USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1897-1899 > Part 22
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Smith, Ethelbert B.
32 Carpenter.
Alden, Harry P.
28 Restaurant.
Nash, Frank,
31
Laborer.
*
Kingston, Edmund H. Blank, Fred C.
66 Carpenter.
24 Reed worker.
59
PRECINCT No 2.
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
FOREST STREET.
Baxter, Angustus G.
63
Paper hanger.
Baxter, John A.
40 Salesman.
Brooks, James L.
72 Cabinet maker.
Brooks, John G.
76
Retired.
16
Dadley, William R. B.
62
Retired.
Dadley, Isaac N.
37
Carpenter.
Green, Dinsmore D.
37
Machinist.
Green, Herbert,
40 Stone mason.
Green, Samuel N.
42 Stone mason.
Hawkesworth, Harry,
28
Surveyor.
Sherman, John,
40
Crossing tender.
Smith, James,
69
Rigger.
Smith, Walter W.
23
Lineman.
*
Gould, Arthur H.
22
Clerk.
May, Alfred H.
28
Printer.
FRANCIS AVENUE.
Fletcher, Ansel B.
58
Carpenter.
Pendleton, F. M.
54
Carpenter.
Perkins, Joseph E.
56
Real estate agt. Shipper.
Potter, George H.
Pendleton, Burton F.
24
Carpenter.
McCrum, George,
36 Train despatcher Main st.
Wentworth, Joseph T.
36
Carpenter.
Malden.
GRAFTON ST.
Tinkham, F. M.
47
Foreman.
Mckinnon, Norman J.
26
Carpenter.
McCallum, George A.
40
Real estate.
GREENWOOD ST.
Brown, James I.
75
Book-keeper.
Harris, Fred L.
29 Book-keeper.
Smith, Clarles A.
64 Builder.
Turner, Arthur G.
26 Poultry dealer.
Lewis, Ralph,
28
Manufacturer.
Morse, William S. Moore, Walter, Champion, Peter I.
41
Lather.
Pine st.
Nourse, Walter A.
34 Salesman.
Wolfe, Walter G.
31 Opt. Inst. maker
Turner, Otis G.
46 Salesman.
49 Lumber dealer.
*
56 Telegraph oper. *
18
Main st. Boston.
42
*
*
60
PRECINCT No. 1.
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
GREENWOOD ST .- Con
Vose, Charles F.
62
Book-keeper.
*
Morse, Henry R.
66
Whitener.
Lanphier George,
54
Paper carrier.
Chelsea.
GREENWOOD AVE.
Branch, George E.
31
Real estate agt.
Hallett, Edgar A.
46 Priv. detective.
Gray, Alex. H.
43
Clerk.
Jacob, Joseph R.
31
Glazier.
Jones, Charles E.
47
Clerk.
Leet, William,
57
Carpenter.
Lee, Edward E.
44 Grocer.
Locklin, Charles W.
45 Lawyer.
Marble, Joseph R.
60
Cook.
McKay, John D.
44
Carpenter.
Morrison, John A.
36
Carpenter.
Morrison, Allen J.
26
Carpenter.
Morrison, Daniel,
69 Carpenter.
Morrison, Joseph D.
23
Carpenter.
Ringer, Josiah H.
55 Salesman.
Ringer, Thomas F. Sale, John A.
51
Builder.
McQuarrie, Allan,
44 Carpenter.
Snow, Edwin W.
38 Grocer.
Branch, William H.
62
Carpenter.
Hayes, George J.
32
Shipper.
Smith, Austin C.
21
Carpenter.
Boyd, Fred W.
31
Carpenter.
Cavanaugh, Calvin,
28
Carpenter.
Greenger, Edwin,
39 Shipper.
Smith, Mitchell,
26
Carpenter.
N. S.
Van Deusen, Fred E.
25
Dolman, Andrew,
28
Optician.
Dolman, D. Currie,
28
Optician.
GREEN STREET.
Barnes, Silas J.
48
Tinsmith.
Flint, Luther W.
69 Shoemaker.
Gates, Stephen M.
39
Farmer.
Glass, Alexander,
59 Farmer.
Glass, Robert,
24 Farmer.
Mortensen, Martin,
27 Teamster.
N. H.
Main st. N. S.
