USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1913-1916 > Part 4
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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
$65 40
Sidewalks
Brochu Street Sidewalk
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912, $83 19
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to unappropriated funds, $83 19
00 00
Chapin Street Sidewalk
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912, $2 08
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to unappropriated funds, $2 08
00 00
Charlton Street Sidewalk RECEIPTS.
Appropriation, $1,000
114
REPORT OF AUDITORS
EXPENDITURES.
Aime Langevin, contract, $950 00 J. A. Whittaker, self and men, lines of school lot, street lines for street railway and inspection, 48 90
$998 90
Balance to credit of account Jan. 1, 1913, $1 10
East Main Street Sidewalk
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1. 1912, $0 09
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to unappropriated
funds. $0 09
0 00
River Street Sidewalk
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912, $22 46
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to unappropriated funds, $22 46
00 00
115
REPORT OF AUDITORS
Sidewalk Repairs
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912,
$45 63
Appropriation,
2,000 00
Southbridge Water Supply Co.,
114 53
Rev. Emile St. Onge,
84 16
Charles Carpenter,
35 55
C. D. Paige, 5 10
$2,284 97
EXPENDITURES.
Alfred McKinstry, men
and labor,
$1,205 53
Teams, 397 50
Freight paid, 3 72
$1,606 75
G. C. Winter, lampblack, ce- ment and supplies, 359 16
H. A. Morse and T. J. Har- rington, gravel, 122 85
J.M. & L. D. Clemence, lumber, 37 07
W. C. Lewis, supplies,
24 22
Standard Scales Co., shovels,
9 50
Chester Pizetti, oil,
4 61
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. freight, 1 74
F. J. Jarvis, forms, 80
$2,166 70
Balance to credit of account Jan. 1, 1913, $118 27
116
REPORT OF AUDITORS
Union Street Sidewalk
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1912, $3 41
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to unappropriated funds, $3 41
00 00
Worcester Street Sidewalk
RECEIPTS.
Transferred from unappropriated
funds, $650 00
EXPENDITURES.
Alfred Mckinstry,
men and labor, $201 00
Teams, 72 50
$273 50
J.M. & L.D. Clemence, lumber,
13 31
J. A. Whittaker, lines and grades, 10 60
$297 41
Balance to credit of account Jan. 1, 1913, $352 59
Sewers
Sewer Assessments
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912,
$6,615 91
Assessments collected, 2,192 05
Transferred from River and
Plimpton streets sewer,
305 21
$9,113 17
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to-
South street and Oakes Ave.
sewer,
$3,569 05
Charlton street sewer,
1,481 28
Mill street sewer,
768 12
Pleasant street sewer,
753 87
Morris and Cisco streets sewer,
179 97
Chapin street sewer,
71 30
Upper Main street sewer,
47 35
Hamilton street sewer,
3 46
$6,874 40
Balance to credit of account Jan. 1, 1913, $2,238 77
118
REPORT OF AUDITORS
Sewer Contingent
RECEIPTS.
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912, $157 72
Appropriation, 1,000 00
Southern New England R. R. Corporation,
55 00
Shed sold, 5 00
$1,217 72
EXPENDITURES.
Napoleon Berthiaume,
sewer tender, $600 00
Extra labor, 10 78
$610 78
H. U. Bail, contract,
building shed at
filter beds, $215 00
Labor and supplies at filter beds, 45 62
260 62
John A. Whittaker,
blockade on Me-
chanic and Thomas streets lines, $9 75
Inspecting sewer pipe lines, 5 75
Inspecting Southern
New England R. R. Co., 55 00
70 50
W. J. Lamoureux & Co., supplies, $53 00
119
REPORT OF AUDITORS
Stamps and Station- ary, $5 00
$58 00
Pierre Benoit, self and
men, raising man- hole, $23 85
Supplies, 19 01
42 86
Sewer commissioners, men flush- ing sewer main,
27 00
G. E. F. Lamoureux, record book, copying record and filling at Morris street, 14 89
A. D. Girard, labor and supplies, 11 50
Octave Livernois, labor at filter beds, 11 48
G. C. Winter, supplies, 11 44
Theothime Peloquin, cleaning sewer drains, 3 75
F. E. Northup, team hire, 1 50
Ernest Collette, sharpening tools, 1 00
Gabree Bros., supplies, 60
Marcel Benoit, cleaning manhole, 60
$1,126 34
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1913,
$91 38
Chapin Street Sewer
RECEIPTS
Transferred from sewer assess-
ments, $71 30
120
REPORT OF AUDITORS
EXPENDITURES.
