Town of Arlington annual report 1876-1880, Part 14

Author: Arlington (Mass.)
Publication date: 1876-1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 682


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1876-1880 > Part 14


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Dyer, Mrs. Abby 63 27


Dyer, William H. 5 92


E


Earle, James H. 5 73


Eaton, Mrs. Eliza 45 40


Eddy, Mrs. Otis. 4 22


Eddy, George W 50 46


Emerson, F. F. 4 22


Emery, T. J. 4 22


Eldredge, Sabana W 4 50


Eldredge, Daniel. 9 00


Estabrook, O. D. 4 59


Evans, Elizabeth 2 25


Came, Edward G. 3 60


Carter, C. Willard. 13 50


Cahill, J .. 18 00


Campbell, Thomas S.


3 84


Chapman, Edward


3 38


Charlestown Water Commis-


sioners.


33 58


Chenery, estate of Winthrop W.$ 49 95


Cook, Hubbard . 33 37


Connors, William H. 4 50


Cook, Susannah C. 12 15


Cotton, George H.


4 50


Cooke, Henry A. 13 92


Coburn, Abner. 13 66


Cragin, Isaiah L .. 58 65


Cutter, Amos and Mrs. Sarah


Whittemore .. 100 92


Cutler, estate of Silas. 28 35


Cutler, Mrs. Sarah .. 37 05


Currier, E. C. 34 26


D


Davidson, William E. 13 72


Davidson, Alfred M. 19 50


Davis, Samuel S .. 96 16


Davis, Stephen F. 4 50


Dodge, Mrs. Elizabeth 31 88


Dow, Charles F 6 51


Durgin, Asa 246 98


Blume, Andreas


119 97


Blanchard, Charles H. 25 72


Blake, Ann E 34 20


Boulger, James 4 50


Boston Ice Co


37 80


Botsford, C. B.


11 03


Brown, estate of James B.


16 20


Briggs, A. H.


4 41


Breck, C. E. 9 57


Butterfield, Jonathan. 12 04


Burgess, T. H. 6 72


Butman, Wallace W.


98 40


Butman, W. W. & W. C. Crane. 20 25


Butman, John W. and Geo. W .. 10 47


Burnham, W. G.


52 60


C


F


Fairbanks, Moses. 194 11


Fillebrown, S. L ...


57 84


Fitchburg Railroad Co.


13 50


133


TAXES.


. Fiske, Elbridge. . 30 75


Foort, Mrs. Annie H. 44 03


Frost, Isaac. . 30 37


Frost, Artemas and J. Herbert .. 30 38


Frost, Newell C. 97 20


Frost, Silas.


125 00


Frost, Varnum 188 15


Frost, Henry


47 25


G


Gannett, J H. 7 98


Gannett, Howard. 2 07


Gardner, John P 13 36


Gay, Levi B 228 42


Goodsell, P. B. 51 03


Gordon, Eben ..


4 50


Griffiths, Albert & Ellen Hewes. 97 20


H


Hatch, Frederic A. 5 40


Hart, estate of Nathaniel O. 45 33


Hanson, Charles V. 5 63


Hanson, Henry 48 75


Hall, O. G. 6 86


Harris, James 4 50


Harris, Sarah E. 32 67


Harmon, Addison G 9 00


Hawes, F. G. 54 14


Haynes, H. A. 5 76


Henderson Brothers 517 89


Hickey, Richard H. 5 75


Hill, Henry Y.


6 75


Hill, Heirs of Francis 6 75


Hill, Henry Y. and est. of Francis Hill. 191 73


Hudson, Mrs. Mary Ann. 37 67


Hutchinson, Mrs. Ruth B. 91 38


Hutchinson, John B 21 84


Hutchinson, Jacob. 31 68


Holland, Silas II .. 2 25


J


Jephson, Miss Caroline E. 19 44


K


Kaula, Francis. 4 50


Kahurl, Reuben. 5 50


Keeler, George S. 4 50 Piper, S. H .


