USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1897 > Part 11
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The Moderator appointed the following persons on the above committee, viz :---
W. H. Wall, Arthur C. Heald,
T. H. Humphrey, Edward B. Nevin,
F. A. Bicknell.
Voted, To accept the reports of the following boards of town officers as printed :-
Town Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, Treasurer and Trus- tees of Tufts Library, Water Commissioner and Park Commis- sioners.
Voted, To accept the following Supplementary Report of the Selectmen of expenditures, from Jan. 1 to March 1, 1897 :-
1
217
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT OF EXPENDITURES FROM JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 1, 1897.
OBJECT OF APPROPRIATION.
·
Unexpended
Jan. 1, 1897.
Expended Jan.
1 o Date.
Expended in
Excess Jan. 1.
Unexpended
Mar. 1, 1897.
Total Excess of Expenditures
Mar. 1.
Support of schools ..
$ 9,674 49 $ 3,360 38
$ 6,308 11
Transportation of scholars.
612 10
304 00
308 10
$ 125 00
Highway repairs.
164 56
288 29
452 85
Front street.
14 83
14 83
Phillips street ..
63 36
5 00
110 80
115 80
Removal of snow
753 67
2,613 01
60 00
60 00
Fire department ..
124 94
506 06
381 12
Hose tower, Lovell's Corner
200 00
200 00
Hose wagon, Ward 5.
10 00
10 00
Police department
288 69
438 76
150 07
Town house.
75 82
75 82
Tufts library
410 05
700 50
290 45
Abatement and remittance of taxes ..
952 32
952 32
103 79
Electric lighting ..
1,995 70
590 15
1,405 55
Town officers ..
414 57
483 00
68 43
State aid, etc., due from State.
1,642 03
1,168 00
474 03
Military aid, Chap. 279.
335 88
50 00
285 88
Soldiers' relief, Chap. 447
248 00
273 97
521 97
Poor account.
1,872 11
1.795 43
3.667 54
State highway.
338 92
236 14
1,987 05
1,884 27
$18,651 25 $14,424 13 $ 5,401 97|$10,083 17 $11,258 02 5,856 05 10,083 17 5,401 97
$24,507 30 $24,507 30
$ 5,856 05
Printing and advertising
712 86
712 86
Park commissioners.
258 71
362 50
Miscellaneous expenses
815 96
33 74
849 70
Interest and discount.
500 00
500 00
63 36
Setting curbstone
1,859 34
Hingham and Quincy bridges .
Land damage.
125 00
GORDON WILLIS, BRADFORD HAWES, C. E. BICKNELL, GEORGE L. NEWTON, JACOB F. DIZER,
Selectmen of Weymouth.
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Voted, To accept the following report :--
The committee appointed by the Town to select a site for a High School building would respectfully submit the following report : We recommend that the town purchase the tract of land situated on Middle street, owned by Mr. Edwin Clapp. We consider it a most desirable location because of its central situation and close proximity to the junction of the two electric street railways. The lot of land is known as the "Ezra Tirrell Place," and contains one and one-quarter acres with an assessed valuation of eighteen hundred dollars ($1,800.)
BENJAMIN F. SMITH. T. J. EVANS, And in behalf of Messrs. JOHN H. STETSON, H. WILBUR DYER.
Voted, That the report of the Selectmen, stating that they have sold and caused to be conveyed, the town wood lot of fifty-nine acres, to Frederic D. Mitchell, for $885 be accepted and approved, and their action ratified.
Voted. To accept the following report :
The committee appointed at the last annual town meeting to in- vestigate the acts of the Selectmen, in reference to the purchase of the lot for the engine house and lockup in Ward 2, Weymouth, and the moving of the same thereon, respectfully report as follows :-
The Committee met and organized April 23, 1896, with the choice of Nathan D. Canterbury as chairman, and Albert P. Worthen as secretary.
After voting that the Board of Selectmen with its records, and the Town Clerk, and Mr. M. C. Dizer be invited to be present at its next meeting, the Committee adjourned to May 7, 1896.
At the meeting on May 7, all the members of the Board of Selectmen and the Town Clerk, were present with the records of the town ; but Mr. Dizer did not appear at this or any subsequent meeting, although invited to do so.
