USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1911-1920 > Part 17
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During the past year about $1,200.00 was spent for the application of road oil and tarvia. The balance of appropria- tion was spent in general repair work, snow paths, and miscel- laneous expense. The sum of $62.93 was spent under the direction of the Essex County Commissioners in relocating certain bounds on Salem Street. It is expected that this amount will be eventually reimbursed to the town by the County.
Late in the fall of 1915 it was found necessary to make reapirs to certain portions of our highways, which were in a dangerous condition. Work amounting to $105.80 was done in excess of money available in our Department, as shown in the financial statement of the Town Accountant. This amount must be cared for in the appropriation of 1916.
The City of Lynn reimbursed the Department for work done on Summer Street, amounting to $119.36 under special
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agreement, and reimbursement was received on Street oiling account from Mr. J. B. Pierce amounting to $55.00.
The State Highway Commission also made payment to this Department of $100 duc on Summer Street work 1915 account.
I would recommend for expense of highway dept. account 1916 the Excise Tax, estimated at $650 and $3,800 for general repairs, including oil and tarvia surfacing, with a special ap- propriation for work on Newburyport Turnpike as recom- mended by State Highway Commission.
Estimated value of Equipment of Highway Department owned by the Town of Lynnfield as follows:
1 four-horse road scraper
$275 00
1 drag scraper
25 00
6 snow plows
125 00
1 Road plough, shovels, rakes, etc.
15 00
$440 00
FRANK NEWHALL, Surveyor
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
We are glad to sta e that at the present time, the equip- ment of the Lynnfield Public Library is such, as to be a matter of pride to its citizens. The Branch Library which was opened in the South School Building in 1914, through the courtesy of the School Committee, has been properly furnished, and during the past year several bookcases, a clock, maps, magazine binders, and other equipment has been purchased.
These additions were made possible by the use of a fund which was contributed by the people of the South, Village, for the benefit of the Branch Library, in 1914, as shown in our last year's report. Both the Main Library and the Branch Library show an increasing patronage. The circulation of books and magazines in the South Village being markedly increased.
The expense of operation is naturally greater, as is the case of most of the other departments of our Town. The income of Trust Funds, which were intended for much needed additions of new books, etc., should not be used for operating expenses, such as care of buildings, librarians' salaries, janitor service, fuel, light, etc., but funds sufficient for proper maintenance should be provided by vote of the Town.
The customary appropriation of the Dox Tax refunded by the County, is not enough for our needs under present conditions. In addition to expense already noted, the depart- ment is carrying insurance of $1,000 on books and furnishings, and $1,200 on Library Building. We would suggest that the sum of $200 and the amount received from Dog Tax be appro- priated for this Department for the year ending December 31, 1916.
E. H. GERRY, Secretary
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LIBRARIANS' NOTES
Main Library
Number of patrons during year 248
books loaned during year 3254
66 magazines loaned during year 344
New books purchased, 34.
Gifts for year from Commonwealth, 15 books.
From E. W. Lundahl, 17 books.
From Mrs. M. J. Goudy, 2 books.
Christian Science Church, 9 books and C. S. Journal and C. S. Sentinel for the year.
Also magazines from Mrs. J. W. Perkins, Mrs. E. J. Clarke and George O. Giddings.
Two sets of pictures, and a series of books on bird life have been loaned by the Women's Educational Association.
ELIZABETH W. GREEN, Librarian
Branch Library
Number of patrons during year, 176.
books loaned during year, 1,936.
magazines loaned during year, 359.
New books purchased, 26. Gifts from Commonwealth, 12 books.
Gifts from Christian Science Church, 11 books.
Also C. S. Journal and C. S. Sentinel for year.
From Mrs. Cora F. Pike, 29 books, 5 magazine subscriptions. Also magazines from Miss Goodell, Mrs. Arthur Bryant, Mrs. Kent and D. G. Harvey.