27 Laundryman.
61
PRECINCT No. 1
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
Lenoir, Fred J. Gates, Willoughby, Richard, Isaac,
28 39
Sign painter. Contractor. Steward.
GROVE STREET.
Cooper, John T.
35
Rubber worker.
Newbegin, E. J.
64
Salesman.
Newbegin, Irving B.
24
Machinist.
Wood, George N.
32
Salesman.
Parks, Arthur E.
45
Mason.
Taylor, Charles E.
34
Painter.
*
Blanchard, P.
57
Laborer.
Vt.
HANSON STREET. Bartlett, Lee S.
36
Stone mason.
*
HIGH STREET.
Archibald, Ralph E. Allen, Edgar B.
31
Engineer.
Allbee, Arthur G.
23
Brass finisher.
Trefrey, William S.
25
Clerk.
HOWARD STREET.
Cox, George I.
56
Mason.
Ellis, Francis M.
54 Laborer.
Felch, Oscar,
24
Mason.
Roney, Alfred,
23
Painter.
Sterrett, Harry,
25
Rubber worker.
*
Colbath, George H.
29
Painter.
Coulter, Richard F.
37
Carpenter.
Lewis, Edwin,
45
Gardener.
Grove st. Pine st. Melrose.
HILLIS AVENUE.
Dixon, Nathan L.
30
Clerk.
*
McKie, William.
31 Carpenter.
*
Mills, Hiram,
40
Carpenter.
KENDRICK ROAD.
Hutchinson, Demas C.
70
Carpenter.
Greenwood av.
LEE STREET.
46
Carpenter.
*
Anderson, George A. Murdock, Charles,
30
Carpenter.
*
48
53
Carpenter.
62
PRECINCT No. 2.
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
LINDEN STREET. Duffill, Albert E. Stone, George W.
33
23
Book-keeper. Conductor.
*
Cedar st.
LINDEN AVENUE.
36
Artist.
Draper, Francis, Locke, William H.
59
Asst. cashier.
Tasker, Lyman H. Tingley, Charles E. White, Frank,
45
Manufacturer.
30
Iceman.
MAIN STREET.
662
Green, Isaac E.
66
Crossing tender
Darling, Laurio D.
39
Carpenter.
73
Carpenter.
712
714
Bailey, George H. White, William F. Litchfield, Edgar A . Doane, Percy J.
35
Iceman.
742 748 748 750
Heath, Nathan A.
42
Painter.
*
752
Walton, Solon,
66 High'y survey'r.
752
Park, Calvin W.
50 Steam fitter.
752
Furber, Ward C.
64
Clerk.
754
Walton, Herbert W.
41
Painter.
756
Deed, William J.
38 49
Printer.
756
Spooner, Sidney,
32
Carpenter.
760 760
Doane, Emmet J.
28
Optician.
760
Stewart, John,
33
Carpenter.
768 Eaton, Edward,
52 31
Vocal teacher.
781
Corrigan, John F
41 Car inspector.
782 Marshall, William H.
37 Metal spinner.
785
Thayer, Ashton H. Stevens, Percy L.
787
Hook, John W.
50 Machinist.
51
Jeweler.
*
796 Grant, Frank E.
798 Ogden, James,
56 Painter.
Stoneham.
801 Perry, Henry C.
801
Perry, Leroy,
31
Veterinary. .
Melrose.
742
Darling, William, Kendrick, Rufus, Hadley, Frank A.
75
Salesman.
44
Metal worker.
49
Teamster.
32
Upholsterer.
Clerk.
Orange.
Station agent.
768 Flint, Luther W., Jr.
48 Insurance agent. Machinist. 21
792 792 Kimball, George W.
45 Printer.
66 Veterinary.
Stewart, John I.
69
Retired.
63
PRECINCT No. 2
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
803
Edson, Frank A.
44
Painter.
*:
804
Barrs, George A.
43
Rubber worker.
804
Henfield, Henry G.
59
Poultry dealer.
810
Gilman, Joseph M.
56
Salesman.
818
Gould, Mark F.
48
Milkman.
818
Weston, Arthur L.
32
Shoemaker.
818
Heath, Adelbert F.
26
Carpenter.
820
Thayer, Martin L.
30
Civil engineer.
820
Richards, Lewis C.
24
Civil engineer.
828
Young, Albert A.
60
Superintendent.
840
Pitman, Lawrence J.
60
Retired.
