USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1905-1908 > Part 15
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230
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
énabling us to call whatever piece of apparatus need- ed, without resorting to a general alarm.
The condition of the apparatus at the present time is excellent and will compare favorably with any town in the State. While we feel that we are in a fair position to cope with a visit of the fire fiend, we must in line of our duty call your attention to the Water Supply system on which so much depends, and especially to the condition of affairs on Main street. The main pipe which supplies the center of the town is in our judgment much too small to give us adequate protection in case of fire. "As this pipe was laid a number of years ago when the town was much smaller and the use of city water for home use, motors, etc., was not so common, it would seem the part of wisdom to increase the size of the main pipe especially for fire protection, for at the present time it is almost impos- sible to get more than three effective streams on Main street. We would recommend that the appropriation for the running of the department for the coming year be $2,000.
In conclusion we would thank the Board of Engineers for their support during the year, also the members of each company. Credit is due to those who furnished horses the past year for their prompt- ness in responding to alarms, also to the superintend- ent of the fire alarm for the excellent condition of the system.
1
Respectfully submitted, C. P. PHIPPS, Chief, M. P. O'SHAUGHNESSY, Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN.
-
1
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Assuming that some statement that would under- take to answer the question so frequently asked at home and abroad, "Why is the tax rate so high in Southbridge ?" might be of interest at this time to the citizens, and realizing that such information might be appreciated, and lead to a better understanding of the conditions existing in Southbridge, we beg to submit a few facts and figures, without comment as tothe wisdom or lack of it, for a period extending back to 1885. We go back to that year because the Selectmen in making their report to the town that year said, "It is very gratifying that we are enabled to report that the last outstanding obligation against the town has been can- celled, and that the town of Southbridge is free from debt," and after congratulating the citizens that the town has the best highways and cleanest streets, called attention to the fact that thousands of feet of sidewalk had been constructed, that the Fire Department was unexcelled, the poor generously cared for, and that the schools were above the average; in fact, in all de- partments, Southbridge stood at the head as compared with other towns, and, notwithstanding liberality in all the several departments, taxes were kept within
234
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
bounds, and low as compared with other places, and closed with these words: "Nevertheless, we must not be unmindful of future improvements. We need bet- ter high school accommodations. We have over nine hundred voters, and it is impossible for more than one- half to be admitted to the Town hall at any one time."
You will note in the closing paragraph that there is an intimation of the needs of the town, and conse_ quently an expenditure of money.
The following year a sewerage system was rec- ommended, and in the warrant there also appeared an article, "To see what action the town would take re- garding a Town hall and High school building."
Two years lit r the Selectmen in their report say, "The town during the past year has voted large sums of money for special improvements, the largest, we believe, in the history of the town," and in 1888 report there appeared an expenditure for Town hall lot of $4,500, and the following year $65,000 was voted to build a Town hall. The appropriation made by this outlay increased the tax rate for that year $2.40 on the thousand. The year following, other expenditures. followed, as the Sele tmen in their report for the year said : "There seems to be a tendency towards profuse- ness and extravagance in many directions, a willing- ness to vote away money of the town without that thoughtful and careful consideration which should de- termine our action," and well they might make this statement, for in ten years the expenses had doubled in many departments, and in some increased four-fold.
235
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
We have not the space to go into detail as to data, etc., but submit without it a list of public build- ings with expense incurred from 1888 to 1904, as fol- lows :--
Town hall and High school building, $75,000 00
Marcy street school house and lot, 50,000 00
Engine house No. 1 and lot, 24,000 00
Engine house No. 2,
9,000 00
Mechanics street school house and lot, 19,000 00
Armory,
10,000 00
Making a total of $187,000 00
The total amount appropriated for sewers during this time was $116,000, of which it is within bounds to, say that the actual cost to the town, after deducting assessments, has been about 40 per cent., which would add to the outlay nearly $50,000, making a total of $237,000.
As the notes of the town were given for all these out- lays there was incurred an interest account approximat- ing $5000 annually, and this represents only about one- half the burden on the town to be met, as the expense for janitor, heating, lighting, water, etc., equalled in amount what was paid for the interest on every public building referred to, if we except the Town Hall, and this will not fall much behind ; so that, instead of the interest which had to be paid on the outlays of $237,000, we have been paying on practically twice that amount.