219
It appeared that some time in the spring or early summer of 1895, M. C. Dizer & Company were desirous of obtaining the land belonging to the town, upon which were located the engine house and lockup in Ward 2, for the purpose of enlarging their plant ; that they made some oral propositions to the Board of Selectmen with a view of obtaining said land; the substance of which propositions was, that if the town would deed to them said land, they would, in exchange for the same, purchase any other lot that was desirable, and which could be obtained, and move the engine house and construct a lockup, placing the whole in a con- dition satisfactory to the Board of Selectmen.
It seems that the Selectmen, in view of the increased facilities for the employment of labor, which the acquisition by Dizer & Company of the land in question would enable them to provide for by the enlargement of their boot and shoe manufacturing plant, deemed it expedient to negotiate with said Dizer & Company upon substantially the above terms.
It appeared from the records of the town, as produced by the Town Clerk. that at a legally called meeting of the voters of the town, held on July 13, 1895, on an article in the warrant of said meeting :---
"To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to sell and convey the property on Broad street, in Ward 2, used as an en- gine house and lockup."-
It was voted
" That the Selectmen be authorized to sell and convey to M. C. Dizer the property on Broad street for engine house and lockup, upon such terms and conditions as will be for the best interests of the town."
At a legally called meeting of the voters of the town, held on August 10, 1895, it was voted
" That the Treasurer be authorized to execute a deed for the engine house and lockup in Ward 2, if the same should be sold."
The article, under which the last vote was taken, was contained in the warrant for said meeting, and read as follows :-
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"To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to execute a deed for the engine house and lockup in Ward 2, if the same shall be sold."
It appeared from the records of the Board of Selectmen, as produced by the Clerk of said Board, that at a meeting of said Board of Selectmen held July 22, 1895, it was voted
"That Mr. Gardner was instructed to see Mr. Dizer to obtain the terms he was willing to make for the engine house property, and to report at the next regular meeting."
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held August 5, 1895, on motion of Mr. Gardner, it was voted
" That this Board agree to sell to M. C. Dizer & Company the lot of land now occupied by the engine house and lockup in Ward 2, on condition that they shall convey to the town a lot satisfac- torily located, and place said engine house and lockup thereon, and put them in a condition satisfactory to this Board."
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held August 28, 1895, where all the members of the board were present, except Mr. Newton, they viewed the stone building, which Mr. Dizer pro- prosed to purchase for the lock-up, and also viewed the lot by the Unitarian church.
It was then voted : "That if Mr. Dizer could convey to the town the above mentioned lot on Cottage street, the board would accept it as the site for the engine house and lockup, the lockup being in the basement. And in the event of his being unable to secure this lot, the board will agree to accept the stone building on the new street off Pleasant street, now owned by the Wool Scouring Company, on condition that he put it in suitable condi- tion for use as a lockup; and that the present lockup be con- veyed to him, and the engine house remain as at present until a satisfactory site can be secured."
At a meeting held by the Board of Selectmen on September 19, 1895, at which the full board were present, it was unanimously voted :
"That the board sell to Marshal C. Dizer the engine house and lockup lot, on condition that he convey to the town the Graham
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lot, so-called, on the west side of the Quincy & Boston car house on Broad street, and place the engine house and lockup thereon, in a condition satisfactory to this board.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held on October 2, 1895, it was voted :
"To accept the plan which Mr. Dizer had proposed for the lockup under the engine house."
Your committee were informed by the Board of Selectmen that the several deeds were subsequently passed between the town and said M. C. Dizer & Co., in conformity with the above votes.
At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, held on January 1, 1896, the board, after visiting the engine house and lockup in Ward 2, voted :
"To accept the lot from M. C. Dizer on which the building is situated, in exchange for the one from which it was removed."
There were no further records, either of the town or of the Board of Selectmen, relating to this matter, except the vote in reference to the appointment of your committee.
At the time your committee first visited the lockup it was not thoroughly dried out, was damp, and not in a suitable condition for the confinement of prisoners.
Your committee, however, were given to understand by the Se- lectmen, that they proposed to obviate this difficulty. If this has not been done it should receive the immediate consideration of the town.
The above facts, as found by your committee, are respectfully submitted.
NATHAN D. CANTERBURY, Chairman. ALBERT P. WORTHEN, Secretary. GEORGE L. WENTWORTH, ALMON B. RAYMOND, PRESCOTT S. TORREY.
