USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1900-1909 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
During the time covered by this report two changes have occurred in our teaching force.
At the close of the school year in June the teacher at No. 4 resigned and has been succeeded by Miss Schenck, under whose charge the school is doing well. At the same time Mr. Catheron, principal of the High School resigned and Mr. Hunnewell of South Portland, Me., succeeded him. The indications are that Mr. Hunnewell's administration will meet ably the needs of the school.
A new course of study has been prepared that will be printed, together with certain rules pertaining to the man- agement of the High School.
A manual of regulations relating to the Primary and Gram- mar Schools has been prepared and printed under the direc- tions of the Committee. The work of the elementary schools during the past year has, in the main, been satisfactory.
There are a few pupils, who, according to present in- dications, cannot be promoted at the close of the present school year.
The only policy that will promote the standing of our
18
schools is to make only deserving promotions. The schools are in good standing as a whole and it should be the purpose of all concerned to so maintain them.
Music is fast becoming a part of the regular work of the schools of the state. I wish it might soon become established in our schools.
For books and general supplies I recommend the same ap- propriation as that of the past year, $450. Although in the report of the committee there appears an unexpended balance of about $50, there are outstanding bills approximating this amount, that I was unable to present in time to have them appear in the present report.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. RECORD.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
The citizens of Norwell should take great pride in their High School.
It reflects much credit upon not only the School Commit- tee and Superintendents who have for the past few years had in charge the work of this school, but also upon the citizens of Norwell who have established, and by their efforts sup- ported, the High School until it is to remain as a monument which marks an advanced standing of the people .of Norwell in the educational world.
The students of the Norwell High School when compared with those of other High Schools seem to be particularly brilliant and capable of doing the work in High School sub- jects, especially well since they are not surrounded with all the modern appliances used in High School work.
One thing which makes the work of the High School most successful and that is the almost entire support which the parents give any measure or movement adopted in the work of the school. No school can be successful until the stu- dents find that at home all school matters are heartily en- dorsed and all rules must be strictly obeyed.
Thus the successful work which the High School has done and is trying to do is the direct result of the efforts of the Nowell citizens for the interest manifested by the parents and the support given by them during this year clearly shows that the home influence exerted upon the students of the Norwell High School is, and must be, the means of its suc- cessful work.
Although the school cannot accomplish work in branches which call for extensive equipment, still the course offers all the important subjects which are necessary in a High School
20
of this grade, and the work is on the whole very thoroughly taken up and completed.
There are no immediate needs except those common to every High School of this size.
The centralization of the Grammar School work would di- rectly benefit the High School in bringing uniformity in the preparation of the students for the entering classes of the High School.
J. A. HUNNEWELL, Principal Norwell High School.
2I
TRANSCRIPT OF ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 2, 1903,
AT NINE O'CLOCK A. M.
Article 1. To choose a Moderator.
Art. 2. To choose a Town Clerk.
Art. 3. To hear and act on the report of the Town Clerk, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Auditor, Collector and Treasurer.
Art. 4. To choose all such town officers as the laws of the state and the by-laws of the town require.
Art. 5. To bring in their votes "Yes" or "No" in an- swer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town for the ensuing year?
Art. 6. What amount of money will the town raise for the support of poor and incidental expenses.
Art. 7. What sum of money will the town raise for the support of schools.
Art. 8. What sum of money will the town raise for high- way repairs.
Art. 9. What compensation will the town make for re- moving snow and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 10. In what manner and time shall the taxes be col- lected the ensuing year.
Art. II. Will the town accept the list of jurors prepared by the Selectmen.
Art. 12. Will the town authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes.
Art. 13. To hear and act on the report of any committee heretofore chosen.
Art. 14. To make allowance to town creditors.
Art. 15. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R., on Memorial Day.
22
Art. 16. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the payment of state and military aid.
Art. 17. What sum of money will the town appropriate to pay the Superintendent of Schools.
Art. 18. What sum of money will the town raise for re- pairs of school houses and incidentals.
Art. 19. Will the town cause a statement of their finan- cial affair to be printed in February next.
Art. 20. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington street.
Art. 21. Will the town cause a receiving tomb to be built in the cemetery, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 22. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts High- . way Commission in the construction of that part of Main street between the Scituate line and Bridge street. .
Art. 23. Will the town give any instructions to town officers.
1
3 1639 00054 9301
FIFTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
in library
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1903.
