USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1898-1905 > Part 24
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Henry T. Fitts, watching fire at grain mill. 2 00
Seth Litchfield, labor for Hose Co. No. I.
I 00
James L. Prouty, painting signs for Hose Co. Nos. I .and 2, 10 00
James L. Prouty, cleaning hydrants of snow. 10 00
Ellis E. Damon, watching fire at grain mill, 2 00
Geo. F. Welch, supplies to Nos. 1-2-3. 20 34
William W. Manson, 50
Stephen Litchfield, 4 00
C. N. Turner and others, 209 75 James S. Jenkins, 39 75
Pearl Vickery and others, 162 50 Abner S. Dalby and others, 126 25 Albert Clapp and others, 232 41 Fenton W. Varney and others, 200 99
William Pelrine, 2 00
-23-
Patrick Flaherty, cleaning hydrants of snow, 5 00
Patrick Flaherty, watching fire at Third Cliff, 2 00
Newton Lovering, steward for Hose Co. No. 3, 12 50
James S. Jenkins, wood for Hose Co. No. 2, 8 25
A. D. Spaulding, printing for fire department, 2 50
M. G. Seaverns & Co .. supplies to Hose Co. No. 3, 62 43
Peter W. Sharp, insurance for Hose house No. 2, 15 00
E. J. Gutterson & Son, work at Hose No. 2 house. 3 25
Stephen Litchfield, Jr .. furnishing and setting bound post,
5 00
Stephen Litchfield, surveying lot for Hose house No. 3, 7 00
John F. Turner, and others, work on forest fire, 3 78
James Welch, watching fire at Third Cliff, 2 00
Oscar Wagner, fighting forest fire,
75
IV. D. Litchfield, fighting forest fire, 75
James E. Otis, Jr., fighting forest fire,
75
James E. Oits, Jr .. steward Hose Co. No. 3,
12 50
Charles S. Walker, steward Hose Co. No. 2, 12 50
Vinal Bros., use of horses. 12 50
Henry T. Cole, use of horses, 10 00,
Henry K. Barnes, 1,000 feet of hose, 550 00
John J. Ford, freight and carting hose, 2 23
David L. Studley, fighting forest fire, 3 00
W. E. Supple, work on Hose house and Hose wagon No. I. 5 57
D. J. Bates, insurance on Hose house No. 3, 15 00
Total, - $823 81
SPECIAL WORK FOR BAILEY AVENUE, 1901.
Appropriation, Payments,
$200 00
224 0I
Exceeded appropriation, 24 OI
1
-24-
Jolín T. Fitts labor, $73 81
Thomas Connors, labor,
2I II
Thomas Flaherty, labor,
3 II
James J. Barry, labor,
31 67
James O'Hern, labor,
23 II
Benjamin Shaw, covering stones,
67 20
J. E. Gillis, labor, 2 00
John B. Damon, stone,
2 00
$224 OI
SOLDIERS' RELIEF.
Appropriation. $500 00
Payments. 942 44
Exceeded appropriation, $442 44
Worcester Insane Asylum, board of Henry Young to
Jan. I. 1904. $42 71
James E. Otis. cash paid. 90 00
Ida M. Pye, board of Chas. E. Bates, 168 00
E. J. Jenkins, cash paid towards board, 60 00
Webb & Litchfield, supplies to Benjamin E. Stetson,
I902-03-04. 99 00
W. O. Merritt, wood for Benjamin E. Stetson. 7.50
Mary F. Damon, cash paid,
10 00
Nathaniel Wilder. cash paid,
15 00
E. T. Clapp, estate, house rent for Benjamin E. Stetson. 48 00
Clara A. Litchfield, board of Alvin R. Glines, 90 00
Clara A. Litchfield. board of John P. Giffin. 63 00
Dr. Charles H. Davie, medical attendance on Ben- jamin E. Stetson. 16 00
-25-
Geo. F. Welch, supplies to Rose Doherty, 29 18 W. O. Merritt, wood for Rose Doherty, 7 50
Mrs. E. E. Weatherbee, board of Daniel Goslin, 196 55
$942 44
TREE WARDEN.
