USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1869-1870 > Part 17
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A. B. Cobb, services as Assessor for 1870, 700 00
F. A. Collins, services as Assessor for 1870,
550 00
Amount carried forward, $7,348 00
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Amount brought forward, $7,348 00
E. J. Collins, for attending meetings of select- men, 45 00
E. J. Collins, in full, for commissions collecting taxes of 1869, 938 00
E. J. Collins, in part, for commissions collecting taxes of 1870, 1,200 00
$9,531 00
TOWN HALL.
Expense of fitting up offices for the selectmen and treas- urer, assessors, sealer of weights and measures, and police office.
Paid Milo Lucas, for carpenter and mason work, $954 00
M. T. Heywood, for painting and coloring, 150 58
Clark & Fox, for gas-fixtures, 56 00
Crystal Ventilator Co., for ventilators,
33 50
M. T. Heywood, for sign,
18 00
6 O. B. Leavitt, for two stoves and fixtures, 47 10 John H. Pray & Son, for 682 yards carpet- ing, 68 50
= Thomas Baldwin, for window shade fix- tures and carpet work, 4 69
Enoch R. Morse, for two fire-proof safes, 900 00
Stephen Smith & Co., for tables and chairs, 105 00
66 C. H. Bruce, for window-shades, 38 50
$2,375 87
SUNDRY REPAIRS, &C.
Paid Milo Lucas, for lumber and labor, $102 76
Chas. Cole, for ladder, &c., 4 05
gas fixtures and ironwork, 45 25
66
66 66
grading yard, 6 50
66 66
66
stove, &c., 23 25
Amount carried forward,
$181 81 $2,375 87
60
Amount brought forward, $181 81 $2,375 87
Paid C. S. Phillips, for painting, and resetting glass, 13 31
66 Bryant & Co., for repairs and gas-pipe, 8 05
66 M. Taffe, for mason-work, 37 75
Maurice & Cole, for gas-pipe,
10 14
P. Brennan, for grading yard,
100 00
John Galraith, for door-springs,
22 75
Humphrey & Almon, for stove, 18 85
15 00
David Almon, for stove,
66 Howland & Jones, for lamps . and shades, 5 65
413 31
INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid N. & W. Gas Light Co., for gas, $237 75
D. C. Sanger, for wood and coal, 125 43
66 Charles Cole, for care of the building,
182 69
545 87
$3,335 05
CR.
Cash rec'd for rent of town hall, $678 50
Am't due for rent of town hall, 127 00
805 50
$2,529 55
STATE AID.
Paid Belcher, Geo. W.,
$54 00
Dailey, John,
48 00
Dennis, Samuel,
48 00
66 Dinnean, Thomas,
54 00
Duran, Thomas, 48 00
66 Dolan, Thomas,
54 00
Amount carried forward,
$306 00
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Paid Amount brought forward,
$306 00
¥ Foster, John,
48 00
Gorse, Joseph, 12 00
Gunnison, F. H.,
48 00
Hutchinson, George,
54 00
Jackson, Thomas L.,
48 00
Kelley, John,
44 00
Kingsbury, Roger S.,
72 00
Littlefield, Elliot,
96 00
66 Madden, Jeremiah,
4 00
66 Pratt, Joseph L.,
96 00
Ramsdell, Joshua V.,
72 00
66 Sanger, Daniel,
96 00
66 Smith, Charles H.,
96 00
66
Spaulding, S. C.,
54 00
66 Temple, Emery,
48 00
66 Tibbetts, N. D.,
54 00
Tombs, E. H.,
48 00
66 Walsh, Patrick,
48 00
Wentworth, Benning,
36 00
Withington, James S., 96 00
$1,476 00
RESERVOIRS.
