USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 34
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ART. 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for purposes of "Memorial Day."
VOTED. $200.
ART. 28 .. To see if the town will purchase a stone crusher, together with an engine for driving the same, and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or what shall be done about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 29. To see what action the town will adopt with reference to accepting the trust contained in the will of Cornelius Sweet- ser, late of Saco, Maine, in item 22 of said will, which is in the following words : "I direct my said trustees to pay over to the said town of Wakefield the sum of five thousand dollars, to be received and held by said town in trust for the following use, viz: To safely invest the same and expend the income yearly in providing such lectures as will tend to improve and elevate the public mind, and to impose a reason- able fee for admission to such lectures, and pay over the net proceeds of the same to such charitable organization in said Wakefield as the municipal officers of said town may
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designate, to be distributed among the worthy poor of said town."
VOTED. Unanimously that the bequest of Cornelius Sweet- ser, late of Saco, Maine, as named in item 22 of his will, be and hereby is accepted by the town of Wakefield, the principal to be held in trust and the income to be used as directed in said will, and that the Town Treasurer be authorized to receive and reccipt for the same and to invest the same in such securities as shall meet the approval of himself and the Board of Selectmen ; that the Selectmen be authorized to take charge of the expenditure of the income, or appoint a committee to act in the matter for the town, and that the distribution of the net proceeds be under the direction of the Selectmen.
ART. 30. To see if the town will take action with reference to the acceptance of a similar trust contained in the will of the said Cornelius Sweetser, in item 33 of said will, which is in the following words : "I direct my trustees to pay over to said town of Wakefield the sum of five thousand dollars, in trust for the same uses as set forth in item 22."
VOTED. Unanimously that the bequest of Cornelius Sweet- ser, late of Saco, Maine, as named in item 33 of his will, be and hereby is accepted by the town of Wakefield, and that the Treasurer and Selectmen be authorized to take the same action in regard to it as voted upon a previous gift under Art. 29.
ART. 32. To see if the town will affix appropriate and distinctive titles to two of its outlying districts (which are now famil- iarly known as "Up side of the Pond" and "Over west of the Railroad"), such as "Lakeside" for the north and "Fair- mount" for the west district, or what action they will take thereon.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 33. To see if the town will instruct its Committee on Appropria- tions to establish the annual salary of the Chief of Police,
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and add the sum so established to the ordinary Town Officer appropriation.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 34. To see if the town will build a sidewalk on West Chestnut street, from Cedar street to Prospect street, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor.
VOTED. That the sum of $300 be raised and appropriated and expended under the direction of the Road Commissioners, and that the work be let out to the lowest responsible bidder.
ART. 35. To see if the town will grant the free use of the Town Hall to H. M. Warren Post 12, G. A. R., on the evening of " Memorial Day."
VOTED. To grant the use of the Town Hall to H. M. War- ren, Post 12, G. A. R. on the evening of " Mem- orial Day " gratis.
ART. 36. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of forty dollars for the use of the Fish Committee.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 46. To see if the town will instruct the Fish Committee to extend the hours for fishing on certain days.
VOTED. That the Fish Committee be instructed to open the pond during the fishing season from sunrise until 10 P. M. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
ART. 47. To see it the town will abolish the tax of twenty-five cents per head for fish permits, and will authorize its citizens to fish in Lake Quannapowitt during the winter season, when- ever said pond is frozen over.
VOTED. That it was the sense of the meeting that the tax of twenty-five cents be abolished.
VOTED. That a committee be apointed to confer with the Fish Commissioners of the State in regard to hav- ing the rules regulating fishing in Lake Quanna- powitt to conform to the votes of the town on articles 46 and 47.
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VOTED. That the Fish Committee attend to this duty. Robert Blyth was added to this Committee.
ART. 48. To see if the town will choose a Committee to investigate the subject matter of school expenses in all departments, and the cause of the disproportionate ratio of increase in the ex- pense per scholar; with a view to the inquiry as to what changes can be made, so as to render the increase of expen- ses proportionate to the increased number of school pupils, and check this tendency to ever increasing expenditure in excess of the legitimate demand caused by the increase in number; and report the result of their investigation to the town, or what action it will take in regard to the matter.
