USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1890-1892 > Part 12
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And it is further ordered that the City Clerk transmit to the Selectmen of Melrose a copy of this order, and of said report of the Joint Standing Committee on claims, as the answer of the City Council to said communication.
Attest: LEVERETT D. HOLDEN, City Clerk.
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
From the foregoing it is quite evident that our neighbor- ing municipality will not in any way take action to relieve either the town of Melrose, or those citizens of Malden, of whom their greatest public benefactor is one, whose inter- ests are jeopardized by such inaction, unless they can ob- tain such legislative action as will allow them to assess "a large proportion if not the entire cost" upon those whom it is their bounden duty to relieve rather than to distress.
To continue the work of widening from Main street to Ell pond will require an appropriation at the annual meet- ing. When this work is completed, it is not at all likely that there will be further trouble from flowage, except in the section near the rubber works, where the narrowness and general bad condition of the brook in Malden sets the water back to the detriment of much valuable territory in both municipalities. In dismissing this subject, it is well to say, in reply to the exhaustive report of the committee above quoted, that the present Board of County Commissioners examined these drains in company with the Selectmen in the fall of 1890, and it was their opinion, as expressed in so many words, that not only did the Commissioners of 1871 lamentably fail in carrying out their own order through the committee appointed by them, viz: A. F. Sar- gent and Jeremiah Martin as regards "deepening, widen- ing, and removal of obstructions necessary for the purpose of proper drainage and of the public health," but that the city of Malden were not executing the orders of said Board " to keep in repair and maintain" such portions of said brook as laid in their territory. Furthermore it was patent on careful examination, that the city of Malden was allowing the owner of the first dam to maintain a flash-board so high as to cause slack water in the territory above. An appeal to the Commissioners to cause said city to perform its
23
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
bounden duty resulted in referring the town of Melrose to the Legislature or to the Courts for relief. It is apparent that nothing can be expected in any other direction.
NORTH METROPOLITAN SEWER.
The Chairman of your Board attended all sessions of the Commissioners appointed to assess the proportions of each town and city interested, using his best efforts in behalf of a just and equitable system of apportionment. Such a method we are pleased to say was adopted, and we believe the town's proportion for the coming five years to be reasonable and fair. The report of the Commissioners upon the same will be found elsewhere in this report, for which see index.
The town should authorize a survey in the near future, to determine the cost of local sewerage to connect with the main system, which will be finished within the coming eighteen months, probably.
AMENDMENTS TO THE AUSTRALIAN BALLOT ACT.
Through an act of the last Legislature, a cumbersome, un- wieldy and entirely unneccesary amendment was tacked on to the law (presumably by parties who never had any ex- perience as tellers ) requiring a double count by different persons. This of course, takes double the time, and is of no practical value, as any person aggrieved still has the right to claim a recount. This entirely useless appendage to the law kept our town officers continually in session at the November election, from 7 a. m. until 2 a. m. of the following day. It ought to be repealed.
SUPPRESSION OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
It has been the aim of this Board to stamp out the illegal sale of liquor wherever it is known to exist. To this end
24
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
the work of the Chief of Police and his force has been ac- tively exerted. These officers are constantly on the alert 1 and no quarter is given to offenders. Too many, however, convicted in the lower court, escape the penalty of their crime through an appeal to a jury trial, where sufficient sympathy in this nefarious traffic is found in many cases to prevent conviction. What the community needs is a sturdy public sentiment, permeating every home which shall set its face sternly against malefactors of every class where crime is fairly proven. When this is accomplished it mat- ters not who sits in the jury-box, justice will be meted out.
No appropriations over which we have control have been exceeded.
Thanking our fellow citizens for their uniform courtesy in the oftentimes difficult official problems with which we are confronted, we are respectfully,
LEVI S. GOULD, ) Selectmen J. P. DEERING, of
C. W. HIGGINS, Melrose.
RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS IN 1891.
WARRANT FOR MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 1891.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Melrose, in the County of Middlesex : GREETING.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the inhabitants of the town of Melrose qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall on Monday, the sixteenth day of February, A. D. 1891, at 7.30 o'clock p. m., then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
Article I. To choose a Moderator.
