Town of Arlington annual report 1874-1877, Part 7

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1874-1877
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 492


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1874-1877 > Part 7


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Cutler, Silas, estate of,


35.65


Fiske, Elbridge,


32.55


Cutler, Sarah, Mrs.,


40.81


Frost, Henry,


54.25


Cook, Hubbard,


36.59


Frost, Jonathan, estate of, 34.88


Frost, Isaac,


34.88


Crosby, F. L.,


12.79


Gannett, J. H., 9.83


Collins, A. D.,


15.38


Gannett, Howard, 11.07


Church, Mary A.,


5.75


Goodrich, Chas. B.,


60.45


Chenery, Winthrop W.,


57.35


Griffiths, Albert & Ellen


Cole, Mary, Mrs.,


6.20


Hews, 124.00


Blanchard, Charles, 29.61


Frost, Varnam,


264.28


Cleaveland, C. D. & R. J. Hardy, 607.09


Charlestown Water Commis- sioners, 15.50


106


TAXES.


Goodsell, P. B.,


65.10 Prescott, W. P.,


16.51


Pinkham, J. S.,


281.64


Hatch, Frederic,


6.70


Pinkham, George F.,


249.56


Hart, N. O.,


42.67


Piper, Joseph,


7.44


Hickey, R. H.,


6.77


Piper, Edwin,


9.77


Hanson, Charles V.,


4.99


Piper & Bangs,


9.77


Hall, O. G.,


8.22


Perry, E. E.,


42.25


Hutchinson, Ruth B.,


109.66


Peters, C. J.,


6.98


Henderson Brothers,


422.08


Paul, J. F.,


62.01


Henderson, Edwin P.,


84.86


Pearson, J. H. S.,


6.51


Hersey, H. D.,


22.44


Piper, S. H.,


10.26


Hill, Henry Y., & est. Francis Hill,


248.00


Hill, Henry Y.,


7.75


Hill, Francis, heirs of,


7.75


Hutchinson, John B.,


24.99


Hutchinson, Jacob,


36.04


Holland, Silas H.,


2.33


Kern & Fitch,


48.76


Kahurl, Reuben,


6.51


Kimball, Washington W.,


148.80


Kendall, Wm. B.,


14.73


Russell, Levi, and heirs of Wm. A. Russell,


33.33


Leonard, L. A., Miss,


5.22


Locke, Wm. H.,


29.00


Locke, Stephen,


24.80


Strout, C. O.,


7.15


Strout & Dyer,


7.52


Sawin, Robert L.,


66.08


Smith, Zenas E.,


25.50


Sargent, Edward P.,


7.19


McIntire, F.,


101.82


Sutherland, Hugh,


4.88


Miller, W. H.,


11.63


Stanton, F. O.,


5.22


MeKenzie, Lydia, Mrs.,


5.29


McNutt, J. J.,


21.16


Stedman, G. H.,


3.49


Mitchell, Seth K.,


11.14


Safford, Nathaniel F.,


14.73


Mayo, Caroline, Mrs.,


4.88


Steele, Edward H.,


27.37


McDonald, W. L.,


11.84


Swett, Geo. W.,


35.06


Morrisey, John,


13.42


Sargent, Cyrus,


26.58


Mason, Lewis,


10.15


Symmes, Adeline M., Mrs.,


34.88


Mead, Varnum B.,


143.38


Stetson, Alpheus M.,


4.65


Morton, Thomas C.,


55.30


Tolman, A. K.,


6.31


Thomas & Griffiths,


21.16


Tillson, Apollos J.,


50.64


Tucker, Joseph A.,


47.01


Munroe, Wm. W.,


58.13


Tufts, Peter E.


3.49


Mystic Hall Cemetery Asso- ciation,


4.65


Underwood, Peter,


16.28


Nixon, James,


17.33


Varney, Elijah,


189.98


Noble, E. T.,


93.78


Negrini, Albert,


10.85


White, John S., Jr.,


30.13


Niles, Wm. J.,


344.88


White, Isaac B.,


77.16


Niles, Charles E.,


57.86


Whitman & Breek,


11.52


Phillips, George, Jr., 81.93


Powers, Bridget & Rose Heath, 4.65


Ring, C. Q., 7.29


Rowe, C. H.,


11.45


Robinson, Benjamin F.,


55.80


Richmond, G. B. & J. C.


