USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1908 > Part 15
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4,000 City of St. Louis, Mo., 4%, due 1914
4,000 00
Amount carried forward
$165,937 50
.
.
.
.
$22,950 78
272
Amount brought forward
$165,937 50
10,000 Boston & Maine R.R. 32%, due 1921
9,987 50
7,000 C., B. & Quincy R.R. 32%, due 1949 17,000 N. Y., N. H. & H. R.R. Co. 32%, due 1954
6,641 25
16,346 87
14,000 Town of Weymouth notes, 4%, due 1909- 1916
14,000 00
Loans on real estate mortgages .
41,800 00 .
Real estate by foreclosure
.
.
.
Deposited in :
Abington Savings Bank
1,445 93
Dedham Institution for Savings
1,122 03
East Weymouth Savings Bank
1,456 66
People's Savings Bank, Brockton
1,150 97
Quincy Savings Bank
1,449 54
South Weymouth Savings Bank
1,410 73
Weymouth Savings Bank
1,442 36
First National Bank, South Weymouth
1,026 54
Total fund
. $268,017 88
Respecfully submitted, JOHN H. STETSON,
Treasurer.
WEYMOUTH, December 31, 1908.
We have examined the accounts of J. H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Town of Weymouth Water Account and of the Water Loan Sinking Fund Account, and have found them correct.
CHARLES A. LOUD, JOHN P. HUNT, WILLIAM H. PRATT, Auditors.
.
2,800 00
.
.
REPORT OF REGISTER AND COLLECTOR.
WATER RENTS.
Balance due January 1, 1908 . $1,519 75
Charges, April 1 to October 1, 1908 24,962 05
Charges, October 1, 1908, to April, 1909
17,728 55
$44,210 35
CREDIT.
Received from town, for hydrants and
drinking fountains $5,000 00
Received by treasurer 11,964 55 ·
Received by collector .
24,036 42
Rebates
.
999 85
Balance due January 1, 1909
2,209 53
$44,210 35
LABOR AND MATERIAL.
Balance due January 1, 1908 .
$437 42
Charges in 1908
2,776 04
$3,213 46
CREDIT.
Received by treasurer
$981 47
Received by collector,
1,515 01
Rebates
64 82
Balance due January 1, 1909
652 16
$3,213 46
Respectfully submitted, F. H. TORREY, Register and Collector.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Board of Water Commissioners :
GENTLEMEN :- I submit my report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1908.
POND.
Owing to the unusually dry weather, the water has been lower during the past season than for several years. Measurements are taken every week, the lowest record being in October, when it was 472 inches below high water mark. It is now steadily rising and no doubt will soon assume normal conditions.
The usual method of granting permits to persons wishing to boat or fish on the pond has been pursued. Notices have been posted, stating rules and regulations and camps and cottages have been inspected as to sanitary conditions.
During the summer season had a man to patrol pond, to enforce sanitary rules on Sundays and holidays.
Late in the season when the water was low the shores were carefully cleaned.
PUMPING STATION.
Pumps and their appurtenances, grounds and buildings, with the exception of coal shed, which needs minor repairs, are in good condition.
For detail work done on pumps and boilers, respectfully refer you to the report of Engineer.
STAND PIPE.
An effort has been made to improve the grounds around the stand pipe by grading ; using street cleanings for this purpose. If this policy is followed up for a few years and with the plant- ing of a few shrubs, the surroundings may be made very attrac- tive. The standpipe should be painted inside and out the coming season.
275
MAINS.
5,330.1 feet of main pipe of all sizes has been laid during the season.
The most important extensions were 571 feet of 8-inch pipe on Wharf street, on account of new Keith factory.
Randall avenue-747 feet of 6-inch main.
Lowell street-408 feet of 6-inch main from dead end, connect- ing on to Neck street.
The rest of the mains laid were smaller than 6 inches, the work was done mostly for the shore property at North Weymouth. All is shown in detail in a following table.
