Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1917, Part 4

Author: Harwich (Mass. : Town)
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 172


USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1917 > Part 4


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118


DOG ACCOUNT.


11 females @ $5.00, $55.00


80 males @ $2.00,


160.00


$215.00


Clerk's fees, 91 dogs @ 20c,


18.20


Sent County Treasurer,


$196.80


Town Meeting Warrant, 1918


BARNSTABLE, SS.


To either of the Constables of the Town of Harwich, in said County,


GREETING :---


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Harwich, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at Exchange Hall, in said town, on Monday, February 4, 1918 at 8.30 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :-


Article 1. To choose a Moderator to act in said meeting.


Article 2. To determine the rate per cent to be paid the Tax Collector for the collection of the warrant of 1918.


1


Article 3. To choose on one ballot the following Town Officers and Committees :- Town Clerk and Treasurer for one year, one Selectman and Overseer of Poor for three years, three Herring Committee for one year, two Auditors for one year, three Constables for one year, one Tax Col- lector for one year, one Assessor for three years, one


120


School Committee for three years, one Road Commissioner for three years, one Trustee of Brooks Library for three years, one Park Commissioner for three years. Shall Li- censes be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors? Vote Yes or No.


Article 4. To choose all other necessary Town Officers and Committees.


Article 5. To hear the report of all Town Officers and Committees for the year 1917, and act fully thereon.


Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year, and act fully thereon.


Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to de- fray town expenses for the ensuing year, and act fully thereon.


Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to instruct its Selectmen to control, regulate and prohibit the taking of eels, clams, quahaugs and scallops, within the town limits, as provided in Chapter 91, Section 85, and Acts in amend- ments thereto of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts and to make any regulations in regard to such fisheries as they may deem expedient, and act fully thereon.


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121


Article 9. To see if the Town of Harwich will vote to pay Thirty-five Cents per hour for man and Thirty Cents per hour for horses, for labor on roads.


Article 10. To see if the Town will accept from Harold S. Van Buren a deed of a strip of land at Harwich Port six feet wide extending from Paula Road (or Bay View Road) so called to the shore bounded west by other land of said Van Buren and east by land of the heirs of Wm. H. Davis, - said strip of land to be used as a town foot passage to the sea, and to maintain the same as such, together with the set of steps thereon leading down to the sea.


Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to top coat with Cinders the road beginning at the Depot-Port road near the residence of the late David P. Ryder and extending to the State road at the foot of Kildee Hill, and appropriate Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars for the same.


Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to accept the road beginning at a point on the State highway, nearly opposite Hepsabeth Lodge, thence running over lands of the Wychmere Trustee and others, following the line of the new Walther road, so called, and terminating at the Town road near Bonniview cottage in South Harwich, as laid out by the Road Commissioners.


Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to harden and improve with oil the road beginning in Harwich Centre, near the residence of William F. Crapo, thence extending easterly about one and one-third miles to the macadam road near the


122


M. E. Church at South Harwich, and to determine in what manner the money shall be raised and the payments thereof met, and act fully thereon.


Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to harden with oil the unfinished portion of the North Harwich road from a point near the North Harwich schoolhouse to the junction with the Main Street, near the residence of Valentine Bassett, a distance of about one mile, and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor, and to determine how the same shall be raised, and act fully thereon.


Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hundred Dollars to harden and improve the road leading from the State highway near the residence of Martin L. Chase in West Harwich, and ter- minating at the oil road near the "lower bridge," and act fully thereon.


Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to widen and harden with oil that portion of the Brewster road, so called, known as the Patrick F. Cahoon hill, between the residences of James M. Moody and Benjamin F. Eldredge, in order that the same may be made safer and more passable, and to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to meet the ex- pense, and to act fully thereon.


Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to harden and improve the road in West Harwich, known as Division street, leading north from the Main street near the residence of Edwin M. Robbins, to the Depot road, and act fully thereon.


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Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to oil and harden the road in Harwich Port commencing at or near the residence of Emily F. Allen, extending to the four corners near the residence of Elijah Doane, and appropriate funds for the same, and determine in what manner they shall be paid, and act fully thereon.


Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to accept and allow the Selectmen's lay-out of a town way at "Nons" so called, beginning at a point near the shore on the Lendall Snow road, thence extending easterly to Allen's harbor, and to raise a sufficient sum of money to pay any damages and expense arising therefrom, and to act fully thereon.


And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof, one in each Post Office in said Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.


The polls will be opened at 9 o'clock A. M., on Monday, February 4, 1918, and may be closed at 2 o'clock P. M.


Hereof, fail not, and make due returns of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.


Given under our hands this nineteenth day of January, 1918.


