USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1886-1887 > Part 3
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
24,066 81
SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY.
Town farm and buildings
. $4,600 00
Personal property at town farm.
1,689 99
--- $6,289 99
Cemetery land not lotted, about 2 acres, and
107 lots not sold.
.$2,800 00
Hearse and hearse house
100 00
2,900 00
Amount carried forward,
$9,189 99
46
Amount brought forward, $9,189 99
Steamer and hose carriage .. . 3,700 00
Harnesses, tools and furniture 542 75
Eagle engine and hose carriage. 200 00
Hancock engine and hose carriage. 225 00
Hancock engine house. .
1,100 00
Hook and ladder truck and tools, and Johnson
pumps. 162 50
Hose and pipes 3,064 00
$8,994 25
Also for use of fire department, 27 cisterns and wells.
School-houses and lots. $27,150 00
Furniture and school-books, piano, etc 3,250 00
Engine house and town offices and lot 9,000 00
Land in rear of engine house 1,000 00
Public library, books and furniture. 4,000 00
Property in town offices.
300 00
44,700 00
$62,884 24
The schedule of Town property has been carefully revised this year with the aid of the several departments, and we think it now shows a correct valuation.
The accounts of the Selectmen, Treasurer, and Collector have been examined and found correct. The trust funds and appropriations for town debt are in bank, and the balance of other cash in hand, as stated by the Treasurer, $8,023.32, is correct.
The first note of the Town coming due is for $6000, payable July 27th of this year, and the balance of appropriations for this purpose now in the treasury, $5,781, is nearly enough to pay it. The next note coming due is for $4,500, due August 9th, this year. With the usual appropriation for this purpose, we can pay half of this note
47
and renew the balance. The first note coming due is the last note of the town bearing 5 per cent. interest ; the other notes outstanding last year bear 4 per cent. and the new notes given this year bear only 32 per cent.
EDWARD APPLETON, A. NEWELL HOWES, Auditors. G. F. WADSWORTH,
48
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading:
The Engineers of the Fire Department make their annual report.
There have been four alarms since the last report, as follows : 1886. May 2, at 2.15 P. M. Wood fire. Dana Parker and others. Loss, $75. Cause, spark from locomotive. No insurance.
1886. Aug. 21. Explosion of an oil stove, at the house of Mr. Davies, Main St., was the cause of a needless alarm. No loss.
1886. Dec. 22, at 4 P. M. New England Rubber Co. Loss, $250. Cause, boiling benzine. No insurance.
1887. Jan. 18, at 2 P. M. High School building. Loss, $900; insurance, $7500; insurance received, $885. Cause, over-heated furnace.
We take pleasure in congratulating the town on the small loss by fire during the past year, and on the efficiency of the department, which has been wholly able to meet all demands upon it, without sending to any other town for assistance.
The members of the department are distributed as follows :
Steamer, 15 men
Hancock engine,.
50 “
Hook and Ladder truck, 16 “
There has been but a slight addition to the apparatus during the past year. The old double outlet of Eagle engine has been changed, at a very slight expense, into a very efficient "Siamese " coupling, which, we believe, will be very useful if water has to be pumped a long distance.
The sale of Eagle engine house became a necessity, for the school committee wished to use the site of the engine house for the new
49
school-house. The building brought the town but little more than enough to pay for arching the cistern, which was formerly under the engine house. The sale of the old Washington engine also brought in a small sum of money. We recommend that the town authorize the Board of Engineers to sell the Eagle engine if they receive an offer which would be to the advantage of the town, for old hand engines are depreciating in value very rapidly.
The Hook and Ladder truck is very weak, as it has been in use thirty years, and as it was never heavy enough for the apparatus required by your present department. Therefore we recommend the town to purchase, at an early date, an entirely new truck and ladders.
The steamer and hose-carriage will need but slight, or no repairs ; and Hancock engine, having been thoroughly repaired the past year, needs no additional repairs. The hose is nearly all in good condition, and needs no addition the present year.
There is great need of several cisterns in the most exposed parts of the town. One of our citizens has felt this need so strongly that he has put down a well, for fire purposes, at his own expense. If the town is not to put in water works in the very near future, there is great need of a better supply of water for fire purposes.