J. A. Whittaker, self and men, measurements, records, sur- veys, plans, blue prints, cal- culation and assessments, $71 30
00 00
Charlton Street Sewer
RECEIPTS. -
Transferred from sewer assess-
ments, $1,481 28
South street and Oakes avenue
sewer, 18 40
$1,499 68
EXPENDITURES.
Sewer commissioners, payroll, $821 75
Oldham & Ranahan pipes, 111 21
J. A. Whittaker, self and men, spiking street, levels, pro- files, grades, lines, batters, calculations, inspections, plans and surveys for as- sessment, 84 80
Mill street sewer, pipe, 77 00
Marble's Express, freight and cartage, 70 16
M. P. O'Shaughnessy, liability insurance on men, 70 00
121
REPORT OF AUDITORS
Pleasant street sewer, pipe, $54 78
The Session Foundry Co., frames and covers, 51 57
H. U. Bail, brick, 40 00
American Optical Co., pipe,
30 13
The Union Clay Product Co., supplies, 25 16
G. C. Winter, supplies, 16 25
Aime Langevin, use of pump,
16 00
Napoleon Berthiaume, trucking, 10 99
W. P. Richardson, sharpening tools, 7 00
Harold L. Bond Co., dynamite, 3 60
G. E. F. Lamoureux, sundry expenses,
3 35
J. M. & L. D. Clemence, lum- ber, 3 23
Joseph Lippe, supplies, 1 80
W. J. Lamoureux & Co., sup- plies, 90
$1,499 68
000 00
Hamilton and Oliver Street Sewer
RECEIPTS.
W. E. Alden, $29 64 Transferred from sewer assess- ments, 3 46
$33 10
122
REPORT OF AUDITORS
EXPENDITURES.
J. A. Whittaker, self and men,
survey, plans, records, as- sessments and calculations,
$31,60
Charles Proulx, sand,
1 50
$33 10
00 00
Mill Street Sewer
RECEIPTS.
Transferred from sewer assess-
ments,
$768 12
Pleasent street sewer, pipe, 84 40
Charlton street sewer, pipe, 11 00
$863 52
EXPENDITURES.
Sewer commissioners, payroll, $374 38
Oldham & Ranahan, pipe, 116 29
M. P. O'Shaughnessy, liability insurance on men,
105 00
Marble's express, freight and cartage, 70 65
J. A. Whittaker, self and men staking, records, profiles, grades, inspections and as- sessments, 52 00
The Sessions Foundry Co.,
frames and covers, 51 56
H. U. Bail, brick, 40 00
123
REPORT OF AUDITORS
G. C. Winter, supplies,
$38 36
Napoleon Berthiaume, trucking,
13 53
Peter Giroux, sharpening tools,
1 75
$863 52
000 00
Morris and Cisco Streets Sewer
RECEIPTS.
Transferred fron sewer assess-
ments,
$179 97
EXPENDITURES.
J. A. Whittaker, self and men,
inspection, grades, measur- ments. records and assess- ments,
$118 50
H. Lemelin, labor and supplies, 30 30
G. C. Winter, supplies,
21 86
Charles Proulx, sand,
4 50
John Romando, labor,
3 13
J.M. & L. D. Clemence lumber,
1 68
$179 97
000 00
Pleasant Street Sewer
RECEIPTS.
Transferred from sewer assess- ments,
$753 87
Charlton street sewer, pipe, 54 78
South street sewer, pipe, 27 50
$836 15
124
REPORT OF AUDITORS
EXPENDITURES.
Sewer commissioners, payroll $607 43 M. P. O'Shaughnessy, liability insurance on men, 75 00
J. A. Whittaker, self and men, records, levels, calculations, profiles, grades, batter boards, inspection, serveys and plans for assessments, 47 75
Harold L. Bond Co., dynamite and exploders, 23 44
Mill street sewer, 2 manhole covers, 18.40
H. U. Bail, brick, 15 00
S. C. Sears, sharpening tools, 13 40
G. C. Winter, supplies,
13 15
Arthur Morin, team,
9 00
Marble's Express, freight and cartage, 7 30
G. E. F. Lamoureux, cash paid for supplies, 4 73
Peter Giroux, sharpening, tools, 1 55
$836 15
000 00
River and Plimpton Streets Sewer
RECEIPTS
Balance to credit of account
Jan. 1, 1912, $305 21
125
REPORT OF AUDITORS
EXPENDITURES.
