USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1921-1925 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
Seventh, That said premises or any part thereof shall not be sold or conveyed to any person who is not, at the time of such sale a resi- dent of the Town of Acton, without the written consent of the said Commissioners; a breach of this condition by the grantee or any per- son holding under him shall make this conveyance void.
Eighth, The said lot shall be holden subject to all the by-laws, rules and regulations made, and to be made, by the Board of Com- missioners.
And the said Town of Acton hereby covenants to and with the said .. . heirs and assigns, that it is lawfully seized in fee simple of the aforegranted premises, and of the way lead- ing to the same from the highway; that the granted premises are free from all incumbrances, that it has a good right to sell and convey the same to the said. .in the manner and for the purposes aforesaid; and will warrant and defend the same, unto the said . heirs and assigns forever.
In Witness Whereof, the said Town of Acton has caused its seal to be hereto affixed, and these presents to be signed in its name and be- half by the Secretary of said Board of Cemetery Commissioners of said Town, this . . day of. in the year one thousand nine hundred and
Town of Acton
By .
Secretary of the board of Cemetery Commissioners.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
11
Section 5. The restrictions, limitations and conditions men- tioned in said deed and numbered 1 to 7 inclusive shall form and be- come a part of the rules and regulations of the cemeteries of the town.
Section 6. Curbing, projecting corner posts, fences, hedges and walls, steps and walks, about or on any lot or lots are prohibited, ex- cept as approved by the Commissioners.
Section 7. Lots will be cared for by the year at reasonable rates. according to size and labor required.
Section 8. (Adopted March 25, 1901).
First. The Town of Acton, Mass., will receive of any person any sum of money not less than Fifty Dollars nor more than Five Hundred Dollars, the interest thereof to be applied to the annual care of such lot in the public burial grounds of the Town of Acton as the person paying the money shall designate. Such deposit may be made perpetual if so desired by the person depositing the same.
Second. The Town Treasurer shall receive all sums of money paid in accordance with the provisions of the preceding section, giv- ing a proper receipt of the Town therefor, and shall annually at such time as the Cemetery Committee of the public burying grounds of said Town shall request, pay over to said Committee interest at the rate of three and a half per cent per annum upon all sums so paid to and receipted for by him, with a statement of the several lots in the public burying grounds of said Town, upon which the interest so. paid is to be expended. All of said amounts shall be judiciously and economically expended on each of the variously specified lots, and in addition to keeping the grass cut, as many flowers as the money will permit shall be planted, watered and cared for on these lots; also, once in every five years the monuments, markers, corner stones and curbings shall be properly cleaned and repaired, the expense of the same to be deducted from the income, if sufficient, of the funds of the lot so cleaned. Should the Town neglect to faithfully carry out the provisions of this act, the money so deposited shall revert to the heirs. of the person so depositing it.
Third. Said Cemetery Committee shall receipt for and faith- fully apply all sums of interest so received by it in accordance with the statement so made by the Town Treasurer, and report its doing in the premises annually to the Town. But no part of said sums shall be used in paying for the official duties of said Committee.
Fourth. The following form of receipt shall be given in be- half of the Town by its Treasurer to persons depositing money :
Received of (A. B.) dollars as a perpetual fund, the income of which is to be used to pay the expense of keeping in repair and good order lots in the cemeteries of Acton, Mass., as follows: (Description
12
of lots). This money is received in accordance with an ordinance of the Town, passed March 25, 1901.
TOWN OF ACTON By Treasurer.
Section 9. All foundations for monuments, headstones, markers, etc., shall be put in by or under the immediate supervision of the Su- perintendent, at his discretion, and no foundation shall be laid dry or with cobblestones, and no memorial shall be erected without a suitable foundation.
Section 10. Foundations for monuments shall be at least four and one-half feet deep, and for markers and other small stones not less than three feet.
