USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1871-1872 > Part 4
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28 85
printing questions for Grammar and High Schools, advertising High-School examinations,
44 00
66 66 jury lists, warrants for town meet- ings, assessors' notices, tax-bills, &c., 439 37
S. Ward & Co., printing,
17 50
22 00
Rand, Avery, & Co.," 66 66 Rules of Board of School Committee and Course of Study, &c. 173 50
$1,810 67
63
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Marshall S. Rice, services as civil engineer, $235 00 66
for recording and returning 318 births, 95 40
66 66 for recording and returning 132 deaths, 18 30
66
66 for recording and returning 126 marriages, 18 90
for stationery, postage, and writing deeds, 52 65
J. F. C. Hyde, for services as auctioneer, record- ing deed, &c.
Samuel Ward & Co., for stationery and record books,
126 95
Blake's Express, repairs on wagon,
2 25
H. N. Hyde, jun., on account for filling reser- voir, 12 00
J. Johnson, stone for cistern,
6 00
Little, Brown, & Co., law-books for Selectmen's office, 20 35
F. S. Benson, services as civil engineer, 30 00
"
E. Woodward, 70 73
M. T. Heywood, for painting flag-staff, Newton- ville, 41 00
66
for paper-hanging, 10 47
66 66 for guide-boards, 2 00
Geo. Fuller, for sign and lettering,
2 50
J. O. Evans & Son, for painting flag-staff, New- ton Corner, 35 69
“ for painting and lettering signs, 10 95
Charles Cole, paid for labor on lock-up,
56 78
66 " bedding for
5 00
C. H. Hurd, damage to horse on account of de- fect in highway, 50 00
R. M. Lucas, for repairs on lock-up, 20 71
Stephen Cate, refreshments for Town Officers, 31 00
John Stearns, for repairs on carriage, 5 00
Geo. W. Lamson, for repairs at police station,
17 62
L. A. Peck, fixtures for police office,
2 70
Geo. F. Brackett, rent of Middlesex Hall for G. A. R. 64 00
Kern & Fitch, for examining titles to land,
18 50
Amount carried forward,
$1,077 95
66
15 50
Amount brought forward, $1,077 95
A. H. Cushman, refreshments for Town officers, 183 25
Thos. Rice, jun., expenses of Selectmen in pur- chasing Steamer No. 2, 35 00
R. S. Bullard, express charges, 5 00
Thos. L. Whiton, for posting notices,
4 00
Geo. F. Morgan, making return of changes in real estate to assessors, 153 65
John E. Fitzgerald, granite posts for street bounds, 21 00
Wm. H. Phillips, for work in old burying- ground, 35 25
Chas. H. Jenison, express charges,
9 75
Orrin Whipple, for guide-boards, 15 00
Seth Davis, service as civil engineer,
25 00
J. A. Peck, for work on Oak-hill Cemetery, 66 paid for repairs on hearse, 96 75
17 50
Henry Jenison, for labor at Station 1 cottage, 5 00
D. H. Mason, for professional services,
308 66
John Whitney, for 1 guide-board,
2 00
J. E. Cousens, for labor on watering-trough, Centre Street, 8 13
Clark & Fox, gas-shade, Town Hall.
2 00
F. A. Collins, use of horse and carriage for as- sessors,
75 00
66 66 travelling expenses on account for repairs on school-houses, and postage, 18 32
Cephas Brigham, for examining title to land and writing deed, 13 75
J. J. Ware, for warning Town Meetings, 95 00
A. B. Cobb, paid car-fare, carriage-hire, and post- age for Assessors, 57 12
Geo. E. Allen, use of horse and carriage on ac- count for repairs on school-houses, 50 00
Shedd & Sawyer, services as civil engineers, 200 00
M. T. Heywood, for 2 voting-boxes, 11 00
Carter, Rice, & Co., for paper, 12 60
Rand, Avery, & Co., for printing bill-heads, 6 00
J. L. Fairbanks, for stationery for Selectmen's office, 78 25
Amount carried forward, $2,705 05
Isaac Hagar, paid travelling expenses, postage, and stationery on account for Assessors and Auditors, 83 12
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Amount brought forward, $2,705 05 U. S. Ventilating Co., for ventilating Town Hall, 350 00 W. B. Lock, for labor at Town Hall, 2 00
J. A. Peck, for making return of deaths, 2 00
Tainter's Express, 60
E. J. Collins, for postage and revenue stamps, 19 61
66 for making return of tax payers to Selectmen, 22 00
66 66 for attending meetings of Selectmen, 47 00
$3,148 26
NEWTON CEMETERY.
