Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1893, Part 12

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: The town
Number of Pages: 288


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1893 > Part 12


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13


ART. 33 .- To see if the town will vote an appropriation of $200 to shingle and put new platforms at engine houses at the east and south parts of the town.


ART. 34 .- To see if the town will vote an appropriation of $600 for the purchase of new hose.


ART. 35 .- To see if the town will vote an appropriation of $250 for the purchase of harnesses for the fire department.


ART. 36 .- To see if the town will vote to instruct the Engineers to present the engine in the south part of the town to the B. V. F. A., and to dispose of the engine and condemned hose in the east part of the town, the proceeds of the same to be used for the fire department.


ART. 37 .- To see if the town will vote an appropriation of $3,500 to establish a fire alarm, and to appoint a committee for the same.


ART. 38 .- To see what action the town will take in relation to the claims of Stevens & Willis and the estate of Sarah W. Glover, for taking the water of Little Pond ; also of George P. Niles and others for taking the water of Great Pond; also in relation to the suit of Henry Gardner for services in the water suit before Com- missioners Lowell, Williams and Ware.


ART. 39 .- To see if the town will accept Sec. 72 of Chap. 423 of the Acts of the Legislature of Massachusetts, passed in the year 1890, and divide the town into voting precincts.


ART. 40 .- To choose any committee or hear the report of any committee, and act thereon.


243


You are to give notice of this meeting by posting up true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine public places in this town seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Observer.


Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk before the time of said meeting.


Given under our hands at Braintree, this twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three.


ANSEL O. CLARK, NATHANIEL F. HUNT, J. FRANKLIN BATES,


Selectmen of Braintree.


A true copy, attest :


HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.


NORFOLK, SS. BRAINTREE, Feb. 23, 1893.


Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I hereby notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified as herein ex- pressed, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes herein named.


HORACE FAXON,


Constable of Braintree.


BRAINTREE, March 6, 1893.


In accordance with the foregoing warrant, the meeting was called to order and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.


Ansel O. Clark appointed to check the list, and was sworn by the Town Clerk.


Upon ballot, Francis A. Hobart was unanimously elected Mod- erator and sworn by the Town Clerk.


Voted, That Art. 2 be laid upon the table.


244


ART. 3. Voted, that the highways and bridges be repaired in accordance with Chap. 98 of the Acts of the Legislature of 1889.


ART. 4. Was laid on the table.


ART. 5. Voted, to proceed to the election of the following town officers on one ballot, namely : Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, 3 Selectmen (who shall be Assessors and Overseers of the Poor), 2 School Committee for 3 years, 1 for 2 years and 2 for 1 year, Water Commissioner, 3 Auditors, 3 Fence Viewers, and 10 Con- stables, and also at the same time vote on the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?"


Moderator declared the polls open at 7h. 24m. A. M.


Voted, that the polls be kept open until 2h. 20m. P. M., and then closed, and at that time they were declared closed.


The Moderator declared the result of the ballot as follows, namely :


Whole number of ballots, 653.


Town Clerk-Blanks, 5; Samuel A. Bates, 648, and he was declared elected and sworn by the Moderator.


Town Treasurer-Blanks, 2; Peter D. Holbrook, 651, and he was declared elected and sworn.


Selectmen, Assessors and Overseers of the Poor-Blanks, 61; N. F. T. Hunt, 1; N. H. Hunt, 2; Thanter H. Hunt, 2; Na- thaniel F. Hunt, 207; Alfred Southworth, 289; J. Franklin Bates, 331; John V. Scollard, 430; Ansel O. Clark, 636, and Ansel O. Clark, John V. Scollard and J. Franklin Bates were de- clared elected and sworn.


School Committee, for 3 years-Blanks, 6 ; Henry L. Dearing, 650 ; Oliver Huckel, 650; and they were delared elected and ac- cepted the position.


For 2 years-Blanks, 3; Albion C. Drinkwater, 650, and he was declared elected, and accepted.


For 1 year-Blanks, 5; J. Crickmay, 1; Samuel C. Bridgham, 652; and Thomas A. Watson, 648, and the two latter were de- clared elected, and accepted.


245


For Water Commissioner-Blanks, 20; John V. Scollard, 633 ; and he was declared elected, and accepted.


For Auditors-Blanks, 5 ; Daniel Potter, 652 ; L. Willard Mor- rison, 651; and Charles G. Sheppard, 651; and they were de- clared elected, and sworn.


