USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 13
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VOTED. That the Selectmen be authorized to raise the seats in the south balcony in the same manner as in the north balcony, and that the sum of $100 be raised and appropriated for that purpose.
ART. 55. To see it the town will purchase new seats for the Town Hall, or what shall be done about it.
A motion that a Committee of three be appointed by the Chair to procure samples of new seats and the cost of the same, also to see what can be ob- tained for the old ones, and report at a future meeting, was lost. Motion to reconsider was lost. (Yes, 89; No, 121.)
ART. 56. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of seven hundred dollars, for the purpose of finishing a Ban- queting-Hall in the basement of the Town Hall Building ; or what they will do about it.
A motion to raise and appropriate $700 for the purpose of finishing a Banqueting-Hall in the Town Hall Building was rejected. (Yes, 63; No, 119.)
ART. 57. To see if the town will grant the use of the Police Court Room. (so called,) in the Town Hall Building, for a free, public Reading Room.
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VOTED. To refer this article to a Committee of three and report at a future meeting.
Chair appointed on this Committee, James F. Em- erson, George H. Teague and William N. Tyler.
. ART. 58. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars, for the purpose of furnishing, lighting and heating the Police Court Room, to be used for a free, public Reading Room.
VOTED. That this article be referred to the same Committee appointed under Art. 57.
ART. 59. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars, for the purpose of building and enlarging the following culverts, viz : - one culvert to be enlarged at the junction of Summer with Main street; one to be en- larged at the junction of Franklin with Main; one culvert to be built at the junction of Nahaut with Main, and grade Nahant street at the junction, up to a level with Main street.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this article.
ART. 60. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars, for the purpose of purchasing a Bell, and putting the same in working order, on the Frank- lin street School House.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this article.
ART. 61. To hear and act upon the Report of the Committee appointed by the town March 12th, 1883, to consider the subject of building a new School House in the vicinity of the Catholic Church, and to purchase and procure land upon which to build the same.
Lucius Beebe, Esq., for the Committee, stated that the Committee had made some progress but were not ready to report, and asked for further time.
VOTED. That the Committee be granted further time and report at a future meeting.
ART. 62. To see if the town will pay the expenses of the petitioners in the action at law, William G. Strong et al., vs. Quanna- powitt Water Co., et al., not to exceed the sum of two hun- dred dollars ; or what action, if any, it will take thereon.
VOTED. That action under this article be indefinitely post- poned.
At 11.15 o'clock P. M. voted that this meeting be dissolved.
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TOWN MEETING, MAY 7, 1883.
ART. 1. To choose, by ballot, a Moderator to preside in said meeting. Whole number of votes 11
James Oliver had .
8 John M. Cate had 3 and James Oliver was declared elected.
ART. 2. To see if the town will accept the gift of Cornelius Sweetser, late of Saco in the State of Maine, as bequeathed to the town of Wakefield with conditions in item twenty-one of his will, which reads as follows :
Item 21. I direct my said Trustees to pay over to my native town of Wakefield, Massachusetts, the sum of ten thousand dollars, to be by said town laid out, used and expended in furnishing and beautifying a public park in said town, provided the said town will, within two years from the time my Trustees shall give notice that they are ready to pay over the money, raise by any method they may choose, and appropriate a sum equal to this bequest, to be united with this bequest, and used and expended for the same use and purpose.
[NOTIFICATION FROM TRUSTEES.]
To the Selectmen of the Town of Wakefield, Mass,
SACO, Apr. 20, 1883.
As Trustees of the will of Cornelius Sweetser, late of the city of Saco, deceased, we give the notice contemplated by Item 21 of said will, that we are ready to pay over the sum of ten thousand dollars, to be by said town laid out, used and expended in furnishing and beautifying a pub- lic Park in said town. Please, therefore, insert an article in the call for the next town meeting to see if the town will accept said legacy in ac- cordance with the provisions and conditions as expressed in said Item 21, of which you have a copy.
