USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1878/1879-1882/1883 > Part 4
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In reviewing the past year there seems increasing reason for congratulation that we have so valuable an institution. To become assured that it is not providing simply for the wants of those who are seeking reading as a pleasure, one needs only to spend a few hours as an observer. Its educational influence is each year more and more apparent, not only in the selection of books for reading, but in the greatly increased use of books of reference and for real study. There is still, and perhaps must always be, room for regret that so large a number read solely for pleasure; but we can but hope this gratification has its elevating influences, and that more and more will be realized the fact that books are companions, and that companions largely develop and form one's character.
During the year 16,624 books have been issued-making an increase of 727 over the previous year. Through the months of June, July and August the daily issue was 49; January, February and March, 65. The daily average for the year, 54. We have had during the year 765 different accounts, and during the nine years the library has been in operation 2,143. Of this number, 144 have been added the past year. At the yearly examination, Feb. 21st, it was found all the books were accounted for, none having been lost.
The sectional record shows there have been issued of
Vols.
Percent.
Works of fiction
7,466
44 4
Juvenile works
4,464
26.9
Historical
603
3.67
Biographical
697
4.2
Travels and description.
720
4.37
Poetical and dramatic.
358
2.19
Scientific and educational
396
2.5
:
79
LIBRARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Literary and esthetical.
426
2.58
Religious and philosophical.
178
1.09
Complete works.
103
.65
Miscellaneous works.
454
2.77
Magazines and reviews
620
3.76
Agricultural .
112
.69
Law books (reserved).
.
Public documents of Massachusetts
10
.08
Public documents of United States
7
.07
Reserved section
10
.08
16,624
100.00
The amount rceeived has been for
Fines
$53 56
Catalogues
9 00
Cards
10 64
$73 20
The amount paid for
Express, freight and postage
$13 16
Pens, ink ard paper -
1 87
Blank books, eraser and rubber
95
Mucilage and material for mending books
62
Alcohol burner. alcohol and carbolic acid
2 00
Brooms, floor brush and twine
3 13
Charcoal and labor
2 26
Cement, sponge and stove key
60
Bulletin boards
1 67
Cleaning
16 36
Cards for cataloging
4 77
13 chimneys for Argand burners
1 40
Back numbers of Scientific supplement
-
1 70
Cummings & Conant, for labor and materials
3 30
Mr. Clarke, for repairing window
50
Mr. Phelps, for repairing clock
50
Mr. Gaudette, for repairing burners
25
-
$55 04
This amount, with my salary, $600, has been paid me by the town treasurer.
A. J. COMINS, Librarian.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE.
I1
REPORT.
The selectmen having been requested by many to make a report of that part of the town affairs which comes under their immediate control respectfully submit the following report. For a more de- tailed statement of the expenses of the several departments we would refer you to the auditors' report.
HIGHWAYS.
It became apparent after the very heavy rains of last Spring, and from numerous complaints that something must be done to the following streets: Hamilton, Crane, Central, Pine and Union, as nothing had been done to them for a number of years. The material had been washed off and worn out so as to make the town liable for damage. The question then arose where to obtain suitable material to do the work; only two places seemed to present themselves- Edwards estate and the Hamilton Woolen Company bank at West- ville, ten cents per load being the cost from both places. While the board were getting at the cost of the work so as to bring it before the voters of the town under the head of special repairs as had been the practice in former years when streets required more than ordi- mary repairs, circumstances arose which enabled W. E. Alden and Dr. L. W. Curtis to offer to the town, free of charge, what gravel they had to spare by taking it out if done immediately. This gave no time to call a town meeting. Considering that every load that was put on the above streets was a saving to the town of twenty cents ; considering also the distance of the haul and the price at the other two places mentioned, the selectmen felt fully justified in
84
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
directing the highway surveyor to commence operations. He has distributed this material in first class order-averaging eighteen inches deep and twenty-four wide, and with good crown and even grade-on Crane street west from the passenger depot to Hamilton street, on Hamilton street from St. Peter's church to the Sturbridge line, on West street from South to Main street; also, on Pleasant and Canal streets. 3,180 loads were placed on these roads. The gross amount saved by the liberality of the two above named gentle- men was at least $600 besides getting some seventy-five loads of par- ing stones, for which this board, in behalf of the town, tender their sincere thanks.
