USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1875-1879 > Part 14
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CONTINGENT.
CR.
By undrawn balance 637 15
appropriation 3,000 00
sewer right P. W. Smith
25 00
cash from contributors to sewer
312 16
posts sold 2 82
sewer pipe sold
5 58
cash from P. Holmes
5 00
Amount carried forward
$3,987 71
15
Amount brought forward, .$ 3,987 71
DR.
Paid-
Lumber bills $6 83
Chas. G. Davis, rent hall, 1876 and 1877 .. 92 00
Chas. G. Davis, legal services. 70 00
William R. Drew, sundries 19 25
Fowler's, and Weston's express 3 75
C. F. Bradford, repairs on clock, &c
3 25
Chas. Raymond, recording deaths.
36 50
Harlow & Bailey, sundries 2 78
A. S. Burbank, stationery. 20 51
Envelopes, stamps, &c.
49 82
Ellis Benson, care Town clock. . . 25 00
F'. Martin, repairs on lantern frames 2 75
Sewer expenses. 625 53
Half expense on concrete walk Town
Square 53 33
Gas Town House 29 20
Avery & Doten, printing 403 44
Fire in woods. 86 85
D. Clark, surveying 3 00
Mason & Lord, legal services 37 00
John Curchill, sundries 5 05
Job B. Oldham, painting desks, &c 4 70
D. W. Andrews, printing 126 75
S. H. Doten, armory rent. 350 00
J. B. Collingwood, truant officer 4 00
Coal, Weston & Harlow. 49 50
J. L. Weston, repairs on fence 6 92
Burial Hill, grading, wall, &c 104 00
Amounts carried forward, $ 2,221 71 $3,987 71
16
Amounts brought forward, . $ 2,221 71 $3,987 71
Tax, Town of Kingston 3 60
Tax, Town of Carver . 4 40
Heman Robbins, labor on fountain .. 1 25
William Allen, binding, &c 3 70
H. Harlow, painting posts 50
Registration of voters 15 25
Robert Clark, stone posts in Town Square
53 00
Cleaning Town House, &c. 3 87
Register Book 2 40
Posting notices. 50
W. W. Brewster, plans of lots 5 00
E. Howard & Co., repairs Town clock 8 20
I. W. Burgess, police duty 2 00
Geo. F. Meacham, plans of Town Houses.
300 00
R. W. Bagnell, posts Town Square
2 78
Grand Army .. 100 00
C. Bates, care Town House. 5 00
Leander Lovell, Town clerk 190 15
George Bagnall, trucking, &c 5 30
District Court. 7 95
O. N. Barrows, labor on Cole's Hill steps, 1876 11 25
SERVICES SELECTMEN AND COMMITTEE.
William H. Nelson $ 200 00
Lemuel Bradford. 200 00
Charles B. Stoddard. 75 00
David Clark .
75 00
Henry Whiting 75 00
$ 3,572 85
Undrawn $ 414 86
17
The payments this year chargeable to this account have ex- ceeded the payments of last year in the sum of $149.67. Unusual expenditures have arisen in perfecting plans for Town houses, sewerage, and grading and walling the site of the engine house on Burial Hill, amounting in the aggregate to $708.97. Bills of former years for printing and rent of hall are also included. The uncertainty as to fires in the woods which, in former years, have drawn largely from this account, make it difficult to estimate how large an appropriation may be re- quired, and recommend the same appropriation as last year, viz : $3,000.
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
CR.
By balance of account $ 2,623 08
cash from G. F. Weston 11 85
appropriation 4,200 00
reimbursements
603 74
-$ 7,438 67
DR.
To payment in 1877
$ 6,446 54
Undrawn. $ 992 13
The expenditures chargeable to roads and bridges the past year, deducting the earnings of the teams in other depart- ments, and including orders drawn, but not paid when the books were closed, is $5,884.06-a sum in excess of last year of 2
18
$512.06. The difference in expenditure was caused by the re- moval of snow, being some $400 in excess of last year, and repairs on the Rocky Hill and other new roads lately added to the department.
