USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1877-1878 > Part 2
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21
Amount brought forward, $26810 00
Appropriation for Purchase of Rut Scraper, - 125 00 Pump cor. Ash and Washington Streets, - -
25 00
For Overlaying of 'Taxes,
1091 OI -
State Tax, -
1950 00 -
County Tax. -
- 1143 26
-$31144 27
Of State for State aid, -
-
- 1252 35
Corporation Tax, . - -
454 38
National Bank Tax, -
-
448 72
from School Fund, -
204 94
for support of State Pauper, - -
I2 86
County Treasurer on Dog Licenses, 183 02
discount on County Tax, TI 43
For Interest on Taxes, 629 65
Deposits, -
25 00
Premium on Town Note, - -
30 00
Of School Committee for Gravel sold,
105 50
For Betterments,
40 00
Of Town of Woburn for expense of bound stone, 10 32 Supplies for Henry Berry, 166 00
Wakefield for supplies for Patrick Far- rington, 8 50
City of Boston for supplies for Lewella R. Lloyd, 118
12
-- $3700 79
Due from City of Springfield for supplies for O. N.
Wilder,
-
88 00
Town of Malden for supplies for S. L. Penney, 118 34
Town of Carlisle, for supplies for O. S.
Adams, 19 75
City of Boston for supplies for L. R. Lloyd, 20 25 State for State Aid, 18 00
$264 34
$35109 40
22
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for Schools,
1
$8266 07
Incidentals, J
730 00
Supplies at Almshouse, 146 96
for Poor out of Almshouse, - 2212 3&
Tramps, 1708 at 35 cts. each, 597 80
Town Officers, 1640 07
Town office,
188 58
Printing,
244 60
Public Library,
483 02
Cemetery,
1
350 00
Street Lights, - 327 58
Decoration of Soldiers Graves, -
100 00
Building Berkeley Street, .
184 20
Repair of Highways, -
2500 00 -
Clearing Snow,
431 90
Building Sidewalk on Ash Street,
140 32
Fire Department, 1675 18
Miscellaneous Expenses,
256 04
Abatement of Taxes, - -
436 26
Pump corner Washington and Ash Street, 19 78
State Aid,
1357 00
State Tax, -
1950 00
County Tax,
1143 26
İnterest on Town Debt,
3662 48
=$29043 48
-
Total Receipts,
$35109 40
Total Expenditures, -
29043 48
Receipts more than Expenditures, 4 $6065 92
23
VALUATION FOR 1877-
Real Estate, .
$2,127,563 00 ·
Personal Estate,
.
232,874 00
Total Valuation, . 1
· $2,360,437 00
Amount of Taxes Assessed, .
$31,144 27
Rate of Taxation, $12 50 on $1000 00 Poll Tax,
$2 00
JOSEPH L. PRATT, J. B. LEATHE,
SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS, AND
JAMES REID, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
NOTE. - On page 12 for Jonathan Bryant read Joseph Bryant.
24
W. WALLACE DAVIS,
COLLECTOR OF 1876 TAXES,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF READING. ....
DR.
March 1, 1877, to Uncollected Taxes, 1876, $7995 54
Interest Collected, . 319 45
Total, {
$8314 99
CR.
:
By Cash paid J. A. Bancroft, Treasurer,
Interest collected,
$319 45
Taxes collected,
5374 78
Total, .
$5694 23
Uncollected Taxes, 1876,
2620 76
$8314 99
W. WALLACE DAVIS, COLLECTOR.
READING, March 18, 1878.
25
FREDERICK BANCROFT, COLLECTOR,
IN ACCOUNT WITH TOWN OF READING.
DR.
To Tax List for collection, ·
$31,162 77
Interest collected,
52 43
$31,215 20
CR
By Cash paid James A. Bancroft, Treasurer, $21,725 00
Taxes uncollected,
9,490 20
$31,215 20
FREDERICK BANCROFT, COLLECTOR.
READING, March 15, 1878,
Dr.
JAMES A. BANCROFT, Treasurer, in account with the Town of Reading.
Cr.
To Balance in Treasury, March 15, 1877,
$6060 51
By paying Selectmens' orders, .
- $22287 99
City of Springfield, for support of O. N. Wilder,
23 00
Town debt, - Interest on Town debt.
