USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1890-1892 > Part 25
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SPECIAL OFFICERS.
ALLSTON H. PINEO, JOHN W. DAVIS, WM. H. LIVINGSTON, ARTHUR L. BRIGHAM, GUSTAVUS F. ALLEN,
JAMES DAVIDSON, A. WILBUR LYNDE, GEORGE W. BURKE, JOSEPH D. LORD, JOHN M. HAMLIN.
FIELD DRIVERS.
JOSEPH EDWARDS.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
To the Citizens of Melrose :
The fiscal year ending Dec. 31st, 1892, compares favora- bly in the increased growth of our town, with any which have preceded it. It is certain that none have witnessed a greater advance in every element which counts for mate- rial prosperity. New school houses have been erected as our necessities have absolutely demanded; new streets, Sewall Woods road, as an example, have been built, and old ones repaired and kept in order, under the judicious management of our highway department.
Our exceedingly rapid, yet permanent growth, has from time to time forced the town to vote certain extraordinary expenditures which it is hoped may not be again required, at least, not in the immediate future. These items have served to advance our rate of taxation to a point higher than this board would have advised, but it was done by the peo- ple in town meeting assembled, and we have endeavored as far as possible to supervise the disbursement of this money, and the doings of subordinate agents, with a view to its most econominal management and expenditure.
The admirable method adopted by the town auditor, in his compilation of the various reports, will enable the citi-
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
zens to readily refer to each matter of interest under its ap- propriate head, as alphabetically arranged. To each and every item, we invite a critical and candid examination.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING.
In accordance with the wish of the town, we have con- tracted with the Malden Electric Co. to supersede all oil lights for the term of one year. They furnish 30 arc, of a nominal candle power of 1,200, and 280 incandescent lights of 25 candle power. They burn on the moon schedule. The service has generally been satisfactory, but occasional mishaps occur which are cheerfully rectified as soon as known. The company makes up all deficits by burning the lights on all dark or stormy nights, when they are not ab- solutely obliged to do so.
SEWALL WOODS ROAD.
This road has been built from the bank and corporation tax, in strict accordance with your vote, and in such a way as to comply with the terms of the donors of the land for "Sewall Woods Park," thereby rendering the park available as public property for all future time.
PERKINS STREET EXTENSION.
As per vote of the town, we have partly built this piece of road as laid out by the county commissioners, and have no doubt as to our ability to complete it in a manner satis- factory to the county within the sum appropriated, $4000, one half of which it will be remembered was assessed in the taxes of 1892, and the balance as per your vote, is to go into the taxes of 1893.
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
THE WIDENING OF MAIN STREET.
As authorized and directed by the town, we have settled with the following persons for damages awarded by the County Commissioners in the matter of the widening of Main street, viz.
Estate of Lucy Westgate, $ 430 00
George Newhall,
356 00
First Baptist Society, . 210 00
Wyoming Lodge F. & A. M., 130 00
Jona. C. Howes,
105 00 '
Josie Oakes,
150 00
Laura A. Bigelow, .
21 00
M. F. Eastman,
300 00
John Larrabee,
163 00
Sarah J. Larrabee, .
193 00
George L. Westgate,
190 00
George L. Westgate,
94 00
Geo. P. Reed,
64 00
Geo. H. Dearborn,
96 00
B. R. Upham,
995 00
R. P. Littlefield,
162 00
Henry A. Leonard, 200 00
Chas. A. Larrabee, .
98 00
Est. of C. D. Greene,
119 00
Burrell & Swett,
165 00
E. B. Stantial,
441 00
John P. Averill,
.
40 00
.
.
$5,001 00
Others are considering the matter, of whom some will accept the award and others, we regret to say, have signified
.
279 00
A. D. Maclachlan, .
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
a desire to enter into a legal contest, but up to this date, one only, Dr. Aaron Hill, Jr., has actually commenced suit. It might be well for the town to clothe the selectmen with certain discretionary powers, whereby through reasonable concessions, they might be able to settle some of these af- fairs in such a way that the expenses consequent upon legal complications might be avoided. As no portion of this large sum will be available from the county until the widen- ing of the street has been completed, the town will have to make arrangements to meet it by taxation or a time loan.
