HomeMy WebLinkAbout1923-Annual ReportANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF
Lexington, Mass.
For the Year 1923
JOHN F. GARRICK, PRINTER
BOSTON. MASS
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
LIST OF TOWN OFFICERS
Town Clerk
March 1923 to March 1924
ARTHUR W. HATCH
SELECTMEN
William S. Scamman
Chairman '24
Hallie C. Blake, '24 Albert H. Burnham, '25
J. Chester Hutchinson, '26 Fred H. Moulton, '26
Town Treasurer
Collector of 'Taxes
Cemetery Commissioners
&shoot Committee
Trustees of Public Trusts
Moderator
Constables
Planning Board
Arthur W. Hatch
Byron C. Earle
John E. A. Mu!liken (Chairman)
Charles 3. Dailey
Edward Wood
George E. Briggs (Chairman)
Nina F. McLellan
Howard S. 0. Nichols
Charles B. Davis
Frank D. Peirce
John F. Turner
Sydney R. Wrightington
Patrick 3. Maguire
James 3, Sullivan
J. Oden Tilton
Fredrick L. Emery
Wiliam H. Ballard
Fredrick R. Galloupe
Leroy S. Brown
Willard D. Brown
Field Drivers Edwin A. Bayley
Howard S. 0. Nichols
'2§
'24
'28
'25
'24
'26
'26
'28
'24
'26
'26
'24
'24
'2a
'25
4 ANNUAL REPOE.Ts
Almtahouse Matron
Animal inspector
Assessors
Appointed Officers
Mrs. William E. Eaton
Dr. Chester L. Blakely
Theodore A. Custance
George H. Gibson
Charles L. Parker
Arthur B. Howe
Fredrick J. Spencer
Assistant Town Clerk Miss Helen C. Gallagher
Bridge Charitable Fund TrusteesCharles B. Davis
Frank D. Peirce
John F. Turner
Building Inspector
Burial Agent
Burial Permits, Agent to
Cary Memorial Library,
tees
Wesley T. Wadman
Arthur A. Marshall
Issue Arthur W. Hatch
Trus -
The Selectmen,
The School Committee and the
Settled Clergymen of the Town
Cary Memorial Library, Libra -
rain Miss Marian P. Kirkland
'26
'28
'24
Cary Memorial Library, Assis-
tants Miss Helen E. Muzzey
Miss Katherine Buck
Miss Dorothy B. Wentworth
Miss Emma 0. Nichols (East Lex-
ington Branch
Gary Memorial Library,
Janitor
Cary Memorial Library,
carer
Constable
Dental Clinic
Treos-
Frank E. Clark
George E. Briggs
Charles E. Wheeler
Miss Alice Newell
Mrs. S. Lewis Barbour
Harry H. Lowry
TOWN
Fence. Viewers
Fire Engineers
Forest Warden and Tree
Warden
Fumigator
Gammen Legacy Income, Tru -
tees acting with Overseers
f the Poor
Health Officer
Lockup Keepers
Measurer of Grain
Measurer of Wood, Bark
Manure
Milk Inspector
Moth Dept. Superintendent
Odorless Cart, Charge of
Police Ofeicers
Police Spe.ial
OF I BXINGTON
J. Henry Duffy
John T. Cosgrave
Edward W. Taylor (Chief)
William. S. Scamman
Osborne J. Gorham
Arthur A. Marshall
Mrs. William E. Eaton
Mrs. John S. Spaulding
Dr. William L. Barnes
John C. Russell
Edward Leavitt
Moses F. Wilbur
and
Henry W. Preston
Harold I. Wellington
Jacob Bierenbroodspot
John A. Laurie
Andrew Bain
5
Osborne J. Gorman
Peter Canessa
Edward Leavitt (Chief)
Patrick J. Maguire, (Deputy Chief)
Jamey J. Sullivan (Sergeant)
James Irwin
John C. Russell
*William F. Fletcher
Edward C. Maguire
Thomas C. Buckley
*Walter H. Kew
William C. O'Leary
*Harold C. Reimer
*Resigned
Mark Dodd
Jay 0. Richards
Thomas F. Fardy
Charles A. Manley
6
ANNUAL R$PORTS
Park Police
Numbing Inspector
Public Works, Superintendent
Registrars of Voters
Henry W. Preston
Dennis H. Collins
William P. Wright
William S. Scamman
Thomas F. Griffin
Fredrick J. Spencer
Alex Ohlson
Michael A. Pero
John G. Fitzgerald
Bion C. Merry
Walter P. Spellman
Frank E. Clark
Edward W. Taylor
Harry M. Aldrich
John E. Kelley
Edward J. Hogan
George E. Fay
Emil J. Nash
Charles M. Blake
Arthur R. Oliver
Stephen H. Broughall
Henry Harvey
John J. Garrity
Andrew Bain
Christopher Harrison C. E.
Francis J. Toye
Bartholomew D. Callahan
David F. Murphy
Arthur W. Hatch
Sealer of Weights and MeasuresCharles E. Hadley
Slaughter Inspector George A. Warner
Stone Building Janitor John E. Garmon
Supt. Streets, Water and
Town Accountant
wn Cpunsel
Toxon Engineer
Town Hall Janitor
Towyn Physician
SewerAlbert A. Ross
Charles F. Pierce
Edward C. Stone
J. Henry Duffy
Charles E. Moloy
Dr. Henry C. Valentine
26
'2G
'24
(Clerk)
TowN or LEXINGTON
Village Hall Janitor William P. Wright
Undertakers Arthur A. Marshall
James F.McCarthy
Water an d Sewer Department
Clerk Miss Florence M. Boyd
Weighers of Coal William E. Mulliken
John E. A. Mulliken
George F. Teague
Jacob Bierenbroodspot
Harold I. Wellington
Stephen J. Donnellan
Weighers of Hay clad Grain Moses F. Wilbur
Robert E. Hannaford
William P. Wheaton
Weighers (Public)
William E. MuIliken
George F. Teague
John E. A. Mulliken
Albert Bierenbroodspot
Andrew Bierenbroodspot
Harold I. Wellington
8
ANNUAL REPORTS
COMMITTEES APPOINTED
AT VARIOUS TOWN MEETINGS
NORTH LEXINGTON SCHOOL
Appointed June 30, 1919
Dwight F. Kilgour Timothy 11. O'Connor
Guy E. Denison Clarence D. Fuller
And the School Committee
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
Appointed September 15, 1923
James G. Robertson
Christopher S. Ryan
S. Lewis Barbour
Ellis W. Tower
Harold B. Lamont
William H. Shurtleff
Edwin W. Hutchinson
Morton G. Hopkins
Randall B. Houghton
REVISION OF BUILDING LAWS
Appointed May 9, 1923
William Roger Greeley Wesley T. Wadman
Theodore A. Custance Bartlett J. Harrington
Patrick F. Dacey
150th ANNIVERSARY
Appointment May 9, 1923
Three Years
,. ,.
$, ,.
Two Years
,.
1. ,.
One Year
11 .,
,1 1.
George E. Briggs
Robert P. Clapp
J. Willard Hayden
Catherine A. Kimball
Edward P. Merriam
Charles H. Spaulding
Edwin B. Worthen
Dr. J. Odin Tilton
Elwyn G. Preston
Joseph R. Cotton
Major Alfred Pierce
Christopher S. Ryan
William
Edward H. Mara
Frederick L. Emery
Stephen F. Hamblin
Willard D. Brown
George D. Harrington
Leroy S. Brown
William H. Ballard
Edward W. Taylor
Edward C. Stone
George L. Gilmore
James W. Smith
Herbert W. Saul
F. Young
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
INCREASED SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS
Appointed May 9, 1923
John Calder, Chairman
Mrs. Lorna M. Milne
Edward H. Mara
Lester T. Redman
And the School Committee
STONE BUILDING REPAIRS
Appointed October 8, 1923
Frank D. Peirce Timothy H. O'Connor
Charles H. Spaulding Charles J. Henrick
Edward Wood
HONOR ROLL, Acceptance
Appointed October 8, 1923
Dr. Fred S. Piper George L. Gilmore
Frank E. Haynes Roland E. Garmon
Alfred Pierce
9
GRAVEL PIT, Purchase
Appointed October 8, 1923
William C. Stickel Christopher Harrison
James Alexander Wilson
l0
ANNUAI. REPORTS
TOWN WARRANT
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Lexington, in
said County, Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of
Lexington, qualified to vote in elections and in town af-
fairs to meet at their respective voting places in said town,
(Precinct One, Emerson Hall; Precinct Two, Town Hall)
on
MONDAY, THE FIFTH DAX OF MARCH, A. D. 1923.
at Six o'clock A. M., then and there to act on the
following articles:
Art. 1 To choose by ballot the following town
officers: One Town Clerk for the term of one year; one
Selectman for the term of one year (to fill a vacancy) ;
two selectmen for the term of three years; one Town
Treasurer for the term of one year; one Collector of
Taxes for the term of one year; one Cemetery Com-
missioner for the term of three years; one member of
the School Committee for the term of three years; two
Constables for the term of one year; one Moderator for
the term of one year; two members of the Planning
Board for the term of three years.
Also on the same ballot:
Art. 2. To see if the Town will vote for or against
granting licenses for the sale of non -intoxicating bevera-
ges, in answer to the question: "Shall licenses be grant-
ed for the sale of non -intoxicating beverages in this
town ?"
The polls will be open at 6 :00 A. M. and will remain
open until 5:00 P. M.
You are also to notify and wvarn the inhabitants
aforesaid to meet at the Town Hall in said town on Mon-
day, the twelfth 'day of March, 1923, at 8 P. M. to act on
the following articles:
Art. 3. To receive the report of any Board of Town
Officers or of any Committee of the town for action there-
Towx or LEXINGTON
11
on, and to appoint other Committees.
Art. 4. To choose such Town Officers as are re-
quired by law and are usually chosen by nomination.
Art. 5. To see if the Town will make an appropria-
tion for the proper observance of Memorial Day, to be
expended under the direction of Post 119, Grand Army
of the Republic.
Art. 6. To see if the Town will grant such. sums of
money as may be thought necessary for the uses and ex-
penses
xpenses of the Town the ensuing year for the following
departments or accounts, direct how the same shall be
raised, or act in any manner relating thereto: Public
Schools; Almshouse; Outside Poor; Highways; Street
Lights; Fire Department; Appropriation Committee; Pub_
lic Parks; Town Engineer's Department ;Milk Inspector;
Plumbing Inspector; Inspectors of Slaughtering; April
19th Celebration ; Street Signs ; and Cemeteries.
Art. 7. To see if the Town will make the usual
appropriations for Town expenses the ensuing year, not
specified in other articles, or act in any manner relating
thereto.
Art. 8. To see if the Town will make an appro-
priation to construct sidewalks with concrete or other
material where the abuttors will pay one-half the expense
thereof.
Art. 9. To see if the Town will make an appropria-
tion for the suppression of Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths
in accordance with Chap. 132, General Laws, or act in
any manner relating thereto.
Art. 10. To see if the Town will make an appro-
priation to provide funds for the payment of pensions to
retired town veterans under Chap. 32, Sect. 52-55,
General Laws, or act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 11. To see if the Townt will vote to appropriate
and assess an amount of money to be used as a Reserve
Fund as provided by Chapter 40, Sect. 6. General Laws,
or take any action relating thereto.
Art. 12. Tor see if the Town will appropriate funds
for the payments of pensions to retired members of the
Police and Fire Departments under Chap. 32, General
Laws or act in any manner relating thereto.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS
Art. 13. To see if the Town will authorize their
Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to. bor-
row money for any necessary purposes, in anticipation of
revenue for the current year, the same to be paid directly
from the proceeds of said revenue, or act in any manner
relative thereto.
Art. 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap-
propriate the sum of $350, or some other amount, and
elect a director for demonstration work in agriculture
and home economics, the money to be expended by and
the director to serve in cooperation with the County Trust -
tees for Aid to Agriculture of the Middlesex County
Bureau of Agriculture and Home Economics under the
provisions of Sections 40•to 45, Chap 128, General Laws
of Massachusetts.
Art. r15. To see if the Town will authorize. the Select-
men to appoint a Committee of citizens to investigate and
report at the next town meeting on the possibility of estab-
lishing a town forest and to appropriate the sum of $100
for the use of the committee fon this purpose.
Art. 16. To see if the Town will authorize the Lex-
ington Historical Society to place upon the foundation of
the Captain Parker Statue, on the side facing the Common
a bronze tablet bearing the names of and commemorating
the seventy seven minute -men who participated in the
battle of Lexington, or to take any action relative to such
a tablet.
Art. 17. To hear the report of the Committee ap-
pointed to: consider and prepare plans for the appropri-
ate observance of April 19, 1925, and to take whatever
action may be necessary thereon.
Art. 18. To seer if the !Town will vote to pay to Drs.
Harry B. Osgood, Frederick A. Stankard and Clarence
D. Shannon, $100 each for materials used in dental work
for school children during the years 1920 and 1921, or
act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 19. To see if the Town will vote to install two
street lights on r Cottage Street, or act in any manner re-
lating thereto.
(Inserted at request of Philip P. Leaf, et al)
Art. 20. To see if the frown wilt vote to grant snow
plow service on Farmcrest Avenue, or act in any manner
TORN or LEXINGTON
18
relating thereto.
(Insertedi at request of .1. C. Emil Gramstorff,et al)
Art. 21. To see if the Town will vote to authorize
snow plow service on York Street, make an appropria-
tion therefore, or take any action relative thereto.
(Inserted at request of Martha Riley)
Art. 22. To see if the Town will authorize the Board
of Selectmen and Public, Works toexpend the balance of
the $35,000 bond issue designated, "Lexington Highway
Loan. Acct of 1921." for the purpose of permanent road
construction under specifications approved by the Mass-
achusetts Department of Public Works, and in such lo-
cations as the board of Selectmen and Public Works shall
determine; or act in any manner relative thereto.
Art. 23. To see if the Town will vote to transfer
from the Highway Construction Account, $12.43 and
from the Woburn Street Improvement Account, $360.80
toithe Highway Construction Account (Maple and Lowell
Streets), or act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 24. To see if the Town will appoint a committee
to revise the building laws, appropriate money for the
publishing of same, or act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 25. To see if the Town will vote to install a
water main in Reed Street (North Lexington) from Centre
Street to Maple Street, a distance of, 320 feet and on
Maple Street from Reed Street easterly to Oak Street, a
distance of 320 feet, appropriate money for the same or
act in any manner relating thereto.
(Inserted at request of Herbert H. Locke, et al)
Art. 26. To see if theTown will vote to extend water
mains in the following unaccepted streets : Kendall Road,
Hill Top Avenue, and Brookside Avenue, which ,exten-
sions will approximate 1900 feet, appropriate money for
the same ,by bond issue, or otherwise, or take any action
relatingthereto. '
(Inserted at request of Neil McIntosh)
Art. 27. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate
money for the puse of the Water and Sewer Department
and to provide same by issuance of bonds, notes or by di-
rect appropriation or by any or all of such methods, or
take any other action relating thereto.
14
ANNUAL REP OEMS
Art. 28. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate
money to widen and deepen the brooksin. the Town so
as to obtain better surface drainage, or take any other
action relating thereto.
Art, 29. To see if the Town will vote to appro-
priate money for the construction of additional sewers
and to provide same by the issuance of bonds, notes or
by direct appropriation, or by any or all of such methods
or to take any other action relating thereto.
Art. 30. To see if the Town will appropriate money
for the purchase of water mains which have been laid
at the, expense of property owners and which are con-
nected with our water system, in the following unac-
cepted ways : Marriott St. (Hays Estate) ;Ward Street;
York Street; Webb Street; Summit Road;. St.Margaret
Avenue; Forest Street; Highland Avenue and Fottler
Avenue, or act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 31. To see if the Town will vote to extend water
main in St. Margaret Avenue, from its present end near
the house of George M. Davis to Adams Street, a distance ,
of approximately 1300 feet, and appropriate money for
same by bond issue, or otherwise, or take any action re-
lating thereto.
(Inserted at request of Fred E. Sawyer)
Art. 32. To see if the Town will vote to extend
water main in Chase Avenue, from its present end, a
distance of approximately 300 feet, appropriate money
for the same by bond issue, or otherwise or take any ac-
tion relating thereto.
(Inserted at request of Joseph L. Dahlstrom, et al)
Art. 33. To see if the Town will vote to extend
water main in Hayes Lane, from Fletcher Avenue a dis-
tance of approximately 900 feet, appropriate money for
the same by bond issue or otherwise or take any action re-
Iating thereto.
(Inserted at request of Karry M. Aldrich)
Art. 34. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the
so-called Code of By -Laws and all action relating thereto
taken at the adjourned Town Meetings held June 19th,
27th, 28th, 1922, respectively.
Art. 35. To see if the town will vote to pay or rati-
fy the payment of the bill of the publication of the new
code of by-laws in the Lexington Minute -Man, and if
TOWN or LEXINGTON
15
the balance of the by-law appropriation is insufficient
for such payment to provide additional funds therefor,
or act in any manner relating thereto.
(Inserted at the request of Edwin A. Bayley)
Art. 36. To see if the town will vote to publish
the new code of by-laws in the Lexington Times and
provide funds therefor, or act in any- manner relating
thereto.
(Inserted at the request of Edwin A Bayley)
Art. 37. To see if the Town will vote to ratify
and confirm the code of by-laws adopted by this Town on
June 19th. 27th, and 28th, 1922, as approved by the
Attorney General of the Commonwealth under the date
of .January 6th, 1923, or act in any manner relating
thereto.
(Inserted at the request of Edwin A. Bayley)
Art. 38. To see if the Town will vote to have the
new code of by-laws published in pamphlet form, and
provide money for the same.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this Warrant,
with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or
before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Lexington, this nineteeth day
of February, A. D., 1923.
WILLIAM S. SCAMMAN,
A. B. TENNEY,
HALLIE C. BLAKE,
ALBERT H. BURNHAM,
Selectmen of Lexington.
Lexington, Mass., Feb. 25, 1923.
To the Town Clerk :
I have notified the inhabitants of the Town of Lex-
ington qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs,
by posting printed copies in the Post Office and in nine
other public places in the town, and by mailing the print-
ed copies to every registered votor in the town, a copy of
the foregoing Warrant, eight days before the time of
said meeting.
Attest:
• CHARLES E. WHEELER
Constable Of Lexington
16
ANNIFAL REPORTS
ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION
March 5, 1923
The following election officers had been appointed
by the Selectmen and were assigned to duty at the two
Precincts as follows:
Precinct One
Warden
Clerk
Inspector
Inspector
Deputy Inspector
Teller
Teller
Teller
Teller
Teller
Precinct Two
Warden
Deputy Warden
Clerk
Deputy Clerk
Inspector
Inspector
Deputy Inspector
Deputy Inspector
Teller
Teller
Teller
Teller
Teller
Teller
Teller
Constable
Wilber F. Atwood
Michael A. Pero
Bartlett J. Harrington
William B. Foster
Mrs. Evelyn C. Broughall
Joseph A. Waters
Earle L. Hadley
Thomas J. Doherty
Finlay Mcisaac
Thomas C. Buckley
Jay D. Richards
Albert H. Burnham
Patrick F. Dacey
Dr. John H. Kane
Ralph H. Marshall
John J. Garrity
Mrs. Marion C. Jackson
Miss Katherine A. Kiernan
Walter B. Wilkins
Ezra F. Breed
James F. McCarthy
Allston M. Redman
Charles F. Vaughan
Fred E. Butters
Edward L. Kelley
Charles E. Wheeler
The polls wrexe declared open in each Precinct at
six o'clock A. M., and remained open until five P. M.
at which time after due notice they were closed.
The election officers were sworn to the faithful per-
formance of their duties.
The ballots were counted by the election officers in
each precinct, the tally sheets and total vote sheets pre-
pared by the Town Clerk being used.
The ballots cast were counted, enclosed in envelopes,
Tow bzis LEsintGTON
sealed, signed by the election officers, together with the
unused ballots, delivered to the Town Clerk at his office.
The Town Clerk canvassed the result as follows:
Precinct I.
Precinct 11.
Ballots Cast.
Ballots Cast.
Prec. I
TOWN CLERK
Charles E. Hadley 147
Arthur W. Hatch 230
Blanks ... 35
Arthur W. Hatch was elected
SELECTMAN
Leonard K. Dunham f2
William S. Scamman .. 60
J. 'Alexander Wilson 317
Blanks 23
William S. Scamman was elected
412
1294
Prec.II Total
231
977
86
207
629
354
104
378
1,207
121
219
689
671
127
SELECTMEN
J. Chester Hutchinson 110 795 905
William J. Marshall 235 437 672
Fred H, Moulton 294 562 856
Matthew Stevenson 35 233 268
Blanks 150 561 711
Fred H. Moulton and J. Chester Hutchinson were
Elected
TOWN TREASURER
Charles E. Hadley 146
Arthur W. Hatch 229
Blanks 37
Arthur W. Hatch was elected
COTLFCTOR OF TAXES
18
ANNUAL RNPoaTE
CEMETERY COMMISSIONER
Edward Wood 302
Blanks 110
Edward Wood was elected
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Edgar W. Harrod 263
Howard S. O. Nichols .. 80
Daniel J. O'Connell 49
Blanks 20
Howard S. O. Nichols was elected.
CONSTABLES
Patrick J. Maguire 274 947
James J. Sullivan 266 1,017
Blanks 284 624
Patrick J. Maguire and James J. Sullivan
elected
1,033 1,335
261 371
263
743
248
40
526
823
297
60
1,221
1,283
908
were
MODERATOR
Sydney R. Wrightington 297 1,007 1,304
Blanks 115 287 402
Sydney R. Wrightington was elected.
PLANNING BOARD
Frederick L. Emery 267 907 1,174
Josiah Odin Tilton 258 895 1,153
Blanks 299 786 1,085
Frederick L. Emery and Josiah Odin Tilton were
elected
Shall licence be granted for the sale of non -intoxicat-
ing beverages in this town?
231 377 Yes 174 529
948 1,177 No ......... 162 547
115 152 Blanks ........... 76 218
Byron C. Earle 322 1,058 1,380
Blanks 90 236 326
Byron C. Earle was elected
The Town voted "no license."
A true record,
Attest:
703
709
294
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 19
Lexington, Mass., March 7, 1923
This is to certify that I have this day appointed
Helen C. Gallagher, Assistant Town Clerk of Lexington,
and that she has been sworn to perform the duties of
said office to the best of her knowledge and ability.
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
20
ANNUAL REPORTS
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING
March 12, 1923
The meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock P. M.
by the Moderator.
On motion the reading of the Warrant, except the
first paragraph, and Constables return, was omitted.
Art. 13. On motion of William S. Scamman the fol-
lowing vote passed unanimously at 8:05 P. M.
"Voted, That the Town Treasurer with the approv-
al of the Selectmen be and hereby is authorized to bor-
row money from time to time in anticipation of revenue
of the present financial year to an amount not exceeding
in the agregate of $400,000, and to issue therefor a note
or dotes payable within one year. Any debt or debts in-
curred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of
the present financial year."
Art. 34. Under this article Mr. William S. Scamman
offered the following motion:
"Voted : That all action taken by the town at the
town meetings held June 19, 1922; June 27, 1922 and
June 28, 1922 with respect to a proposed set of By -Laws
be resinded and a new comiitee on By -Laws, consist-
ing of three members be appointed by the Moderator to
consider and draft a new set of By -Laws to be present-
ed to the town at a special meeting to be called by the
Selectmen."
Remarks were made by Robert L. Ryder .
A point of order was raised by Edwin A. Bayley
that under Article 34, no provisions was made for the
appointment of a committee. The Moderator sustained
the point but suggested that if Art. 3, was taken up in
connection with Art. 34, it would clear the situation.
On motion of Mr. Ryder, it was voted that Article
3, be considered in connection with Article 34.
Extended remarks were made by Mr. Ryder in favor
of the motion.
Towx OF LEXINGTON
21
Mr. Bayley spoke at length in opposition to the mo-
tion, during which William R. Greeley raised a point of
order, that Mr. Bayley should not ask the votors to vote
on his question. This point was not sustained by the Mod-
erator.
Mr. Bayley then offered the following substituted
motion:
"That the Town hereby rescinds its action in adopt-
ing the code of by-laws taken at the adjourned town
meetings held June 19, 27, and 28, 1922; also hereby
rescinds the vote receiving and placing on file the report
of the By -Law Committee; also hereby rescinds the vote
whereby the By -Law Committee was discharged; also
hereby rescinds the vote that the Town Clerk putthe by-
laws into shape and present them to the Attorney General
for his approval and after approval •of the same, that they
be published according to law by said Committee on By -
Laws; also hereby rescinds the vote that the balance of
the by-law appropriation. be applied, to the exrense of
publishing the bylaws, and also hereby rescinds the vote
of thanks of the town extended to the By -Law Committee
for its faithful and efficient work in behalf of the town."
Remarks were made by John Devine and William J.
Marshall.
Mr. Bayley's substitute °lion was put to a vote,
and declared Lost by the Mode ator.
Mr. Ryder's motion was then voted on and by a ris-
ing vote was defeated by a vote of Yes — 31; No. -
253.
Art. 37. Under this article Mr. Edwin A. Bayley
offered the following motion which was passed at 10:15
P. M. "That the town hereby approves. ratifies and con-
firms the code of by-laws adopted by this town at meet-
ings held on June 19, 27, and 28, 1922, as approved by
the Attorney General of the Commonwealth under the
date of January 6, 1923."
Art. 35. Under this article Edwin A. Bayley offer-
ed the following motion which, was passed at 10:19 P.
M.. by- a vote of Yes -235. No -9.
"That the town approves the payment to C. S. Park-
er and Son of the sum of $225.00 for the publication in
22 ANNUAL REPORTS
the Lexington Minute -Man of the issues of January 26,
February 2 and 9, 1923, of the code of by-laws approv-
ed by the Attorney General under they date of January
6, 1923, and that the sum of $225.00 remaining of the
appropriation $500 made for the printing of the Re-
port of the By -Law Committee be applied to the pay-
ment of the same."
Art. 36. Under this article Edwin A. Bayley offered
the following motion, which was passed at 10:47 P. M.
by a vote of Yes -202; No -9.
"That the town hereby authorizse and directs the
former By -Law Committee, composed of Edwin A. Bay-
ley, Arthur L. Blodgett and Arthur W. Hatch, to have
the code of by-law's as approved by- the Attorney Gen-
eral on January 6, 1923, published for three successive
weeks in the Lexington Times in accordance with the
provisions of law, and that the sum of $300, is hereby
appropriated and assessed to cover expense of such
publication".
On motion of William C. Stickel at 10:48 P. M. it
was voted to adjourn for two weeks to March 26, at 7 :30
P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
Tows OF LEXINGTON
23
SECOND ADJOURNED TOWN
MEETING
March 26, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 7 :30 P. M.
Under Article 6, Mr. Georgs E. Briggs, Chairman of
the School Committee, offered the following motion :
"Voted : That the sum of $140,630 be appropriated
and assessed for the support of the Public Schools for the
ensuing year."
Mr. Briggs gave a lengthy explanation of the call
for this appropriation.
Mr. Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following
substitute motion :
"Voted : That the sum of $132,500 be appropriated
tnd assessed for the support of the Public Schools for the
current year with the strong recommendation that in
view of the present crowded condition of our school
buildings, only pupils be admitted to our schools who ark
resident in Lexington and for whom the town is legally
responsible."
A lengthy disewasion then arose: as to the advisability
of the Fi duced appropriation. This discussion was par-
ticipated in by Charles G. Richards, William J. Marshall,
Bedros H. Bashian, Latimer S. Seaver, and Edwin A. Bay-
ley, who were in favor of the substitute motion, and
Hollis Webster, J. Rowse Webster, Herbert W. Saul and
Patrick Flynn who were in favor of Mr. Brigg's motion.
Remarks were made by Finlay Melsaac and George W.
Reed.
Mr. Edward Wood offered as an amendment to the
substitute motion that the following be stricken out:
"with the strong recommendation that in view of the pres-
ent crowded condition of our school buildings, only pu-
pils be admitted to our schools who are resident in Lex-
ington, and for whom the town is legally responsible."
On a standing vote, the ammendment was carried
by a vote of Yes -3I9, No -34.
Mr. Bayley's motion was then passed by a rising
24 nex. RaPOBTS
vote of Yes -277, No -133.
Mr. Bayley's motion as amended was passed by .an
unanimous vote of the meeting.
On motion of Robert P. Clapp at 10:35 P. M.
the meeting voted to adjourn to April 9, 1923 at 7 :30
P. M.
A true record,
Attest :
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
TOWN OP LEXINGTON
25
THIRD ADJOURNED TOWN
MEETING
April 9, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 7 :30 P. M.
Art. 6. On motion of Edward W. Taylor, Article 6
was taken up.
Under this article Robert H. Holt offered the fol-
lowing motion:
"Voted that the following amount be appropriated
and assessed for the current year for the celebration of
April 19th to be expended under the direction of the Se-
Iectmen, $300." Vote passed unanimously.
Under this article it was unanimously, "Voted : That
the following amount be appropriated and assessed for
the current year, for the support of the poor at the Alms-
house, $1465."
Under this article it was unanimously, Voted: That
the following amount be appropriated and assessed for
the current year, for the support of the Outside Poor,
$9,000."
Edward W. Taylor„ Chief of Fire Department, offer-
ed the following motion which was passed unanimously
after considerable discussion:
"Voted that the following amount be appropriated
and assessed for the current year for the support of the
Fire Department, $23,000."
Remarks were made on the above appropriation by
Charles J. Henrich, William J. Marshall and Edwin A.
Bayley.
Under this article, Mr. Rlobert H. Holt offered the
following motion:
"Voted that the following amount be appropriated
and assessed for the current year, $47,500."
26 ANNUAL REPORTS
Edwin A. Bayley then offered the amendment that
$45,000 be substituted for $47,500.
A general discussion of highway matters was enter-
ed into and remarks were made by the following : Be
dros H. Bashian, Toros I . Bashian, William J. Marshall,
Edwin A. Bayley, Fred H. Moulton, Patrick J. Flynn,
Arthur F. Hutchinson and John DeVine.
A rising vote was taken on the amendment which
was passed by a vote of Yes -365, No -47.
The vote as ammended was unanimously passed.
On motion of Robert H. Holt it was unanimously
"Voted, that the following amount be appropriated and
assessed for the currant year for the expense of street
lights, $15,500." '
On motion of Robert H. Holt, it was unanimously
"Voted that the following amount be appropriated and
assessed for the current year for the expenses of the Ap-
propriation Committee, $140."
On motion of Robert H. Holt, it was unanimously,
"voted that the following amount be appropriated and
assessed forthe current year for the maintainance of pub-
lic parks, $4900."
Mr. Arthur F. Hutchinson offered an amendment
to divide the question. The amendment was lost. Re-
marks were made by William J. Marshall and John De-
vine.
Robert H. Holt offered the following motion: "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the salary and expenses of the
Town Engineer, $6,890 (of which $2600 is for the sal-
ary of the Engineer) ."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this ac :vunt was laid
on the table, and the meeting adjourned at 10:25 P. M.
to Monday, April 16th at 7:30 P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
27
FOURTH ADJOURNED TOWN
MEETING
April 16, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 7:32 P. M.
Art. 5 On motion of Robert H. Holt under this article
it was "Voted that $250. be appropriated and assessed
for the proper observance of Memorial Day, to be expend-
ed under the direction of Post 119 of the Grand Army of
the Republic."
Art. 6. On motion of Robert H. Holt the Town Engi-
neer Appropriation was taken from the table. Mr. Holt
also moved that the Appropriation for a Block System be
considered in connection with the Engineer's Appropria-
tion.
M'r. Holt then offered the following motion :
"Voted that the following amounts be appropriated
and assessed for the current year for the salary and
expenses of the Town Engineer $6,890 (of which $2,600
is for salary of the Engineer) .
Mr. Edwin A. Bayley then offered an amendment
to substitute the sum of $2500 for $6890 and to strike
out the words "of which $2600 is for salary of the En-
gineer," and with the recommendation that the Supt. of
Public Works act as Chief Engineer of the Department.
Mr. Robert P. Clapp offered an amendment to Mr.
Bayley's motion to substitute the sum of $5,000 for
$2,500.
Mr. Clapp's amendment was adopted by a rising
vote of Yes -238 No -13.
Mr. Bayley's amendment as amended was adopted
by a rising vote of Yes -254 No -3.
The original motion as amended was then passed
and reads as follows:
"Voted: that the sum of $5,000 be appropriated and
28
ANNUAL REPORTS
assessed for the current year for the salary and expenses
of the Town Engineer, with the recommendation that
the Superintendent of Public Works act as chief Engi-
neer of the Department."
Remarks were made by various citizens on the above
appropriation.
Art. 6. Robert H. Holt moved indefinite postpone-
ment of appropriation for Block Plan of the Town and it
was so voted.
Art. 6. Robert H. Holt offered the motion : "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the salary and expenses of the
Milk Inspector $250. (of which $200 is for salary)."
While this article was under discussion on motion
of Edwin A. Bayley at 10:10 P. M., it was voted to ad-
journ to April 23, at 7 :30 P. M.
A true record,
Attest :
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
Tow,; OF LEXINGTON
29
FIFTH ADJOURNED ANNUAL
TOWN MEETING
April 23, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 7:30 P. M.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was Voted that
when the meeting adjourns, it be adjourned to Thursday,
April 26, 1923, at 7:30 P. M.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted to ad-
journ at 10 :20 P. M., if the meeting did not adjourn be-
fore that time.
Art. 6. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the salary and expenses of the
milk inspector (of which $200 is for salary) $250.
Art. 17. Under this Article Edwin A. Bayley offered
the following Resolution which was adopted by a unani-
mous
nanimous rising vote.
"Resolved that the Inhabitants of Lexington in Town
Meeting assembled while making preparation for the
celebration of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Anniver-
sary of the Battle of Lexington. Hereby express their
grateful appreciation and record their public recogni-
tion of the invaluable and enduring service rendered by
their fellow -townsman, Mr. Frank Warren Coburn, in
the preparation and publication of his two histories, en-
titled, "The battle of April 19; 1775" and "The
Battle on Lexington Common, April 19, 1775" through
which he has recovered and preserved for ail time
the important events of that great day, the most
momentous day in the history of our town, and which
also marks the birth of our national independence, and
Be it Futher Resolved that the Town Clerk be re-
quested to prepare and transmit to Mr. Coburn, a duly
certified copy of these Resolutions."
It was voted that this article be Iaid on the table for
further consideration .
80
ANNUAL REP oRTS
Art. 8. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that there be appropriated and assessed for the construc-
tion of sidewalks of concrete or other material where the
abutters will pay one-half the expense $500."
Art. 9. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "voted
that there be appropriated and assessed for the suppres-
sion of gypsy and brown tail moths in accordance with
Chapter 132 of the General Laws $5,000.
Art.10 On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that $1,470 be appropriated and assessed for the pay-
ment of pensions to retired town weterans under Chapter
132 of the General Law."
Art. 11. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that $2,500 be appropriated and assessed as a reserve
fund for the current year under chapter 40 of the gen-
eral Laws."
Art. 12. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that $870 be appropriated and assessed for pensions for
retired members of the Police and Fire Departments un-
der Chapter 32 of the General Laws."
Art. 14. Under this Article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion:
"Voted, That the sum of $300 be appropriated and
assessed and that the Town elect a director for demon-
stration work in Agriculture and Home Economics, the
money to be expended by, and the director to serve in
co-operation with the County, Trustees for Aid to Agri-
culture of the Middlesex County Bureau of Agriculture
and Home Economics, under the provisions of Sections
40 to 45, Chapter 128, General Laws of Massachusetts."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted to inde-
finitely postpone this article.
Remarks in opposition to indefinite postponement
were made by Wilber F. Atwood and Hobs Webster.
Art. 28. Under this article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion : Voted, That the sum of $200 be ap-
propriated and assessed for care of brooks."
On motion of Arthur F. Hutchinson it was Voted
to indefinitely postpone the above article.
Town of LEXINGTON
81
Art. 15. Under this Article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion: Voted, that $100 be appropriated
and assessed for the expenses of a committee to investi-
gate the establishment of the town forest."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted to in-
definitely postpone this Article.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current for the payment of the bonded indebt-
edness of the town maturing in 1923, $63,350."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the payment of interest upon the
public debt of the town $23,700."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the administration of public
trusts, $70.
Art. 7. Under this article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion ''Voted: That the following amount be
apropriated and assessed for the expenses of the Board
of Assessors (of which $500 is for salaries of the Assess-
ors) $4,000.
Edwin A. Bayley offered an amendment to substi-
tute $3,000 for $4,000.
The question was raised of the privilege of addressing
the meeting the third time. The Moderator stated that
Mr. Bayley had spoken twice on the question, and ruled
he could not speak again without the unanimous consent
of the meeting. Mr. Bayley asked for the consent of the
meeting. Several voters objecting, the Moderator
ruled that Mr. Bayley could not speak, according to the
By -Laws of the Town. Mr. Bayley called for the read-
ing of the By -Law which reads "without first obtaining
Ieave of the House" and not unanimous consent." The
Moderator stated that his ruling stood. On an appeal
to the house, by a standing vote of Yes— 312, No -20.,
Mr. Bayley was granted permission to address the meet-
ing.
The question was also discussed by Latimer S. Sea -
82 Axxvnx R.aroars
ver, William S. Scamman, Robert H. Holt and Patrick
Flynn.
The vote on the substitution of $3,000 was then
passed by vote of the meeting, Yes -204, No -103.
The original motion as amended was then passed.
At 10 :15 P. M. notice was given by Edwin A. Bayley
to reconsider this motion at the next meeting.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the payment of the amount to be-
come due during the current year upon the judgment
against the town obtained by Mary Chisholm for the
death of Daniel Chisholm her husband, $520.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the salary of the Dog Officer,
$50.00."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the expenses of elections and
registration of voters $500 (of which $150 is for salaries
of registrars)."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the expenses of forest fires $250."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert 11. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the mantainance of Hastings
Park $5.00."
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 P. M. to Thursday,
April 26, 1923 at 7 :30 P. M.
A true record,
Attest :
ARTHUR W. HATCH.
Town Clerk.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 88
SIXTH ADJOURNED ANNUAL
TOWN MEETING
April 26, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 7 :33 P. M.
Art. 6. On the motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the salary of the Plumbing
Inspector, $500."
Aiq. 6. Under this article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion "Voted, that the following amount be
appropriated and assessed for the current year for the
salaries of the Inspectors of Slaughtering, $1,200."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley, it was voted to lay
this article on the table.
Art. 6. On the motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the construction and repair of
street signs, $200."
Art. 6. On the motion of Robert 11. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the maintainance of cemeteries,
$2,000
Art. 6. Under this article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion "Voted, that the following amount be
appropriated and assessed for the current year for the
maintainance and development of West View Cemetery,
$2,300.
Mr. Edward Wood offered an amendment to substi-
tute $2,000 for 2,300. This substitute motion was pass-
ed. The motion as amended was then passed.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the support of the dental clinic
in the public schools, $1,500."
Remarks were made on this appropriation by Dr.
84
ANNUAL REPORTS
Harry B. Osgood, Edwin A. Bayley and William J. Mar-
shall.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the maintainance of public health
and sanitation, $1,300."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Halt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for hydrant rental,, $2,350."
The motion of Edwin A. Bayley to indefinitely post-
pone was lost.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the inspection of buildings, $745.
(of which $720 is far salary of the Building Inspector)."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the inspection of animals, $200."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the expenses of insurance,
$3,500."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the support of the libraries,
$8,500."
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for military aid to be expended under
Chapter 115 of the General Laws, $105.00."
Art. 7. Under this article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion : "Voted, that the following amount be
appropriated and assessed for the current year for legal
services $1,000 (of which $500 is for salary of the town
counsel).
Edwin A. Bayley offered an amendment to substi-
tute the sum of $563.10 for services already incurred.
and $250 for legal expenses from now on.
The motion as amended was passed and- the original
TOWN of LEXINGTON
35
motion as amended was passed unanimously.
Art. 7. In connection with the above article, it was
"Voted that the Town express its thanks and apprecia-
ation of generosity of Edward C. Stone in accepting the
office of Town Counsel without renumeration."
Art. 7. Under this article Robert H. Holt offered
the following motion: "Voted that the following amount
be appropriated and assessed. for the current year for
the support of the Police Department, $18,200."
Remarks were made by Edwin A; Bayley and Ed-
ward Leavitt, new Chief of Police.
Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following substi-
tute as an ammendment: "Voted, that the sum of $16,
500 be appropriated and assessed for the maintainance
of the Police Department for the current year, said sum
to include the amount required for the purchase and
maintainance of a Ford car for the use of the Depart-
ment, and that the present permanent police force, com-
prising nine members be reduced on May lst next, by
dropping two men, such two men to be designated by the
Chief of Police."
The above motion as amended was passed.
Art. 7. Under the article Robert H. Holt offered the
following motion: "Voted, that the following amount
be appropriated and assessed for the current year for the
expenses of the Town Planning Board."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted to lay
this article on the table.
Art. 7. On motion of Robert H. Holt it was "Voted
that the following amount be appropriated and assessed
for the current year for the salary and expenses of the
Sealer of Weights and Measures, $125. (of which $100
is for salary."
The meeting adjourned at 10:30 P. M. to Monday,
April 30th at 7 :30 P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
}
ANNUAL ItEPOETQ
SEVENTH ADJOURNED ANNUAL
TOWN MEETING
April 30, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 7:32 P. M.
Art. 7. Under this article Robert H. Holt explained
that as a result of the vote passed at the last Town Meet-
ing, the Chief of Police dropped from, the department
the two oldest men inthe service, namely, Patrick J.
Maguire, Deputy Chief, and Patrolman James Irwin.
He explained that although the vote of the Town gave
the chief authority to do this, under the law the Select-
men have the power to take this action and not the
chief. The sentiment of the people assembled was that
these two men be not dropped frim the department as
both would be eligible for pensions in a short time.
In view of the above facts Mr. Holt offered the fol-
Iowing motion : "Voted, that the additional sum of $1,700
be appropriated and assessed for the Police Department
for the current year."
Mr. Holt stated that this amount would bring the
original appropriation up to the amount recommended
by the Finance Committee, and would give the Select-
men the opportunity to do the proper thing by the two
men that were dropped.
Mr. Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following
substitute motion: "Voted, That in the case of the mem-
bers of the present Police Force who have already served
more than twenty years on the force, and are otherwise,
except in length of service, eligible to receive pensions,
and who have been designated by the Chief of Police
to be dropped from the force under the vote of the`Town
Meeting held on April 26, 1923, such members instead of
being dropped from the force shall, as soon as the chief
of Police deems it advisable, be given a leave of absence
from active service in the department with one-half the
amount of the pay they are receiving at the time such
leave of absence is given, and they shall also be reim-
Towx or LEXINGTON
bursed for any new police equipment they may have re-
cently purchased; such Ieave of absence with . one-half
pay shall be continued until such time as such members
would regularly become entitled to receive pensions had
they continued in active service, and it is further Voted:
That the additional sum of $1,700 dollars is hereby ap
propriated and assessed for the support of the Police De-
partment for the current year, the same to be applied to
the payment of such members on leave of absence."
Arguments against this substitute motion were made
by Robert H. Holt, Daniel J. O'Connell, J. Chester Hutch-
inson and Joseph R.. Cotton . Another substitute mo+ion
was suggested by Fred H. Moulton, but not presented.
Mr. Bayley then requested the consent of the meet-
ing to withdraw his substitute motion, which was grant-
ed.
The original motion as offered by Mr. Holt was then
passed unanimously at 8:34 P. M.
Art. 26. On motion of Neil McIntosh it was "Voted
that the Selectmen be authorized to extend water mains
in the following unaccepted streets, Kendall Road, Hill-
top Avenue, and Brookside Avenue to the extent of ap-
proximately 1,900 feet."
Art. 7. Under this article on motion of Robert H. Holt
it was, "Voted that the following amounts be appropriat-
ed and assessed for the current year :
For the salaries and expenses of the Selectmen's De-
partment $2,050 (of which $250 is for salaries of the
selectmen).
For State Aid
For SoIdier's Relief
For Soldier's Burials
For the salary and expenses of the Town Collector
(of which $1900 is for salary of the collector)
For the salary and expenses of the Treasurer
(of which $700 is for salary of the Treasurer).
For the salary and expenses of the Town Clerk 1,850.00
(of which $1700 is for salary).
For the salary and expenses of the Town Accountant 2,560.00
(of which $2400 is for salary).
For the protection of public shade trees and for the planting
of shade trees.
$ 500.00
... 300.00
100.00
2,350.00
88 ANNUAL REPORTS
For the expenses of the Town Hall 8,450.00
For the maintenance of the town scales 25.00
For the salary of the town Physician 100.30
For the expense of printing and publishing the Town Reports 1025.00
For the maintenance of Village Hall 350.00
For vital statistics 30.00
For the expense of watering troughs 199.00
This appropriation is made with the recommendation
that the Highway Department keep the Watering Troughs in
a proper and cleanly condition.
For unclassified expenses
A motion to indefinitely postpone this motion was lost
For the support of Town Forest
On motion of Hallie C. Blake it was voted to indefinitely
postpone the Town Forest appropriation.
For the salary of the Treasurer of the Library
For the expense of Removal of Snow, $12,000
Edwin A. Bayley offered an amendment to substitute the
sum of, $14,000 for $12,000, which was passed
Art. 7. Robert H. Holt offered the following motion:
Voted that the following amount be appropriated and
assessed for the current year for the salary and expenses
of the Superintendent of Public Works, $4,350.00 (of
which $4,200 is for salary).
Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following sub-
stitutute motion :
"Voted that the slim of 4350 dollars is hereby appro-
priated and assessed, the same to be applied to the sal-
ary of the Superintendent of Public Works, provided,
hewever, unless, it is otherwise provided by law,
and subject to the supervision and direction of the
Selectmen, he shall be designated and made the Ad-
ministrative Head of all the Denartments of the Town,
the conduct of which is by the General Law's or by the
Provisions of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 1922, placed upon
the Selectmen, and the Powers and Duties of the Super -
930.00 intendent shall include the following:
1. To ,appoint upon merit and fitness alone, and to
remove subject to the approval of the Selectmen, all sub-
ordinate officers and employees under his control, and to
fix their compensation.
2. To keep in repair all the tows; buildings, except
1,800.00 the Library and the school buildings, which he shall re -
200.00
25.00
50.00
14,000.00
TOWN OP LEXINGTON 89
pair only upon the request in writing of the Library
Trustees and •the School Committee, respectively.
3. To purchase all supplies for every department of
the town, except books for the schools, or library; but
purchases of supplies for departments over which he
has no control shall be made only upon requisition there-
for, by such department, or its authorized representa-
tive.
4. To have control and supervision of the Depart-
ment of Police of the town, subject, however, to the di-
rection of the Selectmen.
5. To have the control and supervision of the Fire
Department of the town, subject, however, to the direc-
tion of the Selectmen.
6. To administer the Poor Relief of the town direct-
ly or through a person or persons appointed by him,
and under the supervision of the Selectmen.
7. To administer the health regulations of the Town
as established by the rules, regulations or by-laws, or
made by the Selectmen, in addition to those established
by law either directly or through a person appointed by
him to be designated as the Health Officer, and to exer-
cise under the supervision of the Selectmen, the powers
of a Board of Health.
8. To organize, continue or discontinue such divis-
ions or departments as the Selectmen may from time to
time determine.
9. To examine or cause to be examined with or
without notice, the affairs of any division or department
under his control, or conduct of any officer or employed
thereof, and for that purpose he shall have access to all
town books, papers and records for the information neces-
sary for the proper observance of his duties.
10. To attend such regular or special meetings of
the Selectmen as they may require, and to perform such
other duties consistent with his office as may be required
of him by the by-laws of the town, or by vote of the
Selectmen."
Remarks were made by Robert H. Holt and J. Ches-
ter Hutchinson in opposition to this substitute motion.
40 ANNUAL RIPORTI
While the discussion was under way, Edwin A. Bay-
ley moved to adjourn to Monday, May 7, 1923, at 8
o'clock.
A rising vote was taken with the following result:
Yes 236; N. 81. Motion was passed.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
Towx oP LEXINGTON
TOWN WARRANT
41
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Middlesex, ss.
To either of the Constables of the town of Lexington in
said County. Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachu-
setts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the
Town of Lexington, qualified to vote in elections and in
town affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said Lexington
on Monday, the Seventh Day of May, A. D. 1923, at
seven -thirty, P. M., then and there to act on the following
articles: •
Art. 1. To see if the Town will (1) appropriate and
assess the sum of Five Thousand Dollars or any other sum
to settle in full the two petitions for assessment of dam-
ages one of the Breck-Robinson Nursery Company vs.
Inhabitants of Lexington, and the other of James P.
Munroe and Sumner Robinson, Trustee under the will of
James S. Munroe, Iate of Lexington, deceased, vs. In-
habitants of Lexington ,both now pending in the Superior
Court for Middlesex County, and any and all claims
against the town of the parties petitioner for damages
by reason of the taking of land, the construction of a
sewer, or otherwise in any particular; (2) authorize a
compromise or settlement of the said petitions and claims
and appropriate and assess money therefore: (3) appro-
priate and assess any further sums for services and ex-
penses in connection with the defence of the litigation
arising out of the said petitions: and (4) act in any man-
ner in relation to the subject matter of the said petitions,
claims and ligation.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this War-
rant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or
before the time of said meeting.
42
ANNUA7. REPORTS
Given under our hands, at Lexington, this twenty-
fourth day of April, A. D. 1923.
WILLIAM S. SCAMMAN ,
ALBERT H. BURNHAM,
H'ALLIE C. BLAKE,
FRED H. MOULTON,
J. CHESTER HUTCHINSON,
Selectmen of Lexington.
Lexington, Mass.' May 1, 1923.
To the Town Clerk :
I have notified the inhabitants of Lexington by post-
ing printed copies of the foregoing Warrant in the Post -
Office and in seven other public places in the town seven
days before the time of said meeting.
Attest :
CHARLES E. WHEELER,
Constable of Lexington.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 48
TOWN MEETING
May 7, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator at
7.30 P. M.
The clerk proceeded to read the Warrant but upon
motion it wias Voted that the further reading be dis-
pensed with. The Constables Return thereon wfas then
read.
Art. 1. Edward G. Stone, Town Counsel, gave a
statement of the facts of the claim of the Breck-Robinson
Nursery Company and of James P. Munroe and Sumner
Robinson, Trustees under the will of James S. Munroe.
Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following motion
which was passed unanimously: "Voted : That the Town
Counsel be and hereby is authorized and empowered to
offer in writing in full settlement of the two pending pe-
titions for the assessment of damages of James P. Mun-
roe, et al, Trustees ,against the Inhabitants of Lexing'on,
and the Breck-Robinson Nursery Company vs. the Inhabi-
tants of Lexington, and of all claims of the parties peti-
tioner, growing out of the construction of a sewer, the
taking of land or otherwise, in any particular, the sum of
three thousand ($3000) dollars, such sum to be appor-
tioned in such amount between said two petitioners as
the Town Counsel shall deem advisable."
It was then voted to adjourn to Monday, June 4th
at 8' clock P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
44
ANNUAL REPORTS
EIGHTH ADJOURNED TOWN
MEETING
May 7, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 8.00 P. M.
Art. 7. Upon motion it was Voted that the appro-
priation for the department of the Superintendent of
Public Works, which was under discussion at the time
of adjournment of the last meeting, be taken up.
Edwin A. Bayley stated that this was an important
appropriation upon which rested the amount of authority
given to the Superintendent of Public Works by the Se-
lectmen. He believed if sufficient authority was not
given the appropriation should be reduced.
Edward W. Taylor stated that he did not believe it
necessary to have a Superintendent over the several de-
partments designated to him by the Selectmen, as they
already have Superintendents in charge.
Questions were asked by Patrick Kelley and Chris-
topher Harrison. Superintendent of Public Works was
requested to answer them.
Patrick J. Kelley then offered an amendment to sub-
stitute the sum of $2500 for $4350 in the original appro-
priation for this department.
Edwin A. Bayley received the unanimous consent
of the meeting to withdraw his substitute motion pre-
sented an April 30th.
