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City of Memburyport
WB
R
O
CITY
RT
TERRA
MAR
nblir Library
FOR REFERENCE
NOT TO BE TAKEN FROM THIS ROOM
NEWBURYPORT
PUBLIC LIBRARY,
PUBLIC
PORT
NEWBURYPO
LIBRARY
FOUNDED
1854
FOUNDED 1854.
Received
Def. Io. 974.4512 1902
PRESENTED BY Coty
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Boston Public Library
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38793 11
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
CITY OFFICERS
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
AND THE
ANNUAL REPORTS
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
TERRY
MARIQUE
MDCCCLI
TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE YEAR
1902
NEWBURYPORT
ITEM PUBLISHING UN CN LABEL Co., PRINTERS
1903
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE PRINTING COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT
-
PAY DAYS.
City Treasurer's Office, City Hall, January, 1903.
Regular weekly pay day, Monday. Monthly pay day, first Thursday after first Monday of each month. Military aid is pay- able the first day of each month.
Please call on the regular pay day for your money.
JAMES V. FELKER, City Treasurer.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY.
City Clerk's Office, City Hall, } January, 1903.
Persons having bills against the city are requested to present them at this office on or before the last Monday of each month.
Charges against the different departments must be made out on separate bills.
Be careful and note who ordered the article or articles ; and if for labor, where it was performed, and under whose direction, with the proper dates, and approval of person ordering the same. GEORGE H. STEVENS, City Clerk.
.
OFFICE HOURS.
MAYOR -From 9, a. m .. to 11: 30, a. m., Mondays, Wednesdays. Fridays, and Saturdays.
CITY CLERK -From 9. a. m., to 3, p. m. Saturdays, 9, a. m .. to 1, p. m.
CITY TREASURER AND COLLECTOR-From 9, a. m., to 3, p. m. Saturdays, 9, a. m., to 1, p. m. First Thursday evening after the first Monday, 7 to 9.
CLERK OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR-From 9, a. m., to 12, m. ; 2 to 4, p. m. Saturdays, 9, a. m., to 12, m. June, July, and August, 8:30, a. m., to 1, p. m.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-From 4 to 5, p. m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. From 9, a. m. to 10, a. m., Wednesdays.
City Government and Officers-1902.
MAYOR MOSES BROWN. Residence, 9 Orange street. Office, City Hall.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
President of the Board, WILLIAM BALCH.
Ward One
40 Milk street
CLARENCE J. FOGG.
Ward Three
BENJAMIN P. IRELAND
14 Fair street
Ward Four
4 Washington street
SAMUEL JJ. HUGHES · . 57 Washington street Ward Six
JOHN M. CHASE
LUTHER DAME
13 Federal street Clerk of Board GEORGE H. STEVENS.
Assistant Clerk HENRY W. LITTLE.
JOHN W. SARGENT Ward Two 46 Prospect street
WILLIAM BALCH
Ward Fire
Curson road At Large
6
ANNUAL REPORTS
COMMON COUNCIL
ROBERT G. DODGE, President.
Ward One
WILLIAM W. HICKS
EDWARD W. TILTON
FRANKLIN P. KNIGHT
13 Union street 40 Purchase street 13 Bromfield street
Ward Two
LAURENS C. EMERY
17 Orange street
JOHN T. LUNT .
13 Parsons street
JAMES F. SULLIVAN
28 Federal street
Ward Three
ROBERT G. DODGE
. 5 Park street
J. LESLIE BROWN
5 Garden street
EDMUND M. Dow
. Parker street
Ward Four
CHARLES W. AYERS
WILLIAM H. T. DODGE
153 High street 153 High street
CHARLES P. KELLEY
126 Merrimac street
Ward Five
GROSVENOR T. BLOOD
232 High street
CHARLES L. MARBLE
162 Merrimac street ·
TIMOTHY HERLIHY
154 Merrimac street ·
Ward Six
OSCAR H. NELSON
HUGO PARTON
BENJAMIN F. STANLEY
. North Atkinson street 254 High street 3 Ashland street
Clerk of Council
THOMAS E. CUTTER.
7
CITY GOVERNMENT
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES
FINANCE- Mayor, ex-officio; Alderman Balch; Councilmen Nelson, Lunt, Brown, Dow, and R. G. Dodge.
ACCOUNTS - Aldermen Dame and Chase ; Councilmen W. H. T. Dodge, Dow, and Emery.
