USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1892 > Part 6
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Voted, that the town raise by taxation the sum of five hun- dred ($500) dollars, and appropriate the same for the payment of the salary of said Superintendent of Schools.
APPROPRIATIONS.
ART. 12. Voted, that the sum of seven thousand ($7000) dollars be appropriated out of uncollected taxes and unappro- priated funds in the treasury, for the repair of roads, bridges and sidewalks, for the current year ; and that the same be ex . pended at the discretion of the selectmen.
The following sums of money were raised and appropri- ated for the following-named purposes for the current year, either by accepting and adopting the report and recommenda- tions of the committee, or amending the same, viz : for the
Support of Schools, eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars,
$8750 00
Repairs of School Houses, two thousand five hundred, 2500 00 Miscellaneous School Expenses, five hundred dollars, 500 00
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School Books and Supplies, six hundred dollars, 600 00
Support of Poor, three thousand five hundred dollars, 3500
Support of Fire Department, two thousand three
hundred dollars, 2300
Water Supply, three thousand seven hundred dollars, 3700
Payment of Town Officers, one thousand five hundred dollars, 1500
Payment of Interest, eight hundred dollars,
800
Abatement and Collection of Taxes, nine hundred dollars, 900
Street Lights, three thousand three hundred dollars, 3300
Printing and Stationery, two hundred and twenty-five dollars, 225
Suppression of Illegal Liquor Traffic, and Police, one thousand five hundred dollars, 1500
State aud Military Aid, eight hundred dollars, 800
Support of the Library of the Franklin Library Asso- ciation, seven hundred and fifty dollars, 750
Decoration of Soldiers' Graves, and Memorial Day, one hundred dollars, 100
Miscellaneous Town Expenses, eight hundred dollars, 800
Voted, that the sum of two thousand ($2000) dol- lars be appropriated to meet the requirements of State In- spector of Police on High School Building. Vote stood : yea, 53 ; nay, 52.
Voted, that Post 60, G. A. R., be allowed to apply any unexpended balance remaining from amount appropriated for decoration of soldiers' graves and Memorial Day to their Relief Fund.
ART. 14. Report and recommendation of committee that no action be taken.
Voted, that report and recommendation of committee be accepted and adopted.
NASON STREET.
ART. 15. Voted. that the town accept and adopt the report of the Selectmen laying out a townway from Union street to
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West street, over what is known as Nason street. Report on file ; see Vol. 7, Street book, page 166.
DEAN STREET.
ART. 16. Voted, that the town accept and adopt the report of Selectmen laying ont a town way from Dean street to Pleas- ant street, provided that the same be not open to travel for three years. Report on file ; see Vol. 7, Street book, page 167.
COTTAGE STREET.
ART. 17. Voted, that the town accept and adopt the report of the Selectmen laying out a town way from Cottage street westerly over what is known as Cottage street extension, to be known as Cottage street. Report on file ; see Vol. 7; Street book, page 169.
HUTCHINSON STREET.
ART. 18. Voted, that the town accept and adopt the report of the Selectmen laying out a town way from Union street to Wachusett street, to be known as Hutchinson street. Report on file ; see Vol. 7, Street book, page 170.
HOWARD STREET.
ART. 19. Voted, that the town accept and adopt the report of the Selectmen laying out a town way northerly from Arling- ton street to aforesaid Hutchinson street, to be known as Howard street. Report on file ; see Vol. 7, Street book, page 171.
WORSTED STREET.
ART. 20. Voted, that the town accept and adopt the laying out of a town way from the westerly end of aforesaid Cottage street to Washington street, to be known as Worsted street. Report on file ; see Vol. 7, Street book, page 172.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR SAID WAYS.
ART. 21. Report and recommendation of committee : That the town make no appropriation for the building of said ways.
Voted, that the report and recommendation of committee be accepted and adopted.
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CONCRETE SIDEWALKS.
ART. 22. Report and recommendation of committee : That the town raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for concreting sidewalks ; provided the abuttors, where such concrete is laid, pay one-half of the expense of laying it.
