USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1903 > Part 3
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45 voted in favor, none opposed.
Art. 25. To see what instructions the Town will give to the Selectmen in the suit of Charles G. Tucker, administrator of the estate of Charles G. Tucker, Jr., vs. Town of Reading and New England Telephone and Telegraph Company jointly.
Art. 25. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to the Selectmen with full power.
Art. 26. To see if the Town will accept the offer of Mr. An- drew Carnegie to give twelve thousand five hundred dollars for the erection of a Public Library building in Reading upon condition that the Town will provide a suitable site therefor and agree to raise and appropriate annually at least one thousand two hundred
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and fifty dollars for the maintenance of a Public Library thereon ; and to see what further action, if any, they will take in relation thereto.
Art. 26. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to the Trustees of the Public Library, with instructions to consider the same and to report their conclusions at a future Town Meeting, and in connection therewith the said Trustees may, if they see fit, procure preliminary sketch drawings or otherwise de- termine whether or not it is possible to obtain adequate accommo- dations for the library within the amount named in Mr. Andrew Carnegie's offer.
Art. 4. Voted to take from the table.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to arrange for sprink- ling the streets for the ensuing year and that funds be taken from Highway Appropriation.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to appoint an Inspector of Wires.
Voted to lay Art. 4 on the table.
Art. 27. To see if the Town will purchase the estate of Oliver W. Austin on the corner of Harnden and Pleasant sts. for the use of the several departments of the Town, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 28. To see if the Town will remodel the present Town Building on Pleasant st. for the exclusive use of the several de- partments of the Town and how much money they will raise and appropriate for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 29. To see if the Town will vote to erect a Fire De- partment building on land of the Town east of the Town Building on Pleasant st., and how much money they will raise and appro- priate for that purpose, or what they will do in relation thereto.
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Art. 30. To see if the Town will take some action whereby the officers of the different departments of the Town may be con- centrated, and a saving in expense thereby be brought about, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 27, 28, 29, 30, voted to indefinitely postpone.
Art. 31. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money to place Tower Strikers in houses of Hose No. 3 and No. 4, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 31. Moved to raise $500 for Tower Strikers in Hose Houses No. 3 and No. 4. Not carried ; ayes 51, no 76.
Art. 32. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money to purchase a Storage Battery for the Fire Alarm System, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 32. Voted to raise and appropriate for a Storage Battery for the Fire Alarm System, if the cost exceeds this the balance to be taken from regular appropriation for the Fire Department, $700.
Art. 33. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Fire Engineers to establish a Fire Alarm Box at the junction of Green and Village streets, and raise and appropriate the sum of seventy- five dollars therefor, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 33. Voted to raise and appropriate the sum of seventy- five dollars to establish a Fire Alarm Box at the junction of Green and Village streets.
Art. 34. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars for the purpose of setting edgestones around the south-westerly part of the Common where the drinking fountain now stands, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 34. Voted that the Town raise and appropriate one hun- dred and fifty dollars for the purpose of setting edgestones around
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the south-westerly part of the Common where the drinking foun- tain now stands.
Art. 35. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to have the car tracks paved from Summer Avenue to West street, and from opposite Linden street to the foot of Haven street, or what action will the Town take in relation thereto.
Art. 35. Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to enforce the franchise of Woburn and Reading Electric Street Railroad.
Voted to adjourn to meet in this hall at 7.30 P. M. Tuesday, March 3rd, 1903.
READING, MARCH 3, 1903, ADJOURNED ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Met at time and place specified and was called to order by Moderator.
Art. 2. Voted to take from the table.
Voted, to reconsider the vote whereby it was voted to accept report of Committee on Town Taxes and adopt their recommenda- tions.
Voted, that as the information relating to the local taxation of the poles and wires of Telephone and Telegraph Co's. was fur- nished the Committee under a misconception, to strike said refer- ence from their report.
Voted, to accept report as amended and adopt recommenda- tions.
Art. 2. Voted to lay on the table.
Art. 4. Voted to take from the table.
Voted that the Collector of Taxes be instructed to collect all taxes (so far as possible) on or before Oct. 1, 1903, and upon all
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taxes unpaid at that time to add interest at six per cent. from said date until paid, and also to collect all taxes unpaid January 1 st forthwith by process of law unless delinquents procure an order from the Selectmen releasing them from immediate payment.
Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to compel the Electric R. R. and Electric Light Companies to insulate all wires belonging to them that are within twelve inches of any limb or branch of a tree with efficient insulators.
Voted signs for avenues or paths in the Cemetery be left with Trustees of Cemetery.
Voted that the Selectmen and Supt. of Streets be instructed to give a reasonable preference in the work on Highways and Watering Cart to horses employed by the Fire Department.
Art. 4. Voted to lay on the table.
Voted to reconsider vote whereby Art. 30 was indefinitely postponed.
Voted that Article 30 be referred to a committee to be ap- pointed by the Moderator to consider and get the necessary legis- lation for a Board of Public Works. The following were appointed on this committee : Jacob Mitchell, Charles H. Nowell, James W. Grimes, James H. Carleton, Millard F. Charles.
Art. 36. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate to construct a sidewalk on the southerly side of Auburn street, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 36. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to the Selectmen.
Art. 37. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of building a sidewalk on Oak st., from West st. to the estate of Joseph S. Robinson, and for removing bushes on the north side of said street from West
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street to the estate of Charles B. Eames, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 37. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to the Board of Selectmen.
Art. 38. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars for the purpose of raising the grade of the sidewalk at the corner of Haven and Chute sts., or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 38. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to the Board of Selectmen.
Art. 39. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate two thousand dollars or a sufficient sum for the purchase of a portable stone crusher, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 39. Voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 45. To see if the Town will purchase land for a Public Playground, and how much money they will raise and appropriate therefor, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 45. Voted to consider this article.
Voted to lay article on the table.
Art 2. Voted to take from the table.
Committee on Playground made a verbal report.
Voted that report of Committee on Playground be accepted.
Art. 2. Voted to lay on the table.
Art. 45. Voted to take from the table.
Voted that the Town acquire for the purpose of a playground at an expense not exceeding $9,000, land of Messrs. Pratt and Claggett together with the so-called Dewey lots with frontage on Summer avenue, substantially in accordance with the report of the Committee on Playground submitted at the meeting and to do everything necessary to secure a conveyance of said land to the
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Town in accordance with this vote, in such parcels and to such an extent as regards aggregate acreage as they may deem wise within the limit of expenditure hereinbefore fixed. And for the purpose of paying for the land acquired under this vote the Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to issue under the direction of the Selectmen the notes of the Town to such an amount as may be required, not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of $9,000, bear- ing interest at a rate not exceeding 4 per cent. per annum, and pay- able at such times and in such amounts as will extinguish the entire debt hereby created within a period of 30 years.
Carried by 108 yeas to 4 nays.
Art. 40. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to close up the highway, crossing the Common from Woburn to Union streets, and make such alterations at the extreme south end of the Common as will seem to them to best accord with public convenience without injury to the Common.
Art. 40. Voted to indefinitely postpone.
Art. 41. To see what action the Town will take toward se- curing sewerage for the center of the Town, or what they will do in relation thereto ..
Art. 41. Voted to refer subject matter of this article to Com- mittee on Sewerage.
Art. 42. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate sixty- five dollars, or a sufficient sum to purchase an apparatus for spray- ing trees, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 42. Voted that there be raised and appropriated for Tree Sprayer, $65.
Art. 43. To see how much money the Town will raise and appropriate to widen and deepen the open drain from the easterly end of King street to Woburn street, or what they will do in rela- tion thereto.
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Art. 44. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money to build an inlet in the ditch on both sides of Green st. and pipe said ditch from the southerly side of said Green st. to Mr. D. F. Whelton's stable, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 43, 44. Voted that the subject matter of these articles be referred to Board of Selectmen.
Art. 46. To see if the Town will take any action in relation to the observance of Old Home Week during the current year, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 46. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to Board of Selectmen.
Art. 47. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of thirty-four hundred dollars for the maintenance of the Police Department for the year ensuing, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 47. Voted to raise and appropriate for the maintenance of the Police Department the present fiscal year, $2,600.
Art. 48. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to appoint a day patrolman, or what action they will take in relation thereto.
Art. 48. Voted to indefinitely postpone.
Art. 49. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Selectmen to grant licenses for the collection and sale of old junk and paper stock, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 49. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to Board of Selectmen.
Art. 50. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of twelve hundred dollars for the purpose of employing as Superintendent of Schools one who shall devote all his time to the schools of Reading, or what they will do in relation thereto.