Kimball, John N. 8 16


Kendall, William B 12 90


Kern & Fitch. 13 56


L


Leonard, Miss Laura A. 4 22


Leavens, Albert. 206 25


Lee, Timothy . 3 75


Lewis, George W 232 76


Locke, Mrs. Amanda N 9 72


Locke, Heirs of Asa 20 48


Locke, Horatio


43 50


Lowry, William:


17 72


M


Mason, Lewis. 11 46


Mayo, Miss Caroline 3 95


McNutt, J. J .. 17 55


McDonald, W. L. 9 54


Mckenzie, David H. 4 50


Mead, Varnum B. 133 13


Merrill, Edwin A. 12 24


Mechanics Savings Bank 371 88


Miller, W. H. .


9 84


Mitchell, S. K. 2 13


McIntire, F.


25 72


Mckenzie, Mrs. Lydia.


4 25


Morton, Thomas C 49 21


Morrissey. John.


11 36


Moody, Henry E.


19 55


Moore, Charles.


58 50


Munroe, William W. 45 55


Mystic Hall Cemetery Associa-


tion . 4 50


N


Negrini, Albert. 10 50


Niles, estate of William J. 291 00


Nixon, James.


13 43


Noble, E. T.


75 78


P


Paul, William M 85 65


Paul, J. F. 50 00


Pearson, J. H. S. 5 52


Pearson, T. L .. 47 63


Peabody, Francis H 420 09


Peters, C. J., jr 5 07


Perry, estate of E. E 24 52


Pinkham, George F. 191 29


Piper, Edwin . 7 87


Piper & Bangs. 7 87


Piper, Benjamin C. 51 20


9 90


Piper, Joseph. 6 00


Powers, Bridget and Rose Heath 4 05


Pray, B. S. . 168 29


Knowles, J. A. 16 16 Prescott, W. P 5 37


134


TAXES.


R


T.


Reed, R. W $ 1 87


Richardson, Joseph W. 4 50


Tucker, Joseplı A 44 70


Richmond, G. B. & J. C. Clapp 11 25


Tufts, Peter E. 3 37


Ring, C. Q. 5 64


Russell, Levi.


56 49


Russell, Heirs of William A. ...


102 83


Russell, Levi and heirs of Wm.


A. 29 02


Underwood, Peter.


15 75


Rogers, Bernard. 2 25


Rolfe, Frank A .. 30 00


V.


Rowe, Charles H. 11 14


Royce, Frank A. 6 36


Rymill, estate of William H .. ..


3 38


W.


S


Waters, Clark. . 20 50


Wetherbee, J. O. 137 15


Sargent, Cyrus. .


23 14


Sargent, Edward P 5 22


4 50


Savory, Everett S


3 38


Welch & Griffiths


341 25


Sinclair, Joseph .


4 50


Werner, Albert. F. 10 12


Skillings, David N.


72 75


Wescott, Harry.


127 90


Smith, Christine E.


4 50


Smith, C. W.


6 36


Smith, Zenas E.


17 74


Squire, George


105 86


White, John S., jr


23 56


Stanton, R. C.


4 14


White, Isaac B.


50 64


Stevens, Frank E.


3 39


White, H B. 12 20


Stevens, Mrs. Emily K


44 02


Willard, O. A. 7 20


1 23


Steele, Edward H.


23 83


Wright, Daniel F. 12 24


Stetson, Alpheus M.


4 50


Wyman, estate of Marshall. 61 80


Strout, C. O.


5 76


Wyman, James. . 199 80


Strout & Dyer ...


6 06


Wyman, Mrs. Jerusha R. 8 10


Sumner, Maynard.


45 75


Sutherland, Hugh.


3 95


Y.


Swadkins, Thomas, jr.


6 40


Symmes, Mrs. Adeline M.


31 88


Young, William H. H. . .. 92 63


Safford, Nathaniel F


13 05


Wellington, H. W 18 65


Wellington, Andrew


111 00


Weld, John C.


45 18


Savory, Abby V ..


Wells, Samuel . 3 75


Whittemore, Timothy & Letitia Fiske . 227 33


Whittemore, Mrs. Sarah 136 70


Stedman, G. H.


