USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1860-1864 > Part 9
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131 73
Seth Davis, services as civil engineer,
14 50
Thomas Rice, Jr., expenses in Gould case, 66 cash paid for stationery and postage,
3 65
A. J. Allen, for stationery, 30 30
John J. Ware, warning Town Meetings, 56 00
B. F. Fuller, express, sundry times, 1 25
J. D. Towle, cash paid car fare and postage, and use of horse and carriage for assessors, 73 84
$875 71
BURIAL GROUNDS.
James F. Edmands, amount expended on East Par- ish burial grounds, 200 00
Henry Bigelow, President Newton Cemetery Cor- poration, for tomb in New Cemetery, 700 00
Allen Jordan, for repairing hearse, Lower Falls, 75
D. C. Sanger, building fence West Newton burial grounds, 97 50
Seth Davis, for work done at burial grounds, 54 63
$1,052 88
The above amount for new tomb in Newton Cemetery, was paid to the following persons :
West Castleton R. Road and Slate Co., for slate, 135 97
Alexander McDonald, for tomb-door and setting, 56 00
H. B. Cross, granite stone for front and setting, 210 14
Baldwin & Emerson, for shelves for tomb, 59 50
Amount carried forward, $461 61
73 64
Amount brought forward,
$461 61
F. E. Hamblin, brick work, etc., for tomb, 306 50
5 00
A. Brackett, for drawing slate, 66
6 00
J. N. Trowbridge, for draw'g slate, " 3 00
A. Heathorne, for laying stone, 66
3 00
Denio & Roberts, for knobs, 4 17
Henry Bigelow, sundry expenses for labor, etc., 10 72
$800 00
One hundred dollars of this amount was paid last year, and appeared in the Auditor's Report.
SALARIES.
M. S. Rice, services as Town Clerk, for year ending March 4th, 1861, $100 00
E. J. Collins, services as Town Treasurer, for year ending March 1st, 1861, 150 00
E. J. Collins, services attending meetings of Select- men, for year ending Feb. 13th, 1861. 28 50
William E. Sheldon, services on Building Commit- tee on Schoolhouse, West Newton, 33 33
John Mead, services on Building Committee on Schoolhouse, West Newton, 33 33
Henry Bigelow, services on Building Committee on Schoolhouse, West Newton, 33 34
Henry Bigelow, for services as School Committee to April 1st, 1861, 149 40
Washington Gilbert, services as School Committee to Jan. 31st, 1861, 76 00
Washington Gilbert, services as School Committee to Jan. 24th, 1862, 80 00
A. A. Kendall, services as School Committee to Aug. 2d, 1861, 30 00
A. A. Kendall, services as School Committee to Jan. 24th, 1862, 34 00
N. S. King, services as School Committee to April, 1861, 22 00
John A. Gould, services as School Committee to April 26th, 1861, 34 00
John A. Gould, services as School Committee to Jan- uary 24th, 1862, 36 00
Amount carried forward, $839 90
N. Crafts, for drawing stone 66
40
Amount brought forward, $839 90 E. W. Clark, services as School Committee to Jan- uary 24th, 1862. 65 00
G. J. Carlton, services as School Committee to Feb- ruary, 1861, 67 90
H. R. Wetherell, services as School Committee for 1861, 14 00
J. F. C. Hyde, services as School Committee to Jan- uary 24th, 1862, 35 00
Thomas Rice, Jr., services as Selectman and Over- seer of the Poor, to February 4th, 1862, 120 00
S. F. Dix, services as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor, to February 4th, 1862, 92 00
F. A. Collins, services as Selectman and Overseer of the Poor, to February 4th, 1862, 87 00
Orrin Whipple, services as Selectman and overseer of the poor to Feb. 4th, 1862, 94 00
J. F. C. Hyde, services as Selectman and overseer of the poor to Feb. 4th, 1862, 86 00
J. F. C. Hyde, services as Auditor for year ending Feb. 13th, 1861, 1 50
Isaac Hagar, services as Auditor, copying tax list and examining collector's accounts, to Feb. 13th, 1861, 52 25
Isaac Hagar, cash paid railroad fare and express,
1 60
Isaac Hagar, services as Assessor of Taxes for year ending Feb. 4th, 1862, 222 00
J. D. Towle, for services as Assessor of Taxes for year ending Feb. 4th, 1862, 182 00
E. Woodward, for services as Assessor of Taxes for year ending Feb. 4th, 1862, 215 00
E. Woodward, services as Auditor for year ending Feb. 13th, 1861, 30 00
B. F. Houghton, services as Liquor Agent to Jan. 4th, 1862, 50 00
H. N. Hyde, in full for collecting taxes for the years 1855, '56 and '57, 89 18
E. J. Collins, in full for collecting taxes for 1860, 70 00
،، in part for collecting taxes for 1861, 500 00
$2,914 33
41
MILITARY ACCOUNT.