Edwin A. Bayley then moved that this appropriation
be laid upon the table until such time as the Selectmen
take action on the duties of the Superintendent, and it
Was so voted. Yes, 305; No. 67,
On motion of William S. Scamman, it was voted to
adjourn at 10.09 P. M. to Wednesday, May 9, 1923, at
8 P. M.
A true record,
Attest :
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
TOWN OP LNXFNGTON 45
NINTH ADJOURNED ANNUAL
TOWN MEETING
May 9, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 8. P. M.
Art. 7. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this Article
was taken from the table and the appropriation for
Superintendent of Public Works was taken up.
Edwin A. Bayley read the vote of the Selectmen
passed at their meeting, May 8, 1923, as to the duties of
the Superintendent.
Remarks were made by Patrick Kelley. The amend-
ment offered by Mr. Kelley was lost, and the original mo-
tion as offered by Robert H. Holt was passed.
Art. 6. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this article
was taken from the table for consideration.
Mr. Bayley then offered an amendment to substitute
$650 for $1200 in the original motion.
The substitute motion Was passed and ,the original
motion as amended was passed. (Slaughter Inspection.)
Art. 7. Edwin A. Bayley moved reconsideration of
the motion passed on Assessors appropriation, notice
having been given at the meeting, April 23rd, 1923. The
motion for reconsideration was refused.
Art. 17. Under this article George E. Briggs read a
lengthy report (See Committee Reports, Vol. 2, Page
164) and then offered the following motion which was
passed unanimously."
"Voted : That the report of the Committee of Seven
on the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington be
accepted : that the Committee be discharged and a new
Committee of twenty-five citizens be appointed by the
Board of Selectmen and Public Works whose duty shall
be to mature 'plans for the appropriate observance of
the celebration in 1925. This Committee shall have
power to increase its number up to and not more than
46
ANNUAL REPORTS
100 from which group the various sub -committees shall
be appointed."
George E. Briggs
J. Willard Hayden
*Grace G. Merriam
Edwin B. Worthen
Elwyn G. Preston
Major Alfred Pierce
Edward H. Mara
Stephen F. Hamblin
George D. Harrington
William H. Ballard
Edward C. Stone
James W. Smith
Robert P .Clapp
`Resigned. Vacancies filled by :
Edward P. Merriam. William
Edward W. Taylor.
Art. 19. On motion of Philip F. Leaf it was "Voted :
That the Town at its earliest convenience install two
street lamps on Cottage Street, at locations to be fixed
by the Board of Selectmen and Public Works".
Art. 18. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this article
was laid on the table.
Art. 16. Edwin B. Worthen offered the following
motion: Voted, That the offer of the Lexington Historical
Society to provide a Memorial Tablet to the 77 original
Minutemen, to be placed on the foundation of the Cap-
tain Parker Statue be referred to the April 19, 1925,
Celebration Committee.
Robert P. Clapp offered an amendment to add to the
motion, "for consideration and committee to report to
the town at some future meeting its recommendation."
The amendment and original motion were passed.
Art.20. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
"Voted, that the Town grant snow plow service on Farm -
crest Avenue."
Art. 21. On motion of William. S. Scamman it was
"Voted, That the Town grant snow plow service on York
Street."
Catherine A. Kimball
Charles H. Spaulding
Dr. J. Odin Tilton
Joseph R. Cotton
Frederick L. Emery
Christopher S. Ryan
Willard D. Brown
Leroy S. Brown
*George W. Taylor
George L. Gilmore
Herbert W. Saul
*Frank D. Peirce
F. Young
TOWN OF LGTON 47
Art. 23. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
"Voted, That the Town transfer from the Highway Con-
struction Account, $12.43 and from the Woburn Street
Improvement Account, $360.80 to the Highway Con-
struction Account (Maple and Lowell Streets)."
Art. 24. On motion of Wesley T. Wadman it was
"Voted, That the Board of Selectment and Public Works
appoint a Committee of Five to revise the Building Laws;
and also voted -that the sum of $50 be appropriated for
publication of the Building Laws after revision."
Committee:
William Roger Greeley Wesley T. Wadman
Theodore A. Custanee *Willard D. Brown
Patrick F. Dacey
*Resigned!. Vacancy filled by:
Bartlett J. Harrington.
Art. 25. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
voted that this article be laid on the table.
Art. 27. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
voted that this article be laid on the table. ,
Art. 29. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 30. On motion of Artliur F. Hutchinson it was
voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 31. 'On motion of William S. Scamrnan it was
voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 32. On motion of Francis Toye it was
"Voted: That the Town extend water main in Chase
Avenue from its present end, a distance of approximately
300 feet, and that $900 be appropriated therefor."
Art. 33. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 38. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was
voted that this article be indefinitely postponed.
Art. 3. On motion, of George E! Briggs is was
"Voted : That a Commitee of Seven on Increased School
Accommodations be created to consist of the School
Committee and four other citizens to be appointed by the
48 Axxver. RzrozTr
Moderator. This Committee shall study the question of
adequately housing Lexington's growing school popula-
tion and report their findings and recommendations as
soon as is reasonably possible." •
(Committee appointed is as follows:
John Calder, Chairman
Mrs. Lorna M. Milne
Edward H. Mara
Lester T. Redman.)
Art. 44. Under this article Edwin A. Bayley and
Howard S. O. Nichols were elected Field Drivers.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley at 9.20 P. M. it was
voted to adjourn to June 4, 1923, at 8.00 P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
TOWN oR LEXINGTON
TENTH ADJOURNED ANNUAL
TOWN MEETING
49
FIRST ADJOURNED SPECIAL
TOWN MEETING OF MAY 7, 1923
June 4, 1923.
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 8.04 P. M.
Art. 1. Acting on the Article of the Special Town
Meeting Warrant, Edward C. Stone, Town Coucil, of-
fered
ffered the following motion which was passed unanimous-
ly at 8.12 P. M.
"Voted: That the sum of $5000, be appropriated
and assessed to settle in full the two petitions for assess-
ment of damages, one of the Breck-Robinson Nursery
Company vs. Inhabitants of Lexington and the other of
James P. Munroe and Sumner Robinson, Trustees under
the will of James S. Munroe late of Lexington, deceased,
vs. Inhabitants of Lexington, both now pending in the
Superior Court for Middlesex County, and any and all
claims against the Town of the parties petitioner for
damages, by reason of the taking of land, the construc-
tion of a sewer, or otherwise in any particular.
The meeting then voted to dissolve, as far as action
under the Special Warrant was concerned.
Art. 18. On motion of Clarence D. Shannon Arti-
cle 18 of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting was
taken from the table.
Dr. Harry B. Osgood then offered the following
motion: "Voted, That the sum of $300 be appropriated
and assessed for the payment of $100 each to Doctors
Harry B. Osgood, Frederick A. Stankard and Clarence D.
Shannon for materials used by them in dental work for
school children during the years 1920 and 1921."
Robert H. Holt then offered an amendment to sub-
stitute the sum of $150 for $340.
50
ANNUAL REPORTS
Remarks were made by Dr. Harry B. Osgood, Fred
H. Moulton, William R. Greeley, Hollis Webster, Edwin
A. Bayley, Mrs. William D. Milne and Robert H. Holt.
The substitute motion was Lost by a vote of Yes, 46;
No. 56.
The original motion, as offered by Dr. Osgood, was
then passed at 8.40 P. M.
Art. 25. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this Article
was taken from the table.
Herbert H. Locke then offered the following motion:
"Voted, That the Selectmen be authorized and instructed
to install a water main in Reed Street (North Lexington),
from Centre Street to Maple Street, a distance of 320
feet and on Maple Street from Reed Street easterly to.
Oak Street a distance of 320 feet, and that the sum of
$1600.00 be appropriated and assessed for such installa-
tion."
On motion of Arthur F. Hutchinson it was voted to
add the following to the original motion, "subject to the
usual guarantee."
The original motion as amended was passe& at
9.04 P. M.
Art. 27. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this article
was taken from the table.
On motion of Robert H. Holt it was voted to indefin-
itely postpone this article.
Voted to dissolve the meeting at 9.05 P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Clerk.
Town or LEXINGTON 51
TOWN WARRANT
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Middlesex,ss.
To either of the Constables of the town of Lexington, in
said County, Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town
of Lexington, qualified to vote in elections and in town
affairs to meet in the Town Hall, in said Lexington, on
Monday, the twenty fourth day of September, A. D., 1923
at eight o'clock P. M., then and there to act on the follow-
ing articles:
Art. 1 To receive the report of any Board of Town
Officers or of any Committee of the town for action
thereonand to appoint other committees.
Art. 2. To see if the Town wtill vote to establish
as town ways or to accept the lay out as town ways of
an extension of Forest Street to Massachusetts Avenue,
also the lay out of a new way extending in a semi -circle
from Forest Street Extension north bo Forest Street Ex-
tension south; also Jackson Court from Parker Street to
Forest Street Extension, all as laid out by the Selectmen,
and as shown upon a certain plan on file in the office of
the Town Clerk, or act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 3. To see if the Town will appropriate money
for contemplated construction work and memorials in
preparation for the celebration of the 150th Anniversary
of the Battle of Lexington in 1925 and to provide neces-
sary funds by issue of bonds, notes or otherwise, or act
in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 4. To see if the town will vote to have the Board
of Assessor's valuation lists of real and personal property
for the years 1922 and 1923 published and distributed
among the tax payers of the town and, if so, to provide
funds for the same, or to act in any manner in relation
thereto.
52
ANNUAL REPORTS
Art. 5. To see if the town will vote to porvide suf-
ficient money to care for the following Accounts for the
balance of the year: Interest; Forest Fires; Board of
Health ;Vital Statistics; Sealer of Weights and Measures;
Inspectors of Slaughtering; Assessors; Other Finance
Offices and Accounts; Law Dept.; Clerk, School Commit-
tee; Moth Dept.; Engineer Dept.; Selectmen; Parks and
Playgounds; Town Hail; Water Dept.; Village Hall;
Sewer Connections; Sidewalks; Unclassified, and Stone
Building (repairs), either by transfer of unexpended bal-
ances or by issue of notes or bonds or otherwise, or act
in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 6 To see if the Town will accept the gift of
Messrs. Gilmore et al. of the memorial Honor Roll which
now stands upon the Town Hall Lot, or act in any man-
ner relating thereto.
Art. 7. To see if the Town will vote to authorize
the Board of Selectmen and Public Works to purchase
a gravel pit, and to provide the necessary funds for same
by the issuance of bonds, notes, or otherwise, or act in any
manner relating thereto.
Art. 8. To see if the Town will vote to extend wa-
ter mains in the following unaccepted streets: Bertwell
Road; Cedar St. and Grant St., which extensions will
approximate 2400 feet appropriate money for the same
by the issuance of bonds, notes, or otherwise, or act in any
manner relating thereto.
Art. 9. To see if the Town will appropriate money
for the purchase of water main which has been Iaid
at the expense of property owners and which is connect-
ed with our water system in the following unaccepted
way: St. Margaret Avenue or act in any manner relating
thereto.
Art. 10. To see if the Town will appropriate and pro-
vide the necessary funds by the issue of bonds or notes
or otherwise, for the lowering of Vine Brook from the
junction of the north and south branches of Vine Brook
to Sherman Street, or act in any manner relating thereto.
Art. 11. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate
money for the extension of water mains, and provide
the necessary funds by transfer of accounts, or by issue
Torn; OF LEXINGTON
53
of notes or bonds or otherwise, or act in any manner re-
lating thereto.
Art. 12. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the
vote passed at a Town Meeting held September 19, 1922,
which reads as follows:
"Voted : That the sum of $1200 be appropriated for
the extension of water main in Concord Avenue from
its present end near the premises of Clarence H. Cut-
ler, a distance of approximately 325 feet, and for
the purpose of raising the money so appropriated
the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to
sell under the direction and with the approval of the
Selectmen a note or notes of the town of the aggre-
gate principal amount of $1200 bearing interest at
a rate not to exceed 6 per cent per annum, payable
semi-annually, said note or notes to be payable not
more than two years from the date thereof."
Art. 13. To see if the Town will vote to rescind that
part of the vote passed at the Town Meeting, May 22,
1922, which relates to the issuing of bonds to provide
funds for connecting dwellings and other buildings with
public sewers.
Art. 14. To see if the Town will vote to furnish snow
plow service on Tarbell Avenue, or act in any other man-
ner relating thereto.
Art. 15. To see if the Town will vote to install elec-
tric lights on Tarbell Avenue, or act in any other man-
ner relating thereto.
Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this War-
rent, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on
or before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Lexington, this eleventh
day of September, A. D., 1923.
William S. Scamman,
Hallie C. Blake,
Albert H. Burnham,
J. Chester Hutchinson,
Fred H. Moulton,
Selectmen of Lexington.
Lexington, Mass., Sept. 19, 1923.
54
ANNUAL REPORTS
To the Town Clerk:
I have notified the inhabitants of Lexington by post-
ing printed copies of the foregoing Warrant in the Post -
Office and in nine other public places in town, and by
mailing a printed copy of the same to every registered
voter in the town eight days before the time of said
meeting.
Attest:
Charles E. Wheeler,
Constable of Lexington
TOWN ON LEXINGTON
TOWN MEETING
September 24, 1923
55
The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P. M. by
the Moderator.
Upon motion the reading of the Warrant was omit-
ted. The return of the Constable thereon was then read
by the Town Clerk.
Art. 4. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley, it was
"Voted: That the tax valuation list of the real and per-
sonal estate of the town for the year 1923 be published
under the direction of the Board of Assessors as soon
as possible, that as a part of such publication there shall
also appear, parenthetically or in some other appropriate
form, in connection with each item of valuation for this
year, the valuation, if any, which was placed upon such
item for the year 1922; that for such publication the sum
of six hundred dollars ($600.00) is hereby appropriated,
the same be taken from the General Revenue and Sur-
plus Account, that notmore than 800 copies of such list
be published and that bids for the printing be secured
from at least three printers equipped to do such work.
Yes -305; No -11.
Art. 1. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this article
was laid upon the table.
Art. 2. Under this article, William S. Scamman of-
fered the following motion: "Voted, that the Town
accept the layout as a town way of the extension of
Forest Street from its present terminus to Massachusetts
Avenue and also to accept the lay out as a town way of
Jackson Court, so called, and extending the same so that
said town way shall extend from Parker Street to said
Forest Street Extension for highway purposes, as laid
out by the Selectmen, September 17, 1923, and shown
on plan on file in the Town Clerk's Office."
On motion of Hollis Webster it was voted to divide
the Question so that the lay out of Forest Street Extension
56
ANNUAL REPO tilt
and that of Jackson Court could be considered separate-
ly.
Edward Wood oposed a 40 ft. street from Forest
Street Extension.
Numerous question were asked by Edwin A. Bayley
in regard to the project.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley a vote to indefinitely
postpone action on Forest Street Extension was passed
at 8.35 P. M.
The Iay out of Jackson Court was then discussed.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted to indefi-
nitely postpone action on the lay out of Jackson Court,
so called.
Art. 3. Hallie C. Blake asked that Art. 1 be taken
from the table and considered in conjttnction with Arti-
cle 3. He then presented a plan for construction work
and memorials in preparation for the celebration of the
150th Anniversary of the Battle of Lexington in 1925,
which included a Memorial Drive from Waltham Street
through the playground to Lincoln Street. He then off-
ered the following motions:
"Voted that a memorial committee be appointed."
This motion was opposed by Edwin A. Bayley.
The above motion was defeated on motion of Edwin
A. Bayley at 8:45 P. M.
Mr. Blake then offered the following : "Voted: That
a transfer be made from the General Revenue and Sur-
plus Fund of $500 to be expended for necessary work in
conjunction with the Pageant Development for 1925."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this second motion
was indefinitely postponed at 8:46 P. M.
Art. 5. On motion of William S. Scamman the fol-
lowing votes were passed :
"Voted: That the sum of $150 be appropriated for
the expenses of the Forest Fires for (the current year
and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account"
TO'R'N.' Or LEXINOTON 57
"Voted: That the additional sum of $1200 be ap-
propriated for the expenses of the Health Department
for the current year and that the amount thereof be trans-
ferred from the General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Remarks in regard to the above vote were made by
Edwin A. Bayley, Albert H. Burnham, Fred 11.. Moulton
and Edward C. Stone.
Edwin A. Bayley offered a motion to indefinitely
postpone, which was lost, and the original motion was
passed at 9:10 P. M.
"Voted: That the additional sum of $20 be appropri-
ated for the expenses of Vital Statistics for the current
year and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account."
"Voted: That the additional sum of $75 or so much'
of it as is necessary be appropriated for the expenses of
the Sealer of Weights and Measures for necessary equip-
ment for the current year and that the amount thereof
be transferred from the General Revenue and Surplus
Account."
The original motion was animended by adding the
words "or so much of it as is necessary" and 'for neces-
sary equipment."
"Voted: That the additional sum of $400 be appro-
priated for the expenses of Inspectors of Slaughtering
for the current year and that the amount thereof be trans-
ferred from the General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Under this article Mr. Scamman offered the fol-
lowing motion:
"Voted: That the additional sum of $480 be appro-
priated for the expenses of the Assessors for the year
and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Questions were asked by Edwin A. Bayley and J.
Alexander Wilson.
Remarks were made by William S. Scamman, Fred
H. Moulton and Edwin A. Bayley.
The motion was then declared carried, but upon
58
ANNUAL REPORTS
being doubted by more than twenty voters, a rising vote
was taken, which resulted as follows:
Yes -110; No 187. The motion was declared lost.
Mr. Scamman then offered the following motion:
"Voted: That the additional sum of $75 be appro-
priated for the expenses of Other Finance Offices and Ac-
counts for the current year and that the amount thereof
be transferred from the General Revenue and Surplus
Account?'
While this appropriation was under discussion a vote
to adjourn to Monday, October 1st, at 8 P. M. was pass -
at 9:55 P. M.
•
TowN OF LEXINGTON
59
ADJOURNED TOWN MEETING
October 1, 1923
In the absence of Moderator Sydney R. Wrightington
the meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk,
Arthur W. Hatch at 8..08 P M.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley, Edward C. Stone was
elected Temporary Moderator.
Art. 5. The motion pending under this Article at the
Town Meeting September 24, 1923, was taken up.
On motion of William S. Scamman it was "Voted : That
the additional sum of $75 be appropriated for the expen-
ses of Other Finance Offices and Accounts for the current
year and that aniount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Passed at 8.12 P. M.
Art. 5. On motion. of William S. Scmman it was
"Voted : That the additional sum of $730 be appropria-
ted for the expenses of Law Department for the current
year and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Passed at 8.43 P. M.
Edwin A. Bayley moved indefinite postponement of the
above vote but his motion was lost by a rising vote of Yes
85 - No 125.
Remarks on the above motion were made by Edwin A.
Bayley, Edward C. Stone, Edward Wood, Fred H. MouI-
ton and Robert L. Ryder. The Finance Committee approv-
ed of the transfer.
Art. 5. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
"Voted : That the additional sum of $50 be appropria-
ted for the expenses of Clerk of School Committee for
the current year and that the amount thereof be trans-
ferred from the General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Passed at 8.45.
Art. 5. Mr. Scamman offered the following motion.
60
ANNUAL REPORTS
"Voted : That the additional sum of $300 be appro-
priated for the expenses of Engineering Department for
the current year and that the amount thereof be trans-
ferred from the General Revenue and Surplus Account."
General discussion of this motion was entered into.
Edwin A. Bayley opposed the motion.
Fred H. Moulton, Frederick L. Emery, Edwin B.
Worthen, and Bedros H. Bashian spoke in favor of the
appropriation.
On a rising vote the above motion was lost by a vote
of Yes -121. No -173.
Art. 5. William S. Scamman offered the following
motion :
"Voted : That the additional sum of $100 be appropriated
for the expenses of Selectmen for the current year and
that the amount thereof be transferred from the General
Revenue and Surplus Account."
Edwin A. Bayley opposed the motion. George E.
Briggs raised a point of order but the Moderator declar-
ed the point was not well taken as the speaker was en-
titled to reasonable debate.
Fred H. Moulton spoke in favor of the motion. Will-
iam J. Marshall spoke against the motion. The motion
was lost.
Art. 5. On motion of William S. Scamman, after a
Lengthy discussion, it was "Voted : That the additional
sum of $1300 be appropriated for the expenses of Town
Hall for the current year and that the amount thereof
be transferred from the General Revenue and Surplus
Account." Passed at 10 :02 P. M.
Art. 5. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
"Voted : That the additional sum of $275 be appropriat-
ed for the expenses of Village Hall for the current year
and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Art. 5. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
"Voted : That the additional sum of $105 be appropriated
for the expenses of Sidewalks for the current year and
that the amount hereof be transferred from the General
TOWN OF LZXINGTON 61
Revenue and Surplus Account." Passed at 10 :04 P. M.
Art. 5. On motion of William S. Scamman it was
"Voted : That the additional sum of $100 be appropriated
for the expenses of Unclassified Account for the current
year and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account.'
At 10:07 P. M. on motion of Edwin A. Bayley it
was voted to adjourn to Monday, October 8, 1923 at 8
P. M.
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR. W. HATCH
Town Clerk
62
ANNUAL REPORTS
SECOND ADJOURNED TOWN
• MEETING
October 8, 1923
The meeting was called to order by the Moderator
at 8 P. M. .
Art. 5. On motion of Hallie C. Blake it was "Voted :
That the additional sum of $100 be appropriated for the
expenses of Parks and Playgrounds for the current year
and that the amount thereof be transferred from the
General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Art. 5. Under this article Hallie C. Blake offered the
following motion: "Voted : That the additional sum of
$1250 be appropriated for expense of repairs at the
Stone Building, for the current year, and the amount
thereof be transferred from the General Revenue and Sur-
plus Fund."
Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following substi-
tute motion :
"Voted : That a committee composed of Frank D.
Peirce, Charles H. Spaulding, Timothy H. O'Connor,
Charles J. Henrich and Edward Wood is hereby appoint-
ed with power to fill vacancies, which shall consider
the matter of repairs upon and the moving of the "Stone
Building" and make report to the town with their recom-
mendations as' soon as possible, and that the motion now
pending under Article 5 of the Warrant with reference
to the repairs on said building is hereby referred to said
committee, and the selectmen are hereby requested to
delay the proposed painting and other substantial re-
pairs upon said building, to await the report of said com-
mittee."
This substitute motion was passed by a rising vote
of 258 to 1 at 8:40 P. M.
Art. 6. The Moderator read a letter from Messrs.
George L. Gilmore, Leroy S. Brown and Hallie C. Blake,
in which they offered to the Town the "Roll of Honor"
which stands upon the Town Hall Lot. .
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 68
Under this article J. Chester Hutchinson offered the
following motion:
"Voted : That the Town accept the gift of news.
George L. Gilmore, Leroy S. Brown and Hallie C. Blake
of the memorial Honor Roll which now stands upon the
Town Hall Lot, and that a vote of thanks be extended
to the gentlemen for said gift."
Edwin A. Bayley then offered the following substi-
tute motion: "That a committee composed of Dr. Fred S.
Piper, Frank E. Haynes, George L. Gilmore, Roland E.
Garman and Alfred Pierce is hereby appointed with
power to fill vacancies, which shall consider the matter
of an appropriate design and location of a memorial
Honor Roll of the citizens of Lexington who served our
country in the World War, and make report to the town
with their recommendations as soon as possible and that
the motion now pending under Article 6 of the War-
rant is hereby referred to said committee"
The above substitute motion was passed at 8:47 P.
M.
Art. 7. On motion of Hallie C. Blake this article was
taken up.
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley the following vote
was passed at 9 :01 P. M.;
"Voted, That a committee composed of William
C. Stickel, Christopher Harrison and James Alexander
Wilson is hereby appointed with power to fill vacancies,
which shall consider the advisability of the purchase by
the town of a gravel and sand pit and make report to the
town with their recommendations as soon as possible."
Art. 8. On motion of Jay O. Richards as amended by
Edwin Bayley it was "Voted, That the Selectmen be
authorized to install a 6 inch Water main, subject to the
usual guarantee, in a private way known as Bertwell
Road, leading from North Hancock Street a distance of
about 800 feet, and that $2800 be appropriated for the
purpose, and that the amount thereof be transferred
from the General Revenue and Surplus Account."
Art. 8. On motion of Hallie C. Blake at 9 :48 P. M. it
was unanimously, "Voted, That the Selectmen be author -
64
ANNu&L RrPOLTB
ized to install a six inch water main subject to. the usual
guarantee on a private way known as Cedar Street about
1100 feet and that Thirty-eight hundred and fifty dollars
be appropriated for the purpose and for raising the mon.
ey so appropriated the Town Treasurer be and hereby is
authorized to sell under the direction of and with the
approval of the Selectmen, bonds or notes of the Town
of the sum of Thirty eight hundred and fifty dollars
bearing interest at a rate not to exceed five percent issued
and payable as provided by law."
Art. 8. On motion of Hallie C. Blake at 9:52 P. M.
it was unanimously, "Voted, That the Selectmen be
authorized to install a 9" Water main subject to the
usual guarantee in a private way known as Grant Street
from the residence of Mr. John A. Terhune, a distance
of about 500 feet, and that $1750 be appropriated for
that purpose and for raising the money so appropriated
the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to sell
under the direction of and with the approval of the
Selectmen, bonds or notes of the Town of the sum of
$1750 bearing interest at a rate not to exceed 5 per cent
issued and payable as provided by law."
Art. 9. On motion of Hallie C Blake it was, at 9:58
P. M., "VotcI1, That the Town purchase, subject to the
usual guarantee, the 6" water main laid on St.. Margaret
Ave., an unaccepted street, from G. M. Davis, for the sum
of $465.00, said amount to be transferred from the Gen-
eral Revenue and Surplus Account."
Art. 10. Under this article Robert L. Ryder offered the
following motion : "Voted : that the sum of $500 be appro-
priated for the purpose of lowering Vine Brook between
the points named in article ten of this Warrant the
money to be provided by borrowing upon the note of
the Town under the direction of the Town Treasurer and
with the approval of the Board of SeIectmen."
On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted to indefi-
nitely postpone this article.
Art. 11. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley it was voted
to indefinitely postpone this article.
Art. 12. On motion of Hallie C. Blake it was "Voted,
That the Town rescind the vote passed at a town meeting
he!:! September 19, 1922, which re..ads as follows:
TOWN OF LEXINGTON t
"Voted : That the sum of $1200 be appropriated for
the extension of the water main in Concord Avenue
from its present end near the premises of CIarence H'.
Cutler, a distance of approximately 325 feet, and for
the purpose of raising the money so appropriated
the Town Treasurer be and hereby is authorized
to sell under the direction and with the approval of
the Selectmen a note or notes of the Town of the
aggregate principal amount of $1200 bearing interest
at a rate not to exceed 6 per cent per annum, pay-
able semi-annually, said note or notes to be pay-
able not more than two years from date thereof.' "
Art. 10. On motion of Robert L. Ryder this article
was taken from the table.
Mr. Ryder again presented his former motion and
Edwin A. Bayley moved indefinite postponement.
James G. Robinson of the Finance Committee spoke
in favor of the proposition.
Edwin A. Bayley, Edward Wood, Dwight F. Kil-
gour, Patrick J. Flynn and Arthur F. Hutchinson oppos-
ed the motion.
On a rising vote of Yes -214 ; NO -2, it was voted
to indefinite]y postpone the article.
Art. 13. On motion of Hallie C. Blake it was "Voted,
That the Town rescind the vote passed at a Town Meeting
held May 22, 1922, which relates to the issuing of bonds
to provide funds far connecting dwellings and other
buildings with public sewers."
Art. 14. On motion of Francis J. Toye it was "Voted,
That the Selectmen be authorized to furnish snow plow
service on Tarbell Avenue.
Art. 15. On motion of Francis J. Toye, it was Voted,
That the Selectmen be authorized to install street lights
on Tarbell Avenue.
Art. 1. On motion of Edwin A. Bayley this article was
taken from the table.
Mr. Bayley then read the report of the Committee
on the publication of the By -Laws and offered the follow=
ing motion which was passed by a unanimous vote: "Vo-
ted, That the report of the committee appointed to at -
66
ANNUAL REPORTS
tend to the publication of the new code of by-laws in
the Lexington Times just presented be accepted, adop-
ed and published in the next annual report of the town,
and that the committee be discharged."
Meeting dissolved at 11:29 P. ML
A true record,
Attest:
ARTHUR W. HATCH,
Town Clerk.
TOWN OV LEXINGTON
BIRTHS RECORDED FOR THE YEAR 1923
Whole Number Recorded 127
Names Parents
JANUARY
John J. and Mary J. (Cronin) Pigott
Herbert and Mary B. (Baptist) Sou
3 EIizabeth Pigott
7 Ruth Sousa
8 Henry Norznan Travis
Norman 0. and Ruth W. (Gunsenhiseri Travis
10 Bernardette Philomena Carroll
Dennis J. and Margaret E. (McNicholas) Cerro11
17 James 0. and Alma F. V. (Nelson) Sharpe
19 Florence Anna Byrnes
Richard P. and Florence M. (James) Byrnes
20 Hazel Anita Pagels Gustav C. and Adele (Coleman) Pagels
21 Sigvard Arnold Fellman
William and Hildur (Henriksen) Fellman
28 Waldo B. Hanson, Clarence B. and Mildred B. (Emerson) Hanson
28 Everett Earl Williams
Ernest E. and Charlotte M. (Carpenter) Williams
29 Joseph Anthony Trani, Jr.
Joseph Anthony and Laura (Doran) Trani
67
FEBRUARY
1
5 Thurston Houk Hammer
Alexander M. and Sarah (Houk) Hammer
17 Mabel Muriel Spellenberg
Frederick H. and Johanna (Wittus) Spellenberg.
17 Marguerite Catherine Pherson
Albert L. and Ethel D. (Wyiey) Pherson
17 Marjory Janet McAdoo
Robert A. and Mary J. (McLalan) McAdoo
18 William John Stevenson, Jr.
William J. and Gertrude C. (Trainer) Stevenson
22 Shirley Watkins
George A. and Henrietta C. (Robertson) Watkinb'
25 Jack Meltzer Max and Celia (Cohen) Meltzer
25
ANNUAL REPORTS
26 Dorothy Julia Leary
William J. and Elizabeth A. (McGann) Leary
MARCH
7 Renie Martha Guyomard •
Georges and Emilie (Fontaine) Guyomard
10 Donald Ellsworth Donovan
George M. and Ida M. (MacDonald) Donovan
10 Alden Cole Harry W. and Edna C. (Freeman) Cale
17 Charles Francis Carter 2nd
Lyon and Ruth (Sherburne) Carteer
18 Frank Richard Parsons Galt F. and Helen (Butler) ,Parsons
19
21 Shirley Mae Stevens George V. E. and Mae A. (Rae) Stevens
21 Kenneth Thomas Hinchey
John T. and Catherine G. (Rogers) Hinchey
21 Kathryn Gertrude Hinchey
John T. and Catherine G. (Rogers) Hinchey
25 Ann Ryder Robert L. and Claire S. (Wyman) Ryder
25 Jean Ryder Robert L. and Claire S. (Wyman) Ryder
28 Mary McCarthy Joseph D. and Rose E. (Molloy) McCarthy
29 Beverly Ruth BIodgett, James H. and Irma B. (Koeppe) Blodgett
APRIL
2 Da'id EIiot Robinson
Thomas H. and Jessie F. (Livingston) Robinson
4 Robert Catalano Fortunate and Marie (Tocio) Catalano
8 Virginia May Domings Louis S. and Mary C. (Faria) Domingo
8 William Thomas Mansfield
Thomas E. and Elizabeth (Watt) Mansfield
10 Williams Collins William A. and Annie E. (McDonnell) Collins
10 Elia Adelina Battaglini
Antonio and Jennie (Picarello) Battaglini
12 Ralph Lawrence Faulkner George L. and 'Elsie M. (Cook) Falkner
14 Douglas Franklin Webster
Walter F. and Dorothy L. (Hopkins) Webster.
15 Dorothy Anna Vaughn George F. and Anna F. (Burke) Vaughn
It Frances Eleanor Page Vernon C. and Florence (Peckham) Page
17 Mildred O'Dowd Phillip S. and Rose A. (Farry) O'Dowii
18 Helen Santosuosso Benigno and Grace (Luougo) Santosuossc
18 Leo Valliere Joseph H• and Helen (Riley) Vailiera
TOWN of LEXINGTON'
69
21 Charles W. and Viola M. (Kredler) Brown
22 Joseph Busa John and Anna (Restuccia) Busa
26 Kenneth Colburn Forbees
Herbert C. and Catherine A. (Wilson) Forbes
MAY
4
5 Ruth Graham James Harold and Julia G. (Carter) Graham
7
15 Jeanne Harper Lothrop, Chester H. and Mary A. (Hiltz) Lothrop
17 Edmund Cady Robert C. and Evelyn H. (Burt) Cady
18 John Alton Burbidge John E. and Helen H. (Ducey) Burbidge
18 Ruth Elizabeth O'Connell
David F. and Hermina M. (Sikora) O'Connell
21 Warren Franklin Wellington
Everett C. and Abbie L. (Fletcher) Wellington
23 Anthony Caprin Frank and Louise M. (Carbonne) Caprin
26 Henry Stanley Young Thomas W. and Virginia (Stanley) Young
29 Germaine Leturmy Louis J. and Eva (Valois) Leturmy
JUNE
2 Louisee Mary Delaney, Leo A. and Theresa C. (McKenzie) Delaney
4 Gordon Bourne Frank A. and Annie (Korrell) Bourne
5 Jane Midgley Riley William J. and Eleanor (Lambert) Riley
5 Anthony Zarilla Antonio and Adelina (Copocci) Zarine
6 Anthony Carmele Modugno
Dominic and Asunta (Picariello) Modugno
8 Robert Edwin Cushman, Elmer L. and Rhoda C. (Street) Cushman
8 Albert Morretti, .Pasquale and Camilla (Santosusso) Morretti
9
9 Loretta E. Hellman,
Francis P. and Clotilda F. (Hellman) Hellman
12 'Alice Doris Taylor George Chas. and Emily A. (Head) Taylor
12 Wesley •Wentworth Wheeler
Arthur E. and Christine G. (Hansen) Wheeler
16 June Duthie Albert L. and Katherine E. (Cunningham) Duthie
16 Anne Downs Ralph A. and Anna F. (Reed) Downs
16 Elsie Irene Lowe Henry E. and Clara F. (Wolfe) Lowe
16 Winifred Hilda McSheehy
George P. and Isabel F. (Morris) McSheehy
17 Alfred Lopes John and Irene (Pacheco) Lopes
70
ANNUAL REPORTS
18
1$ Margaret Virginia O'Connor
John E. and Catherine F. (MacPherson) O'Connor
20 Gertrude Dunckleee
Lester E. and Adeline A. (Westlake) Duncklee
22 John Asa Wilkinson LL
William T. and Elizabeth C. (Hughes) Wilkinson
26 Margerite Terestre Sebastian and Jeneva (Orifice) Terestre
28 Barbara Ann Wilson Donald and Dorothy (Crowther) Wilson
31) Arthur Boyd Jellis Leonard and Christiana (Tayntor) Jellis
JULY
2 Donald Lewis Edgar Roy and Louise E. (Reeynolds) Edgar
4 Harold Francis Beyne Harold F. and Marion M. (Carrier) Beyne
11 Marjorie Evelyn Fitch Frederick C. and Edith (Rice) Fitch
18 Helen DiMarco Nick and Julia E. (Dutra) DiMarco
19 Wallace Cupp Harry and Katie (Smarr) Cupp
21 Barbara Cullinane, Mathew J. and Margaret G. (Mead) Cullinane
22 Mary Kelley John J. and Alice B. (Scannell) Kelley
25 Alvina Filomena Russo
Carmine and Angiola M. (Parella) Russo
28 William Rosa Emilo and Pauline (Saco) Rosa
29 Elsie May Hussey, Warren H. and Corris M. (Emerson) Hussey
29 Scott Loring Barton William E. and Gladys (Loring) Barton
AUGUST
5 Jean Gertrude Prentiss Russell I. and Elsie G. (Riley) Prenti=s
6 Virginia Ross George M. and Rachel (Macurda) Rosa
18 Gloria Myrtle Jule Herman W. and Louise E. (Ardrews) Jule
21 Marie Ester Erikson
Sven Alien and Ester M. (Sedburg) Erickson
22 George Lundergan Fred and Rose E. (Hefferan) Lundergan
25 Constance McCarthy, Frederick and Dorothy (Ripley) McCarthy
SEPTEMBER
8 Gerald Bonner William and Mary (Gillis) Bonner
9 Anna Georgina Montgomery
Murdock and Dolly C. (McLeod) Montgomery
9 Gloria Mae Woodland, William A. and Hattie (Smith) Woodland
12 Marjorie Louise Basher John S. and Rose (Murphy) Basher
12 Nancy Isabel Stanley John H. and Alice (Jenkenson) Stanley
TOWN or LEXINGTON
71
23 Forest Irwin Knapp Forest and Anna E. (Irwin) Knapp
25 Willian F. and Mabel T. (Stevenson) Gavin
OCTOBER
8 John A. and Eleanor (Bingham) Proctor
13 Stanley Hill Maynard
Charles N. and Winifred M. (Smith) Maynard
14 Betsy Nicholls John E. and Grace L. (Ranagan) Nicholls
18 Katherine McGrory Edward and Nellie P. (Barry) McGrory
19 Paul Boyd Fred T. and Doris (Lyon) Boyd
21 Alice Corbett Philip J. and Madeline J. (Manley) Corbett
22 Arthur Domenico Carota, Antonio and Theresa (Carota) Carota
25 Harriet Frances Roberts
Arthur M. and Clara F. (Livermore) Roberts
NOVEMBER
2 Lillian Nicomo Comando and Giovanina (Esposito) Nicomo
4 Mary Cotter John M. and Bridget (Corcoran) Cotter
9 Richard Bean Frank L. and Elizabeth M. (Clifford) Bean
10 Daniel Merle Hutchinson
Arthur E. and Alice G. (Cushman) Hutchinson
12 Mary Sullivan Timothy J. and Ann (Coughlin) Sullivan
25 Priscilla Hadley Elinus B. and Emma J. (Gott) Hadley
DECEMBER
2 Dorothy Ann Callahan
Charles H. and Ella G. (McAndrews) Callahar
2 Ruth Elizabeth Collins, William G. and Rena M. (Wilson) Collins
11 Charles Francis Vaughan Jr.
Charles F. and Julia T. (Dee) Vaughan
15 Albert Medeiros Manuel A. and Mary (Travers) Medeiros
18 Mildred Louise Cochrane
Louis F. and Ethelyn M. (Pitts) Cochrane
ANNUAL REPOkT3
MARRIAGES
Whole number recorded far 1923
Date
Name
Jan. 4 • Winthrop Wellington Locke
Marta (Tennyson) Briggs
10 Cornelius Lyons, Jr.
Mary Theresa Cleggett
13 Irving Upson Townsend, Jr.
Helen Burnett
17 Edward McGrory
Nellie Peticia Barry
18 Clarenca Edward Blake
Ruth McKay
27 Charles Dexter Wiswell
M. Kathleen Moore
28 Carl Arvid Henrickson
Martha Cristina Carlson
88
Residence
Lexington
Lexington
Lexingt
Lexingtonon
Newton
Lexington
Lexington
Somerville
Amesbury
Lexington
Lexington
Beverly
Lexington
Arlington
Feb. 3 Arthur Morse
Lucy Evelyn Twiss
7 Curt Emil Hunger
Katherine Elizabeth McGarry
14 Simeon George Demone
Nellie Mae Wile
28 Alfred MacLaren
Lowell
Lexington
Waltham
Lexington
Lexington
Lexington
Lexington
Grace Louise Downie Lexington
Mar. 3 Charles Standish Preble
Adelade Nason
17 Samuel Joseph Rogers
Alva Elizabeth Lind
24 Raymond Leslie Nickerson
Hazel Elizabeth Ferguson
31 Frank Elwood Haynes ...
Grace Lorraine DeChamp
Apr. 1 Harry Louis Alderman
Flora Macdonald
11 Clifford Weiler Young
Rose Lepore
18 Clifford Choate Blaisdell
Marguerite Elizabeth Burbank
Lexington
Malden
Belmont
Lexington
Boston
Lexington
Lexington
Taunton
Lexington
Lexington.
Lexington
Lexington
Lexingtor.
Lexington
TOWN OF LExr:NGTON
78
22 Stephen Wright Fardy Lexington
Helen M. Eldridge Roxbury
May 5 Wallace Keneer Cameron Medford
Alice Mercedes Wheeler Lexington
6 Paul F. McDonnell Lexington
Mary Diamond Arlington
8 Michael E. Nolan New York
Martha Demetria Reardon Lexington.
9 Lewis Frank Cochrane Lexington
Ethelyn Pitts Arlington
20 Bavel LeRoy Cummings Lexington
Helen Merle Harvey Arlington
26 Thomas William Smithers Malden
Violet Adelaide Stevens Lexington.
June 1 Stuart Southworth Bennett Lexington
Leora Ethelyn Wescott Everett
2 Frank Leslie Fraser Lexington
Louisa G. (Hudson) Cutter Lexington
5 Elmer Carlton Leonard Lexington
Anna May Diamond Onset
6 Everett Harvey Locke Boston
Olive Mabel Snow Lexington
15 Granville Westcott Winship Wollaston
Elizabeth Ripley Sanborn .. Lexington
18 William S. Kinney Boston
Irene C. Perkins Lexington
18 John Lawrence Cotter Cambridge
Helen Margaret Welch . Lexington
18 George F. Montague Lexington
Edith E. Beaumont Dorchester
23 Richard Greeley Preston Lexington
Marjorie Jewett Brush Brookline
24 James Stephen Montague Lexington
Alice Josephine Foley Mattapan
25 Morris Borenstein Roxbury
Helen Bloustein Lexington
27 John Lewis Wheatley Lexington
Margaret Elizabeth Hewitt Arlington Hgts.
27 Maurice Benjamin Soper Lexington
Beulah Murray Arnold Arlington
30 George Wesley Hayes ... Lexington
Louise Achsah Wright Lexington
74
ANNUAL REPORTS
30 Richard Greenwood Clark Burlington, Vt.
Mildred Florence Scamman Lexington
30 Chester Thomas Caverly Davis Manchester, N. H.
Eleanor Margaret Scamman Lexington
July 5 George Rich Stockbridge . Wellesley
Jean Margaret Gallagher . WeIlesley
17 Allan D. Stuart Brighton
Alexa G. Foshay Lexington
19 Stephen Trebano Lexington
Catherina (Barbieri) Morelti Cambridge
28 Walter James Pavey Somerville
Sophia Dorothy Krantz Lexington
Aug. 2 Geza Hauck Lexington
Maria Keidl Boston
26 John James Murphy Charleston
Annie Gillespie Lexington
26 James Andrew Burrell Lexington
Harriet Ann Taylor ..Lexington
Sept. 1 Manuel S. Alvarnaz . Taunton
Mary C. Leal Lexington
2 Leonard Willis Meek Lexington
Katherine Elizabeth Leaf ...Lexington
3 Edmund Whalley Portsmouth, N. H.
Florence Edith DeVeau Lexington
12 James Arthur Swenson SomerviIie
Ruth Evelyn Wh ite . Lexington
15 Thomas Quinn Costello U. S. S. Camden
Lillian L. Crosby Lexington
17 Bowen Buckman Lexington
Ethel Linwood Hayward Dorchester
19 Harold Irving Wellington Lexington
Dora M. Willson Bedford
22 Converse Hill Lexington
Audrey Broderick Bolton . Newton 'Highlands
23 Francesco Busa Lexington
Rosina Merlino Belmont
24 Charles Joseph Dailey Lexington
Johanna Elizabeth McMahan Boston
25 William Ernest Woodbury Waltham
Sarah Wickes Head Lexington
26 John Pollock Lexington
Dorothy Francis Green Lexington
TowN OF LEXINGTON "(5
11 H. Frank Pulver Boston
Oct. 6 Thacher Jenney Lexingtar.
Phyllis Blanche MacDougall Medford
7 Patrick Thomas Foley Winchester
Ellen Catherine Corbett Lexington
11 H. Frank Pulver Boston
Patrice Hannigan Lexington
20 Nelson Liden Hill, N. H.
Rebecca Dodd Lexington
22 Herbert Joseph Nason Lexington
Annie Kate Wheeler Lexington
24 Frank Coleman Shaw Lexington
Mary Rita Gaffney Lexington
25 Phillip Oscar Johnson Lexington
Christine Catherine Clegget Braintree
27 Alfred J. MacKay Ocala, Florida
Gladys E. Blake Lexington
28 Richard William O'Connell Lexington
Rosetta Gertrude Kenney Cambridge
28 Edward Joseph O'Dowd Bedford
Mary Ellen Ferry Lexington
28 John A. MacDonald Arisay, Antigonish, N. S.
Margaret Maclnnis Lexington
29 Harold Bertron Clark Lynn field
Fannie Leticia Andrews Lynnfield
29 Kenneth Howard Foskett Lynnfield
Martha Andrews Moore Lynnfiela
Nov. 10 Edward Alfred Favre Braintree
Johanna Stalder Lexington
11 John William Lyons Lexingtor.
Mabel Rideal Lexington
11 Alfred Marciano Lexington
Terese Sa'ntianni Dorchester
12 Samuel Wayne Wellington Lexington
Mary Ellen Carney Waltham
14 John Jerauld Buck Lexington
Ellen Amelia Ross Lexington
17 Nathaniel Morton Safford Lexington
Marion Mae Foley Lexington
28 Alexander William Parks .. , Lexington
Dorothy AI£reta Whiting Newton Centre
29 David .Patrick Murphy SamerviIle
Julia Teresa FitzGerald Lexington
76
ANNUAL REPOETS
29 Charles Francis Doherty Woburn
Magaret Dorothy Leary Lexington
29 John Edward Glines Waltham
Grace Hanney Wigton
29 Earl Wainwright Kingsbury ... Bowdoinham, Me.
Mildred Blodgett Lexington
Dec. 15 Solomon L. Squire Manchester, N. H.
Ethel L. Harrah Waterville, P. Q.
19 John Joseph Tobin .. Lexington
Helen Virginia Roebuck Somerville
24 Harold Lawton Chase Charlestown, N. H.
Mildred Hazel Bartlett Lexington
25 Arthur Solen Slater Lexington
Mary Josephine O'Neill Lexington
Whole number recorded for 1923, including stillbirths recorded as deaths, 98.
Tows OF LEXINGTON
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
.N 00 CA -11.4 Cd4 CA a 01.00 d-1
,.. w NN --1 -l• rQi
c. Cr C• 1. op 00 S
4
g
F
= - 0 • A+ u r� -
d
.c 0 W °, a E E" � E` m e iao m
i
T. mo=d 7 0 t'A3P4�
z ..co W i-; r m� 4 2 01:4 Z1 0441
78
ANNUAL REPORTS
4
ic
A t
l+7 p1 y, d K''` d
cit {..f FrZ pp _ t' s
L 3 x x s. x•- = x
4 W o O ❑ y4)% G m C7 m N 67 ❑ d • r d
(Aw ZZQi CG dcS 4al.1 F4 Rsaf iiia
14
to N t] f] L7 dCO
.4 CN 1.4 .4 .i
W N N N 70 CV N
1. 44 wiwl wlwl le) on ca
rl •••
o .4
LL A 0010 0 • NCC.00t- 1 CI 1• 0 1-1 rq • 11
W m
cd0
14 d
ao
"ru
d'V275F ?�a� 1 p U. - to
W t x V 0 x W C.; Q OM'ea q as m >i
x�P7W%A
.moi NN 10N- d ID 10 OD N=.7 07 I�[�C A N01NNN 00
04 Cp.
et. N00rlCOdd.i
1.1 r1 -1 N 04
00 10 N 00 00 LV
ri rl ' r1 OV
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
nd d
z i
02 09
y
15
odi:g .P v wj A tg r. P.
xUC3+E+Pw6Fq'4000
79
g F e V
V'CZ i 2..4 cd
. Ki 'LI c 5
ca Kq� N .k ° D
02�7z►7.]�+U GO
o+ ria -I 40 47 R.. 04 y o 4f7 lr w a 10 00 ,A .04
N Nw e..
H CV w +-i rl - Cv CA ,- ti
4 02 tO 01 to d CO v7 1`
w rI N 1.1 CO
1-1
1l,1a 6.1 �flbArl C]wri d
m 0 N V� 40 N L� tp v3 rr N 117 t0 00 L0
0)
go
= :'a
i Fi
c4 m
11 4 rW V chi s'd. R U y �` "''d
{' ° g °' a �a °' `�x
A°° 4' vi 1° kj o gE�r3jj glYt
r7 aQ m A ca A o • °
F • .''- ' "E° 1 ' g2a ' ol ; 7. 4° $ Ug` D
CA CO
tll lq DC7 H Nw 6V CCA N NN
ea
Clara W. Blackmar
01 00 0 00 L 0wCO c
1-1
80
DEATHS RECORDED FOR THE YEAR 1923
0)
z
GO P
W ri
NNLTA L REPORTS
rC]-1 r
CO te
1 -! N
0)
frim
a bii 0
w - o ,a 0 go
v) 0,. : CO • "6 v.
[m] x Cl w CT .4 t,9
y
m ca 3 a3 ❑ 5' a
P -i GCU1-7U6se)tg
,--� C CD O 1!] C+7 O
rI -
E1 O ri .- N w ri 6 O bop
r-� r-1 rl .--I
Acv 4 e. t- ca CM w [I1 ry CO rn
VD 1.4 u7 DO CO 1 LO cp L- [•
SEPTEMBER
CA 10 P7002 o
.-1
00 4]GO�'cp 47
Pt)
y o
y O p
WM W NA G' • m a+^ kA
0 3 $ 0 ie,Pl meq • z . ••
oW aF: '��,NjW QUA yZj
g m0 o P. W 0 p O rq cd Z 1.; W, F
.0
CA 3
ri CO Lr 61 -
riCA 04o-7
0001
T 40• ,t 01 w 0101
OCTOBER
TowN OF LEXINGTON
Sl
82
A UAL REPORTS
6
r; TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
Q i
C d �j d •: r"
O C
g • 41?� 2 4 t ro H 0 g 3°- 0 Number of dogs licensed 477
A C ig cd d z. d oS oS C k CI G G S. ..
N .• �-I O .my N O NCV
X00 rq ▪ V 0Cr:000
C% ww1 .0 Fit 01 lit mil CI
t`els IC7 CONCVNCV ICd H7
• 10 N N C4N M
NOVEMBER
C] O CV ri �r7
r+
'0 0 0 0 so c%
O L•-
0 CO 1 : L?
DECEMBER
,-1 0 IC
m ti cates issued 21
Number of Resident Hunter's and Fisherman's
Certificates issued 80
Number of Resident Hunter's and Trapper's
Certificates issued 88
Number of Resident Minor Trapper's Certifi-
r4 Pt .1, F- Ca% GO on
rK , -I N w
Number of Resident Fisherman's Certificates
issued 49
No non-resident certificates were issued.
ARTHUR W. HATCH,
Town Clerk.
TOWN of LEXINGTON 83
or
THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF THE
Code of By -Laws
ADOPTED BY THE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
On June 19th, 27th and 28th, 1922, as approved by the
Attorney General of the Commonwealth
on January 6th, 1923
And as approved, ratified and confirmed by a vote of the Town
On March 12th 1923.
CODE OF BY-LAWS OF 1922
OF THE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
ARTICLE 1.
General,Provisions.
Section 1. These By -Laws shall be known as the "Code of By -
Laws of 1922 of the Town of Lexington." So far as the provisions
hereof are the same hi effect as those previously existing, either by
by-law or by vote of the town, they shall be construed as a continua-
tion of such by-Iaws or votes. All other by-laws and votes of the
town heretofore in force and inconsistent herewith are hereby re-
pealed, provided however, that such repeal shall not apply to or affect
any vote accepting or adopting the provisions of any Statute of the
Commonwealth, or the Building Laws heretofore adopted by the town.
or the Rules or Regulations heretofore established by the Board of
Health, by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners, by the
Board of Park Commissioners, or by the Board of Cemetery Com-
missioners, except so far as any of such Rules anti Regulations may
be inconsistent with or repugnant to any of these by-laws.
