USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Agawam > Town of Agawam, Massachusetts annual report 1891-1900 > Part 6
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7 47
J. V. Wolcott, repairs, 7 60
W. H. Brooks, repairs,
II 20
E. L. Shea, repairs,
3 00
Springfield Lumber Co., lumber,
42 74
48
Whitcomb Stove Co., tin, $2 62
Quimby & Co., lanterns, 10 00
F. E. Clark, repairs, locks, &c., 2 50
F. A. Johnson, Jr., drawing lumber,
I 50
Seth Ingel, repairs, 44 86
Geo. E. Arnold, painting,
32 20
Appropriation,
$177 19 250 00
CONTINGENT.
James F. Barry, services as selectman, $138 25
66 66 assessor, 24 50
Edwin Leonard, 2d, 66 selectman, 102 50
66
assessor, 24 50
Alson W. Allen, 66 selectman, 76 25
66
66
assessor,
25 00
James M. Bean, 66 police officer, 300 00
Dr. Judson W. Hastings, services as town clerk and treasurer, 175 00
Dr. Judson W. Hastings, printing, postage, express, &c., 20 30
F. K. Williams & Co., printing, 76 10
Jas. D. Gill, assessors' and collectors' books, II 75
Springfield Lumber Co., voting stand, 19 00
James W. Moore, moderator, 10 00
J. W. Hastings, copying voters' lists for town committees, 2 50
The B. A. Edgar Co., handcuffs,
8 00
Monroe Hayward, services as police officer, 22 00
Jas. H. Clark,
66
30 00
Chas. A. Bell, 66
66
3 00
Jacob Diegel,
46 34
Elmer E. McIntire, 66
66
2 00
Jas. J. Carroll,
66
2 00
W. C. Campbell,
20 50
A. W. Allen, copying valuation book, 10 00
J. W. Hastings, “
10 00
49
Henry Annable, services as school committee, 20 00
E. L. Thompson, “
72 50
Wm. L. Meacham, “ 66 60 00
Chas. L. Goodhue, water rent, 50 00
J. V. Wolcott, repairing ballot box, 2 00
66 services as registrar of voters, 20 00
R. M. Taylor, 66 60 66 10 00
G. H. Huntington, “ 66
20 00
E. A. Kellogg, 66 66 66 10 00
J. W. Hastings,
66
26 25
Elmer E. McIntire, as inspector of elec- tions, 2 50
A. K. Fuller, as inspector of elections, 2 50
J. H. Clark, as deputy inspector of elec- tions, 2 50
L. A. Barden, as deputy inspector of elections, 2
50
E. A. Kellogg, as ballot clerk, 2 50
H. E. Bodurtha, as ballot clerk, 2 50
Dr. U. H. Flagg, return of births,
5 00
Dr. A. J. Réopelle, “
2 25
Dr. J. W. Hastings, “ 4 00
J. W. Moore, sealer of weights and measures, 5 00
J. W. Hastings, recording, indexing and returning births, marriages and deaths to Secretary of State,
C. W. Hastings, paper, pencils, ink, 39 40
2 73
C. C. Spellman, legal services, 31 50
A. K. Fuller, fees, Justice of the Peace, 2 50
A. K. Fuller, meals for town officers, 6 45
A. W. Allen, meals for tellers, spring election, 2 50
F. A. Sykes, services as auditor, 2 50
F. L. Johnson, “ 2 50
D. A. Toomey, return of deaths, 2 75
Springfield Printing and Binding Co., printing ballots, 14 75
50
Secretary of Commonwealth, for Register of Voters, I 75
Appropriation,
1,590 82 1,400 00
INTEREST.
Springfield Institution for Savings, 1,618 33
Mrs. Desire A. Pyne, 120 00
Appropriation,
1,738 33 1,800 00
TOWN DEBT.
Springfield Institution for Savings, 600 00 Appropriation, 1,500 00
LIABILITIES.
Springfield Institution for Savings,
310 per cent loan with interest to April I, 10,120.00
Springfield Institution for Savings,
4 per cent loan with interest to April I, 29,394 65
Desire A. Pyne, 6 per cent loan with interest to April 1, 2,009 50
41,524 15
ASSETS.