5 07


Williams, Charles


59 77


Vinson, J. N.


Tuttle, George W 13 50


U.


Tolman, A. K. $ 4 59


LIST OF RESIDENTS HOLDING CORPORATION AND BANK STOCKS, AND TAX PAID UPON THE SAME IN 1877.


Abbot, Abby $ 48 27


Poland, Myra ..


1 28


Adams, Mary W


51


Poland, James P. 1 28


Adams, Rebecca.


14 25


Prentiss, Abigail W. 40 63


Allen, W. H.


26


Proctor, Maria F 4 29


Baker, Edmund J., et. al.,


Russell, Martha M. W. 2 20


trustees


84 32


Russell, Mrs. S.


26


Bucknam, T. G.


26


Russell, James, 2d.


17 28


Butterfield, Judith A.


1 08


Russell, Jeremiah 15 17


Blanchard, James C.


3 67


Rood, David C. 45


Boston National Bank, coll. M. W. Butterfield.


189 66


Robbins, Nathan


455 19


Bullard, J. . C


22 07


Bullard, M. M.


44 14


Sawyer, Henry. 56 42


Crosby, Anna G.


30 72


Schouler, Mary . 2 56


Cutter, Ammi.


2 94


Schouler, Jeannette.


51


Cutter, Lucy T


54


Schouler, Willard C. 26


Damon, S. G. .


26


Schouler, Mary N. 14 66


Damon, H. M.


24 04


Schouler, Martha 51


Draper. D. S. & W. P., trustees.


92 43


Schouler, John. 9 22


Davis, Mary B.


2 94


Smith, Maria E 2 71


Doggett, Elizabeth B.


7 69


Smith, Eliza A . 40 57


Elliot, George N.


5 12


Squire. John P. . 199 48


Fisher, David. .


14 25


Squire, Frank O.


56 42


Frost, Miss M. D.


4 28


Squire, Catherine G. 5 64


Foster, W. T.


36 51


Stowe, William. 13 66


Frost, Lydia


1 37


Swan, Alfred S. 3 12


Gage, Addison, estate of


26 Swain, A. D ...


15 03


Gage, Charles O


31 51


Svmmes, Stephen.


20 90


Hunt, Moses.


84 45


Symmes, C. H.


96


Hill, A. F.


10 40


Trowbridge, J. T.


35 63


Hall, Jacob.


62 60


Tufts, Helen W. 17 77


15 88


Teel, Mary H. 73


Hopkins, Reuben W


222 37


Hornblower, E. T.


2 31


Torrey, S. N., guardian, 4 51


Hoitt, A. D.


71 92


Underwood, Napoleon 12 47


Houghton, C.


14 75


Waters, Elizabeth H. 24 50


Lane, Mrs. E. M.


11 40


Wells, Maria A.


4 61


Wellington, Mrs. M.


51


Lawrence, Henry L.


167 82


Wellington, Lydia.


18 30


1


Mair, Sophronia 34 28


Whittemore, Rebecca.


10 46


Mayo, Jesse 3 67


79 90


Whittemore George C.


14 98


Nickerson, J. C.


1 47


Whittemore, Harriet C.


12 59


Peck, William G ..


27 93


Whittemore, Mrs. A. C. .


88 87


Peek, Mrs. Eliza A.


99 47


Peck, Miss Angelina M.


90 65


Percival, Emily M.


51


Winn, Albert


30 35


Pierce, Harriet. ..


26


Wyman, Abner P. 41 72


Poland, Benjamin


26


Wyman, Susan M.


7 59


Poland, Almira. · 2 56


Whittemore, F. H., guardian .. Wirslow, John B.


20 58


Hinton, John


13 19


Wells, Henry J. 39 11


Lapham, Luther.


85 65


Whittemore, Francis C .. 7 13


Nash, N. C ..


12 89


Hopkins, Reuben.


Turner, E. C .. 128 28


27 31


Reed, Charlotte L


Robbins, Eliza E. 30 35


INDEX.


Page.


Academy Street .


10


Alewife Brook .


13


Appleton Street .


9


Auditors' Report.


