USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1905-1907 > Part 25
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63
Report of Sweetser Lecture Committee.
MARCH 17, 1906.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
Gentlemen :- The Committee herewith submits its report of the Lecture Course for the season of 1905-6. The Com- mittee begs leave to repeat from its report of last year as fol- lows: "The Committee believes that the best interest of the course would be subserved by appointing the Committee early in the spring." If the appointment of the Committee is delayed till the early summer, the course is more apt to be hastily arranged and therefore less satisfactory.
SWEETSER LECTURE COURSE.
RECEIPTS.
717 season tickets,
$358 50
32 evening
Nov. 8, 1905,
6 40
20
66 Dec. 6,
4 00
98
" 13,
19 60
78
66
" 20,
15 60
IIO
Feb. 7, 1906,
22 IO
Income of Sweetser fund,
400 00
$826 20
EXPENDITURES.
Jacob Riis, Nov. 8, 1905,
$100 00
Newell Dwight Hillis, Dec. 6, 1905,
150 00
Arthur K. Peck, Dec. 13, 1905, .
35 00
Alexander P. Doyle, Dec. 20, 1905,
150 00
Benjamin B. Lindsey, Feb. 7, 1906, Willard S. Lavery, selling tickets,
5 00
Albert E. Wiggin, taking
5 00
John L. Donovan, 66
5 00
Harvey Coffin, officers,
10 00
Citizen and Banner, advertising,
26 05
.
200 00
64
Item Press, . $33 00
Carriage hire, postage, telegrams, etc., 7 30
Balance unexpended, . 99 85
Respectfully submitted, $826 20
EDWARD J. BRETT, M. D.,
J. H. CARFREY, JAMES H. KIMBALL, M. D.,
EUGENE P. MCDONALD, CHARLES H. HOWE, Chairman,
Committee.
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures.
HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN : -
Gentlemen : - My report for this department for the year ending Jan. 31, '07, is as follows:
Scales sealed
I72
66 condemned
.
I4
adjusted
7
Weights sealed
454
adjusted
43
Measures sealed
160
66 condemned
3
Milk Bottles sealed
IOII
condemned
I2
For work performed outside the office the sum of $39.78 has been collected and paid to the Town Treasurer.
Heyward Bros. and Wakefield Co.,
$8 34
C. H. Walsh,
83
J. Wallace Grace,
I 32
A. W. Acorn
74
Gowing's Market,
95
M. O'Keefe,
92
Curley Bros., .
I 65
·
.
.
65
John Toomey,
$1 12
Thomas Hickey,
I 2I
Middlesex Traders' Ice Co.,
I 18
L. E. Bennett,
I 12
Orrin Maxim,
76
Lowden's Market,
80
E. E. Lee,
I 07
McDonald's Grocery Store,
74
S. H. Hellen,
I
I2
John G. Reid,
I OI
Lawrence Kirk,
59
Horton Bros.,
24
Simpson's Quincy Market
I 37
Winship, Boit & Co.,
3 19
Smith & Anthony Co.,
62
H. B. Evans Co.,
I 2I
B. & M. R. R. (Center Sta.),
62
C. Welch,
61
Wright & Ditson,
89
H. M. Dolbeare, .
65
W. L. Block,
I 19-
Killorin Construction Co.,
I 24
Geo. L. Teague, .
03
American Express Co.,
71
Water Department,
I 12
Fire Department,
62
Respectfully submitted,
H. A. SIMONDS, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Jan. 31, 1907.
----
66
Highway Department.
To the Honorable, the Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- The following is a report of the business of the Highway department for the year ending January 31, 1907.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Regular, $5,000, and street railway tax, $6,081.78 $11,081 78
New shed,
400 00
Steam roller,
1,590 00
Greenwood concrete, 500 00
Birch Hill avenue,
1,200 00
Railroad street sidewalk, .
150 00
Main street,
3,000 00
Richardson street (balance from 1905),
278 48
$18,200 26
RECEIPTS.
State highway commission, $3,000 00
Cash to credit of Main street,
35 75
66
" Highway (reg.),
308 46
66
Greenwood concrete, 37 03
$3,381 24
Total receipts, .
$21,581 50
EXPENDITURES.
Highway (regular),
$11,700 06
New shed,
.
341 75
Steam roller,
1,590 00
Greenwood concrete,
628 10
Birch Hill avenue, .
