USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1916 > Part 11
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125 00
125 00
125 00
...
220
.
. . . .
3 11
...
.
..
.....
4,000 00
. . .
. . . .. .
Health Department
2,600 00
514 00
3,114 00
3,114 00
Miscellaneous Account
5,600 00
372 13
5,972 13
5,182 20
289 93
500 00
Election Expenses
1,400 00
1,400 00
1,376 90
23 10
. . . . . .
Town Offices
1,000 00
1 55
1,001 55
912 15
89 40
. . . ...
State Aid and Soldiers' Burials.
7,200 00
9 67
7,209
67
6,503 00
706 67
Soldiers' Relief
3,500 00
159 00
3,659
00
3,461 68
197 32
Abatement and Remittance
13.368 33
13,368 33
5,077 49
Printing and Advertising
2,100 00
2,100
00
1,943 52
156 48
Electric Lighting
12,500
12,500 00
12,280 90
219 10
· · · · · ·
Tufts Library
3,255 11
1,881 06
5,136 17
5,127 94
8 23
· · · · · ·
Fogg Reading Room
750 00
750 00
750 00
Interest and Discount
7,000 00
5,499 85
12,499 85
10,788 08
1,711 77
. . . . . .
Memorial Day
400 00
400 00
400 00
. . . .
. . . . . .
Alewive Account
337 71
337 71
337 71
. . . . . .
Appropriation Committee
75 00
75 00
57 80
17 20
Settlement suit for injuries. .
750 00
750 00
750 00
. . . .
· .....
Notes Payable
22,500 00
22,500 00
22,500 00
. . . . . .
Town Officers
10,225 00
575 40
10,800 40
10,590 47
209 93
Poor Account
18,000 00
7,767 57
25,767 57
25,767 57
. . . . . .
Reserve Fund
13,494 00
13,494 00
8,970 45
4,523 55
....
*$717.21
$359,185 14
$51,596 58
$410,781 72
$325,822 49
$14,865 01
$70,811 43
--
1
.
CHARLES B. CUSHING, Town Accountant.
221
. . . . . .
8,290 84
. . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . .
222
TOWN TREASURER'S REPORT.
For the Year Ending December 31, 1916.
RECEIPTS.
For Notes Discounted in anticipation of revenue :
March 20, due November 15, at 3.24% $100,000 00
May 8, due November 8, at 2.92% 60,000 00
June 26, due April 4, 1917 at 3.76% 50,000 00
November 6, due May 9, 1917, at 3.33% · 60,000 00
$270,000 00
From :
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1912 $549 47
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, interest 1912 41 35
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1913
5,322 14
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, interest 1913 560 69
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1914
26,107 00
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, interest 1914 2,110 00
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1915
57,293 41
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, interest 1915 1,840 40
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1916
203,330 58
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, interest 1916
122 58
State Treasurer, corporation tax
15 74
State Treasurer, corporation tax, public ser- vice
3,678 88
State Treasurer, corporation tax, business ..
12,154 47
State Treasurer, national bank tax
324 76
State Treasurer, street railway tax
3,418 24
State Treasurer, state aid
6,792 00
State Treasurer, Mothers, dependent children 857 00
State Treasurer, Indep. Ind. Schools
372 13
State Treasurer, Gypsy moth
122 29
217 15
State Treasurer, highway account · State Treasurer, soldiers' exemption . .. State Treasurer, poor account
696 07
117 66
Amount carried forward $596,044 01
223
Amount brought forward $596,044 01
State Treasurer, tuition of children
360 00
State Treasurer, soldiers' burials 50 00
State Treasurer, military aid
102 00
County Treasurer, dog license fees
1,310 22
County Treasurer, relocation of Washington Street
5,705 00
East Norfolk District Court, fees and fines. .
342 66
S. H. Capen, sheriff, fines at Dedham
79 50
Abington, poor account
433 69
Braintree, poor account
11 25
Brockton, poor account
42 50
Brookfield, poor account
96 50
Boston, poor account
.