Samuel Chism, printing for Military Committee, $11 50
Stacy & Richardson, printing posters, 3 00
Samuel F. Dix, cash paid Newton Rifle Company, 846 61 Jordon, Marsh & Co., for white flannel, 137 63
James M. Cook, use of Tremont Hall for Newton Rifle Company, 64 30
M. T. Heywood, care of Tremont Hall while occu- pied by Newton Rifle Company,
21 00
D. H. Miller, expense of forming Newton Rifle Co. 66 66 carrying volunteers to Newtonville, 66 66
A. B. Rice,
82 00
J. Morrison, 66 66 66
12 75
Stephen Cate & Son, 66 66
55 50
Abel Harrington, 66
28 00
J. E. Tilton & Co., ten sets Hardee's Tactics, 12 50
39 00
Paid family of E. A. Boyd,
56 85
66 66 E. H. Cook,
56 85
66
Edward McKerron,
89 14
66 66 Henry G. Washburn,
107 57
66 66 William Henry,
107 56
66
66
William H. Houghton,
72 28
66
66
J. W. Leverton,
60 85
66
66
E. H. Smith,
90 42
66
66
W. D. Tibbetts,
93 14
66
66
Samuel Franklin,
90 71
66
66
H. W. Cushman,
102 42
66
66 Francis T. Despond,
90 42
66
M. B. Turner,
90 71
66
Thomas Duran,
73 71
66
66
Frank Handy,
98 57
66
66 Charles H. Bridges,
28 99
66
66 James Lyons,
34 85
William Jelly,
56 57
66
66
Thomas Green,
47 14
66
66
E. A. Pearsons,
28 42
66
66 John E. Bragdon,
57 85
66
66 John Myer,
49 28
66
Michael Vaughn,
22 71
66
66 Thomas Bailey,
10 00
66
66 William Dewick,
34 57
Amount carried forward,
$2,996 12
16 50
14 25
Orrin Whipple, cash paid sundry accounts,
.
66
42
Amount brought forward, Paid family of Edwin Hurd,
$2,996 12
36 57
66 George W. Belcher,
37 14
66
66 O. W. Harris,
36 57
66 H. L. Vinton,
54 85
66 66
Elliot Littlefield,
54 00
66 66
John Finnall,
43 99
66
66 Patrick Haggerty,
31 28
66
George F. Scott,
39 14
66
66
J. W. Fiske,
65 42
66
G. E. Palmer,
16 85
66
66
James F. Turney,
24 00
68
66
Patrick Mulchay,
31 13
66
Theodore L. Brackett,
15 14
66
66 E. M. Morgan,
10 56
66
66 John Campbell,
8 85
66
John McQuade,
59 57
Amount overdrawn,
$39 00
Amount to be received from the Common-
wealth,
2,000 00
2,039 00
Net expense to the Town,
$1,522 18
LIQUOR AGENCY.
B. F. Houghton, in account with the Town of Newton :
Dr.
To cash received from sales, $219 46
Cr.
By cash paid the State Agent for liquors,
$166 25
66 66 Town Treasurer, 53 21
AGENCY. Dr.