Upon the suggestion of the highway surveyor the road oppo- site Mr. Alden's old store was widened 16 feet, and a retaining wall put in nearly eight feet high and sixty-five feet long, and the road from this point to the iron bridge was cut down about three feet to even the grade. This greatly improves the grade and gives the needed width to the road, which was demanded by the constantly in- creasing travel to Sturbridge.
The material used in filling Union and Cross streets was ob- tained from the Hamilton Woolen Company at the usual price of ten cents per load, and 520 loads were taken to repair them, which leaves them in the best of order.
By cutting Marcy street to an even grade with Main street we have added greatly to its appearance, besides furnish- ing 413 loads to repair River street, 484 to Central and 381 to Crane from the passenger station east to Hamilton; the material was not as good as could be wished, but we could do no better with- out going to a much larger outlay, still nine months in the year it makes a good road.
The cost of the above work was about $1,800 most of which was in one district and may appear like a large sum for any one section, but we don't know of any district that needed it more.
Last Fall the leaves and muck that had been doing service on the Wodstock road for the last ten years commenced to get "played out," and the bottom seemed to be going out of certain sections. Mr. Henry Walker was sent out to put the section from the residence of Mr. Joseph Longway to the Woodstock Line in first-class shape, and it was done by him very satisfactorily, by taking up and enlarg-
85
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
ing the culverts and cutting down the high elevations in the road and filling up the low ones, making a good even grade which is greatly appreciated by those going over it with heavy teams. An- other bad section, from near the residence of James H. Mason and running about a mile north, was very handsomely graded by Mr. Mason, who distributed 250 loads of very choice gravel, which made a good hard road and ought to last for the next five years.
Another section of this road, between the residences of Mr. Frank Sayles and Mr. Rufus Young, which suffered a severe washout in December, was fixed up with 320 loads of good material which leaves the Woodstock road in better shape than for a number of years, and it will not require much repairing this year, except a small section from the residence of Joseph Longsway running south about one-half mile. This road has cost about $570 the past year. We think it is good policy to keep it in very good order, from the fact that there is a large amount of heavy teaming and trade travel over it during the year.
All the other roads have received their full share of attention; old culverts have been taken up and new ones put in where needed, by the highway surveyor, and so far as we have been able to learn the highways are fully up to the average. The standard of our high- ways may be judged from a remark made by.County Commissioner Brown at Sturbridge, that "Southbridge had as good streets and roads as any town in the county."
We would also call the attention of the town that when money is voted for sidewalks from 15 to 20 percent of the amount raised should be added to our highway account as it costs about that to put in the gutters and grade up the streets after the walks are laid. In 1877 it cost the highway account over $500 and last year nearly $200. The amount expended on highways the past year is $4,705. The average amount expended on the highways for the past eight years, including special repairs to different streets, has been nearly $5,400.
We have estimated $2,500 for this account the present year .- Owing to the fact of the heavy repairs of last year the roads will not need nearly as much this year to keep them in satisfactory order- although this is one of the most uncertain accounts there is to make estimates on for a year, as may be judged from the fact that only
86
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
one year, 1875, in the past eight has the highway department been able to meet its outlays without overdrawing and special appro- pria tions.
BRIDGES.
All the bridges were carefully examined the past year and the planking on Mill street and North street bridges was found so much decayed as to need renewing which was accordingly done. It was also found necessary to paint Mill street bridge and also the the one on River street to improve the woodwork and give it a little better appearance, as they had been greatly defaced with marks and hieroglyphics ; $171.20 was also used out of the account this year to pay for overlaying on iron bridge. Our estimate of $200 will, we think, cover all repairs in this line.
STREET LIGHTS.