Henry Ross, for grading town lots,
$500 00
" MEMORIAL DAY."
Sundry bills,
500 00
CONCRETING SIDEWALKS.
Paid Simpson Brothers,
$6,765 18
Tainter & Tripp, 1,016 15
66 White Brothers,
118 00
66 John O. Williams,
120 90
66 D. W. Bailey & Co.,
288 75
$8,308 96
CR.
Amount charged to highways,
$1,511 44
66 66 to sidewalks,
3,398 76
collected of abuttors, 1,910 20
Due from abuttors, 1,488 56
$8,308 96
REBUILDING NORTH-VILLAGE SCHOOL-HOUSE.
Amount paid, in part of expense, $7,000 00
9
66
KENRICK FUND.
Balance, Jan. 1, 1871, $39 01
Interest received since Jan. 1, 1871,
200 00
$239 01
Amount distributed to the "industrious poor of Newton," as per direction of the donor, $200 00
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1872, 39 01
Amount of investments, Jan. 1, 1872,
4,000 00
$4,039 01
Respectfully submitted,
ISAAC HAGAR,
HENRY FULLER, Auditors.
SAML. N. WOODWARD,
NEWTON, Feb. 13, 1872.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
THE rapid extension of the town over territory hereto- fore unoccupied demands outlays for its accommodation in the new localities. The steady growth of our population, with the whole tide of facilities necessary for its con- venience and support, all point to a future which must, at whatever cost, be furnished with means and appliances commensurate with our increasing wants. But even this consideration, supported though it should be by a full treasury, and by the well-known liberality of our people, does not justify prodigal expenditures, since the general truths applicable to the thrift and success of individual enterprise are equally pertinent to corporate institutions, whether for business or government. In the affairs of this, as of every community, there are certain objects and in- terests which are purely incidental or experimental, and others which are permanent and certain; and the suc- cessful study and application of economy depend much upon discrimination at this point.
The first of these classes of objects admits of the prac- tice of the most rigorous and stringent pecuniary limita- tions consistent with a proper provision for immediate wants, and, more than this, is liable to leave monuments of folly behind it; while the latter class admits of the ampler scale which looks to the requirements of growth and prog- ress ; the governing principle in each case being respec- tively the same that guides the prudent man in the regula- tion of his current expenses, and in the selection of his permanent investments. No mistake can be greater than to
68
provide for an age what may be superseded in a day, or to build for a day what should have compassed the wants of a generation.
With the municipal systems that prevail in Massachu- setts, the Town Hall is where its democracy holds its annual meeting. And the most profitable way the people can spend a little of the leisure time of early spring is in care- fully and thoroughly deliberating, discussing, and maturing the measures they adopt.
The following estimates, made in compliance with a vote of the Town, are only to meet the expense of the items named in the estimate. Should the Town vote to build a school-house or engine-house, or to purchase a steamer, or to erect a fire-alarm telegraph, or to introduce water, or any other matter involving expense, provision must be made to meet it.
ESTIMATE OF THE EXPENSES FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.
Interest on town debt,
$24,500 00 .
Schools,
59,000 00
Evening schools,
1,000 00
Mechanical drawing-schools,
1,000 00
Incidentals for schools,
15,000 00
Fire department,
12,000 00
Almshouse expenses,
1,500 00
Poor out of almshouse,
3,000 00
Repairs on almshouse,
500 00
Ordinary repairs on highways and bridges,
30,000 00
New roads and permanent improvements on old roads,
45,000 00
Salaries,
10,000 00
Printing,
2,500 00
Insurance,
1,500 00
Police,
7,000 00
Lighting streets,
15,000 00
Miscellaneous expenses,
1,500 00
$230,000 00
69
INTEREST.
The amount required for interest is estimated at $24,500 ; which amount is to cover the interest on the town debt, and on temporary loans that will be wanted. It will be seen by the following statement, that the town debt has been increased by $30,858 63.
This increase of debt is in consequence of sundry ap- propriations made by the Town, for which no grant was made ; among which are : a new school-house at West New- ton, new engine-houses at Auburndale and Newtonville, steam-fire engine and fixtures at West Newton, land for school-house at Newtonville, additional appropriations for highways and gravel, &c.
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Amount of loans,
$371,000 00
Accrued interest on loans to Feb. 13, 1872, 7,166 00
$378,166 00
ASSETS OF THE TOWN.
Amount in Treasurer's hands, Feb. 13, 1872, $39,920 90
66 due from the State on account of corporation tax, 2,325 88
State aid furnished prior to Feb. 1, 1872,
1,811 00
Balance of taxes for 1869,
1,156 87
66 " 1870.
