USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1898 > Part 2
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22 06
Il. J. Cushing, medical attendance,
5 65
F. L. Parker, medicine,
1 40
Sargent Coal Co.,
6 25
129 02
Aid of Mrs. Otis Currier.
A. HI. Pierce, medical attendance, 26 00
F. L. Parker, medicine, 44 00
70 00
21
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Aid of George Jenkins.
Town of Sharon, supplies, $ 30 98
Aid of Susan Sargent.
II. J. Cushing, medical attendance. 8 00
H. J. Cushing, med. attendance to child, 6 00
14 00
Aid of Lydia Goodwin. Sargent Coal Co., coal, 3 13
3 13
Aid of Horace Cooper.
H. II. Bean, coal, 5 75
Town of Amesbury, supplies,
7 13
12 SS
Aid of Mrs. John Jenkins. F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance, 2 00
F. L. Parker, medicine, 3 65
5 65
Aid of James A. Mason .
J. B. Heath & Son, burial,
20 00
I. H. Pendergast, hearse,
3 00
Sargent Coal Co.,
3 33
Wood Bros., moving,
3 50
J. E. Currier, rent,
5 00
34 83
Aid of Moses Blotner.
F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance,
5 00
II. J. Cushing, medical attendance,
1 25
J. H. Cleary, groceries,
3 00
12 25
Aid of Michael Burke.
HI. J. Cushing, medical attendance,
12 50
J. HI. Cleary, groceries,
70 50
83 00
Aid of John O'Brien.
Town of Amesbury, supplies,
23 57
E. HI. Alexander, coal,
2 SS
26 45
Aid of Kate McCabe.
Town of Amesbury, 2-5 support,
41 60
41 60
$ 30 98
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Aid of Margaret Noon.
Il. J. Cushing, medical attendance. $ 6 25
$ 6 25
Aid of Alice Butterfield.
F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance, 32 00
J. B. Heath & Son, casket, 14 00
F. L. Parker, medicine, 3 65
1. 11. Pendergast, hearse, 4 00
Geo. Mason, digging grave, 2 00
Sophia Kippenberger, nurse, 20 00
Mrs. A. Hanna, board of nurse, 7 00
82 65
Aid of Mrs. Blackburn.
Robert Noble, board, 92 00
Little & Co., supplies, 4 20
F. L. Parker, medicine, 5 10
F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance, 45 50
S. A. McConnell, medicine,
12 92
T. L. Goodwin, expenses to Salem and Lawrence, 6 00
Hattie Lockwood, witness at Lawrence, 2 00
Julia A. Hale, witness at Lawrence, 2 00
F. O. Raymond, serving warrant, 11 05
ISO 77
Aid of Mrs. Wm. Bellell.
City of Newburyport, rent and fuel, 74 50
R. C. Huntington, rent, 13 00
Sargent Coal Co., 2 60
II. J. Cushing, medical attendance, 18 20
108 30
J. B. Heath & Sons, casket, re-imbursed by state,
35 00
Expense of Board of Selectmen visiting poor according to acts of 1897, 11 10
11 10
Aid of Lyman Sargent.
Moses Bailey, board,
33 00
J. S. Evans, shoes, 2 25
35 00
Kempton & Co., clothing, 6 00
41 25
23
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Aid of W. O. Haddock.
City of Newton, supplies, $ 29 20
$ 29 20
Aid of Edward Twombly.
Alex. Hanna, quarantine, 15 50
J. T. Crosby, cleaning vault, 2 50
B. A. Veal, nurse,
60 00
F. L. Parker, medicine,
2 00
F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance, 1 00
W. A. Howe, fumigating,
3 00
84 00
Aid of John Sternes, state account.
II. J. Cushing, medical attendance, 23 95
6 32
J. H. Cleary, groceries, R. R. Sorenson, groceries, 3 00
33 27
Aid of John Antell, state account.
HI. J. Cushing, medical attendance, 26 50
F. E. Sweetsir, medical attendance, 25 00
J. B. Heath & Son, burial, IO 25
Preble Bros., groceries, + 26
Geo. A. Titcomb, provisions,
1 51
E. S. Mckay, milk,
I 95
69 47
Aid of Jacob Fowler.
