USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1871-1875 > Part 8
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ART. 16. The use of vulgar or profane language or loud talk, or any indecent or disorderly conduct in or about the several houses occupied by the Fire Department, or going to, at, or returning from a fire, is strictly pro- hibited.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ART. 17. No cards, dice, or other articles used for gam- ing shall be brought into or be suffered to remain in any building used by any Company in the Fire Department ; nor shall spirituous liquors be used therein.
ART. 18. The houses occupied by the several Companies shall be for the use of the members of the Companies only ; the doors shall be closed at all times except for ingress and egress ; and the congregating upon the sidewalk in front of the houses is strictly prohibited. And the Foreman of each Company is hereby enjoined to enforce the provisions of this article.
ART. 19. No allowance is to be made for refreshments, ex- cept in cases of assistance rendered by Fire Companies from adjoining cities or towns, not to exceed ten dollars for each Company refreshed, and then only by an order from the Chief Engineer or one of his Assistants, in case of his ab- sence ; all the items to be particularly specified in each bill for refreshments so furnished.
2
68
WATER REPORT.
WATER REPORT.
The Committee having in charge the construction of Water Works for the Town, submit the following partial report, showing the amount of work performed and the cost of the same to the present time.
REPORT.
Bills paid by the Treasurer, $122,319 43
Due George H. Norman, exclusive of interest, 11,759 06
Land damages awarded but not paid, 3,245 00
Bills and claims unsettled, estimated, 1,000 00
$138,323 49
CONTRA.
George H. Norman's bill under $90,000, contract, $86,999 00 Amount of extra pipe ordered by the Town, 9,324 99
Extra earthwork ordered by the Committee, 7,457 30
Paving ordered by committee, 5,618 00
Extra work on well and gate-house, waste drain, &c. 710 52 Land for reservoir, 12,343 12
Engineer's bills, 3,894 26
Removing islands from reservoir,
1,300 00
Paid on account of service pipes,
5,000 00
Amount carried forward,
$132,647 19
69
WATER REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
$132,647 19 1,649 25
Rip Rap,
Ditch to unite Munroe and Fessenden Brooks with supply reservoir.
1,700 00
Estimated bills and claims unpaid,
1,000 00
Incidentals, printing, advertising, etc.,
1,327 05
$138,323 49
Deducting extra labor from the above, shows the amount of work performed under the appropriation of $122,000. These extras were foreign to contract on first proposed plans. A portion of the extra work was ordered by the Town, the balance by the committee as being advantageous to the works, and for the best interest of the Town, amounting to $32,146.56, which amount deducted from the amount ex- pended and estimated due will show the cost of the works proposed to be performed under first plans and appropria- tion of $122,000 to be $106,176.93.
SERVICE PIPES.
207 persons have taken the water. Some of them have taken two or more services, and we have put in 18 extra service pipes, making in all 225 service pipes. Ten other parties have applied to the Committee for the water to be put into their premises, but the Committee were not able to meet all demands upon them for water until the ground was frozen so hard that it was deemed too expensive to open any more ground, and concluded to postpone the work of putting in any more service pipes until a more favorable season, un- less it should be in very urgent cases. 28 of the number of water takers above named are farmers or gardeners, who have requested a larger size pipe than is generally used for service pipes that they might use the water for hot-bed irriga- tion. The Committee have complied with their request,
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WATER REPORT.
and have furnished the pipe, as the Committee believe the town will receive considerable income from that source.
GREAT MEADOWS.
The Committee took legal possession of the Lexington Great Meadows on the 30th day of April last, and have pur- chased about 70 acres for the sum of $1,465.00, but as the deeds and titles are not all completed and as only $100 has been paid, we have not reckoned it in this account. Mr. Charles Putnam of Lexington has shown a very generous appreciation of the enterprise by donating to the Town of Arlington ten acres of the Great Meadows without charge. We are in hopes many other owners in the Meadows will follow the example of Mr. Putnam, and the Committee think some notice should be taken by the Town of the very liberal donation of Mr. Putnam.
B. POLAND, SAMUEL S. DAVIS, J. W. PEIRCE, WARREN RAWSON, JESSE BACON.
ARLINGTON, January 4, 1873.
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WATER WORKS.
AUDITOR'S REPORT ON WATER WORKS.
