USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1884-1885 > Part 3
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Two bequests for the care of lots in the cemetery have been re- ceived by the town the past year, which with others, previously made have been reported by us this year as among the liabilities of the town. We are not aware that there is any vote or by-law of the town respecting the care and use of such bequests, and as very prob- ably others for similar purposes will be made, we recommend that the town adopt some rule or ordinance in regard to them.
EDWARD APPLETON, r GILMAN L. PARKER, Auditors.
FRANK W. B. PRATT,
Report of the Board of Engineers.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN of READING :
The Engineers of the Fire Department would most respectfully submit their thirty-first report.
The department has responded to seventeen alarms since our last report.
LOSS.
Ins. $0 00
Ins. Rec'd. $0 00
April 25, E. Manning's mill and storehouse .... S.000 00
7,000 00
6.500 00
6. 25. Mayall Rubber Co's. factory ..... 57.500 00
76,400 00 54,000 00
6. " E. A. Hill's brush shop (in basement of the mill). 2.000 00
500 00
500 00
May 5, House of Mrs. M. J. Greenwood.
1,700 00
2,000 00
110 00
June 5. House of J. B. Frost.
25 00
0 00
0 00
July 15. Two alarms for cord wood owned by H. Cox. 40 00
0 00
0 00
Aug. 20, D. Cooksley's brush shop
.1,000 00
350 00
310 00
Aug. 26. Chas. Damon's house
400 00
1,000 00
375 28
Oct. 18. E. Wiley's barn.
2.000 00
1,875 00
1,875 00
Nov. 8, Fire at North Reading
0 00
0 00
0 00
Nov. 10, Fire in grove of Miss M. Hartshorn ..
0 00
0 00
0 00
Dec. 31, Wm. Kennery's store.
200 00
600 00
600 00
Jan. 10, Luther Weston's barn
400 00
400 00
200 00
Jan. 18, Two alarms for barn of Clarence Merrill.
1.635 00
1,800 00
1,635 00
March 7, Burning brush in yard of Dr. Hana- ford .
0 00
0 00
0 00
Since the last report, the department has purchased (1050) ten hundred and fifty feet of Warwick hose. A heater has been attached to the boiler in the basement of the steamer house, keeping the water in the steamer hot at all times in cold weather, without any additional expense. The department now owns two thousand feet of new hose and two thousand feet of old hose in fair condition.
The engine houses are all in good condition and will need little, if
March 17, Hyde & Co's. fireworks shop. $300 00
48
any, repairing this year. The board would like an expression of the will of the town in regard to the disposition of Eagle engine and en- gine house. Since the purchase of the steamer there has been no use for them.
The board would recommend that an appropriation be made to build two or more cisterns, and to sink an artesian well for fire pur- poses, near the depot. Artesian wells have been sunk in several towns, giving very good results, being much better, and far cheaper, than cisterns.
The board also would recommend that the pay for all firemen be made ten dollars and their poll tax per annum, and that an allow- ance of twenty-five cents per hour, from time of apparatus leaving engine house until return be made. This to commence May 1, and to continue for one year.
It is the opinion of the board that twenty-two hundred dollars should be appropriated to defray the expenses of the fire department for the ensuing year.
In conclusion the board wishes to thank the citizens for favors re- ceived, and the members of the department for their promptness in performing their duties.
E. C. NICHOLS, Chief Engineer. Wm. L. CROWE, Assistants. WENDELL BANCROFT,
ARTHUR S. RICHARDSON, Clerk.
CHIEF POLICE REPORT.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF READING :-
Gentlemen, I present the following report. The Police force have not done a great amount of work, but at the same time have done all that was required of them. The number of ar- rests during the year was 5 for which tact I congratulate the citizens of Reading. I believe Reading to stand at the head for good conduct generally. The following is a correct report. Number of arrests (5) :
For drunkenness 4
.. Larceny . 1
Lodging for tramps with permits 4 Tramps picked up and taken care of for the night. 43 Doors found unlocked and opened. 21
Fire alarms. 5
Fires extinguished without alarm 1
The above work has been done by night watchman, Henry Stock, and certainly shows the need of such an officer.
