USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1886 > Part 8
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MAY.
Jos. M. Tappan, salary as agent. 10 42
Geo. H. Stevens, salary as clerk. 50 00
Charles F. Pearson, use of horse and buggy 3 00
$63 42
185
BOARD OF HEALTH.
JUNE.
Jos. M. Tappan, services as agent .... $10 42
JULY.
Francis V. Pike, salary and extra. 43 95
Jos. M. Tappan, servies as agent. 10 42
Chas. L. Davis, medicines 24 80
$79 17
AUGUST.
Joseph M. Tappan, 1 month's labor
10 42
SEPTEMBER.
Joseph M. Tappan, services as agent.
10 42
OCTOBER.
Joseph M. Tappan, 1 mo. labor
10 42
Francis V. Pike, salary and extra 47 55
George Harris, sundries. 3 50
$66 47
NOVEMBER.
Joseph M. Tappan, services as agent. 10 42
DECEMBER.
Joseph M. Tappan, services as agent 10 42
George Harris, burying one dog . .. 1 00
Est. H. P. Sargent, horse and wagon. 1 00
$12 42
186
TREASURER'S REPORT.
RECAPITULATION.
Bills paid in January .
$81 50
February
25 00
March.
10 42
66
April
63 17
May
63 42
June
10 42
66
July 79 17
66
August
10 42
September
10 42
October
61 47
November
10 42
66
December
12 42
Total expenditures for year ending December 18, 1886. . $438 25
187
MISCELLANEOUS.
MISCELLANEOUS.
INCOME ACCOUNT.
CREDITS.
From City of Newburyport, liquor licenses $7,254 75
State of Mass., corporation tax. 7,386 51
foreign shipping 5,429 05
66 non-resident bank tax 356 51
$20,426 82
DEBIT.
Amount deducted by assessors from appropriations for
year 1886 18,000 00
Transferred to incidentals to balance account. 2,426 82
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
1881.
Credit balance Dec. 19, 1885 .
$361 70
Credit city appropriation 1,680 80
Allowed on assessors' orders
2,042 50
1882.
Credit city appropriation
1,819 20
Credit from incidentals 139 55
Allowed on assessors' orders
1,958 75
188
TREASURER'S REPORT.
1884.
Credit from incidentals 1,484 09
Amount allowed on assessors' orders. 1,484 09
1885.
Credit balance Dec. 19, 1885. 1,292 93
Supplementary assessment. 36 00
1,328 93
Allowed on assessors' orders
718 68
Credited to incidental account.
610 25
1886.
Appropriation 1,200 00
Overlay of taxes
462 32
Supplementary assessments
324 60
1,986 92
Allowed on assessors' orders
1,079 73
Credited to incidental account.
907 19
NON-RESIDENT BANK TAX.
Collected from city banks
$5,846 57
Credited on state account 2,586 97
Charged on state account
8,077 03
8,433 54
Balance transferred to income account 356 51
INCOME FROM CITY BUILDINGS.
Received from County of Essex, rent of Market Hall,
one year, to Jan. 1, 1886 $250 00
Received from City Hall 1,162 00
Transferred to public property, to balance account
1,412 00
189
MISCELLANEOUS.
STATE AND COUNTY TAXES.
Appropriated and paid for state tax of 1886
$6,855 00
county 8,919 62
15.774 62
LIQUOR LICENSES.
Received for liquor lincenses granted $9,673 00
Paid state of Mass., 25 per cent of receipts 2.418 25
Balance transferred to income account
7,254 75
RECEIVED ON ACCOUNT OF TAXES.
Tax of 1883 from collector
$16 48
1884
10,293 12
66 1885 24,950 89
1886 105,877 00
$141,137 49
20
190
TREASURER'S REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SINKING FUND COM- MISSIONERS.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, DECEMBER 18, 1886. To the Committee on Finance
GENTLEMEN : I herewith submit a report of the condition of the sinking fund at this date, it being the close of the financial year :
Total fund December 19, 1885 $56.641 27
Returned to the city of Newburyport amount received in notes in year 1885 on account of sale of Newburyport and Amesbury Horse Railroad. 10,000 00
$46,641 27
Interest on investments in 1886 3,327 80
City appropriation for 1886 3,000 00
Received from city of Newburyport on account of sale of Newburyport and Amesbury Horse Railroad. 10,000 00
$62,969 07
Paid to the city of Newburyport to meet bonds maturing dur- ing year. $2,500 00
Paid to the city of Newburyport to meet notes held by sinking fund 27,740 01 30,240 01
$32,729 06
Invested as follows :
$20.000 Newburyport 6s ..... $19,501 26
Powow River Nat. Bank, Ames-
bury, deposit ... 13,227 80
Total fund at this date
$32,729 06
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES V. FELKER, Treasurer.
