USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Harwich > Town annual reports of the selectmen and overseers of the poor of the town of Harwich 1896 > Part 1
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X
Annual Report
-OF THE-
TOWN OFFICERS
-- OF THE --
Town
Harwich
FOR THE YEAR
1.
918966
HARWICHI, MASS : ALTON P. GOSS, STEAM PRINTER, 1897.
1
PROPERTY OF CAPE COD GENEALOCICAL SOCIETY ON PERMANENT LOAN TO BROOKS LIBRARY, HARWICH, MASS.
Harwich Incorporated September 14, 1694. Population by State Census, 1895, . ....... 2532.
Town Officers for the year 1896.
Town Clerk and Treasurer. J. H. PAINE.
Selectmen, Assessors, Overseers of Poor and Board of Health. ASA L. JONES, DAVID L. SMALL,
D. M. NICKERSON, JR.
School Committee.
S. A. HAYWARD,
Term Expires 1897
GEO. N. MUNSELL,
.
66
66 1899
Road Commissioners.
O. C. BAKER,
Term Expires 1897
EBENEZER WEEKES, 2ND,
.
66
16 1899
.
Herring Committee.
HENRY C. BERRY,
FREEMAN RYDER,
JOHN E. RYDER.
Auditors.
JOSEPH N. ATKINS,
WM. F. SEARS.
Constables.
MARK F. NICKERSON, MICHAEL B CHASE,
ROLAND F. SMITH.
Registrars of Voters.
J. H PAINE, TOWN CLERK, Ex officio.
DARIUS F. WEEKES,
Term Expires 1897
DAVIS LOTHROP,
·
.
66
66 1899
.
.
66
66 1898
LEVI SNOW,
Collectors of Taxes.
PATRICK KELLEY -West Section (Resigned) CHAS. D. HALL-West Section, appointed Aug. 5, vice Patrick Kelley. ALLEN S. MEGATHILIN-East Section.
1898
W. J. NICKERSON,
66
1898
EZRA ELDRIDGE,
To the Citizens of the Town of Harwich:
We herewith submit to you the Annual Report of the business transacted in the several departments of the town for the year ending Dec. 31, 1896.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1896.
For Support of Poor in Almshouse,
$1200.00
" out of Almshouse,
1600.00
" Insane in Hospitals,
850.00
.. Board of Health.
200.00
" Repairs of Buildings,
300.00
" Miscellaneous Expenses,
800.00
" Town Officers,
1000.00
" Lockup,
150.00
" Suppression of Crime,
100.00
" State Aid,
1300.00
" Tax Abatements,
300.00
" Roads,
2000.00
2500.
" Bridges,
300.00
" Clearing Snow,
100.00
" Schools,
5000.00
" Books and Supplies,
400.00
r
" Superintendent's Salary,
200.00
" Repairs and Incidentals,
200.00
r
300.
/
$16000.00
on note
4
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
SUPPLIES FOR THE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid Albert Hall as Keeper,
$250.00
66 Albert Hall for Supplies,
85.01
" S. K. Sears,
7.72
" Paddock Small,
1.35
" W. B. Kelley,
41.31
" E. Mayo,
7.20
" V. D. Nickerson,
48.88
" Watson B. Baker,
26.17
". J. F. Tobey,
67.35
" C. E. Brett,
7.00
" Leonard Clark,
31.24
" Ezra Eldridge,
33.07
" J. Raymond & Co.,
14.69
" Kendrick & Bearse, '
22.04
" Alpheus Howes,
19.62
" Hiram L. Crowell,
28.56
" A. E. Weekes,
47.53
" S. J. Miles,
39.26
" N. B. Walker,
4.50
" Wm. F. Sears,
21.30
" E. L. Stokes,
24.10
" T. R. Eldridge,
55.50
" Frank A. Small,
3.25
" Chas. H. Kelley,
21.14
" Moses Handren,
10.00
" Samuel Moody,
36.58
" Cornelius Eldridge,
5.00
" Keziah Paine,
5.00
" Levi Rogers,
7.50
" Warren E. Nickerson,
5.85
" Hiram E. Nickerson,
23.95
" S. K. Crowell,
27.09
" S. L. Moore,
28.48
" C. E. Hamer & Co.,
7.76
" F. W. Baker,
8.20
" Young Bros.,
19.44
5
Paid Jonathan Hall,
$ 4.00
" F. D. Underwood,
5.70
" A. H. Bassett,
17.55
" C. S. Hunt,
16.79
" Seth W. Eldridge,
3.00
" Alexander B. Sears, cow,
35.00
" Nathan E. Nickerson,
6.00
" H. W. Bassett,
22.87
" Cyrus Baker,
3.00
" Mrs. Josie Hall,
8.00
" James F. Small,
2.45
" Josiah S. Chase,
17.40
" Richard W. McGrand, pig,
5.00
$1239.40
Appropriation,
1200.00
Exceeded Appropriation, $39.40
(See Treasurer's Report for Income of Poor Farm.)