Section 11. The following charges shall be made for inter- ments: From $1.00 to $4.00 as the judgment of the Superintendent may determine. These charges shall apply to removals, with a suit- able additional charge for disinterments. Graves, if desired, will be trimmed, for which an extra charge will be made, proportionate to the time expended and cost of material used.
Section 12. All graves shall be filled level or to conform to the grade of the lot, and shall be suitably designated. Mounds will not be allowed, except by special permission.
Section 13. All persons are forbidden to needlessly walk across lots, to pluck wild or cultivated flowers, or to leave rubbish of any kind in the cemeteries.
ARTICLE IX
STREETS
Section 1. No person shall place or cause to be placed in any public place, street, or private way, or in any running stream or body of water, dirt, rubbish, wood, timber, or other material tending to cause obstruction, nor deposit ashes, garbage, carrion, filth, or offal, except in such places as shall be permitted by the road commissioner, under a penalty of not less than two or more than twenty dollars.
Section 2. No person shall construct or maintain any drain or conduit from any house, shop, or other building, or from any vault, cesspool, or cistern, to or upon any street or way so as to discharge water or other matter in or upon any such street or way except when permitted in writing so to do by the road commissioner, under a pen- alty of not less than two or more than twenty dollars.
Section 3. Whoever violates the provisions of the preceding sections and suffers the material so placed by him in such public place, street, or private way to remain therein more than twenty-four hours,
13
shall be liable to a like penalty for each additional day thereafter, during which he shall suffer such material to remain in such public- place, street, or private way.
Section 4. No person shall pasture or tether any animal in any street in the town in such manner as to obstruct the street or sidewalk, under a penalty of not less than two nor more than twenty dollars.
Section 5. No person shall break or dig up, or aid in breaking or digging up, the ground in any street or square in the town, or set up any post, fence, tree, or edgestone in any street or square in the town without a permit from the road commissioner, under a penalty of not less than two nor more than twenty dollars for each offense.
Section 6. No person shall bathe or swim in any waters within the town in a state of nudity in places exposed to public view, or in the immediate sight of the occupant or occupants of any dwelling house, shop, or factory under a penalty of not less than one nor more than twenty dollars for each offense.
Section 7. · No person shall own or keep in this town any dog or cow which, by biting, barking, howling, or in any other manner, dis- turbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, or endangers the safety of any person. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall be liable to a penalty of ten dollars ..
Section 8. Whoever shall ride any horse, or drive any horse at- tached to a vehicle of any description, or auto, at such an immoderate rate of speed as to endanger or to expose to injury any person stand- ing, walking, or riding in any street or way open to public travel, shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than five dollars nor more than $100 dollars for each offense.
Section 9. No person shall permit any team or auto under his care or control to stand across any highway, crosswalk, sidewalk, or street in such manner as to obstruct the travel over the same; no person shall stop with any team or auto in any public street so near to another team as to obstruct public travel and no person shall stop with any team or carriage upon or across any crossing in any street or highway in the town.
Section 10. No person shall make any indecent figure or write any indecent or obscene words upon any fence, building, or other structure in any public place, or upon any sidewalk or wall.
Section 11. No person, unless required by law so to do, shall make any marks, letters, or figures of any kind, or place any sign, ad- vertisement, or placard upon or against any wall, fence, post, ledge, stone, tree, building, or structure in or upon any street in this town without the permission of the owner of adjacent property.
Section 12. No person shall distribute papers, circulars, or ad- vertisements through the town in such a manner as to create a dis-
14
turbance or litter, nor throw papers on street, nor shall any person distribute for any purpose to any person in any street, or upon any sidewalk, any hand bill, card, circular, or paper, except newspapers.
