USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 28
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Owners Unknown. Tax, costs and interest, $5 84
Sold to Geo. W. Aborn for $10 00.
About 1-4 acre land, lot 23, plan A .- C. Wakefield Estate. . Surplus, $4 16
97
SALE DECEMBER 26, 1878, TAX OF 1876.
Rodney Edmands. Tax, costs and interest, $6 26 Sold to M. S. Southworth for $6.50.
About two acres land, including a "ledge," etc. Surplus, .24
SALE JUNE 4, 1879, TAX OF 1877.
A. L. Kennedy, Whitefield, Me. Tax, etc., .
$7 12 Sold to Hiram Woodis for $800.
About 1-10th acre land rear of "Cheney's." Surplus, .88
SALE JUNE 30. 1880, TAX OF 1878.
Owners Unknown. Tax, costs and interest, $10 32 Sold to Alexander Glass for $14 00.
Surplus, $3 68
About 1-4 acre land, as shown on John Low's plan of James Sullivan Estate, recorded in Middlesex So. Dist. Book of Plans No. 12, plan No. 42, bounded northerly by the border of Crystal Lake, casterly by land now, or late, of Stetson and others, southerly by Lin- den street, as shown on said plan, 90 ft. westerly by land late of H. D. Degen, being a portion of the "Thomas Lord," so called.
Mrs. M. F. Smiley, Everett. Tax, costs and int. Sold to Geo. W. Abern for $5 00.
About 1-6 acre land, being the southerly half of lot No. 10, as shown on plan A, being a portion of the C. Wakefield land recorded in Middlesex So. Dist. Reg. of deeds, Book of Plans No. 28, plan No. 45. Surplus, .02
$4 98
13
98
The surplus, as stated as above, is now payable on de- mand to the owners of said estates, pursuant to the pro- visions of said statute.
(Signed)
THOMAS J. SKINNER,
Treasurer of Wakefield. .
Wakefield, Mass., March 9th, 1885,
1
99
COLLECTORS' STATEMENTS.
Tax of 1882.
Balance uncollected,
$5,153 58
Received as interest,
·
510 05
$5,663 63
Paid Town Treasurer,
. $5,003 45
Abated by Assessors,
660 18
$5,663 63
RICHARD BRITTON, Collector.
MARCH, 1, 1885.
Tax of 1883.
Balance uncollected.
$9,270 04
Received as interest,
.
248 72
$9,518 76
Paid Town Treasurer.
. $6,525 40
Abated by Assessors, ·
467 19
$6,992 59
Balance uncollected,
$2,526 17
Tax of 1884.
Total amount assessed, .
. $64,682 57
Received as interest, .
13 87
$64,696 44
· Paid Town Treasurer,
$51,333 91
Discounts allowed, .
·
1,842 21
Abated by Assessors,
638 67 53,814 79
Balance uncollected,
. $10,881 65
CHARLES F. WOODWARD, Collector.
MARCH 1, 1885.
.
100
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The Selectmen would respectfully present the following report of the various matters in their charge :
PERAMBULATION.
The line between Saugus and Wakefield was perambulated by the Selectmen of the two towns on April 21, 1884. The bound known as the "Three County Mark" was found broken off, and has since been replaced at the joint expense of the two towns.
CANNON.
The four cannon donated to the town by the United States Government have been received and placed in charge of H. M. Warren, Post 12, G. A. R. The transportation from Governor's Island to Wakefield cost $47 25, and was under the management of Mr. S. B. Dearborn, commander of the post, for whose services the thanks of this board are tendered.
GREENWOOD SCHOOL-HOUSE LOT.
The land for an addition to the yard of the Greenwood School-house has been purchased by the Selectmen in accordance with the vote of the town.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS.
In accordance with the vote of the town, the Selectmen purchased and caused to be erected on Main street, near the
101
"Rockery," an elevated drinking fountain for horses, at an expense of $237 55. This was in excess of the appro- priation, but as the Selectmen were directed by the town to put the fountain in "forthwith," they felt justified in exceed- ing the appropriation.
