Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1917-1921, Part 4

Author: Southbridge (Mass.)
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 752


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1917-1921 > Part 4


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3711


4055


4182


4289


4404


February.


2824


3431


3447


3726


3663


3747


3890


4137


4456


4159


March.


3256


3980


3460


3959


4009


4074


4502


4345


4980


5151


April ...


2963


3172


3119


3330


3209


3496


3847


3614


4293


4135


May.


2704


2908


2801


2854


2975


3284


3492


3481


3851


1144


June .


2725


2654


2774


2756


2828


3101


3698


4167


3628


3930


July ..


2894


3163


3016


2770


3123


3296


3646


4146


3682


3874


August .. ..


2877


2925


3244


2972


3558


3190


3834


4005


3653


3748


September ...


2613


2863


2722


2653


2674


2873


3247


3607


3603


3249


October ..


..


3033


3223


3018


2814


2628


3363


3957


3931


3590


3640


November ....


3218


3179


3154


3198


3278


3673


3918


4137


3991


3984


December .....


3535


3128


3268


3335


3085


3679


3754


4036


3848


3966


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN


Total.


36,185


38,220


37,798


34,367


38,971


41,487


45,840


47,788


47,864


48,384


111


Accessions and Circulation


Volumes added Volumes nowin Volumes circu- in 1917 Library lated in 1916


Volumes circu- lated 1917


Per Cent. Circu- lated in 1917


Fiction.


88


3558


21,073


21,984


45.43


Children, Fiction


26


1320


11,117


11,567


23.91


Children, Non-fiction


34


912


4,044


3,876


8.01


Philosophy.


5


331


176


148


.29


Religion


14


648


58


61


.13


Sociology.


38


784


414


529


1.09


Language.


2


105


189


148


.31


Science.


7


692


443


332


.69


Useful Arts.


42


806


1,155


1,092


2.25


Fine Arts.


12


541


749


616


1.28


Literature.


37


1992


962


662


1.37


Travel


25


1479


910


774


1.60


History ..


45


1640


867


1,155


2.39


Biography


24


1863


518


368


.76


Bound Periodicals.


69


2712


295


266


.55


Law Reports of Massachusetts


8


343


Mass. Public Documents


13


195


7


1


U. S. Public Documents.


6


355


Foreign Languages


5


759


3,082


3.139


6.49


Current Periodicals.


1,790


1.658


3.43


Reference Books.


23


648


20


13


02


Ammidown Collection


877


Museum ...


76


.


.


..


-


112


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN


113


REPORT OF LIBRARIAN


Financial Statement


Receipts


Town appropriation,


$5,000 00


Expenditures


Salaries,


$2,564 84


Light,


214 43


Coal,


665 75


Books,


612 98


Binding,


151 35


Equipment,


68 32


Repairs,


150 98


Supplies,


122 44


Printing,


44 00


Expenses,


186 00


Periodicals,


217 75


$4,998 84


$1 16


Mynott Fund


To January 1, 1917,


$1,038 19


Interest to Jan. 1, 1918, 41 92


$1,080 11


Expenditures


To books and periodicals, 76 83


$1,003 28


-


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


CEMETERY COMMITTEE


To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge, Mass. :


The Cemetery Committee organized with Geo. H. Hartwell, Jr., as chairman and John E. Seagrave as clerk. Monthly meetings were held and we have at- tempted to systematize the affairs of the committee and conduct them in a business-like manner.


We were fortunate in securing Samuel W. Wil- liams for superintendent, whose report we render as a part of our own. With Robert Christianson as foreman in charge of the yard we believe we have the best man obtainable and we hope to retain him an- other year.


The committee's permanent fund has increased no- ticeably this year, due to Mr. Williams' untiring ef-


116


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE


forts. We also wish to report the purchase of some of the second Liberty Bonds, which appear in our list of interest-drawing accounts.


We feel that owing to the high rates of labor we must have an appropriation of twelve hundred dol- lars ($1200) for the coming year to keep up the standard of the past.


