USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1885-1889 > Part 17
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 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
37. To see if the Town will accept a street leading from Grove St. southerly to Park St., now known as Meridian St., as laid out by the Selectmen.
38. To see if the Town will accept a street leading from Franklin St. northerly, now known as Prospect Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen.
39. To see if the Town will accept a street leading from Main Street westerly, now known as Highland Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen.
40. To see if the Town will accept a street leading from Main Street westerly, now known as Briggs Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen.
41. To see if the Town will accept a street leading from Briggs Avenue northerly, now known as Spring Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen.
42. To see if the Town will accept a street leading westerly from Main St. to Spring Ave., now known as Morgan Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen.
43. To see if the Town will purchase land at Wyoming and remove the old Vinton St. schoolhouse thereon, for the use of N. D. Blake Hose Co.
44. To see if the Town will purchase or take land for cemetery purposes.
45. To see what action the Town will take to remedy the evil caused by the stagnant water called Dix's Pond, whether they will take the same with or without other adjacent land and fill the said pond, for the purpose of public use in connection with the Town Hall lot, or what other action shall be taken in the matter.
46. To see what action the Town will take to establish telephonic or electrical communication between the outlying districts and the centre for fire and police service.
47. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chapter 186 of the Acts of the year 1877, in relation to the election of the overseers of the poor, on petition of W. E. Barrett and others.
48. '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 twenty-fourth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven.
LEVI S. GOULD, Selectmen H. G. FIELDS, of JOHN K. CURRIER, ) Melrose.
A true Copy. Attest,
ANSEL B. PIERCE, Constable.
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MELROSE
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1887.
BOSTON : ALFRED MUDGE & SON, PRINTERS, NO. 24 FRANKLIN STREET. 1888.
CONTENTS.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
7
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
18
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK. - Proceedings in Town Meetings . 20
Vote for State and County Officers
33
Statistics of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
40
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
45
Expenses of Public Schools
Wyoming Cemetery
School Contingent Expenses.
51 55
Crossings and Gutters .
57
Drainage, Bridges, and Culverts
58
Sidewalks
59
Support of Poor
60
Fire Department
64
Street Lights .
66 67
Assessors' Valuation
67
Police and Night Watch
68
Contingent Expenses
69
Interest
71
Town Officers' Salaries .
72
Town Hall
73
State Aid
74
Military Aid .
75
Water Fund
75
Public Library and Reading Room
76
Summer Street Drain
77
Essex Street Drain
77
Hose House, " Wyoming "
77
Memorial Day
78
Boundary Line
78
Land Damages
78
Second Street
79
State and County Taxes
79
Commonwealth of Massachusetts .
79
.
.
.
Additional Lamps .
45 48
Highways
4
CONTENTS.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
80
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER .
81
AUDITORS' REPORT
87
ASSESSORS' REPORT
.
88
COLLECTORS' REPORT .
.
95
REPORT OF ENGINEERS
98
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS .
IOC
Report of Superintendent
103
Water Rates .
118
REPORT OF THE WATER LOAN SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS 124
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF HE MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY 125
. Treasurer's Report
I32
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1887-8.
Selectmen and Highway Surveyors. LEVI S. GOULD.
JOHN B. SOUTHER. JOHN P. DEERING.
Town Clerk. JOHN LARRABEE. .
Treasurer. GEORGE NEWHALL.
Collector. M. F. EASTMAN.
Assessors.
GEORGE C. STANTIAL. GEORGE F. BOARDMAN.
MOSES BRIGGS.
Water Commissioners.
WINGATE P. SARGENT, Chairman
Terms expires 1890.
WILBUR D. FISKE .
1889.
JOHN R. JONES
1888.
Superintendent of Water Works and Clerk of Board of Water Commissioners. ADDISON LANE.
Commissioners of Water Loan Sinking Fund.
DANIEL RUSSELL, Chairman .
Term expires 1890.
ROYAL P. BARRY
.
66
66 1888.
JOHN W. FARWELL
" 1889.
School Committee.
JOHN O. NORRIS, Chairman .
Term expires 1890.
MRS. SARAH W. BRADBURY
1890.
MRS. A. K. MILLER
I888.
S. ROBERTSON WINCHELL (resigned).
CHARLES F. LORING
MRS. ADDIE B. P. WATERHOUSE
66
1889.
Trustees of the Public Library.
ELBRIDGE H. GOSS. CHARLES C. BARRY.
THOMAS B. PECK. HANNAH LYNDE.
RUBY F. FARWELL.
Auditors.
