USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1891-1900 > Part 33
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C. W. Hastings, supplies for Peter Voudrien 1.50
J. W. Hastings, medical aid for Peter Voudrien 3.75- $12.75
47
Almshouse.
Inmates, William R. Dewey. 52 weeks
Ellen McDonnell. 52 weeks
William Deslories 47 weeks
John Burns.
33 weeks
Bridget Donahue. roz weeks
M. B. Parks, salary as Master $275.00
M. B. Parks, supplies. . II.39
E. A. Kellogg & Sons, supplies 87.23
182.43
Alfred Bruffee, supplies 91.83 .
J. W. Hamilton, meat.
H. J. Cordes, wood .
2.00
Taylor Bros., wood .
4.00
Haynes & Co., clothing.
2.10
G. E. Howe, potatoes.
6.40
F. M. Loomis, fertilizer
22.65
B. L. Bragg Co,, supplies
1.50
R. W. Rice, coal.
22 73
C. D. Farnsworth, coal.
37.05
C. W. Twist, blacksmithing
5.75
E. M. Pomeroy, supplies 1.50- $753.56
Total for care of poor
2,273.89
Less receipts and amount to be reimbursed . 2,117.28
Appropriation 2,300.00
R. MATHER TAYLOR, HENRY E. BODURTHA, JOHN H. REED,
Overseers of Poor.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Highway and Bridge Department.
Miscellaneous.
C. C. Lewis & Co., scraper blade $3.77
H. Foot & Co., supplies .. 13.41
City of Springfield, repairs on S. E. Bridge 6.34
$23.52
Agawam.
S. F. Sikes, tile. $4.00
William Cook, labor
29.35
Joseph Work, labor
14.10.
Julia Flower, gravel.
1.28
George Covill, labor
30.40.
P. O'Riley, labor.
49.30
Thomas Sullivan, labor.
13.65
Patrick Flynn, labor .
9.15
Richard Wilson, labor . 7.50
James Greene, labor .
22.25
John Greene, labor
14.63
William J. Edgar, labor 14.IO
F. H. King, lumber 31.02
H. W. Cook, labor . 16.65
50
A. S. King, posts. $9.00
E. L. Thompson, labor 10.68
John Fitzgerald, labor. 9.15
John M. Sullivan, labor 13.65
John Buckley, labor 10.65
M. Fitzgerald, labor 13.60
W. C. Campbell, surveyor. 84.50
James G. Bigelow, labor . 18 40
C. L. Campbell, labor and gravel 11.00
John Oldroyd, labor. 27 75
L. H. Nason, labor.
20.60
S. S. Bodurtha, railing
4.30
C. P. Wilson, labor .
3.85
Peter Campbell, labor. 1.00
John Dean, labor 4 50
J. R. Bodurtha, labor 6.75
E. J. Bitgood, labor.
4.50
William Worthington, labor
14.25
John Ahl, labor.
15.08
H. Stockwell, railing and gravel
6.28
W. H. Porter, labor. 28.00
Monroe Hayward, labor.
32.40
F. A. F. Adams, gravel . 6.88
Thomas Riley, labor . . 15.60
H. C. Puffer & Co , cement
2 60
George Naughton, labor
1.65
G. H. Reed, labor. 4.00
J. G. Burt, labor . 13.80
H. C. Earle, painting sign
2 50
F. P. Covill, labor .
17.25
A. J. Todd, labor.
3.00
C. W. Hastings, supplies 6.68
M. L. Ahl, labor and sand. I 2.60
L. R. Button, labor and gravel 26.40
Ignacy Statkonn, labor. 1.50
WV. A. Brown, setting stones 5.75
L. S. Wood, pipe. 17.39
5I
James Mumford, labor. $1.50
Joseph King, repairing tools. .35
Gustave Brandt, sand. 10.50
S. N. Bennett, labor 4.50
O. A. Cushman, labor 11.00
WV. B. Rice, labor. 8.00
A. E. Worthington, labor 11.83
H L. Cooper, labor. 6.60
T. A. Fitzgerald, labor .75
C. R. Miller, labor 1.20
J. M. Ely, labor. 2.25
C. W. Hull Jr., labor 7.30
Sumner Schwartz, labor 1.50
$812.15
Feeding Hills.
