USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1917 > Part 10
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10. Duty of Barr Pump, 29,000,000; Worthington, 24,550,000. Cost of Pumping figured on Pumping Station Expenses, viz ; $6,196.78.
11. Per million gallons against dynamic head into direct pipe, $22.08.
12. Per million gallons raised one foot high, (dynamic) $0.31. Cost of Pumping figured on Total Maintenance, viz: $16,170.26.
13. Per million gallons against dynamiq head into direct pipe, $57.63.
14. Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic) $0.80.
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SERVICES.
16. Kind of pipes; lead and cement lined.
17. From one-half to four inches.
18. Extended 207.5 feet.
20. Total now in use, seven miles, 3,844.5 feet.
21. Service taps added, 12.
22. Number now in use, 2,698.
23. Average length of service, 17.3 feet.
24. Average cost of service, $14.78.
27. Motors and elevators added : None.
28. Number now in use, one Motor.
DISTRIBUTION.
1. Kind of pipe used : Cement lined and wrought iron, prin- cipally cement lined.
2. Sizes: from 2 inch to 30 inch.
3. Extended, 3,980 feet.
4. Discontinued, 1,595 feet.
5. Total now in use, 56 miles, 1,174 feet.
6. Cost to repair per mile, $5.77.
7. Number of leaks per mile, .39.
8. Small distribution pipes, less than 4 inch,. 10 miles, 1,386 feet.
9. Hydrants added, 1 post. Discontinued, none.
10. Hydrants now in use : 238 public; 52 private.
11. Stop gates added, 24. Discontinued, 8.
12. Number now in use, 655.
13. Small stop gates less than 4 inch, 123.
14. Number of blow-offs, 42.
Published by request of the New England Water Works Association. FINANCIAL
MAINTENANCE.
Water rates, domestic, Water rates, manufacturing,
$33.578.80 2,399.46 746.94
Management and repairs, Interest on bonds,
$16.170.26 2,484.50
Water rates, miscellaneous,
Total, Profit for year,
$18,654.76
Total water receipts,
$36.725.20
Miscellaneous,
180.85
Total,
$36,906.05
Total,
$36,906.05
Paid bonds and notes,
$8.866 66
Carried to Construction Acct., Total.
$18,251.29
CONSTRUCTION.
$9,384.63
Extension of mains,
$7,197.39
Extension of services,
162.57
271.65
278.50
332.74
Total,
$8,242 85
$8.866.66 paid yearly on principal. Bonded debt at 31/2 per cent., 6 6 66
$12,800.00
33%
10,666.56
4
34,600.00
Total,
$58,066.56
-222-
Profits of maintenance,
· Meters and setting, Stock on hand at shop, Unexpended balance,
9,384.63
18,251.29
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COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit the annual report of the Col- lector of Water Rates for the year 1917.
Dr.
Arrears,
$8,225 70
Water Rates,
39,451 06
Labor and material,
379 06
$48,055 82
Cr.
Total Collections,
$36,906 05
Abatements,
1,621 84
Uncollected Rates,
9,309 92
Uncollected labor and material,
218 01
$48,055 82
Water is supplied to 2,872 families, 2,275 water closets, 1,070 bath tubs, 531 hose, 82 stables, 354 horses, 178 cows, 215 stores, offices and shops, 4 bakeries, 9 engines, 10 hotels and boarding houses, 10 halls, 38 urinals, 14 barbers, 12 markets, 4 banks, 12 saloons, 10 churches, 4 cemeteries, 3 hot houses, 4 laundries, 3 printing offices, 8 manufacturies, 2 billiard rooms, 2 photo. saloons, 3 woolen mills, 2 electric plants, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. road, County buildings, Town buildings and street sprinkling.
Yours respectfully, N. REEVES JACKSON,
Collector of Water Rates.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Water Commissioners :-
Gentlemen: I herewith submit the annual report of the Superintendent of the Plymouth Water Works for the year end- ing December 31, 1917.
ACCOUNT OF PIPES LAID FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1917.
LOCATION
Length in feet.