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The following resolutions were also passed :
Resolved, That the voters of Weymouth assembled in annual Town Meeting on this day do hereby approve the Educational Bill now before the Legislature, entitled " An Act to authorize a State Appropriation for the Support of Public Schools ; " believ- ing that its enactment would cause the burden of educating the children of the State to bear more equitably on the citizens thereof.
Resolved, That our representatives in General Court be re- quested to favor the passage of the above Bill.
Voted, That the above resolutions be adopted, placed on record, and a copy sent to each of our representatives and sena- tor
Voted, To amend the Jury List as printed by striking out the names of Wm. T. Rice, Wm. T. Coleman, Edward H. Benson and Henry A. Nash, Jr., and adding the names of Frank L. Spear, Arthur Phillips and Wallace Bicknell.
Voted, That the Jury List as now amended, be accepted and adopted.
The Committee on Soldiers Monument made a report.
Voted, That the Committee have further time.
Louis A. Cook reported for the Committee on By-Laws, as " partial progress."
Voted, That the report be accepted.
Voted, That the Moderator be a committee to present the By- Laws to the Superior Court for approval.
Art. 4. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $41,375 for the support of the public schools, and to appropriate one-half the dog tax, the alewife fund, and the money received by the town for the tuition of non-resident pupils, for the same purpose for the ensuing year.
Voted, Not to reconsider the above vote.
Art. 5. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,900 for the transportation of school children for the ensuing year.
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Art. 6. Voted, That the School Committee be instructed to employ a Superintendent of Schools at a salary of $1800.
Art. 7. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $12,000, for the repair of highways, townways and bridges; $1.000 of which shall be expended upon the sidewalks; $3,000 for the re- moval of snow, and $1000 for Hingham and Quincy bridges for the ensuing year.
Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to furnish plans and „specifications of all stone work done for the town, and to adver- tise in the Weymouth Gazette for proposals, all proposals to be sealed and addressed to the Clerk of the Board of Selectmen and opened in the presence of all bidders, the preference to be given to citizens of the town.
Voted, That the Selectmen or Superintendent of Streets be in- structed that in the employment of teams on highways, an equal division of work be given to owners of teams in the different wards.
Art. 8. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $14,000 for the support of the poor, and to appropriate $2,000 for the same purpose for the ensuing year.
Art. 9. Voted, To raise and appropriate for soldiers' relief, under Chap. 447, $2,000; for military aid, Chap. 279, $500; and to appropriate for military aid, Chap. 279, $500; for State aid, Chap. 301, $6,200.
Art. 10. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $5,400 for the support of the Fire Department for the ensuing year.
Art. 11. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $4,000 for Police Service for the ensuing year, and that $200 of this amount shall be expended for the protection of fish and game, and the enforcement of any and all laws in regard to the killing of song and other birds.
Art. 12. This article was laid on the table.
Art. 13. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 for the Tufts Library, and to appropriate one-half of the dog tax
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and the rents of the library building for the same purpose for the ensuing year.
Art. 14. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $800 for the abatement and remittance of taxes for the ensuing year.
Art. 15. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $3,500 for the payment of interest that may become due the ensuing year.
Art. 16. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $1,700 for printing and advertising for the ensuing year.
Art. 17. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000 for miscellaneous expenses for the ensuing year.
Art. 18. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $6,000 for the payment of town officers. The Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and Board of Health to receive $2,600; the Assessors $1,100, also a sum not exceeding $200 for clerk hire; Town Clerk $125; Town Treasurer $450; Auditors $60; School Com- mittee, for services and expenses, $350.
Art. 19. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $600 for election expenses for the ensuing year.
Art. 20. Voted, That the sum of $400 be appropriated from the Corporation and National Bank Tax for expenses Memorial Day, May 30, 1897.
Art. 21. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $350 for the care and repair of the town house for the ensuing year.
Art. 22. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $7,000 for electric lighting for the ensuing year.
Art. 23. Voted, That, for the purpose of procuring a temp- orary loan to, and for the use of the town of Weymouth, 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 majority of the Selectmen of said town, a sum or sums in the aggregate amounting to $100,000 and to execute and deliver the note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the time the loan is made.
225
The said debt or debts incurred by a loan or loans to the town under this vote are to be paid from the said taxes of the present municipal year.
