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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1877-Annual ReportREPORTS OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1877. LAWRENCE: PRINTED BY HAMMON REED. 1877. ti ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN. Your Selectmen, upon assuming to discharge the duties of the office to which they had been elected, were, they trust, fully aware of the responsibility which rested upon them, for the two fold reason: that they were to assist in endeavoring to carry out the laudable and praiseworthy ex• ertions of the town in reducing the general expenditures ; and as the reverberations from the echoes of those ringing words 64 Economy," 4-9 Retrenchment," and 44 Reform" that were heard -by our predecessors, one year ago, are as potent now as then, and probably ever will be, until the town, by its votes,'reduose every appropriation to its lowest possible de- mand. The sehools must be maintained. the roads kept in a safe oondition, and the poor supported, but many other of the usual expenditures might, perhaps, upon refleotion and investigation, be reduced or discontinued. If the effort is trade by any town officer to reduce the price of the meohanio or laborer; how quickly the cry is heard,­ Deprivation from it Just equivalent," also, whenever the necessary commodities for the town's supply are purchased, even at a reduction of cost, elsewhere, again how soon the exclamation is at once raieed, ii Why not bestow your patronage in town, and aid your tax payers." The market value of what is needed will and must be the guide towards a reduction of many of the expenses, and an abstinence from what is not absolutely required will also aid in that direction. Not much reduction in the general expenses of the town need be expected, until 4 the town by its votes regulates its appropriations to the lowest amount possible, to meet its real and absolute wants and requirements. upon entering upon the discharge of our duties, we could not bring to our aid any recent experience in the management of town sMAm, and in the absence of any profibred assistance were forced to acquaint and familiarise ourselves with the condition of the town affairs, by that slow and not always sure process of gathering information from such sources as circumstances might disclose. Thazenerally conceded and acknowledged faot, that after the town, by its votes, elects a number of individuals for the office termed selectmen, that after those persons have taken the oath of office, prescribed by law, they then become the servants of the town, through whom it is expected the re- quirements and obligations of the town are to be executed and performed, and whenever in the estimation or judgment of the town those servants become remiss, neglectful, or no- mindful, or do not seemingly consult the interest of the town, then it is not only your privilege, but we think your duty, not to stand at the corners of the streets, or sit beside your firesides, and denounce those servants, but to come before them, either at the town meetings or elsewhere, and freely and.f nkly make known what were your expeotations or desires, state your grievances, and call upon those ser- vants to render a feithful account of their stewardship. . We are gratified with the privilege that is accorded us in the presentation of this annual report, to give somewhat in detail an account of the expenditures of the money appropri- ated, as well as the general affairs of the town,. We• trust we shall be pardoned in departing from the usual custom, by giving a more detailed or explicit account of some of the subjects which affect the interest and welfare of the town. one of our first acts was an agreement or resolve that no .., .# S. cobtraot* or expenditure, that way ®der our control or jmis&; diction, should be made without the consent and concurrenee of a m4ority of the board. The several suits at lave, and other unsettled airs :in which the town is unhappily as well as unprofitably involved, early demanded oar attention, and we regret to say are not yet all settled. The road as said out by -the County Commissioners, upon the petition of Hammon Reed et. al., we caused to be. brought before the town, with approval of the' offer made for a settlement, but the action of the town at that time and subsequently was such that the matter remains as it was last March. The unsettled claims arising from the drainage of the. meadows have not all been paid, and probably will not with- out recourse to law; in fact, the am is now in court. A hearing before the Supreme Court upon the constitutionality of the Act of the Legislature was had in January last. The Selectmen, in 1878, made an award of $80.00 toAft. David Wood, for compensation in consequence of deepening the brook running through him land. From this award Mr. Wood appealed to the County Commissioners, before whom a ' hearing was had in June Jost. The award made by the Soloutmen was confirmed by the Commissloners. Mr. Wood then made application fur a sherWis jury, which, against, our earnest protest, was granted, with the condition that Iifr: Wood furnish bonds, to secure the town for expenses, in ease he should '.be 'defaulted. The jury met in the Town Hall, Dec. 11th, then adjourned to the 16th, when the ease was suddenly terminated by reason that Mr. Wood was not owner of the premises when the award was made. The Iaw of lim. itations eheoks any further proceedings in the matter. Luring the past year, our attention has several times been directed to take notice of encroachments within the limits of the roads. In the absence of any record of bounds it is difficult .6 to - eonvinoe persons of - their encroachments. We have caused a survey to be made where necessary, and bounds established and a record made of the same. - We would recommend the establishing of hounds, from time to time, so that ere long no question can arise as to what are the 4mite of the several roads. At the torn meeting, held in Nov., 1875, an japprogriation of $804.00 was voted, and to be taken from the contingent grant. This amount was to be expended by Mr. Cornelius Wellington upon the highway adjoining his premises, and subject to the approval and acceptance of the Selectmen. Mr. Wellington has faithfully fulfilled his agreement, and we have accepted the same, and allowed payment, as per vote of the town. We Emil to see the legality of a vote of this kind, as the law explicitly states that all money granted for the repairs of highways shall be expended under the direction of the Selectmen or Surveyor of Highways. it is, further- more, adopting a precedent that is suaoeptible of much abuse, for if allowed in one instance, requests for appropriations for the same purpose may became too frequent. By an un -antioipated occurrence, occasioned by the Treas- urer, several years since, giving permission for the removal of the standard weights and messares to the place of business of the appointed sealer, they were lost by the burning of the building in which they were kept. As the law requires every town to have a set, we have replaced them., at a oast of $856.64. We do not think permission for their removal from the Town Hall building justifiable under any cimum- stances whatever. From the frequent demands for lumber for the repairs of railing beside the .highways, and for the poor farm, school houses, and other purposes, we thought it advisable to pur- chase a small quantity, of assorted kinds, and place it in the basement of the Town Hall building, where it would be safely kept, and taken when wanted for Immediate use. As it could I not be known for what partioulm department it might be wanted, it was paid for fi�om the contingent grant. "When- ever any should be 'wanted, it could than be d6u% d to the grant for which purpose it wa used. Our attention has been particularly drawn to a subject that commends itself, without the advice or assistance of any per- son, to your consideration. The Common is being visited almost daily by people, we might, perhaps, with safety say, from all parts of the country, and as that sacred. spat will ever be held dear to every American citizen, we think it be- hooves the town, in order to perpetuate ftai hh&nio reputa- tion, to manifest its respect and veneration for that spot, by seeing that its condition is improved and beautified in such ways as its general appearance may suggest or demand. We would recommend that a side -walk be built around it, and ,inch other improvements made as would render it more at- tractive. . At the last town meeting, instructions were given the Se- leetmen, with W. A. Tower, Esq., to endeavor to collect the claim which the town held against the Middlesex Central Itailroa d. , Our attempts having been thus for unsucoessful, perhaps it might be deemed advisable to have recourse to law, and compel a settlement, if possible. S RRET LAIR. A contract for lighting the stmt lamps was made with two partiee, one for the central part of the town and the other for the ,East Village, the contracts commenced June 1st, for one Year. The contract with the party in the center of the town was suddenly terminated by the failure of the Gas Company. The contractor was willing to continue if the town would pay an additional sum equal to the rise in oil. This arrangement we concluded to accept. If the present policy of lighting the street lamps is continued, and thetas should be no redue Oft in the prk a of oil, the subject deniands your thoughtful consideration, as a sum equal to the appropriation of this year will be entirely insuf laient. It would probably require an appropriation of about $9,000.00. TFAMPS. The. question which is being so extensively discussed, 6.61not can be done with the tramps P " is assuming an im- portance that cannot be easily overlooked, when it is known that this small town was honored with visits from 600 the past year, and nn doubt, if the bill of fare (crackwa and salt fish) had been more elaborate, and our sleeping apartments more attractive, more visitors might have been received and entertained. The. cost of their entertainment the past year was about $195.00. A record• is required to be kept of the number, name, age, nationality, where from last, also the cost of each. It was formerly the custom to place the tramps at the alms- house, but the increase in numbers was so great that provi- sion in the basement of the Town IIall building has been made, and their connection with 'the pauper department en- tirely separatod. Now the permits are given by the Belect- men instead of the Uverwrs of the Poor, and. their expenses taken from the contingent grant. They are, or should properly come under the.poliee department, but as the appro- priation for the police is insriffieient to meet the expenses they incur,; we have allowed payment, ks before stated, from the contingent grant. They might with as much propriety be classed as honorary members of the High School, and their expenses taken, from the school grant, as to be now considered as belonging to the poor, department. AaLIKGTM TAX. It is probably well known that the town of Arlington has purchased and taken a portion of our territory, situated in 9 the easterly part of the town, as they claim, for water pur- poses, and for which they assert they are not liable for taxes, by reason of being exempted by an act of the legislate tare. It was believed that the inhabitants of this town would not surrender this amount of taxable properly without ascer- taining legally the feet, consequently the Assessors have levied a tax, amounting to $152.22, which the town of Arlington objected to paying, and petitioned the County Com- missioners for a hearing. At the time appointed for a hear- ing a postponement was grunted, in consequence of the snow preventing an examination of the premises. QU1DE HOARDS. The destroying or defacing of guide boards by the mall - cious or thoughtless is of frequent occurrence. We have replaced those that have been reported as. missing, and repaired others when necessary. LIOMSHS. We would suggest to the town the propriety of an expree- sion as to the expediency of granting licenses for the sale of intox6 ing liquors, beer or ale. The opinion is somewhat prevalent that the Selectmen, in not granting any licenses except to two hotels, did not represent the will or wish of the majority of the voters. Several applications were received for licenses to sell beer and ale, but almost, if not quite in every instance, requests or remonstrances from the neighbors of the applicants, and from others, were also received, de- siring us to refuse granting such licenses. An artiole will be inserted in the warrant for the annual meeting to ascertain the wish of the town as to the expediency of granting licenses. GADt51= LVOAAOY. By the will of the late Jonas Gammell the town revived a 10 legacy of Rive hundred dollars ($500.00), the income of which was to be applied to the purchase of comforts and