USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1903 > Part 6
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F. W. Danforth, lettering signs 6 50
O. P. Symonds & Son, labor and material
14 50
James A. Healey Co.,
66
2 25
T. C. Fife, 66
17 12
Morrison Merrill, labor
16 25
J. W. Gleason,
49 43
H. F. Haag,
10 00
F. G. Nichols,
25 00
W. H. Lynch, repairs 6 50
R. A. White, horse hire
2 00
A. B. Mathews, horse hire
46 50
Harry Walter, supplies 13 05
Electric Gas Lighting Co., supplies 2 00
Pettingill, Andrews Co., supplies 1 15
Beattie Zinc Works,
47 00
Francis Bros.,
6 70
Geo. M. Stevens Co., Inc., “
108 88
Amount carried forward
$548 39 $4,457 85
102
Amount brought forward
$548 39 $4,457 85
W. Bancroft & Co.,
4 13
Cummings' Express, expressing .
5 90
Geo. M. Stevens Co., Inc., storage battery
850 00
$1,408 42
Overdrawn
62 20
$4,520 05 $4,520 05
FOREST FIRES
Appropriation
$150 00
EXPENDED
Asa Parker, salary, two years ending April 30, 1903
$30 00
A. G. Nichols, salary, year ending April 30, 1903 Jason Zwicker, salary, year ending April 30, 1903
15 00
15 00
H. E. McIntire, salary, May 1, 1903, to Aug. 31, 1903 5 00
M. E. Nichols, painting cans 1 21
B. J. Lehan, sandwiches and coffee
1 50
C. H. Frost, cans
7 80
Labor
58 25
Labor and teams
13 75
Unexpended
2 49
.
$150 00 $150 00
103
FIRE ALARM BOX NO. 41 (Green and Village Sts.)
Appropriation
$75 00
EXPENDED
Geo. M. Stevens Co., Inc., fire alarm box and keys
$62 53
L. T. Eames, installing same 3 49
Unexpended .
8 98
$75 00
$75 00
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
READING, JAN. 1, 1904.
To the Board of Fire Engineers of the Reading Fire Depart- ment :
I submit the following report. There has been added to the Fire Alarm System during the year one box, No. 41, corner of Village and Green sts. The gravity battery has been replaced by a system of storage batteries giving entire satisfaction.
The system now consists of 150 jars of storage battery, one 5 circuit repeater, one steam whistle, two tower strikers, and 33 boxes.
LOCATION OF BOXES
13-Corner of Ash and Avon Sts.
15-Corner of Walnut St. and Summer Ave.
16-Main St., near South.
17-Lincoln St., near Depot.
18-Park Ave., corner of Minot St.
22-No session, High School House.
23-Corner of Woburn and Temple Sts.
24-Mineral St., corner of Hancock.
25-Prospect St., near King.
26-Hose 2 House, Woburn St.
27-Summer Ave., south of Prescott St.
105
28-West St., near W. A. Bancroft's.
29-Corner of West and King Sts.
32-Franklin St., opp. second house from Grove.
33-Lowell St., Eastern Rubber Co. Works.
34-Corner of Grove and Forest Sts. 35-Corner of Main and Locust Sts.
36-Corner of Bancroft Ave. and Locust St.
37-Main St., near Brooks Nichols'.
39-Corner of Franklin and Main Sts.
41-Corner of Village and Green Sts.
42-Corner of John and Haven Sts.
44-Corner of Salem and Pearl Sts.
45-Corner of Salem and Belmont Sts.
46-Corner of Charles and Pearl Sts.
47-Corner of Haverhill and Charles Sts.
55-Reading Rubber Mills.
61-Corner of Main and Washington Sts.
62-Corner of Main and Haven Sts.
63-Congregational Church.
64-Central Fire Station.
65-Corner of Bancroft Ave. and Middlesex Ave.
67-Corner of High St. and Middlesex Ave.
Owing to the number of false alarms that have been rung in, the keys from boxes 13, 15, 16, 24, 27, 28, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 44, 45, 46, 47, 67 have been taken from the boxes and placed in the houses near by.
Would recommend that some of the old wire should be re- placed with new. Yours respectfully,
LEONARD T. EAMES, Supt. Fire Alarm.
.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Appropriation $2,600 00
Amount received from 4th District
Court fines 82 00
Amount received from Master of House
of Correction .