D. L. White, surveyor, $179.59
E. M. Wright, labor,. . 85.45
E L. Johnson, labor and lumber, 8.87
W. H. White, labor, .
17.63
John Sullivan, gravel, . .
2.00
John McCarthy, labor,.
7.28
James McCarthy, labor, .
8.10
Theodore A. Brown, labor,
18.07
Peter Vodrine, labor, .
2.70
John A. Warner, labor,.
19.40
E. A. Belden, labor, 11.40
A. Boulley, labor, 4.50
Henry Smith, labor,.
5.25
F. A. Scott, labor, . 4.50
E. A. Kellogg, labor and supplies, 18.80
John Miner, labor,. 8.02
Francis O'Brien, labor, .
20.33
John C. Healey, labor,. 16.28
W. E. Cooley, labor, . 14.78
52
D. W. Corwin, labor, .. $25.40
H. F. Flower, labor and gravel, 34.16
Alonzo St. John, labor,. 3 00
G. I .. White, labor, . 12.85
A. J. Slater, repairs on tools, 2.95
L. S. Wood, pipe, 26.00
J. F. Barry, lumber, 14.36
John Glenn, labor,. 4.00
Taylor Bros., labor, .
16.08
Charles Fish, labor, .
1.05
James Kerr, labor, . . 5.15
Dexter Steere, labor, . 1.10
E. E. McIntire, labor, 1.40
J. J. Carroll, labor, 4.40
$604 85.
Mittineague.
E. M. Wright, labor, $8.00
D. L. White, labor, . 22 40
John Buckley, labor, 9.00
Thomas Sullivan, labor, . 2.25
Cornelius Donovan, labor, . 29 40
H. P. Worden, labor and gravel, 71.70
Michael Fitzgerald, labor, . 4.50
D. J. Collins, surveyor, 78.00
Daniel Murphy, labor, .
32.40
James Collins, labor, . 68.78
Patrick Murphy, labor, 43 35
G. D. Cooley, labor, . 101.20
T. J. O'Brien, labor,.
22.40
Patrick Crowley, labor,
24.00
M. A. Maynard, pipe, 10.86
J. F. Buckley, labor, . 6.00
John O'Connell, labor, 5.25
J. Birnie, labor, .75
53
Cyril Perusse, labor, $6.90
N. Addisoni, labor,. . 4.00
Dennis Crowley, labor, 6.00
J. S. Noble, cement, 1.30
J. M. Sullivan, labor, . 6.00
Hampden Brick Works, brick 2.25
L. S. Wood, pipe, 18.42
H. W. Austin, sand, 1.80
J. King, repairs on tools, . 1.75
H. F. Davitt, grates, 5.40
A. Roberts, Plank, 2.00
John O'Brien, labor, 2.25
F. L. Dugan, labor, .75
John Leary, labor, . 3.00
M. Cockery, labor,. 1.50
$603.56
Total,
$2,044.08
Appropriation, 2,000.00
Special Work.
Agawam.
W. C. Campbell, surveyor $26.50
R. J. Smith, labor, ..... 8.00
F. E. Campbell, labor and stone, 15.15
G. H. Reed, labor, . .
4.00
A. J. Todd, labor,.
30.80
M. Ahl, labor, . . 10.60
H. W. Austin, labor, . 5.85
54
C. W. Hull, labor,. $17.90
S. N. Bennett, labor,. 16.40
W. B. Rice, labor, . . 22.00
W. H. Harmon, labor, 10.00
F. P. Covill, labor,. 4.50
Sackett Bros., mason work,.
9.40
H. T. Davitt, grates, 3.40
H. P. Worden, gravel and labor, 40.77
M. A. Maynard, pipe, 40.25
F. A. Le Count, sand, 7.20
$272.72
Balance of appropriation 1898,. 579.21
Agawam Bridge.
