USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1907 > Part 2
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ART. 46. To vote "Yes" or "No" upon the question "Shall the Town appropriate the money, and the Selectmen pay the claim of A. O. Cahoon as authorized by the Act of the Legisla- ture of 1906."
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TOWNA DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
The polls to be closed at sunset.
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 aforesaid.
Given under our hands this Fifth day of March, in the year nineteen hundred and six.
GEORGE A. R. HORTON, MARTIN L. QUINN, ALLEN H. COLE, Selectmen of Swampscott.
A true copy. Attest :
RICHARD G. GILLEY,
Constable.
Return on the Warrant.
Pursuant to the within Warrant to me directed, I have notified the legal voters of Swampscott by posting attested copies of said Warrant at the Town Hall, depots, post offices and ten other public and conspicuous places in said Swampscott, on Saturday, the tenth day of March, 1906. The posting of said notices being at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
RICHARD G. GILLEY, Constable.
Meeting called to order at 6 o'clock A. M. by the Town Clerk, Daniel F. Knowlton was elected Moderator, the following were qualified by the Clerk to act as election officers : Special, James
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1097]
H. Moulton ; Ballot Clerks, James L. Taylor (Rep.), and J. William Thurston (Dem.); Tellers, William H. Webster, Freeman A. Baker, Frank V. Porter, Sidney T. Doane, Alfred F. Pyne, Thomas Thumith (Reps.), Willis C. Paul, Albert A. Stone, William H. Collins, Charles W. Carroll, Frank D. Thurston and Arthur C. Eaton (Dem.)
The polls closed at 5.55 P. M., 941 general and 10 special ballots having been cast.
At 7.05 P. M. the vote was declared as follows :
For Selectmen-James F. Caton, 385 ; Allen H. Cole, 646, elected ; George A. R. Horton, 448, elected ; John R. Merritt, 426 ; Arthur C. Widger, 527, elected ; blanks, 391.
For Town Clerk-Milton D. Porter, 750, elected ; blanks, 190.
For Treasurer-Benjamin O. Honors, 760, elected ; blanks, 181.
For Collector of Taxes-George T. Till, 738, elected ; blanks, 203.
For Assessor for three years-Isaac H. Andrews, 313 ; Gilbert Delano, 363, elected ; William J. Waters, 161 ; blanks, 104.
For School Committee for three years-Sidney E. Bailey, 268; Enoch S. Eastman, 190; Arthur W. Stubbs, 325, elected ; blanks, 168.
For Sewer Commissioner for three years-Edward H. Curtis, 547, elected ; Martin L. Quinn, 363 ; blanks, 31.
For Park Commissioner for three years-John J. Blaney, 509,. elected ; William Granger, 164; Martin E. Nies, 172 ; blanks, 96.
1
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
For Park Commissioner for two years-Elias G. Hodgkins, 454, elected ; Clarence B. Humphrey, 273 ; blanks, 214.
For Water Commissioner for three years-Samuel M. Kehoe, 613, elected ; Edward H. Kitfield, 273 ; blanks, 55.
For Board of Health for three years-Richard P. Horton, 170; Edwin G. Spaulding, 74; Jasper H. Stone, 364, elected ; George C. Webster, 267 ; blanks, 66.
For Overseer of Poor for three years-Charles A. Blanchard, 376; Edmund Russell, 440, elected ; blanks, 125.
For Surveyor of Highways-Michael J. Ryan, 692, elected ; blanks, 249.
For Trustee of Public Library for three years-Elizabeth J. Hadley, 612, elected ; blanks, 329.
For Auditors-Nathaniel F. Bartlett, 520, elected ; Harry E. Cahoon, 488, elected ; Stuart P. Ellis, 416, elected ; George R. Hussey, 407 ; Walter L. J. Melvin, 343 ; blanks, 649.
For Tree Warden-L. Herbert Cahoon, 390; George New- hall, 500, elected ; blanks, 51.
For Constables-William H. Carroll, 466, elected ; Richard G. Gilley, 576, elected ; Hazen W. Tyler, 17, elected ; scatter- ing, 34; blanks, 1,730.
License Question-No, 679; yes, 148; blanks, 114.
Claim of A. O. Cahoon-Yes, 273; no, 511 ; blanks, 157.
At 7.10 P. M., adjourned to to-morrow, Tuesday evening, at 7.45 o'clock.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER,
Town Clerk.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907]
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, March 20, 1906.
Meeting called to order at 7.45 P. M. by the Moderator, Records of last meeting read and declared approved, Article 8 taken up.
