USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1879-1884 > Part 7
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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 raise money for Schools.
6. To raise money for School Contingent Expenses.
7. To raise money for Highways.
8. To raise money for Sidewalks.
9. To raise money for the Support of the Poor.
10. To raise money for the Fire Department.
11. To raise money for lighting and care of Street Lamps
12. To raise money for additional Street Lamps.
13. To raise money to pay Watchmen and Policemen.
14. To raise money for Contingent Expenses.
15. To raise money to pay Interest on the Town Debt.
16. To raise money for the Reduction of the Town Debt
17. To raise money for the Public Library.
18. To raise money for Water, maintenance and use of same.
19. To raise money for Salaries of Town Officers, and to fix the compensation of all Officers and Committees elected or appointed by the Town.
20. To raise money for Drainage, Bridges and Culverts.
21. To raise money for deficiencies in accounts for the past year, and for all other necessary expenses for the ensuing year.
22. To see if the Town will raise $300 for the purpose of widen- ing Franklin Street.
23. To see if the Town will repair the fences around the town cemeteries, make other improvements, raise money and choose a committee to expend the same on petition of Aaron Green and others.
24. To see what action the Town will take to improve the grounds and walks around the Town Hall and High School House, and appropriate money for the same, on petition of F. S. IIesseltine and others.
25. To see if the Town will make improvements on Lebanon Street, near the house of Mr. Ede K. Chase, and appropriate money for the same, on petition of Henry C. Bliss and others.
26. To determine the method by which the taxes for the year shall be collected.
27. 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, at each of the Post Offices, at the Depots and the Town Hall, seven days at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
IIereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thercon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this seventeenth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty.
DANIEL NORTON, JR., ) Selectmen HENRY G. FIELDS, of JOSEPH F. BOYD, Melrose.
A true Copy. Attest,
A. B. PIERCE, Constable.
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MELROSE,
FOR THE
Financial Year Ending December 31, 1880.
WAKEFIELD : CITIZEN & BANNER PRESS. 1881.
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1880-1881.
Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor. DANIEL NORTON, JUN. HENRY G. FIELDS.
JOSEPH F. BOYD.
Town Clerk. JOHN LARRABEE.
Treasurer. GEORGE NEWHALL
Collector. MOSES BRIGGS.
Assessors.
GEORGE C. STANTIAL. JAMES C. CURRIER.
DEXTER PRATT.
Water Commissioners.
JOSEPH D. WILDE, Chairman. Term expires 1881.
W. IRVING ELLIS
66 1882.
JOSEPII R. SIMONDS
1883.
Commissioners of Water Loan Sinking Fund.
DANIEL RUSSELL, Chairman . Term expires 1881.
ROYAL P. BARRY
1883.
JOHN W. FARWELL
1882.
School Committee.
CLIFTON FLETCHER, Chairman Term expires 1883.
LOUIS E. ROBSON
1881.
JULIUS S. CLARK 1882.
MRS. MARIETTA M. W. SEAVER, Sec'y 1883.
MRS. ANN M. KUNHARDT,
1882.
MRS. B. F. BRADBURY 66 66 1881.
MISS PHŒBE A. NORRIS (resigned.)
Highway Surveyor. AMOS WILBUR LYNDE.
Trustees of the Public Library. FREDERIC KIDDER. ELBRIDGE H. GOSS. CHARLES C. BARRY. HANNAH LYNDE. ADDIE A. NICHOLS.
4
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1880-1881.
Auditors.
JOHN R. NORTON. FRANK E. ORCUTT. ERNEST MENDUM, Constable. ANSEL B. PIERCE.
Representative in the General Court. B. MARVIN FERNALD.
Engineers of the Fire Department. F. EDWARD HOWE, Chief. L. FRANK HINCKLEY. JOSEPH R. SIMONDS.
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal. SETH E. BENSON. JAMES D. LITTLEFIELD.
Measurer of Wood and Rark. AARON GREEN.
Surveyor of Lumber. HENRY A. LEONARD.
Lock-up Keeper. SAMUEL L. WALTON.
Committee on Cemeteries. GEORGE NEWHALL. DANIEL RUSSELL. JOHN LARRABEE.
Field-Drivers.
OTIS HOWARD. HORACE W. CUSHMAN. FRANK GIBBONS. HENRY B. NEWHALL.
Fence-Viewers.
AARON GREEN. CHARLES T. STEVENS.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. ANSEL B. PIERCE.
Police Officers.
