USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 2
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VOTED. To raise and appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, in laying concrete sidewalks, where abuttors are willing to pay one half of the expense, and for laying concrete street crossings in such places as they shall deem expedient.
ART. 38. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to purchase a lot of land in Greenwood for the purpose of enlarging the school house yard, and providing gravel for highways, at an expense not to exceed three hundred dollars.
A motion to refer this matter to the Selectmen with instruction to purchase land referred to in the arti- cle at a cost not exceeding three hundred dollars, and that sum be raised and appropriated, was lost. A motion to appropriate two hundred and fifty dollars was also rejected.
It was then voted to indefinitely postpone further action under this article.
ART. 39. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars to finish grading Lincoln and Smith streets.
VOTED. To raise and appropriate fifty dollars for grading Lincoln and Smith streets.
ART. 40. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of enforcing the liquor law.
VOTED. To raise and appropriate five hundred dollars for the purpose of enforcing the liquor law, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen. (Yes, 180; No. 89.)
After the announcement of the result of the ballot (see Page 8) it was voted to adjourn this meeting until Monday evening, April 10th at seven o'clock.
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ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 10TH, 1882.
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John M. Cate.
ART. 41. To see if the town will authorize the construction of a reser- voir at or near the junction of Summer and Orchard streets, and raise and appropriate a sum sufficient to cover the ex- pense of the same, or what they will do in the matter.
VOTED. To lay this article on the table until action is taken on Article 56.
ART. 42. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five dollars for the construction of a sand-catcher on Crescent street, to catch the wash of Crescent and Eaton streets, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To raise and appropriate twenty-five dollars for the construction of a sand-catcher on Crescent street, and that the same be expended under the direction of the Highway Surveyor of the Centre District.
ART. 43. To see if the town will order the taking up and relaying of the culvert on Mechanic street, through which the water course runs, and will raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. That the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars be raised and appropriated, and that so much of it as may be necessary, be used for the purpose of taking up and relaying the Culvert on Mechanic street, to be expended under the direction of the Surveyor of the Centre District.
VOTED. To take up again Article 34 which referred to the purchase of a Steam Fire Engine.
The Committee on a Steam Fire Engine appointed at the meeting held on the third instant, presented their report as follows :
REPORT.
Acting under Article 34 of the Town Warrant at the Annual Meeting, April 3, 1882, the undersigned were appointed a Committee to consider the question of additional defence against fires, and the expediency of purchasing a Steam Fire Engine, together with such matters as are nec- essarily connected therewith, and having attended to that duty ask leave to report.
It is evident that the sentiment of the town has been tending towards a change in methods of fire defence, and the necessity of introducing steam in place of the hand engines which have served us hitherto. The advantage of the former over the latter, as a protecting agent against fire are too apparent to require anything like a detailed state- ment at this time. The private and public structures of the town are extending in numbers and proportions, and with our present and pro- spective growth this question naturally and unavoidably forces itself upon us. Impressed with this view of the subject, and in obedience to your instructions, your Committee have given the matter such thought and attention as the limited time allowed us would permit, and as the result of our labors present you as follows :
That we recommend the town to proceed at once in such manner as may be deemed advisable to purchase a third or fourth class Steam Fire Engine of the most approved make, to be placed in service as soon as possible, the cost of which shall not exceed thirty-five hundred dollars.
That the Engineers who may have charge of the;department for the ensuing year be instructed to make such arrangements as this change will render necessary.
That the present apparatus, now in use, or such portions of it as may not be required, after the Steamer shall have been put in use, be care- fully and economically housed by the proper authorities, to be hereafter disposed of or retained, as the town may deem best.
That the Engineers be instructed to muster the new force of men from the ranks of the existing department, or from outside, as they may deen essential to the efficiency of the service, and that they have authority to arrange with some party or parties for the use of horses, for the Steamer and the Hook and Ladder Company, as may be found necessary.