Transferred to sewer assessments, $305 21
000 00
South Street and Oakes Avenue Sewer
RECEIPTS.
Transferred from sewer assess-
ment account, $3,569 05
EXPENDITURES.
Sewer Commissioners, payroll, $2,719 99
M. P. O'Shaughnessy, liability insurance on men, 210 00
Oldham & Ranahan, pipe, 132 63
John A. Whittaker, plans, sur-
veys, inspection, location,
water pipes, lines and
grades,
87 25
Marble's Express, freight and cartage, 76 91
Harold L. Bond Co., dynamite, 73 59
G. C. Winter, supplies, 54 59
H. U. Bail, brick, 39 20
The Session Foundry Co., frames and covers, 34 34
Peter Giroux, sharpening tools, 33 65
Pleasant street sewer, pipe, 27 50
W. J. Lamoureux, supplies, 18 76
Charlton street sewer, pipes, 18 40
Napoleon Berthiaume, trucking, 15 33
126
REPORT OF AUDITORS
J. B. Prescott & Son, casting, $12 73
Eusebe Laliberte, sand, 8 00
St. Germain Bros., oil
4 28
Central Mills Co., sacking,
1 50
$3,569 05
0000 00
Upper Main Street Sewer
RECEIPTS.
Transferred from sewer assess-
ments, $47 35
EXPENDITURES.
J. A. Whittaker, assessments,
plans, surveys, measur- ments and records, $47 35
00 00
Auditors' Certificate
The undersigned, Auditors of the Town of South- bridge, hereby certify that we have examined the books, accounts and vouchers of the Treasurer and of each of the several Boards of the Town Officers, authorized to draw orders upon the Town Treasury, as required by the By-Laws of the Town, and find that the several items contained in each of the accounts presented in each of the foregoing reports of receipts and expenditures are correct and properly vouched for.
ARTHUR CABANA, JOSEPH METRAS, JOSEPH LAFLECHE, 2nd.
-
TABLE OF ACCOUNTS
Accounts
APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS
EXPENDITURES
UNEXPENDED
OVERDRAWN
APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED
Abatement Taxes
$1,710 48
$1,541 11
$169 37
$1,500 00
Bridges ..
2,194 48
1,946 88
247 60
2,000 00
Camp Ponce.
50 00
50 00
50 00
Cemetery Fund ..
19,880 03
19,880 03
Cemetery Improvements
1,964 36
2,036 56
$72 20
800 00
Charlton, Mechanic and Thomas Streets Culvert
500 00
494 66
5 34
Chestnut Street Culvert
2,330 04
2,330 04
Contingent.
8,238 09
8,164 30
73.79
8,000 00
Contingent Schools.
4,611 72
4,586 78
24 94
4,700 00
Common Schools.
20,141 49
18,774 18
1,367 31
20,000 00
District Court Fees
1,126 43
395 53
731
08
Dupaul Street.
1,075 00
940 81
134 19
Electrician.
200 00
200 00
200 00
Engine Men
5,523 21
5,495 00
28 21
5,495 00
Evening Schools
767 56
746 95
20 61
750 00
Everett Street Culvert
300 00
231 31
68 69
Fire Department.
4,829 70
3,693 71
1,135 99
3,000 00
Fire Alarm Battery
600 00
600 00
Goddard Court
5,250 00
5,221 55
28 45
Hamilton Street Improvement.
8,351 21
8,346 62
4 59
Harrington Street Grading
250 00
250 00
High School.
7,207 51
6,075 41
1,132 10
6,500 00
Highways
8,684 68
8,556 23
128 45
8,000 00
Hook Street Crosswalk.
75 00
74 50
50
.....
......
1,244 02
1,226 11
17 91
1,200 00
Interest ..
8,000 00
7,507 63
492 37
7,600 00
Lebanon Hill
250 00
247 44
2 56
Main Street Macadam
5,234 65
4,954 95
279 70
Marcy Street Drain.
400 00;
391 50
8 50
.......
.
.....
........... . . .
... ...
. .
. . .. .
. .
....
...
......
. . ..
......
......
.. ....
......
.
......
.
.
.. . .
....
.....
.
.....
.....
.
.
.
.
......
.
.
......
.
.
.
-
...
...
. .
..
...
