USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1898 > Part 5
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ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To hear the report of the several town officers and act thereon.
ART. 3. To determine the manner of repairing the high- ways and bridges the ensuing year.
ART. 4. To choose all necessary town officers for the ensuing year. Also to vote on the following question, "Yes " or "No," as required by Chapter 54 of the Acts of 1881, namely : Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale of intoxicating liquors ? Under this act the polls will be kept open until one o'clock P. M.
ART. 5. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes.
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ART. 6. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
ART. 7. To see if the town will accept the jury list as prepared by the Selectmen.
ART. 8. To see if the town will vote to charge interest on all unpaid taxes after a certain date.
ART. 9. To see if the town will vote an appropriation to assist Post 87, G. A. R., in defraying the expenses of memorial services on Memorial Day.
ART. 10. To see what compensation the town will vote to pay the members of the Fire Department the ensuing year.
ART. 11. To appropriate a sum of money for hydrant service.
ART. 12. To appropriate a sum of money for the Water Loan Sinking Fund.
ART. 13. To appropriate a sum of money for the Electric Light Sinking Fund.
ART. 14. To appropriate a sum of money to convey pupils to and from the Public Schools.
ART. 15. To see if the town will vote to continue the night police and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 16. To make necessary appropriations for operating the Electric Lighting System.
ART. 17. To see if the town will vote to quitclaim to Sarah M. Mansfield the lot of land, with buildings thereon, situated on the corner of Taylor (formerly Winter) and Central streets, in that part of the town known as South Braintree, and being the same premises named in a deed of Solon David to Sarah M. Mansfield, dated July 5, 1893, and recorded with Norfolk Deeds, book 696, page 324.
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ART. 18. To see if the town will vote to quitclaim to Henry W. Mansfield the lot of land with buildings thereon, situated on Central street, in that part of the town known as South Braintree, and being the same premises named in a deed of Solon David to Henry W. Mansfield, dated May 31, 1890, and recorded with Norfolk Deeds, book 638, page 330.
ART. 19. To see if the town will vote to accept the pro- visions of chapter 374, of the Acts of the Legislature of 1895, entitled "An Act to authorize towns to place the administration of their highways under a single highway surveyor."
ART. 20. To see if the town will vote to accept the provisions of chapter 186, of the Acts of the Legislature of 1895, entitled "An Act relative to the watering of streets in towns."
ART. 21. To see if the town will vote to build a side- walk on Franklin street, west of the residence of the late Calvin Thayer, and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 22. To see if the town will vote to have a survey and plans made of the improved lands within the town, to better enable the assessors to perform their duties.
ART. 23. To see if the town will appoint a committee to. consider and report on the question of a new school building.
ART. 24. To hear the report of the committee appointed at the last annual town meeting to report as to the rights of the town in reference to the A. S. Morrison lighting plant.
ART. 25. To see if the town will vote to extend the street lighting system on Hayward street; also on Pond street.
ART. 26. To see if the town will accept the laying out, as town ways, Lowell street (so-called) and that portion of Park street running east from the aforesaid Lowell street to Cedar street, as laid out by the selectmen, and appropriate a sum of money to build the same.
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ART. 27. To see if the town will vote to build a concrete sidewalk on Washington street and Hall avenue, partly on land of Mr. E. C. Hall, in accordance with the provisions of a vote passed at the annual meeting, March, 1897, and ap- propriate a sum of money for the same.
ART. 28. To see if the town will vote to extend the electric lighting system, to establish an arc light at the cor- ner of Fountain and Boscobel streets, and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
ART. 29. To see if the town will vote an appropriation to rebuild the target used by Company K, Fifth Regiment ; also to aid said company in providing such furnishings as may be needed to equip the company 'in a comfortable manner.
ART. 30. To see if the town will place the Lighting Plant in the charge of a Municipal Lighting Board and ac- cept the statutes in relation to the same.
