USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1917 > Part 1
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TOWN REPORT
WATSON PARK BRANCH
.BRA
RATED
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.1640.
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1917
GRANITE CITY PRINT EBEN PRESCOTT. PROP. QUINCY, MASS. 1918
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
DEC. 31, 1916, TO DEC. 31, 1917
TOGETHER WITH THE REPORT OF THE
Town Clerk, Selectmen, Assessors, Overseers of the Poor and Highway Surveyors, Town Treasurer, Engineers of Fire Department, Water Com- missioners, Board of Health, Municipal Light Board, Trustees of the Thayer Public Library, and the Board of School Committee
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN
A
MOJ
ANGOR P
R.
M
1640.
SS
GRANITE CITY PRINT EBEN PRESCOTT, PROP. QUINCY, MASS.
bo 83
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK
Braintree, January 1, 1917.
In accordance with the usual custom, the Town Clerk submits the following report:
TOWN RECORDS
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Commowealth off Massachusetts.
Norfolk, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Braintree. Greeting :
In the name of the Comonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabi- tants of the Town of Braintree, qualified to vote in elec- tions therein, to meet at the polling places in their re- spective Precincts, to wit:
Polling place in Precinct No. 1, Town Hall.
Polling place in Precinct No. 2, Hose House, Hollis Avenue.
Polling place in Precint No. 3, Hose House, Allen Street.
On Monday, the fifth day of March, 1917, at five forty-five o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to bring in to the Wardens of their respective Precincts their votes on the official ballot for a Town Clerk, a Town Treasurer, three Selectmen, one member of the Board of Assssors for a term of three years, three Over- seers of the Poor, three Highway Surveyors, three Au- ditors, three Fence Viewers, a Tax Collector, a Tree Warden, two members of the Board of School Commit- tee for a term of three years, one member of the Board of Health for a term of three years, one Water Com- missioner and Commissioner of Sinking Funds for a term of three years, one Electric Light Commissioner for a term of three years, one Park Commissioner for a term of three years, two Trustees for the Thayer Public Library for a term of two years, and fifteen Constables.
Also to vote "Yes" or "No" upon the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town?"
The polls will be opened at five forty-five o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at one-thirty o'clock p. m.
You are further directed to notify and warn said inhabitants qualified to vote as aforesaid to meet at the Town Hall in said Braintree on Monday, the twelfth day of March, 1917, at seven and one-half o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, namely :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers ex- cept those elected by ballot.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year.
Article 4. To see if the Town will hold its Treas- urer harmless on his bond from any loss which may arise from the failure of any National Bank or Trust Company in which the funds of the Town may be on de- posit, said Bank or Trust Company being designated by tne Selectmen.
Article 5. To hear and act upon the reports of the several boards of Town Officers and any committee, and to choose any committee the Town may think prop- er.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Article 6. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the salaries of the Town Officers and the expenses of the several depart- ments, including the bond of the Town Treasurer and the bond of the Tax Collector.
Article 7. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the expenses of Registration and Elections.
Town Hall
Article 8. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support and maintenance of the Town Hall, and for tde services of a Janitor.
Article 9. To see if the Town will furnish seats for the lower Town Hall and raise and appropriate money for the same.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to allow the Braintree Board of Trade the use of some room in the Town Hall without charge.
Police Department
Article 11. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the salaries and expenses of its Police Department and for the neces- sary expenses required for the enforcement of the law. Article 12. To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the payment of Court expenses.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to accept the part of Section 37, Chapter 19, of the Revised Laws and amendment thereto, that applies to placing the Po- lice Force under the Civil Service.
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Fire Department
Article 14. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support and maintenance of the Fire Department, and for hydrant service.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purchase of new hose.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for extra pay of fire- men.
Article 17 To see if the Town will vote to pur- chase a combination pumping engine, and raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the same.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to add more permanent men to the Fire Department, and raise and appropriate a sum of money to pay the same ..
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to build a Central Fire Station, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for repairs to the en- gine house on Franklin Street.
Article 21. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support and maintenance of the fire alarm system.
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Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for a fire alarm box on Pond Street, near Granite Street.