840
Pitman, Richard L.
34
Florist.
866
Flint, Albert W.
28
Book-keeper.
866
Flint, Silas W.
58
Merchant.
*
870
Rogers, Edmund D.
30
Machinist.
Brooks, Percy M.
39
Electrician.
Gammons, Edward J.
42
Rattan worker.
*
Pattee, Henry F.
37
Builder.
Sohlberg, Carl E.
32
Barber.
Sohlberg, F. R.
65
Retired.
Willey, Herbert B.
28
Manager.
Willey, John C.
64
Carpenter.
*
Hill, John T.
57
Hardware dealer N. H.
Pendleton, Roscoe,
23
Salesman.
Melrose.
MADISON AVE.
Chase, Charles F.
43
Woodworker.
Roberson, John C.
52
Carpenter.
Young, Job C.
43
Carpenter.
Chase. Harry T.
28
Salesman. Carpenter.
McLean, John,
57 51
Carpenter.
Winch, Arthur H.
36
Packer.
Crozier, Christopher J.
38
Painter.
Murdock, James A.
22
Carpenter.
Turner, Lewis N.
36
Carpenter.
MYRTLE AVENUE.
Adams, George L. Drake, Nathan L.
67 50 Restau't keeper.
Eldridge, Christoph'r C.
53
Painter.
Ferris, Fletcher,
22 Gardener.
Harris, Frank S.
44
Salesman.
Stoneham. *
White, James P.
Machinist.
64
PRECINCT No. I.
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
MYRTLE AV .- Cont'd.
Harris, Mortimer L.
24
Clerk.
Kimball, Samuel,
83
Salesman.
Lloyd, Andrew J.
48
Optician.
Orme, Philip,
46
Jeweller.
Penney, Clarence,
38
Telegraph oper.
Robinson, Frank H.
40
Engineer.
Kilgore, George L.
61
Retired.
Vaitses, Stephen,
38
Clergyman.
Vlastos, Lincoln,
28
Machinist.
Oliver, Everett W.
29 Pic. frame mnf.
Whittle, George E
42
Motorman.
*
Kimball, James H.
54
Physician.
Col.
Lowe, Joseph K., Jr.
33
Motorman.
Park st.
Phipps, George W.
34
Piano tuner.
Palmer, Frank,
21
Tel. operator.
Vickery, Herbert,
24
Tel. operator.
MERRIAM STREET. Lander, Frank P.
42
Wood moulder.
OAK STREET.
Ashenden, Thomas E.
25
Compositor.
Archibald, William H.
32
Carpenter.
Evans, Lewis W.
22
Steam fitter.
Kiander, Gustave B. Jr.
33
Manufacturer.
Kiander, Charles E.
29
Clerk.
Kiander, Lawrence A.
26
Book-keeper.
43
Barber.
Thompson, Willard A. Caswell. Stephen E.
53 Fish dealer.
Eaton, Willard G.
29 Piano maker.
Evans, Daniel,
45
Mechanic.
Fell, Thomas W. H.
36
Salesman.
Griffin, Elmer W.
35 Shoe manuf'r.
Griffin, W. Eugene,
39 Piano tuner.
Griffin, Woodbury,
66 Shoemaker.
Lee, William H.
60
Builder.
Oliver, James,
77
Shoemaker.
Savage, Harry W.
32
Broker.
Savage, Henry H.
57 Broker.
Staples, Frederick M.
39 Printer.
Hines, John H.
37 Carpenter.
Sahlholm, Herman,
32
Clerk.
65
PRECINCT No. 2.
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
Smith, Charles R.
38
Carpenter.
Sanford, C. Ernest, Whitton, Edw. E. Whitton, Charles E. Ashendon, James,
27
Designer.
48
Printer.
22
Student.
21
Steam-fitter.
Doucette, Henry F.
24
Laborer.
McKean, Alexander,
29
Carpenter.
Norton, Joseph B.
24
Painter.
PARK STREET.
Lowe, Joseph K.
69
Weigher.
Lowe, Louis F.
27
Lineman.
Lowe, Stimpson H.
38
Machinist.
Martin, John W.
44
Engineer.
48
Inspector.
40
Laborer.
PINE STREET.
32
Bag maker.
Chadderton, Henry, Trefry, Albert L.
31
Sign writer.
Howes, Harry C.
37
Foreman.
