USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1885-1889 > Part 2
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ART. 3. To choose all other necessary town officers.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal - Seth E. Benson, M. F. Eastman. Surveyor of Lum- ber - 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, Joseph S. Eastman. 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, that the treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the selectmen, to hire money, to renew, re- place or pay any existing loan or loans ; also to hire money , in anticipation of taxes for the current year, to meet ex- penses, and issue notes of the town therefor.
ART. 5. To hear and act upon the report of the finance committee appointed at meeting held November 12, 1884.
Report read and accepted.
ART. 6. To raise money for schools.
Voted, To raise sixteen thousand dollars.
ART. 7. To raise money for school contingent expenses.
Voted, To raise three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.
ART. 8. To raise money for highways.
Voted, To raise three thousand five hundred dollars.
ART. 9. To raise money for sidewalks.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Voted, To raise nine hundred dollars.
ART. 10. To raise money for crossings and gutters.
Voted, To raise one hundred and fifty dollars.
ART. 11. To raise money for the support of the poor,
Voted, To raise four thousand dollars.
ART. 12. To raise money for the fire department.
Voted, To raise two thousand seven hundred dollars, four hundred dollars of the amount raised to be expended for new hose.
ART. 13. To raise money for the lighting and care of street lamps.
Voted, To raise one thousand seven hundred dollars.
ART. 14. To raise money for additional street lamps.
Voted, To raise seventy-five dollars.
ART. 15. To raise money for police and watchmen.
Voted, To raise twelve hundred dollars.
ART. 16. To raise money for contingent expenses.
Voted, To raise nine hundred and fifty dollars.
ART. 17. To raise money to pay interest on the town debt.
Voted, To raise six thousand dollars.
ART. 18. To raise money for the reduction of the town debt.
Voted, To raise five thousand dollars.
ART. 19. To raise money for the public library.
Voted, To raise seven hundred and fifty dollars for the public library and reading-room, and that the dog tax when received be appropriated for the same purpose.
ART. 20. To raise money for water ; viz., to pay cost of constructing works for the past year, and for the use of the water, in hydrants, public buildings, &c.
Voted, To raise, to pay cost of constructing works for past year, three thousand seven hundred fifty-four and fifty one-hundredths dollars. For the use of the water for the current year, two thousand dollars.
23
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 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.
Voted, To raise nineteen hundred dollars, and that the officers be paid the same salaries as last year.
ART. 22. To raise money for drainage, bridges and culverts.
Voted, To raise three hundred dollars.
ART. 23. To raise money for deficiencies in accounts for the past year, and for all other necessary expenses of the ensuing year.
Voted, To raise three thousand four hundred and twenty four and thirteen hundredths dollars for deficiencies in ac- counts for past year ; viz., insurance, $743.75, fire department, $210.71, town hall, $274.17, military aid, $195.50, school contingent for books, &c., $2000 : total, $3424.13.
ART. 29. To see if the town will purchase a steam fire engine and appropriate money for the same on petition of A. W. Lynde and others.
Voted, That three thousand five hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the purchase of a steam fire engine ; that a committee, consisting of the chief engineer of the fire department, the chairman of the board of selectmen and three citizens, be appointed to purchase the same. Citizens ap- pointed : Daniel Norton, Walter Babb, William F. Morse.
ART. 24. To determine the method by which the taxes for the year shall be collected.
Voted, That all single poll taxes be made payable on or before July 1, 1885 ; that all other taxes be made payable on or before October 1, 1885, and that interest be added upon all taxes remaining unpaid after that date at the rate of six per centum per annum ; that all property on which the taxes remain unpaid on June 1, 1886, be sold by the collect- or in accordance with the provisions of law.
ART. 25. To see if the town will appropriate money for
24
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
keeping in repair and decorating the graves of soldiers on Memorial day.
Voted, To raise two hundred dollars, said sum to be placed in the hands of the Memorial day committee of Post 4, G.A.R.
ART. 26. › To see what action will be taken in reference to the school building and lot on Franklin street, west of the Highlands depot.
Indefinitely postponed.
ART. 27. To see if the town will build a schoolhouse at the Fells, on lot of land presented by Hon. E. S. Converse, and appropriate money for the same.
Voted, That the sum of five thousand dollars be appropri- ated for the building of a schoolhouse at the Fells ; that a committee be appointed to build the same, and that the town treasurer be authorized to borrow said amount. Com- mittee appointed : John K. Robson, Royal P. Barry, John W. Farwell, George H. Dearborn, Daniel Norton.
