USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1910 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
At a special town meeting held January 12, the town was given, and accepted, a fire engine. This to quite an ex- tent eliminated the necessity of further investigation as to ad- ditional protection for that part of the town having a water supply. As to whether or not the addition of a gasoline en- gine to the present apparatus is an additional protection, your Committee were not called upon under the circumstances to report, and would only say that future developments will demonstrate as to its efficiency in that respect. If it is an ap- preciable addition to the fire protection of the town, we ought to expect results before long in a reduction of the present
928
rates of insurance, which, in comparison with those in other towns, seems to be abnormally high and exorbitant. We be- lieve that this will be one of the means of forming an opinion as to its efficiency.
Your Committee did, however, give a hearing before the Franklin Business Association Dec. 1, 1908, and before the Franklin Farmers' Club Feb. 2, 1909. Both of these hear- ings were largely attended and your Committee received many valuable suggestions. Your Committee, in addition to hearings, have also interviewed many citizens interested in the subject matter of this article and have received many val- uable suggestions from property owners and from persons, who, from their financial interests or otherwise, are largely interested in this phase of the subject. Your Committee are led to the conclusion that the fire protection at present, while it may be fairly good for that portion of the town covered by · the water supply, yet even with the addition of the new en- gine does not afford adequate protection to property outside of this district it is, of course, self evident that the hose compan- ies and apparatus are useless as they are only auxiliary to the water supply. The amount of property outside of the water district is very large. Insurance on farm buildings and prop- erty has been increased to such an extent that it is almost pro- hibitive. These parties, however, and property pay their proportionate share of the taxes of the town and as far as fire protection at least is concerned, receive slight, if any, benefit. It would be proper therefore, if they could be protected even though only to a slight degree, to afford them their rights in this direction. There are but very few buildings on the out- side that, even if a steamer could get there in time, are so lo- cated that there is any available water supply that could be utilized for the extinguishing of a fire. Many fires in farm houses are caused from chimneys, defective or otherwise. Many of the fires in farm buildings originate from a match carelessly thrown or a lantern improperly used. Many of these fires could be extinguished with a small amount of water, provided the proper apparatus was at hand. Many small towns in Massachusetts which do not have a water supply
929
find a protection to some extent at least, in the placing of ex- tinguishers in different parts of the town. We believe that this is a feasible solution of the problem here in Franklin. The placing of a number of extinguishers in a convenient place, together with the means for recharging the same, which would practically double the protection afforded by each ex- tinguisher. Of course it is not practicable to put any number of extinguishers in each house but only to place a certain number in localities that would be available for surrounding property. The number of extinguishers in each locality your committee are of opinion should be at least five. This, with the means for recharging them, would give practically ten extinguishers. The cost of each extinguisher is eight dollars. These extin- guishers would serve also as a further auxiliary to the present number of fire extinguishers under the control and supervision of the Forest Firewarden. It would be necessary for someone to have supervision of these extinguishers, see that they are properly located and properly cared for. As these would be supplementary to the present apparatus under the control of the Forest Firewarden, we feel that he is the proper person to have the location of and supervision and care of the fire ex- tinguishers purchased. We would therefore recommend that the Forest Firewarden, under the supervision of the Board of Selectmen, be authorized and instructed to purchase fifty fire extinguishers, the same to be located by the Forest Fireward- en in different parts about the town outside of the fire district, the number in each case to be approximately five, and that the sum of $400 be appropriated for the same.
Your Committee would call to your attention that not only at each hearing, but also by private individuals, there seemed to be universal criticism of the fire department as at present constituted. There are no valuable suggestions made, however, as to the causes of the inefficiency of the department, nor were there any recommendations made as to its improve- ment.
Your Committee are inclined to believe that there is some cause for this universal criticism. We believe, however, that the fault is not with the members of the department, -that is,
with the individual members, except in few instances, per- haps,-but it is rather with the methods and the officials in authority. In other words, we believe that the members of the fire department as members are as ready and willing to do their duty when called upon as those of any department in this Commonwealth.