101


Arlington Avenue


7


Almshouse


21,37


Concrete .


14


Cemeteries


15


Counsel Fees


21


Chief Engineer's Report.


102


Coal.


15


Charlestown Street.


11


Discounts and Abatements.


43


Eastern Avenue .


9


Fire Department


22, 43,102


Highland Avenue.


9


Highways and Bridges


7,28


Insurance.


23,49


Interest


24, 50,51


Incidentals


22, 47


Jurors.


117


Lake Street.


12


Licenses .


16


Library


23, 51,104


Mystic Street


11


Medford Street


11


Mill Street.


10 8


Park Avenue .


Poor out of Almshouse


19,39


Police


17, 52


Public Property


63


Pratt Fund.


84 118


Street Lamps


21,54


Salaries.


23,52


State Aid.


22, 54


Street Hydrants


54


School Expense.


56


School Committee's Report.


105


Selectmen's Report.


7


Town Notes ..


24


Town Officers


3


Town House


21, 54


Tabular Statement, Appropriations, etc.


62


Tramps ..


18


Trial Balance.


67,97


Treasurer's Report.


28,91 68


Town Clerk's Report.


80


Tax List. .


119


Town Debt


26, 55,66 64


Vine Street ..


9


Water Commissioners' Report.


85


Water Works Regulations.


98


Winter Street.


.


.


.


11


Statistics of Town


Treasurer's Account


Unexpended Balance, etc.


REPORT


OF


TOWN OFFICERS


OF THE


TOWN OF ARLINGTON


FOR


THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1878.


ALSO


A LIST OF THE TOWN, COUNTY AND STATE


TAXES,


ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1878.


CAMBRIDC


MCORPI


TOMMY


PROPVCNATIO


HEREDITAS -


BOSTON : D. F. JONES & CO., PRINTERS, 31 EXCHANGE STREET 1879


1878. TOWN OFFICERS.


SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR AND SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.


HENRY MOTT, JAMES DURGIN, WILLIAM H. ALLEN.


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


TOWN CLERK, TREASURER AND COLLECTOR.


B. DELMONT LOCKE.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


REV. MATTHEW HARKINS, for three years. HENRY SWAN, 66


D. F. JONES, 66


WILLIAM E. PARMENTER,


two


CHARLES E. GOODWIN,


F. V. B. KERN,


WILLIAM H. ALLEN,


one 66


JOHN P. WYMAN,


66


JOHN S. CROSBY, 66


-


6


TOWN OFFICERS.


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. DANIEL G. CURRIER.


CLERK OF THE MARKET. JOHN REDMAN.


TRUANT OFFICERS.


JOHN H. HARTWELL, GARRETT BARRY, PATRICK J. SHEAN.


FISH PRESERVERS.


SAMUEL WHITE, WILLIAM GIBSON, JOHN CUTTER.


COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.


HENRY MOTT, JAMES DURGIN, WILLIAM H. ALLEN.


ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.


CHARLES GOTT, Chief.


ARTHUR B. MOULTON, JAMES DURGIN,


GEORGE A. STEARNS,


Assistants.


WILLIAM S. GIBSON,


POLICE.


JOHN H. HARTWELL, GARRETT BARRY, P. J. SHEAN.


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


In presenting this, our first report, in regard to the high- ways, we beg leave to refer to the report of the Superin- tendent of Streets to the Selectmen, in which we have the following items of interest.


Amount of appropriation in March, $6,000 00


66


66 " Sept., 1,500 00


Received for labor, concreting, &c., 880 00


$8,380 00


Expended,


8,337 40


Balance unexpended,


$42 60


We find that it has been the practice for a number of years to leave some bills due the very last of the year to be paid the following year; this we have tried to remedy. There has been paid for unpaid bills of 1876-77, $702.25 ; $38.81 of same being paid since April 1st.


There was remaining of the appropriation in the Treasury April 1st, $3,823.65, of which has been paid for bills due from January 1st to April 1st, the sum of $284.56.


There are no known bills due by this department to date.


We think we can confidently assert that, although some work has been left unperformed (for lack of funds), there has been no considerable amount expended upon the streets which was not an actual necessity.


