USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1926 > Part 6
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Empire
7
2
2
Watch Dog
7
Union
2
Crown
1
King
8
Gem
1
Neptune
1
Federal
19
2
1190
10
9
14
2
2
Total 1229
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTHI WATER ANALYSIS .
Appearance
Residue on Evaporation
Ammonia
Nitrogen As
NO.
Date of Collection
Turbidity
Sediment
Colo:
Total
Fred
Total
Chlorine
Nitrates
Nitrites
Hardness
Iron
187108
Jan.
7
Slight
Iron cons.
fil. . 03
8.20
.0134
.0060
.70
.0460
.0001
2.7
.540
Inlet
of
filter
188021
Mar.
10
Very slightSlight
fil. . 10
7.60
.0108
.0068
.69
.0450
.0001
2.9
.225
Inlet
of
filter
188791
May
5
Slight
Iron cons.
fil. 21
6.20
.0096
.0052
.60
.0440
.0000
2.1
260
Inlet
of
filter
190268
July
19
Distinct
Iron cons.
fil.
7.40
.0116
.0054
.60
.0320
.0001
2.5
.270
Inlet
of
filter
191670
Sept.
8
Slight
Iron
dist.
turb.
8.50
.0120
.0074
.60
.0260
.0000
2.2
.360
Inlet
of
filter
193084
Nov.
2
Distinct
Iron cons.
fil. 31
8.80
.0122
.0080
.61
.0190
.0000
2.9
.900
Inlet
of
filter
187109
Jan.
7
Very
slight
01
6.20
.0012
.0044
.68
.0460
.0000
2.5
.021
Outlet
of filter
188022
Mar.
10
Very
slight None
05
5.70
.0002
.0028
.68
.0460
.0000
2.7
.017
Outlet
of
filter
188792
May
None
00
6.40
.0002
.0022
.60
.0440
.0000
2.0
.008
Outlet
of
filter
190269
July
19
None
.01
5.20
.0006
.0039
.60
.0280
.0000
2.2
.017
Outlet
of
filter
191671
Sept.
8
Very
slight
10
6.00
.0006
.0028
.63
.0270
.0000
2.0
.017
Outlet
of
filter
193085
Nov.
2 Very
slight
10
7.00
.0002
.0022
.61
.0200
.0000
2.1
.043
Outlet
of filter
93
5
PUMPING STATION RECORD, 1926.
Main . Pumps Time Pumping
Filter Supply Time Pumping Electric
Average Electric Steam Daily
Coal used, Pounds
Steam
Month
Hours
Minutes
Hours
Minutes
Hours
Minutes
Gallons
Pumped
Daily
Average
K.W.H. used
Main Pump
Average
Power
Station
Average
K.W.H. used
Filter Pump
Average
January
156-33
8-
5-18
9,543,000
307,839
13,508
450
4,275
5,743
285- 5
9-12
2,737
88
February
117- 5
48-50
5-55
8,753,000
312,607
10,135
422
24,100
202-25
50-15
9- 1
1.957
83
March
159-45
5- 9
9,484,000
305,935
13,795
445
5,275
268-40
8-40
2,565
82
April
143-40
10- 5
5-
7
8,828,000
294,266
12,390
427
4,510
2,949
260-30
8-41
2,386
79
May
153-34
9-15
5-15
9,413,000
303,645
13 188
440
3,060
425
284-
9-27
2,598
84
June
146-52
9-30
5-12
8,953,000
298,433
12,600
434
4,065
283-45
9-26
2,579
86
July
161-50
22-50
5-57
10,309,000
333,193
13,826
485
10,657
296-25
3-40
9-41
2,818
93
August
155- 5
5-
9,126,000
294,064
13,292
429
242-50
7-50
2,366
78
September
143-27
8-30
5- 3
8,577,000
285,900
12,289
430
4,320
233-
7-46
2,324
77
October
140- 5
9-
4-48
8,425,000
271,774
11,923
397
2,305
2,331
224.30
7-14
2,283
74
November
143-32
8 -
5- 3
8,681,000
289,366
12,273
423
4,600
2,920
233-45
7-47
2,380
79
December
140-57
7-55
4-48
8,546,000
275,484
12,053
402
6,580
5-610
226-35
7-19
2,300
74
Totals
1,762-25 141-55
108,638,000
151,272
68,472 28,918
3041-30
53-55
29,293
Daily averages for year
5-10
297,616
8-29
Greatest number of gallons pumped in one day, July 22, 1926, 486,000 gallons. Least number of gallons pumped in one day, October 17, 1926, 178,000 gallons. Of the total pumpage 4,889,000 gallons were pumped by steam pump.