Your Committee believe that with the appointment of proper Chief Engineers and with the adoption of new rules, which we are informed has already been done to some extent, the men constituting the Fire Department will do their part, and that we shall see at once an increased efficiency and har- mony in the department. We furthermore feel that it many of the citizens of Franklin, instead of openly criticising or ridiculing the department would approve that which was com- mendable and give encouragement, it would materially assist in the work which is full of danger and which in matter of compensation is inadequate.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY E. RUGGLES, GEORGE E. DUFFY, HORACE W. HOSIE, IRVING H. GAMWELL.
Voted on motion of Henry E. Ruggles that the report of the committee be accepted and its recommendations adopted.
ARTICLE 4. Voted that the yard at the Almshouse be the pound for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 5. Voted that the compensation of the Collec- tor of Taxes be one per cent. on the amount collected ; that the Collector have the same authority and power that the Treasurer has when appointed Collector ; that the taxes as- sessed for the year 1909 become due and payable November 1. 1909. and that the town charge interest at the rate of six per cent. per annum on all taxes unpaid on and after Decem- ber 1, 1909.
ARTICLE 6. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate for the following named purposes the following sums of money for the current year, to wit :
931
For the repairs of roads, bridges and sidewalks, to be expended under the direction of the Select- men, $6,000.00
And in addition thereto the excise tax of the street railways.
For the support of schools, including the salary of a superintendent, transportation of scholars, repairing of school buildings, for school books, supplies, and miscellaneous school expenses, 25,707.00
And in addition thereto the receipts of the school department.
For the support of the poor, 4,800.00
And in addition thereto the receipts of the poor department ; and from said sum the Overseers of the Poor shall expend at least $300 for painting and repairing the buildings on the town farm.
For support of the Fire Department, 3,000.00
For Water Supply, 4,285.00
For Street Lights, 4,100.00
For payment of Town Debt and Interest,
1,900.00
For payment of Town Officers, 2,200.00
For Abatement and Collection of Taxes,
1,000.00
And that the Assessors publish in the next Town Report a list of all abatements of taxes and the reasons therefor.
For Printing and Stationery, 500.00
For Payment of Police and suppression of illegal liquor traffic, 2,500.00
For Construction, Repair and Maintenance of Sew- ers and Sewer Beds,
500.00
And in addition thereto the receipts of the Sewer Department, and the unexpended balance from last year.
The Committee recommends that no ap- propriation be made for State Aid. For Soldiers' Relief, 400.00
And in addition thereto the receipts from the State.
932
For support of the Franklin Library Association, 1,000.00
The Association to have authority to ex- pend for new books so much of this amount as is not needed for the support of the Library. For Decoration of Soldiers' Graves, 100.00
For Miscellaneous Town Expenses, 1,200.00
And the receipts of the Town not other- wise provided for.
ARTICLE 7. Voted that the Treasurer, under the direc- tion and approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow such sums of money in anticipation of taxes for the current year as may be necessary to meet the current expenses, and that the money so hired shall be payable from the taxes of the present municipal year.
ARTICLE 8. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquor in the town during the current year.
ARTICLE 9. Roswell K. Stevens, one of the Selectmen for 1908, reported "orally" that the guide boards were in good condition, and the same was accepted.
ARTICLE 10. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of three hundred (300) dollars for the construction and repair of concrete, cement, or granolithic sidewalks, ans that the same be expended for this purpose in whole or in part as abutters may contribute a like amount.
ARTICLE 11. Voted that the Town raise and appropriate $400 for the care and improvement of the Common to be ex- pended under the direction of the Selectmen and by a commit- tee consisting of the chairman of the Selectmen, Harry T. Hay- ward and Arthur W. Peirce, said sum to be taken from the unexpended balance of the treasury.
ARTICLE 12. Voted that the Town establish an incan- descent light on Maple Street near the residence of Elizabeth M. Harrington, the same to be located by the Selectmen.
933
ARTICLE 13. Voted that this Article be referred to the School Committee to report at the next Annual Town Meet- ing.
