USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1894 > Part 1
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Ref PUBLIC LIBRARY OF ATTL EB ......... ......... GH MASS. INCORPORATED 1885 Date Nº 10837 ATTLEBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY a 31654001304077b REPORTS OF TOWN OFFICERS, OF THE ATTLEBO OF ... NI . TOWN ... ... MASS VCOR 694 TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH. FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1894 ATTLEBORO, MASS. ADVOCATE PUBLISHING CO. Attleboro Publics, Library Joseph L. Sweet Memorial Attleboro, Mass. 774.98 As82 1854 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/reportsoftownoff1894attl 75 TOWN OFFICERS 1894-95. 10837 SELECTMEN. EVERETT S. HORTON, CHARLES PHILLIPS ABIJAH T. WALES. TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER. JOHN T. BATES. OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. GEORGE B. FITTZ, DANIEL H. SMITH, WIL- LIAM H. GOFF. ASSESSORS. JOHN THACHER, SHEPARD W. CARPENTER, CHARLES PHILLIPS. COLLECTOR OF TAXES. SAMUEL M. HOLMAN. COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND. SAMUEL P. LATHROP, FRANK I. BABCOCK EVERETT S. HORTON. WATER COMMISSIONERS. GEORGE A. DEAN, LUCIUS Z. CARPENTER, WILLIAM M. STONE. WATER REGISTRAR AND SUPERINTENDENT. WILLIAM J. LUTHER. SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS. SOLON D. BUSHEE. PARK COMMISSIONERS. EVERETT S. CAPRON, ARTHUR B. CARPEN- TER, JASON L. WELLS. ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT. CHIEF, HIRAM R. PACKARD, ASSISTANTS, JAMES HOWARTH, GEORGE O. WILMARTH. BOARD OF HEALTH. J. W. BATTERSHALL, M. D., E. E. HALE, M. D. E. S. HORTON. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. CHARLES H. WHEELER, WILLIAM L. ELLIOT, WILLIS H. STREETER, J. O. TIFFANY, W. . E. HAYWARD, E. S. CAPRON, MRS. L. V. G. MACKIE, MISS L. E. BRIGGS, S. M. HOLMAN. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. JOSEPH O. TIFFANY. TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY. EVERETT S. HORTON, ALBERT W. STURDY, CHARLES H. WHEELER, CHARLES S. HOLDEN, CLARENCE L. WATSON, MARK E. ROWE, CAROLINE S. HOLDEN, HELEN W. MET- CALF, ABIGAIL S. GOULD. REGISTRARS OF VOTERS. JOHN T. BATES, HENRY A. STREETER, JOHN W. CODY HARRY E. CARPENTER. AUDITORS. FRED G. MASON, O. P. RICHARDSON, MARK O. WHEATON. SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND INSPECTOR OF OIL. LYMAN M. STANLEY. INSPECTOR OF CATTLE, MILK AND PROVISIONS. T. L. SWIFT. CONSTABLES. WILLIAM E. DUNHAM, ALLEN L. BARDEN, ELIJAH R. READ, ABEL C. THORNTON, CHARLES E. RILEY, GEORGE F. IDE, SETH R. BRIGGS, FRED E. GOFF, LEON STANTON. FENCE VIEWERS. LYMAN M. STANLEY, PHILIP BRADY, EVER- ETT S. CAPRON. SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND BARK. L. Z. CARPENTER, S. W. CARPENTER, S. M. HOLMAN, W. A. VICKERY, N. L. BILL- INGS, H. W. GALLAGHER, C. H. STURDY, CHARLES HOPKINS, W. C. COREY, J. W. GIFFORD. SPECIAL POLICE, NIGHT PATROL AND KEEPER OF LOCK-UP. JOHN H. NERNEY. FIRE POLICE. SETH R. BRIGGS, FRED E. GOFF, JOHN H. NERNEY, THOMAS F. GILROY, FRED E GOFF. POUND KEEPER. FRANK E. LUTHER. REPORT OF SELECTMEN. To the people of Attleborough : With the submission of this report the town of Attle- boro enters upon the first year of the third century of its incorporation, and we take this opportunity to congratu- late our people upon the success attending our endeavors in the celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of our existence as a municipality. It was an occasion which demanded the general interest of our people to ensure success in the undertaking, and the zeal and determination with which our entire people responded to the demand gave evidence of the progressive spirit with which they were animated ; and while it fur- nished renewed assurance of their patriotism and devotion to the welfare of our town, it also presented an opportu- nity for us to see ourselves and get a measure of our im- portance as compared with other towns in the state to a degree never before attempted. The thousands of visitors who mingled among us during the two days observance Oct. 18th and 19th returned to their homes with a higher estimate of the capabilities of our town than they had ever before entertained, and the celebration in all its variety of departments has received the unanimous commendation of well done ! The committee having charge of the manifold duties. which culminated in this grand success deserve the thanks of the town for the care and discretion which they ex- hibited in their conception of the undertaking, and the 7 ANNUAL REPORT. labor performed by them in the execution of their work. We regard the appropriation of $5000 made by the town for the celebration as a good financial investment and believe a complete