USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1911-1920 > Part 26
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In 1915
$ 58.71
In 1916 26.59
In 1917 138.11
36
Levy of the year 1916 :-
$156.29 In 1916
In 1917 117.91
Levy of the year 1917: ·
In 1917 . $113.78
Poll taxes not included.
Respectfully submitted, BOARD OF ASSESSORS
HENRY W. HODGDON, Secretary
1
37
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1917:
Sealed
Con- demned
Ad- justed
Platform scales over 5000 lbs.
2
1
Patform scales under 5000 lbs.
8
Counter scales
6
Spring balance
5
2
Beam scales
3
Computing scales
2
Slot weighing machine
1
Weights avoirdupois
62
Dry measures
4
Liquid measures
19
Oil Measuring Pumps
8
1
Molasses Measuring Pumps
3
Ice Cream Cans
15
Yard Measures
1
Total fees collected $10.06
OSCAR E. PHILLIPS,
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
38
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYORS
-
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
At the first of the past year, we lost, by death, one of our Com- missioners, Warren Newhall. His earnest endeavors to please the public and place the work where it was most needed was very noticeable, and in him we lost an able man. 1
It has been very hard to obtain help and get teams to good advantage during the past year, and then the long distance to go to get good gravel made it difficult to make the appropriation go as far as we would like to have had it.
Automobiles and heavy trucks wear the roads down very quickly, and cause a great many holes in the roads which have to be filled in before they get larger.
The work on Salem street has progressed and the State has greatly improved the Turnpike.
Luther Hastings, appointed March 22, 1917, to succeed the late Warren Newhall, did not have much occasion for duty as the work was practically over.
At the next annual meeting it would be well for the Town not to be too saving on their appropriation for Highways.
FRANK NEWHALL, JAMES SAVAGE, LUTHER HASTINGS, Highway Surveyors.
39
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
As submitted to them by Librarian and Assistant Librarian : To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
During the past year fifty-nine dollars have been received towards, and paid over to the War Library Fund at Washington, D. C., of which fifty-five dollars was our apportionment. Gifts received :
From State, 9 books.
From Mrs. C. E. Robinson, 1 book.
From Interstate Commerce Commission, Washington, D. C., 1 book.
From the Misses C. A. Powell and A. B. Congdon, 60 books
Magazines from Mrs. F. W. Freeman, Miss Katherine H. Haywood, Mrs. E. J. Clark and Mrs. J. W. Perkins.
Number of magazine patrons
33
Number of magazines loaned
332
Number of book patrons
188
Number of books loaned
2605
Fines collected at the Main Library, $9.70 and paid into the Town Treasury.
ELIZABETH W. GREEN,
Librarian.
BRANCH LIBRARY
Number of magazine patrons 95
Number of magazines loaned 735
Number of book patrons 136
Number of books loaned 1308
Magazine gifts by D. G. Harvey and Mrs. Willis Peabody.
Books given, fourteen (fiction), Mrs. Albert Mansfield.
Number of new books, fifty-seven.
Fines collected and paid into Town Treasury, $2.00.
CORA F. PIKE,
Branch Librarian.
40
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
We most respectfully submit the following report of the Park Commissioners, for the year ending December 31, 1917:
Balance on hand January 1, 1917 $ 8.09
Receipts
10.00
"Total receipts $18.09
Expenditures :
E. M. Fletcher $ 3.00
H. P. Moulton 11.00
Balance on hand, 1918 14.00
$ 4.09
We recommend that $25.00 be appropriated for care of : grounds, etc.
WILLIAM W. MOXHAM, Chairman, EDWARD Q. MOULTON, Treasurer, SIDNEY E. RICHARDS.
41
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1917.
This Department has been more active than usual during the past year, having responded to 27 calls, including both bell and still alarms, 14 for brush and grass, 13 for buildings and auto- mobiles.
The new motor-driven combination chemical and ladder truck to replace horse-drawn chemical No. 2 was put into service about September 1, after some delay, caused by the sudden death of the builder.
Motor-driven apparatus has proven its efficiency in several cases, more particularly the Swain house on Salem street, three- quarters of a mile away, and the Daniels house on Main street, two and a half miles away. In each case fire was extinguished with but slight damage.
I wish to thank the members of the Department (being all volunteers) for services rendered, and their readiness to answer calls. Also any others who may have assisted.
