USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1879-1884 > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
XV. In case of absence, tardiness, or dismissal before the close of the session, a written excuse from the parent or guardian shall be required. The younger classes in Primary Schools are to be dismissed at recess. All cases of habitual truancy shall be reported to the Committee.
XVI. No pupil shall be admitted to any public school without a permit from some one of the Committee, who will require satis- factory evidence that the child is five years of age, and has been vaccinated ; and no pupil will be admitted to any of the Primary Schools except during the first two weeks of each term, unless qualified to enter existing classes.
XVII. Pupils are required to furnish themselves with such text-books as are authorized by the Committee. In case of refusal or neglect, the books will be furnished by the Committee, and the Town Assessors be notified, that the value may be collected from the parent or guardian. Orders sent by teachers to town agent
* Revised Statutes.
112
SCHOOL REGULATIONS.
must have the name of parent or guardian. Books furnished indigent scholars shall be considered the property of the school, and be retained when the pupil is discharged.
XVIII. Pupils absent one month, except on account of sick- ness, shall be considered new pupils, liable to lose their connec- tion with their class, and needing on their return a permit from the Committee.
XIX. No non-resident child, nor one who has only a tempo- rary residence in the town, shall be received or retained in any school, except with the consent of the School Committee, who may require parent or guardian of such child to pay the average cost per scholar in such school, for the time the child is instructed there.
XX. Pupils guilty of defacing or injuring school-houses, school furniture, out-buildings, fences, or school property in general, shall be subject to such penalty as the statute prescribes or the Com- mittee deem proper.
XXI. Pupils are not allowed in school yards after school hours. or during vacations or holidays ; are not allowed in other school yards than their own at any time, unless sent with messages. No pupil shall be permitted. to leave the school yard at recess, except with permission of the teacher.
XXII. No wares or amusements shall be advertised in any of the schools without the consent of the Committee.
XXIII. Teachers shall read to the pupils, at such times as they deem expedient, any or all of the foregoing Rules and Regu- lations.
XXIV. The duties of the several janitors shall be to sweep and dust each schoolroom and entry twice every week ; wash the floors and windows during each of the vacations of May and November ; clean and wash all out-buildings as often as neces- sary ; keep steps and paths free from snow in winter; yards, free from tall grass, weeds, and litter ; close gates when schools are not in session ; report to teachers or Committee all injuries to property ; prepare and put in the coal and wood, and practice rigid economy in its use, and have a general oversight of the buildings in their care. No extra pay for any of the above services.
Janitors shall not contract a bill for repairs on any of the school buildings, furniture, or grounds ; or make any purchase of any article to be charged to the town, unless authorized by the Committee.
WARRANT
FOR
TOWN MEETING,
MARCH 3, 1884.
WARRANT
To Either of the Constables of the town of Melrose, in the county of Middlesex. GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the Inhabitants of the town of Melrose, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, on Monday, the third day of March, A. D. 1884, at twelve o'clock M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
I. To choose a Moderator.
2. To bring in their votes, on one ballot, for Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Assessors, one Water Commissioner for three years, Public Library Trustees, Highway Sur- veyor or Surveyors, one Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for three years, three Auditors and Constables. Upon a separate ballot, to bring in their votes for two members of the School Committee for three years. Upon a separate ballot to bring in their votes in answer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" Form of ballots to be : "Yes" or "No."
3. To choose all other necessary Town Officers.
4. To authorize the Town 'Treasurer to borrow money for the purpose of meeting the demands of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen.
5. To hear and act upon the report of the Finance Committee appointed at meeting held Nov. 13. 1883.
6. To raise money for Schools.
7. To raise money for School Contingent Expenses.
8. To raise money for Highways.
9. To raise money for Sidewalks.
IO. To raise money for Crossings and Gutters.
II. To raise money for the Support of the Poor.
I2. To raise money for the Fire Department.
13. To raise money for lighting and care of Street Lamps.
14. To raise money for Additional Street Lamps.
15. To raise money to pay Watchmen and Policemen.
16. To raise money for Contingent Expenses.
17. To raise money to pay Interest on the Town Debt.
18. To raise money for the Reduction of the Town Debt.
19. To raise money for the Public Library.
20. To raise money for Water, maintenance, and use of, also to pay cost of constructing works for past year.
21. To raise money for Salaries of Town Officers, and to fix the compensation of all officers and committees elected or appointed by the Town.
