USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1890-1893 > Part 2
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Amount expended for the poor of our own and other
towns $11,006 39
Received from other towns and other sources 1,832 96
Amount expended for the poor of Plymouth $9,173 43
Appropriation for the poor for 1889 7,500 00
Amount overdrawn $1,673 43
Insane Poor.
Balance undrawn, Jan. 1, 1889 $698 82
Appropriation for Insane poor for 1889 1,900 00
Reimbursed 659 98
$3,258 80
Amount expended
3,052 63
Balance undrawn $206 17
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Poor at the Almshouse.
Number of inmates Jan. 1, 1889 19
admitted during the year 6
discharged during the year 4
died during the year
F3
remaining Jan. 1st, 1890
18
Insane Poor.
Number at Hospital Jan. 1, 1889 19
admitted during the year
4
died during the year 2
discharged during the year
5
remaining Jan. 1, 1890.
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We recommend that there be raised for the support of the poor for the ensuing year $9,000.00, and for the support of the insane poor, $2,000.00.
GEORGE H. JACKSON, ) Overseers C. P. HATCH, of CHARLES H. ROGERS, ) the Poor.
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PLYMOUTH WATER SCRIP SINKING FUND.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF PLYMOUTH :
GENTLEMEN : - We respectfully submit the following state- ment of the condition of the sinking fund of the Plymouth Water Scrip :
Amount received from-
Town Treasurer $6,259 43
Premiums sale of bonds
317 50
Central Massachusetts R. R. stock .. 261 60
Income on same 2,287 91
$9,126 44
Invested as follows :
5 shares National City Bank, Boston. $517 50
4 Globe National Bank, Boston 392 00
4 Tremont National Bank, Boston 66 639 00
10 Blackstone National Bank, Boston
1,046 25
10 Market National Bank, Boston 66 966 75
6 Webster National Bank, Boston 625 50
Oregon Short Line R. R. bond, $1,000 6 per cent. 1,021 25
Cook County bond, $1,000 7 per cent. 1,132 50
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Chicago & Eastern Illinois R. R. bond, $1,000 6 per cent $990 00
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. bonds, $500 7 per cent 592 50
22 shares Central Massachusetts R. R. stock (pre- ferred) . 271 00
Deposit in Plymouth Savings Bank 932 19
$9.126 44
GEORGE G. DYER, WILLIAM H. NELSON, S Trustees.
PLYMOUTH, Feb. 19, 1890.
B
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REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS Of Plymouth, Mass., February 1. 1890.
As this is the first report of this Commission, a brief history of what has been done in previous years in the procurement of lands for a park seems to be appropriate.
The late Dr. LeBaron Russell, for many years owned and kept open for public use, about fifty acres of our most attractive park lands, extending from the old grove at "Little Pond" to the Landing at Billington Sea and beyond. It is due to the foresight of Dr. Russell that the forests of this large tract were preserved until there came a demand for the lands for a Public Park.
In the year 1885 Dr. Russell gladly agreed to sell this land for $1,500.00, provided it should be used and kept as a park.
At the town meeting, March 13, 1886, it was voted : "That "an Act passed by the Legislature of the Commonwealth in " the year 1882, entitled, 'An Act authorizing towns and cities " to lay out public parks within their limits,' be accepted. Yes, " 73; No. 7." The certificate of acceptance, singed by Henry B. Peirce, Secretary of the Commonwealth, is on file at the town house.
Private individuals were solicited to furnish the money needed to purchase the Russell land, and the full sum had been pledged previous to the town meeting, May 17, 1886. At this meeting the Town was asked to appoint a Board of Park
3
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Commissioners, which, under the law, was the next step to be taken in the procurement of a park. After discussion, the consideration of the question was indefinitely postponed.
At this juncture the land was sold to Nathaniel Morton for the price named, he promising Dr. Russell that he, as agent for the persons who had pledged money for its purchase, would again ask the Town to accept it as a park, and if the Town refused, that he would endeavor to have the lands held for public use by means of a perpetual trust.
