USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Town records of Brookline, Massachusetts, 1872-1884, v. 3 > Part 1
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Gc 974.402 B81t v.3 1134095
M.L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00084 2069
TOWN RECORDS
OF
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS,
1872 - 1884.
V. 3
OF
PART
BOSTON
A
KLINE
RIVER
BR
FOUNDED
MUDDY
1630
INCORPORATED
1705
Sc 974.402 Brit v. 3
PUBLISHED BY VOTE OF THE TOWN, 1888.
PRINTED BY ADDISON C. GETCHELL, 55 OLIVER STREET, BOSTON.
1134095
This volume has been prepared and is published pursuant to the following vote passed at the adjourned annual meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Brookline held on Wednesday, the thirteenth day of April, 1888, viz., -
" Voted, That the sum of one thousand three hundred and twenty-five dollars ($1325) be appropriated to pay for copying, indexing, printing, and binding the town records from 1872 to 1884, under the supervision of the Town Clerk and the Select- men, the contract for printing to be made by the Selectmen, as under section 27 of the Town By-Laws, and sections 10 and 11 of said By-Laws."
It has been carefully compared with the original, and every care taken to make it correct.
B. F. BAKER,
Town Clerk.
BROOKLINE, MASS., December, 1888.
BROOKLINE TOWN RECORDS.
SPECIAL MEETING, JANUARY 23, 1872.
SEAL
SEAL
-
SEAL
SEAL
WARRANT.
SEAL
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Brookline,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Brookline, qualified to vote in elections, to meet at the Town Hall in said town, on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of January current, at three of the clock in the afternoon, for the following purposes ; to wit, -
First. To choose a Moderator.
Second. To see what action the town will take upon the petition of W. A. Humphrey and others to the General Court for the annexation of Brookline to Boston, and of George A. Wilson and others for the annex- ation of Brighton and other territory to Boston.
Third. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to sell the lot of land on the corner of Cypress street and Cypress place; also the lot of land on the corner of Brookline avenue and Pearl street, formerly the schoolhouse lot.
Fourth. To see if the town will make an appropriation for the pur- chase of a new hook-and-ladder truck.
Fifth. To see if the town will make an appropriation for finishing and furnishing the engine and hook-and-ladder house.
Sixth. To hear and act upon the report of the committee for purchas- ing land for a cemetery.
Seventh. To hear and act upon the report of the committee for procur- ing land for playgrounds or commons.
Eighth. To hear and act upon the report of the committee for supply- ing the town with pure water.
Ninth. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be neces- sary to defray the expense of any or all the foregoing articles.
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Brookline Town Records.
Hereof fail not, and make duc return of this warrant to the Selectmen, with your doings thereon, four days at least be- fore the day of said meeting.
Given under our hands and seals at Brookline aforesaid this fifteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and seventy-two.
CHARLES D. HEAD, HORACE JAMES,
WILLIAM ASPINWALL, JAMES W. EDGERLY, C. K. KIRBY, Selectmen of the Town of Brookline.
NORFOLK, SS. BROOKLINE, January 18, 1872.
In pursuance of the within warrant, I have notified and warned the legal voters of the town of Brookline to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within named, by leaving a printed copy of the same at their last and usual place of residence, four days at least before the day of said meeting.
J. P. SANBORN, Constable.
In pursuance of the foregoing warrant, the inhabitants of the town of Brookline met at the Town Hall in said town, on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, and were called to order at five minutes past three of the clock in the afternoon by the Town Clerk, who read the warrant calling said meeting, and the return thereon of the constable who notified it.
First Article taken up :
To choose a Moderator.
Voted, To choose a Moderator by nomination.
The meeting then nominated and chose for Moderator, William I. Bowditch, and he took the chair.
Second Article taken up :
To see what action the town will take upon the petition of W. A. Hum- phrey and others to the General Court for the annexation of Brookline to Boston, and of George A. Wilson and others for the annexation of Brigh- ton and other territory to Boston.
3
Special Meeting, January 23, 1872.
Hon. William Aspinwall offered the following vote; to wit, -
Voted, That the Selectmen of Brookline be instructed to appear before the Legislature and oppose the annexation of any part of Brookline to Boston, to protect the interests of the town, and to employ counsel.
