USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1915 > Part 18
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
$766 30
.
$54,861 30
.
CHARLES B. CUSHING, Town Accountant.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
RECEIPTS.
For water rents .
$41,882 93
On construction account
2,985 15
Interest, First National Bank, Boston .
44 87
Interest, First National Bank, South Weymouth
90 57
Water Loan bonds, 4% May 1, 1916 to 1920
5,000 00
Accrued interest on bonds £
18 11
Rebate, Construction account
3 30
Rebate, Pumping Station
.
.
.
2 78
Rebate, Maintenance account
.
.
.
50 00
Rebate, Interest account
277 50
Error in amount of check
.
14
Total .
$50,355 35
Cash on hand January 1, 1915
8,393 67
$58,749 02
PAYMENTS.
Paid on Water Commissioner's warrants :
For interest on bonds
$9,650 00
Sinking Fund appropriation
2,500 00
Sundry accounts
39,030 17
Water Loan bonds, 42%, due May 1, 1915
2,000 00
Water Loan bonds, 42%, due November 1915 .
1,
5,000 00
Total
.
$58,180 17
Cash on hand January 1, 1916 . .
568 85
$58,749 02
.
·
317
CASH ASSETS.
Amount due for water rents
$7,813 61
Amount due on Construction account
1,018 52
Deposit First Nat. Bank, Boston $277 50
Deposit First Nat. Bank South Wey- mouth
996 30
Total .
$1,273 80 ·
Less outstanding checks
704 95
568 85
Total
$9,400 98
Water Loan outstanding :
Bonds, 4%, due Nov. 1, 1917
$44;000 00
Bonds, 4%, due Nov. 1, 1919
21,000 00
Bonds, 4%, due Nov. 1, 1920
29,000 00
Bonds, 4%, due Nov. 1, 1921
14,000 00
State Treasurer's Certificates, 4%, due Nov. 1, 1917 .
6,000 00
State Treasurer's Certificates, 4%, due Nov. 1, 1921 . . Serial bonds, 42%, due May 1, 1916 to 1921
11,000 00
Serial bonds, 4%, due May 1, 1916 to 1920 Serial bonds, 42%, due Nov. 1, 1916 to 1934 .
93,000 00
$224,000 00
TRIAL BALANCE.
Construction account
$590,425 13
Pumping station
90,624 72
Maintenance
93,721 45
Tool and Supply account
3,450 11
Expenses
12,563 68
Office expenses
26,072 25
Interest on bonds
523,885 00
Sinking Fund appropriation
236,850 00
Superintendent
38,739 42
Water Commissioners
.
7,467 30
Treasurer
.
.
7,900 00
Collector .
3,472 44
Cash on hand .
568 85
.
-
1,000 00
5,000 00
Amount carried forward $1,635,740 35
318
Amount brought forward $1,635,740 35
Town of Weymouth appropriation
State treasurer, certificates
$11,400 00 7,000 00 108,000 00
Sinking Fund Bonds, Town
Serial Bonds, Town of Weymouth
109,000 00
Interest and discount
4,860 95
Premium account ·
19,063 50
Accrued interest
3,924 22
Water Loan Sinking Fund,
transfer
300,000 00
Water Rents
1,072,491 68
$1,635,740 35
$1,635,740 35
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. STETSON,
Treasurer. WEYMOUTH, December 31, 1915.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Town of Weymouth, Water Department, and have found them correct.
WILLIAM H. PRATT, FRANK N. BLANCHARD, WILLIAM E. THAYER,
Auditors.
i
WATER LOAN SINKING FUND.
RECEIPTS.
Town of Weymouth, appropriation
$2,500 00
Town of Weymouth, note
.
7,500 00
City of Boston, bonds 33%
13,510 00
City of New York, bonds 32%
4,312 50
Interest on railroad bonds
1,190 00
Interest on municipal bonds
2,712 54
Interest on mortgage .
112 50
Interest, First National Bank
32 86
Total .
$31,870 40
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1915 .
295 74
$32,166 14
319
INVESTMENTS AND EXPENSES.
Deposited in East Weymouth Savings Bank . $9,000 00
Deposited in South Weymouth Savings Bank 9,000 00
Deposited in Weymouth Savings Bank .
9,000 00
Paid J. H. Stetson, Treasurer, services 150 00
Rent, safe deposit box
15 00
$27,165 00
SINKING FUND INVESTMENTS.