9 00
Amount received from State Board of
Charities, transportation of patients .
25 00
Amount received from Danvers Insane
Hospital, transportation of patient
6 00
EXPENDED
F. D. Merrill, salary, 1903 . $780 00
F. D. Merrill, miscellaneous expenses 10 85
F. D. Merrill, transportation of prisoners 29 02
F. D. Merrill, posting warrants
2 00
F. D. Merrill, use of horse
25 00
J. H. Orr, salary, 1903
780 00
W. H. Manning, salary, 1903
780 00
Robert Powers, special police
138 68
C. W. MacDougall, special police 16 75
E. L. Lovejoy, special police
3 00
5 75
B. F. Manning, special police Samuel Brown, special police
6 00
J. J. Cullinane, special police
2 50
Amount carried forward
$2,579 55 $2,722 00
107
Amount brought forward Asa Parker, special police 7 50
$2,579 55 $2,722 00
R. J. Lefave, special police
9 85
Clement Gleason, special police
2 50
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co., telephone rent
64 45
Borthwick Bros., carriage hire
6 75
G. A. Shackford & Son, carriage hire
6 00
S. W. Bowker, carriage hire
8 00
R. A. White, carriage hire
21 00
Cummings' Express, expressing
75
A. S. Cook & Co., blankets
1 97
Berry & Rich, disinfectant
50
T. C. Fife, labor and material
3 36
Merrill Hutchinson, lettering curtain
4 16
L. T. Eames, installing electric lights Overdrawn
8 81
3 15
$2,725 15 $2,725 15
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
JANUARY 1, 1904.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Reading :
GENTLEMEN : I have the honor of submitting to you the annual report of the doings and condition of the Police Depart- ment for the year ending December 31, 1903.
This Department at present consists of
Chief, Frederic D. Merrill.
Patrolmen, J. Henry Orr, Wm. H. Manning.
Reserves, Chester McDougall, Jason Zwicker, John Stock, Jeremiah J. Cullinane, Robert Powers, Samuel Brown, Reuben J. LeFave, Eugene L. Lovejoy, Asa Parker.
Keeper of Lockup, Frederic D. Merrill.
76 Number of arrests during the year
ARREST BY MONTHS
January 3
Males 3
February 5
5
March 5
4
Females 1
April
6
1
May 5
4
1
June 6
6
July
13
13
August 8 :
8
September 5
5
4
109
October 6
Males 6
Females
November 4
4
December 9
66
9
76
73
66
3
NATIVITY OF PERSONS ARRESTED
American born
53
Foreign born
23
Non-residents
. 33
Minors
12
On Warrants
27
Tramps put up
410
Males 407, Females 3.
OFFENCES
Assault and Battery
7
Arson
1
Bastardy
2
Breaking and Entering
2
Cruelty to Animals
1
Contempt of Court
3
Disturbing the Peace
3
Disorderly Conduct
2
Drunkenness
31
Insane
7
Larceny
7
Malicious Mischief
2
Neglected Children
4
Non-support .
1
110
Trespass
1
Vagrants
1
Violation of Town By-Law
1
DISPOSITION OF CASES
Discharged
8
Delivered to other officers
7
Fined
26
Committed for non-payment
6
Sentenced to House of Correction
11
Placed on file
6
Committed to State Hospital
6
Held for Grand Jury
2
Nol prossed
1
Still in Court
2
Committed to Home for Destitute
1
Rec'd from Fourth Dis't Court for fines
$87 00
Rec'd from House of Correction for
fines
9 00
$96 00
Rec'd from Middlesex County
25 00
$121 00
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
Accidents
3
Amount of property reported stolen
$333 00
Amount of property recovered
$233 00
Buildings found open and secured
:87
Cases investigated
33
Court attendance, days
126
76
111
Dangerous poles, etc.
4
Dangerous dogs reported
4
Dead bodies cared for
3
Defective street lamps and wires reported
14
Dog notices served
4
Disturbances suppressed
3
Dogs killed .
18
Defective streets and sidewalks
6
Fire alarms given
3
Fires extinguished without alarm
1
Horses found cast
6
Horses killed
1
Lanterns hung in dangerous places
4
Lost children found and restored
2
Street obstructions removed
4
Stray teams put up
1
Sick and injured persons assisted
3
Officers at fires
43
Officers at special occasions
68
Notices posted
60
MORALE OF THE TOWN AND FORCE
No very serious offences have occurred the past year; good order has generally prevailed. No serious accidents have occurred on the highways-none, I think, where the Town could be held liable.