Due from J. F. Barry, collector for 1888, 14 28
Due from P. T. Donovan, collector for 1889, 45 08
Due from F. J. Pomeroy, collector for 1890, 5 57
Due from F. J. Pomeroy, collector for 1891, 65 42
51
Due from Leon Dubour, collector for 1890, 135 64
Due from Ethan D. Allen, collector for 1891, 5 00
Due from Ethan D. Allen, collector for 1892,
196 34
Due from Amos Gosselin, collector for 1891, 104 78
Due from Amos Gosselin, collector for 1892, 598 67
Due from Edwin Moore, collector for 1892, 954 32
Due from W. Springfield, bridge ac- count,
25 27
Due from State, for State aid,
24 00
Value of town farm, stock and sup- plies,
2,100 00
Value of road machine and tools, 375 00
Cash in treasury, 698 76
Liabilities over Assets,
5,348 13 36,176 02
JAMES F. BARRY, Selectmen, Assessors, E. LEONARD, 2nd, and
ALSON W. ALLEN, Overseers of Poor.
ESTIMATED ACCOUNTS.
Recommended for the several depart-
ments for the ensuing year.
Schools,
5,000 00
Highways and bridges,
2,500 00
Support of poor,
1,800 00
Contingent,
1,500 00
State aid,
100 00
Interest,
1,800 00
Collectors of taxes,
300 00
Discount, 600 00
52
Town debt, 1,500 00
Town Hall accounts, 150 00
Memorial Day,
35 00
Safe for town clerk,
400 00
Repairs of town buildings,
300 00
South End Bridge,
2,000 00
17,985 00
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
Whole number of books in library,
March 21, 1892, 700
Added by gift from Mrs. Anna Cabot Lodge, 12
Added by gift from Miss E. P. Sohier and others, 23
Added by gift from Frank L. Johnson,
2
Added by gift from John C. Crosby, M. C., I
Added by gift from Francis Norton,
14
Added by purchase,
228
Whole number in library, March 21,
1893,
980
Number of book borrowers :
Agawam,
138
Feeding Hills,
120
Mittineague,
50
308
Circulation :
Agawam,
1868
Feeding Hills,
III7
Mittineague,
318
3303
The Library is open at Agawam and Feeding Hills, on Fri- days from 3 to 5 p. m .; at Mittineague, every second Monday afternoon and evening.
WM. H. PORTER, Library JUDSON W. HASTINGS, S Trustees.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
To the Board of Selectmen and the Tax Payers of Agawam :-
Under these lines you will find as true account of the way your money has been expended as I am able to give you. Before rendering this account I would like to call your atten- tion to the time of the year that this work was given me to do. Being late in the season it was hard to get help, so that the work had been left until late, which was a detriment to the roads and those who had to use them.
I have expended upon the roads while I have had charge of them for general repairs a little over two thousand dollars.
On the river road I spent two hundred and fifty dollars in drawing gravel, fifty more in general repairs and the rest of the eight hundred spent in Agawam was used in drawing gravel upon the main roads and in caring for them in a gen- eral way.
The river road in Mittineague was graveled nearly all the way, sidewalks were straightened and raised, ditches were cleaned out and a railing was put up leading from the bridge towards the school house. About $200.00 was used on the road leading from Feeding Hills to Springfield in cutting down a hill, making the road and bridge wider and drawing gravel, making in all for Mittineague distributed, about five hundred and seventy-five dollars.
A hill was cut down on"the north cross road at Feeding Hills and the gravel was drawn on the two streets, Front and West streets. In doing so a double object was accomplished, in lowing the road and getting the gravel free. Nearly $200.00 was used on the West Suffield road in cutting down, making road wider and drawing gravel on the same. Bridges
.
.
54
have been cared for and the roads worked to the amount of seven hundred dollars.
Over 2500 loads of gravel have been drawn on to the roads for which the town has paid one hundred and fifty dollars and four cents. Quite a large part drawn in Feeding Hills was taken from the road.
Two bridges will have to be built as soon as possible, one in Feeding Hills, West street, and one on the Suffield road near the line below Hubbard's corner.
The railing all over town is very poor and must be attended to. We have come very near having two accidents this winter which might havd cost the town a good round sum. I would suggest to the voters and urge them to make a special appropriation for this purpose.
Two thousand dollars will have to be raised to pay our part of planking the south end bridge.
There was some fault found because the roads were not kept in better shape during the storms. We started in at first to try and keep them clear but found it impossible. As soon as there was a prospect of better weather the work was pushed as rapidly as it could be in a reasonable way at an ex- pense of five hundred and twenty dollars, which is about one- third of what some of the towns around us have paid.
E. A. KELLOGG,
Superintendent of Streets.
AGAWAM, MASS.
School Report.
1892=93.
School Report, 1892-93.
