USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1898 > Part 2
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
his bid ; or see what action the Town will take in the matter, agreeable to the petition of James H. Stewart and others, beg leave to make the following report: The committee have had several meetings and have taken the matter under careful consid- eration and would recommend the following :
First. That the Selectmen be instructed that in the painting, repairs of buildings, and in all new construction that may come under their care, that all new construction in the Water Depart- ment, sealed proposals be solicited by advertisement or otherwise for the execution of the work, and that the contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.
Second. That in the purchase of all supplies for the Town in all departments sealed proposals be solicited by advertisement or otherwise, and that the purchase be made from the lowest respon- sible bidder. And it is recommended that no variation be made from this method except when, in the judgment of the Town officers, it is for the best interests of the town.
Third. That in all work in all departments, whether by con- tract or otherwise, citizens of the Town be employed as far as possible when they can be obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. A. LEAROYD, ERNEST L. NOERA, FRANK P. BENNETT, MAURICE L. CUNNINGHAM, CHARLES L. WORMSTEAD, Committee.
Report of Electric Light Committee.
A report of the Committee on Electric Lighting Plant was made and accepted as follows :
The Committee upon Electric Lighting appointed at the Town meeting in March, 1897, make the following report :
We have had a good many meetings, at which representatives of the Lynn Gas and Electric Company have been present, and have endeavored to get from them a more favorable proposition than that stated below, but without success.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
We would be in favor of reporting the making of a new con- tract with the Lynn company upon a basis of $62.50 per arc lamp, per year, and $15.00 per incandescent street lamp per year, with proper restriction regarding efficiency, etc., but the best proposition obtainable is $67.00 per year for arc lamps, and $17.00 per year for incandescent street lamps.
It is the sense of this committee that the price of the Lynn company is not low enough, and we are of the opinion that if a Town plant can be established for a sum sufficiently small to warrant its construction, that a municipal electric lighting plant be established.
We have received various estimates, but do not feel, owing to the peculiar situation of our Town, that sufficient reliance can be placed upon these estimates for your committee to name any figure as a cost of construction for a Town plant.
We therefore recommend that a sum of money, not exceeding $150.00, be appropriated for the use of this or some other Com- mittee on Electric Lighting, to employ a competent electrical engineer to make plans and specifications, from which bona fide estimates may be obtained, that may enable the Town to know exactly what a plant will cost to construct and operate.
The building of an electric lighting plant must have the most careful consideration. Your committee, with the above sugges- tion in mind, has obtained from the Lynn Gas and Electric Com- pany the following proposition :
" The Lynn Gas and Electric Company will make a contract, to expire October 1, 1898, for the number of arc lamps now in use, at their present rated candle power, and on the present basis of lighting, that is, every dark hour from dusk until 2 o'clock A. M., for $72 each per annum.
"They will make a contract to expire October 1, 1900, for $70 each per annum. They will also make a contract to expire October 1, 1902, for $67 each per annum.
"If either of these propositions shall be accepted, lights used since October 1, 1897, will be rendered at the rate of the accepted proposition. The price now being paid by the Town of Saugus is $73.06 each per annum.
" It is further understood and agreed that if, during the con- tinuance of any contract that shall be made under propositions of
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
this date, the Town of Saugus shall vote to establish a municipal lighting plant, in accordance with Acts of the Legislature now in force, or hereafter to be enacted, the Town of Saugus shall not be liable for the balance of this contract, and all further liability under this contract shall cease."
It is further understood and agreed, that should the Lynn Gas and Electric Company furnish light to any other town or city at a lower rate than they do the Town of Saugus, that the Town of Saugus will receive its light at the same price, irrespective of any contract which may exist.
They now argue that the rate which they offer Saugus is as low as Lynn, in proportion to population ; but your committee believe that population should not be considered in a contract with a public-service corporation, any more than in the rates of fare of a street railway, which very properly carries passengers at the same rate in Saugus as in Lynn.
Your committee finds that there are State laws governing the installation of municipal lighting plants, of which a copy accom- panies this report.
Your committee hope that this report will meet your approval and that the recommendation appropriating the sum of money will prevail.
Respectfully submitted,
F. P. BENNETT, J. H. PARKER.
Mr. Henry J. Mills was granted permission to read a resolve in regard to the Mill Tax Bill for the support of the schools, (as follows) which was adopted, as follows :
Resolved, That we the citizens of the Town of Saugus assem- bled at the Annual Town Meeting on this the 14th day of March, 1898, do favor the bill known as the Mill Tax Bill for the support of schools, and ask, that our Representatives use their influence to secure its passage.
