USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1908 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH 1908
9
1
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 the Overseers of the Poor, The Repor of the Engineers of the Fire Department, The Report 01 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, 1894.
WEYMOUTH, MASS: WEYMOUTH AND BRAINTREE PUBLISHING CO. 1895.
-
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 DE- PARTMENTS, THE REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, THE REPORT OF THE ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DE- PARTMENT, THE REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY, THE
Report of the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools,
The Statistics furnished by the Town Clerk,
THE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY, AND THE REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1888.
BOSTON: ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, No. 24 FRANKLIN STREET. 1889.
1
1
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH
CONTAINING THE
TREASURER'S SCHEDULE OF THE RECEIPTS
REPORT OF THE TOWN ACCOUNTANT
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, Assessor's Report.
THE REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
THE STATISTICS OF 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 December 31, 1908.
GAZETTE AND TRANSCRIPT PUB. CO., WEYMOUTH.
1909.
W.C
Ref. 352 1908 B
Lower Stack
MAY 8 1939 g. E. w. Hunt
main
INDEX.
Town Officers
5
Report of Town Treasurer
9
Report of the Auditors
15
Report of the Selectmen
19
Jury List .
27 33
Report of the Town Accountant
Schools
33
Street Department
50 77
Public Parks
77 78
Surveying and Plotting Town
Suppression of Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths . Fire Department
78 79 80
Remodelling Hose House, Ward Four
88 89 91
Miscellaneous Account
92 95
Town Offices
96
State and Town Election Expenses
97 99
State Aid
104
Burial of Indigent Soldiers
104
Soldiers' Relief
105
Abatement and Remittance of Taxes
107
Printing and Advertising
108
Memorial Day
108
Hydrants and Drinking Fountains Tufts Library
108 109
Fogg Library Reading Room
Street Records Indexing
109 109 109 110
Interest and Discount
Notes Payable
110
Tax Deed Account
111
Taxes Levied by State and County
111
Town Officers
111
Bridges ,
Preservation of Shade Trees
Police Department
Health Department
Removing Town House
Military Aid
Assessors' Card System
Town Accountant's Report-Continued.
Poor Department
117
Statement of Appropriations
130
Statement of Appropriations and Expenditures Trial Balance
132
Report of Overseers of the Poor
134
Report of Town Clerk
139
Report of Assessors
203
Report of Tax Collector for Years 1904, 1905, 1906 205
Report of Tax Collector, pro tem , for Years 1907 and 1908
205
Report of Superintendent of Streets
206
Report of Survey of the Town
212
Report of Chief of Police
215
Report of Chief of Fire Engineers
222 224
Report of Lighting Committee
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
227
Report of Inspector of Animals
227
Report of Inspector of Licensed Slaughter Houses
228
Report of Committee for Remodelling Hose House at Nash's Corner
· 228
Report of Tufts Fund
229
Report of Park Commissioners
231
Report of Trustees of Tufts Library
233
Report of Water Commissioners
251
.
.
Report of School Committee
·
131
TOWN OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908-1909.
Town Clerk. JOHN A. RAYMOND. P. O. address, East Weymouth
Town Treasurer.
JOHN H. STETSON. P. O. address, South Weymouth Selectmen. GORDON WILLIS, Chairman. BRADFORD HAWES, Clerk. P. O. address, East Weymouth GEORGE L. NEWTON,, WILLARD J. DUNBAR, EDWARD W. HUNT.
Overseers of the Poor. GORDON WILLIS, Chairman. BRADFORD HAWES, Clerk. P. O. address, East Weymouth GEORGE L. NEWTON, WILLARD J. DUNBAR, EDWARD W. HUNT.
Assessors.
GILMAN B. LOUD, Chairman, .
Term expires 1911
WALDO TURNER,
·
1909
JOHN F. DWYER,
.
1910
H. WALKER PRATT,
.
66 1910
GEORGE C. TORREY, .
