USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1894 > Part 3
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SEWERS.
At a special meeting of the town, held July 28 last, it was voted "that the selectmen be instructed to construct a system of sewerage adapted to the needs of the town." The board,
55
before proceeding to act under the instructions of this vote, issued a notice to each known taxpayer owning land within the portion of the town in which the construction of a system of sewerage had been considered at several meetings of the town held within a year prior thereto, of a meeting to be held by the selectmen to consider the necessity of the construction of a system of sewerage at the present time. The meeting was largely attended, and the expression was almost unani- mous for the construction of the sewers without delay. At the next annual meeting of the town the board will present a full report of their acts relating to sewers.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The hose-wagon and equipments to be stationed at Oxford village, authorized by the last annual meeting of the town, was purchased and at once placed in service. In carrying out this vote, the board acknowledge the enthusiastic service of a committee of the citizens of Oxford village, consisting of Marcellus P. Whitfield, William H. Dunham, and Benjamin F. Drew, and also of the members of the board of fire en- gineers of the town. In the report of the engineers will be found further information relating to this subject.
The desirability of providing some systematic method of giving an alarm of a fire, we would call to the attention of the citizens. -
The lease of the land on which the Contest 3 engine house wa's located having expired, the board procured from Jane S. Terry a lease for five years from November 1, 1894, of a lot for the engine house, on Spring street near Main street, at a rental of $10 per year.
HYDRANT SERVICE.
The board, acting under the instructions of the annual meeting of 1893, have executed in behalf of the town a con- tract with the Fairhaven Water Company to supply a hydrant
56
service of 80 hydrants, for fire purposes, for a term of twenty years from April 1, 1894, at a yearly cost of $25 for each hydrant.
STREET LIGHTING.
The contract of the town, for the lighting of the streets by electricity, with the New Bedford Gas & Edison Light Company, expires July 1, 1895. This contract calls for lighting by 81 lamps, until midnight, at a cost of $1.30 per light, for 20 nights during each month.
STATE HIGHWAY.
The board, in behalf of the town, contracted with the Com- missioners of State Highways for the construction of a mile of macadamized highway adjoining the Mattapoisett line. A full report of their action in this matter will be presented to the next annual meeting.
COGGESHALL STREET BRIDGE.
The board has taken no action relating to the repairs of the Coggeshall street bridge since their report to a late meeting of the town.
The selectmen, on Nov. 3 last, in behalf of the town, re- ceived from Mrs. Phebe A. Hearst of San Francisco, Cal., through the courtesy of Mrs. Clara R. Anthony of this town, the two pictures which now adorn the walls of the town hall, "Fete-night in Venice," by L. D. Eldred, and "Bally Castle, Coast of Ireland," by Charles H. Gifford. The board at once acknowledged the receipt of the valuable gifts, and expressed the thanks and appreciation of the citizens therefor.
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APPROPRIATIONS.
The board recommend the following appropriations for the current municipal year, in addition to such special appropria- tions as shall be made for the same departments :-
Appropriation, 1894.
Highway,
$3,000.00
$2,000.00
Poor,
3,500.00
2,000.00
Schools,
7,100.00
7,300.00
Salaries,
1,500.00
1,500.00
Street lights,
1,300.00
1,000.00
Fire department, $1,200
800.00
Repair of buildings, 450
Hydrant service,
1,500
3,150.00
2,000.00
General incidentals, and over- draft in 1894,
2,000.00
1,500.00
Payment of temporary loans
necessary to be adjusted, or
paid from taxes of 1895,
7,950.00
$29,500.00
JAMES L. GILLINGHAM, EBEN AKIN, JR., DANIEL W. DEANE,
Selectmen of Fairhaven.
REPORT
OF
Superintendent of Streets.
To the Board of Selectmen.
GENTLEMEN :- In compliance with your request I enclose a brief report of my work upon the highways under your charge, which covers time from March 17, 1894, to Feb. 15, 1895.
At the time of my appointment, upon entering on my duties we found that some unknown person or persons had wantonly and maliciously damaged the crusher engine to such an extent as to require the expenditure of about three hun- dred and fifty dollars to replace, and at a season of year when road building should be in progress. Repairing road-scraper as found needed cost some twelve dollars ; also road-roller some three dollars, and water-cart expense of several dollars. Repairing engine-house of crusher engine at a cost of twelve dollars, crusher at expense of seventy-five dollars.