Voted, that report and recommendation of committee be accepted and adopted.
TOWN HALL FENCE.
ART. 23. Report and recommendation of committee : That no action be taken under this article.
Voted, that report and recommendation of committee be accepted and adopted.
DEPOT STREET.
ART. 24. Report and recommendation of committee : That the town accept the widening of Depot street as reported by the Selectmen, and raise and appropriate the sum of two hun- dred dollars therefor.
Voted, that report of committee be accepted and the sum of three hundred dollars be appropriated to pay the damages to land of heirs of Daniel C. Cotton. See Vol. 7, Street book, page 175.
Voted, at 5 o'clock 15 minutes P. M., to adjourn.
A true copy of record. Attest :
HENRY E. RUGGLES, Town Cleak.
ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING.
MARCH 14, 1891.
Meeting called to order by phe Moderator, William F. Ray, at 5 o'clock 15 minutes in the afternoon.
Voted, to adjourn to Saturday, March 21st, at 2 o'clock P. M.
A true copy of record. Attest :
HENRY E. RUGGLES. Town Clerk.
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ADJOURNED SPECIAL TOWN MEETING. MARCH 21, 1891.
Meeting called to order by the Moderator, William F. Ray, at 2 o'clock 15 minutes P. M.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
TO THE VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
Under Article fifteen (15) of the warrant for the annual town meet- ing of 1890, "to see what action the town will take to supply needed accommodations for the high school, either by building a new school- house or otherwise, or act or do anything in relation thereto," three motions were made and carried : First, "that it is the sense of this meeting that we build a new high school building;" second, "that the moderator appoint a committee of fifteen (15), of which the School Committee be six (6), to take into consideration the subject matter of this Article and report at some future meeting ;" third, "that this committee select a site for a new high school building." In accord- ance with the second vote, a committee of nine (9) were appointed in addition to the number of the School Committee. Mrs. Farnum, of the School Committee, declined to serve, and Mrs. Wiggin and Miss Ray, the other lady members of the committee, have taken no part in our work. The remaining twelve (12) members of the committee, how- ever, have given of their time, thought and attention to this matter in a greater Or less degree, and would respectfully report as follows:
The fact of needed and extended accommodations for the high school, and also either directly or by inference for other schools of the town, having been distinctly and repeatedly brought to its attention by the School Board, the town having emphatically expressed itself as being of the opinion that such accommodations were needed, your committee accepted the town at its word, as expressed by its vote, and at once consulted as to what building arrangements would best meet the needs of the town's growth and most wisely benefit the largest number of scholars. While our present high school room is sunny and pleasant, it is evident to any one who has given the matter intelligent thought that in these quarters it is not possible to teach the branches required, conveniently or thoroughly, much less to broaden the courses of study, that they may better correspond to the wishes of parents or judgment of School Committee. With high school quarters in accordance with the population and prosperity of our town there would be, without question, an attendance of one-third (1-3) more scholars, who, under a continuance of present conditions, will seek education elsewhere at pri- vate expense or leave school life entirely. Besides the high school with its fifty (50) scholars, we have in town nineteen (19) schools more or less comfortably provided for by eighteen (18) school-rooms. One
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school holds its sessions, or tries to hold them. as the health of the teacher and a sufficient number of scholars permit, in this room. Six (6) of the schools are village or " district " schools, and, attended by the pupils in their immediate locality, are provided for in separate build- ings. In the centre of the town we find six (6) primary schools well filled -three intermediate grade schools, with an average membership of fitty-seven (57); two (2) sub-grammar schools, with a membership of nearly sixty (60) each, and two (2) grammar schools of fair size. The loss of attendance upon our high grammar grade is probably one-fifth (1-5) on account of inadequate care of a part of the scholars. Beyond the need. then, of affording rooms better adapted for our high school, it is only an act of justice to the scholars and teachers of our interme- diate and grammar grades to provide at least two (2) additional school- rooms. To wisely arrange for these crowded schools, and also to give the best possible help to the high grammar scholars, very many of whom graduate from this grade to the workshop. the factory or the farm, your committee arrived at the conclusion that a building ought to be erected to provide not only for the high school, but also for two (2) high grammar schools.
