USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1910-1919 > Part 27
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December 14, 1914.
December 14, 1914.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Mr. Richard M. Smalley, Chairman, Medfield, Massachusetts.
GENTLEMEN :-
Pursuant to a vote of the town and the provisions of Chap- ter 598, Acts of 1910, I have caused an audit to be made of the town's accounts and am enclosing the report of Mr. Edward H. Fenton, Chief Accountant of this Bureau, who was assigned to take charge of this work, together with bal- ance sheets showing the financial condition of the town as of September 1, 1914, and also as of October 1, 1914.
Attention is called to certain defects in the collector's com- mitment book and to the fact that when changes were made, the warrant was not always corrected to correspond; provi- sion has been made for rectifying these methods in the new accounting system being installed. Attention is also invited
60
to the recommendation that in future flat appropriations be made for each department, and estimated receipts used by the Assessors in fixing the tax rate, a method of procedure which will make overdrafts on account of the failure of a department to estimate its revenue properly, impossible ; while overdrafts because of inadequacy of appropriations should also be made unnecessary if, as recommended, a re- serve fund is established.
Very truly yours,
CHARLES F. GETTEMY, Director.
Enclosures CFG/EAD
Mr. Charles F. Gettemy, Director, Bureau of Statistics, State House, Boston.
SIR :-
In accordance with your instructions, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Medfield as petitioned for by vote of the town March 2, 1914, in accord- ance with Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1910.
The financial transactions of the several departments were examined for the fiscal year 1913 and all outstanding ac- counts appearing on the books were checked to September 1, 1914, when the books were opened under the system installed.
A statement of the funds and accounts and accounting practices, with suggestions and recommendations, and bal- ance sheets of September 1, 1914 and October 1, 1914, fol- low.
Treasurer's Department :- The selectmen's order stubs were checked with the treasurer's payments as shown by his cash book and were found to agree. All payments from February 1, 1913 to August 31, 1914, were supported by proper vouchers.
The treasurer's receipts from February 1, 1913 to August 31, 1914, were checked and found to agree with the depart- ment accounts and state settlement sheets.
61
The several trust funds for which the treasurer is cus- . todian were checked with the investments and found to agree with his books. Certain cemetery funds were in the general cash as the town had not accepted the bequests ; but separate accounting had been made on the treasurer's books for these funds.
The treasurer's cash was verified by actual count and bank balances were proved.
The following is a reconciliation of the treasurer's cash September 1, 1914:
Cash on hand January 31, 1914,
per Town Report . $15,671.68
Receipts February 1 to August 31, 1914
10,585.42 $26,257.10
Payments February 1 to August 31,
1914
$23,625.08
Cash on hand September 1, 1914 2,632.02
$26,257.10
Bank balance September 1, 1914, per Bank Statement $3,469.15
Less outstanding checks
No. 774 $94.33
No. 780 $30.00
757 51.98
781 15.00
776 25.00
784 99.88
778
23.70
785 200.00
779
25.00
787 550.54
$220.01
$895.42
$1,115.43
Bank balance September 1, 1914, per Check Book
$2,353.72
Cash in office .
278.30
Cash on hand September 1, 1914, per Cash Book .
$2,632.02
62
The books and records of the treasurer were neat, and accurately kept. It was not only easy to verify the accounts, but the accounting procedure was such that all fund's in the custody of the treasurer were carefully analyzed and reported and material progress had been made in presenting state- ments showing revenues and expenditures in a classified form.
Collector's Department :- The books and accounts of the tax collector for the years 1912, 1913, and 1914 were checked and reconciled and all differences found have been adjusted.
The collector's cash book was incomplete, as a number of items were omitted. This appeared to be due to his system of noting partial payments. The commitment book in many cases showed only the date when the partial payment was made; when the final payment was made the account was marked "paid," but frequently it was found that the date of payment was that of the first partial payment, which in such cases would not correspond to the cash book.
Payment to the treasurer was made in a lump sum and not necessarily the exact amount collected and on hand àt that time; while the amount temporarily withheld was small, still it was sufficient to cause confusion in the audit.