SUPPLIES TO POOR OUTSIDE OF ALMSHOUSE.
. HITTIE C. HUNT :-
Overseers of Poor, supplies, cash, $48.00
GEORGE H. O'BRIEN :-
A. H. Bassett, supplies, ( Refunded. . See Treas. Report) 4.85
EDWIN L. CHASE :-
Overseers of Poor, supplies, cash, 52.00
ALDENIA ELDRIDGE :-
E. Y. Hammond,
supplies, $ 2.80
S. J. Smith, 1.25
Overseers of Poor, .15 4.20
6
LYDIA ROBBINS :-
C. S. Hunt,
supplies, $ 6.18
Ann F. Bassett,
3.25-$ 9.43
CHARLES H. TAYLOR'S FAMILY, NORTH HARWICH : -
Josiah S. Chase,
supplies, 75.40
A. H. Bassett,
5.00
S. J. Smith,
66
4.93
J. Raymond & Co.,
66
10.13
Nathan Kelley,
1.50
Benjamin Bassett,
66
5.00
Benjamin H. Bassett,
66
3.50
C. S. Hunt,
5.00
Edwin B. Rogers,
6.40
S. K. Sears,
5.00
James F. Small,
5.85-
-127.71
ALEX. CHASE :-
J. S. Chase,
supplies,
46.28
Gilbert Robbins,
6.91
53.19
JOSEPH ELDRIDGE :--
A. H. Bassett,
supplies, 16.00
A. L. Jones, coffin box and robe,
17.50-
33.50
MATTHEW ALLEN :-
S. B. Kelley,
supplies,
14.45
S. J. Miles,
8.25
Dr. Louis Edmonds,
services, 2.00
24.70
ORICK ELLIS :-
W. B. Kelley,
supplies,
(Refunded. Sce Treas. Report. )
7.50
ARTHUR KELLEY :- City Hospital, Boston, supplies, (Diphtheria) 14.00
7
JOANNA ALLEN :-
Watson B. Kelley,
supplies
$34.89
S. B. Kelley,
32.25
J. K. Robbins,
2.25
Miss J. S. Paine,
66
2.50
S. K. Sears,
4.36-$ 76.25
AHIRA CHASE :-
W. B. Kelley,
supplies,
3.25
Kendrick & Bearse,
6.50 - 9.75
ELIZA E. ELLIS :-
W. B. Kelley,
5.46
J. Raymond & Co.,
9.88
H. C. Robbins,
44.11
H. S. Kelley, M. D.,
24.65
E. Mayo,
1.50
85.60
JOB D. CHASE :-
J. Raymond & Co.,
supplies, 6.50
E. Chase,
66
7.00
13.50
OSCAR D. LOVEJOY :- City of Chelsea, supplies for 1895,
5.00
BENJ. C. ROGERS :- City of Fall River, supplies, 1895,
2.00
ABBIE ROBINSON :- Overseers of Poor, supplies, cash,
35.00
IDELLA J. HIGGINS :- Overseers of Poor, supplies, cash, 20.00
JACOB NICKERSON :- Overseers of Poor, supplies, (Refunded. See Treas. Report. ) 12.00
8
ABNER ELDRIDGE :- Levi Long, supplies, coffin, etc., $ 17.50
JULIUS NICKERSON :--- Levi Long, supplies, coffin, etc., 20.50