With this opinion arrived at, two (2) problems were before the committee for solution ; first, what is the most convenient and avail- able site; second, what the most economical and suitable building to recommend. In regard to the site the committee would say that several different locations were visited and considered, the size, surroundings and convenience of each having our careful attention.
Finally the committee decided unanimously by vote as its selection for a site the James M. Freeman lot at the corner of Central and Em- mons streets. Mr. Freeman has named to the committee as his price for the real estate entire, including the dwelling on Emmons street and his residence on Central street, the sum of seven thousand and five hundred dollars ($7,500). The lot as surveyed is of the following dimensions : 230.7 (two hundred and thirty and seven-tenths) feet on Central street ; three hundred and one (301) feet on Emmons street ; about thirty (30) feet front at the junction of Central and Emmons streets, and with two (2) rear lines measuring two hundred and nine- teen and five-tenths (219.5) and forty-five and one-tenth (45.1) feet. The contents are feet.
Your committee are of the opinion that by a sale of the north-east corner of the lot, taking not more than seventy (70) feet front on Emmons street, with the dwelling house thereon. the lot would still be ample for needed purposes. the frontage on Central street still being two hundred and thirty and seven-tenths (230.7) feet, and on Emmons street two hundred and thirty-one (231) feet. For the north-east corner and house two thousand dollars ($2,000) has been offered, and
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for the residence of Mr. Freeman for removal, five hundred dollars ($500). This would leave the site at a net cost of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to the town.
In regard to the school-house your committee would report that they have visited many school buildings, examined various plans and consulted with architects and builders. Thinking that economical use might be made of the plans and designs prepared for the town for high school building purposes by Mr. Woodcock, under direction of a former committee. we conferred with him as to their details and asked him to combine the ideas suggested to him by the committee in a building suited for the site. The plan furnished by Mr. Woodcock, while that of a commodious and handsome building, was felt by your committee to be more expensive than was advisable to report to you, and so we were forced to lay it aside, especially as Mr. Woodcock did not seem inclined to change it to more nearly meet the price views of the com- mittee. For his work Mr. Woodcock expects some remuneration. The building which we recommended is from the plans and specifications of Albert M. West, of Boston. Mr. West, while adhering in the main to his original sketch, has, as result of several interviews, embodied therein various suggestions of different members of the committee. These changes or additions seem to make the building, in our opinion, more convenient and attractive. In accepting these plans and specifi - cations your committee have been governed by a purpose not to sacrifice the light and convenience of the school-rooms or the comfort and health of the pupils to external decoration or architecturel extrava- gance. We have in our recommendation to the town offered a plain though by no means an unsightly building, with excellent internal arrangement and good light, heat and ventilation. It is a frame build- ing, filled with brick (similar in construction to the Morse blocks and A.B. Fletcher building), two and one-half (2 1-2) stories above the basement ; the under-pinning is of granite (Quincy or Milford), and the trimming of brown meadow stone; the gables and roof are to be shingled. The elevation of the building is thirty-two (32) feet. The dimensions of main building are : length, fifty-eight (58) feet; width, sixty-two feet eight inches (62 ft. 8 in.); there is an extension on the front four feet five inches (4 ft. 5 in. ) x thirty-four (34) feet, making actual length of building sixty-two feet five inches (62 ft. 5 in.) ; the entrances are in a tower-shaped extension from each side of the building and are pro- tected by piazzas. The internal arrangements are such as to provide in the basement separate rooms for boys and girls, reached by separate stairways; the basement also contains unconnected sanitary arrange- ments ; heating apparatus ; ventilating apparatus ; coal-bins, etc.
Upon the first floor of the building are two (2) grammar school- rooms twenty-nine and one-half (29 1-2) feet x thirty-four (34) feet,
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having a double partition between them; the entrance to one is from Central and to the other from Emmons street; each entrance leads into an entryway sixteen (16) x seven (7). out of which are doors to separate and convenient wardrobes for boys and girls. The seats are so placed in these school-rooms as to bring in good light from the left and rear, as is also the case in the high school room. There is also provided on first floor a school committee or teachers' room, with closets for school supplies ; this room is twenty-one (21) feet x twenty feet six inches (20 ft. 6 in.), and is reached from a porch upon the right of the front of the building.
