USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1902 > Part 2
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Expended on the new section :
Joseph Canovan, stone work $7 50
Teams and labor .
1,038 87
L. P. Thomas, dynamite, etc.
11 76
J. Chace, car fares for help 29 10 . . .
J. Chace, dynamite
.
3 75
$1,090 98
Expended on old Wareham street, from end of present State road to beginning of new section, including cost of driven well, setting up scales and moving :
Lumber
·
$22 48
Teams and labor.
·
453 39
.
33
E. W. Thomas, 372 loads gravel .
$22 32
J. Chace, car fares for help ·
.
15 05
Amos Buckman, driven well
33 75
Total expended on Wareham street
$546 99
Total expended on the new section
1,090 98
$1,637 97
The above macadamizing to be finished in June.
STREET WATERING.
Appropriation
.
. $1,200 00
Received for same
1,288 20
BRIDGES.
In October, 1901, John McCormick was given a contract to rebuild Water street bridge. It was done satisfactorily.
Paid on same to January 1st, 1902 $1,100 00
Paid since as balance 634 26
Paid M. O. Rounseville for cement 62 50
Received for stone furnished, lumber, iron work
and cost of building railing, etc.
532 30
$2,329 06
One-half of the above has been paid to the town by M. W. & B. B. Street Railway Co.
The planking on the turnpike bridge is poor and will be relaid this spring.
.
34
MACADAMIZING OF ROADS.
We were fortunate during the past season in having a much appreciated gift of one-half mile of macadam road of the first quality by the Peirce trustees, extending from Grove street to the Lakeville State road, on South Main street. Centre street was extended from Cambridge street to the railroad bridge. Water street was macadamized from Benton street to A. Caswell's on Barden Hill. Ply- mouth street, Everett street, Montello street and numerous other streets received more or less repairs with stone, using about three thousand and fifty tons.
VALUATION OF HIGHWAY PROPERTY, 1903.
1 lot of land on Centre street . $1,200 00
1 shed on Centre street 15 00
1 lot of stone on Centre street
·
·
100 00
1 sprinkling cart
325 00
1 sprinkling cart
200 00
1 sprinkling cart and wagon
.
100 00
4 horses, carts and harnesses ·
1,200 00 *
1 cart
40 00
3 road scrapers
600 00
1 tool cart
12 00
1 stone drag .
.
.
15 00
1 Watson wagon
·
.
.
165 00
1 heavy harrow
.
.
15 00
5 plows
.
.
50 00
.
·
·
·
·
35
40 feet steel chain .
$15 00
1 crushing plant
.
.
.
2,000 00
1 steam roller
2,500 00
12 snow płows
225 00
12 street cranes
300 00
Steel beams, lumber, etc.
75 00
Rope, chains, tools, etc.
100 00
Town stable and land
2,000 00
1 bin, screen and elevator
.
.
350 00
Stone on hand
. 600 00
$12,202 00
Thanks to assistants.
.
·
Respectfully yours,
S. N. SHIVERICK, Superintendent of Streets.
36
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I report the annual inspection ordered by the Cattle Com- mission during October and November.
Visited 196 herds and inspected 670 head of neat cattle.
During the year have killed and buried three horses affected with glanders and one cow with tuberculosis.
At the time of the outbreak of "foot and mouth " disease in this section, quarantined a number of herds where owners had bought animals from infected districts, but, fortunately, none developed the disease.
C. P. KEITH,
Inspector.
37
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR For the Year Ending December 31, 1902.
Cash received :
Balance on hand January 1, 1902
$170 77
From town treasurer on appropriation account and from other sources
9,974 26
From farm produce sold .
.
646 86
$10,791 89
Paid :
Expenses at farm . . $2,941 57
Expenses of insane . 2,292 08
Expenses of outside poor 2,226 46
Settlements here, residing elsewhere, 1,061 51
Settlements elsewhere, residing here, 1,166 21
Expense account 193 75 ·
Salary account
1,267 00 ·
11,148 58
Balance overdrawn .
$356 69
EXPENSES OF INSANE.
Worcester Insane Hospital .
$169 46
Westboro Insane Hospital 338 91
.
38
Medfield Insane Hospital $292 00
Taunton Insane Hospital 802 01
Waverly School for Feeble Minded
.