Art. 2. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter 386 of the Acts of 1890, entitled, " An act to author- ize the printing and distributing of ballots for town elections at the public expense, known as the Australian ballot law made applicable to town elections," on petition of 25 citizens.
Art. 3. To see if the town will accept any existing pro- visions of law in relation to the number and terms of town officers and to determine what officers, if any, not required by law to be chosen by ballot, shall be so chosen, also the number and terms of such officers, as prescribed in Section 2, Chapter 386, Acts of 1890, on petition of 25 citizens.
Art. 4. To see if the town will vote that in the matter of employing laborers in the several departments of the town preference shall be given to persons who are citizens and taxpayers, on petition of 62 citizens.
26
RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 5. To see if the town will pay to the laborers em- ployed in the various departments, the sum of two dollars per day, on the petition of 13 citizens.
Art. 6. To see if the town will vote to petition the Legis- lature for authority to build a gas or electric light plant or both, with authority to manufacture and sell light for pub- lic and private use, by request of the committee on elec- tric lights.
Art. 7. To see if the town will alter, amend and annul certain sections of the By Laws which relate to the duties of town officers.
Art. 8. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to pay certain bills necessarily contracted on account of street lights, school contingent, general contingent, fire de- partment and poor fund by request of the town treasurer.
Art. 9. To see what action the town will take in regard to the proposed widening of Main street by the County Commissioners, on petition of 16 citizens.
Art. 10. To see if the town will revise the water rates, on petition of II citizens. ยท
Art. II. To see of the town will take any action regard- ing the widening and straightening of Spot and Ell pond brooks, and petition the Legislature for such legislation as may be deemed necessary.
Art. 12. To see what action the town will take on the pe- tition of Nancy W. Barber for compensation for draining her premises on Warren street, Melrose Highlands.
Art. 13. To see if the town will authorize the school committee to establish a public evening school.
Art. 14 .. To hear and act upon the reports of commit- tees and for the transaction of any other business which may legally come before this meeting.
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, each of the post- offices and depots in the town, not less than seven days be- fore the day appointed for said meeting, and by leaving printed copies of the warrant at the dwellings of the legal voters before the day of the 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 third day of Feb- uary, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety one.
LEVI S. GOULD, ) Selectmen J. P. DEERING, of
C. W. HIGGINS. Melrose.
Warrant served by
ANSEL B. PIERCE, Constable.
Meeting February 16, 1891, 7.30 P. M.
Art. I. Chose Levi S. Gould, Moderator.
Art. 14. Report of committee appointed November 18, 1890, to examine into the different systems adopted by other towns for the transaction of town business received and accepted.
Art. 2. Australian ballot law made applicable to town elections.
Voted, Unanimously, that the town accept the provisions of Chap. 386, Acts of 1890, as amended by the Legisla- ture of 1891.
Art. 3. Assessors and Overseers of Poor.
Voted, Unanimously, that the town accept the provisions of Chap. 27, of the Public Statutes as embraced in Sec- tions 65, 66, 67 and 68, relating to the election of a Board of Assessors.
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Voted, Unanimously, that the town accept the provisions of Chap. 27 of the Public Statutes as embraced in Sec- tion 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73, relating to the election of a Board of Overseers of the Poor.
Art. 7. By Laws.
Voted, Unanimously, that the recommendations of the committee in relation to a change in the By Laws be adopted and that the By Laws be altered and amended as follows:
By striking out Section 4, Article 2 as accepted March 24, 1890, and inserting in place thereof a new section to be known as Section 4 of said Article 2.
Section 4. Article 2. All bills due from the town, af- ter being approved by the Board or Committee contract- ing the same, shall be forwarded to the Auditor, except as hereinafter provided, and an order shall be drawn by the Auditor on the Treasurer, specifying the appropria- tion against which the same is drawn, for the payment of all bills so approved. But in case the Auditor shall find a clerical error in any bill, such bill shall be returned by him to the Board or Committee approving the same, for correction. All bills contracted by the officers appointed by the Selectmen, or by special committee appointed by the town, shall be approved by such officers or commit- tee, and also by the Selectmen, who shall forward the same to the Auditor.
