USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1875-1881 > Part 2
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$840 00
NORTHI DISTRICT .- DAVID BATCHELDER, SURVEYOR.
Amount apportioned,
$525 00
Cash drawn by Surveyor, 525 00
Expended as follows :
Paid David Batchelder, labor 15 1-2 ds. at $1.75, $27 12
3 1.50, 4 50
C. P. Poland, with horse and cart 26 1-2 days at $3.50, ·
92 75
C. P: Poland, with horse and cart 6 days at $3.00, 18 00
Amount carried forward, $142 37
·
25
Amount brought forward, . ·
$142 37
Paid II. Clay, with horse and cart 10 ds. at $3.50,
35 00
Joseph Connell, " 66
S 3.50,
28 00
Charles Gorham,“ . . 61-2 “ 3.50,
22 75
J. J. Mansfield, “ 13 3.50, 45 50
Benjamin Jarvis, 11
1.75,
19 25
3
1.50,
4 50
James B. Forsyth,
11
1.75,
19 25
John O'Neal,
11
.. 1.75, 19 25
Lawrence Smith,
10
1.75,
17 50
Asaph Evans,
1
1.25,
1 25
J. Drugan,
2
66
1.50,
3 00
Mr. Sullivan,
3
1.50, 4 50
Chas. Gorham, 375 loads gravel at 5 cts.,
18 75
Wm. White,
39 “
" 4 " 1 56
G. N. Littlefield & Co., drain pipe,
6 80
J. F. Emerson,
5 44
S. D. Hobson, plank,
.
.
1 51
Total expended, ·
$396 18
Leaving balance in hands of Surveyor, 128 82
$525 00
SOUTH DISTRICT .- GEO. K. GILMAN, SURVEYOR.
Amount apportioned,
$570 00
Cash drawn by Surveyor,
570 00
Expended as follows :
Paid G. K. Gilman, 65
days at $2.00,
$130 00
E. Felton Sweetser, 38 1-4 66 2.00,
76 50
" for team 27
1.75,
47 25
W. Oliver,
44 3-4
2.00,
89 50
E. Gowing,
42 1-2
2.00,
85 00
S. N. Green,
21 1-4
1.75,
37 19
II. Batchelder,
1 1-2
1.75,
2 62
H. N. Oliver,
51-2
2.00,
11 00
team
4 1-2
1.75,
7 87
Amount carried forward,
$486 93
.
26
Amount brought forward, . $486 93
Paid Edward Sweetser, 4 1-4 days at 1.75, 7 44
H Brown, with team, 8 3 00, 24 00
L. Williams,
2 12 1-2. 14 87
M. Phillips, clearing snow. 3 34
J. P. Barker, blacksmith work. 7 65
S. Ray, 60 1 00
R. Seaver, labor on snow-plough, 7 83
$553 06
Credit by proceeds of sale of stone. 10 00
Total expended, $543 06
Balance now in the hands of Surveyor. 26 94
$570 00
EAST DISTRICT .- ABNER N. BLANCHARD, SURVEYOR.
Amount apportioned,
$400 00
Cash drawn by Surveyor, 350 00 . .
Balance undrawn, $50 00
Expended as follows :
Paid A. N. Blanchard, 43
days at $2.00, $86 00
" for team 32
66 1.75, 56 00
D. S. Fairbanks, with team, 23
3.50, 80 50
W. Tucker, 20
6. 1.75. 35 00
J. Butler,
12 1-4
1.62 1-2. 19 90
66 66
15 1-2
1.75,
27 12
Issachar Stowell.
5 3-4 66 1.50, 8 62
C. Gorham, 6
60
2.00,
12 00
J. B. Forsyth, 2 1-2
1.75,
4 37
Benjamin Jarvis,
3
1.75, 5 25
S. Mayo,
2
1.50, 3 00
P. Downing, 48 loads gravel at 3 cents, 1 44
D. Clayes, 146 loads gravel at 4 cents, ·
5 84
Amount carried forward,
$345 04
27
Amount brought forward, $345 04
Paid J. Walton, blacksmith work, 2 23
Total expended. $347 27
Balance in hands of Surveyor. . 2 73
$350 00
WEST DISTRICT .- CYRUS KIMBALL, SURVEYOR.
Amount apportioned,
$795 00
Cash drawn by Surveyor. ·
735 00
Balance undrawn,
$60 00
Expended as follows :
Paid C. Kimball. 31 days work at $2.25.