Inspection
Article 23. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the sealing of Weights and Measures.
Forestry
Article 24. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the suppression of gypsy and brown tail moths, care of trees, and forest fires.
Health
Article 25. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the salaries and expenses of the Board of Health and a salary of a Sec- retary; also for fumigation, contagious diseases, vital statistics, and for the inspection of milk, animals, slaughtering, meat and provisions and plumbing, and care of dumps.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate $200 for the collection of gar- bage.
Sanitation
Article 27. To see if the Town will appoint a Com- mittee to consider the construction of a sewerage sys- tem, and to report with plans and estimates at a future meeting ; also to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used by said Committee.
Article 28. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to build a drain on Tremont Street, north of Central Avenue, and also to repair said street.
Article 29. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to build a drain on Hall Avenue.
Article 30. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to build a drain on Pond Street.
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Article 31. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to take care of the water on Middle Street, west of Arnold Street.
Article 32. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to take care of the water on Pond Street, near Town Street.
Article 33. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to extend the drain on Pearl Street.
Highways
Article 34. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support of the Highway Department, repairs of highways, town ways and bridges; also for repairs and building side- walks, stone roads, removal of snow, watering and oil- ing streets, and street lighting.
Article 35. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the Selectmen to enter into a contract with the Mass- achusetts Highway Commission to lay out and con- struct a piece of State highway, on a part or on all of the streets, Granite, Franklin and Washington, running between the Quincy line and the piece contracted for in 1916, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same; also to indemnify the Commonwealth against claims for land and trade damages on account of such laying out and construction ; also to appropriate the sum of $5,000 to be expended in carrying out the contract made in 1916.
Article 36. To see if the Town will vote to accept the laying out as a town way, as made by the Select- men, under a vote of the Town, of Elm Knoll Road, so called, leading southerly from Commercial Street, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
Article 37. To see if the Town will vote to accept the laying out as a town way, as made by the Select- men, under a vote of the Town, of Wyman Road, so called, leading northerly from Webster Road.
Article 38. To see if the Town will vote to accept the laying out as a town way, as made by the Select- men, under a vote of the Town, of Wilmarth Road, so called, leading northerly from Webster Road.
Article 39. To see if the Town will vote to accept the laying out as a town way, as made by the Select-
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men, of Wilson Avenue, so called, leading easterly from Middle Street.
Article 40. To see if the Town will vote to accept the laying out as a town way, as made by the Select- men, of Bellevue Avenue, so called, leading from Wash- ington Street to the easterly line of Phillips Street, so called, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same; also to change the name of said Avenue to Oscaleta Road.
Article 41. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to lay out as a town way May Street, so called, leading westerly from Hobart Street.
Article 42. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to build a new bridge on Union Street, over the Monatiquot River.
Article 43. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to extend the sidewalk on Pearl Street to Liberty Street.
Article 44. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of Chapter 50 of the Revised Laws and the Amendments thereto, relative to betterments and other assessments on account of the cost of public im- provement.
Charities
Article 45. To see what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate for the support of the poor, and the maintenance, painting and repairs of the Braintree Home.
Article 46. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended under Chapter 763, Acts of the year 1913.
Soldiers' Benefits
Article 47. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the payment of State aid, and soldiers' burials and soldiers' relief.
Education
Article 48. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support of the Public Schools, and for transporting pupils to and from the same.
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Article 49. To see what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate for the purchase of portable. schoolhouses, and equipment of same.
Article 50. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for new sanitals and heating system at the High School.
Article 51. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for repairs at the Pond School.
Article 52. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for granting a bonus of $75 to all teachers in the employ of the public schools who receive $700 or less.
Article 53. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for fire prevention in the Public Schools.
Article 54. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money toward the building of a bandstand on the Hollis School grounds.
Library
Article 55. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the Thayer Public Library, for the distribution of books and for the ser- vices of a janitor.
Recreation
Article 56. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate the sum of $1,000 to be expended upon the Parks, Playgrounds and public lands of the Town, un- der the direction of the Park Commissioners.
Article 57. To see what action the Town will take regarding boating and fishing on Sunset Lake.
