USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1885-1889 > Part 47
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1,137
CHAS. F. WOODWARD,
CHAS. F. HARTSHORNE,
HENRY H. SAVAGE,
Assessors.
99
COLLECTOR'S STATEMENT.
TAX OF 1886.
Balance uncollected, Feb. 29, 1888, $5,233 60
Received as interest, 436 66 $5,670 26
Paid Town Treasurer, . $5,282 93 ·
Abated by Assessors,
387 33
$5,670 26
TAX OF 1887.
Balance uncollected, Feb. 29, 1888, $11,864 48
Received as interest,
195 38 $12,059 86
·
Paid Town Treasurer, . $5,918 36 .
Abated by Assessors,
·
·
403 48
$6,321 84
Balance uncollected,
$5.738 02
TAX OF 1888.
Total amount assessed, . $73,540 60
Received as interest,
14 29 $73,554 89
Paid Town Treasurer, . $59,375 32
Discounts allowed, .
2,211 69
·
Abated by Assessors,
337 04 $62,124 05
·
Balance uncollected, . $11,430 84
CHAS. F. WOODWARD, Collector.
FEB'Y 28, 1889.
100
Dr. THOMAS J. SKINNER, Treasurer,
To Cash balance in Treasury as per report Mch. 10, 1888, . $1,012 27
Hired on Town Notes, . 40,675 00
Chas. F. Woodward, Collector, Taxes, 1888,
. 59,375 32
1887, 5,918 36 ·
1886, . 5,282 93
State Treasurer, acct. Corporation Taxes, . 3,590 02
66
National Bank Tax, . 858 40
State Aid, 1887, 1,636 00
66 Military Aid, 1887, 111 00
66 Armory Rent, 400 00
Mass. School Fund, 41 52
County Treasurer, acct. Dog Tax, 1888, 667 78
Selectmen, Receipts from Town Hall,
536 00
66
Concrete Work, . 641 48
1
Highway Dep't, . 59 25
66 Sale of Old Iron &c., . 8 50
Town Clerk. Sale of Town Hall plans,
2 85
Overseers of the Poor, Receipts, 2,289 62
School Committee, tuition, . 220 00
Fish Committee, Balance of Receipts, 31 75
H. C. Hall, Lock up fees, 1887-8, 16 50
Redemption of Tax-titles, . 282 02
Coupon interest from C. Sweetser Lecture Fund,
400 00
T. J. Skinner, Treas. Profit from Sweetser Lectures, 1888-9, 45 35
Wakefield Savings Bank, Int. C. Sweetser burial lot fund, 40 20
L. H. Tasker, Crystal Lake Rental to Mch. 1, 89, 20 00
Received from Sundry Licenses, (see page 106) . 47 00
C. W. Eaton, Treas. Beebe Town Library, bequest of Cyrus Wakefield, 500 00
Harriet A. Shepard, Librarian, fines, etc., . 30 69
S. K. Hamilton, Donation to Library, ·
10 00
Oliver Walton, for Ice-boxes, .
8 00
Errors in Town Orders-refunded. 7 36 .
Interest on Deposits. . .
.
20 25
$124,985 42
Rent of Court Room and Janitor, 200 00
101
in account with the TOWN OF WAKEFIELD, Cr.
By Cash paid Selectmen's Orders, $64,113 55
Principals on Loans, .
. 43,823 33
Interest
2,739 73
State Treasurer, State Tax,
4,882 50
National Bank Tax, . 1,091 71
" 66 ¿ Liquor License Receipts, . 50
County Treasurer, County Tax, 2,739 73
State Aid to Sundry persons,
1,595 00
T. J. Skinner, Treas. Sweetser Lectures, Income from Fund, . 400 00
C. F. Woodward, Collector, for Tax-title deeds, ·
62 95
C. W. Eaton, acct. Tax Deeds, . .
6 80
Cyrus Wakefield bequest to Town Library, placed in Wakefield Savings Bank,
500 00
Total cash paid out,
$121,955 80 -F
Balance in Treasury, ·
$3,029 62 -
$124,985 42
102
TRUST FUNDS.
EZRA EATON BURIAL LOT FUND, $100.
