USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1889-1909 > Part 31
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 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
Due town officers, estimated 200 00
" Austin A. Taft, I note, schoolhouse loan 500 00
" Milford Savings Bank, 2 notes 1,500 00
$2,275 00
Net balance in favor of town
621 39
$2,896 39
LIST OF JURORS
John L. Davenport,
Edward L. Smith,
George R. Ford,
Daniel H. Barnes,
Charles H. Allen,
John M. Town,
Moses U. Gaskill,
Edward A. Whiting,
Clarence A. Taft,
Thomas F. Kelley,
Leonard T. Gaskill,
Luther W. Holbrook,
Charles A. Fletcher,
Liberty Freeman.
II
Receipts and expenditures of monies of Street Railway Companies, to be expended on highways :
Received of State Treasurer $394 32
66 " M. & U. Street Railway Co., excise tax
164 69
Received of M., A. & W. Street Railway Co., excise tax 27 77
$586 78
Paid snow bills
60 40
Balance
$526 38
Respectfully submitted,
LIBERTY FREEMAN, GEO, M. TAFT, EDWARD C. KINSLEY,
Selectmen of Mendon.
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR'S REPORT.
The Highway Surveyor submits the following report for the year ending March 2, 1903.
He debits himself with cash on 27 orders $1,741 49
He credits himself by paying the following bills :-
Geo. B. Cromb, for team labor
$218 95
C. B. Williams, for labor with teams
329 75
Malcom Scott,
" team
8 10
A. I. Barrows,
for labor on repairs.
128 40
Dennis Kelley,
66
155 60
Thomas Peirce,
66
52 51
Clarence Moores,
66
73 87
Henry Moores,
I 93
Oliver Moores,
66 66
9 55
Harry Cooke,
49 50
Willie Kelley,
66
66
23 55
Raymond Barrows, 66
IO 05
Geo. W. Cromb,
66
9 15
Albert V. French,
66
66
7 18
Alfred Griffin,
3 15
Henry Alger,
66
66
5 25
Everett Southwick,
66
66
7 00
Caton Alves,
66
66
66
.66
88
John Taft,
4 73
Waterman Taft,
3 50
Geo. B. Cromb, as highway surveyor
273 50
A. I. Barrows
for gravel
A. Tancrelle,
66
66
66
50
Gilbert Gaskill,
2 48
Lewis Gaskill,
2 48
Mary Dudley,
66
4 72
Frank H. Wood,
66
I 92
Henry Gaskill,
9 40
Alcy Gaskill,
66
IO 35
66 66 66
66 66 66
66 66
66
66
66
2 00
I 68
Henry Horton,
13
Liberty Freeman, for gravel
$ 5 60
Horace Adams,
8 64
Mr. De Wolfe, 66 66
4 00
Albert Gaskill, 66
5 04
Geo. M. Taft, 66
15 28
George B. Cromb, poles for railing
3 45
A. D. Davenport, 66
10 00
George B. Cromb, bridge planks
10 32
Norris & Staples, for supplies
13 89
E. C. Barry, for repairs
IO 39
A. Morin, 66 6
32
$1,498 56
Cash on hand.
I 44
$1,500 00
SNOW BILLS.
March 6, 1902.
L. E. Wheeler, team
$2 50
Geo. B. Cromb, labor on snow
2 50
Albert French,
2 00
Dennis Kelley,
66
2 00
John Towne, 6.
I 60
Clarence Moores, 66
I 60
Thomas Peirce,
66 66
I 20
A. P. Dodge,
66
80
Geo. W. Cromb, 66 66
50
Dec. 12.
Geo. B. Cromb, team, labor on snow
7 00
Geo. B. Cromb, labor on snow
8 25
Dennis Kelley,
7 00
Willie Kelley,
4 50
Geo. W. Cromb,
66 66
2 00
Albert V. French,
66 66
1 00
Thomas Peirce, 66 66 66
2 50
Edward Taft
I 20
Mr. Robinson, . 6
3 30
G. C. Coffin,
3 00
Archie Fresn,
66
66
3 55
Henry Gaskill,
66 66
2 40
$60 40
66
14
HASTINGS STREET BRIDGE.