I found on town farm two piles of stone containing two hundred and eighty tons four hundred and seventeen pounds. Also found on Washington street lot one pile of stone con- taining four hundred and ninety tons sixteen hundred and sixty-five pounds.
Upon examining the streets my first attention was given to surface grading and cleaning, repairing and building several
59
new culverts, and repairs in general, which come up from day to day, besides constructing fifteen hundred and fifty lineal feet of macadam in different sections of town, from the highway appropriation, and a balance of $ remains in the treasury.
My attention was next given to North Main street, for which one thousand dollars ($1,000) was appropriated, which was used as follows :
Grading thirteen hundred and fifty lineal feet (1350).
Graveling nine hundred and seventy-five lineal feet (975).
Trenching three hundred and twenty-five lineal feet (325).
One culvert forty lineal feet (40).
Constructing eleven hundred and sixty lineal feet of mac- adam.
Next I found two thousand five hundred dollars for Wash- ington street, which was used in the following manner : Graveling fifteen hundred and eighty lineal feet (1,580) ; con- structing four thousand two hundred lineal feet of macadam ; moving crusher twice, and balance of money -one hundred and thirty dollars nineteen cents ($130.19) -transferred to general highway.
At special town meeting, three thousand dollars was appro- priated for Sconticut Neck road. Crusher was moved twice, and by the cooperation of the more public spirited citizens of that locality we were able to construct six thousand nine hundred and twenty lineal feet of macadam, and by the use of screenings repaired some twenty-six hundred and forty lineal feet in good order for macadam.
At special town meeting, three thousand dollars for Bridge street was appropriated. Moved crusher late in season, began work, have about two thousand lineal feet of crushed stone on road, and several hundred feet sub-graded,-cold weather stopping further operations until the spring.
Early in the season we were able to hire from Mattapoisett the use of their 'steam roller, and much of the success of our
60
early effort in both construction and repair was due to its use.
I desire to express my appreciation of the uniform courtesy I have received at the hands of the officials of that town. I at all times felt free to consult with them, and I have been materially assisted by the great interest they have taken in our work for improvement of the highway from New Bedford to Mattapoisett.
The vote of the town instructing its officers to contract with the State Highway Commission for building a mile of State highway, was early complied with, but the delay in ob- taining proper machinery brought us so far into winter that little has been done outside of getting ready for work with the opening of spring. Several hundred feet have been graded, and new culverts have been constructed. Have more than two thousand tons of stone delivered near the crusher.
I would respectfully recommend the following appropria- tion for general highway, three thousand dollars.
I would recommend that North Main street, Bridge street, Sconticut Neck road, and Fort street, each have a special appropriation.
I would also recommend a special appropriation for the care of trees : for the purchase of a portable carrier and screens for crusher : for the purchase of a road-roller; and as the town has no further use for the lot on Washington street, that it be given up to save the rental.
I wish to thank you, gentlemen, for the ready assistance given me at all times in performing my duties.
Respectfully submitted.
OSCAR T. PERKINS,
Superintendent of Streets.
Fairhaven, Feb. 15, 1895.
REPORT
OF
Board of Fire Engineers.
FAIRHAVEN, Mass., Feb. 16, 1895. To the Selectmen of Fairhaven.
GENTLEMEN : - The board of fire engineers apppointed by your board for the year 1894, organized on April 21, to take effect May 1, with George R. Valentine chief engineer, John W. L. Kempton first assistant and clerk, Marcellus P. Whitfield second assistant.
On May 1, the hook and ladder company was organized with six men ; Davis Sherman foreman, and James K. Paull clerk.
The Fairhaven Protecting Society was organized with 25 men ; Horace K. Nye president, and Louis N. Baudoin clerk. The members of this society were appointed by the selectmen special police to serve at fires, and serve without pay.
On May 4, Contest 3 Engine Company was organized with 15 men; Fred W. Aiken foreman, and Samuel Gifford clerk.
The new hose wagon, this year purchased by your board, was equipped with 600 feet of new hose, two pony chemicals, two pipes, and other equipments, and was stationed at Oxford street engine house as Hose 1. Subsequently 400 feet of new hose were added to the equipment. Acting under authority of Chapter 35 of the Public Statutes, on September 7th this board organized a hose company of 20 men, as Hose 1 Com-
62
pany ; Joseph C. Omey captain, Edward L. Besse first assist- ant, and James W. Marston clerk. This company was sta- tioned at Oxford with Hose 1.
