USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1898-1905 > Part 25
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POOR.
One of the greatest social questions of the day. and one of the hardest to answer, or solve, is "How best to help the poor ?" There are many who from some cause or other, beyond their control. are rendered helpless, and are devend- ent on charity and friends for support. To those who are entitled to a legal residence here, the Town assumes the position of a friend, and when poverty knocks at the door, ' the Overseers, as the representatives of the Town, stand ready to aid and succor. To a man or woman who has been a good citizen. all their days, paid their bills and not dodged their taxes, I say it is only right and proper for them to expect that in their time of need, the Town will as- sist and help them, and there is to be no stigma attached to their asking for what is only their due. The question though, is what is their due? That is a point for the Over-
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seers to determine and not myself. It does not seem as if it should have cost us nearly $9,000 as it did in 1904, (or will, when the bills are all in) and it certainly looks as though the Overseers did not "Oversee" as they should have done. I believe the Poor should be taken care of, and in a proper manner, but I fail to see any reason why it should cost us as much as it does. Cohasset, a wealthy and gen- erous aider of the Poor, maintains a Poor Farm and also gives plenty of partial support, yet it does not cost them what it does us. Norwell and Marshfield the same. What is the reason for our large expenditure ? I cannot tell you; you must find out for yourselves. I can only surmise. One thing I do know, that a better system of investigation as to allowances, medical attendance, etc., would tend to put the Poor department on a businesslike basis, and would re- sult in a saving of money to the tax payers, without in any way curtailing the privileges of the Poor.
COLLECTION OF TAXES.
The amount outstanding in uncollected taxes, would, if collected, go quite a way toward actually reducing the Town debt. A great many have said that if they could only get their tax bills earlier, they would be in a better position to pay them, and I know it would be easier for the tax collector to get the summer resident's taxes, if the war- rant were in his hands by August or September Ist., instead of October Ist., as it is now. No person is to be blamed for not wanting to pay too much tax, but if they think it is excessive, they should make application in the proper quart- er, and get an abatement, not do as many I hear of, who say, "I'm not going to pay my tax this year, then they will take some off next year, or perhaps abate it." These people are not public-spirited citizens, and ought to be disfran- chised. How many of these same men would allow their bills to remain unpaid as long as they do their taxes ? Some-
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thing should be done to make them pay them the way they do in other towns. I hope the citizens will vote in favor of printing the list of taxes unpaid, as I suggested last year. This will not only enable them to see that proper credit has been given, but will result in some back taxes being brought into the treasury.
In conclusion, I deeply regret that I am unable this year to officially approve the accounts of the Selectmen. My reasons for so doing are, as follows :- With one or two ex- ceptions the expenditures have been greater than the amount as appropriated by the Town; this in itself is illegal. Furthermore, in the case of the Fire Department, no money was appropriated, but over $500 was spent for hose and other material. Now if there was a doubt as to which way the Town voted on this article, why not have called a special meeting and let the voters decide it themselves ? Not for one minute do I question but what we needed the hose, and other supplies, too, but the point is, it should not have been purchased at this time, owing to the feeling of uncer- tainty that there was, as to what the Town really voted to do
There are some things for which the citizens and officers deserve credit,-one is, that this year, while crime may have flourished in our midst, yet it was not so prevalent as to require the large amount of money to suppress it. that it took last year. And so far as I can learn, the citizens have been amply satisfied with the police protection of the past year. In the matter of rendering itemized bills, there has been a marked improvement, notably in those for "remov- ing snow." With a single exception all these snow bills were fully itemized, and it only goes to show that there is in the hearts of all men a desire to be fair and to do what is right.
Finally, may I repeat what I have heretofore said, that what we need most is a systematic method of keeping ac-
Scituate
4
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counts and administering the Town's business. No progres- sive, successful merchant or business man can get along with- out it, and surely a town like ours cannot afford to conduct its business otherwise.
Respectfully submitted, PETER W. SHARP,
Auditor.
: . .
COLLECTOR'S REPORT, 1904.
F. W. VARNEY, COLLECTOR, IN ACCOUNT WITH
THE TOWN OF SCITUATE.
DR.
Jan. 10, 1904. To amount of uncollected taxes of 1900, $384 81
CR.
By amount of abatements allowed on taxes of 1900, $45 85
By cash paid E. L. Bonney on account of 1900 taxes.
165 95
By balance of uncollected taxes of 1900, I73 0I
$384 81
DR.
Jan. 10. 1904. 'To amount of uncollected taxes of 1902, $4,683 71
CR.