Section 2. In considering these By -Laws the following rules shall
be observed unless their observance would involve a construction
inconsistent with the manifest intent of the voters, or repugnant to
the context of the by-law.
(a) The repeal of a by-law shall not revive any by-law in force
before or at the time when the by-law repealed -took effect.
(b) The repeal of a by-law shall not effect any punishment,
84
ANNtYAL REPORTS
penalty or forfeiture incurred before the repeal takes effect, or any
suit, prosecution or proceeding pending at the time of the repeal for
an offense committed or for the recovery of a penalty or forfeiture
incurred under the by-law repealed.
(c) Words and phrases shall be construed according to the com-
mon and approved usage of the language, but technical words and
phrases and such others as may have acquired a peculiar and ap-
propriate meaning in law shall be construed and understood accord-
ing to such meaning.
(d) Words importing the singular number may extend and be
applied toseveral persons or things, words importing the plural
number may include the singular, and words importing the masculine
gender may include the feminine and neuter.
(e) Words importing to give a joint authority to or to direct
any act by three or more public officers or other persons, shall be
construed as giving such authority to or directing such act by a
majority of such officers or persons.
(f) Wherever publication is required in a newspaper published
in the town, it shall be sufficient when there is no newspaper pub-
lished therein, if the publication is made in a newspaper which, by
its title page, purports to be printed or published in the town, or
which has a general or substantial circulation therein as a local
paper.
(g) Wherever a penalty of forfeiture is provided for the viola-
tion of a by-law, it shall be for each such violation.
(h) Without further particular specifications all by-laws shall
relate only to persons, property and acts done within the limits of
the Town of Lexington.
(i) Words and phrases specifying or naming any board, com-
mission, committee or officer of the town shall be construed as in-
cluding the lawful successor, or the persons having the powers and
performing the duties similar to those of such board, commission,
committee or officer.
Section 3. In construing these By-laws the following words shall
have the meaning herein given unless a contrary intention clearly
appears.
(a) The word "Street" shall include highways, townways, public
ways and all public streets, roads, bridges, alleys, courts, and side-
walks, and also those portions of public squares and places which
form traveled parts of public ways.
(b) The wards "public place" shall include all commons, parks,
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 85
playgrounds and public lands belonging to or in the charge of the
town, or any of its departments, and those portions of public squares
and places which do not form traveled parts of public ways.
(c) The words "public building" shall include all buildings be-
longing to or under the control of the town or any of its departments.
(d) The word. "person" shall include corporations, societies,
associations and partnerships.
(e) The word "owner" applied to a building or land shall include
any part owner, joint owner, tenant in common or joint tenant of
the whole or any part of such biulding or land.
(f) The word "tenant or occupant" applied to a building or land
shall include any person who occupies the whole, or a part of such
building or land either alone or with others.
(g) The word "vehicle" shall include all vehicles and convey-
ances, (except street or trolley cars) whether on wheels or runners,
however drawn, propelled or moved, and any animal harnessed thereto.
(h) The word "horse" shall include any beast of burden and
other animal.
(i) The word "driver" shall mean the person having the charge
or control of any vehicle, horse or other animal upon a street.
(j) The words "public records" shall include any written or print-
ed book or paper, any map or plan which is the property of the
town, or on which any entry has been made or is required to be
made by law, or which any officer or employee of the town has re-
ceived or is required to receive for filing, and any book, paper or re-
cord in which are entered or recorded the funds, accounts, orders
and proceedings of the town or any board, committee, commission
or officer of the town.
k) The word "voter" shall mean a duly registered voter of this
town.
(1) The words "town officer or "officer shall include all town
officers, either elected or appointed, serving as a member of any
board, commission, committee, or otherwise.
Section 4 When in a by-law anything is prohibited from being
done without a Licence or permission from a certain officer, board or
commission, such officer, board or commission shall have the power
to license or permit such thing to be done unless otherwise provided
by law or by some by-law.
Section 6. Whoever violates any by-law of the town, whereby
Se ANNUAL REPORTS
any act or thing is enjoined, required or prohibited, shall forfeit and
pay for each offense a fine not exceeding twenty dollars unless some
other penalty is expressly provided by law, or by some by-law of the
town.
Section 7. All fines, penalties and forfeitures for the violations
of any by-Iaws shall be paid into the Town Treasury, and credited to
the General Revenue and Surplus Account and applied to the support
of Cary Memorial Library unless otherwise provided by law, or by
some by-law of -the town.
Section 9. Any and all by-laws of the town may be repealed or
amended or other by-laws may be adopted at any town meeting, an-
nual or special, provided an article containing the subject matter of
the proposed change has been inserted in the warrant for such meet-
ing.
ARTICLE II
Promotion of a Sound .Public Policy
Section 1. No member of any board, commission, committee or
other •town officer shall in behalf of the town, approve, make or join
in the making of any contract, bargain or agreement in, through or
by which he has either directly or indirectly any financial or pecu-
niary interest otherwise than in common with the citizens of the town
in general.
Section 2. No board, commission or committee shall appoint or
elect one of its own members to any town office which is in any way
subject to the jurisdiction of such board, commission or committee,
and no such election or appointment and no act done in pursuance of
the duties incident or pertaining to such position by such person so
appointed or elected shall have any force, effect or validity.
Section 4. No member of any board, commission or committee
shall either by agreement of the other members of such board, com-
mission or committee, or otherwise, receive any fee, payment or finan-
cial compensation whatever, except his salary or compensation as
provided by law, or by vote of the town, for any work or service per-
formed by him, in connection with his duties as a member of such
board, commission or committee.
ARTICLE III
The Calling and Notice of Town Meetings.
Section I. Every town meeting shall be called by a warrant
direct:d to a constable or other duly appointed person. Such warrant
shall contain articles briefly setting forth the various subject matters
which may be considered and acted upon at such meeting.
Section 2. The warrant for a town meeting shall be served by
posting a printed copy thereof in the vestibule of the Town Hall and
in such other public places in the town as the Selectmen may desig-
TOWN OP LEXINGTON 87
nate, and also by sendir-g by mail postage prepaid, not less than seven
days before the time stated in the warrant for holding such meetings,
a print=d copy of such warrant addresed to every registered voter of
the town at his last residence, as appears from the records of the
Board of Registrars of Voters, provided however, that no action tak-
en at any meeting shall be invalidated by reason of any mistake or
omissicn by the officer or person serving the warrant to mail a copy
thereof to every registered voter.
Section 3. The officer or person appointed to serve the warrant
for a town meeting shall, immediately after making the service
thereof, deliver to the Town Clerk the original warrant, with his
return endorsed thereon stating fully the manner in which he served
the same.
Section 4. The annual meeting of the town for the election of
town cfficers and the transaction of municipal business shall be called
for the first Monday of March of each year, provided, however, that
if it shall fail to be so called in consequence of any defect in the
warrant or other irregularity it shall be called for a date as soon
thereafter as may be practicable. Special town meetings may la
held at such other times as may be duly ordered.
Section 5. The annual meeting of the town shall be called for
six o'clock in the forenoon and thereafter the polls shall be open
continuously for voting until five o'clock in the afternoon, and the
meeting may by vote extend the time of closing the polls to some later
hour, but not later than eight o'clock of that evening unless other-
wise provided by law. Immediately upon the announcement of the
result of the voting such meeting shall stand adjourned until 7:30
o'clock in the evening of the following Monday.
All business excepting only the voting for town officers, voting
upon questions required by Statute to be voted upon by ballot and the
business incidental to the opening and closing of the polls and the
conduct of such election shall be considered and acted upon at such
adjournment of the annual meeting.
Section 6. The Town Clerk shall, as soon as practica;ble after
a town meeting is adjourned (except the adjournment provided for
in the preceding section), give notice of the time to which the meeting
was adjourned, and the business to be transacted thereat. Such notice
shall be served by posting the same in the places where the original
notice of the meeting was posted, and also if the period of adjourn-
ment permits by publishing the same in some newspaper published
in the town.
Section 7. When practicable it shall be the duty of the Board of
Selectmen, not less than fifteen days nor more than thirty days prior
to the date set for a proposed town meeting, to post a notice in the
ANNUAL REPORTS
vestibule of the Town Hall and at such other public places in the
town as they may designate and publish in some newspaper pub-
lished in the town, notice of their intention to call such a meeting.
ARTICLE IV.
Tho Opening and Procedure of Town Meetings for the Election of
Officers.
Section 1. Every town meeting for the election of officers by
official ballot shall promptly, at the time appointed for such meeting,
be called to order by the proper presiding officer; in the absence of
such officer the Town Clerk shall call the meeting to order and shall
preside until the arrival of such officer or the election of a temporary
presiding officer.
Section 2. Immediately after the calling of the meeting to order
by the proper presiding officer the warrant for the town meeting and
the return of the person who served the same shall first be read by
the Town Clerk, unless the meeting votes that the reading or the
articles in the warrant be dispensed with, and immediately there-
after the polls shall be declared open for voting.
ARTICLE V.
The Opening and Procedure of Town Meetings for the Transaction
of Municipal Business.
Section 1. Every town meeting for the transaction of municipal
business, other than the election of town officers by official ballot
shall promptly at the appointed time or as soon thereafter as one
hundred registered voters are in attendance, be called to order
by the Moderator; in the absence of the Moderator such meeting
shall be called to order by the Town Clerk who shall preside until
a temporary Moderator is chosen who shall act during the absence
of the Moderator.
Section 2_ Immediately after the calling of the meeting to order
by the moderator the warrant for the town meeting and the return
of the person who served •the same shall first be read by the Town
Clerk, unless the meeting votes that the reading of the articles in
the warrant be dispensed with.
Section 3. Unless otherwise ordered by the Moderator or by a
vote by the meeting, no person whose name is not on the list of
registered voters shall be admitted to the hall where the meeting is
being held; this provision shall be enforced with the use of the check
list and the Moderator shall determine the bounds of the hall.
Section 4. Immediately upon the calling of the meeting to order
all persons shall be seated with heads uncovered. No person shalt
T0WN Or LEXINGTON
89
remain standing except when he addresses the Moderator. While the
meeting is in session no one shall read, converse, sew, knit or other-
wise distract the attention of himself or others from the busines.
under consideration.
Moderator.
Section 5. The Moderator shall preserve order and decorum. He
may speak to points of order in preference to other voters, and he
shall decide all questions subject to an appeal as hereafter provided
in Section 8.
Every question of order with the decision thereon shall be entered
by the Clerk in his records of the meeting.
Section 8. The Moderator shall rise to put a question or address
the meeting, but he may read sitting.
Section 7, The Moderator may appoint a voter to perform the
duties of the Moderator while he addresses the meeting, or in case he
is called away from the meeting.
Appeal.
Section 8_ Any voter may appeal from the decision of the Moder-
ator and when properly seconded by four or more voters, no other
business, except a motion to adjourn or lay on the table, shall be in
order until the question of appeal has been decided. The question
shall be decided without debate ar.d by a rising vote, and shall be put
as follows:—"Shall the decision of the Moderator stand as the judg-
ment of the meeting?" and it :=hall be decided in the affirmative unless
a majority of the votes are to the contrary.
Motions and Order of Business.
Section 9, Unless otherwise provided by law or by by-law, all
motions shall require only a majority vote.
Section 10, All articles in the warrant shall be taken up in thein
order upon the warrant unless otherwise ordered by a vote of the
meeting, and no motion or resolution the subject matter of which is
not set forth in some article in the warrant, shall be entertained
excepting only when the sense of the meeting is desired; but no such
motion or resolution shall be entertained if twenty-five voters object
thereto.
Section 11. Every motion shall be reduced to writing and signed
by the person presenting it when so requested by the Moderator, and
before receiving any motion the Moderator may require that it be
seconded; a motion may be withdrawn by the mover if no objection
is made.
Section 12. No motion carrying an expenditure or appropriation
90
ANNUAL REPORTS
of money, except where such expenditure is required by the law, shall
be acted upon at any town meeting until some report thereon has been
made by the Appropriation Committee, except as hereinafter other-
wise provided.
Section 13. After any action, except to lay upon the table or to
postpone to a time certain or to commit, has been taken upon the
subject matter of any article in the Warrant and another article has
been taken up, such former article shall be deemed to be closed and
no further action, except a motion to reconsider, shall be taken there-
after except by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and
voting, to reopen such article.
Section 15. No motion, the effect of which would be to dissolve
the meeting, shall be in order until every article in the warrant for
such meetirg has been finally disposed of, except by a vote of at
least two-thirds of those present and voting; but this shall not pre-
clude an adjournment of the meeting to some other date.
Rules of Debate.
Section 16. Every person when about to speak shall rise, respect-
fully address the chair and wait until he is recognized, and in speaking
he shall refrain from mentioning by name any other person, present,
shall confine himself to the question under consideration and avoid
personalities.
Section 17. No person shall address the meeting without first being
recognized by the Moderator, and all persons shall, at the request
of the Moderator be silent. When two or more persons rise to speak
at the same time the Moderator shall name the one entitled to speak,
Section 18. No person, while speaking, shall be interrupted 1,y
another, except to call to order, or for a privileged motion, or to give
notice of a motion to reconsider.
Section 19. No person shall speak more than once on any ques-
tion to the prevention of those who have not spoken and desire to
speak thereof.
Se:tion 20. Without first obtaining leave of the meeting, no per-
son shall :peak more than twice upon any question except to correct
a mistake, or misstatement or to make an explanation, and no person
shall speak more than ten minutes at any one time without being
again recognized by the Moderator.
Section 21. A motion (a) to waive the limitations set forth in the
preceding section, or (b) to adjourn, or (c) that the vote upon the
question under consideration be taken by ballot with the use of the
check -list, shall be in order at any time, except on an immediate
TOWN of LEXINGTON
GTON
91
repetition of the same motion or pending a verification of a vote, and
none of these motions shall be open to debate.
Section 22. When a motion is under debate no motion other
than those mentioned in the preceding section shall be entertained,
except the following subsidary motions, namely:
(a) To lay upon the table, or take from .the table.
(b) For the previous question.
(c) To close the debate at a specified time.
(d) To postpone to a time certain.
(e) To commit, or re -commit, or refer.
(f) To amend.
(g) To postpone indefinitely.
which several mations shall have precedence in the order in which
they are arranged in this by-law, and all shall be open to debate,
except the first two.
Section 23. Debate on such subsidiary motions shall be limited to
ten minutes, and no person shall speak more than three minutes nor
more than once.
Section 24. When debate is closed by ordering the previous ques-
tion or by vote to close the debate at a specified time, the maker of
the main motion under consideration shall be allowed to speak ten
minutes and may grant to any other voter a part or the whole of his
time, or give his time to the meeting.
Section 25. Debate may be closed at any time not less than ten
minutes from the adoption of a motion to that effect.
Reconsideration.
Section 26. No vote shall be reconsidered except upon a motion
to that effect or upon a notice of such motion given at the same see-
sion of the meeting and within thirty minutes after the result of surh
vote has been declared and any voter may make a motion to recon-
sider or give notice thereof.
Section 27. The debate on a motion to reconsider shall be limited
to thirty minutes and no person shall speak more than five minutes
at one time nor more than once without the leave of the meeting.
Sect:on 28. When a motion of reconsideration is deckled that
decision shall not ba reconsidered and no question shall be twice re-
considered, nor shall any vote be reconsidered upon the following
motions, namely:
(a) To adjourn.
(b) For the previous question.
(c) To lay on the table.
92
ANNUAL RE PORTS
(d) To take from the table.
(e) To close debate at specified time.
Previous Question.
Section 29. The previous question shall be put in the following
form: "Shall the main question be now put?" and all debate upon
the main question shall be suspended until the previous question is
decided.
Section 30. The adoption of the previous question shall put an
end to all debate except as provided in Section 24 of this Article, and
shall bring the meeting to a direct vote upon pending amendments,
if any, and then upon the main question.
Amendments.
Section 31. An amended amendment cannot be amended and no
motion or proposition of a subject different from that under considera-
tion sha''l be entertained under color of an amendment.
Section 32. In filling blanks, or in cases of several amendments
of different amounts, or periods of time, the largest sum and the
longest time shall be put first and an affirmative vote thereon shall
be a negative vote of any smaller sum or shorter time.
Voting.
Section 33. No vote fixing the time for closing the polls shall be
reconsidered after the balloting has commenced, but the time for clos-
ing the polls may be extended by a vote taken durirg the progrees
of the voting.
Section 34. When a question is put (in case only a majority vote
is required) the sense of the meeting shall be determined by the
voices of the voters, and the Moderator shall first announce the
vote as it appears to him by the sound. If the Moderator is unable
to decide by sound of the voices, or if his announcement is thereupon
doubted by twenty or more voters rising in their places for that
purpose, the Moderator shall, without debate determine the vote by
ordering a rising vote and he may appoint tellers to make and return
the count, or he may order a pall of the meeting.
Section 35. The vote on any motion, provided the meeting so
orders, shall be taken by a "Yes" and "No" ballot with the use of the
check :list of by a poll of the meeting.
Section 36. When a motion is readily susceptible of division it
shall be divided and the vote upon each part taken separately, pro-
vided the Moderator deems best or twenty-five voters present sc
request.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
93
Quorum.
Section 27. The presence of one hundred voters at a town meeting
for the transaction of business shall be required •to constitute a
quorum, except for a motion to adjourn for which no quorum shall
be required; provided, however, that no vote carrying the expendi-
ture or appropriation of any sum of money shall be held to be invalid
by reason of lack of the required quorum, unless it appears from the
records of the Town Clerk of the meeting that before the result of
such vote was declared the question of the presence of a quorum was
duly raised and that such record shows that the required quorum
was lacking.
Elective Town Officers Not Chosen by Ballot.
Section 38. Such elective town officers as are not required by
Law to be chosen by ballot shall be elected by a voice vote unless the
meeting at which they are to be chosen determines otherwise.
Further Rules of Procedure.
Section 39. The procedure and conduct of the business meetings
of the town not herein providedfor shall be governed by "Roberts
Rules of Parliamentary Practice" so far as they are applicable and
are not inconsistent with the by-laws of the town.
ARTICLE VL
Selectmen—Board of Public Works.
Section 1. The Selectmen shall have the general direction and
management of the property and affairs of the town in all matters
not otherwise provided for by law, or by these by-laws, and they
shall serve without salary or other financial compensation, but shall
be allowed and paid such sums as the town may vote to be considered
reimbursement for the costs and expenses incurred in office, net to
exceed fifty (50) dollars per member per year.
Section 2. The Selectmen shall annually during the month of
April or as soon thereafter as practicable, unless otherwise provided
by law, appoint some person as superintendent of Public Works in
accordance with the requirements of Section 2 of Chapter 1 of the
Acts of 1922, who shall serve for one year and until his successor is
appointed and he may be suspended or removed at any time by said
board.
Section 3. The•Selectmen shall determine and designate numbers
for the buildings abutting upon or adjacent to such streets or portions
of streets as they may deem best for public convenience. No person
shall neglect or refuse to affix to any building owned by him, the
street number designated for him by said board, nor shall any person
affix or suffer to remain on any building owned or occupied by him
94
ANNTSAL REPORTS
a street number otherwise than the one designated by said Board.
Section 4. The Selectmen shall provide and maintain a suitable
bulletin board in the vestibule of the Town Hall and hi the vestibule
of each of the public libraries of the town, and shall also provide
ar.d maintain suitable outside billboards at such places in the town
as they deem necessary, where town, legal and such other notices as
they may authorize, may be posted for public information.
S:etion 5. They shall have charge and control of the Town Hall
building, and may let or rent so much thereof as is not required
for town purposes, upon such terms as they may deem proper.
Section B. The Selectmen shall provide and maintain offices in
the Town Hall building for all town officers, so far as practicable,
and any town official who cannot be there accomodated, the Select-
men shall furnish with offices elsewhere, in some convenient place.
Section 7. That portion of the Town Hall building which is
occupied by the offices of the Board of Selectmen, or Board of Public
Works, the Town Clerk, the Town Treasurer, and the Collector of
Taxes, shall be kept open continuously for the transaction of business
from 0 o'clock a. m., till 5 o'clock p. m. each week day, except holi-
days, and on Saturdays from 9 o'clock a. m. to 12 o'clock noon, and
during said hours of business, for the convenience of the public, it
shall be arranged by the Board of Selectmen, with the co-operation
of said officers, that said officers or some clerk representing them
shall be in attendance to perform the duties of their respective offices.
ARTICLE VII.
Selectmen --Department of Health.
Section 1. The Selectmen shall provide and maintain under their
care and supervision, some suitable place or places within a reason-
able distance of the villages of the town for free public dumping,
upon which the inhabitants of the town may dump or deposit ashes,
cinders, papers and other refuse and rubbish in accordance with such
rules and regulations as the Selectmen may from time to time make.
Section 2. No person unless having the authority so to do, shall
dump or deposit any ashes, rubbish, refuse, offal or decayed animal
or vegetable matter on any public or private land contrary to the
rules and regulations of the Selectmen.
ARTICLE VIII.
Selectmen—Department of Water and Sewers.
Section 1. The Selectmen, Department of Water and Sewers shall,
upon a petition for an extension of water mains in either accepted
TOWN Or LEXINGTON
95
or unaccepted streets, if said Board deems any such extension ne-
cessary or reasonable, or the town so votes, construct such extension,
provided such petitioners agree upon terms and with surety satis-
factory to said board, to pay annually to the town for rental or use
of water so furnished, a sum equal to six (6) per cent per annum,
on the cost of the construction of such extension as determined by
said board, until for a period of two successive years, the total amoui:t
of the water rates from water takers whose service pipes are con-
nected with such extension, amounts to said six (6) per cent per
annum on such cost of construction, but such agreement shall in no
case be required for a longer period than ten years: This rate of
interest of six per cent per annum shall apply to alt outstandir•g
agreements for the extension of water mains from and after the
date when the petitioners in such agreements accept the same, pro-
vided they are not then in arrears under the terms of their respec-
tive agreements.
ARTICLE IX.
Town Clerk.
Section 1. The Town Clerk, as soon as possible after a vote of
the town has been passed which relates particularly to or affects
the duties of any board, committee or officer of the Town, shall fur-
nish a copy of such vote to such board, committee or officer.
Section 2. The Town Clerk shall promptly notify in writing each
member of every committee who may be elected or appointed at
any Town meeting or in pursuance of any vote thereof. Such notice
shall contain a copy of the vote creating the committee and the names
of all members of such committee.
Section 3. The Town Clerk shall see that every conveyance to tate
town of any interest in land, except as otherwise provided by law,
is duly recorded in the proper registry therefor, and he shall have
the custody of all sucizarecorded instruments after the same are ready
for return from the registry. He shall keep in a book devoted to
that purpose alone, true copies of all conveyances executed and de-
Lvered by the town of any interest in land.
Section 4. The Town Clerk shall promptly after each session of a
Town meeting furnish the Town Accountant with a statement of nil
moneys appropriated by the Town at such session and the purpose
for which such moneys were respectively appropriated.
Section 5 The Town Clerk shalt during the month of January
prior to each anr.ual town meeting, notify in writing the chairman
of any committee which has made no report to the Town since the lust
annual meeting, that some report will be expected at the coming an -
96
ANNUAL REPORTS
nual town meeting and the warrant for such annual town meeting
may contain an article to hear and act upon the report of each of
such committees specifically naming them.
Section 6. The Town Clerk shall provide and have In readiness
for use at Town Meetings a sufficient supply of "Yes" and "No"
ballots; these ballots shall not be distinguishable from each other
either in size, shape, color, paper or ink, or in the size and style of
type.
ARTICLE X.
Collector of Taxes and Town Collector.
Section 1. The Colector of Taxes shall act also as Town Collector
and shall collect all taxes, assessments, and apportionments, including
water and sewer taxes, street betterments, sidewalk improvements,
and moth assessments.
ARTICLE XI.
Town Counsel and Legal Affairs.
Section 1. Except as otherwise provided by law or by vote of the
town, the Board of Selectmen shall have the full and exclusive au-
thority as agents of the town to institute, prosecute, defend, com-
promise and settle all claims, suits and actions brought by or against
the town, provided, however, that no claim or action against the town,
unless reduced to the form of an execution or decree of court, shall
be compromised or settled by the payment of any amount in excess
of three hundred dollars, without a special vote of the town.
Said Board shall also have authority as agent of the town to appear
personally or by counsel, before any court, committee of the Legis-
lature, or any state or county board or commission, but such authority
does not authorize said Board to commit the town to any course of
action without a vote of the town therefor.
Section 2. The Board of Selectmen shall each year within thirty
days after the annual election of town officers appoint some attorney-
at-law as Town Counsel, who shall serve for the tei m of one year
and until his successor is appointed; he shall receive for his servjces
such compensation as the town may determine and he may be removed
at any time by a majority vote by said Board. Said Board may, when-
ever it deems necessary employ special counsel to assist or act in
place of the Town Counsel.
Section 3. The Town Counsel shall draw, supervise the drawing
or approve all contracts, deeds, bonds and other legal instruments
relating to the town; he shall give legal advice and furnish a written
opinion when so requested by any town officer, board or committee,
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
97
regarding any Iegal question or matter relating to the duties of such
officer, board or committee, and no officer, board or committee shall
at the expense or in behalf of the town employ or be represented by
any other than the Town Counsel.
Section 4. The Town Counsel shall, as soon as possible after re-
ceiving notice from the Chief of Police or otherwise, of any injury
to person or property, under circumstances which may give rise to a
clajm of damages against the Town, make a thorough investigation
relative thereto and with the approval of the Board of Selectmen,
take such steps as may be deemed necessary to properly protect and
defend the Town against such claim,
Section 5. The Town Counsel shall prosecute or defend all cases
and proceedings to which the Town is a party. He shall also prosecute
all cases for the breach or violation of the by-laws of the town.
Section 6. The Town Counsel shall annually during the month of
January of each year, report in writing to the Boara of Selectmen.,
(a) all actions by or against the Town which were pending at the
beginning of the preceding fiscal year; (b) all actions brought by or
against the town during such year, and (c) all actions settled or dis-
posed of during such year. Such report shall show the full name of
each plaintiff or defendant, the nature and amount claimed in each
case, and the terms upon which any case was settled or disposed of
during such year. Such reports shall also show the separate amounts
received by the Town Counsel as compensation and for disbursements
in each of such actions during such year, and for all other services
covered by his regular salary. Such report shall be printed and pub-
lished as a part of the annual Town Report.
Section 7. The Town Counsel shall not during his term of office
hold any other appointive or eletive office of town.
ARTICLE XII.
Police Department,
Section 1. There shall be a Police Department consisting of a
Chief of Police, and such other police officers as the Board of Select-
men may deem necessary.
Section 2. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board of
Selectmen shall annually, during the month of April, appoint such
Chief o£ police and police officers, and may when they deem it neces-
sary, appoint a police Sergeant, a Police Matron and Special Police
Officers, and shall fix their compensation.
Section 3. All members of the Police Department shall be subject
to the rules and regulations, and perform all the duties which may
98
ANIMAL REPORTS
be prescribed by the by-laws of the town, by the Board of Selectmen,
and by the rule; and regulations of the Police D-partm:nt, and ex-
cept as otherwise provided by law, the Board of Selectmen may ab
any time remove, suspend, or otherwise discipline any member of
the Police Department.
Section 4. The Chief of Police shall be the head of the Pollee Dep-
artment and subject to the general supervision and control of the
Board of Selectmen. He shall devote his whole time to the duties of
his office. He shall have the control of all police officers, both regular
and special, and ail members of the Department, while in its service.
He shall be responsible for the discipline and efficiency of the Dep-
artment, and shall enforce its rules and regulations.
Section 5. The Chief of Police shall have the care and custody of
all property of the town used by the .Police Department. He shall
keep a full and complete record of the business of the Department,
including an account of all duties performed by the police aliicers
and all absences from duty, with the causes thereof, which shall bu
at all times open to inspoclion of the Board of Selectmen. He shall
cause proceedings to he instituted for the violation of the laws and
of these by-laws, and he shall annually, in the month of January,
make a writen report to the Board of Selectmen, covering the or-
ganization and condition of the Department and its business
and expenses during the preceding year, and such recommendations
as he may dPrm adris-.hle. Su h report shall be printed in th0 an-
nual town report.
Sec. 6. The chief of Police shall have the power to temporarily
suspend any member of the Department for neglect or nor. -perfor-
mance of duty, for any act contrary to good order and discipline, or
for the viol.. tion of ar_y of the rules and regulations of the Depart-
ment. In any such care he shall, within twenty-four hours, give writ-
ten nctie. to the Board of Selectmen of such suspension, together
with his reason therefor, and, except as otherwise provided by law,
said Board shall forwith determine the merits of the case, and sustain
or remove such suspension.
Section 7. Each police officer, while on duty, shall take notice of
all nuisances„ defects and obstructions in any street, public place or
public building within his patrol, and shall take all proper measures
relative thereto, and shall promptly report the same to the Chief of
Police. Each officer shall alto, while on duty, immediately and care-
fully invest gate all accidents happening in any street or in any public
place or building within his patrol involving injuries to persons or
property, securing the names and addresses of all witnesses thereto,
and report the same to the Chief of Police, who shall forthwith make
a full written report thereof to the Board of Selectmen, and to the
Town Counsel. -
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
99
Section 8. The Chief of Police, Police Sergeant or some police of-
ficer, assigned thereto, shall be on duty at all hours of the day and
night at the principal police station in the town.
ARTICLE XIII
General Committees
Section 1. All committees, except as otherwise provided by law or by
by-law or by vote of the meeting, shall be appointed by the Moderator
as soon as may be after the passage of the vote creating the com-
mittee and in choosing a committee by nominations from the floor, no
person shall nominate more than one member of such committee.
Section 2. Unless otherwise provided, the first named member of a
committee shall immediately call all the members of the committee
together for the purpose of organization, and each committee shall
thereafter proceed with its duties and report to the town as promptly
as possible and unless it is sooner discharged, it shall make a report
at the next annual meeting. All members of a committee which fails
or neglects to make a report at each annual meeting, shall by such
failure be held to have resigned, and without further action or vote
new members shall be appointed.
Section 3. No person shall serve on any committee in a matter
where his private right is immediately concerned distinct from the
pubic interest.
Section 4. No report of a committee chosen or appointed at a pre-
vious meeting shall be acted upon at a subs=equent meeting otherwise
than to be received or published and distributed, ur.less it has been
announced in the warrant for such subsequent meeting that a report
of such committee was there to be considered.
Section 5. A vote to accept a report of a committee (except a re-
port of progress) shall, unless otherwise provided, discharge the com-
mittee, but it shad not operate as an adoption of the recommendations
of such report without an express vote duly passed to that effect.
Section 6. AlI reports of committes, except reports of progress, shall
be in writing and shall be permanently filled for preservation with the
Town Clerk, and if the Board of Selectmen, deem best, or the tov, n
so votes, the report of any committee shall be published as a part of
the next annual town report.
ARTICLE XIV.
Appropriation Committee,
Section 1. There shall be a Committee called the Appropriation
Committee, which may consider any and all municipal questions for
100 ANNtrAL REP ORTS
the purpose of making reports or recommendations thereon to the
town.
Such committee shall consist of nine voters of sound busines ex•
perienee or good judgment, who shall serve without pay, none of
whom, daring their service on such committee shall hold any regular,
elective or appointive town office, or be a town employee, and none
of whom shall be eligible for immediate reappointment upon the
expiration of the terms for which they were respectively appointed.
Such committee shall be chosen by an appointing committee com-
posed of the Moderator, the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen,
and the Chairman of the last appropriation or finance committee.
Such appointing committee or a majority of them shall, within
thirty days after the adoption of this by-law, choose such nine mem-
bers to serve upon such appropriation committee, three of whom
shall be appointed for terms to expire on the final adjournment of
the annual town meeting held for the first year ensuing after the
date of such appointments; three of whom shall be appointed for
terms to expire on the final adjournment of the annual town meeting
held for the second year ensuing after the date of such appointments,
and the remaining three shall be appointed for terms to expire on the
final adjournment of the annual town meeting held for the third year
ensuing after the date of such appointments, and annually after the
adoption of this By-law such appointing committee shall, within thirty
days after the final adjournment of each annual town meeting, ap-
point three members, each to serve for terms to expire on the final
adjournment of the annual town meeting held for the third year
ensuing after the date of such appointment.
Section 2. The appropriation Committee shall as soon as possible
after the annual appointment of new members to the committee has
been made, meet for the purpose of organization. They shall elect
from their membership a chairman and a secretary, who shall hold
office until the final adjournment of the next annual town meeting,
or until their successors are elected.
The committee may from time to time make such rules and regu-
lations with reference to their meetings and the conduct of their
work as they may deem best for the interests of the town, and they
may also hold public meetings and invite any town officer, employee,
citizen or persons to attend, and to give such information as he may
have, which will assist the committee upon any public matter coming
before it for consideration.
The committee shall, prior to each annual town meeting for the
transaction of business, hold one or more meetings at which only the
Selectmen, the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, the Chairman
of the School Committee and the Chairman of the Cemetery Com-
mittee shall be invited •to be present to consider the items which
make up the annual budget, and any other municipal matters.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 101
Section 3. The Town Clerk shall as soon as possible after a war-
rant has been drawn for a town meeting send a copy thereof to each
member of the committee.
Section 4. The Committee shall prior to each annual town meeting
for the transaction of business prepare, publish and distribute by
mail to the voters of the town a budget showing in detail the anti-
cipated income an expenditures of the town for the then current year,
together with its advice and recommendations with reference to the
various appropriations of the town funds, and other municipal mat-
ters coming before such town meeting.
The committee shall at each annual town meeting present and ex-
plain such budget with its advice and recommendations and it shall
also at each special,town meeting give its advice and ;e commendations
with reference to any appropriation of the Town funds or other muni-
cipal matters coming before such special town meeting.
Section 5. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the appointed members
of the Appropriation Committee, notice thereof shall at once be given
to the Town Clerk who shall thereupon notify the appointing com-
mittee, who shall forthwith fill such vacancy.
Section 6 The adoption of this By-law creating such appropriation
committee shall terminate all the duties and authority of the members
of any appropriation or finance committee heretofore existing, and
abolish any such committee.
ARTICLE XV.
Bonds, Notes and Moneys.
Section 2. All income, revenue and moneys belonging to the
town when received or collected by any board, commission or officer
shall be promptly paid over to the Town Treasurer.
Section 3. All notes and bonds issued by the town for the purpose
of borrowing money shall be negotiated and sold by the Selectmen
who shall in ail cases secure by advertisement or otherwise, at least
two bids or offers therefor.
ARTICLE XVI.
Contracts.
Section 1. Except in cases of public calamity or extreme neces-
sity, whenever any work is required to be done for the Town or any
contract for labor or materials, or both is to be made in behalf of
the Town, for an amount exceeding the sum of $10OO.00, the town
officer, having the matter in charge shall solicit proposals for the
same from two or more reliable parties, regularly engaged or employed
in such work or business, or shall publicly advertise for bids, and
102 ANNUAL REPORTS
may require that a bond with satisfactory sureties for the faithful
performance of such contract shall be furnished, but no contract
shall be split, separated or divided for the purpose of reducing the
amount thereof below said sum of $1000. So far as practicable
contracts for less than 51000 shall be made or awarded in such.
manner as to secure the benefit of reasonable competition.
ARTICLE XVII.
Execution of Deeds.
Section 1. Whenever it is necessary to execute a deed or other
instrument conveying any interest in land belonging to the Town,
other than a tax dead, unless it is otherwise provided by law, or by
vote of the Town, such deed or instrument shall be executed in behalf
of the town by a majority of the Board of Selectmen and counter-
signed by the Treasurer of the Town, and it shall be sealed with the
Town Seal.
ARTICLE XVIII.
Inspection of Books and Records.
Section 1. Except as otherwise provided by law, any person who
has the custody of any public town records or books shall during
reasonable business hours and at his regular office if he has one, and
if not at some convenient place, permit sueh books and records to be
inspected and examined under his supervision. Such officer shall
furnish copies thereof on the payment of a reasonable fee, but if the
immediate furnishing of such copies would seriously interfere with
the work upon which su. h of icci is then engaged, he shall furnish
such copies within a reasonable time.
ARTICLE XIX.
Town Reports and Town Officers Fees.
Section 1. Each town officer, board, commision and committer.
shall annually and not later than January 15 of each year, prepare
and submit to the Board of Selectmen, a report in writing covering
clearly and concisely the work of his department for the preceding
year. Each of such reports shall be published in the annual town
report.
Section 2. All town officers shall receive such salary or compen-
sation as the town may vote, and all fees received by any town officer
by virtue of his office, except as otherwise provided by law, shall
belong to the town, and shall be duly paid into the town treasury
by such officer.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
ARTICLE XX.
103 104 ANNUAL REPORTS
unless ilich vehicle is duly licensed as provided in the two preceding
sections.
Trust Funds.
•
Section 1, The trustees of public trusts as a part of their annual
report in relation to all funds, except funds for the perpetual care
of cemetery lots, shall give a brief statement identifying the donor
and the particular object for which the fund was established.
ARTICLE XXL
Guides to Historical Points.
Section 1. No person for hire or renumeration shall hold himself
out or act as a giude with reference to the historical places and
buildings in this town without first obtaining a permit in writing
therefor from the Board of Selectmen. The charge for such perm?t
shall be one dollar and the same may be revoked at any time for cause
satisfactory to said Board.
ARTICLE XXII.
Vehicles Used for Hire to Transport Passengers or Freight.
Section 1. Except as othe:wize provided by law t*.e Sel^ctmer, may
grt:. LeonU=.-1C,.:. !isas said saint Board may dura proper, tent With :c. e y- law
to me such vehicles for the conveyance of persons or property for
hire and may deF,ignate stands and locations upon the streets of the
town where such vehicles may stand or wait for employment.
Section 2 Every such license shall be granted to expire on the first
day of May next ensuing after the date of its issue and it may be
revaked at any time for cause satisfactory to said Board. Each
license may cover one or more vehicles belonging to the same owner,
shall bear upon its face the date of its issue, the date of its expiration,
the name and address of the owner of the vehicle or vehicles to whom
the license is issued, and a description of each vehicle so licensed
sufficient for its identification. A separate number shall be designed
for each vehicle so licensed and the owner shall before using such
vehicle for hire, have such number plainly marked upon each side
thereof, excepting only in the case of motor vehicles duly registered
under the laws of this Commonwealth, and in such cases the license
issued hereunder shall contain the registration number of such motor
vehicle. The fee for each license shall be one dollar for each vehicle
covered thereby and no license shall be transferred except with the
approval of the Board of Selectmen duly endorsed thereon.
Section 3. No person shall hold himself out as the owner, driver or
operator of any vehicle used for the purpose mentioned in this article,
ARTICLE XXIII.
Junk Shops, Junk Dealers and Collectors.
Section 1. The Selectmen may license suitable persons to be
dealers in and keepers of shops for the purchase, sale or barter of
junk, old metals or second-hand articles and may make such additional
rules, regulations and restrictions as they deem proper, not incon-
sistent with the provisions of law or of these by-laws.
Section 2. Every keeper of a junk shop shall keep a book, in
which shall be 'written at the time, every purchase of any article
mentioned in Section 1, a description thereof, the name, the age, and
the residence of the person from whom, and the day and the hour
when such purchase was made, and such book shall, at all times, be
open to inspection of the Board of Selectmen, or of any person by
them or by law, authorized to make such inspection.
Section 8. Every keeper of a junk shop shall display in a. suitable
and conspicuous place in his shop, a sign having his name and oc-
cupation legibly inscribed thereon in large Ietters, and such :.hop and
all articles and merchandise therein may, at all timer., be e-•:Lm.i;ed by
the Board of Selectmen, or by any person by them or by the law, autho-
rized to make such examination.
Section 4. No keeper of a junk shop shall, directly or indirectly,
either purchase or receive by way of barter or exchange, any of the
articles mentioned in Section 1, of a minor, or an apprentice, knowing
or having reason to believe him to be such, and no article purchased
or received by a junk dealer shall be sold, concealed, broken up or
disposed of, or its identity destroyed, until at least thirty days have
elapsed from the date of its purchase or receipt.
Section 5. Every junk shop shall be closed, except between the
hours of seven o'clock in the forenoon and eight o'clock in the after-
noon, and no junk shop keeper shall purchase, receive, sell or dispose
of any of the articles described in Section 1, excepting during the
hours his shop may be open, as herein specified.
Section 8. The Board of Selectmen may license suitable persons
to be junk collectors, to collect from place to place in this town, by
purchase or otherwise, any of the articles mentioned in Section 1.
Section 7. No collector of junk shall, directly or indirectly, either
purchase or receive, by way of barter, exchange or otherwise, any
of the articles mentioned in Section 1, of a minor or apprentice,
knowing or having reason to believe him to be such.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
105 106 ANNUAL REPORTS
Section 8. No collector of junk shall purchase, collect or%receive
any of the articles mentioned in Section 1, except between the hours
of seven o'clock in the moaning and sunset.
Section 9. Every collector of junk while engaged in collecting,
transporting or dealing in the articles mentioned in Section 1, shall
wear upon the outside of his clothing a badge and have upon each
side of any vehicle used by him, a sign, well displayed, such badge
and sign to be prescribed by the Board of Selectmen.
Section 10. Every vehicle and receptacle used by a collector of
junk, shall at all times, be open to the inspection of the Board a$
Selectmen, or any person by them or by law authorized to make
such inspection.
ARTICLE XXIV.
Hawkers and Pedlers.
Section 1. No person shall go from place to place in this town
selling or bartering, or carrying, or exposing for sale or barter, any
fruits, vegetables or fish, in or from any cart, wagon or other vehicle,
or in any other manner, without a license therefore from the Select-
men, provided, however, that this section shall not apply to any person
who sells only fruits or vegetables produced by himself or his family,
or fish which is obtained by his own labor, or the labor of his family.
Section 2. The Selectmen shall have authority to grant such license
to any person of good repute for morals and integrity, who is or has
declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States. Such
license, unless sooner revoked by the Selectmen, shall expire on the
first day of May next after the granting thereof, and each person so
licensed shall pay therefor such fee as may be fixed by the Select-
men, provided the same does not exceed the amount prescribed by law.
Section 3. No hawker or pedler shall sell, or offer or expose for
sale any of the articles enumerated in Section 17 of Chapter 101 of
the General Laws, or in any acts in amendment thereof of in addition
thereto, until he has recorded his name and residence with the Select-
men or such other officer as they may designate. Every person li-
cense under the provisions of the preeceding seection, as a hawker or
pedler of fruits and vegetables shall record his name and residence
in like manner with the Selectmen.
Section 4. No person hawking, pedling or carrying or eexposing
any article for sale, shall cry his wares to the distrbance of the
peace and comfort of the inhabitants of the town- nor otherwise than
in vehicles and receptacles which are neat and clean and do rot leak.
Section 5. Every hawker and pedler licensed by the Selectmen
shall be assigned a numbeer and shall be provided with a badge, which
shall be conspiciously worn by him, and every other such hawker and
pedler as described in section three shall provide himself with a badge
of such type and design as may be approved by said Selectmen, whic:t
he shall wear in like manner. Whoever neglects to wear, or wears
ssuch badge without authority shall be punished by afine not exceeding
twenty dollars.
Section 6. Every vehicle or receptacle used by a licensee as a con-
veyance for articles offered or evposed for sale by him shall have at-
tached thereto, on each side a number plate, to be furnished by the
town, with his license, bearing the number and date of the expiration
of such license and the word, "Lexington."
Section 7. No person shall be registered or assigned a badge or
number plate under the provision of sections three and five of these
by-laws until he presents a certificate of the sealer of weights and
measures, stating that all weighing and measuring devices intended
to be used by such person have been duly irspccted and sealed as re
quired by law• The use and possession• by such person, with intent
to use, any false or unsealed weighing or measuring devices, shall
be sufficient cause for the revocation of his liceense and the cancel-
lation of his registration.
Section 8. Nothing in tl-e;e by-laws rh:ll be co.n-true:1 as conflict
ing with any license issued under the authority of the Commonwealth.
Section 9. Any license granted under these by-laws or any by-law
amendatory or additional hereto may be revoked by the Selectmen.
ARTICLE XXV.
Removal of Snow and Ice.
Section 1. No owner nor his agent having charge of any building
or lot of land abutting on a sidewalk, within the limits hereinafter
defined, shall place, or permit or suffer to remain for more than four
hours between sunrise and sunset, any snow or any ice upon such
sidewalks, unless such ice is made even and covered with sand, saw-
dust, earth or ashes to prevent slipping.
Until othezwis.e determined sr id limit, -h:i1 be the FI,If•walk r,n t; e
northerly side of Massachusetts Avenue between the lot on which
the T..wn Iia]i now , tands. and the juncta 1 of .t.x.-s. ehu,ctt
with Meriam Street; the southerly side of Massachusetts Avenue
from the line of the Cary Memorial Library lot to a point one hundred
feet Easterly of the junction of the Easterly line of Waltham Street
with said Southerly line of Massachusetts Avenue; both sides of
Waltham Street for a distance of one hundred feet Southerly from
Massachusetts Avenue and both sides of Muzzey Street for a distance
of one hundred and fifty feet from Massachusetts Avenue.
TowN OF LEXINGTON
107 1OS ANNUAL REPORTS
Section 2. No person shall place, pile or deposit, or cause to be
placed, piled or deposited, any snow or ice in or upon any street
unless the same is leveled and spread out evenly.
ARTICLE XXVI.
Snow and Water From Roofs.
Section 1. No owner of a building abutting upon or adjacent to
the line of any stre.t shall cause, permit or suffer the water from
the roof of such building to discharge upon or flow across the surface
of the sidewalk adjacent to such building.
Secticn 2. Every owner of a building abutting upon or any part
of which stands within fifteen feet of the line of any public st'er:t,
the roof of which bulling pitches or slopes towards the street, shalt
fit or provide such roof with snow barriers or guards sufi'iJient to
effectually prevent the sliding of snow and ice from such bailding
into any part of the street.
ARTICLE XXVII.
Use of Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places and Behavior Thereon.
Traffic Regulations.
Section I. No driver of a vehicle shall stop the same with its
left side to the curb, sidewalk or side of the street.
Section 2. No driver of a vehicle shall permit the same to remain
backed t1 the curb, except when aotu^1!y lr: ine c_ a::foadirg, and
then not more than ten minutes .at a time.
Secticn 3. Unless in an •emergency, or to allow another vehicle
or pedestrian to cross its way, no driver of a vehicle sh..11 st i p the
same in any street except close to the curb nor in such a way as to
obstruct any street or crossing.
Section 4. No driver of a vehicle shall stop or stand the same
within the intersection of any street, nor within fifteen feet of a
street corner, nor within ten feet of a post hydrant.
Section 5. No driver of a vehicle shall stop or stand the same on
either side of a street within fifty (50) feet of a straight line extend-
ing at right angles across the street from the center of the front
lire of the lot on which a fire engine house or station is located,
except to let off or take on passengers or to receive or deliver goode
or merchandise.
Section 6. No driver of a vehicle shall stop the same in a street
er public place for the purpose of exchanging or transferring goods,
or merchandise, to or from any other vehicle, except in such places
as the Selectmen may designate for such purpose.
Section 7. Every driver of a vehicle in turning to the right into
another street shall keep such vehicle as near the right curb or right
side of the street as possible.
Section 8. Every driver of a vehicle in turning to the left into
another street shall pass to the right of and beyond the center of
the intersection of the street before turning.
Section 9. Every driver of a vehicle crossing from one side of a
street to the other shall do so by turning such vehicel to the left so
as to head in the general direction of traffic on that side of the street.
Section 10. Every driver of a slow moving vehicle shall keep the
same as close as possible to the right -hard side of the street.
Section 11. A police officer may divert either vehicles or pedest-
rians when necessary to avoid congestion or when necessary for
public safety or convenience, and no person having charge of a vehicle
shall refuse or neglect to drive, stop, place or park •the same as
directed by a police officer.
Section 12. No person shall, in any street or public place, wash
or clean any animal or vehicle, or shake or clean any mat or carpet.
Section 13. When a horse-drawn vehicle is backed to the curb or
sidewalk, the horse or horses shall be turned so as to stand parallel
with the sidewalk and headed in the general direction of travel on
the side of the street on which the vehicle is standing.
Section 14. No person shall drive, guide or have the care of two
or more horses harnessed respectively to different vehicles.
Section 15. No person shall leave a horse unattended upon a
street for a longer period than five minutes unless he is tied to a post
or a weight, or unless the wheels of the vehicle to which he is har-
nessed are securely fastened or chained.
Section 16. No person shall drive or conduct any vehicle in such
a condition, or so constructed, or so loaded as to be likely t3 cause
delay in traffic or accident ur injury to per. -on: or to property.
Section 17. No person when driving a vehicle with a horse or
horses attached thereto shall cease from holding the reins in his
hands to guide and restrain the same, nor when not riding cease from
walking by the head of the shaft or wheel -horse, either holding or
keeping within reach of the bridle or halter thereof.
Section 18. No person who is less than sixteen years of age,
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 109
unless otherwise authorized by law, shall drive a vehicle upon a street
without a permit from the Chief of Police.
Section. 19. No person shall ride upon the rear or side of any
vehicle or street car without the consent of the person in charge
thereof.
Section 20. No person shall drive any vehicle upon or over any
hosepipe while the same is laid by public authority for use in any
street or public place in a town.
Section 21. Police, Fire Department, Ambulances and United States
Mail vehicles shall have the right of way on any street.
Section 22. A vehicle waiting at the curb shall promptly give place
to a vehicle about to take on or let off passengers.
Section 23. No person shall break, deface or move any official
sign post, signalling, or traffic device, warning barrier, lantern or
other light, placed or located in any street or public plaee for the
information or direction of traffic or the protection of the public.
Obstructing Use of Sidewalk.
Section 24. No person shall obstruct the free, open and convenient
use, by the public for travel, of any sidewalk, by occupying the same
with goods, wares, merchandise or other chattels, or by using the
same as a place of resort, amusement, recreation or business.
Section 25. No person shall deliver, place or cause to be delivered
or placed upon any sidewalk in this town, any coal, trunk, bale, box,
crate, barrel, package, bundle, or any other article or thing, so as to
obstruct the free, open and convenient use of such sidewalk for more
than thirty minutes at one time or for more than ten minute., at one
time after being notified to remove such obsruction by a police officer.
Section 26. No driver of a horse or vehicle shall drive or allow
the same to stand or be on any sidewalk.
Section 27. No person, unless authorized by law, shall use or
operate on any sidewalk any vehicle except a child's carriage propelled
by hand.
Speed in Driving.
Section 28. No person shall ride or drive any animal in any
street or public place in this town at a rate of speed in excess of
eight miles an hour, or in any such manner as to injure or unreason-
ably incommode or endanger travelers thereon. This by-law shalt
not apply to any driver employed by the fire er police departments,
or the driver of an ambulance when in the discharge of his duty.
110 _ ANNUAL REPORTS
Schoolhouse Notices.
Section 29. The Selectmen shall cause permanent notices or signs
to be posted and maintained, warning street cars, automobiles and
other vehicles to go slowly if passing public schoolhouses, and a sign
reading, "Schoolhouse Ahead, Go Slowly," when suitably posted shall
be sufficient compliance with this requirement.
Disorderly Behavior.
Section 30. No person shall accost or address another person with
profane, obscene, indecent or insulting language, on any street or
other public place, or in any public building, and no person shalt by
rude, boisterous, indecent or disorderly conduct on any street, or in
any public place or public building, annoy or disturb any person
peacably thereon or therein.
Section 31 No person shall loiter, saunter or continue to sit or
stand in any street, public place or public building, so as to obstruct
cr impede the free passage of, or in any manner annoy or disturb any
other person, after being directed by a police officer to "move on."
Section 32. No person shall habitually or otherwise gather or
congregate or loaf about, on any street or public place, after being
directed by a police officer to cease such gathering or loafing.
Section 33. No person shall bathe in any of the waters of this
town, in a state of nudity, in places exposed to public view, or in
immediate sight of the occupants of any dwelling.
Section 34. No person shall by any noise, gesture, or otherwise
wantonly or intentionally annoy or interfere with ar_y person in
any street, public plan or public building, or frighten any horse in
any street, or public place.
Injury to Trees and Shrubbery.
Section 35. No person without authority so to do, shall climb any
tree or injure any tree or shrubbery standing in any street or public
place, and no person shall permit or suffer any animal under his
care to in any way injure any such tree or shrubbery.