69 75
12 1-2
2.00,
25 00
B
1.50, 4 50
66 horse and cart 42 1-2 dys. at 1.75, 74 37
2 1.50, 3 00
W. Sweeney.
days work at 1.75,
12 25
R. Barrett. 37 1-2
66
1.75.
65 61
D. Douglass, 26 3-4 66 1.75,
46 81
P. Reardon,
22 3-4
1.75, 39 81
.1. Corbett. 25 3-4
1.75,
45 06
M. O'Connell, 25 1-4
1:75,
44 18
Simeon Parker, 19
66
1.75,
33 25
F. McCormick, 66
5
2.00,
10 00
P. Hennessey
2
66
1.75,
3 50
J. McLeod,
2
66
1.50,
3 00
P. O'Connor.
10 3-4
1.75.
18 81
6
66
2.50,
15 00
W. Grant.
12 1-2
1.50,
18 75
Hero W. Nichols and horse, 20 3-4 days at $3.50, .
72 63
P. J. Reagan, 15 1-4 days work at 1.75,
26 69
D. Hagerty, 5
1.75.
8 75
B. Smith. 5 1-2
1.75, 9 62
Amount carried forward,
$653 84
2
66
1.75,
3 50
28
Amount brought forward,
$653 84
Paid T. Flynn, 1 days labor at 1.75, 1 75
M. O'Connor, 5 1-2
66 1.75,
9 62
M. Keady, 1 1.75,
7 00
J. Welsh, 14
1.75,
24 50
J. Colter, 9 1-2
1.75,
16 62
P. Connell, 8
1.75,
14 00
J. Keniston, 1
1.75, 1 75
C. Kimball, breaking out snow and repairs, 7 50
J. Mckay, 45 loads gravel at .05, .
2 25
G. W. Aborn, drain pipe,
18 54
C. Kimball, steel, 5 lbs. at 20c.,
1 00
G. N. Littlefield & Co., tools, etc.,
4 80
P. Fehen, blacksmith work, 5 93
J. N. Eames, “
2 20
E. Mansfield & Sons, powder, ·
80
J. S. Trowbridge & Co., powder and fuse, 3 10
P. O'Connor, use of drill, . 1 12
E. B. Burgess, 10 loads gravel at 5c.,
50
Mrs. Slack, stone, ·
.
1 50
A. Wiley, use of drag 5 days, 1 25 .
Peterson & Parker, covering stone, 3 00
Total expended, . $782 57
There is therefore a balance due Cyrus Kimball;
Surveyor, of . $47 57
$735 00
WOODVILLE DISTRICT .- JOSEPH TUTTLE, SURVEYOR.
Amount apportioned, .
$370 00
Cash drawn by Surveyor, .
331 46
Balance undrawn, . $38 54 Expended as follows :
Paid Joseph Tuttle, 33 1-4 days labor at $1.75, 58 17
" horse and cart 32 1-4 days at 1.75, 56 43
Amount carried forward, . $114 60
29
Amount brought forward, .
$114 60
Paid James Lang,
37 1-4 days labor at 1.75,
65 17
Charles Oliver, 33 1-4 66 1.75,
58 17
12 1-4
2.00,
24 50
Jerry Cronan, 66 11 3-4 66
1.75,
20 56
John Doyle,
11 3-4
1.75,
20 56
James Eager, 14 3-4
1.00,
14 75
John Reardon, 1
1.75,
1 75
285 loads gravel at 4c.,
11 40
Total expended,
$331 46
Mr. Tuttle reports that the above has been expended by streets as follows :
Nahant street,
$156 08
Water
164 63
Franklin “
10 75
$331 46
BUILDING ORCHARD STREET.
Special appropriation, $200 00 Expended as follows :
Paid G. F. Hartshorne, surveys, plans, etc., 9 50
Joshua White, as per contract, . 190 00
Total, $199 50
Balance unexpended, 50
$200 00
.
.
30
/
BUILDING COTTAGE STREET.
Special appropriation, $500 00 Expended as follows :
Paid G. F. Hartshorne, surveys, plans, etc., 20 00
Patrick Kenney, on account contract, 230 00
W. S. Greenough, Chairman Board of Se- lectmen, and held by him to meet the provisions of the contract, . 250 00
$500 00
BUILDING SUMMER STREET.