As recommended in previous reports, all dead ends should be connected as soon as possible. This will result in better water for domestic use and better service for fire purposes.
Leaks were repaired as follows :
Main street-10-inch pipe near bridge, between Middle and Winter streets, lead blown out of joints.
Norton street-Near bridge, at junction of Pearl street, had to take out piece of pipe full of holes, caused by a combination of salt water and probably electrolysis. We have had leaks before very near this one, which would seem to indicate that all of the pipe in this vicinity is in poor condition.
In mains smaller than 6 inch, repaired 18 small leaks from various causes.
HYDRANTS.
New hydrants have been placed as follows : Pleasant street-One opposite Pratt School.
Bridge street-One opposite King Cove road. Charles street-One opposite Clapp's factory. Randall avenue-One opposite Minot Garey's. Randall avenue-One opposite Davis Randall's. Wharf street - Two opposite Keith's factory. Seven in all, making a total of 398 to date.
GATES.
Have received their usual attention on mains of 6 inches or larger ; 6 have been installed.
276
WATER WASTE.
During the extreme hot weather of the past season some com- plaints were received as to the lack of pressure, although the pumps were run to their full capacity. This was in a great measure caused by the excessive use of water on lawns and gardens during dry weather.
Inspectors were employed in the different wards to report any violations of the hose regulations. This helped in a measure.
We have an abundant supply in the pond, but there will soon be lack of means of distribution if this excessive waste is not prevented. A conservative estimate is that over one-third of the water used is wasted.
Meters make the best inspectors. You pay for what you use and will prevent extensive additions to our system at a heavy cost, and is the only practical solution of the problem.
SERVICE PIPES.
Twenty-five leaks have been repaired during the year. Eighty- six new service pipes have been laid, and fifty-six old service pipes have been relaid as follows :
5 2-inch lead .
£ 180.2 feet
76 2-inch lead lined -
.
1647.6 €6
11 1-inch lead lined 320.4 “
1 1-inch tin lined iron . 17.0 ·
41 2-inch galvanized iron
,
· 689.0 66
3 1-inch galvanized iron
89.0 66
1 1}-inch galvanized iron
16.5 66
3 2-inch galvanized iron
74.5
1 8-inch cast iron .
22.0 “
3056.2 feet
Number of feet of service pipe relaid . 1335.7 4
Number of feet of new service pipe laid . . 1720.5 feet
Three thousand and ninety-six service pipes have been laid to date; of these there are fifteen that have not been let on and twenty-three that have been discontinued.
·
.
277
Number of feet of each size laid as follows :
2,698 2-inch diameter
297 1
66
.
.
.
·
5 14 66
66
.
1,106.0 66
52 2
·
1,183.0
66
1 22 66
.
17.0
23
44.1
66
6 6
66
.
1 8
66
22.0
66
Total length of service pipe ·
Number of miles of service pipe
72,532.5 feet 13,409
Eighty-three water takers have been added this year, making total number to date, three thousand two hundred and twenty-two.
Twenty six services are shut off temporarily on account of va- cancy and eleven are shut off for non-payment of rates.
Water is supplied to the following :
Families
3020
Slaughter-houses
2
Stores
62
Cemeteries
9
Offices
15
Private stables
148
Banks
4
Livery and express
7
Markets
5
Truck stables
15
Depots
4
Parks
·
1
Bakeries .
4
Lawn hydrants
.
78
Churches
15
Blacksmith-shops
3
Halls
9
Groves .
1
Public Libraries
2
Paint-shops
2
Club-rooms
.
12
Ice-houses
3
Restaurants
5
Electric light stations
1
Laundries
6
Coal and wood yards
1
Manufactories
20
Public d.inking foun-
Barber.shops
8
tains
13
Boarding-houses
8
Ornamental fountains
2
Engine-houses .
7
Motors
12
Green-houses .
8
Meters
·
.
17
School-houses
.
16 Hydrants .
.
398
.
6 4
66
136.0
.
244.6 66
61,540.6 feet 8,133.9 105.3 66
28 1}
.