record of the celebration setting forth in print the work of the various departments of the observance should be published to the end that the value which the town must ultimately receive from the dem- onstration may be perpetuated. Of the amount appropriated by the town $579.55 was unexpended and with the close of the year revert to the town treasury, therefore we earnestly urge an appropria- tion sufficient to enable the committee to complete the publication of the record above referred to. HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. The able and elaborate manner in which this prominent department of town management was treated by the for- mer Board of Selectmen and by W. J. Luther, Superin- tendent of Streets, in their report for 1893, renders it unnecessary for us to go into any detailed discussion of this department of the town's expenditures. We believe the views expressed in their reports are in the main logi- cal and practical. Good judgement and experience on the part of the Superintendent of Streets are indispensable requisites to success in the management of our highways under any system which may be proposed by the town. The exigencies of actual necessity which are presented to us by our people, and which they claim are imperative. in this department would demand a large portion of our expenditure, and if we would endeavor to keep the condi- tion of our streets in the village of Attleboro, within a ra- dius of one mile from the centre up to the standard which the progressive aspirations of our people demand, our en- S ANNUAL EPORT. tire appropriation could be easily expended. In the consideration of matters pertaining to our high- way department the ideal of the highest point of perma- nent improvement should be ever kept in view, but a wise prudence should govern us in our determination of the amount to be appropriated for this department after a careful consideration of the number of miles of highway, and the number of bridges which the appropriation is sup- posed to keep in repair. BRIDGES. The more important of the bridges of the town are at present in fair condition with the exception of the west bridge on Mechanics street. It will be remembered that this bridge was pronounced so nearly worthless two years ago that an appropriation was made for its replacement, but the Superintendent of Streets after a careful examina- tion of the structure concluded that it would be economy to make a small outlay on it for repairs and continue its use another year. In consideration of the fact that the proposed sewerage system if adopted by the town would necessitate a change of grade on Mechanics street in the vicinity of this bridge it may be advisable to continue the present structure un- til further developments of the sewerage question shall be determined upon if such continuance can be made with safety to the public service at a small expense. Should the town however conclude to construct a new bridge there we would re ommend the use of the kyanized lumber (described in the report of the Superintendent of Streets last year) and iron beams. After a consultation regarding the proposed bridge with W. J. Luther, C. E., who served as street commissioner in '93 he has kindly favored us by forwarding us a reply to some of our ques- 9 ANNUAL REPORT. tions and we cheerfully present herewith the communica- tion as follows : To the Selectmen of Attleborough: GENTLEMEN : At your request I have investigated the feasibility of rebuilding the "Mechanics Bridge" so-called in a manner similar to that adopted in rebuilding the bridge at South Attleborough near the pumping station during the past year. The span of the bridge at South Attleboro is twenty-five feet and I beams having a depth of fifteen inches were used which are each capable of sustaining a distributed load of twelve tons with a factor of safety of three and making a bridge over which steam road rollers can pass with entire safety. At Mechanics street the length of span of the beams between the present abutments would be forty-four feet. Iron I beams covering this span should be twenty-four inches deep and not over two feet apart in order to furnish sufficient strength to carry any load which would be apt to pass over the bridge. This depth of beam together with the thickness of the timber and floor which would be placed upon them would require the placing of the iron beams nearly three feet be- low the surface of the road. The height of water way under this bridge is so little that in case beams were placed three feet below the present surface of the road the flow of the stream in freshets might be seriously retarded. [It will be remembered the old bridge at this place Hoated away during the freshet of 1886.] The plans and profiles for