Jetson Wade, services as deputy warden,
$1 00
Cole Bros .. use of team,
1
4 00
Michael Duran, labor,
6 00
Moses Jellow, labor,
2 00
W. H. Burke, labor,
12 50
$25 50
SPECIAL, MANN HILL.
Appropriation,
$150 00
Payments,
152 30
Exceeded appropriation,
$2 30
John T. Fitts,
$65 00
Geo. E. Bearce,
8 00
James O'Hern,
6 00
Geo. F. Welch, supplies,
14 25
Clement J. Prouty,
10 00
W. H. Litchfield, gravel,
5 IO
John Carson, 2d.,
6 00
Patrick Flaherty,
8 00
Percival S. Brown,
15 00
-26-
C. M. Ferguson, 10 00
M. G. Seaverns & Co., supplies,
4 95
-
$152' 30
ANNUAL WATER RENTAL.
Scituate Water Co., hydrant rental to Jan. 1904, $1.400 00 Scituate Water Co., hydrant rental to July 1, 1904, 1,400 00 Scituate Water Co., hydrant rental to Jan. I, 1905, 1,400 00
Payments, $4,200 00 Appropriation, balance of 1903. $1, 122.23; balance
of 1904, $2,700.00, 3,822 23
Exceeded appropriation, $377 77
TOWN COUNSEL.
Harvey H. Pratt, $250 00
Thomas H. Buttimer, Barry and Orcutt cases, 35 00
Payments, $285 00
Appropriation,
100 00
Exceeded appropriation,
$185 00
MEMORIAL DAY.
Francis B. Lee, quarter-master Post 31 G. A. R .. $100 00 Appropriation, 100 00
-27-
OLD CEMETERY.
W. E Hunt, labor, $8 00
1
CATTLE INSPECTOR.
Caleb L. Damon, inspecting cattle, $102 40
COLLECTING TAXES.
Fenton W. Varney, collector on account 1902-
03-04, $585 00
Roland Turner, collector on account, 1901, 53 02
Payments, $638 02
Appropriation,
500 00
Exceeded appropriation; $138 02
OVERHEAD BRIDGE AT GREENBUSH.
John J. Ford, trustee for estate of Sarah B. Weatherbee, land damage 1900, $650 00
LIBRARIES.
F. B. Lee, treasurer North Scituate Library, $250 00
Geo. O. Allen, treasurer Satuit Library, 250 00
Appropriation, ,
$500 00
-28-
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
I900.
Geo. O. Burbank,
$2 00
Daniel J. Sullivan, 2 00
Lincoln T. Damon,
2 00
Edward C. Vinal, 2 00
Joseph L. Hobson,
5 20 Geo. M. Wharf, 2 00
Geo. H. Jenkins,
IO 63
Frank T. Whittaker,
2 00
Michael Mitchell,
2 00
Clemence G. Young,
2 00
Geo. O. Merritt,
2 49 Geo. W. Brett,
4 4[
Henry F. Spooner,
5 00
A. W. Newman,
I 47
James D. Scudder.
65
Total. $45.85
I90I.
Thomas Curtis heirs,
$2 24
Edward Mitchell, 2 00
Mrs. Andrew J. Hobson,
18 76
Daniel Mealy, 2 00
Andrew J. Hobson,
2 00
J. L. Prouty, 2 00
Joseph L. Hobson,
15 50
Henry F. Spooner, IO 63
Edward T. Hunt.
2 00
Michael Mitchell, 2 00
William B. Hunt,
2 38
Austin W. Merritt, 2 00
Isaac Jellow,
2 00
Geo. M. Wharf,
2 45
Patsey Mitchell,
2 00
Clemence T. Young,
2 00
Total, $71.96
1902.
Bradford W. Hunt,
$2 00 Joseph H. Litchfield heirs. 10 00
Wm. B. Hunt,
2 00
Mrs. Lillie C. Stoddard, 7 57
Isaac Jellow,
2 00
Geo. O. Burbank, 2 00
Irene A. Lee,
19 58
Mrs. Sarah Burns,
3 74
Patsey Mitchell,
2 00
Charles W. Clapp estate,
10 00
Austin W. Merritt,
2 00
Susan E. Cole.