luxuries for the inmates at the alias house, and to be ex- pended by a committee, consisting of two ladies, to be ap- pointed by the Selectmen, and acUug in connection with the Overseers of the Poor. We were informed by the Treasurer that this income had been accumulating, in eonsequeuce of the Selectmen heretofore having been uuable to induce any ladies to accept the trust. After repeated and urgent solioi- tatione, Mrs. L. S. Pierce and Mrs. N. W. Bryant were persuaded to carry out the provisions of the will. Theis report will be found appended to this. soar.. The subject of purchasing coal for the supply of the town in its several departments was considered early in the season. As the coal for the schools -had usually been purchased by the School Committee, an interview with the chairman of that board was had in reference to -uniting and having but one contract for all. This arrangement was acceded to, and the number of tons necessary for the use of the schools was famisliea us. We concluded a contract, and when eom- menoing to put the coal in, were informed by the chairman of the school board that the School Committee had contracted for coal for the school's use. We have received and paid for the coal as we fairly contracted to do. It is now ascertained that the quantity of coal purchased by both parties will not be more than sufficient for what will be needed for the win. ter's use. In justice to a majority of the School Committee, we fully exonorate them from any complicity in this inexpli- cable transaction. Near the close of the last anauai town meeting a series of suggestions or recommendations were submitted to the town, and were accepted. These recommendations were: that all expenditures of money should loo made by contract. The 11 impracticability of carrying out these requirements in all cases became apparent in making the attempt, in fast, if carried out to the letter, the old adage, « Penny wise and pound foolish," could be applied with truthfulness. As these suggestions dirt not emanate from any committee, neither were they brought before the town in auy usual or proper manner, their adoption was merely an expression of those persons who happened to be present at that time, therefore they were not considered an imperative command. We have, however, endeavored to carry them out when it could be practically done. Some of the suggestions are worthy of adoption, while as a whole they would be almost useless. Perks. The by -laws of the town make it imperative for the Se- lectmen to appoint annually two nr more Police Officera. There were four appaintod, two for day service and two for night service, the latter for such length of time as their sera view might be needed. After serving several months, quietness and good order prevailed to such an extent the night Police were &charged ft-ern farther duty. As there is no organized police department in town, we deemed it proper these officers should report to the Select- men, from whom they derived their power. As the duties of the Police are so connected with and similar to those of the Constable, one report combines the actions of both. The number of arrests have been: For cruelty to animals, 3 drunkenness, 8 stealing, 2 assault, 1 Total, 12 12 Neither the Constable or Police O®oers have any sugges- done or recommendations to offer, trusting that the good order which has prevailed the past year may continue, and that the present number of officers may he all that will be necessary to preserve the peace. We should most assuredly be remiss in our duty if we neglected to call the especial attention of the town to the custom or habit that has become somewhat prevalent, of not Balling in and paying the demands against the town before the close of the finanoial' year, and if the grants to which these demands belong are exhausted, report the same to the town. Then, and not till then, can a correct statement of the liabilities of the town be made. It will be seen by a reference to the report of the highway Surveyor& for 1875, that a small amount of the grunt remained unexpended, whereas the unpaid bills contracted, and due previous to the 1st of February, amounted to $249.32. It will also be seen that the same condition of affairs. existed in the department of the Overseers of the Poor, only a much larger amount of unpaid bills. There is a claim against the to wu held by Mr. N. L. Bry- ant for expenses incurred in defending a suit brought by Maurice (YOonneli, Esq. This matter has been before the town twice, and each time passed over. We think the olaim should be paid, notwithstanding what the future proceedings in the cane may be. The classification of the many hundred bills for payment to the proper grant, to which they belong, has frequently heretofore given rise to a difference of opinion between the Auditors and the Selectmen. The difference of opinion only changes the amount expended from one grant to another, the aggregate expenses remaining the same, The contingent grant is .intended to meet oases of emergency, or demands that may arise Which are not otherwise provided for. We have taken the expenses of tramps from this grant for reasoner i3 explained in our report under tho head of - Tramps." There has been drawn, alsrn, for the payment of weights and men.. urea, $856.50. The payment of $300.00, for repairs of the highways, by fir. Cornelius Wellington, as per vote of the town, was taken from this grant. The expenses of the David Wood case, amounting to about, $75.00, was also paid from this grant. The amount of $950.0U for counsel fees and sur- veyors services, and other demands resulting from the drain- age subject, has been paid. Some large drain pipe for ldain street was paid for from this grant, as has - been the custom when no special grant has been made. An explanation in regard to this matter may be seen by reference to the report of the Surveyors of Highways. Other expenditures from this grant will be seen in the report of the Auditors. The town, with one accord, commemorated on the 19th of April, 1875, an event fraught with that interest that attracted the attention of the whole country. It became necessary, in order to meet the heavy demands that would ,be required for that occasion, to procure an act from the legislature to enable the town to assess a tax, to a limited amount. It will be seen by reference to the report of the Treasurer of the Cen. tennial Celebration Committee, on page 10 of the Reports of 1875, that a balance of $1786,73 remained unexpended after all demands had been paid. This amount was paid to the Town Treasurer, and by him reckoned as a part of the assets of the town. We cannot seethe right or propriety of divert- ing or using this sum from its legitimate purpose. We do not think it can be applied to any use except that for which it was created. If our theory is correct, it should have been applied towards reducing the debt 000eaioned by the oelebra- tion. A few weeks since a requisition was received from the Adjutant General of the State for the return of the arms and military equipments loaned to the gown for thq use of the eompany of Minute Mon. Upon examination, a portion of 14 the equipments were found to be missing. The missing ar- ticles have been replaced by purchasing others, at a cost of nearly $40.00. Quite recently another schedule of military articles borrowed from the State is called for. These were loaned to an officer of the company of Minute Men. Many of the articles called for in the lest schedule are also missing. As we have been unable to gain any information in relation to the matter, it was thought advisable to call your attention to it in this manner, that those who have any knowledge respecting the procuring of these equipments will make it known, that the credit or reputation of the town may not be questioned or involved, unless it properly should be. The expression so ' universally shown one year ago that we should use our best endeavors to ascertain, if possible, if the general expenses of the town could, withoui injury, be re- duced, led as to examine the financial condition of the town for several years post. In'1879 the debt was $58,400, in 1875, $64,800. Notwithstanding the Treasurer's reports show 10 or 19.000 dollars paid, in and between those years towards rednamg the debt, yet'the debt increased $6,400 in three years. What is the solution of this problem? The main cause of this gradual increase is awing to the practice of emmesding the appropriations, and onrying the excess over to the neat year. If this custom is not checked, a crisis will ere long be ruacbod that will be undesirable. It can be seen by the report of 1876 that the appropriations were exceeded to the amount of $8,581.98. and bills of 1875 were paid in 1876 amounting to $1,828.93; this would make the artued excess of expenditures in 18751, where the excess occurs, over the appropriations for the grants, $8,905.91. We would recommend that some imperative measures be taken to compel a strict observance of the votes of the town, such, perhaps, as making the of &oers who allow the excess, respon. sible for it. , We can With pleasure state, there • is not, to our knowl. 15 edge, at this time, an outstanding debt contracted since Feb. 1st, 1876, against the town for a single dollar. If there is, repudiation of it would be a merited rebuke for such dilatoriness. The financial statement of the Treasurer may be considered' as near a correct account of the liabilities of the town as can possibly be made. We are gratified to state that by reference to the Treasur- er's report it will be seen that the town debt bias been reduced five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) the past year. We regret to announce an error, either of the Auditors or Treasurer, or both, in their report of 1875, which ban misled the town in regard to its liabilities. It will be seen by re- ferring to the report of 1875, page 45, that the sum of $5,000.00 was borrowed, May 7th, 1875, of George Holden, whereas in the statement of liahilities in same report, page 16, said loan does not appear. The town debt. Feb. let, 1876, was really $64,800, instead of $59,800, as incorrectly reported. In the preceding pages we have briefly alluded to some of our acts pertaining to the town, also to some matters to which our attention had been called, said in which the town U interested. We regret the want of that eommand of lan- guage, that would have enabled us to have given a more con- else or intelligible report, We, however, mist that you will consider grammatical errors or imperfectly dictated speech as a secondary consideration or of no importance. If there are any matters connected with our duties to the town the past year, or if there is any subject in which the town is interested or connected with, which are not distinctly understood, or need explanation, we earnestly hope and desire that at the annual town meeting such explanation will be called for. The accounts of the Town Treasurer for the quarters ending May 81at, Ang. 81st, Nov. 80th, 1876, and Jan. 819t, 1877, 10 were examined, and to our belief were properly vonehed for and correctly kept. As we now conclude our report, and submit the same to your thoughtful consideration, and as we review our efforts and labors for the past year, we can conscientiously assert our sole and highest aim was, and has been, for the interest and welfare of the town. If we have erred in act or judg- ment, or fallen short of your desires or expectations, we have no excuse to offer. All we ask is, that you will attrib- ute our shortcomings to the weakness of the head, rather than the intention of the heart. If, in giving a synopsis of our labors, we have particularized so much as to seem ego - tistioal, or perhaps arrogant, our only, excuse is, we wished to be so explicit that the charge of indolence, deception or mismanagement. might not hereafter redound upon our ad- ministration. WEBsTER SMITH, Beketnoen OTIS WENTWORTH. of ALBERT W. BRYANT, �Lezinytbn. Lasaniia,zox, Jan. 31st, 1877. 17 The Collector of Taxes submits the following report :- The Tax List committed for 1875 amounted to $45,522 88 The Supplementary List " 44 LL gel 10256 Sum total of Taxes committed, - - $45.62544 The Collector has paid into the Town Treasury, #44,470 81 Amount allowed for prompt payment of Taxes, 92339 Amount abated by the Assessors, - _ 23124 $45,62544 L> GTOx, January 86th, 1877. We, the Selectmen of Lexington, have this day examined the accounts of I. N. Vamoa, Collector for the year 1873, and find them correct. WEBSTER SMITH, 8dectmen OTIS W &NTWORTH, Cf A. W. BRYANT, i Lexington. January 81st, 1877. Tax List committed June Nth, 1876, - $87,21680 Supplementary list, - - - - 84814 Total taxes committed, - - - $37,55994 Taxes collected to elate, - - - - 38,064 80 Amount allowed for prompt payment, - 98671 Uncollected Taxes less abatements to be made, 6,56248 $3755994 All of which is respectfully submitted. ISAAC N. DAMUN, C'adWor of Tuxes. He charges himself pith 'having reoeived the bunwing some, darlved bom the hereinafter named eourees, via: Cash on hand Bebruary tat, 1876. 