The difficulties encountered and errors disclosed were but natural results of unsystematic recording and reporting, and should in the future be eliminated since proper forms for reporting collections have been supplied.
Changes were found to have been made in the commit- ment book for which no corresponding corrected warrant had been issued; this of course should not be done. If errors are discovered in the commitment, the necessary corrections should be authorized by the board of assessors,-by abate- ments in the case of over assessments, or by submitting a sup- plemental warrant and list for added assessments.
Verification notices representing all the uncollected taxes for the years 1912 and 1913, except the separate polls, were sent to about fifty delinquent tax payers. Specific replies were received from thirteen of these, none of which indicated that any payment had been made to the collector other than those shown by his books. Three notices, undelivered, were
63
returned by the postal authorities. The balance not having made reply, it is reasonable to assume that the notices were received and that the amounts called for were correct and had not been paid.
The following statements show the amounts committed for the years 1912, 1913, and 1914, together with the collections and amounts still outstanding as of September 1, 1914.
Taxes 1912.
Assessors' Commitment (corrected) $29,487.73
Excise tax
47.64
Moth assessment
200.96
Interest per commitment book .
129.82
$29,866.15
Payments to Treasurer
$29,213.85
Abatements
427.12
Uncollected September 1, 1914, per detailed list :
Taxes
116.68
Moth assessments .
.95
Collections not paid to treasurer
107.55
$29,866.15
Taxes 1913.
Assessors' Commitment (corrected) $27,850.75
Excise tax
77.61
Moth assessment
238.26
Interest per commitment book
49.98
Overpayment to treasurer
30.33
$28,246.93
Payments to Treasurer .
$27,064.02
Abatements
207.67
Uncollected September 1, 1914, per detailed list :
Taxes .
962.62
Moth assessments
12.62
$28,246.93
64
Taxes 1914.
Assessors' Commitment (corrected) $30,969.05
Moth assessment 257.88
$31,226.93
Payments to Treasurer . $336.00
Uncollected September 1, 1914, per detailed list :
Taxes . 30,614.21
Moth assessments
257.88
Collections not paid to treasurer
18.84
$31,226.93
Assessors' Department :- In checking the collector's ac- count it was found that, owing to differences between the total of the list and the warrant of the years 1912 to 1914, it was necessary to check the commitment book with the valuation book and to add both the valuation books and the commitment books. In each of the years 1912, 1913, and 1914, differences were found. Greater care should be taken in order that a proper check may be had on the collections of taxes; for while the collector is required to account for the total of his warrant, this warrant should be in exact agree- ment with the list.
Necessary adjustments were made in the collector's ac- counts for the years 1912 and 1913 and a corrected warrant was made by the assessors for the year 1914.
Trust and Other Special Funds :- The library funds, ag- gregating $6,500, and the town school fund of $3,550 are on deposit in the International and Old Colony Trust Compa- nies of Boston. Certificates of deposits were examined and found to be as reported.
The cemetery funds are deposited in savings banks, with the exception of amounts deposited and not yet accepted by the town.
A special fund from the proceeds of the sale of the town farm is set up in conformity with a vote of the town and is not included in the excess and deficiency fund. This fund represents the proceeds of the disposal of town property and is being held presumable for acquiring additional property for which loans would ordinarily be issued.
65
Conclusion :- The balance sheets appended show the finan- cial condition of the town to be most excellent. This fact is especially gratifying, as many of our towns find it difficult to meet current needs. The reports and recommendations of the officers show their appreciation of the necessity of a proper classification and accounting of public finances.
The appropriations for the year 1914 are clear and ar- ranged in most particulars in the order recommended by the Bureau of Statistics. However, the appropriations are given a certain amount to which is added departmental receipts ; on account of this method, certain departmental appropriations show overdrafts temporarily.
While the result of this method has not caused financial embarrassment to the town, as is frequently the case, I would recommend that flat appropriations be made and estimated receipts used by the assessors in fixing the tax rate.
I would also recommend the establishment of a "Reserve Fund," as provided for by Chapter 645 of the Acts of 1913; for from such a fund transfers might be made to meet unex- pected expenditures of the several departments, without the expense and trouble of a special town meeting.