191
HORTON FUND.
REPORT OF THE HORTON FUND.
TREASURER'S OFFICE, DECEMBER 18, 1886. To the Committee on Finance :
GENTLEMEN :- The sinking fund commissioners as trustees of the Horton fund, herewith respectfully submit a report of the condition of the fund at this date :
Amount of funds December 19, 1885 $24,090 33
Interest on investments in 1886 . 1,110 15
$25,200 48
This fund is invested as follows :
$15,000 City of Gloucester notes, 4 1-2 per cent interest $15,600 00
$3,000 City of Worcester registered bonds, 4 1-2 per cent interest. 3,255 00
Deposit in Institutior. for Savings in New- buryport and vicinity 4,482 47
Deposited in Five Cents Savings Bank, New-
buryport 1,863 01
$25,200 48
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES V. FELKER, Treasurer.
192
TREASURER'S REPORT.
REPAIRS ON TREES.
Appropriation $300 00
CREDITS.
From Bromfield fund, transfer. 220 80
Total amount appropriation and income 520 80
Amount undrawn transferred to incidentals to balance acct. 58 77
Expenditures $462 03
EXPENDITURES.
Authorized by the Board of Aldermen. APRIL.
Thomas Ronan, labor. $12 00
W. W. Hutchings, .. 60
Michael Harrigan,
60
Cornelius Lynch, 66 60
Sundry accounts, transfer from incidentals 225 43
$239 23
MAY.
James Fogg, trimming trees
. . .. $30 25
JUNE.
Thomas Ronan,
labor $2 85
Jere Toomey,
2 85
Daniel Quill,
30
John Buckley,
30
Hutchins & Toppan,
20 00
Nathaniel Morse,
66
145 00
Charles McManus,
10 00
$181 30
193
REPAIRS ON TREES.
JULY.
James Fogg, 5 days trimming trees
. $11 25
RECAPITULATION.
Bills paid in April
$239 23
May. 30 25
..
June 181 30
..
July 11 25
Expenditures for the year ending Dec. 18, 1886. $462 03
TABULAR STATEMENT OF THE CITY, COUNTY AND STATE TAXES.
Rate or taxation per $1000, and the number of polls from 1851 to 1886, inclusive.
Year.
Number of Polls.
Valuation of Real Estate.
Valuation of Personal Estate.
Total Valnation.
*Amount of City Tax.
Amount of State Tax.
Amount of County Tax.
Total Tax.
Taxation per $1000.
1851 ...
2517
2,596,400
2,880,200
5,476,600
33,597 98
5,227 76
38,825 74
6 40
1852 ...
2827
2,764,800
2,796,700
5,561,500
43,504 74
5,227 76
48,732 50
8 00
1853. . .
2997
2,902,100
2,931,500
5,833,600
40,232 74
2,787
5,227 76
48,257 59
L
50
1854. . .
2770
3,302,500
3,483,000
6,785,500
41,434 50
2,787
7,432 00
51,653 50
7 00
1855. ..
2977
3,449,100
3,554,000
7,003,100
48,877 80
4,180₺
7,432 00
60,590 30
8
00
1856 ...
2972
3 453,500
3,762,700
7,216,200
50,931 70
5,574
9,290 00
65,795 70
8
50
1857 .
2705
3,424,200
3,693,600
7,027,800
49.656 70
8,361
9,290 00
67,3 7 80
9
00
1858.
.
2708
3.287,100
3,529,300
6,816,400
48.582 63
3,344
7,560 21
59,486 84
8
00
1859 ...
2529
3,212,700
3,630,000
6,842,700
58,741 88
2,790
8,505 24
70,037 12
9 60
1860. . .
2412
3,200,800
3,544,800
6,745,600
61,654 80
2,327
8.694 24
72,674 04
10 20
1861 . ..
2430
3,150,600
3,447,500
6,608,100
60,521 79
2,346
9,369 85
72,237 74
10 40
1862. ..