22. To raise money for Drainage, Bridges and Culverts.
23. To raise money for deficiencies in accounts for the past year and for all other necessary expenses for the ensuing year.
24. To determine the method by which the taxes for the year shall be collected. -
25. To see if the Town will build the extension of Foster Street as laid out and accepted and raise money for the same on petition of John Buffum and others.
26. To see if the Town will build a school-house at the Highlands in accordance with the report of the committee at last town meeting and appropriate money for the same on petition of Joel Snow and others.
27. To see if the Town will build and grade Washington Street according to plan of County Commissioners and raise or appropriate money for the same on petition of William Scrannage and others.
28. To see if the Town will appropriate $200 for keeping in repair and decorating the graves of soldiers on Memorial Day, the same to be placed in the hands of the Memorial Day Committee of Post 4 G. A. R. on petition of D). W. Gooch and others.
29. To see if the 'Town will accept an alteration of the lines of Rowe Street north of Emerson Street as made by the Selectmen.
30. To hear and act on the report of the committee appointed to ascertain the cost of a new water main from Spot Pond, also the cost of a new gate house at the pond.
31. To hear and act on the report of the committee appointed to take into consideration the providing of school accommodations for that part of the 'Town in the vicinity of the Rubber Works.
32. To hear and act on the report of the committee appointed to consider the providing of a suitable drinking fountain for horses in winter.
33. To see if the Town will pay any part of the expense of placing granite edgestone on the sidewalk line opposite estates.
34. To see if the Town will appropriate money to employ either alone, or in conjunction with the town of Wakefield, a superintendent of schools on petition of F. S. Hesseltine and others.
35. To hear and act on the reports of committees and for the transaction of any other business which may legally come before this meeting.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the several places of public worship, and at the depots, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this nineteenth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four.
DANIEL NORTON, JR., Į Selectmen HENRY G. FIELDS, $ of Melrose.
A true copy. Attest,
ANSEL B. PIERCE, Constable.
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MELROSE
FOR THE
Financial Year ending December 31, 1884.
MELROSE: PRINTED BY THOMAS W. RIPLEY. 1885.
CONTENTS.
Page.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
7
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK - Proceedings of Town Meeting 12
Appropriations
19
Vote for National, State, and County Officers
20
Statistics of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
26
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Expenses of Public Schools
School Contingent Expenses
Contingent Expenses
35
Support of Poor
37 41
Fire Department
Town Hall
.
43
State Aid
44
Military Aid
45
Street Lights
45 46
Guide Boards
46
Drinking Fountain
46
Memorial Day .
46 47
Public Library
47
Suppression Liquor Traffic
47 47
Interest
48
Town Officers' Salaries
48
Melrose Water Fund
49
Insurance .
50
Police and Night Watch
51
Drainage ·
52
Crossings and Gutters
52
Highways .
. 53
Wyoming Cemetery .
55
29 29 32
First, Second, and Third Streets
Additional Street Lamps
Armory Rent
4
CONTENTS.
1
FINANCIAL STATEMENT (Continued) : -
Franklin School Building (Highlands)
56
State and County Taxes .
57
Bank and Corporation Taxes
57
Sidewalks
57
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
59
Notes Given and Paid during the Year
59
Statement of the Town Debt
Water Loan Sinking Fund
Treasurer's Account
AUDITORS' REPORT
64 65
ASSESSORS' REPORT
COLLECTORS' REPORTS
70 72
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
73
Report of Superintendent
77
Water-Rates
86
REPORT OF THE WATER LOAN SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS
SS
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT . 89
PUBLIC LIBRARY-Treasurer's Account
90
Report of Trustees 92
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE (Appended), 38 pp.
59 61 62
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1884-85.
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Highway Surveyors. DANIEL NORTON. HENRY G. FIELDS.
WILLIAM BOYNTON.
Town Clerk. JOHN LARRABEE.
Treasurer.
Collector. GEORGE NEWHALL.
LEWIS G. COBURN.
Assessors.
HERBERT H. WESTGATE. GEORGE F. BOARDMAN. DEXTER PRATT.
Water Commissioners.
JOSEPH D. WILDE, Chairman (resigned April, 1884).
WINGATE P. SARGENT, Chairman (elected to fill vacancy).
W. IRVING ELLIS
WILBUR D. FISKE
Term expires 1885. 66 1886.
Superintendent of Water Works and Clerk of Board of Water Commissioners.
ADDISON LANE.
Commissioners of Water Loan Sinking Fund.
DANIEL RUSSELL, Chairman
Term expires 1887.