A. B. PIERCE. JOSEPH HOLBROOK.
H. B. NEWHALL. AMMI C. CHICK.
J. D. LITTLEFIELD. SAMUEL L. WALTON.
H. W. CUSHMAN. HENRY ROBINSON.
ANDREW J. BODGE. FRANK E. ORCUTT.
Special Police. WALTER B. ELLIS. JEREMIAH FISHER. EDWARD P. FULLER.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
REPORT OF SELECTMEN .
7
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
13
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK
14
Proceedings of Meetings
14
Statistics
26
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
29
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
30
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
31
Support of Schools
31 34
School Contingent Fund
36
Contingent Expenses .
. 40
Fire Department
42
Highways .
44
Melrose Water Fund .
47
Town Hall .
· 47
Drainage . ,
. 49
Drainage, Emerson Street.
. 49
Armory Rent ,
. 50
Street Lights
50
Additional Street Lights
51
Insurance .
51
Wyoming Cemetery .
51 52
Interest
53
Police.
54
State Aid
54
Military Aid
55
Town Hall Improvements, on Grounds
56
Main Street Cemetery
56
Franklin Street .
.
56
Support of Poor.
Town Officers' Salaries
6
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Public Library .
. 57
Concrete Crossings
57
Sidewalks .
58
Tabular Statement of Expenditures against Appropriations,
1880
61
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
62
Statement of Town Debt . 6.2
Treasurer's Account 64
AUDITOR'S REPORT 66
ASSESSORS' REPORT .
67
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
71
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
73
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE WATER LOAN SINKING FUND,
90
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES .
91
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
. 101
School Statistics . . 114
School Regulations
. 115
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
The Selectmen herewith submit their Annual Report for the finan- cial year ending Dec. 31, 1880.
POOR.
We have always felt that a public discussion of the pauper laws, or of the inner workings of this department as connected with our town, was unwise. Justice to ourselves has sometimes prompted us to enter more minutely into the details of our management of this fund, but we have always declined to do so in these reports, knowing that it would involve an exposure of the chances, and the defective points of assault in this department, to the knowledge of the crafty, who are always watching for opportunities, and who are making their arrangements, year by year, to get at this fund, if possible to do so.
Our own vindication against the charges, which are not infre- quently made, of our want of economy, is of very small importance compared with the interests of the town that would be jeopardized by such an exposure.
In calling for an appropriation of $4000 at our March meeting, we were confident that such a sum would be sufficient to meet all the expenses for the year.
Encouraged by the more promising prospect for business, we ventured to predict, that it must bring us relief in the Temporary Aid Department, at least, and so set. ourselves carefully to keep our expenses within the above sum. Our predictions have been verified in respect to this class of our poor,-and this only,-there having been sixty-seven temporarily aided, against eighty the pre- vious year. With this slight improvement, we regret to report in- creased expenses in directions which no effort of ours could prevent,
8
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
or even the better times avert. We refer to the much larger ex- pense of the Insane, and to the increase of the aged and helpless · fully-supported poor. Of the former class there have been three more of the persistent Insane maintained at the Asylums than were ever reported by this town, and which has increased the cost in this department, by this class alone, to nearly five hundred dollars above that of last year. It is a notable fact that Insanity is rap- idly increasing in this country, until it has become a serious prob. lem with philanthropists, and the commiserators of this class of unfortunates, how to learn its causes and arrest its progress. There are at present nine in the Hospitals for the Insane, one har- ing been recently discharged, and two for whom the town is reimbursed.
There have been four persors transferred from those partially supported to the full support list. This has been caused by their declining health and their old age, thus making fifteen fully sup- ported, against eleven as reported on the previous year. Of this number two are over eighty, eight are over seventy, and three over sixty years of age. Of the other two, one is deaf, dumb and idiotic, the other is a child who was forsaken by an abandoned mother. There has been one person discharged from the full support list who has been aided by this town for many years.