A police force, by the very nature of its work and organiza- tion, must be subject to strict discipline.
The ideal policeman is noted for his universal good conduct and behavior at all times, both on and off duty, with a quiet dignity of manner, with his eyes and ears always open, and he never talks while on duty, unless he has "something to say."
The year just closed has been a creditable one in the work of
112
this Department. The conduct of the officers has been excellent. It has been the constant effort of the officers to discharge the duties devolving upon them without undue officiousness or an assumption of arbitrary power, at the same time having due regard for the maintenance of good order and a fair enforcement of the laws and ordinances. We do not expect to escape criticism.
Often harsh criticism is made when, if the true facts were fully known, commendation would be in order.
The time has arrived when it is very desirable, and in fact is absolutely necessary, that immediate action should be taken to secure the services of another patrolman for day duty. And I shall ask for an appropriation sufficient for that purpose.
CONCLUSION
To your Honorable Board I hereby extend thanks for courtesy and kindness accorded me on all occasions. Also to the Judges and Clerks of the District and Superior Courts.
Most respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC D. MERRILL, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Reading :
Your Board of Health herewith renders its annual report for the year 1903 :
Number of cases of contagious diseases reported.
17
Diptheria
3
Scarlet fever
5
Typhoid fever
6
Measles
3
Number of rooms fumigated
34
Complaints of nuisances
13
Examinations for plumbers' licenses
3
Plumbers' certificates issued
3
Permits to do plumbing granted
67
Permits to lay drains
28
Number of returns of death received
75
Burial permits issued
75
Causes of death :
Apoplexy 5
Accident
2
Brights disease
1
Bronchitis
2
Bantis disease 1
Carcimona
3
Capillary bronchitis
2
Cerebral hemor'ge
3
Cardiac dilatation
1
Cancer
4
Chronic nephritis
1 Convulsions
1
Diabetes
2
Disease of heart
3
Disease unknown
1 Endocarditis
2
.
114
Erysipelas
1
Gastritis 1
Gastro enteritis
1
Gangrene
1
Leukremia
1
La grippe
1
Myocarditis
2
Metrol Insufficiency 1
Malnutrition
1
Meningitis
2
Obstructive jaundice
1
Old age
2
Paresis
1
Paralysis
1
Phthisis Pulmonalis
4
Pulmonary Tuber-
Pneumonia
6
[culosis 7
Pernicious anœmia
1
Rheumatism
1
Still born
2
Septisaemia 1
Tubercular laryngitis
1
Typhoid fever
1
Deaths by months :
January
15
July
7
February
7
August
7
March
7
September
3
April
8 October
4
May
1
November
4
June
3
December
9
Total 75
The duties of the Board of Health are marked with something of a sameness from year to year ; but in this instance two excep- tions must be noted : we are called upon by the city of Cambridge to pay one hundred and forty dollars ($140) for the treatment of a scarlet fever case, the patient having legal residence in this town. No good reason appears why this bill should not be paid.
Last year the Board of Health of the city of Melrose notified this Board that there was a case of small pox in their hospital, the expense of which would be chargeable to Reading. The bill, amounting to $471.61, having been received, the members of this
115
Board pronounced it exorbitant and took no further notice of it. Suit has now been brought by Melrose. We await your instruc- tions at the annual meeting.
We earnestly hope for an early and satisfactory solution of the sewage problem.
Respectfully submitted,
CALVERT H. PLAYDON, Board GEO. L. FLINT, of
FREDERIC D. MERRILL, Sec'y, Health.
BOARD OF HEALTH
Appropriation
$600 00
Cash refunded 4 30
EXPENDED
G. S. Tukey, salary, Inspector of Plumbing $200 00
G. S. Tukey, labor fumigating ·
5 00
C. W. MacDougall, salary, Inspector of Plumbing 100 00
C. H. Playdon, M. D. V., salary, Inspector of Slaughter Houses, Meats and Provis- ions 50 00
F. D. Merrill, stationery 2 12
Melvin & Badger, repairing regenerator .