107 04
Chelsea, poor account
35 50
Danvers, poor account
41 15
Fall River, poor account
29 50
Hingham, poor account
224 77
North Adams, poor account
24 11
Norwell, poor account
59 00
Quincy, poor account
486 73
Somerville, poor account
56 60
Taunton, poor account
29 87
Uxbridge, poor account
80 00
Woburn, poor account
100 00
Braintree, use of lockup
10 00
Bourne, soldiers' relief
24 00
Bridgewater, soldiers' relief
90 06
Hingham, tuition
166 25
Hingham, tickets
. . .
Tufts' Library account :
Tufts' fund income .
212 50
Rent P. O., United States
650 00
The Tirrell Donation, income
67 99
F. M. Drown, balance Tufts Library
1 49
George R. Kempl, rent
400 01
A. J. Richards Fund, income
167 99
J. E. Trask Fund, income
150 40
Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund, income .
56 25
Abbie L. Loud, Librarian, sundry receipts ..
174 43
F. D. Sherman, sealer's fees
5 74
R. H. Whiting, blue prints and maps . .
152 75
Amount carried forward $608,311 36
.
.
129 96
.
224
Hunt School, junk. Amount brought forward . . . .
35 00
Athens School, lumber
1 00
Humphrey School, posts
1 20
High School, piano
70 00
Manual training, refund
88 49
Science, refunded, schools
20 50
Old books sold, school dept. 25 42 . .
57 43
Pratt School, junk
1 16
P. T. Pearson, school dept.
72 82
Real Estate, lots in parks
180 00
First National Bank, interest 356 54
468 29
J. F. Loud, tree account
4 00
E. S. Taylor, tree account
4 50
Agnes Clark, tree account
15 00
A. S. Marsh, tree account
7 00
A. H. Belcher, tree account
60
H. H. Joy, tree account
3 00
M. Carroll, tree account
7 00
A. C. Heald, tree account
5 00
C. L. Merritt, tree account
9 95
C. L. Merritt, moth account
9 35
Old hose, moth account
13 00
L. H. Ells, moth account
2 25
Frank McCarthy, moth account
5 00
Old Colony Driving Club, highway account
15 00
Bay State St. Ry. Co., highway account .
4 04
H. S. Moody Land Co., highway account . . Wetherbee, tarvia, highway account
60
Allan C. Emery, highway account
108 25
Weymouth Light & Power Co., highway acct.
15 80
N. E. Road Machinery Co., highway account J. W. Linnehan, tarvia, highway account ...
4 50
J. W. Linnehan, carting, highway account
. .
1 25
Rhines Lumber Co., highway account
4 00
Old Colony Gas Co., highway account , 8 39
3 48
Plymouth County, tarvia, highway account. Barrett Co., sidewalk account
51 93
Norfolk Club, sidewalk account
27 00
L. Grossman, old crusher
25 00
A. J. Richards & Son, highway account
4 00
Norfolk Co., tarvia, highway account
3 48
.
.
.
.
. . .
.
.
.
. . .
Tickets, fines, etc., school dept.
. · ·
.
.
. . .
·
·
. .
.
. .
Weymouth Trust Co., interest
·
.
. . .
. .
. .
. .
. .
Amount carried forward
$610,411 87
.
. .
·
. .
$608,311 36
. .
60 29
300 00
225
Amount brought forward $610,411 87
Harvard Medical School, Downer police . . 25 00
Andrew Stewart, Downer police 25 00
Lithuanian Citizens' Assn., Downer police .. 25 00
Ladies' Garment Cutters' Union, Downer police 25.00
1
M. Kalender. Downer police
25 00
Telephone tolls, police dept.
8 02
L. E. Schofield, telephone, police dept.
15 89
W. H. Bicknell, rent hose house No. 3
14 00
M. O'Dowd, old hose, fire dept.
5 07
W. H. Bicknell, store sold, fire dept.
6 00
P. W. Wolfe, junk and old hose 5 41
Goffstown, N. H., 2 hose wagons and harness
250 00
J. L. Maynard, hose wagon
65 00
R. B. Worster, junk and two blankets
6 00
Bay State St. Ry. Co., fire dept.
