USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1910-1919 > Part 12
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Parents should take more interest in the condition of their children's teeth. and thus save themselves sleepless ours, and their children many hours of pain.
108
EYE AND EAR TESTS
Number of pupils enrolled 264
Number deficient in eyesight 18
Number deficient in hearing 3
Number of parents or guardians notified 18
There is no doubt that a great amount of good is accom- plished by these examinations. Yet the full duty toward the child is not complete until proper action has been taken upon the report sent by the teacher.
HIGH SCHOOL
A determined effort is being made to raise the standard of scholarship in the High School.
There is a certain minimum of deportment, industry, and scholarship below which no pupil may go. The fail- ures in scholarship have been due to indolence rather than inability. There are a few pupils in our school who have a mistaken idea of what a high school course means. They seem to feel that it consists in attending somewhat regularly for four years, getting what lessons they can without much effort, and taking their chance of getting through at the end of that time. It causes comment from the pupil who attends regularly and does his? work faith- fully, and is very harmful to the pupil himself.
The High School should not be a place of rest and ease, but of earnest effort. Those who are not there for serious work should find work elsewhere, both for their own good and the good of others.
The average high school pupil cannot complete the course satisfactorily without much home study. With the best facilities and finest teachers, high school pupils cannot derive the greatest benefit from a high school course, unless great attention is paid to home study. It is
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the quiet work at home, where perfect concentration of mind, for most pupils, is alone possible, which develops the mind of the boy or girl, and teaches, more than the op- portunities of the school room, self-reliance.
GENERAL TOPICS
Pupils in a very short time make books that never were used fbefore unfit for further service. Carelessness in handling, lack of neatness, soiled hands, are responsible. Teachers should exercise a closer supervision in this matter to save unnecessary expense.
School yards and their approaches, while adequate as playgrounds, are far from what we would like to have. As the children have no organized games, or method of play, one group infringes on the rights of another to, the detriment of all.
Music has been introduced into all the schools and is proving a decided success. We are fortunate in having teachers capable of leading in this work.
New text books in Language are needed, and a thorough course in Hygiene and Physiolgy.
In closing, I desire to thank you for your help and en- couragement, the teachers for their faithfulness, and the townspeople for many courtesies.
Respectfully,
JAMES S. HAYES, Superintendent of Schools.
Norwell, Mass., Dec. 30, 1911.
Report of High School Principal
To the Superintendent of Schools of Norwell :
This is my first annual report. In it I am sending you a few words concerning Norwell High School. These words will perforce deal mostly with mere plans and endeavors since ultimate results at the present time, January, can not, of course, be more than guessed.
Our major effort has been to imbue the pupils with the doctrine of sweat, and to quash their prepossessing idea that the teacher, rather than the intrinsic merit of their work, passes or fails to pass them. To this end, largely, the system of marking has been changed to the basis of percentage. Seventy per cent. is the passing mark. When the report cards are issued at the end of each eight weeks, the pupils are thus able to see just where they stand, and the parents also to know the promise of their children. Success or failure does not then come as a sur- prise in June, or as the result of a teacher's judgment at that time, but it comes from a simple mathematical aver- age of the five bi-monthly marks. These marks, in turn, are earned by the pupils after a definite manner. The last three days of each eight weeks is laid aside for an exam- ination in each subject on the work during the closing bi- monthly. The examination mark attained has one-third weight in determining the bi-monthly mark, the remain- ing two-thirds weight being divided at the discretion of the teacher and the knowledge of the pupils between reci- tation work, outside work, etc. The pupils thereby have
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good marks open to them through specific known channels of work, but this system can not cause them emptily to make marks their ends-too strongly do they realize that these marks are veracious tale-bearers only.
Again, the number of lessons a week has been regulated and the choice of these lessons modified. Sixteen lessons a week are required. These include certain prescribed courses, but the number of electives becomes larger in the junior and senior years. It is recognized as unwise and detrimental to best results to require, for instance, a large ciass of uninterested girls to pursue such a study as advan - ced physics. Under compulsion such work is practically useless to them and it seriously holds back others who might be benefited. A judicious elective system further finds its success in recognizing the propitiousness of everybody towards those things which are virtually, at least, of his own choosing. And in truth the pupils may choose among certain studies proviedd they do not choose wrong. As a consequence the problem of interest is half solved at the outset.
