USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1876-1877 > Part 2
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express charges,
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4 90
-
-
- $ 72 66
$161 81 - Amount of orders drawn, - -
19
DECORATION OF SOLDIERS' GRAVES.
Paid J. C. Cook, Chairman of Veteran Association amount appropriation,
$100 00
CISTERNS.
Paid David Crowell, for labor on cisterns, $3 00
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
For 1873, -
-
-
-
-
-
$376 16
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
Paid E. L. Hill, for printing, - $16 50
Hollis and Gunn, -
22 50
So. Abington Band, services and fares, 214 30
H. E. Cox, for boarding band, 55 00
4 30
Reading, 9 60
F. J. Bancroft, for music, -
13 20
Daniel Creesy, firing three national salutes, 46 00
Stevens & Lang, for tar for bonfires, 12 00
Hyde & Co., for fireworks, 50 00
O. A. Ruggles, $10 ; William Ward and D. A. Emery, $5, prizes awarded, 15 00
for three pieces music for dancing, -
9 00
use flying boats, -
-
12 00
prizes, -
-
5 50
sacks, &c., - - -
3 40
R. S. Bowen & Co., for use of tent, and put- ting up same, 27 70
N. W. Broad, labor & material for band stand, 8 37 66 fireworks, 2 18
Bancroft & Temple, labor and materials for stands, tables and seats, 36 00
AMOUNT CARRIED FORWARD, $ 562 55
-
-
-
239 38
1875, - - - -
-
99 09
1876, -
-
-
26 45
$11 24
1874, -
-
J. C. Cook, expenses procuring band, 66 fares of band between Boston and
20
AMOUNT BROUGHT FORWARD, $562 55
Paid William L. Crowe, for supplies for dinner, 26 54
C. H. Moulton, for use of six horse team, 16 00
Solon A. Parker, for labor in grove,
5 00
J. A. Smith, services as special police, 5 50
Joseph Hibbert, 5 00
C. C. Cummings, 66
-
5 00
J. H. Griggs, for ringing bell, 3 00
Harland P. Pratt, -
3 00
Hyde & Co., for flags, - 7 00
William L. Crowe and others, watching in grove, 5 00 M. E. Nichols, watching fire, 1 00
Lyceum Hall Association, for use of hall, 5 00
James Reid & Co., ribbon for badges, I 35
C. H. Robinson, posting and distributing bills, 2 50
Pollard & Leighton, for batons and rosettes, 5 67
$659 11
Less Celebration Fund, 65 60
$593 51
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid Lyceum Hall Association for use of Hall for Town Meetings, $50 00
G. C. Gleason for returning deaths to town clerk, -
8 00
H. E. Cox for enforcing dog law, -
11 00
J. C. Cook painting band stand and flag staff, 15 50
Parker and Stone refreshments at fire at W. R. Perkins, - 13 46
Parker and Stone refreshments at fire at S. D. Niles, -
22 09
Jacob Jones for pump for watering trough Main street, - 13 00
J. L. Pratt for watering trough, Charles street, 1 00
J. H. Griggs for witness fees in Whittredge case, -
2 90
George W. Dean for ringing bell, 3 50
AMOUNTS CARRIED FORWARD, $140 45
21
AMOUNT BROUGHT FORWARD), $140 45
Paid Nathan Bancroft care and repair of town flag, 6 75
M. H. Garfield, painting and lettering street signs, 10 00
Dudley Melendy burying dead horses, 14 00
Benjamin Peabody repairing pump on common 3 50
George Beasley, setting tree on common, 2 00
-- $176 70
SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation for schools - $8500 00
incidental school expenses, 1000 00
repair of highways and extra highway work, 3000 00
fire department.