2462
3,056,000
3,163,450
6,219,450
62,648 67
14,076
7,808 29
84,532 96
12 80
1863 ..
.
2348
3,048,700
3,395,000
6,443,700
68,337 11
18,768
7,808 29
94,913 40
14 00
1864
2528
3,268,700
3,425,000
6,693,700
72,193 84
18,768
7,805 96
98,767 80
14 00
1865.
3000
3.349,200
4,032,800
7,382,000
90,336 05
36,660
8,188 95
135,195 00
17 50
1866.
3126
3,379,700
3,834,500
7,214,200
129,768 35
23,400
8,188 95
161,357 30
21 50
1867 ...
2893
3,906,600
4,054,100
7,960,700
116,173 30
39,000
9,826 70
165,000 00
20 00
1868. .
3388
3,743,800
3,479,800
7,223,600
110,160 78
15,600
9,417 30
135,195 08
17 80
1869
.
3242
3,858,600
3,569,700
7,427,700
119,502 67
19,500
8,188 95
144,639 22
18 60
1870. . .
2907
4,018,701
3,682,545
7,701,246
127,431 72
19,500
9,826 70
156,758 42
19 60
1871. . .
3218
4,057,500
3,034,257
7,091,757
104,051 74
19,500
9,826 70
133,378 44
17 90
194
TREASURER'S REPORT.
1872 ... 3292
4,243,950
3,068,700
7,312,650 7,572,540 7,884,107
136,038 13
11,960
8,215 90 156,214 03
19 00
1875. ..
3383 4,904,075
3,140,838
7,044,913
139,443 45
11,960
8,215 90
159,619 35
19 00
1876 ...
3356
4,788,450
2,937,167
7,725,617
136,042 87
7,866
6,499 50
150,408 38
18 60
1877.
3223
4,832,700
2,812,284
7,644,984
115,911 24
6,555
6,499 50
128,965 74
16 00
1878. . .
3408
4,799,250
2,778,962
7,578,212
122,383 30
4,370
7,892 30 7,135 54
135,645 60
17 00
1879 ...
3299
4,766,700
2,642,888
7,409,588
111,070 40
2,185
120,390 94
5 50
1880. .
3384
4,815,800
2,650,877
7,466,677
109,557 63
6,555
7,135 54
123,248 17
15 60
1881. . .
3456
4,849,050
2,686,406
7,535,456
123,809 80
6,555
7,135 54
136,499 84
17 20
1882.
3343
5,002,550
2,415,148
7,417,698
128,779 64
8,740
7,135 54
144,655 18
18 60
1883. .
3462
5,074,850
2,443,258
7,518,108
119,580 59
7,080
9,442 86
136,103 45
17 20
1884. ..
3467
5,162,750
2,385,771
7,548,521
125,336 22
9,440
9,442 86
144,219 08
18 20
1885. . .
3427
5,214,050
2,336,755
7,550,805
126,229 63
7,080
9,442- 86
142,752 49
18 00
1886. ..
3380
5,267,350
2,319,988
7,587,338
122,220 32
6,855
8,919 62
137,994 94
17 30
123,154 65
11,960 13,455
8,215 90
143,330 55
18 70
1873. . .
3190
4,515,400
160,859 82
20 40
1874. . .
3208
4,763,700
3,057,140 3,120,407
139,188 92
8,215 90
*The assessors' overlays are included in these amounts.
TABULAR STATEMENT.
195
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
OF THE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.
21
REPORT.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN :- The Overseers of the Poor, to whom is committed a general oversight of the poor in all of its departments, would re- spectfully submit their eighth annual report.
GENERAL STATEMENT.
The total cost of the poor department for the year ending Nov. 30, 1886, has been $19,394.22, and the amount reimbursed by the state and other cities and towns, together with the sale of hay and surplus produce raised upon the city farm, was $3,902.79, thus showing the net cost of the department to have been $15,491.43. which is $491.43 above the appropriation, and a decrease of $1.501.30 in the expenses of the current year, as compared with the preceding year.
DETAILEI) STATEMENT.
There has been expended :
1885. £6,126 47
1886.
For support of poor in the almshouse
$3,410 13
salaries
2,247 38
2,407 38
insane
3,245 86
4,127 41
criminals.
103 28
65 57
poor residing in other cities and towns
1,401 79
1,709 76
out door relief.
7,104 01
7,673 97
$20,228 79
$19,394 22
200
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
A decrease in expenditure of . .