ART. 31. To see if the town will vote to divide the town into voting precincts and accept the statutes relating to the same.
ART. 32. To see if the town will vote to authorize the Water Commissioners to make extensions of the water mains and appropriate the sum of $2,000 to defray the expenses of the same.
ART. 33. To see if the town will vote to gravel the driveway in front of the Jonas Perkins School and appro- priate the sum of $150 for the same.
ART. 34.' To see if the town will vote to construct a safe and suitable fence on Commercial street over the Arch Bridge and appropriate money to defray the expense of the same.
ART. 35. To see if the town will vote an appropriation to enlarge the culvert under Elm Street, near the factory of A. C. Drinkwater.
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ART. 36. To see if the town desires to instruct the Selectmen in relation to the two franchises petitioned for by the Braintree and Weymouth Street Railway Company.
ART. 37. To see if the town desires to instruct the Selectmen in relation to the petition of the Braintree and Randolph Street Railway Company to extend its tracks in Pearl street.
ART. 38. To see if the town will vote to build a drain in Washington street to take the surface water flowing in front of the residence of the late Elisha Morse.
ART. 39. To see if the town will choose a Board of As- sessors other than the Selectmen.
ART. 40. To see if the town will choose a Board of Road Commissioners and accept the statutes relating to the same.
ART. 41. To see if the town will vote to purchase uni- forms for the night police and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 42. To choose any committee or hear the report of any committee and act thereon.
ART. 43. To see if the town will vote to make some pro- vision for drainage in Franklin street and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
ART. 44. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to rebuild the Fire Alarm ; also a sum of money to purchase new hose for the Fire Department.
You are to give notice of this meeting by posting up true and attested copies of this warrant in not less than nine pub- lic places in this town seven days at least before the time of said meeting, and by publishing once in the Braintree Re- porter.
Hereof fail not and make return of this warrant with your
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doings thereon to the Town Clerk before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands at Braintree this twenty-third day of February in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and ninety eight.
ANSEL O. CLARK, WILLIAM W. MAYHEW, J. PARKER HAYWARD. Selectmen of Braintree.
BRAINTREE, March 5, 1898.
NORFOLK, SS.
Pursuant to the within I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Braintree herein described to meet at the time and place and for the purposes within mentioned by posting up attested copies of this warrant at more than nine public places in said town of Braintree, seven days before the time set for said meeting and I have caused the said warrant to be published once in the Braintree Reporter before the time set for said meeting.
HORACE FAXON, Constable of Braintree.
A true copy-Attest.
H. A. MONK, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, March 7, 1898.
In accordance with the foregoing warrant the meeting was called to order at 7 o'clock A. M., and the warrant read by . the Town Clerk.
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Mr. A. F. Hollis was appointed to check the list for Moderator and was sworn.
E. E. Abercrombie, John Kelley and B. T. Dyer were appointed Tellers to assort and count the votes for Moderator and were sworn.
ARTICLE 1. Upon ballot, Mr. F. A. Hobart was elected Moderator and was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Articles 2 and 3 were laid on the table.
Article 4 taken up. Voted, On motion of Judge French, that the town proceed to ballot for a Town Clerk, Town . Treasurer, three Selectmen (who shall also be Overseers of the Poor), one Water Commissioner for three years (who shall also be Sinknig Fund Commissioner), four members of the School Committee (two for three years, one for two years and one for one year), three Auditors, three Fence Viewers, six Trustees of School Fund, and 16 Constables, all on one ballot.
The Moderator appointed Mr. A. F. Hollis to check the list for the day. Mr. Hollis was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Crooker, that flve (5) tellers be appointed to assort and count the votes.
F. W. Crooker, Edwin F. Porter, William Orr, C. A. Belcher and S. F. Pratt were appointed and sworn.
Daniel Potter was appointed to take charge of the ballot box and was sworn.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Abercrombie, that a committee of thirteen, none of whom shall be connected with any department of the town requiring appropriations, be appointed by the Chair as a committee on appropriations, to whom shall be referred all articles in the warrant involving matters of appropriations ; said committee to report their recommendations at an adjournment of this meeting.
