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Town of
WEYMOUTH
MASSACHUSETTS.
1896.
Warren F. Houston
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH,
CONTAINING THE
TREASURER'S SCHEDULE OF THE RECEIPTS,
AND
A Statement of the Expenditures of the Different Departments, The Report of Overseers of the Poor, The Report of the Engineers of the Fire Department, The Report of the Treasurer of the Tufts Library, Assessors' Report.
THE REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
The Statistics Furnished by the Town Clerk,
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY, REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS, AND THE REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1896.
WEYMOUTH, MASS .: WEYMOUTH & BRAINTREE PUB. CO. 1897.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1896-97.
Town Clerk. JOHN A. RAYMOND. P. O. address, East Weymouth.
Town Treasurer. JOHN H. STETSON. P. O. address, South Weymouth.
Selectmen. 1 GORDON WILLIS, Chairman. BRADFORD HAWES, Clerk. P. O. address, East Weymouth. CHARLES E. BICKNELL. GEORGE L. NEWTON. JACOB F. DIZER.
Overseers of the Poor. GORDON WILLIS, Chairman. BRADFORD HAWES, Clerk. P. O. address, East Weymouth. CHARLES E. BICKNELL. GEORGE L. NEWTON. JACOB F. DIZER.
Assessors.
WILMOT CLEVERLY.
JOHN W. BATES.
FRANCIS H. COWING.
GORDON WILLIS.
GILMAN B. LOUD.
Collector of Taxes.
WILLARD J. DUNBAR.
G. EVERETT REED.
Auditors.
CHARLES P. HUNT.
JOSEPH DYER.
Engineers of the Fire Department.
OTIS CUSHING.
W. O. COLLYER.
FRANCIS M. DROWN.
EDWARD FAHY.
WILLIAM H. HOCKING.
4
School Committee.
WILLIAM A. DRAKE .
Term expires 1897
BRADFORD HAWES
HENRY A. THOMAS
66
1898
WILLIAM HYDE, JR.
1898
JAMES H. FLINT.
66
1899
JOSEPH CHASE, JR.
66
1899
Park Commissioners.
WILLIAM H. CLAPP
Term expires 1897
ELIAS S. BEALS
66
1898
LOUIS A. COOK
66
66 1899
Trustees of Tufts Library.
LOUIS A. COOK
Term expires 1897
FRANCIS AMBLER
66
1897
JOHN W. HART .
66
1897
ZACHARIAH L. BICKNELL
66
1898
FRANK H. MASON
60
1898
CHARLES P. HUNT
66
1898
JAMES HUMPHREY
1899
AUGUSTUS J. RICHARDS
66
1899
PRESTON PRATT
60
1899
Registrars of Voters.
BENJAMIN F. SMITH
Term expires 1897
DAVID S. MURRAY
CHARLES A. CARPENTER
66 1899
Water Commissioners.
HENRY A. NASH.
Term expires 1897
THOMAS H. HUMPHREY .
66
1898
AUGUSTUS J. RICHARDS
.. 1899
GORDON WILLIS, Chairman of Selectmen (ex-officio).
JOHN H. STETSON, Town Treasurer ( ex-officio).
Constables.
ISAAC H. WALKER. B. FRANK RICHARDS. ASA B. PRATT. NATHANIEL B. PEARE.
GEORGE B. BAILEY. MICHAEL ALLEN.
THOMAS FITZGERALD.
GEORGE W. WHITE.
GEORGE F. MAYNARD.
FRANCIS A. CALDWELL.
66
66 1897
66
1898
JOHN A. RAYMOND, Town Clerk (ex-officio).
66
INDEX.
PAGE
Auditors' Report
15
Assessors' Report
161
Fire Department, Engineer's Report
257
Jury List 164
Overseers of the Poor, Report of
129
Almshouse, Expense of .
132
Assistance to Poor Out of Almshouse
139
Inventory of Property of Almshouse .
