USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1890-1893 > Part 32
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Supplies.
Rulcd Slates,
6 Primary Practice Paper, 4 reams
Slates,
6 Crayons, . 1 box
Slate Pencils,
3 boxes Report Cards, .
30
Composition Blanks,
·
85 Drawing Books, . 44
Pens, .
2 boxes
Writing Books,
.
97
Pen Holders,
. 2 doz.
Common L. Pencils,
.
3
Examination Paper,
2 reams
HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, .
92.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
25.
Average membership,
58.3
Average attendance,
52.3
Per cent of attendance,
89.6
Supplies.
Ruled Slates,
10 Crayons,
2 boxes
Slate Pencils,
. 2 boxes Sponges, · 25
Lentils, 1 66 Moulding Clay, 1 brick .
WEST GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, .
48.
66 66 over 15 years of age . .
2.
Average membership,
42.95
Average attendance,
37.21
Per cent of attendance,
86.63
Text Books.
Fourth Reader, ·
1 Frank. Written Arithmetic, . 2
Music Readers,
.
New Pron. Speller,
20 Swinton's Lang. Lessons, . 6
Warren Geography, Large, . 6 Hyde's Prac. Lessons in Eng-
Warren Geography, Small, . 6 lish,
.25
Supplies.
Spelling Blanks, ,
50 Examination Paper, 1 ream
Composition Blanks,
48 Practice Paper, 1 66
Mucilage, .
1 bottle
Blotters, . 1 pk.
Slates,
·
18 Report Cards, 60
Slate Peneils,
3 boxes Drawing Books, · 59
Pens,
1 Visiting Books, 56
Pen Holders, .
· 1 1-2 doz.
Ink,
1 bottle
between 8 and 14 years of age, 46.
8 Frank. Elem. Arithmetic, 4
169
WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Number of Pupils, .
.
64.
Number of pupils, between 8 and 14 years of age,
22.
Average membership,
59.58
Average attendance,
49.67
Per cent of attendance,
·
83.36
Text Books.
Frank. New First Reader, .
12 Warren Geography, small, . 3
Monroe's First Reader,
12 Frank. Elm. Arithmetic, 4
Music Readers,
16 Frank. Primary Arithmetic, 12
New Pron. Speller,
4 Hyde's Prac. Les. in English, 1 Bartley's Record Book, 1
Supplies.
Composition Blanks, ·
2 Primary Practice Paper, 1 ream
Moulding Clay,
1 brick
Crayons,
3 boxes
Merits, .
. 1 pk. Report Cards,
12
Reward Cards,
96 Drawing Books,
24
Colored Splints,
1 bunch Writing Books,
.
36
Ruled Slates,
14 Sponges,
25
Slate Pencils.
5 boxes
Ink,
1 bottle
Common Pencils, .
2 doz.
Mucilage,
1 66
Drawing Pencils, . .
1 66
FRANKLIN GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, .
70.
.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
21.
Average membership,
46.37
Average attendance,
36.78
Per cent of attendance,
79.3
Text Books.
Frank. New Fourth Reader,
12 Frank. Written Arithmetie, . 12
Frank. Fourth Reader,
25 Frank. Elem. Arithmetic, .
12
New Pron. Speller,
37 Swinton's Lang. Lessons, .
6
Warren Geography, large, .
17 Bartley's School Record, ·
1
Supplies.
Slate Pencils,
3 boxes
Blotters,
1 pk.
Common Pencils, .
. 4 doz.
Report Cards,
50
Drawing Pencils, . . 4 “ Drawing Books,
60
Erasive Rubber, .
.
48 Writing Books,
. 58
Examination Paper,
2 reams
Sponges,
.
50
Primary Practice Paper,
1
Ink,
1 bottle
Crayons,
. 1 box
Composition Blanks, 24
Rulers, .
.
18 Pitch Pipe, , 1 .
·
.
.
.
170
FRANKLIN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, . 36.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
33.
Average membership,
34.3
Average attendance,
.
.
29.6
Per cent of attendance,
85.7
Text Books.
