USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1883-1893 > Part 2
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E. W. Marston, labor on school-house $11.65 ; screws 83 cts. . 12 48
8 locks $8.30; 4 knobs 60 cts ; nails 15 cts. 9 05
66 plastering $23 ; 3 keys 60 cts ; 20 ft.pine $1 24 60
4 doz hooks $1; 8 picks 24 cts ; latches 15 cts 1 39 .
B. S. Hodges repairs on pump at Thomas school
2 50
2 keys 30 cts ; lock 15 cts. labor $2 2 45
fitting keys 75 cts ; 2 knobs and 1 lock, 50 cts 1 25
C. W. Dascomb setting glass in Cochituate school- house . 8 50
setting glass in Lokerville school- house
2 00
66 repairs on cellar window Cochituate school 5 00
66 repairs on table, seats and chairs 4 00
Edw. A. Peirce school books furnished
*32 90
L. R. Lovell 6 bottles of ink $3 ; 9 boxes crayon $2.29 5 brooms $1.88 ; 2 cups 16 cts; 1 brush 40 cts 2 44
5 29
1 all $1 ; soap 10 cts ; dust pan 40 cts 1 50
Amount carried forward, $135 74
*Edward A. Pierce, School-books, $32.90, not paid March 1, 1884.
28
Amount brought forward, $135 74
L. R. Lovell, 7 erasers $1.75 ; screws 15 cts ; zinc $1 2 90
stationery 40 cts ; glass 60 cts ; putty 15 cts 1 15 . repairs on 2 locks and 4 keys 1 25
16 books (different kinds) $7 55
credit by cash 1 70
5 85
E. P. Butler 17 boxes crayon $3.60 ; 1 call bell $1 50 ;
1 broom 35 cts 5 45 ·
12 bottles of ink $1 52 ; 8 lamp brackets $1 75 ·
3 27
59 books (different kinds) $29 92
credit by cash (E. A. Peirce) 5 00
24 92
$180 53
HIGHWAYS.
J. W. Parmenter service rendered on highway $3 85
breaking road in December 1882 1 25
March 1883 1 25
G. H. Wight snow work Jan. 15 1883 2 men 3 1-2 hours 1 22
snow work March 8, 1883 3 men 5 hours 2 62
$10 19
POOR FARM.
G. A. Rice, May 6. 1882 self and team to Cambridge 1 day . .
$4 50
Feb. 10, 1883, journey to Cambridge ·
2 50
1 account book 35
1 duplicate order book 35
$7 70
29
TOWN HALL.
T. S. Sherman, services as janitor 1 year to Apr. 1, '83 $65 00 cash paid for repairing wrench for gas pipe 1 00 .
L. K. Lovell, oil .10, nails.14, file .10, ink .50 . ·
84
feather duster, $1.83, lamp wick .07 pail .25 ·
2 15
mirror .38, 2 hair brushes, .50, 2 goblets .20 · .
1 08
spirits for lighter in hall . .
85
$70 92
TOWN CLERK.
Henry Wright, recording 44 births at .50 each . $22 00
.19 marriages at .20 each 3 80
66
27 deaths at .35 each 9 45
paid T. Groom & Co., record book 7 50
66
paid experessing $1, station-
ery .50 £ 1 50
66 66
salary as Town Cletk, 1882 20 00
$64 25
WATER-WORKS.
G. A. Rice, lock $1.17, sperm oil $2.40, tallow .22 $3 79
" graduating scale 16 70
6 " care of Gate house .
·
·
52 00
$72 49
LOCK-UP.
N. Haynes, use of land one month $2 08
W. M. Fullock, 2 1-2 days labor at $2.50
6 25
120 ft. pine boards 4 80
66 67 ft. spruce $1.34, 6 lbs. nails .30 1 64
$14 77
30
CEMETERIES.
J. C. Butterfield, services as Supt. of Lake View Ceme- tery from March 1, 1882, to March 1, 1883 ·
$15 00 John Carr, services as Superintendent $23 00
credit 2 deeds given $6 00
. .
hay sold 12 45
18 45
4 55
$19 55
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
B. S. Hodges, 26 lbs. lead pipe for engine house 2 60
putting in same . 75
E. A. Atwood, 25 gals. oil, $5 42, 11 chimneys $1 10, broom .55 7 07
. . axe handle .30. stove brush .25. polish .10 65
soap .10, pail, soap. wicks .50 60
E. C. Hudson. 9 lights of giass and setting 4 20
. .