Size in inches
Cost of Pipe Laid
Changing Services
Total
Water Street
1.235
6
1.606.50
190.48
1,796.98
Main, Market and Town Square
8:25
10
95
8
84
6
2,706.92
643.94
3,350.86
North Street
957
6
1,181.23
1,181 23
Standish Ave .. west
784
6
868.32
868.32
TOTALS
3,980
6,362.97
834.42
7,197.39
CONSUMPTION FOR 1917.
The diagram shown on Plate II shows the average daily con- sumption for 1917.
The dotted line on the diagram shows the low service con- sumption, the high service consumption is shown next above, and the top curve shows total consumption, or combined high and low service.
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The maximum daily average consumption for the winter oc- curred during the week of February 18th, and the maximum daily average for summer was during the week of August 5th.
The average daily low service consumption for the year was 526,000 gallons as compared with 502,000 gallons in 1916. The high service was 768,000 gallons daily in 1917 and 709,000 gallons in 1916, and the total daily average consumption was 1,294,000 gallons in 1917 and 1,115,000 gallons in 1916, an increase of 16%.
The total consumption for the year was 472,462,000 gallons, of which the high service was 280,580,000 gallons or 60%, and the low service was 191,882,000 gallons or 40%.
RAINFALL.
On the following page is a rainfall table compiled from rec- ords kept at the pumping station.
The average annual rainfall for thirty-one years was 46.26 inches and the total rainfall for 1917 was 47.51 inches or 1.25 inches above the average.
C
PLYM. FIFTEEN
Table showing total rainfall since 1887, and monthly rainfall since 1891. Also annual variation from the average in inches.
YEAR
JAN.
FEB.
MAR.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG.
SEPT.
Ост.
Nov.
DEC.
TOTAL
Variation from av. in inches
1887
43.14
- 3.12
1888
50.28
4.02
1889
49.14
2.88
1890
51.80
5.54
1891
8.36
5.32
5.04
4.02
1.99
2.23
2.55
1.43
2.23
5.92
1.79
3.77
44.65
1 61
1892
3.79
2.72
4.56
1.26
3.91
2.12
1.81
4.16
2.41
2.29
7.12
1.75
37.90
8.36
1893
2.88
6.66
6.17
4.45
4 39
2.50
2.71
5.80
1.73
2.16
3.29
5.59
48.33
2.07
1894
3 50
4 85
1.56
3.97
4.35
1.54
1.08
0.73
2.37
7.97
4.98
5.78
42.68
3.58
1835
3.54
0.87
2 71
4.79
2.73
2.0.1
3.58
2.05
3 27
6.89
3.95
3.85
40.27
5.99
1896
2.75
4.73
5.82
0.88
2.93
3.59
2.27
1 71
5 65
3.60
3.41
1.75
39.09
7.17
1897
4.24
2.08
2.31
4.28
3.65
2.99
2.83
2.91
1.42
0.87
6.42
3.27
37.32
8.94
1898
3.75
4.04
2.27
5.82
5.65
1.93
6.58
7.33
1.35
8.96
8.48
2.24
58.40
12.14
1899
6.52
5.23
6.77
1.18
1.40
3.62
3.79
1.17
6.92
3.03
2.28
1.60
43.51
2.75
1900
4.86
5.35
3.62
1.95
5.11
2.29
1.37
3.28
3.10
5.40
5.36
3.15
44.84
1.43
1901
2.51
1.70
6.86
7.78
8.54
1.46
4.38
2.25
2.77
2.07
2.59
10.20
53.11
6.85
1902
2.22
5.53
7.82
2.98
1.52
3 68
1.89
1.43
3.65
5.32
1.72
6 77
44.53
-
1.73
1903
4.43
5.36
7.94
7.45
0.67
4.76
2.44
5.14
1.45
6.32
3.22
3.98
53.46
7.24
1904
5.44
3.61
2.47
9.11
2.23
2.58
4.02
3.52
3.18
1.85
3.53
4.10
45.64
.. 62
1905
4.50
2.16
2.87
2.32
1.11
8.01
1.78
2.99
6.93
1.72
2.04
4.21
40.64
5.62
1906
4.05
5.33
8.69
2.34
5 28
2.36
6.42
2.02
2.99
4.50
3.45
3.13
50.55
4.29
1907
3.92
3.41
2.31
4.08
3.68
2.70
1.10
1.82
11 16
2.91
6.82
6.90
50.81
4.55
1908
3.78
4.37
3.95
2.48
2.98
2.30
3.87
4.41
1.61
10.19
1 53
4.28
45.75
.51
1909
5.44
6.18
3 74
6.41
3.51
3.03
1.83
2.44
4 95
2.23
8.15
3.34
51.25
4.99
1910
5.98
5.82
1.05
2.51
2.27
3.82
2.32
1.81
1.94
5.69
2.96
