USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1897 > Part 3
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Your Committee have found the engine-house property, fire apparatus, horses and electrical appliances in the battery room, kept in first-class condition ; the horses are well trained, and in these various particulars the present requirements of the Town seem to be well provided for.
Your Committee feel, in view of the very satisfactory arrangement which the Town now has with the City of Lynn, whereby a portion of the Lynn Fire Department respond to calls from boxes located in the center of the Town, that the efficiency of the fire-alarm signal system is especially impor- tant ; for it may be easily seen that however perfect the engine-house equipment and company might be, with an im- perfect system of signaling in case of fire, the department would necessarily be inefficient ; but the Committee find this
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
part of the department service in poor condition, and think it should be improved as soon as possible.
Much of the wire about the Town is now old and worn out, and in fact was never suitable for use as a fire-alarm system, as it was originally put up and used for telephone purposes, and the wire used for that purpose is small and unsuitable for present uses.
The lines are now in two circuits of loops, but the Com- mittee would recommend that the Town be wired in three distinct circuits and the loops be done away with. The expense would not be large, a matter of a few hundred dol- lars, and the Town will be saved a constant expense now going on of battery waste, and the frequent trouble and cost of repair of the present lines.
We also recommend that lightning arresters be pur- chased and placed in the battery room, to avoid the present extreme danger of having the whole system thrown out of use at any time by lightning. The expense of the lightning arresters will be very small.
When new fire-alarm boxes are purchased, we would recommend that they should be non-interfering boxes.
While there seems to be considerable difference of opinion as to what constitutes proper care of fire hydrants, your Committee would recommend that all the hydrants be flushed out, once in the spring and once in the fall of each year, and also properly cleaned and oiled ready for use, and that every hydrant be inspected as often as once each month by the Fire Department, and in low places, where the hydrants are troubled with surface water getting in, that they be especially looked after in the winter time and kept free from ice ; and we also recommend that the fire-alarm signal boxes be inspected at least once each month.
Your Committee would recommend that the sum of five thousand dollars, and the receipts of the department, be
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appropriated for the maintenance of the Fire Department. Inasmuch as the other departments of our Town have in times past used their respective receipts, and for other rea- sons, it seems best to allow the department to use its receipts.
In conclusion your Committee would say that they have been unable to find any irregularity in the accounts of the department or any improper expenditure of the Town's money, and can conscientiously report to the citizens of the Town that in their opinion the Town has received a fair equivalent for the money expended in this department.
Signed, ARTHUR F. FOSTER, JOHN R. MERRITT, Committee. SIDNEY M. SHATTUCK,
SWAMPSCOTT, April 20, 1896.
Voted. To accept and adopt the report of Committee to investigate Fire Department.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Your Committee, appointed to investigate the Town By-Laws concerning the Police Department, have attended to their duty and beg leave to submit the following report :
We recommend amending the By-Laws, and that an Article be inserted in the Warrant of our Annual Town Meeting of 1897 to that effect.
At the request of the Chief of Police, your Committee have advised the Selectmen to provide a verified copy of the Town's By-Laws for Police use.
EDMUND RUSSELL, W. F. NORCROSS, Committee. ROBERT B. WARDWELL,
SWAMPSCOTT, April 20, 1896.
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
Voted. To accept and adopt the report of Committee on By-Laws relating to law and order.
Samuel F. Crosman, of Sewerage Committee, verbally reported it improbable that our sewerage could ever be taken care of by City of Lynn. The only way left was Dread Ledge project.
Voted. To accept report of Sewerage Committee as a report of progress.
Voted. To accept the following resolution :
HEADQUARTERS GEN'L JAMES L. BATES POST, No. 118. G.A.R.
SWAMPSCOTT. MASS .. April 17, 1896.
At a regular meeting of this Post, held March 20th, it was unanimously voted, we extend our sincere thanks to the citizens of the Town for their very generous action in voting to give this Post the free use of the upper portion of the Redington Street School House, to be used as their head- quarters.