Voted, That when the vote is taken on the foregoing vote, it be by the voting list, by a yea and nay vote.
After some discussion on the foregoing vote, and the offer- ing of several substitutes, which were all lost or withdrawn, the question was taken by calling the list of the names of voters, the Moderator stating to the meeting, before the call- ing of the names, that all in favor of the foregoing vote would answer " yes ; " those opposed, "no."
Mr. Charles D. Head, chairman of the Board of Select- men, then called the names on the list of voters, resulting as follows ; to wit, -
Yeas, two hundred and forty-three.
Nays, eighty-two.
The Moderator then declared the vote carried in the affirm- ative.
Third Article taken up :
To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to sell the lot of land on the corner of Cypress street and Cypress place ; also the lot of land on the corner of Brookline avenue and Pearl street, formerly the school- house lot.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to sell the lot bought for a library lot at the cost to the town, on condition that the purchasers satisfy the original contributors to the lot.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to sell the lot of land corner of Brookline avenue and Pearl street, formerly the schoolhouse lot, at a price of not less than fifty cents per square foot, to be at public auction or private sale, as in their discretion may be best.
Fourth Article taken up :
To see if the town will make an appropriation for the purchase of a new hook-and-ladder truck.
Voted, That the sum of one thousand two hundred dollars be appropriated to purchase a new hook-and-ladder truck.
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Brookline Town Records.
Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator to procure a hook-and-ladder truck for the town.
The Moderator appointed the following gentlemen to con- stitute said committee ; viz., -
Committee on procuring a new Hook and Ladder Truck : Alfred Kenrick, Jr., James Sinclair, Horace James.
Fifth Article taken up :
To see if the town will make an appropriation for finishing and fur- nishing the new engine, hook-and-ladder house.
Voted, That the sum of seven thousand dollars be appro- priated to finish and furnish the new engine, hook-and-ladder house.
Sixth Article taken up :
To hear and act upon the report of the committee for purchasing land for a cemetery.
Hon. William Aspinwall presented the following report for the committee : -
IN TOWN MEETING, BROOKLINE, January 23, 1872.
The committee appointed at the town meeting holden on the second day of May, 1871, to consider the subject of procuring land for a ceme- tery, respectfully submit the following
REPORT.
They caused a notice to be posted in several public places, and to be advertised in the " Brookline Transcript," requesting persons who had lands suitable for a cemetery to send in proposals to the committee. In answer to this notice, the committee received proposals from only two persons, - Messrs. Willard A. Humphrey and Abijah W. Goddard.
Mr. Humphrey offered ninety (90) acres of land on Grove street at six hundred dollars per acre, provided the whole quantity were taken, but at a higher cost if less than the whole were bought. This land lies partly in Brookline and partly in West Roxbury. About sixty acres lie in Brookline.
Mr. Goddard offered the whole or a part of his farm on Goddard avenue, containing, it is supposed, about sixty-five acres, but he made no price.
The committee are not prepared to advise the town to purchase either of these tracts for a cemetery without further effort to find a more cen- tral site for the purpose.
They therefore report progress, and ask leave to continue their search for a proper place for a Brookline cemetery.
WILLIAM ASPINWALL, SAMUEL CLARK, EDWARD I. THOMAS, Committee.
5
Special Meeting, January 23, 1872.
Voted, To accept the foregoing report.
Voted, That the committee have leave to continue their search for a proper place.
Seventh Article taken up :
To hear and act upon the report of the committee for procuring land for playgrounds or commons.
Mr. Edward I. Thomas, for the committee, reported verb- ally that, as no other desirable lots were offered, there did not seem to be any further need of their services, and requested that the committee might be discharged.
Voted, To grant the request of the committee, and that they be discharged.
Voted, That the subject of the right of the town to pur- chase playgrounds or commons be referred to the Select- men, and if, after consulting counsel, they find that the town has no right to so purchase, they are authorized to apply to the Legislature for an act to confirm the act of the town in purchasing such lands.
Eighth Article taken up :
To hear and act upon the report of the committee for supplying the town with pure water.