4637 0$ Trom the Town and Village Halle, 960 60 •• •' State, as Qmporatlon Tax, 841 71 « Bank Tax, 788 78 ►. .. •. .. State Aid returned, 419 00 i► 6• .. •. Inoome•of Mass. School Fand, WD 13 .. uxes af1878, 8.048 80 .. Interest on Taxes of 18i 5, overdue. .. 979 70 •` Tecgporary Loans, . 14,800 00 �• Taxes of 1878, WON 80 L. Interemt on Taxes of 1876, overdue, . , 8450 :. Liesuaea under the Liquor Law, 800 00 .i " of Billiard 8xll, 1000 •� County Treasurer, Dog Money, M 79 •° the overseers of Poor, 1,48408 . :• Burveyore of highways, SU 40 •• ., Assensmenis ser Drainage, • . 47 86 .. •' Town Hay Scales, 48 OB •� .� Bale of Town Iifstodea, so 90 •, .. �� •� •� Centennial, 1140 ■• .' Hon. Charles Hasson, 6000 8ehoo1 Committee, tutUou of out of town soheim, 85 O0 •, .' Boston, Lowell and Xwhua.Raiiroad Co., 1 OD .. .. 'Town of Burlington, 593 •i .. .. Methuen, 419 Csah advaneed, 78 78 WN 31 19 And the Treasurer eredite him"M with havbg 'paid the lbAowing amounts, as sbown Ttelaw, ria: By amount paid from Contingent Grant. gg�gg 97 .. .a s. Fire Department,, M 59 " •: .. hom School Grant, ' 10,019 31 i, •i LL Li 133gkvmy Grauj • • . 2D PAUper G 1%nt, . 3.24400 `L •, ti to the School Committee, 360 00 Li ii ti as State Aid, 490 00 to i;onstable and Police• 496 B0 as Interest, 4.191 55 ai .L A �r Decoration Dap, 9125 LL ii LA ti as Temporary T ns, • . . y�181500 00 :L LL L: Oentenntal : Lt Town new B,No 00 .L iL a: ftr Street 1AmPs, . Ri 41" 42 Libr is ai as ^� ai ti x1"l5+ng Bells, ti LL a. to State Treasurer, under Llcouse I^w.• 76 00 L. ii .a LL Assessors, J►r services; 8w Oil ii ii Li the State Tax, 3.994 O0 :•: .. .. •a County Tax, 1,098 8o .6 •. a Town Oerk. • 1.0p0 00 :L G. •. ii Sexton � . . . 43 go •b L. La U now Ennglne House. . . . 1,D96 00 LL i. .L for ChWda Poor, 818 98 i. LL .1 to aQlleeWr aril Treasurer, 400 Uo ii a: .. Li the AudttoM 2100 .L .. for Inew ace, 37450 to Cary lAbrapry,,_DYoYg_Mo*n—ey, 969 a. 1i .. the Interest V1 GaL�tmonJAg�r � X79 • 40 Vi ,. •• •• for Removing Rnow, 81769 •� .• .. to Cornelius WelHagton, 80000 05840251 A -'l- 88888 .R . {{[[MME I r i-11 y ei E� C - D F+i 88988 HM i�,aba hi asss� 7 Ilia oVIVp C7 � 8 d .$1 The town bey due it •--- Uueolleeted Taxes lees the abatements to be made, $6569 48 64 Betterment Tax for Drainage, 876806 Amount due from Middlesex Central Railroad, 540 4D F Toni T.. H-. - Rhoades, 17842 .. S. W. Robinson Lodge, 10800 . X11,116.91 All of which is respectfully submitted by ISAAC N. DAMON, �Zb" 'Tkwsw-er. $SPOUT of OVERSEERS OF PDOEL The Overseers of the Poor for 1875-76 bi their report state that they, by their experience, %lt oompelled to offer to their successors in office, some well timed and judicious sugges- tions, :%Q that toe& administration might not be charaoteKned with indolence. These suctions, together with the severe criticisms eqd harsh accusations made at the lust annual town meeting, served to call our attention especially to that depart- ment of our duty. And now after careful investigation and after oolleoting such information as possible together with the unbecoming conduct exhibited by some who have been con - nected with the Almshouse, also having been informed . that card playing on the &bbath and other acts of such a charse- ter, that modesty or common decency would forbid their being named in this report were also practiced at the Alms house, we are drawn to the eouolusion, that the criticisms indulged in were not wholly undeserved or unmerited. Fat entering upon the discharge of our ditty we trust we were fully impressed with the care and responsibility that must necessarily he exercised. Our highest and sole aim was to consult the interest (if the town, and render the condition of the inmates as comfortable as possible, irrespec- tive of the causes which placed them in their unfortunate condition. It mattered not to no whether they were suffer- ing for the iniquities of their parents, even unto the third or fourth generation, or whether from their own imprudent acts. Suflieient was it for us that they were the beneficiaries of the town, and our duty was to relieve their wants as far as prau- tioeble. On the 16th of March, 1876, the committee, chosen at the annual MAroh meeting for that purpose, met at the Alms - house, and appraind -the value of personal property belong. jug to the town at $2,078.97. On the lot of p`ebruary, 1877; the same committee met again at the Almshouse, and appraised the value of the personal property at $2,180.84, as per report. Increase of property, $101.87. The buildings at the farm are in a'tolerably good condition. The house needs Dome repairs, and it would be economy to paint it throughout, which we would recommend. The land, sombe 90 br 85 acres, is good gull, and susceptible of being made productive of grass, and it is better adapted for that than for any outer purpose. We found at the commence. spent of the year 10 or 19 acres, perhaps more, ploughed up, and not manure enough on the premises for half that number of acres ; • two or three acres had been seeded to grass the pre- vious year, some being reinter billed and some in that rough condition that nothing can be realized from• it until re- seeded. In facet, there was not two tons of good mer. chautable hay'cut on the farm the past year. As the land is now sufficiently ditched for drainage, we think it would be for the interest of the town to appropriate several hundred dollars for maitttre and labor. Not much assistance can be expected from the inmates at the farm, and if the land be brought. into a grass hearing condition, the management would be less expensive. 'rho practicability of keeping hogs at the Almahouse we have never been convinced or believed was for the interest of the town. We did not feel we a:hould be justified in diseon. tinning keeping them at the commencement of the year, as a suitable building had been erected, and quits a number of awlae's 6o on hand, also a ountraet for offal made. We, theta ire, concluded to continue for another year, and carefully note the result. By reference to the report for 1873, it will be seen that the sale of pigs amounted to $250.74, and the gnat of offal and pigs purchased, $988.50, leaving a balance of $17.50 iii favor of keeping. No mention 4 Made of the coat of any grain or other food excepting anal, nobler is the coat of ts•ansportation taken into account. • +$4 . Them is but one horse at the-Arm, and an additional one has • to . b.0 h'i rgd. • once every: week, at a cost of $1.50 per day, asnonuting to $75.00 per ..yeax. - -The whole cost of teaming oftl then cannot be fairly estimated at less than. $4.00 per week, or $908.011 per year.. Add this.. sum -to the amount paid for pigs and owl .($988.60), and the coat .would be $1913.84 more than the_ receipts. It shopld further be ..considered that more or lose grain is • necessary for young pigs, and,other incidental expenses that snannot be avoided or dispensed • with, .qo "we cannot but feel assured that even to the •oeaaal obeerrer; the wAnal feat is, a loss to the town. As before stated we have carefully watched for the result of the year just closed. The sale of. pigs amounts to $$95.50: The expenses have been, for teaming 208.00. For - olAl and. breeding Owo $195,44, for grain and fuel for cooking food. about $50.00, making a total cost for keeping of 445:3.44. Another. item in • keeping swine must not be overlooked, and that is the risk attendant. There is.almoiat.invarlabl,,y a loss by sickness or poison. The last the past year W oonsequeW of poison in the owl has been pearly ;10q..00. Add to this loses of $100.00 the cost of keepL ing {$458.44} and you #rave #558.44. Deducting receipts, $395.50, shows a lose of $157.94. . And now as we leave this subject for your. consideration we will :again• state. that our convictions have been fully oon- firmed, by experilence,. and that the town could purchase mgpure: at much less cost, than by keeping swine. We have purchased and placed in the basement of the Town Hail building a quantity of coal, *signed for the use of the Outside Poor, and to be talmn when wanted by the Alms House team. An opportunity was ofened and we purchased a quantity Of -wood (about thirty cords.) at the low price of $4 95 per eord. We considered it a good chance to' supply the Alma House and also fturnish the •sahocls for the coming p©ar. The increase of Pauperism In many towns halt caused the 25 Overseers of the Poor of those towns to examine oloaelyy the history of those under their charge, and where the Yeast pos- aible chance is found, endeavor to place them on some other town. Demands have been made upon this town to assume the support of upwards bf twenty individuals the past year. After close examination of the records of the town, and such other facts as could be obtained, not one valid or legal settle - ment could be maintained, consequently the claim for sup- port in every instance has been successfully resisted. The Application for assistance from what is termed Outside Pooris becoming so frequent and so persistently claimed, that the moat rigid scrutiny is necessary to avoid imposition. It is a question that demands reflection whether it would not be for the interest of the town to transfer some who arc receiving e0136nu005 assistance to the Alma House. With the number now at the Alma House, and the helpless condition of some, and these becoming still more so from clay to day, no reduction in the expenses the coming year can be reasonably expected. We recommend the sum of $2000.00 be appropriated for the support of the poor the ensuing year. • On the 6th day, of March least when the town voted the sum of $2000.00 for the support of the Poor the ensuing year, the sum of $701 07 had already been drawn. of this sum $574.81 waa for outstanding demands contracted the previous year, and properly chargeable to the support of the poor for that year. This amount from the appropriation of this year lessened the grant so much, and as we desired to keep within the appropriation if possible,-we were compelled to curtail many improvements that the fsrm required. A reference to the report of 1875 will show that the support of the poor cost ¢1041.56 more than the appropriation. This -amount should be #1616.81, for the amount 0574.81 rightly belongs with the expenses of the year ending Feb. lot, 1876, as the demands representing this amount were presented previous to, that date. 26 We would recommend that an examination of the property at the Alms House be made by the Overseers when a change of Superintendent takes plans, that the difficulty which we experienced on the first of April last may be obviated. We were unable to find a large quantity of articles which were represented as being there when the appraisal was made by the Committee, axtd oontained in their schedule. Being con- vinced that a close supervision over the the affairs at the Alma Rouse was indispensuble, one of our board has made it a practice to visit the Alma Rouse semi - weekly, and oftener when necessary. The others of the board have visited as necessity required or circumstances would permit. In the month of May last a Committee consisting of two ladies was appointed by the Selectmen in accordance with the requirements of the will of the late Jonas Gammell. They have visited the Alms -house from time to time as occasion or necessity required and furnished such comforts and luxuries as the will contemplated and they deemed proper. Their report Will be found hi its proper place. As the financial year draws near its close, and we look re- trospectively over the past, and review our efforts to render the condition of those under our impervision as pleasant as circumstances would permit, we cannot but feel assured that those efforts have not been wholly useless or in vain. It is with much pleasure we speak of those ladies and gentlemen, who have frequently visited the Almshouse the past year, who were not connected with the inmates by the ties of con - sanguinity or otherwise, and whose presence, together with their many preaents,could but serve to dispel many a gloomy thought, and render time more pleasant, with the assurance they were still kindly remembered. We are also gratified to report that the discipline and con- duct of all connected with the Almshouse the past year has been entirely 'harmonious and seemingly pleasant. There have been no deaths the past year, and very little 27 sickness. The services of a physician have only Woe been needed. There are six persons now at the Almehouse whose united age is four hundred an4 seventy years. The oldest person is eighty -seven years, and the youngest four years. Appraisal of Personal property at the Almshouse by the Committee.