USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1875-1879 > Part 18
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Uncollected taxes, 1875. 401 47
Uncollected taxes, 1876.
1,944 67
Uncollected taxes, 1877 3,320 98
Uncollected taxes, 1878.
12,763 42
Amounts curried forward. $18,479 27 $53,736 71 $130,000 00
11
Amounts brought forward . $18,479 27 $53,736 71 $130,000 00 Due from state for state aid supplied 2,834 50
Aid supplied to indigent soldiers and sailors, under
law of 1878
670 87
Cash on hand
8,167 76
$30,152 40
$23,584 31
Total net indebtedness, Dec. 31st, 1878. $153,584 31
Total net indebtedness, Dec 31st, 1877 152,369 47
Increase in 1878. $1,214 84
By reference to the foregoing statement, it will be seen that the net indebtedness has been increased the past year, $1,214.84, and the temporary indebtedness, as represented by notes of the town has been increased $5,000, a loan having been contracted for that amount, under authority of the town, for the payment of expenditures incurred in building the new engine house on Main street.
The difference between the gross and net indebtedness is explained by the difference in the overdrawn balances, which were reported last year as $2,367.34 against $169.16 this year, together with the amount derived from miscellaneous receipts, in excess of amount estimated as revenue for the year, and covered into the treasury, aggregating the sum of $3,785.16 and, as an item of credit, reduces the indebtedness to that extent.
12
The sinking fund, as reported by the trustees, now amounts to $11,432.27, and, in estimating the liabilities of the town, should be deducted from the net indebtedness as reported in the debt statement, $2,259.42 having been added the past year, not including the income derived from the investment. The only changes in the loans, as reported last year, is the renewal of the loans from the State for $11,724.65, and the payment of a loan of ten thousand dollars, provided for by a loan from the Plymouth savings bank for an equal amount, at a more favorable rate of interest.
The amount to be provided for deficiencies so increased the appropriations for the year, that no recommendation was made for any payment of the principal of the debt, other than those applicable to the sinking fund, and no reduction was made, except so far as amounts covered into the treasury, as heretofore explained, have effected it.
The expenditures the past year have been kept within the limits of appropriation, with only two exceptions, - the school and assessors' departments, - and those only for a small amount.
For the first time within a period of fifteen years, the over- drawn balances are such as not to require an appropriation for deficiencies or largely increase the annual appropriations. In view of the desirability of reducing the temporary indebted- ness, and in compliance with the law requiring an annual reduction of eight per cent. on certain classes of indebtedness. It is recommended that a payment sufficient to retire the loan contracted for on the new engine house, at maturity, should be included in the appropriation for town debt, and have made that provision subject to the action of the town.
1
13
With economy in the several departments, and the post- ponement of all projects calling for increased appropriations which can with safety be delayed, the rate of taxation may be somewhat reduced the present year, and still allow for some reduction in the assessed valuation of property, which must be met, as the continued depression in business makes taxation more than ever burdensome, and should, if possible, be lightened.
The amount of uncollected taxes is reported at $18,479.27, being $4,275.99 in excess of last year.
The attention of the town has been called to the matter in former reports, and the selectmen have considered that no good reason can be given why the taxes should not be col- lected within the year for which they are assessed. The only revenue relied upon for the payment of the current expenses of the town is from taxes, and, sooner or later, they must be paid or abated. To delay is only to increase the burden, and sub- ject the town to all the risks of loss which the changing circumstances of property and persons involve. It is difficult to see how taxes which cannot be paid when small, can be more easily paid when they have multiplied from year to year, with the accumulated interest.
We believe it is for the best interests of the town, as well as for the tax payers, to collect its taxes promptly and pay its bills promptly, and recommend the town to take such action as shall enforce the collection of taxes now in arrears, and hereafter within the limits of the year for which they are assessed,
Tin
14
The selectmen have carefully considered the requirements of the several departments in the list of appropriations proposed, and trust the town will carefully consider them in any changes proposed.