.
- 18453 99
Town of Malden, for support of S. L. Penney,
185 15
Wakefield,
P. Farrington,
8 50
State tax, -
-
-
.
1950 0)
Woburn, .6 H. Berry,
166 00
County tax. -
.
.
- 1143 26
66 On account, Bound Stone,
10 32
City of Boston for support of L. R. Lloyd,
118 12
Hired money, -
- 14453 99
Interest on Deposits, "
" Taxes,
-
F
-
- 260 20
Premium " Note, -
30 00
Discount " County Tax,
11 43
State Aid,
1252 35
Corporation Tax,
-
-
-
-
-
454 38
National Bank Tax. -
448 72
Betterments,
-
.
-
-
40 00
Burial of State Paupers.
10 00
Support 66 - .
12 86
School Fund, -
204 94
Dog Licenses, -
183 02
School Committee, for gravel sold to T. J. Mayall, 105 50
W. Wallace Davis, collector.
-
5694 23
Frederick Bancroft,
- 21725 00
READING, March 18. 1878.
$51483 22
.
-
-
$3985 50
51183 22
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
.
-
.
.
-
-
-
·
-
Balance in Treasury cash, - -
3562 26
247497 72
Uncollected taxes of 1875.
$423 24
25 00
3662 48
.
JAMES A, BANCROFT. TREASURER.
27
AUDITORS' REPORT.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1878.
LIABILITIES.
Town Notes March 1, 1877, -
$63,900 00
.. 1878, - - 59,900 00
- $59,900 00
Decrease for the year, $4000 00
Interest accrued on Town Notes, 819 10
Due Fire Department (estimated),
1100 00
Miscellaneous Debts, -
200 00
2,119 10
$62,019 10
AVAILABLE ASSETS.
Unpaid Taxes,
$12,513 00
Due from State (Aid account), -
1,497 50
Claim on Eben Beard's Estate, - -
125 00
Due from City of Springfield, - -
88 00
Boston, - -
20 25
66
Town of Malden, - -
118 34
Carlisle, - -
19 75
Cash in Treasury, -
-
-
3,562 26
17,944 10
Net Debt March 1, 1878,
$44,075 00
1877,
50,629 36
Decrease for the year,
$6,554 36
28
SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY.
Town Farm, -
$4,000 00 -
Personal Property at the Town Farm, 2,217 84
$6,217 84
Cemetery Land and Lots, -
- $2,300 00
Hearse, - - -
120 00
House, -
75 00
2,495 00
Eagle Engine and Hose Carriage, - House,
$600 00
Hancock Engine and Hose Carriage,
450 00
House, -
1,400 00
Washington Engine,
-
175 00
House, -
25 00
Union Engine,
-
40 00
Hook and Ladder Carriage, &c.,
350 00
House, -
80 00
Furniture and Hose, -
1,650 00
5,270 00
Property in Town Office, -
350 00
School Houses and Furniture,
33,000 00
Public Library, -
-
2,200 00
Piano and Apparatus in High School,
500 00
35,700 00
$50,032 84
We have examined the books of the Selectmen and Treasurer for the year ending March 1, 1878, and find the same correct and satis- factorily vouched.
FRANCIS BARTLEY, J. C. GLEASON,
AUDITORS.
READING, March 18, 1878.
-
-
500 00
-
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF ENGINEERS
OF THE
READING FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Reading : -
In accordance with our usual custom, we beg leave to submit to you our annual Report, and in doing so we congratulate you on your escape from any very serious fires during the past year. The alarms to which the department has responded since our last report were as follows, viz :---
May 15th, 7 : 30, P. M .- Alarm from burning woodland in the West part of the town, near the Woburn line. A large tract was burned over, but the damage could not be estimated.
July 5th, 7 : 45, P. M .- Alarm caused by burning brush in the Northwest part of the town. No damage.
Sept. 9th, 3, P. M .- Alarm from two-story dwelling House on Park Avenue, owned and occupied by J. Driscoll. The roof of the building was completely burned off, and the lower stories were, badly drenched. Loss estimated at $500 ; fully insured. At this fire we think our firemen firmly established their reputation for promptness and efficiency.