$834 57
An increase in income of
666 73
Net decrease $1,501 30
ALMSHOUSE.
The almshouse continues under the charge of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Lunt, and their management has given good satisfaction to the board, one or more of whom has visited the house every week throughout the year.
The utmost economy has been practised during the year past in the management of the house : every article purchased has been of good quality, and at the lowest price. The produce raised upon the city farm being consumed in the house has naturally contributed to its support.
The board would earnestly request that our citizens would more frequently visit the almshouse and see for themselves how they are provided for.
An average number of 52 persons have resided in the almshouse during the past year at a weekly cost of $1.26, the lowest cost for many years. Six of our number have died and two births have occurred.
INSANE.
The power of commitment of insane persons to the state or county asylums is vested alone in the hands of the judge of the police court. who. upon complaint being made to him of a person being insane, investigates the case, and if, in his judgment, it is best to send them for care and attendance to an asylum (having obtained the opinion of two physicians) he does so, and the Overseers of the Poor have no voice in the matter whatever : and if, upon investiga- tion by the state or county authorities, they are found to have a settlement, the city or town wherein they are settled must pay their expenses, and the city or town can recover the amount so paid from the party, being aided, if they have any property or means to pay with.
At the close of last year there were 24 in the insane asylum whose settlement was in this city. At the present time there are 24, viz : Ipswich, 4; Danvers, 19; Westborough, 1.
201
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Paid by the city of Newburyport for the care of insane from 1851 to 1886, inclusive, outside of the almshouse.
1851
$1,372 99
1852
1,293 48
1853.
557 77
1854
374 68
1855
414 90
1856
810 83
1857
598 39
1858
437 85
1859
375 44
1860
1.165 86
1861
628 16
1862
1,113 20
1863
1,336 86
1864
1,388 68
1865
1,820 30
1866.
1,756 16
1867.
1,625 94
1868.
1,517 71
1869.
1,570 60
1870
1,784 35
1871
1,562 26
1872.
1,445 16
1873
2,057 83
1874
2,016 19
1875.
2,182 56
1876
2,230 89
1877.
2,258 16
1878
2,659 65
1879
3,981 65
1880
2,280 65
1881.
3,025 14
1882
2,496 78
1883
2.464 24
1884.
3,229 77
1885
3,245 86
1886.
4,127 41
$63,208 35
Cost of insane for thirty-six years, $63,208.35 ; of this amount $5,333.77 has been recovered, leaving $57,874.58, which has been paid from the city treasury.
202
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
OUTSIDE RELIEF.
Outside relief, which last year was granted to 265 families, this present year of 1886, has been granted to 245 families, viz : 202 families, comprising 490 persons, having a settlement in Newbury- port ; 33 families, comprising 98 persons, having a settlement in other cities and towns ; 10 families of 32 persons, having no settle- ment in the commonwealth ; making a total of 620, assisted at a cost of $7,673.97, an increase in cost of $569.96, which has been paid for the support of the poor belonging to other cities, and has been recovered as shown by the increase in income received.
Sixty-four new histories have been taken during the past year, and the board have now a full and complete history of more than 525 families who have, at various times, applied for aid.
In addition to the above 33 persons have been sent out of the city ; 113 have resided in the almshouse during a portion of the year ; 20 persons have been supplied with food and lodging over one night at the almshouse, making a total of 786 assisted by the city this year, against 919 last year, a decrease of 133.
CITY PHYSICIAN'S REPORT.
The care of the sick residing in the almshouse and throughout the city at large has been in the hands of Dr. I. B. Bolton, with whom a contract was made by this board to supply all medicines needed by the poor, for one year, for the sum of $275.00, which is $25.00 less than last year.
Number of visits to Almshouse 300
Office visits from poor patients. 540
Visits to poor outside the Almshouse
926
Obstretic cases
5
Visits to police station
32
Total number 1803
DETAILED REPORTS.
FIRST QUARTER-184 families aided.
With cash alone
14 families
groceries alone
9
66
fuel alone ..
60
26
66
fuel and groceries 72
3
66
fuel, cash and groceries
cash and groceries 0
184
fuel and cash.
203
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Amount distributed to the above, 41 1-16 cords wood, 150 3-8 tons coal, $457.50 in cash, $714.75 in groceries.
SECOND QUARTER-181 families aided.