No order shall be drawn by the Auditor upon the Treasurer against any appropriation in excess of such ap- propriation, except such as are authorized by statute law, and no money shall be paid out by the Treasurer, except for State and County taxes, interest or principal on any town debt, or execution issued against the town, without an order from the Auditor. The Auditor shall examine
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
at least once a week all bills presented for approval, and shall keep a book showing the different appropriations and the amounts thereof, also the amounts of the orders drawn by him against the different appropriations, and shall report to the different boards and committees on the first Monday of every month the condition of the ap- propriation under the supervision of said boards and com- mittees, and shall also report to such boards and commit- tees when any of such appropriations are exhausted.
Voted, Also to amend Section 10 of said Article 2 by striking out the words "three auditors" and inserting in place thereof the words "one auditor," and by striking out the last two words in said section, viz: "by statute," so that said section as altered and amended shall read:
Section 10. There shall be chosen at the annual meet- ing, one auditor, who shall perform the duties prescribed.
The above amendments were duly presented to the court for approval with the following result:
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Middlesex, ss:
Superior Court.
I hereby certify that a petition for approval of By Laws of town of Melrose was filed in said court and presented to the Chief Justice thereof on the twentieth day of March A. D. 1891, and on the third day of April A. D. 1891, said By Law was disapproved and the following memor- andum endorsed on said petition.
" The duties of town auditors are prescribed by Statute. -If this by-law only affirms the duties prescribed by Statute it is unnecessary. So far as it assumes to do more it would be inoperative."
Disapproved. Signed, ALBERT MASON, C. J. S. C.
Attest,
WM. C. DILLINGHAM,
Ass't Clerk.
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 3. Voted, That the town elect by ballot, under the provisions of law which have been accepted, the follow- ing officers, the number of each Board and terms of of- fice of which shall be as follows: A board of Selectmen consisting of three persons to be elected annual- ly, one Town Clerk, one Treasurer, and one collector of taxes, to be elected annually, a board of three Assessors to be elected as provided by chapter 27, section 65, 66, 67 and 68 Public Statutes, a board of Water Commission- ers consisting of three persons, one of whom shall be elected annually for 3 years, a board of Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioners, consisting of three persons, one of whom shall be elected annually for 3 years, a School Committee consisting of six persons, two of whom shall be elected annually for three years, a board of Trustees of the Public Library consisting of five persons to be elected annually, one Auditor to be elected annually, a board of Overseers of the Poor consisting of three persons to be elected as provided by Chapter 27, Sections 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73 Public Stat- utes, a Board of Health consisting of three persons to be elected for the current year, one for 3 years, one for 2 years, and one for I year, and annually thereafter there shall be elected one person for 3 years, a board of Park Commissioners consisting of three persons, one of whom shall be elected annually for 3 years, and four Constables to be elected annually.
Art. 14. Almshouse.
Voted, That a committee of three persons be appointed to consider the use and occupancy of the buildings and a portion of the Pratt farm for an almshouse, and that they be instructed to report at the annual meeting in March next. Committee, Thomas W. Ripley, Seth E. Benson, Daniel Norton.
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Arts. 4 and 5. Laborers.
Voted, That a committee of five be appointed by the chair to consider the subject matter contained in Articles 4 and 5 of the warrant and report upon the same at the March meeting. Committee, John J. Mccullough, Moses Briggs, John O. Norris, Walter Babb, Moses S. Page.
Art. 6. Electric light, special committee, etc.
Voted, That the town by this vote signifies its approval of the petition presented to the House of Representatives by the chairman of the committee on electric lighting, wherein a special act of the Legislature is requested, giv- ing the right to manufacture and sell gas or electricity or both, and that a special committee of five to urge the passage of such a bill shall be appointed by the modera- tor and that the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Hon. W. E. Barrett and Hon. B. M. Fernald shall be named as three of the committee.