Timothy Stewart, for digging and stoning reser- voir on Pearl Street, $240 00
Patrick Brennan, for digging and stoning reser- voirs at West Newton, 752 62
Michael Taffe, for building reservoirs at Au- burndale,
1,704 18
Michael Taffe, for building reservoir at West Newton. 179 50
1,170 00
Otis Pettee, for building reservoirs at U. Falls, M. T. Heywood, cash paid for building reser- voirs at Newtonville,
577 92
F. E. Hamblin, for building reservoirs at New- ton Centre, 1,150 00
F. E. Hamblin, for building reservoirs on Cen- tre, Park, and Franklin Streets,
986 00
Amount carried forward, $6,760 22
62
Amount brought forward, $6,760 22
Jeremiah Johnston, for digging reservoirs on Centre, Park, and Franklin Streets, 400 00
Jeremiah Johnston, for building reservoirs at Newton Centre, 216 00
Alexander McDonald, for granite covering stone,
204 00
R. M. Lucas, for services in building reservoirs at West Newton, 148 00
White & Knapp, for drain-pipe and cement, 13 00
17 28
J. C. Farrar, for four surface grates,
New-England Linen Hose Co., for hose, 883 90
$8,642 40
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Marshall S. Rice, for services as civil engineer, $271 00 for services as registrar, viz., - recording and returning 284 births, 85 20
recording and returning 109
marriages, 16 35
recording and returning 179
19 90
deaths, paid for stationery, 29 60
J. Herbert Shedd, for services as civil engineer,
450 59
Edward Sawyer, for services as civil engineer, 10 00
Shedd & Sawyer, for services as civil engineers, 3 55 Frederick S. Benson, for services as civil engineer, 23 00 Samuel Ward & Co., for stationery, 137 19
Thomas Rice, jun., for paper,
35 15
D. H. Mason, for professional services,
244 61
Geo. F. Morgan, for making returns of changes in real estates to the assessors, 149 95
Scates & Ricker, for use of carriages Memorial Day, 100 00
Scates & Ricker, for use of carriages on account of police, &c. 26 00
J. O. Evans & Son, for painting cottage, &c. 145 11
Amount carried forward, $1,747 20
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Amount brought forward, $1,747 20
Thomas Copenger, for removing rubbish from the
Centre schoolhouse cellar, after the fire, 33 00
R. S. Bullard, for express on Auditors' Reports, 5 00
John Bowers, for six copies Herrick's town officer, 18 00 John Pulcifer, for repairs on hearse at Lower Falls, 2 75 Evans, Lincoln, & Co. for paper-hangings, 10 33
Isaac Hagar, cash paid for travelling expenses and
express, 42 42
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postage and stationery, 15 97
66
66
tax commissioners'
office, 10 00
refreshments for as- sessors, 15 57
making up pauper,
highway, and tax
commissioners' re-
turn, correcting vot- ers' list, &c., 25 30
M. T. Heywood, for guide-boards,
Michael Barron, for work on well,
5 00
John A. Peck, for notifying town officers, &c.,
E. C. Jenkins, for making return of deaths to town clerk, 1 00
Allen Jordan, for office-desk,
1 50
A. H. Cushman, refreshments for town officers, 30 10
Wm. H. Phillips, for improvement on East bury- ing-ground, 50 00
Seth Davis, service as civil engineer, 27 00 66 cash paid for sundries, sealer's office, 7 42
E. Woodward, service as civil engineer, Fairbanks & Brown, test weights for sealer's office,
70 00
A. B. Cobb, cash paid travelling expenses, keys for office, &c., 33 15
F. A. Collins, horse and carriage for assessors, 55 00
C. C. Drew, for two copies Newton Directory, 2 00
J. J. Ware, for warning town meetings, 95 00
E. J. Collins, for making return of tax-payers to the selectmen, 21 50
E. J. Collins, cash paid for postage, &c.,
16 09
Isaac Childs, for pump and well at cottage, Steam- er Station, 27 00
Charles Cole, for repairs on hearse-house, 1 50
$2,465 05
66
66
66
66
4 00
15 00
77 25
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KENRICK FUND.