ARTICLE 14. Voted that this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 15. Voted that the Town establish an incan- descent light on Washington Street to be located southwester- ly from "A" Street by the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 16. Voted that the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $800 for the purpose of repairing and putting the South Franklin school house in a suitable condition ; said sum to be taken from the unexpended balance in the Treasury and to be expended by the School Committee.
ARTICLE 17. Voted that this Article be left in the hands of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 18. Voted that this Article be left in the hands of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 19. Voted that the subject matter of this Arti- cle be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 20. Voted that the Town appropriate the dog license money which shall be received the present year for the support of schools.
ARTICLE 21. Voted that this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 22. Voted that this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 23. Voted that the Town appropriate the bal- ance of the interest of the Lucretia Pond Fund for the year 1908 and 1909, not otherwise provided for, for the care and improvement of the town cemeteries, the same to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 24. Voted that this Article be indefinitely postponed.
934
ARTICLE 25. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of $225 to purchase a wagon to carry the fire ex- tinguisher for forest fires.
ARTICLE 26. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of $1,600 for the purpose of completing the cellar of the William M. Thayer school building, and of installing therein suitable sanitary toilet conveniences, and for construct- ing a sewer for its accommodation, and that the said amount be taken from the unexpended balance in the town treasury and be expended under the direction of the School Committee.
ARTICLE 27. Voted that the subject matter of the Arti- cle be left in the hands of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE 28. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of $500 for the purpose of extending the water main westerly on Central Street and establishing a hydrant on said street, the same to be expended under the direction of the Water and Sewer Commissioners, said sum to be taken from the bond issue already authorized.
ARTICLE 29. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of $1600 for the purpose of extending the water main on Cross Street and establishing a hydrant, the same to be expended under the direction of the Water and Sewer Commissioners, said sum to be taken from the bond issue already authorized.
ARTICLE 30. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of $375 for the purpose of extending the water main on McCarthy Street extension and establishing a hydrant, the same to be expended under the direction of the Water and Sewer Commissioners, said sum to be taken from the bond issue already authorized.
ARTICLE 31. Voted that the Town raise and appropri- ate the sum of $600 for the purpose of extending the water main on Peck Street from Cottage Street and establishing a hydrant, the same to be expended under the direction of the Water and Sewer Commissioners, said sum to be taken from the bond issue already authorized.
ARTICLE 32. Voted that this Article be indefinitely postponed.
ARTICLE 33. Voted that a committee be appointed by the Town Meeting to take up the subject matter of this Article and report at the next Annual Town Meeting.
Voted that the Moderator appoint the committee con- sisting of three ; and he appointed Henry E. Ruggles, George H. Willoby and Ernest L. Metcalf, to serve as such commit- tee.
It was voted at 8.25 o'clock, p. m., to adjourn.
A true record.
Attest : ORESTES T. DOE, Town Clerk.
Warrant for Special Town Meeting.
MAY 14th, A. D. 1909.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin, in said County,
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, in said Town, on Friday, the fourteenth day of May, A. D. 1909, at seven-thirty o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To see if the town will authorize and empower the Selectmen to build a section of state highway on Central street, in said Franklin, beginning at the end of the existing highway and extending to Beaver street, or any part thereof, and to enter into and to execute such agreements as shall be necessary to construct said highway.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the town will authorize and empower the Selectmen to release the right of this town to contract for the building
936
Ot the proposed section of highway on Central Street, from the end ot the existing State Highway to Beaver street, or to do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will indemnify and save harmless this Commonwealth against all claims and demands for damages which may be sustained by any person whose property shall be taken for, or shall be injured by, the construction of the proposed section of State Highway on Central street by the Massachusetts Highway Commis- sion.
. 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 and the seal of the Town this Sixth Day of May A. D. 1909.
ROSWELL K. STEVENS Selectmen
[TOWN SEAL] AMBROSE J. GALLISON of
LAWRENCE J. KELLEYS Franklin, Mass.
On the foregoing warrant the following return was made, viz :
FRANKLIN, MASS., May 7, 1909.
By virtue of the within warrant I have notified and warned the in- habitants of the Town of Franklin, herein described, to assemble in their Town Hall on Friday, the fourteenth day of May, A. D. 1909, for the pur- poses therein mentioned, by posting attested copies of the within war- rant in each of the post offices of said town, and in ten other public places, seven days before the day of meeting, in compliance with Sec- tion Two, of Article One of the By-Laws of the Town of Franklin.