Unclassified
Article 58. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for miscellaneous ex- penses.
Article 59. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to assist Post 87, G. A. R., in defraying expenses Memorial Day.
Article 60. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for insurance under the Employees' Compensation Act.
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Article 61. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended on the Town lands.
Article 62. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $500 to provide ten cloth maps of the Town of Braintree, scale 500 feet to the inch, for the use of the various Town departments.
Electric Light Department
Article 63. To see if the Town will appropriate from the income of the Electric Light Department the sum of $3,810.98 for the Depreciation Fund; the sum of $330 for interest on bonds; the sum of $430 for the Sinking Fund, and such further amount as may be need- ed in the Sinking Fund to equal the amount of the bonds which become due April 2, 1917; the sum of $1,954.02 for line extensions, and the sum of $300 for the salaries of the Municipal Light Board.
Article 64. To see if the Town will appropriate the remainder of the income of the Electric Light De- partment, together with the remaining balance of the income for 1916 for operating expenses, repairs, renew- als and new constructions.
Article 65. To see if the Town will raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to extend the street lights on Tremont Street, from Academy Street to West Street.
Article 66. To see if the Town will place street lights on Dewey Road and Marietta Avenue and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
Water Department
Article 67. To see what sums of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to be expended under the direction of the Water Commissioners for the exten- sion of water mains.
Cemetery
Article 68. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be expended on the Plain Street Cemetery and for the services of a super- intendent.
Interest. Municipal Indebtedness
Article 69. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be neces-
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sary for the payments due on the municipal indebted- ness and for the payment of interest on Town debt and on loans in anticipation of revenue.
Sinking Fund
Article 70. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be neces- sary for the Electric Light and Water Loan Sinking Funds.
Miscellaneous
Article 71. To see what action the Town will take in regard to interest on unpaid taxes, in accordance with Section 21, Chapter 237, Acts of 1915.
Article 72. To act upon the report of the Commit- tee appointed to codify the By-Laws, and to make such By-Laws as the Town may deem necessary.
Article 73. To see if the Town will vote to accept the Building Regulations or By-Laws submitted to the Town by the Committee on Building Regulations at the Annual Town Meeting in 1913.
Article 74. To see if the Town will vote to convert the Union School to public use by providing a polling place therein, and suitable quarters for meeting places for the local troops of the Boy Scouts of America, and other public welfare organizations within the Town, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
Article 75. To see if the Town will accept as a gift from Mr. N. E. Hollis about 21 acres of land on Pond Street, next to the Southwest schoolhouse lot, for park, playground and school purposes, upon the terms and conditions set forth in his letter dated December 11, 1916, and proposed deed of the land, said land to be hereafter known as "The Ellis Anderson Hollingsworth Park."
Article 76. To see if the Town will accept the gift from Mr. N. E. Hollis of the fountain erected by him in Storrs Square, Braintree.
Article 77. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of seven to investigate the "Town Man- ager" form of government as adopted by the town of
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Norwood, and petitioned for by the Town of Winches- ter, consider the advantages that would accrue to Brain- tree under such an administration, and report to the Town at the 1918 Town Meeting.
Article 78. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a committee of seven to investigate the increased fares on the Bay State Street Railway within the Town of Braintree, confer with the Public Service Commission of Massachusetts in regard to securing a reconsidera- tion of the matter; also to investigate the entire rela- tions between the Town of Braintree and the Bay State Street Railway, and submit their report to this Town Meeting.
You are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof in three public places in each Precinct in said Town of Braintree, seven days at least before said fifth day of March, 1917, and by publishing the same once in the Braintree Observer-Reporter and Braintree Bee.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this war- rant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk be- fore the twenty-eighth day of February, 1917.
Given under our hands at Braintree this first day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seventeen.
GEORGE H. HOLBROOK, HENRY M. STORM, B. HERBERT WOODSUM, Selectmen of Braintree.
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Town Hall, Braintree, March 5, 1917.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the voters assem- bled in their respective Precincts to cast their ballots for the several Town Officers named in the warrant and also to vote on the following question :
"Shall licenses be granted for the sale of Intoxicating Liquors in this Town?
