Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1865-1869, Part 15

Author:
Publication date: 1865
Publisher: Town of Plymouth
Number of Pages: 410


USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1865-1869 > Part 15


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78 00


Burgess, Nathaniel


52 00


Finney, Frank S.


78 00


Burgess, George W.


52 00


Finney, Albert T.


78 00


Braley, Edward R.


52 00


Fuller, Ichabod C.


78 00


Braley, John R.


98 00


Fuller, Theodore S.


52 00


Blake, F. R.


52 00


Faught, Melvin C.


104 00


Barrows, Simeon H.


182 00


Green, G. C.


78 00


Burbank, Wm. S. Jr.,


78 00


Green, Edward E.


52 00


Burbank, Asaph S.


134 00


Green, Wm. H.


106 00


Burbank, Luke P.


78 00


Gibbs, Warren


134 00


Bagnall, I. P.


134 00


Gallagher, Thomas


78 00


Burns, John


134 00


Hayden, Thomas W.


52 00


Brewster, George B.


134 00


Hayden, Joseph


104 00


Bailey, George


78 00


Hall, John F.


72 00


Blanchard, Andrew


78 00


Hall, Isaac T.


78 00


Benson, George


78 00


Haley, Thomas


52 00


Bumpus, Jedediah


32 00


Haley, Edward., Jr.


37 44


Bradford, Cornelius


30 00


Howard, John T.


104 00


Carline, John


48 00


Holmes, Wm. F. 52 00


Collingwood, Thomas


104 00


Holmes, Frederick


104 00


Collingwood, John B.


96 00


Holmes, Charles H.


134 00


Collingwood, Joseph W.


96 00


Holmes, Seth L.


98 00


Churchill, Joseph L.


104 00


Holmes, Adoniram


106 00


Caswell, Augustus T.


98 00 Holmes, Isaac S.


134 00


76


Holmes, Samuel N.


$106 00 Robbins, Henry H.


$104 00


Holmes, Joseph


134 00 Robbins, Heman


134 00


Harlow, John Q. A.


78 00 Robbins, Francis W.


134 00


Harlow, Justus W.


48 00 Ripley, Joseph


48 00


Hathaway, Allen


106 00


Raymond, H. J.


72 00


Harris, Christopher T.


82 00


Raymond, Fred. R.


78 00


Harvey, Benjamin


106 00


Raymond, John T.


78 00


Holbrook, Eliphalet


78 00


Rickard, Lemuel


98 00


Holbrook, James S.


128 00


Ransom, Levi


28 73


Heath, Wm.


134 00


Shaw, Charles F.


104 00


Hoyt, Moses


78 00


Shaw, Wm. H.


38 57


Jenks, Horace A.


104 00


Swift, Howard K.


134 00


Luther, Austin E.


104 00


Swift, Wm. R.


130 00


Lanman, Hiram


130 00


Swift, Wm.


34 73


Lanman, Horace W.


78 00


Savery, Nehemiah L.


78 00


Lucas, Ephraim T.


32 00


Sherman, Winslow B.


134 00


Laphanı, Wm. M.


134 00


Stephens, Edward


104 00


Lucas, Elisha S.


36 79


Saunders, Thomas S.


52 00


Monks, John


134 00


Sears, Otis


52 00


Morton, Isaac., Jr.


103 55


Shannon, John


78 00


Morton, Lemuel B.


96 00


Standish, Miles


134 00


Morton, Henry., Jr.


134 00


Standish, Winslow B.


100 00


Morton, Gideon E.


96 00


Savery, Thomas G.


78 00


Mayo, Thomas A.


104 00


Savery, Winsor T.


72 00


McMahon, Perez


78 00


Swett, S. R.


78 00


McGuire, Patrick


70 00


Skinner, F. C.


78 00


Morey, Wm. 3d,


48 00


Thrasher, Israel H.


104 00


Manter, John D.


