Town annual report of the officers of Burlington, Massachusetts year ending 1914, Part 5

Author: Burlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: [Burlington, Mass. : Town of Burlington]
Number of Pages: 122


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Burlington > Town annual report of the officers of Burlington, Massachusetts year ending 1914 > Part 5


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49.00


Charles B. Skelton, pay roll


65.00


$1654.50


Other expenses.


Walter W. Skelton, team and cash


paid


$87.59


Walter S. McIntire, team 103.00


Wm. G. Fuller


12.42


Thomas I. Reed


2.70


205.71


1860.21


Balance Dec. 1, 1914


$8.59


From Dec. I to Dec. 31, 1914. Cr.


Appropriation March 1914


Dr.


$325.00


Walter W. Skelton, pay roll


$28.50


Charles A. Nichols


38.00


Caleb C. Jenkins


39.00


Patrick Keating


32.00


$137.50


$137.50


$187.50


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


91


POOR. Cr.


Appropriation March 1914 $337.50


Balance Dec. 31, 1913


638.05 .


$975.55


Dr.


Thomas W. Pollock, salary $12.50


George McIntire, salary 12.50


James McLaughlin, salary


12.50


$37.50


Other expenses.


Town of Winchester, aid to poor. . $98.08


City of Woburn, aid to poor. 172.55


City of Somerville aid to poor


78.20


City of Boston, aid to poor. 42.00


Town of Billerica, aid to poor


9.00


A. F. Gould, rent


50.00


E. Caldwalch, express


8.45


Mother aid


30.00


488.28


525.78


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


$449.77


REPAIRS ON WINN STREET.


Cr.


Appropriation 1914


$700.00


Received from Commonwealth 698.59


$1398.59


Dr.


John A. Gaffey


$1397.18


1397.18


Balance Dec. 31, 1914 $1.41


SELECTMEN'S DEPARTMENT.


Cr.


Appropriation by taxation March 1914.


. .


$375.00


92


1


Appropriation by transfer March 1914 .... 103.12


Dr. $478.12


Thomas W. Pollock, salary


$41.67


George McIntire, salary .


41.67


James McLaughlin, salary 41.66


$125.00


Other expenses.


Edison Electric Light Co.


$23.60


A. W. Nichols, expressing and stamps


5.55


Owen Johnson, supplies


3.84


T. P. Wilson, town reports


118.80


T. P. Wilson, printing


11.66


T. P. Wilson, stationery.


1.10


James McLaughlin, cash paid


2.32


S. F. Sewell, ringing bell


3.00


A. W. Brownell, notices


1.50


Registry of deeds, registering 33


deeds, tax title Peach Orchard 31.35


George T. Stubbs, Janitor


20.00


222.72


Forest Fires.


Walter W. Skelton, team and cash


paid .


$33.70


Thomas I. Reed


.61


Eastern Drug Co.


14.08


$48.39


Constables and Police.


E. M. Peters, constable bond ....


$10.00


F. W. Richardson, constable 1913 22.00


F. C. Pearsons, constable and police 40.26


F. C. Pearsons, court order 3.67


H. B. Skelton, services


1.00


J. M. Howe, services


1.00


Orray S. Skelton, services


1.00


Walter S. McIntire, team


1.50


80.43


476.54


$1.58


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


93


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


Cr.


Appropriation March 1914


$2717.50


Balance Dec. 31, 1913


309.91


Mass. School Fund


998.01


Superintendents' Fund


187.50


Dog Licenses


81.06


Tuition, City of Boston


34.00


$4327.98


Dr.


Violet A. Twining, salary


$635.00


Cora McIntire


560.00


Florence B. York


560.00


Linda C. Smith


183.75


Evelyn F. Cross


64.30


Bernice E. Newell


49.20


Mary J. Wilson


9.51


George P. Armstrong


270.00


Henry L. Stone


73.48


George T. Stubbs


164.85


Frank C. Pearsons


41.34


C. Guy Lane, M. D.


44.00


$2655.43


High School Tuition.


City of Woburn


$950.00


City of Medford


50.00


Town of Lexington


120.00


1120.00


Fuel.


J. F. Winn Co.


$187.76


H. E. Lord


113.41


Thomas I. Reed


13.00


E. A. Bennett


8.00


322.17


Repairs.


A. J. Smith


$67.71


J. M. Ellis & Sons


18.00


Stockholm & Paulson


11.37


Barker Lumber Co.


34.77


131.85


-


94


Supplies.


Mary J. Wilson, cash paid . $2.25


James McLaughlin, cash paid .75


Am. Book Co. 3.51


Little, Brown Co.


