USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1902 > Part 2
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A true copy. Attest : RICHARD G. GILLEY,
Constable.
Return on the Warrant.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Swampscott, qualified as herein expressed, to meet at the time and place and for the purpose herein mentioned, by posting up attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, Depots, Post Office, and twenty-five other public and conspicuous places in said Swampscott, on Friday, the eighth day of March, in the year nineteen hundred and one, the posting of said notices being seven days before the time of said meeting.
RICHARD G. GILLEY, Constable of Swampscott.
In accordance with the foregoing Warrant, the qualified voters of the Town met in the Town Hall on Monday, March 18, 1901, and were called to order at 6 o'clock A. M. by the Town Clerk, who read the Warrant calling the meeting and the return thereon.
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator.
On motion of J. F. Keefe, it was voted, that the Town Clerk cast one ballot for Daniel F. Knowlton, for Moderator ; the Clerk having cast that ballot, Daniel F. Knowlton was declared elected Moderator, and was duly qualified by the Clerk.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
The following having been appointed by the Selectmen as election officers, were sworn to that duty : Willis C. Paul (Dem.), Benjamin F. Rich (Rep.), and David W. Nisbett (Dem.)
The clerk had supplied 1,260 general ballots and 60 special ballots, which were delivered to and receipted for by the ballot clerks; all the requirements of the law relating to the conduct of elections having been complied with, the polls were declared open for balloting at 6.10 A. M.
The following appointed tellers were duly qualified for the duty by the Clerk : Stuart P. Ellis, James L. Taylor, Charles T. Jackson, J. Henry Widger, John T. Burnett and Harry P. Peters (Reps). Frank D. Thurston, Bernard McDermott, William H. Collins, H. Byron Martin, George H. Stone and J. W. Thurston (Dems.)
The polls were closed at 5.54 P. M., 899 general and 22 special ballots having been cast, at 8.45 P. M. the following result of the balloting was announced :
For Selectmen-Joseph M. Bassett, 545, elected ; L. Herbert Cahoon, 79; Clarence B. Delano, 510, elected ; George A. R. Horton, 400, elected ; John R. Merritt, 170; Percy F. Munsey, 290; Thomas E. Stone, 117; George T. Till, 348 ; blanks, 238.
For Town Clerk-Milton D. Porter, 691, elected ; blanks, 207.
For Treasurer-Benjamin O. Honors, 706, elected ; blanks, 193.
For Collector of Taxes-Michael P. Carroll, 728, elected ; blanks, 171.
For Assessor for three years -Isaac H. Andrews, 327, elected ; Albert R. Ellis, 240; Edmund Russell, 204; blanks, I28.
For Surveyor of Highways-I Irving Edgerly, 356; James P. M. S. Pitman, 492, elected ; blanks, 51.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1902]
For School Committee for three years-Edwin M. Bailey, 358, elected ; Sidney E. Bailey, 335 ; Orlando R. Millett, 135 ; blanks, 93.
For Overseers of Poor for three years-Joseph F. Crowell, 349, elected; Joseph F. Curtis, 214; John A. Rogers, 192 ; blanks, 144.
For Tree Warden for one year-James T. Lyons, 368; George Newhall, 408, elected ; blanks, 123.
For Board of Health for three years-Wilbur B. Adams, 122 ; Michael Haley, 276, elected ; James E. O. Nisbett, 40 ; Charles H. Phippen, 123; Jasper H. Stone, 256; blanks, 82.
For Auditors-Robert Aery, 262; Herman F. Ashton, 341, elected ; Warren S. Blanchard, 375, elected ; John B. Earp, 358, elected ; George R. Hussey, 214; Charles L. Potter, 282 ; Augustine H. Rich, 284 ; blanks, 581.
For Trustee of Public Library for three years-Frank F. Stanley, 606, elected ; blanks, 293.