Pittsburg Bridge Co., on contract,. $3,472.32
Pittsburg Bridge Co., repairing wing wall, 70.00
John O'Connell, services as watchman, 268.50
$3,810.82
Appropriation for special highway, .. $1,500.00
Appropriation for repairs on wing wall,. . 100.00
Borrowed on demand note,. . 1,000.00
$2,600.00
55
Town Officers.
Scott Adams, moderator,
$5.00
J. G. Freeland, auditor, 5.00
F. A. Sykes, auditor, 5 00
E. E. McIntire, election officer, 5 00
B. H. Whitman, election officer, 2.50
J. F. Barry, election officer,
2.50
A. E. Worthington, election officer,
2.50
J. R. Bodurtha, election officer, 2.50
Ralph Perry, election officer,
2.50
J. G. Freeland, election officer, 2.50
G. H. Reed, election officer, £
2.50
F. L. Johnson, election officer, 2.50
J. B. Warren, election officer, . 2.50
Edward Gosselin, election officer,
2.50
D. J. Collins, election officer, .
2.50
Daniel Murphy, election officer,
2.50
Woodman Pillsbury, election officer,
2.50
John O'Connell, election officer,
2 50
C. A. Devenew, election officer, 2.50
William Savin, election officer, . 2.50
G. D. Fisk, registrar, 10.00
H. A. Huntington, registrar,
10.00
Scott Adams, registrar, 10.00
P. T. Donovan, registrar,
10.00
E. A. Kellogg, registrar,
20.00
J. M. Bean, police officer,
290.00
W. C. Campbell, constable,
4.00
R. O. Harper, school committee,
35.00
Edwin Leonard, school committee,
10.25
W. H. Granger, school committee, 30.00
C. P. Davis, school committee,
52.00
M. Hayward, constable,
2.00
J. W. Hastings, registrar,
25.00
56
J. W. Hastings, clerk and treasurer, $175.00
H. E. Bodurtha, selectman, etc., 164.35
R. M. Taylor, selectman, etc., . 142.85
J. H. Reed, selectman, etc., .
159 35
$1,209.80
Contingent.
Griffith, Axtell & Cady Co., printing, $86.30
Hubbard & Tabor Co., printing, 9.75
Springfield Printing and Binding Co., printing, 25.75
Colby Manufacturing Co., printing,
2.60
Edwin Leonard, inspector of animals, .
48.36
Elijah D. Allen, slaughter house inspector,
78.00
R. H. Smith Co., seal and stamp,
8.50
C. E. Society, suppers for tellers,
2.00
A. K. Fuller, dinners for election officers,
1.75
H. E. Bodurtha, filing highway petition,
3.00
WV. B. Rice, team,
1.00
W. F. Cook, teams, 7.50
R. M. Taylor, expenses, 9.00
E. M. Hitchcock, fire warden, .
2.55
W. J. Warriner, fire warden, 3.50
W. A. Brown, engineering, 5.00
H. R. Johnson, assessors' books, 12.20
John Glenn, mowing cemetery lot, 1.00
R. S. Robeson, repairing ballot boxes, .
9.00
J. V. Wolcott, crating ballot boxes, I 50
7.50
H. E. Bodurtha, copying valuation book,
Jennie S. Wright, copying, 2.00
J. M. Bean, lockup fees, 4.00
E. E. McIntire, police court fees, ·
3.84
57
E. E. McIntire, serving dog warrant, $5.50
H. W. Bullock, police court fees, 18.22
Carter Ink Co., ink, 1.25
H. E. Bodurtha, expenses, 5.40
Henry Shaw, copy settlement laws, 2.00
T. B. Hatheway, damages, 15.00
John Reilly, repairs on river bank, 21.00
J. H. Clark, repairs on river bank,
9.50
W. C. Campbell, repairs on river bank, 10.50
C. L. Goodhue, water rent, 50.00
E. A. Kellogg, water rent, 50.00
W. C. Campbell, police court fees, 3.38 .
E. D. Allen, police court fees, . 3.07
J. G. Freeland, justice fees, 3.00
C. W. Hastings, supplies and express, 14.64
J. W. Hastings, postage and express, 7.69
J. H. Reed, expenses Board of Health, 3.80
A. K. Fuller, services on highway location, 10.00
H. E. Bodurtha, stove, 2.00
C. W. Hastings, insurance, 210.00
D. A. Toomey, return of deaths,
3.75
N. L. Byron, return of deaths, .
3.50
Dr. H. A. Downey, return of births,
3.75
Dr. C. J. Downey, return of births, 2.50
Dr J. W. Hastings, return of births, 4.75
J. W. Hastings, recording births, marriages and deaths, 56.40
$856.20
Appropriation, . $800.00
58
Memorial Day.
