USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1910-1919 > Part 10
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860.25
State for tuition for State Wards, 195.50
Bristol County Dog Fund, 94.30
Tuition of Scholar, 4.00
Total.
$5081.60
Expenditures.
Teachers,
$2814.50
Janitors.
193.05
Fuel.
192.89
High School Tuition,
897.75
Books and Supplies,
245.08
Repairs,
121.66
School Supervision.
320.04
School Committee,
75.50
High School carfare.
284.20
Miscellaneous.
264.82
Sawing and Housing.
52.05
Total.
$5461.54
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of Berkley :
I have the honor of presenting to you my third an- nual report of the schools of Berkley. It contains the usual statistics and comments upon the school work together with suggestions for rendering the work as ef- fective as possible under existing conditions. It is also a source of information to others who desire to be in- formed regarding the progress of the schools.
Last year a paragraph of some length was devoted to school attendance. We again endorse every sentence . that paragraph contained. The remedy for securing proper attendance has not been applied. So long as a few families realize they can break the school laws at their pleasure just that length of time the appeals of the superintendent will pass unheeded. It is not for the benefit of those who are charged with the administration of the schools that these sentences are written. The efforts put forth by teacher and superintendent are for the benefit of the child and for securing to him his full birthright. It is the duty of the proper officer to so con- serve the pupils' rights that they shall have at least : fair education. This is the intent of the law as em- phasized by 'the recent enactments relating to employ- ment.
In respect to discipline and teaching the schools have secured a fair degree of success. The change of teachers at the Common and Bridge schools has not been any loss Again experience and education has proved to be a wise investment. Cheap employees. whether in the professions or in business. are expensive. Where such skilled labor
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Annual Report
is in demand as in teaching wages are a remote considera- tion. We do not forget that schools are expensive and vet at the same time we remember that for money and effort given they yield the largest revenue. The amount $1.38. spent for each child for books and supplies cer- tainly is modest. The size of the schools does not vary greatly from last year. The same problems present them- selves for solution. We continue to believe that a con- solidation of the smaller schools would prove a benefit to the children attending them.
After July 1. 1914. all teachers in this state who have taught thirty years, not less than fifteen of which were in this commonwealth, and are over sixty years of age may retire. Those over seventy years old must retire. All teachers in service after Sept. 1st. must contribute five percent of their annual salary to the retirement fund. No teacher can contribute less than $35 nor more than $100 per year. By necessity, a yearly contribution of this amount cannot fail of being felt by those who are already not receiving a large wage. This law is not permissive but compulsory. It is not even left with the teacher to send the percentage to the state treasurer, but is incumbent upon the town treasurer to perform that duty, after having deducted from the teachers' pay roll the required amount. For years pensions have been granted to men and women who have served in various capacities in civil and military life. Only very recently has any annuity been granted to those who have been the servants of all. namely teachers. Whatever personal opinion we may entertain respecting pensions in general. most citizens will concede that no class is more deserving of such recognition than the faithful teacher. In addition to the thirty years of service required. there must be added the initial expense of preparation that reaches into the thousands of dollars in many cases. also the four.
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Annual Report
six, eight, or more years of time given before the date of service begins. No other class of public servants are required to expend such an amount of initial capital, time, and money, before entering upon their duties. The long years of service are not only nerve racking but give less time and opportunity for advancement and are ex- pensive beyond most other professions. Viewed from all sides in a candid and straight forward manner it would appear that the general wage of most of the teachers should be raised
Because of the newness of the recent Child Labor Law and the impression in some quarters that it is unjust, a word in regard to its development may not be ill timed. The law is the product of years of thought and work by those especially interested in child welfare. The case has been studied subjectively and objectively by men and women in close touch with every side of the problem. It is an accepted fact that for the good of future citizen- ship children should be prohibited from working unrea- sonable hours and under improper conditions. No child should be allowed to work ten hours a day. steadily. under any surroundings. Investigation has repeatedly shown cases where the child worked ten hours daily and the father who belonged to a union worked eight or less. The impression that the employment age has been raised to sixteen years is wrong. Only in a few dangerous occupa- tions is the child prohibited from employment under that age. Furthermore the welfare of the child is conserved by securing to him four full grades of school advantages and not less than one hundred thirty days of attendance after reaching thirteen years of age. Again it is impossible for any parent to get a certificate by merely making oath to the child's age. An elastic conscience is of no avail in pushing the child into the mill. Undoubted proof in
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Annual Report
writing must be furnished the superintendent or no cer- tificate is obtainable; and there is a prescribed order in which evidence must be submitted. The form of the cer- tificate itself is less complicated, easier to fill out, easier to keep on file, and less troublesome to obtain. The law as a whole is a decided improvement on all former enact- ments of that character.