Clapp, 7.75


Russell, Wm. A., heirs of,


126.50


Russell, Levi,


72.07


Rymill, Wm. H., estate of,


3.49


Locke, Amanda N.,


11.16


Locke, Asa, heirs of,


21.86


Lawrence, Geo. H.,


15.50


Stedman, V. R.,


3.49


Moody, Henry E.,


22.43


Merrill, Edwin A.,


14.07


Marrett, Lorenzo, Gdn. Eliza Stevens,


23.25


Peabody, Francis H.,


465.55


107


TAXES.


White, Tisdale S.,


10.80


Welch & Griffiths,


503.75


Waters, Clark,


25.48


Wyman, Jerusha R., Mrs., 9.30


Whitten, Amos,


6.51


Weld, John C., 57.65


White, Helen M.,


55.29


Weare, Henry,


24.03


Willard, O. A.,


9.30


Wilson, Wm. A.,


344.88


Wells, Samuel,


3.88


Wright, Daniel F.,


14.07


Whittemore, T., & Letitia Fiske, 321.58


Whittemore, Sarah, Mrs., 176.31


INDEX.


Page.


Accounts


18


Auditors' Report


74


Appleton Street.


12


Appleton Court .


12


Alewife Bridge .


10


Arlington Avenue


9,29


Almshouse .


. 15, 31


Cemetery Committee's Report


78


Cemetery, New .


33


Cemeteries, Old


34


Counsel Fees


.


16, 33


Chief Engineer's Report


75


Coal .


21


Dudley Street .


. 12, 30


Discounts and Abatements


· 17, 34


Fire Department


. 34, 75


Furnace in Town House


, 16, 43


Guide Boards


18


Highways and Bridges


9, 23


Highland Avenue


30


Interest


38


Incidentals


. 16,37


Jurors


91


Jones' Suit


17,39


Law Suits .


19


Library


. 39, 79


Land Damages


17 .


Linwood Street .


9


Lowell Street


11


Maple Street


29


Mason, W. A., Account


17,40


Miscellaneous


21


Park Avenue


· 16,29


112


INDEX.


Page.


Poor out of Almshouse


. 15, 32


Police


. 15, 40


Public Property


49


Park Street


10


Russell Street .


30


Statistics of Town


93


Stone Crusher


13, 30


Street Lamps


. 15, 40


Salaries


. 17,41


State Aid .


. 16,41


Sidewalks .


14,41


Street Hydrants


· 16, 42


School Expense


43


School Committee's Report


80


Superintendence of Streets


18


Sprinkling of Streets


18


Selectmen's Report


7


Town Officers .


3


Town House


· 16,42


Tabular Statement, Appropriations, &c.


48


Trial Balance


52


Treasurer's Report


23


Treasurer's Accounts


. 54, 56


Town Clerk's Report


60


Tax List


93


Town Debt


51


Warren Street ..


. 13, 28


Water Commissioner's Report


63


Water Works Regulations


67


Winter Street


30


Tramps


19


REPORTS


OF


TOWN OFFICERS


OF THE


TOWN OF ARLINGTON


FOR


THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1875.


ALSO


A LIST OF THE TOWN, COUNTY, AND STATE TAXES


ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1875.


CAMBRIJC


MATTO


HEREDITAS


BOSTON : D. F. JONES & CO., PRINTERS, 31 EXCHANGE STREET. 1876.


REPORTS


OF


TOWN OFFICERS


OF THE


TOWN OF ARLINGTON


FOR


THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1875. ALSO


A LIST OF THE TOWN, COUNTY, AND STATE TAXES


ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1875.


AMBRIJCI


CORP


PROPVCNATIO


HERCOITAS


BOSTON : D. F. JONES & CO., PRINTERS, 31 EXCHANGE STREET. 1876.


,


1875.


TOWN OFFICERS.


SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, AND SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.


JOHN SCHOULER, JAMES DURGIN, WILLIAM G. PECK.


ASSESSORS.


HENRY MOTT, THOMAS P. PEIRCE, B. DELMONT LOCKE.


TOWN CLERK, TREASURER, AND COLLECTOR.


B. DELMONT LOCKE.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


GEORGE W. CUTTER,


for two years.


