USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1875-1879 > Part 2
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150 00
$342 01
DR.
To payments in 1874
$150 00
Undrawn
$192 01
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
CR.
By balance Dec. 31st, 1873
$4 59
Appropriation.
450 00
$454 59
DR.
450 00
To paid in 1874
-
Undrawn
$4 59
27
HERRING MONEY.
DR.
To payments in 1874.
$307 60
Balance Dec. 30th, 1873. .
44 26
$351 86
CR.
Two-thirds dividend Old Colony Bank ..
. . $300 00
Overdrawn.
$51 86
FRESH BROOK.
Balance Dec. 31st, 1873
$41 72
Received from sale of Brook 15 00
Undrawn
. $56 72
GUIDE BOARDS.
The guide boards of the Town have been replaced, and repainted, where found necessary, and are now in fair con- dition.
28
DUXBURY & COHASSET RAILROAD.
CR.
By sale bonds, viz : -
10,000 bonds @ $102.40. 2,000 bonds @ $102.50. 28,000 bonds @ $102.26.
40,000 bonds $40,922 80
Received interest on bonds 176 55
. Interest on deposit with N. E. T. Co 21 91
$41,121 26
DR.
To payment on account four hundred
shares stock $40,000 00
To interest on loan in advance of sale of bonds 88 44
To expenses printing bonds, &c.
37 25
$40,125 69
Deposited in Plymouth Savings Bank.
995 57
To interest on deposit. 30 97
$1,026 54
In accordance with a vote of the Town, authorizing the Se- lectmen to negotiate for a loan to pay for four hundred shares
29
of stock in the extension of the Duxbury and Cohasset Rail- road Co., to Kingston, upon notice that the Committee ap- pointed by the town for that purpose had made the subscrip- tion, the Selectmen issued circulars which were sent to most of the Savings Banks within the State, inviting proposals for the whole or any portion of the ten-year bonds to be issued by the Town. The awards were made to the highest bidders, viz : Lynn Five Cents Savings Bank, $28,000 @ 102.26 ; Plymouth Savings Bank, $10,000 @ 102.40, and $2,000 @ 102.50. The premium on the bonds, amounting to $922.80, with the accrued interest between the date and delivery of the bonds, and in- terest on the deposit of the funds while awaiting call from the Railroad Co., less the interest on loan made to meet the first payment and expense of preparing the bonds, leave a balance of $995.57, which sum was deposited in the Plymouth Savings Bank. The accrued interest on the deposit to Jan. 1st, 1875, amounts to $30.97, and gives the balance of $1,026.54 repre- sented in the above statement.
The intention of the Town in subscribing to the stock is not understood by the Selectmen as in the nature of a permanent investment, but to secure communication with the Shore towns from which we were practically cut off, and additional accom- modation in increased number of trains with Boston, and which will, especially in the summer months, be of considerable ad- vantage in increasing the travel, and inviting people to become residents here during at least that portion of the year, and to dispose of the stock as soon thereafter as it could be done on favorable terms.
The bonds were made payable in ten years, the Selectmen believing by that time the travel on the road would be developed and the Town could, by that time, part with its stock without loss.
30
The difference in the length of the road, and increased rate of fares, and time occupied on the trip, as compared with the main line, will discriminate against the through travel from here unless the rate shall be made nearly equal, and it is hoped that arrangements will be made to that effect, as a Director from this Town has been added to the Board, at the last annual meeting, who can represent our interest there.
The Selectmen have taken measures to obtain an act from the Legislature, authorizing the Town to create a sinking fund to meet any contingency which may make it desirable to retain the stock beyond the maturity of the bonds ; and, in order if a new loan is to be negotiated, that it can be done on more favorable terms, and, also, that any loss which may occur should be distributed, so as not to become too great a burden, as it might be, if assessed in a single year.
The Selectmen would recommend that the balance now standing to the credit of this account should be appropri- ated and transferred to a sinking fund, and that an additional sum of $1,500 be appropriated for that purpose the current year. With this sum annually added to the fund, it would aggregate, with the accumulation of interest at seven per cent., a sum sufficient to retire twenty thousand of the bonds when due ; and in case it should not be required for that purpose, could be transferred to retire a portion of the water bonds falling due the following year.
In the absence of the President, Mr. Stearns, no reliable statement showing the exact condition of the earnings and ex- penses prior to this year can be obtained.
The following statement will show the amount of capital
.
31
stock and debt, as understood to exist for the year ending Sep- tember 30, 1874:
CAPITAL STOCK.