Resolved, That the Town Clerk be instructed to send copies of these resolutions to our two Representatives and Senator from this district.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
ART. 3. The following were chosen Field Drivers : Wilbur F. Newhall, John T. Parkins, George Tibbetts. Pound Keeper : James D. Wiggin. Measurers of Wood and Bark: Levi G. Hawkes, Phillip W. Farnham, Herbert O. Pratt.
ART. 4. Voted to accept the Jury List as follows : William F. Sawyer, Charles W. Bailey, Edwin B. Forristall, Joseph Newhall, Frederick W. Feakins, Joseph M. Hall, Levi G. Hawkes, George Parsons, Benjamin O. Homan, Arthur W. Sawyer, Charles O. Thompson, John B. Walton, Everett E. Wilson, Walter Little, Melville H. Merrill, Everett H. Newhall, Dennis S. Newhall, W. R. Kaharl, C. D. Whittredge, A. F. Struthers, James Quarmby, James M. Stokes, James M. Maxwell, Chris C. Merrithew, A. M. Norris, Jonathan A. Newhall, John E. Foye, Isaac E. Graves, James R. Hatch, Henry A. Parker, John W. Hitchings, James W. Rea, Benjamin F. Robinson, Charies H. Libby, John C. Townsend, Joseph Whitehead, W. E. Rhodes, Frank H. Little, Ellis S. Jellison, Wilbur F. Newhall, Harry E. Hartitch, S. F. Rea, I. H. Fairbanks, A. M. Stocker, Aaron A. Gill, George A. Valpey, Samuel C. Watson, Harris C. Nye, Peter A. Flaherty, Nelson R. Stiles, C. E. Torrey, George B. Blanchard, John Brierly, Henry J. Mills, Thomas Newhall, Cyrus W. Oliver, Henry W. Oliver, Alfred C. Hill, David T. Knox, J. H. H. Wilson, Levi Florence, Robert Coulson, Charles F. Fife, C. H. Mansfield, Herbert O. Pratt, John A. Scott, J. F. Messenger, Walter L. Newhall, John S. Ross, John M. Raymond, Hezekiah A. Hall, Byron S. Hone.
ART. 5. Chose Mr. Frank M. Avery, James R. Hughes, Charles E. Putnam, Ernest R. Coombs, Martin L. Penny, as a Committee on Appropriations, as required by the by-laws.
Voted, To refer Articles 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 30, 33, 34, 37 and 38 to this com- mittee.
Voted, To take up the articles in order.
ART. 6. Voted, That a discount of 2 per cent. be allowed on taxes paid on or before the first day of October, and interest be charged at the rate of 7 per cent. after Nov. Ist, 1898, on taxes assessed for the year 1898.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
ART. 9. Voted, That the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to hire money tem- porarily, not exceeding one year, in anticipation of the taxes of 1898, and give notes of the Town for the same, and that all money so hired shall be expressly made payable from such taxes of 1898. The whole amount so hired under this vote not to exceed sixty thousand dollars. Vote, 117 Yea ; o Nay.
ART. 10. Voted, That the Treasurer be and hereby is author- ized to hire money of the Sinking Fund Commissioners, with the approval of the Selectmen, and give notes of the Town for the same, for the purpose of funding the Town debt.
ART. 23. Voted, To indefinitely postpone the acceptance of Forest avenue.
ART. 28. Voted, To refer the matter of locating an arc light at the junction of Western and Ocean View avenues, Cliftondale, to the Selectmen.
ART. 29. Voted, To indefinitely postpone the acceptance of Morton avenue.
ART. 31. Voted, To lay this article on the table, to be taken up as the first business of the adjourned meeting.
ART. 32. Voted, To indefinitely postpone the matter of the better collection of taxes.
ART. 35. Voted, To consider Article 35 in regard to the re- port of committee to consider Article 16 of the Warrant of May 23, 1897, referring to advertising for bids on Town work. Voted, To indefinitely postpone this article.
ART. 36. Voted, To indefinitely postpone any action in regard to the establishing of a By-Law to regulate Pedler's Licenses.
Voted, To adjourn till Monday, March 21st, 1898, at 8 o'clock P. M.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
SAUGUS, March 21, 1898.
