USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1876-1880 > Part 5
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10 00
For each water-closet in a hotel,
PUBLIC BATHS.
For one tub in public bath-house,
$10 00
For each additional bath-tub,
5 00
For one water-closet in public bath-house,
10 00
For each additional water closet,
3 00
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse,
$5 00
For each additional horse, 4 00
66 For one cow, 2 00
66 For each additional cow,
1 00
Livery, club and boarding stables. For each horse,
3 00
Car and omnibus stables. For each horse,
2 00
Truck and cart stables. For each horse,
2 00
Provided, that in no case shall any stable be charged less than $5.
The rates for stables include water for washing carriages with- out hose.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets (and the use of the same shall be limited to one hour per day), not less than $3 00
77
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
STEAM BOILERS.
For each boiler in use not over twelve hours a day, for each horse power, $6 00
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For each cask of lime or cement, 6 cents.
HYDRANTS.
Hydrants set by the town at the rate of $28.00 each, allowing one hydrant to each 200 inhabitants.
SECT. 16. When water is required for purposes which are not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rates shall be fixed by the Board of Water Commissioners ; and the rates fixed in the fore- going tariff may be varied by the Water Commissioners, when- ever in particular cases, in their judgment, the interests of the town shall require.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
The undersigned have this day examined the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, the Treasurer and Collector, for the year 1876, and find the same to be correctly kept, with vouchers for all the payments, and the balance of cash to be as stated by him.
CHARLES O. GAGE, ABEL R. PROCTOR, Auditors. G. M. MORSE,
ARLINGTON, Feb. 1, 1877.
$
..
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Chief Engineer of the Arlington Fire Department,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1876.
Selectmen of Arlington,
GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit my Third Annual Report, giv- ing a detailed statement of the present condition of the Fire Department, also offering recommendations for immediate and fu- ture needs.
Fires and Alarms.
There have been sixteen bell alarms for fire the past year, some of which have been for fires in adjoining towns, to which this De- partment has responded and rendered valuable assistance.
Loss from fires in Arlington, $4,375 00 6,500 00
Insurance,
Two fires have occurred, one on Charlestown and one on Hen- derson Streets, for which no alarms have been sounded, the result of no night-watch and no system of fire-alarm, and I would earn- estly recommend that the matter of fire-alarm be considered, and some action taken by the town, tending to the introduction of an efficient system whereby the Department may receive timely notice of the existence of fire, and I will here state that a telegraphic system may be erected on Arlington Avenue, from Park Avenue to Henderson Street, which would cover the most densely settled portion of the town and could at any time be extended, with the necessary boxes and strikers, for $2,000, which in my judgment would save its cost each year. If bells are put up they should be
79
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
of sufficient size to be heard from one hose house to the other ; but by a telegraphic system you may use the church and school bells. Something should be done to remedy the delay now expe- rienced in sounding an alarm of fire.
Membership.
The Department consists of thirty-six members (three less than last year), comprising a Chief and four Assistant Engineers ; two Hose Companies of twelve men each ; one Hook and Ladder Company of seven men, the Hook and Ladder Company having been reduced from ten to seven men. The Department so far as membership is concerned is in an excellent condition, being con- stituted of some of our leading young men, many of whom have seen several years' service in this and other departments, and upon the sounding of an alarm of fire report for duty with commendable promptness.
Hydrants.
At the commencement of the year I conferred with the Water Board with regard to fire hydrants and the care of the same, which duty they have attended to and by their prompt action the hy- drants have been kept in good condition, and in case of breakage have been promptly repaired or replaced, and in no case have the hydrants failed to furnish the requisite amount of water the past year. There is no doubt but that the hydrant now in use in this town is superior to any other style of hydrant, and I would earn- estly recommend that a larger number be located in order to fur- nish better facilities for the extinguishment of fires and save the use of long lines of hose.
Department Hose.
The time has arrived when a purchase of Hose is indispensable, the present supply being in the following condition : One thou- sand feet good ; seven hundred poor ; five hundred worthless, and I would recommend the purchase of one thousand feet of new hose, and from personal investigation I am satisfied that cotton hose, rubber lined, is best adapted to the requirements of this town, as they require less attention, will not mildew, need no oiling, are cheaper and have proved to outwear the best leather hose that can at present be obtained. The town purchased in 1872 one thou- sand feet of leather hose of a Boston maker, that has proved
80
REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER.
good, to which I have referred ; about five hundred feet of leather hose of another maker at the same time, that has been a constant bill of expense ; in 1873 five hundred feet of plain linen hose that is now nearly worthless, some of which has been condemned. I hope the matter of fire hose will receive your immediate attention.