Have cost less than last year and our recommendation of $600 will be all that is necessary. The whole number of lanterns and posts at present is ninety-nine, placed as follows:
Main street.
36
Hamilton street
13
Central street
4 S 1
Elm street.
Park street.
Everett street
Mill street.
South street
High street
Sayles street
Pleasant street
Marcy street
Crane street
1
River Street
9
There are also five without posts, as follows:
Edwards House block
Passenger depot . 1
Patrick Kelly's store 1
1
1 6 6 4 4 4 3
87
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Near Iron Bridge. 1 Near J. S. Gleason's store.
1
-
SIDEWALKS.
Agreeable to the wishes of the town as expressed by their votes we have built the following new walks :
Main and Mechanics streets from residence of William Free- man to American Optical Company, putting in curbing on Main street and concrete and plank on Mechanic street; in order to com- plete this work it was necessary to take about $60 from the side- walk account.
River street sidewalk has been built from Mill street to Passen - ger station on Crane street, about 2200 feet in length. The vote carried it to Hamilton street but we found that it would be more desirable to construct the walk from the depot on the north side of Crane street, and it would be impossible to do so without more money, as an extra curbing would be needed part of the way.
Pine street walk was a short piece from Notre Dame church to Hamilton street, costing $153.31.
There was also voted $400 for Main street walk, commencing at Pleasant street running about 800 feet toward Sturbridge; 675 feet of curbing and 14 corners have been purchased and paid by this account. Owing to a lack of funds the walk was not built.
The selectmen have put in 213 feet curb and gutters on Chapin street, and bought the brick for finishing the same. As soon as done there will be about $100 to carry to credit of sidewalk account in shape of assessments. This was built to protect the street as it was continually a source of expense by washing out at every rain, but since the improvement it has kept in good condition.
The plank walk on Hamilton street has required considerable repairs during the year in the way of new plank and sleepers. The time is not far distant when the whole of it will have to be re- laid, especially the section opposite St. Mary's church where it is now about three feet below the crown of the road.
A concrete crossing from the JOURNAL block to police station and one in front of the Optical works have been built from this ap- propriation.
SS
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
We have. made no estimate for sidewalks relying upon the collecting of assessments due and some small transfers to give enough for repairs the coming year. The assessment against Mr. T. Harrington is objected to on the grounds of its being a second assessment. There is a difference of opinion regarding it and we have concluded to bring it before the town for its action.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Nothing has been done by this board the past year, except to keep the streets clean and the spouts that carry away the waste water from sinks put under ground instead of running on top of it; all requests of this kind have been readily complied with.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The continued depression in business which has deprived many persons of employment has increased the expenditure of this depart- ment. As the statute requires overseers to furnish employment as well as relief and support to the poor, this board last year endeavored as much as possible to give those in needy circumstances work upon the highways and sidewalks preferring to have the town get some return for its money rather than deplete the treasury for nothing. The cost of the out of town poor has increased the past year to $550 Whenever it has been found practicable we have ordered the above class to be sent back to Southbridge.
One or two families in town have been rather expensive-one of them drawing as high as $5 per week. The auditors' report indi- cates even more than this, but nearly $75 of the amount belonged to the year preceeding. This is a large family of small children; the husband has been unable to get work until recently. This fam- ily were pauperised in 1876 and moved from Webster that year into one of the Dresser Manufacturing Company's tenements. The board have given this department a great deal of their time and attention; and while making no pretentions that their course in all
89
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
cases have been the wisest that might have been, it is yet to be shown where they have assisted any person or family unnecessarily. We have endeavored to manage affairs with the strictest economy --- without "grinding the face of the poor" or saving for the town's benefit at the expense of suffering and starvation.
$2,500 is our recommendation for the coming year, hoping that business may improve to such an extent that the above amount will be sufficient for all wants.
Mr. and Mrs. Brain ard retain charge of the almshouse, and keep it in a very neat and orderly manner being governed with large feelings towards humanity. The average number of inmates dur -- ing the year was 16, cach costing $1.69 per week. We recommend $1,000 for this account.
SALARIES.