-
The Auditing Committee make the following report as the result of their investigation of matters appertaining to the Water Works :- 1
The accounts show that the expenditures to January 1, 1873, have been as follows, viz. :-
For Engineering, $3,000 91
" Land damages,
9,098 12
" Construction of Reservoir, and laying street mains, 103,277 50
" Service pipes, 5,000 00
" Miscellaneous, 914 65
$121,291 18
To this we add interest on Bonds,
paid to Jan. 1, 1873, $6,831 33
And discount on $20,000 bonds sold, 1,600 00
8,431 33
1
$129,722 51
Expenses on account of Great Meadows : Engineering,
$1,035 75
Land Damages,
100 00
1,135 75
Total cost to Jan. 1, 1873,
$130,858 26
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WATER WORKS.
They find that the liabilities of the Town incurred for the introduction of water are as follows, to Jan. 1, 1873, viz. :
Water Bonds issued to Phobe L. Dickson, 3,000 00
" George H. Norman, 100,000 00
1
66 sold at 95 per cent., 5,000 00
66
“ 91 66 15,000 00
Total issue of Water Bonds to Jan. 1, 1873, $123,000 00
The following are extracts from the contract with Geo. H. Norman, viz. :-
" The Contractor agrees to perform and furnish all the work . and materials, and everything herein specified, and whatever else is required in the opinion of the Water Com- mittee, and Engineers, for building and finishing in a neat, thorough and workmanlike manner, a complete system of Water Works, ready for letting on the water and furnishing the same with the usual appurtenances ; the whole to be done to the satisfaction and acceptance of the Water Com- mittee, and all for the sum of ninety thousand dollars in Water Bonds of the Town of Arlington, payable in twenty years, at six per cent. interest per annum. And said sum is to cover all charges and claims of whatever nature, and all extras except those in the next clause provided for.
" The Contractor shall be paid for all extra pipe, hydrants and gates, which he may furnish beyond the number speci- fied ; and if he furnish less than such number the amount for such deficiency shall be deducted from the ninety thou- sand dollars aforementioned.
" The prices for such excess or deficiency of pipes, hy- drants, and gates are to be hereafter agreed upon.
" The contractor agrees at his own expense to keep all the foregoing works in repair for five years after completion.
" Payments will be made monthly on eighty per cent. of the work done and materials furnished during the month as shown by estimate of engineers, the remaining twenty per
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WATER WORKS.
cent. to be retained until the final completion of the con- tract.
" The Water Committee may reserve the amount remain- ing due the contractor until said Committee are satisfied that all claims against said contractor arising by reason of this work have been settled.
" After the final written acceptance of the work by the Water Committee, this contract shall be considered as com- pleted and the amount remaining due after all deductions herein provided have been made shall be paid the contractor.
" The whole work is to be completed by the fifteenth of June, 1872."
The Auditing Committee would call the attention of the Town to the clause, whereby the contractor agrees at his own expense to keep the works in repair for five years after com- pletion, that such action may be taken as shall secure the fulfilment of this agreement.
They find a statement of account with Geo. H. Norman as follows, viz :
Amount as per contract,
$90,000 00
Less deductions,
3,001 00
$86,999 00
Extra work;
24,760 06
111,759 06
Aug. 5, 1872, paid G. H. Norman Water Bonds, $60,000 00 1
Aug. 27, 1872, paid G. H. Norman Water Bonds, 40,000 00
100,000 00
$11,759 06
These Water Bonds ($100,000) were issued with all the
10
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WATER WORKS.
coupons attached from January 1, 1872, and Mr. Norman at once collected from the Town the coupons due July 1, 1872, amounting to $3,000.
They find a statement of interest account made out by Geo. H. Norman to July 1, 1872, amounting to $1,147 07.
In addition to above, they find that Geo. H. Norman has been paid on account of service pipe $5,000.
The engineer has rendered monthly statements of the work performed under the contract, and of the extra work as above, but the committee do not find that there has been any written acceptance of the work by the Water Committee, and the account with the contractor remains unsettled.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. Y. WELLINGTON, Auditing
(Signed) CHAS. O. GAGE, B. DELMONT LOCKE, Committee.
75
SCHOOL REPORT.
SCHOOL REPORT.