We are very respectfully, Your obedient servants, JOHN C. BRADBURY, EDWARD P. BURNHAM, Trustees of the will of C. Sweetser. On motion of James . F. Emerson it was voted unanimously, 1
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That the town accept the gift of Cornelius Sweet- ser, as bequeathed in his will, with its conditions, as mentioned in the article of this warrant, and that the official notice now received from the Trus- tees of said will, that they are ready to pay over the money, be entered upon the town records : That the Town Clerk be instructed to notify the Trustees of the action taken by the town at this meeting in regard to the matter, and that the Treasurer be authorized to notify them at such times as the funds shall have been provided to meet the conditions named, and to receive said bequest and receipt for the same.
ART. 3. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the ap- proval of the Selectmen, to hire money on a term of years to provide funds to meet the requirements as expressed in item twenty-one of the will of Cornelius Sweetser, and to issue notes or bonds therefor, or what action they will take in the matter.
VOTED. That for the purpose of providing funds for meet- ing the conditions of the bequest of Cornelius Sweetser as named in his will and mentioned in Art. 2 of the warrant, the Treasurer, with the ap- proval of the Selectmen, be authorized to hire the sum of ten thousand dollars and to issue notes of the town therefor, bearing interest in sums of one thousand dollars each, payable one note each year for the next ten years, and that the sum of one thousand dollars be raised, by taxation, each year for the payment of the principal. (Yes, 132; No, 4.)
ART. 4. To see what action the town will take with regard to the expenditure of the Cornelius Sweetser fund, and what plan of action it will adopt for furnishing and beautifying a pub- lic park in the town.
Wm. G. Strong offered the following motion : That the town choose a Committee of fifteen, from
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different parts of the town, to draw up a proposed plan of how they consider the best way to spend the Cornelius Sweetser fund, also the appropriation of the town to be added to it, and would name as that Committee, James F. Emerson. Wm. F. Young, James H. Carter, Cyrus Wakefield, Joshua Whittemore, A. W. Brownell, W. S. Greenough, Thomas Winship, Lucius Beebe, David H. Darling, Henry H. Savage, John M. Cate, Waldo E. Cow- drey, F. H. Gowen, Thomas Hickey.
A motion to divide the motion was carried.
It was then voted that a Committee of five be ap- pointed by the Chair to retire and nominate a Com- mittee of fifteen.
The Chair appointed as this Committee D. H. Darling, Geo. W. Aborn, Levi B. Eaton, Geo. R. Morrison and Wm. G. Strong.
VOTED. That the remainder of Mr. Strong's motion be laid on the table.
The Committee of five retired and nominated for the Committee of fifteen the following persons : James F. Emerson, Wm. F. Young, James H. Carter, Cyrus Wakefield, J. S. Merrill, A. W. Brownell, Wm. S. Greenough, Thomas Winship, Lucius Beebe, David H. Darling, Henry H. Sav- age, John M. Cate, Benjamin W. Oliver, Richard Britton, Thomas Hickey, and this Committee was accepted by the town.
VOTED. That this Committee of fifteen be authorized to em- ploy engineering talent, cause plans to be made, and report at a future meeting.
ART. 5. To hear the report of the Committee appointed at the last annual meeting, to whom was referred articles 57 and 58 ot the warrant for that meeting, relative to providing a reading room ; and to see if the town will furnish Memorial room for
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that purpose and appropriate the sum necessary to be used for furnishing the room, and for paying the running expenses of said reading room for the year ensuing, or what action the town will take in regard to the matter.
Wm. N. Tyler, for the Committee, presented the following report.
REPORT OF READING ROOM COMMITTEE, APRIL 1883.
The Committee appointed at the annual town meeting held April 2nd last, and to whom the subject matter of Articles 57 and 58 were referred, beg leave to submit their report as follows :
Art. 57, "To see if the town will grant the use of the Police Court Room (so called) in the Town Hall Building, for a free, public Reading Room," and Art. 58, "To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of furnishing, lighting and heating the Police Court Room to be used for a free, public Reading Room."