.
.
.
278
Number of fixtures :
Faucets
4533
Water-closets
775
Hand-hose
.
1258
Urinals
.
36
Bath-tubs
.
.
489
PIPES LAID AND GATES AND HYDRANTS SET IN 1908.
LENGTH IN FEET LAID.
STREETS.
Cast Iron, 8 in.
Cast Iron, 6 in.
Galv. Iron, 2 in.
Galv. Iron, 1} in.
Galv. Iron, 14 in.
Galv. Iron, 1 in.
Hydrants.
Gates Set.
LOCAION.
Bluff road .
18.0
1
1
Bicknell road
140.0
1
1
King Cove road
51.6
I
From Neck street to Lyndale ave.
Leonard road
102.0
35.0
Massasoit road . North
605.0 89.0
134.0
64.0
To Jas. A. Stower's house.
Pleasant
1
1
Opposite Pratt's Schoolhouse. To W. H. Groffin's house. To Edward Fitzgerald's house.
Phillips .
64.0
Phillips
133.0
To Edward Fitzgerald's house.
Randall avenue .
747.0
2
1
To Minot P. Garey's house.
Sea .
73.0
152.0
To Mrs. Margaret Stout's house. To Mrs. Wilheimina Cross' house. To H. L. Thayer's house.
Sagamore road . Washington Wharf
571.0
24 0
2
1
To George E. Keith Co.'s factory.
Wessagusset road
61.6
Wessagusset road
.
594 5
Wessagusset road .
110.0
21.6
571.0
1179.0
769.5
804.0
1247.6
759.0
7
6
Number of feet of pipe laid, 5330.1.
Number of hydrants set, 7.
Number of gates set, 6.
279
To Mrs. D. P. Harrigan's house. To George Chamberlin's house. To Louis J. Godden's house. To F. A. Stanley's house.
Wessagusset road
.
To Mrs. H. I. Smith's house. Opposite King Cove road. To Mrs. Frances E. Cleave's house. Opposite E. Clapp & Son's factory. To Francis J. Cain's house.
Lovell
408.0
To Frank Miller's house. To W. B. Call's house. To E. L. Bryant's house.
Nanset road
.
Pecksuot road
70.0
1062.0
.
.
Bridge
Charles
280
DISTRIBUTION PIPES AND GATES LAID TO DECEM- BER 31, 1908.
SIZE.
Cast Iron Pipe.
Wrought Iron Pipe.
Galv. Iron Pipe.
Lead Pipe.
Gates.
Feet.
Feet.
Feet
Feet.
20 in. diameter
250.0
1
18
66
2,092.5
1
14
20,679.5
12
12
66
19,087.8
28
10
66
30,905.2
37
8
66
38,036.2
58
6
66
175,884.5
280
4
66
5,764.8
14
2
66
8,984.9
13,707.4
41
12
66
12,499.7
6,167.0
43
14
4,385.1
3
1
1,363.0
8,180.0
526.3
12
3
66
1,239.0
334.0
1
292,700.5
22,847.6
33,678.5
860.3
531
Total number of feet Total number of miles
350,086.9 66,304
Gates
531
Blow-offs, 6 in.
7
Hydrants
.
398
Blow-offs, 4 in.
. 10
Valves, 12 in.
·
2
Blow-offs, 2 in.
1
Automatic air valves
6
Check valves, 14 in.
·
1
.
195.5 feet of 1 in. galv. iron pipe taken out of Wessagusset and replaced with 2 in. galv. iron pipe.
Accompanying this will be found the report of the Engineer of the Pumping Station.
In conclusion, I desire to thank the Water Board for their ad- vice, courtesy, and ready co-operation ; also the employees of this department for their zeal and efficient manner in which they have discharged their duties.
Respectfully submitted,
IVERS M. LOW, Superintendent.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS- STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
GREAT POND, WEYMOUTH, WATER ANALYSIS, (PARTS IN 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE,
ODOR.
Residue on Evaporation.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN AS
ALBUMINOID.