It seemed also desirable to include in the park several parcels of land abutting on or ne r to the Russell land.
The most of the owners of these lands favored this, and either gave their lands to the Town or sold them at a small price.
The first of the additional lands secured was a strip of upland and marsh, of about nine acres, extending from " Bill Holmes' Dam" to the road near " Deep Water Bridge," purchased of Samuel W. Holmes, for $200.00. A road about three eighths of a mile long was made over this land, and a bridge built over the flume of the Robinson Iron Company, with their consent, at a cost of about $600.00 Thus another entrance to the proposed park lands, and a road much needed for public travel were secured.
Another desirable piece of land was the "Witch Hollow Lot," which lies between " Little Pond " and the Carver road. This lot, containing about twenty acres, was bought of Mrs. Mary A. Hedge for $400.00, and will become a very attractive part of the park.
The several tracts of land thus secured, and the improve- ments to the roads, paths and grounds, had cost in the Spring of 1889 the sum of $3,300.00. Individual subscriptions were made to the amount of $3,625.00. The land was bought and deeded to George R. Briggs, as agent for the parties subscribing,
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to be presented to the Town as a gift, on condition that the the Town should hold it as a public park.
At the town meeting, April 8, 1889, it was voted, "That the Town proceed to elect three persons to act as a Board of Park Commissioners."
The election resulted in the choice of the undersigned.
At this meeting the Town approved of the location of the before mentioned lands for a park by vote of one hundred and twenty-five (125) to four (4).
The Board organized May 6, 1889, by the election of Nathan- iel Morton, Chairman, and George R. Briggs, Secretary.
At a meeting of this Board, May 25, 1889, it was voted in accordance with Chapter 154 of the Public Statutes of 1882, to locate as a public Park the land conveyed to the Town of Plymouth by deed of George R. Briggs, dated May 4, 1889, said land having been purchased by said Briggs as agent for-
Nathaniel Morton, Sidney Bartlett,
Le Baron Russell, William G. Russell, George Sampson, Edward J. Walker,
George W. Briggs, Thomas E. Cornish, Roswell S. Douglass. William R. Drew, Jason W. Mixter, Leavitt T. Robbins, Isaac N. Stoddard, A. C. Chandler & Son, John Bartlett, George R. Briggs,
Henry M. Clarke, Howland Davis, George S. Dyer, Samuel Harlow, Daniel H. Maynard,
Lewis G. Bradford,
George F. Weston,
John C. Barnes,
Charles W. Eaton,
Hatch & Shaw, William Hedge,
Edgar D. Hill,
Gideon F. Holmes,
Benjamin Hubbard,
Isaac M. Jackson,
Charles B. Stoddard,
William P. Stoddard,
William H. H. Weston,
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Schuyler S. Bartlett, Alfred S. Burbank, William S. Danforth, Charles C. Doten,
Benjamin Drew, William H. Drew,
Arthur Lord, William S. Morissey,
Walter H. Sears,
Thomas D. Shumway, Charles H. Snell,
Benjamin O. Strong, James D. Thurber, Payson E. Tucker, Alonzo Warren, Robert H. Weston,
to be by him, presented to the Town for the above purpose.
The above-named deed is recorded in Plymouth County Rec- ords, Book 581, page 363.
At the town meeting, June 6, 1889, it was voted, "That the lot of land of fourteen acres, more or less, belonging to the town, situated at Hospital Cove, so called, at Billington Sea being the land conveyed to the town of Plymouth by Mary Dun- ham by deed January 15, 1776, is hereby appropriated for the purpose of a public park, in conformity with chapter 154 of the Statutes of 1882.
At a meeting of the Park Commissioners, July 5, 1889, it was voted, in accordance with chapter 154 of the Public Statutes of 1882, to locate for park purposes the land at Hospital Cove, so called, appropriated by the town at the town meeting, June 6, 1889.
Chapter 154 of the Acts of 1882, in the opinion of this Board, gives Park Commissioners the power to locate all park lands ; and whenever a location can be made without expense to the town, coucurrent action on the part of the town is not necessary.