I recommend an appropriation of $1,000 for the use of the Department for the coming year.
Also the purchase of 3 Johnson pumps, one for each motor apparatus, 6 hand extinguishers to be placed about the town, a suitable fire bell or whistle and alarm boxes at Lynnfield Centre.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD A. RUSSELL,' Chief.
42
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the last year the Department has put out 39 fires, and issued 274 permits. Twice it has responded to out of town calls for help. All of the fires have been handled quickly and well, and none have had a chance to attain any size to speak of. All bills have been paid, also new extinguishers have been bought and the Department has not exceeded its appropriation.
LEWIS F. POPE, Forest Warden.
43
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
At the last Annual Town Meeting it was voted to appropriate $100.00 to be spent by the Tree Warden. Out of this money I pur- chased twenty-five Norway Maples. They were planted along the roadside, some in each part of the Town. Some of the remaining money was spent in trimming trees and removing dead limbs, which I deemed were dangerous to the public.
I hope a similar appropriation will be made at the coming Town meeting.
LYMAN H. TWISS, Tree Warden
44
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The cemeteries have been once thoroughly mown and some parts have required a second cutting. It is our desire to make these cemeteries as nearly as possible, pleasant and attractive places. It is with a feeling of pleasure that we can report an in- creasing' tendency among lot owners to improve and keep lots in good shape, with the special appropriation made at the annual town meeting of 1917, for improving avenues of Forest Hill Cemetery. Two of them running parallel with the central one, have been lined up and graded, making in the last two years, three graded from the front to the circle in the center, crossed by two transverse one running parallel with Forest Hill avenue. We think that this work has given very general satisfaction and we would recommend a further continuation of it.
Some avenues have been newly staked in the new part of the cemetery, and two blocks of lots have been staked also. The endowed lots have been properly cared for in all the cemeteries.
We find by the plan of Willow Cemetery, that the lots are nearly all taken, that are cleaned of wood. We have decided to cut wood, so as to open up two lots and one avenue north and west of the cemetery. We hope the voters of the town will take notice that each side of Central avenue, the ground is so low that the lots are not salable, and that in the near future there will need to be an appropriation to put this part of the cemetery in proper shape, so- that the lots may be taken.
1
SETH H. RUSSELL,
J. W. PERKINS, WILLIS E. PEABODY, Cemetery Commissioners.
45
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF BROWN-TAIL AND GYPSY MOTH WORK
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
By an agreement between the Selectmen and the State Moth Commission, the work of the Moth Department has been financed by the State Commission for the past year. It was required that the Town raise the sum of $576.85 as their proportion of the money to be expended in the Town of Lynnfield for this work. In addi- tion, work done and charged to property owners brings the total amount due the State Commission up to $1305.72.
LYMAN H. TWISS,
Superintendent of Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth Work.
1
-
46
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING AND BEEF
Number of animals slaughtered at Gould's plant, Lynnfield, for year ending December 31st, 1917: 64 cows, 327 calves, 10 pigs, 3 sheep. Four cows condemned by reason of tuberculosis and blood poisoning.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD A. DOYLE, Inspector of Slaughtering and Beef.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BARNS AND CATTLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the year I have inspected forty-one barns, and found them to be in fairly good condition.
LUTHER N. HASTINGS, Inspector of Barns and Cattle
47
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON WATER SUPPLY FOR ENGINE HOUSE, PRECINCT II
1
Lynnfield, Mass., Dec. 31, 1917.
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
At a special Town meeting held August 20, the sum of $400 was appropriated for the purpose of installing motor, pump, and storage tank in Chemical Building No. 2. The committee appointed by Chemical Company No. 2 beg to make the following report:
The equipment was purchased from C. Comer Jones Co. and was installed by William Griffin and L. E. Roberts.
Total expenditures
.$384.22
Balance 15.78
Respectfully submitted,
L. E. ROBERTS,
WM. GRIFFIN, W. W. MOXHAM,
Committec.
48
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MOTORIZING HORSE- DRAWN ENGINE 2
Lynnfield, Mass., Dec. 31, 1917. To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
At the last annual Town meeting, it was voted that the horse- drawn Chemical No. 2 should be motorized and the committee ap- pointed by the Town for the execution of that work beg to make the following report :
1. The apropriation was $1,600.00
Received from sale of running gear and body
of old truck 60.00
Received for one pair of harnesses 12.00
Total receipts $1,672.00
2. The committee after thorough investigation of various motive power units decided in favor of the Locomobile and awarded the contract to the Peabody Garage Co. to furnish a rebuilt Locomobile chassis and place thereon all the available parts of the old truck for the sum of $1,400.00, which sum did not include new ladders and other necessary minor equipment.