PUBLIC PROPERTY - Mayor, ex-officio ; Aldermen Balch, Fogg, and Ireland ; Councilmen Knight, Lunt, Dow, W. H. T. Dodge, Herlihy, and Stanley.
ALMSHOUSE AND POOR - Aldermen Sargent and Ireland ; Coun- cilmen Blood, Ayers, Emery, Stanley, and Parton.
FIRE DEPARTMENT - Aldermen Sargent, Dame, Chase, and Hughes ; Councilmen Hicks, Emery, Ayers, Marble, and Nelson.
BRIDGES AND CULVERTS- Aldermen Fogg and Sargent; Coun- cilmen Kelley, Parton, and Tilton.
SAWYER FUND - Alderman Dame ; Councilmen Sullivan and W. H. T. Dodge.
TODD FUND - Alderman Chase ; Councilmen Marble and Tilton.
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION - Mayor, ex-officio ; Aldermen Sargent and Hughes ; Councilmen R. G. Dodge, ex-officio, Tilton, Blood, Brown, and Marble.
CLAIMS - Aldermen Dame and Ireland; Councilmen Hicks, Marble, and Knight.
LIGHTING STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS - Aldermen Fogg and Hughes ; Councilmen Knight, Herlihy, and Dow.
FUEL - Aldermen Fogg and Dame; Councilmen W. H. T. Dodge, Hicks, and Lunt.
PRINTING - Alderman Fogg ; Councilmen Knight and Lunt.
WATER SUPPLY - Aldermen Chase and Hughes ; Councilmen Ayers, Nelson, and Brown.
SEWERAGE - Aldermen Dame, Ireland, and Hughes ; Council- men Stanley, Kelley, Sullivan, and Nelson.
BROWN FUND - Alderman Ireland ; Councilmen Hicks and IIerlihy.
ORDINANCES - Mayor, ex-officio ; Councilmen Dow and Knight.
HIGHWAYS - Mayor, ex-officio; Aldermen Sargent, Fogg, Ire-
S
ANNUAL REPORTS
land, Balch, Hughes, Chase, Dame ; Councilmen Tilton, Sullivan, Brown, Kelley, Blood, and Parton.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND- Mayor, ex-officio ; City Treasurer, ex-officio ; President of Common Council, ex-officio.
STANDING COMMITTEES - BOARD OF ALDERMEN
POLICE - Mayor, ex-officio ; Aldermen Sargent and Fogg.
ELECTIONS - Aldermen Sargent, Chase, and Ireland.
BROMFIELD Fund - Aldermen Dame, Ireland, and Hughes.
PUTNAM AND ATKINSON FUND - Aldermen Chase, Sargent, and Hughes.
LICENSES - Aldermen Sargent, Ireland, and Chase.
ENROLLED BILLS - Aldermen Dame, Hughes, and Chase.
FROTHINGHAM FUND - Aldermen Fogg, Hughes, and Chase. GREEN FUND - Aldermen Sargent, Ireland, and Hughes.
TOPPAN FUND - Aldermen Dame, Chase, and Hughes.
STEPHEN W. MARSTON FUND - Aldermen Ireland, Chase, and Sargent.
JOHN R. SPRING FUND - Aldermen Sargent, Hughes, and Dame.
STATE AID AND MILITARY RELIEF - Aldermen Fogg, Dame, and Chase.
W. O. MOSELEY FUND - Aldermen Dame, Fogg, and Ireland.
MILITARY AFFAIRS AND ARMORY - Aldermen Dame, Sargent, and Ireland.
ABRAHAM WILLIAMS FUND - Aldermen Sargent, Chase, and Hughes.
EDWARD STRONG MOSELEY FUND - Aldermen Ireland, Dame. and Chase.
BRADBURY FUND - Aldermen Hughes, Ireland, and Dame.
ABRAHAM E. CUTTER FUND - Aldermen Ireland, Dame, and Chase.
ELIZABETH HAMMOND STICKNEY FUND - Aldermen Dame, Chase, and Hughes.
9
CITY GOVERNMENT
STANDING COMMITTEES - COMMON COUNCIL
ELECTIONS AND RETURNS-Councilmen Emery, Herlily, and Kelley.
BILLS OF SECOND READING - Councilmen Sullivan, Parton, and Stanley.
ENROLLED BILLS -Councilmen Hicks, Blood, and Ayers.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Moses Brown (Mayor), Chairman, ex-officio.