WILLIAM H. BURNHAM :- Overseers of Poor, Rochester, supplies, 17.00
LEONARD BURNHAM :-
Overseers of Poor, Rochester,
supplies,
6.00
HEMAN NICKERSON :-
Miss Kate Berry, supplies,
$ 3.00
Abbie A. Chase, nursing, 25.00- - 28.00
ERASTUS SNOW :-
51.17
Leonard Clark, supplies,
TABITHA FERRIS :-
J. Raymond & Co.,
supplies, 10.13
Elisha Snow,
66
1.50
Davis Lothrop,
5.20
H. F. Berry,
1.50 -- 18.33
DAVID B. THOMAS :-
Overseers of Poor, Provincetown, Medical Aid, 40.65
HULDA SHUTE :-
J. Raymond & Co., supplies, · 3.38 Elisha Snow, supplies, to be refunded, 1.50 -- 4.88
$842.21
Appropriation,
$1600.00
Expended, 842.21
Unexpended,
$757.79
9
STATE PAUPERS.
PORTUGUESE :- (State )
J. H. Patterson, M. D., Medical Aid, balance of 1894, $ 22.50
JERRY O'BRIEN :-
Davis Lothrop,
supplies, $59.81
R. L. Baker,
66
1.50
Elisha Snow,
10.50
J. Raymond & Co.,
66
27.00
B. F. Eldridge,
66
2.50
J. H. Eldridge,
60
3.00
104.31
(To be refunded.)
$126.81
SUPPORT OF INSANE.
Nellie M. Stone,
Worcester Asylum, 66 6€
$169.92
Thankful W. Chase,
169.94
Frederick Baker,
Taunton
169.92
Pliny P. Doane,
6
66
169.92
Augustus S. Pratt,
60
66
169.92
Nathan H. Nickerson,
66
85.42
$935.04
Appropriation,
850.00
Exceeded Appropriation,
$ 85.04
POOR OF OTHER TOWNS AND CITIES.
GOWELL CHASE. (New Bedford) Overseers of Poor, supplies, cash, $96.00
PHEBE NICKERSON, (Brewster)
Naney J. Burgess, supplies and board, 52.00
10
MOSES H. YOUNG, (Dennis)
J. Raymond & Co., supplies, $ 6.75
H. W. Bassett,
66
28.94
W. B. Kelley,
3.75
Samuel Moody,
66
3.70-$ 43.14
EDWARD JENKINS, (Falmouth)
W. B. Kelley,
supplies, 34.26
S. B. Kelley,
30.00
S. J. Miles,
10.00
Louis Edmonds, Medical Aid,
10.00-
84.26
LYDIA CHIPMAN, (Boston)
J. S. Chase, supplies, 26.00 Dr. Louis Edmonds, Medical Aid, 3.00- 29.00
JOSIE P. HOLWAY, (Yarmouth)
Overseers of Poor, supplies, cash, 22.00
W. B. Kelley, supplies, 10.50
Louis Edmonds, M. D., Med. Aid, 38.00
70.50
(To be refunded. ) . $374.90
No Appropriation.
ASA L. JONES, DAVID L. SMALL, D. M. NICKERSON, JR., Overseers of the Poor.
STATE AID.
