USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1898 > Part 3
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4 28
C. P. Weston, labor
10 70
E. O. Dewey, labor
5 45
Amount carried forward
$1,147 57
3 50
44
Amount brought forward . $1,147 57
Geo. Lewis, labor
7 78
Ira Didvoir, labor
8 75
Geo. L. Ellis, labor
3 50
Clyde Emerson, labor .
3 75
M. J. Daley, labor
3 70
Geo. W. Batchelder, labor
7 75
J. II. Mckenzie, labor .
5 25
Michael Hennesey, labor
11 08
David Weston. labor .
`7 78
W. K. Temple, labor .
5 25
W. A. Batcheller, labor
3 31
R. B. Nichols, labor
31 15
John E. Chase, labor
4 08
C. A. Buxton labor
97
Geo. Jones, labor
3 50
A. B. Smith, labor
88
Frank Castine, labor
12 83
J. E. Wilkins, labor
4 08
F. G. Nichols, labor
4 44
A. E. Batchelder, labor
2 50
J. W. Killam, labor
13 80
H. W. Batchelder, labor
19 83
Geo. L. Pratt, labor
7 00
Wm. Carney, labor
7 00
C. H. Stinchfield, labor
20 13
W. K. Pratt, labor
6 62
F. W. Davis, labor
7 87
Simon Doucette, labor .
5 55
C. E. Grover, labor
1 75
Jonathan Heselton, labor
3 50
J. A. Stott, labor
68
Chas. E. Flint, labor
6 81
Amount carried forward
. $1,380 44
-
45
Amount brought forward
$1,380 44
Edw. Gahan, labor
4 86
Dominique Doucette, labor .
12 16
W. B. Wait, labor
3 83
C. W. Ellinger, labor .
13 22
D. N. Ellinger, labor .
5 83
C. E. Shanley, labor
13 22
W. F. Cook, labor
1 95
L. G. Richardson, labor
4 17
S. Q. Brown, labor
3 50
C. B. Eames, labor
4 47
C. H. Russell, labor
5 25
A. T. McKay, labor
3 98
Geo. Beasley, labor
4 08
Geo. W. Beasley, labor
4 47
R. A. Phillips, labor
1 75
L. Livingstone, labor .
7 78
A. M. Surette, labor
2 33
H. M. Richardson, labor
7 78
Wm. Muse, labor
3 50
W. E. Coney, labor
14 01
Jaques Gowing, labor
25 67
Alfred A. Richardson, labor
5 63
W. F. Burnham, labor
78
J. W. Spokesfield, labor
2 00
Henry Deadman, labor
1 17
F. J. Bancroft, labor
6 42
C. C. Richardson, labor
1 36
Chas. Miller, labor
7 20
Ephraim Wight, labor .
1 36
C. F. Kimball, labor
78
W. E. Johnson, labor
7 85
J. A. Enos, labor
2 45
Amount carried forward.
. $1,565 25
46
Amount brought forward . $1,565 25
John E. Connolly, labor
2 58
Adden Hibbert, labor .
5 06
John Flukes, labor
7 00
F. M. Swett, labor
4 67
Stephen Harrow, labor
11 42
William Castine, labor
4 86
F. W. Lauth, labor
12 64
Isaac Chase, labor
4 08
George I). Putnam, labor
11 66
Frank Webb, labor
2 83
Charles L. Nichols, labor
6 13
M. A. Corkins, labor
5 06
J. M. Doucette, labor
9 36
J. G. Eames, labor
5 25
Oscar Carlson, labor
5 25
Frank P. Eaton, labor .
2 72
E. P. Bancroft, labor
19 45
John R. Bancroft, labor
5 06
B. F. Woods, labor
4 86
J. Cunio, labor
6 03
J. W. Austin, labor
2 33
Edmund Buxton, labor
1 25
2 73
Thomas Horne, labor
4 28
Stephen Hadley, labor
12 16
Reuben LeFay, labor .
4 37
James McKenney, labor
3 89
David Muse, labor
5 25
C. S. MeIntire, labor
5 25
George E. Gill, labor .