This Fund was a gift to the town, March 2, 1857, the income of which is used at the discretion of the board of Selectmen, to keep in repair the burial lot of Mr. Ezra Eaton. [See Treasurer's report, 1884-5, page 90; also Town Clerk's records, book 4, pages 361-365 and 377.]
The sum of four dollars has been expended by the Selectmen the " past year.' [See Auditors' report. ]
THE FLINT MEMORIAL FUND, $1,000.
This Fund from Mrs. Harriet N. Flint, Nov. 5, 1872, is for the benefit of the Beebe Town Library, the interest thereon to be expen- ded in the purchase of books. [See Town Clerk's records, book 6, folios 86-87.]
The sum of $60 as interest on this fund to March 1, 1889, has been credited to the appropriation for the Beebe Town Library. [See Auditors' report, page 89.
DR. F. P. HURD, LIBRARY FUND, $2,500.
This Fund includes a gift of $500 and a bequest of $2,000, from the late Dr. Francis P. Hurd, for the benefit of the Beebe Town Li- brary. [For town action regarding it, see Town Treasurer's report for [885-6, page 94 ; also Town Clerk's records, book 7, folio 349.]
The sum of $100 as interest on this fund to March 1, 1889, has been credited to the library appropriation. [See Auditors' report, page 89.
The principal of this fund is invested as a loan to the town of Wakefield.
JONATHAN NICHOLS' TEMPERANCE FUND, $1,000.
This Fund was a gift to the town on certain conditions, as de- scribed in the vote accepting the same. [See Town Clerk's records, book 7, folios 160-162 ; also annual report for the year ending March 1, 1884, pages 18 and 19.]
103
The conditions of this fund are such that any young man of Wake- field who files his name with the Town Clerk before he is sixteen years of age, and declares his intention not to drink intoxicating liquors, and not chew or smoke tobacco until he shall become twenty- one years of age, and shall have kept his pledge until that time, shall receive the sum of ten dollars from the income of this fund together with a certificate of commendation from the Selectmen.
The Town Clerk has now on file the names of 177 boys who have thus pledged themselves.
STATEMENT OF INTEREST.
Balance of interest available at last report,
$202 57
Interest 1 yr. to March 1, 1889, .
47 90
$250 47
Paid Geo. E. Moncrief who arrived at the age of 21,
10 00
Balance available,
$240 47
C. SWEETSER BURIAL LOT FUND, $1,000.
'The income from this fund is to be used in keeping in repair and beautifying with flowers and shrubbery the burial lot of the parents of the donor. [Town Clerk's records, book 7, folio 129 ; also Treas- urer's report 1884-5, page 91.]
STATEMENT OF INTEREST.
Balance available at last report,
$158 78
Interest on above I yr. to March 1, 1889, · 6 35
Received interest 1 yr. from Wakefield Savings Bank, ·
40 20
$205 33
Expended as per Auditors' report,
4 00
Balance available,
$201 33
The principal is now in the Wakefield Savings Bank.
104
C. SWEETSER LECTURE FUND, $10,000.
Invested as follows :
'Town of Attleboro 4s due 1897, 5 Bonds, $1000 each, $5,000 00 Town of Brookline, 4s due 1893, 5 Notes, $1000 each, 5,000 00 - $10,000 00
Income from above, I yr.,
$400 00
This Fund is for the purpose of "providing such lectures as will tend to improve and elevate the public mind, and to impose a rea- sonable fee for admission to such lectures, and pay over the net pro- ceeds of the same to such charitable organization in said Wakefield as the municipal officers of said town may designate, to be distributed among the worthy poor of said town."
[See Town Clerk's records, book 7, folios 310-311 ; also Town Treasurer's reports 1885-6, pages 93 and 94 ; 1886-7, pages 111 and II2.
THIRD COURSE, SEASON 1888-9.
In charge of Samuel K. Hamilton, Esq., Chairman of Board of Selectmen.
LECTURES.
Date. Lecturer. Subject.
Oct. 3, 1888. Prof. Luther T. Townsend,
"The Jesuits."
Oct. 24, '88, Henry A. Clapp, "Hamlet."
Nov. 7, '88, Mrs. Bernard Whitman, "Life in U. S. of Columbia."
Nov. 21, '88, Rev. Wm. Barrows, D.D,
"The Rocky Mountains in Saddle."
