USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1890-1892 > Part 2
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 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
34. To see if the Town will alter or amend the Town By- Laws relating to the keeping of swine, on petition of Wil- liamı N. Folsom and others.
35. To see if the Town will authorize the cemetery com- mittec to build a barn on the Pratt farm.
36. To see what action the Town will take to meet the payment of the first issue of Water Fund Bonds at their maturity, July 1, 1890, to petition the Legislature for author- ity to issue additional bonds and to pass such other votes as may be deemed necessary in the premises.
37. To see if the Town will sell the lot of land on Main street, near the estate of Warren Lynde, and purchase other land in a more suitable location, and build a hose house thereon for the use of Hose Company No. 2, and raise or appropriate money for the same, by request of the company.
38. To see if the Town will place electric lights upon the following streets: At the corner of Trenton and Washing-
19
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
ton streets, an arc light, and two small electric lights on Trenton street between Washington street and Wyoming avenue, on petition of Joel W. Brown and 22 others.
39. To see if the Town will place electric lights at the corner of Cleaveland street and Wyoming avenue, and at the corner of Wyoming avenue and Ravine street, on peti- tion of John Burns and others.
40. To see if the Town will alter, amend or annul a por- tion of Section 4, Article 2, of the Town By-Laws relating to the duties of Town Officers.
41. To see if the Town will build a sidewalk on Pleasant street its entire length from Wyoming avenue to Washing- ton street, and raise or appropriate money for the same, on petition of H. F. Ehlert, the Boston Rubber Shoe Co., E. S. Converse and others.
42. To see if the Town will grade Lebanon street from Second street to Grove street, and raise money for the same, on petition of Henry N. Cass and others.
43. To see if the Town will repair Wyoming avenue from the railroad crossing westerly to Stoneham line, and build a sidewalk along said avenue, and raise money for the same, on petition of John Burns and 26 others.
44. To see if the Town will raise or appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to build gravel sidewalks on Grove street, on petition of Charles Boardinan and twenty-four others.
45. To see if the Town will properly grade Gooch street, and raise or appropriate money for the same, on petition of William N. Folsom and others.
46. To see if the Town will grade and otherwise improve Bothlph street and West Hill avenue from said Botolph street to Franklin street, and raise or appropriate money for the same, on petition of R. H. Watkins and twenty-two others.
20
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
47. To see if the Town will grade Walton Park, and raise or appropriate money for the same.
48. To see if the Town will build on the north side of Wyoming avenue a gravel walk from Cleaveland street to the estate of John W. Hensby, near Ravine road, and raise money for the same, on petition of A. C. Sibley and others.
49. To see if the Town will purchase a steam fire engine, with necessary equipments for the same, and raise or appro- priate such sum of money as may be required.
1
50. To see if the Town will take the necessary steps to widen, deepen and clear from obstructions Ell Pond and Spot Pond brooks, on petition of Justus Geist and 129 others.
51. To see what action the Town will take in relation to the establishing of an electric plant for the furnishing of electric light.
52. To see if the Town will permit the property now owned by Mrs. M. A. Hunt adjoining the Jewish burying ground on Linwood avenue, to be used for the enlargement of said burying ground, and for cemetery purposes, on pe- tition of Moses S. Page and others.
53. 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 at- tested copies thereof at the Town Hall, each of the Post Offices and Depots of 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 your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-first day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety.
LEVI S. GOULD, ) Selectmen J. P. DEERING, of
C. W. HIGGINS, - Melrose.
Warrant served by ANSEL B. PIERCE Constable.
2I
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
Annual Meeting, March 3, 1890.
ARTICLE I. Chose Levi S. Gould, Moderator.
ART. 2. Indefinitely postponed.
ARTS. 3 and 4. Voted, That the officers elected this day shall consist of three selectmen, one clerk, one treasurer, one collector of taxes, three assessors, one water commissioner for three years, one water loan sinking fund commissioner for three years, two park commissioners, one for three years and one for two years, three overseers of the poor, a board of health consisting of three persons, two school committee for three years each, five trustees of the public library, three auditors and five constables.
On a motion to reconsider the above-not a vote.
Voted, That the transaction of town business other than voting for town officers be postponed until evening, at 7.30 o'clock.
On a motion to reconsider-not a vote.