All of the above expenses referred to had to be met in addition to the regular appropriations for
236
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
schools, highways, etc., which increase with the growth of the town. The town is growing, and every new street, every new sidewalk, every new street light> every increase in expansion of every name and nature brings added expense for maintenance. If our valua- tion increased in proportion, all would be well, but such is not the case. To give an idea of the increased expense of running the town for a period of ten years the following figures will convey some idea.
In 1895 the town expended $77,104, and in 1905 they expended $117,690, an increase in ten years of $40,586, over 52 per cent. During this time our valua- tion had increased from $3,558,457.95 to $4,700,000 in 1905, an increase of $1,141,543, a gain of about 30 per cent. showing that the expense of running the town had increased 22 per cent. more then the valua- tion.
In view of these facts, is it surprising that our tax rate is high compared with other towns which have not achieved what Southbridge has in this line. In addition the law passed by the legislature in 1904 has resulted in the town's losing the past two years over $13,000 they formerly received from the corpora- tion tax ; increasing the taxes $1.30 on the thousand the past two years.
To answer the question, then, proposed at the commencement of this report "Why taxes are high in Southbridge ? " we would answer :
First. The very large expenditure for public, buildings and sewers in the last eighteen years, aggre-
237
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
gating $237,000, creating an interest account approxi- mating $1.25 on a thousand and $1.25 on a thousand additional for maintainance of the outlays.
Second. The increased expenditure in every de- - partment of the town's affairs occasioned by the growth of the town.
Third. The apparent lack of a proportionate in- crease in the valuation.
While the citizens are naturally restive and un- easy under these burdens, there are some bright spots on the horizon, for while the taxpayers have burdened themselves for the past few years, they have the satis- faction of knowing that no towni n the Commonwealth has invested in the same length of time as much in public buildings as has Southbridge. Our magnificent Town hall, school houses, engine houses, wide streets, miles of sidewalks, besides seven miles of sewers built during this period will be left as a legacy to our suc- cessors, not as a burden for them to carry, but as a monument to the enterprise, sagacity, and unselfish- ness of the men who conceived and carried to consum- mation great enterprises that will satisfy the wants and desires of this community for many years to come.
From the foregoing statement it is evident that we ought not, and do not, need to make any special appro- priations for some time to come. We have the Town hall and No. 2 engine house paid for, and the last note given for armory will be paid in two years, Marcy street school house in three years, No. 1 engine house in four years, Central street bridge in seven years, Mc-
238
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
chanics street school house in eight years. With the exception of sewer notes, for which the town appro- priates annually $1,000 for a sinking fund, this consti - tutes all the obligations outstanding against the town. These notes and interest must be provided for annual- ly as they become due, and we shall not be able to cur- tail materially on the regular annual appropriations, much as we should like to do so. There may be and ought to be some reductions perhaps, but by investiga- tion it will be found that it is not possible to the extent we might desire. We must maintain our schools at a high efficiency. Our highways, fire de- partment, and poor must receive practically about the same. Our streets must be lighted, water supply kept adequate for protection against fire, and such other expenses provided for as our citizens think wise and prudent.
We should insist that the town gets its equivalent for money expended in all departments, and one and all realize that by pursuing and insisting on this policy alone can we secure results that will meet the ap- proval of our citizens.
The auditor's report will give an account of expen- ditures in the several departments the past year.
CONTINGENT ACCOUNT.
From time immemorial every board of Selectmen report this account as overdrawn, and this year is no exception. It is caused from the fact that every year
239
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
there appears some unforeseen emergency that draws upon this account. Last year it was the diphtheria epidemic, and this year the account has been drawn on heavily from the same cause. The account is over- drawn this year $1,127.29,but as the account was over- drawn $2,101.74 at the beginning of the year, and there has been expended $1,143 this year owing to the diphtheria, we feel reasonably well satisfied with the outcome. We recommend that a separate appropria- tion be made this year for the use of the Board of Health, and we therefore recommend an appropriation of $1,000 less for this account than last year.