Dec. 5, '88, Hon. Carroll D. Wright,
"The Influence of Machinery."
Dec. 19, '88, Edward Baxter Perry, "An Evening With Great Composers."
Jan. 2, 1889, Hon. Wm. W. Thomas, "Sweden."
Jan. 16, '89, Rev. Russell H. Conwell, "Born a King."
105
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
Thomas J. Skinner, TREAS., In acct. with Sweetser Fund Lectures. DR.
To Cash from income of Fund,
$400 00
from sale of 146 Course tickets at 75c.,
109 50
from sale of 8 Course tickets at 6oc.,
4 80
from sale of 4 Course tickets at 50c.,
2 00
from sale of 3 Course tickets at 25c.,
75
77 evening tickets, Townsend, at 15c.,
II
55
53
Clapp.
7 95
IOI 66 66
Whitman, 66
15 15
40 66 66
66 66
Wright,
2 40
38
66
66
Perry,
66
5 70
26
66
66
Thomas,
66
3 90
38
66
66
Conwell,
66
5 70
Total receipts,
$575 40
CR.
By Cash paid Prof. L. T. Townsend,. $50 00
Henry A. Clapp,
50 00
Mrs. Bernard Whitman, .
50 00
Rev. Wm. Barrows, D.D.,
25 00
Hon. Carroll D. Wright,
50 00
Edward Baxter Perry,
35 00
Wm. W. Thomas, .
35 00
Rev. R. H. Conwell, D.D.,
75 00
Town Hall 8 evenings,
64 00
Citizen & Banner, advertising,
6 00
Wakefield Record,
.
5 50
Reading Chronicle,
5 00
C. W. Eaton, printing,
.
33 50
Geo. E. Dunbar,
3 50
A. W. Brownell, envelopes,
II 80
S. K. Hamilton, sundries,
10 00
G. H. Hathaway, hacks,
IO 75
C. B. Bowman, ticket agt.,
5 00
I. A. Parsons, doorkeeper, Total Expenses,
$530 05
Balance, profit,
$45 35
·
5 00
16
Barrows,
6 00
106
COMPARISON.
Net proceeds first course,
$26 73
66
66 second course, .
.
.
3 25
66
66 third
.
45 35
Total,
$75 33
The above amount is now in the treasury, awaiting the action of the Selectmen for its disposal.
C. WAKEFIELD LIBRARY BEQUEST, $500.
This bequest of five hundred dollars was paid to Chester W. Eaton, Treasurer of Trustees of Beebe Town Library, and by vote of the Trustees was placed in the Wakefield Savings Bank Feb. 11, 1889. On March 2nd the same was transferred to the Town Treasurer by instructions from the Trustees. The fund still remains in said Savings Bank awaiting the action of the town or Trustees.
The clause in Mr. Wakefield's will granting the bequest was as follows :
Item VIII. "I give to the Beebe Town Library, in the said Wake- field, Five hundred dollars."
RECEIPTS FROM LICENSES.
Mrs. Carrie P. Noyes, Innholder,
$2 00
George Cox, Pool Table,
.
.
·
2 00
Dr. J. D. Mansfield, 6th class liquor,
I 00
Geo. H. Clothey, 66
I 00
Chas. F. Hartshorne, Auctioneer,
2 00
Will E. Eaton, 66
2 00
John Day,
.
2 00
Geo. Cox, Fireworks,
I 00
E. E. Lee, 6.
I 00
Chas. A. Cheney, Fireworks, .
I 00
Arthur Linnell,
I 00
H. W. Eustis, 66
1 00
Cutler Bros., (two)
2 00
Miller Base Ball Club, Base Ball,
2 00
Circus, "Royal,"
12 00
"W. L. Main,"
3 00
Angelo DeCecca, Pedlar,
II 00
Total,
$47 00
·
·
107 Notes given and paid during the year :
Date. 1888.
Amount
Rute.
Time.
Account.
To Whom Sold.
Apr. 12.
$5,000
41-2 pr ct.
5 mos.
Temporary Loan,
June 1.
1,000
4
66
5 yrs.
Funded
..
،،
66
66
1,000
4
66
1 000
. 6
..
6.
60
Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook. Brewster, Cobb and
1,000
4
1,000
4
6 yrs.
65
66
Estabrook. Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook.