Committee appointed, Levi S. Gould, W. E. Barrett, B. M. Fernald, Charles H. Lang and Charles F. Loring.
Voted, Unanimously, that the town endorse the peti- tion for a general law allowing towns and cities to estab- lish and maintain gas or electric light plants now before the Legislature.
Art. 8. Treasurer authorized.
Voted, Unanimously, that the treasurer be authorized to pay bills contracted during the year 1890, viz: On account of support of poor, $1140; street lights, $300; contingent expenses, $175; school contingent, $1440; fire department, $270; total, $1,325; said amount to be raised with the annual appropriations for the year 1891.
Art. 9. Main street widening.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to attend the meeting of the County Commissioners on February 27,
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
and oppose the proposed widening of Main street, and secure if possible, the withdrawal of the plan to so widen it.
Vote-Aff. 157; neg. 78.
Art. 10. Water rates.
Voted, That a committee of five be appointed to thorough- ly revise the water rates, and report at a future meeting, as soon as possible. Committee, George L. Morse, John W. Farwell, George W. Burke, Royal P. Barry, John E. Mar- shall.
Art. II. Ell and Spot pond brooks.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
Vote-Aff. 93; neg. 81.
Art. 12. Petition of Nancy W. Barber.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 13. Evening school.
Voted, That the School Committee be authorized to establish a public evening school and that $750 be appro- priated and that the Finance Committee be instructed to report that amount to be raised in the tax levy of 1891.
Art. 14.
Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to place the flag on the Town Hall at half-mast and that the School Com- mittee be instructed to cause the flags on the school build- ings to be also placed at half mast, and that they so remain until after the funeral of General William T. Sherman.
Voted to adjourn.
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
WARRANT FOR ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 2, 1891.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Melrose, in the County of Middlesex: GREETING.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the inhabitants of the town of Melrose, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, on Monday, the second day of March, A. D. 1891, at 7 o'clock, a m., then and there to act on the following articles, viz:
Article I. To choose a Moderator.
Article 2. To bring in their votes for town officers, and in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" All ballots are to be furnished by the town, and will be distributed at the polls by officers duly appointed, as provided by Chap. 386, Acts of 1890, as amended by the Acts of 1891, recently ac- cepted by the town. Polls to be kept open until 5 p. m.
Art. 3. To choose any other town officers deemed neces- sary or required by law.
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.
Art. 5. To raise money for Schools.
Art. 6. To raise money for School Contingent Expenses.
Art. 7. To raise money for Highways.
Art. 8. To raise money for Sidewalks.
3
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 9. To raise money for Crossings and Gutters.
Art. 10. To raise money for the Support of the Poor.
Art. II. To raise money for the Fire Department.
Art. 12. To raise money for lighting and care of Street Lights.
Art. 13. To raise money for additional Street Lamps.
Art. 14. To raise money for Police and Watchmen.
Art. 15. To raise money for Contingent Expenses.
Art. 16. To raise money to pay interest on the Town Debt.
Art. 17. To raise money for the Reduction of the Town Debt.
Art. 18. To raise money for the Public Library.
Art. 19. To raise money for the use of Water, in hydrants, public buildings, etc.
Art. 20. To raise money for the relief of needy soldiers and sailors as provided by Chap. 298, Acts of 1889.
Art. 21. To raise money for the Salaries of Town Offi- cers, and to fix the compensation of all officers and commit- tees elected or appointed by the town.
Art. 22. To raise money for Drainage, Bridges and Culverts.
Art. 23. To raise money for the purposes for which the Treasurer has been authorized to borrow and the Selectmen to expend during the past year, and for any other necessary expenses for the ensuing year.
Art. 24. To determine the method by which the taxes for the year shall be collected.
Art. 25. To authorize the Town Treasurer to issue Water Bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of con- struction for the ensuing year.
Art. 26. To see if the town willl raise the sum of $200 for keeping in repair and decorating the graves of Soldiers on Memorial Day.