— Valuation of Personal Property Much 26, 1876, $2,078.97 Valuation of Personal Property Feb. 1st, 1877, 91180.64 Increase in value, 101.67 Amount paid for support of Poor, 18,858.09 Less increase in value personal property, $101.67 s, received from income of farm, 1,419.38 ■ t Onteide Poor expenses, 537.58 bills of 1875 paid from grani of 1876, 574.81 $2,628.44 Cost of support of Poor at the Almshouse, ' 81,999.65 There has been furnished 570 weeks? board, at a cost of $2.14 per week. This does not include the board of the Superintendent and family, as some previous reports have shown. Whole number of paupers at the Almshouse during the year was 20 ; four of this number remained but ohs night, and worked sufficiently to pay their expenses. Average number,k11 ; present number, 11. WE188UR SMITH. OVOWNS OTIS- WENTI?P[3RTH, a, f ALBERT W. BRYANT, Poor. LnxxNcn N, January 31st. 1877. APP&ANIM VALUE OF PROPERIT AT THE P1008 EARN, UNDER TH DHARGE OF TBU OVIMSEERB OF TAD MOE, FXD. Ur, 1877: 28 1 -2 oords of wood, $157 ; 15 tons coal, $120; 5 axes, 2 baskets, 2.75, . a . 1279 75 1 gray mare, 225; 1 cow, 40; 1 heifer, ADO, 0 285 00 28 21 -2 tons English hay, $55; 3 1 -2 tons m. hay, 56; 1 -2 ton rye straw, 11 122 00 5 ladders, 5; hay cutter, 2; 1 cart, 47.50; cart harness, 7, 61 50 1 express harness, 14; 1 pair harnesses, 27; homes sad chains, 8, 43 00 4 hay forks, 8 raises, 2 sco+)p shovels, 4.80; 6 lanterns, 5, 9 30 1 m. chest, 8; 4 b. meal, 5-0; 8 collars, ourry comb and brush, 2 50, 10 TO 1 whip, 8 wrenches, 4 tie chains, 4 stake chains, 6 00 8 sleds, 39; 1 express wagon, 75; 1 hay wagon, 80; 1 swill wagon, 95. 159 00 150 Cowls, 105; 2 wheel barrows, 7 ; 1 pang, 5; 1 harness and stove, 7, 124 00 4 oaska, 2; 10 sows with pig. 8 other swine, 2 pigs, 838 00 2 cultivators, 2 plows, parts of harness, 40 flour barrels, 80 75 Shovels, hoes, forks, rakes, picks and other tools. 29 i0 PROMONS IN HOUSE. 3-4 barrel flour, 140 lbs. sugar. 50 lhs. Afxi, 3 bus. beans. 20 lbs. lard,, meal, molasses, ham, butter, 7 1 -2 bola.. apples, 195 bus. potatoes, 70 gals. vinegar, 1 bbl. pork, 1 -2 bbl. soap, value of which is 288 05 Value of furniture, soaking ntonsils, and other articles in the house, which is neat and in good oondition, 559 49 12,280 64 Appraised value of real estate, #8,000 00 JOHN. P. RKED CHARLE8 BLO60ETT, Appraimm. JOFU D. B.+ WN, �9 Lxmoox, JAN. 81 1877. To Tim S =aindv op LzxiixGron : Gmrrzxen : At your special request, made to us in May last, A& ting your inability to induce any one to seeept the trust of uniting with the Overseers of the Poor in fur. nishing "comforts and luxuries" to the inmates of the Alms House, as required by the.will of the late Jonas Gammell, after some hesitation we accepted the po- sition, with the hope that hereafter no difficulty would be experienced in procuring others to assist in carrying out so b6nevolent and praiseworthy an object 'The delay that has hitherto been experienced in Carrying out so charitable an aspiration as that which prompted Mr. Gammell to bequeath the income of five hundred dollan for the benefit of the inmates of the Alms House, ought not to be for the want of a Committee. Immediately after our acceptance of your request we visited the Alms House and ascertained from personal observation what would conduce to the happiness and comfort of the inmates. Some were in want of cloth ing that might not be so necessary as to require the town to furnish it We procured such clothing and have continLied to do so when needed. We also far niched on the Fourth of July a dinner together with fruit, confectionery and some fireworks for the children. At Thanksgiving and Christmas we again supplied them with turkeys, puddings and other luxuries which 80 berved to make a repast that they ►could not otherwise have enjoyed. We doubt not that the memory of Mr. Gammell, will ever be cherished and held in grateful remembrance by those who have been the recipients of his thoughtful care for their happiness. The income derived from the fund to date amounts to $►87 50 The amount expended is $49 52 Balance in the hands of the Treasurer, $:37 88 We eartaimly should be remiss in our duty were we not to speak in praise of the matron at the Alms House, after witnessing her uniform kindness and devo- tion to the wants and requirements of those under her charge. We think it would have been impossible for the town to have found a person who could have man- ifested a greater interest for their welfare or who could more sincerely have won their regard, With the assnranee we feel that our labors have in some slight degree ccmtributed to alleviate the coaditiou of those in the Ahzms House, please accept our thanks for the confidence you reposed in us. Yours Respectfully, MRB. L. B. PIFRC A MRS. N W. BRYANT. 81 HIGHWAY SURVEYUR'8 REPORT. In no department of the town's duties is the community at large more interested than the highways, neither is there any department where there is a greater diversity of opinion ex. isting as to the beat method to be adopted in regard to repairs. With this fact in view, it was with extreme reluctance we assumed the immediate control or direot supervision of the repairs of highways, instead of pursuing the course of last year. At the time we isnued a notice for proposals for a Super- intendent of Highways, in March last, we had not the slight. est idea of adopting the course we have, which was the result of a combination of circumstances. In the first place, the committee which had been chosen to appraise the property belonging to the highway department, ,gave no a schedule of the property. By this we learned there was only one horse, and also, upon examination, we found that the carte needed repairing, and some of the har- nesses were unlit for use. It was therefore necessary, before commencing work, to purchase two harass, repair the carts, and purchase a part of two harnesses, at an estimated cost of #!04.00. Upon referring to the town record, we found the sum of $249.90 had already been drawn from the treasury, and for the most part to pay bills oontracted previous to this financial year, but should not have been taken illegally, as it was, from the grant for this. By the almost unpreoedeuted rain- storm of March 91st, several culverts were'damagei to the estimated amount of $1,000.00. These several sums taken 32 from the #8,004.00, which was the approriation for repairs of highways, left only $1,857.60 to be expended for the re- pairs of sixty -five miles of road. When the proposals for the office of Superintendent were examined, the applioants, with one dr two exceptions, were not experienced enough, in our judgment, to receive the office. Those that were experienced were so high in price, we deemed it unwise to employ them, inasmuch as com- plying with their terms would take one -third of the amount remaining after the foregoing named demands were paid. Furthermore, with no assurance, after the expression of the town at the March meeting, that it would add to the ap- propriation, we considered it advisable to pursue the course we have, by -one of the board taking upon himself the espe- cial duty of employing experienced men, who had worked for the town in the peat, and his almost daily supervision -over them. On the 92nd of March, the day after the great rainstorm, an experienced stone mason was engaged to relay the culverts at once. Upon examination, he gave it as his opinion that it would be useless to attempt to make a thorough and per- manent repair until after the subsidence of the water. Before this took place two more rainstorms followed, and not only caused still more damage, but a further postponement of repairs. Finding there would be much longer delay than anticipated, we made application to the County Commission- ers for permission to close the Bedford -road, which request was readily granted. We regretted the seemingly unneces- sary delay to those unacquainted with the facts, and the inconvenience which the traveling community were compelled to endure. As one culvert which was washed out had only been in two or three years, it was desirable it might be rebuilt, if possible, so that no farther expense on it might odour for a long time. The total expense occasioned by the storm was $ 1050. 38 In accordance with the heretofore expressed wish of the town, that the Surveyors of Highways report somewhat in detail, we cheerfully acquiesce in that desire, and. allude to some matters, which, in pursuing our duties in this depart- ment, have been made of interest and perhaps importance. The open winter of 1875 -76 as it is termed, and the absence of snow, caused the roads to be badly out up and very much out of repair. So clamozoue were the demands for repairs to be made at once, that we were obliged to em- ploy some of the residents in the outskirts of the town to make suck temporary repairs as were absolutely necessary, until such time as the town teams and men could more efficiently attend to them. We have deviated from the in- variable custom of former years in procuring gravel and other materials ' fot use. We have endeavored to out down the elevations and high plaices along the roads when praotieabie, instead of using horn the gravel banks. In this way nearly 300 loads of gravel have been obtained and the grade re. duped. If this course is continued in the future, our roads will gradually become more level and less expensive to keep in repair. It has been the practice heretofore when a now culvert was needed to bring the subject before the town, and ask for an appropriation. While repairing Main street in Flat lAxiing- ton, it was found that a culvert would have to be put in, under and across the street, to relieve the overflow of water which had been a source of much trouble and annoyance. To avoid a threatened prosecution or an appeal to the County Commissioners for redress, it was essential it should be done at once. We were therefore compelled to'either as. sume the responsibility of purchasing the drain, pipe, and paying for it ont of the contingent grant, as in nearly every instance had been done, or calla town meeting. is the coat of the pipe was only $60, while the expense of a town meet- ing would be three or four times that amount, we adopted 84 the former course. All the labor in putting in was paid for from the Highway grant. In dune last, the horse which was purchased the previous year, died, not perhaps altogether unexpectedly, as he, we were i>,f n-med, had always been subject to attacks, resem- bling the colic. In one of these attacks he died. This necessitated the purchase of another. We learned by the report of last year that the town teams, (which teams consisted of one colicky horse, and a cart) had been employed from Dec. lot in moving gravel from the Simonds pit to a convenient point on Bedford street. While repairing that street we searched for that "convenient point," but whether we found the real point or not we do not know. We found a pile of gravel, which upon removal amounted to ninety loads. We will not recommend to our successors to folios this example, for fear their experience might coincide with ours, which was that the expense of the teassaa, and the labor required to keep them at work, from Dec. lat 1875 to April lit, 1876, was $263.88. The product of their work was moving the enormous quantity of ninety (30) loads of gravel to a " convenieut point." The removal of snow is a matter, upon which if an expres- sion from the town could be given, then an understanding would exist which would relieve the surveyors from much annoyance. The law requires that the public thoroughfares "U be made safe for travel within a speoi$ed time after ob- stmeted, but does not require the ekaring of sidewaLW ; this has been assumed as a- part of the duties of the Surveyors, when it could be done at small expense with snow ploughs; but when drifted and frozen as it bas been the past winter, the expense would be so large. If all the sidewalks were kept clear, that we believed the town zvouid not sustain us in, doing it, as no appropriation was made for that purpose. This subject we hope will receive the attention of the town when making an appropriation for highways at the annual meeting, 35 I , that the difference of opinion may be removAd. and the duties of the Surveyors made more definite. When a statement is submitted to the town by any of its officers, such statement is presumed to be correct. In the excellent report of the Sure• eyors of Highways for 1875, they state there remains $9.48 of the appropriation unexpended. This statement must be considered &.#h d, or not a foci. Ina record book kept by the Selectmen, and designed and used for recording and numbering all bills passed for payment, on Page 77, there were recorded in Deesm- her 1875, and January 1876, bills amounting to.