338 90
State Farm 292 00
Boarding in private families
58 80
$2,292 08
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Expenses of overseers out of town on account of
paupers ·
$8 85
Telephone, books, stationery, blanks, postage, etc., 64 90
Premiums on renewed insurance on farm buildings, 120 00
$193 75
SALARY ACCOUNT.
Overseers of the poor, services one year . $492 00
Superintendent and matron, services one year 600 00
Town physician, services one year . .
175 00
$1,267 00
Number in almshouse January 1, 1902, 20
died during year .
1
discharged during year .
4
admitted during year . ·
4
in almshouse January 1, 1903, 19
of tramps lodged during year, 160
Real estate, January 1, 1903 . . $13,900 00 .
Personal property, January 1, 1903
.
3,788 65
39
The number of nature's noblemen making pedestrianary excursions through our town, and usually calling on us for entertainment at our Waldorf-Astoria annex, has decreased from 406 in 1901-to 160 in 1902. This may be owing to their distaste for the dainty refreshments served them, or the balmy breezes from the Nemasket may prove too trying for their constitutions. However, we hope that for the en- suing year they may continue to find fresh fields and pastures new for their peregrinations, and meanwhile leave us to bear our loss with fortitude and resignation.
SYLVANUS MENDALL, ALVAN P. VAUGHAN, ANDREW M. WOOD,
Overseers of the Poor.
40
TREE WARDEN'S REPORT From March, 1902, to January 1, 1903.
Allow me to call your attention to the shade trees in the streets, and those bordering on the streets, under the jurisdic- tion of the tree warden.
There are over one thousand elm trees in the fire district, and about as many more outside of the district.
On the elms we have done most of our work, spraying six hundred and ninety-two trees with one pump, and trimming the dead limbs from them. We also trimmed some of the maples, as we had many complaints about the limbs obstruct- ing the sidewalks. They ought to be attended to the coming year, as our appropriation would not allow us to do the work thoroughly. Then we had to go here and there, as the work demanded.
Nearly all the trees in town need thorough trimming. There are many dead branches among them, which have been injured by chafing by electric light wires which have not been properly insulated, or by other causes. They are becoming a source of danger to our townspeople and ought to be attended to at once, as it will save expense later. As there was no appropriation for this work, I used the money earned for private work for this purpose.
In order to spray the trees, I had to purchase a spraying
41
outfit - ladders and hose. I purchased one double-acting spraying pump, two 40-foot and one 20-foot extension lad- ders, spraying hose and other smaller articles.
The spraying outfit was satisfactory, but it was impossible to spray the trees fast enough with one pump, and I don't think we could spray all the trees in town with two pumps. However, we saved the foliage on nearly all we sprayed, not losing one per cent.
A careful observer would notice that the leaves of many trees were somewhat eaten. A few elms, for which the beetles had a special liking, and occasional branches which it was impossible to reach with the insecticide, became par- tially defoliated. A few trees sprayed just before a shower ought to have been resprayed, but time and money forbade. Otherwise the trees we sprayed remained green throughout the season. It is doubtful if a casual observer noticed that the foliage was eaten, unless, perchance, they passed some of the defoliated trees that had not been sprayed.
About the first of June we began spraying and trimming all the elms on the streets and in the yards of private places until the money was expended. We could not have sprayed many more with one pump if we had more money, for the beetles had gotten the best of us.
It is probable that a thorough spraying of the trees will be necessary the coming season, and this work should be ex- tended to all elms in the infected district. The enemy is . relentless, and will make use of every safe spot to reinforce its numbers.
I wish to thank the managers of the electric light and the
42
electric roads for their assistance in removing wire and in- sulators from the limbs the past season, and will call for better work in the future.
In regard to electric poles, they ought not to be allowed to set them within six feet of the trees, or cut roots and branches without permission from the tree warden, and I have not allowed them to do it the past year.
The ravages of storms and other causes injure or destroy some trees every year, and I would recommend the town to purchase a few trees from time to time to replace those de- stroyed and removed, such trees to be placed on private lands with the permission of the owners. I have not allowed any trees to be placed on the streets the past year.
I received the following petitions for the removal of trees :
One oak tree on sidewalk in the centre of Maple avenue, posted in 1901. Removed March 18, 1902.
March 20, 1902, petition from Mrs. Lois Ryder and others for the removal of an elm tree on Elm street. Removed March 27, 1902.
April 23, 1902, on petition of E. B. Cole and others for the removal of two elm trees on Forest street. Removed one April 23, 1902.
