USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1898 > Part 17
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374
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
self-reliance. It is a curious fact, but nevertheless true, that pauperism seems to be like a disease, and is trans- mitted from generation to generation. We are supporting today children whose parents and grandparents were sup- ported before them. It should be the duty of the overseers of the poor to prevent poverty as well as cure it.
During the year, in accordance with the vote of the town, an almshouse has been established at the Pratt farm, of which we will make a separate report. The Melrose hos- pital has been of great assistance, as in other years, and we desire officially to commend its management and the prompt and beneficial aid that has been rendered.
PRATT FARM.
At the annual town meeting in March, it was voted, " That the town authorize the cemetery committee to transfer the Pratt farmhouse (so called) with such portion of land as may be agreed upon, for the use of an almshouse, to the overseers of the poor, and they be empowered to es- tablish said Pratt farmhouse as an almshouse." As soon as practicable after the passage of this vote the necessary steps were taken to put the building in proper repair for the accommodation of its inmates. No work was done on the outside of the building, but the interior was cleaned throughout, the walls newly papered, ceilings whitened, woodwork painted, new floor laid in the dining room, and what was formerly the shed, transformed into a kitchen, two bath rooms added and hot and cold water, with set tubs in fact the interior was made entirely new and con- venient, the expense of these repairs being $729.41.
375
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Wm. Burns, carpentering, $87 31
F. J. Story, painting, 94 25
J. P. Deering & Co., lumber, . 82 07
Melrose Hardware Co., papering, paints, etc., 106 09
Lane Bros., mason work, 57 05
F. A. Jackson, plumbing, 270 00
J. F. Cobb, superintending, 27 00
Sundries, 5 64
$729 4I
In the early part of the winter the question of heating the premises was a source of considerable discussion, as to the proper method. Stoves and the open fireplaces were used for a time. At last it was the unanimous opinion of the board that a system of hot water heating would be the most economical and satisfactory, and a contract was made with Brock Brothers to put in a good plant at a cost of $425. This will have to be met out of the next year's appropriation.
The cost of running the farm for the seven months it has been in operation has been $851.85. We were fortunate in being able to find among our own citizens a capable matron and warden to manage the farm, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Bonett. Mrs. Bonett was appointed matron and Mr. Bonett, warden, at a salary of $300 per annum, and their living expenses, Mrs. Bonett has proven a capable, judicious and kindly woman, and Mr. Bonett has the advantage of being brought up as a farmer, so that the work of both the house and the farm has been done in a satisfactory manner. We have at present six inmates, three males and three females, besides an infant, who is there temporarily awaiting action of the court. During the year there have been eight aided at the farm, one having died and one leaving to be supported by
.
376
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
her family. It is impossible to judge at this time correctly of the expense of maintaining our poor at the farm, as it is only for a portion of the year that we have been able to do so, but we are convinced that it is no experiment, and that it will prove a blessing and a comfort to those of our poor who are entirely destitute, and that it is a humane and eco- nomical method for the town to employ in alleviating their distress. It has served in some instances to deter people from asking aid of the town, for the objection they have of being cared for in an institution, and it was noticeable in the few ap- plications we had for aid, after the farm was established and ready for inmates. It is not the intention or the wish of the overseers of the poor to place any person at the Pratt farm, excepting those who are old, decrepit or sick, and have no one to help them, or who have no prospects of ever being able to be self-supporting. No children or families will be received, excepting temporarily. There appears to be in the minds of a majority of those seeking aid that the Pratt farm is a poorhouse, and that it is, therefore, a disgrace and a calamity to be obliged to go there for assistance. They do not consider that the disgrace, if any there is (and we, in our experience, do not admit that it is a disgrace to be poor and needy, unless brought on by intemperance and improvidence), is when they first apply for aid. The town has now provided a suitable place for the aged, poor and suffering, and it is a duty that every citizen owes to the community to do their part in encouraging those who re- ceive aid to become inmates of this farm, that they may be well housed, warmed and fed, nursed and taken care of when sick, rather than to contribute toward their support and endeavoring to influence and coerce the overseers to take care of them in places where they cannot be comfort- able or decently cared for.
377
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR.
Our citizens are cordially invited to visit the farm and see for themselves the comfort and homelike manner in which the inmates are treated.
The cost of running the farm for the seven months it has been in operation has been $851.85.
There has been delivered from the farm 70 barrels of wood, at 30 cents, .
$21 00
Receipts from sale of produce and milk, . 94 35
$115 35
Making a net cost for seven months of
736 50
$851 85
SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK, THOMAS W. RIPLEY, MATILDA E. STANTIAL, Overseers of the Poor.
WARRANT.
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 sixth day of March, A. D. 1899, at 6 o'clock a. m., then and there to act on the following articles, viz. : ยท
ARTICLE I. To choose a moderator.
