USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1890 > Part 5
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The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, who read the warrant. Prayer was then offered by Rev. William M. Thayer.
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MODERATOR.
ARTICLE 1. The meeting then made choice, by ballot, the check list being used, of William F. Ray for Moderator, and he was sworn by the Town Clerk.
TOWN OFFICERS.
ART. 4. Voted to take up Article 4.
Voted to elect five Selectmen.
The moderator appointed Henry R. Jenks, William Rock- wood and Asa A. Fletcher as tellers, and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
Voted that Articles 4 and 14 be acted upon at the same time.
Voted that when this meeting adjourn, it adjourn to one week from next Saturday at one o'clock in the afternoon.
Voted that the polls be kept open till 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon.
At nine o'clock in the forenoon the polls were declared open for the reception of votes for the various town officers, and for the reception of the votes in answer to the question : " Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" After due notice had been given the polls were de- clared closed, by the Moderator, at 2.30 o'clock in the after- noon.
The Moderator and the Town Clerk, with the assistance of the tellers appointed, then proceeded to count the votes given in. The whole number of votes given in was five hundred and nine, three of whom were female voters; and there were three male voters who voted only on Article 14, making a total of five hundred and twelve who voted on Articles 4 and 14.
The following persons were declared elected :
Selectmen : Henry R. Jenks, George W. Wiggin, Jeremiah J. McCarty, Bradley M. Rockwood, Edgar K. Ray ; and they were sworn by the Town Clerk.
Town Clerk : Clarence E. Griffin ; and he was sworn by Aaron R. Morse. Justice of the Peace.
Treasurer : Henry R. Jenks; and he was sworn by the Town Clerk.
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Auditor : George W. Wiggin ; who having consented to act as Selectman, did not qualify as Auditor.
Assessors : William Rockwood, Calvin M. Smith, Cyrus M. Allen.
Overseers of the Poor: George E. Emerson, Warren H. Bright, Cyrus M. Allen.
Collector of Taxes : William E. Nason.
For School Committee, 3 years : Rebecca Farnum, Clarence E. Griffin.
Constables : William E. Nason ; and he was sworn by the Moderator. Lewis R. Whitaker, Timothy C. Packard.
Fence Viewers : Herbert M. Stowers, William Mann, Brad- ley M. Rockwood.
The following town officers were nominated and elected by open vote :
Field Drivers : Aaron H. Morse, William A. Cotton, Alfred Clark.
ART. 14. On the question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" One hundred and forty-five (145) voted " Yes," and two hundred and seven- ty-seven (277) voted " No."
REPORT OF TREASURER.
ART. 2. Voted to accept the report of the Treasurer as set forth in the Auditor's report for the past year.
Voted to adjourn.
A true record. Attest :
CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN, Town Clerk.
PROCEEDINGS OF ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING,
MARCH 16, 1889.
Meeting called to order at one o'clock in the afternoon by the Moderator, William F. Ray.
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AUDITOR.
George W. Wiggin having been elected Selectman and Auditor, and having qualified as Selectman, there was a va- cancy in the office of Auditor, and it was so declared by the Moderator.
Voted that Nelson E. Newell be Auditor for the current year.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT.
ART. 3. Voted to accept the report of the Collector of taxes as set forth in the Auditor's report for the past year.
COLLECTION OF TAXES.
ART. 5. Voted that the taxes be collected in the same way as last year, and that the Collector have the same power and authority that the Treasurer has when appointed Collector.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND SIDEWALKS.
ART. 6. Voted that the roads, bridges and sidewalks be repaired in the same manner as last year.
Voted that the Selectmen be surveyors of highways the cur- rent year.
POUND.
ART. 7. Voted that the yard at the poor farm be the Pound for the current year.
GUIDE BOARDS.
ART. 8. The Selectmen made a verbal report to the effect that most of the Guide Boards were in good condition, but would recommend that three or four more be establishsd.
Voted that the report be accepted and the recommendation adopted.
POST NO. 60, G. A. R.
ART. 9. Voted that the town raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) to be used by Franklin Post, No. 60, G. A. R., for decorating soldiers' graves Memorial Day.
CATTLE, HORSES, MULES AND SWINE.
ART. 10. Voted to restrain neat cattle, horses, mules and swine from running at large the ensuing year.
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
ART. 11. Voted to pay the engineers of the Fire Depart- ment and members of the Fire, Hose, and Hook and Ladder Companies the same the current year that they were paid last year.
REPORT OF ENGINEERS.