.......
......
....
..
... . .
......
.
.
.
......
·
.
·
·
...
128
REPORT OF AUDITORS
.
.....
...
.
.
.....
....
.
.
.
.
.....
.
.
. .
....
.
.........
.
.
..
....
. .
Insurance
.
. .
.
TABLE OF ACCOUNTS-Continued
Memorial Day.
$150 00
$150 00
. ..
$200 00 300 00
Military Aid.
603 32
445 00
$158 32
Mill and Main Street Wall
375 00
369 09
5 91
Mynott Fund
994 98
4 40
990 58
Outside Poor
8,249 89
7,245 10
1,004 79
6,500 00
Playgrounds
1,870 63
1,519 20
351 43
1.500 00
Plimpton Street Extension
2,057 56
2,045 31
12 25
2,000 00
Police Department.
8,051 50
7,998 45
113 05
9,000 00
Police Station.
1,333 27
949 94
383 33
700 00
Printing
2,134 76
2,129 45
5 31
2,100 00
Public Band Concerts .......
250 00
250 00
250 00
Public Library ..
3,219 20
3,009 58
209 62
D'F. 2,000 00 .
680 62
441 13
239
49
..
. .
....
270 87
142 10
128 77
200 00
River and Oliver Street Culvert
500 00
499 01
99
Salaries
8,171 44
7,789 48
381 96
7,500 00
School Apparatus
255 77
252 43
3 34
250 00
Sewers :.
Assessments.
9,113 17
6,874 40
2,238 77
Chapin Street.
71 30
71 30
Charlton Street.
1,499 68
1,499 69
Contingent.
1,217 72
1,126 34
91 38
1,000 00
Hamilton and Oliver Streets.
33 10
33 10
Mill Street ..
863 52!
863 52
Morris and Cisco Streets
179 97
179 97
. Pleasant Street ... .... . .
836 15
836 15
River and Plimpton Streets.
305 21
305 21
South Street and Oakes Avenue.
3,569 05
3,569 05
Upper Main Street.
47 35
47 35
Sidewalks :---
Brochu Street ..
83 19
83 19
Chapin Street.
2 08
2 03
Charlton Street ..
1,000 00
998 90
1 10
.....
. ....
.
.
.
.
....
.
.
....
.
.. ..
#
REPORT OF AUDITORS
.
.
...
....
.
.. .......
. .
...
...
. ... .
.
-
...
·
...
.
. .... .
. ...
. . ..... .
.
...
.
129
....
.
. .
..
.
.
.
. ....
.. ...... . . ..
.
...
.
...
.....
...
... .
.. ......
. .
.
.
..... .
......
.
.
.
....
. ....
.
.
.. .. . .
....
....
.
.
...
. . .. ..
.
#
.
.
...
. ....
400 00
Railing Highways.
Repairs Farm Buildings.
.
.
.....
.....
.
.
. .
.. .......
.. .
... .
......
... #
...
.....
..
......
TABLE OF ACCOUNTS-Continued
East Main Street
$0 09
$0 09
River Street.
22 46
22 46
Repairs
2,284 97
2,166 70
$118 27
$2,000 00
Union Street.
3 41
3 41
Worcester Street
650 00
297 41
352 59 .
Sinking Fund .
23,818 38
23 818 38
750 00
Soldiers' Relief
1,858 15
1,854 35
3 80
1,800 00
State Aid.
1,301 03
1,212 00
89 03
Street Lights.
10,760 08
10,644 68
115 40
11,000 00
Street Signs
400 00
98 50
301 50
Support of Poor
4,288 29
4,395 71
$107 42
3,107 42
Town Hall Contingent.
3,780 45
3,729 12
51 33
1,900 00
Town Pound.
50 00
50 00
Unappropriated Funds.
47,469 37
38,929 01
8,540 36
Water Street Repairs.
300 00
286 05
13 95
Water Supply ..
4,242 54
3,742 96
499 58
4,000 00
Widening Main Street ...
129
25
129 25
Widening Oakes Avenue .
59
59
Worcester Street Macadam
12,565 00
12,630 40
65 40
400 00
Obligations to be provided for in the Tax Levy for 1913 ...
14,800 00
$292,904 02
$226,892 18
$66,256 86
$245 02 $143,452 42
.
.....
. ......
-
. ......
......
.
.
.
.....
.
REPORT OF AUDITORS
130
...
.
.
..
.
.......
.
.
.
....