Now a word as to the studies themselves. English is of course required in all the grades as usual. In German a senior course has been added. The latter is in further- ence of the plan started last year by the introduction of Junior German. The rest of the studies, except the sciences, are as before. In the latter some changes have been deemed necessary. A full four-year course in the sciences has been put in the curriculum of the high school, besides the one-year course for the ninth grade. New science courses have been added, and the old ones have been strengthened to the standard of college entrance requirements, -- this by appropriate laboratory work, note- book work, and other means. The senior and junior science classes have been united, and also the sophomore and freshman classes. To the former double class, for
112
instance, physics exclusively is given this year; chemistry next year. This alternation means concentration and ef- ficient work, and is made possible by the classes produced by the present elective schedule. Among the sciences added are physiology and zoology. The former appears to have been taught several years ago, but the latter is new. It would seem indeed unfortunate if a Norwell High School graduate in science should know nothing of his own body, nothing of animal life, and especially if he should know nothing about the intensely practical problems of economic entomology in our country to-day. The wisdom of these introductions must be apparent even to him who has but casual knowledge of these things.
As to other matters, I suppose that no report would be complete unless it called attention to our present method of heating the school. With two stoves in the large room we are doing the best we can, but it is of course necessary that the pupils should gather around the stoves on cold days, and this is hardly conducive to best study, besides not permitting the accomplishment of written work.
Now, in closing, Superintendent Hayes, I wish to ex- press my appreciation of your ever helpful visits and words, express my thanks to the members of the school committee of Norwell, for their support, to give recogni- tion of the efficient and altruistic services of the high school teachers, and to express thanks to parents and in fact to all those who are helping in any way to make Nor- well High School a success.
Most sincerely,
JOHN C. PAGE.
Report of Drawing Teacher
To the School Committe of Norwell :-
In many places, drawing has been regarded as an un- necessary period in the school schedule. Now, education- alists are doing all they can to make the subject of art or drawing stand on the same ground with reading, writing and arithmetic.
Knowing this, it has been my aim to have the children of the public schools of Norwell realize the value of draw- ing.
Children are beginning to notice that designs are common things. Those designs which they have been struggling to perfect, appear complete on patch-work quilts, cover of magazines, shelf paper, the new table cloth and many other things at home.
The plan or construction work also seems a part of real life, for, when at home they hear their parents talking about a plan of the new barn, showing the position of grain chests, stalls and so forth. The new suit is ready to be cut, a pattern is the first thought. This line of work is being carried on in a small scale by introducing plans for pen trays, waste baskets and candle shades, and patterns for small objects in construction.
Although we do not expect to find Rembrandts, Raph- aels, or Whistlers, in our schools of Norwell, we do need this line of work which will train these pupils to be able to apply themselves to the duties of beautifying the home and the community where they live.
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This cannot be done in any branch of work as well as in the working out of designs, the planning and construction of objects, and observation of nature in color and sketch drawing.
BERTHA M. TILDEN.
Not for Circulation
5
NORWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1639 00054 9384
ERVE
SIXTY -THIRD
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
For use only in library
OWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1912
NOCRLAND THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUE CO, PRINT 1913
Norwell Public Library
SIXTY - THIRD
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1912
ROCKLAND : THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUB. CO., PRINT 1913
INDEX
Appropriations Recommended 96
Articles in the Warrant 98
Assessors' Report 73
Auditor's Report 8I
Financial Statement 80
Fire Account 6I
Fire Extinguishers 93
Road Account
49
Incidentals
59
Miscellaneous
64
Moth Reports 70
Overseers of Poor, Report of
45
Recapitulation 77
School Committee, Report of 103
Sealer of Weights and Measures
72
Tax Collector, Report of 75
Town Clerk. Report of 5
Town Officers Account 57
Town Treasurer, Report of 39
Trustees, Report. of 82
-
Report of the Town Clerk
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS, MARCH 4, 1912.