The Board believes that the responsibility of the foremen of the different companies of the department is such that they are entitled to a greater compensation than they now receive, and recommends that the pay of each foreman be raised ten dollars ($10.00).
The Board recommends that the appropriation to defray the expenses of the fire department be the same as it was last year, that is, twenty-two hundred and fifty dollars.
In conclusion, the Board desires to thank the citizens for favors it has received, and to compliment the department for its promptness and efficiency in the performance of its duties.
(Signed) E. C. NICHOLS, Chief.
WM. L. CROWE,
WENDELL BANCROFT, Assistants. MOSES NICHOLS,
ARTHUR S. RICHARDSON, Clerk.
50
POLICE REPORT.
READING, MARCH 1, 1887.
SELECTMEN OF READING :
Gentlemen, we submit the annual Police report. Number of arrests for the year, 8.
For drunkeness 6 Males, 5
Females, 1
66 assault. 1-Male
" larceny .
1-Male
Tramps taken care of.
447
Doors found unlocked.
9
Respectfully,
HENRY STOCK, Chief of Police.
WM. W. DAVIS, Clerk.
51
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
During the past year nothing beyond the ordinary care of ghe grounds has been undertaken. The expenses have been principally paid by orders of the Selectmen, given by them directly to the parties in whose favor they should be drawn, a member of that Board, Mr. James A. Bancroft, having had the general charge of the grounds during a large portion of the year. Hence an account of the receipts and disburse- ments appears only in their Report. There is no money from the unexpended balance of the appropriation and receipts in the hands of the Committee.
It has been suggested that a new receiving tomb should be provided. For many years what was formerly a private tomb, and which now contains the remains of members of one of our oldest families, has been used for a temporary receptacle of the dead, when one was required. It need not be said that it hardly meets the requirements of such a place at the present time. The matter will be brought before the town at the annual meeting.
For the space of half a century, terminating the past year, Mr. Gilman C. Gleason has continuously served as the only undertaker in the town. With a few exceptions, all the present occupants of the new cemetery, and very many of those in the old burial ground, have been laid in their last resting place under his supervision. His duties have been so faithfully and carefully performed, and with such kindness and delicate consideration for the feelings and wishes of the friends of the departed, that no one seemed to wish for a change, and no one could think of seeking to take his place while he was willing to
52
continue to occupy it. But ill health and a desire to spend his remaining years free from care have induced him to surrender to more youthful hands the burdens and responsibilities of the position. Long may it be before he joins the many whose faces and forms he was the last person to see ere the green turf should shelter them forever from mortal sight.
Mr. R. Dexter Temple has taken the place made vacant by the withdrawal of Mr. Gleason, and seems to fill it very accep- tably to those who have need of his services. He has evinced great interest in his new calling, and an interest in the cemetery which indicates that his services will be very useful in the future.
F. O. DEWEY, J. A. BANCROFT, W. W. DAVIS, F. W. B. PRATT, S. BANCROFT,
Cemetery
Committee.
READING, March, 1887.
53
LIBRARY REPORT.
The Trustees of the Public Library submit the following report :-
The circulation of the library has increased during the year, the total reaching 17,000 volumes.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation
$450 00
Amount of dog tax 353 70
$803 70
Expenditures :-
Lizzie S. Cox, Librarian.
$152 35
Gertrude G. Ruggles, assistant. 15 90
R. J. Hill, binding books. 23 60.
E. Whitefield, books.
10 00
C. M. Barrows & Co., printing.
26 25
Ticknor & Co., books.
21 25
Estes & Lauriat, books
272 12
Citizens' Gas-Light Company, gas
29 75.
J. C. Gleason, coal.
6 50
H. E. Cox, wood. 4 69
L. M. Bancroft, insurance
37 50
N. W. Broad, labor
50
F. W. Parker, labor
23 29
W. Proctor, rent
180 00
$803 70
FINE ACCOUNT.
Amount of Balance, 1886
$45 00
Received for fines
38 30
cards
4 80
catalogues
9 20
66
paper sold 72
$98 02
54
Paid for bookbinding
$15 00
expressage . 1 40
incidentals
1 62
books
17 00
$35 02
Balance
$63 00
The following volumes have been presented to the library :
NAME OF DONOR. NO. OF VOLUMES.
