USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1905-1907 > Part 23
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William Parker, S.
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TOWN MEETING, NOVEMBER 12, 1906.
Art. I. To choose a moderator by ballot to preside at said meeting.
Thomas G. O'Connell was elected moderator.
Art. 2 To see what sum the town will raise and appro- priate to pay the salary of a school physician.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 3. To see if the town will raise and aspropriate money for the support of the evening school, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $200 and to transfer $650 from balance on fuel fund. Art. 4. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $3000 for the suppression of the Gypsy and Brown-tail Moth.
Voted. $3000.
Art. 5. To see if the town will raise and appropriate an ad- dltional sum of money for the Police Department.
Voted. $600.
Art. 6. To see if the town will raise and appropriate an ad- ditional sum of money for the Poor Department.
Voted. $1,500.
Art. 7. To see if the town will make an additional appro- priation for the Municipal Light Plant, and raise and ap- propriate money therefor.
Voted. $7,959.55 for maintenance.
Voted. $1,838 for extensions.
Art. 8. To hear and act upon the report of the committee on remodelling the town hall stage, appointed under article 45 of the annual warrant of 1906.
Voted. Report of committee received and accepted.
Art. 9. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars, to remodel the town hall stage in accordance with plans suggested in the report of the committee, or what they will do about it.
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Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 10. To see if the town will raise and appropriate twenty-five dollars for the use of the Tree Warden.
Yoted. $25.
Art. II. To see if the town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars (or such amount as may be needed) to heat and ventilate the hall in the Greenwood schoolhouse, or what they will do about it.
Voted. $100, to be expended under direction of Committee appointed at a previous meeting.
Art. 12. Tosee if the town will vote to accept the provisions of section 336, of chapter II, of the Revised Laws (the said section relating to the election of a Highway Sur- veyor) and to revoke the authority of the Selectmen to appoint a superintendent of streets.
Voted. To indefinitely postpone.
Art. 13. To see what action the town will take in regard to purchasing land on the borders of Crystal Lake, and raising and appropriating money for the same.
Voted. To refer to committee of five to report at an adjourn- ment of this meeting.
Chair appointed Geo. H. Maddock, T. J. Skinner, Cor- nelius Donovan, C. N. Winship, and Dr. J. H. Kimball. Voted. To adjourn until two weeks from tonight, Monday, Nov. 26, at 7.30 o'clock.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, NOV. 26, 1906.
Art. 14. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money to finish grading the new street at the entrance of Forest Glade Cemetery, or what they will do about it.
Indefinitely postponed.
Art. 13. Voted that the same persons act as a committee to consult with the State Board of Health, and if it makes
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suggestions as to proper steps to be taken to protect the Water Supply, to report such suggestions together with the names of owners of all land around the lake, and if pos- sible the price at which the same may be purchased. Voted. To adjourn for three weeks.
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING, DEC. 17, 1906.
Art. 15. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money to purchase pipe, for a drain in For- est Glade Cemetery, or what they will do about it. Laid on table.
Voted. To take up Article 13.
Committee presented report which was accepted.
Voted. To refer to special committee of nine to report at next annual town meeting. 72 Yes, 50 No.
Chair appointed Thomas Hickey, Warner V. Taylor, C. A. Dean, Mortimer Harris, E. C. Miller, T. E. Dwyer, Chas. T. Dunham, F. J. Henkel, Curtis L. Sopher.
Art. 16. To see if the town will authorize its treasurer, with the approval of its selectmen, to hire a sum of money sufficient to meet the appropriations made at this meet- ing, on a term not exceeding one year, and to issue the notes of the town therefor.
Voted. That the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, be authorized to hire the sum of $15,222.55 for a term not exceeding one year, to meet the appropria- tions made at this meeting, and to issue the notes of the town therefor.
Voted. That a vote of thanks be extended to the moderator, Voted. To dissolve the meeting.
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Selectmen's Report.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF WAKEFIELD :
The Selectmen respectfully submit for your inspection, a general resumé of the business transacted and the work ac- complished for the municipal year ending January 31st, 1907.
The reports of the several departments and committees under our control and supervision may be found embodied and made a part of our report.
ORGANIZATION.
The board organized March 8, 1906. Thomas G. O'Con- nell was elected chairman and George W. Abbott, secretary. Charles E. Walton was re-appointed clerk.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Street Department Albert D. Cate
Fire Department .
Levi Flanders
Military Department
Charles H. Studley, Jr.
Police Department
George W. Abbott
Town Hall
Thomas G. O'Connell
COMMITTEE ON SIGNING CHECKS.
