USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1914 > Part 11
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$4,975 78
Engineering, 5 per cent
248 79
$5,224 57
.
.
.
.
.
The policy of laying continuous walks through certain sections has been followed each year, and while adding to the value and beauty of the town, is also a great convenience and much appreciated by those who have occasion to use them. The granolithic walks, while more expensive in first cost, are ultimately cheaper in care and maintenance, and we rec- ommend a continuation of the same policy the current year.
92
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
We recommend an appropriation of $6,000 00 to be spent at the dis- cretion and under the supervision of the Selectmen.
XV. Mad Dogs.
It having been reported that dogs infected with the rabies had bitten other dogs, and, therefore, a serious menace to the public, the Board of Selectmen, on the advice of the Chief of the Cattle Bureau and local physicians, and in accordance with law, passed the following order :
SWAMPSCOTT, May 9, 1914.
At a meeting of the Board, held this date, it was ordered that all dogs within the limits of the Town be securely muzzled or restrained from running at large from this date until September 1, 1914. For the Board,
CHARLES G. ROWELL, Clerk.
Notices were duly posted, and while it may have inconvenienced those of our citizens who keep dogs, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Just before the expiration of the time, there appearing to be no occasion for its continuance, the order was repealed.
XVI. Forest Warden.
As provided for under Revised Laws, Chapter 32, Sec. 16, as amended by the Acts of 1907, Chap. 475, Sec. I, and the Acts of 1913, Chap. 600, we appointed Everett P. Mudge as Forest Warden, whose appointment was approved by the State Forester.
LAW RELATING TO DISPOSAL OF SLASH OR BRUSH WOOD:
" 1914, 101, sect. I. Every owner, tenant or occupant of land, and every owner of stumpage, who cuts or permits the cutting of wood or timber on woodland owned or occupied by 40-foot fire line required. him or on which he has acquired stumpage by pur- chase or otherwise, and which borders upon the woodland of another or upon a highway or railroad location, shall clear the land of the slash and brush wood then and there resulting from such cutting for such distance, not exceeding forty feet, from the woodland of such other person, highway or railroad location as the local forest warden shall determine, and within such time and in such manner as he shall determine.
" 1914, 101, sect. 2. Any person who cuts or causes to be cut trees or brushes or undergrowth within the limits of any highway or public road shall dispose of the slash and brush wood then Disposal of brush and there resulting from such cutting within such along highway. time and in such manner as the forest warden of the city or town wherein such cutting is done shall
determine.
Penalty.
" 1914, 101, sect. 3. Whoever neglects to comply with the directions of the forest warden with regard to the disposal of slash and brush, as provided in sections one and two of this act may be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than fifty dollars.
" 1914, 101, sect. 4. This act shall take effect on the first day of January in the year nineteen hundred and fifteen."
XVII. Gypsy Moth Department.
The work in this department goes on as heretofore under the care of Mr. Everett P. Mudge, who was reappointed in January of 1914. We reported in 1911 that Swampscott's boundaries being so largely sea front- age, that conscientious treatment along the inland boundaries would
93
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1914]
reduce the amount expended each year, and to assist, purchased a power- ful sprayer to cover inaccessible places. The bug population is still nor- mal, and despite our efforts to reduce them, we find that they are capable of holding their own.
Each property owner has the right to clean his own property, subject to the approval of the local superintendent. If done by the town, no per- son can be assessed in excess of one-half of one per cent of his assessed valuation.
We recommend an appropriation of $4,500.00.
XVIII. Law.
Under this department Messrs. Parsons & Bowen, counsellors at law, were appointed Town Counsel. The legal work of the various depart- ments has been attended to, and in addition they report upon special work as follows :
Board of Selectmen, GENTLEMEN :
January 15, 1915.
Complying with your request for a report upon the litigation in which the Town has been involved during the past year, we submit the following :
1. EXPENSE OF BRIDGES BETWEEN CHELSEA AND BOSTON.
By authority of Legislative Acts, Chapter 581, of the Acts of 1911, and Chapter 341 of the Acts of 1913, a Commission was appointed by the Supreme Judicial Court, to apportion among the cities and towns which receive special benefits from the bridges between Boston and Chelsea, a just and equitable share of the cost of construction, re-con- struction, repairs and maintenance of said bridges, and the Town of Swampscott was summoned in, together with the City of Lynn, Salem, Beverly, Town of Peabody and various other cities and towns in this locality, as a municipality receiving a special benefit.