Special appropriation, - $400 00 Expended as follows :
Paid G. F. Hartshorne, surveys, plans, etc., 20 50
W. S. Greenough, Chairman Board of Se- lectmen, and held by him to meet the provisions of the contract, . 379 50
$400 00
RAILING FOR HIGHWAYS.
Special appropriation, $500 00
Expended under the direction of Wm. K. Perkins, as follows :
Paid S. D. Hobson, for lumber, · $221 37
S. Faulkner & Son, stone and labor, . 53 80
Wm. Sweeney, labor, 11 37 .
Mike Foley, 66 . .
4 38
Amount carried forward, . $290 92
31
Amount brought forward,
$290 92
Paid John Doyle, labor,
7 00
Mike Valters. . . 3 50
1. Stubbs, ..
24 94
Mike Connor, . 6
3 50
B. F. Abbott. . .
2 00
James Killorin, . .
2 00
J. O'Neal, . .
2 00
G. A. Daland,
8 85
B. Randall,
16 12
J. W. Smallcon, for iron,
33 75
G. N. Littlefield & Co., for iron, 12 59
Lead, oil and sundries, 17 04
Use of horse, .
·
3 00
15 days labor at $3.00, 45 00 .
Railing R. R. Bridge at Greenwood, .
17 64
W. K. Perkins for lamber, 1 44
Total expended,
$491 29
Balance unexpended, 8 71
$500 00
The foregoing accounts comprise those which have come under the immediate supervision of the Auditors during the year, having been taken from the Auditors' books, and put into a condensed form. The accounts which follow are fur- nished by the various Town Officers after having been prop- erly vouched for their correctness by the Auditors.
The total amount of orders drawn by the Selectmen is $42,073.72, being an excess of $136.86 over the amount of appropriations, caused by the overdrawal in the Poor Depart- ment. The net unexpended balances in the other departments amount to $513.14.
T. J. SKINNER, FREEMAN EMMONS, Auditors.
E. E. EMERSON,
.
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, For the Year ending April 1st, 1876.
EXPENSES AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid Joseph Tuttle, Keeper, salary in full, $350 00
For grain, meal and flour, 662 57
groceries, . 552 79
meat and. fish,
513 .31
dry goods and clothing,
208 76
coal, .
192 10
glass, crockery and hardware,
17 23
labor,
189 50
boots and shoes, 90 95
physician's services and medicines,
41 74
household furniture, . ·
82 46
wheelwright and blacksmith's work, 62 10
repairs on buildings, .
98 48
building vaults, .
80 00
farming tools, .
18 16
harness, and repairing same,
27 06
field and garden seeds,
9 13
school books and stationery,
16 43
stock,
46 00
ice, .
17 00
record book for vagrants,
9 75
standing grass and straw, 44 44
sundries, .
.
.
48 96
·
e
Total expenses at the almshouse, . $3,378 92
33
RECEIPTS.
Received for labor,
. $296 11
produce, ·
149 13
" board, .
81 71
Total receipts,
$526 95
Net expense at almshouse, · . $2,851 97
EXPENSES AWAY FROM THIE ALMSHOUSE.
Paid board and care of Nelson Sweetser, Hospital, $205 05
66 66 Mary E. Osborne, 192 86
66
" Wm. C. Bryant, 131 57
City of Boston for Teresa Blakely, 48 24
66 Wm. Hanglin, 6 00
" Fitchburg for Elijah Edson,
149 05
" Lawrence for Michael J. Welch,
1 25
Supplies to Albert H. Danforth, 2 75
Mrs. Thompson, 11 65
Board and care of Jane Foster, .
14 50
Funeral expenses of Betsy Wilder,
7 00
66 Marcellus Edmunds,
27 00
Allowance to Mary Phipps,
78 00
Physician's bill for James Kelly,
6 50
66 Mrs. Hobbs, .
10 00
J. A. Foster,
7 00
66
66 and supplies to H. W.
Fowler, 19 75
Supplies to Lawrence Denehey,
22 55
66 " T. McLaudiff, .
9 75
" Chas. Sweetser,
3 50
" Geo. M. Ardell,
19 75
66 " John S. Mann,
18 00
66 " Mrs. Hollander,
11 50
66 " J. J. Cummings, 5 50
66
" Martin Donahoe,
12 40
Amount carried forward,
. $1,021 12
34
Amount brought forward, .