2,075 53
66 " 1871, 13,630 33
Due from sundry persons for concreting sidewalks,
1,488 56
Due from the State for rent of armory,
400 00
Due for board of insane persons,
378 00
62,177 09
Debt of the town, Feb. 13, 1872,
315,988 91
66 Feb. 13, 1871,
285,120 28
Increase of debt,
$30,858 63
70
The value of taxable property of the town in 1871 was : -
Real estate,
$12,770,420 00
Personal estate,
6,615,593 00
Corporate stock taxed by the State,
1,320,700 00
Taxable value of bank-stock,
810,000 00
Total taxable value of the town,
$21,516,713 00
Town grant last year,
$185,000 00
State tax,
23,425 00
County tax,
9,536 29
Overlayings,
5,560 03
Tax on Corporate stock,
20,586 12
Tax on bank stock,
11,740 44
Insurance received on North-Village school-house,
8,815 79
Return premiums of insurance,
284 00
State school fund received,
577 39
Dog tax received,
617 40
Received from State on account of Claflin Guards,
618 00
Due for concrete sidewalks,
3,398 76
Received for use of Town Hall,
594 50
Received from sundry accounts,
216 00
Interest received from Newton Bank,
698 45
Amount of loans paid,
17,500 00
SCHOOLS.
The School Committee ask for fifty-nine thousand dollars, being an increase of five thousand dollars over last year. This additional sum is required to meet the growing wants of the schools. They also ask for an additional sum of fif- teen thousand dollars for school incidentals. Two thousand dollars of this amount is required in addition to insurance received, to meet the cost of rebuilding the North-Village school-house, which was partially destroyed by fire last fall.
One thousand dollars is required to meet the expenses of evening schools, and one thousand dollars for the me- chanical drawing-schools. The past year a new code of
71
Rules and Regulations has been introduced by the Commit- tee for the government of the schools, which we believe to be a great improvement over the old method. If any thing is now lacking for the health of the children, it is in the ventilation of some of our older school-houses. We have no doubt but the proper authorities are looking after this mat- ter, and will give it such attention as it needs, if any.
Since our last report the School Committee have ap- pointed a Superintendent of the Schools, who, in connection with the very efficient School Committee, are placing our schools among the foremost in the State.
The Report of the School Committee is published with this Report, and should be our guide to all matters pertain- ing to this department.
The past eight or ten years our heavy expenditures of money have been largely for educational purposes. New and commodious school-houses have been erected in all of our villages, upon the most approved plans, both for con- venience and accommodation of the large increase of pupils. Something more will have to be done from year to year in the same direction, but the annual appropriation for this purpose will be very considerably less than formerly.
HIGHWAYS.
Our next heavy expenditures will be for the better sys- tem and improvements in our roads. The rapid increase of population in the town is pressing hard for new roads, and the widening and regrading of many of the old ones.
During the past year the County Commissioners have re- peatedly been called within our borders to lay out new streets, or to widen and straighten old ones. Orders have been issued by them for a new avenue over the hill from West Newton, to intersect with Homer Street near the cemetery, and thence over Homer Street, which is to be widened to Centre Street near the Congregational Church.
A new road has been laid out, and ordered to be built, from West Roxbury to Brookline, near the Chestnut-hill Reservoir, which passes over a corner of our town, near
72
its southern boundary. This has been done jointly by the Norfolk and Middlesex County Commissioners. Among others, we find Derby Street, running from Cherry Street to Waltham line, to be graded ; Auburn Street, from Bourne's Hill to Weston line, to be regraded ; Concord Street, Lower Falls, from Washington Street to Weston line, to be widened and regraded ; Centre Street, between the Corner and Cen- tre, to be widened near the burial-ground ; and Washington Street between Newton Corner and Newtonville.
The estimated cost of these roads, with Highland Street, which has already been accepted by the Town, will be, ac- cording to the best estimate we can get, about twenty-seven thousand six hundred and fifty dollars. -
While the County Commissioners have been kept at work, your Selectmen have not been allowed to remain idle. A large number of petitions of the same general character have been presented for our consideration. We have endeavored to give a full and impartial hearing to the numerous petitioners, and have responded to their re- quests so far as in our judgment it was necessary for the present wants of the town. Others, that did not appear to be of immediate importance, have been duly referred for future action.
Should the Town accept of the laying out of the streets already presented in the warrant for their action, an appro- priation of seventeen thousand three hundred and fifty dol- lars will be required to put them in suitable condition for the travelling public.
This amount, together with the amount estimated for the Commissioners' roads, makes the sum of forty-five thousand dollars in the schedule for new roads and permanent im- provements on old ones, and all or very nearly all of which we are of the opinion should be expended during the ensuing year.
