USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1898-1899 > Part 1
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Melrose Public Library Melrose, Massachusetts
MP
REPORTS
-
27
803,40
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MELROSE
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1898.
MELROSE : DUNTON & POTTER, PRINTERS, REPORTER OFFICE. 1899.
12199
GM 352 mist
CONTENTS.
-
Assessors' Contingent,
Cemetery,
Contingent,
Fire Department,
Health Department,
Highways,
Insurance,
Interest, .
Melrose Hospital,
Memorial Day,
Military Aid, .
Park Department,
Police Department,
Poor Department,
Public Library,
Records of Town Meetings,
Salaries of Town Officers,
117 119
66 Buildings, High,
131
House Loan Sinking Fund,
132
Sewer Fund,
133
Sewer Sinking Fund,
133
Sidewalks,
137
Soldiers' Lots,
135
Soldiers' Relief,
135
State Aid,
137
Soldiers and Sailors, Burial of,
135
Street Lights,
137
" Sprinkling,
138
Taxes, County,
139
State,
139
Page 82 83 85 89
96 97 101 102 103
103 104 104 105 108 115 17
School Department,
iv
CONTENTS.
. Toothaker, E., Fund,
Town Clerk's Contingent,
140
66 Clerk's Statistics,
187
66 Debt Statement,
149
66 Expenses,
82
Hall,
146
66 Officers,
66 Officers' Bonds,
1 143
Warrant,
Water Fund,
Report of Assessors,
Auditor,
81
Board of Health,
217
Chief Engineer and Superintendent of Sewers, 251
Chief of Police,
Clerk,
Collector,
Fire Engineers,
269 174 186
Overseers of Poor, .
Park Commissioners,
Registrars of Voters,
School Committee,
Selectmen,
241
Sinking Fund Commissioners,
267
Superintendent of Schools,
293 205
Treasurer,
145
66 of Water Loan Sinking Fund, 154
Trustees of Public Library,
225
Water Commissioners,
193
66 Registrar, .
199
66 Loan Sinking Fund Commissioners, 214
378 143 156
182 17 169
Highway Department,
Inspector of Buildings,
373 372 79 279 7
Sewer Commissioners,
" Water,
Page 139
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1898 - 99.
SELECTMEN.
SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK, Chairman. EUGENE H. MOORE, SIDNEY D. FARRAR, L. FRANK HINCKLEY, JONATHAN C. HOWES. W. DEHAVEN JONES, Clerk of Selectmen.
TOWN CLERK. * EDWARD K. BORDMAN. W. DEHAVEN JONES.
TREASURER. GEORGE NEWHALL.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES. JAMES W. MURRAY.
AUDITOR. EDWIN C. GOULD.
ASSESSORS.
JOSEPH EDWARDS,
Term expires 1899
FRANK R. UPHAM,
66 1901
HENRY A. LEONARD,
66
66 1900
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
GEORGE L. MORSE, Chairman, CURTIS C. GOSS, . FRANCIS W. HUNT,
Term expires 1899
.. 1901
1900
- › Deceased.
2
2
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1898-99.
WATER LOAN SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
DANIEL RUSSELL, Chairman, ROYAL P. BARRY, JOHN W. FARWELL, .
Term expires 1899 .:
1900
1901
SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
SETH E. BENSON, Chairman, L. FRANK HINCKLEY, . JOHN LARRABEE, W. DABNEY HUNTER, Superintendent.
Term expires 1900
1899
.. 1901
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
OLIVER A. ROBERTS, Chairman, .
Term expires 1899
BESSIE B. DEARBORN, .
1899
SARAH A. DAY,
1901
SUSAN F. FLANDERS,
1900
JOHN C. MAKER,
1900
GEORGE N. HOWARD,
1901
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ELBRIDGE H. GOSS, Chairman,
Term expires 1899
CHARLES C. BARRY,
1899
CHARLES A. PATCH, Treasurer,
1901
MARY L. CHARLES,
.. 1900
RUBY F. FARWELL, .
..
1901
GEORGE E. MUNROE, Secretary,
..
1900
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
JAMES MARSHALL.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK, Chairman,. THOMAS W. RIPLEY,
Term expires 1900
6 .