The experiment of using screened gravel on the roads in the central portion of the village, subject to the greatest wear, has demonstrated its value over the ordinary material used for re- pairs, and avoids the increase of grade which is inevitable when other material is used. It is the only substitute for broken stone, which cannot be obtained here without great expense, as we have no ledges of rock near at hand, and costly machinery is required to prepare it.
Gravel will practically answer the purpose, at much less ex- pense, and as long as it can be obtained within a reasonable distance, will be found to be the most economical method of repairing the highways where the travel is greatest.
The gutters of many of the streets of steep grade require paving, and, in order to test the value of concrete as a substi- tute for pavement, a portion of the gutter on Vernon street was laid with it early in the Fall, and has not yet been tested suf- ficiently to adopt it.
If it shall be found to answer the purpose, it will be economy to appropriate a small sum each year for that purpose, as con- stant care and expense is now required in the Summer months to keep them in condition which could otherwise be saved. With the probability that some unusual repairs may be re- quired, and the snow bills exceed those of last year, an ap- propriation of $5,500 is recommended.
1
19
WATER WORKS.
CR.
By appropriation .. $ 600 00
By receipts from water rents, labor, and
materials
9,530 43
$ 10,130 43
DR.
To overdrawn balance. $ 1,234 70
To interest on scrip 5,460 00
To salaries
650 00
To labor and materials.
2,026 30 $ 9,371 00
Undrawn
$
759 43
Extension Account.
DR.
To payment for extensions $ 1,490 89 -$ 1,490 89
CR.
By appropriation. $ 1,000 00
By cash from B. R. Curtis 324 89
By shovels
4 35
1,329 24
Overdrawn
.$
161 65
20
The instructions given the Treasurer by the Town at the annual meeting, to separate the extension of the Water Works from the general account, charging only to the Works the inter- est on scrip and expense of management and repairs necessary to keep the works in good condition, has been complied with, and the result shows an excess of receipts over expenditures for the year of $1,394.13. A deficiency existed at the close of the account last year of $1,234.70, six hundred dollars of which was included in the appropriations for deficiencies, leaving a balance of $634.70 to be provided for from the income of this year-showing the net income for the year of $759.43 to be ap- plied in accordance with a vote of the Town to the water scrip sinking fund. There remained of uncollected water rents when the books were closed the sum of $350, against $700 at the same time last year. Deducting the difference, $350, from the income of the year, shows a net annual income to be relied upon for the sinking fund to vary not much from $1,050. The importance of promptly collecting the water works rents is ap- parent. While a gain has been made in this respect during the year, the amount remaining uncollected being less than for sev- eral years, still the balance is larger than would be the case were the votes of the Town fully complied with.
The extension account shows an expenditure of $1,490.89, with reimbursements of $329.24, and appropriation of $1,000 placed to the credit of the account at the annual meeting, leaving a deficiency of $161.65 to be provided for. The report of the Commissioners will more fully explain the expenditures charge -. able to this account.
2L
SCHOOLS.
CR.
By Massachusetts school fund $ 279 51
One-half dog fund.
250 72
Cash from sale of books
810 78
Sundries 6 22
Appropriation.
16,000 00
Special appropriation
800 00
--
$ 18,147 23
DR.
To balance account, Dec. 31, 1876 .. . $ 176 15
Salaries, teachers and superintendent, 13,244 05
Books and apparatus. 848 46
Fuel. .
599 32
Repairs and supplies 1,252 28
Care of buildings 437 44
Carriage hire, 1876. 181 50
Carriage hire, 1877. 172 75
Out buildings and repairs on same .. . 791 84
Fire-escapes. 402 00
New school house and furniture.
267 00
Bill of painting.
38 50
Incidentals
63 65
$ 18,454 94
Overdrawn
$
307 71
The expenditures for schools have largely increased, amount- ing to $18,278.19 the past year. About $1,500 of this amount has been expended on outbuildings, fire-escapes, new school house, etc., and are extraordinary expenditures. An appro-
22
priation of $800 was made at the annual meeting for new out- buildings, which has been expended.