That we might gain information which would be of service to the town, regarding the merits of different fire engines now in use, and their probable cost, your Committee visited the neighboring town of Beverly and the City of Malden, to witness trials of the capacity of sev- eral machines. At Beverly, one of Mr. Hunneman's new second-class engines was put to the test with an old but newly repaired Amoskeag machine, and in both cases the engines worked with great credit. At
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Malden we witnessed the working of a second class Silsby machine, manufactured at Seneca Falls, New York, which also did most excel- lent work.
We extended the range of our inquiries and observations somewhat into the Boston Fire Department, where we found quite a diversity of opinion regarding the merits and demerits of the various Steam Engines in use. But without intending to forestall the action of those, who by your election may be called to purchase an engine, we are free to con- fess that as presently informed, the Silsby machine is entitled to most favorable consideration.
(Signed)
WM. F. YOUNG, J. H. CARTER, J. H. EATON, C. W. TROW, W. B. DANIEL.
VOTED. That the report of the Committee be accepted.
Various motions and amendments were offered on adopting the Report, and it was finally voted on motion of S. K. Hamilton, Esq., that the Report of the Committee, and all motions be laid on. the table.
It was then voted that the town purchase a Steam Fire Engine.
VOTED. That the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for that purpose.
VOTED. That a Committee of five be appointed by the Chair, two of whom shall be members of the Board of Engineers, with authority to purchase a Steam Fire Engine.
The Chair appointed J. H. Carter, J. H. Eaton, C. H. Davis, C. W. Trow and W. B. Daniel as the Committec.
ART. 44 .- To see if the town will purchase fifty Johnson pumps with four feet of hose to each, at a cost not to exceed five dollars each, or a total expense not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars. These pumps to be located under the full discretion and direction of the Selectmen as follows : twenty-five in the
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Centre District and five in each of the outer wards. Each person with whom they are placed being held responsible for their good use and safe return to the proper authorities when so directed, and who will faithfully promise to use them, when possible, at any fire which may occur within a radius of one-fourth of a mile of their location.
A motion to indefinitely postpone all action under this article was rejected. It was then
VOTED. That the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars bc raised and appropriated for the purposes named in Art. 44, and that the location of these pumps be published annually ; the Selectmen be instructed to visit these pumps and inspect them upon the prem- ises once a year, and that the pumps be stamped " The property of the town of Wakefield."
VOTED. That the thanks of the town be tendered to Rufus Kendrick for his untiring zeal and labors in intro- ducing the Johnson Pumps in the town of Wake- field.
ART. 45. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars to put Richardson street in a safe condition to travel.
VOTED. That the sum of five hundred dollars be raised and appropriated to put Richardson street in a safe con- dition to travel.
VOTED. To adjourn until Friday evening, April 14th, at 7 o'clock.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 14TH, 1882.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. John M. Cate, Moderator.
On motion of B. F. Bancroft it was voted to take up Article 2 of the Warrant, for the purpose of
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inquiring into the bill of S. K. Hamilton, Esq., for professional services rendered the Water Com- mittee chosen by the town, for the past year.
Joshua Whittemore moved " That the sum of one hundred dollars paid to S. K. Hamilton for profes- sional services for Water Committee be disal- lowed."
VOTED. That the motion lay on the table until some member of the past Board of Selectmen is present to explain matters.
This article was again taken up and it was
VOTED. That the bill of one hundred dollars paid Counsel of the Water Committee be produced in this meet- ing. [Bill produced.]
Explanations followed by J. S. Eaton, Sec'y of Board of Selectmen, S. K. Hamilton and others, and a motion to lay Mr. Whittemore's motion on the table was lost. (Yes, 102; No. 148. )
Mr. Whittemore's motion was then put to the meeting, and rejected by a vote of Yes, 110; No, 166.
No further action taken.
ART. 46. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars to be expended in the improvement and repairs of road and sidewalks of that part of West Chestnut street lying between Cedar street and the Boston & Maine railroad, or to see what they will do in reference thereto.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this Article.
ART. 47. To see if the town will accept a gift of fifty dollars, for the improvement of the old burial ground.
On motion of C. W. Eaton, Esq., it was voted that the town accept with thanks the gift of fifty dollars tendered the town by Mrs. H. N. Flint, for the improvement of the Old Burial Ground, and that the same be expended for that purpose under the direction of the Selectmen.
