Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886, Part 40

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 1054


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 40


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The contract for concrete walks, gutters and crossings was awarded to Walter B. Ellis of Melrose, at a cost of 37 cts. per yard for sidewalks and gutters, and 50 cts. per yard for crossings, including the necessary work of preparing the street before concreting. We would recommend that the sum of eight hundred dollars be appropriated for concrete work the coming year, including sidewalks, gutters and crossings.


Considerable damage was done to many of our streets during the fall season, as was also the case during the great freshet in February, when many of our steeets, at various points, were covered with water. These storms occurring late in the season only such places as were considered in anyway dangerous were repaired, and much remains to be done the present year to repair the damage done.


Many of our streets have also been greatly impaired by excavation by the Wakefield Water Company, for the pur- pose of laying their water pipes. The rough, unfinished, and, in many places, dangerous condition in which the streets are left by this Company must be apparent to many of our citizens, as well as to the Road Commissioners. The attention of the Company has been called to the matter sev- `eral times, but without success, as there has been but little done by them to improve their condition.


In our opinion the Company should not be allowed to put the citizens of the town to the inconvenience caused by such management, or the expense which will be eventually nec- essary to repair the damage done, and we would recommend that some action be taken by the town whereby this condition of things may be changed, and the obligations of the Com- pany to the town more vigorously enforced.


127


The following sums have been collected by the Commis- sioners for concrete sidewalks, and paid to the Treasurer :


Edmond Sweetser, Franklin street, $11 58


Everett G. Daland, Main


5 55


A. H. Thayer, 66 66 7 79


Park Commissioners, Main and Church streets, . School Committee, Greenwood and Hamilton School-houses, 57 21


190 67


Arthur U. Preston, cor. Park and Pleasant streets


31 65


T. P. Webber, Salem street, 14 35


Chas. Dunn,


. .


24 38


H. B. Evans, 66


7 40


Total,


$350 58


THOMAS HICKEY,


Road


HENRY N. OLIVER,


Commissioners.


NATH'L H. DOW,


WAKEFIELD, March 4th, 1886.


128


ASSESSORS' REPORT.


Valuation of Real Estate, . . $3,247,100 00


Personal “


427,140 00


Resident Bank Stock,


52,560 00


Total valuation, May 1, 1885, $3,726,800 00


Total number of polls, 1667.


Number of dwelling houses taxed,


1,100


" horses ·


338


"' COWS, 6€


.


245


" swine,


66


Value of real estate and machinery of corpora-


$605,575 00 tions,


Value of church property exempted by law from taxation, . 132,500 00


129


ANALYSIS OF RATE OF TAXATION.


Amount assessed for each purpose on every $1000, valuation,


State tax,


45


County tax,


.


10


Schools,


5 06


Hamilton School Building,


88


Land and grading, Greenwood School yard,


13


School Yard Concrete, .


13


Highways and Bridges, .


1 71


Support of Poor,


1 50


Miscellaneous Expenses,


95


Fire Department,


82


Interest on Debt,


80


Rental of Hydrants,


75


Town Officers' Salaries, .


72


Town House Expenses, ·


48


Night Watch,


45


Street Lamps,


41


Park,


25


Library and Reading Room,


22


Printing Valuation,


09


Memorial Day,


05


Drinking Fountain,


05


Total per $1000,


$16 00


17


130


APPROPRIATIONS INCLUDED IN THE 1885 TAX LEVY.


Aug. 18, 1884, School Books, . . $1,500 00 Drinking Fountain 200 00 Land and Grading Green- wood School-house lot, 500 00 $2,200 00


Nov. 4, 1884, Reading Room,


.


125 00


125 00


Jan. 12, 1885, Support of Poor,


. 1,000 00


Miscellaneous Expenses, 800 00


Town House,


300 00


Street Lamps, .


200 00


Fire Department,


100 00


2,400 00


Feb'y. 2, 1885, Firemen's Pay,.


972 00


972 00


April 6, 1885, Interest on Town Debt. 3,200 00


Support of Schools, . 16,200 00 School Contingent, . 1,500 00 School Books and Sup- plies, . 1,000 00


Support of Poor,


5,000 00


Highways and Bridges, 5,000 00


Fire Department,


. 2,200 00


Town Library,


400 00


Reading Room,


325 00


Town Officers' Salaries, 2,875 00


Street Lamps,


.


