USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > North Reading > Town of North Reading Annual Report of the Town Officers 1881 > Part 1
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FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
NORTH READING,
For the Year Ending February, 1881, AND
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND ALSO OF THE
Trustees of Flint Library,
ASSESSORS' STATEMENTS, RETURNS, ETC.
FLINT LIBRARY NORTH READING
READING : CHRONICLE AND NEWS JOB PRINT. 1881.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
NORTH READING,
1
· For the Year Ending February, 1881, AND
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND ALSO OF THE
Trustees of Flint Library,
ASSESSORS' STATEMENTS, RETURNS, ETC.
READING : CHRONICLE AND NEWS JOB PRINT. 1881.
Selectmen's Report.
SCHOOLS.
Paid for teaching High School, $306 00
Centre,
255 00
East,
255 00
Franklin,
255 00
West,
255 00
North,
255 00
wood,
157 75
care of rooms,
69 15
books,
41 23
furniture and repairs,
103 48
-$1952 61
TOWN OFFICERS.
Paid Charles P. Howard, as Town Clerk, 15 00
Charles P. Howard, for recording valuation
and taxes, and making returns of births, marriages, deaths, and other services, 34 15
Charles P. Howard, printing, postage and express, 5 16
Joseph D. Gowing, for services as Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, 240 50
Joseph D. Gowing, journeys out of town, 45 60
66 perambulating town lines, 4 50
Solon O. Holt, as Selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, 200 00
Solon O. Holt, journeys out of town, 15 00
Dennis Batchelder, as Selectman, Assessor
and Overseer of the Poor, 147 50
Amount carried forward, $707 41
4
Amount brought forward, $707 41 Dennis Batchelder, journeys out of town, 5 00
perambulating town lines, 2 50
J. D. Gowing, as Treasurer and Collector, 100 00
extra services and expenses, 20 40
" printing, postage and stationery, 16 60
George L. Flint, as School Committee, 30 00
J. Prince Campbell, "
16 50
Elizabeth D. Upton, " 66
28 00
Sherman J. Cass, as Constable,
13 95
Sylvester Eaton,
6 00
H. H. Dame, " 1880, 2 40
C. H. Carleton as Sealer of Weights and measures, I 00
-
$949.76
STATE AID.
Paid Julia A. Abbott, $28 00
Emily Bean,
48 00
Charles J. Burditt,
72 00
Sarah J. Coney,
48 00
Mary F. Flint,
32 00
William Frye,
72 00
Tryphena Harris,
48 00
Rebecca J. McIntire,
48 00
Sarah J. Mason,
48 00
Jane Proctor,
48 00
Robert B. Walsh,
72 00
-
$564 00
Due from the State for 1880,
572 00
1881,
42 00
-$614 00
MILITARY AID.
Paid John S. Coney, .
$ 22 00
John Fitzmorris, 105 00
Amount carried forward,
$127 00
5
Amount brought forward,
$127 00
George A. Flint,
60 00
William H. Gerry,
65 00
John Grant,
34 00
Edward P. Hinman,
42 00
Joseph Kenney,
96 00
George S. Walls,
96 00
$520 00
Approved by Auditor for 1880,
$524 00
Approved by Auditor for Jan. 1881,
44 75
$568 75
ROAD WORK.
Paid Eliab Stone, as Surveyor,
$ 80 00
A. A. Upton, 66
80 00
J. D. Gowing, 66
80 00
Geo. L. Flint, 66
79 00
David Batchelder,
78 95
-
$397 95
EXTRA ROAD WORK.
Paid A. A. Upton,
$ 25 34
Dennis Batchelder,
23 12
R. M. Campbell, bridge account,
71 02
J. D. Gowing, culverts and sidewalks,
IO 50
Silas Jeffrey, for gravel,
4 75
$134 73
SNOW BILLS.