PAID UNDER CHAPTER 301, ACTS OF 1894 : To Beneficiaries, $1357.00 Appropriation, 1300.00
Exceeded Appropriation, $ 57.00 To be refunded by State, $1357.00
11
ELECTION EXPENSES. (1896)
Charles T. Chase,
Election Officer,
$2.50
James E. Chase,
66 66
2.50
James M. Moody,
66
5.00
Jonathan Burgess,
66
2.50
Alpheus E. Tuttle,
66 66
2.50
William A. Eldridge, 66
66
2.50
James B. Eldridge,
2.50
Benj. C. Kelley,
2.50
J. K. Robbins,
66
5.00
Martin L. Chase,
2.50
Osmyn Berry,
2.50
Harry M. Young,
2.50
Roland F. Smith,
66
2.50
Myron W. Rogers,
66
66
2.50
Edgar F. Bassett, preparing and removing booths,
6.25
H. H. Murphy, repairs on railing,
$50.85
No Appropriation.
REPAIRS ON BUILDINGS.
Chas. A. Eldridge, school outbuilding, E. Harwich, $14.88
Appropriation,
$300.00
Amount Expended, 14.88
Unexpended,
$285.12
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
A. P. Goss, Town Reports of 1895, $117.87
A. P. Goss, printing, advertising, tax and account books and stationery,
78.29
Salt Water Pond, 1895,
1.87
Salt Water Pond, 1896, material for abutment,
44.00
Chester Snow, rent of Exchange, Feb. 3 and
4.60
4, Annual Meeting, 70.00
12
Chester Snow, rent of Exchange, Graduation and Election, $70.00
Chester Snow, rent of Exchange, Republican Caucus, 35.00
S. B. Moody, rent of Chapel, Special Town Meeting, March 30, 4.00
W. B. Kelley, rent of Social Hall, Dem. Caucus, 5.00
Seth Paine, carting and setting up stove at town office, 1.50
Seth Paine, use of derrick at No. Harwich, 1895, 49.00
Seth Paine, furnishing one-half boundary stone between Harwich and Chatham, 3.00
J. F. Tobey, supplies for town office, 1.00
Freeman W. Cahoon, repairs in town office,
3.80
W. F. Sears, lumber for town office,
6.47
C. E. Hamer & Co., lumber for railing and shelves and labor, 9.31
C. E. Hamer & Co., lumber for sheathing vault, 2.16
Alpheus Howes, stove repairs at town office, 5.75
Geo. N. Munsell, salary for doctoring town poor, 12 months, 125.00
D. L. Small, stationery,
.20
James M. Nickerson and wife, damage from snow on highway,
5.00
B. F. Bee, printing,
6.25
A. F. Sherman, Abstracts of Deeds,
15.00
Chas. Theo. Russell, legal advice to Selectmen,
10.00
William H. Bassett, Police services,
10.00
William H. Bassett, executing Dog Warrant,
5.00
Seth B. Wixon, Police services,
2.00
Joshua D. Allen, 66
2.00
Richard Gage,
2.00
F. D. Underwood, 66 66
2.00
E. L. Ellis,
66
2.00
H. H. Murphy, 66
2.00
John H. Drum, postage stamps,
2.00
F. S. Blanchard & Co., Mass. Year Book,
1.50
Robert T. Swan, (Com. of Records) rebinding Sipson record, 13.00
Patrick Kelley, error in settlement of taxes of '94,
6.44
13
Levi Long, services with the hearse, 1896, $ 21.25
A. L. Jones, services with the hearse, 1896, 47.50
Joshua Pierce, Dennis, services with the hearse, '96, 1.50
Travelling expenses on account of paupers and Board of Health, including horse hire, 133.75
$923.41
Appropriation,
800.00
. Exceeded appropriation,
$123.41
BURIAL EXPENSES OF SOLDIERS. PAID UNDER CHAPTER 279, ACTS OF 1896.
A. L. Jones, funeral supplies to estate of Joseph Crabe, (to be refunded ) No appropriation.
$35.00
LOCKUP.