4 47
A. W. Hodson, labor .
1 56
Amount carried forward
. $1,754 98
C. W. Milbery, labor James Muse, labor
6 22
47
Amount brought forward
. $1,754 98
L. O. Dyer, labor
1 50
William Bryden, labor
4 47
L. W. Bryant, labor
4 67
E. B. Nichols, labor
2 67
A. L. Oliver, labor
4 96
Frank Clement, labor
1 56
E. H. Phelps, labor
4 86
E. B. Stewart, labor
67
Albert Green, labor
5 45
Henry Bryden, labor
2 67
H. B. Nichols, labor
5 00
N. F. Merrill, labor
1 36
W. H. Bancroft, labor .
6 81
E. Whelden, labor
3 11
W. E. Beard, labor
2 33
T. F. Gould, labor
6 22
A. F. Austin, labor
2 24
Charles S. Fisher, labor
2 33
Archie Day, labor
2 92
Angello Zanni, labor
2 72
Herbert Chilson, labor
14 00
Fred J. Batchelder, labor
7 20
W. E. Cushman, labor
4 57
Peter Doucette, labor
3 11
Hiram Litchfield, labor
35 16
Jerry Doucette, labor
9 05
Charles Kimball, labor
4 67
George O. Lewis, labor
6 83
Simon Clement, labor
12 25
Robert Dugan, labor
20 82
Frank Platts, labor
3 50
W. E. Thayer, labor
6 22
Amount carried forward . . $1,950 88
48
Amount brought forward . $1,950 88
John Gifford, labor
1 25
E. N. Kelley, labor 4 28
Clarence Morrison, labor 5 50
L. F. Porter, labor
5 25
A. E. Day, labor
2 62
F. H. Day, labor .
4 86
Zeba Lampro, labor
3 60
E. Cloudman, labor
10 69
F. Lamprey, labor
1 75
N. Gifford, labor .
2 79
Ferdinand Chusong, labor
17 11
N. C. Putnam, labor
7 59
G. A. Sargent, labor
8 17
F. J. Batchelder, labor 7 68
4 00
H. A. Parker, labor
10 11
G. H. Bancroft, labor .
6 13
C. W. Parker, labor
2 43
Z. Antonio, labor
3 50
A. B. Day, labor
8 02
Alfred Ellis, labor
4 50
Herbert Stock, labor
11 86
· Joshua White, labor
3 50
C. E. Stratton, labor
8 56
E. E. Rudolph, labor
3 26
Paris Thurston, labor
2 17
Henry Casey, labor
3 36
J. W. Gleason, labor
5 25
Peter White, labor
9 85
Henry Mellen, labor
2 82
Ralph E. Brown, labor
4 48
Baxter Thompson, labor
3 50
Amount carried forward . . $2,131 32
Geo. Jackson, labor
49
.Imount brought forward
. $2,131 32
Peter Surette, labor
4 96
Frank Grant, labor
3 50
Wm. Ellis, labor
5 04
John Nelson, labor
5 25
Leonard Chapman, labor
67
Ambrose Burbine, labor
11 57
E. F. Hannaford, labor
4 28
John II. Eaton, labor
1 17
E. Renning, labor
1 75
J. S. Robinson, labor
2 92
Warren Hannaford, labor
4 50
Robert Hannaford, labor
6 42
Fred Hubbard, labor
1 50
W. A. Allen, labor
9 92
Alfred Muse, labor
5 25
Reuben White, labor .
8 46
James A. Doucette, labor
8 75ª
E. J. White, labor
2 92
S. H. Clement, labor
5 17
Overdrawn
$ 515 32
$2225 32
$2225 32
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Reading :
The Board of Engineers submit their annual report for the vear eighteen hundred and ninety-eight.
During the year the Department has responded to ten bell alarms, as follows :
Feb. 3. Box 62. 9.40 a. m. In brick block, corner of Main and Haven streets, owned by Masonic Temple Corporation; occu- pied by George II. Atkinson, groceries. Loss on contents, $86.10. Insurance paid. $86.10. Cause, overturned lamp.
Apr. 4. Box 34. 1 p. m. Grove street. brush fire. Need- less alarm.