EPHRAIM H. DOANE, J. FREEMAN RYDER, THOMAS H. NICKERSON, Selectmen of Harwich.


Correct, attest :


LABAN SNOW, Constable.


OWN


TH ORATED SEPT. 14.


.


SEAL


INCORP


694


WICH


ADOP


.1897.


ED


SEPT


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools OF THE


TOWN OF HARWICH


1917


ORGANIZATION FOR YEAR 1917


School Committee


HARRIE D. HANDY, M. D., Chairman,


Term expires 1919.


JOHN H. PAINE, Esq., Secretary, Term expires 1920.


JOSEPH B. ATKINS, Treasurer. Term expires 1918


District Superintendent-LORING G. WILLIAMS.


Advisory Board Agricultural Department. JOSEPH K. ROBBINS, Chairman, MRS. LYLE E. HANDY, ARTHUR F. CAHOON, ELISHA H. BEARSE, RALPH W. DOANE.


FRANK L. DAVIS, Instructor, Clerk. Attendance Officer-WILLIAM H. BASSETT. School Physician-HARRIE D. HANDY, M. D.


Report of School Committee


To the Citizens of Harwich :-


Your committee this year as in the past have endeavored to conserve the town funds and refer you to the financial statement to bear out this contention.


With the war conditions now present, the cost of every item of school maintenance has advanced in many cases to more than double its ante-war price.


Fortunately we purchased a good supply of stationery and some supplies before the last advance and were able to save the town quite a considerable sum on these items.


The salaries of the teaching force have advanced in pro- portion and we are today paying about fifty per cent. more for teachers than four years ago and the end is not yet.


It will perhaps be making the matter a little plainer to quote in its entirety a letter received from the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education in relation to these extra de- mands on the funds of the towns in keeping up the standard of our schools.


5


MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF EDUCATION. State House, Boston.


January 2,1918.


To the Members of the School Committee:


With the approach of the annual town meetings, when the question of appropriations is to be taken up, our people should give thoughtful attention to the unusual conditions confronting the schools. Increased costs in every direction bring the towns and cities face to face with the necessity of increasing school appropriations for the coming year. The schools have never before required more thoughtful attention to their needs, and it will not be safe to handicap them with a policy of retrenchment.


: It is worthy the attention of the American people that, in spite of enormous expenditures for war purposes, France is giving unprecedented attention to her public schools, and England, for the current year, increased her expenditures for public education 30 per cent. over that for any preceding year.


In the school year 1915-16, Massachusetts expended approxi- mately $27,000,000 for public education. This amount was increased to $28,500,000 for the school year 1916-17. This increase of approximately 6 per cent. shows the serious intention of our people to maintain a vigorous educational policy. In view of the present situation, Massachusetts cannot afford to relax in any degree her efforts to carry on her schools at highest efficiency.


Education is a long-time investment. Its purpose is to protect democracy through the right training of the youth. Even temporary interference with this purpose, through inadequate financial support, may seriously impair the quality of our future citizenship. In the present crisis, it is imperative that towns and cities give careful consideration to the needs of the schools.


Sincerely yours,


PAYSON SMITH,


Commissioner of Education.


1


6


Your school board will endeavor to keep alive to any opportunities that may present themselves to make advanta- geous purchases of any materials used in the school work and will continue, to the best of their ability, to administer the affairs of the schools in as economic a manner as possible and in keeping with the quality of our institutions.


Signed,


HARRIE D. HANDY, JOHN H. PAINE, JOSEPH B. ATKINS, School Committee.


FINANCIAL.


TEACHERS' SALARIES.


High School.


Roland H. Kinder,


$1,066.25


Frank L. Davis, substitute,


10.00


Amy F. Webster,


325.00


Donna M. Corliss,


527.50


Flossie Hulse Chase, substitute,


27.50


Ethel V. Thorburn,


210.00


$2,166.25


7


Center Schools.


Lillian M. Oram, Grammar,


$354.00.


Augusta Ames, Intermediate,


434.40


Lillian V. Lincoln, Primary,


480.00


Helen M. Potter,


90.00


Flossie Hulse Chase,


120.20


$1,478.60


Harwichport.


Esther E. Nelson,


$286.00


Esther M. Bradstreet,


264.00


Elva Staples,


156.00


Dorothy Rice,


156.00


$862.00


East Harwich.


Elizabeth Campbell,


$417.60


Alice Freeman,


381.60


$799.20


West Harwich.


Annie E. Carlton, $458.20


$458.20


North Harwich.


