USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1885-1889 > Part 25
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Voted, That the transaction of town business, other than voting, be postponed to 7.30 P. M., and that when this meet- ing adjourns it shall be to that time.
Polls opened.
Voted, To close the polls at 5 P. M.
Voted, That our Representative in the Legislature is here- by urgently requested to oppose the passage of House Bill No. 171, entitled "an act to incorporate the Boston Subur- ban Land Company," and to authorize said company to ac- quire, purchase, hold and build on land having a water shed into Spot Pond, and that the Board of Selectmen and the Water Commissioners of Melrose, are hereby appointed a
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, 15
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
committee to co-operate with him in opposing the passage of said bill.
Tellers appointed and sworn : Elisha B. Sears, George W. Burke.
At 5 P. M. the polls were closed, and the following persons were declared elected to office by the Moderator.
Selectmen and Highway Surveyors .- Levi S. Gould, John P. Deering, Charles W. Higgins.
Overseers of the Poor .- Henry G. Fields, John Singer, Jr., Martha D. Bale.
Town Clerk .- John Larrabee.
Town Treasurer .- George Newhall.
Collector of Taxes .- Parker Merrill.
Assessors .- John R. Norton, Moses Briggs, Albon W. Parker.
Water Commissioner for 3 years .- John R. Jones.
Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for 3 years .- Royal P. Barry.
School Committee for 3 years .- Arethusa K. Miller, John C. Maker.
Trustees of the Public Library .- Elbridge H. Goss, Charles C. Barry, Charles A. Patch, Ruby F. Farwell, Mary L. Charles.
Auditors .- Frank E. Orcutt, Walter I. Nickerson, Gilbert N. Harris.
Constables .- Ansel B. Pierce, Frank M. McLaughlin, Henry B. Newhall.
LICENSE QUESTION.
"Yes," three votes ; "No," five hundred and ninety-five votes.
Voted, To adjourn.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Adjourned Meeting, March 5, 1888, 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, M. F. Eastman.
Surveyor of Lumber .- Henry A. Leonard.
Committee on Cemeteries .- George Newhall, Daniel Russell, John Larrabee.
Fence Viewers .- Dexter Pratt, Walter C. Stevens.
Pound Keeper .- W. Truman Howard.
Field Drivers .- Otis Howard, Frank Gibbons, Henry B. Newhall, W. Truman Howard.
Sealer of Weights and Measures .- Ansel B. Pierce.
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 expen- ses, and issue notes of the town therefor.
ART. 5. To hear and act upon the report of the Finance Committee appointed at meeting held Nov. 12, 1887.
Report read and accepted.
ART. 6. To raise money for schools.
Voted, To raise twenty-one thousand, five hundred dollars, which together with the unexpended balance from last year is hereby appropriated.
ART. 7. To raise money for school contingent expenses.
Voted, To raise four thousand dollars and the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 8. To raise money for highways.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Voted, To raise six thousand dollars.
ART. ). To raise money for sidewalks.
Voted, To raise two thousand dollars, of which amount, five hundred dollars shall be devoted to repairs on existing walks, and the remainder to be expended in the same man- ner as in previous years.
Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to assess one-half the cost of prepairing walks for concrete upon abuttors.
ART. 10. To raise money for crossings and gutters.
Voted, To raise six hundred dollars.
ART. II. To raise money for the support of the poor.
Voted, To raise five thousand dollars.
ART. 12. To raise money for the Fire Department.
Voted, To raise two thousand, one hundred dollars.
ART. 13. To raise money for lighting and care of street lamps.
Voted, To raise four thousand five hundred dollars, of which amount, one thousand dollars shall be expended for the furnishing of ten electric lights in addition to the number already located, said lights to be placed by the selectmen where most needed ; unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 14. To raise money for additional street lamps. Voted, To raise one hundred and fifty dollars.
ART. 15. To raise money for police and watchmen. Voted, To raise two thousand five hundred dollars. ART. 16. To raise money for contingent expenses.
Voted, To raise one thousand four hundred dollars.
ART. 17. To raise money to pay interest on the town debt.
Voted, To raise five thousand five hundred dollars, and the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
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, and the dog tax when received to be appropriated for the same pur- pose.
ART. 20. To raise money to defray expenses of the Board of Health.
Voted, To raise two hundred dollars.