H. J. Cushing, vacinating two children,
2 00
2 00
Aid of John Marsh, H. J. Cushing, medical attendance,
13 50
13 50
Support of Patients at Insane Asylum.
Danvers Asylum, for 1896, (carried over. )
Mrs. Ellen Crowley,
65 01
Chauncy Knowlton,
42 71
· Wm. Carr,
42 71
1897
Adeline Lawson,
165 47
Chauncy Knowlton,
165 47
Wm. Carr,
165 47
Homer Labrie,
95 IO
-- 150 43
591 51
.
2.4
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
.
Medfield Asylum. Michael Riley, 127 90
127 90
$2,685 59
Due from State, account of John Marsh, $ 13 50
. 6 State on account of John Sternes, 33 27
66 State on account John Antell, 69 47
Burial fund, 35 00
66 City of Newburyport, acct. of J. Fowler, 2 00
66 City of Newburyport acct. A. Butterfield, 82 65
66 Mrs. Ellen Crowley estate, 117 96
66 Joseph Blackburn,
180 77
Edward Twombly, 67 50
Appropriation, 2,000 00
Overdrawn, 83 47
$ 2,685 59
LIBRARY DEPARTMENT. .
Paid D. J. Poore, treasurer, $ 500 00
Appropriation, 500 00
MEMORIAL DAY.
Paid Col. C. R. Mudge Post 114 G. A. R., $ 75 00 Appropriation, 75 00
25
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
R. D. McKeen, superintendent, $ 319 95
C. C. Ferguson, principal High school, 1,177 50
L. F. Tucker, assistant 66 588 75
A. L. Knight, assistant 200 00
L. A. Crawford, Grammar, 487 50
Emma Pearson, 66
390 00
Ida Blaisdell, Port 66
438 75
Jessie L. Holmes, Grammar,
438 75
Mary H. Head, Intermediate, 390 00
Annie R. Hunter, 390 00
Etta Colby, Primary, 390 00
Carrie Evans, Prospect Street Primary,
390 00
L. C. Brackett, Middle Street Primary, 390 00
Hattie A. Baxter, Port Primary 390 00
Abbie Clement, Bear Hill,
341 25
Lizzie Smith, Music,
205 53
Mary L. Cook, Drawing,
56 00
Mrs. S. E. Price, Drawing,
126 00
D. Moyer Staley, writing, 21 50
C. P. Baker, janitor, 231 00
Mrs. Edward Whalen, janitor, Prospect street, 78 00
Isaac Heald, janitor, Port, 52 80
John Sargent, janitor, Port, 25 20
Harry Morgan, janitor, Bear Hill, 20 00
Edward Emerson, janitor
16 00
John Davis, janitor 66 3 00
E. C. Sherman, janitor, Middle street,
155 75
W. G. Bailey, transportation of pupils, 372 50
James Il. Foster, janitor Highland School, 6 00
D. C. Heath, supplies,
27 71
Franklin Educational Co.,
8.82
A. E. Foote,
9 00
Ginn & Co.,
84 32
Mary L. Cook, 88
26
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
R. D. McKeen, expenses,
$ 4 20
Ziegler Electric Co.,
13 36
Thompson & Brown, 4 45
Hines & Noble,
3 20
Director of Old South Works.