Albert D. Cate Levi Flanders Charles H. Studley, Jr.
APPOINTMENTS.
Town Counsel M. E. S. Clemons
Supt. of Streets
H. O. Peckham
William E. Cade
Fire Engineers
E. S. Jacob
Frederick F. Anderson
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Forest Firewards .
T. F. Ringer S. T. Parker Jesse Edmands -
Chief of Police
Harvey G. Brockbank
Night Watch
Constables
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( Edwin F. Poland ( Lincoln S. Taintor Harvey G. Brockbank H. A. Simonds
Inspector of Milk H. A. Simonds
Collector of Milk Samples
Inspection of Animals
H. A. Simonds Palmer Corbett
Sealer of Weights and Measures
H. A. Simonds
Registrar of Voters for 3 years
. Cornelius Donovan
Janitor, Town Hall
Rufus F. Draper
Lockup Keeper
James A. McFadden
POLICE OFFICERS.
FOR SPECIAL DUTY.
Jas. A. McFadden, Edwin F. Poland,
Henry DeRoach,
Arthur H. Gould,
John A. Meloney,
E. H. Tyler, George E. Donald,
Andrew A. Magee,
Edward McDuffee,
Lewis E. Carter,
James Hurtin,
Geo. H. Potter, Patrick J. Maloney,
Fred J. Black,
Rufus F. Draper,
Herbert Downes,
Lincoln S. Taintor,
Joseph L. Preston, Jr.,
Geo. F. Leach,
Emil Nelson,
Eugene P. McDonnell, A. R. Sedgley,
H. A. Simonds,
Geo. O. Russell,
Roy D. Jones, Wm. R. Barry,
Harry P. Alden, J. Havelock Gates, Frank A. Nelson,
William H. Murray.
SURVEYOR OF LUMBER-W. C. Crocker.
WEIGHER OF MERCHANDISE-Albert D. Cate.
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SUPT. FOR SUPPRESSION OF GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTHS-W. W. Whittredge.
COMMITTEE ON SWEETSER CHARITY LECTURES-C. H. Howe, J. H. Carfrey, Eugene P. McDonnell, James H. Kim- ball, Edward J. Brett.
LICENSES GRANTED.
AUCTIONEERS' LICENSES-Chas. F. Hartshorne, Elroy N. Heath.
INNHOLDERS' LICENSES-M. L. Mahoney, Hotel North - rup.
JUNK DEALERS' LICENSES-I. Horivitz, Maurice Levine. John Taylor, Michael Holden, Hyman Barron, M. Arenstein & Co.
PEDLARS' LICENSES-J. W. S. Brown, A. M. Woodman, B. Holmes, E. L. Young, Geo. W. Quint, Jr., W. F. Bartlett, Francis W. Champagne, Jos. Reardon, Muse Bros., T. Ovans, J. H. Driscoll, F. C. Skinner, Jas. A. Savage, D. J. Daley.
VICTUALLERS' LICENSES-Ernest Mortimer, C. H. Chee- ver, Solon Walton, H. T. Mitchell, Will H. Wiley, Emma Rosson, Geo. H. Lee, Jas. G. Hunt, E. Mayers, Mrs. Patrick Lee, Mary De Cecca, Geo. L. Teague.
PONY EXPRESS LICENSES-American Express Co., Bar- stow's Ex., Eaton's Ex., B. J. Cotter, Sociorso Storti, Patrick Reardon, C. Sullo, G. W. Bateman.
RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
T. F. Ringer resigned as Forest Fireward. Elden S. Oliver appointed to vacancy.
C. H. Howe resigned from Sweetser Charity Lecture Committee. E. C. Miller appointed to vacancy.
A joint meeting of the Selectmen and Board of Health was held on March 22d to fill the vacancy in the Board of Health caused by the resignation of William H. McCausland. George E. Howard was elected to the vacancy.
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DRUGGISTS' LICENSES.
The Board unanimously voted not to grant any sixth class druggist licenses.
Chief of Police Brockbank when appointed was instructed to see that all violations of law were properly enforced.
PERAMBULATION OF TOWN' LINES.
The town lines between Stoneham and Wakefield were per- ambulated by the Selectmen of the respective towns on Oct. 17th, 1906, in conformity with law, and all monuments and bounds found to be in good order and condition.
The boundary lines between the city of Melrose and Wake- field were perambulated by a representative of the city gov- ernment of Melrose and the selectmen of Wakefield, on Oct. 17th, 1906, in conformity with law, and all monuments and bounds found to be in good order and condition.