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ART. 48. To see if the town will cause its records of births, marriages and deaths, since its incorporation in 1812, to be arranged, classified and indexed.
VOTED. That the town cause its records of births, deaths and marriages to be arranged, classified and indexed under the direction of the Town Clerk, and that the sum of seventy-five dollars be raised and appropriated for the purpose.
ART. 49. To see if the town will build a sidewalk on the south side of Salem street, commencing at the corner of Pleasant street and extending to Turnbull Avenue. or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To leave the subject of this Article with the High- way Surveyor of the Centre District.
ART. 50. To see if the town will provide an exit from the hall to the street in the rear of the Town House, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. That a Committee of three be appointed by the Chair to consider this subject and report at some future meeting.
The Chair appointed J. C. Hartshorne, W. S. Greenough and Edwin Sawyer as this Committee.
VOTED. To adjourn until Friday, April 21st inst., at 7 o'clock, P. M.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, APRIL 21ST, 1882. $
Meeting called to order by the Moderator, Mr. John M. Cate.
ART. 51. To see if the town will authorize its Selectmen to purchase a Gravel Pit in the Woodville highway district, at an expense not exceeding thirty dollars, and appropriate the money necessary therefor.
VOTED. That the Selectmen be authorized to purchase a
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Gravel. Pit in the Woodville Highway District, and that the sum of thirty dollars be raised and appropriated therefor.
ART. 52. To see if the town will amend its rules relating to fishing on Lake Quannapowitt. or what action they will take in the matter.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this article. This vote was afterwards reconsidered, and after a motion made by R. H. Mitchell, and a substitute motion offered by A. E. Perry, it was
VOTED. To lay the whole matter on the table until Article 56 is disposed of. [No other action was taken. ]
ART. 53. To see if the town will appropriate and pay a sum of money not exceeding one hundred dollars, for the services rendered by the Committee chosen in the year 1879, to investigate the past and present management of the Poor Farm, or what they will do about it.
A motion offered by Wm. G. Strong that the town appropriate and pay out of the Miscellaneous Fund the sum of one hundred dollars to the Committee chosen in the year 1879 to investigate the past and present management of our Poor Farm, was reject- ed. (Yes, 103 ; No. 205.)
ART. 54. To see if the town will rescind its vote passed at its meeting, held May 9th, A. D. 1881, while acting under the second article of the warrant by which said meeting was called, which vote was as follows :
" That the town guarantee at the rate of six per cent. per annum, the semi-annual payment of the interest on fifty thousand dollars of the bonds of Quannapowitt Water Com- pany, payable in twenty years from this date, issued for the purpose of constructing its water works; and that the town pay said company for said period the sum of sixty dollars, as annual rental for each of seventy-five double-nozzle fire- hydrants to be furnished by said company, and placed in proper locations in the town; and that a Committee of five be chosen to sign and execute all contracts necessary to carry this vote into effect, and to protect the interest of the town therein, and that the Town Treasurer be and hereby is author-
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ized and empowered for and in behalf of said town, to guar- antee the payment of interest coupons of said bonds, when- ever the aforesaid contracts are executed between said company and the town."
A motion by J. H. Carter to indefinitely postpone this Article was lost. (Yes, 195; No, 312.)
It was then voted on motion of Wm. S. Greenough that the town rescind its vote passed May 9th, A. D., 1881, while acting under the second article of the warrant by which said meeting was called. [Said vote being the same as indicated in the above Article. ]
ART. 55. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars, to grade Bennett street from Melvin to Main street, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. That two hundred dollars be raised and appropria- ted to grade Bennett street from Melvin to Main street, and as much of the two hundred dollars as may be needed be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
ART. 56. To sec if the town will vote to pay the Quannapowitt Water Company annually the sum of fifty dollars each for sixty double-nozzle fire-hydrants, for the period of ten years from the date of their completion ; said hydrants to be located and placed at such points as the town may designate on the line ot the pipe of said Company, to be laid through the thickly settled portions of the town, and to have capacity and force to furnish a sufficient supply of water for fire protection on the line of said pipe, or what they will do about it.