For Water Commissioner for three years-Amos O. Cahoon, 87; John A. Cullen, 298; Charles S. Haskell, 462, elected ; blanks, 52.
For Sewer Commissioner for three years-Aaron R. Bunting, 481, elected ; Andrew L. Harris, 272 ; blanks, 146.
For Park Commissioner for three years-William Granger, 309 ; John M. Grosvenor, Jr., 420, elected ; blanks, 170.
For Constables-Silas B. Carr, 378, elected ; Charles E. Colburn, 371; Richard G. Gilley, 504, elected ; Samuel T. Harris, 552, elected ; blanks, 892.
License Question-No, 653; yes, 129; blanks, 117.
Shall Chapter 78 of Acts of 1901, entitled : An act to extend the Provisions of the Civil Service Law to the Police and Fire
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
Forces of Towns, be accepted, and made applicable to the Police Force of this Town ?- No, 398; yes, 273 ; blanks, 228.
Shall Chapter 78 of Acts of 1901, entitled : An act to extend the Provisions of the Civil Service Law to the Police and Fire Forces of Towns, be accepted, and made applicable to the Fire Force of this Town ?- No, 393 ; yes, 277 ; blanks, 229.
Voted, at 8.52 P. M., to adjourn to to-morrow, Tuesday evening, at 7.30 o'clock.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Town Meeting, March 19, 1901.
In accordance with previous adjournment, the voters of the town assembled at Town Hall and were called to order at 7.30 o'clock on Tuesday evening, March 19, 1901, by D. F. Knowl- ton, Moderator.
The records of the last meeting were read and declared ap- proved.
ART. 6. Voted ; To accept and adopt the report of the Aud- itors and to take up the recommendations in the Selectmen's re- port, in their order.
Voted, That the report of the Selectmen on the State highway be taken up with Art. 13. Voted to take up Art. 18. On motion of H. C. Bulfinch, it was voted, that Articles 18, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, be referred to a committee, consisting of the Moderator, Town Clerk, Treasurer, the outgoing Board of Selectmen, the incoming Board
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1902]
of Selectmen, and twenty-five (25) citizens at large, to be appoint- ed by the Moderator, to report in print to each voter, previous to the adjourned meeting.
Voted, That the recommendations of the Selectmen in relation to an appropriation for the payment of publishing the assessors' valuation book, be taken up with Art. 22.
Voted, That Sections 2, 3, 4 and 6, of the report of the Highway Surveyor be referred to the committee of twenty-five (25).
Voted, To take up Art. 10.
ART. 10. Voted, On motion of D. H. Millett, That for the purpose of procuring a temporary loan to, and for the use of the Town of Swampscott, in anticipation of the taxes of the present municipal year, the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to borrow from time to time, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, at an interest rate not to exceed four (4) per cent., a sum or sums in the aggregate amounting to forty thousand dollars and to execute and deliver the note or notes of the Town therefor, payable within one year from the time the loan is made, and any debt or debts incurred by a loan or loans to the Town under this vote shall be paid from the taxes of the present municipal year.
Voted, That the sum of $4,500, be appropriated for the Select- men's Department.
Voted, That the recomendations of the Selectmen appropriating the receipts and $7,000, for the Highway Department be accept- ed and adopted.
Voted, That the recommendations of the Selectmen in relation to the appropriation for Tree Warden be taken up in connection with the Tree Warden's report.
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $19,500, for the School Department.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $2,500, for street water- ing as recommended by the Selectmen.
Voted, That the recommendations of the Selectmen relating to appropriation for the Board of Health, be laid upon the table, to be taken up in connection with Art. 29, 30, and 31.
Voted, To refer the matter of appropriation for the Police De- partment to the committee of twenty-five (25).
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $8,000, for the street lights as recommended by the Selectmen.
Voted, That the recommendation of the Selectmen to appro- priate $3,000, for the Poor Department, be accepted and adopted.
