USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1893 > 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
.
To this sum may be added the rental of the armory of six hundred dollars, four hundred dollars of which is refunded by the State. This rental is the interest on nearly seventeen thousand dollars,'and is an important factor to be considered in connection with the question of erecting a public building. We do not feel justified in urging immediate attention to this matter, on account of the present financial depression and other more important exigencies, yet this subject may be profitably investigated.
The lease of Armory Hall expires Jan. Ist, 1895, and it will
18
ANNUAL BEPORT.
be necessary for the town to make arrangements this year, for suitable quarters for Co. I., 5th Inf. M. V. M.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This department having been assumed during the past year, its needs and expenses must now be provided by the town. As nearly as we can determine the present incidental expenses are as follows : Coal, $180, gas, $150. salaries, $2,3So, horses, $250, bat- tery for fire alarm, $100, fire police, $100, hook and ladder con- veyance, $300, Water, $25, making a total of $3,415 ; other in- cidental expenses which cannot now be itemized will require an appropriation of $3,550 to meet the actual expenses of maintain- ing this department. The annual interest due, on outstanding notes in this department is $450, which must be provided for by appropriation. The recommendation of the purchase of 1,500 feet cotton hose, made in report of the Engineers of this depart- ment, which is herewith submitted, we approve as reasonable and necessary. The South Main Street Hose House is now in excellent condition for service, and well appointed for the use of the members of the department, and the accommodation of the hose company's horse.
An urgent demand exists for different accommodations for the department at Union Street Hose House. The building was not originally properly constructed to meet the then future needs of the town, and it cannot be now economically altered. To remodel the building would cost nearly as much as a new build- ing, and it would not then be satisfactory for the department's use. We earnestly recommend an early consideration of this matter, and believe that it will be found in the end advisable to sell the present building, and erect a commodious, well appointed and economical one on the same premises.
The act, under which the purchase of the Fire District was made (contrary to the provisions of the Public Statutes) provides for the election of the Engineers of the Fire Department, and that the care and custody of the property and the expenditure of the money
19
ANNUAL REPORT.
appropriated for the department shall be under the control of the Selectmen. Acts of 1893, Chapter 69.
We believe that the policy which obtains in the Public Statutes to be the better one, viz: That the Engineers be appointed by the Selectmen, and that they have the care and custody of the property of the department.
We cannot agree, however, with the Engineers in their report, that they have the charge of the expend ture of money appropri- ated. or that the town or department would receive any benefit thereby. On the contrary, we are confident that the best interest of the department demand, that it should at all times be under a supervisory board, and that board should be the Selectmen.
The town may well take pride in having a very efficient Fire Department, which has in the past rendered excellent service. Its record justifies a generous and hearty public support.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
In taking by purchase the franchise of the Fire District, the town has taken upon itself a new and very important department, the condition and management of which will in its future develop- ment require constant and painstaking consideration. In the year of 1873 the Attleborough Water Supply District was in- corporated, comprising the inhabitants within the radius of half a mile from the centre of the depot. This corporation rapidly developed until the year 1884, when it was purchased by Fire District No. One, in charge of which it has been up to the time of the transfer to the town. Very important changes in the source of supply and extension of pipe were made by the district during the last year of its posession, so that at the present time the Water Department is one of no mean proportions, and greater care in its management will be necessary than it received from the District. The Commissioners, Registrar and Superintendent have submitted in detail very full and interesting reports, which the voters of this town should carefully read and digest, that the town may judiciously act upon the matters therein submitted.
