USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Town records of Brookline, Massachusetts, 1872-1884, v. 3 > Part 33
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To hear and act upon the reports of town officers and committees.
The present Board of Auditors, to whom was referred the
390
Brookline Town Records.
report of the Auditors for the past year, to examine and re- port at the adjourned, or some future meeting, presented and read their report on the matter which had been committed to them.
Voted, That the report be accepted.
On motion of Hon. William Aspinwall, it was -
Voted, That the report be printed for the use of the inhab- itants.
The meeting then took up and acted upon the several recommendations in said report, as follows ; to wit, -
Voted, That there be appropriated the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars for the salary of the Treasurer and Collector, including clerical assistance. That the Treasurer is hereby instructed to keep, in the form and manner that the Auditors may direct, a cash book, journal, and ledger (and other minor books they may deem necessary), and that any failure or neglect to comply with their instructions be reported by the Auditors to the Selectmen, who shall thereupon, if just cause · appears, appoint a bookkeeper or clerk to the Treasurer, who shall receive out of the salary ($2500) appropriated above, such compensation as the Selectmen shall allow ; and that all officers, boards, committees, or others intrusted with the dis- bursement of money, or authorized to incur bills on account of the town, be seasonably notified by the Treasurer of the balances of the accounts against which they are authorized to draw, to the end that no debt shall be contracted in excess of funds appropriated.
Voted, That the Superintendent of Streets, and all other boards, committees, or agents of the town employing per- sons for the town, whose names are entered on pay-rolls, be required to render to the Treasurer, in addition to the pay- rolls, a monthly list of the names of said employees, with the total amounts paid to each person during the month, and that the Treasurer enter the same in his books, and at the end of the year report to the town the names of all such persons ; and the amount so paid to each shall be printed.
Voted, That so much of the Auditors' report as relates to trust funds be referred to a committee of five, to be appointed
391
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 10, 1877.
by the Moderator, to report at a future meeting what regu- lations or by-laws should be adopted in regard to trust funds held by the town.
The Moderator appointed the following gentlemen to com- pose said committee ; to wit, Thomas Parsons, James M. Codman, Charles U. Cotting, Henry M. Whitney, Joshua Crane.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to contract for all the printing of the town, and that all reports or other mat- ters authorized to be printed be submitted to them before they are printed, in order to secure uniformity and economy ; that ten copies of all reports be carefully preserved, and at the end of the year be bound up, and two copies be placed in the public library, two in the Selectmen's office, two in the Town Clerk's office, and one each in the office of the Treas- urer, Assessors, School Committee, and Water Board, there to remain for future use and reference.
Voted, That all sums of money paid for labor by the Treasurer shall be signed for on the pay-rolls by the person to whom said labor is due, or by the person presenting an order written in ink from such employee ; and if signed by his ( X) mark, the name shall be written out in full at the time of so writing and properly witnessed.
Voted, That there be appropriated for temporary use the sum of two thousand dollars for the Fire Department, it ap- pearing to the Auditors that a large retrenchment can be made in the expenditures of this department by a radical change in its organization ; and that a committee of three be appointed by the Moderator, who shall take the whole matter into consideration and report at the adjourned town meeting.
The Moderator appointed the following gentlemen to com- pose said committee ; to wit, Edward Atkinson, George F. Fabyan, John K. Rogers.
Voted, That there be credited to water account and charged to the support of highways, -
For water used in watering streets.
" public drinking fountains, watering troughs.
" town stables.
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Brookline Town Records.
To the Fire Department, -
For each public fire hydrant and engine houses.
To support of schools and other accounts in same manner, without being deducted from the regular appropriations.
Fourteenth Article taken up :
To see what action the town will take in reference to the repairing or rebuilding Longwood avenue bridge.
The committee to whom was referred the consideration of the Fourteenth Article, presented the following report ; to wit, -
REPORT.
The undersigned were appointed as a special committee at the town meeting on the 27th March last, under the 14th Article of the warrant, and were instructed in the following terms ; viz., -
" To examine carefully the condition of the Longwood bridge, and de- termine whether or not in their judgment it can be judiciously repaired.
"If they shall determine that it can be repaired, they are to report the probable cost of such repairs at the adjourned, or some future meet- ing.
