USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1896 > Part 5
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130
ANNUAL REPORT.
tuberculosis in the milk by testing, the germs of the dreaded disease known as consumption are thereby spread throughout the town, and not only more rapidly develop- ing it in those, perhaps, already predisposed, but bringing danger to the most healthy.
Out of these fifty-eight condemned cows, fifty have been rendered in South Attleboro, and as the law requires my presence at the killing and post mortem of every ani- mal, it has necessitated forty-five trips from Attleboro to South Attleboro for that purpose, and in many cases taken the entire day, as a minute report of all lesions found at post mortem must be made immediately by myself to the State Board. Every one of these post mortems has found the animal thoroughly tuberculous.
The law also requires my presence at the slaughtering of all animals used for food, to ascertain whether they are absolutely free from disease, and suitable for diet. A record of every animal slaughtered must be kept, and returned monthly to the State Board. I have been present at the slaughtering of one hundred and one pigs, forty- two calves, nineteen cows, and seven bulls, and out of the above number have condemned, and caused to be buried before me, ten pigs, seven calves, five cows and one bull.
There being no one place in town where all slaugh- tering is done, a great many being killed upon the prem- ises of the owner, in all sections of the town, it has obliged me to do a great amount of driving, and consumed much of my time.
I31
ANNUAL REPORT.
It is a State law that all cows coming into the State from any other State, must be quarantined and identified by the inspector at their point of destination, before they can be released. Ninety-six head of cattle have arrived here from New Hampshire, and twenty-nine from Vermont, nineteen of which arrived at Southi Attleboro, all of these being released by myself.
Owing to the gradual increase of duties imposed upon me, from year to year, as Inspector of Milk, Provisions and Cattle, I am obliged to devote two-thirds of my entire time to this work, the importance of which cannot be coll- tradicted by anyone.
Tuberculosis, or consumption, originated in the bovine race. In certain parts of Africa where the gad fly thrives, and on account of which the cow cannot live, the inhabi- tants domesticate the goat for milk purposes, there is not known a case of consumption. And in the northern part of Norway where it is too cold for the cow, and the milk of the reindeer is used, there also consumption is unknown, or in other words, with the cow we find consumption, and without the cow, no consumption.
Tuberculosis in cattle exists to an alarming degree, and it is well known that this disease in cattle is com- municable from cattle to cattle, from cattle to inan, and from man to man. From the best of authorities we find the disease causes from fifteen to twenty per cent. of annual mortality in human beings. The sources of danger of contagion consists in being in contact with the diseased
132
ANNUAL, REPORT.
animals, eating tuberculous meat, and drinking milk of tuberculous cows.
As tuberculosis is communicated from one animal to another, it is therefore to the immediate interest of every dairyman and cattle-breeder, and also the community at large, to ascertain which animals are tuberculous and which are not, that the healthy may be separated from the diseased, and be removed from the certainty of contagion. Moreover, the demand for milk from certified non-tuber- culous cows is rapidly becoming general, and the dairy- man who can supply this demand must necessarily have an advantage.
It is in only the most advanced stage of the disease that tuberculosis can be discovered by a physical exam- ination, but by the aid of an injection of tuberculin the disease can be readily detected even in its earliest stages.
Tuberculin is a glycerine extract of the germs of tuber- culosis. It is absolutely harmless, as it contains no living germs of tuberculosis, and cannot therefore communicate the disease to healthy animals. The milk of the cow is unaffected by its use. It does not interfere with gestation even, if the cow is ready to calf. And it is claimed by the best of authorities that the best tuberculin used by an experienced veterinarian is an absolute and sure test for tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is not hereditary, and many authorities admit that tuberculous cows can be used for breeding,
133
ANNUAL REPORT.
but the dairyman will find it of great aid in his business to be able to certify that he supplies non-tuberculous milk.