1,400 00


Town House Expenses, 1,600 00


Miscellaneous, .


.


3,000 00


Rental of Hydrants, . 3,000 00


Concrete Sidewalks, .


500 00


Concrete Crossings and Gutters, 400 00


Night Watch, 1,800 00


Sidewalk, Chestnut St. 300 00


School yard Concrete, 500 00


Amounts carried forward, $50,200 00


$5,697 00


131


Amounts brought forward, . $50,200 00 $5,697 00


April 6, 1885, Lake street,


500 00


Memorial Day, 200 00 Lamp Posts, 40 00


Preparing and Printing Valuation, . 350 00 51,290 00


May 7, 1883, Park,


1,000 00


June 4, 1883, Hamilton School Building, 1,500 00


April 7, 1884,


66 2,000 00 . .


Town Appropriations,


. $61,487 00


State Tax,


3,210 00


County Tax,


2,056 24


$66,753 24


Less estimated receipts,


5,000 00


$61,753 24


Overlay,


1,209 56


Total amount assessed,


. $62,962 80


Amount assessed on 1667 polls,


$3,334 00


Amount assessed on property,


59,628 80


DAVID PERKINS, CHAS. F. HARTSHORNE, CHAS. F. WOODWARD,


Assessors


of Wakefield.


132


POLICE REPORT.


WAKEFIELD, MASS., March 1, 1886.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :


GENTLEMEN :- The report of this Department from April 1, 1885 to March 1, 1886, is herewith respectfully sub- mitted :


ARRESTS.


Whole number,


119


Liquor nuisance,


14


Search warrants for intoxicating liquor,


33


Larceny,


11


Drunkenness, .


12


Disturbing the peace,


6


Disturbing the peace on railroad trains,


2


Threatening bodily harm,


2


Obstructing sidewalks,


2


Vagrancy,


12


Malicious mischief, .


6


Truancy ;


.


1


Circulating obscene literature,


1


Trespass,


1


Assault,


10


Assault on officer,


2


Felonious assault,


1


Default,


3


C. E. NILES,


Chief of Police.


133


NIGHT WATCH REPORT.


WAKEFIELD, March 1, 1886.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :


I herewith respectfully submit the report of the Night Watchmen, from April 1, 1885 to March 1, 1886 :


C. E. NILES,


Chief of Police.


Report of the Night Watch to the Chief of Police of the Town of Wakefield for the year 1885 :


Arrests made, 23


Disturbances suppressed,


19


Places of business found open.


-


22


People assisted home,


20


People assisted in finding lodgings, .


18


Alarms of fire given,


5


Stray teams found, . . .


.


1


Stray horses found, ·


.


3


JOHN F. WHITING, 2 Night ORRIN STONE, Watchmen.


134


REPORT


OF


THE BOARD OF HEALTH.


There have been in the last eleven months, ending March 1st, 45 cases of Diphtheria with 9 deaths ; 27 cases of Scar- let Fever with 2 deaths ; and 3 cases of Measles.


The cases of Diphtheria have been quite scattered, affect- ing all social classes. It suggests that it is either imported from Boston, or developed where imperfect sewerage exists. A person's health may be so lowered by breathing in foul air or noxious gases, that one is predisposed to contract dis- ease. , With the increased water supply our cesspools are sooner filled, and our lands sooner saturated. Our cesspools and drains should be more closely watched. One of the reg- ulations of the Board of Health is, that cesspools, sinkdrains, etc. must be emptied after 10 P. M., and only by persons licensed as qualified by the Board. This rule has been vio- lated to the detriment of the health of the people. That hour of the night is chosen that few or none be sufferers from the escape of foul odors.


We ask our fellow citizens to observe this law. Printed blanks are to be had of the Board for complaint of nuisances. The Board cannot take cognizance of complaints in the


135


newspapers, anonymous, and referring to work possibly left over by a former Board.


Beside private nuisances, the first complaint of public importance that reached the Board, concerned the public health at the Upper Station. Correspondence was had with the B. & M. Superintendent, a trap was put in, and an addi- tional closed door was built over the vault, when the nuisance was found abated.


Complaints have been made about the keeping of pigs too near dwelling houses, and often in filthy condition. These complaints were heard and nuisances abated. The Health Officer has made official visits, and such additional visits were made as were necessary by each member of the Board. The number of such visits were not counted.