-
1700 00
public library, -
300 00
improvement of cemetery,
300 00
interest on town debt, 4300 00
payment of town debt, $1 on each $1000 of valuation,
2375 00
ordinary expenses, 4000 00
decoration of soldiers' graves,
100 00
building culvert across Main and Ash streets, 400 00
building extension of Elliott street,
150 00
repair of hearse, - 75 00
Overlaying of taxes, -
State tax,
-
-
2340 00
County. tax, -
-
816 61
State aid,
-
-
-
1106 00
Corporation tax, -
434 42
Bank tax,
566 95
Massachusetts school fund, -
-
232 46
Dog licences,
242 25
Auctioneer license,
-
-
2 00
Liquor licenses, -
100 00
AMOUNT CARRIED FORWARD,
$33,383 35
-
-
-
1342 66
22
AMOUNT BROUGHT FORWARD. $33,383 35
Interest on taxes,
-
-
619 93
" deposits, - -
-
50 00
Celebration fund,
65 60
Betterments, -
40 00
For street lamp and fixtures,
15 00
For abating nuisance at Way place (so called), 10 00
Cash drawn for fireman in past years, not called for, IO 35
from town of Wakefield, for supplies for Mrs. Oliver, 266 14
from town of Wakefield,for supplies for H. Walter Brown, 259 02
from City of Boston for supplies to Mrs. Lloyd, - 3º 75
from City of Springfield, for supplies to O. N. Wilder, - 15 00
Due from city of Springfield, for supplies for O. N. Wilder, 23 00
from city of Boston, for supplies for Mrs. Lloyd, 23 25
from town of Malden, for supplies for Sarah L. Penney, - 213 71
from State for burial of T. V. W. Johansen, 10 00
-$35.035 10
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for schools, $8361 30 - -
school incidentals, - - -
936 91
supplies at almshouse, - -
225 27
poor out of almshouse,
-
2034 93
supplies for 1546 tramps, 40 c. each,
618 40
town officers,
1754 25
town office,
-
-
-
180 98
printing, -
-
-
196 00
public library, -
-
-
542 25
cemetery, -
300 00
land damages,
-
-
-
20 00
street lights,
-
-
372 66
AMOUNT CARRIED FORWARD,
$15,542 95
-
-
23
AMOUNT BROUGHT FORWARD,
$15,542 95
Paid for repair of highways,
- 3000 00
building Summer Street, -
135 13
building extension of Elliott Street,
150 00
clearing snow, -
89 98
fire department,
-
-
1675 03
labor on cisterns, -
-
-
3 00
abatement of taxes,
376 16
miscellaneous expenses, -
-
176 70
decoration of soldiers' graves, -
100 00
. state aid, -
-
1303 85
state tax, -
-
-
-
2340 00
county tax, - .
-
816 61 -
interest on town debt, -
-
4337 04
centennial celebration,
659 II
State on liquor licenses,
-
-
25 00
-$30,730 56
Total receipts, -
$35,035 10
Total expenditures,
30,730 56
Receipts more than expenses,
$4304 54
VALUATION FOR 1876.
Real estate, -
-
-
-
- $2,109,154
Personal estate,
-
-
-
-
- 267,508
Total valuation, - - -
- $2,376,662
Amount of taxes assessed, -
-
$30,699 27 -
Rate of taxation, $12 20 on $1000
Poll tax, - $2 00
Numbers of inhabitants according to census of 1875, 3186
JOSEPH L. PRATT, SELECTMEN, ASSESSORS, J. B. LEATHE, OVERSEERS OF POOR AND JAMES REID, BOARD OF HEALTH.
-
·
-
-
-
-
W. WALLACE DAVIS, Collector,
IN ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN OF READING.
DR.
To Tax list for collection, $30,699 27
Interest collected,
96 27
-- $30,795 54
CR.
By Cash paid J. A. Bancroft, Treasurer,
Interest collected, $96 27
Taxes collected,
22,703 63
Total, -- $22,799 90
Uncollected taxes, 1876,
7,995 64
$30,795 54
W. WALLACE DAVIS, COLLECTOR.
READING, March 15, 1877.
Dr.
JAMES A. BANCROFT, Treasurer, in account with the Town of Reading. Cr.
To Balance in Treasury, March 1, 1876,
$12,296 47
By paying Selectmen's orders,
$23,211 91
Town debt,
21,194 00
Cash of Town of Wakefield, for support of Mrs. A. E. Oliver,
266 14
Interest on debt,
4,337 04
Cash of Town of Wakefield, for support of H. W. Brown,
259 02
816 61
City of Springfield, for support of O. N. Wilder,
15 00
State Treasurer, liquor license,
25 00
City of Boston. for support of Luella Lloyd,
3º 75
Corporation Tax,
434 42
National Bank Tax,
566 95
Interest on Taxes,
523 66
Balance in Treasury of uncollected taxes, 1873,
$17 53
" Deposits,
50 00
State Aid,
1106 00
1875,
2008 70
Auctioneer's License,
2 00
Cash,
3837 75
Liquor Licenses,
100 00
Betterments,
40 00
Celebration Fund,
65 60
School Fund,
232 46
Dog Licenses.