Oct. 15th, 1 1 : 15, A. M .- Alarm from a small stable on Prospect Street, owned and occupied by Geo. M. Wethern. Loss (including a horse that was burned); $300 ; no insurance.
Nov. 5th, 11, A. M .- Alarm from house of William Carter, on Woburn Street. Damage trifling.
Nov. 16th, 7, P. M .- Alarm caused by burning brush in the South part of the town. No damage.
Dec. 6th, 3 : 30, A. M .- Alarm from a large unoccupied French- roof House near the Highland Station, owned by Oscar Foote.
30
Owing to the bad state of the roads, this house was nearly consumed before the arrival of the department, and from all appearances it was the work of an incendiary. Loss. $3500 ; fully insured.
March 10th, 1878 .- Aiarm from the Baptist Church, on Salem Street, caused by fire in the chimney. Extinguished without the aid of the Engines. No damage.
Total number of alarms, 8 ; total loss, $4300,-all of which was covered by insurance, except the stable of Mr. Wethern.
We have in the department two good hand engines, three hose carriages, one hook and ladder truck, and about two thousand feet of hose, all of which is in good order and condition. The force of the department consists of one hundred and sixteen men, and our thanks are due them for the faithful manner in which they have per- formed their duties ; but one great source of annoyance to our firemen is the lighting of brush fires after dark, thus creating needless alarms, and we respectfully suggest to such of our citizens who may have occasion to burn rubbish, to notify some one of the Board of Engi- neers previous to lighting such a fire. We are of the opinion that the town should, at the earliest moment, take measures to increase their supply of water for the extinguishing of fires. The town has done well in that direction, for the past few years, but there are localities which are sadly in need of reservoirs, among which are the following : Mount Vernon Street, near J. W. Coburn's ; Ash Street, near P. Jaquith's ; Summer Street, near S. E. Parker's ; West Street, near Preston Richardson's ; and High Street, near James A. Ban- csoft's,-and we recommend that the town make an appropriation annually for one cistern or reservoir until such time as we shall be fortified at all points. Another matter to which we wish to call your attention is the want of a bell on the School House or Engine House at the West part of the town. On one or two occasions the Engine Company located there have been delayed in consequence of not getting the alarm promptly. A bell on either of those buildings would obviate that difficulty, in a great measure, and we recommend an appropriation for that purpose. The amount of money expended the past year on account of the department has been as follows :-
Paid Members of Department for services to May 1, 1877, - $1246 31
Chas. H. Lang for services as Chief Engi-
neer to May 1, 1877, 25 00
Chas. H- Danforth for services as Assistant Engineer to May 1, 1877, 12 00
E. C. Nichols for services as Assistant Engi- neer from May 1, 1875, to May 1, 1877, 24 00
Dainel Creesy for services as Assistant Engineer to May 1, 1877, 12 03
David Crowell, for services as Assistant En gineer to May 1, 1877, 12 00
Wm. H. Bancroft for services as Steward to Hancock Engine Co. from August 1, 1876, to August 1, 1877, 48 00
C. C. Cummings for services as Steward to Eagle Engine Co. from November I, 1876, to November 1, 1877, - - 60 00
Fred Baker for services as Steward to Hook and Ladder Co., to May 1, 1877, 5 00
Chas. H. Lang, Express Charges, - 3 45
Geo. W. Simmons & Son for 13 overcoats for firemen, 58 50
Geo. W. Simmons & Sons for 13 pairs duck overalls, -
9 75
Garfield & Co. for numbering coats, -
2 50
F. O. Dewey & Co. for lanterns, -
I 33
Amos McIntire for painting Eagle Engine House, 46 00
Hunneman & Co. for hose, &c., - 43 75
Robert P. Burgess for mason work on Eagle Engine House, - -
8 50
J. O. Hollis & Co. for locks and keys, -
4 62
H. E. Cox for drawing Hooks and Ladders to fire in Woburn, 2 00
P. McCall for straps, &c., - 4 45
Amount carried forward, $1629 16
32
Amount brought forward, $1629 16
Paid G. W. Atkinson for oil,
94
M. A. Stone for oil, 2 17
Bancroft & Temple repairing platform and drawing Engine to fire, 2 66
Daniel Creesy for labor and sundries, 29 62
John A. Blunt for repairs, -
4
8 62
T. Littlefield for Stove Pipe for Engine House No. 4, - 2 00
46 oz
$1675 18
Amount unexpended, .