Frank. Second Reader,
3 Frank. Primary Arithmetic, . 10
Modern Second Reader,
16 Frank. Elm. Arithmetic, 7
New Pron. Speller,
9 Music Readers,
6
Warren Geography,
1 Hyde's Prac. Les. in English, 23
Supplies.
Slate Pencils,
2 boxes Primary Practice Paper, 2 reams
Common Pencils, . ·
3 doz.
Crayons,
. 1 box
Drawing Pencils, .
. 3 “ Report Cards, 25
Erasive Rubber, .
22 Drawing Books,
. 40
Examination Paper,
1 ream Writing Books, .
. 36
Practice Paper, .
1 1-2
Ink,
1 bottle
FRANKLIN PRIMARY SCHGOL.
Number of pupils, . .
70.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
21.
Average membership,
46.37
Average attendance,
36.78
Per cent of attendance,
79.3
Text Books.
Interstate Primers,
10
Supplies.
Lentils, .
. 1 box Slate Pencils, 2 boxes
Tiles and Pegs,
,
15 Primary Practice Paper, 1 ream
Moulding Clay,
1 brick Merits, . 5 pks.
Ruled Slates,
12 Reward Cards, 70
GREENWOOD GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, . . 41.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age, 34.
Average membership, ·
33.13
Average attendance,
.
.
29.90
Per cent of attendance,
.
. 90.
.
171
Text Books.
Physical Geography,
1 New Pron. Speller, 14
Frank. New Third Reader, .
3 Warren Geography, Large, . 16
Frank Third Reader,
16 Warren Geography, Small, . 18
Frank. New Fourth,
3 Frank. Elm. Arithmetic, .
6
Music Readers,
6 Swinton's Lang. Lessons, .
5
Supplies.
Spelling Blanks.
36 Pen Holders,
. 3 doz.
Composition Blanks,
·
54 Examination Paper, 3 reams
Ink Wells,
12 Practice Paper, 1 ream
Ruled Slates,
.
10 Crayons,
2 boxes
Slate Pencils,
3 boxes
Report Cards, 48
Common Pencils, .
. 1 doz. Drawing Books, . 59
Drawing Pencils,.
. 4 doz. Writing Books, 38 .
Erasive Rubber,
12
Blackboard Erasers,
.
3
Pens,
. 2 boxes
GREENWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, . .
52.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
24.
Average membership,
30.26
Average attendance,
27.19
Per cent of attendance,
Text Books.
Appleton's First Reader,
7 Swinton's Primers, ·
4
Second Reader,
6 Frank. Primary Arithmetic, 01
Frank. Adv. First Reader, .
4 Hyde's Prac. Lessons in Eng., 3
Lippincott's Second Reader , 2
Supplies.
Composition Blanks,
12 Crayons,
, 1 box
Ruled slates, .
13 Ink Wells, · 6
Sponges,
12 Report Cards,
·
25
Ink,
1 bottle
Reward Cards,
12 pks.
Slate Pencils,
. 1 box Drawing Books,
13
Common Pencils, .
doz. Merits, .
7
Erasive Rubber,
6
Cubes, .
50
Practice Paper, .
1 1-2 reams
Spheres,
. 50
Primary Practice Paper, 2. 16
Cylinders,
.
50
MONTROSE SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, .
55.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age, · 30.
. Average membership,
· 35.2
.
·
24 sheets
Writing Books,
.
.
24
Drawing Paper,
89.87
.
172
Average attendance,
31.9
Per cent of attendance,
90.6
Text Books.
Frank. First Reader, .
12 Dictionary, . 1
Music Reader,
20 Warren Geography, ·
9
Frank. New Second Reader,
12 Frank. Elm. Arithmetic, ·
7
Frank. New Third Reader, . 7 Hyde's Prac. Lessons in Eng. 16
New Pron. Speller,
6
Supplies.
Spelling Blanks, . 48 Examination Paper,
2 reams
Primary Arithmetic Cards, . 1 box
Primary Prac. Paper, 2 66
Merits, . .
100 Crayons,
2 boxes
Reward Cards,
10 doz. Mucilage,
1 bottle
Alphabet Cards, 1 box Blotters,
1 pk.
