collector of Taxes have been submitted to the Selectmen, and their condition is as follows :-
1865 TAXES.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1868, .$10 00 Herring Money, $00 75
Commissions, . 03
Paid to Treasurer,.
5 22
Amount uncollected January 1, 1869, .
4 00
Total,
$10 00
1866 TAXES.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1868, $361 76
Abatements made by Assessors, $8 00
Discount and Herring Money,. 3 50
Commissions,. 67
Paid Treasurer, ..
125 21
Amount uncollected January 1, 1869,
224 38
Total,
361 76
1867 TAXES.
Amount uncollected January 1, 1868, . $4,329 16 Abatements made by Assessors, $69 24
Discount and Herring Money,. 103 37
Commissions,. 18 11
Paid Treasurer,. .
3,432 65
Amount uncollected January 1, 1869, . . .
705 79
Total,
$4,329 16
8
1868 TAXES.
Amount assessed,. .$57,079 70
Abatements made by Assessors, . $356 35
Discount and Herring Money, 3,346 51
Paid Treasurer, . 50,248 16
Amount uncollected January 1, 1869,.
3,128 68
Total,
- - $57,079 70
The statement for 1868, it will be observed, is a gain upon that made last year for 1867, but not what should be attained. The Selectmen would recommend an increase of the interest charged upon Taxes not paid before the time fixed, and hope for a more rigid compliance with the other terms of the vote regulating the collection of Taxes.
The School Committee report their inability to comply with the two votes of the town, which require them to keep within their appropriation and to keep the primary Schools forty-four weeks, and have endeavored to conform their expenditure to the money given them. If the vote is to be the rule for the. length of schools the ensuing year, it will be necessary to add one thousand dollars to the appropriation herein recommended for schools.
The subject of repairs of highways has received much at- tention from the Selectmen, and after mature reflection they are still of opinion that there are serious evils in the present system of twelve Surveyors with no directing head, and little or no concerted action that would inevitably prevent the im- provement which ought to be made in this department. The growth of our manufactories has subjected the streets of the
9
village, and the roads leading to the principal mills, to so much heavy trucking, that the old standard of their condition is no longer safe and convenient, and the old methods of repair neither wise or economical. A more liberal expenditure_upon our streets and leading highways is imperatively demanded upon the principle of rigid economy as well as that of reason- able progress. The roads of the town are not upon the whole in worse condition than a year ago : on the other hand it is be- lieved there has been a slight improvement, but the inadequate provision for their increased use is becoming yearly more ap- parent. As the repeated recommendation of the Selectmen to abolish the district system and place all the roads of the Town under one Surveyor, has not seemed to meet the views of the; town, it is not renewed ; but the Selectmen would recommend. a modification of the present system so as to relieve it of some- thing of. its cumbrous clement, while the features which our ex- tended territory seems to render desirable are retained. They would recommend the reduction of the number of Surveyors from twelve. to eight. The law makes it the duty of the Sc- lectmen to assign to the Surveyors so chosen their several dis- tricts without special action of the town. Of the $5,113.33 ex -. pended upon highways in 1868, something over $1,500 was for removing snow. As thus far the present year, the cost of re- moving snow has been very slight, it is hoped that an appropri- ation equal to the amount expended last year, will suffice for the increase required for the ordinary repairs.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.