$185.84 ap- proved for payment. In the same book on Page 96, in Feb. 1877, these same identical bills are again recorded. Now if these brills as recorded in December and January were paid, the Highway grant would have been overdrawn upwards of $130, if they were not paid until Feb, 1876, then these bills were outstanding demands against the highway department for 1876. We presume the Auditors, whose duty it is to audit the accounts, will in their forthcoming report explain and solve this remarkable enigma. The choosing of a committee at the hint annual town meet- ing for the purpose of appraising the property belonging to the Highway department, was a very wise and judicious pro - Ceeding. The remarkable $uetuations in the value of the property in the short spade of time of only a month, as sometimes shown in the reports, will not be so likely to occur, neither will the tempting opportunity be presented to rEwtor the appr&Ml so as to make a good exhibit. The committee chosen for the purpose appraised the prop- erty March 16, 1876, at #x584.80; Feb. tat, 1877, at $1158. 95; increase in value, $569.15. A schedule of the apppraisal as submitted to us will be appended to this report. In compliance with the many requests we have received. -36 that we giver a plain and direct statement of the real expenaas of the highways for the past year, also the expenses for the year 1875, we submit the following exhibit: It will be seen by the Auditor's report of 1875, that the appropriation for highways was $4,540 04 Received from other sources 483 15 ' Total, $4,988 15 Expended . (as per report,) 4,978 67 Repairing on Waltham street -- special appropriation, 511 25 Improvementa on Main street, paid from contingent grant, 406 20 Improvements on Lowell street from contingent grant, 145 53 Improvements on Wood street from contingent grant, 128 98 Relaying drain near the cemetery, 52 88 Sills.due and paid this year, 249 81 $8,468 27 Appropriation for 1876, 5,000 00 Rxxpended, 4,855 29 Deduct expense of culverts, $1,450 00 fi fi ii pul"{7 W ing horses and harnesses, 600 00 Deduot bills paid, due prior to Feb. let, 1876, *249 81 Deduct credits. 942 40 $2,142 21 Awl expense for labor and incidentals for the yearending January 81st, 1877, $2,753 08 Three hundred dollars was taken from the contingent grant this year, and expended as per vote of the town November, 1875 by Mx.' Cornelius Wellington. oats sum was erroneously abMed on pap 81 as SM 44. 87 In procuring labor we deemed it advisable to reduce the price per day as was generally the expectation. When our intention was announced muck indignation was expressed and some not very mild epithets were applied to us. We, how- ever, had no difficulty in engaging all the help that was re- quired, but refused many who thought themselves Wrongfully used by not being engaged in place of those who lead been employed in the past. The reduction per day was 25 cents. The price paid ($1.50) was more then was paid in adjoining towns. It is believed that the roads are is good condition, end as the snow the past winter has served to keep them so, and as the horses, carts, harnesses and tools are all ready for im- mediate servioe without the outlay of a single dollar, that a sum not exceeding $3000 will be amply sufficient to meet all necessary expenses. WEBSTER SMITH, Zrighway OTIS WENTWORTH, ALBERT W. BRYANT, 8wvqm'e. LEXINGTON, Jan. 81st; 1877. 38 APPRAIM VALUE OF PROPERTY AT THR POOR XPARK UNDER CHAXGB OF TUB HIGHWAY SURVOTORS, FEB 1ST, 1877. 8 horses, $675; 4 carts, $140; wagon, $40, $855 00 8 cart harnesses, 69; wagon harness, 10, 79 00 2 lead harnesses, 10 ; 2 collars, 8 ; 3 halters, 1.50, 17 50 1 ploug* 5; 2 snow pinunha, 6u; whifHetrees and evener, 4, 89 00 1 currycomb and brush, wrench, hammeriind axe, 8 76 Powder, oau and fuso, 2 ; graiu chest 4 ; 8 bags meal, 7.80, 18 80 5 snow shovels, 8.85 ; 8 picks, 10; 4 grab hose, 4, 20 25 1 post spoon, water pail and can, 2.60 ; 2 hush scythes, 1.5u, 4 00 Rope, sweat collar, 2 bags, 1.50; 8 chains, 2.50, 4 00 8 crow bars, 2.50 ; hoe and raise, .50 ; 12 old shovels, .70, 3 70 11 shovels, 8.80; 71 Mt. steel, 10. 65 ; tined hoe, .75, 20 20 2 drilling hammers, 6; 5 stone hammers, 6.25, 11 25 8 stone pickers, 1.60 ; 1 tool chest, 5 ; 1 gutter scraper, 5, - 11 50 1 gravel screen, I, 1 stone drag, 6, . 7 00 8 old cart harnesses, 9 ; 2 horse blankets, 5, 14 00 150 posts, 12 ;. 1 -2 M. lumber, 8, 20 00 $1,158 95 JOIN. P REND, CHARLMS BLODGl TT, Appraaiaers. JOHN D. BACOXY 39 REPORT. OF THE ENGINERES OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. The Eugimeers of the Fire Department re pwrt the appara- ratus of the. department in good 'working order. Lasts ring tho new engine house cyn Merriam street was oc- oupied, but as the building was found incomplete in many par- ticulars an additional outlay was needed to provide for wash - ingr and hoisting hose, storage for wood and coal, closets for chemicals, &c. These arrangements were ' indispensable for the am of engines and apparatus. The second story of the building is yet unfinished. The Adams engine has been repainted and her suction hose, which at the fire of Aug. 81, was found to be leaky and worthleso, has been replaced by new. If this engine had been in charge+ of an organised company, it world have been out at different times on trial, the imperfect condition of the hose would have been discovered and attended to, and this engine could have saved touch property at the above in which was destroyed, instead of being almost unserviceable. At this fire the (lemical engine proved it valuable addition to the department In the Department we have' 1,140 feet of leading hose, (500 teet at the Center and 600 feet at Vast Ville,) 350 feet, size 2 1 -2 inch, is good, the remainder, size $ mch, has been in service nineteen yearn. The necessity of building reservoir& in locations in both village& where property is unprotected, the Engineers need not call attention to, as the citizens of the town are Trail aware of this need. No. of fires, h. May 15, Mr. Lombard's barn in Last Lexington. May 25, Buildings on Paint Farm. August 81, Goddard's and Chisholm's shops. October 12, Muse of J. Richardson. December 19, fire in C. Blanchard's barn, which was extinguished with slight lose. Total lose, $20,400. Insurance. $15,000. OTIS WENT W ORTH, Ehginmv BEND- HADLEY, of HENRY A. TURNER, FKre . LzxmGTox, Feb. 1, 1877. 40 TOWN OFFICERS FOR 4876 -7. TOWN CLE'BA. LZONARU A. SAVILLE. SPILFAYMEN. WEBSTE R SMITH, OTIS W ENT W ORTH, ALBERT . W. BRYANT. TREASURBB AND COLLEMOR. ISAAC N. DAMON. J. F. SIMON US. WALTER WELLINGTON, H. B. DAVIS. AUDITORS. F. E. WETHERELL, . GERSHOM SWAN. CONSTABLE. KLI SIMONDS. SCHOOL OOMNW MB. WILLIAM PLUMER, Term expires March, 1877. RBV. E. S. ELDER, appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation. WILLIAM R. CUTTER, Term expires March, 1879. ]ONCE VIEWERS. HOWLAND HOLMES, B. T. BATCHELLER, LOB" WETHHERELL. 41 VULD =vans. A. N. TUFTS, DAVID FITCH. GoxrrrTne ON ox mwxzwms. WARREN DUREN, Term expires March, 1877. G1HAS. HUDSON, 49 66 4d 1878. LORIN W&THERELL, 116 ail it 1879. WEi[ MMU, AHD SUPEWNMNDENT OF TOWN 90ALE8. L. A. SAVILLE. WA (GEMS OF HAY AND GOAL. R. W. HOLBROOK. . w4ASUARM OF WOOD AND BARS. L. A. SAVILLE, A. CHILDS, H. S. DAVIS. REALER OF WMGEETS AIM MHASURES. ALONZO G}ODDARD. SEXTON. U. W. KENDALL. POLIOE Orrl(n R8. GUSTAVE KAUFFMAN, HENRY WELLINGTON. AUMOSMIL P. P. PIERCE. REPORTS TOWN OFFICERS TOWN OF LEXINGTON 7m TRIG YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1877. :v: VA"M WOOD, nn MM, M WASM li[i'i M annw. 1871. v l• COLLEOTOR'S REPORT. ASSESSORS' REPORT. The Colleotor of Taxes submits the following report: The Tax LW oommatted for 1975 amountsd to 945,699 99 Sa en Lisk log X In Compliance with a vote of the town, the Assessors submit the Sum total of Taxes oommloml, imm 7W following statistics The Collector has paid into the Town Treasury, 944,470 91 VALUATION MAY 1, 1878. Amount allowed fm prompt payment of Taxes, 998 39 Resident owners of Real Estate, . . 98,071,484 00 Amount abated by the Aesassors, 931 N Non - resident owners of Real Effb . 396,419 00 Resident owners of Personal lb tat e, . 486.817 00 Non-resident owners of Personal Estate, 85,600 00 Lzna'aroa, Jan. 28, 1877. Total valuation, . . $9,97'6,988 00 We, the undersigned, Selectmen of Lexington, have this day Total number of Polle, . 739 exandned the accounts of I. N. Damon, Collector for the year 1878, and $nd them correct. Site Tea, 99,934 00 County Tax, . 1,093 90 WEBSTER SMITH, Town Grant1, . 39,m tl0 30 OTIS WENTWORTS, Sekdvm v/ LUiRgfM Overley'mp, . . . . . . . . . 666 ea A. W. BRYANT, Total amount of Tax , 957,818 90 Tax Last eommitted dune 10th, i976, amounted to 937,918 90 We would recommend the sum of Four Hundred Dollars for the 8applementary Ikk 343 14 expenses of this department for the ensuing year. Total Taxes committed, 937,569 94 JOSEPH F. MMONDS, Asr amm WALTER WBIXINGTON, } .tbr Taxes collected to date, Jan. 91st, 1977, _ Vkm 80 33ORACE R. DAYffi, 3 arm Amount allowed Por prompt payment, 986 71 Amount to be collected lees the Matownts to be made, 6,W 48 937AN 04 All of which is respectfully submitted by ISAAO N. DAMON, Q'olIMW of Tam. X 00 U E{ E E 1 6 TOWN CLERK'P REPORT. BMTH8 RWiete vd in rgwkWag j)vm Jan. 1, 1878, to does. 1, 1.977. Whole number of Births, 41; Walea 21,134en:sales 99. Born of American parents, 17; faselp parentage. 18; mizad parentage. L MARMAGES RVAUred is LwhWon , f irom ,Taos. 1, 1878, to das. 1, 1877. Whole number of MaMages. 19. Both Amadean,11; both fore6gn, 4; Ammican and forop, 4. DATE. NAMES. RESIDENCE. Jauaary ....... John Sane ............................ I.ealnii ' Nara Hayes .......................... January IB...... Dfiehael �'Brien.8nd.......... ... Lezingias.. Bridget C�allehan.. :: : : .............. ArlingtAn. Februaq 87.. ... Michael Henohy, Bad ................. Lexington. Bridget Geoghwn .................... is April 13........ Tames Ernest Crane.... ...... -%... Le", eon. ApwI1 19........ Yielen MareinD�� ................. T.ersngbon. �A. Beversboak .................. .. April so ......... Silas L. Cummings .................... Lexington. Masi Chase ............ .............. E. Cambridge. Sane 9D......... T. Russell ..................... Gaansbrldge. i�vaBacan ......................... r.ezingtam. June 97......... Joshua Y Ramsdell .......... ....... Newtons Martha H.snderson................... Le Aston. �• 88888888888888888 ��88888888888a�s�8 o � pppp pppp pppppp pp �3�JO�RiG�S15 ,i76SO��� tiMIS�G{Ca a .+I.yw.•5.....i..i M.w OKRA m � WW Rr 'fit: alla"'� .:adiwo3 6 TOWN CLERK'P REPORT. BMTH8 RWiete vd in rgwkWag j)vm Jan. 1, 1878, to does. 1, 1.977. Whole number of Births, 41; Walea 21,134en:sales 99. Born of American parents, 17; faselp parentage. 18; mizad parentage. L MARMAGES RVAUred is LwhWon , f irom ,Taos. 1, 1878, to das. 1, 1877. Whole number of MaMages. 19. Both Amadean,11; both fore6gn, 4; Ammican and forop, 4. DATE. NAMES. RESIDENCE. Jauaary ....... John Sane ............................ I.ealnii ' Nara Hayes .......................... January IB...... Dfiehael �'Brien.8nd.......... ... Lezingias.. Bridget C�allehan.. :: : : .............. ArlingtAn. Februaq 87.. ... Michael Henohy, Bad ................. Lexington. Bridget Geoghwn .................... is April 13........ Tames Ernest Crane.... ...... -%... Le", eon. ApwI1 19........ Yielen MareinD�� ................. T.ersngbon. �A. Beversboak .................. .. April so ......... Silas L. Cummings .................... Lexington. Masi Chase ............ .............. E. Cambridge. Sane 9D......... T. Russell ..................... Gaansbrldge. i�vaBacan ......................... r.ezingtam. June 97......... Joshua Y Ramsdell .......... ....... Newtons Martha H.snderson................... Le Aston. 00 i � E Ito 11! ;1 -'4 Z ��" .a� saaas:s:ssr�$ ..ss:....:asa._.:s:a:aa: =v: a��" �• .mI nwM:7.7 �s *f&A w,�+aao - war m.°r�'m �4a�wo-a��Nma�ew e w oo mm ' • • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • •'� . . • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • H d 1-4 1 Mal gap all A 94 ct 12 1 ®R' 8:4 1r1 .w.�rwmo- F511 a°'.^•°i:;areti8�8P�.°°�NmwNN� A��� a oo a A��� TOWN HMTOKM. No. of Town HsWes sold from Jan. 81, 18"18, to Jan. 31, 1877, Is Donated and exchanged for o%w booms, g No. on hand Jan. 31, 1677, 974 No. copies an hand by Lee ds Shepard, Boston, 38 bound volumes: 93 copies In sheets. No. of volumes of History of LwdVm Centennial on hand Jan. 31, IBM . M Donated and eaehanged for other books, 41 No. sold by Town Clerk, to .Tau. 81, 1877, 11 No. an hand Jan. 31, 1877, DOGS. No. of Dogs licensed four 15778, 186 Amount returned to County Treasurer for Dog licenses, mpg so Camps" from Town records. LMNARD A. SAVMI,F,, ybwn Goers. 10 GARY LIBRARY. The Trustees of the Cary Library report that the number of bound volumes in the Library, January 81st, 187$, was 5,104. 