CORA F. PIKE,
Librarian
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REPORT OF PARK COMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield :-
We most respectfully submit the report of the Park Com- missioners for the year ending Dec. 31, 1915.
Receipts
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1915 .
$70 21
Interest added 56 . .
$70 77
Payments
E. Q. Moulton, Labor and Stock $50 43
E. Williams, Labor
15 25
1
J. W. Robbins, Pump
4 00
69 68
Balance on hand
$1 09
It was thought advisable to use funds available in our department for care of grounds in Park, and for the renovation of the old building known as the boat-house, the building has been painted and generally overhauled, some changes being made, which will add to the convenience of patrons of the Park, and to the general appearance of the property.
JOHN W. ROBBINS,
Secretary
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REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield :-
The Chief submits the following report of the Fire Depart- ment for the year 1915.
The Department responded to seven alarms of fire other than forest fires, and at three of these fires, out of town help was called, and in each and every case rendered commendable service.
On May 31st, Wakefield, Lynn and Peabody were called, when the entire center of the south village was threatened.
On July 27th, Lynn responded to another call, and on November 13th, Wakefield and Reading were called.
As the above Departments came into Lynnfield free of charge, your Chief thinks that the least the Town could do is to send them a letter of appreciation.
On July 4th, Mrs. Cora A. Eagleston presented the Town with an American La France Ford Motor Chemical, which was a much needed addition to our equipment, and has proved its efficiency by its quick response to several alarms of fire, even making remarkable quick runs to the Centre.
This year, as in the past, Mrs. S. L. Russell, deserves the gratitude of the Town for the efficiency of the telephone fire alarm system.
As there a number of bills still unpaid, it seems necessary that the town should appropriate $600 to defray expenses of the Department for the year 1916.
(Financial statement in Town Accountant's Report.)
WM. F. GERRY, Chief
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REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
Forest fires. grass fires, railroad fires, etc., have been quite frequent during the past year. Many of them, however, have been extinguished at small cost, owing to prompt work on behalf of this department, and ready assistance from towns people, and others passing by. In several instances valuable aid was rendered by the women of the neighborhood.
The forest wagons have been in charge of Deputies Albert G. Tedford and Andrew Mansfield, Jr., who have done good work. Six Badger Fire Extinguishers, costing $39, and eighteen Johnson Pumps, costing $60, have been added to our equipment for fighting fires. The total expense of the year ending Dec. 31, 1915 for this Department was $889.11.
Several bad fires more than offset the general good showing made in our expense account. A brush fire on March 20th, starting from the Rifle Range property, burnt rapidly across land of Charles Derby, F. W. Freeman and others, damaging woodland and tillage fields, and seriously endangered buildings on that end of Main Street. At this fire help was sent from Wakefield Forest Warden's Department for which the Town of Lynnfield has since made reimbursement. The cost of this fire was over $100 to the Town.
Another bad fire occurred on March 26th, starting on or near land of Adams and Rich, on west side of Summer Street, crossing the road near the entrance to Coburnville, burning over land of J. B. Pierce and others until it reached as far as Suntaug Lake where it was finally extinguished. A valuable cottage and hundreds of small pines, which had been recently placed on this property by Mr. Pierce at considerable expense, were entirely ruined.
Our pay roll for this fire was about $300. Help was called from Peabody and Lynn, for which no account has been rendered. On May 12th ,and 13th a vigorous fire on land between Forest Hill Avenue and the B. & M. R. R. cost the Town $150.
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I mention these three fires which cost about $550 to extinguish, to illustrate what a little brush fire means to our expense account, to say nothing of damage to property.
This Department has responded on paid calls to 24 Forest Fires in various parts of the town, during the past year, in addition to numerous grass and railroad fires for which no charge has been made.
Bills amounting to $48.80 have been paid on account of work done in 1914.
The appropriation of $350, made at the Annual Town Meeting, not being sufficient to meet the needs of the Depart- ment, the Finance Committee voted that the sum of $559.03 available in the Emergency Fund, be transferred to the Forest Warden's account.