According to custom and as required by law, the Superin- tending School committee herewith present their annual report upon the condition of the schools under their charge. The attention of the citizens is called to the report of the Superintendent of schools, in which will. be found food for reflection, as well an an enunciation of principles which should guide in the proper conduct of the education of our pupils, all of which are heartily endorsed by the committee.
In the management of the schools during the last half of the year we have labored under a disadvantage because of the loss of one member of the board occasioned by the removal of Henry Annable of Mittineague in October. The school year has not been marked by the fullness and regularity of attendance of last year, due largely without doubt, to the prevalence of contagious diseases in different parts of the town. This is especially true of the South school, which was closed several weeks on account of scarlet fever.
In order to relieve the crowded condition of the schools · at the center, and in accordance with the vote of the town at the special meeting called for that purpose, a school building sufficiently large to accommodate thirty pupils was built on the West road, where a school has been maintained during the fall and winter terms under the name of the West street school.
While your committee could not recommend the establish- ment of another out-district school as condusive to the best interests of the general school work, being in favor of a more thorough and systematic grading of schools than can thus be accomplished. We have nevertheless endeavored to do our
58
duty in this direction, as far as our limited appropriation will admit, without serious detriment to other schools.
The crowded condition of the schools at Mittineague have necessitated the employment of an assistant teacher in the primary department during the last half of the year. This is not only detrimental to the health of the teachers and pupils but hinders really good work being done. In view of this, it becomes necessary to establish another school in that part of the town. We therefore recommend an increase of appro- priation not less that $600.00 to cover the expense of providing for another school at Mittineague and of maintaining the Agawam West street school.
In closing, your attention is called to the thorough and sat- isfactory manner in which the superintendent has discharged his duties, and the harmony which has characterized his re- lations with teachers and committee, and express the hope that the system may find continued favor with the people.
Number of schools, 13
Number of pupils between five and fifteen, 493
Number enrolled during the year, 542
Number over fifteen,
49
Number pupils under five,
I
Average membership,
452
Average attendance,
386
Per cent. of attendance during year,
86%
E. L. THOMPSON,
WM. L. MEACHAM, S
Committee.
FEEDING HILLS.
The school year just closed has been one of hard work on the part of the teachers and steady improvement on the part of the pupils. The teachers have worked hard to make their schools a success and have succeeded to the satisfaction of the committee.
It will be seen by the superintendent's report to which your attention is called, that the matter of irregular attendance is a very discouraging feature of school work, discouraging alike to teacher and committee, and much of it could be done away
59
with if the parents were as anxious to have their children go to school as the teachers and committee are to have them come.
Take the grammar school at Feeding Hills for the winter term just closed, therehave been 749 days of absence, counting the number of days each one has been absent. Some of this is due to the rough weather and bad going near the close of the term, but much of it might have been avoided by more earnestness on the part of the parents in having their children attend school regularly, thus encouraging the teachers.
I would also ask that more of the parents visit the schools, and see for themselves what is being done, and then they can be better able to judge whether the money appropriated for schools is wisely spent or not.
WM. L. MEACHAM, Committee.
Superintendent's Report.
To the Superintending School Committee, Agawam, Mass ..
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor of submitting herewith my first report as superintendent of your schools.
I wish to thank the committee for the courtesy and con- sideration shown me, for the willingness with which they have listened to any suggestions of mine, and for the encour- agement they have been so ready to give to my efforts.
WORK ATTEMPTED.
Since entering upon my duties in September last, I have earnestly striven to work for the interest of your schools in the following ways : 1. In regular visitation of schools. 2. In holding Teachers' meetings. 3. In outlining courses of study.
VISITATION OF SCHOOLS.
During the fall term I visited each school once in two weeks, in the winter term once in three weeks. In this con- nection allow me to quote from superintendent Balliet of Springfield :
" The superintendent must spend a large part of his time in visiting the schools, not so much to give industrial help to
60
teachers as to make himself thoroughly familiar with the de- fects of the teaching and the weak points in the management of the schools, in order that he may give at the Teachers' meetings helpful suggestions on these points.
In the past, supervision has busied itself too much with petty criticisms, petty suggestions in regard to petty details. School supervision in the future will aim at opening up to teachers broad lines of educational thought, giving them in- spiration and stimulus to put their brains into their work, and training them to work out the details of methods of teaching in the light of general principles."
