USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1887/1888-1890/1891 > Part 14
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
INMATES OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
The following persons have been inmates a part or all of the year :
*John Clark,
aged 90, insane
*Charles Congdon,
aged 43, insane aged 58, insane
*Lucy Harding,
Catherine Tynon,
aged 72, died Feb. 6, 1890
*John Murphy,
*Catherine Welch,
Lucy Cady,
aged 64 aged 70 aged 89 aged 67 aged 26, insane
*Daniel Holden,
* Lewis Gaumon,
*Bridget Kane,
aged 57, insane aged 66, insane
*Mary Reynolds,
aged 76 aged 23
*Cordelia Potvan,
aged 3 aged 20
Ann Ryan,
aged 70, died June 28, 1889
*Phila R. Graves,
aged 88
Emma Moutte,
aged 16
*Regina Fogal,
*Israel Potvan,
*Kate McGrath,
49
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
aged 23, died Jan. 6, 1890
Eugene Murphy, *Ellen Gagnon, aged 27 aged 13 Peter Reed, *John McCarty, aged 64
*Julia Corney, aged 63
Whole number inmates 23, average 17. Those marked * are inmates March I.
ACCOUNTS DUE THE TOWN.
OUTSIDE ACCOUNT.
State of Massachusetts,
$57 63
ALMSHOUSE ACCOUNT.
State of Massachusetts, 984 00
Joseph Green, old iron, 5 73
$989 73
INVENTORY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AT THE ALMSHOUSE AND FARM, Feb. 28, 1890,
Class I, Live Stock, $1191 75
2, Hay and grain, 375 25
3, Carts, wagons and other farming tools,
706 80
4, Household furniture,
342 20
5, Beds and bedding,
240 00
6, Family supplies,
510 80
Inventory of 1889,
$3366 So 3301 00
Gain from 1889,
$65 80 A. J. BARTHOLOMEW, CHAUNCY BROWN, SILAS MORSE,
Appraisers.
Southbridge, Feb. 28, 1890.
05
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
ACCOUNT OF CASH.
Received and paid Town Treasurer, by the Overseers of the Poor for the year ending Feb. 28, 1890. Town of Williamsburg, aid to Mrs. - Helen Wetherell, $104 00
Town of Spencer, aid to Joseph Collet, 27 00
Town of Barre, aid to Mrs. James Bartlett, 17 00
City of Worcester, aid to Charles H. Clee, 15 00
Terrance Smith, paid back to town for aid in 1889, 12 63
Michael Grant, for cash received from Southbridge Print Works, 52 63
H. C. Cady, produce,
3 72
Edwin Morse, produce,
2 35
Joel Goddard, produce,
90
Truman Chamberlain, produce,
5 85
Charles Chase, produce,
4 20
Henry Leno, produce,
34 23
H. Cutting, produce,
2 10
C. V. Carpenter, produce,
7 00
Edgar M. Phillips, produce,
10 96
Lewis Desrosier, produce,
I 00
Daniel Pratt, produce,
4 50
Mary L. Bradford, produce,
I 23
H. Gaudette, produce,
12
George Lyon, produce,
2 00
Stephen Grant, produce,
60
Thomas O'Hara, produce,
I 80
I. P. Hyde, produce,
I 20
M. M. Marble, produce,
3 45
A. E. Weld, produce,
6 30
Frank Marble, produce,
60
G. Easterbrook, produce,
18
Baldwin Vinton, produce,
90
Lewis Lamont, produce,
7 70
Emil Jaubert, produce,
9 60
Charles Morse, produce,
1 00
5I
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Cash (sale), produce,
5 00
George Wood, produce,
80
Nelson Vinton, produce,
I 49
Misses Ferris and Irish, produce,
6 88
Richard Akey, produce,
5 87
A. Cozzens, produce,
3 42
Mr. Lavelley, produce,
I 00
Joseph Morse, produce,
25
Wm. C. Barnes, produce,
I
30
Geo. C. Shepard, produce,
35
Mr. Dion, produce,
20
Andrew Clark, produce,
I 00
Joseph Greggor, produce,
11 00
Cash, produce,
2 45
Byron Richardson, produce,
15
James Marble, produce,
50
Wm. C. Callahan, produce,
5 05
Walter Claflin, produce,
50
Mr. Parsons, produce,
75
O. B. E. Chipman, produce,
2 65
Joseph Green, produce,
I 20
Andrew Morse, produce,
60
Frank Litchfield, produce,
3 00
Frank Dresser, produce,
84
Erastus Northup, produce,
6 90
J. Hemmingway, produce,
3 60
Lucy Landroche, produce,
2 50
C. W. Johnson, produce,
1 15
Joseph Gasso, produce,
8 40
Charles Bebo, produce,
50
Peter Tracey, produce,
50
George Truesdell, produce,
7 05
E. B. Weld, produce,
I 90
Liberty Phelps, produce,
2 35
L. W. Curtis, produce,
2 24
W. E. Northup, produce,
3 76
52
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
Thomas Miller, produce,
5 00
John Flood, produce, 8 00
Joseph Green, produce,
I 60
Edwin Swift, produce,
4 00
Luther Ammidown, produce,
80
Mr. French, produce,
3 00
Geo. C. Phillips, produce,
2 75
L. N. Holden, two heifers, produce,
45 75
Warren Cutting, one heifer,
20 00
E. M. Phillips, produce,
22 16
C. A. Paige, produce,
9 15
Ira Vinton, produce,
40
Thomas Potter, produce,
I 80
A. E. Weld, two cows,
82 00
Wm. E. Weld, produce,
I 65
Asa Morse, produce.