ROCKLAND : THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUBLISHING CO. 1904.
ESERVE 52 D 903
Norwell Public Library
FIFTY-FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1903.
ROCKLAND : THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUBLISHING CO. 1904.
INDEX.
-
Abstract from Registers
Aid, State.
52
Anditor's Report
61,86
Abatement of Taxes
28
Assessors' Report.
30
Articles in the Warrant
69 83
Available School Funds for present year.
Call for Caucus
Cemetery
Expenditures.
Financial Statement.
Highway Expenditures
High School Fund
Incidentals
Jurors, List of.
Poor, Report of Overseers of .
Poor, Support of, Other Towns
48 5 55
Report of Town Treasurer
25 60
Snow Account.
37 51
Town Officers, Payment of
54
Town Hall.
55
Tax Collector's Report.
28
Trust Funds.
64
State Road
56
Resolutions ..
11
Report of School Committee.
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
83
Transportation of Pupils
88
Supplies and Incidentals
83
71 55 79 62 32
85 57 63
Report of Town Clerk
Tree Warden.
Recapitulation
- Soldiers' Relief, Expended for
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF NORWELL :
Your town officers respectfully submit the following as their fifty-fourth annual report.
Report of the Town Clerk.
At the annual meeting of the qualified voters of the Town of Norwell, held March 2, 1903, the following action was taken :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator.
Chose Alpheus Thomas, Moderator.
Article 2. To choose a Town Clerk.
Chose Joseph F. Merritt, Town Clerk.
Article 3. To hear and act on the report of the Town Clerk, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Auditor, Collector and Treasurer.
Voted, to accept the reports of these officers.
Article 4. To choose all such officers as the laws of the State and the by-laws of the Town require.
Elected the following officers by ballot :
Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of the Poor, George W. Griggs, Alpheus Thomas, Henry D. Smith.
Treasurer, Horace T. Fogg.
Auditor, George Cushing.
Tree Warden, John Corthell.
School Committee for three years, George C. Turner. Board of Health for three years, Alpheus Thomas,
6
Constables, William E. Wilder, Alpheus Thomas, Walter T. Osborn, J. Warren Foster, John Corthell, Everett E. Chamberlain.
Tax Collector, Andrew J. Litchfield.
Highway Surveyors. Voted, to have one highway sur- veyor and that the chair appoint a committee of 15 to retire and bring in a list of three candidates for surveyor. The com- mittee reported the names of Emanuel P. Joseph, L. Frank Hammond and Walter Simmons. A ballot was then taken and Emanuel P. Joseph was elected Highway Surveyor.
Field Drivers. The Constables were chosen Field Driv- ers.
Fence Viewers, George W. Griggs, Alpheus Thomas, Henry D. Smith.
Cemetery Committee, Charles H. Lapham, George W. Curtis, Jerome H. Sawyer.
Article 5. To bring in their votes "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town for the ensuing year ? "
The polls were kept open one hour on this question. Whole number of ballots cast 125; Yes 43, No 82.
Article 6. What amount of money will the town raise for the support of poor and incidental expenses ?
Voted, to raise and appropriate $2500 for the support of poor.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $250 for incidental ex- penses.
Article 7. What sum of money will the town raise for the support of schools?
Voted, to raise and appropriate $4000 for support of schools.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1100 additional for sup- port of schools. (A motion to transport the High School scholars was voted down, also amendment that all pupils be transported. This vote was afterwards reconsidered. )
7
Voted, that the Selectmen be a committee to take into con- sideration the removal of school building at Dist. No. 2 to the Town Hall, and report as soon as practicable at a special meeting to be called for this purpose ; also that they make any other suggestions.
Voted, to transport the scholars the same as last year.
Article 8. What sum of money will the town raise for highway repairs ?
Voted, to raise and appropriate $2500.
Voted, that Highway Surveyor employ townspeople only for road work.
Article 9. What compensation will the town make for removing snow and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, 25 cents per hour compensation, and to use the money received from the street railway excise tax as an ap- propriation for this purpose.
Article 10. In what manner and time shall the taxes be collected the ensuing year ?
Voted, that they be collected in the same manner and time as last year, with the exception that they be made collectable on November 15, instead of December 1, as heretofore.
Voted, that salary of Collector be $225.
Voted, that Collector have the same powers in the collec- tion of taxes that he would have were he Town Treasurer.