April 30, 1902, on petition of John Robinson for removal of an elm on School street. Removed May 1, 1902.
August 22, 1902, on petition of H. L. Thatcher to remove an elm on the corner of Main and Webster streets. I have condemned said tree and it ought to be removed the coming year.
Received a complaint from Rock that a buttonwood tree in
43
the sidewalk in front of Mr. Cushman's house, Rock village, was dangerous to the public travel, as it stood within two feet of the electric car. One lady was struck by an electric car while passing by the tree. I thought it ought to be re- moved, and did so December 4, 1902, without posting beforehand.
I have a petition from E. F. H. Stevens, Everett street, for the removal of a maple tree. It is not posted as yet, but will do so later on.
I want to call your attention to the trees in North Middle- boro that ought to be attended to the coming year. Some need removing and others need trimming.
In the appropriation last year no provision for the tree warden's salary was made. I would recommend that $1,000 be appropriated for spraying, planting and trimming trees, not including tree warden's salary.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all who so kindly assisted us in our work the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
L. S. BAILEY, Tree Warden.
ACCOUNT OF TREE WARDEN.
Received for chopping blocks .
$2 80
Received of L. S. Bailey, money advanced, 4 70
Received for spraying trees
.
16 85
Received for old spraying pump
8 00
44
Received of T. S. Phinney, academy lot, $31 25 Received of Mrs. H. O. Pierce 5 80
Received of F. L. Barrows 6 90
$76 30
Appropriation
500 00
$576 30
Paid C. W. H. Moulton & Co.
$34 00. .
Paid freight and carting
.
7 46
Paid J. & G. E. Doane
.
10 95
Paid C. W. Maxim
7 30
Paid Bowker Chemical Co.
160 35
Paid Baxter
7 97
Paid J. Hurley
4 30
Paid insecticides
31 41
Paid team
17 79
Paid painting
2 35
Paid labor, per time book
288 72
572 60
Balance .
$3 70
VALUATION OF PROPERTY.
3 ladders
$26 00
1 pump
40 00
1 pump
4 00
Hogshead banjo spray pole
1 00
Insecticide
4 00
Clippers, rope, pole and scales
2 00
Copper wire hose pliers .
1 50
$78 50
.
.
·
.
.
.
-
45
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES For the Year Ending December 31, 1902.
Amos H. Eaton, Collector,
In Account with the Town of Middleboro.
DR.
Balance of 1898 tax, as by report of 1901 $39 21
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
$39 21
DR.
Balance of 1899 tax, as by report of 1901, $1,321 98
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
. $1,257 62
Remitted
64 36
- $1,321 98
DR.
Balance of 1900 tax, as by report of 1901, $4,724 49
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
. $1,967 01
Remitted
122 66
Uncollected .
. 2,634 82 - $4,724 49
46
DR.
Balance of 1901 tax, as by report of 1901, $14,846 37
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer .
$10,642 29
Remitted
537 50
Uncollected
3,666 58 ·
$14,846 37
DR.
Taxes committed September 1, 1902, $80,647 21
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
·
$63,994 56
Cash on hand
1,140 14
Remitted .
269 59 .
Uncollected
. 15,242 92
--- $80,647 21
STREET SPRINKLING TAX.
DR.
Balance of 1899 tax, as by report 1901, $13 46
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
$9 28
Remitted
4 18
$13 46
DR.
Balance of 1900 tax, as by report 1901, $32 47
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
$16 39
.
.
·
47
Remitted
·
$1 05
Uncollected
15 03
$32 47
DR.
Balance of 1901 tax, as by report 1901, $148 63
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
$75 77
Remitted
10 05
Uncollected . .
62 81
$148 63
DR.
Tax of 1902
$719 70
CR.
Cash paid Treasurer
$587 29
Remitted
.
.
132 41
$719 71
COLLECTOR'S CASH ACCOUNT.
Amos H. Eaton, Collector,
In Account with the Treasurer. DR.
Received for street sprinkling tax $688 72
Interest
784 81
Bank tax .
135 00
Town taxes
. . 79,040 83
$80,649 36
.
.
·
Uncollected
.
48
CR.
Paid Treasurer
$79,509 22
Cash on hand and in bank
1,140 14
$80,649 36
AMOS H. EATON, Collector of Taxes.
49
TREASURER'S REPORT.
-
Amos H. Eaton, Treasurer,
In account with the Town of Middleboro.