I 00
Henry Leno, horse,
20 00
W. E. Northup, two guns,
5 50
Henry Leno, express wagon,
5 00
E. B. Horn, cash,
2 30
F. Butler, produce,
65
Chauncy Brown,
So
$682 17
C. A. PAIGE, E. M. PHILLIPS, W. C. CALLAHAN, Overseers of the Poor.
REPORT
OF THE
LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
The Library Committee respectfully present their Twenti- eth Annual Report for the year ending Feb. 28, 1890,
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance March 1, 1889, $ 180 45
Appropriation at annual meeting,
1,500 00
Dog fund for 1888,
468 55
Rebate on gas,
25 95
Received by Librarian for fines, etc.,
84 29
$2,259 24
EXPENDITURES.
A. J. Comins, services as librarian and assistants, janitor, etc.,
$850 00
Work on catalogue,
100 00
Cash paid, supplies, etc.,
6 53
M. P. Foster, printing catalogues, 392 00
54
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
M. P. Foster, for binding catalogues and printing, 22 80
W. T. Robinson, printing, I OO
Estes & Lauriat and others for books, bindings and periodicals, 597 44
Library bureau and others for supplies, 12 85
Mutual Gas Light Co. for gas,
250 42
Southbridge Coal Co. for coal, 54 80
E. G. Arnold for wood, 2 75
C. S. Ayres for labor and material, 2 35
· G. M. Lovell, pictures, 6 50
F. E. Corbin, record book, etc.,
I 42
$2,300 86
Account overdrawn March 1, 1890, $41 62
MYNOTT FUND.
RECEIPTS.
Balance March 1, 1889, $36 50
Interest at Southbridge Savings Bank
March 1, 1890, 40 20
EXPENDITURES. $76 70
Estes & Lauriat and others, books, 22 49
Balance, $54 21
55
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
REMARKS.
The annual examination of the Library was made by the committee on Feb. 22, and the same was found in a satisfactory condition. The committee would recommend an appropriation of $1,500 and the dog fund for 1889 to defray the expenses for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted by the Library Committee,
F. E. CORBIN, Secretary.
Public Library, March 1, 1890.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
In preparing this, the twentieth annual report of the Library, my seventeenth, there is much satisfaction in looking back, and contrasting the use now made of the Library with that of earlier years. The gradual but steady increase of the use of our books for real study is most gratifying, and no thoughtful observer can fail to recognize the fact, that the Pub- lic Library is not a place for obtaining reading simply for recrea- tion, but that it is a helpful stimulant to all inquiring minds, and an important agent in advancing the educational attain- ments of our people. Ten years ago our books, except dic- tionaries and encyclopædias, were used very little, only as they were taken for home use. Now, it is seldom there are not members from some of our literary. clubs, teachers or pupils from the schools, or other students., who are consulting these and other works for information upon special subjects.
During the past year we have prepared and had published our third supplementary catalogue, in which are indexed 3,339 volumes. The subject cataloguing of these volumes has been much more thorough than in the previous catalogues, thus giv- ing an increased usefulness to the books indexed.
