1880-81-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN. Your Selectmen cheerfully and with pleasure acqui- esce in the vote of the town by herewith presenting for examination their report of its financial condition, and a statement of the principal matters which have trans- pired in connection with their official duties the past year. Our report will necessarily be brief, as many of the subjects which for the past few years have either been in litigation or otherwise in an unsettled condition are now closed. The principal matters demanding the heaviest outlay the present year are the schools, whose wants will be explained in the report of the School Committee ; the highways, and the support of the poor, to which your attention is called by reference to the report of the Surveyors of Highways and the Overseers of the Poor. The year just closed has passed with unusual quiet- ness and good order. The services of the police have not been required to suppress any disturbance, neither has any event occurred which has called for the inter- ference of any town officer. One of those praiseworthy and much desired episodes in which the town is the recipient as well as custodian, • 4. SELECTMEN'S REPORT. occurred on the second day of November last. A gentleman, whose ancestors were among the most prominent and respected of the early settlers in this town, very thoughtfully, to perpetuate and keep in remembrance the name of " Bridge," now nearly extinct, placed in charge of the town the sum of $2000, to be called the " Bridge Fund," three-fourths of the income to be expended annually among the needy and deserving in town, irrespective of creed or nationality ; one-fourth of the income to be added to the principal until amounting to $400o, then the whole of the income to be used annually. The money is now de- posited awaiting the recommendation of the committee chosen by the town to report for its safe investment. This act cannot fail of calling forth expressions of gratitude from the citizens to the donor, for this kind remembrance of his ancestors, who contributed so much by precept and example, and in every manner possible, in those days when every effort was necessary to sustain it, in its then early settlement. Again, who can estimate in the yearly distribution of the income of this fund, the amount of comfort and relief it may furnish to the needy and unfortunate, or what express- ions of thankfulness will be continually offered to the charitable giver. TOWN BUILDINGS. The town house has been re -slated and new ventila- tors put in ; also, other repairs made that were needed. It is believed the work has been done in a thorough and workmanlike manner. The other town buildings