USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1884 > Part 18
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The whole subject was thoroughly discussed by the several members of the Board, at its annual meeting at the Farm on Thursday, November 20th, and it was unanimously voted that the Board of Health be requested to formulate a set of rules to be observed by the drivers of the collecting wagons, defining what shall be their duties, as also what are the requirements of the Health Department of the persons complaining, in order, if possible, to obtain the highest efficiency at the lowest cost and give satisfaction to those whom we serve.
The value and necessity of this work is every day more clearly shown by the steadily increasing demand made upon its service.
This fact was clearly stated by the Board at the commencement of the year, and an appropriation sufficient to provide a proper equipment to do all the work, was asked for, but as the sum was larger than had been called for before, and an earnest effort was.
283
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
being made to reduce the tax levy, and the several departments were called upon to revise their estimates, the appropriation was cut down so low that a sufficient number of teams could not be provided to do the work that was imperatively demanded by the public.
Your attention is called to this fact at this time in order that, if possible the deficiency may be avoided in future, and a subject in which the health and cleanliness of our city is so largely con- cerned may be properly provided for.
The annexed table will show the monthly reports for the past year, giving the amount of appropriation and expenditure, and the entire cost for the year.
The management of the Department, and the excellent con- dition of the swine has always been highly commended by the visitors from other cities and towns on the occasion of our annual inspection, and as a result, the same, or similar methods of dis- posing of their garbage is being introduced in other places, and inquiries for our annual reports in reference to the same are fre- quently made, and afford evidence of what has before been said in reference to this Department, viz: - that when our efforts are understood they will be properly appreciated.
285
CITY SCAVENGER DEPARTMENT .- EXPENDITURES.
Collecting House
Board of Men and
Horses.
Blacksmithing.
Tools and Hardware.
Blankets, Harnesses.
and repairs of same.
Wagons, and repairs
Straw and Grain.
Medical Attendance
Lime and Cement.
Repairs on Buildings.
Lumber.
Dog License.
Use of Horses.
Travelling Expenses
Salary (Supt.)
Expenditure.
Total Receipts.
Net Expense.
Net Income.
December, 1883,
$175 00
$264 03
$18 10
$457 13
$40 00
$417 13
January, 1884
175 00
264 03
31 38
$14 80
$6 25
491 46
183 33
308 13
February
175 00
254 13
17 83 $54 08
$ 75
$330 77
832 56
92 30
740 26
March
200 00
264 03
14 35
4 00
11 82
494 20
40 00
454 20
April
205 77
258 90
33 02
1 00
22 75
69 25
$247 11
$55 00
$4 25
897 05
67 90
829 15
May
170 00
264 03
10 00
28 00
$9
11 50
$3 00
$83 34
579 72
213 80
365 92
June
154 50
258 90
6 75
$375 00
82 23
$19 83
897 21
40 00
857 21
July .
196 88
264 03
1 65
50 70
27 23
242 50
83 33
870 77
2,193 61
$1,322 84
August
250 00
296 70
15 50
68 25
30 00 $20 00
680 45
204 48
475 97
September
270 00
291 00
15 70
23 50
7 00
46 50
83 33
737 03
40 00
697 03
October
238 50
296 70
3 13
50
14 70
27 60
581 13
40 00
541 13
November
243 00
281 88
19 51
139 55
55 30
486 00
$234 00
4 65
83 35
1,547 24
1,552 90
5 66
$2,453 65
$3,258 36
$185 28
$55 08 $26 40
$200 25
$576 85
$516 48
$1,080 11 $20 00
$9 85 $19 83 $29 57 $55 00
$3 00
$234 00
$8 90
$333 35
$9,065 95
$4,708 32
$4,357 63
$1,328 50
.
.
.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Offal.
(Supt.)
Total
of same.
on Horses.
Swine.
Hose.
Coal,
4 45
287
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
CITY SCAVENGER DEPARTMENT .- RECEIPTS.
Pork.
Pigs.
Manure.
Swill.
Total Receipts.
December, 1883.
$40 00
$40 00
January, 1884 .
$32 73
$107 00
40 00
$3 60
183 33
February
30 00
20 00
40 00
2 30
92 30
March
40 00
40 00
April
20 00
40 00
7 90
67 90
May
172 00
40 00
1 80
213 80
June
40 00
40 00
July
2,153 61
40 00
2,193 61
August
164 48
40 00
204 48
September
40 00
40 00
October
40 00
40 00
November.