Paid W. W. Nichols,
$1 00
Geo. H. Holt,
5 00
Eliab Stone,
5 00
Dennis Batchelder,
10 80
J. D. Gowing,
16 00
N. B. Case,
20 00
A. A. Upton,
28 75
Geo. L. Flint,
3º 49
David Batchelder,
69 65
$186 69
6
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid for Printing annual reports,
$ 38 00
Printing valuation,
85 00
Printing warrants and notices,
7 00
Interest on town notes,
1040 30
C. C. Holt, pump for centre,
25 00
W. Eaton, insurance on school houses, 75 00
New hearse, 400 00
Freight on hearse, 5 75
Covering for hearse,
3 75
Repairs on hearse house,
8 69
State tax,
375 00
County tax,
188 44
Help at fire of Eames & Co.,
7 00
Lodging tramps, 46 50
' Geo. K. Parker, cemetery bills,
35 44
Thomas Rayner
8 80
Charles P. Howard, “ 66
3 00
Wm. H. Pickard, mowing common,
2 50
State, for lease of ponds,
10 00
Return of deaths,
4 25
Repairs on guide-boards,
3 00
C. J. Burditt, ringing bell and care of hall,
59 50
Geo. B. Parker for Flint Library, 52 00
Furniture and repairs on F. M. H. build-
ing, 16 65
Furniture and repairs on Old Town Hall building, 12 25
Repairs on town pumps,
3 50
Overtaxation and abatements,
88 94
Town note and interest,
1027 50
--- 3632 76
Orders drawn for Schools,
1952 61
Town officers,
949 76
State aid,
564 00
Military aid,
520 00
Amount carried forward, $8986 37
7
Amount brought forward, Highways, Overseers' account, Miscellaneous,
$8986 37
719 37
1266 25
3632 76
Whole amount of orders drawn,
$9604 75
JOSEPH D. GOWING, SOLON O. HOLT, of
February 15, 1881.
Selectmen
DENNIS BATCHELDER,
North Reading.
Report of the Overseers of the Poor.
NAMES AND AGES OF INMATES OF THE ALMSHOUSE. Lois McIntire, (died March 17,) 88 years. Nathaniel McIntire, 66 years. Mary E. McIntire, 27 years. Stephen S. McIntire, 2 years.
Emily Buxton, 36 years.
Joseph Sawyer, 71 years. Jane Sawyer, 49 years.
Sarah Banker, 31 years. Willie Norwood, 14 years. Eddie Norwood, 12 years.
Whole number, 10.
Present number, 8.
Average number, 5 1-2.
One hundred and eighty-six tramps have been assisted.
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY ÅT ALMSHOUSE FEBRUARY, 1881.
Six cows,
$200 00
Three swine,
25 00
Thirty-five fowls,
14 00
Hay and grain,
210 00
Manure,
125 00
Lumber,
134 00
Wood and fuel,
110 00
Farming utensils,
357 70
Household furniture,
469 35
Provisions,
207 10
Bills uncollected,
100 22
-$1952 37
9
RECEIPTS AT ALMSHOUSE.
Received for labor off the farm,
$208 37
Wood,
152 IO
Milk,
384 10
Stock,
257 52
Lumber,
53 50
Produce,
187 80
Lodging and board,
30 03
Care of tramps,
46 50
Cash from Selectmen,
469 45
--- $1789 37
EXPENSES AT ALMSHOUSE.
Paid for groceries,
$131 34
Flour and Meal,
382 82
Meat and Fish,
108 69
Butter and Cheese,
68 07
Blacksmith bill,
16 65
Doctor's bill and Medicines,
IO 94
Building repairs,
33 15
Hired labor,
314 07
Stock,
11 00
Farming tools and Seeds,
49 36
House Furniture,
27 04
Clothing, Bedding and Shoes,
57 50
Lumber,
139 95
Crackers,
31 85
Coal Freight and Express,
10 76
Saw bill,
3 37
School Books,
4 86
Funeral Expenses of Lois McIntire,
23 50
Salary of Keeper,
350 00
Miscellaneous,
14 45
-$1789 37
EXPENSES OF POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Paid City of Lynn for Mary E. McIntire,
$
8 55
City of Lynn for Mrs. Eben Stone, S4 00
Amount carried forward, $ 92 55
10
Amount brought forward, $ 92 55
City of Boston for John Grant, 5 25
City of Boston for Nancy Moore, 44 00
Town of Needham for Norwood children, 13 5I
Town of Middleton for Mrs. Stephen Mc- Intire, 78 20
Town of Middleton for Mrs. Bird, 30 00
Town of Natick for W. A. Nichols, 98 00
County of Middlesex for board of Eliab P. Mc- Intire in House of Correction, 9 86
Paid for Supplies for Fred C. McIntire's family, 66 Henry C. Flint, 17 64
85 38
66 66 families of William and Ed-
ward McIntire, 8 96
Supplies for Jane Banker, 3 00
66 Tina Flint,
10 00
Ruth McIntire,
10 00
66 R. B. Walsh for grand children, 84 00
Mrs. John Day, (Lynn acct.,) 129 00
66
" Mrs. Julia A. Abbott, (Lynn
acct.,) 20 00
Supplies for Charles B. Abbott, (Lynn
acct.,) 12 20
Supplies for Wiliam H. Rowell, (Quincy acct.,) 41 50
Paid for removing Norwood children, 3 75
$796 80
Expense of poor out of Almshouse, 796 80
Expense of poor at Almshouse, 469 45
$1,266 25
Received from Selectmen's account,
$1266 25
JOSEPH D. GOWING, Overseers SOLON O. HOLT, of
DENNIS BATCHEDER, the Poor.