Town of Weymouth, 4% bonds due Nov. 1, 1917 . Town of Weymouth, 4% bonds due Nov. 1, 1919 to 1921
$24,000 00
18,000 00
$10,000 Boston & Maine R.R. Co., 33% due 1921
9,000 00
$7,000 Chicago Burl. & Quincy, 32% due 1949
6,000 00
$17,000 N. Y., N. H. & H. R.R. Co., 32% bonds due 1954
13,000 00
Real estate mortgage
1,500 00
Deposited in Savings banks .
27,000 00
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1915
5,001 14
Total Fund
. $103,501 14
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. STETSON, Treasurer.
WEYMOUTH, December 31, 1915.
WEYMOUTH, December 31, 1915.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Town of Weymouth Water Loan Sinking Fund, and have found them correct.
WILLIAM H. PRATT, FRANK N. BLANCHARD, WILLIAM E. THAYER,
Auditors.
.
.
.
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1
OF THE
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
1915
. GAZETTE PUBLISHING COMPANY WEYMOUTH, MASS. 1916.
i
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Weymouth :
The Board is able to announce that it has kept within its ap- propriation although the expenditures in certain departments were larger than expected. Four new teachers were employed when the schools opened in September, one in the High School and three for grade positions.
As $6,654.04 seems a large amount to be expended in a single year for repairs, perhaps it would be well to analyze the work accomplished. $600 should be deducted from this amount as that sum was brought over as a balance from last year to cover out. standing bills.
The cost of installing the electric ventilator at the Athens School amounting to $195 and the cost of the new desks purchased for the Washington & Hunt schools should be included in this amount together with sundry other small bills.
From the $1,698.23 expended at the High School should be deducted $898.14. which was used for the purchase of new desks, new typewriters, typewriting tables and a sewing machine. These items should be classed as new equipment rather than re- pairs. The balance of about $800 was used to put the gymnasium in condition so it could be used for class purposes and to cover other regular repairs.
At the Athens School all the furnaces in the old section of the building were put in order, the outside woodwork was painted, and new gongs were placed at the front and rear of the building. A new fence was built along one side of the grounds and the material for the rest of the fence purchased.
A new fence was built along the western boundary of the lot at the Humphrey School. This fence in addition to improving the appearance of the grounds shuts off the continual passing of teams back and forth from Humphrey Street.
At the Jefferson School a new fence was built along one boundary.
324
In Ward Three the Hunt and Lincoln Schools were put in thorough repair according to the vote of the town. The build- ings were painted outside and inside. The Hunt School was shingled, the stairs and flooring inside replaced where necessary and the gutters and steps outside made sound. The gutters, steps and sills of the Lincoln School were also repaired.
At the Shaw School the furnaces were reset and new shades placed in some of the rooms.
The chimneys of the Pratt School were retopped and a new fence built along one boundary of the grounds in response to an article which was placed in the town warrant last year.
The Bates School was painted outside and the inside walls tinted.
The grounds of the Pond school were partially fenced and a cement platform constructed in front of the building.
We recommend that the following repairs be undertaken next year.
The Adams School at Weymouth Heights is in poor condition as it has had very little money expended on it for many years. The slate roof is leaking seriously. The building should be painted both outside and inside. Some provision should be made for taking the water away from the building as it runs into a neighboring yard and causes considerable trouble in the spring of the year.
In East Weymouth the Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin buildings should be painted. The Franklin needs extensive re- pairs inside to put it in good condition. The fire escape which was placed on the rear of the building by order of the District Police will have to be paid for out of next year's appropriation as the work was not completed until after January 1.
The furnaces at the Washington will have to be reset and new galvanized jackets placed about them.
:
It will be necessary to make extensive alterations at the High School to accomodate the increased number of children.
The congested conditions in our schools has been correctly stated in the report of the Superintendent. The situation in South Weymouth necessitating half time for the two lower grades should in some way be improved. 'There are no proper sanitary facilities for any school in Ward 5. This part of the town should
325
be better provided for, and the movement in that behalf which has been inaugurated by the citizens of this part of the town is well grounded on necessity.
We respectfully submit the following estimates for school ex- penditures for the coming year.
RESOURCES.
Balance from 1914
$692 71
Appropriation March, 1915
.