Your Committee, at their first meeting, made an inspection of the Po- lice Court Room and also of the Memorial Room, and, after a general expression of views on the subject, it was unanimously decided to rec- ommend the use of the Memorial Room for the purpose desired, on ac- count of its advantages in connection with the Public Library, and filling a need for a room where applicants for books may have' a quiet place with proper accommodations to examine works in search of information on any particular subject of study, or books of value which may not be allowed to be taken away from the Library. Also it would have an educational and patriotic influence and tendency such as would be felt in no other room. With the room made use of for the high and moral purposes intended, seems to us particularly worthy and most appropri- ate, and will make it more accessible to the citizens and their visiting friends whom they may desire to show the memorials to our fallen braves. With a rail placed before the tablets for their protection, and other minor matters of detail, the property will be made amply secure, and the room kept in perfect order.
Your Committee recommend that the Reading Room be opened only on the days and evenings appointed for the Library and that the only entrance to it shall be through the Library room until the close of the Library in the evening, when the other door may be open for one hour later. With the probability that not many years hence will see the Library open more evenings in the week than at the present time, your Committee feel that, for the start and first trial of a Reading Room, the opening of it with the Library will meet the present wants of the people with the best economy.
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To prepare the room for the purpose proposed, and payment of run- ning expenses for the ensuing year, your Committee figure the cost as follows: For chairs, $75; tables, $60; paper rack and files, $25; gas pipe for heating, $25; gas brackets for lighting, $25; rail, $15; inci- dentals, $25; making the total for furnishing the room, $250. For running expenses, gas, $75; janitor, $50; incidentals, $25; total, $150; the whole expense amounting to $400. And your Committee recommend that the sum of four hundred dollars be appropriated, in the belief that such papers and magazines as may be required can be ob- tained by voluntary subscription, but should the town think it best to make an appropriation sufficient to cover those, then the sum should be made five hundred dollars.
All of which is respectfully submitted, JAMES F. EMERSON. WILLIAM N. TYLER, GEORGE H. TEAGUE,
Committee.
VOTED. That the report of the Committee be accepted and adopted (substituting $500 instead of $400) and that five hundred dollars be appropriated, and ex- pended under the direction of the Trustees of the Library.
ART. 6. To hear and act upon the report of the Committee appointed at a meeting holden on the twelfth day of March, A. D., 1883, to take into consideration the purchase of land and the erection of a school house thereon.
Wm. N. Tyler, in behalf of the Committee. re- ported as follows :
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL HOUSE.
The Committee to whom was referred the subject matter of Art. 2 of the town warrant of March 12, 1883, respectfully submit the following report.
Art. 2 reads as follows: "To see what action the town will take to- wards the purchase of land and the erection of a school house thereon.'
Under that article the following Committee were appointed to take the matter into consideration and report at a future meeting : Lucius Beebe, Thomas Winship, S. K. Hamilton, E. E. Emerson, A. W. Brownell, W. N. Tyler.
Upon the organization of the Committee, Hon. Lucius Beebe was chosen Chairman and William N. Tyler, Secretary.
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The Committee have had six evening sessions for the purpose of dis- cussing the best possible structure to be erected to meet the present needs, in which discussions the comparison of cost with buildings al- ready constructed, the necessary and desirable improvements upon structures now in use, and the cost of construction of such a building, as to the Committee seems necessary to be erected, were dwelt upon, with the sole and distinguishing object of meeting the necessities of the case at a minimum cost. In addition to the evening sessions the Com- mittee have met upon two afternoons for the purpose of examining localities in the immediate vicinity of the centre of population of the probable new district to be established. They have also visited school- houses in other towns in order to be better prepared to make definite recommendations as to the structure proposed to be erected.
The following lots of land were each visited and discussed, with refer- ence to the present and future central location as to population and area. A lot of land on Murray street opposite the Catholic chapel ; a lot of land on the corner of Emerson and Auburn streets and known as the Dr. Mansfield lot; a lot of land on the northeasterly corner of Gould and Cedar streets belonging to Mr. Beebe ; a lot on the southeasterly corner of Gould and Cedar streets belonging to Mr. Cox of Lynnfield ; a lot of land on Gould street west of the residence of Rev. Father Flatley and known as the Burgess lot; and the lot of land on the southeasterly cor- ner of Albion and Lake streets, being the property of Mr. Beebe.