242 25
Cash for Street Lamps,
15 00
Cash for Abating Nuisance,
10 00
Cash drawn for Firemen in past years not called for,
10 35
Hired Money,
18,919 00
Cash of W. Wallace Davis, Collector,
22,800 00
READING, March 15, 1877.
$57,985 07
State tax,
2,340 00
County tax,
1874,
196 5.3
$6,060 51
$57,985 07
JAMES A. BANCROFT, TREASURER,
$51,924 56
Auditor's Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1877.
LIABILITIES.
Town notes March 1, 1876, -
-
1877, -
-
- $66,175 00
-
63,900 00 $63,900 00
Decrease during the year, -
- $2,275 00
Interest accrued on Town notes, -
849 26
Due Fire Department, -
-
-
940 00
Miscellaneous debts, -
300 00
2,089 26
Total debt,
65,989 26
AVAILABLE ASSETS.
Unpaid taxes, - - $10,218 30
Due from the State (Aid account), -
-
1,303 85
Cash in treasury, -
-
3,837 75
15,359 90
Net debt March 1, 1877, -
50,629 36
March 1, 1876,
-
-
-
55,069 08
Decrease for the year, -
-
4,439 72
SCHEDULE OF TOWN PROPERTY.
Town farm,
-
-
$4000 00
Personal property at the town farm, - 2516 25
$6516 35
Cemetery land and lots, -
- $2500 00
Hearse,
-
-
125 00
Hearse house,
75 00 - $2700 00
-
-
-
AMOUNT CARRIED FORWARD, $9216 35
27
AMOUNT BROUGHT FORWARD,
$9216 35
Eagle engine and hose carriage,
$700 00
Eagle engine house, -
-
500 00
Hancock engine and hose carriage,
500 00
Hancock engine house,
-
-
1800 00
Washington engine, -
200 00
Washington engine house,
-
-
40 00
Union engine, -
50 00
Hook and ladder carriage, &c.,
400 00
Hook and ladder house,
80 00
Furniture and hose, -
1750 00
$6020 00
Property in town office,
$400 00
School houses and furniture, -
-
35,000 00
Public Library and furniture,
2,200 00
Piano and apparatus in High School,
600 00
37,800 00
$53,436 35
We have examined the books of the Selectmen and Treasurer for the year ending March 1, 1877, and find the same correct and satis- factorily vouched. Your Treasurer has reduced the rate of interest on a large part of your debt from one-half to one per cent., and now average five and eighty-three hundreds per cent.
FREDERICK BANCROFT,
FRANCIS BARTLEY,
AUDITORS.
WILLIAM PROCTOR,
READING, March 16th, 1877.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF ENGINEERS
OF THE
Reading Fire Department.
To the Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of Reading :-
There has been no change in the organization of the Fire Department since our last report. The apparatus is all in good condition and ready for instant use. The force of the Department is one hundred and twenty-one men, including the Board of Engineers. The num- ber of fires during the year to which the Department have been called out are as follows : April 24, 1.15 A.M., house of S. D. Niles. on Woburn Street, damage $4300, fully insured ; June 26, II P.M., cabinet shop of George W. Grouard, on Salem Street, damage $1200, insurance $600 ; July 23, 5.30 A.M., stable of W. R. Perkins, on Main Street, struck by lightning, damage $1600, fully insured (the stable in which this fire originated was totally destroyed and the ffire com- municated to an L which connected the stable with the house of Mr. Perkins, but by the strenuous exertions of the Department the house was saved, and the L left standing in a damaged condition) ; August 16, 11.30 P.M., house of Mrs. Pike, corner of John and Parker Streets, damage $250, fully insured. In addition to the above the stable of S. E. Parker, on Summer Street, and the house of Mr. Burgess, on the hill north of the cemetery, were struck by lightning, but the damage in each instance was slight and no alarm of fire was neces- sary. Our Department has proved itself equal to all emergencies during the year, and we submit this report to our fellow citizens with renewed confidence in its efficiency. A portion of the Fire Depart- ment of Wakefield responded to alarms in this town in two instances during the year and are entitled to our thanks. The usual fall parade was omitted in consequence of the continued depression in business and a feeling of inability on the part of the members to contribute for the extra expense, but we recommend that the sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated for that purpose as usual. The expenses of the Department for the past year have been as follows :
29
Paid members of Department for services for year ending May Ist., 1876, - $1235 35 Charles H. Lang for services as Chief Engi- neer to May Ist., 1876, 25 00