Pollution of Fountains.
Section 36. No person shall pollute any drinking fountain, trough
or basin set up or established in any street or public place or public
building in this town, for the use of man or beast, or unnecessarily
waste or use the water thereof.
Curfew.
Section 37. No child under the age of sixteen years shall be, niter
or remain in or upon any street or other public place in this town
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 1.11
between the hours of nine o'clock in the evening and five o'clock in
the forenoon, unless such child is accompanied by or under the con.
trol of a parent, guardian or other person having the legal custody
or care of such child, or unless in the performance or returning from
the performance of an errand or duty directed by such parent,
guardian or other person having the legal custody or care of such
child, or unless in the performance of or going to or returning from
some lawful employment or duty; and no such child while performing
such errand, duty or employment, or while going to or returning
from the performance thereof, shall Ioiter or remain upon any such
street or other public place within said period of time.
The Chief of Police shall keep a record of all violations of this
by-law and shall cause to be notified thereof one of the parents,
guardian or other person having the Iegal custody or care of such
child.
Section 38. The Chief of the Fire
blows to be sounded on the fire -alarm
evening as notification of this by-law.
Coasting and S
Department shall cause two
system at nine o'clock in the
kating.
Section 39. No person shall coast or
place except on such as are designated
playgrounds.
skate on any street or public
by the Selectmen or on public
Sports and Games.
Section 40. No person shall without a written permit from the
Selectmen, on any street or public place (except public playgrounds),
throw or shoot any ball, store, arrow, snowball, stick, brick or other
missile or hard substance, or engage in any game, exercise or amuse-
ment in any street or public place where the same interferes with
the safe and convenient use thereof, or where such act disturbs the
safety of persons or property, or the peace and quiet of any person.
Discharge of Firearms
Section 41. No person shall without a written permit from the
Selectmen fire or discharge any gun, pistol or other firearm ir. or
across any street or public place or within two hunded feet thereof,
nor on private grounds beyond said two hundred feet limit, against
the objection of the owner, but this section shall not prevent the use
of such weapons in the lawful defense of one's person, family or prop-
erty, nor in the performance of any duty required or authorized by
law.
Driving and Feeding Animals on Streets.
Section 42 No person shall drive any cattle, sheep, swine or other
112 ANNUAL REPORTS
meat animals on any street or public place except in accordance
with a permit from the Board of Selectmen.
Section 43. No person shall permit any horse or other grazing
animal to pasture, graze or go at large on any street or public place.
Street Sales by :Pedlers.
Section 44. Unless otherwise authorized by law, no person shall
continue to stand or remain in one place, in any street or public place
seeking to make sales of any articles or in the exercise of any other
business, after being directed by a police officer to "move on."
Street Advertising
Section 45 No person shall, in any street or public place, carry
and display for advertising purposes, any showvcard, placard, or sign,
except in accordance with a permit so to do from the Selectmen.
Section 46 No person shall on any street or public place distribute
handbills, circulars, advertising or printed matter of any kind except
newspapers, in such a manner as to make a disturbance or litter with-
out a permit from the Selectmen.
Street Litter
Section 47. No person without ]awful authority so to do, shall
throw, sweep, place or drop and suffer to remain in any street or
public place, any ashes, earth, garbage, rubbish, Iitter, manure or any
noxious or refuse Iiquid or solid substance, or any glass, nails, tacks,
scrap iron or similar articles.
Gates, Doors and Other Obstructions.
Section 48. No owner, tenant or other person having control of any
buiEirg or premises shall permit a gate, door, blind or shutter thereof
to swing open across any part of a street or sidewalk so as to obstruct
or interfere with the use thereof.
Section 49. No person shall place any obstruction in a street or on
a sidewalk, and allow it to remain there, without first obtaining the
consent in writing of the Board of Selectmen.
Street Musicians.
Section 50. No person shall sing, play or perform on any musical
instrument in any street or public place or solicit or receive any
compensation or contribution therefor from bystanders or the public
without first having obtained a license therefor from the Selectmen.
Street Shows and Addresses.
Section 51. No person shall make or give any out-of-door speech,
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 113
address, show or exhibition in any street or public place or solicit or
receive any compensation ar contribution therefor from bystanders or
the public without first having obtained a license from the Selectmen.
Advertisements and Notices.
Section 63. No person shall post or affix in any manner, paint,
print or write, or cause to be painted, printed or written any notice,
advertisement, bill, picture, drawing or writing, upon any tree, post,
pole, fence, wall or building unless he has previously obtained the
consent of the person having possession of such tree, post, pole, fence,
wall or building.
Suction 54. No person unless required by law so to do, shall with-
out a permit from the Selectmen, post or affix in any manner, paint,
print, write or cause to be painted, printed or written any notice,
advertisement, bill, picture, drawing, or writing upon any curbstone,
sidewalk, tree, pole, post or hydrant b any street or public place, or
upon any walk or fence or upon or in any public building.
Acceptance of Streets.
Section 55. No street shall hereafter be accepted which does not
tonform to the requirments of the Selectmen except by a three-fourths
vote of the voters present and voting.
Names of Streets.
Section 56. Streets shall be called and known by the names given
them respectively until such names shall be changed by vote of the
town.
Excavation in Streets.
Section 57. No person shall excavate, dig up or otherwise open or
occupy any portion of a street or public place, except in accordance
with a permit therefor from the Board of Selectmen.
Moving of Small Buildings.
Section 58. No person shall move or assist in moving any building
more than ten feet high and fifteen feet wide over any street or way
which this town is obliged to keep in repair, without the written per-
mit of the Selectmen first being obtained, or having obtained such
permit, without complying with the restrictions and provisions thereof.
This section shall not apply to the transportation of small or portable
type buildings when carried upon trucks or other suitable vehicles pro-
vided the weight is not sufficient to cause damage to said street or way,
or the height of such building above the ground when loaded such as
to cause damage to or interference with the overhead property of any
parson, fcrm or corporation if the same is being lawfully maintained.
114 ANNUAL REPORTS
Obstructing Streets for Building Purposes.
.Section 59. Any person who intends to erect, alter, repair or take
down any building, or part thereof, on land abutting on any street ar
public place in this town and desires to make use of such street or
place for the purpose of placing thereon building materials or rubbish,
shall give notice thereof to the Selectmen. Thereupon the Selectmen
may grant a permit to occupy such a portion thereof to be used for
such purposes as in their judgment the necessity of the case demands
and the security of the public allows; such permit to run for not lon-
ger than sixty days and to be on such conditions, and by furnishing
such security, by bond, or otherwise, for the observance and perform-
ance of the conditions and for the protection of the town, as the Select-
men may require; and especially in every case upon condition that
during the whole of every night, from sunset in the evening until
sunrise in the morning Iighted lanterns shall be so placed as effectually
to secure all travelers from liability to injury. Such permit may ba
renewed at the discretion of the Selectmen.
Section 80. No person shall use any portion of any way which
the town is obliged to keep in repair for the purposes named in the
last preceding section without the permit in writing of the Selectmen
as above provided, nor, having obtained such permit, shall fail to
comply with the conditions thereof. For any violation of such permit
the Selectmen may immediately revoke such permit.
ARTICLE XXVIII.
Protection of the Battle Green.
Section 1. No person shall engage or take part in any game,
sport, picnic, or performance, on the Battle Green, without the written
permission of the Selectmen or other board having charge and control
thereof, and no person shall climb upon, deface, mutilate or otherwise
injure any tree, shrubbery, monument, boulder, fence, seat or struc-
ture thereon, or behave or conduct himself on the Battle Green other-
wise than a quiet and orderly manner in keeping with a respectful
regard and reverence for the memory of the patriotic service and
sacrifice there so nobly rendered.
ARTICLE XXIX.
Bill Board Advertising.
Section 1. No person, firm, association or corporation shall post,
erect, display or maintain in this town on any public way, or on pri-
vate property, within a distance of three hundred feet from any pub-
licway, or private park, and within public view therefrom, any biIl-
board or other advertising device, having a surface area of more
than fifty square feet, the top of which stands more than ten feet
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
115
above the ground at the base of such device, except as provided in
Section 32 of Chapter 93 of the Gen. Laws, provided, however, that
nothing herein contained shall prohibit a sign or advertising device
which advertises or indicates either the person occupying the premises
in question or the business transacted thereon, or advertising the
property itself, or any part thereof, as "For Sale," or "To Let."
Section 2. Any person who violates the provisions of the foregoing
by-law shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100 and whoever
after conviction for such violation unlawfully maintains such a. bill
sign or other advertising device for twenty days thereafter, shall be
punished by a fine of not more than $500.
This by-law is established under Sections 29-33 of Chapter 93 of the
General Laws and shall take effect immediately upon its approval by
the Division of Highways of the Department of Public Works of the
Commonwealth.
ARTICLE XXX.
Miscellaneous.
Section 1. No person shall own or keep in this town any dog, which
by barking, biting or howling, or in any other manner disturbs
the peace and quiet of any person, and no person shall own, or keep
in this town any bird, or fowl which by screeching or crowing or in
any other manner disturbs the peace and quiet of any person.
Section 2. No person except the owner thereof, an officer or other
person duly authorized, shall disturb, overhaul, or interfere with the °
contents of any barrel or other receptacle containing ashes or other
refuse material which has been set out on the street to be carried
away.
Lexington August 14, 1922.
I hereby certify that at a meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington.
qual`.f1ed to vote in town affairs, duly warned and held for the purpose
on June 19, 27, and 28. 1922, the foregoing By -Laws were adopted.
Attest
Arthur W. Hatch,
Town Clerk.
Lexington, December 6, 1923.
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of The Code of
By -Laws of 1922, approved by the Attorney General, J. Weston
Allen, under date of January 6, 1923, and published in the Lexington
Times under dates of August 31, September 7 and September 14,1923.
Attest:
Arthur W. Hatch,
Town Clerk
•
116 ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE AP-
POINTED TO ATTEND TO THE PUB-
LICATION OF THE NEW CODE OF
BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN IN
THE LEXINGTON TIMES.
Lexington, October b, 1923.
To the Votors of Lexington:
This Committee was appointed by the following
vote at the session of our annual town meeting held on
March 16th last, namely:
"That the town hereby authorizes and directs the
former By -Law Committee composed of Edwin A. Bay-
ley, Arthur L. Blodgett and Arthur W. Hatch, to have
the Code of By -Laws as approved by the Attorney Gen-
eral on January 6, 1923, published for three successive
weeks in the Lexington Times in accordance with the
provisions of law, and that the sum of three hundred
($300.) dollars is hereby appropriated and assessed to
cover the expenses of such publication."
Our Committee, so appointed, has now completed
its duties and presents the following report:
.As the circumstances which called for the appoint-
ment of this Committee never before and probably will
never again occur in our town we deem it fitting to in-
clude in our report the following statement of the facts,
namely:
The report of the committee on the new code of By-
laws had been adopted by the town in meetings held on
June 19, 26, and 27, 1922, and an attempt to rescind
the adoption of so much of said code as provided that
the members of the Finance Committee should not
be Town officers had been defeated at a special
Town meeting held on September 17, 1922. There-
after the By -Laws Committee duly presented the
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
117
news code of by-laws to the Attorney General
for his approval as provided by law. Nearly the
entire code as presented, was approved by him under
the date of January 6 of this year, and immediately
thereafter the committee notified the selectmen that
they were prepared to begin publication of the by-laws
forthwith in the Lexington Minute -Man, which had
printed the report made by the By -Law Committee to
the Town.
The Selectmen requested a little delay to consider
the matter with the then Town Counsel, and shortly
thereafter they notified the By -Law Committee that they
approved proceeding with the publication of the by-
laws in the Lexington Minute -Man as proposed by the
Committee, and accordingly they were so published in
the issues of January 26, February 2 and 9th last.
While this publication was in progress and with-
out any previous intimation to the Committee, the Lexing-
ton Times burst forth with the following sensational
claim, namely, that the Times was the only paper pub-
lished in Lexington; that a legal publication of the by-
laws could be made only in the Times; that the payment
for their publication in the Lexington Minute -Man could
not be legally made with town funds; that because the
Attorney General did not approve all the by-laws adopt-
ed
dopted by the town those that he had approved required fur-
ther action by the town, and that certain slight changes
in the titles and in the numbering of some of the by-laws
invalidated the whole publication in the Lexington Min-
ute -Man. The then Town Counsel appeared to fully
coincide with these various claims in his opinion render-
ed to the Selectmen.
While the By -Law Committee felt confident that aur
Supreme Judicial Court, if any of these questions came be-
fore it, would promptly and fully sustain the legality of
the publication in the Lexington Minute -Man, neverthe-
less in view of the trouble which the Times had stirred
up and was exploiting for the apparent purpose of se-
curing the job of publishing the by-laws, we felt that the
question should be promptly and finally set at rest rather
than to be the subject of fruitless and continuing dis-
cussion. We therefore suggested as a prompt, practical
and final solution of the matter that the by-laws should
also be published in the Times. The opponents, however,
118'
ANNUAL REPOaTS
would not accept this very fair and reasonable sugges-
tion, but inserted an article in the warrant for the com-
ing Annual town meeting which reads as follows:
"To see if the town will vote to rescind the so-called
Code of By -Laws and all action relating thereto taken
at the adjourned town meetings held June 19, 27, and 28,
1922, respectively."
In order to bring the whoI+er matter fairly and
fully before the voters, our committee had inserted in the
same warrant three articles, namely, one, to ratify and
confirm the by-laws as, approved by the Attorney Gen-
eral, one to pay for the publication of the by-laws al-
ready completed in the Lexington Minute -Man, and one,
to publish the by-laws in the Lexington Times. These
four articles were taken up at the session of our annual
meeting held on March 12, last. The meeting was largely
attended and in connection with the very full discus-
sion of the matter, the chairman of the By -Law Commit-
tee read to the meeting the opinion of former Attorney
General J. Weston Allen, to whom the committee had
submitted the various questions at issue.
Mr. Allen's opinion was a full and careful discus-
sion of all the facts involved and the law as applied to
them, and it was complete and sweeping in its support
of the validity of the action taken by our committee.
We believe that a summary of his opinion, coming
as it does from one of such high legal authority, should
be included and made a part of this report, which we
have accordingly done as follows
Upon the issue of whether further action was requir-
ed by the town after approval of by-laws by the Attorney
General, Mr. Allen stated :
"The attorney general is not constrained to approve
or disapprove the entire by-laws or code of by-laws as
a whole. He may approve in part, and disapprove in
part moreover the power to disapprove is absolute. 1
am therefore constrained to the conclusion that where
a code of by-laws duly adopted by a town meeting is in
part approved and in part disapproved by the attorney
general, and becomes effective when due publication
thereof is made."
TOWN or LExmoTorr
119 120 ANNUAL REPORT:
Upon the issue of changes in titles and rearrange-
ment in numbering of the by-Iaws, Mr. Allen stated:
"The title of the act is not an integral part of it
and cannot control the meaning of the enacting portions.
Its primary function is to describe in general terms the
contents of the statutes, Iike side notes, they are guides to
the thing construed rather than a part of it. Under these
circumstances changes in the division headings of a new
code of by-Iaws intended to make those headings de-
scribe, more accurately the contents of the division as
approved, should not, in my opinion be held t� be mate-
rial alterations of the by-Iaws themselves, or to affect
the validity of the approval thereof given by the attorney
general.
Changes in the order and numbering of sections
are entitled to even less consideration. Sections are num-
bered for convenience of reference and in order to fa-
cilitate indexing. The order in which sections are plac-
ed is manifestly of little, if any, significance in deter-
mining their meaning. I am therefore of the opinion that
the formal changes which you describe do not require
resubmission of the code to a town meeting."
Upon the issue of they .legality of the publication in
the Minute -Man, .as compared with the publication in
the Times, Mr. Allen stated:
"The better view appears to be that a paper is pub-
lished in the Town in which is purports to be and is issued
as the purpose of publication is to reach the public, the
place from which the paper is issued to the public would
seem to be of far more practical importance than the
• place in_ which it is mechanically produced. It is for-
tunately unnecessary to decide this question. It does not
appear that any paper was or is both issued and printed
in Lexington. If, however, a paper is published in a town
in which it is issued, it is plain that both the Lexington
Minute -Man and the Lexington Times are published in
Lexington.
If, on the other hand, it is assumed without conced-
ing that a paper is published in the town in which it is
printed, neither the Lexington Times, nor the Lexington
Minute -Man was or is published in Lexington. But in
that case publication might properly be made in a paper
published in the county.
As the Minute -Man was and is printed in Arlington
and issued in Lexington, both of which are in Middle-
sex County, it is plain that the Minute -Man was and is
published in that county.
Under the circumstances, publication in the Minute -
Man would satisy the statute.
By the same test, however, publication in the Times
would not satisfy the statute, since that paper is not
printed in the County. It follows that whether the place
of printing, or the place of issue governs, upon the facts
stated by you, publication in the Lexington Minute -Mare
was sufficient.
For the forgoing reasons I am of the opinion that
those portions of the Lexington by-laws which were ap-
proved by the attorney general and published in the
Lexington Minute -Man were duly and validly adopted."
The meeting thus having the facts and the law
fully and clearly presented rendered its decisions, strong-
ly sustaining the By -Law Committee upon each issue,
by the following overwhelming votes, namely:
The motion to rescind the code of by-laws already
adopted by the town was defeated by a vote of 253 to
31. *
The motion to pay for the publication of the by-
laws in the Lexington Minute -Man was carried by a vote
of 235 to 9.
The motion to radify and confirm the code of by-
laws as approved by the Attorney General, was car-
ried practically unanimously. While the motion to
have the by-laws printed in the Times was carried only
by reason of a most earnest appeal made by the By -Law
Committee to have it done.
Thereafter the Committee, in pursuance of its duties,
began to arrange for the publication of the by-laws in
the Lexington Times. The price made to us was $279
and 500 extra copies of the paper in which the by-laws
were to be published.
As the price of their publication in the Lexington
Minute -Man had been $225 and as the 500 additional
copies of the paper would be of no particular advan-
TOWN OF• LEXINGTON
121
tage to the town, and as we desired to make some sav-
ing in the price, if posgible, we inquired what the actual
cost of printing the 500 copies of the paper would be,
with a view to having that amount credited on account
of the price of $279. Immediately following this inquiry
the Times, with surprising promptness. wholly withdrew
that part of its offer relating to the 500 extra copies of
its paper, and gave us the sum of $279 as its minimum
price.
Inasmuch as more or less inquiry has been made
with reference to the delay in the publication, your Com-
mittee makes the following references to the correspon-
dence regarding the matter, which we believe will fully
explain the facts:
The Times informed the Committee that it had ar-
ranged its business so that it could begin publication of
the by-laws shortly after the middle of May, and under
the date of May 15, the committee notified the Times that
a copy of the by-laws was ready, and it was duly deliv-
ered
Under the date of May 31 we wrote the Times that
although more than hyo weeks had elapsed since our
copy had been delivered to it, we had heard nothing,
and had received no proof, Shortly thereafter a partial
proof was submitted and under the date of June 6 we
wrote requesting a full and compl+eete proof, which we
received after some days delay, and on June 11th we
returned it for numerous corrections.
:Under the date of June 22nd we wrote that more
than ten days had elasped since we had returned the
proof and requested that prompt attention be given. Un-
der the date of June 28, not having received the correct-
ed proof, or any acknowledgment of our letters of June
11th and 22nd, we wrote again urging that the matter
be given prompt attention. After further delay the cor-
rected proof was sent to us, and under the date of July
23, we returned the same for various corrections of er-
rors in the copy and sometime after, another proof was
sent to us, and under the date of August 3rd we returned
it for the correction of further new errors.
Some two weeks later we received the next proof,
which again we had to return for further corrections,
122
ANNVAL RZPORT,s
and our letter dated August 20, 1923 which accompa-
nied it closed as follows:
"I sincerely trust that you can make these final cor-
rections and start publication of the by-laws this week.
for it is now over three months since the first proof was in
your hands, and I believe this is the fifth time we have
been obliged to return the copy on account of important
errors in the proofs submitted by you.
Thereafter the publication of the by-laws was made
in the issues of August 31, Sept. 7 and 14th, and thus the
second publication of the by-laws was finally completed.
While we believe it is clear from our report that
this second publication was entirely unnecessary as a
matter of law and that it more than doubled the expense
of publication for the town, and has caused considerable
additional work on the part of the Committee, neverthe-
less, we believe that it was the beet solution under all
the circumstances, even though in our opinion the citi-
zens thereby '"bought their pence.'
The "Code of By -Laws of 1922 of the Town of Lex-
ington" is now in force beyond any doubt or cavil and it
only remains to give it a fair trial and proper enforce-
ment.
The Commitee feels that we cannot close this report
without expressing to you our sincere appreciation of the
remarkable loyalty and unanimity of the support which
we have received from you during; these uncalled for
and somewhat trying complications.
Having now completed our duties we present this
report and request that our Committee be discharged.
Respectfully submitted,
Edwin A. Bayley
Arthur L. Blodgett
Arthur W. Hatch
Committee
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
123
List of Jurors Submitted by the Board of
Selectmen of the Town of
Lexington, 1922
NAME
OCCUPATION
RESIDENCE
Allen, Prince A. Engineer 45 Forest st
Andrews, Daniel J Carpenter 13 Bedford st
Aquaro, William M....Tailor Rindge Ave
Atwood, Wilber F.....Insurance Plainfield st
Beaty, Walter S.... _ ..Braker
Bourne, Herbert C.... Care Taker
Breed, Ezra F Plumber
Breslin, Thomas H.... Clerk
Bul%, Leslie A. Farmer
Burnett Robert E.....'8roker
Burrill, William L..... Real Estate
Capper, Frederick ....Plumber
Carroll, Lawrence M.. Farmer
560 Mass. ave
42 Bedford A.
330 Mass. ave
657 Mass. ave
83 Hancock st
Middle st
Bedford st
Middle st
Allen st
Carson, Frank H. Chauffeur Hancock st
Carter, Lyon Banker 526 Mass. ave
Cole, George F. Conductor Bedford st
Cook, John W. Painter 29 Waltham st
Cutter, Frank P. Civil Engineer 83 No. Hancock st....
Dacey, Patrick F. Mason Muzzey st
Reed st
Dempsey,Paul W..... Farmer
Dion, Fred H. Retired _ .418 Mass. ave
Dunham, Leonard K... Farmer Woburn st
Fogg, Chester A, Farmer Woburn st
Garman r Roland E.... Milk Business 157 Mass. ave
Glass, Elbridge W.....Farmer 49 Parker st
Gorman, Arthur A.... Clerk 48 Bedford st
Graves, Owen E..... Carpenter 19 Waltham st
Groff, Daniel T. Sales Mgr. 362 Mass. ave
Hannaford, Frank H.. Farmer Lincoln st
Harrington, Bartlett J.Contractor Curve st
Hayden, J. Willard Jr.Merchant Shade st
Hendrich, Charles J...Machinist Drew ave
Hinds, Melvin W Motorman Center st
Hunneman, Frederic B.Salesman 7 Parker st
124
NAME
l
ANNUAL REPORTS
OCCUPATION RESIDENCE
Jackson, George H....Assessor 34 Parker st
Jenks, Thomas L Tailor Concord ave
Johanson, Alfred. Janitor Slocum rd.
Johnson, Joseph Farmer 27 Adams st
Joy, Charles R Retired 139 Mass. ave
Kendall, William A... Farmer Bedford st
9 Forest st
Locke, Frank H Clerk
Kraetzer, Eugene G...Plumbers Supplies .
Lord, Fred L ..Merchant
Ludden, William Manager
Maguire, Hugh J Farmer
Marshall, Ralph H ....Insurance
McAdoo, Robert A. Motorman
McDonnell, Michael J. Motorman
McKay, George C Carpenter
Mongeon, Louis F. Dentist
Montague, James A. Stone Mason
Muzzey, CIifford L. Clerk
• •14 Winthrop rd
Prospect Hill rd
Woburn st
Wood st
8 Hancock st
3 Shirley st
Vine st
12 Sherman st
40 Middle st
88 Woburn st
GIen rd
Nichols, Ernest 0 Clerk 21 Hayes ave.
Pierce, Alfred Retired 341 Mass. ave
Redman, Lester T Salesman 24 Clarke st
Reed, Kelsey G Dye Business ..57 Meriam st
Rice, William A Real Estate 63 Bedford st
Sandison, William A. .Ice Business.... ..217 Bedford st
Sargent, Edward H....l'Lcretary 27 Oakland st
Saunders, Carl Expressman East st
Smith, Charles F Farmer I3edford st
Smith, William L Treas. Lumber Co. ..Hancock st
Spaulding, John S Bookkeeper 14 Parker st
Tuttle, Henry E Retired 24 Hancock st
Whitney, Robert lontractor 290 Mass. ave
Wilson, J. Alexander..Retired 29 Pleasant st
Lexington, June 26, 1923.
WILLIAM S. SCAMMAN,
HALLIE C. BLAKE,
ALBERT H. BURNHAIH,
J. CHESTER HUTCHINSON,
FRED H. MOULTON,
Selectmen of Lexington.
TowN OF LEXINGTON
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
Jan. 1, 1924
Lexington, Massachusetts.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen,
125 1$6 ANNUAL REPORTS
I herewith submit my report as Treasurer of the
Town of Lexington for the year 1923.
Cash on hand, January 1, 1923 $163,825.10
Receipts, 1923 937,828.59
$1,101,653.69
Paid on. Warrants, 1923 989,170.65
Cash on hand, January 1, 1924. 112,483.04
$1,101,653.69
Respectfully submitted
ARTHUR W. HATCH
Town Treasurer
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
I herewith submit my report as Collector of Taxes
for the year 1923 :
TAX FOR 1922
Uncollected, January 1, 1923 $93,755.72
Abated in 1923 $ 3,889.95
Tax Liens held by the Town $ 875.20
Collected in 1923 88,990.57
$93,755.72
TAX FOR 1923
Amount Committed Sept. 20, 1923 $ 406,441.16
Amount Committed Dec. 20, 1923 763.20
$407,204.36
Collected to Jan. 1, 1924 $ 314,884.31
Abated to Jan. 1, 1924 1,831.37
Tax Lien held by Town 1,71.2.70
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1924 88,775.98
$407,204.36
GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH FOR 1822
UnoI]ected Jan. 1, 1923
Collected in 1923
GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH FOR 1922
Amount Committed Sept. 20, 1923
Collected to Jan. 1, 1923 $132.32
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1924 12.38
$59.30
$59.30
$144.70
$144.70
Respectfully submitted
BYRON C. EARLE,
Collector of Taxes.
Towns Olt LaffiNOTON
ASSESSOR'S REPORT
Real Estate of Resident owners ..
Real Estate of Non-resident owners
Personal Estate of Resident owners
Personal Estate of Non-residents owners
Ga,'n on Real Estate
Gain on Personal Estate
Town Grant
State Tax
County Tax
State Highway Tax
Metropolitan Sewer Tax
Metropolitan Water Tax
Fire Prevention Tax
Civilian War Poll Tax for 1922
Civ Ilan War Poll Tax for 1923
Overlay overdraft for 1922
Overlay for 1923
From which deduct amount taken from
Bank Corporation Tax
From Cambridge
From Arlington
State of Mass. Income Tax for 1923
State of Mass. Connerney Estate
Water Receipts
Educational Bureau Income
Estimated other receipts
Total to be raised
$9,606,500.00
1,401,290.00
1,235,177.00
338,022.00
426,048.10
20,880.00
12,849.37
2,437.80
7,240.49
10,466.62
95.16
24.00
6,081.00
797.32
2,409.45
127
$12.580,989
$1,360,085
389,315
$489,329.31
8,788.53
483.22
428.32
29,549.21
76.00
10,466.62
11,558.05
21,538.20 $ 82,888.15
$406,441.16
Rate of taxation $31.50 on $1,000.00 on a valuation of
of $12,580,989.00 $396,301.16
Poll Taxes 10,140.00
(06,441.1¢
128 ANNUAL REFOE1I
Tax on omitted Assessments, Dee. 20, 1923
Number of Residents assessed on property
Number of Non-residents assessed on property
Whole number of persons assessed on property
Number assessed for Poli Tax
Number of cows assessed
Number of horses assessed
Number of neat cattle other than cows assessed. ..
Number of Sheep assessed
Number of Swine assessed
Number of Fowl assessed
Number of Dwelling houses assessed
Number of Acres of land assessed
Value of Real Estate exempt from Taxation
Value of Personal Property exempt from Taxation
Value of Real Estate belonging to the Town
$763.20
2,347
1,093
3,440
2,028
813
341
95
30
941
7,354
1,568
9,242
$164,290.00
23,200.00
764,020.00
Respectfully submitted
T. A. Custance,
Geo. H. Gibson,
C. L. Parker,
A. B. Howe,
Frederick J. Spencer,
Board of Assessors.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
TOWN ENGINEER
129
Lexington, Mass., December 31, 1923
Mr. Christopher Harrison,
Superintendant of Public Works,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir, —
The following report of the Engineering Department
for the year 1923 is respectfully submitted.
During the year 1922 the Department expended
$6500.00 for its maintainance, and the sum of $6890.00
was recommended by the Appropriation Committee as
a reasonable sum for carrying on the work of the De-
partment during 1923.
This latter sum, however, was reduced to $5000.00 by
action at the Town Meeting early in the year, and im-
mediately necessitated dismissing two assistants from the
force to keep within the appropriation available.
This action, however, which reduced the Department
to two men necessarily curtailed the scope of our work,
but an endeavor has been made to carry on, under your
direction, such routine work as appeared to be urg-
ently needed, and the following indicates in a general way
what has been accomplished during the year:—
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Surveys, plans, grades, and the necessary engineer-
ing information were supplied in the following locations
where construction was in progress or for studies for
contemplated work.
Reed Street (North Lexington)
Wood Street
Massachusetts Avenue
Shirley Street
Curve Street
Specifications for tar -concrete sidewalks were pre-
pared, bids obtained anal the lines and grades established
180
4
ANNUAL REPORTS
for work in the following locations, where a total of 1065
square yards were laid :—
Bedford Street at Elm Avenue
Maple Street
Massachusetts Avenue
Similar information was supplied in the following
locations where 425 square yards of granolithic side-
walks were constructed :—
Bedford Street at the junction of Elm Avenue
Elm Avenue at the junction of Bedford Street
Audobon Road
BOARD OF SURVEY
During the year the Board has held hearings and
approved plans for the following developments:—
Ervington Park, comprising some 25 acres and lo -
gated southerly of North Hancock Street near the North
Lexington Depot.
Farmhurst No. 4, containing about '75 acres and ly-
ing southwest of the junction of Waltham and Middle
Street and locally known as the Grassland Farm.
Plans of Simonds, Harding and Bertweli Roads were
also approved, these roads being located at Lexington
Manor, which is being developed by the Lexington Build-
ing Trust on the line of Bedford Street at North Lexing-
ton.
In these tracts there were about 15,000 Iineal feet,
or 2.84 miles of streets, the location and grade of which
was approved by the Board.
In these matters the Engineer attended the various
hearings, conferred with the engineers representing the
owners, and rendered such other engineering advice as
the Board required.
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT
At the request of the Commissioners, stakes were
set to indicate the location of drives at Westview Ceme-
tery where improvements were being made. Burial Lots
were also located on the ground, as well as certain inform-
ation with respect to the water distribution system.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
181
The location and grade was also given for new curb-
ing which was placed at the junction of Summer and Bed-
ford Streets.
The Commissioners also requested the early com-
pletion of the record plan showing the necessary inform-
ation with respect to the location of burial lots in West-
view Cemetery. Data is at hand to furnish this informa-
tion but lack of assistance and pressure of other matters
prevented the completion of this work.
ASSESSING DEPARTMENT
Early in the year, attention was directed to the pre-
paration of block plans for the use of the Board. Cur-
tailment of the Engineering Department's -appropria-
tion, however, prevented further work of this character,
and the plans started a year ago remain uncompleted.
No substantial progress can be made on this important
work until an adequate appropriation is available.
The Department from time to time during the year
has given the Assessors such assistance of a routine na-
ture as time permitted.
DRAINAGE M AT'rERS
During the year, a variety of Engineering informa-
tion was supplied in the following locations where either
construction wor'.i was in progress or future work con-
templated :—
Shirley Street
Brook leading from Bow Street towards the Arling-.
ton Reservoir
Hill Street
Waltham Street
Parker Street
Brooks in the Centre Playground area
Oak Street
Sylvia Street
Reed Street (North Lexington)
Vine Brook, between Sherman Street and Vinebrook
Road
Pl sant Street,
182
ANNUAL REroar 6
PARK DEPARTMENT
At the Centre Playground, the necessary data was
gathered and a plan prepared showing changes in the
road near the approach to the ball field. Levels were
also taken the grades set on several of the ditches abutt-
ing the playground, where work was in progress.
At Bowman Park, at the junction of Watertown
and Pleasant Streets, in East Lexington, preliminary in-
formation was secured to enable a survey and plan to be
made of the boundaries of this area, in order that the re-
cord of the same may be made clear. It is expected that
the matter will be concluded early in 1924.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
54 estimates were furnished where application was
made to connect with the sanitary sewers, of which 41
actual connections, amounting to 2150 lineal feet were
made and the necessary field measurements secured to
properly record the location of these connections on
record plans.
Wherever required, this Department furnished the
line and grade for this work and inspected the same.
Measurements were made and estimates of cost ob-
tained in several locations where an extension of the
main sewer was requested.
WATER DEPARTMENT
During the past season 4868 lineal feet of 6 inch
water mains were laid in 9 streets, the majority of which
were constructed by a contractor under plans and speci-
fications prepared by the Engineering Department. The
location, inspection and all the necessary information
was supplied by the Department during construction and
measurements and other data secured to prepare prop-
er record plans showing the location of these mains.
96 estimates of cost were furnished where parties
made application for individual water services and the
necessary measurements will be made to property record
the location of these, together with the shutoffs in order
to enable employees to locate the same promptly, and
especially in cases of emergency.
Up to the end of the present year there were installed
in public and private ways, as appears by the records
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 188
of the Water Department, 41.75 miles of water mains of
various sizes. Plans are on file showing the location of
38.25 miles leaving 3.50 miles for which there are no
plans. Of this latter mileage, 2.58 miles were laid in 17
streets prior to 1923. Information has been secured, how-
ever, the past year, from data on file and knowledge of
old employees which will enable us to draw proper record
plans as soon as time permits. During 1923, however, the
accurate location of all pipes which were laid was fixed
upon the ground and recorded in note books, and in due
course we shall prepare proper record plans.
Many of the existing plans on file do not show the
correct location of the mains and time and money is an-
nually wasted trying to locate them.
This condition is no reflection upon those who pre-
pared these plans, for it is very evident that for many
years the location of these mains was dependant upon
the knowledge of the workmen who installed them.
Finally after much time had been lost and confusion re-
sulted in locating old mains by this process, and the sit-
uation evidently became embarrassing, engineers were
called in to prepare plans for miles of water pipe buried
in the ground, the location of which had been dependant
upon the memories of employees.
These plans should be gradually corrected and
thoroughly revised by taking measurements to the various
mains when services are installed from time to time. The
importance of providing sufficient assistance to bring
these plans up to date and to keep a proper record of
future installations is too apparent to need further com-
ment.
Late in the year a complete survey was made of all
the gates in the water distribution system of the town.
Careful measurements were taken so that prover charts
can be made which will enable the Water Department
employees to readily Locate these gates. Gates are in-
stalled for the purpose of shutting off water in case of
emergency, etc., and the importance of employees being
able to readily locate these at all times and especially
during the winter months when they are likely to be cov-
ered
ooered with ice and snow, is extremely important. 262
gates were located and as soon as we are able, we shall
prepare the proper record for use of the Department.
184
ANNUAL R$Po$Ts
PLANNING BOARD
At the request of the Planning Board, the Engineer
has been in constant attendance at its meetings to render
such service as might be required.
Studies have been made for the Board in the matter
of building lines on a number of streets.
The Department has also gathered a large amount
of material which was used by the Board in connection
with the matter of zoning.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
It is clearly apparent that a large number of citizens
are not aware of the variety of matters upon which this
department is requested to furnish information, and it
seems appropriate under this heading to call attention to
the following various items of service which were fur-
nished during the year:
Design for a standard street sign.
Studies and plans for traffic markers.
Survey, plan, etc., for the extension of Forest Street.
Plans and studies for heating old pumping station.
Plans and studies showing snow plow routes.
Data and plans, also testimony before a Master in a
drainage case.
Attendance before a special commission as to the
alteration of Maple Street bridge.
PIans prepared for Assessors for hearing in a tax
abatement case before the County Commissioners.
Attendance at hearing before Massachusetts Divis-
ion of Public Works as to advertising signs.
Conference with State Tax ,Commissioner's office
as to values of public utilities to be used as a basis for
taxation.
Studies for public dumping areas and plans pre-
pared.
Standard forms prepared for permits to open
streets.
Various plans and studies made for the location of
new street lights.
Survey and plans of alI street lights in town.
Study and plan as to purchasing a town gravel pit.
Street numbering plan of Fallen Road.
TOWN Or LEXINGTON
135 186 ANNtrAL RZPO1TS
Map prepared dividing the town into districts for
the collection of garbage.
Estimates and statistics relating to highway repairs
incident to the abandonment of the street railway and
the substitution of busses.
Map showing location with respect to piggeries.
Approval of plans relating to installation of gas
mains.
Standard form of specifications and contract for
construction work prepared.
The preceding report states in a measure the work
of the Department for the past season. In my judgment
it falls far short of what should have been accomplished
by an Engineering Department in a town of this size with
the urgent needs for this service at hand, and manifestly
reflects the action of the town in curtailing this
service ;by the reduction of the appropriation which
was recommended by the Appropriation Committee for
this Department.
DOES THE TOWN REALLY NEED AN ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT?
So many opinions are expressed with respect to this
matter, varying from a desire to abolish the department,
to those that would put the organization on a firm busi-
ness footing with an adequate appropriation for its needs,
that I feel it my duty to lay before the citizens, through
you, some of my observations as to the needs of the situ-
ation.
In many of the well regulated communities about us,
the functions of an engineering department are laid down
in language substantially as follows :
"It shall be the duty of the Engineer to draw the
specifications for all construction work, and make all
surveys, measurements, levels, designs, estimates and
plans pertaining to the streets, drains, sewers, water
works, b,«idges and lands of the town, to supervise the
construction of the same, and to appoint and discharge
the inspectors of the same, when such are employed.
He shall furnish said specifications, make such surveys,
measurements, designs, levels, estimates, and plans when
required so to do by the Selectmen, the various Boards
of the town, or any committee thereof. He shall furnish
the Town Counsel, at his request, with descriptions of
lands and with the details concerning any proposed tak-
ing of land for the location, widening, alteration or dis-
continuance of streets. He shall when required to do so
by the. Board of Selectmen or any administrative board of
the town having the same in charge, measure or cause to
be measured, all the work done by contract for the town,
and shall certify to the same; and shall perform such
other duties as are incident to his office. He shall pre-
pare, under the direction and approval of the Town
Counsel all orders and other papers relating to drains,
sewers, streets or ways.
FURTHER DUTIES OF A TOWN ENGINEER
(1) To prescribe the size and scale and other speci-
fications for plans filed by public service corporations,
showing the location of their structures.
(2) To give street lines and grades for buildings
to be erected on public ways.
(3) To prepare specifications for plans and for the
construction of streets which the town is asked to accept
as public ways.
(4) To assign street numbers to owners of build-
ings who may apply for same, and to keep proper plans
and records of same.
(5) To make profiles, specifications, etc., for con-
structing main drains and common sewers.
(6) To establish Iines and grades for the exten-
sion of water mains, and to take measurements of mains,
and service pipe extensions.
From the foregoing it may readily be seen that the
functions of a well organized engineering department
reach out to practically every phase of municipal work,
and that a department of this character is charged with
the responsibility of safeguarding the expenditures of
the town's money in a variety of matters.
That the citizens may have the benefit of what
other communities are spending for services of this char-
acter the following table is appended showing certain
statistics relating to the year 1922.
By including a number of nearby cities in the table
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 1:3 7
it is felt that the following principles are pointed out:
1 The necessity and wisdom for establishing such
a department.
2 The cost of operating such a department.
3 The length of :time these departments have been
in existence, and the necessity for a continuance of such
service with a reasonable appropriation therefor.
City or
Town
DATA AS TO ENGINEERING EXPENSES FOR
VARIOUS TOWNS AND CITIES
Area
Square Miles
MELROSE 4.80
MEDFORD 8.80
MALDEN 5.13
WATERTOWN 4.17
WINCHESTER 6.27
ARLINGTON 5.54
SWAMPSCOTT 3.00
WALTHAM 13.52
NEWTON 18.33
BROOKLINE 7.00
SOMERVILLE 4.12
CAMBRIDGE 7.15
BELMONT 4.65
LEXINGTON 16.65
1922
Expenditure
For Engineering
$ 8,037.10
8,406.42
16,550.62
6,953.02
8,283.00
6,600.00
6,030.73
11,152.43
31,026.00
31,570.04
13,602.00
12,750.00
8,125.00
6,500.00
..ANeeage
Number
Employees
6
5
9
3
4
3
6
15
20
7
8
(Work done
4
Number Years
Dept. was
Established
23
30
30
26
23
15
11
38
49
29
50
56
by contract)
6
During the year 1923 Arlington expended $8000.
for Engineering, Winchester expended about $8900.
for similar service, and Belmont, evidently pressed hard
by the necessity of installing public utilities to accomodate
a sudden influx of new citizens, spent $17,000. and Lex-
ington spent $5000. the past year.
Such, in brief, is the experience of our neighbors
with respect to this subject. Lexington is bound to have
a very rapid growth from now on, and the advice and
assistance which a well organized engineering depart-
ment shoill.d render in preparation for such an expansion
is indispensable.
Studies for Sewers, the water distribution system,
storm water disposal, town mapping, assessors block
188
ANNUAL REPORTS
plans, street numbering plans, and other important mat-
ters are now held in abeyance, awaiting a more liberal
•appropriation on the part of the town to carry them
into effect, and my earnest plea it that the citizens shall
carefully weigh these matters, and place your Engineer-
ing Department in a position where it may render the
service you need.
Respectfully submitted
J. Henry Duffy
Town Engineer.
Tows OF LLrXINGTo.N
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
139 140 ANNUAL REPORTS
To the Board of Selectmen and Public Works:
Lexington, Mass.
Gentlemen,
I most respectfully submit my first report as Supt.
of Streets, Sewer, and Water for the period from March
to December 1928. Mr. Harrison's report contains the
detail of the work accomplished by the Highway Depart-
ment, also recommendations.
By the consolidation of the Highway, Sewer, and
Water Departments under one head, I think that a real
saving of money has resulted, for before this change
was made the Town Engineer, at a salary of $600 per
year, had charge of the Streets. Furthermore, the Supt.
of Water and Sewer Departments received $2700 per
year, and by the consolidations the Town pays but $1900
to one man. It also enables the departments to co-oper-
ate one with the other and a good many times a saving
is made by a more equal distribution of laborers on the
different jobs, thereby saving teaming and supervision
and a reductionof overhead.
There is also another benefit of this consolidation.
It makes it possible to have a much keener supervision
over tools and equipment of the different departments.
As it is possible to fix the responsibilty on one particular
head, the needless waste which is caused through neg-
lect, carelessness in the storage, and disuse of equipment
after the season's work is eliminated.
Of course there are many more things to smooth
out and regulate and it was impossible in the busy sum-
mer
ummer months to accomplish all 1 would like to do as it
was late in February when I took office.
During the past season the sum of $45000 has been
expended for the general maintenance of our street sys-
tem comprising about 51 miles of public highways.
Practically the entire mileage of Public Highways
received attention, varying from the scraping of the
earth and gravel roads to the application of oil, or tar
to the more permanent type of Streets. A number of
improvements of the permanent character have been
made during the year.
I feel that I would be remiss in my duty if I neg-
lected this opportunity to say a merited word of praise
to the employees of my departments who have performed
the actual Labor of Service.
Respectfully Submitted,
Albert A. Ross,
Supt. of Street, Sewer, and Water.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
BUILDING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
141 142 ANNUAL REPORTS
January 1, 1924.
I am pleased to report that there has been a consid-
erable increase in building operations the past year. I
submit herewith: classification of work and valuation
thereof.
PERMITS VALUE
One Family Houses 58 $ 363,400.00
Two Family Houses 4 28,500.00
Additions 47 20,850.00
Alterations 22 37,045.00
Garages 76 38,320.00
Poultry Houses 21 1,805.00
Barn 1 300.00
Dairy 1 1,800.00
Green House 1 4,000.00
Piggeries 5 2,850.00
Stores 5 21,600.00
Storage Houses 2 5,300.00
Small Sheds 2 450.00
Lumber Shed 1 7,000.00
Sand Hopper . 1 15.000.00
Stables 6 1575.00
Summer House 1 100.00
Tool Houses 7 925.00
Wash room 1 200.00
Miscellaneous 4 2,600.00
Total 266
$ 553,620.00
Respectfully submitted
W. T. Wadman.
Building Inspector
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Lexington, Mass.
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Plumb-
ing for the year ending December 31, 1923:
Number of applications filed and permits granted 137
Number of appIications received on which work has been com-
pleted 125
Number of calls made in connection with inspections and infor-
mation 249
There were three occasions where work had to be
stopped on account of the owners not showing satisfac-
tory plans of their intention for alterations in buildings.
Calls for inspections of work in old buildings have
been made and changes in the main drains made neces-
sary by sewer connections.
There are a number of streets and parts of streets
with no sewers, and a generous appropriation should be
made each year till the thickly populated parts of the
Town are covered.
Respectfully submitted
ANDREW T. BAIN,
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
DENTAL CLINIC
The Board of Health,
Gentlemen,
148 -144 ANNUAL REPORTS
The Dental CIinic is operating with the cooperation
of the school physician and school nurse, thus giving the
dental operator the opportunity of devoting his whole
time to the work at the clinic.
The attention and care of children's teeth in their
early years is of the greatest importance from both the
standpoint of health and school attendance.
The amount of work required at the clinic can best
be realized from the examination made by Dr. .Barnes
in one grade alone at the Adams School. Of the 62 pu-
pils, 60 were found to require dental care and the great-
er part of these children have never visited a dentist
except at the • clinic.
In the fall months there have been received the fol-
lowing:
Total number of patients 78
Total number of fillings 259
Total number of extractions 47
Total number of cleanings 21
Total amount of money received $89.00
LOUIS F. MONGEON, D. M. D.
MILK INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Lexington. Mass.
I respectfully submit a report for the year ending
December 31, 1923.
This year much improvement in milk plant con-
struction and equipment has been made. Some of the
dealers have installed bottle sterilizers and have equip-
ped with holding pasteurizers. This is a forward step
and a benefit towards public health and safety.
The quality of milk sold in Lexington, both from a
food value and health standpoint, has been reasonably
satisfactory, and when compared with other articles it
will be seen that it is still among our cheaper foods and
should be more genera]Iy_ used than it is.
Two of the local dairies have suspended business.
This curtailment in local production is indeed a great
loss.
Licenses issued for the sale of milk 21
Licenses issued for the sale of Oleomargarine 6
Respectfully submitted
ANDREW T. BAIN.
TowaN or LEXINGTON
145
REPORT OF CATTLE INSPECTOR
To the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington,
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals
for the period commencing April lst, 1923 and ending
Jan. lst. 1924.
As the annual inspection of Cattle and the premises
on which they- are kept, occurs between Jan. lst and
April 1st, that portion of the years report is not included
in this report, as the spring inspection was made by the
late Dr. H. L. Alderman assissted by Mr. C. A. Walley.
During the period just passed, 24 Cows in 3 differ-
ent herds, shipped to Lexington from other States, were
quarantined, examined and reported to the Division of
Anima! Industry.
Six Cows shipped here contrary to State laws were
quarantined and Tuberculin tested and 2 Cows condemned
and found Tubercular. One other cow quarantined by me
was ordered killed by State Inspector and found diseased.
The above premises were disinfected and later visi-
ted by me :
On June 24th, 1923, an Airedale dog showing sus-
picious symptoms was destroyed by me and a laboratory
examination gave a positive diagnosis of rabies follow-
ing which a general quarantine was placed on all dogs
Iasting practically all summer.
On July 31st 1923, a Collie puppy bit a boy on the
leg and attempting to bite a cow, was kicked by her and
killed. The Laboratory Examination showed a positive
case of rabies. The mother of this puppy had previously
died under peculiar circumstances and the 3 remaining
puppies later developed typical rabies' symptoms and
were destroyed by me.
A total of 4 rabid dogs were destroyed. Six (6)
1406
ANNUAL REPORTS
dogs, 3 cats and 2 cows exposed to rabies were quaran-
tined for a period of 90 days.
Three (3) dogs were vaccinated against rabies in-
fection and 3 dogs were quarantined because of biting
different persons but none of the 3 dogs later developed
rabies. Between 15 and 20 calls have been made on Dogs
Cats and Cows which have been quarantined because of
exposure to rabies.
Two people have had Pastuer Treatment for bites
or scratches from rabid animals or animals exposed to
rabid animals. One boy bitten by a rabid dog (pup)
was not treated but as yet has not developed symptoms
of rabies.
In August 1923, the State ceased to pay appraisal
money for Cattle condemned as Tuberculous by Inspect-
ors and owners could receive only salvage at slaughter,
consequently, I have had few calls to look at suspicious
cases of Tuberculosis. My advice to owners of Cattle
showing mild symptoms of disease, has been to get them
to slaughter under government inspection, as soon as
they- showed signs of being unprofitable or of losing flesh
in order that they might receive the highest possible re-
turn for beef.
We are looking forward to the passage of a law by
the present Legislature allowing, at least, a fair appraisal
for Cattle killed as Tubercular, by order of Inspectors.
of Animals.
During my short term I have found the majority
of the owners of animals anxious to cooperate with me
to the fullest extent and to them and the Board of Select-
men I extend my sincere thanks for their courtesy and
cooperation.
Respectfully submitted
CHESTER L. BLAKELY M. D. V.
Inspector of Animals.
Town 6F LEXINGTON
SLAUGHTERING INSPECTOR
147
Lexington, Mass., January 1, 1924.
To the Board of Selectmen,
Health Department,
Town. of Lexington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen,
I herewith submit my annual report for the year
1923, as Inspector of Slaughtering:
A. Young
Swine 361
Veal 87
Beeves 15
Sheep
A. Holman
Swine 1537
Veal 90
Beeves 61
Sheep 3
G. BunxeI
Swine 2544
Veal 778
Beeves 67
Sheep 3
Eighty swine, 24 beeves, 45 veal were condemned
and rendered.
Respectfully submitted
George A. Warner,
148
ANNUAL REMITS
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Lexington, Mass., January 1, 1924.
To the Honorable,
Board of Selectmen and Public Works,
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts,
Gentlemen,
I have the honor to submit to you the report of the
duties performed by the Police Department for the year
ending Dee. 31, 1923.
Total number of arrests
Arrests by months
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1
4
18
35
27
25
34
49
62
70
31
24
Total 380
380
Assault with intent to rob 1
Assault and Battery 22
Assault on Police Officer 3
Assault with dangerous weapon 1
Bastardy 1
Breaking police signal boxes 3
Bribery 1
Contempt of Court 2
Drunkenness Z35
Dog Nuisance 2
Injury to Personal Property 1
Incest 1
Larceny 26
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
149
Liquor Keeping 12
Liquor Sales 10
Liquor Nuisance 1
Lewd Conduct 4
Loitering 2
Malicious Mischief 8
Murder 1
Non -Support 5
Receiving Stolen Goods 1
Throwing glass in Public Streets 1
Using Profanity 4
Vagrant 2
Violation of Health Law 3
Violation of Fish and Game Law 3
Violation of Automobile Laws:
operating automobile. without license 35
Operating automobile in reckless manner 1
Operating automobile unreasonable rate of speed 8
Operating automobile under the influence of liquor . 43
Operating automobile so as to Endanger Lives & Safety 9
Operating automobile without number plates 7
Operating automobile after Iicense had been suspended 2
Operating automobile and not making self known after accident 1
Operating automobile and refusing to stop an signal of
Police Officer
Operating automobile giving false name and address to
Police Officer 1
Operating automobile not Registered 9
Operating Nautomobile and going away after causing injury 8
Operating automobile without authority 4
1
Total 380
Classification of Crime
Crimes against persons 26
Crimes against property 26
Crimes against public order 328
Disposition of Cases
Fined
Probated
Committed to House of Correction
Filed
Appealed
Discharged
Suspended
Defaulted
172
44
15
38
29
25
so
18
10
ANNUAL REPORT'S
Continued
10
Heid for Grand Jury 4
Total 380
Aggregate Amount of fines Imposed $6,146.08
Aggregate Terms of Imprisonment House of Correction, 3 years,
3 months, 20 days.