504 volumes were added during the past year; 472 by purchase, and 28 by dona- tions. The names of the donors are, Rev. C. Nightingales, 15 vole. ; U. S. Government, 8 vols. ; Hon. C. Hudson, 4 vole. ; and one vol- ume from each of the fallowing: A. T. Perkins ; Rev. R. G. Porter ; Han. R. 0. Winthrop; J. Warren Cotton; City of Boston, and City of Newton. Pamphlets have been given by S. A. Green, K. D., and Rev. E. G. Porter. The number of volumes taken from the Library during the past year was 20,748, being an increase in the circulation over that of the previous yeaar.of about 20 per seat. At the annual examination, the books were found to be in good condition. During the past year there has been presented to the Library a section of the " Old Elm " from Boston Common, by Clinton Piles, Esq., of Boston; a portrait of Mr. W. H. Cary, by Mrs. W. H, Cary; a portrait of Mrs. • W. H. Cary, by citizens of Lexington ; portraits of H. W. Longfellow and W. C. Bryant, by Messrs. Hurd & Houghton, Cambridge; a piece of the Washington Elm and a piece of the 11 Spreading Chestnut Tree," fro. Cambridge, by Rev. A. B. Muzzey, Cambridge; and a marble bust of Theodore Parker, by relatives and friends. There have been loaned to the Library, by Mr. 0. L. Hancock and Brothers of Boston, portraits of Rev. John Hancock, the second pastor of the Church iu. Lexington, and of his wife. HENRY WRSTCOTT, For the Trusteses. 11 CARY LIBRARY TREASURER'S REPORT. The Treasurer of Cary Library debits himself as follows: Note of town of Lexington, Feb. 9% 1871, 9 per cent., #6,000 00 Mote of town of Lexington, Aug. 20, 18 7 per eent., 1100000 Deposit in Lexington Savings Bent, 654 79 W '• " Interest, 3972 Cash reeeived of farmer Treasurer, May 29. 1876, 90 •• p Flnes, 3400 •' •' Interest on Motes, 1.86 OD $6.908 41 And credits himself with: Payment for books, . . $490 S6 On account of expenses, 8939 By Notes and Deposit Books, GM 81 By Cash on hand at date, 70 10 p i)p8,908 dl W. R. CUTTER, 21r6mrer. I,Sox, February 1. 1877. f 1$ CEMETERY COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Committee having charge of the Cemetery respectfully report that they have attempted no radical improvement in the Cem- etery the past year. With the imall fund at their disposal, they have deemed it wiser to devote the interest to keeping the yard in a neat condition than to expend the principal in some undertaking they could not complete; and which, if completed, could not be kept in repair. Some have suggested that the avenues should be graded and good gravelwalks should be constructed ; but your Committee have failed to see the wisdom of such an undertaking. In the first place, our funds would not be sufficient to carry out such a plan if it were undertaken; and in the -next place, we do not believe that it would be any improvement; certainly not unless we W funds suf lotent to keep a man constantly in the yard to keep the avenues and walks free from grass and weeds, and to water them in dry weather to keep down the dust. We believe that a country cemetery like ours, with avenues covered with grass, well mown down, is in better taste, and would be 'more acceptable to the people than graveled avenues. The notices whioh we generally see where gravel paths are made — wALSnvo ON :as SEARS 18 roEBrnnsE — show the proference generally given to a grass plat over a graveled road. Knowing that nothing disfigures a cemetery so resdily as wild grass and weeds, we have taken the precaution to have the grass and weeds out once, and when it became necessary, twice a year. This, with other incidentals, has just about exhapated the interest on the money in bank. But if we should appropriate the principal to graveled walks and graded avenues, we should be compelled to let' the yard become overrun with wild grass and Roman wormwood. If the town would make an appropriation adequate to the object, mud employ a man to devote his entire time to the yard through the working season, we should like to see certain improvements made; 'eN r•1 LYi 1*•I !d "4 N N go c +�•1 CAD Aa O p N 40D M •Qr i1P �i 00 +4 r• c a4 cv ar- dlr -rs•o so r .••1 � OD r•1 Q � W q m by a as � ao � � � � � Fit '� � a q � '� • H G � , � � � r•i O C + � � o . I--1 m w C Pa A A A � m ° m a `� � � � a6 •bk „�'„ K7 'd o •~ O A O O o Is �� �•� °� w ���"� °avid~ ' ,ands n m g a cm � A a m O D m Q.d O low C� t 7 ��� � q •s3 pp QQ pp� bo PQ o oro PO d 4 s i ao m m a r .1 1 ' ot •A�� s 0 m e P� P4 E•H EH A42 ps 4. rd 9 n � _ I a pa ' A 1 15 16 From Grflnt for JIMPUM IrlummN smoou H. B. Davit, repairs, $10 88 Fran &*o0d Grant. W. L. Parker, « . 4 00 Carrie A. Underwood, instruction, $400 00 L. A. Saville, brush, 2 25 J. H. Shedd, care of room, 10 00 John A. Stroples, labor, 2 25 B. G. Shedd, 10 00 Alonzo Goddard, repairs, '17 70 Arthur B. Shedd, shovelling paths, 1 50 Oliver Brown, 19 2 50 A. L. e3hedd, outting wood, 1 50 School Committee, books, 648 A. W. Looks, wood, 8 b6 Gilbert Cutting, tuning piano, 2 00 Overseers of Poor, wood, 6 00 $� J. A.'Wellington & Co., 0081, 11 10 Surveyors of Highways, teaming coal, 2 60 Mrs. J. Condon, cleaning, 8 00 J. McCarty, cutting wood, 2 00 SOWDITCH SCHOOL, _ Fron 8ckaod Grant. From Graand for Bepaairs, Ada M. Frost, instruation, $487 50 W. L. Parker, jobbing, $11 15 Emma B. Wright, " 66 25 Looks & Goddard, repairs, 2 00 W. A. Kendall, earn of room, 20 25 E. S. Locke, 44 6 75 William Viles, wood, 7 60 L. A. Saville, sundries, 4 28 S. D. Kendall, " 7 00 R. B. Davis, repairs, 820 J. W. Peirce, coal, 8 85 John Landers, 'i 2 00 J. A. Wellington & Co., coal, 11 10 Arthur B. Shedd, �' . 1 00 ' Surveyors of Highways, teaming coal, 2 60 School Committee, books, 6 51 W. A. Kendall, cutting wood, 2 50 W. T. Ham, 88 $652 95 L - Haxooma SCHOOL. Fr m Grant for Repaws. Yrom fidw d Grant. B. S. Locke, sundries, $6 58 Rosa Akerman, instruction, $767 00 Locke & Goddard, sundries, 1 00 Ilion B. Lane, 41 d 500 00 L. A. Saville, broom, 50 F. A. Hutchinson, 424 99 W, L. Parker, jobbing, 2 00 N. B. Harrington, « 400 00 H. B. Davis, repairs, 5 N 131i Simonds, care of rooms, 84 58 W. T. Ham, books, 1 05 Mrs. Gorman, cleaning, 1 59 School Committee, books, 2 $9 ---- $18 87 Anacusat aorPied forward, $2,1$8 1B 0 s $461 26 $50 11 17 18 Amount brou& Awivard, $9,178 16 Jmouid brought , jbrtnard, $1,650 00 Mrs. Crowley, Cleaning, 349 Fannie A. Kimball, rr 287 50 Desmond, rr 1 59 Annie R. Rice, Ir 975 00 rr Cdnfield, rr 1 00 Imogen W. Eddy, rr 950 00 White, rr 1 59 E. P. Hidden, rr 950 00 J. A. Wellington & Co., coal, ' 55 50 Ell Simonds, care of rooms, and sundries, 89 00 J. W. Peirce, rr 88 00 J. A. Wellington & Co., coal, 55 50 Surveyors of Highways, teaming goal, 18 00 J. W. Peirce, er 8 25 $8,292 88 Surveyors of Highway@, teaming coal, l3 00 rrm tad jbr RIM" John M. Reed, wood, 7 00 Mrs. Canfield, cleaning, 1 68 Gilbert Cutting, tuning piano, $2 00 rr Desmond, rr $ 00 F. R. Stuart, settees, 6 80 rr White, rr $ 00 J. S. Merriam, glazing, 3 80 " Gorman, rr 2 25 L. A. Saville, sundries, 98 Q. Swan, repairs, A. A L. Ball, re A. all, 1 8 00 ' Grans for Bepsirs. H. glazing, 1 $5 5 40 Gilbert Cutting, toning piano, $4 00 T. K. Ffske, painting, 55 70 Looks d Goddard, sundries, Lo 45 D. A. Tuttle, repairs, a 00 19. S. Locke, repairs and sundries, 91 59 H. B. Davis, rc 10 18 Church's Express, expressage, 5 25 Geo. S. Dennett, rr Cl 2 75 , Thomas Hollis chemicals, 85 Geo. W. Nichols, repairing clock, 4 00 L. A. Saville, sundries, 5 17 E. S. Locke; sundries, 86 11 1 David Clapp A Son, printing, 18 50 J. J. Marray, Pump, 18 00 H. B. Davis, repairs, 12 05 D. Webster Bing ,& Co., paint, &a., ., 51 80 D. A. Tuttle, r r 7 15 Packard, Burrill & Oo., feather duster, 1 75 G. Swan, rr 8 60 School gommittee, books, 8 59 J. S. Merriam, painting, &c., 17 80 W. T. Hem, I rr 6 78 A. L. Ball, repairs, 1 50 Brooks, Rushton & Co.; expressage, 1 34 W. L. Parker, 'r 1 00 Locke � Goddard, sundries, 8 55 Qom, W. Nichols, repairing clack, 8 00 $224 89 John Landers, glazing, 1 75 H. C. Kendall, writing diplomas, 8 60 Mail sGffooL. W. R. Cutter, diploma ribbon, 1 75 From School Grant. Boston Journal, advertising, 2 50 A. E. Whits, instruction, $900 00 School Committee, books, 22 62 $ B. Clark, rr 750 00 W. T. Ham, . 'r 7 84 R. B. Bridgman, liquid slating, 4 25 Amount =TW famwd, $1,950 00 J. S. Merrill d& Son, shades, &a., 1 48 $2,801 18 $14615 19 24 Frm Granifor Bep . saw.aan 903001:. Locke & Goddard, repairs, $ 60 From $ dwa OMML J. S. Merriam, glaring, 8 00 Maria A. Butterfield, instruction, $400 80 H. B. Davis, repairs, 15 00 W. W. Ferguson, oars of roams, 21 51 D. I, A. tle, Tut 5 50 Wm. Grover, „ ,■ 5 00 W. L. Parker, jobbing, 1 50 Wm. Piles, wood, 15 00 W. H. Smith, glazing, &0., 2 60 S. D. Kendall. t+ 1 40 S. S. Locke, sundries, 4 50 J. A. Wellington & Co., coal, 11 10 School Committee, books, 1 59 Surveyors of Highways, teaming coal, 2 80 W. T. Ham, it 1 59 ---- $U2 21 W. R. [hitter, use of horse, 1 00 From Grog for 1lepafre. John Clary, lumber, $08 81 Goo. B. Dennett, labor, 88 05 H. B. Davis, ,� 1 00 aolorox .ts. sc11ooras. W. S. Howard, repairs, P 16 90 Fnnm 8011001 Ono. B. S. Locke, sundries, 435 L. A. Saville, nails, 6,15 Horace Bird, musical instruction, W. U. Cutter, use of horse, 160 . School Committee, books, 1 84 FnnA Grantfor Bepain. W. T. Ham, It 8 80 $187 80 W. R. Cutter, travelling expenses and horse hire, $3 75 Wm. Plumer, use of horse, 8 00 Eli Simonds, truant officer, 4 00 Hammon Reed, stationery, 8 15 Carter, Rice & 00., !L 2 00 WAX= 8011001.. Church's Express, expressage, 40 From &hoot raw. D. A. Tittle, remodeling desks, 45 20 M. Ahoe Paul, instruction, $489 81 W. T. Ham, books, 15 89- Katie McNamara, care of room, 17 04 Knight, Adams & Co., supplies, 81 57 Katie McNamara, cutting wood, 2 S5 M. R. Warren, record book, 2 04 J. W. Peirce, coal, 8 25 Brooks, Rushton & Co., expressage, 8 50 Wm. Vilest wood. 15 00 A. G. Whitcomb, ink wells, 14 62 J. A. Wellington A Co., coal, 11 10 J. L. Hammett, sundries, 6 80 Surveyors of Highways, teaming coal, 2 80 Wakefield Rattan Cc. mats, &0., 8 00 • ---� $525 57 1 $36 'i8 - $964 00 $141 98 21 SUMMARY. xa u OF Samw e. xmodt ter. �oaimoi Vried�. rasa[ IMPAIR ex■ r rar■ra. Adame,� $1,858 88 $48 04 $1,87$ 45 Bow itch, 655 95 18 87 671 82 Franklin, 451 26 60 11 501 48 Hancock, 2,292 88 924 89 5,516 72 High, 2,801 18 146 15 5,941 88 Howard, 482 21 167 80 629 51 Warren, 525 51 86 78 862 86 Common to an, 584 00 141 98 405 98 Total, $$,171 88 r $884 28 $10,015 11 STATE AID. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, Received from State, Amount expended, Balance, SYPl NDMRU. Thomas Burke, 18 months, Diary S. Manning, 15 months, Mary Manly, 2 months, A. H. Taylor, 4 months, 5 Emily Earle, 12 months, Jas. A. Mitchell, 15 months, Lydia Aennaston, 19 months, G. A. Page, 18 months, Annie C. Whitney, 4 months, $460 00 422 00 $812 00 $420 00 452 00 #848 00 $78 00 48 00 18 00 is 06 48 00 54 00 48 00 is 00 8200 $420 04 STAT TAX. Assessed for 1875, $9,984 00 Paid State Treasurer, $2,984 00 i 'COUNTY TAX. Assessed for 1816, $1,058 90 Paid County Treasurer, $1,028 90 A61TORS. Rs�ere. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, =Pad=vRzs. Frank E. Wetherell, services -1816, 00 Gershom Swsu, services 1875, 21 00 ADDITION TO VILLAGE HALL. Rz=PZ8. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, s3PENWrvxra. D. A. Tuttle, balance of bill, RINGING CHQRCJ BELLS. ' RRd&[P3e. y Appropriated and assessed for 1840, 3 1ZPHNnITpR�. J. F. Ham, services to April 1, 1878, $85 00 J. Chisholm, services to May 1, 18", 86 40 $000 $010 $52 80 $52 80 $10 00 $70 0o OD � c c O d r- O O G to Q O O to .e e G O O O v O .O 04 OQOQa+aQ CN O a UQ Q W 0 v Q ,-� erg v eo � m w +a mo ov di N N r-i� o pppp r C _Fy O4 �O9pq ap r r r Le PP kD Di OD r r r m QD N 1 iw �N H pq� b ° flEl 4 r.lq EM G Q O O O O g Q o cc 40 4Q CR&-b Ci OQ a b10 v Ck 00 i-d a b �!7 •d! �p I5� 4Z lQIP r�-r M C4 p 40 m A 03 P21 OD L � � Hal rv- .a ao O m w b ° a A4 -1 aa a �� 3G 26 ax mrnrroxss. Amawa brought fwvan4 $11,000 00 W R. Cum', swvIces, $100 00 First National Bank of - Boston, temporary E. & Eder, " 74 00 loan of June 1, 1876, and balanoe of loan William Plumor, « 50 00 of April 7, 1878, paid July 25, 1878, 2,000 00 Hammon Reed, 90 04 Warren Sherburne, temporary loan of April -� 1, 1876, paid July 7, 1876, 2,000 00 $250 00 Middlesez< Institute for Savings, note Aug. a " 29, 1886, paid Sept. 22, 1876, - 8,000 00 Warren Sherburne, temporary loan, Nov. BILLS PAYABLE. 24, 1876, paid Dec. 4, 1876, 500 00 $18,500 00 . ��IT6IPT8. Appropriated and assessed, 1876, for annual Payment of Centennial loan, . $2,000 00 ASSESSORS. Borrowed, Warren Sherburne, Apr. 1, 1876, 2,000 00 er lot Nat'l B% Boston, Apr. 6, °76, 2,000 Oa xaaisrPre. fr . r Apr. 7,'76, 2,000 oa ass Appropriated and mewed for 1876, $�Q0 40 " Jnno 1,'76, 1,000 04 Amount upended, $885 00 •` " " " 2,176, 1,000 00 8alanoe unexpended, lb 00 $400 Oa J. Pickering & Mobelp • 1 8,'76, 5,000 00 rr Warren Sherburne, Nov. 24,'78, 500 00 " rr Jan. 81,'70, 500 00 sxPIMMURas. Excess of expenditure, 5,500 00 H. B. Davis, services, $115 00 --� $18,500 00 Walter Wellington, " 115 00 Water Wellington, use of horse, 10 00 axPE"ITUns. Richardson, Hill & Co., note, Apr. 1, 1875, J. F. Simonds, services, J. F. Simonds, copping valuation, 120 00 25 00 paid April 1, 1878, "dentennial,') $2,000 00 Geo. Holden, temporary load of May 1, $385 00 1815, paid June 8, 1876, 5,000 00 First National Bank of Boston, temporary Ioan of Apr. 6, 1876, paid July 7, 1878, 2,000 00 GAMMELL LBGACY, First National Bank of Boston, temporary loan of Apr. 7, 1876, one•half paid July� 7, 1876, 11000 00 Interest on $800 to July 28, 1876, $76 25 First National. Bank of Boston, temporary Amount expended, $49 62 loan of June 2, 1878, paid duly 25, 1876, 1,000 00 Balance unexpended, 26'69 -Amount carrkd fww+?