Apr. 25. Box 26. 8.35 p. m. Shoe factory, owned by Mrs. Hattie Richardson and occupied by Richardson & Ford. Dam- age to building, $350; insurance, none. Damage to contents, $1.481.00 : insurance. $1,000; insurance paid, $925.65.
May 2. Box 24. 1.10 p. m. Barn owned and occupied by J. E. Marshall. Loss total. Insurance, $1,000.
May 27. Box 17. 7 p. m. Escaping gas in brick building, Lincoln street. No loss.
July 4. Box 62. 11.05 a. m. Dwelling owned and occupied by Harrison H. Parker, Elliott stroet. Loss on building. $175. In- surance, $2,500 : insurance paid, $175. Loss on contents, $90. In- surance, $800 : insurance paid, $90. Cause, gasoline stove explosion.
Aug. 15. Box 62. 7.05 p. m. Dwelling house owned and occupied by J. Wesley Davies, Walnut street. Loss on building, $100. Insurance, $3,000 ; insurance paid, $100. Loss on contents, $25 ; insurance paid, $25. Canse. defective chimney.
Aug. 28. Box 17. 12.05 a. m. Dwelling owned and occu- pied by Mrs. Jennie Flint, Prescott street. Loss on building, $2,187
51
Insurance, $2,500 ; insurance paid, $2,187. Loss on contents total ; insurance paid, $1,000. Cause, oil lamp explosion.
Sept. 21. Box 44. 9.50 a. m. Stable owned and occupied by Mrs. R. W. Haskins, Salem street. Loss on building, $248. Insurance, $600 ; insurance paid, $248. Loss on contents, $58. In- surance, $100; insurance paid, $58. Cause, sparks from chimney.
Oct. 28. Box 37. 12.10 a. m. Dwelling owned and occu- pied by George E. Burnham, North Main street. Loss on building $1,570. Insurance, $3,500; insurance paid, $1,570. Loss on con- tents, $910.37. Insurance, $1,200; insurance paid, $910.37. Cause, defective chimney.
The Department consists of :
One Chief Engineer and two Assistant Engineers.
Steamer No. 1, two Enginemen and thirteen Hosemen. Hook and Ladder Truck No. 1, ten men. Hose Co. No. 2, fourteen men.
Hose Co. No. 3, Volunteer Company.
Hose Co. No. 4, Volunteer Company.
The apparatus and buildings of the Department are in good condition with the exception of the hose, which has been in use fourteen years and should be replaced by new. We are of the opinion that 500 feet should be bought each year until enough to keep a supply of serviceable hose is procured.
Hose Co. No. 4, at Hill End, has been reorganized and Capt. H. E. McIntire placed in charge. It would be for the interest of the Town to erect a suitable house for them in the vicinity of the Chestnut Hill School in the immediate future. If placed on the school house lot, which is large enough, the cost of the building would be all that would be required.
The repeater voted at the last annual town meeting has been installed, and has proved of great service during the heavy electri- cal storms of the summer, and in a very few years will more than pay for its cost in obviating the necessity of repairs to the line.
52
Leonard T. Eames was reappointed Superintendent of Fire Alarm, and his report is appended.
An Eastman Deluge Set has been purchased and in case of a large fire will amply repay the outlay.
The Department will compare favorably with the towns about us, and we would thank the citizens for their hearty support, the members for their promptness in responding to all calls for duty, and the Reading Rubber Mills for the free use of steam for the fire whistle.
There are several localities where alarm boxes are needed in order that a quick and efficient alarm may be given in case of fire.
We would recommend for the Fire Department, and for care and extension of the Fire Alarm system, the sum of three thousand and three hundred dollars ($3,300), and hydrant rental, and two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) for fire hose.
FRANK G. NICHOLS, Chief, GEO. L. PRATT, CHAS. H. STINCHFIELD, Clerk,
Board of Engineers Reading Fire Department.
READING, Jan. 23, 1899.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM.