24 82
appropriated,
$1700 00
We think that the expenses of the department, for the ensuing year, will not exceed seventeen hundred ($1700) dollars, and we recommend that sum to be appropriated.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES H. LANG, CHIEF ENGINEER,
E. C. NICHOLS, GEO. H. PARKER, D. CREESY, J. DEWHURST,
ASSISTANTS,
GEO. H. PARKER, CLERK.
READING, March 22d., 1878.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Trustees of the Reading Public Library.
The Trustees of the Reading Public Library herewith present their tenth annual report. Our finance account stands as follows : -
RECEIPTS.
Town appropriation,
$300 00
Tax paid by owners of dogs,
183 02
Fines, - -
31 36
Sale of cards, -
-
-
6 85
catalogues, -
-
-
-
5 60
Waste paper, - - -
-
-
24
Balance from 1877,
-
-
-
6 05 $533 12
PAYMENTS.
Purchase of books,
-
-
$206 21
Binding,
-
-
-
37 40
Services of Librarian,
-
-
102 50
Rent, fuel, lights, &c.,
150 00
Insurance,
25 00
Sundries,
-
-
-
9 35
Balance on hand,
-
-
2 66
533 12
-
-
-
-
The Library has been increased during the year by the purchase of 150 volumes, of which 33 were to supply the place of books worn out. Donations have been received as follows : -
-
-
34
From Macmillan & Co .. I vol. -
E. Appleton. Miss Annie Appleton,
.
-
-
4 ..
F. H. Knight.
-
28
Mrs. S. Colby.
State of Mass.,
17
Hon. C. D. Wright, -
8
Stephen Foster, Esq.,
4
Other donations,
3
72
The circulation during the year has been greater than during the year previous and has amounted to 14,700 volumes.
Owing to complaints that "certain rings " get possession of some of the most interesting books and keep them within their control until each member of the ring has read them, thus preventing a general circulation, the Trustees have adopted a regulation that allows no person to take out books except for himself and for mem- bers of his immediate family, and said person cannot draw for him - self and family, whatever the number of persons it contains, more than four books in any one day, In order that families may be held to a stricter responsibilitiesregard to careful usage of books, the Trustees have decided that the head of every family shall be held accountable for the payment of all damages caused by any member of his family to any library book, and for all fines incurred by them, and no family may draw a book as long as such damages and fines are unpaid.
The adoption and enforcement of the preceding requirements have operated favorably, as the better condition of the books con- clusively shows.
The terms of Messers. Appleton and Dewey, as trustees expire this spring, necessitating a new election to fill the vacancies.
Respectfully submitted,
E. APPLETON, CHAIRMAN.
F. O. DEWEY, STEPHEN FOSTER, HORACE G. WADLIN, WILLIAM PROCTOR, HIRAM BARRUS,
1 TRUSTEES
READING, March, 1878.
-
Report of Cemetery Committee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Balance on hand as per last report,
95
Drawn from Town Appropriaton,, -
-
350 00
Received from sale of lots, -
-
115 00
Received for wood,
-
36 00 $501 95
-
Paid for completion of wall and other work com- . menced last year, - -
$92 00
capstones for wall, - - -
57 5°
labor in cemetery, - - 313 5°
463 00
Balance in hands of Committee,
$38 95
F. O. DEWEY, F. H. KNIGHT, G. C. GLEASON, W. S. RICHARDSON, T. B. PRATT, S. BANCROFT,
COMMITTEE.
READING, March, 1878.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
In making their annual report your Commissioners would recom- mend the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for ordinary repairs, three hundred for bridges, and three hundred for clearing snow. The receipts and expenses have been as follows : viz.,
ORDINARY REPAIRS.
Paid George Beasley, keeper of Almshouse,
for labor in 1876, $73 25
Charles A. Weston, for labor in 1876,
31 72 104 97
George Beasley, labor of self and team, 1877, 77 01
John A. Blunt, labor,
10 22
Henry S. LaClair, labor, -
-
189 30
66
66 " material, -
43
Webster Eames, for labor, -
10 50
Edwin P. Nichols, 66
.