ART. 12. Voted to accept the report of the Engineers of the Fire Department as contained in the Auditor's report for the past year.
JURY LIST.
ART. 13. Voted that the following list of names be placed in the jury box for the current year :
Allen, Cyrus M.
Hutchinson, Joseph T.
Arnold, Nathan B.
Hutchinson, George P.
Bourne, Samuel C.
Johnson, Charles E.
Bright, Warren H.
Kingsbury, George A.
Bacon, George W.
Knapp, James H.
Butman, Charles M.
Murphy, Michael J.
Clark, William S.
Mann, Alden T.
Cleary, Michael.
McCarty, Jeremiah J.
Chapman, Elisha P.
Morse, Horace S.
Clark, Jr., Alfred.
Metcalf, Frank D.
Capron, Sanford T.
Metcalf, Alfred G.
Cotton, William A.
McCarty, Michael.
Dorr, George B.
Nye, Nathan C.
Daniels, Lucius W.
Pond, Wilton A.
Dodge, Alanson H.
Richardson, Fremont M.
Daniels, Mancy M.
Riley, James O.
Desmond, Jeremiah W.
Rockwood, Edmund J.
Daniels, Thomas J.
Richardson, John W.
Fales, Charles L.
Smith, Calvin M.
Fuller, Frank D.
Stanley, Osmyn A.
Fisher, Walter M.
Stevens, Roswell K.
Hubbard, Sabin.
Spence, Thomas.
Heywood, George W.
Tobey, James J.
Hill, Albert H.
Turner, Thaddeus M.
Hill, Joseph G.
Wadsworth, Joseph H.
Hopkins, William A.
Woodward, Amos P.
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BORROWING MONEY.
ART. 15. Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to bor- row money in anticipation of taxes, under the direction of the Selectinen, money so borrowed to be paid from taxes of this year.
POLICE FORCE.
ART. 16. Voted that the Selectmen appoint one night policeman.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
ART. 17. The committee on increasing the efficiency of our water supply made a verbal report to the effect that the com- mittee had carried out the wishes of the town, and that a con- tract had been signed by the Franklin Water Co., and the committee, which would expire at the same time as the origi- nal contract.
Voted to accept the report of the committee, and that the committee be discharged.
Voted to adjourn to Morse Opera House, meeting to be called to order at the expiration of ten minutes.
Pursuant to adjournment the meeting was called to order by the Moderator.
TOWN HOUSE COMMITTEE REPORT.
The committee appointed under Article 21 of the previous annual town meeting warrant, at an adjourned meeting there- of held March 19, A. D. 1888, made a verbal report to the effect that they had been unable to do anything, and that so far as a Town House was concerned the town stood just where it did one year ago.
Voted to accept the report of the committee.
It was then moved and seconded that the foregoing vote be 1 econsidered. The motion being put to the meeting, the Mod- erator declared the vote to be in the negative.
Voted to discharge the committee.
LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
ART. 18. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in this town, and that we
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raise and appropriate the sum of eight hundred dollars ($800) for that purpose.
STREET LIGHTS.
ART. 19. Voted to leave the subject matter of this article with the Selectmen.
USE OF TOWN HALL.
ART. 20. Voted to grant the use of the Town Hall to the Sons of Temperance each Thursday evening the current year .
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
ART. 21. Voted that the School Committee act as a com- mittee on the subject matter of this article. W. F. Ray de- clined to act.
TOWN HOUSE.
Voted to take up Article 26.
ART. 26. A motion was made and seconded containing the subject matter of this article, which was voted upon, and declared lost.
Moved and seconded that the foregoing vote be reconsidered. The vote was declared in the negative.
FENCE FOR ARLINGTON STREET SCHOOL HOUSE.
ART. 22. Voted to dismiss this article.
PRINTING VALUATION LIST.
ART. 23. Voted that the printing of the valuation list be left with the Selectmen.
BETTERMENT LAW.
ART. 24. Voted that the subject matter of this article be postponed indefinitely.
SEWERAGE.
ART. 25. Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to lay out a sewer from Main street through Depot street to some suitable place, provided that the persons benefitted by the sewer give bonds to save the town harmless.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
ART. 27. Voted to instruct the Selectmen to appoint a
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board of health to consist of three persons, one of whom shall be a physician.
PROPOSED STREET.
ART. 28. The Selectmen made a report upon the laying out of a street from Union street to Fisher street over what is known as Beet Sugar street.
Voted that the matter be indefinitely postponed.
REPAIRS OF TOWN POOR FARM BUILDINGS.