$219 46
To value of liquors on hand Jan. 1, 1861, $59 34
Paid Agent's salary to Jan. 1, 1862, 50 00
$109 34
$3,561 18
43
Cr
Value of liquors on hand Jan. 1, 1862,
$52 50
Paid Town Treasurer,
53 21
$105 71
Loss,
3 63
$109 34
DOG ACCOUNT.
. Edmond Commons, for pig killed,
8 00
F. W. Rice, for sheep killed, 6 00
$14 00
KENRICK FUND.
Permanent amount of Fund, $4,000 00
Bal. of Interest on hand, Jan. 1st, 1861, $13 31
Interest received since Jan. 1st, 1861, 250 90
Amount of unpaid Interest, 24 10
288 31
$4,288 31
Amount distributed to the " industrious poor " of
Newton, as per direction of the donor, 200 00
Amount of Fund, January 1st, 1862, $4,088 31
There having been a very great change in the population of Newton, since the first donation of the above fund, and fre- quent inquiries having been made, as to its origin, conditions, etc., your Auditors, believing that it would be interesting and beneficial to our present inhabitants, to know something of its history, have thought it best to publish such letters and ex- tracts of the same, and votes of the Town, as have a special bearing upon the objects and conditions of said fund :
" NEWTON, January 3, 1825.
" At a regular meeting of the inhabitants, the following communi- cation was laid before them : "
44
" NEWTON, December 16, 1824.
" Impressed with the utility and importance of laying the founda- tion of a permanent fund, from which may be annually drawn some aid and relief for certain descriptions of the poor of my native town of Newton, through all future generations, I am disposed to make the following proposals :
" 1st. To pay into the hands of the Selectmen of Newton, as Trus- tees, the sum of one thousand dollars, to be by them let at lawful interest, secured by mortgages on real estate, of at least three times the value of the sums loaned.
" 2d. That the annual interest of five hundred dollars of the pro- posed sum, be distributed from year to year, at the discretion of the Trustees, toward assisting and relieving the needy and industrious poor of Newton, especially widows and orphans, none of whom have fallen under the immediate care of the Overseers of the Poor.
" 3d. That the annual interest arising from the remainder of the donation be added to the principal and carefully kept, interest on in- terest. until the whole sum amounts to three thousand dollars, which with due care will be effected within twenty-eight years; after which I direct that the whole Fund be loaned at an interest of five per cent. per annum, and that the annual income be distributed in manner, and to the descriptions of poor before mentioned, forever, or through all succeeding generations.
" 4th. With a view of promoting the future prosperity of Newton, and from a full persuasion that where industry, temperance, honesty, and punctuality prevail, there will be but few paupers, I further direct that the fund be loaned in moderate sums, not exceeding $300, to any one person, and for terms of time not exceeding five years ; that the several sums be collected when due and re-loaned to others, a preference being always given to applications of married young men from twenty-three to thirty years old, of temperate and industri- ous habits, and distinguished for honesty and punctuality in their dealings.
" If the Town of Newton vote to accept the proposed donation, and constitute the Board of Selectmen, and their successors in office, per- manent Trustees, with special instructions faithfully to manage and apply the fund, in exact accordance with the foregoing directions, and apparent intentions of the donor, then, if my life continues, I will endeavor to pay over the sum proposed, within six months after the Town's vote of acceptance and appointment of Trustees.
" JOHN KENRICK.
" Selectmen of Newton."
45
" After hearing the foregoing proposition, it was unanimously
" Voted, That the Town accept the noble benefaction now offered by John Kenrick, Esq., with a full determination to conform to all the conditions with which he has seen fit to accompany the same.
" Voted, That this donation be denominated the Kenrick Fund.
" Voted, That the Board of Selectmen, and their successors in of- fice, be hereby appointed permanent Trustees, to manage and apply the said fund, according to all the conditions accompanying the same.
" Voted, That the Selectmen be a Committee to wait on John Ken- rick, Esq., and present him the thanks of the Town for his truly noble benefaction."