I would recommend that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for Police services.
Also that the night watchman be required to wear a uniform when on duty.
Also that the citizens of this Town continue in their good behavior.
GEORGE E. DAVIS, Chief Police.
Report of Cemetery Committee.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Amount in the hands of the committee March 1, 1884 $69 65 Drawn from the appropriation by the town. 100 00
Received from sale of lots. 288 00
$457 65
Expended in care of ground :- Paid G. C. Gleason for labor. $146 00
P. Barrett 66 78 75
D. Sullivan
27 13
C. Barbrick 66
13 13
E. Buxton 66
3 75
D. Babb
66
1 50
C. K. Gleason
9 63
M. Hennessey 66 of self and horse ... 44 38
T. Riordan 66 66
7 00
E. Wight, for gravel. 6 12
E. S. Gleason, for trimming trees, &c. 2 00
J. W. Manning, for trees. 27 75
W. E. Moulton, for loam, gravel and teaming 27 65
M. E. Nichols, for painting gates 2 24
M. Forbes for labor of self and horse. 14 03
$412 81
Balance on hand
$44 84
F. O. DEWEY, G. C. GLEASON, Wm. J. WIGHTMAN, JAMES A. BANCROFT, F. W. B. PRATT, S. BANCROFT,
Committee.
READING, March, 1885.
R. M. Boyce, load of dressing 1 75
LIBRARY REPORT.
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following report :-
During the year the library has been removed to convenient and central rooms in the Bank building, which, by vote of the town at its last annual meeting, have been leased for the term of five years.
A new catalogue has been prepared and a new system of delivery adopted, whereby the library has been made to conform to the best institutions of its character in other towns.
The new system seems to be appreciated . by the patrons of the library, as it affords a better opportunity for the selection of books than heretofore.
The improvements are permanent in their character, and the cases are removable. The present mode of shelving the books, and the perfected system of charging employed, will obviate the necessity for the usual protracted withdrawal of the books from circulation during the summer.
Considerable extra shelf room remains for accessions in each de- partment. If the capacity of the present alcoves were to be ex- hausted, and it became necessary to provide a larger room, re-num- bering the present books would not be required, as the system of numbering employed is capable of expansion up to any limit likely to be reached in a library of this grade, the accessions being provided for by simply adding shelves, or tiers of shelves, to the different alcoves.
The present catalogue, therefore, so far as it goes, is of permanent value and need not be superseded. It could easily have been made more complete, by introducing sub-titles, such, for instance, as Biography, Art, Agriculture etc., grouping under such titles the books in each class. But considering the expense of printing, and the time and labor involved in the careful preparation of extended work of this sort, it was deemed best to adhere to the alpha- betical system in its simplest form, each book being entered twice,
52
i.e., once under its title and once under the name of its author. The library being so small and the catalogue so compact, little difficulty will be encountered in finding the title of any book desired.
A card catalogue, which will probably be completed during the present year, will group together books by classes, and leaflets or bulletins in the catalogue style will be issued from time to time, de- signed to aid patrons pursuing special courses of reading.
The receipts and expenses of the library during the current year have been as follows :
Receipts :---
Appropriation .. $600 00
Amount of Dog tax 249 10
$849 10
Paid for services of Librarian $152 45
rent ..
153 33
E. Parker, cleaning 4 00
C. W. Clark, supplies, 7 40
W. Bancroft, labor and stock. 88 32
J. C. Cook, 66 66 66
10 05
W. H. Bancroft, " 1 32
A. J. Bancroft, " 66 66
10 13
L. Descalzo & Co, labor and stock. 12 93
C. G. Rogers, labor and stock. 15 12
A. J. Foster, labor, .
3 50
H. W. Blanchard, labor,.
2 40
H. E. Cox, wood, 6 86
Old Colony bindery, bookbinding 23 75
J. C. Page, insurance, . 18 75
Lang's express. 70
Citizen's Gas Light Company .. 10 15
C. M. Barrows & Co. print'g catalogues, etc 239 25
Carter, Rice & Co., paper. . 5 10
T. Littlefield, stoves and piping 15 75
Estes & Lauriat, books. 59 86
Sundries 7 98
$849 10
53
FINE ACCOUNT.