1,600 34
Railroad street sidewalk,
306 83
Main street, inc. extra work,
6,644 64
Richardson street, .
364 30
$23,176 02 Overdraft in all items
$1,594 52
67
DETAILED EXPENDITURES.
HIGHWAY (regular).
Administration or Operative,
$504 91
Water rate, .
$30 00
Coal,
338 52
Oil,
57 59
Inspection boilers,
10 00
Express and freight,
II 30
Stationery,
2 25
Repairs to engine,
14 12
to buildings,
41 13
Crushing plant :
Extraordinary expense due to damage from blast,
178 45
Equipment (new),
707 18 .
Steam hose, .
$17 20
Emergency outfit,
7 61
Drill,
150 00
Jaws,
84 00
Belt,
53 56
Steel,
20 00
Platform,
33 06
$365 43
(Note : - The above are for tools or appliances that last a number of years, and may, for want of a better word, be called expenditures for perma- nent tools ; a credit (not monetary) should be al- lowed the appropriation for this reason. ) New shed,
. Tools,
472 22
Purchase of new, . $218 48
Sharpening and repair,
238 96
Express and freight, 14 78
·
·
341 75
68
Street Signs and Guide Boards, Painting and lettering boards Labor, putting up, Hardware. .
$50 00
29 50
2 54
Bridges, . · .
44 14
Repairs Linden avenue,
$2 28
New Salem street,
41 86
Fences (repairs),
108 60
Labor,
$64 87
Team,
I 4I
Painting,
2 50
Material,
39 82
Concrete,
·
.
702 53
Labor,
$402 41
Material,
300 12
Edge Stone,
80 91
Resetting,
$24 15 .
New curbing,
52 26
Lights and labor,
4 50
Cleaning, 3,497 60
General, to streets and gutters,
. $2,661 31
Of catch-basins,
125 50
Albion street,
.
37 80
Main street (Greenwood),
56 00
Greenwood street,
157 85
Wave avenue,
19 13
Mowing,
205 50
Leaves,
III 35
Brook (Holden's), 25 00
66 (east of Main street), 48 10
Stripping ledge,
30 06
Beach,
20 00
Repairs, 468 03
Sanding macadam streets,
$50 45
$82 04
.
.
69
Water street,
9 98
Main street, (to paving)
2 50
Rolling gas trenches,
16 00
Vernon street,
16 75
Crescent street,
22 85
Bartley street,
26 75
Cross walks,
II 60
Bennett street,
58 15
Main and Cooper streets,
19 90
Pleasant street,
2 00
Fairmount avenue,
4 00
General and washouts,
227 IO
Drains,
1,013 65
North avenue, new C. B's and pipe,
32 65
Nahant, C. B.,
.
30 75
Emerson,
9 15
Summer,
71 05
Spring,
196 70
Jordan avenue,
95 60
Broadway,
77 20
Wave avenue,
9 90
Pleasant street,
29 00
Unloading pipe,
3 00
Castings,
216 63
Pipe and cement, .
90 70
Elm street, .
5 70
Crescent street,
33 90
Morrison road,
3 95
Yale avenue,
18 00
Albion,
20 50
Main street culvert,
58 95
North ave.
7 40
Freight,
2 92
Snow work,
.
755 51
Labor,
681 31
Sand,
15 90
Painting plows,
29 50
Repairs to
28 80
.
.
-----
70
Patching and removing stone, .
$1,074 40
Labor, .
$772 25
Material,
302 1.5
Construction, ·
1,309 49
North Avenue C. B's., .
59 50
Nahant Street widening,
409 16
Railroad Street sidewalk,
306 83
Church Street,
II 50
Gould Street widening,
38 00
Lowell Street,
5 50
Richardson Street,
5 50
Emerson Street,
48 90
Prospect Street,
30.75
Greenwood Park,
154 25
Traverse Street,
III 50
Main Street,
55 00
Otis Street,
58 50
Miscellaneous,
14 60
Sidewalks, .
·
700 40
Converse Street,
149 34
Park Street, 3 00
Albion Street,
3 50
Hart Street, .
22 15
Church Street,
41 60
Removing stone,
73 75
Pleasant Street,
IO2 26
Cedar Street,
66 70
Lowell Street,
12 00
Wakefield Park,
27 95
North Avenne,
3 20
Summer and Nahant,
II 60
Water Street,
30 90
Murray,
II OO
Elm,
14 10
Albion, ·
60 05
Miscellaneous,
67 30
71
GREENWOOD CONCRETING.