Respectfully submitted,


GEO. H. HARTWELL, JR., Chairman. JOHN E. SEAGRAVE, Clerk. DANIEL T. MORRILL. WILLIAM EDWARDS. CLARENCE F. MORSE. H. C. CADY.


I hereby render an account of the financial condi- tion of Oak Ridge Cemetery for the year ending Jan. 1, 1918.


Perpetual Care moneys received from Apr. 1, 1917, to Jan. 1, 1918, $1,890 00


Lots sold moneys received from Apr. 1, 1917, to Jan. 1, 1918, 250 00


Moneys received from Jan. 1, 1917, to Apr. 1, 1917, 1,005 00


$3,145 00


Expenditures


Appropriation, $800 00


117


REPORT OF CEMETERY COMMITTEE


Interest,


808 43


$1,608 43


Orders drawn,


$1,600 66


Balance on hand,


7 77


$1,608 43 S. W. WILLIAMS, Supt.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


POLICE DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of South- bridge. Gentlemen :


In compliance with the town ordinance, I here- with submit for your consideration the seventh an- nual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1917. The organization of the Police Department at the close of the fiscal year was as follows :


Chief Napoleon Giroux


Patrolmen


Pierre A. Cormier Ulric Brault


Patrick Donnally Alpherie Duplessis


120


REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT


Daniel Blute Oliver Paul, Jr.


Honore St. Martin Joseph Paquin


Substitutes


Eusebe Laliberty


Desk Officer


Andrew M. Higgins


Janitor and Lock-up Keeper


Joseph D. Proulx


Constables


Andrew M. Higgins Patrick Donnally


Pierre A. Caplette


Business of the Police Department


Business performed by the Department during the year expiring December 31, 1917: Total number of arrests, 367; arrests on warrants, 43; 324 without warrants; males, 348; females, 19; minors, 44; non- residents, 86; residents, 281.


Offences


Drunkenness, 137 ; neglect, 9; assault, 33; larceny,


121


REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT


21; disturbing the peace, 19; maliciously destroying property, 9; vagrants, 20; breaking glass, 1; adul- tery, 2; break and entering, 16; making disturbance on cars, 1; delirium tremens, 4; affray, 4; intent to rape, 1; breaking probation, 2; bastardy, 5; common drunkard, 6; carrying dangerous weapons, 4; sodo- my, 1; selling renovated butter, 2; violating auto- mobile laws, 22; recklessly operating automobile, 2; bigamy, 1; keeping liquor with intent to sell, 3; op- erating automobile without a license, 3; peddling without a license, 1; trespassing, 2; assault with in- tent to rape, 2; exposure of person, 2; practising medicine, 1; lascivious cohabitation, 2; disorderly house, 2; arson, 1; runaway boys, 3; gaming on the Lord's day, 5; habitual absentees, 3 ; receiving stolen goods, 1; for observation, 6; assault and battery, 6; beggars, 2.


Disposition of Cases


Discharged, 19; released, 105; probation, 21; on file, 29; to state board of charity, 3; Massachusetts Reformatory, 1; fined, 86; House of Correction, 22; held for grand jury, 11; appeals, 12; Shirley School, 5 ; Lyman School, 2; State Farm. 4; returned to State Farm, 2; nol pross, 4; suspended sentences, 9; or- dered to leave the state, 10; defaulted, 2; ordered to leave the district, 6; on file and pay costs, 14.


Occupation


At home, 12; mill hand, 1; junk dealer, 1; labor-


122


REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT


ers, 218 ; carpenters, 2; bakers, 5; none, 10; weavers, 15; machinists, 3; farmers, 16; clerk, 1; plumber, 4; tailor, 2; at school, 12; second-hand store, 3; physi- cian, 1; retired, 3; reporter, 1; musician, 1; cobbler, 2; firemen, 3; grocer, 5; electrician, 2; contractors, 4; manufacturer, 1; liveryman, 1; chopper, 3; florist, 1 ; grinder, 1 ; chauffeur, 3; blacksmith, 3; peddler, 1 .; soldier, 2; spinner, 1; painters, 4; fruit dealer, 1; waitress, 5; waiter, 1; finisher, 1; hostler, 1; slate roofer, 1.