[Extract from the Donor's Letter to the Trustees, of January 12, 1825.]
" Tell the good people of Newton, that so long as they desire to secure the benefits intended, so long I expect they will appoint Trus- tees of integrity and discernment ; good men, who are in the habit of managing their own affairs with wisdom and prudence ; for it will be unreasonable to expect, of any men, that they will manage the con- cerns of others better than they do their own."
[Extract from the Donor's Letter of April 30, 1825.]
" Notwithstanding the free and liberal patronage of others is to be hoped for, I am unwilling that this fund should finally, on any ac- count, fail of amounting to $4,000, so as when on interest at five per cent., it may yield two hundred dollars for annual distribution ; and having never failed in any instance of being seasonably and amply "recompensed on the earth," for the exercise of disinterested benev- olence towards the poor and needy, the oppressed and the afflicted, I have, without fear of losing, transmitted a check for the further sum of $200, to be added to the accumulating part of the donation, and managed with it until the whole amounts to $4,000, instead of the $3,000, as first proposed.
"I wish for no variation from the original plan of distribution, nor of management, excepting as follows : As the additional part of the fund increases, it may be loaned, at the discretion of the Trustees, in any sums not exceeding $500 to any one person."
[Extract from the Donor's Letter of August 5, 1826.]
" I herewith transmit a check for the further sum of $200, to be added to the fund for assisting and relieving the industrious poor of Newton ; and direct, that after making the second yearly dividend of
46
$30, the sum of $40 be annually distributed, until the fund amounts to the $4000, proposed in my letter of April 30th, 1825. If there is a continuance of the same honorable and faithful management the Trustees have hitherto exhibited, the fund will be completed in a little more than twenty-two years, after which they will be enabled to make their loans at five per cent. per annum, and commence their yearly distribution of $200. When this fund is once completed, it must never be diminished; and if ever, by accident or mismanagement, any part of it be lost, I do hereby expressly enjoin, that the interest arising from the remainder be added to the principal until the defi- ciency be made good.
[Extract from the Donor's Letter of Jan. 11, 1830.]
TO THE SELECTMEN OF NEWTON, AS Trustees of the Poor's Fund.
" Gentlemen : - I congratulate you on the agreeable prospect open- ing before us, that the reign of temperance in Newton will have a speedy and salutary influence in meliorating the condition of the inhabitants, and also in essentially diminishing pauperism among succeeding generations. I have recently learned, however, with more regret than surprise, that our present number of needy poor is much greater than I had before apprehended. I have, therefore, for the special purpose of enlarging the means of granting that relief which humanity dictates, transmitted a check for the further sum of three hundred dollars to be added to what you call the " Kenrick Fund," and direct that in future the Trustees annually distribute the sum of sixty dollars, until the fund of $4,000 is complete, which, with careful management, will be effected within eighteen or nineteen years.
" As the Town has repeatedly and handsomely signified their great- ful sense of my regard for their poor, I will freely excuse them from any other notice of this gratuity than simply passing such a vote as they may deem indispensible for its preservation.
" I am, gentlemen, respectfully yours, " JOHN KENRICK."
It appears by the records that the Kenrick Fund had reach- ed the sum of four thousand dollars, January 1, 1851, since which time the sum of two hundred dollars has been annually distributed in accordance with the direction of the very worthy donor.
47
The whole amount distributed since the commencement of the fund is $2,720.
The present condition of the fund shows that the Select- men, as Trustees, have ever been faithful to the very pleasant trust imposed upon them.
Your Auditors find that the Accounts of the Selectmen and Treasurer are correct, and well vouched. And they are pleased to say, that, in their opinion, the finances of the Town have been judiciously managed.
And it is gratifying to them to be able to say, that in the construction of new roads, employment has been given to many of our citizens, which, in the present state of affairs, has been of great benefit to them.
ISAAC HAGAR, E. WOODWARD, Auditors. J. F. C. HYDE.
NEWTON, Feb. 13, 1862.