. .
1,000
66
66
66
66
.6
1,000
4
1,000
4
Aug 1.
5,000
3344
2 mos.
Temporary
Nov. 22.
3,0.0
11-4 "
10 mos.
" 27.
5,000
4
10 mos.
66
State Treasurer.
Dec. 22.
1,337.50
4
1 yr.
Highways,
Thomas J. Skinner, Trustee.
.. ..
5,000
11-4 4%
9 mos.
Temporary Loan,
27.
5,000
4
9 mos.
Thomas Winship, Treasurer. Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook. Brewster, Cobb and Estabook.
NOTES PAID.
When Paid 1888.
Date of Note
Amt.
Rate.
Account
To Whom Paid.
Aug. 2.
Aug. 3, '83.
$1,500
4 per ct.
Hamilton Sch.Bldg
Sept. 14.
Apr. 12, '88
3,000
4 1-2 "
Temporary Loan.
Park Loan.
29.
Dec. 29, '87.
5.000
5
66
Temporary Loan.
At Howard Bank.
Oct. 1.
June 1, '87.
4,000
4
4 .
Funded Loan.
.. 66
Apr. 27, '82.
10,000
4
66
Dec. 1, '87.
5 000
5
Temporary Loan,
.€
Aug. 1, '88.
5,000
33.4"
8.
Dec. 8, '87.
5,000
51-2 "
15.
June 16, '87,
2,323.33|4
.6
Pleasant St.
Cambridgeport' Savings Bank. Gardner Savings Bank. Wakefield Savings Pank.
Suffolk Trust and Investment Co. At Howard Bank.
Wakefield Savings
Ba'k.
Total, $43.823.33
Lynn Institution for Savings. Snffolk Trust and In- vestment Co. Southbridge Savings Bank.
20.
June 6, '84.
1,000
4
1,337 50 4
2 yre.
.4
66
Brewster, Cobb and I stabrook. Suffolk Trust and In- vestment Co.
Thomas J. Skinner, Trustee.
Total.
$40,675.00
Suffolk Trust and In- vestment Co. Brewster. Cobb and Estabrook. Brewster, Cobb and Est»brook. Brewster, Cobb and E-tabrook.
1,000
4
66
6
Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook. Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook. Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook.
1,000
4
..
66
16
108
LOAN ACCOUNT.
Amount of loan March 10, 1888, .
Since hired by Treasurer, ·
·
. $67,146 67
· 40,675 00
Amount paid since March 10, 1888,
$107,821 67 . 43,823 33
Outstanding loans,
. $63,998 34
Distributed as follows :
Lynn Institution for Savings, due Aug. 3, 1889,
. $1,500 00
Southbridge Savings Bank,
Sept.
20, '89,
· 1,000 00
Thomas J. Skinner, Trustee,
66
22,
'89,
3,000 00
Brewster, Cobb & Estabrook, “ 66
66
22,
'89,
5,000 00 ·
State Treasurer,
66
66
27;
'89,
. 5,000 00
Cambridgeport Savings Bank, “
Oct. I,
'89,
4,000 00 ·
Wakefield Savings Bank, 66
Dec. 22,
'89,
. 1,337 50
Southbridge Savings Bank,
“
Sept. 20, '90,
1,000 00
Cambridgeport Savings Bank, “
Oct. I, '90,
· 4,000 00
Lynn Institution for Savings, " Thomas Winship, Treasurer, " Southbridge Savings Bank,
Nov. I3,
'90,
·
1,500 00
Dec. 22,
'90,
· 1,337 50
Sept,
20, '91,
1,000 00
Oct. I,
'91,
4,000 00 ·
Nov. I3,
'91,
· 1,500 00
Sept. 20, '92,
1,000 00
Oct. I,
'92,
4,000 00
Nov.
I3,
'92,
·
1,500 00
Sept. 20,
'93,
·
1,000 00
Nov. 13,
'93,
1,500 00
Lynn Institution for Savings, " 5 coupon notes $1000 each, " 5 $1000 each, ".
Dec.
I,
'93:
5,000 00
Dec.
I,
'94,
. 5,000 00
Demand notes for Dr. Hurd Library Fund,
2,500 00
Total,
. $63,998 34
·
5,000 00
27,
'89,
16, '89,
· 2,323 34
Thomas J. Skinner, Trustee,
.