Bv amount of abatements allowed on taxes of 1902,
$361 62
By cash paid E. L. Bonney on account of 1902 :: taxes,
2,126 20
By balance of uncollected taxes of 1902,
2,195 89
$4,683,71
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DR.
Jan. 10, 1904. To amount of uncollected taxes of 1903, $19,024 91
CR.
By amount of abatements allowed on taxes of 1903, $516 16
By cash paid E. L. Bonney on account of 1903 taxes, 12,171 84
By balance of uncollected taxes of 1903, 6,336 91
$19,024 91
DR.
Sept. 20, 1904. To amount of tax bills, $54,135 13
CR.
By amount of abatements allowed, $292 00
By discount on taxes allowed, 1,793 98
By cash paid E. L. Bonney,
38,766 17
By balance of uncollected taxes of 1904,
13,282 98
$54,135 13
DR.
Jan. 2, 1905. To amount of uncollected taxes of 1900, $173 0I
To amount of uncollected taxes of 1902, 2,195 89
To amount of uncollected taxes of 1903, 6,336 91
To amount of uncollected taxes of 1904,
13,282 98
Brought forward, $21,988 79
F. W. VARNEY, Collector. ..
I have examined the account of the Tax Collector and find same to be correct.
PETER W. SHARP, Auditor.
1
TREASURER'S REPORT
ERNEST L. BONNEY, TREASURER, IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF SCITUATE. From Jan. 15, 1904, to Jan. 7, 1905.
Cash on hand Jan. 15, 1904, $2,274 98
Received-
J. E. Otis, gravel from Gannet pit for 1903, $24 30
J. E. Otis, gravel from Gannet pit for 1904, 27 66
Harry Merritt, tuition of children, 22 00
State Treasurer, for education of children of State Board of Charity, 103 00
County Treasurer, on account of bridge on new
road from Scituate to No. Scituate beach, 500 00
Hose Co. No. I, on account of Welch's bill, 3 99
City Hospital, on account of Mrs. Peter Olson, 16 00
Town of Cohasset, on account of small pox case, 310 65
On town note, on account of renewing note, due
Feb. 8, 1904, for nine years, 10,000 00
Premium on same note, 5 00
Over paid bills,. 23 76
Estate of George 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
J. E. Otis, pool table and bowling alley license, 4 00
Hadwick & Dalby, pool table license, 2 00
Abner S. Dalby, auctioneer license, 2 00
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A. Williams, auctioneer license, 2 00
J. 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, Fourth National Bank, interest on deposit, 104 7I
142 30
State, corporation tax, 1.700 26
State, national bank tax,
, 151 53
State, State aid, 2,052 00
State, on account of Superintendent of Schools, 416 67
Sale of Willow Street School, 395 00
Sale of East Grammar School,
255 00
Sale of Highland Street School,
40 00
Tony Andrews, to reimburse Town for help received, 20 00
Antoine Vargus, to reimburse Town for help received, 24 00
County Treasurer, on account of dog fund, 315 83 38,000 00.
On Town notes, in anticipation of taxes, F. W. Varney, tax collector, on taxes for 1900, Roland Turner, tax collector, on taxes for 1901, F. W. Varney, tax collector, on taxes for 1902, F. W. Varney, tax collector, on taxes for 1903, F. W. Varney, tax collector, on taxes for 1904, F. W. Varney, tax collector, abatement on taxes for 1900, 45 85
165 95
28 04
2,126 20
12,17I 84
38,766 17
Roland Turner, tax collector, abatement on taxes for 1901, 71 96
F. W. Varney, tax collector, abatement on taxes for 1902, 361 62
F. W. Varney, tax collector, abatement on taxes for 1903, 516 16
F. W. Varney, tax collector, abatement on taxes ' for 1904. 292 00
$111,750 18
To cash on hand Jan. 7. 1905,
$2,924 30
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CR
Paid out-
Selectmen, orders,
$43,741 21
County tax,
3,735 22
State tax, 2,475 00
State, on account of State highway repairs,
88 45
State, for penalty for failure to make returns, 34 00
State, corporation tax overdrawn, 298 34
Interest on notes, 4,1I7 94
Collection on western checks,
50
John F. Turner, by order of Second District Court, 100 05
William E. Supple, by order of Second District
Court, 103 21
W. I. James, by order of Second District Court, 55 59
Charles Spring, by order of Second District Court, 23 10
Charles M. Litchfield, by order of Second District Court, 22 45
John Condon, by order of Second District Court, 21 82
Town notes, in anticipation of taxes, 54,000 00
Jan. 7, 1905, cash to balance, 2,924 30
$111,750 18
ERNEST L. BONNEY, Treasurer.