Balance in treasurer's hands, Jan. 1, 1870, $39 01
Interest received since Jan. 1, 1870, 200 00
$239 01
Amount distributed to the "industrious poor of Newton," as per direction of the donor, 200 00
Cash in treasurer's hands, Jan. 1, 1871, $39 01
Amount of investments, Jan. 1, 1871, 4,000 00
$4,039 01
The accounts of the Selectmen and Treasurer are correct, and properly vouched.
Respectfully submitted,
ISAAC HAGAR, - HENRY FULLER, Auditors. SAM'L N. WOODWARD,
NEWTON, Feb. 13, 1871.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
IN compliance with a vote of the town, the selectmen present the following estimates of the expenses of the town for the ensuing year, which is based upon the pre- sumption that economy will be practised in all departments of our municipal affairs; and it is hoped that no outlays will be made which shall increase our already large town debt. It is also hoped that our legislature will be careful not to launch out upon any new projects which shall in- crease the State debt, or add to the already onerous burthen of local taxation. The amount assessed upon the people for State expenses is still quite large, and ought to be speedily reduced. In the time of war, when the founda- tion of the State and town debts was laid, taxes were borne with comparative ease by all classes of our citizens. Speculation was rampant, and the profits of business were large ; wages were high ; values were tending up; cur- rency was plenty ; and the amount of fictitious wealth swelled the channels of trade, overflowing into every man's pocket. But the process of contraction has dissipated much of this transient wealth. Business is depressed ; manufacturing stocks, merchandise, and property of almost every kind, have decreased in value, thus placing the tax- paying masses in a very different position ; and every thing which can be done to reduce our town debt, and rate of taxation, consistent with our future growth, out to be by all our citizens.
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66
ESTIMATE OF EXPENSES.
Interest,
$21,000 00
Schools,
54,000 CO
Incidentals for schools,
13,000 00
Fire department,
10,000 00
Almshouse expenses,
2,000 00
Poor out of almshouse,
2,000 00
Repairs on almshouse,
1,000 00
Highways, culverts, bridges, and railings,
36,000 00
Salaries,
10,000 00
Printing,
2,000 00
Insurance,
1,500 00
Police,
5,000 00
Lighting streets,
8,000 00
Miscellaneous expenses,
3,000 00
Reduction of town debt,
16,500 00
$185,000 00
INTEREST.
The amount required for interest is estimated at twenty- one thousand dollars, which is to cover the interest on our debt, and on temporary loans that will be wanted. It is very gratifying to be able to say, that notwithstanding the excess of some of our appropriations, and the many things which have been done for which no appropriation was made, the debt of the town has been reduced $10,314.84, as the following statement will show : -
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Amount of loans, Accrued interest on loans to Feb. 13, 1871, 6,920 00
$342,500 00
$349,420 00
ASSETS OF THE TOWN.
Amount in the treasurer's hands, Feb. 13, $38,800 93
due from the State, on account of corporation tax, 4,226 26
Amount carried forard, $43,027 19
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Amounts brought forward, $43,027 19
State aid furnished prior to Feb. 1, 1871, 1,476 00
Balance of taxes for 1868,
680 90
66 66 " " 1869,
3,131 43
4 1870, 15,984 20
$64,299 72
Debt of the town, Feb. 13, 1871,
S285,120 28
12, 1870,
295,435 12
Decrease of debt,
$10,314 84
It will be seen that we make a liberal estimate for the reduction of the town debt, as well as for all other pur- poses ; and we can see no reason why this cannot be done without increasing our rate of taxation beyond that of last year.
The value of taxable property of the town in 1870 was, -
Real estate,
$11,407,070 00
Personal estate,
6,330,922 00
Corporate stock taxed by the State,
1,235,333 00
Total taxable valuation of the town,
.18,973,330 00
Town grant last year,
$185,000 00
State tax £
66 66
23,425 00
County tax "
9,536 29
Overlaying "
4,553 42
Amount of assessments by the town,
$222,514 71
On corporate stocks, payable to the town, 19,073 64
Total amount of assessments,
$241,588 35
SCHOOLS.