Notice was served on the Selectmen in September, by the chief of the State Detective force, that certain school houses which he had inspected under authority of an act of the Legis- lature of 1877, requiring inspection of all public buildings, school-rooms, etc., were found without sufficient means of egress in case of fire, and required additional stair-cases and changes in the doors to the main entrances so that the doors should swing outward. The matter was referred to the School Committee, who had the necessary changes made in compliance with the order, for which was expended the sum of $402, occa- sioning the overdraft in the account.
It is important, in view of the demands upon the town, that an effort should be made to reduce the expenses in this depart- ment, and that the Town should not be called upon to increase its appropriations for schools under the present condition of affairs.
An appropriation of $16,000 with the deficiency is recom- mended.
POOR.
CR.
By balance Dec. 31, 1876. $ 521 22
reimbursements. 1,265 85
appropriation. 6,500 00 - $8,287 07
DR.
To payments in 1877 $8,779 45
-$8,779 45
Overdrawn
$ 492 38
-
23
There has been expended the past year for support of the Poor and Almshouse department, including the orders drawn and not paid, $8,953 27, being $1,241.18 in excess of payments last year, showing a deficiency of $492.38 to be provided for.
. The increase is mainly for outside aid-for support of the poor in this and other towns-having their settlement here and charged to this town. Reimbursements for aid supplied to those living here, but having their settlements in other towns, amounts to $1,265.85, making the net expenditure $7,513.60.
If the present condition of affairs continue, it may soon be- come necessary to enlarge the Almshouse to provide room for those who at present are largely supported outside of the house, and who, for many reasons, can be better and more economically cared for under the immediate supervision of those having charge of the department.
INSANE POOR.
DR.
To payments to Worcester Hospital $ 224 83
Taunton Hospital 2,308 93
J. B. Brewster 15 00
A. Jackson 5 00
B. Hubbard 5 00
E. M. Whiting 52 00
L. Bradford, expenses 10 12
-$2,620 88
24
CR.
Jan. 1, 1877, by undrawn balance $ 50 58
By cash from J. C. Cooper 91 30
appropriation. 2,000 00
cash from W. Aldrich
34 30
- $2,176 18
Overdrawn $ 444 70
There are twelve persons at present in the hospitals sup- ported by the town-an addition of one during the year-the annual expense of which will amount to about $2,500. Some portion of the amount may be reimbursed to the town, and the number may possibly be reduced.
The Overseers ask for an appropriation of $2,000, which is recommended.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CR.
Dec. 31, 1876, by undrawn balance. $ 237 57
March 26, 1876, by appropriation 2,200 00
-
-$2,437 57
DR.
To payments in 1877
$3,079 69
-
$3,079 69
Overdrawn .$ 642 12
The large expenditure in this department, causing a defi- ciency of $642 12, has been occasioned by repairs on Steamer No. 1, her boiler and tubing having been found defective, re- quiring renewal.
25
A detailed report from the engineers will more fully explain the condition of the department.
An appropriation of $2,000 for the current year is asked for by the Engineers, and is recommended.
VINE HILL CEMETERY.
CR
By undrawn balance. $ 49 53
By cash from sale of lots 279 10
-$ 328 63
DR.
To payments in 1877
$ 114 89
-$ 114 89
Undrawn
$ 213 74
There has been sold during the year forty lots, for which has only been received $279.10. Twenty-eight still remain unpaid for when the books were closed, amounting to $412.05.
The outlay required the present year will be provided for from income, and no appropriation is recommended.
BURIAL HILL.
CR.
By balance from old account $ 43 64
cash from Ellis Drew.
8 74
appropriations
125 00
$ 177 38
DR.
To payments in 1877
$169 95
-$ 169 95
Undrawn . .$ 7 43
26
In order to save constant repairs and expense on the walks about the Hill, it will be economy to concrete those liable to gullying in heavy rains, and, so far as this can be met out of the appropriation for the year, should be done.
An appropriation of $150 is recommended.
ABATEMENTS.
CR.
Dec. 31, 1876, by undrawn balance $1,026 84
Dec. 31, 1877, by outlay for 1877 1,046 59
-$2,073 43
DR.
Dec. 31, 1877, to abatements, 1877 $ 775 62 -
$ 775 62
Undrawn $1,297 81
ASSESSORS.
CR.
