USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1895-1897 > Part 8
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Mass.
R. R.
6
470
30
14,100
Maple st.
Pleasant
Academy
6
750
30
22,500
Massachusetts av. Reservoir
Broadway
16
11050
II2
1,237,600
Lake
Town line
12
2330
85E
198,050
Medford st.
Mass.
Warren
IO
980
67E
65,660
Warren
Town line
8
2130
47D
100,1IO
Mystic st.
Mass.
Summer
S
1790
47D
84,130
Moore pl.
Mass.
R. R.
6
500
30
15,000
N. Union st.
Broadway
Decatur
S
1950
47D
91,650
Palmer st.
Mass.
Broadway
6
5.50
30
16,500
Park st.
Warren
Coral
S
1450
471
68,150
Pearl st.
Mystic
Walnut
6
740
30
22,200
Pleasant st.
Mass.
Gray
IO
2320
67E
155,440
Gray
Lake
S
2580
47D
121,260
Pleasant st. pl.
Pleasant
end
6
350
30
10,500
Prescott st.
Russell
Winslow
6
550
30
16,500
River st.
Warren
Decatur
S
1530
47D
71,910
Russell st.
Mystic
Water
S
850
47D
39,950
Russell ter.
Russell
Winslow
6
400
30
12,000
Sawin st.
Henderson
end
6
500
30
15,000
Schouler ct.
Mass.
end
6
380
30
11,400
Swan st.
Pleasant
Swan st. pl.
6
330
30
9,900
Swan st. pl.
Swan st.
R. R.
6
200
30
6,000
Teel st.
Mass.
Cross
S
1000
47D
47,000
Tufts st.
Mass.
Warren
S
1340
47D
62,980
Warren st.
Medford
Broadway
S
2600
47D
122,200
Water st.
Mass.
Russell
S
770
47D
36,190
Webster st.
Broadway
Warren
6
610
30
18,300
Wellington st.
Pleasant
end
6
750
30
22,500
Whittemore st.
Mass.
end
6
500
30
15,000
Winslow st.
Mystic
Russell ter.
6
540
30
16,200
Winter st.
Mass.
Broadway
S
1600
47D
75,200
Wood st.
Medford
Franklin
6
510
30
15,300
Wyman st.
Mass.
Broadway
6
680
30
20,400
Total Weight,
4,886,000
14
3970
100E
397,000
Broadway
Lake
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF THE WATER WORKS.
To the Arlington Water Commissioners :
GENTLEMEN - I hereby respectfully submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1895.
EXTENSION OF MAINS.
Appleton Court.
336 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid in this street and one hydrant set, at a total cost of $247.55.
labor,
$118 50
pipe,
95 64
hydrant,
25 34
lead,
8 07
Lake Street.
2579 feet 8-inch pipe have been laid, five 5-inch Chapman valve hydrants and three 8-inch Ludlow valves set in this street, replacing the 4-inch cement pipe, at a total cost of $1915.96.
labor,
$489 50
pipe,
1,158 52
hydrants, 130 00
gates,
48 24
lead,
89 70
This completes Lake street from Massachusetts avenue to a point between the ice tracks of the Fitchburg Railroad, total distance 4129 feet.
165
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
Pitts Street.
519 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid, one 5-inch Chapman valve hydrant and one 6-inch gate set, at a total cost of $252.27.
labor,
$54 62
pipe,
148 42
hydrant,
26 00
gate,
10 75
lead,
12 48
North Union Street.
1962 feet 8-inch pipe have been laid, four 5-inch hydrants and twc 8-inch gates set in this street, replacing the 4-inch cement lined pipe, at a cost of $1420.05.
labor,
$334 25
pipe,
881 00
hydrants,
104 00
gates,
32 16 "
lead,
68 64
This was a much needed improvement that should be ap- plied to a number of streets in the lower part of the town.
Decatur Street.
1076 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid, two 5-inch hydrants and two 6-inch gates set in this street (replacing the 4-inch cement lined pipe that had been laid for a distance of 670 feet), at a cost of $637.78.
labor,
$224 50
pipe,
308 30
hydrants,
58 00
21 50
gates, lead,
25 48
166
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
Woodland Street.