ART. 29. Voted to leave the repairs of the bulidings at the poor farm with the Overseers of the Poor.
STREET LINES.
ART. 30. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to estab- lish the lines of all town ways in Franklin.
BY-LAWS.
ART. 31. Voted that a committee of three be appointed to see what changes are necessary in our By-Laws, and report at our next annual town meeting.
The following gentlemen were elected to constitute said com- mittee, viz : George W. Wiggin, Henry E. Ruggles and Clar- ence E. Griffin.
APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS.
Voted that the Selectmen be authorized to appoint all neces- sary Town Officers.
APPROPRIATIONS.
ART. 32. Voted to raise and appropriate eight thousand dollars ($8000) for the repair of roads and bridges, and that the Selectmen be instructed to expend two thousand dollars ($2000) thereof upon one continuous piece of road.
Voted to raise and appropriate one thousand dollars ($1000) for the repair of sidewalks, five hundred dollars ($500) there- of to be expended in concreting the sidewalks.
Voted to raise and appropriate fifteen hundred dollars ($1500) for miscellaneous expenses, three hundred dollars
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($300) of which may be used by the committee appointed un- der Article 21.
Voted to raise and appropriate the following sums of money, in addition to the sums already voted, for the following pur- poses :
Support of Schools, eight thousand five hundred dollars, $8,500 00
Repairs of Schoolhouses, one thousand dollars, 1,000 00
Miscellaneous School Expenses, six hundred dollars, 600 00
Purchase of School Books and School Supplies, seven hun- dred dollars, 700 00
Support of the Poor, three thousand five hundred dollars,
3,500 00
Support of Fire Department, two thousand five hundred dollars, 2,500 00
Purchase of Hose, three hundred dollars,
300 00
Water Supply of Hydrants, three thousand six hundred dollars, 3,600 00
Payment of Town Officers, one thousand eight hundred dollars, 1,800 00
Interest Account, eight hundred dollars, 800 00
Lighting Streets, three thousand dollars,
3,000 00
Franklin Library Association, three hundred and fifty dollars,
350 00
Payment of Police, one thousand dollars,
1,000 00
Stationery and Printing, five hundred dollars, 500 00
Repair of Poor Farm Bulidings, five hundred dollars, 500 00
State and Military Aid, five hundred dollars, 500 00
Abatement and Collection of Taxes, eight hundred dollars.
800 00
Voted to dismiss the warrant.
A true record. Attest :
CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN,
Town Clerk.
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WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING TO VOTE ON ARTICLE OF AMENDMENT, APRIL 22, 1889.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are here- by required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Town of Frank- lin qualified to vote for senators and representatives in the General Court to assemble in their Town Hall, in said Town of Franklin, on Monday, the twenty-second day of April, A. D. 1889, at eight o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to vote by ballot for or against an arti- cle of Amendment to the Constitution of this Commonwealth, forbid- ding the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors to be used as a beverage.
The form of the ballot to be used is as follows : "Amendment to the Constitution" : "Yes," or " No."
The polls will be open at eight o'clock in the forenoon, and may be closed at twelve o'clock noon.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this warrant, with your do- ings thereon, unto either of the subscribers, on or before the time or said meeting.
Given under our hands this sixth day of April, A D, 1889.
HENRY R. JENKS, GEORGE W. WI GIN, EDGAR K. RAY, J. J. ĘMcCARTY, BRADLEY M. ROCKWOOD,
Selectmen of Franklin.
NORFOLK, SS.
April 13th, A. D., 1889.
By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Franklin herein described to assemble in their Town Hall, in said town of Franklin, on Monday, the twenty-second day of April, A. D. 1889, for the purposes within mentioned, by posting at- tested copies of the within warrant in each of the postoffices of the town, and in ten other public places, seven days before the day of meeting. in compliance with Section Two of Article One of the By- Laws of the Town of Franklin.
LEWIS R. WHITAKER,
Constable of Franklin.
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A true copy of the warrant and officer's return thereon. Attest : CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN,
Town Clerk.
PROCEEDINGS OF TOWN MEETING, APRIL 22, 1889.
In pursuance of the foregoing warrant the inhabitants of the town of Franklin qualified to vote for Senators and Rep- resentatives in the General Court, met in their Town Hall, on Monday, the twenty-second day of April, A. D., 1889, at eight o'clock in the forenoon, and were called to order by Henry R. Jenks, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Rev. William M. Thayer offered prayer.
The warrant calling the meeting, and the officer's return thereon, were then read by Henry R. Jenks.