I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and find same to be corrrect and that the cash balance on hand is $2,924.30.
PETER W. SHARP; Auditor.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
Amount raised, nothing. Spent by order of the Select- men for some special and very necessary work, $24.50.
Now, raising or approprating no money for the Tree Warden, in my opinion, is all wrong, and I will tell you why. There are 300 young trees out that needed some care. This year they got none. Again, the Legislature created the office and said it was necessary to have a Warden, and made it compulsory for every town in Massachusetts to elect one. If it is necessary to have an office it is necessary that there should be some provision made to maintain or support it; and the Legislature says that the town can raise fifty cents each for every poll tax payer in town, and if the town does not vote to raise it the Selectmen can give it if they wish. As I once said before, it was not for the financial part of the appropriation that would come to myself that I cared so much about, but I felt about the young trees that I had set out, something, I suppose, like the old lady did about her chickens. She wanted to stay with them until the pin feathers were all off and the new ones well started. Anyone who reads the newspapers will see that the planting and care of trees on streets and in parks is one of the most important questions of the day. If there were one hundred trees set out each year in town and the young ones that had been set out well taken care of, a native leaving here and com- ing back in twenty years would hardly know his own , town. Of course every man with common sense knows that for the past five or six years, as far as appropriations are concerned, we have been going at a reckless pace, and as a tax payer of $250 a year I don't like to see too much extravagance myself, but at the same
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time I think all offices and departments, according to their importance, should have a fair provision made for them, from pound keeper up to Selectmen, or from Selectmen down to pound keeper. But we have too much reckless and crazy voting in town, such as raising $3,000 one year for one Constable, then nothing the next year for three. Some- times I think there are people who would raise the town, and vote it away afterwards. just to attain or gain a temporary purpose. However, I hope they will vote something for the Tree Warden. And whoever is Tree Warden, should it be another than myself, it is his duty, and his first duty to the Town to look over the trees that his predecessor has set out, and if there is one dead here, another broken off there, or if a horse has eaten the top from one somewhere else, he should first replace those, so that the trees will be an even or uni- form distance apart, then the rows will always look nice. After doing this set out trees where, with his judgment, he thinks they are most needed.
Two years ago, on the road leading to North Scituate Beach, some poor, misguided youth imagined he had a grievance against a party living on the road, so he took a hatchet and chopped off four nice elms in front of his house. Those I replaced the following fall. This past summer, on Kent Street in Scituate Harbor. where I had set out a row of elms to connect the George Webb elms with the Hobigand estate elms. another enterprising youth must have thought he had a grievance against the owner of the land they were in front of, as he cut all around and clear through the outer and inner bark of the trunk with a jack knife. He knew how to kill a tree without a hatchet. These I have not replaced as I had nothing to do it with. Such acts are sad and deplorable, and I might say villianous, but I can say this for a certainty, that the parents of such children are raising something to be proud of, and if the perpetrators are ever caught they should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
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Napoleon once said that God was on the side of the heaviest artillery, the biggest guns, those that made the loudest noise. But he lived to see the day that God was on the side of something else than that that made a big noise, and I hope our moderator at the next March meeting won't be on the side of a few big men who make a big and loud noise, hollering "No" for everything. It seemed strange to me that a town composed mostly of farmers and farmers' sons, who have all hoed a long, hard row on a hot summer's day and have looked ahead to the end of the row where stood a good old shade tree that they expected to take a few moments' rest and comfort under, would refuse to vote for an appropriation for trees that would give rest and comfort to man and beast when traveling on the highway for vears to come, besides being to a great extent a source of beauty to the town. But there are some men who can see no beauty in anything but the "almighty dollar." They seem to think they are going to live forever. There are other people who can see beauty in a handsome horse, in a well-kept lawn. in a pretty flower garden, and a beautiful tree. There are other men who think a tree ought to get its growth in five or six years. They have no patience and must remember we were all children once and it took time to grow and mature. If the men who lived on this earth from fifty to one hundred years ago had never set out a tree this country would look like a barren waste, and the man who owns his own place and will not set a tree out on it ( that is, if a tree would grow there), in my opinion has a barren heart. There is one thing that every man should think of in life, that is to leave
this world a little more beautiful than he found it. How can he do it? By planting on his lawn or on the side of the highway near it one good shade tree. He will then leave at least one monument to his memory which will be of more credit to him than the costliest spire in the prettiest cemetery in the country. I am not very young, but still too young to hold an office for fun, love or honor. Some people may
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want to. I don't. If I have an office I want something to go with it, to do something with, to show the people that I took an interest in it. So at the coming March meeting if the voters of this town don't feel as though they can afford to raise an appropriation for the Tree Warden, vote for someone else for the office. Don't vote for me.