Miscellaneous Business.
Accidents reported
Accidents investigated
Attendants at court by Officers
Bitten by Dogs
Buildings found opened and secured
Complaints received
Cruelty to Animals investigated
Deaths reported to Medical Examiner
Defective places in streets reported
Defective wires reported
Gas Leaks reported
Injured and sick persons assisted
Insane and sick taken to hospital
Insane and sick put in safe keeping
Lost children restored to parents
Officers an Special Duty 544
Residences unoccupied, special attention requested
Street lights reported out
Warnings to Automobile Operators
Licenses suspended by Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Frank A.
Goodwin, by Request of Chief of Police 74
Number of Duty Calls 6807
93
91
378
2
93
24G
3
2
14
6
2
4
18
2
6
hours
37
88
154
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
The work has been done by Serg. James J. Sullivan,
in a very efficient manner. His duties are to investigate
all complaints that are made to the department, and re-
port in writing to the Chief of Police after investigating
each case, and he has put considerable time into this
work.
THE POLICE AND THEIR DUTIES
Th conception many people have of police work,
gained from the movies and sensational newspaper
stories is of a crusty, crabbed official at the station house
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
151
desk who bellows at you when you come in, "what do
you want" ? If that ever was the custom it is not so to-
day. Those officials know they are there for service and
they render it in every possible way. The same is true
of the policeman on the streets. A patrolman is often the
first person a stranger speaks to, and the impression
formed is liable to guage his estimate of the entire town
and that is one reason why each officer is instructed to
render the utmost service and courtesy to those with
whom he comes in contact, and it is surprising how many
legal questions of various kinds they are asked. The
police must be diplomatic in dealing with those whom
misfortune often renders most unreasonable the large
amount of common sense With which most police officers
are endorsed enables them in many cases to render real
service.
POLICE EQUIPMENT
The Police Department is equipped with an auto-
mobile, motorcycle, police signal boxes, Red Light Sys-
tem, riot gun, lung motor and first aid kit; which in my
opinion are very essential. During the summer months
a police officer has patroled with a motorcycle day and
night, giving the people in the outskirts of the town, po-
lice protection Which they are entitled to. There is an
officer calling the police station from the boxes every
twenty minutes and with our "Red Light System" w.' can
call an officer to the station in a very short timo. In pa-
troling at night with a motorcycle I believe that we have
prevented a great deal of crime. There were no com-
plaints this year in regards to stealing vegetables. Since
automobiles have come into existence the farmer has had
to lose a good part of his' crop on account of automo-
bilists stealing his produce.
In submitting this report to the Taxpayers and Vo-
ters of Lexington, I wish to express my very great appre-
ciation of the way in which the Board of Selectmen and
Supt. of Public Works have supported me in the exercise
of my public duties.
In performing my duties here I have tried to be imi
partial in forcing the law, and to see that all persons
that are arrested get the same treatment regardless of
their standing in the community.
152 AISNvu. REPORTS
I. would also call the attention of the public to the
fact that this work could not have been done in a suc-
cessfui,, and efficient manner, unless the members of my
department had been loyal, and had worked for the best
interests at all times of the department of which they are
an active part. In conducting the affairs of this depart-
ment I have insisted that there should be strict discipline
and obedience to all orders and regulations. Without
exception the officers have given to the town their very
best efforts, and have obeyed very cheerfully all orders
given, and oftentimes have been called upon to endure
hardships, but always without complaint. One of the
tests of any department of this kind is the degree of co-
eperation displayed by each and every member of the de.
partment, and it must be apparent to all that the Lexing-
ton Department has been very fortunate in this particu-
lar respect, for the year just ending.
Respectfully submitted
EDWARD LEAVITT
Chief of Lexington Police Department
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 133
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Lexington, Mass., January 21, 1924.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen,
I beg to submit to your Honorable Board the An-
nual Report of the Fire Department.
The Citizens, as well as your Honorable Board, will
doubtless be pleased to know that this Department was
maintained without exceeding the appropriation which
was granted at the March Meeting. There were no trans-
fers or receipts, and all bills have been paid, leaving a
balance of $103.82. I beg to refer you to the Auditor's
Report.
The Department answered one hundred and ninety-
seven (197) alarms during the past year. The number
of alarms seems to be constantly increasing, as last year
the number of alarms one hundred and eighty-nine (189)
greatly exceeded any previous year in the history of the
Town, while this year a still further increase was shown.
We were called to protect property endangered by
fire estimated at $452,100. The total of all the losses in
the Town was $10,678.52, showing a loss ratio of approxi-
mately 21/2 per cent. Although the value of the property
endangered by fire during this year was increased by $32,
763, over the previous year, the loss was decreased $6,
461.66. The above figures do not include the value of
property saved from brush fires by the Department.
The Waltham Fire Department answered two alarms
in Lexington, and our Department answered three alarms
in Waltham.
This Department was also called to render aid in
the Town of Billerica once and in the Town of Concord
once. I take pleasure in incorporating in this report a
letter received from the Chief of the Billerica Fire De-
partment, as follows:
154 ANNUAL REPORTS
"Billerica, Mass., April 28, 1923.
"Mr. E. W. Taylor, Chief,
Lexington Fire Department,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
Dear Chief:
I wish to thank you and the members of your De-
partment for the quick and efficient work performed at
my request for assistance at the fire at Nuttings Lake
last Saturday.
It was only by the good work of your men and ap-
paratus, in conjunction with the other out of Town De-
partments which responded to my call, were we able to
stop that fire without the loss of many more cottages.
Any bill for this service will be taken care of, and if
at any time my Department can be of assistance to you
we will be pleased to respond.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) E. N. $ARTLETT,
Chief."
Also a letter from the Chief of the Concord Fire De-
partment, as follows:
"Concord, Mass., December 10, 1923
"Chief Edward Taylor,"
Lexington Fire Department,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
The Board of Fire Engineers of the Concord Fire
Department wish to express to you their thanks for the
prompt and efficient service which you and your Depart-
ment rendered this town on the night of December 6,
1923. We feel that without the aid which was rendered
by the Lexington Fire Department our work would have
been much harder and our losses greater. We also feel
that the prompt answer rendered when a call for aid
was sent from this town will not soon be forgotten, and
TowN OF LEXINGTON
155 156 ANNUAL RaroaTs
that if at any time the Concord Fire Department can be of
aid to you or your Department we stand ready and will-
ing to answer the call.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed) SILAS A. BEAN,
Chief of C. F. D."
It has never been the policy of the Lexington Fire
Department to render any bill to our neighboring towns.
The Department is always glad to furnish aid to any of
our neighbors when they need it.
Respectfully submitted
EDWARD W. TAYLOR
Chief of Lexington Fire Department.
FOREST FIRE WARDEN
Lexington, Mass., January 1, 1924.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Public Works,
Lexington. Mass.
Gentlemen,
I herewith submit my annual report as Forest Fire
Warden for the year ending December 31, 1923.
There were ninety-six grass and forest fires in the
Town of Lexington during the past year. Compared
with the previous year, an increase of twelve fires is
shown. This increase was due to the extremely dry con-
ditions which prevailed during the Spring and Fall sea-
sons.
The Fire Department responded promptly to alarms
for these fires. Owing to efficient work of the firemen,
the fires vAere put out before any serious damage to prop-
erty had been caused. Some fires appeared to be spread-
ing rapidly, but by hard work the mien succeeded in get-
ting them under control. There were three peat fires
which required much work at a considerable expense to
the Town.
All who start fires must have a permit, and it is ur-
gent that they stay until the fire is entirely out. Anyone
holding a permit should not start a fire on a windy day.
These rules must be observed strictly.
I wish to thank the people of the Town for co-oper-
ating with me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted
OSBORNE J. GORMAN,
Forest Fire Warden.
i OWN of LEXINGTON
REPORT OF CEMETERY
COMMISSIONERS
157 158 ANN17AL REPORTS
Your Cemetery Commissioners submit the follow-
ing as their annual report for the year ending December
31st, 1923.
While the Cemeteries have received their usual care
and attention your commissioners have endeavored to
practice economy and have done only such things as in
their judgment were necessary. The Town appropriated
Two Thousand Dollars ($2000.), for Munroe Cemetery.
Of this amount about Four Hundred Fifty Dollars($450.)
was expended for the erection of a fence from in the rear
of the Munroe School to the lower driveway, across the
greater part of the area between the lower and upper
driveways, and from the upper driveway to the futherest
north-east corner, this being the area bounded by the
Cemetery and the Junior High School and High School
lots. They have also taken care of the lots calling for
annual care and paid back to the Town Treasurer over
Twelve .Hundred Dollars, ($1200.), which was received
for such care and interments so that the actual exnense
to the Town, outside of the permanent improvement, was
less than Three Hundred Fifty Dollars, ($350.).
At Westview Cemetery, through the cooperation of
our Town Manager, the driveways were all nut in good
cordition at an Pxrrense of al+out Thirtae,n Hunan(' Six-
ty Dollars, ($1360.) and we feel that with another coat
of tarvia in the spring they will remain in good condition
for many years to come. THe corner cf Summer a.nd Bed-
ford Streets needed considerable attention and by plae-
inu a curb around it and regrading thee• street. the diffi-
culty was overcome. While this properly would come
under the Highway Department they were not in a finan-
cial condition to attempt it, so we again cooperated with
our Town Manager and at the exnenee o1* Three Hun-
dred Sixty-eight Dollars, ($368.), the curbing was put in
and the street graded so as to make a neat appearance
on approach to the Cemetery. We have extended the
water service by laying about fifteen hundred (1500)
feet of pipe so that nearly all the area now developed can
be taken care of in dry weather. This cost us about Three
Hundred Fifty Dollars ($350.).
Very Iittle has been done this year in planting
shrubs or trees, but your commissioners are hopeful that
by another spring they can commence to do work so as to
make the grounds even more attractive than they are at
present.
During the year there have been eleven (11) lots
and eight (8) single graves sold making a total to date
thirty-four (34) lots and seventeen (17) graves. From
inquiry that has been made regarding lots in the Ceme-
tery we look for a decided increase in sales during the
coming year.
We have an unexpended balance of over Eleven
Hundred Dollars, ($1100.) and funds available from the
sale of Tots of over Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.) or
nearly Two Thousand Dollars ($2000.) to commence
our work in the spring. We therefore shall not call up-
on the Town for a very large appropriation for Westview
Cemetery, and believe the time is not far distant when
it will be at least self supporting.
In closing our report we desire to express our deep
appreciation of the faithful, unselfish interest taken by
our Superintendent in caring for all the cemeteries and
seeing that the work done in them was done in a proper
manner .
JOHN E. A. MULLIKEN
EDWARD WOOD
CHARLES J. DAILEY
Commissioners
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
159
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS
AND MEASURES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen,
I have the honor to submit the following report of
the work done for the year ending December 31, 1923.
a �
Scales neighing over 5000 pounds 4
Scales weighing under 5000 pounds 29 1
Computing scales 29 2
Biot weighing machines 2
Beam and Spring scales 33 1 1
Prescription scales .. 2
Weights (Adj.) 201 1 1
Weights (apothecary) 45
Dry Measures 2
Liquid Measures 31
Oil Pumps 25 18
6
28 2 2
Yard Sticks
Counter Sticks
Total 433 21 4
The property in the office of the Sealer of W. & M.
the same as last year with the addition of 1-5 gal. and 1-1
gal. measure. i pair of tongs, ice, 1 stand, 1 ice scale
ordered by the State.
There has been 191 test weighings in the stores, the
junk scales and hawker's scales have been inspected.
Fees collected 47.24
Fees collected for adjusting 10.36
Total
57.60
CHARLES E. HADLEY,
Sealer of Weights andMeasures.
160
ANNUAL REPOET5
HOME ECONOMICS
February 11, 1924
To the Board of Selectmen,
Dear Sir :
This is the report of Demonstration Work in Agri-
culture and Home Economics in Lexington for the year
ending December 31, 1923.
Following is my report of the work done by this
organization in the town.
As in previous years, practically all of the work done
by the Extension Service in the town of Lexington has
been done with the young people. Lexington has the lar-
gest enrollment in CIub work of any town in the County,
with twenty one organized Clubs in which the enrollment
is as follows:—
Garden : 3
Poultry 5
Clothing:
Food :
Canning
Totals :
5
5
3
21
53
53
51
48
21
226
Agents of the Extension Service have held more than
60 meetings with boys and girls, and local leaders, who
have been working under their supervision, have held
more than twice that number. $5,000 would not cover
the value of products grown or made by the young peo-
ple in club work during the past year. Many prizes
were won by Lexington Club members at the Boston Poul-
try Show.
In view of the fact that the town failed to make an
appropriation for the County Extension Service, less
time has been given to club work than in two previous
years. As practically every other town in the County
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
161 162 ANNUAL REPORTS
does make such an appropriation, it is necessary for them
to have first consideration, so that although the inter-
est in the part of boys and girls in your town is far above
the average, Lexington cannot expect the agents from the
County Office to give as much time proportionately to
Lexington Club work as they do to those towns that give
their support to the work. An appropriation of $100 by
the Social Welfare Committe made it possible to employ
a local leader to take direct charge of summer club work.
Volunteer leadership from the teachers during the winter
has carried on this club work.
It is hoped that in view of the interest on the part
of boys and girls and many adults that the town will
make an appropriation for the continuation of club work
during the coming year.
WILBUR F. ATWOOD,
Director.
REPORT ON 150th ANNIVERSARY
BATTLE OF LEXINGTON
Submitted at Town Meeting, May 9, 1928
Your committee has held several meetings with the
purpose of outlining in a general way the propex and
fitting observance of the 150th Anniversary of the Bat-
lle of Lexington, April 19th, 1925.
The committee organized with Charles B. Davis, as
Chairman and Edwin B. Worthen as Secretary. Sub-
sequently Mr. Davis, because of prolonged absence from
Lexington, resigned as a member of the Committee and
Mr. George E. Briggs was appointed in his place.
The Centennial in 1875 was an occasion of great
moment. The preparations were elaborate, the oration
was by Richard Henry Dana, Jr., and the impression on
the country at large was most complimentary to our hon-
ored town. The 150th celebration may not, perhaps,
call for so an extended a program as that of 1875 yet the
event is of vital significance and has its great and endur-
ing lessons for each succeeding generation. It appears
obvious that a celebration in our sister town of Concord
will be closely related to our own in general plans and
observance. It is therefore recommended that an invita-
tion be extended to the Town of Concord at an early
date to co-operate with this town, thus avoiding confu-
sion of plans and undoubtedly resulting in a more fitting
observance in both towns.
Your commitee has interpreted its work as that of
a preliminary nature which contemplates the appoint-
ment of . a larger and permanent committee whose work
it shall be to crystalize definite plans and move vigor-
ously forward to the celebration itself. Your committee
submits this report as a report of progress only, with the
following suggestions:
1. That the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Lex-
ington be appropriately observed on Sunday, April 19th,
and on Monday, April 20, 1925.
2. That it is the opinion of this Committee that the
observance be characterized by dignity and reverence,
and that other than booths for the sale of food, there
%hail be absolutely no booths for the sale of chances, side,
TOWN of LEXINGTON
163
shows, fakirs, hucksters, or peddlers, either amateur or
professional.
a. That the Committee approves the idea of a His-
torical Pageant to be given the entire week in June by
the Pageant of Lexington Association or any other prop-
erly constituted body.
4. That the Commitee endorses the suggestion made to
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. by the Lexington Historical
Society that the United States Government be asked to
issue a special commerative postage stamp or stamps.
5. That the Committee has under favorable consid-
eration the striking off of a commemoration medal of his-
torical design and pattern.
6. The Committee furthermore believes that in order
to emphasize the spirit of reverence for those 77 men who
made Lexington the birthplace of American Liberty, that
the Battle Green at the time of the celebration be roped
off by laurel ropes and electric lights draped from 77
posts, that each post support a wreath and shield bear-
ing the name of one of the 77 men and also that each post
be guarded by a Minute -man in uniform and a soldier of
the United States regular army.
It is perhaps premature to discuss minor details and
yet the Committee ventures to father suggest that at the
time of the celebration, during the week previous to,
and on the nights of the 18th and 19th of April, the his-
toric houses around the common and the Munroe Tav-
ern and Hancock -Clark house be illuminated by conceal-
ed floodlights, that all historic houses be marked tem-
porarily by larger signs and that all old houses shall
show by placards, the age and history if any. It is obvious
that there will be an oration, a parade, and that either a
banquet or luncheon will be served to which representa-
tive citizens and ,nests will be invited. It is also sug-
gested that a costume or Military Ball be given under
the auspices of the Town Committee.
Your Committee does not seek any definite action in
relation to these several recommendations, but is does
hope that they will receive general approval by the citi-
zens. The Committee, does however desire definite ac-
tion in the appointment of a larger committee and it
would therefore recommend that this present Committee
of Seven be discharged and that a new Committee of
twenty-five be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and
164
ANNUAL REPORTS
Public Works, whose duty shall be to mature plans for
the proper observance of the celebration in 1925. This
Committee of twenty-five shall also possess full power
to increase its number up to and not more than. 100 from
which group the various sub -committees shall be appoint-
ed. These sub -committees would naturally be made up
of the following divisions:
Committee on Invitations, Oration and Public. Ad-
dresses, Finance, Parking and Transportation, Music
and Salutes, Tents and Decorations, Refreshments, Pro-
cessions, Printing, Publicity and Receptions.
A matter which will command the attention of this
new Committee of Twenty --five will be a communica-
tion which has recently been received from Major Alfred
Pierce, representing the Lexington -Men which organiza-
tion has set in motion a plan to raise funds for a memorial
to the 77 original men of the Battle of Lexington.
The Town cannot over -emphasize the fact of the
great glory that Lexington possesses as the Birthplace of
American Liberty, that in historic importance she stands
second to no other town or city in America. The under-
lying purpose of this great celebration should be to rein-
carnate in the hearts of our countrymen the spirit of lib-
erty and freedom which was purchased at so great a
cost.
A true Copt, Attest
George E. Briggs
Grace G. Merriam
Robert P. Clapp
Catherine A. Kimball
Charles H. Spaulding
Edwin B. Worthen
T. Willard Hayden, Jr.
ARTHUR W HATCH,
Town Clerk
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
TRUSTEES OF CARY MEMORIAL
LIBRARY
1B5
The report of the Trustees of the Cary Memorial
Library for the year 1923 is submitted herewith. We
are glad to record an other year of growing interest on
the part of the public and of increasing usefulness on the
part of the library. These will be fully attested by the
report of the Librarian, Miss Marian P. Kirkland, which
follows and which will bear careful reading.
. We would call especial attention to two or three
matters brought out in her report:— The "Jane Phinney
Prize Fund" established by Mr. James Phinney Munroe
illustrates the value that may be derived from compara-
tively small gifts intelligently applied. Such gifts are
most useful and are deeply appreciated.
We would also call especial attention ito the welcome
cooperation of the Home and School Association in mak-
ing possible the Story Hour experiment in the schools
during February and March of this year. The report
also emphasizes the importance of the work which the
library is doing for children and brings out the need of
larger funds for the purchase of books for the younger
children and the need of greater seating room in this
department. It is most encouraging that the children
are resorting more and more to the library for reading.
The problem of adequate accommodations to meet the
increasing demand will have to be met at no distant day.
Respectfully submitted for the Trustees,
CARLTON P. MILLS
Chairman.
To the Trustees of the Cary Memorial Library
It is my privilege to present herewith the statistical
report of the Library for the year 1923, which shows a
1Cd
ANNUAL REPORTS
slight decrease in the circulation of books for home
use. This is, indeed, a rare experience for us as the
industrial conditions and other outside interests which
have caused heavy losses in other Iibraries have never
affected us.
Since the advent of the Radio many libraries have
reported Large decreases in circulation and it is possible,
of course, that it may have affected us, but I doubt it as
our decrease is so slight (322 vol. for the Main library
and 399 vols.- for the Branch) that I feel w -e have no
need to disturb ourselves by looking upon it as any very
serious cause for alarm. To the contrary we have, as
I have, so many times stated, one of the few large per
capita circulations in the state. The library which cir-
culates 5 books per capita is looked upon as doing re-
markably, good work, while the library with a 10 per
capita circulation like our own is phenomenal.
Regrettable statistics, figures of circulation prove
to be as the value of the real work in any public library
cannot be measured by them. With this fact in mind it
will interest you to learn that never in the history of the
library have the activities been so constant, or such heavy
demands made upon our time, our abilities and our re-
sources as during the year just closed. The supplement-
ary work of the schools and the cooperation of the Tea--
ehers, keeps us active, indeed, and the name "Library
Teacher" which is sometimes applied to us, is an apt one
and applicable to all who come in contact with the pupils
of the schools and many other research patrons who
come to us for assistance. Demands are insistent and
astonishing at times but a well equipped library coupled
with a library staff "ready to serve" can surmount many
difficulties which present themselves to the reference
worker -a work which is so imperfectly understood by
those who look upon the public library only as a book -
lending institution.
In the interests of good reading, and with the hearty
cooperation and support of the Teachers, we circulated
in the grade schools, graded lists of books issued by the
Massachusetts Board of Free Public Library Commission-
ers. For every five books read and reported upon satis-
factorily, a state certificate is given signed by the libra-
rian. Four of these certificates entitles the holder to an
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
167
Honor certificate on which is the state seal in colors.
It is not our desire or intent to incite the children to read
many books or to make reading in any way compulsory,
but to encourage them. to use the public library and to
become acquainted with a few of the best books. Thus
far the results have been very pleasing and while the
plan has not been under way long enough to make any
extended report, it is of interest that to date more certi-
ficates have been issued from the Branch than from the
Main Library. The prevalence of measles prevented the
Teachers in the Hancock, Munroe and Parker schools
from conducting review periods, but the activities in the
Library have continued and we know that some of the
children are busily working for the Honor certificate
and the book prize which we will be enabled to give
through the courtesy of Mr. James Phinney Munroe who
established the "Jane Phinney Prize Fund", a small fund
to be held in trust, the interest of which will permit us
'to offer one or two books to the boy or girl making the
best record in the reading of good books. The prizes
will be awarded at the end of the school year.
It is a pleasure to report another avenue of coopera-
tion though the support given by the Home and School
Association by which we are enabled to conduct story
hours in the schools during February and March we hope_
These will be in charge of Mrs. Cronan story teller of the
Boston Public Library and the Boston schools. We are
fortunate, indeed, that this splendid worker has evinced
so much interest in our plans and is ready to cooperate
with us so heartily. Story telling is one of the best roads
to good reading, but is a road paved with stumbling
blocks in the hands of a poor guide. Mrs. Cronan has
agreed to conduct two of the story hours herself and
the other two I believe will be conducted by Mrs. Jamison
and Mrs. Powers -the three finest workers in the state.
We are deeply grateful to the Home and School Associa-
tion for making this experiment possible.
In working with the children in the library we are
confronted constantly by two features much to be re-
gretted—lack of funds with which to buy books to meet
the demands ---especially with reference to the younger
children,—and lack of room accomodations and seating
capacity. With over 500 children under fourteen years
of age, regularly drawing books from the library and
168
ANNUAL REPORTS
with a seating capacity for only sixteen, you can readily
visualize our limitations which li trust at some time not
far distant may be given serious consideration.
Our pay collection still continues in favor and we
had to our credit at the close of the year $92.84. When
we have a sufficient working balance to warrant it, it
is my hope that you will agree with me that $100.00
can be used for no better purpose than in purchasing
books for the children's department. The adult depart-
ment is the gainer, also, from the pay collection as fre-
quently books are transferred to the free shelves. as soon
as 'hey have paid for themselves, and are circulated
until worn out.
I wish to extend my personal thanks to the many
friends who have helped to make the library more at-
tractive and interesting by the gifts of books and flowers
and for the exhibits of handiwork which have aroused
so much local interest. The Iist of friends to whom we
are indebted follows. To Mr. Ralph L Dale for his very
generous gift of books the boys are especially grateful if
we are to judge from the many boyish expressions over-
heard.
verheard.
My appreciation is due and so gladly given to my
assistants for their splendid work in meeting the in-
creased activities of the year so willingly and cheer-
fully.
Respectfully submitted,
Marian a Kirkland,
Librarian.
CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
STATISTICAL REPORT
1923
MAIN LIBRARY
Accessions by purchase:
New books 4.77
Books to replace old copies 196
Bound periodicals S7
710
Tow OF LEXINGTON
Ascessions by gift 37
747
Books discarded and withdrawn 190
Net increase 557
In Library Dec. 31, 1922 30,072
In Library Dec. 31, 1923
BRANCH LIBRARY
Accessions by purchase
New books
Books to replace old copies
Bound periodicals
Books discarded and withdrawn
Net increase
In Library Dec. 31, 1922
In Library Dec. 31, 1923
Total number of volumes in Main Library
and Branch
80
3
14
97
3
94
3,177
1(19
30,629
3271
17()
ANN UAL REPORTS
Fiction: Regular 34,003
Fiction: Pay collection 4,360
Music scores 207
*Stereographs (Sets) 16
*Representing 1372 pictures
3,273 3,44
52,563 3,414 3,972
Total circulation:
Main Library 55,977
Main Library and Branch 59,949
Children's Room 12,150
Number of days Library was open:
Main Library 303
Branch Library 254
Registration, 1923
Main Library:
Adult 3,042
Juvenile 739
Temporary 174
Withdrawn
33,900 Adult 211
Juvenile 140
Temporary 77
CIRCULATION - 1923
Home,Use Home use Home use
Main through from
Library Branch Branch
Periodicals bound 494 50
Periodicals unbound 4,329 94
Philosophy and Religion 746 4 14
Biography ' 1,569 46 81,
History 1,248 14 54
Travels and Description 1,102 23 37
Social sciences 466 6 2
Natural Sciences 633 8 33
Arts, useful 563 3 47
Arts, recreative 339 8 29
Arts, fine 431 13 5
.Language and Literature 1,419 16 52
Poetry 638 25
Total Main Library, Dec. 31, 1923
Branch Library
Adult 449
Juvenile 412
Withdrawn:
Adult
Juvenile
Total Branch Library, Der'. 31, 1923
54
3,955
428
861
91
3,52'.
770
Total Math Library and Branch, Dec. 31, 1923 4,297
MISCELLANEOUS
Main Library:
Periodicals subscribed for 65
Periodicals given 7
Newspapers subscribed for 4
Newspapers given 1
Books rebound 499
Books repaired ... 537
Postals sent for overdue books ... 1941
Postale sent for books reserved 552
Stereographic pictures used in Children's Room
(Friday afternoons only) 8894
Branch Library
Periodicals subscribed for 26
Periodicals given 2
Periodicals loaned 1
Newspapers subscribed for 2
Books repaired 248
EXHIBITS IN MAIN LIBRARY
From Massachusetts Library Art Club:
Allies in art, Cathedrals II, Childhood II, Columbia River, Den-
mark II, Flags, Flower Gardens of Japan, Frosty Caucasus, Life
in the Orient, National Parks, Old Rhymes, Recent American Art,
Royal Academy.
For other exhibits of interest and gifts of books, periodicals and
flowers, our appreciation is expressed to:
D. Appleton, Mr. Hallie C. Blake, Mr. John Calder, Cambridge
City Council, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Mr. Ralph T. Dale.
Mr. Frederick L. Emery, Mr. George L. Gilmore, Mr. William
Roger Greeley, Mr. Stephen F. Hamblin, Mr. William S. Hart,
Mr. Robert 11. Holt, The Misses Anstiss and Mary Hunt, Lexington
Girl Scouts, Lexington Historical Society, National Women Suf-
frage Association, C. S. Parker & Son, Mr. Edward S. Payson,
Miss Lizzie Pierce, Robert Perry, Dr. F. S. Piper, The Misses
Margaret F. and May Plumer, C. H. Rice, Miss Minnie. S. Seaver,
Miss Elsie Louise Shaw, Mrs. Mary Wilder Tileston, Dr. J. O. Til-
ton, Dr. Winsor M. Tyler, Mr. Hollis Webster.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN P. KIRKLAND,
Libarien.
TowN OF LEXINGTON
TRUSTEES OF CARY MEMORIAL
LIBRARY
in account with
GEORGE E. BRIGGS, TREASURER
GENERAL FUND:
CAPITAL ACCOUNT
Investments, December 31, 1923
$3000. Boston & Maine, 4%%, 1929
Nos. 77, 78, 79
3000. West End, 4%, 1932
Nos. 69, 70, 71
2000. Boston & Albany, 4%, 1932
Nos. 79, 80
2000. American Tel. & Tel. 4%, 1929.
Nos. 67742, 68799, 67832
MARIA CARY FUND:
$354.31 Lexington Savings Bank Book No. 694,
BOOK PURCHASE FUND:
$1000. Puget Sound Power, 5%, 1932
No. 685.
BEAL FUND:
$1000. Leclede Gas Light Co. 51/2%, 1953
No. 12263
$ 100. Leclede Gas Light Co. 5%%, 1953
No. 1949
INCOME ACCOUNT
Net Proceeds from interest $ 580.46
172 ARNUAL REPOETs
LAURA MUZZEY BRIGHAM FUND
$1000. Alabama Power Co. 5%, 1951
No. 2487
$1000. Baltimore & Ohio F. L. E. & W. Va. 4%, 1941
No. 42516
$ 500. Boston Elevated, 5%, 1942
No. 71
$ 500. So. California Edison, 51%, 1944
No. 535.
INCOME ACCOUNT
Net Proceeds from interest $ 153.44
ALICE BUTLER CARY FUND:
$1000. Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul, 41%, 1932
No. 25425
$1000. Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, 4%, 1925
No. 27885
$ 400. U. S. A. 3rd Liberty, 4U%, 1928
Nos. 1272961-2-3-4 $50. each
Nos. 1277740-1 $100. each
INCOME ACCOUNT:
Net Proceeds from interest $ 101.98
GOODWIN MUSICAL FUND:
$ 500. New York Tel. 6%, 1941
No. 8239
.INCOME ACCOUNT
Net .Proceeds from interest $ 20.68
EAST LEXINGTON BRANCH FUND: (WELLINGTON FUND)
$1000, Note, Town of Lexington, 6%, 1924
No. 25
BOBBIN'S FUND:
$ 100. Lexington Savings Bank Book No. 1476
INCOME ACCOUNT
Net .Proceeds from interest $ 64.29
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
178 174
JANE PHINNEY FUND:
$ 100. Jersey Central Power & Light Corp. 6%%, 1948
No. 299
$ 13.90 Lexington Trust Co. (Just established)
TOTAL INCOME $ 920.80
Trustees of Cary Memorial Library
HALLIE C. BLAKE
J. CHESTER HUTCHINSON
CHRISTOPHER W. COLLIER
Investment Committee.
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF
CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
INCOME
January 1, 1923
Balance on hand $ 607.75
Deg Tax . 1,047.74
Int. an Bank deposit 27.00
Investment Comm. Ir.t. on bonds etc., 703.07
Int. Brigham Fund 153.44
Fines 365.49
Investments examined and report approved • 52904.49
EXPENDITURES
Bindery 5 389.76
Town Accountant. Books 1,075.01
Safe Deposit Vault 5.00
American Library Association 5.00
Library Art CIub 6.00
Express . 10.73
Library of Congress . 50.00
Newspapers and Periodicals
27049
Postage ... 45.30
Printing and Supp!lees 108.88
Music 4.61
American Red Crosss 1.00
Cash balance in bank 933.06
CHARLES F. PIERCE
EAST LEXINGTON BRANCH
January 1, 1923
52904.49
Balance on hand $38.65 Books $91.12
Investment Comm. Int. 64.29 Cash balance in bank 11.82
5102.94 $102.94
GEORGE E. BRIGGS
Treasurer
January 8, 1924.
Examined and approved,
CHARLES F. PIERCE,
Town Accountant.
TOWN of LEXINGTON
175
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC TRUSTS
OF THE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
FINANCIAL REPORT
1923
ELEANOR S. BEALS LEGACY -
Eleanor S. Adams, born in Lexington in
1825. Under her will a legacy of $2000. was
given the town, the income to be used for
worthy indigent aged men and women over
sixty (years) of age, American born.
Principal Account
Principal Invested in $2,000 City of Lynn 4s
Income Account
RECEIPTS
2,000.00
2,000.00
Interest on 2000 City of Lynn 4s 40.00
Lexington Szv'ngs Bank 15.91
on 2000 City of Lynn 4s 40.00
Lexington Savings Bank 12.40 108.31
DISBURSEMENTS
Cash paid for charitable purposes 461.43
Excess of payments 353.12
Balance, Dec- 31. 1922 751.27
Balance Dec. 31, 1923
HARRIET R. GILMORE LEGACY -
Harriet Robinson, born in Lexington, Nov -
5, 1806. Under her will a legacy of $500.
was left to the town, the income to be used
for the benefit of the poor of the town.
Principal Account
Principal deposited in Lexington Savings
Bank
176
ANNUAL REPORTS
Income Account
RECEIPTS
Interest, Lexington Savings Bank
DISBURSEMENTS
Cash paid for charitable purposes
Excess of payments
Balance, Dec. 31, 1922
Balance, Dec. 31, 1923
CHARLES E. FRENCH LEGACY -
Charles E. French, a citizen of Boston, but
a lover of Lexington. Under his will $4000
was left to the town, the income of $2000
to be devoted to the care of the Colonial
Cemetery, and the income of $2000 for three
medals in each of the public high and gram-
mar schools for the best scholarship in the
graduating classes.
Principal Account
Principal invested in 4000 Town of Lex-
ington 4s
Income Account -Cemetery
30.44
32.J0
1.56
224.91
223.35
4,000.00
4,000.00
RECEIPT
Interest 2000 Lexington 4s 80.00
Lexir. gt: n Savings Bank 6.70 86.70
DISBURSEMENTS
Cash paid to Cemetery Commissioners
Excess of payments
Bal: nce, Dee. 31, 1922
898.15 Balance, D.c. 31, 1923 (in Lexington
Savings Bank)
Income Account Schools
100.00
13.30
184.10
170.80
RECEIPTS
Interest 2000 Lexington 4s 80.00
500.00 Well.ngton note 6.25
Lexington Savings Bank 12.'76 99.01
500.00
TOWN or LEXINGTON
DISBURSEMENTS
177
Cash paid for medals 70.50
•
Excess of receipts 28.51
Balance, Dec. 31, 1922 544.66
Balance, Dec. 31, 1923
Balance of School Inconme Account in-
vested as under: -
Mortgage note of Wellington ..
Lexington Savings Bank
JONAS GAMELL LEGACY -
Jonas Gammell, born in Lexington, Oct. 10,
1820. A clause in his will gave to Lexington
$500. the income to be expended for delica-
cies and luxuries for the inmates of the
Almshouse.
Principal Account
Principal deposited in Lexington Savings
Bank
Income Account
RECEIPTS
Interests, Lexington Savings Bank ....
DISBURSEMENTS
573.17
500.00
73.17
178 ANNUAL REPO:Ta
was given to Lexington, the income to be ex-
pended by the Field and Garden Club.
Principal Account
Amount of Fund Dec. 31, 1923
Invested as under: -
2000 U. S. 4th Liberty Loan 414s 1.787.85
Deposited in Lexington Savings Bank
Income Account
RECEIPTS
2452.60
573.65 2,452.50
Interest on 2000 U. S. 4th 414s 85.00
Lexington Savings Bank 25.34 110.34
DISBURSEMENTS
Cash paid to Lexington Field and Gar-
den Club
500.00 Excess of receipts
500.00
29.50
Cash paid on account of AImshouse-
Estate of H. V. Smith 7.27
Lester E. Smith 5.00
W. S. Eaton 10.00
A. M. Tucker 3.00
Dakin & Dakin Co. 5.72
M. Stevenson 5.00 35.99
Excess of ,payments
Balance, Dec. 31, 1922
Balance, Dec. 31, 1923 in
Lexington Savings Bank
GEORGE O. SMITH LEGACY
George O. Smith, born in Lexington January
5, 1831 Under his will a legacy et $2500.
6.49
196.47
Balance, Dec. 31, 1922
Balance, Dee. 81, 1923
CEMETERY TRUST FUNDS
RECEIPTS
Dr. Howland Holmes, Lot 226
H. M. Saben, Lot 148
F. P. Simonds, Lot 175, 100
Mary J. Weiington, Lot 27
J. W. F. Wilson, Lot 151
Charles E. Brooks, Lot 99
110.00
.34
4.26
Amount of Funds Dec. 31, 1922 21.835.00
Amount of Funds Dec. 31 1923 • 22,485.00
RECEIPTS
Income Account
189.98 Interest, Lexington Savings Bank
DISBURSEMENTS
Cash paid to Cemetery Commissioners
995.73
4.60
200.00
100.00
100.00
50.00
100.00
100.00
650.00
800.00
Excess of receipts 195.73
Balance, Dee. 31, 1922 2,752.44
TOWN OP LEXINGTON
Balance, Dec. 31, 1923
HAYES FOUNTAIN FUND -
A balance remaining after the erection of
the Hayes Fountain of ;862.72, by a vote
of the town a permanent fund was created,
the income to be available for the care of
the fountain and the grounds around it.
Principal Account
Principal deposited in Lexington Savings
Bank
Income Account
179
2,948.17
862.72
862.72
RECEIPTS
Interest Lexington Savings Bank 41.08
4.46 45.54
DISBURSEMENTS
0
Excess of receipts 45.54
Balance, Dec. 21, 1922 198.42
Balance, Dec. 31, 1923 in Lex-
ington Savings Bank
LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Balance, Dec. 31, 1922, as reported
RECEIPTS
Interest Lexington Savings Bank
1.12
243.96
176.76
100 U. S. 414.s 4.25 5.37
182.13
Invested as under: -
100 U. S. 41,1 s 100.00
Bruce Wellington note 50.00
Lexington Savings Bank 32.13 182.13
PERPETUAL CARE FUND--WESTVIEW CEMETERY
Funds as reported Dec. 31, 1922
RECEIPTS
Albert B. Tenney 90.50
Mrs. Laura McDonnelI 18.00
0
1375.76
180 ANNUAL REPORTS
Charles W. Ryder 157.00
Daniel B. Lewis & Marian E. Lewis 90.50
Walter H. Dunning 70.50
Town Treasurer 144.00
108.00
18.00
72.00
72.00
Wm. C. Stickel 72.00
Frank H. Reed 72.00
Town Treasurer 18.00
11
11
11
1,
f1
11
11
1,002.50
Interest -Lexington Savings Bank ... 1.43
Warren Inst. for Savings ..81.27 82.70 1,085.20
2460.96
Principal deposited In Warren Inst. for
Savings . 2,315.00
Income deposited in Lexington Savings Bank 145.96 2460.96
FRANK D. •PEIRCE .. .. ..
JOHN F. TURNER
CHARLES B. DAVIS
Examined and Approved,
CHARLES F. PIERCE,
Trustees.
Town Accountant
TOWN QV LEXINGTON
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE
' BRIDGE CHARITABLE FUND
1923
181
Samuel J. Bridge, a descendant of Lexing-
ton, made a gift to the town in 1880 of
$2,000. with the proviso that two-thirds of
the income should be added to the prin-
cipal each year until the fund should
amount to $4,000., when the entire income
should be availing for assisting the in-
digent poor of the town.
Amount of Fund 3,972.50
Invested as under:—
Mortgage of Caroline Wellington, Trus-
tee 2,000.00
2000 U. S. 4th Liberty 4'4s 1,878.85
Deposited in Lexington Savings Bank 93.65 3,972.50
INCOME ACCOUNT 1923
RECEIPTS
Interest on Wellington notes
2000 U. S. 4th 414s
Lexington Savings Bank ...
INCOME FROM GERRY FUND
118.75
85.00
21.85
225.60
Interest on 1600 U. S. 4th 4'4s 68.00
650 U. S. 3rd 4U,s 27.62
Lexington Savings Bank 1.28 96.90
322.50
182 ANNUAL REPORTS
DISBURSEMENTS
Cash paid for charitable purposes
Excess of disbursements
Balance, Dec. 31, 1922
Balance, Dec. 1923
ELIZABETH B. GERRY FUND—
Elizabeth Bridge Whitcomb, born in Lexing-
ton,
exington, Jan. 13, 1814. At her death, leaving
no will and no direct descendents, by an act
of the Legislature in 1885 her property was
given to the town, and by a vote of the town
became a part of the Bridge Charitable
Fund.
Balance of Fund
555.50
233.00
868.44
636.44
2,043.87
INVESTED AS UNDER: -
1,600 U. S. 4th 414s 1,387.28
650 U. S. 3r:i 4',' s 6� 6.33
Lexington Savings Bank 80.26 2,043.87
FRANK D. ,I'EIRCI;
JOHN F. TURNER
CHARLES B. DAVIS
Bridge Charitable Fund Trustees
Examined and Approved,
CHARLES F. PIERCE,
Town Accountant
•
TowN OF LIXINSToll 188
REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT
TREASURERS RECEIPTS
TAXES
CURRENT YEAR
Polls $8,028.00
Personal Property 38,346.96
Real Estate 268,509.35
$314,884.31
PREVIOUS YEAR
Polls 519.00
Personal Property 6,969.72
Real Estate 82,168.03
184 ANNUAL REPORTS
Automobile Dealers 45.00
Theatre 25.00
Auctioneers 2.00
Carriage 8.75
Guide .50
Denatured Alcohol 9.00
Bowling Ailey 10.00
Victuallers 17.00
Garage 6.00
Sunday 26.00
Gasoline Tank 2.00
Marriage 87.00
Milk 13.50
SIaughtering and Fees 375.00
$781.42
FINES
Police Court $1,556.41
$1,556.41
GRANTS AND GIFTS
County of Middlesex (Dog licenses) $1,047.74
$89,656.75
FROM COMMONWEALTH OTHER GENERAL REVENUE
Corporation Tax (1920) $71.44 Town of Arlington (Tax) 1922 $428.32
Coporation Tax (1922) 691.97 'City of Cambridge (Tax) 1923 411.39
Corporation Tax (1923) 8,185.86
Income Tax (1921) 660.75 $839.71
Income Tax (1922) . 783.00
Income Tax (1923) 29,775.41 SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Land 76.00 Moth (1922) $50.20
Soldier's Exemption 61.73 Moth (1923) 132,32
Bank Tax (1923) 431.20
Income (General School Fund) 1923 11,558.05 $182.52
Street Railway Tax 45.37 Sewer (1920) $27.25
Sewer (1922) 50.70
$52,340.78 Sewer (1923) 143.70
LICENSES Sewer (in advance) 20.14 241.79
$1,047.74
Liquor $1.00 Sidewalks (1922) 637.95
Junk 141.67
Pedlars 12.00 $1,062.26
Fees
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 185 186 ANNUAL REPORTS
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Treasurer
Certificates
Fees
Collector
$21.00
$21.00
INSPECTION
Sealer of Weights and Measures,.fee 1922 and 1923 .. $90.54
FORESTRY
Moth and other Insect Extermination
$7.00 Commonwealth of Massachusetts reimbursement ......
61.40 Material
$90.54
$111.58
1.70
$68.40 $113.28
TOWN CLERK SHADE TREES
Pole location fees $6.00
Recording mortgages fees 94.75
Physician's Registration .25
Certified copies 18.00
Sales, voting list 2.00
$122.1C
Rent
TOWN HALL
Telephone calls
Material
$544.00
2.35
3.58
$549.98
SELECTMEN
Advertising $2.50
$2.50
Wood $8.00
HEALTH AND SANITATON
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Reimbursements from individuals
$8.00
$367.00
$367.00
DENTAL CLINIC
Reimbursement $217.50
$217.50
SEWER MAINTENANCE
Connections and rentals $3,030.42
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
POLICE DEPARTMENT $3,030.42
Junk $4.50
Reimbursement, silent cop damaged 8.50
$13.00
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Sale of old material •
Rent, Village Hall 31.25
$40.0:1
Y71.�5
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Reimbursement from individuals $494.81
Damage to street signs 18.00
Material sold 42.87
$555.68
MAPLE AND LOWELL STREETS (CONSTRUCTOIN)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts reimbursement $5,219.00
TOWN of LEXINGTON
181
County of Middlesex reimbursement 1,534.24
$6,753.33
CHARITIES
ALMSHOUSE
Sundries $5.00
OUTSIDE AID
188 ANNUAL REPORT;
RECREATION
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Ice privilege, 1922 $50.00
Grass 20.00
Telephone calls 1.00
$71.00
$5.00 LOCKER BUILDING (Playground)
Paid by Insurance Companies on account of fire Loss .. ,$35.70
Reimbursements from individuals $64.28 $85.70
Reimbursement from cities and towns 221.72
Reimbursements from Commonwealth of Massachusetts 142.86 UNCLASSIFIED
$428.8c Rent of house, 331 Mass. Avenue $360.00
Rent of home, 333 Mass. Avenue 10.00
MOTHER'S AID Rent of house, 335 Mass. Avenue 105.00
Reimbursement from Cities and Towns $1,246.80
Reimbursement from Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2,802.16
$4,048.96
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
State Aid, Commonwealth of Mass. reimbursement 1922 $480.00
Military Aid, Com. of Mass. reimbursement 1922
SCHOOLS
48.50
$528.50
Town of Lincoln, tuition $60.00
Town of Bedford, tuition 5,808.00
Town of Burlington, tuition 312.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Vocational Schools 201.88
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, evening schools 75.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, state wards 563.75
Books, telephones, etc. 9.50
$7,030.13
LIBRARIES
Rent of Stone Building $10.00
$10.00
$475.00
Returned insurance premiums 72.04
$547.04
WATER DEPARTMENT
Meter rates $28,448.63
Watering troughs 100.00
Hydrants 2,350.00
Miscellaneous 4,962.87
$35,856.50
CEMETERIES
MONROE CEMETERY
Sale of lots and graves $20.00
Care of lots 732.75
Removal, interments, etc. 400.90
$1,153.65
WEST VIEW CEMETERY
Sale of lots and graves $2,424.35
Rent of house 125.00
TOWN OF LEXJNOTON
189
Interments, etc. 318.69
INTEREST
Deposits .
Accrued Interest
Taxes
Sewer
Tax Titles
$2,868.04
$1,517.91
32.05
2,963.45
32.63
38.25
Private Trust Fund (Water Department) 120.00
2.69
Accrued Interest, Water Department
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS
LOANS
Temporary loans (Anticipation of Revenue)
Highway Construction (Lowell and Maple Streets) ....
Water Loans (Grant Street)
Rremiunts
AGENCY, TRUST AND INVESTMENT
Munroe Cemetery, perpetual care funds
Westview Cemetery, perpetual care funds
Private Trust Fund (Water Department)
REFUNDS
Fire Deparment
Moth and Insect Suppression
Planning Board
State Aid
School Department
Total Receipts, 1923
Cash on hand, Janufary 1, 1923
$4,707.03
$400,000.00
2,000.00
1,750.00
3.75
$403,753.75
$650.00
1,1280
800.00
$2,578.00
$3.12
18.00
10.00
6.00
16.00
$53.12
$937,823.59
163,825.10
$1,101,653.65
190
ANNUAL RZPORT5
EXPENDITURES
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL GOVERNMENT
SELECTMEN
Salaries of Selectmen $175.66
Clerk 1,024.00
Stationery and postage 229.62
Printing and advertising 319.52
Services of constable 16.00
Services of checkers 50.00
Sundry services 11.00
ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT
Accountant's salary
Clerical assistance
Stationery and postage
Furniture
TREASURER'S DEPARTMENT
Treasurer's salary
Printing, stationery and postage
Bond
COLLECTOR'S DEPARTMENT
Collector's salary
Clerical services
Printing, stationery and postage ...
Bond
ASSESSOR'S DEPARTMENT
Salaries of Assessors
Salaries of Assistant Assessors
Clerical services
Stationery and postage
Printing and athertising
Auto Service
Real Estate transfers
$1,825.80
$2,400.00
10.60
109.0?
6.50
$2,626.97
$700.09 '
88.28
80.0)
$868.28
$1,900.00
70.75
266.56
100.00
$2,327.21
$400.00
1,994.72
665.00
179.83
241.10
196.78
49.64
TOWN OF LZIINGTON
191
Drawing table 73.17
$3,800.24
OTHER FINANCE OFFICES AND ACCOUNTS
192 ANNUAL REPORTS
Sundry expenses 8.30
$4,344.87
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Salary of Engineer $2,563.57
Certifying notes $62.00 Clerks 1,971.33
Carfares 21.16
$62.00 Field and office supplies 442.86
APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE
Stationery, printing and postage $122.37
TOWN HALL
$122.37 Janitor $1,354.68
LAW DEPARTMENT Labor 6.88
Fuel 1,936.69
Salary $100.00 Light 346.4,3
Professional services 725.07 Janitor's supplies 108.76
Stationery, printing and postage 231.54 Repairs 463.39
Witness fees 250.56 Telephone 268.32
Water and sewer . 29.34
$1,307.17 Furniture 88.80
Ice 30.40
$4,998.92
TOWN CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Salary $1,700.00 $4,633.64
Clerical assistance 45.00 COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS
Printing, stationery and postage 73.03
Bond 4.00 Printing and advertising $225.06
Office supplies 7.70
$1,829.73
ELECTION AND REGISTRATIONS
Registrars $148.96
Election officers 135.00
Stationery, printing and postage 121.11
Meals 26.50
Booth Iights 16.55
$225.00
PUBLICATION OF BY-LAWS
Printing and advertising $279.00
$279.00
PROTECTION OF .PERSONS AND PROPERTY
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Salaries:
$448.12 Chief ' $2,071.04
SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Patrolmen 13,180.40
Special Police . 765.0C
Salary of Superintendent $4.200.00 Stenographic services 73.00
Clerical services 10.00 Matron 4.25
Stationery and printing .... 123.57
Bond 3.00 $16,093.69
Tow?: 0r LExiNGTax 193
Aut service 94.15
Equipment and repairs 1,199.25
Light 118.99
Repairs, buildings . , , 279.71
Janitor's supplies 11.80
Stationery, printing and postage 123.88
Telephones 372.63
Meals for Prisoners 14.70
Meals for State Police (April 19th) 7.50
Furniture 155.83
Traveling expense 44.45
Sundry items 20.22
FIRE DEPARTMENT
SALARIES:
$18,536.80
194 ANNUAL %Ma i
Sundry items 13.45
$22,896.18
Hydrant service 2,350.00
Fire Prevention Tax 95.16
$25,341.34
(VILLAGE HALL FIRE STATION)
Fuel $559.74
Light 7.45
Repairs 30.00
Janitor's supplies 4.08
INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS
$601.27
Engineers $650.00
Regular men 11,478.65 Salary of Inspector $720.00
Call men 2,396.45 Stationery and printing 11.05
Badge 1.00
$14,525.10
Lunches 8.30
Horse hire 928.00
Hay and Grain 103.74
EQUIPMENT AND REPAIRS
Apparatus $1,762.89
Hose 888.2!
Equipment for men 28.15
Alarm boxes, etc. 674.33
Shop equipment, tools 100.18
Maintenance of Chief's car 200.00
Fuel 813.04
Light 189.58
MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
Repairs 1,883.62
Furniture and furnishings 349.76
Laundry 110.35
Water and sewer rates 37.84
Stationery, printing and postage 44.63
Telephones 112.27
Power for blowing whistle 60.00
Janitor's supplies , 42.74
$732.05
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Salary, sealer $100.00
Stationery, printing and postage 8.00
Auto service and carfares 30.86
Seals and dies 60.01
$198.87
MOTH AND INSECT SUPPRESSION
SALARIES:
Superintendent $1,454.25
Labor 1,672.48
Clerk 200.00
$3,326.73
Sprayer repairs and gasoline 46.36
Insecticides 1,481.40
Hardware and tools 11.39
Teams 93.00
=4,558.88
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
SHADE TREES
Labor
Hardware and tools
FOREST FIRES
Fighting fires
Team hire
Telephone
Equipment
DOG OFFICER
195 196
$1,757.25
36.73
$1,793.98
$382.95
12.00
52.11
14.75
$461.81
Collecting dog licenses $50.00
Agent
Inspector
HEALTH AND SANITATION
SALARIES:
Printing and advertising
Express and telephones
Medical attendance
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
$50.00
ANNUAL REPORTS
INSPECTION
Plumbing Inpector's salary $500.00
Inspector of Animal's salary 196.43
SIaughtering Inspector's salary .. 900.00
Milk Inspector's salary and expenses 250.00
Dentist
Assistant
DENTAL CLINIC
SALARIES:
$1,000.00
259.5e
$1,846.43
1,259.50
Supplies 88.94
Laundry 29.13
Printing 9.75
DENTAL CLINIC (SPECIAL APPROPRIATION)
Reimbursement of Drs. Shannon, Osgood and Stankard
$50.00 for materials and dental work on school children,
40.00 1920 and 1921
Hospitals ....