Section 13. No person shall throw stones, snowballs, sticks, or other missiles, nor kick at football, nor play at any game in which a ball is used, nor fly any kite or balloon, nor shoot with or use a bow and arrow, gun, air-gun, or sling, in or across any of the public ways of the town; nor obstruct any street in the town; nor unneces- sarily make any alarming or tumultuous noise; nor take hold of, nor ride upon, the hind part of any carriage, or other vehicle, without leave; nor join in any assemblage or group in the street, or on any sidewalk in the town, to the annoyance of passengers, or so as to ob- struct the free passage of passengers; nor otherwise disturb the quiet of any person improperly ; nor drive, wheel, or draw any coach, or bicycle, or cart, or other carriage of burden or pleasure, except chil- dren's carriages drawn by hand upon any sidewalk in the town; nor drive or permit any horse under his care to go, or stand, upon any sidewalk in the town; nor behave himself in a rude or disorderly man- ner ; nor use any profane, indecent, or insulting language in any street or other public place in the town, or near any dwelling-house or other building therein; nor be or remain upon any door-step, portico, or other step or projection of any such building or house, to the annoy- ance or disturbance of other persons, under a penalty of not less than one, nor more than twenty dollars for each offense.
Section 14. No person shall coast upon any sidewalk in the town, nor shall any person coast upon any of the public ways of the town except upon such streets as the selectmen may designate each year by public notice.
Section 15. No person shall resort to or frequent any school- house grounds or enclosure in the town to interfere with or annoy any person lawfully using or enjoying the same; nor shall any person re- sort to or frequent any cemetery or graveyard in the town and there engage in or be present at any game of cards or other game or sport, or lounge or loiter therein to the annoyance or interference of per- sons properly visiting or resorting to said places, under a penalty of not less than one nor more than twenty-five dollars for each offense.
Section 16. No person shall place over any sidewalk any awn- ing, shade, or signboard less than seven feet from the ground at the lowest part, nor construct or maintain any awning, shade, or sign- board extending beyond the line of the sidewalk; and for any offense against this by-law an offender shall pay a fine of ten dollars.
Section 17. All covering for roofs within the village limits both new and renewals, shall be of suitable fire proof material acceptable to the fire engineers or fire commissioner.
Section 18. Any person who shall violate any provision of these
·
15
by-laws shall, in cases not otherwise provided for, forfeit and pay for each offense a fine not exceeding twenty dollars.
ARTICLE X
TREE WARDEN
All trees on or within the limit of a highway are public shade trees, and shall not be removed in whole or in part except by a tree warden, or by any other person except with a permit in writing from a tree warden, nor by the tree warden without a public hearing after due notice, posted in two or more public places in said city or town. If the tree warden shall refuse to cut or remove or issue a permit to any owner to cut or remove any such tree, the damages sustained by him shall be determined, in towns by the selectmen, and in cities by the officer or officers in charge of public shade trees. The owner- ship of the wood in said tree belongs to the owner of the land on whose premises the tree stands. The abutters on the highway in towns own the fee of said highway to the middle thereof.
The selectmen shall from time to time cause to be printed a suf- ficient number of copies of the by-laws of the town and shall incor- porate therewith a list of the laws of the commonwealth which have been accepted by the town.
ARTICLE XI
TRUANTS
Section 1. Any minor being a habitual truant, and any child between the ages of seven and fifteen years found wandering about the streets or public places within the town having no lawful occupa- tion or business, not attending school, and growing up in ignorance, and such children as persistently violate the reasonable rules and regu- lations of the public schools, may upon conviction thereof be com- mitted to the Middlesex County Truant School at Chelmsford, Mass., or to any other place provided by the town within its limits, for con- finement, instruction, and discipline.
These by-laws as amended above are herewith presented for adoption or rejection in whole or in part as the voters may determine, by
L. EDWARD LAIRD IRVING R. MCKENZIE FRANK MERRIAM MR. CASE
By-Laws Committee.
51
commendations, we would suggest that $1,600 be spent on Windsor avenue ; $1,500 on Prospect street ; $300 on School street, and $2,600 on the cemetery road.