Geo. B. Cromb, team
$21 25
C. B. Williams, teams
12 00
Geo. B. Cromb, for labor
28 75
A. I. Barrows,
66
20 00
Dennis Kelley 66 66
20 13
Jason Smith, 66
16 28
A. Tancrelle,
66
53
Curley & Ahern, 66 66
37 50
John Cuddily,
and use of derrick 8 00
J. A. George, for covering stone
4 25
A. Tancrelle,
8 40
Lowell Cooke, “ 66 66
2 00
Wm. McVeity, “
2 00
$181 09
Team work
$556 80
Appropriation for general repairs.
1,500 00
Amount expended for general repairs.
1,498 56
Cash on hand
I 44
Amount expended for clearing roads of snow
60 40
$1,741 49
Respectfully submitted, GEO. B. CROMB, Highway Surveyor.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
DR.
Balance uncollected Feb. 15, 1902
$18 84
Interest received. 4 55
$23 39
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer $23 39
GEO. M. TAFT, Collector of Taxes, 1899.
DR.
Balance uncollected Feb. 15, 1902
$273 50
Interest received 24 68
$298 18
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer
$265 39
Amount uncollected Feb. 14, 1903 32 79
$298 18
GEO. M. TAFT, Collector of Taxes, 1900.
DR.
Balance uncollected
$895 69
Interest received 34 49
$930 18
16
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer $669 II
Amount uncollected
261 07
$930 18
GEO. M. TAFT, Collector of Taxes, 1901.
DR.
To taxes committed for collection $7,995 31
Additional assessments 18 73
Excise tax, M. A. & W. Street Rail- way Co 27 77
Excise tax, M. & U. Street Railway Co
164 69
Interest received
32 67
$8,239 17
CR.
By cash paid Treasurer
$7,285 09
Abatements 3 44
Balance uncollected, Feb. 14, 1903 .. 950 64 $8,239 17
GEO. M. TAFT, Collector of Taxes, 1902.
Mendon, Feb. 14, 1903.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF POOR.
The Overseers of Poor submit the following report for the municipal year ending March 2, 1903 :
John W. Barry, Dennis Holland, Edna Allen, Edna French, Abram P. Scribner, John B. Mellen, Seth Hastings Hayward, Mary Johnson, Ella Ellis, Bridget Smith, (having a settlement in Mendon, ) Alice W. Staples, (belonging to Hope- dale, ) Geo. W. Farrar and family, (to Northbridge, ) Barney Cordon, (to Blackstone,) Charlotte Scisco, (to Milford, ) William J. Phillips, (a state charge,) have been wholly or par- tially supported.
The Overseers charge themselves with the receipt of the following named funds, belonging to the town :
Balance on hand
$33 29
Eleven town orders
1,380 00
From town of Milford
5 00
$1,418 29
The Overseers credit themselves with paying the following amounts :
For support of John W. Barry.
$170 95
Dennis Holland.
169 46
*Edna Allen
304 42
Edna French 28 70
* Abram Scribner 15 00
John B. Mellen
112 00
Seth Hastings Hayward
IO 66
Mary Johnson
156 96
Ella Ellis
66 50
Bridget Smith
I 00
Alice W. Staples.
215 43
George W. Farrar
15 00
Barney Cordon
7 00
Charlotte Scisco
5 00
William Phillips
2 00
E. A. Snow, care of 119 tramps to March 8, 1902
17 85
18
L. Freeman, aiding 33 tramps out of town at a cost of $3 90
E. L. Smith, services as Overseer 6 00
Geo. R. Ford,
6 00
Liberty Freeman, “ 66 66
42 00
$1.355 83
Paid Treasurer.
62 46
$1,418 29
From the whole amount paid for the support of the poor
$1,355 83 Deduct what was due for the support of the poor to March 3, 1902 134 00
$1,221 83
What has been paid out for Alice W. Staples $215 43 What has been paid out for George W. Farrar 15 00 What has been paid out for Barney Cor- don 7 00
What has been paid out for Charlotte Scisco 5 00
What has been paid out for William J. Phillips 2 00
$244 43
$977 40
Add what will be due for support of the poor to March 2, 1903 74 28 Cost of supporting the poor for the year ending March 2, 1903 $1,051 68
* Deceased.