1,512 90
40 00
1,552 90
$3,893 72
$319 00
$480 00
$15 60
$4,708 32
CITY SCAVENGER DEPARTMENT.
Amount of Expenditures.
Amount of Receipts.
NET COST.
$9,065 95
$4,708 32
$4,357 63
Appropriation by City Council,
$4,500 00
Receipts from Department, 4,708 32
Total,
$9,208 32
Total Expenditure,
9,065 95
Unexpended balance, November 30th, 1884,
$142 37
288
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
TRUANT SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The Truant School remains as at the time of the writing of our last report, in its old location at the Farm. The number who have directly enjoyed its benefits during the past year has been quite large.
A complete account of all matters pertaining to the school will be found annexed in the report of the Superintendent of Schools, and of the sub-committee of this Board, who have the same in their particular charge.
TRUANT SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Monthly Accounts.
No. of Pupils.
Cost of Teaching.
Cost of Board.
Cost of Clothing, &c.
Total Cost of Maint'nce.
December, 1883
10
$25 00
$110 16
$135 16
January, 1884
10
25 00
117 60
$3 75
146 35
February
10
25 00
119 82
9 00
153 82
March .
9
25 00
125 71
150 71
April
8
25 00
94 68
3 75
123 43
May .
9
25 00
116 28
3 00
144 28
June
13
25 00
130 03
1 25
156 28
July .
11
25 00
150 07
175 07
August
10
25 00
133 18
11 50
169 68
September
9
25 00
110 79
8 00
143 79
October
14
25 00
137 10
13 75
175 85
November
15
25 00
173 25
48 00
246 25
$300 00
$1,518 67
$102 00
$1,920 67
Cost of Teaching,
$300 00
Cost of Board,
1,518 67
Cost of Clothing, &c.,
102 00
Total cost,
$1,920 67
Appropriations,
$1,920 67
Expenditures,
1,920 67
Average cost per pupil,
$192 06
289
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The report of the City Physician will be found annexed, giv- ing a full account of the administration of that branch of the public charities particularly under his charge. Our thanks are due to him for the many acts of kindly consideration shown by him in the course of our official relations, and we would here acknowledge our indebtedness to him, as well as to the many others who, by their uniform courtesy have done much to smooth a pathway which at its best cannot but be beset with many per- plexities.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
CHARLES G. REED, Mayor. AMOS ATKINSON, City Marshal. ALBERT P. MARBLE, Supt. of Schools. CHAS. B. PRATT, JAMES B. MUMAHON, ALZIRUS BROWN, DENIS C. LEONARD, J. LEWIS ELLSWORTH, OSCAR F. RAWSON,
Overseers of the Poor of the City of Worcester. NOVEMBER 30th, 1884.
REPORT
OF THE
COMMITTEE ON THE TRUANT SCHOOL.
To the Honorable City Council of the City of Worcester :
The undersigned submit the following report for the year end- ing November 30th, 1884.
The number sentenced to this school during the year is twenty- five, which is about thirty per cent. more than during the previous year ; but the average number in the school during the year has increased by a smaller per cent. A part of this increase is due to the larger number of pupils attending the schools of the city. The remaining increase results partly from the fact that several fugitives from this school have been re-sentenced for running away from it.
The object of the Truant School is to furnish a restraint, in the last resort, to those boys who prefer to run in the street rather than to go to school. Not one in fifty of those who are some- times tempted away from school, ever goes so far in his evil ways as to get into this place of confinement ; but if there were no such place where he may be restrained, all the other means which are so effective with this behind them, would be ineffective-the monitions of teachers, the warnings of the truant officers, the entreaties of parents, and the promise of being sent away for the next offence. In proof of this, frequent letters are every year received from towns in various parts of the State, asking
291
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
that this school may be used for such a purpose by them ; not that they expect to be obliged to send any pupils.
The law provides for County Truant Schools which those towns have failed to secure ; and our school having no room for out- siders, and it would not be wise to introduce them if there were room, we have steadily declined to admit such.
There is a pleasant theory, advanced by some famous educators, that school may be made so pleasant and delightful that no boy will wish to run away. But children will tire of even sweet- meats ; and when the bright little town of Quincy calls for the privilege of sending truants to Worcester, as happened a few years ago, less distinguished places need not blush for the shame of it.
The Truant School is not a prison. The pupils are confined only so much as is necessary to compel them to stay. So light has been the restraint that in a number of instances the pupils have run home; but instead of making the confinement too rigorous, it has been thought better to sentence these runaways for an additional term of two or three months. This has seemed to produce the desired effect ; and running away has become less attractive to the boys.
