USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1900-1909 > Part 28
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My duties began in this district April 13, 1908, one third of my time to be given to each town.
The superintendent's place is in the school room, and I have been in the schools regularly, observing, criticising, suggesting. On account of the distance which some of the teachers would have to travel, no general teachers' meetings were held. However, they have been instructed what to do, and how to do it, as circumstances warranted. Tests have been given frequently in the schools, and points of strength and weakness shown; some weaknesses which the teachers did not realize; work has been given along lines that will continue the strength, and lead to a correction of such weaknesses as have appeared. Drill, drill, drill, will be the policy for the year.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
"Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools are in session. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required; if he fails for five day sessions or ten-half day sessions within any period of six
107
months while under such control to cause such child-so to attend school, he shall be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars." (Sec. 1, Chap. 44 Revised Stat- utes. )
I wish to call the attention of parents to the above extract from the school laws. Some of our children do not attend school as this law says they shall. Such children lose rapidly, and then incur a distaste for school work; sometimes the parents are too indulgent, and allow their children to stay at home on the slightest pretext; they may be sorry later.
Some parents tell how "smart" their boys, or girls, are in certain lines, but remember parents, that with that natural ability plus an education, they would be many times "smarter." Let us see if we cannot live nearer to the meaning of the law during the coming year.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL ROOMS.
I wish to make a general comment on the above topic:
Our children stay five or six hours each day in the school room. Should not the school room be as attractive as possible for them? The effort shown by some of our teachers to make the rooms attractive and homelike is commendable. Teachers have very little extra money, so should not be asked to go to any expense for furnishings, still, our rooms would be brighter, could we decorate the walls with some good pictures.
A cheerful spirit prevails in most of our class rooms and our children are pleased to be there. Here the pupil rises promptly on being called, stands on both feet in the aisle at the right side of his desk, and gives his answer in a de- cided manner. In such rooms the teachers do not call on the few pupils who seem to know, but direct their ques- tions wisely, making problems suited to the ability of the dullest pupils.
108
Teachers should not fail to give due praise to pupils for good work. Phillips Brooks says, "To say 'Well done!' to any bit of work that has embodied good effort is to take hold of the powers which have made the effort, and con- firm and strengthen them. But if you have nothing to say to your child, or your scholar, except (what may be per- fectly true), that much of his work is badly done, then you are coming to him not to fulfil, but to destroy."
Some of our teachers allow the pupils to read from the front of the room, thus speaking directly to the rest of the class as an audience. In this way the pupil feels he has something of importance to communicate, and becomes more self-reliant. Guard against taking the attention of the other pupils from their work.
Home study should be asked for in the upper grades, and parents should co-operate with the teachers in the work.
Parents are invited to visit the schools, meet the teachers, and mutually support each other in the effort to make school life more attractive and harmonious, and thus assist the "making" of our future citizens.
It has been necessary to revise the course of study to meet the requirements in some schools. Building slowly and surely is the wisest way.
We should have a regular course in music, and a special teacher to direct it. Nothing adds greater zest than some good music and we are surely losing something by not having it as a part of our regular course in the elementary schools ; we have a supervisor in the High schools.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The progress of our school was halted somewhat by the the loss of the principal and first assistant who concluded their services in June. To succeed a popular teacher and attempt to carry out his policies, or replace them with new ones, is not an easy matter, and needs the full co-operation
109
of the teachers and entire student body. I believe that the educational part is being carried along on the same plane to which it was raised a few years ago.
However skilful the teachings, or carefully graded the course of study, the child always experiences a painful struggle when he passes from the grades to the High High school. The latter institution usually blames the grammar teachers because the child is ill-prepared and this attitude serves to widen the breach. The pupil may have covered the ground laid out by the course of study, and still be little fitted to meet the requirements of busi- ness life, or to cope with unfamiliar studies and methods of the High school. There are certain things which the grammar school teacher should insist on for the good of the pupil. She must be sure that they know how to study and use their minds with concentration.
The influence of too many teacher does not extend be- yond the school room door, and when the pupil reaches the High school where the personal influence of the teacher is necessarily less powerful, he shows the effects of the change. Here is the place for some assistance from the senior and junior class leaders. As so many children pick out their ideal in one of their schoolmates, the character and bearing of such an one should be above reproach ; therefore the upper classes should show by their efforts that they are doing all in their power to assist in making their school better, and their followers in the lower classes will unconsciously follow in their footsteps. Should the assistance be negative, it will not take long to notice the marked effect upon the school. Where a good, healthy school spirit is lacking, the work of the teachers and pu- pils becomes burdensome and decay follows.
