USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1904 > Part 8
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Aug. 25 Decided iron Cons. iron
None
8.70 6.70 14.30
. 0012} . 52; .0010| .0216| . 0116 .51 . 0050 .0112 . 0094 .0088 .51 .0040 . 0007
.0000
50892
Aug. 24
Aug. 25 Very slight
None
Turbid.50 None
None
7.00
. 0096
. 0092
.51 . 0050 .0001
. 46
2.3
Filter Gallery
51081
Sept. 6 Sept. 7 None
Slight
. 15 None
None
14.70
. 0058
.0074
. 0076
.51 . 0040| .0000
.31
2.5
. 1900 Ex. Filter
51082 51309 51310 51514
Sept. 6 Sept. 20 Sept. 20 Oct. 4
Sept. 21 None
None
. 12 None
None
12.20
.0076
. 0064
.50
. 0030
.0006 .0001
2.3
. 2400 Filter Gallery
51515
Oct. 4
Oct.
5 Very slight
None
Iron
None
None
8.00
. 0124 .0040
.0116 .0090 .53
.0013
7.8
.0060 Filter Weir
52005
Nov.
8
Nov. 9 Decided iron
Cons. iron
Iron
.60 None
None
8.50
.0122
.0098
.52
.0100
.0000
. 43
Filter Gallery
52006
Nov.
8
Nov. 9 Very slight
None
. 18 None
None
12.70
. 0092
.0080
. 54
.0070
.0011
7.3
.0070| Filter Weir
52197
Nov.
22
Nov. 23 Decided
Cons.
Turbid 52 None
None
9.70
.0126
.0092
.53 52
.0040 . 0030
.0009
. 23
7.6 . 0080| Filter Weir
52199
Nov. 22
Nov. 23 Slight milky
None
.28 None
* Very F. U. 8.10
. 0096 .0006
.0064 . 0042
. 51
. 0070
.0000
2.5
. 1050 Ex. Filter
52424
Dec. 13 Dec. 14 Decided
S. floc. iron
.32 *Very F. Un. * Very F. U.
8.40
· 0110
.0078
.54
.0010 . 0030
.0000 .0006
.40
.3000
Filter Gallery
52425
Dec. 13
Dec. 14 None
None
. 09 None
None
12 00
.0090
. 0060
. 53
. 19
6.8
. 0020 Filter Weir
52426
Dec. 13
Dec. 14 None
None
.05 None
None
7.10
0004
.0036
.53
. 0030
.0000
. 13
2.7
. 0230 Ex. Filter
52528
Dec. 20
Dec. 21 Decided
S. floc. iron
.34 None
*Very F. U.
8.70
. 0116
.0092
.51
. 0040
.0000
. 40
3.4
.2500 Filter Gallery
52529
Dec. 20
Dec. 21| None
None
. 06|None
*Very F. U.
11.80
. 0088
.0058
. 0030
. 0003
.20
6.5
. 0010 Filter Weir
52530
Dec. 20
Dec. 21 None
None
. 04 None
*Very F. U.
6.80
. 0004
.0042
.54
.0030
.0000
. 11
2.7
. 0180 Ex. Filter
Cons.
Fl. tur .50 None
7.10
.0100
.0074
.50
.0030
.0000
. 41
2.5
.1900 Filter Gallery
Oct. 5 Decided iron Cons. iron
Fil. .50 Faint. earth. Faint. earth.
7.90
. 0124
.0108
. 51
.0078
.53
. 0020 . 0020 .0040 .0070
.0006 .0001
.32
9.0
. 0080 Filter Weir
51731
Oct. 18
Oct.
Oct.
19 None
None
. 14 None
Faintly Un.
13.00
. 52
2.9
.2700 Filter Gallery
51732
Oct.
18
Nov. 23 None
None
. 15 None
None
14.10
2.3 . 3000 Filter Gallery
52198
Nov.
22
Sept. 7 Decided iron
Very slight
Turbid.50 Faintly Un.