38.88
7.38
1911
3.17
3 45
3.38
3 68
0.77
3.05
6.84
4.66
3.44
3.60
6.59
3 58
46.21
.05
1912
4 88
4.00
7 51
3 87
4 71
0.30
2.32
3 50
1.49
1.26
3.83
6 16
43.92
2.84
1913
4 09
3.50
3.40
6.66
2 30
1.57
1.77
3.03
3.49
11.08
2.79
4 61
18 29
2.03
1914
3 62
1 82
5.42
5 45
2.90
1.00
4.62
3.40
1.67
2.20
3.47
6.73
45.30
.96
1915
10 35
3.98
0 09
3 47
2 20
4.58
2.72
6.19
1 55
4 22
2.37
4.99
46 71
1916
1 44
5.51
4.80
5.62
3.51
5.53
9.07
2.19
2.46
2.88
3.30
3.88
50.28
4.02
1917
3.36
2.59
6.27
4.88
7.02
6.53
2.20
3.40
3.32
5.02
0.60
2 32
47.51
1.25
Av.
4.35
4 19
4.42
4.21
3.75
3 04
3.32
3.17
3.27
4.24
4.03
4.25
46.26
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-
-
-
-
.45
-
2.71
-227-
TABLE OF METERS NOW IN USE.
FOR WHAT. USED
6 in
4 in 3 in 2 in
11/2 in 1 in 34 in 5/8 in Total
T'l Amt.of wa- ter need through meters,gals.
Domestic
3
3
11
51
329
397
42,587.850
Manufacturing
3
1
1
3
1
6
1
16
29,190,700
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
1
1
14,108,000
Electric Lt. and Power Cos.
2
1
3
11,119,000
Business Blocks
1
2
6
24
33
6,437,095
Laundries
2
1
3
4,906,490
Hotels and Restaurants
2
1
1
3
6
13
4.242,400
State, County and Federal Bldgs.
1
5
2
1
9
4,200,400
Stables and garages
1
2
2
4
9
1,938,970
Shipping
1
1
2
436,000
Miscellaneous
5
1
12
3
16
37
3,592,600
Totals
3
4
2
20
9
31
72
383
521
122,759,505
METERS.
The above table shows the number of meters of various sizes in use, and the total quantity of water that passed through these meters in 1917. As a matter of possible inter- est the subdivision of metered use is made among various classes of consumers.
The total number of services on January 1, 1918, was 2,698, and the total number of meters was 524, therefore 19.4 per cent. of the services are metered. The total consumption for the year was 472,462,000 gallons, of which 122,759,505 gal- lons, or 25.9 per cent. was metered.
POND ELEVATIONS AND STORAGE DEPLETION.
Table showing total rainfall since 1887, and monthly rain- fall since 1891. Also annual variation from the average in inches.
Plate I. is the customary chart showing pond elevations and
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storage depletion since 1905, with the additional information that the year 1917 has furnished.
It is interesting to note that in July 1917, Great South Pond reached an elevation of 106.0 feet or full pond. A glance at the chart will show that this condition has not been attained before, since these records were begun, in June 1905. The explanation of this occurrence can be found in the accompanying table, which gives the rainfall records for the first six months of each year from 1906 to 1917 inclusive.
An examination of this table shows that the rainfall for the first six months of 1917 was 30.65" which is the highest of any six month period shown in the table. The next highest rain- fall shown was 28.31" in 1909, and a glance at the chart shows that in May 1909, Great South Pond reached an elevation of 105.50 and did not reach that elevation again until 1917. This shows that it is the rainfall in the first half of the year that is instrumental in filling our ponds, for, while there have been five years between 1906 and 1917 when the annual rainfall ex- ceeded the annual rainfall of 1917, it was not until 1917 when the rainfall of the first six months exceeded that of any pre- vious six months from 1906 to 1917, that Great South Pond filled.