Hearings were had in the years 1913 and 1914, and the Commis- sioners' report was filed in the summer of 1914, their finding being that Swampscott received no special benefit from these bridges, and therefore ought not to be required to pay any part of the cost.
In August the Supreme Judicial Court ordered the report recom- mitted to the Commission for the purpose of including further facts in the report. Later an appeal was taken to the Supreme Judicial Court. We believe that the finding of the Commissioners will not be materially changed.
2. BLANEY BEACH TITLE.
The title to that part of Blaney Beach between the fish house and that part of the Park reservation at the Easterly end of Blaney Beach has been in dispute. Some of the abutters owning property fronting on Orient street and abutting this beach on the South, have contended that they have title to low water mark. In order to determine this question the Town authorized the Board of Selectmen to proceed to have the question determined.
Accordingly there was a petition filed in the Land Court in March last, for the registration of title to this beach in the name of the Town.
No hearings have been had, but the abutters have been conferred with, and nearly all have agreed to release any right which they may have in the beach South of a location line fixed by the Town engineer as a uniforin line for a proposed wall, whereby the Southerly line of the various properties abutting on said beach will be substantially an equal distance from the water line, upon condition that the Town release any right it may have in said beach North of that line, construct a wall along said line, and fill the land North of said wall to the level of the abutters' other land.
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec 31
If this plan is adopted by all abutters and by the Town, it will render hearings unnecessary and probably prove the best solution of the problem.
3. CASE OF BLACKMORE VS. SWAMPSCOTT.
This was an action brought by Mrs. Annie P. Blackmore to recover damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by reason of a defect in the highway known as Sheridan road, in November, 1911. The case was tried on May 28th and 29th, 1914, and it appeared that the accident happened during the time that the Sheridan road sewer was in process of construction.
The plaintiff contended that she was passing along the southerly side of Sheridan road; that there were stones and lumps of soil upon the sidewalk which had been excavated from the sewer trench, and that she fell in consequence of stepping on these obstructions.
The Town contended in the first place, that there were no such obstructions, and in the second place relied upon its agreement with the contractor who was building the sewer to hold it harmless and indemnified against loss by reason of such an accident. The law being clear that if there were a defect of which the Town had notice or should have had notice in the circumstances, it was primarily liable and must look to the contractor for reimbursement under its contract.
The evidence in the case seemed to prove that the sidewalk was an absolutely clear, smooth concrete walk at the point where Mrs. Black- more fell; that she must either have tripped over her skirt, or have become dizzy. Nevertheless, she fell and was injured. She was a woman of advanced years and her story was corroborated by one of the laborers who was employed near the point where she fell, though his testimony appeared not to warrant belief, he having been brought to Court on a writ of Habeas Corpus from one of the jails in Suffolk County, where he was serving sentence, and it appearing that he had threatened the contractor that he would give unfavorable testimony in this case unless the contractor secured his release from jail.
Notwithstanding these facts the jury returned a verdict in favor of Mrs. Blackmore, both against the Town and the contractor, for the sum of $1,353.51 ; that is to say, the plaintiff was given an execution which she could collect from either of the defendants, but not from both. She elected to collect her execution from the Town, and it now remains for the Town to enforce the obligation of the contractor.
No action has yet been brought for this purpose because negotia- tions are pending whereby it is expected that the amount will be paid without involving the neeessity of an action at law.
4. ADELAIDE L. JORDAN VS. SWAMPSCOTT;
CHARLOTTE J. MAY VS. SWAMPSCOTT.
These are two suits now pending against the Town which were brought in consequence of personal injuries received upon Humphrey street during process of the work of reconstruction.
On behalf of the Town we have filed a plea in abatement, setting up the fact that the work was being done by authority of the Legisla- ture, and that the street was under the control of the Massachusetts Highway Commission by virtue of that legislation, and therefore the 'Town ought not to be held to answer for the condition of that way while that authority continued. There has been no opportunity for hearing upon this plea.