Mr. Edward S. Philbrick, for the committee, made the fol- lowing report :-
BROOKLINE, January 23, 1872.
The committee appointed May 2, 1871, to consider the subject of sup- plying the town with pure water would now
REPORT.
Three general plans were at first considered by the committee; viz., - 1st. A supply of water by negotiation with the city of Boston.
2d. A supply by erecting works in connection with West Roxbury.
3d. A supply by the construction of independent works on the part of Brookline.
1st. On conferring with the Water Board of Boston, no encourage- ment was met with as to obtaining water through negotiation with them. In fact, they appear to have no water to spare at present, and have little disposition to assist us in obtaining it. This plan was therefore aban- doned.
2d. The citizens of West Roxbury had already examined the subject with some thoroughness, through their own committee, whose report was printed and circulated in our town as well as their own. Their engineer, Mr. Edward Sawyer, recommended Charles river as the most feasible
6
Brookline Town Records.
and adequate source within their reach ; but that was found to be claimed by the city of Boston, through a previous charter granted to the city of Roxbury ; so that nothing could be done in that direction without further negotiation and legislation, involving considerable delay and uncertainty.
3d. Your committee therefore turned their attention to such sources as appeared within the reach of their own independent action.
First and foremost among such sources was found a collection of springs on the lands of the Brookline Land Company, a short distance above the Ward schoolhouse.
An investigation was made during the month of July last, as to the quantity of water actually yielded by these springs, and their flow has been carefully gauged at frequent intervals up to this time.
During July and August the flow was found to be from 320,000 to 385,- 000 gallons per day. During the month of September it reached a mini- mum of 280,000 gallons, since which time it has steadily increased to about 400,000 gallons at the present time.
The season was one of remarkable drought, following a whole year of comparative drought, and the flow was nevertheless found to be remark- ably uniform and but little affected by slight rains.
The quality of the water, though not subjected by us to any chemical tests, is quite soft, and, like all pure spring waters, is sparkling and re- freshing to the taste. Its origin seems to be through the gravel beds of the surrounding slopes, gathered from the rainfall of the basin or valley for about one and a half square miles.
The minimum flow of 280,000 gallons per day, unaided by any storage of winter surplus, is an ample supply for the domestic wants of some ten thousand people, while the slope of the ground in the valley is such that storage can be obtained sufficient to afford a constant flow of at least 350,000 gallons per day should it be found advisable at any future time.
The Brookline Land Company offer, through a corporation organized for the purpose (Acts of 1861, Chap. 205, and Acts of 1862, Chap. 211), the franchise of said corporation, and the lands controlling the springs, about nine acres, for a sum of $50,000, if the town will proceed at once to develop the supply of water.
This source within our limits, close to the densest part of our popula- tion, seemed to be peculiarly adapted to our present wants, and an esti- mate was obtained from reliable parties, the Boston Machine Company, to cover the cost of erecting pumping machinery, and of distributing this water over the eastern part of the town, through nine miles of iron pipes in our streets, with a head of two hundred feet above tide, or seventy-five feet above the Cochituate reservoirs.
The size of pipes and style of gates, stop-cocks, hydrants, &c., were to be similar to those used in Boston. A small reservoir was contemplated of sufficient size to avoid pumping during the nights, and a small pond at the springs for the same purpose.
This estimate also contemplated sufficient power to supply four hy- drants at once, with a pressure to throw streams one hundred feet above the streets through Longwood and similar levels.
7
Special Meeting, January 23, 1872.
١
We give below a summary of the estimate, which we have reason to believe is a very ample one for the purposes named :
Estimate of cost.
For two engines, boilers and pumps, with the necessary build- ings and small reservoir
$21,000
For 47,000 feet of iron pipes laid in the streets, from 6 to 12 inches in diameter
82,968
For 75 hydrants at $40 .
3,000
For 40 gates, average at $100
4,000
Total for machinery and pipes
$110,968
Add cost of land and franchise
50,000
Add cost of preparing springs
5,000
Total outlay .
$165,968
A saving of some $10,000 could be made if the extra power for fire service be omitted, instead of which reservoirs could be kept in the streets as at present, to supplement the more moderate flow in the pipes, which could then be limited to the amount of water required for domestic wants, with a limited head at the hydrants.