80,000 00
One-half dog tax
645 44
Tuition of State wards
199 00
Tuition from Hingham
100 00
Sale of supplies, tickets, etc.
225 91
$81,863 06
EXPENDITURES.
Superintendent .
$2,200 00
Instructors
.
.
. 53,093 50
Janitors
5,478 61
Fuel
4,642 91
Repairs
6,654 04
Water rent
369 00
Supplies
4,724 54 .
Miscellaneous
.
·
1,197 68
Transportation
. 3,260 50
81,620 78
Balance unexpended
$242 28
ESTIMATES FOR 1915.
Superintendent .
. $2,200 00
Instructors
·
. 58,775 00
Janitors
.
·
5,600 00
Fuel
5,000 00
Repairs
5,000 00
Water rent
400 00
Supplies
4,500 00 ·
Miscellaneous
1,200 00
Transportation
. 3,300 00.
$85,975 00
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER E. LEONARD,
THERON L. TIRRELL,
ARTHUR H. ALDEN,
SARAH S. HOWE,
PRINCE H. TIRRELL,
CLARANCE P. WHITTLE.
.
·
.
.
·
·
·
·
.
.
.
·
.
·
.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Members of the School Committee:
I herewith submit my seventh annual report, the same being the thirtieth in the series of annual reports of the superintendents of this town.
In consideration of the fact that the expenses of the school department are steadily increasing, it may be of interest to pre- sent the following statistics taken from the last report of the State Board of Education (1913-1914) showing the cost of educating a child in this town as compared with the cost in other towns of the same size, or in this vicinity.
The success of the schools depends in a large measure upon the financial backing they receive, as it is impossible to have the prime requisite-a superior teaching force-without the money to meet competition from other towns with high salary schedules. Each improvement, also, calls for increased expenditure.
State Massachusetts.
Town Weymouth.
*Cost of educating one child based on average membership
$39 82
$27 71
Framingham
. $32 83
Cost per child in towns of the same comparative size
Watertown
37 99
Southbridge
32 14
Plymouth 1
. 30 49
Hingham
$39 88
Braintree
33 55
Cost per child in neighboring towns
Quincy .
30 83
Rockland
30 86.
1 Abington
35 94
Number of cities and towns in the state
353
Rank of Weymouth in order of expenditure per child . Amount appropriated by Weymouth for support of public schools for each $1000 of valuation ·
225
Rank of Weymouth based on number of towns in the .
$5 75.
state
159
*Cost per pupil for school year ending July 1, 1915 · $30 92
327
SCHOOL CONDITIONS .- It is gratifying to report that during the present year we have been favored with many of the conditions that promote good school work.
There has been very little sickness or absence from school for other causes. "An average of ninety-four per cent. of attendance has been maintained which compares very favorably with ninety- three per cent. the average for the State as given in the last re- port of the Board of Education. A comparison of the reports' of the last two years will show that with more children present in the schools we made a decided reduction in the number of cases of tardiness and dismissal.
ENROLLMENT .- The enrollment for the school year closing in June, 1915, was two thousand six hundred two, an increase of sixty-two over the previous year, while the average membership increased from two thousand three hundred ninety-three to two thousand four hundred seventy. A census of the schools taken in September of this year showed an enrollment of two thousand six hundred sixty-six. These figures would seem to indicate that the steady increase of the last few years will be continued and that the provisions which have been made and which are being made to provide for new growth are justified.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS .- The new building at Weymouth which will be completed in a few weeks will provide admirable facilities for the majority of the pupils in that part of the town and will make possible the closing of the Tufts School one of the oldest buildings in use. All the rooms in the new building to- gether with the two rooms in the Lincoln and four of the rooms in the Hunt will be in use when the pupils are assigned to their new quarters. The hall in the Hunt School should never again be used for classroom purposes.
In North Weymouth the Athens School had an average of over forty pupils per room when the schools opened in September. It was necessary to move twelve of the children from the fourth grade to the Franklin School, East Weymouth, in order to. re- duce the number in that grade below fifty. Next year it will be necessary to move still more of the children living near Weymouth Heights to East Weymouth, or open the room on the lower fioor of the Adams School which has been closed for many years. If this is done, it will necessitate the hiring of an extra teacher, the
328
purchase of new desks and equipment, and the placing of the building in thorough repair.