It may be of interest to note that equipment for the De- partment has been furnished in the past few years as follows:
1912
Two forest fire wagons $320 00
Equipment for wagons
174 31
.
$494 31
1913
Lanterns, axes, etc.
14 68
1914
Milk cans, force pumps, small tools,
etc.
26 70
1915
Extinguishers
$39 00
Johnson pumps
60 00
99 00
$634 69
OSCAR E. PHILLIPS,
Warden
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REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of Lynnfield :-
The cemeteries of the town have been thoroughly mown and cleared up, and many hollows and washouts in avenues of Forest Hill Cemetery have been filled.
In Forest Hill Cemetery and the West Burying Ground, where families are practically extinct, several headstones have been reset. and righted up.
The Cemetery Commissioners would, at this time, recom- mend that the Town appropriate a sum of money to grade and improve avenues in Forest Hill Cemetery. It would certainly be a credit to the Town to have the burying places of its citizens present a respectable appearance.
In Willow Cemetery some trees have been planted, and a new pump has been put in its well.
Two lots have been sold during the past year.
SETH H. RUSSELL,
J. W. PERKINS,
Commissioners
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Lynnfield :-
During the year ending December 31, 1915, a constant effort has been made to keep our schools up to a desirable standard. We feel that much remains to be done in this direction toward which the best efforts of the entire department and also of the community should be given.
We were indeed sorry to lose the services of Miss Pitts, who resigned at the end of the Fall term, to be married. She has our thanks for the valuable services she rendered and our best wishes for future happiness.
What might have become a scarlet fever epidemic obtained foothold in the South School in the latter part of October. Under the circumstances this school was promptly closed, and was not reopened until the usual safeguards had been taken. We were fortunate in having no more than three cases.
In accordance with your vote of the last annual Town meeting, your committee has caused a new well to be dug on the South School lot. There is every reason to believe that the supply from this well will be entirely adequate. The State Department of Health has reported that "in its present condi- tion the water of this well may safely be used for drinking. It is advisable, however, that the water be analyzed from time to time."
Your committee has also caused the South School lot to be graded, as far as the appropriation for that purpose allowed. That this expenditure was justified is obvious when one realizes that the children now have an area for recreation, which, although limited in size and leaving much to be desired, is removed from the danger of passing traffic.
The provision of additional entrances and exits in the Centre School Building has been considered desirable for a
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number of years, but has never been formally placed before you for action on account of the many new expenditures for school purposes you have been asked to make from time to time. A recent fire calamity, however, prompts the presenta- tion of this matter now. There is only one exit, except through the basement, from the building in question. We are of opinion that the possibility of a conflagration there is extremely remote, and the chance of a fire shutting off the present exit before the children could be marshalled from the building is very improbable.
Nevertheless, it is our duty to be on the safe side. Further- more a question of comfort of pupils and economy of fuel is involved in this. The present means of ingress and egress is struck full force by the winds which prevail during our coldest weather. On the door being opened the cloak room immediately becomes so chilled that it is impossible to raise the temperature therein to a comfortable degree during the remainder of the same day. This need not be if entrances be provided through other exposures of the building. It has been suggested that a doorway be cut through the centre of the southeast wall, immediately opposite the present entrance. We do not recommend this for the following reasons :-
1. If the idea be to provide escape in case of fire, it is doubtful if such door would accomplish the purpose, inasmuch as both front and rear doors, especially the latter, would be adjacent to the heating plant.
2. The children, on entering, would have to walk through the class-rooms to the cloak room.
3. There would be no adequate entrance area.
In our opinion, if entrances be made as indicated in the diagram herewith appended, the following results would be obtained :-
1. In case of fire, the occupants could use either or all three exits, two of which would be removed from the heating plant.
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2. The children on entering would be in the cloakroom.
3. Separate entrance and exit would be availabe for each room.
4. It would be unnecessary to allow the chilling blasts to enter the building during the colder weather.
To this we solicit your favorable consideration.