It will be seen from the report that there is already a bonded
20
ANNUAL REPORT.
debt of $190,000. The officers of this department assert that the sinking fund, created by an annual addition of $3,500 will at maturity pay this debt. It must be remembered that the demands of other localities must be heard and determined, and the existing debt thereby largely increased. We feel justified in calling to the attention of the voters the innovation recommended by the Com- missioners, viz : That the town should pay to the department forty dollars per hydrant for service and that by so doing the de- partment, with the receipts placed to its credit, would be self- sustaining and even be able to pay all interest and the annual con- tribution to the sinking fund. If the town should adopt this rec- ommendation, an additional appropriation of $6,Soo for the Fire Department will be necessary, and it should be insisted that all hydrants should be maintained by the Water Department in a good and serviceable condition for the extinguishment of fires.
The advisability of limiting the annual construction account in the Water Department, except in special instances, is well worthy of careful consideration. The prevailing custom of lay- ing water pipes wherever a guaranty of five per cent. on the cost of construction is given, results in rapidly augmenting the water debt.
The claims of James Orr for land taken and for alleged dama- ges to property and business, for the sum of $25,000 still remains unsettled. Several conferences have been held with Mr. Orr, but we could not accede to his excessive demands.
BY- LAWS.
Towns may make for the following named purposes in addition to other purposes authorized by law, such necessary orders and by-laws not repugnant to law as they may judge most conducive to their welfare and affix penalties, not exceeding twenty dollars for one offence, for breach thereof ; for directing and managing the prudential affairs, preserving the peace and good order, and maintaining the internal police thereof ; for preventing the falling and securing the removal of snow and ice from the roofs of buildings in such portions of their limits and to such extent as
21
ANNUAL REPORT.
they may deem expedient ; the penalty for violation of such by- laws to apply to the owner of such buildings or to his agents having the care thereof ; for requiring owners of buildings near the line of streets and public ways to erect barriers or to take other suitable measures to prevent the falling of snow and ice from such buildings upon persons traveling in such streets and ways, and to protect such persons from any other damages inci- dent to the maintenance, occupation or use of such buildings ; for the inspection, material, construction, alteration or use of all pipe and of fixtures through which water is used within said town and may prohibit the use of such water by persons neglecting or refusing to comply with the provisions of such by-laws and such by-laws may be made operative within the whole territory of such town or with any prescribed or defined districts of said territory. A town may regulate by by-laws not repugnant to law, with penalties not exceeding fifty dollars for each violation thereof, the use of resorvoirs, lands and driveways appurtenant thereto form- ing a part of its system of water supply. The present by-laws of the town should be at no distant day thoroughly revised. Regu- lations are especially necessary in regard to the use and care of the sidewalks and streets. Since the constuction of concrete sidewalks little or no attention is paid by the abbutters to the removal of snow and ice from the sidewalks to the positive annoy- ance and danger of the traveling public. Again the sidewalks are oftentimes obstructed with merchandise, and the streets not only regularly rendered almost impassable at certain points by teams standing therein, but also made a dumping ground for refuse and decayed matter. The National Board of Underwriters have recently called our attention to the fact, that public safety demands the early consideration and adoption of building laws.
We therefore recommend that a committee be appointed to prepare and report a new code of by-laws.
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
To the credit of this Commonwealth, be it said that the pledges made to her brave and loyal men in the late war of the Rebellion have never been forgotten. No state in the Union so carefully
22
ANNUAL REPORT.
guards today their interest and welfare as Massachusetts. It will be observed that the soldiers' relief account far exceeds that of any previous years, and to intelligently consider this matter it is necessary to understand the law under which said relief must be furnished, Chapter 279 of the Acts of 1893 reads as follows : "Whenever any person who served in the army or navy of the United States in the war of the rebellion and received an honor- able discharge from all enlistments therein, and who has a legal settlement in a city or town in the Commonwealth, becomes. from any cause except his own criminal or wilful misconduct. poor and entirely or in part unable to provide maintenance for himself, his wife and minor children under the age of sixteen years, or a dependent father or mother ; or whenever such a per- son has died and left a widow or such minor children, or such father or mother, without proper means of support, such person, his wife or widow or such minor children, or dependent father or mother, shall be supported wholly or in part, as may be neces- sary, by the city or town in which they or either of them have a a legal settlement. Such relief shall be furnished by the mayor and aldermen of such city or the selectmen of such town at the home of the beneficiary, or at such other place as they may deem right and proper. But no beneficiary shall be required to receive such relief at any almshouse or public institution unless the physical or mental condition of such beneficiary shall require it, or unless such beneficiary shall choose to do so ; the choice to be made, in case of a minor, by the parent or guardian of such minor. In all printed reports of the expenses for such relief by the cities and towns under this section said expenses shall be designated as soldiers' relief."