Adjourned Town Meeting called to order by the Moderator, Mr. Thomas P. Parsons, at 8.15 P. M.
Voted, To take up Article 9.
Voted, That this article as amended be accepted.
ART. 31. Voted, That a committee of fifteen be appointed to take charge of the interests of the Town of Saugus in the matter of highways and boulevards, before the Massachusetts Legislature and elsewhere, consisting of Frank P. Bennett, Arthur B. Smith, Herbert B. Newhall, William F. Hitchings, Samuel Hawkes, Charles Florence, Marion V. Putnam, John H. Parker, George Parsons, James R. Hughes, E. L. Noera, Thomas P. Parsons, Ernest R. Coombs, Maurice B. Cunningham and Edgar B. Oliver.
Said committee are authorized to employ counsel and to de- mand especially that the Salem Turnpike shall be taken as a State highway as speedily as possible, and that the connection of the two sides of the Metropolitan Park System at the northern end shall be made by means of a boulevard from the Point of Pines, through Wards 6 and 7, Lynn, and thence through the Saugus River Valley and Melrose, with proper connections at Lynn Woods, and thence to the Middlesex Fells.
Said committee is instructed to co-operate as fully as possible with committees having similar views, in the cities of Lynn, Salem and Newburyport, and the towns of Melrose, Revere, Peabody, Danvers and Marblehead, and other cities and towns in this section of the Commonwealth.
ART. 5. The report of the Committee on Appropriations was made at this time and was accepted. Voted, To take up the articles separately.
ART. 7. Voted, That the sum of $17,000 be and hereby is appropriated for schools for the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $6,000 be and hereby is appropriated for Selectmen's Incidentals and that no sum in excess of this amount be expended without first being brought before the Town.
Voted, That the sum of $4,000 be and hereby is appropriated for Overseers of the Poor for the year 1898.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
Voted, That the sum of $3,500 be [and hereby is appropriated for the payment of the Water Loan, principal coming due during the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $2,150 be and hereby is appropriated to be used in payment of the School-house Loan, principal coming due during the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $10,000 be and hereby is appropriated for the payment of Interest, coming due for the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $1,000 be and hereby is appropriated to be used for the Salem Turnpike for the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $1,460 be and hereby is appropriated for the Sinking Fund for the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $1,500 be and hereby is appropriated for State and Military Aid for the year 1898.
Voted, That the sum of $6,000 be and hereby is appropriated for Highways and Bridges for the year 1898, and that no sum in excess of this amount be expended without first being brought before the Town.
Voted, That the sum of $1,700 be and hereby is appropriated for Fire Department, and that no expenditure be made in excess of that amount unless it is first brought before the Town.
ART. 8. Voted, To take up Article 8 as a whole.
Voted, As recommended by the Appropriation Committee as follows, salaries: Town Clerk, $100; Selectmen, $350, Treas- urer, $400; Auditor, $150; Overseers of Poor, $200; Water Commissioners, $150; Superintendent of Streets, $100 ; Board of Health, $75; Chief Engineer of Fire Department, $100; Constable, $30 ; Assessors, $450 ; Assistant Engineers of Fire Department, $100; Firemen if ten men in each Company, $1,000 ; Secretary of School Committee, $50 ; Superintendent of Cemetery all receipts, $400 to be paid to the Town. Salary of the Tax Collector to be 2 per cent. if 90 per cent. of 1898 taxes are collected during that year, otherwise it is to be 14 per cent.
Voted, To take up Article 25.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
ART. 25. Voted, That the salary of each fireman be raised to thirty-five dollars, and that the additional sum of $400 be and hereby is appropriated for that purpose.
Voted, To adjourn until Monday, March 28, 1898, at 8 o'clock P. M.
SAUGUS, Monday, March 28, 1898.
Meeting opens at 8.05 P. M. by the Moderator, Mr. Thomas P. Parsons.
ART. II. Voted, That the Police Appropriation be $3,000 and the court fines ; said court fines to be used for paying the expenses of the lockup and keeper of the lockup.
ART. 12. Voted, That the sum of $150 be and hereby is ap- propriated for the observance of Memorial Day.
ART. 13. Voted, That the sum of $800 be and hereby is appropriated for the Cemetery ; that $500 of said amount be used for grading avenues in the old part of Cemetery, and that the re- maining $300 of said amount be used in constructing avenues in the new part of the Cemetery ; that all such work shall be done by contract, if in the judgment of the Selectmen it shall be for the best interests of the Town.