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 27. To see if the town will raise money to grade and improve the " Soldiers' Lot" in Wyoming Cemetery, as set apart by the Selectmen.
Art. 28. To see if the town will place edgestones on Main street when macadamized, and assess abutters one- half the expense of the same.
Art. 29. To see if the town will build and finish Wash- ington street as laid out and ordered by the County Com- missioners and raise money for the same, on petition of 21 citizens.
Art. 30. To see if the town will put in catch basins at the junction of Main and Grove streets, and build a gravel sidewalk on the north side of Grove street, from Main street to Dell avenue, and raise money for the same, by re- quest of Justus Geist.
Art. 31. To see if the town will place three or four elec- tric lights on Swain's Pond avenue, from the Malden and Melrose line, running towards Swain's Pond, on petition of 12 citizens.
Art. 32. To see if the town will appropriate money for the building of a portable band stand, to be used at open air band concerts, on petition of 13 citizens.
Art. 33. To see if the town will authorize the purchase of a sufficient number of covers, for the protection of mer- chandise, furniture, etc., to be used by and under the con- trol of the Fire Department, and raise money for the same, on petition of 23 citizens.
Art. 34. To see if the town will revise the By-Laws and alter and amend the same, as suggested by the Inspector of Buildings and the Board of Health, in their reports.
Art. 35. To see what action the town will take in the matter of widening, deepening and straightening Ell Pond brook, enlarging the culverts over the same, and removing
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
any and all obstructions now existing therein, and raise money for the same, on petition of 23 citizens.
Art. 36. To see if the town will properly grade Second street from Lebanon street to Larrabee street, and build a gravel sidewalk on the south side of said street, from Leb- anon street to Gooch street, and raise money for the same, on petition of 10 citizens.
Art. 37. To see if the town will build a culvert across Grove street near Gooch street, to receive water now over- flowing and running in the street, and raise money for the same, on petition of 24 citizens.
Art. 38. To see if the town will accept the following streets as laid out by the Selectmen and raise money for the building and grading of the same, if necessary :
I. Street leading from Orris street to Franklin street.
2. Street running northwesterly from Franklin street, the same being a continuation of Ashland street.
3. An extension of Highland street westerly to street known as Chipman avenue.
4. Street now known as Chipman avenue, running nor- therly from Franklin street.
5. An extension of Summit avenue from Botolph street to a point opposite the estate of J. T. Nowell.
6. An extension of Grove street, easterly.
Art. 39. To hear and act upon 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 Town Hall, each of the Post Offices and Depots in the town, not less than seven days before the day appointed for said meeting, and by leaving printed copies of the Warrant at the dwellings of the legal voters before the day of meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant with
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
your doings thereon, 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 ninety-one.
LEVI S. GOULD, ) J. P. DEERING, of
Selectmen
C. W. HIGGINS, - Melrose.
Warrant served by
A. B. PIERCE, Constable.
Annual Meeting, March 2, 1891, 7 A. M.
Article I. Chose Levi S. Gould, Moderator.
Art. 2. Ballot officers appointed. By the Selectmen, Curtis S. Gordon, George Woodward. By the Moderator, Gilbert N. Harris, Edwin C. Gould.
Previous to the opening of the polls it was voted, that the transaction of town business other than voting for town officers be postponed to Saturday evening, March 7, at 7.30. On a motion to reconsider,-not a vote.
Polls opened.
Voted, To extend the time for voting and that the polls be closed at 5.35, p. m.
Polls closed.
Result of the balloting as declared.
Selectmen.
VOTES.
John P. Deering
784
Levi S. Gould
772
Charles W. Higgins
843
Other persons,-scattering
17
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RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Town Clerk.
John Larrabee
856
Treasurer.
George Newhall '
862
Other persons
2
Collector of Taxes.
Addison Lane
835
Assessors.
Henry A. Leonard, 3 years, 818
John R. Norton, 2 years,
823
Dexter Pratt, I year,
805
Other persons
5
Water Commissioner, for 3 years.
George J. Bicknell 500
George L. Morse
432
Scattering
I
Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for 3 years Royal P. Barry 797
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