The polls were opened at five o'clock and forty-five minutes A. M. and were closed at one o'clock and thirty minutes P. M. The following Election Officers served :
Precinct One-Edward Shay, Warden; Foster F. Tupper, Clerk; A. F. Hollis, J. Frank Lane, Courtenay Atkinson, James M. Cutting, John W. Cuff, D. P. Howland, Francis W. McGaughey, F. R. Carmichael, C. A. Hobart, Constable.
Precinct Two-G. H. Wetherbee, Jr., Warden; John H. Kirby, Clerk; Geo. A. Arnold, H. F. Stackhouse, S. F. Pratt, Arthur A. Blunt, Orrin W. Hollis, C. F. Cavanagh, Newton H. Mckean, John J. Drinkwater, Jr., C. R. Bestick, Constable.
Precinct Three-Benjamin Hawes, Warden; W. T. McCor- mick, Clerk; Thos. J. F. Dalton, John F. Sullivan, Henry R. Dai- ley, Joseph M. Allen, John A. Ryan, Daniel H. Coleman, Timothy E. Sullivan, Deputy, reported but did not serve. F. O. Whitmarsh, Constable.
At the opening of the polls the ballot boxes were all set 0. At the close of the polls the ballot boxes registered as follows:
Precinct One 346, Precinct Two 300, Precinct Three, box did not register.
The number of ballots checked on the voting lists and the number counted by the tellers agreed and were as follows: Precinct One 346, Precinct Two 1 partial 300, Precinct Three 373.
At the close of the polls, the ballots were counted recounted, and sealed according to law They were then forwarded to the Registrars of Voters by which Board the returns were aggregated and the result declared in open meetings. Following is the result in detail :
Whole number of full ballots deposited 989 Whole number of partial ballots deposited 1
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FOR TOWN CLERK
Prec. 1
Prec. 2
Prec. 3
Total
Henry A. Monk
289
262
276
827
Blanks .
57
38
67
162
Henry A. Monk, elected and sworn by W. A. Torrey, J. P.
TOWN TREASURER
Otis B. Oakman 272
257
252
781
Blanks
74
43
91
208
Otis B. Oakman, elected and sworn.
SELECTMEN
George H. Holbrook 265
264
256
785
Henry M. Storm
249
258
273
780
B. Herbert Woodsum
274
260
260
794
Scattering
1
1
Blanks
250
118
239
607
George H. Holbrook, Henry M. Storm, B. Herbert Woodsum, elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.
OVERSEERS OF POOR
George H. Holbrook 261
264
249
774
Henry. M. Storm
251
256
276
783
B. Herbert Woodsum
263
258
242
763
Blanks
263
122
262
647
George H. Holbrook, Henry M. Storm, B. Herbert Woodsum, elected and sworn by the Town .Clerk.
HIGHWAY SURVEYORS
George H. Holbrook 258
270
247
775
Henry M. Storm
212
260
272
734
B: Herbert Woodsum
267
258
249
734
Blanks
271
112
261
644
George H. Holbrook, Henry M. Storm, B. Herbert Woodsum, elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ASSESSOR, FOR THREE YEARS
Henry W. Mansfield 265
263
247
735
Scattering
1
1
Blanks
81
37
95
213
Henry W. Mansfield, elected and sworn.
14
WATER COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONER OF SINKING FUNDS, FOR THREE YEARS.
John Kelley 261 265
273
799
Scat. ering
1
1
Blanks
85
35
69
189
John Kelley, elected and accepted.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, FOR THREE YEARS
William W. Gallagher .254
261
240
755
Carrie F. Loring
.229
246
222
697
Scattering
1
1
Blanks
.209
95
223
527
William W. Gallagher, Carrie F. Loring, elected and sworn.
AUDITORS
Frank W. Couillard
220
245
236
701
Paul Monaghan
.240
239
241
720
C. Fred Tarbox
225
244
256
725
Blanks
353
172
.296
821
Frank W. Couillard, Paul Monaghan, C. Fred Tarbox, elected and sworn.