ART. 14. Voted, That the sum of $150 be and hereby is appropriated for the use of the Electric Light Committee, which reported at the meeting of March 14th, 1898, for the further in- vestigation in their discretion, and that the sum of $5,400 be and hereby is appropriated for street lighting for the period running from Oct. 1, 1897, to January 1, 1899, and that the Selectmen be authorized to make a contract with the Lynn Gas and Electric Light Co., for the term of five years, at the following rates : Not exceeding $67.00 per year for each arc light of 1,200 candle- power, and $15.00 per year for each incandescent light, said lights to be run on what is commonly known as the " Common Sense " schedule, provided, however, that such contract shall contain a clause which shall allow the Town, without penalty, to res cind
.
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
said contract, if and whenever the Town shall establish a munici- pal lighting plant. Also a clause which shall give to the Town of Saugus as low a rate at any time as said company shall give to any other town or city.
ART. 15. Voted, That the sum of $400 be and hereby is ap- propriated for insurance on Town buildings.
ART. 16. Voted, That the sum of $900 be and hereby is ap- propriated for repairs on Town property.
ART. 17. Voted, That the sum of $100 be and hereby is ap- propriated for the Board of Health for the year 1898.
ART. 18. Voted, That the sum of $1,000 be and hereby is appropriated for the Superintendent of Schools for the year 1898.
ART. 19. Voted, That the sum of money received from the County of Essex on account of Dog Tax for the year 1897, and in addition thereto the sum of $400, be and hereby is appropri- ated for the purpose of purchasing books for the Public Library and for current expenses for the same.
ART. 20. Voted. That the sum of $50 be and hereby is ap- propriated for the use of the Assessors for the purpose of search- ing the records.
ART. 21. Voted, That the sum of $300 be and hereby is ap- propriated for the purpose of conveying Lynnhurst school children for the year 1898.
ART. 22. Voted, That the sum of $200, and the unexpended balance of the appropriation of 1897 be and hereby is appropriated for sidewalks.
ART. 24. Voted, That the sum of $200 be and hereby is appropriated for the purpose of locating a fire-alarm box on Jackson street, Cliftondale.
ART. 26. Voted, To refer this article to the Selectmen, with instructions to relocate the lights on Central street.
ART. 27. . Voted, That the matter of a drinking fountain in Lincoln Square, Cliftondale, be referred to the Selectmen, with
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ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
instructions to accept a reasonable sum for a combination drink- ing fountain, and locate the same in Lincoln Square.
ART. 30. Voted, To indefinitely postpone the erection of a school building at Lynnhurst.
ART. 33. Voted, That the sum of $850 be and hereby is appropriated for the purpose of reseating and furnishing two additional school rooms at Cliftondale, and for furnishing an additional school room at Saugus Centre.
That a committee of five be chosen at this meeting to consider the matter of providing additional school accommodations at Cliftondale and Saugus Centre, either by building a new building or buildings, or the alteration and repair of the old Town Hall building. That the committee have authority to obtain estimates as to the cost of a building or buildings, or the alteration and repair of the old Town Hall building ; the cost of a proper site or sites, and to report their recommendations at as early a date as practicable.
Voted, That the School Committee be three of this committee, also James R. Hughes and C. E. Putnam.
ART. 34. Voted, That the sum of $500 be and hereby is appropriated for the purpose of connecting the boilers of the Roby and Grammar schools.
ART. 37. Voted, To indefinitely postpone the purchasing of a chemical engine.
ART. 38. Voted, That the sum of $600 be and hereby is appropriated for purchasing hose for Fire Department.
Voted, At 10 o'clock to dissolve the meeting.
A true copy of Record. Attest :
ELMER B. NEWHALL,
Town Clerk.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
ESSEX, SS.
To Charles A. Blakeley, Constable of the Town of Saugus,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Saugus, qualified to vote in the Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, Saugus, on Tuesday, the fourth day of October, A. D. 1898, at S o'clock P. M., to hear and act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2 To hear and act on reports of committees.
