USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1928-1929 > Part 1
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Town Officers, 1928
Selectmen-William T. Eldridge, Henry W. Barnes, Jr., William H. Beever, Walter E. Bent and Frank Eastwood.
Town Clerk-George B. Howland.
Town Treasurer-George B. Howland.
Collector of Taxes-Herbert W. Bartlett.
Town Accountant-Elmer R. Harlow.
Assessors-Nathaniel G. Lanman, chosen 1926 for three years; Charles H. Sherman, chosen 1927 for three years; Thomas L. Cassidy, chosen 1928 for three years.
Overseers of the Public Welfare-William T. Eldridge, chosen 1926 for three years; Herbert W. Bartlett, chosen 1927 for three years; George L. Gooding, chosen 1928 for three years.
Water Commissioners-William R. Morton and Ernest L. Sampson, chosen 1926 for three years. Mr. Ernest L. Sampson deceased March 15, 1928 and Richard T. Eld- ridge elected to fill the vacancy; Frank D. Bartlett and John L. Morton, chosen 1927 for three years; John H. Damon, chosen 1928 for three years.
School Committee-Edward R. Belcher and Albert L. Mellor chosen 1926 for three years; Fannie T. Rowell and Burt H. Corey chosen 1927 for three years. Mr. Burt H. Corey deceased February 3, 1928 and Mr. E. Harold Donovan chosen to fill the vacancy; Frederick D. Bartlett and Alfred P. Richards, chosen 1928 for three years.
Cemetery Commissioners-Mr. Horace M. Saunders, chosen 1926 for three years; Arthur E. Blackmer, chosen 1927 for three years; Richard T. Eldridge chosen 1928 for three years.
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Burial Hill Committee-Cemetery Commissioners.
Agawam and Halfway Pond Herring Fishery Commit- tee-William J. Graham, George F. Haigh and Paul H. Manion.
Park Commissioners-Loomis R. Grant, chosen 1926 for three years; Henry T. Geary, chosen 1927 for three years; resigned March 8, 1928 and Roy E. Beaman elected to fill the vacancy; Myron L. Smith, chosen 1928 for three years.
Board of Health-Herbert S. Maxwell, chosen 1926 for three years ; William E. Curtin, chosen 1927 for three years; Walter D. Shurtleff, chosen 1928 for three years. Resigned April 17, 1928 and Andrew J. Carr elected to fill the vacancy.
Surveyors and Measurers of Lumber-Alvin A. Hall and Warren S. Bumpus.
Surveyor of Wood and Bark-Daniel J. Sullivan.
Town Director to County Aid to Agriculture-Porter T. Harlow.
Planning Board-LeBaron R. Barker, Arthur E. Black- mer, Ellis W. Brewster, George L. Gooding, and Francis C. Holmes.
Field Drivers and Fence Viewers-Charles H. Ray- mond, Lewis F. Smith, and Chester A. Torrance.
Sexton-Arthur L. Howland. Deceased Oct. 29, 1928. Pound Keeper-Russell L. Dickson.
Committee on Inland Fisheries-Warren S. Gale, Geof- frey D. Perrior, and Michael D. Welsh.
Sealer of Weights and Measures-Daniel J. Sullivan. Milk Inspector-Daniel J. Sullivan.
Beach Committee-Selectmen.
Superintendent of Streets-Arthur E. Blackmer. Superintendent of Water Works-Arthur E. Blackmer. Collector of Water Rates-George B. Howland.
Committee on Town Forest-George R. Briggs, Abbott
A. Raymond, and Charles T. Stevens.
Harbor Master-Orrin C. Bartlett.
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Board of Registration-Herbert W. Clark, appointed 1926 for three years; George F. Anderson, appointed 1927 for three years. Mr. Anderson deceased March 27, 1928 and J. Ernest Beauregard appointed to fill the va- cancy ; Asa H. Burgess, appointed 1928 for three years.
Superintendent of Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries and Burial Hill-Edward F. Stranger.
Superintendent of Chiltonville Cemetery-Charles B. Howland.
Superintendent of Manomet Cemetery-James W. Hazen.
Superintendent of Cedarville Cemetery-Alberto M. Haskell.