6 14
Michael Mitchell,
2 00
Patrick Curran. 2d,
2 00
Mrs. Seth Merritt,
40 50
James Faloon,
2 00
Daniel H. Ward,
5 34
John Hughs,
2 00
Geo. M. Wharf,
2 71
W. J. Anglin,
5 34
William D. Carter,
89
W. H. Carpenter,
[ 34
.
-29-
L. J. Madden,
89
Elisha Litchfield, 89
W. J. Nichols,
2 67
Edward Arnold, 45
William Roberts.
I 78 John J. Bradford, 2 00
Geo. H. Torrey heirs,
37 Edwin Bowman, 2 00
Geo. L. Pollard.
2 00
Geo. S. Brooks. 4 58
Benjamin P. Nichols,
I8
Israel Cudworth,
2 00
Daniel Mealy,
2 00
Lydia B. Cole,
2 58
Robert McNeil,
2 89
Geo. M. Damon, 2 00
Hosea D. Nott,
34 66
Emeline S. Gannett,
5 79
Caleb Osborn,
20 38
Fred V ebb.
2 00
Taylor P. Rundlett,
2 00
Geo. K. Cushing heirs, 45
Henry F. Spooner.
12 24
Wallace Hackett.
5 07
Daniel J. Sullivan,
2 00
A. W. Newman heirs,
I 78
Thomas Vinal, heirs.
22 61
Chas. M. Penneyquick,
16 02
Nathaniel Wilder,
4 64
James D. Scudder.
80
Israel Nichols, .
23 14
Samuel L. Whiting,
43 61
Stephen L. Joyce,
2 00
Total. $361.62
1903.
James McDonald,
$2 00 J. D. Scudder, 67
Elisha Litchfield,
75 Geo. H. Torrey heirs. 22
Edward Arnold.
2 98
Samuel L. Whiting,
36 51
Mrs. Mary Litchfield,
7 45
Luke G. Fitts, 2 00
Ellen M. Anderson,
21 64
Wm. N. Ferguson, 2 00
. John J. Bradford,
2 00
Mrs. Andrew J. Hobson, .
17 80
Wm. H. Clapp,
2 60
Helena Hobson, 6 70
Conihasset Hall Prop.
3 72
Justin W. Hutchinson, 2 00
Rose Doherty,
2 75
Mrs. Edmund Landers. 6 47
Geo. M. Damon,
2 00
A. W. Newman, I 49
Henry F. Spooner,
IO 57
F. W. Bowen,
4 47
Horace W. Pinkham,
4 60
Israel Nichols.
23 46
Geo. O. Vinal,
22 19
H. P. Harrington, 95
Geo. K. Cushing heirs,
37
W. D. Carter,
I 20
John S. Ely,
14 15
W. F. Brown, 27 70
Peter J. Hughs,
2 24
Sarah Barnes, 3 13
Benjamin P. Nichols heirs,
15
Mrs. Luther Clapp, 6 70
Charles N. Pennyquick, 13 4I
Patrick Driscoll, IO 34
-30-
Sylvanus Damon, heirs, 6 63
Stanley Hunter, 2 00
Savillian F. Dalby,
2 00
Moses Jellow, heirs, 8 57
Irving F. Sylvester,
2 00 Geo. W. Merritt, heirs, 33 90
Thomas S. S. Turner,
15 47
Daniel Mealy, 2 00
Nathaniel Brooks, heirs, 22
Benjamin Nichols, 2 00
W. H. Carpenter, I 12
Frank Orcutt,
2 00
Wallace Hackett,
4 24
Taylor P. Rundlett, . 2 00
E. L. Josselyn,
2 23
Joseph H. Curtis.
45
W. J. Nichols, estate,
2 23
William H. Burke,
14 90
Frank H. Reynolds,
5 96
John Cummings,
5 96
Frederick A. Sulis,
2 49
Robert McNeill,
2 00
Mary E. P. Tenney,
45 67
Nelson Orcutt.