5 00
R. B. Worster, rent hose house
6 00
Rent hose house, Ward Two
12 00
Police dept., heating by fire dept.
25 00
Public entertainment licenses
8 00
Victuallers' licenses 30 00
State Treasurer, peddlers' licenses 323 00
J. A. Raymond, licenses 26 00
A. B. Nelson, peddler's license 18 00
Sundry licenses 18 50.
Refunded, schools
15 00
Refunded, poor account
33 00
Refunded, State aid
15 67
Refunded, soldiers' relief
45 00
Refunded, Children's Hospital
14 00
Refunded, burial poor
10 00
J. H. Sherman, alewite account
34 43
R. B. Worster, sealer's fees
137 88
Webb Park, donations
42 23
Town Hall, junk
13 50
Individuals, maps
16 50
Telephone tolls, town office
1 55
Rent of Town Farm
300 00
Town Home Account :
F. H. Chandler, milk
$2,717 50
J. W. Eldredge, Supt., sundry sales 392 48
F. P. Fay, cows
189 00
Amount carried forward. $615,361 50
226
Amount brought forward $615,361 50
J. P. Robery, stock
165 50
Braintree, cattle
55 00
Board, individuals
.
165 79
Outside poor
.
173 30
E. R. Sanborn, tip cart
. .
25 00
C. J. Hollis, stock
.
182 00
Wood, to fire dept.
.
16 00
Wood, to soldiers' relief
80 00
Labor and paint for highway dept.
10 00
E. W. Hunt, vegetables
24 15
H. M. True, vegetables
.
56 94
. A. B. Bryant & Co., vegetables
8 85
Frank Wescott, vegetables
3 75
Harry Bloom, vegetables
64 33
F. A. Loud & Co., vegetables
44 34
F. H. Sylvester, vegetables
48 77
Total receipts
$616,782 06
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1916
32,498 38
$649,280 44
DISBURSEMENTS.
Checks Drawn on Selectmen's treasury warrants for:
Notes given in anticipation of taxes $260,000 00
Notes and bonds on time 22,500 00
Sundry appropriations 329,420 79
€ Total
$611,920 79
i
Cash on hand Dec. 31, 1916
37,359 65
$649,280 44
1
182 34
Soldiers' relief
.
86 50
Sundry receipts
. .
25 00
C. J. Hollis, tip cart
.
3 00
Wood, to outside poor
.
LIABILITIES.
Notes and bonds issues as follows :
Athens Schoolhouse 31/2%, four notes, $2,500
227
each, due May 1, 1917 to 1920 $10,000 00
Pratt; Schoolhouse, 4%, seven notes, $1,000
each, due Nov. 1, 1917 to 1923 7,000 00
Fore River Bridge, 4%, due June 1, 1917 ... 1,000 00 Fore River Bridge, 4%, due Dec. 1, 1917 .... 1,000 00 James Humphrey Schoolhouse, 4%, forty
notes, $1,000 each, due $5,000 Nov. 1, 1919 · to 1926 40,000 00
Athens Schoolhouse, 41/2%, four notes, $2,000 each, due August 1, 1917 to 1920 8,000 00
Central Police Station, 41/2%, due Nov. 1917 1,000 00 Fire apparatus, Ward Two, 41/2%; three notes, $2,000 each, due July 1, 1917 to 1919 6,000 00 Fire apparatus, Ward Five, 41/2%, due July 1, 1917 2,000 00 1. Fire apparatus, Ward Five, 41/2%, due July 1, 1918 1,000 00
Bonds, Hunt Schoolhouse, 4%, thirty-six bonds, $1,000 each, due $4,000 Oct. 1, 1917 to 1925 36,000 00 :
Note, Buffalo Steam Roller Co., Int. 31/2%, due April 1, 1917 3,200 00
Total
$116,200 00 Notes given in anticipation of revenue 110,000 00
Total
$226,200 00
Trust Funds
15,900 00
Amount due appropriations $70,811 43
Less new Schoolhouse bonds not issued 40,000 00
:
Balance
30,811 43
Accounts payable
2,529 41
Checks outstanding
12,281 11
Total
$287,721 95
ASSETS.