1911
Collector of Taxes. WINSLOW M. TIRRELL. P. O. address, East Weymouth
Aubitors. CHARLES A. LOUD, JOHN P. HUNT, WILLIAM H. PRATT.
Engineers of the Fire Department.
J. RUPERT WALSH, Chief. P. O. address, Weymouth WALTER W. PRATT, Clerk. P. O. address, East Weymouth MATTHEW O'DOWD, JOHN Q. HUNT, DeFOREST A. JONES.
School Committee.
THOMAS V. NASH,
Term expires 1909
JOHN F. REARDON,
.
66
66 1910
LOUIS A. COOK, .
66 1910
EUGENE M. CARTER,
66
66
1911
FRANK H. TORREY,
Park Commissioners.
WILLIAM H. CLAPP, .
Term expires 1909
GEORGE L. NEWTON,
66
66 1910
LOUIS A. COOK, .
66 1911
Tree Warden. P. O. address, South Weymouth
Trustees of Tufts Library.
JOHN B. HOLLAND,
. Term expires 1909
LOUIS A. COOK, .
66
66 1909
WILLIAM F. HATHAWAY,
66 1909
EDMUND G. BATES, .
66
66 1910
CLARENCE P. WHITTLE,
1910
JAMES H. FLINT,
66
66
1910
FRANCIS M. DROWN,
1911
HERBERT A. NEWTON,
1911
PRESTON PRATT,
66 1911
Superintendent of Streets and Water. IVERS M. LOW, P. O. address, East Weymouth
Registrars of Voters.
BENJAMIN F. SMITH, Term expires 1909
MARSHALL P. SPRAGUE, .
.
66 1910
PATRICK E. CORRIDAN, .
1911
.
·
.
.
66
1911
·
·
.
.
.
JOHN A. RAYMOND, Town Clerk (ex-officio )
.
.
GORDON WILLIS.
66 1909
H. FRANKLIN PERRY,
Water Commissioners.
FRANK H. TORREY, . . Term expires 1909
DOUGLAS M. EASTON,
.
1910
GEORGE E. BICKNELL,
66 1911
GORDON WILLIS, Chairman of Selectmen ( ex-officio)
JOHN H. STETSON, Towu Treasurer ( ex-officio )
Sealer of Weights and Measures. FRANK D. SHERMAN, P. O. address, Weymouth
Burial Agent for Indigent Soldiers. WALDO TURNER, P. O. address, East Weymouth
Constables.
ISAAC H. WALKER, JOHN D. WALSH,
B. FRANK RICHARDS,
GEORGE B. BAILEV,
NATHANIEL B. PEARE, MICHAEL ALLEN,
THOMAS FITZGERALD, GEORGE W. CONANT,
ARTHUR H. PRATT, WILLIAM F. FRENCH.
Commissioners of Ward 2 Schoolhouse Sinking Fund.
FRANK H. TORREY
. Term expires 1909
GORDON WILLIS .
1910
HENRY A. NASH .
·
.
.
.
66 66 1911
TOWN TREASURER'S REPORT.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908. RECEIPTS.
Notes discounted in anticipation of taxes :
March 16, due October 15, 1908, at 4.31% $80,000 00
April 21, due March 17, 1909, at 3.96% . 20,000 00
May 25, due March 17, 1909, at 3.80% .
20,000 00
September 18, due March 17, 1909, at 3.58%
20,000 00
December 4, time note due Nov. 1, 1911, inter- est at 4%
2,000 00
Received from :
W. J. Dunbar, Collector of Taxes, 1904 117 07
W. J. Dunbar, Collector of Taxes, 1905 819 73
W. J. Dunbar, Collector of Taxes, 1906
18,456 86
F. H. Richards, Collector of Taxes, 1907
15,140 13
W. M. Tirrell, Collector of Taxes, 1907
11,690 18
W. M. Tirrell, Collector of Taxes, 1908
124,202 32
State Treasurer :
Corporation tax, 1907
690 31
Corporation tax, 1908
3,462 26
National Bank tax .