CHARLES E. GOODWIN,


66


JOHN H. HARDY,


one 66


WILLIAM E. PARMENTER, 66


66


JOSIAH CROSBY,


66 66


DANIEL R. CADY,


three


HENRY SWAN,


66


66 66


ALFRED HOBBS,


66


JOHN W. WEST,


two 66


F. V. B. KERN, elected Oct. 11, to fill vacancy occa- sioned by resignation of J. W. West.


4


TOWN OFFICERS.


WATER COMMISSIONERS.


B. POLAND, GEORGE HILL,


JOHN FILLEBROWN,


for one year. " two years. " three years.


AUDITORS.


CHARLES O. GAGE GEORGE M. MORSE, ABEL R. PROCTOR.


CONSTABLES. JOHN H. HARTWELL, JAMES DOYLE.


SEXTON.


JOHN B. HARTWELL.


FENCE VIEWERS.


WARREN RAWSON, MATTHEW ROWE, JOHN H. PEABODY.


FIELD DRIVERS. I. O. CARTER, JAMES HAGAN, THOMAS HIGGINS.


MEASURERS OF WOOD.


MATTHEW ROWE, GRENVILLE P. PEIRCE, MICHAEL WAUGH.


MEASURERS OF STONE AND GRAVEL.


JESSE BACON. J. WILLARD RUSSELL.


5


TOWN OFFICERS.


SURVEYORS OF PAINT AND PLASTERING.


HENRY J. BACON, EDWARD MEERS, GEORGE D. TUFTS.


SURVEYORS OF LUMBER.


JAMES M. CHASE, EDWARD STORER, JAMES BASTON.


SEALERS OF LEATHER.


THOMAS RAMSDELL, HOWARD W. HILL.


· TOWN WEIGHER.


L. C. TYLER.


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. C. S. PARKER.


CLERK OF THE MARKET. JOHN REDMAN.


TRUANT OFFICERS.


.


JAMES DOYLE, CHARLES GOTT, THOMAS HIGGINS, JOHN STINGEL, I. O. CARTER.


FISH PRESERVERS. SAMUEL WHITE, WILLIAM GIBSON, JOHN CUTTER.


6


TOWN OFFICERS.


COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.


JOHN SCHOULER, JAMES DURGIN, WILLIAM G. PECK.


ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.


ALFRED HOBBS, Chief. ARTHUR B. MOULTON, JAMES DURGIN,


WILLIAM G. PECK, Assistants. CHARLES GOTT.


POLICE.


JOHN H. HARTWELL, B. F. DURGIN, CHARLES GOTT, A. B. MOULTON, W. H. BARNES.


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


THE close of another financial year reminds us of our duty, as public servants of the town, to take a retrospective , view of the past twelve months, and present to the citizens a report of our doings, affording at once an exhibit of prog- ress made, and a detailed account of expenditures, under the appropriations granted ; which report is herewith submitted.


At the annual town meeting, held March 2, 1875, the old Board were re-elected. A subsequent meeting of the Board of Selectmen resulted in the choice of John Schouler as Chairman, and B. Delmont Locke, Clerk of the Board.


The suggestions made in our last annual report, relative to the completion of certain improvements on our highways, commenced last year and left incomplete owing to the late- ness of the season, have been carried out in part the present year, while others have been so far tested as time and the limit of your appropriations would admit.


Highways.


Appropriations,


$12,000 00


Park Avenue extension (so called),


2,500 00


Private subscriptions watering streets,


233 00


From gravel for cemetery, and other items,


346 50


Unexpended balance lock-up appropriation,


315 28


Total highway appropriations,


$15,394 78


Expenditures,


15,344 07


Balance unexpended,


$50 71


Reference being had to the tabular statement appended to the Treasurer's Report, it will be seen that the original amount


8


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


appropriated for highways was twelve thousand dollars. At subsequent town-meetings five thousand dollars was voted for the building of the new streets on Arlington Heights, to wit, Park and Eastern Avenue extension, so called. Park Avenue extension has been built, and Eastern Avenue commenced and partially completed; the entire cost of these exten- sions charged to excess and deficiency account, not a dollar having been borrowed on the credit of the town, by note or otherwise. The town debt has therefore not been increased by this additional outlay. This excess and deficiency account arises from the transfer, at the end of each financial year, of all unexpended balances. If, therefore, the yearly expendi- tures fall within the appropriations, the amounts yearly cred- ited to this account form a constantly increasing fund, kept separate and distinct from the other accounts, and drawn upon only by special vote of the town. It will be seen from the above remarks that the highway expenditures, leaving out of view the new streets built and building in accordance with special vote, are not greatly in excess of the twelve thousand dollars originally recommended by the Board and granted by the town, and all are within the appropriations.