Moreover, as the whole nine miles of street pipes would not be prob- ably required for two years or more, the expenditure for that item need not all be made at once, nor all the power furnished during the first year. One engine and boiler would be ample for the first, if not for the second year, and until the consumers call for the greater part of the whole sup- ply of water.
Your committee are well aware that a supply of water for but ten thousand people would hardly be adequate for the town of Brookline for a long period ; but in recommending the improvement of this source for the period during which it might serve, we beg leave to call attention to the following facts ; viz., -
Whenever the population demands a greater volume of water than can be obtained here, they will find a system of distributing pipes in the streets ready for use, perfectly available for connection with the Cochitu- ate mains, or any other probable source, so that this item of pipes, by far the largest item in our proposed outlay, is not to be sacrificed at all by a change of supply. The item of land would also remain of a very con- siderable value, probably a good deal more than twelve cents per foot, which we should now pay for it, and the only item suffering any great depreciation would be the pumping apparatus, costing but $21,000 now, while the same pumps and engines would doubtless be needed then and always for raising the water to the higher portions of the town, where the Cochituate head, though available for lower levels, would never serve us unaided.
All things considered, then, your committee are unanimous in recom- mending immediate action to improve this source of supply, believing that the town will be amply repaid for the outlay, partly by the water rates themselves, partly by the more rapid growth and prosperity always found to follow the introduction of pure water into our houses. If such
8
Brookline Town Records.
action be taken, the whole work could be done during the coming year, and we might see the water running next autumn.
The committee recommend that the subject be recommitted, with in- structions to report in print at a future meeting, and in the mean time to mature such further action as it may seem advisable for the town to take under existing statutes.
All of which is respectfully submitted by your obedient servants,
AMOS A. LAWRENCE, CHARLES D. HEAD, EDWARD S. PHILBRICK, WILLIAM ASPINWALL.
Mr. John W. Candler declines to sign, although approving of this re- port, on the grounds that he is interested in the lands hereby recon- mended to be purchased.
Voted, To accept the foregoing report.
Voted, To refer the subject back to the committee, with power to confer with the proprietors of the Jamaica Pond Aqueduct Company, and report in print at a future meeting, with all the facts.
Voted, That the Selectmen be requested to see if some means cannot be found to prevent, by injunction or other- wise, the making of roads across railroads at grade.
Ninth Article taken up :
To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of any or all the foregoing articles.
The meeting then voted to raise and appropriate the fol- lowing sums ; to wit, -
For purchasing new hook-and-ladder truck $1,200
For contingencies, additional 5,000
For finishing and furnishing new engine house . 7,000
Total . $13,200
Voted, That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow the amount appropriated at this meeting, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, countersigned by the Selectmen, in such sums and at such times as may be called for by said Selectmen.
Adjourned.
Attest : B. F. BAKER,
Town Clerk,
9
Annual Meeting, March 25, 1872.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 25, 1872.
SEAL
SEAL SEAL
SEAL
WARRANT.
[SEAL]
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Brookline,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Brookline, qualified to vote in elections, to meet at the Town Hall in said town, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of March current, at one of the clock in the afternoon, for the following purposes ; to wit, -
First. To choose a Moderator.
Second. To choose the usual town officers for the ensuing year.
Third. To hear and act upon the reports of town officers and com- mittees.
Fourth. To see if the town will accept the list of jurors as revised by the Selectmen, and posted according to law.
Fifth. To see if the town will adopt a by-law in relation to cleaning snow and ice from sidewalks and rendering them safe.
Sixth. To see if the town will take any action upon the subject of lay- ing out streets, open spaces, squares, and sewers in conjunction with the adjoining cities and towns.
Seventh. To see if the town will apply to the General Court for au- thority to lay out ways, and establish the grade thereof, without being obliged to construct the same within the time now fixed by law.
Eighth. 'To see what action the town will take upon the subject of creating a sinking fund to pay the town debt.
Ninth. To see if the town will change the name of that portion of - Sewall street from Walnut street to Sewall place, and the new street called Davenport street from the commencement of Sewall place to Chestnut street, to Cypress street.