Town of Scituate
$75,000 00
Town of Marshfield 75,000 00
Town of Duxbury 75,000 00
Town of Plymouth. . . 40,000 00
South Shore Railroad Company
125,000 00
$390,000 00
Outstanding debt.
66,937 50
$456,937 50
DIRECTORS' REPORT DUXBURY & COHASSET RAILROAD.
The Directors respectfully submit to the stockholders their third Annual Report of the Duxbury & Cohasset Railroad Com- pany, for the twelve months ending September 30th, 1874.
Total amount paid for construction of road to September 30, 1874, is as follows :
Graduation and masonry.
$177,200 15
Bridging
21,435 51
Superstructure, including rails.
159,541 78
Land, land danages and fences
48,843 80
Passenger and freight stations, woodsheds and water stations 22,084 63
Engine-house, car shed and turn-table. 8,465 07
Engineering, agencies and other expenses 13,210 21
Telegraph . 1,596 79
$452,377 94
32
Of the foregoing amount, there has been expended during the past year in extending the road from South Duxbury to an in- tersection with the Old Colony Railroad at Kingston, the sum of $63,847.13, as follows :
To graduation and masonry . $39,724 51
Bridging 608 68
Superstructure, including rails. 15,832 96
Land, land damages and fences 4,850 42
Engineering, agencies, &c. 2,830 56
$63,847 13
It is estimated that the cost of completing the depots, fencing and side tracks on the extension, and settling the outstanding land claims, will not exceed $10,000-making the total cost of the road about $462,377.94.
The interest account will be a little over $5,000 per annum.
During the past year, as will be seen by the following state- ment of income and expenses, the earnings have been about equal to the operating expenses and interest on the debt.
It should be borne in mind, however, that the extension has increased the income without materially adding to the expenses, as nothing was charged in the expense account for keeping the track in adjustment, and that but very little interest has accrued on the money borrowed to complete the extension. It should also be borne in mind, that about five miles of the track be- tween Cohasset and South Duxbury was laid with old rails, purchased at about two-thirds the cost of new. Some of these rails will have to be replaced during the coming year, which will add somewhat to the expense account.
33
Although this account includes the business of only about three months on the extension, still, almost as many passengers are carried during those three months (July, August and Sep- tember) as during the remaining nine of the year.
While we cannot expect quite so good a result for the coming year, we believe that the South Shore will eventually become quite a resort for those who seek the seashore, and we may at least hope for an increase that will pay the operating expenses and interest on the debt, if not within a few years a small per cent. on the capital.
Statement of Increase and Expense account for twelve months ending Sept. 30, 1874 :
INCOME.
From passengers.
$31,374 77
Freight 6,706 19
Expenses .
1,288 20
$39,369 07
EXPENDITURES.
Passenger department
$12,578 11
Merchandise department
3,247 08
Locomotive department .. 9,828 92
Maintenance of way .
9,091 36
General expenses
1,506 06
Miscellaneous expenses
559 22
$36,810 75
Net income
$2,558 32
Interest on bonds, debt, &c.
3,406 02
Deficit
$847 61
By order of Directors,
ONSLOW STEARNS, President.
5
34
APPROPRIATIONS.
The following appropriations for the current year are recommended :
Schools and repairs of school-houses
$15,500 00
Poor ..
6,500 00
Roads and bridges. 7,000 00
New roads.
5,700 00
Town debt.
6,500 00
Fire department.
1,500 00
Contingent .
3,500 00
Insane poor .
1,500 00
Watch and police
800 00
Lighting streets and town house.
900 00
Assessors
1,300 00
Treasurer
500 00
Sexton.
125 00
Collector of taxes
450 00
Burial hill.
250 00
Duxbury & Cohasset Railroad sinking fund
1,500 00
Water scrip sinking fund .
500 00
New steam fire engine, No. 2.
109 25
$54,234 25
The revenue not otherwise appropriated is as follows :
Corporation tax
$5,000 00
National bank tax 3,500 00
Miscellaneous 500 00
$9,000 00
$45,234 25
Leaving the sum of forty-five thousand two hundred and
35
thirty-four dollars and twenty-five cents, which it is recom- mended be raised by taxation for the expenses of the current year, and which is less, by the sum of $2,740.75, than was assessed the last year. The increase in valuation the past year has more nearly equalized the burden of taxation, as well as diminished the rate, and, in case the State and County taxes are not increased, we may look for a diminished rate this year, as well as some increase in valuation.
WILLIAM H. NELSON, ) HENRY WHITING, JR., DAVID CLARK, LEM'L . BRADFORD, C. B. STODDARD.
Selectmen of Plymouth.