Respectfully submitted,
PARSONS & BOWEN.
In addition, there was a claim for damages to cellar of house owned by John Hambredth on account of water. This was investigated by the Board and the Surveyor of Highways and disposed of by settlement with the aggrieved party for the sum of $25.00.
95
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1914]
MARTIN LALLEY. This claim, for which the Town appropriated the sum of $250.00 to dispose of, is still pending in the courts, an injunction having been placed upon the Selectmen against payment.
XIX. Redington Street Widening.
This work for which $600 was appropriated, was completed early this year. Deed of the land taken was obtained from Mr. Clarence B Delano, and is filed at the Essex Registry. The work done consisted of moving two buildings, with necessary excavation and filling, which was adver- tised on May 17, 1914, and contract let to James T. Lyons.
XX. Death of Mr. Charles G. Rowell.
The Town suffered a serious loss by reason of the death of Mr. Charles G. Rowell, who had served the Town as Accountant and Clerk of the Selectmen for a long term of years, during which time he was a valuable aid in the conduct of the Town business. In testifying our regard to his memory, we reflect the sentiment of the community.
XXI. Town Accountant.
Owing to the death of Mr. C. G. Rowell, Mr. Arthur C. Widger was appointed to serve as Accountant and Clerk of the Board. We consider ourselves fortunate in securing his services, as he has previously served the Town as Selectman for many years, and is well acquainted with the Town's work and needs.
XXII. Selectmen.
This Board consists of three members, one of which will hereafter be elected on the third Monday in February, 1915; two on third Monday in February, 1916, and three on the third Monday in February, 1917, unless otherwise notified.
Regular meetings are held at the Town Hall on Friday evenings at 7.30 o'clock, for the transaction of all business that may come before them.
The salaries of the Selectmen have not changed since 1900, and we this year recommend that the Chairman of the Board receive $500 per year, Associate Members $300 each, Clerk, $150, and the Town Account- ant $1,050.
96
MISCELLANEOUS.
I. Salaries.
The question of salaries for town officers was formerly adjusted each year by a salary committee and their duty subsequently devolved upon the Ways and Means Committee. Of late years, there have been spasmodic changes made, either by the Town or by department heads, without any attempt to adjust salaries as a whole. We recommend that this year the Ways and Means Committee carefully consider the amounts now paid, services rendered, and that they recommend to the Town the amount to be paid all employes, and elected and appointed town officers. To assist them, we print herewith the amounts now paid.
I. GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
ELECTED.
APPOINTED.
Moderator . Daniel F. Knowlton
( Clarence B. Humphrey Elias G. Hodgkins ( James F. Caton
.
.
·
.
.
200 00
Constable . Frank H. Bradford ·
Treasurer William H. Bates
.
· 600 00
Collector . Nathan G. Bubier ( Edward A. Maxfield
Assessors
Oscar G. Poor . Peleg Gardner .
.
.
.
.
250 00
Town Clerk . George T. Till
Law
Town Coun. Parsons & Bowen .
· 200 00
. 50 00
Registrars
Edward B. Thing . John A. Finnegan Frank A. Thurston George T. Till ·
·
.
50 00
75 00
Engineering.
Engineer . Wallace W. Pratt
·
.
1,800 00
Transitman. Arthur W. Willard
·
.
1,020 24
Rodman . Charley W. Burrill
·
.
· 624 00
Town Hall
Custodian . L. Herbert Cahoon
.
.
. 1,040 00
.
.
.
.
·
300 00
Clerk
Arthur C. Widger . $150 00
Auditor
Arthur C. Widger
·
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
$3,285 00
$5,809 24
.
.
. . 600 00
Clerk Edward A. Maxfield .
·
·
250 00
. 200 00
.
Election
Departmental.
· $25 00
Selectmen
·
200 00
· 750 00
60 00
. 600 00
. 50 00
.
II. PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. Police
Chief
Ulysses M. Corson ·
· $1,300 00
Adelbert S. Hammond .
1,092 00
Charles H. Dunlap
1,092 00
Joseph D. Spinney
. 1,092 00
Charles Cornell
1,092 00
J. Henry Pedrick
1,092 00
Eugene P. Brogan James C. Pearson .