34 Machinist.
44
Lather.
Maker, Edwin,
38 Stone mason.
Lovejoy, Henry L.
46
Ins. agent.
Ross, Frederick H.
30
Engineer.
PITMAN AVENUE.
Hallgrin, John,
45
Slater.
Moore, Gaston B.
35 Carpenter.
Sunman, Charles W.
46 Slater.
Bears, George W. Brandt, Hendrick H.
61
Painter.
Brandt, Isaac F.
27
Painter.
Brandt, Herbert W. Holt, Isaiah,
45 Carpenter.
McDonald, A. Loughlin
47 Carpenter.
McDonald, Alex.
20 Carpenter.
McDonald, John,
21 Stone mason.
McQuinn, Alex.
35 Stone mason.
Woodbury, Joseph W.
46 Carpenter.
Lawrence.
McCaskill, Neil A.
38 Stone mason.
Mckay, Duncan W.
41 Pressman.
Main st.
Lynn. N. S.
Cook, Benjamin L. Berry, Charles,
Johnson, Adolph E. Champion, Solomon,
Lowell.
33 Carpenter.
23 Laborer.
66
PRECINCT No. 2.
Street No.
Name.
Age.
Occupation.
Residence last year.
PLEASANT STREET. Underwood, W. H.
37
Car-washer.
Boston.
SPRING ST.
Boynton, Charles F.
63
Real estate agt.
Boynton, Charles W.
29
Real estate agt.
Grant, French W.
36
Carpenter.
Gerry, Frank W.
38
Salesman.
Jones, Roy D.
24
Clerk.
Orme, Charles W.
45
Merchant.
Pendleton, Allen H.
44
Salesman.
Robie, George F.
53
Book-keeper.
White, Ira E.
58
Musician.
Waldron, Ernest G.
38
Salesman.
Stevens, Alanson M.
33
Provision dealer
Brown, Edward H.
28
Inventor.
Davis, Frederick,
25
Laborer.
Grant, Charles M.
40
Clerk.
Munn, Ralph,
24
Furrier.
Stevens, Manson,
58
Farmer.
Swett, Alfred F.
36
Upham, Walter,
24
Book-keeper.
*
Brewer, Alfred H.
32
Chair-maker.
Melrose. Melrose.
Blodgett, Frank C.
42
Clerk.
Holden, Walter W.
61
Carpenter.
Holden, Archibald,
20
Clerk.
Jenson, Axel,
27
Engraver.
Melrose.
Marshall, Abbott W.
32
Carpenter.
VINE STREET. Miller, Charles F.
57
Carpenter.
*
WARREN AVE.
Bears, Albert E.
36
Carpenter.
Painter, Thomas H.
45
Carpenter.
WOODLAND AVE.
Plummer, Henry G.
35
Steward.
*
ALSTEAD W. BROWNELL, CHARLES F. HARTSHORNE, CHARLES A. DEAN,
Assessors of Wakefield.
WAKEFIELD, Mass., Aug. 1, 1897.
THE EIGHTY-SIXTH
ANNUAL REPORT
THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF WAKEFIELD, MASS., FOR
THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1898. ALSO '
THE TOWN CLERK'S RECORD
OF THE
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
DURING THE YEAR 1897.
WAKEFIELD, MASS. : PRINTED BY A. W. BROWNELL, 470 MAIN STREET. . 1898.
TOWN OFFICERS, 1897-98.
SELECTMEN. EDWARD A. UPTON, Chairman ;
CHARLES E. WALTON, Sec'y ; WILLIAM P. SHEPARD,
JAMES F. MANSFIELD, DANIEL EVANS.
TOWN CLERK-CHARLES F. HARTSHORNE.
- TOWN TREASURER-THOMAS J. SKINNER.
MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD.
CHARLES H. SPENCER, Chairman, . Term expires. 1899
ELROY N. HEATH, Secretary, . . 1898
CURTIS L. SOPHER,
1900
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
HIRAM EATON, Chairman : WILLIS S. MASON, Sec'y; WILLIAM A. CUTTER.
ASSESSORS. ALSTEAD W. BROWNELL, Chairman ; CHAS. A. DEAN, CHAS. F. HARTSHORNE, Sec'y.
AUDITORS.
EVERETT W. EATON, ALBERT W. FLINT, GEORGE W. LINNELL.
