USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1875-1881 > Part 34
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ART. 18. To see what method the town will adopt for the collection of taxes for the year ensuing.
Voted, That the town adopt the same method for collect- ing taxes as was adopted for the year 1879. [See Annual Report of last year, page 12, or Town Clerk's Record, Book No. 6, Fol. 510. ]
ART. 19. To see if the town will authorize their Collector of Taxes for the year ensuing to use all means for the collection of taxes, which a Town Treasurer when appointed Collector may use.
Voted, That the Collector of Taxes for the year ensuing be authorized to use all means for the collection of taxes, which a Town Treasurer when appointed Collector may use.
ART. 20. To determine the compensation of enginemen for the year ensuing.
Voted, That the compensation of enginemen for the en- suing year be fixed at the sum of thirteen dollars [$13], and a sum equal to the poll tax.
ART. 21. To see if the town will authorize their Treasurer to hire money on a term of years for the purpose of providing for payment of town notes, maturing during the present year.
Voted, That the Treasurer be authorized, with the ap- proval of the Selectmen, to borrow money to renew or re- place any existing loan or loans on such term of years, not exceeding ten years, as in their judgment may be deemed desirable.
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ART. 22. To see what additional regulations if any the town will adopt in respect to sales of real estate held by the town by virtue of tax-deeds, in cases where the sum offered shall not be sufficient to re- imburse the town to the full amount of taxes and expenses.
Voted, That in sales by auction or otherwise of real estate held by the town by virtue of tax-deeds, in cases where the sums offered shall not be sufficient to re-imburse the town for its outlay, the Treasurer and Selectmen, acting together, be invested with discretionary power as to terms of settle- ment.
ART. 23. To see if the town will authorize and direct its Assessors to make a new and revised valuation of taxable estates, and cause a list of the same to be printed, or what they will do about it.
Voted, That the town authorize and direct its Board of Assessors to make a new and revised valuation of taxable estates, and cause a list of the same to be printed for distri- bution, and that the sum of three hundred dollars [$300] be raised and appropriated to pay the expense of the same.
ART. 24. To see if the town will authorize its Assessors to procure from the South District Registry of Deeds an annual list of conveyances of real estate in Wakefield, as an aid to the legal and accurate assess- ment of taxes, or what action it will take in the matter.
Voted, That the Assessors be authorized to procure from the South District Registry of Deeds an annual list of con- veyances of real estate in Wakefield, to aid the Assessors in making an accurate assessment of taxes.
ART. 25. To see if the town will authorize its Selectmen to provide a night watch, or whether it will authorize them to keep two or more policemen on duty evenings until midnight, or what it will do in rela- tion thereto.
A motion to pass over was rejected, [yeas 19, nays 37].
Voted, To leave the matter discretionary with the Select- mell.
ART. 26. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred and fifty dollars ($150) to decorate soldiers' graves on Memorial Day, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars [$150] to decorate soldiers' graves on Mc- morial Day.
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ART. 27. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) for the purpose of building a sidewalk upon Main street from near the house of Mr. Beebe to Lowell street, or what they will do in the matter.
Voted, That the subject of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
ART. 28. To see if the town will reimburse the petitioners for an in- junction in the case of the C. Wakefield Engine Co. for the legal ex- penses incurred by them.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars [$125] to reimburse the petitioners for an injunction in the case of the C. Wakefield Engine Co.
ART. 29. To see if the town will' order by ballot, yeas or nays, a vote upon the question of licenses for the sale of spirituous and intoxi- cating liquors for the year ensuing.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone this subject, [yeas 54, nays 38.
ART. 30. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to require all local organizations using the Town Hall to pay therefor a sum that shall at least cover the cost of heating, lighting and janitor's services.
Voted, That the town instruct its Selectmen to require all local organizations using the Town Hall to pay such sums for the use of the hall as shall cover the expense of heating, lighting and janitor's services.
ART. 31. To see if the town will appoint a committee to report, for adoption by the town, a new and revised list of Rules and Orders, to be observed in all meetings of the town, or what they will do about it.
Voted, That a committee of five, to include the Modera- tor, be appointed to prepare and report at the next meeting a new and revised list of Rules and Orders for adoption by the town, to be observed in all town meetings.
The following gentlemen were appointed that committee : S. K. Hamilton, W. S. Greenough, James Oliver, Thomas Winship and William F. Young.