ART. 21. To raise money for the use of water in hydrants, public buildings, etc.
Voted, To raise two thousand dollars.
ART. 22. 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 three thousand dollars, that the salaries of town officers shall be as follows : auditors, twenty-five dol- lars each ; registrars of voters, twenty-five dollars each ; overseers of poor, chairman, two hundred dollars ; other members, fifty dollars each ; selectmen, two hundred dollars each; treasurer, five hundred dollars; town clerk, three hun- dred dollars; assessors, one hundred and fifty dollars each; and that the other officers' salaries shall be the same as paid last year.
Voted, That the sum of three hundred dollars be appro- priated for such clerical services as may be required by the assessors.
Voted, That the chairman of the school committee be paid the sum of two hundred dollars for his services for the ensu- ing year.
ART. 23. To raise money for drainage, bridges and cul- verts.
Voted, To raise one thousand dollars.
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 24. To raise money for any other necessary ex- penses for the ensuing year.
Voted, To raise for Town Hall, running expenses, six hundred dollars ; military aid, three hundred dollars ; in- surance, six hundred dollars ; deficiencies in accounts, 1887, three hundred and fifty-four dollars and three cents.
Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to pay in addition to the sum raised for the running expenses of the Town Hall, a sum not exceeding eight hundred dollars in anticipa- tion of the revenue of said building.
Voted, That of the sum raised for highways, two hundred dollars, shall be expended for trimming trees, cleaning the streets of rubbish, etc.
Voted, That the unexpended balances from last year, and all other funds in the treasury not otherwise appropriated at this meeting, be applied to the reduction of the town debt.
ART. 25. 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 Aug. 1, 1888 ; that all other taxes be made payable on or before Oct. I, 1888; 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 tax- es remain unpaid on June 1, 1889, be sold by the collector, in accordance with the provisions of law, and that he be in- structed to strictly carry out the provisions of the above vote.
ART. 26. To authorize the town treasurer to issue water fund bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of construc- tion for the ensuing year.
Voted, That the treasurer be authorized to issue and sell ten water fund bonds, series of 1887, for the purpose of pay- ing the cost of constructing water works for the ensuing year.
20
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 27. ( Public park ) laid on table.
ART. 28. To see what action the town will take in regard to expending a sum of money on First street on petition of W. N. Folsom and others.
Voted, To raise three hundred dollars for repairs on said street.
ART. 29. (Watering streets) laid on table.
ART. 30. To see if the town will provide police patrol both day and night at Melrose Highlands, on petition of John G. Taylor and others.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 31. To see what action the town will take to estab- lish telephonic or electrical communication between the out- lying districts and the centre for fire alarm and police ser- vice.
Voted, That Levi S. Gould, Walter B. Ellis, A. Wilbur Lynde, John Singer, Jr., George T. Brown, John B. Souther and John P. Deering be a committee to investigate and re- port at the adjourned meeting.
ART. 32. To see if the town will raise the sum of two hundred dollars for keeping in repair and decorating the graves of soldiers on Memorial Day.
Voted, To raise two hundred dollars.
ART. 33. To see what action the town will take in the matter of laying drain pipe through a brook which runs northwestly by Linwood avenue, opposite land of James Rendall.
Voted, That M. S. Page, W. D. Fiske and H. A. Leonard be a committee to exanine into the matter, have the prem- ises surveyed, if necessary, and report at the adjourned meeting.
ART. 34. (By-laws) laid on table.
Voted, To adjourn to Monday evening, March 19, at 7.30 o'clock.
21
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Adjourned Meeting, March 19, 7.30 P. M.
ART. 39.
Voted, That the vote of the town, passed March 5, 1888, in- structing the boards of selectmen and water commissioners to aid our representative to the General Court in opposing the passage in the legislature, of House bill numbered 171, being a bill to incorporate the Boston Suburban Land Com- pany, does not bind our representative and the boards of selectmen and water commissioners to oppose any bill that may in the future be reported to the Legislature in a re-draft or in an amended form incorporating said Company, provid- ed that said bill renders impossible any contamination of the water shed or water supply of Spot Pond, and that they be left to act at their own discretion, and in accordance with what appears to them to be for the best interest of the town.
ART. 27. To see what action the town will take relating to the purchase of land for a public park, and pass any vote or votes thereon which may be considered necessary in the premises, on petition of the park commissioners elect.