-
To the School Committee of the Town of Arlington :-
At the beginning of the School Year I was appointed by your vote Superintendent of the Schools of this Town. It was understood that such discharge of the duties would be looked for as the time spared from other employment would permit. Even this limitation has, from various circum- stances, been abridged ; and incomplete supervision must be added to the mischances which during the year have affected the Schools. Such report as I am able to make I now submit.
I have referred to the School year as the term of my ap- pointment. It is the official year of the Committee, begin- ing with the annual Town meeting in March, and is the time covered by the report of the School Committee, presented contemporaneously with the reports of other Town Officers. The year thus measured by no means corresponds to the annual beginning and completion of School work. The public examination which shows the result of the yearly ac- complishment occurs late in April. The election of teachers takes place in September, at the close of the long vacation, when also the yearly promotions of scholars are made. These events are thus timed for the convenience and benefit of the schools. The report of the Committee, therefore, must necessarily be made at a point midway in the course of yearly progress, and is rather a history of the doings of por-
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SCHOOL REPORT.
tions of two years, than of a period embracing a single twelvemonth.
The examination was satisfactory as a test of the faithful- ness of the teachers and of the proficiency of the pupils. The occasion is now too remote to authorize criticism upon particular branches, as they appeared to have been more or less thoroughly taught in the different schools. The recita- tations in arithmetic were, perhaps, noticed as indicating special care in its pursuit as a study. For the first time the ground had been completely gone over in the schools below the High School, and greater advancement in this branch than had been required heretofore, was called for in candi- dates for admission to that school. It was observable that excellence in reading had declined somewhat in the older schools, and that signs of a style too artificial, and too ambi- tious, to conform to good taste, were apparent. This fault has been corrected, and the method of reading in a tone more natural, and with an effect less displeasing has been followed. It is desirable that reading should be made a matter of par- ticular attention in the High School, there to be regarded, not as an ordinary exercise, but in its.higher relations as an art by which the best thought may be interpreted by cultured voice and manner. This would involve the necessity of in- struction by a teacher skilled in elocution, and would be one of the departmental branches, which, like music and drawing, may at some time be made incidental to the established course of studies.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The High School has been kept well up to the standard which was determined upon at the time of its establishment. The qualifications for admission were slightly increased at the last examination, but all the candidates were found to be well prepared.
The experience of a few years has developed some facts,
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SCHOOL REPORT.
in regard to which there has been a difference of opinion among the members of the Committee as well as among the citizens of the Town. In consequence of the strict require- ments for admission, the school has never been large; and often, the candidates, especially the boys, have reached an age at the time of entering, that induces an unwillingness to remain for the entire three years course. Then the studies are so arranged as to require the full time and attention of a diligent student, and upon the expectation that he intends to pursue them to the end of the course. Membership for a single year secures but fragmentary instruction, and it is questionable whether the pupil who confines himself to so short a term, had not better end his education with the Grammar School. It is often asked if the studies of the High School may not be made more practical, and be so distributed that whether the stay of the pupil be long or short, he may occupy himself with those which shall be directly applicable to the calling which awaits him upon leav- ing school. And again, whether studies which to some pupils are distasteful or difficult, may not in their case be omitted, and to some extent an election be allowed.
These questions have troubled the School and impaired its success. The policy hitherto has been adverse to education merely special, and has favored a more liberal culture. While some studies are immediately practical, the greater part are adopted with a view to mental training, as a pre- paration for the higher uses of the intellectual faculties, the acquirement of knowledge and the exercise of the reason beyond the common needs of self-support and money getting. While in our curriculum, we find such a branch as book- keeping, yet it must be granted that it stands in inferior rela- tion to the classical and modern languages, mathematics, the physical sciences and history. These studies have long been the instruments of the best education, and the only con- troversy as to their use, is in assigning the predominance of one over another, and unless the instruction is to become
-
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SCHOOL REPORT.
in the narrowest sense technical, there are no other known means available for the purpose.
