USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1887 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Selectmen and School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1887.
MERRIMAC, MASS. : PRINTED AT THE BUDGET OFFICE, 1887.
٠
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Selectmen and School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
FOR THE .
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1887.
MERRIMAC, MASS. : PRINTED AT THE BUDGET OFFICE, 1887.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Support of Schools.
PAY OF TEACHERS.
1
George F. Joyce, Jr., principal High school,
$980 24
Helen K. Spofford, assistant
475 00
Ellen Gunnison,
Grammar school, Center,
462 50
Carrie M. Evans,
Intermediate “
335 00
Clara E. Philbrick,
Ist Primary 66
66
306 25
Etta H. Colby,
2d
66
66
66
262 50
Josephine L. Oak, S. E. Stiles,
Ist
66
Prospect st.
105 00
Ist
66
66
66
201 25
Flora E. Fourtin,
2d
66
66
262 50
Philip Emerson,
Grammar
'Port,
180 00
Helen W. Trask,
".
Intermediate 66
209 25
Laura G. Rowell,
66
66
66
62 00
M. A. Hughes,
Primary
66
66
135 00
Josephine V. Mason,
66
66
127 50
Bessie A. Veal,
Bear Hill
6:
350 00
Josephine V. Mason, Landing
66
99 00
Minnie L. Nowell,
33 00
Lulu O. Short,
Highlands
132 00
Laura G. Rowell,
Birch Meadow school,
132 00
Martha A. Goodwin, Music teacher.
1.46 00
Olive Ilill, . .
6
66 00
Total for Teachers,
$5.349 49
66
287 50
Minnie C. Currier,
.
3
4
4
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
FUEL.
S. S. Blodgett,
coal for Center schools,
$122 02
F. L. Atkinson & Co., 66 66
33 55
Sargent & Currier, wood II 25
F. G. Harrington,
sawing wood
66
4 50
Clifton B. Heath, 6
66
2 25
W. H. Heath, 66
66
2 25
Harry I. Cummings, 66
1 25
F. L. Atkinson & Co., coal for 'Port school, 56 18
Blaisdell & Huntington, 66
66
5 75
61 93
S. S. Blodgett, 66 Bear Hill schools, 14 37
G. W. Sargent,
wood
2 50
W. H. Goldsmith, sawing wood, 66
75
17 62
F. L. Atkinson & Co., wood for Landing school, I 93
L. B. Blaisdell, 6: 6
3 51
5 44
L. E. Bancroft, 66 Highlands school,
9 75
Total for Fuel, $271 SI
REPAIRS.
E. C. Owen, repairs Center school, $10 92
F. H. True, 66
4 00
Wm. Jones, . 66
7 75
W. W. Lydston, 66
28 00
A. J. Scott, .
14 75
Heath Brothers,
6 14
Sargent & Currier,
17 50
W. B. Chapman, 6
3 50
J. F. Matt, repairs on piano, 1
$102 56
James Whittier,
'Port schools, 24 10
W. W. Lydston, 66 5 00
Wm. Jones, 66
2 50
Wm. B. Chapman,
17 00
J. L. Blaisdell,
66
4 85
Geo. S. Prescott,
66
5 60
59 05
$177 07
10 00
5
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Sargent & Currier, Birch Meadow school,
$ 39 90
Calvin Sargent,
II OO
W. W. Lydston, 66
3 66
Wm. Jones, 66
22 64
W. B. Chapman,
66
20 32
Heath Brothers, 66
20 30
117 82
W. B. Chapman, Bear Hill school, 25 83
Christopher Sargent, 66
4 00
Wm. Jones,
3 00
Heath Brothers, 66
I 00
Sargent & Currier, 66
2 13
E. C. Owen, 66
50
F. H. True,
75
S. Quimby,
66
50
J. H. Stevens,
65
40 36
T. K. Hamilton,
Highlands school, 24 35
L. E. Bancroft,
18 05
1
42 40
James Whittier,
Landing school,
7 26
Total for Repairs, $369 45
CARE OF ROOMS.