-
3 75
Orin N. Jones,
-
-
56 32
D. Marshall Nichols, “
8 25
Michael Forbes, labor of man and team,
79 20
Daniel Nichols, labor,
9 75
Henry Deadman,
-
-
16 50
Augustus Fultz, 66
7 50
Richmond Haselton,
-
18 00
N. E. Hill, gravel,
9 12
Timothy Canty, labor of man and team, 38 70
James A. Bancroft, labor, 18 60
George Ballard, -
18 00
for team, -
106 20
-
-
-
Amount carried forward, $677 35
37
Amount brought forward,
$782 32
Paid Jacob Jones, labor, -
3 05
Warren Hayward,
-
-
37 65
Ames Gowing, gravel,
-
20 00
Alexander Nelson, labor,
-
86 35
Nathan Carter, «
-
-
2 00
Waldo J. Bessey, 66
-
-
23 25
Emerson Smith,
141 13
Eliab C. Jones,
69 30
Wm. G. Nichols, labor of man and team,
29 85
for gravel,
9 20
G. W. Atkinson, for tools.
1 55
J. Breck & Sons,
1 20
Clarence J. Nichols, for labor,
52 95
Richard D. Wilkins,
3 50
use of tools,
-
1 75
€6
covering stone, -
15 50
Tristram Littlefield, labor,
15
James Wilkins,
-
-
3 50
William Holmes,
-
8 25
N. W. C. Carter,
-
4 05
J. B. Nichols,
of man and team,
49 95
O. A. Swain,
84 07
Eastman Austin,
-
-
57 90
John Mellen, "
83 70
Francis Clark,
13 50
Geo. H. Porter,
self and team,
25 50
Charles A. Weston,
66
III 60
of teams,
-
127 65
for gravel,
2 75
W. W. Davis,
2 85
R. C. Totten,
labor,
5 47
J. M. Eames,
66
-
1 00
Timothy Rierdon,
93 98
J. W. Manning,
for gravel, -
II 25
R. B. Nichols,
labor, self and team,
20 55
C. H. Moulton,
3 75
66
covering stone,
90
Noble Bunker,
labor, -
44 40 1254 95
Amount carried forward,
$2037 32
.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
38
Amount brought forward,
¥2037 32
Paid Robert A. Harmon, labor self and team,
75 00
R. M. Boyce,
66
45 80
Bancroft & Temple, " man and team, 16 50
60 lumber,
4 76
Benj. F. Pratt,
labor,
James Sullivan,
66
8 25
F. M. Turner, 66
4 50
Wm. L. Jones,
19 60
Daniel Sullivan,
82 20
Patrick Barrett, 66
-
-
53 20
Charles Spear, gravel, -
8 52
A. J. Varney, stone, -
50
Mathew Hanley, gravel, -
-
35 20
C. H. Lang,
labor, -
25
Albert Nichols,
gravel,
14 50
G. A. Jones,
labor of team, -
I 50
Howard W. Batchelder, labor,
4 35
Arthur G. Emerson, labor,
3 75
Albert F. Emerson, labor self and team, -
28 50
Asa Parker, 66
3 20
D. W. Pratt, 66
6 00
S. T. Sweetser,
40
J. A. Smith,
22. 95
C. H. Swain, 66
14 25
F. J. Bancroft,
21 00
George Richardson, 66
4 65
P. H. Jaquith, covering stone,
-
3 50
Benj. Newell's Heirs, gravel,
15 82
T. F. Gould, labor, -
9 10
W. W. Blanchard,
3 00
William Smith.
1 50
Henry Gorus,
11 ,25
B. M. Boyce, gravel,
9,10
Charles Wakefield, labor,
4 75
gravel,
I 30
Dodge, Gilbert & Co., tools,
3 10
Whittemore Brothers,
2 00
Cummings' Express, labor,
30
Parker & Stone, tools,
60
562 75
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
:
-
$2600 07
.
-
18 15
self and team, -
-
39.
Amount expended, ,
$2600 07
Credit by cash received of Thos. J. Mayall, for gravel,
$38 22
A. P. Damon, for labor
and stone, 3 25
66
66
Moses Bancroft, for loam, 3 00
66
66
Michael Forbes, for stone, 3 50
66
66
R. M. Boyce,
1 00
66
Wm. W. Phillips, for loam, 14 00
66
66
J. B. Leathe,
14 75
66
R. Coggin,
12 00
66
Collins,
I 75
C. P. Weston.
3 60
66
66
C. H. Moulton,
3 00
66
66
Parker & Stone,
I 50
100 07
Appropriation,
$2500 00
CLEARING SNOW, 1876-7.