1 25
Miss M. A. Pearson,
2 40
Little & Co.,
8 07
James A. Hale,
1 00
T. H. Hoyt,
2 00
Sargent Coal Co.,
308 78
S. C. Pease & Sons, varnish,
9 00
C. E. Knott & Co.,
3 00
J. L. Hammett Co., books and supplies,
IIS 76
Geo. S. Perry & Co.,
75 13
Howard & Brown,
10 50
First National Bank;
10 00
Preble Bros.,
7 39
Allyn & Bacon,
13 93
Henry Holt & Co.,
25 62
Silver Burdett & Co.,
46 72
F. E. Pease,
63
Houghton, Mufflin & Co.,
41 51
Emma Pearson,
1 00
Frost & Adams Co.,
5 60
F. W. Peabody, tuning piano,
2 00
Edward E. Babb,
34 09
American Book Co.,
22 00
S. A. McConnell,
51 87
Story & Co.,
3 49
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn,
69 22
Harper & Brothers,
9 42
Great Round World Publishing Co.,
1 75
Educational Publishing Co.,
SS
John Muldoon, stock and labor,
37 25
C. B. Heath, printing,
26 50
W. W. Lydston,
22 50
E. P. Sargent,
50
W. H. Scott,
4 25
W. B. Chapman Estate,
1 15
Mrs. I. Heald, cleaning school rooms,
IO 00
1
27
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
James Cooper, 15 63
Charles A. Stevens,
11 25
E. C. Emerson, 3 00
C. P. Baker, cleaning school rooms,
35 10
J. B. Heath, stock and labor,. 27 69
E. C. Sherman, cleaning school rooms, .10 00
A. L. Baxter, repairs, 8 50
Mrs. Edw. Whalen, cleaning school room,
16 00
W. H. Thomas, stock and labor,
32 76
N. L. Howe, putting in radiator,
I8 30
Exeter Machine Works,
68 57
Alex. Hanna, truant officer,
25
Wm. Jones, stock and labor,
3 So
F. L. Parker, supplies,
34 77
C. W. Chapman, stock and labor,
49 61
F. C. Williams, repairing,
75
I. II. Pendergast. team,
50
Goodwin & Kendrick, oil stove,
10 00
T. H. Hoyt, stamps,
2 26
W. C. Russell, expressage,
4 45
II. G. Hudson, cleaning clock,
1 50
Bion Green,
65
J. E. Currier,
18 46
J. H. Cleary,
13 86
American Express Co.,
16 So
C. P. Baker, taking school census,
10 00
C. P. Baker, truant officer and supplies,
5 70
D. Moyer Staley, traveling expenses,
4 35
$ 9,664 34
Unexpended,
55 59
$ 9,719 93
Appropriation, $ 8,300 00
Superintendent, 3,50 00
Received from sale of books, 79 18
Received from state, acc't Superintendent,
500 00
Received from Mass. School Fund, 341 71
Dog Tax,
149 04
$ 9,719 93
28
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
State and Military Aid.
STATE AID.
For twelve months ending February 1, 1898.
George F. Bailey,
$ 33 00
John Doherty,
36 00
Margaret Handley,
46 00
Mary A. Hughes,
46 00
John Jenkins,
60 00
Rebecca Kennett,
48 00
Stephen D. Kennett,
48 00
Lydia A. Kennett,
48 00
William F. Martins,
60 00
Adeline Noyes,
24 00
Ellen Rowe,
30 00
Bryant Shays,
48 00
Pluma A. Shays,
37 00
Mary Whalan,
48 00
Hannah V. Gordon,
4 00
$ 616 00
MILITARY AID.
Lyman Sargent,
$ 144 00
$ 144 00
29
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Sargent Hall.
MERRIMAC, MASS., January 15, 1898.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen-The report of Sargent Hall is as follows; From January 15, 1897, to January 15, 1898, the Hall has been opened 29 times.
Received for rent of hall, $ 113 50
Paid Town Treasurer, 113 50
THOMAS PARKIN, Janitor.
Police Report.
MERRIMAC, MASS., February 1, IS98.
Arrests by Police for year ending Feb 1, 1898,
Assault,
I
By entering,
I
Drunkeness,
S
Malicious Mischief,
I
Larceny,
Violation Town By-Laws,
2
For Out-of-Town Officers, 2
Number of Lodgers,
J. FRED IVES, Chief of Police.
30
. SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
JURY LIST.
List of names to be voted on for Jurors at the Annual Town Meeting to be held Monday, March 7, 1898 :
NAME.
James W. Bailey,
Richard S. Bailey, Joseph W. Bartlett, George Brown, George W. Currier, Henry P. Davis,
William II. Emerson,
Horace K. Emery, Andrew J. Fullington, Melville S. Gibbs, George A. Grant, Frank E. Hale,
F. E. Harrington,
Maple st.,
Lawson W. Howe,
Charles E. Hoyt,
Charles H. Hughes, Everett L. Jewell, Heman W. Kelley, Willard B. Kelley, James M. Knight, Albert A. Lewis, Pine st.,
RESIDENCE.
OCCUPATION.
Carriagemaker.
