USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 30
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More than 161 visits have been made by different mem- bers of the Board, and the sanitary condition of dwellings and their surroundings have received our attention, and strenuous efforts have been made to obtain a general com- pliance with the rules and regulations in regard to sink drains, cesspools and privy vaults.
Early in the season many complaints were received as to the filthy and dangerous condition of the drain running through the village from Crescent street across Center, Mechanic and Smith streets, and entering the pond near the Centre depot. After careful investigation, it was decided to relay that portion crossing the land of Amos W. Chap- man, Esq., and the work was done by the day by Mr. N. H. Dow, under the direction of the Health Officer, Mr. J. M.
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Cate. A larger expense was incurred than was estimated in the first place, owing partly to a re-location of the drain north of Mr. Chapman's lot, which had already been relaid by Mr. Chapman and Mr. G. H. Hathaway. The work was done in a thorough and substantial manner, and, the Board trust, will be approved by the taxpaying portion of the community. A portion of this expense is to be repaid by the abutters and others using the drain.
Another fruitful cause of complaint is the keeping of swine in the more thickly-settled sections of the town. We found this the most difficult problem to solve. We have not proceeded to extremities in carrying out the rules relating thereto, but believe the time is coming when the keeping of swine within certain limits will be strictly and positively prohibited.
We note with pleasure the increased interest which the people of our town have taken in regard to the work of this Board. We desire to call their attention to the importance of co-operating with us in cleansing the village so that the smallest possible percentage of disease-breeding filth may remain.
" People must be led to interest themselves in the ques- tion of health, that they may become familiar with common sanitary rules ; that the principles of healthful living may become as much a study in the family circle as are the prin- ciples of household art ; that the appliances which are found to be best adapted to the requirements of healthful surround- ings may be as much a subject for consideration as are the objects of beauty with which they decorate their homes."
JOHN M. CATE,
Health Officer.
WAKEFIELD,'MARCH 16, 1885.
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ASSESSORS' REPORT.
Valuation of estates, real and personal, taxed in this town May 1st, 1884.
Valuation of Real Estate,
$3,091,995 (0
Personal " 396,277 00
Resident Bank Stock,
53,500 00
Total valuation, $3,541,772 00
Whole number of polls, males, 1.543, at $2.00, $3,066 00
Amount of State tax, $4,280 00
.6 County tax, 1,968 80
Town Appropriations,
56,825 00
Total amount assessed, including overlay, $63,276 12
Rate of taxation $17.00 per $1,000.
Number of dwelling houses taxed,
1,081
horses, ....
322
coWS, .
215
swine, 79
66 acres of land, 3,720
Value of real estate and machinery of corpora-
tions,
$538,700 00
Value of real estate exempted by law from tax- ation, 147,700 00
Number of steam boilers, . 21
Aggregate horse power, ·
.
721
CHARLES F. WOODWARD, Assessors CHARLES F. HARTSHORNE, of
JOHN M. CATE, Wakefield.
19
146
REPORT OF THE
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE.
The Committee on Appropriations, chosen at the last annual meeting, after due consideration of the various matters brought before them, would respectfully recommend the following appropriations for the next financial year :
For Payment of Town Debt, $5,000 00
Interest on Town Debt,
· 3,200 00
Support of Schools, . 16,200 00
School Contingent Fund, .
. 1.500 00
School Text Books and Supplies, 1,000 00 · Poor Department, the income from farm and 5,000 00 Fire Department, 2,200 00 .
Street Lamps,
.
1,400 00
Town House Expenses,
.
1,600 00
Highways and Bridges, 5,000 00
Concrete sidewalks, 400 00
Concrete crosswalks and gutters, 400 00
Salaries of Town Officers, 2,875 00
Miscellaneous expenses, 3,000 00
Beebe Town Library, in addition to dog-tax 400 00
Support of Reading Room, 325 00
Total, . $49,500 00
The recommendation of $2,200 for the Fire Department is made upon the basis and with the proviso that the present force of firemen is retained, and we further recommend that the compensation of enginemen for the ensuing year be fixed at fifteen dollars and a poll-tax, or its equivalent. The recommendation for concrete sidewalks is made with the provision that it shall be expended where abutters will bear one-half of the expense of the same.