E. L. Covill, cash paid, $17.50
A. P. Loomis, cash paid, 17.50
$35.00
Appropriation, .
35.00.
State and Military Aid.
William Hitchcock, Chap. 374, Acts of 1899, .
$48.00
Marcia Stevens,
374,
66 1899, 48.00
Mary E. Howes, 66 374, 66 1899, 48.00
Hubert P. Osborne, 66 374, 66
1899:
48.00.
David Woodworth, 372, 66 1899, 1890,
144.00
Emma C. Brown, 66 447,
45.00
W. C. Button,
66 447, " 1890, . 52.00
$433.00
Appropriation, . 300.00.
59
Water Supply.
Oliver & Howland Co., labor and material, $113.56
E. K. Bodurtha, labor and material, 4.60
W. C. Campbell, labor, 6.00
E. J. Bitgood, labor, 6.00
L. A. Barden, labor, .
1.50
Standard Brick Co., brick, 5.24
$136.90
Appropriation, .
75.00
Sidewalks.
D. J. Collins, labor, $5.00
D. L. White, labor,
8.00
Michael Fitzgerald, labor,
4.50
Cornelius Crowley, labor, .
1.50.
G. D. Cooley, labor and gravel, 29.40
H. P. Worden, labor and gravel,
16.00
Patrick Murphy, labor,
3.00
John Buckley, labor,
4.50
John Leary, labor,
1.50
John Fitzgerald, labor, .
.75
Milton Phillips, labor, .
8.00.
Daniel Murphy, labor, .
6.00
James Collins, labor,
3.00
E. M. Wright, labor,
8.00
$99.15
Appropriation, .
100.00.
60
Street Lights.
Michael Moran, lighting,
$30.00
Edgar Daniels, lighting,
9 00
Patrick Murphy, lighting,
28.00
G. D. Cooley, lighting,
14.00
Jerry Fitzgerald, lighting,
6.00
Patrick Murphy, repairs on lamps,
5.00
Patrick Flynn, repairs on lamps,
1.00
J.B. Warren, lamps and posts,
40.50
H. Letellier, supplies, .
13.71
C. E. Smith, supplies, .
21.10
E. A. Kellogg & Sons, .
4.73
P. W. Hastings, lighting, .
8.51
$181.55
Appropriation, .
125 00
Care of Town Halls.
W. C. Campbell, janitor,
$38.25
F. A. Scott, janitor, .
38.30
C. W. Hastings, supplies,
5.83
E. A. Kellogg & Sons, supplies,
4.12
Alfred Bruffee, supplies,
4 35
$90.85
Appropriation . .
50.00
Received from rent of Halls,
58.75
$108.75
61
Repairs.
George W. Taylor, keys,
$ .75
G. E. Coville, labor,
.
2.50
W. B. Rice, labor, .
.
4.00
F. E. Campbell, labor,
4 00
Bodurtha & Hitchcock, labor and lumber,
33.18
E. M. Wright, labor,
3.00
John C. Healey, labor, .
1.50
Springfield Lumber Co.,
·
28.39
James Greene, labor, .
7.98
J. V. Wolcott, labor and material,
6.25
Ethan D. Allan, labor,
16.50
H. C. Earle, painting, .
3.00
Taylor Bros., posts,
2.25
T. M. Walker, glass,
.60
H. Foot & Co., locks, .
.60
Jewett Wright, labor,
3.10
Geo. E. Arnold, painting,
5.40
W. C. Campbell, labor,
2.90
Whitcomb Stove Co., stove and repairs,
40.72
E. A Kellogg & Sons, supplies,
2.98
$169.60
Appropriation,
200.00
62
Interest.