Carriage Trimmer. Bartlett st., Carriage Woodworker. Main st.,
Carriage Painter. Main st., Church st., Carriage Woodworker. Carriage Blacksmith. Bear Hill st., Farmer and Jobber. Grove st., Carriage Woodworker. Nichols st., Carriage Trimmer. Locust st., Contractor. Merrimac st., Carriage Bodymaker Main st., Carriage Woodworker. Carriage Trimmer. Forest st., Wheelwright.
Birch Meadow.
Farmer. Merrimac st., Carriage Bodymaker. Forest st.," Carriage Bodymaker. Woodland st., Carriage Bodymaker. Birch Meadow,
Farmer.
Main st., Insurance Agent. Shoemaker.
1
Merrimac st.,
Merrimac st.,
31
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Charles E. Little, Edward C. Little, James T. Locke, Charles A. Noyes, George E. Ricker, J. H. Parker Thornell, J. Austin Lancaster, J. C. Libby,
George F. Kendrick, Arthur C. Sargent, Walter H. Sargent, T. Monroe Sargent, George B. Patten, Thomas Stoyle, Cyrus D. Trull,
John J. Woodman,
Charles E. Drew,
Joseph W. Nichols, John Shechan, John J. Minahan, A. Wesley Colby, Arthur W. Chase, Charles N. Sargent,
Main st.,
Main st., Pleasant st., Main st., Main st.,
Main st.,
Main st.,
Pleasant st.,
Main st., Main st.,
Bear Hill,
Birch Meadow,
Main st., School st., Hadley, Main st.,
Church st.,
Forest st.,
Adams st., Lincoln st.,
Merrimac st.,
Merrimac st.,
Merrimac st.,
Retired Liveryman. Farmer. Wheelwright. Manufacturer. Carriage Trimmer. Carriage Trimmer. . Manufacturer. Contractor. Merchant. Carriage Trimmer. Farmer. Shoemaker. Manufacturer. Carriage Trimmer. Farmer.
Farmer. Retired. Carriage Woodworker. Carriage Blacksmith. Blacksmith. Trimmer.
Manufacturer. Farmer.
32
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Locust Grove Cemetery.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES, For the Year Ending March 1, 1898.
I 897. Feb. 9.
DR.
To balance as per report, $ 14 86
Deposit in savings bank, 500 00
Interest 66 So 02
Cash received from sale of lots, 125 00
Cash received from sale of posts, 9 00
Cash received from Town of Merrimac, 14 15
$ 743 03 1
1 897. April I.
CR.
By cash paid Morrill Gould, teaming, $ 5 00
5 .
Mr. Trefethen, labor, 4 40
S.
Mr. Torrey, sawing, 4 75
IO.
C. A. Wallace, labor, 10 70
25
20.
T. Thurlow, trees,
IO 25
May I.
for tools,
I 00
IO.
for teaming,
9 00
Mr. Woodman, labor,
1 00
12.
Mr. Goodwin, labor,
1 50
15.
Mr. Doherty, labor,
7 00
20.
C. A. Wallace, labor,
3 40
24.
Mr. Gale, labor,
20
Aug. 5.
for printing,
6 00
Nov. I.
C. A. Wallace, labor,
9 50
Deposit in Savings Bank,
580 02
Deposit in National Bank,
88 06
Respectfully submitted, J. A. LANCASTER, GEORGE G. LARKIN, C. E. ROWELL,
Trustees, Merrimac, January 14, 1898.
$ 743 03
for teaming,
33
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CHURCH STREET CEMETERY REPAIRS.
Appropriation March 1897, $ 100 00
By paid Heath Bros., labor and stock, 27 75
Wheel & Gear, sawing and planing,
Cutting, drawing and sawing locust posts,* 14 15
$ 44 70
Unexpended,
$ 55 30
J. A. LANCASTER, GEORGE G. LARKIN, C. E. ROWELL, } Committee.
*60 large and small locust posts for sale.
STATISTICS FROM VALUATION BOOK. '
1897.