At the present time, items are charged to the contingent account which are similar to those charged to specific appro- priations; in order that the entire cost of a given function may be shown, some provision must be made that will admit of a transfer. The Reserve Fund exactly meets this need. While a small contingent fund seems necessary to meet items that do not appear to justify specific appropriations, this fund should be used for those items only and regular depart- mental accounts should be charged to their respective appro- priations.
On behalf of myself and my assistants, I wish to express to the several town officers my appreciation of their hearty co-operation and assistance in making the audit, for they at all times cheerfully supplied us with books and papers in their possession and gave us much valuable assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
EDW. H. FENTON, Chief Accountant.
TOWN OF MEDFIELD. Balance Sheet-September 1, 1914. GENERAL ACCOUNTS.
Assets.
Cash:
In Banks and Office,
General .
$2,624.46
Cemetery Perpetual Care Income :
178.75
550.00
$2,803.21
Accounts Receivable:
Taxes, 1912
$116.68
Taxes, 1913
962.62
Taxes, 1914 .
30,614.21
31,693.51
Interest
247.25
Debt
500.00
State Tax
4,025.00
County Tax
1,541.55
Moth Assessments, 1914
257.88
271.45
Revenue Pledged when Collected for
Moth Department
$257.88
Tax Collector's Adjustments
96.06
Poor Department Bills
271.36
State Aid
640.00
1,169.24
Loans Authorized (Bridge)
500.00
5,366.64
Estimated Revenue .
3,601.26
7,700.46
$39,944.85
Liabilities.
Temporary Loans: Anticipation of Revenue
$7,000.00
Deposits for Cemetery Perpetual
Care Uninvested . Income from Cemetery Trust Funds
178.75
Appropriation Balances, General . $12,321.03
Less overdrawn ac-
counts 655.07 .
$11,665.96
Moth Assessments, 1912
$ .95
Moth Assessments, 1913
12.62
.
17,979.76
Sewer Assessments, 1910
68.00
Poor Department 271.36
State Aid 640.00 .
Town Farm Special Fund Surplus Revenue, 1913 and prior
·
$39,944.85
-
66
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
DEBT ACCOUNTS.
Net Bonded Debt
$2,500.00 Bridge Loan
$2,500.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS.
Trust Funds
$14,775.00
Town School Fund
$3,550.00
Billings Library Fund
5,000.00
Cummings Library Fund
1,000.00
Smith Library Fund
500.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund
4,725.00
$14,775.00
$14,775.00
.
=
67
-
TOWN OF MEDFIELD. Balance Sheet-October 1, 1914. GENERAL ACCOUNTS.
Assets.
Cash:
In Banks and Office,
General .
$3,995.75
Cemetery Perpetual Care Income .
178.75
$4,174.50
Accounts Receivable :
Taxes, 1912
$21.68
Taxes, 1913
962.62
Taxes, 1914
27,892.88
28,877.18
Moth Assessment, 1912 .
$ .95
Moth Assessment, 1913 .
12.62
Moth Assessment, 1914 .
257.88
271.45
Sewer Assessments, 1910
68.00
Moth Department
$257.88
Tax Collector's Adjustment
96.06
Poor Department Bills
303.69
State Aid
670.00
Loans Authorized (Bridge) .
500.00
Estimated Revenue .
. 3,590.85
Liabilities.
Temporary Loans:
Anticipation of Revenue
$7,000.00 Deposits for Cemetery Perpetual Care Uninvested 550.00 Income from Cemetery Trust Funds
178.75
Appropriation Balances, General $11,065.46 .
Less overdrawn ас-
. count 864.95
$10,200.51
Interest
257.25
Debt .
500.00
State Tax
4,025.00
County Tax
1,541.55
Revenue pledged when collected for
Poor Department
303.69
State Aid
670.00
Town Farm Special Fund
5,366.64
Surplus Revenue, 1913 and prior
7,700.46
$38,551.73
$38,551.73
=
68
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
16,524.31
1,231.57
-
DEBT ACCOUNTS.