In pursuance to the law the ballot box provided in accord- ance with the requirements of chapter two hundred and nine- ty-nine of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and eighty- four, was used in which to receive the ballots.
Previous to balloting the ballot box was opened in the pub- lic meeting, and shown to be empty, and was examined by the Selectmen and Town Clerk and found to be empty. The reg- ister of the box was then set at 000, and the box locked and the keys thereof were delivered to William E. Nason, Con- stable of Franklin.
The Selectmen having appointed Herbert W. Thayer and Lemuel W. Milliken, tellers; and the Town Clerk having appointed Aaron R. Morse and Lawrence J. Kelly, distrib- utors of ballots ; they were duly sworn by the Town Clerk to the faithful discharge of their duties.
Voted that the polls close at three o'clock in the afternoon.
At two o'clock and thirty-five minutes in the afternoon, by the unanimous consent of the election officers, the ballot box was opened and the ballots taken out and counted. At three o'clock in the afternoon the polls were declared closed. The remaining ballots were taken out and counted.
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The total number of ballots cast was five hundred and nine (509). Two hundred and ninety (290) voted " Yes," and two hundred and nineteen (219) voted " No."
In voting the check list was used and no person was per- mitted to deposit his ballot until his name was found on the list and checked.
The business of the meeting being accomplished the returns were filled up, signed by the Selectmen, countersigned by the Town Clerk and sealed up in open town meeting, and deliv- ered to the Town Clerk to be forwarded to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The ballots cast and the check list used at the polls were then sealed up in different envelopes, upon which the neces- sary endorsement had been made, and delivered into the cus- tody of the Town Clerk in conformity with the law in such cases made and provided.
Voted to adjourn sine die.
CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN,
Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING, SEPT. 7, 1889.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby directed to notify and warn the qualified voters of said Town of Frank- lin to assemble in their Town Hall, on the seventh day of September, current, at two o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will appropriate a suitable sum of money to defray the expense of grading the lot and repairing the fence around their Town House, or act or do anything respecting the same the town may think proper.
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ART, 3. To hear a report of the School Committee to whom was referred, at an adjourned town meeting held March 16, A. D. 1889, the subject of supplying needed accommodation for the High School, either by building a new school house, or otherwise, and act thereon.
ART, 4. To see if the town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to purchase or take a suitable piece of land for the erection of a school- house, or to enlarge present High School grounds.
ART. 5. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to pay for the purchase or taking of land upon which to erect a new school house or enlarge the present High School house grounds ; also to raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of mon- ey to make alterations and additions to present High School building, or to build a new school house in accordance with recommendations of School Committee and plans herewith submitted,
ART. 6. To see what action the town will take in reference to build- ing a fence around the Arlington Street School House lot, and raise and appropriate money therefor if necessary.
ART. 7. To hear a report of the Selectmen laying out a sewer on Main street from the railroad bridge to Emmons street, and through Depot street easterly, and act thereon, and make an appropriation therefor if necessary.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant with your do- ings thereon to the town clerk on or before the hour of said meeting.
Given under our hands this thirtieth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
HENRY R. JENKS, EDGAR K. RAY, BRADLEY M. ROCKWOOD, JEREMIAH J. MCCARTY, Selectmen of Franklin.
NORFOLK, SS. August 31, A. D. 1889.
By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the inhabitants of the town of Franklin herein described to assemble in their Town Hall, on Saturday, the seventh day of September, 1889, for the purposes within mentioned, by posting attested copies of the within warrant in each of the postoffices of the town, and in ten other public places seven days before the day of meeting, in compliance with Section Two of Article One of the By-Laws of the Town of Franklin.
LEWIS R. WHITAKER, Constable of Franklin.
A true copy of the warrant and officer's return thereon. Attest : CLARENCE E. GRIFFIN, Town Clerk.
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PROCEEDINGS OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING,
SEPT. 7, 1889.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the legal voters of the town of Franklin met in their Town Hall, on Saturday, the seventh day of September, A. D. 1889, at two o'clock in the afternoon, and proceeded as follows :
The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, who then read the warrant.
MODERATOR.
ARTICLE 1. The meeting then made choice, by ballot, the check list being used, of William F. Ray for Moderator, and he was sworn by the Town Clerk.
TOWN HOUSE FENCE.
ART. 2. Voted that the sum of three hundred dollars ($300) be appropriated from the appropriation for miscellane- ous expenses for the purpose of defraying the expense of grad- ing the lot and repairing the fence around the Town House lot.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ART. 3. The report of the School Committee on increased accommodation for the High School was presented by the chairman, Dr. George King, as follows :
The School Committee herewith respectfully presents its report on the subject of providing additional school accommodations in accord- ance with a vote of the town at its last March meeting.