Under your instruction, this board caused the Oxford en- gine house to be supplied with water by the Fairhaven Water Company, and made temporary repairs to the building. We recommend that, for the preservation of the building, exten- sive repairs should at once be made, and the tower should be raised about four feet to insure the proper airing and drying of hose.
As instructed by your board, the Contest 3 engine house was removed from the location on Main street to the lot leased by the town on Spring street. The steamer, hose reel and equipments were stored in the stables of George L. Bauldry, where the steamer and hose reel now are, as, through a misunderstanding between town officials, a proper brow or approach from the roadbed to the building has not been constructed. The engine house before its removal had been connected with the water mains, and this connection the Fairhaven Water Company transferred to the building in its new location. This building needs underpinning and some interior repairs, at an expense of about one hundred dollars.
The building formerly used as a police station on Washing- ton street, as instructed by your board, was refitted and placed in the care of the Protecting Society. This building was also supplied with water service from the mains, and is now in good condition.
One hundred feet of hose and a hydrant wrench were delivered from the equipment of Contest 3 to the highway de- partment for its use, as requested by your board.
The fire department of the town has now an equipment of 1,000 feet of hose, two pony chemicals and hose wagon at Oxford; 1,100 feet of hose, a steamer which needs its boiler repaired, a hose reel, at Contest 3 house ; truck with hooks and ladders at house on Washington street; wagon, three
63
large chemicals, two pony chemicals and rubber blankets at house of Protecting Society.
The Fairhaven Water Company supplies 80 hydrants which this department has the duty of keeping in condition for fire service.
The calls for service by the department the past year have been :
General alarms: June 4, at 9.55 p. M., "Caleb Church House," Middle street, damage partial loss ; Dec. 23, at 9.25 P. M., tenement of Alvah R. Crabe, William street, damage slight.
Still Alarms, responded to by Protecting Society : May 8, at 2 p. M., wood fire, East Fairhaven ; May 17, at 12 M., wood fire, East Fairhaven ; June 13 at 5 30 p. M., bush fire, old poor farm, North Fairhaven ; Aug. 2, at 1.30 P. M., out- building, Phoenix Block ; Aug. 28, at 12.32 r. M., bush fire, East Fairhaven ; Jan. 21, at 4.25 P. M., chimney fire, dwel- ling house, southwest corner Spring and William streets.
Some systematic method of giving an alarm of a fire, by either the use of telephone, maintained by the town for the purpose, and connecting with the town hall, or by a system of at least four electric fire-alarm boxes to be connected with the several hall and church bells in the town, would prove a source of great assistance to the fire department, and would add a great degree of protection to the property in the town.
The board of fire engineers would recommend as appro- priations for the fire department for the ensuing year :
For repair of Oxford engine-house, $300.
For repair of Contest engine-house, $150.
For general expenses of fire department, $1,200.
For hydrant service, contract price of $2,000.
Respectfully submitted.
GEORGE R. VALENTINE, JOHN W. L. KEMPTON, MARCELLUS P. WHITFIELD,
Engineers of the Fire Deparment.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN.
1 894.
NEW BEDFORD : E. ANTHONY & SONS, INCORP. PRINTERS. 1895.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GEORGE W. STEVENS, Term expires 1895. HENRY P. CROWELL, Term expires 1895. C. C. CUNDALL, M. D., Term expires 1896. JOHN T. HANNA, JR., Term expires 1896. GEORGE H. PALMER. EsQ. Term expires 1897.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
From Feb. 15, 1894, to Feb. 15, 1895.
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
We, the members of the School Committee, present here- with our annual report, with such suggestions and recom- mendations as seem to us to be for the best interests of the schools and the town.
We are pleased to be able to report that, in most of the schools, commendable progress has been made during the past year. The scope of teaching has been broadened in ac- cordance with the progressive spirit of modern methods ; the pupils have been stimulated to do more in the way of inves- tigation and collateral study outside of school books and school hours ; and especially to make the Millicent Library their home for reference work on all subjects brought to their notice in the school room.