Berlin Iron Bridge Co., one cell, (net)
$119.95
N. Y ., N. H., & H. R. R., freight,
5.05
E. L. Ellis, cartage,
2.00
Henry H. Phillips, setting up cell, etc.,
6.25
Freeman Cahoon,
2.50
C. E. Hamer, lumber,
.81
W. B. Kelley, 66
2.52
Alpheus Howes, hardware,
.59
S. K. Crowell, paint,
2.35
$142.02
Appropriation,
$150.00
Expended,
142.02
Unexpended,
$ 7.98
14
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Mrs. C. C. Baker, nursing Emily Chase, (diphtheria) $ 7.00
Geo. D. Smalley, supplies for disinfecting J. Baker's house, 1.00
Mary L. Ellis, cleaning J. Baker's house,
10.00
Louis Edmonds, M. D., disinfecting J. Bak- er's house, 4.50
Louis Edmonds, M. D., disinfecting J. F. Clark's house, 3.25
Spencer P. Ellis, disinfecting G. H. O'Brien's house, 6.35
Spencer P. Ellis, disinfecting W. H. Ellis' house,
8.60
George N. Munsell, disinfectants for W. H. Ellis' house, 3.00
Geo. N. Munsell, disinfectants for Geo. H. O'Brien's house,
5.00
Young Bros., supplies to Geo. H. O'Brien, 1.49
$50.19
Appropriation,
$200.00
Expended, 50.19
Unexpended,
$149.81
TAX ABATEMENTS.
Osmyn Berry, overtaxed, $ 1.45
Nehemiah W. Chase, overtaxed,
1.45
Jon. C. Hall, no property,
2.61
Estate of Seabury Eldridge, inability,
6 96
Anna J. Norris, overtaxed,
6.47
Evelyn Burgess, overtaxed,
2.46
Thomas R. Grew, disability,
2.03
Henry Baker, error,
.58
Bartlett Cobb, disability,
3.02
Coy Brook Cranberry Co., error,
14.50
Robert S. Katenhorn, no property,
1.16
15
Ross G. Chase, overtaxed,
$ .78
Sanford Freeman, no property,
.87
Edwin W. Freeman, overtaxed,
2.90
Herbert F. Robbins, no property,
2.15
Heirs George B. Taylor, exempt, Edwin K. Bearse, no property,
2.73
Augustus C. White, overtaxed,
2.32
M. S. Ayer, property taxed in Boston,
23.20
Jos. W. Crowell, no property,
1.16
Frank P. Hall, overtaxed,
1.50
Aaron E. Baker, overtaxed,
.73
Walter I. Paine, property twice taxed,
.87
Gilbert Robbins, inability,
3.32
John N. Kelley, overtaxed, (personalty)
2.90
Jos. W. Chase, inability,
1.49
Benj. W. Kendrick, property taxed twice,
1.45
Rufus Gray. no property,
1.01
James W. Cahoon, no property,
.73
Ephraim Doane, inability,
2.00
Levi Long, overtaxed,
2.18
Estate Warren E. Nickerson, one poll,
2.00
Rufus H. Small, no property,
.73
Cyrus C. Cahoon, overtaxed, (property not owned)
10.58
$109.53
Appropriation,
$300.00
Expended,
109.53
Unexpended,
$190.47
SUPPRESSION OF CRIME.
Paid D. M. Nickerson, for services,
$10.00
66 for telegrams, etc.,
1.00
Appropriation,
$100.00
Expended, 11.00
$11.00
Unexpended,
$ 89.00
.29
16
FIRE WARDS.
James H. Eldridge,
$ 6.00
Alonzo Kendrick,
2.85
E. A. Cahoon,
12.03
Benj. F. Hall,
17.75
William P. Nichols,
33.80
$72.43
No appropriation.
TOWN OFFICERS' SALARIES.