Plymouth, Jan. 30th, 1875.
REPORTS.
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Mr. Richard W. Bagnell was appointed Superintendent of the Water Works, and entered upon his duties upon the eleventh of May, 1874, at a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, and has, by his promptness, fidelity, and exactness, given satisfaction to the Commissioners. Under his superin- tendance efforts have been made to separate the exact expense of the ordinary working and care of the aqueduct, including salaries of Superintendent and Collector, from gross expendi- diture upon the Works.
The whole amount paid out on account of the Works during the year was $11,192.63.
The cost of repairs on leaks on main pipe was $47.30 : namely, for thirteen leaks or breakages-two in joints, nine from defective pipes, one from dirt, and one from loose faucet on main pipe.
Whole amount paid for labor, including trenching for five thousand two hundred and forty-six feet of main pipe laid, was $1,307.30.
38
Of this amount for trenching for service pipes, there was expended $494 80
Deduct amount received of house-holders for shutting off and repairs $31 75
And for trenching for service pipe for house-holders 92 45
$124 20
Net amount for labor for ordinary service extensions
and repairs. $370 60
Gates have been inserted as follows :- one four-inch at Alvin G. Morton's corner ; one four-inch at same corner on Sandwich street; one four-inch at junction of Vernon and Prospect streets; one three-inch at junction of Court and Bourne streets ; one two-inch waste gate at Amasa Morton's ; one two- inch waste gate at head of Bourne street, at Spooner's Upper Pond.
The number of service pipes inserted since May 11th is 58. Length, 596 feet; cost of pipe, $108.35; trenching for same, $50.70.
Twenty-five service boxes have been renewed with cement pipes.
The following extensions of main pipe have been made during the year :- five hundred and fifty-three feet of two- inch on Chestnut street, between Samoset and Davis streets; one thousand six hundred and fifteen feet of two-inch on Davis street, between Prospect street and Vine Hills Cemetery ; two hundred and sixty feet of four-inch on Prospect street, between Vernon and Davis streets; one hundred and three feet two- inch on Park Avenue near the Railway Station ; one thousand two hundred and eighty-three feet of three-inch on Bourne street, between Court street and the upper block of Plymouth
39
Cordage Co., and thirteen feet for waste gate; one hundred and ninety-four feet of two-inch at Chiltonville, between John T. Morton's and Ellis Whiting's, and twenty-one feet of two- inch for waste gate; one hundred and ninety-three feet of two-inch in Howland Place. Ten hundred and forty-five feet of two-inch pipe were taken up, and four-inch pipe substituted between Alvin G. Morton's and George W. Cobb's on Warren street, and one thousand feet of the old pipe laid at Chilton- ville and in Davis street. Total amount of main pipe laid is five thousand two hundred and forty-six feet.
,
The gross charges for water supply during the year has been from the following sources : -
Families 977
Stables 64
Halls, stores and offices. . 38
Steam boilers 9
Hotels & boarding houses. 7
Meat markets
3
Fish markets. 2
Bakeries 2
Locomotives
6
Water closets 93
Bathing tubs
33
Hose (used)
13
Fountains.
6
Receipts from sundry transient vessels. .. $56 15.
The whole number of accounts kept was six hundred and thirteen.
The whole amount collected during the year was $10,725.80, a portion of which was from rents due and uncollected prior to Nov. 1st, 1873. The amount of uncollected rents on the first of January, 1875, was $935.71.
In order to estimate fully the value of the Water Works to the Town, the citizens must also bear in mind, that water has here- tofore been supplied without charge, not only to the Fire depart- ment, but to School-houses, to the highways and to the Poor- house. The Commissioners propose hereafter, unless the Town instructs them to the contrary, to charge the several depart-
40
ments, except the Fire department, with the water taken by them, in order that the Town may see what should be fairly credited to the Water Works.
A great waste of water during the summer months has been made by the use of hose for watering gardens, yards and lawns, at the expense of house-holders upon the high grounds; and the Commissioners propose to alter the water tariff in this and other particulars in which it now operates unequally,
The fifteen inch cement pipe laid in the Summer of 1873, be- tween Great and Little South Ponds has thus far fully answered our expectations, and a greater supply has been furnished the Little Pond than has probably ever before been contributed. It has served to keep up the head of water during summer and the dry season of the present Winter, so that we have as yet felt no ili effects from the remarkable drought, from which so many cities and country neighborhoods are now suffering .- This effort is solely attributable to the fact that no bar can now obstruct the passage of water to the pipes in the canal. No additional pipes have yet been laid between the ponds. The gate-house will require repairs during the next year.