Net Bonded Debt
$2,500.00 Bridge Loan
$2,500.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS.
Trust Funds
$14,775.00
Town School Fund
$3,550.00
Billings Library Fund
5,000.00
Cummings Library Fund
1,000.00
Smith Library Fund .
500.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
4,725.00
$14,775.00
$14,775.00
69
- ٢٠٠ ٠
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
For the Year ending December 31, 1914.
73
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Members.
ALLAN A. KINGSBURY .
Term expires 1917
TIMOTHY F. KENNEDY
1915
RICHARD C. LINCOLN .
66
1916
Organization.
ALLAN A. KINGSBURY
Chairman
RICHARD C. LINCOLN
Secretary
M. J. WEST, Millis, Mass.
Superintendent
Attendance Officer.
GEORGE B. SIMS.
Calendar.
Winter term, 13 weeks, closes March 26, 1915.
Spring term, 12 weeks, opens April 5, 1915, closes June 25, 1915.
Fall term, 16 weeks, opens September 7, 1915, closes Dec. 24, 1915.
Winter term opens Jan. 3, 1916.
74
FINANCIAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EXPENSE OF GENERAL CONTROL.
School Committee Account.
Allan A. Kingsbury .
$35.00
Richard C. Lincoln .
35.00
T. F. Kennedy .
. 35.00
Mary E. Hamant, census
15.00
$120.00
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
M. J. West .
$405.00
M. J. West, expense account
10.00
George B. Sims, attendance officer . 3.00
$418.00
EXPENSE OF INSTRUCTION.
Salaries of Teachers.
Ralph W. Taylor
$1,300.00
Louise S. Crocker
525.00
Irene H. Cockery
505.00
Bethia R. Paine
195.00
Marion Wheeler
225.00
Edith Bartlett
250.00
Catherine E. Brown
227.50
Dorothy Holden
146.25
Carriebelle E. Thayer, music
206.00
Helen M. Allan, drawing
260.00
Agnes E. O. Burns
250.00
Annette B. MacKnight
220.00
Minnie E. Gray
240.00
Carried forward .
$4,549.75
75
Brought forward .
$4,549.75
Dorothea Ferguson
200.00
Ellen G. Feeley
180.00
Blanche Whelpley
180.00
Leonora Hussey
200.00
Mildred Attwood
180.00
Ethel Wood, supplying R. W. School
2.00
Mrs. R. W. Taylor, supplying R. W. School
2.00
Grace F. Johnson
100.00
Nettie Hutchins
77.00
$5,670.75
TEXT BOOKS.
Elementary
Ginn and Company ·
High $28.59
$6.76
Edward E. Babb & Co.
73.52
18.01
Educational Bureau of Chicago
10.03
D. C. Heath and Company
3.63
4.75
Houghton, Mifflin Co.
5.62
Silver, Burdette and Co.
8.65
Maxmillian Co.
3.50
Masury Young Co.
14.00
J. L. Hammett and Co.
4.27
4.33
Allyn and Bacon
23.79
American Book Co.
48.59
The Palmer Co.
3.11
F. J. Barnard and Co.
15.75
Weikers Express on books
9.35
$214.00
$72.25
STATIONERY, SUPPLIES AND OTHER EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION.
High Elementary
Ginn and Company
$1.19
Edward E. Babb and Co.
11.61
237.18
M. J. West
18.79
Carried forward .
$12.80 $255.97
76
Brought forward .
$12.80
$255.97
M. A. Hammett Co.
5.38
D. C. Heath Co.
9.08
Kennedy Bros. and Wolkins
16.00
Dennison Manuf. Co.
.50
3.55
R. W. Taylor
4.97
Daniels, Pratt's Son
4.50
Silver, Burdette and Co.
3.21
L. E. Knott and Co.
1.77
10.74
Weiker Express on supplies
7.55
Alexander Allan
4.65
Edwin J. Keyou
4.65
D. A. Frazier
1.75
Oliver, Ditson and Co.
16.25
Chandler and Barber
25.23
Carter, Rice and Co.
