USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1893-1895 > Part 18
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VICTOR C. KIRMES,
.6
66
66 1897
E. K. BORDMAN, Town Clerk, ex-officio.
CONSTABLES.
ANSEL B. PIERCE,
OSBORNE E. DROWN,
FRANK W. MCLAUGHLIN,
C. F. W. FOGG.
ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A. WILBUR LYNDE, Chief. ALBON W. PARKER,
SAMUEL LEAR, Clerk.
FOREST FIRE WARDS.
DEXTER PRATT, Chairman.
CALVIN LOCKE,
CHASE C. WORTHEN, Clerk,
JAMES MARSHALL.
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK, WEIGHERS OF HAY AND COAL.
CHARLES B. GOSS, SETH E. BENSON, FRED H. GOSS.
COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
GEORGE NEWHALL, Chairman, DANIEL RUSSELL,
JOHN LARRABEE, Secretary.
FENCE VIEWERS.
DEXTER PRATT,
WALTER C. STEVENS.
OTIS HOWARD, FRANK GIBBONS.
POUND KEEPER, JOSEPH EDWARDS.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS. DEXTER PRATT.
INSPECTOR OF MILK AND SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS AND ANIMALS. 'FRANK M. MCLAUGHLIN.
POLICE OFFICERS. PERMANENT FORCE.
F. M. MCLAUGHLIN, Chief, JEROME T. SMITH, CHARLES F. W. FOGG, HARRY BROWN,
OSBORNE E. DROWN, WILLIAM A. CASWELL, REDFORD M. RAND, GEORGE E. FULLER.
SPECIAL OFFICERS.
JAMES DAVIDSON,
A. WILBUR LYNDE, GEORGE W. BURKE, JOSEPH D. LORD, JOHN M. HAMLIN.
ALLSTON H. PINEO, JOHN W. DAVIS, F. A. CARTER, ARTHUR L. BRIGHAM, H. T. AINSLIN,
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Term expires 1897. 66
1896.
CHAS. H. ADAMS, Chairman,
66
FIELD DRIVERS.
5
TOWN OFFICERS FOR 1894-95.
PRECINCT OFFICERS.
PRECINCT NUMBER ONE.
WARDEN. RUFUS S. CARPENTER. CLERK. C. W. HARLOW.
W. C. JOHNSTON,
E. G. PEARSON.
WARDEN. S. A. LOVEJOY.
CLERK. E. E. BABB.
W. A. BURRELL, C. W. COCHRANE,
FRED C. SHEPARD, W. DEH. JONES,
DEPUTY INSPECTORS.
W. J. LORD, J. H. ATKINSON.
PRECINCT NUMBER THREE.
WARDEN. LEVI S. GOULD.
CLERK. G. B. GROTTENDICK.
INSPECTORS.
G. G. NEWHALL, HENRY OSBORNE,
F. H. DODGE, C. C. SWETT,
DEPUTY INSPECTORS.
DEPUTY WARDEN. C. N. FOWLER.
DEPUTY CLERK. IR. D. KILGORE.
INSPECTORS.
SAMUEL LEAR.
E. L. CRAGIN.
DEPUTY WARDEN. W. N. FOLSOM.
DEPUTY CLERK. HENRY BROWN.
INSPECTORS.
C. S. GORDON,
J. H. FOWKES.
DEPUTY WARDEN. A. J. BURNETT.
DEPUTY CLERK. S. D. FARRAR.
J. J. MCCULLOUGH,
JOHN O. HAYES.
THOS. H. FLYNN,
H. E. JOHNSON.
DEPUTY INSPECTORS.
PRECINCT NUMBER TWO.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
To the Citizens of Melrose :
The selectmen have the honor to submit the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1894.
FINANCES.
The gross debt of the town, January Ist, 1894, . $428,800
BORROWED DURING THE YEAR.
Water construction,
$12,000
In anticipation of taxes,
35,000
Sewer construction,
75,000
$122,000
Paid during the year,
15,000
$107,000
Gross debt, Dec. 31, 1894,
$535,800
Our valuation is on the increase, the gain for the year be- ing $524,743.00. Total valuation being $9,924,873.00, as compared with $9,400, 130.00, the valuation of last year.
8
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
This is a good showing even for years of prosperity, and we should congratulate ourselves that during the year, which has generally been considered as one of unusual financial depression, that our finances are in such excellent condition.
We have endeavored to keep the expenditures within your appropriations, and have exceeded it only in those d'e- partments which we are obliged by statute to maintain- that is the soldiers' relief.
HIGHWAYS.