Every State in the Union is yearly appropriating thousands of dollars to stamp out the disease, with the correct theory of scientists that if consumption is stamped out in cows, it must be also stamped out in mankind. And as the State compensates the owners of tuberculous cows full marketable appraisals at the time of condemnation, I think it is the duty of every dairyman and law-abiding citizen to lend a hand to stamp out the most dreaded dis- ease on earth, namely consumption.
Yours truly, T. L. SWIFT, D. V. S. Inspector.
REPORT
OF THE
Park Commissioners
OF THE
Town of Attleborough, mass.
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS.
To the Citizens of Attleborough :
The Board of Park Commissioners have felt that the present times carry with them sufficient burdens for the tax payers which seem to be necessary, without asking for an additional expenditure at this time for the purchase of any land for park purposes.
In fact, before the town acquires land for park pur- poses we believe there is opportunity for improvement of land already owned by the town, which is located near the centre of the village. We wish, therefore, to call your attention to the unsightly condition of the plot of land owned by the town on South Main Street, near the rail- road crossing. and suggest the following plan as being a desirable improvement :
Ist .- To place on the street line and south line of the lot ordinary side-walk curbing, which will show a face of six inches above the side-walk and the adjoining lot on the south. The length on the street is 108 feet 8 inches. The length on the south line of lot is 46 feet 7 inches. It will be desirable to have these lengths of curbing of the same length within a few inches-say about nine feet long.
138
ANNUAL REPORT.
2nd .- Inside the curbing the lot is to be graded with loam and grassed down. The surface of the loan to be level with the top of the curbing. Assuming that the lot will need an addition of four inches in depth of loan over the entire area then ninety-four (94) loads of loam will be required.
3rd .- On the line next to the railroad a fence is to be erected by the railroad company similar in design to the fence next the Common on Pleasant street.
4th .- On the north and east sides of the fire alarm tower, seats are to be placed and a walk of screenings from the stone crusher built in front of the seats and to the side-walk.
5tl1 .- Running vines to be planted inside the tower and trained up the four posts for about ten feet, when they may be spread out to cover the entire tower.
6th .- Low shrubbery may be placed in the lot near the railroad crossing, in the fall of the year, if found desirable.
7th .- We have omitted work on the side-walk until the lot has been placed in suitable condition.
We estimate that the improvement outlined above will cost, approximately, two hundred dollars.
Another plot of land owned by the town near the centre of the village which might be improved, is the lot of land on which the stand pipe is located. The town
139
ANNUAL REPORT.
owns the strip of land leading directly from County street to the top of the hill. The strip of land might be fenced on each side with a suitable fence, and a walk built through the centre of the strip, with a grass border on each side. As the walk ascends the hill stone steps could be used, where now the gravel from the hill is loose and liable to be washed by the rains.
On the lot around the stand pipe walks could be laid out with a few seats near, while the remainder of the lot could be grassed down, and perhaps a few trees and shrubbery planted.
Another lot of land, owned by the town, which is capable of very great improvement in its appearance, is the school house lot on Sanford street. It is to be regretted that the appearance of these grounds are much more unsightly than they were fifteen years ago.
Possibly the plan on which the grounds were first arranged was not the best for this property, but it certainly seems as though any change should have been made with a view to an improvement in the general appearance of these grounds. At the time the new grammar school was built the area between the school houses and the street was used as a dumping ground for the surplus gravel which was removed in excavating for the cellar. The result is that however good a side-walk is to be found 011 our streets, a parent is always reminded by the appearance of the children's shoes that the town is a good ally of the shoe dealer by compelling the children to wade, nearly
I40
ANNUAL REPORT.
ankle deep, through this loose sandy gravel every day that the child attends school.
We would suggest that the following changes be made :
Ist .- An ample driveway be laid out leading from Sanford street, at a point opposite Academy street, up to the school houses.
211d .- Walks of ample width be built from the street to the school houses, of such material as would be satis- factory, on the side-walks on one of our main streets. Under the present arrangement the entire grounds are both driveway and side-walk. How long would we tolerate the driving of teams on our side-walks in the public streets ? And yet here we compel several hundred scholars to cross this lot and take their chances of meeting one or even several teams any where on the grounds.