" If, however, they shall think that it is unwise to spend any more money in repairing the bridge, they are directed to examine the schemes for a bridge prepared by the Boston engineers, and to report to the town whether, in their opinion, it is expedient for us to adopt either of them, and if neither, then what plan we had better adopt, and the probable cost of the work."
Your committee have attended to these duties, and now report : -
On inspecting the bridge it was found that the original structure, built in 1857, was a pine trestle-work resting on piles. It had been re- paired in 1870 and 1874, by encasing each of the old timbers with spruce plank on two sides. The original timber is quite rotten and unreliable inside, though sometimes presenting a fair appearance outside. The casing of spruce plank is too thin to give adequate support to the loads to which it is subjected, while the piles, on which the whole structure rests, are in some cases entirely decayed near the top.
It was therefore decided that the bridge could not be judiciously re- paired, and that it is unwise to spend any more money in repairing it. The plans prepared by the Boston engineers was then examined, with the estimates accompanying them. These plans consist of two alternative designs. Both show a timber floor 50 feet wide, resting on wrought iron girders ; one plan for 4 spans resting on 3 piers and 2 abutments, and one plan for 5 spans on 4 piers and 2 abutments of granite. The piers were to be of iron columns resting on stone bases with pile foundations. The estimated cost was $55,352 for 4 spans, and $63,902 for 5 spans. By inspection of the printed reports of the town, it appears that the original bridge was erected in 1857, at a -
393
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 10, 1877.
Total cost to the town of $3,621 94 Sundry repairs have been made from time to time, costing
the town in all the further sum of
·
4,065 30
Making an average outlay of $200 00 per year.
Besides depreciation amounting to
180 00
And interest on first cost at 6 per cent .
217 00
In all
$597 00
It is estimated that a new structure of the same general design as the old one could now be built of a similar width, 37 feet, but of about double the strength, to provide for the increased demands of the travel, at a total cost of $8000.00, for which the town would be liable to pay $4000.00.
The appearance to all persons passing over the bridge would be the same, whether the substructure were of iron or wood; the floor in either case, and the cost of repairing it in either case being the same.
If it be supposed that the iron work and its foundations would be nearly permanent and demand but slight repairs, the account for the next 20 years would stand nearly as follows : -
Ist. For iron bridge of 4 spans, the first cost of the town's share would be · . $27,676 00 20 years' interest on the same at 5 per cent 27,676 00
Cost of repairs of floor and painting iron 3,500 00
Total
$58,852 00
Less value 20 years hence .
25,000 00
Amount expended and used up
$33,852 00
Being an annual outlay of
$1,692 00
2d. For wooden bridge 37 feet wide, the first to cost the town would be, say
$4,000 00
20 years' interest at 5 per cent
4,000 00
Cost of repairs of floor and bridge .
3,800 00
Total
$11,800 00
Less value 20 years hence .
800 00
Amount expended and used up .
$11,000 00
Being an annual outlay of
$550 00
This wooden structure would be equally efficient with the iron one except as to width. This extra width could be provided at any time at a like cost, proportioned to the amount of such increase, i.e., an extra width of one third to make the whole 50 feet instead of 37, would involve an extra cost of one third of the above estimate, besides the cost of widening the approach.
Your committee do not find any present necessity for such increase of width, and think the public travel is amply provided for at present with the roadway of 30 feet and one sidewalk.
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Brookline Town Records.
The Brookline abutment was never, when new, a stable piece of work. It yielded considerably during the first year, and has continued to yield slightly since to the pressure behind it. But it is not in a condition to give occasion for any immediate anxiety, and possibly may endure for another twenty years without repairs. Its faults are radical and do not admit of repairs in any case.
In view of the above facts, your committee recommend the passage of the following vote; viz., -
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to build, in connection with the city of Boston, a new bridge over Muddy river for Longwood avenue, of wood, and according to such plan as may be agreed upon by them and the city government, and that the sum of four thousand dollars is hereby appropriated for the purpose of paying the town's share of its cost.
Brookline, Apr. 7, 1887.
EDWARD S. PHILBRICK. EDWARD ATKINSON. H. M. WHITNEY. CHARLES U. COTTING. JAMES P. FARLEY, Jr.