State of Massachusetts 8
United States. 5
Rev. E. Davies.
2
Town of Wakefield
1
F. H. Gilson
3
Total
19
Two vacancies will require to be filled at the ensuing annual meeting, the terms of Messrs. C. M. Barrows and James H. Griggs expiring.
Respectfully submitted :
STEPHEN FOSTER, Chairman. HORACE G. WADLIN, Sec'y. JAMES H. GRIGGS, CYRUS M. BARROWS, HARLEY PRENTISS, CHAS. D. THOMAS,
READING, March 12, 1887.
Trustees.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING,
FOR THE YEAR 1886-7.
REPORT.
The School Committee for the year'ending March, 1887, respectfully submit the following report :-
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Committee at its first meeting for the year organized by the choice of Horace G. Wadlin, chairman, and Gilman L. Parker, secretary.
The Sub Committees are as follows :-
SUB COMMITTEES.
High School-Messrs. Wadlin and Wright.
First Grammar-Mr. Wright.
Second Grammar-Mr. Barrows.
Third Grammar-Mr. G. L. Parker.
Upper Medium-Mr. E. F. Parker.
Lower Medium-Mr. G. L. Parker.
Upper Primary-Mr. Wright.
Lower Primary-Mr. Wadlin. Chestnut Hill Schools-Mr. Barrows.
Woburn Street Schools-Mr. Bancroft.
Lowell Street School-Mr. E. F. Parker. Main Street School-Mr. Bancroft. Haverhill Street School-Mr. Barrows. On Music-Messrs. Wright and G. L. Parker. On Prudential Affairs-Messrs. E. F. Parker and Bancroft. On Accounts and Pay Roll-Mr. E. F. Parker.
On Purchase of Books and Supplies-Mr. E. F. Parker.
57
GENERAL REMARKS.
The progress of the schools has been fully up to the standard of previous years. Certain changes have taken place in the force of teachers. The principal of the High school, Mr. Edward P. Fitts, and the second assistant, Miss Adams, resigned during the summer vacation. After considering the merits of a large number of applicants for the first position, the Committee selected Mr. John B. Gifford, of Stoughton, and for assistant promoted Miss Annie Lawrence, of the Lower Medium school. Miss Mason was transferred from the Woburn street primary to the place formerly occupied by Miss Lawrence. Miss Addie M. Bancroft, of Reading, a recent graduate of the Salem Normal school, was selected to fill the vacancy caused by the transfer of Miss Mason. Miss Hattie Emerson, of the Woburn street grammar school, resigned at the close of the spring term to accept a more lucrative position elsewhere, and Miss M. Fannie Wilson was transferred to this school from the Main street school ; Miss Elnora Emerson, of Reading, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal school, taking her place at Main street.
Miss Jennie R. Barrus, who had long taught the First gram- mar school to the entire satisfaction of the Committee and those parents who were so fortunate as to have pupils under her care, also resigned during the year. The vacancy was first filled by the selection of Miss Katharine Halliday, who came to the Committee with an excellent record as to scholarship, and with the advantage of some previous experience, and also highly endorsed by the principal of the Bridgewater Normal school, of which she was a graduate. The resignation of Miss Halliday at the close of the Fall term, resulted in the appoint- ment of Miss Lilla H. Morrell to this school, and she is now the teacher in charge.
58
The work of the schools generally has proceeded without friction, and without interruptions, except such as are incidental to and almost inseparable from changes of teachers. The High school under its present management is doing excellent work, and is entirely worthy of the generous support heretofore granted it by the town. The Committee have received requests for the introduction of instruction and practice in military drill, and, believing that the advantages of physical culture presented by it, and the discipline acquired in its exercise ren- dered such practice desirable, they have arranged, with the co-operation of the principal of the High school, a plan for its introduction without expense to the town.
The fire, which, proceeding from a defective flue, recently damaged the High school building, disarranged the work of the school for a short time, until the building could be fitted for temporary occupancy. The Committee hereinafter make certain recommendations concerning this building to which they ask the consideration of the town.
The graduating exercises of the High school took place in the Old South Church, the Committee, in deference to the wishes of the graduating class, returning for this year to the plan of a special public graduation, which in 1885 was omitted. The names of the graduates appear in the Appendix.