Superintendent of Infirmary-Russell L. Dickson.
Fire Commissioner-Henry Walton.
Town Engineer-Arthur E. Blackmer.
Chief of Police-John Armstong.
Tree Warden-Abbott A. Raymond.
Forest Warden-Ira C. Ward.
Local Moth Superintendent-Abbott A. Raymond.
Building Inspector-Thomas A. Bodell.
Committee on Sewers-Selectmen.
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Abstracts of Records of 1928
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 24, 1928 FRANK C. SMITH, Moderator
Article Three:
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the Town be accepted and placed on file.
Article Four :
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the Town authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the S'electmen or a majority thereof, to borrow during the financial year beginning January 1, 1929, in antici- pation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town, giving the notes of the Town therefor, payable within one year from the dates thereof. All debts in- curred under the authority of this vote shall be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article Six :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $8,500.00, includ- ing the dog tax for 1927 amounting to $1,815.51, in aid of the Plymouth Public Library.
Article Seven:
Mr. Alton D. Edes moved: That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 in aid of the Manomet Public Library.
Mr. William T. Eldridge moved to amend by making this amount $750.00 and the motion was carried.
Then the motion of Mr. Edes, as amended by Mr. Eld- ridge, was put before the meeting and unanimously car- ried.
Article Eight :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously vot- ed: That the Town appropriate the sum of $8,500.00 for the care, maintenance and improvement of the Parks,
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including the Training Green and Public Camping Place. Article Nine :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $6,500.00 for the care, maintenance and improvement of the Public Play- grounds.
Article Ten :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $550.00 for the observance of Memorial Day, $50.00 of this to be appor- tioned to the United Spanish War Veterans.
Article Eleven :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $750.00 for the observance of July Fourth and Forefathers' Day, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Article Twelve:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for public band concerts.
Article Thirteen :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, and choose a Town Director.
Mr. William T. Eldridge nominated Mr. Porter T. Har- low for Town Director and he was elected.
Article Fourteen :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $125.00 for Rifle Range expenses.
Article Fifteen :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted : That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for reforesting and improvement in the Town Forest.
Article Sixteen :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, it was unanimously voted :
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That the Town appropriate the sum of $800.00 for com- pensation of the Inspector of Buildings and to defray the expenses of that office.
Article Seventeen:
Mr. Alton D. Edes moved: That the Town appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 to be expended on the Fire Alarm Signal System.
Mr. George J. Anderson moved an amendment: That the Town take no further action at this time, and the motion was carried.
Article Eighteen :
Mr. Alton D. Edes moved: That the Town take no action under this article, but the motion was lost.
Mr. William T. Eldridge moved: That the sum of $10,000.00 be appropriated for construction on Water Street Extension, including macadamizing of the section between Lothrop and Nelson Streets, and the motion was carried.
Article Nineteen :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted : That the Town accept and allow as a Town way that portion of Lothrop Street from the easterly line of the right-of-way of the Railroad Company to Water Street, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town.
Article Twenty :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for construction and hard-surfacing on the way specified in Article Nineteen. Article Twenty-one:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town accept and allow as a town way Alvin Road, running westerly from Oak Street, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town.
Article Twenty-two:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for construction includ- ing hard-surfacing and sidewalk on Alvin Road.
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Article Twenty-three:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 for putting an asphalt mixed surface on the sidewalks on Cliff Street, Sandwich Road and River Street, as specified in this article.
Article Twenty-four:
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of twenty- five hundred (2,500) dollars for the purpose of continu- ing the surfacing of the Beaver Dam Road from the point where it now stops to a point to include the property of John Murray.
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted : That action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article Twenty-five:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,500.00 for hard-surfacing on the Shore Road.
Article Twenty-six :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for improvement of the Head of the Bay Road.
Article Twenty-seven :
Mr. Alton D. Edes moved : That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for surfacing the way from Court Street to Water Street at the Plymouth Memorial Build- ing.
Mr. John E. Miles moved: That further consideration of this article be postponed and that a committee of five be appointed to advise with the Town at the next annual meeting. Two hundred thirteen voting in the affirma- tive, and three hundred fifty in the negative, the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Edes was then put before the meet- ing and carried.
