Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1916-1917, Part 11

Author: Milford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 352


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1916-1917 > Part 11


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APPROPRIATION FOR TOWN DEPARTMENTS.


We recommend the following appropriations for the year ending December 31, 1916 ;-


Board of Health


$2,600 00


(1915-$2300).


Care of trees and shrubs


500 00


(1915-$500). .


·


Fire department :-


Pay of members . $9,200 00


15


(1915-$9200).


Incidentals


$2,500 00 (1915-$2200).


800 00


Repairs . (1915-$800.00). 1


$12,500 00


Fees. Chapter 204, Rev. Laws 1902 (1915-$500).


500 00


Gypsy moth suppression . (1915-$1500)


1,000 00


Highways, excise tax and .


13,000 00


(1915-Excise tax and $13,000).


Incidentals, income and .


4,000 00


(1915-Income and $4000).


Interest


15,500 00


(1915-$12,000)


Memorial Day


(1915-$165).


Memorial Hall


900 00


(1915-$900)


Military aid .


200 00


(1915 -- $200).


North Purchase cemetery . (1915-$25)


25 00


Poor :-


General appropriation (1915-$15,000).


14,000 00


Mothers' aid .


4,000 00


(1915-$3500).


140 00


Playground supervision · · 300 00


(1915-$300).


Repairing cupola on Town Hall building (1915-$1500).


300 00


Salaries : -- General . (1915-$9975).


10,500 00


.


Planting trees (1915-$140).


.


165 00


16


Police department


$ 4,675 00 (1915-$4675).


Secretary of finance commission


50 00


(1915-$50).


Schools and repairs .


65,000 00


(1915-$65,000).


2,500 00


Sidewalks . (1915-$2000).


2,000 00


Street lighting


11,000 00


(1915-$11,000).


Soldiers' relief


4,000 00


(1915-$4000).


21,400 00


Town debt . (1915-$16,000).


Town Hall, income and .


1,000 00 1


(1915,-income and $700).


Repairing steps and painting building


700 00


Town library, dog tax and. (1915 -- dog tax and $600).


1,000 00


Care of trees on same .


100 00


(1915-$200).


200 00


Treasurer's bond, defraying premium on (1915-$200). Vernon Grove cemetery (1915-$150)


150 00


Water for fire purposes (1915-$6,200).


6,500 00


Water cost to be assessed to abutters


900 00 (1915-$900)


Watering streets and laying dust, street water- ing tax and . (1915-$1,000).


1,000 00


Total recommended · · . $202,905 00 (Total recommended 1915-$198,920).


600 00


Town parks (1915-$700).


Sewer plant maintenance . (1915-$2500).


17


TOWN WARRANT.


For the past few years special appropriations have been asked for highways in the town warrant, and they have in- creased each year. In the present warrant five different arti- cles call for $15,000.00 for this purpose. If these are passed upon favorably it will result in an appropriation of $28,000 00 together with the excise tax for highways, a sum greatly in excess of any the town has yet seen fit to give. After care- ful consideration of the articles therefore, having due consid- eration for the needs of the streets concerned, we recommend the following actions :-


That Article 15, relative to an appropriation of $3,000 00 for Congress street, from Fountain street northerly, be passed over.


Under Article 17, relative to an appropriation of $4,000.00 for West street from Congress street to Quinlan street, that the sum be reduced to $2,000.00.


That Article 20, relative to an appropriation of $3,000.00, for Congress street from Exchange street northerly, be acted upon favorably.


Under Article 27, relative to an appropriation of $4,000.00, for Purchase street from Wales street south, that the sum be reduced to $2,000.00.


That Article 28, relative to an appropriation of $1,000.00, for Grant street, be passed over.


No provision has ever been made by the town for the payment of the premium on the tax collector's bond. Conse- quently personal sureties have been secured by previous col - lectors, thereby placing themselves under obligations to their friends. It has been the policy of towns to discourage this practice and Milford has already done so upon the town treas- urer's bond. Accordingly under Article 22, relative to the raising of a sum of money to defray the premium of the tax collector's bond, we recommend that the town vote to pay the premium on such bond and that $200 be appropriated for that purpose.


Under Article 5, relative to the compensation of the tax


18


collector, we recommend that it be fixed at 8-10 of one per cent upon the amount he may collect.