Charles H. Danforth for services as Assistant Engineer to May Ist., 1876, - 17 00
Joseph W. Spokesfield for services as Assist- ant Engineer to May Ist., 1876, 12 00
David Crowell for services as Assistant En- gineer to May Ist., 1876, 12 00
C. C. Cummings for services as steward of Eagle Engine Co. to May Ist., 1876, 30 00
C. C. Cummings for services as steward of Eagle Engine Co. to Nov. Ist., 1876, 30 00
Wm. H. Bancroft for services as steward of Hancock Engine Co. to May Ist., 1876, 48 00
Wm. H. Bancroft for services as steward of Hancock Engine Co. to Aug. Ist., 1876, 12 00
H. A. Morrill for services as steward of H. & L. Co. to May Ist., 1876, 5 00
L. B. Loring for services as fireman from May Ist. to Dec. Ist., 1876, - 5 83
A. C. Nichols for services as fireman from May Ist. to Dec. Ist., 1876, - 5 83
C. H. Robinson for services as fireman from May Ist. to Dec. Ist., 1876, - 5 83
Joseph Marshall for services as fireman from May Ist. to Dec. 30th., 1876, 6 66
E. L. Hill for services as fireman from May Ist. to Dec. 30th., 1876, 6 66
C. C. Cummings for watching fire at S. A. Parker's mill, 2 00
Belt & Leather Stuffing Co. for castor oil hose dressing, 34 50
Summers & Hunt for 2 double-leather pipes, 32 00
T. Littlefield, dippers for Department, 5 76
F. J. Bancroft for drawing engine to fire, I 00
Daniel Creesy, labor and materials on Han- cock house, - - . 2 20
AMOUNTS CARRIED FORWARD, $1534 62
30
AMOUNT BROUGHT FORWARD, $1534 62 Paid Daniel Creesy, repairs on Washington engine, 4 00
66 Eagle and H. &. L.
houses and flag staff, - -
15 50
C. C. Cummings, oiling hose, - 6 00
Charles H. Lang, express fees and sundries,
10 20
P. McCall, spanner cases, etc., - -
12 00
Hayward & Allen, oil, brushes, etc., -
5 42
N. D. Stoodley, leather, - .
-
I 75
Parker & Stone, sundries, -
I 60
John A. Blunt, sundries, - -
-
9 69
Hunneman & Co., repair of engine and hose,
74 25
- -$1675 03
Amount unexpended,
24 97
Amount appropriated,
$1700 00
In conclusion, we recommend that the town appropriate for the expenses of the Department for the ensuing year the sum of $1700, one hundred dollars of which may be expended for a public parade of the Department.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. LANG, CHIEF ENGINEER,
E. C. NICHOLS, - D. CROWELL, ASSISTANTS. D. CREESY,
C. H. DANFORTH,
CHARLES H. DANFORTH, CLERK.
READING, March, 1877.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Trustees of the Public Library.
The Trustees of the Public Library report receipts as follows :
Town appropriation, 1876,
$300 00
Dog licenses, -
242 25
Fines collected, -
62 92
Sales of Catalogues, &c., -
-
-
9 45 -
$614 62
PAYMENTS.
To Miss Alice B. Temple, Librarian,
- $125 50
Miss Lizzie Cox, Librarian,
-
52 50
H. G. Terry, binding books, Estes & Lauriat, for books,
-
-
103 30
A. R. Gay, for blank books, &c.,
29 5°
C. W. Perkins, for rent, fuel, &c.,
150 00
Insurance,
25 00
Express, stationery, &c.,
-
-
9 45
Miscellaneous, - 1
-
-
.
4 50.
Cash on hand, -
6 05
$614 62"
The trustees have purchased and added to the library during the year, 85 volumes. Donations of books have been made by various parties not previously reported, as follows :
Lyman B. Foster, -
4 volumes.
Brazilian Centennial Commission,
5
E. H. Goss, - - F. H. Knight, - - - -
.
-
I
- 6 66 National Bureau of Education, - .
-
4 66
General Convention of New Jerusalem,
19
H. C. Gray, I volume of the Reading Chronicle.
Number of volumes in circulation during the year ending July 1, 1876, - - -
14,196
Decrease since 1875, -
-
- 2,739
-
-
-
108 82
-
-
-
32
The falling off in circulation is evidently due to the fact that for the years 1875 and 1876, the town appropriations for the library have been so limited as to cover little more than the annual expenses of salary, rent, re-binding, &c., and that consequently during those years, the whole amount of money used for the purchase of books for the library has been only about one hundred dollars. The trustees would therefore respectfully suggest that the town raise, for the use of the library for the ensuing year, the sum of five hundred dollars-two hundred dollars more than last year. This additional sum will be sufficient, we think, to revive and maintain the usual interest in this important educational institution.