Chapter 237 of the Acts of 1893 provides that, " It shall be the duty of the mayor and aldermen of such city, or the selectmen of such town, to furnish such relief, without vote of the city council or of the voters of such town authorizing them thereto. If the mayor and aldermen or the selectmen fail to furnish such relief, any person aggrieved may make complaint to the district attorney of the district in which such city or town is situated, who shall forthwith notify said officials that complaint has been made to him, which notice, in the case of cities shall be sufficient if deliv-
23
ANNUAL REPORT.
ered to the mayor, and in the case of towns if delivered to a majoritory of the selectmen. And if the case is one proper for the granting of relief under said act, and said select- men or said mayor and aldermen fail to grant such relief within ten days after notice from the district attorney, as aforesaid, said selectmen so notified and said mayor and aldermen shall severally be liable to a penalty of not exceeding one hundred dollars and not less than twenty dollars, and the district attorney shall forth- with, upon the expiration of ten days, institute proceedings for the enforcement of such penalty."
Thus it appears that this relief is obligatory upon towns and to secure the fulfilment of the obligations, the selectmen are rend- ered liable in case such relief is not given to a penalty of one hundred dollars. While perhaps, it is not for us to question the wisdom of enacting the last Act cited, we are free to say that while its provisions have in nowise influenced our actions in furnishing this relief, we sincerely believe in and have endeav- ored to conscientiously observe the provisions of the law above set forth. The soldier of '61 is now the old soldier, and in very many instances assistance and relief is absolutely necessary. Each case has been carefully investigated and but few instances of imposition have been found. We believe that if any class of citizens deserve attention in this manner, in these peculiarly hard times, it is the men who gave relief to their country in the dark- est hours of her history.
It has been our desire and earnest effort to submit to the inhab- itants this report early in February, but it has been an actual impossibility. With this object in view, we addressed a circular in December to the several departments of the town, requesting that their reports be given to us by January 10th, 1894. One or two of the reports were received on that date but not until the end of that month were we able to hand the balance of the reports to the printers, causing a corresponding delay in the publication.
There have been held during the last year fifty-two regular and six special meetings of the board of selectmen, at which a large amount of business has been transacted.
The duties of selectmen, since the purchase of the franchise of
24
ANNUAL REPORT.
the Fire District have nearly doubled, and demand almost con- stant attention. We regard ourselves as especially fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Edward A. Sweeney as clerk of the board. He has kept a correct and carefully extended record of all transactions, and rendered efficient and invaluable services as an assistant. His work has been arduous, requiring an intimate knowledge of all the town departments, and it has at all times been cheerfully and very efficiently performed. Wesincerely regret that, as compensation for these valuable services, we are obliged to offer the small sum of one hundred and fifty dollars (a mere bagatelle) voted by the town. While the duty of selectmen in rendering an annual report may require simply a correct statement of receipts and expenditures, yet we trust that it is not inappro- priate to concisely explain the account, and to call to the attention of the voters such salient matters as in our opinion demand consideration.
1
electmen's Account.
CURRENT and INCIDENTAL DEPARTMENT.
BILLS APPROVED.
