USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1911-1920 > Part 35
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Valuation of April Assessment
$1,713,263.00 $ 22.75
Tax Rate to meet above levy
36
TABLE OF AGGREGATES FOR APRIL ASSESSMENTS
Number of residents assessed on property 282
Number of non-residents assessed on property .. 199 Total number of persons assessed on property .. 500
Number of polls assessed 395
Valuation of assessed personal estate
$ 233,543.00
Valuation of assessed real estate
1,479,720.00
Total valuation of property assessed
1,713,263.00
Tax on personal estate .
5,313.31
Tax on real estate
33,664.25
Tax on polls 790.00
Total tax
39,767.56
Tax rate per $1,000
22.75
Number of horses assessed
101
cows assessed 227
swine assessed 71
66
66 neat cattle assessed 5
66
66 fowl assessed 1421
66
dwelling houses assessed 451
acres of land assessed 6001
DECEMBER ASSESSMENTS
Value of real estate assessed
$ 7,865.00
Tax on real estate $ 178.65
VALUATIONS: COMPARISONS WITH PREVIOUS YEARS
Real and personal property, April 1916
$1,399,415.00
66
December 1916
42,693.00
66
December 1917 21,400.00
66
66
66
66
April 1918 1,615,333.00
66
66
66
December 1918 2,150.00
66
66
April 1919
1,713,263.00
66
66
66
66 December 1919
8,115.00
37
66
66
April 1917 1,486,221.00
ABATEMENTS OF TAXES ON REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
Levy of the year 1917 :-
In 1917
$117.55
In 1918
65.14
In 1919
162.95
Levy of the year 1918 :-
In 1918
$151.47
In 1919
94.01
Poll taxes not included
Levy of the year 1919 :-
In 1919
$212.72
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY W. HODGDON, Secretary.
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, 1919.
Sealed
Con- demned
Ad- justed
Platform scales over 5,000 lbs.
2
Platform scales under, 5,000 lbs.
7
Counter scales
9
Spring balances
15
Computing scales, platform
1
Computing scales, hanging
1
Weights avoirdupois
59
Liquid measures
26
Oil Measuring pumps
10
Molasses Measuring Pumps
5
Ice Cream cans
16
Yard measures
1
Total fees collected, $13.64.
OSCAR E. PHILLIPS, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
38
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
(As submitted to them by the Librarian and Asst. Librarian)
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
We hereby submit the following report:
MAIN LIBRARY
Number of books loaned 2,880
Number of book patrons 193
Number of magazines loaned
212
Number of magazine patrons 20
Received in fines $15.30
GIFTS
Magazines have been received from Mrs. F. W. Freeman, Mrs. J. W. Perkins, Miss Helen Davis, Miss Alice Bartlett, Miss Alice Livingston and E. W. Lundahl.
A set of pictures on Belgium from the Women's Educational As- sociation were loaned us at one time the past year for four weeks. Another set on California is expected the last of March. These are fine pictures and are much enjoyed.
We expect in the late Spring to have our Library card catalogued under the direction of the Massachusetts Library Commission. It is hoped that a number of ladies will volunteer to assist in this work. The card catalogue has been needed for years and now through the legacy of Mrs. Adelia Perkins Clough and the Commission, we hope to have this much needed work accomplished.
ELIZABETH W. GREEN, Librarian.
BRANCH LIBRARY
Number of book patrons 265
Number of books loaned 4002
Number of magazine patrons 130
Number of magazines loaned 1084
39
GIFTS
From Massachusetts Free Library Commission 81
Ruth Pillsbury
7
Mrs. MacGregor 1
Sherman Hardy
1
Mrs. A. Bryant, magazines
2
Mrs. Bucknan
2
Mr. S. Burdge
1
Edith Gove, magazines
2
George Lynch
3
Ernest Witham
3
Edward Witham
3
Miss A. Tyler, magazines
1
Mrs. Winter, magazines
Mrs. Trefethern, magazines (bound)
Beverly Library, a large number of fiction and non-fiction
Brookline Library, a large number of fiction and non-fiction
Number of books purchased by Town
50
Money Collected :-
From Fines
$14.70
Sale of Etude Magazines
.90
Sale of old magazines
1.31
Total $16.91
FLORENCE R. HOWE, Librarian.