Wm. S. Greenough offered the following motion : " That the town of Wakefield pay the Quannapow itt Water Company annually, the sum of fifty dol- lars each for sixty fire hydrants for the period of ten years from the date of their completion ; said hydrants to be located and placed at such points as the town may designate on the line of the pipe of
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said Company, to be laid through the thickly set- tled portions of the town, and to have capacity and force to furnish a sufficient supply of water for fire protection on the line of said pipe ; said sum to be paid in semi-annual payments of half of said sum after each half year's use of said hydrants ; that the vote shall not be binding upon the town until a proper contract shall have been signed by a Com- mittee of the town, and the officers of the Quan- napowitt Water Company."
Messrs. J. H. Carter and O. V. Waterman offered substitute motions, which by vote of the town were both laid on the table.
On motion of W. L. Coon it was voted " That when the vote be taken, that it be done by Yes and No ballots, and that the check-list be used. Also that a Committee of six be appointed by the Mod- erator to sort and count the ballots, and superin- tend the checking of names on the voting list, the said Committee to consist of three in favor of water and three opposed to water."
A motion to adjourn for one week was rejected.
After a long discussion the Chair declared the polls open for ballots " Yes " and " No" on Mr. Greenough's motion.
The Chair appointed T. J. Skinner, W. E. Cow- drey, D. H. Darling, Peter McCulloch, L. W. Standish, W. G. Strong, W. L. Coon and J. H. Carter to superintend the checking of names on the voting list, and to sort and count the bal- lots.
VOTED. To close the polls at 11.35 o'clock, P. M., and at that time the polls were closed.
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The ballots were sorted and counted, and the result declared by the Moderator as follows :
Whole number of ballots cast, 422
In favor of Mr. Greenough's motion, "Yes," 278
Opposed to the motion, " No," 144
The Moderator then declared the motion of Mr. Greenough rejected, as it had failed to receive a vote of two-thirds of the voters present and vot- ing, which as he interpreted the law, was necessary when towns vote to incur a debt such as was con- templated'in the motion voted upon.
S. K. Hamilton, Esq., asked the Chair to declare the motion carried by a majority vote, but not by a two-thirds vote.
The Chair refused to grant the request of Mr. Ham- ilton.
A motion that the Moderator take legal advice before declaring the result of the ballot, was laid on the table.
Article 41, referring to the construction of a res- ervoir at or near the junction of Summer and Orchard streets (see page 21) was then taken from the table, and it was voted to raise and appropriate three hundred and fifty dollars for the construction of a reservoir near the junction of Orchard and Summer streets, and that as much of that sum as may be necessary to construct the same be expend- ed under the direction of the Selectmen.
It was then voted that this meeting be adjourned sine die.
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TOWN MEETING, MAY 8TH, 1882,
The meeting was called to order at 3 o'clock, P.M., and the warrant read by the Town Clerk.
ART. 1. By ballot to choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting. Acting under this article the Chair appointed W. S. Greenough, L. W. Standish, R. L. Cooper and A. E. Perry, to assist in checking names on the voting lists.
The polls were then declared open for the recep- tion of ballots for Moderator.
The result of the ballot was as follows :
Whole number of ballots cast. 461
Richard Britton, 1
John M. Cate, 161
James Oliver, 299
and James Oliver was declared elected Moderator. VOTED. On motion of J. H. Carter to take up Article 3.
ART. S. To see if the town will vote to pay the Quannapowitt Water Company annually the sum of fifty dollars each for sixty fire- hydrants for the period of ten years from the day of their completion, said hydrants to be located and placed at such points as the town may designate on the line of the pipe of said Company, to be laid through the thickly settled portions of the town, and to have capacity and force to furnish a suf- ficient supply of water on the line of said pipe, or what they ·will do about it.
VOTED. On motion of W. L. Coon, that when the vote on this article be taken that it be done by ballot, and that the check-list be used. Also that a Commit- tee of four persons be appointed to superintend the checking of the names and counting the ballots,
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and that the polls be kept open until nine o'clock this P. M.