In order to show the interest that our people have taken in the mat- ter of libraries and to place their efforts in this direction upon our records, we will so far depart from our usual course as to give some portion of this report to historical facts.
The first library in this portion of the old town of Reading, so far as we can learn was established September 27, 1796. It was known as " The Federal Library," and was owned by an association of about sixty members. Rev. Peter Sanborn, who was settled in this town the year previous, was the librarian, and with Deacon Timothy Pratt, John Emerson, John Temple and John Weston, constituted a committee " to take care of the affairs of the society." Rights of membership cost at that time a dollar each, and afterwards two dollars, with the payment of an annual tax of twenty-five cents. Mr. Sanborn served as librarian till about 1814. Three years afterwards the library as- sumed a more formal organization and chose Abijah Weston, clerk, John Weston, librarian, and David Emerson, treasurer. There were then seventy-five members, and the librarian received for his services the generous sum of five dollars per year. The records are silent after 1830 ; and the books (two hundred and seventy-three in number) were sold at public auction to private individuals January 24, 1831.
Its successor was " The Franklin Library," organized January I, 1842. John Batchelder, 3d, was chosen president, George Bancroft vice-president, Oliver Peabody, clerk, treasurer, and librarian, Dr
33
Kendall Davis, Thomas Sweetser, Stephen Foster, N. P. Sherman, H. P. Cook, Charles Newman, Loea Parker, curators. Whole number of members, one hundred and three. Terms of admission were fixed at two dollars per member, with an annual tax of fifty cents. Dr. H. P. Wakefield was the next president, being elected in 1855 ; Milo Parker in 1858, J. H. Bancroft in 1860 and Stephen Foster in 1862. By vote of the members in 1869, this library, numbering four hundred and six- ty-two volumes, was transferred to the trustees of the Reading Public Library, where it is now doing service for the benefit of all the inhab- itants of the town.
" The Agricultural Library Association " was organized in 1860. Its officers were N. P. Pratt president, Thomas E. Prescott vice-presi- dent, J. W. Manning secretary, Thomas Richardson librarian (till his decease in 1864). Miss Emily Ruggles succeeded him and served till the books, one hundred and sixty-six volumes, were transferred to the town library in 1869, where they are still in use.
"The Reading Public Library " was established in 1868. Its first board of trustees were E. Hunt, E. Appleton, C. P. Judd, F. H. Knight, Hiram Barrus, William Proctor. E. Hunt was president till April, 1871, when E. Appleton succeeded to the place, which he still retains. F. O. Dewey was elected in place of Mr. Hunt in 1871, and Stephen Foster in place of C. P. Judd. These are all the changes that have occurred in the board of trustees since the organization of the library. F. H. Knight served as secretary and treasurer till 1874, when, in consequence of his absence from town, H. Barrus was chosen to serve in his place. Miss Mattie H. Appleton served very accepta- bly as librarian from the opening of the library, on February. 17, 1869, to 1873. Miss Alice B. Temple succeeded, and after an efficient ser- vice of three years, she also resigned the position. Miss Lizzie Cox received the appointment and has faithfully performned the duties since last August. During the first four years of its existence the library was kept in the High School building. In 1873 it was transferred to its present position in the Perkins Building, corner of Woburn and Lowell Streets. The town appropriations to the support of the library
34
been as follows : In 1868 $500, in 1869 $600, in 1870 $150, in 1871 $500, in 1872 $500, in 1873 $830, in 1874 $855, in 1875 $350.
DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY.
In 1867, Dr. Horace P. Wakefield offered to donate to the town the sum of $500 towards establishing a public library, on condition that the town should appropriate an equal amount for the same purpose. Upon the fulfilment of the conditions by act of the town, the donation was received, and by vote of the trustees was devoted "to the pur- chase of standard works, embracing history, classic literature, books of reference, etc." In 1871 a donation of $100 was received from the bequest of T. Ward Hartshorn. During the first year of the exist- ence of the public library 199 volumes were received from school dis- tricts Nos. 5, 8 and 9. E. Appleton, Esq., and family presented 189 volumes, Hon. Charles Sumner 13, F. H. Knight 18. In 1871 Loton Parker gave 228 volumes, J. B. Lewis, Jr., 100; E. Appleton and family, in 1871-2, 102, Rev. Dr. Barrows 19, Hon. N. P. Banks 33, State of Massachusetts 10. In 1873, F. O. Dewey, Esq., presented a "Littell's Living Age," numbering 115 volumes. In 1875 the State gave 18 volumes, Hon. E. R. Hoar 24 volumes, Mrs. Henry A. Per- kins 26 volumes. In 1876, Hon. C. L. Flint gave 87 volumes and 10 pamphlets.