To the Board of Engineers of Reading Fire Department :
There has been added to the Fire Alarm System during the year one Fire Circuit Repeater, with four circuits complete and a fire circuit switch board. Also about eight miles of wire, three relays, one tapper, one box, No. 32, Franklin street, and twenty-four jars of battery. This makes an alarm system of thirty-eight miles of wire, two tower strikers, one steam whistle, eleven tappers, three relays, and twenty boxes, all in good condition, giving us as good, if not a better, system than any Town. The expense of the last year has been quite heavy, owing to the large snow storm in February before the repeater was installed, it taking a long time to find the trouble and make repairs. Since then the Town has been well protected.
Yours respectfully, LEONARD T. EAMES, Supt. of Fire Alarm.
54
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation . $6,630 00
Amount received from Fines 2 00
EXPENDED.
Heirs E. C. Nichols, salary E. C. Nichols, chief engineer, year ending May 1, 1898 $60 00 Frank G. Nichols, salary engineer year end- ing May 1, 1898 50 00
Chas. H. Stinchfield, salary engineer (clerk) year ending May 1, 1898 ·
55 00
Reading Firemen's Relief Asso'n, J. J. Shannon's salary as engineer May 1, 1898, to Dec. 1, 1898 ·
29 17
L. T. Eames, engineer steamer No. 1 year ending Dec. 31, 1898 90 00
Ora L. Milbury, ass't engineer steamer No. 1 year ending Dec. 31, 1898 75 66
W. H. Bancroft, steward Hose 2 Jan. 1, 1898, to Oct. 1, 1898 50 00
Edward H. Crowe, steward II. & L. No. 1 year ending May 1, 1898 35 00
Parker Nichols, steward hose No. 3 year end- ing May 1, 1898 30 00
Fireman's pay roll year ending May 1, 1898 Hydrant rentals
811 79
3,630 00
W. A. Bancroft, horse service, Hose No. 2, Nov. 1, 1897, to Nov. 1, 1898 75 00
S. W. Bowker, horse service May 1, 1897, to Nov. 1, 1898 240 00
E. II. Forbes, horse service May 1, 1897, to Nov. 1, 1899 . 135 00
Parker Nichols, horse service Hose No. 3 7 50
Amount carried forward. $5,374 12
55
Amount brought forward $5,374 12
E. E. Nichols, horse service, Hose No. 3 1 50
F. W. Davis, horse service, Hose No. 3 1 50
J. B. Nichols, horse service, Hose No.3. 1 50
W. H. Nichols, horse service Hose No. 2 1 50
Stephen Harrow, horse service Hose No. 4 . 9 00 Stephen Harrow, storage Hose No. + year ending May 1, 1898 15 00
George B. Stevens, care of Hose year end- ing May 1, 1898 26 25
George B. Stevens, cleaning extra hose 1 50
E. H. Forbes, use of horse . 2 00
Reading Water Works, water rentals 10 80
S. S. Bell, Manager, electric light and sup- plies 55 73
A. J. Bancroft, labor and shingles 20 54
W. Bancroft & Co., fuel
45 59
W. Bancroft & Co., labor and supplies
C. L. Martin, fuel 127 12
44 10
H. M. Viall, freight and expressage 8 38
American Express Co., expressage 40
W. A. Bancroft, pole for Hose No. 3 5 00
W. A. Bancroft, use of pung eight weeks 4 00
G. S. Tukey & Son, labor and supplies 1 80
C. K. Littlefield, care of flag 2 00
Boston Coupling Co., repairs and supplies
35 50
Chas. E. Berry, one pr. harness
12 00
J. H. Wentworth, sharpening lawn mower 75
A. W. Danforth, use of telephone
3 70
Geo. M. Stevens, supplies 3 56
Horton M'f'g Co., repairs 1 75
W. H. Twombly & Sons, advg. and printing 7 25
Amount carried forward . . $5,823 84
.