ART. 8. It was unanimously voted, that for the purpose of procuring a temporary loan to, and for the use of the Town, in anticipation of the taxes of the present year, the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to borrow from time to time, with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, a sum or sums in the aggregate amounting to $60,000, 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 year.
Finance Committee.
On motion, it was voted that a Committee, to be known as the Finance Committee, consisting of the following named gentle- men, shall be and is hereby appointed :
Allan H. Cole, Arthur C. Widger,
Benjamin G. Ingalls, Robert B. Wardwell,
Wilmot R. Hastings,
G. A. R. Horton, Henry B. Sprague, Weston K. Lewis ;
that it shall be the duty of this Committee to consider and make recommendations, concerning all articles and recommendations of the Town Warrant, relating to the raising or appropriation of money for the use of the Town; that all recommendations and Articles in the Warrant, calling for an appropriation of money be and hereby are referred to the said Committee; that this Committee shall report its recommendations at an adjourned Town Meeting to be held on Tuesday, April 10, 1906.
Voted, To accept all Reports not containing recommendations.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Voted, That the recommendation of the Auditors, closing the books of the several departments on Friday, Feb. 22, 1907 be accepted, and that part referring to the Salary of the tax Collector be referred to the Finance Committee.
Voted, On motion, that the Auditor's report be recommitted for revision, and that a Committee of three to consist of Benja- min G. Ingalls, Benjamin O. Honors, and P. F. Munsey, be appointed to consider the matter of employing an expert account- ant to start a system of book-keeping and auditing, and report their recommendations at an adjourned Meeting, and if any money is needed to draw on the Selectmen, Mr. B. G. Ingalls having declined to serve on this Committee, Mr. E. E. Call was appointed in his stead.
Voted, That a Committee of three be appointed by the Mode- rator to revise the By-Laws, they to report at the adjourned Meeting.
Voted, That the Selectmen, and the Highway Surveyor be a Committee to report to the Finance Committee on the condition and needs of the Danvers street bridge.
Voted, That the recommendations of the Selectmen on Street improvements be referred to the Surveyor of Highways and Selectmen to report to the Finance Committee.
Voted, That the Selectmen's recommendations relating to side- walks, be laid upon the table, to be considered with Article 35.
Voted, To adopt the recommendations of the Sewer Com- missioners and that the sum of $3,400, be taken from money now in the treasury, accruing from Sewer Assessments, to pay for the third pump now being installed at the Sewer Pumping Station.
Voted, To adopt the last Section of the Sewer Commissioners' Report.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907]
Voted, To adopt the Report of the School Committee.
Voted, Unanimously, by standing vote, that we express our appreciation of the generous bequest of Mrs. Joanna C. Morse of Cambridge, and that the minutes of the same be spread upon the records of the Town.
The following Resolutions were passed unanimously by rising vote. Whereas the Town by the untimely decease of its Chief of Police, Samuel T. Harris has met with the loss of an efficient officer, and a good citizen, be it Resolved, that we his fellow townsmen in public assembly testify as to the excellence of his character, as a citizen, and his ability as the head of our Police Department, and that these resolutions be spread upon the records of the Town and that a copy with the Town Seal affixed be sent to the bereaved family.
Report of Committee on Water Meters.
The Committee on Water Meters appointed at March Town Meeting last year beg leave to report :
At our first meeting the entire water question was generally discussed as preparatory to our consideration of Water Meters, and it was unanimously voted that in the opinion of the Com- mittee the Water Department should be self supporting.
The several meetings following were devoted to the Meter question, with the result that we offer to the Town the following recommendation.
That this Committee recommend that the Town adopt water meters and sell water to the citizens by meter rates, that the Water Commissioners meter the Town before the expiration of our present contract with the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Board December 31st, 1908, and that about one-third of the fixtures be metered each year, during the three years intervening, and that the reading of the meters be taken every three months to enable the Water Commissioners to determine the rate they
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TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Jan. 31
must charge for water to meet the required revenue needed for the new contract, that the Town own the meters and charge rental, and that bonds be issued in payment of the same if necessary.
GEO. A. R. HORTON, MARTIN L. QUINN, ALLEN H. COLE,
Selectmen.
WM. H. BATES, S. M. KEHOE, C. S. HASKELL,
Water Commissioners.
HENRY I. NESMITH. EDWIN A. FARNHAM. BENJ. G. INGALLS.
Report accepted and referred to the Finance Committee.
The report of the Superintendent of the Cemetery was referred to the Finance Committee.
