USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1901-1905 > Part 13
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E. FAULKNER CONANT, Clerk Board of Selectmen of Acton.
A true copy. Attest : (Signed) HORACE F. TUTTLE, Town Clerk of Acton.
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Annual Reports
Report of Overseers of Poor.
Inventory of Stock and Provisions on Hand Feb. 28, 1903.
Two horses,
$310 00
Ten cows,
450 00
Two heifers,
70 00
Two yearlings,
30 00
Eight tons hay,
160 00
One cow,
20 00
Twenty cords wood,
100 00
Farming tools,
25 00
One sled,
25 00
Hay wagon,
30 00
Market wagon,
65 00
One set double harnesses,
22 00
Express harness,
20 00
Two light harnesses,
14 00
Three collars and pad,
3 00
Grain,
7 00
Corn on ear,
35 00
Roller,
5 00
Horse rake,
12 00
Stone drag,
4 00
Twenty-five market boxes,
2 50
Drain pipe,
4 80
One two-horse cart,
25 00
Two harrows,
15 00
Cultivator,
5 00
Seven ladders,
12 00
Wheelbarrow,
3 00
Hay cutter,
2 00
Three plows,
14 00
One feed trough,
2 00
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Town of Acton.
One canvas cover,
$1 75
Pung,
5 00
Two democrat wagons,
45 00
Four blankets,
6 00
Plow point,
50
One set measures,
50
Salt,
90
Apple header,
1 00
Lumber,
8 00
Wrench,
75
Five sows,
3 00
Wagon jack,
1 50
Thirty-six hens,
27 00
Mowing machine,
10 00
Grindstone,
1 00
Spray pump,
8 00
Thirty-five apple barrels,
7 00
Ten barrels apples,
10 CO
Seventy-five bushels potatoes,
56 25
Washing machine,
5 00
Six baskets,
1 50
Range and water front,
28 00
Lounge,
2 50
Three rocking chairs,
4 00
Pork and barrel,
3 50
Two lanterns,
1 00
Two razors,
2 00
Raisins,
15
Lamps,
2 50
Soap,
50
Two axes,
1 50
Molasses,
70
Lard,
45
Butter,
2 90
Spices,
50
Flour,
3 75
Sugar,
1 25
Fruit jars,
3 00
Brooms,
75
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Annnal Reports
Canned fruit,
$2 25
Crockery and tin ware,
8 00
Barrel crackers,
2 65
Tea and coffee,
65
Oil and tank,
1 40
Pails and tubs,
3 00
Three stoves,
20 00
Two cabinet chairs,
2 50
Three tables,
6 00
Eight chairs,
4 00
Fifteen cords 4-foot wood,
60 00
Air cushion,
1 00
Chamber set,
12 00
Two beds and springs (new),
11 00
Other bedding,
45 00
Bed pan,
3 00
Traps,
50
Two trunks,
2 00
Wheel chair,
22 00
Two clocks,
6 00
Cereals,
1 00
Soft soap,
4 00
Hams,
2 50
$1,971 35
Receipts from farm,
1,455 46
Victualing and lodging 246 tramps,
61 50
$3,488 31
DR.
Expenditures,
$1,609 36
Interest on farm, $3,500 at 3 per cent,
105 00
Inventory, March 1, 1902,
1,938 10
$3,652 46
Less receipts and stock on farm,
3,488 31
Cost of supporting poor on farm,
$164 15
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Town of Acton.
Inmates at Farm During Year.
Sarah Hunt,
Lucy Hapgood,
Frank H. Harris, William Quinlan,
12 months. 12 66
10
12 66 LYMAN C. TAYLOR, WM. F. KELLEY, I. WARREN FLAGG, Overseers of Poor.
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Annual Reports
Report of the Tree Warden.
To the Citizens of Acton :
During the past year the work of this department has been confined almost wholly to the preservation of suitable shade trees by the side of the public ways, the granting of permits for the cutting of wood and removal of trees within said ways, and to the prevention of the disfigurement of the wayside trees, and, by consequence, of the ways themselves, through the attaching to such trees of advertisements, placards, etc.
I desire to express my appreciation of the willing assistance which the wardens have received from all good citizens in all of the above mentioned work.
In reply to several inquiries and for the information of the public, the law relating to the protection of shade trees is here published in full.
It is to be remembered that the protection of the law is extended to the whole of the tree - to its roots as well as to its trunk and branches.
CHAS. J. WILLIAMS, Tree Warden.