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Jan. 12. J. W. Gifford & Co. cash box for Tax Collector, $1 40
H. N. Drake, putting on two locks Selectmen's office, 60
26. W. E. Sanford, furnishing and putting on 1,087 numbers on houses, 326 10
Feb. 2. A. Connega, care Town Clerk's office, 3 00
Pike & Shaw, teams used in street numbering, 5 50
9. E. R. Read, notifying abutters, I 30 M. R. Warren, Tax Collector's blanks, 6 25
16. J. W. Gifford & Co, water pail and dipper, 65
23. John Thacher, recording abate- ments, 4 50
J. Fuller, fighting forest fires, I 60
Mar. 2. A. Connega, care Town Clerk's office, 3 00
J. T. Bates, expenses case Town vs. Hebronville Cros- sing, IO 50
26
ANNUAL REPORT.
Mar. 2. G. E. Miller, fighting forest fires, 2 40
9. B. T. Bruce, typewriter for Town Clerk's office. 100 00
16. Chas. Phillips, expenses to Bos- ton. Hearing Committee on Railroads, 2 85
O. P. Richardson, expenses to Boston. Hearing Commit- tee on Railroads, 3 90
F. I. Babcock, sundry ex- penses, IO 20
23. T. G. Hasler, painting sign for Board of Health, I 25
R. B. Macdonald, overpaid taxes refunded, 4 20
W. E. Sanford, numbering houses, I 50
Board of Topographical Sur- vey, twenty sheets State map, 3.00
30. D H. Smith, disenfecting con- tagious places. 5 00
Apr. 7. A. Connega, care Town Clerk's office, 3 00
Pike & Shaw, carriages for South Attleborough, 6 00
Attleboro Loan Association, rent Town Clerk and Se- lectmen's rooms, 112 50
13. Providence Telephone Co, rent of telephone for Town Clerk's office, 10 50
Attleboro Gas Light Co, gas for Town Clerk's office, 15 40
Simeon Borden, copy of Com- missioners Report on He- bronville Crossing, 3 25
ยท
27
ANNUAL REPORT.
April 13. Akerman Co., supplies for Town Clerk's office, 15 10
27. P. B. Murphy, supplies for Town Clerk's office, 6 25
J. E. Wilbur, registering deed Fire Dist. to Town, 72
April 27. Cotton & Gould, supplies for Town Clerk's office, 5 50
E. L. Freeman & Son, supplies Town Clerk's office, 2 00
May 4. Boston Dairy Supply Co., test- ing apparatus for the In- spector of Milk, 17 35
A. Connega, care Town Clerk's office, 3 00
Providence Telephone Co., rent of Telephone, 18 75
E. H. Bennett, legal services, 25 00
II. John Pierce, labor on common, 8 03
18. Cotton & Gould, check book for Town Treasurer, 22 00
P. E. Brady, settlement of Ann Drury claim, 100 00
June I. Mossberg Mfg. Co., sharpen- ing lawn mower, 1 00
John Pierce, labor on common, 4 95
A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
G. H. Herrick, repairs of bal- lot box and key for Select- men's room, I 25
8. Pike & Shaw, carriages, 3 00
John Pierce, labor on common, 9 90
15. E. R. Read, notifying abutters, South Main street, I 65
J. T. Bates, supplies Town Clerk's office, 33 22
J. Pierce, labor on common, 3 90
28
ANNUAL REPORT.
June 22. J. Pierce, labor on common, 3 83
P. B. Murphy, books for As- sessors, 9 59
Mossberg Mfg. Co., sharpen- ing lawn mower, I 00
Water Department, water for fountains and lockup, 404 00
29. Little, Brown & Co., two copies Mass. Statutes, 8 50
Grant Bros., I Yale lock and 3 keys, Selectmen, 7 10
July 6. Attleboro Loan Association, rent of Town Clerk and Se- lectmen's rooms, II2 50
Akerman Co., scrap book for Town Treasurer, I 75
Providence Telephone Co., Telephone for Town Clerk's office, 6 25
J. Pierce, labor on common, 6 18
Pike & Shaw, team to Dodge- ville, 1 50
A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
13. Attleboro Gas Light Co., gas for Town Clerk's office, 2 20
J. W. Gifford & Co., globes for Town Clerk's office, I 50
Thomas Groome & Co , book for Town Clerk's office, I 25
Thomas Groome & Co., book for Tax Collector, 4 50
E. R. Read, serving dog notice, I 50
J. Pierce, labor on common, 9 75
20. W. F. Shattuck, book case for Selectmen's room 31 20
J. Pierce, labor on common, 3 23
29
ANNUAL REPORT.