Attention is called to a paragraph entitled. "Num- ber of Pupils of Different Nationalities Attending School." A study of this paragraph may throw light on the subject of non attendance of pupils. With the ex- ception of one school the attendance has been good. That school has problems of its own which have never been solved and vet are capable of solution. It is plainly the duty to so enforce the school laws, which are primarily for the child's interest. that no school shall have the low attendance of 76.9 per cent.
A year ago in his report, the superintendent called attention to the desirability of employing a supervisor of music. We again emphasize the need of such an in- structor. The benefit would be directly felt in the home and church. We ask a careful consideration of th's suggestion.
It is a pleasure to express appreciation of the cordial relations that have existed between members of the school committee. superintendent, and teachers. This spirit is very essential in maintaining high standards and securing advancement.
Respectfully submitted.
MORTIMER H. BOWMAN. Superintendent of Schools.
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Annual Report
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER.
Mr. M. H. Bowman, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
Complaints for truancy during the year were from No. 2, 3, and 7 Schools. After talking with the truants and parents they agreed to send their children regularly hereafter.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES COREY,
Truant Officer.
Berkley, Mass., Jan. 22, 1914.
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Annual Report
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
Dighton, Mass., Jan. 23, 1914.
Mr. M. H. Bowman,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
In my yearly inspection of the Berkley schools, I found the following diseases :
21 cases Head Lice.
6 cases Enlarged Tonsils.
2 cases Adenoids.
The schools are in much better condition this year than usual and if the foreign class in some parts of the town could be taught cleanliness, it would be almost perfect.
Sincerely yours,
L. E. Butler, M. D.
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Annual Report
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS.
-
TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL.
Charles E. Ashley
Class of 1917 Class of 1917
Anthony P. Dean
Gilbert E. Howland
Class of 1917 Class of 1917
George R. Babbitt
Class of 1916 Class of 1916
Charles E. French
Class of 1916
Ruth L. Haskins
Class of 1916
Gordon Mckay
Class of 1916
Gladys Patterson
Class of 1916
Evelyn P. Swift
Class of 1916
Marie F. Tripp
Class of 1916 Class of 1915
Whitney G. Swift
Class of 1914
Howard E. Kistler
Class of 1914
Muriel R. Swift
Class of 1914
FALL RIVER HIGH SCHOOL.
Arthur B. Studley Ruth Randall
Class of 1915
Class of 1917
Clara B. Studley -
Marion A. Haskins .
Maud E. Hopkins
TABLE A. Attendance Statistics for the Year 1913
SCHOOLS.
No. of Boys.
No. of Girls.
Enrollment
Enrollment
5 to 15 Years.
Enrollment
Enrollment
7 to 14 Years.
Total
Membership
Average
Membership.
Average
Attendance.
Per Cent. of
Atendance. .
No. of Days
Absence.
Number of
Tardinesses.
Number of
Dismissals.
Number of Visitors.
No., 1
17|
7124
00
24
0
22
24
23.4
22.8
97.4
187
65
17
52
No. 2
16 21 37
37
0
30
37
34.2
26.3
76.9
867
50
4
25
No. 3
10
9|19
0
19
0
15
0
15.3
13.9
90.8
221
65
28
38
No
4
4
5
6
0)
9
0
00
8
7.9
7.7
97.5
38
-21
7
or
No.
5
7
3 10
0
0
0
9
0
9.4
8.9
94.7
87
58
6
0
No. 6
14
5119
0)
19
0
15
19
16.3
15.5
95.1
131
38
18
00
No. 7. Grammar.
12 18130
0
28
2
25
30
24.5
22.3
91.
375
33
40
79
No. 7 Primary . .
16|15|31
0
31
0
24
31
30.
28.2
93.9
159
47
21
26
1
Total.
Under 5 Years.
Over 15 Years.
Annual Report
11
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Annual Report
TABLE B. Showing Age and Assignment of Pupils by Grades.
Schools.
I II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
No. 1,
cc.
9
9
11
12
No. 2,
5
7
7
9
10
11
12
14
No 3,
€
6.5
7
9
12
10.5
11.7 13
No. 4,
6
8.9
8
10.2
11
12.6 12.1
No. 5,
5 6
7.2 10
8.3
12.3
12.6 12.4 13.6
No. 6,
6
6.8
10
10
12
13
No. 7 Grammar,
9.2 11.5 11.9 11.8 13.3 13.2
No. 7 Primary,
7.6 9.3 10.2
€
TABLE C.