October 15, 1908, we received a visit from Mr. McDon- ald, agent of Board of Education. He observed, examined and criticised ; he suggested teaching along such lines as will make the pupils practical.
IIO
On the whole, I believe he found the conditions as good as the average country High school.
TEACHERS.
The present corps of teachers is doing satisfactory work in many ways, but more energy is needed to take the pupils out of that slowness, which seems to have fallen upon many of them like a mantle.
Educational papers and books should form a part of the reading material of every teacher, and it should be her pride to be able to say that she has read and digested one new book each year. Various devices are found in the periodical magazines which can be used to good advantage in our schools, and which, if used rightly, stimulates the mental activity of the pupils.
No teacher is seriously handicapped by having too many pupils in her room this year, and consequently we look for a greater advance in amount and value of work to be done.
Teachers have done good work in carefully observing their pupils, and noticing signs of illness; in such cases the children have been sent to see the Medical Inspector, or to their homes, where in some cases, the physician was called. Parents would do well to co-operate with the teachers and inspector in this work, as prompt effort is necessary that no contagious diseases get a foothold in our schools.
In conclusion I wish to thank the committee and teachers for their assistance, loyalty, and support.
JAMES S. HAYES.
Appendix.
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF THE NORWELL HIGH SCHOOL, UNITARIAN CHURCH, JUNE SEVENTEENTH, 1908
Motto: "Deeds Not Words."
PROGRAM.
Prayer Song- "Morning Invitation"
Salutatory and Essay- "Shakespeare's Jew, Shylock" Prophecy Solo-Selected Essay- "Theodore Roosevelt" Class History Solo-Selected Valedictory and Essay- "Joan of Arc" Song-"Daffodils" Presentation of Diplomas Benediction
Rev. Edville Roys High School
Winifred M. Hunt Carrie E. Barrell Mrs. Stoddard Stewart R. Bowker Aleida Wilder Mrs. Stoddard
Gertrude E. Brooks High School
Rev. Edville Roys
II2
GRADUATES
Gertrude Estelle Brooks Aleida Wilder Winifred Morton Hunt Carrie Evelyn Barrell Stewart Rufus Bowker
TEACHERS.
Principal Assistants
Mr. A. B. Lewis
Miss Edna Cullis
Miss Margaret Marshall
Not for Circulation
1
NORWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1639 00054 9350
SIXTIETH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1909
ROCKLAND: THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUB. CO. PRINT 1910
ERVE
in library
SIXTIETH
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1909
Norwell Public Library ROCKLAND: THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUB. CO. PRINT 1910
INDEX
Appropriation Recommended for 1910
80
Abatement of Taxes
Aid, State
74 60
Assessors' Report
77
Articles in the Warrant
82
Auditor's Report
Abstract from Registers
Expenditures
Financial Statement
Gpysy and Browntail Moths
78 69 46
Highways
43
Fire Extinguishers
71
Miscellaneous
64 26 5
Report of Town Clerk
33
Report of Trustees
52 68 79
Report of Sealers of Weights and Measures
Recapitulation
Report of School Committee
85
Report of High School Principal 109
Report of Music Supervisor
112
Report of Drawing Teacher
114
Report of Superintendent of Schools
104
Snow Account
51
Soldiers' Relief
·
62
81 99 91
Incidentals
Report of Town Treasurer
Report of Overseers of the Poor
Report of the Town Clerk
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING 1909.
Pursuant to a warrant, duly executed, the qualified voters of the Town of Norwell, met at the Town Hall on Monday, March 1, at 7 A. M. and took action as follows, on the articles contained in the warrant :
Article 1 To choose a moderator.
Chose John H. Crocker, moderator, by ballot and he was sworn to faithfully perform the duties thereof by the town clerk.
