USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1885 > Part 4
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8
Redington Street
80
533 loads.
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT. Account of Gravel and Fill- ing used. .
Humphrey Street, from Lynn line to Marblehead line, Orient Street,
loads gravel from pit . 1095
loads gravel, Horse Railroad 238
loads debris Horse Railroad
321
loads gutter scrapings .
159
Humphrey Street, paving gutter, -1813 loads.
loads paving stone 45
loads fine gravel
41
loads coarse gravel
18
- 104 loads.
N
64
SURVEYOR'S REPORT.
Marshall Street, loads gravel . 17 loads. Orient Street,
loads gravel, Horse Railroad . 35
loads from pit 342
377 loads.
loads filling 141
Atlantic Avenue, loads gravel
455
Burrill Street, loads gravel .
80
Salem Street, loads filling 78
Essex Street, loads gravel ·
105
Cherry Street, loads filling
30
Road to King's Beach, loads filling
I2
Redington Street,
loads gravel, Horse Railroad 108
loads gravel, pit 27
New Ocean Street, loads filling 36
Rock Avenue, loads gravel
36
Pine, Boynton, and Woodbine Streets, loads . .
I2
3431 loads.
Humphrey and Essex Sts., filling in water trench 46
3477
R. HARRIS, Surveyor.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Allow me to present for your consideration the doings of the Police Department for the past year.
In assuming the management of this Department, I was aware there were obstacles to be met and dealt with, which I determined to do in a judicious manner.
I have endeavored to give to the Town the benefit of a thorough police, so far as my instructions would allow. Good police regulations mean, safety for our homes, safety for our citizens when on the street, and a general feeling of security. When these are obtained, a Town is sure to attract the favorable attention of such as are seek- ing quiet, pleasant homes, in security and safety, and thus a rapid increase of population assured, with all the favor- able results sure to follow well-ordered government.
The whole number of arrests for the past year was . . 69
For the following causes :
Assault and battery 3
Drunkenness 23
Larceny 2
Taking sand from Beach . I
Amount carried forward,
29
9
66
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
Amount brought forward, 29
Violation Liquor Law 29
Violation Sunday Law 4
Vagrancy 7
69
Disposed of as follows :
Discharged without complaint 16
Committed for non-payment fines 13
Fined and paid IO
Appealed 29
Placed on file .
I
69
Miscellaneous business :
Accidents reported 6
Buildings found open, and secured . 7
Complaints investigated
39
Defective places in streets reported
5
Dogs killed . I
Fires extinguished, no alarm I
Intoxicated persons taken home 26
Injured and sick persons-assisted
I
Search warrants for liquor served, .
30
Lights furnished for dangerous places
5
Lost children restored
3
Nuisances abated 2
Stray teams put up 2
Street obstructions removed .
8
Search warrants for stolen goods served
I
There is much work done by the police which is not of a public nature, and of course does not appear in this re- port.
67
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE.
I desire to return my thanks for the many favors ex- tended by the Selectmen, and to many of our citizens for kindness shown me, and also to the officers for the disposi- tion they have shown to be efficient in their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
WILMONT D. NELSON, Chief of Police.
REPORT COMMITTEE ON FIRE ALARM.
CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Your Committee instructed to purchase a bell and fire alarm apparatus, submit the following report :
At an early meeting of the Committee, Mr. J. R. Wid- ger was elected secretary, and Mr. Robert Wardwell and Mr. C. P. Jeffers were chosen a sub-committee authorized to order of the William Blake Co. of Boston, a 3,000 pound bell, and to make further investigation of fire alarm strikers. Taking advantage of a decline in metals our exceptionally fine-toned bell was secured at a lower figure than any this well-known firm had cast for 20 years. Previous to acceptance and shipment the bell was tested to the satisfaction of the whole Committee.
The Gamewell Co. has until recently had an almost complete monopoly of fire-alarm apparatus, and although their machines are excellently made, we considered their prices exorbitant. Learning that the City of Cambridge was testing a striker made by Geo. M. Stevens, having placed it in the same circuit with their Gamewell strikers, we called upon their Fire Alarm Committee and examined the machine. They highly recommended it, and have since purchased another of the same kind. Desiring to introduce his striker, Mr. Stevens offered us a liberal dis- count, with a bond to protect the Town from any trouble from alleged infringement. We therefore bought a Stevens' striker for less than one-half the price of a Game- well machine. According to our order Messrs. Pearce &
69
REPORT COMMITTEE ON FIRE ALARM.