Aug. 3. E. R. Read, serving notice to abutters, I 18
A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
17. J. Pierce, labor on common, 4 88
E. A. Fuller, painting book case, Selectmen's room, 4 28
S. R. Briggs, investigating dog cases, 4 00
24. E. W. Burdett, legal services, grade crossings, 250 00
G. H. Herrick, combination lock fitted on vault, 10 00
J. Pierce, labor on common, I 20
31. J. Pierce, labor on common, 3 00
Sept. 7. A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
M. R. Warren, two assessors' warrants, 20
J. Pierce, labor on common, 3 00
14. E. R. Read, notifying abutters, 4 30
J. Pierce, labor on common, 75
15. Henry J. Fuller, settlement of claim of Hugh A. Smith, 2,000 00
21. Mossberg Mfg. Co., sharpen- ing lawn mower, I OO
J. Pierce, labor on common, IO
28. Alberta F. Remington, cler- ical services for assessors, 3 00
Chas. E. Riley, services as dog officer, 22 30
Oct. 5. Attleboro Loan Association, rent of Town Clerk and Se- lectmen's room, 112 50
Attleboro Gas Light Co., gas for Town Clerk's office, 2 70
Providence Telephone Co., telephone for Town Clerk's office, 6 25
30
ANNUAL REPORT.
Oct. 5. J. Pierce, labor on common, 65
A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
Akerman Co , books for Town Clerk's office, 4 75
26. J. T. Bates, supplies for Town Clerk's office, 23 02
Nov. 2. J. Pierce, labor on common, 2 25
A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
Dec. 1. W. M. Stone, repairing ballot box, 2 00
7. A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
E. R. Read, serving dog notice,
50
21. E. A. Sweeney, examining accounts of Water Depart- ment, 25 00
Bennett & Hall, legal services, 120 00
G. A. Adams, expenses in re- lation to condemned land for Water Works, 22 40
30. Attleboro Loan Association, rent of Town Clerk and Se- lectmen's rooms, 112 50
Akerman Co., supplies for Town Clerk's office, 10 50
A. Connega, care of Town Clerk's office, 3 00
J. T. Bates, supplies for Town Clerk's office, 33 21
Attleboro Gas Light Co., gas for Town Clerk's office, S 64
$4,375 26
ELECTIONS.
Feb. 2. Fred E. Goff, services as jani- tor, town meeting, 2 00
31
ANNUAL REPORT.
Feb. 9. E. R. Read, services posting warrants for town meeting 3 50
March 23. A. B. Pierce, services at town election, 5 00
E. R. Read, notifying officers elected, 3 50
Hugh Gaffney, services at town election, 5 00
April 7. S. R. Briggs, posting warrants special town meeting, 3 00
G. F. Bicknell, services at town election, 5 00
Frank W. Weaver, services at town election, 5 00
Fred E. Goff, officer and jani- tor services at town election, 10 00 M. O. Wheaton, services at town election, 5 00
13. M. A. Davenport, meals fur- nished election officers, 12 00
27. L. M. Stanley, services as Moderator at annual meeting and two adjournments, 15 00
May 4. E. R. Read, posting warrants for town meeting, 3 50
J. T. Smith, services at town meeting, 5 00
II. M. A. Davenport, meals fur- nished election officers, 3.00
18. P. E. Brady, services at town meeting, 5 00
June 15. Grant Bros., putting up voting booths, 9 90
July 27. E. R. Read, posting warrants, 4 00
Nov. 9. T. K. Gay, services at polls, State election, 5 00
16. G. F. Bicknell, services at State election, 5 00
32
ANNUAL REPORT.