The old soldiers and sailors will never be remiss in their appreciation of the true patriotism of their fellow citizens, who always are found, as in 1861-1865, true to the men who stood up for their country in her hour of peril.
ELDRIDGE F. SMALL,
Commander.
Official.
JOHN R. MERRITT. Adjutant.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 27
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SALARIES.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Your Committee appointed at the adjourned Town meeting, held March 19, 1896, to prepare and submit a list of salaries for the Town Officials, 1896-97, having given the matter careful attention, respectfully submit the following report for your consideration :
Moderator - Twenty-five dollars for annual meeting.
Board of Selectmen - Chairman, three hundred dollars ($300); other members, two hundred dollars ($200) each.
Town Clerk - One hundred dollars ($100).
Treasurer - Four hundred dollars ($400), the Town to pay premium on his bond.
Collector of Taxes - Four hundred dollars ($400), the Town to furnish his bond.
Board of Assessors - Four hundred dollars ($400).
Auditors - Two hundred dollars ($200).
School Committee - Chairinan, one hundred and fifty dol- lars ($150), other members, one hundred dollars ($100) each.
Overseers of the Poor - Chairman, one hundred dollars ($100), other members, sixty dollars ($60) each.
Board of Health - Chairman, seventy-five dollars ($75), other members, sixty ($60) each.
Librarian Public Library - One hundred and seventy-five dollars ($175). Assistants, thirty dollars each ($30). Secretary Selectmen - Two hundred dollars ($200).
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
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Inspector of Elections or Deputies - Five dollars ($5) per day.
Tellers - Three dollars ($3) per day.
Superintendent of Cemetery - Three hundred and fifty dol- lars ($350) per year.
Janitor of Town Hall - Ten dollars ($10) per week, includ- ing care of grounds and all other charges.
Fire Department - Chief Engineer, two hundred and fifty dollars ($250), this to include care of fire alarm. Assistant engineers, fifty dollars ($50) each.
Engineer of Steamer - Fifteen dollars ($15) per week of seven days. Firemen, thirty-five dollars ($35) each ; permanent men, fourteen dollars ($14) per week of seven days, and fifteen dollars ($15) per week to the men employed in the fire department who work sprink- ling the streets during the season.
Inspector of Provisions - Fifty dollars ($50) per year.
Surveyor of Highways - Twenty dollars ($20) per week, to include team.
Milk Inspector - Ten dollars ($10) per year.
Sealer of Weights and Measures - Twenty-five dollars ($25).
Agent for the Town Hall, 5 per cent. of receipts.
Respectfully submitted,
AARON R. BUNTING, STEPHEN P. HURD, JAMES L. TAYLOR, JOSEPH M. BASSETT, SIDNEY M. SHATTUCK, J
Committee
Salaries.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 27
Voted. To accept the report of Committee on Salaries.
A motion to take up each Article separately was nega- tived.
Voted. To strike out that part of Salary Report which pertains to Library.
Voted. That the salary of Chairman of School Com- mittee be $200.
A motion to make the salary of Treasurer $325 was negatived.
Voted. To adopt the list of Salaries as amended.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Your Committee on By-Laws pertaining to the Fire Department, have attended to their duty, and herewith sub- mit the following report :
A meeting was held by your Committee, and after due consideration it was ascertained that the State laws give the Engineers full and absolute power to create and establish By- Laws to govern their department. They already have such By-Laws in force. We therefore have no recommendations to make.
EDMUND RUSSELL, W. F. NORCROSS, Committee. ROBERT B. WARDWELL, )
SWAMPSCOTT, April 20, 1896.
Voted. To accept the report of Committee on By-Laws for Fire Department.
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN ON STREET CROSSINGS.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
Your Selectmen, to whom was referred the matter of Street Crossings, would respectfully recommend the construc- tion of both crossings as petitioned for in Article 16, and that the sum of two hundred ($200) dollars be appropriated for the same.
H. CUSHING BULFINCH, GEO. A. R. HORTON, Selectmen. GEORGE A. HEATH,
SWAMPSCOTT, April 18, 1896.
Voted. To accept and adopt the report of Selectmen on Street Crossings, and appropriate $200 therefor.
REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON THE SURFACE DRAINAGE OF ROCKLAND STREET.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
The Selectmen, to whom was referred Article 17, relative to the disposal of the surface drainage of Rockland street, would respectfully report that they have fully investi- gated the matter, and until some system of sewerage is adopted by the Town can recommend only a partial remedy, viz : - Construct a paved gutter on Highland street across its junc- tion with Rockland street to King street, whereby the greater part of the water which falls on the southeasterly portion of Highland street and vicinity, causing this nuisance, would be diverted down Highland street to the King or Redington street drain, leaving that low portion of Rockland street which cannot at present be drained, only the amount of water which naturally falls upon it, which would be comparatively
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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little. This improvement would entail only a small expense, and we would recommend an appropriation of $150 for the same.
H. CUSHING BULFINCH, GEO. A. R. HORTON, Selectmen. GEORGE A. HEATH,
SWAMPSCOTT, April 18, 1896.
Voted. To accept and adopt the report of the Select- men on Rockland Street Drainage.
Voted. ART. 22. To appropriate $125 for the purpose of locating a Fire Alarm Box in the vicinity of Middlesex avenue and Hampden street.
Voted. To receive the report of the Committee ap- pointed to obtain the approximate cost of a tunnel for pedes- trians under the tracks of B. & M. R. R.
The Committee reported the approximate cost to be about $5000.
Voted. To recommit the subject to the same Com- mittee for further investigation, a report to be made at the next Annual Meeting.
The report of the Committee on Article 28, was heard.
Voted. To accept the report of the Committee on Article 28.
Voted. To continue the Committee on Article 28, and empower them to treat with the Lynn & Boston R. R., and obtain what help they can toward caring for our streets.
Voted. To excuse Andrew L. Harris from serving on the Committee on Article 28.
Voted. To add the Selectmen to this Committee.
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
Voted. To also appoint John R. Widger to serve on Committee on Article 28.
Voted. ART. 26. To adopt the following as an amend- ment to the Cemetery By-Laws :
Cemetery Commissioners shall be elected at the Annual Town Meeting of 1897, three in number and citizens of the Town, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, and at each Annual Town Meeting thereafter one for three years ; said Commissioners shall serve without compen- sation.
Voted. To extend to the Moderator a vote of thanks for the very able and impartial manner with which he has conducted this meeting.
Voted. To dissolve at 11.10 P.M.
A true record. Attest :
GEORGE T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Special Town Meeting, April 18, 1896.
TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of 5
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 27
Swampscott qualified to vote in Elections, and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Swampscott, on Saturday, the Eighteenth day of April, current, at seven- thirty o'clock in the P.M., then and there to act on the fol- lowing Articles, viz : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the Town will accept and allow the act of taking of Blaney's Beach, executed by the Park Com- missioners, March 31, 1896. The said act and accompanying plan being on file in the office of the Town Clerk, agreeable to the petition of Robert B. Wardwell and others.
ART. 3. To see if the Town will vote to accept the resignation of H. Cushing Bulfinch as Selectman.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will vote to reconstruct the Culvert across Essex Street, near the Stable of the Lynn and Boston Railroad, and appropriate three hundred ($300) dollars for the same.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Depot, Post Office and three other public and conspicuous places in the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands, this Ninth day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
H. CUSHING BULFINCH, - Selectmen GEORGE A. R. HORTON, of
GEORGE A. HEATH, Swampscott.
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
RETURN ON WARRANT.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, quali- fied as herein expressed, to meet at the time and place and for the purposes herein mentioned, by posting up attested copies of this Warrant in eleven public and conspicuous places, in Swampscott, on Saturday, the eleventh day of April, 1896.
JAMES WHEELER, Constable of Swampscott.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the Town assembled at the Town Hall on Saturday, April 18, 1896.
The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk at 7.30 o'clock P.M .; the Warrant and return thereon was read. Voting for Moderator was immediately commenced.