For a play-ground, a large yard has been securely fenced in the rear of the boys' rooms, where they can have plenty of exercise without any risk ; and they can easily be kept from any association with the paupers.
The expenses for the coming year will not be less than $2,000.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING NOVEMBER 30, 1884.
Number previously sentenced since the formation of the
school in 1863,
286
Number sentenced during the year,
25
Total, 311
Number belonging at the beginning of the year,
9
sentenced during the year,
25
Total number belonging during the year,
34
292
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
Number discharged by expiration of sentence, 66 " pardon,
18
1
66 eloped and not returned, 0
Whole number who have left during the year,
19
Number remaining Dec. 1, 1884,
15
Greatest number belonging at any one time during the year,
15
Least 66
66 66
8
Average 66 66 during the year, 10
Average age on admission,
11 years, 8 mos.
Cost of teaching,
$300 00
" board,
1,518 67
" " clothing, &c.,
102 00
Total expense for the year,
$1,920 67
Average cost per pupil,
$192 06
Appropriation,
$1,500 00
Overrun,
420 67
$1,920 67
Respectfully submitted.
A. P. MARBLE, Supt. Schools.
AMOS ATKINSON, City Marshal.
Committee on the Truant School.
CHAS. B. PRATT,
Ch. Com. on the City Farm.
Worcester, Nov. 30th, 1884.
CITY ORDINANCES.
CHAPTER XXX.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
SECTION 1. The overseers of the poor shall elect a clerk who shall not be one of their own number. He shall be sworn to the faithful performance of the duties of his office, and shall keep a fair and intelligible record of all the doings of the overseers of the poor, and of all facts relating to any aid or assistance granted or refused by said overseers, and, at the expiration of his term of office the record aforesaid shall be delivered to his successor in office, or to the city clerk for the use of the city. He shall be governed in the per- formance of his duties by such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by said overseers, or by any order or orders passed from time to time by the City Council.
SECTION 2. It shall be the duty of said clerk to keep an accurate account of all moneys received and expended by him, on account of the poor, and to make out and prepare for the overseers of the poor the annual returns and statistics required by law to be made to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
SECTION 3. Said overseers shall cause books to be kept, wherein shall be entered all information required by the general laws of this Commonwealth, in regard to such persons as shall have been aided; and also all further informa- tion in regard to every case of relief given, or refused, that may be of importance to the City of Worcester or to the Commonwealth to preserve, stating the amount and kind of aid given, and the reasons for giving such aid, or for refusing the same; such information to be so arranged as to be readily referred to upon the books.
SECTION 4. All books, records, reports, papers and property, belonging to said overseers may at any time be examined by the Board of Aldermen, or any person or committee which said Board of Aldermen or the City Council shall direct or appoint to inspect and examine the same.
SECTION 5. Said overseers shall meet on the first Friday evening of each month for the transaction of the general business of the board, and at such other times as they may from time to time order or direct at any regular meeting, or at any time when called to meet by order of the Mayor.
294
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
SECTION 6. During the month of December in each year said overseers shall submit to the City Council a full report of all their doings, receipts and expenditures for the year ending with the lastday of the November preceding, together with such information and suggestions as they shall deem it expe- dient to present to the City Council, or shall be requested to furnish by an order of the Board of Aldermen or City Council; and they shall, whenever requested by the Board of Aldermen or City Council, communicate such infor- mation as may be desired by either.
IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, FEBRUARY 11, 1884.
Received, accepted, and ordered placed on file.
Sent down for concurrence.
E. H. TOWNE, Clerk.
IN COMMON COUNCIL, FEBRUARY 11, 1884.
Concurred.
S. HAMILTON COE, Clerk.
REVISED CITY CHARTER
IN RELATION TO
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
SECTION 23. The Board of Overseers of the Poor in the City of Worcester, shall consist of nine members, residents of said city. The Mayor, Superin- tendent of Public Schools and the City Marshal shall be ex-officio members of the Board. The Mayor shall be ex-officio President of the Board. The City Council shall elect, by joint ballot, six persons to be members of said Board of Overseers, two to be elected in the month of December in each year, and to hold their offices for the term of three years from the third Monday of January then next ensuing, and until others shall be elected and qualified in their places. But no more than one of the six members, so to be elected, shall be eligible for any one ward of said city. Vacancies occurring in the Board may be filled by joint ballot of the City Council, at any time, the mem- ber so elected to hold office for only the unexpired term of the member who has ceased to hold office. The City Council shall also have power, at any time, for cause, to remove either of said overseers from office. The Board shall be organized, annually, on the third Monday of January.