ART. 32. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars ($125) to improve the lighting of the Town Hall, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To refer this matter to a committee of three to re-
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port at a future meeting. The chair appointed as this com- mittee John Purington, Lucius Beebe and James F. Emer- son.
ART. 33. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of twenty dol- lars ($20) for the use of the Fish Committee.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of twenty dol- lars [$20] for the use of the Fish Committee.
ART. 34. To see if the town will instruct the engineers to appoint a company for the C. Wakefield Engine, or what they will do about it.
Voted, That the town instruct the engineers to appoint a company for the C. Wakefield Engine, [yeas 94, nays 39.]
ART. 35. To see if the town will take any action for the improvc- ment of the acoustic properties of the Town Hall.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to take such ac- tion for the improvement of the acoustic properties of the Town Hall as they find can be done at an expense not ex- ceeding two hundred dollars.
ART. 36. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of fifty dol- lars ($50) to grade the road-bed and sidewalks on Pleasant street be- tween Otis and Vernon streets, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone this article.
A motion to reconsider prevailed, [yeas 63, nays 44], and it was then voted to raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars [$50) to grade the road-bed and sidewalks on Pleas- ant street between Otis and Vernon streets.
ART. 37. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one thou- sand dollars ($1000) to be expended under the direction of the Select- men, to lay concrete sidewalks opposite the estates, whose owners will pay one-half of the expense of laying the same, or what they will do about it.
Voted, That the sum of one thousand dollars [$1000] be raised and appropriated, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, to lay concrete sidewalks opposite the es- tates where the abuttors are willing to pay one-half of the expense of laying the same.
ART. 38. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of six hundred dollars ($600) for the purpose of enforcing the liquor law.
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Voted, That the subject of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
ART. 39. To see if the town will grant the free use of the Town Hall to all temperance organizations of Wakefield.
Voted, That any action under this article be indefinitely postponed.
ART. 40. To see if the town will build a sidewalk from the residence of the late James Eustis to the residence of the late Luther Reed on Elm street, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone this article.
ART. 41. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to request the Eastern Railroad Company to open the original water course near the centre of the meadow east of Vernon street, or what they will do about it.
Voted, That this article be referred to the Selectmen, with instructions to request the Eastern Railroad Company to open the original water course near the centre of the meadow east of Vernon street.
ART. 42. To see if the town will authorize the sale of the Hearse- house, Hearse, and all articles pertaining to the same, or what they will do in relation to the matter.
Voted, That the subject of this article be indefinitely post- poned.
ART. 43. To see if the town will grade pleasant street from Eaton to Salem streets, and appropriate the sum of one hundred and twenty- five dollars ($125) for that purpose, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone any action under this article.
ART. 44. For action under this article see page 7.
ART. 45. To see if the town will accept a donation of two hundred dollars ($200) from Mrs. Harriet N. Flint, said sum to be expended in decorating Memorial Hall.
Voted, That the town accept the donation of two hundred dollars [$200] from Mrs. Harriet N. Flint, and that the thanks of the town be extended to her for her liberal dona- tion.
ART. 46. To see if the town will protect the shade-trees on Elm- street from canker-worms.
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Voted, That the article be left in the hands of the Select- men.
ART. 47. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred dollars ($100) for grading Mechanic street, and building side- walks upon the same, or what action they will take in the matter.
Voted, That this article be referred to the Highway Sur- veyor for the Centre District to take such action as he shall see fit.
ART. 48. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150) to grade Highland street, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars [$150] to grade Highland street, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Selectmen.
ART. 49. To hear and act upon the report of the Selectmen with reference to the extension of Otis street, easterly to Vernon street, as petitioned for by O. V. Waterman and others.
The Report of the Selectmen for the extension of Otis street was submitted by James Oliver, Chairman of Board of Selectmen.
Voted, To accept and adopt the report.
(Report recorded in Commissioners' Records, Book 1, Page 61.)
ART. 50. To see what action the town will take in regard to pro- curing a keeper for the Town Farm, or what they will do about it.
Voted, That the subject matter of this article be referred to the Overseers of the Poor with discretionary authority.
Voted, On motion of J. M. Cate, that it is the sense of this meeting that the Board of Overseers do not hire a keep- er of the Town Farm for the year succeeding their term of office, and that the Overseers be instructed not to appoint a Superintendent of the Town Farm before the second Monday of April.