Cities and Towns
Fumigations and disinfectants
Equipment and repairs
Burying dead animals
VITAL STATISTICS
Birth returns
Death returns
$19.50
23.50
$90.00
242.00
38.18 SEWER MAINTENANCE
166.00
Salary of Superintendent $323.36
Stationery, printing and postage 18.50
Clerk 105.30
$1,435.36 Labor 2,170.75
174.68 Excess deposits returned 103.89
22.00 Tools and equipment 63.00
71.14 Pipe and fittings 535.77
11.00 Materials 39.54
Insurance 54.22
$1,387.32
$300.00
$300.00
$2,250.36
43.00
$3,413.56
Metropolitan Sewer Tax $7,240.49
Labor
Insurance
SEWER CONNECTIONS
$605.47
134.45
Material
Labor
Material
Towx OF LlrX1NGTON
SEWER CONSTRUCTION
SALARIES:
HIGHWAYS
197
188.97
$11,582.94
$27.00
41.25
$68.25
Superintendent $913.51
Clerks 333.90
Labor 20,074.68 $21,322.09
Broken stone, gravel, etc. 6,377.45
Equipment and repairs 4,928.14
Telephone 68.08
Lunches 7.59
Veteniary services 6.50
Stationery and Printing 119.79
Auto service 393.78
Board of horses 4,044.07
Tarvia, and oil 7,278.37
Fuel . , _ 441.73
Watering troughs
State Highway tax.
44,987.50
140.00
2,437.80
HIGHWAYS (CONSTRUCTION)
(Maple and Lowell Streets and Mass. Avenue)
Contract work
Sidewalk
Land damages
Claim
Construction
SIDEWALKS AND CURBING
$47,525.30
$8,455.28
1,051.11
1,000.00
72.00
$10,578.39
$602.15
198 ANNUAL RZPOLTI
$602.15
SNOW AND ICE REMOVING
Labor $6,917.72
Teams and material 4,384.65
Equipment and repairs 296.92
Advertising 1.10
$11,600.39
STREET LIGHTS
Street lighting $13,748.99
STREET SIGNS
$13,748.99
Street signs $176.75
$176.75
CHARITIES
OUTSIDE RELIEF
ruing, stationery and postage $ 1.56
Salary of visitor 200.00
Groceries and Provisions 25.0
Coal and Wood .. 36.25
Board and care 250.31
Medicine 27.10
State Institutions 584.14
Cash aid 946.00
Burial 55.00
Stationery .85
Other Cities and towns 739.89
Mother's Aid (town) 4,330.10
Mother's Aid (other cities and towns) 216.00
Salary of Town Physician
ALMSHOUSE
$7,412.3
100.00
$7,512.33
Dry goods and clothing $ 9.70
Repairs, buildings 17.80
Board of inmates 1,387.02 '
Medicine
Newspapers
TOWN OF LsxINGTON
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
199
13.81
8.30
$1,436.63
200 Ari z. Rl3Posxs
Elementary 5,946.78
$7,756.93
FUEL AND LIGHT
High School $1,624.71
State Aid $414.00 Elementary Schools r
Soldiers' relief 5,306.45
SCHOOLS
GENERAL EXPENSE
Salary of Superintendent
Secretaries
Truant Officer
Stationery, Printing and postage
Telephones
Traveling expenses
Nurse
School Physician
TEACHER'S SALARIES
High School
Elementary Schools
Evening School
Vocational Schools
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
High Text and reference books
High Supplies
Elementary Text and reference: book
Elementery Supplies
Transportation
Janitor's services
High School
266.00
$680.00
$3,148.00
1,319.00
75.00
207.79
351.39
234.61
550.00
500.00
$6,385.79
$31,142.52
60,601.98
100.00
501.66
$92,352.16
$1,510.43
883.92
$2,394.35
$2,070.13
2,935.80
$7,400.28
$8,139.11
$1,810.15
$6,931.16
MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS AND GROUND
HIGH SCHOOLS
Repairs
Janitor's supplies
Water and sewer rates
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
$810.74
168.81
89.69
$1,069.24
Repairs $ 810.05
Janitor's supplies 280.Y0
Water and sewer rates 553.75
$1,643.90
FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS
High School $ 221.43
Elementary Schools 354.39
Diplomas and graduation exercises 236,12
$811.94
Salary, Clerk School Committee 50,00
Grand Total $132,540.51
LIBRARIES
CARY MEMORIAL LIBRARY AND BRANCH
SALARIES:
Librarians $2,019.01
Assistants 3,050.00
Treasurer 50.00
Janitors ... 1,107.50
$6,226.511
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 201
BUILDINGS
Telephones $ 77.26
Office supplies 43.55
Fuel 1,198.77
Light 391.09
Repairs 497.07
Furniture and furnishings 2.00
Water and sewer rates 26.58
Cartage 18.00
Stationery 2.40
Janitor's supplies 38.57
$8,521.79
Treasurer, Cary Memorial Library (Dog licenses) $1,047.74 $250.00
202 ANNUAL Rspoari
Transportation
"United States Regulars
Police
Veterans
PENSIONS
UNCLASSIFIED
Memorial Day, Post 119, G. A. R.
* 14.96
$299.96
$866.91
1,467.36
$2,334.27
$250.00
RECREATION
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS
Salary of Superintendent $1,252.00
Telephone 29.10
Labor 1,090.13
Equipment and repairs 2,998.1;s
Fertilizer, seed, loam 62.L.,
Water rates . 56.32
Light 12.75
Printing 3.00
Instructors 205.00
Materia] 136.35
$5,844.92
Printing and delivering
Premiums
TOWN REPORTS
INSURANCE
SUNDRIES
Expense, houses, Mass. Avenue
Ink
Decorating Public Buildings
Cabinet
$1,024.32
$1,024.32
$2,388.76
$2,388.76
$131.10
4.50
60.00
59.88
LOCKER BUILDING ON PLAYGROUND (FIRE LOSS) $255.43
High School Athletic Association, equipment loss $482.00
$482.00 Mary J. Chisholm
CELEBRATIONS AND ENTERTAINMENTS
APRIL NINETEENTH
Music $190.00
Refreshments • 45.00
Printing .. 20.011
Bandstand . 20.00
Services 10.00
CLAIMS
Breck Robinson Nursery Co.
WATER DEPARTMENT
MAINTENANCE
Salary, Superintendent
Clerks
$ 520.00
5,000.00
$5,520.00
$ 752.61
1,638.05
TowN or LEXINGTON
Stationery and postage
Printing and advertising
Telephone
Interest
Labor
Maintenance of horse and wagon
Pipe and fittings
Equipment and repairs
Metropolitan Water Tax
Rent
Teams
Insurance
Excess deposits returned
CONSTRUCTION
Labor
Pipe and fittings
Cement
Register
Hydrants
PURCHASE OF WATER MAIN
St. Margaret's Avenue
Salary of Clerk
Labor
CEMETERIES
MONROE CEMETERY
Plants
Fence
Equipment and repairs
Printing, stationery and postage
Water rates
WEST VIEW CEMETERY
Salary of Superintendent
Labor
208
360.33
213.50
6.92
3,197.50
5,611.85
279.96
162.21
1,962.97
10,466.62
396.00
49.98
389.68
364.62
$25,852.30
$11,444.23
11,528.29
22.50
16.63
729.45
$23,741.10
$465.00
$465.00
$ 100.00
1,243.50
12.96
455.21
121.92
41.36 ,
24.96
$1,999.91
$ 550.00
1,828.00
20O
ANNUAL RZPOfTI
Material 860.93
Fertilizer, loam and shrubs 359.35
Markers 118.50
Equipment and repairs 111.43
Printing, stationery and postage 43.00
Water service 455.16
ADMINISTRATION OF TRUST FUNDS
Salary of Clerk
Typewriting
Rent of safe
$4,326.37
$ 50.00
10.00
10.00
$70.00
INTEREST
Temporary Loans (Anticipation of Revenue) $8,672.67
• ` Temporary Loans (Sewer Connections) Anticipation of
Bond Issue 42.50
General Loans 13,010.88
Cemetery Loans 472.50
$22,198.55
MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS
Temporary Loans (Anticipation of Revenue) $450,000.00
Temporary Roans (Sewer Connections) Anticipation of
Bond Issue 1,000.00
Cemetery Loans 2,000.00
General . Loans 36,850.00
Water Loans 24,500.00
$514,350.00
AGENCY
1 County Tax $12,849.37
State Tax 20,880.00
Civilian War Poll Tax 6,084.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts refund
486.03
Corporation Tax
•
Tax Title refund 159.20
$40,458.6
•
TOWN 0? LEXINGTON
205
TRUST AND INVESTMENT
Munroe Cemetery, perpetual care funds $ 650.00
West View Cemetery, perpetual care funds 1,128.0
REFUNDS
Fire Department
Moth Department
Planning Board
State Aid
Schools
$1,778.00
3.12
18.00
10.00
6.00
16.00
$53.12
Total expenditures $ 989.170.65
Cash balance, Dec. 31, 1923 $ 112,483.04
$1,101.653.69
UNPAID BILLS
Health Department $ 43.50
Town Hall 2.00
Insurance 126.00
Water Department 148.42
$319.92
APPROPRIATION ACCOUNTS
Transfers
Appropriation and Expenditure's Balance
Receipts
Appropriation Committee $140.00 $122.37
Committee on. By -Laws 225.58 (Bal.) 225.00
Publication of By -Laws
(In Lexington Times) 300.00 279.00
Selectmen's Department 2,050.00 1,825.80
Accountant 2,560.00 2,526.97
Treasurer 930.00 868.28
Collector 2,350 2,327.31
Assessors 3,000.00 810.00 3.800.24
Publication of Assessors
Valuation List 600.00
Other Finance offices and
accounts . 78.75 62.00
Law Department 813.10 730.00 1,307.17
Town Clerk 1,850.00 1,829.73
Supt. of Public Works 4,350.00 4,344.87
Elections and registrations 500.00 44S.12
206
ANNUAL REPORTS
Engineering Department ..
Town Hall
Policy Department
Fire Department
Hydrant Rentals
Village Hall, Fire Station..
Inspector of Buildings
Building Laws (Publication
after Revision
Scaler of Weights and
Measures
Moth and Insect Suppression
Shade Trees
Forest Fires
Dog Officer
Health Department
Dental Clinic
Dental Clinic (Special Ap-
propriation)
Vital Statistics
Inspector of Cattle
Inspector of Slaughtering
Inspector of Plumbing
Inspector of Milk
Sewer Maintenance
Sever Construction
Sewer Connections
Highwty Department
Highway Construction (Ma
ple and Lowell Streets)
Street Signs
Sidewalks
Snow Remrval
Street Lights
Watering Troughs
Outside Aid
Support of Poor
Town Physician
Soldier's Relief
State Aid
Soldier':; burials
'.4ilitary Aid
Clerk, School Committee
School Maintenance
Libraries
Salary, Library Treasurer
5,000.00 4,998.92
3,450.00 1,330.00 4,663.64
18,200.00 352.01 18,536.80
23,000.00 7.87 22,904.05
2,350.00 2,350.00
350.00 275.00 601.27
745.00 732.05
of
50.00
125.00
5,000.00
1,800.00
250.00
50.00
1,300.00
1,500.00
75.00
18.00
225.00
1,200.00
300.00
30.00 20.00
200.00
650.00 400.00
500.00
250.00
793.681303,030.42
92.12Bal
6,500.00'
45,000.00 619.55
16,271.47*
200.00
500.00
14,000.00
15,500.00
100.00
9,000.00
1,465.00
100.00
300.00
500.00
100.00
105.00
132,500.00
8,500.00
60.00
198.87
4,976.88
1,793.98
461.81
50.00
2,250.36
1,387.32
300.00
43.00
196.43
900.00
500.00
250.00
3,413.56
68.25
6,428.89
45,607.05
410.54
23.87
71.11
7,126.56 10,578.39 12,819.64.'
176.75
105.00 602.15 .
2.12 11,600.39
13,748.99
100.00
7,412.33
1,436.63
100.00
266.00
6.00 420.00
50.00 50.00
16.00 132,506.51
8,471.79
50.00
TowN' or LEXINGTON
207
Hastings Park 5.00
Parks and Playgrounds 4,900.00 954.43 5,844.92
Locker Building on Playground
Fire loss) 1,276.43 482.00
April Nineteenth 300.00 299.96
Police Pensions 870.00 866.91
Veterans Pensions 1,470.00 1,467.36
Memorial Day 250.00 250.00
Insurance 3,500.00 2,388.76
Town Report 1,025.00 1,024.32
Unclassified 200.00 100.00 255.48
Reserve Fund 2,500.00 1,220.00
Mary J. Chisholm (claim) 520.00 520.00
Breck-Robinson Nursery Co
and James P. Munroe,
Sumner Robinson Trus-
tees (claim) 5,000.00 5,000.00
Water Department 16,040.62 38,659.19 50,793.40 3,906.411
Purchase of Water Main
(St. Margarets Avenue) 465.00 465.00
Town Scales 25.00
Cemetery Maintenance 2,000.00 1,999.91
West View Cemetery (Lay-
out and Development) inc.
bal. 3,581.10 2,000.00 4,326.37 1,254.73
Trustees Public Trusts 70.00 70.00
Interest on Public Debt 23,700.00 22,198.55
Maturing Debt 63,350.00 2,000.00 64,350.00
• Includes $5,500 rescinded
°Includes $12,000 not issued (Highway Const. Maple and Lowell Sts.)
1 Irdudes $3,850.00 Water Department, not issued
208
ANNUAL REPOB.T6
TOWN DEBT, WHEN DUE
December 31, 1923
Year Water Sewer Trust Funds Other Debt Total
1924 $21,250.00 $4,000.00 $1,000.00 $31,350.00 $57,600.01
1925 18,500.00 4,000.00 1,000.00 30,000.00 53,500.00
1926 7,500.00 3,000.00 1,00000 29,000.00 40,500.00
1927 3,500.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 19,000.00 26,500.00
1928 1,500.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 15,500.00 21,000.00
1929 1,500.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 13,000.00 18,500.00
1930 1,500.00 3,000.00 1,000.00 10,000.00 15,500.00
1931 8,000.00 1,000.00 7,000.00 11,000.00
1932 3,000.00 1,000.00 7,000.00 11,000.00
1933 3,000.00 1,000.00 6,000.00 10,000.00
1934 3,000.00 1,000.00 6,000.00 10,000.00
1935 3,000.00 1,000.00 6,000.00 10,000.00
1936 3,000.00 4,000.00 7,000.00
1937 3,000.00 4,000.00 7,000.00
1938 3,000.00 4,000.00 7,000.00
1939 3,000.00 4,000.00 7,000.00
1940 3,000.00 1,000.00 4,000.00
1941 3,000.00 1,000.00 4,000.00
1942 3,000.00 1,000.00 4,000.10
1943 3,000.00 1,000.00 4,000.00
1944 3,000.00 3,000.00
1945 3,000.00 3,000.00
$55,250.00 $68,000.00 $12,000.00 $199,850.00 $335,100.00
210 ANNUAL REPoR'rs
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
BALANCE SHEET December 31, 1923
GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
Cash Balance
In Banks and Office $112.483.04
Accounts Receivable :—
Tax Levy, 1923 88,775.98
Special Assessments:—
Moth Assessment, 1928 $ 12.88
Sidewalk Assessment, 1923 153.57
Apportioned Sewer Assessment, 1923 12.45
Unappartioned Sewer, 1922 52.25 230.65
Tax Titles 7,975.57
Departmental Bills
Sewer Maintenance 1,395.99
Munroe Cemetery 109.25
Westview Cemetery 1,056.84
Charities 1,858.59
Health 1,315.41
Schools 244.53
Unclassified 30.00
Selectmen 2.50
State Aid (1923) 414.00
Water hills 516.24 6,943.35
Water Department (Private Trust Fund) 1,600.00
Loans, authorized .. A 15,850.00
Overlay, 1922 (overdraft) 119.32
$233,977.91
DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, not due $614.61
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 211
LIABILITIES
Temporary Loans (Anticipation of Revenue) $175,000.00
Department Appropriations (Loan Balances) :—
Sewer Construction $ 23.87
Sewer Connections 71.11
Highway Construction (Maple and Lowell
Sts.) 12,819.64
New Schoolhouse, (North Lexington) 491.87
Westview Cemetery, (land) 1,090.82 14,497.31
Sale of Lots Fund (Munroe Cemetery) 36.00
$a]e of lots Fund (Westview Cemetery) 861.35
Departmental Revenue 5,197.07
Sewer Maintenance Revenue 1,395.99
Water Revenue 516.24
Sewer Assessment Revenue 64.7u
Tax Title Suspense 26.47
Tax Title Reserve 7,975.57
Sewer Assessment Fund (Available for Sewer Construc-
tion) 1,450.07
Sewer Maintenance 410.54
Water Department 3,906.41
Water Department (Repairs on Standpipe) 2,246.87
Westview Cemetery (Layout and Development) 1,254.73
Guarantee Fund (Water Department 1,600.00
Overlay, 1923 . 578.08
Omitted Assessment 1923 428.04
General Revenue and Surplus 16,532.47
$233.977.91
DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Apportioned Sewer Assessments: ---
Due in 1924 $149.42
1925 '149.42
1926 140.77
1927 35.00
1928 35.00
1929 35.00
1930 35.00
4531 35.00 #814.61
212
ANNUAL. REPORTS
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Bonded or Fixed Debt, December 31, 1923
$335,100.00
TowN LExmoTON
DEBT ACCOUNTS
General Loans
213 214
Mass. Avenue Improvement Loan 1917, 43 percent .... $ 4,000.00
Sumruer Street Improvement Loan 1917, 4/ percent 2,000.00
Woburn Street Improvement Loan 1920, 6 percent 2,000.00
Munroe School Loan, 1904, 31/4 percent 1,350.00
Adams School Loan, 1912, 4 percent 21,000.03
School Construction Loan 1915, 4 percent 24,000.00
New Schoolhouse, North Lexington, Loan, 1919, 4' percent 54,000.00
New Schoolhouse, North Lexington, Loan, 1920, 6 percent 4,000.00
Buckman Tavern Park Loan, 1913, 4% percent 20,000.00
Sewer Loan, 1915, 4 percent 68,000.00
Trust Fund, (Refunding) 1910, 4 percent 12,000.00
Street Improvement Loan, 1921, 5% percent 30,000.00
Street Improvement Loan, 1922, Lowell and Maple Sts
414 percent 19,500.00
Street Improvement Loan, 1922, Depot Park, 4% percent 9,000.0u
WATER LOANS
Water Loan (Refunding) 1905, 4'percent 20,000.00
Water Lean (Extensions and Standpipe) 1912, 4 percent 10.500.00
Water Loan 1920 (Concord Avenue) 5 percent 2,000.00
Water Loan 1920 (Farmhurst) 6 percent 1,000.00
Water Loan 1921 (Extension of Mains) 5% percent 12,000.00
Water Loan 1922 (Fo]len Road) 4 percent 8,000.00
Water Loan 1923 (Grant Street) 4 ' percent 1,750.00
CEMETERY LOANS
Westview Cemetery Loan, 1917, 41 percent 4,000.00
Westview Cemetery, 1918, 41/4 percent 5,000.00
Total $885,100.00
ANN dAL Rsrnsra
TRUST FUND ACCOUNTS
CASH AND SECURITIES
In hands of Trustees $67,415.53
PUBLIC PROPERTY ACCOUNTS
Towr. of Lexington
$67,415.53
$021,070.9::
$921,010.9:1
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
TRUST FUNDS ACCOUNTS
215
Eleanor S. Beals Charity Fund $ 2,398.15
Samuel J. Bridge Charity Fund .. 4,607.94
Harriet R. Gdmor Charity Fund 728.37
Jonas Gammell Charity Fund 689.98
Elizabeth B. Gerry Charity Fund 2,043.87
Lexington High School Scholarship Fund 182.13
Cary Memorial Library Fund 11,000.00
Cary Memorial Library Fund (Income Reserve) 354.31
Robbins Library Fund 100.00
Wellington Library Fund 1,000.01)
Beals Library Fund . .. 1,100.00
Laura M. Brigham Library Fund 3,000.00
Book Fund (Library) 1,000.00
Goodwin Music Fund (Library) 500.00
Cary Maintenance Fund (Library) 2,400.00
Jane Phinney Fund (Library) 112.90
George 0. Smith (Park Fund) . 2,457.10
Hayes Fountain Fund 1,106.68
Charles E. French Medal and Cemetery Fund 4,743.97
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund (Principal) Munroe 22,485.00
Cemetery :Perpetual Care Fund (Income) Munroe 2,948.17
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund (Principal) Westview 2,315.00
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund (Income) Westview 146.96
$67,415.53
PUBLIC PROPERTY ACCOUNTS
Real Estate $540,926.62
Water Warks 282,065.00
Sewer System 98,080.81
$521,070.93
CHARLES F. PIERCE,
Town Accountant.
Tows OF LEXINGTON
REPORT OF
BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND
PUBLIC WORKS
217 218 Awe UAr. %PORTS
To the citizens of the Town of Lexington,
The second year under the new fot'm of town gov-
ernment has passed. It is really the first year that the
new form has fully functioned. It has added mater-
ially
aterially to the duties and responsibilities of the Selectmen.
As a report in detail is received from each department
and submitted to your attention it does not appear neces-
sary to repeat such matters here.
Upon receiving the resignation of Mr. Robert L.
Ryder as Town Counsel, Mr. Edward C. Stone was prevail-
ed upon to accept this office and the Board wishes to
thank him at this time for his assistance to the Board in
giving all matters referred to him such careful considera-
tion. His advice and judgment in many matters of vital
interest to the Town, his giving of his time to attend the
meetings of the Board cannot be estimated, but they are
appreciated to the fullest extent by the members of this
Board.
The Police Department under the direction of Ed-
ward Leavitt, who was appointed Chief in February, has
proved to be a very efficient departmrent. Mr. Leavitt had
established himself, before coming to Lexington, as a man
of excellent character, ability and .judgment and by his
energy and application to duty he has shown that Lex-
ington is not the place for people who do not intend to
obey the laws.
New regulations have been adopted after approval
by this Board. The offices of the department were
cleaned, painted and enlarged, a sergeant appointed, a
telephone system added. All of this has improved the
department, the personnel of which is above the average.
Francis J. Toye was appointed a Registrar of Voters
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Charles F.
Nourse.
Frederick J. Spencer was appointed to the Board of
Assessors in place of William W. Reed who resigned.
Chester L. Blakley, D. V. M. was appointed inspector
of animals as the death of Dr. Harry L. Alderman left
the office open.
New regulations have been adopted by the Board of
Health upon approval by the Attorney General and pro-
per publication. Money should be provided to pay an
agent of the Board so that the regulations may be prop-
erly enforced
Several land developments are progressing favor-
ably for the Town and next year should show a large in-
crease in real estate valuations. The difficulties encount-
ered by the Assessors were very discouraging, but in
spite of all the attempts to embarrass and hassass the
Board, the work done by this department has been excel-
lent and of great value to the Town as the large reduc-
tion in the tax rate this year shows. It is hoped further
to reduce the rate the coming year.
The extension of Forest . Street to Massachusetts
Avenue should be made as it will open more land and
increasevalues in that part of the Town and consequent-
ly be a further means of improving the income. There is
no doubt but that this improvement will increase the
present valuation by more than one hundred thousand
dollars in a very few years.
The former Board of Park Commissioners made cer-
tain arrangements to help toward preparing the Pageant
Grounds for the celebration of 1925 and, as far as possi-
ble, this Board desires to complete such work as was
agreed upon. . .
The growth of the Town calls for an increase of the
number of street lights each year. Twenty-one have been
added this year, making the total number to date 716.
Nearly all the public ways of the Town are in good
condition, but sufficient money should be provided to
maintain them and to rebuild parts of a few that are
worn out. Waltham Street should be reconstructed from
TowN OP LEXINGTON 219
Massachusetts Avenue to near Allen Street and from Con-
cord Avenue to the Waltham Iine. Lowell Street from
Woburn St. to the Burlington line and the whole of Con-
cord Avenue are in very poor condition. The State and
the County are ready to assume a proportion of the cost
of constructing Lowell Street this year which, provided
this work were continued through Burlington, Bedford
and Billerica, would divert a great amount of traffic away
from Mass. Avenue. Concord Avenue is an important
highway, but the condition of it in this Town is deplor-
able and a menace. A special appropriation should be
made each year so that a portion may be rebuilt until the
whole is completed.
A great many water extensions and sewer connec-
tions have been made during the year as may be observ-
ed by a study of the reports of those departments.
The cost of snow removal for the winter of 1922 and
1923 was apparently necessary in order that the princi-
ple streets should be anywhere near passable for traffic.
A public hearing was held to help the Board formu-
late rules and regulations for the operation of jitneys
in the Town as an application for such operation had
been received from the Middlesex and Boston Street
Railway Company and from others. No rules and regu-
lations have yet been adopted, but it is expected that this
will be accomplished early in 1924.
The Act which created the office of Superintendent
of Public works stipulates that the Selectmen shall ap-
point such officer who shall administer, under the super-
vision and direction of the selectmen, such departments
of the Town as the Selectmen may designate. This left
the responsibility to the Selectmen, but they were not
allowed to exercise their authority or their judgment in
the matter as it was shown at the annual Town Meeting
that unless the will of one man was carried out no funds
would be voted for this office. This was a case of delib-
erate coercion and forced the Selectmen to do at once
what, in their judgment should have been carried over
a longer period of time than it was, in justice to the gen-
tleman appointed Superintendent, as well as to the
Selectmen. By taking on the duties of different depart-
ments gradually there would have been time to study the
220
ANNUAL REPORTS
needs of each department as it was added, without any
more expense, and evidently to the better administration
of the affairs of the Town.
WILLIAM S. SCAMMAN,
ALBERT H. BURNHAM,
HALLIE C. BLAKE,
FRED H. MOULTON,
J. CHESTER HUTCHINSON.
Board of Selectmen and Public Works.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
BOARD OF HEALTH
2`.1 222 Awxvsx, Raroass
R.ules and regulations of the Board of Health of Lex-
ington were revised and adopted by the Board March 20,
1923, and approved by the Attorney General May 25,
1923, so that it is now possible to obtain a conviction un-
der these laws.
The death of Dr. Harry L. Alderman, who had serv-
ed the town since 1903, as Inspector of Animals, left the
office vacant and Dr. Chester L. Blakely, a registered
Veterinary, was appointed to fill the unexpired term.
Only two licenses to Slaughter were granted and
because of that only one Inspector was appointed. The
Board accepted the resignation of Mr. Leonard K. Dun-
ham leaving Mr. George A. Warner as the only Inspector.
Later in the year a permit was granted Mr. August
Young to Slaughter after he obtained a Federal permit
with Federal inspection. This permit does not call for
any expense from the town, but rather brings a revenue
from the fee for the use of the building.
The Board voted to discontinue the practice of fumi-
gating as we found many cities and towns were not keep-
ing up this practice. The State Board of Health advis-
ed cleaning houses where contagious diseases existed
with soap and water and leaving the windows open for
air and sunshine.
A request for the collection of garbage was made by
residents of East Lexington. The study of this matter
was turned over to the Superintendent of Public Works,
who reported the cost of such collection so high that the
Board could see no way to collect it at the present. The
only way the collections can be is by the Town providing
a substantial appropriation for this work
On the question of the piggeries in the town many
complaints have been received by your Board and much
criticism made on their condition. As a result of this
a hearing was called by the Board. At this hearing every
ane keeping pigs in town and all who had made cam -
plaints so far as we could ascertain were extended an
invitation by letter to be present. This hearing was
also advertised in both the local papers and resulted in
a large attendance.
As a result of this hearing with the help of the Town
Counsel and Superintendant of Public Works, Regulations
for the keeping of swine were drawn up and submitted to
Dr. Charles E. Simpson, health officer for this district of
the State, who approved them. They were then submitt-
ed to the Attorney General who approved them November
14, 1923, making it possible to enforce them. We hope
these regulations will greatly improve conditions but it
seems necessary to have an Inspector of Health who can
have authority and the necessary supervision at all times.
There has been $367 returned to the Town on the
Board of Health account; $523.50 is outstanding against
the State; and $791.91 is in the hands of the Town Coun-
sel for collection.
ALBERT H. BURNHAM,
Selectman.
TOWN or LEXINGTON
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
223 224 ANNUAL REPoars
The Overseers of the Poor herewith present their
annual report for the year January lst, 1923 to December'
31st, 1923.
During the year there has been a constant demand
for work for persons receiving aid from the Town, all of
which, when supplied, has been helpful in reducing the
amount of aid to be given. The Trustees of Public
Trusts have cooperated with this department this year,
giving about $500 as against $1000 in 1922. We are in-
formed that in 1924 this assistance will not be available,
as their surplus funds are now exhausted. We have,
therefofre, allowed for this reduction in the amount of
outside aid in making our estimate for 1924.
We are recommending a decrease in the appropria-
tion for the Department for this year. At the beginning
of 1923 a visitor was appointed to carry out the provi-
sions of the law, make reports on cases and to adjust the
aid given, when adjustments should be made.
During the past year nine cases have been removed
from our list of those receiving aid; two moved out of
town, five became self-supporting, and two were taken
care of by relatives and friends.
There are, of course, many cases where it is abso-
lutely necessary to Supply town funds to prevent suffer-
ing and hardship. It has been found, however, that in
some instances persons will request and accept aid even if
they are not entitled to it, and this situation is being care-
fully watched by the Board. Work is being constantly se-
cured for people in lieu of financial aid, and with much
more beneficial results. It is a rule of the Board that when
children reach the age of 16 aid for them shall be stop-
ed, if they are abbe to work.
The State Department of Welfare rules that aid can-
not be given where persons have an equity in property in
excess of $500. This rule is also followed carefully. At
the beginning of the year there were 27 cases, consisting
of 96 persons being aided by the Town. At the close of
the year there were 15 cases consisting of 42 persons be-
ing aided.
The expenses of this Department for the past three
years have been as follows:
GROSS REIMBURSEMENT NET EXPENSE
TO TOWN
1921
1922
1923
$10,188.74
8,989.07
7,412.33
From Mother's From Cities
Aid Towns and State
$2,661.67 $2,180.79
3,391.68 1,709.06
4,048.96 428.86
$5,346-28
3,888.33
Z934.51
These figures show a decrease in the net expense to
the Town of $953.95 as compared with 1922.
ALMSHOUSE.
The supervision of the inmates of the Almshouse is
under the direction of Mrs. William Eaton, as in the pre-
vious year.
The cost of maintaining this department has in-
creased slightly over 1922, owing to the fact that at one
time we were obliged to care for four persons. One of
these has recently died.
The expenses of maintaining this department for the
last three years has been as follows:
1921
1922
1923
$3,547.63
1,406.61
1,436.63
1. CHESTER IlUTCHTNNON,
Chairman Board of. Overseers of Poor.
TowN OF LEXINGTON
PARK DEPARTMENT
22{5
This year's work started with the. CONVENIENCE
STATION. This has been spoken of and advocated for
many years and is now complete and all proved all that
was expected. It was opened on April 19th, and closed
on November 1st.
The Parks and Playground, which included the
Common, Buckman Tavern lot, Belfry Hill, Hastings
Park, Park at junction of Woburn Street and Massachu-
setts Ave., Center Playground, East Lexington Play-
ground, Park at Muzzey Street Extension, Park at junc-
tion of Fallen Road and Pleasant Street, received a thor-
ough spring cleaning, and were carefully looked after
the balance of the year.
Work was then started on the Locker Building at the
Centre Playground. The contract for erection of the
Building was let out, but all other work in connection
with same was done by the employees of the Park De-
partment in conjunction with their other work, which cut
the cost of the completed building materially.
The Tennis Court at East Lexington was completed,
and well patronized during the season.
Repairs were made on grandstand and made safe
for use. A cement grand stand should be built at an
early date.
The pipe line fence was extended 150 feet.
Instructors were secured for the East Lexington and
Center Playgrounds, but regret to state that the attend-
ance at the Center Playground was not as large as in for-
mer years, owing to the fact that the swimming pool was
not available this year, which was a great disappointment
to our children. The children of Lexington enjoyed the
closing day of our summer work, by a visit to the Concord
Playground ; later to Lake Waldron, where lunch was
served and swimming enjoyed, returning home at 5 P. M.
This Fall ditches were cleaned and land seeded down
226
ANNUAL REP cam
by Mr. Charles Ryder, who has the use of the land
until 1925.
Again, we would call attention to the necessity of
more playing space at the Center Playground, and ad-
vocate grading land between ball field and Lincoln Street
for base ball and hockey games. Material can be scooped
out from the low land and used as filling, if we proceed
with the construction of a new swimming pool for small
children, which can also be used for skating in the winter.
Water from the wells will be available as the pipes are
laid to this point.
Owing to the dry season, it was necessary to water
the common, and with the small hose owned by the Park
Department, it took many hours from our regular work.
Another year would suggest using second hand fire hose
with a large sprayer for best results.
Respectfully submitted
Hallie O. Blake.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
227
A combination of the Moth and Tree Department
was made in 1923, at the suggestion of the Supt. of Public
Works and the results have been most satisfactory.
Mr. Gorman has had full charge of these depart-
ments, and the results are as follows :—AII trees and
shrubbery on streets, parks, cemeteries, school grounds
and "The Common" have been treated with creosote for
suppression of the Gypsy Moth; and Brown Tail nests
were cut and destroyed by burning. Further protection
given by spraying with arsenate of lead.
Trees were cut down and removed as follows :—
One tree on Bedford Street, Hastings Park, Lexington
Common, Muzzey and Oakland Sts.
Two trees on CIark, Meriam, Waltham, Wood and Reed
Streets.
Three trees on Massachusetts Ave.
Some of these trees were in a very unsafe condition,
and fortunately no accident occurred before their re-
moval.
Trees were trimmed and dead branches removed on
the following streets :—Audubon Road, Bedford, Bloom-
field, Burlington, Cedar, Clark, Forest, Grant, Grove
Hancock, Hili. Lincoln, Meriam. Muzzey, North, Oak-
land, North Hancock, Parker, Reed, Shade, Sherman,
Vine, Waltham, Warren, Washington, Watertown, Wes-
ton, Woburn, Wood Sts., Concord and Massachusetts
Ave., Somerset Road.
Trees were also trimmed on the grounds of the
Adams, Hancock, High and Parker Schools; Belfry Hill,
Hastings Park, The Common and Playground.
Very thorough work was done and trees are once
more getting in shape, and if more was done by owners
of property in our town, few effects of the ice storm
wduld be visible.
Respectfully submitted
Hallie G. Blake.
228
ANNUAL REPORTS
SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC WORKS
December 31, 1923.
To the Selectmen and Board of Public Works,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Superintendent of
Public Works, which is the first report made of the Sup-
perintendent of that department under the new form of
Town Government which went into effect at the annual
March meeting of 1922.
I received notice August 21, 1922 that I had been
unanimously selected Superintendent of Public Works,
the appointment to take effect October lst, and after your
Board had spent, as you informed me, almost six months
in considering the qualifications of a large number of
applicants for the position.
I believe I fully appreciate the honor and the respon-
sibility which your appointment conferred upon me, and
I assumed the duties of the position with an earnest de-
sire and purpose to render the best service which I was
able to give your Board and through you to the citizens
of the town.
While I was frequently in Lexington after the date
of my appointment, in consequence of my official duties
as Mayor of Everett, 1 was unable to assume the full re-
sponsibility as Superintendent of Public Works until De-
cember first, 1922, at which time my salary began. While
it is not possible or necessary to go into full details re-
garding all that has been done or attempted during the
past thirteen months, I feel that a summary with such
detail as may be essential is called for in order to place
understandingly what has been accomplished and the
circumstances under which the work of your Superintend-
ent has been performed.
The making of any substantial change in the form or
TOWN Ole LEXINGTON
229
method of transacting municipal business generally, if
not always, arouses more or less opposition among those
most closely identified with the form of town business.
The change in the form of government in this town
proved no exception to this general rule, and I feel that
a better understanding of the work can best be attained
by dividing my report under the following heads.
FIRST: What has the Superintendent accomplished
for the efficient and economical management
of the town's business?
SECOND: What has the Superintendent failed to ac-
complish which could be rightfully expected
of him and the reason for such failure on his
part?
THIRD: What recommendations has your Superin-
tendent to make.
FIRST
What has the Superintendent accomplished for the
efficient economical management of the town's business?
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT The Highway De-
partment appropriation o 1923 was less by $8,000 than
that of 1922, with greater results accomplished as is
evidenced by a comparison, and without an overdraft,
An increase of five cents per hour was granted the
Iabor forces in the Highway, Water and Sewer Depart-
ments.
Printed permits are now issued to all persons and
corporations, by their agents, desirous of using and open-
ing streets, resulting in the collection of money turned
over to the Treasurer to reimburse the town for work the
highway forces have performed, and bituminous mater-
ial supplied to cover settled trenches that were improperly
cared for by public service corporations causing the open-
ings to be made.
Police signal boxes, seven in number, have been
installed in different parts of the town which give patrol-
men direct contact with headquarters, providing too,
greater police protection to the inhabitants. Each patrol-
man is obliged to ring police headquarters hourly during
the night.
230
ANNvni REPORT;
Six public dumps have been established, each of
which is cared for by a member of the Highway depart-
ment forces.
Elimination of private work by departments of the
town has proved beneficial in that the monies received
by the Treasurer for work performed by the town forces
could not be used, but must be transferred to the General
Revenue and Surplus Account, thus reducing the appro-
priation account available during the fiscal year.
The expense of hiring motor vehicles is materially
reduced by the purchase of a Ford one ton truck for the
Water Department in place of the horse and wagon cost-
ing upwards of $600 per year for its upkeep. A Ford
sedan for the Public Works office is available, and for the
general use of certain department heads requiring the
need of it.
A three and one-half ton truck and snow plow has
been secured from the Commonwealth without cost, to
be used for such work to which it may be applied, sum-
mer and winter.
Street signs, fifty seven in number, have been placed
in position.
Bids for coal, tar, asphalt, gravel, sand, crushed
stone, water pipe, water meters, sewer pipe, highway oil
and grease, granolithic sidewalks, town report, health
and police regulations, locker room, comfort station, grill
for town hall and police department, printing, and tractor
were secured, and all contracts for the supplies aforemen-
tioned were awarded to the. lowest bidder.
All laborers serving the town during any one year
for a period of 32 weeks are entitled to a two weeks
vacation with salary. This provision of law has been
complied with.
The loaning of department equipment has been dis-
continued, except in special cases of emergency and upon
an order of the Selectmen, Board of Public Works.
Rules for the acceptance of town ways adopted by
the Board were printed upon recommendation of the
Town Engineer.
11
11
11
11
11
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
General Summary of Work Done
sewer connections laid from street mains
to buildings
281
32
water services 71
water meters purchased .. 43
cubic yards of gravel " 1,990
cubic yards of crushed stone " 3,100
gallons of road tar for highways" 42,005
gallons of asphalt for highways " 5,700
fire hydrants installed 8
sq. yds. of tar walk resurfaced 381
sq. yds. of tar walk new construction 684
storm water catch basins built 8
new street lights installed 21
in miles of water mains constructed
" " streets improved
" street trees trimmed
" gas mains laid
of brooks improved
" storm water drains
" granolithic sidewalk
1,
11
11
11
11
feet
11
'1
11
37
29
35
724
399
560
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT The Department
is now equipped wit drafting t� a byes, metal case for the
storage of plans, and in general, furnished with other im-
proved facilities to function more easily, but has been
handicapped for lack of funds this year to carry to com-
pletion much neglected work essentially important in
preparation of studies for storm water drainage systems,
and as preliminary evidence required in the preparation
of designs, pipe sizes and estimates of cost. The town
map , scale 400 feet to the inch, should be completed by
having placed upon it the topography of the country
within the boundary lines of the town, important, too, as
a means to secure sewage disposal studies and proper
street layouts. Future sewer main extensions cannot be
planned without the inequalities of the terrain are plot-
ted on profiles. Moreover, a large amount of field data
must be obtained before this class of work can be pur-
sued to completeness. This is a reversal of the policy a-
dopted in growing tow -ns, and in consequence a reduc-
tion in the force of assistants made it possible to meet
all the issues naturally presented covering lines, grades,
surveys and general engineering. No doubt the townspeo-
282
ANNUAL REPoaTa
ple will feel as the writer does, that a serious mistake will
follow if these partially prepared studies and plans are
set aside. The Water Department records showing under-
ground structures, gates and hydrants, must be revised to
keep them to date, and there ar a number of plans that
are not even commenced. It should be said, however, that
some very important work has been performed during
the year by the department of engineering with aid oc-
casionally given by a department clerk, and I refer to the
location of water gates so installed as to control the flow
water in pipes when breaks occur along the line, flooding
the streets with water. Heretofore, this knowledge of
the gate locations was in the possession of only one man,
who if incapacited mentally, would place the agents of
the water System in an embarrassing place, causing too,
endless damage from flowing streams uncontrolled.
Routine matters occupy a Large share of the atten-
tion of the executive head of the department so that it is
not possible for him to devote much of his time with the
working force in the field, and as a result the record
needed to complete unfinished plans could not be obtain-
ed. 1 therefore invite your attention to the fact that the
knowledge contained in note books, plan record evidence
partially secured, is laid aside for want of help to com-
plete and plot it. It seems to me, summing the situation
briefly, that the slowing up of this bureau of information
is a distinctive loss to the townspeople. If you want streets
properly graded, sewer systems laid out, storm water
drains constructed, and at a minimum cost, then to secure
this public service scientific knowledge must be obtained,
exceedingly costly, when it becomes necessary to secure
the assistance from outside sources. Therefore, it is plain
that it is incumbent upon you to replenish the treasury in
order that the Engineer's department may again func-
tion successfully.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT Norman B. Skidmore
was appointed July 9th to install, after studying the me-
thods practiced generally, a Purchasing Department.
In August, with information attained, and with the grat-
uitous assistance of Mr. H. G. Saumsiegle, the Mayor's
representative of Waltham, he commenced his duties,
and has creditably reduced the cost of supplies suffi-
cient to compensate the town, saving his salary in small
purchases alone. Briefly, this agency 1provides a
means by which all goods may be obtained by those de-
partment representatives wishing to avail themselves of
TOWN or LEXINGTON
288
the service, and not necessarily connected by business
with the Public Works office. Market quotations are on
record and are used as a base to guide the official requir-
ing the knowledge. Bids are received on all supplies and
the materials purchased are listed on requisition forms
to be used by those officers directly by law linked with
the Public Works department.
Upon receipt of an order for supplies by the Pur-
chasing Agent, it is given a requisition number carried
along consecutively. When a successful bidder has been
determined upon, contracts are made and the order ap-
proved by the Superintendent of Public Works. Advan-
tage is taken of all discounts. Therefore, submit that a
saving of $1,906.12 has been made as the result of close
attention to business methods, the elimination of friend-
ship or wirepulling, and comparative too, with last year's
Costs. This effort to secure, the best bargain did not
receive the endorsement of one official, expressing himself
as being out of sympathy with it, going further by refus-
ing to Iend his signature to the requisition blanks.
TOWN HALL IMPROVEMENT The Selectmen,
Board of Public Works authorized a change in the ar-
rangement of the offices in Town Hall. The Town Treas-
urer and Collector are now protected from interference
in their duties by the erection of a grill network across the
front of their respective offices and both are in close con-
nection with the vault, a distinct improvement. Commo-
dious quarters and a private office have been assigned to
the Town Engineer. The Superintendent of Streets,
Water and Sewer forces, and Purchasing Agent are ad-
ditional tenants with desk room for each as a means to
co -relate department's work.
POLICE DEPARTMENT The personnel of the or-
ganization as formally is much changed and the work of
this department has been so rearranged that greater gen-
eral benefit is noticeable. The installation of a police
signal system brings together the patrolmen hurriedly
when needed, provided direct and better control of po-
lice work also gives greater security to sections of the
town heretofore without direct protection. The im-
portance of another motorcycle officer during the
Summer months must jbe apparent if auto travel is
to be made less .hazardous. The present upkeep of
the motorcycle now in use is beyond reason, and
I reccommend the disposal of it, for one of modern make.
284 ANxvnr. REPORTS
f
Permits are issued by the Public Works Department to
all those desirous of occupying streets, and I recommend
that the stub attached to the license issued be taken up
by patrolmen, who shall also observe during their travels
about town, all excavations in the street made for any
purpose, and report same. This is suggested in order that
due care is exercised over al] trenches, for by this sug-
gestion, if pursued, persons failing to properly care for
the openings may be penalized, if necessary. It is true
that many times dwellings and other buildings are al-
tered and that no permit has been secured from the Build-
ing Inspector. It is, therefore, desirable that the_poliee
officers call upon a carpenter and builder to show his per-
mit authorizing him to make such changes.
TREE AND MOTH DEPARTMENT Tree trimming
and moth control is now under the new order of arrange-
ment, under the care of one official. Osborne Gorman has,
with his forces, six in number, covered 28.91 mites of
streets within which many trees were trimmed and those
dangerously decayed were removed. The consolidation
of the moth and tree department has proved to be a cor-
rect move. Lexington without its trees would mean the
Ioss of its beauty, too, the importance of the moth and the
extermination of there is decidedly essential. This class
of work has been cared for with no overdraft in the
appropriation.
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS There is about twen-
ty aMura wet and soggy and in the neighborhood of
the Centre PIayground, privately owned. Due regard for
the interest of the taxpayers owning it and those using
the playground near it, leads me to say that the improve-
ment of Vine Brook would mean increased income if it
was excavated below its present grade to that which was
planned by former engineers reporting upon a drain-
age system, and quite necessary if it is to be of any value.
Such drainage will, of itself, not only improve the san-
itary condition of this region, but will permit large areas
of land now almost worthless, to be devoted to other bene-
ficial uses than swamp areas. After the work in the gener-
al improvement of highways was practically completed,
it was decided to remove an awkward curve in the Clarke
Street road leading northwesterly to Lincoln Street us-
ing the Highway forces available. and this change is now
under way owing to the open Winter season. It will not
be possible, however, to finish the plan of improvement in
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
285 288 ANNUAL RErowTe
its entirety until Vine Brook is improved to the extent of
reshaping the slopes, deepening it and diverting subsidi-
ary small channels into it. The expense of constructing a
costly culvert at a point where the roadway crosses a par-
alleI artificial water course southerly of Vine Brook, it is
desirable to avoid, and may be, if the plan of deepening
and widening Vine Brook is adopted. In brief, had the
work contemplated been accomplished, it is safe to pre
diet that the town would have saved a few thousand dol -
ars.
In carrying out the project thus far, the engineering
department has co-operated, earnestly meeting my re-
quests for more complete data than was obtainable when
I began my observation as to the feasibility of making the
change in the roadway and brook. Additional assistance
of value has also been furnished by -the Superintendent
of Parks and Playgrounds in that he has done much to
aid in the erection of a metal building in substitution of
the burned locker. The Selectmen, Board of Public
Works requested that bids for the erection of it be se-
cured. The contract was awarded to a Lynn firm, the
lowest of five bidders, and the foundation for which was
constructed by the department. The grandstand also
was strengthened in conformity with the Building In-
spector's specifications at a cost of $171.93. The Locker
Building, without the foundation cost $850. Comfort
Station on Buckman Tavern Lot $1093.
HIGHWAYS Emphasis should be placed on the
f actt at a arge amount of work has been accomplished
by the Street department forces during the year. Lex-
ington is strictly a residential town, and it is undoubtedly
true that good streets promote a healthy growth, Good
roads add wealth, and after a highway is built it often
receives no consideration. I believe that with a reason-
able amount of care, defects appearing should at once
be treated by a patrol force, and as a result, a large sum
of money is annually saved by proper patching of settle-
ments caused by wear and frost action. It is not consid-
ergd wise to appropriate money for new macadam streets
unless due .consideration is first taken and funds are, pro-
vided for the construction of underground channels to
convey the rain water from the road surface. Therefore,
the resolve to treat those roads the worse for neglect and
wear this year was of vital importance, giving considera-
tion also to many dirt roads extensively travelled upon as
the funds available would permit was wise. The expedi-
ency of this judgment will be seen in the course of another
season if similarly followed up with the same form of
treatment. Some of the outski'rt roads receiving attention
are showing pot holes, but the effect of wear upon them
will tend to make them less difficult to treat next year and
less expensive to restore. It has been my aim, therefore,
to renew many of the neglected veneered streets and this
should be continued until the time is ripe to reconstruct
them. Opportunity was offered to secure this year the
results mentioned, and all sections of Lexington received
a reasonable share of the funds appropriated for street
maintenance.
After every rainstorm the Highway Department for-
ces devote considerable time in clearing away gravel col-
lections at the foot of each steep graded street. This class
of workcould be reduced extensively by the construction
of storm water drains and catch basins built only for the
collection of the rainfall. This treatment of the subject
was applied on Oak Street for a distance of 450 feet and
two catch basins are built at the terminus of the line, one
on each side of the road, located for the purpose of inter-
cepting the rush of water along the gutter lines before it
reaches Massachusetts Avenue. I should have directed
that this form of construction be extended but the limit
of resources led me to terminate the Iine on the lower
slope of the road. The plan has worked satisfactorily,
preventing floods at the foot of the slope. Streets with
steep inclines are impossible to maintain in good condition
unless the volume of water is checked upon its upper
slopes, so it is plain and conclusive that money appropri-
ated to construct storm water drains is rightly progres-
sive.
STREET
STREET
Adapts St.
Allen St.
Audubon Rd.
Abbott Rd.
Bedford St.
Bloomfield St.
1923
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
CLASS OF WORK LENGTH BY FEET COST
Patching—Oiled
Patching
Patching
Patching—Oiled
Patching
Patching
2,000
2,800
1.500
600
8,500
1,300
$ 958.75
33-60
25.60
39.90
2,409.03
154.84
Bowman St.
Blossom St.
Bow St.
Berwick Rd.
Bennington Rd -
Charles St.
Clarke St.
Concord Ave.
Cedar St.
Curve St.
Chandler St -
East St.
Eliot Rd.
Eustis St.
Elm Ave.
Fern St.
Follen Rd.
Forest St.
Franklin Rd.
Grant St.
Grove St..
Glen Rd.
Hayes Ave.
Highland Ave.
Hill St.
Hancock St.
Hastings Rd.
N. Hancock St.
Lowell St•
Lincoln St,
Middle St.
Mass, Ave.
Merriam St.
Murray St.
Maple St-
Muzzey St• Ext.
North St.
Oak St.
Oakland St.
Parker St.
Pelham Rd.
Percy Rd.
Pleasant St.
Recd St.
Railroad Drive
Revere St.
