USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1894 > Part 4
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To Cash received for interest from March 29, 1893 to January 1894, as per last report 468.48
To Cash received for interest from January 1, 1894 to Jan. 1, 1895 766.75
CR. $19627.56
1895. January
By amount invested on mortgages of real estate 18400.00
By rebate of interest on mortgage paid before maturity 13.25
By Cash on hand 1214.31
$ 19627.56.
E. S. HORTON, SAMUEL P. LATHROP, FRANK I BABCOCK, Commissioners of Sinking Fund. JOHN T. BATES, Treasurer.
REPORT OF ASSESSORS.
The assessors chosen at the last annual meeting found the following items for valuation and taxation May Ist» 1894 :
NUMBER OF PERSONS ASSESSED.
1894
1893
On property
1557
1581 Dec. 24
On poll tax only
I405
I40I
Inc. 4
NUMBER OF POLLS ASSESSED.
1894
1893
Males
2273
2277 Dec. 4
VALUE OF ASSESSED PERSONAL ESTATE.
1894 1893
Excluding resident bank
stock
779,450 868,158 Dec. 88,708:
Resident bank stock 76,750 81,000 " 4,250
VALUE OF ASSESSED REAL ESTATE.
Buildings 2,393,728 2,283,300 Inc. 110,428
Land
1,218,823 2,103,335 Inc 15,488
Total valuation of as-
sessed estate May 1, 1894 4,468,751 4,435,793 Inc. 32,958
TAX FOR STATE, TOWN AND COUNTY PUR- POSES INCLUDING OVERLAYINGS.
1 894 1893
On personal estate
17,124.00 18,034.00 Inc.
900
" Real 72,251.02 66,246.06 " 6,004.99
1
74
ANNUAL REPORT.
On Polls
4,546.00 4,554.00 Dec. 8.00
Total Tax 93,921.02 88,834 06 Inc. 5086.96
Rate of total tax per $ 1,000 $20.
Tax on each male poll, $2.00
Real estate increased in land, $15,488.
Buildings increased
$110,428.
Personal property decreased, $92,958.
Net gain in total valuation
$32,958.
1894
1893
Number
of Horses assessed
735
786 Dec. 5 1
Cows
617
656
39
Sheep
I
o Inc. I
Neat cattle
95
I27 Dec. 32
Swine
66
IOI
76 Inc. 25
Dwelling houses "
1481
1453
28
66
Acres of land 66
I 5000
Same.
TOWN APPROPRIATIONS FROM MAY 1, 1893,
TO MAY 1, 1894.
Current and Incidental
$8000.00
Highways and Bridges
7,000.00
Mechanics St. Bridge
1,000.00
Sidewalk Improvements
2,000.00
Support of Schools
19,000.00
Text Books and Supplies
1,300.00
Incidental Repairs
1,700.00
Conveyance of Children
640 00
Superintendent of Schools
1,200.00
Public Library
1,000.00
Grand Army
200.00
Paupers (support of)
5000.00
Medical Attendance
300.00
Military Aid
300.00
Soldier's Relief
I 500.00
75
ANNUAL REPORT.
Water Department Maintenance
6800.00
66 Construction
5731.50
Cotton Hose Fire Department
850.00
Storage House for Fire Apparatus
500.00
Repairing Hose Cart
50.00
Fire Alarm System
800.00
Fire Alarm at Pumping Station
600.00
Survey of Sewerage System
800.00
Liquor Law
500.00
Bi-Centennial
5,000.00
APPROPRIATIONS REQUIRED BY LAW.
Abolition of Hebronville Crossing
$ 1400.00
County Tax
7,184.23
State Tax
3,800 00
Town Sinking Fund
1,400.00
Interest on Town Bonds
2,500.00
Interest on Notes
3,000.00
Total appropriations $95,405.73
SHEPARD W. CARPENTER, JOHN THACHER, CHARLES PHILLIPS, Assessors of Attleborough.
Attleborough, Mass., Dec. 31, 1894.
Report of Tax Collector.
ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass., Jan. 1, 1895. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : GENTLEMEN :-
I herewith submit a summary of my year's work, for the year ending Jan. 1, 1895.
Committed.
Collections.
$399.08 Fire District.
$354.70 Fire District 1,574.05 '92.
2,477.04 '92.
21,594.85 '93.
16,256.54 '93.
94,998.92 '94
74,845.74 94.
$119,469.89 Total.
$93,031.03 Total.
Interest.
31.02 Fire District.
153.71 '92
515.87 '92
579.96 '93
112.59 94
1,441.60 '93 1,094 50 '94
$877.28 Total Interest. $3,108.74 Total Abatements
Uncollected. 18.63 Fire District. 540.83 '92 4,476.67 '93 19,171.27 94
$24,207.40 Total Uncollected.
Grand Totals.
$119,469.89 877.28 Total Interest 93,031.03
3,108.74
Total Collect. Total Abate.
$120,347.17 Balance.
Total Commit. $24,207.40
Total Uncol.
$120,347.17 Balance.
Abatments. 56.77 Fire District.
77
ANNUAL REPORT.
In closing, allow me to add, that the prompt, efficient and accurate performance of duties of this office, will de- mand in the near future, if not already, more commodious quarters.
Respectfully submitted,
S. M. HOLMAN.
Collector of Taxes
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
DR.
To Cash in my hands at
last report $719.25
To interest received
39.73
$758.98
CR.
By taxes abated
$99.96
By cash paid treasurer
659 02
$758.98
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN THACHER, Collector.
REPORT OF OVERSEER OF THE POOR.
The Board of Overseers of the Poor respectfully pre- sent the report of their doings for the year 1894, the tables appended and statistical accounts of this report give in detail the receipts and expenditures. Those who com- pare the present with the last year's expenses will notice an apparently large difference between the pauper expense of 1893 and that of 1894.
Total expense for the year 1893 6,155.94
From which was deducted the
amount charged to other towns,
the sum of $404.42
Also amount charged to the state 524.77
Making the sum of
$929.19
Treating this sum as so much cash in hand, making an apparent unexpended balance of $263.54 when in reality there was an overdraw of $665.65. Of course whatever part of this sum is collected will go to reduce this over- draw.
Treating this year's pauper account in the above manner would show an unexpended balance of $525.86 but the town treasury gets no benefit from such unexpended balances.
The reinsurance of the farm buildings and permanent repairs on the buildings aggregating $105.81. Makes quite an increase to the cost of maintenance at the almshouse for the year 1894. Through the effi- cient care of Mr. Frank E. Luther and his estim-
80
ANNUAL REPORT.
able wife, the buildings, and especially the dwelling house, are in much better condition than when they went there, needed but not expensive changes have been made that adds much to the comfort of the inmates and facilitates the labor for their care. The rooms as well as beds and bed- ding are kept in perfect order and scrupulously clean.
It will be noticed that a large reduction has been made in the valuation at the farm from that of 1893. Deprecia- tion of value in many things and a previous valuation for above the worth of others made this seem necessary.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
DR.
To amount of annual ap-
propriation $ 5000.00
To amount for Medical
Attendance 300.00
Received from State for
Support of Paupers 167.90
Received from Cities,
Towns and Individuals 1009. 15
Received from guardian of Ruth C. Monroe $169.46
Received from G. A. Mon-
roe 3 70
" Superinten-
dent Farm, balance on hand
83.93
C
Overdraw
549.17
$7,283.31
CR. BY AMOUNT BILLS PAID MONTHLY BY TOWN TREASURER.
MONTHS.
Outside Relief.
Lunatic Hospitals.
Cities and Towns.
Almshouse
Totals.
January,
$310 66
$ 36 80
$100 00
$447 46
February,
569 61
100 00
669 61
March,.