Voted, That after the election of the various town officers and the appointment of such committees as may be ordered,
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that the Moderator declare this meeting adjourned to Mon- day, March 21, at 9 o'clock A. M.
The Moderator appointed as Committee on Appropriations E. E. Abercrombie, G. D. Willis, A. E. Avery, John Cava- nagh, Benjamin F. Dyer, Daniel Potter, John Kelley, A. S. Morrison, C. C. Mellen, N. F. Hunt, Leander B. Hollis, B. H. Woodsum and George H. Arnold.
Voted, On motion of Judge French, that a committee of five (5) be appointed by the Chair to look into the consoli- dation of town offices, and report at an adjournment of this meeting.
Asa French, George D. Willis, A. C. Drinkwater, N. F. Hunt and E. E. Abercrombie were appointed as that com- mittee.
At 1 o'clock P. M. the polls were declared closed.
Voted, To elect five surveyors of wood and weighers of hay, and J. Marcus Arnold, Peter B. Lawson, Martin L. Tupper, William Allen and Edward M. Wight were elected. Martin L. Tupper declined to serve ; the others were sworn.
Voted, To elect three surveyors of lumber, and Martin L. Tupper, Henry Gardner and George H. Holbrook were elected and sworn.
Voted, That the Selectmen appoint one measurer of leather, one pound-keeper and three field drivers.
The tellers reported the result of the ballot as follows :
Whole number of ballots cast, 524.
For Town Clerk-Henry A. Monk had 524, and was declared elected and was sworn.
For Town Treasurer-Daniel Potter had 1, Peter D. Hol- brook 523. Peter D. Holbrook was declared elected and was sworn.
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For Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor-Ansel O. Clark had 414, William W. Mayhew 512, J. Parker Hay- ward 511, Thomas R. Fitch 109, C. H. Clapp 1, blanks 15 ; and Ansel O. Clark, William W. Mayhew and J. Parker Hayward were declared elected and sworn.
For Water Commissioner and Sinking Fund Commis- sioner-T. Haven Dearing had 517, W. R. Page 1, blanks . 6 ; and T. Haven Dearing was declared elected and accepted.
For School Committee-Mrs. Ann M. Brooks (for three years) had 523, blank 1, Albion C. Drinkwater (for three years) 518, blanks 6, C. F. Hill Crathern (for two years) 508, blanks 16, William C. Harding (for one year) 524, T. R. Fitch 1. Mrs. Ann M. Brooks, Albion C. Drinkwater, C. F. Hill Crathern and William C. Harding were declared elected and sworn.
For Auditors-Daniel Potter had 523, L. Willard Morri- son 521, Charles G. Sheppard 522, M. F. Drinkwater 1. Daniel Potter, L. Willard Morrison and Charles G. Sheppard were declared elected and sworn.
For Fence Viewers-Francis W. Crooker had 523, Henry Gardner 519, W. A. Kane 522, John Downs 1, H. A. Thayer 1. Francis W. Crooker, Henry Gardner and W. A. Kane were declared elected and sworn.
For Trustees of School Fund-George D. Willis had 521, F. A. Hobart 519. Alva S. Morrison 524, George H. Arnold 523, William W. Mayhew 523, Peter D. Holbrook 523, and they were declared elected.
For Constables-Horace Faxon had 519, Christopher T. Bailey 523, Joseph W. Stetson 522, Thomas Downey 514, David C. Hazeltine 518, James R. Qualey 510, James Rourke 515, Conrad Mischler 520, John Gallivan 517, John Kelley 507, Benjamin J. Loring 523, Henry Dugan, Jr., 514,
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J. Murray Knight 520, Edward M. Wright 524, Horace F. Hunt 521 ; all elected and sworn. Frank.S. Littlefield had 522 but declined to serve.
Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating li- quors in this town ? Whole number of votes, 381. Yes, 88 ; No, 293.
Meeting declared adjourned to March 21, at 9 o'clock, A. M.
A true record.
Attest :
H. A. MONK, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, March 21, 1898.
The town met in accordance with adjournment from March 7, Moderator F. A. Hobart in the chair.
ARTICLE 2. First in order, Voted, To lay on the table.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Scollard, that Articles 3, 19, 20 and 40 be taken up for consideration, and under Article 3, that so much of said report as relates to the highways be considered, and also under Article 6 to Act upon the recommendation of the committee on appropriations so far as it relates to highways.
Motion was made by Mr. Scollard that the highways and bridges be repaired for the ensuing year under the direction of the Selectmen, who shall be surveyors of highways, and who shall appoint a competent person to be superintendent of streets.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Kelley, that that part of the motion relating to superintendent of streets be stricken out.
Voted, On a substitute motion, as made by Mr. Kelley, and amended by Mr. Abercrombie, that we proceed to the
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election by ballot of a board of three highway surveyers, and that the polls be closed at eleven o'clock.
Mr. A. O. Clark was appointed to check the list and sworn. Daniel Potter, John W. West and J. V. Scollard were appointed to assort and count the votes for surveyors and were sworn.
Voted, To extend the time for closing the polls for five minutes.
Tellers reported that 245 ballots had been cast, and that A. O. Clark, William W. Mayhew and J. Parker Hayward had received a majority of that number and they were de- clared elected and sworn.
Voted, On motion of Judge French, that the subject under consideration be laid on the table and Article 2 taken up.
ART. 2. Report of the several town officers presented.
Voted, To receive the report and lay the same on the table for further action.
ART. 19. Indefinitely postponed.
ART. 40. Indefinitely postponed.
ART. 20. Indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Scolland gave notice of his intention to move a recon- sideration of the vote passed relating to superintendent of of streets.
Voted, That the Moderator be authorized to declare a recess of one hour at 12 o'clock.
ART. 6. Voted, On motion of Mr. Scollard, that we proceed to consider the matter of appropriation for high- ways, and that the appropriation committee be requested to report so much of their recommendations as relates to high- ways.
.
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Voted, On motion of Mr. Abercrombie, that the follow- ing sums be appropriated :-
For general repairs of highways and bridges, three thous- and dollars ($3,000).
For Stone Road, thirty-five hundred dollars ($3,500).
For removal of snow, fifteen hundred dollars ($1,500).
For sidewalks, one thousand dollars ($1,000).
Mr. Powers moved that laborers on the highway be paid at the rate of two ($2) dollars per day, and that nine (9) hours constitute a day's work, which motion was rejected.
Mr. Powers gave notice that he should move a reconsider- ation.
Moderator declared a recess until 1 o'clock P. M.
Meeting called to order at 1.15 o'clock p. M.
Mr. Abercrombie gave notice that he should move a re- consideration of the vote passed under Article 20 of the warrant relating to watering streets.
ART. 5. Voted, on motion of Mr. Scollard, that for the purpose of procuring a temporary loan to and for the use of the town of Braintree in anticipation of the taxes of the present municipal year, the Town Treasurer is hereby au- thorized and directed to borrow from time to time with the approval of the Board of Selectmen a sum or sums in the aggregate amounting to sixty thousand dollars ($60,000), and to execute and deliver the note or notes of the town therefor payable within one year from the time the loan is made, with interest thereon at the lowest rate that can be procured at the time the loan is made. Any debt or debts incurred by a loan or loans to the town under this vote shall be paid from the taxes of the present municipal year.
Voted, To take up Article 8.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Abercrombie, that the town 1
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charge interest on all taxes remaining unpaid after Decem- ber 1st. 1898, at the rate of six per cent. per annum.
. ART. 9. ' Voted, to appropriate the sum of one hundred and seventy-five dollars ($175) to assist Post 87, G. A. R., in defraying the expenses of " Memorial Day."