Voted, To close the polls at 4 P. M.
Polls opened.
C. W. Cochrane appointed as teller to assist in counting votes and sworn.
Polls closed at 4 P. M., and the following persons were de- clared elected to office by the Moderator:
Selectmen .- Levi S. Gould, John P. Deering, Charles W. Higgins.
Town Clerk .- John Larrabee.
Town Treasurer .- George Newhall.
22
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS
Collector of Taxes .- Addison Lane.
Assessors .- John R. Norton, Henry A. Leonard, Dexter Pratt.
Water Commissioner for 3 years .- William H. Miller.
Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for 3 years .- Daniel Russell.
Park Commissioners .- William N. Folsom, 3 years; George T. Brown, 2 years.
Overseers of the Poor .- Henry G. Fields, John Singer, Jr., Martha D. Bale.
Board of Health .- Ernest S. Jack, Frank L. Washburn, George W. Burke.
School Committee for 3 years .- John O. Norris, Sarah W. Bradbury.
Trustees of the Public Library .- Elbridge H. Goss, Charles A. Patch, Charles C. Barry, 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, Osborne E. Drown, C. F. W. Fogg.
VOTE UPON THE LICENSE QUESTION.
"No," two hundred and eighty-eight votes, (288); "Yes," fifty-three votes.
Voted, To adjourn.
23
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
1st Adjourned (Annual) Meeting, March 3, 1890, 7.30 P. M.
Voted, To take up:
ART. 53.
Report of finance committee read and accepted.
ART. 6.
Voted, Unanimously, that the Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money, to renew, replace, or pay any existing loan or loans; also, to hire money in anticipation of taxes for the current year to meet expenses, and issue notes of the town therefor.
ART. 7. Schools.
Voted, To raise twenty-three thousand dollars; unexpend- ed balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. S. School Contingent.
Voted, To raise four thousand, seven hundred dollars ; un- expended balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 9. Highways. Voted, To raise seven thousand, five hundred dollars, unexpended balance from last year and unexpended balance from appropriation for the widen- ing of Main street, also appropriated, viz: $29.67. Voted, that seventy-five dollars from the above appropriation shall be expended on Sixth street.
ART. IO. Sidewalks. Voted, To raise three thousand, five hundred dollars, that the unexpended balance from last year be added, that five hundred dollars of the amount appropriated shall be expended for repairs on existing walks, that fifteen hundred dollars shall be expended in making continuous walks where the public good most re-
24
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
quires, and the balance to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
Voted, That the amount received from abuttors for walks laid during the current year be paid into the treasury and remain there.
ART. II. Crossings and Gutters. Voted, To raise five hundred dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 12. Poor Fund. V'oted, To raise five thousand, five hundred dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 13. Fire Department. Voted, To raise three thousand, five hundred dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
Noted, That the engineers of the fire department shall be paid for their services as follows : Chief and assistant engineer fifty dollars each; engineer serving as clerk, sixty dollars, per annum.
ART. 14. Street Lights. V'oted, To raise five thousand dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appro- priated.
ART. 15. Additional Lamps. Voted, To raise one hundred dollars.
ART. 16. Police and Watchmen. Voted, To raise three thousand, five hundred dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 17. Contingent Expenses. Voted, To raise fif- teen hundred dollars, the balance unexpended from the drainage committee appropriation to be added, viz: $183.80.
25
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
ART. 18. Interest. Voted, To raise four thousand dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appro- priated.
ART. 19. Reduction of Debt. V'oted, To raise five thousand dollars.
ART. 20. Public Library. Voted, To raise seven hun- dred and fifty dollars, and the dog tax when received to be added.
ART. 50. Ell Pond Brook. Voted, That George T. Brown, John B. Souther, Norman F. Hesseltine, Seth E. Benson and Walter C. Stevens be a committee to act under this article, to investigate the matter and report at the ad- journed meeting what in their judgment is for the best inter est of the town to do, and the selectmen are hereby re- quested to co-operate with the committee.
Voted, That when the meeting adjourns it shall be to Wednesday evening, March 12, 1890, at 7.30 o'clock.
ART. 51. Electric Plant. l'oted, That a committee of five be appointed to investigate and report at a future meeting.