NUMBER.
Collection.
Examination.
Turbidity.
Sediment.
Cold.
Color
Total.
Fixed·
Free
Total.
In Solution
In Suspension
Chlorine.
Nitrites.
Nitrates.
Hardness.
Iron.
1908
1908
70084 Jan. 23 Jan. 28
Very Slight
Very Slight 1.00
Faintly Vegetable
Distinctly Vegetable
4.15 2.15 2.00 .0022 .0144 .0142 .0002 .55
.0030 .0000
.93 0.5
.0400
Great Pond.
71022 Mar. 18 Mar. 21
Very Slight
Very Slight
.90
Distinctly Vegetable
Distinctly Vegetable
3.50 1.70 1.80
.0018
.0164 .0132
.0032 .54
.0020
.0000
.91 0.6
.0360
Great Pond.
. 71978 May 27 June .
1
Very Slight
Slight
.92
Distinctiy Vegetable
Distinctly Vegetable
4.45 1.85|2.60
.0040
.0172 .0136 .0036 .56
.0000
.0000
.83 0.5
.0280
Great Pond.
73590 Aug. 19 Aug. 25
Very Slight
Very Slight
.37
Very Faintly Vegetable
Very Faintly Vegetable
4.40 2.10 2.30
.0036
.0166 .0154 .0012 .58 .0010
.0000
.45 0.3
.0310
Great Pond.
74368 Sept. 30 Oct.
2
Very Slight
Slight
.32 Faintly Vegetable Unpleasant .38
Faintly Vegetable Unpleasant
4.60 1.60 3.00
.0010
.0142 .0132 .0010 .60
.0080
.0000
.43 0.3
.0440
Great Pond.
75684 Dec. 3 Dec. 7
None
Very Slight
Very Very Faintly Faintly Unpleasant Unpleasant
3.60 1.50 2.10
.0016
0134 .0128 .0006 .61 .0010 .0000
.40 1.0
.0440
Great Pond.
Oxygen Consumed.
TAKEN FROM.
Hot.
Loss on Ignition-
281
bro- wn
-
-
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
SOUTH WEYMOUTH, MASS., January 1, 1909.
To the Board of Water Commissioners and Superintendent of Water Works :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit my report for the year 1908.
The pumps and boilers at the station have done their work dur- ing the year without any great trouble occurring.
By order of the State Inspector of Boilers, I have altered the one-quarter inch pipes leading to the steam gauges.
I have placed one new valve in jacket return pipe, also one in feed pipe to the boiler. I have repaired two leaks in jacket re- turn under the Blake pump, also the drips to the Deane Vacuum pump and new piped the drain on water end of the Deane main pump. There has been a small leak in the seam to Boiler No. 2 which I have stopped.
From my measurements I find that Great Pond was at its greatest height on Jan. 17, it being at that time two and one-half inches above high water mark, and at its lowest point on Oct. 23, it being at that time forty-seven and one-half inches below high water.
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE W. SARGENT.
RECORD OF BLAKE PUMPING ENGINE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908
MONTHS.
Separate Days Pumping.
Number Hours Pumping.
Average Number Hours
Total Number Revolutions
Total Number of Gallons
Average Dynamic Head
Against Pump.
Water.
Wood :
Coal in Pounds.
ing Building.
Pumping.
Total Coal.
Ashes.
No. Gallons Pumped per
Ib. of Coal on Total Coal.
lb. of Coal while Pump-
Average Duty in Foot lbs.
Average Duty in Foot lbs.
per 100 lbs. Coal while
Pumping.
January .. . . .
15
52 25
3 21
Rev. 100,080
Gals. 3,502,800
Ft. 143
o 98°
Lbs. 3,925
Lbs. 10,612
Lbs. 14,537
Lbs. 2,490
Gals. 240
Gals. 330
Ft. Lbs.
Ft. Lbs. 28,737,707 39,365,900
February ...