179 16
179 16
April,
7 57 38
426 20
$30 75
71 20
1285 53
May,
126 27
126 27
June,
489 94
380 25
58 36
928 55
July,
224
94
76 40
98 93
403 72
803 99
August.,
284 32
54 04
338 36
September,
317 86
384 39
702 25
October,
270 07
270 07
November,
169 47
244 81
December,
727 86
384 39
175 00
1287 25
Totals,
·
$4427 54
$1763 77
$129 68
$962 32
$7283 31
EXPENDITURE IN DETAIL FOR OUTSIDE RELIEF IN 1894.
MONTHS.
Groceries.
Lunatic | Cities & Hosp't'ls Towns.
Salaries & Travel.
Physi- cians and| Burials. Nursing.
Boots, Shoes, and Clothing.
Trans - Office portation Exp'se .
Wood and Coal.
Miscel- laneo's
Rents.
Totals.
January,
$253 46
$ 36 80
$ 15 00
$16 35
$II 35
$ 4 50 861 43 66 66
$10 00 $347 46 32 00 569 61
February,
198 19
$ 30 99
220 25
$15 00
9 00
2 75
March,
.
82 00
426 20
$30 75
86 45
179 00
25 00
II 50
10 50
30 56,$7 00
62 00 1214 33
May,
.
1 52 27
380 25
73 47
184 70
35 50
44 00
870 19
July,
1 50 59
76 40
98 93
53 00
3 35
49
18 00
400 27
August,
1 52 32
34 00
284 32
September, .
139 66
384 39
93 75
68 25
3 50
4 70
5
8 00
702 25
October,
124 71
91 07
4 50
2 55
13 75
28 00
270 07
November, .
104 75
75 34
2 00
10 25
I 42]
12 00
7 05
32 00
244 81
December, .
2 54 62
384 39
203 12
171 00
15 00
20 50
3 86
31 76
28 00
1112 25
Totals,
. $2046 60
1763 77
$129 68
$487 78
1075 27
$85 00
$86 18
$37 35
$66 28 219 54 $19 54 304 00 86320 99
Amount expended by Town Treasurer
$7283 31
Deduct amount drawn from Town Treasury for farm expenses · . .
962 32-$6320 99 ·
.
88 66
12 00
8 23
4 50
1 50
3 38
8 00
126 27
June,
.
.
68 50
10 00
19 50
179 16
April,
345 37
10 50
20 00
83
ANNUAL REPORT
STATISTICS FOR OUTSIDE RELIEF.
Gross cost of persons outside of almshouse $6,320.99
Deduct amount paid for support of persons in State Lunatic Hos- pitals and in cities and towns chargeable to this town $1,893.45
Deduct amount of receipts from various sources 1,350.21 3,243.66
Leaving as net expenditures in aid of the poor residing here, in- cluding state paupers and those chargeable to other towns and cities $3,077.33
Number of families aided in 1894 73
Settlements here 45
Settlements elsewhere 9
State paupers 19
Persons aided 275
Settlements here, males 73 ; females 84
Settlements elsewhere, males 26; females 30.
State Paupers, males 30 : females 32.
Average cost of aid to each family, $42.15.
Average cost of aid to each person, $11.29.
TRANTPORTATION.
Number of families and persons sent
to their homes 15
BURIALS.
Males 4 ; females 3
INSANE. 7
Number of insane at asylums, males 9 ; females 3 12
Remaining at the town's expense II
84
ANNUAL REPORT.
At Taunton Lunatic Hospital IO
At Worcester Lunatic Hospital I
At Tewksbury I
Paupers aided else where but having a settlement here exclusive of lunatics, families 5 ; persons 16.
ALMSHOUSE ACCOUNT.
Amount paid by Town Treasurer on
vouchers $762.32
Amount paid by Superintendent 1,221.32
Total expenditures $1,983.64
Receipts by Superintendent 1,105.25
Total cost of maintaining the alms- house for 1894 $878.39
Number remaining Dec. 31, 1894, average weekly num- ber, 3 2-7 per cent. Average weekly cost per inmate, $3. 1 I ASSETS OF THE TOWN AT THE TOWN FARM AS PER AP PRAISAL JAN. I, 1895.