Article II. Will the town accept the list of jurors pre- pared by the Selectmen ?
Voted, to accept the revised list.
Henry F. Ford
Edwin M. Sexton
Seth Foster Frank Dyer James B. Knapp
Francis E. Henderson
George W. Jones
Joseph H. Hatch
Wallace H. Damon
James E. Stoddard Andrew S. Richardson Joseph C. Otis
Edwin A. Turner
Henry J. Tolman Arthur C. Jones
Seth O. Fitts
L. Frank Hammond James L. Litchfield
8
Walter T. Osborn
Alpheus Damon
Frank M. Vining
Clifton S. Deane
Arthur T. Stoddard John Whalen George F. Cate
Article 12. Will the town [authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes ?
Voted, that the Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes.
Article 13. To hear and act upon the report of any com- mittee heretofore chosen.
Voted, to accept the partial report of committee on Union Bridge, stating that the matter was not settled.
Voted, to accept report of committee chosen to confer with the James Library Committee, recommending no action.
As the committee on receiving tomb was not ready to re- port it was voted that they serve another year.
Article 14. To make allowance to town creditors.
Voted, to pay bill of Charles O. Keene for $2, fixing drive- way for David Griffith.
Article 15. What sum of money will the town appropri- ate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R., on Memorial day ?
Voted, to raise and appropriate $100.
Article 16. What sum of money will the town appropri- ate for the payment of State and Military Aid ?
Voted, to appropriate $2500.
Article 17. What sum of money will the town appropri- ate to pay the Superintendent of Schools ?
Voted, to appropriate $250.
Article 18. What sum of money will the town raise for the repairs of school houses and incidentals ?
Voted, to raise and appropriate $Soo for repairs, inciden- tals and supplies.
Article 19. Will the town cause a statement of their financial affairs to be printed in February next ?
Voted, that they do.
9
Article 20. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington street ?
Voted, that the income derived from sale of lots be an ap- propriation for care of cemetery .
Article 21. Will the town cause a receiving tomb to be built in the cemetery on Washington street, and raise and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, to pass over this article.
Article 22. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts High- way Commission in the construction of that part of Main street, between the Scituate line and Bridge street ?
Voted, to raise and appropriate $1000 for constructing the above mentioned portion of highway.
Article 23. Will the town give any instructions to town officers ?
Voted, that the Selectmen be empowered to collect bill against Town of Dana and to employ counsel to do so if they consider it advisable.
Voted, to raise and appropriate $50 for use of the Tree Warden and that he be instructed to use one-half of amount in setting out trees.
Voted, that the pay for work on highways be the same as last year, but the Highway Surveyor shall receive $2.50 per day.
Voted, that the Overseers of the Poor be instructed to em- ploy Dr. H. J. Little as Town Physician for the ensuing year.
Voted, that Horace T. Fogg be a committee to ascertain how the income from Prudence C. Delano fund for benefit of poor children has been expended and that he be authorized to send for persons and papers.
Voted, that Selectmen accept bequest of $100 from George P. Clapp, the income to be used for care of lot at Church Hill Cemetery.
IO
Article 24. Will the town pay a bounty on woodchucks and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, to pay a bounty of twenty-five cents on woodchucks for the ensuing year and to appropriate $500 for this purpose.
Voted, that the Treasurer be authorized to receive whole woodchucks and pay bounty.
Article 25. Or act or do anything relative to the above.
The resolutions prepared by the town officers on the deatlı of Henry Norwell, were read to the meeting, also Mrs. Nor- well's letter acknowledging the receipt of them. It was voted that both letter and resolutions be spread upon the records.
Voted, to sell two fish rights at auction, Purchaser, C. S. Tilden, who gave one dollar for the first and three dollars for the second.
Voted, that Secretary of School Committee be paid $50 salary and the other members a salary not to exceed $25 each.
Voted, that all money to be raised, be assessed on the polls and estates of residents and on the estates of non-residents.
Voted, to pay Moderator $5 for services this day.
Voted, that the meeting be dissolved.
JOSEPH F. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
II
RESOLUTIONS.
A meeting of the officers of the Town of Norwell was held at the Town House, Wednesday evening, February 11, 1903, to take action upon the death of Henry Norwell, Esq., George W. Griggs, chairman of the selectmen, presiding at said meeting.