Said overseers shall perform the duties of the Overseers of the Poor, of the Directors of the Almshouse, and of the Truant Commissioners in the City of Worcester, as required by the statutes of the Commonwealth, and subject to the ordinances of the City of Worcester, and there shall be elected no other officers for the performance of said duties in said city.
BY-LAWS
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER.
SECTION 1. The Mayor shall be Chairman, and as such shall exercise the rights and perform the duties of the presiding officer of the Board, governed by parliamentary law; and in his absence the Board shall appoint a chairman pro tem. For transaction of business, five members shall constitute a quorum.
SECT. 2. At the first meeting of the Board in January, when the new members take their seats, and before the transaction of any other business, they shall be qualified, according to law, by taking the oath of office, which shall be administered by the Chairman. The Board shall then choose a Clerk, as prescribed by the City Ordinance, who shall perform such duties as shall be prescribed by said City Ordinances and the rules of this Board : he shall keep a full and impartial record of all meetings of this Board, and full accounts of all expenditures of the department, and an intelligible record of all persons aided, either temporarily or permanently, recording all facts in connection with each case that may come to his knowledge by reasonable inquiry and investigation, and reporting all new cases at the next succeeding meeting.
SECT. 3. There shall be appointed at this first meeting of the Board by the Chair, four standing committees, of three members each ; one on finance, one on the farm, one on relief, and one on truant school.
SECT. 4. The Finance Committee shall examine all bills, and if found correct, shall audit the same.
SECT. 5. The Committee on the Farm shall have charge of the farm and the inmates of the institution. Under the direction of the Board they shall make, advise, or order all purchases and supplies for the same, and examine and approve all bills contracted therefor. They shall visit the institution monthly, and make to the Board at each monthly meeting a report of the condition of the same.
SECT. 6. The Committee on Relief shall direct no aid to be allowed, unless the case has been fully examined, and a proper record made of all the facts connected therewith. In cases of doubt [as to settlement] they shall examine with the Clerk all new applicants for relief, who, if found entitled thereto, shall then receive temporary aid. The Committee shall examine all bills for aid authorized by the clerk, and shall audit the same if found correct.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. 297
SECT. 7. The Committee on the School shall have control of all matters relating to the interests of the Truant School. They shall furnish the requisite books and apparatus; employ the teacher, and in cases of difficulty, decide questions of discipline.
SECT. 8. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held in the Aldermen's room on the first Friday of each month, and the Chairman may call special meetings whenever it may be necessary.
SECT. 9. These By-Laws may be altered or amended at any regular meet- ing of the Board, provided the alteration has been proposed at a previous regular meeting, and the subject laid over one month.
Adopted by unanimous vote of Board.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
February 8, 1867.
RULES RELATING TO MANAGEMENT OF THE ALMSHOUSE AND FARM.
A book shall be kept by the Superintendent, in which shall be recorded the date and character of all business transactions relating to, or in behalf of, the Institution.
A full record of the products of the Farm shall be kept in detail, and of all purchases and sales, whether made by the Superintendent or others.
Adopted by unanimous vote of the Board.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
WORCESTER, December 7, 1866.
,
RULES AND REGULATIONS
TO BE OBSERVED AT THE
ALMSHOUSE AND FARM,
IN THE CITY OF WORCESTER.
Ist. The whole establishment shall be under the general supervision of the Board of Overseers of the Poor.
2d. The immediate direction of the Institution shall be under the super- vision of a Superintendent and a Matron.
3d. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent and Matron to see that the inmates labor in such a way, and at such times, as they may direct, and that no one shall be permitted to lead an idle life.
4th. The Superintendent shall see that the industrious and deserving are rewarded, and the idle and dissolute are punished.
5th. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to make a monthly report to the Board of Overseers at their monthly meetings, of any information he may be possessed of relating to the interests of the Institution.
6th. No person shall be allowed to visit the Institution on the Sabbath, without a permit from some member of the Board of Overseers, or the Superintendent.
7th. No person shall be allowed to converse or have intercourse with any prisoner sent to the Institution by the Police, or any other Court, without permission of the Superintendent, or some member of the Board of Overseers.
8th. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to see that all sentences imposed upon persons sent by any Court, are strictly enforced.