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Art. 50. Voted to pass over.
Art. 51. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to appoint an Inspector of Milk, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 51. Voted that the subject matter of this article be re- ferred to Board of Selectmen.
Art. 52. To see if the Town will accept the provisions of Chapter 103 of the Revised Laws in regard to the supervision of plumbing, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 53. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to in- vestigate and report whether the cost of maintaining the Town Home can be reduced, or what they will do in relation thereto.
Art. 52, 53. Voted to pass over.
Art. 54. To hear and act on the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of the extension of Prospect st. from Scotland Road to Oak st., and to determine if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of fifty dollars for that purpose.
Art. 54. Report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Pros- pect street extension from Scotland Road to Oak street :
We, the subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Reading, after giving due notice to all parties interested, have laid out for the use of the Town as a public way described as follows :
Beginning on the southerly side of Scotland Road at a stake at lot 29 on a plan of house lots of Bailey and Heath, then the line runs south 15° 15' east along lands of said Heath and others across Ellis avenue 724 3-10 feet to the northerly side of Oak street, said line is the westerly line, the easterly line is parallel to and 45 feet distant at right angles from the westerly line and runs from Scot- land Road to Oak street. The above description is intended to conform to the lines shown in red on a plan of the same made by James A. Bancroft, dated Feb. 13, 1903, which is to be considered
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a part of this report. The grade of said way is shown by the red line on a profile accompanying said plan. We have estimated the cost of building said Town way $50. No damages being claimed we have allowed none.
That any action taken by the Town in the building of the same be taken under the provisions of law, authorizing the assess- ment of betterments, we would recommend that the said way be named Prospect Street Extension and when the report is accepted and adopted by the Town the said way shall thereafter be known as a public Town way.
GEORGE A. SHACKFORD, Selectmen WILLIAM I. RUGGLES, of
JOHN F. TURNER, Reading.
Reading, Mass., Feb. 14, 1903.
Voted to accept Selectmen's report on Prospect Street Exten sion and adopt their recommendations, and that $50 be appro- priated for same from appropriation for Highways, Bridges and- Sidewalks.
Art. 55. To hear and act on the report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Sigsbee ave., from Howard st. to Scotland Road, and to determine if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of twenty-five dollars for that purpose.
Art. 55. Report of the Selectmen on the laying out of Sigs- bee avenue from Howard street to Scotland Road.
We, the subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Reading, after giving due notice to all parties interested, have laid out for use of the Town as a public way, described as follows : Beginning on the southerly side of Howard street at a stake at lot 24, Section A, on a plan of house lots of Messrs. Bailey & Heath, then the line runs south 11º 28' east along land of said Heath 275 feet to the northerly side of Scotland Road. Said way is 40 feet wide and is
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laid on the easterly side of the above described line. The above description is intended to conform to the lines shown in red on a plan of the same made by James A. Bancroft dated Feb. 13, 1903, which is to be considered a part of this report. The grade of said way is shown by the red line on a profile accompanying said plan. We have estimated the cost of building said Town way at $25. No damages being claimed we have allowed none. That any action taken by the Town in the building of the same be taken under the provisions of law authorizing the assessment of betterments, we would recommend that the said way be named Sigsbee avenue and when the above report is accepted and adopted by the Town the said way shall thereafter be known as a public Town way.
GEORGE A. SHACKFORD, ) Selectmen WILLIAM I. RUGGLES, of
JOHN F. TURNER, Reading.
Reading, Mass., Feb. 21, 1903.
Voted to accept report of Selectmen on Sigsbee avenue and adopt their recommendations, and that $25 be appropriated from regular appropriation for Highways, Bridges and Sidewalks.
Art. 56. To hear and act on the report of the Selectmen in relation to guide posts, and to determine if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of thirty dollars for the repairs of the same.
Art. 56. Report of Selectmen on Guide Posts.
Guide Posts or suitable substitutes therefor are erected and maintained at the following locations, viz :
Corner Summer Ave. and Main St.
Walnut St. and Summer Ave.
66 Walnut St. and South St.
West St. and Woburn St.
West St. and Summer Ave.
Woburn St. and Summer Ave.
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Corner Main St. and Ash St.
Main St. and Washington St.
Main St. and Pleasant St.
Pleasant St. and Parker St.