L. T. Eames, electrical supplies 3 00
2 20
W. E. & J. F. Twombly, letterheads 3 50
J. C. Oxley, disinfectant 16 00
E. C. Metcalf, window shades 3 80
Amount carried forward $385 62
$604 30
116
Amount brought forward H. B. Howard, rent to Oct. 24, 1903 H. B. Howard, cleaning office American Express, expressing Cummings' Express, expressing Unexpended .
$385 62
$604 30
80 00
1 00
2 55
8 90
126 23
$604 30
$604 30
PLUMBING
To the Honorable Board of Health, Town of Reading :
GENTLEMEN : I respectfully submit to you the following report of duty performed from Jan. 1st, 1903, to Jan. 1st, 1904 :
Applications filed
67
Left over
1
Water closets set
40
Bath tubs trapped
30
Bowls trapped .
31
Sinks trapped
68
Trays trapped
20
Alterations
6
All work has been inspected, tested and left in safe and satis- factory condition. Work inspected by Chester MacDougall, David Taggart, Greenleaf S. Tukey.
I thank the Secretary, also the Board, the craft, and all con cerned, for kind co-operation, also for kindness during my late illness.
Respectfully submitted,
G. S. TUKEY, Inspector.
JAN. 1ST, 1904.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
READING, JAN. 7TH, 1904.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1903 :
CORRECT
ADJ. C. D. TOTAL
No. of scales over 5000 lbs.
2
2
4
under
11
6
17
small scales
29
19
48
66
family scales
5
1
6
computing scales
5
5
ice scales
4
1
5
weights
243
21
264
spring balances
5
5
dry measures
66
1
67
66
wet measures
29
29
milk measures
17
17
yard sticks
19
19
bottles
3818
17 3835
Received for work done outside of office, $4.43.
I have in my charge one set of brass scales and weights, one set of copper wine measures, one nest of dry measures, 500 lbs. of 50 lb. weights, and one 10 lb. and one 5 lb .; one set of numbers from 0 up to 9, three letters, two R's and C. I)., one glass cutter ; all in good order.
Respectfully yours,
FRANK W. PARKER, S. of W. and M.
66
pan scales
17
17
TRUSTEES LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
READING, JAN. 25, 1904.
To the Selectmen :
The Trustees take satisfaction in being able this year to ask for a considerably decreased sum than it has been customary for the Town to allot yearly for the regular purposes of the cemetery.
We estimate the sum of $600 will be sufficient the coming year. The increase of receipts from the sale of lots makes this possible.
The Trustees could expend a much larger sum to good advan- tage, but the amount asked will permit a continuance of the general plan of improvements, which are contributing yearly to what some day will be a harmonious whole.
We have finished the laying of curved edgestones leading from the Lowell st. entrance and the result in improved appearance more than justifies the outlay. We hope to make satisfactory arrange- ments with the School Committee to put in edgestones matching those in the cemetery along the High School grounds, when the im- provement to both properties will be apparent.
An iron gate has been erected at the Highland st. entrance which serves well the purposes of convenience and ornamentation.
The improvements at the southeast corner abutting Main st. and the Old South property, consisting of removing the shrub growth and grading, has made an objectionable corner presentable and a source of additional attractiveness to the cemetery.
-
120
The past year has continued to demonstrate the good fortune of the Town in being able to command the services of so interested and capable a Superintendent as Dr. Danforth, and his assistant Jason Zwicker has proved the right man in the right place.
For the coming year we recommend that the sum of $600 be appropriated as mentioned previously ; also the unexpended balance and the receipts from the sale of lots.
GALEN A. PARKER, Chairman, A. W. DANFORTH, Secretary, ALDEN BATCHELDER, F. L. EDGERLEY, H. T. LEAVIS, W. E. TWOMBLY,
Trustees Laurel Hill Cemetery.
LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
Appropriation
$900 00
Unexpended balance, interest on ceme-
tery bequests . .
417 75
Interest on cemetery bequests, 1903
305 29
Amount received from sale of lots and graves
740 00
EXPENDED
Fred Wallace, tools and grass seed
$7 15
Wakefield Daily Item, printing
3 50
W. B. Jeffreys & Co., plants
13 50
W. H. Pond, shrubs
25 00
Chas. Ingram, flowers
24 00
Amount carried forward
$73 15 $2,363 04
121
Amount brought forward
$73 15 $2,363 04
W. C. Tingley, circle edgestones
162 50
John Muse, setting edgestones 5 00
E. T. Barnum, iron fence
146 50
M. D. Jones & Co., vase and perpetual signs
25 30
Hartford Rubber Works Co., rubber hose .