DAVID W. CORSON,
Constable of Franklin.
A true record of the warrant and return thereon.
Attest : ORESTES T. DOE, Town Clerk.
Proceedings of the Special Town Meeting.
MAY 14th, 1909.
At a special meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Franklin, qualified to vote in town affairs, held pursuant to
937
the foregoing warrant at the Town Hall, in said Franklin, on Friday, the fourteenth day of May, A. D , 1909.
The meeting was called to order at the time and place stated in said warrant by George W. Wiggin, the Moderator, and the meeting was adjourned from that place to the office of the Se- lectmen in said town, to be held at once, and the Moderator and Town Clerk proceeded at once to the place to which said meeting was adjourned, where they arrived at 7.35, when and where the warrant and return thereon was read by the Town Clerk at the direction of the Moderator, and said meeting pro- ceeded to take and did take action as follows, viz :
ARTICLE 1. Voted, that the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized and empowered to build a section of State high- way on Central Street, in this town, and to contract and act in the premises as they shall see fit.
ARTICLE 2. Voted, that the Selectmen be and hereby are authorized and empowered to release the right of this town to contract for the building of the proposed section of State highway on Central Street.
ARTICLE 3. Voted, that the town indemnify and save harmless the Commonwealth against all claims and demands for damages which may be sustained by any person whose property shall be taken for, or shall be injured by, the con- struction of said highway on Central Street by the Massachus- etts Highway Commission, and the Selectmen are hereby authorized to enter into and to execute all agreements and in- struments necessary to carry out this vote.
Voted to adjourn without date at 7.45 p. m.
A true record.
Attest : ORESTES T. DOE,
Town Clerk.
938
Warrant for Special Town Meeting. JUNE 23rd, A. D., 1909.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin, in said County,
GREETING :
You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn the qualified voters of said Town of Franklin to assemble in their Town Hall on Wednesday, June 23rd, A. D. 1909, at seven-thirty o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To see if the town will accept a Street running west- erly and northwesterly from Fisher Street, in said Franklin, as laid out by the Selectmen and shown on a plan made by D. L. Chil- son, Eng., dated June 3rd, 1909. and appropriate money therefor, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the town will accept a Street running from Washington Street to Union Street, as laid out by the Selectmen and shown on a plan made by D. L. Chilson, dated June 3rd, 1909, and ap- propriate money therefor, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 3. To see if the town will vote to appropriate money for the purpose of spraying trees in the highways, or take any action 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 and the seal of the town this fifteenth day of June, A. D., in the year one thousand nine hundred and nine.
[TOWN SEAL. ]
ROSWELL K. STEVENS, AMBROSE J. GALLISON, LAWRENCE J. KELLEY, Selectmen of Franklin.
On the foregoing warrant the following return was made, viz :
FRANKLIN, MASS., JUNE 17th, 1909.
By virtue of the within warrant I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Franklin herein described, to assemble in their Town Hall
939
on Wednesday, the twenty-third day of June, A. D. 1909, at 7.30 p. m., for the purposes therein mentioned, by posting attested copies of the within warrant in each of the postoffices of said 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.
DAVID W. CORSON, Constable of Franklin.
A true record of the warrant and return thereon.
Attest : ORESTES T. DOE, Town Clerk.
Proceedings of Special Town Meeting.
JUNE 23rd, 1909.
At a special meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Franklin, qualified to vote in town affairs, held pursuant to the foregoing warrant, at the Town Hall, in said Franklin, on Wednesday, the twenty-third day of June, A. D., 1909.
The meeting was called to order at the time and place stated in said warrant by George W. Wiggin, the Moderator, who read the warrant and return thereon, and the business proceeded as follows, viz :
ARTICLE 1. Voted, that the street mentioned in this ar- ticle be accepted as laid out by the Selectmen, and the meet- ing voted unanimously that the town raise and appropriate the sum of $490 for the purpose of constructing said street, and that the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow said sum and to give the note or notes of the town therefor, payable from the taxes for current year.
