USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1900-1902 > Part 15
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Voted. To lay on the table.
Art. 77. To see if the town will instruct the road commissioner to build a sidewalk on the west side of Gould street, between Al- bion and Byron streets, or what it will do about it.
Voted. To instruct the highway surveyor, as directed.
Art. 78. To hear and act on report of committee in reference to purchasing lot for Montrose engine house, or what they will do about it.
Committee granted further time.
Voted. To adjourn for one week at 7.30 p. m.
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ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, MAY 1, 1899.
Art. 79. To see if the town will raise and appropriate four hundred and fifty dollars for purchasing lot for Montrose engine house, moving building, stone work and grading, and such repairs as may be found necessary, or what they will do about it.
The committee having the above subject in charge was grant ed further time, and the article was laid on the table.
Article 17, relative to the care of tramps, was again taken up and Maj. Tyler, on behalf of the committee appointed at the previous meeting to report on some method, presented the fol- lowing report :
The report recommended that the town hire the vacant build- ing owned by Arthur G. Walton, north of Wakefield's block, and that it be fitted up for the accommodation of tramps. The building is 15×35 feet and it is proposed to construct a new en- closed yard thirty feet wide, north of the building, for wood sawing. The committee recommended that the subject be left in the hands of the overseers of the poor, who shall make such rules and regulations as may be necessary, and the sum of $150 was recommended.
Voted. To adopt the report and appropriate $150.
Voted. That the overseers of the poor be instructed to place prin- ted notices at all points leading to the centre of the town, read- ing substantially as follows: "Tramps accommodated with lodgings, etc., in the town of Wakefield, in payment for the same will be required to saw wood for three hours ;" and that the names of the overseers be added. A motion to reconsider the whole subject was lost.
Art. 80. To see if the town will give the money it receives from the district court for fines, to the use of the police department, or what it will do about it.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Article 2, relative to the reports of town officers, was taken up on motion of W. E. Cowdrey. Assessor Brownell explained the reason why the assessors' figures and the amount stated in the collector's tax warrant did not agree, as printed in the town report ; stating that the assessors had changed the figures since
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the list was printed, a matter which was customary in making up final statements. The report of the assessors was accepted as satisfactory.
Art. 81. To see if the town will authorize its selectmen to increase the police department by three regular men, one for day duty and two for night duty, and raise and appropriate money for the same, or what it will do about it.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 82. To see if the town will raise and appropriate five thou- sand dollars in addition to the regular appropriation for ma- cadamizing and rebuilding town highways, under the supervis- ion of the superintendent of streets, and issue notes of the town therefor, or what it will do about it.
Voted. That the following articles be taken from the table and considered with Art. 82 : Art. 24, asking for $5000 to macad- amize Main street, from Salem to Lowell streets ; Art. 27, call- ing for $2000 to rebuild Walnut street, according to the county commissioners' orders ; Art. 31, relating to widening and build- ing Salem street, as per commissioners' orders, and Article 65, relating to Valley street.
Voted. To adjourn for one week at 7.30 p. m.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, MAY 8, 1899.
Voted. Under Article 82 that these articles be laid on the table and taken up separately.
Voted. Under Article 65 $1000 and that the work be given to only citizens of Wakefield.
Voted. Under Article 27, $1000 for Nahant street.
Voted. Under Article 31, $1000 for Salem street.
Voted. Under Article 24, that the subject matter be referred to the selectmen and highway surveyor with instructions to inter- view the state highway commissioners and request them to ex- pend the money for the proposed state road on Main street, Lakeside, instead of on Railroad street, and that Lakeside be macadamized from Bryant street to the Reading line.
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Articles 14, 15 and 16, relating to repairing the almshouse, enlarging the same and repairing the barn, were then taken up and Harry Foster, on behalf of the committee, read the report. The report disapproved of the plan recommended by the finance committee, that the attic be finished off for the occupancy of the inmates. The committee had prepared plans providing for an extension on the south end of the house, twenty-four feet long. The proposed alterations would allow for twelve cham- bers in the men's ward and eleven in the women's department, with separate dining rooms, bath rooms, etc., for each. The present heating apparatus will be sufficient for the new addition. A new cooking range is much needed. The report states that the criticisms of the state inspectors were by no means exag- gerated.