The streets and sidewalks have been, as in the past, given our constant care and attention. The streets outside of the district where the sewers have been laid are in excellent condition. Prospect street has been built to its full width, Lebanon from the Malden line to Park street has been widened and built to the proper grade, Pleasant street has been covered with crushed stone, covered and rolled, and every street has been attended to when found necessary. Work was commenced at the stone crusher in January and was continued until a supply sufficient for one year's work was produced. As to the streets in the centre of the town, in the section where the sewer has been laid, it is evident that at the present time they are not in as good condition as we could wish ; but according to the terms of the con- tract, the contractor agrees to put the streets as they were previous to the commencement of the work, and we have the assurance from the sewer commissioners that they will hold him to his contract.
MAIN STREET.
All the claims for damages, occasioned by the widening of Main street, have been adjusted except that of the estate
9
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
of Ellen Leonard which is now in the courts. Of the amount expended on the street for labor and material, the sum of $2,397.09 is for putting the street from Emerson to Porter at the proper grade, cutting down Porter and Lebanon streets at their juncture with Main, and building the wall by the side of Ell pond, and filling in to the required grade. As soon as practicable this street should be macadamized from the Malden line to Porter street.
TOWN HALL.
By vote of the town, an agreement was entered into by the selectmen and the trustees of the public library, with the trustees of the Young Mens' Christian Association, to lease suitable rooms in their new building for the public library. The Melrose National Bank has also leased rooms in the same building. By the removal of the public library and bank from the Town Hall, suitable arrange- ments can be made to accommodate the several departments of the town. The income for the past year has been barely sufficient with the appropriation to meet the general ex- penses. Owing probably to the business depression, the hall has not been let as well as in previous years, the receipts for 1894 being $905.40, against $1127.12 for 1893, a loss of $221.72 in revenue, and with the prospect of the lyceum being given up, and the loss of the rental for the Melrose National Bank, a larger appropriation will be nec- essary for the use of the Town Hall. From a financial standpoint, it may not be the proper time now to make any extensive repairs upon the building, but for the credit of the town in having its buildings look neat and reputable, and to save more extensive repairs in the immediate future, there should be a certain amount done at the present time.
IO
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
STREET LIGHTS.
At the annual town meeting in March, we asked for an appropriation of $9000 so the town could be properly lighted, but the town saw fit to appropriate only $8000, and to make this amount so it would light the sections already supplied with lamps, we were obliged to cut the number of nights from twenty-five a month down to twenty. This is the ser- vice we have had since July Ist. We can continue this twenty night contract for $650.13 per month, or twenty-five nights for $763.50 It is for the town to decide, by the amount appropriated for these lights, whether they will have a twenty or twenty-five night service. The service given we do not admit is of the best, and have made numer- ous complaints, but they say that we receive good value and that the voltage is up to the amount contracted for.
CLAIMS.
During the year numerous claims have been presented to the town for personal injuries and damages to property, and wherever the case has appeared to be one in which the town was liable, it has been our endeavor to settle the same satis- factorily without recourse to the courts. No claims have been settled without a full investigation, and the facts war- ranting the same. The following are the claims and their manner of disposal.
Mrs. Armington, by falling on icy sidewalk on Baxter street, breaking her wrist, settled for $40.
T. Kerwin, damage to cart by reason of defect in highway, settled for $10.
John Hitchings, accident to his child by reason of falling over a water shut-off, $100.
Albert Nowell, for injuries received by falling on icy side- walk, claim $400, settled for $50.
II
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Thomas J. Ryder, injuries received by falling in sewer trench on Foster street, referred to sewer commissioners.
PUBLIC HEARINGS.
On petition of Isaac V. Sypher that he be granted a license to carry on a hacking business at the Wyoming station, a hearing was held August 27, and the petition refused.
On petition of Geo. W. Bartlett that he be granted a license for a pool and billiard room on Foster street, a hearing was given Dec. 27, 1894 and the petition refused.
SUITS TO WHICH THE TOWN IS A PARTY.
Louis R. Wallis vs. Town of Melrose, action of tort for alleged damages by reason of a defect in the highway.
Elizabeth F. Fitzpatrick vs. Town of Melrose, action of tort for alleged damages by reason of icy sidewalk.
Heath vs. Town of Melrose, for alleged breach of contract by the sewer commissioners.
Ellen Leonard vs. Town of Melrose, on account of widen- ing of Main street.
Town of Melrose vs. Hiland, pending before the Supreme Court.