$1,021 12
Supplies to Wm. Flynn,
. 11 63
66 ". John Skully, 14 00 .
" Mary Reagan, .
6 40
" Samuel Mayo,
62 50
66 " Susannah Ellis, 52 00
66 " James Mooney, 12 50
Board of daughter and supplies to Barnard
Derby, 66 75
Wm. Newhall, board of child, . 104 00 .
Mary Deering, board of child, . · 78 00
Rent and supplies to Mrs. A. L. Stowell,
51 50
Supplies to Mrs. Geo. K. Walton, 12 22
Supplies to Wm. O'Neil, .
15 25
Mrs. Rebecca F. Foster, board of child, 48 00
Sarah Nichols of Burlington, 73 00
Ellen Duffin, of Boston, 78 00
Town of North Reading for John Chandler,
77 16
Expenses in the case of Ann Mulloy, .
43 08
Expenses in the case of Fred Marden, (State pauper, ) 4.43
Supplies to Mrs. Bransfield,
6 00
Dan'l Shanahan,
8 50
66 John Haggerty,
16 05
Mrs. R. A. Sloan,
288 56
66 Mrs. Ellen Kelly,
3 40
W. J. McKinley,
5 50
Frank Pendle, 11 50
T. Mulligan, 14 90
Funeral expenses of Patrick Tully, 4 00
Supplies to Richard Donahoe, .
4 50
Relief to John McCarty, ·
4 00
Expense of G. W. Blaisdell at Westboro, 3 14
Supplies to tramps, 53
Removing Kelley family to N. H.,
14 40
.
E. W. Wood,
26 50
.
·
.
Total expenses away from the Almshouse, $2,243 02
35
RECEIPTS.
Received, City of Salem for Win. H. Batchelder, $13 00
Town of Stoneham for Mrs. Hobbs, . 10 00
Saugus for Charles Sweetser, 3 50
Peabody for J. S. Mann, 1874-5, 23 25
Orleans, Mrs. Sloan, 1874-5, 249 81
of Geo. K. Walton for wife, 1874-5, 14 07
Estate of Ann Mulloy,
43 08
State for Jane Foster, . 6 00 ·
H. W. Fowler, 7 71
Removing Kelly family, . 14 40
Town of Concord for John Chandler, 38 58
Total receipts,
$423 40
Net expense away from the Almshouse, . $1,819 62
Recapitulation.
The Overseers have received from
former Board,
$90 26
Town, .
. 4,650 00
$4,740 26
Net expense at the Almshouse, .
$2,851 97
away from Almshouse, 1,819 62 -
$4,671 57
Balance in Overseer's hands, $68 67
Largest number of inmates, 29
Average
21 1-2
Present
16
Average expense per week, $2 55
Travelling paupers relieved, 490
36
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
Stock,
. $1,025 00
Hay and grain,
350 00
Carriages, harnesses and tools,
975 00
Provisions,
325 00
Household furniture, · ·
780 00
Miscellaneous,
325 00
Total,
$3,780 00
INMATES OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Mr. Dan Rankin,
74 years of age.
Warren Burditt, .
66
66
James Lang,
42
James Eager,
15
66 66
Thomas G. Tuttle,
24 66
John H. Slocomb,
10
1
Mrs. Keziah Burditt,
Sarah Emerson, .
84
66
Rosella Slocomb,
33
66
Susan Burditt,
24
66
66
Miss Etta W. Slocomb,
14
66
66
Eulalia Slocomb,
12
66
66
Margaret Eager,
13
66
Juliette Eager,
11
66
Cora Slocomb,
8
66
66
Geo. A. Burditt,
6
64
66
There is due from the town of Orleans for Mrs. Rufus A. Sloan, $60.00.
The increasing number of travelling vagrants has required the fitting up of an additional room in one of the outbuild- ings, at a cost of about thirty dollars, which has been charged to the account of repairs on buildings, whilst as a sanitary measure, brick vaults at a cost of eighty dollars have been constructed. The health of the inmates has been generally good, but one death having occurred during the year, that
.
1
37
of a nameless waif whose home for a few days was at the Almshouse. The number of tramps has increased from four hundred and twenty-nine in 1874-5, to four hundred and ninety in 1875-6 ; and the actual cost for lodgings and meals for these vagrants cannot be less than two hundred dollars.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES OLIVER, DANIEL G. WALTON, CYRUS N. WHITE,
Overseers of Poor of Wakefield.