Live Stock $412.50
Farm Rolling Stock
322.50
Large Farming Tools
119.00
Small Farming Tools and Sundries
94.70
Household Utensils
1 80.80
Household Furniture and Bedding
174.80
Groceries, meats and Vegetables on hand 163.75
Hay, Straw, etc., on hand
326.80
$1,722.85
Valuation Dec. 31, 1893
2,428.36
1894
1,722.85
Difference in valuation
$705.51
85
ANNUAL REPORT.
AMOUNTS DUE FROM OTHER TOWNS JAN. 1, 1895.
From North Attleborough
$189.47
“ Douglass
60 00
Taunton
30.00
Mansfield
16.00
Fall River
3.00
Dudley
15.00
Sturbridge
3 25
Lowell
2.00
Hardwick
65.70
State of Massachusetts
690.61
$1,075.03
D. H. SMITH, G. B. FITZ,
WM. H. GOFF,
Cverscers of the Poor.
EXPENDITURE IN DETAIL OF MAINTAINING THE ALMSHOUSE.
MONTHS.
Grain.
Shoes and Cloth- ing.
Meats and Gro- ceries.
Hard- ware and
Supt. Rep'rs and Black- Labor. smth'g
Furni. ture and Crock- ery.
Ferti- lizers.
Coal.
Miscellaneous.
Totals.
January,
$74 66 $ 4 46 $ 6 25
$ 1 15 $ 9 20 $ 1 18
Medicine, Pigs and Poultry,
18 80
February,
46 60
I 50
25 50
1 00
81
$4 45 Medicine,
55
99 21
March,
1 00
29 77 $ 1 55
6 95
Medicine,
1 00
199 69
Insurance,
67 20
April,
2 46
29 63
1 05
4 40 12 758 1 00
Sundries, Plants,
6 43
128 92
May,
.
.
·
237 72!
1 00
29 91
2 75 181 75
15 00
1 50
38
507 63
August,
56 04
29 57
15 60
2 00
Whip, Broom, etc.,
I 26
104 47
Medicine,
1 00
102 02
Medicine,
95
Plants,
4 00
October,
54 19
11 00
34 59
I 25
2 00
Making Cider & Bbls. 5 60
113 58
November, .
.
49 74
14 03
40' 10
7 53
2 00.
13 50 Stove and Pipe, Medicine,
24 00
I 50 90
December,
.
34 10
4 00
26 88
22 75 197 75
286 48
Totals,
.
604 02 $51 89 342 07 $ 53 46 429 70 $82 50 $16 93 $8 70
$17 95
$336 42 1983 64
2 26
15 00
70
Seeds and Sundries,
4 12
59 81
Seed Potatoes,
23 09
June,
14 90
20 18
18 25 15 00' 38 61
1 50
1 00
Whip,
50
133 03
July,
September, .
48 51
44 46
3 60| 2 45
2 00
12 50
25 23
Farm Papers,
4 00
$ 1 00 $ 97 90
Chopping Wood,
1 59 42
.
1
Paints, &c.
REPORT OF THE ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Citizens of Attleborough :
GENTLEMEN-We herewith submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1894.
FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Chief engineer, two assistant engineers, twenty-four hosemen, twelve hook and ladder men, five fire police and a volunteer company at Farmers Village, and a volunteer company at South Attleborough, at present comprise the entire force of the Fire Department.
APPARATUS.
The apparatus of the department consists of one two horse hook and ladder truck, with three hundred feet of good ladders, and fully equipped with small tools. Two one-horse hose carriages with 3,700 feet of cotton hose in good condition, and fully equipped. One hand reel with 500 feet of cotton hose in poor condition and 250 feet of leather hose at Farmer's Village. One hand reel with five hundred feet of leather hose in good condition and 100 feet of cotton hose in poor condition. One two horse hook and ladder truck fully equipped at South Attlebor- ough.
88
ANNUAL REPORT.
.
HORSES.
The department is equipped with four horses, two owned by the town, and two furnished by contract with Lysander Taylor, which is as goo ! as can be had until changes and improvements are made in the Dunham street house.
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY OF FIRE DEPART - MENT.
IN CHARGE OF D. H. SMITH. HOSE CO. NO. ONE.