7.10
.0000;
. 51 . 0070 .0006
.29
8.9 . 0130 Filter Weir . 2000
51080
Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Decided iron Cons. iron
. 30
.2000 Filter Gallery
None
(Slightly iron|Pr. C 1.00; D. disagree. Fl. tur .65 None None
. 0000 - . 65 .50
3.1 2.3
8.3 . 0220 Filter Weir
Faintly Un. None
. 20 |None
Faint. woody
15.30
.0074'
. 0050| Filter Weir
. 23
6.8
.50
.58
. 30
2.9 . 2600
.24
.0000
. 40
. 14
3.0
1
*Very Faintly Unpleasant
Sept. 21 Decided
19 Decided iron Cons. iron
152
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1904
In form recommended by the New England Water Works Association.
READING WATER WORKS
READING, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASS.
GENERAL STATISTICS
Population by Census of 1900, 4,969.
Date of construction, 1890 and 1891.
By whom owned, Town of Reading.
Source of supply, filter gallery.
Mode of supply, pumping.
PUMPING STATISTICS
1. Builders of Pumping Machinery, G. F. Blake Mfg. Co.
2. Description of
a. Kind, coal. b .. Brand of coal, Pocahontas.
c. Average price of coal per gross ton delivered, $5.35.
fuel used
d. Percentage of ash, e. Wood, price per cord, $
3. Coal consumed for the year, 466,820 lbs.
4. [Pounds of wood consumed] divided by 3 equals equivalent amount of coal, lbs. 4a. Amount of other fuel used,
5. Total equivalent coal consumed for the year equals (3) plus (4), lbs.
153
6. Total pumpage for the year, 56,279,377 gallons, without allowance for slip.
7. Average static head against which pumps work, 219 feet.
8. Average dynamic head against which pumps work, 240 feet.
9. Number of gallons pumped per pound of equivalent coal (5), 120.
10. Duty equals gallons pumped (6) x 8.34 (Ibs.) x 100 x dynamic head (8) Total fuel consumed (5)
equals 24,131,106.
Cost of pumping, figured on pumping station expenses, viz., $3,635.73.
11. Per million gallons pumped, $64.60.
12. Per million gallons raised one foot (dynamic), $0.269.
FINANCIAL STATISTICS
RECEIPTS
Balance brought forward : $75 93 · .
(a) From ordinary (maintenance) re- ceipts ·
337 95
Total .
$413 88
From Water Rates.
B. Meter rates · $10,161 40
C. Total from consumers ·
·
$10,161 40
D. For hydrants · 4,890 00
E. For fountains ·
· 300 00
F. For street watering 500 00
J. Total from municipal depts. . 5,690 00
K. From tax levy . ·
1,300 00
M. From other sources :
Service pipes ·
.
.
653 05
Main pipes ·
111 13
N. Total
.
$18,329 46
EXPENDITURES
Water Works Maintenance :
AA. Operation (manage- ment and repairs ) $6,037 71
BB. Special : Painting .
735 96 .
CC. Total maintenance $6,773 67 ·
· DD. Interest on bonds 8,425 00 · .
CC plus DD . 15,198 67
Water Works Construction :
GG. Extension of mains 934 00
HH. Extension of services . 1,475 96
II. Extension of meters 331 83
JJ. Special : Experimental filter . 362 55
. KK. Total construction 3,104 34
Total balance . .
26 45
.
N. Total .
$18,329 46
·
.
DISPOSITION OF BALANCE-CARRIED TO NEW ACCOUNT
O. Net cost of works to date . .
P. Bonded debt at date. .
Q. Value of sinking fund at date, none
R. Average rate of interest, 4 per cent.
.
.
.
.
$289,811 96 209,000 00
156
STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER
1. Estimated total population at date, 5000.
+2. Estimated population on lines of pipe, 4860.