Village St. and Haven St.
Main St. and Harnden St.
Main St. and Salem St.
Woburn St. and Lowell St.
Lowell St. and Salem St.
Salem St. and Harnden St.
66 Main St. and Charles St.
Main St. and Pearl St.
66 Main St. and Franklin St.
Franklin St. and Grove St.
Mill St. and Short St.
Franklin St. and Haverhill St.
Haverhill St. and Charles St.
Haverhill St. and Pine St.
Pine St. and Salem St.
Pearl St. and Charles St.
Lowell St. and Wilson St.
Lowell St. and High St.
Lowell St. and Middlesex Ave.
GEORGE A. SHACKFORD, Selectmen WILLIAM I. RUGGLES, of
JOHN F. TURNER, Reading.
Reading, Mass., Feb. 21, 1903.
Voted that the report of Selectmen on Guide Posts be ac- cepted and their recommendations adopted and that $30 be appro-
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priated from regular appropriation for Highways, Bridges and Side- walks for Guide Posts for the present fiscal year.
Art. 57. The subscribers, Selectmen of Reading, present the following list of persons who in their judgment are qualified to serve as jurors :
Adams, George E. Clerk
Bancroft, Frederick
Broker
Batchelder, Alden
Retired
Batchelder, Howard W.
Farmer
Batcheller, Warren A.
. Carpenter
Beaudry, Charles B.
Organ Pipe Maker
Bessom, Charles F.
Bosson, Harry P.
. Farmer Insurance Agent Wheelwright
Brown, Samuel
Brown, Joseph H.
Laborer
Canty, Daniel T.
Cabinet Maker Laborer
Chandler, Alfred D.
Real Estate
Chase, John E.
. Carpenter
Connelly, John
R. R. Employe Bookkeeper Painter
Davis, Arthur E.
R. R. Employe
Eames, George T.
Real Estate
Eames, Leonard T.
. Electrician
Eaton, John H. Carpenter Organ Pipe Maker
Eaton, Waldo F.
Superintendent
Flint, George L.
Carpenter
Foster, Arthur J.
Farmer
Goodwin, Edwin H.
Organ Pipe Mfgr.
Grimes, John H.
Salesman
Carter, George
Cook, George W. Cook, Walter F.
Emerson, Arthur G.
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Howard, Luther G.
Hunt, Edgar N.
Jackson, Charles S.
Jones, William H.
Kidder, William
· Carpenter
Kimball, Charles D.
. Machinist
Knight, Edgar M.
Machinist . Cabinet Mfgr. Cabinet Mfgr. Farmer
La Clair, Henry S.
Lee, Charles W.
. Merchant
MacDougall, Chester W.
. Plumber
McCrum, David
. Machinist
McIntire, Herbert E.
.
Carpenter
Mack, George
Upholsterer
Manning, Edwin
Clerk
Merrill, Clarence E.
R. R. Conductor Caterer
Oakes, George F.
Engineer
Perkins, Alfred
Retired
Parker, Asa
Farmer
Parker, Fred H.
Expressman
Parker, Horace A.
Cabinet Maker
Pratt, Wilmot K.
Laborer
Rounds, Samuel
. Carpenter
Sargent, George A.
Shoe Maker
Smith, Benjamin Y.
Organ Pipe Mfgr.
Temple, David C.
. Carpenter
Temple, Warren K.
Shoe Cutter
Wickens, John
Printer
Wyman, Fernando O.
Shoe Worker
Krook, Lambertus W.
Krook, Matthys H.
Real Estate Bookkeeper Organ Pipe Mgfr. Farmer
Prichard, Augustus D.
Farmer
Nichols, Amos C.
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Wight, Ephraim
. Carpenter
Johnson, J. Dana
Shoe Worker
GEORGE A. SHACKFORD, ) Selectmen WILLIAM I. RUGGLES, of JOHN F. TURNER, Reading.
Reading, Mass., Feb. 10, 1903.
Voted to strike off the following names from the above list :
Batchelder, Alden
Retired
Temple, David C.
Carpenter
Voted to add the following names to above list :
Horton, William R. Clerk
Eames, Edward B.
. Salesman
Horrocks, George E. Real Estate
Symonds, Burton K. Box Mfgr.
Nichols, Albion G.
Fireman
Eames, Webster
.
Laborer
Voted to accept above list as amended.