56
Amount brought forward . $5,823 84 American Fire Engine Co., repairs on steamer No. 1 4 25
C. Callahan & Co., spanner belts, etc. 20 50
Fire Dept. Pub. Co., record book 5 00
Bay State Belting Co., supplies
2 50
Samuel Eastman & Co., deluge set
135 00
L. Descalzo, repairs on boiler
20 37
Rogers Express, repairs on boiler
5 34
J. H. Johnson, harness repairs and supplies . 10 65
A. Michelini, floor oil .
3 27
O. O. Ordway, repairs .
34 71
Merrill Hutchinson, sign
1 75
Samuel Brown, ladder and repairs
8 25
Henry Stock, cleaning boiler 1 80
12
Francis Bros., hardware
13 12
Geo. H. Atkinson, supplies
7 07
P. McCall, soap
2 00
W. H. Bancroft, labor . 2 62
F. G. Nichols, labor 12 90
C. H. Stinchfield, labor, postage, etc. 6 12
L. T. Eames, labor, and sundry expenses 5 20
F. S. Vermille, labor and supplies 6 48
Geo. L. Pratt, labor
2 00
H. R. Heselton, labor
2 00
W. H. Trueworthy, labor
2 00
W. A. Bacheller, labor .
1 75
J. J. O'Brien, labor
3 00
F. C. Tukey, services as fireman .
6 58
W. J. Graham, services as fireman 2 00
J. W. Davis, blanket 1 40
M. E. Nichols, painting 1 22
$6153 59
-
F. Wallace, red lead
57
FIRE ALARM.
EXPENDED.
L. T. Eames, salary Supt. Fire Alarm Jan. 1,
1898 to Jan. 1, 1899 $75 00
J. Weasel, labor 8 75
Geo. M. Stevens, supplies
108 94
Crosby Steam Gage & Valve Co., inspecting and repairs 28 50
Pettingill, Andrews & Co., supplies 32 21
C. K. Littlefield, repairing tin roof 1 25
F. S. Vermille, labor and supplies 43 78
Chadwick Iron Works, drill 75
L. T. Eames, labor and telephoning 22 15
C. H. Hodgkins, labor 15 00
F. G. Nichols, labor 22 40
HI. M. Viall, expressage 6 02
C. H. Stinchfield, labor 25 60
Francis Bros., supplies
4 79
Beattie Zinc Works Co., supplies .
49 45
O. L. Milbury, labor
80
American Express Co., expressage
45
S. W. Bowker, team hire
47 00
John A. Boyd, labor
10 00
E. Kendall & Sons, repairs
4 25
Eames, Sargent & Co., poles
15 00
W. Bancroft & Co., labor
47 26
W. Bancroft & Co., supplies
2 93
R. L. Beers, repairs
30
W. N. Gray, labor
5 00
$577 58
Overdrawn
100 39
$6,732 39
$6,732 39
·
58
FIRE ALARM BOX 32.
$90 00
EXPENDED.
F. S. Vermille, labor $6 00
F. G. Nichols, labor 4 00
C. H. Stinchfield, labor
4 00
Geo. M. Stevens, fire alarm supplies
77 60
Overdrawn
1 60
$91 60 $91 60
FIRE ALARM REPEATER.
Appropriation
$500 00
EXPENDED.
L. T. Eames, labor $23 30
F. S. Vermille, labor
17 11
F. G. Nichols, labor 21 00
C. H. Stinchfield, labor 13 00
W. F. Cook, labor and material . 3 00
W. Bancroft & Co., lumber and hardware 22 41
Geo. M. Stevens, supplies
29 61
Geo. M. Stevens, four circuit fire alarm re- peater .
387 50
Overdrawn
16 93
$516 93
$516 93
NEW HOSE.
Appropriation
$250 00
EXPENDED.
Cornelius Callahan, 500 feet double jacket fire hose $250 00
$250 00
$250 00
·
Appropriation
.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF CEMETERY.
Your trustees respectfully submit the following report :
We have endeavored to keep the property entrusted to our care in as good condition as possible with the means given us to do with. We asked for twelve hundred dollars ($1200), and you gave us $900. It took the greater part of this to do the regular work required to keep the cemetery in a presentable condition, so we had but little to make improvements with. However, we have managed to pave one long gutter that has heretofore been a constant source of trouble to us every time there was a heavy shower, and we think many dollars will be saved in the future. We have also built one large catch basin in the avenue just below the tomb. We desire to finish building the two avenues in the new part of the cemetery, and do some grading inside the new wall on Highland Street, and in order to do this we suggest that twelve hundred dollars ($1200), together with the sale of lots, be allowed us this year. We understand that we are to be charged for the use of the water this year, and we also request that may be remitted. We recommend this because we honestly think it is for the best interest of the Town. If you don't see fit to vote this, you must not expect us to keep this sacred spot, which is a source of pride to all of us, in the condition it should be.