Amount of balance, 1884
$84 65
Received for fines. 18 15
for catalogues
41 50
for cards.
1 60
waste paper sold
2 20
$148 10
Paid for books
$50 00
for sundry supplies
4 02
express fees
2 65
services
15 00
N. Chamberlain & Co, hand stamp.
8 00
check rack.
5 00
stationery
2 58
catalogue cards.
10 00
$97 25
Balance
$50 85
Two vacancies will require to be filled at the ensuing annual meet- ing, the terms of Messrs. Thomas and Prentiss expiring.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN FOSTER, Chairman. HORACE G. WADLIN, Sec'y. JAMES H. GRIGGS, CYRUS M. BARROWS, HARLEY PRENTISS, CHARLES D. THOMAS,
READING, March 15, 1885.
Trustees.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING,
For the Year 1884-5.
REPORT.
The School Committee for the year ending March, 1885, respectfully submit the following report :-
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE.
The organization of the Committee during the year has been as follows :-
Chairman-Horace G. Wadlin. Secretary-Henry G. Kittredge. SUB COMMITTEES.
High School-Messrs. Wadlin and Wright.
First Grammar-Mr. Kittredge. . Second Grammar-Mr. S. E. Parker. Third Grammar-Mr. Wright.
Upper Medium-Mr. E. F. Parker.
Lower Medium-Mr. S. E. Parker.
Upper Primary-Mr. Kittredge.
Lower Primary-Mr. Wadlin.
Chestnut Hill Schools-Mr. Kittredge.
Woburn Street Schools-Mr. Bancroft.
Lowell Street School-Mr. E. F. Parker.
Main Street School-Mr. Bancroft.
Haverhill Street School-Mr. S. E. Parker.
On Prudential Affairs-Messrs. E. F. Parker and S. E. Parker.
On Music-Mr. Wright. On Accounts-Mr. E. F. Parker. On Text Books and Supplies-Mr. E. F. Parker.
57
GENERAL REMARKS.
As usual, we confine ourselves to general remarks concern- ing the schools. For statements in detail respecting attendance, number of visitors, expenditures, etc., the reader is referred to the statistical information presented in the appendix. The system of monthly reports to the parents, showing the progress and standing of pupils, renders any extended remarks upon those points unnecessary. The Committee regret that parents do not more generally visit the schools and by personal inspec- tion familiarize themselves with their condition. A few hours spent in the class room will do more toward exhibiting the real work of the teacher than can any statement of ours, however complete. It is sufficient to say that the schools have main- tained their usual efficiency during the year. In general, the teachers have successfully conducted the work entrusted to them, and for their services are entitled to the thanks of the Committee. No matter how liberal the appropriations granted by the town, no matter how competent a committee may be selected to disburse such appropriations, the success or failure of the schools depends almost entirely upon the character and qualifications of the teachers. All are not equally efficient. That, indeed, ought not to be expected. Without exception, however, we believe them to be faithful and conscientious, and we request in their behalf the sympathy and co-operation of the parents, without which no teacher can succeed.
CHANGES IN TEACHING FORCE.
At the end of the Spring term Mrs. Sarah A. Goodridge closed her connection with the schools of Reading by resigna- tion after honorable service of many years. The vacancy was filled by the selection of Miss Roberts, of Somerville, who came here with a superior record as to scholarship, and who is still in charge of the school.
58
Miss Mattie Davis, of the Woburn street grammar school, resigned at the same time, and was succeeded by Miss Hattie C. Emerson, of Reading, who was well known to the Commit- tee from her high standing in our High School and in the Normal School at Bridgewater. Miss Emerson has been re-elected for the ensuing year.
A change also occurred at the beginning of the Fall term in the Haverhill street school, Miss Elliot, a graduate of the Salem Normal School, taking the place of Miss Olena Wake- field who resigned to accept a position elsewhere.