Voted. To close the polls for choice of Moderator at 7.40 P.M. ; there were thirty-five ballots cast. Fred C. Marsh received all ballots cast for Moderator ; he was declared elected and was sworn to the faithful performance of the duties by the Town Clerk.
A standing vote was taken on Art. 2, which on being counted stood, 96 Yea; 92 Nay ; the vote was doubted, and Martin E. Nies, Edmund Russell and Ernest B. Thing were appointed to count the vote.
Voted. To use the check list in voting on Art. 2.
Voted. ART. 2. That the Town accept and allow the report, and taking of the land on and near Blaney's Beach by their Board of Park Commissioners as read, and direct that a certificate of such acceptance and allowance be attached to said deed of taking as a part thereof, all as provided by law : "Yes " 110 ; "No " 100.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 27
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS, TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT.
IN THE BOARD OF THE SWAMPSCOTT PARK COMMISSIONERS, March 31, 1896.
Whereas, the undersigned duly elected, qualified and acting as the Board of Park Commissioners for the Town of Swampscott, in the County of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, under and by virtue of the provisions of an act of the Legislature of said Commonwealth, being Chapter 154 of the acts of the year 1892, said act having first been duly accepted by the said Town of Swampscott, deem it expedient to locate a Public Park on and near Blaney's Beach, so called, within the limits of said Town of Swamp- scott, and to take the lands and rights in land hereinafter described for that purpose, under the powers and limitations set forth in said act, and any and all acts in addition thereto or amendment thereof.
Now therefore we, the said Board of Park Commissioners of Swampscott, by virtue of the authority conferred upon us by said acts and each of them and of any and every other power and authority us hereto in any wise enabling, have taken and do hereby take in the name of the Town of Swamp- scott and for the benefit of the said Town and the inhabitants thereof, in the manner prescribed in and by said act, and for all the purposes therein provided, the lands and rights in land with all the buildings thereon, and all easements, privi- leges and appurtenances of every nature thereto belonging, lying in the Town of Swampscott, in the County of Essex, and shown on the plan thereof marked "Swampscott Park Commission ; taking of Blaney's Beach, May 29, 1895, C. W. Gay, C.E."; the original of which is to be recorded herewith in Essex Registry of deeds at Salem in said Com- monwealth, and the duplicate of which is on file in the official
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
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archives of said Commission, and bounded and described as follows, to wit: beginning at a stake in the southerly side line of Orient street, at the point nearly opposite the scales where said side line is intersected by the westerly boundary line of land shown on said plan as belonging to Farnham, thence on the northeast, north and northwest by the southerly side line of Orient street to its intersection with Humphrey street, and thence by the side line of Humphrey street and of Humphrey street produced across Fuller avenue and In- galls avenue to the easterly boundary line of land shown on said plan as belonging to John Stanley, thence on the south- west, northwest, southwest west, north and southwest by said land of Stanley, in the series of broken lines forming his said easterly boundary line, to form said Humphrey street to the sea wall, at its extreme southeasterly point shown on said plan, and thence prolonged in its last course, to extreme low water mark of Nahant Bay, thence on the southeast, south and southwest by said extreme low water mark to the line drawn from the point of beginning, southerly through said westerly boundary line of land of Farnham to extreme low water mark, and thence on the southeast or east in a straight line by said land of Farnham, or however otherwise bounded to the point of beginning, comprising lands shown on said plan as belonging to Estate of James L. Little, J. Smith, J. Frank Blaney, Wm. Stone, Stone Estate, J. A. Knowlton, Fuller avenue, C. E. Phillips, C. E. Phillips and N. Blanch- ard, W. Seger and W. Kehoe, J. A. Ingalls and Ingalls avenue and Mrs. S. C. Newhall and other owners unknown whose names do not appear on said plan.
Intending to take and hereby taking each and every tract, estate or parcel or part thereof included within the foregoing description, or howsoever otherwise bounded or described, or by whomever owned, and be said measurements or any of them more or less.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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Witness our hand this thirty-first day of March, A.D. eighteen hundred and ninety-six.
GEORGE A. JACKSON, Park Commissioners BENJAMIN POTTER, ROBERT B. WARDWELL, Swampscott.