Number of lights put during the year, 210; num- ber of doors found unlocked, 42; value of property re- ported lost, $11.20; recovered, $11.13 ; number of ac- . cidents reported during the year, 62; drowned 3; dead bodies found, 3.


Complaints during the year, 3,648; each have been investigated and satisfaction given to the complain- ant.


In conclusion, I wish to convey my thanks for kind assistance and hearty co-operation to your Honor- able Board of Selectmen and the Town officials, and in this I am expressing the thanks of the Police De- partment as a whole, as well as my own. It has been a great pleasure to have you keep in such close touch with the department and its work for the past year.


Respectfully submitted, NAPOLEON GIROUX, Chief of Police.


Southbridge, Mass., Dec. 31, 1917.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


BOARD OF ASSESSORS


The Assessors of the Town of Southbridge submit the following report for the year 1917 :


Town Appropriation, $233,322 24


Less estimated


revenue, $32,000 00


State In-


come Tax, 7,261 42


$39,261 42 .


State Tax, County Tax, State Highway Tax, Auditing Municipal Accounts,


$194,060 82


20,790 00


9,267 00.


1,207 90


277 28


124


REPORT OF ASSESSORS


Overlayings, 4,657 34


Total amount to be raised by taxes, $230,260 34


Valuation Real Estate April 1, 1917, $6,045,445 00


Tax on Real Estate,


$157,181 57


Valuation Personal Es-


state April 1, 1917, 2,312 558 00


Tax on Personal Estate, 60,126 51


· Valuation Resident Bank Stock, 170,779 00


Tax on Resident Stock, 4,440 26


Number of Polls As-


sessed, 4256 at $2.00, 8,512 00


Total Valuation, $8,528,782 00


Total Taxes Assessed,


$230,260 34


Valuation Non-Resident Bank Stock, $46,221 00


Tax on Non-Resident


Bank Stock, Sewer Apportionments Assessed,


$1,201 71


296 87


Total amount of Warrant to Collector Sept. 4, 1917, $231,758 92


Worcester. Con. St. Rwy Co., Excise Tax, 1,668 92


December Assessment :


Number of Polls assessed, 14


125


REPORT OF ASSESSORS


at $2.00, 28 00 Valuation Real Estate, $10,960 00 Tax on Real Estate, 284 96


Total amount to Collector for 1917, $233,740 80 Total Assessed Valuation December 31, 1917, $8,539,742 00


Tax Rate per Thousand, 26 00


Respectfully submitted, ANTOINE FARLAND, PHILEAS F. X. CASSAVANT, WILLIAM H. McGILPIN, Assessors of Southbridge.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SEWER COMMISSIONERS


To the Citizens of the Town of Southbridge :


Your Board of Sewer Commissioners herewith submit their report for the year 1917.


Work was resumed at the junction of Sayles and Glover Streets on March 30th, 1917, and carried through as had been contemplated and was finished the latter part of July, 1917. The work on Glover Street extends to a point opposite the residence of A. C. Clarke, having laid 3753.2 feet of sewer. This increases the total mileage to 16.2 miles of sewer.


There are now connected to the sewer system 1079 buildings, including manufacturing plants, schools, public buildings, tenement houses, and residences.


128


REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS


These buildings empty into the sewer 2717 closets, 2412 sinks, 861 bath tubs, 912 bowls, 112 wash trays, 92 urinals, 1 soda fountain, 1 grease trap, 4 dentist cuspidors, 18 floor drains and 2 refrigerators.


The construction of Dresser, Orchard, Sayles, Glover and High Street sewers completed in July, 1917, makes a total of 3753.2 feet at the cost of $10.717.90. Assessment on the above sewer was lev- ied in 1917 as follows :


Total cost of construction, $10,717 90


One-third payable by the town, 3,572 63


Two-thirds payable by the abutters, 7,145 27


Total number of assessable feet, 6266.13


Assessable rate per foot, 1.1403


Following the suggestion submitted us, we im- mediately got in touch with a consulting engineer, Mr. H. A. Symonds, who also was recommended us by the State to give us an estimate complete of the cost of construction following the suggestions as re- ceived in the report submitted by the State.