Complaint was made of an open and bad smelling drain, running from Skating Rink thro' land of Mr. David Perkins toward the outlet of Crystal Lake. Open bids from con- tractors were solicited for continuing the drain begun by previous Board, and the contract was given to the lowest bidder. The drain is thus completed from Crescent street to end of land owned by Mr. Perkins. Another Board may see the completion of the whole drain to the Crystal Lake outlet.


A petition signed by over one hundred persons reached the Board, praying them to take some action about clearing the streams, first between Lake street and So. Reading Branch R. R., and secondly leading therefrom to Farm street. The first stream was pretty thoroughly cleaned at small expense. The other stream drained a very large tract. Some work was done, but it was found that considerable lowering of the stream beyond Farm street and toward Sau- gus line would be necessary, and a special appropriation should be had. A small sum was however expended in clearing that stream where badly choked. The monies ex- pended will be found in the proper place.


Lastly, attention is called to the fact that the separate School and Health Boards of this town, have different and


136


conflicting rules with reference to the time that should elapse before a scholar who has been sick or exposed to contagious disease, should re-enter school. The retiring Health Board recommend correspondence with the School Board, that agreement be had. Following a German precedent, the present Board recommend the following rule, which will ensure greater safety and less exposure to all scholars :


No scholar who has been sick with any contagious disease, or who lives in the same house, using a common hall, or having open connecting halls, where contagious disease ex- ists, shall be allowed to re-enter their respective schools till the following time has elapsed : for Small Pox and Scarlet Fever, six weeks from the commencement ; for Measles, four weeks ; for Diphtheria, four weeks; when after a certifi- cate from the attending physician that contagious disease no longer exists, that scholars' houses and clothes have been fumigated, and the certified time elapsed, the Secretary of the Health Board shall give a permit to re-enter school.


The Board have worked together harmoniously, and, as they retire, they wish their beautiful town a healthy year, and willing, capable servants. to do the town's work.


Very respectfully,


PRESTON SHELDON, M. D., Pres., J. W. HEATH, M. D., Sec., J. R. MANSFIELD, M. D., Health Officer.


WAKEFIELD, March 1st, 1886.


137


REPORT OF THE FISH COMMITTEE.


The Fish Committee have the honor to submit herewith their tenth annual report.


As in previous years the Alewives came from the ocean to Lake Quannapowitt, at the usual time, in great numbers, and in August and September last, favored by high water in the lake, both the old and young fish were all able to return to the salt water, this being the first year since the Alewives came up from the sea that all the young fish were able to leave the lake at the season when the instincts of Nature impel them so to do. Therefore-should their "right of way" through Saugus river continue to be maintained-we may expect their return, in 1888, in vast numbers. To this bountiful food supply, more than to any other single cause, do we attribute the rapid growth and fine quality of the bass, pickerel and perch in the lake.


On June 5th, Messrs. Sam'l Parker, Jr., and Will H. Wiley, of the Committee, with Mr. James H. Carter, went to Winchester and procured from State Commissioner Bracket 17,000 young land-locked salmon, which were safely transported and placed in the deepest water in the middle of the lake, and we are not without strong expectations that the future will give good reports of this noble fish, "the joy of the sportsman and delight of the epicure." The last annual report of the State Commissioners encourages us to this ex- pectation from the fact, there shown, that good results are beginning to be realized in many of the leased ponds of the State, where, until the past year, the stocking with land- locked salmon was thought to have been a failure. Your


. 18


138


Committee are of the opinion that the apparent failure of previous attempts to stock our lake with these fish was due to the fact that they were placed in the water near the outlet and probably all escaped from the lake very soon afterward.


The Committee are decidedly of the opinion that the fish- ing has been better the past season than ever before, and a reference to the reports of holders of permits will clearly es- tablish this as a fact.


More large fish-of 4 to 5 lbs. weight-were caught this season than ever before. Many bass were taken weighing over 4 lbs. One was reported as weighing 5 1-2 lbs. And one pickerel was caught weighing 5 lbs. 7 oz., this being the heaviest ever reported.


Duty compels us to again call attention to the inexcusable failure of many holders of permits to make the required re- turns to the Committee.


When the permits for this year were issued, the Commit- tee, by a strict enforcement of the rule, that delinquent holders should hand in their returns for the previous year before one for this year was issued to them, secured 144 additional · returns of 1884, and we present below the corrected


CONSOLIDATED RETURNS FOR 1884.