The town has had two suits brought and decided against it, one by John Young. who brought suit for injuries said to have been received by an alleged de- fect.in the highway. The Selectmen did not feel that he could secure a verdict, but finally concluded to set- tle the suit by the payment of $100. The other was brought by Andrew Degrenier for injury received at the junction of Mechanics and Main streets. We sup- posed until just before the trial that the railroad com- pany were to be the defendants, but it developed later that the town was made a defendant owing to a law passed in 1898 requiring towns to care for the streets over which a street railway passed in return for an excise tax received by the town from the railroad company. This law is an outrageous one on towns, and we are thankful it can apply to our streets over which the street railroad passes, only from the junc- tion of Mechanics and Main to the American Optical Company's works.
240
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
The case was decided against the town, and a ver- dict of $3,500 awarded Mr. Degrenier. We have pre- sented a claim to the Railroad company, and while it is doubtful if we could collect from them by process of law, we are hopeful we may be partially remunerated for the verdict.
There is another case pending against the town by Mr. Joseph Wald, who was injured at the same time and place, but we have no fears of the town's suffer- ing to any great extent from this suit.
COLLECTION OF TAXES.
At the annual election Mr. Victor W. Lamoureux was elected tax collector, but in August resigned, and we appointed Mr. E. D. Desrosiers as his successor. The wisdom of the appointment can be judged by consulting the report of the amount of uncollected taxes ; at this writing the amount outstanding uncollected is less than $400 out of a tax levy of $117,690.00. We doubt if there has ever been such a showing made by any tax collector in Southbridge or elsewhere, and he is en- titled to receive the support of every voter in town who values untiring industry and effort in the conduct of the town's business, regardless of party or any other consideration. There has been and is a demand for faithful, conscientious public servants, and when one demonstrates his capacity and fitness he should be re- warded as an inducement for others to emulate. One
241
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
year ago W. R. Olney, collector, was in arrears in his collections for 1901-2-3-4 to the amount of $20,753.94. He has during the past year collected and reduced the amount uncollected to $3,900, and deserves credit for making so good a showing and the town is to be con- gratulated on the situation today existing so far as collecting of taxes is concerned.
TOWN HALL.
We have made some changes in the exits, as re- quired by the State police, and, as the hall is being used more than formerly for entertaiments, have in- stalled foot lights on the stage and have concreted outside of the building to prevent water running into it, and have pointed up some of the stone work and repaired the chimneys.
The receipts the past year for use of hall have been $400.
In closing this report we desire to call attention to a fact not generally known, that out of an expendi- ture of one hundred and seventeen thousand dollars the past year, only about twenty thousand dollars has come under the jurisdiction of this Board. The schools, highways, poor account, sewers, fire department, library and cemetery funds are under the absolute control of their respective Boards, who draw their own orders and are in no way under supervision of the
242
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Selectmen as far as the finances are concerned. Con- sequently the Selectmen's report is a historical remin- der of the past and suggestions for the future.
The important suggestion we desire to make is that the matter of expenditures of each and every Board is absolutely under the control of the voter in Town meeting assembled. The supreme moment when the decision is made as to the amount any Board may expend in any year is when the voter votes for or . against an appropriation. And this leads us to say that the by-laws should contain a clause prohibiting any Board of Town officers approving bills exceeding the appropriation, excepting in case of some epidemic or of some unusual or extraordinary occasion in the town affairs where it is an absolute necessity.
In conclusion, if the voters will avail then- selves of the experience of the past in public matters, and use due care and prudence for a while in appropriations and in taking up new matters requir- ing outlay of the town's money, we feel sure that the high rate of taxes will be a thing of the past, and all can look forward to the future with hope and con- fidence.
Respectfully submitted,
CALVIN D. PAIGE, C. FRED HILL, ALEXIS BOYER, JR.