Dec. 31, 1876, by balance from old account .. $ 290 71
By appropriation 400 00
-- $ 690 71
DR.
To payments in 1877.
$
719 71
$ 719 71
Overdrawn .$ 29 00
27
The cost of assessing taxes is larger than in other towns of equal or larger population than ours, and might be considerably reduced by adopting the system followed in all large towns and cities, of districting the town and assigning to each a district. This would also greatly facilitate the work, and require less time than is used under the present method.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
CR.
Dec. 31, 1876, by undrawn balance $ 454 59
By appropriation, 1877. 445 41
-
--- $ 900 00
DR.
Jan. 24, 1877, to cash paid L. Bradford. .... $ 450 00 Dec. 31, 1877, to cash paid L. Bradford ... . . 450 00
---- $ 900 00
$ 900 00
WATCH AND POLICE.
CR.
By appropriation
$1,400 00
-- -$1,400 00
DR.
Dec. 31, 1876, to balance.
115 91
To payments, 1877
1,196 00
$1,311 91
Undrawn
.$ 88 09
28
LIGHTING STREETS AND TOWN HOUSE.
CR.
Dec. 31, 1876, by undrawn balance $ 6 85
By appropriation, 1877 1,200 00
--- $1,206 85
DR.
To payments, 1877 $1,078 68
-- $1,078 68
Undrawn
$ 128 17
HERRING MONEY. CR.
By balance from old account. $ 29 65
dividend Old Colony National Bank. . . 250 00 -$ 279 65
DR.
To payments in 1877 $ 213 55
Undrawn.
66 10
FRESH BROOK.
CR.
By balance Dec. 31, 1876 $ 74 72
cash from David Clark 15 00
Undrawn. $ 89 72
SEXTON.
CR.
By appropriation, 1877. . . $ 125 00
DR.
To payment in 1877, 125 00
29 TRAINING GREEN FUND. CR.
By balance from old account, Dec. 31, 1876 $ 486 23
interest 24 60
Undrawn. $ 510 83
DUXBURY & COHASSET RAILROAD SINKING
FUND. CR.
By appropriation Dec. 31, 1876. $ 1,500 00
By sale 400 shares stock. 2,666 66
DR.
$4,166 66
To amount paid to Trustees Duxbury & Cohasset
Railroad sinking fund . $ 4,166 66
TREASURER.
CR
By appropriation in 1877
.$
500 00
DR.
To payment in 1877
500 00
WIDOWS.
CR.
By undrawn balance Dec. 31, 1876 $ 34
Old Colony National Bank dividend.
125 00
-$
125 34
DR.
To payment to widows in 1877
125 00
Undrawn $ 34
30
APPROPRIATIONS.
The following appropriations for the current year are recommended :
New roads $ 1,500 00
Poor.
7,000 00
Town debt.
6,000 00
Roads and bridges
5,500 00
Insane poor
2,000 00
Schools.
16,000 00
Fire department
2,000 00
Contingent
3,000 00
Watch and police
1,150 00
Lighting streets and town house.
1,000 00
Duxbury & Cohasset Railroad fund
sinking
1,500 00
Burial hill
150 00
Sexton
125 00
Assessors
700 00
Treasurer
500 00
Collector of taxes
450 00
DEFICIENCIES.
Poor
650 00
Fire department 650 00
Insane poor .
450 00
Water works extension
162 00
Schools
350 00
-
$ 50,837 00
The revenue, not otherwise appropria- ated, is as follows :
Corporation tax.
$ 3,000 00
National bank tax.
2,500 00
Miscellaneous.
500 00
6,000 00
$44,837 00
31
Leaving the sum of forty-four thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven dollars, which it is recommended to be raised by taxation for the expenses of the current year, being a sum in excess of last year of $4,641.59.
GUIDE BOARDS.
The guide boards of the Town are reported to be in good condition.
WILLIAM H. NELSON, LEMUEL BRADFORD, C. B. STODDARD, DAVID CLARK,
Selectmen
HENRY WHITING,
of Plymouth.
PLYMOUTH, Feb. 15, 1878.
33
REPORTS.