Voted, That the report be accepted.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to build, in con- nection with the city of Boston, a new bridge over Muddy river for Longwood avenue, of wood, and according to such plan as may be agreed upon by them and the city govern- ment, and that the sum of four thousand dollars is hereby appropriated for the purpose of paying the town's share of its cost.
On motion of Hon. William Aspinwall, it was -
Voted, That the report be printed for the use of the inhab- itants.
On motion of Mr. Oliver Whyte, it was -
Voted, That there be appropriated for the extension of the water pipes in the several streets and places below named, the following sums ; to wit, -
In Auburn street, on petition of F. J. Nash, nine hun- dred (900) feet six-inch pipe, one thousand dollars . . $1,000 00
In High street, on petition of Eben Wright, seven hundred (700) feet six-inch pipe, eight hundred dollars . 800 00
In Gorham avenue, on petition of J. H. Boody and others, two hundred and twenty (220) feet two-inch pipe, one hundred and forty dollars . 140 00
In rear of Linden place, on petition of A. E. McDonald, one hundred and eighty (180) feet two-inch pipe, one hundred and ten dollars 110 00
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Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 10, 1877.
In White place, on petition of J. M. Seamans, seventy (70) feet two-inch pipe, forty dollars . $40 00
In Fay place, on petition of N. Watson, one hundred and forty (140) feet two-inch pipe, ninety dollars · 90 00
In Vernon street, on petition of Morrill Frost, one hundred and fifty (150) feet six-inch pipe, one hundred and fifty dollars 150 00
In St. Paul street, on petition of William Stearns, three hun- dred (300) feet six-inch pipe, three hundred dollars . 300 00
In rear of Washington street, on petition of M. O'Dea 40 00
In Summit street, on petition of Robert Peabody 47 00
Voted, That the Water Board are authorized to pay the foregoing sums from any unexpended balances now remain- ing from the appropriation for the extension of the water works.
Rev. L. F. Beecher requested that the water pipes be laid in Davis avenue, from Cypress street to his house.
Voted, That the request of Mr. Beecher be referred to the adjourned meeting.
Fifteenth Article taken up :
To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to take any action to a better accommodation of the public travel to and from the Brookline Railroad station in the village, and to confer with the Boston & Albany Railroad Company in relation thereto, on the petition of John W. Can- dler and others.
After some consideration of the subject of this article, it was -
Voted, That the Fifteenth Article be laid on the table.
Sixteenth Article taken up :
To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be required to defray the expenses of the town during the ensuing year, and for any or all of the foregoing articles.
On motion of Hon. William Aspinwall, it was -
Voted, That the salary of the Librarian be one thousand two hundred dollars, and that that amount be appropriated for the Librarian.
Voted, That the salary of the Town Clerk be one thousand dollars.
Voted, That the balance of the sum of five thousand dol- lars appropriated for work in the Walnut Hills Cemetery be reappropriated and placed in the hands of the trustees of said cemetery, to be used at their discretion.
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Brookline Town Records.
Voted, That the appropriation recommended for watering the streets be referred to the Selectmen, to inquire into the expediency of the town owning the watering carts and hose, and the use of the same, and report at the adjourned meet- ing.
On motion of Hon. William Aspinwall, it was -
Voted, That the appropriation for the library be four thousand dollars, exclusive of the Librarian's salary.
The meeting then made the following appropriations ; to wit, -
For abatement of taxes
$5,000 00
cemetery, old
200 00
Cemetery, Walnut Hills, reappropriated
3,765 40
contingencies . .
8,000 00
Decoration Day
300 00
Fire Department, temporary use .
2,000 00
Health Department
1,000 00
highways
20,000 00
lighting streets
· 15,000 00
sidewalks
. 1,500 00
Superintendent of Streets
. 1,500 00
interest on town debt
· 95,300 00
library
4,000 00
police ·
16,000 00
poor, support of
6,000 00
ringing bell
175 00
schools
37,000 00
schools, evening, for incurred obligations
100 00
sewers, care of
1,000 00
sewers, construction of, reappropriated
· 20,000 00
sinking fund .
. 58,600 00
soldiers, disabled, and families of deceased .
500 00
State aid
800 00
State tax
County tax
Town Hall, lighting and care of, and janitor buildings, repairs of
2,500 00
Assessors, including clerical aid .