Spencer Savings Bank, .
$200.00
Chicopee Savings Bank, 200.00
Plymouth Savings Bank, ·
. 200.00 Leicester Savings Bank,
400.00
Springfield Institution for Savings, 5 10.88
Desire A. Pyne,
I20.00
$1,630.88
Appropriation,
.
.
1,600.00
Town Debt.
W. H. Granger, treas. Sinking Fund Commissioners, . $1,000.00 Springfield Institution for Savings, 800.00
Appropriation,
1,000.00
Liabilities of the Town.
One note D. A. Pyne, on demand, 6 per cent, . . $2,000.00 Five notes payable at National Bank of the Common- wealth, June 1, 1914, 4 per cent, 25,000.00 One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1900, 4 per cent, . 1,000.00
One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1901, 4 per cent, . .
1,000.00
.
$1,800.00
63
One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1902, 4 per cent, . $1,000.00 One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1903, 4 per cent, . 1,000.00 One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1904, 4 per cent, . 1,000.00
One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1905, 4 per cent, . ·
5,000.00
One note of Springfield Institution for Savings, payable June 1, 1909, 4 per cent, . 1,000.00
$38,000.00
Available Assets, March 9, 1900.
Cash in Treasury, $971.65
Due from M. Hayward, collector, 1898, 200.63
M. Hayward, collector, 1899, ·
1,056.26
D. W. Corwin, collector, 1898,
330.18
D. W. Corwin, collector, 1899,
1,428.69
F. L. Dugan, collector, 1898,
76.28
F. L. Dugan, collector, 1899,
787.68
State, care of poor, 12.75
State, state aid, 330.00
Sewer assessments,
411.00
Cornelius Crowley, on note,
800.00
Sinking Fund,
6,034.10
$12,439.22
Excess of liabilities over assets, . 25,560.78
HENRY E. BODURTHA, R. MATHER TAYLOR, JOHN H. REED,
Selectmen.
Agawam, March 9, 1900.
64
Report of Sinking Fund Commissioners.
Amount deposited in Springfield Institution for Savings, $1,044 08. Amount deposited in Springfield Five Cents Savings Bank, 975.08
Amount deposited in Pynchon National Bank, 4.014.94
$6,034.10
WM. H. GRANGER, Treasurer.
Whiting Street Fund.
Balance on hand March 13, 1899,
$257.00
Income from the fund, 210.00 .
$467.00
Eight persons have been aided from this fund to the amount of
155.00
Balance on hand, March 12, 1900, $312.00 ·
We have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and Trustees and find them correct with proper vouchers.
FRED A. WORTHINGTON, JOHN G. FREELAND, Auditors.
Agawam, March 13, 1900.
65
Mary A. Phelon School Fund.
JUDSON W. HASTINGS, Trustee.
DR.
To amount of legacy, . . $4,017.21
To amount of income unexpended March 10, 1899, 121.IO
To amount received from interest, ·
176.19
$4,314.50
CR.
By amount paid for books and expressage, $42.59
By amount of legacy,
.
4,017.21
By amount of unexpended income,
254.70.
$4,314.50.
We have examined the accounts of Trustee and find them. correct with proper vouchers.
FRED A. WORTHINGTON, JOHN G. FREELAND,
Auditors ..
Agawam, March 13, 1900.
66
Report of Library Trustees.
The number of borrowers from the Feeding Hills Library has, without apparent reason, fallen below that of last year. At Agawam it has increased encouragingly but is still unsatisfactory.
The library is not appreciated nor patronized by the people of the town as it ought to be. Especially, should the parents and guardians of the children make themselves acquainted with the books, so that they can intelligently direct their children's reading. With the aid of so many historical stories, as are being added to the library, it seems as if the parents by intelligent suggestion might form in their children a love for books in history, biography, and travel-in these books our library is wanting. The reason is, there is no demand for them.
We would again call the attention to the crowded condition of the room at Agawam, hoping some fertile brain may evolve a way of relief.