·
Cambridgeport Savings Bank, “ Lynn Institution for Savings, " Southbridge Savings Bank,
Cambridgeport Savings Bank, " Lynn Institution for Savings, " Southbridge Savings Bank,
·
.
109
TOWN DEBT.
Amount of notes outstanding, $63,998 34
Accrued interest to March 1, 1889, 383 20
J. Nichols Temp. Fund, . 240 47 66 66 C.Sweetser burial lot fund, 201 33
Balance of profits C. Sweetser Lectures, 3 years, subject to order of Selectmen, .
75 33
Surplus from tax sales due owners, . ·
56 59
Unexpended balance, Beebe Town Library, 54 00
Outstanding Selectmen's orders, . 658 51
- $65,667 77
AVAILABLE ASSETS.
Cash balance in Treasury, . $3,029 62
Due from State for State Aid, 1888,
1,615 00 ·
66 " Military Aid, 1888, ·
209 00
66 " State and Military Aid,
for Jan. and Feb. 1889, 293 00
Uncollected taxes of 1888, warrant, 11,430 84 .
66 1887, .
66
·
5,738 02
- $22,315 48
Net debt, . . $43,352 29
COMPARISON.
Net debt as reported Mch. 10, 1888, . . $48,358 45
12, 1889, · 43,352 29
Decrease in net debt, $5,006 16
Total debt as reported Mch. 10, 1888, . $68,452 80
66 Mch. 12, 1889, . . 65,667 77
Decrease in total debt, ·
· $2,785 03
Debt as per outstanding notes, Mch. 10, '88, $67, 146 67 66 66 12, '89, 63,998 34
Decrease in loans,
. $3,148 33
110
STATE AID.
By direction of the Selectmen, the Treasurer has paid to sundry individuals State Aid to the amount of $1,595, as stated below. This sum is re-imbursed by the State.
William W. Bessey,
$48 00
Matilda C. Mixter,
$24 00
Mary B. Burditt,
48 00
James Miller,
24 00
Augusta M. Chandler,
48 00
Elizabeth Moses,
48 00
Peter Connell,
24 00
James Oliver,
54 00
Thomas W. Coombs,
52 00
Johanna Orpin,
48 00
John Davis,
41 00
William D. Parker,
48 00
Annette Davis,
41 00
Flora W. Parker,
48 00
Rodney Edmands,
72 00
Martha E. Pillings,
48 00
Patrick Fay,
15 00
Christian E. Rahr,
66 00
Mary Fay,
12 00
George O. Sanderson,
12 00
O. N. Gammans,
29 00
Georgianna Sanderson,
12 00
Polly A. Gammans,
48 00
Annie Tibbetts,
22 00
Caroline Goodwin,
24 00
James Weary,
53 00
Micah IJeatlı,
41 00
George N. Whiting,
24 00
Sarah Heath,
41 00
John Whitford,
12 00
Harriet E. Hewes,
40 00
George H. Wiley,
48 00
Justin Howard,
34 00
Julia A. Wiley,
48 00
N. C. Hunter,
34 00
Hiram Woodis,
6 00
George II. Jackson,
72 00
Windsor M. Ward,
54 00
Lucinda Locke,
48 00
Lydia B. Ward,
36 00
Margaret Madden,
48 00
Total,
$1,595 00
LIST OF TAX DEEDS HELD BY TOWN TREASURER FOR NON-PAYMENT OF TAXES.
No.
To Whom Taxed.
Tax of
Date of Deed.
Amount.
100
Owners Un nown.
Land on Oak St ..
1883
July 6, 1885,
$7 78
104
Aurelius L. Brown,
1885
July 13, 1887,
8 95
105
James Devlin,
1885 .
10 26
106
Henry S. Adams,
1886
July 23,
0, 18×8,
41 55
107
M S. Southworth,
1886
21 40
111
INTEREST ACCOUNT.
Appropriation authorized,
$3,400 00
Paid Cambridgeport Savings Bank,
$774 67
Gardner Savings Bank,
336 67
Southbridge Savings Bank,
229 12
Wakefield Savings Bank,
.