The following memorial was presented by Horace T. Fogg, Esq., Treasurer of Norwell, and was unanimously adopted :
The citizens of the Town of Norwell have learned with profound sorrow of the sudden death of Henry Norwell, Esq., whose name our town has borne since 1888.
Although not a native of this town, by his earnest qualities and rare ability, he walked foremost in our ranks, and we wish to place upon record our deep appreciation of the many kindly acts he performed and the benefits he conferred upon us.
He gave freely for local improvements. He was deeply interested in every movement for the public good. Generous and public spirited, frank and open hearted, he had won a place in our affections rarely to be attained.
He has gone from our midst, but he has left behind the pleasant recollection of a man of eminent worth and noble impulses, and of a citizen whom our town did well to honor.
To his widow and children we extend the sincere and heart- felt sympathy of each and every resident of Norwell, and it is our hope and prayer that the Father of All may watch over them in their sorrow, and bring them the peace and comfort that the world cannot give.
I2
6 Walnut Street, Beacon Hill.
Mr. Horace T. Fogg,
Dear Sir : - Will you please express to the townspeople of Norwell the deep appreciation and thanks of myself and children for the honorable and loving tribute paid by them to our dear one, who has entered into eternal rest.
The best interests of the town were very near to him always. With very grateful thanks, I am
Very truly yours,
ELLEN J. NORWELL.
February 14, 1903.
13
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 24, 1903.
Article 1. To choose a Moderator.
Chose Alpheus Thomas, Moderator.
Article 2. To hear and act on the report of the Select- men on the matter of moving the school house now stand- ing in District No. 2, to a location near the Town Hall and putting it in suitable condition for the accommodation of two grammar schools, and appropriate money for the same.
Voted, to pass over this article.
Voted, to reconsider the vote whereby this article was passed over.
Voted, to accept the report of the committee.
Voted, to pass over this article.
Article 3. To see if the town will buy or otherwise ac- quire a piece of land near the Town Hall, on which to locate the above named school house, and appropriate money for the same,
Voted to pass over this article.
Article 4. Will the town contract with the Massachu- setts Highway Commission for the construction of that part of Main street for which the sum of $1000 was raised and ap- propriated at the annual meeting in March last ?
Voted, that the town contract with the State Highway Commission for the construction of said highway.
Voted, that the Selectmen sub-let the contract for work if it be agreeable to the State Highway Commission.
Voted, to reconsider this last vote.
Voted, that the entire matter be left in the hands of the Selectmen.
Article 5. Will the town cause a shed to be built in which to store the road tools belonging to the Town, and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, that the Selectmen be'a committee to build a shed for this purpose and to appropriate $200.
If
Article 6. Will the town grade the grounds around the school house in District No 5 ?
Voted, to pass over this article.
Article 7. Will the town cause the curbing around the Common where the Soldiers' Monument stands to be finished ?
Voted, to refer the matter to the Highway Surveyor and request him to finish it.
Article 8. Will the town provide any additional accom- modations for the High School and appropriate money for the same ?
No action was taken on this article.
Article 9. Will the town pay Arthur C. Litchfield his claim for expenses incurred by him in providing schooling for his children ?
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be instructed to pay Arthur C. Litchfield $80, the amount expended by him for the tuition of his children.
Article 10. Will the town pay a bounty on crows killed in town and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, to pass over.
Article 11. Will the town pay the bill of the Pittsburg Bridge Co. for the balance due on account of the construc- tion of Union Bridge, and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be instructed to pay the bill direct to Bridge Company, and that the sum of $1000 be appropriated for that purpose.
Article 12. Will the town pay Walter R. Torrey for ser- vices performed in connection with the settlement with the Pittsburg Bridge Company for the construction of Union Bridge, and appropriate money for the same ?
Voted, to pass over.
Voted, to reconsider the vote whereby this article was passed over.
Voted, not to pay Mr. Torrey $18o for services rendered in this matter.
Article 13. Will the town authorize the Treasurer, with
15
the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow such sum of money as may be needed to meet any appropriations made at this meeting, and give notes of the town for a term of years to secure the same ?
Voted, that the Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money for this purpose and to give the necessary notes of the town as security.
Article 14. Will the town give any instructions to town officers ?
Voted, that the Town Treasurer be instructed to pay to the Treasurer of Marshfield one-half of the expense incurred by that town in settling with the Bridge Company, and that this town receive one-half of discount obtained from contract price of bridge.
Voted, to instruct the Highway Surveyor not to expend two-thirds of appropriation before June 1, unless he considers it for the best interest of the town to do so.