1,130 75
Street Railway tax .
2,373 65
State Highway Loan Fund, 1907
417 09
State Highway Loan Fund, 1908
1,295 40
Gypsy and brown tail moth account .
1,802 21
State Aid
8,816 00
Military Aid
432 53
Burial soldiers
351 00
State poor
376 13
Tuition of children .
104 00
County Treasurer, dog license fees
1,444 64
Amount carried forward $335,122 26
10
Amount brought forward $335,122 26
East Norfolk District Court, fees and fines
124 63
S. H. Capen, Sheriff, fines at Dedham 40 00
Town of Braintree, use of lock-up
14 50
Town of Braintree, poor account
149 51
City of Boston, poor account
362 27
Town of Hingham, poor account
192 72
City of Medford, poor account .
59 98
Town of Norwell, poor account
6 00
Town of Norwood, poor account
27 00
City of Quincy, Board of Health
28 50
Town of Randolph, poor account Town of Rockland, poor account
37 40
City of Taunton, poor account .
: 7 89
Town of Uxbridge, poor account
29 00
Town of Wellfleet, soldier's relief
156 00
First National Bank, interest
128 32
Almshouse account :
F. H. Chandler, milk
2,545 20
Overseers of the Poor, wood and delivery of coal
1,487 75
Merchandise
22 78
Wood and posts
.
329 70
Board, soldiers' relief account .
173 58
J. F. Sheppard & Sons, 15 cords wood
60 00
F. P. Fay, cows
265 00
Albert Davison, board
20 00
George Evans, board
17 14
J. W. McDonald Estate, board account
41 50
Individuals, aid refunded
2 98
Individuals, soldiers' relief refunded .
28 00
Individuals, State aid refunded
18 00
Individuals, rent of Town House
1,253 25
A. B. Raymond, crushed stone
27 58
Mt. Hope Cemetery Association, use of roller
24 00
State Highway account, rebate on freight .
84
F. D. Sherman, Sealer Weights and Measures, fees
103 60
Amount carried forward $343,033 02
.
126 14
11
Amount brought forward $343,033 02
Matthew O'Dowd, rent Engine Hall, Ward 5
1 00
Matthew O'Dowd, key to engine house
25
W. W. Pratt, rent Hose House 2
12 00
W. W. Pratt, rent Hose House 4 .
12 00.
Police Department, use of telephones 10 40
Taxes not assessed . 6 00 ·
James P. McDonough, tax release
17 15
Martha B. Allen, tax release
5 28
J. J. Lyons, tax release .
6 30
Timothy Sullivan, tax release .
6 14
Josiah F. Martin, slaughtering license
1 00
D. Barnes, slaughtering license
1 00
J. M. White, slaughtering license
1 00
P. A. Healey, pool license
2 00
Police Department, refunded for police service .
20 00
Total receipts
$343,134 54
Cash on hand January 1, 1908 1,672 32
$344,806 86
DISBURSEMENTS.
Checks drawn on Selectmen's treasury warrants for :
Note due June 1, 1908
$1,000 00
Note due October 19, 1908 .
7,500 00
Notes given in anticipation of taxes .
.
140.000 00
Sundry appropriations
. 205,382 62
Total amount of checks drawn ·
$353,882 62
Amount due First National Bank $382 20
Amount of checks outstanding 8,693 56
9,075 76
$344,806 86
LIABILITIES.
Notes due as follows :
Town debt, 32%, due May 8, 1909 . $5,000 00
Town debt, 32%, due May 8, 1910 . 5,000 00
Shaw Schoolhouse, 32%, due June 15, 1910 7,500 00
Amount carried forward
$17,500 00
12
Amount brought forward
$17,500 00
Athens Schoolhouse, 32%, ten notes, $2,500
each, due May 1, 1911-1920 .