Article Twenty-eight:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for surfacing the park- ing place in the rear of the Plymouth Memorial Building.
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Article Twenty-nine :
Mr. Francis C. Holmes moved: That the Town accept and allow the layout of a new public way from Billington Street, northerly to land of Joseph Malaguti, off Standish Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen and reported to the Town, on March 14, 1927, and make an appropriation not exceeding thirty-five thousand (35,000.00) dollars for land damages and grading on said way. Four hundred ninety-five voting in the affirmative, and four hundred ninety-three in the negative, the motion was carried.
Article Thirty :
Mr. Alton D. Edes moved: That the Town erect a new building on Lincoln Street to provide further accommoda- tions for the Junior and Senior High Schools, substan- tially in accordance with the plans and specifications drawn by the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation and sub- mitted by the School Committee, and appropriate there- for the sum of $290,000.00. To meet the appropriation there be raised in the tax levy of the current year the sum of $12,500.00 and that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow a sum not to exceed $277,500.00 and to issue therefor bonds or notes of the Town to be payable in accordance with Sec- tion 19 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws so that the whole loan shall be paid in not more than fifteen years after the date of the issuance of the first bond or note or at such earlier date as the Treasurer or Selectmen may determine. The erection of said new building shall be under the direction of the School Committee and said Committee is hereby authorized to contract for said erection in the name of the Town.
Mr. Richmond Talbot moved: That no further action be taken under this article at this time. Forty-five vot- ing in the affirmative, and four hundred forty-seven in the negative, the motion was lost.
The motion of Mr. Edes was then put before the meet- ing, four hundred seventy-eight voting in the affirmative,
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and three hundred seventeen voting in the negative, the necessary two-thirds not having voted in the affirmative, the motion was lost.
Article Thirty-one :
To see if the Town will make alterations in and im- provements to the present Junior and Senior High Schools and make an appropriation therefor.
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town take no action under this article.
Article Thirty-two:
To see if the Town will acquire by purchase or eminent domain the land belonging to Grace A. Pope lying on the southwesterly side of Union Street and adjoining other land of the Town of Plymouth upon which to move the Lincoln Street School Building, so-called, and appropriate therefor the sum of seventy-five hundred (7,500) dollars.
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town take no action under this article.
Article Thirty-three :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town take no action in regard to fixing the compensation of the members of the Board of Health.
Article Thirty-four :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the salary of the Assessors be increased to $1,600.
Article Thirty-five :
To see if the Town will vote to dispose of any right which it has in a parcel of land lying on the westerly side of South Street, between the premises of Charles H. Ray- mond and Anthony Guidetti.
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town authorize the Board of Selectmen to dispose of the right, if any, which it has in the land described in Article Thir- ty-five.
Mr. Francis J. Heavens moved: To reconsider Article Thirty-one, but the motion was lost.
Article Thirty-six :
To see if the Town will pass the following vote: That
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no article appropriating money for the uses of the Town, or any department of the Town, shall be acted upon at any special Town Meeting, or at any meeting other than the annual March Town Meeting, unless the Board of Selectmen by a majority vote shall certify that in their opinion action upon any such article is necessary; and that in no case shall any action be taken upon any such article appropriating money, unless, at least two hundred qualified voters of the Town be present. (By Petition.)
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That no action be taken under this article.
Article Thirty-seven :
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town appropriate $30,000.00 from the surplus now standing as a credit balance on the Excess and Deficiency Account to reduce the tax levy of the current year.
Article Thirty-eight:
On motion of Alton D. Edes, Voted: That the Town authorize the Transfer of the sum of $5,000.00 from the Reserve from Overlayings of Taxes to the Reserve Ac- count in the hands of the Advisory and Finance Com- mittee.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the sum of $455,871.02 be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates of the Inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth and upon the estates of the non-residents, to defray the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year.
On motion of William T. Eldridge, Voted: To adjourn.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, JUNE 2, 1928 FRANK C. SMITH, Moderator
Article Two:
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of three hundred and thirty (330) dollars for pensions for town laborers.
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Article Three:
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously Voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of eleven hundred and thirty (1,130) dollars for additional dam- ages caused by the relocation of the westerly line of Court Street over land of Josephine M. Crosby.