2 00
James J. Doyle,
2 00
Geo. L. Prindell, 2 00
Mrs. Luke G. Fitts,
4 47
William Richardson,
2 00
John P. Giffin.
4 60
Hans G. Dick.
12 50
Andrew J. Hobson,
2 00
Lincoln Mills Feed and
Grain Co .. 55 13
Total. $522.12
I904.
Walter J. Bates,
5 75 John M. Frazier. 4 88
Charles F. Clapp,
2 00
Wendell F. Brown, 22 50
Roger Dix.
5 23
Ellis E. Damon, 2 00 -
Frank W. Litchfield,
2 00 Joy K. Gannett, Jr., 2 00
James Litchfield,
2 00
Everett E. Litchfield. 2 00
Archie Mitchell,
2 00
Joseph P. Murphy,
2 00
Charles N. Turner,
2 00
Israel Nichols.
24 04
C. Bert Tilden,
2 00
Edgar Tilden,
2 00
Charlotte A. Vickery,
6 37
Gordon L. Vickery,
2 00
Charles E. Aldrich,
12 00
E. H. Arnold.
3 00
Cohasset Savings Bank,
18 75
Joseph H. Curtis,
45
M. J. Flynn, 6 00
J. E. Doherty. Feter J. Hughs.
30 .00
Mrs. Nancy Lincoln,
I 50
2 50
Ethan Perry.
15 Mary C. Livermore, 15 00 Edwin T. Perry. est .. 30 00
W. U. Sherman, or Elmer A. Graves, 3 00 Geo. H. Torrey, heirs,
23
R. A. Tilson,
3 00
Mrs. Emma M. Clark,
30 00
Sarah R. Damon,
15 John J. Martin, 43 75
Total. $292.00
-31-
GUIDE BOARDS.
The guide boards should be looked after and we would recommend new ones to take the place of the old ones in almost every instance and have estimated an amount for that purpose.
RECAPITULATION OF EXPENSES.
State aid,
$2,351 50
Support of poor
7,318 61
Support of schools,
13,559 45
Roads. bridges and sidewalks,
2,654 22
Miscellaneous, 1,012 41
Town officers,
1,877 05
Lockup,
129.57
Public buildings and grounds,
846 94
Printing, stationery and postage,
395 50
Bridge over new road,
500 50
Special repairs on Border street,
965 50
Removing snow,
2,184 93
Fire department,
823 81
Special work for Bailey avenue, 1901, 224 OI
Soldiers' relief,
942 44
Tree Warden,
25 50
Special. Mann Hill,
152 30
Annual water rental, 1904 and 1905,
4,200 00 ·
Town counsel,
285 00
Collection of taxes,
638 02
Memorial Day,
100 00
Old cemetery,
8 00
Cattle inspection,
102 40
Overhead bridge at Greenbush,
650 00
-32-
Libraries, 500 00
Abatement of taxes, 1900,
45 85
Abatement of taxes, 190I,
71 96
Abatement of taxes, 1902,
361 62
Abatement of taxes, 1903,
522 12
Abatement of taxes, 1904,
202 00
Total amount of orders drawn,
$43,741 21
County tax,
$3,735 22
State tax,
2,475 00
State on account of State Highway repairs,
88 45
State for failure to make returns,
34 00
State corporation tax overdrawn, 298 34
Interest on notes, 4,117 94
Collection on western checks,
50
John F. Turner, by order of Second Dist. Court, 109 05
William E. Supple, by order of Second Dist. Court, 103 21
W. I. James, by order of Second Dist. Court, 55 59
Charles Spring, by order Second Dist. Court, 23 10
Charles M. Litchfield, by order Second Dist. Court, 22 45
John Condon, by order Second Dist. Court, 21 82
$54,825 88
Deduct ---
Due from state, $9 75
Due from Cohasset on account of
smallpox, 295 34
$305 09
Net expenses,
$54.520 79
-33-
INCOME.
Amount of taxes assessed, 1904.