25,000 00
Pratt Schoolhouse, 4%, thirteen notes, $1,000 each, due November 1, 1911-1923
13,000 00
Town House, 4%, due December 15, 1915
5,000 00
Town House, 4%, due December 15, 1916
6,000 00
Fore River Bridge, 4%, nine notes, $1,000 each, due June 1, 1909-1917 .
9,000 00
Lake Street Schoolhouse, 4% , forty notes, $1,000 each, due $5,000 November 1, 1919-1926
40,000 00
Wharf Street, 4%, due November 1, 1911
·
2,000 00
Anticipation of taxes, due March 17, 1909
60,000 00
Trust funds
8,500 00
Amount due appropriations
30,570 13
Amount due cities and towns
1,510 80
Overdraft
9,075 76
$227,156 69
ASSETS.
Due from :
W. J. Dunbar, collector of taxes, 1904
$105 97
W. J. Dunbar, collector of taxes, 1905
305 86
W. J. Dunbar, collector of taxes, 1906
1,677 44
W. M. Tirrell, collector of taxes, 1907
22,883 31
W. M. Tirrell, collector of taxes, 1908 County Treasurer, dog license fees
1,378 89
State Treasurer, state aid
8.873 00
State Treasurer, military aid
559 00
State Treasurer, soldiers' burial
370 00
State Treasurer, poor account .
238 59
F. H. Chandler, milk bill .
206 22
Collectors' deeds
1,963 83
Boston, poor account
373 15
Braintree, poor account
72 53
Cohasset, poor account
110 42
Fall River, poor account .
10 95
Medford, poor account
45 80
.
.
Amount carried forward
$93,863 32
.
.
54,688 36
13
Amount brought forward $93,863 32
Gloucester, poor account
57 46
Hingham, poor account
.
.
.
282 69
Lowell, poor account
331 49
Norwood, poor account
55 00
Quincy, poor account
84 32
Marlboro, poor account
24 02
Randolph, poor account
11 95
Webster, poor account
15 64
Boston, soldiers' relief
10 08
Randolph, soldiers' relief
120 00
Wellfleet, soldiers' relief
162 00
Trust funds
8,500 00
Lake St. Schoolhouse sinking fund
2,000 00
$105,517 97
Town debt January 1, 1908
. $129,273 94
Town debt December 31, 1908
121,638 72
Decrease for the year .
.
$7,635 22
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. STETSON,
Treasurer.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Town of Weymouth, and have found them correct.
CHARLES A. LOUD, JOHN P. HUNT, WILLIAM H. PRATT,
Auditors.
TRUST FUNDS.
ELIAS S. BEALS PARK FUND.
South Weymouth Savings Bank acct., Jan. 1, 1908 $1,000 00
66 66 66 " Interest 40 40
$1,040 40
Paid to Park Commissioners
.
40 40
Total Fund December 31, 1908
$1,000 00
.
·
.
14
AUGUSTUS J. RICHARDS FUND.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF TUFTS LIBRARY.
Total fund January 1, 1908 ,
$5,014 58
Received interest on Town of Weymouth notes 200 00
$5,214 58
Paid Trustees of Tufts Library
214 58
Total Fund Dec. 31, 1908, Town of Wey- mouth notes
$5,000 00
SUSAN HUNT STETSON FUND.
Perpetual loan to the Town of Weymouth ·
$2,500 00
Annual interest paid Trustees of Tufts Library $100
LAKE ST. SCHOOLHOUSE SINKING FUND.
Received from the Town of Weymouth .
$2,000 00
Invested in Town of Weymouth note, 4%, due Nov. 1911
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. STETSON,
Weymouth, Dec. 31, 1908. Treasurer.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Elias S. Beals Park Fund, the Augustus J. Richards Fund and the Lake Street Schoolhouse Sinking Fund and have found them correct.