This opinion has been confirmed by good legal advisers, and by the Parks-Commission of Worcester, who have had several years experience under the law.
Accordingly the Commissioners accepted as gifts four other parcels of land, and located them as a part of Forest Park, so
37
called. At a meeting of this Board, November 28, 1889, it was voted to accept as a gift to the town about twelve acres of land at Billington Sea, deeded to the town by Harold Whiting, Sep- tember 9, 1889, and locate the same as a part of Forest Park, so called. Deed recorded, Book 585, page 163.
It was also voted to accept as a gift to the town about thirty- eight acres of land at Billington Sea, deeded to the town by Everett F. Sherman, November 18, 1889, and locate the same as a part of Forest Park, so called. Deed recorded, Book 591, page 250.
Of the last named lot, Mr. Sherman gave to the Town as a free gift all the upland, containing twenty to twenty-five acres ; the remainder was in demand for a cranberry bog, but Mr. Sherman, agreeing with the Commissioners, that the location of a cranberry bog within the park would be disadvantageous to the latter, consented to sell the swamp at the moderate price of $400.00. This sum the Commissioners, by personal effort, secured.
At a meeting of the Board, December 31, 1889, it was voted to accept as a gift to the Town, from John C. Barnes and heirs of Ellis Barnes, about four and a half acres of land lying to the westward of "Little Pond " and adjoining the Town land, and to locate the same as a part of Forest Park, so called. Deed dated December 28, 1889. Recorded, Book 593, pages 235-6. This gift is a valuable one to the park interest, as it forms a border on the westerly side of the " Red Spring " road for a distance of 100 rods, and makes the westerly boundary of the park a straight line from Billington Sea nearly to the Carver road.
About one-half of the land in the bed of the brook, between Billington Sea and "Deep-water Bridge " was owned by the heirs of Nathaniel, Andrew L., and LeBaron Russell. It was given to the Town by deed September 10, 1889. Recorded
38
in Book 588, page 484. This land was accepted and located as a part of Forest Park, so called, by vote of this Board January 16, 1890.
These eight pieces of park land form one tract of about 150 acres, which nearly surrounds "Little Pond," containing 40 acres, and borders for a distance of over a mile on Billington Sea-a pond of 308 acres.
For the uses of a park we can claim an area of land and water of five hundred acres.
In accordance with the vote of the Town the name of the park has been changed from Forest Park to Morton Park.
The fund remaining in the hands of Mr. Briggs, as agent for the before-named subscribers, after the purchase of the land was $325.00, which was increased by other receipts to the amount of two dollars and fifty cents. All of this has been expended upon the roads, paths, new trees, and in the care of the grounds, and a further sum of $230.00 has been expended for the same purposes and for cutting wood. To pay this expense the wood valued at about $150. is pledged, and the balance has been paid by personal subscriptions. For the current year an appropriation of $500.00 is asked for this park.
It has been the plan of this Board to preserve to a great degree the natural wildness of the forests which cover the larger part of the park lands ; to keep the roads narrow, but to make turnouts at frequent or convenient intervals ; and to open some new roads, these having, as a secondary object, the division of the land into smaller parcels, in order to give better chance to check the spread of any fires that may occur.
The whole length of roads in the park is over four miles. Nearly two and a half miles of foot-paths have been opened ; some along the margins of the roads ; some leading away from roads through the thick woods, to the most attractive places on
39
the shores of the ponds ; while others lead around, part way up the sides of deep bowl-shaped hollows, which offer the quietest retreats, where a lover of the woods can find endless attractions. The path by the side of "Little Pond Lane" can be followed all the way to "The Landing" at Billington Sea.
In some places the trees have been thinned out very much to give better growth to those remaining, or to open views of the ponds or hillsides. All the wood has been cut from a tract of one and a half acres, and one hundred sweet chestnut trees set out, all of which show a good growth made last year. At other openings in the woodlands, sweet chestnut, shell-bark walnut, butternut, black walnut and other nut trees, to the number of 150 have been placed. Three dozen fine Norway maple and sugar-maple trees have been planted, mainly upon the margin of the road leading from "Deep-water" to "The Landing."