Department Buildings.
The Engine Houses need some repairs. The house occupied by Hose Three and the Hook and Ladder Truck needs to have the roof and lower floor repaired ; new frames in lower windows ; some painting should also be done. The house occupied by Hose Two and Hand Engine, is in poor condition. There being no cel- lar or underpinning, the frost has free access, causing water and gas to freeze, necessitating the replacement of pipes each year, also making it impossible to keep the apparatus in good order, and if the Adams School House is not to be used for school pur- pose, I would suggest that it would make a good house with which to replace the one now occupied by Hose and Engine and would furnish ample accommodations.
Personal Recognition.
Before closing my report, I would acknowledge the many favors received at the hands of the Selectmen, Water Board and Chief of Police, and for their co-operation they will please accept my sincere thanks. To the Engineers and members of the Arlington Depart- ment, I desire to express my obligations for the ready-manner in which they have assisted me in discharge of duty, which obliga- tion will ever be remembered with gratitude. To Chief Engineer Raymond of the Cambridge Fire Department, Chief Hopkins of the Somerville Department, Chief Hill of the Medford Depart- ment and to the companies in their Departments, my acknowledg- ments are due for valuable assistance rendered at fires in Arling- ton the past year.
Respectfully submitted, ALFRED HOBBS, Chief Engineer.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Library now enjoys the income of the generous legacy left it by the late Nathan Pratt, Esq. This, with the appropriation annually made by the town, will enable the Trustees hereafter to make valuable additions of books each year. An unusual yet necessary expense was incurred last year. An accurate and most excellent catalogue has been prepared and published. The credit of this work-the difficulty and labor of which few can appreciate -- is due mainly to the skill and industry of the librarian, Miss Newton. Its typographical excellence also deserves notice. It is believed that this catalogue will prove satisfactory to all who use the books.
The Trustees hope that the day is not very distant when a good reading room can be added to the Library.
The number of books in the Library is 5,500.
The number given out during the year is 20,557.
The number not returned is 14.
The amount paid to the Town Treasurer for fines, is $69.00.
D. R. CADY,
For the Standing Committee.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 29, 1877.
6.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The School Committee beg leave to report :-
The schools during the year have been carried on with regular- ity and with a good degree of success. The plan of placing cach school under the special care of a sub-committee, which is respon- sible for its condition, and which reports each month to the board, has been more fully carried out. To the reports of these sub- committees the attention of the town is called for various details in relation to the schools.
The increased number of scholars in the town-an addition of more than sixty being reported last spring-brought two results. It made necessary the division of the Sixth Grade in the Russell building and the employment of another teacher. It also rendered impracticable the carrying out an attempt, by a readjustment of District lines, to dispense with one of the Cutter Schools. No re- duction in the number of schools or of teachers has been made, but an addition of one school-room and one teacher.
At the last annual town meeting a reduced appropriation was granted for schools. Your committee endeavored in good faith to carry out the wishes of the town, and at the same time to protect the schools from injury. But they found themselves unable to effect any material reduction of expenses during the first half of the year, because contracts already existing with teachers and jani- tors did not expire till July. Since that time the rate of expen- diture has been diminished and has come within the prescribed limits. Indeed, on the first day of January there was a small unexpended balance of school funds in the hands of the committee.
Some unusual expenses for repairs at the Cotting High School became necessary ; and your committee hope that, by laying a new floor in the upper school-room, the vexed problem of how to maintain a comfortable degree of warmth in it, such as the health of the scholars and the efficiency of the school require, has been solved.
83
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The attention of the town is called to the discreditable condi- tion of the grounds at the High School. The building also is poorly adapted to its purposes. The wisdom of expending much money there is at least questionable. May we not hope soon to have a house in which the work of the High School can be done to better advantage, and of whose surroundings we shall not be ashamed ?
Your committee are aware of the pressure of the times, and the need of strict economy in personal and municipal expenses. But any retrenchment which would impair the efficiency and lessen the usefulness of our public schools would be a mistaken and disas- trous economy. It was never of more importance than now, to employ the best teachers, and to keep the grade up to the highest attainable standard. The very hardness of the times is a new and potent argument for good schools. It makes an education even more valuable, because that education widens the range of possi- ble employment, and multiplies the chances of success, by increas- ing the ability to do well a larger number of things. It opens new avenues of business before every young man and woman in the town. Then, changed pecuniary circumstances make multi- tudes feel to-day, that about all they can give their children is a good education.