1.60


D. C. Heath Co.


1.00


W. A. Hall 2.45


J. L. Hammett Co.


103.34


E. E. Babb Co. 61.86


Bunkio Matsuki 2.15


Joseph M. Howe, expressing and cash paid


10.93


Silver Burdette


2.18


W. F. Brainard 4.50


Daniels & Price


2.97


George P. Armstrong 8.20


Wright & Potter


1.81


E. Ginn Co. .48


209.98


Miscellaneous.


F. W. Richardson, posts


$4.00


Stone, Forsythe 8.00


G. F. Whitney 1.35


Singer Machine Co.


23.04


Woburn Hardware Co.


25.20


Nellie L. Bennett


5.00


S. F. Sewell


2.00


T. P. Wilson


12.00


George Stubbs


5.50


Ames Implement Co.


4.95


Kettle & Blake


13.75


Kenny Bros. & Wolkins 30.00


Wm. J. Pollock


2.00


Joseph M. Howe, census


10.00


146.79


4,586.22


Deficit Dec. 31, 1914.


$258.24


INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.


Cr.


Appropriation, March, 1914


$200.00


95


Dr.


City of Lowell


$140.00 140.00


Balance, Dec. 31, 1914. . . $60.00


Transportation.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914


$901.24


Balance Dec. 31, 1913


259.00


Sale of tickets


19.00


1,179.24


Dr.


Joseph M. Howe


$800.00


Bay State Street Railroad. 375.00


1,175.00


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


$4.24


E


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914


.


$97.50


Dr.


Frank C. Pearsons, salary.


.


12.50


Other expenses.


Central Hardware Co.


8.90


Fairbanks Scales Co.


49.80


Barker Lumber Co.


23.25


Taylor Express


2.00


Mass. Department


Weights and


Measures


1.50


97.95


97.95


Deficit Dec. 31, 1914.


.45


SIMONDS PARK. Cr.


Balance Dec. 31, 1913


$182.10


Dr.


John S. Nichols, pay roll


12.00


96


George D. Getchall, pay roll


30.50


M. H. C. Nichols, pay roll . 9.00


Frank C. Pearsons, pay roll 7.50


59.00


Other expenses.


C. B. Sherburn


26.48


W. G. Stretton


6.70


Woburn Hardware Co.


9.32


W. G. Fuller 1.00


43.50


102.50


Balance Dec. 31, 1914 $79.60


SNOW AND ICE.


Cr.


Balance Dec. 31, 1913


$200.00


Appropriation March, 1914


165.00


$365.00


Dr.


George W. Bustead


$65.38


George McIntire


9.00


Thomas I. Reed


21.50


Breen Bros.


7.50


Orren E. Bowman


9.00


David E. Barnum


15.75


Howard Goodwin


17.00


Patrick Keating


18.00


George R. Wilson


14.25


H. W. Graham


39.00


M. H. C. Nichols


13.50


Fred Graham


10.00


Raymond Twining


1.00


Thomas W. Pollock


4.00


244.88


Other expenses.


Snow plow 65.00


George W. Bustead, cash paid


97


freight and cartage


5.39


70.39


315.27


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


$49.73


STREET LIGHTS.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914


$200.00


Transfer March, 1914


168.49


$368.49


Dr.


Edison Electric Light Co.


317.24


317.24


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


$51.25


STATE AID.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914


$150.00


Dr.


State Aid


144.00


Balance Dec. 31, 1914 $6.00


DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENSE ON SOUTH BEDFORD STREET.


$3,997.23 of the total was expended in 1913.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1913


$3,000.00


Appropriation March, 1914


4,184.09


Received from Commonwealth .


400.00


$7,584.09


Dr.


Expended in 1913


3,997.23


John A. Gaffey, on contract. 3,430.59


98


Other expenses.


Frank C. Pearsons, weigher


82.00


Barker Lumber Co., stakes


10.50


Henry Goldberger, bounds


3.30


Thomas W. Pollock, cash paid ....


1.50


7,525.12


Balance Dec. 31, 1914.


$58.97


STATE TAX.


Cr.


By taxation


$1,487.50


Dr.


Commonwealth


$1,487.50


STATE HIGHWAY TAX.


Cr.


By taxation


$190.00


Dr.


$190.00


COUNTY TAX.


Cr.


By taxaton


$815.75


Dr.


County of Middlesex


$815.75


TOWN CLERK.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914


Dr.


$150.00


Selwyn H. Graham, salary


$125.00


Other expenses.


Selwyn H. Graham, recording .. . .


7.05


99


Commonwealth


A. W. Brownell, supplies 8.30


140.35


140.35


Balance Dec. 31, 1914 $9.65


TOWN HALL.


Cr.