ART. 51. To see what action the town will take in regard to the col- lection of moneys belonging to the town, the evidence of which is in the possession of citizens of the town, or what they will do about it.
Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
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ART. 52. To see if the town will direct the Selectmen to place in every town warrant the article "To hear and act upon the reports of committees."
Voted, On motion of A. F. Hutchinson, that the Select- men be instructed to place the article " To hear and act on Reports of Committees " in any warrant for a town meeting, except the annual meeting, or when the town shall direct a committee to report at a particular meeting, unless the com- mittee give notice in season that they intend to report, and the subject they intend to report on. And the Selectmen shall name the committee, and the subject they intend to re- port on in the article.
ART. 53. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to pay Henry B. Waitt a bounty of one hundred dollars ($100) with interest, which he claims to be due him, for filling the quota of the town in the late rebellion, and appropriate money therefor, or what action they will take in the matter.
Voted, That this subject be referred to the Selectmen, and that the town abide by their decision.
ART. 54. To see if the town will instruct the Overseers of the Poor to employ with labor all able-bodied persons requiring assistance from the town, and authorize them to pay it from the appropriation for the poor, and charge it to them as so much labor performed, and not as given to paupers, or what will they do about it.
Voted, That the Overseers of the Poor have discretionary authority to use out of the regular appropriation the sum of three hundred dollars [$300] to be charged to account of wages in place of given to paupers.
ART. 55. To see what action the town will take in relation to paying a bounty of one hundred dollars ($100) to Henry H. Evans.
Voted, To refer this article to the Selectmen, and they to report thereon.
ART. 56. To hear and act upon reports of committees.
Voted, That all action under this article be deferred to the adjourned meeting.
Voted, That when this meeting adjourn it be for one week at 7.30 o'clock P. M.
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The following resolution was adopted by the town :
Resolved, That the Town Clerk be instructed to take pos- session of all the ballots cast for town officers, and preserve the same for the space of three months.
On motion of John M. Cate it was voted that the thanks of the meeting be tendered to S. K. Hamilton, Moderator, for the very able and expeditious manner in which he has conducted the business of this meeting, and that he be paid ten dollars [$10] for his services.
At 12.10 o'clock A. M. April 6th, 1880, the chair declared the meeting adjourned until next Monday evening at 7.30 o'clock.
ADJOURNED MEETING, APRIL 12, 1880.
The meeting was called to order by S. K. Hamilton, Esq., Moderator, who proceeded to read the opinion of John P. Healy, Esq., in regard to the election of Overseers of the Poor.
BOSTON, April 10th, 1880.
SAMUEL K. HAMILTON, ESQ.
Dear Sir-Having fully considered the questions you pro- posed to me, respecting the balloting for Overseers of the Poor on the fifth instant in the town of Wakefield, I submit the following
OPINION :
When the town had revoked its acceptance of the provis- ions of May 4th, 1877, being Chapter 186 of the Acts of that year, it became its duty to elect Overseers of the Poor, in the same manner as if the acceptance had never been made, that is, to elect three persons for that office for the term of one year. An election could not be made for any longer term of either of the three. The adding of the words " for three years " after the name of the candidate voted for, has no legal significance whatever; they should be rejected as surplusage, and the ballot counted for the candidate borne thereon, as it would be if those words had not been added.
It was competent in the election of Overseers of the Poor
-
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for any voter to cast his vote for one, two or three persons, and the vote must be counted for the person or persons voted for, though the number voted for be less than three.
Ballots bearing the initials only of the Christian name of a candidate are entitled to be counted.
My conclusion, therefore, is, that the three persons having the largest number of votes, to wit: Theodore E. Balch, John M. Cate and William G. Strong, were legally elected Overseers of the Poor for the coming year.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed)
J. P. HEALY.
The Moderator then declared Messrs. Balch, Cate and Strong elected Overseers of the Poor for the current year.
The following resolution was offered by John A. Meloney and adopted by the town :
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the town pay its laborers one dollar and seventy-five cents per day for labor upon the highway.
ART. 56 was then taken up, which was as follows: "To hear and act upon reports of committees."
On motion of W. F. Young it was voted to rescind the rule whereby we voted that no person be allowed to speak more than twice on the same subject, and not more than five minutes at a time. A motion was then offered to accept the report of the committee, who were charged with the duty of examining the past and present system of managing the Town Farm.