Showing Number and Assignment of Pupils by Grades.
Schools.
I
TI
III
IV
V
.VI
VII'VIII IX
No. 1,
5
3
6
2
6
No. 2,
4
8
4
6
4
6
1
2
No 3,
3
3
1
4
2
2
3
1
1
No. 4,
1
1
1
1
2
2
No. 5,
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
No. 6,
6
2
6
2
1
1
No. 7 Grammar,
4
10
9
2
5
1
No. 7 Primary,
22
9
3
Number of Persons of Different Nationalities Represented in the Schools.
American,
108
English,
7
French,
13
German,
2
Irish,
13
Indian,
1
Portuguese,
36
Total,
180
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
Resignation.
School.
Gertrude E. Davis
No. 1
Ruth E. Holland
No. 3
Appointment. Mildred M. Fiske Olive D. Waterhouse
.
1
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY
TOGETHER WITH A
Valuation and Tax List
FOR THE
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1914
TAUNTON, MASS .: THE DAVOL PRESS, MAIN STREET 1915.
LIST OF OFFICERS OF BERKLEY, MASS., 1914. MARCH 3, 1914.
Town Clerk. Ervine A. Chace.
Selectmen and Overseers of Poor.
Charles H. Macomber, James McCall, Benjamin O. Jones.
Moderator. Edwin H. Allen.
Assessors.
George H. Swift, Will ard F. Westgate, Edwin H. Allen.
School Committee.
Noah H. Strange.
Collector of Taxes.
Herbert A. Perry.
Treasurer. Edwin H. Allen.
-
Auditor. -
Thomas P. Paull. -
Highway Surveyors.
Frederick L. Williams, Ervine A. Chace,
Edward E. Whitaker, Howard Haines,
Adelbert A. Briggs, Charles A. Shaw,
John F. Staples.
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Annual Report
Constables.
Edwin H. Allen, Silas E. Braley, Adelbert A. Briggs,
Gideon H. Babbitt, Chester E. Phillips, Enoch V. Boyce, George H. Flint.
Fish Wardens.
Gideon H. Babbitt, Howard Haines, Linneus C. Whittaker.
Gideon H. Babbitt,
Oyster Wardens. Jonathan M. Alexander, Caleb D. Babbitt.
Tree Warden. Linneus C. Whittaker.
Trustee of Public Library. Joseph Howland, for 3 Years.
Burial Ground Commissioner. Horace N. Macomber, for 3 Years.
.
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Annual Report
LIST OF OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE SELECT- MEN OF BERKLEY.
Fence Viewers and Field Drivers. Frederick L. Williams, Edward E. Whittaker, John F. Staples.
Measurers of Wood and Lumber.
John F. Staples. Willard H. Hathaway,
Sumner N. Staples,
Levi P. Churchill,
Gideon H. Babbitt. Benjamin O. Jones.
Animal Inspector. Allen A. Haskell.
Sealer of Weights and Meausres. Sumner N. Staples.
Burial Commissioner. Edwin H. Allen.
Meat Inspector. Ervine A. Chace.
Moth Inspector. Adelbert A. Briggs.
Forest Warden. Gideon H. Babbitt.
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Annual Report
TOWN WARRANT.
Article 1. To see if the town will accept the List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen.
Article 2. To see if the town will appropriate any part of the dog fund to the Public Library.
Article 3. To act on report of town officers.
Article 4. To fix compensation for collector and treasurer for ensuing year.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of the revenue of the cur- rent financial year.
Article 6. To choose all necessary town officers (one selectman for three years, one assessor for three years. one school committee for three years) and to vote on the question : "Shall license be granted to sell intoxicating liquors ? Yes or No !"
Article 7. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for repairs of ways and bridges.
Article .8. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to improve the road between the Taunton line and Freetown line running through the town, pass Berkley Common, and known as the Old Stage Road, providing the Massachusetts Highway Commission under the Acts of 1908 will make an allotment for this purpose.
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Annual Report
Article 9. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for schools, including supplies, high school tuition, salary of superintendent, transportation of scholars and repairs on public buildings.
Article 10. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for support of poor, salaries of town officers, state aid and incidental expenses.
Article 11. To choose a memorial committee and ap- propr ate a sum of money for same.
Article 12. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate a sum of money to be used for the purpose of ex- terminating the gypsy and brown tail moths, and care of public shade trees.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used in the cemetery and care of graves of soldiers and sailors of the Civil and Spanish wars.