Ruled Slates, . 21 Report Cards,
72
Slates, .
8 Drawing Books, . 43
Slate Pencils,
5 boxes Writing Books, 12
Drawing Pencils, .
4 doz. Writing Books, Primary,
6
Pens,
1 box
Sponges,
.
48
Pen holders, .
2 doz. Globe,
1
WOODVILLE SCHOOL.
Number of pupils .
39.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
26.
Average membership,
30.95
Average attendance,
25.87
Per cent of attendance,
83.
Text Books.
Frank. New First Reader, .
14 Frank. Primary Arithmetic,. 6
Frank. New Second Reader,.
1 Frank. Elm. Arithmetic, 2
Frank. Second Reader,
9 Music Readers, · 8
Frank. New Third Reader, .
2 Hyde's Prac. Lessons in Eng. 13
Frank. Fourth Reader,.
2
Supplies.
Spelling Blanks,
24 Crayons,
. 1 box
Ruled Slates,
6 Report Cards,
12
Slate Pencils,
2 boxes Drawing Books,
9
Drawing Pencils, .
. 1 doz. Writing Books,
5
Examination Paper, ·
1 ream Writing Books,
11
Practice Paper,
66 Sponges,
.
12
.
·
·
173
NORTH SCHOOL.
Number of pupils, .
52.
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years of age,
30.
Average membership,
38.75
Average attendance,
35.43
Per cent of attendance,
.
Text Books.
Frank. First Reader,
5 Warren Geography, Small, . 5
Advanced Second Reader,
1 Warren Geography, Large, . 15
Fourth Reader,
Frank. Written Arithmetic, .
4 Hyde's Prac. Lessons in Eng, 12
Supplies.
Spelling Blanks, .
24 Drawing Cards, . 12
Composition Blanks,
24 Writing Books, . 12
Slates, .
2 Writing Books, Primary, 18
Slate Pencils,
1 box
Ink, 1 bottle
Common Pencils, .
. 2 doz. Reward Cards, . 3 doz.
Primary Prac. Paper,. . 1 ream
Register, .
1
TEXT-BOOKS.
Battles and Leaders,
$6 00
Interstate Primers,
25 $0.25 1-6 off
5 21
Modern Classics,
6 40 15 per c. off
2 04
French Texts,
13 77
Seaver Primer,
1
35
Bryant's Leaflets,
6
25 1-6 off 1 25
Riverside Lib. Series,
5
15 15 per c. off
64
New Second Music Readers,
74
40 1-6 off
24 67
New First Music Readers,
48
25 1-6 off
10 00
New High School Music Readers, 10
94 1-6 off
7 83
Codas,
585
12 40
Warren's Com. Sch. Geography, 231
90
207 90
Warren's Primary Geography, 50
40
20 00
Franklin Primary Arithmetic,
1
25 1-6 off
21
Franklin Elementary Arithmetic, 25
35 1-6 off
7 30
Modern Second Readers,
16
40 1-6 off
4 34
New Franklin First Readers,
60
24 1-6 off
12 00
.
91.43
6 Bartley's School Record, 1
Report Cards,
24
174
Hyde's Language Lessons No. 1, 12
35 1-6 off 3 50
Neary's Our Government, 25 70 1-6 off 14 58
Chittenden's Eng. Composition, 22 60 1-5 off 10 56
Am. School Music Readers, 50 36 net
18 00
Latin for Light Reading, 10
83 1-3 net
8 33
Xenophon's Anabasis, 4
37
1 48
Swinton's Advanced Readers,
12
25 1-6 off
2 50
Hyde's Language Lessons, No. 2, 6
60
3 60
Thompson's Com. Arithmetic,
25
84
21 00
Supplementary Reading,
33 28
Colburn's Arithmetics, 48
29 3-4
14 28
Worcester's New Pron. Spellers, 100
23 1-6 off
19 17
Monroe's New First Readers,
12
17
2 04
Swinton's New Lang. Lessons,
38 1-6 off
15 83
Wentworth's P. & S. Geometry,
15
1.25 1-6 off
15 62
Wentworth's Plain Geometry,
50
75 1-6 off
31 26
Latin Manuals,
11
25 1-6 off
2 29
Lamb's Tales,
8
40
3 20
New Franklin Third Readers,
24
50 1-6 off
10 00
Bartley's Records,
25
60 1-6 off
12 50
Pennell's Greece,
7
60 1-6 off
3 50
Kelley's Cæsar,
3
1.25 1-6 off
3 13
Webster's School Dictionary,
65
40 57
Barnes' United States History,
50
1.00 1-6 off
40 00
Prime's Am. Lit.