250 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid and one 6-inch gate set in this street, at a total cost of $255.99.
labor,
$171 00
pipe,
68 00
gate,
10 75
lead,
6 24
Willow Place.
202 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid, one 4-inch hydrant and one 6-inch gate set, at a cost of $173.15.
labor,
$73 00
pipe,
57 82
hydrant,
25 34
gate,
10 75
lead,
6 24
Lowell Street.
2116 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid, five 4-inch hydrants and one 6-inch gate set in this street, at a cost of $1473.53. labor, 669 00
pipe,
616 28
hydrants,
126 70
gate,
10 75
lead,
50 80
.
Elder Terrace.
202 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid, one 4-inch hydrant and one 6-inch gate set, at a cost of $163.77.
labor,
$63 62
pipe,
57 82
hydrant,
25 34
gate,
10 75
lead,
6 24
167
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
Wollaston Avenue.
228 feet 8-inch pipe have been added to this street and one 8-inch gate set, at a cost of $226.86.
labor, $108 56
pipe,
93 64
gate,
16 08
lead,
8 58
Glen Road.
191 feet 6-inch pipe have been added to this street and one 6-inch gate set, at a cost of $159.38.
labor,
$80 06
pipe,
54 85
21 bends,
8 00
gate,
10 75
lead,
5 72
Gray Street.
290 feet 10-inch pipe have been added to this street and one 5-inch hydrant set, at a cost of $621.54.
labor, $405 42
pipe,
174 49
hydrant,
29 15
lead, 12 48
The trenching in this street was done by contract, we laying the pipe.
Lowell Street Place.
280 feet 6-inch pipe have been laid, one 4-inch hydrant and one 6-inch gate set, at a cost of $208.12.
labor,
$84 00
pipe,
80 23
hydrant,
25 34
gate,
10 75
lead, 7 80
168
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS,
Jason Street.
260 feet 8-inch pipe have been added to this street, 120 feet 6-inch pipe had to be taken up on account of change of grade of street and replaced with 8-inch pipe making 380 feet 8-inch pipe in all laid in 1895, at cost of $679.41.
labor,
$455 87
pipe,
163 49
hydrant,
29 15
gate,
16 08
lead,
14 82
Service Pipes.
176 services have been put in during the year, 142 con- nected with the high service and 34 with the low, at an average of $11.80 each, making the total cost $2,076.80.
Academy street, Jason street and Bartlett avenue have been transferred to high service.
Hydrants and Gates.
The hydrants and gates are in good repair. One hydrant has been set on Medford street near the estate of the late Jere. Russell. There are several other places in the lower part of the town where hydrants should be placed at the earliest opportunity.
Reservoir.
The reservoir is in good condition, brush having been cut and weeds pulled up and burned.
Brook.
The brook was cleaned out in the early summer and is in a fair condition although it will require some attention be- fore we have to use it again.
169
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS.
Recommendations.
I would respectfully call the attention of the Board to that part of the supply known as North brook, which is in a very bad condition. If the town is to keep the present system for any length of time some means should be adopted to divert it from its present source, or prevent its contamina- tion from manure and drainage from farmyards.
East Lexington.
The drainage from the most thickly settled part of East Lexington passes under the Boston & Maine Railroad, and empties into the Great Meadows, and as several houses have been built on the banks of the stream the past summer lay- ing drains from the cellars into the brook it has become a nuisance that should be abated without delay.
Great Meadows.
The brush has been cut off the lower half of the meadows and a fence built on the town line from the pumping station around the wells which improves the looks of the place in a marked degree.
Repairs on Mains.
Twenty-one leaks have occurred in the old main pipes during the year, some caused by blasting for the new pipe, others from having picks driven through them, but the greater number was from rusting out of the pipes where they have been insufficiently covered with cement.
Repairs on Services.
We have repaired quite a number of old services, re- tapping and in some places relaying with new pipe and fit- tings where it was needed. We have had a few leaks in the lower part of the town where the sewer was put in caused by the settling of dirt in the ditch.
THOMAS RODEN,
Superintendent.