Number of Permits issued,


. 266


returned, 166


These 166 returns show fish taken as follows :


Number of Black Bass, . 284


" Pickerel, .


.


.


1247


66 " White Perch, .


. 469


" Red


. 6034


" Miscellaneous Fish,


· 896


Total number of Fish, .


. 8930


Total weight,


3240 lbs.


139


CONSOLIDATED RETURNS FOR 1885.


Number of Permits issued,


· 290


60 returned, .


85


These 85 returns show fish taken as follows :


Number of Black Bass,


199


" Pickerel,


. 1084


" White Perch, .


. 91


" Red 66


. 3619


" Miscellaneous Fish,


· 531


Total number of Fish, .


. 5524


Total weight,


2131 lbs.


We also give, in detail, a few returns for the past season, as made by the more fortunate anglers, who have handed in their returns, as the rules require :


Black


Pickerel.


White Perch


Red


Miscel-


Total No.


Total lbs. Weight.


C. N. Huntress.


19


140


0


585


65


809


3951/2


D. J. Donovan.


3


107


0


0


0


110


152


Alonzo P. Burrill.


2


67


0


250


0


319


1321/2


W. S. Greenough.


1


112


0


7


0


120


93


James M. Wiley.


10


17


8


176


44


255


641/2 59


Geo. E. Ricker.


9


1


0


131


30


171


G. T. Moses.


9


18


6


201


43


277


53


W. E. Parker.


1


22


1


238


13


275


511/2


W. F. White.


10


1


8


61


26


106


51


.


Names.


Bass.


Perch laneous


It will be seen that the 85 returns made, for the past season, show a total of 5524 fish, and a total weight of 2131 lbs. Should the 205 permits, the holders of which have made no returns, average the same, and the Committee think they would,-as we have reason to believe that many of the most successful fishermen are included in this delinquent


140


list-complete returns would show a grand total of 13,325 fish, weighing 5139 lbs., worth, at an average market price of 12 cts. per. lb., $616.68.


We believe this is a fair estimate, and no comment of ours will add to its force as an argument for the strict enforce- ment of the Rules and Regulations now governing our lake.


Respectfully submitted,


SAMUEL PARKER, JR., Fish CHARLES H. DAVIS, WILL H. WILEY, Committee.


WAKEFIELD, March 10, 1886.


·


1


---------==-


141


ENGINEERS' REPORT.


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :


GENTLEMEN,-The annual report of the Engineers of the Fire Department is herewith presented.


The reorganization and reduction of the past year, makes the force to consist of three engineers, and forty-eight men, including the following named companies and pieces of ap- paratus in their charge.


Steamer Lucius Beebe Co. No. 1 .; First assistant, F. S. Newbert, one fourth class Silsby Steam Fire Engine ; one four-wheeled Hose Carriage; one Supply Wagon, 13 men.


Washington Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1; Foreman, Alonzo S. Cobb; One Truck, Ladders and apparatus, 15 men.


J. H. Carter Hose Co. No. 1; Foreman, Wm. C. Allen ; Two two wheeled Hose Carriages, 10 men.


C. Wakefield Chemical Engine Co. No. 2; Foreman, G. W. Oliver, 10 men ; One Chemical Engine ; Yale Engine, out of commission, stored in Engine House, Montrose.


One Fire Extinguisher ; One Johnson Pump; 150 feet of 1 in. Cotton Hose, in charge of the Janitor Mr. H. C. Hall, at Town House.


One Lowry Hydrant Head, in closet south side of Vesti- bule Town House. Base for Hydrant Head, at the intersec- tion of Main and Lincoln Sts.


142


Fifty Johnson Pumps and Buckets.


With the following changes in location during the past year.


No. 10. Transferred to Mr. W. D. Parker, Wiley street, Woodville.


No. 14. Transferred to Mr. H. P. Hill, Summer street, Junction.


No. 16. Transferred to Messrs L. H. Day & Co., Wake- field's Block, Main street.


NAMES OF HOLDERS, AND LOCATION OF JOHN- SON PUMPS.


In compliance with the recent vote of the Town, the Se- lectmen have purchased fifty force pumps, with hose and pipe attached, have caused the same to be duly marked as the property of the Town of Wakefield and consecutively num- bered, and have placed them in the hands of the following persons :


IN THE CENTRE DISTRICT.