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 provis- ions of laws accepted by the town. Polls to be open until 5.30 p. m.
3. To choose all other town officers deemed necessary. as required by law.
4. To authorize the town treasurer to borrow money, with the approval of the selectmen, in anticipation of taxes.
5. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer to hire money, with the approval of the selectmen, for the purpose of renewing, replacing, or the payment of any loan or loans now existing.
380
WARRANT.
6. To hear and act upon the report of the finance com- mittee, appointed at meeting, December 12, 1898.
7. To determine the amount of money to be raised and appropriated to defray town charges for the ensuing year and for the payment of the town debt.
8. To fix the compensation of all officers and committees elected and appointed by the town.
9. To determine the method by which the taxes for the year shall be collected.
10. To see if the town will vote to raise the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for keeping in repair and decorating the graves of the soldiers on Memorial Day.
II. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for the purpose of employing counsel, who shall serve as attorney for the town, and furnish legal advice to the several officers and de- partments when required.
12. To see if the town will vote to pay the expense of furnishing bonds for the treasurer, collector of taxes, or any other town officers, and raise or appropriate money for the same.
13. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500), for the purpose of contracting with the Melrose hospital for the reception, care and treat- ment of persons who, by misfortune or poverty, require re- lief during temporary illness.
14. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) from the income of the water works, for the expense of maintenance, operation and con- struction of new works, as required by Section 20, Chapter 488, of the acts of 1895. On petition of water commission- ers.
15. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money
38 1
WARRANT.
for the permanent improvement of Wyoming cemetery. By request of the cemetery committee.
16. To see if the town will authorize the sewer commis- sioners to expend a sum not exceeding ten thousand dol- lars ($10,000), for the construction and extension of sewers, to be paid from the sums received from assessments as authorized by law. By request of the sewer commissioners.
17. To see if the town will vote to locate fire alarm boxes at the corner of Melrose and Ashland streets, and the corner of Main street and Boardman avenue, and to appro- priate the sum of three hundred dollars ($300), to defray the expense of same. On petition of Charles N. Fowler and others.
18. To see if the town will vote to locate a fire alarm box at the corner of Larrabee and Grove streets and appro- priate money for the same. On petition of F. V. Dempsey and others.
19. To see if the town will repair Third street, from Sixth street to Waverly avenue, and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars ($500) for the same. On petition of F. V. Dempsey and others.
20. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) for horse and driver for Hose 4.
21. To see if the town will vote to appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars ($300), to put South and North High streets in a proper condition. On petition of Henry W. Clark and others.
22. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars ($300), for improvement on street and side- walks on Mystic avenue. On petition of F. A. Pratt and others.
23. To see if the town will vote to grade and repair Mt.
382
WARRANT.
Vernon street, at its junction with Brown street, and appro- priate five hundred dollars ($500), for the same.
24. To see what action the town will take regarding the surplus of the water board for the year 1898. On petition of the water commissioners.
25. To see if the town will amend the by laws, so that the sealer of weights and measures shall be paid a salary for his services, and pass any other vote deemed necessary in connection therewith. On petition of Chase C. Worthen and others.
26. To see if the town will direct that such part of the high school building as is not required for high school pur- poses shall be used for scholars in the ninth grade in the public schools, or take any action relating thereto. On pe- tition of Frank W. Foster and others.
27. To see if the town will accept, and allow the taking by the board of park commissioners of certain lands north of Ell pond for the locating and laying out of a public park, as shown in taking and plan duly filed with the town clerk.
28. To see if the town will instruct the assessors to pre- pare and print for the use of voters a complete list of valua- tions of real and personal property for 1899, together with the poll tax list, and will appropriate three hundred dollars ($300, ) or whatever may be necessary therefor. By request of the finance committee.
29. To see if the town will raise or appropriate the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) for the purpose of widen- ing and grading Swain's Pond avenue from Grove street to the Malden line, on the petition of J. Hermon Prentiss and others.
30. To see if the town will build a fire station in the southwesterly portion of the town, west of the Boston and Maine railroad, and purchase land if necessary, and
383
WARRANT.
raise or appropriate money for the same. On petition of J. H. Hamlin and others.
31. To see if the town will accept the following streets as laid out by the selectmen.
( 1) An extension of Richardson road, running from Ashland street southerly and southwesterly to Alpine street.
(2) Street running from Richardson road northerly to Wakefield line, to be called Renwick road.
32. To hear and act upon the reports of town officers and committees, and for the transaction of any other busi- ness which may legally come before the 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 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 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-nine.
SIDNEY H. BUTTRICK, EUGENE H. MOORE, JONATHAN C. HOWES. SIDNEY D. FARRAR, L. FRANK HINCKLEY, Selectmen of Melrose.
A true copy. Attest :
WILLIAM L. PIERCE, Constable.
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