1,092 00
George P. Cahoon
1,300 00
George F. Clay
100 00
Percy Norcross
100 00
Frank W. Oulton
1,092 00
C. D. Kendrick
1,092 00
L. D. Kezer
1,092 00
W. M. Champion
1,092 00
Fred J. McNamara
1,092 00
W. A. Thomas
1,092 00
Fred L. Greenough
1,092 00
Captain
Elias G. Hodgkins
85 00
Captain
E. S. Sawyer .
85 00
Lieutenant . E. L. Stover
80 00
Lieutenant . H. W. Colclough
80 00
Firemen
· E. J. Blaney
75 00
J. G. Owens
75 00
F. S. Leadbetter
75 00
T. E. Berry
·
75 00
A. E. Wallace
75 00
W. R. Patten .
75 00
A. W. Pearson
75 00
W. L. Jacobs
75 00
H. T. Jacobs
.
75 00
W. W. Varina
75 00
G. H. Doane .
75 00
L. F. Kezer
75 00
W. J. Brennan
75 00
W. Snow
75 00
B. Snow
75 00
W. G. Flick
75 00
D. Sawyer
75 00
Sealer
. Fred C. Watts
60 00
Weigher
. Mary M. Nies
20 00
Frank H. Bradford
75 00
1914]
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Weights and Measures Dog Officer Tree Warden. Everett P. Mudge .
$75 00
$75 00
$20,940 00
97
.
·
1.092 00
Chief
Asst. Engr.
.
.
.
.
.
Fire
ELECTED.
APPOINTED.
·
.
III. HEALTH AND SANITATION. ELECTED
APPOINTED.
Health
. Dr. Loring Grimes George C. Webster .
.
·
.
·
$200 00
Clerk
F. E. Littlefield .
. $100 00
Beach
Charles Melvin
. 316 00
John B, Cahoon .
.
.
.
· 150 00
Milk
. Herbert D. Smith .
. 100 00
Fruit
Dr. Frank B. Stratton .
100 00
Plumbing
. Martin E. Nies
624 00
Sewer
· I. Irving Edgerly . ·
.
.
.
. 150 00
Samuel M. Kehoe . ·
.
.
.
Charles E. Hodgdon ·
.
.
.
· 100 00
Superint'd't. James Finnegan
.
.
.
· 1,040 00
Fireman
Frank G. Melvin .
.
.
. 910 00
$$50 00
$4,334 00
IV. HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Surveyor
Michael J. Ryan .
.
.
. . $1,500 00
V. CHARITIES.
Overseers
. Joseph F. Crowell
$150 OC
Clerk
. Edmund Russell
. $50 00
Edmund Russell .
·
.
·
· 100 00
Harry E. Cahoon . ·
· 100 00
$350 00
$50 00
Librarian . Sarah L. Honors .
.
.
· $420 00
Francis E. Ingalls
·
.
.
.
IS0 00
Elizabeth J. Hadley .
.
VII. RECREATION.
$600 00
Commissio'r. Arthur T. Tapper .
Clerk
. Alfred F. Frazier .
.
.
. $75 00
Robert Leslie
Superint'd't. H. W. Blanchard
. 366 00
VIII. PUBLIC SERVICE.
$441 00
Water
I. Irving Edgerly . .
.
.
. $150 00
Clerk
James E. Libby ·
·
.
· $416 00
Department
Samuel M. Kehoe .
·
.
.
.
. 100 00
Superint'd't. J. M. Mather .
·
.
·
·
· 1,500 00
Commiss'ers.
Charles E. Hodgdon .
.
.
· 100 00
W. L. Fay ·
.
.
.
.
· 1,040 00
$350 00
$2,956 00
Superit'dn't. Edward A. Smith .
.
.
.
.
.
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
IX. CEMETERY.
450 00
.
.
.
.
150 00
.
.
Clerk . James E. Libby .
.
.
. 104 00
· 100 00 Engineer . Harry J. Connell .
·
.
.
· 1,040 00
.
.
.
.
VI. LIBRARIES. Trustees · Frank F. Stanley
.
.
·
Alfred F. Frazier .
Assistant
.
98
Animals
.
99
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
1914]
Summary.