Among the important additions to the Library during the year, in history, are Reclus' Europe, 5 volumes ; Bryce's Amer- ican Commonwealth, 2 volumes ; McCarthy's Epoch of Reform, and Fiske's Critical Period of American History. In biography, volume 6 of Cyclopædia of American Biography ; Correspond- ence of John Lothrop Motley, 2 volumes ; Emerson in Concord;
57
REPORT, OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
Bayne's Martin Luther, 2 volumes ; Correspondence of Daniel O'Connell and Life and Letters of S. W. Williams. In travels and description, Rein's Industries of Japan, Murray's Daylight Land, Ballou's Footprints of Travel, Custer's Tenting on the Plains, Amelia B. Edwards' Thousand Miles up the Nile, and Lane's Account of the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Egyptians. In poetry and drama, Sir E. Arnold's Sa-di in the Garden, Higginson's Afternoon Landscape, and Dryden's Dramatic Works. In literary and æsthetic works, Thompson's Sylvan Secrets, Hammerton's Portfolio Papers, Bianchi's My- thology of Greece and Rome, and Dyer's Folk-Lore of Plants. In religious works, Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England. The books purchased with the income of the Mynott Fund are Prisoners of Poverty by Helen Campbell ; Lost Chapters recov- ered from the early History of American Methodism by J. B. Wakely ; The Struggle for Immortality by E. S. Phelps ; The Lily among Thorns, a study of the Biblical Drama entitled "The Song of Songs," by W. E. Griffis; Poems by Harriet McEwen] Kimball ; Glimpses of Fifty Years by Frances E. Willard ; The Autobiography of Mary Howett, and Life of Wilbur Fiske by George Prentice. .
Among the important Public Documents received from Hon. George F. Hoar, Hon. J. E. Russell and others are of Geological Surveys, Monographs, 15 volumes ; Bulletins, 40 numbers that have been bound in 5 volumes ; annual reports of the Commissioner to the Indians, 16 volumes ; Greely's Expedi- tion to Lady Franklin Bay, 2 volumes, and the usual annual reports upon Agriculture, Education, Ethnology, etc.
Through the efforts of the chairman of our committee, J. M. Cochran, Esq., 26 sets of the Ammidown Historical Collec- tion have been sent to other towns, and we have received in exchange 42 volumes, many of them valuable histories.
The demand for copies of the Atlantic, Century, Harper's and St. Nicholas' Magazines and North American Review, which are for circulation, has much increased and meets with
58
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
great favor. The use made by teachers of their school cards, constantly increases. Twenty-nine volumes have been with- drawn from the Library. Twenty-two of this number were duplicate volumes and were sent to the Charlton Public Library. Seven were books too much worn for circulation, and not thought to be of sufficient value to replace.
It will be noticed fewer books than usual have been added by purchase the past year. This is owing to the fact that the book account was overdrawn last year. The annual examina- tion of books, as usual took place Feb. 22d, and it was found that no books had been lost.
59
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
GENERAL STATEMENT.
BOOKS, ETC.
March 1, 1889.
Added from March 1, '89
to March I '90.
Withdrawn from March I :
Total number in Library.
March I, '90.
Books in library,
12,727
579
29| 13,277
Pamphlets in Library,
1,088
102
85
1,105
Periodicals (odd numbers) in Library,
194
51
245
Total unbound material,
1,282
I53
85
1,350
ACCESSIONS.
Purchases,
202
Binding of periodicals and pamphlets,
I26
By exchange of Mr. Ammidown's histories,
42
Gifts,
209
579
Deduct withdrawals,
29
Add number in Library March 1, 1889,
550
12,727
Present number in Library,
13,277
'89, to March 1, '90
60
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
CLASSIFICATION.
[ACCESSION AND CIRCULATION.]
Rank of
No
Classes.
No. in Per- Added. Library. Circulated. centage.
I
Fiction,
32
I424
7,716
43.38
2
Juvenile works,
22
882
4,26 I
23.95
3
History,
39
1103
702
3.94
4
Biography,
19
1040
540
3.03
5
Travels and description,
28
719
950
5.44
6
Poetry and drama,
15
555
359
2.0I
7
Scientific and educational,
5
691
323
1.81
8
Literary and æsthetical,
22
895
540
3.03
9
Religious and philosophical, 9
452
96
.53
IO
Complete works,
00
255
III
.62
II
Miscellaneous works,
22
392
312
1.75
I2
Bound periodicals,
70
1096
645
3.62
I3
Agricultural works,
2
185
44
.24
14
Law documents, [reserved]
2
I79
00
00
I5
Mass. public documents,
14
378
2
.OI
16
U. S. public documents,
104
106I
7
.03
I7
French books,
II
159
849
4.77
18
Unbound magazines, [single numbers,]
00
00
292
1.63
R
Reference section, [issued by special permit,]
27
604
39
.21
D
Duplicates,
56
323
00
A. L. Ammidown Library, [reserved] 80
884
00
00
579
13,277 17,788
100.00
No
61
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
RANK OF MONTHS.