Paid Henry S. LaClair, labor, -
$20 25
Edwin P. Nichols,
-
-
2 52
Michael Forbes,
66
-
-
I 04
D. P. Babb,
66
I 00
William Holmes, 66
2 60
N. W. C. Carter,
4 80
John Mellen,
1 57
Francis Clark,
-
-
-
52
Charles A. Weston,
66
-
-
56 49
S. M. Pratt,
66
-
3 60
J. M. Eames,
66
5 25
Henry Goodwin, 66
5 25
James Wilson,
6 30
Timothy Rierdon, 66
-
-
25
R. B. Nichols. 66
-
.
-
16 93
C. H. Moulton, 66
50 19
Charles Wakefield,
7 30 $185 86
Unexpended,
-
14 14
Appropriation,
.
-
$200 00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
40
CLEARING SNOW, 1877-8.
Paid George Beasley, labor,
$20 00
H. S. LaClair,
-
13 60
Michael Forbes, 66
30
Warren Hayward, “
75
Emerson Smith, 66
3 75
Wm. G. Nichols, 66
-
-
7 30
O. A. Swain,
66
-
.
-
2 70
John Meilen,
2 65
·
C. A. Weston, 66
30 52
66
snow plows,
3 45
R. C. Totten,
66
5 00
J. M. Eames,
labor,
4 05
Henry Goodwin.
1 65
James Wilson, 66
.
-
-
5 25
Timothy Rierdon, 66
-
-
3 75
Chas. H. Moulton,
39 72
Bancroft & Temple, snow plow,
2 25
James Sullivan, labor,
2 55
Daniel Sullivan,
66
30
Patrick Barrett,
"6
-
-
-
2 40
H. W. Batchelder, “
3 50
A. F. Emerson, 66
.
-
6 00
D. W. Pratt, 66
-
-
1 50
F. J. Bancroft,
66
-
-
I5
Geo.W. Batchelder, “
2 25
S. R. Roby,
66
-
6 45
N. W. Broad,
66
-
1 50
Robert Costello, 66
6 60
R. B. Nichols,
66
-
.
7 80
Alden Johnson,
66
-
2 70
Loring Weston,
66
.
-
.
60
Geo. Richardson,
66
-
.
1 35
Warren Temple,
66
-
75
Albert James, 66
1 05
Joseph Bancroft, 66
-
-
-
60
J. E. Eames,
30
F. G. Nichols, 66
75
Bradley Bancroft, 66
45
Amount carried forward,
$196 24
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-
-
-
-
-
.
-
-
-
-
.
-
-
.
.
-
- .
-
-
.
66
-
41
Amount brought forward,
$196 24
Paid James Dewhurst, labor,
30
Daniel Creesy, 66 and stock for snow plow, 8 72
Amos McIntire, 3 00
B. C. Clark,
-
-
2 70
Hiram Litchfield, “
2 00
John Fluke,
60
Miller,
75
Curtis, Davis & Co.,“
13 00
Wm. L. Jones,
9 80
R. M. Boyce,
3 00
E. P. Nichols,
2 63
Augustus Fultz,
60
William Holmes,
-
-
-
2 70
49 80
Unexpended,
3 96
Appropriation,
$250 00
BUILDING ASH STREET SIDEWALK.
Paid Geo. Beasley, labor, self and team, $16 20
Emerson Smith, “ 10 32
J. Breck & Sons, rake, -
1 25
William R. Perkins, gravel,
13 60
R. D. Wilkins, covering stone, -
3 20
O. A. Swaiu, labor,
8 85
John Mellen, 66
9 45
C. A. Weston, self and teams,
22 20
R. C. Totten,
1 58
Timothy Rierdon, labor, -
-
8 85
Patrick Barrett, 66
11 02
Waldo Bros., drain pipe, -
9 00
C. H. Moulton, covering stone,
.... 50
C. H. Swain, labor,
8 10
A. S. Stevens, " self and team,
14 70
Cummings Express, labor, -
1 50 $140 32
Unexpended,
9 68
Appropration,
-
-
$150 00
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
$246 04
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-
.