ARTICLE 2. Voted, that the street mentioned in this ar- ticle be accepted as laid out by the Selectmen, and the meet- ing voted unanimously that the town raise and appropriate the sum of $490 for the purpose of constructing said street, and that the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized, under the di-
940
rection of the Selectmen, to borrow said sum and give the note or notes of the town therefor, payable from the taxes for the current year.
ARTICLE 3. Voted, that the sum of $400 be raised and appropriated, and expended under the direction of the Select- men, for the purposes mentioned in this article, and that the Treasurer be and hereby is authorized, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow said sum and to give the note or notes of the town therefor, payable from the taxes for the cur- rent year.
Voted to adjourn at 8.10 p. m., without date.
A true record.
Attest : ORESTES T. DOE, Town Clerk.
Town Officers Appointed.
The following is a list of the appointments made by the Selectmen when duly assembled on the dates set against each one, all in the year 1909.
POLICE-William H. Ballard, chief, March 19; Freeman G. Knowlton, March 19; William T. Hooper, March 19. SURVEYORS OF LUMBER -* E. Lovell Metcalf, March 19; *Joseph M. Whiting, March 19; * Wilton A. Pond, March 19; Edward S. Cook, March 19; Clarence H. Woodward, March 19.
SPECIAL POLICE-William H. Ballard, March 5 ; Alfred H. Swenson, March 5; Adolph A. Chamberlain, March 5 ; Carl Engler, March 5; Horace M. Taylor, March 5; Charles R. Gowen, March 5; Lawrence E. Morrissey, March 5 ; William Redpath, March 5; William G. Cody, March 5 ; John Ledbury, March 5 ; Charles Davis, March 5 ; Fred L. Davis, March 5; Edmund J. Legace, March *Revoked.
941
5 ; John H. Tyler, March 5; Theodore Faffard, March 12; Anthony Connor, March 12 ; Daniel Buckley, March 13 ; James M. Parker, March 25 ; Willie R. Cook, March 25 ; Albert H. Patterson, April 25 ; Albert S. Caldwell, June 18 ; Everett L. Stewart, June 25 ; James T. Dauph- inee, June 25 ; * William Irving, March 5; * Kervin R. Jewett, March 5; * John J. Stewart, March 5; * Frank H. Randall, April 1; * James Donahue, March 5.
AGENT FOR BURIAL OF SOLDIERS-Edwin A. Mason, March 19.
INSPECTOR OF KEROSENE OIL -¡ George I. Peck, March 19. FOREST FIRE WARDEN-Edward S. Cook, March 19.
MEASURER OF WOOD AND BARK-Edward S. Cook, March 19.
WEIGHERS OF COAL AND HAY-Grace M. Fleming, April 9 ; Alex. M. Haggart, March 19; James F. Ray, March 19 ; Walter E. Corbett, March 19; Arthur Bishop, March 19 ; Harry Bullukian, March 19; Geo. H. Litchfield, March 19; Martha J. Haggart, March 19; James Shaughnessey, March 19 ; Elmer Dillon, March 19.
PUBLIC WEIGHER -* Fred L. Tufts, March 19 ; Fred L. Tufts, July 9.
MEASURERS OF GRAIN-Alex. M. Haggart, March 19; James F. Ray, March 19; Walter E. Corbett, March 19 ; *Walter M. Fisher, March 19.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS-Charles R. Gowen, March 19.
INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS-Geo. A. Allen, March 25.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES -¿ Floyd D. Hosie, April 25 ; Andrew B. Bullock. September 3.
*Revoked.
+Not qualified.
*Resigned.
942
FIRE ENGINEERS-ĮDavid A. Couthill, April 25; Berry Laycock, April 25; Lawrence E. Morrissey, April 25 ; įWilliam Redpath, April 27; George W. Green, April 30.
We, the Selectmen of Franklin, hereby appoint Freeman G. Knowlton, of said town, to be Keeper of the Lockup until the annual town meeting March 1910, and until another is ap- pointed in his place, unless sooner removed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.