8


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


The following is a summary of the work performed by this department during nine months, ending Dec. 31, 1878 :


Total number of loads of gravel placed upon the streets, including 831 loads of stone, 5,096.


Quite an amount has been teamed a long distance, as will be perceived by the number placed upon each street.


Arlington Av., 1,218 loads


Mystic Street,


829 loads


Appleton Street,


4


66


Mill


37


Academy 66


17


66


No. Union "


81


Brattle


66


74


66


Park


60


2


66


Broadway,


15


66


Park Av.,


87


Bacon


66


9


66


Pleasant Street,


580


66


Central


66


54


Schouler Court,


40


66


Dudley


66


39


66


Summer Street,


92


Decatur


66


14


66


Spring Place,


12


Forest


86


Tufts Street,


694


Grove


66


93


Walnut Street,


3


66


Lowell


66


2


Water


66


42


66


Lake


758


Warren


38


66


Mt. Vernon «


49


Winter


116


Total,


5,096


66


Russell


5


66


Court


6


Arlington Avenue.


Some portions of this Avenue have been recoated with gravel, which experiment has not proved a success when put on in too great a depth, causing it when wet to be muddy, and the heavy teams to make hollows or depressions, and in dry time to grind up and blow away.


Two sections have been repaired, one from Horse R. R. Station to Mill Street, and one from Steam R. R. track to Medford Street, by the use of crushed stone, in some places


9


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


to the depth of 12 inches, coated with blue gravel, and rolled, thus crowning the street so that after heavy rains it becomes dry, and secures to all who pass over it a smooth and easy road. By this method of repairing (for certainly much of the street is flat and rough, and needs to be crowned), the great expense of repicking is saved, and the breaking of the foundation, which can never be more firm than now, is avoided. Should this plan be adopted, and the worst sections repaired each year, in a short time, we think the Avenue would be one of the best and most frequented thoroughfares in this part of New England. That portion of the Avenue from Alewife Brook to Teel Street, and from the old brick school-house to the "Foot of the Rocks," is in need of repairs. But little has been done from the "Foot of the Rocks" to Lexington line, for the reason of lack of funds, and the opinion that when repairs were made they should be quite extensive. There is need of something being done there early in the spring, more than can now be foreseen upon any other street in town. Should the hill at the "Foot of the Rocks" be exca- vated 3 or 3 1-2 feet and macadamized, the gravel there obtained could be used on Lowell Street, where it is much needed. Considerable trouble and expense has been caused heretofore by the vast amount of water coming from Apple- ton Street. The culvert at the foot of Appleton Street has been taken up and enlarged, a grate and cesspool put in, which has remedied it in part. After the water leaves this point it has to run nearly on a level, causing the gutters to overflow, and making the street icy in winter. Should a culvert be put across the Avenue from the southerly side to Bow Street, taking the surplus water, running thence to the stream in rear of Elbridge Farmer's, we think no future trouble would be experienced.


Brattle Street.


A portion of this street has been crowned with gravel, and the gutters cleared. It is now in good condition.


10


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Central Street.


That part of this street between the Avenue and Bacon Street, was nearly the whole year wet and muddy. It has been crowned with gravel, and is in good condition.


Forest Street.


The gutters have been cleared, several large stones re- moved from the road-bed, and a portion regravelled.


Grove Street.


This street is now in very good repair, a part of it having been regravelled. The steep grades either side of the rail- road wash somewhat, and require a few loads of gravel annually. The water from Summer Street, formerly depos- ited itself upon the estate of Mrs. Casey. Gutters and bars have been formed turning it upon the land of Andrew King.


Lowell Street.


With the exception of gathering the loose stones, noth- ing of any amount has been done. Some portions of this street are very flat and rough, with many springy mud holes, and need repairing very much.


Lake Street.