J. D. Fourtin, care of rooms at Center, $68 30
F. G. Harrington, 66
44 75
Clifton B. Heath, 66
32 90
W. HI. Heath, 66
32 50
Harry I. Cummings,
41 00
E. Sheridan, cleaning and
44 00
L. Thompson;
'Port schools,. 9 50
H. M. Cahill, 66
3 00
M. A. Hughes,
66
9 00
Arthur E. Coleman,
.6
40 00
Annie Todd, 66
10 36
$263 45
71 86
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
W. H. Goldsmith,
Bear Hill school, $ 6 00
66 7 00
Maggie Lawton, Christopher Sargent,
15 00
28 00
Frank E. Jenkins,
Highlands school, 3 00
66
2 00
5 00
Josephine V. Mason,
Landing school, 9 00
66
3 00
12 00
Laura G. Rowell, Birch Meadow school,
12 00
Total for Care of Rooms,
$392 31
SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
M. Perry Sargent, stationery, postage, etc., $6 15
G. F. Joyce, Jr.,
sundries, 12 81
H. B. Shattuck,
microscope, 3 00
J. L. Hammett, supplies,
15 27
C. H. Whiting, 66
4 32
W. H. Goldsmith,
66
67
G. F. King & Merrill, 66
93 24
C. A. King,
printing,
IO 25
W. C. `Russell,
expressing,
12 95
S. A. McConnell,
supplies,
5 27
R. R. Sorenson, 66
2 00
J. H. Cleary,
60
II 29
C. E. Rowell, 66
II IO
R. P. Russell,
66
25
W. W. Lydston,
66
6 25
Total for Supplies, $194 82
SCHOOL BOOKS.
Harrison Hume, $ 49 34
Cowperthwait & Co.,
60 91
Thompson, [Brown & Co., 7 50
Ginn & Co., 8 84
-
Mrs. B. H. Battis,
--
Minnie L. Nowell,
7
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Clark & Maynard, $ 7 56
D. C. Heath & Co.
3 33
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn,
3 44
Carl Schoenhof,
2 34
Wm. T. Rogers & Co.,
4 32
D. Appleton & Co.,
IO II
Wm. Ware & Co.,
52 21
Boston School Supply Co.,
9 60
F. M. Ambrose,
9 70
Total for School Books, $229 20
Total for Support of Schools, $6807 08
Regular appropriation, $6200 00
Appropriation for repairs on Birch
Meadow school house, 100 00
Income Mass. school fund,
178 00
Dog fund, 193 89
Received for Tuitions,
97 50
66
School books sold,
16 92
66
Apples sold,
3 00
66 Stove sold, I 25
-
$6790 56
Overdraft, 16 52
$6807 08
8
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Support of Poor.