Due From:
: W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1913 $1,069 99
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1914 5,491 80
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1915 35,498 00
W. M. Tirrell, Collector, taxes 1916 91,091 84
Amount carried forward $133,151 63
228
Amount brought forward $133,151. 53
State Treasurer, State aid
6,293 33
State Treasurer, soldiers' burials
200 00
State Treasurer, poor account
1,511 72
Cities and towns
532 99
Collectors' Deeds
3,518 92
James Humphrey Schoolhouse Sinking Fund
21,418 48
Trust Funds
15,900 00
Deposit, Weymouth Trust Co. 37,359 65
$219,886 72
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. STETSON, Treasurer.
Weymouth, December 31, 1916.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Town of Weymouth, and have found them correct.
WILLIAM H. PRATT, WINFIELD S. WELLS, FRANK N. BLANCHARD,
Auditors.
JAMES HUMPHREY SCHOOLHOUSE SINKING FUND.
Receipts :
Town of Weymouth, appropriation
$1,900 00
Town of Weymouth, notes
. 7,000. 00
Interest, bonds and notes
360 00
Interest, Savings Banks
391 62
$9,651 62
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1916
86 33
$9,737 95
Investments :
Deposited in East Weymouth Savings Bank
$3,000 00
Deposited in So. Weymouth Savings Bank. .
3,000 00
Deposited in Weymouth Savings Bank . .
3,000 00
Interest added to Savings Banks accts.
391 62
$9,391 62
Deposit in Weymouth Trust Co.
346 33
$9,737 95
229
Investments :
Town of Weymouth 4's, 1920 $2,000 00
Deposit, E. Weymouth Savings Bank 6,173 82
Deposit, S. Weymouth Savings Bank 6,415 44
Deposit, Weymouth Savings Bank 6,482 89
Deposit, Weymouth Trust Co. 346 33
Total Fund $21,418 48
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. STETSON, Treasurer.
Weymouth, December 31, 1916.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the James Humphrey Schoolhouse Sinking Fund, and have found them correct.
WILLIAM H. PRATT, WINFIELD S. WELLS, FRANK N. BLANCHARD,
Auditors.
TRUST FUNDS. Elias S. Beals Park Fund.
Total Fund Jan. 1, 1916
$1,000 00
Received interest, South Weymouth Savings Bank 45 49
$1,045 49
Paid Park Commissioners
45 49
Fund December 31, 1916
$1,000 00
Augustus J. Richards Fund.
Fund Jan. 1, 1916 $5,000 00
Receipts :
Town of Weymouth, note .. $1,000 00
Interest, Town of Weymouth notes 100 00
Interest Savings Bank accts. to July 1 67 99
$1,167 99
230
Payments and Investments :
Deposited in Weymouth Savings Bank . $1,000 00
Paid Tufts' Library account 167 99
$1,167 99
Investments :
Town of Weymouth notes, 4% $2,000 00
Deposit, Weymouth Savings Bank
2,000 00
Deposit, South Weymouth Savings Bank 1,000 00
Fund Dec. 31, 1916 $5,000 00
Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund.
Total fund deposited in Weymouth Savings
Bank .
$2,500 00
Interest, Weymouth Savings Bank, July 56 25
$2,556 25
Paid Tufts Library Account
56 25
Total Fund Dec. 31, 1916
$2,500 00
The Tirrell Donation.
Total Fund Jan. 1, 1916
$1,045 49
Interest, Weymouth Savings Bank
22 50
$1,067 99
Paid Tufts Library account
67 99
Fund Dec. 31, 1916
$1,000 00
Joseph E. Trask Fund.