OBSTRUCTIONS BY THE B. & M. R. R. ON EMERSON STREET.
The truce existing as regards the occupancy of the de- bateable territory at the corner of Emerson and Essex streets, has been respected by the corporation, and it re- mains open to the public to whom it undoubtedly belongs. We regret however to add, that while the trouble of shifting cars at that point has been improved in a measure, it is still a very great source of complaint, and must so remain until there is a radical change in the location of the freight yard. In the judgment of this board the land owned by the cor- poration at the corner of Tremont and Melrose streets, and specially purchased for that purpose several years since, through the prudence and foresight of the late James T. Furber, is the proper location, for their constantly increas- ing business in the freight department, and would accom- modate more people than would be absolutely inconven- ienced. As matters now stand, much of the gain to Emer- son street by the action of the corporation in increasing its switching facilities, has been negatived by increased trouble at the Foster street crossing. In the general order of things, these annoyances to public travel will disappear
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
through the action of the railroad corporation itself, as the light is forced upon it; if not, the strong arm of the law should be invoked.
DAMAGES SETTLED.
To avoid the expenses consequent upon litigation, and for no other reason, we have, for a nominal sum, settled with Mrs. Mary Cain for damages caused by an alleged im- perfection on Linwood avenue.
DAMAGE SUITS AND UNSETTLED CLAIMS.
Aaron Hill, Jr., for widening Main street. This case is still pending.
Mrs. Jennie Tainter, for slipping on ice. Will contest this case if it is pressed to a trial, there being no legitimate claim.
Mrs. Emily M. Morse, for an injury caused by stepping off the sidewalk into a gutter on Tremont street. This is considered a case where proper care was not exercised by the party injured and the town will contest if suit is com- menced.
The suit of the town vs. Ira Hiland, who is endeavoring to avoid the payment of a just and fair contract, by setting up a purely legal technicality, has not come to trial.
OBSTRUCTIONS TO ELL POND BROOK.
The case of the town vs. one Cutter, and Seth E. Ben- son, for placing an obstruction across Ell Pond Brook near the Grove street school house, is still before the supreme court on an appeal. In accordance with special instructions
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
voted by the town, in connection with this case, if the de- cision of the court proves that the town is powerless to control said brook, an appeal will be made to the Legisla- ture for the passage of a law which will be adequate. Every citizen of the Wyoming district, as well as those of all other sections of the town, is personally interested in the protection of this, the only avenue of drainage in our popu- lous valley. To shut the town out of its control and man- agement, means a filthy, stagnant ditch, constantly used as a dumping place for all manner of refuse, in time to fill up and scatter disease and death to our people, as well as the contingent liability of damage to persons and property from the flowing back of water caused by the gradual chok- ing up of the channel. In the judgment of your selectmen, this is one of the most important subjects with which the community has to deal. It will be remembered that the town at its last meeting, supported the action of the board with practical unanimity, after a thorough discussion of the subject.
PERMITS GRANTED.
To the East Middlesex Street Railway Co. to construct an electric line on Main street, from Franklin street to the Wakefield line, also on Howard street, from Green street to the Saugus line, both of which were granted with restric- tions. It is understood that both lines will be built early in the spring.
To the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. to erect poles and maintain wires on Washington and other streets, for the purpose of establishing and perfecting a central telephone station on Main street, for the benefit of its Melrose patrons and others.
In the matter of G. F. Butterfield and others for a per-
II
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
mit to construct an electric road from the Stoneham line through Washington street to the Malden line, the case has been heard and decision reserved.
The petition of the Boston & Maine R. R. to relocate its station at the Highlands, is also pending.
SEWERAGE AND THE WATER SUPPLY.