John F. Young, Vice-Chairman 9 Fruit street William P. Lunt, Superintendent and Secretary, office at City Hall Robert G. Allen, Truant Officer . 25 Milk street
TERM, TWO YEARS.
Ward One
Ernest W. Bliss (term expires 1903)
Richard G. Adams (term expires 1904) . Ward Tro .
Prentiss H. Reed (term expires 1903)
Charles W. Bailey (term expires 1904) Ward Three
George E. L. Noyes (term expires 1903) . John F. Young ( term expires 1904) Ward Four
. 101 State street
.
9 Fruit street
George W. Worcester (term expires 1903) Clarence C. Day (term expires 1904) Ward Fice
Oliver B. Merrill (term expires 1903) Edward H. Little (term expires 1904) Ward Six
George A. Dickey (term expires 1903) Paul A. Merrill (term expires 1904)
. 10 Allen street 70 Bromfield street
55 Lime street 62 Prospect street
. 124 High street 8 Washington street
. Monroe street . 215 High street
14 Toppan street . 24 Tyng street
IO
ANNUAL REPORTS
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
(Office, City Hall.) TERM, THREE YEARS.
William H. Huse, Chairman (Dec., 1903) 173 Merrimac street George P. Sargent, Secretary (Dec., 1905) 18 Fruit street Willard A. Hatch (term expires Dec., 1904) . 62 Federal street
BOARD OF HEALTH
TERM, THREE YEARS. John E. Bailey, Chairman (term expires Dec., 1903) 6 Kent street Charles W. Page (term expires Dec., 1904) . 12 Horton street Simeon O. Pilling (term expires Dec., 1905) . 202 High street Agent of the Board George W. Knight . Parker street
Clerk of the Board
Charles W. Page ·
. 12 Horton street
Inspector of Plumbing Charles H. Sargent
. 323 High street
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
Moses Brown (Mayor), Chairman, ex-officio.
TERM, THREE YEARS. L. W. Sargent, Vice-Chairman (Dec., 1903) . . 280 High street William F. Houston (term expires Dec., 1904) . 2 Harris street Benjamin F. Hathaway (Dec., 1905) . . 50 Purchase street Clerk of the Overseers of the Poor William H. Bayley (office, City Hall). . 63 Bromfield street
CITY GOVERNMENT
BOARD OF REGISTRARS
George H. Stevens (City Clerk), ex-officio . . . 37 Kent street TERM, THREE YEARS.
George H. Cutter (term expires April, 1904) . 8 Garden street Luther Carter (term expires April, 1903) 11 Kent street Benj. G. Davis, Chairman (April, 1905) . . 1 Horton street
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS (Office, Bartlet street. ) TERM, FIVE YEARS.
Irvin Besse (term expires May, 1906) . . . . 10 Garden street John W. Winder (term expires May, 1905). . 78 High street Rudolph Jacoby (term expires May, 1904) . 7 Orange street Charles A. Bliss (term expires May, 1903) . . 82 Lime street Charles H. Sargent (term expires May, 1902) . 323 High street Harold S. Noyes, Secretary and Treasurer. Charles H. Sargent, Acting Superintendent.
TRUSTEES OF SIMPSON FUND Moses Brown (Mayor), ex-officio. Robert G. Dodge (President of Common Council), ex-officio. Thomas C. Simpson (term expires December, 1904).
Henry B. Little (term expires December, 1905). Nathan N. Withington (term expires December, 1903 . Treasurer and Clerk, James V. Felker (City Treasurer).
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS TERM, THREE YEARS. Moses Brown (Mayor), ex-officio. William Balch (President of the Board of Aldermen), ex-officio. Robert G. Dodge (President of the Common Council), ex-officio. Orrin J. Gurney (term expires December, 1905). John W. Sargent (term expires December, 1903).
Charles C. Stockman (term expires December, 1904).
12
ANNUAL REPORTS
Commissioners of Atkinson Common Moses Brown (Mayor), ex-officio.
William Balch (President of the Board of Aldermen), ex-officio.
Robert G. Dodge (President of the Common Council), ex-officio. Alvah Hoyt (term expires April, 1904).
Leonard W. Sargent (term expires April, 1903). Orlando F. Hatch (term expires April, 1902).
,
Sinking Fund Commissioners Moses Brown (Mayor), ex-officio.
Robert G. Dodge (President of the Common Council), ex-officio. William H. Welch (City Auditor), ex-officio. Philip H. Lunt (term expires 1903). Henry B. Little (term expires 1902). Treasurer and Clerk, James V. Felker (City Treasurer).