Fund January 1, 1916
$6,000 00
Savings Bank interest
150 40
$6,150 40
Paid account Tufts Library
150 40
Fund Dec. 31, 1916 $6,000 00
231
Investments :
Deposited East Weymouth Savings Bank .. $2,000 00
Deposited in South Weymouth Savings Bank 2,000 00 Deposited in Weymouth Savings Bank . . . 2,000 00
$6,000 00
Laban Pratt Fund, For Care of Fountain.
Deposited in Weymouth Savings Bank $400 00
Weymouth, December 31, 1916.
We have examined the accounts of John H. Stetson, Treasurer of the Elias S. Beals Park Fund, the Augustus J. Richards Fund, the Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund, the Tirrell Donation, the Joseph E. Trask Fund, and the Laban Pratt Fund, and have found them correct.
WILLIAM H. PRATT, WINFIELD S. WELLS, FRANK N. BLANCHARD,
Auditors.
232
AUDITORS' REPORT.
The Auditors respectfully submit the following report for the year of 1916 :
We have examined the books and accounts of the Town Treasurer, Treasurer of Water Loan and Sinking Fund Com- missioners, Beals Park Fund, A. J. Richards Fund, the Tir- rell Donation and Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund, and find them correct.
The Tufts Library account, also the Tufts Lecture Fund, Tufts Sidewalk Fund, Augustus J. Richards Fund, Pratt School Fund and Laban Pratt Fund have been examined and the investments found satisfactory.
The register of the Town Accountant and the cash book of the Treasurer agree as to the amounts of orders paid and balance of orders unpaid January 1, 1917.
Balance of orders unpaid January 1, 1916 $10,053 14
Amount of orders drawn for year 611,920 79
Total $621,973 93 Amount of orders paid by Treasurer for 1916. . 609,692 82
Balance of orders unpaid January 1, 1917. .
$12,281 11
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
The accounts of the Sealer of Weights and Measures have been examined and we find :
Charges or fees received by F. D. Sherman $5 74
Charges or fees received by R. B.
Worster
138 88
$144 62
143 62
Payments to Treasurer
Balance due Jan. 1, 1917 from R. B. Worster $1 00
233
TAX COLLECTOR.
We have examined the books of the Tax Collector begin- ning with the year 1912, and submit the following report :
1912.
Tax levy for 1912 as per Asses- sors' commitment $191,860 86
Reassessment 27 60
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1917. 3,025 89
Collected above commitment 1 35
$194,915 70
Total collections and abatements
to Jan. 1, 1917 $194,915 70
1913.
Tax levy for 1913 as per Asses-
sors' commitment $221,501 44
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1917. 3,577 95
$225,079 39
Total collections and abatements to Jan.
1, 1917 $224,009 40
Credited to undetect-
ed error
23
224,009 63
$1,069 76 Balance due Jan. 1, 1917 $1,069 76
1914.
Tax levy for 1914 as per Asses- sors' commitment $240,978 72
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1917. 3,837 58 1
Total collections and abatements to Jan.
$244,816 30
233 A
1, 1917 . $239,324 63 Credited to error in
Assessors' commit-
ment 9 98
$239,334 61
$5,481 69 Balance due Jan. 1, 1917 $5,481 69
*Note :- Tax Collector's books show total levy of $240,968 74, for 1914.
1915.
Tax levy as per Assessors' com-
mitment $269,881 52
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1917. 1,885 80
Undetected error 2 00
$271,769 32
Total collections and abatements
to Jan. 1, 1917 236,269 32
$35,500 00 Balance due Jan. 1, 1917
$35,500 00
1916.
Tax levy as per Assessors' com- mitment
$294,422 42
Interest collected to Jan. 1, 1917. 122 58
$294,545 00
Total collections and abatements
to Jan. 1, 1917 203,453 16
$91,091 84 Balance due Jan. 1, 1917 $91,091 84
TOWN DEBT.
Total debt January 1, 1916 $228,000 00
Borrowed during year in anticipation of taxes 270,000 00
Note, Buffalo Steam Roller Co. 3,200 00
$501,200 00
233 B
The payments were the amounts
borrowed in anticipation of taxes $260,000 00 Notes and Bonds on time 22,500 00
282,500 00
$218,700 00
Less James Humphrey School Sinking Fund. 21,418 48
$197,281 52
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
Assets.