WATER WORKS. TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1894, $10,975 74
Amount received during the year
1895, viz.,
For water rates for 1895, $18,101 62
From town for use of street hydrants for 1895, 4,000 00
From town for water for drinking fountains, 200 00
22,301 62
Amount received of Faneuil Hall
National Bank, interest on de- posits, 41 65
Amount received of town, interest on temporary loan, 26 66
Received of Frank Alderman for pasturing for 1894 and 1895,
250 00
Received of town, amount loaned,
5,000 00
on account of " high service," etc.,
32,000 00
amount of appropriation,
1,000 00
$71,595 67
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT. 171
EXPENDITURES.
Running Expenses.
Paid Donaldson Iron Co., for pipe, $345 11 Pittsburg Testing Laboratory, testing pipe, 11 00
Thomson Meter Co., meters, 67 60
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., on account stand pipe, 87 49
Gilchrist & Taylor, pipe and fittings, 62 55
Wm. T. Foster & Co., lead, 82 34
Geo. H. Sampson, forcite, etc., 17 55 Repauno Chemical Co., powder, 7 00
The Geo. Woodman Co., for pipe, 61 11
Goldsmith & Peppard, wagon and blacksmith work, 186 27
Boston Lead Pipe Mfg. Co., lead pipe, etc., 64 57
E. W. Noyes, printing, 55 50
H. M. Chase, horse hire, 107 06
Edgar Snow, 1 horse, 103 00
H. W. Hilliard, insurance on shop, 56 25
Darling & Russell, insurance
on pumping station, 50 00
Peirce & Winn Co., coal, wood, etc., 857 26
W. G. Hartwell, wood,
9 43
F. B. Fletcher, 66 10 00
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., hy- drants, 422 20
Amount carried forward,
$2,663 29
172
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $2,663 29
Paid Smith & Winchester Co., 228 37
A. W. Chesterton & Co., sun- dries, .67 75
Perrin, Seamans & Co., sun- dries, 66 22
Jos. Breck & Sons, grass seed, wire, etc., 11 36
S. A. Fowle, rent of land for shop, 62 50
Alex. McDonald, care of lan- terns, 27 00
C. S. Parker & Son, printing, 17 65
Boston & Maine R. R., freight, 13 71
Geo F. Reed, oil, 95
J. C. Fletcher, expressing, 15
E. J. Sweeney,
27 00
American Express Co., 66
8 70
W. L. Clark & Co., harness, 85 65
S. Stickney & Co., sundries, 34 40
J. Halloran, charcoal, 5 60
Bradley & Knowles, sundries, 159 06
Star Pipe Jointer Co., jointer, 6 50
Dodge, Haley & Co., bolts, 1 70
C. M. Crawford, copying, 1 00
F. G. Weld, step ladder, 2 00
Jas. Irwin, police service, 4 00
Leander Peirce, pipe, 1 23
Library Bureau, binder, 2 00
W. E. Bertwell, force pump,
35 00
Builders' Iron Foundry, 10 88
Paine Furniture Co., furniture, 13 50
Amount carried forward, $3,557 17
173
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $3,557 17
Paid Revere Rubber Co., 3 50
George D. Tufts, sundries, 9 55
E. O. Simonds, labor, 2 80
F. Doane & Co., account book, 9 75
Dr. E. P. Stickney, services, 20 00
Thos. Cosgrove, care of flash boards, 10 00
M. Rowe, oil, 7 23
H. S. Adams, surveying, 9 00
A. J. Morse & Son, 3 50
M. Kelly, labor on granite,
13 50
W. T. Wood & Co., repairing tools, 85
F. J. Scott, scraper, 1 80
L. A. Austin, services and meals for engineer, 11 20
J. C. Goodwin & Co., horse medicine, 67
A. A. Tilden, horse medicine, 1 50
R. W. Shattuck, sundries, 21 71
Town of Lexington, taxes for 1895, 367 16
Geo. W. Lane, expenses paid and services, 57 41
J. M. Chase, sundries, 31 07
C. A. Hardy, painting fence, 30 35
Edward Storer, pasturing,
15 00
Walworth Mfg. Co.,
23 40
Union Water Meter Co.,
5 90
Jenney Mfg. Co.,
4 42
American Oil Co.,
2 50
Amount carried forward, $4,220 94
174
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $4,220 94
Paid A. W. Mitchell & Co., 5 00
J. W. Flitner & Co., 1 65
Thos. Roden, advertising, etc., .8 08
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., 88 14
Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co., 45 55
Charles Gott, sharpening tools, 42 70
Thomas' Higgins, sharpening tools, 8 33
For labor during year 1895, 6,794 51
Thomas Roden, for services as superintendent for 12 months, 990 00
A. C. Smith, for services as engineer at pumping station, 9 months, 675 00
$12,879 90
Amount transferred from "High Ser-
vice," 12,780 41
$25,660 31
Deduct credits as follows, viz.,
Received of sundry persons for pipe, labor, use of pump, etc., $112 74
for old iron and brass, 74 40
Amount transferred to account "Ser-
vice Pipes," 2,076 80
Amount transferred to account " Main Pipe," 9,838 34
Amount transferred to account " Stock Materials," 2,367 10
14,469 38
Amount carried forward,
$11,190 93
175
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $11,190 93
High Service.