Liquor License Commissioners
Lawrence W. Piper, Chairman and Sec'y (term expires May, 1906). Charles W. Cooke, (term expires May, 1908). William Holker (term expires May, 1904).
Trustees Wheelwright Scientific Fund Moses Brown (Mayor), ex-officio. Lawrence B. Cushing, President. James E. Whitney, Treasurer. John W. Winder, Secretary. John W. Dodge. Edmund D. Codman.
13
CITY GOVERNMENT
City Clerk
George H. Stevens . 37 Kent street Office, City Hall. Assistant City Clerk
Henry W. Little . 45 Purchase street Office, City Hall. City Treasurer and Collector of Taxes
James V. Felker 12 Harris street Office, City Hall. Clerk of City Treasurer, Joseph M. Greenough, Jr. City Auditor
William H. Welch . 24 Washington street Office, First National Bank.
City Solicitor John C. M. Bayley 14 Fruit street Office, 76 State Street.
City Messenger
Frank H. Rundlett . 78 Federal street Office, City Hall. Superintendent of Schools
William P. Lunt . . 19 Pond street Office, City Hall. Superintendent of Highways
George W. Langdon . 6 Park street Office, basement of Armory building. Superintendent of Sewers
Francis Curtis 3 Park street City Physician
Ernest H. Noyes 12 Essex street
14
ANNUAL REPORTS
Superintendent of Old and New Hill Burying Ground. Alfred Gurney 262 Merrimac street
Chief of Fire Department
Selwyn C. Reed 4 Charter street Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph
70 Federal street John JJ. Merrill Superintendent of Wires
John J. Merrill 70 Federal street Librarian Public Library
John D. Parsons . 192 High street Office, Public Library. Superintendent Public Reading Room Martha P. Lunt . 19 Pond street
NEWBURYPORT POLICE FORCE.
City Marshal
Frank L. Lattime . . 132} Water street (Office, Central Police Station.) Assistant City Marshal John L. LeLean. Captain of the Watch Patrick Creeden.
Day Officers
William Gillis, Henry C. Tate, Lemuel Hicken.
Night Patrolmen Seth Young, George W. Lattime, Philip H. Creasey, Charles W. Wells,
John T. Carey, James F. Murphy, Constables
William H. Woodman,
George J. Ross, George F. Adams, Jr.
Patrick Creeden,
John J. Bryan, Fred H. South,
Frank H. Rundlett, John Burke,
Frank L. Lattime, Robert G. Allen, Samuel A. Bridges.
I5
CITY GOVERNMENT
Deputy Collector of Taxes Samuel A. Bridges. Inspector of Animals and Provisions George W. Knight. Harbor Master Nathan D. Rodigrass. Sealer of Weights and Measures Edward Donahue, Jr. . Office, Inn street
Measurers of Grain
Moses H. Rolfe, Charles B. Knight, Frank W. Landford, Henry P. Rolfe, Dennis Healey.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar
George W. Knight . Office, City Hall
Gaugers
William S. Coffin . Hiram P. Macintosh
Surveyors of Lumber
Orlando F. Hatch, Charles L. Perkins, Gideon C. Webster,
George E. Currier, William S. Coffin, William H. Morse,
Leonard W. Sargent, Thomas F. Corey, Edward Perkins,
Edgar Ross, Thomas H. Oliver, Alexander G. Perkins,
Edward G. Perkins, George W. Hussey, Joseph Langevin,
John Whiting
Alvah Hoyt, Willard A. Hatch, 2d.
Hall J. Leigh.
Weighers of Coal, Hay, and Other Merchandise Charles W. Nelson, Edward Donahue, William S. Coffin,
Fred L. Atkinson, Lawrence Whalen, John J. Collins,
George H. Ogden, Jere Healey,
Edward E. Varina, William Conley, John L. Noyes,
Fred B. Fanning,
James Conley,
Fred L. Macintosh, James Joy,
Jackson Greenaway, John H. Balch, Jr., Freeman P. Healey,
Rudolph Jacoby, Edward Donahue, Jr., Alonzo C. Pearson, Frank A, Bray, Annie Healey, Joseph L. Jacoby,
Burton I. Gerrish, John J. Beaton, Albert W . Hopkinson,
Harrison F. Smart,
Charles A. Morse, Moody B. Noyes.
16
ANNUAL REPORTS
Field Drivers Jeremiah S. Parker. Nathan A. Massey.