The park is already well supplied with oak trees, but the char- acter of them can be improved by the cultivation of seedlings. In some sections there is an abundant growth of young beech, white-pine. pitch-pine and some walnut. The plan has been to encourage the growth of these by removing trees that interfere with them ; and in other places, more especially on the crests of the hills, to set out white-pine and other evergreens. It seems desirable that the park shall eventually include every variety of native tree, shrub and wild flower that will grow in this climate.
John Burroughs writes that an English traveller " complained of the absence of bird voices in our fields, groves and orchards, compared with what she had been used to at home." Morton Park, with its undulatory surface, steep hills, deep hollows, sheltered swamps and valleys, groves, thick woods, open lands, marshes, brooks and ponds, presents every variety of protection or exposure needed for the homes of birds, squirrels, rabbits and other animals. Many are found there, but the number would increase rapidly, and they would be tamer and more com-
40
panionable, if the use of fire arms in these woods should be aban- doned.
How little satisfaction it must be, for the sake of a moment of pleasure, or for a mess of pottage, to kill a bird, squirrel, or rab- bit, which, if left to live, would give pleasure to hundreds of people and add much to the attractions of the park. We hope to protect the birds and other animals by interesting in their behalf those who use the park ; but there may be an occasional instance where it will be necessary to enforce the law.
By authority vested in this Board by the Statutes, the follow- ing rule has been adopted, passed February 1, 1890 : Any per- son killing a bird, or other animal, robbing a nest, discharging fire- arms, or setting a fire, within the limits of a park, without permis- sion of the Park Commissioners, will be subject to a fine of not less than three nor more than twenty dollars for each offence.
Proposed Park.
In the judgment of this Board it is for the interest of the town to devote to the purposes of a public park a lot of land belong- ing to the town in front of the Mount Pleasant school-house, known as "Jumping-hill."
There seems to be a need of a general play-ground for base ball and other games. Such grounds could be legally held as a park under the Statutes of 1882.
The Commissioners desire to receive suggestions from any one as to any suitable location that can be obtained, at reasonable expense, for such purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
NATHANIEL MORTON, GEORGE R. BRIGGS, Park
WALTER H. SEARS, Commissioners.
41
Report of the Committee for the Improvement of Training Green.
As it was found to be impossible to complete the work as soon as August first, it was thought best not to begin until after that date. It was decided to reset the cap-stone, dressed with a bevel of two inches in a thickness of eight inches. When that was. done it was found desirable to get some advice as to setting the stones, building the steps and arranging the walks and grades. We were favored by the interest in Plymouth taken by the prominent landscape architects, Messrs. F. L. Olmsted & Co. Their services were secured almost gratuitously. They fur- nished plans which were acceptable to the Committee. So far as the work is done, it is substantially in conformity with the plans furnished. The architect recommended taking into the Green a strip of land five feet in width on Pleasant Street, which was formerly left for a sidewalk, and a strip of land four feet in width from both North Green and South Green Streets. This advice was followed, except that a strip of only three feet wide was taken from North Green Street, and only two feet wide from South Green Street.
It is estimated that in addition to the appropriation already voted, an appropriation of $600 will be needed to complete the- work.
NATHANIEL MORTON, GEORGE R. BRIGGS, WALTER H. SEARS, WILLIAM T. DAVIS.
December, 1889.
42
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Board of Engineers.
H. P. BAILEY, Chief.
P. S. BURGESS, Clerk.
A. E. DAVIS,
W. E. BAKER,
Assistants.
W. E. CHURCHILL,
GEO. E. SAUNDERS,
To the Selectmen of Plymouth :
GENTLEMEN :- The Board of Fire Engineers respectfully present their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1889.
The Force of the Department
Consists of a Board of six Engineers and 128 men, organized as follows: Two Steamer Companies of thirty men each ; one Hand Engine Company, twenty men; one Hook & Ladder Company, sixteen men ; one Chemical Engine Company, eight men ; four Independent Hose Companies of six men each.