Use in Library.
1888.
1889.
Use at Home.
1888.
1889.
I
March,
177
266
I
March,
1,682
1,749
2
April,
196
405
2
April,
1,270
1,363
3
May,
160
352
3
May,
1,17I
1,209
4
June,
125
225
4
June,
1,O15
1,245
5
July,
180
200
5
July,
1,106
1,430
6
August,
220
125
6
August,
1,137
1,442
7
September,
200
280
7
September,
1,20I
1,225
8
October,
224
290
8
October,
1,338
1,469
9
November,
288
390
9
November,
1,379
1,680
IO
December.
320
379
IO December,
1,419
1,532
II
January, '90
275
500
II January, '90
1,796
1,798
I2
February,
298
293
12 February,
1,650
1,646
2,663 3,705
16,161
17,788
CIRCULATION.
From March 1, 1889, to March 1, 1890.
AGGREGATE.
Total number of volumes consulted at the library, 3,705
Total number of volumes taken for home use, 17,788
Total circulation of books,
21,493
USE OF LIBRARY WITHIN THE ROOMS.
Largest use on any day, Jan. 3, 77
Smallest use on any day, June 30, 2
Average use per day, I2
62
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
ISSUED FOR HOME USE.
Largest number issued any day, Feb. 15, 156
Smallest number issued any day, Jan. I, 25
Average issue per day, 58
NUMBER WHO HAVE TAKEN BOOKS FROM THE LIBRARY.
Accounts open from the beginning, 4,263
Accounts cancelled from the beginning, 2,076
Accounts opened the past year, 176
Accounts now open, 2,187
DONORS AND GIFTS.
Unbound Books. Pamphlets. Periodicals.
Agricultural Experiment Station,
7
Ammidown, Holmes, estate of,
74
38
5I
Ammidown, P. H.,
4
Borough of Swansea, Wales,
2
Boston Public Library,
2
Chicago Public Library,
I
9
Clemence, George L.,
I
Clemence, Mrs. Sarah J.,
2
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
6
I
Concord Public Library,
I
Connecticut Historical Society,
I
Crosby, Mrs. Martha K.,
I
Cutler, Mrs Susan C.,
3
Department of Interior,
4
6
Engineering News Publishing Co.,
I
Fall River Public Library,
I
Fay, Miss Sarah B.
I
Grafton Public Library,
I
Hartford Library Association,
I
3
63
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
Hoar, Hon. George F., 14
Hopedale, Mass., Public Library,
I
Lancaster, A. E., I
Leicester Public Library,
I
Maimonides Library, New York City,
I
Massachusetts New Church Union,
I
Newberry Library, Chicago,
I
New Haven Public Library,
I
New York Forest Commission, Albany,
I
North Brookfield Public Library,
I
Pope, F. L.,
I
Rice, Hon. W. W.,
9
Rusk, J. M., Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, I
Russell, Hon. J. E., 60 20
Society for prevention of cruelty to animals,
I
Springfield City Library Association,
I
Town Officers, 9
Walker, Hon. J. E.,
7
West Brookfield Public Library,
I
Whitaker, George M., 5
Worcester Public Library,
Y. M. C. A., Worcester,
I
209
IO2
5I
I
GIFTS TO MUSEUM.
Clemence, Mrs. S. J. Specimen of the Hooded Bean. Cochran, Mr. J. M. A three cent scrip issued in 1863. Comins, Miss A. J. Curiosities from the Sandwich Islands.
64
REPORT OF LIBRARY COMMITTEE.
FINANCIAL.
RECEIPTS.
Fines,
$54 88
Catalogues,
14 95
Cards,
8 20
Discount on Books,
3 00
Damaged Book,
60
Waste Paper,
I 16
J. W. Bromley for use of Library 6 months,
I 50
$84 29
EXPENDITURES.