On motion of S. K. Hamilton it was voted that the town appoint a committee, of which James F. Em- erson shall be chairman, to investigate the subject matter of this article and report to the town and that the said committee have authority to employ an expert accountant if necessary.
James F. Emerson, George W. Aborn and Wil- liam F. Young were appointed on this committee.
ART. 50. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars, for the purpose of concreting the walks and gutters in the various school-yards, and also the sidewalks in front.
VOTED. $500.
ART. 52. To hear and act upon the report of the Committee chosen by the town April 7, 1879, to collect moneys due the town, the evidence of which is in the possession of citizens of the town.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 53. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars to grade Lake street, and build a sidewalk on one side of said street, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. $500 to be expended under the direction of the Road Commissioners.
ART. 54. To sec it the town will place a lamp and lamp-post at the corner of Lake Avenue and Spaulding street, and will raise and appropriate money for the same, or what they will do about it.
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VOTED. $20 and that the Selectmen be instructed to place the lamp and lamp-post as asked for in this article.
VOTED. To take up article 63.
ART. 63. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to furnish a lamp and post at or near the residence of John Kirk on Church street, or what action, if any, it will take thereon.
VOTED. $20.
ART. 58. To see if the town will adopt the rule that no money appro- priations shall be granted by the town except at the annual April meeting, or at an adjournment thereof, or at a special meeting where not less than three hundred persons are present, and voting thereon.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 59. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars for the purchase of shade trees, to be located on the public streets, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 69. To see if the town will direct its Assessors to cause to be printed a list of taxable polls and estates in the town for the year 1885.
VOTED. That the sum of $350 be raised and appropriated and that the job be let out to the lowest responsible bidder.
On motion of James F. Emerson, it was voted to adjourn until Wednesday evening April 22nd.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, APRIL 22, 1885.
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator, John M. Cute.
VOTED. To take up article 5.
Peter B. Wiley declined to serve on the Board of Auditors, and Willis S. Mason was chosen to fill the vacancy.
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VOTED. That the name of Reuben H. Mitchell be added to the list of Trustees of the Public Library.
VOTED. To take up Art. 66.
ART. 66. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars to repair and grade the sidewalks and cart- 1 way of Pleasant street between Eaton and Vernon streets, or what it will do about it.
VOTED. That the whole matter be left to the Road Com- missioners.
ART. 67. To see if the town will instruct its Board of Road Commis- sioners to put in edge-stones upon such streets as they deem advisable, where the abutters will pay one-half the cost thereof, and will raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
The Committee appointed by the town acting under Art. 47, reported as follows : The Chairman of the State Fish Commissioners will allow the inhabi- tants of Wakefield to fish in Lake Quannapowitt on Wednesday and Saturday of each week from sun- rise until 10 o'clock P. M. in the months of July, August, September and October, and at no other time.
SAM'L. PARKER JR., CHAS. H. DAVIS, ROBERT BLYTH.
VOTED. That the same Committee be authorized to appear before the Fish Commissioners of the State, and enter the emphatic protest of the town against the action of the Fish Commissioners, and that the re- port be referred to the Commissioners for further action.
VOTED .. That Thos. L. Whalen and Geo. H. Teague be added to this Committee.
The Committee appointed by the town acting un-
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der Art. 24, to whom was referred that article and eighteen others relating to the Fire Department reported what action they recommended to the town under each article.
VOTED. To accept the report.
VOTED. To act upon each article separately.
VOTED. To adjourn to next Monday, April 27, at 7 o'clock P. M.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, APRIL 27, 1885.
Meeting called to order by Moderator Cate.
ART. 24. To determine the compensation of Enginemen for the year ensuing.
VOTED. That the compensation of Enginemen be fixed at $15 and a sum equivalent to the Poll-tax.