135
Paupers in Almshouse
149
Receipts
138
Park Commissioners, Report of
227
School Committee, Annual Report of (Appendix)
1
Selectmen, Report of
7
Bills Payable (Notes Approved)
96
Electric Lighting, Expense of
96
Fire Department, Expense of
79
Highways, Townways and Bridges, Expense of
45
Hydrants and Drinking Fountains, Expense of
96
Interest and Discount
94
Memorial Day, Expense of
96
Military Aid
115
Miscellaneous Expenses
98
Police Department, Expense of
86 92
Police Service at Lovell's Grove
91
Printing and Advertising
94
Protection of Fish and Game
91
Remittance and Abatement of Taxes
93
Schools, Support of
22
Special Appropriations for Highways
54
Snow, Removal of
57
State Highway, Bridge Street
73
State, County, National Bank and Corporation Tax 95
State Aid .
111
Statement of Appropriations and Expenditures ·
126
Police Service at Lakeview Park .
6
93
Tufts Library, Expense of
119
Town Officers, Expense of
92
Town House
124
Trial Balance
69
Superintendent of Streets, Report of
17
Town Treasurer's Report
127
Tufts Fund, Receipts and Payments of
151
Tufts Library, Trustees' Report Treasurer's Report
158
Town Clerk, Report of
169
Births, Registry of
179
Deaths, Registry of
173
Marriages, Registry of
185
Town Records for 1896
229
Expenditures and Receipts
254
Engineer, Report of
240
Statement
247
Superintendent. Report of
242
Water Account, Town Treasurer's Report
169
Water Commissioners, Report of
233
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
The Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth submit herewith their annual report with a detailed statement of the expenditures under the various appropriations for the year ending Dec. 31, 1896.
HIGHWAYS.
At the last annual meeting the Town instructed the Selectmen to employ a Superintendent of Streets who should hold no other town office.
In accordance with that vote, on the third day of April, Thomas H. Eames, who had for several years filled the position of Superintendent of Streets in the City of Somerville, was engaged for the position at a salary of $1,200 a year and $300 for use of horse. Mr. Eames came to us well recommended as a thoroughly capable and efficient man for the place. His report of the principal repairs made under his super- vision appears on another page. The expenditures have been more concentrated than has been the custom in the past, and while the pieces of road which have received the principal outlay were well selected as experimental pieces to work with a stone foundation, and there are other places where the same method would be of great ad- vantage, yet it is doubtful whether without a largely increased appro- priation, much work of this character can be performed without un- due neglect to our nearly or quite a hundred miles of gravel road.
Of the new streets and extension of streets which have been ac- cepted by the town, there remain to be constructed portions of the following :-
Bay View Street, Iron Hill Street, and King Avenue.
Action is now pending upon petitions as follows :- For laying out a new street from the principal angle on Lovell Street, to and around the highest part of Weymouth Great Hill.
For laying out a new street from a point on Pleasant Street between the house of John Quinn and the house of Matthew Morrow, on a private way leading easterly to a point about thirty rods east of the house of Edward Kiernan.
For laying out a new street on a private way called Field's Avenue, leading from Common Street, and the extension of the same to Broad Street.
8
The appropriation for highway repairs including the salary of the Superintendent of Streets was $12,000.
There has been expended $12,288.29, making an overdraft of $288.29.
In the construction of the State highway it became necessary to purchase a street sprinkler at a cost of $365.75, as we could not at that time procure the use of one. It was also necessary to purchase quite a line of tools for road work.
The Superintendent of Streets has submitted an inventory of the machines, tools, etc., now owned by the town for work in this depart- ment, the value of which at a conservative appraisal is $882.35.
We would recommend, if no appropriations are made by the Town for special repairs, that the same amount be appropriated as last year, viz :- $12,000.
The appropriation for the removal of snow was $3,434.57; expended Dec. 31, $2,680.90-leaving a balance of $753.67, which will evidently be inadequate for the remainder of the winter.