Committee appointed, Charles H. Lang, William A. Smith, George R. Jones, William E. Barrett, George T. Brown.
l'oted, That our representative in the general court be in- structed to facilitate as much as lies in his power, such legis- lation as will enable towns to establish electric light plants, for public and private uses.
ART. 21. Water, use of.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone ; vote, aff. 99; neg. 53; tellers appointed.
Voted, To adjourn.
26
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
2d Adjourned (Annual) Meeting, March 12, 1890, 7.30 P. M.
ART. 5. Officers elected : Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Coal, S. E. Benson, C. B. Goss, F. H. Goss ; Surveyor of Lumber, Henry A. Leonard ; Pound Keeper, W. Truman Howard ; Committee on Cemeteries, George Newhall, Daniel Russell, John Larrabee ; Fence Viewers, Dexter Pratt, Walter C. Stevens ; Field Drivers, Otis Howard, Henry B. Newhall, Frank Gibbons, W. Truman Howard ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, Thomas T. Bailey.
ART. 22. Relief to Soldiers .:
Voted, To raise five hundred dollars, the unexpended bal- ance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 23. Salaries.
Voted, To raise the sum of three thousand six hundred dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appro- priated ; that the same salaries be paid town officers as last year ; that the board of health be paid the sum of $150 for their services.
ART. 24. Drainage.
Voted, To raise one thousand dollars, the unexpended bal- ance from last year also appropriated.
ART. 25. Expenses of 1889.
Voted, To raise six thousand, two hundred and eighty-five and eighty-hundredths dollars for expenses authorized by the town, during the past year, viz: Sylvan, Batchelder streets and Bellevue avenue extension, $600. Third street extension, $300. Taxes refunded, $60.80. Remodelling H. S. building, $75. Upham street sidewalk, $350. Foster street
27
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
drain, $150. Mount Vernon street drain, $150. Relief to soldiers, $300. Poor Fund, additional, $1,000. Street lights, additional, $300. Salaries, additional, $700. Highways, ad- ditional, $500. High School committee, $100. Cedar Park drain, $1,000. Woodland avenue drain, $500. Third street, $200. Total $6,285.80. Also voted to raise for necessary ex- penses of the ensuing year, as follows : Board of health the sum of three hundred dollars, the unexpended balance from last year also appropriated. Military aid, three hundred dollars. Insurance, four hundred dollars. Town hall, six hundred dollars and the receipts for the current year, to- gether with the unexpended balance of last year.
ART. 26. Taxes, how paid.
Voted, That all single poll taxes be made payable on or before August 1, 1890. That all other taxes be made pay- able on or before October 1, 1890, and that interest be added upon all taxes remaining unpaid after that date, at the rate of six per cent. per annum ; that all property on which the taxes remain unpaid on June 1, 1891, be sold by the col- lector in accordance with the provisions of law, and that he be instructed to strictly carry out the provisions of the above vote.
ART. 53. Main pipe on Main street.
Voted, That the water commissioners be authorized to lay a new main pipe, of cast iron, not less than 14 inches in diameter, from the intersection of Wyoming avenue and Main street, to the intersection of Emerson and Main streets, a distance of 3,000 feet, more or less. That the water commissioners be instructed to call for bids for the same, and that the contract be awarded to the lowest re- sponsible bidder.
Voted, That the town treasurer be authorized to sell four
28
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
water fund bonds of the issue of 1887, for the purpose of paying the cost of construction for the year 1889.
ART. 27. Treasurer authorized to sell bonds.
Voted, That the town treasurer be and is hereby authorized to sell eleven water fund bonds of the issue of 1887, the proceeds to be applied as follows : for the construction of new main pipe, heretofore authorized, the sum of six thou- sand dollars, and the balance to be applied for construction during the present year.
ART. 28. Memorial Day.
Voted, To raise two hundred dollars.
ART. 29. Soldiers' lots. Voted, To raise three hundred dollars.
ART. 30. Melrose Common.
Voted, To raise two hundred dollars.
ART. 36. Water bonds. Voted, Unanimously, that the selectmen be authorized to petition the Legislature for authority to issue Water Fund Bonds to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, the proceeds of which are to be used for the payment of the first issue of Water Fund Bonds, series of 1870, which mature July 1, 1890.