104 09


Taylor, Wallace


52 00


Milo, Pasco


104 00


Taylor, John


100 00


McLauthlin, John S.


20 78


Taylor, George G.


78 00


Nickerson, Wm. T.


72 00


Towns, Joseph F.


72 00


Oldham, Job B.


31 18


Vaughan, Perez C. W.


128 00


Perry, Alonzo II.


78 00


Vaughan, Leander M.


78 00


Perry, Wm.


52 00


Vaughan, Edward N. II.


78 00


Perry, Nathan II.


134 00


Vaughan, Weston C.


20 56


Peckham, George T.


104 00


Whiting, Joseph B.


78 00


Pugh, Thomas


104 00


Wadsworth, George E.


96 00


Perkins, Isaac H.


104 00


Westgate, Benjamin


52 52


Place, Charles C.


128 00


Williams, David


52 00


Pratt, George H.


104 00


Williams, William


78 00


Pratt, James H. W.


130 00


Burbank, Asaph S.


4 56


Pratt, Harvey C.


104 00


Standish, Winslow B. (1863)


8 00


Paty, Seth W.


72 00


Shaw, Wm. H.


86 36


Pierce, Welden S.


72 00


Freeman, Philander


104 00


Pember, John H.


98 00


Finney. Frank S.


54 85


Pettee, Wm. H.


106 00


Holmes, Orin D.


12 00


Paulding, Daniel H.


37 18


Hall, George


104 27


Packard, Theodore A.


104 00


Morton, Isaac., Jr.


57 42


Robbins, Morton


134 90


Perry, Alonzo H.


24 85


Robbins, Charles H.


96 00


Robbins, Wm. S.


158 00


$16,024 10


Summary of the several Accounts, and the Total nesuis.


Due from | Cost to the


NAME OF ACCOUNT.


Bal. und'n Defich'cy App'n for App'n for Rec'd oth. Feb. 1, '66. Feb. 1, '66. fin'l year. Derien'ey. sources.


Actual credit.


Entire paym'nts. Feb. 1, '67. Feb. 1, '67. yrs. paid.


Bal. und'n Deficin'cy Bills other Out'gunp. oth. so'ces Town for Feb. 1, '67. Feb. 1, '67. fin'l year.


10,230 00


State Tix .. .


....


.


.


10,230 00


10,230 CO


10,230 CO


. ..


.


.


.


3,212 94


3,212 94


3,212 94


County Tix.


793 93


12,000 00


380 55


13,174 48


11,927 62


1,246 86


1,262 22


1,526 68


11,811 53


Schools ......


1,338 97


5,000 00


..


458 59


6,797 56


7,130 76


333 20


2,460 83


365 71


412 77


4,164 28


.Almshouse ...


..


458 04


3,000 00


. .


.


3,458 04


4,585 07


1,127 03


487 10


433 87


4,531 84


New Road ..


16 27


910 00


....


926 27


771 50


154 77


300 00


.....


...


.


....


2,776 93


6,500 00


2,776 93


.....


C.,500 00


7,337 98


837 98


Town Debt ...


122 36


2,500 00


1,297 38


216 81


4,136 55


3,537 52


599 02


1,595 75


197 15


1,922 11


Hospitals .


672 76


1,450 00


1,000 00


3,122 76


3,721 45


598 69


1,322 00


1,404 00


....


. .


.


......


2,222 36


1,701 00


6,485 05


5,963 69


8,311 65


2,347 96


1,259 03


609 93


1,010 55


Water Suj :....


851 68


200 00


......


250 00


200 00


50 00


16 67


16 67


200 00


Supt. of Water Works.


50 00


.


.


1,300 CO


300 00


3,353 52


5,067 12


4,754 65


312 47


3,065 30


700 00


2,389 35


Assessors ..


44 81


000 00


153 19


C98 00


643 08


54 92


194 00


18 00


467 08


Discounts ...