Both Great and Little South Ponds began to lower in August and continued to fall quite uniformly until the end of the year, when Great South was at elevation 104.90' as compared with 104.40' on January 1, 1917, and Little South was 104.80 feet on January 1, 1918 compared to 104.30' on January 1, 1917, indicating a total gain in storage in the two ponds of 58,000,000 gallons for the year.
-229-
The following table shows the average daily water-shed yield and the average daily consumption for each year since 1908.
Year
Av. Daily Use
Av. Daily Yield. 1,174,000
1908
1,220,000
1909
1,267,000
1,295,000
1910
1,251,000
1,056,000
1911
1,310,000
1,023,000
1912
1,370,000
1,505,000
1913
1,307,000
1,291,000
1914
1,383,000
1,368,000
1915
1,301,000
1,254,000
1916
1,115,000
1,485,000
1917
1,294,000
1,486,000
Average,
1,282,000
1,294,000
SCHEDULE
Showing number of feet of each size of pipe and number and size of gates, blow-offs and hydrants.
Size in inches
LENGTH OF PIPE
IN FEET
No. of Gates
No of Check Valves
No. of Air Cocke
No. 10 in. B. O.
No. & in. B. O.
No. 6 in. B. O.
No. 4 in. B. O.
No 2 in. B. O.
No. 11/2 in. B. O.
No. Hydrants
30
80
1
20
190
1
1
18
7,424
4
8
1
16
16 424
12
13
2
3
14
10,352
11
1
9
3
12
11.230
28
6
1
15
10
36.034
58
2
8
1
3
32
8
30 236
76
6
1
40
6
58 316
164
10
4
71
4
73.251
178
3
3
3
6,629
11
1
2
21/2
458
2
44.325
101
3
2
11/
382
2
1
1
1,407
7
3/4
985
2
--
-
-
-
297.783
€55
3
71
1
9
10
18
1
238
2 5 1 91286
RAINFALL RECORDS FOR FIRST SIX MONTHS OF EACH YEAR-1906-1917 INCLUSIVE.
Year
1917
1916
1915
1914
1913
1912
1911
1910
1909
1908
1907
1906
January
3.36
1.46
10 35
3.62
4.09
4.88
3.17
5.98
5.44
3.78
3.92
4.05
February
2.59
5.51
3 98
4 82
3.50
4.00
3.45
5.82
6.18
4.37
3 41
5.33
March
6.27
4.80
0.09
5.42
3.40
7.51
3.38
1.05
3.74
2,95
2.31
8.69
April
4.88
5.62
3.47
5.45
6.66
3.87
3.68
2.51
6.41
2.48
4.08
2.34
May
7.02
3.51
2.20
2.90
2.30
4.71
0.77
2.27
3.51
2.98
3.68
5.28
June
6.53
5.53
4.58
1.00
1.57
0.39
3.05
3.82
3.03
2.30
2.70
2.36
30.65
26.43
24.67
23.21
21.52
25.36
17.50
21.45
28.31
19.86
20.10
28.05
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-231-
PUMPING STATION.
The Pumping Station record on the following page shows the usual information relating to water pumped, coal used, etc.
WATER ANALYSIS.
In accordance with their usual custom the State Department of Health have made their regular analysis of water during the year 1917 and a copy of these analysis are appended here- with.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR E. BLACKMER, Superintendent.
PUMPING RECORDS, 1917.
The pumping station records shown on this page give in detail the amount of water pumped, fuel used, etc., at the pumping station during the year 1917.
MONTHS
Hours run fuel used
"Total lbs. No. gallons pumped
Number Gals. low service
Rain in inches
Average t'mperature Daily aver- age water pumped Max. gallons Min.
Daily aver- age fuel pounds
January
239
44,580
21,932 000
17.352,000
3.36
37 7
23.8
707,480
1438
February .