There has been a greater number of changes in the corps of teachers than has occurred for many years past, but they were unavoidable and beyond the control of the committee. Of the thirteen teachers required for the schools, nine this year are new ones. So many changes are not, as a rule, profitable to the schools. We have done our best to overcome what loss might be sustained thereby, and are pleased to be able to report that the place of every teacher lost (with one excep- tion only ) has been filled by a full course Normal graduate ; and, in most cases, with a graduate who has had from three to six years' experience in teaching. As a net result, we have
4
now a larger corps of Normal teachers in the schools than ever before in the history of the town; and the methodical, pains-taking, conscientious work now being done in the schools proves the wisdom of securing this grade of teachers. We would be pleased if the school appropriation would allow us to pay them such salary as would enable us to retain them permanently : but this we know the town cannot do without overburdening itself with taxation. We therefore have thought it better policy to employ the best equipped teachers, even for a short time, rather than apprentices, without ex- perience or special ability, for a longer period. And we trust our decision will meet with your approval.
The introduction of systematic teaching of drawing under the State course, as supervised by the principal of the Rogers school, who has had special preparation for this branch of instruction, is a step in advance, and we are sure will show good results in the near future.
A system of manual training, adapted to the conditions and possibilities of the Rogers school, to be participated in by both boys and girls of the upper grades, and as supple- mental to the work in drawing, is under consideration by the committee, with the possibility of its introduction during the coming year.
In the matter of vocal music, we regret to be obliged to re- port that less good results have been obtained than during the preceding year, when Miss Tucker filled the position of supervisor of music. The appropriation would not warrant her re-appointment and, consequently, the music teaching department, which was beginning to be a marked and pleasant feature of the schools, has suffered thereby. We trust that the appropriation for the coming year will allow us to rein- state her in her old position.
We would call special attention to what the Superintendent of Schools has to say in regard to the wear and tear of books, and the wisdom of making systematic appropriation for the
ยท
5
exchange of old and mutilated books for new, or newer editions.
The water from the wells at the Rogers school is impure and unfit for use. This misfortune was overcome by the introduction of Naskatucket water during the summer vaca- tion.
The Oxford school room has been enlarged to the full capacity of the stone walls and a clothes room built out in front. The addition is not ornamental, and was not built for ornament, but for usefulness, and that object has been secured. The building now comfortably accommodates all the pupils that attend that school.
The committee have to congratulate themselves that they have, this year, run the only department of the town's busi- ness within the appropriation made it at the last annual town meeting. We close the year with a balance of $57.34 of the appropriation unexpended.
During the past year the Fairhaven High School Associa- tion has greatly improved the lawn in front of the high school building, by bringing it up to a uniform grade and laying out graceful walks from the street to the building. The com- mittee has supplemented their improvement by removing all of the old tumble-down and unsightly fences upon the grounds. If, now, the inside of the building can be made as present- able as the outside, a great improvement will be accomplished. It does not seem to be doing the proper thing for the pupil, after enjoying the refining influences of the Rogers school building, the instructive object lesson-our magnificent town hall-and the inexpressible educational influence of the Mil- licent library building, to be thrust back into the old high school room, where all the surroundings antagonize the moulding and refining influences of his earlier education. In our opinion, the present high school room, by its suggestions of destruction, carelessness and lawlessness, is educating in the wrong direction. The assembly room ought to be re-
6
seated, with seats that the pupils will respect. We earnestly recommend a special appropriation for this purpose.
We commend that portion of the superintendent's report which refers to the union of towns in support of a superin- tendent of schools to your respectful consideration, simply saying, that the committee are not unanimous in regard to its advisability for our town at the present time.
We regret that, by the vote of the town at a recent town meeting, we can now do nothing with incorrigable pupils, and those who defile the morals and character of the other children-your boys and girls-except to turn them out of the schools into the streets, where the defilement is not stopped, only mitigated a little, and ignorance and debase- ment is superadded. But the responsibility for it rests upon the town, and you must not hold the committee responsible for results which are sure to follow.
We desire to bear grateful testimony of appreciation of the faithful and efficient services, rendered to the schools of the town by two of its ex-principals- Miss Chapman of the high school, and Miss L. F. Winchester of the Rogers school- who felt compelled to leave us at the end of the school year, to accept more lucrative positions in other places. The principalship of the high school was filled by the appointment of Mr. H. S. Freeman, who was recommended to us as " a gentleman, in the fullest sense of the term, a man of culture and experience, and a teacher of exceptional ability." All these qualities we have found him to possess in a commend- able degree. His entire time and thought is devoted to school work, and his former experience, as a superintendent of schools, enables him to do for us, in that capacity, better work for systematic teaching in the other schools of the town than we have heretofore been able to do. The vacancy at the Rogers school was filled by Miss Cara M. Johnson, who brings to us the advantages of experience, enthusiasm, a thorough equipment for the position, and the magnetism that endears the pupil to the teacher.