Charlestown Street.


The approach to the bridge over Alewife Brook, which marks the boundary line between Somerville and Arlington, has been repaired, and the road-bed for a short distance re- gravelled. We have also filled in at the corner of Charles- town and Winter Streets, and have provided against the standing water in that locality, by the laying of a fifteen- inch cement drain pipe for a distance of sixty feet. The surface-water, which during the winter months has proved so great an annoyance to citizens passing or residing in that locality, is thus avoided by drainage across Charlestown Street to the northerly side, and from thence to the low marsh lands into Alewife Brook.


9


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Lake Street.


Lake Street has been macadamized and gravelled for a dis- tance of six hundred and fifty feet, commencing at a point near the residence of Josiah Crosby, and extending southerly to land of Addison Gage & Co. This completes the macad- amization of this street from this point to Arlington Avenue, and the road-bed is in excellent condition. Maple and elm trees have been placed on both sides of the street, extending from the brow of the hill on the southerly side of the rail- road nearly to the ice-houses at the outlet of Spy Pond. These shade trees have been set out by the owners of the estates on the line of the street, at their own expense. It may be a question worthy of the consideration of the citi- zens, whether the town ought not to foster this spirit of adorning our highways by shade trees, either by contributing a certain portion of their first cost, or protecting them by suitable safeguards, after having been set out at the expense of the abuttors.


Arlington Avenue.


That portion of the avenue lying between the railroad crossing and Academy Street has been macadamized and re-gravelled. The entire length of the avenue from Alewife Brook to the Lexington line has now been macadamized ; and the road is in good condition, excepting that portion near the estate of Mrs. Butterfield. This will require to be repicked next season, and covered with a light layer of crushed stone and gravel, which can be effected at small expense. The wells constructed on the avenue for sewage purposes have not proved of sufficient capacity to absorb quickly the sur- face-water. During a large portion of the year, they effec- tively answer their purpose ; but the water from the heavy spring-rains, flowing over frozen ground, and hence not ab- sorbed in its course even in part, causes large pools of water to remain on the avenue, even for a considerable time after the rain has ceased. To remedy this difficulty we have laid a twelve-inch cement drain-pipe a distance of eleven hundred


10


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


feet, through the public way, near the residence of Mrs. Barnes, passing under the Middlesex Central Railroad to Spy Pond. This pipe is laid with loose joints through a deep stratum of sand. Every joint therefore, affording a ready exit to the surface-water passing through, it is reasonable to presume that the greater part of all the surface-water will be absorbed in its passage, and only that from the heaviest showers find its way to the pond. A sidewalk has been built on the southerly side of the avenue, from corner of Linwood Street to land of J. P. Wyman.


Pond Lane.


A sewage-pipe, draining the surface-water from the avenue through Pond Lane, was partially laid last year. It has been extended the present year to the railroad crossing. The erection of new ice-houses at the foot of the lane, to supply the retail trade, necessitated heavy travel over the road. Mr. Asa Durgin, at his own expense, regraded the lane, making the rise from the pond more gradual, the town furnishing the light coating of blue gravel for finishing the road.


Estimated expense of work done by the town, including cost of drain extension, one hundred dollars.


Warren Street.


The same difficulty has been experienced in this street, relative to drainage, as was encountered on Arlington Ave- nue. We have laid a twelve-inch cement drain-pipe for a distance of eight hundred and seventy-five feet, commencing at a point near estate of S. G. Damon, thence westerly through Warren Street, across Medford Street to the meadows in the rear of the Catholic church. Two cesspools have been con- structed, one located at corner of Franklin and Warren Streets, the other on the westerly side of Medford Street, at a point where the pipe leaves the road. Estimated cost, $875.


11


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Summer Street.