Voted, That the suggestions of the Board of Health regarding the drains emptying on to Fisherman's Beach be referred to the Sewer Commissioners, to report to the adjourned meeting. The report of the Board of Health being under consideration, W. A. Stubbs offered the following motion, which was unanimously voted, That a committee of five be appointed by the Moderator to investigate the doings of the Board of Health and health officer for the last three years, and that they be empowered to call for person's books and papers, and employ stenographer and counsel if they so wish, and if in their investigation they find cause they proceed at once to prefer charges and deliver their findings to the district attorney for prosecution.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907]
Article 5 was referred to the Finance Committee, also, the reports of the Highway Surveyor and Park Commissioners.
Articles 43 and 44 were taken up and referred to said Com- mittee.
The following were accepted as a list of Jurors :
Ashton, Herman F.
Jackson, Charles T.
Bain, Wellesley W.
Johnson, Frank E.
Bassett, Frank H.
Knowlton, Daniel F.
Beckett, Daniel C.
Kendrick, Seth C.
Blanchard, Horace W.
Keefe, John F.
Brackett, Samuel G.
Leslie, Robert
Bradford, Frank H.
Merritt, John R.
Cahoon, L. Herbert
Morris, Stephen D.
Call, Edward E.
Melzard, Ralph
Caton, James F.
Melzard, Richard E.
Clay, George F.
Nies, Martin
Cole, Allen H.
Nesbett, David W.
Conner, George M.
Nesbett, J. E. O.
Delano, Gilbert
Phippen, Charles H.
Douglass, Henry E.
Phillips, James E.
Drew, John G.
Rich, Benjamin F. Rowe, Allen S.
Finney, Winslow
Russell, Edmund
Galeucia, Nathaniel
Stanley, John G.
Heath, George A.
Taylor, James L.
Harris, George W.
Thurston, Frank D.
Horton, George A. R.
Thurston, John W.
Hodgkins, Elias G.
Whitcomb, Otis A.
Hudson, Levi
Wiley, Edwin F.
Hutt, William D.
Widger, James H.
The balance of the recommendations of the Departments was committed to the Finance Committee.
Edgerly, I. Irving
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Adjourned to to-morrow, Wednesday evening, at 7.45 o'clock.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, March 21, 1906. Meeting called to order at 7.45 P. M., by the Moderator. Records of the last meeting read and declared approved. ·
· The following votes were passed.
ART. 7. That the bonds required of the Town Treasurer be $15,000.
ART. 9. That the Collector's bond be $10,000.
ART. 10. That a discount of two per cent be allowed on all taxes paid on or before October I, of the current year.
That E. A. Maxfield and Rev. George A. Jackson be added to the Finance Committee, and that the date of the adjourned meeting to which they report, is extended to April 23, at 7.30 P. M., and that Articles 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 42 and 45 be referred to said Committee.
ART. 25. Voted, To include in Section I for the construc- tion of particular sewers and connecting drains, that portion of Middlesex avenue lying between Ellis Road and Norfolk avenue, also Grant Road, and instruct the Sewer Commissioners to assess in the same manner and at the same prices, all sewer con- nections on the above named streets in accordance with the aver- age cost before determined upon in Section 1, as voted by the Town in a meeting held July 22, 1903.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907 ]
ART. 31. Frank W. Homan, Winslow I. Curtis, and Robert Leslie were appointed a committee to investigate and report to the adjourned meeting in reference to the nuisance existing on Danvers street.
ART. 36 was indefinitely postponed.
The following was announced as the committee on revision of the by-laws : John Albree, Fred C. Marsh and W. A. Stubbs, Mr. Stubbs having been excused, Daniel F. Knowlton was chosen in his stead, Frank L. Simpson was added to that com- mittee.
The following were named by the Moderator as the committee to investigate the doings of the Board of Health and Health Officer : William H. Bates, Martin L. Quinn, Ernest B. Thing, Thomas B. P. Curtis and George A. R. Horton. Mr. Horton having declined to serve. W. A. Stubbs was substituted as a member of the committee, on motion from the floor.
ART. 37. Voted, That the Town grant to Post 118, G. A. R., the exclusive use of the Pine Street Building from the close of the current school year, and so long as said post shall have a corporate existence and shall hold stated meetings.
ART. 40. Voted, That a half holiday on Saturday with pay be granted to all employees of the Highway, Sewer, Water, Health and Tree Warden's Departments, who have worked three days in each week, for six months commencing April 1, 1906.