For Fence Viewers-Blanks, 8; Freeman G. Crosby, 653; Albert Hobart, 652; and Charles A. Belcher, 646 ; and they were declared elected, and sworn.


For Constables-Blanks, 92; Horace Faxon, 647; James R. Qualey, 639 ; Henry M. Storm, 648; Albert Hobart, 648; James A. Reynolds, 647 ; Robert M. Loring, 645 ; John Kelley of Com- mercial street, 626 ; were declared elected, and sworn.


John E. Long, 644 ; Charles G. Anderson, 647; and Edwin L. Curtis, 647 ; were declared elected, but declined to serve.


"Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" Yes, 164; no, 312. Total, 476.


Voted to adjourn until Monday, March 13, 1893.


BRAINTREE, March 13, 1893.


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, in accord- ance with the adjournment from March 6, 1893.


ART. 5 before the meeting.


Voted that we chose three measurers of grain.


J. Marcus Arnold was chosen.


Voted that the others be appointed by the Selectmen.


Voted that we choose five weighers of hay, who shall also be measurers of wood, and the following were chosen, namely :


J. Marcus Arnold, sworn; Peter B. Lawson sworn; Martin L. Tupper, sworn; William Allen, sworn; Edward M. Wight, sworn.


Voted that we choose three measurers of lumber, and the fol- lowing persons were chosen, namely : 1


Martin L. Tupper, sworn; Henry Gardner, sworn; George E. Fogg, sworn.


246


Voted that we choose one measurer of leather, one pound keeper and three field-drivers.


Voted that they be appointed by the Selectmen.


ART. 5 was laid on the table.


ART. 6 taken up.


Voted unanimously that the Treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes of the current fiscal year, and to issue notes of the town there- for; and the debts incurred under the authority of this vote are hereby made payable from said taxes.


ART. 7 taken up.


Voted, that the following Jury list, as made by the Selectmen Feb. 1, 1893, be accepted :


William Allen, Edwards P. Allen, Richard L. Arnold, J. Sar- gent Arnold, Johr. M. Arnold, Franklin E. Arnold, Andrew J. Bates, Charles S. Bates, Charles A. Belcher, George S. Boyer, Joseph D. Bradford, Lewis Dyer, Brainard T. Dyer, George A. French, George G. French, Henry Gardner, Edward A. Hale, Elijah C. Hall, Thomas W. Herrick, J. Samuel Hill, Francis" E. Hayward, Jonathan P. Hayward, Ellis. Hollingsworth, Edward W. Hobart, Charles A. Hobart, William A. Hollis, Aubrey Hil- liard, Bradford Y. Knight, William A. Kane, Frederic P. Loth- rop, Charles H. Loring, Frank G. Lunt, Henry A. Monk, Michael McDermott, William B. Merritt, Lyman W. Morrison, William M'Ewan, George W. Osgood, F. Alton Oliver, Edward O. Pier- son, Elbridge F. Porter, Rodolphus Porter, Fred. G. Pennock, John Reed, Charles G. Richards, John V. Scollard, Arthur J. Shaw, Chester H. Shaw, Martin V. B. Shaw, William H. Stevens, Richard M. Sanborn, Charles. G. Sheppard, Caleb Thompson, Foster F. Tupper, William A. Tupper, Amasa S. Thayer, Henry H. Thayer, David H. B. Thayer, Alden A. Thorn- dike, G. Henry Tuttle, Henry B. Vinton, I. Francis Vinton, Thomas A. Watson, Jonathan F. White, Joseph Whitely, Ezra H. Waite, John Whitty, Edward M. Wight, B. Herbert Wood- sum, Henry B. Whitman.


247


ART. 16 taken up.


Voted, That a committee consisting of the moderator, town clerk, and three citizens to be appointed by the chair, shall take into consideration the subject of the By-Laws of the town, and report a new code of By-Laws as recommended by the Judge of the Superior Court. Moderator appointed John V. Scollard, Asa French, and Elmer E. Abercrombie.


ART. 36 taken up.


Voted, That the town instruct the engineers to loan the engine in the south part of the town to the Braintree Veteran Firemen's . Association.


Voted, That the engineers sell the condemned hose in the east part of the town, the proceeds to be used for the support of the Fire Department.