Let us not take from one child a single facility for lifting up his life to a higher plane, and for becoming something nobler and bet- ter than he would otherwise have been.
Let us take from no parent, upon whom the shadows of adver- sity have fallen, the comfort of knowing that he can at least edu- cate his child.
The schools are commended anew to the generous support and fostering care of the town.
D. R. CADY, Chairman, In behalf of the School Committee.
ARLINGTON, Jan. 29, 1877.
Cotting High School.
The sub-committee take pleasure in presenting an encouraging report of the condition of the High School. There are at pres- ent fifty-one pupils in its three classes, a number which compares fav- orably with former years. It is also noticeable that the proportion of boys to girls has increased, there being twenty-five of the former
84
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
to twenty-six of the latter. During the past year we lost the val- uable services of Mr. Tuttle and Miss Abbott. A change of teachers always occasions some delay and irregularity among classes ; but, in this instance, your committee procured at once the best available teachers to fill the vacancies, and the work of the scholars suffered as little interruption as was possible under the circumstances. The school is now ably instructed and well managed by Mr. C. W. Stickney and Miss Mowry, newly ap- pointed, together with Miss Simmons, who has been an efficient and successful teacher here for several years.
The course of study has not been materially changed, and includes those branches which are usually taught in our best English and classical schools. No fixed or arbitrary system of in- struction can meet the needs of all pupils, and ours fortunately possesses great flexibility and is easily adapted to the special de- mands of each class. Therefore, young ladies who are fitting for Wellesley or to become teachers, and young men fitting for Har- vard or for a business career, can pursue with equal thoroughness their respective studies, and receive the same valuable assistance from the faculty. The majority, however, prefer to follow the reg- ular course approved by the teachers and the committee.
The standard of scholarship, as shown by careful, written ex- aminations, is high, and is steadily improving. This is due not only to the skill and fidelity of the teachers in the school, but also the effect of our graded system in the subordinate schools. The classification of the various Grammar classes is arranged with reference to the final graduation of pupils from the High School, and each year the Examining Committee has encouraging proof that this system is producing better results and in fewer years, than could have been expected formerly. Those scholars, who have regularly passed through the lower grades, are prepared to appreciate and enjoy the advantages offered them in the advanced classes. Those advantages, however, seem to be often underval- ued both by parents and scholars, and it is seriously to be regretted that the graduates from our Grammar Schools, especially the boys, do not continue and complete their studies, which have been earnestly begun. Our young men should be told that the business world can dispense with their premature services for a while. It is an unwise haste which induces them to abandon the most precious years of school life, in order to swell that multitude
85
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
who are unfortunately without occupation. We are glad to note some reform in this respect, and we trust that parents will lend their influence in the right direction. We believe that the High School is growing in favor among all who are familiar with the work actually accomplished there by pupils and teachers. Those, who may be disposed to comment unfavorably either upon its methods or its officers, should in justice visit the institution fre- quently and see the results there attained. When its graduates are able to pass the searching examination of our leading Univer- sity with distinction, as has been the case, our fellow townsmen may be assured that a high standard of scholarship is both set and attained at the Cotting High School.
A liberal policy in regard to our schools is always in the end the wisest and most economical, and no expenditure of the town shows more gratifying results or better returns both materially and morally than the appropriations made for education. When this sentiment becomes general among us, as we earnestly hope it may, our most promising young people will no longer have to perform their school exercises in a building, which has many of the marks of a Pharos or a barrack, but without the peculiar advantages which belong to each. An enlightened public opinion, however, will in time remedy this evil.
Upon the whole, the sub-committee congratulate you on the sat- isfactory condition of the High School, and its promise of future usefulness.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE W. CUTTER,
For the Sub-Committee.
Russell Grammar School.
(First, Second and Third Grades.)
It is a mere matter of form to make a report of these schools, as the parents recognize and appreciate, and the children acknowl- edge, the thoroughness as teachers and kindness as friends and companions in the school, of those model teachers, Mr. Grover, Miss Hobart and Miss Turner, who have been with us so many years.
In each of these rooms the visitor will see that great care is taken to train the pupil and develop ideas in accordance with the child's individuality, in a liberal manner and not after an exact method and mechanical pattern.
86
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The average attendance has been good. At times the schools have been almost too large for the proper care of the teacher, but at no time has a lack of good management and careful instruction appeared.
It is a matter of congratulation that these teachers still retain their health and are permitted to attend constantly as well as faithfully to the requirements of their respective schools.