The complete report on estimate of construction was received by us on Feb. 11th, 1918, and was sub- mitted to the Finance Committee on Feb. 11th, 1918.


In reference to an appropriation for sewer main- tenance, we require $2,000.00 to carry on the work in a satisfactorw manner.


H. U. BAIL, GEORGE W. DUMAS, JOSEPH A. ALLARD, Sewer Commissioners.


129


REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS


Board of Sewer Commissioners,


Southbridge, Mass.,


Gentlemen :


The following report on sewer construction during the past year is submitted at your request.


On the 30th of March work was commenced on Glover Street at the corner of Sayles Street, this be- ing the point where work was halted in 1916.


A small quantity of ledge was encountered at the start. Gravel, hardpan and boulders followed to High Street. Max. cut 61/2 feet.


A short section was then laid on High Street, run- ning northerly toward South Street. This section was through gravel and was accomplished easily.


The work on Glover Street was then picked up again and carried through to a point opposite resi- dence of Albert C. Clarke. This portion of the work was through hardpan and boulder formation, which was very difficult to excavate. Work was completed the latter part of July. Max. cut through this sec- tion was 12 feet. Average throughout of 7 feet.


Complete records of lines, grades and location of sewer openings have been kept.


An assessment plan covering the entire work of the seasons 1916 and 1917, showing location and grade of sewers and also all sewer openings, was turned over to your board in October.


The board has not employed an inspector during the past season. Individual members have, however, kept constant watch over the work.


130


REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS


In addition to the above, test pits have been dug at the Sandersdale Filtration area in accordance with orders from the State Board of Health.


J. A. CHRISTENSON.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


TAX COLLECTOR


1917 Taxes


Assessors' Warrant,


$231,462 05


Excise Tax, 1,668 93


December Warrant, 312 96


$233,443 94


Collected to Dec.


31, 1917, $193,268 62


Collected to Feb.


1, 1918, 4,359 87


$197,628 49


Excise Tax Collected,


1,668 93 304 07


Abatements,


$199,601 49


Balance uncollected Feb. 1, 1918, $33,842 45


132


REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR


1916 Taxes


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1917,


$23,535 71


Collected to Dec. 31, 1917, $19,091 00


Abatements, 13 08


$19,104 08


Balance Jan. 1, 1918, $4,431 63


1915 Taxes


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1917,


Collected to Dec. 31, 1917, $3,345 86


$4,757 50


Abatements, 1,212 00


$4,557 86


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1918, $199 64


1914 Taxes


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1917,


$79 34


Abatements, 22 00


$79 34


1914 Taxes closed out


Street Oiling Assessment


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1917,


$2,500 00


Collected to Dec. 31, 1917, 1,599 50


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1918, $900 50


Collected to Dec. 31, 1917, $57 34


133


REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR


Sidewalk Assessments


Balance uncollected


Jan. 1, 1917,


$1,441 52


Committed in 1917, 899 36


$2,340 88


Collected to Dec. 31, 1917,


1,390 53


Balance uncollected Jan. 1, 1917, $950 35


Respectfully yours,


E. E. GABREE, Collector.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


TOWN CLERK


Vital Statistics for the year ending December 31, 1917 :


Number of marriages, 169


Number of deaths,


202


Number of births,


368


Number of dogs licensed in 1917 :


Males,


282


Females,


25


Breeders,


2


Respectfully submitted,


W. W. BUCKLEY, Town Clerk.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


OVERSEERS OF THE POOR


In presenting this report for 1917, we wish to ex- press to the Selectmen and members of the town gov- ernment how much we appreciate their co-operation during the past year.


The phenomenal industrial prosperity throughout the country, due to the present European War, has been shared by the manufacturing establishments of Southbridge to such an extent that labor is at a premium, and no able-bodied person need be idle.


To the uninformed it may appear that because of the present favorable industrial conditions, the ap- plicants for aid would be limited to an insignificant number, but such is not the case ; for even during the most prosperous times there are those who, through


138


REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR


the influences of misfortune and with the greatly ad- vanced prices in commodities, are brought face to face with poverty.