The fountain, donated by Mrs. H. N. Flint, has been set up at the corner of Main and Charles streets, and is of the self-closing pattern, and is intended for both man and beast.
The Wakefield Water Company declined to furnish water for more than seven months in the year, and consequently the fountains have not been in operation during the past winter: The price the Company fixed for water was $100 for the larger fountain and $50 for the smaller one, per year of seven months.
I'UBLIC PARK.
The Selectmen were instructed by vote of the town on Jan. 12, 1884, to petition the Legislature of the Commonwealth for an act legalizing all previous votes of the town in regard to the purchase and laying out of the present Park exten- sion, and also the vote of the town passed May 7, 1883, appropriating $10,000 10 meet the terms accompanying the bequest of the late Cornelius Sweetser. This was done, and an act passed substantially as petitioned for, and we believe it legalized matters which would have involved the town in much litigation. This was accomplished by the Board im- mediately preceding the present Board, but not in season to be noticed in the report of last year.
TOWN OFFICERS' SALARIES.
The entire amount appropriated for this purpose has been expended and drawn, with the exception of $85 15. A bill for "'services as Chief of Police" for $135 has been presented, but the Selectmen declined to pay this amount until an itemized bill should be rendered, and for the further reason that the appropriation was insufficient.
102
STREET LAMPS.
The contract for lighting the street lamps in the centre of the town was first awarded to E. A. Wiley, but the contract was completed and most of the work done by Mr. Denis O'Connell in a manner satisfactory to the Selectmen, and, we believe, to the public generally. There is one difficulty which it is impossible to overcome until the street lamps shall be lighted every night without regard to the light of the moon, and that is the impossibility of telling whether the lights will be needed until it is too late to light them. The present lamplighter has, we believe, always lighted when he thought it was necessary.
Three new lamps and posts have been placed on Albion street, between Lake and Byron, as directed by vote of the town. The lamp attached to a tree near Mr. Joseph Cart- wright's, on Park street, has been placed on a new post in a better location, on the opposite side of the street.
TOWN HALL.
The Town Hall building has required no extensive repairs.
HYDRANTS.
The town has paid the rent of the hydrants as per con- tract, and they have furnished reliable and effective fire pro- tection.
NIGIIT WATCHI.
The Selectmen have employed two night watchmen during the year, and they have performed effective service.
INSURANCE.
Policies for the following amounts of insurance are now held upon the public buildings :
Building. Town Hall, 66
Sum. Company.
$5,000 Tancashire, Eng ..
5,000
Franklin. Phil ..
10,000 No. America, Phil.,
Expires. Sept. 10, 1880. March 13. 1885
..
103
Town Hall,
10,000 Com'l Union, London,
March 13, 1886.
5,000 Phoenix
10,000 Liverpool & London & Globe,
5,000
Pennsylvania, Phil.,
Dec. 1, 1883.
Furniture,
5,000
Royal, Liverpool,
Aug. 3, 1889. June 24, 1889.
Beebe Town Library, 66
2,000
Dorchester Mutual, Boston,
High School, 66
5,000
No. America Phil.,
66
10,000
American
Sept. 12, 1887.
5,000
Royal, Liverpool,
5,000
Pennsylvania, Phil.,
North School,
2,000
Guardian, London,
" 6, '
Centre “
4,000
66
“ 3. "
66
Academy,
3 000
66
“ 3. 6
Montrose School,
2,000
Home, New York, 6:
Nov. 18, 1887. 66
South
2.000
Franklin
66
2.000
Royal, Liverpool,
Jan. 8, 1887.
Sun Fire, London,
Feb. 1, 1888,
Woodville
4.000
London & Lancashire,
Nov. 8, 1887.
Almshouse and Barn,
2,250
Citizen's, New York,
July 11, 1886.
New Hamilton School,
5.000
Royal, Liverpool,
Dec. 1, 1888.
66
66
66
66
1,000
Pennsylvania, Phil.,
Feb. 18, 1889.