170 38
Lynn Institution for Savings,
335 50
Suffolk Trust and Investment Co.,
127 81
Brewster, Cobb and Estabrook,
291 60
Thomas J. Skinner, Trustee,
107 31
State Treasurer, .
166 67
Coupon notes, . .
200 00
Interest acct. Dr. Hurd Fund,
100 00
Flint Memorial Fund,
60 00
J. Nichols Temp. Fund,
47 90
Ezra Eaton lot fund,
4 00
6:
C. Sweetser burial lot,
6 35
Total,
$2,957 98 .
Balance unexpended,
·
$442 02
The Treasurer would recommend that the town appropriate the sum of thirty-three hundred dollars ($3300) for interest upon the Town Debt. The principal of the debt is now so arranged and pro- vided for by previous votes of the town that it will be annually met by taxation without any further special appropriation therefor.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS J. SKINNER,
Treasurer.
WAKEFIELD, MASS., March 11, 1889.
2,739 73
112
Auditors' Final Balance Sheet for the year, showing amount of each appropriation, together with the expenditure in each, and the unexpended balance :
Town Debt,
$4,000.00
$4,000.00
Interest on Town Debt,
3,400.00
2,957.98
$442.02
Support of Schools,
17,261.52
17,240.38
21.14
School Contingent Fund,
1,300.00
1,296.65
3.35
School Text Books and Supplies,
1,400.00
1,374.22
25.78
Support of the Poor,
7,294.98
7,283.49
11.49
Support of the Fire Department,
2,000.00
2,035-45
35.45
Salaries of Town Officers,
3,025.00
3,025.00
Salaries of Night Watchmen,
1,500.00
1,490.00
10.00
Exp. of Street Lamps & New Lamps, 2,222.00
2,060.58
161.42
Expense of Town House,
1,850.00
1,652.98
197.02
Expense of Town House Repairs,
250.00
250.00
Miscellaneous Expenses,
4,500.00
4,042.17
457.83
Highways and Bridges,
7,408.61
7,589.33
*180.72.
Concrete Sidewalks and Crossings,
1,000.00
1,000.00
Rental of Hydrants,
3,800.00
3,800.00
Public Library,
1,137.51
1,082.51
54.00
Public Reading Room,
I75.00
171.31
3.69
Memorial Day,
200.00
200.00
Common and Park Improvement,
405.50
393.59
11.91
Common Drain,
300.00
151.30
148.70
New Road, Cowdrey's Hill,
1,400.00
950.00
450.00
Enforcement of Liquor Law,
500.00
162.59
337.4I
Four Streets and Avenues,
500.00
493.22
6.78
Sidewalks and Gutters, East Ward,
200.00
189.50
10.50
Drain near Eben Wiley's,
400.00
325.32
74.68
Culvert under Water street,
50.00
0.
50.00
Johnson Pumps,
75.00
74.50
50
Tower Fire Alarm Striker,
325.00
324.13
87
Salary Fire Alarm Supt.,
50.00
50.00
Salary Clerk of School Committee,
100.00
100.00
Survey of Town Farm,
25.00
25.00
Land Damage, Railroad street,
2,675.00
2,675.00
Kelley Bounty,
100.00
100.00
Stone Crusher,
2,500.00
2,497.5I
2.49
Insurance,
300.00
300.00
Expense of Fish Committee,
75.75
44.00
31.75
$73,705.87 $71,408.71 *Overdraft,
$2,513.33
216.17
$2,297.16
*
113
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
To the Citizens of Wakefield :
In presenting the customary summary of the work of the Selectmen for the year, we desire to congratulate the people upon the continued prosperity of our municipality and the flattering prospects for its future growth. On every side are scen evidences of increasing wealth and happiness, and our people are vying with each other in making comfortable homes, enlarging their business and improving the mental and moral tone of society.
POLICY.