JOHN R. NORTON. FRANK E. ORCUTT.
WALTER I. NICKERSON.
Overseers of the Poor.
HENRY G. FIELDS. JOHN SINGER, JR.
MARTHA D. (RING) BALE.
1889.
6
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1887-8
Constables.
ANSEL B. PIERCE.
FRANK MCLAUGHLIN. HENRY B. NEWHALL.
Registrars of Voters.
ALFRED HOCKING, Chairman
66
1889.
WALTER BABB
·
66
66 1888.
VICTOR C. KIRMES
JOHN LARRABEE, Town Clerk.
Representative in the General Court. WILLIAM E. BARRETT.
Engineers of the Fire Department.
A. WILBUR LYNDE, Chief.
WALTER B. ELLIS. JOHN SINGER, JR., Clerk.
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal. SETH E. BENSON.
M. F. EASTMAN.
Surveyor of Lumber. HENRY A. LEONARD.
Committee on Cemeteries.
GEORGE NEWHALL. DANIEL RUSSELL. JOHN LARRABEE.
Fence Viewers.
DEXTER PRATT. JOSEPH S. EASTMAN.
Pound Keeper, W. TRUMAN HOWARD.
Field Drivers.
OTIS HOWARD.
FRANK GIBBONS.
HENRY B. NEWHALL.
W. TRUMAN HOWARD.
Police Officers.
FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN, Chief.
HENRY B. NEWHALL.
CHARLES T. STEVENS.
REDFORD M. RAND.
A. B. PIERCE.
JOHN W. DAVIS.
H. E. ROBINSON. HENRY BARRON.
Forest Fire Wards.
DEXTER PRATT.
CHASE C. WORTHEN.
CALVIN LOCKE.
JAMES MARSHALL.
HENRY BARRON.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. ANSEL B. PIERCE
W. A. CASWELL. A. WILBUR LYNDE. OSBORNE E. DROWN. CHAS. H. FULLER.
D. T. STOCKWELL.
EDWARD O. GOODRIDGE.
Term expires May 1, 1890.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
To the Citizens of Melrose :
In submitting our annual report, the selectmen desire to congratulate the tax-payers of Melrose on the sanitary, financial, and general prosperity of our town during the past year. Expenditures have been kept within prescribed limits, as shown by various financial reports hereto attached ; public improvements have not been neglected or curtailed, while the rate of taxation compares favorably with the leading towns of the Commonwealth, and is in point of fact much lower than many of our neighboring communities. That Melrose has assumed a commanding position among the desirable residence towns of large population in the State none can deny who have watched her steady increase in permanent homes during the past decade or two. For this, reasons are not wanting. She offers pure air, beautiful scenery, cheap land, the best of water, excellent schools, fine railroad accommo- dations, and underlying all, such a religious, moral, and social atmosphere as pervades only the ideal community. Forty- three years ago he town of Malden, of which Melrose and Everett were component parts, contained a population of 2,700 ; now Melrose alone has more than 7,000, Everett a somewhat larger number, and Malden, not less than 18,000, showing a total present population in the original boundary lines of Malden of about 33,000 people. That the marvel- lous growth of this section may be the more thoroughly appre- ciated, and as a unique contribution to local history, we print the following description of Malden, written before the incor- poration of Melrose, and at about the time the Boston and
8
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
Maine Railroad commenced to run its trains with regularity. It is from the pen of the celebrated John Hayward, a gazetteer of great prominence in his day : -
" Until the erection of Charles River and Malden bridges, in 1786 and 1787, this town was as far ' down east ' in regard to its connection with Boston by roads and bridges as any town in the county of York, in the State of Maine, now is. In those days, a Malden lady wishing to visit Boston by land, had to rise early and travel by wagon, side-saddle or pillion, through Medford, Charlestown, Cambridge, Little Cambridge (now Brighton), Brookline, Roxbury, and over the Neck to the great metropolis, and when she arrived was so fatigued by her day's journey that she had to rest a day or two before she was able to make her calls. "But now, how changed ! Those cruel turnpike killers and despisers of horseflesh, the legislators of Massachusetts, have granted permission to a number of men to set up a long, narrow building on trundles, a sort of travelling meeting-house, with à bell to it, and a row of pews on each side of the aisle, drawn by a savage-looking beast that keeps puffing and whistling like a northeaster, and when started, seems as if Satan himself couldn't catch him. By this mode of travelling, a lady or gentleman at Malden may leave home at almost any hour, go down south to Boston, a distance of five miles, see their friends, do their errands, and return in one short sunny hour. There are now two delightful and flourishing villages in the town [of which Melrose was, of course, one], through both of which the rail- road passes. The number of inhabitants in 1845, in the whole of Malden, was computed at 2,700."