One one-horse hose reel, fully equipped, 1800 feet of cotton hose, one sleigh and one horse, all in good condi- tion. One swing harness.
IN CHARGE OF UNION HOSE CO. No. Two.
One one-horse hose reel fully equipped, 1900 feet of cotton hose, one sleigh, and one horse all in good condi- tion. One swing harne s.
IN CHARGE OF HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. ONE.
One two-horse truck fully equipped, 300 feet of ladders, one pair of swing harness. One deluge nozzle set, all in good condition.
IN CHARGE OF HOSE CO. NO. THREE OF FARMERS.
One two-wheel hose cart in good condition, 500 feet of cotton hose, and 250 feet of leather hose in poor con- dition.
IN CHARGE OF HOSE CO. NO. FOUR OF SOUTH AT- ATTLEBOROUGH.
One two-wheel hose cart and 500 feet of cotton hose in
89
ANNUAL REPORT.
good condition and 100 feet of cotton hose in poor condition. One two-horse hook and ladder truck in fair condition.
PROPERTY IN CHARGE OF ENGINEERS.
Three fire hats, three rubber coats.
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE ALARM DEPARTMENT.
One pair of climbers, two vices and straps, two pair of pliers, one bit stock, and bits, fifty zincs, 100 lbs. of vitriol.
FIRE ALARM.
The Gamewell Fire Alarm system is in use and is in first-class working order and consists of the following ap paratus, seven miles of No. 14 copper wire, eighteen miles of galvanized iron wire No. 9 two galvanometers, one switch-board in battery room. One steam gong, located on Pumping Station, one striker located in belfry of Univer- salist church, one tapper at the residence of the Chief En - gineer, one tapper ot the residence of L. Taylor, one tap- per at the residence of Assistant Engineer Howarth. One indicator at each of the South Main and Dunham street houses, one tapper in each of the shops of W. & S. Black- inton, Daggett & Clap, W. H. Wilmarth & Co., twenty- four alarm boxes, six tappers in residences and owned by members of the department.
HOUSES.
Three houses in the department as follows : On South Main street, occupied by Hose Co. No. One ; on Dunham. street by Hose Co. No. Two, and Hook and Ladder Co. No. One. At each house certain members of the depart ..
.90
ANNUAL REPORT.
ment sleep nights and are ready for a quick hitch. One located at South Attleborough occupied by Hose Co. No. Four and Hook and Ladder Co No. Two ; house occupied by Hose Co. No. Three is owned by the Attleborough Steam and Electric Light Co.
FIRES.
Our fire record for the past year has not been severe as none of any magnitude of our town proper with the ex- ception of the Electric Light Station at Farmer's Village, while at Dodgeville there has been two of some magnitude but as there was no water service there we think that the department did good work.
Jan. 2nd at 4 15 a. m. Box No. 39 called the department to the building owned and occupied by the North Attle- borough Steam and Electric Light Co. as power station, ·cause of fire, explosion of lantern. Loss, $24.000 ; insur- ance $28,000. Insurance paid $19,600.
Feb. 4th, II a. m Box 42 called the department to the Dodgeville miil owned and occupied by B. B. and R. Knight, the old end of the mill, third story. Cause of the fire probable spontaneous combustion. Loss $40,000 ; in- surance paid $33,000
Feb. 24th, 4.30 p. m. Box No. 16 called the department to the house owned and occupied by L. Z. Carpenter. ·Cause of fire, defective chimney. Loss on building $750; insurance paid $750
Feb. 27th, 3.40 p. m., Box No. 72 called the department to the barn occupied by Dr. Swift and owned by the heirs of G. M. Horton. Cause of the fire incendiary and so re- ported to Judge Reed. Building damaged $550. Value of building $7500 ; contents insured for $600.
April 10th, 12.40 a. m. Box. No. 39 called the depart- ment to the house owned by Orville Dean, occupied by
91
ANNUAL REPORT.
Orville Dean and Mrs. Snell. Cause of the fire over- heated chimney. Loss $ 1500 ; insured for $800; insur- ance paid $800.