A. V. Lynde vs. Town of Melrose, for trespass by water commissioners.
A. V. Lynde vs. Town of Melrose, for taking of land by joint water board.
I2
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
The following suits against the town have been settled :
IN THE COURTS. JUDGMENT.
S. S. Bugbee, on account of widening Main street, $202 12
Bugbee & Barrett,
594 64
Justus Geist,
66
I33 56
Geo. K. Harmon,
123 87
Aaron Hill,
745 99
Emeline S. Maxwell, “
279 59
Eliza H. Curtis,
300 25
Joseph Edwards,
1,212 67
Carrie L. Spear,
66
408 50
Emily S. Morse, action for tort,
899 81
SETTLED BY COUNSEL.
J. C. Maker, on ccount of widening Main street, 505 00
Jas. McIntyre,
400 00
T. McCoubry,
66
66
274 12
Geo. F. Boardman, “
600 00
E. S. Jack, 66 66
.
600 00
RULES FOR THE REGULATION OF CARRIAGES IN THE TOWN OF MELROSE, JULY I, 1894.
Owing to the many complaints from citizens of the over- crowding of the sidewalks and streets at the railway stations in the town by public carriages, it was voted, in accordance with Chap. 197 of the Acts of 1885, to make the following rules and regulations for the government of hackney car- riages in the town.
Sect. I. No person shall set up and use any vehicle for the conveyance of passengers for hire, or wagons, carts, sleighs, or other vehicles for the conveyance from place to place within the town of Melrose for hire, or any goods, wares, furniture, merchandise, or other articles of transpor-
I3
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
tation, without a license for every such vehicle so set up and used.
Sect. 2. Every person licensed to set up and use hack- ney carriages shall have marked in a conspicuous place on the outside of each carriage and upon each side thereof, the number of the license in plain figures of not less than one inch in height, and so that the same may be distinctly seen.
Every person licensed to set up and use any wagon, cart sleigh or other vehicle, as aforesaid, shall have placed upon the outside of each vehicle and upon each side thereof, the name of the owner and the number of the license in plain, legible words and figures of not less than one inch in height.
Sect. 3. No stand for any vehicle shall be allowed in front of any premises without the consent of the owner or occupant of said premises.
Sect. 4. No person shall permit any cart, carriage or ve- hicle of any description, under his care or control, to stand in any street so as to obstruct the travel over the same ; and no person shall permit any such cart, carriage or vehicle under his care to stop upon or stand across any crosswalk in any street.
Sect. 5. No owner, driver or other person not licensed as aforesaid, having charge of any hackney carriage, truck, wagon or other vehicle, shall stand for employment with such carriage, truck, wagon or other vehicle, in any public way; and no person licensed as aforesaid shall stand for employment with his carriage, truck, wagon or other vehicle, in any public way, except at the stand assigned to such car- riage, truck, wagon or other vehicle, by the board of se- lectmen under penalty of not less than two or more than twenty dollars.
Sect. 6. Every hack, cab, omnibus or other vehicle,
14
RETORT OF SELECTMEN.
whether on wheels or runners, which shall be used for the conveyance of passengers for hire, from place to place within the town, shall be deemed a hackney carriage within the meaning of these regulations.
Sect. 7. All licenses granted as aforesaid shall expire on the first day of July next after the date thereof, and may be revoked at the pleasure of the board of selectmen, No li- cense shall be sold, assigned or transferred without the con- sent of said board, and such consent shall be endorsed on the license and on the record thereof by the town clerk.
Sect. 8. No owner, driver or other person having charge of any vehicle, which stands in any particular place by vir- tue of a license, shall, under penalty not exceeding twenty dollars, leave such vehicle, when upon the stand attached to a horse, unless he put the same in care of some suitable person.
The persou in whose name a license is taken out under the provisions of these regulations shall be considered the owner of the vehicle mentioned in the license and shall be liable to all penalties herein contained while he holds such license. The chief of police is charged with the enforcement of these provisions.
Sect. 9. Whosoever violates any of the provisions of these regulations shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty dollars for each offense.
Sect. 10. The fee for any license provided for by these regulations shall be one dollar.
Sect. II. The chief of police shall be the inspector of public carriages and shall have general supervision of all hackney carriages, cabs and other public vehicles (except street railway cars), and shall enforce all rules and regula- tions relating to the same. He shall examine and report upon all applications for licenses to set up and use such ve-
15
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
hicles and to drive the same, and shall keep a record of all licenses granted.
Sect. 12. He shall also be the inspector of wagons, and shall have general supervision of all vehicles used for the transportation of goods, wares, merchandise and materials for hire, from place to place within the town, and shall en- force all the rules and regulations relating to the same. He shall examine and report upon all applications for licenses for such purposes, and keep a record of all licenses granted.