COLLECTOR'S STATEMENTS.
Taxes of 1872. C. W. EATON, - Collector.
Uncollected balance, as per report last year, $433 38 Paid Town Treasurer, $96 25 ·
Abated by Assessors,
·
337 13
$433 38
Taxes of 1873.
OTIS V. WATERMAN, - Collector ..
Total amount assessed, as per report last year, $80,685 75 Less errors corrected by Auditors, 333 03
Correct amount assessed as per Collector's books, $80,352 72 Received as interest, 1,276 79
$81,629 51
Paid Town Treasurer, $77,347 81 Abated by Assessors, . 2,104 18
Discounts allowed, . 2,066 22
Amount uncollected, 111 30
-$81,629 51
39
Taxes of 1874. OTIS V. WATERMAN, - Collector.
Total amount assessed, .
. $79,247 83
Received as interest, ·
.
809 67
$80,057 50
Paid Town Treasurer, $72,039 61
Abated by Assessors,
765 99
Discounts allowed,
. 2,360. 95
Amount uncollected,
. 4,890 95
- -$80,057 50
Taxes of 1875.
OTIS V. WATERMAN, - Collector.
Total amount assessed, ·
. $59,076 58
Received as interest,
.
·
23 30
$59,099 88
Paid Town Treasurer, $40,845 34
Abated by Assessors,
646 55
Discounts allowed,
1,834 79 .
Amount uncollected,
. 15,773 20
$59,099 88
TREASURER'S REPORT.
JAS. F. EMERSON, Treas. in acct. with TOWN OF WAKEFIELD.
DR.
To cash balance in Treasury, . $10,689 45
hired on town notes, . 10,000 00
interest received on loans, 171 11 ·
release of tax deeds, 442 95 .
income of Town Hall, 415 00
rec'd of O. V. Waterman, col. 1873-4-5, 59,577 78
rec'd of C. W. Eaton, 1872, 96 25
Francis Williams, auction'r license 1875, 2 00
from sale of Common grass, 5 00
rec'd from J. D. Mansfield, for druggist license, 50 00
rec'd of County Treas. for rent of Court room, 250 00
rec'd of First District Court lockup fees, 82 91
rec'd of C. Wakefield Estate, acc't Road Commissioners, 27 60
rec'd on school contingent proceeds of concert for music books,
53 82
State Corporation Tax,
·
7,395 79
aid, ·
1,689 50
" National Bank Tax, ·
1,026 30
W. G. Skinner, auctioneer license 1876, State school fund, 298 90
2 00
“ armory rents, .
308 00
sale of soil and old iron, .
2 00
from County Treasurer, dog tax, 453 90
" sale of Town History, 21 95
Total,
$93,062 21
41
CR.
By cash paid Selectmen's orders, . $41,694 24
principal on loans,
. 10,000 00
interest 9,084 96 ·
66 for release deeds, 11 00
lockup keeper (Court fees), . 82 91
66 State Treas. 1-4 liquor license rec'ts, 12 50
State aid, .
1,890 50
66 66 tax, 4,580 00
66
Bank tax, 952 42
County tax,
2,938 20
66 Saugus tax,
4 75
66 for deeds of real estate sold to the town in payment of taxes, 303 21
for recording at Registry of Deeds, 6 80
66 Treas. Public Library, Flint memo- rial fund interest, 70 00
balance in Treasury, .
.
21,430 72
$93,062 21
LOAN ACCOUNT.
Amount as per audit, March 5, 1875, $141,600 00
since hired by Treasurer, . 10,000 00
$151,600 00
Amount paid since March 5, 1875,
10,000 00
Total loans, $141,600 00
Loans are now held, March 5, 1876, as follows : Capt. Henry Bancroft, due May 4, 1876, . $10,000 00
Bonds to bearer, $1,000 cach,
due June 1, 1876, 10,000 00
Amount carried forward, $20,000 00
-
42
Amount brought forward, $20,000 00
Capt. Henry Bancroft, due Jan. 10, 1877, . 15,000 00
Home Savings Bank, due Oct. 18, 1877, . 20,000 00
Hon. Otis Norcross, due April 27,1878, . ·
8,000 00
State Treasurer, due May 1, 1879.