Article 14. To see what action the town will take. if any, with regard to the planting of shade trees, and to appropriate at least $150.00 for this purpose in order that the town might enter the Shade Tree Planting Contest conducted by the Massachusetts Forestry Association.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to appropriate as a suitable site for the Carnegie Library a lot of land owned by the Town of Berkley on the west side of South Main Street being the lot formerly occupied by the Methodist Church or act anything thereon.
Article 16. To transact any other business that may come before the meeting.
Caucus Tuesday night, Feb. 23, 8 o'clock.
Town Meeting, March 1, at 10 o'clock A. M.
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Annual Report
LIST OF JURORS
AS PREPARED BY THE SELECTMEN.
Damon D. White,
Arthur W. Davis,
Enoch S. Hathaway, Fred N. Horton, Willard F. Westgate, Edward W. Winslow, Thomas P. Paull, John Ames, Linneus C. Whitaker, Adelbert A. Briggs,
. Station Agent, Farmer, Millwright,
Farmer,
Myricks St. Padelford St. So. Main St. Myricks St. Berkley St. Padelford St. -
Myricks St. Berkley St. Algerine St. Berkley St.
Gideon H. Babbitt, Albert E. Shaw,
Pattern Maker,
Pine St.
Thomas F. Poole,
Carpenter,
Berkley St.
Arthur T. Chase,
Sumner N. Staples,
Farmer, Moulder, Carriage Maker, Carpenter, Pattern Maker,
Albert B. Cummings,
66
Farmer, . Mechanic
County St.
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Annual Report
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
In submitting our annual report we would first touch on the financial condition of the town as that is a matter of vital interest to us all. From our treasurer's report we find that we have cash on hand $722.66 plus uncollected taxes of $2,653.29, total $3,375.95. In addition to this we have two funds amounting to $2,375.00; there are no out- standing bills against the town that we know of. While this is a creditable showing it is a direct result of a very high tax rate, as taxes are levied to meet current expen- ses rather than to establish surplus cash accounts, it will be readily seen that it would have been possible to have paid our running expenses for the year with a consid- erable lower tax rate. This is a true statement of affairs, but in justice to the assessors we would state that there were certain laws that went into effect after assessments were made which increased the revenues that accrue to the town which could not be taken into consideration.
Last year the town appropriated $1,500.00 and the Massachusetts Highway Commission made the town an al- lotment of $1,500.00, all to be expended under their di- rections to improve the Old Stage road from the Taunton line to the Freetown line. After their engineer had looked at the road work was begun at the Taunton line and 6,500 feet of road was built under a contract furnished by the Highway Commission of which the following is an exact copy :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Town of Berkley.
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT between the Town of Berkley, by its Board of Selectmen, party of the first part, and Z. L. Canedy, of Lakeville, party of the second part, relating to the improvement of a section of road in said town of Berkley.
In consideration of the sum hereinafter mentioned, to be paid by the party of the first part, and under the penalty
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Annual Report
expressed in the bond bearing even date with these presents and hereunto annexed, the party of the second part, hereinafter called the Contractor, hereby agrees to grade, surface with gravel and otherwise improve 6.500 feet of the road in the town of Berkley leading from Taun- ton to Freetown, locally known as the Old Stage road; the work to begin at the dividing line between the city of Taunton and the town of Berkley, at station 0, and extend in a southerly direction to station 65, subject to the fol- lowing conditions, viz :-
Section 1. The Contractor shall furnish all labor and materials for the work herein contemplated. The work shall be done in accordance with and as specified in a contract between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by the Massachusetts Highway Commission, and the town of Berkley, by its board of Selectmen, executed under date of May 12, 1914; said contract being hereby made a part of this agreement.
Section 2. The work shall be commenced within fifteen days from the date of this agreement and shall be diligently prosecuted to completion, in such order as may be prescribed by the Engineer.
Section 3. The Contractor is to furnish, free of charge, all stakes and such temporary structures as may be neces- sary for marking and maintaining points and lines given by the Engineer for the building of the work, and is to give said Engineer such facilities and materials for giving said lines and points as he may require ; and the Engineer's marks must be carefully preserved.
Section 4. If any person employed by the Contractor on the work shall appear to the Engineer to be incompe- tent,, or to act in a disorderly or improper manner, he shall be discharged immediately on the requisition of the Engineer, and such person shall not again be employed on the work.
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Annual Report
Section 5. Whenever the Contractor is not present on any part of the work where it may be desired to give directions, orders will be given by the Engineer, and shall be received and obeyed by the superintendent and fore- man who may have charge of the particular work in reference to which the orders are given.