2373/4
44,605
22,132.000
15,452,000
2.59
33.6
21.32
790.420
1593
March
2261%
42.700
21.130.000
15,245.000
6 27
41.74
25.8
681,610
1377
April
2021/4
36,640
18,659 000
14.175.000
4.88
48.7
35.5
621,'60
1221
May .
2251/2
40.295
20 5:5,000
15,96,000
7.02
58.2
43.2
663.700
1300
June .
247
44.4 5
22.734.000
16 681.000
6.53
75.46
58.26
757.930
1480
July .
316
58.995
30.008,000
16.170,000
2.20
83.5
68.
968 000
1903
August
349
64.920
32.163.000
15,402,000
3.40
80.00
69.
1,037 510
2094
September
2501%
50,710
23.322,000
14.931.000
3.32
69.1
52 93
777,400
1690
October
2471/2
48,675
22,7 8,000
15.985.000
5.02
60.
45.77
736.060
1570
November
2231%
47 250
20.324.000
16,221,000
.60
47.36
30.7
677.460
1575
December .
2.372
59.425
24.879.000
18.872,000
2.32
33.32
21.7
802,550
1917
3,038
583,200
280.580,000 *
191,882,000
47.51
Hours run
Total 1hs. Fuel used
No. gals. pumped
Av. No. gals. to 1 1b. coal
Average duty for year
New pump Old pump
29493/4 881/4
567.945 15,255
274,341.000 6.239,000
483 409
29,000,000
24,550,000
.
.
.
3% allowed for slip
-232-
WATER ANALYSIS, 1917.
APPEARANCE
RESIDUE ON EVAPORATION
AMMONIA
NITRO- GEN A8
NAVE
ALBUMINOID
OF
TURBID- ITY
SEDI- MENT
COLOR
TOTAL
LOSS ON
IGNITION
FIXED
FREE
TOTAL
IN SO-
LUTION
In Sus-
pension
CHLORINE
Nitrates
Nitrites
OXYGEN
CONSUMED
HARDNESS
IRON
1917
V. Slight |V. Slight
.04
3.60 0.80 2.80
0090 .0488 .0412 .0076
.92
0.3 .006
Little South
135055 Jan. 2
None
V. Slight
.04
3.55 1.20 2.35
.0040. 276 .0262 .0014
.75
0.2 .009
Great South
135056 Jan. 2
V. Slight
V. Slight
.05
3.30 1.05 2.25
.0036 .0280 .0248 .0032
.78
0.2 .005
Boot
1917
None
V. Siight
00
3.50 1.05 2.45
.0020 .0186
0178 .0008
0.3 .004
Great South
135427 Jan. 25
V. Slight
V. Slight
.02
2.30 1.00 1.30
.0044
0286 .0256
003C
.76
0.2 .005
Little South
136183 Mar. 27
V. Slight
Slight
.00
3.05 1.55 1.50
.0036 .0336 .0184 .0052
.62
0.3 .003
Little South
186184 Mar. 27
V. Slight
V. Slight
.00
2.70 1.15 1.55
.0070 .0226 .0200
.0026
.68
0.3 .005
Great South
136689 May 15
None
V. Slight
.00
2.40 1.00 1.40
.0016 .0152 .0136
.0016
.60
0.2 .003
Little South
136630 May 15
V. Slight
Slight
.00
2.30 0.70 1.60
.0022 .0126 .0120 .0006
.66
0.2 .006
Great South
137604 July 17
V. Slight
V. Slight
.00
3.05 0.70 2.35
.0024 .0202 .0192 .0010
.62
0.2.013
Little South
137605 July 17
V. Slight
V. Slight
.00
3.10 1.55 1.55
.0064 .0154 .0134 .0020
.62
..
0 2 .005
Great South
No.
DATE OF
COLLECTION,
POND
135054 Jan. 2
.
..
.
.73
..
..
.
..
.
...
...
-233-
135365 Jan 23
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending Dec. 31,
1917
-237-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
Edward W. Bradford, Chairman,
1919
Helen F. Pierce, M. D., Secretary,
1918
Walter D. Shurtleff, M. D.,
1920
The regular meetings of the School Board are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Superintendent of Schools, Charles A. Harris.
Office open from 8.30 to 12 a. m., and 1.30 to 4 p. m. every school day.