February 15, 1880.
Assessors' Returns and Aggregates. -
TAX LIST.
State tax,
$ 375 00
County tax,
188 44
Schools,
1600 00
Highways,
800 00
Ordinary expenses,
3500 00
Town debt,
1000 00
Hearse,
400 00
Cemeteries,
50 00
Main Street,
100 00
Stocking Ponds,
100 00
Overlay,
363 41
---- $8,476 85
Total number of polls,
252
Tax on polls,
$1 75
Rate of tax per thousand,
15 00
Personal Estate assessed,
63,320 00
Real Estate assessed,
472,403 00
Total valuation,
535,723 00
Number of Houses,
204 3-4
Barns,
I37
Other buildings,
227
Acres of land,
7,714
Horses,
169
Oxen,
20
Cows,
328
Swine,
75
JOSEPH D. GOWING,
Assessors of
SOLON O. HOLT,
DENNIS BATCHELDER,
North Reading.
February 15, 1881.
Treasurer's Report.
Balance from last year, 910 74
Taxes collected of 1878, 808 00
Taxes collected of 1879, 821 10
Taxes collected of 1880, 5811 85
From City of Lynn on Overseers's account, 129 00
Town of Quincy 66 41 50
Town of Reading, bridge account, 12 25
State, State Aid Law of '77, Chapter 192, 200 00
State, State Aid Law of '79, Chapter 301, 350 00
State, Military Aid Lawof 1878, Chap. 282, 68 73 State, Military Aid Law of 1879, Chap. 252, 126 75
State, Corporation tax,
10 57
State, Bank tax,
7 90
State, School Fund,
215 23
County dog fund,
119 31
W. H. Willis, Store Rent, Flint Building,
112 50
E. L. Lovejoy, license,
3 00
Webster Eames, “
3 00
Insurance dividends,
22 50
Lockup fees,
50
Use of hearse,
8 00
Rent of Flint Memorial Hall,
54 00
Rent of Old Hall,
3 00
Trustees of Riverside Cemetery, 51 00
Taxes after abatement, 3 85
Taxes not assessed,
5 25
Interest on taxes,
48 20
Town notes, 1800 00
-- $11,734 73
47
13
Paid out on Selectmen's orders, Town notes,
$9,604 75 1,800 00
-- $11,404 75
Balance on hand,
$342 98
Tax list committed to collect for 1880,
8,476 85
Taxes uncollected for 1879, 66 66 1878,
1,621 10
808 00
Total committed to collector,
10,905 95
Taxes uncollected for 1880,
$2,665 00
66 66 1879,
800 00
---- $ 3,465 00
The town owes notes to the amount of $17,000 00
Interest due April 1, 1881, 467 50
CEMETERY FUND.
Received from Harriet N. Flint, as fund for the
improvement of Park street, and Riverside Ceme- teries,
100 00
Paid out to John B. Campbell,
83 23
Balance on hand, 16 77
JOSEPH D. GOWING,
Treasurer and Collector of North Reading.
February 15, 1881.
Report of Trustees of Cemeteries.
Received for the sale of 4 Lots, $51 00
Paid to the Town Treasurer the amount received for said Lots, 51 00
Town Appropriation for improving the Cemeteries, 50 00 Amount paid out for improving the Cemeteries, 47 24
Amount not expended in Town Treasurer's hands, $2 76
C. P. HOWARD, Treasurer for Trustees.
Report of the Trustees of Flint Library.
FELLOW CITIZENS: It is now nearly nine years since this library, as an experiment, was placed in town. The heartiness of its welcome soon led to its being made permanent. From being a novelty and, as some thought, a superfluity, it has come to be regarded as indis- pensable.
Books are now purchased twice a year, in September and February. The library has increased from four hundred volumes to one thousand seven hundred fifty-seven. Thirteen books have been presented to the library the past year, for which the donors have our thanks. We would also acknowledge, with gratitude, gifts for the library room from Miss Stella Hall, and some articles of ornament from Mrs. Flint.
While we would exclude every book of an immoral tendency, it has been the endeavor to meet the wish of the people, rather than from any criterion of our own, to provide those that were most instructive. The success that has crowned this endeavor may be inferred from the uniform large circulation. Transient causes have sometimes made it a little more or a little less, as during the present winter the severity of the weather having lessened it perceptibly.