14
56 45
4 00
108,180
3,786,300
145
98°
3,349
11,988
15,337
2,117
246
315
29,854,812
38,073,679
March . . ...
15
62 20
4 09
120,281
4,209,835
145
99°
3,637
13,944
17,581
3,021
239
301
28,957,183
36,505,833
April .... ..
10
40 45
04
74,366
2,602,810
146
98º
2,529
82,407
10,936
1,979
238
309
28,990,358
37,608,704
May ...
13
65 05
00
135,568
4.744,880
143
106°
3,533
13,006
16.839
2,466
287
364
34,214,515
43,509,446
June ..
28
170 45
6 05
351,415
12,299,525
142
115°
5,268
30.244
35,512
4,614
363
406
41,017,350
48,161,888
July.
22
174 05
7
54
351,086
12,288,010
137
116°
4,298
29,260
33,558
4,763
366
418
41,838,114
47,983,371
August ......
21
133 00
6 20
266,971
9,343,985
141
113°
4,327
25,998
30,325
4,049
308
351
36,234,017
42,270,042
September. .
15
107 10
6 41
228,046
7,981,610
142
110°
3,824
21,756
25,580
3,862
312
366
36,952,945
43,447,605
October .....
16
94 45
5
53
191,548
6,704,180
148
94º
4,083
18,619
22 702
3,930
295
360
36,450,987
44,444,403
November . .
14
62 35
4 31
122,394
4,283,790
147
89º
3,230
13,762
16,992
2,569
252
311
30,907,726
38,161,901
December ...
15
62 35
4 10
116,211
4,067,385
147
83º
3,912
13,618
17,530
2,455
223
298
28,446,277
36,617,217
Totals and averages.
198
1082 15
5 27
2,166,146
75,815,110
143
101°
45,915
211,214
257,129
38 315
294
358
35,164,692
42,809,070
283
COAL CONSUMED.
Lbs. of Wood.
5
Raising Steam, Bank-
ing Fires and Heat-
ing.
Coal.
H. M.
H. M.
Pumping.
per Month.
Pumped per Month.
Average Temperature of
Lbs.
No. Gallons Pumped per
per 100 lbs. Coal on Total
4
RECORD OF DEANE PUMPING ENGINE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908
Separate Days Pumping.
Number Hours Pumping.
Average Number Hours
Total Number Revolutions
Total Number of Gallons
Average Dynamic Head
Against Pump.
Water.
Wood :
Coal in Pounds.
Raising Steam, Bank-
ing Fires and Heat-
ing Building.
Pumping.
Total Coal.
Ashes.
No. Gallons Pumped per
lb. of Coal on Total Coal.
1b. of Coal while Pump- No. Gallons Pumped per
Average Duty in Foot
Average Duty in Foot
Pounds per 100 Pounds
of Coal while Pumping.
January .. . . .
16
52 10
3 15
Rev. 104,929
Gals. 3,672,515
148
99°
Lbs. 4,153
Lbs. 11,207
Lbs. 15,360
Lbs. 2,364
Gals. 239
Gals. 327
Ft. Lbs. 29,000,173
Ft. Lbs. 40,445,817
February ....
15
59 45
3 59
120,646
4,222,610
146
98º
3,796
12,732
16,528
2,271
255
331
31,108,535
40,383,433
Mareh ....
16
62 55
3 55
130,875
4,580,625
148
99º
4,047
14,799
18,846
2,803
243
309
30,000,853|
38,204,993
April .....
20
84 12
4 12
164,649
5,762,715
145
101°
4,758
18,522
23,280
3,951
247
311
29,884,270
37,624,831
May . ... ..
18
81 30
4 31
167,082
5,847,870
144
107°
4,573
17,205
21,778
3,172
268
339
32,248,406
40,819,875
June ........
22
147 05
6 41
302,520
10,588,200
143
116°
4,066
25,257
29,323
4,575
361
419
43,063,462
49,996,828
July .
28
161 50
5 46
335,250
11,733,750
138
115°
5,164
28,454
33,618
3,984
349
412
40,170,764
47,461,191
August ... ..