In closing our report, we may well congratulate ourselves upon the general prosperity of the town, and thanking our fellow citizens for their kind and generous support in the transaction of our official duties.
We are respectfully, DANIEL NORTON, SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK, JOHN P. DEERING,. EUGENE H. MOORE, CHARLES W. COOK,
Selectmen of Melrose.
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS IN 1894.
WARRANT FOR MEETING, JANUARY 4th, 1894.
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 Thursday, the fourth day of January, A. D. 1894, at 7.45 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 make a contract for an additional supply of water, in accordance with the recom- mendation of the committee on additional water supply.
Art. 3. To see if the town will accept the provisions of law relating to the election of sewer commissioners, as pro- vided by the Acts of 1893, chapter 417, section 272.
Art. 4. To see if the town will instruct the committee on sewerage, to advertise for proposals to construct the whole or any portion of the sewerage system.
Art. 5. To see if the town will join the city of Malden and city of Medford and release unto the town of Stoneham all the right, title, interest and estate said cities and town of Melrose have in and to a lot of land containing about eleven
2
18
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
acres and situate in Stoneham and being the lot marked "Jos. W. Wilson" on plan of lands taken by said cities and town of Melrose recorded with Middlesex So. Dist. Deeds, Book of Plans No. 69, Plan No. 19.
Art. 6. To see if the town will join with the city of Malden and city of Medford and release unto Edwin S. Blaine all the right, title, interest and estate which said cities or town have in and to a lot of land situate in Stoneham containing about seventy-four one hundredths of an acre, being the lot marked "Samuel Cabot" on plan of lands taken by said cities and town of Melrose, recorded with Middlesex So. Dist. Deeds, Book of Plans No. 69, Plan No. 9.
Art. 7. 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 your doings thereon, to the town clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-sixth day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.
DANIEL NORTON, EUGENE H. MOORE,
WM. A. WATERHOUSE,
CHARLES W. COOK, SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK,
Selectmen of Melrose.
A true copy. Attest,
A. B. PIERCE, Constable.
19
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
Meeting January 4, 1894, 7.45 o'clock.
Article I. Chose Levi S. Gould, Moderator.
Art. 2. Voted, That the town hereby adopt and ratify the contract or agreement made by the committee on additional water supply, (duly authorized by a previous vote) with the Middlesex Fells Spring Co., or its legal representatives, when lawfully incorporated to do business in this Common- wealth, and the said committee are hereby authorized in behalf of the town to sign said contract or agreement, and the treasurer is also authorized to pay upon said contract such sums for water furnished and delivered as may be ap- proved by the board of water commissioners in accordance with the terms and conditions of the contract.
The above vote was taken by check lists, "Yes" and " No" ballots being used, and resulted "Yes" 59, "No" 18, Total 77.
Art. 3. Voted, That we hereby accept the provisions of Chapter 417, Acts of 1893, which relate to the election of sewer commissioners in towns, and that at the next annual meeting, three commissioners shall be elected to serve, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, in the same manner as other town officers are now elected and in accordance with provisions of statutes heretofore ac- cepted, which relate to the Australian system as applied to town elections.
Vote taken by check list, " Yes " and " No" ballots being used. Unanimous vote,- 19 votes being cast in the affirm- ative.
Voted, To take up
Art. 7. Report of committee on sewerage, submitted by
20
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
chairman, together with the report of Engineer Stevens to the committee, including also specifications, form of con- tract, etc.
Report accepted.
Voted, That all the documents submitted by the committee be printed in pamphlet form under direction of the Select- men, and distributed to the citizens of the town.
Art. 4. Voted, That the committee on sewerage be au- thorized to advertise for proposals for the construction of that portion of sewer as recommended in report of said committee.