CHARLES A. LOUD, JOHN P. HUNT, WILLIAM H. PRATT,
Auditors.
AUDITORS' REPORT.
The Auditors for the year 1908 report that in compliance with the Public Statutes relating to the duties of Town Auditors, they have examined the books and accounts of the Treasurer of the Town, Treasurer of the Water Loan and Sinking Fund, Commis- sioners Beals Park Fund, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and Treasurer of Tufts Library, and find proper vouchers filed for all payments made.
We have also examined under the provisions of (an Act to provide for the auditing of Trust Funds and Accounts) the se- curities and accounts of the Trustees of Fogg Library, James L. Bates Reference Room and Howe Fund at Fogg Library, Pratt School Fund, Tufts Cemetery Fund, Tufts Lecture Fund and Tufts Sidewalk Fund, Augustus J. Richards Fuud, and find the investments satisfactory.
We find that the registers kept by the Town Accountant and the cash book of the Town Treasurer agree as to the amount of of orders paid during the year and the balance of orders unpaid January 1, 1909.
Owing to the illness of Tax Collector Frank H. Richards, we received notice from the Selectmen, August 10, to examine his books and turn them over to Winslow M. Tirrell, Tax Collector, pro. tem.
Balance of orders unpaid January 1, 1908 · $ 11,571 10
Amount of orders drawn during year 1908 353,882 62
$365,453 72
Amount of orders paid by Treasurer for 1908
$356,760 16
Balance of orders unpaid January 1, 1909 8,693 56
$365,453 72
TAX COLLECTOR.
We have examined the books of the Tax Collectors beginning with the year 1904 and submit the following report. Tax levy of 1904 as per assessors' commitment . $157,065 77
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1909 2,476 62
$159,542 39
16
Total collections and abatements to Jan. 1, 1909
159,436 42
$105 97 Balance due Jan. 1, 1909
$105 97
NOTE .- Tax Collector's books show total levy of $157,066.71 for year 1904.
Tax levy of 1905 as per assessors' commitment .
$165,407 32
Interest collected to Jan. 1. 1909 2,707 78
$168,115 10
Total collections and abatements to Jan. 1, 1909
167,809 24
$305 86 Balance due Jan. 1, 1909
$305 86
NOTE .- Tax collector's books show total levy of $165,410.37 for year 1905.
Tax levy of 1906 as per assessors'. commitment
$160,823 86
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1909 2,424 69
$163,248 55 Total collections and abatements to Jan. 1, 1909
161,571 11
$1,677 44 Balance due Jan. 1, 1909
$1,677 44
NOTE-Tax collector's books show total levy of $160,815.70 for year 1906.
Tax levy of 1907 as per assessors' commitment .
$181,157 37
Interest collected to Aug. 10, 1908 by Frank H. Richards 499 66
$181,657 03
Total collections and abatements to Aug. 10, 1908 .
147,669 15
Balance due Aug. 10, 1908
$33,987 88
Commitment to Winslow M. Tirrell . Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1909 585 61
$34,573 49
Total collections and abatements to Jan. 1, 1909
$11,690 18
$22,883 31 · NOTE-Tax collector's books show total levy of $181,148.35 for year 1907.
$22,883 31
Balance due Jan. 1, 1909 .
$33,987 88
1
17
Tax levy of 1908 as per assessors' commitment
$178,818 83 .
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1909 71 85
$178,890 68
Total collections and abatements to Jan 1, 1909
124,202.32
Balance due Jan. 1, 1909
54,688.36 ·
NOTE-Tax collector 's books show total levy of $178,819.97 for year 1908.
$79,660.94 Total amount due Jan. 1, 1909. Account taxes.
TOWN DEBT.
Total debt Jan. 1, 1908 . 184,000 00
Borrowed during the year in anticipa- tion of taxes . 140,000 00
Notes issued during the year 2,000 00 .