Chair appointed to superintend the check-list, T. J. Skinner, R. L. Cooper, B. B. Burbank and Stephen W. Lufkin ; and for counting the ballots, W. S. Greenough, J. H. Carter, D. H. Darling and J. K. L. Baker.
VOTED. On motion of J. H. Carter, that all persons be excluded from the platform except the supervisors of the check lists and counters, and Reporters of the papers.
The following motion was offered by Richard Britton :
" That the town choose a Committee of five citi- zens, who shall be fully authorized in the name and in behalf of the town, to make and sign a contract with the Quannapowitt Water Company for the purpose of providing the thickly settled portions of the town with not less than sixty (60) fire- hydrants, and a sufficient supply of water for fire protection on the proposed line of water pipes of said Company ; said hydrants to be located and placed at such points as may be agreed upon by the contracting parties, and that said Committee be empowered and directed to make and execute said contract for the term of ten (10) years, and for a sum not exceeding the amount of three thousand dollars ($3000) for each year of said contract, payments to be made at the end of each six months' use of said hydrants, provided, however, that said contract shall not be binding upon the town until it shall have been made and executed by said Com- mittee and the properly authorized officers of said Water Company.
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The Chair declared the polls open for the reception of ballots on Mr. Britton's motion.
VOTED. On motion of W. S. Greenough that no count of the ballots be made until the polls are closed.
At 9 o'clock it was voted to close the polls.
The ballots were sorted and counted and public declaration made thereof in open town meeting, as follows :
Whole number of ballots cast, 847 In favor of Mr. Britton's motion, "Yes," 556
Opposed to the motion, " No." . 291
The Chair declared the motion of Mr. Britton car- ried by a majority vote.
VOTED. On motion of W. S. Greenough, that Richard Britton, A. S. Atherton, C. W. Trow, Thomas Emerson and B. B. Burbank, be a Committee to carry Mr. Britton's motion into effect. (Yes, 159, No. 90.)
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Mr. Britton declined to serve on this Committee, and Wm. S. Greenough was elected to fill the vacancy.
VOTED. That the Committee serve without pay.
On motion of Dr. Azel Ames, Jr., it was
VOTED. That the Committee be instructed not to proceed to carry out the contract contemplated by the vote declared carried here to-night, until they have ob- tained the opinion of the Supreme Court that they have the right so to do, and that they be empower- ed to employ all necessary counsel.
ART. 2. To bring in their votes for one member of the Board of Health, in place of J. S. Eaton who declines the honor. This article was taken up in the afternoon, and it was then voted to postpone any action under this Article until 9 o'clock.
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VOTED.
In the evening it was again taken up, and it was To pass the Article over. .
ART, 4. To see if the town will grade Pleasant street from Eaton to Salem streets, and appropriate the sum of one hundred dol- lars for that purpose.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 5. To hear and act upon the report of the Selectmen in refer- ence to Melvin street.
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
Article 36 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting was as fol- lows:
" To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hun- dred dollars for the purpose of repairing Melvin street, from Water street to Nahant street, as petitioned for by Timothy Reagan and others."
Acting under this Article, the town voted to refer the matter to the Selectmen, to report at a future meeting.
In accordance with this vote your Selectmen have viewed that street, and would report that they find this street for a large part of its length in a very bad condition. That the gutters are in several places choked up, and the water has consequently been turned into the street, and it has been badly washed. The gutters on the north side should be paved in the steepest part, and the road bed should be rounded up for the whole length of the street and properly graded. For these purposes we would recommend that the sum of five hundred dollars be appro- priated.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
(Signed) SUMNER PENNELL, JOHN S. EATON, Selectmen.
A. W BROWNELL,
VOTED. That this report be accepted and adopted.
ART. 6. To see if the town will authorize the dwellings and business blocks on its streets, or any of them, to be numbered, and if so, on which streets, by what system, and under whose direction.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone this Article.
ART. 7. To see if the town will instruct its Board of Overseers of the Poor to pay David U. Walker the sum of twenty-four dollars for board of Charles Davis.
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