Apparatus.
The apparatus of the Department consists of two steamers, one hand engine, one hook and ladder truck, one small chemical engine, four independent hose carriages.
1
1
F
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Hose.
We have in the Department at this time 5,000 feet of cotton rubber lined hose, 1,500 feet having been purchased the past year.
Buildings.
The buildings of the Department are in fair condition. A room has been added to the brick engine house for the chemical engine.
Hydrants.
Four new post hydrants have been set the past year, making in all eighty-three belonging to the Town, with four private hydrants at Woolen Mill and four at Plymouth Cordage Co.'s works. There are forty-nine hydrants on high service and thirty-four on low.
Reservoirs.
The five reservoirs belonging to the Town are in good order and condition.
Fires and Alarms.
JANUARY 26, 1889 :
Alarm from Box 43 at 3.30 o'clock P. M., was for fire in dwelling-house owned and occupied by Capt. Curtis Holmes. Damage about $500. Insured.
FEBRUARY 2, 1889 :
Alarm from Box 37 at 9.15 A. M. was for fire in Woolen Mill dry room. Damage slight.
APRIL 18, 1889 :
Alarm from Box 45, at 6.50 P. M., was for fire in dwelling- house owned by Alfred Cole, and occupied by James W. Smith,
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situated in the south part of the town. House destroyed ; furniture saved in damaged condition. Insured.
APRIL 24, 1889 :
Alarm from Box 54, at 3 20 A. M., was for fire at house owned and occupied by Mr. Whitney, on Samoset Street. Total loss. House insured, $600 ; furniture, $1,000.
MAY 19, 1889 :
Alarm from Box 35, at 2.20 P. M., was for slight fire in small out-building, owned by Mrs. Gridley Pool on Court Street. No damage.
Finance.
CR.
Balance from last year
$12 45
Appropriation
4,000 00
$4,012 45
DR.
To expenditures, 1889.
$3,794 86
Undrawn balance
$217 59
Appropriation.
We estimate that an appropriation of $3,500 will meet the expenses of the Department the coming year, and it is recom- mended.
H. P. BAILEY, Chief.
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45
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH Of the Town of Plymouth for the Year 1889.
The rules and regulations adopted by the Board were duly published in the Old Colony Memorial, Free Press, and by post- ers. During the year there have been 22 complaints made, and notices duly sent to householders to abate nuisances on their premises, and the notices were, with few exceptions, properly attended to In a few instances second notices were sent, and all requirements were satisfactorily met except in one instance, and then the Board in this case were obliged to vacate the premises. There have also been numerous complaints made during the year to the Board in regard to the North Street sewer emptying into Town Dock.
Notice was sent to the Board of Selectmen to extend said sewer into the Dug Out at Long Wharf, which notice was only partially attended to. Upon reviewing the premises the Board became satisfied that a license was needed from the Land and Harbor Commissioners to maintain said sewer over and into the tide waters of said dock. The Board therefore petitioned the Board of Land and Harbor Commissioners for a license to build and maintain a wooden drain 20x20 inches, or a pipe 20 inches in diameter to run from mean high water mark into the Dug Ont. Said license was granted by said Board as per plans filed and recorded with Plymouth County Register of Deeds. Owing to the lateness of the season before the license was
46
granted, the Board deemed it inexpedient to build said sewer ; but the Board recommend that the said sewer be built the coming year, before warm weather.
During the year 1889, there have been 116 deaths. Of this number
19 died of Consumption.
3 Typhoid Fever.
1 Diphtheria.
The number of cases of typhoid and scarlet fever, diphtheria and measles reported to the Board for the year are as follows :
Typhoid fever 9
Scarlet fever 5
Diphtheria 15
Measles 2
The 9 cases of typhoid fever were located on : Main Street, 1 case ; High street, 1 case ; South Street, 2 cases ; North Street, 2 cases ; Water Street, 2 cases; Warren Avenue, 1 case.