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
It seems to me that there is no question as to the value of Teachers' meetings. Wherever you find a well regulated school system, you will notice that such meetings are held. In fact, the enthusiasm, and hence the efficiency, of the teach. ing force may well be estimated by the number of Teachers' meetings held and by the willingness of the teachers to attend the same. Even though a little time may occasionally be taken from the regular school hours, enough better work will follow such meetings to more than make good the time thus used.
During the last two terms six meetings have been held. In these meetings I have made use of the facts gathered during my visits to the different schools. I have endeavored in an impersonal way, to criticise errors and faults observed, and have tried to suggest ways of securing better results. Special attention has been given to the methods of teaching different subjects. Courses of study have been discussed, and a gen- eral degree of enthusiasm has been aroused on the part of the teachers. Several of the teachers have materially assisted me in these meetings by discussion, and by presenting papers and class work. -
In behalf of myself and teachers, I wish to thank the com- mittee for their constant attendance at these meetings and for the various ways in which they have contributed to the suc- cess of the same.
61
Two of our meetings have been conducted by Mr. A. W. Edson and Mr. L. W. Sargeant, agents of the State Board of Education. Mr. Edson talked to the teachers on Language and Reading, and on the evening of January 11th, he ad- dressed the people on "The Needs of our Common Schools." Mr. Sargeant discussed the subject of " Drawing " at each meeting.
These meetings were very interesting and helpful.
COURSES OF STUDY.
From a report of State Agent A. W. Edson, I quote the following :- " A course of studies outlining in full the work to be accomplished in each grade, with suggestions on methods of teaching, is indispensable to effective and satis- factory results. Time and thought must be devoted, not only to making out a course of studies, but also to its interpretation and application. A good course must be intelligently com- prehended and conscientiously followed, if it is to be of any value."
In accordance with this suggestion I have prepared a par- tial course of studies which I have placed in the hands of the teachers. Other outlines will be presented as soon as possible.
TEACHERS.
I wish to thank the teachers for their uniform kindness toward me and to express my appreciation of the readiness with which they have received from me hints relative to their work. If there has been any improvement in the schools during the last two terms, it has been, in a large measure, due to the intelligent efforts of the teachers and to their ready co- operation in any and all lines of work suggested. In general, this can be said of all the teachers, and yet it is but just to say that some have the advantage of better preparation, of larger experience, and are, in consequence, better qualified to be. come the exponents of advanced educational methods. On the whole, the teachers have labored earnestly for success in their various schools. By their interest in the work, by the time and thought given to the preparation of the same, and by
62
the tact they have displayed in managing the schools and conducting the recitations, they have shown themselves to be " school teachers " and not " school keepers."
There are several among our corps of teachers who are graduates of Normal and Training schools. I am glad to say that these, without exception, are eminently successful and are reflecting credit upon the institutions from which they graduated. The time will doubtless come when the shortest and easiest way to a lucrative position as a teacher will be through Normal or Training schools. This is as it should be, yet it is but just to say that some of our best teachers have never attended such schools. If special training is necessary to good work, whence the success of these? It is due to the fact that they have proven themselves to be live and progres- sive teachers. Herein lies a sermon for those who are about to commence teaching without special preparation. If these wish to succeed they must be thoroughly awake to what is going on about them, conversant with the latest and best methods of instruction and intimately acquainted with the actual work accomplished in the best schools. Do this and the chances are greatly in favor of success, neglect the same, and failure is almost sure to follow. Every teacher should have and study at least one good educational paper. There are a great many such papers. Let teachers form clubs and thereby have access to several papers. Books on Pedagogy and methods are also numerous and at prices within the reach of the poorest paid teacher. Another, and perhaps the most important means of growth for the teacher, is to attend a good summer school. May the time speedily come when all who are about to become teachers shall have a truer conception of the supreme importance and dignity of such a calling.
ATTENDANCE.
Of all influences that have a power in determining the character and limiting the efficiency of your schools, I con- sider poor attendance to be the greatest and most harmful.
I invite your careful attention to the following statistics of attendance. Please bear in mind that this record is only for the fall and winter terms.
-
63
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, FEEDING HILLS.
Enrollment, 41
Average membership,
35
Average attendance,
26.76
Per cent. of attendance,
76.5
Number of days lost by absence,
800
PRIMARY SCHOOL, FEEDING HILLS.
Enrollment, 38
Average membership,
33.3
Average attendance,
26.6
Per cent. of attendance,
78.61
Number of days lost by absence, 901
WEST STREET SCHOOL, FEEDING HILLS.