After a full and thorough discussion of the various localities visited, the Committee were of the unanimous opinion that the last named lot was the most eligible as to situation, and it was voted that the Commit- tee recommend that a lot of land situated on the southeasterly corner of . Albion and Lake streets, being 114 feet on Lake street and 115 feet on Albion street, and comprising about 14,566 feet, be purchased by the town, at an estimated cost of $1820.75, for a location for the erection of a school house thereon.
A new school house now being erected at Melrose was visited by the Committee, and being comparatively about such a building as the Com- mittee believed the town would deem essential to build, take that structure as a basis for their recommendations, so far as accommoda- tions and cost of structure are concerned, and recommend that upon the lot before mentioned the town erect a four room building, two rooms on the first floor and two rooms on the second floor, at an esti- mated cost of $8000. This estimate is based upon the cost of the Mel- rose building, which has been erected through the winter months, when the labor, as the contractor informed a member of the Committee, was low. That building cost $6,500, above the underpinning, and could not, as we are informed by the contractor, be now built for the same sum. But your Committee believe that the sum of $8000 will fully
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cover the cost of erecting such a building as the necessities of the town now seem to require.
For the Committee,
WILLIAM N. TYLER, Secretary.
VOTED. That the report of the Committee be accepted.
ART. 7. To see if the town will vote to erect a school house in accor- dance with the report of the Committee mentioned in article 6 of this warrant; determine the location thereof, and adopt all necessary measures to purchase or procure land for the accommodation of the same, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. On motion of C. W. Eaton, that the town build a school house in accordance with the report of the Committee made under Art. 6 of the warrant, ex- cept that the building be of brick, and that the same be located on the lot at the corner of Albion and Lake streets, and that a Committee of six be chosen. with authority to purchase said lot and erect said house for, in behalf of, and in the name of, the town.
VOTED. That the same Committee that signed the report, . (consisting of Lucius Beebe, Thomas Winship, S. K. Hamilton, E. E. Emerson, A. W. Brownell and William N. Tyler) be the Committee to carry this vote into effect.
VOTED. That this Committee be instructed to advertise for bids, and that the contract be let out to the lowest responsible bidder. (Yes, 31; No, 17.)
VOTED. That the Committee ascertain the probable cost of the building, and all other facts in regard to this subject, and that a town meeting be called for the town to take action thereon.
A motion to substitute, that the town appropriate $12,000, was lost.
It was then voted that this meeting be adjourned four weeks from to-night at 7.30 o'clock, P. M.
ยท
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ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, JUNE 4TH, 1883.
Art. 7 was again taken up which was as follows :
To see if the town will vote to erect a school house in ac- cordance with the report of the Committee mentioned in art- icle 6 of this warrant; determine the location thereof, and adopt all necessary measures to purchase or procure land for the accommodation of the same, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To reconsider so much of the vote passed at the meeting held May 7th as instructed the Committee on building a new school house to report at a meeting to be called for that purpose.
The report of the Committee was then called for and read by Wm. N. Tyler.
REPORT.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Wakefield :
The Committee appointed at the town meeting held on the 7th day of May, A. D., 1883, to purchase land and erect a school house thereon, respectfully report in pursuance of a vote of the town for said Commit- tee to investigate and report upon the approximate cost of erecting a school house of brick, that with a view of ascertaining the probable cost of a building of the dimensions needed, the Committee invited several architects to submit plans for a four room building of brick with esti- mates as to cost. In reply to the invitations of the Committee, plans of elevation, accompanied with ground plans, specifications and pro- posals were submitted by five gentlemen, all varying in structure, ap- pearance and cost, and after consultation and comparison, your Com- mittee find themselves undecided as to the adoption of any plan sub- mitted, as being too elaborate and expensive, but would recommend that the sum of $15000 be appropriated for the purpose of purchasing the land and erecting a school house thereon in accordance with the vote of the town.
Respectfully submitted, for the Committee, WILLIAM N. TYLER, Secretary.
VOTED. To accept the report of the Committee.
A motion to reconsider the vote whereby the town voted to build a brick school house was lost. (Yes, 12; No, 39.)