The Trustees will gladly receive facts relating to the early his- tory of this town, and strongly urge those having such data to make them known to them that they may be put on record for the use of somne future historian and those interested in the history of the town.
Amount Expended.
H. R. Johnson, books,
$138.35
Mrs. C. S. Hayward, books,
.
11.00
Forbes & Wallace, books,
15.64
S. Newell Smith, librarian,
25.00
Emma F. Pyne, librarian,
25.00
Julia E. Tower, librarian,
25.00
$239.99
67
Money Available.
Amount in treasury,
$166.19
Amount, dog fund, .
283.69
Amount, Phelon fund, .
20.20
Appropriation, . .
.
75.00
$545.08
Amount in treasury March 9, 1900,
305.09
Books.
Number in Agawam, .
844
Number in Feeding Hills,
I,IOI
Number in Mittineague,
.
443
Worn out,
9
Borrowers.
Agawam,
201
Feeding Hills,.
.
I35
Mittineague,
.
.
85
Circulation.
Agawam,
2,464
Feeding Hills, .
1,747
Mittineague, ·
468
Librarians.
Agawam,
Feeding Hills, .
Mittineague,
Emma F. Pyne S. Newell Smith Julia E. Tower
Respectfully submitted,
S. NEWELL SMITH, HENRY L. TOWER, RALPH PERRY,
Trustees.
SCHOOL REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Voters of the Town of Agawam :-
The School Committee herewith submit their annual report.
The financial statement elsewhere printed will show the expenditures for the year, and the Superintendent's report gives the details of school attendance, enrollment, etc.
Vacancy.
Mr. Robert O. Harper, of Mittineague, a member of this com- mittee, removed from town during the latter part of the school year. His term had so nearly expired that no steps were taken to fill the vacancy ; hence your committee consists of but two members. The Mittineague schools have not been neglected, however, but have been an object of especial care, and we believe they have suffered no deterioration.
Needed Improvements.
It is probable that the expenditures for the coming school year will necessarily be greater than for the year just past. When the new building at Mittineague was erected, motives of economy led the town to vote in favor of using the furniture taken from the old building. This was a temporary expedient, adopted because the cost of the building fell very heavily upon the taxpayers that year. This old furniture has been used ever since. One room has never been furnished, and has remained unused. The increase in the number of pupils in this part of the town makes it probable that this room will have to be occupied next fall, and if occupied, of
.
72
course it must be furnished. This will also necessitate the employ- ment of another teacher, and some increase in the expenditure for fuel, books and supplies, amounting in all to at least $400. In other parts of the town, also, the discarding of the old double desks in the interest of health, morals and discipline is a needed work of im- provement. Your committee earnestly desire that sufficient funds may be appropriated to refurnish at least one or two rooms each year until the work is finished.
Nearly all the schools need to be thoroughly cleaned and bright- ened by painting, varnishing and kalsomining. This is especially true of the Feeding Hills schools. Cheerful schoolrooms help to make cheerful teachers and pupils.
The out-buildings at the Centre schools are inconvenient and un- sanitary, and the girls' building is not properly separated from the boys'. The needed changes here are liable at any time to be peremptorily ordered by the state authorities, and we hope the town will provide for them without such order. Great improvement in this respect has been made at the South school.
Water.
An abundant supply of pure water at each school is a necessity. The town adopted our recommendation of last year, and put the Goodhue water in the South school and in all the Centre schools. A well was driven at the West Street school, and good water ob- tained. The town certainly made no mistake in doing this good work. But the need of a water supply is quite as urgent at the Mittineague schools. At present about 175 children have no other supply than is furnished by one small pump located in the building. The water is insufficient in quantity, unpleasant in taste, and possi- bly injurious to health. We understand that arrangements can be made on favorable terms to put running water in the building and we recommend that the town take action in the matter.
Transportation.