Pound Keepers
Daniel W. Cate . Pound No. 1, Auburn street
Jere S. Parker Pound No. 2, Wesley street
Measurers of Wood and Bark
John H. Balch. Jr .. Fred I. Atkinson, John Collins,
John L. Noyes. Fred B. Fanning. John J. Collins,
Jere Healey, William S. Coffin, Joseph Woods.
Frank A. Bray. Charles A. Pearson. Charles W. Nelson.
Measurers of Charcoal
Fred L. Atkinson, John H. Balch, Jr., John L. Noyes,
Jere Healey, William S. Coffin.
Weighers and Measurers of City Fuel
Edward E. Varina, William S. Coffin, Charles W. Nelson, Edward Donahue.
Inspector of Coal Baskets William S. Coffin.
Fence Viewers Dexter W. Nutting.
Measurer of Upper Leather Luther Carter.
I7
CITY GOVERNMENT
MEETINGS.
City Council
FIRST AND THIRD MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTII.
School Committee
LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTH.
Overseers of the Poor
LAST MONDAY EVENING OF EACH MONTHI.
REGULAR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
Commencing with last Monday of each month.
Monday evening - School Committee : Lighting Streets, etc. ; Bridges and Culverts.
Tuesday evening - Public Property ; Overseers of the Poor. Wednesday evening - Highways ; Police.
Thursday evening - Fire Department ; Sewerage : Printing. Friday evening - Accounts.
First Wednesday evening after first Monday of each month - State Aid, Military Aid, and Soldiers' Relief.
U
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF HON. MOSES BROWN.
DELIVERED JANUARY 6, 1902.
Gentlemen of the City Council :
In presenting this paper, it becomes me first of all to express a deep sense of the honor which my fellow citi- zens have conferred upon me in a re-election. While it might be interesting, it would certainly be improper at the present time, to enter upon any consideration of the events and circumstances of the election, or to inject into this address anything whatever merely personal in its nature. I would say very simply that I appreciate at its highest value the support which was accorded me at the polls, and I will endeavor to merit the confidence which for the second time has been reposed in me.
In treating upon the subjects pertinent to this occasion I shall follow the usual order, and will ask your attention now to the financial condition of the city.
When on December 21, 1901, the treasurer closed his accounts for the year then ending, the net debt of the city was $317,272.13, an increase since the previous
20
ANNUAL REPORTS
annual report of $30,395.54. The treasurer's report will show in detail the various items of debit and credit which go to make this balance, but the main cause of the increase was the extension of the public sewers at the north end of the city. The treasurer paid, in 1901, in interest upon bonded debts and current loans, $16,746.96. The item in the treasurer's report most interesting to the general public and to the city council is that of the overdraft, or sum expended in excess of the total income. That sum last year was $6,567.29. The outgoing city council and the executive will no doubt receive some measure of criticism for this acknowl- edged shortage; such criticism, however, would be most unjust, as may be shown conclusively in a very few words. Of this overdraft, the total amount for which the city council or the mayor were even remotely re- sponsible was $719.07; the balance, $5,842.22, was caused as follows :
First, the school department, over whose expenditure neither the council nor the mayor have any control " whatever, used, over and above its appropriation, $3,148.22.
Second, two suits at law were lost by the city, involv- ing in one the payment of damages of $2,000, and in the other about $700. In respect of these damages, it should be said that the city, through its solicitor, has entered suits looking toward the recovery of the same, on the ground that parties other than the city were responsible for the causes for action, and should be com- pelled to reimburse our treasury.
When account is taken of the large amount in unpaid bills of the year 1900 which the government of 1901
21
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
was obliged to settle, and when we consider the unavoid- able expense incidental to the anniversary in June, I submit that the administration and council of last year have no reason to be dissatisfied with the financial exhibit.
In forecasting a financial policy for the current year a new condition confronts us. The city, by a decisive majority, has determined not to license the sale of spirit- uous liquors. This action of the people may be dis- cussed in many phases, but in this paper in only two, at this point as it affects the city in its financial affairs, and later as a matter of law and of police administration. The first effect apparent is the reduction of our revenue by some $18,000, as nearly as possible one-tenth of our annual total from taxation.