Article Four :
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate the sum of twenty- two thousand (22,000) dollars to repair and resurface Court, Main and Sandwich Streets from Kingston line to Jabez Corner, and authorize the Selectmen in consid- eration of the cancellation and surrender by the Plym- outh and Brockton Street Railway Company of its fran- chise or location granted by the Town of Plymouth, and the release of all its rights thereunder, to release the Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company from all liability to remove its rails and ties from said streets and further to release the said Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company from all liability to repair and restore said streets which may be made necessary by reason of the removal of said rails and ties by the Town. Article Five :
Mr. William P. Libby moved: That a committee of five be appointed by the Selectmen to consult with the Plymouth Electric Light Company and the Plymouth Gas Light Company or other authorities regarding rates, and to take such action as they may deem advisable.
Mr. Allen Loft moved to substitute: That a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator, to represent the consumers of the Plymouth Electric Light Company and the Plymouth Gas Light Company in seeking for a reduc- tion of rates, no one to be appointed who has ever been financially interested in the above companies, and that the sum of $5,000.00 be appropriated for such expenses as the committee may deem necessary.
Mr. William M. Douglas then moved: That action un-
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der this article be indefinitely postponed, and the motion was carried.
Article Six :
To see if the Town will rescind the vote passed at the regular Town meeting held March 24, 1928, under Arti- cle 29 relative to the layout of a public way from Billing- ton Street to land of Malaguti on Standish Avenue. (By Petition.)
Mr. William P. Libby moved: That no action be taken under this article. Two hundred sixteen voting in the affirmative, and one hundred fifty-one voting in the nega- tive, the motion was carried.
Article Seven :
Mr. Francis J. Heavens moved: That the Town accept sections 32 to 47 inclusive, of Chapter 147 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, relative to licensed boxing con- tests. Two hundred two voting in the affirmative, and one hundred forty-six voting in the negative, the motion was carried.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: That the sum of $23,460.00 be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates of the Inhabitants of the Town of Plymouth and upon the estates of the non-residents, to defray the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: To adjourn.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, NOV. 24, 1928 FRANK C. SMITH, Moderator
Article Two:
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously Voted: That the Town indemnify the Commonwealth of Massachusetts against any and all claims for land, grade and drainage damages which may be caused by or result from the laying out, alteration, construction, or recon- struction of the State Highway known as Warren Avenue and Manomet Road, or any section or relocation thereof,
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and that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sign an indemnity agreement therefor, in behalf of the Town indemnifying the Commonwealth as aforesaid, and that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated from money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, tow- ards the expense and damage thereof.
Article Three:
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously Voted: That building lines be and hereby are established in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 82, Section 37 of the General Laws as amended by Chapter 130 of the Acts of 1925, on the westerly side of Main Street over land of Stoddard at No. 58, and on the westerly side of Court Street from the northeasterly corner of the build- ing of Josephine M. Crosby to South Russell Street.
Said lines are not more than forty feet distant from the exterior lines of Main or Court Street, and are located as follows:
The first line begins at the northeasterly corner of the brick wall of the building of Maccaferri and Penn and runs thence North 54° 56' 10" West 68.55 feet by land of said Maccaferri and Penn and land of Stoddard to the southeasterly corner of the building of Josephine M. Crosby.
The second line begins at the northeasterly corner of the building of Josephine M. Crosby and runs in the line of the front of the building of Edward A. Buttner to the northeasterly corner of the stone foundation of said Buttner building, thence North 55° 38' West 133.92 feet over land of Buttner, Whitman and Bartlett to the south- erly line of South Russell Street.
Said lines are shown on a plan entitled "Town of Plym- outh Plan of Proposed Building Line, Court Street, Au- gust 21, 1928. Scale 1"=20' " to which plan reference may be had.
And that hereafter no structures shall be erected be- tween such building lines and said Main and Court
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Streets, except steps, windows, porticos, and other pro- jections appurtenant to the front wall of a building; all buildings or parts of buildings, embankments, steps, walls, fences, and gates, now existing, shall be permitted to remain and to be maintained to such extent as they now are, and that no person or corporation has sustained damages by reason of establishing these lines and no damages be awarded any person or corporation therefor.