ART. 26. To see if the town will purchase fifty additional Johnson pumps, to be located about the town in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as those now owned by the town, and raise and appropriate money therefor, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 27. To see if the town will pay the expenses of the Home Fire Protective Association's wagon for the ensuing year, for use of a horse, storage and rent of wagon ; said expenses not to exceed fifty dollars in amount, or what they will do about it. VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 31. To see if the town will make it the duty of the Clerk of its Board of Fire Engineers, for the time being, to make a com- plete and detailed record of all fires occurring within the town limits, including forest fires, such a record as is called for annually by the Insurance Commissioner, under the provisions of section 10, chapter 35 of the public statutes, or what they will do in reference to the matter.
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VOTED. On motion of Rufus Kendrick, that the town have such a record.
ART. 37. To see if the town will purchase five Johnson pumps with one hundred and fifty feet of hose, in twenty-five feet lengths, provided with all necessary couplings and nozzles, to be fur- nished with leather tips; the pumps to be carried by the Hook and Ladder Company, and the cost of the same not to exceed filty dollars, nor the entire weight to exceed fifty pounds.
VOTED. To lay this article on the table.
ART. 38. To see if the town will instruct the Engineers to enter upon their records the names of all persons who may attend any - fires in town, bringing and using a Johnson pump and a bucket, and reporting themselves in person to any one of that Board, and if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars, to be distributed among such Johnson pump men on the "marking system" each man to receive one mark for each attendance at fires, and to be paid pro rata to his number of marks, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To lay this article on the table.
ART. 39. To see if the town will enlarge the Steamer Engine House sufficiently to afford stabling for two horses, and authorize the Engineers to make a contract for a pair of horses to be kept there nights, or what they will do in regard to the sub- ject matter.
VOTED. To lay this article on the table.
ART. 40. To see if the town will authorize and direct the Engineer's of the Fire Department to abandon the use of the C. Wakefield Engine, and pur in its place the Chemical Engine, reducing. the number of men in said C. Wakefield Company to the number required for working the Chemical Engine, and' change the present Chemical Engine Company to a Hydrant Hose Company, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To direct the Engineers to abandon the use of the C. Wakefield Engine and return it to its owners, and put in its place the Chemical Engine and change the present Chemical Co. to a Hydrant Hose Co.
ART. 41. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of five
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hundred dollars for a steam fire alarm whistle, or gong, or what action it will take in the matter.
VOTED. To lay this article on the table, 82 to 30.
ART. 42. To see if the town will purchase three portable fire escapes for two of the school-houses, and will raise and appropriate money for that purpose.
VOTED. That the subject matter of this article be referred to the School Committee.
ART. 43. To see if the town will instruct the Engineers to sell at pub- lic auction during the present year the Yale Engine and such other appliances, including old ladders, traverse run- ners, etc., as are not required for use in the Fire Department, or what action it will take in the matter.
VOTED. That the Yale Engine be stored in the East Ward engine house, and that all other property be re- tained for possible future use.
ART. 44. To see if the town will instruct the Engineers to place the C. Wakefield Engine Company on the retired list, in ac- cordance with the recommendation of the Engineers for 1883. VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 45. To see if the town will place a water-pipe in the Town Hall building, with a length of hose attached, on each floor, to be used for fire protection, and raise and appropriate money therefor, or what action it will take in the matter.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 49. To see it the town will instruct the Engineers of the Fire De- partment to take charge of the town Johnson Pumps, and see that the same are kept in good working order; or what they will do about it.
VOTED.
To lay this article on the table.
ART. 51. To see if the town will take action with reference to supply- ing any of its public buildings with the Star Hand Grenades, manufactured by the Harden Company, of Chicago, at a cost not exceeding two hundred dollars.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 55. To see if the town will instruct its Engineers to employ, as Firemen, no persons whose business employment calls them from town during the day.
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VOTED.
To lay this article on the table.
ART. 56. To see if the town will instruct its Engineers to locate and keep the Johnson pumps in the hands of persons who are not members of either of the Engine Companies.
VOTED.
Art. 57
To refer to the Engineers of the Fire Department. To see if the town will instruct the Selectmen to offer a sub- stantial reward for the detection, conviction and punishment of incendiaries.