326,000 00
The payments were the amounts bor- rowed in anticipation of taxes 140,000 00
Town debt 8,500 00 -
148,500 00
Total debt Jan 1, 1909, .
$177,500 00
Less Sinking Fund Lake Street School
building
2,000 00
Net debt, not including water bonds
$175,500 00
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES JANUARY 1, 1909.
ASSETS.
Real Estate -- schoolhouses, public library and other public buildings and grounds $315,200 00 ·
Water Works .
513,994 19
Personal Property-fire apparatus, and equipment of all town departments, etc. .
44,084 19
Trust Funds
8,500 00
Sinking Funds-Water Works .
·
268,017 88
Sinking Funds-Lake St. school building .
2.000 00
Uncollected Dues-Taxes
79,660 94
Uncollected Dues-Water rents, etc. 2,861 69
Sundry assets
23,064 70
,
.
.
$1,257,383 59
$54,688.36
18
LIABILITIES.
Water Bonds
.
·
· $485,000 00
Notes payable
.
.
·
177,500 00
Sundry Liabilities
32,080 93
Trust Funds-Beals Park Fund
$1,000
Susan Hunt Stetson Fund
2,500
Augustus J. Richards Fund
5,000
8,500 00
Overdraft
6,199 24
Net Assets
548,103 42
$1,257,383 59
TABLE OF VALUATION, RATE OF TAXATION, EXPENDITURES AND DEBT OF THE TOWN OF WEYMOUTH FROM JANUARY, 1890 TO 1908, INCLUSIVE.
YEAR.
Total Assessed Valuation May 1.
Rate of Tax per 1000
Expenditures as per Appropriation Table, ending Jan 1.
Net Debt, not including Water Loan
1890
$6,441,845 00
$16 40
1891
$130,696 86
$ 66,092 00
1891
6,534,740 00
17 60
1892
124,484 94
66,092 00
1892
6,497,371 00
17 40
1893
142,564 16
85,092 00
1893
6,707,550 00
17 20
1894
120,746 84
79,592 00
1894
6,488,432 00
. 18 50
1895
128,588 33
76,500 00
1895
6,448,981 00
17 50
1896
144,791 52
82,500 00
1896
6,532,022 00
17 70
1897
150,461 20
82,000 00
1897
6,661,969 00
) 30
1898
176,310 41
137,000 09
1898
6,620,719 00
18 70
1899
176,119 85
127,491 33
1899
6,565,322 00
20 20
1900
161,433 62
147,365 00
1900
6,694,088 00
20 50
1901
184,205 69
144,075 82
1901
6,802,773 00
19 30
1902
162,252 07
153,618 02
1902
6,797,955 00
20 50
1903
181,769 01
140,433 30
1903
6,897,202 00
22 10
1904
171,075 00
149,150 53
1904
7,065,363 00
20 60
1905
171,484 62
132,166 22
1905
6,958,469 00
22 30
1906
185,325 71
125,415 54
1906
6,952,247 00
21 40
1907
181,920 78
119,628 56
1907
7,269,084 00
22 90
1908
285,497 66
184,000 00
1908
7,660,140 00
21 50
1909
189,114 72
175,500 00
CHARLES A. LOUD, JOHN P HUNT, WILLIAM H. PRATT, Auditors.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth :
Your Selectmen hereby submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1908, together with the annexed schedule of re- ceipts and expenditures under the several appropriations as . prepared by the Accountant.
JOINT MEETING.
Following the custom of recent years a joint meeting of this board and the water board was held early in March for consider- ation of the things which mutuallly concern the two boards.
This meeting was organized by the choice of D. M. Easton as chairman and Bradford Hawes secretary. It was voted that Charles B. Cushing be appointed Accountant for the year ending April 1, 1909, at a salary of $1,000, of which $800 should be paid by the Selectmen and $200 by the water board.
It was also voted that Ivers M. Lowe be appointed Superin- tendent of Streets and Water at a salary of $1,700, of which $950 should be paid by the Selectmen and $750 by the water board.
