USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1908 > Part 5
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The position of Sealer of Weights and Measures has become of special importance, judging from the attention it receives from the Commissioner of Weights and Measures at Boston, calling upon the local sealer to perform many duties that have heretofore been con. sidered as duties of special inspectors from the office of the Commissioner.
The work of this department for the coming year if carried on as required by recent instructions from the Commissioner at Boston will require double the time and expense now given to the work. It has taken some sixty days at an expense of about twenty dollars to do the work this past year, therefore the salary of one hundred dollars paid the sealer is inadequate to pay for the work now re- quired of this department, remembering that the Sealer has to pay all expenses out of his salary.
I would recommend the sum of two hundred dollars be paid the Sealer as a salary and the expenses of the office be paid from the fees collected.
Respectfully,
W. F. WAITE, Sealer.
Report of the Milk Inspector.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Palmer, Mass :
I herewith submit to you my report as Inspector of Milk.
It being the first time in which the office of Inspector of Milk has been performed in the Town of Palmer, it has been the object of this office to deal carefully with the requirements regarding the handling and the sale of milk.
Barns, vehicles and other places of dealers to whom licenses have been granted have been inspected as required. Such alterations or improvements as were required to conform with the rules of the Board of Health have been given attention by the dealers. No special testings of milk, nor any special investigations as to the handling of the milk have been necessary as no complaints have been made to this department.
In regard to the placing of the license number on all wagons or other vehicles used in the conveyance and sale of milk, I would recommend that a uniform style or form be adopted, and the rules be so revised as to require each dealer that conveys or delivers milk by team, when taking out a license, or receiving a renewal of his license, to accept such style or form of license number as you may adopt.
The display of names and license numbers on wagons, etc., has been very unsatisfactory and unless some such method as mentioned above be adopted I believe it would continue to be so.
There have been 103 licenses granted for which the town has received $51.50 at an expense of $63.30.
Respectfully,
W. F. WAITE, Inspector of Milk.
Young Men's Library Association.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1909.
I herewith present my second annual report as librarian of your Association.
The increase in the annual appropriation of money for the use of the Association has made it possible to pay the assistant librarian a salary of three hundred and fifty dollars per year and to purchase more than the usual number of new books.
The appropriation of twelve hundred dollars, however, does not enable the library to serve the Town of Palmer as it should be served. Along the lines of government, economics, sociology, ethics and science the library has a great scarcity of literature. Source books in any one of those lines are so few that no student of them can either make a detailed study of the subject or become ac- quainted with more than one opinion concerning it.
Such a condition is undesirable and prevents the library from exercising the educational influence in the town and in the com- munity that it should and might exercise with more funds at the disposal of the Association.
Not only is the library wanting in literature on the subjects above named, but some of the most valuable monthly and quarterly magazines along those lines, such as the Political Science Quarterly, The American Journal of Political Economy and the American Journal of Sociology, are not to be found there on account of their cost.
With an adequate appropriation the library would much more nearly fill its proper place in the town and extend to its constituents the service to which they are entitled.
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In January, 1909, a branch of the library was established in the new recreation building at Three Rivers, and the books there have circulated well.
During the coming year, and just as soon as the arrangements can be made, branches will be established in Thorndike and Bonds- ville. In order to do that successfully and to serve well each one of the communities of the town it will be necessary to buy four volumes of some books, while fewer of others will perhaps supply the demand.
The policy of the Association in the immediate past has been to buy standard books, that is, books of permanent value as dis- tinguished from fiction, which has only a temporary value and gradually depreciates until it becomes worthless. 1
While the circulation of books has been larger during the past year than at any previous time it should be much greater. The average has been two and one-fifth books per capita of population and ten and three-fifths books for each one of the 1616 persons to whom a card has been issued since July, 1904.
Among the seventy-six hundred books in the library there is something of real literary value and enjoyment for every man, woman and child in town. There are books for study, books for rest, books for adults, and juvenile books. And in addition to the books now in the library and to those which will be purchased in pursuance of the general policy of the Association there is a willing- ness and a desire to supply every legitimate demand for books in so far as the means available will permit.
In accordance with the vote of the Association at its last annual meeting the library will be open to the public on Sundays from 3.30 to 6 p. m. and from 7 to 8 p. m. Sunday newspapers, the leading magazines, and the books will be free to all who may wish to use the library for reading or for study during those hours.