1 53
Bunker Hill Address,
10
83
Evangeline,
4
15 15 per c. off
51
Silas Morner,
5
75 1-3 off
2 50
Stories of Our Country,
10
40 1-5 off
3 20
Cicero,
4 1.25 1-6 off
4 17
$678 87
Credit, Old Books exchanged,
15 10
$663 77
175
SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
Ink, -
$6 50
Primary Practice Paper,
-
-
-
-
-
11 25
Rulers, -
-
-
-
-
-
- 6 00
Rubber Erasers, -
-
-
-
-
5 95
Pens, - -
-
-
-
-
-
19 25
Record Paper, -
-
-
-
-
4 45
Kindergarten Materials,
-
-
25 31
Globe, - -
-
-
-
-
-
6 00
Laboratory Supplies,
-
-
-
-
37 47
Mucilage, -
-
-
-
1 75
Composition Spelling Blanks,
51 50
Book-keeping Blanks,
13 34
Practice Paper,
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
116 00
Pencil Sharpeners, -
-
-
-
-
-
3 50
Botany Blanks,
2 48
Drawing Paper, -
5 00
Putnam's Tiles,
1 50
Crayons, -
-
-
-
-
19 45
Maps, - -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3 60
Drawing Pencils,
34 50
Penholders, -
9 15
Envelopes, -
1 00
Expressage, -
2 20
W. W. Bessey, balance due for delivering supplies,
10 60
J. W. Locke, delivering supplies, Thermometers, - -
12 60
Slates, - - -
-
-
4 00
E. A. Upton, messenger, - -
-
-
100 00
Drawing Books, 2 doz. 96 1-6, -
1 60
Drawing Books, 68 doz. 96 1-5,
-
-
-
52 24
Copy Books, 17 doz. at 60 cts., -
-
-
10 20
Copy Books, 10 doz. at 80 cts., -
- -
.
8 00
-
-
-
16 50
Examination Paper, -
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 31
Sponges, - -
-
-
-
-
-
-
4 00
-
$607 60
-
-
176
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
GENERAL RECEIPT AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Town grant, -
-
$17,800 00
Received for tuition,
65 00
from State, - -
-
-
-
70 04
Overdrawn, -
401 41
Paid teachers for services, -
$16,365 75
" janitors for services,
883 25
" for fuel,
- 1,087 45
$18,336 45
$18,336 45
CONTINGENT RECEIPTS AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Town grant, -
- -
-
$1,800 00
Received from over-payments, -
-
-
-
2 80
Paid for Contingent Expenses as per Auditors' Report, - - $1,799 64 - -
Balance in treasury, - -
3 16
$1,802 80
$1,802 80
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES RECEIPT AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
Town grant, - -
-
-
-
$1,200 00
Overdrawn, - -
71 37
- - -
Expended as per Auditors' Report, $1,271.37, $1,271 37
-
-
-
-
-
177
Names of Teachers Employed at Present Date, Feb. I, 1891.
Schools.
Teachers.
Elected.
Salaries.
High.
C. T. C. Whitcomb.
Sept .. 1888,
$1800
6.
.
Miss A. M. Merrill,
Nov., 1890,
800
I. H. Howe,
Sept., 1887,
600
H. Folsom,
Sept., 1890, 600
66 M. Sprague,
Oct., 1890,
600
Advanced Grammar,
Mrs. M. E. Wentworth,
March, 1871,
750
Miss M. Fish,
Jan., 1891, 360
..
2d
66 M. E. McLaugh'in.
Sept., 1883,
550
..