The average attendance of the Grammar Schools has been more than ten per cent. greater than that of the preceding year.
CHAS. E. GOODWIN, For the Sub-Committee.
Russell Grammar School.
(Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Grades.)
The schools in these Grades are doing well, and with the ex- ception of the New Division of the Sixth Grade, are under the same teachers as heretofore.
In consequence of the great number of scholars ( 71 ) in Miss Warren's room, at the beginning of the fall term, the school was divided, and Mrs. Emma S. Hill was appointed to the new school thus formed.
F. V. B. KERN, For the Sub-Committee.
Russell Primary School.
In no department of our public schools is more important work undertaken or better results achieved than in this lowest grade. It still continues under the wise and successful management of Misses Schouler, Packard and Fessenden. Each of these teachers has endeavored to develop the young minds in their charge by the exercise of that patience, prudence and perseverance so essen- tial in instructing beginners. The ends which they have reached prove the excellence of their method ; and we hope that the parents of the children entrusted to their guidance may often visit. the recitation rooms, and there witness how pleasantly as well as profitably the hours are passed. Respectfully submitted,
GEO. W. CUTTER, For the Sub- Committee.
87
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Cutter Schools.
These schools continue under the same teachers and all are do- ing well, excepting the Primary. Unfortunately for this school the teacher has been unable to attend since the summer vacation, on account of sickness. Her place has been filled with substitutes, consequently the school is not up to its usual standard ; but with the present teacher the discipline is gradually improving.
It was the committee's intention to discontinue the school in the Schwamb building, but when we came to make provision for the same at the commencement of the fall term the number of chil- dren had so increased that we were obliged to give up the project.
The Heights School, under the charge of Miss Snelling, is doing as well as could reasonably be expected after making a change of teachers. The school has increased in numbers very much during the past year and it now ranks favorably with the other schools of the district.
HENRY SWAN, For Sub-Committee.
East District.
These schools continue with undiminished numbers, under the care of Miss Scanlan and Miss Bowers. Miss Bowers returned to her school at the beginning of the fall term, after a leave of ab- sence for two terms, her place being acceptably filled during the time by Miss Snelling, who seemed well adapted to interest the in- fant minds under her care. Miss Scanlan seems, by her kind dis- position, eminently qualified to train the Primary School.
Both of these teachers complain that they receive but little co- operation from the parents of the district, the visits of the parents to the school being "like angels' visits, few and far between." Parents, encourage the teachers by visiting the schools.
JOHN P. WYMAN, For the Sub-Committee.
LIST OF JURORS
OF THE
TOWN OF ARLINGTON.
AS REVISED BY THE SELECTMEN, Jan. 29, 1877.
John F. Allen, William H. Allen,
James Baston,
James C. Blanchard,
Samuel C. Bucknam,
Edwin B. Lane,
Joseph Butterfield, Chauncey W. Chamberlin,
James M. Chase,
William A. Clark, 1
Henry J. Locke, George M. Morse, Henry Mott, Martin O'Grady,
Russell Cook, Charles H. Crane,
Henry J. Crosby, John S. Crosby,
Samuel G. Damon,
Lorenzo H. Dupee, Horace D. Durgin, Joseph H. Eaton,
Charles B. Fessenden,
John Fillebrown, Samuel A. Fowle, William Gates, James Gibson, Charles Gott,
David P. Green, Milan R. Hardy,
Samuel D. Hicks, George Hill, Jacob F. Hobbs, Lucius Kimball,
Timothy O'Leary, William H. Pattee, John A. P. Peirce, Thomas P. Peirce, Warren A. Peirce, John S. Pinkham, Lemuel Pitts,
T. Henry Ramsdell, Warren Rawson, Mark A. Richardson, Theodore Schwamb, William Stowe, J. T. Trowbridge, Albert Winn, jr., Cyrus Woods, €
JOHN SCHOULER, Selectmen JAMES DURGIN, of WILLIAM G. PECK, Arlington.
STATISTICS
OF THE
TOWN OF ARLINGTON.
Valuation of Real Estate,
$4,455,877 00
66 " Personal Estate,
1,330,605 00
Amount " Town Grant, 66,550 00
66
" State Tax,
6,012 00
" County Tax,
2,098 02
" Overlayings,
345 76
Number of Polls, 1,034, at $2.00,
2,068 00
Rate of Taxation on $1,000,
12 00
HENRY MOTT, THOMAS P. PEIRCE, B. DELMONT LOCKE,
Assessors of the Town of Arlington.
ARLINGTON, May 1, 1876.