The County Commissioners have several other petitions before them for adjudication, among which are the widen- ing and grading of Beacon Street from the Centre east- ward to the Chestnut-hill Reservoir; Walnut Street from
73
Waltham line through Newtonville to Centre Street, near the Highland Station on the Hartford and Erie Railroad ; also the widening and grading of Washington Street from Beacon Street to Charles River at the Lower Falls.
Of the ordinary repairs for highways and bridges, we will only say that under the present system the cost will be about the same as heretofore, which we have estimated at thirty thousand dollars.
The purchase of a new steamer the past year created a necessity for procuring four more horses, with harness and other equipments, which has been done, and they are lo- cated at West Newton, - to be used on the highways when their service is not required in the fire department.
The following statement will show where the money has been expended on highways the past season.
At Oak Hall,
$2,500 00
" Highlands,
400 00
" Upper Falls,
1,500 00
" Lower Falls, 1,000 00
" Auburndale, 1,700 00
" West Newton,
6,000 00
" Newtonvillle,
5,000 00
" Newton Corner,
6,300 00
Centre,
5,500 00
LIGHTING STREETS.
In pursuance of the vote of the town, we have taken pos- session of all the street lanterns and fixtures in the town, and put them in good repair, and added thereto about two hundred new posts and lanterns ; making in all, four hun- dred and fifty-six lights. We have contracted with the Newton & Watertown Gas-Light Co., to furnish gas, to light, and to keep in repair all of the gas-burning lights in the town at a stipulated price per lamp. This sum, with the cost for lighting the oil lamps, will amount to the sum asked for to defray the expenses of this department.
10
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FIRE-DEPARTMENT.
This department never was in so good condition as it is to-day. A new first-class steamer and hose-carriage of the Amoskeag pattern and make, with a thousand feet of new hose, have been added to the fire apparatus the past year, and located at West Newton Village, for which a room has been fitted up in the Town Hall Building.
An engine-house has been erected at Auburndale, and one at Newtonville, for the accommodation of the chemical en- gines located in these villages. As the practical worth of chemical engines for extinguishing fires had not been fully tested, and considering the possibility that something more efficient might be required, the Board deemed it necessary in erecting these houses, to make them of suitable dimen- sions for all future wants.
The lack of water for fire purposes is about the only thing that prevents our fire department from being able to cope successfully and speedily with any fire that may break out in our town.
This lack of water might be partially remedied without a very great expense. First, by building wharves alongside of our ponds, brooks, and running streams, for our fire- engines to stand upon, and preparing a basin adjacent thereto, in which the suction-hose can be submerged. In this way many of our running brooks may be made availa ble for fire purposes, in localities where they are now inac- cessible, provided the right could be obtained of the land- owners for this purpose. Second, pipes might be laid from some of our ponds into the villages, with suitable connec- tions at intervals for attaching the engines ; a small pipe laid from the Baptist pond to the reservoir in the square in front of the Centre School-house, - they being on the same level, or very nearly so - the water would flow through, and give at once a never-failing supply in that vicinity. In the same manner, a pipe might be laid from the brook between Newtonville and Newton Corner, and give the latter village an ample supply of water for almost any contingency. Third,
75
we can avail ourselves of the law of 1867, giving us the right to tap the Cochituate Aqueduct for fire purposes ; and, with pipes, convey the water therefrom to several of our villages.
The fire-alarm telegraph is very much needed as a con- necting link between the several engine-houses for giving immediate notice of a fire and of its whereabouts ; which arrangement will at once obviate the necessity of sending a messenger for an engine, and to remove all doubts in the minds of the engineers whether to start or not.
ALMSHOUSE EXPENSES, AND POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
We recommend the sum of four thousand and five hun- dred dollars for these two items; which, judging from the past, will be needed for the coming year to defray the ex- penses of this department.
Our number of travelling paupers is largely on the in- crease. We have provided food and lodgings for about nine hundred of these travellers the past year, either at the almshouse or station-houses. Some of them, we have no doubt, are fit subjects for the work-houses, rather than to be travelling about the country. Itis very difficult to dis- criminate between the worthy and unworthy poor, which leaves the only alternative for us to furnish them with tem porary relief.
The present number of inmates at the almshouse is eleven. .
It is a pleasure to us to be able to report that the affairs of the almshouse continue to be conducted with the same care- ful fidelity as heretofore, by our efficient Warden, aided by his excellent wife. Mr. Ware has been engaged for another year to continue in the service of the town as Warden and Superintendent of Highways under the Selectmen.
COMPANY OF MILITIA.