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
The Water Commissioners respectfully present their report for the year ending December 31, 1877 :
By vote of the Town passed April 9, 1877, the Town Treasurer was instructed to charge against the income from the Water Works only the interest on the outstanding scrip, ex- pense of maintenance, and labor and materials for repairs, and that the surplus income as shown by the Treasurer's account to be in his hands, at the close of the financial year, shall be paid over by him to the Trustees of the Water Scrip sinking fund, to be applied by them to the payment of the scrip be- coming due in 1885.
At the same meeting it was voted that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated for extensions of water pipe on Oak and other streets, as recommended in the report of the Water Commis- 3
34
sioners ; and also instructed the Commissioners to extend the four-inch pipe on Warren street as far as the land of Mr. Curtis.
In the opinion of the Selectmen, who, in their decision, dif- fered from the Commissioners, no provision for the payment of the Warren street extension appeared on the Town Records, and the sum of $1,000 only was placed to the credit of exten- sion account, and no charge to this account was made other than for expenditures anticipated at the close of the year 1876, the cost for pipe and labor on Warren street being charged to Water Works, and paid from the income. The books of the Treasurer show that the sum of $1,486.54 only was expended for extension, when, in fact, a classification of expenditures for the year show that the amount that should properly have been charged is $2,277.41. A strict adherence to the conditions of the first named vote would have added to the sinking fund from the year's income the sum of $2,185, instead of $759.43, which sum only remained for the fund after the payment of $790.87 on extension account, and $634.70 of the overdraft of 1876.
CURRENT EXPENSES AND REPAIRS.
DR.
Salary of Superintendent. $ 500 00
Collection of water rents 150 00
Inspection of water supply 39 70
Gates 36 20
Covers and frames to gate boxes 24 72
Corporation and T stops . 40 76
Service pipe and plumbing
71 92
Amount carried forward. $ 863 30
35
Amount brought forward . $863 30
Railroad freight and express 8 29
Trucking and carriage hire. 66 80
Making gate and faucet boxes 16 90
Grading and repair of breakwater at South Pond
78 41
Lumber for gate and faucet boxes.
32 97
Water bill blanks 24 50
Nails, white lead and canvass,
18 44
Water barrels, tools and rubbers 30 80
Blacksmith bill 16 34
Wheelbarrows 7 00
Drinking fountains
48 25
Labor
623 43
Shop rent.
50 00
-
$ 1,885 43
Interest on scrip
5,460 00
Total expenditure for the year $ 7,345 43
Bills on extension account paid 790 87
To Trustees of Scrip-sinking fund. 759 43
Overdraft Jan. 1, 1877, paid
1,234 70
$10,130 43
CR.
By amount collected for water rents. . . . $9,298 00 By amount collected for shutting off water, labor and materials. 232 43
amount of appropriation
600 00
-$ 10,130 43
36
EXTENSION.
Wrought iron shell for pipe $806 40
Cement. 215 50
Freight on materials. 119 49
Labor, trenching and laying pipe 862 93
Gates and iron gate tops
107 80
Teaming, &c. 56 71
Carriage hire 34 00
Branches to pipe and faucets 51 58
Surveying . 4 00
Storage of materials.
19 00
$2,277 41
CR.
By appropriation . $1,000 00
By two-inch pipe laid for B. R. Curtis, Esq. 324 89
By amount from water rents 790 87
By deficiency. 161 65
$2,277 41
The report of the Superintendent, which is herewith pre- sented, shows the present condition of the works, and states the localities in which pipe has been laid, the total length being 4,782 feet, of sizes from two to six inches ; all cement lined, the confidence of the Commissioners in that material for water pipe when properly laid being ito less than in previous years. The duties of Superintendent have been satisfactorily per- formed, and the works appear to be in good condition.
37
EXTENSIONS.
The extension of the 4-inch pipe on Warren street adds to. the income the amount of six per cent. of the cost, Mr. Curtis readily assenting to the payment of this amount.
Application has also been made by him for a further exten- sion to the Clifford House, as the building is being put in thor- ough repair, and will be open for guests the 1st of June next. The 2-inch pipe laid on the old road to this house now supplies so large number of water-takers that the flow to the Clifford House is insufficient, and at times has wholly failed. The lay- ing of the 4-inch would not only insure a constant supply, but would, by joining to the 2-inch, give a circulation of water and permanent head to those already drawing from the 2-inch pipe.