TAX COLLECTOR
Allen Lawson
117
133
322
572
Harrison W. Macomber
3
37
3
43
Robert E. Whitman
221
126
16
363
Blanks
5
4
2
11
Allen Lawson, elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.
MUNICIPAL LIGHTING BOARD, FOR THREE YEARS
Norton P. Potter
268
256
229
753
Blanks
78
44
114
236
Norton P. Potter, elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.
CONSTABLES
1
Clarence R. Bestick
196
206
205
607
Jeremiah F. Gallivan
196
206
215
617
Charles A. Hobart
184
201
196
581
Horace F. Hunt
210
199
199
608
John W. Illingworth 179
200
189
568
August Johnson
180
199
213
592
Isaac L. Jones
183
206
198
587
15
John Kelley
189
202
208
599
William E. Maybury
192
202
204
598
Joseph F. Mahan
185
200
194
579
James R. Qualey
184
211
186
581
John P. Shay
193
197
204
594
Tacmas Slavin
188
195
194
577
Edward F. Starr
185
194
207
589
Harry S. Tarbox
177
192
221
590
Scattering
7
7
Blanks
2359
1490
2115
5964
All of the above fifteen elected, and sworn.
TRUSTEES OF THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR TWO YEARS
William Gallagher
222
238
213
673
William C. Harding
208
235
215
658
Blanks
.262
127
258
647
William Gallagher, William C. Harding, elected and sworn.
BOARD OF HEALTH, FOR THREE YEARS
I
Walter B. Skinner
.226
246
249
721
Blanks
120
54
94 268
Walter B. Skinner, elected and sworn by the Town Clerk.
PARK COMMISSIONER, FOR THREE YEARS
Harry L. Chase 100
136
177
413
Ralph A. Newcomb
210
119
79
408
Scattering
1
1
Blanks
36
44
87
167
Harry L. Chase, elected and sworn.
FENCE VIEWERS
George E. Fogg 192
234
233
659
Charles S. Hannaford
191
222
209
622
Albert R. Qualey
189
243
208
640
Scattering
L
1
Blanks
.466
200
379
1045
Charles S. Hanaford, Albert R. Qualey elected and all sworn.
TREE WARDEN
Clarence R. Bestick 227
259
229
715
Scattering
2
2
Blanks .
119
41
112
272
George E. Fogg,
Clarence R. Bestick, elected and sworn.
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LIQUOR LICENSES
Yes
73
43
87
203
No
169
217
166
552
Blanks
104
40
90
234
A true record,
Attest,
H. A. MONK,
Town Clerk.
Town Hall, Braintree, March 12, 1917.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the Town met at the time and place specified the Warrant (except the various ar- ticles to be acted on, which by vote of the Town was dispensed with) was read by the Town Clerk, as also the Officer's certificate of service.
Article 1. By ballot, with the use of the check lists, Benja- min H. Woodsum, Jr., was elected Moderator and sworn by the Town Clerk.
Article 2. Voted to elect 3 Surveyors of Wood and Weighers of Hay: J. Marcus Arnold, Charles G. Sheppard, Wilford F. Woodsum were elected, Sheppard and Woodsum sworn.
Voted to elect 3 Surveyors of Lumber: Herbert W. Borden, George H. Holbrook, Charles O. Miller were elected, and sworn.
Voted to elect one member of the School Fund Committee for 2 years (to fill vacancy) caused by the death of George H. Ar- nold. James E. Folsom, elected and sworn.
Voted to instruct the Selectmen to appoint 1 Measurer of Leather, 1 Pound Keeper and 3 Field Drivers.
Article 3. Voted that the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the municipal year beginning January 1, 1917, to an amount not exceeding in the aggregate one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,- 000.00) and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year. Any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said municipal year.
Article 4. Voted that the Town Treasurer be and hereby is made custodian of all moneys of the several Departments of the Town. The Board of Water Commissioners are hereby instructed to elect the Treasurer of the Town, Treasurer of the Water De- partment. The Selectmen are hereby instructed to require from the Treasurer such a bond as in their judgement is necessary for the safety of such moneys; that the Treasurer be held harmless
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