The committee examined quite a number of the inmates and ascertained that some of them desired to leave the farm and maintain themselves, either in part or wholly, and the commit- tee recommended that the overseers give the subject some con- sideration. It was also recommended that a committee be ap- pointed "to go into a careful investigation of the matters con- nected with the poor in other towns having a settlement here, and also those persons now supported in state institutions at the town's expense. "
The report was accepted and adopted. Upon the commit- tee's recommendation, $2000 was raised and appropriated to carry out the plans suggested by the committee, the same to be payable in 1902, 1903, 1904 and 1905. The same committee was appointed to have charge of the work. J. A. Hickey re- signed and the meeting elected T. G. O'Connell, the moderator, in his place.
Article 48, relating to purchasing a dump cart, was taken up and $10 additional appropriated.
Article 5 was taken up and it was voted to appoint another investigating committee as recommended.
Article 78, relating to the removal of the Montrose engine house, was taken up, and the subject indefinitely postponed.
Art. 83. To see if the town will accept Grafton street, from Main street, a distance of about four hundred and ten feet ; also ac-
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cept Howard street, from Grafton street, a distance of about three hundred and fifteen feet; and appropriate the sum of three hundred dollars for the purpose of placing said streets in a condition safe for travel.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 84. To see if the town will macadamize Vernon street from Lowell street to Salem street, and raise and appropriate thirty-
five hundred dollars for the same, or what it will do about it.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 85. To see if the town will raise and appropriate two hundred dollars to repair the sidewalk on Water street, from Melvin street to Brook avenue, or what it will do about it.
Voted. $200.
Voted. $50 to pay the moderator for his efficient service, together with a unanimous vote of thanks.
Under Article 70, relating to Prospect street, Selectman Stout reported that the matter of building a sidewalk from Nichols to Elm streets be referred to the highway surveyor. The report was accepted and adopted.
A resolution was offered by J. C. Hartshorne, thanking the members of the finance committee for their services.
The meeting dissolved at 10.12 o'clock. It was announced that the total amount to be provided for in the 1899 tax levy was $146,875.
STATE ELECTION NOVEMBER 7, 1899.
RESULT OF THE ELECTION.
Precincts.
Totals.
-
I
2
GOVERNOR.
A. B. Coats, Pro.,
82
II
93
W. M. Crane, R.
780
130
910
. R. T. Paine, Jr., D.
435
18
453
G. R. Peare, S. L.
66
2
68
W. P. Porter, D. S. L.
.
.
.
I 7
I
18
35
Precincts.
Totals.
I
2
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
J. L. Bates, R.
840
I39
979
J. H. Mack, D.
390
II
40I
J. H. Roberts, Pro. .
30
8
38
I. W. Skinner, I). S. L.
23
2
25
J. F. Stevens, S. L. .
64
2
66
SECRETARY.
C. H. Bradley, D. S. J. B. Lewis, Jr., Pro.
I6
2
I8
Henry Lloyd, I).
347
I3
360
Frank McDonald, S. L.
74
5
79
W. M. Olin, R.
798
I32
930
TREASURER.
E. S. Bradford, R.
802
I32
934
J. J. Flynn, D.
367
6
373
H. B. Griffin, Pro. .
30
40
F. A. Nagler, S. L. .
64
4
68
Chas. W. White, D. S.
26
2
28
AUDITOR.
E. G. Brown, D.
392
II
403
F. A. Forsstrom, S. L.
66
2
68
J. W. Kimball, R.
769
129
898
Angus McDonald, D. S.
14
2
16
F. A. Palmer, Pro. .
32
6
38
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
A. W. Barr, D. S.
18
3
21
H. M. Knowlton, R. J. H. Morrison, D. . Sidney Perley, Pro.
363
7
370
35
5
40
W. P. J. Skahan, S. L.
67
2
69
COUNCILLOR.
G. F. Harwood, R. .
787
I37
924
A. S. Kent, S. L.
199
IO
209
D. H. Maguire, D. .
308
5
313
6
68
62
804
I34
938
36
Precinct.
Total.
I
2
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
L. S. Gould, D. and R.
943
132
1075
J. V. Schugel, S. L. .
201
8
209
SHERIFF.