It is a matter of regret that so many of the kindred are unable to reimburse the town for the support of their own poor. With all such, we are sure that the citizens sincerely sympathize, and cheer- fully share their means, but for those who are able to maintain their own, but avail themselves of our humane laws to escape their moral obligations, and thus subject the poor, hard-working mechan- ics and laborers of our town to an increased taxation to support such, it is simply contemptible. If any are to be disfranchised by the operation of the pauper laws, we could. wish it were only those who having the means, refuse to prevent their own nearest of kis from becoming town paupers. The law is explicit as to the dis- posal of the Insane. Upon the application of two regular physi- cians, the Selectmen must notify the Judge of the District, who orders a hearing, and a committal to the Asylum if he is satisfied that the patient is dangerously affected. The Selectmen are as powerless in these cases as any other persons, and for any to plead. that because the Selectmen have committed theirs to the Insane
9
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Retreat they may support them, is only a pretext to avoid the very small expense which the State has graciously imposed. This proves to be an extremely hard winter for poor people. The excessive cold makes a large consumption of fuel necessary ; the prices of fuel are higher than last year, and there is the usual complaint of a scarcity of labor in the winter months.
There have been ninety-nine tramps lodged in the Lock-up for the year, against one thousand and twenty-four as reported for the previous year.
A full report of the receipts and expenses of this department may be found elsewhere.
TOWN SAFE.
Early in the year a large Diebold Safe was purchased, at what was considered a great bargain. In it were placed the Assessors' valuation books for several years past, the grade plans, for which the town paid $600, and other books and papers of great value, which, if lost or destroyed, could not be replaced. Many of these books and documents being in constant demand for public use or inspection, it was neither convenient nor feasible to use the town vault in the room occupied by the Savings Bank. We trust our action will commend itself to the town, although undertaken without specific instructions therefrom. The outlay was viewed as a matter of prudence and necessity.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
For particulars in regard to this department we refer to the re- port of the Engineers. No fires of importance have occurred during the year, but we feel assured, from the character of both officers and men, that when the alarm bell shall send forth its warning, be it by day or night, they will respond with alacrity.
ARMORY RENT AND MILITARY AID.
The amount paid for rent of Armory occupied by Battery C, M. V. M. has been refunded. Military Aid has been paid, under Chap. 301, Acts 1879, to invalid pensioners, widows, and depen- dent relatives of Soldiers slain in the war, and under Chap. 252, Acts of 1879, to Soldiers standing in need of relief.
The amounts paid have been approved by the Commissioners of State Aid.
10
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
TOWN HALL.
The expenditures on account of this building exceed the receipts, but the citizens should bear in mind, that inasmuch as the various departments of the town government, viz ; the Public Library, Fire Department, Water Works, etc., pay no rental from their respec- tive appropriations, it would be a difficult matter to rent the hall proper for a sufficient sum to heat, light and care for the entire building. Some more satisfactory system should be devised, so that this department shall stand on a more equal footing with the others.
SIDEWALKS AND CROSSINGS.
Gool sidewalks are a necessity. The concrete sidewalks laid during the last few years are a perpetual source of comfort to all who traverse our streets. Crossings have been laid the past year at the Junction and across several streets.
We believe that appropriations for the purpose of extending these walks should be made annually, and recommend for side- walks, $1000, and for crossings, $200, to be expended under a similar vote to that of last year.
STREET LIGHTS.
Our streets have been lighted by the Globe Gas Light Company in a very satisfactory manner. The present contract includes the lighting and care of 125 lamps, for $1000, a saving of $500 on the appropriation.
DRAINAGE.
The culvert on Wyoming Avenue over Spot Pond Brook has been enlarged, in accordance with the vote of the town.
The award, by the County Commissioners, to Mr. J. A. Har- rington for land damage, sustained in widening Ell Pond Brook has been paid. Ell Pond Brook has been cleared of obstructions from the Pond to Malden line.
.
11
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
HIGHWAYS. .
About one third of the appropriation was expended on Main street from Malden line to nearly opposite the house of Warren Lynde, over 2000 loads of gravel being used, a much needed im- provement. We would recommend that during the coming year arrangements be made to complete the improvements on this the principle thoroughfare of our town, after which all the streets should be gradually placed in equally good condition. We would further add that in the opinion of the Board, with the exception of good schools and a proper regard for the moral and spiritual growth of a community, nothing impresses strangers and those seeking sub- urban homes more favorably than broad smooth highways and sidewalks well cared for.
POLICE AND NIGHT WATCHMEN.
The appropriation for this department was inadequate. Public safety demands that good order shall be preserved. As a safe- guard against burglaries, for the protection of buildings, public and private, and for the purpose of sounding an alarm in case of fire, a permanent night watch is necessary. We recommend for the coming year an appropriation of $1000.
CONCLUSION.