HIGHWAYS.
The appropriation for this department was . . $6,500 00
To which is added the Maple Street Sidewalk appropriation 300 00
The Porter Street Extension appropriation . 300 00
Amount carried forward . $7,100 00
9
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
Amount brought forward
$7,100 00 .
The Main Street Sidewalk appropriation .
500 00
The Meridian Street repairs
300 00
$7,900 00
Add also the amount refunded to the town by the East Middlesex Street Railroad Com- pany for work properly belonging to them to do 766 50
Total
$8,666 50
All of which has been expended in accordance with item- ized statement appended under its proper heading. Of the gravel spread upon the roads the town has purchased over seven thousand loads. The East Middlesex Street Railroad Company have furnished and carted at their own expense in the vicinity of two thousand, and there has been at least two thousand more taken from other sources, such as the roads, etc. The selectmen are constantly hampered in their work upon the highways by the difficulty in obtaining blue gravel, the only cheap and suitable article for road making, the distance of the haul greatly augmenting the cost. This evil is increasing each year, and we think it would be economy for the town to secure without delay such pits as may be available.
ESSEX STREET DRAIN.
In accordance with the vote of the town, after a thorough survey and examination of all proposed plans, we decided to run the drain from near the corner of Essex and Vine Streets to Myrtle, thence to corner of Winthrop, through Winthrop to Main, thence to the large culvert running to Ell Pond Brook from Dix's Pond. We were enabled to do this within the appropriation, and also within the scope of your vote direct- ing us to relieve Dix's Pond as far as possible from surface water. We are pleased to say that the drain works perfectly,
IO
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
and all the enormous quantity of water heretofore flowing into Winthrop Street, to the discomfort of residents, now finds its way into the drain, and thus to Ell Pond Brook in- stead of Dix's Pond, as heretofore.
SUMMER STREET DRAIN.
This drain was laid, as per your vote, within the appropria- tion, over land of Mr. James Rendall, after he had deeded a right of way to the town.
SECOND STREET (Opposite Town Common).
This street, at point named, was contracted for within your appropriation, and has been built to grade during the winter, under the inspection of Mr. W. C. Stevens, engineer. It is considered a great improvement.
LAND DAMAGES.
We have settled with Geo. F. Boardman for damages wid- ening Essex Street, $59.60. A settlement has also been effected with the heirs of Timothy Corey for land taken to "widen Berwick and Grove Streets, $106.25. Both of these amounts are in accordance with the award of the selectmen and with your votes.
BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN MALDEN AND MELROSE.
Under the instructions contained in your vote at the last town meeting, the selectmen of Melrose and the Board of Aldermen of the city of Malden jointly appointed Walter C. Stevens, engineer, as representing the selectmen of Melrose, and G. A. Wetherbee, engineer, as representing the Board of Aldermen of the city of Malden, to confirm said lines in ac- cordance with the charter of incorporation of said Melrose, and to locate and establish the true bounds thereof, should they be found inaccurately placed. Their report is hereto annexed. It will be noticed that Melrose receives " Acorn " cottage, which
II
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
has been the " nut " of contention between us, and so the sub- ject is happily disposed of.
DEC. 15, 1887.
To Special Committee on Survey of Division Line between Malden and Melrose : -
In accordance with an order from your committee to survey and define the dividing line between the city of Malden and the town of Melrose, we respectfully submit the following report.
Using for our initial or starting-point the stone bound which marks the intersection of the boundary lines of Malden, Melrose, Revere, and Saugus, we ran an arbitrary line to the westward, connecting with the various stone bounds as we passed them, and stopping at the bound which marks the southwest corner of the town of Melrose.
This line was projected and measured with extreme care, and we have no reason to doubt its accuracy. The remainder of our work was done in the office; which consisted of re- ducing our arbitrary or transit line to a mathematically straight line between the terminal points of our survey, and determin- ing the relative position of the intermediate bounds, which we find to be as follows : -
Bound on Broadway, 23.97 feet south of true. line.
" Swain's Pond Avenue, 14.94 feet south of true line.
" Lebanon Street, 15.18 feet south of true line.
" Forest Street, 8.72 feet south of true line.
" Main Street, 15.81 feet south of true line.
" " Washington Street, 10.55 feet south of true line.
Acorn Cottage on Elliett Street, or more properly Brazil Street, the disputed position of which has been a source of trouble to the assessors, we find to be wholly in Melrose.