40
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
There has been very little damage done by forest fires the past year. Most of our fires were caused by trains as usual. If people who discover a fire would use the telephone and call the nearest war- den instead of pulling in an alarm they would save the Town consid- erable expense. Unless there is a building in danger the proper method is the telephone.
Respectfully submitted,
F. C. NEWHALL, Forest Warden.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
At the last Annual Town Meeting a small appropriation was made to purchase shade trees and to maintain the same. Seventeen Norway Maples were planted in various parts of this Town. The trees I have planted during the past few years are doing fine con- sidering the amount of attention they were given. Owing to the small appropriation given us for such it is impossible to do other- wise. The appropriation usually made is so small that it is impos- sible to take proper care of the trees. We have removed several large trees which were dead. I have also been handicapped this year in regards to the labor proposition, so there was not much trim- ming of trees done. I hope a larger appropriation will be made so that the work may be carried on more satisfactorily.
LYMAN H. TWISS, Tree Warden.
41
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The Cemeteries have had the usual general care. The avenues have been kept clean and lots which are not cared for by owners have been thoroughly mown and cleaned up in the general care work. All brush has been mown and with other debris cleaned up and burned.
In Forest Hill Cemetery a very desirable and necessary improve- ment has been made by extending a cross avenue at the center of the Cemetery across lots discontinued for that purpose, to the mar- ginal avenue, making it possible to get out of said marginal avenue without driving the entire length of the Cemetery.
Respectfully submitted,
SETH H. RUSSELL, Chairman, WILLIS E. PEABODY, Secretary, BERTRAM M. PARKER,
Cemetery Commissioners.
42
REPORT OF BUILDING COMMITTEE
ADDITION TO CENTER SCHOOL
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
The undersigned were appointed by the Moderator, as author- ized and directed by the vote of the special town meeting held on Tuesday, June 24, 1919, and, as such Committee, were authorized to proceed with the building of the two-room addition to the Center School.
Immediately upon appointment the Committee met and chose as architects E. B. Balcomb & Co., of Salem. The architect's fee will be 71/2% of the total cost and will approximate $1,000. As the Town had by its appropriation restricted the building to a two-room addi- tion, the plans previously prepared were obliged to be changed, elim- inating the hall on the second floor and substituting hot-air furnaces for a single steam-heating plant. On account of the necessary changes, the Committee were unable finally to approve plans until the second week in July. The plans and specifications having been put into final form, the Committee called for bidders for the building of the addition. A number of bids were received, some for the work . complete, others for specified parts of the work, and after considera- tion the Committee chose as the builder Fred E. Rowell of South Lynnfield, to whom was given a contract for the entire work at a contract price of $14,700.
Owing to labor difficulties, it was not possible to start the work of construction until the middle of August. Thereafter, the weather conditions were decidedly adverse but, notwithstanding the delays, none of which could have been anticipated or avoided, the work pro- gressed with as much speed as could possibly have been expected, with the result that the building was in such condition that we were able to permit the School Department to use the two old rooms and one of the new rooms early in December.
We are not in a position at this time to state exactly what the total expenditures have been. We anticipate, however, that when all the bills are in and the final figures are prepared (which, however,
43
will not be until some time during the early part of 1920) the appro- priation of $16,000, will have been slightly exceeded. The plans and specifications called for the installation of a new hot-air furnace and the using of the old hot-air furnaces, one of which had previously been used to heat the corridor .- We found, however, that any at- tempt to heat the girls' basement by means of an opening from the hot-air furnace would undoubtedly fail and that it was necessary to provide other means for heating this room as well as the children's entrances on either side of the building. The Chairman was accord- ingly authorized to investigate the question of cost of removing the small hot-air furnace and installing a small steam heater. Upon its being ascertained that this could be done at an expense of approxi- mately $500, it was the unanimous opinion of the Committee that such change should be made. This was done at a cost of $475. Had it not been done, we would have been able to turn the building over to the Town with a slight balance from the appropriation made not- withstanding other unavoidable extras to the amount of some $200. The cost of putting in the steam heater, however, will we believe carry the expenditure some $400 in excess of the amount appropriat- ed. The Committee has, therefore, prepared an article for insertion in the warrant for the annual town meeting, requesting the appro- priation by the Town of a sufficient sum to take care of this additional installation.