Brooms and brushes,
I 25
Mucilage, matches and twine,
I 50
Camphor gum for Museum,
40
Charcoal,
I 05
Labor and repairs,
2
33
$6 53
A. JEANNETTE COMINS, Librarian
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
In submitting our annual report we shall endeavor to be brief as possible and refer only to subjects that are of essential interest to the citizens. The publication of the assessors' valu- ation list in the town report forbids elaboration. The year has been uneventful, with appropriations and expenditures showing a gradual increase. Economy should characterize our govern- ment in town affairs, but we fear that with some the thought and estimation of the amount necessary to maintain our local expenses has received slight consideration. Let us demand a thorough investigation in all matters pertaining to our fiscal expenditures. We are a prosperous town, but let us not delude ourselves that there is unlimited resources or unbearable taxa- tion and we would remind the voters that by their action is largely determined the rate of taxation, and the amount of ex- penditure. During the past year suits against the town have been entered by Thomas Doyle of Spencer, and William R. Walker & Son of Providence. The first is for money claimed to be due for building the Town Hall and High school building, the second for plans and perspective drawings, High school $225, Town Hall and High school, $325. These are claims which the selectmen do not acknowledge and judging from what information they are able to obtain from the committees the town is not liable. The suit of Charles T. Barber for land damages has been settled by paying $300, the suit of C. A. Dresser by the Court, the jury awarding $650. The boundary lines have been perambulated and monuments re-marked, in accordance with law, between this and all adjoining towns.
1
66
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
CONTINGENT.
Unusually large expenditures have been made under this account and an enumeration of a few items will serve to show what the account embraces. Council fees, settlement of dam- age suits, publishing new by-laws, adoption of the ballot reform law, police duty, janitor's services, perambulating boundary lines, teams for town officers, disinfecting and fumigating, rent of hall for town meetings, returning births and deaths, conduct- ing funerals, town clerk's services, maintaining guide posts and street signs, etc., etc. The appropriation is largely overdrawn and at the lowest estimate $2000 will be needed for the ensuing year.
TOWN HALL.
During the past year the building has been completed and in accordance with the by-laws passed into our hands for main- tenance. As the building is used for a double purpose and to avoid any difference of opinion which might arise between the school committee and selectmen as to the amount to be appor- tioned for maintenance we would recommend a special appro- priation for the building. Said appropriation would include janitors' services, fuel, lighting, water rates, etc. Owing to the wet weather when the building was constructed, the record vault has been very damp and unfitted for use. During the coming season it should be shelved and arranged for all records and made to answer the purposes for which it was built. There have been some unforeseen expenditures, such as wiring, putting in switches, etc., for electric lighting and arranging to light the gas by electricity in the main hall. There will need be done some other things not now provided for of one of which we make especial mention. There should be placed over all the basement windows heavy wire gratings. They will protect the
67
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
glass from breakage, allow ventilation and prevent persons from entering the building through the windows. This is something that is being provided for on many public buildings in other places and certainly should be here. There is a small credit balance to the account, but there will have to be an additional appropriation when it is determined what amount is due the contractor.
BRIDGES.
The bridges throughout the town are in good condition. The iron bridge near the Hamilton'Woolen Co's works and the bridge crossing the canal below Lensdale have been replanked with three inch southern pine. The account is slightly , over- drawn. We think an appropriation of $200 will be sufficient.
HIGHWAYS.
The new law of 1889 came into effect requiring the select- men to appoint some suitable person as superintendent of streets and acting in accordance therewith we appointed our past high- way surveyor, A. H. Shepard, to the position. That the citi- zens may readily perceive his duties we publish Section 2 of Chapter 98 of the Acts of 1889. "Said superintendent of streets shall, under the direction of the selectmen, have full charge of all repairs and labor required of towns upon streets, ways, bridges and sidewalks and the care and preservation of shade trees and in relation thereto shall have all the powers and be subject to the duties, liabilities and penalties now or hereafter imposed upon surveyors of highways." In reviewing the year
68
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
and summing up the expenditures there may be some criticism regarding the expensive outlay and charges of a remission of of duty in our direction of the superintendent but it should be taken into consideration that we have had an nnfavorable sea- son with freshets and washouts and have also performed con- siderable work such as would ordinarily come under special ap- propriations. There has been a great improvement on the high- way below Lensdale. The road has been widened from ten to twelve feet for a distance of about eight hundred feet and the road bed rebuilt. This needed improvement had been long deferred and was made from repair money without calling for a special grant. Hamilton street which for a number of years has been the source of general complaint arising from its muddy and uneven surface, has received our attention and its condition greatly improved. The top surface loam has been scraped off and carted away and the road bed rebuilt and regraded with good gravel. Numerous other repairs which might almost be classed as special improvements have been done within and under this appropriation. The expenditures amount to $5,500. There is a small credit balance and we would recommend for the ensuing year $3,500, believing this sum ample and that the ex- penditures can and should be kept within the appropriation.