.. painting lanterns 2 50
cash paid for repairs on truck . 5 00
E. W. Marston. 7 1-2 hours work on fire alarm at .25. 1 88
..
. . butts and screws .17. 8 ft. pine .48 65
66 8 hours work on engine house at .25 . 2 00
..
. . 137 ft. spruce $2.74, 5 lbs. nails .23
2 97
.. 1 pair strap hinges .40, staples and rings .12 52
W. D. Parlin, mdse. (items not stated) 12 56
.. 16 lbs. Russia iron pipe $4. elbow .20. 4 20
.. damper 20, collar .10. 6 lbs. zine, 54. 84
W. M. Fullick, 1 1-2 days work on engine house ·
3 75
. . 8 lbs. nails .48. humber, $3 10 . ·
3 58
P. A. Leary, forgings $6 25, springs .40, bolts .10 . lantern frame and latch. . 90, 14 lbs. braces $1.50 .
2 40
6 . ironing splice ladder 88.75, repairing chains .75 9 50
6 75
Amount carried forward.
$74 97
31
Amount brought forward. $74 97
J. M. Bent Hose Co., Cash paid for Clemmens nozzle 25 00
" Yale lock and keys $6.65, keys $4 10 65
E. P. Butler, 4 gals. oil .76, 4 lanterns $4. shovel $1 5 76
12 chimneys $1, burner .20, axe $1.25 watering pot $1.25 3 70
$120 08
SCHOOL HOUSE HALL.
E. P. Butler 11 brooms $4.30 ; 16 gals oil $2.52 ; pear- line 64 cts $7 46
66 2 pails 46 cts ; 1-2 gro matches $1.15 1 61
1 burner 20 cts ; 6 chimneys 54 cts 74
E. A. Atwood 2 doz chimneys $2.40 : 3 doz wicks 60 cts 3 00
2 brooms 80 cts ; pail 30 cts ; tumbler
10 cts. I 20
51 1-2 gals. oil $8.24; oil bbl. $1.50; 2 papers engeline 26 cts. 10 00
$24 01
MISCELLANEOUS.
J. C. Butterfield, returning 21 deaths at 25 cts. each . $5 25
6 . time and fare looking after paupers 5 00
cash paid to pauper, Dennis Mullen 1 50
H. Wight, salary as Treasurer, 1882 50 00 .
car fare to pay for school books 60
. . blank book, 25 cts. ; postage, 60 cts. ·
85
T. S. Sherman, care of town clock for one year cash paid for 500 orders . 2 50
20 00
D. D. Griffin, services as truant officer
3 00
J. Bullard, returning 5 deaths at 25 cts. each
1 25
L. K. Lovell, mucilage, 12 cts., twine. 8 cts., pins, 10 cts. ·
30
Robinson & Jones, 5 cedar posts ·
2 00
.
Amount carried forward,
$92 25
32
Amount brought forward,
$92 25
Rockwell & Churchill, printing town reports 103 10
E. H. Atwood, expressing 6 67
C. F. Bigelow, medicine. $6.85 ; alum, 10 cts. ; muci- lage, 10 cts .. 7 05
recipe, $3.95 ; stationery, 85 cts .; crayon, 20 cts. 5 00
$214 07
Total amount of Credit Bills
$789 56
At a meeting of the Town held April 2, 1883, it was voted that the following sums be paid as salaries for the year 1883 ;
Chairman of Selectmen
$40 00
Two Selectmen, $25 each
50 00
Three Overseers of Poor, $20 each
60 00
Three Water Commissioners, $20 each
60 00
Superintendent of Water Works
125 00
Treasurer
50 00
Auditor
20 00
Care of Gate House
52 00
Town Clerk
20 00
Order issued on Treasury, but not paid :
E. H. Atwood, incidentals, (outstanding Feb. 1, 1883) $1 10
JAMES H. ROTHWELL, Auditor. MARCH 1,1884.
33
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
Tax of 1882.
Balance due Feb. 1, 1883. . $5,484 64 Paid as follows :- 1883.
Feb. 14 .
$300 00
24 .. .
375 00
Mar. 2 .
550 00
6 14 500 00
250 00
66 21 .