66
66
Furniture, 1,000
DAMAGES ON HIGHWAYS.
There have been five notices of damages from alleged defects in highways during the year. The first case was that of Mr. Geo. H. Tyzzer. The Selectmen examined the place where the accident occurred, but were unable to find any defect. From Mr. J. H. Cossens of Albany, N. Y., we have heard nothing, and presume the injuries were trivial, as the notice said he should await results before making any further claim. The case of Mr. A. J. Hutchin- son was settled by the Wakefield Water Company, by a leak in whose pipe the defect was caused. The cases of Mr. Michael O'Connor, who walked off the bridge on Main street over Wakefield's brook, and William Barry, who received a fall on the sidewalk on Albion street, near Mansfield's apothecary store, are still under consideration.
.
2,000
Etna, Hartford,
May 1,1886.
5.000
London & Lancashire, Liverpool,
Jan. 9, 1887.
April 1, 1887. May 9, 1886.
West 66
2,000
16
2.250
National, 66
5.000
Guardian, London,
2,000
104
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS.
Under the provisions of section 14, chapter 298, of the Legislative Acts of the year 1884, the Selectmen appointed as registrars of voters, Edward H. Walton, to serve until May 1, 1887; Ezra M. Southworth, to serve until May 1, 1886 ; Eugene O'Hea, to serve until May 1, 1885, who, together with the Town Clerk, constitute the present Board of Registrars, at an annual salary of one hundred dollars for the Board.
It seems desirable that provision should be made for the payment of these new town officers by adding the above sum to the ordinary annual appropriation for that department.
SOLDIERS' BOUNTIES.
This Board received a communication from Thomas R. Blakeney, asking for the payment to him of a bounty of $100. The Selectmen found that Mr. Blakeney or his family had been helped by the town since 1880 to the extent of nearly $400, and his claim was therefore disapproved in accordance with the terms of the vote of the town, Sept. 8, 1862.
A claim was also received for a bounty on account of ser- vice of Henry H. Evans. This claim, it was found, had been investigated by the Board of Selectmen in 1881, and their report, which was adverse, was accepted by the town at the annual meeting of that year. It was accordingly dis- approved by this board.
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. BROWNELL, Selectmen JOHN S. EATON, of
I. F. EATON, 1 Wakefield.
105
ROAD COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
The work on the highways has been under the direction of Messrs. Oliver and Hart, who have superintended all the work performed.
The wages in this department have been as follows : Laborers, 20 cents per hour ; horse and cart, 20 cents per hour ; superintendents, 25 cents per hour ; breaking snow paths, 25 cents per hour for man and 25 cents per hour for each horse.
The Road Commissioners have received several petitions from citizens, requesting us to lay out new town ways, but owing to the poor condition of many of our streets, we thought it would be better for the town not to undertake the building of any new streets the past year.
We were, during the year, by order of the County Com- missioners, obliged to change and rebuild the street and sidewalk on Salem street to conform to the new line estab- lished by them from the residence of Mr. Ralph Woodward to Vernon street, at a cost of about two hundred and fifty dollars. The contract for concrete walks, gutters and crossings was awarded to W. B. Ellis of Melrose, at a cost of 37 cents per yard for sidewalks and gutters and 40 cents per yard for crossings. The number of applications for concrete sidewalks the past year was not sufficient to use up the one thousand dollars appropriated by the town for that purpose, only $391 29 having been expended from that
14
106
appropriation, leaving a balance unexpended of $608 71. The appropriation for gutters and crossings was mostly used in concreting gutters the past year. Most of the cross walks the Board were obliged to put off for another season, and we would recommend that the sum of one thousand do !- lars be appropriated for concrete for the year ensuing, to in- clude sidewalks, gutters and crossings.