Office hours of the Superintendent of Schools, 4 to 5 p. m., Mondays and Fridays.
7 to 8 p. m. every Wednesday.
Attendance Officer, John Armstrong.
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL.
2-2 sounded and repeated at 7.15 indicates no session at the Senior and Junior High Schools.
2-2 sounded and repeated at 8.15 indicates no morning session in other schools.
2-2 sounded and repeated at 1 p. m. indicates no afternoon session.
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FINANCIAL REPORT
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation,
$100,000 00
Income from Murdock Fund,
18 48
$100,018 48
EXPENDITURES.
General expenses,
$5,225 48
Teachers' salaries,
60,363 18
Text books and supplies,
7,166 80
Tuition,
292 50
Transportation,
2,573 62
Janitors' services,
6,328 74
Fuel and light,
9,061 63
Medical Inspection,
1,131 30
Maintenance,
6,148 55
Furniture and furnishings,
1,678 03
$99,969 83
Unexpended balance,
$48 65
STATE-AIDED VOCATIONAL EDUCATION.
Appropriation,
$2,500 00
Payments-
Salaries,
$824 00
Printing, Stationery and Postage,
33 80
Books and Supplies,
716 55
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Furniture, Equipment, etc.,
919 83
Other Expenses,
5 00
Total Payments,
$2,499 18
Unexpended balance,
$ 82
MORTON SCHOOL ADDITION.
Balance from 1916,
$22,478 50
Transferred . from New School and
Furnishings, 153 57
Total,
$22,632 07
Payments-
Architect,
$285 20
Inspection,
500 00
Building,
14,625 03
Heating and Plumbing,
4,933 69
Furniture,
2,288 15
Total Payments, $22,632 07
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Budget for 1918.
GENERAL EXPENSES.
Salary of Supt.,
$2,500 00
Salary of Clerk,
600 00
Salary of Attendance Officer,
180 00
Printing, Postage, etc.,
350 00
Telephones,
70 00
Traveling expenses,
275 00
School Census,
75 00
Freight and Express,
200 00
All Other,
200 00
$4,450 00
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
. Day School, Present Payroll,
$65,700 00
Proposed Increase,
5,000 00
Evening Schools,
650 00
Summer Schools,
450 00
$71,800 00
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Text and reference books, $4,270 00
Paper, blank books, etc.,
4,200 00
Typewriters, Junior High,
420 00
Manual Training Supplies, 100 00
500 00
Domestic Science Supplies, All Other, 500 00
$9,990 00
$86,240 00
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Vocational Courses,
$2,500 00
Home Garden Course,
250 00
Tuition,
310 00
Transportation,
3,000 00
Support of Truants,
225 00
Janitors' Salaries,
7,500 00
Fuel and Light,
12,000 00
MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
Carpentry and painting,
$1,500 00
Plumbing,
800 00
Lumber,
50 00
Flags and flagstaffs,
150 00
Janitors' supplies,
700 00
Telephones,
200 00
Removal of rubbish,
200 00
New Sanitaries, Burton,
500 00
Morton School Grounds,
300 00
Damage by freezing,
300 00
All Other,
500 00
$5,200 00
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS.
Desks, chairs, etc.,
$250 00
Clocks,
50 00
All Other,
50 00
$350 00
$117,575 00
PLYM. SIXTEEN
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OTHER EXPENSES.
Diplomas and Graduation Exercises,
$150 00
School Physician,
500 00
School Nurse,
700 00
Supplies,
200 00
Dental Nurse and supplies,
1,000 00
$2,550 00
$120,125 00
After a series of unavoidable delays, the addition to the Na- thaniel Morton Building was completed early in September, and the School was opened on September 17th. This building accommodates all the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, as well as the Domestic Science and Manual Training Departments for the grades.
We have organized is this building, a modern, well equipped Junior High School, with a membership of four hundred pu- pils, which is a credit to the Town, and compares favorably with any in the State.
For several years, the Committee have felt that the pupils in the Chiltonville District were being deprived of the advantages of those in the center of the Town. By closing the Chiltonville Grammar School, and transferring the pupils to the Junior High, we feel that we have remedied this condition in a satis- factory manner.