For completing the working of the relocation of Front street, which in accordance with the vote of the town, was let out to be worked by contract, five bids were received, ranging from $1,295 to $1,400, of which the lowest was submitted by J. F. & W. H. Cushing, and the contract was awarded to them. The specifications called for widen- ing the bridge over Mill River 12 feet, but as the job approached com- pletion it was considered that it would be unsatisfactory until the bridge was widened to the full width of the street, and a contract was. made with James Moore to do this for $150. Railings have been placed on the most dangerous portions of the street, and in so doing the appropriation of $1,500 has been exceeded by $14.83.
Station street has been widened and improved without expense to the town, other than the setting of curbstones, the land having been given by the abutters on condition that a curbstone be placed the whole length of the street on the northerly side, and the curb and sidewalk raised on the other side to correspond therewith. The cost of the curbing, the widening, and the dimension stone retaining wall along the premises of Edward A. French were assumed by the Brain- tree & Weymouth Street Railway Company as a condition of the location of their tracks upon this street.
UNION STREET.
By a decree of the County Commissioners, under date of September 22, 1896, it is ordered that this street be widened and relocated, and the work thereon completed within one year.
The land damage awards, which amount to $5,233, are required to be paid by the town; and the county is assessed a like amount toward the construction of the street, this amount being payable to the town when all work required in the decree shall have been completed. All other costs are to be borne by the town.
9
STATE HIGHWAY.
The section of Bridge Street, from the Hingham bridge to Neck Street, which was commenced in 1895. has been completed, and also the section from the Quincy bridge to Pratt Avenue, under the super- vision of the Superintendent of Streets. The cost of construction has been $8,530.35 for the year; there has been paid by the State $6,543.30, and the approval of further estimates to the amount of three or four hundred dollars is expected.
The principal leak to the town in working contracts on the State highway has been in being compelled to pay $15 a day for the use of a steam roller, which can be operated for less than half of that amount.
It seems to us that it would be a judicious investment for the town to purchase a roller, especially as the time seems to have passed when even upon our gravel roads a roller can be economically dispensed with.
It should also be mentioned in this connection that in the working of these two State Contracts, a large amount of work has been done outside of what the State pays for, in working the street to the lines of the County Commissioners re-location, for which credit should be given, as it would have cost the town at least a thousand dollars to have performed what work has been done of this description, had it been worked independently of the State highway.
In connection with the balance against the town we would call attention to the fact that the contracts as prepared by the Commis- sioners are based upon what they consider the market price of labor, and no consideration is given to the fact that the town binds itself to pay $2 a day.
It is the intention of the Highway Commissioners to work the remainder of Bridge street during the season of 1897, and in so doing to make alterations in grades, on account of which considerable expense may be occasioned to the town.
STREET RAILWAYS.
Since the last annual report locations have been granted after duly advertised hearings as follows :-
To the Quincy and Boston Street Railway Co., for the extension of their tracks over the following streets :- Commencing at the junction of North and Sea streets, through North to Bridge street, thence through Bridge street to the divisional line between Weymouth and Hingham; also on Neck street from its junction with Bridge, to River, street, and on River street to the Bradley Fertilizer Works. This location has been built upon and is now in operation.
A location has been granted to the Braintree and Weymouth Co. for the extension of their tracks from the junction of Main and Columbia streets, through Main to Derby, through Derby and across
10
Pond to Hollis, through Hollis to Randolph, and through Randolph to its junction with Weymouth street. It is expected that this loca- tion will be built upon as soon as the frost is out of the ground in the spring.
Some friction has been experienced with the railway companies in connection with the disposal of snow.
Perhaps with as many miles of track as we now have in town, much of which is through streets that are sparsely built upon, it is not sur- prising that this should be the case. In the clearing of sidewalks by the town it is sometimes necessary to throw snow upon the tracks, and in the removal of snow from the tracks by the railway companies the streets have sometimes been seriously encumbered. It has been the policy of the Selectmen to deal as leniently as circumstances would permit with these infringements, but in some instances it has been necessary to insist upon the disposal of the snow by the com- panies after its removal from the tracks.