ART. 53. Water commissioners instructed. Voted, That the water commissioners be instructed to co-operate with the commissioners of Malden and Medford in procur- ing legislation necessary to protect the purity of Spot Pond water and that our representative in the Legislature be re- quested to aid in passing such legislation.
ART. 31. Vinton and High street ledges. Voted, That
29
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
the sum of four hundred dollars be raised for the purpose of removing ledges within the limits of Vinton and High streets and other necessary improvements connected there- with.
ART. 32. High school building. Report of committee read. Voted, That further consideration of the report be suspended and that it be specially assigned as the first busi- ness of the adjourned meeting.
Voted, That when this meeting adjourns, it shall be to Monday, March 17, 1890, at 7.30 A. M.
ART. 34. By-laws amended. Voted, To amend the town by-laws, Art. 8, Sect. 2, by striking out in the last line thereof the word "Selectmen" and inserting the words "Board of Health."
ART. 35. Passed over. Voted, To adjourn.
3d Adjourned Annual Meeting, March 17, 1890, 7.30 P. M.
ART. 32. High school building Report of committee accepted.
ART. 33. High school building. On a motion "that the town erect a new high school building and that thirty- six thousand dollars be appropriated for building the same, and that the town treasurer be authorized to borrow that amount," a substitute motion was offered and the previous question was ordered; the substitute motion was rejected, vote standing affirmative, 169; negative, 191. Upon the original motion the check list was ordered and printed bal- lots were used. Result of the voting: Whole number of ballots cast, 377; yes ballots, 208; no ballots, 169; two- thirds not voting in the affirmative as required by law, the motion was declared not carried.
1
30
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
Voted, To adjourn to Monday evening, March 24, 1890, at 7.30 o'clock.
4th Adjourned Annual Meeting, March 24, 1890, 7.30 P. M.
ART. 34. School accommodations. Voted, That a com- mittee of nine citizens be appointed by the moderator to consider what additional accommodations are needed for the public schools of this town, and where such accommoda- tions should be located, to report at the next town meeting. Committee appointed: F. S. Hesseltine, Charles W. Hig- gins, Frank E. Orcutt, George L. Morse, John W. Farwell, Rufus A. White, A. B. Franklin, Curtis C. Goss, George H. Dearborn.
ART. 53. School superintendent. Voted, That the school committee be instructed to employ a superintendent of the public schools.
Voted, Unanimously, that whereas the committee on elec- tric lighting, appointed March 3, 1890 under Article 51 of the warrant, have made a verbal preliminary report favora- ble to the project; it is the sense of this meeting, that said cominittee shall continue their investigations with the spec- ial view of ascertaining what legal objections, (if any) exist, and if found to be none, the committee to report at some subsequent meeting, a plan for the establishing and main- taining of an electric light plant, for the purpose of supply- ing arc and incandescent lights for public or private use, or both.
On the petition of F. E. Orcutt and others for increased school accommodations in the easterly portion of the town.
Voted, That the subject matter of the petition be referred to the committee on school accommodations appointed this evening.
31
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
ART. 7. Schools.
Voted, That the sum of one thousand dollars be raised and added to the appropriation for schools to be used for the payment of services of a superintendent of schools.
ART. 23. Electric light committee expenses.
Voted, That the sum of two hundred dollars be raised to pay the expenses of the electric light committee in pursu- ing their investigations, no portion of said sum to be paid for services of said committee.
ART. 35. Cemetery.
Voted, that the cemetery coinmittee be authorized to build a barn on the Pratt farm, at an expense not exceeding five hundred dollars.
ART. 37. Hose house, Wyoming,
Voted, That the selectmen be requested to examine into this matter and report at next meeting.
ART. 49. Steam fire-engine.
Voted, That the chairman of the board of selectmen, Mr. Walter Babb, and the engineers of the fire deparment be a committee to purchase a steam fire-engine with necessary ap- purtenances; that the sum of four thousand, five hundred dol- lars be appropriated therefor and that the treasurer be author- ized to pay for the same out of any funds now in the town treasury, not otherwise appropriated.
On a motion to reconsider-not a vote.
ART. 38. Electric lights.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 39. Jewish cemetery.
Voted, To Indefinitely postpone.
32
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
ART. 40. By-Laws.