Paid Town of Amesbury :
Board of Eliza Patten,
$104 00
Two-fifths support of McCabe children, 57 20
Support of family of W. O. Gray :
H. Maria Gray, board of two children, 138 70
Luella J. Lewis, Mrs. Gray, 100 00
Calvin Sargent,
66
one child,
90 00
Support of M. Burke :
C. E. Rowell, supplies, 59 54
Blaisdell & Huntington, fuel, 5 84
L. B. Blaisdell, 66
8 75
F. L. Atkinson & Co., 66
15 38
Support of family of John Richards :
C. E. Rowell, supplies, 22 27
A. E. Kennison, 6 56
G. A. Titcomb, 66
4 45
Selectmen, fares paid for removal, 10 00
Dr. H. J. Cushing, medical attendance, 28 25
Dr. J. A. Douglas, consultations, 8 00
L. B. Blaisdell, fuel, 50
J. B. Heath, expense at funeral, 3 00
G. G. Davis, team to funeral, 1 50
Patrick Pendergast, burial,
17 00
IOI 53
Support of R. S. Patten :
J. II. Cleary, supplies,
91 95
F. L. Atkinson & Co., fuel, 15 25
L. B. Blaisdell, I 50
R. A. Sargent, shoes,
2 15
$161 20
328 70
89 51
120 85
9
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Support of family of L. E. Allison :
O. S. Currier, board of Mrs. Allison and child, $80 00
G. S. Prescott, house rent, 4 00
R. R. Sorenson, supplies,
I 50
J. J. Joyce, 66
70
86 20
Support of Curtis family :
City of Haverhill,
117 50
W. C. Howe, board of boy,
23 00
140 50
Danvers Lunatic Hospital,
Support of A. R. Lawson, 169 46
66 M. Riley,
171 06
Worcester Asylum, support of A. C. Hoyt, 194 0I
534 53
A. P. Chaples, board of Ann M. Waining, 104 00
Mary Pressey, house rent to S. Quimby, 48 00
Merrill & Co., supplies to Mrs. Coggar,
5 00
City of Newburyport, fuel to Caroline Sargent and burial
expenses, 55 25
66
66 supplies to B. H. Batchelder, 7 00
W. C. Howe, supplies to Mrs. John Connell,
Mary Clooney, II weeks' board, .
11 00
$6 60
R. R. Sorenson, supplies 66
51
J. H. Cleary, 66 66
68
7 79
Dr. H. J. Cushing, town physician.
30 00
Total for Poor,
$1835 56
DEDUCT
Received from State, on account of State paupers. 35 71
Net expense, $1799 85
Appropriation, Overdrawn,
$1500 00
299 85
$1799 85
4 50
S. S. Blodgett, coal to lockup, .
10
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Highway Account.
District No. 1. Sewell P. Jackman, Surveyor.
Expended by surveyor, in ordinary repairs, $536 55
Sargent & Currier, tile, plank, etc. 175 83
John Cleary, work on Main street, 13 73
Abbott Sawyer, gravel, 2 82
J. E. Currier, 9 25
J. A. Perry, sharpening tools, etc. 7 41
C. Wing & Co., tile, 4 20
D. B. Mosier, work on cemetery road, 70
S. P. Jackman, work on sidewalks, 61 00
E. P. Sargent, 66 66
3 80
S. W. Crafts, damage to bucher's cart, 5 50
I. B. Little, land damage, Church av., $10 00
G. W. Hoyt,
66 25 00
O. W. Little, 66 66
50 00
85 00
W. G. Nichols, plans and surveys for
new streets, 36 75
S. P. Jackman, snow paths, 131 80
$1074 34
District No. 2. J. L. Blaisdell, Surveyor.
Expended by Surveyor, 258 20
Sargent & Currier, tile, plank, etc., 33 12
J. L. Blaisdell, snow paths, IOI 97
393 29
District No. 3. Christopher Sargent, Surveyor.
Expended by Surveyor, 66 66 snow paths, 87 30
231 70
319 00
11
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
District No. 4. Willard B. Kelley, Surveyor.
Expended by surveyor,
$140 00
Calvin Sargent, 1 00
Sargent & Currier, posts,
63
Calvin Sargent, snow paths,
I 60
W. B. Kelley, 66
19 70
162 93
Town of Amesbury, expenses on Rocks Bridge,
347 82
E. M. Morse, expense on Essex Merrimack Bridge, 10 50
J. D. Pike, -
66
28 75
39 25
J. A. Perry, repairing road machine,
3 85
Total for Highway's and Bridges,
$2340 48
Appropriation,
$1800 00
Received for sale of gravel,
+ 24
Overdraft,
536 24
$2340 48
The overdraft in this department is mainly owing to the bill of expense on the Rocks bridge, $347.82, and payments on account of land damage on Church avenue, $85, for which no appropriations were made.
Public Library.
Appropriation, $500 00 Paid D. J. Poore, Treasurer, $500 00
12
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Fire Department.
Paid Niagara Engine Company,
$221 67
Agile 352 50
Merrimac Steamer No. I Co.