Watson B. Kelley, Selectman, Assessor,
Overseer of Poor, Board of Health, 1 month, $ 27.50
Ambrose N. Doane, Selectman, Assessor,
Overseer of Poor, Board of Health, 1 month, 22.50 Asa L. Jones, Selectman, Assessors, Overseer of Poor, Board of Health, 12 months, 253.15
David L. Small, Selectman, Assessor, Over- seer of Poor, Board of Health, 11 months,
227.91/1
D. M. Nickerson, Jr., Selectman, Assessor, Overseer of Poor, Board of Health, 11 mos.,
201.00
George N. Munsell, School Committee, 1 year, -
66.65
S. A. Hayward,
60 66
31.50
Michael B. Chase, - Constable services, 7.50
4.00
Patrick Kelley, in full for premiums collecting taxes, 1893, West Section, 135.12
Patrick Kelley, for premiums for collecting taxes, West Section, 1894, 183.90
Patrick Kelley, final settlement, premiums, West Section, 1895, 33.54
Ezra Eldridge, in full for premiums, collect- ing taxes, 1894, East Section, 96.94
John A. Baker, Inspector of Cattle from Mar.
4, 1895, to March 2, 1896, 50.50
(Refunded by State $18.75.) (1895) Selections Sally last year 88850 73206 #7644
32.06
Warren J. Nickerson, 66
46.25
Mark F. Nickerson, 66
17
Davis Lothrop,
Registrar of Voters,
$ 16.25
D. F. Weekes,
66
66
16.25
Levi Snow,
66 66
66
7.50
Joshua H. Paine,
66
66
16.25
Ephriam Doane,
66
66
8.75
$1452.96
Appropriation,
1000.00
Exceeded appropriation,
$ 452.96
SCHOOLS, BOOKS AND SUPPLIES, SUPERIN- TENDENT, REPAIRS AND INCIDENTALS.
Paid on approved orders of School Committee, $6823.59
(Including $15.00 School Committee sal- ary, S. A. Hayward, which should have been reported under head of Town Of- ficers' Salaries. Appropriations, 5800.00
Exceeded appropriations, $1023.59
ROADS.
Paid P. A. Atkins, order of R. Eldridge, la- bor on Brewster road, 1895, $ 25.31
" R. Eldridge, 1895, 21.94
" G. H. Snow for clay, account O. C. Baker, R. C., 25.90
W. B. Kelley, drain pipe, O. C. Baker, R. C., 5.40
" O. C. Baker, 735.66
" Ebenezer Weekes, 2nd, 884.34
" Ezra Eldridge, 840.96
$2539.51
Appropriation,
2000.00
Exceeded appropriation,
$ 539.51
.
18 BRIDGES.
Paid O. C. Baker,
$303.46
Ebenezer Weekes, 2nd,
8.60
Ezra Eldridge,
1.60
$313.66
Appropriation,
300.00
Exceeded appropriation,
$ 13.66
SNOW.
Paid. R. Eldridge,
$ 2.52
O. C. Baker,
107.00
66 Ebenezer Weekes, 2nd,
87.41
Ezra Eldridge,
76.38
$273.31
Appropriation,
100.00
Exceeded appropriation,
$ 173.31
19
RECAPITULATION.
Expended. Appropriation
Almshouse,
$1239.40
$1200.00
Poor Outside of Almshouse,
842.21
1600.00
Support of State Paupers,
126.81
None
66
" Insane,
935.04
850.00
" Poor for other Towns and cities,
374.90
None
Election Expenses,
50.85
None
Repairs on Buildings.
14.88
300.00
Miscellaneous,
923.41
800.00
State Burial of Veteran Soldiers,
35.00
None.
Lockup,
142.02
150.00
Board of Health,
50.19
200.00
Tax Abatements,
109.53
300.00
Suppression of Crime,
11.00
100.00
Fires and Fire Wards,
72.43
None.
Town Officers' Salaries,
1452.96
1000.00
Schools, Supt., Books and Supplies, Repairs, etc.,
6823.59
5800.00
Roads,
2539.51
2000.00
Bridges,
313.66
300.00
Snow,
273.31
100.00
$16330.70
State Aid, to be refunded by State, 1897,
1357.00
1300.00
$17687.70
$16000.00
Appropriation,
16000.00
Exceeded appropriation, $ 1687.70
20
STATE HIGHWAY.