Broad Street from Central to Jackson Square has been especially troublesome in this respect, as owing to the narrowness of the street with the track in the centre, even with the best of intentions on the part of the railway company, great inconvenience is experienced in the use of the street for general travel. It seems to us that this diffi- culty will always be encountered until such time as the street is widened sufficiently to accommodate the large amount of travel upon it.
Considerable complaint has been heard concerning the winter time table of the Braintree and Weymouth Company, and also in rela- tion to certain changes in the re-adjustment of fares which have recently been made by that company, affecting unfavorably the pas- sengers on certain parts of the belt line, and working an inequality in the cost of travel on different parts of the line.
The attention of the officials of the road has been pointedly called to these grievances, and while we have no authority in the regulation of fares, we find them ready to give courteous consideration to our suggestions in the matter, and they are applying themselves to the task of correcting the grievances, the justice of which they acknowl- edge.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The appropriation for this department, including the unexpended balance of last year, was $5,015.31. The amount expended has been $4,726.62, leaving $288.69 for the remainder of the financial year.
We urgently recommend the town to adopt the course of organizing the police force for the ensuing year under a Chief of Police, a course which has been in operation with several towns in the State with gratifying success, and we believe it would add much to the efficiency of our own force without much increase in cost.
1
11
The suppression of the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors was placed in the hands of Patrick Butler and Thomas Fitzgerald, and they have applied themselves faithfully, as we believe, to the work. The result in fines has been less than for several years in the past. Some places have been closed, however, which have seemed to defy the efforts of the officers heretofore, and we hear of no places where liquor is alleged to be sold openly; that large quantities in the aggregate are brought into town is obvious, and this will continue to be the case until more rigorous laws are enacted concerning its transportation.
All officers on regular duty have been informed that they are ex- pected to make arrests of all persons found drunk on the streets, or public places.
TOWN HOUSE.
It will be necessary to shingle the building during the year at an estimated cost of $450.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
The appropriation for this purpose including the balance from last year was $8,862.20, of which there has been expended $6,866.50, leaving a balance of $1,995.70.
The contract for furnishing lights was renewed at the same price as last year, viz. :- For arc lights, $70 each for the year, and for incan- descent lights, $18.64.
Twenty additional incandescent lights were added and one arc light was exchanged for three incandescent lights, so that we now have thirty-three arc lights, including the one at the Town House, main- tained by the company, and two hundred and fifty-three incandes- cent lights.
An appropriation will be necessary for the ensuing year, if this number of lights is continued, of $6,956.
Concerning the quality of the lights during the past year (we make no claim of improvement over that furnished when the lighting was under the charge of a committee), it has been unsatisfactory to us, and as we have been many times informed, to the public as well.
ABATEMENT AND REMITTANCE OF TAXES.
The appropriation for this purpose was $1,195, and orders have been drawn upon the Assessors' certificates, amounting to $1,908.04, mak- ing an overdraft of $712.86, the reasons for which appear in the report of the Assessors.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The appropriation including the balance from last year was $3762.48, there has been expended $3,796.22, the appropriation being exceeded by $33.74.
12
It will be observed by examining the detailed account of this de- partment that the expenditures are largely such as the Selectmen have no control over, and some of them are unusual in their character.
We would suggest that a separate appropriation be made for the election expenses, which are of a well defined amount, and vary little from year to year, being about $600 per annum.
TOWN DEBT.
One note of $5,000 has been paid during the year from money raised by taxation.
The amount of notes outstanding against the town, not including one of $10,000, for money borrowed in anticipation of taxes, is $72,000, of which $5,000 is on a note for money, borrowed on the State High- way account, and is now overdue; this is about the amount of the overdrafts for the year and we recommend that the amount should be raised to provide for its payment.
INSPECTION OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS.
By the enforcement by the Cattle Commissioners of the Acts of 1894 and 1895, concerning the inspection of slaughtered animals, we have been compelled to appoint an additional inspector, and Charles E. Bicknell was appointed to that position.