Last year a request for a contribution to the George Washington Memorial Building was made by substantial men formed as a committee for that purpose. This memorial to the first President, aside from its patriotic significance, will serve as a building for practical uses for matters pertaining to the welfare of the people. Milford should not be alone in re- fusing to give some response to this situation and we there- fore recommend that Article 14, relative to an appropriation of $550 therefor, be acted upon favorably.


A new road roller is an immediate necessity in the high- way department. Estimates have been received which seem to indicate that one suitable for Milford can be purchased for $2700 to $2800, with the old roller added in exchange. Ac- cordingly under Article 33, relative to an appropriation of $3200 for that purpose, we recommend that the sum be re- duced to $2800.


Milford is not a populous community and much available open space is at hand for playground. Caution should be ex- ercised in further increases for the supervision of this matter, and we having recommended $300 in the appropriations for that purpose, we now recommend that Article 16, relative to an appropriation of $500 therefor, be passed over.


Five hundred dollars was given to Vernon Grove ceme- tery in 1915 to build a tool house. The original scheme was to construct, with the tool house and the present tomb, a chapel, so as to make one complete building. It is desirable to complete the scheme and accordingly we recommend that Article 13 in the warrant be passed over, with the probable expectation that at some future time a sufficient sum will then be available for that purpose.


A dental clinic for school children is recommended by the superintendent of schools, in his annual report. This is un- do ubtedly desirable, but the present condition of the town fi nances will not permit sufficient appropriation for that pur-


19


pose. We therefore recommend that Article 25 be passed over.


Under Article 21, relative to an appropriation of $800 for cleaning the Charles River, we recommend the sum be re- duced to $300.


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.


In recent years the election of the Overseers of the Poor for three-year terms has been urged upon the Finance Com- mission. The wisdom of a policy which permits the possibil- ity of three new men being elected in any one year who may be unfamiliar with the settlement laws and other more or less technical practice which is characteristic of this department has been seriously questioned. This year we feel some defi- nite action should be taken and accordingly we recommend to the town, that :-


The Overseers of the Poor be elected for three-year terms, and to accomplish this end, one be elected for one year, one for two years, and one for three years as soon as may be, and thereafter one be elected each successive year for a three- year term.


FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The advisability of a motor driven chemical for the fire department is not now questioned. The fire engineers have demonstrated that it can be maintained at one-fifth of the cost of the present horse drawn chemical. Further this vehicle will perform most of the duties of the department, in answering most of the calls. We therefore recommend that :-


A sum of money be appropriated not exceeding $1500 for the purchase of a motor driven chemical.


A proposition has been made to the fire engineers for the purchase of a tractor for the hook and ladder truck. We recommend that $1800 be appropriated for this purpose, and that the fire engineers make sufficient investigation and trials, and, if expedient, make the purchase.


It has been brought to the attention of the finance com- mission that the present number of men in the department is


-


20


excessive. We therefore recommend that each company be reduced to nine men.


We also recommend that a committee of three from the finance commission, of which the chairman shall be one, be appointed to investigate and report what changes can be made in the direction of economy and efficiency in the fire depart- ment.


These recommendations are made, in view of the in- creased cost of motor driven vehicles, which should result in a saving in some branch of that service.


TAX COLLECTOR.


Recent events have demonstrated the requirement that the tax collector be paid some definite compensation for the collection of sewer assessments. We therefore recommend that :- The town vote that all sewer assessments hereafter collected, be compensated for at the current rates, as they may then appear.


At the town meeting of November, 1915, it was voted to appropriate $2500 to pay the estate of William P. Foley, as a salary for collecting sewer assessments. No money has ever been available for that purpose and we accordingly recom- mend that :-


A sum of money be appropriated, not to exceed $2500, to pay the estate of William P. Foley his just compensation for the collection of sewer assessments and his expenses.


HIGHWAYS.


We recommend that from the general appropriation for highways, a sum not exceeding $1000, be applied to re-build- ing Mechanic street from Purchase street to the land of the Milford Holding Company.


SEWER DEPARTMENT.


The sewer commission has demonstrated the poor condi- tion of the carriers at the sewer beds and the necessity of building new ones. Two kinds may be built, all wood or con- crete base with wood sides, the latter at an increased cost, but of a lasting construction. We therefore recommend that :-


·


2 I


If any carriers are constructed at the sewer beds that they be of concrete base.