170 83
Wm. P. Sargent H. & L. Co.
200 00
Thomas W. Keogh, steward,
100 00
A. W. Todd, . 40 00 66
W. H. Blodgett,
engineer, 50 00
J. A. Heath, 66
25 00
N. F. Stevens,
25 00
J. H. Cleary, supplies,
18 96
C. E. Rowell, . 66
5 94
Blaisdell & Huntington, fuel,
6 59
F. L. Atkinson & Co., “
43 41
W. H. Blodgett,
labor,
12 70
D. W. Gould, repairs,
I 25
England & Jenkins, 66
2 20
Sargent & Currier,
7 90
E. C. Owen, 66
26 75
F. H. G. Chase, 66
75
B. & M. R. R., freight on coal, 7 00
C. F. Rhodes, putting in fire alarm, 12 00
H. J. Batchelder, damage to wheelbarrow and lantern, 2 00
W. H. Blodgett, hauling engine and hose carriage, 2 00
149 45
Board of Engineers, to pay for engine, 427 80
475 00
B. & M. R. R., freight on hose carriage, II 73
Board of Engineers, balance on hose carriage, 188 27
200 00
Total, $2009 45
$1185 00
B. & M. R. R., freight on engine, 47 20
.
13
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Appropriation,
$1000 00
for engine,
400 00
66
for hose carriage, 200 00
Received for sale of old engines,
75 00
1675 00
Overdrawn,
334 45
$2009 45
State Aid.
George F. Bailey,
$ 36 00
John Clement,
48 00
Harriet C. Flanders.
32 00
Mary E. Gay,
32 00
Margaret Handley,
44 00
John Jenkins,
58 00
Rebecca Kennett,
48 00
Wmn. F. Martins,
61 00
Hannah P. Tozier,
48 00
$407 00
Police.
Henry P. Davis, S. P. Jackman, P. J. Neal,
$175 00
150 00
32 00
. $357 00
14
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Miscellaneous Account.
EXPENSES ON SARGENT HALL.
Wm. Jones,
repairs,
$ 4 60
Sargent & Currier,
6 50
W. B. Chapman, 66
4 25
Wm. H. Thomas,
66
IO 15
T. K. Hamilton,
6 75
M. S. Gibbs,
66
9 23
Heath Brothers, 66
30 23
Sargent & Currier, coal,
29 41
S. S. Blodgett,
lime and cement,
3 00
A. F. Nason,
charcoal,
2 80
J. H. Cleary, supplies,
7 70
Robert Driscoll,
snow guards,
80 04
Bailey Sargent,
insurance, 266 25
R. A. Sargent,
janitor, 65 75
$526 66
STREET LIGHTS.
Sargent & Currier, glass,
$
35
W. W. Lydston,
repairs,
75
Merrill & Co.,
supplies,
49 22
R. R. Sorenson, 66
34 07
J. H. Cleary, 66
IO 98
C. E. Rowell,
66
3 58
C. B. Murphy,
care of lamp, 12 00
IIO 95
STREET SPRINKLING.
Sargent & Currier, plank, etc., $ 10 17
E. C. Owen, labor and materials, 6 10
H. G. & H W. Stevens, valve and pipe, 3 05
W. II. Blodgett, labor, 25 00
-
44 32
15
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
C. A. King, printing town report, $ 50 00
66 check lists, IO 25
66
66 warrants, notices, etc., 23 35
$ 83.60
School Committee, census of scholars,
15 00
Post 114, G. A. R., Memorial Day observance,
75 00
N. P. Cummings, auditor, 75 00
F. O. Davis, 66
75 00
T. Groom & Co., assessor's books, 4 50
W. B. Kelley, labor and expense on guide boards,
15 05
E. C. Owen, repairs on pump in Square, 9 So
C. E. Little, horse hire, 2 00
J. B. Heath, death returns, 4 50
66 lock for tomb,
70
Dr. H. J. Cushing, birth returns,
10 00
Dr. J. A. Douglass,
66
75
Dr. W. H. Gerrish, 66
1 00
W. C. Russell, expressing,
13 35
W. H. Colby, use of team,
10 00
E. M. Morse, 15 00
Thomas H. Hoyt, Esq., professional services. 25 00
66 66 Moderator annual meeting,
5 00
W. Amesbury Lyceum, storage of engine and road machine, 6 00
2 71
W. W. Lydston, repairs on watering trough,
75
$450 71
HOG CHOLERA CASES.