350 00
Apr. 3 .
650 00
10 .
1200 00
May 8 .
500 00
June 27
146 87
Sept. 12 .
. 100 00
1884.
Jan. 7
62 77
$5484 64
Amount of interest collected and paid to Treasurer .
$170 54
WILLARD B. WARD, Collector.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT. 1883.
By the Assessors' Warrant, the sum assessed in 1883
$17,053 12 is
Paid County Tax 584 16
Amount to be paid Town Treasurer
$16,468 96
18 .
500 00
.
.
3
34
Paid as follows :-
1883.
Aug. 15
$300 00
Sept. 12
200 00
21
400 00
66
27
1.875 00
29
850 00
Oct.
1
2.100 00
4
750 00
5
700 00
11
500 00
Dec.
11
.
570 22
1884.
Jan. 7
500 00
15
900 00
Feb.
14
921 33
348 97
-
$10.951 52
Amount due March 1, 1884
5.517 44
29
$16.468 96
WILLARD B. WARD, Collector.
35
ASSESSOR'S REPORT:
For Year Ending Feb. 29, 1884.
Total value of real estate as assessed May 1, 1883 $998,320 00 Total value of personal estate 188,786 00 .
Total valuation
$1.187,106 00
Tax assessed on estates for town purposes
$15,009 65
Overlayings
379 31
Åssessed on polls for state tax ($1 each)
513 00
Balance of State tax assessed on estates
567 00
Assessed on polls for County tax ($1 each)
513 00
Balance of County tax assessed on estates .
71 16
Total assessed for all purposes
$17.053 12
Rate of tax per $1,000
$13 50
Town appropriations included in above statement :-
For schools. including tuition. fuel, and care of schoolrooms $4.500 00
" highways and bridges
1,000 00
" support of poor
1,100 00
" collection of taxes
200 00
" abatement of taxes
150 00
·· culverts on Farm and Bridle Point roads
200 00
" Firemen's pay
224 00
" salaries of Town officers
750 00
" prosecution of illegal sale of intoxicating liquor
150 00
" Public Library
300 00
" balance due for moving Engine House 96 65
" incidentals 500 00
" estate of T. J. Damon, land damage
105 00
Amount carried forward.
$9.275 65
36
Amount brought forward, · $9.275 65 " hydrants 384 00
" interest on Town debt .
3,550 00
" reduction of Town debt 1,000 00
" credit bills 800 00
Total . $15,009 65 The following taxes, assessed the current year, (1883,) have been abated by the Assessors :-
Michael H. Simpson, real estate
63 78
Royal M. Flint, real estate personal
16 40
Total . $174 68
Abatement of taxes assessed May 1, 1882 :
David Heard's, Estate, real estate
. $42 58
George A. Peck, .6 6 75
2 00
Also the following taxes assessed, May 1, 1882, and
asked for by the Collector of 1882 :-
William Coughlin, poll tax
$2 00
James P. Martiu, 66
2 00
. 6 real estate
6 75
Charles E. Wheeler, poll tax
2 00
George Robertson,
2 00
Charles Lemoine, ..
2 00
Clark Foster,
2 00
George Driscoll.
6.
2 00
John Badger,
2 00
James H. Edwards
2 00
Samuel A. Davis,
..
2 00
George Chalmers,
..
2 00
Conant F. Barnes.
2 00
Frank Berry.
،،
2 00
Roger Amero,
2 00
William Hollis.
2 00
William Maud.
2 00
William Loker.
2 00
Amount carried forward,
$92 08
. $94 50
Charles Underwood, poll tax .
37
Amount brought forward.
$92 08
Morris Dorr,
poll tax
2 00
Walter Warren.
2 00
Frank Farmer. ..
2 00
Samuel B. H. Whitney. ..
2 00
Nelson Latour.
..
2 00
John E. Brummett. ..
2 00
personal property
34
Patrick Murphy.
poll tax
2 00
James Moran.
2 00
Total
. $108 42
Total abatements granted by Assessors, during the year, of taxes assessed in 1882 and 1883 . Whole number of polls
. $283 10
513
horses
304
.. COWS
857
..