Selectmen.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
The Sewer Commissioners have built sewers the past year on Union and Cross streets and a small sec- tion on Main street. This part of the town was in urgent need of a sewer, owing to the large number of tenements and the utter failure of (ess )ools. The abutters along the lines of sewers have connected their properties therewith for the most part. The town now has in actual use seven and seventeen one hun- dredths miles of sewers. There are 469 buildings con- nected with this mileage, including four manufactur- ing establishments, six school buildings and three pub- lic buildings. These 469 buildings empty into the sewers 933 sinks, 889 closets, 217 baths, 218 bowls, 21 trays, 32 urinals and 10 water motors. Sixteen filtra- tion beds off the Sandersdale road. with a combined area of seven and one-quarter acres, receive an aver- age daily flow of between six and seven hundred thousand gallons of sewage. This flow is somewhat increased by clean water from water motors and from roofs. The Commissioners are of opinion that such water ought not to be permitted to enter the sewers and intend to investigate the matter further, as efforts
246 1
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
must constantly be made to keep the filter beds solely for sewerage. The addition of a large amount of clean water unnecessarily fills up the beds, which are none too large at present. The time is not far distant when other beds must be constructed to care for the increased flow as the mileage of pipe increases. The Board has kept Napoleon Berthiaume as caretaker of the beds and they have never been in better condition. No complaints have reached us from the State Board of Health since the present management took charge. The Board is about to erect a small building adjoining the filter beds, where the tools and other property may be safely kept, with a suitable shed for teams, and in- tend to experiment with some of the pipes leading from the mains to increase, if possible, the capacity of certain of the filter beds .. We therefore recommend the appropriation of $500 for the Sewer contingent account.
The assessments for the work completed last year will shortly be imposed. The Commissioners call at- tention to the fact that abutters should give prompt notice if they desire their assessments apportioned.
Respectfully submitted,
H. C. CADY, HENRY B. MONTAGUE, WILFRID J. LAMOUREUX, Sewer Commissioners.
247
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
Board of Sewer Commissioners, Southbridge, Muss.
GENTLEMEN : -
The sewers built this year were on Union, Cross and Main streets.
Proposals for doing the work were received fron these bidders : -
George M. Bryne Co.
Boston, Mass. $4,825 50
M. J. Kane,
Worcester, Mass. 5,030 86
D. A. Dorey,
Somerville, Mass. 5,0±9 75
E. B. Roberts, Boston, Mass. 5,050 20
H. A. Hanscom, Boston, Mass. 5,178 00
Gow & Palmer, Boston, Mass. 5,218 50
The award was made to the George M. Bryne Cc. and the contract was immediately signed and bonds furnished.
-
Work was started July 8, on Union street at the junction of Hamilton. The whole line of work except Main street was through a wet soil but underdrains were not used as the water was not present in suffi- cient quantity to seriously interfere with the laying of pipe, and beside there was no outlet to be had for un- · derdrains without much extra work.
The amount of ledge excavation wasless this year than the estimate. Cross street hill not being as bad in this quantity, although on other parts of the work it was more than expected.
This work was up to the standard of that done by Mr. Bryne in past years. It was completed August 12,
248
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
1905 and upon inspection was put in immediate use The abutters along the line starting at once to connect their houses.
HOUSE CONNECTIONS.
Applications for 55 house connections were re- ceived during the past year. Sixteen of which were on the line of this years work. Probably the most im- portant in this department was the private line from Elm street near the Summer street school house tak- ing in Crescent street and the houses on the west side of Elm street from Summer to and including F. L. Chapin's residence.
A summary of the work of the Board shows seven and seventeen hundredths miles of sewer mains with 469 buildings connected. There yet remains 43 build- ings along these mains not connected. The reason, in a few cases being, there is no water mains in the streets, noticeably part of Union and Cross streets.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. WHITTAKER, Engineer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR.
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR'S
REPORT.
As this department is subject to more criticism, I have thought best to make my report more clear so that the tax payers' may vote more intelligently upon this subject.
Appropriation for the year end-
ing March 1, 1905, $7,385 46
Overdrawn, 713 02
Drawn by selectmen to April
1, 1905, 369 79
$8,468 27
FOR THE ENDING MARCH 1, 1906.
Appropriation and receipts, $7,798 99
Overdrawn March 1, 1905, $713 02
$7,085 97
Selectmen drew,
$369 79
Amount to work with, $6,716 18
Overdrawn March 1, 1906,
$1,301 03
Total appropriation,
$8,017 21
252
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR.