The matter of relocating the boundary lines of Park street was, by vote of the town Aug. 18, referred to the Road Commissioners. We find, according to the plan of said. street, that the street as now located indicates a perfectly straight line from Main to Pleasant street, and is only 46 feet wide. Most of the fences on said street, as it appears, must have been erected without regard to the street bounds, as they have most all encroached on the highway from one to three feet. If we were to relocate the street and estab- lish a line so as not to interfere with the fences now erected, and have a uniform width throughout, the street would not be much over 40 feet in width. It would then cost the abutters as much to change their fences to correspond with the new line as it will to change them to the line now estab- lished ; and as it is the desire and intention of some of the abutters on the southerly side of said street to erect new and permanent fences, we would recommend that they build them on the line of the street as now established.
We found on entering into the work of this department a demand for extensive improvements on the highways by citizens in all parts of the town. Our work has been pretty generally distributed through the town; scarcely any street but what there has been more or less work done upon. Many of them have been put into shape by the use of the road machine, and are now in a condition for permanent im- provement. But to meet the demands of the citizens in this department it would require an increase on the appropriation of from fifty to seventy-five per cent.
107
The following sums have been collected by the Commis- sioners and paid to the Treasurer :
E. G. Daland, Main street, . $8 64
W. C. Hickman, “
10 21
School Committee, Main and Layfayette street, 63 92
Crescent street, 29 60
John Day,
2 50
Lydia Perkins, Lafayette strect,
10 08
T. J. Skinner, Chestnut .. 32 06
Hall Estate,
36 74
N. S. Dearborn,
18 06
M. S. Southworth, W. Chestnut street, 12 95
Richard Britton, Yale avenue,
36 87
J. W. Morrison,
12 88
L. H. Day, ٠، 27 10
W. L. Coon, 23 29
W. A. Cutter, Pleasant and Otis streets, 28 01
M. C. Taylor,
Pearl 24 38
$377 29
THOMAS HICKEY,
Road
HENRY N. OLIVER.
CHARLES H. HART,
Commissioners.
WAKEFIELD, MARCH 4, 1885.
108 POLICE REPORT.
WAKEFIELD, MASS., March 1, 1885. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen;
GENTLEMEN :- The report of this Department from April 1, 1884 to March 1, 1885, is herewith respectfully sub- mitted :
ARRESTS.
Whole number,
. 128
Liquor nuisance,
16
Single sale,
13
Search warrants for intoxicating liquors, 19
Drunkenness,
19
Assault and battery,
11
Felonious assault,
3
Threats,
5
Vagrancy, ·
12
Neglect to provide support of minor child,
4
Disturbing peace, .
3
Robbery,
1
Larceny,
2
Assault on officer,
Common drunkard,
3
Exposing and keeping,
1
Breaking, entering and larceny,
3
Evading railroad fares,
2
Desertion from School Ship,
2
Disturbing peace on railroad train,
4
Carrying concealed weapons,
1
Driving horse unfit for labor.
.
JOHN DAY,
Chief of Police.
109 NIGHT WATCH REPORT.
WAKEFIELD, March 1, 1885.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen;
GENTLEMEN :- The report of this Department, commenc- ing March 1st, 1884, and ending Feb. 28th, 1885, is here- with respectfully submitted :
Arrests made,
39
Males,
38
Females,
1
Minors,
4
NATURE OF CRIME.
Drunkenness,
10
Burglary, .
. .
4
Assault,
3
Disturbing the peace,
8
Larceny,
5
Assault with a knife,
1
Vagrancy,
2
Highway robbery,
1
Assault and Battery,
1
Cruelty to animals,
2
Avoiding fare,
2
Alarms of fire given,
6
Fires extinguished without giving an alarm,
2
Places of business found open,
23
Stray teams cared for,
3
Stray horses cared for,
2
People assisted home,
15
People assisted in finding lodgings,
23
Disturbances suppressed,
21
JOHN A. MELONEY, Night
ORRIN STONE, Watchmen.
110
REPORT OF FISH COMMITTEE.
The ninth annual report of the Fish Committee is here- with submitted.