Respectfully submitted, LIBERTY FREEMAN, GEORGE R. FORD, EDWARD L. SMITH,
Overseers of Poor.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
DOGS REGISTERED IN 1902.
79 male dogs 9 female dogs
45 00
Balance from 1901
1 80
$204 80
Registration fees
$17 60
Paid County Treasurer
187 20
$204 80
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1902.
DATE OF BIRTH. 1901.
NAME OF CHILD.
PARENTS.
Jan. 7 George Richard Ellis, Maud Marion Scott,
Charles D. and May E. Ellis. Malcolm D. and Ida M. Scott.
Jan. 1
Lloyd Augustus Whiting, Arthur Edgar Warner, Male.
Edward A. and Alice G. Whiting. Nelson D. and Bertha L. Warner.
May 2
May 4 June 10
Merrill Douglas Scott,
June 23
Mabel Lucinne Bouchard, Male.
Malcolm D. and Ida M. Scott. Ozias and Emma Bouchard. Lewis S. and Sabra N. Anthony.
July 23 Bernard Sophinian Farrar. George P. and Cecelia B. Farrar.
Aug. 18
Oct. 12
Nov. 30
Eleanor Frances Rhodes, Anna Florence Arsenault, Ethel Bernice Eldredge,
John N. and Jane Rhodes. Frank and Adalinda Arsenault. Alfred C. and Leaphie Eldredge.
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN 1902.
DATE OF MARRIAGE. 1902. January 11, January 16,
NAME OF GROOM AND BRIDE. RESIDENCE.
William Herbert French, Florence Ina Taft. Lewis Sumner Anthony, Sabra Nancy Moores.
Hopedale, Mass. Mendon. Milford, Mass. Mendon.
Feb. 15 1902.
Jan. 12
$158 00
20
DATE OF MARRIAGE. 1902.
NAME OF GROOM AND BRIDE.
RESIDENCE.
April 3,
John N Rhodes,
Bellingham, Mass.
Milford, Mass. .
April 14,
Charles Adin Brown,
Mendon.
Milford, Mass.
May 29,
Michael Henry Broughey,
Mendon.
Alice Taft.
Blackstone, Mass.
June 26,
Paul Frederick Wheeler,
Mendon.
Flora May Alger,
Mendon.
August 14,
Ernest Wood,
Hopedale, Mass.
Mary Lizzie Wood.
Mendon.
August 21,
Richard Ellsworth Hazard, Nellie Inez Wheeler.
Mendon.
August 28,
John Joseph Noyes,
Hopedale, Mass.
September 8,
Robert V. Pickles, Emma Gertrude Albee.
Mendon.
September 30,
Clair Wood Freeman,
Mendon.
October 29,
Milton Liberty Goldthwaite,
Uxbridge, Mass. Mendon.
DEATHS REGISTERED IN 1902.
DATE OF DEATH.
NAME.
AGE.
1902.
Y·
M.
D.
Jan. 8.
Darius Daniels Henry,
32
3
1
Jan. 19.
Elias T. Bates,
68
3
13
Feb. 12.
Henry Bates,
62
1
22
Mar. 22.
Abram P. Scribner,
67
2
Apr. 5.
Otis R. Inman,
76
3
24
Apr, 18.
Willard Swan Wilcox,
50
8
10
May 19.
George W. Scisco,
83
5
9
May 23.
Albert Edward Southwick
1
2
June 24.
Anthony, (male)
72
7
25
July 22.
Harry Lucien,
1
July 24.
Mary Ann Ryan,
46
10
24
July 25.
Oscar Eugene Brown,
26
1
4
Aug. 7.
Katarina Charlotte Svedine,
46
3
25
Aug. 11.
Lewis L. Wood,
30
11
1
Sept. 24.
Abbie Frances George,
61
3
3
Sept. 25.
Hiram A. Kent,
69
Dec. 22.