18
112 10
6
15
233,766
8.181,810
144
111°
4,015
22,388
26,403
3,694
309
364
37,215,568
43,889,702
September ..
15
97 25
6 29
202,724
7,095 340
145
114º
3,813
19,037
22,850
3,438
310
373
37,538,269
45,056,966
October .....
16
73 20
4 35
141,642
4 957,470
147
89º
3 888
16,059
19.947
3,272
248
308
30,469,539
37,846,435
November ..
16
70 25
4 24
140,041
4 901,435
148
88°
3,876
15,650
19,526
3,182
251
313
30,979,919 38,657,752
December ..
16
68 15
4
15
130,887
4,581,045
148
84°
3,930
15,416
19,346
2,414
231
297
29,175,930 36,679,261
Totals and averages.
216
1071 02
4 57
2,175,011
76,125,385
145
101º
50,079
216,726
266,805
39,120
285
355
34,504,011
42,476,873
Ft.
O
Lbs.
Average Temperature of
Lbs. of Wood.
5
Pumping.
per Month.
ing.
lbs. per 100 1bs. Coal on
Total Coal.
H. M.
H M.
Pumped per Month.
COAL CONSUMED.
MONTHS.
284
..
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH
I 908.
GAZETTE PUBLISHING COMPANY, WEYMOUTH, MASS. : 1909.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Term Expires
Thomas V. Nash, Chairman
March, 1909
John F. Reardon, Secretary
March, 1909
H. F. Perry . ·
. . .
March, 1910
F. H. Torrey
March, 1911
Eugene M. Carter
March, 1911
Louis A. Cook
March, 1910
Regular meetings of the Committee are held the first Tuesday in each month at the Selectmen's Room, East Weymouth.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Abner A. Badger. Office hours : Monday at close of school, Athens. Tuesday at close of school, Jefferson. Wednesday at close of school, Bates. Thursday at close of school, Hunt. Monday, Tuesday, Friday, 4.30 P. M. to 5.30 P. M., at home 511 Commercial street, East Weymouth.
SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Winter term closes March 26, 1909. Spring term begins April 5, 1909, closes June 24, 1909. Fall term begins September 7, 1909, closes Dec. 23, 1909. Winter term begins January 3, 1910, closes March 25, 1910.
HOLIDAYS.
Washington's Birthday, Patriot's day, Memorial Day, June 17, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday following.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2-2.
At 7.30 a.m. no school in any grade during the a.m. At 8 a. m. no school in grades I and II. At 11.45 a. m. no school in grades I and II during the p. m. At 12.45 p. m. no school in any grade during the p. m.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Weymouth :
The School Committee herewith submits for your consideration its annual report for the year ending December 31, 1908.
RESOURCES.
Balance unexpended January 1, 1908 $16,091 29
Appropriation March 9, 1908 . 57,500 00
Appropriation for overdraft, transport- ation
250 00
One-half dog license money
·
722 32
Tuition state children
104 00
Total
$74,667.61
EXPENDITURES.
Superintendent
. $2,000 00
Instructors
37,535 08
Janitors
.
.
·
4,596 00
Fuel
4,638 06
Repairs
3,627 04
Water tax
330 00
Supplies
3,093 72
Miscellaneous
508 86
Transportation
1,897 00
Total
$58,225 76
Balance unexpended, Dec. 31, 1908 $16,441 85
Following our custom of last year we secured practically all outstanding obligations against the school department due at the close of the year, but owing to a delay in approving the same the bills did not reach the town accountant in time to appear in the foregoing statement. The bills in question, the principal part of which are for supplies and fuel amount to $2,275.36. Deducting this from the balance above reported would leave a true balance on hand January 1, 1909, of $14,166.49. The pay roll including salaries of superintendent, instructors and janitors, amounting
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to $4,372.83 per month, transportation and necessary miscel - laneous expenses deducted should leave a small balance on hand April 1, 1909.