True to the wonderful instinct with which nature endows them, the alewives made their usual pilgrimage from the ocean to the lake at the accustomed time, notwithstanding the hindrances and cruelties which are inflicted on them by those whose brutality is only exceeded by their ignorance of the conditions tending to their own best interest. It is possible that if some of these persons really knew that the passage of the migratory fish up and down our rivers would tend to cheapen the supply of food to half its present cost, they would prefer to pay present rates rather than not indulge their cruel propensities in destroying the fisheries, which, under proper and wise regulations, might become of great value to the entire community. That the sea fishing has greatly improved for miles along the coast in the vicinity of the Saugus river since it was reopened, none can deny. Sea fish were never more abundant in Lynn Bay and our coast waters thereabouts than last season, and dory fishing paid better than for many years. The finest cod were brought into Swampscott, Marblehead and Gloucester by the bay boats, while the past winter's catch has been unusually good. It must also be taken into consideration that there are more inhabitants and more fishermen. Lake Quannapowitt yielded its increase of finny treasure, though the full amount we cannot determine, because we are unable to obtain but partial returns. Holders of permits fish all summer, and are seen with good strings of fish, and yet are
111
too careless to make or keep any record of the number, weight or variety, and each year it is the same, and more than two hundred permits are now unaccounted for. The State Commissioners say we must enforce the regulations according to the law under which the lease is given and held. We hope all who have not made returns of their catch will do so at once. It appears from the Commissioners' report that in this state there are 114 leased lakes. The leasing of these is for the purpose of ascertaining, as far as possible, their value ; and it must be evident unless returns are made no just estimate can be given. In France the return is about four dollars per acre, and there is no reason why, with a little experience, we should not exceed that. There are 196,342 acres of land in this state covered with water, which, at the same rent, would make annual returns of over seven hundred thousand dollars, and some of our lakes h ve done even better. Permits issued, 266; returned, 22; leaving 244 on which no just estimate can be made. The 22 returns show a catch of 98 bass, 292 pickerel, 309 white perch, 965 red perch, 66 miscellaneous. Total 1,822 fish, weighing 542 lbs. Among the fortunate anglers Mr. C. W. Huntress is the leader, capturing 7 bass, 62 pickerel and 138 perch, weight 134 lbs. Mr. H. W. Hudson records 25 bass, 85 pickerel, 316 perch, weight 90 lbs. Mr. J. C. Hartshorne gathered in 132 pickerel and 2 bass, from 1-2 to 5 1-2 lbs., weight 81 lbs. Mr. John S. Eaton landed 2 bass, 36 pickerel from 1-2 to 4 1-2 lbs , 129 red perch, 46 miscellaneous, total 213, weight 44 lbs. Many others have been very successful, but have not made their returns.
Thousands of young alewives went down to the sea in July and August, and thousands remained in the lake, making splendid food for our native fish to feed on.
Is it any wonder that there is a strong desire on the part of outsiders, who have not expended a dollar's worth either of time or money in stocking this lake-now that it is brought up from its once utterly exhausted condition-is it
112
any more strange than unjust that they should go clamoring before a committee of the Legislature demanding the open- ing of the lake to all comers by day or night. A delegation from a neighboring town, headed by a clergyman, used as one of their chief reasons why the lake should be opened to all, that the stocking of it had proved a complete failure, and didn't amount to anything. Query : Were they or others able to obtain a mess of fish from the lake before it was stocked? We would like to inquire of these gentlemen, if they believe the statements which they made to be true, why they wish to spend their time fishing in a lake where they claim there are no fish? They seem to have been much exercised because our Fish Committee would not allow night-fishing. This was another wise and well con- sidered regulation on our part, as we did not propose to have seines swept in the lake from dark to daylight on a pretence of great appetite for pouts and ecls.
It is not so very surprising that some of our near neigh- bors wish to come here as that a representative of the city of Newburyport by the wide Merrimac, with its bountiful stores of salmon, shad, alewives and other fish at its very doors, should be so interested as to public opinion regarding fishing in our waters; or'a permit to fish at will in these lakes of ours, for which he has not furnished the first fish for stocking purposes. Following is a copy of a printed postal card sent to Col. John W. Locke by the Newburyport representative to the General Court :
NEWBURYPORT, MASS., JANUARY 27TH, 1835.