the sewerage system, re- cently prepared, require the raising of the surface of Me- chanics street nearly three feet at this point so as to allow a proper depth of covering over the proposed sewer. Therefore it will be feasible to construct a bridge of this IO ANNUAL REPORT. design at this location if the floor of the bridge is placed on the grade indicated on the sewer profile. Eight iron I beams cach fifty feet long and weighing eighty pounds per foot would be required to furnish a bridge having a width equal to the present bridge. These iron beams delivered f. o. b. cars at Attleborough with top flange punched for bolting to floor timbers would cost at current prices eight hundred dollars and to this amount should be added cost of the floor timbers and the plank- ing, also the cost of the railing and of repairing or rebuild- ing the abutments as may be deemed necessary. Such a bridge placed on suitable abutments would require no further expenditure except for the renewing of the plank- ing and floor timbers and occasional painting of the iron beams and railing, with the further advantage over an iron or wooden truss bridge, that in case it becomes desirable to widen the bridge, it can be done by lengthening the abutments and placing more beams on either si le of those already in place and extending the planking to them. In rebuilding this bridge provision should be made in the abutments for the passage of a sewer pipe at the grade shown on the profiles of sewerage system referred to above. Respectfully submitted, WM. J. LUTHER. In accordance with the vote of the town at its last an - nual meeting a new bridge has been constructed over Seven Mile river near the pumping station at South At - tleborough in a very satisfactory manner and completed within the estimated expense FIRE DEPARTMENT. The expenses outside of the current expenses of this department during the past year have been the building of anew hose house at So. Attleborough, furnishing heat- ANNUAL REPORT. ing appliances at the hose house on South Main street and concreting the basement. With the desire of furnishing fire protection to the people and property of the South Section a hose house has been constructed in the south part of the village of South Attleborough and fairly equipped with the necessary appar- atus for fire fighting, and a volunteer company organized who have thus far evinced an interest in the duties of fire - men. With this auxilliary to the department another sec- tion of the town receives protection. The construction of the building exceeded somewhat the amount appropriated but we are satisfied the money was judiciously expended and that a curtailment of the expense for the size of the building could not be reasonably expected. In accordance with the vote of the town at its last annual meeting new heating appliances have been fur- nished for the hose house on South Main street. After considerable investigation to determine what particular system of heating should be adopted we concluded to use the hot water system and J. W. Gifford & Co., who were earnest in their claim of the superiority of the system were given the contract for the work. Since the appliances were adjusted we were informed by the chief engineer of the department that the requisite amount of heat was not generated in the rooms of the second floor of the building and the contracting parties who guaranteed successful operation and satisfactory re- sults, have made an investigation of the premises and made changes to increase the radiating surface on the second floor which we hope will produce satisfactory re- sults. In the construction of the building on South Main street there were no floors laid in the attic consequently the heat from the second floor rapidly escapes to the attic and from thence through an opening into the hose tower 12 ANNUAL REPORT. and while these conditions exist it must necessarily require a large amount of fuel to furnish a sufficient amount of heat to overcome the waste from this defect. Considering the basement or cellar of the South Main Street Hose House valuable room by reason of its location and dry condition, we have made an expenditure to con- crete the bottom which was of fine sand so that it may be utilized for the storage of town property. The reputation of the Fire Department of Attleborough which it has enjoyed through a succession of years con- tinues to be maintained. ARMORY CO. I, FIFTH REGT., M. V. M. A communication was received by us Dec. 14th from the Adjutant General informing us that the amount of $200.00 for Armory rent had been certified to the auditor, and that the reduction from $400 was made upon the re- port of an inspecting officer who recommended the above amount because the rooms are not properly