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On account of the small attendance at the Naskatucket school, it was deemed wise to temporarily suspend it, and allow the pupils to go to the adjoining schools.
For the same reason, in our judgment, it would be wise to temporarily close the school at Sconticut Neck, and, at the expense of the town, transport the pupils to the Rogers school. There are now, on an average, only seven pupils in the school, while a much larger number from this district already come to the Rogers school, on account of its superior advantages. It costs $400 per year to run the Sconticut school, or $57 a year, per pupil; while it costs but $35 per year for a pupil in the high school-the most expensive school in any town or city -a difference of $22 against the Sconticut school. This seems to the committee to be unjust and unreasonable ; but we do not care to take the responsi- bility of closing the school without the expression of the town upon it. We respectfully refer the matter for your con- sideration at the annual meeting.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RESOURCES.
Received from town appropriation, $7,300.00
Received from tuition from non-resi-
dents, 35.00
Received from State,
216.08
Received from county,
402.34
7,953.42
BILLS APPROVED.
For Teachers' salaries, $5,570.50
Janitors and care of buildings, 775.20
Fuel,
440.98
Books and general school supplies, 505.41
Incidentals,
604.99
7,896.08
Balance of appropriation unexpended,
$57.34
8
We estimate that, with rigid economy, the expenses of the school department for the coming year will be as follows :
Teachers' salaries,
$5,575.00 . 775.00
Janitors,
Fuel, 450.00
Books and supplies,
500.00
Incidentals,
400.00
Total, $7,700.00
Deduct from this amount $600, the average amount received from the State and county, and you will see that an appro- priation from the town of $7,100 will be required. And this sum we recommend to be appropriated.
C. C. CUNDALL, GEORGE W. STEVENS, H. P. CROWELL, J. T. HANNA, JR., GEORGE H. PALMER.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
To the School Committee of Fairhaven.
GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with your regulations, I hereby submit the following report.
The tables are made up from January 1, 1894, to January 1, 1895.
CALENDAR, 1895=6.
Friday, Feb. 22-Washington's birthday ; no school. Friday, March 29-Schools close for spring vacation. Monday, April 8-Schools reopen. Thursday, May 30-Memorial day ; no school.
Friday, June 22-Schools close, excepting High and Grades 9, 8 and 7, Rogers.
Thursday, June 28-Graduation exercises of High school. Friday, June 29-Graduation exercises, Rogers ; schools close.
Tuesday, Sept. 3-High school, and Grades 9, 8 and 7, Rogers, reopen.
Monday, Sept. 10-All other schools reopen.
Thursday, Nov. 28-Schools close for Thanksgiving.
Monday, Dec. 2-Schools reopen.
Friday, Dec. 20-Schools close for Christmas vacation.
Monday, Jan. 5, 1896-Schools reopen.
Friday, March 27-Schools close for spring vacation.
Monday, April 6-Schools reopen.
Friday, June 19-Schools close, excepting High and Grades 9, 8 and 7, Rogers.
Thursday, June 25-Graduation exercises, High school. Friday, June 26-Graduation exercises, Rogers ; schools close.
11
WINTER TERM.
JANUARY 8 - MARCH 30, 1894.
TEACHERS.
Wages
per month
enrolled Whole No.
Average
Memb'rship
Average
Attendance
Per cent
Attendance
Number of
weeks
years
8 and 14
Average
age
High School :
Etta L. Chapman
$100
38
35.5
33.8
95.2
I2
30
15 7
Margaret P. C. Tucker
65
Rogers :
Grade
Lucy F. Winchester, 9 & 8
50
36
34.8
33
95
II
8
15
13
Grace L. Bates,
7
40
24
22
20.4
92.2
II
I
I5
I2
IO
Lilian E. Page,
6
40
36
36.2
32.2
89
II
2
32
II
4
Annie C. Hart,
5
36
26
25.4
23.4
92.I
II
26
II
Minnie C. Ritter,
4
36
34
32.8
29.9
90.8
II
33
IO
I
Alice M. Tallman,
2
28
35
31.3
27.5
87.8
II
34
8
7
Louise M, Keith,
I
40
54
47.4
39.7
83.8
II
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