These are the most prominent and costly matters in which the town will be called upon to engage during the years which are immediately before us. At the fall meet- ing the sewerage committee were authorized to make a contract for the plans. This was given to our fellow towns- man Walter C. Stevens, C. E., who will cover in said plan, all streets both public and private. It will be ready some- time during the coming summer, or early in the fall, and as soon as the same is accepted by the State Board of Health, a town meeting will be called to further promote the work. The sewerage committee consists of the following persons, viz: Levi S. Gould, John P. Deering, Charles W. Higgins, George L. Morse, Charles W. Cook, F. S. Hesseltine, John Robson.
As regards increased water supply, a matter of the most vital importance to the welfare of the town, a committee well qualified to cope with the question, is steadily at work in an endeavor to solve the problem. They have caused several places in our vicinity to be examined, and are ex- perimenting with driven wells at the head of Ell Pond, and on the property of Edw. L. Whittier, north of Wyoming avenue, both of which at this writing seem to give favorable indications of an abundant supply of apparently pure water. It will be subjected to the most careful analysis before any recommendation is made to utilize it for domestic purposes. The committee consists of Maj. W. D. Fiske, Wm. H. Miller,
12
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Geo. J. Bicknell, Col. F. S. Hesseltine, Jonathan C. Howes, Walter C. Stevens and Moses S. Page. There is also a pro- ject in the legislature to take certain ponds in Andover for the joint uses of Malden, Medford and Melrose.
These matters of such pressing importance to every citi- zen of Melrose, we are sure will have the best efforts of the two committees having the subjects in hand, and the town will be kept informed as their work progresses.
The North Metropolitian Sewer will not be in operation before the fall of 1894, and possibly not until December, 1896. All depends upon engineering difficulties not yet developed in the work on hand. This is the latest informa- tion available from the engineer of the system, who says that he cannot safely predict that it will be complete at the first named date, although if everything goes along with- out uncommon friction, it may be done in the fall of 1894. Although a costly luxury, its completion will be hailed as a priceless boon and the most important sanitary event in the history of our town.
STONE CRUSHER.
The stone crushing plant has not been started up this year, entirely from the fact that the board deemed it un- wise and inexpedient to continue to macadamize our streets as they are so soon to be torn up to lay sewer pipe. The plant and all machinery, tools, etc., are in good order, and ready for work at any time when it is in the interest of economy to continue their use.
STREET SPRINKLING.
As the town now owns a sprinkling cart, we feel that money might be saved to the taxpayers by appropriating a
.
13
REPORT OF SELECTMFN.
small sum to be used on some of the principal thorough- fares, where the streets are worn and ground into dust, which for want of moisture is blown away, not only to the discomfort of travellers and abbutters, but also to the in- jury of the streets themselves.
COLUMBUS DAY, OCTOBER 2Ist.
The 400th anniversary of the landing of Christopher Col- umbus on the shores of America, was celebrated in a manner every way worthy of the town. The people united without regard to party, sect or nationality, to render it the most patriotic and conspicuous event in our history.
This generation will never witness a more inspiring sight, or one appealing more strongly to the highest feel- ings of pride and patriotism, than that presented by more than 1000 of our school children in line, each waving a starry flag, escorted by what remains of the rapidly dimin- ishing circle of the veterans of Post 4, G. A. R. who, with their comrades in arms, through heroic and self-sacrificing service, by land and by sea, made it possible that such a scene as this could ever occur.
May the blessings of God rest upon our town and our native land, and may the time never come when that great safeguard of civil liberty, our public school system, as well as the "stars and stripes," shall receive less of enthusiasm, and less of patriotic affection, or when there shall be less of reverence to the memory of all who have given their best efforts, or laid down their lives in the discovery, or in the defence of this great country, in the generations which have passed, than was universally witnessed on that memorable occasion, October 21st, 1892.
Respectfully submitted,
LEVI S. GOULD, JOHN P. DEERING, CHAS. W. HIGGINS,
Selectmen of Melrose.
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS IN 1892.
WARRANT FOR MEETING MARCH 7, 1892.
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 seventh day of March, A. D., 1892, at 7 o'clock, a. m., then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
Article I. To choose a moderator.