Art. 5. Voted, That the town of Melrose, the city of Malden, and the city of Medford concurring, doth hereby authorize and empower its treasurer, George Newhall, in the name and behalf of the town of Melrose to join with such person or persons as the city of Malden and the city of Medford shall severally designate and authorize to act on the part of their several municipalities, and to release and quitclaim, in conjunction with the city of Malden and the city of Medford unto the town of Stoneham, all the right, title, interest and estate which said cities and town of Mel- rose have in and to the following described lot of land for- merly belonging to Joseph W. Wilson, situate in said Stone- ham, on the westerly side of Andover turnpike, by the virtue of a taking thereof hereinafter referred to, by said city of Malden and the town (now city) of Medford, and town of Melrose, with the reservations and agreements in favor of said cities and town of Melrose hereinafter stated, viz: A certain lot of land situate in said Stoneham, on the westerly side of the Andover turnpike, so called, and bounded and described as follows, viz :- Beginning at the southeasterly
21
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
corner thereof on said turnpike by land of Elbridge Gerry, thence the line runs north Iº 18" west on said turnpike two hundred forty-seven (247) feet to a monument ; thence north 12º 45' east on said turnpike three hundred eighty- one (381) feet to land of E. J. Wadsworth ; thence north 79° 16', west, two hundred fifty nine (259) feet ; thence north 85° west, fifty (50) feet ; thence north 76° 36' west, seventy-three (73) feet ; thence north 79° west, one hundred fifty (150) feet ; thence north 31º 14' west, four hundred eighteen (418) feet ; thence north one hundred thirty-two and nine-tenths (132.9) feet, to a corner ; thence north 76° 45' west, one hundred thirty-nine (139) feet to other land of said Wilson, the last seven courses being all by land of said Wads- worth ; thence south 10° east, one hundred seventeen (117) feet ; thence south 15° 30' east, four hundred fifty and 24-100 (450.24) feet ; thence south 20° 25' east, nine hundred thirty- one and 14-100 (931.14) feet to land of Elbridge Gerry, said last three courses being by other land of said Wilson ; thence north 17º east, one hundred fifteen (115) feet to a corner ; thence south 74° 50' east, one hundred eighty and 9-10 ( 180.9) feet ; thence north 3º 17' west, one hundred seventy-three and 87-100 (173.87) feet ; and thence south 79° east, one hundred thirty-five and 58-100 (135.58) feet to the point of beginning ; said last four courses being by said land of Gerry. Containing eleven (II) acres, more or less, and being the lot marked Joseph W. Wilson on a plan of land supposed to belong to Joseph W. Wilson, taken by the city of Malden and the towns of Medford and Melrose under the Water Acts, surveyed by I. S. Lucas, C. E., January, 1891, and recorded with Middlesex South District Plans, Book of Plans No. 69, Plan No. 19, to which reference is hereby made. And the conveyance thereof is to be made subject to the following reservation and agreements, to wit : That said cities and town of Melrose reserve a convenient and
22
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
practical right of way in and over the said premises twenty- five feet wide, from said turnpike to some convenient en- trance to and upon the land of said cities and town of Mel- rose, situate northerly of and adjoining the described premises, for passing and repassing therein with carts, teams,. and on foot. Said town of Stoneham to agree for itself and its assigns to and with said cities and town of Melrose that neither it nor they will hinder or divert the natural flow of water over and across said premises to Spot pond and its tributaries, nor will use nor will allow said premises to be used for such purposes or in such manner as will endanger the purity of the waters of Spot pond, or its tributaries, and with the agreement by said town of Stoneham for itself and its assigns that said town of Stoneham or its assigns will keep the low ground part of said premises free of filth and with suitable channel for the free passage of water across the same, or will permit the grantors or either of them to enter and do the same by their servants and agents as oc -- casion may require.
Art. 6. Voted, That the town of Melrose, the city of Mal- den, and the city of Medford concurring, doth hereby authorize and empower its treasurer, George Newhall, in the name and behalf of the town of Melrose to join with such person or persons as the city of Malden and the city of Medford shall designate and authorize to act on the part of their several municipalities and to release and quitclaim in conjunction with the city of Malden and the city of Medford unto Edwin S. Blaine, of said Malden, all the right, title,. interest and estate, which said cities and town of. Melrose have in and to the following described lot of land situate in Stoneham in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the easterly side of Pond street, by virtue of a taking thereof, hereinafter referred to, by the city of Malden and the town
23
RECORDS OF TOWN MEETINGS.
(now city) of Medford and the town of Melrose, to wit :- Beginning at the northwesterly corner thereof, on said Pond street, by land now or late of heirs of William Foster, thence the line runs north 4° 57' east by said Foster land eighty-two (82) feet ; thence south 70° 57' east, by other land of said Blaine, one hundred thirty-five (135) feet ; thence south 59° 02' east by other land of said Blaine four hundred ninety-three and 58-100 (493.58) feet to said Pond street; thence about northwesterly on said Pond street to the point begun at ; being the lot marked " Samuel Cabot" on a plan of lands taken by the city of Malden and the towns of Medford and Melrose under the Water Acts, surveyed by I. S. Lucas, C. E., January, 1891, and recorded with Middlesex South District Deeds, Book of Plans 69, Plan No. 9.
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