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It was then voted to adopt the report of the Com- mittee.
VOTED. That the Committee already chosen under Art. 7 be authorized and directed, in the name and behalf of the town, to purchase the lot of land on Lake street, owned by Mr. Lucius Beebe, there measur- ing 75 feet, and bounded on the school house lot already accepted by the town, 110 feet, for the purposes of the new school building and the con- templated new school.
VOTED. On motion of Mr. Lucius Beebe, that the contem- plated new school house be known as the "Hamil- ton School Building," in honor of the Chairman of the School Committee, Samuel K. Hamilton, Esq.
Mr. Hamilton being present responded briefly in words of grateful acknowledgment, declaring the vote of the town the greatest compliment and honor he had ever received.
ART. 8. To see if the town will authorize its Treasurer, with the ap- proval of the Selectmen, to hire money for a term of years to provide funds to pay for the land and school buildings mentioned in article seven of this warrant, and to issue notes or bonds of the town therefor, or what they will do about it.
On motion of James F. Emerson it was voted unanimously, (Yes, 47; No, 0,) That to provide funds to pay for the land and school buildings, as voted for, acting under Art. 7, the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to hire the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, and to issue notes therefor bearing interest, and in sums of fifteen hundred dollars each, payable one note each year for the next ten years, with the interest, to raise each year by tax the sum to meet their payment. 5
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ART. 9. To hear and act upon the report of the School Committee on the Greenwood school house and yard, as authorized by ac- tion under article twenty-nine of the warrant for the last an- nual town meeting held in this town.
Mr. S. K. Hamilton, in behalf of the School Com- mittee, reported that they had investigated the matter in regard to the Greenwood school house and yard, but were not prepared to make any rec- ommendation to the town in view of the fact that many citizens residing in Greenwood desired the school house removed to another lot.
VOTED. To refer the report back to the Committee for fur- ther investigation, and report at a future meeting.
ART. 10. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing an iron roller for use upon the high- ways, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. That the town purchase an iron road roller for use on the highways, and that the sum of two hundred dollars be appropriated for the payment of the same, or as much thereof as may be required.
VOTED. That the Road Commissioners be the Committee to carry this vote into effect.
ART. 11. To see if the town will direct the Road Commissioners to employ a competent Engineer to establish proper grades ou the highways of this town, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. That the matter of this article be referred to the Road Commissioners.
ART. 12. To see if the town will appropriate a sufficient sum of money to cover the expense of transportation of four pieces of artil- lery from Governor's Island to this town, the same having been donated by act of Congress to this town, and to decide upon their care and disposal, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. That the sum of $50 be appropriated for the purpose named in the warrant, and when the ordnance ar- rives in this town it be placed in the care of Post 12, G, A. R.
VOTED. To adjourn this meeting sine die.
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TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 6TH, 1883. STATE ELECTION.
MIDDLESEX, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Wakefield, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Wakefield, qualified to vote in elections, to meet in the Town Hall, in said Wakefield, on TUESDAY, the sixth day of November next, it being the Tuesday next after the first Monday in said month, at seven o'clock in the forenoon, to bring in their votes for a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Receiver General, Auditor and Attorney General of the Commonwealth.
For a District Attorney for the Northern District, for a Councillor for the sixth Councillor District, for a Sheriff for Middlesex County, for three Commissioners of Insolvency for Middlesex County, for a Regis- ter of Probate and Insolvency for Middlesex County, for one County Commissioner and two special County Commissioners for Middlesex County, for a Senator for the Sixth Middlesex Senatorial District, for a Representative in General Court to represent the Eleventh Middlesex Representative District.
And the votes for all the officers above named, will be received upon , one ballot, and in a separate box.
The polls will be open at seven o'clock in the forenoon, will remain open at least four hours, and for such longer time as a majority of the voters present shall by vote direct, not later than the hour of four and three-quarters in the afternoon.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the qualified voters of the town assembled in the Town Hall for the purposes mentioned in the warrant at seven o'clock A. M.
The meeting was called to order by James Oliver, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. After read- ing the warrant prayer was offered by Rev. R. D. Grant. :
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