BUILDING BERKELEY STREET (SO CALLED).
Paid John A. Blunt, labor,
$1 71
George Beasley, self and team, 21 75
Emerson Smith,
-
14 44
O. A. Swain.
-
10 12
John Mellen,
12 75
C. A. Weston, .6 self and teams, 43 60
gravel,
55
R. C. Totten, labor,
1 08
J. M. Eames ..
9 00
Timothy Rierdon, “
11 62
R. A. Harmon,
self and team,
13 50
James Sullivan,
3 00
Daniel Sullivan,
12 37
Patrick Barrett, -
14 44
Edwin Bassett, gravel,
.
-
1 20
Parker & Stone, “
-
1 70
M. A. Stone, powder,
50
C. H. Swain, labor,
10 87 $184 20
Unexpended,
15 80
Appropriation,
$200 00
There is due George Beasley, keeper of Alms
House,
$Ic8 79
'Town of North Reading, for re pairs of Bridges, - 33 40
JAMES A. BANCROFT, ROAD CHARLES A. WESTON, COMMISSIONERS HENRY S. LACLAIR, OF READING.
READING, March Ist, 1878.
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF READING,
FOR THE YEAR 1877-8.
REPORT.
The General Statutes of Massachusetts-Chap. 40, Sec. 6,-pro- vide that the School Committees of the " several cities and towns shall annually make a detailed report of the condition of the several public schools, which report shall contain such statements and sug- gestions in relations to the schools as the Committe deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof."
In order to comply with this statute, the School Committe for the year closing March, 1878, hereby submit their annual report :
GENERAL CONDITION OF SCHOOLS.
We believe the schools, as a whole, have made good progress dur- ing the past year, and are in a more satisfactory condition than they were one year ago. Although some have excelled in methods of dicipline and instruction, we think none have fallen below the aver- age standard of last year.
In giving this opinion we would not imply that our schools have reached so high a degree of excellence, that it is wise or safe to do away with constant efforts for their improvement. On the contrary, we are confident that unless Committee, teachers, and parents hearti- ly co-operate in their behalf, progress will not be made. Judging from actual experience in visiting the schools in the vicinity, however, we affirm with confidence that our schools will compare favoraly with those of other towns.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The town has eight school buildings, all of which are in good con- dition considering the number of years they have been occupied.
As stated in our last report, it is the policy of the committee to put one building in thorough repair each year. In pursuance of that policy the Walnut Street house has been painted throughout, and the entries sheathed.
It was also found necessary to lay a new floor in the Main Street building, and paint the interior. The walls and ceiling of the High
4
School room, which had become much discolored were neatly tinted during the summer vacation. The black-boards in every building- - except at Lowell St .*. -- have been put in thorough repair and covered with liquid slating.
In contracting for repairs, the committee have adopted the plan which they would use in their private business. All good mechanics are allowed to estimate npon the work, which is awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. By this method money is saved to the town and the contracts freed from any suspicion of " Tweedism."
We think it is not too much to say that our School buildings have not been in better condition for nearly ten years, than at present. The committee are fortunate in having two members who can attend personally to all repairs.
COURSE OF STUDY.
Our course of study remains as presented in our last report, ex- cept a few slight modifications. We shall change it from time to time as occasion requires, or whenever we think it can be improved.
We wish to call special attention to this programme of studies, as there is so much agitation of the public mind, at the present time, in regard to the practical usefulness of the public schools, and because there seems to be a misconception on the part of some of our citizens. as to the studies pursued. Especially is this true in regard to the course in our High School.
It does not seem to be understood that the chief feature of this course, is the prominence given to what may be termed purely Eng- lish branches,-that a pupil entering the school can do so without preparation in Latin, French, or any foreign language ; and may con- tinue until the end of the course, and graduate with honor without the study of any language, save his vernacular. This has been the case for the past three or four years, and yet, notwithstanding the fact has been stated from time to to time in our reports, the committe have received application from parents during the last year, for the ex- cuse of their children from the study of Latin or French. This shows conclusively to us that some of our citizens, thoughtlessly we believe, place too much confidence in idle remarks dropped by persons not conversant with the facts.
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