Nov. 16. Geo. L. Sweet, services at polls State election, 5 00
Isaac Alger, services at polls, State election, 5 00
F. E. Weaver, services at polls, State election, 5 00
E. P. Alfred, services at polls, State election, 5 00
W. H. Smith, services at polls, State election, 5 00
W. H. Goff, services at polls, State election, 5 00
Geo. W. Curien, services at polls, State election, 5 00
Fred E. Goff', services at polls, State election, 5 00
M. O. Wheaton, services at polls, State election, 5 00
C. H. Wheeler, services at polls, State election, 5 00
F. G. Hodges, services at polls, State election, 5 00
O. Wolfenden, services at polls, State election, 5 00
E. S. Capron, services at polls, State election, 5 00
Geo. F. Ide, services at polls, State election, 5 00
S. M. Holman, services at polls, State election, 5 00
E. R. Read, posting warrants, State election, 4 00
F. E. Goff, janitor at State election, S 00
23. Grant Bros., putting up voting booths, S 03
M. A. Davenport, meals fur- nished election officers, 21 00
$230 34
33
ANNUAL REPORT.
SALARIES.
Feb. 23. John Thacher, collecting Taxes, 1892 and 1893, 66 40
Mar. 16. Board of Auditors, services auditing 1892 accounts, 35 00
S. M. Holman, services as
Collector of Taxes, 1892, 500 00
Chas. Philips, three months' salary as Selectman, 50 00
O. P. Richardson, three months' salary as Selectman, 50 00
F. I. Babcock, three months' salary as Selectman, 50 00
O. P. Richardson, clerk, Se- lectmen, 100 00
30. J. W. Battershall, three months' salary, Board of Health, 25 00
Apr. 7. J. W. Cody, five sessions, Board of Registrars of voters, 12 50 H. E. Carpenter, five ses- sions Board of Registrars of voters, 12 50
John T. Bates, five sessions Board of Registrars of voters, 12 50
H. A. Streeter, five sessions Board of Registrars of voters, 12 50
June 22. D. H. Smith, three months' salary, Selectman, 50 00
B. R. Hill, three months' sal- ary, Selectman, 50 00
G. A. Adams, three months' salary, Selectman, 50 00
29. John Thacher, three months' salary, Assessor, 50 00
S. W. Carpenter, three months' salary, Assessor, 50 00
34
ANNUAL REPORT.
June 29. B. R. Hill, three months' salary, Assessor, 50 00
Aug. 3. J. T. Bates, six months' sal- ary as Town Clerk and Treas- urer, 275 00
17. E. E. Hale, as Board of Health, 33 33
Sept. 7. John Thacher, nine months' salary as Assessor, 150 00
S. W. Carpenter, nine months' salary as Assessor, 150 00
B. R. Hill, nine months' sal- ary as Assessor, 150 00
28. B. R. Hill, three months' sal- ary as Selectman, 50 00
G. A. Adams, three months' salary as Selectman, 50 00
D. H. Smith, three months' sal- ary as Selectman, 50 00
Oct. 12. B. R. Hill, clerk for Assessor, 65 00
Nov. 16. S. M. Holman, Collector of Taxes, 4SI 66
John T. Bates, thirteen sessions, Registrar of voters, 32 50
H. A. Streeter, thirteen sessions, Registrar of voters, 32 50
H. E. Carpenter, thirteen ses- sions, Registrar of voters, 32 50
John W. Cody, thirteen ses- sions, Registrar of voters,. 32 50
Dec. 7. J. W. Battershall, salary, Board of Health, 33 33
21. B. R. Hill, three months' salary, Selectman, 50 00
D. H. Smith, three months' sal- ary, Selectman, 50 00
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.