Art. 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 in accordance with provi- sions of law accepted by the town. Polls to be kept open until 5.30 p. m.
Art. 3. To choose any other town officers, deemed necessary, 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.
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RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 5. To hear and act upon the report of the finance committee, appointed at meeting Nov. 19, 1891.
Art. 6. To determine the amount of money to be raised and appropriated to defray town charges for the ensuing year and for payment of the town debt.
Art. 7. To fix the compensation of all officers and com- mittees elected or appointed by the town.
Art. 8. To raise money for the use of water in hydrants, public buildings, etc., and for any other necessary expenses for the year.
Art. 9. To determine the method by which the taxes for the ensuing year shall be collected.
Art. 10. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Chapter 417 of the Acts of 1891, entitled "An act to author- ize 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.
Art. II. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer to issue water fund bonds for the purpose of paying the cost of constructing and extending the water works.
Art. 12. To see what action the town will take in regard to the payment of the water bonds, series of 1872, $50,000 falling due Oct. 1, 1892.
Art. 13. To see what action the town will take in regard to the payment of the Town Hall bonds, $65,000, falling due Oct. 1, 1892.
Art. 14. To see what action the town will take upon the order of the county commissioners for the building of a highway to Stoneham, same being an extension of Perkins street.
Art. 15. To see what action the town will take in the
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RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
matter of additional legislation relating to Ell pond and Spot pond brooks.
Art. 16. To see what action the town will take in relation to the further acceptance of the provisions of Chapter 370 of the Acts of the year 1891, entitled an Act to enable cities and towns to manufacture and distribute gas and electricity "and pass any votes in connection therewith deemed expe- dient."
Art. 17. To hear and act upon the report of the commit- tee appointed to investigate and report upon matters in connection with the establishing and maintaining of an elec- tric light plant, and pass any votes deemed necessary in the premises.
Art. 18. To see if the town will remove the lock-up from the rear part of the Town Hall building to the front of the same, build additional cells, make other improvements, and raise money for the same.
Art. 19. To hear the report of the committee appointed to consider the matter of a new schoolhouse at the High- lands, and to see if the town will appropriate money to carry out the recommendations contained therein.
Art. 20. To see if the town will vote to enlarge the Vin- ton street schoolhouse, or provide otherwise additional school accommodations on the west side of the railroad, and appropriate money for the same, by request of the school committee.
Art. 21. To see if the town will authorize the water com- missioners to make contracts with any resident of the town who proposes to water the streets, upon payment to the water board of such sum as they deem proper, by request of the water commissioners.
Art. 22. To see if the town will raise the sum of $200 for keeping in repair and decorating the graves of soldiers on Memorial Day.
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RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 23. To see if the town will provide for the protection of property and the extinguishment of fires in the easterly portion of the town, by furnishing hydrants where needed, providing suitable fire apparatus, a building in which to keep the same, determine its location, purchase land if necessary and appropriate or borrow money for said purposes, on pe- tition of Andrew J. Burnett and others.
Art. 24. To see if the town will furnish electric lights in the north-easterly section of the town and raise or appro- priate money for the same, on petition of E. H. Moore and others.
Art. 25. To see if the town will designate as not needed for public travel and give the improvement to the Melrose Improvement Society of a certain triangular piece of land lying at the westerly junction of the way called South Cedar Park, with the way called Cedar Park; the said trian- gular piece being situated between the estates of A. W. Brigham, Dexter Bryant and G. C. Abbott, and being that part of said ways where located not wrought for travel, and lying wholly enclosed by such parts of said ways as are wrought for travel and containing about two hundred square feet.
Art. 26. To see what action the town will take on the order of the county commissioners for the widening, straight- ening and relocation of the lines of Main street, from Mount Vernon street northerly to its junction with Green street, and raise or appropriate money for the same.
Art. 27. To see what action the town will take on the order of the county commissioners relocating the lines of Vinton street and Franklin street and raise or appropriate money for the carrying out of said order.