Owing to the fact that there are in circulation many conflicting, ideas relative to the construction of a State Highway in this town, and as some of the ideas are based upon information coming from unreliable sources, we deem it advisable to submit the following statement :
During 1895 the State Highway Commission had verbally promised the Selectmen of Harwich that if an appropriation of one million dollars was made for State Highways in 1896 the claims of the Town of Harwich for at least one mile of State Road, including the bridge at West Harwich known as Job's bridge, would be considered.
In March, 1896, after notification to all towns, a hearing was held in the old Hall of Representatives at the State House by the Joint Committee on Roads and Bridges, at which nearly every town in the Commonwealth was represented.
The Selectmen of Harwich attended the hearing, and advocated, together with the selectmen of many other towns, an appropriation of one million dollars.
Later the Legislature appropriated six hundred thousand ($600,000) dollars. In June a conference was held by the Selectmen of the Town of Harwich and a member of the Highway Commission, a stenographic report of which is on file in the town office.
At a meeting of the Board on the day following this con- ference, representatives of towns having no state road finished or under construction, were informed that no road would be allotted to them during 1896. In the case of Harwich, however, decision was reserved until July 11, when the following communication was received.
OFFICE OF HIGHWAY COMMISSION, JULY 11, 1896. MR A. L. JONES, CHAIRMAN OF SELECTMEN, HARWICH, MASS :
DEAR SIR : In reply to your letter of July 8, I am directed by the Board to say that nothing can be done this year in Harwich, owing to the small amount of appropriation at the disposal of the Commission.
A copy of the conference held in this office on June 10th, to which you refer, will be sent you in a few days.
Yours truly, A. B. FLETCHER,
CLERK OF THE COMMISSION.
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The Highway Commission had been severely criticised for its action in 1894-5 in allotting separate miles of State Road so far apart.
The past year this policy was entirely changed and but one mile has been built in the state which did not connect with some State Road already built or under construction, so that if a mile had been allotted to Harwich in 1896, it would have been one of two only throughout the state.
In 1895, after it was decided that the petition for a State Road in Harwich would not be granted, the selectmen made a strenuous effort for the state to rebuild the bridge at Her- ring River, which would be included in the first mile of road, provided such road was built.
The Highway Commission officially neither refused nor granted this petition, but did send their engineer to inspect the bridge, report its condition, and roughly estimate the probable cost of a new one.
The fact that this inspection was made and that the selectmen were trying for the bridge to be rebuilt by the State, accounts for the belief which generally obtained throughout the town, more especially in the West Section, that the commissioners intended to rebuild this bridge be- fore an allotment was made for a State Road in Harwich.
It has since been learned that this scheme was of doubtful practicability, a member of the Highway Commission hav- ing informed the selectmen the present year that they were doubtful as to the legality of using the appropriation for State Roads to build a bridge without any road; and also the fact of that bridge being included in the first mile of road petitioned for was possibly detrimental to the grant- ing of the petition from Harwich, or to quote literally, "We are not looking for ANY mile of road with a bridge in it."
At the present writing the prospect for Harwich to be allotted a piece of State Road in 1897 looks brighter, the commissioners having been informed that an article, asking for action by the town concerning the bridge, is to be in- serted in the Warrant calling the Annual Town Meeting for 1897, have suggested that the selectmen confer with them in reference to road and bridge.
In almost every case where towns have contracted for
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State Roads they have lost money by so contracting. The State now gives the option to towns either to contract or not. In case of failure to contract, the building of the road to be let to private parties. In the latter case the expense to the town is only that incurred for the pre- liminary survey and the land damages.
This would seem to be the safest way for towns to act.
GRADE CROSSING AT HARWICH.