ART. 28. To see if the town will build a plank sidewalk on Tremont street, between Emerson and Melrose streets, and appropriate money for the same, on the petition of F. W. Hunt and others.
Voted, To raise five hundred dollars for the building of a sidewalk ; that the selectmen have charge of the same, to be built on said street wherever in their judgment it may be necessary .
ART. 30. To hear and act on the reports of committees, and for the transaction of any other business which may legally come before this meeting.
Voted, That the unexpended balances from last year be added to the appropriations for this year, and credited to the several departments.
Selectmen's report on guide boards accepted.
Voted, That a committee of two be appointed to act with the water commissioners in the matter of revising the water
25
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
rates, and to prepare by-laws for the government of the water commissioners, and report the same to the next town meeting. Committee appointed : Nathan D. Blake, John B. Souther.
Report of committee on new water main received and accepted ; committee, by their own request, discharged.
Voted, That a committee be appointed to confer with the executor of the will of Sally Upham concerning a lot of land mentioned in said will, that they ascertain the value of the same, and report the proper action for the town in the premises at the next meeting.
Committee appointed : Artemas Barrett, H. H. Westgate, Daniel Norton, F. S. Hesseltine.
Voted, That the committee appointed to revise the water rates and prepare by-laws be requested to consider the matter of refunding a proportion of the sums paid for water, in cases where the water ceases to flow, proper notice being given, &c.
Voted, That the selectmen be authorized to put upon the new drinking fountain the inscription, "Erected A.D. 1884."
OFFICERS DECLARED ELECTED UNDER ARTICLE 2.
Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Highway Surveyors - Levi S. Gould, Henry G. Fields, John K. Currier. Town Clerk - John Larrabee. Treasurer - George New- hall. Collector of Taxes-M. F. Eastman. Assessors - George C. Stantial, George F. Boardman, Gilbert N. Harris. Water Commissioner for Three Years- John R. Jones. Water Commissioner for Two Years - Wingate P. Sargent. School Committee for Three Years - S. Robertson Winchell, Arethusa K. Miller. Water Loan Sinking Fund Commis- sioner for Three Years - Royal P. Barry. Trustees of the Public Library - Elbridge H. Goss, Charles C. Barry, Thomas B. Peck, Hannah Lynde, Ruby F. Farwell. Con- stables - Ansel B. Pierce, Frank M. McLaughlin, Henry B.
26
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Newhall. Auditors - John R. Norton, Frank E. Orcutt, Walter I. Nickerson.
LICENSE QUESTION.
" Yes," nineteen votes ; "No," four hundred and twenty- five votes.
Voted to adjourn sine die.
APPROPRIATIONS, 1885.
March 2.
Schools, support of .
$16,000 00
School, contingent expenses
3,250 00
Highways .
3,500 00
Crossings and gutters
150 00
Sidewalks
900 00
Poor, support of
4,000 00
Fire Department :
Expenses, $2300; new hose, $400
2,700 00
Street lights, lighting and care of
1,700 00
Additional street lamps
75 00
Police and watchmen
1,200 00
Contingent expenses
950 00
Interest on town debt
6,000 00
Reduction of
5,000 00
Public Library and reading-room,
dog tax and 750 00
Water, use of
2,000 00
ce construction, 1884
3,754 51
Salaries, town officers
1,900 00
Drainage, bridges and culverts
300 00
Deficiencies in accounts, 1884
3,424 13
Steam fire engine
3,500 00
Memorial Day .
200 00
Sidewalk, Tremont street
. 500 00
.
.
.
$61,753 64
27
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Unexpended balances from last year to be added. Treasurer authorized to borrow five thousand dollars for the building of schoolhouse at the Fells.
Treasurer also authorized to borrow -
May 19.
For the purpose of paying the expenses of water committee, investigation, &c. $300 00
October 5.
For the building of Orris and Warren streets .
600 00
For repairs on Washington street 200 00
BONDS.
October 5.
Treasurer authorized to issue additional water bonds (High Service ) to the amount of $37,000 00
Meeting, April 14, 1885, 7.30 P.M.
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator.
Levi S. Gould unanimously chosen.
ART. 2. To see if the town will adopt the high service system, so called, in connection with the Melrose water works, and pass any vote or votes connected therewith that may be deemed necessary, on petition of Nathan D. Blake and 127 others.
Voted, That Messrs. J. D. Wilde, J. W. Farwell, Royal P. Barry, John B. Souther and N. D. Blake be a commit- tee to confer with our board of water commissioners, make full investigation and report the best method or system by which a full and ample supply of water can be furnished to the inhabitants of this town and the probable cost of the same, having power also to confer with the Wakefield Water Company of Wakefield or any other water company in our vicinity having an excess of water supply.