The bound at the Melrose line, on Main street, will be changed to conform to the new line established by act of the Legislature of 1906. An arrangement having been made, whereby the city of Melrose will perform the work, the town of Wakefield paying one-half the expense of same.
The town lines between Lynnfield and Wakefield were per- ambulated by the Selectmen of the respective towns on Jan. 30th, 1907, in conformity with law, and all monuments and bounds found to be in good order and condition with the ex- ception of the bound located about 700 feet in from the western side of the street running from Lynnfield Centre to Mansfield's Corner, which is missing.
This bound was a cedar post located in a marsh, and has be- come buried in the marshy soil.
An arrangement has been made whereby this bound will be replaced with a galvanized iron pipe driven to hard bottom. The town of Lynnfield has agreed to perform the work; the town of Wakefield assuming one-half the cost.
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PETITIONS AND HEARINGS.
NEW ENGLAND TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CO.
There have been four petitions presented by the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. for rights in our streets, to locate and re-locate poles for maintaining wires.
Hearings have been held as required by law, after due notice to owners of abutting property.
Three petitions have been favorably acted upon and one refused.
Each grant contains the condition that the company shall reserve space for one cross arm at the top of all poles, to be available for any or all municipal purposes, required for the town's use.
All poles to be straight and suitably painted and set oppo- site the boundary line of lots, where possible.
PETITION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF ALBION STREET.
The Board under date of Nov. 22, 1906, petitioned the Massachusetts Highway Commission for an allotment of the State Highway appropriation under the so-called "Small Town Act " for the improvement of Albion Street, from Lake Street to the Stoneham line. Favorable action upon this petition will enable the town to drain and macadamize this street in the same manner as Main Street was done the past year, the State paying one-half the cost.
STREET RAILWAYS.
A petition dated May 10, 1906, was received from the Bos- ton & Northern St. Railway Co. asking for right to extend its tracks over Main street to the land of the Bay State Rifle Association.
A public hearing upon said petition was held at the office of the Selectmen June 1, 1906.
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The object of this petition was to enable the Street Rail- way Co. to run cars direct to the Rifle Ranges of the Bay State Rifle Association near the head of Lake Quannapowitt and was petitioned for mainly by request of this association.
At the hearing no remonstrance was offered to the granting of the petition.
The matter was held in abeyance for some time pending an agreement by the company to certain conditions which the board required.
After several conferences upon the matter between the Board, C. F. Woodward representing the Street Railway Co. and John M. Portal of the Bay State Rifle Association, it was finally agreed that the Street Railway Co. should pave the crossing at Lowell Street in a manner satisfactory to the Selectmen, and the Bay State Rifle Association furnish all filling and gravel necessary to widen Main Street, commenc- ing at Pine Street and running south about five hundred feet; the street between these points being very narrow; aud to contribute the sum of $75.00, the estimated cost of doing said widening. The franchise was then granted.
SPEED REGULATIONS FOR AUTOMOBILES AND MOTOR CYCLES.
IN BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
Voted. That the speed at which automobiles and motor cy- cles may be run in Wakefield shall not exceed fifteen miles per hour, between the Reading line and Salem street on Main street.
Eight miles per hour between Salem street and Charles street on Main street.
Fifteen miles per hour between Charles street and Melrose line on Main street.
Fifteen miles per hour between the Stoneham line and North avenue on Albion street.
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Eight miles per hour between North avenue and Main street on Albion street.
Ten miles per hour between Prospect street and North avenue on Chestnut street.
Ten miles per hour between Main street and Saugus line on Water street.
Ten miles per hour between Main street and Salem street on Lowell street.
Eight miles per hour between the Reading line and Lynn- field line on Pine street.
The above regulations have been duly published and ad- vertised as required by law.
COASTING PROHIBITED
ON CERTAIN STREETS.
Owing to dangerous conditions existing on certain streets, the Board voted to prohibit coasting upon the following named :
Prospect street, Chestnut street, Fairmount avenue, Otis street, Melvin street (north from Richardson street), and Cooper street in Greenwood.
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ACTS.
Following is a list of the titles of special acts petitioned for by the Selectmen and passed by the Legislature of 1906 :
CHAPT. 174.
An act to establish a Board of Survey for the town of Wakefield.
CHAPT. 249.
An act relative to water courses and drainage in the town of Wakefield.
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CHAPT. 376.
An act to change and establish the boundary line between the town of Wakefield and the city of Melrose.
For reference see Acts and Resolves of 1906.
PREVALENCE OF RABIES IN DOGS.
On Dec. 24th, the Chief of Police was notified of the pres- ence in town of a stray dog snarling and snapping at people on the streets. Whereupon, he immediately secured and placed him in quarantine in the basement of the town hall. While thus engaged, he was bitten upon the hand. Officer Tainter, in caring for the dog, was also bitten. Dur- ing quarantine, the dog died.