Resolved-That a copy of this resolution be prepared by the secretary and forwarded immediately to the selectmen.
This being a true copy of the resolutions to the best of my know- ledge, I remain,
Sincerely yours, ALBERT P. DURKEE, Secretary.
At a subsequent meeting of this committee, held April 23, 1921, it was voted to reconsider the vote whereby they had recommended gravel for Windsor avenue.
It was then voted to recommend that crushed stone be substi- tuted for gravel to the amount of $1,600.
Recommended, that the selectmen take enough money from the general fund to finish the job on Windsor avenue.
A copy of these recommendations and resolutions were sent to the selectmen.
ALBERT P. DURKEE, Secretary.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1919 Taxes
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1921
$630.75
Uncollected excise tax, 1919
57.05
Interest collected
48.64
Interest collected, excise tax
4.56
.
$741.00
Cr.
Paid Treasurer
$708.20
Abatements
22.30
Abatement, excise tax
10.50
$741.00
1920 Taxes
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1921
$6,317.83
December assessment
5.00
Interest collected
226.30
$6,549.13
52
Cr.
Paid Treasurer
Abatements
$5,800.59 13.98
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1922
$734.56
1921 Taxes
Town, state and county taxes, committed to
Collector, October 1, 1921 $73,857.36
Less amount returned from state account in- tangible personal 6,730.00
$67,127.36
December assessment, West End Railway Stock
424.75
$67,522.11
Moth Tax
49.00 39.87
Cr
Paid Treasurer
$55,636.91
Abatements 108.57
Abatements, December assessment, West End
Railway Stock 424.75
$56,170.23
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1922 $11,470.75
$11,470.75 HENRY L. HAYNES, Collector.
REPORT OF MEAT INSPECTOR
Acton, Mass., Jan. 1, 1922.
To the Honorable Board of Health :
Gentlemen-I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Slaugh- tering from April 1, 1921 to Jan, 1, 1922 :
f Cattle 84 Condemned 15
Veal 1398 Condemned 56
Hogs
56 Condemned 1
1538 72
C. A. DURKEE, Inspector of Slaughtering.
$5,814.57
$734.56
Interest collected
$67,640.98
53
ASSESSORS' REPORT 1921
Buildings, exclusive of land
Land, exclusive of buildings
Personal estate
$1,287,315.00 560,225.00 587,285.00
Valuation April 1, 1920
$2,434,825.00 2,414,185.00
Increase in valuation
$20,640.00
Rate of taxation $26.30 Tax Assessed as follows :
Real estate
$48,591.25
Personal estate
15,446.11 3,090.00
Received from state account intangible personal
6,730.00
$73,857.36
49.00
Moth Tax Amount of Money Raised
State tax
$7,140.00
State highway tax.
1,573.40
County tax
3,806.67
Special county tax
272.96
Town Grant
55,965.67
Overlay
2,908.06
Special State tax
336.60
Special state poll tax ($3.00 each poll)
1,854.00
$73,857.36 ALBERT P. DURKEE, HENRY L. HAYNES, WARREN H. JONES.
CATTLE INSPECTOR'S REPORT FOR YEAR 1921
Acton, Mass., Jan. 1, 1922.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, I hereby submit the following report :
Inspected 612 dairy cows; 165 young cattle; 25 bulls ; 136 swine ; 126 stables.
Quarantined in the year: Thirteen head of cattle affected with tuberculosis, which were taken by the state.
FRED S. WHITCOMB, Inspector of Animals.
Polls
$67,127.36
54
REPORT OF THE
ACTON HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
At the annual town meeting held March 7, 1921, it was voted that a high school building committee be appointed, with instructions to inquire into the expediency of erecting a high school building in Acton and to report their findings at a later meeting. The follow- ing committee was appointed : Precinct 1, J. Sidney White, Charlotte Conant, Horace F. Tuttle. Precinct 2, Frank W. Hoit, Madeline Howe, John E. Case. Precinct 3, Bertram E. Hall, Albertie M. Mead, Charles J. Holton.