By RALPH SAMPSON,
Engineer.
94
Hr. Min.Hr. Min. Hr. Min.
Daily
Daily
Heater
Daily
3,495
170
95
RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE RECORD, 1926
Temperature, Degrees.
Precipitation Inches
Month
Highest
Lowest
Mean
Rain and
Melted Snow
Snow
January
54
-6
28.5
2.68
578
February
46
-8
25.25
5.78
237%
March
56
7
31.58
3.09
41/8
April
78
20
42.4
1.89
¥4
May
74
29
53.64
2.97
June
85
36
60.83
2.84
July
97
42
67.5
3.26
August
91
43
69.4
2.23
September
83
33
59.3
1.67
October
79
23
46.3
5.67
November
69
16
41.66
4.31
December
50
- 4
25.43
2.18
181/2
Totals
38.47
531%
-Below
RALPH SAMPSON,
Observer.
96
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
This department met with a serious loss in the death of William M. Haskins on March 31st, 1926. Mr. Haskins was chairman for many years, and his knowledge of the law to- gether with his practical experience has been of inestimable value. He tried in every way to save money for the town, and gave freely of his time and energy to that end. Unless one has had experience in this department it is hard to realize the time required to get proofs by which settlement can be denied and expensive claims averted. Mr. Haskins was always on the watch to see that Middleboro did not have to pay a bill that should have been paid by some other city or town. It will be many years if ever, before his place can be filled.
To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. C. S. Cummings, James H. Creedon was appointed on March 1st. He declined the appointment. On April 16th, Morrill S. Ryder and Wilfred Cromwell were appointed. Mr. Ryder resigned Sept. 1st, and William G. Boynton was appointed to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the year.
Conditions at the Town Home are very satisfactory. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have proven efficient, and the farm is gradu- ally being put in first class condition. There have been 25 people at the farm during the year, 12 of whom were boarders.
The collection of garbage by the town is working out as planned and will be a paying proposition in 1927. During 1926 the cost of fences and buildings for the pigs had to be met out of the 1926 farm appropriation.
It has been the policy of the town not to vote the neces- sary amount for this department, and then take care of the overdraft at the end of the year. We would much prefer the necessary appropriation, and not have to show an overdraft each year.
97
The extra large overdraft this year was partially due to the garbage account as noted above. (This will not occur again.) The larger part being due to extra claims for aid, and to replenishment of supplies at the farm as shown by the increase in inventory there.
WILLIAM G. BOYNTON ADELAIDE K. THATCHER WILFRED CROMWELL
98
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK
Record of annual town meeting and its adjournments.
Article 1: To choose all necessary town officers, the fol- lowing officers to be voted on one ballot, viz., a Moderator for one year, a Town Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for one year, two Selectmen for three years, and two members of the School Board for three years. The polls will be opened at half past eleven A. M. for vote on the foregoing articles, and will not be closed before eight o'clock P. M.
Result of vote :
Moderator-
Fletcher Clark, Jr. 112
James McCarthy
1
Blanks
6
119
Treasurer and Collector of Taxes for one year-
William W. Brackett 109
Frank Read 1 Blanks 9
119
Selectmen for three years-
Granville E. Tillson
114
Albert F. Soule
111
Theodore N. Wood
1
Blanks 12
School Board for three years- - Forest E. Thomas 109
Allan R. Thatcher
113
Blanks 16
238
238
99
Article 2: To raise such sums of money by tax or other- wise, as may be necessary to defray the expense of the town for the current year, appropriate the same and to act any- thing in relation to the assesment and collection of taxes for the year.
Voted : Appropriations to the amount of $329,254.12 less unexpended 1925 balances of $80,776.99. An amendment was carried that the $300 appropriated for band concerts be used for Middleboro musicians only.
Voted : that the $2,500.00 be transferred from Surplus Overlay to Overlay 1925.
Voted : that $2,000.00 be appropriated for Interest on new High School loan.
Voted : that $5,000.00 be added to $4,000.00 already ap- propriated for Snow and Ice removal, making total of $9,000.00.
Voted : that Mr. Field, president of the Field Bros. S. Co., be permitted to speak in this meeting.