ROYAL P. BARRY
66 66 1885.
JOHN W. FARWELL
66
66 1886.
School Committee.
JULIUS S. CLARK, Chairman
Term expires 1885.
CLIFTON FLETCHER .
1886.
MRS. MARTHA A. ADAMS
66 66
1886.
MRS. SARAH W. BRADBURY
66
1887.
MRS. A. K. MILLER
66
66
1885.
THOMAS W. RIPLEY
66
66
1887.
Trustees of the Public Library. ELBRIDGE H. GOSS. THOMAS B. PECK. CHARLES C. BARRY. HANNAH LYNDE. PHOEBE A. NORRIS.
6
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1884-85.
Auditors. JOHN R. NORTON. FRANK E. ORCUTT. GILBERT N. HARRIS.
Constables.
ANSEL B. PIERCE. FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN.
Registrars of Voters.
ALFRED HOCKING, Chairman Term expires May 1, 1887.
WALTER BABB
66 66
66 1886.
JOHN B. SOUTHER
66
66 66 1885.
JOHN LARRABEE, Town Clerk
Representative in the General Court. JOHN W. FARWELL.
Engineers of the Fire Department. A. WILBUR LYNDE, Chief. WALTER B. ELLIS. DEXTER PRATT, Clerk.
Measurer of Wood and Bark, Weigher of Hay and Coal. SETH E. BENSON.
Surveyor of Lumber. HENRY A. LEONARD.
Committee on Cemeteries.
GEORGE NEWHALL. DANIEL RUSSELL. JOHN LARRABEE.
Fence Viewer. DEXTER PRATT.
Field Drivers.
OTIS HOWARD. FRANK GIBBONS. HENRY B. NEWHALL. W. TRUMAN HOWARD.
Pound Keeper. W. TRUMAN HOWARD.
Police Officers.
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN, Chief. ANSEL B. PIERCE. HENRY B. NEWHALL. JOSEPH HOLBROOK. CHARLES T. STEVENS.
A. WILBUR LYNDE. ARTHUR C. TAPLEY. OSBORNE E. DROWN. THOMAS MARSHALL.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
TO THE CITIZENS OF MELROSE :-
We herewith submit our annual report for the financial year ending December 31st, 1884.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Your attention is called to recent legislation concerning contagious diseases.
[ACTS OF 1884. CHAP. 98.]
SECT. 1. When a householder knows that a person within his family is sick of small-pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, or any other disease dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the selectmen or board of health of the town in which he dwells ; and upon the death, recovery, or removal of such person, the rooms occupied and the articles used by him shall be disinfected by such householder in a manner approved by the board of health. Any person neglecting or refusing to com- ply with either of the above provisions shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars.
SECT. 2. When a physician knows that a person whom he is called to visit is infected with small-pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, or any other disease dangerous to public health, he shall imme- diately give notice thereof to the selectmen or board of health of the town ; and if he refuses or neglects to give such notice he shall forfeit for each offence not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars.
SECT. 3. The boards of health in the several cities and towns shall cause a record to be kept of all reports received in pursu- ance of the preceding sections, and such record shall contain the names of all persons who are sick, the localities in which they live, the diseases with which they are affected, together with the date and names of the persons reporting any such cases. The boards of health shall give the school committee immediate infor- mation of all cases of contagious diseases reported to them according to the provisions of this act.
8
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
[ACTS OF 1883. CHAP. 124.]
SECT. 2. No railroad corporation, or other common carrier or person, shall convey or cause to be conveyed, through or from any city or town in this Commonwealth, the remains of any person who has died of small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, or typhoid fever, until such body has been so encased and prepared as to preclude any danger of communicating the disease to others by its transportation ; and no local registrar or clerk shall give a permit for the removal of such body until he has received from the board of health of the city, or the selectmen of the town, where the death occurred, a certificate, stating the cause of death, and that said body has been prepared in the manner set forth in this section, which certificate shall be delivered to the agent or person who receives the body.
By the above it will be seen that it is the duty of the Selectmen, acting as a Board of Health, to keep a record of all cases reported to them.
The cases reported during 1884 have been as follows : Diphtheria, 7; scarlet fever 11; typhoid fever, 11. Total, 29.
We have appointed O. E. Drown as a sanitary police officer, whose duty it shall be to visit all places where the above diseases exist, and at the proper time to see that the premises are thoroughly fumigated, disinfectants used, etc.
HIGHWAYS, DRAINAGE, AND SIDEWALKS.