Voted, That the receipts, and $5,400 be appropriated for the Fire Department, as recommended by the Selectmen.
Voted, To reconsider the vote referring the matter of the appro- priation for the Police Department to the committee of twenty- five (25), and to appropriate the sum of $4,900, for the use of that department, as recommended by the Selectmen.
Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Select- men to appropriate the receipts and $900, for the Town Hall Department.
Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Select- men to appropriate the sums of $700 for Catch Basins and Gutters, $1,000 for Sidewalks, $500 for Concrete and Curbstones, and $700 for the Cemetery.
Voted, To lay upon the table the recommendations of the Selectmen relating to Cemetery improvement, to be taken up by the committee of twenty-five (25).
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $650 and Dog tax receipts· for the Public Library.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1902]
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $35 for care of Monument Lot. Art. 16 was taken up and the sum of $150 was voted for the use of Post 118, G. A. R., for Memorial Day.
Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Selectmen to appropriate the sum of $900 for Water Rates, $800 for Soldiers and Sailors aid, $2,800 for Interest, $3,500 for State Tax, estimated, and $5,500 for County Tax, estimated.
Voted, To take up the report of the Board of Health. On motion of M. E. Nies it was unanimously Voted, That the sec- tion of the report of the Board of Health, on page 106, of the 49th Annual Report of the Town, beginning with the word "act- ing," at the nineteenth line and ending with the word "decade" at the twenty-eighth line, be not accepted, and stricken from the report.
Voted, That the balance of the report of the Board of Health be laid upon the table to be considered with Articles 28, 29, 30.
Voted, To accept and adopt the report of the School Commit- tee.
Voted, To accept the report of the Trustees of the Public Library.
Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations of the Engineers of the Fire Department, to appropriate the sums of $400 for purchase of two horses now on trial, and $75 for expense of removing the fire alarm whistle to other location.
Voted, To dispense with the further reading of the reports unless called for.
Voted, That the Highway Surveyor's Report be taken up and accepted, and that he be instructed to build the fences as recom- mended in Sections I and 5 of the report.
Voted, To accept the Report of the Superintendent of the Cemetery.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
Voted, To take up the Report of the Park Commissioners.
Voted, That when we adjourn, it be to to-morrow, Wednesday evening, March 20, at 7.30 o'clock.
Voted, To accept and adopt the recommendations contained in the Report of the Park Commissioners, and that the sum of $1,000 be appropriated for the same.
Voted, That the Report of the Tree Warden be taken up.
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $350 for the Tree Warden's Department as recommended by the Selectmen.
Voted, at 9.45 P. M., To adjourn.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Town Meeting, March 20, 1901.
In accordance with the previous adjournment, the voters of the Town were called to order at the Town Hall on Wednesday evening March 20, 1901, at 7.30 o'clock, by D. F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The records of the last meeting were read and declared approved.
Voted, To accept the Report of the Sewer Commissioners.
ART. 8. Jury List, Allen S. Rowe was excused at his request, the name of Charles H. Phippen was added, when it was, Voted, That the following list of jurors as corrected be accepted :
1902]
RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
33
Adams, John I.
Nisbett, David W.
Ashton, Herman F.
Parker, Samuel R.
Blanchard, George H.
Phippen Charles H.
Bonney, Frank L.
Phillips, James E.
Bradford Frank H.
Bunting, Aaron R.
Porter, Frank V. Porter, Milton D.
Cahoon, L. Herbert.
Porter, Samuel M.
Conner, George M.
Quinn, Martin L.
Cowdrey, William C.
Rich, Benjamin F.
Curtin, James H.
Rich, Edward T.
Douglass, Sylvester F.
Spinney, George F.
Galeucia, Nathaniel.
Spinney, Joseph D.
Hovey, George H.
Stanley, John G.
Jackson, Charles T.
Taylor, James L.
Jameson, John A.
Thomas, John C.
Lyons, James T.