NOTE .- Upon application to the tree warden or to a deputy tree warden by persons desiring to cut trees growing within the limits of a public way along their lands and outside of village limits, such trees as the Town desires to permanently retain will be marked, and a permit given to cut the remainder.
Revised Laws.
CHAPTER 53.
Section 12. The tree warden may appoint and remove dep- uty tree wardens. He and they shall receive such compensation as the town determines, or, in default thereof, as the selectmen allow. He shall have the care and control of all public shade trees in the town, except those in public parks or open places
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Town of Acton.
under the jurisdiction of the park commissioners, and of those, if so requested in writing by the park commissioners, and shall enforce all the provisions of law for the preservation of such trees. He shall expend all money appropriated for the setting out and maintenance of such trees. Regulations for their care and preservation made by him, approved by the selectmen and posted in two or more public places, imposing fines and forfeit- ures of not more than twenty dollars in any one case, shall have the force and effect of town by-laws. All shade trees within the limits of a public way shall be public shade trees.
Section 13. Public shade trees outside the residential part of a town, as determined by the selectmen, shall not be cut or removed, in whole or in part, except by the tree warden or his deputy or by a person holding a license so to do from the tree warden. Public shade trees within said residential part shall not be cut, except for trimming by the tree warden, nor shall they be removed by the tree warden or his deputy or other per- son without a public hearing at a suitable time and place, after notice thereof posted in two or more public places in the town and upon the tree and after authority granted by the tree war- den therefor. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall forfeit not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars to the use of the town.
CHAPTER 208.
Section 102. Whoever wantonly injures, defaces or destroys an ornamental or shade tree in a public way or place, or negli- gently or willfully suffers an animal, driven by or for him or belonging to him and lawfully in a public way or place, to injure, deface or destroy such tree, or whoever, by any other means, neg- ligently or willfully injures, defaces or destroys such tree, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars, one- half to the use of the complainant and one-half to the use of the city or town in which said act is committed; and shall in addition thereto be liable to said city or town or other person interested in said tree for all damages caused by said act.
Section 103. Whoever negligently or willfully suffers an animal, driven by or for him or belonging to him and lawfully on the highway, to injure, deface or destroy a tree which is not his own, standing for use or ornament on the highway, or whoever,
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Annual Reports
by any other means, negligently or willfully injures, defaces or destroys such tree, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than one hundred dollars, one-half to the use of the complainant and one-half to the use of the city or town in which said act is com- mitted; and shall in addition thereto be liable in damages to the owners or tenant of the land in front of which the tree stands.
Section 104. Whoever affixes to a tree in a public way or place a playbill, picture, announcement, notice, advertisement or other thing, whether in writing or otherwise, or cuts, paints or marks such tree except for the purpose of protecting it and under a written permit from the officers having the charge of such trees in a city or from the tree warden in a town, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars for each offence. The tree warden shall enforce the provisions of this and the preceding two sections in towns.
73
Town of Acton.
Report of the Board of Health.
TOWN OF ACTON FOR YEAR 1902.
The Board of Health submits the following report for the year ending March 1, 1903 :
The number of deaths occurring in the Town during the year ending January 1, 1903, exclusive of still-births of which there was one, was 26.
Below is a table of contagious diseases reported to the Board since Jan 1, 1902, and required by law to be reported :
Disease.
No. of Cases.
Small pox,
5
Diphtheria, 2
Scarlet fever, 1
Typhoid fever,
1
Measles,
3
Cerebro-spinal meningitis,
0
Total for year, 12
SANITATION.
While this Board was well pleased with the reception, given to it by the Citizens, of the pamphlet issued by the Board in re- gard to the sanitary conditions existing in the Town, and while we acknowledge the friendly spirit in which all have endeavored to aid us in making such changes as seem necessary, still we feel that the subject of sanitation has not received the thought and attention at the hands of our Citizens that it should, and must receive in the near future, either through individual effort or what is greatly to be preferred collective action by the voters of the Town, toward establishing some definite system of caring for the sewage and other refuse constantly accumulating, and an ever present source of danger to the health of our citizens.
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Annual Reports
The residents of the South and West villages especially, should give this subject their careful and early attention.
Many sanitary evils exist today in all parts of our Town and while a few have been corrected in a manner acceptable for the time being, this Board feels that in reality very little has been done in this direction to permanently benefit our Citizens.