Article Four :
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously voted: That the Board of Selectmen is hereby authoriz- ed to release to Leon R. Scott or his attorney, upon pay- ment of all taxes and charges thereon, the title to a par- cel of real estate at the corner of Bradford and Water- cure Streets taken by the Town for non-payment of taxes.
Article Five :
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously voted: That the Fire Commissioner is hereby authorized to dispose of the steam fire engines known as Number One and Number Two.
Article Six :
On motion of William P. Libby, it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of two thousand (2,000) dollars for the Health Department.
Article Seven :
On motion of William P. Libby it was unanimously voted: That the Town appropriate from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the sum of sixteen hundred (1,600) dollars for the Public Welfare Depart- ment.
Article Eight :
On motion of William P. Libby it was unanimously voted: That the Town Accountant is hereby authorized to transfer the sum of seven hundred and fifty (750) dollars from the Park Department appropriation to the Public Playground appropriation.
On motion of George B. Howland, Voted: To adjourn.
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REPORT OF ADVISORY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
ON THE ARTICLES IN THE TOWN WARRANT MARCH 24, 1928
The Committee has held a series of meetings in the Town House at which the several boards and officers have presented their appropriation requirements. These have been carefully considered with the thought of econ- omy always in view. A notice was inserted in the local newspaper inviting all persons to come before the Com- mittee with any information in support of or in opposi- tion to the items under consideration.
The following report is submitted to the voters as a statement of the recommendations of this Committee on all of the Articles in the Warrant.
Article 5. To make the necessary appropriations to de- fray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, and to raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem expedient.
Recommended
By Departments
By Committee $3,250 00
Selectmen's Department,
$3,250 00
Accounting Department,
2,500 00
2,500 00
Treasury Department,
2,000 00
2,000 00
Tax Collector's Department,
2,900 00
2,900 00
Assessors' Department,
6,300 00
7,000 00
Assessors' Plans,
1,000 00
1,000 00
Law Department,
1,200 00
1,200 00
Plymouth Two
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Town Clerk's Department,
1,650 00
1,650 00
Engineering Department,
1,000 00
1,000 00
Planning Board,
1,000 00
1,000 00
Election and Registration,
1,300 00
1,300 00
Maintenance of Town House,
3,000 00
3,000 00
Maintenance of Town Hall,
7,000 00
7,000 00
Police Department,
27,600 00
27,600 00
Fire Department,
35,279 00
35,000 00
Sealing Weights and Measures,
3,150 00
3,150 00
Moth Suppression,
5,000 00
5,000 00
Tree Warden's Department,
2,500 00
2,500 00
Forest Warden's Department,
4,000 00
4,000 00
Inland Fisheries,
200 00
250 00
Plymouth County Hospital Main- tenance,
10,159 63
10,159 63
Health Department,
18,000 00
18,000 00
Health Department, for 1927 bills, 594 34
594 34
Public Sanitaries,
3,000 00
3,000 00
S'ewers,
6,000 00
6,000 00
Street Cleaning,
5,000 00
5,000 00
Roads and Bridges,
40,000 00
40,000 00
Hard-Surfacing Streets,
7,500 00
7,500 00
Gurnet Bridge Tax,
1,005 29
1,005 29
Sidewalks,
7,000 00
7,000 00
Sidewalks; Granolithic,
6,000 00
6,000 00
Snow and Ice Removal,
5,000 00
6,500 00
Street Sprinkling,
6,000 00
6,000 00
Street Lighting,
18,000 00
18,000 00
Harbor Master,
450 00
450 00
Pensions for Town Laborers,
800 00
800 00
Public Welfare, including
Mothers' Aid,
27,000 00
27,000 00
Soldiers' Benefits,
6,500 00
6,500 00
School Department,
249,000 00
249,000 00
Sexton,
200 00
200 00
Miscellaneous Account,
3,200 00
3,200 00
Water Department, Maintenance, 28,000 00
28,000 00
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Water Department, Construction, 5,000 00
5,000 00
Oak Grove and Vine Hills Ceme- teries,
11,500 00
11,500 00
Burial Hill Cemetery,
2,000 00
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