Tuttle, Edgar M.
Melzard, George T.
Ulman, Isaac A.
Merritt, John R.
Webster, George C.
Morris, Stephen D.
Widger, James H.
Nies, Martin E.
Whitcomb, Otis A.
Voted, Art. 9, That the amount of bonds required of the Treasurer be $10,000.
ART. II. Voted, That the amount of bonds required of the Collector of Taxes be $5,000.
Voted, Art. 12, That a discount of two per cent. be allowed on all taxes paid on or before October first of the current year.
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $325 to build the fences on Pleasant and Essex streets, as recommended by the Surveyor of Highways.
Voted, To lay Art. 27 upon the table.
Voted, To refer Art. 21 to the committee of twenty-five.
Voted, To refer Arts. 36 and 37 to the committee of twenty- five.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
The Moderator announced the following as appointed by him to constitute the committee ordered under the motion of Mr. Bulfinch ; Martin E. Nies having been also named, and declined serving.
Moderator-Daniel F. Knowlton.
Town Clerk-Milton D. Porter.
Town Treasurer-Benjamin O. Honors.
Selectmen-Geo. A. R. Horton, Joseph M. Bassett, Clarence B. Delano.
Citizens at large-Edward A. Maxfield, Hezekiah New- comb, H. C. Bulfinch, A. R. Bunting, Willard C. Chase, T. B. P. Curtis, John A. Cullen, Gilbert Delano, Irving I. Edgerly, Charles S. Haskell, Michael Haley, Benjamin G. Ingalls, Frank E. Ingalls, E. H. Kitfield, John F. Keefe, Weston K. Lewis, D. Holman Millett, Fred C. Marsh, John R. Merritt, Oscar G. Poor, James P. M. S. Pitman, Hiram W. Rowell, Henry B. Sprague, Jasper H. Stone, Frank B. Stratton, Eldridge F. Small, James L. Taylor.
Voted, That Arts. 29, 30 and 31 be taken from the table and referred to the committee of twenty-five.
Voted, That when we adjourn, it be to Monday evening, April 22, 1901, at 7.30 o'clock.
Voted, To reconsider the vote whereby it was voted to appro- priate $700 for catch-basins and gutters.
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $900 for catch-basins and gutters.
Voted, To take up Art. 17. Voted, That Art. 17 be indefi- nitely postponed.
Voted, at 8.30 P. M., to adjourn.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1902]
Adjourned Town Meeting, April 22, 1901.
In accordance with the previous adjournment, the voters of the Town were called to order at 7.30 o'clock, on Monday evening, April 22, 1901, at the Town Hall, by Daniel F. Knowlton, Moderator.
The records of the last meeting were read and declared approved.
Art. 22 of the Warrant, Voted, To appropriate the sum of $400 to pay for publishing the Assessors' Valuation Report.
The committee of citizens appointed at the last meeting to consider and report upon certain articles in the Warrant, having presented their report, which had been printed and distributed to the voters of the Town, it was Voted, That the report be received and that the several article reported upon, be taken up in their order.
On motion of W. F. Norcross, it was Voted, That the same Street Light Committee serve for 1901, and that the thanks of the Town be extended to them for their services.
ART. 13. Voted, To accept and adopt the report of the committee, That the Town accept Paradise road as laid out by the Board of Selectmen, and that the adjustment of land damages be left to the present Board of Selectmen, they to report at a future meeting the amount needed to pay for the same.
Voted, Arts. 14 and 15, To accept and adopt the report of the committee, That on account of the agreement with the Board of Selectmen and the State Highway Commissioners, these articles be accepted and adopted by the Town, and that the sum of $500
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
be appropriated for rebuilding the culvert under the State highway.
Voted, To accept and adopt the committee's report on Art. 18, That Ellis road as laid out by the Selectmen be accepted.