Voted, To amend the town by-laws as follows: In Article 2, Section 4, in the fifth line after the word "draw" strike out the words "an order," and insert the words, "a warrant," and in the sixth line, strike out the words, "retaining the vouch- ers in his possession" and insert as follows: "or amounts and the bills, or vouchers, shall be delivered to the treasurer, after payment of which he shall return them to the town clerk and receive the warrant before mentioned." In the seventh line strike out the words "orders" and insert "war- rants," so that the section as altered and amended shall read:
SEC. 4. No money shall be paid from the treasury, ex- cept the State and county taxes, and notes and interest thereon, except upon the presentation of a proper voucher, which shall require the approval of a majority of the select- men; after such approval, it shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to draw a warrant upon the Treasurer for the required amount or amounts, and the bills or vouchers shall be de- livered to the Treasurer, after payment of which he shall return them to the Town Clerk and receive the warrant be- fore mentioned. And the said warrants so drawn upon the Treasurer shall, upon presentation to the Auditors, be con- sidered his sufficient vouchers for the amounts which they severally represent.
Voted, To further amend the by-laws by adding to article 2, a new section.
SECT. II. Regular and stated meetings of the different boards of Town Officers shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. All bills and pay-rolls shall be approved by a majority of the board contracting the same, and immediately thereafter shall be presented to the Board
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS. 33
of Selectmen for final approval. Itemized bills shall at all times be required.
ART. 41. Pleasant Street Sidewalk. Voted, That the matter be referred to the Selectmen to report at the next meeting.
ART. 45. Gooch Street. Voted, That the sum of three hundred dollars be raised for the grading of the street.
ART. 39. Electric Lights. Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 42. Lebanon Street. Voted, That the sum of two hundred dollars be raised for the grading of the street.
ART. 43. Wyoming Avenue Sidewalk. Voted, That a committee of three be appointed to inquire into the matter and report at a subsequent meeting. Committee, W. Irving Ellis, E. R. Cleaveland, John Burns.
ART. 44. Grove Street Sidewalk. Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 46. Botolph Street and West Hill Ave. Voted, To raise the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars for the grading and improving of said streets.
ART. 47. Walton Park. Voted, To raise the sum of three hundred dollars for the grading of Walton Park.
ART. 48. Wyoming avenue Sidewalks. Voted, To in- definitely postpone.
ART. 50. Ell pond Brook. Verbal report of the commit- tee.
ART. 53. Reports, etc. Voted, That the thanks of this meeting be tendered the moderator for the able and impar- tial manner in which he has presided.
3
34
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
Unanimous vote expressed by rising.
Report of selectmen on guide boards accepted,
Report of committee appointed to settle with L. G. Co- burn, collector of taxes for year 1884, received and accepted.
ART. 25. Suppression of liquor traffic, and numbering of buildings. Voted, To raise three hundred dollars to be ex- pended for the suppression of the liquor traffic, also to raise fifty dollars for the purpose of numbering houses and buildings which have not been numbered, and those which may be hereafter erected.
ART. 9. Highways. Voted, That the superintendent of streets be paid not exceeding three dollars per day, for each day of actual service rendered under the direction of the selectmen, and that the sum of five hundred dollars be raised and added to the appropriation for highways, from which he shall be paid. Voted, to adjourn sine die.
WARRANT FOR MEETING, MAY 26, 1890.
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 twenty-sixth day of May, A. D., 1890, at 7.30 o'clock, P. M., then and there to act on the following articles, viz:
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator.
2. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chap-
35
MELROSE TOWN RECORDS.
ter 139, of the Acts of 1890, entitled an act "To authorize the Town of Melrose to make an additional Water Loan," and authorize the issue of the bonds contemplated in the act, designate their denomination, length of time and inter- est thereon, and pass any other vote or votes necessary to carry out the will of the Town.
3. To hear and act upon the report of the committee on school accommodations, appointed at the last town meeting, to determine what action the Town will take for the loca- tion of school houses, for the purchase or procuring of land for the accommodation thereof, for the construction of new school houses thereon, for the alteration and improvement of existing school buildings, and to appropriate and borrow money for the same.
4. To see if the town will construct a drain from Foster street through Berwick street to the brook near Wyoming station, and appropriate or borrow money for the same, on petition of E. H. Goss and others.
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.