1,289 38


3,000 00


2,070 84


333 34


715 81


25 79


690 02


25 79


618 25


320 75


Ieriin : Money.


.


.


.....


166 66


178 99


165 00


13 99


.


..


·


. .


.. .


.


....


500 00


500 00


.


.. ..


.


. . .. .


.


..


... .


.....


.


..


85 00


85 00


75 00


25 00


..


....


...


.


..


......


.. .


187 39


189 85


2 46


189 85


Burial Hill.


187 39


Market ...


8 22


....


. .


.. . .


..... .


8 00


16 22


8 79


7 43


8 79


.....


.


Dog Find' ..


150 76


. . ....


.... .. .


.


150 76


123 00


27 76


123 00


5 00


'Training Green ..


159 83


. . ....


50 00


200 83


5 00


204 83


Fresh Brook Fishery


56 06


.


...


......


6 75


62 81


49 09


13 72


342 95


. . ....


..


475 60


.


.


.


.


.


....


.


Collection of Taxes ..


312 43


312 43


312 43


614 28


301 85


Abatement.


972 13


437 21


1,409 34


1,409 34


.....


584 25


Removal of School-house ..


....


350 00


150 00


500 00


539 22


39 22


1,005 15


...


.


389 22


1$7,680 90 $4,999 29 $8,916 48


($39,571 00 $ ,910 77


$26,489 42 $75,552 89 $70,366 26 $11,434 80 $6,148 17 $6,600 00 $16,024 10


$13,569 78 $13,738 75 $1,022 70 $18,340 58


$58,536 64


. .


.....


851 68'


1,358 36


506 08


1,358 36


.


. .


.


....


.


. .


....


6,300 22


47 99


6,312 23


47 99


6,538 99


....


3,238 57


.


.


· .....


165 00


Distribution to Widows ...


12 33


Treasurer.


....


85 00


...


.....


100 00


100 00


Collector of Water Rents ..


.... .


...


...


.


.


......


.


.


.


.


.....


...


.


.


.


....


.


....


.


...


. .


..


342 95


342 95


Printing Town Report .....


475 CO


487 00


12 00


. .


..


..


.


State Aid1.


.


.


Highways and Bridges ...


..


..


.


3,803 45


Fire Department.


Contingent


113 €0


.


.....


· .....


77


.


.


. .


.


.....


85 00


Sexton ..


75 00


.... ......


. .


.


·


.....


42 34


Recruitia


382 47


.


. ....


500 00


CO COS


.... .


1,071 50


7,337 98


Water Works.


. .


.


487 00


.


.


3,212 94


78


It will be observed that the balances undrawn amount to - - - - $11,434 80


There are also temporary loans, elsewhere recited in detail, amounting to


- - 28,111 39


$39,546 19


To meet which, there are uncollected taxes prior to 1865 - - - $854 61 - 1


Abatements, discounts, commissions and uncollected taxes of 1865 - - -


- Abatements, discounts and uncollected taxes of 1866 6,964 32


4,680 61


- 18,340 58 State Aid to be reimbursed -


Cash on hand - - - - 1,557 90 -


$32,398 02


Leaving a deficiency of - - $7,148 17 of which $6,148.17 appears in the table in detail, and the remaining $1,000 is the amount credited to the account of Fire Department as received from loan for purchase of hose, which thus does not appear in the deficiency, though in fact unprovided for.


The amount of outstanding bills is made up, to a considera- ble extent, of discounts, herring money, abatements and collector's commissions not entered, and of this $4,527.28 belongs to former years, leaving the amount of $9,211.47 of bills contracted during the year, now classed as outstanding. The Selectmen have endeavored to continue and carry out more fully the policy of prompt payments in the several de- partments, and believe this practice tends to a closer accounta- bility and more rigid economy of expenditure.