66 1899
MATILDA E. STANTIAL,
.. 1901
3
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1898-99.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
JOHN E. SANBORN, M. D., Chairman, + JOSEPH W. SPAULDING, CORYDON W. HARLOW, WILLIAM H. DOLE,
Term expires 1901
66 1899
66
66 1899
66
66 1900
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
CHARLES H. ADAMS, Chairman, . MAURICE G. COCHRANE, WILLIS C. GOSS,
Term expires 1899
66
1901
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
VICTOR C. KIRMES,
Term expires May 1, 1899
CHARLES W. COCHRANE,
66 66
1899
EDGAR R. SOMES, .
66 . 4 66 1901
* EDWARD K. BORDMAN, Town Clerk, ex-officio. W. DEHAVEN JONES, appointed by Selectmen.
CONSTABLES.
WILLIAM L. PIERCE,
OSBORN E. DROWN,
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN, CHARLES F. W. FOGG.
ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A. WILBUR LYNDE, Chief. . JOSEPH M. HOLBROOK. SAMUEL LEAR, Clerk.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK, WEIGHERS OF HAY AND COAL.
CHARLES B. GOSS. SETH E. BENSON. FRED H. GOSS.
COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
GEORGE NEWHALL, Chairman. L. HENRY KUNHARDT. JOHN LARRABEE, Secretary.
+ Resigned. * Deceased.
1900
4
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1898-99.
FENCE VIEWERS.
DEXTER PRATT.
WALTER C. STEVENS.
FRANK A. VINTON.
A. J. BONETT.
POUND KEEPER.
A. J. BONETT.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. W. AUGUSTUS GOODNO.
SEALERS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
WILLIAM L. PIERCE. + F. P. STURGES.
INSPECTORS OF MILK, PROVISIONS AND ANIMALS.
+ FRANK P. STURGES.
WILLIAM H. DOLE.
POLICE OFFICERS.
PERMANENT FORCE.
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN, Chief, OSBORN E. DROWN,
WILLIAM A. CASWELL, REDFORD M. RAND, CHARLES F. W. FOGG.
GEORGE E. FULLER, HARRY BROWN, ALLSTON H. PINEO, WILLIAM H. DOHERTY, WILLIAM C. MCCARTHY.
SPECIAL OFFICERS.
ARTHUR J. BONETT,
PERCY E. MARSH, EDGAR E. SHERBURNE, A. WILBUR LYNDE, CHARLES J. WING, JAMES DAVIDSON, ALBERT L. CROCKETT, CHRISTOPHER B. THOMPSON, JOHN H. THYNG,
FRANK H. GOODWIN,
ARTHUR L. BRIGHAM, HARRY S. PALMENTER,
JOHN. J. HINDS.
+ Resigned.
FIELD DRIVERS.
5
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1898-99.
PRECINCT OFFICERS.
PRECINCT NUMBER ONE.
STEPHEN F. KEYES, Warden. FRANK E. MORTON, Inspector.
CHARLES N. FOWLER, Deputy Warden. FRANK W. LEWIS, Inspector.
CORYDON W. HARLOW, Clerk. ALBERT E. ROGERS, Inspector.
EDWIN L. CRAGIN, Deputy Clerk. ROBERT E. GIBBONS, Deputy Inspector. ALFRED R. LORING, Teller.
PRECINCT NUMBER TWO.
GEORGE W. WHITE, Warden. JULIAN C. WOODMAN, Deputy Warden. GEORGE B. GROTTENDICK, Clerk.
FRANCIS. V. DEMPSEY, Deputy Inspector. MILO N. ROBBINS, Deputy Inspector. CHARLES W. ELLISON, Deputy Inspector. JONATHAN H. ATKINSON, Deputy Clerk. OTIS W. PIERCE, Deputy Inspector. CURTIS S. GORDON, Inspector.
CHARLES O. WHEELER, Inspector.
GEORGE. C. CARBEE, Inspector.
GEORGE C. STANTIAL, Inspector.
GEORGE F. WOODMAN, Deputy Inspector. PETER J. CURRAN, Deputy Inspector. ALBON W. PARKER, Deputy Inspector. W. DEHAVEN JONES, Deputy Inspector.
PRECINCT NUMBER THREE.