Voted : that the sum of three thousand dollars pledged and to be paid by the Trustees of the estate of Thomas S. Peirce during the current year as part of the cost of re- building the bridge over the Nemasket river at East Main street, be applied as an estimated receipt in reduction of the tax levy for the current year.
Voted : to appropriate $500.00 to be expended on Fair- view street for improvement.
Article 3: to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, or a majority thereof, to borrow during the municipal year, beginning January 1st, 1926, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town, but not exceeding the total tax levy of the preceding finan- cial year, as provided in Section 3, Chapter 719, General Acts 1913, and amendments thereto, giving the notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the date thereof, all debts incurred under authority of this vote to be paid
100
from the revenue of the present municipal year.
Voted : that the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, or a majority thereof, be authorized to bor- row during the municipal year beginning January 1st, 1926, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town, but not exceeding the sum of two hundred fifty thou- sand ($250.000) dollars as provided in Section 4, Chapter 44 of the General Laws and amendments thereto, giving the notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the date thereof, all debts incurred under authority of this vote to be paid from the revenue of the present municipal year.
Article 4: To hear the report of any committees or offi- cers of the town, to appoint any committee, and act thereon.
The following report was read by A. G. Newkirk- Whereas, by vote at a special town meeting of the town of Middleborough on January 11th, 1926, the naming of the building committee to carry out the provisions of said vote was left in the hands of the former committee of fifty on school needs, now therefore, said former committee of fifty having met, have named the following persons a building committee to carry out the provisions of this vote; namely : Granville E. Tillson, Allan R. Thatcher, Walter E. Alger, Harry J. Goodale and Abraham G. Newkirk. Respectfully submitted, A. G. NEWKIRK, Chairman of Special Commit- tee.
Voted : that action of committee be accepted and con- firmed and that committee be discharged.
Voted : that the report by Dr. I. R. Hardy be accepted as a report of progress and that further time be given com- mittee.
Article 5 : To see if the Town will appropriate money for band concerts the coming season, and act thereon.
Voted : under the appropriations the sum of $300.00 to be used for Middleboro musicians only.
Article 6: To see if the Town will appropriate money to
101
be expended by Post 8, G. A. R., on Memorial day and act thereon.
Voted : under appropriations the sum of $200.00.
Article 7: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money necessary to pay the rent of a suitable place for the Post of the Grand Army of the Republic and act thereon.
Voted : under appropriations the sum of $200.00.
Article 8: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money not exceeding $500.00 to be paid to St. Luke's hospital, established in said Town, for the establishment and maintenance of a free bed in the hospital for the care and treatment of persons certified by the Selectmen of said Town to be residents of the Town and unable to pay for such care and treatment and act thereon.
Voted : under appropriations the sum of $500.00.
Article 9: To see if the Town will vote to employ a Town Engineer, appropriate a sum of money therefor, and act thereon. No action.
Article 10: To see if the Town will appropriate a sum not to exceed two hundred ($200.00) dollars, for the use of the Trustees, Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture, and act thereon.
Voted : to appropriate the sum of $200.00 for Plymouth County Aid to Agriculture.
Article 11: To see if the Town will appropriate fifteen thousand ($15,000) dollars to be spent under the direction of the Selectmen, providing the state or the state and county will assist financially in resurfacing of Plympton street, from the end of the work completed in 1924 to Eddyville, the bal- ance, if any, to be spent on resurfacing a portion of Centre street and Taunton road, and act thereon.
Voted : that the sum of fifteen thousand ($15,000) dol- lars be appropriated to be spent under the direction of the Selectmen providing the state or the state and county will assist financially on the completion of the reconstruction of
102
Plympton street to Eddyville, the balance if any to be spent in reconstructing Centre Street and Taunton Road, in so far as there is money available.
Article 12: To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the employment of a school and public health nurse, and act thereon.
Voted : under appropriations the sum of $1,500.00.
Article 13: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for installing a suitable system of electric lighting in the High School building, and act thereon.
Voted : that the sum of $750.00 be appropriated for in- stalling electric lights in the present High School building.
Article 14: To see if the Town will vote to improve its street lighting system, appropriate money therefor, and act thereon. (By request).
Voted : to postpone action on this article until the next adjourned town meeting.
Voted : that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 15: To see if the Town will accept the proposed "General By-laws of the town of Middleborough" as recom- mended by the committee on the same, and act thereon.