3. Estimated population supplied, 4553.
4. Total consumption for the year, 56,279,377 gallons.
5. Passed through meters, gallons.
6. Percentage of consumption metered,
7. Average daily consumption, 154,190 gallons.
8. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 30.83.
9. Gallons per day to each consumer, 33.86.
10. Gallons per day to each tap, 129.67.
11. Cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance (item CC), $120.37.
12. Total cost of supplying water, per million gallons, figured on total maintenance plus interest on bonds, $270.05.
STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
MAINS
1. Kind of pipe, cast iron.
2. Sizes, from 6 inch to 12 inch.
3. Extended 950.5 feet during the year.
4. Discontinued 0 feet during the year.
5. Total now in use, 28.6649 miles.
6. Cost of repairs per mile, $1.30.
7. Number of leaks per mile, none.
8. Length of pipe less than 4 inches diam., none miles.
9. Number of hydrants added during year (public and private) 1.
10. Number of hydrants (public and private ) now in use, 164.
11. Number of stop gates added during year, 1.
12. Number of stop gates now in use, 249.
157
13. Number of stop gates smaller than 4-inch, none.
14. Number of blow-offs, 14.
15. Range of pressure on mains, 63 lbs. to 78 lbs. SERVICES
16. Kind of pipe, cast iron, lead and cement lined.
17. Sizes, 3-4 to 6 inches.
18. Extended, 3476.6 feet.
19. Discontinued, 72 feet.
20. Total now in use, 15.9965 miles.
21. Number of service taps added during year, 27.
22. Number now in use, 1189.
23. Average length of service, 128 feet.
24. Average cost of service for the year, $54.66.
25. Number of meters added, 14.
26. Number now in use, 1049.
27. Percentage of services metered, .88.
28. Percentage of receipts from metered water (B divided by C), 100.
29. Number of motors and elevators added,
30. Number now in use, 4.
LEWIS M. BANCROFT, Superintendent.
Reading, Jan. 23, 1905.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF READING
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1904
School Committee
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman, Walnut St., Term expires 1905 GILMAN L. PARKER, Sec'y, Washington St., 1906
HORACE G. WADLIN, Woburn St., 66 1905
MRS. ELIZABETH H. BROWN, Prospect St., 1906
MRS. MARY L. NESMITH, Main St.,
66 1907
HENRY C. PARKER, Chute St., 66 1907
Superintendent of Schools MELVILLE A. STONE
Truant Officer A. A. SMITH
ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman. GILMAN L. PARKER, Secretary.
SUB-COMMITTEES
Finances and Accounts
G. L. Parker
H. G. Wadlin
W. S. Parker Mrs. Nesmith
School Houses und Property
H. G. Wadlin
H. C. Parker
G. L. Parker
Rules and Regulations
H. C. Parker
H. G. Wadlin
Mrs. Brown
Teachers and Salaries
W. S. Parker
Mrs. Nesmith
G. L. Parker
Music and Drawing
Mrs. Brown Mrs. Nesmith
Course of Study
W. S. Parker Mrs. Nesmith
H. G. Wadlin
1
Books and Supplies
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In accordance with law and custom the School Committee sub- mits the following report on the work of the schools during the year ending March 1st, 1905.
The attention of every citizen is earnestly solicited to the financial report of the expenses connected with the management of the schools. We desire to call special attention to the list of teachers and the salaries.
The teachers employed have shown, during the past year, an earnestness of purpose, a devotion to duty, and a zeal for the work, that is highly appreciated by the Committee and all parents and friends.
The teachers in the High School have worked under peculiar and trying circumstances, and we record, with much pleasure, the spirit and attitude of all concerned toward the accomplishment of the work.
There are now 258 pupils in the school, a large increase over the enrollment at any other period of the school's history. In June, 1903, there were 164 pupils in the school; in September, 1903, 218; in November, 1904, 258,-or 57 per cent. over the number in June, 1903. The school is arranged by classes as follows: The first year pupils number 84; the second year 61 ; the third year 53 ; the fourth year, or graduating class, 54; specials, 6,-making a total of 258. It seems unnecessary to add that the increased enrollment in the High School necessitates increased expense.