Perhaps the actual arrangement of studies may be changed for the better, and this is a subject now under in- quiry and consideration by a Sub-Committee. The classical course admits of no change ; that is adapted to the require- ments for admission to College. The ordinary course may be made to some extent elective. It may be well to substitute a modern for an ancient language, an English branch for some portion of mathematics, or to make such abridgement as may suit the pupils who do not care to graduate. Two things should be insisted upon; one that the time of the pupil should be fairly occupied ; the other that he shall not drop a study at pleasure. If a pupil finds his study uncon- genial or is impatient of school, or is only content to stay there if his task can be made light, or is too feeble to do the work, he can do better out of school than in.
The condition of membership should be that of constant and faithful work, and be the scholars few or many, they should be such only as desire and appreciate the benefit which comes from liberal study.
The method of teaching history in the High School has undergone a change which reflects great credit on the Assis- tant having that study in charge. Formerly the recitation was from the text simply ; an easy task for a ready verbal memory, but a different one to a mind receptive of knowl- edge by a slower and often better process. The time and labor spent upon a lesson were disproportionate to the bene- fit derived, and the complaint against excessive work, pointed oftenest to this duty. The present mode is, to follow the topic, fixing the facts in the mind, with less reference to the text, to encourage collateral investigation on the part of the pupil, the whole being supplemented by ex- planations from the teacher, who to that end has prepared herself by full reading. The result is a joint exercise for teacher and pupils, replete with profitable instruction, ac- quired without weariness or waste of time.
79
SCHOOL REPORT.
There are several pupils who are following, two of whom have nearly completed, the classical course. Of modern languages, French and German are now taught.
The usual graduating exercises were held in the Town Hall at the end of the summer term. The class numbered thirteen, three of whom were young men who had persevered to the end of the course. All the exercises were highly creditable.
During the vacation Mr. Hazen, who, for three years, had been Principal of the School, resigned. Mr. Hazen was a teacher of fine attainments, with unusual ability for the thor - ough teaching of the classics. His administration of the High School was in an eminent degree successful. He has been succeeded by Mr. W. H. H. Tuttle, Misses Hills and Simmons remaining as assistants.
RUSSELL AND ADAMS SCHOOLS.
Early in August the Russell School House was burned. This misfortune, although bringing a loss to the town, yet solved a difficult question in respect to enlarged school ac- commodations. The greatly increasing schools, required more room than the house afforded, and there seemed to be no al- ternative but the undesirable one of erecting an additional building. The Town was left free to act, and wisely voted to put up a brick building with twelve rooms. The new house is under way and will be completed by September. In the mean time the schools have been separated, and are carried on under great disadvantage. The Grammar and sub-Grammar occupy the Town Hall, and fortunately are able to continue their full sessions. The Intermediate alternate with the Primary in the Adams School House ; each of these schools being able to hold only one daily session. This serious break in the regulations and method of the schools has had the effect of retarding their progress. Still teachers and pupils have shown every disposition to make
80
SCHOOL REPORT.
the best of the disordered state of things, and no permanent ill-effect need be anticipated. Miss Turner, of the Second Intermediate, has been absent on account of illness since the summer vacation, and her place has been occupied by a sub- stitute. She will be able to resume her duties at the begin- ning of the next school year.
All the younger schools are large, but there can be no thought of present relief. There will be room enough in the new house for every sub-division which may be desired.
CUTTER SCHOOLS.
These Schools continue under the same teachers, and are in good condition. With the exception of the Primary, they are at no time of the year large, and the pupils may, there- fore, have all the benefits, which belong to a school of mod- erate size. The drawback on the complete success of these schools comes through absenteeism, which is almost the habit of this district. Whether the fault be that of parents or children, or of both, there is no incident to the schools which more seriously affects them. There has been some improvement in attendance, but the evil spoken of is deep- rooted and its amendment slow.
The scholars from the Grammar School who entered the High School passed an excellent examination, and take a fair rank in their class.
EAST SCHOOLS.
No change of teachers has occurred in these schools, and their state is highly favorable. The older scholars from this district have always been included within the Grammar de- partment of the central Schools, and as time has gone on, they have been promoted also to the Intermediate depart- ment. The consequence has been, that the scholars remain-
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SCHOOL REPORT.
ing in the schools of the district have been the younger only. It will, therefore, be a matter of consideration, upon the completion of the new School House, whether it will not be advisable to permit all who are old enough to join the Russell intermediates, leaving in this district the primary pupils only, divided between the two schools. The members of these schools are, at present, so young that the character of the schools will not be materially changed by such an arrangement.