WILLIS C. GOSS, Warden. WALTER J. SKINNER, Deputy Warden. JOHN J MCCULLOUGH, Clerk. CHARLES H. LOVELAND, Inspector. PETER J. LYNCH, Inspector. THOMAS H. FLYNN, Inspector. HENRY OSBORNE, Inspector. JOSEPH D. LORD, Deputy Inspector.
CHARLES J. BARTON, Deputy Inspector. JOHN H. CLAUSEN, Deputy Inspector. HERBERT A. MARSH, Deputy Inspector. VICTOR C. KIRMES, Teller.
JOHN O. HAYES, Teller. GEORGE G. NEWHALL, Teller. AMBROSE C. DEARBORN, Teller. DANIEL E. GIBSON, Teller.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
To the Citizens of Melrose :
The board of selectmen have the honor of submitting the following report for the year ending December 31, 1898:
FINANCES.
The permanent debt, including trust funds, is
$72,662 50
The funded debt, And consists of
852,000 00
Schoolhouse loan bonds, . . $200,000 00
Sewer loan bonds,
. 350,000 00
Town hall bonds
45,000 00
Water loan bonds,
257,000 00
== $852,000 00
For the details of the indebtedness of the town, other than these, we respectfully refer you to the report of the treasurer. We desire to call your attention to the report of the collector, which shows collections on account of the year 1898 amounting to $108,012.15, divided as follows:
8
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Real estate tax,
$96,542 76
Personal estate tax,
9,178 04
Poll tax,
3,102 00
Interest,
182 28
$109,005 08
Less abatements, .
992 93
$108,012 15
Being more than one-half of the total tax levy. It is a subject for congratulation that during the year 1898, which has been considered a year of financial depression and of general disturbance of business, owing to the Spanish- American war and other causes, so many of our citizens have been able to meet their taxes promptly. There have also been collected in addition to the amount previously named $46,336.00 of sewer assessments. The financial prospect of the town for the coming year is to be com- mended, and there appears to be no reason for any very large outlay. Our sewer system is practically completed. During the year the town has provided three large school- houses and a high school building. There will be no extra- ordinary expenses in the water department, and it is only in the highway department that much money could be spent with great advantage. Sooner or later a system of surface drainage should be adopted, and the proper rebuild- ing of our streets will have to be undertaken, but upon these questions we deem that action should be delayed until we become a city and have an engineering department, combined with scientific, practical road builders, who will be able to give good results for money expended.
9
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
HIGHWAYS.
We are perfectly cognizant of the needs of this depart- ment, and the demands of our citizens in the matter of good streets. Aware of the many criticisms, both just and unjust, of this department, we have no apology to offer for the condition of the streets. We have endeavored by a careful study of the different sections of the town to do such permanent work that would serve the greatest number, and at the same time having a constant watch over the whole town to make such repairs as were necessary for the convenience of the public, and by referring to the report in detail of the superintendent of streets it will be seen that the work has been done in an impartial manner. It would be idle to reiterate what has been written so many times in previous reports, of the many disadvantages the highway department has to labor under. We can only say if honest, active, painstaking work on the part of your selectmen and superintendent of streets has not given entire satisfaction to the general public, that it has not been from any desire on their part not to do so. We would especially call your attention to the principal work on the streets that has been done during the year: The rebuilding of Green and Franklin streets from Main and Porter streets to the Boston & Maine railroad track, the grade being raised and the road- way entirely rebuilt, the electric car tracks repaved with granite block paving; Emerson street, from Myrtle to the Melrose station on the Boston & Maine railroad; Maple street, the whole length filled and rebuilt; Linwood avenue; Tremont street; Upham, from Main to Lebanon; Wyoming avenue, from Pleasant to Cottage.
We have laid a larger number of granite street crossings this year than have been laid in any previous year. These crossings are of great convenience, and, in many cases, of
IO
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
public necessity, and have been greatly appreciated. The small amount of work done in the gutters has been by pav- ing. No concrete has been used. The stone gutters are permanent and satisfactory.
We have had during the year a very heavy storm, with a large downfall of water, doing great damage to our streets and gutters. Also two very heavy snow storms, and to make the streets passable it has taxed the department in labor and expense to a great degree, the expenditure for removing the snow being $4,415.30, of which amount the sum of $1,988.78 was paid by the street railway companies. We would recommend that the sum of $20,000 be appropri- ated for the ensuing year.