SELECTMEN'S ESTIMATE.
In pursuance of a standing order of the Town, the Board of Selectmen respectfully present the following Estimate of the expenses of the Town for the ensuing year :
Interest, -
$3,300 00
Schools, -
- 15,000 00
Incidentals for Schools,
500 00
Fire Department, -
2,000 00
Almshouse,
1,800 00
Poor out of Almshouse,
500 00
Repairs on Almshouse,
-
100 00
Highways, Culverts, and Railings,
3,500 00
Incidentals for Highways, -
600 00
Bridges,
-
-
100 00
Salaries, -
2,400 00
Printing,
500 00
Insurance,
50 00
Burial Grounds, -
50 00
Incidental Expenses,
500 00
Discount on Taxes,
1,000 00
Contingencies, -
3,100 00
$35,000 00
In presenting the above estimate to the consideration of the Town, the Board deem it proper to state, at the outset, that the various amounts are based upon the presumption that the most rigid economy, consistent with the best interests of the Town, will be practised in the administration of its affairs for
49
the ensuing year. Upon this presumption, we think that a reduction of $5,000 from the grant of last year, for Town expenses, ought to be made, feeling well assured that the taxes incident to the war now raging in our country will bear heavily upon the people.
We recommend no appropriation for the reduction of the Town Debt, as under existing circumstances it must of neces- sity be increased rather than diminished. This, however, need occasion no serious apprehension in the minds of any, while the estimated value of the Town property exceeds its liabilities by more than $55,000. An appropriation of $3,300 we think will meet the interest of the debt for the year.
The balance of former appropriations for Schools having been nearly exhausted, it will be necessary, in accordance with the intimation in our Report for last year, to increase the appropriation for this object to the sum of $15,000.
Feeling confident that the subject of Public Education will not be neglected by the Town, and that due consideration will be given to the wants of that department, we do not pro- pose to make any extended remarks upon the subject, but leave it with the School Committee, to whom it properly belongs, and whose Report is now in the hands of all our citizens. We now enjoy a high reputation for the excellence of our Schools, and the Town has always been liberal in its provi- sions for their support. Our expenditures for Schools are large and constantly increasing ; and, while our citizens cheerfully contribute to their maintenance, they reasonably expect them to be of an elevated character, creditable to the Town, and equal to the wants of an enlightened age and people. We cannot dismiss this subject without expressing our gratification at the complete success of the High School, as evinced at its recent examination.
4
50
The incidental expenses of the Schools were largely in ex- cess of the appropriation during the past year ; but we are informed by the Committee that they may be kept, for the ensuing year, within the sum named in the estimate.
It is a matter of congratulation, that during the past year, our ever ready and efficient Fire Department has been so seldom called out. The department is in excellent condition, and under the direction of an able corps of Engineers. The houses are well furnished, the engines and apparatus are in good order, and the men always ready, when occasion calls, to perform cheerfully their hazardous duties. This depart- ment is sustained at a considerable expense, but aside from its absolute necessity, the sense of security it affords to the in- habitants of the Town will fully compensate its cost. The ordinary outlays of the department have been kept within the appropriation for the past year. But the construction of one large reservoir at Newton Centre, and six others of a smaller size at Newton Corner and West Newton, at an expense of over $600, and the special appropriation of $500 for new hose, have caused the total expenses to exceed the estimate for the year. These reservoirs were constructed under the direction of the Selectmen, in accordance with the vote of the Town.
The Almshouse has continued under the excellent man- agement of the same Warden as during the previous year, subject to the oversight and general direction of the Board. Its expenses have been kept a little below the estimate, and we see no reason to anticipate any necessity for an increased appropriation for the ensuing year. Owing to the general depression of business, there has been an increasing call for aid on the part of the poor out of the house, which has carried the expense under this head, a little above the estimate.