Valuation of Real Estate,
$ 980,250 00
66 Personal Property,
340,248 00
66 Resident Bank Stock, 69,650 00
Non-Resident Bank Stock, 70,350 00
637
for poll tax only,
347
66 of Polls,
709
66
acres of land,
4,955.37
dwelling houses,
533
66 horses,
243
cows,
225
66
sheep,
O
66
swine,
54
neat cattle other than cows,
56
66 fowls and value, 931 $ 465 50
$ 23,646 26
Rate of taxation per $1,000,
17 00
County tax,
1
1,210 94
State tax,
945 00
Total tax assessed,
Public property remains about the same as scheduled in 1896 only continually depreciating in value as it grows older.
Number of persons assessed on property,
34
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
NOTE AND INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Balance of Note Merrimac Savings Bank, October 28, 1896, $ 2,000 00
Paid Note of Merrimac Savings Bank,
March 8, 1897, 2,000 00
Paid Note of Merrimac Savings Bank, April 10, 1897, 2,000 00
Paid Note of Merrimac Savings Bank, May 3, 1897, 2,500 00
Paid Note of Merrimac Savings Bank, June 7, 1897, 2,500 00
Paid Note of Bond & Goodwin,
July 2, 1897, 6,500 00
-
$ 17,500 00
Interest paid,
Note of October 28, 1896,
$ 68 73
March 8, 1897,
30 44
April 10, 1897, 26 00
66 May 3, 1897,
24 17
June 7, 1897,
6 II
66 July 2, 1897,
32 50
$ 187 95
RECAPITULATION.
Department.
Appropr'n.
Rec'd other Sources.
Expended.
Unexp'n'd.
Overd'n.
Schools, Supt. of Schools,
$ 8,300 00
State acct Supt. 500 00
$ 9,664 34
$ 55 59
.350 00
Mass. Sch. Fd. 341 71
Old Books, 79 18
Dog Tax,
149 04
Poor,
2,000 00
Newburyport, S4 65
2,685 59
83 76
Jos. Blackburn, 180 77
State, 150 95
Crowley estate, 117 96
E. Twombly,
67 50
Highways,
1,800 00
2,435 07
567 41
Sidewalks,
200 00
340 70
117 43
Street Lights,
700 00
608 72
91 25
Fire Department,
2,200 00
2,170 90
29 10
Public Library,
500 00
500 00
Memorial Day,
75 00
75 00
Interest,
200 00
187 95
12 .05
Miscellaneous,
600 00
767 65
167 65
Discount on Taxes,
850 00
807 09
42 91
Town Officers,
1,598 00
1,651 16
53 16
Total,
19,373 00
1,762 69
21,894 17
230 90
989 41
Bicycles,
67 66
Nichols est.,
23 27
1
Town Clerk's Report.
!
BIRTHS.
Number of births returned,
37
Males, 17
Females, .20
Fathers, native born, 29
Mothers,
29
Father and mother both native born, 66
25
foreign " 4
MARRIAGES.
Number of marriages recorded,
IS
First marriage of groom, 66 66 bride,
I3
17
Grooms native born,
16
Brides 66
16
Average age of groom,
bride,
30 years, 4 months. 28 years, 8 months.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT. .
37
DEATHS.
Number of deaths returned,
31
Males, 16
Females, 15
Average age, 50 years, II months, 7 days.
Oldest person, 94 years 11 months, 20 days.
Under 5 years,
4
Males, native born,
13
Females,
14
Of native parentage,
22
foreign 66
7
mixed
2
DOGS.
Number of dogs licensed, S7
Males,
83
1
Females,
4
BAILEY SARGENT, Town Clerk.
REPORT OF THE
Trustees of the Public Library,
OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC.
To the Board of Selectmen :
In presenting you this twenty-second annual report of the Public Library we can note nothing of importance aside from the usual routine of library work.
During the year the rooms have been opened 90 times and a total of 6,583 volumes delivered ; the largest number in one day was 136; the following was the delivery by months ; February, ( 1897) 332 ; March, 679; April, 565; May, 737; June, 582 ; July, 578; September, 514 ; October, 700; Nov- ember, 594;'December, 500; January, (1898) So2 ;
There has been 140 volumes added to the Library, of these III were purchased by the trustees, 26 were presented by the Commonwealth, and 3 years' files of the Budget, pre- sented by the publisher, the latter have been bound and placed on the shelves of the Reference room. Through the kindness of Representative Moody we have continued to receive daily the Congressional Record and also a number of other Government publications of public interest.