[This report was in printed form, and had been previously circulated through the town. As it was lengthy, we omit re- printing ; it can be found on file in the Town Clerk's office]. Wm. F. Young then spoke in favor of the Report of the Committee for one hour and thirty minutes. A motion to amend was then offered by E. A. Upton, Esq., by adding thereto " The reply of the Overseers of the Poor to the Committee's Report. [This reply was also printed, and had received general circulation ].
Mr. Upton then addressed the meeting in behalf of the reply of the Overseers of the Poor.
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W. S. Greenough moved that the reports of the Committee and Overseers of the Poor be referred to a new committee, they to obtain all the facts in the case, and to report at a future meeting.
Mr. Low called for the previous question which was voted. The motion of Mr. Greenough was lost, [yeas 78, nays 128.] The amendment of Mr. Upton was lost [yeas 77, nays 118. ]
The motion to accept the report of the Committee was then carried in the affirmative.
Voted, To adopt the report.
Voted, That the thanks of the town be extended to the Committee.
At 11.45 p. M. voted, that this meeting be dissolved.
TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 2d, 1880.
PRESIDENTIAL AND STATE ELECTION.
The meeting was called to order by T. E. Balch, Chair- man of the Board of Selectmen. After the reading of the warrant, prayer was offered by the Rev. R. R. Riddell.
The chair appointed Charles H. Davis and William H. Gray to assist in checking the names on the voting list.
Voted, That the polls be kept open until 4.45 o'clock P. M. and then be closed.
The polls were then declared open for the reception of ballots for the various officers named in the warrant.
RESULT OF THE BALLOT.
The Republican ticket, " Garfield and Arthur," . 625 votes
The Democratic " Hancock and English," . 332
The Greenback " Weaver and Chambers," 41
FOR REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS.
Selwyn Z. Bowman of Somerville had 427 votes Lucius Beebe of Wakefield 359 66 ·
James N. Buffum of Lynn
· 37 60
·
25
FOR GOVERNOR.
John D. Long of Hingham had 623 votes
Charles P. Thompson of Gloucester · 357
Horace Binney Sargent of Salem
64
FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
Byron Weston of Dalton had 625 ·
votes
Alpha E. Thompson of Woburn
· 360
George Dutton of Springfield
43
66
FOR SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
Henry B. Peirce of Abington had 625 votes
Michael T. Donahoe of Somerville
· 363
Jonathan Arnold of North Abington
·
43
66
FOR TREASURER AND RECEIVER GENERAL.
Daniel A. Gleason of Medford had 625 votes
Francis J. Parker of Newton . 364
Wilbur F. Whitney of Ashburnham FOR AUDITOR.
43
66
Charles R. Ladd of Springfield had 625
votes
Charles R. Field of Greenfield
.
364
Charles F. Warner of Northampton
43
FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.
George Marston of New Bedford had
.
625
votes
Patrick A. Collins of Boston ·
·
363
Israel W. Andrews of Danvers ·
43
FOR COUNCILLOR, SIXTH DISTRICT.
George Heywood of Concord had 625 votes.
Daniel Wetherbee of Acton
.
364
66
Walter Raynor of Reading
·
FOR SHERIFF.
Eben W. Fiske of Waltham had ·
625 votes. Godfrey Ryder of Medford . · 364
Wm. H. Turner of Stoneham
43
FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Wm. B. Stevens of Stoneham had
624
votes
James J. McCafferty of Lowell .
362
Dean Dudley of Wakefield
43
66
FOR COUNTY COMMMISSIONER.
Harrison Harwood of Natick had
624
votes
Thomas H. Hill of Woburn
·
363
George W. Kimball of Natick .
43
66
FOR SENATOR, SIXTH MIDDLESEX DISTRICT.
Thomas Winship of Wakefield had 643 votes. George W. Norris of Woburn · 342
Charles H. Lang of Reading . . · 44
66
42
26
FOR SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS.
Samuel Staples of Concord had
625
votes
Edward E. Thompson of Woburn 625 ·
Lewis P. True of Everett
· 364
Clement Meserve of Hopkinton
.
364 66
John S. Verity of Cambridge
43
.
John C. Meehan of Woburn
43
66
FOR COMMISSIONERS OF INSOLVENCY.