On December 31, your Committee was notified by the contractor that the work had been entirely completed and the building was ready for inspection of the Committee. The Committee feels that the work has been performed in a most satisfactory and creditable man- ner and that a public building has been added to the Town in which every citizen can take pride.
Respectfully submitted,
N. B. TODD, Chairman,
E. J. CLARKE,
G. M. ROUNDY,
L. F. ALLEN, F. M. PAGE.
44
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Lynnfield:
Since our last report the removal of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Houghton with their family to Philadelphia caused Mrs. Houghton to resign. We accepted her resignation with great regret. In ac- cordance with the provisions of the Revised Laws, at a meeting of the 'selectmen and remaining members of the School Committee Mrs. Martha D. Mansfield was chosen to serve until the next annual town meeting. Mrs. Mansfield was also chosen Secretary of the Board.
The action of the Town in appropriating a sum of money for the building of a two-room addition to the Center School met with the most hearty approval of the School Committee. Although through delays which we realize could not have been avoided we were forced to make temporary arrangements to take care of the children of - Lynnfield Center in the Town Hall for a substantial period, we ap- preciate sincerely the co-operation which we met, not only from the teachers and scholars but also from the parents. We realized that conditions at the Town Hall were unsatisfactory but they were the best that could be provided and we were very glad when early in De- cember the building was in such a condition that we were able to re- sume school work there. This addition relieves the question of con- gestion at Lynnfield Center for a considerable period in the future and will provide the children from that part of the Town with ex- cellent school accommodations.
We regret that in some respects, notable that of ventilation, the facilities in the South school are not equally desirable. It is grow- ing imperative that something be done to improve the system in use there. As we feel, however, that this is an extraordinary expendi- ture, not coming within the authority conferred upon us, we have in- serted in the warrant for the annual town meeting an article calling for the appropriation of a sum of money to provide a more satisfac- tory system. We trust that the Town will approve our action in this respect.
45
There seems to be some confusion with reference to high schools available for the Lynnfield children and the duties of the Committee with respect thereto. Unfortunately, there are not enough children in the Town nor are the houses of the Town so situated that it is in the opinion of the Committee in any respect desirable to attempt to es- tablish a high school in the Town. We are, therefore, obliged to pro- vide high school accommodations in adjoining towns. Those chil- dren residing in the Center have been accustomed in the past to at- tend the high school at Wakefield, the children graduating from the South school have attended high school some at Wakefield, some at Peabody, and in a few instances at Lynn. Under the law, the Town is required to provide high school education to those of its children who desire it and to bear the expense of transportation to and from town; this does not mean from the several homes. It is not, of course, reasonable to ask of any town to provide more than one high school except in extraordinary instances. So long as transportation facili- ties were favorable, the Committee felt that those of the town chil -. dren who desired to attend either Wakefield or Peabody might do so, but with the taking off of the electric cars and the consequent lack of transportation it was the opinion of the Committee that the chil- dren should as far as possible attend one high school, and, as trans- portation to Peabody seemed more convenient and likely to be more permanent, and as both schools offered equally excellent training, the Committee decided that in the future the children graduating from the South school should attend the Peabody High school. Those already attending Wakefield high school, however, were to continue to attend that school unless they desired to change. The parents both of those attending Wakefield high school and those in the last grade in the South school were informed by Mrs. Houghton of the action of the Committee and expressed no disapproval. We desire, how- ever, to make it clear that if in any case it is desired to have a child attend any other high school the Committee will offer no objections, it being understood that the expenses to the Town will be no greater than that involved were the child to attend the Wakefield or the Pea- body high school, as the case may be.
In closing, we take this opportunity to say to each of our towns- people that the Committee will be glad to meet at any time those who wish to take up matters which may relate to school questions.
Respectfully submitted,
NELSON B. TODD, Chairman, MARTHA D. MANSFIELD, Sec'y, EDWARD A. RUSSELL.