J. R. Fairbairn, D. and R.
921
II8
1039
A. E. Jones, S. L. .
204
13
21 7
SENATOR.
H. K. Sanderson, R.
817
I32
949
T. W. Selig, D.
403
II
414
N. A. Torrey, S. L. .
82
8
90
REPRESENTATIVE.
F. O. Clark, R.
642
94
736
Chas. A. Dean, D.
776
75
851
.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 13, 1899.
The meeting was called to order at 7.30 o'clock by Town Clerk C. F. Hartshorne. On motion of Capt. J. H. Carter the reading of the articles in the warrant was dispensed with.
Article 1. To choose a moderator, by ballot, to preside at said meeting.
Voted. That the town clerk cast one ballot for Thomas G. O'Con- nell, and this being done, Mr. O'Connell was declared elected. Art. 2. To revise and accept the list of jurors prepared and posted by the selectmen.
J. H. Carter and C. A. Bowser were excused and the name of E. H. Walton was added. The list was accepted as amen- ded. (See Jury List.)
The moderator referred the following articles to the finance committee : Articles, 5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 36, 41, 42.
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Art. 3. To see if the town will grant the free use of the town hall, two evenings, to the Home for Aged Women.
Voted.
Art. 4. To hear and act on the report of progress of the sewerage committee.
The reports having been printed and distributed, it was vo- ted to accept the same as a report of progress.
Art. 5. To see if the town will appropriate fifteen hundred dollars, to obtaln surveys and plans for a system of sewerage, substan- tially in accordance with the report of its committee on sewer- age, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $1500.
Art. 6. To see if the town will vote to petition the legislature for a special sewerage act for Wakefield, or what they will do about it.
Voted. That the selectmen, in conjunction with the sewerage com-
mittee, be instructed to petition the legislature as indicated in the article.
Art. 7. To see if the town will petition the legislature for an act to enable it to connect with the North Metropolitan sewerage sys- tem, and authorize the Metropolitan Sewerage Commissioners to construct the necessary connections therefor, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To so petition.
Art. 8. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of seventeen hundred and fifty dollars for gas extensions, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $1750.
Art. 9. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of five thousand dollars to the use of its park commissioners to enable them, in behalf of the town, to acquire for a public park and play- ground, about twenty-three acres of land, including Hart's Hill, so called, being the estate late of Harriet N. Flint, deceased, exclusive of the homestead buildings and about one acre of land at the corner of Main and Charles streets, and will author- ize said park commissioners to enter into an agreement with the Metropolitan Park Commission for the acquisition and holding of said land, whereby said commission shall contribute
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the sum of five thousand dollars toward the cost of said land, provided that the same shall be held forever for park purposes, and that if any of said land shall at any time be required for purposes of a metropolitan boulevard, parkway or other reser- vation, it shall be conveyed to said Metropolitan Park Commis- sion, or its successors, for such purpose, free from further ex- pense ; and authorize the town treasurer to raise the money ap- propriated under this article on bonds or notes of the town, payable in a series of years, the amounts to be assessed in the tax levies of such years ; or what other action the town will take in relation to the subject matter of this article.
Voted. That $5000 be appropriated, and that the town treasurer be authorized, with the approval of the board of selectmen, to issue notes or bonds of the town of $500 each, payable in ten years, from 1900 to 1909, both inclusive.
Art. 10. To hear and act on report of committee appointed by the town under Article 40, at town meeting of March 13, 1899, in reference to a public bath house.
Edwin C. Miller, on behalf of the committee, read the re- port, in which opinions of the town counsel, the late Judge Upton, were given, showing that the town had no legal right to act on the matter without first accepting certain chapters of the public statutes, or obtaining authority from the harbor and land commissioners, etc. There were no recommendations. The town accepted the report thereby dissolving the committee.
On motion of Mr. Dean, Articles 15 and 16 were taken up. Art. 15. To see what action the town will take in relation to build- ing a new fire station, to replace the one destroyed by fire, and appropriate money therefor, or what they will do about it.
Art. 16. To see if the town will appropriate money to purchase a suitable lot of land for a new fire station, or what they will do about it.
Voted. That five persons be appointed to nominate a committee of seven.