With cash alone 17 families groceries alone 7
fuel alone . 66
fuel and cash 22
fuel and groceries 66
3
6.
cash al.d groceries
0
.:
181
Amount distributed to the above, 33 5-8 cords wood, 113 1-4 tons coal, $438.50 in cash, $631.00 in groceries.
THIRD QUARTER-158 families aided.
With cash alone.
21 families
groceries alone
13
fuel alone.
46
fuel and cash. 16
59
fuel, cash and groceries
3
cash and groceries.
0
158
Amount distributed to the above, 17 9-16 cords wood, 55 1-4 tons coal, $446.50 in cash, $621.75 in groceries.
FOURTH QUARTER-164 families aided.
With cash alone.
18 families
groceries alone
10
66
fuel alone.
55
19
fuel and groceries . .
58
fuel, cash and groceries
4
66
cash and groceries
0
66
164
Amount distributed to the above, 25 11-16 cords wood, 93 1-4 tons coal, $449.50 in cash, $616.50 in groceries.
Cords wood.
Tons coal.
Cash.
Groceries.
First quarter. 41 1-16
150 3-8
457 50
$714 75
Second
. 33 5-S
113 1-4
438 50
631 00
Third
17 9-16
55 1-4
446 50
621 75
Fourth "
25 11-16
93 1-4
449 50
616 50
fuel, cash and groceries
fuel and groceries
fuel and cash
204
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Total distributed through the year to the poor having a settle- ment in Newburyport : 117 15-16 cords wood, 412 1-8 tons coal, $1,792.00 in cash, $2,584.00 in groceries.
PRODUCTS OF CITY FARM.
The products of the city farm during the past year were 40 tons hay. 600 bushels potatoes. 30 bushels onions, 75 bushels beets, 30 bushels carrots, 45 bushels oats, 7 bushels beans, 1000 lbs. squashes, 1000 cabbages, and sufficient green corn, string beans, tomatoes and green peas to supply the almshouse during the season. All the labor upon the farm has been performed by the in- mates of the house under the direction of Mr. Lyman W. Lord, who has proved himself to be an able and efficient officer.
Respectfully submitted,
L. W. SARGENT, CHARLES NOYES,
Overseers of
J. C. STEVENS, the Poor.
Newburyport, Nov. 30, 1886.
205
REPORT ON DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND.
DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND.
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN : The board of Overseers of the Poor. to whom is entrusted the distribution of the incomes accruing from these funds, would respectfully report that the income from the Dexter fund for the year ending Dec. 31, 1886, amounting to $90.00 has been di- vided among the three overseers giving $30.00 to each. .
The income from the Atwood fund, $293.50, has been divided in a similar manner giving $97.50 to each overseer, and has been distributed according to the will of the donors in the following man- ner :
In wards one and two the $30 of the Dexter fund, with $30 re- maining on hand at the close of last year, $60, has been distributed among 15 persons, in sums from $1 to $6 each, leaving nothing on hand at the close of the year.
In wards three and four, the $30 of the Dexter fund, nothing re- maining over from last year, has been distributed among 14 persons in sums from $1 to $4 each, leaving nothing of this fund on hand at the close of the year.
In wards five and six, the $30 of the Dexter fund has been dis- tributed among 14 persons from $1 to $5 each, leaving nothing of this fund on hand at the close of the year.
In wards one and two, the $97.50 of the Atwood fund, with the balance of last year, $15.83, makes $113.33, which has been dis- tributed among 26 persons in sums from $1 to $6 each, leaving a balance of $26.64 on hand at the close of the year.
In wards three and four, the $97.50 of the Atwood fund, with $134.50 on hand at the close of last year makes $232.00, $51.00 of which has been distributed among 14 persons in sums from $2 to $10 each, leaving $181.00 of this fund on hand, which has been paid over to my successor in office.
22
.
206
REPORT ON DEXTER AND ATWOOD FUND.
In wards five and six, the $97.50 of the Atwood fund, with $95.50 on hand at the close of last year, make $193.00, $105.75 of which has been distributed among 30 persons in sums from $1 to $5 each, leaving a balance of $87.25 on hand at the close of the year.
At the close of the year there remained in the overseers' hands :
Atwood Fund.
Wards 1 and 2
$26 64
3 and 4. 181 00
5 and 6 87 25
The individual names of the recipients of these funds are on file in the office of the Overseers of the Poor, subject to inspection.