The New-England system of public schools has for many years furnished a fruitful theme for eulogistic phrases of orators and writers. To take every child, of whatever
68
class, condition, or color, and to instil in his or her yielding mind correct principles, sound morality, and the rudiments of useful knowledge, is, indeed, a grand and noble work ; and we know of no one who would complain of any reason- able, or even liberal taxation for this purpose. The branches of learning for which cities and towns are compelled by law to provide are growing more and more numerous. By a recent act of the legislature, towns containing ten thousand inhabitants are required that not merely the pupils in the public schools be taught drawing, but that free in- struction shall be given in industrial or mechanical draw- ing to all persons who may desire to learn, over fifteen years of age, under the direction of the school committee. It is proposed by the committee to establish evening schools for this purpose at Newton Corner and Upper Falls. This is all right; although by this process of free instruction the expenses of our schools will be considerably increased. The expenditure for schools and incidentals for schools last year was $68,044.27, a small excess of the appropria- tion. The amount asked for this year is sixty-seven thou- sand dollars for these two items ; which we recommend be granted. The amount paid for educational purposes the past year is $117,252.98. The amount paid for teachers' salaries, fuel, and care of school-buildings, from January, 1866, to January, 1871, is $224,881.00. The total amount paid for educational purposes the five years ending January, 1871, is $480,765.85. The value of school-property owned by the town is $327,600.00.
An article will be found in the warrant for the March meeting, in regard to allowing the school committee to ap- point a superintendent of our schools. It may not be our province to express our opinion upon this subject ; still there cannot be but little doubt that the true policy of school supervision is involved in the appointment of some competent person as a superintendent, who shall devote himself exclusively to the careful oversight of all our schools, under the direction of the school committee. The town has an efficient school committee ; and our schools will
69
compare favorably with any others in the State. The teachers are faithful, competent, and worthy of the respect and support of all our citizens.
The report of the school committee will be published with this Report, and should be our guide in relation to all matters pertaining to this department.
HIGHWAYS, CULVERTS, BRIDGES, AND RAILINGS.
The sum appropriated for this purpose last year was $36,000. The sum expended was $35,935.62. The amount appropriated for the purchase of gravel land was five thou- sand dollars. The amount expended, less the amount re- ceived from the sale of land at Newton Centre, was $4,897. 20, leaving an unexpended balance of the two appropriations of $167.18. We have expended the past year, -
For new streets,
$2,784 75
" widening streets, 3,681 69
drainage on streets, 5,615 35
" gravel land,
4,897 20
removing snow,
360 00
"' teams,
1,700 00
" land damage,
932 00
ordinary repairs, 20,861 83
$40,832 82
The amount expended for highway purposes the past six years, ending Feb. 1, 1871, is as follows : --
For ordinary repairs,
$78,406 83
" drainage, 14,953 57
" bridges, 1,365 50
" new streets, and widening streets,
23,444 53
" gravel land,
8,090 08
" stone-crusher,
2,700 00
" teams,
9,973 62
" land damages, 932 00
$139,866 13
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The amount expended upon the highway and culverts in the several villages the past year is as follows : --
At Newton Corner,
$7,505 00
66 66 Centre, 5,147 00
" Upper Falls, 2,120 00
" Lower Falls, 1,311 00
" Oak Hill, 1,000 00
" Auburndale, 1,482 00
" Newtonville, 1,469 00
' West Newton, 6,325 00
We name these amounts to show precisely how much money has been expended in each village, that all may see that they have not been neglected. It is true, we pay no regard to location as to the amount expended in this or that section of the town, but make the repairs wherever they are most needed, and build the streets wherever the town accepts their laying out, and put in the culverts where they are needed, as fast as we can with the means at our command. The past year being unusually dry, and conse- quently unfavorable for working upon the highways, we have availed ourselves of the opportunity to put in several much needed culverts; some of them being very large. Those at Cheese Cake Brook are arched eight feet in the clear ; and the whole one thousand twenty-eight feet of stone culverts which have been put in the various parts of the town are large and substantial, and probably will last during the lives of the present generation, if not disturbed. We have also put in two thousand six hundred sixty-seven feet of drain-pipe fifteen and eighteen inches in the clear, and paved one thousand one hundred feet of surface- drains. We have run the stone-crusher all we could with- out materially interfering with the other work, as it takes quite a force to operate it to advantage. Tremont Street has been graded with crushed stones, and several other streets in the vicinity of the crusher; using several thousand loads of the crushed stones. We have been more particu.