.. sheep,
23
.. dwelling houses 347
Acres of land 9,233 25 48
At the annual April meeting the town voted to have six hundred copies of the valuation list of 1882 printed in detail. In com- pliance with that vote we had the same done but were not satisfied with the work of the printer. We had every reason to expect that they would be correct in every particular, as the proof was sent to us for correction in sections, and as each section was corrected it was returned to the printers. We did not expect that the proof sheet would need a second correction. Therefore we were very much disappointed at the poor manner in which it was done, and make this explanation in order to show that it was not our fault only in the choice of a printer to do the work.
1
EDWARD CARTER, MYRON W. BENT, ISAAC DAMON.
Assessors of Wayland.
WAYLAND, February 29, 1884.
.
38
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ALMSHOUSE.
The Aimshouse is under the care of Chas. H. Jackman and wife, whose services we secured April 1st.
The number of inmates supported are as follows :--
Sarah Stearns, aged 86
Charles Travis, aged 65
Sarah Puffer, 68 Geo. Chalmers, 64 · .
Addie Moore, . . 22 · Fred'k Wesson, 56
Ellen Burke. · 56
Lyman Kemp, .6
. 80
Chas. Goodnow, " .
63
Chas. Goodnow, died Nov. 10, 1883.
Lyman Kemp, admitted Feb. 26, 1884.
Number of tramps during the year .
Number of meals furnished tramps
.
. 276
FARM RECEIPTS.
For milk .
$561 07
" poultry and eggs
76 55
" vegetables .
38 90
" calves
15 50
" corn fodder
7 75
" fruit
4 15
" old junk
4 01
Total .
$707 93
FARM EXPENSES.
Chas. H. Jackman, superintending
$300 00
Boots, shoes, cloth and clothing
39 54
For Flour
60 00
" Grain
114 97
" Cotton Seed Meal
77 20
Amount carried forward,
$591 71
·
147
39
Amount brought forward,
$591 71
For Blacksmithing
11 56
" Groceries
191 76
" Middlings
75 56
" Meat 36 91
" Hay
32 46
" Coal . 69 69
" Repairs 4 50
" Grinding grain
10 49
" Butchering and mason work
4 13
" Labor and washing
2 00
" Grass seed 7 70
" Shotes
22 40
" Lumber
11 12
" Phosphate .
22 50
" Brewer's grain
6 00
" Making cider
2 86
" Grain chest
5 00
" Stove
5 00
" Crackers
7 05
" Salt, soap and fish
11 25
" Mowing machine
70 00
" Medical attendance 29 50
25 00
" Miscellaneous
1 83
Total
$1,257 98
OUTSIDE RELIEF AND EXPENSE.
Aid to Sarah Stanley and son $221 03
Mrs. Painter
28 00
John F. Elliott
14 00
Mrs. Augusta Derrick
14 50
Wm. Dolan
4. 09
Ida M. Hurd
9 61
Ralph Huard . 2 25
City of Boston burial expense child of J. Whidden
5 00
Burial expense two children of Geo. Sanford 20 00
of child of Ralph Hurd ·
12 00
Amount carried forward,
$330 48
" Burial expenses Chas. Goodnow
40
Amount brought forward, $330 48
Mass. General Hospital, care of John R. Smith, who was injured at the fire (R. M. Flints)
21 00
Total
$351 48
ORDERS DRAWN ON TOWN TREASURER.
Chas. H. Boodey, (see Auditor's Report)
$26 50
David H. Pierce
275 00
L. H. Sherman 66 36 65
Mass. Gen. Hospital 6.
21 00
T. S. Sherman
6 45
Robinson & Jones
55 10
66 66
14 00
Charles II. Jackman,
. .
..
50 00
A. H. Dunn
28 10
J. C. Butterfield
62 00
G. A. Rice, paid City of Cambridge for aid rendered Sarah A. Stanley and family from July 1, 1882, to December 31, 1882 109 15
Warrior Mower Co., 1 mower, $65, for thills, $5 70 00
Paid City of Boston, burying child of J. Whitten 5 00
Paid City of Cambridge, aid for S. A. Stanley, groceries, $64, rent $45.63, medical attend- ance, $11 120 63
paid A. B. Cowan, Cambridge, rent of room for Mrs. S. A. Stanley to March 1, 1884, 52 40
Cash paid Mrs. Stanley as aid, 48 00
Union Lumber Co. 601 feet spruce boards, 10 84
Total
$990 82
RECAPITULATION.
EXPENSES.