arranged for the care of property and the drill hall is too small. This arbitrary reduction in our allowance, witheld until nearly the close of the year, and therefore retroactive in its effect was replied to by the selectmen setting forth our reasons for considering the reduction unjust in its applica- tion to the town. STREET LIGHTING. The present contract for Street Lighting will expire next October when the town will be required to take further action for their' continuance. While we do not believe the present system of light- ing our streets furnishes as satisfactory results for the practicable purposes of utility and economy as would be received by our people under the incandescent system, yet 13 ANNUAL REPORT. there seems to be no alternative at present. we must either continue on the present system until the determination of other problems of vital importance to the town shall open the way for the construction of a town plant, under which management we may furnish electric light more satisfac- torily, or we must temporarily abandon the electric system and resort to some other means of lighting. In most of the cities of the state at the present time the system of arc lights is confined to the more distinctive business por_ tions while the more sparcely settled and rural portions depend upon gasoline, naptha gas or some other less ex- pensive light. SEWERAGE. The time has fully arrived when Attleborough must commence the laying of plans for a permanent system of sewerage. From a sanitary stand point the health of our people demands it. Our reputation and good name among the progressive towns of the state demand it. In our opinion no question connected with our town affairs is of more vital importance to our future develop- ment than a complete sewerage system constructed on progressive and scientific principles. We earnestly recommend a careful and thoughtful study of the report of the special committee chosen by the town at its last annual meeting for the survey and investigation of a sewerage system, which is herewith appended. RAILROAD CROSSING AT GRADE. The question of separating the grades of our streets at the crossings of railroads will compel action by the town in the near future, and in the solution of this problem great interests of our town are involved. 14 ANNUAL REPORT. The location of three grade crossings on the main line of travel between Boston and Providence located in the business centre of the town with the large number of trains, both night and day constantly passing through the most densely settled portion of our village makes this matter one of serious import to the future welfare of our business interests, affecting its prosperity and general de- velopment of the town to such an extent as to be of gen- eral importance to our people. We would recommend that a committee of representa- tive men be chosen by the town to guard our interests in the matter, and that this committee be authorized and in- structed to take such action as they may deem best to guard the interests of the town in this connection. HEBRONVILLE CROSSING. At the commencement of our duties we found the mat- ter of final adjustment of affairs in connection with the re-location of the highway and railroad crossing at He- bronville a matter of unfinished business for the town and although we were given to understand there was but little remaining to be done and that little chiefly of a formal nature we have found the affairs in connection with the final adjustment quite complicated. Perhaps this complication was the fault of no one party at interest. The delay in the final settlement of the matter was caused by a re-location of the Foot Bridge after the com- missioners had rendered their report and after a very long time (much too long) the N. Y., N. H. & H. Railroad Co. the Hebron Mfg. Co. and the selectmen have acquiesced in an agreement and signed the required papers which have been presented to the court. We understand the deeds from the Hebron Mfg. Co. to the railroad and town have been duly signed and ready for delivery to said railroad 15 ANNUAL REPORT. and the town of Attleborough. On investigation we find that all claims in connection with the matter have been agreed upon and adjusted except the interest account due the Hebron Mfg. Co. the claim of the Hebron church and parsonage and Geo. A. Dean and others. A hearing on the claim of George A. Dean and others has been held and we are confident will be satisfactorily adjusted. All persons interested in the questions involved in the Hebronville crossing are referred to the report of the Se- lectmen for 1893. GUIDE BOARDS. We have erected forty-eight posts and utilized several trees on which we have placed guide boards properly marked with number of miles