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The appropriation for salaries of Town Officers is made upon the following basis of division, which we also recommend :
For Town Treasurer,
$200 00
Town Clerk,
100 00
Board of Selectmen,
400 00
" Assessors,
400 00
.'
" Overseers of the Poor,
250 00
" School Committee,
250 00
" Auditors,
100 00
" Road Commissioners,
200 00
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" Registrars,
100 00
" Fire Engineers,
75 00
"' Health,
50 00
Tax Collector,
400 00
Constables and Police,
350 00
Total,
$2,875 00
Dr. S. O. Richardson and J. O. Blanchard, members of the Committee, not having been present at the meetings of the Committee, do not join in the report.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. YOUNG, ALSTEAD W. BROWNELL,
THOMAS WINSHIP, JAMES F. EMERSON, JAMES OLIVER, WILLIAM G. STRONG,
JAMES H. CARTER,
THOMAS HICKEY, JOSHUA PERHAM, EVERETT HART,
THOMAS J. SKINNER, Sed'y.
WAKEFIELD, March 16th, 1880.
.
.
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HAMILTON SCHOOL BUILDING.
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
Your Committee ask leave to report that the Hamilton School Building was completed and turned over to the town ready for occupancy, in April, 1884.
The material and workmanship of the building are superior, and reflect credit upon the architect and con- tractor. The edifice is well adapted to the needs of the locality where it is situated, and is an ornament as well as credit to the town.
The total amount expended in the purchase of land and erection of the building to this date is $18,658 90; and the total cost will be within the appropriation, $19,000.
A lien for a few hundred dollars has been placed upon the building by one of the sub-contractors, and in case he is successful the town is fully protected by the well-known financial responsibility of the contractor, as well as by his bond, and a reserve on his contract.
The death of Mr. Beebe, the former Chairman of the Committee, prevented any public exercises of dedication, coming as it did, just at the time when such exercises would have been appropriate.
We congratulate the town upon the possession of a hand- some, substantial building, well arranged, well warmed, well lighted and well ventilated.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS WINSHIP, WILLIAM N. TYLER, A. W. BROWNELL, E. E. EMERSON. S. K. HAMILTON,
Building Committee.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
150
REPORT.
No department of the public service, business activity or social life of the town experienced a severer shock than the department of the Public Schools at the announcement of the sudden death of Mr. Lucius Beebe, the oldest in years and in service, as well as the most honored member of the School Committee.
He became a member of this Board by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens in April, 1870, and with the exception of a single year continued to hold that office and discharge its duties with exemplary fidelity to the time of his death.
Mr. Beebe had unbounded confidence in our Public School system and its capacity to furnish that education both of kind and quantity which fits the great body of our youth in . the best manner for the discharge of the duties of life, and consequently took an enthusiastic interest in its growth and welfare. He availed himself of all opportunities to enlarge his own knowledge of education as a science, and to make practical application of that knowledge in the management of the schools under his care. Conservatively progressive in his thinking and youthful in his feelings, he did not fail to catch the inspiration of the growth and improvement in method and means of instruction in the later times and to keep glad step to their music. A frequent visitor at the school-rooms, he not only made himself familiar with the work and the needs of the schools, but he impressed much of the grandeur of his own character upon the teachers and the scholars by whom he was always most cordially welcomed.
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In the transaction of the business of the Board and in his association with the other members he was frank, independent and honest, but always remarkably courteous and deferential. During the last two months of his life he visited every school in town, and in most cases, departing from his usual custom, made addresses to the scholars full of thoughtful advice and admonition drawn from the wealth of his own experience, and at his very last meeting with this Board he made the remark "I do not know how long I shall be with you," thus emphasizing what has been made apparent in other ways that death did not come to him unexpectedly, nor find him unprepared.
In the ripeness of his years, in the fullest possession of his faculties, and crowned with all earthly blessings, he passed within the vail, and left to his successors a heritage of precious memories of the sincerity of all his purposes, the kindness of his heart and the grand nobility of his character.
" An honored life, a peaceful end, And Heaven to crown it all."
THE VACANCY.
The vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Beebe was filled at a convention of the Selectmen and School Com- mittee, held according to the provisions of the public statutes, by the unanimous election of E. P. Colby, M. D., who still continues to hold the office.
EXPENSES.