What can be done to repair this deficit in our receipts ? There are only two alternatives : to reduce expenditures or increase taxation. If you decide to lessen your expenses, in what direction can you do so ? Can you do less for your poor? Less for the increasing number of insane, who already cost $10,000 per year for care and maintenance ? Can you reduce the expense of your department of streets and highways? Can you afford to impair the efficiency of your public schools ? I will not continue through the list. It may be possible to lop and pare in some directions, and the wisdom of the council may devise another remedy, but so far as I am able now to judge some advance in taxation is inevitable. What- ever course shall be pursued, genuine economy must be the rule in every department.
22
ANNUAL REPORTS
POOR DEPARTMENT.
In the poor department, last year, the outlay was $26,549.84, of which sum $9,977.00 was the cost to the city of our insane. As in the year 1900, so in 1901, more than one-third of the appropriation was absorbed in this expenditure. In two years, however, a law already passed will go into effect, under which cities will be relieved of this great expense. The state will assume the care of all the insane now charged to towns and cities. Our share of state taxation will be some- what larger, but the increase will be small in compari- son with the direct expense to which we are now sub- jected.
The management of the poor farm and the disburse- ment of outdoor relief remain in the same humane and efficient hands as when last reported. I am pleased to note that the department, notwithstanding the increase in some of its expenses, reports a balance undrawn from its appropriation.
SCHOOLS.
As stated in a previous paragraph, the school depart- ment, on the 21st of December, had cost the city in excess of the appropriation, $3,148.24.
There is apparently no way by which the city council or the mayor can curb expenditures in this department. The tendency of the day is toward the higher develop- ment of educational facilities in every grade of scholar- ship. I suppose that high schools provide an education now almost as advanced as that obtainable at colleges
23
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
sixty or seventy years ago, and we must not expect these higher advantages without a corresponding increase in the cost.
During the year 1901 the Jackman school was com- pleted, and scholars from the grammar schools in ward one were transferred to it. The several teachers were retained, and there are now placed under one roof nine teachers and about 400 scholars, all under the headship of Mr. George W. Brown, for many years principal of the old Jackman school.
In this connection due acknowledgement should be made of the generosity of the local societies and individ- uals who gave, and placed in the new school rooms, a collection of pictures and casts, making the several interiors most attractive to teachers and scholars. I trust that the example shown may arouse public inter- est, and lead to similar offerings for other schools; in- deed, if the finances of the city were in a better state I should recommend that some provision might be made from the public purse toward the gradual decoration of all our school interiors.
It may be remembered that in the inaugural address of last year allusion was made to the condition of affairs at the consolidated High and Putnam schools. The hope was expressed that notwithstanding the inconvenience and the anomaly of those conditions, they might in view of our financial status remain unchanged.
During the year, however, events so shaped them- selves that it became necessary to devise another plan. A commercial department had been added in the previ- ous year, and the committee soon reported that the
24
ANNUAL REPORTS
accommodations were too cramped. Various expedients were debated but nothing was decided. Finally, on the 26th of February, the school committee, by a formal vote, requested or demanded that the city government should furnish a building suitable for the purposes of a high school.
Under the laws of the commonwealth every city must provide and maintain a high school properly equipped. If a city government fails to do this, a school committee may build to suit itself, and the city must pay the cost.
Upon the receipt of the note of the school committee, negotiations between the council and the trustees of the Putnam Free School were entered upon, and in June a lease was made under which, on July 1, the grounds and building of the Putnam trust came practically into the possession of the city. Provision was made for the enlargement and improvement of the building, at the cost of the trustees, the additions to be prescribed and the contracts to be made entirely by the city.
The lease was written for a term of twenty years, at the end of which time the land and buildings will with- out further payment become absolutely the property of the city. Plans satisfactory to the city and approved by the school committee have been drafted, the addi- tions will be built, and the changes in the present structure made as early as possible.
By the arrangement made the city will obtain a property unequaled anywhere for situation or for school purposes. The cost when completed will be in the neighborhood of $65,000. It is to be paid in the form of a yearly rental. It is safe to say that such a plant as
25
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
this will be, when finished, could not be built, including the value of the land, for $100,000.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department was managed in 1901 with economy, but without parsimony. The chairman of the committee gave to its smallest details an amount of time and a per- sonal supervision most unusual in such a position. The appropriation was well husbanded by the committee, and there remained at the close of the year an undrawn balance of $328.24. In the fire department, repairs upon the apparatus are needed constantly ; whatever was necessary last year was done, and the chief engineer reports that it is all in an excellent state of efficiency. I believe that this branch of the public service is well organized, and that the officers and men are entitled to a high degree of praise and consideration.
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