Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1881, Part 1

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 126


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RECEIVED JUL 0 1 1991


PLYMOUIS PL SOYEZWAY PLYMOUTIL, MASS.


883


38


Plymouth Public Library Plymouth, Mass.


Gregory Syer


Eagle Scout Project 1991


L


This Is Produced By The Photoduplication Program Of The Plymouth Public Library Plymouth, Massachusetts


ANNUAL REPORT


-OF THE-


TOWN OFFICERS


-OF THE


TOWN OF PLYMOUTH


-FOR THE-


FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY FIRST,


TOGETHER WITH THE


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE -AND --


Superintendent of Schools.


PLYMOUTH : AVERY & DOTEN, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. 1881 ..


..


HIR 974.48 ANN 1881


REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.


The Selectmen respectfully submit the following report for the year eighteen hundred and eighty.


The Treasurer's books have been examined and found cor- rect, and all payments properly vouched.


The Treasurer is charged for the year with :


Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1880 $8,663 37


Dog fund from the County. 469 56


School fund from State of Massachusetts. 214 09


Sale of school books 619 93


Armory rent reimbursement 250 00


Poor reimbursement. 1,376 19


Water rents, labor and materials ..


11,500 17


Circus, dramatic and minstrel licenses.


50 00


Pedlars' license


24 00


Interest on Training Green fund


22 54


Interest from delinquent taxes


445 40


Dividend Old Colony National Bank 400 00


Agawam and Halfway Pond fishery 227 50


Rebate of interest on loans. 4 23


Fines from violation of Town by-laws 36 00


Sale of lots in Vine Hills Cemetery 274 50


Road department reimbursements. 626 84


Amount carried forward . $25,204 32


4


Amount brought forward. $25,204 32


State aid refunded . . 2,673 50


Indigent State aid refunded 613 29


National bank tax from the State 3,015 58


Corporation tax from the State. 5,030 42


Insane poor reimbursements 121 13


Contingent reimbursements


50 00


Fresh Brook fishery 12 00


Loan from Five Cents Savings Bank


6,000 00


Loan from Plymouth Savings Bank


6,000 00


Water Works Pumping station reimbursements .. 655 13


State aid reimbursements 127 00


Warren fund interest


50 00


Fire department reimbursements 33 46


Taxes of 1876.


46 74


Taxes of 1877 228 99


Taxes of 1878 1,526 34


Taxes of 1879


4,479 73


Taxes of 1880 51,149 07


Transfer from Warren fund to Burial Hill 63 63


Transfer from Stand pipe to Water Works 43 91


$107,124 24


The Treasurer is credited with payments as follows : Trustees Duxbury & Cohasset railroad sinking fund


$1,500:00


State tax.


3,720 00


County tax


4,909.81


National Bank tax


2,804 92 17


Vine Hills Cemetery


122 57


Widows' distribution


133.00


Amount carried forward. $13,280 80


5


Amount brought forward $13,280 30


Water Works interest on loans and extensions


12,474 91


Watch and police 1,195 30


Treasurer 500 00


Town debt and interest account. 6,079 58


Sexton 125 00


State aid 2,507 75


Schools. 17,454 13


Roads and bridges


7,490 51


New roads.


567 90


Insane poor


1,589 23


Poor.


7,766 10


Fire Department.


1,958 71


Burial Hill.


194 15


Contingent


3,109 61


Lighting streets and Town House


1,130 76


Assessors 884 81


Plymouth Public Library


234 78


Agawam and Halfway Pond fishery


63 30


Collector of Taxes.


456 44


Warren fund


82 63


South Plymouth, receiving tomb.


64 00


Indigent soldiers' aid.


778 81


Water Works pumping station.


4,246 66


Corporation tax 28 49


New school buildings.


4,997 22


Stand pipes 100 00


Crone street crossings. 85 28


. batements


785 73


Transfer from Water Works to pumping station. .


628 83


Herring money


5 55


Cash on hand. 16,257 74


$107,124 24


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6


The undrawn balances of the several appropriations are as follows :


Abatement


$2,989 57


Widows


67


Training Greon fund.


576 37


Fresh Brook fishery


22 72


Warren fund.


1,016 35


New roads .


568 99


Vine Hills Cemetery


528 42


Insane poor ..


107 57


Lighting streets and Town House.


49 36


Poor


672 42


Contingent


352 78


Town debt.


492 50


Street crossings


214 72


Fire department


372 50


Assessors


18 41


$7,983 35


The overdrawn balances of the several appropriations are as


follows :


Collector of taxes.


$23 74


Watch and police


158 46


Pumping station


113 24


Schools


384 06


Roads and bridges


505 10


Water Works.