Owing to the growth of an altruistic sentiment and the increasing tendency of human nature to take advantage of public charity, the number of applica- tions for relief is becoming greater from year to year. As a matter of fact, public sentiment demands and - the legislation enacted in recent years provides for more adequate relief than was the case a few years ago, and the Overseers of the Poor are in a great measure compelled to follow the trend of the times. When, to the imagination of the poor, the public treasury is inexhaustible, it requires special effort to keep the expense down to a small per capita cost while at the same time treating in an efficient and humane manner all cases to be dealt with.


When application for aid is made, we endeavor to give each applicant a sympathetic hearing either in our office or in the home of the applicant. Among those who seek aid are many widows having children dependent on them for support. Also, there are many families in which the father through sickness becomes physically incapacitated from performing any kind of work and this curtails the resources of the family. Furthermore, there are aged people whose earning power has become insufficient to fully provide for the family needs, and as many of these persons are averse to being cared for in the Alms- house, it becomes necessary to supplement their


139


REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR


meagre income with an allowance.


There seems to be the belief that the state and mu- nicipal authorities should do much more than has been done in the past for the promotion of social welfare. It is desirable that we attempt to learn the causes responsible for the distress and, so far as possible, to eliminate them.


We endeavor in some cases to procure employment for members of families and arrange for the trans- fer to more sanitary quarters. In other words, we not only give relief but try to change conditions which cause poverty.


Outdoor relief is being administered today in such a way as to not only prevent pauperizing families, but to rehabilitate them, and to do this requires more adequate relief than has been the custom of giving in the past.


Almshouse


At the beginning of the planting season one of our horses at the farm was found in no condition to do the heavy work required. It became necessary for this Board to find the means of overcoming this hand- icap to our warden who desired in these times most of all to get extra good results from his farming ac- tivities.


With all due precautions as to the soundenss of the horses and protection of the town's interest in a legal way, we purchased a pair of greys which are six years old and weigh about 2900 pounds.


140


REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR


This pair is more adapted to the hilly topography of the farm and are heavy enough to haul the coal necessary for the Almshouse up one of the steepest hills in this vicinity.


We appreciate the good-will of those business men, who, during the harvesting season, assisted our war- den in getting in the very heavy crop which we were fortunate in having.


We appreciate the good work of our warden, who has always been complimented by the State authori- ties, and have engaged his services for another year. EUGENE MATTE, PHILIBERT QUEVILLON, OSCAR F. GATINEAU, Overseers of the Poor.


Inventory at Almshouse for 1917


Class No. 1-Live Stock :


1 pair grey horses, value $650 00


1 pair gray and black, value 225 00


1 driving mare, value 250 00


$1,125 00


Cattle :


17 head valued at $850 00


Pigs 25, valued at


540 00


Fowls and chickens


68 00


$2,583 00


141


REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF POOR


Class 2:


Grain and feed


$876 95


Class 3 :


Lumber and fuel


249 90


Class 4:


Vegetables, etc.


390 95


Class 5:


Preserves


107 45


Class 6 :


Groceries


61 17


Furniture, etc.


663 30


Crockery and tinware


825 85


Farming and tools


1,779 43


Grand Total


$7,537 57 ARTHUR HORWOOD, JOHN HALPIN, ARSENE GIRARD,


Appraisers.


EUGENE MATTE, PHILIBERT QUEVILLON, OSCAR GATINEAU, Overseers of Poor.


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE


To the Members of the Southbridge Playground Committee :


Gentlemen :


The Southbridge Playgrounds, six in number, opened the season July 9, and continued for seven weeks.


The attendance of 1029 children opening day proves their appreciation of the opportunities offer- ed them for physical development. This attendance continued until the extremely hot weather in August.