ART. 3. To see if the town will instruct the committee
28
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
appointed at the last town meeting to indefinitely postpone the purchase of a steam fire engine on petition of N. D. Blake and 127 others, legal voters.
Voted, That the committee on the purchase of a steam fire engine be instructed to postpone the purchase of an engine until after the adjournment of this meeting ; that they also be instructed to fully consider the matter of purchase, as- certain the cost of an engine and the probable expense of keeping and maintaining the same, and report to the town as to the necessity of an engine if we have the high service system.
Voted, To adjourn to Tuesday, May 19, next, at 7.30 P.M.
Adjourned Meeting, May 19, 1885, 7.30 P.M.
Report of committee appointed at meeting held April 14, 1885, under article 2 of the warrant, read and accepted.
Report of committee appointed at the annual meeting to purchase a steam fire engine, read and accepted.
Special report of the board of water commissioners on the improvement of the water supply, read and accepted.
ART. 2.
Voted, That Wingate P. Sargent, Wilbur D. Fisk, John R. Jones, John W. Farwell, Nathan D. Blake, John B. Souther, Artemus Barrett, A. V. Lynde and W. F. Sherman be a committee to make full and thorough investigation and report to the town the best system or method for supplying the town with high water service and the cost of the same, and for that purpose they are authorized to employ such skilful and competent engineer or engineers as they may deem proper, and confer with contractors so as to ascertain, as nearly as possible, the actual cost of providing the high water service by the system or method which they shall recommend ; they are also authorized and instructed to make
29
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
such tests of the present water pipes as will determine whether or not they will sustain the pressure of the high water which they shall recommend.
Voted, That the said committee be authorized to expend a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars in pursuance of their investigation as stated, and that the town treasurer be authorized to borrow the same.
Voted, That the committee on the purchase of a steam fire engine be instructed to postpone the purchase of an engine until after the final adjournment of this meeting.
Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to consider the question of letting the upper floor of the town hall build- ing at a nominal rent to U. S. Grant Post 4, G. A. R., of this town, the same to be finished by them as a memorial hall, or to recommend such plan for finishing and letting as they may think best to some subsequent meeting. Commit- tee appointed, F. S. Hesseltine, Edwin C. Gould and Sam- uel S. Bugbee.
Voted, To adjourn to Tuesday, June 2, 1885, at 7.30 P.M.
Adjourned Meeting, June 2, 1885, 7.30 P.M.
ART. 4.
Report of committee appointed at meeting held March 2, 1885, to confer with the executor of the will of Sally Upham concerning a lot of land mentioned in said will, submitted and accepted.
Voted, That it is the sense of the town that the executor sell the land to Mr. George F. Boardman for the sum of $400 and pay one half of the amount into the town treas- ury ; that the town accept the trust and carry out the instructions of the will concerning the care of lot in ceme- tery.
ART. 2.
Report of the committee appointed May 19, to make in-
30
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
vestigation and report to the town the best system or method for supplying high water service, read and accepted.
Dissenting report from A. V. Lynde, Esq., a member of said committee, read and accepted.
Voted, That Wingate P. Sargent, Wilbur D. Fiske, John R. Jones, Nathan D. Blake and William F. Sherman be a committee with full power and authority to contract for and cause to be made a suitable reservoir, and such other enlarge- ments, extensions and improvements of our present water service as will give to the inhabitants of the town a full supply of water, provided the same can be done at an expense not exceeding $37,000 ; and provided further, that the legislature shall have first authorized the issue by the Town of Melrose of additional water fund bonds to the amount of $37,000 for the payment of the expenses of such reservoir, extensions and improvements.
The above vote was taken by check list, "Yes " and " No" ballots being used, and was as follows : affirmative, 200 ; neg- ative, 49.
Voted, unanimously, that the committee appointed at this meeting to contract for the enlargement and improvement of the town's system of water service are hereby instructed to petition the present legislature for a grant of authority to this town to issue its water fund bonds to an amount not exceeding $37,000 for the purpose of defraying the cost of the proposed extension, enlargement and improvement of such water service.
ART. 3.
Voted, That the committee appointed at the annual meet- ing to purchase a steam fire engine be instructed to post- pone indefinitely the purchase of such engine.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
31
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Meeting, October 5, 1885, 7.30 P.M.
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator.
Chose Levi S. Gould by unanimous vote.