Albert Newbury Darling,
75
3
29
Dec. 25.
Edna S. Allen,
76
7
3
-
3/
94
June 24.
Sarah Gifford,
-
Parents and others are requested to carefully examine the above list of births, marriages, and if errors or omissions are discovered report them to the town clerk, that the record may
Mendon.
Jessie Florence Wheeler.
Mendon.
Franklin, Mass.
Inez Belle Clark.
Mendon.
Eliza Durkee Fletcher.
Jennie Hogarth.
Bertha Melvina Greene.
21
be corrected. The importance of a complete record of births, marriages, and deaths cannot be overestimated. Herewith are extracts from the Revised Laws. Section 6 of Chapter 29 of said laws requires that, "Parents, within forty days after the birth of a child, and every householder, within forty days after a birth in his house, shall cause notice thereof to be given to the clerk of the city or town in which such child is born. Every householder in whose house a death occurs, shall, within five days thereafter, cause notice thereof to be given to the board of health, or if the selectmen constitute such board, to the town clerk." All parties named in the above section will, by com- plying with its provisions, do much toward making the vital records complete, which will result in the avoidance of many confusing and vexatious problems, in tracing families in the years to come.
Blanks for return of births or deaths can be obtained of the town clerk.
Respectfully submitted, HORACE C. ADAMS, Town Clerk.
Mendon, Feb. 13, 1903.
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees reorganized April 19, 1902. Julius A. George, Esq., declined a reelection as Trustee at the annual meeting in 1902. Mr. George had served in that capacity since 1882, and ever given freely of his time and ability in carrying on the work of the Library ; his declination to serve longer as a Trustee is regretted by all, and especially so by his former associates on the board.
A bequest of $27.68 has been received from the estate of Charlotte A. Joy Mann ; this, in addition to her gift some years since of a large number of valuable books, shows her to have been a sincere friend to the Library.
Three copies of the Annals of Mendon have been sold the past year. The Trustees consider themselves fortunate in hav- ing again secured the services of Miss Annie E. Kinsley for Li- brarian the ensuing year, she having shown herself to be admira- bly qualified for the position. You are referred to her report, in which are embodied interesting facts concerning the work of the Library.
The books were examined Feb. 13, 1903 ; were all accounted for, and in satisfactory condition. Three books have been de- stroyed through fear of infection. The thanks of the citizens are tendered to all that have donated books, magazines, or other literature the past year.
The Trustees recommend an appropriation of two hundred dollars for the use of the Library the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted, ERWIN A. SNOW, HORACE C. ADAMS, LIBERTY FREEMAN, FRANK H. WOOD, HERBERT F. TAYLOR,
Trustees of Taft Public Library.
Mendon, Feb. 13, 1903.
23
To THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY :---
The Library was reopened Feb. 8, 1902, for the distribution of books.
The total number of books taken out during the year was 3,896. The largest delivery any Saturday was 96; the smallest 52 ; average 76.
The delivery by divisions was as follows : Agriculture, 3 ; biography. 55 ; documents, 2 ; fiction, 3, 140; history, 93 ; poetry, 50; miscellaneous, 49; periodicals, 239; religion, 9; science, I22; travel, 34.
The total number of books in the library is 4,476; 137 having been added the past year. Of these 137 volumes, 76 have been purchased by the town and 61 contributed.
One was given by David Farquer (book-binder) ; 3 volumes through M. M. Aldrich, belonging to former Library of the 2nd School District in Mendon; 2 by the Author, John Osborne Austin, through M. M. Aldrich; I by Thomas W. Lawson; 7 by the Secretary of the Commonwealth; 5 by the Smithsonian Institute ; 7 by the New England Historic Genealogical Society ; 9 by the United States Department of Agriculture ; 2 by J. A. George ; 2 unbound volumes of Harpers and 2 unbound volumes of Outing by J. A. George.
A large number of books have been rebound.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE E. KINSLEY, Librarian
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Report of the Treasurer of the Trustees of the Taft Public Library for the year ending Feb. 7, 1903.
DR.