ART. 19. Voted, To accept and adopt the report of the committee, To accept and adopt the report of the Board of Selectmen in relation to extending Ellis road, and appropriate the sum of $1, 100 for the same, this amount to be raised by a loan.
ART. 20. The committee reported as follows : To construct the following crossings this year, and appropriate the sum of $350 for building the same: A double street crossing across Atlantic avenue near the new steps to the Hotel Preston ; single crossings as follows : Across Stetson avenue at the junction with Bristol avenue ; Across Essex street at the junction with Belmont avenue; across Hillside avenue at the junction with Cherry street ; across Ellis road at the junction with Farragut road.
James T. Lyons offered an amendment to the report, that a single crossing be placed across Humphrey street, at the junction with Glen Road, and that $50 be added to the appropriation for that purpose, carried ; the report as thus amended was accepted and adopted.
ART. 21. Voted to accept and adopt the report of the com- mittee on this article. That the sum of $150 be appropriated for band concerts in different sections of the town, the same to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
ART. 23. Voted, To accept and adopt the committee's report on this article. That the sum of $400 be appropriated to repair and rebuild the sea wall and fence on Orient street.
ART. 24. Voted, To accept and adopt the report of the com- mittee on this article. That this article be referred to the Board of Selectmen, they to look the matter over carefully and consider
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1902]
what is best to be done and report at the next annual Town Meeting.
ART. 25. Voted, As recommended by the committee. That the Town appropriate the sum of $1,000 for Cemetery improve- ments, the same to be expended under the direction of the Select- men.
ART. 26. Voted, As recommended by the committee, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw.
Report of the Committee on Section 2 of the Report of the Highway Surveyor.
Your committee recommends the following :
That a Tool-house be built on land owned by the Swampscott Water Works on Erie street, and the sum of $300 be appro- priated for the same.
J. H. Stone offered an amendment, That the Water Commis- sioners be instructed to allow the Surveyor of Highways to build a Tool-house on Pine Street, on land owned by the Town, and that the sum of $300 be appropriated therefor-lost. The report of the committee was then accepted and adopted.
Report of the Committee on Section 3 of the Report of the Highway Surveyor.
Your committee recommends the following : That to make this street safe for public travel, the sum of $500 should be ap- propriated to put the street in proper condition.
Voted, To appropriate the sum of $500 to blast out the remainder of the ledge on Crescent street, and to put said street in proper condition.
4
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
Report of the Committee on Section 4 of the Report of the Highway Surveyor.
Your committee recommends the following : Believing it would be economy for the town to purchase a road machine. That $200 be appropriated for its purchase.
A motion to accept and adopt this report was lost.
Report of the Committee on Section 6 of the Report of the Highway Surveyor.
Your committee having ascertained that no gravel is for sale by the Stetson Land Company, recommends that this matter be laid upon the table.
Voted, To accept and adopt the report on this matter.
ART. 28. The Committee's report on this Article : That in relation to the Town Brooks, that any and all votes taken at the Annual Town Meeting held in March, 1900, be rescinded, and declared null and void, was accepted and adopted.
Care of the Beaches.
ART. 29. The committee reported, That the sum of $250 be appropriated for the same and that the matter be carried out by the Board of Health as formerly.
Voted, That the report on Art. 29 be accepted and adopted.
Voted, That Arts. 30 and 31 be taken up together.
Relating to the collection of ashes and house offal, your com- mittee says :
At an adjourned Town Meeting held November 7, 1900, a committee of five who had been previously appointed by the Town, made a report which was accepted and adopted. Your
-
1902]
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
committee heartily concurs with that committee's recommenda- tion, and in view of the extremely expensive manner in which the funds of the Treasury of our Town have been expended by the Board of Health, it would be, in the judgment of this com- mittee, a most injudicious act on the part of the Town to make an appropriation of any large sum of money to be disbursed by officials (two of whom have been requested to resign) whose incompetency has been so clearly demonstrated by their action in placing contracts for large sums of money without competitive bids.