VOTED.
That a standing reward of $300 be offered by the Selectmen.
Mr. James H. Carter pledged himself to give an additional sum of $50 for the conviction and pun- ishment of woodland incendiaries, who set fires in the pastures and forests of our farmers, not so much to injure the farmers, as to annoy the Fire Dept., thereby increasing the burdens of the tax-payers, Mr. Rufus Kendrick also offered to give $50 for the same purpose and under the same conditions.
VOTED. To accept Mr. Kendrick's offer.
ART. 64. To see if the town will instruct the Engineers to locate the Yale Engine in East Ward, in place of the C. Wakefield, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
VOTED. To take up Art. 1.
VOTED. That the action of the town whereby it voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $5000 for the pay- ment of the town debt be reconsidered, Yes 116, No 16.
ART. 65. To see if the town will revoke its action taken in town meet- ing held March 12th, 1883, by which it accepted the provis- ions of Sections 74, 75, 76 and 77, of Chapter 27 of the Public Statutes of Massachusetts, relating to the election of a Board of Road Commissioners, to take the place of Highway Sur- veyors.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone 134 to 30.
ART. 61. To see if the town will require the School Committee annu- ally to appoint a Superintendent of the Public Schools.
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VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this article. ART. 62. To see if the town will cause a drinking fountain to be placed at the corner of Albion and Railroad streets, near the Upper Depot, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this article. VOTED. Unanimously, that the thanks of the town be ten- dered to John M. Cate, Moderator, for the very faithful, careful and impartial manner in which he has managed the affairs of this meeting.
VOTED. That this meeting be dissolved.
TOWN MEETING, MAY 18, 1885,
ART. 1. To choose by ballot a Moderator to preside in said meeting. John M. Cate was elected Moderator, receiving 25 votes. W. S. Greenough had 1 vote.
ART. 2. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars for the expenses of the Fish Committee or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone.
A motion to dissolve the meeting was lost Yes 78, No 130.
ART. 3. To see if the town will rescind or amend its vote passed at its annual meeting for the year 1885, whereby it voted to raise and appropriate the sum of eighteen hundred dollars for the purpose of hiring a night watch, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. On motion of S. K. Hamilton, that we amend the vote passed at the annual meeting appropriating $1800 for night watchmen, and that the Selectmen ' be instructed to hire one night watchman in addi- tion to the two already hired, for four months from
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June 1, 1885, at a salary of seventy-five dollars per month, which additional watchman shall be John A. Meloney, and that for the remainder of the cur- rent year they be instructed to hire two night watchmen at a salary of seventy-five dollars each per month, one of whom shall be John A. Meloney, Yes 169, No 73.
ART. 4. To see if the town will take any further action in relation to the employment of night watchmen for the current year.
VOTED. That a committee of five be appointed by nomina- tion from the floor to investigate all charges and questions in controversy between the Selectmen and Officer Meloney, to report at an adjournment of this meeting.
The following gentlemen were chosen on this Com- mittee ; S. K. Hamilton, Thos. L. Whalen, Wm. N. Tyler, David H. Darling, James H. Carter.
VOTED. To adjourn for three weeks to June 8, at 7 1-2 o'clock P. M.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, JUNE 8, 1885.
Called to order by the Moderator, John M. Cate. Acting under Article 4 of the warrant, the Com- mittee chosen at the meeting May 18th, to investi- gate charges against Officer John A. Meloney, and all questions in controversy between the Selectmen and Officer Meloney, presented a lengthy report. The Committee held nine sessions and of the six specifications of unfitness, only two were sustained by the evidence.
VOTED. That the report be accepted, and the Committee relieved from further duty. (The report is placed
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on file.) A motion was then made that the report be adopted. This was amended-that so much of the report as relates to the payment of the Steno- grapher's bill be adopted. The amendment was lost. (Yes, 124; No, 166.)
VOTED. To adopt the report. It was then
VOTED. To reconsider the vote passed at the previous meet- ing acting under Article 3, instructing the Select- men in regard to hiring night watchmen. (Yes, 246; No, 116.)