Paid Donaldson Iron Co., for iron pipe, $9,088 16
E. Eugene Eglee, on account contract for laying pipe, $13,548 89
Less amount received for teaming, 238 05
-- -13,310 84
Boston and Maine R. R., freight 76 51
Boston and Maine R. R., labor 39 00
American Express Co., freight, 3 25 Builders Iron Foundry, castings, 306 88 Walworth Mfg. Co., radiator, 28 00 Smith & Winchester, pipe and fittings, 291 25
Geo. F. Blake Mfg. Co., on
account pump, etc., 4,610 50
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., on account stand pipe, 2,598 21
Barbour, Stockwell & Co., ring and cover, 9 00
W. B. Badger & Co., desk, 19 25
Heywood Bros., chairs, 8 50
The Fairbanks Co., one scale and barrow, 74 40 .
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., hy- drants, 521 68
Geo. Woodman & Co., for pipe, 106 50
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., for valves, 479 24
Amounts carried forward,
$31,571 17 $11,190 93
176
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amounts brought forward, $31,571 17 $11,190 93
Paid W. T. Foster, lead, 160 01
Gilchrist & . Taylor, service
boxes, 200 75
Wm. Reed & Co., stone & rubble 91 91
Peirce & Winn Co., cement, 309 54
Geo. W. White, on account ·
foundation to stand pipe, 150 05
Goldsmith & Peppard, sharp- ening tools, 3 00
Charles Gott, sharpening tools, 49 55
S. D. Hicks & Son, lightning rod, etc., 65 74
J. M. Chase, stock and labor, 27 00
R. W. Shattuck, sundries, 14 39
A. W. Chesterton & Co., oil and waste, 47 30
Peet Valve Co., gates and valves, 13 50
Pittsburg Testing Laboratory, testing, etc., 70 22
A. W. Cotton, mason work, manholes, 52 87
O. B. Marston, work at pump- ing station, 147 01
H. S. Adams, surveying, 103 20
E. O. Simonds, building shop, 1,311 26
A. L. Bacon, on account pump- ing station, etc., 1,362 80
F. L. Fuller, services as engi- neer and assistants, 1,902 51
Amounts carried forward, ·
$37,653 78 $11,190 93
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT. 177
Amounts brought forward, $37,653 78 $11,190 93
Paid Highway Department, for re- pairs of streets, 1,000 00
Hurley & Scalise, contract on trench, 386 42
N. J. Hardy, refreshments at pumping station, 45 00
J. O. Holt; refreshments at pumping station, 3 50
$39,088 70
Deduct amount transferred to " Run- ning Expenses," 12,780 41
26,308 29
Service Pipes. 1
Amount of cost of services laid in 1895,
142 high services, 34 low services,
176 at an average of $11.80 each,
2,076 80
Stock Materials.
Amount of materials added to this ac- count in 1895, 2,367 10
Main Pipe.
Amount of cost of laying pipe per state- ment on file, 9,838 34
Amount carried forward,
$51,781 46
12
178
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
$51,781 46
Interest on Water Bonds.
Paid one year's interest on $74,000,
at 5 per cent., $3,700 00
one year's interest on $275,000 at 4 per cent., 11,000 00
14,700 00
Amount of temporary loan to town,
5,000 00
Balance of cash on hand Dec. 31, 1895, 114 21
$71,595 67
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT. 179
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1895. DR.