By taxation


$1,000.00


Dr.


Catherine Rogan, land $570.80


Wm. J. C. Semple, surveying. .. 10.00


Loring & Phipps, architects. 280.00


860.80


860.80


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


$139.20


Unpaid bill $15.00. To be reimbursed by Trustees of Marshall Simonds $595.80.


TREE WARDEN.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914.


$100.00


Balance Dec. 31, 1913


1.50


$101.50


Dr.


Walter W. Skelton


$6.00


Walter 'S. McIntire


18.00


Wm. G. Fuller


.90


Thomas I. Reed


.90


25.80


Pay Roll Elm Beetle.


Walter W. Skelton 9.00


Wm. J. Pollock


7.50


C. C. Jenkins 6.00


C. P. Knowles


6.00


100


George D. Getchall 6.00


34.50


60.30


Balance Dec. 31, 1914


$41.20


TREASURER.


Cr.


Appropriation March, 1914 $113.34


Dr.


Walter S. McIntire, salary. $83.34 Other expenses.


E. M. Peters, bond 20.00


Bureau of Statistics, certifying


notes


6.00


109.34


Balance Dec. 31, 1914 $4.00


101


Report of the Town Hall Committee


To the Citizens of Burlington-


The Town Hall Committee wish to submit the following report. At a town meeting held June 1, 1914, the Town voted that the Town build a Town Hall not to exceed in cost $15,000, including building and the purchase of land. The rate of interest not to exceed 4 1-2 per cent. The following Committee was appointed by the Town : E. D. Bennett, James McLaughlin, D. E. Barnum, Hugh McCafferty and Horace B. Skelton. The Committee met and was organized with E. D. Bennett as Chairman and D. E. Barnum as Clerk. The Com- mittee purchased from Mrs. Catherine Rogan a location for the Hall and a deed was drawn in favor of the Town and the land paid for, the price being $570.80. An architect was hired to draw plans and specifications for a building not to exceed $15,000 and bids were asked for the construction of the same. The bids were received and opened Sept. 5, 1914, and all were above $15,000 and were rejected. At a special Town Meeting held Nov. 9, 1914, the Town voted to include the Rogan lot in the Simonds Park and to accept from the Simonds trustees a sum of $5,000, to be used with the $15,000 for a Town Hall and to pay all expense on the Rogan lot. The Committee met at the Stevenson place and voted to accept a part of the same for a location for the Town Hall. And this Committee would recommend to the Town that they make some provision for the moving of the building on the Stevenson place to a location near the Blodgette property and to use the land for a Town Hall location.


EDWARD D. BENNETT, DAVID E. BARNUM, JAMES MCLAUGHLIN, HORACE B. SKELTON.


102


Report of the Civic and Devel- opment Committee


Monthly meetings have been held and not only the develop- ment of Burlington has been discussed but the ways and means that are necessary to enable such development.


It is not so difficult a matter to make plans for numerous improvements as it is to provide the necessary funds ; neverthe- less we feel that the plans should be made and carefully pre- served so that whatever money can be spared for this work each year will be expended not only to accomplish the particular thing in hand but fit into the whole plan.


Burlington is to have a new Town Hall and it will be one in which we can take pride. The setting or location of this building is very important.


The Trustees of the Simonds Estate offered to donate a plot of ground considered more desirable than that originally purchased for the Town Hall, and further are willing to have the present store buildings moved to the proposed site if desired and thereby permit the erection of the Town Hall on the prop- erty now occupied by the store buildings.


To obtain more expert opinion on this subject and also the development of the Civic center of the town, we arranged a visit by Mr. P. H. Elwood of the Extension Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College.


Mr. Elwood, before leaving us, said he was very enthusi- astic over Burlington's possibilities. Its location, height, and the natural beauty of the country make it an ideal home site. Some of us have felt the town isolated and therefore handi- capped because we have no railroad; Mr. Elwood considered this a distinct advantage. It means no factories, poor trans- portation facilities, and a few other disadvantages, but it also means a smaller percentage of foreigners, less smoke, dirt, and noise, and a more desirable home place.


103


Mr. Elwood was particularly enthusiastic over the possi- bilities of a future Common bounded by Center and Bedford Streets and the State Road. He believes the natural advantages assisted by the town's efforts towards development will attract many desirable residence seekers and also increase materially not only the surrounding property values but those farther from the center as well. Since we cannot have factories to increase the population and thereby the town's revenue, it must be in- creased in other ways. We must make others see that Burling- ton is a desirable place in which to live.


The Massachusetts Agricultural College are preparing a plan for the Civic Center, or Common, for the Town's ap- proval. Changes may be suggested and made but eventually we should have a definite, settled plan and then each year endeavor to accomplish some part of it.