The whole cost per annum under these acts is likely to be in the neighborhood of $400, for which it will be necessary for the town to provide.
We recommend that in the future the requirements of the statutes, defining the duties of auditors, "that they audit the books and ac- counts of all officers entrusted with the collecting or disbursement of the town's money," be complied with, and that suitable compen- sation be provided for such service.
As the money coming in from taxes at the close of the year was inadequate for the requirements of the treasury, and as the limit of borrowing under the vote of the town had been reached, the Select- men voted to authorize the Treasurer to make the best practicable terms with the banks of Weymouth to furnish the money necessary to provide for the deficiency until the annual meeting, at a rate of in- terest not to exceed five per cent. per annum, and such arrangement was effected with the National Bank of South Weymouth.
SUITS AT LAW.
Six suits against the town were pending in the Superior Court for Norfolk County at the beginning of the year 1896. Four of these, namely, the suits of Henry C. Gardner, of David J. Pierce, adminis- trator, of Arthur Campbell, and of Margaret Sheehy, administra-
13
trix, are now pending, no trial in either having been had during the year.
The defense of the suit of John Coyle was assumed by the Braintree and Weymouth Street Railway Co., and has been settled by said company.
The suit of James L. Bates for the assessment by a jury of the dam- ages for land on Great Hill, taken from him for park purposes, was tried in May last, and a verdict of $1,212.68 rendered in favor of the plaintiff. Recently a tender of the amount of the judgment and interest in this action has been made to Mr. Bates and the tender refused.
Three suits against Weymouth were entered in the Superior Court during the year just closed. The suit of Catherine Tracy for injuries to herself, and that of Anthony Tracy for loss of services by reason of these injuries, are now pending in court. The defense is undertaken by said railway company and a trial is soon expected.
The suit of Patrick Purcell to recover damages for injuries suffered by him from the fall of a gravel bank on land of N. R. Ells is pending, without trial, in said court.
GORDON WILLIS, BRADFORD HAWES, C. E. BICKNELL, GEORGE L. NEWTON, JACOB F. DIZER, Selectmen of Weymouth.
1
SUMMARY OF MONTHLY REPORTS OF LIQUOR OFFICERS.
-
FROM APRIL 1, 1896, TO DECEMBER 31, 1896.
Searches for intoxicating liquors, 74. Number of places where found, 14.
Fines imposed and paid $50 each for sale, or keeping with intent to sell, 3.
Fines imposed, $50 each; appealed, discharged, 2.
Imprisoned for sale, 2.
Drunkenness, fined, 18.
Imprisoned, 5.
Number of places closed where liquor was sold, 7.
Larceny, committed to jail, 3.
Reformatory, 1.
Fined, 1. Recovered, $35.
Breaking and entering, 3.
Disturbing the peace, fined 2.
Larceny from person, 2.
Lewd and lascivious co-habitation, 1.
Assault, fined, 1. Cock fighting, fined, 1. Search for stolen goods, 1. Threatening assault, paid costs, 1.
AUDITORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1896.
We, the undersigned, Auditors of the Town of Weymouth, hereby certify that we have verified the Town Treasurer's account and find vouchers filed in proper order and the books well kept. Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1896 $8,293 66
Receipts from all sources except water account .
221,055 48
Overdraft First National Bank $1,599 92
Overdraft Union National Bank
178 11
$1,778 03
$231,127 17
Payments for the year 1896, except water account .
1
231,127 17
ASSETS OF THE TOWN.
.
TAXES DUE JANUARY 1, 1897.
From Geo. C. Torrey (1894)
$275 09
From Geo. C. Torrey (1895)
7,034 78
From W. J. Dunbar (1896)
24,107 36
$31,417 23
Less overdraft, as above
1,778 03
$29,639 20
WATER BOARD ACCOUNT.
Balance on hand Jan- 1, 1896
$2,802 16
Total receipts for 1896
.
.