ART. 41. Voted, That at the Annual Town Meeting to be held in March, 1907, a Moderator be chosen on the official ballot to serve for one year, in accordance with the provision of Chapter 346 of the Acts of 1902 ; that the provisions of the said Act be and
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
hereby are accepted; that the matter of changing the by-laws of the Town to accord with the provisions of the said Act be referred to the committee on revision of the by-laws.
Adjourned to Monday, April 23, 1906, at 7.30 P. M.
Attest : MILTON D. PORTER, Town Clerk.
Adjourned Annual Town Meeting, April 23, 1906. Meeting called to order at 7.30 P. M. by the Moderator.
Records of last meeting read and declared approved.
Mr. Hastings from the Finance Committee submitted the following report :
Report of Finance Committee of 1906.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
The members of the Finance Committee, appointed March 20, 1906, herewith present to the Town the report of their action on the matters referred to them, all of which is respectfully submitted. Signed by the Committee, Henry, B. Sprague, Wilmot R. Hastings, Weston K. Lewis, Benjamin G. Ingalls, George A. Jackson, Robert B. Wardwell, Edward A. Maxfield, Allen H. Cole, Arthur C. Widger.
The Committee is unanimously of the opinion that the interests of the Town would be seriously affected by any increase in the rate of taxation, and we are able to state that if our recommenda- tions are adopted the tax rate will not be increased.
In the School Department we have thoroughly considered the request for an increase in salaries, and have deemed it inexpedi- ent to advise the same. We have recommended an appropria-
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK,
1907]
tion of $26,000 which we feel sure is ample for the department's needs, if careful economy is observed.
For Police Department, we have recommended the sum of $5,100, and we also advise that one less man be employed on the force.
In the Fire Department, we have reduced the appropriation to $8,200 and receipts. It would seem that any further reduc- tion must be effected by reducing the number of permanent men employed.
We have sadly to report that Mr. G. A. R. Horton, whose presence we continued to desire and expect for some meetings, was never able to sit with us. We wish here to state that we deem his absence, intimately acquainted as he was with Town affairs, a distinct loss to our deliberations. We desire also to testify our high esteem for our late associate as an upright and most estimable man, and as a citizen who, repeatedly entrusted by his fellow townsmen with their highest office, was always faithful to his trust and untiring in his efforts to promote both the material and the moral interests of the Town.
Voted, To accept the report of the Finance Committee.
Selectmen's Department. Danvers Street Bridge.
We have investigated the condition of this bridge and find that repairs are very much needed. From estimates received, we recommend that the sum of $700 be appropriated for this work.
Voted, To appropriate $700 as recommended.
Cemetery Land.
We recommend that action be postponed on that portion of the Selectmen's Report relating to the improvement of unde- veloped land.
Recommendations adopted.
Orient Street Improvement.
We find that a very dangerous corner exists on Orient Street in the premises owned by Mr. Arthur Little. We endorse the 4
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
recommendation of the Selectmen on this subject, and recom- mend the appropriation of $1,000 for this work.
Voted, To appropriate $1,000 for this work as recommended.
Junction of Humphrey and Orient Streets.
After investigation, we find that the land is not for sale which was formerly occupied by the Hay Scales at the junction of Humphrey and Orient streets, and therefore we recommend that furthur action be postponed.
Report adopted.
Sidewalks.
In accordance with the suggestion of the Selectmen that the Town should determine the material to be used in the con- struction of sidewalks, we recommend the use of concrete for this purpose.
Recommendation of Committee adopted.
Town Hall.
We recommend that no action be taken at this time toward placing illuminated dials on the Town Hall clock, and we further recommend that the present illumination be discontinued.
We recommend an appropriation of $250 for painting the Town Hall and the house known as the Police Station.
Recommendations adopted and $250 appropriated.
Curbing Around Monument Lot.
We recommend the appropriation of $75 to reset the curbing around the Soldiers' monument, as we feel that this amount will be necessary to properly do the work.
Appropriation of $75, as recommended.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907]
Department Appropriations.
We recommend that the following amounts be appropriated for the current expenses of the various departments during the current year :
Highway, receipts and
$9,000
School
26,000
For grading and concreting in Clarke School yard
. 300
Selectmen .
.
5,500
Poor .
2,000
Police, receipts and
5,100
Fire, receipts and
8,200
Library, dog tax and .
800
Street lighting
10,000
Cemetery
900
Sidewalks .
500
Town Hall, receipts and
1,200
Crushing stone .
1,200
Catch basins and gutters
800
Curbstones and concrete
500
Re-setting curbstones .
50
Care of Monument Lot
25
Hand hose for Monument Lot
5
Street watering .