.
.
.. ......
.
......
.
.......
-
V
.
. .....
.
.
.
4
.....
.
.
. .
. .
...
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SELECTMEN
To the Voters of the Town of Southbridge:
GENTLEMEN :---
In the last annual report of the Selectmen, the Board recommended the drafting of building rules and regulations. This matter was left in the hands of the Selectmen. We have considered the question very seriously, and receiving a large number of complaints concerning the dangerous character of the buildings in some districts near the center of the town -- especially in regard to their inflammable character -- we would recommend the establishment of a fire district. It is impossible for the Town to have any of these danger- ous fire-traps removed, but we may establish restric- tions on the construction of any new buildings and the alteration of the old buildings within this zone. All buildings in this fire district should be of brick, stone or cement. We believe that this is the best solution of the whole trouble. It may work a hardship on a few persons but it would do a great good for the larger number. The increase in the value of property in such
132
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
a district would very materially repay the affected persons for any temporary loss. An article has been inserted in the annual town warrant to carry out the recommendations of this Board. This plan is present- ed as a tentative proposition which may be altered or changed. We have found it somewhat difficult to lay out this district, especially to keep it within reasonable · bounds and also to protect the business district. The question is a very important one and should be care- fully considered.
FIRE APPARATUS.
We wish to call to the attention of the voters and the taxpayers the necessity of purchasing new and up- to-date fire apparatus. The present way of handling fire apparatus to fires with horses is out-of-date and does not meet the requirements of the present day and the necessity of getting to fires in quick time. A con- siderable amount of property has been destroyed in the last few years, through the inability of the department to get their apparatus to fires in the time in which it would be possible to reach the fire with automobile machines. We consider that it might be advisable for the Town, to buy new apparatus for at least one depart- ment and to pay for the same in five years. Our old apparatus should be kept in case of emergency.
SUITS.
At the present time three law suits and notices to that effect has been entered against the Town. Miss Nellie Lavellee has brought suit for $3,000 and the case is now listed for trial in the Superior Court. This
133
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
suit is brought to recover for injuries claimed to have been received through defect in the highway. We attempted to settle this suit but could not come to a satisfactory agreement.
Miss Nora O'Brien has notified the Town that she intends to sue for injuries received by defect in the highway.
A notice of a suit for damges has been filed by Mary P. Webster for land taken in the laying out of Dupaul street.
FINANCES.
All town accounts, that the board has under its charge, have been kept within the appropriations and some of them show a considerable balance. The tax rate for 1912 was somewhat higher than in the year 1911. The Town begins the year 1913 with a balance of $8,000 in the unappropriated fund account instead of a $2,600 deficit for the year 1911 in the same ac- count. 1
No special appropriation made during the year 1912 has to be paid. The obligations to be provided for in the year 1913 are about $4,000 less than in the preceding year. If the appropriations are kept to last year's level and with the large amount of new property to be taxed this year, the tax rate should be considerably reduced.
We wish to call the attention of the tax payers once more to the low valuation of a large amount of un- improved property near the center of the Town. It this property were taxed for a just proportion of the tax levy, the owners would either sell their holdings or im-
134
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
prove their property. This would improve the looks of our business district and give more revenue. This has been done in a large number of cities and town and especially in Fitchburg where it resulted in giving the city a larger amount of taxes and the improvement of that city. Hamilton street paving was completed last year within our appropriation. A new iron pipe railing was set up from Union church to Main street, thereby improving the appearance of the street. Worcester street and Central street, from the junction of Charlton and Worcester streets, to the private way in the rear of the Armory were improved in accordance with the vote of the Town and in cooperation with the Massachusetts Highway Commission. Bitun;inous macadam was used the whole distance. At the farther end of the residence of John Dragon, the street was found to have a very soft bottom. The street was excavated to a depth of three feet for a distance of five hundred feet and then this filled with field stones. This piece cost about $500.00 more than we figured would have to be expended. 'This street was built in accordance with the instruction of the Highway Commission. Six inches of macadam with biluminous oil were spread over the surface from the state road to Olney Avenue and the rest of the distance eight inches of the same preparation were used. At the junction of Charlton and Worcester streets the high bank on the westerly side was cut into about twelve feet, thereby reducing the danger to the public at that dangerous place. This piece of work cost us more than expected, but we believe the town will be well paid if the danger of accident is largely reduced. Lower Main street from the railroad bridge
135
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
.
to Everett street was macadamized and completed with the exception of the oiling. This surface should be oiled the first thing this spring.