The town clerk then delivered the ballots and all other articles pertaining to the election to the moderator and Charles Scully, Amos H. Tilden, Charles W. Thomas, Ernest H. Sparrell, Ezra E. Stetson and John Whalen, having been appointed election officers and ballot clerks were sworn as such by the clerk. The polls were declared open at 7.15 A. M. and closed at 11.20 A. M. While voting was in progress the counting began, Jeremiah H. Lehan and Henry C. Ford being appointed additional officers for this purpose. The number of names checked and the number of ballots cast was 179, one being a partial ballot for school committee. On being canvassed and counted in open meeting they were found to be as follows, and the result was declared by the moderator :
6
Town Clerk for one year
Joseph F. Merritt
161
Blanks 17
Selectman for three years
William D. Turner 136
Harrison Wilder
2
Blanks 40
Selectman for two years [to fill vacancy]
Frank W. Jones 150
Blanks 28
Assessor for three years
William D. Turner
140
Harrison Wilder
2
Blanks 36
Assessor for two years [to fill vacancy]
Frank W. Jones
152
Blanks 26
Overseer of the Poor for three years
William D. Turner 138
Harrison Wilder
2
Blanks 38
Overseer of the Poor for two years [to fill vacancy]
Frank W. Jones 151
Blanks 27
7
Town Treasurer for one year
Joseph F. Merritt
162-
Ernest H. Sparrell
1
Blanks
15
Auditor for one year
Elliott W. Crowell 67
James H. Pinkham
82
Blanks 29
Collector of Taxes for one year
Andrew J. Litchfield
158:
Blanks 20
Board of Health for three years
Edward W. Gardner 136
Blanks 42
Board of Health for two years [to fill vacancy]
Francis E. Henderson 137
Blanks 41
School Committee for three years
George C. Turner 106
Claude G. Ainslie
1
Blanks
72
Surveyors of Highways for one year
Joseph Briggs 85
L. Frank Hammond 100 Edward A. Jacobs 62
8
Emanuel P. Joseph Benjamin Loring Arthur J. Parr Blanks
98
53
9
126
Constables for one year
Joshua Warren Foster
139
L. Frank Hammond
134
Walter T. Osborn
133
Frank M. Vining
134
Jesse M. Winslow
126
George A. Jackman
1
Jeremiah H. Lehan
1
Frank Baker
1
Blanks 221
Tree Warden for one year
John H. Sparrell 136
Joseph F. Totman
1
Blanks
41
Shall Licenses be granted for the Sale of In- toxicating Liquors in this town?
Yes 61
Nc
93
Blanks
24
Shall an Act passed by the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and eight, entitled "An Act to provide for the protection of Forest or Sprout lands from fire" be accepted by this Town?
Yes 103
No
10
Blanks
65
9
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Town Clerk, Joseph F. Merritt.
Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor for three years, William D. Turner.
Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor for two years, Frank W. Jones.
Treasurer, Joseph F. Merritt.
Auditor, James H. Pinkham.
Collector of Taxes, Andrew J. Litchfield.
Board of Health for three years, Edward W. Gardner ...
Board of Health for two years, Francis E. Henderson. School Committee for three years, George C. Turner.
Surveyors of Highways, Joseph Briggs, L. Frank Hammond, Emanuel P. Joseph.
Constables, Joshua Warren Foster, L. Frank Hammond, Walter T. Osborn, Frank M. Vining, Jesse M. Winslow. Tree Warden, John H. Sparrell.
Article 3. To hear the reports of the several boards of- officers and committees of the town and act thereon.
It was voted to accept the reports of the officers and committees as printed.
Article 4. To make the necessary appropriations to> defray the expenses of the town and for other purposes,. and to raise such sums of money as the town shall deem. expedient.
Voted that the moderator appoint a committee of" three to recommend a list of appropriations ; that the list be written on the blackboard and that the meeting act on the report at 1.30 p. m. Committee, Horace T. Fogg, Ezra E. Stetson and Benjamin Loring. The following appropriations were voted :
10
Support of poor
$2,000 00
Incidentals and Suppression of Crime 500 00
Snow, including excise tax of $275 100 00
Town Officers
1,300 00
State Aid
2,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
300 00
Tree Warden (for trees)
50 00
School Physician
25 00
Support of Schools
6,500 00
Town Note
1,000 00
Fire Extinguishers
100 00
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths
346 79
James Library
100 00
Abatement of Taxes 200 00
Discount on Taxes, paid before Oct. 1, 1909 150 00
Post 112 G. A. R., Memorial Day
150 00
Highways (general work)
2,500 00
Highways (special work)
500 00
Squares and Triangles
100 00
Electric Lights
100 00
Voted that the special highway appropriation be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, also the appropriation for electric lights and that the appropriation for squares and triangles be expended under the direction «of the Town Clerk.