RECEIVED.
On hand December 31, 1901 . $3,575 92 .
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, corporation tax 5,040 10
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, bank tax 1,549 93 .
Rent of Town Hall 1,251 92 .
On account of Highways
5,776 81
Acme Machine Co. .
$12 00
M. W. & B. B. St. R. Co. . ·
2,448 23
Wylie Bros. .
7 00
O. C. St. R. Co. .
873 66
Charles E. Leonard
.
8 00
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer
·
1,898 59
Thomas &. Connor
8 00
D. C. Riordan
2 60
W. S. Barden
20 00
Trustees Pierce Estate 320 31
E. Taunton St. R. Co. 73 57
S. Mass. Telephone Co.
.
14 91
Harris Greene .
4 50
A. M. Peckham .
65 19
50
Paul Mota . .
$18 00
John Caples
2 25
On account of schools
$1,377 00 .
J. K. & B. Sears & Co. 82 24
Charles H. Bates, Superintendent,
107 00
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer 353 00
City of Boston
38 00
Town of Raynham .
40 00
Town of Freetown ·
.
115 00
Town of Rochester .
40 00
Town of Lakeville
660 00
S. T. Nelson
24 00
H. S. Porter, sheriff, fines 50 00
Five sewer permits .
125 00
Interest
130 46
On account of soldiers' relief
375 25
City of Waltham $235 25
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer
140 00
S. S. Lovell, Sealer of Weights and Measures . 16 57
Board of Health
207. 36
George Soule, undertaker .
$5 00
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer 202 36
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, military aid 867 00
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, State aid ·
·
5,019 00
Municipal light manager . 12,491 00 ·
Temporary loan . 41,500 00 ·
Cemetery trust fund
. 1,003 47
·
.
.
. ·
51
Herring account
$316 00
Towns down the river
$110 00
C. N. Simmons, for herring
206 00
Fourth District Court, fines .
542 10
Albert Davis, treasurer, dog licenses
909 51
Licenses for library
52 00
Collector for taxes .
79,509 22
Towns and persons for support of poor
1,440 72
Work done by tree warden
76 30
W. H .- Southworth, Soule street schoolhouse 25 50
Settees sold
1 00
$163,311 38
PAID.
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, State tax $22 05
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, national bank tax 146 12
Orders of Selectmen for Town Hall .
1,273 55
Orders of Selectmen for highways ·
16,942 50
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, highways .
71 76
Orders of School Committee, schools ·
25,823 30
Orders of Selectmen, police 1,427 02 ·
Orders of Selectmen, town officers .
2,503 44 .
Orders of Selectmen, sewers
63 00
. Orders of committee, town history 81 87
Library, Pratt Fund interest 400 00
Salem Bank, railroad loan interest
800 00
Banks, interest 3,039 10
Orders of Selectmen, soldiers' relief
4,401 82
·
.
52
Orders of Selectmen, incidentals . $2,772 36
and Board of Health 503 25
Military aid 1.435 00
State aid 5,480 00
Municipal Light Board
18,425 43
Temporary loan · 40,000 00
Middleboro Savings Bank, cemetery trust funds, 500 00
Orders, cemetery trust funds 298 98 ·
Orders, herring account . .
.
.
198 86
Orders, 4th District Court . . .
266 38
Joseph E. Beals, treasurer, library. .
961 51
Alvin C. Howes, moderator
15 00
Joseph E. Beals, superintendent water supply . 1,500 00
E. S. Bradford, Treasurer, grade crossings ·
5,341 55
Post 8, G. A. R. 200 00 ·
Orders, Municipal Light Board, new engine ·
659 19
Albert Davis, treasurer, county tax . 4,689 80 ·
Orders of Overseers of Poor .. 9,974 26 ·
Selectmen, tree warden 572 60
School Committee, Pleasant street house, 2,194 69
School Committee, Soule street house, 2,061 41
committee, drainage 2,986 50
Cash on hand
3,136 13
$163,311 38
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS.
The Treasurer has on deposit in the Middleboro Savings Bank, "to be held in trust forever, the interest only to be
53
expended," the following, as shown by the bank books in his possession.
The books show the amounts as they stand after the Octo- ber interest has been credited, and the full amounts expended to December 31, 1902, have been drawn.
CENTRAL CEMETERY.
Mrs. Sarah E. Bartlett
Endowment. $100 00
Interest. $4 24
Samuel S. Bourne .