INSURANCE.
The changing of the by-laws during the past ycar has taken the insurance out of the hands of the Town Clerk and placed it in the hands of the selectmen. The new by-laws in relation to this subject read as follows: "The selectmen shall have charge of the insurance upon the buildings and property of the town." We have insured the Town Hall and High school building for $50,000 for the term of three years, also the steam boilers in the
69
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
building for $5000 for the same term. The money was pro- vided by a transfer from unappropriated funds. The account shows an unexpended balance and a comparatively small sum will be needed the ensuing year.
MILITIA.
There is a credit balance of $332.75 to the account and as we are reimbursed from the state to the amount of $400 an ap- propriation of $200 will be adequate.
POLICE STATION.
The lockup keeper, who is appointed by the selectmen, gives entire satisfaction, but there should be more promptness on the part of police officers and constables who are negligent in regard to the payment of dues that belong to the town. The law provides that for each person committed there shall be charged upon the warrant or precept fifty cents for each full day from the time of commitment, which shall be paid to the town for maintaining the lockup. There is a credit of $111.05 to the account and we would recommend an appro- priation of $ 100, which will be sufficient if dues are promptly paid.
RAILINGS.
Great attention has been paid to the railing of highways. There has been constructed over 1200 feet of new first class railing in District No. 6, also about 600 feet on Dresser hill. Other places have received repairs, painting, etc., and with few exceptions the railing throughout the town is in good condition. There is one important place on the river road between Lens-
70
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
dale and Sandersdale in a dilapidated and unsafe condition and it should receive the early attention of the incoming board. There is a small credit balance to the account and $300 will be sufficient for the coming year.
SIDEWALKS.
Large expenditures and extensive repairs have been made under this account, and, as has been restated in former reports, there will of necessity have to be liberal appropriations continu- ously to maintain the great number and extent of walks we have throughout the town. This year more has been expended than will be required in average years. We have constructed a good gravel walk the entire distance from the covered railroad bridge on Main street to Lensdale without calling for a special appro- priation. The board, being fully acquainted with the deplorable and almost impassable condition of the street for foot travel and fully realizing the importance of a walk for the accommodation of those who are obliged to go to and from the works at Lens- dale, felt justified in the construction, We have raised and re- set the curb stone and rebuilt the walk from Park street to the residence of Mrs. Leonard. Other new work has been done, besides a great deal of concrete top dressing over old walks. All that is needed has not been done, but our walks are in fair condition, We would recommend an appropriation of $500.
STREET LIGHTS.
The expense of lighting our streets has been rapidly in. creasing each year since the introduction of the electric light.
71
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
The original contract with the Electric company provided for 40 arc lights, but since that time there has been added eight lights by vote of the town at different times, so that we are now maintaining a total of 48 arc and 76 incandescent lights. Last June we contracted with the Electric company to furnish not less than 75 incandescent lights of 25 candle power at the rate of $ 16 per year, said contract to expire April 3, 1890, the town having the privilege of renewing the contract for a term of two years. On Nov. 5 there was transferred from unappropriated funds $325 to this account and an arrangement was made with the Electric company to run the lights till 12 o'clock. We think an expression of the town should be given at our annual meeting to determine the hour for extinguishing the lights. The price pald for arc lights is six cents per hour for each light and for incandescent (Ic.) one cent per hour. Our people will readily see just what it costs to run an extra hour, $83.72 per month, $1,004.64 per year. These figures are on a basis of twenty-three nights in each month. It is costing at the pres- ent time $462.77 per month, at the rate of $5,553.24 per year, and this does not include the fountain light which has to be run all night and every night in the year at a cost of $25 or $30. The contract with the Electric company for furnishing arc lights expires in September, 1890. We have gone largely into figures and details that the citizens may be sufficiently informed and that wise and clear action may be exercised in determining their votes upon this question. There has been expended nearly $4,500, the account is cverdrawn and will need an appropria- tion of nearly $6,000 for the ensuing year, if the lights are to be run until 12 o'clock.
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.