A comparison of the disbursements of this department to-day with those of only a few years ago shows considerable increase. This is due in greater measure to items over which we have no, or very little control. These include expenses of high school tuition and transportation, larger teaching staff, increased consumption of fuel, increased maintenance, interest on notes, etc. Our expenses are also more on account of a fifty per cent reduction by the State in its reimbursement for high school tuition. There has been practically no additional expenditure for books and supplies, except as occasioned by the larger number of pupils. Teachers' salaries have been raised, But no more than, if as much as, they should. It seems incongruous that we look to our teachers to perform a very important function in the training, disciplining and moulding of character of our children, and not give them commensurate return therefor. When we consider the salary of a teacher we should think of more than the time and labor she expends in the classroom. We should think of the time and effort she has spent in preparation for her profession, and, perhaps more ยท particularly, of the time and effort she expends, or should expend, in keeping herself, as well as her pupils, up to the best modern standards. Furthermore, in a town like Lynnfield, our teachers should be identified with our community life. There should be the closest co-operation between teachers and parents, and between the individual teachers. Without this, maximum efficiency cannot be attained. To attract to our schools, teachers who are capable of producing maximum effi- ciency, we should do our part by providing the proper incentive, financially and socially. The parents and citizens of Lynnfield should make it possible for our teachers to obtain an accurate guage of our local conditions and requirements, and we have
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a right to expect that our teachers will make it their duty to intelligently diagnose these matters as far as possible. It naturally follows that the financial incentive at least cannot be given to a teacher whose work does not measure up to a desirable standard.
To provide funds for the disbursements of this department for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1916, we shall ask you to vote to our use all unexpended school balances as of Dec. 31, 1915, and raise and appropriate the sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000).
Following will be found the reports of the Superintendent and Supervisors.
Respectfully submitted,
E. J. CLARKE, Chairman. FLORENCE R. HOWE, Secretary J. WINSLOW PERKINS.
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Primary
Proposed Enfrance
stoop
Stoop
Cloak Room
Cloak Room
Present Entrance
Diagram showing proposed new entrances for Centre School House
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Grammar
Proposed Entrance
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee :-
Madam and Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to present herewith for your consideration my fourth annual report of the Lynnfield schools.
One of the most potent factors in maintaining a high standard of efficiency in any school system is the permanency of the teaching corps. With every change of teachers there is a distinct loss to the school. It' takes time for the new teacher to become acquainted with the children, to learn the course of study and to get in touch with the general conditions in the school and in the community. While this adjustment is taking place there are liable to be some misunderstandings and some mistakes that are positive hindrances to the progress of the work of the children. The frequent changes in teachers in the small towns is also a hindrance to the most efiective work by the superintendent of schools in that much of his time must be given to starting new teachers in conditions as they are, rather than to the larger duty of increasing the general efficiency of the schools through systematic standardization of the work of the schoolroom.
In this respect Lynnfield has been very fortunate. During the past year there has been but one change in the teaching corps. Miss Edith Pitts resigned her position as principal of the South School and closed her services there at the end of the Fall term. It is not my custom to point out in the Town Report the success or failure of any individual teacher, but the splendid work done in the South School by Miss Pitts deserves more than general mention. She came to us highly recom- mended and in not a single point were we disappointed in the work she did. The excellent spirit in which Miss Pitts entered upon her work was always manifest in her attitude toward the school officials, in her dealings with other teachers, and in her every-day life with the children.
The vacancy caused by Miss Pitts' resignation has been filled by the election of Miss Ida M. Blossom, of Cliftondale,
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for the rest of the present school year. Miss Blossom has had four years' experience in teaching and has recently completed a course in commercial training. She has taken up the work with promise of success.