Miss Mary E. Murkland, of Lynn, a young lady thoroughly devoted to the work of teaching, and who had been very suc- cessful in the Woburn street primary, recently resigned on account of ill-health. The vacancy has been filled by the election of Miss Mason, of Somerville, the substitute in charge during Miss Murkland's absence.
Mr. George W. Wilson, of Wakefield, has conducted in- struction in music since the resignation of Mr. Carey at the close of the Spring term. His services have been found entirely satisfactory to the Committee, and he has been re- elected for the ensuing year.
HIGH SCHOOL.
This school at present numbers 88 pupils. 15 graduated in June with the usual diploma. The names of these graduates appear in the Appendix.
Provision is now made for a four years' course of study in this school in fulfilment of the plan outlined in last year's re- port. In the future it is probable that many pupils will remain four years instead of three.
GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY DEPARTMENTS.
No special reference need be made to the work of these grades. The number of pupils at present attending is 469.
59
ATTENDANCE.
Few instances of truancy have occurred, and none requiring the enforcement of law by the truant officers. Sickness, except at the Main street school, has not seriously interfered with at- tendance. At the Main street school, which consists of a very small number of pupils, scarlet fever reduced the attendance to such a degree, that during the last part of the winter term, the school was closed. Generally the well known record of our schools with respect to attendance has been maintained. Prac- tically, all our children are in the schools, and it has not been necessary to resort to compulsion to bring them there. In this regard the town is especially fortunate, and it is to be hoped that these conditions may long continue.
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
The law requiring all text books and school supplies to be furnished to the pupils at the expense of the town, went into effect on the first day of August. Prior to that date it was mani- festly impossible to state with accuracy just how much money would be needed to carry out the provisions of the statute. From such estimates as they were able to make, the Committee last year asked the town to appropriate a sum which they hoped would be sufficient for the purpose. This, however, proved inad- equate, and, it appearing that a deficiency would otherwise ensue, it was determined to ask for an additional appropriation of $800 which, at a meeting called in December was granted, and this latter appropriation has not been exceeded. The total direct cost to the town has been $1239.22. Books and supplies, not yet distributed, valued at $146.84 are in charge of the Committee, and, besides these, there are now on hand in all the schools, a full supply of books. But, of course, ordinary wear and the entrance of new pupils to be supplied, will occasion a constant expenditure. Many articles, such as
60
writing and drawing books, paper, pencils, etc., are inevitably worn out each year. In the city of Fall River, the average life of a book, under this system, has been found to be four years. Now that the plan has been introduced, and a full sup- ply of text books purchased, the annual appropriation may be much smaller than the sum expended last year.
Whatever their individual opinions as to the principles in- volved in the statute requiring free books, the Committee have striven to carry out its provisions in good faith, and only such regulations regarding the use of the books have been adopted as will provide for their careful preservation.
NEW SCHOOL HOUSE.
At the last annual meeting, the Committee were instructed by the town to report estimates of the cost of alterations in the Union Hall and John street buildings, and also alternative estimates of the cost of a new school building to accommodate the centre primary schools.
That action should be taken by the town to provide better accommodations for these schools, no one will deny who is at all familiar with the rooms at present devoted to their use. We can only repeat our remarks of last year which were as follows : "We desire pointedly to call the attention of the town to the condition of the rooms occupied by the Union street primary schools. They are, as is well known, small, poorly ventilated, and totally unfit for the use to which they are put. In their present state they are a disgrace to the town. The front room, especially, occupied by the lower primary, has no adequate clothes room for hanging the cloaks and hats of pupils, and consequently a portion of the school room wall is utilized for this purpose. On a wet day, when the room is heated, the steam arising from drying garments mingled with the impurities resulting from the crowded condition of the room, renders the air so bad as to be injurious to health."
61
It is doubtful if there exist in eastern Massachusetts two rooms so utterly inadequate to their purpose as those in the Union Hall building. Alterations in that building whereby one school room with entries could be obtained on the first floor for one of the primaries, and the building of a new story under the John street structure, giving a room for the other primary, could be effected at an estimated cost of $2,700.