ART. 2. To see if the town will authorize the issue of the bonds contemplated in the vote passed at the last town meet- ing to complete the "high service" system ; designate the denomination, length of time and interest thereon, and pass any other vote or votes that may be deemed necessary to carry out the will of the town agreeable to petition of Win- gate P. Sargent and others.
Voted, That we hereby accept the act entitled "An act to authorize the town of Melrose to make an additional water loan," approved June 18, 1885 ; and we hereby authorize and direct the issue of thirty-seven bonds, each of the denomina- tion of one thousand ($1000) dollars, bearing on its face the words "Melrose Water Loan, Act of 1885," payable in twenty years from the date of issue, bearing interest, pay- able semi-annually, at a rate not exceeding four per cent per annum ; and the treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to sign said bonds, and the board of water commissioners are hereby authorized and directed to countersign the same ; and the treasurer is hereby authorized to sell or dispose of said securities at public or private sale on such terms and conditions as he may deem proper, and the proceeds of said bond shall be applied by the treasurer in payment of bills incurred and approved by the committee, authorized by vote of the town on the second day of June, 1885, to contract for and cause to be made, a suitable reservoir, and such other enlargements, extensions and improvements of our present water service as will give to the inhabitants of the town a full supply of water.
The above vote was taken by check list, "Yes" and "No" ballots being used, and was as follows : affirmative, 95 ; negative, 9: total, 104.
32
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 3. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer to borrow a sum of money sufficient to put in repair Warren and Orris streets and a portion of Washington street ; the former on petition of William C. Bliss and others, and the latter in conformity with the' orders of the county commis- sioners of Middlesex County.
Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to borrow the sum of two hundred dollars, said sum to be expended for repairs on Washington street, under the direction of the selectmen.
Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to borrow the sum of eight hundred dollars, of which amount six hundred dollars shall be expended for the purpose of building and grading Warren and Orris streets, and the balance to be added to the highway appropriation to replace the amount which has been expended on said streets during the present year.
ART. 4. To hear and act upon the reports of committees, and transact any other business which may legally come be- fore this meeting.
The committee appointed to consider the question of let- ting the upper floor of the town hall building to U. S. Grant Post 4, G.A.R., for a memorial hall, reported.
Voted, To accept the report.
Voted, unanimously, to adopt the recommendations of the committee as submitted, and that the selectmen be authorized and directed to execute a lease for the purposes mentioned to said Post 4, G.A.R., for the term of five years from this date, at a rental of one dollar per annum.
Voted, That the selectmen be requested to clear the rear portion of the town hall lot of all rubbish, obstructions, &c., and have the same properly enclosed with a fence.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
33
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Meeting, November 3, 1885, 7 A.M.
ARTICLE 1. To bring in their votes to the selectmen for . state and county officers.
Also to bring in their votes, by ballot, for or against the the following article of amendment to the constitution :
" The general court shall have full power and authority to provide for, the inhabitants of the towns in this common- wealth more than one place of public meeting within the limits of each town for the election of officers under the con- stitution, and to prescribe the manner of calling, holding and conducting such meetings. All the provisions of the existing constitution inconsistent with the provisions herein contained are hereby annulled."
The form of said ballot to be "amendment to the constitu- tion, Yes " or "No."
The polls to be kept open until 4.30 P.M.
Polls opened promptly.
Royal B. Leighton and William A. Waterhouse were appointed as tellers to assist the selectmen in assorting and counting the votes, and were duly sworn.
ART. 2. To choose a moderator to preside for the trans- action of town business.
Levi S. Gould unanimously chosen.
Voted, To postpone the transaction of town business until Tuesday evening, November 10, at 7.30 o'clock, and that when this meeting adjourns, it to be to meet at that date and time.
Voted, That the polls be kept open until 4.34 P.M.
Polls closed at 4.34 P.M. The result of the voting was declared in open town meeting as follows : total number of ballots cast 869.
For Governor.
Votes.
George D. Robinson of Chicopee
588
Frederick O. Prince of Boston 250
34
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Thomas J. Lothrop of Taunton 23
James Sumner of Milton 3
John W. Farwell of Melrose 1
For Lieutenant-Governor.
Oliver Ames of Easton 590
Henry H. Gilmore of Cambridge ·
254
Charles B. Knight of Worcester 21
William Murray of Boston
1
For Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Henry B. Peirce of Abington 591
Jeremiah Crowley of Lowell 249
George Kempton of Sharon
20
Hiram W. K. Eastman of Lawrence 1
For Treasurer and Receiver General.