Voted : that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to 7.30 P. M. on April 26, 1926, for the purpose of discussing and acting upon the proposed "General By-laws of the Town of Middleborough" under article 15 of the warrant for the annual town meeting.
Voted : that this committee be thanked for their efforts, their report be accepted and the committee be discharged.
Voted : that the matter of the adoption of General By- laws and Building laws of the Town be committed to a new committee of three, one of whom is to be the Moderator of the Town, the other two to be nominated from the floor, said committe to report at a special town meeting to be called not later than six months from this date. This is written to include the amendment that other two members be nominated from floor rather than appointed by chair. The other two
103
appointed from floor are-Judge Nathan Washburn and Judge Bert J. Allan.
Article 16: To see if the Town will vote to continue the Christmas street lighting, appropriate money therefor, and act thereon. (By request).
Voted : that $300.00 be appropriated for continuance of Christmas street lighting.
Article 17: To see if the Town will appropriate two thousand ($2,000) dollars to be spent under the direction of the Selectmen, providing the state or the state and county will assist financially, in completing the graveling of Marion road, Perry and Miller streets, and act thereon.
Voted : that the sum of two thousand ($2,000) dollars be appropriated to be spent under the direction of the Select- men, providing the state or the state and county will assist financially in the completion of the reconstruction of a gravel road on Marion road, Perry and Miller streets.
Article 18: To see if the Town will vote to rebuild the bridge and approaches over Nemasket river on East Main street, appropriate and raise money for the same by loan or otherwise, and act thereon.
Mr. Granville E. Tillson read a letter from the Trustees of the Thomas S. Peirce estate regarding the building of Nemasket bridge. In said letter they agree to meet the notes of the town together with the interest on same; also to meet the balance of cost of bridge.
Voted: that the Town vote to rebuild the bridge and approaches over the Nemasket river on East Main street in the Town of Middleboro and that the Town raise and appro- priate therefor the sum of twenty-eight thousand ($28,000) dollars, and that for the purpose of rebuilding said bridge as provided in this motion, the sum of three thousand ($3,000) dollars is to be raised and included in the current tax levy for the year 1926 and the Treasurer with the approval of the Board of Selectmen be, and he hereby is authorized and ent- powered .to borrow the sum of twenty-five thousand ($25,000)
104
dollars and to issue bonds or notes of the Town in accordance with section 19, chapter 44 of the General Laws of the Com- monwealth and all acts in amendment or in addition thereto, that the whole loan shall be paid in annual payments in not more than ten years from the date of the issue of the first bond or note, or at such earlier date as the Treasurer or Select- men shall determine. The first of such annual payments on account of said loan shall be made not later than one year from the date of the issue of the first bond or note thereof. An amendment to this motion was carried that the appro- priation not exceed $30,000.00. A vote was taken by ballot with the use of the check list on the above motion. The result of the vote was 77 Yes-12 No-Total 89.
Article 19: To see if the Town will vote to erect a Com- fort Station on the Town House lot, at the junction of Union and Nickerson streets, appropriate money for the same, and act thereon.
Voted: that the Selectmen bring in recommendations under this article at adjourned town meeting April 26th, 1926.
Voted : that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Article 20: To see if the Town will vote to accept Section 6, Chapter 148, of the General Laws, an act governing the removal of combustible material, and act thereon.
Voted : that the Town accept section 6, Chapter 148 of the General Laws.
Article 21 : To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to sell an abandoned gravel pit located on River street, opposite Auburn street, and act thereon.
Voted : that the Selectmen be authorized to sell at public auction or private sale and that the Treasurer be authorized to give proper deed of an abandoned gravel pit on River street opposite Auburn street.
Article 22: To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to sell the Marion Road schoolhouse, and land con- nected therewith, and act thereon.
Voted : that the Selectmen be authorized to sell at public
105
auction or private sale and that the Treasurer be authorized to give proper deed of the Marion Road schoolhouse and land connected therewith.
Article 23: To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to make such improvements and extensions in the Gas and Electric Department as they deem advisable, appro- priate and raise money for the same by loan or otherwise, the payment of such loan to be made from the income of said department, and act thereon.
Voted : that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $50,000.00 and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor for the construction of High Pressure Gas Mains and the improvement of the Gas Plant. The said bonds or notes and the interest thereon to be paid within twenty (20) years from the date of the first bond or note, from the income of the Gas and Electric Department. This was a unanimous vote.