On the whole the work of the past year has been very satisfactory. The course of study prepared to meet the needs of the Lynnfield schools was in the hands of the teachers for consideration and suggestion during the first part of the year and is now being typewritten for regular use in the schools. It does not seem wise to have a course of study printed as it is generally desirable to make changes from year to year to meet changing conditions. No course can remain unchanged for any length of time and serve its true purpose as a guide for the work of the schools. The needs of the children should always be the first consideration. The modern course of study should leave the teacher very free to develop the work best suited to he needs of her classes which vary greatly from year to year, but should, however, define certain minimum require- ments that all grades should master. A maximum limit, on the other hand, for the work of all the children of a grade is not just to some who may easily do more advanced work. When any pupil shows ability to do the work of a more advanced grade, opportunity should be given him to do such work, and when it is best for the child extra help should be given in such advanced work. In 'the past too much emphasis has been placed upon the needs of the backward and slow children. Now, while we still give proper attention to these children, we also believe that it is just to give more attention than we have given heretofore, to those children who, with a little more help and encouragement could save considerable time in covering the work of the elementary school. This does not mean that any children should be rushed or forced beyond their power to do good work, but it does mean that those children who have the power to grasp more advanced work than their classes, as a whole, can accomplish, shall have the privilege of doing such work and of receiving the necessary help to accomplish it well.
This is a matter, however, that must be handled with a great deal of care and must be given very careful study in order
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that no injustice shall be done any child. Only the teachers, who are in daily contact with the children and their work, are able to decide what children need special promotion, special help or other consideration, and all cases must be passed upon and approved by the superintendent of schools before any move can be made.
Since October 1, 1915 the Superintendent of Schools has had regular office hours in Lynnfield as follows: In each month, every second Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m. at the South School, and 2 to 3 p.m. at the Center School; every fourth Thursday, 9 to 11 a.m., at the Center School and 2 to 3 p.m., at the South School. These office hours are for the purpose of giving the people of the Town the opportunity to reach the Superintendent and to talk over with him matters in connection with their children and the management of the school in general. Up to the present time no one has seen fit to use this opportunity, although several matters of importance have come to the Superintendent's attention in a round-about way that ought to have been taken up with him personally. These office hours will be continued and it is very desirable that parents and others interested in the improvement of the schools will use them freely. It is only by coming in contact and co-operating that we can work together for the greatest good of all concerned.
The improvements made on the grounds at the South School are a great advantage to the children, who previously had not much more than the streets to play in. With this addition so much needed, the Lynnfield boys and girls now have better opportunities for play. If now they could have some simple apparatus adapted to the needs of the different grades there would be good opportunity for the teachers to develop the physical side of the children and in this way strengthen them mentally.
In closing this report I wish to record my appreciation of the helpful advice and support of the School Committee, the hearty co-operation of the teachers and the general interest of the people of Lynnfield.
Respectfully submitted, HARVEY R. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools
January 24, 1916.
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Report of Supervisor of Music
Mr. H. R. Williams,
Supt. of Schools, Lynnfield, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
The music in the public schools of Lynnfield has main- tained its usual high standard; this could not have been accom- plished without the hearty co-operation of the teachers with the supervisor.
The aim of teaching the pupils has not been to make accom- plished musicians, but to inspire a love for music, and to develop in them power of enjoyment and appreciation of the great art. The number who become artists is comparatively small; but school music has the the power to open for the masses means of pure enjoyment. One writer has asked: "Have you realized that there is practically no gathering together of the people without a demand for music? We ask for music for our political campaigns, our banquets, our weddings, and our funerals. We have our bands for many occasions; we have music for our private parties and social parties; we sing when we are glad and we wish the consolation of music when we are sad." Is it any wonder, then, that the teaching of music in our public schools is so popular?
The individuality of the teacher has been encouraged, believing that such work is beneficial and adds to the efficiency of the teacher.
Much attention has been given to the writing of music, the key signatures, and the technical work in general. One school in addition to the regular lessons has added the first principles in harmony.
My sincere thanks are due to the teachers for their en- thusiastic helpfulness, and to those in authority for their un- divided support.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. WALES, Supervisor of Music
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Report of Supervisor of Drawing
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