Received -- $58,083 03
J. E. Otis, for gravel sold, 1903, 24 30
J. E. Otis, for gravel sold, 1904, 27 66
Harry Merritt, tuition of children, 22 00
State treasurer, for education of children, board of charity, 103 00
County treasurer, on account of new road bridge, 500 00
Hose Co. No. I. on account Welch's bill,
3 99
· City Hospital. on account Mrs. Peter Olson, 16 00
Town of Cohasset, on account of smallpox case, Premium on note,
5 00
Overpaid bills, 23 76
Estate of Geo. M. Young,
105 00
F. T. Vinal, 2d, sealer of weights and measures, 24 75
James Ward, pool table and bowling alley license. 4 00
Hardwick & Dalby, pool table license, 2 00
Abner S. Dalby, auctioneer license, 2 00
Albertus Williams, auctioneer license,
2 00
John Monahan, peddler's license,
8 00
Wiley S. Damon, rent of Town Hall,
116 00
John J. Ford, rent of Town Hall,
8 00
Second District Court, on account of fines,
142 30
Fourth Nat. Bank, interest on deposit, 104 7I
State, corporation tax, 1,700 26
State, national bank tax.
151 53
2,052 00
State, on account of superintendent of schools,
4 00
Sale of Willow Street schoolhouse,
395 00
Sale of East Grammar schoolhouse, 255 00
Sale of Highland Street schoolhouse, 40 00
Tony Andrews, to reimburse town for help received, 20 00
Scituate
3
State, state aid, 416 67
J. E. Otis, pool table and bowling alley license,
310 65
-34-
Antone Vargus, to reimburse town for help received, 24 00 County treasurer, on account of dog fund, 315 83
Total income, $65,012 44
Net expense,
54,520 79
Income above expenses, $10,491 65
RESOURCES.
Cash in hands of the Treasurer,
$2,924 30
Uncollected taxes of 1900, 173 0I
Uncollected taxes of 1901, R. Turner, collector,
344 09
Uncollected taxes of 1902,
2,195 89
Uncollected taxes of 1903,
6,336 91
Uncollected taxes of 1904, 13,282 98
Due on account of grade crossing,
3,105 33
Due from State on account of State aid,
2,351 50
Due from Town of Cohasset,
295 34
Due from omitted taxes 1904,
3,949 50
$34,958 85
Liabilities,
$104,601 39
Less resources,
34,958 85
Net debt. Jan. I, 1905,
$69,642 54
Net debt, Jan. I, 1904,
$79.882 02
Net debt, Jan. I, 1905,
69,642 54
Decrease of debt, Jan. 1, 1905,
$10,239 48
-35 -.
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN.
JAN. 1, 1905.
NOTES.
RATE.
NOTES DUE.
INTEREST PAID TO.
INTEREST DUE.
$25,000.00
4
P. C.
January 15th. 1906
January 15th, 1905
14,200.00
3 1-2
January 15th, 1911
January 15th, 1905
8,000.00
3 3-4
66
November 2d. 1905
November 2d, 1904
$50.00
10,000.00
3 18-100
April 5th, 1911
October 5th, 1904
75.08
10,000-00
3 3-4
66
May 23d. 1906
November 23d, 1904
40.17
10,000.00
3 1-4
66
November 9th, 1911
November 9th, 1904
45.77
5,000.00
3 40-100
April 22d, 1918
October 22d, 1904
28.60
5,000.00
3 40-100
66
November 25th, 1912
November 25th, 1904
15.93
5,000.00
$3 3-4
February 8th, 1913
August 8th, 1904
145.84
6,000.00
3 65-100
66
October 23d, 1905
$103,200.00
$401.39
Liabilities.
Principal on notes,
$103,200 00
Interest due on notes, Jan. 1. 1905,
40I 39
Liabilities estimated,
1.000 00
$104,601 39
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. FORD, WILLIAM H. VARRELL, JAMES W. TURNER. Selection of Scituate.
I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, and as I find that the amount spent exceeds the appropriation I am therefore unable to officially approve same.
PETER W. SHARP.
Auditor.
1
1
5,000.00
.~ 36-
TRUST FUNDS.