- COLLECTORS OF TAXES. CHARLES F. WOODWARD, CHARLES E. WALTON.
4
ENGINEERS OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
LEVI FLANDERS, Chief; WILLIAM E. CADE, Sec'y; HORACE W. DALRYMPLE.
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
EDWARD H. WALTON,
Term expires, 1899 .
CORNELIUS DONOVAN,
.
66 1900
WESLEY T. HARRIS, .
66
٠، 1898
CHARLES F. HARTSHORNE (ex-officio) .
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ASHTON H. THAYER, Chairman,
Term expires, 1898
SELIM S. WHITE,
.
1899
ELIZA M. GREENWOOD,
.
66 1899
IDA F. CARLISLE,
66 1898
MELVIN JJ. HILL,
66 1900
WILLIAM B. DANIEL, Sec'y and Treas., .
1900
CHARLES E. HUSSEY, Supt. of Schools.
TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY. .
HARRY FOSTER, .
Term expires, 1900
MAITLAND P. FOSTER,
.
1900
PETER S. ROBERTS,
1900
SOLON O. RICHARDSON,
1898
THOMAS WINSHIP,
66
1898
WILLIAM W. TAFT,
1898
OTIS V. WATERMAN,
66 1899
WILLIAM E. ROGERS,
1899
ASHTON H. THAYER,
·
16
1899
THOMAS JJ. SKINNER (ex-officio) .
.
·
FISH COMMITTEE.
SAMUEL PARKER, WILLIAM HARRINGTON WILEY, JACOB C. HARTSHORNE.
.
5
BOARD OF HEALTH.
W. H. MOCAUSLAND, . Term expires, 1898
DR. J. W. HEATH, · .
66 1900
JOSIAH S. BONNEY,
.
66 1899
FENCE VIEWERS.
ROGER HOWARD, CHARLES H. STEARNS, GEORGE H. TEAGUE.
POLICE. ALVIN L. VANNAH, Chief;
JAMES A. MCFADDEN,
JOHN A. MELONEY.
EDWIN F. POLAND,
GEO. H. POTTER,
JOHN H. BUCKLEY,
JOHN DAY,
CHARLES S. MERRILL,
WARREN B. WILEY,
RUFUS F. DRAPER, FRANK H. ROBINSON,
N. A. HEATH,
ASHLEY E. COOPER,
ANDREW G. ANDERSON, C. H. R. DUNN.
CONSTABLES. EDWIN F. POLAND, JAMES A. MCFADDEN, ALVIN L. VANNAH.
-
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR-SOLON WALTON.
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
CHARLES H. HAWES, GEORGE H. MADDOCK, EUGENE S. HINCKLEY.
INSPECTOR OF MILK-JOSIAH S. BONNEY.
TOWN COUNSEL-EDWARD A. UPTON.
For list of other Town Officers, not chosen by ballot, see report of Annual Town Meeting.
1
6
LIST OF JURORS
ACCEPTED BY THE TOWN NOVEMBER 8, 1897.
Anderson, C. O. Abbott, George W. Atwood, Frank H. Ayscough, Charles Bailey, Bert L. Barker, Edward
Bessey, William W.
Biggs, William Jr. Bridger, William J.
Blanchard, George A. Brownell, Alstead W. Bryant, Albert R. Cade, William E.
Calkins, James H. Carter, James H. Cowdrey, Nathaniel
Clapp, Frank A. Classen, Charles E. Connell, Hugh
Connell, Joseph H.
Davenport, Charles F.
Donovan, Cornelius
Dwyer, Thomas E. Eaton, Willard G. Eaton, Isaac F. Evans, Charles A.
Fell, Thomas W. H. Flanley, John
Flanders, Philip J. Flint, Luther W. Foster, Maitland P. Foster, Linnell
Gilman, George K.
Gould, William Henry
Gove, Merrill W. Gray, Alexander H.
Greany, Dennis Grant, Frank E. Greenough, Arthur Greenough, William S. Hart, George E. Hayden, Frank W.
Heath, Nathan A. Hickey, James A. Hines, Elmer R. Haley, George P.
Harris, Frank S. Hines, Nathaniel
Houston, Donald M.
Jenkins, J. W.
Killorin, George W. Kelley, Frank Kelly, Patrick J. Kernan, Thomas Keefe, James P. Lee, Edward E.