Voted to raise by taxation a sum not exceeding $15,000 and to assess the same on the polls and estates of residents and on the estates of non-residents.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the 'treasurer, under the direction of the selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes and for disbursement under the provisions of the law relating to State Aid and Military Aid and to defray the expenses of the town.
11
It was voted by a majority of the legal voters present and voting, that the treasurer be and hereby is authorized with the approval of the selectmen to borrow during the present municipal year in anticipation of the collection of taxes, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town, but not exceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the notes of the town there- fore, payable within twelve months from the date thereof. All debts incurred under the authority of this vote shall be paid from the taxes of the present municipal year.
Article 6. What compensation will the town make for removing snow and appropriate money for the same?
Voted that 25c per hour be paid for removing snow.
Article 7. In what manner and time shall the taxes be collected the ensuing year ?
Voted that a discount of 2 per cent. be allowed on taxes paid before October 1st ; that on all taxes not paid Decem- ber 1st, interest be charged at the rate of 6 per cent. After April 1st, 1910, the collector shall issue summons and proceed to collect all unpaid taxes, and that the money shall be paid to the treasurer or a deposit made by the collector for all unpaid taxes on July 1st, 1910.
Voted that the collector have the same powers in the collection of taxes that he would have if he were Town Treasurer. Voted that the collector publish in the next annual report the names of all persons, together with the amount of tax, whose taxes of the assessment of 1908 re- main unpaid December 31, 1909.
Article 8. To make allowance to town creditors. No bills were presented.
Article 9. What sum of money will the town appropri- ate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R., on Memorial Day?
Recorded under Article 4 on general appropriations.
12
Article 10. Will the town cause a statement of their financial affairs to be printed in February next?
Voted that the town cause a statement to be printed at that time.
Article 11. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington street?
Voted to refer to the committee on appropriations and was acted on under Article 4.
Article 12. Will the town cause a new valuation to be taken in 1909?
Voted that the town cause a valuation to be taken in 1910, the assessors to be authorized to make any prelimi- nary arrangements to prepare for the same during the present year.
Article 13. What price will the town pay for labor on the highways for the ensuing year?
Voted to pay 25c per hour for men, 62 1-2 cents per hour for man and two horses, and that eight hours constitute a day's work.
Article 14. What action will the town take in regard to keeping the sidewalks in repair?
Voted to refer the matter to the highway surveyors.
Article 15. Will the town give any instructions to the town officers ?
Voted that the selectmen and school committee be in- structed to draw no orders after January 1, 1910, for work done in the year 1909. All bills coming in after January 1, 1910, covering this period, to be acted on at the annual meeting in March, 1910.
13
Article 16. What price will the town pay for work at fires for the ensuing year ?
Voted to pay 35c per hour for fighting fires either day or night.
Article 17. Will the town instruct the selectmen to purchase a 20-pound test weight ; also a set of dry meas- ures for the sealer of weights and measures?
Voted to instruct the selectmen to purchase these ar- ticles. .
Article 18. Will the town vote to have one road com- missioner for the year 1910?
No action taken under this article.
Article 19. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to retop the road from Scituate line to Dist. No. 6 School- house, Main street?
Voted to refer to committee on appropriations.
Article 20. Will the town take any action in regard to the care of parks, squares and triangles, and make any appropriation for the same?
Acted on under Article 4.
Article 21. Will the town make an appropriation for the James Library in return for the free privilege of taking books which the townspeople now have?
Acted on under Article 4.
Article 22. Will the town accept one hundred dollars from Mrs. Lucy Sprague for care of the "Gad Leavitt" lot in the Church Hill cemetery at Norwell, income from said gift to be used for care of said lot?
Voted that the town accept the above named amount for said purpose.
14
Article 23. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts Highway Commission in the construction of one mile of road on River street, running north from a point near the residence of Henry Tolman.
Voted to pass over this article.
Article 24. Will the town contract with the Massa- chusetts Highway Commission for the construction of that part of River street as provided in the preceding article?
No action taken.
Article 25. Will the town take any action in regard to the construction of a State Road along that part of Main street, east from the Hanover town line?
Voted that the Selectmen be a committee to confer with the State Highway Commission in regard to the matter.