930 86


New school-houses 4,997 22


$7,112 68


1


7


-


Town Debt.


WATER LOAN FUNDED.


Seventy $1000 six per cent. bonds ; pay- able June 1, 1885 . $70,000 00


Twenty $1000 six per cent. bonds ; due Aug. 1, 1881 20,000 00


Note to Plymouth Savings Bank April 1, 1880; ton years at 5 per cont .... 6,000 00


Note to Plymouth Five Cent Savings Bank, Aug. 2, 1880; ten years at four and one-half per cent 6,000 00


$102,000 00


DUXBURY & COHASSET RAILROAD LOAN FUNDED DEBT.


$40,000 seven per cent. bonds; payable


April 1, 1884 $40,000 00


TEMPORARY DEBT.


Note to State of Massachusetts, paya-


ble April 3, 1883 . $5,000 00


Note to State of Massachusetts ; paya- ble Feb. 3, 1883. 6,724 65


Note to Plymouth Savings Bank ; pay-


able Sept. 18, 1883. 10,000 00


Note to Plymouth Savings Bank on de- mand 11,000 00


Note to sundry parties on demand


4,900 00


Amounts carried forward .


$37,624 65 $142,000 00


8


Amounts brought forward. 37,624 35 $142,000 00


ENGINE HOUSE LOAN.


Note to H. Sherman ; payable Jan. 19, 1882 600 00


Note to P. Hedgo; payable Jan. 12, 1882. 1,200 00


Note to heirs Timothy Manter ; paya- ble Dec. 31, 1981. 500 00


Note to Plymouth Savings Bank ; pay- able Dec. 20, 1883. 1,000 00


Undrawn balances of the several de- partments 7,983 35


$51,908 00


Less-


Uncollected taxes 1878 . . $14 26


Uncollected taxes 1879 . . . 983 12


Uncollected taxes 1880. . . . 4,639 90


State aid due from State of Massachusetts 2,507 75


Amount due from State, one half indigent aid 389 40


Cash in treasury


16,257 74


$24,792 17


$27,115 83


Indebtedness Dec. 31, 1880.


$169,115 83


Indebtedness Dec. 31, 1879.


$163,718 88


Increased indebtedness 1880. $5,396 95


9


Which is made up of the following items, viz :


Loans on account Water Works Pumping Station .. One-half payments on ac- count indigent Stato aid not reimbursed by the Stato 389 40


$12,000 00


$12,389 40


Loss-


Payment on principal of note at Plymouth Savings


Bank ....


$1,000 00


Difference in overdrawn bal- ance .!


2,042 04


Allowanco for State aid . Gain in corporation and bank taxes and miscella-


50 57


neons receipts over amount estimated as reve-


3,899 84


$6,992 45


$5,396 95


A comparison of the financial condition of the Town at the present time with former reports, shows an increase in the in- debtedness of $15,531.52 since Dec. 31, 1878, the debt being $169,115.83 Dec. 31, 1880, against $153,584.31 Dec. 31, 1878, $5,396.95 being tho increase the past year.


The gain in revenno over estimates, principally from bank and corporation taxes, arising from the increased value of these securities, and the higher rate of taxation in Boston, where a large portion of the bank stock is located, has in part


-


10


provided for the large expenditures made on account of the Water Works pumping station, Mbo deficiency in the ex- Collector's account, and outlay for new school buildings in all $20,344.50, which items of expenditure were not provided for in the annual appropriation and included in the tax levy for those years.


Under the authority givon the Selectmen to provide for the appropriation of $12,000 on account of the Water Works pumping station, by loans on such terms as they should deem for the interest of the Town, such loans have been negotiated with the Savings Bank in this Town for a term of ten years and appear in the Town Debt under the head of Water Loan.


The appropriation of $5,000 to provide for new school build- ings was made at a special meeting of the Town in July, the same to be included in the taxes for the next year. The bills, amounting to $4,997.22, have been paid from the Treasury, and temporarily increases the indebtedness of the Town.


There has been paid during the year on account of Town Debt for loans incurred for new engine house $1,000, leaving a balance of $6,300, which will become due in 1883.


The loan was made on short time, with the intention of appropriating an annual amount sufficient to retiro the debt at maturity.


The increased appropriations necessary to provide for the deficiencies and current expenses of the coming year, will not admit of increasing the appropriation for the payment of the Town debt other than an increase in revenue will provide, with- out a greater increase in the rate of taxation than is desirable, and the same amount as last year, $1,000, is recommended.


Payments have been made during the year to the Duxbury & Cohasset Railroad sinking fund of $1,500.