The school never was in better condition to do good work than at the present time, as far as teaching force is concerned. We have a larger number of college graduates in the faculty than ever before, and in calling attention to this fact we would not, even by implication, detract from the splendid work done by many of the
163
worthy and beloved teachers of the past, who, by their faithful work, have left behind them imperishable memories.
We hope and trust that the new building will soon be under way ; but in the meantime we shall be obliged to work under great disadvantages. The school next year will be larger than at present and all work will be done under difficulties.
In directing attention to the salaries we would emphasize the fact that the greater part of our teachers are receiving very small yearly salaries, when we consider the expenditure of time and money necessary in preparing for the work of teaching, the high price of board and of wearing apparel. It must be born in mind that the teacher is obliged to incur many expenses due to her position.
The Sheak house is now being used for the overflow of pupils from the lowest primary class. By putting in one extra window on the south side, it mades a very good room.
APPROPRIATIONS
. The Committee recommends the sum of $27,000 for regular school expenses, and $5000 for school incidentals.
Adopted in Committee, Jan. 20, 1905.
WALTER S. PARKER, Chairman. GILMAN L. PARKER, Secretary. HORACE G. WADLIN. MARY L. NESMITH. ELIZABETH H. BROWN. HENRY C. PARKER.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Reading :
My sixth annual report, the twelfth in the series, is herewith respectfully submitted.
The past year has brought about great change, especially in the High School. With an enrollment exceeding two hundred and fifty last September, it was thought best to organize the school in two sections, the Senior and Junior classes attending from 8 to 11 A. M., and the Sophomore and Freshman classes from 11.30 A. M. to 3 P. M., which was changed to a half-hour later for the winter months.
Although this proved a strong test on the loyalty of the people to the school management, they rose to the emergency, as Reading people always do, with good grace and I desire personally to express my hearty appreciation of this evident purpose of the parents to make the best of trying conditions which must continue until our new High School is ready for use.
In the past year a great change has taken place in the corps of teachers of the High School. The first loss was occasioned by the resignation of Miss Scott. By her resignation the High School lost one of its most popular teachers. Miss Alice English of Wes- leyan University was secured to take her work.
Soon after this the Sub-Master, Fred W. Gentleman, was elected to a position in the Portsmouth, N. H., High School, at an increase of salary, and Mr. W. W. Keyes of Bates College was elected to succeed him.
Shortly after, Miss Mildred L. Powell was suddenly summoned
165
home to attend her sick mother, and Miss Ella S. Mosher was secured to finish her work for the spring term. Miss Marion G. Richardson of Boston University was secured to take the work in September.
The resignation of Miss Mason caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Miss Mary J. Bourne, M. A., of Vassar College and Brown University.
The determination of Miss Gertrude Brown to leave the work of teaching, made it necessary to secure a teacher of French and German. Miss Alice I. Mandell of Boston University was secured for this work.
Miss Edith R. Clapp, M. A., Brown University, was secured to take the work in Botany, Zoology and Physiology.
The departure of Miss Mabel S. Robbins from the department of English caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Miss Florence B. Messer of Mt. Holyoke College to take special charge of the English work throughout the school. The Master, Mr. Harry T. Watkins, M. A., Miss Jennie E. Wier and Miss Jennie F. Currier complete the present corps of teachers.
With so many changes and so large an enrollment the reor- ganizing of the school has been a task of no ordinary difficulty. Accordingly it gives me the greater pleasure to report that this has been accomplished in a very satisfactory manner, and the spirit of helpful co-operation on the part of the pupils was never more marked than at present.