There are now several residents on Warren street that the extension would benefit, and a favorable consideration of the request of Mr. Curtis would also give additional inducements to others who are now contemplating the purchase of land and building on the line of the extension asked for. Estimated cost of the extension, $1,300.
As instructed by the Town, 6-inch pipe has been laid from Summer through Oak street, connecting with the 2-inch on Davis street. If the 6-inch pipe should be continued through Oak and Samoset streets to the main on Court street, an in- creased supply of water would be insured, as the water that fails to find a passage through the 8-inch main on Summer street will flow through the 6-inch. That there is a supply by the 10-inch that can be made available, is made certain from the fact that there is a continual flow of water through the 2- inch on Davis street from the 10-inch main on Summer street. The Commissioners are unanimous in recommending this ex- tension the present year. Estimated cost, $1,350.
38
NEW BUILDING.
The office of the Superintendent is so far removed from the center of the town that considerable inconvenience is experi- enced by those who require his services. The workshop is small, and the yard room required for finishing and drying pipe is hired, and not connected with the workshop. The premises in use have been retained from inability to find a more suitable place, and until recently no land belonging to the town offered a better location. The lot on Main street purchased for use of the Fire Department, being much larger than is required for that purpose, the surplus land could be improved by the erec- tion of a building for office and store-room, and also a shed in which the pipe could be put after lining until hardened for use. A building the cost of which would not exceed $600 would give the accommodation much needed, and as the rents paid last year amounted to $69, such action would be economical.
WATER SUPPLY.
The frequent and unusual rains of the Summer caused less consumption of water than usual, and but little complaint has been made of a short supply to any one. The greatest difficulty experienced was caused during the months of May and June, from the inability to account for or find a remedy of the fishy taste and odor of the water. In some cases the taste re- sembled water taken from a newly-painted pail. No reasona- ble cause could be ascertained for this unusual change in what had been considered the purest of water and most pleasant to the taste. Desirous of learning the probable effect to health from its use, the Commissioners engaged Professor W. Ripley Nichols to examine the source of supply and investigate as far as possible the origin of the trouble. The interesting report of
39
the result of his examination is herewith submitted, and the assurance he gives that the water at these periods is not un- healthy is gratifying, and an analysis of the water also shows that the water is not less pure, and is as free from contamina- tion as formerly.
IMPROVEMENTS.
The Commissioners do not propose action on the subject of increasing the head of water, yet we would not have it forgot- ten that the question will soon force itself upon the voters for decision-the yearly increase of consumption as the result of an increase of water-takers, and the laying of street sewers, making the additional supply that an increase of head will bring a necessity. In considering the subject the town should bear in mind that the income from the works is such as that no burden will be laid upon them should the outlay be made, and if the just claim for credit for the uses of the water by the Fire Department could be allowed, a sum would be realized that in a few years would pay the cost of any outlay in the direction of improvement of the works. Nearly every town that has a water supply, charge for or are allowed credit for each fire hydrant in a sum not less than thirty dollars, and in most of them a larger sum is allowed. If no other considerable outlay is proposed for the year 1879, it is the opinion of the Commis- sioners that the work should then be entered upon.
C. O. CHURCHILL, S. H. DOTEN,
Water
BENJ. HARVEY, Commissioners.
40
Result of Examination of Water Supply.
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CHEMICAL LABORATORY, BOSTON, June 14, 1877.
CHARLES O. CHURCHILL, EsQ., Chairman of Board of Water Commissioners :
DEAR SIR :- Having been requested by your Board to ex- amine into the condition of the water supply of the Town of Plymouth, and to endeavor to ascertain, if possible, the cause of the peculiar taste which has affected the water the present Summer, I visited on the 11th inst., in company with yourself, South Pond, from which the water is taken. I also visited the reservoir, and took for examination some of the water, and also some of the material which had been collected on filters in the Town. At the time of my visit, the water had very little of the disagreeable taste generally described as " fishy."
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