Voted, that meeting be dissolved.
JOSEPH F. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
STATE ELECTION.
Pursuant to a warrant duly executed, the qualified voters of the Town of Norwell met at the Town Hall, Tuesday, November 3, 1903, and gave in their ballots as follows :
Whole number of ballots cast 188.
GOVERNOR.
John L. Bates, Republican
III
Thomas F. Brennan, Socialist Labor
O
John C. Chase, Socialist 2
Oliver W. Cobb, Prohibition I
16
William A. Gaston, Democratic Blanks 2
72
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
John Quincy Adams, Socialist 5
Curtis Guild, Jr., Republican 115
William F. Merrill, Prohibition I
Richard Olney, 2d, Democratic
57
Moritz E. Ruther, Socialist Labor
O
Blanks IO
SECRETARY.
Olof Bokelund, Socialist
2
John F. Coyle, Socialist Labor
O
Alfred L. Cutting, Prohibition I
Ezekiel M. Ezekiel, Democratic
52
William M. Olin, Republican II7
Blanks 16
TREASURER AND RECEIVER GENERAL.
John A. Billings, Socialist
5
Edward S. Bradford, Republican
Napoleon B. Johnson, Prohibition
I
Frederick A. Nagler, Socialist Labor
O
Thomas C. Thacher, Democratic
53
Blanks 15
AUDITOR.
Jolın H. Hagan, Socialist Labor
Joseph Orr, Socialist 2
Alfred E. Steele, Prohibition
2
Francois X. Tetrault, Democratic 52
O
I7
Henry E. Turner, Republican 114 Blanks IS
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
John A. Anderson, Socialist Labor O
William J. Carroll, Socialist 2
Henry M. Dean, Prohibition 2
John J. Flaherty, Democratic 46
Herbert Parker, Republican 119 Blanks 19
COUNCILLOR -FIRST DISTRICT.
Roland C. Nickerson, Republican
116
Edwin Sawtell, Prohibition
4
Joseph R. Smith, Socialist 8
William Swindlehurst, Socialist Labor
Blanks 56
SENATOR - FIRST PLYMOUTH DISTRICT.
Henry O. Cook, Socialist Labor 2
Thomas H. Dunn, Socialist
4
Elisha T. Harvell, Republican
104
Thomas Mannix, Democratic 67
Roland D. Sawyer, Prohibition
2
Blanks 9
REPRESENTATIVE IN GENERAL COURT. SECOND PLYMOUTH DISTRICT.
Ernest L. Bonney, Republican 99
John J. Ford, Democratic 78
John W. Tower, Socialist 3 Blanks 8
18
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - PLYMOUTH.
Edmund Daly, Democratic 45
Jacob Hersey, Prohibition
2
Jeremiah O'Fihelly, Socialist Labor I
Harry D. Stuart, Socialist
4
Lyman P. Thomas, Republican Blanks 21
115
- REGISTER OF PROBATE AND INSOLVENCY.
PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
Edward N. Gormley, Prohibition 2
Walter L. McConney, Socialist
2
Waltar F. Stephens, Democratic 50
Jolın C. Sullivan, Republican 113
Blanks 21
REGISTER OF DEEDS - PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
H. Edward Morgan, Socialist Labor I
Benjamin F. Peterson, Democratic 46
George N. Tyler, Socialist +
John B. Washburn, Republican IIS
Blanks 19
COUNTY TREASURER - PLYMOUTH.
George B. Cushman, Socialist
4
Albert Davis, Republican 116
George B. Hobart, Democratic
51
Leonard Thompson, Prohibition
3
Blanks 1.4
19
CLERKS' CONVENTION.
At the meeting of the Town Clerks of the towns compris- ing the Second Plymouth Representative District, held Nov. 13, 1903, at Marshfield, it was ascertained that the vote for Representative was as follows :
Whole number of ballots 1,222
Ernest L. Bonney of Scituate, Republican 704
John J. Ford of Scituate, Democratic 391
John W. Tower of Duxbury, Socialist 46
Blanks 8I
Ernest L. Bonney having a plurality of the votes returned was declared to be elected and his certificate made out in ac- cordance therewith.
REGISTERED VOTERS.
At the close of registration October 24, 1903, there were 364 male voters and one female voter on the list.
ENROLLED MILITIA.
Number of men enrolled for military duty 224.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.