The total cost to the town for the year is less than the amount raised by taxation, and a close examination of the relative con- dition of the Town at the commencement and at the close of the financial year will show that some progress has been made. The following summary will show approximately the relative condition :


79


Feb 1, 1866, the Town debt other than water debt


amounted to - -


-


-


$31,026 14


Temporary loans - -


-


- 21,111 39


Outstanding bills - - - -


18,097 06


Total indebtedness - - $70,234 59


Cash on hand, uncollected taxes, discounts, abate-


ments, &c. - - - $23,793 09


Indebtedness above assets - - $46,441 50


Feb. 1, 1867, the Town debt other than water debt


amounted to - -


-


- $28,026 14


Temporary loans - - -


- 28,111 39


Outstanding bills - - -


- 13,738 75


$69,876 28


Cash on hand, uncollected taxes, discounts, abate-


ments, &c. - -


- -


$32,398 02


Indebtedness above assets - - $37,478 26


Decrease of indebtedness -


-


$8,963 24


A similar gain for another year would bring the indebtedness above the assets nearly to the amount indicated by the Town debt, and make it possible to materially reduce the amount to be raised by taxation ; but for the ensuing year no reduction can be effected in taxes.


The accounts of the Collector of Taxes for 1865 and 1866 have not been closed, but their condition for both years is submitted as follows :


1865 Taxes.


Amount uncollected Feb. 1, 1866 - -


- $1,681 00 Abatements made by Assessors -


$183 73


Discount and herring money -


21 76


Commissions - - -


7 98


Paid Treasurer - - -


1,383 03


Amount uncollected Feb. 1, 1867 - 84 50


$1,681 00


80


1866 Taxes.


Amount assessed - -


-


$60,369 92


Abatements made by Assessors -


$400 52


Discount and herring money -


3,537 76


Commissions - -


-


288 16


Paid Treasurer - - -


53,405 60


Amount uncollected Feb. 1, 1867 -


2,737 88


-


-$60,369 92


Nearly one-half of the amount of uncollected taxes of 1865 is in one tax, where neither the party or the property taxed has been here since the tax was assessed. The Selectmen recom- mend the continuance of the present system of collecting taxes.


If the outstanding bills were paid, there would be a deficiency in the account of Schools, but of less amount than would have existed Feb. 1st, 1866, the costs of the schools to the Town for the year having been less than the appropriation. The dis- crepancy between this account as presented in the table, and the same as it appears in the Treasurer's account, is explained by the fact, that in the table, the removal of school-house, for which a special appropriation was made, is given as a separate account.


There is a deficiency in the Almshouse account of $330.20, but by reference to the amount of bills of former years paid, and the cost to the Town for the year, it will be seen that the present condition of that department is highly satisfactory, and no appropriation for this deficiency will be required. The other department under the charge of the Overseers of the Poor is in even better condition, and will admit of reducing the appropriation $500.00 from that of last year.


The cost of roads has been unusually large, and when the outstanding bills are paid, there will be a deficiency of $1,560.90. Of this the cost of removing snow forms $727.50, and the ex- pense of walls not contemplated in the appropriation $712.59. For the ensuing year, the Selectmen recommend the appropria- tion of $3,000.00, the same as last year.


81


The new roads which the Selectmen werc required to work, were the streets leading to Watson's hill, known as Washington and Franklin streets, and the road leading from Isaac Morton's corner to Doten's corner. On the completion of Washington street and the Chiltonville road, it was found that the appro- priation would not admit of working Franklin street. The cost of the road at Chiltonville was unexpectedly increased by a difficulty in adjusting the land damages of Burgess Terry, and the legal proceedings thereon.


On petition of E. F. Sherman and others, the County Com- missioners have directed the widening of Market street, at Spring Hill, and ordered certain alterations there, to be made before the 1st of Nov. next. It is estimated by the mechanic who prepared the specifications for the County Commissioners, that the construction of the sidewalk ordered will cost about one thousand dollars, and other expenses of grading, &c., will make the cost of the improvement not less than twelve hund- red dollars, aside from land damages which are borne by the County. An appropriation of $1,800.00 is recommended to cover the working of Spring Hill and Franklin street, and the deficiency that would exist if Terry's claim for land damages was paid.