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lar than formerly in giving a detailed statement, so far as we can in this Report, as some of our people seem to be desirous that a more rapid progress should be made, or that some other system should be adopted for the repairing of our highways. With regard to the best method of re- pairing roads, there are as many plans suggested as there are writers on the subject; and what is thought best for some localities is entirely unfit for other localities. That our roads may be made wider, more level, and better, with a prodigal expenditure of money, no one will presume to doubt; but that our roads are keeping fully up to our increasing wealth and population is universally conceded by all outside the town.
We venture to predict that no town in the State can show so many miles of good roads as can be found here. The town now owns twelve horses, and has all the imple- ments for road-making, and snow-ploughs for clearing side- walks and streets, besides a superintendent who has had four years of practical experience in road-repairing, and, of course, is better qualified now than a new man would probably be. We think the fault is not in the system : it may be in the parties which control it. We therefore recommend the continuance of the system until a better one can be found, and thirty-six thousand dollars appro- priation for highway purposes. As this system embraces new roads, as well as the repairs of existing roads, this amount may be needed. The town has already ordered the widening of Franklin Street, and may accept the laying- out of other new streets which will be reported. Green- wood Street needs important repairs, which should be done early in the season.
LIGHTING STREETS.
We recommend the same sum as last year for this pur- pose, which was eight thousand dollars. It has ceased to be a question of expediency as to the lighting of our streets, and has become one of the general items of ex-
72
pense, - as much so as the repairing of the streets. We recommend the assuming of all the expense and charge of keeping in repair all the posts and lanterns which have been erected, and of erecting all that may be needed hereafter. We do this for the reason that lanterns are fre- quently broken; and, as they are individual property, the town refuses to repair them, and the people are left in darkness until the party who erected said lanterns chooses to make necessary repairs. Meanwhile the town is paying for the gas the same as though people enjoyed the light, as a contract is made with the Gas Company for so much a post for the year. Complaint is frequently made by the Gas Company, that the lights are burned all night in some of the villages, which, no doubt, is true, as, under the pres- ent arrangement, the local selectman has the looking-after them ; which he cannot well do, unless he is about home. Another objection to the present arrangement is, that, the town requiring individuals to erect the posts and lanterns at their own expense, there is no uniformity in their erec- tion, as only suclı persons as feel able do it; and thus we find long distances on our principal streets which are not lighted. Should the town assume the expense, the posts would be erected at proper distances ; and an arrangement could be made with the Gas Company to light them.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The expense of this department exceeds the appropria- tion made last year, which was ten thousand dollars, the actual expense being $10,644.32: this includes the chemical engine at Auburndale, and nine fire-extinguishers, which cost $1,463.00. While we fully appreciate the services of our firemen and engineers, and their efforts to save our prop- erty from destruction by fire, yet we are compelled to say that the department is sustained at a greater expense than its present efficiency will justify ; and we fully concur with the chief engineer, that the time has arrived when we should begin to substitute steam-engines for the hand en-
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gines. It is now two years since the town introduced steam into this department. It was then considered by many as an experiment of doubtful utility ; but, during this time, the steamer has done sufficient service to fully demonstrate the necessity of substituting steam-engines for the hand- engines throughout the town. Already the West Newton division is calling for a steamer : either a hand steamer, or a light one-horse steamer with a single pump, is suggested by some ; probably on account of the cost being less. We find objections to both of these engines. The one will re- quire a large number of men to draw it. to a fire; and the other, with its single pump, might be disabled at the very time its services were most needed. While we would urge the strictest economy in this as well as in other depart- ments, we are of the opinion that a large steamer with double pumps will prove the most economical in the end ; and the cost will not be very much greater. With a steamer at Newton Corner, West Newton, Newton Centre, Upper and Lower Falls, and a chemical engine at Auburn- dale and Newtonville, the town would be well protected. It may be said by some, that we have not water enough for the steamers. That argument will apply equally well, if not better, to the hand machines. If we have but little water, let us apply that speedily, and save the property, instead of sprinkling it on, and letting the buildings be destroyed while we are doing it.