Having provided reasonable safeguards for the chil- dren, by the arrangements outlined above, we can then turn our attention to the ornamentation of the ground as follows :
3rd .- Near the fence line and the street line, on the easterly and westerly sides of the lot a border of trees might be planted.
In the middle of the lot near the street a grass plot might be arranged with trees in the same. With the in- provements outlined there will remain ample play ground for the children.
ANNUAL REPORT.
Such improvements as outlined above will tend to give a good impression to visitors, who naturally notice and observe the condition of town property, much more, perhaps, than our own people who see the property every day. If town property is kept in a neat condition, it is an incentive to abutters and citizens in general to cause their own property to make an equally good appearance. We all have a feeling of pride in the appearance and condi- tion of our " Common," which is the result of much hard work and generosity on the part of some of our public- spirited citizens. Such an example maintained by the town must have a good effect upon all, and unconsciously though it may be, we all come to have a greater feeling of respect for our town if these small plots of land are kept in the neatest possible condition.
We believe, therefore, that there is opportunity for a wise expenditure of a small amount of money as outlined above, at such a time as the citizens may feel disposed to authorize the outlay.
Respectfully submitted,
E. S. CAPRON, WM. J. LUTHER,
Park
Commissioners.
CHAS. M. ROBBINS.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Overseers of the Poor
OF THE
Town of Attleborough, Mass.
REPORT
OF THE
Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Attleborough for the Year ending January 1, 1897.
DR.
To amount of annual appropria- tions, $5000 00
To amount for medical attendance, 300 00
$5,300 00
Received from State for support of paupers, $185 80
Received from cities, towns and individuals, 717 31
Received on account of R. C.
Monroe, 169 00
Received on account of D. A. Swift, 156 06
Received on account of S. J. Law- ton, 58 23
Received from G. A. Monroe &
Co., discounts on pauper bills, 79 29 Overdrawn, 570 50
$1,936 65
$7,236 65
146
ANNUAL REPORT.
CR.
By amount of bills paid by Town Treasurer :
Groceries, $1,629 31
Lunatic hospitals,
1,893 24
Cities and towns, 600 20
Rents, 510 25
Salaries of Overseers,
375 00
Physicians and nursing,
308 00
Burials,
155 CO
Boots, shoes and clothing,
120 88
Transportation,
60 II
Office expenses,
39 20
Wood and coal,
252 30
Meat,
107 50
Milk,
40 64
Miscellaneous,
108 38
Salary of Superintendent of Alms- house, 375 00
Grain and supplies, Alms-house, 442 17
Repairs at Alins-house, 219 47
$7,236 65
Alms-house Account.
DR.
To hay, stock, farming tools, household furniture, etc., ap- praised January 1, 1896, $1,995 85
147
ANNUAL REPORT.
Cash paid by Town Treasurer on vouchers, $1,036 64
Cash paid by Superintendent, 513 13
Total expenditures, $1,549 77
$3,545 62
CR.
By appraisal of personal property January 1, 1897,
$2,072 95
Receipts by Superintendent,
$514 54
Expense of supporting Alms-house,
958 13
$1,472 67
$3,545 62
Number of inmates at the Alms-house Dec. 31, 1896, 6
Average weekly number,
4 4-5
Average weekly cost per inmate,
$3 95
Expenditures in Detail of Maintaining the Alms-house.
Cash paid for grain,
$324 88
Provisions, 376 53
Seed and fertilizer,
60 00
Blacksmithing,
41 30
Labor,
77 25
Lumber and repairs,
219 47
Coal,
5 25
Clothing, shoes, etc.,
29 38
148
ANNUAL REPORT.