Bd ..
S. E. Wilkins.
Sept .. 1883, 450
66
. . ..
T. Teague.
March, 1890,
200
..
Ist Interm'ate.
.
M. E. Charles,
Sept., 1888, 400
E. R Sanborn.
Sept., 1885,
400
3d 66
66
L. J. Mansfield,
Sept., 1875, 400
1st Primary.
C. P. Riggs,
Jan., 1889, 500
. .
2dl
M Emerson,
Sept., 1890,
500
66
H. A. Currier,
May, 1889,
360
Hamilton Ist Grammar.
A. M. Warren.
Dec., 1871,
600
66 2d
66 C. E. Emerson,
Dec., 1879,
500
Interme'ate,
66
F. E. Carter,
Nov., 1886,
450
66
Primary,
E. E. Howlett,
Sept., 1881, 500
66
A. Kernan,
Oct., 1890,
200
Franklin Grammar,
C. S. Russell,
Sept., 1888,
400
Interme'ate,
M. E. Kelly,
Sept., 1885,
400
6 6 Primary,
66
M. A. Brown,
Sept., 1887,
400
North Ward,
A. C. Dickerman,
Sept. 1885, 400
East Ward,
N. F. Emerson,
Oct., 1887,
400
West Intermediate,
66 B. I. Cooper,
Sept., 1886,
400
Primary, 66
C. M. Murdock,
April, 1887, Sept., 1890,
200
Woodville,
6. M. A. Kalaher,
Sept., 1888,
400
Greenwood Interm'ate,
M. P. Whitman,
Sept,, 1888,
400
.6 Primary,
66 N. H. Thayer,
Sept., 1883,
400
Music,
Geo. F. Wilson,
Sept., 1876,
700
Names of Teachers who have Resigned during the Year.
Schools.
Teachers.
Elected.
Salaries.
High,
Miss H. J. Williams,
Sept., 1888,
800
66 G. J. Barker,
Sept., 1887, 600
Advanced Grammar,
66 A. S. Appleton,
Sept., 1889,
360
Centre 2d Primary,
66 C. L. Mason,
Sept., 1889, 500
66
2d
Mrs. F. E. Allen,
Sept., 1889,
200
.
66
L. F. Ingram.
550
Centre Ist Grammar,
Sept., 1881,
400
66
E. R. Marshall,
178
AUDITORS' FINAL STATEMENT.
From March 6, 1890, to Feb. 5, 1891, the Selectmen have drawn 1,071 orders on the Treasurer representing $66,825.51, and a larger volume of business than in any previous year. We have examined the vouchers for these payments, and our report upon them will be found on pages 111 to 149, arranged in the departments to which they belong.
Our final balance sheet (page 149) shows a total expenditure of $74,814.87, which includes $7,989.36 disbursed directly by the Treasurer for town debt and interest, and Library and Reading Room payments. We have verified the receipts of such depart- ments as pay money to the Treasurer ; we have examined the books of the Collector of Taxes and of T. J. Skinner, treasurer of the Library and Reading Room, and find them correct (see pages 88, 89 and 102).
We have also examined the accounts of Mr. Skinner as Town Treasurer, and find them correct as exhibited on pages 86 and 87, with the proper vo:thers for all receipts and payments, and that he has a cash balance of $2,238.20 on deposit in the National Bank of South Reading. We also certify that he has the securities and deposits representing the C. Sweetser Lecture Fund and Burial Lot Fund and the Library Funds (see pages 90, 91 and 92). An examination of our final balance sheet on page 149 shows overdrafts in different appropriations, amounting to $1,760.37. It seems proper to call the attention of the town to this matter as such overdrafts are prohibited by vote of the town, the only ex- ception (Poor Department) having been put on the same footing as the other departments in 1878.
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO E. COWDREY. WILLIS S. MASON, EVERETT W. EATON,
Auditors.
WAKEFIELD, February 21. 1891.
CONTENTS AND INDEX.
PAGES.
List of Town Officers,
3 and 4
List of Jurors, ·
.
5 and 6
Record of Town Meetings.