At the beginning of the year we made a special request of all persons with whom we had any dealings to present their bills to us monthly, and we have used all the diligence in our power to have this done, but we find at the end of the year we have failed, and bills which were authorized by vote of the Board have laid over nearly a year in many instances,
.
152
and when they were presented, swelled our expenses beyond our expectation. It is impossible for the Committee to keep the control of the minute expenditures which in the end will aggregate a large amount without devoting more time to the work than the town can reasonably expect from any board of town officers.
We determined at the beginning of the year not to exceed the appropriation made by the town in any instance, and if our own townsmen and others with whom we had dealings had heeded our request we should have stopped all ex- penditures, or have asked the town for an additional appro- . priation for incidental expenses, which is the only fund which has not proved sufficient to meet all drafts upon it.
At the annual meeting in 1884 the town appropriated for regular school purposes, which includes teachers' salaries, janitors' pay and fuel, the sum of sixteen thousand two hun- dred dollars ($16,200), for incidental expenses the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000), and for use in concreting the walks and yards about the school buildings the sum of five hundred dollars [$500].
The regular appropriation has been expended as follows :
For the salary of teachers, . $13,837 49
For the pay of janitors, .
.
·
· 1,031 45
For fuel,
·
1,067 39
Total,
. $15,936 33
leaving an unexpended balance of that appropriation of two hundred and sixty-three dollars and sixty-seven cents [$263 67].
To the appropriation for incidental expenses, the amount received from the State, and several small sums received for tuition were added, making the total sum available for the purposes for which that fund is appropriated two thousand one hundred and two dollars and fifty-five cents [$2,102 55],
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of which.there has been expended the sum of two thousand and ninety-five dollars and fifty-nine cents [$2,095 59], leaving an unexpended balance as shown by the books of six dollars and ninety six cents [$6 96]. There are outstanding and unpaid against this appropriation, bills to the amount of four hundred and fifty-four dollars and eighty cents [$454 80], which shows the total amount of money expended and bills incurred properly chargeable to this appropriation to be two thousand five hundred and fifty dollars and thirty- nine cents [$2,550 39], so that the deficiency to be provided for in the next appropriation will be four hundred and fifty- four dollars and eighty cents [$454 80].
A contingent appropriation to be placed at the disposal of the School Committee is as much a necessity as is an appro- priation for the schools themselves, and it is expended in repairs and extra care of buildings, furniture and the necessary equipments of the schools, for which no regular appropriation is made.
A reference to the Auditors' report will show that during the past year about seven hundred dollars have been ex- pended in repairs and about nine hundred dollars in fur- niture, piping, plumbing and other things of a permanent nature which it will not be necessary to duplicate the coming year, so that a considerable reduction in this appro- priation can be safely made.
The sum appropriated for concreting the walks and yards around the school houses was inadequate to complete what seemed very desirable the present year, and so the sum of thirty-nine dollars and twenty-seven cents was transferred from the incidental appropriation to this fund, which, of course, accounts for so much of the over-draft in the incidental account.
At the meeting in July the sum of three thousand dollars [$3,000] was appropriated for the purchase of school books and supplies, of which twenty-eight hundred and fourteen
20
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dollars and forty-four cents [$2,814 44] have been ex- pended, leaving a balance of one hundred and eighty-five dollars and sixty-six cents [$185.66] on hand.
At the same meeting an appropriation of two hundred and fifty dollars [$250] was made for grading the school yard at Greenwood, of which one hundred and eighty-three dollars [$183] have been expended, leaving a balance of that appro- priation of sixty-seven dollars [$67] unexpended.
HAMILTON SCHOOL.
At the beginning of the year the Hamilton School House was turned over to the Town by the Building Committee, and was at once occupied by three schools, made up by a transfer of the Second Grammar School, which for three terms prior had been carried on in Wakefield's Block, and by the establishment of an Intermediate School composed of. scholars coming from the vicinity and west of the Junction, and a Primary School composed of children living west of the Railroad and south of West Chestnut street.
The building was further and fully occupied at the com- mencement of the fall term by the organization of another First Grammar School. This building affords excellent accommodations for four schools and two hundred scholars, and is arranged and adapted to the needs of that neighbor- hood in an admirable manner, and is in itself an ornament and credit to the town.
EXAMINATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.