Tenth. To see if the town will pass a vote or by-law giving the Select- men powers to increase awards for damages in laying out town ways after their acceptance by the town.
Eleventh. To see if the town will purchase a lot of land on which to erect a police station.
Twelfth. To see what action the town will take upon the petition of W. A. Humphrey and others to have Newton street widened as laid out by the County Commissioners.
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Brookline Town Records.
Thirteenth. To see if the town will allow the discount on the abated tax bill of Augustus Lowell for the year 1871.
Fourteenth. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter 158 of the Acts of 1871, entitled, " An Act to provide for the election of Road Commissioners," and to choose said officers if the town should accept said provisions.
Fifteenth. To see if the town will pass a vote in relation to purchas- ing land for widening streets.
Sixteenth. To see what action the town will take in relation to a Superintendent of Public Schools.
Seventeenth. To see what action the town will take upon the majority and minority reports of the School Committee in reference to an ungraded school.
Eighteenth. 'To see if the town will accept the by-laws concerning truant children and absentees from school, recommended by the School Committee.
Nineteenth. To see if the town will petition the General Court for an Act to supply the town with water.
Twentieth. To see if the town will petition the General Court for authority to divert Muddy river.
Twenty-first. To see if the town will approve and confirm the deeds taken of the lands bought for commons or playgrounds, and the action of the Selectmen thereon.
Twenty-second. To see if the town will buy horses, carts, land, and buildings for highway purposes.
Twenty-third. To see if the town will appropriate money to water the streets and buy watering apparatus.
Twenty-fourth. To see if the town will adopt a vote or by-law in re- lation to planting trees in the streets.
Twenty-fifth. To see if the town will buy land for gravel and stone to repair the streets.
Twenty-sixth. To see if the town will appropriate money to grade the grounds about the schoolhouses.
Twenty-seventh. To see if the town will authorize a survey of the town, and the estates therein.
Twenty-eighth. To see if the town will adopt the votes in relation to drains and sewers recommended by the Selectmen.
Twenty-ninth. To see if the town will take any action in relation to the railroad track in the streets.
Thirtieth. To see what action the town will take in regard to widening Washington street.
Thirty-first. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be required to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year, or for any of the foregoing articles.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Selectmen, four days at least before the day of said meeting.
11
Annual Meeting, March 25, 1872.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, at Brookline aforesaid, this eleventh day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy- two.
CHARLES D. HEAD, HORACE JAMES, WILLIAM ASPINWALL, JAMES W. EDGERLY, CHARLES K. KIRBY, Selectmen of the Town of Brookline.
NORFOLK, SS. BROOKLINE, March 20, 1872.
In pursuance of the within warrant, I have notified and warned the inhabitants of the town of Brookline, qualified to vote in elections, to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within named, by leaving a printed copy of the same at their last and usual place of residence, four days at least before the day of said meeting.
J. P. SANBORN, Constable.
In pursuance of the foregoing warrant, the inhabitants of the town of Brookline met at the Town Hall in said town, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, and were called to order at one of the clock in the afternoon by the Town Clerk, who read the warrant calling said meeting, and the return thereon by the constable who served it on the inhabitants.
First Article taken up :
To choose a Moderator.
The Town Clerk then declared the polls open for the re- ception of votes for Moderator, and after keeping them open for twenty minutes, and all who desired to vote having had the opportunity so to do, they were declared closed.
The whole number of votes given was three hundred and thirty.
For Moderator, Charles H. Drew had one hundred and seventy-six, was declared elected, and took the chair.
The Moderator then called the meeting to order, and prayer was offered by Rev. William Lamson, D.D.
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Brookline Town Records.
Second Article taken up :
To choose the usual town officers for the ensuing year.
Voted, To proceed to choose, by ballot, the following town officers for the ensuing year ; to wit, -
A Town Clerk, five Selectmen, who shall be Overseers of the Poor and Surveyors of Highways, three Assessors, Treasurer and Collector, three School Committee for three years, one School Committee for one year, four Trustees of the Public Library for three years, two Fence Viewers and twelve Constables, all to be voted for on one ticket.
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