51
The two new roads spoken of in the last Report have been built during the past year. This work has been done under the immediate direction of the Board, for the purpose of giving employment to a class of persons, who, under the exigencies of the times, have been thrown out of employment, and a portion of whom might otherwise have been compelled to call upon the Town for aid. The town has also thereby secured the payment of a considerable sum in taxes, which, without the help thus afforded, would have remained in arrears. The estimate of the expense of building one of these roads, that at Newton Corner, was based upon the estimate of the County Commissioners, which was $600. The actual outlay upon it has been about $1,500. This is owing, in a great measure, to the nature of the ground over which the road was to be built ; for which it would appear that the Commissioners made no allowance. The opening of this road is an improvement which has been long desired, and it will afford increased facilities for travel to a large portion of the inhabitants of the Town.
The road known as Nonantum Street, laid out by the Selectmen and accepted by the Town, has not been built, on account of an appeal having been taken by one of the parties from the award of damages made by the Selectmen. This appeal was tried by a Sheriff's Jury and a verdict obtained which was not satisfactory to the Board. On motion by their counsel, the verdict was set aside by the Superior Court upon questions of law. Exceptions were then taken by the other party, which must go to the highest court for adjudi- cation, where they cannot be heard before January, 1863. The Selectmen do not think it advisable to enter upon the land and build the road while this case is pending.
The outlay upon Highways has somewhat exceeded the
52
estimate for the year ; but the Board are confident that, should the present system of repairing highways be con- tinued, an appropriation of $3,500 will be sufficient, with the diminished cost of labor, to keep the roads in their present good condition for another year.
In accordance with a vote of the Town, passed two years since, the Selectmen have named all the streets, and placed sign boards at the entrance of each, which will prove a great convenience to the people, as the population increases, ena- bling them to make plans and deeds located upon well defined roads ; and in accordance with the vote passed at the last annual Town Meeting, the Auditors have caused the names, with a description of said streets, to be published in their Report, which is admirably drawn up, and a careful exami- nation of which will reveal the true condition of the Town.
The Town debt has been slightly increased during the past year, but not to the extent which might have been antici- pated. Extraordinary expenses have been incurred, which, as they all appear in the Auditor's Report, it is not deemed necessary to enumerate in this place. It may be well, how- ever, to mention the following: A vexatious suit was brought against the Town by Thomas Gould of Natick, to recover for alleged injuries received by him because of ob- struction in a highway. The Selectmen considered it their duty to contest the case, and made the most careful prepara- tion for a trial, and on the day assigned were present in court with their witnesses. The plaintiff did not appear, and a non suit was accordingly entered, which disposed of the case. The Town holds an execution against the plaintiff for costs, which is placed on file.
The failure of the " Citizens' Mutual Insurance Company of Brighton " to meet its obligations, subjected the Town to
53
an outlay of about $500, for the renewal of policies cancelled by the Company. The Board have also disbursed a portion of the funds placed at their disposal by a vote of the Town, for which no special appropriation was made, to defray the expenses incident to the enlistment and drilling of volunteers for the war.
It will be necessary for the town to provide funds to meet the outlays to be made in aid of the families of volunteers. We would, therefore, recommend the Town to authorize the Treasurer to borrow from time to time, such sums of money, not exceeding $10,000 in all, as may be needed for that purpose. The expenditures on this account are now about $400 per month. The War Department having placed all the troops raised in the State on the same footing, this sum may be hereafter considerably increased. Of the sums here- tofore expended, the State will reimburse about $2,000.
In the absence of definite action by the Town upon this, subject, the Board have experienced considerable embarrass- ment in meeting the applications of many persons who have no other claim for aid, than the fact that those upon whom they have heretofore depended in part, at least, for their support, are now in the service of the National Government. Knowing that the means necessary to carry on the war will involve a heavy tax on the productive capacity of the Town, we have exercised our best judgment in relieving the neces- sities of all such applicants as we found to be in want. But even with this increased tax looking us in the face, and with the industry of the Town partially paralyzed by the wicked and unprovoked war which has been forced upon us, we trust no citizen of the Town will object to rendering aid, in any reasonable manner, to all who by the calamities of war are entrusted to our care. We should be wanting in justice
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