Mary T. Cleary,


$488.00


Katherine A. Moriarty,


458.00


Mrs. Annie· Smalley, substitute,


15.00


Mrs. Mary Silvia,


15.00


$976.00


Total for teaching,


$6,740.25


8


MUSIC AND DRAWING.


Lotta M. Murray,


$213.36


Charlotte T. Elliot,


106.68


$320.04


SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY.


Loring G. Williams, salary,


$911.07


State reimbursement,


509.26


Actual net cost,


$401.81


Janitors.


Alfred M. Davidson, Center,


$450.00


Benjamin D. Smith, Port,


85.00


George E. Nickerson, East,


85.00


Charles E. Lothrop, West,


63.76


Holland Rogers,


85.00


$768.76


FUEL. Harwich Center.


Harwich Coal & Lumber Co.,


$157.00


N. B. Walker, wood,


20.00


F. D. Underwood, wood,


8.00


S. R. Kelley, coal,


30.00


$215.00


9


Harwichport.


Harwich Coal & Lumber Co.,


$10.25


C. S. Burgess, sawing wood,


1.00


Kendrick & Bearse,


20.00


Chas. H. Taylor, wood,


10.00


S. R. Kelley, coal,


20.00


$61.25


East Harwich.


Kendrick & Bearse,


$85.00


E. A. Cahoon, wood,


4.25


Harwich Coal & Lumber Co.,


20.00


$109.25


West Harwich.


N. B. Walker, wood,


$9.50


S. R. Kelley, coal,


58.00


$67.50


North Harwich.


J. F. Ryder, wood, $4.00


S. R. Kelley, coal,


58.00


$62.00


Total fuel, $515.00


10


REPAIRS AND INCIDENTALS.


North Harwich.


Mrs. Lena Baker, rope, $ .60


H. G. Rogers, labor and material, 14.00


.67


Alpheus Howes, coal seive,


$15.27


West Harwich.


Chas. E. Lothrop, labor and material, $12.05


Harwichport.


Benj. D. Smith, labor and materials, $26.75


J. O. Hulse, janitors' supplies, 2.40


Watson B. Eldredge, curtains and rope, 6.34


Benj. Ellis, carting ashes, 2.50


Wm. A. Eldredge, supplies,


3.65


.


$41.64


East Harwich. George E. Nickerson, labor and materials, $36.53


Harwich Center.


Alphonse Howes, labor, janitors' supplies, $25.14


Watson B. Eldredge, supplies, .73


A. M. Davidson, labor, 1.00


Jasper Small, labor and materials, 3.50


E. F. Bassett, sharpening lawn mowers, 3.00


William Crabe, labor, 2.50


$35.87


Total Repairs and Incidentals,


$141.36


11


TRANSPORTATION.


High School.


Appropriation for High, $600.00


Paid Everett L. Ellis & Son, North and


West to High School,


$352.25


Geo. E. Nickerson, East to High, 195.00


Sears L. Moore, East to High, 120.00


$667.25


Overdrawn,


$67.25


Elementary.


Seabury Taylor, South to Port,


$318.00


E. L. Ellis, P. Lake to Center,


433.51


Geo. E. Nickerson, Chase Child,


8.00


$759.51


Books and Supplies.


Milton Bradley Co.,


$314.61


J. S. Fearis & Son, books,


7.17


L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.,


27.96


P. L. Nickerson,


1.00


H. I. Dallman,


9.00


J. S. Hammett Co.,


178.57


C. S. Hunt,


.98


Wright & Potter,


3.37


Allyn & Bacon,


5.88


Ginn & Co.,


5.11


D. C. Heath & Co.,


4.78


$558.43


12


MISCELLANEOUS.


Norman C. Hayner Co., floor oil, $56.35


Chas. H. Fenn, tuning piano, 3.00


H. K. Bearse, government envelopes, 10.62


H. D. Handy, M. D., school physician, 40.00


W. H. Bassett, attendance officer, 36.00


R. H. Kinder, league dues,


1.00


W. H. Bassett, school census,


14.00


Alton P. Goss, graduation printing, bids, office stationery, report and medicine cards, 51.25


W. A. Eldredge, signs for auction, 2.62


School Committee, expenses district


meetings, travel securing teachers, 20.24


Express, freight, carting, office stationery


and supplies, expenses securing teach- ers, telephone and telegrams, 52.98


$288.06


PERMANENT REPAIRS.


Appropriation, . $400.00


Paid Harwich Coal & Lumber Co., $72.33


Jasper Small, shingling and labor on central building, 48.00


Walter I. Paine, plastering High, 65.12


J. F. Tobey & Son, material, 32.43


B. H. Bassett, underpinning shed, 45.00


13


Ralph Gorham, labor and material Port, 24.59


W. A. Eldredge, labor and material, 50.00


Balance,


$337.47 $62.53


AGRICULTURE.