A. Hanna, appraiser, $ 1 00
J. Cahill,
66
2 00
W. Greeley, 66
1 00
P. J. Neal, 66
1 00
Z. L. Baxter, 66 I 00
17 50
Moses Stevens, hog killed,
23 50
Total,
$1156 14
Bailey Sargent, postage, etc.,
16
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
DEDUCT
Received for street sprinkler, $18 00
66 from State Treasurer, on account of hog cholera cases, a part of which was on account of case in 1885, 24 12
42 12
Net expense,
$1114 02
Appropriation,
$600 00
for Memorial Day,
75 00
Overdrawn,
439 02
$1114 02
The items which have caused the overdraft in this
department are
Insurance on Sargent Hall, $266 25
Auditor's services, 150 00
Snow guard on Sargent Hall, So 04
Amounting to $496 29
For which no appropriations were made.
Town Officers.
E. M. Morse, selectman, assessor and overseer of poor, $215 00
Wm. H. Colby,
66
66
66 125,00
J. E. Currier, 66 66
66
66
125 00
Dr. J. W. Hobart, school committee,
55 00
T. H. Hoyt, 66 66
50 00
C. E. Rowell, 66 66
50 00
Bailey Sargent, town clerk,
62 80
66 constable, warning meetings,
6 00
66 treasurer and collector,
275 29
F. C. Delano, registrar of voters,
30 00
Alex. Smart,
66
30 00
John S. Clement, 66 66
30 00
Bailey Sargent, 66 66
30 00
$1,084 09
Appropriation, Overdrawn,
$1,000 00
S4 09
$1084 09
17
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Financial Statement.
The Town is Indebted as follows :
On loan of June 2, 1883, $5,000 00
66
Sept. 3, IS84, 4,500 00
66
Jan. 5, 1885, 3,650 00
66
June 9, 1885, 6,300 00
66
Dec. 26, 1885,
8,000 00
Interest accrued, 203 76
Outstanding demands (estimated), 1,000
$28,653 76
CR.
Due from State, for State aid,
$ 471 00
Sinking fund,
2,975 12
Due from First National Bank, for rent,
137 50
Uncollected taxes,
5,961 97
Cash on hand,
373 30
$9,918 89
Net debt March I, ISS7,
$18,734 87
Debt March 1, 1886,
$21,120 27
Decrease of debt,
2,385 40
$18,734 87
Memorandum of Outstanding Notes of the Town.
Loan of June 2, 1883, balance of loan to refund town of Amesbury bonds, payable in sums of $1,000 yearly, $5,000 at 4 per cent. ·
Loan of Sept. 3, 1884, for purchase of steam fire engine, 4,500 at 4 per cent.
Loan of Jan. 3, 1885, to provide a place for steam fire engine, 3,650 at 4 per cent.
Loan of June 9, 1885; on account of rebuilding Essex Merrimac Bridge, 6,300 at 4 per cent.
Loan of Dec. 26, 1885, to refund town of Ames- bury note, 8,000 at 33 per cent.
18
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Note and Interest Account.
Paid Merrimac Savings Bank, notes and interest,
$6,196 00
Note of Town Treasurer, loan of June 2, 1883, Interest on T. Treas' notes, 66
1,000 00
66 220 00
66 66 . Sept. 2, 1884,
180 00
66 66 66 June 9, 1885,
252 00
66 66
Dec. 26, 1885,
280 00
Commissioners of Sinking funds,
1,796 00
$9,924 00
Discount on taxes,
813 20
ABATEMENTS.