Received and filed in the Clerk's office, of the Town of Swampscott, April 3, 1896.
GEO. T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Voted. ART. 3. To accept the resignation of H. Cush- ing Bulfinch as Selectman.
Voted. ART. 4. To reconstruct the Culvert across Essex street, near the stable of the L. and B. R. R., and ap- propriate $300 for the same.
Voted. To dissolve at 9 P.M.
A true record. Attest :
GEO. T. TILL, Town Clerk.
Special Town Meeting, May 9, 1896.
TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
Swampscott qualified to vote in Elections, and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Swampscott, on Saturday, the Ninth day of May, current, at Twelve-thirty o'clock in the P.M., then and there to act on the following Articles, viz : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose one member of the Board of Select- men for the balance of the current year.
The polls to be closed at 5.30 o'clock, P.M.
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Depot, Post Office, and three other public and conspicuous places in the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands, this Twenty-first day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
GEO. A. R. HORTON, ) Selectmen of GEORGE A. HEATH, Swampscott.
RETURN ON THE WARRANT.
SWAMPSCOTT, April 23, 1896.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, quali- fied as herein expressed, to meet at the time and place, and for the purposes herein mentioned, by posting up attested . copies of the within Warrant in eleven public and conspicuous places in said Swampscott on Thursday, the 23d day of April, 1896.
JAMES WHEELER, Constable of Swampscott.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 27
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant the voters of the Town qualified to vote in elections, met in the Town Hall on Saturday, May 9th, 1896, and were called to order at 12.30 o'clock P.M., by the Town Clerk, who read the War- rant, calling said meeting and the return of the officer who served it upon the inhabitants.
The polls were immediately declared open for the recep- tion of votes for Moderator.
Voted. To close polls for choice of Moderator at 12.35 P.M.
There were six ballots cast for Moderator, all for Fred C. Marsh, who was immediately declared elected and qualified for the position by the Town Clerk.
George H. Lampard and William H. Collins, who had been appointed Inspectors, were qualified to serve as Ballot Clerks, by the Town Clerk.
The package containing 1200 ballots was delivered to the Ballot Clerks, who receipted therefor.
Cards of Instruction and Penalties, also Specimen Bal- lots, were posted inside and outside the polling place, as required by the laws of the Commonwealth.
The ballot box was shown to be empty, the register denoting 000 ; the polls were then declared open for balloting ; the key of the ballot box was given to the Constable in charge.
The Tellers appointed were as follows : H. Byron Mar- tin, Frank L. Chapman, Sidney M. Shattuck, Benj. F. Rich; they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
After giving due notice, the polls were closed at 5.30 P.M.
At the close of the polls the register of the ballot box was 291; there had been 301 ballots cast; both check lists showed 301 checks.
The result of balloting was declared at 5.35 P.M. as follows :
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RECORDS OF THE TOWN CLERK.
1897]
For Selectman - Clarence B. Delano, 150, elected ; David W. Nisbett, 148 ; Scattering, 3.
Voted. To dissolve at 5.35 P.M.
Attest : GEORGE T. TILL,
Town Clerk.
Special Town Meeting, May 9, 1896.
TOWN WARRANT.
ESSEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Swampscott, in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott qualified to vote in Elections, and in Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Swampscott, on Saturday, the Ninth day of May, current, at Seven-thirty o'clock in the P.M., then and there to act on the following Articles, viz : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00), for the maintenance of the Cemetery the current year, as recommended by the Selectmen.
ART. 3. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) additional for the Board of Health.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Town Hall, Depot, Post Office, and three other public and conspicuous places in the Town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant. with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands, this Thirtieth day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six.
GEO. A. R. HORTON, ) Selectmen of GEORGE A. HEATH, ยง Swampscott.
SWAMPSCOTT, May 9, 1896.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to mne directed, I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, quali- fied, as herein expressed, to meet at the time and place and for the purposes herein mentioned, by posting up attested copies of said Warrant in eight public and conspicuous places in said Swampscott, on Friday, the first day of May, in the year of 1896.
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