46
GRADUATES, JUNE 1919
CENTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Ernest J. Clark, Jr. Paul F. Clark Gordan Millar
Leon Pearson Benjamin Shute Amelia Bowker
Edmund Marcure
SOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Esther Peterson
Gladys Gilbo
Dorothy Hunt
Clara Melanson
Evelyn Delameter
Virginia Elder
Elizabeth Merithew
G. Elwood Houghton
WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
Hazel Phillips Frederick Gove
Raymond Pearson Jackson Gilson
1
-
47
TEACHERS' DIRECTORY, JANUARY 1920
NAME
SCHOOL
WHEN APPOINTED
GRADES
SALARY
EDUCATION
Ethel O'Donnell
South
1918
VII-VIII
$ 900
Salem Normal School
Eliza B. Marsh
South
1919
V-VI
750
Salem Normal School
Mabelle P. Bagley
South
1917
III-IV
850
Lesley Normal, Cambridge
Elizabeth Winston
South
1917
I-II
800
Salem Normal School
Alice L. Wilbur
Center
1917
VI-VII
1000
Fitchburg Normal School
Avice G. Riggs
Center
1917
I-III
850
Salem Normal School
Margaret V. Lamb
Center
1918
IV-V
750
Salem Normal School
*Alice M. Genthner
1917
Music
200
N. E. Conservatory
*Sylvia McGill
1919
Drawing
175
Normal Art School
* One day in two weeks.
ATTENDANCE STATISTICS Year Ending in June, 1919
SCHOOLS
Length of
Year
Number
Enrolled
Boys
Enrolled
Girls
Enrolled
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Aggregate
Attendance
Number Under 5
Number Between
5 and 7
Number Between
Number Between
14 and 16
Number Over 16
South Grammar
a 8 6
27
6
21
24.9
22.2
3685
0
0
23
4
0
South Low Grammar
8 6
00
a
N
15
14.7
2471
0
0
00
0
0
South Intermediate
8 6
29
A
15
22.1
22
3677
0
0
29
0
0
South Primary
8 6
26
12
A
21.7
21.9
3506
C
13
13
0
0
Center Grammar
8 8
41
25
16.
39.3
35.5
5984
O
0
39
2
0
Center Primary
8 6
36
19
17
30
26.8
4424
0
16
20
0
0
Totals
177
82
95
153.0
143.1
23747
0
29
142
6
0
7 and 14
Mos. Ds.
1
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee,
Madam and Gentlemen:
I have the honor to present herewith my eighth annual report of the progress and condition of the Lynnfield schools. It is a pleasure to be able to report that, with the exception of the drawing teacher, there have been no changes in our teaching corps since last report was made. This fact alone means that the work of the schools has continued to progress most satisfactorily. But when we are able to say further that the teachers of Lynnfield schools are second to none in preparation and ability and that they are conscientious and painstaking in all their work, we are assured that the standards of scholarship and discipline were never higher than at the present time.
To be sure, the Committee has found it necessary to raise the salaries in order to retain the services of these teachers, but the same has been true of almost every other town in the Commonwealth and throughout the entire country.
The causes for this condition are not far to seek. The low sal- aries paid the teaching profession, the ever increasing cost of living, and the unheard of wages paid for other lines of work have led many teachers to give up the work for better paying positions. According to the best authority, about 143,000 teachers in this country left the profession during the past year. The registration in the Normal Schools of the country is at present from 30 to 50% below what it should be. As a result there are hundreds of school rooms closed from want of teachers. In December there were 80 schools in Maine and 50 in New Hampshire without teachers. Unless there is relief from the situation in some way the State Superintendent of Maine expects 500 closed school rooms next September.
From the above facts and figures it is clear that in order to hold in our schools the kind of teachers we now have, it is necessary to pay fairly attractive salaries. Should we lose one or more of these teachers, the proposition of finding their successors would be no easy task. Four teachers' agencies and the Salem Normal School were three months finding a candidate who would consider a position in
50
one of my towns although a higher salary was offered than had ever been paid to a grade teacher in the town before.
During the summer vacation, Miss Savary, the drawing teacher, resigned and after three months' search, Miss Sylvia McGill of Rox- bury was appointed to the position, only to resign after one month of service. Miss McGill had three other towns with Lynnfield and the position proved to be undesirable.
Again, it is a pleasure to record that, with the new addition to the Center building, there is room for all the children in the town, with some to spare for future growth. This is another condition that will make for still better work in the schools.