A new feature of the work was the teaching of swimming at the bathing beach at the "Big Pond." A crib establishing a safety zone was placed and children were able to enjoy bathing without fear of accident. Swimming classes were formed and les-


144


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE


sons were given Monday and Tuesday morning each week from nine o'clock to eleven o'clock. There were two classes for girls and two classes for boys. The swimming instructors, Miss Florence Rowley for the girls, and Ernest Coderre for the boys, report as follows :


Total number of girls using the beach dur- ing lessons, 265


-


Average attendance (girls) in each class, 38


Number who learned to swim in each class, 15


Number who had already been taught the rud-


iments of swimming and perfected the art, 23


Total number of boys using the beach during lesson period, 150


Average number attending classes, 30


Average number who learned to swim, 30


It is thought that another year the classes will be even more popular, as the parents now realize the care and protection given the children during the les- son periods. Many children came during those hours to enjoy bathing.


The plan to introduce new lines of industrial work for boys, as brush making, and rope rugs was aban- cloned because it was impossible to secure material. The industrial work carried on consisted of chair caning, and articles made of reed and raphia, cro- cheting, knitting, embroidery and rug making. The exhibits of work at the various grounds at close of season showed that the children are becoming skill-


145


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE


ed in the hand crafts. Number of articles complet- ed, 1077.


The work which was done in connection with the Surgical Dressings Committee and the American Red Cross was a new and interesting feature.


The children made a total of 2150 dressings, in- cluding 1123 fomentations, 1027 eye dressings; the younger children cut cloth for clippings used to fill the comfort pillows for soldiers and also donated many bundles of material useful for dressings.


Assisted by their mothers and interested friends the children knitted enough squares to make three of the extra hospital bed covers. On soldiers' day pen- nies were brought and the amount of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) was contributed and given to the Surgical Dressings Committee to assist in buying material. A broad field along this line presents itself for the coming season.


The greater part of the session is devoted to play and physical development, thirty active games, fif- teen quiet games were taught, also eighteen new Folk Dances. The athletic work was carried on as in previous years, the badge test being given both girls and boys with success.


Baseball and basketball were popular as ever, al- so volley ball.


Library books loaned by the Jacob Edward Li- brary were in constant demand. Story telling was very popular. Among the special days the most pop- ular was picnic day at the kindergarten grounds and


146


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE


through the kindness of Mr. Delage the children of Union Street ground enjoyed an auto ride to their picnic at the reservoir.


The last week each ground had a carnival and spe- cial programs.


It is said that "team work will win the war." Our boys and girls are being taught team work on the playgrounds and are beginning to show a fine team spirit. American boys are going from the play- ground to the battle-ground, the number of men re- jected because of physical unfitness warns us to use every effort to give the girls and boys an opportun- ity for physical development.


Children's Play-A Patriotic Call


"Public provision for recreation is not a luxury to be cut off but a necessity to be conserved." Miss Julia C. Lathrop, chief of the Children's Bureau of the United States Department of Labor, in discussing the report on "Facilities for Children's Play in the District of Columbia," which hás just been issued by the Bureau, said :-


"An English authority has lately pointed out the demoralization to boys and girls caused by the break- ing-down of clubs and the withdrawal to the army of recreation leaders, and he has traced much of the in- crease in juvenile delinquency in England to the chaos in recreation activities which has prevailed since the war.


147


REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE


"This is a good time to remind ourselves that the continuance and development of all types of inno- cent and healthful recreation in every community of- fer a call to patriotic service for many who cannot go to the front. The strain and anxiety which are certain to grow in this country for an indefinite period ahead of us need to be counterbalanced by greater community effort to provide opportunity for wholesome play."


The report on children's play in Washington de- scribes the various sections of the city and the extent of the playgrounds and athletic fields provided by the District Government, by the public schools, and in connection with the federal parks. It includes an analysis of distance and population in relation to play facilities and makes recommendations for the further development of recreation in Washington.


Through the kindness of Mr. Channing M. Wells, the children at Elm Street enjoyed a merry-go-round this summer.


The supervisor wishes to thank all those who in any way contributed to the success of the work espe- cially the committee who gave freely much of their valuable time to plan the work.


Respectfully submitted,


MARGARET G. BUTLER.


ANNUAL REPORT OF THE


SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS


To the Citizens of Southbridge:


We respectfully submit our report for the year ending December 31, 1917.




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