The Commissioners find much embarrassment with regard to their duties in complying with the vote of the Town concerning the extension of the mains. As the rule now is, as understood by the Commissioners, it is their duty to extend the pipe when- ever upon application it is found that the rents on such exten- sion will pay six per cent. upon the cost of laying pipes, of such size as may be reasonably required in the locality in question. If there is no appropriation for that purpose, it becomes necessary to obtain the consent of the Selectmen, unless the cost may properly be paid out of excess of water receipts over interest, sinking fund and ordinary expenditures. This
41
rule works uuequally, as in one case the extension pipe re- quired may be six or eight inches, and in another three inches or less, so that the rent required from an extension of a given number of feet may be double the rent required for another extension of the same length; and this where from the size of the pipe and the location much the largest rent may be expected in the future.
The Commissioners recommend that the Town pass a vote leaving it discretionary with the Commissioners to make exten- sions of mains, subject to the approval of the Selectmen, and that the Selectmen be authorized to borrow money in advance of appropriation, when they agree with the Commissioners that an extension should be made.
The fence around the reservoir is in poor condition ; and one hundred and four feet on the south side has been repaired since November. The reservoir itself is in good condition.
STOCK ON HAND.
21 feet of 10-inch pipe and sleeves.
21 " 8 "
36 6
66 66 66
152 2 66
66 66 66
12 barrels of Cement,
356 feet 1-inch rubber hose in poor condition.
1 branch 3x4 inches. 1
2×4
1 T 4inches.
CHARLES G. DAVIS, --
SAMUEL H. DOTEN
Water Commissioners.
CHARLES O. CHURCHILL. L Jan. 1, 1875.
6
42
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The undersigned, Overseers of the Poor, submit their report :
The Poor, who have been inmates of the Almshouse, the past year, have been supplied with good food, comfortable clothing, and have been kindly and considerately treated and cared for.
The House has been well warmed in cold weather, and the free use of water for bathing has been provided and arranged in a way to promote health and cleanliness.
The food furnished has been plain, but of good quality, well cooked, and abundant, without waste.
No citizen of Plymouth, we think, need blush for the treat- ment received by the Poor at the Almshouse, but has reason to be satisfied that the charity of the Town has been faithfully applied and dispensed.
The House and out-buildings are in good repair, and the lands have been so improved by cultivation, that fruit and vegetables are raised in considerable abundance.
The past year has been a trying one for the poor, who are not inmates of the Almshouse. The dull times and consequent lack of employment has brought to them want and distress, which has been increased by the severely cold winter.
Applications for wood and provisions have been unusually ' frequent. We have met these calls with care, and exercised in our judgment as much economy as was proper and justifiable in dispensing the charity of the Town.
Providing for tramps has caused us much trouble and per- plexity. This matter is a growing nuisance, and it is difficult to find a remedy. We have acted under the belief that it was the best policy to provide lodging and food for tramps, rather than to trust them to roam the streets at night, and perhaps occupy barns and stables, and by carelessness or design, set fires that might consume the village.
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The Town raised $1000 less for the support of the Poor the present year than the year preceding.
The amount expended during the year is $6,183.89. We lack $332.39 to meet the bills in the Poor department, and $338.89 to meet the bills in the department for the Insane Poor.
This deficit arises from having to pay a claim of $662.67,which had been for some years in dispute, to Sandwich, and for bills of former years paid amounting to $792.
We recommend that the Town raise for the current year for the Poor department $6,500, and for the Insane Poor $1,500.
It is due to Mr. Wood, who has had the care of the Poor at the Almshouse, thus publicly to say, that we appreciate and com- mend his care and kindness manifested to the poor, and his ad- mirable management of the institution in his charge.
We give below some statistics :
POOR AT ALMS-HOUSE.
Number of inmates Jan. 1st, 1874 21
Number of inmates Jan. 1st, 1875 21
Number of males Jan. 1st, 1875 13
Number of females Jan. 1st, 1875. 8
Number of inmates discharged during the year 2
Number of inmates died during the year 3
Number of tramps provided with food and lodging . 178 INSANE POOR.
Number of insane Poor Jan. 1st, 1874. 7
Number of insane Poor Jan. 1st, 1875 5
Number of insane Poor discharged. 1
Number of insane Poor admitted 1
Number of insane Poor died 2
WM. H. WHITMAN, ? Overseers LEMUEL BRADFORD, of ABBY M. HALL, Poor.
44
BURIAL HILL.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Plymouth :-
GENTLEMEN :- The Burial Hill Committee respectfully sub- mit the following report :
The year opened with a financial deficiency of .. $28 97
Paid sundry bills.