Balance from account of 1902
$5 64
Received for fines
2 00
from estate of Charlotte A. Joy Mann 27 68
on three town orders 184 69
$220 OI
24
CR.
Paid the W. B. Clarke Co., for books $73 38
Althea A. Taft, for books
2 00
Horace C. Adams, for books 50
"' for freight ond express
I 90
G. M. Billings, for printing
3 50
Norris & Staples, for labor
6 10
66 A. H. H. Warren & Co., for binding books.
72 08
6 Jacob R. Brown, for labor and cash paid
9 25
". D. H. Barnes, for can and oil I 30
66 Annie E. Kinsley, salary as librarian 50 00
$220 OI
Respectfully submitted, HORACE C. ADAMS,
Treasurer. Mendon, Feb. 13, 1903.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
I have examined the accounts of all the Town officers and committees, who have received or disbursed funds belonging to the town for the municipal year ending March 2, 1903, and find them correctly kept and with proper vouchers.
NATHAN R. GEORGE,
Auditor. Mendon, February 16, 1903.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1902='03.
MILFORD, MASS. : COOK & SONS, PRINTERS, JOURNAL OFFICE. 1903.
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1902-1903.
FRANK H. WOOD, Chairman, Term expires 1903 NAPOLEON S. HOAGLAND, Secretary, “ 1904
GEORGE SCRIVEN,
1 905
SUPERINTENDENT, .
ELMER E. SHERMAN, Term expired June, 1902
HERBERT F. TAYLOR, Term began Sept. 1902 TRUANT OFFICERS.
EDWARD C. KINSLEY, LYMAN COOK,
HERBERT F. TAYLOR.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF MENDON :-
Herewith the financial report of your school committee for the year ending Feb. 20th, is respectfully submitted.
The financial statement shows the receipts and expenditures on account of schools for the year named.
Nearly $300 less was received last year from the state school fund than the year previous. The teaching of music has been added at a cost of more than $100 per year, for instruction and text books. But the results have been so satisfactory that it has been money well spent. The committee in view of these facts recommends an appropriation of twenty-eight hundred dollars. This is in excess of last year's appropriation but it is $175 less than that of two years ago.
Last year it cost the town for the support of schools $17.53 for each child between the ages of 5 and 15 years. The average of the same for the state was $22.69. No money for public purposes is better spent, for the child is the future. This money would be expended with more economy, that is to say with bet- ter results, if a new school building giving ampler accommoda- tions and providing better sanitary conditions, were erected at the centre. The saving that would be made in discontinuing the Albeeville school and the North End school and transporting the pupils to the center, would pay the interest after the first year on the amount of a loan which would build a satisfactory schoolhouse, such as would be a creditable attraction to the town. The final payment on the East Mendon school building will be made this coming year. Therefore, the present time is propitious to do what has so long been needed.
The amount of taxable property in the town increased last year about $26,000 and it is understood that there will be a still further increase the coming year. A new school building would be an important factor in swelling the current of prosperity and directing it to worthy ends.
Superintendent Herbert F. Taylor, who took charge in Sep- tember, presents herewith his report concerning the condition of the schools and we bespeak it your careful reading and consid- eration.
1
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. RECEIPTS.
Appropriation $2700 00
Balance from last year
603 39
From state school fund
444 76
From state on account of Supt.
416 67
Dog tax.
174 10
Tuition
35 00
Furniture and paper sold.
3 00
$4,376 92
DISBURSEMENTS.
Teachers' salaries. $2,731 50
Superintendent
476 68
Janitors and care of rooms
IIO 35
Fuel
191 63
Transportation
299 85
Text-books and supplies
275 78
Incidentals
159 00
$4,244 79
Balance on hand, Feb. 20, 1903,
$132 13
Teachers :---
Edward F. Blood
$720 00
Mary A. Peffers.
456 00
Florence Rhodes
24 00
Adelaide E. Flagg
12 00
Mary E. Dudley
441 50
Alma S. Seavey.
54 00
Constance E. D. Freethy
286 00
Edith Rockwell
342 00
Lillian Porter
342 00
Frank H. Lowell
54 00
Superintendent :-
E. E. Sherman, 4 months.
226 68
H. F. Taylor, 5 months
250 00
$476 68
Received from state for school year.