To make possible proper instruction in some subjects it has been necessary to make considerable addition to the equipment of the laboratories. It is only in recent years that pupils have been allowed to offer what are known as College Physics and College Chemistry as part of their preparation for higher institutions, and our school has never had a complete equipment for these subjects. Taking these things into account, together with the fact that we now have a class of twenty electing these subjects, compared with six or eight in former years, we can readily account for the unusual expense for apparatus this year, and also understand how the cost
166
must continue until each topic in these subjects is properly equipped to meet the required standard of work.
In the Commercial Course the high standard of previous years is still maintained, while additional office work is made possible from the increased enrollment of the school.
The installation of the system of diploma points, recommended by Mr. Watkins in last year's report, has proved a step in the right direction. It has gone far toward solving the vexing problem of promotion, in that it allows the student to continue steadily in his course as fast as he satisfactorily completes any one subject, and does not necessitate his being held back in all courses because a marked deficiency in one or perhaps two subjects brings his average below the passing mark. In other words, he receives credit for what he earns as he would in the world of business.
In the rhetoricals, an attempt has been made to make these ex- ercises more nearly furnish to the public an illustration of the actual work going on in the school. A series of four exercises will be held during the winter, at which entirely original papers, actually prepared as class exercises, will be presented by the members of the several classes. This will not only give the participants a drill in public speaking, which is the primary object of such exercises, but will also give the friends of the school a glimpse of the real work going on there, which they would not otherwise obtain.
The recommendation of the Master that some credit be given for work done in Music has also been followed, and we now allow one diploma credit for each of the four years' work in Music.
Regarding the giving credit for work done in Music during High School age, I wish to quote the report of The Music Confer- ence under the auspices of the New England Educational League.
" Popular education, or training of the people, tends to a recog- nition of every subject of instruction at due valuation."
"The elective idea, which is already well established, and which, properly guarded, is evidently destined to expand, has a bearing on the introduction of a subject of this kind into the body of public instruction. Some of the disadvantages, not to say the
167
evils, of the present neglect of Music in public education are well understood. Among them we cite a frequent example: A youth reaches the High School age, desiring to study Music with a serious purpose, which desire is approved by parents and teachers. He is met by these school conditions: First: He must add Music to his High School course as an out of school study and thus run the peril of over-crowding, a condition which occasions much parental complaint, and may result in permanent injury to the pupil ; or, Second : He must drop Music, which, in the deliberate opinion of his advisors, may be to him one of the most valuable studies of the High School period; or, Third: He must leave the High School ; for the present school system neither teaches, credits, nor favors the serious study of Music. As affirmed by an experienced High School principal, most pupils of a decided musical talent, who continue the study of Music, drop out of the High School, and thus lose the advantages of the liberal courses of study there furnished.
"These conditions affect the college and higher education as well as the lower schools, and work detriment in various ways. They make it difficult for parents to carry forward the musical edu- cation of their children and at the same time to secure the general High School advantages. They curtail the opportunity of the mu- sical element of society for literary and general training."
These thoughts recall to our minds the remarks of our chair- man, at one of our recent graduation exercises, in which he re- ferred to the strong probability that in the not remote future our boys and girls in school would receive thorough training in music, both vocal and instrumental, just as they now receive instruction in the languages or in science.
It certainly is a matter in which our citizens may take just pride, that they have a committee so appreciative of the value of Music in the education of our youth, that they are ready to place the Reading High School among the very few that allow a credit for Music.
In the grade work, with the exception of the Highland School and Lowell Street, the same teachers are in charge, and each
1
1
d
168
teacher appears to be making effort to surpass her previous good record.
Miss Myra Parker was assigned to the new Primary school opened in the Sheak building, and Miss Marion H. Morgan was given the first Primary room thus left vacant at the Union street school. She has already given evidence of an acquaintance with the work that relieves us of all anxiety concerning the year's work in that room.
Upon the loss of Miss Gill, who was elected at Winchester at an advanced salary, the Lowell street school was provided for by the election of Miss Edith A. Wright.