Pursuant to a warrant duly executed, the qualified voters of the Town of Norwell, met at the Town Hall. Monday, March 4, 1912, and took action as follows :
Article I. To choose a moderator.
Chose John Whalen, moderator, by ballot and he was sworn by the town clerk.
Article 2. The ballots, cards of instruction and keys were delivered to the moderator. The election officers were Ezra E. Stetson, Frank W. Jones. Amos H. Tilden, Charles W. Thomas and Charles Scully. The polls were opened at 7.05 a. m. and closed at 11.06 a. m. One hun- dred and thirty-four names were checked and the same number of ballots were cast. One of these was a partial ballot for school committee. On being canvassed and counted in open meeting they were found to be for the following persons and the result was declared by the moderator.
6
Town Clerk ( for one year)
Joseph F. Merritt 127
Blanks
6
Selectman (for three years)
William D. Turner 97
William H. Spencer
I
I. F. Hammond I
Blanks 34
Assessor (for three years)
William D. Turner 90
William H. Spencer
I
L. F. Hammond I
Blanks 41
Overseer of the Poor (for three years)
William D. Turner 91
William H. Spencer I L. F. Hammond I
Blanks 40
Town Treasurer ( for one year)
Joseph F. Merritt 119
Blanks
14
Auditor ( for one year)
Elliott F. Crowell 99
Blanks 34
7
Collector of Taxes ( for one year )
Lothrop E. Fessenden
61
William H. Spencer Blanks 1I
School Committee (for three years)
Claude G. Ainslie 46
George C. Turner
73
Blanks
I5
Board of Health ( for three years)
Edward W. Gardner
14
Harry J. Little
4
Benjamin Loring
I
Arnold V. Beach
L
Frank Thomas
I
Blanks II2
Surveyor of Highways (for one year)
Emanuel P. Joseph 100
I
Blanks
32
Constables (for one year)
Joshua Warren Foster
114
L. Frank Hammond 105
Walter T. Osborn
97
Jesse N. Winslow
103
Archie F. Merritt
17
Wallace H. Damon
17
Scattering votes
II
Blanks 201
Walter T. Osborn
8
Tree Warden (for one year)
John H. Sparrell
100
Blanks 33
Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town?
Yes
49
No 73
Blanks
II
OFFICERS ELECTED
Town Clerk, Joseph F. Merritt.
Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, William
D. Turner
Auditor, Elliott W. Crowell.
Collector of Taxes, (no election).
School Committee, George C. Turner.
Board of Health, Edward W. Gardner.
Surveyor of Highways, Emanuel P. Joseph.
Constables, Joshua Warren Foster, L. Frank Hammond, Walter T. Osborn, Jesse M. Winslow (no election for fifth man).
Tree Warden, John H: Sparrell.
Article 3. To hear the report of the several boards of officers and committees of the town and act thereon.
Voted to accept the report of town officers as printed.
9
The committee chosen to purchase sprayer reported and it was voted to accept their report.
The committee chosen to confer with the officials of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, in regard to the possibility of extending road through Nor- well reported and it was voted to accept their report and continue the committee. It was also voted to add six more names to the committee and have them report at special meeting if any action the town might take would have any influence with the officials of the Road in hastening the matter. Committee :- Horace T. Fogg, Arthur L. Power, Henry J.Tolman, Ernest H. Sparrell, William D. Turner, Henry D. Smith, Joseph F. Merritt, L. Frank Hammond, Jeremiah H. Lehan.
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 deen expedient.
Voted, to appropriate the following amounts.
Support of Poor
$1,000 00
Almshouse
800 00
Support of Schools
4,500 00
Transportation of Scholars
1,000 00
Highways, general repairs
1,000 00
Highways, Mt. Blue St.
700 00
Highways, Jacobs Ave and Prospect St
100 00
Highways, State road
1,200 00
Removing Snow, (the excise tax)
Memorial Day
150 00
State Aid
2,000 00
10
Soldiers' Relief
200 00
Town Officers
1.500 00
Washington St Cemetery
50 00
Tree Warden
50 00
Board of Health
250 00
School Physician
25 00
Squares and Triangles
.
