1879-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

13 GUIDE -BOARDS. It has become almost an impossibility to keep guide - boards up and in repair, their destruction becoming more common than ever. When sufficient evidence to• secure conviction can be obtained, a few prosecutions will, no doubt, have a beneficial effect_ GAMMELL LEGACY. The income of the GammeI1 legacy has been dis- bursed under the management of Mrs. L. S. Pierce and Mrs. N. W. Bryant. The particulars of the ex- penses are given in their report. FIRE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Engineers of the Fire Department furnishes the condition of the fire apparatus, and the . labor and expenses of the department. As the year _ for the fire department does not expire until the first of May, and as the financial year of the town closes. January 31, this difference has caused a misunderstand- ing in relation to the appropriation made for the pay- ment of the firemen, as to the time when the appropri- ation was to be used. If the appropriation which is • usually made at the April meeting is taken to pay the firemen whose year ends the following month, the de- partment would be with but little money for the ensu- ing year; as it is now arranged, a sum is held in re- serve upon settlement January 31, sufficient to pay the stewards, engineers and firemen the amount voted on the following May. 14 The amount granted the past year for the depart - anent, being so much larger than for many years pre- vious, has caused some comment as to the practicabil- ity of the course pursued ; the sung of $2,6o3 has been voted, which is an amount larger than has been raised to keep more than sixty-five miles of road in repair, and yet this amount was insufficient to pay the de- mands which have been presented. In the payment of bills in this department it is the custom to record and pass them to the treasurer, when approved by a majority of the engineers. It has never been our intention to interfere with the duties of the engineers, or act in antagonism to the harmony of the department, but the course pursued by the engineers in regard to the appointment of stewards in East Lex- ington, will necessitate an explanation from us. It will be remembered that at the annual March 'meeting, 1877. a series of resolutions or suggestions were accepted, instructing the Selectmen to receive proposals for many articles desired, also for a janitor for Village Hall building. The lower story of the building is used for the Adams engine and the hook and ladder carriage, also a lockup, whose entrance is through the room of the Hook and Ladder Co.; there is also a kitchen which is used in connection with the hall above, and for the use of which hall the town af- fixed the price by vote April, 1877. In order to save expense and prevent any misunderstanding, proposals were received for the care of the entire building, and also for stewards for the two companies. The office of steward was awarded to a member of the Hook and