In East Weymouth two extra rooms were opened in the Frank- lin School. It will probably be necessary to open the only re- maining room in the building next year to provide another fifth grade room as there are one hundred fifteen pupils in the three fourth grades at the present time.
. . In South Weymouth it was impossible to place any two of the upper grades in the same room as the numbers were too large. It was also impossible to place a grade and a half in two of the rooms as we did last year without making the number in each room run over fifty. The Committee accordingly voted to place the first and second grades on half time. This arrangement will have to be continued unless additional room is provided.
South Weymouth needs s ten-room building to provide suitable accommodations for the children. At the present time we are confronted with the proposition of placing nine grades in eight rooms, even though any one of the grades is large enough to have a room by itself. In order to provide a unit of expansion, there should always be one more room, at least, than the number of grades. I do not believe that it would be possible to make either of the old structures into school buildings that would measure up to modern requirements without expending more money than the buildings are worth. The remodelling of an old building is always a costly process and the results are seldom satisfactory,
THE HIGH SCHOOL .- The work in the High School has been strengthened. by the introduction of a course in harmony under the direction of Mr. Calderwood. A new teacher has also been added to the French department. Forty new commercial desks and six typewriters have been purchased for the business depart- ment. Over one hundred adjustable seats have been put in the building to replace worn out chairs. For further details concern- iug the condition of the school I submit the following excerpts taken from the report of the principal :-
" In our report of last year we spoke of a growing need for more class room in the High School and suggested dividing the gymnasium into three sections for this purpose. The large in- crease in numbers makes us feel that it is absolutely necessary to obtain more room so that we will be able to use a larger teach-
329
ing force than is possible at the present time. We are now hav- ing classes in the open gymnasium in two subjects at the same time throughout the week. This causes considerable confusion and is rather unsatisfactory.
" In order to provide for the incoming classes of another year I would suggest dividing room two and possibly room three so as to form smaller class rooms in addition to dividing the gymnasium, as suggested before. The rear of the assembly hall might then be fitted up for a study room and utilized with better results than at present. The enrollment of the school this year has reached three hundred and eighty-two (382) and we have reason to sup- pose that it will be necessary to accommodate more than four hundred (400), with a strong likelihood that it may run as high as four hundred and fifty (450) for the coming year.
" The closing of a large cold air space over the gymnasium by a metal ceiling has improved the heating conditions very noticeably and also bettered the appearance of the room for the purposes to which it is now put.
" The large number of students in proportion to the number of teachers has made it necessary to increase the size of the different divisions until they are considerably larger than they should be in a great many instances. This not only puts a heavy burden on the teachers but does not allow as much individual attention to each pupil as we would like to give. While we believe that we should do all in our power to keep the size of the divisions down to a point sufficiently low for efficient results we are very glad to say the adverse conditions have been accepted with the very best spirit by both teachers and pupils, aud the work has gone on un- der crowded conditions with very little confusion and with very excellent results."
7. EVENING SCHOOLS .- The opening of the evening schools the first of January marks a new departure in school work. Under the laws of the Commonwealth every city or town of over ten thousand inhabitants must maintain evening schools. Such schools were formerly held in this town, but were discontinued owing to the poor attendance and the unsatisfactory quality of the work.
An attempt has been made this year to offer courses of practi- cal value that would supplement the work of the day schools and
330
reach certain classes in the community which have not previously had access to the privileges of the school plant. The work should' be extended to include those wishing to take upper grammar grade studies, as a large number signified their desire to take this kind of work but were refused admission as no provision had been made to accomodate them.
The classes meet three times a week at the High School building and are divided for work as follows ;
(1.) A class for illiterate minors under Miss Canterbury. All young men and women under twenty-one working in the factories who are unable to read and write the English language are obliged to take this work. The work is of the simplest character and seeks to impart a working knowledge of the English language. Reports showing the attendance of the pupils in this class are sent to the factories each week. If the attendance is. irregular, the law requires the discharge of the minor by the person employing him. Fourteen have been enrolled in this. class.
(2.) A Class in citizenship under the instruction of Mr. Berry. Any person over eighteen years of age who desires to. become a citizen of the United States may enroll in this class. About twenty are attending at the present time. The work of this division is also simple in character and seeks to impart a working knowledge of the English language together with a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of our government. In addition to the regular work of instruction, as- sistance is given to those who wish to fill out their first papers for. citizenship, or if they have obtained those, further instruction is- given in regard to the procedure necessary to pass the final examinations.