WORCESTER AND CHARLTON STREET WALKS.
The Worcester and Charlton street sidewalks were completed during the summer and the public have had the use of them for several months. The improve- ments were very much needed and are appreciated by the people living in those districts. A sidewalk is very badly needed on Mechanic street from Charlton to Worcester street as hundreds of people use this street several times a day. The street has been in bad condition for several years. Several other streets in- cluding Plimpton, Crystal, Pine and Cross streets are very much in need of sidewalks and something should be done to improve these street.
CHESTNUT STREET CULVERT.
The Chestnut street culvert was constructed and completed within the appropriation. This has resulted in the elimination of the Chestnut street bridge and makes the junction of lower Main, Chestnut and Me- chanic streets safer for the public. It also makes a decided change for the better appearance of these streets.
SANDERSDALE BRIDGE.
A new concrete bridge was built at Sandersdale out of the money from the bridge account.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
The Town has spent a large sum of money in the
136
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
last few years for street improvements, but a large num- ber of our streets are very much in need of repair. Main street in the business center is in very bad shape. We would recommend that the street should be paved and should be repaired at once. South, North, Elm and Everett streets are in poor condition and some- thing should be done to improve their condition. Our country roads including the West Dudley and East- ford roads are in terrible condition. Eastford is really unsafe for travel and West Dudley is not much better. Some provisions should be made to improve them. The people living on these roads should be given at least passible roads. We believe that if our roads were improved that our merchants would benefit by getting trade from the surrounding towns. This business now goes to Webster and Putnam.
POLICE PROTECTION.
We wish to call your attention to the necessity of having more police protection. Some parts of this Town receive at present no police protection of any kind. One man should be added to the police force for night duty and one officer for day duty. In this way the citizens would receive better police protection.
TOWN HALL.
The town hall is in very good shape and needs but little repair. The police station is in fair condition considering its location and age. We would recommend that the Board of Health should have a seperate appro- priation instead of having their orders drawn on the contingent account. All the Town Boards have worked
137
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
in harmony and we have succeeded in keeping our expenditures down to a reasonable basis.
STREET LIGHTING
Our street lighting has been change considerably during the year. A large number of arc lights that were not giving satisfaction were removed and incandescent tungsten lamps substituted. This has resulted in better street lighting. The Town has a more satisfactory service now than it had before the change. Districts are now having light which had no or insuffi- cient service before. Main street from Everett street, and Hamilton street from Hook street, south, has very poor street lighting. The Selectmen expected to have this district cleared of all overhead wires before this time and have modern and up-to-date lighting. Mr. Shaw, the manager of the lighting company, has met the Selectmen several times and has practically agreed to remove his wires within this area and install a new system of lighting on Main street, which would give the Town two of the best lighted streets in the State. Mr. Shaw has been unable to attend to business for five or six months past and this change has been held up. We expect that these propositions will be soon taken up and completed.
PLIMPTON STREET EXTENSION.
Plimpton street as extended by a vote of the town was worked out as far as the funds appropriated would permit. When the amount of the appropriation was expended we had the highway department stop work. Two thousand dollars would be needed to complete this work to make it fairly passible. Finding that that road
138
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
as worked out, would be dangerous, we closed the road. As Sturbridge has not done anything to build their side and the County Commissioners have made no decision in regard to the same, we considered it unadvisable to ask for any money to complete this work.
RAILROAD SITUATION.
Last summer the Southern New England Railroad Co. started construction of their line from Palmer to Providence. A considerable amount of work was done and a large equipment was set to work. Everything looked bright for the fulfillment of the Town's dreams of a new railroad and better railroad facilities. But as a bolt out of a clear sky, an order was issued the first of November, 1912, to stop construction work on the line, and the western outlet, which every right- minded person desired and which we so much needed, seemed to be as far away as ever. Like every person interested in this vicinity, we began to look for a reason for the issuance of any such order. Soon rumors began to be circulated that an agreement had been reached between the New Haven and Grand Trunk interests for a division of business. This was verified by the interested parties in the statements made by certain prominent officials, that had charge of affairs of those roads. When the situation cleared somewhat, the Selectmen realized that the public, this Town and a large number of other communities, had been wronged and sold out by those that had received all the help that could be given to any enterprise. We believed and still feel that we had a just grievance and appealed to all authorities that might be able to help in remedy-
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.