Therefore this department has spent $451.04 less than the previous year. The department has endeav- ored to keep the principal streets clean and respecta- ble, which is an honor to the town, and the depart- ment realizing that the method of trying to repair all highways and make them good in one year was im- possible, which I think all will agree, I have gone on the principal of trying to make good what I did, and by so doing am satisfied that in a few years our high- ways may be maintained with a less appropriation.
In relation to Hamilton street, it must be evident to every one concerned that it is impossible to put that street in proper condition without a special appropria- tion, for which I have entered an article in the Town warrant.
The bridge account has been overdrawn on ac- count of the poor condition in which they were found for the safety of public travel, requiring new planking and girders on the following bridges : Sandersdale bridge, Mechanics street bridge, Charlton street bridge, Vinton street bridge, Eastford road bridge, two Mill street bridges and Pleasant street bridge, making most. of our bridges practically safe and in good condition. This department, meanwhile, will require a sufficient appropriation to make good the remaining bridges.
Rebuilding of the Westville road was done by the highway department under orders of the selectmen in accordance with a decree of the County Commission- ers which made it compulsory for the town to rebuild
253
REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR.
such road according to plans made by said board. This work had to be done when the water was down, mak- ing it difficult and more expensive.
Respectfully submitted, AMÉE LANGEVIN. Highway Surveyor.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Cemetery Committee.
-
REPORT OF THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
In submiting this report we find it would be dif- ficult to give a detailed account of the work that has been done the past year. We wish to express our ap- proval cf the way the superintendent has managed the affairs of the cemetery. We submit his report as a part of our own and recommend that the town appro- priate for the ensuing year one thousand dollars.
S. K. EDWARDS, L. WESLEY CURTIS, J. J. DELEHANTY, M. D. MORRILL, J. F. LARIVIERE, S. WILLIAMS.
258
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
GENTLEMEN :--
I submit the following statement of the financial condition of the cemetery. Have received from the following parties for the perpetual care of their lots :
Harry P. Oldham, $50 00
Heirs of Sarah O. Vinton,
50 00
Rhoda A. Vinton,
50 00
For the sale of lots :-
Fred C. Hanson,
$25 00
Mrs. D. W. Nichols,
25 00
Mrs. Charles Lewis,
25 00
Miss Mary C. Plimpton,
50 00
Isabella M. Crawford,
25 00
Fred D. Morse,
75 00
H. T. Hyde,
75 09
Mrs. J. A. Dodge,
25 00
Mrs. Philip Bond,
50 00
Erich Johnson,
5 00
Peter Corley,
5 00
$535 00
Amount of fund March 1, 1905,
13,796 75
The fund now amounts to
$14,331 75
259
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
Invested as follows :
Amherst Savings Bank, $1,000 00
Dedham Institution for Savings, 1,000 00
Gardner Savings Bank,
992 50
Leicester Savings Bank,
895 00
North Adams Savings Bank,
830 00
Peoples Savings Bank, Worcester,
1,000 00
Springfield Institution for Savings,
1,000 00
Southbridge Savings Bank,
1,600 00
Salem Five Cents Savings Bank,
1,000 00
Worcester County Institution for Savings,
1,000 00
Webster Five Cents Savings Bank,
1,014 25
Ware Savings Bank,
1,000 00
Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank,
1,000 00
Worcester Mechanics Savings Bank,
1,000 00
$14,331 75
CEMETERY IMPROVEMENTS.
.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation,
$1,000 00
Interest, 525 05
Grading lots,
38 00
Thomas Comberbach for grass,
10 00
$1,573 05
260
REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE.
EXPENDITURES.
Orders drawn for men, teams, tools, sup- plies, etc., all bills have been examined and approved by the Cemetery Com- mittee and Auditors,
$1,575 42
Account overdrawn March 1, 1906, $2 37
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT.
INSURANCE ON TOWN PROPERTY.
Town hall building and contents, $63,500 00
Boilers in Town hall, 6,000 00
Boilers in Marcy street school, 4,000 00
Armory and contents, 9,500 00
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