The matter of a new catalogue and re-numbering the books which has so long been considered is now definitely settled and work on this has been commenced, the Dewey
39
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
system of numbering which has many excellent features and used by a large number of Libraries in the United States, has . been adopted by the Trustees. The work has been so arrang- ed that the numbering and any changes will be done during the usual summer closing, and the new catalogues printed ready for the opening in September. Meanwhile the work will not interfere with regular opening and use of the Library as usual.
As this work with the cost of printing the catalogue, etc., will call for a large expenditure the Board of Trustees have put off other outlays as much as possible for the present in order to have sufficient funds without calling on the town for an extra appropriation. This will explain why there is a larger unexpended balance than usual at the close of the financial year but this balance is mostly due on accounts already contracted, and we would therefore most respectfully ask for not less than the usual appropriation of $500.
Respectfully submitted,
S. A. McCONNELL, GEO. G. LARKIN, JAMES F. PEASE, CHAS. W. SAWYER, R. S. BAILEY, GEO. O. GOODWIN. Trustees.
S. A. McCONNELL, Secretary.
40
PUBLIC LIBRARY REPORT.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
For the Year ending March 1, IS98.
D. J. POORE, Treasurer, in account with the Merrimac Public Library.
DR.
To balance from previous year, $ 14 13
Received from appropriation, 500 00
$ 514 13
CR.
By paid for Books and Magazines, $ 129 26
Librarian,
200 00
Binding Books,
28 95
Printing,
12 25
Fuel,
29 40
Work on New Catalogues, 25 00
Lighting,
3 10
Express,
2 70
Postage, 96
Sundry supplies,
8 75
Cash on hand,
73 76
$ 514 13
Respectfully submitted,
D. J. POORE, Treasurer.
Merrimac, February 15, 1898.
Annual Report of the Board of Engineers.
MERRIMAC FIRE DEPARTMENT.
MERRIMAC, MASS., FEB. Ist, 1898.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Merrimac :
The Board of Engineers of the Merrimac Fire Depart- ment wish to submit the following report.
The Fire Apparatus consists of one Steam Fire Engine, one two-horse Hose Wagon, one Hand Engine, one ' Hand Hose Reel, one two-horse Hook and Ladder Truck, Five Extinguishers, together with ladders, axes, bars, life net, life line, gun, etc.
In the town report of 1896 it stated that the Fire Department had two Extinguishers, in the town report of 1897 it reported the Department with five extinguishers and it failed to report how the Department came to increase the number.
The Board wish to say that they exchanged an old hand hose reel which was stored in the cellar of the building now occupied by the band in the rear of the Engine House and owned by the town for three extinguishers, the axle was sprung on the reel and it was of no use whatever, entirely out of repair and fast going to pieces, while the extinguishers are bran new, latest thing made, and first-class in every respect.
We think it was a good trade as the reel was of no use to the Department and the extinguishers are liable to be called
42
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
into use any minute. We now carry two extinguishers on the Hook and Ladder Truck, two on the Hose Wagon and one at Merrimacport.
We have now nothing but double jacket knit hose in the Department, there is 1900 feet 13 years old, and 1750 feet of new hose some of which has never been used.
We had an appropriation last year of $700 to buy 1000 feet of hose. We bought 1200 feet for $600 and exchanged all our leather hose consisting of 2216 lbs. for 550 feet of hose just like what we bought outright, two hose pipes, and two extinguisher holders for the ladder truck, leaving a balance of $100 unexpended from that appropriation.
We have added two men to our working force. By placing two extinguishers on the Hook and Ladder Truck it was necessary to oblige two men from that company to manage them, thereby not leaving sufficient men to handle the heavy extension ladder, so their company now consists of 12 men instead of 10.
We have also added three fire alarm boxes, one in I. H. Pendergast's Stable known as box No. 16, one outside of J. B. Judkins & Sons Co. Carriage factory, Box No. 15, the other outside of the Central Engine house, Box No. 12, the last two boxes can be used any time day or night by breaking the glass and following the directions.