Pigs, $17 00
Sundries,
23 71
Salary of Superintendent,
375 00
Cash in hand of Superintendent,
$1,549 77 I 41
$1,550 18
Cash received for milk,
$145 58
Eggs,
81 99
Potatoes,
77 50
Cow,
27 00
Fowls,
26 66
Vegetables,
64 02
Labor,
3 00
Wood,
53 75
Butter,
14 25
Pork,
20 29
Stove,
50
Town Treasurer,
$514 54 1,036 64
$1,551 18
Amounts due from cities and
towns,
$346 95
Amount charged to State of Mass., 284 88
$631 83
ELIJAH R. READ,
WM. H. GOFF, Overseers of the Poor. GEO. B. FITTZ,
Examined this 22d day of January, 1897, and found correct.
ORVILLE P. RICHARDSON, Auditors. BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY,
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
The Auditors elected at the March meeting of 1896, respectfully report that they have examined the books and reports of the various officers of the Town, namely, Treas- urer, Sinking Fund Commissioners, Water Commissioners and Registrar, Overseers of Poor, Tax Collectors, School Committee and Public Library, and find their books and reports agree.
In the report of the Public Library you will notice that the report of Town Treasurer shows an overdraft of $51.20, while the report of the Treasurer of the Library shows none, and he carries this amount into 1897 account.
Death, during the past year, has compelled us to part with one of our fellow-members, Mark O. Wheaton, and during our work this year we have missed his helping hand and pleasant society.
ORVILLE P. RICHARDSON, ) Auditors. BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY,
INDEX.
Page.
Appropriations for 1896,
77
Appropriations recommended. 31
Account of Selectmen,
33
Bridges, 19,99
Current and Incidental, 33
Capron Street Sewer,
37
Court Fees,
38
Expense of Lockup,
36
Armory, Co. I. 36
36
East Street Sewer,
38
Enforcement of Liquor Law,
37
Fire Department,
38 38 30 34
Highways and Bridges,
Jury List,
45
Military Aid,
39
Police Service,
35
Record of 200th Anniversary,
36
Report of Assessors, 66 Auditors,
149
Board of Health, 119
Collectors of Taxes, 8 1
Engineers of Fire Department, 105
Inspector of Cattle and Milk, I29
Trustees of Public Library, 85
Librarian of Public Library, 89
Overseers of Poor, 145
Park Commissioners,
I37
Selectmen, 12
Superintendent of Streets, 95
Sinking Fund Commissioners, -
69
Trustees of Tri-Centennial, 71
-
75
Fire Alarm Bells, -
Guide Boards,
Elections,
I52
ANNUAL REPORT.
Stone Crusher,
16,34
Sidewalks, 30, 35, 99
Street Lights,
37
Street Watering,
21, 35, 100 -
Surveying and Plans, -
37
Soldiers' Burial,
39
Relief, -
-
-
41
State Aid,
40
Salaries of Town Officers,
43
Tool House,
24, 35
Thatcher Brook Drain,
25, 37
Town Officers,
3
Town Treasurer's Report,
5I
Bonds and Notes, 52, 60
Entrance to Sewers, -
55
Interest,
57
Licenses, -
5I
Miscellaneous,
52,59
North Attleboro, -
52
Notes, - -
56
Receipts, - -
5I
Expenditures, -
62
Tabulated Statement,
66, 67
Water Department,
61,70
66 Bonds,
61,64
Interest.
62
66 Miscellaneous,
62, 63
.6 Premium,
62
Receipts,
61
Recapitulation (Treasurer), - 65
Town Bonds, 65
Water Department, 65
-
-
-
-
2
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH
For the Year Ending December 31,
1897.
TLEBOR
0
OF
...
. TOWN
.............
I MASS
INC
C
1694
R
ATTLEBOROUGH, MASS. : THE ATTLEBORO PRESS, COR. UNION AND BAILEY STS. 1898.
TOWN OFFICERS. 1897=98.
SELECTMEN : EVERETT S. HORTON .. ABIJAH T. WALES. WILLIAM N. GOFF.
TOWN CLERK AND TREASURER : JOHN T. BATES.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR :
WILLIAM H. GOFF. ELIJAH R. READ.