At the time of the building of the sewer system it was planned and so represented that what assessments might be collected should be applied to reducing the sewer bonds and interest thereon, which were incurred for its construction. This has never been done, the amount having been used for maintenance. We therefore recommend that all assessments collected in the future shall be paid to the town treasurer for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of the bonds, in so far as they are sufficient.


We recommend that Article 24, relative to appointment of a committee to bond the town in excess of its debt limit for further construction of sewers, be passed over.


SCHOOLS.


The cost of maintaining the school department has in- creased from $46,000 in 1911 to $65,000 in 1915. The school committee this year presented a budget which asks for the further increase to $72,050. This rate of increase the finance commission considers is more than the town valuation will allow, and accordingly we have recommended the same appro- priation as last year, $65,000.


Respectfully submitted for


The Finance Commission of 1916, GEORGE S. WHITNEY, Chairman, WILLIAM A. MURRAY, Secretary.


Vòtel : To receive and accept the report of the Finance Commission.


Voted : To take up the report for action item by item.


Voted : To raise and appropriate :-


For Board of Health $ 2,600 00


Care of trees and shrubs . . Fire department :-


500 00


Pay of members . $9,200 00


Incidentals ·


2,500 00


Repairs .


800 00


12,500 CO


22


Fees, Chapter 204, R. L. 1902


$ [500 00


Gypsy moth suppression .


1,000 00


Highways, excise tax and .


13,000 00


Incidentals, income and


4,000 00


Interest


15,500 00


Memorial Day


165 00


Military aid


200 00


North Purchase cemetery .


25 00


Poor :-


General appropriation


14,000 00 .


Mother's aid


4,000 00


Planting trees


140 00


Playground supervision


300 00


Repairing cupola on Town Hall building Salaries .- General .


10,500 00


Police department


4,675 00


Secretary of finance commission


50 00


Schools and repairs


72,050 00


Sewer plant maintenance .


2,500 00


Sidewalks


·


2,000 (.0


Street lighting


11,000 00


Soldier's relief


4,000 00


Town debt .


21,400 00


Town hall, income and


1,000 00


Repairing steps and painting building


700 00


Town library, dog tax and


600 00


Town parks


1,000 00


Care of trees on town parks ·


100 (0


Treasurer's bond, defraying premium on


200 00


Vernon Grove cemetery 150 00


Water for fire purposes


6,500 00


Water, cost of to be assessed to abutters.


900 00


Watering streets and laying dust, street water-


ing tax and


1,000 00


$209,955 00


Voted : To lay recommendation relative to an appropri-


300 00


23


ation of $3,000.00 for repairs to Congress street from Foq'- tain street, northerly, on the table.


Voted : To lay recommendation relative to an appropri- ation of $4,000 00 for repairs to West street, from Congre-s street to Quinlan street, on the table.


Voted : That the recommendations relative to appropri- ations under Articles 20, 27, 28 be laid upon the table.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation rela- tive to the payment of the premium.on "the tax collector's bond.


Voted : To raise and appropriate the sum of Two Hun- dred Dollars ($200) for payment of premium on collector's bond.


Voted : To pass over the recommendation relative to the compensation of the tax collector.


Voted : To lay the recommendation relative to an ap- propriation for the George Washington Memorial Building on the table.


Voted : To lay the recommendation relative to the pur- chase of a road roller on the table.


Voted : To pass over the recommendation relative to an appropriation for playground supervision.


Voted : To adjourn until Monday, March 20, 1911, at eight o'clock P. M.


A true record. Attest :


DENNIS J. SULLIVAN, Town Ckerk.


A true copy of the records. Attest :


DENNIS J. SULLIVAN, Town Clerk.


ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, MARCH 20, 1916. COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.


Worcester, ss.


Milford, March 20, 1916. In pursuance of a vote passed at an adjourned town


24


meeting, March 14, 1916, the inhabitants of the Town of Mil- ford met in Town Hall on the above date and proceeded as follows :


The meeting was called to order by John T. McLoughlin, moderator, at eight o'clock P. M.


Under Article 4, it was voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to the appropriation for completing the tool house at Vernon Grove cemetery.