TOWN DEBT AND INTEREST ACCOUNT.
CR.
By balance old account, January 1st, 1878, $144 86 appropriation . 6,000 00
interest received from delinquent taxes, 466 36 rebate of interest .. 43 34
premium on loan from Plymouth savings bank. 50 00
$6,704 56
DR.
To interest on Duxbury & Cohasset rail-
road loan
. $2,800 00
To interest on temporary loan
2,299 09
interest on loans in anticipation of taxes,
316 58
$5,415 67
Undrawn balance. . $1,288 89
There will be required the present year, to meet the interest on permanent and temporary loans, and loans made in antici- pation of taxes, $5,456.00, and for a payment on account of the loan, as recommended, of $1,250.00, will, with the balance now to the credit of the account, require an appropriation of $5,500.00, which is recommended,
15
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
CR
By balance of account, January 1st, 1878, $992 13
appropriation 5,500 00
cash from C. Holmes' pipe 5 60
reimbursement from new roads. 164 46
reimbursement from poor
425 53
$7,087 72
DR.
To payments, 1878
$6,498 00
Undrawn balance.
$589 72
Orders drawn, not paid, $141.89.
The amount expended the past year in this department, including the orders drawn, but not paid, and included in the treasurer's account, deducting earnings of the teams in other departments, is $6,049.90, being $165.84 in excess of payments last year.
Unusual expenditures have been incurred in the widening of Vernon street, extending the concrete gutter to Main street, and in the change of grade and concreting the sidewalk on Spring Hill ; in all costing some three hundred and twenty-five dollars. A considerable amount has also been expended for repairs and renewal of fences on the Rocky Hill and other roads outside of the limits of the village, and covering and raising several of the bridges in the south and central portions of the town, including drainage.
The condition of the roads have steadily improved since the present system was adopted, and it is believed they are now in better condition than at any previous time.
S
16
During the past few years a large quantity of drain pipe has been used in providing drainage for street crossings, and for conducting the water under ground at convenient distances, and away from the travelled portions of the road, which has materially added to the expenses.
The improvements, in general, having been permanent, very little will be required in this direction the coming year, and it is anticipated, unless some unlooked for expenditure is required, or a larger amount than usual expended for removal of snow, a less sum will be required the present year, to continue the improvements and keep the roads up to the requirements of public travel over them.
The property of the town, in teams and equipments, have been kept in order, and are in every respect well adapted to the work required of them, and creditable to the department.
An appropriation of $5,500.00 for the current year is recommended.
NEW ROADS.
CR.
By balance December 31st, 1877 $15 83
appropriation 1,500 00
$1,515 83
DR.
To payments in 1878 $1,198 36
Undrawn . . ...
$317 47
Orders drawn, not paid, $8.45.
17
The amount expended for the year, including the orders drawn and not paid, is $1,203.81, all of which has been expend- ed on Allerton street and the grounds in connection with the monument. There had been previously paid $2,148.11, making the whole expenditure up to December 31st, 1878, $3,351.92.
The town appropriated in 1877 the sum of five thousand dol- lars, the amount to be expended within a period of three years. There will remain to be expended of the appropriation $1,648.08, should the town not desire the full amount expended the present year, the appropriation can be reduced.
Allerton street, from its commencement at Samoset street to its junction with Court street, has been nearly graded, and a portion has been nearly completed and provided with concrete gutters. It will be economy, as early as possible in the spring, to continue them over the filled portions of the road, in order to save the embankment from damage caused by washing in heavy rains, and to allow them to be soiled and seeded before the summer drought. A portion of the appropriation, only, will be needed to complete the road, with the improvements needed from Samoset to Court street. The balance will be expended on the connecting road encircling the monument.
It is hoped that some change will be made in the plans for grading between the monument and the road, and that a grad- ual slope will be adopted, instead of the steep embankments under the present plan, which, to many, is believed to be impracticable, and cannot be maintained and kept in good con- dition in such an exposed location, subject, as it would be, to drought in summer and washing from heavy rains in the fall and winter months, without continued care and expense, and would, in many respects, be obviated by the change.