A LIST OF THE
STATE, COUNTY AND TOWN TAXES, ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1876.
A.
Bailey, Jonas M $ 7 40
Bailey, Mrs. Sarah A. G .. 199 10
Adams, Mrs. Amos,
3 60
Adams, Amos.
2 00
Ahern, Dennis.
11 00
Barnes, Martin, estate of. 97 20
Ahern, John.
2 00
Baston, James. 158 94
Ahern, Maurice.
2 00
Bastine, Charles W .
6 20
Ahern, Patrick.
2 00
Bastine, Charles W., agent ..
18 00
Ahern, Patrick, 2d
2 00
Bassing, Jacob.
41 60
Ahern, Patrick, 3d.
2 00
Barrett, John.
2 00
Ahern, Jolin. 2 00
Barker, Simeon.
48 26
Allen, Andrew F
164 00
Barker, Levi
2 00
Allen, Abbot.
740 48
Bartlett, Lewis P.
375 68
Allen, John F.
22 41
Bartlett, Lewis P., jr. 14 00
Allen, William H.
227 24
Bartlett, James F. 2 00
2 00
Allen, David
2 00
Barry, Garrett.
2 00
1
Aldrich, Benjamin S.
2 00
Barnard, Joel. 2 00
Armstrong, John A.
2 00
Barnard, Mrs. Mary E 107 59
Bany, Henry
2 00
Armstrong, Joshua T.
2 00
Bany, Simon. 2 00
Baxter, Isaac.
52 50
Baxter, William
2 00
Baxter, Joseph H 2 00
Baptist Society 103 63
Bell, William .. 2 00
Benjamin, Wm. Wallace
2 00
Beard, Charles E.
2 00
Bacon, Edward E.
14 00
Bacon, Major.
43 40
Bacon, Henry J.
165 27
Beckwith, Samuel.
2 00
Bacon, Jesse.
141 86
Beers, James L. 2 00
Bacon, Alvah. 1 60
Beevens, James.
2 00
Bacon, Frank E. 2 00
Benham, Daniel
9 80
Bailey, Thomas ..
2 00
Beyer, Casper ..
2 00
Bailey, James A. E
325 62
Berthrong, Henry W
42 20
Bailey, Theodore.
2 00
Beddows, James
2 00
Bailey, Linnæus J 2 00
Bishop, John. 2 00
Bailey, James A
134 00
Bishop, Augustus. 2 00
.
Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank. 279 12
Ashworth, John . 2 00
B.
Bennett, Albert. 2 00
Bennett, John N.
2 00
Armstrong, John.
2 00
Arlington Gas Light Co. 232 00
2 00
Allen, George G.
Barstow, Norman G.
Barnes, William H. 2 00
Abendroth, August. $ 62 15
Baker, Nelson. 2 00
Baker, George. 2 00
TAXES. 91
Bishop, Leon. $ 2 00 | Burbee, Levi.
$ 2 00
Bisley, William. 2 00 Burke, Michael.
. 27 20
Bitnere, J. B.
2 00
Bumpus, Charles R. ..
2 00
Bitzer, John. 46 40
Bitzer, J Frederic. 26 48
C.
Bland, Robert. 2 00
Cady, Daniel R., Rev
106 40
Blanchard, James C.
27 36
Calahan, Matthew. 42 82
Calahan, Daniel 16 17
Calahan, James. 14 00
Blanchard, Mrs. Mary and Rebecca Fessenden .: 10 03
Bolles, Sandy
76 40
Callahan. Thomas H. 2 00
Booth, John. .
2 00
Carens, Thomas H. 2 00
Boulter, Henry H.
2 00
Cahill, Charles 2 00
Bowers, William 2 00
Carroll, John.
14 00
Braby, Edward
2 00
Carroll, Patrick 2 00
Brown, William
2 00
Carter, Ira O. 49 59
100 20
Brown, Mrs. Mary Ann.
189 89
Cannon, Michael.
2 00
Brown, Miss Caroline M.
45 72
Caniff, Timothy.
28 16
Brown, Charles H.
3 20
Caniff, James
200
Brooks, Alfred.
37 52
Carr, James
2 00
Brooks, Mrs. Hannah.
54 54
Carlton, John.
2 00
Brooks, Addison.
2 00
Campbell, Ann.
7 20
Brooks, Mrs. Martha M.
550 63
Cavanagh, George. 2 00
Brooks, Edward D
2 00
Ceiley, Herbert H 2 00
Bradley, Charles P.
2 00
Bradley, Henry
2 00
Chamberlin, Chauncey W.
27 20
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