The income of the Lucy Thomas Fund has been paid as follows :
To Sylvia N. Clapp,
$II 77
To Mrs. Ebenezer Bearce,
II 77
To Mrs. Ellen A. Torrey,
II 76
Amount drawn from bank, $35 30
The income from the Eliza Jenkins fund has been paid as follows :
To Susan M. Otis,
$22 94
To Mary S. Bouve,
22 93
To Matilda F. Harrub,
22 94
To Susie C. Young,
22 93
To Maria S. Cudworth,
22 93
To Josephine Bailey,
22 93
Amount drawn from bank,
$137 60
The Clara T. Bates fund remains untouched. The amount of the fund is, $243.72.
JOHN J. FORD, WILLIAM H. VARRELL, JAMES W. TURNER,
Trustces.
I have examined the accounts of the trustees of the above funds and find same correct.
PETER W. SHARP, Auditor.
-37-
ESTIMATED EXPENSES FOR 1905.
Removing snow,
$2,000 00
Support of poor,
6,000 00
Town officers,
1,700 00
Collection of taxes,
500 00
Discount on taxes,
1,200 00
Public buildings,
700 00
Reduction of debt,
4,000 00
Printing, stationery and postage,
350 00
Support of schools,
9,000 00
Transportation,
3,500 00
Superintendent of schools,
500 00
Roads, bridges and sidewalks,
5,000 00
Miscellaneous,
1,000 00
Abatement, -
1,000 00
Interest on debt,
4,000 00
Libraries,
500 00
Soldiers' Relief,
1,000 00
Legal expenses,
100 00
Care of lockup,
100 00
Memorial Day,
100 00
Hydrant rental,
2,800 00
Fire department,
500 00
Guide boards,
300 00
Police,
500 00
Military Aid,
200 00
$46,550 00
State tax estimated,
3,000 00
County tax estimated, 1
3,700 00
$53,250 00
-38-
LIST OF JURORS.
Submitted to the town for revision and acceptance at the annual meeting to be held March 6th, 1905.
Frank H. Barry, mosser.
Albert K. Briggs, farmer.
Richard Clapp, student.
Albert B. Curtis, farmer.
George Emerson, painter.
John J. Ford, selectman.
W. W. Hunt, Jr., carpenter.
Westley C. Merritt, carpenter.
Edward Rogers, blacksmith.
Fenton W. Varney, collector.
James Ward, merchant.
Hamilton W. Welch, clerk.
William O. Clapp, farmer. Fred A. Conroy, foreman.
J. Frank Crane, farmer. Ernest F. Litchfield, carpenter.
John C. Pierce, carpenter.
William H. Varrell, farmer. Frank S. Watson, painter.
Chas. W. Wagner. watchman.
Thomas W. Brown, farmer.
Charles F. Clapp. carpenter.
Henry E. Damon, stitcher.
Henry T. Fitts, clerk.
E. Clayton Hyland, carpenter. Aaron Bates, farmer.
Edwin H. Litchfield, carpenter. Jetson Wade, farmer.
William H. Watson, farmer.
E. Parker Welch, gentleman. Bardin A. Prouty, shoemaker.
-39-
G. Minot Frye, merchant.
Thomas S. S. Turner, fisherman.
Charles H. Tilden, farmer.
Liba F. Litchfield, blacksmith.
Patrick Kane, farmer.
Albert Clapp, farmer.
E. H. Bonney, gentleman.
W. A. Brown, farmer.
Percival S. Brown, farmer.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. FORD. WILLIAM H. VARRELL. JAMES W. TURNER.
Selectmen.
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
Number of polls, 743
State tax, $1.00
County tax, $1.00.
Poll tax, $2.00 on each male poll.
Number of residents assessed on property- Individuals, 699
All others, 12
7II
Number of non-residents assessed on property- Individuals, 587
All others, 6
593
Number of persons assessed on
property, I304
Number assessed for poll tax only, 312
Total. 1,616
Value of assessed real estate-
1
Buildings,
$1,887,180
Land.
1,203,035
Total value of real estate,
$3.090,215
Value of assessed personal,
682,920
Total valuation 1904, $3.773,135
Total valuation 1903,
3,369,645
Increase in valuation 1904, $403,490
Rate of taxation per $1,000.00, $15.00.