April 18th, 1.20 p. m. Box No. 25 called the department to the coal sheds owned by Pierce and Carpenter. Loss none, insurance none.
May 5th, 2.40 p. m., Box No. 51 called the department to the factory of W. D. Wilmarth & Co. Cause of fire spark from chimney. Loss slight.
May 16, 5.12 p. m., Box No. 42 called the department to ice houses owned by B. B. and R. Knight occupied by Mr Carpenter of Providence, ice dealer. Cause of fire, spark from a locomotive. Loss on building $15,000; on ice $10,000. Insurance not known.
July 26th, 11.16 a. m., Box No. 9, a call from L. H. Sweet of Norton, the Board of Engineers with the old hand tub, one hose reel with 800 feet of hose. Twenty- five men answered the call, arrived at the fire at 12 o'clock m. Left the same at 6 p. m. Cause of the fire, explosion of sawdust. Loss $45,000 ; insured for $45,500. Insurance paid $45,500.
Sept. 28th, 10.10 p. m., Box No. 6 called the department to the Attleboro Steam Laundry owned by C. L. Watson occupied by Allen Cook. Cause of fire, sut in chimney. Loss none, insurance none.
Oct. 16th, 11.50 a. m, Box No. 9 called the department to the rear of Kelly's marble works on Union street. Fire on float owned by Columbus Lyceum. Cause of fire, spark from a chimney. Loss none, insurance none.
Oct 23. Fire in the dwelling of Mr. Dorrance on Park street. No alarm. Fire put out by members of the fam- ily. Cause of the fire sparks from the stove. Loss $50; insurance $800. Insurance paid $ 50.
Nov. Ist, 2.45 a. m. called the department to Briggs Block on Bank street for fire in shoe store of John Ner-
92
ANNUAL REPORT.
ney. Cause of the fire lamp left burning, set fire to the woodwork. Loss on the building $20; insurance on the building $11,000 ; insurance paid on building $20. Loss on stock $350 ; insurance $500 ; insurance paid $ 190.
Dec. 30th, 9 50 p m. Box No 6 called the department to the Attleborough Steam Laundry owned by C. L. Watson, occupied by Allen A. Cook. Cause of fire overheated stove. Value of building $2000. Insurance on building $1000. Insurance paid $513 ; loss on building $513. In- surance on stock $1850 ; not adjusted.
SALARIES.
Chief Engineer, $250; Assistant Engineers $75 each ; members of the Hook and Ladder and Hose Companies $ 50 each.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
During the past year we have added four alarm boxes ten miles of wire, purchased 1500 feet of cotton hose, had the two two wheel reels repaired and painted, built a house at South Attleborough, had a hot water heater put in at the house of Hose Co. No. 1, concreted the cellar of the same, bought twelve rubber coats.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
We would recommend that the house on Dunham street be made more convenient so that the horses can be got at more readily, realizing that the minutes we want to save are the first ones after the alarm is sounded.
We would recommend that the town purchase an ex- press wagon and harness for the use of the department, as we believe that by so doing it will be a saving to the town.
93
ANNUAL REPORT.
We recommend that the town sheath the house at South Attleborough and put town water in the same, and build a chimney in the same. We would also recommend that the town put town water in the house at Farmers.
We would recommend that an alarm box be put up at the corner of Park and Forest streets.
We would recommend that the town purchase an addi- tional alarm bell.
We would recommend that the town purchase horses for the Hook and Ladder truck.
APPROPRIATIONS.
We would recommend that the town appropriate the sum of $4000 for current and incidental expenses.
MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
Hiram R. Packard, Chief Engineer. George O. Wilmarth, Assistant Engineer and Clerk. James Howarth, Assistant Engineer.
D. H. SMITH HOSE Co. NO. ONE.
C. E. Riley Foreman. Frank Smith, Hoseman.
E. B. Hill, Asst. Foreman.
Chas. Bowen,
B. Bullock, Clerk. Sam. McCartney
M. S. Millard, Hoseman.
E. E. Culver, 66
E. V. Hicks,
E. H. Briggs,
L. A. Wales,
C. Atwell,
UNION HOSE CO. No. Two.