10,000 00
State Treasurer, due May 20, 1881, 19,600 00
Bonds to bearer, $1,000 each,
due June 1, 1881, .
.
19,000 00
Bonds to bearer, $1,000 each,
due May 1, 1882, 30,000 00
Total, $141,600 00
TOWN DEBT.
Amount of Notes and Bonds bear- ing interest March 5, 1876, $141,600 00
Add interest due on Notes and Bonds to Mar. 5, 1876, . .
2,554 17
Due to individuals on account of State aid, ·
90 50
Outstanding town orders, 379 48
$144,624 15
From which deduct :
Cash in Treasurer's hands, . $21,430 72
Due from State on account of State aid, as per return Dec. 31, '75, 1,872 00
Tax deeds held by Treasurer, 510 14
Due on Tax List. 1873, 111 30
1874, 4,890 95
1875, . 15,773 20
Amount carried forward, $44,588 31
43
Amount brought forward, $44,588 31 Due from J. M. Cate, account of armory rent, · 92 00
$44,680 31
Net total debt, $99,943 84
Total debt as per report last year,
106,754 54
Total debt as per report this year, 99,943 84
Decrease since 1875, $6,810 70
STATE AID.
Amount allowed various individuals for -
year ending March 1, 1876, $1,871 00
Balance due from Treas., March 1, 1875, 110 00
$1,981 00
The Treas. has paid of the above am't, $1,890.50
Due from Treas. to March 1, 1876, 90 50
$1,981 00
The amounts which have been paid each person appear in the following statement :
Elizabeth R. Anderson, $78 00
Sarah S. Mason, $56.00
Mary V. Brown,
52 00
Mary McGuire, 52 00
Wm. C. Bryant, 72 00
Elizabeth Moses, 44 00
Amelia A. Carter,
48 00
Johanna Orpin, 48 00
Eliza N. Clifford,
52 00
B. A. Osgood, guardian, 12 00
A. M. Chandler,
32 00
Esther S. Parker, 44 00
Thos. W. Coombs,
96 00
Lucy Poland, 88 00
Ada E. Cowdrey,
52 00
Edwin W. Reed, 21 00
E. T. Cooper, guardian,
4 00
John P. Ross,
24 00
Mary A. Curtis,
96 00
Lydia Sweetser,
52 00
John Davis,
92 00
Sarah Sweetser,
48 00
Victor Eaton,
50 00
Geo. W. Townsend,
140 00
Rodney Edmands,
48 00
Mary S. Wheeler, 48 00
O. N. Gammons,
26 00
Geo. H. Wiley,
78 00
John L. Holden,
3 00
John Whitford, 84 00
Sarah C. Hudson,
54 00
Geo. N. Whiting, 69 00
Harriet E. Jones,
6 00
Hiram Woodis,
54 00
Geo. H. Jackson,
19 50
Lucinda Locke,
48 00
$1,890 50
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
-
The Board of Selectmen would respectfully present to the town the following report upon the various matters that have been referred to them by vote of the town ; also a condensed summary of the more important matters of public interest upon which they have taken action during the year.
TOWN HISTORY.
At the last annual town meeting, various propositions for reducing the price of copies of the Town History were made and rejected, therefore the Board have supplied such demand as there has been for the book at the original prices fixed by vote of the town. But six copies have been sold during the year, leaving seven hundred and fifty-three copies on hand. We have no special recommendations to offer in regard to the disposition of this property, but trust that the town will take wise action thereon.
CHESTNUT STREET CROSSING.
In compliance with instructions from the town, able coun- sel were employed to defend the suit brought by the Boston & Maine Railroad Company to recover from the town the expense of erecting and maintaining the gate at the above named crossing, and for salary of Gate Keeper. The case had been fully prepared for trial by the counsel for the ·town, who were confident of a decision in their favor, but the day previous to the time appointed for a hearing before the January term of the Superior Court for Suffolk County the Boston & Maine Railroad withdrew their suit. Thus endeth this lesson. It has been a somewhat expensive one to the town, but we trust not without profit to all parties interested.
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LIGHTING TOWN HALL.
We were authorized, by vote of the town, to make such alterations in the manner of lighting the Town Hall as seemed for the interest of the town, with a view to effecting a saving in the expense for gas.