It is customary as far as we are informed for trustees of public libraries to serve without charge. We have been content with this custom, feeling repaid by the prosperity that has attended the library. It was therefore a matter of surprise that we were each the recipient of a large sized rattan easy chair. In our youth we imbibed an unfavora- ble impression of rattan, and more than once had a strong feeling against its use. We confess that our opinion is modified by this gen- ial application. May it nourish in us a patent inspiration and a grateful remembrance of the generous giver.
GEORGE K PARKER, GEORGE B. PARKER, JOHN B. CAMPBELL, GEORGE L. FLINT, JOSEPH D. GOWING, DENNIS BATCHELDER, J
Trustees.
Flint Library, February IS, 1881.
16
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand, Feb. 14. 1880,
$ 71 76
Interest on Flint Memorial Fund,
165 00
Received from Dog Fund,
52 00
$288 76
PAYMENTS.
Lockwood Brooks & Co.,
73 37
W. B. Clark,
75 07
Librarian,
52 00
Wood,
3 43
Express,
2 30
$206 17
Balance,
82 59
GEORGE B. PARKER, Treasurer of Flint Library.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
Books have been presented by the following persons :
Mr. W. A. Russell,
3
Mrs. Joseph Batchelder,
I
Mrs. John C. Allen,
I
Mrs. John H. Eames,
I
From the Treasury Department,
4
From Board of Health,
2
From Mass. State Library,
I
Whole number,
13
Number of Books given out,
7,199
Number of Books belonging to the Library,
1,757
Number of Books purchased,
144
Fines Collected,
$ 9 00
Miscellaneous Expenses,
II 42
F. A. MUSGRAVE,
Librarian.
-
Statistics from Town Clerk's Record.
FOR THE YEAR 1880.
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.
Number of births,
II
Males,
6
Females,
5
Number of marriages recorded,
8
Number of certificates issued,
S
Number of deaths,
17
Date of Death.
Nameof Deceased.
Age. Y. M. D.
Disease or Cause of Death.
February 20
Mrs. Lucinda Parker, Willie J. Jeffrey,
31
2
Consumption.
March 17
Louis McIntire,
87
Pneumonia.
May 9
Hannah Clark,
67
4
IS
Chronic Nephritic.
May 27
Albert G. Flint,
39
3
12
Consumption.
August 2
Nellie Shaw,
22
Suicide by Drowning.
August 13
Charles E. Tucker,
37
IO
29
Consumption.
August 16
Elizabeth J. Jones,
70
5
27
Cancerous Tumor.
September 2
Julia F. Abbott,
49
2
24
Disease of Heart.
September 24
Carl Atherton Pratt,
2
2
14
Cholera Infantum.
October 17
Nancy Ann Wilkins,
S5
3
9
Pleura Pneumonia.
November S
Maria L. Flint,
79
4
Fall.
December 1
Abijah Flint,
SS
2 21
Inflammation of Bowels.
December 13
Andrew Hayward,
69
3
15
December 21
John C. Allen,
54 10
23
Inoculation of septic animal virus, mortification, repeated hemorrhage and shock suc- ceeding surgical operation. Heart Disease.
December 22
Frank O. Jones,
28 6
12
Pneumonia.
CHARLES P. HOWARD,
Town Clerk.
104|
4
8
Old Age.
February 29
Dropsy.
December 22
David McIntire,
73 10
·
Report of School Committee.
Your committee are pleased to present this the twenty-eighth annual school report since the incorporation of our town.
We regard it as unnecessary to enlarge or particularize to any ex- tent upon what we sincerely believe to have been the most successful school year within the remembrance of the senior member of the pres- ent board, and this, notwithstanding the counteracting influences with which your committee and teachers have been obliged to contend.
There are two principal difficulties which we find in the manage- ment of our school affairs under the present circumstances. The first is an old story : the lack of co-operation on the part of parents in the matter of allowing children to be absent or tardy. Experience teaches that writing and talking do not effect a remedy ; and the subject should be more practically handled. We believe it would be well for the committee to make a point of conferring personally with every parent whose child is thought to be unnecessarily absent.
Our special complaint-the close limit of the school appropriation -is by no means new, but none the less important, from the fact that our school year is at least four weeks shorter than it should be, and six weeks shorter than in one of our adjoining towns. It is, furthermore, impossible to pay the High School teacher the salary of which the position is worthy, or so much as the superior work done by the present teacher is unquestionably worth.