After careful consideration of the subject referred to us, your com- mittee came to the conclusion that the welfare of the schools and the pecuniary interests of the town would be best subserved by anticipat- ing to a greater or less extent, the future needs of the schools from probable increase of scholars. To assist us in determining the best plan to secure the results desired, we called to our aid the services of an architect. Our first request of him was to examine the present High School building, with a view of remodelling it in accordance with some preconceived ideas that we had formed in regard to it. The result was the plans and specifications herewith submitted, with a de- tailed report of the architect, giving a full description of the additions and changes contemplated. The estimated cost of the additions and
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changes in accordance with plans and specifications is about $9,000; this, however, does not include heating, furniture, outbuildings, grad- ing and other minor expenditures, all of which are estimated to cost at least $1500, and would bring the cost up to $10,500. Should the town adopt this plan, we would earnestly advise purchasing the prop- erty known as the "Waldo Daniels Estate," so as to enlarge the pres- ent schoolhouse grounds for the purpose of better accommodations to the necessarily large increase of scholars. We would not be under- stood as regarding this as absolutely necessary to the adoption of the plan ; but we do consider it of so much importance that we do not hes- itate to recommend the necessary outlay for securing it.
The owner will dispose of the property for the sum of $2750, reserv- ing the stable to be removed at his own expense, and also a small strip of land on the southwesterly corner as indicated on the plan of the lot by a dotted line. By this arrangement you will secure 11,382 ft. of land immediately adjoining the schoolhouse lot on the back side, leaving the house with the front land to be disposed of as the town may think best. Should it be found necessary to retain the house for a time, there is little doubt in our minds but that the income from rental after paying taxes and repairs would pay the interest on $2000 at such rate per cent. as it would be necessary for the town to pay. By this esti- mate the 11,382 feet of land used for enlarging the present schoolhouse grounds would cost $750, which added to the previous estimated $10,500, makes the total cost $11,250. While a majority of the com- mittee regards this plan with much favor, others regard it less favorably. With this view of the case your committee have thought it best to present a plan of a new building designed to accommodate the High and Grammar Schools. In arranging this plan we have given much thought and time in examining modern school structures, with a view of rendering it as perfect as possible for the advancement of school work; and we flatter ourselves that we have secured in a good degree the object sought.
The building will be two stories with a mansard roof. On the first floor will be two schoolrooms capable of conveniently seating fifty-four scholars each. In addition to these there will be a superintendent's room in front, and on each side an open piazza and hall, through which access is had to the schoolroom. Out of these halls, doors open into clothes rooms for the use of the scholars belonging to the grammar grades. The second floor contains a High School room, capable of seating, at least, one hundred and eight scholars. Directly out of this are two large recitation rooms and connected with one of these is a laboratory, in which sixteen or eighteen scholars can conveniently perform experiments at the same time. The approaches to this floor are by two flights of stairs five feet wide. We regard this method of
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having separate halls by which to enter each room a great improve- ment over the usual method of having one common hall for all the rooms. In front of the main room are the necessary clothes rooms on the side of the vestibule, and on the other a library room, with a door opening into the school room. On the third floor is a large hall with convenient ante-rooms. Out of this hall and the rooms on the second floor doors open into a covered fire escape.
The cost complete is estimated at about $16,000. Of course to this must be added the cost of a site.
Inasmuch as your committee were not fully agreed as to the most suitable place for locating the new building, it was thought best to present plans of those that the different members of the committee favored most.
The site which is the choice of the greatest number of the committee is located on the corner of Main and School streets, where the straw shop was recently burned. Some of the members favoring this lot expressed themselves in favor of locating the building on the rear por- tion fronting on School street. The other sites which are the first choice of one or more of the committee are as follows : One on land of James M. Freeman, between Central and Emmons streets ; another is on land of James P. Ray on the northerly side of Emmons street near its junction with C'entral. These sites represent the first choice of different members of the committee. We submit a plan of a site on the northerly side of School street near its easterly end, which was made and considered before the site on the corner of Main and School streets was made available by the fire. The plans of the lots herewith submitted will give definite information as to size and form. Your committee has endeavored to procure a price from some of the owners of the lots named, but failed, except in the case of the lot on the east end of School street. This lot, which contains 39,319 1-2 feet, the owners offered to sell at that time, for about $1850.
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