Sidewalks on Greenwood avenue, Orchard avenue, Hillis avenue and Pine street, have been rebuilt or renewed ; the total length of sidewalk was 3,200 feet, and the net cost of the work per sq. yd. was under 43 cents per sq. yd. The estimate for this work as submitted was $650, - the appropriation $500.
BIRCH HILL AVENUE.
Work on this street proved more costly than the estimate, due to difficulties not expected in the excavations for the drains, and the necessity of reconstructing the outlet which was unforeseen. The cost of macadam surfacing using tar as a binder, was estimated too low in the lack of data concern- ing such work, and the nature of the foundation required the use of additional stone.
The street, as built, has proved eminently satisfactory as concerns wearing quality and durability.
RAILROAD STREET SIDEWALK.
In the construction of this work, it was deemed best to es- tablish a grade for this street, and build a sidewalk to conform to it ; to do this required much more in the way of material and labor than to simply resurface which is all the appropria- tion would have allowed of. It was also found necessary to re- construct a portion of the Wakefield brook culvert and put in a new bridge over the same.
MAIN STREET.
This street has been macadamized from a point near Low- ell street to Aborn avenue, a length of 4,200 feet. The expen_ diture on this street is $6,644 64
which includes extra work on shoulders and drains 209 73
$6,434 91
Cash credits received $38.25, bills receivable $13.00, 51 25
Net cost,
$6,383 66
72
RICHARDSON STREET.
The appropriation for this street was made in 1905, and the work completed this year ; the hill has been tar macadamized, sidewalks repaired and stumps removed. The appropriation of $1,400 has been overdrawn $85.82. The estimate for this work was $1,450.
Moth Department.
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF SELECTMEN :
Gentlemen : - I herewith submit to you my report of the Brown tail and Gypsy Moth Department ending Dec. 31, 1906.
In relation to Gypsy Moths, I find they have greatly in- creased in the woodlands, also on private property where the owners have paid no attention to exterminating them; it is un- fortunate that owners of property do not apprehend the great danger in neglecting to destroy the Gypsy moth nests and caterpillars, thereby assisting the State in exterminating them; this not being done necessitates the state cutting down a great many trees which would be impossible to clear of nests on account of the great expense.
I am glad to report the street trees and parks in good con- dition. The woodlands adjoining Stoneham, Melrose and Saugus are badly infested. We were able to get the U. S. Government to take care of Nahant street from the Saugus line to Melvin street ; also as far as the woodland extends on Water street from the Saugus line.
The Brown-tail moths we find mostly on oak and pear trees, few on other trees, but are not in large quantities on the oak and pear, but what nest there are find the caterpillars in a healthy condition.
For detailed account of expenditures see Auditor's report.
Respectfully submitted,
W. W. WHITTREDGE, Superintendent.
73
Conclusion.
TREASURER'S BOND.
United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co., $25,000, expires April 29, 1907.
TAX COLLECTOR'S BOND.
American Surety Co., $15,000, expires March 4, 1907.
The Board of Selectmen has held fifty-two regular and nine special meetings during the year.
There have been 3,081 orders drawn on the Town Treas- urer, aggregating $224,039.89.
Applications for 43 building permits have been granted, representing an estimated value of $53,020.00.
There is a large volume of business annually requiring the attention of the Board. As the town grows and expands, there is a proportionate increase in the amount of work in the several departments. All matters coming before us have been thoroughly and carefully considered.
As a whole, your Board has endeavored to serve the inter- ests of the town faithfully and efficiently during the year.
In closing, we desire to express our thanks and apprecia- tion to the several Boards of the town, to the Clerk of the Board, Charles E. Walton, for his able and efficient ser- vices, and to the citizens generally for their loyal support and co-operation throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS G. O'CONNELL, Chairman. GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Secretary. LEVI FLANDERS, CHARLES H. STUDLEY, JR., ALBERT D. CATE.
74
Assessors' Report.
Assessed value of personal estate,
excluding .resident bank
stock,
. $1,185,265
Resident bank stock,
88,889
$1,274,154
Assessed value of real estate :
Land,
. $3,028,695
Buildings, .
. 4,052,840
$7,081,535
Total valuation
$8,355,689
Number of residents assessed on property :
Individuals,
1,503
All others,
214
Total,
1,717
Number of non-residents assessed on property :
Individuals,
537
All others, .