At the Highland School we suffered the loss of Miss Hurlbutt, who was also elected at Winchester at an increase of salary. Miss Mary H. Barr was elected to succeed her. Late in the summer Miss Rosa E. Richardson decided to take the entire year for work at Hyannis Normal School and the committee granted her leave of absence for that purpose. Miss Wilhelmina Patterson was secured in time to begin her work on the second day of school.
That we suffered no more from towns of greater wealth is due to the fact that the committee made special effort to retain some of our teachers who were in demand elsewhere. Thus it happens that this year finds fewer changes in the grades than usual and the work was never in better condition. It is a concrete illustration of what might exist year after year if our efficient teachers could be re- tained.
Another loss was sustained by the resignation of Miss Mary J. Wilson, who has been in charge of the sewing since it was intro- duced into the schools. Her work was very fine and her influence on the girls under her instruction was an inspiration to them. Miss Grace E. Barclay was secured to take up the work, and we have reason to expect that the high standard already established will be maintained.
. It is worthy of note that among the pupils of the upper Grammar grades there is an additional interest in reading, in books that are helpful in the regular work of the grade. This thought
169
found expression in a set of Young Folks' Library which the grad- uating class of 1904 purchased for the school.
Other classes have made a beginning of securing books for their own rooms and in some instances have procured suitable cases for them.
The annual School Reception held November 9th proved one of the most delightful of the series. Our people evidently feel that here is an opportunity for making the acquaintance of the teachers that is well worth the effort to improve.
For introducing new teachers and for enabling parents to con- sult teachers and the members of the School Committee in regard to anything looking toward the betterment of our school system this annual event realizes the expectation of the original promoters of the plan. In this matter the Reading committee are among a very few that give such an opportunity for the parents to meet in a social way those who have in charge the education of the children of the town.
During last winter a series of stereopticon lectures was given in Highland Hall, which proved very enjoyable to those who were fortunate enough to attend.
The price of the course ticket was placed as low as consistent with the expenses connected with the series, for the express pur- pose of giving as many as possible the opportunity of listening to such entertainments as could be furnished at that cost. A small balance was applied to the purchase of books.
When we remember that we were entertained by Hon. Arthur K. Peak in "The Wild West, " by Minna Elliot Tenny in " A Summer in Norway," by Francis Heseltine in "The American Isthmian Canal, " by Rev. Peter MacQueen in "The Philippines, Past and Future, " we feel certain that no one could well criticise the quality of the entertainment offered. Each lecturer seemed to be in turn a favorite with our people and we felt that we were for the time making excellent use of our fine educational plant.
This was the chief object in giving this course and we hope that still other ways may be found to make our large school build-
170
ings educational centers for our people during the hours they are not required for the regular school work. We hope this use of our equipment will be found feasible from time to time.
During the last decade the study of nature in our elementary schools has undergone great changes. Instead of a series of per- functory recitations, graciously styled " science lessons, " given by a teacher of little preparation on the subject, educators are now demanding that the teaching in this subject shall be live, real, tan- gible. The aim of the teacher today is to lead her little ones to see, hear, understand, and enjoy the animal and vegetable life all about them.
In some of our larger communities, school authorities have found it possible to assist the child's study of nature, and also add greatly to the equipment for all-round development of our youth, by establishing school gardens, where each pupil is assigned definite garden work upon a plot of ground, larger or smaller, as space allows.
Our School Board have felt it to be impossible, under present conditions, to adopt any system of school gardening. However, the public spirit of the best part of the community is always to be found in the front of all advanced thought, and this year two of our most progressive organizations, the Civic League and the Woman's Club, generously came forward and assumed both the responsibility and the expense of introducing garden work to the boys and girls of our schools.
The children were induced to start home gardens. Prizes were offered for vegetable and floral exhibits of children's raising, and for themes written by them, giving their personal experience in garden work. Prizes were also offered for the greatest improve- ment in back-yards during the season. The Civic League gave to each child starting a garden five canna bulbs, and the President, Mr. Manning, contributed five hardy plants to each one.
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