100 00
7 40
Andrew J. Bisbee .
100 00
4 00
Richard Cox .
25 00
Lydia B. Cushing
50 00
1 38
William L. Dean
100 00 .
19 20
Mary E. Drake
100 00
6 52
N. N. Fenno .
100 00
7 16
S. B. Gibbs
.
·
.
100 00
1 04
P. B. Holmes
100 00
23 22
Jacob Johnson
75 00
2 66
B. F. Jones .
100 00
2 64
C. D. Kingman
100 00
5 08
S. B. Osborne
100 00
3 70
Joseph L. Pease
100 00
5 20
Aaron Raymond, lot 229
100 00
5 84
E. Robinson .
:
.
.
200.00
1 36
William Shiverick .
150 00
4 78
Reuben T. Taylor .
100 00
2 38
- Tinkham, lot No. 6
.
60 00
1 26
B. F. Tripp
100 00.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
54
Ward lot, No. 110
$100 00
$1 76
Azel Washburn
100 00
6 80
Chauncy D. White
100 00
2 00
In Nemasket Hill Cemetery :
Joshua M. Eddy
$100 00
$18 11
Austin Ford .
50 00
66
Henry F. Pope
100 00
Sophronia L. Reed
50 00
11 06
Rhoda J; Savery
100 00
6 24
Charles Soule
100 00
7 70
Edmund Thompson
·
.
50 00
8 98
Oliver H. Thompson
100 00
3 24
Thomas Weston and others
150 00
11 91
Benjamin P. Wood
100 00
30 57
Cornelius B. Wood
150 00
5 60
Mrs. Ellen T. Wood
.
.
31 48
3 47
Priscilla Wood
50 00
20 38
Thomas Wood ·
100 00
24 60
In Rock Cemetery :
C. N. Atwood
$100 00
Deborah Carver
100 00
3 02
Julia S. Cobb
100 00
4 70
Sylvester F. Cobb
100 00
3 08
C. F. Cushman
176 75
6 20
H. N. Thomas and family and W. O.
Barrows and family .
·
. 1,000 00
6 76
·
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
55
In North Middleboro Cemetery :
Jared Pratt
$150 00
$26 39
E. Robinson (Alfred Eaton lot)
100 00
68
Roswell Waldron and Benjamin Barrows, 150 00
39 80
In the Cemetery at the Green :
J. B. and I. H. Thompson .
$100 00
$32 02
. Lydia R. Thompson
100 00
3 59
In Thomastown Cemetery :
Atwood lot
$100 00
$12 92
Eleazer Thomas
.
100 00
7 18
Thomastown Cemetery
75 00
3 02
In Wappanucket Cemetery :
Benjamin Richmond lot in particular
and the whole cemetery
$400 00
$42 75
In Fall Brook Cemetery :
Atwood and Thomas lots
$200 00
$6,643 23
$478 04
The care of the lots in the Central and Nemasket Hill Cemeteries is in the hands of the respective trustees. The lots in the unincorporated cemeteries are cared for by per- sons selected, in some cases by the lot owners, in others by the selectmen.
AMOS H. EATON,
. Treasurer.
56
REPORT OF TREASURER OF THE ENOCH PRATT FUND.
1902.
DR.
Jan. 1. Notes of Town of Middle-
boro
$10,000 00
Interest from Municipal light
loan
.
48 00
Interest from Town Treasurer,
352 00
- $10,400 00
CR.
Dec. 31. Notes of Town of Middle-
boro
$10,000 00
Paid Joseph E. Beals, Treas-
urer Public Library
400 00
-
$10,400 00
AMOS H. EATON, Treasurer Enoch Pratt Fund.
REPORT OF TREASURER OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT LOAN SINKING FUND.
1902. DR.
Oct. 31. Cash received from Town
Treasurer
.
$1,500 00
57
CR.
Cash paid Estabrook & Co., bond No. 12 . . $1,000 00 Cash paid Estabrook & Co., bond No. 13 . · 500 00
$1,500 00
AMOS H. EATON, Treasurer Municipal Light Loan Sinking Fund.