Jones of New York, made two unique automatic fire alarm boxes, with attachments for striking and repeating five times the number of any of our districts. These through Mr. Stevens were also bought for less than one-half the price of Gamewell boxes. A contract was made with the New England Telephone Co. to furnish and keep in repair for two years fire-alarm lines and seven telephones. The Committee divided the Town into six districts (numbered 3 to 8), and placed a telephone at a point near the center of each. Telephone No. 1155 was connected with the Lynn Exchange, so that an alarm may be given from any private telephone in the Town, and calls for aid sent to or received from other towns. All the apparatus having been pur- chased and put in working order, the Committee formally handed over the same to the Town November 29, 1884.
CHAS. P. JEFFERS, ROBT. B. WARDWELL, GEO. A. CROSMAN, JAS. A. KNOWLTON, AARON R. BUNTING, -
Committee.
COMMITTEE ON LIQUOR LAW.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The Joint Committee, consisting of the Board of Select- men and two citizens, appointed at the last annual meet- ing, to expend the money appropriated for the enforce- ment of the laws relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors, would respectfully submit the following Report :
At the first meeting of the Committee, it was found that the views of the Board of Selectmen in regard to a thorough enforcement of the laws in suppressing the illegal sale of intoxicants, were entirely in harmony with those of the other members of the Committee, and it being evident that the measures to be carried out would require the expendi- ture of the larger part, if not the whole, of the appropria- tion, it was decided unanimously that the Board of Select- men should act as a sub-committee to expend the same, or such part thereof as in their judgment would be necessary for the proper enforcement of the aforesaid laws.
At a subsequent meeting, the action of the Selectmen in expending the appropriation was approved by the full Committee.
For the Committee,
D. P. STIMPSON, Chairman.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 20, 1885.
· REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RECEIVING TOMB.
In accordance with the instructions of the Town, your Committee caused to be built during the summer a Receiv- ing Tomb in our Cemetery, as shown by plans and speci- fications adopted 1883, and re-adopted at the March meet- ing 1884, with an additional appropriation of four hundred dollars ($400).
Several proposals for building the same were received, and the contract was awarded to Mr. Horace M. Norton of Swampscott. The work was done under the supervision of Henry W. Rogers, architect, who pronounced it, when completed, a first-class job.
The structure is one that has been long needed, and we trust that it will give general satisfaction to our citizens .*
G. A. CROSMAN, - J. A. KNOWLTON, A. R. BUNTING, J. H. CROSMAN, J. H. FARWELL,
Committee.
* The expense incurred coming within the appropriation, will be found clearly stated in the Auditor's Report.
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR.
TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND CITIZENS OF SWAMP- SCOTT :
I have the honor to submit to you the following, my first annual report, for the year ending February, 1885.
Receipts :- Amount received from licenses, . . $9 50 Expenditures :- Lactometer, globe, and car fares, 3 00
Balance paid the Town Treasurer. . $6 50
I think that the milk that has been sold in Swampscott for the past year has been of a better quality than of pre- vious years. I have made several examinations of milk, and found it of a fair quality. I have given considerable time to the office, but not as much as I think it demands. I consider it a very important subject, namely :- It con- cerns every family in Town, and also protects every person who intends to sell pure milk. And every buyer, who thinks that their milk is impure, should notify the Milk Inspector at once, and thereby do justice to the citizens and the honest milk dealers, for it is impossible for the Milk Inspector to detect dishonest dealers, without the assistance of the citizens.
I have been told by parties that have been employed by milk dealers that they have more or less adulterated their milk, sometimes with water, burnt molasses and salt. The salt is to keep it from souring, and hold it up to the test of the lactometer, and by that means they can deceive the
74
REPORT OF MILK INSPECTOR.