No. 1. John A. Meloney,


Byron street


2. John F. Whiting, .


Pleasant 66


3. John F. Alexander,


Main 66


4. Richard Britton, 66


5. John M. Cate,


66


66


6. Hosea L. Day,


66


7. Noah M. Eaton,


Park 66


Wiley Place


Salem street


9. George W. Evans,


10. W. D. Parker,


Wiley . “


11. John Drugan,


12. Charles E. Niles, .


13. E. H. Walton,


Pleasant street


14. H. P. Hill, . .


15. Francis Williams,


Vernon 66


Yale Avenue


Summer “


Albion “


8. Thomas Sullivan,


143


16. L. H. Day & Co,


17. Robert Braxton, .


18. Samuel Winship,


19. William Mellett,


20. Patrick Kenney,


21. Michael Low,


Bennett street


Nahant 66


Main


Main


66


25. George K. Gilman, Summer "


NORTH DISTRICT.


26. Charles Gorham,


27. F. P. Batchelder,


28. Wm. K. Perkins,


29. Samuel Parker, Jr.


Main


66


30. Willis H. Knight,


Cordis «


EAST DISTRICT.


31. Thomas Gould,


32. J. F. Nickerson, .


33. Frank Hoyt,


34. W. C. Parker,


35. Harris Pratt,


Lowell street


66


Walton


66


Lowell


Vernon


66


SOUTH DISTRICT.


36. Isaac E. Green,


37. I. F. Sheldon, . 38. John J. Brooks, .


39. W. H. Taylor,


40. Woodbury Griffin,


Main street


Forest


66


Grove


Oak


66


MainStreet Lake


Lafayette " Hart and Nahant Melvin street


22. William Garside,


23. Mansfield's Coal Office,


24. Mrs. H. N. Flint,


Lowell street


Vernon


Central


144


WEST DISTRICT.


41. Geo. W. Killoran,


42. John McGrory, Jr.


43. W. W. Bessey, . ·


44. R. L. Cooper,


45. Thomas Kernan, .


·


West Chestnut street Elm «


Emerson «


Railroad .'


Gould


WOODVILLE DISTRICT.


46. Benjamin Oliver,


47. George E. Donald,


Almshouse


Water street


Hopkins "


Water street


The List is now published in accordance with a vote of the Town.


And the Selectmen have transfered to the Fire Engi- neers of the Town of Wakefield, the future care and control of the said pumps, to whose sole care the law assigns them.


The pumps were inspected at the usual time, and such as required it received new packing, and all are believed to be ' in good order and condition, and are known to be in ready hands.


All the buildings and apparatus owned by the town are in good condition, with the exception of the leather hose, which, by reason of age, is becoming less suitable for heavy pressure, and in the near future should be replaced by the more reliable cotton hosc.


The longest spliced ladders are unequal to the height of a number of the most valuable buildings, and ladders of greater extension are needed.


An iron track has been laid in the Steamer House, and will lessen the liability to accident on starting out.


48. George Tyzzer, .


49. E. S. Hopkins,


50. Joshua Perham, .


Farm street


145


Regarding an increase in the number of Hydrants and Reservoirs the opinion of this Board is the same as expressed in the last report.


The question of Fire Escapes should not be lost sight of, for the necessity for these still exists, and may be realized, when too late.


A Committee have under consideration proposed changes in the location of the Fire Department, and we leave the subject in their hands.


Change in the ownership of property necessitated the re- moval of the No. 1 Hose Carriages and fixtures, and for these temporary quarters were obtained in the blacksmith shop, corner Main and Chestnut steeets.


The place is unsuitable and inconvenient, and better quar- ters should be provided if the town desires to retain this prompt and reliable company.


The Hydrants of the W. W. Co. were examined early in January, and tested by Superintendent Harrington, assisted by your Chief Engineer, and were found in perfect order and readiness for their designed use.


No serious fire has marked the passage of the year, and this shows, perhaps, better construction in buildings, and ever vigilant care on the part of householders in the manage- ment of appliances where fire is used.


FIRES AND ALARMS.


March 12. Alarm caused by a slight smoke seen in the vicinity of Shea's Block.


April 2. Still alarm. Fire set by boys near building owned by Mr. Lyman Hawkes on Otis St. Extinguished by Chief Engineer.