Enrollment, 27
Average membership,
21.5
Average attendance,
17.3
Per cent. of attendance,
80.5
Number of days lost by absence,
498
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, AGAWAM.
Enrollment, 41
Average membership,
34.5
Average attendance,
30.9
Per cent. of attendance,
89.5
Number of days lost by absence,
408
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL, AGAWAM.
Enrollment, 38
Average membership,
26.46
Average attendance,
26.9
Per cent. of attendance,
94.5
Number of days lost by absence,
300
PRIMARY SCHOOL, AGAWAM.
Enrollment,
36
Average membership,
33
Average attendance,
29
Per cent. of attendance,
87.8
Number of days lost by absence, 535
64
RIVERSIDE SCHOOL, AGAWAM.
Enrollment, 17
Average membership,
15.6
Average attendance, 14
Per cent. of attendance, 89.6
198
WEST STREET SCHOOL, AGAWAM.
Enrollment, 36
Average membership, 32.6
Average attendance,
25.6
Per cent. of attendance,
78.5
Number of days lost by absence. 655
SOUTH SCHOOL, AGAWAM.
Enrollment, 24
Average membership, 23.3
Average attendance, 19
Per cent. of attendance,
81.5
Number of days lost by absence, 360
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, MITTINEAGUE.
Enrollment, 37
Average membership, 32.9
Average attendance, 31.2
Per cent. of attendance, 94.9
Number of days lost by absence, 242
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL, MITTINHAGUE.
Enrollment, 49
Average membership, 46.2
Average attendance,
41.9
Per cent. of attendance,
90.8
Number of days lost by absence,
458
SECOND PRIMARY SCHOOL, MITTINEAGUE.
Enrollment, 48
Average membership, 45.25
Average attendance, 42.98
Per cent. of attendance, 95
Number of days lost by absence, 348
Number of days lost by absence,
65
PRIMARY SCHOOL, MITTINEAGUE.
Enrollment,
64
Average membership, 53
Average attendance, 48.7
Per cent. of attendance, 91.9
Number of days lost by absence, 672
It will thus be seen that there has been lost in all the schools by absence six thousand four hundred and eighteen days, or an equivalent of nearly thirty-nine school years for one scholar, or one year for thirty-nine scholars. In addition to this there have been one thousand six hundred and twenty-two cases of tardiness and each case represents from five minutes to two hours time lost.
Many cases of absence and tardiness are unavoidable, but I am quite sure that children are often allowed to be absent from school for very trivial reasons. When the parents are sufficienly interested in the schools to make a special effort to have their children attend regularly and promptly, then , and not till then, can we hope for the best results in school- work.
In conclusion I would say that my relations with the peo- ple of this town, so far as I have been able to meet them, has been very pleasant. I would be very glad to meet more of them, to become better acquainted and talk with them about our schools-a subject that ought to be of vital interest to every citizen and parent. I would also urge parents to visit the schools often. Do not consider your duty done by drop- ping in on some special occasion, but come frequently in order to see the every day work of the schools. This matter is of more importance than you may think, for not only will you encourage the teachers by showing that you are interested in their efforts, but you will, at the same time, arouse enthu" siasm in the pupils and inspire them to do better work. I believe that if parents were to do this, there would be less one-sided criticism and often they would feel like dropping a word of commendation or sympathy that would do much to lighten the heavy load that many patient, toiling teachers are bearing.
Respectfully submitted, U. G. WHEELER, Supt. of Schools.
ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT
For Town Meeting, April 3, 1893.
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the en- suing year.
ARTICLE 3. To vote on the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?"
ARTICLE 4. To hear and act upon the report of the Town * Officers.
ARTICLE 5. To see what method the Town will adopt for the support of the poor for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 6. To see if the Town will authorize its Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow temporarily, in anticipation of the taxes of the present municipal year, the sum of six thousand dollars, as the same may be from time to time required, and to give the note or notes of the Town for money so borrowed, and that he also be authorized to pay such loans from the said taxes.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will authorize its Treasurer upon the approval of the Selectmen, to negotiate a loan to replace any ex- isting loan.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not to exceed thirty-five dollars for Memorial Day.
ARTICLE 9. To make the necessary appropriations for the en- suing year, and vote to raise by tax such sums of money as may be required for the same.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to take legal and proper means to obtain a new apportionment of the expense of maintaining and repairing the South End Bridge across the Connecticut River.
ARTICLE II. To see what action the Town will take for draining the highway in Agawam Center, beginning at the watering tank and running to factory brook.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to survey and locate obscure boundary lines on any of the highways of the town.
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