Collector's list, 1882,
$ 31 93
66
66 ISS3,
113 21
:6
66 ISS4,
50 15
66
66
1885,
85 16
66
66
1886,
28 50
308 95
$11,046 15
Selectmen WM. H. COLBY,
E. M. MORSE,
of
JOHN E. CURRIER, Merrimac.
19
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT.
BAILEY SARGENT, Treasurer and Collector, in account with the Town of Merrimac. DR
1886.
March I To cash on hand, $ 487 17
Uncollected taxes, 6,935 66
$7,422 83
5 Rec'd for sale of Agile and Monomack
engines, 75 00
9
" of State Treas., corporation tax, 8 83
83 83
April 22 Hired of Merrimac Savings Bank,
2,000 00
May 20 Rec'd of State Treas., account of state paupers, 15 90
June I Hired of Merrimac Savings Bank, 2,000 00
26 66
66 66 2,000 00
4,000 00
Aug. 21 Rec'd of State Treas., account of state
paupers, 35 71
21
66 State Treas., account of hog
cholera cases, . 24 12
59 83
Oct. 29
66 Wm. H. Blodgett, for street
sprinkler, 18 00
Dec. IO
66 State Treas., corporation tax, 565 24
IO
66
Nat. Bank tax, 246 78
IO
66
66 State aid, 368 00
1,180 02
1887.
Jan. 5
Rec'd of County Treas., dog money,
193 Sg
26
State Treas., income Mass. school fund, Town of Amesbury, Bank and
178 00
corporation taxes, 61 38
20
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Rec'd of School Committee, for tuitions, $97 50
. books, 16 92
66 66 apples, 3 00
66
stove, I 25
$118 67
66 for gravel sold, 4 24
66 First Nat. Bank, six months' rent to July 1, '86, 137 50
66 R. A. Sargent, I year's rent to March 1, '87, 225 00
66 G. E. Ricker, rent, 187 50
G. S. Prescott,
41 42
66 H. H. Story, 66
IO 66
66
G. W. Cook, 66
14 00
66 F. H. True, rent to Mar. 1, '87, 31 25
66 Janitor of Sargent Hall, 117 00
764 33
Tax list for 1886,
$21,265 39
Re-assessments,
28 00
Interest on taxes,
294 46
21,587 85
$37,688 77
CR.
By paid State tax,
$1.005 00
66 National Bank tax,
1,545 '54
66
County tax,
1,260 OI
Selectmen's orders,
27,542 95
$31,353 50
Uncollected taxes, IS82,
$114 09
1883,
341 74
66
66
1884,
632 85
66
1885,
1,647 OI
66
66
1886,
3,226 28
$5,961 97
Cash on hand, 373 30
$37,688 77
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
To the Board of Selectmen of Merrimac :
GENTLEMEN : In presenting to you the report of the eleventh year in the history of the Merrimac Public Library, we are pleased to say the previous good condition has been maintained, while we believe there has been some progress and improvement in the system of the work accomplished.
As the Library increases in size from year to year and its patrons increase in numbers it has been thought best to adopt some new measures for the convenience of those in charge. In so doing the work of the Librarian and his assistants is facilitated and the per- plexing reference to several papers or records for information of patrons is avoided.
Every addition to the Library that brings its convenience more like that of larger towns or cities, the trustees believe to be a necessity, and we are glad to report that our constant aim has been to attain to a higher standard than formerly.
During the past year the rooms of the Library have been opened 98 times, giving the opportunity to deliver 11,435 books as follows :- In February (1886), 1035; March, 1173; April, 1125; May, 1180; June, S20; July, 978; August, 423; September, 794; October, 1137; November, 999; December, 951 ; January (1887), 112. The largest number delivered in one day was 225, while the daily average delivery amounted to 117.