ART. 39 taken up.


Moved, That the town accept Sect. 72, of Chap. 423 of the Acts of the Legislature of Massachusetts passed in the year 1890, and instruct the Selectmen to divide the town into three voting precincts.


This motion was not carried, 32 Yes and 38 No.


ART. 9 taken up.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $175, and pay the same to General Sylvanus Thayer Post, G. A. R., for the purpose of assisting them in defraying the expenses of Memorial Day.


ART. 12 taken up.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $5000 for the sinking fund of the water bonds.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $850 for interest on water bonds.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $3650 for Hydrant service, the same to be used for the payment of interest on the water bonds.


' Voted, That the sum of $5500 be appropriated from the domestic .


248


revenue of the water department for payment of interest on water bonds. 1


ART. 25 taken up.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $3000 to. be placed at the disposal of the board of water commissioners to extend the water system.


ART. 17 was taken up, and it was voted that said article be referred to the water commissioners.


ART. 14 taken up.


Voted, To re-appropriate the sum of $1000, now in the treasury, for the completion of the new road leading from Union street to Middle street.


ART. 10 taken up.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $2150 for the general ex- penses of the Fire Department.


Voted, That the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department be paid the sum of $50; the Assistant Engineers, $25 each ; and the members $15 each, for their services the ensuing year.


ART. 33 taken up.


Voted, To appropriate the sum of $200 to shingle and put new platforms at engine houses at the east and south parts of the town.


ART. 34 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $600 for the purchase of new hose.


ART. 35 taken up. '


Voted, To lay this article on the table.


ART. 37 taken up.


Voted, That it be indefinitely postponed.


ART. 28 taken up.


Voted, that it be indefinitely postponed.


ART. 8 taken up.


249


Voted to appropriate the sum of $12,300 for the salaries of teachers in the public schools.


Voted that the income of the state and town school funds, and the dog tax be appropriated for the payment of the salaries of the teachers in the public schools.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $1,080 for the payment of janitors of the public schoolhouses.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $1,000 for fuel for the public schools.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $700 for the incidental ex- penses of the schoolhouses.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $500 for the incidental ex- penses of schools.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $1,100 for the purchase of text books and supplies. $


Voted to appropriate the sum of $1,200 for the payment of the Superintendent of Schools.


ART. 8. Laid on the table.


ART. 13 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $200 to convey pupils to and from the public schools.


ART. 8 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $2,000 for the purpose of es- tablishing three kindergarten schools, one in each part of the town.


ART. 30 taken up.


Voted that this article be referred to a committee of five, con- sisting of Thomas A. Watson, Josephus Sampson, Daniel Potter, George D. Willis and Alva S. Morrison, who shall report at the adjourned meeting in April next.


ART. 31 taken up.


ยท Voted to lay it on the table.


250


ART. 15 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $200 for the purpose of pub- lishing an account of the proceedings at the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town in pamphlet form, and that a copy of said pamphlet be given to every family in town, and that the Town Clerk is hereby instructed to carry this vote into effect.


ART. 27 was taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $250, to be expended by the Water Commissioners, for the purpose of engineering, so that a plan may be laid before the town for the better protection of the borders of Little Pond.


ART. 20 taken up.


Voted to re-appropriate the sum of $16,500, which was appro- priated January 11, 1893, for the purpose of extending the electric light plant.


ART. 21 taken up.


Voted that the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized and directed, under direction of the Selectmen, to issue ten notes of the town -instead of the bonds, as voted at the town meeting of Jan. 11, 1893 - for the purpose of extending the electric light plant.


ART. 29 taken up.


Voted that the aforesaid notes be of face value of $1,650 each, and to run 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 years, respectively, bear- ing interest at the rate of not more than 4 per centum per annum ; and that the Selectmen be instructed to raise by taxation each year the sum of $1,650, together with a sum sufficient to pay the accrued interest on all of said notes remaining unpaid, until all of said notes are liquidated.


ART. 18 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $125 for the purpose of placing four more arc lamps, or their equivalent in incandescents, in such location as the Selectmen may determine.


251


ART. 22 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $5,000 for the purpose of pay- ing the operating expenses of the electric light plant during the coming year.


ART. 8 taken up.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $4,000 for the support of poor, including soldiers' relief.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $4,000 for the repairs of high- ways, of which sum $1,000 shall be expended for sidewalks.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $3,000 for stone roads.