58
TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY,
January, 1903.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
To the Trustees of the Public Library :
Gentlemen, - The Library has been open 304 days dur- ing 1902 from 2 until 8 P.M. The number of books given, out is 27,934, which is the largest in any year since the opening of the Library. They are classified as follows : Essays and poetry, 408; biography, 486; history, 344, scientific, 541; religious, 159 ; travels, 963 ; fiction, 18,033 ; bound volumes of magazines, 480; unclassified, 271. The juvenile readers have drawn 6249 volumes. No record is. kept of books taken for use in the Library nor of visitors to. the reading room.
The largest monthly circulation was in December,-2727, and the smallest was in June,-1932. The largest daily circulation was 217, on Saturday, December 6, and the smallest was 19, on July 16.
Seven hundred thirty-six books have been added during the year and the Library now contains 9477 volumes exclu-
59
sive of State documents and pamphlets which have not been fully catalogued ; 338 volumes have been rebound, including magazines, and 32 volumes are now laid aside to be replaced by new ones as soon as possible. There have been 648 new applications for cards.
Among the noteworthy reference books purchased are the International Cyclopædia of 15 volumes, 10 volumes of Mod- ern Eloquence, edited by the late Thomas B. Reed, Harper's Encyclopædia of U. S. History of 10 volumes, History of the American People, 5 volumes, by Woodrow Wilson, and Dr. Marsh's Theraurus Dictionary. These, together with other valuable works of reference, are, from lack of space, on the shelves of the book-stacks rather than in cases outside where the public could more readily reach them, but the attendants will at any time be pleased to pass them out for inspection. We also have the complete works of the late John Fiske.
The following books have been donated to the Library during the year :
A treatise on pruning forest and ornamental trees, by Des Cars : a gift of the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture.
Memorial - William Henry Haile.
Pioneers of Massachusetts, by Charles Henry Pope, given by " One who loves to give."
La Reliure de Luxe, by L. Derome, and New Tales of Old Rome, by Rodolfo Lanciani, both given by Mrs. Julia H. Copeland.
60
History of Malden, Mass., by Deloraine Pendre Corey, gift of the author.
Lawson's History of the America's cup, by Winfield M. Thompson and Thomas W. Lawson, given by Thomas W. Lawson.
Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors, Volume X. ; Vital Rec- ords of Walpole, Pelham, and Princeton, Mass., presented by the Secretary of State.
Life of Henry L. Planty, by Smith G. Hutchinson, given by the author.
Two volumes of the Revised Laws of Massachusetts, with the index volume ; 12 volumes of State Reports ; Journals of House and Senate ; the Legislative Manual and other docu- ments.
ADELAIDE K. THATCHER,
Librarian.
Middleboro, Mass., January 1, 1903.
The report of the Librarian gives the work of the Library for the year.
Miss Alice M. Alden has done most of the work on cat- aloguing during the year. Misses Florence A. Robinson and Marion K. Tillson have acted as assistants as their ser- vices have been required.
The Trustees have secured a lot for the new library build- ing and placed the contract for building with Mr. W. H. Wardwell of Brockton. After having the foundation well laid, labor troubles and the approach of winter seemed to make it advisable to suspend the work for the winter. The
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walls were covered to protect them from frost and snow. The contractor assures us that he shall push along the work as soon as the weather will permit. Mr. Frederic N. Reed, of New York, is employed as the architect and Mr. Win- throp Alexander, of Brockton and Boston, is the inspector of the work. The work thus far has been very satisfactorily done. Mr. C. H. Sylvester has the sub-contract for the mason work.
Before moving into the new building it is considered advisable that the books shall be re-catalogued under new and "up-to-date " methods. Arrangements have been made with a competent person to take charge of the work, which of course, will involve some expense. There will be some extra expense in moving into the new building and larger expense of running than in the past. For these reasons we have by practising careful economy in expenditures tried to save as much as possible of our appropriation to pay the largely increased expenses we may expect the coming year. We hope to do this with the increased sum at our disposal this year, resulting from these savings, added to the regular appropriation of "dog money " and " other licenses."
A vote of the town requires an inventory of the property of each of its departments. Without any effort at appraisal, as the value depends so much upon varying conditions, we give the following as the property of the Library :
1900 feet of book racks and shelving.
45 feet of counter and rail.
1 librarian's desk and one folding screen.
1 set-bowl and fixtures.
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1 long reading table, 2 small tables.
2 librarian's chairs, 12 reading room chairs, 4 settees.
2 revolving bookcases, 1 map rack.
3 card-catalogue cases, containing cards of all books in the Library, one arranged by authors and one by titles and one not in use.
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