Elected
Appointed
I. General Government
$3,285 00
$5,809 24
II. Protection Life and Property
75 00
20,940 00
III. Health and Sanitation
S50 00
4,334 00
IV Highways and Bridges
1,500 00
V. Charities
350 00
50 00
VI. Libraries
600 00
VII. Recreation
441 00
VIII. Public Service
350 00
2,956 00
IX. Cemetery .
450 00
Total amount paid
$6,410 00
$35,585 24
In addition to the above yearly salaries, those employed by the day are paid as follows :
r
Election, Special Officer . $5 00 Highway laborers, per day · $2 50 .
Inspectors .
5 00
Engineer, per day
.
3 50
Dept. Inspectors .
.
I 50 Teamsters, per week
. 16 00
Teller . 3 00
Pavers, per day
.
. 3 50
Moth Department, Superintendent, 3 25
Tree climbers
2 75
Others
2 50 Water Laborers, per day .
. 2 50
II. Town Fire Insurance.
The manner in which the Town property, under supervision of separate departments is now insured, shows a lack of business coordination. To investigate municipal insurance, we have, after considerable work, com- piled as far as we were able, a list of the properties insured and amounts thereon, which are as follows :
Property insured, located and situated in the Town of Swampscott, consisting of buildings, foundations and all permanent fixtures which are considered as being fastened to the building or buildings.
Building
Principal
Premium Year
Hadley School
$42,000 00
$567 00
5
High School
52,000 00
651 00
5
Clarke School
.
.
Machon School
6,650 00
5
Palmer School
7,000 00
212 25
5
Town Hall
13,950 00
418 50
5
Chemical House
3,000 00
45 00
5
Blacksmith Shop
500 00
12 50
I
Engine House
4,100 00
123 00
3
Sewer Pumping Station
12,000 00
189 00
5
Water Department Shops
1,200 00
9 00
I
Fish House
5,000 00
62 50
I
Buildings, Jackson Park
300 00
3 00
I
Buildings, Paradise road
500 00
6 25
I
Stable
1,800 00
IS 00
I
Small Building
.
.
400 00
4 00
I
$175,400 00
Average Premium, per year . .
$635 30
.
25,000 00
312 50 5
.
.
.
.
100
TOWN DOCUMENT S.
[Dec. 31
Insurance on contents of all kinds, including furniture and furnishings, paintings, stationery and office supplies, etc., etc.
Building
Principal
Premium Year
Pumping Station Shed, machinery and tools, Humphrey street .
$300 00
$3 00
I
Horse, wagon, etc., Redington street .
600 00
5 64
I
Stock and fixtures, Pine Street Workshop
3,000 00
13 00
I
Power Sprayer, 14 Roy street
.
.
1,000 00
20 00
I
Chemical House, fixtures and wagon, Phillips
avenue
8,000 00
80 00
3
Auto Chemical, Phillips avenue
3,000 00
75 00
1
Crusher Plant, Paradise road
1,300 00
40 30
I
Crusher Plant
1,300 00
40 30
I
Wagons, horses, harness, Paradise road
2,500 00
31 25
I
Horses, Paradise road
1,000 00
12 50
I
Steam Roller, Paradise road
2,500 00
31 25
I
Horses and buggy, Redington street
350 00
3 29
I
Ambulance, Burrill street
2,000 00
30 00
I
Average Premium per year
$375 94
Total Insurance
$206,750 00
Average Yearly Premium
I,OII 24
Percentage on five year basis
2 45
The Insurance Companies carrying the above policies are as follows :
Property.
Contents.
Fireman's
$1,600
Orient Insurance Co. .
$8,000
Germania
11,900
Marine Insurance Co.
5,000
Pennsylvania
9,900
Norwich Union
3,800
Saint Paul
7,000
Newark .
3,600
Holyoke Mutual
1,200
London and Lancaster
3,500
Palatine
10,000
Pennsylvania
2,500
New Hampshire
5,000
London Assurance
1,300
Northwestern National
5,000
Westchester .