Upon advice of Dr. Richard Dutton, who cauterized the officers' wounds, the dog's head was immediately sent to Chief Peters of the State Cattle Bureau for examination. The autopsy proved that the dog was afflicted with rabies, which, without doubt caused its death.
Acting upon such information, the following order was issued forthwith by the Selectmen :
ORDERED-That all dogs, within the limits of the Town of Wakefield, be properly and securely muzzled or restrained from running at large between Dec. 28th, 1906, and March 3Ist, 1907, inclusive.
Within twenty-four hours of publication of the above order, warrants were issued by the Board to the constables and police officers of the town with authority to kill all dogs not properly muzzled or restrained.
In justness and fairness to Chief Brockbank and Officer Tainter, who were bitten, while in performance of their duties, arrangements were made by the Board whereby they were sent to New York City, at the town's expense, to undergo the anti-rabic treatment by the Board of Health of that city.
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SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE DISASTER.
In response to a communication received from Governor Curtis Guild, Jr., which was in the nature of a general call sent through the Commonwealth, appealing for assistance to aid the San Francisco earthquake sufferers, the Selectmen issued a call for a mass meeting of the citizens of Wakefield, which was held at the Town Hall, Monday evening, April 23d, 1906.
The meeting was presided over by Thomas G. O'Connell, chairman of the Selectmen, Harris M. Dolbeare was elected secretary, and Thomas J. Skinner, treasurer. The meeting was an enthusiastic and representative one. In a very short time $1258 was contributed or pledged by prominent business and professional men present.
A committee of five consisting of Rep. Charles A. Dean, M. Low, R. S. Stout, C. N. Winship and T. J. Skinner were appointed to choose an executive or relief committee of twenty-five to have charge of receiving and soliciting funds. The committee appointed was as follows :- Chairman, Thos. G. O'Connell; Sec'y, Harris M. Dolbeare; Treas., T. J. Skinner ; C. N. Winship, A. J. Wright, Junius Beebe, Rev. John D. Colbert, Rev. Hugh A. Heath, Rev. John R. Chaffee, Rev. C. Guy Robbins, Rev. W. R. Polhamus, Rev. Rufus S. Chase, Thomas Martin, A. L. Evans, J. M. Skully, R. S. Stout, E. C. Miller, C. A. Dean, E. E. Lee, M. Low, S. K. Hamilton, Levi Flanders, Col. E. J. Gihon, W. E. Cade, C. W. Eaton, S. O. Richardson, W. E. Rogers and Gen. G. A. Goodale.
A meeting of the committee was held at the close of the public meeting, and the following names added to the com- mittee :- T. F. Craige, A. D. Jenkins, C. F. Donovan, T. E. Dwyer, John S. Griffiths, H. I. Thayer, C. S. Young, C. H. Howe, J. H. Carfrey, Dr. C. E. Montague, C. E. Walton and H. A. Simonds.
The committee met with the generous and earnest coopera-
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tion of all citizens in this noble and charitable work, thereby swelling the fund to the grand total of $2,990.55, which was paid over to the treasurer of the Massachusetts Relief Com- mittee for California. Thus proving that the citizens of Wake- field are ever ready to extend a helping hand to their brethren in distress, whether at home or abroad.
TOWN HALL.
Acting under chap. 105, Revised Laws, the Board filed an application with the Massachusetts District Police for a new license for the hall, which has been favorably acted upon. This new license will permit of the occasional giving of oper- atic and dramatic performances by local talent, heretofore pro- hibited under the old form of license.
We believe this change will be greatly appreciated by all local organizations interested in the presentation of such en- tertainments and by the public generally.
To further add to the personal safety of our citizens attend- ing affairs at the hall, the Board has ordered that a fireman be detailed for duty upon all occasions, when the hall is rented, the expense for same to be borne by parties engaging the hall.
Upon recommendation of the Inspection Department of the Mass. District Police, a brass division, or hand rail, has been erected in the center of the main stairway of the hall. This is in line with other improvements recently installed, so as to bring the hall up to the standard requirements of the state.
The time is not far distant when the town will be called upon to make a substantial appropriation for the purpose of thoroughly renovating the interior of the hall. Many of the ceilings, side wall and floors are in bad condition, and the walls and wood work throughout need retinting and re- varnishing. The exterior of the building is also in need of repainting.
Extensive repairs of this character cannot be met from the
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regular appropriation, but must be met by special appropria- tion.