We venture the assertion that the credit and financial standing of our town never was better. The debt is steadily diminishing, and with it gradually disappears our interest account, once so for- midable. More than $60,000 of the debt has been expunged dur- ing the past seven years, which includes sums borrowed for special purposes, viz. : erecting the Centre School Building, purchase of Newhall's Building, etc., which increased our indebtedness from the amount stated in 1874. The net cost of constructing the Water Works has been maintained at $150,000, no further bonds having been issued. The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund report an accumulation of $5,385.00, for the redemption of the bonds at ma- turity.
With all necessary modern improvements, with the increasing desire to fix and maintain our public expenditures within the
12
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
bounds of that reasonable economy which shall allow a proper and efficient management of town affairs, and withal the advanced pub- lic sentiment of our people tending to the development of a healthy moral and political growth, all point to the commencement of a new era of prosperity.
The extreme beauty of cur scenery, unsurpassed by any subur- ban village in New England, from Boston Rock in the south to the Highlands in the north ; from the wooded hills, silver streams and mossy glens of Saugus in the cast, to the waterfall, and towering cliffs of the Middlesex Fells in the west, unfolds a natural panora- ina of exquisite loveliness, while this alone will bring to our commu- nity the true lovers of nature, we have other attractions for perma- nent residents, in the invigorating air we breathe, fresh from the woods and hillside, the pure water we drink, the high character of our schools, churches and societies, case of communication with adjacent cities, low price of real estate through which a home is within the reach of nearly all, and the general comforts of living, attainable at moderate cost, would all seem to indicate that at no distant day our town, once a simple hamlet within the memory of many among us, connected with Boston by "Old" Aaron Butler's stage, whose trips of three times a week to that distant city were a sort of safety valve for the jihes and jeers of the urchins of those days, as the weary, jaded, half-starved animals struggled on, with an occasional passenger from independent and happy firesides, is to be more eagerly sought by thousands from the neighboring me- tropolis, who, drawn hither by these attractions and advantages, will seek retirement within our borders.
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL NORTON, JR. HENRY G. FIELDS. JOSEPH F. BOYD.
Selectmen.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH,
Numerous complaints have been made to the Board in regard to foul pig-pens, defective vaults, cesspools, drains, etc. A thorough examination has been made in each case, and the existing nuisance abated by the parties directly responsible.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
There have been a number of cases of Diphtheria and Scarlet Fever ; two persons have had the Small-pox. All necessary pre- caution was taken to prevent contagion, so far as we are able to judge.
The following tables, prepared by one of the physicians of our town, are of especial interest :
DEATII RATE FOR 1000 INHABITANTS.
Malden,
1876. 18.78
1877.
1878.
1879.
Average.
18.18
15.51
16.07
17.13
Medford,
18.16
15.84
14.58
16.19
Woburn,
19.17
17.24
20.69
15.76
18.21
Stoneham,
14.90
15.04
12.62
16.85
14.70
Wakefield,
15.63
17.94
17.19
12.97
15.93
Melrose,
14.56
14.29
13.78
14.13
14.19
For the first three years the dates are computed on the deaths of these respective years as compared with the state census of 1875. The average annual death rate of all Massachusetts cities is nine- teen ; that of Melrose, 14.19, making it an eminently healthy town. If you add the census of 1875, an increase of one hundred and eight souls, and compute from this, as we should do, we find our death rate to be 13.82, which is an almost incomparable showing. It will be seen by the above statement that Melrose heads the list in point of sanatation.
The expenditures in this department have amounted to $22.30, which sum has been paid from the Contingent expense account, to which reference is made for details.
Respectfully submitted.
JOSEPH F. BOYD. H. G. FIELDS. DANIEL NORTON, JR.
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
PROCEEDINGS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 1, 1880. 12.30 P. M.
ARTICLE 1 OF THE WARRANT. To choose a Moderator. Chose Levi S. Gould.
ART. 2. To bring in votes for Selectmen, Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, Assessors, and other officers ; votes for School Commit- tee to be upon a separate ballot.
Voted, That the officers elected by ballot this day, shall consist of, three Selectmen, who shall be Overseers of the Poor, 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, one Highway Surveyor, three Audi- tors, one Constable, four School Committee, two for three years, one for two years, one for one year.
Voted, That when the meeting is adjourned, it be to 7.30 P. M., and that all articles in the warrant requiring an ap- propriation of money be postponed to that time.
Voted, To close the Polls at 5.15 P. M.
OFFICERS ELECTED BY BALLOT.
Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor, Daniel Norton, Jr., Henry G. Fields, Joseph F. Boyd. Town Clerk, John Larrabee. Town Treasurer, George Newhall. Collector of Taxes, Moses Briggs. Assessors, George C. Stantial, James C. Currier, Dexter Pratt. Water Commissioner for 3 years, Joseph R. Simonds. Water Loan Sinking Fund Commis- sioner for 3 years, Royal P. Barry. Highway Surveyor,
15
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Amos Wilbur Lynde. Auditors, John R. Norton, Frank E. Orcutt, Ernest Mendum. Constable, Ansel B. Pierce. Trustees of the Public Library, Frederic Kidder, Elbridge H. Goss, Charles C. Barry, Hannah Lynde, Addie A. Nich- ols. School Committee for 3 years, Clifton Fletcher, Mari- etta M. W. Seaver. For 2 years, Julius S. Clark. For 1 year, Louis E. Robson.
ADJOURNED MEETING, MARCHI 1, 1880. 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 D. Littlefield. Measurer of Wood and Bark, Aaron Green. Surveyor of Lumber, Henry A. Leonard. Committee on Cemeteries, George Newhall, Dan- iel Russell, John Larrabee. Field Drivers, Otis Howard, H. W. Cushman, Frank Gibbons, H. B. Newhall, Marcus Malcolm. Fence Viewers, Aaron Green, Charles T. Stev- ens. Police Officers, A. B. Pierce, H. B. Newhall, Joseph Holbrook, H. W. Cushman, Ammi C. Chick, Henry Robin- son, Samuel L. Walton. Sealer of Weights and Measures, A. B. Pierce. Lock-up and Pound Keeper, S. L. Walton.
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, That the Town Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to meet the demands of the Town, with the approval of the Selectmen.
ART. 5. To raise money for Schools.
Voted, That the sum of eleven thousand dollars, and the surplus from last year, be raised and appropriated for the support of schools-for salaries, fuel, care of buildings, in- cluding, also, compensation of School Committee.
ART. 6. To raise money for School Contingent expenses.
Voted, That the sum of seventeen hundred dollars and
16
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
the surplus from last year, be raised and appropriated for School Contingent.
ART. 7. To raise money for Highways.
Voted, That the sum of three thousand dollars be raised for Highways, and that four-fifths of the amount be expend- ed before May 31, 1880. That the unexpended balance, to the credit of this account from last year, be expended for concrete crossings, by the Highway Surveyor, the same to be laid across our highways under direction of the Select- men. That the Highway Surveyor be obliged to make out his pay roll twice each month, and present the same to the Selectmen for approval.
ART. 8. To raise money for Sidewalks.
Voted, That the sum of one thousand dollars be raised for Sidewalks, said sum to be expended for Concrete Sidewalks, under direction of the Selectmen, according to provisions of General Statutes accepted by the Town, relating to side- walks, by which abuttors pay one-half the expense, and that preference be given where parties are willing to make the walks continuous.
ART. 9. To raise money for the Support of the Poor.
Voted, That the sum of four thousand dollars and re- ceipts be raised and appropriated for the Support of the Poor.
Voted. To adjourn to Tuesday, March 2d, at 7.30 P. M. ADJOURNED MEETING, MARCH 2, 1880. 7.30 P. M.
ART. 10. To raise money for the Fire Department.
Voted, That the sum of two thousand dollars and the un- expended balance from last year, be raised and appropriated for the expenses of the Fire Department.
ART. 11. To raise money for Lighting and Care of Street Lamps.
Voted, That the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be raised for Lighting Street Lamps and keeping the same in repair.
17
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 12. To raise money for Additional Street Lamps.
Voted, That the sum of one hundred dollars be raised for Additional Street Lamps.
ART. 13 To Raise money for Watchmen and Policemen.
Voted, That the sum of eight hundred dollars be raised for Police and Night Watchmen.
ART. 14. To raise money for Contingent Expenses
Voted, That the sum of eight hundred dollars be raised for Contingent Expenses.
ART. 15. To raise money to pay Interest on the Town Debt.
Voted, To raise and appropriate, for interest on Town Debt, the sum of seven thousand and seven hundred dollars. together with the unexpended balance from lastyear and the interest collected on taxes for the year 1879.
ART. 16. To raise money for the Reduction of the Town Debt.
Voted, To raise four thousand two hundred and fifty dol- lars for the pupose of reducing the permanent debt.
Voted, That the sum of one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine dollars and ninety-four cents, received during the year 1879 from the State, as Bank and Corporation Tax be applied for the same purpose.
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