3. We purchased six regulation fire ladders, amounting to 180 lineal feet from the Moulton Ladder Co., for the sum of .$256.25
Paid W. W. Moxham for supplies 4.00
Total expenditures $1,660.25
Balance 11.75
Respectfully submitted WM. E. GERRY, GEORGE W. PILLSBURY, WM. GRIFFIN, E. Q. MOULTON,
W. W. MOXHAM, Committee.
49
School Department
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The report of Superintendent Williams, to which you are urged to give your careful attention, recites the major happenings and conditions relative to the School Department for the year 1917. We have tried to make the various changes in the teaching staff act as stepping stones towards that degree of perfection which it should be our endeavor to attain. With appreciation for the services of former teachers, and without relaxation on our part in our quest for the best, it can be justly admitted that in the present staff we have a corps of teachers of distinct merit. Unfortunately, posi- tions in schools in a town like Lynnfield are too often but lower rungs in a teacher's ladder of ambition. The halo of positions in larger schools attracts them and we are deprived of their services. A prominent educator has said that the only remedy for this is financial inducement. While, of course, this remedy can only be applied within reason, your committee feels that it should be our policy to attract to our schools the best instructors within our means.
The matter of making an addition to the Centre School building must receive favorable consideration at an early date. Last fall, an unusually large entering class precipitated a condition which rendered it necessary for us to obtain the services of an additional teacher, and consider the advisability of finding an additional room in another building. It was only by the timely leaving town of several of the enrolled children, and by the withdrawal of certain first year pupils that an arrangement could be made whereby each child was properly seated. As it is, the corridors are used for cer- tain phases of the wohk, and we have a three teacher staff operating in a two-room building. This can only be looked upon as a make- shift. The question of proceeding to obtain definite plans and es- timates for an addition to the building, to be submitted to you for action, has been given attention. In view of the war conditions, however, and after taking into account the probable number of children who will attend the Centre School next year, we venture to suggest that the existing arrangement be continued for the pres-
50
ent. Nevertheless, we are so near the danger line in this respect that the postponement cannot be of long duration.
The present shortage of fuel in New England, unfortunately, has been considered sufficient excuse for the closing of schools in several cities and towns. The education given our children in the public schools is not too adequate a preparation for the normal problems of life. It is probable that the problems of the future will be abnormal in degree, and that they will be solved by those who are now children. The time and the place to prepare for this task is now and in our schools. If we close the schools we weaken this preparation at the expense of both the community and the in- dividual. It is cause for satisfaction that the Federal Fuel Ad- ministrator has specifically ruled his recent edict does not not re- quire schools to close. In the absence of further restrictions we hope to continue the schools as in normal times.
The general increase in the cost of living is naturally reflected in the increased cost of maintaining the schools. Our increases, however, are not caused as much by the cost of service as by the increased amount of service rendered. We have added a member to our teaching staff and we have a larger number of pupils attend- ing both our own grammar schools and out of town high schools. In the latter case, we expect a net increase of ten pupils during the coming year. Such additions add a comparatively large per- centage to the cost of maintaining a system such as ours. The amount you will be asked to raise and appropriate for school pur- poses at the forthcoming town meeting has been determined by a very careful survey of our probable requirements for the year 1918. The margins for exigencies have been reduced to a mini- mum, and practically preclude further reductions if our present standard is to be maintained.
ERNEST J. CLARKE, Chairman FLORENCE R. HOWE, Secretary NELSON B. TODD.
1
51
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Lynnfield School Committee:
Madam and Gentlemen :---
I have the honor to submit for your consideration, my sixth report of the progress and condition of the Lynnfield schools.
During the past year, there have been several changes in the teaching corps of the town, due to various causes. Miss Littlefield resigned at the close of the year in June, to be married. Miss Hobbs resigned at the same time as she desired school work of a different kind from that of the Center grammar school and Miss Chandler resigned to take a better position.