There will probably be no admissions to the High School next term ; except such as are already sufficiently advanced to enter one of the present classes. It is the purpose of the committee to arrange a course of study to take effect as soon as may be, which, having been completed, pupils will be graduated regularly instead of in the here- tofore hap-hazard manner.
GEORGE L. FLINT, School J. PRINCE CAMPBELL,
MRS. JOHN K. UPTON, Committee.
Statistics.
Schools and Terms.
Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Over 15 Years.
Not absent.
Wages per Week.
High,
Spring, Fall,
29
23
II
9 00
Winter,
28
21
II
I
9 00
Spring,
29
26
3
7 50
Centre,
Fall,
27
2.4
7 50
Winter,
29
21
2
7 50
Spring,
33
26
3
7 50
Franklin,
Fall,
39
32
4
7 50
Winter,
34
28
3
7 50
S
Spring,
16
14
7 50
West,
Fall.
17
16
I
3
7 50
Spring,
23
rs
I
7 50
North,
Fall,
28
23
3
7 50
Winter,
27
16
7 50
Spring,
I4
TO
7 50
East,
Fall,
15
IO
I
7º 50
Winter,
IO
6
7 50
1
34
28
12
6
$9 00
4
7 50
Winter,
20
-
TOWN MEETING.
MIDDLESEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of North Read- ing, in the County of Middlesex,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of North Reading, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said town, on Monday, the seventh day of March next, at eight o'clock A. M., then and there to act upon the following articles, viz. :
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year.
ART. 3. To hear reports of Selectmen, Assessors and Over- seers of the Poor, and act thereon.
ART. 4. To hear report of Treasurer and Collector, and act thereon.
ART. 5. To hear report of School Committee, and act thereon.
ART. 6. To hear report of Trustees of Flint Library, and act thereon.
ART. 7. To hear report of Trustees of Cemeteries, and act thereon.
ART. 8. To see how much money the town will raise and ap- propriate for schools and incidentals for the coming year.
ART. 9. To see how much money the town will raise and ap- propriate for ordinary expenses for the coming year.
21
ART. 10. To see how much money the town will raise and appropriate for highways for the ensuing year, and the manner in which it shall be expended.
ART. II. To see how much money the town will raise for the payment of the town debt.
ART. 12. To see how much money the town will raise and ap- propriate for the improvement of their cemeteries, and how it shall be expended.
ART. 13. To see what instructions the town will give their Collector in regard to collecting taxes, and charging interest on the same.
ART. 14. To see if the town will give their Treasurer authority to hire money under the direction of the Selectmen.
ART. 15. To see what action the town will take in regard to the money received from the dog fund.
ART. 16. To see if the town will choose a Board of Trustees to have the charge of Flint Memorial Hall Building, or what they will do in regard to the same.
ART. 17. To see how much money the town will raise and ap- propriate for the improvement of Concord street.
ART. 18. To see if the town will purchase a clock, for the pur- pose of striking the hours on the bell, in the old town hall building.
ART. 19. To take any measures that they may deem necessary and expedient to cause the widening of the Railroad bridge, on Park street, near the residence of John K. Upton.
ART. 20. To see if the town will vote to purchase the lot of land with the house thereon, situated on the east side of Memorial Hall lot, or what they will do in regard to the same.
ART. 21. To see if the town will instruct their Selectmen to let the old town hall to the Methodist Society, or what they will do about it.
ART. 22. To see if the town will remove the Centre and High Schools to the old town hall, or what they will do in regard to the same.
ART. 23. To see if the town will sell the Centre and High School houses, or what they will do about it.
22
ART. 24. To hear report of Selectmen on guideboards, and act thereon.
ART. 25. To hear report of Committees, and act thereon.
ART. 26. To see if the town will accept of the list of jurors as prepared by the Selectmen.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this twenty-fourth day of February, A. D. eighteen hundred and eighty-one.
JOSEPH D. GOWING, Selectmen SOLON O. HOLT, of DENNIS BATCHELDER, North Reading.
A true copy-Attest : SYLVESTER EATON, Constable.
List of Jurors.
-
PREPARED BY THE SELECTMEN, FEB. 21, 1881.
Eliab Stone,
. A. B. Monroe,
Charles S. Pratt,
Geo. R. Hinman,
Joseph E. Holt,
Solon O. Holt,
Appleton P. Eaton,
Lyman Taylor,
Albert V. Holt,
Charles H. Carleton,
John Batcheller,
Geo. L. Flint,
Jos. D. Gowing,
Geo. K. Parker,
John B. Campbell.
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