In response to a petition from the South Pond District, we made an investigation of the transportation facilities, and de- cided that they were inadequate and unsatisfactory. The most satisfactory and economical course was to open the South Pond School, which had been closed for the past nine years. This was done in September, and the result has been very pleasing both to the Committee and to the residents of that Section.
At the Town Meeting in March, an appropriation of $2,500
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was voted for the purpose of installing State Aided Vocational Courses, and the matter was placed in the hands of the School Committee. We have complied with these instructions, and our action has met with the approval of the State Board of Education. We have added an Agricultural Course to the High School curriculum, courses in Canning held during the Sum- mer, and are now operating afternoon and evening classes in Cooking, Dressmaking and Millinery. To carry on this work, we have included in our budget an item of $2,500, of which approximately $1,500 is re-imbursed by the State.
We were requested by the Committee on Public Safety, to open a course of Home and School Gardens, and the sum of $200 was placed at our disposal by this committee. We were fortunate in having, in Mr. Fred L. Shea of the Morton School Faculty, an expert in this line, and the matter was placed in his charge. Despite many handicaps in the early part of the season, he was very successful, and his efforts were highly sat- isfactory and pleasing to both Committees. It is fitting at this time to mention that Mr. Shea is on a leave of absence from his duties, occasioned by his enlistment in the service of his Country.
In spite of the relief secured by the enlarging of the Morton Building, all of the rooms at the North End are filled to ca- pacity, and in some cases overcrowded. As we have mentioned in our reports for the past four years, the ultimate solution of this problem will mean the construction of a new building in this section. The Committee, taking into consideration the unsettled conditions now prevailing, and the need of economy, do not feel that it is a wise policy to recommend any new building this year.
We have decided to endure the inconvenience, and await a more favorable opportunity for building.
The Dental Clinic has outgrown the efforts of our local den- tists, who have given their services without compensation for five years. In accordance with their judgment, supported by
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that of the School Physician, we propose to engage a Dental Nurse to take charge of this Department. This step will mean the expenditure of approximately $1,000 per year, but the suc- cess of the Clinic fully warrants the expense.
We desire to call attention to the following letter from the State Commissioner of Education. We endorse his views, and trust that the liberal policy, which has always been extended to the School Department, will be continued.
Massachusetts Board of Education,
State House, Boston. January 2, 1918.
To the Members of the School Committee:
With the approach of the annual town meetings, when the question of appropriations is to be taken up, our people should give thoughtful attention to the unusual conditions confronting the schools. Increased costs in every direction bring the towns and cities face to face with the necessity of increasing school appropriations for the coming year. The schools have never before required more thoughtful attention to their needs, and it will not be safe to handicap them with a policy of retrench- ment.
It is worthy the attention of the American people that, in spite of enormous expenditures for war purposes, France is giving unprecedented attention to her public schools, and Eng- land, for the current year, increased her expenditures for public education 30 per cent. over that for any preceding year.
In the school year 1915-16, Massachusetts expended approxi- mately $27,000,000 for public education. This amount was increased to $28,500,000 for the school year 1916-17. This in- crease of approximately 6 per cent. shows the serious inten- tion of our people to maintain a vigorous educational policy. In view of the present situation, Massachusetts cannot afford to relax in any degree her efforts to carry on her schools at highest efficiency.
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Education is a long-time investment. Its purpose is to pro- tect democracy through the right training of the youth. Even temporary interference with this purpose, through inadequate financial support, may seriously impair the quality of our fu- ture citizenship. In the present crisis, it is imperative that towns and cities give careful consideration to the needs of the schools.
Sincerely yours, PAYSON SMITH, Commissioner of Education.
In presenting our Budget for 1918, we have eliminated all items that are not absolutely necessary, and are asking for what we believe to be the minimum for the proper administration of the Department.
We submit herewith, the Reports of the Superintendent and the School Physician, for both of which, we ask your careful consideration.
HELEN F. PIERCE, WALTER D. SHURTLEFF, EDWARD W. BRADFORD.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Plymouth :----
I herewith submit for your consideration my fifth annual report.
The school year 1917-1918 opened with a complete reorgani- zation. The school system now consists of three units-
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