An appropriation of $1,400 is recommended.
2
18
WATER WORKS.
CR.
By receipts from water rents, labor and materials .. $9,511 75
DR.
To interest on scrip, and expenses of management and repairs $7,693 55
To balance, extension account 1,726 67
9,420 22
Undrawn
Orders drawn, not paid, $12.57. $91 53
The income from water works the past year shows that there has been eighteen dollars and sixty-eight cents less collected than in 1877, which is more than offset by the amount of rents in arrears and uncollected. Some five hundred dollars against three hundred and fifty outstanding at the close of the previous year, and indicates an increase in the takers and an addition to the income of more than one hundred dollars during the year.
The balance to the credit of the account at the close of the year, of seven hundred and fifty-nine dollars and forty-three cents, was taken by the trustees of the water scrip's fund, under a vote of the town, passed in 1877, appropriating any balance of income remaining to the credit of water works, in the treasurer's hands at the close of his accounts each year.
The action of the town at its annual meeting, in allowing the commissioners to charge against the income of the works the balance not otherwise provided for in making extensions authorized at the annual meeting, has absorbed the income, and nothing remains to be added to the sinking fund the pres- ent year.
19
The selectmen feel that it is important that some addition should annually be made to the sinking fund, in view of the maturity of the bonds at an early day, and recommend that the income from water works should not be drawn upon for its full amount to aid projects which the town would not otherwise be be inclined to grant, or assess themselves to pay for.
Upon an application from the woolen mills for a supply of water for manufacturing purposes, the town at a special meet- ing authorized the commissioners to lay a pipe from Deep Wa- ter bridge to their mill, but made no appropriation to provide for it. It will become necessary to make some provision to meet the expenditure, at the annual meeting, and it is recom- mended that the treasurer be authorized, under direction of the selectmen, to loan a sum, not exceeding four thousand dollars, for a term of five years with liberty to make an annual pay- ment sufficient to retire the loan at maturity, and the payment to be charged against the income of the works.
The commissioners' and superintendent's report will give the result, in detail, of the operations of the year.
SCHOOLS.
CR.
By Massachusetts school fund $236 30
one half dog fund
237 17
appropriation . 16,900 00
appropriation for deficiencies 350 00
books sold 707 79
$18,431 26
20
By amount to the credit of schools . $18,431 36
DR.
To pay of teachers and superintendent .. $13,698 60 repairs and care of buildings .. . 1,461 63
enlarging school houses and furniture for same. 1,066 33
fuel .
625 02
books and aparatus
1,068 57
horse hire
193 00
printing and incidentals
120 28
overdrawn balance
307 71
$18,541 14
Overdrawn
$109 88
The expenditures, on account of schools, show an increase as compared with the previous year, of $45.36, but as the enlarg- ing and furnishing of new school houses are included in the expenditures of both years, the comparisons are of little value in determining the ordinary expenses of the department. The item of salaries has increased from $13,244.05, in 1877, to $13,698.60, in 1878. The committee are of the opinion that no reduction can be made in the expenses. The necessity of reducing expenses, and the effort made in other towns and cities in that direction, by appointing committees to confer with the school committee, with a view to ascertain if any reduction can be made in the salaries or other expenses, might be of service to the town, and the selectmen would recommend that the town appoint such a committee, at the annual meeting, to report the result of their investigation and recommendations at the adjourned meeting in April.
21
CONTINGENT.
CR.
By undrawn balance, December 31st, 1877, $414 86
appropriation 3,000 00
armory rent reimbursement 382 40
sewer right from estate of Isaac Hedge, 25 00
drain pipe sold 7 20
sundries. 2 50
$3,831 96
DR.