Not wishing to exercise the power invested in the Board of Health of any Town or City, in an arbitrary manner towards any , individual, this Board most earnestly hopes for the thoughtful consideration by the people of this subject and the hearty co- operation in our efforts to reach a satisfactory solution of this most important question. Dependant as the inhabitants of this Town are upon wells as a source of water supply, too much care cannot be exercised in keeping our wells free from contamination ; and that such danger exists in many parts of the Town through neglect of ordinary sanitatary precautions is unfortunately too true.
QUARANTINE.
This Board was very much disappointed in the action of the voters of this Town in regard to establishing a proper detention and insolation hospital for the care of such contagious diseases as may occur from time to time and that cannot be properly treated at home.
A building suitable for such purposes, erected on land owned by the Town, and so situated as not to be a menace to the public at large but still to be accessible from all parts of the Town is greatly to be desired. Such a building properly equipped would cost about $1,200.00 ; could be maintained at a small annual cost, and be ready at any time for the reception and care of such contagious diseases as might require isolation for the proper protection of our citizens.
At the outbreak of an epidemic of small-pox on March 1st of last year this Board, like many others throughout the State, found this Town totally unprepared to cope with the disease so far as proper isolation was concerned. Fortunately for the Town a public spirited citizen, Mr. Luther Conant, allowed this Board the use of a building owned by him and which served the purpose exceedingly well.
75
Town of Acton.
This Board takes the opportunity here and now to publicly thank Mr. Conant for the service rendered the Board of Health and through it the Town, at that time.
As a result of this one favorable circumstance this Board, was able to care for five people suffering with this disease, at a total cost to the Town of about $1,000, whereas in other towns the cost was double and even treble this amount, for the care of a less number of patients.
As another outbreak of small-pox or one of scarlet-fever or diphtheria, requiring isolation for the protection of our people, would still find this Board in the same position - so far as the required facilities for caring for such cases are concerned - as on March 1st last, it is the earnest hope of the members of the Board of Health that the voters of the Town will come to their aid at the coming annual meeting, by appropriating a sum of money sufficient to place this Town abreast of the times, and its Board of Health in a position to deal successfully with outbreaks of a similar nature in the future.
VACCINATION.
With the remembrance of the unpleasant experience of the citizens of this Town with the small-pox, less than one year ago, still fresh in their minds, this Board has no hesitancy in again urging all who have not been recently vaccinated - i. e. within five (5) years-to promptly attend to so important a public duty.
APPROPRIATION.
The expenses of this Board for the past year have been far in excess of the amount appropriated to its use. Hoping that in the future we may escape such unpleasant experiences as oc- curred in February and March, 1902, the Board recommends an appropriation of one hundred dollars ($100) for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK J. BARKER, M. D., Chairman, CHARLES J. WILLIAMS,
FRANK E. TASKER, M. D.
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Annual Reports
Report of the Trustees of Acton Memorial Library.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
LUTHER CONANT, President.
WILLIAM D. TUTTLE.
MOSES TAYLOR.
ADELBERT MEAD.
D. J. WETHERBEE, Secretary.
DELETTE H. HALL.
HIRAM J. HAPGOOD.
CHARLES J. WILLIAMS.
L. A. HESSELTON.
The history of the Acton Memorial Library the past year has been an eventful one, having been marked by unusual and sad vicissitudes.
Upon the second day of December, 1902, Mr. Wilde, the donor of our beautiful library, after an illness of a few hours, passed from earth. The account that follows was given by one of the members of his family to a reporter of the Boston Herald and is correct in giving the salient points of his life work.
We embody it in this report that it may have a more per- manent form and that it may be accessible not only in the pres- ent, but also in the future, to the beneficiaries of the institution which he founded.
" The Hon. William Allan Wilde, one of the oldest and best known residents of Malden, died suddenly at 4.40 yesterday af- ternoon, after a short illness, at his home, 54 Washington street, Malden. The immediate cause of his death was a shock of apoplexy. On Monday he was in his Boston office all day and was very busy. Yesterday morning, shortly after he arose, he was taken with a slight shock, and at 9 o'clock was stricken with another and lapsed into unconsciousness, and a few hours later passed away.
" He was born in Acton, July 11. 1827. Mr. Wilde, through his father, Joseph Wilde, represented the sixth generation from John Wilde of Braintree, and through his mother, Sarah Conant Wilde, represented the eighth generation from Roger Conant,
77
Town of Acton.
the first Governor of the ' Old Planter's Colony ' at Salem. He taught school 12 years, and later entered the publishing business and assumed control of the New England business of Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co., of New York. In 1865 he established the present publishing house of W. A. Wilde & Co., having of- fices in Boston and Chicago, and agencies in London and Mel- bourne.