At farm .
$1,257 98
Outside relief
351 48
Amount carried forward,
$1,609 46
41
Amount brought forward,
$1.609 46
Mrs. Stanley. 1882 .
109 15
D. H. Peirce, salary, 1882
275 00
W. B. Knap, balance on furnace
12 70
Pope & Viles. grain
12 90
Total
$2.019 21
RECEIPTS.
Balance in Treasury. Feb. 1. 1883
$93 33
Appropriation .
1.100 00
State Treasurer
33 00
Farm
707 93
Deficit
84 95
TOWNS PROPERTY.
$2,019 21
Real estate (appraised value)
. $2,500 00
Personal estate ..
1,472 95
Total
. $3.972 95
J. C. BUTTERFIELD. CHAS. FAIRBANKS, ' GEORGE E. RICE, Clerk. Overseers of the Poor.
-
42
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
There have been but two fires during the year :
One at the ice house owned by Edgar Loker. One at the shoe factory owned by A. F. King and occupied by Larrabee & Wesson.
The engineers deem it of the greatest importance that the town purchase 500 feet more of fabric hose that the department may be better able to meet a fire in the village, and also for buildings that are situated at a distance from the hydrants, and we have had in- serted in the warrant an article for this purpose and hope the town will take favorable action.
RALPH BENT, A. H. BRYANT, E. W. MARSTON, Fire Engineers.
COCHITUATE, February 29, 1884.
43
REPORT OF WAYLAND WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The cost of maintenance this year has been Seven hundred thirty-five and 43-100 dollars ; (735.43), of this sum ninety-four and 88-100 dollars ; ($94.88), was expended in digging out the brook from the reservoir to Rice's Spring. Ninety dollars, ($90) in extending the pipe to the houses of Frank Lupin and J. N. Hammond, for which town receives twenty-four dollars ($24), water rates yearly. There has been added twenty-six (26) ser- vices for which the town will receive the coming year, two hun- dred and fifty-six dollars ($256) water rates, as nearly every house in the village is supplied with water, the maintenance ac- count will be very small in the future. The water has been excel- lent the past year and has given general satisfaction. The past dry season has been a severe test in regard to the supply, but there has been a sufficient amount of water for all purposes. With the present number of faucets now in use, the actual water rates the coming year will be about twenty-two hundred dollars ($2,200).
A. H. BRYANT, CHAS. H. BOODEY, WM. H. BENT,
Water Commissioners.
44
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT.
1883.
March 2. Cash paid C. Fairbank, labor . $2 50
2.
B. S. Hodges, putting in service pipe, balance 1882 59 18
May
3. . 6 R. D. Wood, pipe and fittings . 149 22
June 30.
B. S. Hodges, putting in service pipe . Walworth Mfg. Co., pipe and fittings 145 91
July 29. 66
A. H. Bryant (sundry expenses) 10 90
July 29. Cash paid Atwood's Express, expressing . 4 95
Oct. 10.
G. A. Rice. pay roll digging trench . C. C. Ward, putting in service pipe
67 55
Feb. 6.
Walworth Mfg. Co., pipe and fittings W. D. Parlin, pipe and fittings
161 38
7.
12 36
7.
66 Atwood's Express ·
6 95
7. 66 C. & J. A. Underwood, cement 1 70
7.
Chas. Fairbank, labor 2 00
66
7.
Howe & Co., expressing . 12 45
1883. Sept. 29. Cash received for putting in service pipe . · 1884.
$71 50
Feb. 7. Cash received for putting in service pipe - 246 97 . Feb. 29. Balance (cost of maintenance) 735 43
$1.053 90 $1,053 90
REPORT OF TREASURER OF WAYLAND WATER COMMISSIONERS.
1883.
DR. CR.
Appropriation for hydrants at April meeting 1883 $384 00 ·
Amount carried forward, $384 00
94 88
1884.
Jan. 20.
321 97
July 29.
45
DR. CR. $384 00
Amounts brought forward,
Amount received for water rates from Jan. 1, 1883, to Jan. 1, 1884 ·
1,883 00
Amount received from water takers for putting in service pipes . ·
318 47
Amount received from Horace Heard, Town Treasurer. in- terest on sinking fund notes.