The first meeting of the committee was held at Acton Center. Mr. Frank Hoit was named as temporary chairman; Miss Charlotte Conant as temporary secretary. Mr. John E. Case resigned and Mr. Harry N. Brown was chosen to fill the vacancy. It was voted to hold a public hearing in each of the three precincts. These meetings were well attended and much interest was shown. Our superintendent of schools, Mr. H. C. Knight, was present at all these meetings and gave valuable suggestions. The question at issue was discussed and an informal vote was taken. Of the total 112 votes cast, 85 were in favor of building a high school in Acton and 27 opposed.
The town of Concord has always maintained a high school of very high merit. Advantages are given pupils that could not be ex- pected in a newly organized high school with an estimated attend- ance of approximately one hundred pupils. Nevertheless, a small high school can maintain a high standard of efficiency and individual attention to the scholar is a great benefit.
The transportation problem is a serious one from both the moral and financial standpoint, but in whichever village a high school might be established, this problem would still exist in some degree.
It was decided the location of the building could be left to un- prejudiced, outside parties if the voters failed to agree.
The committee feels it should place before you the comparative cost of the present arrangement and what may be expected to be the approximate cost of constructing a suitable building and operating same.
This year, 1921-1922, we will have paid the town of Concord for tuition, $11,994.58; in addition, transportation will amount to $3,128.05; making a total of $15,122.63.
Acton wants a good high school or none. The committee feels that three courses of study are necessary : College, business and gen- eral course. This would require a building of six rooms with office, basement, etc. The initial cost of a suitable building is hard to esti- mate, but the committee placed the figures at $60,000; this to include lighting, heating, plumbing and equipment. Payment for this ex- penditure would undoubtedly be provided by an issue of serial bonds, maturing annually over a period of ten or twenty years. Therefore,
55
interest charges would gradually decrease as bonds were retired, but principal payments would have to be met by taxes.
Four teachers, including principal, would be required for such a school. Basing salaries upon present rates, the payroll might ap- proximate $7,000; heat and janitorship $1,200, and transportation $2,500. Without considering depreciation of the building, the an- nual cost would be around $16,000.
There is in our town treasury about $21,000, collected from the recent sale of the town farm and Hapgood farm. If the voters so elect, these funds can be used as a nucleus for our high school building.
The town would take great pride in such an institution and it would undoubtedly tend to increase the value of real estate: Superior teachers living in the town, in constant contact with the parents and pupils would have a wholesome effect and the pupil's interest and loyalty would be centered in the home town.
In conclusion, the committee, after thoughtful consideration, feels the problem offers many obstacles at this time and that further investigation of the subject be given. We would recommend that another committee be chosen to report at a later date.
Respectfully submitted,
BY THE COMMITTEE.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Jan. 1, 1922.
The Board of Health submit the following report for the year ending December 31st, 1921 :
Burial permits issued in Acton 38
Burial permits of non-residents .24
List of contagious diseases reported by the board of health Jan- uary 1, 1921 to December 31, 1921 :
Chicken pox
3
Measles
10
Mumps
5
Tuberculosis
3
(Deaths none.)
Your board would recommend that $1,000 be appropriated for use of the board for the present year.
Respectfully submitted,
Acton Board of Health, By C. A. DURKEE, Agent.
56
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GOODNOW FUND
For the Year Ending 1921 Investments
Warren Institution for Savings $1,194.49
Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank. 1,000.00
City Institution for Savings, Lowell 1,000.00
$3,194.49
Receipts
Warren Institution for Savings, dividends $54.03
Charlestown Five Cent Savings Bank, dividends 50.00
City Institution for Savings 50.00
$154.03
Payments
Paid H. F. Robbins, care of Goodnow lot, Woodlawn Cemetery $7.00
Unused income for care of cemetery lot de-
posited with Warren Institution for Savings 17.03 Paid to Ella L. Miller, treasurer of the Evan- gelical Cong. church in Acton 130.00
$154.03
LUTHER CONANT, I. WARREN FLAGG, HORACE F. TUTTLE, Trustees of Goodnow Fund.