13,90
Wright and Potter
2.49
Palmer and Barber
5.05
$36.79
$373.20
EXPENSE OF OPERATION.
Janitor Service.
James Pettis, R. W. School $2.52
John Dyer, R. W. School
283.50
Francis Mitchell, L. M. School .
72.00
Cleaning School Building.
Felix Cutler, R. W. School .
10.50
Leon Ashley, L. M. School . 5.75
$623.75
FUEL.
Joseph E. Lonergan, coal $396.59
1
Carried forward .
$396.59
Brought forward $396.59
Edward M. Bent, coal L. M. School 16.00
M. A. Ritchie, wood, L. M. School . 6.38
Willard Harwood, wood, R. W. School
25.00
MISCELLANEOUS.
Edward M. Bent, teaming
$9.50
$453.47
JANITOR SUPPLIES.
Louis B. Fairbanks
$8.89
Thomas E. Schools
4.03
E. C. Crocker
1.75
E. H. Abell
1.20
W. A. Fitts
.65
Boston Branch
1.00
$17.52
EXPENSES OF MAINTENANCE.
Billings, Chapin Co., repairing base-
$6.60
ment
Remington Typewriter Co. . 3.60
American Seating Co.
17.40
H. A. Gould, tubes in Heaters, Pip- ing, miscellaneous plumbing E. R. Kerr
223.46
2.45
Allan A. Kingsbury, repairs, recita- tion and manual training room changes
75.70
Henry H. Clark, glazing
5.80
Henry H. Clark, painting 3 rooms
126.63
W. J. Hayward, basement work
2.15
W. J. Hayward, mason work on furnaces
33.42
Louis Fairbanks
2.83
J. L. Hamm, E. II. Co.
8.15
$508.21
78
EXPENSES OF AUXILIARY AGENCIES.
Promotion of Health.
Frank H. Clough, school physician $35.00
Transportation.
H. W. Wood
$202.50
W. W. Preston 7.85
$210.35
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Medfield Water Co. $72.75
G. W. Woolven Co., printing
8.75
Jordan Marsh & Co., ribbon
2.98
F. W. Martin Co., diplomas
6.70
J. M. Johnson, rent of field
15.00
Alexander Allan, insurance on boiler
41.00
$147.18
OUTLAY.
I. E. Knott & Co., apparatus for physics
$32.26
American Seating Co., new desks
99.88
R. C. Lincoln, freight on desks . 5.12
$137.26
SUMMARY.
Expenses of General Control
$538.00
Expenses of Instruction
5,670.75
Text Books
286.25
Stationery, supplies, and other ex-
penses of Instruction
409.99
Carried forward $6,904.99 ·
79
Brought forward .
$6,904.99
Expense of Operation
623.75
Fuel
453.47
Janitor supplies . .
17.52
Expense of Maintenance
508.21
Auxiliary Agencies .
245.35
Miscellaneous expenses
147.18
Outlay
137.26
$9,037.73
RECEIPTS.
Town appropriation
$8,104.18
Received from State Treasurer for
High School
500.00
Received from State Treasurer for Superintendent . .
312.50
Received from State Treasurer for Tuition of children ·
155.50
Received from Boston, tuition of children
17.50
Received from Dover, tuition of children .
21.00
Received from Town Treasurer, Int. Town School Fund . 91.82
Received from M. J. West, sale of old material .
4.75
Received from Town Treasurer, re-
imbursement on account of In- dustrial School . 16.65
Balance unexpended
$9,223.90 186.17
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD C. LINCOLN, Clerk.
80
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The annual report of the School Committee for the year ending December 31, 1914 is respectfully submitted.
By the re-election of Allan A. Kingsbury at last March meeting the board remains unchanged. Organization Allan A. Kingsbury chairman, R. C. Lincoln clerk.
The work of the schools during the past year has been satis- factory and take this opportunity of thanking parents for their co-operation.