I am desirous of learning what public opinion is, in your town. as to the leasing of the " great ponds," and the granting of exclusive fishing privileges therein.
By handing this card to some citizen, who is not a lessee of a pond. and who would take interest enough in the subject to write to me about it, you will greatly oblige.
Yours respectfully,
II. M. CROSS.
113
An ex parte hearing was held at the State House, Boston, not the slightest notice of which was given to our own representative, Capt. Atherton, or to any inhabitant in this town, on a question in which we should all take an interest, and demand a right to be heard. It may be that an unseen factor is moving in this entire business, and stands ready to protect our fish, as for " scientific purposes" they have protected our bright-plumed birds. until their sweet songs have passed away for ever, and are heard no more in the land.
Twelve additional returns, brought after the report of 1883 was in print, show 762 lbs. of fish taken that year, which, added to 990 lbs., gives 1,752'lbs., and 202 permits on which no returns had been made. And we have good reason to believe that nearly two tons of fish are taken from the lake during each season. In closing this report, we can but reiterate our opinion, from careful observation, that the stocking of both lake and river has been crowned with suc- cess beyond our highest expectations. Your Committee would recommend the opening of Saugus river, according to law, for fishing the coming season. And we would recom- mend for the ensuing year that the sum of forty dollars be raised and appropriated for the use of the Fish Committee. All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAML. PARKER, JR.,
CHARLES H. DAVIS, Fish Committee.
HOWARD EMERSON,
15
114
ENGINEERS' . REPORT -
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-The Engineers of the Fire Department, in presenting their report for the nine months ending February 1st, can only say that, with a few exceptions, it would be but a repetition of the last report, and so slight have been the changes in this department that it remains practically the same.
Consisting of 85 men, including three engineers, it is divided as follows :
Steamer Lucius Beebe Co .- Foreman, Justin Howard ; 15 men.
C. Wakefield Engine Co .- Foreman, Geo. W. Oliver; 35 men.
Washington Hook and Ladder Co .- Foreman, Horace Dalrymple ; 20 men.
Chemical Engine and Hose Co .- Foreman, W. C. Allen ; 12 men.
All the apparatus owned by the town is in good order ; and there have been added one Lowry hydrant-head and 1,000 feet of cotton hose.
Under instructions to sell the Yale Engine, an advertise- ment was placed in the Daily and Sunday Herald of Boston, and the engine was offered at one-fourth its original
115
cost, without finding a purchaser, or anyone who would make an offer for it.
Taking into consideration the fact that this piece of apparatus is in perfect order, and through costly additions, alterations and improvements is better in every respect than when purchased, it is our opinion that it would not only be improvident but very unwise to sell such a piece of prop- erty for " old junk."
In willing hands this engine is capable of doing good fire service in case of an accident to the steamer or water- works.
Four reservoirs should be built during the coming summer in the following named locations for better protection against fire : One on Nahant street, in brook bed, near the Lowell Emerson Place, so called ; one at Montrose, near the Depot ; one near the Salem street crossing, N. & G. R. R. ; one near the Lowell street crossing, N. & G. R. R.
At the locations named, and at small cost, powerful and never-failing reservoirs could be constructed, from which the steamer could protect property within 3,000 feet.
During an ordinary drought in three of the localities named, it would be impossible to find enough water to be of any practical use.
Richardson street and vicinity is without any adequate water supply during the summer season, and not easily approached at all times in the winter.
And we would respectfully recommend the placing of two hydrants on the highest portions of said street. Also two at Greenwood and one on Vernon, north of Salem street.
The Johnson Pump Brigade have performed unusually good work the past season, in several instances putting out fires so quickly that there was no excuse for ringing in needless alarms. All that has been accomplished by this portion of the Fire Department was duly acknowledged by
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