The schools below the High school are not doing so thorough work as, in the opinion of the Committee, would be possible if another school or class were introduced, so as to distribute the work preparatory to the High school over nine years instead of eight. They therefore recommend the establishment of such a school to occupy the vacant room in the new Union street building, and with that end in view they have increased the amount which, they ask to have appropriated over what was appropriated last year, so as to provide for its maintenance. If their recommendation is adopted, the entire course of study
59
will be carefully revised so as to insure more thorough work, particularly in mathematics, in the grammar schools, a result that the Committee have for several years desired to reach, but could not bring about, as no room was available for the accom- modation of the additional class required.
NEW BUILDINGS AND REPAIRS.
The ordinary repairs of the year have been attended to, and a complete financial statement of expenses appears in the Appendix. The town, at its last annual meeting, made an appropriation and authorized the Committee to erect a new building upon Union street, for the accommodation of the Union street schools. The Committee immediately appointed a sub- committee, Messrs. Bancroft, Edward F. Parker, and Gilman L. Parker, and directed them to attend to the performance of this special duty. The new building was completed, ready for occupancy in January, and was immediately occupied by the Union street primaries and the Third grammar school. The town now possesses one modern school building entirely adapted to the needs of school work, well lighted, heated, and ventilated, and worthy to rank with any building of its size in this vicinity. It has already been fully described in the local paper, and is open to the inspection of our citizens at any time. The original contracts were placed within the limit of the appropriation. The subsequent sale of the Union Hall build- ing, under authority conferred by the town last year, enlarged the funds in the hands of the Committee to the extent of $350. Believing that it was for the best interests of the town that certain portions of the work upon the new building should be done in a somewhat better manner than at first contemplated, the Committee have expended this sum in addition to the amount called for by the original contracts, and, as will appear from the financial statement elsewhere presented, have carried
60
the building to its completion without incurring a deficiency.
When the new building was ready for occupancy the Com- mittee thought it wise to carry into effect certain
RULES GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF PUPILS
in and about the building, which had previously been discussed, and which were substantially such as are in force in every well regulated school at the present day. The almost entire absence of restraint before this, and the fact that the change was brought about when the new building was to be used for the first time, provoked considerable criticism of the action of the Committee on the part of some parents, and it was insinuated that the new building was considered too good for the legitimate uses of the school. It is intended to extend these rules to other buildings.
Nothing can be farther from the purpose of the Committee than to hamper or restrain improperly the liberty of any pupil, or to impose any rules that are not required for the maintenance of good order in the schools, or for preventing the defacement of the buildings by the carelessness or thoughtlessness of the children. But we are fully of the opinion that if parents will consider that among 250 or 300 children there are always some who need to be restrained in many directions, they will see that rules must be enforced for the proper restraint of such pupils, and that these rules must be of general application even if the liberty of others, who, if left to themselves, would per- haps do no wrong, be somewhat limited.
It is well known that under the old system, or lack of sys- tem, buildings and furniture were frequently defaced and rendered unsightly, and it is to prevent this that the new rules have been introduced governing the conduct of pupils about the building. It is not intended to interfere in any way with the proper use of the buildings and grounds, but to prevent their improper use. For instance, the stairways, entries, and
61
porches are not intended for playgrounds, and pupils are not to be allowed to loiter or to congregate there. The pupils may use the porches for their legitimate purpose, namely, for shel- ter in bad weather while approaching the doors, and if any tule has seemed to prevent this it will be modified in the future. The doors are open fifteen minutes before beginning each session, and no exigency requires a pupil to be present before that time.
In order to prevent undue crowding or jostling upon the stairs or in the entries, pupils in passing from the upper story are required to file down and out of the building. This rule is founded on common sense, is everywhere observed in similar schools, works hardship to no one, and we believe will, upon reflection, commend itself to all.
A difficulty has arisen as to the use of the water provided in the entries. One thing is certain, that to allow the pump and sinks to be used promiscuously can only result in having the water thrown about the entries and over the persons of the pupils. The temptation to crowd and indulge in play about the sink is too great to be resisted. Now, everybody, we sup- pose, will agree that this should not be allowed. What then shall be done? Simply this : such regulations must be intro- duced as shall permit all who require it to have access to the water at proper times, and still prevent the evils to which we have alluded. Such regulations are now in force, and as to this matter, we believe there will be no further grounds of complaint.