April 3. Still alarm. Grass fire, set by boys, on land of Mr. C. Wakefield. Extinguished by Chief Engineer.


19


146


April 10. Still alarm. Fire on roof of harness house of


Mr. Beebe. Extinguished by Mr. Dennis Daly. Damage very slight.


April 14. Still alarm. Grass fire, set by children, ig- nited the house of Mr. Wm. B. Dunn, Water St. Extin- guished by Mr. Joshua Perham with town pump No. 50. Damage very slight.


April 20. Woodland fire, east side of Wiley St., Montrose. Extinguished by C. Wakefield Engine Co. Dam- age unestimated. Cause, supposed incendiary.


April 21. Two woodland fires at Woodville, with loss of 5 cords of cut wood. $20.00 and damage to woodland unes- timated. Extinguished by C. Wakefield Engine Co. and the engineeers.


Johnson Pumps were used very effectively at these fires. Cause, supposed incendiary.


May 17. Still alarm. Woodland fire at Montrose. Ex- tinguished by Engineer Howard, assisted by Messrs. J. Holman Pope and Rosson. Damage slight. Cause, sup- posed incendiary.


June 7. Fire at barn of Mr. Chas. Bateman, Bateman Court. Damage not exceeding $5.00. No insurance. Cause, supposed incendiary.


July 3. Still alarm. Fire in building owned by Mr. Lyman Hawkes on Otis St. Extinguished by Chief Engi- neer, Police and others. Damage unestimated. No insurance. Cause, supposed incendiary.


Sept. 20. Fire at Stoneham. Barn of Mrs. Butts.


Nov. 14. Still alarm. Fire in woodland on Water St. Extinguished by Joshua Perham and others. Cause, sup- posed incendiary.


Dec. 23. Still alarm. Caused by curtain taking fire from a gas jet in John W. Smith's shoe store. Building owned by C. H. R. Cheney. No damage to building.


147


Amount of Stock, $1800.00 ; insured for $1500.00 ; insur- ance paid, $15.00.


Dec. 31. Alarm at 4.45 A. M., caused by the burning of Williams' grainery at the Junction. Main building destroyed, with slight damage to the Engine House and shed.


Valuation of Building, $350.00; insured for $200.00. Valuation of grain, $1000.00; insured for $700.00; Insur- ance paid, $868.00. Cause of fire, unknown.


Dec. 31. 9. 45 P. M. Still alarm. Caused by rekindling of fire under the grain at the ruins of Williams' grainery. By direction of the Engineers a portion of the grain was removed and the fire extinguished at midnight. Johnson Pumps and Hydrant streams did good work at this fire.


Jan. 10, 1886. Alarm caused by fire in the dwelling house owned by Mr. Horace M. Wiley, Wiley Place.


Mr. Joshua Perham, with town pump No. 50, was early at work, re-inforced by Mr. Thomas Sullivan, with town pump No. 8, and the fire was extinguished before any bell alarm was given. Insured for $700.00; insurance paid, $35.00. Caused by a chimney flue having a paper instead of a metallic cover.


Jan. 17. Alarm at 11.30 P. M. Caused by fire-light at North Andover, Mass.


Feb. 13. Alarm caused by slacking of lime in cellar of Mr. G. W. Aborn's building on Albion St. Damage slight.


Feb. 15. Still alarm for fire in a passenger car at the Junction, caused by an overheated stove. Discovered and extinguished by Mr. Michael Coakley, with a pail of water, who deserves honorable mention.


Feb. 24. Alarm caused by the burning of a straw bed in the attic of Mrs. Newcomb's house on Chestnut St. Damage slight. Caused by a child playing with matches. Extin- guished by Johnson Pumps, No. 4, A. S. Johnson, and No. 5, John M. Cate, and others who responded very promptly,


-


148


re-inforcing, with an abundant supply of water, the first workers. Another splendid illustration of what can be done with the smallest apparatus.


For Fire Department expenses see report of Auditors, Page 67.


And for the current year we would recommend that the sum of $2000 be raised and appropriated for the use of this Department.


In closing we desire to express our thanks to the Select- men and other officers of the town for their cordial support and consideration ; to the Night Watch and Police for timely assistance ; to each and every officer and member of the Fire Department for their uniform courtesy, and the prompt and cheerful performance of the duties devolving upon them ; and to all others who have in any manner aided in the pre- vention or suppression of fire.




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