Voted that the Selectmen have authority to draw orders on the treasury for the sum of $1,200, to pay for State Aid, under Chap. 301, and also the sum of $500 for hospital expenses, the same to be refunded to the town treasury.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $200, under Chap. 279 of the Statutes.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $1,000 for the removal of snow.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $2,000 for the incidental ex- penses of the town.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $2,700 to pay the officers of the town.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $600 for the payment of the janitor of the Town Hall, etc.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $800 for abatement and col- lection of taxes.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $100 for town lands.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $800 for the Thayer Public Library.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $100 for the distribution of books from the Public Library.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $700 for insurance on public buildings.


252


Voted to appropriate the sum of $3,000 for interest on town debt.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $3,300 to pay one schoolhouse note.


Voted to appropriate the sum of $2,000 to pay one electric light note.


Voted to adjourn to Monday, April 3, 1893, at 7.45 o'clock, P. M.


BRAINTREE, April 3, 1893.


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, in accord- ance with the adjournment from March 13, 1893.


Hon. Francis A. Hobart, the Moderator, then submitted the following communication to the town, namely :


On the 19th day of September, 1870, I was for the first time elected to the position of Moderator in this town, and for twenty- three consecutive years, from March, 1891 to March of the present year, I have served in that capacity at your annual meet- ings.


At fifty-one special meetings I have been chosen to fill the same position, which with thirty-eight adjourned meetings makes a total of one hundred and twelve town meetings over which I have presided.


From the time I was a voter in 1854, covering a period of nearly thirty-nine years, during which time about two hundred town meetings have been held, I have been absent from one only, and then because I was outside the limits of the state.


As I have stood face to face with you, as the years roll on, I fully realize the changes that are constantly occurring.


During that time the hand of death has cut a wide swath in this community, but it would be invidious in me to mention names, for the roll is a long one, of those who during that time have been prominent participators in town affairs-have passed away, joining the silent majority upon the other side.


Many of those who are now active participants in public affairs were then mere boys, while some were unborn. Nothing brings to me a greater realization of these changes than the fact, that as I stand here, I note new faces, and am frequently compelled to


253


inquire the name of some one who arises to address you, and I find that even our Town Clerk, Mr. Bates, who for nineteen years has stood with me in this desk and served you so faithfully and well, is at a loss to help me out of my difficulty.


This position is an honorable as well as a responsible one, and no one can fill it and faithfully perform its duties without being subjected to criticism.


The Moderator, either in his rulings or the appointment of com- mittees, is frequently compelled to go counter to the wishes of his best and warmest friends.


It is said that to err is human, while to forgive is divine, and during my long occupancy of this place undoubtedly I have erred, but my errors have been those of judgment rather than design, for in the discharge of the responsible duties devolving upon me, it has been my honest endeavor, without favor, to adhere to the strict rules of parliamentary practice, as I understood them, and it is gratifying to me to know that in all the important matters considered during this long period, no decision that I have been called upon to render has been overruled.


Actively interested as I have always been in the affairs of the town, I feel that I have made some warm friends, while I am con- . scious also that I have made some enemies, otherwise I should feel that I had failed in the faithful performance of duty.


During all these years I have been intrusted with the appoint- ment of your committees having charge of your public improve- ments, your committee on appropriations, and all special commit- tees, involving during the time among other matters, the reogani- zation of your Fire Department, erection of your Soldiers' Monument, the establishment of your Public Library, the erection of schoolhouses and other public buildings, your Water Supply, Centennial Celebration, Electric Lighting, Sewerage, as well as others of a minor nature.


It is a source of deep gratification to me, that during the many bitter contests that have occurred in these years, even during the long and bitter strife connected with the water controversy, ex- tending through a period of more than five years, a controversy that sundered the friendly relations of a lifetime, that I so far re- tained the confidence of my fellow citizens, that each year I was elected to this position, without opposition.


For their long and continued confidence and support, I desire to express to my fellow citizens my sincere and grateful thanks, and to say, that with the adjournment of this meeting, I do not propose to be again a candidate for the position, assuring you,


254


however, that although I may take a less active part in public affairs, I shall still retain an abiding interest in everything that pertains to the welfare, prosperity, growth and honor of the old town of Braintree.