The first work of the season, was the macadamizing of this street from the residence of Josiah Crosby to the railroad crossing. The old road-bed was removed, a heavy body of crushed stone used, coated with two inches of gravel, thoroughly rolled, and it has stood the wear of the


11


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


heavy teaming satisfactorily. The hill leading easterly from Belmont line has been thoroughly repaired with stone and gravel. This part of the street was greatly out of repair having been badly washed, and requiring quite an amount of material to properly crown the centre. The gutters have been cleared, and Lake Street will, we think, need no extended repairs for a long time.


Mt. Vernon Street.


The gutters have been cleared, a portion regravelled, and this street is in good condition.


Mystic Street.


This street has been quite generally repaired. The greater part of the repairs was made on the hill near the Winchester line (called New Mystic), requiring about six hundred loads of material. The gutters have been cleared and the entire length has received attention by covering the low and uneven places with blue gravel.


Park Avenue.


Some repairs were necessitated by the heavy showers of the summer. Two concrete crossings have been put down the past season. The loose stones which, on account of the very steep grade, are constantly working up, have been several times gathered. Some portions will soon have to be regravelled in order to throw the water into the gutters.


Pleasant Street.


Has been coated with gravel the entire length, and is in excellent condition.


£


12


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Schouler Court.


. A portion has been regravelled, gutters cleared and side- walk raised, which has made a decided change, as hereto- fore it was wet and muddy a great part of the time. A railing has been put up at the easterly terminus of the street, thus preventing teams from accidentally driving off the embankment.


Summer Street.


The gutters, which in many places were higher than the road-bed, thus throwing all the water upon the street, have been generally cleared. Some new gravel has been used and with one or two exceptions, requiring a few loads of gravel, the street is in good repair.


Tufts Street.


This street was brought to grade during last winter. A large amount of blue gravel was used to properly crown the road-bed, and it is now one of the best streets in town. A sidewalk has been made upon one side of the street with very little expense, as the material used was taken from the gutters on the Avenue. Quite an expense was incurred in putting in the bank walls against the estate of Mrs. Fisher and the one opposite.


Water Street.


That part of the street leading from the railroad easterly, has been repaired and gravelled.


Winter Street.


The portion of this street from the Avenue to the Crosby school-yard, which has been a source of no little complaint (it being most of the year wet and muddy), caused by its


13


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


being so low and flat in the centre, and the multiplicity of shade trees (which the abutters object to having removed), has been raised and crowned with gravel, throwing the water off, and thus a portion of the difficulty has been re- moved. Some other portions of the street need regrav- elling.


There have been more or less repairs made upon many other streets, as will be perceived by the amount of gravel used. The gutters have been generally cleared, and are in fair condition for the winter.


Guide Boards.


There have been placed in position thirty-five boards, seventeen of which are at the entrance of private ways. With a few exceptions the requirements of law are fulfilled.


Railings.


Substantial railings on embankments have been put up on Academy, Broadway, and Forest Streets, and on the Avenue, near Park Avenue, a total distance of 830 feet in length, a part of which are two-railed, with iron posts.


Watering Streets.


The main avenue has been watered from the residence of Locke Brothers, to that of Mrs. Fisher, and Pleasant Street from the avenue to the residence of Geo. Hill. The num- ber of days the cart has been used is seventy-five and three- fourths. On account of the frequent showers and rains, this season has been quite favorable. Could the abutters from the "Foot of the Rocks" to Alewife Brook, be induced to pay a portion of the expense of watering, and the town make an appropriation for the balance, we think the abutters


14


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


would soon see the benefit derived, and the town make a saving in gravel, which is now ground up by travel and blown away in dry seasons.


Culverts and Bridges.


Several culverts have been taken up, and cleared out, and some that were too small to receive the water, have been enlarged.


But slight repairs on wooden bridges have been neces- sary. The planks of the one on Medford Street, having become worn in the centre, were taken up, cut, and turned, bringing the worn portions on the outer edge. One-half the expense was borne by the town of Medford.


Concreting.


There being no especial appropriation for this purpose, very little has been done. Two crossings have been laid down: one at the junction of Park Avenue with Vine Street, and one at the junction of Park Avenue and Oak- land Avenue. Some work has been performed for other parties, as will be shown by report of the Town Treasurer. It would be economy, we think, were several gutters con- creted the ensuing year. There are sections at the Heights, which, if much longer delayed, will require a much larger expense, as they are constantly washing, and breaking away the shoulders of the streets.