Paid-
Asa Kendrick, labor on sewers $18 59
John Atwood, serving warrants, &c 56 50
George H. Harlow, labor on sewer 3 00
Henry Whiting, fire on beach. 1 00
William H. Morton, fence on Burial hill, 36 70
D. W. Andrews, bill printing 45 75
Carter, Densmore & Co., ink
1 50
S. H. Doten, armory rent. 325 00
Kate Williams, cleaning town offices. 3 41
Clement Bates, care of town house 5 00
Leander Lovell, town clerk, fees. 189 20
I. L. Wood, repairs on town house 4 54
B. O. Strong, carpet for town offices. 112 86
J. B. Wilson, labor on town house 13 45
Decoration day 125 00
Freeman Manter, serving notices 3 00
Estate of R. Tomlinson, book case
20 00
Amounts carried forward . $964 50 $3,831 96
22
Amounts brought forward .$ 964 50 $3,831 96 Paid-
Clark S. Ellis, tax refunded. 13 76
G. W. Wood and George Blanchard, damage on highway 37 00
J. Cox, Boston directory 5 00
C. F. Bradford, labor on desks, &c 11 36
E. Robbins, whitewashing town offices ...
5 00
Gas Co., gas bill for town house. 32 81
Heman C. Robbins, labor on drinking fountain 1 00
William Allen, books and binding 10 80
Josiah A. Robbins, preparing register of voters 30 00
Samuel Rickard, posting notices. 1 30
Tax, town of Carver
3 50
Fuel and light for armory
31 25
J. B. Oldham, papering and painting treas- urer's room 6 30
Charles Raymond, returning deaths 32 25
William R. Drew, sundries 15 65
Tax, town of Kingston
2 16
Charles G. Davis, rent of hall
65 00
Harlow & Bailey, sundries
7 38
Isaac Brewster, bell rope.
3 15
H. L. Holbrook, returning deaths 5 75
Plymouth Mills, iron work for tree in Town square 4 63
Avery & Doten, bill for printing, and town
reports
323 85
Expenses, board of health 81 72
Amounts carried forward
$1,695 12
$3,831 96
23
Amounts brought forward $1,695 12 $3,831 96
Paid-
Fire in woods. 41 85
Weston & Harlow, coal. 45 75
I. Barrows, putting up guide boards
1 00
H. Harlow, painting signs, &c 4 50
Weston's express 2 55
Baker & Wilson, stock and labor for town house 7 87
Envelopes, stamps, &c. 69 51
Stationery . 19 62
Sundry incidentals. 44 03
Services as selectmen -
William H. Nelson 200 00
Lemuel Bradford 200 00
Charles B. Stoddard 75 00
Henry Whiting 75 00
David Clark 75 00
$2,556 80
Balance of new engine house account,
transferred .
1,099 46
$3,656 26
Undrawn $175 70
The expenditures in this department have been $1,016.05 less than last year, being $2,556.80 against $3,572.85 last year.
There has been expended in refitting the rooms occupied for town offices, in renewal of carpets, painting, and other work required in the room occupied by the treasurer, and the addi- tion of a book case in the room occupied by the selectmen, $168.97.
24
At the annual meeting the town authorized the building committee, in anticipation that the appropriation would be insufficient for the completion and furnishing the new engine house, to draw from the contingent fund an amount not exceeding one thousand dollars. The balance has exceeded the sum $99.46, and will be further explained in their report.
An appropriation of three thousand dollars for the current year is recommended.
POOR.
CR.
By appropriation for deficiency $650 00
appropriation
7,000 00
reimbursements
1,560 88
$9,210 88
DR.
To overdrawn balance.
$492 38
payments in 1878 8,530 33
$9,022 71
Undrawn balance.
Orders drawn, not paid, $23.63. $188 17
The amount expended for support of the poor and alms- house department, including the orders drawn, but not paid, is $8,553.96 ; deducting reimbursement for aid furnished to those whose settlement is in other towns, but living here, viz. ; $1,560.88, makes the net expenditure, $6,993.08, and $520.52 less than last year.
25
The low prices for most of the necessary articles has con- tributed to the difference in expenditures ; but the overseers report that the number requiring aid is increasing, rather than diminishing, and ask for the same appropriation as last year, viz .: seven thousand dollars.