43,922 03
$46,724 19
Total payments for 1896
45,430 19
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1897
$1,294 00
16
Deposited in First National Bank . $954 00 Deposited in Nat'l Bank of the Republic 340 00
$1,294 00
SINKING FUND ACCOUNT.
$61,000. Town of Weymouth Bonds, 4%
$61,000 00
6,000. Fitchburg Railroad Bonds, 4% 5,910 00
3,700. Souix City, Iowa, Bonds, 6 % 3,700 00
1,000. Town of Whitman Bonds, 4% .
1,000 00
Loans on Real Estate .
16,500 00
Deposit in Dedham Savings Bank
1,049 88
Deposit in First Nat'l Bank, South Wey-
mouth
2,068 17
$91,228 05
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. REED. CHARLES P. HUNT, JOSEPH DYER,
Auditors.
-
TOWN TREASURER'S REPORT.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING Dec. 31, 1896.
RECEIPTS.
Received for notes given in anticipation of taxes :-
March 13, note due Oct. 15, discounted at 42% $1.17 premium . ·
$10,000 00
March 13, note due Oct. 15, discounted at 42 % $1.17 premium . .
10,000 00
March 27, note due Oct. 15, discounted at 4140%% $4.26 premium
10,000 00
April 14, note due Oct. 20, discounted at 48% 10,000 00 May 28, note due Oct. 21, discounted at 32 % $1.50 premium . 10,000 00
June 16, note due March 15, 1897, discounted at 48%
10,000 00
July 21, note due Oct. 20, discounted at 42% . Aug. 31, note State Highway Loan Fund Acct., due December 27, discounted at 5 %
5,000,00
From State Treasurer, Corporation tax 1895
2,255 85
From State Treasurer, Corporation tax 1896
3,254 25
From State Treasurer, National Bank tax
1,160 89
From State Treasurer, Military Aid, Chap. 279 500 07
From State Treasurer, State Aid, Chap. 301 .
6,157 00
From State Treasurer, Highway Loan Fund .
6,543 30
From State Treasurer, support State paupers . 35 61
From County Treasurer, dog license money ·
1,049 22
From M. E. Hawes, Coll. taxes 1893
1,349 70
From M. E. Hawes, Coll. interest taxes 1893 .
131 62
From A. Denbroeder, on taxes 1893 .
500 00
From Selectmen, rebate on taxes 1893 ·
352 35
From Selectmen, over-committment taxes 1893 23 58
10,000 00
18
Received from George C. Torrey, Coll. taxes 1894
$3,870 74
From George C. Torrey, Coll. interest 1894 827 95
From George C. Torrey, Coll. taxes 1895 13,654 28
From George C. Torrey, Coll. interest 1895 448 69
From Willard J. Dunbar, Coll. taxes 1896
101,327 95
From G. P. and J. W. Hardwick, tax deeds 151 70
From heirs Elizabeth Whittemore, tax deeds 33 37
From First Nat. Bank, interest on deposits .
45 28
From Union Nat. Bank, interest on deposits .
12 87
From E. Norfolk Dist. Court, fees and fines
191 57
From A. B. Endicott, Sheriff fines at Dedham . From Abington poor account .
64 56
From Boston 66
93 98
From Cohasset
61 25
From Hingham 60
34 34
From Hull
44 63
From Marshfield
102 00
From Middleboro "
27 65
From Scituate 66 66
13 50
From Stoughton
52 00
From individuals, aid refunded
43 00
From individuals, hospital bills refunded
962 84
From Hingham, tuition .
22 50
From Samuel Burrell, tuition .
20 00
From Quincy & Boston Street R. R. Co., labor
289 04
From Charles Hawes, for pump
5 00
From Selectmen, rebate on insurance, Pratt Place
2 35
From Selectmen, police service Lovell's Grove
2 00
From W. H. Mace, police service, Lakeview Park
1 00
From Martin E. Hawes, auctioneer's license
2 00
From M. K. Crehan, plumber's license . 2 00
From William N. Cushing, innholder's license . 2 00 From John G. Campbell, slaughtering license . 1 00
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