Voted : To pass over Article 13.


Voted : To accept the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to a dental clinic for school children.


Voted : To pass over Article 25.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to the cleaning out of Charles River.


Voted : To raise and appropriate the sum of Three Hun- dred Dollars, ($300) for the purpose of cleaning out Charles River from the Boston and Albany bridge to a point below the Archer Rubber Co. factory.


Voted : To pass over Article 21.


Voted : To accept and adopt the report of the Finance Commission relative to the election of the overseers of the poor.


Voted : To pass over the recommendation relative to a motor driven chemical for the fire department.


Voted : To piss over the recommendation of the Finance Com mission relative to the purchase of a tractor for the hook and ladder truck.


Voted : To pass over the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to the reduction of the number of men in each company of the fire department.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to the appointment of a commit- tee of three from the Finance Commission, of which the chairman sh ill be one, to investigate and report what changes


-


25


can be made in the direction of economy and efficiency in the fire department.


Voted : To pass over Article 26.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to the compensation of the col- lector of taxes for the collection of sewer assessments.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission relative to the appropriation of a sum not to exceed Twenty-five Hundred Dollars, ($2,500 00) to pay the estate of William P. Foley his just compensation for the collection of sewer assessments and his expenses.


Voted : To raise and appropriate the sum of Twenty -five Hundred Dollars ($2,500 00) for said purpose.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission "That from the general appropriation for highways a sum not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000 00) be applied to re-building Mechanic Street, from Purchase Street to the land of the Milford Holding Company ."


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission "That all the carriers that un ty be con- structed at the sewer beds be of concrete base."


Voted : That the recommendation of the Finance Com- mission, "That a'l sewer assessments collected in the future shall be paid to the town treasurer for the purpose of paying the principal and interest of the bonds," be passed over.


Voted : To accept and adopt the recommendation of the Finance Commission "That Article 24 relative to the appoint- ment of a committee to boud the town in excess of the debt limit, for further construction of sewers" be passed over.


Voted : To pass over Article 24.


Voted : To pass over Article 4.


Voted : To take up Article 2.


Mr. Charles W. Gould raised a question as to the ruling ·of the moderator at the previous town meeting in declaring Patrick F. Fitzgerald elected tree warden.


26


The moderator declared his ruling proper and in con- formity to the law governing the election of town officers.


Voted : To pass over Article 2.


Voted : To take up Article 23.


A request was made by Michael .S. McMahon, Chairman of the Committee appointed by the town to investigate the matter of the purchase of the property rights and privileges of the Milford Electric Light & Power Company, to allow Mr. William Plattner, engineer of the committee, to speak for the committee.


Unanimous consent was given and Mr. Plattner addressed the meeting upon the municipal lighting question.


Voted : To pass over Article 23.


Voted: To take Article 8.


Voted: That Thomas J. Nugent, Charles V. Waitt and


- James J. Connors, Selectmen, and Mictael S. McMahon, Lewis Hayden, Chester F. Williams, John E. Higgiston, William R. Burke, P. Eugene Casey, Michael F. Green, the municipal lighting committee, be a committee to make a contract of not less than two nor more than five years, with the Milford Elec- tric Light and Power Company for the town's street lighting. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 5. Voted : That all taxes for the year 1916 shall become due and payable September 10, 1916.


On all taxes of 1916 remaining unpaid after November 1, 1916, interest at the rate of six per cent per annum shall be charged from September 10, 1916.


The collector shall be paid eight tenths of one per cent for each payment made by him to the town treasurer on account of taxes or assessments.


The collector shall pay all expenses of his office; namely, printing, postage and office supplies


"He shall be allowed all expenses for rent, light and heat of the office rooms now used by him and all expenses in- curred by him in suits or other proceedings at law or in equity for the collections of taxes or assessments.


27


Article 6. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 7. Voted: That the selectmen be authorized to. take charge of all legal proceedings for or against the town.


Article 8. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 9. Voted : To pass over the article.


Voted : To take up article 14


Voted : To raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hun -- dred and Fifty Dollars ($550.00) for the George Washington Memorial Building, Washington, D. C.