9th. The Superintendent and Matron shall in no instance whatever, leave the Institution at the same time, without permission from some member of the Committee on the Farm, and not then until some suitable person shall be obtained by them to take charge of the Institution during their absence.
10th. The Superintendent is expressly directed to prohibit all persons from bringing or drinking Ardent Spirits upon the premises, without direction of the attending physician.
299
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
11th. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent and Matron to see that all the inmates of the Institution bathe as often as once a week, unless otherwise directed by the attending physician.
12th. No Pauper shall leave the Almshouse without permission from the Superintendent.
13th. The Superintendent is hereby directed to report to the Board of Overseers, any inmate who shall refuse to comply with the foregoing regula- tions relating to their discipline and government.
Adopted by unanimous vote of the Board.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
WORCESTER, February 8, 1867.
ADMISSION OF VISITORS.
" Friends of inmates of the Almshouse, will be allowed to visit them, on a permit from the Clerk of the Board, on Wednesday afternoons, for half an hour, once a month only, except in cases of sickness or special emergency ; and in all cases the Superintendent or Matron may exercise discretionary power as to admitting or excluding visitors even when furnished with a permit from the Clerk, if in. their judgment the said admission would prove injurious either to the inmate visited, or to the discipline of the establishment."
Adopted by unanimous vote of the Board.
GEORGE W. GALE, Clerk.
WORCESTER, November 22, 1883.
20
300
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39. BILL OF FARE AT CITY ALMSHOUSE.
SUNDAY. -
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread and fried pork or ham.
Dinner .- Baked beans and brown bread.
Supper .- Tea, sugar, milk, bread, butter and doughnuts, pie or ginger- bread.
MONDAY.
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread, and baked beans.
Dinner .- Soup and bread, or fresh meat and potatoes.
Supper .- Indian hasty pudding, or bread and milk.
TUESDAY.
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread and hashed meat.
Dinner .- Boiled beef with pork, vegetables and bread.
Supper .- Chocolate or tea, with sugar, milk and bread.
WEDNESDAY.
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread and fried pork or ham.
Dinner .- Fresh or salt fish, potatoes and bread.
Supper .- Bean porridge, or bread and butter.
THURSDAY.
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread and hashed fish.
Dinner .- Boiled beef and pork, with potatoes and bread.
Supper .- Chocolate or tea, with sugar, milk, and bread.
FRIDAY.
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread, hashed meat or fish.
Dinner .- Salt fish, potatoes and bread.
Supper. Chocolate or tea, with sugar, milk, bread and butter.
SATURDAY.
Breakfast .- Coffee, sugar, milk, bread and hashed fish. Dinner .- Soup and bread. Supper .- Bread and butter, tea, with sugar and milk.
At a regular meeting of the Board of Overseers of the Poor of the City of Worcester, held at the City Almshouse, January 12th, 1862, the above bill of fare was adopted by unanimous vote.
REGULATIONS
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
TRUANT SCHOOL
OF THE CITY OF WORCESTER.
SECTION I.
ARTICLE 1. The School shall be under the general direction of the Com- mittee on the Truant School, which shall be appointed by the Mayor, from the Board of Overseers of the Poor.
SECTION II.
ARTICLE 1. The Superintendent of the Almshouse shall keep a separate book of accounts for the Truant School, in which he shall credit all appropri- ations for its support, and all the labor of the boys at a price fixed by the Board of Overseers of the Poor, and he shall charge against the school all the expenses incurred for its support, including the cost of the clothing and the board of the boys, and the salary and board of the teacher.
ART. 2. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to aid the teacher to secure prompt attendance in the School, ready obedience, good deportment and faithfulness to study.
SECTION III.
ARTICLE 1. It shall be the duty of the teacher of the Truant School to keep a register of attendance, in which shall be noted the date, cause and length of, and authority for, every case of tardiness or absence from the school. The teacher shall also keep a faithful record of the deportment of each scholar, with the reason for, nature and extent of every punishment inflicted, either personally or by the Superintendent.
ART. 2. The teacher shall make a quarterly report of the above and other matters pertaining to the interests of the school, to the Board of Overseers of the Poor, at their meeting next succeeding the close of the quarter.
ART. 3. The teacher shall labor to inspire the pupils with self-respect, and to this end, shall insist on cleanliness of person; and shall strive to inculcate principles of morality and justice.
302
CITY DOCUMENT .- No. 39.
ART. 4. The teacher shall assemble them every Sunday forenoon, and spend an hour with them in the reading and study of the New Testament, but shall strictly abstain from all sectarian comment.
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