Report of the park commissioners read and accepted.
On a motion that the park commissioners be authorized, to purchase certain land on the northerly side of Crystal Lake, it was voted to indefinitely postpone the whole mat- ter. On a motion to reconsider, not a vote.
ART. 23. (Drainage. )
Voted, That the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be raised and added to the drainage appropriation, for the pur- pose of laying a drain from the corner of Emerson and Myrtle streets to connect with drain in Winthrop street, and for the building of catch basins in connection therewith.
ART. 31. (Fire alarm.)
On a motion that the town appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars for the purchase of the Gamewell Fire Alarm system.
Voted, To lay the motion on the table.
ART. 29. Passed over.
Voted, To adjourn to Monday, March 26, 1888, at 7.30 ). n
3
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Adjourned Meeting, March 26, 1888, 7.30 P. M.
ART. 16. (Contingent expenses. )
Voted, That the sum of one hundred dollars be raised, in addition to the amount already voted for contingent expen- ses, and that the town treasurer be authorized to pay bills not exceeding that amount, on approval of the Selectmen, for the expense of surveying and examining land for the Park Commissioners.
ART. 35. To see if the town will purchase the whole or any portion of the Mountain House lot for a public square and raise or appropriate money for the same on petition of M. S. Page, E. H. Goss, Daniel Norton and others.
Voted, That this article be referred to the selectmen, to take such legal action as deemed necessary in the premises and report to the town at next meeting.
ART. 31. ( Fire alarm.)
Voted, That the subject matter of this article be referred to a committee consisting of the board of selectmen, Royal P. Barry and S. H. Buttrick, who shall have full power and authority to purchase and cause to be constructed, a fire alarm system, which in their judgment shall be adequate to the needs of the town, and that the sum of seventeen hun- dred dollars be raised and appropriated for the purposes named.
ART 29. To see if the town will grant to H. C. Richard- son, without charge, the use of water from stand pipes, for the purpose of watering the streets, and also erect two stand pipes where needed, on petition of S. S. Bugbee and others.
Voted, That the town erect two stand-pipes and pay for the same out of the contingent appropriation, and that Hen- ry C. Richardson, or any other person who proposes to water the streets in a similar manner, be granted a permit to take water for that purpose, free of charge, under the direction of the water commissioners.
ART. 37. To see if the town will accept the following streets as laid out by the selectmen, viz :-
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REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
I. An extension of Mt. Vernon street easterly.
2. Street running from Wyoming avenue southerly to the proposed extension of Mt. Vernon street.
3. Street running from Upham street southerly to Grove street, now known as Fourth street.
4. Street running from Upham street southerly to First street, now known as Tenth street.
5. Street running from the boundary line between Mal- den and Melrose, at a point near Lebanon street, northerly and easterly around Swains Pond, then westerly until it in- tersects with Swains Pond avenue, known as the "Old Road," or "Back street."
6. Street running from Upham street northerly to Porter street, now known as School street.
7. Street running from First street southerly to Grove street, now known as Fifth street.
8. Street running from Melrose street northerly and easterly to Franklin street, now known as Albion street.
9. Street running from Wyoming avenue southerly to Borneo street (so called) now known as Pleasant street.
IO. Street running from Washington street easterly to Pleasant street (so called) now known as Borneo street.
II. Street running from Washington street northerly to Borneo street, now known as Para street.
12. An extension of Second street easterly, about 700 feet.
ART. 38. To raise money for the building of new streets which may be accepted at this meeting.
SECTIONS I AND 2. Voted, That action on the reports of the. selectmen laying out an extension of Mount Vernon street and Brown street be postponed until the November meeting.
SEC. 3. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Gooch street, and that $500 be raised for the build- ing of the same.
SEC. 4. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter
24
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
known as Sewall street, and that $150 be raised for the build- ing of the same.
SEC. 5. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Swains Pond Avenue, and that $1,000 be raised toward the building of the street.
SEC. 6. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as School street, and that $300 be raised for the build- ing of the street.
SEC. 7. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Larrabee street, and that $300 be raised for the building of the street.
SEC. 8. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Albion street, and that $300 be raised for the build- ing of the street.
SECS. 9 and II. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Pleasant street, its entire length, viz :- from Wyoming avenue to Washington street.