6 to 31
Town Clerk's Statistics, . 32 to 52 Report of
Board of Health,
53 to 57
.
Forest Fire Wards, .
58 to 60
.
Police Department, .
61 to 64
·
Appropriation Committee, 65 to 66
Road Commissioners.
67 to 70 ·
Fire Engineers,
71 to 73
Assessors, 74
Trustees of Library and Reading Room, 75 to 84 85
Librarian,
Town Treasurer, 86 to 101
Tax Collector, .
102
.
Selectmen,
. 103 to 108
Overseers of Poor,
.
109 and 110
Auditors,
. 111 to 149
.
School Committee, .
.
. 150 to 177
Auditors' Final Statement,
·
178
REPORT
OF THE
Committee Chosen at a Town Meeting
HOLDEN JANUARY 6, 1891, TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE SUBJECT OF A CONTRACT
WITH THE
CITIZENS' GASLIGHT COMPANY
TO FURNISH
ELECTRIC LIGHTS FOR THE STREETS OF THE TOWN,
AND ALSO
IN REGARD TO THE TOWN'S ESTABLISHING AN ELECTRIC- LIGHT PLANT FOR LIGHTING THE STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
BOSTON : PRESS OF ROCKWELL AND CHURCHILL. 1891.
REPORT.
IN the warrant for the town meeting, holden on the 6th day of January, A.D. 1891, there were two articles, of which the following is a copy : -
" ARTICLE IV. To see if the town will contract with the Citizens' Gaslight Company for lighting its streets with electric lights and appropriate money therefor, or what they will do about it.
" ARTICLE VIII. To see what action the town will take in regard to establishing an electric-light plant for lighting its streets and public buildings."
Acting upon the above articles, the undersigned were ap- pointed a committee to take the subject-matter of said articles into consideration and report at the next Annual Town Meet- ing. By a subsequent vote the committee was instructed to report in print before the Annual Meeting.
Having attended to the duty assigned us as best we could considering the limited time at our disposal, we beg to pre- sent the result of our investigations to the town. To enable the town to act with greater intelligence, we give a brief résumé of the electric-light controversy in this town.
At the Annual Meeting in 1887 a committee of five was appointed to investigate the subject of electric lights for the town. That committee, at the November meeting of the same year, made an exhaustive and instructive report, the gist of which was, that electric light would cost nearly double the amount of gaslight, and that it was advisable to wait for the further development of the various systems of electric lighting before taking action. Near the beginning of the municipal year of 1888 and '89 three electric-light companies made application to the Selectmen for the right to erect
4
poles in the streets of the town for the purpose of supplying the town and its inhabitants with electric lights. One, the Wakefield Electric Light and Power Co., was composed en- tirely of citizens of our own town, and the other two of persons living beyond its limits. No franchise was granted to either of said companies by the Board of Selectmen for that year, and the two last named abandoned their applications.
Early in the summer of 1889 the People's Electric Light and Power Company made a similar application to the Board of Selectmen of that year, and the Wakefield Electric Light and Power Company renewed its application. A public hearing was given both these companies.
Up to October, 1889, the Citizens' Gaslight Company of Reading, South Reading, and Stoneham, a corporation which for many years had been furnishing these towns with gas, had taken no action to avail itself of the provisions of the law of 1887 authorizing gas companies to furnish electric light. In October, 1889, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 385 of the Laws of 1887, the Gas Company voted to apply to the Gas Commissioners of the Commonwealth for authority to furnish electric light in the towns of Wakefield, Reading, and Stoneham; and in accordance with that vote, made ap- plication to said Commissioners; upon which application notice was ordered and a hearing had at the Town Hall in Wakefield. The law vests in the Gas Commissioners of the Commonwealth the right to grant gas companies power to furnish electric light, and among other sections of Chapter 385 of the Laws of 1887 are the two following, which are particularly applicable, and we quote the same : -
"SECTION 2. Said board shall at the time of granting said authority prescribe the time, not exceeding six months, within which said company shall erect and equip such a plant for generating electricity for light and power as may be required in the specified territory, and designate the minimum ca- pacity of such plant; and if said company shall neglect to erect and complete said plant within the time prescribed,
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said authority shall thereupon become void, and no such authority shall be again granted to said company within two years thereafter; provided, however, that said board may, for cause shown, extend the time first prescribed for erecting and equipping said plant not more than three months from the expiration of the time first prescribed.