ART. 11. Voted, To appropriate for Hydrant Service $4,150.00.
ART. 12. Voted, To appropriate for Water Loan Sinking Fund, $5120.00.
ART. 13. Voted, To appropriate for Electric Light Sinking Fund $430, to be taken from revenues derived from domestic and commercial lighting.
ART. 14. Voted, To appropriate the sum of $725.00, for the conveyance of pupils to and from the Public Schools.
ART. 7. Voted, On motion of Judge French, that this matter be laid on the table.
ART. 21. Voted, To refer the matter to the Highway Surveyors.
ART. 22. The committee on appropriations recommended that no action be taken this year.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Kelley that the town authorize the assessors or selectmen to have a survey and plans made of the improved lands and that the sum of $1,000 be appro- priated for that purpose.
ART. 6. (Taken up), Voted, On motion of Mr. Scollard that we proceed to consider that part of the Appropriation Committee's report relating to schools. The committee rec- commended that the sum of $13,600.00 be appropriated in addition to the dog tax and school fund for the pay of teach- ers ; this amount to include $1,200.00 for the pay of a high school teacher. - Mr. Scollard moved to amend the re- port of the committee by substituting the sum of $14,145.00.
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Voted, On motion of Mr. Scollard, that at 5 o'clock the moderator be instructed to adjourn this meeting to Wednes- day, March 30, at 7.45 o'clock P. M.
Voted, on motion of Mr. A. S. Morrison that at the next meeting no person be allowed to speak more than three times on the same question.
Adjourned to March 30, at 7.45 P. M.
A true record-Attest :
H. A. MONK, Town Clerk.
BRAINTREE, March 30, 1898.
The town met in accordance with adjournment from March 21. Moderator F. A. Hobart in the chair.
Voted, The meeting take a recess subject to the call of the moderator.
. The meeting was again called to order at 9.20 o'clock.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Willis that this meeting and every adjournment of the same which is held in the evening shall be adjourned at 10.30 o'clock, P. M.
Voted, To adopt the amendment of Mr. Scollard to the recommendation of the appropriation committee ; namely, that the sum of fourteen thousand one hundred and forty-five dollars $(14,145) be appropriated for the pay of teachers, in addition to the dog tax and school fund, the same to in- clude twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) for salary of high school teacher.
Voted, To adjourn to Monday evening, April 4, at 7.45 o'clock, P. M.
A true record.
Attest : H. A. MONK,
Town Clerk.
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BRAINTREE, April 4, 1898.
The town, met in accordance with the adjournment from March 30th. Moderator in the chair.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Willis, that the janitor be in- structed to open the gallery for the accomodation of young people and ladies at this and all future meetings.
Voted, That speakers be limited to ten minutes time on any. one question.
ART. 6. The following appropriations were voted : For Superintendent, whose whole time shall be devoted to the superintendence of the schools, the sum of $1,400 ; for jani- tors, including cleaning and care of buildings during summer vacation, $1,800 (the janitors of the Jonas Perkins and the Monatiquot schools each to receive $600 of said sum) ; for text books and supplies, $1,600 ; for incidentals for schools, $400; for incidentals for school houses, $1,000; for fuel, $1,200.
Article 6 laid on the table.
ART. 23 (taken up). Voted, On motion of Mr. Watson, that a committee of seven be appointed to take into con- sideration the subject matter of this article and report at some future meeting. Moderator appointed Thomas A. Watson, George H. Arnold, T. H. Dearing, James T. Ste- vens, Asa French, John Kelley, Aubrey Hilliard, as that committee. Mr. French declined, and F. Eugene Dyer was appointed to fill vacancy.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Scollard, to take up Article 3.
Motion made by Mr. Scollard that the Selectmen, as Highway Surveyors, be requested to employ some suitable person to supervise the work on the highways.
Voted, On motion of Mr. Kelley, to lay on the table.