7
Low, Joseph K. Low, Joseph K. Jr. Low, Michael Lucas, George F. Mansfield, Austin L. Mansfield, William .J. Mansfield, Stanley A. Mansfield, James F. MacQuinn, William U. McCausland, William H. Miller, Edwin C. Nickerson, Franklin Oliver, Ernest E. Painter, Thomas I.
Parker, Moses P.
Perkins, Joseph E. Perkins, William K. Purrington, E. I. Parker, William D. Parker, Samuel Robertson, James Regan, John J. Reid, James R. Richardson, Solon O). Ringer, Josiah H. Smith, George E.
Sale, John A. Sanborn, Oliver G. Sanborn, John A. Savage, Harry W. Scovell, George H. Sheldon, Otis E. Stowell, George H. Simonds, Harry .1. Stewart, John .I. Strong, William G. Turner, Otis G. Tyzzer, George R. Walton, Daniel G. Walton, Solon Walton, Charles E. Walton, S. Leman Waterman, Otis V. White, Samuel P.
Wiley, Peter B.
Wiley, William Harrington Woodward, Charles F. Woodward, James F. Wright, Albert J. Ward, Windsor M. Young, William F.
1
8
RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JAN. 31, 1898.
-
TOWN MEETING, FEBRUARY 1, 1897.
Article 1. To choose a moderator.
Darius Hadley was elected moderator.
Voted. To take up article 5 :.
Art. 5. To see if the town will authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to hire a sum of money equal to the amount appropriated since the tax levy of 1896 on a . term not exceeding one year, and to issue the notes of the town therefor, or what it will do about it.
Voted. To so authorize.
Voted. To take up remaining articles in their order.
Art. 2. To hear and act upon the report of the committee appointed under article 13 of the warrant calling the town meeting held November 9, A. D. 1896.
Committee presented report of which the following is a summary.
THE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The report is a somewhat lengthy document, containing over twenty-five type-written pages.
After giving an account of the committee's organization, the appointment of sub-committees and the public meeting held Dec. 8. 1896, the report states that the information sought by the sub- committees was not made in the spirit of criticism or investigation concerning individuals or officials, but that the scope of the inquiries was in the interest of procuring lower taxation and a
lower tax rate. After treating upon the general subject of taxa- tion, the $20 tax rate is considered and termed as unnecessary. The cost of municipal government in Wakefield, in 1895, as based upon the census of that year, was $17.11 per each man, woman and child: while in Milford the cost was $12.42; Pea- body, $11.14 : Natick, $13.92; Melrose, $14.09; Reading, $15.65 ; Hyde Park, $12.00 and Marblehead, $21.40.
Unnecessary or special appropriations are next considered and disapproved of. The concluding sentence of the paragraph reads : " The ' I tickle you and you tickle me' program has been too frequently carried out in the town for either its honor or welfare." Frequent town meetings are condemned, and only two meetings per year recommended. The publication of all sorts and kinds of articles in the town warrants is dealt with vigor- ously, especially those calling for large appropriations at special meetings. In speaking of highway appropriations the report says: "It should be the settled policy of the town, never to depart from, that it would not build streets through parcels of land whose owners thus seek to enhance the value of their prop- erty, and no town way should be accepted by the town through such property until it is thoroughly constructed, sidewalks built and drainage facilities furnished."
The supervision of the schools cannot be modified to any con- siderable extent without detriment, and if the number of schools cannot be reduced the appropriations for the ensuing year must be larger than the past. "We recommend that after the year 1897 the number of the school committee be increased to 9. This will cause no additional expense."
Regarding the expenses of the poor department, "your com- mittee are of the opinion that a substantial saving can be made, not so much upon the present lines, as upon different ones." The committee disapproves of farming in connection with this depart- ment. The condition of the farm is then commented on, and it is suggested that a portion of the farm be sold, and that only a. few acres be reserved for cultivation, such as the superintendent and those living upon the farm can care for without hiring extra hands. Horses are considered unnecessary, in view of the advent of the electric cars in that vicinity. The committee dis-
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approves of the custom of hiring the superintendent of the farm prior to the March meeting. The tramp nuisance is then handled. Over 2000 have been entertained by the town the past year. "Nothing like a wood-saw or a stone hammer, located at the right point, will encourage these gentlemen to seek greener pastures," says the report. While the law provides a fee (twenty cents in Wakefield's case) for the lock-up keeper, this expense should be part of the janitor's duty, and he should be paid a fixed sum for his services. The appointment of a town physician at a fixed salary is recommended for the overseers' department.