TOWN OE LEXINGTON
Patching 1,000
Patching 1,500
Rebuilding 300
Surface Treatment, Oiled 600
Surface Treatment 350
Patching -Rebuilding 800
Patching 1,300
Patching -Oiled 18,000
Surface Treatment 3,000
Rebuilding -Patching
Patching
Patching -Oiled
Patching
Surface Treatment
Patching
Patching
Patching
1,000
300
5,000
1,900
500
500
700
5,000
Patching 1,300
Surface Treatment, Oiled 800
Patching 300
Patching -Oiled 5,000
Patching 300
Patching -Oiled 2,000
Surface Treatment 1,000
Patching 3,000
Patching -Oiled 5,000
Patching 250
Patching 2,000
Surface Treat., Oiled 6,000
Surface Treatment 1,000
Patching 2,000
Patching 20,000
Patching 2,000
Patching 2,000
Surface Treatment 4,800
Rebuilding 500
Patching 3,000
Rebuilding 2,000
Patching 1,800
Surface Treat., Oiled 1,200
Patching 800
Surface Treatment 1,600
Patching -Oiled 5,500
Rebuilding 2,000
Surface Treatment 100
Surface Treatment 1,500
287
42.00
55.21
265.93
180.00
105.00
1,026.00
48.00
1,147.00
120.00
920.00
51.00
1,120.21
534.74
208.17
21.00
51.00
45.00
43.00
61.03
62.00
335.00
40.00
702.41
229.00
58.00
175.00
15.00
35.00
3,450.00
209.00
74.00
1,998.25
1,391.25
350.00
147.00
645.00
59.00
2,785.00
35.00
335.10
130.00
296.86
105.00
3,185.00
85.00
166.00
288
Spring St.
Somerset Rd.
School St.
Shade St.
Sherman St.
St tson St.
Summer St.
Sylvia St.
Taft Ave.
Town Hall Drive
Vine St.
Vinebrcok Rd.
Walnut St.
Winter St.
Westminster Ave.
Ward St.
Waltham St.
Washington St.
Watertown St
Winthrop Rd.
Woburn St.
Wood St.
Weston St.
Baker Ave.
Burlington St.
ANNUAL REPORT!
Patching
Surface Treat. Oiled
Patching
Rebuilding -Oiled
Rebuilding -Oiled
Patching
Rebuilding
Rebuilding -Oiled
Surface Treatment
Surface Treatment
Rebuilding
Patching
Patching
Rebuilding
Patching
Rebuilding
Patching
Surface Treatment
Patching
Patching
Surface Treatment
Surface Treatment
Patching
Rebuilding
Patching -Oiled
Total cost of Street Construction and Maintenance for 1923 $36,355.10
4,000 105.00
1,200 1,215.00
2.000 92.00
3,000 384.00
500 522.70
550 39.00
3,000 584.00
500 596.00
300 245.02
300 530.54
2,000 328.06
1,200 40.00
2.000 78.00
400 101.00
400 84.31
1,000 226.00
12,000 1,881.50
1,200 1,182.00
3.000 74.00
1,200 425.27
5,000 262.81
6,000 300.00
2,500 20.00
300 165.28
5,000 300.00
Total number of miles of Streets Repaired 37.43.
SNOW REMOVAL The plan adopted for the re-
moval of snow durilg the coming winter should secure
results for greater efficiency, less expense in handling
and more service. Eight sidewalk routes over which
horse-drawn plows are operated are cared for with the
Town's labor forces with, but one exception. Four con-
tracts providing for this class of work are eliminated,
which meant the operation of a second tractor with plow
recently purchased at an expense of $833. With this new
equipment, the State truck and Cletrac Tractor purchased
some years ago, and with the town teams, the Highway
forces should be capable of handling the snow situation
in Lexington. The occasional hire of one truck with blade
plow attachment will be necessary in emergency. It
must also be noted that under the State Law of recent
enactment, the State Highways or portion of them are to
be cared for by the town forces.
Town of LEXINGTON
289
RENAMING OF STREETS It is plainly evident
that something s ould 1 done to provide against a rep-
etition of street names. This is provided for in the Town
By-laws. There are many thoroughfares of this order
needing such consideration and it would be much to the
advantage to the town to take prompt action to remedy
this source of serious confusion.
STREET NAMES IN DUPLICATE
Bowman St. From Watertown St.
Bowman St. From Bedford St.
Cedar St. From Mass. Ave.
Cedar St. From Reed St.
Eustis St. From Bloomfield St.
Eustis St. From Asbury St.
Fairview Ave. From School St.
Fairview Ave From Wood St.
Fern St. From Pleasant St.
Fern St. From Dell Ave.
Grove St. From Burlington St.
Grove St. From Reed St.
Hill St. From Bedford St.
Hill St. From Wood St.
Hillside Ave. From Mass. Ave.
Hillside Ave. From Lee Ave.
Hillcrest Ave. From Fottler Ave.
Hillcrest Ave. From Mass. Ave.
Homestead St. From Cedar St.
Homestead St. From Mass. Ave.
Madison Ave. From Reed St.
Madison Ave. From Tower St.
Maple St. From Mass. Ave.
Maple St. From Reed St.
Oak St. From Mass. Ave.
Oak St. From Maple St.
Reed St. From Lowell St.
Reed St. From Bedford St.
Spring St. From Middle St.
Spring St. From Reed St.
Summit Ave. From Colonial Ave.
Summit Ave. From Mass. Ave.
Summer St. From Bedford St.
Summer St. From Spring St.
Summer St. From Lowell St.
Vine St. From Woburn St.
Vine St. From Laurel St.
Walnut St. From Concord Ave.
Walnut St. From Grove St.
SIDEWALKS One hundred and five linear feet
of granite curbing has been purchased from the lowest
bidder and laid by the Street Department forces in front
of the Westview Cemetery and at the junction of Sum-
mer and Bedford Streets, the cost of which work was
paid for by the Cemetery Trustees. On Bedford Street
and Elm Avenue four hundred and ten feet of sidewalk
was laid and the greater portion of the cost of this work
has been paid for by the gentleman desiring it. The con-
tract was awarded to the lowest bidder at a price per
square yard of $3.00. On Audubon Road one hundred
and fifty linear feet of granolithic walk was Laid as or-
dered by vote of the Board in front of the property of
Henry C. Davis. One-half of the cost of this work is
chargeable to the property owner. This contract was
240
ANNUAL REPOItTa
awarded to the lowest bidder at a price per square yard
of $3.60.
Tar concrete walks is a form of construction that is
little used today and the difficulty of securing contractors
to bid on this work is growing, and it will be advan-
tageous to the town to provide the proper equipment
which will permit of the town's forces performing this
class of public service. Six hundred and eighty four
square yards of new walk of this type have been laid on
Maple Street over the old foundation at a contract price
of $705.00, the fund for which was taken from the bond
issue appropriation. The condition of the tar walk from
cracks, wear and settlement on Mass. Avenue within the
business section was such that it seemed desirable to sur-
face the top of it with a one inch coat, adding too, some
new work in front of the depot lot, the amount of which
was three hundred and eighty one square yards.
HOUSE NUMBERING Little attention seems to be
given to the subject of street numbering. The present
system in use in many instances is very unsatisfactory.
Every owner of a building on a street or way should, when
notified by the Selectmen, Board of Public Works, place
a metal number, not less than two inches in length and
one inch in width, in a conspicuous place and in front of
his building at his own expense, one number to be allowed
for twenty five feet of space whether improved or vacant
in the growing and habitable section of the town. All
streets should be numbered from south to north, and from
west to east consistent with such geographical conditions
which might regulate otherwise. With few exceptions,
this has been the general rule adopted all over the United
States, and from a casual survey of conditions, in Lexing-
ton, consider this method quite feasible. The Town En-
gineer is frequently appealed to by persons seeking to
describe their premises for the insurance company and
others preparing documents for record. The present
course pursued by interested land owners is contrary to
postai regulations adhered to in all cities and towns as
a means of convenience to letter carriers.
SEWER DEPARTMENT incidental to the installa-
tion of a sewerage system is the maintenance of it, and
which includes cleaning and repairing. The necessity
of cleaning and flushing is due to the mileage and low
TowN OF LEXINGTON
241
velocity of the sewage coursing through flat grade pipe
mains. Therefore, to insure cleanliness and efficiency,
attention by the labor forces must be given occasionally
if the system is to function properly. Pipe sewers are
flushed with water from town mains through a four inch
hose, a most economical method. For larger sewers,
scrapers drawn through these arterial channels from man-
hole to manhole are more serviceable in keeping sewers
clean and free from sand and sediment. During the
year two milesof mains have been flushed. Nothing in.
the way of extensions to the present system have been
done during this year. The most important work per-
formed is that which relates to house drainage flowing
into the system. Thirty two connections from building
to main have been applied for and also as ordered by the
Selectmen for sanitary reasons. The cost of operation,
which includes flushing, plastering with cement the man-
holes on the trunk line which project well above the sur-
face, and in general, the care of the sewerage system with
overhead charges has been $300.00
Financial Statement
See Town Accountant's Report
for details
Receipts: From Deposits, additional
payments, sewer rentals, 1922
items collected, miscellaneous,
cash balance Jan. 1, 1923 ... $3824.10
Expenses : Labor, stock, office, insurance,
teaming, pipe, miscellaneous. 3413.56
Cash balance on hand $ 410.54
In June 1922, the Board voted that all cesspools
must be abandoned after July 1, 1923, etc. etc.. As a
result, letters were directed to all owners of property
located on the line of the sewer to comply with said
order. Many have met the conditions imposed but owing
to the large amount of work in the Water Department to
be cared for, there are some that must of necessity wait
until Spring before all can be given attention.
WATER DEPARTMENT January 1, f923 there
was available the sum of $6,740.62 for use in maintaining
the water department, which sum was taken for the ex -
242
ANNIIAL REPORTS
tension of mains to be laid in the Farmhurst community
section, and in Kendall Road, Hilltop Avenue and Brook-
side Avenue. This left the department without working
capital ordinarily used for repairs to hydrants, house
service supply lines, salaries of the labor forces, purchase
of meters, small pipe, care of State tax, interest on bonds,
reduction of the bonded indebtedness, salary or the Reg-
istrar and other regular employees, upkeep of motor
equipment, general supplies and emergency measures,
involving breaks in water mains, leaks and renewed hy-
drants. How to overcome the financial handicap has
been one of the problems to contend with, therefore, pre-
cise attention to expenditures made it necessary to aban-
don plans for the renewal of small mains for those of
greater capacity, withhold the payment of bills, pending
receipts from water rates. Service connections, seventy
one in number have cost the department $3550, for which
no return in income is received. Care of the water sup-
ply system is one of the vital factors and the broad pur-
pose of the maintenance fund created from the water
tax income is used in meeting financial obligations, de-
velopment requirements and a positive force for increased
efficiency, while the lack of it seems uneconomic decline.
Enlargement of the system should in all cases be made
only from loans and by bond issue. Certainly it is not
good business to reduce the cash balance so low as to
endanger the operating expense.
Ali the accomplishments of the year in the Water
Department could not have been achieved unless part of
the work ordered by vote of the town was undertaken by
contract. Bids were received and contracts were awarded
to John E. Palmer Inc., Anthony Ross, and H. A. Hans-
com, each of which concern was the lowest bidder.
In the customary manner, the list of supplies se-
cured were purchased from the lowest bidder.
Sumner & Dunbar
Warren Foundry Co.
Walworth Mfg. Co.
H. Mueller Mfg. Co.
Worthington Pump Co.
Locke, Stevens & Co.
55.11 tan 6 inch standard iron pipe $3,825.74
36.93 ton 6 inch standard iron pipe 2,270.32
general supplies 2,276.78
gate boxes and corporations 619.73
43 waeter meters 356.90
small iron pipe 951.58
The extension of water main on Reed Street and
through Maple Street, North Lexington for a distance of
Towx OF LEXINGTON 243
652 feet should not have been granted. This line of pipe
has cost the town $2,247.83 without any return. If my
understanding is correct that the guarantee payment ex-
acted of the petitioner is not legally a lien upon the bene-
factor's property, situate on the water pipe Iocation, the
Assessors in the exercise of the powers they possess by
statutory provision are justified in advancing the value
of the real estate directly benefitted and should under
such a condition as this, levy the entire cost of improve-
ment.
In conformity with the requirements of law, forty
three meters have been installed and next year many old
meters will of necessity have to be scrapped, to be re-
placed with new, and at the expense of the maintenance
account with no comeback. Leaks, many in number, on
main lines, hydrant connections, also gate box connect-
ions, have been reported and repaired at the expense of
the maintenance fund involving a cost of $5,500, charge-
able to the maintenance account.
WATER TOWER A satisfactory water supply from
the State system cannot be secured when the Arlington
and Lexington water towers are out of commission so it
would appear from a recent conference with the Super-
intendent of the Distribution system of the Metropolitan
Water Board. Owing to the work of enclosing the Ar-
lington Standpipe with a masonry shell, it has been nec-
essary to draw from it all water for several weeks. Dur-
ing this period it has been out of commission, the Lexing-
ton tank has been furnishing Arlington with water from
it upon request of the State department. The import-
ance of this comment has a bearing upon a claim institut-
ed by a Waterproofing Company under contract with the
Town of Lexington to keep our water tank tight, the size
of which is 30 feet in diameter, 105 feet high, contain-
ing when full 550,000 gallons, normal 430,000, height of
standpipe above tidewater is 443 feet, thickness of con-
crete at the bottom 28 inches, at the top 12 inches. May
15th the work of coating the inside with an ironite paint
was completed and after a few days the water was allow-
ed to enter the tank slowly, the idea being to reduce the
stress caused by the water load imposed upon the shell
coated with the compound. The tank was drained of
all water within it and remained empty during the winter
months of 1922-23, in order that a dry surface would
give greater adhesive advantages. The contract award -
244
ANNUAL REPORT/3
ed August 23, 1920 provides for an annual treatment as
aforesaid for the tern's of five years, applied within the
tank to its full height, and including the floor. Whether
the contracting parties can wholly seal leaks in concrete
structures such as this remains to be determined, but I
do not believe that it can be accomplished. My recom-
mendation is that upon final payment of money already
due, the Board expend no further suin in treatment of
this nature. The original cost of construction was $19,500.
The expenditures thus far made in an attempt to secure
water tight construction amount to $33,482.16 and with
no permanent result as yet secured. Money already ex-
pended in experiment will have paid the interest on a
sum sufficient to have relined the entire tank.
BROOKS AND STREAMS Thirteen hundred and
sixty one lineal feet of the channel known as Vine Brook
located between Sherman Street and Vine Brook Road
has been cleaned of weeds, brush and debris. Further.
seven hundred and seventy five feet of ditch was widened
Ind deepened and the banks reshaped within the play-
ground area. While it may be the general practice to
pay for this class of work from a special fund, there are
times when it becomes necessary to improve a stream by
reason of the exigency of the case. Surface water from
the highways entering brooks and streams furnishes de-
pdsils of sand and gravel and other undesirable material,
clogging at times the bottom of the channel to an extent
that the flow is retarded causing property owners much
concern, and the responsibility lies with the town as a
matter of law. Therefore, many times small expendi-
tures of money have the desired results of eliminating
claims. The total amount expended on this class of work
was $409.00.
SECOND
What has the Superintendent failed to aceompltsh
which could be rightfully expected of him, and the rea-
sons for such failure on his part?
One of the great difficulties of my position has been
that there has been great uncertainty as to the extent of
the authority vested in me as Superintendent of Public
Works. I came to the position believing that it was very
similar to that of Town Manager, and with the experi-
Towx of LEXINGTON 245
ence gained by nineteen years service as City Engineer,
with service as a member of several public Boards and
Commissions, and with three years service as Mayor,
felt myself qualified to administer such a position, When
I took office I assumed that it would be within my power
to exercise a supervisory control over the departments
under my charge, and to employ and remove assistants,
subject to the provisions of law. There has been a lack
of cooperation throughout the year, and in many in-
stances, instead or a mere lack of co-operation, there
has been active opposition and hostility. As an instance
of this, a clerk has refused to honor my request for in-
formation upon certain work, the cost of which I am
asked to approve without the knowledge necessary to
enable me to decide intelligently whether I ought to ap-
prove it or not.
I attempted last May to establish a schedule of hours
for town employees in Town Hall so that the Town Hall
might be kept open during the hours provided by law.
'This attempt proved to be unpopular and was disregarded
by some of those to whom it applied, who were appar-
ently supported by the Selectmen, Board of Public Works
upon the ground that my authority dict not extend to
clerks, who I understood took office as general utility
agents, assisting all departments. The clerical forces are
sufficient in number to meet all the requirements of the
town, but with few exceptions disposition shown indi-
cates great lack of interest in doing this work.
A close corporation attitude prevails which for the
best interests of the town should be broken up. I have
been repeatedly refused assistance by clerks in trines of
urgent need, due entirely to a determined effort to dis-
countenance me, contrary to the usual custom in such
matters, and notwithstanding the vote placing respon-
sibility
esponsibility upon me. Further the Selectmen, Board of Public
Works have been almost entirely indifferent to my sug-
gestions for the improvement of the service in many in-
stances wherein the forces in Town Hall and employees
in other departments were involved. Those having a griev-
ance should be advised to settle their difficulty with the
Superintendent of Public Works. Proper discipline can-
not be maintained nor can the proper discharge of their
duties by employees be expected under such conditions.
246 ANNUAL REPORTS
I found myself the first of the year in a peculiar posi-
tion. One official took offense because of the removal of
his desk to a new position on the floor of the town hall,
criticising the Selectmen, Board of Public Works, and
maintained that as an elected official, he was subservient
to no Board. The rule forbidding smoking during bus-
iness hours, placing purchase of supplies in the hands
of one person, change of office hours, and a few other
policies in keeping with the duties of office, caused the
opposition to strengthen its indifference and bolster its
animosity. Freely gossipy circles took form to create
sentiment against the new order of management. The
chief trouble with public servants of long time service
lies in the fact that any new plan affecting their peroga-
tives is disliked, believing that there is no justification for
a change in the operation of their department, that the
earlier system was entirely satisfactory and what was
good enough before is good enough now, and that by the
adoption of a new form of government, that a great
wrong has been done each of them by the people. There-
fore, what one side proposes, the other will fight. Prog-
ress has been made, nevertheless, notwithstanding a con-
certed effort of forces within and without to create a
feeling prejudicial to the administrative activities of your
Public Works head.
Any material advantage that has accrued to the
public by reason of the changes made should be credited
to those who have aided me to secure such success as
has been attained.
Assurance of the future success of the system adopt-
ed, or of any form- of municipal management can only
be gained by placing direct control and undivided re-
sponsibility upon the shoulders of the one selected to
supervise, if he is to function with complete success. This
means, too, the elimination of machine politics and
special favoritism.
Matters of business that should be taken up with me
by some officials, are, generally speaking, referred di-
rectly to the Selectmen, without considering first that
there is a supervising agent. In other words, there are too
many managers, as one member of 'the Board expressed
himself in a recent meeting. More power is needed to
place clerks and officials, needing such attention, where
they belong, and they should be relieved of the idea that
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
247
they have a pull with the controling factor. Some do not
like the law as it stands and it will make no difference
who may be secured to fill the office, for any measure that
does not give them the right to regulate their own affairs,
will never satisfy them.
In brief, the success of any new departure, means
the removal of obstacles to it, and town hall has its dis-
turbers, the sole duty of whom seems to be to play pol-
itics, carry stories, broadcast messages and buffalo the
Board. The work of some could be performed for less
money than they are receiving.
THIRD
What recommendations has your Superintendent to
make?
I recommend that more centralized authority be
vested with the Superintendent of Public Works, and
that a lesser number of Town Managers are permitted to
operate. Greater and more amicable co-operation iS
needed to insure success, less criticism and greater effi-
ciency. The attitude of some officials is one of retalia-
tion, and too much latitude is granted some clerks, the.
desire of whom is to discredit me on street corners.
PHYSICIAN It would appear from an examina-
tion of the By -Laws that your Board is possessed with the
necessary power to consolidate. the offices of the School,
Town and Health Board Physician so that one dactor
could function professionally for all these offices. I am
strongly of the opinion that the permanent employment
of an agent to the Board of Health would reduce the
expense of operation now involved under the present new
Rules and Regulation, care for general complaints reach-
ing Town Hall, warn residents with overflowing cesspools
on their premises that they must be cared for, post notices
in areas affected with serious illness, visit stores and res-
taurants, examine yards and premises carelessly allowed
to remain\unclean, and in general enforce the laws of the
Board of H'alth. There is an abundance of work for one
man. Make him Milk Inspector, as it is his duty to see
that dairies are clean, examine milk and issue pedlars
licenses.
SIDEWALKS The lesson taught by the construc-
tion of good sidewalks is that the best may be built with-
out overloading the town with debt. Better social advan-
248
ANNUAL REPOTS
tages and more modern and attractive houses are secured
through improved sidewalks. These and many other rea-
sons could be offered why many stretches of tar side-
walk should be resurfaced on top with a one inch coat to
preserve them from further wear and final disuse. As a
matter of economy and increased advantage in spread-
ing out this work, I recommend an appropriation of not
less than $1,000, which, if provided, will care for walks
well worn and cracks almost beyond treatment,
COLLECTION OF GARBAGE It seems to me that
the time for attention to the problem of house garbage
collection and removal has arrived. The population of
Lexington is increasing and while the custom of feeding
swine is advocated by some health officials as being econ-
omical, very little or no nuisance results if proper atten-
tion is given to transportation and feeding. In many New
England towns the profits from the sale of garbage re-
duces the cost of collection one third to one half. Admit-
tedly, there are too many piggeries in Lexington that are
offensive, due to a disregard of the first principles of
cleanliness, health regulations and laws appertaining to
the handling and storage of swill on open ground, objec-
tionable in the highest degree. All who have been at the
feeding ground in hot weather will agree that it is insan-
itary. The clouds of flies and insects, the multiplied
streams of the lowest forms of animal life radiating from
heaps of fermenting swill, and the nauseating odors aris-
ing from the polluted trampled ground, alt unite to create
a nuisance. The chief claim for this means of garbage
disposal is on the score of economy, since it appears to be
almost the only way as yet devised by which a town can
recover some return for the outlay and for the collection
and disposal. While this is not a desirable method under
certain conditions, it is not a very bad method, properly
regulated. Pig owners being under no restriction, select
the nearest place to dump their loads and under such
circumstances give little attention to the consequences.
Under pressure of complaints, which reach your atten-
tion regularly, it is quite essential if piggeries are to be
continued, to the extent now existent, that a Health agent
must be employed to enforce the regulations with regard
to the dumping of putrid matter, license certain pigger-
ies to limit the industry to a minimum number. Piggery
farms seriously interfere with the rights of adjoining
property owners.
Town OF LEXINGTON
249
The contract system with respect to caring for this
class of work is the most convenient way for your board
to economically handle the collection of garbage in Lex-
ington for the next few years, in my judgment, follow-
ing which it may be desirable to handle this work with
town equipment and employees. The town is growing
and will continue to increase in growth at a rapid rate.
Manifestly is this true, and to be observed in all parts of
Lexington. There is a general concensus of opinion that
it is time to commence the collection of garbage and that
the present practice of permitting individual piggery
owners to collect swill from unlimited areas is wrong.
Replies to letters received from Wellesley, Read-
ing, Concord, Arlington, Winchester discloses the fact
that there is but one piggery in Concord and Arlington,
and none in the other towns aforementioned. Lexington
has within its confines at least twenty-five. In Wellesley
garbage is collected by contract, twice weekly in winter
and three times during the summer months, cost of col-
lection, $1,800. Reading's contract provides for two
collections the entire year, cost $1,600. Concord arranges
for two collections twelve months in the year at a cost of
$15.00 per week, and by contract. Arlington makes pro-
vision to collect swill with its labor forces, two collections
at some places, and where a Large amount of garbage is
made, three and four collections is provided for weekly.
The quantity of garbage collected is sold to Michael Shea
of Lexington under a five year contract and which expires
November 1, 1924. In the westerly section of Arlington
one person is permitted to keep 62 pigs. Winchester
contracts to have garbage collected twice weekly at the
cost of $1,400. Number of houses in Arlington, 2100,
Concord 500, Reading 1940, Winchester 2100, Welles-
ley 1300 (which does not include College), Lexington
has 1247 houses within the area it is proposed to make
collections. With due allowance for congested populous
areas and setting aside the rural and farm sections, I
would plan to zone the town in four parts as a means of
facilitating prompt collections and a common practice of
conducting this line of municipal work. The responsi-
bility is upon the town authorities to see that this public
services performed in the interest of the people whom it
serves and the best hygenic practice.
250
ANNUAL REPORTS
The chief claim for the zoning plan is on the score of
service to be rendered certain days in the week and with-
in a period of the day when garbage collection is less
offensive and not opened to objection. It may be desirable
to decrease the zone areas to three or even less. Much,
however, depends upon the number of carts and men the
contractor employs for this class of service. While there
is no general rule as to the methods pursued in the col-
lection of garbage, it should be expressly understood that
the zone idea reduces confusion and creates many advan-
tages. Moreover, convenience in meeting public require-
ments. All habited streets included within the zones des-
cribed are to be visited by the contractor's agents twelve
months in the year.
WATER PIPE EXTENSIONS The townspeople in
the early year voted loan orders or the construction of
water pipe lines in remote sections of the town. It would
be my recommendation that petitioners for this class of
service secure signatures under seal of all interested per-
sons desiring water before they present petitions to your
Board for consideration. During the summer months
water was supplied, but the petitioners and others have
not availed themselves of the service. In another instance
petitioners for a line of pipe eleven hundred feet in
length notified my office by letter that the guarantee
signatures could not be obtained, notwithstanding the
fact that the pipe had been ordered, and as a result, the
appropriation voted cannot be used, but by process of
law must be held on the Town Accountant's books as a
record for further consideration and an indefinite length.
ROADS The County Commissioners are desirous
of ascerai ng your views with respect to any road con-
struction project that you may deem essential to secure
an appropriation for, and the work of which is to be
completed in 1924. My opinion is that if Lowell Street
is constructed twenty feet wide from Woburn Street to
Billerica, it would cut out a great deal of traffic from
Massachusetts Avenue and relieve congestion, particular-
ly on holidays. It may be interesting to learn that a
traffic census taken on October 27, November lst and 9th,
and upon days when it was not to be expected there would
be much passing, but the record shows that in two and
one-half hours, 253 motor cars of all classes passed the
corner of Woburn and Lowell Streets, and for three hours,
TOWN of LEXINGTON
251
414 and for six nours 840 on different dates. This artery
of travel, and most direct route to states north of us is
Iaid out fifty feet wide, with an average traveled roadway
of seventeen and one-half feet. To construct a modern
bituminous macadam road twenty feet wide, would mean
an expenditure of $52,000. Length of road 1.53 miles.
Just what proportion of this sum the State and County
would bear is conjectural with me, but upon the assump-
tion that they would care for two thirds of the burden of
cost, Lexington's share would be $13,333.00. Should
it be thought advisable to regrade and surface with gra-
vel and penetrate with oil, then the estimate as aforesaid
would be less by sixty-six per cent, based too, upon the
assumption that there would be very little alteration in
the grade of the road.
Concord Avenue in Lexington is 3.46 miles in length.
The road is in very best shape and any sum expended
upon it to place this avenue in passable condition is unwise
as the road has been too Iong neglected. That part of the
avenue lying in Lincoln is oiled and safe for travel. In
Lexington is it very rough and in such bad shape that any
sum expended upon it to place this avenue in passible con-
dition is unwise, and the town is fortunate that it has not
been presented with claims for damage to automobiles.
A change of grade is necessary in a few places in order
that the surface water may be controlled. This avenue
lies geographically in an easterly and westerly direction.
Lowell Street extends nearer north and south, making
it a more desirable street to consider first. Something
should be done at once with Concord Avenue, and my
recommendation is that a fund is provided to place it in
safe condition for travel, by widening the road where
necessary, resurfacing regrading with gravel treated with
an oil penetration.
Waltham Street is in a satisfactory condition and
while the road in Waltham has been given a thorough
overhauling by the process of reconstruction, Lexington's
end of this thoroughfare is quite serviceable and I would
not recommend that any more attention is given it than
is required to maintain it for the present.
STEAM ROLLER It is imperatively necessary the
coming year that the department of highways should be
supplied with a new steam roller. The town is fortunate
•
252
A1, NUAL REPORTS
in having as an operator of this important piece of equip-
ment a painstaking man, who with extreme care, has
been able to keep it moving for fifteen years, an unusual
feat when taken in comparison with reports of other towns
Ind it will be found that the roller has long ago filled
the term of life designated for it by general contractors.
The department has been handicapped upon a number of
occasions this year for the use of it and at considerable
expense due to leaky pipes and wornout parts. So in
order to secure greater efficiency and more service, it is
my recommendation that a new steam roller is purchased
at a cost of $5,500.00. There is sufficient work for two
rollers and reccommend that the old machine is retained.
TOWN YARD Figured on the basis of time in tra-
vel and moving of the highway equipment from the sta-
tions in which it is stored to the various classes of work
during the season, and under construction, it is safe to es-
timate that thirty per cent of the time is lost in the trans-
fer of machinery and material to be used from the pump-
ing station, water department workshop at town hall,
railroad freight yard, leased annually. Teamsters are
required to go long distances from their homes to the
poor farm for horses and teams, housed and cared for in
that remote section of the town. More business in gov-
ernment, by the late President Harding, is an inspiration
generally applauded, and more care can be exercised in
the expenditure of public money. The problem of suc-
cessful municipal management is conditional upon a num-
ber of factors, three of which, in the order of their im-
portance are as follows. First, the equipment with which
the administration must work. Second, the organization
or the men to man this equipment and the personnel of
the organization. Third, suitability of the municipal
storage yard for the purpose of handling expeditiously
and with dispatch the working forces of the three import-
ant departments, highway, water and sewer. This in it-
self is a problem of some difficulty and upon its correct
solution depends the smooth operation of these separate
organizations.
In the interest of the public I am serving, feel that
they should be informed as to the needs of the town, pay-
ing as they must, the bills by taxation. Higher standards
of living are constantly compelling municipal govern-
TowN of LEXINGTON
258
ments to undertake new duties, enlarge their efficiency,
efficiently and economically, so I maintain that in order
to perform satisfactorily the work incumbent upon the
man in charge of this branch of municipal work, new
quarters should be secured to house, not in the open
as is, town machinery, wagons, pipe, cement, sand and
gravel, and in brief, all classes of material used in the
upkeep of your highways and underground structures.
On the easterly side of the town hall lot, and be-
yond the steam railroad track, and northerly of Grant
Street, is a tract of land admirably suited for a public
works yard, both as to the general area and grade of the
land, bordered too, by tracks of the Boston & Maine
Railroad, permitting also ample space for the storage
of pipe and the erection of stables for horses. Tanks for
the storage of road oil located here would reduce the
cost of tar and asphalt oil used on our streets this year
$1,630.00. This ]and, away from public view, could be
esthotically arranged on the Grant Street side, and cer-
tainly no objection could be raised by property owners
in the vicinity to such an establishment. Continuing on,
this subject should be investigated by a special board or
commission, it being one involving engineering, archi-
tectual ability and the skill of the public works manager.
The value of this suggested site, if approved, may make it
prohibitive because of the cost. Should this be so, there is
the old barn building of the Middlesex & Boston Street
Railway Company, the unused Pumping Station with land
in abundance surrounding it, worthy also of note. It is ob-
vious, however, that the weak point in selecting land off
the steam railroad location reduces the value of a site
as a receiving station. With proper facilities for storage,
advantage can be taken of market quotations as is evid-
enced by the comparision of prices paid for material this
year.
GRAVEL BANK It is apparent to me that the time
has arrived when the town of Lexington should be the
owner of a tract of land containing a gravel bank. In
1922 twenty five hundred cubic yards of sand and gravel
were purchased under contract at a cost of $4,626.00.
The amount expended this year is $4,047.00 or a total
paid to contractors of $8,673.00. The Supt. of Streets,
Mr. J. Henry Duffy, in his report of 1921 says—"During
the past year the town has purchased about 7500 cubic
264
ANNUAL REPORTS
yards of sand and gravel. Of this amount, 1000 yards
was delivered to the work at a contract price of about
$1,800.00, the balance being purchased from eight other
individuals and hauled from the various pits by our own
teams. About $1,300 was paid to these individuals for
the material at the various pits. If the cost of teaming
is added, it is quite likely that the item of sand and gravel
cost the town the past year in the neighborhood of $15,
000.00 or about one third of the total amount allowed
for the maintenance of the highway. The town will con-
tinue to use increasing amounts of sand and gravel, and
as this represents a large proportion of the annual expen-
diture for maintenance, it is certain that an appreci-
able saving could be made if the town purchased a con-
venient site where an ample supply of sand and gravel
might be secured to care for our needs for a number of
years. The item of loading and teaming could be reduc-
ed to a minimum by installing mechanical loading machin-
ery in the pit and using truck and teams for Iong and
short hauls respectively."—and I quite concur in this
statement of fact that an appreciable saving could be
made if the town owned a convenient site where an ample
supply of this material could be secured.
Several gravel pit Iocations have been suggested and
studied, having in mind the following conditions. The
desirability of avoiding expensive property --location
consistent with the demands of highway traffic and trans-
portation --property and consequential damage to sur •
rounding Land—value of material for road construction
and ease of handling excavation—the area or parcel and
quantity to be obtained for a term of years with location
suited to the requirments of the street department—the
operation of a mechanical excavator and loading device
will reduce the cost of handling the material at least one
half as against manual labor methods. This analysis
from my personal point of view with respect to the pur-
chase of supplies and materials, leads me to recommend
immediate attention to the subject of a municipal owned
gravel pit, and it must be manifest to you fromthe afore-
mentioned statement with respect to the large sums paid
contractors, that the town treasury is depleted annually
for Iarge amounts. In 1921 $3,100, 1922 $4,626, 1923
$4,047, or a total of $11,773.
WATER PIPE EXTENSIONS 3,836 Iinear feet of
water pipe has been laid by contract at a cost of $12,477.
Tow of LEXINGTON 255
40. Six thousand seven hundred dollars was voted in
Town Meeting to be taken from the water income ac-
count. The operation of the water department has been
seriously hampered by the reduction of this amount,
supposed to be available for emergency measures, main-
tenance of pipe lines, care of leaks, laying of house sup-
plies from main to gate box in sidewalk, general operat-
ing and overhead expenses. Obviously a break in a water
main demands immediate attention. It becomes neces-
sary to delay work on relay lines for lack of funds to
meet the cost and to the annoyance of citizens who by
reason of the smallness of the installed feed line, are
without water during a drouth period. The Water De-
partment is, on a paying basis, but without cash to cover
the emergency measures, chaos is likely to result. The
Metropolitan tax, bonded indebtedness, interest on loans,
purchase of water meters, fittings, tools, lead pipe, rent
of land and buildings, cost of insurance, reduces decid-
edly the water income account. It is the first time that
the department managers have been compelled to with-
hold necessary improvements and curtail purchases essen.
tial to function economically. 1 trust a distinctive atti-
tude will be taken by your Board to frankly place this
subject and emphatically too, before the townspeople
assembled next year, and in effect that funds for new
lines as extensions of the system will be provided for only
by construction loans, as the State Municipal Finance
Act permits.
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.. Traffic regulations gov-
ern ng ie speed of autos and parking would materially
aid the police department officials to secure greater rec-
ognition in court and bring a material sum for fines into
the town treasury. In this respect, and common with most
towns, we seem to be lagging behind, and I recommend
the adoption of the regulatios prepared by Chief Leavitt,
taken from various like records in towns and cities.
PLANS Recently a matter escaped the attention of
yourBond I refer to an error on a plan and profile
which was presented to you to be passed upon. After-
ward an attempt was made by the Town Engineer to re-
produce the record evidence in the field and it transpired
that the data offered by a private engineer was incorrect.
Likewise, a public service corporation offered to you
plan evidence that was misinterpreted. As a safeguard,
1 recommend that all plans bear the approval of the Town
ANNUAL REPORTS
Engineer upon them before they reach you for a final
decision, or from any petitioner seeking the Board's en-
dorsement.
BILLBOARDS There is ample justification and le-
gal prece ent tor the levying of taxes upon billboards,
not merely for the revenue which such taxes would pro-
duce, but also for the control which such measures may
give to outdoor advertising, which, when uterly unregu-
lated is dangerous, offensive and unsightly. Signs of
all descriptions are being erected about town with a dis-
regard for the laws of the Commonwealth or regulations
of the town. I therefore, respectfully refer you to the
By -Laws, Article 11, 12, Section 5 and Article 28, Section
3.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
STATISTICS
1923 LEXINGTON 1713
Sett'ed 1642. Incorporated as a town
Area of town, in acres
Ares of town, in miles
Extreme Iength in miles
Extreme width in miles ,
Miles of private streets and ways
Miles of public streets
Miles of sewer mains
Miles of water mains
Mies of electric roads
Miles of steam roads
Mils of gas mains
Miles cf corporation conduits (Edison)
Miles of corporation conduits (N. E. Tel. & Tel.)
Miles of storm water drains
M les of improved sidewalks
Miles of State highways
Number of hydrants
Number of water services
Highest water pressure
Lowest water pressure
Gallonse of water used daily based on popof 6,540
Sewer house connections
Per capita consumption of water
Number of fire &arm boxes
Population, U. S. census 1920
Highers elevation in town
1718
10,650.421
16,641
5.8
4.85
37.1
50.9
7.75
51.5
7.8
5.3
12.18
3.56
3.27
4.575
10.5
5.
247.
1471.
115.
40.
441,700.
182.
68.
53.
6,350.
320.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
•
Lowest elevation in town
Area of cemeteries in acres
Park land in acres
Playground in acres
Water area in acres
Swamp area in acres
School property in acres
Number of school houses
Average daily attendance
Number of churches '
Number of manufactories
Assessed polls
Registered voters, male and female
Valuation April let 1923, personal estate
Valuation April let 1923, real estate
Tax, April let 1923 polls
Rate of taxation per $1,000 in 1923
Number of residents assessed
Number of non-residents assessed
Number of dwelling houses assessed
Number of acres of land assessed
Number of animals assessed
WATER DEPARTMENT
2157
110.
51.3
100.3
11.
109.4
802.
13.5
6.
1,679.
8.
2.
2,028.
2486.
1,573,199.
11,007,790.
10,140.
31.50
2,347.
1,093.
1,568.
9,242.
2,220.
General summary of finances for the year ending December 31, 1923
Receipts
Schedule A and deposits $35,859.19 I
Appropriation for Chase Avenue 900.00
Appropriation for Reed and Maple Streets 1,600.00
Appropriation for Grant Street 1,750.00
Transfer from General Revenue and Surplus
Account 2,800.00
Balance, including Concord Avenue
Appropriation 7,940.62
Expenditures
Schedule B and C $49,593.40
Appropriation for Concord Avenue rescinded 1,200.00
Total Cash Balance in hands of Town Treasurer
( araxtee Fund, Cosh deposited in Lexingben
Swinge Bank
$60,849.81
$60,793.40
$ 56.41
$ 760.00
•
258
ANNUAL REPORTS
Lengths of different sires of water mains in use December 31, 1923
Diameter
12 inches
10 inches
8 inches
6 inches
4 inches
Smaller sizes
Year
Made
1911
1918
1914
• 1914
1915
1915
1916
1916
1916
1917
1920
1920
1920
1921
1921
1921
1922
1922
1922
1922
1922
1922
1922
1922
1923
1923
1928
1928
1928
1928
Length
9,701 feet
5,011 feet
35,933 feet
121,395 feet
27, 794 feet
4,857 feet
Water Main Extensions in Private Ways
Size
Location Inches
Wilbur Properties 6
Marriott St. Hayes Est• 6
York Street
Webb Street
Baker Avenue
Locust Avenue
Summit Road
Arcadia Avenue
St. Margaret Avenue
Rawson Avenue 6
Farmcrest Avenue
Grapevine Avenue
Forest Street
FIetcher Avenue
Fottler Avenue
Highland Avenue
Bowker Street
Butler Avenue
Carville Avenue
Cliffe Avenue
Fletcher Avenue
Pottier Avenue
Summit Road
Wallis Court
Kendall Road
Maple Street
Brookside Avenue
Hill Top Avenue
Bertwell Road
Dakmount Cirels
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
a
6
6
8
6
12
2
6
6
6
6
6
4
6
6
6
6
6
6
Length
Feet
5,000
337
622
873
912
410
455
1,508
520
176
1,238
298
60
500
200
820
198
688
863
140
396
185
128
232
656
816
639
720
835
526
Tow!: OF LEXINGTON
WATER METERS
259
in obedience to the law all new services installed and placed in
use were equipped with meters.
The following table shows the progress made since 1906 in the
installation of meters:
Number of Services
1907 702 1916 1206
1908 788 1916 1245
1909 780 1917 1264
1910 838 1919 1310
1911 910 1920 1339
1912 961 1921 1309
1913 1063 1922 1460
X914 1113 1923 1531
1915 1156
Of Which There Were A+Ietered
1907 96 1916 1139
1908 245 1917 1231
1909 362 1918 1264
1910 475 1919 1310
1911 615 1920 1339
1912 752 1921 1399
1913 843 1922 1460
1914 947 . 1923 1531
1915 1063
Average gross income, per service, per year
1907 $21.40 1916 $17.24 •
1908 20.54 1917 17.72
1909 21.60 1918 17.05
1910 22.20 1919 17.11
1911 21.36 1920- 18.21
1912 19.88 1921 18.09
1913 18.18 1922 17.96
1914 18.70 1923' 18.56
1916 17.37
2G[} ANNtrAL IRF.roaiU
MONTHLY AVERAGE DAILY CONSUMPTION OF WATER
IN GALLONS PER CAPITA
Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
1906 71 73 70 68 74 74 96 88 76 74 65 54
1907 68 72 73 70 72 82 85 105 76 65 62 51
1908 48 56 51 58 75 109 105 83 91 70 65 51
1909 48 52 59 64 69 84 101 90 75 62 55 50
1910 58 65 59 72 78 73 119 94 85 84 71 75
1911 63 64 64 67 82 80 115 93 81 75 77 62
1912 70 75 79 80 83 101 107 74 66 57 56 56
1913 62 55 55 63 60 68 86 82 76 66 63 60
1914 59 60 58 60 77 93 73 63 75 66 63 60
1915 61 58 58 60 63 80 63 63 70 68 62 60
1916 58 60 62 64 69 71 73 81 76 75 69 65
1917 63 65 69 67 72 77 93 90 74 73 71 70
1918 77 114 106 87 92 94 89 87 76 64 63 58
1919 56 58 66 59 62 79 76 68 65 64 61 62
1920 63 62 70 62 64 67 74 84 68 66 61 57
1921 59 59 63 62 65 90 68 74 74 69 64 63
1922 65 66 71 76 69 71 64 66 70 65 54 53
1923 52 58 57 59 68 91 74 72 75 64 54 48
HYDRANTS
The following hydrants were in service on the dates given:
January 11, 1923
January 1, 1924
Public 215
Public 227
Private 22
Private 22
TOWN OF L.PACNGTON
261
SCHEDULE "A"
Detail of Revenue from Water Rates and Miscellaneous Accounts
1922 Items
•otsl Charged Collected Rebated
30.13 30.13 0
62.08 62.08 0
19.16 19.16 0
78.19 0 $78.19
$189.56 $111.3'1
1923 Items
$28,620.28 $2.413.50
393.58 330.08
2,350.00 2,350.00
100.00 100.00
2.69 2.69
96.86 96.86
8.46 8.46
127.69 127.69
253.58 73.58
17.98 17.98
266.55 266.55
99.72 99.72
20.00 20.00
4.00 4.00
Water Rates
Guarantees
Service
Miscellaneouw
Water Rates
Guarantees
Hydrants
Wat ring troughs
Accrued Interest
Repairs
Insurance Premium
Sale of stock
Sale of water
Miscel aneaus
Replace trench
Broken hydrant
U. S. Government
Turning on water
Uncollected
0
0
0
0
78.19 0
$147.90
$58.88
O 63.50
0 0
O o
0 0
O 0
O o
0 0
O 180.00
0 0
0 0
O 0
O 0
0 0
$32,550.95 $32.022.48 $226.09 $302.48.
SCHEDULE "B"
Detail of Maintenance and Operating Expenses
Metropolitan Tax
Interest on• Debt
Labor
Maint. of Ford runabout and truck
New Ford runabout (net)
New Ford truck
Horse and Wagon
Fre`ght
Stock
Repairs
Insurance
Salaries
Office Expenses
Rent of Land (B.& M. R. R. yard)
Rent of Barn
Vacation Pay Roll
$10,466.62
3,197.50
5.210.75
638.48
252.00
658.00
179.96
34.75
248.98
358.08
389.68
2,360.96
580,45
36.00
360.00
430.60
$25,502.81
262
ANNUAL REPORTS
SCHEDULE "C"
Detail of Construction Expenses
Labor $ 4,973.2.
Large iron pipe 6,128.54
Meters 486.70
Gates 534.88
Hydrants 729.45
Pig Lead 192-38
Lead Pipe 661.74
Small iron pipe . 1,617.89
Small fittings 29.68
Other stock 1,698.53
Freight 201.05
Teaming 1.90
Miscellaneous 12.80
Contracts 8,458.15
Receipts from installing services
Less excess deposits returned
$23,725.97
$3,836.71
364.62 3,472.09
Total Construction expenses $20,253.88
DETAIL OF UNPAID ITEMS
In obedience to a vote of the Town, passed in 1907, a complet!
list of those who have failed to pay their bills is given herewith. being
the total amount so outstanding at the close of the books of th.
Department, December 31, 1923.
Water Rates
Jaynes E. Burke $45.97
Paid since books closed 12.91
Guarantees
John A. Laurie $63.50
William Hunt
Lexington Outdoor Club
Pa'd since books closed
Lex'ngton Outdoor Club
Services
Miscellaneous
$58.83
$63.4,11
$173.10
5.18
:3:5.;18
$'21:3.88
$180.00
$180.01)
$516.24
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
WATER MAIN EXTENSION GUARANTORS
- 1923 -
REED ST.
CHASE AVE.
KENDALL. RD.
MAPLE ST.'
BROOKSIDE. AVE.
HILLTOP AVE.
BERTWELL RD.
GRANT ST -
263
Alpert H. Lecke - George Oldford -
Henry E. Lowe -- roe Merino .-» J. W.
Peaks - Wallace W. Weizinger
Joseph H. Dahlstrom
Ray W. Reimer - Arthur 0. Schutze
William A. Schutze .-- Neil McIntosh
Elizabeth Timothy --- F. A. Stankard
Herbert H. Locke - George Oldford -
Henry E. Lowe - Joe Merino - J. W.
Peake -- Wallace W. Weizinger
Farrell E. Thayer - A. B. Rood ---- Annie
McMakin - Louise Kavanaugh - Mary
J. Bond
Joseph J. Bevins - Neil McIntosh - Emil
A. Gramstorff - W. J. Cribby - Reba E.
Cowdrey - J. A. E. GramstorfF -- John G.
Allen - Martha J. Sullivan - Alice V.
Connelly - Margaret M. Sullivan - Mar-
garet A. Connelly - P. L. Andrews --
Itosoma V. Andrews - Herbert W. Cox -
,:,;:3EMyron G. P. Cressy - Frederick S. Walker
William H. Burgess - Jay O. Richard,,
Timothy H. O'Connor
OAKMOUNT CIRCLE. Mary Gertrude .Prescott - S. U. Prescott
264
ANNUAL RIPOILTI
MOVEMENT OF THE BONDED DEBT
The Debt movement up to the present time is as follows:
Added Paid Net Debt
1896 Original bond issue ¢200,000.00
1896 10,000 210,000.00
1897 1,000 209,000.00
1898 10,000 1,000 218,000.00
1899 2,000 216,000.00
1900 2,000 214,000.00
1901 10,000 2,000 222,000.00
1902 5,000 3,000 224,000.00
1903 58,000 4,000 273,000.00
1904 8,200 264,000.0(1
1905 5,200 8,200 261,800.00
1906 2,000 19,300 244,500.00
1907 18,300 226,200.00
1908 13,000 15,700 223,500.00
1909 8,600 16,700 215,400.00
1910 17,900 197,500.00
1911 16,000 17,000 195,600.00
1912 32,000 18,900 208,700.00
1913 4,800 21,700 191,800.00
1914 8,500 22,900 177,400.00
1915 4,000 19,400 162,000.00
1916 3,000 20,400 144,600.00
1917 4,000 21,500 127,200.00
1918 19,700 101,500.00
1919 18,200 89,300.00
1920 9,000 15,700 82,600.00
1921 20,000 17,700 84,900.00
1922 12,800 19,700 78,000.00
1923 1,750 24,500 55,250.00
Balance of Debt, Dec. 31, 1923 55,250.00
Amount to be paid in 1924 21,250.00
TOWN OF LExLNA,TON
VALUE OF THE PLANT
Estimated value of plant, Dec. 81, 1923
STOCK AND TOOLS ON HAND
Stock
T000la
Automobiles
Total valuation, Dee. 31, 1923
266
;275,000.00
;2,500.00
2,000.00
850.00
;5,350.00
$230,350.00
266 ANNUAL R1rroRT5
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
1923
WA'rkat MAIN EXTENSIONS
PI
w
w
M a
Z
+ w H a
SfZE OF PIPE
NO. HYDRANTS
Reed Centre Maple 336 6" 1 3 1163.841 3.47'
(No. Lex.)
Near Near
Chase Tucker Banks 334 6" 1 2 1203.371 3.61
Ave. Ave. Ave.
Kendall Farmcrest Waltham 656 6" 0 2 1983.041 3.03
Rd, Ave. St.
Maple St. Reed St. Oak St. 316 6" 1 3 1083.99; 3.433
(No. Lex)
Brookside Waltham Old Allen 639 6" 1 2 23322.201 3.6:;5
Respectfully submitted Ave. St. St.
CHRISTOPHER HARRISON Hill Top Kendall ' End 720 6" 1 2 2238.203 3.11
e 4 Ave. Rd-
SuperintendesFt of Public Works
Ber:we'_1.N Hancock North- 8:35 6" 1 2 2482.76' 2.97
Rd. S t. erly
Grant Sheridan North 506 6" 1 1 1346.812 266
St. St. Easterly
Oakmount Meriam Easterly 526 6" 1 Z 2717.343 5.173
Circle St.
Totals
48684 8 19 16541.55
4---Inculdes Hydrant Connections.
E ---Ledge and Boulders.
1 ---Work Done by Contract.
2 " " " Town. Forces
s FS.
" Contract in Part.
TOWN ❑r LEXINGTON
TOWN COUNSEL
267
The Honorable, the Selectmen,
Lexington, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
Pursuant to Section 6 of Article XI of the Town By -Laws
I submit herewith my report in writing.
A. The "actions by or against the Town which were
pending at the beginning of the preceding fiscal
year" are as follows :
1. Mary E. Hall v. Inhabitants of Lexington. A peti-
tion for the assessment of damages by reason of the alter-
ing and widening of Revere Street.
2. Hancock Congregational Church v. Inhabitants of
Lexington. Petition for abatement of 1922 tax.
3. Ernest W. Martin v. Inhabitants of Lexington.
Petition for assessment of damages by reason of the
altering and widening of Revere Street.
4. Almina and M . Alice Munroe v. Town of Lexing-
ton. Petition for assessment of damages by reason of
relocation of Maple and Lowell Streets.
5. John Swenson, administrator of the estate of
Svante Swenson v. Town of Lexington. Action to re-
cover damages for the conscious suffering and death of
Svante Swenson by reason of an accident in which the
Fire Deparment apparatus was involved.
6. I_nRabitants of Town of Lexington v. Samuel Born-
stein. Action brought by former Town Counsel Ryder
in the District Court of Central Middlesex at Concord on
a contract made by said Samuel Bornstein with the Over-
seers of the Poor of the Town of Lexington to pay for the
care and support furnished Charlotte Bornstein, a minor
child, and a granddaughter of the defendant.
7. Breck-Robinson Nursery Company v. Inhabitants
268
ANNUAL REPORTS
of Lexington. Petition for assessment of damages by
reason of the construction of the sewer.
8. James P. Munroe et al v. Inhabitants of Lexington.
Petition for damages by reason of construction of sewer
and taking of land.
9 and 10. Henry McCaffrey v. Town of Lexington
and Town of Lexington v. McCaffrey. A Bill and a Cross -
Bill in Equity,—McCaffrey seeking to enjoin the Town
from deepening a certain brook on his premises, and the
Town seeking to prevent McCaffrey from interfering with
this work by the Town. These two cases are being handl-
ed by Nathan B. Bidwell, Esq., who was retained by form-
er Town. Officials, and I have not thus far appeared as
counsel because. before my appointment, I was a witness
in the case.
B. The "actions brought by or against the Town dur-
ing such year" are as follows:
1. Henry W.B.Cotton v. Inhabitants of Lexington.
Complaint on appeal from refusal of Assessors to abate
the 1922 tax assessed upon the property of Henry W. B.
Cotton.