Alanson W. Beard of Boston 579
Henry M. Cross of Newburyport 264
Claudius B. Travis of Natick 20
Walter Harmon of Boston 1
For Auditor.
Charles R. Ladd of Springfield 592
James E. Delaney of Holyoke . 251
William W. Sherman of Lowell 21
Arad H. Wood of Lunenburg 1
For Attorney-General.
Edgar J. Sherman of Lawrence 592
Henry K. Braley of Fall River . 250
Samuel M. Fairfield of Malden . 21
Asa F. Hall of Hudson 1
For County Treasurer. Joseph O. Hayden of Somerville 591
John M. Cate of Wakefield 253
35
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Ammi Cutter of Stoneham 21
Edward H. Gay of Marlboro' 1
For County Commissioner.
Alphonso M. Lunt of Cambridge 461
Alonzo M. Lunt of Cambridge . 123
Alpheus R. Brown of Somerville 262
Wilbur F. Brigham of Hudson . 20
For Special Commissioner (unexpired term).
Lyman Dike of Stoneham 465
Lewis P. True of Everett . 252
John Hall of Watertown . 21
Michael Dee of Marlboro' .
1
For Register of Deeds. Middlesex South District.
Charles B. Stevens of Cambridge 844
George L. Bean of Newton 21
For Register of Deeds. North District.
James K. Fellows of Lowell 21
For Councillor. Sixth District.
Abraham B. Coffin of Winchester 592
Nathaniel P. H. Melvin of Lawrence 213
Amos Cummings of Woburn 21
H. B. Foster of North Andover 1
For Councillor. Third District.
Joseph Cogan of Cambridge 39
For Senator. Sixth Middlesex District.
John M. Harlow of Woburn 590
James Reid of Reading . 251
Richard Eddy of Melrose .
24
36
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
For Representative in the General Court. Ninth Middlesex District.
John Larrabee of Melrose 514
John W. Farwell of Melrose 321
Charles J. Barton of Melrose 30
The ballot box registered as follows :- at 10.15 A.M., 500; at 1.30 P.M., 700; at the close, 870.
Names checked on voting list, 870.
Ballots cast, 869.
Voted, To adjourn.
Adjourned Meeting, November 10, 1885, 7.30 P.M. ART. 3.
JURY LIST AS ACCEPTED.
Ames, Benjamin.
Kennard, Oscar N.
Avery, John Q. A.
Love, Thomas S.
Bailey, Thomas T.
Lovejoy, Stephen A.
Baker, George A.
Lynde, James O.
Bennett, Francis. McIntyre, James.
Bryant, Dexter.
Merrill, Lemuel.
Burke, George W.
Merrill, Deering P.
Church, Asa.
Messenger, C. A.
Cochran, Nelson.
Moore, Eugene H. Norton, Daniel.
Collier, William S.
Dill, Jesse A.
Nowell, Samuel H.
Denton, Joseph.
Norris, Edward J. Oakman, Samuel.
Dowling, Isaac C.
Eastman, Moses F.
Osborne, Henry.
Emery, Salter. Freeman, L. Thomas.
Gridley, Oliver L.
Gordon, Curtis S.
Hall, George M.
Palmer, Frank T. Parker, Albon W. Prentice, Charles. Ring, Ethan. C.
Stevens, Charles T.
37
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Hayward, Paul.
Stewart, Wm. H.
Higgins, Charles W.
Upham, Asa E.
Hill, Aaron, Jr.
White, Ira J.
Howe, F. Edward.
Wiley, Henry E.
Howes, Ephraim O.
Wood, Joseph.
Hoyt, Lewis C.
Willis, Abel.
Ireland, Thomas.
Waitt, Edward P.
Johnson, Jerome B.
Young, Lorenzo.
By unanimous consent, Hon. D. W. Gooch submitted the following resolution :
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the room in the town hall building which the town voted to lease to Post 4, G.A.R., be fitted for their use at the ex- pense of the town, under the direction of the selectmen, and when completed, that they be authorized to lease the same at a rental of one dollar per annum, for a term of five years, to said Post 4, G.A.R.
Unanimously adopted.
Voted, That D. W. Gooch, R. P. Barry, Moses Briggs, F. W. Hunt, N. P. Jones, J. P. Deering, Artemas Barrett, F. S. Hesseltine, N. D. Blake and G. F. Boardman, be a com- mittee to examine and report at the next annual March meeting the amounts required to be raised and appropriated by the town for the next financial year.
Voted, It shall be the duty of the above committee to pass through the streets of the town with the selectmen to the end that proper appropriations may be made for the high- ways, sidewalks, crossings and gutters.
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