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS
For the Year Ending December 31, 1921
We present the following schedule showing the amounts of the several funds for perpetual care of cemetery lots and the income and expenditures on account of each fund for the year.
FRED W. GREEN, HORACE F. TUTTLE, Cemetery Commissioners.
57
CEMETERY FUNDS FOR CARE OF LOTS
WOODLAWN CEMETERY
No.
Name of Fund.
Amount Deposited
On hand Jan. 1 1921
Income
On hand Exp'n'd Dec. 31, 1921
1 Hepsabeth Piper
$50.00
$54.00
$2.25
$1.00
$55.25
2
Frederick Rouillard
100.00
103.65
4.50
2.00
106.15
3
William W. Davis
100.00
102.00
4.50
3.00
103.50
4
Jedediah Tuttle
50.00
50.50
2.25
1.50
51.25
5
Mary Skinner
100.00
213.32
9.00
6.00
216.32
6
Nancy K. Hadley
500.00
570.02
22.50
16.43
576.09
7
Mary Severance
100.00
105.00
4.50
3.00
106.50
8
Mary A. Chaffin
100.00
104.75
4.50
3.00
106.25
9
Warren Robbins
100.00
109.50
4.50
14.00
100.00
10
Henry Loker
100.00
103.54
4.50
2.50
105.54
11
Henry Lothrop
200.00
208.82
9.00
8.78
209.04
12
Luther W. Piper
100.00
105.09
4.50
2.00
107.59
13
James Temple
100.00
105.50
4.50
3.00
107.00
14
Fidelia Wheeler
100.00
103.57
4.50
3.00
105.07
15
William H. Chapman
100.00
105.00
4.50
3.50
106.00
16
Mary A. Robbins
100.00
104.00
4.50
3.00
105.50
17
Daniel Wetherbee
100.00
103.35
4.50
3.50
104.35
18
James Tuttle
100.00
101.88
4.50
3.98
102.40
19
Julia Morrison Elbridge J. Robbins
100.00
104.50
4.50
3.00
106.00
21
William Jennings
100.00
105.50
4.50
3.00
107.00
22
Adeline Weston Blood
100.00
105.11
4.50
2.00
107.61
23
Irving V. Whitcomb
100.00
103.20
4.50
3.00
104.70
24
John Fletcher
100.00
102.33
4.50
3.00
103.83
25
W. E. Faulkner
75.00
77.29
3.38
2.00
78.67
25
Amanda M. Barnard
100.00
104.47
4.50
3.00
105.97
27
George T. Ames
100.00
102.14
4.50
4.32
102.32
28
Horace Tuttle
100.00
105.09
4.50
2.00
107.59
29
Samuel Jones
50.00
50.97
2.25
2.00
51.22
30
Francis Hosmer
150.00
165.22
6.75
3.00
168.97
31
Mary E. Robbins
100.00
103.47
4.50
3.00
104.97
32
Luther & Augustine Conant
500.00
545.77
22.50
14.25
554.02
32
Hannah D. Robbins
50.00
51.42
2.25
53.67
34
Elisha H. Cutler
100.00
104.50
4.50
3.00
106.00
35
Nathaniel Jones
50.00
51.75
2.25
1.50
52.50
36
Solomon Smith
75.00
77.40
3.37
3.00
77.77
37
Gaius W. Allen
100.00
105.07
4.50
3.00
106.57
38
Varnum & Francis Tuttle
250.00
259.69
11.25
8.00
262.94
39
Aaron Fletcher
100.00
103.65
4.50
3.00
105.15
40
Mary A. Harrington
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.