Available Funds.


Town appropriation,


$300.00


Rebate from State,


720.78


Tuitions from Chatham,


190.00


Tuitions from Eastham,


290.00


Tuitions from Brewster,


100.00 ,


$1,600.78


Expenditures.


Frank L. Davis, salary,


$1,216.66


Library Bureau, filing cases,


6.09


Alton P. Goss, printing,


2.25


Rent in full to Sept. 1st,


36.00


Central Scientific Co.,


77.17


H. K. Bearse, government envelopes,


15.80


$1,353.97


Balance,


$246.81


14


Town appropriation,


$300.00


Balance,


246.81


Net cost to town,


$53.18


Reimbursement due from State, $376.67.


RECAPITULATION.


Available.


General appropriation,


$9,000.00


High School transportation,


600.00


Permanent repairs,


400.00


Agriculture,


300.00


Dog tax,


126.80


Over charge,


26.25


Rebate on agriculture,


720.78


Massachusetts School Fund,


968.92


Tuitions City of Boston,


97.50


State Board of Charity,


142.50


Rebate on superintendent's salary,


509.26


Agricultural tuition from Chatham,


190.00


Agricultural tuition from Eastham,


290.00


Agricultural tuition from Brewster,


100.00


$13,472.01


15


Expenditures.


Teachers' salaries,


$6,740.25


Music and drawing,


320.04


Superintendent's salary,


911.07


Janitors,


768.76


Fuel,


515.00


Repairs and incidentals,


141.36


Miscellaneous,


288.06


Permanent repairs,


337.47


Transportation, High,


667.25


Transportation, Elementary,


759.51


Books and supplies,


558.43


Agriculture,


1,353.97


$13,361.17


Balance unexpended,


$110.84


We the undersigned Auditors of the Town of Harwich have this day examined the books, bills and vouchers of the School Committee and find the same correct.


CHARLES T. CHASE, GEORGE W. BANSPACH,


Harwich, Jan. 5th, 1918. Auditors.


ESTIMATES FOR 1918.


General appropriation for support, $9,800.00


High school transportation,


700.00


Permanent repairs,


400.00


Agriculture, 600.00


1


Superintendent's Report


To the School Committee :


Gentlemen :


The work of another school year has been recorded much in the same way and manner as in former years. There is nothing striking that has taken place in the work of the schools. We are grateful that, in spite of the war, and in spite of the stirring and harrowing influence war is bound to have upon young and old alike, that we have been able · up to this time to carry on our school work with very little interruption.


In this my 10th annual report my intention is to be brief. Parents and citizens generally keep in close touch with the workings of the schools by visits and otherwise. The com- mittee has enlarged upon some very vital matters coming from the state. The financial statement is an open book to all interested and speaks for itself. Reports of Agriculture, Music and Drawing, School Physicians and usual statistics give further information.


On account of the early departure of Mr. Kinder to fol- low the colors, there is no Principal's Report this year.


The census as of April 1st. Number pupils attending school December 1917; attendance data for year ending June 1917 ; number enrolled for same time; the number employees employed by the year follow :


18


SCHOOL CENSUS APRIL, 1917.


Boys Girls Total


Number persons in town between 5 and 7 yrs., 28


27


55


Number persons in town between 7 and 14 yrs.,


110


113


223


Number persons in town between 14 and 16 yrs., 21


27


48


159


167


326


Number persons attending school Dec. 1917, 169


175


344


ATTENDANCE DATA YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1917.


Number enrolled from other cities and towns,


Number state and city wards attending,


10


Number resident pupils attending,


342


Total,


360


Aggregate attendance,


48,211


Average daily attendance,


293


Average number days schools were actually in session,


162


Average membership, 322


Percentage of attendance,


91


Superintendent and teachers employed by town yearly, Janitors,


16


5


Transportation conveyances,


4


Total employed, 25


1


19


THE WORK OF THE YEAR.


With the cooperation of teachers the schools have gone forward during the year. We have attempted to hold them up to the standard and to give the pupils the best possible. We have some handicaps and some problems to meet and to attempt to solve with some degree of success. Seven changes in the teaching force have been necessary. This means nearly 60% making changes. This alone is a problem of considerable importance. But we have been fortunate in securing teachers who have been able to adapt themselves to our work with the least possible loss of time and energy.