In October last the alteration was made by removing the four circles, containing fifty-one burners each, and putting in one centre fixture with fifty-two burners and a reflector, and eight new burners in the galleries, giving one hundred and forty-four less burners than before. During the five months that have elapsed since the change was made, the expense for gas has been $138.60 less than for the same months of the previous year, the Hall having been lighted nearly as many hours. The whole cost of the alterations was $270.66.
GRAVEL PIT NEW SALEM STREET.
The claim of Joseph Connell for additional compensation for land taken by the town for a Gravel Pit on New Salem street, was "referred to the Selectmen with discretionary powers," by vote of the town. On the 7th of July, 1875, a hearing was given to the parties interested, and after due consideration the Selectmen voted to allow Messrs. Connell and Kirk, the owners of the land, $37.50 additional compen- sation ; this award was accepted, and a receipt in full for all claims against the town on account of the above named Gravel Pit was given.
CLAIM OF ELLEN REGAN.
This claim being for compensation for land taken by the town to widen Highland Street, was also "referred to the Selectmen with discretionary powers." A hearing was given July 7th, and the Board subsequently voted not to allow the claim.
CLAIM OF JOHN B. ATWELL.
Article 31 of the warrant for the last annual meeting, "to see if the town will refund to John B. Atwell a portion of the taxes paid by him upon his estate on Prospect street,"
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was "referred to the Selectmen with discretionary power." The subject matter of this article has been carefully con- sidered by the Board, and we would respectfully report, that, in our opinion, the assessment made upon the estate of John B. Atwell on Prospect street was just and fair, and that the town ought not to refund any portion of the taxes paid by the said Atwell upon said estate.
R. L. G. ARMORY.
It will be seen by reference to the Town Reports for 1874-5 that the Selectmen paid to Capt. J. M. Cate for rent of Armory for 1874, one hundred dollars more than was re- turned by the State. This payment (of $400) was made upon the supposition that the State would allow that amount. When it was discovered, at the beginning of the present municipal year, that the State had returned to the Town Treasurer but $300, it was mutually agreed between the Selectmen and Capt. Cate that the amount overpaid for 1874 should be deducted from the amount due for rent for 1875, and the Board feeling confident, from representations made to them, that the State would allow $400 for the year 1875, paid to Capt. Cate $300, in the expectation that the previous overpayment would thus be balanced. But as the State have finally decided to pay but $308, there now re- mains a balance of $92, in which sum Capt. Cate is indebted in the town.
TAX COLLECTOR.
Mr. Abel F. Hutchinson was chosen to the office of Tax Collector, at the last annual town meeting, but failed to furn- ish a Bond for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office as required to do by the provisions of sec. 72, chap. 18 of the General Statutes ; therefore the Board of Selectmen, on the 23d of August last, appointed Mr. Otis V. Water- man Collector pro tempore. Mr. Waterman furnished a sat- isfactory Bond and entered upon the discharge of his duties at once, his compensation being fixed at one per centum of the gross amount of the taxes collected by him.
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LIQUOR LICENSES.
On the first of May, 1875, the License Law, so called, went into effect, and numerous applications were made to the Board for licenses to sell spirituous liquors under the provisions of the law, but for reasons which have seemed to the Board good and sufficient all such applications have been refused, with the exception of that of Dr. J. D. Mansfield, who applied for a license of the fourth class, to sell spirituous liquors for medicinal and mechanical purposes, which was granted. For this license the minimum fec of $50 was paid to the Town Treasurer.
CLAIM OF JAMES FRENCH.
Acting under instructions from the town, the Selectmen came to a mutual agreement with Mr. French that his claim for reimbursement for moneys paid for certain tax titles, and for certain expenses connected therewith, amounting to about $500. should be submitted to George Wm. Phillips, Esq., as . Referec. Hearings were had, both parties being represented by counsel, and the decision of the Referee was that the town should pay to Mr. French the sum of $185. This award is now pending in the Superior Court for Suffolk County on objections by counsel for the town.
WATER STREET BRIDGE.
At a town meeting held November 2d, 1875, the Board of Selectmen were instructed to repair the above named bridge and put it in a safe condition. The Board have not yet acted upon their instructions for the reason that we find the bridge to be in a safe condition and not needing repairs. In our opinion, the trouble, which the person who caused the article under which the above mentioned action was taken to be placed in the warrant, wishes to remedy, is wholly caused by obstructions in a part of the water-course situated on privato land, and over which we have no control.
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