89 84
Order on Town Treasurer for maintenance and extension of Water Works. as follows :-
$2 50
March 2. Chas. Fairbank, order No. 1. B. S. Hodges, balance for 1882 order No. 2 59 18
May 3. R. D. Wood & Co., order No. 3 149 22
June 30. B. S. Hodges. order No. 4 321 97
July 29. Walworth M'fg Co., order No. 5 145 91
A. H. Bryant, order No. 6 ·
10 90
Atwood's express, order No. 7. 4 95
Oct. 10. G. A. Rice. order No. 8 94 88
1884.
Jan. 21.
C. C. Ward. order No. 9 67 55
Feb. 6.
Walworth M'fg Co., order No. 10 161 38
7. W. D. Parlin, order No. 11 .
12 36
Atwood's express, order No. 12 C. & J. A. Underwood, order No. 13 .
1 70
Chas. Fairbank, order No. 14.
2 00
Howe & Co., express, order No. 15 12 45
Interest on water bonds . 1,250 00
160 00
Amounts carried forward,
$2,463 90 $2,675 31
6 95
46
Amounts brought forward, $2,463 90 $2,675 31
Amount received from Horace Heard. Town Treasurer :-
DR. CR.
Interest on sinking
fund notes
$89 84
Balance
121 57
$211 41
Amount to balance invested in
Natick Savings Bank for water works sinking fund, 211 41
$2,675 31 $2.675 31
WM. H. BENT. Treasurer of Wayland Water Commissioners. WAYLAND. Feb. 29. 1884.
47
WM. H. BENT, TREASURER OF WAYLAND WATER COMMISSIONERS, IN ACCOUNT WITH HORACE HEARD, TOWN TREASURER.
1883.
DR. CR.
Appropriation for hydrants at April meeting. 1883 ·
$384 00
March 2.
Water rates paid Henry Wight 876 00
Sept. 29. Water rates paid H. Heard,
788 00
66 Cash received for putting in service pipes paid H. Heard
71 50
1884.
Feb. 7. Water rates paid H. Heard
219 00
Cash received for putting in service pipe paid H. Heard
246 97
Orders on Town Treasurer as follows :- March 2. Charles Fairbank No. 1 $2 50
2. B. S. Hodges No. 2 59 18
May 3. R. D. Wood & Co. No. 3
149 22
June 30. B. S. Hodges No. 4 321 97
July 29. Walworth Mfg. Co. No. 5
145 91
.. A. H. Bryant No. 6
10 90
Atwood Express No. 7 4 95
Oct. 10. George A. Rice, No. 8. 94 88
1884.
Jan. 21.
C. C. Ward. No. 9. 67 55
Feb. 6.
Walworth Mfg. Co. No. 10 161 38
. 7.
W. D. Parlin & Co. No. 11 12 36
7. Atwood's Express No. 12
6 95
.. 7. C. &. J. Underwood No. 13 1 70
.: 7. Charles Fairbank No. 14 . 2 00
..
7, Howe & Co. Express No. 15. 12 45 Interest on $25.000 Water Bonds 1,250 00
" $4.000
160 00
Feb.
7. Order on Town Treasurer. No. 16. for balance this amount invested for a sinking fund . 121 57
$2.585 47 $2,585 47 WM. H. BENT. Treasurer of Wayland Water Commissioners. WAYLAND, Feb. 29, 1884.
18
WAYLAND WATER-WORKS SINKING FUND COMMIS- SIONERS' REPORT.
1883.
Note against Town of Wayland dated May 2,1881 . $1.200 00 Note against Town of Wayland dated May 2,1882 206 00 Note against Town of Wayland dated June 27. 1882 390 82
1884.
Feb. 7. Balance received from H. Heard $121 57
7. Interest on Town Notes re-
ceived from H. Heard . 89 84
Amount invested in Natick Savings Bank $211 41
211 41
Feb. 29. Amount of Sinking Fund . . $2,008 23
A. H. BRYANT. WM. H. BENT, CHAS. H. BOODEY.
Commissioners of Sinking Fund.
WAYLAND. Feb. 29. 1884.
49
.
ALLEN FUND TREASURER'S REPORT.
By vote of the Board of Trustees the annual interest of the Allen Fund ($60) was paid in January last, in sums as follows :
Twenty-five dollars to one person, five dollars to one person, and ten dollars each to three persons.
JAMES S. DRAPER, Treasurer.