Section 6. In all the operations connected with the work herein specified all state laws and town by-laws or ordinances controlling or limiting in any way the actions of those engaged in the work, or affecting the method of doing the work or materials applied to it, must be re- spected and strictly complied with; and during the per- formance of the work the Conractor shall provide such precautions as may be necessary to protect life and prop- erty.
Section 7. In the employment of manual labor under this contract, preference shall be given to citizens of the United States. No laborer, workman or mechanic in the employ of the Contractor, sub-contractor or other · person doing or contracting to do the whole or a part of the work contemplated by this contract shall be requested or required to work more than eight hours in any one calendar day, and eight hours shall constitute a day's work. Said Contractor or his agents or employees shall not, directly or indirectly, make it the condition of the employment of any person that he shall lodge, board or trade at any particular place or with any particular per- son; but every employee on the work to be done under this contract shall have full liberty to lodge, board and trade wheresoever and with whomsoever he may choose.
Section 8. Whenever the word "Selectmen" or "Board of Selectmen" is used in this contract it shall be understood to mean the Board of Selectmen of the Town
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Annual Report
of Berkley, Massachusetts, all duly chosen, qualified and acting. Whenever the word "town" is used it shall be understood to mean the town of Berkley. Whenever the word "engineer" is used it shall be understood to mean the Chief Engineer of the Massachusetts Highway Com- mission and his duly authorized assistants. Whenever the word "contractor" is used it shall be understood to mean the person who has entered into this contract as party of the second part or his legal representatives.
Section 9. The said Contractor agrees to give his per- sonal attention to the fulfillment of this contract, and not sublet the aforesaid contract, but to keep the same under his control. ' The subletting of portions of the work to be done under this contract may be done only upon the writ- ten consent of the Selectmen. The said Contractor shall furnish the necessary scaffolding, ways and all necessary means and conveniences for the transfer of the material to its proper place in the work. And it is also understood that the Selectmen shall not be held responsible for the care or protection of any material or parts of the work.
Section 10. It is further agreed that the Engineer and . his authorized assistants shall at all times have access to the work during its construction; and he shall be fur- nished with every reasonable facility for ascertaining that the stock and materials used and employed, and the workmanship, are in accordance with the requirements and intentions of this contract.
And it is further agreed that all the work contemplated and described in this contract and specifications shall be done to the satisfaction of the Engineer, and any materials condemned or rejected by him or his representatives may be branded or otherwise marked, and shall, on demand be at once removed to a satisfactory distance from the work.
=
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Annual Report
Section 11. Said Contractor further agrees that he will pay all bills for labor and materials contracted for by him on account of the work herein contemplated, and that he will furnish the said Selectmen, at their request, with evidence, satisfactory to said Selectmen, that all persons who have done work or furnished materials under this contract, and all claims of private corporations or in- dividuals for damage of any kind caused by the con- struction of said work have been fully paid or satis- factorily secured, and in case such evidence is not fur- nished, said Selectmen may retain out of any amounts due said Contractor sums sufficient to cover any such un- paid claims.
Section 12. The said Contractor further agrees that he will be responsible for any damage to any person or prop- erty resulting from defects or obstructions, or from any other cause whatsoever during the progress of the work or at any time before its completion and final acceptance, and that he will indemnify and save harmless the said town from all suits or actions of every name and descrip- tion, brought for or on account of any injuries or damages received or sustained by any person or persons, by or from the said Contractor, his servants or agents, in the construc- tion of said work or by or in consequence of any negligence in guarding the same, or in improper materials used in its construction, or by or on account of any act or omission of the said Contractor or his agents ; and the said Contractor further agrees that so much of the money due to him un- der and by virtue of this agreement as shall be considered necessary by the said Selectmen may be retained by the said town until such suits or claims for damages as afore- said shall have been settled, and evidence to that effect furnished to the satisfaction of the Selectmen.
Section 13. On the completion of said work to the sat- isfaction of the Engineer and of said Selectmen, the town
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Annual Report
of Berkley agrees to pay to the Contractor and the Con- tractor agrees to receive and accept the sum of THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,000.00) as full compensation for furnishing all the materials, and for doing all the work contemplated and embraced in this agreement; also for all loss or damage arising out of the nature of the work aforesaid, or from the action of the elements, or from any unforeseen difficulties or obstructions which may arise or be encountered in the prosecution of the work until its acceptance by the Selectmen; and for all risks of every description connected with the work; and for well and faithfully completing the work, and the whole thereof, in the manner required by the Engineer.
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