The elementary schools are in good condition generally. Schools are small, especially at East Harwich. Harwichport attendance is twenty in the Grammar and a few more in the Primary. West Harwich continues this year with one school as during the past two years. There are 30 children and seven grades. This makes a school too large when we con- sider the work of seven grades. While there are many dis- advantages when considered in the light of a modern organ- ized school, yet there are some advantages in having several grades in one room. Because children are good listeners and gather much from the recitations not their own, it is true of the West Harwich school that some grades and many children are doing easily work far beyond their grade and years as compared with children and grades in other schools.


Elementary schools of the center have too large an at- tendance for three rooms and three teachers. To be able to seat the pupils this year three grades have been placed in the Primary room, making a total enrollment in this room


20


of 52. The other rooms consequently are not crowded. The Center should be provided somehow with an extra room and teacher to relieve these conditions.


Trainers from the senior class at Hyannis Normal school have been assigned to West Harwich and Center Primary . to assist and to help carry the burden in these two crowded schools. The interruption in the normal school schedule, owing to outside conditions, will delay the coming of these training students for the present.


High School.


Mr. Kinder, the principal, was called to the colors two weeks before the Christmas vacation. This was after having sent in his name and after favorable examination.


The High school numbers 66. The organization of the school is excellent. The work has been strong with of course a few exceptions. The music and drawing is in good hands and the response is very gratifying. The work in current events and current history and the introduction of the Literary Digest supplementing the courses in English has given life and interest to the work. Pupils have felt the responsibility of doing what they could do in a patriotic · way. They have given assistance in selling Liberty Bonds and have bought one bond in the name of the school.


I wish here to express my commendation of the very suc- . cessful work of the assistant teachers in assuming the re- sponsibilities of the school during the vacancy in the princi- palship. It is a time when interruptions are bound to come, and when it becomes necessary to rearrange, and assign other and added duties to teachers. These teachers were


21


glad to accept the added responsibility and keep the school open and finish the work of the term.


Ralph B. Farnum succeeds Mr. Kinder. Mr. Farnum is a Brown University graduate, has done post graduate work and considerable practice teaching. He has been for nearly a year and a half principal of Ashby High school.


Thrift.


Nearly ninety organizations in the state have for their purpose the winning of the war. Many are depending upon the schools to a greater or less degree to give help. These calls are so many and so confusing that it has seemed wise by the commissioner of education to call to his side a council of superintendents to decide upon the merits of these organ- izations as affecting the schools., The Junior Red Cross and the thrift and war savings movement have been given especial emphasis.


Thrift is a subject required to be taught by all schools in Massachusetts. It has been taught with greater or less effectiveness, usually with less. Now it is possible to teach it in a very vital and effective way. We shall urge war savings to all school children during the year.


Permanent Repairs and Equipment.


At least one building each year should receive attention, that it may become attractive, comfortable and up-to-date. New floors, new movable, adjustable desks, new blackboards, new heating and ventilating system in form of the jacket stove or similar system, freshly painted walls and ceilings,


22


curtains, teacher's desk, etc., these are among the things needed to equip our schoolrooms properly. Plans in the school budget should be made this year to meet this re- quirement.


Financial.


School expenses are jumping up by leaps and bounds. Everything bought for the schools, all labor and materials, are greatly increased in price. Salaries of teachers in many instances are too low. To retain teachers and to fill va- cancies when they occur, this matter of salaries must be reckoned with when making a school budget.


The amounts being asked by the Committee for the support of schools for the present year should be sufficient, as the outlook now is, but no one can foresee financial con- ditions a year or even six months in advance. The business of the schools-a most important work-should take precedence just so far as is possible. No curtailment in any way should be tolerated. The school will be the great, big factor in making and keeping the world safe for democracy.


Respectfully submitted,


LORING G. WILLIAMS.


23


Agriculture.


Superintendent L. G. Williams, Harwich, Mass .:


Sir :- I submit herewith my second report, which is the sixth annual report of the Harwich High School Agri- cultural Department.


War has lifted Agriculture during the last year to its rightful place in the order of world industries. More people realize than perhaps ever before that the strength of a nation is largely dependent upon the condition of its Agriculture. In the country's food drive Agricultural in- stitutions have been of great material help, and much credit is due to far-sighted men who had to do with the estab- lishment of such fundamental institutions.


This institution, being of an Agricultural nature, has tried to handle the extra amount of work thrust upon it in an efficient manner. When the planting drive started this department, in close co-operation with the Public Safety Committee, lent material aid in the handling and distribution of about seventy-five bushels of seed potatoes and ten bushels of beans. Earlier in the spring, this de- partment promoted a lime project, and by combining Brewster and Harwich a car order was secured. This fall a car order of manure has come to Harwich.




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