80
Total,
617
Number of taxpayers :
On property,
2,334
For poll tax only, .
2,10I
Total,
4,435
Number of poll taxpayers,
2,968
Number of dwellings assessed,
1,922
" acres of land assessed,
3,987
66 " horses assessed,
402
Number of cows assessed
304
Rate of taxation per thousand
.
$20 80
·
.
.
.
.
.
75
Tax for state, county and town, including over- layings :
On personal estate,
$26,502 40
On real estate,
147,295 92
On polls, .
5,936 00
Total,
$179,734 32
Value of property exempt from taxation :
Church property, $237,200 00
Charitable associations,
4,700 00
Metropolitan Park reservation, .
15,000 00
Cemeteries,
15,000 00
$271,900 00
Total tax levy for the year 1906 :
TIME LOANS.
New cemetery, due June 1, 1906, $500 00
Municipal light, due Oct. 1, 1906, 6,000 00
Greenwood gas extension, due July 1, 1906, 1,000 00 Warren school house, due Oct, 1, 1906, 2,000 00
Water, due Oct. 1, 1906, . 4,000 00
Greenwood school house, due Oct. 1, 1906,
1,000 00
Junction school house, due Oct. 1, 1906, .
1,500 00
Sewerage, 2d issue, due Oct. 1, 1906,
1,000 00
Sewerage, Ist issue, due Nov. 1, 1906, North school house, due Nov. 1, 1906
500 00
Greenwood school house, due Nov. 1, 1906,
1,000 00
Cooper street bridge, due Nov. 1, 1906, 500 00
Metropolitan parks, due Nov. 1, 1906, 500 00
500 00
Junction school house, due Nov. 1, 1906, . Fire station, due Dec. 1, 1906,
1,000 00
High school repairs, due Dec. 1, 1906,
1,000 00
Park (local), due Dec. 1, 1906, 500 00
Gas bench renewal, due Dec. 1, 1906,
550 00
.
.
2,000 00
$25,050 00
76
APPROPRIATIONS.
September meeting :
· $2,000 00 Highway,
November meeting :
Miscellaneous, $2,000 00
Moth suppression,
3,000 00
Street lighting system, additions and alterations, .
1,000 00
Municipal Light plant, new boilers,
3,700 00
Municipal Light Plant, reimburse- ments,
2,500 00
Common and park,
100 00
Richardson street macadamizing, .
1,400 00
Fire alarm box, S. & A. Foundry, 55 00
New seats, Town Hall,
577 40
14,332 40
March meeting :
Schools, salaries, .
43,000 00
Contingent,
2,500 00
Fuel,
4,800 00
Supplies,
2,800 00
Interest,
13,000 00
Main street macadamizing,
3,000 00
Street watering cart,
250 00
Street sprinkling, .
1,800 00
Poor department, .
6,000 00
Night watch,
1,800 00
Fire department, .
7,500 00
Forest Fire Wards,
300 00
Miscellaneous,
6,000 00
Town Hall expenses,
1,800.00
Park department,
750 00
R. L. G. armory,
600 00
State aid,
4,000 00
Soldiers' relief,
4,000 00
Military aid,
600 00
Public Library,
450 00
77
Reading Room,
$250 00
Fish committee,
25 00
Insurance,
467 61
Salaries,
6,410 00
Hydrant rental,
4,350 00
Steam road roller,
1,590 00
Police department,
2,000 00
Sewer department, maintenance, . 1,050 00
Construction, . 350 00
Salaries, comm'ners, 300 00
Municipal Light plant, maintenance, 38,000 00
Extensions, 2,000 00
Maint. fire alarm,
250 00
Water department, maintenance,
12,500 00
New construction, 5,000 00
Salaries, commis's 300 00
Fire department, combination wagon, 1,850 00
Highway department, 5,400 00
Birch Hill avenue macadamizing,
1,800 00
Sidewalks, Greenwood district, Railroad street,
150 00
Memorial day,
300 00
Moth suppression,
450 00
July Fourth, , 500 00
Greenwood School House Hall,
700 00
Salary of moderator,
25 00
$191,467 61
State tax,
8,890 00
County tax,
8,842 70
Metropolitan sewer tax,
7,140 26
Metropolitan park tax,
3,578 66
Wellington bridge tax,
74 12
Total,
$261,374 65 ALSTEAD W. BROWNELL, CHARLES A. DEAN, FREDERIC S. HARTSHORNE,
Assessors of Wakefield.