L. W. SARGENT. CHARLES NOYES, Overseers of
J. C. STEVENS, the Poor.
Newburyport, Dec. 31, 1886.
REPORT
OF THE
CHIEF ENGINEER.
1886.
REPORT.
NEWBURYPORT, December 1st, 1886.
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN : It becomes my duty to present you with my fourth annual report of the condition of the fire department, with sugges- tions which I consider not only beneficial to the city. but also bene- ficial and really needful to the fire department.
While I do not believe in an extravagant expenditure of money, I do believe it to be for the best interest of the city in purchasing for this department all that is necessary for the maintainance of an efficient fire department.
The manual force of the department consists of chief engineer, four assistant engineers, three steamer companies of fifteen men each, one hook and ladder company of fifteen men, one hose com- pany of ten men, two hose companies of fifteen men each, a total of one hundred and five mer, a reduction of sixty-eight men from last year's force, and a saving in salaries of about one thousand dollars.
The apparatus of the department consists of three steamers, one hook and ladder truck, four four-wheeled hose carriages, two two- wheeled hose carriages, one supply wagon, two hand engines, not used the past year. The apparatus of the department is in good condition (with the exception of the hook and ladder truck). In my report last year I dwelt considerably on the necessity of having
210
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
a new truck purchased, and I wish to call your attention to the matter, as the truck we now have is not in any way suitable to meet the requirements of the department, it being to small and to weak (through age) to be able to carry the amount of ladders which is really needed in time of fire, and I would most earnestly recom- mend that at the earlist possible date which can be given, that an appropriation be made for the purchasing of a first class hook and ladder truck, one that would fully meet the requirements of the department. as I consider that the department is greatly weakened by not having first class and serviceable apparatus. The houses of the department (with the exception of steamer No. two's) are in good condition, but I would say in regard to the house of steamer No. Two that it is in no way suitable for an engine house, as it is in the poorest repair possible, and it is so small and narrow that it is anything but convenient, especially in hitching to go to a fire, the house being so narrow that the hose carriage has to be placed be- hind the steamer while in the house and cannot leave until the steamer has left the house, and with our present water supply it is essential that the hose carriages should be at the scene of fire at the earliest possible moment. The house being in such poor repair it must be a very large amount of money which it would take to put it in the repair needed. This taken together with the incon- veniences which are there and cannot be remedied, except at a great cost, I trust that you will make an examination of this house at an early day and in some way make provision for a new house, which is greatly needed.
The electric fire alarm is at present in excellent working order, and, in my opinion, has the past year been the means of saving a large amount of property from burning by reason of the apparatus being brought to the scene of the fire a great deal quicker than it could have been had the old system of alarm been depended upon, which would usually give us plenty of noise but no definite means of locating the fire, while by the electric alarm we have less noise but the fire is well located by the number of the box which has been rung in, and the firemen knowing the location and number of each box hasten to the neighborhood where the box is located which has been rung in, and I should say the amount of property saved through this system of alarm more than equals the cost of the
211
CHIEF ENGINEER'S REPORT.
electric fire alarm An indicator has been placed in the engine house in Market square the past year and has given perfect satis- faction, and I should earnestly recommend that indicators be placed in the engine houses of engine companies No. 2 and No. 3.
The amount of hose in the department at the present time is 8800 feet cotton fabric and 2300 feet of leather hose. There has been purchased the past year 2000 feet of cotton fabric hose which was greatly needed. Each year there has to be more or less hose condemned on account of its not being serviceable, having been in use a number of years, thereby becoming unfit for use on account of bursting. I should suggest that each year there be purchased 500 feet of hose which would not more than take the place of that which is condemned each year, and give this department at all times good, serviceable hose, and the purchasing in this way would not be felt so much by the city as though no hose was purchased for a few years, and then when it was actually a compulsion to purchase the amonnt needed, the sum needed for the payment of the same would be a large one, perhaps more than would be thought could be expended at one time, although absolutely necessary.
The Hale Fund at the present time amounts to $3,077.84, an in- crease of $142.54 the past year. We have received donations from John Stone, esq., $100, also $100 from the town of George- town, and said donations were fully appreciated by the trustees of the fund, and by all members of the department. The interest on the fund the past year was $117.54. The amount expended to in- jured firemen the past year was $175.
APPROPRIATION AND INCOME FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation.
. $6,000 00
Special appropriation for hose 1,800 00
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