Number of horses, 635
Number of cows, 289
-- 41-
Number of sheep,
I4
.
Neat cattle other than cows,
22
Number of swine,
43
Number of dwelling houses,
1,033
Number of acres land,
9,696
Number of fowl,
2,185
JOHN J. FORD,
WILLIAM H. VARRELL,
JAMES W. TURNER,
Assessors.
(
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
Comparison of Valuation, Rate of Taxation, Expenditure and debt of Town from 1893 to 1904.
YEAR.
Total Assessed Valuation.
Rate of Tax per $1,000.
Net Expenditure.
Net Debt of Town.
1893
$2,010,488
$14.00
$34,823.07
$48.658.92
1894
2,039,685
12.70
29.054.72
43,292.98
1895
2,161,624
11.60
35,818.94
46.536.15
1896
2,319,080
12.00
46,143.54
56,192.79
1897
2,421,205
11.50
40,431.71
54,182.30
1898
2,529,226
13.00
36,126.85
53,250.87
1899
2,554,295
12.50
37,366.81
51,603.16
1900
2,642,700
14.70
41,204.34
50,900.70
1901
2,746,400
15.00
59,831.79
67.610.24
1902
3,169,545
17.80
57,236.55
64,481.64
1903
3,369,645
14.90
63,570.99
79,882.02
1904
3,773,135
15.00
54,520.79
69,642.54
Condensed statement showing financial condition of the Town for the year 1904.
In this statement I have endeavored to show the financial condition of the Town on the business transacted for 1904.
DR.
Selectmen's Orders,
$43,741 21
State Tax,
2,895 79
County Tax,
3,735 22
Interest,
4,1I7 94
Sundry Items,
335 72 .
$54,825 88
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CR.
Taxes,
Other Sources,
$53,258 20 6,924 41
Outstanding taxes for 1904.
$60,182 61 13,282 98
$73,465 59
54,825 88
$18,639 71
While it may look from these figures as though we had made a good showing this year, yet, after we have deducted the amount of outstanding bills against the Town for 1904 and previous years, that has been presented since Jan. 7th., and which amounts to about $3.000. also take into considera- tion the amount of $7.760, that the Town voted to raise for the reduction of its debt. together with the $2.500 for the Fire Department, (which is questioned) on both of which items tax was levied, it is apparent that during the year gone by, as a Town in its incorporate capacity, we have not made a much better showing than last year. The reasons for this I will refer to later in my criticisms.
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AUDITOR'S BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR.
Appropriated.
Expended for
1904 debts.
Expended for
vious debts.
Rec'd from
other sources.
Overdrawn.
Unexpended.
Schools
$9,000.00
$9,647.11
$242.33
$440.83 51.96
$448.61 133.87
Roads
2,500.00
2,685.83
Poor
5,000.00
5,998.69
2.089 46
475.65
2,612.50
Snow
2,000.00
2,193.43
6.50
199.93
Officers
1,700.00
1,686.40
395.90
382.30
Collection of Taxes
500.00
300.00
338.02
138.02
Public Bldgs and Grounds
600.00
709.17
29.38
814.00
$675.45
Printing, Stationery and Postage
300.00
343.11
43.02
86.13
Transportation of Pupils
3,500.00
3,243.66
14.40
416.67
162.13
Discount on Taxes
7,760.00
1,325.07
35.90
65.51
295.46
Abatement of Taxes
500.00
292.00
1,013.47
805.47
Interest on Debt
4,000.00
4,117.94
109.71
8.23
Libraries
500.00
500.00
Soldiers' Relief
500.00
175.00
325.00
Legal Expenses
100.00
200.00
85.00
185.00
Lockup .
100.00
127.82
.25
28.07
Memorial Day
100.00
100.00
Hydrant Rental
2,700.00
2,800.00
1,400.00
1,500.00
Fire Department
3,000.00
2,895.79
1,851.79
1,956.00
County Tax
3,600.00
3,735.22
135.22
Tree Warden
24.50
24.50
Hollett Street
611.29
245.91
857.20
Drinking Fountains
10.00
10.00
New Road .