Miss Elizabeth Winston of Lynn, a Salem Normal graduate, and Miss Mabelle Bagley of Salem, a graduate of the Leslie Normal, Cambridge, were appointed to the primary and intermediate rooms respectively, in the South school.
Miss Alice Webber, a graduate of Fitchburg Normal and a teacher of several years' successful experience was elected princi- pal of the Center school. All these teachers are doing exceptionally good work.
At the end of the school year, Mr. Wales, for thriteen years the music supervisor, who had been on leave of absence for the better part of the year resigned and his substitute, Mr. Findlay, was elected his successor, but on account of the train service from Boston, Mr. Findlay was obliged to give up the work in October and Miss Alice M. Genthner, supervisor in the towns of West New- bury, Groveland and Merrimac was appointed supervisor for the rest of the present year.
Early in the fall term this year, the primary room at the Cen- -
ter was found to have too many pupils to be seated in the room, also too many for one teacher to handle and get the best results. After careful consideration of the best means for relieving the con- ditions, it was decided to place the fourth grade in the grammar room where they could be comfortably seated and to employ a third teacher to help carry on the work. Miss Avice Riggs, of Essex, a graduate of Salem Normal, who, for the previous year and up to the time of the change in Lynnfield had been teaching in Wen-
52
ham, was selected to help out in this school. This teacher was re- leased from Wenham, because of the closing of her school for lack of enough pupils to make the school profitable. Miss Riggs takes the first two grades in the primary room and Mrs. Young takes the work of the third and fourth grades, and some of the fifth, hearing her classes in the front hallway which has been fitted up with chairs and desk and serves very well the purpose of a class-room. This also relieves the program to some extent in the grammar room.
Since this change was made, the work in all these grades has progressed rapidly and, although the number of pupils has fallen off some since the plan was started, there is still plenty of work for three teachers and the results certainly justify continuing the third teacher in the school until there is a much larger falling off in the number of pupils.
This is in line with the recommendation made in the last re- port, that some move be made to reduce the number of classes to a teacher in these rooms having three and four grades. This will make it possible to give the children in the lower grades much more attention, and also give the teacher of the upper grades a chance to better prepare the pupils for the high school.
A question that bothers more or less at the South School is whether or not we should prepare the pupils going to Peabody High for the ninth or the tenth grade. Pupils, as a whole, have been entering the tenth grade but have found it more or less difficult to maintain a good standing in that class.
In conference with Mr. Woodman, the principal, he advises that we enter all pupils in the ninth or sub-freshman class. In this school, pupils are allowed to proceed as rapidly as they are able and may, if capable, complete the work in four years. But we feel that we can do better by these pupils and at present those going to Peabody are taking work in Algebra and English History to- ward entering tenth grade work in September. Those who take courses in the High School can begin the work in the ninth grade and will have the advantages of starting the study under the con- ditions in which they will continue it. They will still be classed as tenth grade pupils and can complete their courses in four years. Other eighth grade pupils are taking the algebra for the help it will be to them in the Wakefield high school.
A matter that should interest every citizen of any town is the effect of the war upon the schools. Every effort should be made to keep the schools at the highest possible point of efficiency during this war as these boys and girls, now being trained in the schools, will be the citizens who will have to deal with the conditions after
53
the war ends, and to meet those conditions and help solve the prob- lems that are sure to come they must have the best possible training we can give them. Concerning any tendency to allow the schools to suffer at this time, Dr. Payson Smith says in a letter sent to all School Committee members in the state: "Education is a long-time investment. Its purpose is to protect democracy through the right training of the youth. Even temporary interference with this pur- pose, through inadequate financial support, may seriously impair the quality of our future citizenship. In the present crisis, it is imperative that towns and cities give careful consideration to the needs of the schools."
It is a pleasure to be able to report again this year the same hearty co-operation of all connected with the schools that has ex- isted in past years. We are always glad to receive the suggestions of the Parent-Teachers' Associations and of any other persons in- terested in the schools.
Weather and travelling permitting, the superintendent observes the same office hours as have been in effect for three years and is always glad to meet parents or other people at those hours or any time to talk over the work of the schools. No one realizes better than the superintendent, the disadvantages of living so far from the town and the schools and any assistance that the people can give by coming to the school during office hours or by asking a special appointment at the homes is always much appreciated.
In closing I wish to express my highest appreciation for the hearty co-operation of all the teachers, for the advice and support of the School Committee, and not the least of these, the pleasant attitude of the people of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
HARVEY R. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools January 24, 1918.