The circulation for the year has been as follows :
Fiction, exclusive of Booklovers,
10,152
Booklovers,
2,690
All other classes,
4,353
Total circulation,
17,195
Number of volumes in library .March 1, 1908,
7,502
Booklovers returned,
110
Net,
7,392
100
Purchased,
98
Rented of Booklovers,
80
Donated, 37
Books on hand March 1, 1909, 7,607
Respectfully submitted,
LEE T. GRAY, Librarian.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Cash on hand March 1, 1908,
$ 161.39
Received from Town of Palmer,
1,200.00
Membership fees,
15.00
Fines,
45.00
G. A. R. coal,
60.47
Paid for books,
$173.91
Papers and magazines,
60.59
Miss Robinson, attendant,
350.04
James Knox, janitor,
147.00
Fuel and lights,
340.36
Labor,
12.04
Trucking,
.60
Binding,
43.00
Cash on hand March 1, 1909,
354.32
$1,481.86 $1,481.86
LOUIS E. CHANDLER, Treasurer.
I have examined the accounts of the Young Men's Library Association and find them correct.
H. W. HOLBROOK.
Town Warrant.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
COUNTY OF HAMPDEN, SS. TOWN OF PALMER.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabitants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town officers, to meet at the several polling places, in said Palmer, designated by the Select- men, to wit : In Precinct A, at the Engine House on Park street in the Depot Village ; in Precinct B, at Temperance Hall on Com- mercial street in Thorndike ; in Precinct C, at Ruggles' Hall on East Main street in Three Rivers ; and in Precinct D, at Holden's Old Store in Bondsville, on Monday, the 15th day of March, A. D. 1909, at six o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the precinct officers of the several voting precincts of said town, for the following town officers, to wit : Three Selectmen, a Town Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, a Highway Surveyor, two Auditors, five Constables and three Fence Viewers, all for the term of one year; one Towu Clerk for the term of three years ; one Assessor for the term of three years; one Overseer of the Poor for the term of three years ; two members of the School Committee for the term of three years ; one member of the Board of Health for the term of three years ; one Cemetery Commissioner for the term of three years ; also to vote by ballot, which shall be "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors?" also to vote by ballot, which shall be "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question, "Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and eight. entitled 'An
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Act to provide for the protection of forest or sprout lands from fire' be accepted by this Town?" also to vote by ballot, which shall be "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question, "Shall an Act passed by . the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and nine, entitled 'An Act to provide for the election of a Board of License Com- missioners by the Town of Palmer, be accepted by this Town ?"
The polls will be open at .6 o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners, in said Palmer, on Monday, the 22d day of March, A. D. 1909. at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
. ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose two or more Field Drivers, Measurers of Wood and Bark, and all other usual town officers.
ART. 3. To see if the town will vote to hire or build a tramp room and lockup.
ART. 4. To act on the reports of the town officers.
ART. 5. To raise money and make appropriations to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow money in anticipation of the taxes of the ensuing year, the same to be paid from said taxes.
ART. 7. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer to borrow money not to be paid from the taxes of the ensuing year.
ART. 8. To hear and act on the reports of committees.
ART. 9. To choose committees and give them instructions.
ART. 10. To see if the town will allow a discount and deter- mine what interest shall be paid on the taxes to be assessed for the ensuing year.
ART. 11. To determine the manner and state the terms and conditions of collecting the taxes for the ensuing year, and fix the compensation of the collector of taxes.
ART. 12. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors.
ART. 13. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the Young Men's Library Association.
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ART. 14. To see if the town will raise money to convey pupils to and from the public schools, and instruct the School Committee as to the manner of letting the contract for such conveyance.
ART. 15. To see if the town will vote to raise money for the celebration of Memorial Day.
ART. 16. To see what action the town will take in relation to sewers.
ART. 17. To see what action the town will take in regard to lighting the streets, and whether it will authorize the selectmen to make contract therefor.
ART. 18. To see what action the town will take in reference to the planting and preservation of shade trees.
ART. 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for the care and improvement of cemeteries.
ART. 20. To see what action the town will take in regard to sidewalks.
ART. 21. To see if the town will vote to maintain night police in the several villages, and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 22. To see what action the town will take relative to suits and claims now pending against the town.
ART. 23. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for necessary aid to soldiers and sailors and their families of the slain, and entrust the same to L. L. Merrick Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, under the provisions of law.
ART. 24. To see if the town will instruct the Assessors to procure a map of the villages of Thorndike and Bondsville for their use, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any other action relative thereto.