All that we have said is so well understood and practised in other towns that it seems almost unneccessary seriously to argue the merit of such rules as have been adopted. But the fact that an under-current of feeling appears to exist unfavor- able to any change from the loose practice heretofore existing here, has led us to go into the subject at this length in order to
62
show the motive for the action taken by the Committee. We rely so confidently upon the support of the town in any effort we may make to secure good order about our school buildings, and to protect the property of the town from injury while at the same time permitting its use for legitimate school purposes, that we believe that when the spirit of these rules is better understood, and a little experience has shown their value, all, even those who at first doubted the wisdom of enforcing them, will support them heartily, and second the efforts of the Committee in this direction.
A NEW OUTHOUSE
should be built for the use of the pupils in the new building, and the lot should be fenced. The Committee have included in the amount they ask the town to appropriate for incidental school expenses a sum sufficient to erect the building, leaving the fence to be provided at a future time.
WOBURN STREET SCHOOL.
The Citizens of the Woburn street school district who have pupils attending those schools, desire a new building to replace the present structure. The primary room in that district is entirely unsuited to the present needs of the school. The building cannot be satisfactorily warmed in winter, is anti- quated and inconvenient in its arrangement. This building was seriously injured for school purposes when the engine house was located on the same lot, the sun being thereby shut out from one side of the grammar room. Considering that this portion of the town is likely to continue in the immediate future the growth it has exhibited in the last fifteen years, and that its contribution in taxes for general town purposes is such as to entitle it to respectful attention when it comes forward
63
with a legitimate request, and believing that the present build_ ing is not such a one as the town ought to provide in these days for its pupils, the Committee recommend the erection of a new building during the current year. We believe, also, that a better lot than the present one should be secured at a point near the present location and acceptable to the citizens inter- ested. Or, the same end might be reached by moving the engine house to another lot, and enlarging the school lot by the purchase of some additional land in the rear. The Com- mittee recommend for the purchase of additional land, if required, and for the erection of a building an appropriation not to exceed $5000.
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
The recent fire at the High school building resulted in a loss to the building and furniture which has been adjusted by the payment of $885 in insurance. The Committee have repaired the building only so far as to permit its temporary occupancy. They believe that it is now the proper time to recommend cer- tain alterations in that building which are necessary to render it ample for the requirements of the High school.
For several years the want of better recitation accommoda- tions has been seriously felt. Neither room at present used is large enough, and the classes that use the lower room are obliged to pass through a cold entry, out of doors, and then through the entry of the First grammar school before reaching it. The dressing rooms of all the schools occupying the build- ing are not convenient, nor such as would now be considered proper, although at the time the building was erected they were perhaps up to the usual standard.
The High school also needs a well arranged laboratory for work in the departments of chemistry and physics, so located as to be used for any sort of chemical experiments without the
64
diffusion of noxious odors into the class rooms. The building is also inadequately provided with heating apparatus, and new apparatus, preferably steam, should be introduced. As at present arranged, it has always been impossible to heat the north recitation rooms, even in moderately cold weather, and in extreme weather the furnaces have been pushed to their utmost to raise the temperature to the required point. As an expenditure of money is involved to repair the building, the Committee believe that it is not good judgment nor wise econ- omy simply to put the building back to the condition it was in before the fire. The town, we think, should go farther and make such changes as will remedy the defects in the building, and give such a structure as will properly suffice for the pur- poses of the school in the future. It should be remembered that the population of Reading is to-day more than 45 per cent greater than when this building was erected, and that the accomodation required is proportionately greater now than then.
The results of the last census show that between 1865 and 1885 not only has the population of Reading gained more than 45 per cent, but the valuation has increased more than 90 per cent. In the same time the value of the manufactured products has risen from $315,040 to $575,000, a gain of more than 83 per cent ; and the agricultural product has risen from $77,314 to $93,341, a gain of more than twenty per cent. These comparisons indicate that while the demands for school accommodation are greater now than twenty years ago, when this building was erected, the resources of the town have been enlarged to an extent which amply justifies the expenditure required to satisfy these demands.
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.