All books taken have been accounted for, no loss of books having occurred during the year. The additions to the shelves during the year 1886 have been two hundred and eighty-four books, received from the following sources : Purchased from the annual appropro-
22
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
ation, 215 volumes ; purchased by the income of the Goodwin fund, 23 volumes; magazines bound, 19; public documents, from various sources, 25 volumes.
We again acknowledge our indebtedness to Dr. James R. Nichols and Dr. A. F. Pattee for volumes contributed, thus manifesting their continued interest in our progress and welfare.
Recently we have issued Bulletin No. I of additions to the Library which have been made since the publication of the Catalogue in 1885. We deem this to be a very useful little pamphlet to all who patronize the Library. Whereas the Library itself is free to all residents who choose to make use of its advantages, we do hope the trifling expense of purchasing both catalogue and bulletin will be cheerfully met by a large number, thus enabling the Library to be self-supporting in this particular if in no other.
February 10th of this year, death removed one of our beloved Trustees, Mr. Edmund N. Sargent. While we acknowledge the will of our Heavenly Father, we desire to place upon record our great sense of loss in this death of one of the most active members of the Board. During the years 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1884 he served as chairman of the Board, and being elected to office again last year entered upon the duties of Trustee with renewed interest. Constant in attendance upon its meetings, always anxious for the development of those matters which would best tend to the increased usefulness of the library, Mr. Sargent endeared himself to his associates and acquitted himself with honor and ability.
Our Library rooms are altogether inadequate for the work which might be accomplished with better convenience and larger room. In comparison with many places our quarters are exceedingly cramped. Starting in 1877 with a nucleus of 1000 volumes, generously contrib- uted by Dr. James R. Nichols, we now have a Library of 4000 volumes. Our pressing need and prayer has been in the past for a Reading room; for this we will ever pray, and hope the time is not far distant when our citizens will realize the necessity and come to the rescue.
ERRATA-On the preceding page, the circulation for December should read 651, and for Jauuary 1120, instead of the figures printed.
23
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
The appropriation in the past has been none too large for the requirements of library work for a town of our size, therefore we sincerely trust for its continuance, and recommend for the coming year the same appropriation as in the past.
Respectfully submitted,
E. M. MORSE, GEORGE ADAMS, DANIEL J. POORE, DR. JAMES R. NICHOLS, GEORGE O. GOODWIN, S. A. McCONNELL,
Board of Trustees.
D. J. POORE, Secretary. Merrimac, Feb. 24, 1887.
TREASURER'S REPORT For the Year Ending March 1, 1887. D. J. POORE, Treasurer, in account with Merrimac Public Library. DR.
To balance from previous year,
$ 60
Received from Catalogues, .
7 60
Interest on Goodwin fund,
8 o8
66
Town appropriation,
500 00
Books and table,
S 17
66
Fines, 30 84
CR.
By paid for Books and Magazines,
$ 236 00
66
Librarian,
175 00
66
Printing,
25 35
66
Expressage,
3 25
66
Portrait of Dr. Nichols,
35 00
66
Compiling books,
15 00
66
Sundry supplies,
19 39
Cash on hand,
I 44
$555 29
Respectfully submitted,
D. J. POORE, Treasurer.
Merrimac, February 26, 1887.
$555 29
Binding books,
44 86
CEMETERY ACCOUNT.
THE OLD CEMETERY. Report of the Treasurer. JOHN B. HEATH, in account with the Merrimac Burial Ground. DR.
1886.
Feb. I. Cash on hand, Deposited in Savings Bank, 255 84
$ 7 08
Interest to Oct. 1, '86, IO 30
$273 22
CR.
Cash paid D. B. Mozier,
$ 3 75
66 J. Rowell,
5 50
66
P. R. Coombs,
5 50
Heath Brothers,
3 89
for care of yard,
2 50
$21 14
Deposited in Savings Bank,
252 08
JOHN B. HEATH, Treasurer.
LOCUST GROVE CEMETERY. Report of the Trustees. DR.
1886.