We freely give our time, and we respectfully submit as a Board, that having attended to our duties, we are better qualified to know what is needed than people can possibly be who have given it no attention whatever.
GALEN A. PARKER, Chairman, A. W. DANFORTHI, Supt. and Sec'y, ALDEN BATCHELDER, W. E. TWOMBLY, HERBERT BARROWS, EDWARD F. BROOKS.
60
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY.
Appropriation
$ 900 00
Amount received from sale of lots
433 00
EXPENDED.
D. H. Kendall & Co., cedar posts $ 1 40
W. B. Jeffrey, plants . 13 00
Charles A. Weston, sod
4 08
S. Fuller, hoes .
5 00
E. H. Forbes, concreting 31 75
Osgood & Hart, grate . 10 00
Frederick Bancroft, gravel 5 27
Wendell Bancroft & Co., lumber and hard- ware 3 95
O. O. Ordway, sharpening tools 3 17
Asa Parker, paving stones and sand 4 25
Reading Water Works, pipe and labor 55
A. W. Danforth, plants and labor 7 75
J. F. White, grave markers 31 50
A. J. Davis, surveying and setting bound stones . 33 50
F. E. Newhall, bound stones, edgestones, etc. 86 55
Charles Ingram, vines and labor .
12 85
Jason Zwicker, labor
180 78
Geo. Leach, labor
104 39
Wm. Leach, labor
24 60
F. G. Nichols, labor
172 58
V. Cremoni, labor
1 67
N. Tagnetti, labor
1 67
Henry Casey, labor 2 17
Chas. Nichols, labor
2 33
J. H. Jennings, labor . 10 50
Amount carried forward . . $1,291 25
1
O. N. Jones, labor, team, etc.
535 99
61
Amount brought forward .
. $1,291 25
Albert Green, labor
4 83
Fred C. Scott, labor
7 50
Edmund Buxton, labor
6 25
W. K. Temple, labor
6 00
J. W. Coffey, labor
2 33
Unexpended .
14 84
$1,333 00
$1,333 00
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
To the Citizens of Reading :
We herewith submit the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1898.
No. of cases of Contagious
Diseases, 12
Measles,
2
No deaths.
Diptheria, 1
66
Typhoid fever, 9
Cattle quarantined, 5
Diseased cattle killed, 3
Diseased horses killed, 4
Complaints investigated. 14
Application for license for infants' boarding house, 2.
Licenses granted, 2.
Plumbing permits granted. 96.
Drain permits granted. 47.
Plumbers re-licensed, 11.
The year 1898 has been an exception to previous years as far as contagious diseases are concerned, which is largely due to the improvement in sanitary matters and the manner in which they have been quarantined. The same routine has been followed in the inspection of houses, stables, etc., as in years past.
The removal of the contents of vaults and cesspools has received our attention, a piece of ground having been secured ox which to deposit such matter.
63
On October 29th it was our painful duty to record the death of one of our members,
EDWARD C. NICHOLS,
who for many years served the town well and faithfully in the office to which he had been chosen.
To the bereaved family we hereby tender our united sympathy. Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE F. DOW, M. D., Chairman, F. D. MERRILL, Secretary,
Board of Health.
For financial statement see Miscellaneous Account, Select- men's Report.
1
PLUMBING.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Reading:
GENTLEMEN :- I respectfully submit you the following report of duty performed since December 31st, 1897.
There have been 96 permits granted to date. The work has been inspected and tested, and left in safe and satisfactory condition. There has been no violation of the town ordinance.
I thank the secretary, and the other members of the board, also the craft, for their kind co-operation.
Most respectfully submitted,
G. S. TUKEY, Inspector. Reading, Jan. 1, 1899.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PRO- VISIONS.
To the Selectmen of Reading :
I have the honor to submit the following report for the year ending December 31, 1898.