Town of Arlington,
CR. $307,535 23 102,000 00
Construction,
$310,599 74
High Service, 91,854 81
Interest,
330,934 39
Town appropriation for interest,
Water Rates, 1873,
8,035 83
66
1874,
7,913 66
66 1875,
7,600 52
66
66 1876,
8,463 59
1877,
8,947 58
66
1878,
8,857 89
1879,
9,415 60
1880,
9,590 22
66
1881,
9,568 78
66
1882,
10,291 76
66
1883,
10,361 49
66
66 1884,
9,832 09
66
1885,
10,187 30
66
1886,
11,172 42
66
66 1887,
11,845 03
66 1888,
12,417 96
66
66
1889,
12,870 89
66 66
1890,
13,475 50
66
1891,
15,493 11
16,432 27
66
66 1893,
17,592 66
66
66 1894,
19,360 74
66 1895,
22 301 62
Main pipe,
14,359 72
Service pipes,
7,255 71
Stock materials,
4,258 78
Sundry receipts,
9,155 58
Running expenses,
44,201 96
Cash,
114 21
$803,579 32
$803,579 32
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1895.
1892,
112,860 00
High Service, etc.,
180
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
Extracts from Rules of Water Works.
SECT. 15. The following rates shall be charged annually for the use of water, namely :
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet, $6 00
For each additional faucet, to be used by the
same family, 2 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, one faucet only being used for all, for each family, 4 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family, having the water carried into their part of the house :
For the first bath-tub, 5 00
For each additional bath-tub, 3 00
For the first water-closet, 5 00
For each additional water-closet, 3 00
For hopper water-closets, 8 00
Where bath-tubs or water-closets are used by more than one family, for each family,
4 00
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, and both emptying into one basin, but one charge will be
made for both. Provided, that in no case shall the charge for the use of water by a private family, exclusive of hose and stable, be more than 25 00
BOARDING HOUSES.
For the first faucet, 10 00
Each additional faucet, 2 00
Water-closet or bath-tub, when used by board- ers, 10 00
Each additional bath-tub or water-closet, 3 00
181
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
STORES, OCCUPIED AS OFFICE, SHOP OR SIMILAR PURPOSE.
First faucet, $6 to $20 00
For each additional faucet, 2 50
For water-closet or urinal,
6 00
MARKETS, SALOONS, RESTAURANTS, WORKSHOPS.
For markets, saloons, restaurants, workshops, or for purposes not included in any other classification, and not requiring more than an ordinary supply of water, $6 to $25 00
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers, 3 00
For each bath-tub in a hotel,
10 00
For. each water-closet in a hotel,
10 00
PUBLIC BATHS.
For one tub in a 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
66
For each additional horse, 3 00 .
66
For one cow,
2 00
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 00
The rates for stables include water for washing carriages without hose ; when hose is used, $3.00 additional.
182
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets, and watering gardens (and the use of the same shall be limited to two hours per day), not less than
$3 00
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
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.
Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year :
For a jet of 1-16 of an inch,
$3 00
66 66 1-8 5 00
1-4 66 66
8 00
To be cut off at discretion of the Superintendent.
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 foregoing tariff may be varied by the Water Commissioners, whenever in particular cases in their judg- ment the interests of the town shall require.
B. DELMONT LOCKE,
Water Registrar.
AUDITORS REPORT.
The undersigned hereby certify that they have audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, as Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Arlington, also as Treasurer of the Arlington Water Works, for the year 1895, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the balances of cash as stated by him.
CLARENCE T. PARSONS, .Auditors. LEANDER D. BRADLEY,
ARLINGTON, February 8, 1896.
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1895.
FOR THREE YEARS.
HERBERT H. CEILEY (Secretary),
J. HOWELL CROSBY,
EDWIN PRESCOTT.
FOR TWO YEARS.
GEORGE D. MOORE, TIMOTHY O'LEARY,
FRANKLIN WYMAN.
FOR ONE YEAR.
JOSEPH C. 'HOLMES, WARREN W .! RAWSON, SAMUEL H. SMITH (Chairman).
Committee Meetings, third Tuesday of each month, at 7.30 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
TRUE W. WHITE.
Office Hours, in High School Building, at 8.30 A. M., daily, and from 4 to 5 P. M. on Mondays and Thursdays, when the schools are in session.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
To the Town of Arlington :
As required by statute the School Committee submit their Annual Report.