In accordance with the vote at the last town meeting, your com- mittee began this year the interesting experiment of transporting
73
some of the pupils living remote from school. Mild weather in the early winter enabled us to defer the experiment until about January Ist, at some saving of money. The cost, as shown by the financial report, has been less than was anticipated. In Agawam, the experiment, we think, has been entirely successful. The children have been transported in a closely-covered wagon, well protected from wind and storm. The wagon, a second-hand one, was pur- chased at a cost of $40, and necessary repairs brought the cost to about $65. From 30 to 35 children are taken to and from school in this wagon, at a cost of less than five cents per day for each child, or something over two cents each way. The children heartily enjoy the ride, even in the coldest weather, and there has been a marked improvement in their attendance. For the success of the trans- portation experiment much depends upon having the right kind of vehicle. If the town is to adopt transportation as a permanent policy, we think it will pay to purchase more wagons of the right kind, for there are none available in town. Our wagon, with its gradually increasing load of merry children, follows the River road from the south end to the bridge, thence westerly to the main road, thence southerly to the school buildings. In the afternoon it follows the same route reversed, leaving the school soon after 4 p. m., making a total daily travel of not far from 15 miles. If the voters see fit to continue the experiment, we think the people of other remote parts of the town should have equal accommodation. At Feeding Hills the problem has been more difficult, owing to the great distances and scattered population, and the cost has been higher, both absolutely and relatively to the number of pupils ·carried.
New Heaters.
The old stoves at the West Street school, Feeding Hills, the West Street school, Agawam, and the Centre primary school, were found to be worn out and unable to heat the rooms. Your Committee purchased three large modern heaters at a total cost exceeding $100. These have proved to be successful, and the rooms are now com- fortable in cold weather.
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Superintendent.
The Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Herbert E. Richardson, has resigned his position, the resignation taking effect April Ist At the time of writing this report, his successor has not been chosen.
Attendance.
Unusual prevalence of epidemic disease has injuriously affected school attendance. In some schools more than half the children were absent at one time with measles or other disease. Aside from this unavoidable absence there was a welcome improvement in attendance, owing partly to the mild winter, partly to free trans- portation, and partly to the workings of the law of 1898. Yet much room remains for improvement. In many cases parents allow children to remain at home on trivial pretexts. We earnestly ask parents to co-operate with us in securing full attendance, that we may not be compelled to enforce the law in what might seem a harsh and. arbitrary manner. Those who permit children to be absent unlawfully from school more than five days in any period of six months are liable to a fine of $20, and any person who employs a child of school age at any kind of work while the public schools. are in session is liable to a fine of $50 for each offence.
Appropriations.
We recommend the following appropriations :
For schools, superintendent and supplies, .
$6,500.00
For high school tuition, 1,000.00
In addition to the above there should be an appropriation for transportation, if the town desires to continue the experiment. And we trust that the articles in the town warrant providing for better outbuildings at the Centre, a water supply at Mittineague, and new furniture where needed, will receive favorable action.
CHARLES P. DAVIS, W. H. GRANGER,
School Committee ..
Financial Statement of Schools.
High School Tuition.
Town of West Springfield,
·
$886.00
Appropriation, · 1,000.00
Superintendent and Supplies.
H. E. Richardson, Superintendent, $630.00
H. E. Richardson, express and postage, ·
8.13
Educational Publishing Co., supplies, 42.02
J. & I. E. Moore, ink, . 8.51
J. L. Hammett Co., supplies, . I32.49
Urania G. Burrows, teaching music, 216.66
American Book Co., books,
16.16
D. C. Heath & Co., supplies, .
4.50
Thompson, Brown & Co., supplies,
9.96
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., supplies,
13.60
Sterrie A. Weaver, supplies and music talk,
8.25
Ginn & Co., supplies, . 28.83
Lothrop Publishing Co., supplies,
2.40
The Hanson Press,
.70
City Library Association, use of library,
5.00
Cyrus W. Atwood, printing,
8.65
Boston & Albany R. R., freight,
3.64
$1,139.50
Agawam Schools.
Amy W. Dinzey, teaching I week,
$8.00
Amy W. Dinzey, care of room, .50
Martena A. Stupplebeen, teaching 12 weeks,
96.00
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Annie R. Hunter, teaching 24 weeks, . $216.00 Ernest A. Maynard, teaching 12 weeks, 141.60
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