500 00
78
Report of the Board of Health.
The Board of Health herewith submits its annual report.
The total number of contagious cases were as follows :
Typhoid Fever,
3
Diptheria,
I8
Scarlet Fever,
55
Measles,
326
Owing to the contagiousness of Tuberculosis the Board would advise, that in every family where it exists, the great- est care be maintained, both by the family and the one af- fected. Material raised should be burnt. Especial care should be taken to prevent the patient coming in contact with other members of the household. A separate room, and sep- arate towels should be used.
Houses containing Consumption should be thoroughly fumi- gated after death.
The only way to stamp out Consumption is by the most strenuous care of the patient by the family where it exists.
The Board again suggests to all persons whose houses are on the line of the Public Sewer, to connect as soon as possible.
During the year past, all milk establishments have been throughly inspected by a State Inspector and the Health Officer (Geo. E. Howard) of the Board, and the conditions were found to be generally favorable.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. J. W. HEATH, Chairman, GEORGE E. HOWARD, AUGUSTUS D. JENKINS, Secretary.
79
Report of the Inspector of Plumbing.
To the Chairman and Members of the Board of Health :
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to submit the following report of work done in my department, for the year ending December 31st, 1906:
Applications filed,
105
Left over 1905, .
5
Inspections on applications,
IIO
Left over 1906, .
2
Calls made,
389
Investigations,
37
Water closets,
Set, 92
Bath tubs,
43
Bowls,
5I
Sinks,
94
Trays,
48
Urinals,
5
Shower baths,
66
2
Butlers' sinks,
I
Chemical sinks,
66
I
Laundry gutter washers,
66
2
Alterations,
9
Ventilation of old fixtures,
17
Sewer connections,
41
Cesspool
29
By-passes discovered and corrected, .
2
I thank the Secretary, the Board, and my craft ; also the citizens at large, for their kind co-operation.
Respectfully,
GREENLEAF S. TUKEY,
Inspector.
January Ist, 1907.
I
Foot
80
Financial Report of the Cemetery Commissioners.
--------
The Cemetery Commissioners herewith respectfully submit their financial report for the year ending Jan. 31, 1907.
RECEIPTS.
Feb. 1, 1906, balance available, .
$269 36
Received from sale of lots, . $III 75
" grass in Sec. B, 50
" one cedar post,
I IO
66 wood,
I55 81
60
" lumber, 29 00
rental of pasture, . 41 00
building mon't foundation, 12 00
for opening graves, 29 00
380 16
$649 52
EXPENDITURES.
1906.
" Wakefield Daily Item " advertising, $ 6. 75
L. F. Terrill, labor, 15 25
W. H. Murray, labor, . 8 00
Franklin Nickerson, labor,
8 25
James R. Reid, labor, .
38 75
James'R. Reid, tool house,
12 00
Cutler Bros., supplies, .
21 64
A. H. Thayer, stationery,
90
Geo. E. Donald, surveying,
2 00
1904.
Oliver Walton, bill of 1904,
15 20
-----------
--
66
·
81
1906. .
James A. Bancroft, surveying, $II 75
Austin L. Mansfield, labor, . 42 80
$183 29
Feb. 1. 1907, balance available,. . $466 23
OLIVER WALTON, Chairman of Committee, FRANKLIN NICKERSON, JAMES R. REID, Secretary.
. . .. . . ...
---- -- ----
82
Report of Fourth of July Committee.
The celebration of the Fourth of July was this year provid- ed for by an appropriation by the town. At the town meet- ing in March an appropriation of $500 was made for the pur- pose and the undersigned committee was charged with its expenditure.
The committee feels assured that the new plan has provided in every way a desirable change from the former method of soliciting subscriptions to defray the expenses of a celebration of Independence Day. Our merchants and business men were relieved from the solicitation which, being repeated year after year, had become more or less annoying and burdensome.
Instead of the expense falling upon a few it was borne by the town as a whole so that every one felt that he had a share in the privilege of enjoying the day.
The amount devoted to the purpose made it possible to provide a program of variety and excellence that gave our people the satisfaction of spending the holiday at home with- out the inconvenience and expense of going elsewhere.
Inclement weather marred in a degree the day's pleasure, but the program was carried out in full, nevertheless.
Following is a statement of the receipts and expenditures. A deficit of $4.43 was made good by the chairman of the committee.
RECEIPTS.