...
416 67
Net cost of superintending for year ...
$60 0I
Fuel :-
Harold M. Curtiss, 10 1-2 tons coal .. $76 63
M. H. Broughey, 7 cords wood .. 48 25
Lewis Bates, 4 cords wood. 28 25
$2731 50
5
George Davenport, I cord wood $7 50
C. A. Fletcher, 2 cords wood 12 00
George Scriven, I cord wood ········· 6.00
Philip S. Coffin, I 1-2 cords wood
9 00
George G. Davenport, 1-2 cord wood sawed and split 4 00
$191 63
Transportation :-
A. I. Barrows
$220 60
Geo. M. Taft
39 00
M. & U. St. Ry.
40 25
$299 85
Care of Rooms :-
Janitoring :-
Fred Snow, Center.
$40 00
Edith Rockwell, North
19 00
Alma S. Seavey, Albeeville
3 00
Constance E. D. Freethy, Albeeville Lillian Porter, East.
19 00
Cleaning Rooms :-
Mrs. Sylvester Cook, East
I 25
Mrs. Robert Ferris, Center
6 10
Gladys Goss, North
5 00
E. L. Smith
50
$110 35
Incidentals :-
Geo. S. Perry & Co., one flag
$3 75
Frank E. Barrows, putting on and taking off storm windows.
$1 00
Clark Ellis & Sons :-
Whiting floor brush
$2 50
Duster
75
Damper
40
$3 65
Wm. Smith :-
Plumbing materials
$3 70
Labor and car fare
3 00
N. S. Hoagland :-
Services on school committee (2 years) election of new superintend- ent
3 75
66 taking school census of town
7 00
66 as secretary
10 00
66 mowing part of school yard I 30
Paid Waterman Taft for mowing yard
I 30
$6 70
$2 50
16 50
6
1 000 printed envelopes $2 50
1000 printed letter-heads 2 50
Postage 2 26
Sundry repairs and incidentals 2 85
Paid E. A. Snow for cleaning pipe .. 50
$36 46
A. C. Eldredge :
Whitewashing and setting glass. .....
$2 30
Norris, Staples & Gould :
7 gals. boiled oil
$5 60
Material for repairs.
2 46
62 lbs. stove pipe and labor
10 19
18 25
E. L. Smith :
Putting in seats, Center
$1 50
Use of well, Center
7 00
Frank J. Dutcher, Sec. Dist. Com.
1 00
Avery & Woodbury, table High School
4 25
Houghton & Dutton, 8 window shades Herbert F. Taylor :
Freight, cartage and express.
$2 60
Repairs
I 20
1-3 500 Gov't. envelopes
3 53
I-2 doz. paint boxes
I2
Map Worcester Co
98
8 43
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins :
Three adjustable seats and desks
$10 20
One duster
I 50
Three punches.
75
12 45
E. E. Sherman :-
Express and carting
$7 32
Traveling expenses.
I 45
Sundries
70
9 47
Geo. Scriven :-
Paid Geo. Davenport, for sawing wood.
$1 30
Cleaning school yard and cutting grass
2 75
Services on school committee .......
3 75
7 80
Frank H. Wood :- Services on school committec
5 00
Geo. Davenport :- Repairs on Hub heater .... $1 50
8 50
2 So
7
39 1-2 lbs. 6 in. pipe and elbow $4 94
Services rendered I 00
Cleaning vault .. 50
$7 94
Florence Driscoll :-
Oiling school floors, Center and East
$5 25
Repairs at Center, fence, doors, etc.
5 25
Materials and car fare
75
II 25
John Driscoll :-
Cleaning school yard
$1 50
Helping repair fence
I 50
3 00
Jno. W. Estey, use of well
3 00
Geo. E. Thayer, use of well
2 00
$159 00
Text Books and Supplies :-
D. C. Heath & Co
$ 7 68
Ginn & Co
30 97
J. L. Hammett & Co
61 23
Silver, Burdett & Co
34 04
The Prang Ed. Co
2 08
G. M. Billings.
4 17
E. E. Sherman
3 64
Kenny Bros. & Wolkins
14 30
Boston School Supply Co
23 96
American Book Co
23 24
L. E. Knott & Co
5 49
Chas. Scribner's Sons.