The County Commissioners' records of Barnstable show that in 1890 the Selectmen of Harwich petitioned that body relative to a change of the grade crossing at Harwich depot. They also show that after a proper notice to all parties interested a hearing was held, that the commission- ers decided a change to be necessary, and that they pre- scribed the manner and limits according to which such change should be made.
The next step should have been for the selectmen or some one of the parties to petition the Superior Court for the appointment of a Special Commission, who would have determined which party was to execute the County Com- missioners' decision, and what part each should bear of the expense of constructing the overhead bridge and keeping it and its approaches in repair. It does not appear this step was taken.
Taking into consideration that about six years are elapsed since the order of the County Commissioners issued, and that said order required the work to be completed with- in one year from its date, it is extremely doubtful about there being any force in what has already been done.
The attitude of the R. R. Corporation is this : They have never been ordered to execute the change determined by the County Commissioners, and naturally enough they do not propose to take the initiatory in a matter that means a big expense to them. However, their agent has tacitly promised that the R. R. Co. will not appear in Court to offer any remonstrance if any other party files a petition to enforce the abolition of such grade crossing.
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A comparatively recent Act of the Legislature offers a more direct method of adjusting such cases and approxi- mately fixes the expense therefor. Without calling upon the County Commissioners the Superior Court may be petition- ed with reference to the same matter. If it deems it necessary, the Court after a hearing, appoints a Special Commission whose duty is about identical with those ap- pointed under the old law. The finding of said Commission is made final and binding by a decree of the Court.
The R. R. Co. pays sixty-five per cent. of the total cost of making the change, and the Special Commission appor- tions the remainder between the Commonwealth and the town with the restriction that the town shall not bear more than ten per cent. of such cost.
When completed, the framework of the overhead bridge and its abutments are maintained and kept in repair by the R. R. Co. and the surface of the bridge and its approaches are maintained and kept in repair by the town.
The foregoing is submitted that our citizens may be led to thoroughly investigate the subject and be ready to act intelligently thereon, whenever it comes up at Town Meet- ing for discussion.
LIST OF JURORS
Of the Town of Harwich for 1897, prepared by the Selectmen Jan. 9, 1897.
Joseph N. Atkins, Cranberry Grower
Charles C. Allen, Blacksmith
John A. Baker, Poultry Dealer
T. B. Baker, Jr., Book-keeper
Rufus P. Butler, Cranberry Grower
Henry T. Crosby, Marble Worker Richard Baker, Carpenter Sherman F. Bassett, Carpenter
Sheldon K. Crowell, Merchant
Valentine Doane, Cranberry Grower Samuel A. Ellis, Merchant,
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Emulous Hall, Cranberry Grower Thomas D. Kenney, Cranberry Grower Shadrack Kelley, Carpenter
Sidney B. Moody, Merchant
George B. Mecarta, Cranberry Grower
Charles E. Hamer, Lumber Dealer
Nehemiah E. Nickerson, Cranberry Grower
Seth Paine, Mason Walter I. Paine, Mason
Harvey C. Phillips, Painter
Joseph K. Robbins, Cranberry Grower
Henry B. Snow, Salesman,
Ebenezer Weekes, 2nd, Road Commissioner
Alonzo Kendrick, Coal Dealer
Freeman Ryder, Cranberry Grower Rufus H. Small, Cooper
Elisha H. Bearse, Retired Seaman
Harry H. Murphy, Wheelwright and Blacksmith
Richard McGrand, Farmer
Charles R. Clark, Salesman
Harry M. Young, Merchant William A. Eldridge, Painter
Elijah L. Stokes, Meat Merchant
Edgar D. Kelley, Sailmaker
Richard L. Baker, Cranberry Grower
Joseph W. Crowell, Cranberry Grower
ASA L. JONES, DAVID L. SMALL, DARIUS M. NICKERSON, JR.,
Selectmen of Harwich.
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VALUATION OF THE TOWN OF HARWICH FOR THE YEAR 1896, ETC.
Valuation of Real Estate, 1895, 66 66 66
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