The streets are in good condition, and we recommend an appropriation of same amount as last year. Repairs have been made on drains, bridges, and culverts where needed.
The advantages of good sidewalks and crossings are ap- parent to all. We would advise an appropriation the pres- ent year as large as that of 1884 ; a portion, say one-quarter, to be used in connecting detached sections as may be deemed necessary or desirable, in accordance with provisions of law. We would also recommend an appropriation of two hun- dred dollars for the repair and recoating of such portions of the sidewalks as are broken or worn out. This is urged by many of our citizens.
9
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.
By an act of the Legislature of 1884, it became the duty of your Selectmen to appoint a new board of officers whose duties should be to take charge of all matters pertaining to the registration of voters. We accordingly appointed : - JOHN B. SOUTHER, to serve until May 1, 1885.
WALTER BABB, 66 66 66 66 " 1886.
ALFRED HOCKING, " 66 66 6 " 1887.
Who, together with the Town Clerk, constitute the Board.
DRINKING FOUNTAIN.
During the year 1883 a petition was received from per- sons who were all owners of horses, asking that an article might be inserted in the warrant as follows: "To see if the town will erect a drinking fountain for horses, that can be of use in winter, to be located near the Town Hall, &c." A committee was appointed, who reported at the last annual meeting, recommending that the Town purchase a fountain similar to one now in use in a neighboring town. It was so voted, and your Selectmen were appointed to purchase. After a thorough investigation, we became convinced that an iron fountain would not accomplish the desire of the petitioners, or, as we believe, the intent of the Town, viz., to furnish a fountain that would " be of use in winter." We have there- fore placed at the corner of Upham and Main Streets a stone fountain, which, if not particularly ornamental, will certainly prove substantial and useful. Thus far it has stood the test of the recent extremely cold weather, and the water has continued to flow without freezing.
STATE AID.
The limitation of time for the payment of State Aid has been extended to the first day of January, 1890.
We have continued to pay to invalid pensioners and their dependent relatives such amounts as would be approved by the State Commissioners, as heretofore.
10
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
MEMORIAL DAY.
We append a statement received from the Commander of Post 4, G. A. R., concerning the expenditure of the amount raised at the last annual meeting, and recommend that a similar appropriation be made for the present year.
Memorial Day Committee, Post-4, G. A. R.
To Cash received from Geo. Newhall, Town Treasurer $200 00 Paid R. Powers & Son, for five headstones $115 00
" Cemetery Committee for foundations 7 00
66 66 . 6
" cleaning up
graves and setting out flowers . 5 00
" C. Casey and H. E. Wiley for flowers 25 83
" M. F. Eastman, teaming 2 00
" Suffolk Iron Works for standards 22 55
" Flags and printing same 5 85
" Balance remaining on hand . 16 77
$200 00
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN C. GOULD, Chairman, )
CHAS. O. BOYD,
Memorial
CLARK B. BALDWIN,
Day
ALFRED HOCKING,
Committee.
JAMES MARSHALL,
TOWN POOR.
By reference to the financial columns of this report, it may be seen that the bills for the support of the insane com- prise fully one-third of the entire expense of this department for the year. Eleven persons of this class have been boarded in different hospitals for the whole or a part of the year, at an expense of $1,578.17. Of this number, seven may be classed among the harmlessly insane, who might be safely cared for in a town alms-house, if we were provided with one. Of those who are at present fully supported, and
11
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
who would properly become inmates of an alms-house, there are seven males and eight females, who, mostly aged and infirm, are wholly incapacitated for labor.
The whole number of those who have received more or less aid during the year is one hundred and twelve. Of this number, ninety-three have been aided temporarily,- forty- four of whom have their settlements in other places, for whose support we are to be reimbursed.
The expense of this department has been less than that of the previous year by $1,504.89. This was owing to the abundance of labor, at good wages, attendant upon the growth of the town, which continued from early spring far into the winter months.
As we go to press this mid-winter, the usual signs of destitution are showing themselves. We believe that the executive officer has shown no lack of vigilance, or of faith- fulness, in preventing suffering, or in the disbursement of this fund.
While we have always insisted upon strict economy of administration in all the departments of the town, we know that suffering cannot be limited by figures or appropriations, and that the spirit of our poor laws should seek rather to prevent than to alleviate suffering, whatever may be the exigency of the times or of circumstances. For the details of expenditure, see page of contents.