February 23, 1884. 4
50
LIBRARY TREASURER'S ACCOUNT. From January 1. 1883, to February 29, 1884.
DR.
July 16 Cash from Mrs. Coolidge for book lost $ 50
Dec. 1 Cash from Mrs. A. S. Morse, for book lost 1 00
Dec. 15 Cash from Mrs. W. G. Roby. for. book lost 75
1884.
Jan. 7 Interest on Draper & Child funds. 36 00
7 Cash from Fines to date 25 52
66 7 Cash from Catalogues sold 2 55
$66 32
CR. 1883.
Jan. 1 Cash deficit of previous year
$ 56
.6 1 .. paid binding 116 vols.
25 58
Oct. 17
paid for record book .
4 50
Dec. 1 .. .. printing notices
50
20
6.
500 envelopes.
2 75
29 66 500 blank receipts . 2 50
30
. . reading club for pe- riodicals 13 00
30
..
1 pint extra muci'ge 50
66 30
..
. . ex. during year 2 50
$52 39
Leaving a balance in treasury . $13 93
J. S. DRAPER. Library Treasurer.
Approved.
R. T. LOMBARD.
For Library Committee.
51
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
The Committee hereby present their annual report to the in- habitants of the town for the year ending February 29, 1884.
We especially call your attention to the very full report of the Librarian, and hope it will be read by every citizen of the town, as its suggestions and recommendations are worthy of careful con- sideration.
On the first day of January the books were examined by your committee, and as a whole they were in good order, but the evi- dence of less than ordinary care in many cases is too apparent ; there can be no excuse for marking covers and fly-leaves, or for noting the readers opinions on the margin of the volumes. It is hoped that the few, who, year after year violate the rules of the Library and the laws of the Commonwealth in this respect, will resolve to improve, that the committee will not feel compelled in each report to bring this matter to the attention of all, when a few only are guilty.
There have been presented 115 volumes and 140 have been pur- chased during the year.
The circulation is a trifle larger than last year, but we think it would be materially increased if a supplemental catalogue was printed. It has now been some years since the last was issued and we have no doubt that a majority of the citizens are not aware of the large number of valuable works presented and pur- chased within these years, and we earnestly recommend a special appropriation for this purpose.
It matters not how rapidly we increase the number of books, if those who use the Library are denied the privilege of an exami- nation of the yearly additions at their homes.
The town may well consider itself fortunate in having so able and efficient Librarian as the present incumbent ; he is thoroughly acquainted with the contents of the Library, scarcely one of its
52
8,895 volumes with which he is not familiar, and his knowledge is wisely used in directing those seeking his advice in the selec- tion of the best books on our shelves treating the subject desired.
In these days when a large majority of the people are earnestly engaged in their various avocations in the pursuit of wealth or in the struggle for the means of subsistence, or are actively seeking bare pleasure and enjoyment ; there seems to be less desire to read and study History, Biography and subjects of a like beneficial nature then formerly, and have instead entered the lighter and less valuable field of literature found in fiction, as a relief from the turmoil of business and labor, leaving the best books for the scholar and those of abundant leisure. However much we may regret this state of things, it is nevertheless the fact; and it seems that with us the error is increasing from year to year. For the fifteen years prior to the present year, there was taken forty-one per cent of fiction, while for 1883 fifty-two per cent of all the books passing over the Librarian's desk were of this class.
There are two prime objects in reading, one for improvement and knowledge, the other for mere pastime or amusement. It is doubtless better to read for the latter purpose than not read at all ; but to follow this course too far, is simply to remain mentally dormant and stationary, while in reading for the pursuit of knowl- edge we find new fields of thought and pleasure an increased mental activity and growth.
It is to be hoped that those having in charge the young, may direct, control and guide them in the selection of books strictly beneficial, whereby they may early form studious habits which will become so firmly fixed that in after years they cannot be pursuaded to lay them aside. We earnestly urge upon parents the importance of this matter that by their timely advice and command we shall be able to see what an important factor our Library is in the education of the rising generation.
It may be thought by some that the committee should only purchase books of an educational nature, sented to both old and young ; but we feel by following such a course we should fail in our duty to those who read fifty per cent of our books and fur- nish the means to pay for them, and in fact a Library would be sadly defective if it did not embrace the best current literature provided its moral tone is high and pure.
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