ART. 10 (taken up). Voted, For the pay of members,
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engineers and stewards of the fire department : Members, $945; stewards, $170; engineers, $110. Total amount, $1,225.
ART. 6 (taken up). For general expenses of fire de- partment, $800 ; repairs of engine houses, $100.
ART. 44. For new hose, $325; repairs ou apparatus, $100. For change in battery or rebuilding fire alarm, also for harnesses, the committee recommended no action be taken by the town this year.
Voted, to accept the recommendation of the committee.
ART. 7 (taken up). Voted, On motion of Mr. Scollard, that the jury list, as presented by the Selectmen, be ac- cepted with the exception of the following names : E. C. Hall. Edward Shay, E. A. Hale, H. A. Monk, John H. Coffee, H. F. Arnold, C. M. Lothrop.
Jury list as amended : Franklin E. Arnold, Richard L. Arnold, J. Sargent Arnold, Andrew J. Bates, J. Franklin Bates, Charles S. Bates, Frank Albert Bates, Charles A. Belcher, Stafford S. Bridgham, James Connell, William H. Cuff, Charles B. Cummings, Cyrus F. Cushing, Charles W. Clapp, . William H. Currier, Willard E. Dow, Azel R. French, George G. French, George F. Fuller, Jeremiah F. Gallivan, Francis A. Gardner, Arthur L. Hobart, Edward W. Hobart, Adam W. Hobart, William A. Hollis, Jonathan P. Hay- ward, William H. Harrison, Nathaniel F. Hunt, Walter H. Howland, Thomas P. Harrison, Bradford Y. Knight, Hiram H. Kelley, James D. Leatherbee, Henry W. Mansfield, Will W. Mayhew, Frank H. Morgan, Ibrahim Morrison, William W. Mayhew, Augustus McRae, James McNab, Jr., George W. Osgood, Frederick G. Pennock, Edward O. Pierson, Elbridge F. Porter, Nehemiah R. Proctor, John F. Randall, Charles G. Richards, Richard M. Sanborn, Will H. Shaw, Charles G. Sheppard,, Philip H. Sullivan, Edward G. Stod- dard, Robert R. Stocker, John H. Sutton, Martin V. B.
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Shaw, George W. Stevens, Henry R. Smith, David H. B. Thayer, Caleb Thompson, Foster F. Tupper, Henry G. Tuttle, Jonathan F. White, Whitfield Witherell, Charles G. Whitcomb, Rufus H. Woodsum, George H. Wetherbee, Thomas A. Watson.
ART. 3. Voted on motion of Mr. Powers to reconsider the vote passed March 21 relating to pay of laborers on the the highways.
Voted, That laborers on the highways be paid at the rate of two dollars per day and that nine hours constitute a day's work.
ART. 34. Voted on motion of Mr. Scollard that the Selectmen be instructed to investigate and estimate the cost . of a suitable fence on Commercial street and report at some future meeting.
ART. 6. Voted the following appropriations :
For sundry notes-
Jonas Perkins school house
$3,100 00
Monatiquot school house .
3,300 00
Electric light
2,000 00
Interest on town debt
5,000 00
Support of poor .
4,000 00
Soldiers' Relief Acts of 1890 .
400 00
Soldiers' Aid, Chapter 279, P. S.
100 00
Town Hall
150 00
Town Lands
100 00
Insurance
700 00
Incidental expenses
2,500 00
Abatement and collection of taxes
·
.
1,500 00
Court fees and expenses
.
100 00
Thayer Public Library
.
.
1,000 00
.
·
The following resolution offered by Mr. J. W. West was adopted : -
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Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the Public Library be kept open during the month of August the same as during other months of the year.
For Distribution of Books $100 00
For Janitor of Town Hall and Library . ·
600 00
Article 6 laid on the table.
Voted, That when this meeting adjourn it be to Friday, April 15, at 7.45 o'clock, P. M.
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