GEORGE B. FITTZ.
ASSESSORS OF TAXES :
WILLIAM H. GOFF. JOSEPH O. MOWRY. ALONZO N. BROWNELL.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES : JOSEPH O. MOWRY.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND :
CHARLES E. BLISS. FRANK I. BABCOCK. EVERETT S. HORTON.
4
TOWN OFFICERS.
WATER COMMISSIONERS : GEORGE A. DEAN. LUCIUS Z. CARPENTER. WILLIAM M. STONE.
WATER REGISTRAR AND SUPERINTENDENT : .
WILLIAM J. LUTHER.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS : EVERETT S. HORTON.
PARK COMMISSIONERS : EVERETT S. CAPRON. WILLIAM J. LUTHER. GEORGE T. HOLMES.
ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT : HIRAM R. PACKARD, Chief. ORLANDO W. HAWKINS, JAMES HOWARTH, Assistants.
BOARD OF HEALTH :
CHARLES S. HOLDEN. CHARLES E. BLISS. GEORGE K. ROBERTS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
CHARLES E. BLISS, Chairman. HARRY P. KENT, Secretary.
EVERETT S. CAPRON. MISS LENORA P. BEERS.
. JOHN M. KNOWLES. MRS. LAURA V. G. MACKIE·
CHARLES H. WHEELER. WILLIAM H. GARNER.
BENJAMIN P. KING.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS : JOSEPH O. TIFFANY.
5
TOWN OFFICERS.
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY :
EVERETT S. HORTON, Chairman. CHARLES S. HOLDEN, Secretary.
LOUIS J. LAMB, MISS HELEN W. METCALF.
MRS. ALICE M. WALES. MISS ELIZABETH J. WILMARTH.
MARK E. ROWE, CHARLES H. WHEELER. ALEXANDER F. WALCH.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS :
JOHN T. BATES. GEORGE F. BICKNELL.
HENRY A. STREETER. HENRY A. ENBOM.
AUDITORS : ORVILLE P. RICHARDSON. BENJAMIN F. LINDSEY. CHARLES H. WHEELER.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES AND INSPECTOR OF OIL: LYMAN M. STANLEY.
INSPECTOR OF CATTLE, MILK AND PROVISIONS : GEORGE MACKIE.
CONSTABLES :
SETH R. BRIGGS. HORATIO BRIGGS. WALTER C. DIX. FRED E. GOFF.
GEORGE F. IDE. JOHN H. NERNEY. ELIJAH R. READ. CHARLES E. RILEY.
WILLIAM SPINNEY.
NIGHT PATROL :
ISAIAH M. INMAN. WILLIAM W. ADAMS.
6
TOWN OFFICERS.
FENCE VIEWERS : LYMAN M. STANLEY. EVERETT S. CAPRON. ISAAC ALGER.
SURVEYORS OF WOOD AND BARK.
GEORGE L. ADAMS.
CHARLES A. STURDY.
LUCIUS Z. CARPENTER.
HENRY W. GALLAGHER.
SHEPARD W. CARPENTER.
WILLIAM N. GOFF.
JAMES W. GIFFORD.
GEORGE A. MONROE.
CHARLES HOPKINS.
WILLIAM A. VICKERY.
FIRE POLICE.
SETH R. BRIGGS. FRED E. GOFF. DEXTER E. NEWELL. G. IRVING SIMPSON THOMAS F. GILROY.
POUND KEEPER. · FRANK E. LUTHER.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
Town of Attleborough,
MASS.
INTRODUCTORY.
To the People of Attleborough :
As we enter upon this the fourth year of the third century of our existence as a town, we consider it a duty as well as a privilege to present our annual report of the business transacted during the year just closed and to give an account of our stewardship while acting as your ser- vants, to whom you have, entrusted certain responsibilities and on whom you have conferred certain prerogatives and powers, also to offer such suggestions and make such rec- ommendations as we may deem fitting and proper for your consideration, with the hope and expectation that they will receive proper consideration at your hands, untram- meled by the prejudices engendered by the passions of ma- licious personalities which too often are allowed to enter into the conclusions of town meeting action.