Charles \ Blaisdell presented the following resolution:


"Resolved: That in view of the eminent example and patriotic life of George Washington that it be the sense of the voters of Milford in town meeting assembled, that the school committee be requested to name in his honor and as a. public symbol of Milford's appreciation of that example one of the newer un named public school buildings."


Voted : To accept and adopt the resolution.


Article 10. Voted : To pass over the article.


Voted : To adjourn until Friday evening March 24, 1916,- at eight o'clock P. M.


A true record. Attest :


DENNIS J. SULLIVAN, Town Clerk.


A true copy of the records. Attest :


DENNIS J. SULLIVAN, Town Clerk.


ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, MARCH 24, 1916.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. Worcester, ss.


Milford, March 24, 1916.


In pursuance of a vote passed at an adjourned town meet- ing March 20, 1916, the inhabitants of the Town of Milford met in Town Hall and proceeded as follows :


28


The meeting was called to order by John T. McLoughlin, moderator, at eight o'clock P. M.


Article 11. Voted : To locate a hydrant for the purpose of furnishing better protection to the property of the Milford & Uxbridge Street Railway Company at its power station, and other property in the vicinity, raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for said purpose. Said hydrant to be located under the supervision of the selectraen.


Article 12. Voted : To locate a fire alarm box at the junction of Main, Elm and Prospect Streets, and raise and appropriate the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for said purpose.


Article 15. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 17. Voted : To raise and appropriate the sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for the purpose of re- building West street, from Congress Street to a point at or near Quinlan street.


Article 18. Voted : To locate a hydrant on Beach Street Extension, at or near the end of said street, and raise and ap- propriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for said purpose.


Article 19. Voted : To locate a hydrant on Pond Street, and raise and appropriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for said purpose.


Article 20. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 27. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 28. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 29. Voted : To accept the provisions of Section 402, Chapter 835, Acts of 1913, which relates to the election of a highway surveyor.


Article 30. Voted : To lay the article upon the table.


Article 31. Voted : To pass over the article.


Article 32. Voted : To construct a sidewalk or sidewalks on North street, and raise and appropriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for said purpose.


Article 33. Voted : To raise and appropriate the sum of


29


Twenty-eight Hundred Dollars ($2,800.00) for the purpose of purchasing a road roller.


Voted : To dissolve the warrant.


A true record Attest : DENNIS J. SULLIVAN,


Town Clerk.


A true copy of the records. Attest :


DENNIS J. SULLIVAN,


Town Clerk.


WARRANT FOR THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, MAY 16, 1916.


COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.


Worcester, ss.


To either constable of the town of Milford, in said County, Greeting :


In the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town, qualified by law to vote in Elections and in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Town, on Tuesday, the sixteenth day of May, A. D., 1916, punctually at eight o'clock in the evening, to act upon the following articles, namely :-


Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.


Article 2. To hear and act upon the reports of any com- mittees of said town.


Article 3. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, ($500.00) addi. tional, for the purpose of painting Town Hall building, and repairing steps, or take any action in relation thereto.


Article 4. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap priate the sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), or will authorize the town treasurer to' issue notes or bonds of the town to an amount not exceeding Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), at a rate of interest not exceeding four and one-


30


half per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually, for the pur- pose of re-building Congress street, beginning at the junction . of Fountain street, and extending in a northerly direction, under the supervision of the State Highway Commission, or take any action in relation thereto.


Article 5. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Six Thousand Nine Hundred Twelve Dollars and Fifty Cents ($6,912.50), or will authorize the town treasurer to issue notes or bonds of the town to an amount not exceeding Six Thousand Nine Hundred Twelve Dollars and Fifty Cents, ($6,912.50), at a rate of interest not exceeding four and one-half per cent per annum, payable ·semi- annually, for the purpose of rebuilding Congress street, beginning at Exchange street and extending in a northerly ·direction, under the supervision of the State Highway Con- mission, or take any action in relation thereto.


Article 6. To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars, ($16,650.00), or will authorize the town treas- urer to issue notes or bonds of the town to an amount not ex- ceeding Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty Dollars, ($16,650.00) at a rate of interest not exceeding four and one- half per cent per annum, payable semi-annually, for the pur- pose of rebuilding School and Purchase streets, beginning at the junction of Spruce and School streets, and extending mortherly, under the supervision of the State Highway Com- mission, or take any action in relation thereto.




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