There is pending before the County Commissioners a petition of Jesse Murdock and others, for an extension of the road leading from West Wareham to South Carver, through to Plymouth, via the south side of Billington Sea, effecting a junction with Summer street at Oak Grove school-house. This project involves the building of five and a half miles of new road that if built as asked for, would cost not far from $2000.00 per mile.


Under a vote of the Town, the Selectmen, with a Committee chosen, have appeared before the Commissioners in opposition to the petition, and have had two hearings. The justice of something being done to put the Federal Furnace road in a suitable condition for travel, was admitted before the Commis- sioncrs; but it was contended by the petitioners that a mile and


6


82


forty-four rods would be saved in a distance of less than six miles by taking the proposed route instead of repairing the old road. It was evident from the map and from the knowledge of the locality, that this claim of the petitioners was a mistake. A line drawn on the map from the junction of the proposed route with the old road to Oak Grove school-house, passes very nearly midway between the proposed route and the old road ; and at no point are the two routes much further apart than the distance said to be saved. In view of this, a careful survey and measurement of both routes has been made. The result shows that the proposed route is thirty-one rods shorter than the old road as it now is, and that by straightening the Feder- al Furnace road at two or three points where it may be easily done, the old road would be ten rods shorter than the pro- posed route.


As it cannot be supposed that the Commissioners will lay out the new road under these circumstances, or that the petitioners will desire it, the Town will probably be required to widen and straighten the Federal Furnace road the ensuing season ; but at this time no specific appropriation is recommended for that purpose, but that authority be given to hire money for this pur- pose if it shall become necessary.


The unexpected amount of interest paid for temporary loans rendered necessary for State aid disbursements, has created a deficiency in the Town debt account of $837.98. Three thou- sand dollars of the principal has been paid : one thousand to the Plymouth Savings Bank, and two thousand to the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank. The same amount will be due each of these Banks by the terms of their notes, and Stafford Sturte- vant has given notice of his wish to be paid the note of Aug. 7, 1857, of $1,000.00. To meet these and the interest accruing, an appropriation of $8,400.00 is recommended.


The Town debt on the 1st day of February, 1867, amounted, exclusive of Water Scrip, to $28,026.14 ; and is made up as follows :


*


83


Note to Plymouth Savings Bank given June 1, 1857, in accordance with vote passed April 6, 1857, for the enlargement of Court Square, $2,837 50 Note given to Ellis Barnes Dec. 10, 1855, under a vote passed Aug 4, 1855, to build Russell Mills School House, - -


Note given to Stafford Sturtevant May 1, 1857, under a vote passed Oct. 4, 1856, to repair Plymouth Beach, - -


1,100 00


Note given to Stafford Sturtevant, Aug. 7, 1857, un- der a vote passed April 6, 1857, to oppose the removal of the shire, - - -


700 00


1,000 00


Note given to Frederick C. Adams Aug. 7, 1857, un- der a vote passed Aug. 1, 1857, to purchase land in Court Square, - - 1,000 00 - - Note given to the New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank, Jan. 27, 1866, in accordance with the sev- eral votes of the Town passed July 21 and Aug. 23, 1862, Nov. 30, 1863, May 31, 1864, and. March 13, 1865, for the payment of bounties;, &c., - - 18,000 00 Note given to the Commonwealth, Dec. 15, 1853, un- der a vote passed May 28, 1853, to buy school- houses and lands, - - - - 3,388 64


$28,026 14


The temporary loan is made up as follows : Three notes to the Commonwealth, amounting to $19,111 39 Note of Aug. 2, 1862, to F. C. & G. F. Adams 1,000 00 Note of Sept. 13, 1864, to A. G. Gooding, 1,000 00 . Notes to Old Colony National Bank of Dec. 10, 1866, Dec 31, 1866, and Jan. 28, 1867, 7,000 00


$28,111 39 $10,000 of the loan from the Commonwealth is at five per cent., and the remainder at six per cent. interest.