" SECT. 3. At the expiration of the time and extension thereof, if any, given under the preceding section, said board shall, after such examination as they shall deem proper, make, in a book kept by them for that purpose, a record as to whether their orders with reference to the erection and completion of said plant have been complied with. Said record shall be conclusive evidence of the truth of the mat- ters stated therein."
On the 16th day of December, 1889, said Commissioners passed the following order : -
" Ordered, That said company is hereby authorized to en- gage in said business in the towns of Reading and Wake- field, and that said company within six months from this date procure a plant erected and equipped for generating elec- tricity for light and power with a minimum capacity of sixty horse-power, and dynamo capacity sufficient to convert the same into light and to operate motors."
On the 13th day of June, 1890, said Commissioners passed the following order : -
" Ordered, That the time prescribed in the order of the 13th day of December last, within which the company shall procure an electric-light plant, be extended three months from the expiration of the time heretofore fixed."
In accordance with the law and the orders of the Gas Com- missioners, it devolved upon the gas company to secure the consent of the Selectmen to erect poles and string wires in the streets of the town, and to erect and complete said plant, on or before the 16th day of September, A.D. 1890; and the law provides that in case of neglect to do this its authority will become void, and no further authority can be granted to it within two years thereafter.
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After the receipt of this grant of power from the Gas Com- missioners of the Commonwealth, the Gas Company made application to the Selectmen of the town for authority to set poles and string wires in the highways of the town for the purpose of distributing electricity for light and power. A public hearing was notified upon this petition, and had at the Town Hall. This placed the three companies upon equal legal footing. Their legal status before the Selectmen was exactly the same, and the law imposed upon the Selectmen, and on them only, the duty of determining which one, if either, of said companies should be granted the authority prayed for.
Pending a decision by the Selectmen between these three companies, a town meeting was called, the warrant for which contained the following article : -
"ARTICLE V. Whether they will vote to instruct the Selectmen to grant to the Citizens' Gaslight Company of Reading, South Reading, and Stoneham, the privilege of erect- ing poles and wires in the streets and highways of the town to be used in carrying on the business of furnishing electricity for light and power, or what they will do in the premises."
Under said article the following vote was passed almost unanimously : -
" Voted, To instruct the Selectmen not to grant this privi- lege to the Citizens' Gaslight Company."
During the pendency of these various applications each of the three companies made propositions to the Selectmen as follows : -
PROPOSITION OF THE PEOPLE'S ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY.
" WAKEFIELD, MASS., Oct. 17, 1889.
" To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wake- field : -
" At a meeting of the Directors of the People's Electric Light and Power Co., held on Monday evening, Oct. 14,
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1889, it was voted to submit the following statement in answer to the request of the Board of Selectmen of the town of Wakefield, dated Oct. 11, 1889.
"We propose to put in a system of lighting both by the arc and incandescent method. All dynamos, engines, station apparatus, etc., we will guarantee shall be purchased from concerns of unquestioned reliability, and shall be first-class in every respect. The construction of the lines necessary shall be done by some reliable construction company under the supervision of the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, if your Honorable Board shall so decide.
"It is proposed to locate the plant for the present at the pumping-station of the Wakefield Water Company, if a con- tract satisfactory to our company can be made; if not, we shall hire or erect suitable buildings elsewhere.
" We will agree to furnish the town with ten arc lights, to be located by the Board of Selectmen at points near the centre of the town, for a period of three months free of ex- pense on the completion of the plant, lights to be lit accord- ing to the moon schedule.
"We will guarantee that our rates to the town for lighting the streets and public buildings, and to the inhabitants of the town for commercial lighting, shall be as low as the rates anywhere, where the circumstances are similar to those in our town.
" And we will agree to begin the erection of our plant not later than thirty days from the official notification of the granting of our petition by your Honorable Board, and will complete it at the earliest possible moment.
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