Upon the second floor is located the high school room, the dimen- sions of which are thirty-seven (37) feet x forty-seven (47) feet, and connecting with this two (2) large and pleasant recitation rooms on the front and one (1) smaller recitation room, with library or reference room on Emmons street side of the building. The girls' entrance is from Emmons street side and the boys' from Central street side. As upon the lower floor, the entryways are good and the wardrobes com- modious. From the second floor stairways on each side lead to the attic, a portion of which, facing the west, is to be finished into a room for use as a chemical or physical laboratory. The whole building is to be heated and ventilated by the Smead system. the plans for which are acceptable to the State Board of Inspection. The architect's plans and specifications require a building substantially built and well finished ; we would, while not going further into details, incorporate them as a part of this report.
Your committee has conferred with builders and masons as to the expense, and would report that the estimated cost is from fifteen thou- sand ($15,000) dollars to twenty thousand ($20.000) dollars.
In considering the method of payment your committee have desired to suggest such a plan as would appeal favorably to your judgment as being just and equable. We would recommend the raising of the sum of twenty-five thousand ($25,000) dollars, three thousand (3,000) of which to be appropriated directly, the balance to be obtained by bor- rowing twenty-two thousand ($22,000) dollars upon the notes of the town, signed by the proper officers, and so made as to have a principal sum of two thousand two hundred ($2,200) dollars fall due annually, the interest to be paid annually.
To summarize as priefly as possible, your committee recommend :
Ist. That the Board of Selectmen be authorized and instructed to purchase the James M. Freeman real estate, already described, as a site for a new school-house, at a cost not to exceed seven thousand five hundred ($7,500) dollars.
2d. That the Board of Selectmen be authorized to sell and convey the north- astern corner of the lot with a frontage of not to exceed
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seventy (70) feet on Emmons street (as shown by plan prepared by S. C. Taft for this committee) and the dwelling house thereon, and the house occupied by James M. Freeman as a residence, for removal, at a sum not less than two thousand five hundred ($2,500) dollars in the aggregate.
3d. That the town build a new school-house in accordance with plans and specifications herewith submitted.
4th. That the town raise the sum of twenty-five thousand ($25,000) dollars, appropriating three thousand ($3,000) dollars, and borrowing twenty-two thousand ($22,000) dollars upon the notes of the town, so made and signed by the proper officers as to cause an annual payment of two thousand and two hundred ($2,200) dollars of the principal sum and interest ; and that the money thus raised be used for purchasing the lot, for all the necessary expenses of the plans and specifications, for building the school-house and grading the lot.
5th. That a building committee of three (3) be appointed to carry out the vote of the town in this matter.
WILLIAM F. RAY, GEORGE KING, O. A. STANLEY, J. O. CHILSON, A. H. MORSE,
C. E. GRIFFIN,
H. E. RUGGLES, HENRY R. JENKS, J. CUSHING GALLISON, W. H. BRIGHT.
ART. 2. Voted. that the report of committee be accepted. By a unanimous vote it was
Voted, that the report and recommendation of the com- mittee be accepted and adopted as a whole.
PURCHASE OF LOT, ETC.
ART. 3. By a unanimous vote it was
Voted, that the report and recommendation of committee applicable to the subject matter of this article be accepted and adopted.
Voted, that the Moderator appoint a committee of three to recommend a committee of three to act as a Building Com- mittee.
And amendment was made to aforesaid motion, That the Building Committee be nominated from the floor.
Not a vote, 37 voting yea and 62 nay.
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The moderator then appointed as the committee : Charles Stewart, Amos P. Woodward and Walter M. Fisher, who recommended the following as a Building Committee : Walter M. Fisher, Charles J. Mckenzie, Homer V. Snow.
The report of committee was unanimously accepted and adopted.