This street has been gravelled from Mill to Grove Street. A sidewalk has been constructed on the southerly side, from the ledge westerly to Grove Street. The Selectmen desire to call the attention of the town to a dangerous point on this street, near the ledge. Summer Street from the Almshouse runs nearly in a straight line to the ledge. At this point the road deflects and narrows, passing between the Middlesex Central Railroad and the ledge, the entire width of street from ledge to railroad track being about thirty feet. The road, therefore, at this point, lies hemmed in between a pre- cipitous ledge on one side, and the railroad on the other. The increased frequency of trains, as well as increasing travel over the road, combine to make this portion of Summer Street extremely dangerous, if not the most hazardous of any street within the town limits. There are two ways of obviating the difficulty : either by straightening the road and cutting into the ledge sufficiently to make the passage over it of easy grade, or by blasting the ledge to the level of the street. Either method is objectionable, on the ground of excessive expenditure; and, in view of this, your Board thought it better to lay the whole subject before the town, for such action, if any, as may be deemed the most advisable. The surface-water of the street has been provided for, by the con- struction of blind wells and cesspools, and the laying of drain- pipe across the land of Cyrus Cutter to the mill-pond.


Lowell Street.


Work upon Lowell Street was continued early in the year. The widening is now complete, and the road in good condi- tion to the Lexington line. Estimated cost of comple- tion, $1,000.


Pine Street.


The private way called Pine Street, leading westerly from Summer Street, about eight hundred feet in length, has been roughly graded. The abuttors on the line of the street gave


12


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


the land, to a width of forty feet, except that portion border- ing on land of Casey, where the width narrows to the original twenty-five feet. In grading the street, an excellent bed of blue gravel was found, which was made use of in top- dressing and repairing other streets. Estimated cost, $150.


Concrete and Brick Sidewalks.


Appropriation · ·


$1,000 00


Received from D. Dodge


18 49


$1,018 49


Expended .


943 59


. $74 90


The only brick sidewalk laid during the year, under this appropriation, was that fronting the store of Davies Dodge, adjoining the bank building. Edge-stones have also been set, adding much to the uniform appearance of both estates.


We have laid 1,1878 yards of concrete sidewalk during the year, and 549 yards of crossings and gutters. A concrete gutter has been built on the southerly side of the avenue, be- tween the horse-railroad track and estates of Nathan Robbins. In this connection, we would state that conference was held with Mr. Robbins, at the time work was progressing on the avenue, relative to the cutting down of the sidewalk fronting his residence. The only objection urged against the proposed change was the fear of injuring the row of shade trees set just within the line of his estate. The whole matter was, with slight delay, amicably arranged ; the sidewalk lowered to a corresponding grade with the avenue, and laid in brick. A stone coping, with neat ornamentation, incloses the estate, in striking contrast with the high wooden fence of former years.


The enhanced value of the property under this change, as well as the general improvement in appearance of the avenue, should be seen to be appreciated ; and your Board would avail themselves of this opportunity to thank Mr. Robbins, in behalf of the town, for the promptness, thoroughness, and creditable manner with which the work has been done.


13


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Almshouse.


Appropriation .


$2,000 00


Received from town of Belmont


65 19


$2,065 19


Expended


1,694 17


$371 02


Almshouse Stable.


Cost of new stable


$2,182 39


Received from insurance .


.


$1,830 16


Charged to Almshouse account. ·


352 23


$2,182 39


The old stable was destroyed by fire Aug. 31. A new stable has been erected of the same dimensions as the old ; but, in point of convenience and general adaptation to the wants of the town, far superior to the old building. The shed adjoining the stable is ten feet longer, and affords ample protection for the carts and implements used on our highways.


Fire Department.


Appropriation


. $2,500 00


Expended


2,477 60


$22 40


The management of the Fire Department for the past year has been under the immediate supervision of Chief Engineer Hobbs. For a detailed statement of its present condition and future requirements, we would refer the citizens to the Chief Engineer's report.


Police.


Appropriation


. $1,200 00


Expended


. 1,041 60


$158 40


14


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


The charge of the Police Department has been under the direction of John H. Hartwell as chief, and four assistants. Although the number of arrests has increased by ten over the last year, the general quiet and order of the town has been the same. In the report of the Chief of Police to the Selectmen, mention is made of the increasing demands upon the force each year, with the recommendation that the town consider at its next annual meeting, the policy of augment- ing the present force.


Whole number of arrests for the year 1875 60


Assault


20


Drunkenness


. 18


Disturbing the peace


·


3


Larceny


7


Malicious mischief


3


Setting fires


.


3


Other arrests


·


6


60


In addition to the number of tramps lodged and fed at the Almshouse, sixty have been cared for at the station.


Repairs of Station.