1,300
Lynn Manufacturers
3,000
Norwich Union
12,400
Westchester
15,375
Royal Exchange
350
Royal Exchange
17,900
London Assurance
24,425
Agriculture
6,700
The Nationale
7,000
Continental
37,000
$175,400
Summary-Property
$175,400
Contents
· 31,350
$206,750
To properly appraise the insurable Town property, the Selectmen, assisted by Messrs. Edward A. Maxfield, George D. R. Durkee, Harry R. Stanbon and John S. Humphrey, inspected the public buildings on Octo- ber 24, 1914, and after having the Town Engineer obtain for us the cubical contents of the buildings, appraise them as follows :
G. A. R. Hall
$6,500
Town Hall
30,000
Police Station .
1,800
House adjoining
1,500
Cemetery House ·
.
500
Phillips Beach Engine House
12,000
.
.
North Boston & Maine
1,000
Germania
1,000
$31,350
.
3,500 00
43 75
I
.
$31,350 00
Carts and tools, Paradise road
1,000 00
.
IOI
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Ocean Street Engine House
5,000
Ocean Street Blacksmith Shop
·
Soo
Park Fish House
7,500
Jackson Park Building
300
Paradise Road Building
300
Sewer Pumping Station
5,000
Water Department Shops
2,000
Hadley School
100,000
Clarke School
40,000
Machon School
15,000
High School
90,000
Palmer School
8,000
Highway Stable and Sand Shed .
2,500
Storage Bins and Elevator
1,800
Crusher Building and Bin
500
Locker Building for men
500
Wagon Shed
400
$331,900
Le contents as compiled from the Town Report of 1913 amount to F47 743.20, which, with the buildings as appraised, makes a total of :379.648.20.
This question has never been taken up before, and it would seem that the Town was not properly covered in case of a total loss, and also that we were paying a high rate for what we are covered for. The fire risks in Town are not at all hazardous when one considers our water supply and efficient Fire Department, and we are paying the same rates as towns whose risk we consider greater than ours.
We have applied for lower rates, and the matter is being investigated, but we are not able to report any results at this time.
Chapter 576. Acts of 1907, Sections 102 to 105, inclusive, provides that Towns may, by the acceptance of the provisions of this Act, establish and maintain a municipal building insurance fund, from which any municipal building damaged or destroyed by fire, etc., may be repaired or rebuilt. It further provides that the Town may raise an amount not exceeding one- twentieth of one per cent. of the assessed valuation each year until such time as the amount of the fund equals or exceeds one per cent of the valua- tion of the Town. This fund to be taken care of by trustees.
We call your attention to the Acts of 1907 that you may give it due con- sideration, and recommend that the insuring of all the Town properties be placed under control of the Board of Selectmen
III. Board of Survey.
Only one application for approval of plans under this division was made this year, namely, the property being developed by Tileston & Stanbon east of the High School.
The Board gave a public hearing at the office of the Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, Swampscott, Mass., on Friday, October 23, 1914, at 8.30 P. M., to all persons interested as to the location, direction, width and grades of streets or ways in the territory bounded and described as follows : South- erly by Humphrey street; easterly by Pleasant street; northerly by Forest avenue ; westerly by land now or formerly of Charles E. Phillips and land now or formerly of Isaac C. Wyman; after the same had been properly advertised.
Several changes were made to the plans as drawn, so that connection by
8
1914]
IO2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
through streets could be had with the adjacent properties. The plans as modified were approved.
All of the territory between Greenwood avenue, Forest avenue, Pleasant and Humphrey streets is now well laid out by through and connecting streets and is fast being developed.
IV. Charities.
Under this classification comes our Poor Department, State Aid and Soldiers' Relief.
POOR DEPARTMENT : This department is under the supervision of the Overseers of the Poor as a distinct body, and when such a body does not exist, its duties are, according to law, exercised by the Board of Selectmen. The Overseers' duties, while varied, are in general thus :
"Every city and Town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein, whenever they stand in need thereof.
"The Overseers of the Poor shall have the care and oversight of all such poor and indigent persons so long as they remain, at the charge of their respective cities and towns, and shall see that they are suit- ably relieved, supported and employed, either in the workhouse, or such other manner as the city or town directs, or otherwise at the discretion of said overseers.
This department consists of three overseers and one clerk. The admin- istrative expenses, as shown in our report on salaries being $400. There was expended by them the past year $3,798.45.
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