81 62
Leaving undrawn balance of
39 41
Equaling the appropriation for 1874. $150 00
The Hill is in good condition ; walks are will defined, and walls and fences in good repair, except the gate-way on School street.
The main pathway from Town Square to the top of Hill, sub- jects the Town to considerable expense, which we think, might be obviated by concreting. There is no apparent reason why a concrete way should not last twenty-five years ; be better, and a deal cheaper than the present way of coal ashes and cinders.
Your Committee also recommend that the historic spots on the Hill should be well defined and appropriately designated.
There is also need of more seats for the accommodtion of strangers, as well as our own citizens.
Every year the number who enjoy this fine observatory in- creases. Probably there is no spot in our ancient town of more historic interest than Burial Hill, and no place the stranger visits sooner, and so loves to talk about ; and not unfrequently the visitor inquires the location of spots that the citizen who has lived here all his days has no knowledge of and cannot point out.
.
45
Believing the Town should do all it can to make pleasant the visit of strangers and invite a return, and that our own citizens should not forget the places the footsteps of the Pilgrims have made sacred, we recommend that the different locations of special interest on the Hill be clearly defined and marked.
For this, the concreting of the main path, and building ad- ditional seats, an appropriation of $250 will be needed, and the same is asked for.
At the adjourned meeting, April 6th, 1874, the Town voted that the Committee on Burial Hill have charge of the Burial Ground at Chiltonville. So far as your Committee is concerned the above has been of no effect the past year, and such a vote should never have been passed. Give it a minute's thought and you will see that a Committee living four miles away, could not conveniently and with economy, if they could in any degree, meet the wants of those interested. We do not know that the Town has any right to assume control of this burial ground, nor do we know of any rules to be enforced in assuming to direct the use of the land. We do know at present, there is no suitable carriage way to approach it, nor appearance of regular paths, and but little care, public or private evidenced in or about the place. We recommend that some one near the spot be ap- pointed to look after it, and that regulations be adopted, which shall tend to bring order out of the chaos now reigning there, and make the place outwardly pleasant, though its hidden memories are ever sad.
CHARLES RAYMOND, LEWIS EDDY, C. F. BRADFORD, EDGAR C. RAYMOND,
Committee.
46
VINE HILLS CEMETERY.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Plymouth: -
GENTLEMEN :- The following report of Superintendent of Vine Hills Cemetery is respectfully submitted :
No appropriation was made last Spring.
The undrawn balance on hand was $214 40
Cash from sale of lots 258 40
Due from deeds not delivered 137 90
$610 70
Bills paid
$502 75
Bills unpaid 80 00
Balance to new account 27 95
$610 70
It may not be out of place to briefly give the statistics of Vine Hills Cemetery from the first, that the citizens of the Town may know and value the important interests therein involved.
DR.
To appropriation in 1870, from abatement of taxes. $1,844 18 Appropriation in 1871 1,600 00
Appropriation in 1872, to grade main entrance .. 200 00
Cash from sale of lots in 1870 138 70
Cash from sale of lots in 1871 365 45
Cash from sale of lots in 1872 614 25
Cash from sale of lots in 1873 500 75
Cash from sale of lots in 1874. 258 40
$5,521 73
47
CR.
By cash paid Charles G. Davis for land .. $700 00
. Cash paid Johnson Davee for land .. .
650 00
Cash paid Chas H. Paine, Surveyor .
436 00
Cash paid for clearing land and assist- ing Surveyor . . 1,818 33
Cash paid for fencing 627 17
Cash paid for general care of and grading avenues 1,320 18
$5,551 68
Overdrawn appropriation $29 95
Number of lots sold to date and paid for is one hundred and fifteen, amounting to $1,877 55
Number of lots sold to date and not paid for is ten, amounting to. 137 90
$2,015 45
The Cemetery is laid out in one thousand two hundred and twenty-seven lots, and many groves and places are left for improving the general appearance.
The past year over one hundred shade and ornamental trees have been set out with great care, and at no little expense, to insure their growth. The grounds and fences are in good con- dition, and the care of individuals in ornamenting and caring for their lots is very commendable.
I would call attention to the fact that by no act or service has this ground been set apart and devoted to its intended use. Is not the custom of consecrating and dedicating, by solemn devotional and religious ceremony, the ground we set apart as a burial place for the dead, one that we should not ignore ?
48
I respectfully suggest that, the first Suuday in June next, such service be held, and the place which is, and is to be, hal- lowed by so many tender memories be formally and sacredly dedicated.
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