Highways are then considered in the report. A reduction in appropriations is recommended for a few years ; also that all bills due the town should be collected forthwith, and that hereafter no concrete work be done until a sum of money is deposited by abutters desiring the work. Teams and men should be hired to work at as low a rate for the town as they will work elsewhere. A change in the fire alarm system is recommended.
Regarding the municipal light plant, the only recommendation is the discontinuance of the morning lights, which cost $600 per year at present.
Miscellaneous appropriations are then considered, and it is recommended that separate appropriations be made for military aid, soldiers' relief, printing and advertising, town - solicitor's salary, insurance premiums, R. L. G. expenses, physician's sal- ary, etc. The present cost of advertising the town warrant is disapproved of, and it is recommended that the selectmen should designate one paper as the official newspaper of the town. As a". matter of public policy it is recommended that the town clerk act as clerk of the boards of selectmen, overseers and assessors, at a proper salary. A town solicitor at a fixed salary is recommended.
The matter of assessment of real estate and personal property is considered at length, and accurate maps of the town are recom- mended, to cost between $2000 and $3000. The committee recommend taxpayers and citizens to exercise a careful scrutiny of all appropriations asked for. "We should be the judges of what we can afford. All citizens ought to take an active partici- pation in the management of the affairs of the town, to the end that no extravagant, unnecessary or illegal appropriations be
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made." A summary of the committee's inquiries recommended for adoption by the town, appears below in full :
RULE I. The selectmen shall not insert in any warrant for a town meeting any article calling or looking for the appropriation of money, either at that or any subsequent meeting, except for the ordinary annual appropriations, unless a request in writing therefor signed by ten or more legal voters is filed with them at least fifteen days prior to the time fixed for said meeting, and the selectmen shall append to each such article the name of the first person signing said request and the words "and others." Said request shall be filed and kept by the selectmen till after the final adjournment of any town meeting at which any action can be taken under said article.
RULE II. There shall be chosen by the town prior to the annual meeting for 1897 a finance committee consisting of fifteen legal voters, five to hold office for the period of one year from the annual meeting of 1897, five for the period of two years, and five for the period of three years, and at each subsequent annual town meeting after 1897 five members of said committee shall be chosen to take the place of those members whose term of office shall expire with said meeting. Said committee shall organize by the choice of a chairman and secretary and shall cause to be kept a true record of its proceedings.
It shall be the duty of the selectmen to lay before said commit- tee a list of the ordinary appropriations considered necessary to be made on or before the thirty-first day of January in each year. Said committee shall require the various boards of town officers having such expenditures in charge to appear before them during the month of February at such time and place as said committee may appoint for conference upon said appropriation, and it shall be the duty of said boards of town officers to appear before said committee at the times and places so named. And no appropria- tion of money shall be made until it is reported upon by said committee.
Each article calling or looking for the appropriation of money other than the ordinary appropriations above referred to shall, by early declaration of the moderator at the first session of any town meeting, be referred to said finance committee without
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= debate. Said committee, unless a similar antedate hearing shall have been already held, shall give the person whose name appears attached to said article notice of the time and place of hearing thereon. No appropriation of money under any such article shall be made until after an actual hearing shall have been held and the report of said finance committee thereon made to the town.
It shall be the duty of the selectmen, within three days after drawing a town warrant containing appropriation articles, to transmit copies of the same to the finance committee, in order that said committee may, by consideration of such articles and due hearing thereon of parties interested, when they deem advisa- ble, be in readiness to act promptly and intelligently when such articles shall be referred to them under the provision aforesaid.
RULE III., Whenever the selectmen or road commissioners make a report to the town recommending the laying out or alter- ing of a town way, said report shall be laid upon the table without action, and the selectmen shall put an article in the warrant call- ing the next town meeting to act upon said report.
RULE IV. It shall be the duty of the finance committee to make an annual report of its doings, with recommendations for municipal appropriations in the various departments for the ensu- ing year, to be printed with the annual reports of other town officers.
Second, we recommend that the town at this meeting choose : finance committee in accordance with: the second rule, and in accordance with the third article of this warrant.
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