Real Estate-School houses, Public Library and other public buildings and grounds
$418,150 00
Water Works
600,339 35
Personal property-Fire apparatus and equip- ment of all Town departments
60,166 54
Trust Funds
15,900 00
Sinking Funds-Water Works
106,891 10
Sinking Funds-James Humphrey Schoolhouse
21,418 48
Uncollected dues-Taxes
133,150 28
Uncollected dues-Water rents, etc.
11,166 72
Uncollected dues-State Treasurer
.
8,005 05
Uncollected dues-Cities and towns
532 99
Tax Deed property
3,518 92
Sidewalk appropriation
717 21
Cash on hand
38,431 35
$1,418,387 99
Liabilities.
Water Bonds
$221,000 00
Notes payable
226,200 00
E. B. Nevins Schoolhouse appropriation
62,000 00
Due appropriations and accounts payable
11,340 84
Trust Funds-Beals Park Fund, Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund, Augustus J. Richards
Fund, Tirrell Donation Fund, Joseph E. Trask Fund, Laban Pratt Fund
15,900 00
Net assets
881,947 15
$1,418,387 99
233 C
TABLE OF VALUATION, RATE OF TAXATION, EXPENDITURES AND DEBT OF THE TOWN OF WEYMOUTH FROM JAN- UARY, 1890 TO 1916, INCLUSIVE.
YEAR
Total Assessed Valuation April 1
Rate of Tax per 1000
Expenditures as per Appropriation Table ending Jan. 1
W
Net Debt, not including Water Loans
1890
$6,441,845 00
$16 40
1891
$130,696 86
$66,092 00
1891
6,534,740 00
17 60
1892
124,484 94
66,092 00.
1892.
6,497,371 00
17 40
1893
142,564 16
85,092 00
1893.
6,707,550 00
17 20
1894
120,746 84
79,592 00
1894
6,488,432 00
18 50
1895
128,588 33
76,500 00
1895
6,488,981 00
17 50
1896
144,791 52
82,500 00
1896
6,532,022 00
17 50
1897
150,461 20
82,000 00
1897
6,661,969 00
20 30
1898
176,310 41
137,000 09
1898.
6,620,719 00
18 70
1899
176,119 85
127,491 33
1899.
6,565,322 00
20 20
1900
161,433 62
147,365 00
1900
6,694,088 00
20 50
1901
184,205 69
144,075 82
1901.
6,802,773 00
19 30
1902
162,252 07
153,618 02
1902.
6,797,955 00
20 50
1903
181,769 01
140,433 30
1903.
6,897,202 00
22 10
1904
171,075 00
149,150 53
1904.
7,065,363 00
20 60
1905
171,484 62
132,166 22
1905.
6,958,469 00
22 30
1906
185,325 71
125,415 54
1906. .
6,952,247 00
21 40
1907
181,920 78
119,628 56
1907.
7,269,084 00
22 90
1908
285,497 66
184,000 00
1908.
7,660,140 00
21 50
1909
189,114 72
175,500 00
1909.
7,992,968 00
21 00
1910
186,633 13
164,920 00
1910
7,929,074 00
23 00
1911
206,738 71
169,298 40
1911.
8,621,954 00
18 90
1912
195,694 65
150,594 47
1912.
9,957,156 00
17 25
1913
204,141 38
143,752 34
1913
11,468,075 00
17 50
1914
237,015 99
148,877 47
1914.
12,020,680 00
18 25
1915
257,990 81
169,738 22
1915.
12,802,614 00
19 40
1916
306,967 90
209,233 14
1916.
12,981,333 00
21 00
1917
325,822 49
197,281 52
The Auditors invited attention to the large amount of un- collected dues for taxes and water rents in their report last year. The same condition still obtains, and it would seem from an inspection of the books that no effort whatever had been made to reduce these accounts.
There are certain flagrant examples that should receive drastic action.
WILLIAM H. PRATT, WINFIELD S. WELLS, FRANK N. BLANCHARD,
Auditors.