Appropriation


$500 00


Expended


184 72


$315 28


We have laid a new floor in the lock-up, and whitened the walls. The mattresses and blankets, which from long use had become soiled beyond renovation, have been replaced with new, and the room put in thorough repair. A storm- door has been placed at the entrance, adding much to the comfortableness of the station. The balance unexpended of this appropriation has been carried to the credit of highway account, in accordance with vote of the town at meeting held Nov. 20.


15


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Salaries of Town Officers.


Appropriation


. $4,200 00


Brought forward .


800 00


$5,000 00


Expended


3,700 00


$1,300 00


Town House.


Appropriation


$500 00


Received from rents


513 33


$1,013 33


Expended


775 71


$237 62


Incidentals.


Appropriation


. $2,000 00


Received from circus license


10 00


Received from auctioneer's license


6 00


$2,016 00


Expended :


1,945 57 ·


$70 43


State Aid.


Appropriation


$600 00


Received from State Treasurer


.


438 80


$1,038 80


Expended


420 00


$618 80


Centennial Celebration.


Appropriation


. $2,000 00


Expended


. 1,958 25


$41 75


16


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Street Lamps.


Appropriation


. $1,600 00


Expended


. 1,565 90


$34 10


Tower of William Penn Hose Co.


Appropriation


$500 00


No expenditure.


Counsel Fees.


Appropriation


. $1,000 00


Expended


541 72


$458 28


The expenditures charged against this appropriation are fees paid attorneys for the management of suits (except- ing water claims) against the town, legal advice, and the drawing of legal instruments. All charges arising from suits or hearings relative to land flowage or water damage are exhibited in the water commissioners' accounts. There are no suits now pending against the town, other than those arising from the introduction of water. Evidence in the suits brought by the mill-owners has been taken, but no arguments made by either side. As these cases properly fall within the province of your Water Board for report, we leave them without further comment.


:


. Outside Poor.


Appropriation


$600 00


Expended :


753 43


Appropriation exceeded


$153 43


We have exceeded the appropriation placed in our hands for disbursement. Two years ago, at the time of our first


17


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


advent in office, the town indicated, with no equivocal voice, that her officials should not exceed their appropria- tions. The case at hand is a peculiar one, and presented to your Board difficulties which they could not have foreseen. We have endeavored to discriminate in our charity ; giving where the circumstances of the case absolutely demanded immediate relief, and withholding often, at least in part, where parties applying for aid could in some measure aid themselves. One year ago we recommended an appropria- tion of six hundred dollars for outside poor; and looking back over the past twelve months, a period in which every branch of industry has suffered from general depression, our factories discharging their help, and reducing the pay-roll of the fortunate few who remained to the lowest living point, laborers constantly besieging us for work, in numbers far beyond the practical requirements of the town, we marvel not that we have exceeded the amount granted us, but rather that we have been able to keep so near its limits. Every dollar expended has gone through such a channel as to leave no opportunity for its being squandered, or used for purposes other than that for which it was given. In cases of actual suffering for the bare necessaries of life, action, to be effec- tual, must be prompt; and that town which " gives quickly gives twice." It often happens, and has happened, that a family bridged over, in time of sickness or some unforeseen calamity, for a few days or weeks by aid, timely or quickly given, continue to maintain their self-respect, and become again self-supporting, who would otherwise be forced, as a last resort, to take refuge in your Almshouse, and, per- chance, become an annual expense to the town.


Park Avenue Extension.


Appropriation


$2,500


Estimated cost


.


1,750


$750


-


18


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


. Under a special vote of the town, Park Avenue has been . extended to the Belmont line, a distance of about 1,650 feet. The work was commenced early in August. No serious obstacles, like frequent ledges, were encountered. This fact, together with the favorable season of the year in which the road was commenced, all conspired towards the vigorous prosecution of the work. The cuts abounded with the best of blue gravel for top-dressing, so that the expense of carting material for a long distance was avoided.


Some large boulders were found lying in the road-bed ; these were disposed of by sinking them where they stood, using the material thrown out from the excavation in the road's construction. That portion of the road beyond the town line, extending to Prospect Street, was commenced about the same time as the Arlington division, and completed late in the fall. We have constructed, in rough, a sidewalk on the easterly side of the road, using the, surplus material left over in building. The entire avenue, sixty feet wide, from the summit of the heights to Prospect Street in the town of Belmont, is open for public travel, and, in point of easy grade and thoroughness of construction, compares favor- ably with any road within our limits.




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