INSANE POOR.
CR.
By appropriation $2,000 00
appropriation for deficiency 450 00
reimbursements 38 00
$2,488 00
DR.
To overdrawn balance. $444 70
payments to Taunton insane hospital,
1,528 45
payments to Worcester insane hospital, 197 77
payments to E. M. Whiting
52 00
$2,223 32
Undrawn balance $264 68
There are at present cight persons in the hospitals sup- ported by the town, being four less than at the commencement of the year.
Some reimbursement is expected, which, with the undrawn balance and estimated expenditures, with the present number of inmates, will require an appropriation of $1,450.00, which is recommended.
26
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
CR.
By appropriation $2,000 00
appropriation for deficiency 650 00
lumber sold C. L. Jones 8 00
stove sold Harlow & Bailey
19 00
sundry reimbursements
2 00
$2,679 00
DR.
To overdrawn balance $642 12
payments in 1878
2,025 39
$2,667 51
Undrawn balance $11 49
No unusual expenditures have been incurred during the year in the department, and there has been $1,044,20 less expended than the previous year. To provide accommodations for the steamers, in the purchase of a lot and erection of a building, with all the necessary requirements, has incurred an expendi- ture of about nine thousand dollars, which, while strictly chargeable to the department, has been provided for by special appropriation and not included.
The report of the engineers and building committee will more fully explain the operations for the year.
27
BURIAL HILL. CR.
January 1st, 1878, by balance of account, $7 43
By appropriation 150 00
$157 43
DR.
To payments in 1878
102 22
Undrawn balance
$55 21
WARREN FUND.
CR.
January 1st, 1878, by balance to new
account.
$1,094 87
By interest.
50 00
- $1,144 87
DR.
To payments in 1878
113 27
Undrawn balance $1,031 60
From the income of the above fund, which was left to be expended on Burial hill for the improvement and ornamenta- tion of the grounds, and care of the lot and tomb of the late Richard Warren, there has been expended for the purposes named, during the year, $113.27, most of which was for trees and shrubbery planted, and the care and watering the same during the summer drought.
28
VINE HILL CEMETERY.
CR.
December 31st, 1877, by balance from
old account
$213 74
By cash received from sale of lots and hay 513 30
DR. $727 04
To payments in 1878 317 27
Undrawn $409 77 There have been sold during the year eighteen lots, and cash received for thirty-five lots $498.30, part of which were sold in previous years, and remained unpaid at the close of the account last year.
Sixteen lots remained unpaid for when the account was closed, amounting to $246.90.
The outlay required the present year will be provided for from income, and no appropriation will be needed.
ABATEMENTS.
CR.
By balance of account, December 31st,
1877 $1,297 81
By overlay, December 31st, 1878.
1,517 48
$2,815 29
DR.
December 31st, 1878, to abatements in
1878 $508 18
$508 18
Undrawn balance
$2,307 11
29
SEXTON.
CR.
By appropriation .
$125 00
DR.
To payments in 1878
$125 00
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
CR.
By appropriation, March 18th, 1878
$450 00
Undrawn balance
$450 00
WIDOWS' FUND.
CR.
By balance, December 31st, 1977 $0 34
dividend, Old Colony National bank, April 1st, 1878 66 663
By dividend, Old Colony National bank, October 10th, 1878. 58 33,
$125 34
DR.
To payments in 1878. $120 00
$120 00
Undrawn $5 34
30
HERRING MONEY.
CR
By balance from old account, December 31st, 1877 $66 10
By two thirds dividend, Old Colony National bank 133 333
By two thirds dividend, Old Colony National bank 116 66}
$316 10
DR.
To L. Bradford, allowance on taxes,
December 31st
$232 70
$232 70
Undrawn balance $83 40
TRAINING GREEN FUND.
CR.
By balance from old account, December
31st, 1877 $510 83
By interest 23 22
Undrawn balance $534 05
31
DUXBURY & COHASSET RAILROAD SINKING FUND.