2,700
Water rates
1,150
Health
3,500
Soldiers' Relief .
1,800
Park, receipts and
1,000
Care of brooks .
Nothing
Care of snow
1,000
State Tax .
15,000
County Tax
12,000
Interest
4,500
Sewer bonds
4,600
Interest on sewer bonds
7,500
Sewer maintenance
3,500
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
On motion the appropriation for the Health Department was made $3,500, and as thus amended the Committee's recom- mendations were adopted and the several sums appropriated.
Police Department.
Typewriter.
We consider that no action is necessary on the recommenda- tion contained in the report of this department that the Town should appropriate money for a typewriting machine.
Report adopted.
Highway Department.
Town Fences.
The condition of the fence along Fishermen's beach on Hum- phrey street is such that quite a sum would be required to repair it. We feel that it would be economy to build an iron fence at this place, and, for this purpose together with repairs needed in other sections, we recommend the sum of $750.
Report adopted, and $750 appropriated.
Re-surfacing Essex Street.
The requirements of the Highway Department being so exten- sive, we feel that $750 is a judicious amount to expend on this street this year, we therefore recommend that this amount be appropriated therefor.
Report adopted, and $750 appropriated.
Building for Road Roller.
We recommend that a suitable building be erected on the lot belonging to the Town adjoining the stone crusher on the State Road and that the building be large enough to house the steam roller, watering carts and tools belonging to the Town. We recommend an appropriation of $700 for this purpose.
Report adopted and $700 appropriated.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907]
Fire Department.
New Horse.
We recommend that the purchase of a new horse be referred to the Selectmen, without appropriation.
Report adopted.
New Supply Wagon.
We recommend that the old supply wagon be repainted and provided with a new set of wheels and that $75 be appropriated for this purpose.
Report adopted and $75 appropriated.
Increase of Pay.
We advise that it is inexpedient at this time to increase the pay of the permanent men, as requested, and that no appropria- tion be made.
Report adopted.
Report of Tree Warden.
Planting New Trees, etc.
We recommend that appropriation of $250 for the planting, pruning, and removal of trees be made, as requested by the Tree Warden.
Report adopted and $250, appropriated.
Cutting Down Trees.
We protest against the proposed action of cutting down seventeen trees on Burrill street, and recommend that Tree Warden be instructed not to do so, and no appropriation be made.
Report adopted.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Jan. 31
Board of Health.
Public Bathing Facilities.
We recommend that no action be taken at this time to provide public bathing facilities.
Report adopted.
Auditors' Report.
We recommend that no increase be made in the salary of the Tax Collector, as recommended by the Auditors.
Report adopted.
Town Warrant.
Article II.
We recommend an appropriation of $175 for Memorial Day, as provided for in this article.
Voted to appropriate $175 for Memorial Day as recom- mended.
ART. 12. We recommend that the amount appropriated the current year be $151,435.12 and that $15,000 of this sum be raised by loan for permanent improvements.
Voted, That the sum of $15,000 be borrowed for permanent improvements and that the Town Treasurer be hereby authorized with the approval of the Board of Selectmen, to issue four notes of the Town, one for $1,000 payable in 1907, one for $1,000 payable in 1909, one for $1,000 payable in 1913, and one for $12,000 payable in 1916.
ARTS. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. We recommend that these articles asking for street lights be referred to the Street Lighting Committee without additional appropriation.
Report adopted.
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RECORDS OF TOWN CLERK.
1907]
Voted, That the same committee on Street Lights serve for the current year, namely, Edwin A. Farnham, John R. Merritt, J. F. Caton, Martin L. Quinn, Frank J. Linnehan.
ARTS. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 45. We recommend that these articles asking for special sewers be referred to the Sewer Com- missioners without an appropriation.
Report adopted.
ART. 24 taken up. Voted, That the Town build the sewer in the Hillside avenue district in accordance with the plan now on file in the office of the Town Clerk, at an estimated expense of $10,000 payment for the same to be made from money now in the treasury to the credit of the sewer department which accured from sewer assessments. The route of said sewer to be left with the Sewer Commissioners.
ARTS. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 45, Voted to adopt the balance of the recommendations of the committee in reference to these articles.
ART. 26. We do not recognize the need of a street crossing across Middlesex avenue at the head of Berkshire street and recommend that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Report adopted.
ART. 27. We recommend that this article asking for an extension of water main in Pleasant street be referred to the Water Commissioners without an appropriation.
Report adopted.
ART. 28. We recommend that the Town indefinitely postpone action on this article asking for a landing pier at Park beach.
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