Thus organized, good work was done during the summer term in all our schools, some, however, excelling others, and the examinations made at its close, coupled with those made during the year, gave ample evidence that in most cases pupils had been studious, and teachers industrious and
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faithful. The examinations and promotions were made in accordance with the established and published rules, and upon substantially the same plan that has been in practice in the Town, for many years, and with less than the ordi- nary amount of friction.
As written examinations come to be part of the regular work of the schools their terrors vanish even from the minds of the most diffident, and as they afford the only fair means by which the work of both teachers and scholars can be tested, their continuance is most desirable, notwithstanding adverse criticism, at least until some critic shall point out a better method by which Committees can ascertain the status and progress of the schools, and the fidelity with which teachers discharge their duties. The result of examinations gives some evidence of teachers' as well as scholars' work, although it may not afford much light as to the manner in which results are obtained. This must be derived in other ways.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Our High School is an institution in which every citizen ought, and may, justly take pride ; affording to the youth of the town an opportunity to acquire a good business educa- tion, and lay the foundation of a classical and literary culture.
It is the "poor boy's college" a fact which should never escape the attention of our people, and it is one of the mediums by which "the levelling up" process in our civili- zation is constantly going on. As such it should have the care of the poor as well as the rich, and all should strive to increase its numbers, and build it up and strengthen it as a power for good in the community.
The last year has been a prosperous one in its history. While the number who have made a specialty of the ancient languages has been largely increased, a strong impetus has
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been given to a desire for a thorough and practical educa- tion, and a lively interest in the natural sciences awakened. In June occurred the Graduating Exercises in the Town Hall, which, as usual, was densely packed. The exercises themselves were such as gave only a partial idea of the work of the school, but they were of a high order, and were admirably executed.
The following is the list of exercises :
PROGRAMME.
Chorus .- "Distant Chimes."
Salutatory .-- "The Dead Languages."
Miss Abbott.
Recitation .- "Robert of Sicily." . Longfellow. Miss Hartshorne.
Debate-"Comparative Influence of Man and Woman on History."
Bertram E. Lenfest. Miss Kelly.
Poem. - "The River."
Miss Hall.
Calisthenics.
Poetry of Flowers.
Essay .-- "Our Country."
Declamation .- "Battle of Fontenoy."
Miss A. M. Eaton, Miss M. E. Eaton, Miss E. E. Seaver. Miss Sanborn. Davis
Thomas E. McCleary . Miss J O. Eaton
Valedietory .- "The Necessity of Education." Parting Hymn.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Benediction.
NAMES OF GRADUATES.
COLLEGE COURSE, FOUR YEARS. Ruth Elizabeth Abbott.
CLASSICAL COURSE, FOUR YEARS.
Addie Maria Eaton, Jennie Olive Eaton, Mary Ellen Kelly,
Elizabeth Rodenburgh Sanborn, Bertram Augustus Lenfest, Thomas Edmund McCleary.
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. ENGLISH COURSE, THREE YEARS.
Gertrude Louise Hall,
Jessic Coffin Hartshorne,
Mary Ellen Eaton, Emily Eunice Seaver.
. At the close of the summer term Mr. Richardson resigned the Sub-mastership and accepted a situation in New York, and the present Sub-master, Mr. C. E. Bacon, was chosen to the position, and entered upon his duties at the beginning of the fall term, and has since discharged them to the great satis- faction of the Committee and the school. Mr. Hill and Miss Keith continue to hold the respective positions of Principal and Assistant, and have displayed the same assiduity and fidelity as in former years.
Prompt and regular attendance has been urged upon the pupils of this school during the past year, with gratifying success. We take pleasure in presenting to the town the roll of honor containing the names of those scholars who have not been absent or tardy during the year.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Miss Mabel Baker, Master Otis M. Cutler,
Miss Ellen F. Casey,
Master Arthur N. Mansfield,
Miss Nellie E. Fay,
Master Horace L. Moran,
Miss Nellie L. Fitzgerald, Master Charles W. Newhall,
Miss F. Addie Mansfield, Master George A. Packard,
Miss Edith E. McAvoy, Master Samuel P. White,
Miss Jennie R. Tyzzer.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
While the law does not recognize what is commonly known as school districts, yet towns which have more than one school of the same grade are obliged to have some dividing lines, so that the number in the schools may be rightly apportioned, and also that some regard may be had
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to the convenience of the people. Without this, certain schools might be overflowing, and others have a very meagre attendance, according to the popularity of the teacher or the fancy of scholars or parents. These lines may be varied by the Committee at any time when occasion requires, yet it is desirable that they should be as permanent in their nature* as circumstances will allow.