84


The vote of the Town increasing the pay of firemen has swollen the cost of the Fire Department to an extent not con- templated in the appropriation ; and the payment of $1,744.00 for new hose further disturbs the account, and leaves a defi- ciency to be provided for of $1,598.69.


The Water Works, aside from salaries, have cost the Town for the year $1,010.55 ; and should the increase of water takers continue at the same rate as the last year, for five years, they would become self-sustaining, inclusive of salaries. In this connection, the Selectmen desire to say that in their opinion the salaries of both the Superintendent of Water Works and the Collector of water rents are too small for the labor required of them, and recommend that they be increased. The hope that was expressed in the last report that the deficiency in this account would be met by water rents then uncollected, has not . been realized, as only $1,052.91 of back water rents has been collected, and the remainder is, in the opinion of the Collector, mostly doubtful. An appropriation for the deficiency of $2,347.96 will be necessary.


The amount of $1,358.36 has been paid on account of water suits, which settles all bills known to exist against this account, and an appropriation of $506.68 for deficiency will finally close . the account.


The cost for the year on Contingent account is $2,389.35, and the amount of bills of former years paid $3,065.30.


The apparent balance of $6,312.23 to the credit of Discounts will be converted into a deficiency of $226.76, when the dis- counts already allowed by the Collector are entered.


The apparent balance to the credit of Collection of Taxes of $312.43 will be converted into a deficiency of $301.85 by the commissions of the year 1866.


The duty imposed upon the Selectmen under the State Aid law of 1866 has been one of great difficulty, and they cannot hope to have escaped all mistakes. Under the earlier instruc- tions in circulars from the State Auditor, the amount paid to disabled Soldiers was greater than was subsequently paid. The


85


Selectmen held that to constitute necessitous circumstances, the condition of the party need not be that of extreme poverty and want, but that it was sufficient if the aid claimed was really needed. The entire amount paid during the year has been greater than it would have been at the present rate of pay- ment. There are now very few who are receiving aid on account of their families. The six dollars per month to be paid to the soldier himself is in no way effected by his pecuniary condition, the richest being equally entitled with the poorest,. if wholly or partially disabled by wounds or disease incurred in service. In all cases where the disability has not been appar- ent to the observer or well known to the Selectmen, a surgeon's certificate has been required. In many cases, where surgeons' certificates have been presented, there has been doubt in the minds of the Board; but where they have felt compelled to reject the application, they have felt called upon to oppose the applicant's claim before the commission, and though notice of the hearing on all appeals has been received, no opposition has- been made in any case.


Not all who have received aid served as Plymouth's quota, as present residence determines the place of payment.


The number of persons who have been partially disabled in the army and navy is greater than was known, and perhaps greater with us than it would be found to be upon an average. The regiments in which our men mostly served were those that saw the hardest service, and if the Board have been sur -- prised at the number of broken-down men, they are not pre- pared to say that the disability of an applicant to whom aid has been given, was not and is not real.


The amount disbursed under this law has been $15,567.79. In presenting this account upon the tabular statement, it is giv- en outside of the expenses of the Town, as it is only a charge to the Town so far as it swells the amount of interest charged to the Town debt, and appears in that account. There remains of the aid disbursed in 1863 not reimbursed, $9.99 ; and of that disbursed in 1864, $182.63 ; making $192.62, for which an ap- propriation is recommended.


86


Annexed to this report are the reports of the Water Com- missioners, Overseers of the Poor, Liquor Agent, Board of En- gineers and Agawam Committee. The Selectmen desire to acknowledge the cordial co-operation of those in charge of the several departments in efforts to secure economy and efficiency in administering the affairs of the Town.