.


:


11


The expenses of the Water Department having exceeded the revenue, no payments have been or aro likely to be made to the sinking fund before the maturity of the loans, due in 1885. Both trusts, with the accumulations, now amount to $16,143.11, an increase during the year of $1,524.59.


The Trustees to provide against fluctuations in the value of the securities have in their report reducod their valuation to par; making a reduction in their purchased value of the pre- mium paid, amounting to $694.13, while it will make no differ- ence in the final result. The increase for the year is thereby temporarily diminished. The present market value of tho se- curities is some $1,800 in excess of the value reported by the Trustees, and, as some of the securities are for long terms, they are not likely to depreciate from their present value before the payment of the loan for which they are to provide.


A settlement has been made with the State for all State aid supplied by the Town to January, 1879, and, with the excep- tion of a small balance awaiting the approval of the Governor -- and Council, has been paid into the Treasury, and exceeds by the sum of $50.57 the amount reported as due from the State last year. The difficulties attending the delay in obtaining an approval of annual rolls for payments of State aid under the old system of auditing the accounts, has been obviated by the sys- tem adopted by the new Commissioners. All bills are now presented on the first of each month, and returned either as allowed or corrected, thereby correcting payments which, if made under a misconstruction of the laws and allowed to re- main a long time without notice to the Town, could not in many cases be recovered back from the parties to whom such aid may have been paid.


There has been paid during the year from the Treasury on account of Indigent Aid under the law of 1878 $778.81, one-


-


12


half of which is reimbursed by the State, leaving a deficiency of $389.40 against the Town.


There is now standing to the credit of abatement account the sum of $2,989.57, a much largor sum than will probably be re- quired to meet any abatements from the small amount of out- standing taxes. The Selectmen recommend that $1,800 of this amount be transferred to the credit of account of new school buildings, to provide in part for the overdraft in that account.


The suit against the bondsmen of the Jato collector, under a decree of the court, was referred to Hosea Kingman, Esq., as auditor, to report the facts and amount due the Town. His re- port, which will be presented at the term of court in May, finds substantially the amount claimed by the Town.


An offer was submitted by the counsel for the bondsmen in settlement of the suit, which was virtually an abandonment of the claim on the part of the Town without compensation, which the committee could not with justice to the Town accept ; and submitted in full settlement of all claims against the bondsmen, what in their opinion was a liberal offer, which . was rejected. The case will be in order for trial at the May torm, and the committee have no reason to doubt a verdict in favor of the Town.


Our rate of taxation for the past two years has not exceeded the average of the State, and for the last year was lower than at any period for twenty years, notwithstanding the expenses incurred in making improvements in various directions.


The balances heretofore remaining to the credit of several of the departments having been exhausted, will require in- creased appropriations the following year, and, with the defi- ciencies and increased exponses in the school department, ma- terially increase the rate of taxation for the coming year.


Should the recommendations which the Selectmen have care- fully considered not be exceeded, the rate will be likely to equal if not exceed $13, against $11.60, the rato the last year.


13


Town Debt and Interest Account.


CR.


By balanco from old account. $1,122 45


appropriation 5,000 00


robato of interest 4 23


interest from delinquent taxes.


445 40


$6,572 08


DR.


To payments on principal of outstanding


notes.


$1,000 00


interest on Duxbury & Cohasset Rail- road loan


2,800 00


interest on temporary debt. 2,191 04


interest on loans in anticipation of taxes


88 54


$6,079 58


Undrawn. .


$492 50


The sum required to meet interest on permanent and tem- porary loans, and loans in anticipation of taxes, together with a payment of $1,000 on account of the new engine house loan, less the amount which may be expected from delinquent taxes, will require an appropriation of $6,000, which is recommended.


14


Roads and Bridges.


DR.


To payment in 1880


$7,490 51


CR.


By balance from old account


$258 57


appropriation 6,100 00


labor of teams on new roads 103 20


reimbursement from Poor and School


Departments 496 34


sundry reimbursements. 27 30


$6,985 41


Overdrawn.


$505 10


Orders drawn, not paid, $43.70.


The amount expended on Roads and Bridges and permanent improvement on sidewalks, deducting the earnings of the teams in other departments, is $6,863.67, being $432.52 in excess of last year.


Included in this amount there has been expended on perma- nent improvements on sidewalks $674.59.