75 00
Town Hall
50 00
Electric Lights
225 00
James Library
100 00
Fires and Equipment
300 00
Abatement of Taxes
100 00
Discount on Taxes
200 00
Anticipation Notes of 191I
1,500 00
Gypsy Moth
457 37
Superintendent of Schools
250 00
Interest
500 00
State and County Taxes
3,300 00
Gaffield Park
25 00
Incidentals
750 00
Spraying Elm Trees
250 00
.
It was voted, that the appropriation for transportation be used by the committee to assist scholars in the outlying districts to get to school.
Article 5. To see if the town will authorize its treasurer under the dirction of the selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes, and for disbursement under the pro- visions of the law relating to State Aid and Military Aid, and to defray the expenses of the town.
Voted, that the town treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow
11
money from time to time in anticipation of the taxes of the municipal year beginning January 1, 1912, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate $20,000.00 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the taxes of said municipal year.
Article 6. What compensation will the town make for removing snow, and appropriate money for the same.
Voted, to pay 25 cents per hour for removing snow. Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 7. In what manner and time shall the taxes be collected for the ensuing year ?
Voted, that a discount of two per cent. be allowed on taxes paid on or before October Ist .; that on all taxes not paid December Ist., interest be charged at the rate of 'six per cent. After April Ist., 1913, 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 1, 1913.
Voted, that the collector have the same powers in the collection of taxes that he would have if he were also town treasurer.
Article 8. To make allowance to town creditors. No. bills were presented at this time.
Article 9. What sum of money will the town appro- priate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R., on Memorial Day? Appropriation made under article 4.
12
Article 10. Will the town cause a statement of the financial affairs to be printed in February next ?
Voted, to print a report of its officers and statement of its financial affairs in January 1913.
Article 11. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington Street? Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 12. What price will the town pay for labor on the highways for the ensuing year ?
Voted, to pay 25 cents per hour for men, 623 cents per hour for man and pair of horses.
Article 13. What action will the town take in regard to keeping the sidewalks in repair.
Voted, to refer the matter to the surveyor of highways.
Article 14. Will the town give any instructons to town officers ?
Voted, that the Tree Warden be instructed to spray the elm trees along lanes as well as streets if the lanes have two houses on them.
Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to petition the Massachusetts Highway Commission immediately for an allotment for road.
Voted, that the selectmen be instructed, should they have the building of the road, that they put the job out at contract to the lowest bidder.
Voted, that the selectmen be instructed to locate the road from corner of Main street, south along River street.
Voted, to instruct the selectmen to print the list of jurors next year.
13
Voted, to instruct the selectmen to call the special meet- ing in the evening if lawful.
Voted, that the selectmen confer with the selectmen of Marshfield in regard to repairs on Union Bridge and re- port at the special meeting.
Voted, to instruct the Board of Health of Norwell to meet with the committees of other towns in regard to establishing a hospital for contageous diseases.
Voted, to instruct the surveyor of highways to run a snow plough through Mill Lane whenever he ploughs out the highways.
Article 15. What price will the town pay for work at fires for the ensuing year ?
Voted. to pay 35 cents per hour for work at fires.
Article 16. Will the town take action in regard to the care of parks, squares and triangles and make any appro- priation for the same ?
Voted, that the appropriation for this purpose be spent under the direction of the Tree Warden.
Article 17. Will the town make an appropriation for the James Library in return for the free privilege of tak- ing books which the townspeople now have?
Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 18. 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 ?
Voted, that this town unite with Hanover in maintain- ing an electric light at said location.
14
Article 19. Will the town appropriate the sum of $457.37 for the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths ?
The above amount was appropriated under article 4.
Article 20. What sum of money will the town appro- priate to pay the Superintendent of Schools?
Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 21. Will the town raise and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of fighting fires and for the purchase of additional fire apparatus ?
Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 22. What sum of money will the town appro- priate for the spraying of the elm trees along the high- ways?
Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 23. Will the town accept seventy-five dollars to be held in trust, the interest to be used for the benefit of the Thomas C. Sampson lot and ground in said Pine- hurst cemetery as provided in his will?