SEC. 10. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Gould street.
SEC. 12. Report read.
Voted, To accept the street as laid out, to be hereafter known as Second street, and that $200 be raised for the building of the street.
ART. 33. (Drain through brook, Linwood avenue.) Re- port of committee read and accepted.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone further action on the ar- ticle.
25
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 36. To see if the town will provide for the survey- ing and numbering of the estates and lots upon the different streets of the town as a prerequisite for a free postal de- livery.
Voted, That the sum of five hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose of surveying and numbering the estates and lots upon the different streets of the town and that the board of selectmen, Moses S. Page and C. W. Ellison be a committee to attend to the matter.
ART. 12. ( Fire Department. )
Voted, That the sum of one hundred dollars be raised and added to the Fire Department appropriation and that said sum be paid to the Fire Department of the city of Malden, for services rendered at the late fire at the Highlands.
ART. 34. To hear and act upon the report of the commit- tee on "By-Laws." Report of the committee accepted.
Voted, That the By-Laws, as amended, be accepted and adopted by the Town, to go into effect from and after their approval by the Superior Court, or by a Justice thereof.
ART. 24. To raise money for any other necessary ex- penses for the ensuing year.
Voted, That the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars be raised and appropriated for the setting out of trees and the improvement of Melrose Common, to be expended under the direction of the Melrose Improvement Society. George W. Farnsworth, Esq. then offered to add fifty dollars to the above appropriation.
Voted, That the thanks of the town be extended to Mr. Farnsworth for his liberal offer.
ART. 39. Report of selectmen on guide boards read and accepted.
Voted, To adjourn sine die.
26
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Meeting, April 30, 7.30 P. M.
ART. I. To choose a Moderator. Chose, Levi S. Gould.
ART. 2. To see if the town will purchase a steam fire en- gine, horses, etc., raise or appropriate money for the same, or authorize the treasurer to borrow the amount necessary, on petition of Francis Bennett and sixty others.
On a motion that the treasurer be authorized to borrow six thousand dollars for the purposes named, the vote was taken by check list and resulted as follows: "Yes" ballots cast 164; "No" ballots cast 143; total 307; two-thirds not voting in the affirmative as required by law, it was declared not a vote.
ART. 3. To see if the town will accept a widening of the easterly end of Maple street, at its junction with Vinton street, and authorize the treasurer to pay damages as award- ed by the selectmen. Report read.
Voted, unanimously, To accept and adopt the recommen - dations therein contained and that the treasurer be author- ized to pay damages as awarded.
ART. 4. To see if the town will accept that portion of Cedar Park, parallel with the Boston and Main railroad, as laid out by the selectmen, and discontinue so much of said Cedar Park as is now occupied by the Boston and Maine rail- road for depot purposes.
Report read and accepted.
Voted, To discontinue so much of Cedar Park running southerly, parallel with the Boston and Maine railroad, as is now occupied by said railroad for depot purposes, and to accept the re-location of said Cedar Park as laid out by the selectmen.
ART. 5. To see if the town will build a sidewalk on How- ard street and authorize the treasurer to borrow money for the same, on petition of William T. Kennedy and others.
Voted, That the sum of two hundred dollars be appropri- ated for the building of a sidewalk on Howard street, to be expended under the direction of the selectmen.
27
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 6. To see what action the town will take in relation to the removal of any and all buildings which are located upon or within the lines of Ell Pond brook as laid out by the commissioners, and to pass any vote or votes deemed necessary to regulate or prevent drainage into said brook.
Voted, unanimously, That a committee of three be ap- pointed to examine into the matter and report at the next town meeting.
Committee appointed, Nathan D. Blake, George W. Burke, Walter C. Stevens.
ART. 7. To hear and act on the reports of committees, and for the transaction of any other business which may le- gally come before this meeting.
Voted, unanimously, That the cemetery committee be au- thorized to remove from its present location the hearse house in the Main street cemetery, also to re-set headstones, repair fences, and make other needed improvements in the said cemetery, at an expense not exceeding $500, said sum to be paid out of any fund now or that may be received into the treasury, not otherwise appropriated.
Voted, To adjourn.
Meeting November 6, at 7 A. M.
ART. I. To bring in votes to the selectmen for National, State and county officers.