" He was superintendent of schools in Malden in 1873-74, chairman of the water commissioners for several years, repre- sentative to the Legislature in 1887-88, chairman of the state board of prison commissioners 1889 to 1894; one time trustee of the Malden Hospital, and for several years trustee of the Mal- den Public Library. For many years he had been chairman of the standing committee of the First Congregational Church.
" He was a member of Converse lodge, F. A. M., Royal Arch chapter, Beauseant commandery, K. T., and the Knights of Honor. He was the first regent of Mystic Side Council, R. A.
" Mr. Wilde had always been deeply interested in education- al movements, and while in the Legislature was chairman of the committee on education. In 1890 he gave the towr of Acton a handsome memorial library building and grounds, together with 4,000 volumes and numerous paintings. For many years he had been an honorary member of Hiram G. Berry Post 40, G. A. R., and had given an annual banquet to the veterans of the post on Memorial day. He was a great friend of the poor and gave with a lavish hand.
" He had visited all parts of the globe. He had crossed the ocean 11 times and was, at the time of his death, making ar- rangements to pass the winter in Switzerland and Germany. Besides his widow, he leaves three children, William E. of Win- chester. Councilman-elect Allan H. Wilde, and one daughter, Mrs. Wylie C. Burnes of Malden."
The Trustees voted to attend the funeral together, and though the day was a very inclement one, several were present. The exercises were brief and appropriate, the floral display ele- gant, the singing a prominent feature, and a large number of friends were present to show their respect and love for the de- ceased. At a special meeting of the trustees a committee was chosen to prepare a series of resolutions, and the following were unanimously adopted, and a copy has been presented to the family :
" At the earthly close of a life so replete with honor and usefulness as that of the Hon. William Allan Wilde, it seems fitting that we should for a brief period contemplate its results
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Annual Reports
and lessons to us, who were somewhat intimately associated with him ;
" Resolved, That the Trustees of the Acton Memorial Li- brary, in behalf of that institution and also for the Town of Acton, his native town, for whom he has done so much, offer their heartfelt sympathy and condolence to all the members of his family, feeling that the sorrow may be mitigated by consid- ering a life so noble that seemed to widen in service and useful- ness with each succeeding year ;
" Resolved, That his benefactions had been so planned and arranged that their work goes on and will continue to go on long after we who were associated with him, and you, who were related to him, shall have passed away, increasing rather than diminishing in usefulness.
" Resolved, We know that the people of Acton now and in the far distant future will gratefully cherish the memory of Mr. Wilde and will faithfully keep all obligations to him, thereby insuring the perpetuity of the institution so generously com- mitted to their care."
Early in October we received notice from a lady residing in East Acton that a friend of hers wished to give the library a val- uable oil painting. In answer to a letter inquiring whether the painting was adapted in subject and coloring to the uses of the library, the following letter was received :
CHARLESTOWN DIST., BOSTON, Oct. 18, 1902. Mr. Luther Conant, President of the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Acton, Mass. :
My Dear Sir - I hereby send you the size of the old master painting, which is very valuable - 5 ft., 4 in., by 4 ft., 3 in. It represents an old gipsy woman telling a peasant girl her fortune - a wonderful work of art.
I feel deeply interested in your noble town, as my father was born there. His name was Alvin Fletcher Raymond. I have visited your town many times when quite young.
I hereby tender to your honorable Board of Trustees this painting as a gift from me, providing your Board of Trustees will accept the same.
Yours respectfully,
E. M. RAYMOND, 172 Main St.
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Town of Acton.
With the approval of Mr. Wilde the kind offer of Mr. Ray- mond was accepted and the picture has been placed in the room where the books are kept, and hung above the librarian's table.
In the early summer the librarian, Miss Viola S. Tuttle, who for six years had performed the duties of that office in a very acceptable manner, resigned by reason of overwork and impaired health. The many patrons of the library who were under obli- gations to her for kindly assistance in the selection of books and other courtesies, unite in the wish that she may secure a speedy and complete recovery. The Trustees unanimously elected Mr. Arthur F. Davis to succeed Miss Tuttle as librarian.