Very truly yours,
WM. H. BURKE, Tree Warden.
1
BOARD OF HEALTH
1
To the citizens of Scituate-
The Board of Health have, during the past year, investi- gated all complaints made to them in proper form.
GEO. O. ALLEN, A. H. LITCHFIELD, THOS. H. FARMER, Board of Health.
Boston, January I, 1905.
1
TOWN MEETING
Annual Town Meeting, Held in Scituate, March 7, 1904.
Ballot Clerks-William W. Wade and George S. Bailey, who gave out the official ballots.
Charles F. Clapp and Walter J. Stoddard checked the names of voters before depositing their ballots in the ballot box.
Herbert E. Webb and Richard Clapp, as Tellers, counted the votes on the counting board.
Officers sworn by John J. Ford.
The meeting was opened at 7 o'clock a. m.
Henry T. Bailey was chosen moderator and took charge of the voting, being the presiding officer of the voting with the official ballot.
The voting commenced at 7.20 a. m .; at 8.21 the counting of votes commenced.
The polls were declared closed after 12 o'clock.
The ballot box registered 522 votes. The number checked on the two voting lists, 524. Males, 503; females, 2I.
The total vote as announced by the presiding officer was as follows :
Selectmen, for one year-
Henry E. Damon,
148
John J. Ford, 244
W. Webster Hunt, 3I
Alfred A. Seaverns,
2II
James W. Turner,
246
William H. Varrell, 310
E. Parker Welch, 146
1
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Assessors, for one year-
Henry E. Damon,
140
John J. Ford, 23I
W. Webster Hunt.
34
Alfred A. Seaverns.
193
James W. Turner, 227
William H. Varrell, 287
E. Parker Welch, I47
Overseers of the Poor, for one year-
Henry E. Damon,
149
John J. Ford,, 231
W. Webster Hunt.
42
Alfred A. Seaverns,
199
James W. Turner, 225
William H. Varrell,
295
E. Parker Welch, I46
Toren Clerk, for one year- Jetson Wade, 430
Tore Treasurer, for one year-
Ernest L. Bonney,
423
Collector of Taxes, for one year-
Fenton W. Varney,
338
Joseph A. Ward, I38
Auditor, for one year-
Francis B. Lee,
I4I
Peter W. Sharp, 322
School Committee, for three years-
James L. Prouty,
I5I
Julia E. Webb, 306
Surveyor of Highways, for one year-
John T. Fitts, 386
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Board of Health, for three years- Thomas H. Farmer, 310
James L. Prouty, I2I
Tree Warden, for one year-
William H. Burke,
256
Edward Bush, 183
Constables, for one year-
Charles F. Andrews,
90
Everett L. Bearce,
91
Edward J. Dunn,
71
Charles M. Litchfield.
226
Liba F. Litchfield,
185
Daniel J. Sullivan,
53
William E. Supple,
199
John F. Turner, 317
In answer to the question. "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" Yes, 208. No, 21I.
A recount called for on the liquor license question re- sulted : Yes, 210. No, 216.
TOWN OFFICERS CHOSEN.
Selectmen, Assessors and Overscers of the Poor-Wil- liam H. Varrell, John J. Ford, James W. Turner.
Town Clerk-Jetson Wade.
Town Treasurer-Ernest L. Bonney.
Collector of Taxes-Fenton W. Varney.
Auditor -- Peter W. Sharp.
School Committee, three years-Julia E. Webb.
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Surveyor of Highways-John T. Fitts.
Board of Health, three years-Thomas H. Farmer.
Tree Warden-William H. Burke.
Constables-John F. Turner, Charles M. Litchfield, Wil- liam E. Supple.
Pound Keeper-James L. Merritt.
Field Driver-Horace H. Peters.
Fence Viewers-John J. Ford, Hosea J. Stockbridge, Caleb T. Jenkins, Jr.
Surveyors of Lumber-Ansel F. Servan, Edward Rog- ers.
ART. 3 .- Voted, To accept the Annual Report of the Selectmen and other Town officers, as printed.
ART. 4 .- Voted, To raise and appropriate the following :
Removing snow,
$2,000
Support of poor,
5,000
Town officers, 1,700
Collection of taxes,
500
Public buildings,
600
Printing, stationery and postage,
300
Support of schools,
9,000
Transportation,
3,500
Superintendent of Schools,
250
Roads. bridges and sidewalks,
2,500
Miscellaneous,
1,000
Abatement of taxes,
500
Interest on debt,
4,000
Libraries,
500
Soldiers' relief,
500
Legal expenses.