and index, and think a much smaller number will be required this year to completely cover the requirements of the law in this regard. We would request persons living outside the village limits to report to the Selectmen such names as they would prefer for streets or roads in their respective localities, to the end that all streets and roads in town may receive a name and be recorded in the office of the Town Clerk. We take this occasion to call the attention of all mis- chievous persons to Chap. 203, Sec. 76, 78 and 79 of the Public Statutes relative to defacing or injuring guide posts, signs, stones, etc. SIDEWALKS. We earnestly recommend that this town continue the permanent improvement in the direction, and would sug- gest that on some of the streets to be improved by the construction of sidewalks, that they be properly curbed and simply a gravel walk well laid which with our appropria- tion will allow a much longer line of walk to be laid, and be many times quite as agreeable to walk upon. 16 ANNUAL REPORT. IMPROVEMENT OF TEN MILE RIVER, At a special meeting of the town held Sept. 15 an ap- propriation of $50.00 was made to be placed in the hands of the Selectmen for the purpose of investigating the cause of the trouble concerning Ten Mile River and at an- adjourned meeting held Sept. 29th a report was made by the Selectmen in accordance with the former vote, and another appropriation of $500 was made and the Select- men were instructed to remove the obstructions in ac- cordance with the plans proposed in their former report. The work of removing obstructions to the flow of water along the course of the stream has been confined to the section between County Street Bridge and a point a few rods below what was formerly known as Tin Bridges and this section has been put in quite good condition by the removal of such obstructions as seemed to impede the flow of water and by utilizing the old trench which con- nects with the main stream at a point formerly known as Caprons Dam and running in nearly a straight line to R. Wolfenden & Sons Dyeing establishment. This trench was constructed nearly fifty years ago, when a water privilege was contemplated in that vicinity, but by reason of the discontinuance of the water plant, the old trench has been allowed to fill with such material as would naturally flow into such an outlet, which with the wash from the banks and the growth of bushes below has rendered it unserviceable in the delivery of water from the main stream. To increase the capacity of this trench so as to make it capable of carrying the natural flow of the river to its junction with the river again near the old fac. tory plant, thereby preventing the necessity of devoting any attention to the main stream between Caprons Dam and Wolfenden's Dye Works, we decided would be the ad- visable plan to pursue, as the natural windings of the river 17 ANNUAL REPORT. through the long stretch of meadow were in many places nearly filled with a growth of meadow weeds and grass, and the accumulation of drift material and would demand a large amount of labor to make it serviceable. Where the junction with the main river is made a good substantial outlet has been constructed which at high water will afford ample room for its delivery. Along the whole line of river operated upon wherever bars of sand or other substances have retarded the flow of water a system of dredging has been carried on and the material removed landed on the adjoining premises. We feel confident the job has been one of sufficient value to the town to make the money expended thereon a good in- vestment. THACHER BROOK DRAIN. In 1893 this drain was commenced and partly con- structed to School street, and quite a per cent. of the ap- propriation then made was expended on Maple Street and Bridge which was a permanent improvement for our High- ways and Bridges. All the abutters have given to the town a right of way fifty-six feet wide from Park street to Maple and thence to South Main Street. We would recommend that said drain be laid out from Park to Forest street, as we un- derstand all the abutters are willing to give the town a right of way forty feet wide for this purpose and also for a street. The town is certainly und. r obligations to all the abut- ters who have so generously aided the work, particularly to J H. Sturdy Esq. for land on Park street. If the town in the near future should adopt a System of Sewerage this drain and street will be required and within a few years after said drain and street are constructed the town 1 8 ANNUAL REPORT. will show a much larger valuation, so that as a busines transaction it will prove a good financial investment. See pages 89 and 90, Report of 1893. 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.