16 00
W. Bancroft & Co., posts and lumber
2 50
Reading Water Works, labor and material
3 46
Francis Bros., tools and supplies
2 58
O. O. Ordway, repairing tools
2 44
Clarkson Parker, lot No. 100
75 00
A. W. Danforth, salary Supt.
75 00
Labor
534 70
Labor and teams
648 94
Unexpended
589 97
$2,363 04 $2,363 04
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1903.
I have given permission for the removal of three Rock Maple trees on Temple st. opposite the property of Mr. C. L. Turner. These, with the exception of one or two dead trees, are the only trees that I have consented to have removed.
The work in connection with the removal of the nests of the Brown-tail Moth has been carried on as in the past. The total number of moths removed was about (9700) nine thousand seven hundred.
The same work will have to be done again next year, as the nests are still in evidence, as it is simply impossible to exterminate them, and all that can be done is to keep them in bounds by con- stantly looking after them every spring.
There has been no tree planting done this year, but I have had more or less urgent calls for some trimming, which I did, and which was necessary to be done on account of the decayed condi- tions of the limbs, which if left would be a menace to the travel- ling public.
I would recommend that $200 be raised and appropriated for the use of the Tree Warden for 1904.
I thank you for the courtesies shown me and remain
Yours very respectfully,
A. CHANDLER MANNING.
123
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
.
$200 00
EXPENDED
Labor removing Brown-tail Moths
$165 70
Labor trimming trees
33 24
Francis Bros., pruners
2 00
Overdrawn
94
$200 94
$200 94
For balance of the expenditures account of Tree Warden see Miscellaneous Expenses account.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS AND PROVISIONS
READING, MASS., JAN. 1, 1904.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of animals within the year 1903 :
Number of cattle kept within the town limits 401
Number of barns inspected 102
Number of sheep
6
I was ordered to make my annual inspection early in Septem- ber, to be finished before Nov. 15. These regulations were com- plied with and reports sent to Mass. Board of Agriculture Cattle Bureau. The animals showing evidence of tuberculosis or other contagious disease were quarantined, duplicates being sent to State Board for attention.
Your inspector has investigated several cases in horses thought to be suspicious of contagious disease, but upon careful inspection only two proved to be of a serious nature and these were destroyed.
The farmers are still growing to realize how much better pro- ducts can be obtained from clean, well kept, healthy cattle and premises and each inspection shows much improvement over the last.
I feel justified in saying that the sanitary conditions connected with many and, in fact, most of our dairies are second to none in
125
the State and within a short time the whole of our producing dairies will be in perfect condition.
The market products have been watched carefully and anything thought to be unfit for food destroyed.
I trust the townspeople will notify me of any suspicious case in either cattle or horses. This will be of great assistance in check- ing the spread of a disease which so often causes great loss to own- ers of stock.
Thanking the owners of stock for the assistance rendered when performing my duty, I remain,
Yours very truly,
CALVERT H. PLAYDON, M. D. V.
-
ASSESSORS' REPORT
We respectfully submit the following report of the valuation of real and personal property assessed in the Town of Reading during the year 1903, and also some other data of interest. Value of real estate $4,067,868 00
Value of personal property, not includ-
ing resident National Bank stock $488,704 00
Resident National Bank stock 33,400 00
Total value of personal property
$522,104 00
Total value of real and personal property $4,589,972 00
Increase in value of real estate . . $ 117,650 00
Increase in value of personal estate .
36,108 00
Value of buildings excluding land . 2,503,055 00
Value of land excluding buildings . 1,564,813 00
Total tax assessed on polls and estates May 1, 1903 $88,073 58
Tax on real estate
$75,259 89
Tax on personal estate 9,627 69
Tax on polls
3,156 00
$88,073 58
Tax assessed on polls since May 1, 1903 2 00
Personal tax 2 31
Street railway excise tax
2,075 48
$90,153 37
127
State Highway tax
$ 53 50
State tax
3,800 00
County tax
4,977 69
$8,831 19
Total tax for Town purposes
$81,322 18
Rate of taxation, $18.50.