Last year the men who furnished horses to draw the apparatus complained that after running their norses with the heavy machines they had nothing to cover them with. They could not afford to buy blankets and keep on the apparatus and the property owners could not afford after a fire alarm to wait until they found some blankets and stopped to take them with them, as everybody knows that a minute at the begin- ning of a fire is worth fifteen later on, so the Board has purchased three pairs of blankets to be used only on the horses which are called out at an alarm and never to be taken
43
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
from the different pieces of apparatus except to be used as spoken of above.
We have bought ten new army coats so that every fire- man in the Department, except the men who work on the breaks of the Gen. McClellan have a good warm coat with a heavy cap to wear only when working for the Fire Depart- ment.
There has been a pole placed in the Hook & Ladder Truck so as to have a pair of horses, thereby enabling them to get to a fire much quicker.
The Steam Fire Engine has had no repairs at all, the only outlay being some Pump Head Screws and Valve Springs costing $1.80.
There have been two alarms of fire. March 26, 1897 at 3.30 p. m. an alarm was rung in from Box 24 by Mrs. Alex Oxley for a fire on Nichols Avenue, in the house occupied by John Fitzgerald, cause unknown. Mr. Fitzgerald had been away that afternoon, and on returning, found his house on fire. He had the fire under control when the firemen arrived, so that the contents of an extinguisher soon put out what httle fire there was, There was no water played on the building, and the all-out blew at 4 p. m. The property was owned. by Mrs. John C. Bucklin of Newton, N. H., and was insured for $500.00, loss about $50 ; no loss on contents.
April 13, 1897 at 2.30 p. m., an alarm sounded from Box 13 for a grass fire in the rear of the residence of R. H. Sargent. The firemen quickly arrived and after half an hour's work extinguished the fire. The all-out sounded at 3.15 p. m. The fire was caused by burning brush and it got beyond the control of the men who were tending it. There was no loss.
There have been reported a number of small fires like lamps exploding, etc., but we are pleased to say that they
44
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
were checked with little damage to property and without
a general alarmı.
This year the Board have allowed the Selectmen to use the $100. unexpended on hose to insure the Fire Department building. In 1896 this amount was taken from miscellaneous the same fund from which the insurance of the School buildings comes from, in 1895 an appropriation of $100 was made purposely for this object. We have paid from our regular appropriation all the expenses caused, by brush and grass fires, amounting to $34.13, which formerly has been paid from another source. Now the Board cannot do this every year and have an unexpended balance, it being done this year is only due to so few fires, the Steamer being in good repair, and not having had to buy any kennel coal, which is used by the Steamer and is very costly.
The Fire Department alone need every cent of the $1500 and cannot keep out of debt on less than that amount.
The Board recommend that $1600 be appropriated for the expenses of the Department the coming year, and that they insure their own property.
Trusting that the coming year may go on record with as little loss by fire as the year just ended, we remain
Yours Respectfully,
WM. M. CHASE, Chief, J. B. THORN, Ist Assistant, WM. S. JONAH, 2d Assistant.
Treasurer's Report.
D. J. POORE, Treasurer, in account with the Town of
Merrimac.
DR.
March I. To Balance, $ 530 12
2. " Mrs. A. B. Morse, sidewalk, 50
" J. Cleary Estate, 12 00
IO. " Geo. W. Cate, court fees, 2 92
13.
" Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 2,000 00
April IO.
" Geo. W. Cate, court fees, IO 82
15. " Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 2,000 00
May 4. " Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 2,500 00 " Geo. W. Cate. court fees, 6 76
July 3.
18. " Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 2,500 00 " Loan, Bond and Goodwin, 6,500 00
Aug. 31. " State Treasurer, insp. of cattle, 25 00 1
Sept. 7. " Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 2,000 00 Oct. 2. " School Committee, 70 00
9. " City of Newburyport, S2 65
12. " Geo. W. Cate, court fees, 1 57
20.
" Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 1,500 00
Nov. 4 .
" School Committee, 500 00
16. " Geo. W. Cate, court fees, I 02
20.
" G. W. Nichols, heirs, sidewalk, 23 27
13. " Geo. W. Cate, court fees, 3 00
27. " Loan, Merrimac Savings Bank, 1,000 00 1898.
Jan. I.
" Geo. W. Cate, court fees, I 24
7. " Blackburn case, 130 00
" H., M. & A. St. Ry. Co., 200 00
June 2 .
46
TREASURER'S REPORT.
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