2,450 00
Collector and Treasurer, including clerical aid
2,500 00
Town Clerk
1,000 00
Selectmen, Overseers of Poor, and Surveyors of Highways 3,750 00 Clerk of 500 00
water works, extension of, reappropriated 12.878 59
water works, maintenance of 6,500 00
Auditors
300 00
1,500 00
1
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 24, 1877. 397
Voted, That five hundred dollars of the fifteen hundred dol- lars appropriated for the repairs of town buildings, be placed at the disposal of the School Committee, to be used by them for the interior repairs of the schoolhouses.
Voted, To adjourn, to meet in this place on Tuesday, the twenty-fourth day of April instant, at seven of the clock in the evening.
Adjourned.
Attest : B. F. BAKER, Town Clerk.
ADJOURNED ANNUAL MEETING, APRIL 24, 1877.
Pursuant to adjournment, the inhabitants of the town of Brookline, qualified to vote in elections, met at the Town Hall in said town, on Tuesday, the twenty-fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sev- enty-seven, and were called to order at half-past seven of the clock in the evening by the Moderator, William I. Bowditch.
Fourth Article taken up :
To choose the usual town officers for the ensuing year.
The meeting then nominated and chose the following officer in place of one who had not qualified ; to wit, -
Surveyor of Lumber and Measurer of Wood and Bark : William D. Cool- idge.
The meeting then proceeded to choose a member of the School Committee for one year, in place of Mr. J. Eliot Cabot, resigned.
Voted, That the polls be kept open until twenty minutes past seven of the clock.
The polls were then declared open for the reception of votes for one member of the School Committee for one year, and were kept open until twenty minutes past seven of the clock, when, after giving an opportunity to any voter present who had not voted and desired so to do, they were declared closed.
The Moderator and Town Clerk then proceeded to sort and
1+
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Brookline Town Records.
count the votes given in, and the whole number of votes so given in was fifty-four, and were as follows : Charles E. Ware had one ; William Hobbs had nine ; Albert Mason had twenty- one ; Rev. Leonard K. Storrs had twenty-three, and was de- clared elected, he having received a plurality of the votes so given in.
In voting, the check list was used, and no person was al- lowed to deposit his vote until his name had been found on the list and checked.
The Selectmen, to whom was referred the subject of the appropriation recommended for watering the streets, with direction to inquire into the expediency of the town owning the watering carts and hose, and the use of the same, made their report thereon ; to wit, -
That it is not expedient for the town to own carts and hose for the watering of the streets.
Voted, To accept the report.
The committee to whom was referred so much of the Audi- tors' report as relates to trust funds, to report at a future meeting what regulations or by-laws should be adopted in regard to trust funds held by the town, presented their re- port on that subject, which was read.
Voted, That the report be laid on the table, and that it be printed and distributed among the inhabitants.
The committee to whom was referred the consideration of retrenchment and change in the Fire Department, presented their report on that subject, which was read.
Voted, That the report be laid on the table, and that it be printed and distributed among the inhabitants.
On motion of Hon. William Aspinwall, it was -
Voted, That the committee be continued in existence, and requested to give the subject further consideration and report at the next annual meeting.
On motion of Oliver Whyte, it was -
Voted, That the vote passed at the last meeting authorizing the Water Board to lay 150 feet of pipe on Vernon street be reconsidered.
Voted, That the Water Board be authorized to continue the
399
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 24, 1877.
main already laid on Vernon street, and connect with the main on Harvard street, at a cost not exceeding $460.
Voted, That the Water Board be authorized to lay a 6-inch main from Cypress street northwest through Davis avenue, a distance of 875 feet, to opposite the house of I. S. Davis, with a hydrant at or near the end of same, and also that the 2-inch pipe which now passes up Gorham avenue and ends opposite the house of Mr. Dyer be continued 280 feet, to connect with the main laid on Davis avenue, the cost of the whole work not to exceed $1075.
Voted, That the sum of five thousand dollars be added to the two thousand dollars already appropriated for the further equipment and support of the Fire Department, to be ex- pended under the control and supervision of the Selectmen, substantially in accordance with the report of the committee, subject, however, to such modifications or changes in the plan proposed as the Selectmen may from time to time find to be consistent with safety and economy.
The meeting then voted the following appropriations ; viz.,
For watering streets town officers .