100
Care of lockup,
IO0
Memorial Day,
100
Hydrant rental,
2,700
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Fire Department, 2,500
State tax, estimated, 3,000
County tax, estimated, 3,600
Voted, That the Town raise and appropriate eight per cent. of the funded debt of $97,000, to be paid to the Treas- urer and used by him for no other purpose than reducing the Town debt.
After these several amounts raised went on record a mis- understanding arose in regard to the correctness of the amount of money raised for the Fire Department. Inter- viewing the Selectmen in regard to the difference of opinion expressed by the voters of the Town, I was told the Select- men expected to hold a special Town Meeting in April, and this question could come up again for settlement.
No Town meeting was called for April or May. Then a petition calling for a special Town meeting was duly drawn and signed by more than the required number of voters necessary to call a meeting and handed to the Selectmen, but no meeting was ever called. However, I understand a large part of the money is unexpended. . :
ART. 5 .- Voted, That the rate of wages for removing snow be the same as last year-25 cents per hour.
ART. 6 .- Voted, That the list of jurors as prepared by the Selectmen and revised by the Town be accepted.
ART. 7 .- Voted, That the Town do authorize the Over- seers of the Poor to contract at their discretion for the sup- - port of the Town's poor.
ART. 8 .- Voted, It was voted by a majority vote of the legal voters present and voting that the Treasurer be, and hereby is, authorized with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year beginning March 7, 1904, in anticipation of the collection of taxes, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town, but not exceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the
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notes of the Town therefor, payable within one year after the date thereof.
All debts incurred under the authority of this vote shall. be paid from the taxes of the present municipal year.
ART. 9 .- To hear the report of any committee heretofore chosen, or act thereon.
Report read by Jonathan Hatch, one of the committee on "Obstructions in Highways." and a plan of road east of Egypt Depot submitted to the Town.
Voted, To accept the report.
ART. IO .- Voted, That the Town raise and appropriate $100 for Memorial Day.
ART. II .- To see if the Town will make allowances to Town creditors, or act thereon.
Voted, To pass over.
ART. 12 .- Voted, That the taxes be collected in the same way and manner as last year : 5 per cent. discount to be allowed on all taxes paid on or before Oct. I. 1904: 4 per cent: on or before Nov. 1, 1904; 3 per cent. on or before Dec. 1, 1904. That the Collector receive. I per cent, for collecting the taxes.
ART. 13 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $250 for the salary of Superintendent of Schools.
ART. 14 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $350 for the use of the Tree Warden, or act thereon.
Voted, To pass over.
ART. 15 .- To see what action the town will take in re- gard to building and furnishing a hose house for the parts of the town known as Scituate Centre and Egypt.
Voted, To pass over.
ARTS. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 .- The Moderator ruled the town could take no action on said articles.
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ART. 22 .- To see if the town will enforce the law prohibit- ing the dumping of rubbish on the public highways.
Voted, To pass over.
ART. 23 .- Voted, That the Town Treasurer be and is hereby authorized for and in behalf of the inhabitants of said town of Scituate to sign, seal, acknowledge and deliver unto the inhabitants of the town of Norwell a quitclaim deed of all the right, title and interest of the inhabitants of the town of Scituate, in and to certain described real estate in the town of Norwell, etc.
ART. 24 .- Will the town authorize the School Commit- tee to establish one or more educational centers, or evening schools, or act thereon.
Voted. To pass over. 1
ART 25 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $400 to establish or build a drinking fountain at the junction of Central and Main streets, near the resi- dence of Dr. C. H. Davie, or act thereon.
Voted, No.
ART. 26 .- To see if the town will cause an addition to its present By-Laws, a clause making it legal for its Selectmen to grant licenses for the purchase and sale of old junk, or act thereon.
Voted, Yes.
ART. 27 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of $300 for sidewalks at North Scituate, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Village Club.
Voted, To pass over.
- ART. 28 .- To see if the Town will accept the layout of the Selectmen on petition of George W. Brown, et al., for a pub- lic way from near the residence of Amos W. Merritt on Otis street to Bay street, near the residence of William H. Os- borne, or act thereon.
Voted, To pass over.
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ART. 29 .- To see if the Town will accept the layout of the Selectmen on petition of George W. Brown, et al., for a , public way from Central street to Brook street, over the "Old Lane" from nearly opposite the residence of Wm. H. Burke, or act thereon.
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