(3.) Classes in domestic science and dressmaking. Any person over sixteen years of age who is not attending one of the. day schools may enroll in these classes. Miss Cowan with two. assistants bas charge of this work. I have asked Miss Cowan. to present a report which I submit in full.
MR. PARKER T. PEARSON,
Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :
I herewith submit a report of the evening school work in cooking and dressmaking from January 3rd to the present date.
331
During the past three weeks there has been a total regis- tration of 105. Out of this number four who registered for cooking and seven for dressmaking have not attended classes. Thirty-five are enrolled for cooking alone; fifty-two for dress- making and seven for both cooking and dressmaking,
The attendance in all classes thus far has been very good, especially considering the fact that the work is in no way compul- sory.
Mrs. A. W. Sandwall of Boston is assisting as teacher of cook- ing. For this work there are three classes, each meeting one night a week. One group is a beginner's class, taking lessons in the preparation and serving of simple and practical foods. Cooking is done in individual quantities or in groups of two. working together, with the occasional planning and serving of an entire meal.
The other two classes are advanced pupils who have already done some cooking in the home. Cooking will be done in family quantities and as far as possible include the planning, prepara- tion and serving of an entire meal at each lesson. The composi- tion of foods, nutritive value and comparative cost will be dis- cussed during various lessons. A small fee of ten cents per les- son to cover cost of materials is charged those attending the above classes.
The dressmaking classes include two grades for elementary work and one for advanced, each meeting one night a week with an average of twenty pupils in each division. Miss E. M. Cobb. of Braintree is assistant teacher for this subject. Individual and class instruction in hand and machine sewing is given in the ele- mentary groups, leading up to the cutting, and making of simple garments from paper patterns. Aprons, underwear, a plain shirt waist and wash dress are to be made by these pupils. All who. complete the prescribed course should be competent at any time to enter an advanced dressmaking class.
In the advanced class the first work includes the cutting, fitting and making of a one piece wash dress, all pupils using the same style pattern in order that some general class instruction may be given. Further work will include the making of a fancy blouse or waist, cloth skirt and a gown for dress occasions, various- styles of patterns being used. Altering and remodelling of pat-
332
terns, fitting on dress forms and individuals will be included in the work of this class.
With the number of pupils in all classes exceeding our some- what limited equipment, I feel that we are getting good results and apparently the pupils are much interested in the work.
Respectfully submitted,
H. MILDRED COWAN, ' Supervisor Domestic Science and Sewing.
HOME GARDENS.
Several years ago an attempt was made to interest the children in home gardening. Seeds and instruction for planting were ob- tained from the State College at Amherst, as well as from the Congressman at Washington, but owing to the dry seasons at that time and the lack of home supervision the results were not satisfactory. I would recommend that the experiment be tried during the present year of employing a teacher skilled in garden- ing to supervise the work of the children. Such a teacher to conduct demonstration plots at the different buildings to show how the work should be done; to work with the children after school selecting sites and advising as to the preparation of the soil; to visit the gardens during the summer when supervision and encouragement are most needed. The garden work should continue as much of the year as the climate will permit, and every plat of ground should be made to produce as large a quantity of vegetables and flowers as possible.
This recommendation is made in accordance with the recent movement in the State to promote more extensively its agri- cultural resources. Weymouth is one of the large towns of the State in area and has much vacant land which could be used to good advantage. Nearly every home has sufficent land in its back lots to provide all the vegetables necessary for the table.
The recent vote taken by the County to establish an agricul- tural school indicates that the majority of the people are in favor of such work. I understand that there is a possibility that Weymouth may be made the location for a branch of the work and if such is the case there is even greater necessity for introducing this type of work at an early date.
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE :- I am glad to report that there have been very few changes in the teaching force. There
1
333
were eight resignations divided equally between the High School and the grades. Two of the teachers resigned to get married, one resigned on account of sickness, the remaining five resigned to accept other positions. The increase in salaries granted by the town two years ago has enabled us to keep our best teachers.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS :- I wish to take this opportunity to ex- press my appreciation of the work that the school physicians are doing. In addition to their regular visitation of the schools, they have this year examined nearly every child in town in order that we may have a general record of the physicial condition of the children. These examinations have shown the pressing need of a dental clinic. Very few people realize how large a per cent. of the children are suffering from neglected teeth.
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.