�, $11,004 04 $fib 25 t- a-. o °0 ate-40 40 sue- v0a p po Ir.Ci a: CO a 7r- OCR aao va a OG$0 [a 0r- 0040 �e0vO :� w m a0m�4u7 000 O tC? �y C�i1 owm,e� avac :cos pb w Q� END 07 .0 ad r1 40 r�-f m N G41 r-i Leh m 0 OD Op 'O O � � .� � •D Q+ � ��a C7 C'J 'O LS � F3 04 'd 0 dl r '� p Al Ld a0 a0 a° 0o av as 4 s w +� � w GQ Q 6V N q co �� IA � J A r: Q4 °Q Ca m 00 . .. n GO E4 �° o a m 9 M g b� Ira m El 10 a � ❑ Ada► � . 29 STMT LAMPS. xsamrzaa. Appropriated and assessed for 1878, Exoesq of expenditure, RXPZKDrrURM. Lexington Gas Co., gas, John Harrington, care of lamps, G. K.aufi'mann, David Hall, rr W. B. Hadley, T. Hibbard Bowen, rr N. W. Peirce, '+ R. W. Holbrook, u Aug. Cbilds, r+ N. W. Janney, r• N. GFarmon, rr E. S. Spaulding, rr Willie R. Bass, rr W. L. Barnes, Oliver Brown, repairs and care, J. Wiley, repairs, L. A. Saville, sundries, G. Kauffmann, repairs, E. S. Locke, sundries, $1,400 00 70 18 FLEE DEPARTMENT. a8o11Prs. Appropriated and assessed for 1878, Excess of expenditure, $1,470 78 $$91 91 552 58 108 12 14 50 21 80 2 80 5 00 4 10 8 80 8 50 4 10 8 50 8 85 8 25 15 50 B 75 18 22 2 55 9 75 ---- $1,470 78 $800 00 104 08 $904 08 • 80 1CxPBHD1TIIBt8. ' D. A. Tattle, repairs, r,Adams," $7 25 Oliver Brown, painting, r ° 8 50 :s care, At 50 00 Alonzo Goddard, sundries, 1874, 11 1 50 John A. Russell, repairs, it 2 50 Hunneman & Co., sundries, 200 75 H. F. Webber, smithing, 2 50 J. Chisholm, emithing, 11 85 J. L. Holbrook, painting rr 70 00 Hadley & Wright, sundries, 'r 1 00 0. Mandelberg, stock and labor, " 5 50 H R. Wentworth, repairs, " 1 50 I J. A. Wellington & Co., Coal, ei 22 20 Surveyors of Highways, teaming coal, "Adams," 5 60 • John Hanscom, use of horse at Blanchard lire, 8 00 E. E. Smith, services at Goddard fire, 2 00 G. 1£auffhranu, " ie rr 2 00 H. A. Wellington, S7 ruen at Blanchard fire, 65 50 fr use of two horses at Blanch- ard fire, 8 00, E. S. Spaulding, storage 1111. & L.," 12 00 Hadley's Express, moving Hook and Ladder truck to 0utler fire, 5 00 Moviug same to Blanchard fire, 5 00 Hadley's Express, expressage, 50 Scrammage Bros., hardware, is Hancook," 1 50 Wm. Hall, padlock and keys, " 4 00 H. A. Turner, care and sundries, a 51 31 Locke and Goddard, sundries, u 5 78 Alonzo Goddard, sundries, 1878, it 2 45 E. S. Locke, sundries, ii 45 77 J. W. Peirce, coal, 94 9 25 J. A. Wellington & Co., coal, 11 10 Surveyorsof Highways, teamingcoal, " 2 80 Pat. of F. M. Harrington, use of horse, " 2 00 Amotot cari*d forwM, $6l8 81 81 Amount &VtVa , onwrd, $$18 61 L. A. Saville, sundries, rr Hancock," 28 78 J. F. Adair, care, is 28 55 G. W. Stevens, keys and fitting, r. 4 80 Lyman Lawrence, sundries, rr 8 42 A. L. Ball, labor and stock, rC 48 21 0. A. Butters & Co., sundries, rc 1 54 A. W. Mitchell, badges, r' 18 01 Sorammage Bros., repairs, 'Fire EX.," 11 27 Bost. Dyewood & Chem. Co., cbemicals, rr 8 94 A. G. Babcock, chemicals, rr 5 19 A. W. Mitchell, badges, is 8 10 W. A. Holmes & Co., chemicals, rr 15 68 Brooks, Rushton & Co., expressage, rr '1 80 Braman, Dow & Co., waste, &c., 1 47 Hunneman & Co., rope, &a., 42 48 Aiken & Woodward, charcoal, 2 50 L. Lawrence, sundries, 11 40 M. F. Whiton & Co., cordage, 20 81 Brooks, Rushton & Cc , expressage, 90 A. W. Phillips, horse and wagon, 1 00 Otis Wentworth, services as engineer, 5 00 H. A. Turner, . r( *f rr 6 1300. Hadley, is rr Lr n00 15 00 CONTINGENT. anaMrre. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, $8,500 00 Use and rent of Town Hall and rooms, 278 00 'Qse of Village Hall, 98 50 A. S. McDonald, billiard license, 10 00 Town of $arlington, cash, 5 25 School Committee, for tuition, 85 00 Boston, Lowell & Nashua. R. R.'Co., cash, 1 00 Amouni amrrW fonourd, $8,920 75 82 A moo d bnouAt foreoard, $8,920 75 Drainage betterments, 47 66 Chas. Hudson, witness fees in case of Tidd es. Lexington, returned, 60 00 Hay Scales, 48 08 Sale of Town Histories, L. A. Saville, 8920 rr Centennial It .s 1140 Supplementary Tax List, 848 14 Overlayings, as per Assessors' report, 666 60 Taxes, 1815, 5,058 60 Corporation Tax, $641 71 Bank Tax, 788 78 $1,88044 Amount deducted from appropri- ations for the above two items, 1,000 00 880 44 Amount expended, $8,084 85 Balance unexpended, 8,4$5 98 gseas7orrnaas. $904 48 Webster Smith, on account, services as selectman, 1876, $800 00 A. W. Bryant, on account, servioes as selectman, 1878, 275 00' Otis Wentworth, on account, services as selectman, 1876, 275 00 B. C. Whitcher, services, selectman, Feb., 116, 25 00 F. Alderman, da /r of 25 00 1. N. Damon, of of rr 26 00 r labor on town bounds, 5 00 rr sundries, 87 65 recording and expenses, 16 05 L. A. Saville, postage, expressage, 4 27 'r sundries, 16 05 Amount =MW forward, $1,004 02 $11,570 87 $11,510 81 ' 3S Amount brougm forward, $1,004 02 L. A. Saville, rigging Rag -staff and.�as of flag, 6 05 Chas. Hudson, postage, &c., 4 50 elf witness Fees in case of Tidd vra. Lexington, 60 00 Chas. Hudson, expenses connected with drainage, travelling expenses, arguing 8 00 case, and time with counsel and surveyor, 48 00 AIonzo Goddard, services as sealer, 15 00 O. W. Kendall, janitor, .tan., Feb. and Mar., 81 T5 Eli Simonds, distributing Town Reports, 18 00 'd . summons expenses, 21 00 ig expense on witnesses in case of Wood via. Lexington, 2.80 Eli Simonds, janitor Town Hall to Feb. 1, 1 65 I8TT, 158 38 Ell Simonds, sundries, 7 45 J. W. Peirce, coal, 22 68 J. A. wellington & Co., coal, 164 86 Surveyors of Highways, teaming. coal to 6 00 Pillage Hall, 2 80 L. S. Pierce, janitor, Village Hall, 11 00 G. Kaufman, °, ' < <r 52 60 sundries, 11 50 E. S. Locke, stove repairs, &o., 31 04 Mores & Whyte, wire cloth, 23 00 Lexington Gas Co., gas, 160 65 Hammon Reed, printing School Report, 'T6, 50 00 " " printing, 7 50 Frank Wood, printing 600 Town Reports, 1816, 156 00 T. R.'Marvin & Son, printing, 80 00 Chas. S. Parker, " 19 25 Irving S. Locke, rr 2 50 J. R. Carter, surveying and drainage plans, 42 50 Frank A. Titus, gas fixtures,' 12 00 Walker, Pratt & Co., ventilator, 6 15 Chas. Brown, exp. salute, April 19th, 29 15 Amorsnt carried fvrward, $2,812 83 S4 Amount brows N forward, $2,812 88 Wm. Read & Son, cartridges, Apr. 19th, 29 50 Willard Walcott, teaming cannon, 6 00 Wm. Read & Son, equipments to make up Minute Men deficiency, 85 19 D. Dow, packing muskets, and journey to Framingham, 8 00 H. B. Davis, labor on sign post and railings, with stock, $1 71 Geo. B. Dennett, boxing Centennial Elm, &c., 28 16 « labor, 1 65 County Com., case of Wood vs. Lexington, 60 00 Joshua Hobart, et al., witness fees in case Wood via. Lexington, 4 20 G. Swan, labor and stock, Town EWI, 1 65 re r, /! new Engine House, 1 25 C. R. Richardson, surveying, 41 00 Eat. F, M. Harrington, carriage hire, 5 00 John P. Reed, services as Committeeman) on repairs on Waltham Street, 6 00 T. S. Fiske, repairs on Town House, 1 40 Samuel Sage, surveying, 5 00 Clerk Middlesex Co. Court, copying, 2 00 West, Parkman & Son, hardware, 2 80 C, K. Darling, stationery, 9 62 Little, Brown & Co., book, 8 00 M. R. Warren, license blanks, 1 15 Michael O'Brien, labor on Common, 12 00 W. G. Taylor, repairs on pump, 4 00 Aiken & Woodward, charcoal, 11 25 E. Howard & Co., one set weights and meal- Me; 850 00 L. Lovejoy & Co ,.lumber, 81 50 Shedd & Sawyer, engineering, 85 00 14. Garmou, labor at Village Hall, 10 00 J. Chisholm, repairs on pump, 1 60 Alonzo Goddard, sundries for Pillage Sall, 15 50 ,AmoUf ogled ' for ward, $8,018 96 35 Amount brought forward, A. L. Ball, glazing, Oliver Brown, repairs on pump, R. & W. Sherburne, glass, Brooks, Rushton & Oo., expressage, $8,078 96 2 25 1 75 6 24 75 $8,084 95 NEW ENGINE HOUSE (Centre Village). • Balance unexpended from 1875 appropriation, $1,085 00 Amount expended, 1876, $1,035 00 ZxPsxnrrunss. A. L. Ball, labor, D. A. Tuttle, balance of his bill, $1 25 1,038 75 $1,085 00 SUPPORT OF POOR. BROWN. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, Cash from various sources as follows :- 0. Lappen, $6 45 B. 0. Whitoher, 1 26 Jackson Bros., 7 00 Wm. Ham, eggs, 1 30 F. Alderman, house offal, &o., 21 99 1. N. Damon, teaming hay, 2 00 Wm. Ham, 1 20 R. F. Dodge, 26 00 1 bbl. potatoes, 1 45 H. 8. Howland, produce sold, 9 45 Overseers of Poor, pigs sold, 120 00 Town of Middleton, Wm. Blodgett, 22 00 Webster Smith, cow sold, 75 00 Joseph M. Eaton, soap -grease, 88 $2,000 00 Amounts carried forward, $296 27 $2,000 00 36 Amounts brought forward, $296 27 $2,000 00 Jackson Bros., apples and chickens, 8 70 8 50 8 00 12 00 89 60 192 00 17 50 26 61 12 18 P. Keating, Jr., pig, Jas. Emery, apples, Ohas. Hudson, potatoes, C. L. Parker, fowls, J. Russell, pigs, Estabrooke & Blodgett, cows sold, Jackson Bros., chickens, &c., J. H. Tarbell, eggs, Surveyors of Highways, board man and horses, Outside Poor, ooal, Sidney Lawrence, 8 pigs, Richard Dunn, 2 pigs, A. W. Bryant, eggs and pigs, M. Fitzgerald, 2 pigs, H. S. Bowland, produce sold, Removing snow, School Grant, wood, Patrick Powers, use of boar, Aug. Childs, 2 pigs, of 468 75 86 00 9 00 7 00 148 82 7 00 120 70 18 50 6 00 2 00 6 00 Cash from town of Methuen for support of Jos. A. Fiske, $1,484 08 4 i2 $8,488 20 Excess of expenditures, 550 27 Amount expended in connection with house and farm, Amount expended for outside poor, $8,121 02 867 45 EXPEND1TUB . ' R. F. Dodge, services of self and wife, $150 00 .f sundries, 2 65 H. 8. Howland, services, 250 00 Amount carried forward, $402 65 $8,988 47 $8,988 47 '3i 38• Amo>urtt broU& forty w'd, $4020 Amowd broaeglui forward, $2,261 68 H. S. Howland, sundries, 88 22 Shepard, Norwell & Co., dry goods, 10 $0 A. Childs, groceries and grain, 6441 Taylor & Co., .r 8 95 L. A. Saville, It rr If 2" 19 W. T. Ham, $ 80 R. W. Holbrook, I I rr 41 86 Jordan, Marsh & Co., 2 7S C. A. Butters & Co., rr is ee 54 51 A. P. Spaulding, boots, shoes, &c., 80 52 W. A. Holmes & Co., Ii rr rr M 11 W. W. Griffin, boats, . 5 00 J. H. Tarbell, 29 12 F. McGuire, hay, 1640 L W. Monroe & Co., 28 40 John Hanscom, rr 28 58 Samuel A. Fowle, grain, 48 15 Thos. Lahea, straw, 19 15 C. H- Clark, grinding, 12 72 F. Alderman, 4 pigs, 20 00 E. Blaisdell, It $ 80 C. F. Alderman, balance on pallets, 4 30 Jackson Bros,, provisions, 128 25 C. L. Parker, pullets, 48 10 C. H. Lowe, as 6 12 W. Harding, cow, 25 00 John P. Squires, If 45 50 rr cabbages, 8 00' W. S. Hovey & Co., produce, 1448 City of Cambridge; house offal, 175 44 Rockwell Bros., dour, 45 50 City of Boston, ie If 18 00 Davis, Chapin & Co., onions, 2 10 W. J. Currier, medical services, 87 00 Bryant & Scates, butter, 6 86 of 1874, •• it 5 00 P. 0. Page, ri . 90 91 rr 1873, rr rr 19 00 F. Snore & Son, codfish, 4 fie J. Chisholm, harness work, 7 00 IL B. Mitchell, , fish, 18 49 L. Lawrence, " rr . 00 r. Frctes, as 21 17 William Brigham, wheelwrighting, 25 11 Quick Bros., tobacco, 2 50 C. K. Tucker, as 18 20 A. W. Bryanty potatoes, 15 00 Wm. Ham, smithing, 20 85' `r oats, 82.50 F. H. Kneeland, •' 86 50 is 2 sows, 20 00 Josiah Smith, 1 86 of sundries, 4 10 Boston, Lowell & Nashua R. R., freight, 2 99 J. M. Eaton, soap, 9 75 Churoh's Express, expressage, 1.16 Wm. Wyman, coal, 68 83 Brooks, Rushton do Co.'s Exp., expressage, 8 85 J. W. Peirce, rl 9 25 Estabrooks & Blodgett, pasturage and com- J. A. Wellington & Co.,­ 187 22 mission, 9 00 Marous Simonds, wood, 123 78 Highway Surveyors, use of- horse, 108 00 Est. J. H. Monroe, clothing, 19 00 Margaret Fitzpatrick, nursing, 7 00 Fessenden & Osgood, is 4 80 James, Emery, labor, 15 0Q Geo. W. Simmons & Son, rr 74 01 A. G. Babcock, sundries, 4 68 F. R. Willis, dry goods, 60 61 School Committee, books for poor children, 6 99 Amount carried , forward, $2,201 08 Amount carried ,,forward, $8,019 78 89 40 A Amount brou& forword, $8,014 78 Amount brougN forward, $680 89 G. Swan, repairing boiler, 50 Aid furnished Jeremiah Logan, 5 00 J. S. Garland, repairing clock, 75 John Abbott, 21 00 0. Lappen, brooms, 8 60 � � � s Jos. A. Flake, 9 48 Locke & Goddard, sundries, 16 41 0. W. Kendall, undertaking, 44 80 E. W. Carleton, Whitewash brash, 2 00 W. A. Holmes & Co., groceries, 10 00 C. Caldwell, sundries, 4 05 I. N. Damon, expense on pauper, 7 10 A. H. Cashman, barrels, 85 Otis Wentworth; It $1 95 Geo. B. Dennett, repairs, 1 00- A. W. Phillips, I' � 5 00 Mary Houghton, tailoring, 9 25 F. Alderman, " tramps, 3 27 Mrs. James Wiley, sewing, 2 50 F. Chalenor, 2 40 Patrick Powers, use of horse, 8 25 T. D. •Fierce, �• 1 00 Town of Lexington, dog license, 2 00 L. A. Saville , do 23 51 John L. Holbrook, painting, 2 00 W. M. Gleason; do r' 2 00 E. S. Locke, sundries, 4 48 0. O. W. Kendall, puffin g up sr 8 26 Patrlok $.Ming, labor, 49 15 Simonds, " 598 tramps, 98 15 --- $3,12102 -- HIGHWAYS. OUTSIDE POOR.. nZOM"s. Aid furnished Mrs. Egan, $96 82 Appropriated and assseeaed for 1816, $4,800 00 cc L. Kennaston, 41 68 Is in addition, Nov. 7, isle, „ ' Mary Purnell, 189 48 but not assessed, 500 00 go in Catharine Caraway, 10 Cash from various sources as follows o--- r` of Sarah Reed, 2 82 00 B. 0. Whitcher, street scrapings, 1 00 ' Mrs. Canfield, 18 Overseers of Poor, use of horses 108 00 .Mrs. Doyle, 3 8 50 Fire Department, teaming coal, 8 40 ei « Lydia l Outside Poor, °o to 2 80 M. Clark, •' :+ Bella M, Clark, 9 80 Contingent Great, ' � e, Village • Mrs. P. Crowley, le 25 Hall 2 80 .d it Lydia Gleason, 104 80 School Grant, teaming oval, 50 40 •• .