ART. 3. To see if the Town will make an appropriation for highways and bridges, or see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will act on the report of the Gravel Pit Committee and make a loan for the purchase of the property, said loan not to exceed four thousand dollars ($4,000), or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 5. To see if the Town will make an appropriation to cover the expense of properly draining Lincoln Square, Clifton- dale, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 6. To see if the Town will make an appropriation to cover the expense of building a sidewalk and blasting ledge on Essex street, Cliftondale, in front of the property of Mrs. Hawkes, agreeable to the petition of M. V. Putnam, A. J. Struthers and others, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 7. To see if the Town will accept Morton avenue as a public way in accordance with plans filed, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will make an appropriation for the Assessors, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 9. To see if the Town will make an appropriation to cover the expense of properly draining Central street in front of the " Parkins" property, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 10. To authorize the Board of Selectmen to sell, lease or let the building and a part of the Gravel Pit land, at their dis- cretion, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. II. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of locating an arc light on Vincent and Newhall street, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will make an appropriation to cover the expense of building new outbuildings at the North Saugus school-house, or to see what action the Town will take in the matter.
And you are hereby directed to serve this Warrant by posting up attested copies at the usual places seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting, and to distribute copies, as pro- vided by the By-Laws, at least four days before.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
Given under our hands and seal this nineteenth day of Septem- ber, A. D. eighteen hundred and ninety-eight.
S. A. D. FORRISTALL, B. F. SANBORN, J. WESLEY PAUL, Selectmen of the Town of Saugus.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
SAUGUS, Oct. 4, 1898.
Pursuant hereunto I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Saugus qualified to vote in Town affairs to meet at the Town Hall, Saugus, on Tuesday, the fourth day of October, 1898, at S o'clock P. M., by posting attested copies of this Warrant in the usual places at least seven days before the time of holding said meeting, and by distributing copies of the same, as provided by the By-Laws, at least four days before the time of holding said meeting.
CHARLES A. BLAKELEY,
A true copy. Attest : Constable.
ELMER B. NEWHALL,
Town Clerk.
SAUGUS, Oct. 4, 1898.
Meeting called to order at 8.10 P. M. by Elmer B. Newhall, Town Clerk.
ARTICLE I. Chose Mr. Thomas P. Parsons Moderator, who, after being duly sworn by the Town Clerk, took charge of the meeting.
ART. 2. A report of the Gravel Pit Committee was made by the Selectmen, which was accepted and placed on file, as follows :
Report of Committee on Gravel Pits.
The committee elected by the Town at a Town meeting, held August 23, 1897, to investigate and report on the desirability of purchasing one or more gravel pits, beg leave to present the following report :
At the several meetings of the committee the matter has been gone over very carefully and the unanimous conclusion of the committee is that it is poor policy for the Town to purchase gravel by the load when it is possible to acquire possession of the land at reasonable prices.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
Your committee have visited various parts of the Town examing what was thought might be good localities for gravel, but have been unable to find any place suitable except the property of Mrs. Hathaway on Denver street. This place contains six acres or more with buildings thereon, and so far as we have been able to ascertain is all gravel of the very best quality and in almost unlimited quantity. It is located in the central part of the Town where the land will increase in value and is convenient to a large portion of the streets radiating from Main, Central and Essex streets. This land can be bought of Mrs. Hathaway for $4,000, payable in ten years, 4 per cent. bonds or notes. Your committee would earnestly recommend that the Town purchase the same.
S. A. D. FORRISTALL, J. WESLEY PAUL, B. F. SANBORN.
A verbal report of the Building Committee was asked for and made.
ART. 3. Voted, That the sum of $500 be and hereby is appropriated for highways and bridges.
ART. 4. Voted, That the Treasurer be and hereby is author- ized to negotiate a loan of not exceeding $4,000, for the purpose of purchasing the Hathaway property. Yea, 56; Nay, o.
ART. 5. Voted, That the sum of $200 be and hereby is appropriated for the use of properly draining Lincoln Square, Cliftondale.
ART. 6. Voted, That the sum of $200 be and hereby is appropriated for the purpose of removing the ledge and building a sidewalk on Essex street, as called for by Article 6.
ART. 7. Voted, To accept Morton avenue as per plan and description, as follows: The northerly side of said way begins at a stone monument set in the southwesterly corner of land of Amerige, and in the southerly line of Lincoln avenue, and running
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
thence south 22ยบ 30' east magnetic a distance of 800-52 feet to a second stone monument set in the southeasterly corner of land of Currier. The southwesterly line of said street is parallel with said northeasterly side, and distant southwesterly therefrom 50 feet. All the land lying between said northeasterly and southwesterly lines is included in this layout. This plan was filed by E. S. Jellison.
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