The deviation in the line of bounds we attribute to the presumption that they were originally set by compass, a not unusual method of defining town lines, but owing to what is termed daily variation of- the needle and local attraction, a very inaccurate one.
12
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
The accompanying plan will give a graphic illustration of the line and the position of the bounds.
In conclusion, we might say that the bounds in question can easily be reset, and would also suggest that two new ones (if the committee so desire) be placed : one on Elliett or Brazil Street, and the other on the road leading from Wyo- ming to Forestdale Cemetery.
G. A. WETHERBEE, for Malden. WALTER C. STEVENS, for Melrose.
We hereby certify that we have perambulated the boun- dary line as above described as the duly appointed substitutes of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Malden, and the selectmen of the Town of Melrose, and by their direction have established bounds at the points mentioned in the above report.
G. A. WETHERBEE. WALTER C. STEVENS.
HOSE HOUSE AT WYOMING.
Following out the strict letter of your instructions, the selectmen purchased of Henry Lynde a lot of land on Main Street as directed, paying therefor the.exact sum you voted, viz., ten cents per foot, which with examination of titles amounted to $449.75. We also sold to the highest bidder, as you directed, the Vinton Street Schoolhouse, $510. So that the money remaining in the treasury available to the building of a new house is (with the original appropriation of $ 1,200) $1,260.25, - abundantly sufficient for the purpose. The only case on record where the selectmen have been able to report at the close of their term a sum exceeding the original amount and a first-class lot of land besides! Our excuse for not commencing the building is that a remonstrance was filed against it, and we concluded to let the matter rest.
13
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
STREET LIGHTS.
In conformity with your instructions, we contracted with the Malden Electric Light Company for fourteen arc lights, and several others have been established at various points, and supported by gratuitous contribution. This service has been in the main excellent, and we are certainly bound to report that the misgivings of many very good citizens have failed to materialize. The Wheeler Reflector Company serves one hundred and forty-nine lights, and the Malden and Melrose Gas Company twenty-two. The entire cost of street light- ing to the town has been $2,930.38.
SIDEWALKS, CROSSINGS, AND GUTTERS.
More work has been accomplished in this department than in any previous year. We advise a continuance of liberal appropriations for concreting, also for repairs to old walks. Through inadvertence, the cost of preparing walks for con- crete has been borne entirely by the town for several years, which is not in accordance with law or equity, as the abutter is required, under the statutes, to pay one half the entire expense of his sidewalk and the town the balance. During the past year your selectmen have acted strictly under the pro- visions of this law, and assessed one half cost of preparing the walk for concrete as well as one half the concrete itself.
ASSESSORS' VALUATION BOOK.
This work has been published within the appropriation, and distributed as per vote of the town.
MELROSE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
The good work of this excellent organization continues under the management of public-spirited citizens. Mr. W. H. Folsom, the president, is specially active, and has devo ted a great deal of time to the interests of the society. He is entitled to the thanks of the community. We append a statement of receipts and disbursements.
14
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
REPORT OF TREASURER OF THE MELROSE IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY FROM MARCH 1, 1887, TO JAN. 1, 1888.
Balance on hand, March 1, 1887 $64 67
Interest, Melrose Savings Bank .
72
Annual dues, $ I each
276 00
Planting trees .
108 00
Annual entertainment 23 23
From Town of Melrose, for trimming trees
50 00
From Town of Melrose, for cutting grass and clearing weeds from certain streets
99 77
$622 39
EXPENDITURES.
C. O. Saunders, for furnishing and planting 164 trees, 130 protectors, etc. · .
$297 40
C. O. Saunders, for trimming trees, 5 days at $12 (4 men and 2 teams)
60 00
C. O. Saunders, for leathering 507 trees
38 00
Otis Howard, for work on streets
99 77
Otis Howard, for work at Highlands .
14 05
T. C. Fielding, filling Town Hall vase
24 00
O. E. Drown, care of same
5 00
C. A. Marsh, printing
II 00
W. L. Williams, printing
19 70
A. W. Lynde, labor and teaming
29 72
Chas. Mckinnon, labor on Common
5 00
Eli Upham, hauling loam
3 00
Miscellaneous
3 75
Balance in Melrose Savings Bank
12 00
$622 39
E. K. BORDMAN,
Treasurer.
15
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
(J. P. DEERING, Chairman.)
There have been reported to the Board during the year, fifty-three cases of contagious diseases, classified as follows :-
MONTHS.
Diphtheria.
Scarlet Fever.
Typhoid Fever.
January .