The Board was compelled to make more extensive repairs than usual during the year, principally in Wards 2 and 5. The State Police instructions regarding the brick work about the boilers, the retubing of one and partial retubing of the second, with the other changes made by the inspector necessitated an outlay of about $275.00 at the High School building. This was after the school opened in September and after some money had been expended for repairs which were thought to be sufficient for the time, though only temporary. The boilers have not yet been reset nor the change in piping made which was recommended last year. It is quite probable that the second boiler will need retubing before another school year opens, which will be an expense of $180.00.
The Washington and Jefferson buildings were found to be in a condition which would require a considerable outlay to preserve them from further damage. At the Jefferson conditions were especially bad. The repairs on this building included shingling, painting, glazing, and rebuilding chimney top amounted to nearly $870. At the Washington school the amount expended amounted to $250. In Ward 5 the Bates school has needed attention for several years, but the demand for a new school house from that section has in the past made an uncertainty regarding the length of use of this building for school purposes and consequently past boards have hesitated to make any extensive repairs. We have expended over $200 on this building and believe that it can be made suitable for school purposes for many years to come. We have closed the Franklin building which was occupied last year by only one grade. These pupils have been taken care of at the Washington and Jefferson buildings without crowding, and no teacher working with an excessively large number of pupils at the present time. The change has necessitated the doubling up of grades in one of the rooms at the Lake street building, which of course in- creases the duties of that teacher. The result has been the saving of the salaries of one teacher and a janitor, as well as the expense of heating. We do not feel that the efficiency of the schools is impaired in this instance, though we feel that more satisfactory results are to be expected generally when a teacher works with only one grade composed of a reasonable number of pupils.
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We have a fine High School building and equipment. It is well located, but does not appear to the best advantage on ac- count of the rough and ungraded condition of the school grounds. We feel that the appearance of our public buildings has much to do with the growth and development of our town, and that this one piece of school property should be put in an improved con- dition, such as will do honor to the town. We do not ask a spe- cial appropriation for this purpose that will add any burden of increased taxation to the citizens, but we intend to recommend to the next annual town meeting that the sale of the abandoned Bicknell School property in Ward 2 be authorized and that the proceeds of the same be used for the purpose of grading and im- proving the High School grounds. It seems a favorable oppor- tunity for having this improvement made, the need of which has been appreciated the past nine years.
We recommend an additional appropriation to provide for an increase in the salaries of all teachers in the grades one to eight, inclusive. We also recommend the establishment of a graded salary system with a minimum of $450 for the first year, $500 for the second year, and a maximum salary of $550 for the third year, to become operative September 7, 1909. In adopting this system it is proposed the first year to increase the salaries of all teachers at present receiving $400 to $450; those receiving $450 or $475 to $500 and those receiving $500 to $550. We believe this increase will enable us to retain some of our best teaching corps who would otherwise accept lucrative positions elsewhere at the time when their services have grown especially valuable to the schools.
The truant officers have in the past been paid in accordance with the cases handled by the uniform fee system of fifty cents per card. This was contrary to an express statutory provision and the Board, in order to comply with the law, in many cases elected the janitor as truant officer, and fixed the salary in accor- dance with the double duty imposed. This method has proved rather unsatisfactory, but was made necessary by the declination of those police officers who in the past have served as truant offic- ers to accept the compensation fixed by the School Board, name- ly, twenty-five cents an hour for service rendered.
The contract for the year's supply of coal, as in the past few years, was awarded to A. J. Richards & Son, the lowest bidder.
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Coal per contract price to be delivered on or before January 1st. After that date all coal purchased has been billed at the regular market price. The bins at some of the schools being of insuf- ficient size to accommodate a full year's supply, it has been nec- essary to refill the same after January 1st at quite an increase in the cost of fuel. To escape this additional cost the Board has increased the bin capacity in these buildings, and at present every school in town except the High will hold its year supply of coal. We would call your attention to the failure to name the new school building on Lake street, and recommend that this matter be acted upon at the annual town meeting.
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