54
CALENDAR 1918-1919
1918
March 4 Schools Open for Middle Term
April 26 Middle Term Closes
April 26 to May 6 Spring Vacation
May 6 Spring Term Begins
June 28 Spring Term Closes
June 28 to September 4 Summer Vacation
September 4 Fall Term Opens
November 27, at noon, to December 2 Thanksgiving Recess
December 20 Fall Term Closes
December 20 to December 30 Christmas Vacation
Decmeber 30 Winter Term Begins
1919
February 21 Washington's Birthday observed
February 21 to March 3. . Winter vacation
March 3 Middle term begins
Age of Admission
No child will be admitted to the first grade at the opening of schools in September who will not be five years of age by the first day of October.
Pupils are admitted to this grade only during the first two weeks of school in September unless they have attended school in some other town.
Vaccination
Attention is called to the requirements of the law in relation to vaccination of school children. Chap 44, Section 6: "A child who has not been vaccinated shall not be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certificate granted for cause stated therein, signed a regular practicing physician that he is not a fit subject for vaccination."
The suggestion is made that this matter receive attention dur- ing the summer vacation so that children may be ready to enter when schools open.
55
Registration by Schools and Grades as of December, 1917
GRADES
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII VIII Ttls
South
14
15
7
12
1
16
6
7 78
Center
16
8
12
6
7
5
4
11
69
Totals
30
23
19
18
8
21
10
18
147
School Census
South Center Total
Boys between
5 and 7 years of age
10
11
21
Girls between
5 and 7 years of age
10
8
18
Boys between
7 and 14 years of age
20
35
55
Girls between
7 and 14 years of age
35
19
54
Boys between 14 and 16 years of age
9
10
19
Girls between 14 and 16 years of age
.5
4
9
Totals
89
87
176
Results of Eye and Ear Tests, September, 1917
Number of pupils enrolled
121
Number found defective in eyesight
6
Number found defective in hearing
2
Number of parents or guardians notified
6
56
ATTENANCE STATISTICS, YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1917
SCHOOLS
Length of Year
Number Enrolled
Boys Girls Enrolled Enrolled
Average Average Aggre'te Number Number Number Number Member- Attend- ship Attend- ance ance under 5
between 5 and 7
between between 7 and 14 14 and 16
No. over 16
MOS. DAYS
South Grammar
8
18
28
11
17
25
22.5
4404.5
0
21
7
0
Center Grammar
8
18
26
18
8
22
19.8
3509.
0
()
22
4
0
So. Intermediate
8
18
34
14
20
28.2
26.1
4704.5
0
1
33
0
South Primary
8
18
27
11
16
23.8
20.5
3692.5
1
23
3
0
0)
Center Primary
8 18
39
22
17
32.7
30.3
5251.5
0)
14
25
0)
0
TOTALS
154
76
78
141.7
119.2
21562.
1
38
104
11
·
TEACHERS DIRECTORY, JANUARY 1, 1918
NAME
SCHOOL
WHEN AP- POINTED
GRADES
SALARY
EDUCATION
Marion Titus
South Grammar
1916
VI-VIII
$750
Boston University
Mabelle P. Bagrey
South Intermediate
1917
III-V
500
Leslie Normal, Cambridge
Elizabeth C. Winston
South Primary
1917
I-II
500
Salem Normal
Alice C. Wilber
Center Grammar
1917
V-VIII
700
Fitchburg Normal
Mrs. Florence T. Young
Center Intermediate
1905
III-IV
625
Salem Normal
Avice G. Riggs
Center Primary
1916
I-II
575
Salem Normal
Alice M. Genthner
Music
1917
$150
N. E. Conservatory
Isabella M. Hurst
Drawing
1916
*150
Normal Art, Boston
*One half day each week.
§Two days a month, alternate Mondays.
HIGH SCHOOL REGISTER
WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Scholars Graduated June, 1917
Grace Auburn
Flora Eaton
Paul F. Gove Lawrence Turner
SCHOLARS ATTENDING 1917-1918
First Year
Beatrice Eaton
Lester Preston
May Millar
Elizabeth Law William MacBrien *Thornton Upham
Second Year
r
Arthur Flannigan
Adelaide Sweetser
Hyman Gersinovitch
Dorothy Taylor
Gertrude Hutchinson
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