But, on the other hand, there is one thing that hinders. There are a few people who are disposed to place the school as a secondary consideration in their plans for their children. They seem to think, or, at least, they appear to think that a day or a half-day lost oc- casionally does not matter much, when, as a matter of fact, it is a serious question. Every lesson lost is not only a loss to the absentee but it lowers the standing of the entire class, unless the lost work is made up outside the class and this is quite impossible without placing too much of a burden upon the teachers. These few parents should realize that they have no right to lower the standard of the classes by unnecessarily keeping their children away from school. Another important fact should be considered by these people, "School days" is the time when habits of regularity and punctuality should be formed by the children. "At school regularly and on time" should become the habit of every child; not only because it is due the school, but because of the value of such habits to the child, himself. Illness of the chil- dren or other unavoidable circumstances are always sufficient excuse for absence and such reasons are accepted without question. But absence for trivial reasons is not only an offence against the school but it has a very harmful effect upon the children. In the coming year may we not see a marked improvement in the attendance in both ends of the town?
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
During the past year there has been but one change in the regular textbooks. The Aldine Language was adopted for exclusive use in all grades, in place of four different books that have been in use in past years. A few old and badly worn books have been discarded and replaced by new modern editions.
In the matter of supplies, we have tried to keep the schools sup- plied with the material necessary to do good work, and at the same time we have made the usual effort to economize in this direction. All unused scrap paper is saved for further use and a regular plan is used for giving out material to the children.
51
In this connection it is necessary to call attention to the fact that prices on all supplies and books have recently been advanced and unless there is some unexpended money, it will be necessary to increase the appropriation for these things about 25% for the coming year.
I have tried to outline above the three or four most important topics in connection with the schools. There are any number of minor topics that might properly find place in this report, but it seems to me that it is better to leave unsaid any matters of little importance so as not to detract from the questions of most vital importance to the schools.
In closing this report, I wish to express my highest apprecia- tion for the advice and support of the school committee, for the loyal- ty and hearty co-operation of the entire teaching corps, and not the least in importance, for the wide-awake interest the people of Lynn- field take in their schools. With such co-operation in the school or- ganization seconded by the interest of the people, there seems to be no reason why the schools of Lynnfield should not rank second to none.
Respectfully submitted,
HARVEY R. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools.
January 21, 1920.
52
CALENDAR 1920-21
1920
February 27 Schools close for one week
March 8 Third term begins
April 19 Patriots' Day, Holiday
April 23 Schools close for one week
May 3
Schools re-open
May 28 Memorial exercises observed in the schools
May 31* Memorial Day, Holiday observed
June 17 Bunker Hill Day, Holiday
All schools close June 25
SUMMER VACATION
September 8 Fall term begins
October 12 Columbus Day, Holiday
November 24 Schools close at noon for Thanksgiving recess
November 29
Schools re-open
December 23
Schools close at noon for Christmas vacation
1921
January 3 Schools re-open
February 21 Washington's Birthday observed in the schools
February 22 Washington's Birthday, Holiday
February 25
Schools close for one week
March 7
Third term begins
*Holiday falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday.
REGISTRATION BY SCHOOLS AND GRADES AS OF DECEMBER, 1919
Grades
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII VIII Ttls
South School
18
11
18
10
9
10
4
14 94
Center School
12
11
14
9
14
9
11
7 87
-
-
-
Totals
30
22
32
19
23
19
15
21 181
53
RESULTS OF EYE AND EAR TESTS, SEPTEMBER, 1919
Whole number examined 170
Found defective in eyesight 23
Found defective in hearing 4
Notices sent to parents and guardians
12
NOTE : Many of the pupils reported as defective in eyesight are those who have been fitted with glasses. Reports sent to parents and guardians about defective eyesight and hearing should receive care- ful attention unless steps have already been taken to correct these defects.
SCHOOL CENSUS
Center
South
Number between five and seven years of age
Boys
7
11
Girls
11
8
-18
-19
Number between seven and fourteen years of age
Boys
45
35
Girls
24
37
-69
-72
Number between fourteen and sixteen years of age
Boys
12
3
Girls
6
11
-18
-14
105
105
Total Census 210
54
AGE OF ADMISSION
No child will be admitted to the first grade in September who will not be five years of age on or before the first day of October. Pupils are admitted to this grade only during the first two weeks of the term unless they have attended school in some some other town.
Permission to enter school under other conditions than those named above should be obtained from the superintendent of schools.
VACCINATION
Children who have not been vaccinated will not be admitted to school in September unless they present a certificate from a regular practicing physician stating that they are not fit subjects for vac- cination. Parents are requested to attend to this matter during the summer vacation as certificates of vaccination or of exemption must be presented at the opening of school to entitle children to admission.
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