Owing to the town's present financial condition, the Board has refrained from bringing this matter directly to the town's attention through a properly inserted article in the Town Warrant calling for a special appropriation for such work, be- lieving it unwise just at this time to further increase the financial burden of the town, when "curtailment and econ- omy" should be the watchword, but rather embrace this opportunity to advise our citizens of the actual conditions ex- isting, and what may be expected in the very near future.
MILITARY.
Company A under the efficient management of Captain McMahon has maintained its previous fine record and the company is in the best of condition. It has been advisable to have more room on the ground floor and a part of the base- ment has been fitted up for a toilet room, at a comparatively small expense, Several other minor repairs have been made about the building and the building is in fair condition with perhaps the exception of shingling the main roof. It is really neccessary that the main building be shingled. The roof has been patched several times and it is a waste of money to try to make any further temporary repairs.
Through the efforts of Congressman Ernest W. Roberts, the town has received an order from the Navy Department for four cannon and two mounts. These can be shipped to Wakefield at any time, but the cannon are in New Jersey, and the town will have to bear the expense of getting them to Wakefield. Congressman Roberts is trying to get some cannon from the Charlestown Navy Yard. At present we do not know whether or not these can be assigned to us. If they can it will cost considerable less to get them to Wake- field. Wakefield can be sure, however, of having four can- non to adorn our Soldiers' Monument when spring opens.
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Soldier's Relief and State Aid.
The Board have had many applications for Soldier's Relief from new parties and some requests for an increase from those who have previously drawn soldier's relief. We find in practically all cases our citizens, who are entitled to soldiers' relief, do not request aid until it is absolutely neces- sary. We spent about the same amount of money this year as we did last. We find that applications for state aid are not made until relief is needed. In this matter the Board simply recommends the payment of state aid, but we have tried to be as careful of the state's money as we have been of our own, and have made full investigation.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
The affairs of this department have been ably conducted by M. E. S. Clemons, Esq., Town Counsel. His services have been of the highest value both to the town and its various Official Boards throughout the year.
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL.
To the Honorable THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN of the Town of Wakefield.
The following is a list of the cases pending in Court in which the Town is a party and unless otherwise noted the Town is defendant : Actions of tort-Thomas L. Harris, Pet- er Corbett, Thomas McDonald, (last two defended by Insur- ance Company), Emma F. Doyle, Mary A. Doucet, John A. Keefe, Catherine A. Barry and Amelia J. Shepherd.
Actions of contract-Conway Contracting Co., Daniel A. Dorey, Frederick A. Cushing, James R. Reid and Wakefield vs. American Surety Co.
Other pending cases-Four petitions for damages from widening of Main Street, six petitions to set aside sewer as- sessments and one petition for damages from sewer taking.
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The Thomas McDonald case was tried (Insurance Co. de- fended), verdict for town. Exceptions pending for two years.
Daniel A. Dorey case has been heard by an auditor, and his report favorable to the town filed.
Frederick J. Cushing case has been heard in part by an auditor.
Wakefield vs. American Surety Co. was heard in part by the Court and then referred to an auditor and hearings (cov- ering nearly three weeks) finished. His report not filed.
Three of the petitions for damages from widening of Main St. were tried before a jury and verdicts ordered for the Town. These cases may go to the Supreme Court.
Cases finally disposed of during year : Mariana Mansfield settled for $25.00, Susan C. Pentz settled for $50.00, Jennie M. Brown tried twice before jury, first time a disagreement, second time verdict for Town. The other cases which ap- peared in last year's report and not in the above list were dis- missed by the Court on calling of the docket
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. S. CLEMONS,
Town Counsel.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
This important branch of the Town's service is in first class condition as to apparatus and equipment and is managed by an efficient Chief and two Assistant Engineers. There have been no serious fires during the past year, but the de- partment has responded to the usual number of alarms very promptly, thereby on several occasions averting what might have been serious losses.
By vote of the Town at the annual town-meeting an ap- propriation was made for the purchase of a combination chemical and hose-wagon, the appropriation being placed in the hands of a special committee appointed by the Town. The wagon purchased was built by the American La France
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ompany of Seneca Falls, N. Y. It was put in commission Nov. 13, 1906, and the Board believe that this will prove to be the most valuable piece of fire fighting ap- paratus in the town's service. By the introduction of the combination wagon it has made it possible for the engineer s to dispense with the two-wheeled hose carriage known as the Carter Hose, and by not filling vacancies that have occurred during the past year and by a system of transfers by the engineers, the membership of the department has been re- duced; the total membership now being fifty-seven (57) men. This in no way weakens the efficiency of the department.
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