Arthur Guild, Foreman. Fred Walton, Hoseman.
Joe Ellis, Asst. Foreman.
Robert Moore, 66 James Peers, Clerk. Ed. Chapman,
94
ANNUAL REPORT.
Geo. Morton, Hoseman.
Geo. Lee,
Lewis Goff,
James Rushton,
Wm. Armstrong, Geo. White,
HOOK AND LADDER CO. NO. ONE.
O. W. Hawkins, Foreman. Walter Dix, Ladderman.
F. C. Gray, Asst. Foreman. E. F. Young, 66
I. F. Mott, Clerk. J. E. Pagney,
G. B. Austin, Ladderman. A. C. Eldredge, “
A. Blackinton, Jr., “. Fred Miller,
C. E .. Streeter, 66
Eugene Cole,
HOSE CO. NO. THREE AT FARMERS.
Volunteer.
12 Men. Edward Tregoning, Foreman.
HOSE CO. NO. FOUR AT SOUTH ATTLEBOROUGH.
Volunteer.
35 Men. James Orr, Foreman.
FIRE POLICE.
Seth Briggs, Captain.
Fred Goff, John Nerney,
Thomas Gilroy, Dexter Newell.
We would like to thank the members of this department for their promptness at answering alarms and for their good and efficient service at fires.
H. R. PACKARD, Chief Engineer.
GEO. O. WILMARTH, Asst. Engineer and Clerk 4 JAS. HOWARTH, Asst. Engineer.
-
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
To the Selectmen of Attleborough ;-
It was very late in the season when I took the roads in charge. Consequently it was disadvantageous to road re- pairing, for the season was so dry the roads being re- paired were in anything but a satisfactory condition for a long time.
It was a very dry summer. I do not know of anything so injurious to the highway as a long dry spell. About the first thing I did was to rake the stone. I used no road scraper for the reason that I did not consider the roads in a proper condition to scrape. If they had been I think I would have done but very little scraping. Going over the roads every spring and giving them a general scraping, not taking into consideration the condition of the same before being scraped is a mistake.
There is a small portion of the roads where I think it would be beneficial, providing there is enough moisture in the ground to make it practicable. There usually is in the Spring.
It was a continuous dry spell from the time I com- menced until the greater part of the work was done. I had the gutters thoroughly cleaned in the Spring. There were comparatively no gutters on some streets. I believe in fixing the extremely bad places in a substantial manner. By so doing they will remain so for some time to come by
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ANNUAL REPORT.
being properly looked after. A stitch in time saves nine as the saying goes.
It takes proper material and lots of it to accomplish satisfactory results. Consequently it will take consider- able money, whereas if there is a load put here and there occasionally it would not require so much material or money. After they are got in shape they could be main- tained by putting a load here and there occasionally. In fact a man with a horse and cart could look after quite a territory. It is a question in my mind if it would not be advisable for the taxpayers to be a little more liberal in its highway appropriations for two or three years to come and put their streets in a respectable condition. Am sorry to say they are far from it at the present time. The benefits to be derived would be many. I do not think there is anything that would help the town any more in a financial point of view. It would give strangers a bet- ter impression to drive over good hard streets than it would to drive over some of our principal streets, mud half way to the hub within stone throw of the depot. I believe with good streets the tax payers would realize the improvement to be of far greater value many times over than the trifling increase of their tax. There are a great many advantages to be derived from good roads and as many disadvantages from bad. Good roads are a blessing, bad roads a curse. Good roads would save a good many cuss words. Good roads save lots of wear and tear, save hay and grain, save cruelty to dumb beasts, good roads are heard from outside of immediate vicinity, they save lots of valuable time. I read an account where they had a fire at Middleborough, Ky., resulting in the loss of a furniture factory. Had the fire engine not been delayed by the mud the loss would have been but slight. A bad piece of road right in the heart of the city was the final cause of the loss of the Middleborough Manufacturing plant. I
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