Total number of persons assessed on property
1531
Total number of persons assessed a poll tax only
876
Number of polls May 1, 1903
1578
Number of polls added since
1
Total polls assessed
1579
Increased number of polls for 1903
31
405
66 sheep
10
66 66
swine
167
66 fowls
4640
dwellings
1265
.6
new dwellings
acres of land
5734
Valuation, tax rate and amount of money raised and appropri- ated at periods of five years from 1870 to 1900 :
1870 Total valuation of Town $1,812,245 00
Total tax assessed $28,282 59 $14 48
Rate per $1,000
1875 Total valuation $2,367,018 00 $36,773 34
Total tax assessed
Rate per $1,000 $14 60
.
Number of horses
66 COWS
307
neat cattle
46
128
1880 Total valuation Total tax assessed Rate per $1,000
$2,457,816 00 $27,540 00 $10 50
1885 Total valuation Total tax assessed Rate per $1,000
$2,363,942 00 $27,320 07 $10 80
1890 Total valuation Total tax assessed Rate per $1,000
$2,837,130 00 $42,584 96 $14 30
1895 Total valuation Total tax assessed Rate per $1,000
$3,691,507 00 $59,798 35 $15 50
1900 Total valuation Total tax assessed
Rate per $1,000
$4,412,574 00 $84,604 31 $18 50
EDWARD F. PARKER, J. H. ADDEN, MILLARD F. CHARLES,
Assessors of Reading.
COLLECTOR'S REPORT
H. M. VIALL, Collector,
To TOWN OF READING
DR.
To am't collected after abatement, 1900
$13 22
Uncollected taxes, 1900
237 23
1901
12,573 27
66
1902
26,976 52
Am't collected account Redemption
6 00
Committed list, 1903
88,073 58
Additional list,
18 31
Excise tax
2,075 48
Interest, 1900
19 07
1901
1,040 99
1902
591 51
1903
82 79
CR. $20 59
By refund . " cash paid E. F. Parker, Treas., ac- count 1900 248 93
" cash paid E. F. Parker, Treas., ac- count 1901 " cash paid E. F. Parker, Treas., ac- count 1902
13,614 26
16,400 00
Amount carried forward
$131,707 97 $30,283 78
-
130
Amount brought forward
$131,707 97 $30,283 78
By cash paid E. F. Parker, Treas., ac- count 1903 . 56,925 00 " cash paid E. F. Parker, Treas., ac- count Redemption 6 00
" cash paid E. F. Parker, Treas., ac- count excise tax 2,075 48
" uncollected taxes, 1902
11,168 03
66 1903
31,249 68
$131,707 97 $131,707 97
H. M. VIALL, Collector.
Reading, Jan. 20, 1904.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Reading :
We respectfully submit the following report for the year end- ing Dec. 31, 1903.
TOWN HOME
Total number of inmates during the year
13
Died during the year
1
Number discharged
4
Number at present time
8
NUMBER OF PERSONS AIDED OUTSIDE OF TOWN HOME
Full support at Insane Hospital .
10
Temporary aid granted, adults 66 children 20
29
Tramps .
410
The average number of inmates at the Town Home has been much larger than for many years, while our calls for aid outside the Home have been a trifle less, the hospital account you will note also showing a decrease. At the beginning of the year when called upon for our recommendation for the appropriation for this Depart- ment, we were of the opinion that there would be a large decrease in our calls for assistance during 1903, and we accordingly recom- mended the sum which was afterwards appropriated by the Town. We regret to state that we were in error in our estimate and that there is such a large overdraw in the Poor Account. You will note the small number of tramps lodged, and it may be also interesting
132
to compare the past year with the year 1894, when 1234 were en- tertained by this Department.
On Jan. 1st, 1904, the Commonwealth assumes the care of the Insane, which will cause a reduction in the appropriation this Board will recommend for the Poor Department the ensuing year. The Town's proportion of the expense for the care of the Insane will necessarily appear in the State tax, and whether or not there will be any financial saving to the Town can only be determined after a trial of the new system. There will certainly be a saving of labor to the Overseers of the Poor in the various cities and towns in the Commonwealth.
The work in this Department is continually increasing. Every call for aid requires prompt investigation and a large amount of de- tail work to determine place of settlement of the applicant. Other Departments in the Town we believe are similarly effected and it occurs to this Board that in the very near future it would be econ- omy and much more satisfactory for the Town to employ one clerk to devote his entire time to all the Departments, with an office open during the business hours of every day, and prepared to give all information desired. Our financial statement will be found on succeeding pages.
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