A new two-room school house, finished complete, with proper ventilation and heating apparatus, could be built at a cost not exceeding $4,000, or a four-room building for $6,500. If the latter were erected, the Union Hall building might be abandoned and sold. If a two-room building were built, it would still be necessary to use the second story of the Union Hall building as a grammar school room.
Whatever is done the Committee believe that although a smaller present expenditure would suffice to remodel the exist- ing buildings, yet a wiser economy might justify the erection of a new structure in which higher and therefore better lighted and more perfectly ventilated rooms might be obtained, to- gether with more convenient arrangements generally, rather than to put more money into old structures. Whoever has had practical experience in the alteration of old buildings will appreciate the force of this statement. The matter rests en- tirely with the town, however, and will come before it for con- sideration. Something ought to be done at no distant day. The need of action cannot be too strongly enforced.
ORDINARY REPAIRS.
During the year, fencing and grading have been done at the Chestnut Hill school. The Woburn street building has been whitened inside and supplied with new blackboards, and the Woburn street and Chestnut Hill buildings have been painted outside. Other routine repairs have been executed, of which a full statement of the cost appears in the Appendix.
62
During the ensuing year the Haverhill and Lowell street buildings will require painting outside, and some inside painting will be needed.
COMMITTEE VACANCIES.
Two vacancies in the committee are to be filled at the ensu- ing town meeting. The terms of Messrs. James H. Bancroft and Henry G. Kittredge expire.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The committee recommend that the town raise and appro- priate the sum of $8,100 for regular school expenses, the same amount as was raised last year. And they also recommend that $1,400 be raised and appropriated for incidental school ex- penses, including the purchase of text books and supplies.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE G. WADLIN, CARROLL D. WRIGHT, EDWARD F. PARKER, STILLMAN E. PARKER, JAMES A. BANCROFT, HENRY G. KITTREDGE,
School Committee of Reading.
ADOPTED IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
March 20, 1885.
Table Showing Salaries, Attendance, and Number of Visitors.
NAMES OF SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS NOW EMPLOYED.
SALARIES NOW PAID.
1st Term.
2dl Term.
3d Term.
Ist Term.
2d Term.
Pupils during yr
over 15 years.
Pupils during yr
under 5 years.
High School.
79
( E. P. Fitts, Principal.
$1,200 00 per year. 12 00 per week
72
91
88
71
88
83
61
First Grammar ..
97
Miss Jennie R. Barrus.
13 00
46
45
44
15
43
41
9
Second Grammar.
54
Miss Alice M. Barrows ..
12 00
34
39
39
32
37
36
Third Grammar ...
44
Miss A. L. M. Buswell.
10 00
30
37
39
29
35
37
Union-st. Upper Medium ....
71
Miss Ella F. Wakefield.
10 00
35
29
29
33
26
27
Union-st. Lower Medium ....
57
Mrs. Alice W. Emerson ..
10 00
28
24
25
26
23
22
Union-st. Upper Primary ....
91
Miss Lillian C. Roberts.
8 00
66
54
52
54
51
48
Union-st. Lower Primary ....
188
Miss Ruth L. Pratt ...
10 00
61
51
47
50
44
38
2
42
Miss Sarahı M. Pearson.
8 00
21
24
27
18
22
22
Chestnut Hill Primary ... . ..
16
Miss Mary W. Howard.
7 00
40
37
36
33
31
25
1
Woburn-st. Grammar ...
52
Miss Hattie C. Emerson
10 00
=
32
38
38
23
32
26
1
Woburn-st. Primary ... ....
61
Miss Carrie L. Mason.
8 00
66
39
35
33
35
33
2.
5
Lowell-st. Mixed. .
29
Miss Kate L. Beard.
9 00
66
40
35
35
38
32
31
3
1
Main-st. Mixed ... .
8
Miss Annie P. Reid.
6 00
66
9
8
7
8
6
Haverhill-st. Mixed ...
43
Miss Susan C. Elliot ..
6 00
15
18
18
15
17
14
1
962
559
565
557
510
522
481
79
10
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
....
. .
. ....
.
Average Mein'ship.
Average Attend'nce.
3d Term.