Town appropriation,
$500 00
Balance from 1905,
20 80
Total,
$520_80
83
EXPENDITURES.
Band Concerts,
$150 00
Fireworks,
175 00
Children's Entertainment,
62 00
Ralph Johnson, cornetist,
2 00
Water Sports,
30 00
Athletic Games,
42 00
Hose Contest,
30 00
Marionette Exhibition,
15 00
Printing, etc.,
6 00
Ringing Bells,
10 00
Lumber,
3 23
Total,
$525 23
CHARLES N. WINSHIP, MICHAEL LOW, GEORGE W. ABBOTT.
84
Report of Sewer Commissioners.
TO THE TOWN OF WAKEFIELD :
Your sewer commissioners herewith submit their seventh annual report.
The work of the Sewer Department is divided under three heads, namely, construction, maintenance and house connec- tion. Appropriations are made by the town for construction and maintenance. No appropriation is made for house con- nections, as the receipts govern entirely the expenditures, the work done being petitioned for and paid for by the household- ers. For house connections the past year, about $1,050 was received and expended.
CONSTRUCTION.
No new work of laying of sewers has been done during 1906. The appropriation made by the town was $350, of which sum $127.96 has been paid on account of bills contracted in 1905, and $36.42 has been paid to engineer and clerk on ac- count of work done in connection with the trials of claims in court against the town. These claims were for construction. The amounts paid the engineer and clerk are a portion of regular salary and not an extra. For the coming year no ap- propriation is asked for under the head of construction.
There are claims for damages outstanding, but at the pres- ent time these claims are not in such definite form as to war- rant the commissioners in asking for an appropriation.
MAINTENANCE.
The maintenance account covers the greater part of the work of the department for which an appropriation is made. The financial report shows in detail the character of the ex- penditures.
85
For maintenance during the coming year, your commission- ers ask for a considerably less amount than was appropriated in 1906, and it is expected that this amonnt will be sufficient for the needs of the department unless some unforseen condi- tions arise. It should be remembered however that as the sewerage system becomes older, a slightly increased yearly expenditure may be expected rather than a considerable de- crease. Your commissioners are endeavoring to keep the expense of maintenance at the lowest possible figure consist- ent with economical administration and for the coming year we recommend a decrease of about 25% in the appropriation.
HOUSE CONNECTION.
Probably some saving could be made to the town and a con- siderable saving made to those connecting with the sewers if the time for installing house connectious were limited to four or five months of the year, except of course in cases of unex- pected necessity. In order to do proper work and do it at a low cost experienced workmen are necessary. Experienced work- men cannot be retained by the sewer department unless there is sufficient work on house connections to give them regular employment and fair pay. During the past year about forty house connections have been made, the work being intermit- tent through ten months. There seems to be sufficient reasons why householders should elect to connect with the sewer dur- ing at least four or five particular months, and under such an arrangement we believe that the work could be done at a less cost than if the present any-time-during-the-year system is continued. That however is a matter we leave to the town and to the good judgment of those seeking connections with the sewers. Your commissioners are here to do any and all the work the town demands at any particular time demanded.
GENERAL WORK.
During the past year, meetings of the Sewer Commission- ers have been held regularly on Wednesday night of each week, and a considerable amount of routine business trans-
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acted. Numerous petitions from citizens have been received in relation to house connections, claims for damages, abate- ments of assessments or interest charges. All of which have been heard and acted on. Several conferences have been held with the Town Counsel in relation to suits pending against the town. Attendance in court during the trial of claims has been necessary. The thanks of the department and the town are due to former Sewer Commissioner William H. Lee, who has been of great assistance to the town in the trial of construction and assessment claims.
The storage building near the Junction Station has been repaired and put in good condition. Freight can be unload- ed directly from the cars and stored in this building which is open to any town department. Your commissioners believe that this building should be maintained for general town uses. In case further construction work is voted by the town such a building will be a necessity.
We regret to record the death of William B. Daniel, a member of the Sewer Commission during the past year. Mr. Daniel was elected to the commission when the sewer work was first begun by the town, and he continued to serve the town actively almost until the time of his death. His large experience in town affairs, his understanding of the work of the department, his excellent judgment in new en- terprises, and his good standing with the citizens of the town made him a man of the greatest value to the Sewer Department.
HOUSE CONECTIONS.
Total number of applications to date, 397
Total number connections made, 388
Total number made during 1906, . .
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