Of the 15 cases of diphtheria 5 were located on Court Street, 2 at Mill Village, 1 on Pleasant Street, 1 on Mayflower Street, 1 on Mount Pleasant Street, 1 on North Green Street, 1 on Union Street.
Of the 5 cases of scarlet fever 1 was at Seaside, 2 on Sand- wich Street, 1 on Union Street, 1 at Chiltonville.
The two cases of measles were at the Cliff.
In conclusion, the Board would call the attention of the Town to the necessity of providing better sanitary accommodations for all of the public schools, and especially urge upon the Town the great necessity of a better system of sewerage throughout the thickly settled portions of the Town than we have at the pres- ent time.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. HOLMES, ALONZO WARREN, HENRY HARLOW, E. D. HILL,
Board of Health.
D
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WATER COMMISSIONERS.
CHARLES S. DAVIS-Term expires March, 1892. SAMUEL H. DOTEN-Term expires March, 1890. HORACE P. BAILEY-Term expires March, 1890. EVERETT F. SHERMAN-Term expires March, 1891.
SUPERINTENDENT-Richard W. Bagnell. WATER REGISTRAR-William T. Hollis.
ENGINEER AT PUMPING STATION-W. A. H. Jones.
Superintendent's office in rear of Engine House, Main Street. Rates payable at Town Treasurer's office, semi-annually, in advance, May 1 and November 1.
Meeting of the Commissioners to examine bills and claims against the Department, the first WEDNESDAY EVENING of each month.
Bills against the Department must be rendered on or before the first Wednesday of each month, or they will lie over until the following month.
Approved bills paid by the Town Treasurer at Town House.
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REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ending December 31st, 1889.
The total receipts for the year were. $16,353 80
The total expenditures for the year were --
For construction
$2,168 73
maintenance
4,198 07
bond and interest .
7,618 00
balance overdrawn last year
472 88
$14,457 68
Balance
$1,896 12
Maintenance.
General expenses-
Superintendent
$800 00
Collector
408 89
Labor
1,084 89
Carriage hire
393 00
Printing
86 32
Telephone and repairs
22 88
Coal and gas
52 50
Castings
57 75
Stove
48 00
Service boxes
24 25
Miscellaneous
23 56
$3,002 04
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Pump.
Engineer
$633 34
Water guage
3 50
Water glasses
3 66
Packing
8 68
Painting
10 42
Carting
7 00
Coal, 86₺ tons, at $4.90
423 36
Manure
4 50
Kerosene
18 56
Boiler repairs
29 97
Coal for house
37 25
Miscellaneous
15 79
$1,196 03
Construction.
South Street extension
$67 92
Pleasant Street
532 27
Mt. Pleasant Street
268 48
Water Street
299 01
Warren Street
229 63
Water Street
218 25
Gates and setting
74 93
Street services
148 18
Private services
288 40
Stops
26 33
Boxes
8 33
Guage
7 00
$2,168 73
4
50
Interest.
$70,000 loan, at 4 per cent
$2,800 00
20,000
6 per cent 1,200 00
12,000 66 4} and 5 per cent 570 00
37,700
4 per cent
1,508 00
Interest on old called bond, presented this year
240 00
$6,318 00
Paid bond
1,300 00
$7,618 00
The works are in good condition, and, outside of the general maintenance, about half a mile of new pipe has been laid. During the coming year the $12,000 pump loan matures, and as the sinking fund amounts to only about $11,600, the balance of about $400 should be raised and appropriated by the Town.
The expenditures for the coming year are estimated as follows :
Interest on $70,000 loan $2,800 00
66
20,000 1,200 00
285 00
36,400
1,464 00
One bond of $70,000 "
2,800 00
66
36,400 "
1,300 00
Management and repairs
5,000 00
$14,849 00
The receipts from water rates are about $16,000, which leaves a balance of about $1,100 for small construction expenses. So that if any large extensions are called for during the coming year, the cost of the same will have to be met by an appropri- ation.
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