Feb. 10. Balance on hand,
$ 9 91
Received from the sale of lots, 100 00
$109 91
CR.
May 14. Paid J. C. Colcord, labor,
$20 00
21. for seal press,
4 90
21.
W. G. Nichols, labor,
3 85
July 7.
J. C. Colcord,
3 50
Sept. 31.
D. B. Mozier, 66
15 00
Aug. 4.
S. P. Jackman, 66
I 50
Nov. 16.
M. C. Donohue,
66
5 00
Dec. 17.
D. B. Mozier, 66
3 15
1887.
Feb. 25. Cash on hand,
53 01
$109 91
Trustees.
24
J. A. LANCASTER, I. B. LITTLE, C. E. ROWELL,
$273 22
25
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SARGENT HALL.
REPORT OF THE JANITOR.
The hall has been opened thirty-seven times during the year, and for the following purposes :
Town meetings, 1
2
Political meetings, 9
Entertainments, 20
Miscellaneous, 6
37
Received for use of hall, $117.00.
POLICE REPORT.
Number of arrests,
20
66 for drunkenness,
14
Liquor seizures,
2
Tramps taken care of,
So
S. P. JACKMAN. HENRY P. DAVIS.
Schedule of Public Property.
Sargent Hall,
$ 20,000 00
School Houses,
21,000 00.
Public Library,
2,500 00
Fire Apparatus,
11,300 00
Cemeteries, Hearse and House,
2,700 00
Town Landings,
300 00
Gravel Pit,
50 00
Town Pound,
50 00
Town Standards,
150 00
Law Reports,
350 00
$58,400 00
26
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.'
REPORT OF
THE COMMISSIONERS OF SINKING FUND,
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Merrimac, Mass. :
The Commissioners of Sinking Funds submit the following report :
DR.
Balance of fund in Merrimac Savings Bank, per report of ISS6, $1156 00
Interest accrued on same, 23 12
Received from Town Treasurer, Feb. 21, '87, 1796 00
$2975 12
CR.
Amount deposited in Haverhill Savings Bank,
$510 00
Merrimac Savings Bank, 669 12
" on hand not invested,
1796 00
$2975 12
H. O. DELANO, Treas. of Com. of. Sinking Funds.
Merrimac, February 28, 1887.
27
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Statistics from Valuation Book.
1885.
1886.
Valuation of Real Estate,
$775,870 00
$815,380 00
66 Personal Estate,
390,085 00
400,599 00
$1,165,955 00
$1,215,979 00
Gain in 1886, Real estate,
$39,510 00
66 Personal estate,
10,514 00
Total gain,
$50,024 00
Number of polls, 747.
Rate on polls, $2.00.
Rate of taxation, $15.00 per $1,000.
Total tax assessed, $19,733 68.
Non-resident Bank valuation, $102,114 00.
Tax on same, 1,531 71.
Number of acres of land assessed, 5,055.6
1885.
1886.
Number of Dwellings,
455
473
66
Horses,
.
250
248
Cows,
193
2II
66
Sheep,
31
58
66
Swine,
71
68
66
Neat cattle, other than cows,
79
Number of persons paying a tax on property,
528
66 a poll tax only,
437
.
ARTICLES IN WARRANT. FOR Annual Meeting, Monday, March 7, 1887, AT ONE O'CLOCK P. M.
Art. I. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Art. 2. To choose a Town Clerk.
Art. 3. To choose Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of the Poor.
Art. 4. To choose a Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, and fix the compensation for collection.
Art. 5. To choose one School Committee for three years.
Art. 6. To choose one Trustee of the Cemetery for three years.
Art. 7. To choose one Commissioner of Sinking Funds for three years.
Art. S. To choose two Trustees of the Public Library for three years, and one' to fill vacancy caused by death of Edmund N. Sargent.
Art. 9. To choose Highway Surveyors.
Art. 10. To choose Constables.
Art. II. To choose Surveyors of Lumber and Measurers of Wood and Bark.
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