-
2
February
5
March.
April
I
May
2
I
June
2
July
3
I
August
2
September
-
-
3
November
-
3
2
8
2
5
29
19
-
1-
-
INMO+1 2 3 4
. . .
December
.
The increase of scarlet fever over the preceding year is quite marked, but with few exceptions the Board are informed that the cases have assumed a very mild type. The decrease in diphtheria, which during the summer of 1886 was, for a short time, so prevalent, is perhaps equally noticeable.
Thirty complaints were received of nuisances existing upon and about the premises of citizens. These were duly investi- gated, and in all cases orders given for the suppression of the same. With but few exceptions, the Board have met with a ready response to all the requirements made, it being evi- dent that the desire of the whole community has been for the prompt enforcement of all sanitary rules and regulations, as adopted by the Board.
We would suggest that in order to make a more efficient inspection of the sanitary conditions of the town from time to time, an appropriation of two hundred dollars be made for the expenses of the Board, as at present we are obliged to draw from the contingent fund.
/
I
October.
16
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
EAST MIDDLESEX STREET RAILWAY COMPANY.
This corporation has extended its line through Melrose during the past year. In construction and equipment it equals the best of its kind, and so far as we are informed its service is satisfactory, and a great public convenience. We are bound also to say that its officers and contractors have been courteous and honorable in their dealings with the town, and all questions of difference have met with a prompt and satisfactory adjustment.
DAMAGES CLAIMED AGAINST THE TOWN.
Early in 1886 a dispensation of Divine Providence flooded certain portions of the estate of Justus Geist, for which he claims the town of Melrose is responsible. He has com- menced an action for damages. Ed. A. Harriman alleges personal injuries on Howard Street, and has entered suit thereon. A careful and conscientious examination into both claims has convinced your selectmen that they lack the ele- ments of justice and equity. Colonel F. S. Hesseltine has legal charge of these cases on behalf of the town.
The case of Franklin Rogers, of Bangor, Me., for damages on Washington Street, which was reported last year, has been settled, we are informed, by the City of Malden, without ex- pense to Melrose in any way.
MYSTIC VALLEY SEWER.
We watched this matter, and attended hearings before the Legislature, until the subject was finally disposed of for the present, through reference to the State Board of Health. They are to report at some future time a thoroughly digested scheme for legislative action.
NEW STREETS.
We have laid out, and the town has accepted, the following streets, viz. : Pine Street and an extension of Rowe Street
I7
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
Also a widening of Grove and Berwick Streets at their junc- tion. We have also viewed and laid out several other streets petitioned for, which will be reported at the annual meeting.
Thanking the citizens for their uniform support and cour- tesy in the discharge of our official duties,
We are respectfully,
LEVI S. GOULD, JOHN B. SOUTHER, JOHN P. DEERING, Selectmen.
2
18
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The overseers of the poor respectfully submit their report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1887. For the expenditures and receipts, they refer to the financial columns of this report, prepared by the clerk of the Board of Selectmen, by which it will appear that the total expense of the department has been $5,307.02. This amount taken from the appropriation and receipts for the year, leaves a balance of $40.72. Under the administration of the later enacted laws, the number of pau- pers who are town charges, instead of State ones, as formerly,. has been very largely increased.
As time goes on, the change will become still more appar- ent, and that, together with the increase of paupers, conse- quent upon the natural growth of the town, will give us still larger numbers directly dependent upon us. This will sug- gest to the minds of many citizens the necessity of almshouse accommodations at no distant day. And while the town has expressed itself, within recent years, as adverse to such a project, on the score of economy, yet this Board is aware, in common with many of our citizens, that from the stand-point of a convenient or humane method in the discharge of its duties, such accommodations are needed even now.
NUMBER OF PERSONS SUPPORTED AND AIDED DURING 1887.
Persons assisted . 80 .
Persons fully supported 2I
Sane persons in almshouses and private families .
II . Insane persons in hospitals . .
IO
19
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
School for feeble-minded I
State Primary School at Munson
I
Tramps lodged at station
72
The Board have sought to manage the affairs of this de- partment with care, and to do its duty to the poor as well as to the citizens who have given the trust.
It desires to give its testimony to the generous and effi- cient aid they have received from the Melrose Charitable Association, also from those citizens who have given of their means to save quite a number of unfortunate poor from being pauperized, to which a pinching winter was exposing them. Such good is far above our comment. It brings down its. own reward, to swell the bosom of the giver.
H. G. FIELDS, JOHN SINGER, JR., MARTHA D. BALE, Overseers of 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.