� Adam Naylor, 8 20 Removing snow, 68 00 Nathan Reed, 4 Wm- Ham old steel 5 88 11 „ Wm. Hawkins, 66 46 C. Adair, street scrapings, 8 00 s< Joel reed, 28 60 --- $247 13 .9 at E. Harrigan, 17 88 Amount expended, _ $4,955 62 Amount Quarried forroard, $680 89 Balance, 292 11 $867 45 $5,247 73 $5,247 7S 41 sxpxxezrvaas. $,4,054 58 J. Spaulding, labor, f 14 81 N. Shea, 'r 299 62 W. W. Griffin, re 82 00 J. F. Simonds, 45 00 Thos. Anderson, 5 50 D. Collins, 25 81 S. Puffer, fit 8 65 Jas. Emery, " 185 00 P. Powers, " 272 24 M. Moulton, to 60 81 F. Gaffieney, 277 49 P. KAmthig, Jr., " 25949 F. Chalenor, " ' 298 48 -Wm. Murphy, r' 264 49 H. Peirce, " 276 58 Jos. Dane, 8 62 G. A. Page, " 22 00 P. Doyle, ' ` 11 25 Jas. Gorman, " 88 74 N. Garmon, labor on culverts, 583 62 M. H. Roberts•, '° ii and gravel, 12 00 Sidney Butters, labor and stock, 28 60 W. Waloott, 1 horse, 175 00 J. D. Willis, 'r 200 00 0. M. Parker, '' 200 00 H. W. Vinal, grain, 18 80 S. A.'Fowle, `r 52 50 A. W. Bryant, 82 50 E. Blaisdell, grinding, 9 00 0. H. Olark, grain and " 44 58 0. A. Butters & Oo., grain and sundries, , 8 79 L. A. Saville, 'r rL 98 75 ing. Childs, sc If 81 96 R. W. Holbrook, is " 86 68 0. E. Otis, stone, 12 00 John A. Easton, lumber, 41 59 1moWU oarrW fortoand, $4,054 58 42 -Ammms brou& forward, $,4,054 58 Barrage Bros., lumber, Be 00 E. H. Goodwin & Co., shovels, 16 68 Wm. Brigham, wheelwrighting, 59 60 H. P. Webber, smithing, 17 61 J. Smith, IS 19 96 J. A. Russell, If 8 87 Wm. Ham, rr 71 78 F. H. Kneeland, " 6 10 J. Chisholm, harness work, 28 45 L. Lawrence, I r' 48 20 Parker & Gannett, homes and plow Pointe, 4 75 E. S. Locke, can, 1 00 Thos. ShadwelI, gravel, 24 24 Charles Tidd, IN 7 50 M. Brennan, If 8 75 Wm. Locke, 2d, repairs on drain, 15 Town of Burlington, use of scraper, ' 8 00 Overseers of Poor, labor, and use of horses, 468 75 Day, 0olline & Co., drain pipe, 60 00 Eli Simonds, putting up lanterns, 1 00 0. M. Parker, labor, and use of horse, 15 00 Hadley's Express, expressage, 455 $4955 62 REMOVING SNOW. a$cffira's. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, Amount expanded, $822 69 Balance unexpended, 177 81 �sxrnx»rrnxss. ; W. 0. Pierce, labor, '$5 00 John Osborn, " 20 50 dm"W amrr a , foa`aoaord, $25 50 $600 00 $No 00 48 -AstoW bm& , onmrd, $25 50 H. Peirce, labor, 6 00 F. Chaleaor, •' 17 25 M. H. Roberts, r' 17 40 G. W. Jameson, r` 6 60 Wm. M. Keefe, 1 50 Arthur B. Shedd, '• 1 00 Sidney Lawrence, " 6 00 R. F. 4ove, " 4 50 W. W. Hartwell, r` 5 00 A. N. Tufts, 10 75 N. Shea, ss ]A 98 P. Keating, Jr., r r 11 40 Jas. Emery, 6 76 Wm. Murphy, " 16 95 ❑. M. Parker, `` 10 00 Webster Smith, rr 10 00 M. Carroll, 2d, " 4 50 S. H. ,Tones, " 18 25 Morgan O'Brien, `r 1 95 Overseers of the Poor, r' 16 50 P. Powers, 6 3o Highway Surveyors, 68 000 E. Stone, ri 9 80 P . Gaifeney, r 1 50 Timothy Sincen, " 8I 87 Support of Poor, •' `• '` ,• $822 69 ABATEMENT OF TAXES. Appropriated and assessed for 1876, $500 00 No abatement for 1876 returned by Trees. and Collector. DISCOUNT ON TAXES. Appropriated and assessed for 1878, 1800 06 Excess of appropriation, 186 71 $986 71 Allowed for prompt payment of taxes, $986 11 44 AUDITORS' B.ALANOB- SHEET. Dot. Cash on hand February 1, I&M sew" 08 Wiocl Grant, Appropriation and I School Fand, 9,17261 ,r Rpa� W .s 1 .r ,L 80754 State Aid, Approporistion and amonnt from State. 87200 Buda Tom, 019" 00 MIM4 Tar, I'm 90 Auditors, AF*opr*to►, 4500 Addition to Yil W Hall, Appropriation, 5930 R u&g Church Be118, •• 7000 Calientar and Tre®anM, '• 400 00 Deoorktion Day, 1s 100 00 Liquor Umaes, Receipts, 300 00 Insm me, Apvoprlotio% 40000 Interest, Appropriation and interest an overdue taxes, 4,807 2D • School Committees Appropriation, 300 00 Biala Payable, App'roprladon and borrowed money. 16im 00 Assessors, Appropriation, 40000 Town Clerk , 100 00 Sexton, 7500 ;Cary Library, •= and dog tart; 71979 C'�D, msttablle,,,,and Police, APp wrJs'�. 60y0 00 Street Liaaups. i4 1,400 00 Fire Department, " 800 00 Contingent, and sundry reMpts, 11,670 87 Support of Poor, •' `• '` ,• 3,43820 $%hways, Amesed •• •• •• " 4,74773 Removing Snow, 50000 Abatement of Taxes, 46 wo 00 Discount on Taxes, " 800 00 Amodat advauoed by Tmasatw 7373 4 WON 08 R111 AUDITORS' SALANCE•SHEET. C�. school Grant, Expenditures, $9,17783 school Repairs, •` 6" 98 State Aid, •• 490 00 S1ata Tsar, 1,934 00 County Tux, •' 1.023 90 Anditors, 'i 4600 Addition to Village IM, '• 39 8D Riming Church Sells. .• 7000 Collector and Tres5017er, '• 400 00 Decoration Pay. '• 9195 Liquor Ltoense% " 7500 (gym 874 bo Interest. 1 41191 s6 school Committee, 980 0D We Payable, 18,W 00 Assesson, •' am 00 Gammell Legacy, •• 4902 Town Cleric, •` 10000 Plannut Street Land Pmvhaee, `• 800 00 Sexton, •` 4250 Cary Library, •• M 97 Constable and Police. 49560 Street Lamps, 1.470 78 Fire 1]eparrDmeent, 0408 0entingeut, $,084 9S New Engine House (Contra Village), •• 1,03500 Support of Poor (Farm and Outside Poor), •i 8,988 47 Highways, •• 4,95669 Removing Snow, ii 32269 Discount on Tame, . 938 7i Amount of uncollected Taxes, 6,W 43 $88,686 98 X 46 REMARKS. Each and every voucher for the items in the foregoing report has been presented to us by the Treasurer for examination. They were found to be correctly oast. We have also examined the books and accounts of that officer, and we certify to tbeir correctness. We are again obliged to differ considerably in our classification from that shown in the Treasurer's recapitulation. He, however, charged the bills as they were marked by the approving board. We found such classification as follows: One auditor's bill was paid from the Auditor grant, while the other was charged to Contingent; a bill for gas, distinctly marked 11 Street Lamps," was paid from and charged to Contingent; bills for putting up tramps -- Outside Poor" expenses — were charged to Contingent; the balance of the bill on the Addition to the Village Hall, for which a special appropriation was made, was charged to Contingent; bills amounting to nearly $80.04, made out to the Fire Department, and representing work done for, or materials furnished to, the department, and approved by the Engineers, were also found in the Contingent; drain-pipe need upon the highways was another instance of the same kind. These and other items we have placed where it seemed to us they belonged. In no other way can the town know exactly what a department coeds, and, we presume that was the object in view when the town voted to have a board of auditors separate from the selectmen, and instructed them to make a detailed annual report. We have been asked frequently why we differ in this matter of classification from the Treasurer's account, and we offer the above examples in explaustion. Renpectfully submitted, LummoN, Feb. 9th, 1877. FRANK L. WETHEREL16, j dadiiors. GERSHOM SWAN, f 47 AN EXPLANATION. In compiling the Town Reports last year, a work wholly done at that time by the Auditors, an item was omitted from the page devoted to a statement of the town debt, (Vide, page 10, Reports of the Town Ufeers of the Town of Lexington, for the year ending January 31, 1$76,) which has Ied to considerable misunderstanding, and therefore demands explanation. Public rumor has it that the Town Treasurer left -out of the list of notes, one payable to Geo. Holden for $5000, dated May 7th, 1875 ; and rumor has even charged that the official referred to did this intentionally. This piece of gossip, however, has one serious defect. B is not true. In common with other officers, the Treasurer handed to the Auditors, last year, his report, included in which was the copy of the page referred to. Upon that copy, under the head of "Temporary Loans," was a line descriptive of this wry node. Somewhere between the compositor and myself, this lime was dropped. I cannot locate the blame by any proof, therefore I assure it entirely. My colleague on the Board of Auditors knew nothing of it, as he did not see the proof, it being brought to me at my place of business in Boston for conven- ience and saving of time. The Treasurer is blameless, for he included it in hia statement. One word more, for the benefit of those who have heard this story of the omission, and those who have industriously circulated it. The last year's volume of Town Reports dose contain a record of this note. Upon page 45 of that boom, under the head of "Bills Payable," on the debit side of the n000nnt are the words : Borrowed of Geo. Holden, May Tth, 1876, $5000 00. This item was obtained by the Auditors from the Town notebook, shown to them by the Treasurer during their examination of the books and accounts. The Treasurer's balance -sheet and that of the Auditors would not have balanced had it been omitted. I make this explanation in justice to the Treasurer, and upon my own responsibility. Respectfully, FRANK E. WETHERELL, One of 00 dudMW8.Aw 18754. REPORT OF THE SCHOOLCOMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON, FOR THE YEAR 1876-77. LAWRENCE: PRINTED BY HAMMON REED. 1877. REPORT. • The School Committee of Lexington submit the fol- lowing report: At the annual meeting on March 8, 1876, the town voted to appropriate the sum of $9,000 for instruction, fuel and care of rooms, and the sum of 9750 for inci- dentals and repairs of school buildings the ensuing year. Town appropriation, $9,75000 From the State School Fund, 1876, 28015 94 99 'c 18755, 18881 For tuition, 1875, 8500 e� cs 18781 8375 $10,18721 The Committee, mindful of the stringency of the times, have endeavored to manage their financial re- sponsibilities in an economical manner, and' within the bounds of the altogether too limited appropriation allowed for the current year. 4 WanxnrMBER. Bills have been approved by them for 187Es -77, as follows . . Instruction, - - - - $8,382 11 Fuel, - - - - - 457 11 Care of rooms, - - - - 324 91 Repairs and incidentals, - - 884 48 $9,998 56 In detail as follows: . ADAMS SCHOOL. Instrncti�►n, - - - $1,612 5o 129 50 Care of rooms, - - 86 88 Repairs, &c., - - 48 04 . -- $1,876 42 nOwnrres soRCOn- Inetrrtct�on, - - - $498 75 a Fuel, - - - •38 95 Cara of rooms, - - 20 25 Repairs, &a., - _ 18 87 • $571 82 FBANKM saloon. instruction, _ - - $400 00 Fuel, - - - 26 76 Cage of rooins, - - 24 50 Repairs, &c., - - 50 17 $501 43 { r 0 in FV v 42 CID, 44.4 _ w • ''+' D 13D s est �44 � 42 OD 00 O �' ed � W4-� ~'� .003 a 40 cp 3r m 00 01, 4S 0 42 42 GD � 73 RSi � � •� � q � � � '� d � eS y "d r�� � Lip � '� � Ay � � e3 0 D as 4 1ajo M P4l �D S co �. �co ebX 0co t 0- 000 I co 0i m $ I G7 :7 a dl " = I* ep -* 00 +w s = CA w �I OG 11 ON r-+ ro ce S .� �, w n L a� °a a °ate m� 1 • rl Fi :+ 7+ 1 • � .� 31 07 r .Y too Ile, S JA 41 ol4 .R�ia Far M m r� *� pa -S ai w 0 a Or _ p C-4 pa ro 14 5 0 OD 0 CD 42 -42 Lol.,. ;j 'Eli SO rl o � '�'i Fib g• eAbb:�•'� r N. C� "d ad Zip m yo m w w ... w m rn mFT� .rl ++ m ea 0 +• its O goo ps P ID A93 ID r. ml .q C! O O r—d rd •p' •A' �' +� +� � �d a .0 p r •� 'O m �' $ .U., FL 8 s �Kati.'' .�g.s s C7 p��1 O G `i'M �pq�.p o,�� o$',,m� �•a $ Ord � � '� �,°' � p, � o. �';� m pm, a a WA � ° •p � A ;4 UVO m b 01 a mom' 1~ .4 n m - Q .� � w 8 �o a c" r•� 4�11 LP f� w P, A %: In rg 41 roll 9d S� 94 JR 1.8 04 U r I I� 0 � C7 a �a $m m U Fm I � I d g 0: .6 m �% I t k.A � -41 1 Ef I , cm M , -g .4 t go ra p G C •, co ro F51 PS �GQ.e�► La r Paz, pi � A p L: s =+a 8 o arm 4 � a ago �� 3�.n m'� I '��� L� a.�� r C q CD •� m; FT4a� •I� � I I� I I ': �� � ♦, TABULAR VIEW. leaaoore. No. et at Id Term. Stho .i Average umber Average 9d Team.I 1st Term. ad Tana. A. E. White. R. B. Clarke. High Annie R. Mice. Fanny A. Kimball. Imogen W. r.ddy. Emily P. Hidden. Adams Grammar s Peabody. Hanooek Grammar. . Akerinan. Hancock Sub -Grammar :Ilen B. Lane. Hancock Intermediate de A. ilntebhuwn. Bowditch Ada M. Frost. 1 Emma E. Wright. Franklin C. A. Underwood. Howard A. Butterflei 1. Warren 11. Alice Paxil. Adams Primary Carrie F. Fiske. tlaneoek Primary lien E. Harrington. Made Teeaber for all the schoolsHorace Bird.' S8 42 5R 38 44 45 21 20 58 41 47 Oil 43 32 88.- 45 48 41.4- 90 27.58 35.88 38 32 32 45 18 27 57 38 98 34 86 17. 15.8- 13.77 - 18.0S 32.1 36.03 37.5 31.6 32.84 27.77 Average Per x A - awn ofyam setae/ 51.5 i 97.2 35-- 95.8 42.2 94 31.7 84.9 3L 5 80 85 85 18.7 SO 15.9 78 34. 59 29.5 83 30.8 83.5 *1.000 00 1.500 00 550 00 475 00 500 00 500 00 1,050 00 750 00 800 00 500 00 425 00 500 00 450 00 400 00 400 00 475 00 460 00 400 00 32000