-
Miss Mary L. Stinchfield, Ist Assistant .. (Miss Cora F. Adams, 2d Assistant.
9 00
=
.
56
Chestnut Hill Grammar. .
No. of Visitors.
3
60
APPENDIX.
GENERAL STATISTICS.
Population of Reading. 3,182
Number children between 5 and 15 years of age May, '84 578
Number children between 8 and 14 years of age May, '84 358
Amount appropriated for instruction, fuel, and care of rooms. $8,100 00
Amount appropriated for incidentals 2,100 00
Amount drawn from State School Fund 52 35
Amount received from other sources 177 76
Total receipts. 10,430 11
Expended for instruction, fuel, and care of rooms 8,117 52
for incidentals 2,312 59
Total expenditures 10,430 11
PUPILS.
Number of different pupils enrolled for the year. 659
Average membership of all the schools .. 560
Average attendance in all the schools during the year. . . 504 Percentage of attendance, based upon the average mem- bership. 90
Number attending within the year between 8 and 14 years of age (compulsory school age) . 358
Number of pupils admitted to the High School. 41
Youngest pupil admitted, age 12 years, 2 months.
Oldest pupil admitted, age 18 years, 2 months.
Average age of pupils admitted, 14 years, 9 months.
65
TEACHERS.
Number of male teachers employed .. 1
Number of female teachers employed. 16
Average wages, per month, of female teachers. $37 00
Number of teachers who have attended normal schools ... 8 Number of teachers who have graduated from normal schools 8
NAMES OF PUPILS GRADUATED FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNE, 1884.
Addie M. Bancroft, . Lettie B. Wiley,
Annie P. Channell,
F. A. B. Bent,
Edith A. Garfield,
Edward D. Brown,
H. Jennie Killam,
Augustus I. Hadley,
Grace C. Staniford,
Martin B. Hartshorn,
Hannie C. Stott,
William S. Kinsley,
Hattie S. Temple,
Jolın B. Lewis.
Hattie M. Walker,
ROLL OF HONOR,
Giving the names of those who have been neither absent nor tardy since March, 1884, and the schools to which they belong :
HIGH SCHOOL.
*Mary E. Vermill, * Annie M. Kingman, Clyde C. Wakefield, ¡Hattie E. Richardson,
*Percy A. Carter, || Nathaniel G. Hill, Grace M. Wakefield.
Arthur G. Bancroft, Frank Channell,
FIRST GRAMMAR.
Alice Morrill.
SECOND GRAMMAR.
Robert L. Forbes,
Grace D. Sweetser.
THIRD GRAMMAR.
*Wilfred A. Bancroft.
66
UNION STREET LOWER MEDIUM.
Blanche Danforth,
Edith V. C. Potter.
UNION STREET UPPER PRIMARY.
Lucia L. Temple, Josie A. Sweetser.
WOBURN STREET GRAMMAR.
Ardell P. Temple.
LOWELL STREET.
Beatrice Gilson.
*Neither absent nor tardy for two years.
tNeitherabsent nor tardy for three years. ||Neither absent nor tardy for five,'years.
EXPENSES OF SCHOOLS.
INSTRUCTION.
Paid for teaching High School $1,998 00
First Grammar 494 00
Second Grammar 456 00
Third Grammar 370 00
Upper Medium 380 00
Lower Medium 380 00
Upper Primary
328 00
Lower Primary 370 00
Chestnut Hill Grammar 304 00
Chestnut Hill Primary . 276 00
Woburn Street Grammar 355 00
Woburn Street Primary . 296 00
Lowell Street Mixed .. 342 00
Main Street Mixed. 188 40
Haverhill Street Mixed 218 00
Music Teacher 367 53
---- $7,122 93
JANITORS.
Paid for care of Centre School buildings. $292 00
Woburn St. School buildings ... 75 00
Walnut St. School buildings .... 57 00 Lowell St. School buildings .... 32 50
Main St. School buildings ...... 23 25
Haverhill St. School buildings. . 38 00
$517 75
68
Amount brought forward, $7,640 68
FUEL.
Paid Wendell Bancroft, for coal $30 00
John C. Gleason, for coal 345 00
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