CR.
By appropriation, March 26th, 1878 $1,500 00
DR.
To cash paid trustees, November 15th, 1878.
$1,500 00
FRESH BROOK.
CR.
By balance, December 31st, 1877 $89 72
cash from D. Clark 12 50
Undrawn
$102 22
TREASURER.
.
CR.
By appropriation .
... $500 00
DR.
To payments, 1878
.. $500 00
LIGHTING STREETS AND TOWN HOUSE.
CR. ยท
By balance, December 31st, 1877 $128 17
appropriation 1,000 00
$1,128 17
DR.
To payments in 1878
$1,029 73
$1,029 73
Undrawn
$98 44
32
WATCH AND POLICE.
CR.
By balance, Dec. 31st, 1877 $88 09
appropriation 1,150 00
$1,238 09
DR.
To payments in 1878 $1,179 60
$1,179 60
Undrawn .
$58 49
ASSESSORS.
CR.
By appropriation, March 18th, 1878 $700 00
$700 00
DR.
To overdrawn balance, December 31st,
1877
$29 00
To payments in 1878
730 78
$759 78
Overdrawn
$59 78
GUIDE BOARDS.
The guide boards of the town have been replaced where reported missing, and are reported now in good condition.
33
APPROPRIATIONS.
The following appropriations for the current year are recommended :
Roads and bridges
$5,800 00
New roads
1,450 00
Town debt.
5,500 00
Poor
7,000 00
Watch and police.
1,150 00
Lighting streets and town house
1,100 00
Schools
16,000 00
Fire department.
2,200 00
Contingent.
3,000 00
Duxbury & Cohasset railroad sinking fund
1,500 00
Burial hill
100 00
Sexton.
125 00
Assessors
800 00
Treasurer
500 00
Collector of taxes
450 00
- $46,675 00
The revenue, not otherwise appropri-
ated, is estimated as follows :
Corporation tax
$3,000 00
National bank tax
2,200 00
Miscellaneous receipts
300 00
$5,500 00
$41,175 00
Leaving the sum of forty-one thousand one hundred and seventy-five dollars, which it is recommended to be raised by taxation for the expenses of the current year.
WILLIAM H. NELSON, }
HENRY WHITING, Selectmen
C. B. STODDARD,
of
LEMUEL BRADFORD, DAVID CLARK,
Plymouth.
PLYMOUTH, February 22d, 1879.
3
REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH FOR THE YEAR 1878.
The Board elected March 18th, 1878, was organized March 21st, by the choice of Arthur Lord, Chairman ; W. P. Stoddard, Secretary, and Dr. J. B. Brewster, Physician. Regular meetings were held by the Board once each week during the spring and summer, with monthly and special meetings afterwards.
The secretary at once corresponded with several towns and cities, and obtained from the Board of Health in each, publica- tions, reports, forms of notice, &c. He also corresponded with the State Board of Health, seeking needed information.
" Regulations " were adopted and printed in the OLD COLONY MEMORIAL and the FREE PRESS once each month from June to October. The town was divided into districts, and the sanitary
36
condition of most of the houses inspected and reported to the Board by officer Manter, and where defects existed steps were taken to have the evils remedied. Personal inspection of vari- ous sewers and of several land nuisances were made by the Board, and an experienced engineer was called in, who exam- ined and reported upon the condition of certain sewers, sug- gesting some, not expensive, but important improvements for temporary relief. The secretary of the State Board of Health, Dr. Folsom, was requested to visit Plymouth and aid the Board in determining what action could wisely and legally be taken in regard to the brook crossing Court street, near Samoset street, and which is now used as the outlet for several drains and water closets, which has already proved a frequent source of annoyance to the neighbors, and will ultimately, it is feared, become a source of disease unless a suitable sewer is con- structed. Dr. Folsom reserved an opinion until he had laid the case before the State Board of Health, he then sent a letter, which we insert :
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