In a town of our importance there must necessarily exist an honest diversity of opinion on many questions of town policy, and the fair and unprejudiced opinion of every citizen, if it gives evidence of careful consideration, prompted by a desire to advance the public weal, whether relating to the business methods of the town, viewed sim- ply from a business standpoint, or to the social or moral affairs of our people, should be respected and have due weight in the determination of any problem of town man- agement ; but mere criticism animated by personal preju- dice, when expressed from the mouth of thoughtless ignor- ance and founded only on malicious perversity, or present-
IO
ANNUAL REPORT.
ed to the public dribbling from the slimy pen of a scurril- ous public press should be allowed to "pass by as the idle wind which we respect not."
The year just closed has been marked by encourag- ing evidences of business improvement, and our manufact- uring interests have already experienced a touch of the rising tide of prosperity which within the past few months has been manifested among the varied manufacturing and commercial interests of our entire country.
A gradual gain has been made in the population of our town, notwithstanding the general depressed condition of the business of the country during the past few years, and our material development within the radius of our business centre, as developed in the opening of new street and the erection of new dwellings has shown a marked in- crease during the year just closed.
We know of no reason why Attleborough is not in as good condition to take advantage of the coming revival of business industry as any of the towns of the commonwealth.
The educational, social and moral condition of our people continue to maintain the high standard which has in the past characterized our town and given it a name and reputation of which every citizen should be proud.
Highways and Bridges.
The care for and general management of our high- ways demands a larger expenditure from year to year, un- til a higher standard is attained in the character of our road construction.
The present numberof miles of highway within our town limits, and the continual addition of new streets called for
II
ANNUAL REPORT.
by the development of our territory, which must not be unheeded, our increase in population, business and wealth, together with the general demand in nearly all· sections of the country for improvement on all the avenues of travel, clearly demonstrate the fact that if we are to keep pace with the progressive ideas which now prevail, our annual expenditure in this department, even when disbursed in accordance with one's best judgment, under existing con- ditions must be large.
The management of our Highway Department is per- plexing in its nature, by reason of existing conditions, and quite often hampered by developments which could not be foreseen, which sometimes detract from the satisfactory re- sults anticipated.
With the amount of money appropriated from year to year in this department, there must necessarily be many localities where the highways do not receive the attention and care which is desirable.
It has been our aim during the year just closed, to make advances on several lines of the work of this depart- ment, and in submitting this report of our work, we feel confident the candid and unbiased citizen, after a consid- eration of its extent, and the conditions under which it has been executed, will not fail to arrive at the conclusion that a general permanent improvement has been made in the condition or our highways.
Immediately after the organization of our board, we took into consideration the appointment of a Superintend- ent of Streets, in accordance with the provisions of the statutes.
The compensation of this official has been in the past $500 per year, and the position is one which demands a lot
12
ANNUAL REPORT
of time, care and business energy, aided by a careful study. of the conditions under which the duties are to be per- formed. After a thoughtful survey of the subject, our chairman, Major E. S. Horton, was prevailed upon to ac- cept the duties and responsibilities of the position without compensation.
His report of the management of the affairs of that de- partment is herewith appended.
Report of the Superintendent of Streets.
During the year just closed, a larger proportion of our Highway Appropriation has been expended outside of our business center than has been the ordinary custom, and a larger amount of labor performed, resulting in more per- manent improvement on our highways and streets than in any one year of our history.
The system of the preceding year regarding the division of the work on our highways, was adopted for the past year, and each of the three divisions of highway territory was placed in charge of a Division Superintendent, under whose direction all labor should be performed.
The South Division comprised that portion of territo- ry lying north of Seekonk and Pawtucket line, as far west as County street and including that street as far north as Thacher street, thence extending easterly to Rehoboth line. Mr. H. A Smith was placed in charge of the South Division:
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