The State Board of Cattle Commissioners were refused an appropriation to pay for animals condemned for tubercolosis. and had to omit the examination this year.
The cattle destroyed were at the owners' loss. I found a disposition to comply with regulations tending to restrict the spread of this disease.
Six cases of contagious diseases have come to my notice, two of tubercolosis and four of glanders, and in each instance the animals have been killed. I have also investigated many suspicious cases where careful examination has failed to disclose disease.
I have visited the markets, and they have all proved satisfactory; also the slaughter houses and products therefrom.
CALVERT H. PLAYDON, M. D. V.
-
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Reading, Muss .:
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor of submitting to you the annual report of the condition and the doings of the Police De- partment for the year ending December 31st, 1898.
The Department at present consists of two regular and five special officers.
Total number of arrests
61
Males
52
Females
9
Residents
35
Non-residents
26
NATIVITY.
January
3
American
27
February
4 English
March
2 French
AApril
2 German
1 1321 3 2 1
May
Greek
June
6 Irish
22
July
14
Nova Scotia
3
August
5 Negro
1
September
Swede
1
October
November
1-
61
December
4
61
Residents
35 Non-residents 26
Lodgers
936
.
67
Causes of Arrest.
Assault
5
Disturbing the peace
1
Drunk
22
Embezzlement .
2
False pretences
2
Forgery
1
Injury to building
2
Insane
6
Keeping disorderly house
1
Larceny
1 -
Non-support
B
Neglected children
2
Selling short lobsters
1
Truancy
1
Tramps
3
Vagrancy .
61
Arrest on Warrants
31
Arrested without Warrants
30
FINES.
Amount of fines imposed in First District Court . $ 40 00
" paid
35 00
imposed in Fourth " 123 00
73 00
Of this $73.00, twenty dollars was for support of minor children, leaving to our credit 53 00
Total
$88 00
Number of cases in First District Court
18
" " Fourth District Court 32
" " direct to Superior Court .
committed by order of Overseers of the Poor 9
61
66 66 paid 66
68
Number of persons sentenced to pay a fine
,24
committed for non-payment 3
",
held for grand jury 4
" cases placed on file .
" discharged 3
" convictions in Superior Court 4
committed to penal institutions 12
to insane hospital 6
66 now in court . 1
Total of sentences. 6 years 2 months.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Accidents where an officer assisted . 9
Business places found open at night 21
Complaints investigated 97
Disturbances suppressed
4
Defective electric wires found
6
Defective fire alarm boxes 3
Defective streets and sidewalks 5
Dogs (unlicensed) killed 11
Dogs, by request of owner, killed ·)
Lost children found and restored to parents B
Runaway boys found and sent home
Sick and injured persons assisted 4
Stray teams found and delivered to owners ·
·)
Requests for police officers 20
Value of property reported stolen $474 00
Value of stolen property recovered $270 00
Number of officers on duty at fires 17
Town notices posted 6
RECOMMENDATIONS. .
I will again recommend that another patrolman be added for night duty.
69
That the cellar bottom at the lockup be concreted, the walls and ceilings whitewashed, and the iron and woodwork painted.
That a telephone be placed in the police office, which can be accessible at all times for the use of the Town officers.
That a cell or room for women be constructed at the Town Building so that they may be apart from the men.
By an act of the General Court of Massachusetts, the Town of Reading was included in the judicial district of the Fourth District Court of Eastern Middlesex, and on July 1st we took our initiative degree in that court. I am well pleased with the change, and am satisfied that it is for the best interest of the Town and the Department.
CONCLUSION.
My acknowledgements are hereby tendered to your Honorable Board for courtesies extended and kindly advice and co-operation with the Department. Also to the Judges and Clerks of the Courts, for their courteous treatment and assistance in the discharge of the important duty of maintaining the peace and good order of the Town, and securing the safety of its citizens.
Most respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC D. MERRILL,
Chief of Police.
READING, Jan. 2, 1899.
-
POLICE.
Appropriation $ 1700 00
Amount received from keeper of jail for fines 10 00
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