Voted. that the town by its selection as trustees accept the said amount from the Thomas C. Sampson estate the income to be used for the care of his lot and grounds in Pinehurst cemetery.
Article 24. What compensation will the town make its School Committee?
Voted, that the secretary of the School Committee re- ceive $50.00. the other members not over $25.00 each.
15
Article 25. Will the town take any action in regard to railroad facilities ?
Voted, that the committee chosen under article 3 report at the next town meeting.
Article 26. Will the town authorize the Selectmen to act in conjunction with the Selectmen of Marshfield in making necessary repairs on Union Bridge.
Voted, that they do authorize the Selectmen to act with the Selectmen of Marshfield for this purpose.
Article 27. Will the town accept Mill Lane as a public highway ?
Voted, to pass over this article.
Article 28. Will the town raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for the purchase of safes for the Collec- tor, School Committee and Board of Health?
Voted. to pass over this article.
Article 29. What action will the town take for the purpose of storing the town records or make an appro- priation for the same ?
Voted, that the Selectmen be a committee to investigate the probable cost of a vault for this purpose and report at the special meeting.
Article 30. Will the town appropriate and raise the sum of $100.00 for the purpose of widening the corners of Jacobs avenue and Prospect street as laid out by the County Commissioners ?
Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 31. Will the town raise and appropriate the
16
sum of $700.00 for the purpose of widening and straight- ening Mt. Blue street, as laid out by the County Com- missioners ?
Appropriation made under article 4.
Article 32. Will the town take any action in regard to refunding the "Otis" and "Coffin" notes ?
It was voted by a two-thirds vote of the voters present and voting that for the purpose of refunding the "Otis and Coffin" loans that the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen be authorized to hire $3,300.00 in four notes, one of nine hundred dollars, payable in 1913, and three of eight hundred dollars each, payable one in 1914, one in 1915 and one in 1916. And that they be instructed to petition the Legislature for the necessary authority therefor.
Article 33. Will the town raise and appropriate a sum of money to repair the railings along the public highways?
Voted, to appropriate $150.00 for this purpose and place the matter in the hands of the Surveyor of Highways and that he be instructed o have it done before August Ist.
Article 34. Will the town appropriate the sum of twelve hundred dollars to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts Highway Commission in the con- struction of a mile of road and contract for the same?
Twelve hundred dollars was appropriated for this pur- pose under article 4. and it was voted to authorize the Selectmen to execute the necessary contract with the said Massachusetts Highway Commission.
Article 35. Or act or do anything relating to the above. Voted. that the Selectmen act as fence viewers.
17
Voted, that the constables act as field drivers.
Voted, that W. W. Farrar, Frank W. Jones and Arthur T. Stoddard be the Cemetery Committee.
Voted, that salary of treasurer be $150.00.
Voted, that salary of collector of taxes be $225.00.
Voted, to raise by taxation a sum not to exceed $20,- 000.00 to be assessed on the polls and estates of residents and on the estates of non-residents.
The fish rights were sold at auction; purchasers :- George S. Hatch, $1.00. Charles H. Jones, $1.00.
Voted, that the moderator be paid $10.00 for his ser- vices.
Voted, that this meeting be disolved.
JOSEPH F. MERRITT, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 6. 1912.
Article I. To choose a moderator.
Choose John Whalen, moderator by ballot and he was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Article 2. To bring in their votes for a Collector of Taxes and one Constable for one year, all on one ballot. Polls open from eleven a. m. to three p. m.
The ballot, cards of instruction, ballot box keys were delivered by the town clerk to the moderator who acted as presiding election officer and the polls were declared open at 11.05 a. m. Ezra E. Stetson, Frank W. Jones William D. Turner, Amos H. Tilden, Charles W. Thomas and Charles Scully were the election officers. The polls
18
were closed at 3.06 p. m. 189 names were checked on the voting list and the same number of ballots cast: the ballot box registered 189. On being canvassed and counted in open meeting they were found to be for the following persons and the result was declared.
Collector of Taxes (for one year)
Lothrop E. Fessenden 86
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