We desire to call your attention to the very excellent re- port in detail of the superintendent of streets, and also heartily commend his work during the year. He has been faithful to his trust. To do all that is necessary, and all that is asked for is impossible, but he has endeavored to do good work and do it economically.
DRAINS.
A system of surface drainage as elaborately planned as is our sewer system is one of our crying needs. To the lack of good surface drainage more than anything else is the cause of our streets being in bad condition. Pipes origi- nally laid to carry off a moderate amount of water have by the extension of new streets been obliged to take care of more than they were able to do, and often when laid there was no attempt to put them at a grade that would cause a free flow, and the result would be that they would choke up and the water be set back. On opening the main drain on Winthrop street it was found to be completely filled with
II
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
sand and clay as hard as cement, leaving but the small space of three inches at the top.
We have done but one piece of work of any magnitude in the laying of drains-the one on Sargent street, running from Highland avenue to the brook, south of Franklin street. This was ordered by vote of the town, and the cost of the laying of the drain and building seven large catch basins was $592.45.
JOINT MEETINGS.
There have been three joint meetings held. On May 31 the boards of selectmen and health, for the purpose of fill- ing a vacancy in the board of health, and C. W. Harlow, M. D., was chosen. On June 7 a meeting of the selectmen, sewer commissioners and board of health relative to the draining of Botolph street. Also on the same date of the boards of selectmen and health relative to the removal of ashes.
STREET LIGHTING.
At the annual town meeting it was voted that the select- men make a contract with the Malden Electric Light Co., for a term of three years, to furnish 472 incandescent and 50 arc lights for the sum of $11,000 per annum. This con- tract was signed, and on account of the lights not being furnished from August, 1898, the date of the contract, to January 1, 1899, the company has made an allowance of $150, and has agreed to charge the town only for lights actually in operation.
12
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
TOWN HALL.
With the appropriation, $1,383.00, and the receipts, $430.00, amounting in all to $1,813.00, the expenses have been met and a balance of $53.71 placed to its credit. Some alterations have been made in the arrangement of the dif- ferent offices, and considerable work has been done on the interior of the hall. There needs to be made during the year quite an outlay for repairs on the roof, and all the ex- terior woodwork should be repainted. You will be called upon to consider a rearrangement of the rooms on the lower floor to accommodate the different offices and pro- vide a chamber for the board of aldermen, as may be required under the city charter.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The efficiency of the chief of police and the officers of this department is to be commended. They have rendered good and faithful service to the town. We recommend an- other day officer, to be stationed at Melrose Highlands. The officer who, for the past year, has served only half a day in the centre of the town, will be on duty during the whole day after the Ist of January, 1899.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We desire to express our satisfaction of the management of this department, both in their prompt, effective work when the alarm calls them to the discharge of their duty and to the good order and careful attention given to the horses and apparatus under their charge.
13
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
PERMITS.
On March 29 permission was granted to the New England Telegraph and Telephone Company to place a conduit under ground on Main street, from the Malden line to Wakefield, under the usual restrictions, they also agreeing that all labor performed should be by citizens of the town, and to deliver free, to such place as the superintendent of streets should direct, all surplus material. These condi- tions were carried out and the roadbed was left in good condition.
The permit of the Lynn & Boston railroad company to lay their tracks on Lebanon street, from Grove street, south- erly to Malden line, having expired by limitation, the com- pany asked for an extension of the permit, which was denied.
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
There were two public hearings held in the selectmen's rooms by order of the county commissioners on the petition of R. P. Barry and others for a relocation of Main street, from Upham street northerly to John H. Atwood's. These meetings were held September 23 and October 21, and your selectmen were present to look after the interests of the town. After duly hearing the case it was decided that it was of common convenience and public necessity to relo- cate the street, and a decree was ordered November 10. It consisted of taking a strip of land two feet in width on the easterly side of Main street, opposite the Baptist church, and the high school lot to the Methodist church, thence running to a point at the estate of John H. Atwood, and the following damages were awarded:
14
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Baptist church, 519.64 square feet, $519 64
Methodist church, 211.03 square feet, 158 48
J. H. Atwood, 16.02 square feet, . 12 15
To be paid by the town, . $690 27
An invitation was received by the selectmen for the town to unite with the city of Malden in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Mal- den, which was presented to the town at a town meeting, and a committee was appointed to meet with the committee of the city of Malden.