We consider the telegraphic fire-alarm a very impor- tant appendage to this department, and hope it will soon be established. When done, it will obviate, the necessity of sending for an engine, or of the engines being started out upon any uncertainty as to the place of the fire. We do not make these suggestions expecting their approval this year, but simply that the people may consider them, believ- ing, that, at no very distant day, the town will see the obvi- ous necessity of their adoption.
For particulars as to service and condition of the depart. ment, we refer you to the Chief Engineer's Report, which will be found in another part of this book.
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ALMSHOUSE EXPENSES, AND POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
We recommend the sum of four thousand dollars for these two items. Last year, our appropriation for this purpose was four thousand eight hundred dollars; the amount ex- pended was three thousand nine hundred three dollars and eighty-four cents ; and we see no reason to look for an in- crease of expenses at the almshouse, from the fact that we have a much smaller number of inmates than at any former period.
Seven of the inmates have died within the last fourteen months. The united ages of five of them is four hundred and eight years. The other two died of consumption. under twenty years. Thus the present number in the house is fourteen, two of whom are hopelessly insane, and three are seventy years old and upwards.
Since the present warden and his excellent wife have had the charge of the almshouse, which is now twelve years, twenty of the inmates have died ; seventeen of them having lived beyond the allotted period of mankind, - three-score years and ten, - the others having died young, with consumption.
Travelling paupers are getting to be quite numerous, and are a great nuisance to towns. Some of them are very filthy, which makes the position of the matron one of great care and responsibility. The whole number taken into the house, and provided with supper, lodging, and breakfast, during the past twelve years, is three thousand two hun- dred and eighty-six. The number during the past year is four hundred and forty-four. Mr. Ware will remain warden another year, having been engaged by the overseers of the poor.
Poor out of Almshouse. - In a population like ours, com- posed of persons intelligent and self-respecting, there exists a strong aversion to entering the almshouse to be wholly supported by the town. They ask for a little coal or wood, and a few groceries, and a moderate amount of clothing, to assist them through a cold winter ; and, when the brighter
75
days of spring come, they again provide for themselves. There is in the name of " pauper " something to which people having been self-reliant in their better days de- cidedly object ; and, when such persons are driven by the pangs of hunger and cold to seek relief, they ask that it may be furnished to them in their humble places of abode. This feeling is fully appreciated by the overseers of the poor ; and they feel it to be a duty which is imperative, as well as humane, to thus provide for those whose bitterest part of poverty is their consciousness of being dependent upon others for support. The amount paid last year for poor out of almshouse was one thousand nine hundred seventy- six dollars and ninety cents. This amount includes the expense of the support of persons in the insane hospitals, the reform schools for boys and girls, the nautical school- ship, and other humane and correctional institutions.
INSURANCE.
The failure of the Home Insurance Company of New Haven, in which the town had property insured to the amount of thirty-two thousand dollars, made it necessary for them to cancel the policies, and for us to get renewals in other offices. The appropriation for insurance last year was seventeen hundred dollars ; the amount paid was two thousand six hundred eighty-one dollars and fifty cents. By a careful examination of the policies, which will expire the ensuing year, the amount named in the estimate, fifteen hundred dollars, will be sufficient for this purpose, should no more companies fail in which the town is. insured. The loss to the town by the failure is seven hundred dollars. The town now has insurance upon its property to the amount of $261,345.00.
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