-
234
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth :
Another year has drawn to a close and the duty of sub- mitting to the town the result of the labors of those whom the town has entrusted with the various, and sometimes arduous duties, devolving on the several boards and com- mittees is before us.
Following the custom now in vogue for several years we have secured more or less elaborate reports from most of those to whom the business of the town has been entrusted.
We bespeak for these several reports the careful perusal of the inhabitants with the feeling that in the past they have not always received the attention which their importance deserves.
There are few town positions in which the pecuniary com- pensation is sufficient to warrant a supposition that those seeking them or consenting to serve in them are act- uated by selfish motives. We prefer rather to believe that most of those who from year to year serve on town boards and committees are influenced by a wish to serve for the public good and their reports of their stewardship are worthy of careful reading.
Some change has been adopted in the present book in the order in which the reports are inserted.
The first place has been given to the town records as pre- pared by the town clerk. By doing this we were able to get the printer started on his work a week sooner than under the old arrangement.
Town Offices. The town offices we have found are visited more and more each year by those in search of informa- tion of one nature or another. Especially is this true since it has become more generally known that the survey sheets, now embracing all parts of the town are available for con-
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sultation. Those in charge of the offices are ready at all reasonable times to assist visitors in search of information.
Charles B. Cushing has served his fifteenth year as Town Accountant with his well known fidelity, and the foregoing schedule of expenditures under the several appropriations as prepared by him is submitted as a part of this report.
We quote the following from the report of the Selectmen for the year 1912: "In conformity with the authority con- ferred on him at the last annual meeting the Accountant has employed a general office clerk whose duties are to do the clerical work of the Assessors, assist the Accountant and make himself generally useful in the office. Emerson R .. Dizer was appointed to the position."
Mr. Dizer continued in the performance of these duties until September 1, 1916, when he was called to a position of trust in a banking concern. His efficiency, fidelity and uni- form courtesy won for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he was associated in the work of the office, and while we congratulate him on the larger opening we regret his loss from the office. Mr. Dizer is succeeded here by his brother, Norman E. Dizer who bids fair to fill the position acceptably.
Highways. At the last annual meeting the town voted to authorize the Selectmen to employ an experienced Superin- tendent of Streets who shall have had a technical education, he to be paid a suitable salary. This subject was taken up soon after the board organized. We soon learned that a man of the desired qualifications would command a salary of from $1,500 to $1,800. We got in touch with the Highway Com- mission to learn whether they could recommend a suitable man for the position, and were given among others the name of Irving E. Johnson of Clinton. We communicated with Mr. Johnson with the result that an engagement was made with him to come here for the first named amount, the town to pay for the maintenance of his auto. Mr. Johnson entered upon the duties of his office on May first and at once pro- ceeded to familiarize himself with the streets of the town and the local conditions. It is no slight task to master the needs of seventy miles of street and treat them to the best
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advantage the first year. John L. Maynard, the superinten- dent of the preceding year consented to continue in the du- ties of the office until the coming of Mr. Johnson and had the work well under way before May first. We consider that Mr. Johnson during his stay has demonstrated his ability to make us a good Superintendent of Streets and we heartily recommend him for re-appointment. As his report, which appears on another page, treats in full of the work performed, we refer to it for information in regard to work done under him.
The state highway on Washington Street was completed in the spring. We have now no other street which the state would consider taking and whatever is done in the way of constructing stone roads in the future we must expect to do ourselves. We urge that the appropriation this year be made liberal enough to provide for the construction of another section of Broad Street or some other street.
STREET RAILWAY EXCISE TAX.
The street railway companies of the state have contended, for several years, that the manner of application of the money paid by the companies as the excise tax, did not con- form to the purpose of the legislature when this kind of tax was directed to be imposed.
Prior to 1898 street railway companies were required to keep in repair the portions of the highway occupied by their tracks. In that year it was provided, that the municipali- ties should assume full control of the streets and receive therefor from the companies, a net annual money payment in lieu of the burdens formally imposed. This is called the excise tax.
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