Art. 24. Voted, That the sum of $6,000 be appropriated from the Corporation and National bank tax, for hydrants, and for water rents and the care of drinking fountains for the ensuing year. ,
Art. 25. Voted, To appropriate from the revenue of the water works for the current year the sum of $25,000, to be ex- pended for the following purposes, viz. : $17,600 for interest on the Weymouth Water Loan Bonds becoming due the ensuing year ; $2,700 for salaries of the Superintendent of the works and engineer at the pumping station ; $1,700 for maintenance of the works, and $3,000 for all other necessary expenses.
Art. 26. Voted, To appropriate and direct to be paid to the trustees of the Sinking Fund, out of the income of water rates for the current year, the sum of $8,800 to be set apart and invested as a Sinking Fund for the payment, at maturity, of the principal of the Weymouth Water Loan Bonds.
Art. 27. Voted, To appropriate the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of extending the main water pipe line.
Art. 28. Voted, To empower its Board of Water Commis- sioners to contract in behalf of the town, temporarily to supply water to extinguish fires, generate steam, and for domestic and' other uses, to any municipal or private corporation, which is now authorized, by statute, to furnish water for such uses, to the in- habitants of any municipality adjacent to this town, upon such terms as said Board shall deem just and reasonable.
Art. 29. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $14,100 for the payment of deficiencies and overdrafts for the current year, as follows : For land damage, $125; highway repairs, $663.29 ; Front street re-location, $14.83 ; curbstones, $115.80 ; removal of snow, $2,000; Hingham bridge, $60.00 ; fire depart- ment, $400.00 ; police department, $400.00 ; printing and adver- tising, $300.00 ; abatement and remittance of taxes, $1,000; in-
226
terest and discount, $320.00; miscellaneous expenses, $1,000; town officers, $500.00 ; soldiers' relief, $624.00; poor account, $4,590.03 ; State highway, $1,987.05.
Art 30. Voted, That all taxes shall become due and payable on or before the tenth day of October next, and that the collector be instructed to collect forthwith, according to law, all taxes re- maining unpaid after that date, with interest at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, and that the salary of the collector be the same as last year-seven mills.
Art. 31. Voted, That the Moderator appoint a committee on appropriations, to report at the next annual meeting.
The Moderator appointed the following :-
Ward 1 .- James Humphrey, F. H. Torrey, David H. Benson. Ward 2 .- N. D. Canterbury, T. J. Evans, Z. L. Bicknell. Ward 3 .- Francis Ambler, Chas. P. Hunt, John F. Dwyer. Ward 4 .- Charles Hawes, John Blanchard, James Moore. Ward 5 .- H. W. Sears, H. B. Reed, George W. Conant.
Art. 32. Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to act as attorneys to defend the town in any suit which may be brought against it.
Art. 33. Voted, To grant no sixth class license to any druggist. Art. 34. Voted, That the trustees of the Tufts Library are hereby authorized to negotiate for the leasing of the rooms in the basement of said library building, now rented for stores, for terms not exceeding ten years from and after the expiration of the present lease ; and that the treasurer of this town is hereby fully empowered to execute and deliver, in the name and behalf of the town, such lease or leases of said rooms as such trustees acting under the authority hereby conferred shall have negotiated or approved.
Art. 35. Voted, To raise by a loan and appropriate a sum not exceeding fifty thousand dollars to the purchase of a suitable site and to the erection thereon and the furnishing of a High School building adequate for the reasonable accommodation of three hundred pupils ; and that the members of the School Com-
227
mittee, together with one member to be selected from each pre- cinet in the town, shall constitute a building committee for the purpose of carrying this vote into effect ; but that said members shall receive no payment for services on said committee, nor for expenses incurred, except in cases in which such expenses have been anthorized by a vote of the committee prior to their being incurred.
Also, that the Treasurer of the town, with the approval of the Selectmen, prepare and issue coupon bonds of this town to an amount not exceeding fifty thousand dollars, payable in ten years from their dates, with interest at the rate of four per centum per annum, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 129 of the Acts of the Legislature for the year 1884, and that the money received from the sale of such bonds shall be held in the treasury, subject to the order of the Selectmen, for the payment of the ex- penses incurred under this vote.
The result of the above vote was :- Yes, 226. No, 8.
Voted. That a committee be appointed to nominate a commit- tee of one from each precinct on the above committee. The Moderator appointed the following : James Humphrey, A. J. Richards, Martin E. Hawes, James Moore.