ART. 25. To see if the town will vote to establish a salary for the Sealer of Weights and Measures or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 26. To see if the town will vote to build a sidewalk along the northerly side of Walnut street in the Depot village from a point near the property of E. G. Hastings and thence westerly to Main street.
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ART. 27. To see if the town will vote to clean or relay the old sewer, or construct a new sewer in Main street in the village of Thorndike, and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 28. To see if the town will vote to construct a sewer in North Main street from the Point of Rocks towards Shearer's Cor- ner and on road to Three Rivers according to a plan prepared by William H. Brainerd, Civil Engineer, and raise and appropriate money for same.
ART. 29. To see what action the town will take in regard to paving .or macadamizing Main street in the Depot Village, or any part thereof, and to raise and appropriate money for the same or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 30. To see if the town will vote to re-open the Forest Lake school, so-called, or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 31. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Select- men to petition the county commissioners for the discontinuance of so much of the old Palmer and Monson turnpike as is included be- tween the State highway and the northerly location line of the Boston and Albany Railroad in Tenneyville.
ART. 32. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to petition the county commissioners for the discontinuance of a section of the old "Boston Road" lying between the State highway near the Blodgett place, so-called, near the line between Palmer and Brimfield, and the easterly abutment of the bridge over the Quaboag river.
ART. 33. To see if the town will vote to extend the sewer in Belchertown road in the village of Three Rivers from its present terminus near the store of John Wilson northerly about three hun- dred (300) feet to the residence of Cornelius Sughrue.
ART. 34. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding thirty-five hundred dollars ($3500) to be contributed toward the expense of building a bridge across the Quaboag river in substitution of the present Merrick bridge, so-called, near the Wire Mill.
ART. 35. To see if the town will accept. the provisions of Section 43 of Chapter 49 of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts re- garding the construction of sidewalks and the assessment upon abuttors of a part of the cost thereof.
10.
ART. 36. To see if the town will take any action regarding claims against the Commonwealth which the town is under obliga- tion to pay, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 37. To see if the town will limit the service of the Overseers of the Poor to one year, and from hereon elect for the same length of time.
ART. 38. To see if the town will grant Palmer Center three more Edison lights to begin at the Common and extend to the house of Reuben Lamb, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 39. To see if the town will install electric lights on High street in the village of Thorndike, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 40. To see if the town will install electric lights on Pleasant street in the village of Three Rivers, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
ART. 41. To see if the town will install electric lights on Ruggles street in the village of Three Rivers, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
ART. 42. To see if the town will install electric lights on Dublin street in the Depot Village. and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 43. To see if the town will construct an ash walk from Crawford street to Pine street in the village of Bondsville, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 44. To see if the town will install a water supply in the schoolhouse in the Wire Mill District, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 45. To see if the town will construct a sewer in Pleasant street in the village of Bondsville, and raise and appro- priate money for the same.
ART. 46. To see if the town will vote to build a new high school building in the Depot Village, add to or alter the present building, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 47. To see if the town will determine the location of the new high school building in the Depot Village, or pass any vote to take in fee any land in the Depot Village for the purpose of erect- ing thereon a building to be used for the purposes of a high school, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or take any action relative thereto.
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ART. 48. To see if the town will vote to name the streets and ways of the Town of Palmer, or take any action relative thereto.
ART. 49. To see if the town will vote to erect signs in the Depot Village, and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 50. To see what action the town will take regarding the use of the hearse owned by the town, and the expenditure of money for opening graves.
ART. 51. To see if the town will vote to maintain an organ- ized police force, adopt rules and regulations for the same, or take any action relative thereto and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART 52. To see if the town will vote to accept and allow a town way, as laid out by the Selectmen, in the Depot Village, and described as follows, viz :- Beginning at a stone bound on the north- easterly side of North Main street at a point five and seventy-five one hundredths (5.75) feet measured westerly on the line of said North Main street from the southerly corner of land of Lucy A. and Charles A. Royce : thence running N. 17 degrees, 59 minutes E. eight hundred and seventy-four feet to a stone bound on the southerly side of a highway leading from the dwelling house of Purlin M. Shearer to Palmer Center. The easterly line of said way is parallel with the above described line and fifty (50) feet distant easterly therefrom.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof at the different public places designate by the vote of the town, seven days at least before the holding of said meeting, and cause this warrant to be printed in the Palmer Journal at least two issues before the holding of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before the holding of said meeting.
Given under our hands this third day of March, A. D. 1909.
HENRY W. HOLBROOK, Selectmen WILLIAM LAWTON, of JOHN F. HAYDEN, V Palmer.
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