The general good condition of the roads after the usual re- pairs in the Spring, and the expectation that a less sum would be required thun in former years to keep them in condition, warranted the Selectmen in making some of the improvements on Court and Russell Streets which the attention of the Town was called to in the report of last year, and which have long been needed. The necessity of an established grade which parties in building or making improvements should be com" pelled to adopt and conform to, required a survey of the


15


street from a point opposite the Court House, north to Samoset Street, to include both sides of the street. C. H. Paine, Esq., was employed for that purpose, whose plan met with the approval of the Board, and has been followed in the changes so far made.


The amount expended was larger than first contemplated, but, in undertaking the improvement on the west side of the street, it was found desirable to continue the work to a point where the change of grade would not interfere with the travel, and could be safely left in case the Town should decide not to continue the improvement.


To maintain the embankment on the west side without curb- ing was found to be impracticable, and as no assessment could be made on the abuttors to contribute a portion of the expense, the only alternative left was for the Town to assume the cost, which was done, or delay or abandon the improvement.


The same condition and necessity for the Town to furnish curbstones in other localities does not exist, and the policy of the Town has been to bear the expense of setting when fur- nished by abuttors. But as they are not in many cases willing to join the Town in any improvement, but seem to consider that the sidewalks are wholly for publie use, and must be improved and maintained wholly at the expense of the Town, it will be difficult for any continuous permanent improvement to be made, . unless the Town decides to assume the same or accept the bet- ferment law, in which case a portion of the improvement could be assessed on the abuttors.


The repairs and change of grade on Russell Street have long been under consideration, and arrangements for working it had been made by a former board, but, from some misunderstand- ing with the Commissioners, was delayed.


The condition of the street was such as to render the Town Hable for damages ; the inconvenience to foot passengers, and


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16


annoyance to court, while in session, from passing teams over the rough pavements, induced the Commissioners to co-operate with the Town in making the improvement, by assuming the cost of curbing and concroting the sidewalks against their prem- ises, the Town setting the curbstone as has been the uniform custom when furnished by the abnttors. The grado of the street has been established, with gutters ou the east side from Court Street to the top of the hill, and, with the exception of its connection with the street leading to the reservoir, not a town way, and the paving of a portion of the gutters on the west side, above that point, is a permanent improvement. The unusually heavy rains in July caused great damage to the roads in all sections of the Town, and much of the work done in the early part of the year was destroyed. To make necessary re- pairs and put the roads in their previous condition, required a larger outlay than for several years, and will sufficiently explain the overdraft in the account.


Only a part of the stone crossings authorized by the Town have been laid, owing to the delay in receiving the stone until after the ground was frozen. The balance will be laid as soon as the condition of the ground will permit.


There has been laid, during the year, on Court, Russell, Saga- more and South Streets, some 2,000 feet of paved gutters. Very much could be wisely spent in this direction if the appropria- tion would warrant it, as well as in needed repairs in the out- lying districts, where better roads are called for. An increased . allotment was made in some of the districts south the last year, and will have to be continued to meet the requirements of in-' creased travel over them.


The requirements in other directions are so pressing that the Selectmen do not feel warranted in increasing the appropria- tion as much as would be desirable, and will continue to make such improvements as the means at their disposal will allow. An appropriation of $7,000 is recommended.


17


New Roads.


CR.


By balance from old account $636 89


appropriation 500 00


$1,136 89


DR.


To payment on Allerton Street. $301 62


widening at Wellingsley


243 78


survey Water Street extension.


22 50


$567 90


Undrawn. . . $568 99 The work on New Roads has been confined to the comple- tion of the grading on Allerton Street, for which has been ex- pended $301.62 this year, making with the amount previously expended $4,772.67, leaving $227.33 as unexpended balance of the appropriation.


This sum will be required in fencing and caring for the grounds about the monument.


The widening of the road at Wellingsley required a more costly wall than was anticipated, and with the fencing cost $243.78


Two petitions for new roads have been presented to the Board during the year, one for a new road from Court to Pros- pect, to connect with the street known as Davis Street leading to Vine Hills Cemetery. The Board, after a full hearing, decided that, in their opinion, the road was not a public neces- sity ; that it would be a costly road to build and maintain, and rejected the petition. The petitioners appealed to the County Commissioners, who granted a hearing. As yet no notice hus been given of their decision.


2


18


A petition has since been presented, quite numerously signed, asking the Board to lay out a town way, a continuation of Water Street to Howland Street, thenco to a point to connect with the railroad avenue, on which a hearing was granted, which was fully attended, and opportunity given for petitioners and remonstrants to be fully heard as to the necessity for the road and the route to bo selected. A survey and plan has been made of the premises, including the land east of Court and be- tween North Street and the grounds of the Old Colony Rail- road, with the location of buildings on the same, to aid in determining the most desirable route.