Milk Inspector. The only way to convict is to have the milk analyzed, and to do that the Inspector will have to use money ; therefore I would recommend that the Town at the next annual meeting appropriate a sufficient sum for the same. And if the Town approves of the few aforesaid recommendations, I do not doubt but what the Inspector will be able to suppress the sale of impure milk in the Town of Swampscott.
I respectfully submit the above to your candid con- sideration.
DANIEL MARSHALL, Milk Inspector.
THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEB. 28, 1885.
SETTLED
A.D. 1629.
· INCORPORATED
TT. A.D. 1852.
AS
SC
SW
LYNN : PRESS OF THOS. P. NICHOLS, NO. 24 MARKET STREET. 1 885.
SCHOOL REPORT.
OUR Reports for some years have first mentioned the general condition of the schools. We are glad to say that at the present time they are in good working order ; probably in a better average condition than a majority of the schools of towns which have only a committee super- vision.
The usual number of transfers and new appointments of teachers has been made during the year. The growing importance of the High School necessitated the withdrawal of MRS. BARKER from her position as assistant in the Second Grammar School, in order that her whole time be given to the High School. To supply the needed assist- ance in the Second Grammar, MISS CLARK was appoint- ed to the place, but resigned the position shortly before the opening of the schools in September. This compelled a transfer or new appointment, and to meet the emergency, . MISS CHASE was taken from the Beach Intermediate, and placed in charge of the second class in the Second Grani- mar. MISS NORTON was first transferred from the Farms School to the Beach Primary, and later to the Beach Intermediate, which position she is now filling with a good measure of success. The vacancy in the Beach Primary was then supplied by the appointment of MISS SUSIE A. PORTER, who manifests a determination to succeed, and considering all the circumstances, she deserves much credit for what she has thus far accomplished, each month show- ing an improvement.
-
4
SCHOOL REPORT.
The Farms School has been fortunate in the appoint- ment of MISS CORA E. GALE to the charge of its affairs. Many older teachers might be proud of the good showing made by her in her brief record.
All the other schools remain in charge of the same teachers as last year, and their condition and progress are generally satisfactory to the Committee. The Beach Primary has been somewhat crowded, and was recently relieved by the transfer of several pupils to the charge of MISS MOTT in the First Primary. Both schools on Pine Street are almost more than comfortably filled - and a number of pupils within the limits of this district have been in consequence assigned to the Essex Street School.
Within a year or two it may be necessary to redistribute the pupils in that section of the town between the Town Hall and the railroad, and establish a new Intermediate School in the Essex Street building. By proper manage- ment we have been enabled to care for the pupils thus far without doing this, but the steady increase of the school population will eventually make it necessary.
PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
During the past two years the Committee have been considering the necessity of dividing the Second Grammar School, on account of its increasing size. Numbering about thirty-five pupils in each of the two classes, it has already reached the limit of the rooms provided for it, and it has been our purpose to effect a transfer of the Primary School to some other locality, and instal one of the Second Grammar classes in its place.
Very recently, however, it has been proposed to avoid this by placing the first class of the First Grammar in the High School room, under charge of MR. and MRS. BAR- KER, who have signified their willingness to assume this additional responsibility, and make the year's work one of
-
5
SCHOOL REPORT.
special preparation for the High School course. If this is done, the advanced class in MIss HADLEY's school as it now is, would be transferred to the First Grammar, leav- ing but about one-half the present number of pupils in the lower school, which can be successfully managed by one teacher.
This plan will involve some abridgement of the present High School work, and a probable return to the former method of holding two sessions daily, as in the other schools, instead of one, as is now the case. The advan- tages will be in the nature of increased efficiency in the advanced grammar classes, the avoidance of increased ex- pense for the accommodation elsewhere of the Primary School, and in the saving of one teacher's service which is now necessary. The change, if made, will probably take place at the opening of next school-year, about the first of September.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
The usual attention has been given to instruction and practice of music and drawing during the past year.
A good organ has been placed in the Second Grammar School, so that each of the schools in the building now are supplied with an instrument. Vocal exercises, and in some cases marching and other physical training, prevail in all the schools. Quite an interest in gymnastic and calis- thenic exercises has been developed during the past win- ter, and in the High School very creditable progress has been made.