Respectfully submitted,
DANIEL NORTON, HENRY G. FIELDS, WILLIAM BOYNTON.
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
PROCEEDINGS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Annual Meeting, March 3, 1884. 12 M.
ARTICLE 1 OF THE WARRANT. To choose a Moderator.
Levi S. Gould chosen by unanimous vote.
ART. 2. To bring in votes for Selectmen, Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, Assessors, and other officers ; votes for two School Committee to be on a separate ballot.
To bring in votes, also upon a separate ballot, in answer to thẻ question, " Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" Form of ballots to be "YES" or "No."
Voted, That the officers elected by ballot this day shall consist of three Selectmen, who shall also be Overseers of the Poor and Highway Surveyors, one Clerk, one Treasurer, one Tax Collector, three Assessors, one Water Commissioner for three years, one Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for three years, five Library Trustees, three Auditors, three Constables, and two .. School Committee for three years.
Polls opened.
Voted, That the polls be closed at 5.15 P. M.
Voted, That when this meeting adjourns it be to Monday evening, March 10th, 1884, and that the transaction of town business, other than voting, be postponed to that time.
Henry G. Fields and Herbert H. Westgate were appointed to check the voting lists, and Joel Snow, John R. Jones, and George A. Tainter were appointed to sort and count the bal- lots cast ; all being duly sworn, as required by law, to faithfully discharge their duties.
Polls were closed at 5.15 P. M., and the result of the balloting was declared by the Moderator, as follows :-
13
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Highway Surveyors- Daniel Norton, Jr., Henry G. Fields, William Boynton. Town Clerk - John Larrabee. Town Treasurer- George Newhall. Collector of Taxes - Lewis G. Coburn. Assessors - Herbert H. Westgate, Dexter Pratt, George F. Boardman. Water Commis- sioner for Three Years -Joseph D. Wilde. Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for Three Years - Daniel Russell. Library Trustees - Elbridge H. Goss, Charles C. Barry, Thomas B. Peck, Hannah Lynde, Phœbe A. Norris. Auditors - John R. Norton, Frank E. Orcutt, Gilbert N. Harris. Constables - Ansel B. Pierce, Frank M. Mclaughlin, Samuel Lear. School Committee for Three Years -Thomas W. Ripley, Sarah W. Bradbury.
LICENSE QUESTION.
" Yes," eighteen votes ; "No," two hundred and thirty-five votes.
Voted to adjourn.
Adjourned Meeting, March 10, 1884. 7.30 P. M.
ART. 3. To choose all other necessary Town officers.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal - Seth E. Benson, James McIntyre. Surveyor of Lumber - Henry A. Leonard. Committee on Cemeteries-George Newhall, Daniel Russell, John Larrabee. Field Drivers-Otis Howard, H. B. Newhall, Frank Gibbons, W. Truman Howard. Fence Viewers- Dexter Pratt, George P. Fuller. Pound Keeper- W. Truman Howard.
ART. 4. To authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow money for the purpose of meeting the demands of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen.
·
Voted unanimously, To authorize the Town, Treasurer to bor- row money, with the approval of the Selectmen, in such sums, and
14
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
on such terms, and for such time, as may be found for the interest of the Town, as a temporary loan in anticipation of the taxes of the current year, which loan is hereby made payable from such taxes, -the amount borrowed not to exceed eighteen thousand dollars at any one time.
ART. 5. To hear and act upon the report of the Finance Com- mittee appointed at a meeting held November 13, 1883.
Report of Committee read and accepted.
ART. 6. To raise money for schools.
Voted, To raise fifteen thousand five hundred dollars for the support of schools.
ART. 7. To raise money for school contingent expenses.
Voted, To raise two thousand five hundred dollars for school contingent expenses.
ART. 8. To raise money for highways.
Voted, To raise three thousand eight hundred dollars for high- ways.
Voted, That two-thirds of the sum raised be expended before May 31, 1884.
ART. 9. To raise money for sidewalks.
Voted, To raise one thousand dollars for sidewalks, said sum to be expended for concrete walks, under direction of the Select- men, according to provisions of laws accepted by the Town, re- lating to sidewalks, by which abuttors pay one-half the expense, and that the Selectmen be instructed to connect the concrete walks already laid, so far as the interests of the Town will in their judgment be best subserved by their doing so, and assess the abuttors therefor if necessary.
ART. 10. To raise money for crossings and gutters.
Voted, To raise two hundred dollars for concrete crossings and gutters.
ART. 11. To raise money for the support of the poor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.