Municipal affairs, like those of an individual, can not be managed to the best advantage without a well-defined and well-understood policy on the part of the municipality and the large body of its inhabitants, and this policy should be so well understood that it will continue through changing officials and administrations. The prosperity of a town is hindered alike by extravagance and parsimony ; the problem being to find the true medium at which good order, good schools, good roads and a good provision for the poor and unfortunate, can be obtained with a low tax rate. Given these conditions, a town with the natural attractions and facilities of ours will rapidly appreciate as a business locality and place of residence. With such authority as we possessed and with the means at our command, we have endeavored to solve this problem in the management of the affairs under our charge as best we could. We are frank to say that one of the most troublesome obstructions we have encountered is the willingness of many who have had dealings with the town to get the advantage. Some do not hesitate to take an unfair advantage whenever and wherever they can get it,
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and it requires a watchful eye on the part of the officials to protect the town's interests. It is in little things that this disposition most frequently appears, but "many a mickle makes a muckle." Such a willingness is neither patriotic nor honest, and should not exist, but on the contrary every person having any dealings with the town should have an ambition to do a little better for it than for a private indi- vidual, for the sake of the welfare of the public of which he forms a part. If this disposition were exercised, we should get better results and a handsome diminution in the tax rate. It is highly essential to the prosperity of the town that our tax rate should be diminished, and it can be done if the people wish it and govern their votes accordingly.
There are certain well-known duties imposed upon the town by law, and the appropriations should be made large enough to enable these duties to be discharged properly and in the spirit which the law contemplates. Let unnecessary work be omitted. It should be remembered that this is not a wealthy town as yet, and can not afford the luxuries of such, or of a large city. Special appropriations should be avoided, if possible, except in those cases in which the expenditures are of such magnitude as to require a loan extending over a series of years. Money can be more wisely appropriated to particular localities by the duly constituted officers from the general appropriation than by urgent appeals for special objects in open town meeting.
FINANCES.
For the details of the expenses of the various departments of the town government we respectfully refer to the reports of the various officials who have had these departments in charge. For a summary of the appropriations and expendi- tures we refer to the Auditors' final balance sheet (p. 112.)
The total appropriations were $73,705 87 The total expenditures have been 71,408 71
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Balance of unexpended appropriations covered into the treasury, $2,297 16
At the close of the last fiscal year, Feb. 29th, 1888, the amount of the outstanding liabilities was
$68,452 80
Available assets,
20,094 35
Net indebtedness, $48,358 45
At the close of the current fiscal year, Feb. 28th,
1889, the amount of the outstanding liabilities was
$65,667 77
Available assets,
22.315 48
Net indebtedness, $43,352 29
The net indebtedness of the town has been de-
creased during the year in the sum of 5,006 16 while the tax rate has remained the same.
INSURANCE.
Insurance upon the public property will expire during the coming year, as follows :
June 24th, Beebe Town Library, $2,000
August 3d, library and furniture in Town Hall, 5,000
Sept. 15th, Town Hall,
5,000
HIGHWAYS.
We reappointed Mr. George H. Sweetser Superintendent of Streets at the beginning of the year, and he has continued in that office to the present time. For a statement of the work done during the year we refer to his report made to us, which is herewith printed, and for the items of expenses in this department to the Auditors' report, from which it will be seen that a small over-draft was made. It occurred from the practical impossibility of keeping track of every bill which is incurred during the year, and not presented and paid promptly. It will happen under our present system
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that bills will be contracted early in the year, and not appear at the Selectmen's Board until near its close when the appro- priation has been expended. We repeat our recommenda- tions of last year in relation to Main street from the Town Hall to the Rockery, and Railroad street from Church street, north, and we emphasize the fact that they are in compara- tively the worst condition of any streets in the town. The former should be graded and macadamized, and the latter drained, graded and macadamized the present year.
The streets in that part of the town west of Greenwood, known as "Boyntonville" or "The Nash Farm," demand immediate attention and a considerable expenditure, The laying out of streets and partially building the same by the owners, and the erection of a number of handsome and commodious residences, have given to that part of the town an impetus which it is wise to recognize in a substantial manner. Here is a large tract of land which in a few years will be covered with residences, and will enhance the valua- tion of the town to a considerable degree, and our policy should be to encourage this growth by all the needed im- provements the town is able to make. The only criticism we have heard upon this policy is that, in consideration of the proximity of this locality to Melrose, the people are liable to ask the Legislature to annex them to that town. In our judgment, if we do not meet their needs in a proper way, they will be stimulated to ask such legislation, and the Legislature will be more likely to grant their request. If, on the contrary, we grant them such municipal privileges as they are entitled to fairly, they will be attracted to us, and in case a separation should occur, the Legislature would be likely to require Melrose to return a large per cent. of the expenditure.
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