Concerning music and drawing, the Committee have purposed giving the schools the benefit of instruction in these branches by competent specialists, but have been thus far deterred from so doing by the expense involved. While many parents place little value upon either, and many pupils manifest little aptitude or taste for them, yet 'experience has shown that knowledge of these studies
.
6
SCHOOL REPORT.
gained in the public school has been of immense benefit to a large number.
The teachers have just had the benefit of a course of lectures and demonstrations in drawing by Mr. Carter, an instructor in the employ of the State Board, and it is hoped that the results may be manifest in the increased efficiency of the schools in this department.
SCHOOL SESSIONS.
During November, December and January, the afternoon sessions terminate at 3.45 o'clock, but with increased length of days the sessions are to close at 4 P.M., except that of the High School, which, by beginning its work at 8 A.M., is dismissed at one o'clock.
The Committee propose a signal on the town bell in case of very stormy weather, when a single session may be necessary, thus extending the morning session until one o'clock. This signal will probably be as agreed two strokes of the bell at ten minutes to twelve.
Attention may properly be called to the inconvenience of the location of some of the school buildings, as to the dis- tricts they serve. Instead of being near the geographical center of the territory to which they belong, one or two at least are near the end or edge of the districts. This has been partly a necessity, and possibly partly a want of foresight in locating the buildings. The large area of land comprised in the Mudge and Stetson estates has thus far served to keep population within a narrow boundary on their outskirts, from the Cemetery to Humphrey Street. Should these lands be opened up and occupied by dwell- ings, it is not difficult to see that in a few years there would need be great changes to accommodate the school population.
Perhaps it is appropriate at this point to allude to com- plaints alleged to have been made by residents of the dis-
7
SCHOOL REPORT.
trict which it has been proposed to erect into a new town. It is said to be said that the School Committee has not been considerate of the interest of the schools in the Beach and the Farms districts ; employing poor teachers, or tak- ing away all the good ones, and the like. Time and space forbid a detailed response to show the mistake of this, but it may be sufficient to say that the Committee have not at any time been conscious of partiality, and that all seeming dis- criminations can be readily and satisfactorily explained. If the resignations, marriages, sickness and death that have caused new appointments· and transfers, have been detrimental to the progress of those schools, it is accidental, and a matter which the Committee had not the power to foresee or prevent. The writer hereof, who has been in large measure responsible for every appointment and trans- fer for seven years past, has known of nothing done in that direction that was not impartially fair toward all the parties interested, and during that time there has been made no complaint to the Committee as such, of the nature now reported to be urged. The names of PALMER, COM- MERFORD, WARDWELL, HUSSEY, COCHRANE, STANLEY and others, teachers who have served faithfully and well in these schools, is sufficient answer to the reported complaint as to quality of teachers. As for the financial expenditure, the average expense per scholar has been constantly larger in these districts than in the corresponding ones at the other end of the town.
IMPROVEMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS.
During the year we have effected a long contemplated improvement in the sanitary arrangements of the Pine Street School, whereby the . health, convenience and morality of the pupils are promoted. A new floor and single desks are much needed in the upper room in this building.
8
SCHOOL REPORT.
In the Grammar building we have fitted up a room for the High School for chemical and philosophical demon- strations, which are a necessity in thorough drill in these branches of natural science. Additional facilities for ven- tilation in Miss CHASE's room (a small recitation room in the same building), became a necessity, and were supplied at the close of November. The same or a similar device is much needed in MISS HADLEY's room, unless the school is divided, as suggested elsewhere.
Some difficulty is experienced in regulating the tempera- ture of certain of the school-rooms, and at the same time securing the necessary change of air. Increased watch- fulness of heating apparatus and windows has been en- joined upon janitors and teachers, with better results than formerly ; but much remains to be done in the matter of pro- viding facilities for ventilation in all the old buildings at least.
Neither the Farms nor the Essex Street Schools have water on the premises, although it could be obtained at the latter without much expense. At the Grammar building with over 150 pupils, we have no water supply, having tried a well on the premises and also laid a pipe to a well on an adjoining estate, neither of which has proved suita- ble. The Committee hoped to have been able to introduce water from the street main, but that source is not yet available. The Farms School building, grounds and fence ought to be improved at considerable outlay, if the credit of the town is to be maintained, and the taste of the residents in that vicinity consulted. The grounds of the Essex Street and Pine Street buildings ought also to be planted with trees ; and more attention bestowed upon all the school grounds in this particular.