Stone Crusher and Stone.


The crusher and engine will need some repairs before using. We have a sufficient amount of stone for crushing on hand, for the ensuing season, there being a large quantity at the banks and shed, piled in readiness for use; conse- quently there will be no necessity for purchasing.


15


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


Gravel.


We have opened, the past season, an excellent vein of blue gravel, which to all appearances may last for many years. A gutter has been formed, and a culvert put in, taking the surplus water from the pit, the loam removed from the top of the bank, so that gravel can be obtained, comparatively early in the spring.


Sidewalks.


There being no appropriation granted, no walks have been put down. Some portions of the walks need repairs. If funds were granted to lay sections of concrete in the worst places each year, a decided improvement might soon be made. Quite an amount of material obtained from the gut- ters, has been utilized in raising the low and uneven places, thus disposing of the wash, and making an easy and com- fortable walk for pedestrians.


Tools.


Something of an outlay has been made this season for shovels, picks, screens, &c. Since the close of the season, they have all been put in thorough repair, and are in readi- ness for operation.


Teams.


We have four good horses, in excellent condition. The carts and harnesses being all in good repair, excepting that the carts need painting.


Almshouse.


At the commencement of our duties in the spring, we were under the necessity of procuring a person to take the


1


16


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


place of Mr. Samuel E. Kimball, who resigned, therefore we thought it best to advertise for proposals for the place. After receiving a large number, and carefully considering them all, we made choice of Mr. George W. Austin, and we would here say that thus far he has given full and per- fect satisfaction in every department, both at the house and upon the highways. From his report to the Selectmen we gather the following items of interest.


Amount of appropriation, $1,500 00


" credit for board and products sold, 300 86


Total resources, $1,800 86


There has been expended for supplies, furniture,


repairs, &c., as per itemized report of Treasurer, 1,793 55


Leaving an unexpended balance of $7 31


Making the apparent cost, $1,492 69


Deducting from this for unpaid bills of 1877, 292 64


Would leave the actual cost of support of Super- intendent's family, inmates and tramps, repairs,


and (household furniture purchased), $1,200 05


There was unexpended of the appropriation April 1, 894 72 Amount of credits from that date, 240 86


There has been paid for bills due from Jan. 1st to


April 1st, including $38.48 for bills of 1877, 118 95


There are no unpaid bills due by this department known to us.


Whole number of inmates for the year, 6; whole num- ber of inmates for nine months, 5; present number, 4; deaths, 1; discharged, 1.


Number of vagrants fed and lodged, not including those cared for at Police Station, 927; decrease in number of vagrants from 1877, 486 ; number of weeks of support of


17


SELECTMEN'S REPORT.


inmates, 235; number of weeks of support of vagrants, 133 3-7 ; aggregate number of weeks of support, 368 3-7.


The general health of the inmates has been very good, the town physician having been required to make only six visits. '


Furniture and Fixtures.


There has been expended for furniture, fixtures, &c., which were much needed, about $150.00, and greatly im- proved the furnishing of the house. No very great expense will need to be incurred for some time to come.


Repairs on Buildings.


Some slight repairs have been made on the house the past season. But very little will need to be done at present. As a matter of economy, we think a coat of paint should be put upon the stable and tramp building, the ensuing year ; and we also would recommend the erecting of a shed for the storage of wagons, carts, &c., as now some have to remain unsheltered.


Street Lamps.


It will be remembered that at a meeting held April 16th it was voted to light such lamps as should be erected by the abutters on certain streets in the upper part of the town. There have been thus erected 40 lamps, which are lighted by the use of gasoline, and by contract with the Globe Gas Light Co., of Boston, at an expense of $18 per lamp per year. During the two months which they have been lighted, they have given very general satisfaction, furnishing a good light, yet not equal to gas. There are also 51 lamps lighted with gas at a cost of about $26 per lamp. This does not include cost of repairs. It was found that the appropriation would not allow the lighting and care of the lamps to be 2




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