· $6,000 00 · 11,350 00
The committee to whom was referred the petition of Mr. A. W. Goddard, in relation to the taxing of certain property now held by said Goddard, reported that they considered the tax levied upon the land excessive, but could not see Mr. Goddard had any legal remedy.
Voted, That the subject of the petition of Mr. A. W. God- dard, in relation to the taxing of land now owned by said Goddard, be referred back to the committee, with instruc- tions to report in print at the adjourned town meeting in re- lation to the matter ; and, if any injustice has been done Mr. Goddard, if there is any legal redress can be had therefor.
Mr. Alfred D. Chandler resigned his place on the commit- tee.
.Voted, That Mr. Charles H. Drew be added to the com- mittee in place of Mr. Chandler, resigned.
Voted, That the Assessors be added to the committee.
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Brookline Town Records.
The subject of placing additional lamps on Newton street was taken up and considered.
Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to place two ad- ditional lamps on Newton street, one at the entrance of Mr. J. T. Brown's premises, and one half way from Clyde street to the lamp near Mr. Humphrey's house.
Mr. Charles H. Drew called the attention of the town to certain votes passed at the last town meeting, and moved that they be reconsidered ; to wit, -
Voted, That there be appropriated the sum of twenty-five hundred dol- lars for the salary of the Treasurer and Collector, including clerical assist- ance. That the Treasurer is hereby instructed to keep, in the form and manner that the Auditors may direct, a cash book, journal, and ledger (and other minor books that they may deem necessary), and that any failure or neglect to comply with their instructions, be reported by the Auditors to the Selectmen, who shall thereupon, if just cause appears, appoint a bookkeeper or clerk to the Treasurer, who shall receive out of the salary ($2500) appropriated above, such compensation as the Select- men shall allow; and that all officers, boards, committees, or others in- trusted with the disbursement of money, or authorized to incur bills on account of the town, be seasonably notified by the Treasurer of the bal- ances of the accounts against which they are authorized to draw, to the end that no debt shall be contracted in excess of funds appropriated.
Voted, That the foregoing vote be and hereby is recon- sidered.
Also the following votes : -
Voted, That the Superintendent of Streets, and all other boards, com- mittees, or agents of the town employing persons for the town, whose names are entered on pay-rolls, be required to render to the Treasurer, in addition to the pay-rolls, a monthly list of the names of said employees, with the total amounts paid to each person during the month, and that the Treasurer enter the same in his books, and at the end of the year re- port to the town the names of all such persons ; and the amount so paid to each shall be printed.
Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized to contract for all the print- ing of the town, and that all reports or other matters authorized to be printed, be submitted to them before they are printed, in order to secure uniformity and economy ; that ten copies of all reports be carefully pre- served, and at the end of the year be bound up, and two copies be placed in the public library, two in the Selectmen's office, two in the Town Clerk's office, and one each in the office of the Treasurer, Assessors, School Com- mittee, and Water Board, there to remain for future use and reference.
Voted, That all sums of money paid for labor by the Treasurer shall be signed for on the pay-rolls by the person to whom said labor is due, or by the person presenting an order written in ink from such employee ; and if
401
Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 24, 1877.
signed by his (X) mark, the name shall be written out in full at the time of so writing, and properly witnessed.
Voted, That the foregoing votes be and hereby are recon- sidered.
Voted, That the whole subject matter of the foregoing votes, which have been reconsidered, be referred to the Com- mittee on By-Laws.
Tenth Article taken up :
To see what action the town will take in regard to the purchase of land and the erection of a school building, as recommended by the School Committee, and to make the necessary appropriation therefor.
Voted, That the matter be referred to the Selectmen, with instructions to select one or more lots of land suitable for a schoolhouse, on Walnut street or vicinity, and ascertain the prices at which they can be obtained, and report the same to the town at the adjourned, or some future meeting.
Voted, That the Treasurer be authorized to borrow the sum of seventy-five thousand dollars in anticipation of taxes, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority at least of the Selectmen.
Voted, That the various appropriations made by the town, including those for making and repairing highways, and town ways, less the amount in the treasury and the estimated receipts for the current year, amounting to
dollars, be assessed upon the polls and estates, real and personal, of the inhabitants, resident and non-resi- dent of the town, and collected as the town rates are usually charged and collected.
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