Voted : that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $35,000.00 and to issue bonds or notes of the town therefor, for the construction of a new High Ten- sion Line for the improvement of the electric light service. The said bonds or notes and the interest thereon to be paid within twenty (20) years from the date of the first bond or note, from the income of the Gas and Electric Department.
Article 24: To see if the Town will accept a portion of Fairview street as laid out by the Selectmen as a town way, appropriate money for the same and act thereon.
Voted : that the town accept Fairview street with the fol- lowing description-Beginning at the junction of the soutli- erly line of Wareham street and the westerly line of Fairview street thence running south 28 deg. 2 ft. W. along the west- erly line of Fairview street a distance of about fifteen hun- dred eighty (1580) feet to the corner of Fairview street and Mayflower Ave., thence turning and running easterly cross- ing Fairview street a distance of fifty (50) feet to the east- erly line of Fairview street thence turning and running north
106
28 deg. 2 ft. E. 50 ft. from and parallel to the first described line to the southerly side of Wareham street, thence turning and running westerly along the southerly line of Wareham street to the point of beginning. This street shall be called Fairview street.
RECORD OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING January 11, 1926
Article 1: To hear the report of the Special Committee on School Needs, appropriate money for the same, and act thereon.
Mr. A. G. Newkirk as chairman of the committee of fifty read the following report :
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF FIFTY ON SCHOOL NEEDS
Middleboro, Mass., January 11, 1926.
Your committee on school needs, appointed at the town meeting held June 29, 1925, to investigate the school needs of the town of Middleborough, submits the following report.
Had our instructions been more specific, we should have had an easier task. However, as its scope was so broad, and it was impossible to get our committee working during the summer months, we have not been able to investigate as thoroughly as might have been possible otherwise.
Your committee believes that our three greatest school problems are Transportation, Consolidation, and Housing. While these problems have been with us for a number of years, we believe that the situation now is more serious than ever before. We further believe that unless adequate and per- manent relief is given very soon our children will be seriously handicapped in their educational advantages.
107
TRANSPORTATION
Through the use of motor buses, the children are being transported more comfortably than formerly. However, the increased costs seem to be entirely out of proportion with the improvement of service. At present several individuals each have a route over which they carry pupils at a stated rate per day. As these individuals are not bound by contract, they frequently demand increased rates during the year, which, as a rule, have to be granted. In view of the ever increasing costs, which at present amount to about $9,000 per year, it appears that either of the two following arrange- ments would be preferable to the present system; namely, that the entire transportation job be given to some respon- sible individual or company under contract, or that the town own and operate its own buses. While the latter plan would require a sizable initial expense, we believe that it would prove more efficient in the long run.
In connection with putting either of these plans into operation, routes would have to be very carefully laid out, selecting those routes that would accommodate the greatest number of pupils, yet be passable during the entire year. Having determined these routes, the general condition of the roads to be used could be gradually improved through the combined efforts of the School Committee and the Selectmen. Of course, these routes would not necessarily pass the doors of all those to be transported, as many would have short walks both at night and morning between their homes and the bus routes.
CONSOLIDATION
We believe the parents in the outlying districts would favor a plan of consolidation whereby we would eventually have about three six-grade schools outside of the Centre. For instance, there might be erected in the vicinity of Rock an up-to-date building which could take the place of the pres- ent South Middleboro, Wappanucket and Thomastown
108
schools. The Green might be another center which could take care of Waterville, Soule, Thompsonville and Green. . Thus the pupils of eight schools could be brought into two build- ings, under improved conditions and be more efficiently taught. In connection with this consolidation of the rural schools, we have purposely stopped with the sixth grade, feel- ing that it is preferable that all seventh and eighth grade pupils be brought together at the ('entre. At the same time it appears that parents would have less objection to having only their older children brought to the Centre.
HOUSING
In spite of the fact that we liave several portable build- ings, have sub-divided the High School assembly hall into three class rooms, have gained an extra room at the Union Street school by a partition, and are using three rooms in the Town Hall by temporary consent of the state, we have pupils on the two platoon system, and there is no relief in sight. Even though we are graduating the eighth and ninth grades next June, our superintendent of schools informs us that there will be more pupils on the two platoon system next year than at present. In addition to the double class which enters High School next September, we have an unusually large sixth grade at present, which grade will enter High School as freshmen when next fall's double class is still in the building as juniors.
All things being considered, the majority of your com- mittee have come to believe that a new high school building would be the first logical step of relief to the entire situation. The present high school building could then be used by the grades and would be very helpful.
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