In October, 1870, under proper authority, a company of Volunteer Militia was organized in this town, and assigned to the First Regiment M. V. M.
76
The laws of the Commonwealth, requiring that the town shall furnish an armory for the same, the Board of Select- men, after careful investigation, decided to lease the hall now occupied by said company for five years, and obtained such lease on favorable terms. Appropriations for fitting up the same have been made, but an additional amount will be necessary to make the preparation of the hall complete. An appropriation for the above, not to exceed five hundred dollars, is desired.
INSURANCE.
In consequence of the failure of the Atlantic Insurance Company of Rhode Island, and the Excelsior Insurance Company of New York, we were obliged to re-insure some of the town's property which was insured in these offices. The amount of the policies thus taken is one hundred and seventy-four dollars.
Several policies of insurance will expire during the ensu- ing year, and the amount of fifteen hundred dollars, asked for, will be needed to meet this liability. The loss of the North-Village School-house by fire last fall is another re- minder to keep the town's property fully insured.
POLICE.
The expenses of this department have been largely in- creased the past year on account of the urgent demands of the people in the several villages for further protection.
If the same police force which is now on duty be kept in the service the ensuing year, the sum of seven thousand dollars will be required to meet the expenses of the same.
There are other matters which might properly be alluded to, were it not that the Auditors' Report is very carefully made up, every item of expense being classified under its appropriate head, to which we invite a careful examination.
The Report of the Board of Engineers of the Fire De- partment, School Committee, Water Committee, and Re-
.
77
gistrar's Report, can all be found under their special head- ings in this book.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
THOMAS RICE, JUN., GEORGE E. BRIDGES, MARCUS T. HEYWOOD, ISAAC F. KINGSBURY, CHARLES E. RANLETT, LUCIUS G. PRATT, OTIS PETTEE,
Selectmen
of Newton.
NEWTON, Feb. 14, 1872.
REPORT OF ENGINEER
OF THE
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS department is in good condition, and will compare favorably with any other town of the Commonwealth. During the year, the Town have purchased a Steam Fire Engine, for West Newton, a Hook and Ladder Carriage for Newtonvillle, and have also thoroughly repaired Steamer No. 1, Newton Corner. They have built a new engine-house at Newtonville and Auburndale, and furnished them with all the appurtenances necessary. Steamer No. 2 has been temporarily located in Town Hall building. We think it advisable for the Town to purchase land and erect a building suitable for her accommodation. Newton Centre is now calling for a steam fire-engine. We would advise the purchase of one yearly, until we have a full steam depart- ment. We also think it necessary for the Town to take some immediate action to secure a supply of water for fire purposes. We would urge the importance of a fire-alarm telegraph : we are satisfied that this is an important addi. tion, if not an absolute necessity, to the efficiency of the department. It will prevent confusion, cause prompt and united action, and save the Town a large sum yearly in unnecessary wear of apparatus, which cannot be avoided under the present arrangements. Our chemical engines have had some good tests the past year, and have done ex- cellent service in checking the flames until the arrival of the steamers. The Town has been comparatively free from large fires, but the rapid growth of the Town, and the neces-
79
sary increase of the labors of the department, call for a larger appropriation to enable us to pay for services rendered.
NO. 1 STEAMER. - NEWTON VILLAGE.
This engine has been thoroughly repaired the past season. There is a hose company attached of fifteen men. They are always prompt and faithful. Number of fires attended during the year, 18; number worked at, 9.
NO. 2 STEAMER. - WEST NEWTON.
This engine was accepted by the Selectmen Oct. 9, 1871 ; she is a second-class Manchester machine, and gives entire satisfaction. There is a hose company of fifteen men connected with it, who are always ready and willing to do their duty. They have been called out eight times, and worked at four fires.
CATARACT, NO. 1. - NEWTON LOWER FALLS.
The engine is in good order, and has a company of forty- five men : they are always faithful to their duties as fire- men. Called out fourteen times during the year, worked at four fires.
WM. CLAFLIN, NO. 1, CHEMICAL. - NEWTONVILLE.
This engine has done good service the past year, she has a good company, and they are always on hand ; have worked at nine fires.
MONITOR, NO. 2, CHEMICAL. - AUBURNDALE.
She has a company of fifteen men, all good firemen ; always on hand for duty, and have done good service. Have been called out ten times during the year.
TRITON, NO. 3. - WEST NEWTON.
She has no company, is kept in good working order, ready to be used if needed.
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MECHANIC, NO. 4. - UPPER FALLS.
The engine is in good order and repair ; has a fine com- pany ready for duty. Have been called out four times, and worked once.
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