For the purpose of compliance with law Mr. Lowe was after- ward appointed by us as Superintendent of Streets.
HIGHWAY REPAIRS.
Good work was done on the roads through the season and at the time when winter usually sets in we considered them in ex- ceptionally good condition, but at this writing the indications are that by reason of repeated freezing and thawing they will stand in need of an unusual amount of work in the spring to repair the damage of the winter.
20
The appropriations, including the street railway taxes, and af- ter deducting the amounts voted by the town for working new streets, and for specific repairs, were $12,500
We impressed upon the Superintendent that the appropriation was not to be exceeded except for urgent necessity.
The unusual weather experienced during the months of Novem- ber and December created a condition which, in the opinion of the Superintendent, demanded considerable outlay after the time when the repair work has commonly closed and when the appro- priation was exhausted, and we have to report a deficit of $1,694.42.
SNOW.
The snow and ice conditions have thus far been unusually fav- orable, and the balance of $2,308.90 to the credit of the account should, under any ordinary conditions, be sufficient.
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
The objects for which special appropriations were made have been carried out within the amounts made by the town, except the drain at Commercial square. The estimate made for this work by the Superintendent was very close to the actual cost, but the amount appropriated was insufficient. It did not seem fair to the people who have so long been inconvenienced seriously by the conditions which have prevailed at this point to delay the comple- tion of the job for anther year, and we sanctioned its being car- ried to completion at a cost of $284.36 above the appropriation of $500.
This drain system seems to be accomplishing, in a very satis- factory manner, the object for which it was designed.
STATE HIGHWAY.
A contract was entered into with the State Highway Commis- sion for the further working of Main street. It was late in the season when the resident engineer was sent to take charge of the work and only by reason of the season admitting of its being car- ried on much later than is usually the case, was it possible to accomplish much.
21
The amount expended was $4,969.98. There has been paid to the town $1,713.33, and another approval to the amount of $2,000 has been received and the money will be paid at an early date. A further approval of about $300 is expected. It seems probable that the shrinkage upon the contract will be in the neigh- borhood of $1,000.
For a more detailed statement of the work done by the street department we refer to the report of the superintendent.
GUIDE BOARDS.
The guide boards, required by law to be maintained, are in good condition.
STREET RAILWAY PERMIT.
The board received a petition from the Old Colony Street Rail- way Company for a permit to act as common carriers.
A hearing was held on Aug. 24 on this petition, which was well attended and showed a decided sentiment in favor of the petition.
On October twelfth a permit was issued, but some of the con- ditions contained therein were not acceptable to the company. Several conferences have since been held with the officials of the company, with the result that all the differences have been recon- ciled with one exception. Our permit has a twenty year limit, to which the company is opposed, as they are anxious to secure one without a time limit. It has not thus far seemed wise to us to grant a permit which will bind the town for a longer time than twenty years, and the company has thus far declined to accept it with this provision.
GAS.
On November 30 a request was received from the Plymouth County Gas, Light, Heat and Power Company for a permit to lay pipes in the streets of the town for the distribution of gas. A hearing was held December 22 which was quite largely attended and no opposition was developed. Petitions were also made by the company to the towns of Whitman, Rockland and Abington. A conference of the several boards of selectmen was held at which it was the unanimous opinion that it was for the interests of the towns concerned that the company be granted the permits they
22
ask. The legal representatives of the several towns were re- quested to act together in drawing up a proper form of permit. The first draft of this permit has been received, but as it will re- quire some amendments, has not yet been acted upon.
POLICE.
Thomas Fitzgerald was again appointed chief of our police force, and the general management of the department has been under his charge.
It became necessary to put on a night officer in Ward One, as the volume of travel upon the street railway cars landed many passengers there of a class which requires police attention. It seems probable that an officer in this section will be as necessary as in any part of the town, and will need to be considered in making the appropriation for another year.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.