We recommend the sum of $1,400 for salaries. A feeling of retrenchment towards this account has recently arisen, which is commendable. The salary of the selectmen for the past two years has been $648 per year. This may seem high but we think that those unfamiliar with the details of this department fail to realize the time and attention it demands. During the past two years the care of the poor has involved an unusual amount of labor, owing to the stringency of the times; while the supervision of the highways and sidewalks-with their increasing length-has not been any less than in previous years. As our ideas of the salary question may seem to be biassed we submit the testimony of others. During the five years prior to 1877 the cost of each board of select- men averaged $810 per year. In 1874 the highways were under the control of the surveyor and he charged, for eleven months' services $346.25, which is not included in the above. These figures suggest the thought that other boards have considered that much time and labor were necessary in the management of town affairs.
12
90
SELECTMEN'S REPORT. ESTIMATES.
We submit the following as the estimates of the amount of money to be raised by the town for the year 1879, as" fur- · nished by the different departments :
Highway repairs
$2,500 00
Bridge repairs
200 00
Sidewalk repairs
None
Insurance . None
Printing
250 00
Police station.
175 00
Salaries.
1,400 00
Street lights
600 00
Outside poor
2,500 00
Interest .
1,500 00
Public library dog fund and.
1,200 00
Support of poor
1.000 00
Contingent
200 00
Payment of debts
5,000 00
Fire department contingent.
800 00
Payment of enginemen.
2,140 00
High school.
1,650 00
Common schools, bank and corporation tax of 1879 and 5,300 00
Contingent schools
500 00
State and county tax
5.000 00
Discount on taxes ...
2.500 00 .
Cemetery improvement
500 00
34,915 00
CR.
Unappropriated funds ..
$3,828 59
Transfer state aid 300 00
4,128 59
Total amount asked for
$30,786 41
In making up the Common school account we have anticipated Bank and Corporation tax of 1879, which will become available in De- cember, of about $1,700, which saves raising it by taxation and gives to the committee what they ask for.
91
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
The above estimates will make the rate of faxation 10 1-2 per- cent on the present valuation, and give to the different departments all the money required.
The cause of the high taxes last year can be easily found. In 1875 the town borrowed $15,000, $5,000 of this amount became due last year. In 1877 the town voted 4,680 for sidewalks and school houses which had to be paid last year-making $9680 of previous years' expenses which 1878 had to pay. If the town had paid its bills when contracted the taxes last year would have been only $14 per $1,000; or if the town had borrowed $9000 to keep taxes down -- as it has done on an average every year since 1870-the rate last year would have been reduced at least $3 per $1000. But the tax payers have passed through that ordeal. They have cancelled the above liabilities and paid $4000 special appropriations, with all the neces- sary running expenses of the town, without running into debt a dollar. The coming year, with a desire on the part of all to economize, there is a good prospect that our rate of taxation will not exceed $11 per $1000 and reduce our debt $5000 without adopting the precedent of borrowing to accomplish this end.
Respectfully submitted,
J. J. OAKES, Selectmen
S. K. EDWARDS of
A. H. WHEELER. Southbridge.
SOUTHBRIDGE, March 22, 1879.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
CEMETERY COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE.
REPORT.
The cemetery committee submit their first report, as fol- lows :
Under the provisions of the By-Laws of the town adopted at a meeting held by adjournment from November 6, 1877, to · December 3d, 1877, your committee were chosen at the last annual town meeting to take charge of the Cemetery Grounds, and make the improvements thereon contemplated in the appro- priations granted for that purpose. The Committee have not supposed that it would be necessary or desirable to press for- ward the work of constructing all the avenues in the grounds at once ; but they did regard it important to know just what should be done at some time in the future, and as fast as the town should be in condition to grant appropriations for the completion of the improvements therein, so that every step in that direction should be correctly taken for the development of a general plan which should comprise the entire area in- tended to be used for burial purposes, and just what artificial embellishments the nature of the grounds will permit. This could be obtained only by completing the surveys and lay-out of the grounds and preparing the plans thereof; and the first work of the committee early in the season, therefore, was to finish the lay-out, which was less perfect last year than was judged advisable for proper plans. Mr. D. M. Wheeler was engaged for that purpose, and has laid out into lots all parts
96
CEMETERY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
of the cemetery available for burial purposes, as at present situated, and prepared a very perfect plan of the same includ- ing the old grounds, which is now in the hands of the commit- tee. The expense of this survey was $159, and the plans will cost $200.