This committee retired and made the following nominations, which were accepted by the meeting :-
James Humphrey, Precinct 1.
Charles B. Cushing, Precinct 2.
Augustus J. Richards, Precinct 3.
Wilton A. Lond, Precinct 4.
H. W. Sears, Precinct 5.
Martin E. Hawes, Precinct 6.
Art. 36. Voted, That this article in relation to a new school building at Nash's corner be referred to the Board of School Com- mittee with instructions to report on the matter at the next annual meeting, and that if in their opinion a new building is necessary they furnish estimates for the same.
Art. 37. Voted, To raise by borrowing the sum of $5,233 and appropriate this amount for land damages on the re-location of
228
Union street, as laid out by the County Commissioners, and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to issue a note of the town to that amount, with the approval of the Selectmen.
Art. 38. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000 for working the widening and relocation of Union street.
Art. 39. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $400 for the purpose of completion of the working of Iron Hill street.
Art. 40. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $150 for the working of East street.
Art. 41. Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of $200 to construct a sidewalk from the terminus of sidewalk now built near house of D. B. Barnes to that of J. R. Bouldry, on Summer street, and to widen the street between the above points.
Art. 42. Voted, That the sum of $200 be appropriated from the Corporation and National Bank tax to remove the knoll on the top of Phillips street in Ward 3.
Art. 43. Voted, To instruct the Board of Selectmen to pay $2.00 per day to all able-bodied men for work performed by the town, whether by contract or otherwise, and preference to be given to citizens and taxpayers ; and that nine hours shall consti- tute a day's work.
A motion to reconsider the above vote was lost.'
Art. 44. Voted, To accept the vote of the Selectmen laying out a new street off Pleasant street near the house of Matthew Morrow.
Art. 45. Voted, To accept the report of the Selectmen laying out a new street from the principal angle on Lovell street to and around the highest part of Weymouth Great Hill .:
Art. 46. Voted, Not to accept the report of the Selectmen lay- ing out a widening of Station street.
Art. 47. Voted, To accept the report of the Selectmen laying out a relocation of a portion of East street.
Art. 48. Voted, To accept the report of the Selectmen laying out a new street from Prospect street to Summit street.
229
Art. 49 .. Voted, To accept the report of the committee on By- laws as amended, and the same were adopted as the By-laws of the town.
Art. 50. Voted, That this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 51. Voted, To lay this article in relation to road roller on the table.
Art. 52. No action was taken on this article in relation to a Chief of Police.
Art. 53. Voted, That the sum of $100 be appropriated from the corporation and National bank tax to build a hosc tower at Lovell's Corner, and that the sum of $200 now in the town treas- ury for that purpose be reappropriated.
Art. 54. Voted, To authorize the Board of Engineers to sell any and all fire apparatus not in service.
Art. 55. Voted, That this article in relation to electric lights on Norton street be referred to the Selectmen.
Voted, That the thanks of the town be extended Louis A. Cook, Esq., for the able and impartial manner in which he has conducted this meeting.
Voted, To adjourn (3.15 P. M.)
Attest : JOHN W. BATES, Clerk pro tem.
A true copy-Attest :
JOHN A. RAYMOND,
Town Clerk.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS. £ To either of the Constables of the Town of Wey- mouth, in said County. GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth, you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of Weymouth aforesaid, qualified to vote in elections, to meet at Hobart's hall in said town, on Tuesday, the Fifteenth day of June, instant, at seven o'clock and forty-five minutes in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, namely :
Article 1. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To see if the town will vote to authorize the select- men to contract with the Massachusetts Highway Commission for the construction of so much of any state highway as lies within its limits, and will authorize its treasurer to borrow, from time to time, such sums of money as may be needed to carry on such contract.
Art. 3. To see if the town will vote to instruct their selectmen to petition the Massachusetts Highway Commission, to acquire and build as a state highway, the whole or any part of Washing- ton street or Main street in this town.
Art. 4. On the petition of Benjamin F. Smith and twenty- eight others, to see if the town will appropriate the sum of twenty thousand dollars, or any part thereof, for the purpose of working the widening and extension of any roads, streets or highways, which have been laid out and accepted by the town, or by the county commissioners, and for the repair of such roads or streets as the meeting may determine.
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