Polls opened at 7 A. M. At 9 A. M., Voted, To take up
ART. 2. To choose a moderator to preside for the trans- action of town business.
Chose Levi S. Gould.
Voted, That the farther transaction of town business be postponed to Thursday evening, at 7.30 o'clock, and that when this meeting adjourns it shall be to that time.
Victor C. Kirmes, George R. Jones and Stephen A. Love- joy appointed to check the lists, and duly sworn.
28
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Result of the voting under Art. I, as declared. Total number of ballots cast, 1353.
For Presidential Electors.
VOTES.
Republican,
848
Democratic,
461
Prohibitory,
.
42
For Governor.
Oliver Ames of Easton, 844
William E. Russell of Cambridge,
460
William H. Earle of Worcester,
43
Elijah A. Morse,
I
For Lieutenant-Governor,
John Q. A. Brackett of Arlington, 868
John W. Corcoran of Clinton,
439
John Bascom of Williamstown, · 44
Blank votes,
2
For Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Henry B. Peirce of Abington, 866
William N. Osgood of Boston,
445
Henry C. Smith of Williamsburg,
42
For Treasurer and Receiver General.
George A. Marden of Lowell,
866
Henry C. Thatcher of Yarmouth,
445
John M. Fisher of Attleborough,
42
For Auditor.
Charles R. Ladd, of Springfield .
865
William A. Williams, of Worcester . . .
446
Edmund M. Stowe, of Hudson
. .
42
.
29
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
For Attorney General.
Andrew J. Waterman, of Pittsfield 865
Samuel O. Lamb, of Greenfield
446
Allen Coffin, of Nantucket 42
For Representative to Congress, Sixth District.
Henry Cabot Lodge, of Nahant - 859
Roland G. Usher, of Lynn 455
George A. Crossman, of Swampscott 36
H. C. Lodge, of Lynn
I
Henry Cabot Lodge, of Lynn .
I
For Councillor, Sixth District.
Francis Jewett, of Lowell 864
Charles J. Williams, of Acton
446
James K. Fellows, of Lowell
42
Blank vote
I
For Senator, Sixth Middlesex District.
Alonzo H. Evans, of Everett
863
Lorin L. Fuller, of Malden
446
George M. Buttrick, of Everett
40
Blank votes
4
For County Commissioner.
Samuel O. Upham, of Waltham
787
Alphonso M. Lunt, of Cambridge
.
523
George Pillsbury, of Tewksbury
42
Blank vote
I
For County Treasurer.
Joseph O. Hayden, of Somerville
1,309
Joseph G. Ball, of Cambridge . . . . .
42
Blank votes .
.
2
30
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
For Register of Probate and Insolvency.
Joseph H. Tyler, of Winchester 1,309
William H. Partridge of Newton 42
Blank votes 2
For Register of Deeds, Southern District.
Charles B. Stevens, of Cambridge . 1,310
Walter K. Fobes, of Somerville 42
For Register of Deeds, Northern District.
Charles A. Lester, of Lowell 42
For Representative to the General Court, Eleventh Middlesex District.
William E. Barrett of Melrose 915
Walter Babb, of Melrose , 431
George W. Dew
I
Blank votes
6
The ballot box registered as follows : 7.30, 200 ; 8.30, 552 ; 9.30, 687 : 10, 750; 10.30, 806; 12 M., 900 ; 1.15, 1060 : 2.15, 1065 ; 2.45, 1200 ; 3.25, 1255 ; 3.50, 1315 ; 4.17, 1340 ; 4.30, I352.
Voted, To adjourn.
Adjourned Meeting, November 8, 7.30 P. M.
ART. 3. To see if the town will accept the jury list as revised.
Amended and accepted.
ART. 4. To see if the town will appropriate money for the purpose of draining Cedar Park, on petition of E. H. Goss and others.
Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to properly drain Cedar Park, and that the treasurer be authorized to borrow three hundred dollars to pay for the same.
3I
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK.
ART. 5. To see if the town will construct a catch-basin on Franklin street, and lay drain pipe through Warren street, and appropriate or borrow money for the same, on petition of Edward Smith and others.
Voted, That the selectmen be instructed to build proper catch-basins, and connect pipe therewith, in accordance with report of surveyor W. C. Stevens, and that the treasurer be authorized to borrow seven hundred dollars for the purposes named.
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