The moderator appointed the following persons : R. S. Stout, T. J. Skinner, F. P. McDonnell, W. E. Cade and C. N. Winship. The committee retired and later on reported the following committee : Richard Britton, C. N. Winship, W. E.
39
Cade, W. H. Lee, Harry Foster, A. R. Perkins and Edwin C. Miller. Mr. Perkins declined, being engaged on other commit- tees. On motion of Thomas Hickey, Maj. E. J. Gihon was added to the committee.
Voted. To take up the remaining articles in their order. A motion- to reconsider was lost.
Art. 11. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of eight hun- dred dollars for completion of payment for the F. P. Hurd school house and grounds.
Further time was granted to the finance committee.
Art. 12. To see if the town will rescind its former action, whereby it voted to increase the number of selectmen to five, and elect but three at its next annual meeting.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 13. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars for park purposes, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $100.
Art. 14. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of eighteen hundred dollars to grade and repair the road and sidewalk on Vernon street, from Salem to Water streets, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $300.
Art. 17. To see if the town will adopt Section 1 of Chapter 104 of the public statutes, enacted November 19, 1881, for the pur- pose of restricting or controlling the erection and use of future buildings in town, looking toward better protection against fire. The section was read and adopted.
Voted. That a committee of five be appointed to prepare rules and report next March, the selectmen to act in the meantime, as provided by law.
Mr. Dean then offered as a resolve as the sense of the meet- ing, that the selectmen be requested to petition the railroad commissioners for a reduction of fares on the local street rail- way, as provided by Section 23, Chapter 578, Acts of 1898, making the fare to Lynn ten cents and that to Lynnhurst, five cents. The resolve was adopted by a unanimous vote.
Voted. To adjourn to November 20, at 7.30 p. m.
·
40
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 20, 1899.
Art. 18. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three hun- dred dollars for the police department, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $300.
Art. 19. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred and eighteen dollars to pay the balance of the bill for new heating apparatus at the Woodville school house.
Voted. $118.
Art. 20. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three hun- dred dollars, for the books and supplies account, and seven hundred dollars for the contingent account of the school de- partment.
Voted. $300 for books and supplies account and $700 for contin- gent account.
Art. 21. To see if the town will provide one or more public dumps, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To refer to a committee of three. The moderator appoint- ed S. E. Ryder, W. H. McCausland and Solon Walton.
Art. 23. To see if the town will make additional appropriation to the fire department.
Voted. $2257.78 and that a committee of five be appointed to con- sider the repairing of the steamer and the purchase of three pungs for the department, and report at an adjourned meeting. Art. 26. To see if the town will appropriate sufficient money to put the Franklin school in thorough repair. To add two rooms, to accommodate two more grades, on the north or south end of the building, put in another heater, and put water closets or privies under cover, or what they will do about it.
Recommended that the subject be referred to a committee of five to report at the annual meeting. The moderator appointed G. H. S. Driver, T. E. Dwyer, F. O. Clark, Thomas Hickey and A. D. Jenkins.
Art. 27. To see if the town will authorize the selectmen to settle the suit of John Loughlin against the town, and appropriate one thousand dollars, to pay the same.
Referred to the selectmen.
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Art. 28. To see if the town will receive and accept as the property of the town, and provide for the safe keeping of the record book of the Citizens' War Relief committee of the year 1898, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To accept the records.
Art. 29. To see if the town will vote to establish the grade, and repair the road and sidewalks on Summer street, and appropri- ate money for the same, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $300.
Art. 30. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of fifty dollars to lower the pipe under Albion street bridge, so as to drain stagnant water on land of Edward E. Proctor.
Voted. That the highway surveyor, in consultation with the select- men, make such alterations as may be necessary to prevent any nuisance, and that the expense be taken from the highway fund.
Article 11, relative to the appropriation of $800 for comple- tion of payment for the F. P. Hurd school, was taken up. Voted. $800.
Art. 40. To see what action, if any, the town will take in relation to the suit of Catherine Weary against the town.
Referred to the selectmen to investigate and report at the annual meeting in March.
Art. 36. To see if the town will authorize its fire engineers to hire the lower part of the building owned by the Volunteer Library association, the same to be used as an engine house, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To refer to the engine house committee, already appointed.
Art. 43. To see if the town will authorize the town treasurer to pay to the highway surveyor the sum received from the street railway tax, the same to be expended on the highways.