The country towns of New England are the recruiting ground of the whole country. To them the great cities look for their fresh blood and most active accessions in business and the professions, and it is wonderful how well those towns have stood the steady drain upon them and still have kept up their standing as model communities. And of the large number of young men who have left the farm, carrying with them inherited honesty, thrift, energy and enterprise, few have made as indelible an impress for morality, intelligence and religion upon his day and generation, because of his unblemished character, his faithful public services, his numerous benefactions and through his many publications, as the Donor of the Acton Memorial Library. And if we are to continue to raise such men, we should keep the church, the school and the library in conditions of the highest efficiency.
The Board of Trustees recommend the usual annual appro- priation of four hundred dollars be voted to the library for cur- rent expenses, and two hundred dollars for the purchase of new books.
Very respectfully submitted, LUTHER CONANT, For the Trustees.
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Annual Reports
13th Annual Report of the Library.
Accessions : Number of volumes in the library March 12th, 1902, 7,785; number of volumes in the library March 12, 1903, 8,073; increase by purchase, 214; increase by gift, 37; increase by binding magazines, 37.
Circulation : Number of days library was open, 103; num- ber of volumes circulated, 6,685; daily average circulation, 65; largest daily circulation, 134, on Feb. 7, 1903; smallest daily circulation, 21, on June 18, 1902, and on Dec. 24, 1902.
Amount received from sale of catalogues and fines, $21 55
Expended for money orders, stamps, etc., 2 22
$19 33
Gifts of books have been received from the following sources : U. S. Government, 15 vols .; State of Mass., 13 vols .; Luther Conant, 1 vol .; Mrs. Luther Conant, 1 vol .; Chas. H. Pope, 1 vol .; G. H. Smyth, 1 vol. ; Edward H. Harriman, 1 vol. : D. P. Corey, 1 vol. ; Thomas W. Lawson, 1 vol. ; Supt. of schools, 1 vol .; Oscar Hermann, 1 vol.
Periodicals in the reading room : Cassell's, Century, Chau- tauquan, Cosmopolitan, Country Life in America, Everybody's, Harper's Magazine, Harper's Weekly, Masters in Art, McClure's, Munsey's, New England, Review of Reviews, Scientific Ameri- can, Scribner's, St. Nicholas, World's Work, Success, Youth's Companion, Christian Work, Child's Hour, Our Paper, Reforma- tory.
The Librarian presents the above report, representing in part the work of Miss Tuttle, who resigned from the library June 1, 1902, on account of ill health.
ARTHUR F. DAVIS, Librarian.
81
Town of Acton.
Report of Cemetery Commissioners.
The Town at its annual meeting in 1901 voted to accept cer- tain provisions of law relating to the care of cemeteries.
In accordance with these provisions the Town at its last an- nual meeting elected a Board of Cemetery Commissioners. The sum of five hundred dollars was also appropriated for the care of cemeteries. This sum has been sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses and to allow something to be done towards permanent improvements.
Special work has been done during the year in improving the grounds in Mt. Hope Cemetery by a liberal planting of or- namental trees and shrubs.
A statement of the money received and expended on ac- count of cemeteries will be found in the Selectmen's report, and a statement showing the several sums of money given to the Town by individuals for the perpetual care of lots, the amount expended for the care of each lot, and the unexpended balance of the income credited to each fund, will be found in the report of the Town Treasurer.
It has seemed to us desirable that the Town should adopt some new rules and regulations for the government of its ceme- teries, and after careful consideration of the matter we submit herewith certain rules and regulations for the approval of the Town.
In presenting them it is our desire to say that it is not our purpose or intention to exercise the powers conferred upon us arbitrarily against the wishes of individuals, or to interfere with what has already been done in the improvement of lots ; but we believe that a reasonable compliance with these rules and regu- lations will promote an order and a uniformity which will, in time, contribute much to the improvement of our cemeteries.
We believe that the work which has been done in the past to beautify and improve our cemeteries is appreciated more and
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Annual Reports
more every year, and the care bestowed upon them is generally approved by our townspeople.
We recommend the appropriation of five hundred dollars for the care of cemeteries the present year.
We also recommend that the Town approve and adopt the following rules and regulations :
Rules and Regulations for the Government of the Cemeteries in the Town of Acton.
ANNUAL MEETING.
1. The annual meeting of the Commissioners shall be held in April, on or before the 15th day of said month, when a Chair- man and a Clerk shall be elected by ballot, to serve during the municipal year, or until their successors are chosen.
2. There shall also be chosen at said meeting a Superinten- dent of each cemetery in the town to serve for the year, unless sooner removed by a majority vote of the Board.
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