Your committee recommends the following :-
That the plan of collecting house offal and ashes be con- tinued on practically the same lines as the Town has already done this work, and that the supervision of the work, and plac- ing of contracts on a competitive basis, be placed in the hands of a committee to be appointed by the Town, said committee to have authority to advertise for bids for performing the work, with right to reject any and all proposals not deemed for the best interest of the Town, and to award the same to the lowest re- sponsible bidder, and that the sum of $2,000 be appropriated for the same.
Voted, To amend the report by substituting the Board of Selectmen, for a committee, as recommended in the report, when by a unanimous vote the report with its recommendations was accepted and adopted.
Voted, To take up the remaining part of the report of the Board of Health.
Voted, That the sum of $2,600 be appropriated for the use of the Board of Health for the ensuing year.
On motion of James T. Lyons it was Voted, That a commit- tee of five (5) be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the advisability, and obtain estimates of cost to the Town, of purchas- ing the necessary apparatus to collect house offal and ashes, the town to hire the labor, the committee to report at the next annual meeting. The Moderator named the following as that commit-
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. 21
tee James T. Lyons, John R. Merritt, Wilmot R. Hastings, D. Holman Millett, and Joseph W. Glass.
Voted, To take up Article 41. On motion of D. H. Millett it was Voted, That the Town Treasurer be authorized under the direction of the Selectmen, to hire a sum of money not exceed- ing $12,000, and give the notes of the Town payable as follows : In the year 1905, $3,000. In the year 1907, $3,000. In the year 1909, $6,000. The same to be used for permanent improvements.
Voted, To take up Articles 39 and 40. To provide funds for the location and construction of a stand-pipe and to make the necessary pipe connections for the better distribution of fire pres- sure at Phillips Beach and Beach Bluff.
Your committee recommends the following : That of the $30,000 unissued bonds of the $150,000 Water Loan of 1898, $20,000 be issued, and the work begun, as a new stand-pipe in another location is necessary.
The report of the committee having been accepted and adopt- ed, On motion of Weston K. Lewis, it was Voted, 129 to o, That for the purpose of enabling the Town of Swampscott to purchase land and erect and equip a water stand-pipe thereon, and for furnishing and laying of such pipe as may be necessary to connect the same with the present water supply of the Town, and for other expenses incident to the construction and equip- ment of said stand-pipe and the works connected therewith, there be issued coupon bonds of the Town of Swampscott, with the privilege of registration to the amount at par value of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), in sums of one thousand dollars ($1,000) each, bearing upon their face the words, "Town of Swampscott Water Loan," said bonds to be signed by the Treas- urer of the Town of Swampscott, and countersigned by the Water Commissioners. Said bonds shall be issued under the seal of the Town, and bear date August 1, 1898, payable at the Colonial National Bank of Boston, Massachusetts, or at the office of the Treasurer of the Town of Swampscott, at the option of
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1901]
the holder, on the first day of August 1928, with interest at three and one-half (3}) per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually on the first days of February and August, principal and interest payable in gold coin of the United States, or its equivalent, and that the Treasurer of the Town and said Water Commissioners, at their discretion, cause such bonds to be prepared, offered and disposed of in such manner, at such time or times, and for such prices as they shall determine subject to the provisions of Chap- ter 293 of the Acts of the Legislature of the year 1898.
The Sinking Fund heretofore established under the provisions of this Act with all the provisions thereof shall be, and the same is hereby extended so as to provide for the payment of the bonds authorized by the foregoing vote and any of said bonds, or any remaining proceeds thereof not needed for the uses before men- tioned, shall be paid and contributed to said fund and such other and further payments and contributions shall be made thereto from time to time, as are required by the provisions of said Act, of 1898, Chapter 293, and by other provisions of law, and said Sinking Fund shall remain inviolate, and pledged to the payment of said loan, and shall be used for no other purpose.
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