On motion of T. Haven Dearing it was voted unanimously that the thanks of the town be and are hereby extended to Hon. F. A. Hobart for his long and faithful service as Moderator, and that this vote be entered upon the records.


Voted to adjourn to eight and one half o'clock P. M.


SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.


BRAINTREE, April 3, 1893.


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator in accord- ance with the adjournment.


Voted to adjourn to nine and one-fourth o'clock this evening.


SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.


BRAINTREE, April 3, 1893.


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator in accord- ance with the adjournment.


Voted to adjourn to nine and one half o'clock this evening.


SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.


BRAINTREE, April 3, 1893.


The meeting was called to order by the moderator, in accord- ance with the adjournment.


Voted to adjourn to Monday, April 10, 1893, at 7.45 P.M. SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.


255


BRAINTREE, April 10, 1893.


The meeting was called to order by the Moderator in accord- ance with the adjournment.


ART. 5 was laid on the table.


ART. 40. Sewerage Committee made an oral report and it was voted that the same committee be continued and they per- form the duty originally assigned them, and that the $800 be re-appropriated. H. M. White declined to serve any longer on the Committee and William A. Kane was chosen to fill the vacancy.


ART. 15. Voted to appropriate the sum of $150 .in addition to the sum appropriated for the publication of the proceedings of the 250th anniversary of its incorporation.


ART. 11. Voted that all taxes assessed the current year shall be payable on or before the first day of December, 1893, and on all taxes not paid on or before said first day of December, interest at the rate of six per centum per annum shall be charged and collected from the said first day of December until the tax is paid; and that the Collector is required after the first day of February, 1894, to exert all the power vested in him by law for the collection of all unpaid taxes.


ART. 2. Voted to accept the report of the several town officers.


ART. 19. Voted to refer this article to the Water Commissioners with full powers.


ART. 23. Voted to authorize the Selectmen to convey to Gen- eral Sylvanus Thayer Post, G. A. R., lots No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Plain street Cemetery for their use as a Soldiers' burial lot.


ART. 24. Voted, That the town amend Section 1 of Article 4 of the By-Laws by making the first day of January, instead of the first day of February, the beginning of the financial year.


Ansel O. Clark was appointed a committee to present this amendment to the Court for its approval.


ART. 26 was referred to the Board of Health to make investi- gation, and report to the town.


ART. 8. Voted, That $2000 be appropriated for the payment


256


of interest on town debt, in addition to the sum already appro- priated.


Voted, That the collection of taxes be let out to the lowest bidder. Nathaniel F. Hunt agreed to collect the taxes for four and five-tenths mills on the dollar, and he was elected Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year ; and sworn by the Town Clerk.


Voted, That so much of the Bank and Corporation tax to the amount of $8000 be applied to the payment of the foregoing appropriations.


Voted, To raise by taxation the sum of $70,330.


ART. 30 was indefinitely postponed.


ART. 32 was indefinitely postponed.


ART. 38 was referred to the Board of Selectmen with instruction to report at the earliest practicable moment, at some future meeting.


Voted, To pay Francis A. Hobart the sum of $25 for his services as Moderator.


Voted to adjourn sine die.


SAMUEL A. BATES, Town Clerk.


NORFOLK, ss.


To either of the constables of the town of Braintree,


GREETING :


In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Braintree, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Braintree, on Monday, the third day of April, 1893, at eight o'clock in the evening, to act on the following articles, namely :


ARTICLE 1 .- To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.


ART. 2 .- To see if the town will amend the vote passed on the eleventh day of January, 1893, in relation to the issuance of electric lighting bonds, so that the bonds may mature in twenty-four years from the date of issue, and so that the amount


257


to be raised shall be $16,500 instead of $16,600, as voted on the above date.


ART. 3 .- To see if the town will elect a Board of Commis- sioners of Sinking Funds.


ART. 4 .- To hear the report of the committee appointed at the town meeting of March 13th to investigate the needs for addi- tional schoolhouse facilities in the east section of the town.


ART. 5 .- To see if the town will select a location for a school- house in the east section of the town.


ART. 6 .- To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $32,000 for the erection of a schoolhouse and the purchase of a lot of land for the location of the same in the east section of the town, and also to determine the method of raising said money.


ART. 7 .- To see if the town will appoint a Building Commit- tee and give the same full power to transact all business pertain- ing to the purchase of the land and construction of the school- house authorized by Article 6.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.