By the taking of the land north of the Baptist church by the school building committee for use of the high school the town pound was removed, and by vote of the board a pound was established at the Pratt farm and Mr. A. J. Bonett appointed pound keeper.
By vote of the school committee the two buildings form- erly known as the Green street and Lynde street schools were transferred to the charge of the selectmen, as there was no further use for them for school purposes. Some action will be necessary by the town to dispose of these buildings, as they are very much in need of repair.
SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK, SIDNEY D. FARRAR, EUGENE H. MOORE, JONATHAN C. HOWES, L. FRANK HINCKLEY,
Selectmen of Melrose.
In Memoriam.
EDWARD KIRK BORDMAN.
BORN FEBRUARY 2, 1844. DIED DECEMBER 14, 1898.
It is with profound sorrow that we record the death of our town clerk, Edward K. Bordman. He was elected March 5, 1894, and at once entered upon the duties of the office with zeal and an honest effort to make it one of the best equipped in the state. His enthusiasm was unbounded. His love of order and detail made him especially adapted to the work. His genial nature, and his courteous and agreeable manners, endeared him to his associates and fel- low townsmen, and his many qualifications eminently fitted him to be a valuable officer of the town. In his death our town has lost a good citizen and valued servant, and its officers an honorable associate and true friend.
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS IN 1898.
WARRANT FOR MEETING MARCH 7th, 1898.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Melrose, in the County of Middlesex : GREETING.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the inhabitants of the town of Melrose, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the town hall, on Monday, the seventh day of March, A. D. 1898, at 6 o'clock a. m., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
Article I. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To bring in their votes for town officers ; and in answer to the question "Shal' licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?" All ballots are to be furnished by the town, and will be distributed at the polls by officers duly appointed in accordance with provi- sions of laws accepted by the town. Polls to be kept open until 5.30 p. m.
Art. 3. To choose all other town officers deemed neces- sary as required by law.
Art. 4. To authorize the town treasurer to borrow money with the approval of the selectmen, in anticipation of taxes.
2
18
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 5. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer to hire money, with the approval of the selectmen, for the purpose of renewing, replacing, or the payment of any loan or loans now existing.
Art. 6. To see if the town will establish a sinking fund for the payment of its general indebtedness under the pro- visions of Chapter 29, of the Public Statutes or acts in amendment thereof, or in addition thereto, and elect by ballot three commissioners of its sinking funds, one of said commissioners to be elected for one year, one for two years and one for three years.
Art. 7. To hear and act upon the report of the finance committee, appointed at meeting November 8, 1897.
Art. 8. To determine the amount of money to be raised and appropriated to defray town charges for the ensuing year and for the payment of the town debt.
Art. 9. To fix the compensation of all officers and com- mittees elected and appointed by the town.
Art. 10. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter 264, of the acts of 1890, relating to cemeteries, and elect by ballot, as provided in said act, a board of three commissioners-one member for three years, one for two years and one for one year.
Art. II. To determine the method by which the taxes for the year shall be collected.
Art. 12. To see if the town will vote to raise the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for keeping in repair and dec- orating the graves of soldiers on Memorial Day.
Art. 13. To see if the town will place an electric arc light in the square at the junction of Vinton, Foster, Florence and Maple streets, opposite the Gooch school building, and authorize, or instruct the park commissioners to improve the said square, and appropriate money to pay for the same. On petition of L. F. Hinckley and fifty-six others.
19
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 14. To see if the town will vote to reserve the old high school lot on West Emerson street, as the site for a public library, to be built at some time in the future. On petition of the trustees of the public library.
Art. 15. To see if the town will build a fire station in the south-westerly portion of the town. west of the Boston and Maine railroad, and purchase land if necessary, and raise or appropriate money for the same. On petition of Walter J Skinner and others.
Art. 16. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of four hundred dollars ($400) for the purpose of im- proving Maple street. On petition of C. Casey and others.
Art. 17. To see if the town will vote to establish an almshouse at the old Pratt farmhouse on Lebanon street, and take such action as may be necessary. On petition of the overseers of the poor.
Art. 18. To see if the town will authorize the overseers of the poor to appoint a town physician.
Art. 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for the purpose of contracting with the Melrose hospital for the reception, care and treatment of persons who, by misfortune or pov- erty, require relief during temporary illness.
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