The guide boards of the Town are substantially as when last reported. A few additions are needed.


In conclusion, the following appropriations for the coming year are recommended :


Schools, - -


-


-


-


$12,000 00


Almshouse, -


-


-


-


-


5,000 00


Highways and Bridges,


-


-


-


3,000 00


New Roads, -


-


-


-


-


1,800 00


Town Debt, -


-


-


-


-


8,400 00


Hospitals,


. -


-


-


-


-


2,000 00


Fire Department,


-


-


-


-


1,800 00


Water Works, -


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


-


2,000 00


Assessors, -


-


-


-


-


500 00


Discounts,


-


-


-


-


-


3,300 00


Treasurer,


-


-


-


-


-


500 00


Sexton,


-


-


-


-


-


85 00


Burial Hill,


-


-


-


-


-


200 00


State Aid,


-


-


-


-


-


182 63


$41,567 63


800 00


Contingent,


87


Deficiencies.


Highways and Bridges,


-


- $1,560 90


Town Debt, - -


-


-


837 98


Fire Department,


-


-


- 1,598 69


Water Works, -


2,347 96


Water Suits, -


-


-


-


506 68


Town Report, -


-


-


12 00


Removing School-House,


39 22


Collection of Taxes, -


-


- 301 85


$7,205 38


$48,773 01


A. MASON,


E. C. TURNER,


LYSANDER DUNHAM,


Selectmen ¥ of Plymouth.


THOMAS B. SEARS,


HOSEA BARTLETT,


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PLYMOUTH, Feb. 23, 1867.


88


REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.


There has been laid the past year four hundred and forty- four feet of galvanized pipe in South street, at a cost to the Town of two hundred and eleven dollars and twenty cents. Service pipe has been laid the past year to thirty-three families and stables, being an increase of two hundred fifty-one dollars and eighty cents.


The whole amount for water rents for the year ending May 1, 1867, is six thousand sixty-two dollars and seventy-four cents.


There has been thirty-six service leaks, caused by defective lead and cement pipe ; there has been but one leak in the gal- vanized pipe for the last five years.


The expenses of repairing leaks and supplying houses and stables with water, amounts to two hundred eighty dollars and nine cents; repairs on Reservoir, forty dollars and thirteen cents ; repairs on Flume, Bridge, and Canal at South Ponds, one hundred thirty-five dollars and eighty-nine cents.


There has been four leaks in the main pipe, but they are now firm and strong.


The same amount of large pipe is on hand as last year, hav- ing had no occasion to use any the past year. The whole length of pipe (about thirteeen miles) appears to be in perfect order.


ABBOT DREW, Water LEM'L BRADFORD, S Commissioners.


PLYMOUTH, Feb. 1, 1867.


89


REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.


The whole number of persons supported in the Almshouse the past year is 25 ; average number 19 ; discharged 5 ; 1 death ; present number 19 ; transient 54. Some fifty families have also been furnished with wood and provisions to supply the present wants.


Ten families have received aid who reside in other towns whose legal settlement is in this, and ten families have also been assisted now living here who are chargeable to other towns.


There are seven insane persons at Taunton, two at Worcester, and one at the Boston Asylum. Present price of board $3.50 per week. There are ten boys and two girls at the State Re- form and Nautical schools, at an expense of fifty cents per week.


The vote passed by the Town to procure provisions for the poor, to be kept at the Almshouse, has thus far proved a great improvement. It brings additional labor on the keeper, who we feel should be compensated for his extra care and trouble.


The house is now well supplied with provisions, wood, &c .. The fences will need repairs, and some additions should be made ; also a new shed in place of the old one should be built immediately ; and we would recommend it to be two stories, as that would furnish sleeping-rooms, store-room and wood- shed under the same roof; and we would recommend an ap- propriation for these purposes.




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