An improvement in the setting of the boiler at the Gram- mar School has been contemplated, but not yet carried out. The amount of coal used is no doubt much larger than would be if a moderate sum was expended in remodeling the old arrangement.
9
SCHOOL REPORT.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
One part of the educational work in our charge gives us particular satisfaction, and that is our High School. After the vicissitudes of nearly a decade, it has now such a firm footing of well organized and efficient work, that were its condition and actual value generally known to our citizens, there would be no need of our asking for it a cordial support. It is not claimed that we have here a Wellesley or a Vassar; an Institute of Technology or a Phillips Academy, but a good, well organized High School, fulfilling the requirements of the statute establish- ing it, and well worthy the support of every person who has a just pride in maintaining the institutions of his own town, and in carrying out the spirit of the law, which the experienced judgment of our most eminent educators have placed upon the statute books of the Commonwealth. Whatever may exist of distrust as to the ability of its management, or its facilities for instructing its students, is the result more of ignorance and prejudice than of a knowledge of the facts. Only a good beginning has been made, it is true ; much remains to be done ; how could it be otherwise under the circumstances, within so few years?
SYSTEMATIZING THE SCHOOL COURSE.
Preparatory to a High School course, and indeed for a successful common school course of study, it is essential that there be a well arranged and harmonious system em- bracing all the schools of the town. This need has be- come more manifest by. years of experience, but it is only within the present school year that we have undertaken to accomplish this end. The plan and the details of its execution are almost wholly the work of MR. BARKER, who at the request of the Committee, compiled a course embracing the best features of the public schools of Lynn, 2*
IO
SCHOOL REPORT.
Boston, and other cities and towns, which we believe to be practicable and simple. For this valuable assistance, and many other services in facilitating school business, which were no part of his duties, and which have been cheer- fully rendered without pecuniary recompense, the Com- mittee tender MR. BARKER their heart-felt thanks in this public manner, on behalf of the townspeople.
Herewith is appended the general school course, that of the High School having been published last year.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR PRIMARY, INTERMEDIATE, AND GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
FIRST YEAR - PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Arithmetic. - Franklin Primary. Complete development of numbers to IO.
Reading. - Franklin First Reader. Other First Readers for supplementary use. Reading from the black- board and chart. Elementary sounds and symbols learned and associated.
Writing. - Copying on ruled slates words and sentences from the blackboard. Short sentences written from dictation.
Observation Lessons. - I. Lessons to develop ideas of color, form, place, size, and prominent qualities of objects. 2. Lessons on the Human Body. 3. Simple conversational studies of familiar plants, animals and things. 4. Observations of Nature. Spelling. - Words selected from Readers.
Drawing. - On slates, from solids.
Gymnastics. - Some simple exercise, twice each half-day.
II
SCHOOL REPORT.
SECOND YEAR - PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Arithmetic. - Franklin Primary. Complete development of numbers to 25.
Reading. - Franklin Second Reader. Other Second
Readers for supplementary use. Phonic-Analysis. Reading stories from the blackboard.
Language. - Stickney's Child's Book of Language, No. I. Committing to memory choice selections each term. Writing. - Copying exercises from the blackboard.
Writing selections from the reading book and from dictation.
Spelling. - Words selected from readers.
Drawing. - On slates from solids, and White's Primary Cards.
Observation Lessons. - Those of the first year continued. Gymnastics. - Some simple exercise, twice each half-day.
THIRD YEAR - PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Arithmetic. - Franklin Primary. Complete development . of numbers through 100.
Reading. - Franklin Third Reader. Other Third Readers for supplementary use. Phonic-Analysis. Sight reading.
Language. - Stickney's Child's Book of Language, No. 2. Committing to memory choice selections, each term. Writing. - From the blackboard, reading-book, and dic- tation.
Spelling. - Words selected from readers and other text- books.
Drawing. - On slates and paper from White's Primary cards.
Observation Lessons. - Subjects of second year treated more fully.
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