Frederic T. Greenhalge of Lowell had 625
votes
John Haskell Butler of Somerville 625 ·
66
Clark A. Batchelder of Ayer
. 625
66
James W. McDonald of Marlboro
· 364
66
John W. Bragdon of Medford
364
66
John H. Morrison of Lowell
364
Nathan Page Jr., of Wakefield
43
Abram Tyler of Hudson
43
66
. Reuben Bacon of Bedford
43
66
FOR REPRESENTATIVE TO GENERAL COURT.
Solon O. Richardson of Wakefield had 662
votes
Samuel K. Hamilton of Wakefield
· 318
66
Wm. F. Young of Wakefield
·
64
6
MEETING FOR TOWN BUSINESS AT 2 O'CLOCK P.M.
ART. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
James Oliver was chosen Moderator.
ART. 2. To hear and act upon the jury list as prepared by the Se- lectmen.
The jury list as prepared by the Selectmen was read by the Chairman and adopted by the town. [For list of jurors as adopted see page 5.]
ART. 3. To hear and act upon the report of the committee upon lighting the Town Hall.
The committee appointed to report to the town a better method of lighting the Town Hall reported as follows :
REPORT.
The committee appointed at the last town meeting to re- port on the best method of improving the present system of illuminating the Town Hall report as follows :
They learn that originally the hall had over two hundred
1
66
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burners, which were changed and reduced to the present number of about sixty burners, which your committee con- sider was too large a reduction for the proper illumination of the hall ; and they recommend that an additional number of fifteen burners be placed at each of the four corners of the fresco directly under the ventilators, which will not only aid to the better illumination of the hall, but will assist to im- prove its ventilation. They also recommend that the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars [$125] be appropriated to pay the expense of the same.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCIUS BEEBE, JOHN PURINGTON, Committee.
JAMES F. EMERSON,
Voted, That the report be accepted and adopted.
ART. 4. To see if the town will authorize and direct the Collector of Taxes, to have an examination made of the titles and assessments of real estate to be sold for the payment of taxes, before making a sale of the same, for the purpose of preventing a defective title being given under such sale.
Voted, To pass this article over.
ART. 5. To see if the town will purchase one or more lots in Lake- ·side Cemetery as a burial place for Union soldiers, to be called " The Soldiers Lot," and appropriate the sum of one hundred and twenty dollars ($120) to cover the expense of the same.
Voted, That a committee of six be appointed by the Chair, three of whom shall represent the citizens of the town, and three who are ex-soldiers, with authority to purchase one or more lots in Lakeside Cemetery as a burial place for Union soldiers, at an expense not exceeding one hundred and twenty dollars ($120), and that that sum be appropriated by the town, (yeas 108, nays 6.)
The Chair appointed as this committee W. S. Greenough, Azel Ames, Jr., Geo. H. Teague, Geo. H. Sweetser, B. B. Burbank, Geo. H. Towle.
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ART. 6. To see if the town will choose a committee with instruc- tions to consider the matter of a proper limitation of the fishing privi- leges on Lake Quannapowitt, when the same shall be opened for fish- ing; and also to prepare, with the approval of the State Commission- ers, suitable rules providing for such limitation, and report them to the town for consideration and adoption, at its annual meeting in April A. D. 1881.
Voted, That a committee of five be appointed by the chair to prepare suitable rules to regulate the fishing privileges in Lake Quannapowitt, when the same shall be opened for fish- ing, and to report to the town at the April meeting.
The chair appointed on this committee Oscar I. Stowell, J. Henry Cartland, Samuel Parker, Jr., James H. Carter, . Wm. S. Greenough.
At 10.50 o'clock P. M. the meeting was dissolved.
TOWN MEETING, JANUARY 24th, 1881.
ART. 1. To choose by ballot a Moderator to preside in said meeting .. J. C. Hartshorne was elected Moderator, but declined
serving. Afterwards W. S. Greenough was elected.
ART. 2. To see if the town will increase in the sum of fifteen hun- dred dollars, the amount of appropriation for the payment of miscel- laneous expenses for the current year, or what action they will take in : the matter.
Voted, That the sum of fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) be appropriated to increase the appropriation for the pay- ment of miscellaneous expenses, (yeas 72, nays 56).
ART. 3. To see if the town will increase in the sum of one thousand dollars ($1000) the amount of appropriation for the support of the poor for the current year, or what action they will take in the matter.
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