The committee also contracted with Messrs. Lamson & Woodbury for the erection of a front entrance to the old ceme- tery on Main street in accordance with the plans and specifica- tions adopted by the town at the meeting held July 23d, 1877 ; the expense of this structure including wing walls has been $809.12 The balance of the last year's appropriation, so far as it was expended, was used in general improvements upon the grounds, clearing away the rubbish left from the work of the year previous, repairing and grading avenues partially made, and grading quite an extensive area on the west side of the land, at a cost of some $766. We are led to believe that no part of this sum has been wasted, and that a great improve- ment in the appearance of the grounds has been secured by this work at a comparatively small outlay. The expense of stakes for marking lots was $19.20; and the committee have purchased hand tools for workmen which are properly marked and kept for use costing $11.60, now the property of the town. As another incidental expense the committee have procured a full set of books, to wit : a Journal, Ledger, Record Book and an Order Book, for the purpose of keeping proper minutes of the transactions of the department, all adapted to its use, and 500 blank deeds, with a like number bound in books, so that a duplicate of each deed will be preserved for future refer- ence if needed, among the public records of the town, at an expense in all of $29.78. This expenditure seemed necessary to enable the committee to comply with the requirements of the By-Laws.
The department has also established a system of regula- tions for its own duties, which will be serviceable to secure
97
CEMETERY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
personal supervision over all matters coming under its charge.
The committee have thus organized their department, and as perfectly as they could, under the rules which the town has prescribed for them to follow, with considerable care. As usual the work has not been free from criticism, but it has been free from any just grounds for charging extravagance in any direction. Regarding the use of money appropriated for cemetery improvements to complete the front entrance to the old yard, to which the attention of the town has been called, unless it can be fairly urged that the gateway and front fence .are not at least an attempt to make an improvement, the criticism is utterly groundless. It is true $500 was spe- cially appropriated for the front entrance ; but it is also true that at the meeting held June 8, 1878, under an article in the warrant properly worded, the $1,000 appropriated at the annual meeting "for completing avenues" limiting its use to purposes not requiring so much-at the request of the committee-the town voted to change it to "Cemetery Improvements" for the express purpose, as publicly stated and as publicly opposed, of enabling the committee to use so much thereof as was necessary to conclude the contract for the erection of the struc- ture the town had voted to build. This would seem to justify the committee in drawing orders sufficient to pay the expense of the structure, as they did.
The committee do not recommend the town to press forward the work of completing the avenues and other im- provements represented upon the plan at once. That may be done hereafter as the financial condition of the town will warrant. The public can now see what is in contemplation, and do it as they wish, or as the cemetery fund may enable them to do it. The burial lots have been appraised and about 800 lots are now for sale, which at the appraised price will net $20,000. The estimated expense of the land and construction of the avenues and improvements will not exceed $15,000. The
13
98
CEMETERY COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
fund from the sale of lots will soon aid the town materially in completing the enterprise without burdensome appropriations, and its people to secure a beautiful landscape in whose bosom they may lay their dear ones as they pass away. Let us guard this enterprise with a prudent and watchful eye.
The committee recommend the following appropriations ;
For the purchase of a second plan, $50 ; but one having been obtained.
For Cemetery Improvements, and to enable the committee to fulfil the obligations of the town according to the condition of the deed of Mrs. Kinsey regarding the fence on Ammidown avenue, $500.
The detailed statement of the receipts and expenditures in this department is contained in the auditors' report, and may be referred to.
A. J. BARTHOLOMEW,
Chairman of Committee.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TAX COLLECTOR
OF THE
.
TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE, AND
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting.
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