Voted. To authorize the treasurer.
Voted. To adjourn to November 27, at 7.30 p. m.
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ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 27, 1899.
Art. 22. To see if the town will appropriate three thousand dollars for the support of the poor, or what it will do about it.
Finance committee granted further time.
Art. 24. To see if the town will vote to light New Salem street, with arc incandescent lights and appropriate money therefor, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To refer to annual meeting in March.
Art. 25. To see if the town will vote to place a fire alarm box at the entrance to Bellevue Park, and one at the Montrose depot,
and appropriate money therefor, or what they will do about it Voted. $100 for box at Montrose depot.
Art. 31. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of fifty dol- lars, for the suppression of the English sparrow or what they will do about it.
Voted. $50.
Art. 32. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred dollars to procure hitching posts, or what they will do about it.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 33. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred dollars, to be expended by the tree warden, for the care of public shade trees, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $100 and that it be expended by Rufus Kendrick.
Art. 34. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred dollars for the purpose of supplying water in the drinking fountain at corner of Main and Nahant streets, or what they will do about it.
Indefinitely postponed.
Art. 35. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of five hun- dred dollars, to pay its portion of rebuilding the bridge on Sa- lem street, or what they will do about it.
Referred to the annual town meeting.
Art. 37. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of three hun- dred and sixty-five dollars to pay land damages on Salem street, to Dexter C. Wright, Wm. O. Stoddard heirs, and Mrs. Katie Butman, according to the order of the county commissioners.
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Voted. $365, the town to be re-imbursed by the county com- missioners.
Art. 38. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of forty dol- lars to pay land damages on Nahant street to W. M. Wanamake, according to the order of the county commissioners.
Voted. $40.
Art. 39. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred dolllars, to pay land damages on Main street to Junius Beebe, according to the order of the county commissioners.
Voted. $100.
Art. 41. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of fifteen hundred dollars for the highway department, or what they will do about it.
Further time granted.
Art. 42. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of one hun- dred dollars for land taken from the Catherine Flanley heirs, on Salem street, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $100.
Article 27, relative to the suit of John Loughlin, was taken up and action whereby the subject was left with the selectmen, was reconsidered. Moved that the matter be left to a commit- tee consisting of P. S. Roberts, W. F. Young, J. H. Carter, W. N. Tyler and J. I). Schurman, to investigate the case and en- deavor to arrange a settlement without a law suit, and report at adjourned meeting, and it was so voted.
Article 36, relative to hiring the lower part of the building owned by the Volunteer Library association, was taken up. Hon. Richard Britton, on behalf of the committee to whom this was referred, reported in favor of paying the association $150 per year for the storage of the Volunteer hose carriage and hose, the same to be taken from the fire department appro- priation and it was so voted.
Art. 44. To see if the town will authorize its treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to hire a sum of money sufficient to meet the appropriations made at this meeting, on a term not exceeding one year, and to issue the notes of the town therefor.
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Voted. To hire $9280.78 to meet appropriations already made, in accordance with the article.
Mr. Britton stated that the engine house committee would not be able to report within three weeks, and moved that the meeting adjourn until that time, Dec. 18. It was so voted.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, DECEMBER 18, 1899.
The first business was the adoption of a resolution offered by Frank H. March, expressing the town's appreciation of the pub- lic work being done by the Boston and Maine railroad company in the vicinity of the upper station, and it was voted unanimous- ly to have the town clerk forward a copy of the resolutions to the president and directors of the company.
Article 22, relative to an additional appropriation for the poor department, was taken up. Voted, $3062, of which $62 is to be paid for additional improvements about the almshouse, in con- nection with work done by a special committee.
James A. Hickey, on behalf of the committee, under Art. 23, to whom was referred the subject of steamer repairs and new pungs for the fire department, then reported. After a thorough investigation the committee recommended and the town voted, almost unanimously, that $2275 be appropriated for repairs on the steamer, and that a contract be made with the American Fire Engine company of Seneca Falls, N. Y., for the work. The same committee was authorized to execute the contract on behalf of the town, and it was done during the evening. The committee consists of Messrs. W. N. Tyler, G. W. Killorin, E. I. Purrington, D. M. Houston and J. A. Hickey.
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