500.50
500.00
.50
State Aid
2,351.50
2,052.00
299.50
Small Pox Case
7.80
7.80
Border Street Special
107.05
107.05
Ocean Avenue
100.00
178.68
70.33
249.01
Mann Hill Special .
164.30
164.30
Police
183.50
37.50
*142.30
413.92
Totals
$49,310.00 $50,026.17
$6,656.54
$6,925.41
$9,974.84
$11,120.52
695.37
90.87
3.99
782.25
State Tax
1,000.00
1,793.98
Reduction of Town; Debt
7,760.00
Miscellaneous
250.00
504.54
241.94
Superintendent of Schools
1
*By order of District Court.
100.00
Bailey Avenue Culvert
*335.22
1903 and pre-
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ASSETS AND LIABILITIES. JAN. 7, 1905.
Assets.
Real estate-
School houses, Hose houses and all other public
buildings and grounds, $38,000 00
Personal property ---
Fire apparatus, road machinery. etc., and equip-
ment of all town depts. etc.,
3.000 00
Trust funds, 4,200 00
Uncollected taxes,
21.988 79
Cash on hand, E. L. Bonney.
2,924 30
Dues from other towns and sources.
9.701 67
Gross liabilities,
30,986 63
$110,80I 39
Liabilities.
Notes payable,
$103,601 39
Outstanding bills,
3,000 00
Trust funds,
4,200 00
$110,801 39
I think it only right to state before going further, that I honestly believe it has been the desire of some, if not all of the town's officials, during the year that has gone by. to have the affairs of the town conducted in a businesslike- manner. That they did not entirely succeed. is due to more causes than one, the principal being that of lack of harmony as a board of officers.
In years past, and for some time since, it has been more or less the customi for the chairman of the board to run things. While in a certain sense this is entirely proper. . yet in some cases it has not resulted in the town receiving the full quota of, or best service due it, by one and all on
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the board. To this cause in particular, I think is to be at- tributed the apparent neglect and lack of business acumen that has been so characteristic in certain transactions that have occurred during the last year.
Another cause has been that of lack of system. No business enterprise can be properly carried on without some system or method. With a good businesslike system of administering the town affairs, such things as are now pos- sible, would then be impossible. Now, bills are presented against. and paid by the town, without the proper authori- ties going over the items to see if everything was duly or- dered, or, as in the case of the Poor, that they received all for which the Town was being charged. While the bills of some of the departments are approved, still it does not necessarily follow that they are correct. They should all be gone over and figured by the chairman of each commit- tee, or responsible pary as the case might be, then if cor- rect, sent to the Selectmen for payment. There should not be this present method of having the Selectmen pay state- ments. In each case an itemized bill should be rendered with the dates, etc., of all purchases shown thereon, and all bills should be approved by some one: as it is now, half of them are not. It might take a little more time. but if a thing is worth doing at all. is it not worth doing well ?
I regret that through neglect of duty it has again been necessary for the Town to pay a fine of $34, for failure to make returns. This further goes to show that lack of sys- tem that is so essential to insure a more businesslike admin- isteration of the Town affairs.
REDUCTION OF TOWN DEBT.
To the amount mentioned in my last report, must now be added $7.760, making a total of $29.560, that the Town has raised, and taxes been levied on during the past eleven years. This entire amount has gone to help pay the over-
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drafts and general running expenses of the Town. Some citizens will say, "it is still good being in outstanding taxes." Perhaps it is, but for my part I believe that it was not the intention of the voters to raise this amount of money, as was done last March, and then leave it out in nincollected
taxes. Here again is shown that ever present characteris- tic of the Town's officials, to put off. or even never do, what the Town has expressly instructed or commanded should be done. The question is not one of whether it is best for the Town's interests to do so and so, but that the vote of - the Town being to do a certain thing, that thing should and must be done. It is not for any Town official to question the wisdom of any undertaking. after the Town has its is- sued instructions or mandate, in the matter; they have sim- ply to do their duty, and if afterwards it appears that the move was detrimental to the best interest and welfare of the Town. then the blame will reflect back where it properly be- longs. viz .. on the Voters.
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