Superintendent.
At the end of the spring term Mr. I. Freeman Hall resigned his position as Superintendent to accept a call to a larger field. Mr. Hall, as our first Superintendent, rendered important service to our schools. He went to his new work with the best wishes of the entire Committee.
Considering the rapid growth of our school work and the large amount which we expend annually for the support of our schools, the value of thorough and efficient superintend- ence can hardly be overestimated. We have thought it good business judgment, therefore, to secure for a time, at least, the entire services of a superintendent, thereby ensur- ing a condition more satisfactory both to the Committee and to the Superintendent, without incurring any great addi- tional expense.
We spent much time investigating the qualifications and the records of many available men, and finally elected Mr. True W. White, Superintendent of Schools in Westboro, to fill the position. Mr. White is a man of high character, broad education, and large experience. He is entitled to the respect and confidence of all our citizens.
186
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Changes of Teachers.
In the High School building Miss M. Helen Teele resigned from the Greek and History department at the close of the spring term to accept a call to the new English High School in Somerville. Miss Mary H. Cutler was elected to the position. Miss Eltinge resigned in February to go to Brookline. Miss M. Cady Roberts was chosen to fill the vacancy .
At the Russell School Miss Arnold resigned at the close of the spring vacation. The number and classification of the pupils in that building seemed to call for a twelfth teacher. Miss Mary J. Mayo was engaged for grade IV., and Miss Nellie A. Grimes, for personal reasons of her own, was allowed to go from the Cutter School to grade VII.
At the Cutter School Miss Mabel W. Fuller was chosen to the position made vacant by Miss Grimes.
At the Locke School Miss Holbrook and Miss VanDer- veer resigned at the end of the school year. Miss Emma Sawyer and Miss Esther C. Glidden were elected to fill their positions.
The large number of scholars in. the Cutter and Crosby primary schools made it necessary to employ assistants early in the year. The services of Mrs. Harlan B. Bean and Miss Theodora West were secured.
Last fall Miss Hollis was granted leave of absence on account of poor health. During her absence the classes in sewing have been instructed by Miss Copeland, formerly Principal of the Locke School.
Several of the teachers who resigned have been of excep- tional merit, and we have regretted much to lose them from our schools. In filling their places, however, we have taken pains to secure teachers of ability and experience.
Courses of Study.
During the past year we have endeavored to unify the
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
courses of study throughout the town, so that the various classes of any one grade will cover just the same ground during the school year. This will make less confusion when the classes come together in the upper grades. We also have spent much time systematizing our text books and adopting regular books for all the different grades. This will tend to accomplish the same purpose, and will result in a saving to the town.
Our Superintendent with our approval has laid out a course in physiology and hygiene with " instruction as to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics on the human system," as required by law.
Music and Drawing.
These studies have been conducted by the same teachers as before, and the work has been satisfactory to the Committee.
Pollard System of Reading.
In March, 1895, a sub-committee was appointed to investi- gate the subject of reading, with a view to securing uni- formity in the text books used in the several schools. In the course of its labors this sub-committee became interested in the so-called Pollard System of Reading. The Com- mittee spent much time studying the system, personally observing the work elsewhere, and inquiring as to the results obtained by it in a great number of places. The more thoroughly members became acquainted with it and its work, the more strongly convinced did they become as to its value. The result was the adoption of the system in September by a unanimous vote.
Under the old method (it cannot be called a system) pupils were taught to read by memorizing the forms of words and whole sentences. When a pupil had learned ten words or a hundred words, he had nothing to help him in
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the pronunciation of others. Phonics were used to some extent (a partial recognition of the short-comings of the old methods), but they were not systematized throughout our schools.
In the new phonie system the usual sounds of letters and combinations of letters are learned. Then the child has the means of self-help. Pronunciation ceases to be a mere strain of memory ; it becomes a reasoning process. It is true that many word forms must be learned as exceptions, but we must remember that the old " sentence method " taught every word as an exception. One is surprised to find how few exceptions there really are to the regular pro- nunciations of letters and combinations of letters ; but were the exceptions far more numerous than they are, certainly there would be much time saved by the grouping, and much power gained by the child in the application of his mental faculties.
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