Instruction in vocal music is now an established branch in the schools, and is imparted with marked success by the skillful teaching of Mr. Marshall. The improvement in singing is apparent in all the schools, and an examination in musical knowledge shows the interest and proficiency of the children in this pleasant and useful study. It is gratifying to see the progress in music in the High School, where hitherto there has been the greatest deficiency. The young men in the school now condescend to lend their aid, and the musical portion of the rhetorical exhibitions from time to time given, is far from being the least interesting.
The introduction of drawing has been less fortunate. The limited hours of the Russell Schools, preclude all possibility of attention to this study, and they must wait for their new " home before attempting to revive it. In some of the other schools, however, enough has been accomplished to justify the assignment of drawing both among the earlier and ad- vanced studies. Without disparagement to others, it may be said that the teacher of the Cutter Grammar has shown that with some care and effort, any teacher may qualify him- self to teach, and may teach drawing with all desired success.
These two studies, music and drawing, are, by a wise pro- vision of law required to be taught in our public schools. Here and abroad they are placed among the indispensable branches of public education. In some portions of the Com- monwealth, drawing has been introduced at great expense by a plan including first, the instruction of teachers by per- sons of the highest professional skill, then, mediately, the
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SCHOOL REPORT.
diffusion of the knowledge thus acquired through the schools. The training of the eye and hand, the knowledge of form and proportion, the practice of exact observation, which pro- ceed from this study have been found to be not only service- able in mere mental habit, but of incalculable value in all industries to which art may be applied. There is no branch more deserving the approval of the lovers of practical edu- cation than this, and the town can well afford, at some cost, to encourage its thorough pursuit in the schools.
I am, on the whole, satisfied that the Schools are in as good condition as can be looked for under the unfavorable experience of the last year. Many of the teachers are do- ing double duty upon half time. I am only surprised that it is possible for them to carry on their charge in order and with reasonable progress. Under these circumstances criti- icism is disarmed, and irregularity is to be overlooked. In a few months opportunity will be given for re-arrangement, when, it is to be hoped, the day of crowded schools and over-worked teachers will pass away.
WM. E. PARMENTER, Superintendent.
To the Town of Arlington :-
The School Committee submit as their annual Report, the Report of the Superintendent.
WM. E. PARMENTER, For the Committee.
Arlington, March, 1873.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
FINANCIAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING JAN. 1, 1873.
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
M. W. Hazen,
$1,158 56
W. H. H. Tuttle,
702 40
E. O. Grover,
1,878 08
S. J. Dunbar,
1,500 19
L. B. Marshall,
878 04
Miss C. A. Hills,
750 00
C. C. Turner,
550 00
6 S. T. Schouler,
550 00
S. F. Gibbs,
550 00
66 L. DeBlois,
550 00
A. A. Anderson,
550 00
66 A. Pillsbury,
550 00
M. J. Stevens,
550 00
S. F. Packard,
550 00
O. M. Hobart,
550 00
K. I. Bowers,
550 00
E. A. Simmons, 550 00
$12,917 27
INCIDENTALS.
Jos. L. Ross, 1 settee, Adams, $8 00
66 desks,chairs, ink wells,etc.,541 72 -549 72 John H. Hartwell, care Adams, Russell, and High Schoolhouses, 375 00
do., teaming, cleaning, use of hall &c.,59 25 -434 25
A. Mudge & Son, 50 billets, 2 25
J. M. Chase, lumber and work,
42 04
Howard Watch Co., repairing clock,
3 00
Davies Dodge, sundries, 23 03
Amount carried forward, $1,054 29
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $1,054 29
Mrs. Dunn, work at Union, 4 25
J. L. Hammatt, numeral frames and erasers, 6 16
Chas. Schwamb, sundries, Cutter,
10 00
A. Brooks, labor and posts, Russell, 2 00
Pettingill & Pear, camp-stools, High,
58 33
J. Crosby, care Union school $75.25 ; erasers $4.50, 79 75
C. E. Goodwin, one record book,
3 50
Winn's Express, 2 75
John Lawrence, painting &c., Union,
61 34
Geo. D Tufts, setting glass,
5 75
J. W. Peirce,
coal, Jan. Feb. and March, $248 50
4 tons coal,
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