The number of volumes in the library when opened was 823 ; in 1870, 1577 ; in 1871, 2475 ; in 1872, 2693 ; in 1873, 2924 ; in 1874, 3237 ; in 1875, 3442 ; in 1876, 3705.
The circulation in 1870 was 12,215 ; in 1871, 14,386; in 1872, 13,210 ; in 1873, 14,571 ; in 1874, 16,834 ; in 1875, 16,935.
The number of persons having cards is usually about twelve hun- dred, but these do not represent the number using the library. In many instances the books taken out on one card serves a whole family. The trustees, as far as practicable, place the use of the library within the reach of all the residents of the town. Every per- son above 14 years of age belonging to the town is entitled to a card. Strangers residing temporarily here may have the use of books on the same conditions as others by depositing with the librarian two dollars
35
as security for the return of books and payment of damages. Mem- bers of the High School, not resident, or if under 14, may take books on written permission of a trustee. A slight fine is imposed for re- taining a book beyond the specified time. The amount of fines yearly received, averages about $60, which may be regarded as private con- tributions to the public benefit.
· The library contains a large number of standard works, historical and classical. The works of fiction, however get the largest circula- tion, usually being a little more than half the number taken out.
The library is open every Wednesday afternoon from two to five o'clock ; every Saturday afternoon from two to five and from six to nine o'clock.
The vacancies to be filled at the approaching annual meeting, are those occasioned by the expiration of the terms of Messrs. Foster and Knight.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD APPLETON, CHAIRMAN,
STEPHEN FOSTER,
F. O. DEWEY, TRUSTEES
F. H. KNIGHT, OF
WILLIAM PROCTOR, | PUBLIC LIBRARY. HIRAM BARRUS,
.
Report of Cemetery Committee.
Besides the ordinary care of the cemetery, the Committee under- took during the past year to carry the wall upon Main Street to the northern limit of the grounds. It was found, that since the construc- tion of the portion already built, the County Commissioners had loca- ted the westerly line of Main Street, so that a portion of the wall was within the street limits. After consulting with them, it was thought best to move the wall north of the upper Main Street entrance so that it should be upon the line. This and the completion of the new wall will not require any unusual appropriation, if the Committee can make use of the unexpended balance of former appropriations. No other portion of the wall will have to be moved.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation made at last annual town meeting, $300 00 Undrawn of appropriation for 1874-5, -
98 40
66 1875-6, -
41 97
$440 37
Paid for labor in cemetery,
$250 94
Timothy Doucett, for work on wall,
97 00
for teaming capstones -
-
-
I 50
express of same, - -
-
I 96
running line upon street, -
-
1 00
352 40
Amount drawn from Town appropriations,
296 35
Received from sale of lots, - -
57 00
353 35
Unexpended balance,
95
F O. DEWEY, F. H. KNIGHT, G. C. GLEASON,
COMMITTEE.
W. S. RICHARDSON, T. B. PRATT, S. BANCROFT,
READING, March, 1877.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
Your Road Commissioners think they have, during the past year, improved the highways. Owing to the refusal of the Boston & Maine Railroad corporation to allow the Town the use of their land on the east side of Ash Street for a water course, we did not think it best to use the four hundred dollars appropriated for a culvert across Main and Ash Streets.
We would recommend the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for repairs, two hundred and fifty for widening the road-bed on Willow Street near the railroad crossing, two hundred for clearing snow to date, and two hundred and fifty for the ensuing year.
The expenses under our control have been as follows, and the money has been paid to the following persons :
ORDINARY REPAIRS.
Henry S. LaClair,
labor of self and team,
$332 97
Wm. G. Nichols,
66
-
-
64 22
J. B. Nichols,
-
-
-
57 93
Albert Nichols,
66
-
-
-
69 90
Richard B. Nichols,
66
-
-
26 25
Edwin P. Nichols,
-
-
-
14 70
Daniel Nichols,
-
-
-
-
I 75
Warren Hayward,
66 67
Arthur Emerson,
66
6 13
Benj. F. Pratt,
66
-
-
46 72
Wilmot K. Pratt,
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