It is an honor and privilege to express our appreciation of the services of James E. Pettis, who resigned as janitor of Ralph Wheelock School after 19 years of great faithfulness to duty. Besides many generous acts which the teaching force can testify, there have been no repairs, no money spent that we have any knowledge of resulting from his neglect. Acknowledgment with thanks is made for the gift of the Library Trustees to our School library of a set of books, which are valuable for reference. It was voted to extend the noon hour fifteen minutes allowing children more time for lunch, and ask the co-operation of parents in having children punct- val. The doors for those who go home at noon will be open at 12.55. For those who bring their lunch proper care is arranged for as one teacher and janitor will be on duty for this purpose. Attention is called to the reports of Superin- tendent and Principal to over-crowded conditions, all the available room in the building has been utilized.
The committee have thought whether it would be advisable to put first grade in separate building possibly a portable one, or extend the wing of present building on Miller street end to make more room for high school.
81
Three rooms were painted this year and one or two should be done each year to keep them in good condition. Atten- tion is called to Miss Allan's report in regard to sewing room and equipment.
The school exhibition in Cheney Hall deserves mention, each succeeding one, if memory serves us, is superior to the last and gratitude of parents for this fine opportunity espe- cially is manifested by their attendance which is a great en- couragement to teachers and pupils.
We would recommend an appropriation of $7,900 for school the coming year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLAN A. KINGSBURY, TIMOTHY F. KENNEDY, RICHARD C. LINCOLN.
82
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MEDFIELD :
My seventh annual report which is the sixteenth in the series of annual reports of the Superintendent of the Medfield Public Schools, is herewith submitted for your consideration.
Since my last report a change of teachers has come about in every grade below the high school with results which em- phasize what was stated in that report about a definite policy, and the difficulty to maintain one, when so many changes occur. Fortunately the greater number of resignations came at the end of the school year when the pupils naturally change teachers through promotions. This natural time serves to mitigate the evils which appear with a change of teachers. Sometimes the loss which comes is mixed with good, and pos- sibly, sometimes the good results overshadow the evil. We hope this is true in the present case, especially as particular care was taken in the selection of teachers to fill the vacancies, and we venture to predict that the final results will be on the right side.
Fortunately the high school was not called upon to undergo such a process of change, and has been further strengthened by an additional teacher and a growth in numbers which con- siderably exceeds the estimates which were made. We con- sidered it safe to place the number at sixty, but we now real- ize that this estimate was too conservative in as much as the membership has reached a total of seventy-one. The pres- ent outlook appears to justify the opinion that the school will be larger still next year. It is now a high school of respect- ble size and a credit to the town. It is, however, handi- capped by the restrictions of its environment. The removal of a partition in order to combine two recitation re as into
83
one room, and the purchase of desks for that room, enabled us to provide a seat for each pupil, but there is no room large enough to allow the entire school to assemble for music or other general school exercises.
The room used for a laboratory is meager in its size and equipment, and must be used for other than science classes to an extent which diminishes its usefulness for experiments by individual pupils. More of our pupils ought to pursue courses in science and doubtless they would do so if our equip- ment were adequate and could be used as an object lesson to appeal to them. With a present introductory science class of seventeen, a physics class of five and a biology class of nine, it is quite obvious that very little can be accomplished in the way of experiments on a table which is large enough for only four pupils. Under such conditions the teachers and pupils do well to accomplish what they do, and we do not wonder at their lack of enthusiasm over the arguments of those people who contend for the practical in education. Re- stricted as they are, it is necessary for the work to be done theoretically and from text-books.
The classes in book-keeping and the recitations in other commercial subjects must be conducted in the same room which contains the typewriters. The room is not as large as it should be for the recitations, therefore the restrictions caused by the use of space for the typewriters, and the con- fusion caused by their having to be in use at the same time that recitations are in progress, must certainly operate to re- tard the classes.
These young people are the children of Medfield, and their parents are looking ahead to the time when they are to become efficient citizens. They are dependent upon the present citi- zens to provide, for them, at the only time in their lives when such provision can be made, environment which will furnish the opportunity for them to begin, in the right way, to make the most of themselves.
During the time of my acquaintance with the Medfield schools, the large number of pupils to each teacher has ap- peared to be one of the serious defects. This has not always been true in every room, but each year the children, of one" more rooms, suffer from this cause. I do not see any prí
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