The Selectmen have the matter under advisement, and their decision, when made, will be duly communicated to the Town,


Schools.


DR.


To overdrawn balance of last year $383 73


payments in 1880 17,454 13


$17,837 86


CR.


By Massachusetts school fund $214 09


one-half dog fund.


234 78


appropriation .


16,385 00


· sale school books


619 93


$17,453 80


Overdrawn $384 06


The expenditures on account of schools, as compared with last year, show an increase of $17.07.


The School Committee, on account of the crowded condition of the schools in the central portions of the Town, at a special


19


meeting in June, asked for an appropriation of $5,000 for a new school-house near Cold Spring, and an addition to the Russell Street School-house, which was granted. Of this amount $4,997.28 was expended, creating a deficiency to be provided for.


The Committee, in their estimates for the coming year, ask for increased appropriations to provide for new schools which have been and must be established to relieve the still crowded condition of some of the schools, and for special repairs in some of the buildings ; also for the purchase of a lot and erection of a new school-house near the present Oak Grove School-house on Summer Street. The sums asked for with the amount ex- pended for new buildings the past year will require an appro- priation of $26,000. The whole matter will probably be pro- sented to the Town in the report of the Committee.


The Selectmen have not considered the recommendations of the Committee for the special appropriations asked for, as the matter will properly come before the Town at the annual meet- ing. But they recommend $17,500 to provide for the deficiency and current expenses of the year.


Poor.


CR


By balance old account $62 33


By appropriation .. .


7,000 00


By reimbursements 1,376 19


$8,438 52


DR.


To payments 1880


$7,766 10


Undrawn


$672 42


20


The net expenditures on account of the department are $6,389 91, against $7,125 84 last year, showing a less expendi- ture of $735.93.


The expenditures for the year are classified as follows : Aid to those living in other towns, but having their settlement here $406 65


Aid supplied outside Almshouse in the Town. 3,432 32


Medical attendance 250 00


Salary of secretary


100 00


Meals furnished 187 tramps


28 05


Expense maintaining poor in Almshouse, including keeper's salary. $2,172 89


There has been included in the expenses of the past year a larger amount for wood than in former years, the full supply for the coming year having been purchased, which amounts to $447.72. In former years, a portion of the wood has been ob -. tained from the wood lots owned by the Town, the cost of cart- ing and hauling being the only expense incurred.


It has been the practice to employ the Town teams, when not working on the roads during the winter months, in carting wood to supply the Poor and School departments, some 200 cords being annually required for that purpose.


The purchases of wood have been made by and charged to the Poor department, and credit given them for wood supplied to schools and outside of the department.


The wood on the Town lots having been exhausted, and not always obtainable at satisfactory prices in the market, and the necessity of having a supply to rely upon which would afford em- ployment to the Town team in the winter, induced the Overseers of the Poor, with the advice of the Selectmen, to make a con- ditional purchase from Isaac Brewster, subject to approval by the Town, of a lot of 100 acres of woodland known as the Fol-


21


lowell lot, situated on Federal Furnace road, adjoining West Pond, being heavily wooded and estimated to contain 1,000 cords of merchantable oak and pine wood.


It is conveniently located for economy in hauling, and, at the price of $650 to be paid, is considered a very favorable pur- chase for the Town. The Selectmen recommend to the Town to authorize the Overseers of the Poor to purchase the lot, and appropriate so much of the balance now standing to the credit of poor account as will provide for its payment. An appropria- tion of $6,500 to meet the current expenses of the year is rec- ommended.


Insane Poor.


CR.


By balance of old account. $575 67


appropriation 1,000 00


reimbursements 121 13


A


$1,696 80


DR.


To amount expended


$1,589 23


Undrawn balance $107 57


The same number of patients remain in the hospital as at the close of last year, one having been discharged during the year and one admitted. An appropriation of $1,500 is recom- mended.


22


Water Works.


DR.


To interest on scrip and notes expense of management, labor, ma- terial and repairs, including ex- tensions.


$54 60 00


7,014/94 628 83


transfer to pump account.


$13,103 77


CR.


By balance old account. ៛628 83 receipts from water rents, labor and material. 11,500 17


amount transferred from stand pipe account 43 91


$12,172 91


Overdrawn.


$930 86


The expenditures the past year are in excess of any year since the completion of the works, and, as compared with last year, show an increase of $3,201.39, leaving a deficiency for the year of $930.86.


The excess is principally for the increased expenses in oper- ating the steam pump, amounting to $1,578.16, stone work and labor at the connections with Great and Little South Ponds of $1,164.06, and bills properly belonging to the pumping station construction account of $1,065.87.




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