One of the first things we feel should be done is to adver- tise the Town ; let people know who we are and where we are. A stranger may go through Burlington over any road, via trolley, automobile, or shank's mare and not know it. We should ask the Boston and Northern to paint the name on the stations and keep these stations in better repair. At some favorable place on the main roads entering the town a neatly painted sign should give the town name and state briefly that information regarding home sites or farms can be had of the Town Clerk. We can then file with the Town Clerk a list of such property as we may wish to sell. This will bring the prospective buyer direct to the property owner and without cost to either.


A very considerable improvement can be made in certain directions by a little co-operation and less money. The grounds of our public buildings could be made more attractive. Except for the roadside trees, our schoolhouse grounds have only one tree visible from the road. The driveway could be lined with a hedge. Shrubs in the corners each side of the entrance would be a big improvement. The scholars, guided by the teachers, could do these things and as most of the shrubs, etc., could be found in the woods or donated, there would be practically no expense.


Some improvement along the same lines could be made on our church grounds. A bank of shrubs and perhaps a simple flower garden would make quite a difference ; and we think this


104


need cost the town little more than the suggestion.


The Library also needs a little attention.


We have spoken of the trolley stations. Perhaps we can- not induce the Boston & Northern to do more than paint the town name and street on them but we can try; and failing, a little grass, a shrub or two would not cost much-labor donated.


It would be only natural for this movement to extend to our individual homes.


Here and there about the town there are houses or build- ings that are very unsightly. If a general movement of this kind is started the owners would undoubtedly do all in their means to help the thing along.


Our highways, generally speaking, are good ; much better than almost any other town of equal population and better than some much larger. Some improvement can be made in the road sides, however. The gutters should be kept clean, brush cut down, and where there are no trees some should be planted. They need cost nothing but the labor, and perhaps not that.


The great disadvantage which we have is the over supply of waste brush land. We have had this matter up with the Massachusetts Agricultural College, also the State, and al- though the question is now before the legislature no real econom- ical or practical plan has been suggested. Some towns are clearing and planting to forests. The State offers prizes to towns doing the best work in this direction. Orchards are being planted and while they require more care they bring greater profits and quicker. Waste brush land is a very serious prob- lem and the Committee will welcome and carefully consider suggestions for its solution.


Camp lots-another drawback. The individual lots in- crease temporarily in value perhaps but they are hardly a good asset for a self-respecting town. Many must be taken over for taxes by the town. These are scattered and their disposition is another problem the Committee have not solved. Also, the type of dwelling usually erected on these lots is not much of an asset to the town. This is a matter to be seriously considered. A building inspector backed with proper authority may be necessary. Probably the enactment of a law on building re- strictions will be sufficient to stop the evil. If the buyers can- not build a cheap camp they do not want the lots.


105


Co-operation .- It has performed wonders in other com- munities. When it gets started in Burlington we will have the best town within a fifty-mile radius of the State House. It has built highways, power plants, municipal factories, even towns and cities,-no end of big things. Some people think co-opera- tion is helping the other fellow at some sacrifice of time or money. That is a mistake. Co-operation is having the other fellow help you.


Co-operation and Finances should be talked of together. We must have some of both but the more we have of co-opera- tion the less we need of money. With the regular burdens the Town must carry, probably little can be spared for this develop- ment work however important it may be, and if the taxes were increased to take care of the expense we would all kick. But suppose one hundred (100) men of Burlington each agreed to give the town one-half day per month of his time-six days in a year. It is not much, but it means six hundred (600) days' work for the town. That would do wonders for the town and no individual would lose anything, but instead would gain. The question is :- Shall we do it?


The Committee have considered these and other matters and have made certain recommendations and there ends their power. We will close our report with one further recom- mendation ; namely, that to start and carry on this work $250.00 be appropriated from the funds of the town provided an addi- tional $250.00 be raised by subscription.


Respectfully submitted,


E. B. PARKE, THOMAS W. POLLOCK, SELWYN H. GRAHAM, WALTER W. SKELTON, JAMES MCLAUGHLIN.


Committee.


-F


106


.


Index


Page


Town Officers for 1914


3


Report of Town Clerk 5


Report of Selectmen


47


Report of School Committee


51


Report of Superintendent of Schools


54


Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures


63


Report of Library Trustees


64


Report of Librarian 68


Report of Overseers of the Poor


70


Report of Park Commissioners


71


Report of Assessor


72


Report of Tax Collector


74


Report of Treasurer


76


Report of Highway Surveyor 83


Report of Auditor


84


Financial


85


Report of Town Hall Committee


102


Report of Civic and Development Committee


103


107


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