Article 26. Will the town support an electric light on the corner of River and Elm streets after Dec. 1, 1909?
No action taken as the appropriation for electric lights was intended to cover this matter.
Article 27. Will the town act in conjunction with the town of Hanover, to have an electric light at the terminus of River street, Norwell and Broadway, Hanover at the Third Herring brook.
No action taken as the appropriation for electric lights was intended to cover this matter.
Article 28. Will the town appropriate the sum of $346.79 for the suppression of Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths?
Included on vote on general appropriation.
15
Article 29. What sum of money will the town appro- priate to pay the Superintendent of Schools?
Voted to appropriate $500 for this purpose.
Article 30. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be used in the suppression of crime?
Acted on under Article 4.
Article 31. Or act or do anything relative to the above.
The following resolution offered by Horace T. Fogg, Esq., was unanimously adopted by a rising vote and the Town Clerk was instructed to spread the same upon the Records of the Town, send a copy to Mrs. Thomas and cause it to be printed in the next town report.
March 1, 1909.
To Alpheus Thomas, Esq.,
Long Time Officer of the Town of Norwell.
The Citizens of the Town of Norwell, in Town Meeting assembled, desire to place upon record and to express to you their deep appreciation of your many years of faithful service. In whatever position you have held as an officer of the town, you have performed your duties with strict regard for public welfare and the best interests of the community. Your recent illness, which has necessitated your retirement from public office, has been viewed with deep regret by your fellowtownsmen, and it is their earn- est desire that you may, with renewed health, and for many years, enjoy the happy reflections consequent upon a well spent life.
On the motion of Mr. Henry A. Turner it was voted by a rising vote that the thanks of the town be extended to the retiring Treasurer, Horace T. Fogg, Esq., for the very honest, faithful and efficient manner in which he has ad- ministered the affairs of that office for the past twelve years.
16
Voted that the constables act as field drivers.
Voted that the cemetery committee consist of George W. Curtis, Joseph H. Curtis and Frank W. Jones.
Voted that the salary of the treasurer be $150 ; tax col- lector, $225 ; surveyors of highways, $2.50 per day : sec- retary of school committee, $50 ; other members not over $25 each.
Voted that the moderator be paid $5 for his services and receive the thanks of the meeting.
Voted that this meeting be dissolved.
JOSEPH F. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
STATE ELECTION 1909.
Pursuant to a warrant, duly executed, the qualified voters of the Town of Norwell, met at the Town hall, Tues- day, Nov. 2, 1909. Ezra E. Stetson, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, acted as presiding officer. William D. Turner, Frank W. Jones, Amos H. Tilden, John Whalen Charles Scully and Charles W. Thomas having been ap- pointed election officers and ballot clerks, were duly sworn as such by the town clerk. The clerk then delivered the ballots and everything to be used at the election to the presiding officer, and the polls were declared open at 6.05 a. m. and closed at 12.05 p. m. There were 198 names checked on the voting lists and the same number of ballots cast. They were canvassed and counted in open meeting and the result of the vote declared as follows :
Governor.
Eben S. Draper, Republican
John A. Nichols, Prohibition
122
2
17
Moritz E. Ruther, Socialist Labor 0
James H. Vahey, Democratic
64
Daniel A. White, Socialist Blanks IO
o
Lieutenant Governor
Eugene N. Foss, Democratic
66
Louis A. Frothingham, Republican
I16
George G. Hall, Socialist
I
Lawrence Yates, Socialist Labor Blanks
13
Secretary
David T. Clark, Democratic
38
Harriet D'Orsay, Socialist
O
Henry C. Hess, Socialist Labor
o
William G. Merrill, Prohibition
2
William M. Olin, Republican
I27
Blanks 31
Treasurer
James H. Bryan, Democratic
32
James B. Carr, Socialist
O
David Craig, Socialist Labor
o
Daniel Parlin, Prohibition
3
Elmer A. Stevens, Republican
I32
Blanks 31
Auditor
Alexis Boyer, Jr., Democratic 33
Charles A. Chace, Prohibition 3
1
2
Ernest R. Knipe, Prohibition
O
18
Sylvester J. McBride, Socialist I
Jeremiah P. McNally, Socialist Labor Henry E. Turner, Republican Blanks
O
I 27
34
Attorney-General
Henry M. Dean, Prohibition
3
John A. Fredrikson, Socialist Labor
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