Art. 2. Voted to take from table.
Voted that the Reports of Town Officers and Committees enumerated under this article be accepted and placed on file.
JAMES REID, Assistant Town Clerk.
A True Copy of Record.
ATTEST : MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 3, 1903
To fill vacancy caused by the death of Edmund C. Cottle, Representative to General Court.
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Pursuant to a Warrant issued, a Town Meeting was held and called to order by Wm. I. Ruggles, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Prayer was offered by Rev. William W. Wakeman. The Warrant read, the following Ballot Clerks were duly sworn : George L. Pratt, George E. Adams, William E. Parkins.
The following Tellers were duly sworn: George A. Shack- ford, Spencer G. Stewart, Bennie F. Flanders.
The Ballot Box was opened and shown as empty and the reg- ister as (0000) and the Polls were duly declared open. The bal- lots were duly receipted for by the Ballot Clerks.
Voted to close Polls at 5.15 o'clock P. M.
The Polls were declared closed at 5.15 P. M. The Ballot Clerks reported that 747 ballots had been given out. The check list showed that 747 had voted.
The following shows the number of votes cast for the various candidates for Representative to General Court :
R. Kelsie McKeen of Reading
67
Charles H. Nowell of Reading
634
Wm. H. O'Brien of Woburn
17
Daniel S. Jones of Woburn
12
Henry R. Johnson of Reading
3
George A. Jones of Reading
1
Blanks
13
Total vote cast
747
Voted to adjourn without date.
JAMES REID,
Town Clerk Pro Tem.
A True Copy of Record.
ATTEST :
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX
In accordance with the provisions of Section 257, Chapter 11 of the Revised Laws, the City Clerk of Woburn and the Town Clerk of Reading, being the City and Town Clerk of every City and Town in Representative District number twenty-eight (28) within said County, met at Woburn at noon Saturday, March 7, 1903, being the fourth day succeeding the day of the special elec- tion held on Tuesday, March 3, 1903, to fill vacancy in the office of Representative in said district, and then and there opened, exam- ined and compared the copies of the records of votes cast at said election for the office of Representative, and determined therefrom that Charles H. Nowell of Reading was elected to the office of Representative.
The following is a schedule of the names of all persons for whom votes for Representative were given in said District, and the number of votes given for each person, viz :
R. Kelsie McKeen of Reading, ninety-four 94
Charles H. Nowell of Reading, thirteen hundred fifty-two 1352
William H. O'Brien of Woburn, two hundred five 205
Daniel S. Jones of Woburn, six hundred seventy-six 676
Henry R. Johnson of Reading, three
3
George A. Jones of Reading, one
1
Defective, twenty-eight
28
Blanks, fifty-four 54
Whole number of ballots, twenty-four hundred thirteen 2413
In witness whereof, we the City Clerk of Woburn and the Town Clerk of Reading, hereunto set our hands this seventh day of March, A. D. 1903.
JOHN H. FINN, City Clerk, Woburn.
MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk, Reading.
A True Copy of Record.
ATTEST : MILLARD F. CHARLES, Town Clerk.
.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING HELD MARCH 26, 1903
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting. George L. Flint was chosen Moderator.
Art. 2. To hear and act on the report of the Sewer Com- mittee to whom was referred the subject matter of Article 41 of the Warrant for the annual Town Meeting March 2, 1903.
Art. 2. Report of Sewerage Committee received and the fol- lowing recommendations made by them :
1st. That the Sewer Committee be directed to specially con- sider the proper financeering of a sewerage system in view of the present indebtedness of the town and to secure the passage of an act of the legislature authorizing the Town to install such a sewer- age system under the usual conditions and restrictions.
2nd. We are of the opinion that a sewer system should, like a water system, be made to a considerable extent if not wholly self- supporting by annual payments made by those connected with and using the sewers, and we would recommend that the Sewer Com- mittee be directed to investigate the methods used by other munici- palities and report a plan whereby a system of equitable annual or semi-annual rates from those who use and derive benefits from the sewers will pay a considerable portion of the yearly expense, in- cluding interest on the first cost of the works.
Voted to accept report and adopt the recommendations of the Sewerage Committee.
Art. 3. To see if the Town will instruct the Engineers of the Fire Department to change the financial year of the Fire Depart- ment to conform to the financial year of the Town, or what they will do in relation thereto.
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