VOTED. That this meeting be now dissolved.
TOWN MEETING, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1885.
ART. 1. To choose, by ballot, a Moderator to preside in said meeting. VOTED. That the Town Clerk be authorized to cast one ballot for John M. Cate for Moderator, and John M. Cate was elected Moderator.
ART. 2. To see what action the town will take for having the stream from the So. Reading Branch Railroad to Farm Street, freed from the waste matter and obstructions that now cause it to stand and stagnate; and also, for opening a water way from the bridge under Lake Street to the stream at the bridge under Railroad Street; and for making an appropriation to meet the expense in the matter.
The following motion was offered by James F. Emerson :
"That the sum of seven hundred dollars be appro- priated for the purpose of opening the water ways as contemplated in this article, and that it be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, they to advertise for proposals for doing the work ; and also that the Selectmen be instructed to de-
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mand, of the proper Railroad authorities, the restoration of a bridge or culvert, of proper size for free water flow, under the Boston & Maine Railroad, north of Broadway ; and also a bridge or culvert under the South Reading Branch Railroad. in the central part of the meadow land east of Vernon Street.
On motion of W. G. Strong
VOTED. To amend, to let out the work to the lowest re- sponsible bidder.
On motion of Otis V. Waterman
VOTED. That the whole subject be referred to the Select- men to report at the next annual meeting; and that the subject matter of this article be inserted in the warrant for that meeting.
ART. 3. To hear and act upon a report of the Committee chosen at the annual town meeting, as a Committee of inquiry and investigation of the subject matter of school expenses, and to report result at a future meeting.
Wmn. F. Young, Chairman of the Committee, pre- sented the report.
VOTED. That the Committee be instructed to have the report printed and distributed.
ART. 4. To see if the town will request the Board of Engineers to publish, in their annual reports, the number of town Johnson pumps in each district, and the names of the persons with whom located, as a reminder to the general public where. they can seek help in case of fire; or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To instruct the Board of Engineers to do as re- quested in this article.
ART. 5. To see if the town will instruct its Road Commissioners to change the east line of Pleasant street, near the head of Eaton street, and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor.
VOTED. To refer to the Road Commissioners to report at the next annual meeting.
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ART. 6. To see if the town will authorize the purchase of a lamp- post and lantern, and cause them to be set at some point near the "Nash Place," so called, in Greenwood; the ex- pense of a lamp, oil and lighting, to be borne by residents in that vicinity.
VOTED. To place a lamp-post and lantern as requested and under the conditions of this article.
ART. 7. To see if the town will authorize the payment to the Select- men, from the appropriation for miscellaneous expenses, of the sum of one hundred and fifteen and 35-100 dollars; that sum having been personally paid by them in the defence of their regular and approved action in the town's behalf.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action under this article.
ART. 8. To see if the town will authorize the payment of the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars, to Mrs. C. A. Coffin, as compensation for injuries received by reason of a fall at the corner of Main street and Yale avenue, on the evening of April 19th, 1885, or what action they will adopt in the matter.
VOTED. That the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars be paid to Mrs. C. A. Coffin as asked for in this article.
ART. 9. To see if the town will adopt measures which will secure proper permanent care of the Old Burial Ground, and pro- vide for the payment of the expense thereof, or what action they will take in the matter.
VOTED. To refer to the Selectmen.
ART. 10. To see if the town will appropriate an additional sum of one thousand dollars for the repairs of highways, or what they will do about it.
VOTED. To indefinitely postpone action.
ART. 11. To see if the town will authorize the Park Commissioners, in connection with the Engineers of the Fire Department, to remove the Steamer Engine House from the Park to some point nearer the business centre of the town, and appropriate funds for such purpose, or what they will do about it. Motion to lay this article on the table, carried, 56 to 51. Motion to adjourn was lost.
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VOTED. To take Article 11 from the table, 76 to 17.
VOTED. That the subject matter of this article be referred to a Committee composed of the Park Commission- ers, Fire Engineers and Selectmen, to investigate and make a report at the town meeting to be held on State Election day.
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