The lines which were established in April with the open- ing of the Hamilton School Building were expected to be temporary, and that the promotions in June would compel a relocation, and the result showed our expectations to have been correct. During the summer vacation we made a very careful examination of this subject, and established such dividing lines as would subserve our needs at that time and with a view that these lines should be hereafter changed as little as possible. This division, so far as we know, has met with general satisfaction. In a very few instances it has worked hardship, but this has been submitted to in a very kindly spirit by the sufferers.
The following are the directions in relation to this matter issued by the Committee, and the same are now in force :
DISTRICTS.
Scholar's from the whole town attend the High and Advanced Grammar Schools.
For the first and second grammar grades the town is divided as follows : All scholars living on Main stre t and west thereof will attend the schools in the Hamilton Build- ing ; east of Main street the Centre Schools.
In all the lower grades scholars living south of Lake Quannapowitt and cast of the Boston and Maine Railroad will attend the schools in their respective localities as heretofore.
The boundary lines for the Bank Building Primary are
159
.
the Boston and Maine Railroad on the west, Lake Quan- napowitt on the north, Main street to the Junction crossing, including both sides, on the east, thence by the railroad to the Junction.
For Primary Schools west of the railroad and that locality between the railroad and the lake, the dividing line is as follows : West Chestnut street to Cedar street ; Cedar street to Gould street; Gould street to Converse street ; Converse street to the town line. Scholars living on said streets, and. those north or west of them, will attend the West Ward Primary School. Primary scholars living south or east of those streets will attend the Hamilton Primary School.
All the scholars of the First Intermediate and Third Grammar grade living west of the railroad and between the railroad and the lake will attend the West Ward Inter- mediate School. Scholars of the Second and Third Inter- mediate grades will attend the Hamilton Intermediate School.
The boundary line of North Ward, East Ward, Wood- ville, Greenwood and Franklin street east of the railroad remain unchanged.
CHANGES IN TEACHERS.
The year has been a phenomenal one in this particular. At the election of teachers immediately following the organization of the Board for the year, Mr .. Gay was re-elected to the Second Grammar School for one term, but he refused to serve, and Miss Isabella H. Howe of Cam- bridge was chosen in his stead. She proved an excellent teacher, but at the end of one term resigned to accept a situation more to her taste in Cincinnati, Ohio.
At the beginning of the fall term the services of Miss Helen L. Gay of Easton, Mass., a teacher of culture and experience, were secured, under whose management the school prospered in a large degree to the end of that term,
.
---
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when she resigned to fill an engagement of the most flattering character, tendered her soon after her coming to Wakefield. Mr. George A. Tyzzer of this town was appointed to fill the vacancy, and he has now charge of the school, and so far as we can judge, is doing good work.
At the close of the summer term Miss Randlett, who for nearly four years had devoted herself with enthusiasm and fidelity to the care of the little ones in the Second Primary School, received an appointment of a similar character in the schools of Melrose, at an advanced salary, which she accepted, and where she now remains discharging her duties, as we learn, in a most acceptable manner. Her place was filled by a transfer of Miss Thompson from the West Ward Primary, which place was in turn filled by the appointment of Miss Lizzie W. Lang of Meredith, N. H., who still continues in charge.
Early in the fall the number of the North Ward scholars had increased so much that an assistant became necessary, and Miss Mary E. Kelley, a graduate of our High School in the class of this year, was appointed to the position, in which she has rendered acceptable service.
It is possible that the condition of things in this district will be such with the opening of spring as to demand the establishment of another school.
At the close of the summer term Miss Field resigned her situation in the First Intermediate School, induced thereto by the attractions of a prospective home in the Empire State of the Southwest ; and her place was filled by the transfer of Miss Prime from the First Grammar, No. 2.
At the close of the same term, unable to resist the attrac- tions of a life among the hills of the Green Mountain State, Miss Stearns, of the First Primary, resigned, and Miss Emerson was transferred to her place from the Bank Build- ing, and that vacancy filled by the appointment of Miss Anne M. Ransom of this town, and a graduate of Salem Normal School.
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