Voted, that the thanks of the town be extended to the Com- mittee on Plans and Specifications for the faithful manner in which they have discharged their duties.
Voted, at 3 o'clock 15 minutes P. M. to adjourn.
A true copy of record. Attest :
HENRY E. RUGGLES. Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING. MAY 2, 1891.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin.
GREETING :
You are hereby required. in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn the qualified voters of said Town, to assemble in their Town Hall, on Saturday, the second day of May, A. D. 1891, 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 take any and what action in relation to filling the vacancy in the Building Committee appointed at the last town meeting to carry out the vote of the town to build a new High- school building.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon. to the Town Clerk, on or before the hour of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one.
GEORGE W. WIGGIN. EDGAR K. RAY, JAMES HOOD,
Selectmen of Franklin.
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NORFOLK, SS.
April 25th, 1891.
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 second day of May, A. D. 1891, for the purposes within mentioned, by posting attested copies of the within warrant in each of the post offices 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 warrant and officer's return thereon.
HENRY E. RUGGLES. Town Clerk.
PROCEEDINGS OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING. MAY 2, 1891.
Pursuant to the within warrant, the legal voters of the Town of Franklin assembled in their Town Hall, and proceeded as follows, viz :
The meeting was called to order at 2 o'clock in the after- noon by the Town Clerk, who then read the warrant.
MODERATOR.
ARTICLE 1. William F. Ray was then chosen Moderator of the meeting by ballot, the check list being used, and sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. George W. Wiggin, Chairman of Board of Select- men, informed the meeting that there was a vacancy of two on Building Committee, Homer V. Snow and Charles J. McKen- zie having declined to serve.
Voted, that a committee of three be chosen to bring in two names to fill said vacancies.
The following gentlemen were chosen as said committee : Cyrus M. Allen, Robert B. Stewart and George W. Wiggin.
The committee reported the following to fill said vacancies : Eugene N. Thain and George W. Wiggin.
Voted, that the report of committee be accepted.
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Voted, that Board of Selectmen be authorized to fill vacancies if any occur in said committee.
Voted, to adjourn.
A true copy of record. Attest :
HENRY E. RUGGLES, Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING. JULY 6, 1891.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Norfolk.
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 Monday, the sixth day of July. A. D. 1891, at two o'clock in the afternoon, to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside over said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will take any and what action in relation to changing the plans and specifications for the new High School building adopted at the last town meeting, or adopting another plan and specifications which will better conform to the shape of the lot recently purchased for said building; or do anything relating thereto.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before the hour of said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty seventh day of June, A. D. 1891.
GEORGE W. WIGGIN, JAMES HOOD, EDGAR R. RAV, Selectmen of Franklin.
NORFOLK, SS.
June 29th, 1891 .
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 Monday, the sixth day of July. A. D. 1891, for the purposes within mentioned, by posting attested copies of the within warrant in
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each of the post offices 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 the Town of Franklin.
A true copy of warrant and officer's return thereon.
HENRY E. RUGGLES,
Town Clerk.
PROCEEDINGS OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING. JULY 6, 1891.
Pursuant to the foregoing warrant the legal voters of the Town of Franklin assembled in their Town Hall at 2 o'clock P. M. and proceeded as follows, viz. :
MODERATOR.
ARTICLE 1. Henry R. Jenks was chosen Moderator of the meeting by ballot, the check list being used, but declined to serve. Declination of Henry R. Jenks was accepted, and the meeting then chose William F. Ray Moderator of the meet- ing by ballot, the check-list being used. and he was duly sworn by the Town Clerk.
ART. 2. Voted. that the " Woodcock Plans" be substituted for the "West Plan." so called, provided that if the work be done by the day that a day's work consist of nine hours per day. The vote standing Yea 50, Nay 13.
Voted, that the Building Committee be authorized to in- crease the lighting capacity of the building. under the direction of the Architect, provided it is deemed necessary.
Voted, that the Building Committee be authorized to modify the " Woodcock Plans" as they may deem best.
Provided any change shall not exceed the sum appropriated.
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