20 48
Allyn & Bacon
4 17
Benj. H. Sanborn
8 00
Herbert F. Taylor.
3 03
Henry Holt & Co
7 50
Edward E. Bobb & Co
13 46
Wadsworth & Howland.
8 34
$275 78
Respectfully submitted, FRANK H. WOOD, NAPOLEON S. HOAGLAND, GEORGE SCRIVEN, School Committee.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON :-
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit the ninth annual report of the Superintendent of Schools and the first of the present incum- bent.
I found when taking up the work in September, your schools in excellent condition, so the problem thus far has been to maintain the high standard set by my predecessor, rather than introduce innovations.
Good schools depend on two important considerations, good teachers and satisfactory material equipment.
The teachers show an interest and enthusiasm which is pro- ductive of good results, and it is an added source of satisfaction that only one change has been made. Miss Seavey resigning, her place was filled by Miss Constance Freethy, a Boston Uni- versity graduate, whose college training gives to her teaching a most desirable breadth.
The matter of material equipment is much less satisfactory and merits your most careful and immediate attention.
The problem is most perplexing at the Center.
A somewhat unexpected influx of children in the primary room in September necessitated putting more seats into a room already too full for the best educational or hygenic results. The room now contains forty-nine seats and every seat has an occu- pant. Should the number entering next fall be even approxi- mately as large as was the class last September, the room will be inadequate to seat the pupils.
The only outlet for the overflow would be the grammar room. Unfortunately seats have been added there also this year, so that but three more are possible, and those must be placed so close to the stove as to be very uncomfortable when there is a fire. The class to enter the high school from the grammar room is smaller than the one which will enter the grammar from the primary, so promotions will give no relief.
It will thus be seen that some provision must be made for the children who logically belong to the Center school.
There would seem to be two solutions to the problem.
First, to build a school building at the Center, which should be so situated that the North School could be discontinued, and
9
large enough so that the children of Albeeville could be trans- ported, thus centralizing the schools in one building.
This would save the town the salary of one teacher, as three could do the work now done by four, and as the number of grades for each teacher would be less, the work would nat- urally be done much better.
Suitable quarters would also be provided for the high school, and taking advantage of a law passed last year, an ex- tract of which will be found in another part of this report, another teacher could be added at a very slight expense to the town, thus doubling the efficiency of the high school work.
No more satisfactory work can be done by one man than is being done by Mr. Blood, your present principal, but with four classes, one cannot do the work required by the state to entitle a high school to recognition as an approved school. The statute says that in order to secure financial aid from the state, two teachers must be employed.
The other plan of accommodating the classes at the Center, would be to abolish the high school, sending the children who desire a high school education to neighboring towns, where the state would pay tuition. The room left vacant could be utilized as a grammar room, thus relieving the pressure below.
An extract from the statute by which Mendon would be en- titled to the aid mentioned, follows :
"A town whose valuation is less than seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars shall be entitled to receive from the treas- ury of the Commonwealth all necessary amounts, and a town whose valuation exceeds seven hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars but whose number of families is less than five hundred shall be entitled to receive from the treasury of the Commonwealth half of all necessary amounts which have actually been expend- ed for high school tuition : provided, that such expenditure shall be certified under oath to the board of education by its school committee within thirty days after the date of such expenditure ; but, if a town of less than five hundred families maintains a high school of its own of the character described in section two of this chapter and employs at least two teachers therein, it shall be entitled to receive annually from the treasury of the Com- monwealth toward the support of such high school the sum of three hundred dollars. No town the valuation of which aver- ages a larger sum for each pupil in the average membership of its public schools than the corresponding average for the Com- monwealth shall receive money from the Commonwealth under the provisions of this section ; and no expenditure shall be made by the Commonwealth on account of high school instruction under the provisions of this section unless the high school in
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.