Art. 28. To see what action the town will take regarding the vote passed May 6, 1861, viz. "That the sum of fifteen
2
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RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
dollars per month be paid those people having families, and the sum of ten dollars per month to those who are single men during their time of service in the war now pending," on petition of W. E. Barrett and others.
Art. 29. To see if the town will build and furnish a hose house at Wyoming, on lot of land owned by the town and known as the Barry estate, situate corner Main and Lynde streets, and raise or appropriate money for the same, on pe- tition of W. D. Fiske and others.
Art 30. To see if the town will authorize the selectmen to have prepared an accurate town map, and raise or appro- priate money to pay for the same, on petition of William A. Burrell and others.
Art. 31. To see if the town will raise money for the pur- pose of building a culvert through Franklin and Ashland streets to the culvert now extending under Ashland street, on petition of George J. Bicknell and others.
Art. 32. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to defray expenses of six open air concerts by the Melrose Cadet Band during the summer of 1892, on petition of Harry Dutton and others.
Art. 33. To see if the town will amend the by-laws re- lating to discharging explosive compounds and the blasting of ledges within the town limits, on petition of A. M. Willis and others.
Art. 34. To see whether the town will accept the provi- sions of Chapter 264 of the Acts of 1886 providing for pre- cinct voting in towns.
Art. 35. To consider and determine what action the town will take in reference to the construction of sewers in the streets of the town to be connected with the Metropolitan System of Sewerage and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 36. To see what action the town will take in regard to the obstruction and delay to travel on Emerson street,
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RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
caused by the shifting of cars by the Boston and Maine Rail- road.
Art. 37. To see what action the town will take in the matter of completing the widening and deepening of Ell Pond brook, building of culverts, etc. ; and raise or appro- priate money for the same.
Art. 38. To see if the town will revise or amend the town by-laws.
Art. 39. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of $600 for the purpose of building a sidewalk on Linwood av- enue from Lynde street to Sylvan street and for the remo- val of the ledge on the west side of said street between Glen street and Gibbons street, on petition of Walter C. Stevens and others.
Art. 40. To see if the town will discontinue the remain- ing portion of old Church street (so called) that is bounded and described as follows, viz. : Northerly by the northerly line of Upham street as laid out by the county commission- ers, westerly by Stevens' place, southerly by the estate of David R. Woodward, on petition of D. R. Woodward and others.
Art. 41. To see if the town will change the name of street now known as Emerald street to Hillside avenue, on petition of J. C. Howes and others.
Art. 42. To see if the town will change the name of street now known as Second street to Foster street, on petition of S. W. Harvey and others.
Art. 43. To see if the town will grade and repair Meridian street and appropriate the sum of $200 therefor, on petition of George H. Bent and others.
Art. 44. To see if the town will place a fire alarm box at at the corner of Park and Meridian streets, and properly light said streets, on petition of George H. Williams and others.
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RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Art. 45. To see if the town will place a fire alarm box near the corner of Lebanon and Forest streets, and raise or appropriate money for the same, on petition of Christian Clausen and others.
Art. 46. To see if the town will appropriate money for the maintenance of an electric light at the junction of Wal- ton Park, West Hill avenue and Franklin street, at the High- lands, on petition of L. D. Shaw and others.
Art. 47. To see if the town will vote to extend a drain through Grove street from Lebanon street to Meridian street,. put in catch basins where needed, also grade said street and raise or appropriate money for the same, on petition of Al- verdo Dodge and others.
Art. 48. To see what action the town will take on the re- quest of Edward McKenna, for re-imbursement, for losses sustained on his contract for the widening of Main street in the year 1888.
Art. 49. To see if the town will authorize the selectmen to straighten, widen and deepen Spot pond brook from Wyoming avenue to the Stoneham line.
Art. 50. To see if the town will place a fire alarm box near the corner of Cutter and Baxter streets on petition of William N. Hughes and others.
Art. 51. To see if the town will put in repair that piece of the Old County Road at the Highlands, running from Al- bion street to Ashland street.
Art. 52. To see if the town will accept the following streets as laid out by the selectmen, and raise money for the building and grading the same if necessary.
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