2. Henry J. McCaffrey v. Inhabitants of Lexington.
An action to recover damages by reason of the alleged
unlawful entry upon, tearing up, damaging, and spoil-
ing the land of McCaffrey
3. Inhabitants of Lexington v. James H. Keith and
Morris K. Coleman. Suit to recover for damage done to the
hydrant near 89 Woburn Street.
4. Inhabitants of Lexington v. William F. Sim and
Maude Sim. The statutory proceeding to recover for the
care and support of Philip Sim, their grandson and a mi-
nor child.
5. Inhabitants of Town of Lexington v. Samuel Born-
stein. The statutory proceeding to recover for the care
and support furnished Charlotte Bornstein, his grand-
daughter and a minor child.
C. The "action settled or disposed of during such year'
are as follows:
1 and2. J. P. Munroe et al and Breck-Robinson Nur-
sery Company v. Inhabitants of Lexington. These two
TowN OF LEXINGTON 269
proceedings were disposed of by the payfent of $5,000.,
in accordance with the vote of the Town.
3. Hancock Congregational Church v. Inhabitants
of Lexington. Disposed of after hearing by a final de-
cree of the County Commissioners, who abated the tax
to the extent of 50 percent of the amount thereof.
Since the By -Laws provide that "such reports shall
also show the separate amounts received by the Town
Counsel as compensation and for disbursements in each
of such actions during such year, and for all other ser-
vices covered by his regular salary", it seems incumbent
upon me to add that I have received no amounts, either
as "compensation and for disbursements in each of such
actions during such year" or as a "regular salary".
Yours respectfully,
EDWARD C. STONE
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee and
Superintendent of
Schools
OF THE
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
For the Year 1923
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ORGANIZATION
3
CHAIRMAN
George E. Briggs, Fair Oaks Tel : Lex. 0027
(Term expires March, 1925)
SECRETARY
Howard S. O. Nichols, 19 Hayes Road Tel. Lex. 0434_M
(Term expires March, 1926)
TREASURER
Nina F. McLellan, 45 Percy Road Tel. Lex. 0980
(Term expires March, 1924)
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Harry H. Lowry, 1 Shirley Street
Office : High School Building
Tel. Lex. 0671-M
Tel. Lex. 0277
CLERK
Barbara M. Parks, Bedford Street Tel. Lex. 0758-W
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held
on the first and third Tuesdays of each month in the office
of the Superintendent.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1924
January 2 to February 21
Midwinter vacation February 22 to 29
March 3 to April 25
Holiday, April 18 (Good Friday)
Spring vacation April 28 to May 2
4
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
May 5 to June 20
Holidays, May 30, June 17
High School Graduation June 6
September 8 to December 19
Holidays, October 31, November 27, 28.
Grades I -III
Grades IV -VII
Grades VIII -IX
Grades X -XII
SCHOOL HOURS
Morning Session
8.45 to 11.30
8.45 to 12.00
8.00 to 1.30
8.00 to 1.30
Afternoon Session
1.30 to 3.15
1.30 to 3.15
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
The signal for no school is 3 times 3 blows of the
fire alarm whistle.
A. When heard at 7.15 A. M. it means no school for
all schools in the morning.
B. When heard at 7.30 A. M. it means no school for
the First Nine Grades in the morning. All children
of Grades X, XI, and XII will attend school.
C. When heard at 12.30 it means no school in the
afternoon for all schools.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The general work in the schools has been of high
order during the year just closed. Obviously there have
been problems but despite the attention which they de-
manded the schools have functioned in an efficient man-
ner with each worker in her place and every scholar ac-
comodating himself to new demands and conditions.
In the 1922 report the School Committee called
attention to the over -crowded condition of our High
School building. Two solutions appeared at that time
one an additional building, and the second a two platoon
system of school attendance. It was geerally agreed that
a new building was essential but immediate relief was
imperative awaiting the constructionof such a building.
A public hearing was given at the High School in
May to which all parents were invited. This important
subject of school accommodations was discussed in full
from which discussion there developed a strong sentiment
against the two -platoon system and a full approval of a
third plan, that of establishing a modified form of the
Junior High School plan in the Munroe School building.
With rare spirit and appreciating fully an acute situation,
the parents in the Munroe District willingly set aside
preferences and whole-heartedly entered into this impro-
vised plan of the Junior High School idea.
The Munroe School building has been utilized
throughout the year as both an elementary school for the
first four grades, and a Junior High School made up of
165 children comprising the eighth and ninth grades of
the Town. The Principal and teachers of the Junior
High School have been under a severe strain and deserve
much credit for devotion and patience under new and per-
plexing conditions.
The present school year began under a great dis-
appointment in that the citizens in Town Meeting in
March failed to approve the budget prepared and pre-
sented by the School Committee. This budget contem-
plated the administration of our schools on as economical
6 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
a basis as consistent with efficiency and the exacting
needs of modern education.
The amount asked of the Town for school adminis-
tration was $140,630.00, which was an increase of $6447.
00 over the 1922 expenditures due to increased enroll-
ment and necessary additions to our teaching staff. The
action of the Town cut this appropriation to $132,500.00
or a reduction of $8130.00. Since 80 per cent of the
school budgetrepresents a fixed expense covering salaries
and 10 per cent fuel and transportation, the School Com-
mittee were forced not only to curtail in a drastic fashion
the outlay for text books, school supplies, equipment and
repairs, but to dismiss certain teachers whose faithful
work as supervisors in Drawing, Shopwork and Sewing
had bee na regular part of the school curriculum for
many years. The elimination of these courses of study
places Lexington in a peculiar and unenviable' position in
contrast to other schols which accept these departments
as vital and necessary
It became necessary to omit the usual Summer School
saving an immediate expense of approximately $400.00
Because of this failure to meet a real need one -hundred
children are repeating grades this present year. Judg-
ing by past experience it is fair to state that fully one-half
of these children with special attention at the Summer
School would have passed into their regular grades. It
is regretted that so large a group of children were denied
the assistance which they so much needed.
Lexington possesses about one-half a million dollars
in School buildings. Sound business judgment calls for
an annual outlay sufficient to keep these important build-
ings in reasonable repair. In the budget of last year the
sum of $3,000.00 was requested for this purpose as a
minumum amount to care for existing needs. Such a sum
does not represent even 1 per cent of the total valuation
of our buildings as 1 per cent would call for a $5,000.00
expenditure. In fact it is quite common to estimate 2
per cent and sometimes 3 per cent as a fair annual up-
keep cost figure. The reduced budget permitted the
Committee to care for only emergency repairs such as
heating, plumbing, and other exigencies for which pur-
pose $1531.S1 was expended. To postpone urgent repairs
is obviously to incur a largely increased cost for such
work when the repairs are actually made.
The School Committee has kept faith with the citi-
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 7
zens and has lived within the amount granted to them for
administration. Its accounts disclosed on December 31,
1923 an unexpended balance of $9.49 with no bills out-
standing. The net outgo for 1923 (after deducting the
substantial income from outside sources of $18,588.18)
was $113,90223 compared with the sum of $114,408.45
in 1922, while in the year 1921 the net cost was $115,884.
38. With an annual increase in pupil enrollment of about
one hundred it will be recognized that a diminishing out-
lay for school costs is absurd and can only be shown by
impoverishing our school program and denying to our
children the rich and complete education which is their
due.
We submit herewith the detailed report of the Super-
intendent of Schools, Mr. Harry 11. Lowry whose careful
analysis of our school problems will be found illuminat-
ing and profitable reading for every citizen.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. BRIGGS,
NINA F. McLELLAN,
HOWARD S. O. NICHOLS,
School Committee.
8 ANNUAL SCHOOL, REPORT
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Year Ending December 31, 1923
General Expenses
Superintendent and Attendance
Officer
Superintendent's travel, Office
assistance and Expenses
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries of Supervisors, Principals
and Teachers
Text Books
Stationery and Supplies
Expenses of Operation, Janitors, Fuel, etc.
Maintenance
Repairs, etc.
Auxiliary Agencies
Health
Transportation
Miscellaneous
Vocational tuition, Graduations,
Athletics, Express, etc.
Outlays
Furniture, Equipment, etc.
Evening School
Appropriation $132,500.00
Unexpended Balance
$3,223.00
985.11
92,398.50
3,552.85
3,479.91
16,413.95
1,531.81
1,054.85
8,108.36
1,051.53
590.64
100.00
$132,490.51
9.49
$132,500.00
RECEIPTS
Tuition :
Bedford
Burlington
Lincoln
State Wards
Vocational School
Evening School
General School Fund
Telephone, damaged books, etc.
$132,500.00
$5,808.00
312.00
60.00
563.75
201.88
75.00
11558.05
9.50
$18588.18
Net Expenditure for 1923 $113902.33'
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 9
SUPERINTENDENT'S ANNUAL
REPORT, 1923
To the Lexington School Committee :
1 submit to you and to the people of Lexington my
fourth annual report, the thirty-eighth in the series of
superintendents' reports.
JUNIOR HIGH GRADES AT MUNROE
The most important development in the organization
of our schools during 1923 occurred in September when
the eighth and ninth grades from all parts of the town
were brought together in a modified form of the junior
high school in the Munroe School Building. The eighth
grade was formerly the graduating class in the grammar
schools; the ninth was formerly the high school freshman
class.
As predicted in the report for 1922, the High School
became so overcrowded that the freshman class could
not be accommodated in the former organization. This
made possible the combination of the eighth and ninth
grades in a separate school and the beginning of a junior
high school. The principal of Munroe School, Miss Mary
C. Lusk, has been acting as principal of the new junior
high grades as well as of her elementary school.
The following program of studies has been in use
since last September. There are 265 pupils of the eighth
and ninth grades in one school; this makes it possible to
have enough children for at least one class in each sub-
ject. No new, studies are offered unless needed by a
large enough number of students so that no additional
expenditure is involved.
Grade VIII Grade IX
Required Subjects
English
American History & Civics
Mathematics
Science
English
Ancient History
Science and Civics
Algebra or Business
Practice
10 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
•
French
Latin
Business
Drawing
Music
Elective Subjects
French
Latin
Drawing
Music
Biology
Pupils who desire to prepare for college should
elect Latin unless permitted to substitute French.
This change in our schools has caused the parents
and the children of Munroe School district considerable
inconvenience. The Munroe seventh grade has been
transferred to Hancock School temporarily, and the fifth
and sixth grades have been housed in two available
rooms in • the senior High School Building. Credit is
due the people of the Munroe district for their fine co-
operation throughout this period of change.
A new building, of course, is hoped for within a
short time. The Committee on Increased Building Ac-
commodations appointed by the Moderator in the spring
of 1923 has been at work and will make a report early
in 1924. If their recommendations are adopted it will
be possible to have good school accommodations for all
children not Iater than September, 1925. At that time
the seventh grade will be placed in the junior high
organization as in other towns, and the overcrowding
in all the elementary schools will be somewhat relieved,
as well as that in the present High School.
SCHOOL HEALTH
The following excellent report of our School Physi-
cian merits careful reading by all Lexington people.
"Superintendent of Schools, December 31, 1923.
Lexington, Mass.
Dear Sir :
"As School Physician for the year 1923, I take pleas-
ure in submitting the following report:—
"From January to June children found, during the
routine physical examination required by law, to have
defects were re-examined to check up on whether or not
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 11
their defects were corrected or being corrected. Very
satisfactory cooperaton on the part of parents was noted
in many cases. Where nothing had been done parents
were informed by the School Nurse of the urgency of
correcting defects noted and during the remainder of the
year the more glaring defects, such as diseased tonsils
and adenoids and carious teeth were in many cases cor-
rected. Many children, when told what was wrong with
them, seemed anxious to have done what was necessary
and on re-examination were proud to report that they
had had their teeth cleaned up or adenoids and tonsils
removed.
"At the opening of the schools this fall a few cases
of chicken pox, contagious skin sores and quite a number
of cases of pediculi or head lice were spotted and ex-
cluded from school until cured. It was very gratifying
to note that many cases of diseased tonsils and adenoids
and carious teeth had been corrected during the summer
vacation.
"The majority of the parents, I believe, appreciate
the value of physical examinations of thf•" children in
school and are glad to cooperate. As tin.- ,oes on and
others see the improvement in children ati r correcting
their defects, I am sure more and more parents will co-
operate and be anxious to find out anything that may be
done to improve their children and to do it as soon as
advised. Before long, I am sure, any parent will be a-
shamed to question the advisability of examining school
children each year for defects.
Number of pupils examined 1709
Number of pupils with defects 824
Number of pupils with one defect 731
Number of pupils with two defects 86
Number of pupils with three defects 6
Number of pupils with four defects 1
Total number of defects 925
Number of times each defect was noted :
Defective teeth only
tonsils and adenoids only
11 eyes only
ears only
heart only
lungs only
12 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
defective adenoids only
11
1,
,1
„
11
I1
11
1,
1
teeth, tonsils and adenoids 49
teeth and adenoids 2
teeth and lungs 2
teeth and eyes 22
teeth and ears 3
teeth and heart 7
teeth, tonsils, adenoids and heart 2
teeth, tonsils, adenoids, and ears 1
teeth, tonsils, adenoids, eyes and ears 1
tonsils, adenoids and glands 1
eyes, ears and heart 1
Underweight -10 per cent or more -201 (exclusive of
High School).
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM L. BARNES, M. D.
School Physician."
Our School Nurse this school year is Miss Nellie V.
Geary, who came to Lexington from a similar position in
Sharon. During the four fall months of 1923 Miss Geary
made the following visits in addition to assisting the
School Physician with the annual examinations and in
the preparation of the statistics of the examinations :
School Visits 159
Dental Clinic 18
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary 8
Massachusetts General Hospital 1
Horne Visits 228
414
CHILDREN'S CLUB WORK IN DANGER
Middlesex County Extension Service Report
The garden, canning and other clubs that have meant
so much to many of our children were conducted during
the year 1923 as formerly, even though the town failed
to contribute Lexington's share of the expense of conduct-
ingfi6[] the office in Waltham. But in the last two paragraphs
29 of Mr. Trask's report he informs us that this assistance
36 from the County Bureau must be almost wholly with -
3 drawn immediately unless the Town Meeting is willing to
make an appropriation as in years past. In view of the
1 fact that no funds are available for shop and home econ-
1
1
TOWN OF LEXINGTON X+
omits work in the schools it is all the more important that
supervision by the county workers be continued.
"Superintendent of Schools,
Lexington, Mass.
"My dear Mr. Lowry :
"For a report of boys' and girls' club work during
the past year, I submit the following :
Number of clubs Enrollment
Garden: 3 52
Poultry.: 5 53
Clothing: 5 51
Food: 5 48
Canning: 3 21
Totals : 21 226
"There has been little change in the total enroll-
ment in most projects as compared with the previous
year. I should judge that 200 to 250 would be considered
the average enrollment to be expected from year to year,
with about 50 in each project, except canning. As club
work becomes a regular project in the schools, it is to be
expected that only those who are actually interested in
the work will enroll, so that we note slightly smaller en-
rollments than in the second year of club work in the
town, but much larger percentage finishing. Practically
every boy and girl who enrolled in club work in Lexing-
ton did the work which was required of them, and that,
after all, is the best measure of its success.
"Canning clubs will never have the enrollment that
the other clubs do because so many girls are out of town
during the summer, when of necessity that project must
be carried on.
"The two exhibitions held, one in the spring in the
Town Hall under the direct auspices of the clubs of the
schools and the other in connection with the Grange Fair,
were bothverysuccessful from the standpoint of number
of exhibits and quality of work shown. Over 1,000
people were present at these two exhibitions.
"The actual value of products produced or made by
club members in Lexington during the year was well over
14 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
$5,000. Attention should be called to the fact that due
to the failure of the town of Lexington to make any ap-
propriation for the Middlesex County Extension Service
at the annual town meeting, agents of the Extension Ser-
vice probably spent less time in the town than in prev-
ious years. Had it not been for the appropriation of the
local Social Service Committee of $100. for the employ-
ment of Miss Clahane, it would have been necessary to
give up the summer club wort. She was on the job, how_
ever, from May until after the Grange Fair and during
that time held 32 different club meetings and made over
150 home visits.
"As Lexington is about the only town in the County
that does not make a direct appropriation for the Exten-
sion Service, it is doubtful if it will be possible for the
agents to give very much time to work in the town during
the coming year, if no appropriation is made this year.
Out of fairness to the towns that do appropriate money,
they must be given first consideration. In view of the
fact that Lexington boys and girls show about the finest
spirit ,and the largest membership of any town in the
County, it will be unfortunate if the town fails to make
an appropriation this year.
Very truly yours,
ROBERT P. TRASK,
Director, Boys' and Girls'Club Work."
CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WORK
Through the courtesy of the Directors of the Lex-
ington Children's Museum our schools have been given
the advantage of a fine museum in the Buckman Tavern.
Mr. Howard B. Smith of the junior high school had con-
siderable experience in children's museum study before
coming to Lexington. Hence, he has been encouraged to
make the Lexington Museum of greater service.
The following statement prepared by Mr. Smith
gives an idea of the relation of the schools to this enter-
prise.
"The educational progress of the Museum may be
marked by a total attendance during this period of 218
persons of whom 205 were children.
1
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 15
'Through the cooperation of the School Depart-
ment, five classes of the _fifth grade visited the Museum,
listened to a talk on "The Beaver", and then explored
the Museum collection through the agency of "The
Museum Game" which, judging by repeated calls, was
immensely, popular. Previous to the class visits a meeting
of the principals and all fifth and sixth grade teachers
was called at the Museum by Superintendent Lowry.
At this meeting plans were discussed and a committee
was appointed to draw up a schedule. The late Mrs.
Edith L. Neal, principal of the Parker School, and the
writer, comprising the committee, met soon thereafter
and completed plans for school cooperation. The death
of Mrs. Neal, so soon following, prevented the immediate
carrying out of these plans, but with her help the way
had been cleared. I take this occasion to say that, the
Children's Museum has lost an effective and enthusiastic
co-worker.
"Five travelling collections have been sent out
They were used by seven teachers and twelve classes.
The pupils reached totaled 448. The material distributed
was taken from the mineral collection and the specimens
were native copper, azurite, malachite, limonite, hema-
tite and magnetite, Italian Marble, sulphur, pumice,
obsidian and lava. By an arrangement with the Cary
Library, illustrative material accompanied several ex-
hibits. Miss Chapin, instructor of Commercial Geography
in the High School, is preparing exhibits of an industrial
nature."
REPORT 01" SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
All Lexington people should be interested in having
a very good high school maintained in our town. We
are strong on the side of college preparation and we have
an excellent commercial department. Our lack of any-
thing comparable to what is necessary in the way of shop
and homemaking education is well known and should be
immediately remedied.
The following paragraphs from the report of Mr.
B. C. Merry, the Principal of the High School, are inter-
esting reading and give important information.
IQ ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
COLLEGE PREPARATION
"Practically one-half of our Senior High School
pupils are enrolled in the College Preparatory Curri-
culum. This school does not certify pupils to college
unless they earn a grade of A or B. Merely passing the
work in the college curriculm will not help a pupil to
college. We often find pupils who have followed this
curriculm for four years and yet have practically no
possibility of being accepted by any college. We wish
to state to pupils and parents that today college prepar-
ation is serious business, and that at least average ability
and a will and determination to do excellent or very good
work in the high school courses are imperative for
success.
"Lexington High School enjoys the privilege of cer-
tifying pupils of high scholarship to many colleges.
Those pupils who select colleges which do not recognize
high school certification as well as all other pupils who
earn grades lower than A or B, must pass college en-
trance examinations. Consequently about twenty of our
pupils take the New England College Entrance Board
examinations each year. During 1921 and 1922 our
pupils passed over 70 per cent of the examinations
attempted. The report of the Board for the same years
shows that of all the board examinations taken in the
United States only 59.6 per cent were passed.
"In 1923 we were for the first time allowed to certify
graduates to Harvard, Radcliffe and Connecticut Coll-
eges. Hence, fewer pupils who did good work in high
school Last year were forced to take college entrance
examinations; only those more apt to fail had to try the
tests and the result was that 63 per cent of the test papers
passed. Since only 60 per cent of the 60,230 test papers
received by the College Entrance Board were of passing
grade, we are glad to see that our pupils made such a
good showing.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 17
"The following table shows what the graduates of
this High School within the last nine years are doing: --
8
a
m q g
2<8
Ep°
x
1914 14 1 5 5
1915 10 5 0. 6
1916 8 0 13 12 3
1 30
7
23
36•
1917
1918
1919
9
10
14
1
1
1
2
2
1
26
18
16
2
4
3
40
35
35
1920
1921
1922
16 3
7 2 4
18 3 14
6 13
23
12
8
3
1
46
39
48
Total 106 17 47 131 86 337
"In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts not more
than 15 per cent of the high school graduates go to col-
lege, while in Lexington over 31' per cent enter college.
This seems to show that Lexington boys and girls are far
more ambitious to attend college than in the average
town. The colleges which our pupils have attended dur-
ing this period are as follows :—
"Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin Col-
lege, Brown University, Cornell University, Dartmouth
College, Emmanuel College, Harvard College, Jackson
College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Univer-
sity of Maine, University of Michigan, University of
Nevada, Norwich University, Pomona College, Princeton
College, Radcliffe College, Simmons College, Syracuse
University, Tufts College, Vassar College, University of
Vermont, Wellesley College, .Wheaton College, Wilson
College, Yale College.
"Recently we requested these colleges to send us
the complete record of Lexington High School graduates.
15 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
The following table illustrates the success of our pupils: -
Total
Semester
Marks
Number of
Semester
Marks Passed
Per cent of
Semester
Marks Passed
M. I. T.
Other Colleges
Total
1023
1055
2078
849
1025
1874
83.
97.1
90.1
"Because Norwich University, Smith College and
Boston University did not report semester marks the
following table seems necessary :—
Number entering colleges, 1913-1922 106
Number obliged to withdraw at end of lst year 4
Number obliged to withdraw at end of 2nd year 4
Number obliged to withdraw at end of 3rd year 1
"This record will not suffer by comparison with any
other public or private school. It is indeed most credi-
table. In view of the figures here presented no one is
justified in accusing the Lexington High School of main-
taining a low standard of scholarship.
LARD WORK NECESSARY
"College preparation, as said before, is a matter of
serious and faithful work. No student of average or bet-
ter ability will fail if he will work at his books. The most
pathetic sight is the failure of boys and girls who have
intelligence, but who will not study. On the other hand,
it has been very encouraging to watch the steady progress
of those students who, with but average or mediocre
ability, are able to overcome all handicaps by determined
effort. These are the pupils concerning whom less is
said, but of whom much may be expected in adult Iife!
It is the teacher's great privilege to assist such young
people for many hours each day, in school and out.
THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL WILL HELP
"The introduction of some types of college prepara-
tory work in the eighth grade, and even in the seventh,
wilt make college preparation easier for many children.
Dean Andrew F. West of Princeton University, President
of the American Classical League, made this very clear in
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 18
addressing the last meeting of the League in Boston last
November. This work has already been begun in Lex-
ington and will bear fruit within the next three or four
years.
WHAT OF OTHER HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS?
"Probably not more than one out of ten of the child-
ren who entered the first grades in Massachusetts last
September will go to colleges or normal schools twelve
years from now. Some, of course, will drop out for vari-
ous reasons in the first seven or eight grades; but in Lex-
ington it may be expected that eight out of ten will enter
the high school grades, and five out of ten will be gradu-
ated. Two out of ten who enter the Lexington first grades
will probably go to college, a much higher figure than in
the Commonwealth as a whole.
OUR LACK OF INDUSTRIAL WORK
"But the others are educable and must be provided
for,—surely is this true of those who reach high school
grades. We lack the shop and home economics equip-
ment and the teachers necessary to give the education
and training needed by fully one-third of our boys and
girls. This is provided, of course, in all surrounding
towns and is much needed in Lexington.
COMMERCIAL EDUCATION
"While 106 of our graduates have entered college
during the Iast nine years, 131 have been graduated from
the commercial department and have gone into business
pursuits. At present one-half of the whole number of
high school students are enrolled in the commercial
classes.
"Pupils in the commercial curriculum, as inthe col-
lege preparation classes, will achieve success in the busi-
ness world in proportion as they do good work in high
school. Being in the Boston metropolitan district Lex-
ington people have rare opportunities for commercial
success.
"College entrance from the commercial curriculum
is open to those who will prepare carefully. Boston
20 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
University College of Business Administration and Salem
Normal School grant degrees and four years preparation
for leadership in commerce and for teaching.
"The aim of the business department in the Lexing-
ton high school is to send out young men and women who
aro mentally alert. efficient, trained for service, fitted to
become good citizens and to live lives that are the broader
because of minds enriched and powers of observation de-
veloped!"
THE APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
The most difficult problem in school administration
during 1923 came because of the refusal of the people
to grant the full appropriation asked by the School Com-
- mittee in March. The reduction of more than $8,000 in
the School Budget caused several changes for the present
school year. The boys' shop work, the girls' home econ-
omics classes and supervision of drawing were discon-
tinued. Two barges were taken off in May and three
special teachers and supervisors were dismissed in June.
Much of the reduction, moreover, had to take effect in
the amount set aside for the repair of the school buildings.
These plants, valued at more than half a million dollars,
should be maintained at the highest point of efficiency.
They are especially in need of painting; the postpone-
ment of such work only causes heavier expenditures later.
Nothing but emergency repair work could be done in
1923.
The shop work, sewing and drawing supervision that
were discontinued in 1923 had been in operation in Lex-
ington for more than thirty years; they were not in any
sense new and untried. They are a part of the school pro-
gram in all other towns and cities hereabouts; no educa-
tor believes these features to be unnecessary, no up-to-
date school system is without them. The resulting un-
fortunate publicity is much to be regretted.
No Summer School was held in 1923, because of
the lack of funds with which to pay teachers. One hun-
dred children are in the same grades that they were in
a year ago. An opportunity to continue their studies in
a summer school under competent teachers would prob-
ably have enabled some of this number to go on to the
next grade. ' The prevention of failures is surely worth
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 21
while; I hope that the summer school will be reopened
in 1924.
LEXINGTON HAS NOT SPENT TOO MUCH FOR
GOOD SCHOOLS
As shown in our annual school report for 1921, on
pages 29 to 33, inclusive, Lexington expends a smaller
proportion of her taxes on schools than do other towns.
We are spending less on our schools and more on other
things.
HIGH TAX RATE NOT DUE TO SCHOOL
EXPENDITURES
The following table shows that Lexington expends
much more money per thousand dollars of valuation on
other things than do neighboring towns. All figures are
from the Tabulation of School Returns for the Year End-
ing June 30, 1923, published by the State Department of
Education.
22 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
Tax Rates for Schools and for Other Purposes
s
F
F
c
7
w
GO
q
Lexington $37.00 $10.17 27.4 $26.83 72.6
Arlington 32.00 10.67 33.3 21.33 66.6
Dedham 30.40 9.33 30.6 21.07 69.4
Clinton 30.40 10.20 33.5 20.20 66.5
Belmont
West Springfield
Reading
Framingham
Needham
Concord
Stoneham
Winthrop
Adams
Norwood
Montague
Amherst
29.70
30.00
31.00
28.50
29.00
32.50
29.60
27.60
25.00
25.00
24.50
23.00
9.99
10.36
11.40
9.03
9.57
13.26
10.72
10.20
8.87
10.06
11.23
10.22
30.4
34.5
86.7
31,6
33.
40.8
36.2
32.
35.4
40.
45.8
44.4
19.71 69.0
19.67 65.5
19.60 63.3
19.47 68.4
19.43 67.
19.24 59.2
18.88 63.8
18.75 68.
16.13 64.6
14.91 60.
1347 54.2
12.78 55.6
The School Appropriation is NOT the one to be cut
if taxes are to be reduced in Lexington, for our expendi-
tures are NOT too large a proportion of the total expen-
ditures. If Lexington should invest in public education
as large a proportion of the taxes as in the average town
of the same per capita wealth it would be necessary to
appropriate $15.000 to $25,000 more for schools each
year than in 1922.
PROGRESS IN EDUCATION
There are always some who object to any change in
school work. They call every new subject a fad or a frill.
Such people think of education in the schools which they
TOWN -OF LEXINGTON
.�3
attended, advocating schools like those of a generation
ago, but demanding up to date transportation and com-
munication facilities, police andfire protection, home
"modern improvements" and other conveniences of 1924,
—except in public education.
We honor the memory of the pilgrim fathers be-
cause of their devotion to the worship of God ; but we in-
sist upon a greater degree of religious liberty than they
would allow. All Americans revere the Spirit of 1776;
but whereas Washington and Jefferson lived in an age of
human slavery we today have a life that is more demo-
cratic.
In the same way, progress in education comes in
each generation. A century ago all school work was or-
ganized for boys who were preparing for college. A
Iittle learning in the three R's was provided for the others.
Fifty years ago commercial studies began to appear for
some who were not preparing for college but who de-
sired to enter business. Industrial education has since
come as an opportunity for those boys and girls who
expect to enter the work of producers in industry and
who desire the advantages of a high school education.
A NEW POINT OF VIEW
These changes have occurred largely because of a
new point of view in education. It was formerly thought
that to be educated one must attain a certainperfection
in the classical studies such as Latin, Greek and higher
mathematics. The emphasis was placed upon the sub-
jects pursued; whoever failed to "pass" was expected to
withdraw from school.
Today the emphasis is on each child rather than upon
the subject studied. The law requires all children to stay
in school until they are sixteen years of age, unless they
obtain employment under healthful conditions at the age
of 14 or 15. Few withdraw from school in Lexington
because of the difficulty in finding jobs and, more es-
pecially, because of the belief of parents in the value of
schooling. (Only about 6 per cent of the children of ages
14 to 16 in Massachusetts are employed.)
EMPHASIS UPON THE CHILD
This emphasis upon the child causes us to face con -
24 ANNEAL SCHOOL REPORT
stantly the question, "What educationaI opportunities
will best assist this boy or girl to grow in a life of useful-
ness in our democracy?" Only about 10 per cent at the
most will enter colleges like Harvard or Radcliffe. The
others, however, may well have the American ambition
to prepare for a life of service. How shall the school
meet this demand for enducation in 1924 ?
ETHICAL CHARACTER MUST COME FIRST
The well-being of America in the future is depend-
ent in no small measure upon the moral education of
of children today. To be sure, the public school
teachers can only assist the work of others in home,
in church, on the street elswhere; but one-eighth of the
time of our children is spent in school during the year.
This is short, for the development of character is a matter
of interests and habits as well as knowledge and ideals.
The most important point to remember here is that
people work out their characters in different ways. For
this reason there has come a variety of opportunities for
a variety of human beings. Each must be helped to
engage in those activities by which he will learn most
economically how to be of service in the world.
HEALTH MUST BE SECOND
How to be most successful is a serious problem for
those who have not learned the laws of healthful living.
The American school has been justly criticized because
of the poor physical condition of thousands of otherwise
patriotic men and women who volunteered for military
service in 1917. This is a matter of education in healthful
living, it must be a first duty of the school. No town can
be satisfied without a program of health teaching and
physical education by which every child is instructed
how to develop and maintain through life a clear, strong
body.
NEXT, FUNDAMENTALS, ---THREE R'S
No one doubts the necessity of requiring all Ameri-
cans to Learn certain common fundamentals of education.
Millions of men and women in our country cannot read
and write English. This should never have become true
in this generation.
TOWN Or LEXINGTON 25
Every American must be in command of our lan-
guage, our way of handling money, our method of figur-
ing, our history, geography, etc. This was never more
desired by teachers and parents than today.
Examinations that were used more than eighty years
ago have been discovered and given again in modern
schools. The children of today did better work than
those of years ago. New ways of testing and of measur-
ing the progress of classes in the various common school
subjects have been of great assistance to teachers and
supervisors. The difficulties of individual children are
more easily found and remedied, and work of classes is
carried forward more economically.
WHAT OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION?
A first essential of a happy life is a satisfactory vo-
cation. Round pegs in square holes make restless citizens
and unhappy companions. If we are to have prosperity
everyone must be where he can work best; most of us
look on life through the eyes of our own vocations.
Th school can assist all children to study the world
of vocations more than in the past. No child should have
his vocation chosen for him, but his parents, his teachers
and other reliable advisers can assist him greatly. Early
choice of a vocation is not always wise; what is needed
is a more thorough preparation for the choice that must
sooner or later be made.
High school pupils who are preparing for college
may be regarded as pursuing their preparation for the
professional vocations. Others must be assisted in a dif-
ferent way, for their choices must be made sooner. They
need an opportunity to study the advantages and disad-
vantages
isadvantages of various industrial and commercial pursuits,
as well as their own fitness for these differing types of
work. In those cities where children have the largest
opportunities the school helps graduates to find work
for which they are fitted, and even co-operates with em-
ployers in giving beginners the supervision most likely
to aid them to succeed.
WORTHY HOME MEMBERSHIP? Yes
The wife and mother need to know all that they
can learn concerning homemaking; hone economics
26 ANNUAL SCHOOL RET'OR'T
classes exist in all progressive junior and senior high
schools. No girl should be graduated who has not stud-
ied one or all of such subjects as dressmaking, millinery,
home -nursing, cooking and household accounting. Those
are the most useful and the most educational subjects.
WHAT OF THE LEISURE TIME?
Thousands not only waste their leisure time, but
they actually become a danger in the community, The
work of the world has become so tedious for many that
they need to learn to use out -of -shop time with profit and
enjoyment. Crime is often the result of our failure to
teach young people the proper use of the hours not spent
in the regular vocations. This problem; is becoming more
and more difficult as the hours of work are cut down.
Everyone must have such a broad education that he can
find profitable- recreation in leasure time.
CITIZENSHIP
The concluding and really all-inclusive aim is intelli-
gent and unselfish citizenship. The school does not serve
to the best advantage unless alt citizns are loyal to each
other as well as prosperous and happy individually. Our
rational, state and town life will be no stronger than the
citizenship of the people.
Early in the life of every child good citizenship
ideals and habits can be established; continuous practice
in facing citizenship problems is obtained by organizing
the school for this purpose. Ability to be responsible to
others is obtained largely through intelligent practice.
There must also be instruction in the history and
government of the town, the state and the nation. This is
required by law in Massachusetts, so that every pupil be-
fore graduation becomes acquainted with the history of
the true spirit of America and with the governmental
machinery through which this spirit acts for the public
good.
THE WHOLE CHILD
In other words, we must educate the whole child if
we are to have complete preparation for citizenship.
What may seem to be a "fad" or a "frill" is probably of
great educational value to some child. Nothing is more
Membership by Age and Grade, April 1, 1923
Grade
Ages
Totals
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 13
14
15
16
17
18
19
1.
Boys
4
59
17
4
84
Girls
8
57
11
71
Total
7
116
28
4
156
II.
, Boys
5
50
32
10
2
1
100
Girls
2
63
21
6
93
Total
8
113
58
16
2
1
193
I11.
Boys
8
51
25
7
1
87
Girls
5
45
20
16
3
89
Total
8
96
45
28
4
176
IV.
Boys
2135
24
15
3
79
Girls
11
49
17
12
1 1
1
92
Total
13
1 84
41
27
4 1
1
171
V.
Boys
11
7
30
22
I1 4
3
78
Girls
16
40
26
7 7
1
97
Total
1
23
70
48
18 11
4
175
VI.
Boys
3
23
24-1 12
7
2
71
Girls
6
27
21 5
1
2
1
68
Total
9
50
45 17
8
4
1
184
VII.
Boys
1
8
24 23
12
4
67
Girls
1
9
27 18
8
7
70
Total
2
12
51 41
20
11
137
V1II.
Boys
1
8 25
28
9
4
2
1
78
Girls
1
3 28
25
14
6
87
Total
1
1
11 63
53
23
10
2
2
165
IX.
Boys
1 10
29
28
12
80
Girls
1 8
19
16
7
2
1
53
Tata/
2 18
48
43
19
2
1
133
X.
Boys
3
14
15
4
1
1
38
Girls
3
13
21
8
8
1
54
Total
3
16
35
23
12
2
1
92
III.
Boys
5
14
14
5
38
Girls
12
15
12
6
45
Total
17
29
26
`1
83
XII.
Boys
3
6
17
6
32
Girls
7
17
12
4
40
Total
10
23
E9
10
72
Total Boys
4
64
70
90
77
68
65
71 74
82
62
48
26
24
7
832
Total Girls
3
60
79
77
91
80
78
60 80
67
72
44
39
20
4
854
Totals
7
124
149
167
168
148
148
131 154
149
134
92
65
44
11
r 1686
1
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 27 28 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
truly a fad than Latin would be for the boy not suited
to the study of Latin. In the same way, a course in com-
mercial geography may be a frill if required of all
students preparing for college. Each of these subjects is
of great value in a high school curriculum; but scarcely
any subject unless it be United States History, is of such
universal appeal that it can fit the needs of all children.
Hence, a wide variety of subjects is taught in a modern
school in order that the educational needs of as many
children as possible may be met.
LEXINGTON
Can we in Lexington educate all our children? If
not, whose boy or girl shall we deprive of the kind of
schooling that he or she needs?
But we shall educate, -all who come. Less than one
per cent of the population are so mentally deficient as
to be unable to learn; all others can benefit by schooling.
The law provides that we furnish the opportunity for
all up to the age of 16. There are more than 1700 of
them; we must meet our responsibility!
Let us take new courage in 1924. Let us have faith
in the American Public School, so often proclaimed the
bulwark of our democracy.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the old year and the beginning of the
new T am glad again to express gratitude for the co-oper-
ation of our principals and teachers and for the support
so loyally given by the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY H. LOWRY
AGE -GRADE STATISTICS
Showing Numbers and Per Cents of Each Grade who are of Normal Age.
Below Normal Age and Above Normal Age, as shown by Age -Grade Table
April 1, 1923
Grades
I If III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
Totals
Number Overage:
Boys .... 4 13 8 18 18 21 16 16 12 6 5 6 143
Girls .. 6 19 15 15 9 15 20 10 9 6 4 128
Total 4 19 27 33 33 30 31 36 22 15 11 10 271
Number Underage:
Boys .. 4 5 3 2 8 3 4 9 11 3 5 3 60
Girls .. 3 3 5 11 16 6 10 4 9 16 12 7 102
Total .. 7 8 8 13 24 9 14 13 20 19 17 10 161
Number of
Normal Age:
Boys 76 82 76 59 52 47 47 53 57 29 28 23 629
Girls ... 68 84 65 66 66 48 45 63 34 29 27 29 624
Total ...144 166 141 125 118 95 92 116 91 58 55 52 1,253
Per cents of
Normal Age
Boys .. 90.4 82. 87.3 74.6 66.6 66.2 70.1 67.9 71.2 76.3 73.7 71.9 75.6
Girls .. 95.7 90.3 73. 71.7 68. 76.1 64.1 72.4 64.1 53.7 60. 72.5 73.
Total .. 92.9 86. 80.1 73.1 67.4 70.9 67.1 70.3 68.4 63. 66.2 72.2 74.3
Per Cents
Overage:
Boys .. 4.7 13. 9.2 22.7 23. 15.6 23.8 20.5 15. 15.7 13.1 18.7 17.1
Girls .. 6.4 21.3 16.3 15.4 14.3 21.4 22.9 18.8 16.6 13.3 10- 14.9
Total .. 2.6 9.8 15.3 19.3 18.8 22.4 22.6 21.8 16.5 16.8 13.2 13.9 16.
Per Cents
Underage:
Boys .. 4.7 5. 3.4 2.5 10.2 4.2 5.9 11.5 13.7 7.9 13.1 9.3 7.2
Girls .. 4.2 3.2 5.6 11.9 16.4 9.5 14.2 4.5 16.9 29,6 26.6 17.5 11.0
Total .. 4.5 4.1 4.5 7.6 13.7 6.7 10.2 7.9 15.1 20.6 20.5 13.9 9.6
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE
Extract from
SCHOOL RETURNS
to the
STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
School Year Ending June 30, 1923
29
Flementery
High Total
Pupils Enrolled:
Boys
Girls
Total
Non-resident pupils (including State Wards) who
attended the schools of the town for not less
than half of the school year.
A,ggregate Attendance
Average Daily Attendance
Average number of Days the Public Schools were
Actually in Session
Average Membership
Net Average Membership
645
660
1309
7
202993
1174
208
209
417
64
65586
869
833
869
1722
71
269579
1543
8D - ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
ELEMENTARY PROMOTION STATISTICS
December 1923
June Grades I
II III IV V VI VII VIII Tats.
Total Membership in Jure _151 188 171 167 176 132 132 143 1260
Total Number Promoted in
June 134 172 159 150 165 124 129 138 1171
Number Promoted on Trial
in June 7
Number of Trial Pupils "Sent
Back"
10 13 15 16 25 15 3 104
2 4 3 1 1
1.1
Number Not Promoted in
June 17 16 12 17 11 8 3 5 89
Number Finally Promoted ..134 170 155 147 164 123 129 138 1160
-Percent Finally Promoted ..88.7 90.9 90.6 88. 93.1 93.1 97.7 96.5 92.1
Number Finally Not
Promoted 17 18 16 20 12 9 3 5 10;]
Reasons:
174 178 176 a. Absence 2 1 3 2 8
1260 388 1648 b. Lack of Application 1 3 3 3 5 5 2 2 24
1253 324 1577 c. Mental Incapacity 14 15 11 14 6 3 1 64
d- Ill Health .... 2 1 1 4
In Memoriam.
EDITH TEE NEAL
Died November 13, 1923
Principal of the Parker School
1919-1923
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
LEXINGTON TEACHERS, 1923-1924
31
School
Name
Years of Date of
Thatching Election
before in
College or Normal School Sept. Lexington
Attended 1923
Senior Merry, Bion C., Prin.
High Lawrance, Chester W.
Bates, Beatrice L.
Chapin, Edna G.
Conroy, Lillian F.
Davis, Ethel F.
Forsyth, Anne L.
French, Grace P.
Hayward, Bertha V.
Leighton, Dora D.
Morton, Betsey H.
Mott, Alice
Regestein, Elsa W.
Walcott, Ruth A.
Munroe Lusk, Mary C., Prin.
Junior Anderson, Gladys M.
High Foley, Mary J.
Hodgkins, Harriet J.
LaFrance, Dorothy
Miller, Gertrude M.
Murray, Hazel P.
Smith, Howard B.
Smith, Julia B.
Whelpley, Blanche L.
Elementary Chase, Grace M.
Hennessy, Katherine
Nazarian, A. Martha
Rae, Isabel L.
Sturtevant, Mildred E.
Walker, Barbara E.
Adams Gregory, Katherine T.,
Prin.
Blaisdell, Marguirite E.
Brennan, Emma L.
Conroy, Helen C.
•Dennett, Laura M.
Frederickson, Ebbe
Hannon, Helen 1.
Bates College 20
Mass. Inst. Technology 4
Boston University 5
Smith College
Radcliffe College
Farmington Normal
Smith College
Wellesley College
University of Maine
Radcliffe College
Simmons College
Smith College
Mt. Holyoke College
Wellesley College
17
5
5
20
23
13
10
4
20
18
Missouri State Norm'l 17
Bridgewater Normal 2
Framingham Normal 2
Gloucester Training 18
Radcliffe College 1
Simmons College
Boston University 2
R. I. State College 3
Westfield Normal 17
Salem Normal 9
Concord Training
Salem Normal
Boston University
Fitchburg Normal
Plymouth Normal
Lowell Normal
18
7
1
4
6
4
1919
1920
1923
1922
1921
1922
1921
1911
1918
1918
1923
1920
1908
1920
1911
1923
1923
1920
1923
1923
1923
1923
1918
1915
1918
1917
1923
1923
1923
1921
Farmington Normal 15 1912
Salem Normal
Lowell Normal
Fitchburg Normal
Salem Normal
Farmington Normal
Lowell Normal
8 1921
1923
7 1917
6 1920
5 1921
3 1920
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
School
Name
Years of Date of
Teaching Election
befoCollege or Normal School Sept Lexington
Attended 1923
Johnson, Clara S.
Magurn, Margaret R.
Maycock, Mary A.
Starrett, Nellie H.
Taylor, Etta M.
Hancock Adlington, Maud E., Prin.
Blodgett, Jennie F.
Chapin, Bertha L.
Cole, Mildred F.
Evans, Gertrude
French, Harriet S.
Harrison, Dorothy
Bayes, Hilda R.
Lawson, Amy
Mitchell, Neva G
Noyes, Margaret B.
Warren, E. Hazel
Wingate, Margaret G.
Parker Morrison, Ruth E., Prin.
Burgess, Sadie I.
Church, Grace C.
Lane, Martha L.
Music
Bridgewater Normal 2
Fitchburg Normal 8
Fitchburg Norma] 9
Farmington Normal 7
Voohree's Normal 23
Simmons College 15
Bridgewater Normal 29
Perry Training
Gorham Normal 1
R. I. Coll. of Education 7
North Adams Normal 19
Portsmouth Training ..
Boston University 2
Keene Normal 7
Quincy Training 38
Bridgewater Normal 8
Castleton Normal 7
Framingham Normal ..
Plymouth Normal 4
Montcrair Normal 9
Boston Normal 9
Gloucester Training 17
SUPERVISORS
Hagar, Jessie M. American Normal
School of Music
1923
1920
1917
1923
1913
1918
1894
1923
1923
1923
1914
1923
1923
1923
1902
1917
1922
1923
1922
1922
1921
1919
19 1922
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Dr. William L. Barnes, School Physician, Tel. Lex. 410
365 Massachusetts Avenue,
Nellie V. Geary, School Nurse Tel. Lex. 292-R
20 Forest Street,
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Patrick J. Maguire, Bedford Street, Tel. Lex. 681-W
TOWN OF LEXINGTON 33
WHAT OUR GRADUATES ARE DOING
1923 GRADUATING CLASS OF THE LEXINGTON
HIGH SCHOOL
Ethel A. Andrews
Edward B. Ballard
Nathalie C. Bean
J. Nelson Berry
Alfred J. Bevington
Robert C. Bramhall
Barbara Briggs
Gwendoline A. Bowker
Albert A. Carlin
John B. Cassidy
Edith B. Cloyes
Thomas F. Connors
Helen C. Cosgrove
Evelyn F. Creed
Ralph S. Davis
Miriam L. Day
Stephen J. Donnellan
Edward J. Fitzgerald
George Frederickson
Doris M. Fuller
Eleanor R. Graves
Warren K. Hadley
Mildred E. Hargrove
Ina May Harris
Dorothy J. Haynes
Doris Hunneman
Doris R. Hutchinson
Arthur C. Lowe
Madeline V. Lowe
John F. Manley
ErvilIe B. Maynard
Lillian D. McPeake
Elizabeth Michelson
Alice C. Monahan
Agnes M. Murray
Randolph W. Nelles
W. Newton Nelson
Esther C. Nelson
Harry C. Nottebaert
Marion A. O'Connor
Arline B. Parker
Lillie M. Pero
At the store of Lester E. Smith
Harvard University
Red Feather Candy Shop
At home
Norwich University
Ogontz School, Rydal, .Pa.
Conservatory of Music
At the store of Lester E. Smith
Proctor Academy
Shawmut National Bank
Court stenographer
Married
Post Graduate
Bridgewater Normal School
Breck-Robinson Company
Norwich University
Tufts College
Wheelock Training School
Simmons College
Lexington Trust Company
Lowell Normal School
Married
Burdett Business College
Edison Electric Company
Jackson College
Massachusetts Normal Art School
Wm. Tilene Company
Bryant & Stratton School
Bowdoin College
Boston University
Salem Normal School
Jordan Marsh Company
Credit Clearing House
Employed by E. C. Stevens
Tufts College
Consolidated Rendering Company
Massachusetts Agricultural College
Leslie Training School
Hadley Press
Portia Law School
34
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
Andrew P. Pewtherer
Randolph Piper
Dorothea Redman
H. Turner SIocum
Phillip H. Smith
Priscilla W. Smith
Lillian M. Spidie
Mary M. Sweeney
Gladys E. Webster
John R. Webster
Priscilla H. Webster
Virginia E. Welsh
Helen M. White
Frances Whiten
Lillie F. Wilson
With John Rose
Harvard University
Connecticut College
Annapolis Academy
Post Graduate
Bradford Academy
Salem Normal School
Jefferson Union Company
Chandler School
Traveling
Radcliffe College
Cobb, Bates & Yerxa
Training, Carney Hospital
Post Graduate
Training, Homeopathic Hospital
The winners of the prizes for 1923 are as follows :
HIGH SCHOOL
Clapp Oral Prize—Barbara Briggs
Clapp Essay Prize—H. Turner Slocum
George 0 Smith Essay Prizes -1 H Turner Slocum
2 Priscilla W. Webster
BIake Prizes—Warren Hadley
Virginia Welch
2 Dorothea Redman
3 Edward E. Ballard
Washington and Franklin Medal—H. Turner Slocum
French Medals -1 Randolph Piper
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
French Medals—Adams School -1. Mary D. Hatch
2. William E. McCarron
3• Philip B. Melody
Hancock School 1. Phobe 0. Nichols
2. Rolond B. Greely
3. Nancy Nichols
Munroe School 1 Queenie Boyajian
2. Jack Alija
3. Neil McIntosh
Putnam Prize—Phoebe 0. Nichols
TOWN REPORT INDEX
Page
Elective Officers 3
Appointed Officers 4
Comm ttees Appointed at Various Town Meetings 8
Lexington Town. Records
Warrant for a Town Meeting, March 5, 1923 10
Annual Town Meeting, March 5, 1923 16
AnnnaI Town Election, March 5, 1923 16
Adjourned Annual Meeting, March 12, 1928 20
Second Adjourned Meeting, March 26, 1923 23
Third Adjourned Meeting, April 9, 1923
Fourth Adjourned Meeting, April 16, 1923 27
Fifth Adjourned. Annual Meeting, April 28, 1923 29
Sixth Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 26, 1923 33
Seventh Adjourned Annual Meeting, April 30, 1923 37
Warrant for a Town Meeting, May '7, 1923 41
Town Meeting, May 7, 1923 43
Eighth Adjourned Meeting, May 7, 1923 44
Ninth Adjourned Annual Meeting, May 9, 1923 45
Tenth Adjourned Meeting, May 7, 1923 49
Warrant for a Town Meeting, September 24, 1923 51
Town Meeting, September 24, 1923 55
Adjourned Town Meeting, Oct. 1, 1923 59
Second Adjourned Town Meeting, Oct. 8, 1923 62
Births Recorded for 1923 B7
Deaths Recorded for 1923 T7
Town Clerk, Report of 82
Code of By -Laws $3
Committee on Publication of New Code of By -Laws, Report of 11G
List of Jurors Submitted, 1923 123
Town Treasurer, Report of !25
Tax Collector, Report of 126
Assessors, Report of 127
Engineer, Report of 129
Superintendent of Streets, Report of 139
Inspector of Buildings, Report of 141
Inspector of Plumbing, Report of 142
INDEX
Dental Clink
Inspector o! Milk, Report of
Inspector of Cattle, Report of
Inspector of Slaughtering, Report of
Police Department, Report of
Fire Department, Report of
Forest Fire Warden, Report of
Cemetery Commissioners, Report of
Sealer of Weights and Measures, Report
Home Economics, Report of Director of
150th Anniversary of Battle of Lexington,
Cary Memorial Library, Trustees, Report of
Cary Memorial Library, Librarian, Report of
Cary Memorial Library, Investment Committee. Report of
Cary Memorial Library, Treasurer, Report of
Trustees of the Public Trusts, Financial Report
Bridge Charitable Fund Trustees, Report of
Accountant, Report of
Treasurer's Receipts
Taxes
From Commonwealth
Licenses
Fines
Grants and Gifts
Other General Revenue
Special Assessments
Departmental General Government
Protection of Persons and Property
Health and Sanitation
Health Department
Sewer Maintenance
Highway Department
Maple and Lowell Streets (construction)
Charities
Almshouse
Outside Aid
Mothers' Aid
Soldiers' Benefits
Schools
Libraries
Recreation
Unclassified
Water Department
of
Page
143
144
145
147
143
153
156
157
159
160
162
165
165
171
174
175
181
183
7,83
183
183
183
184
184
184
184
185
185
184
186
185
186
188
187
187
187
187
187
187
187
188
188
183
INDEX
Cemeteries
Interest
Municipal Indebtedness
Loans
Refunds
Agency, Trust and Investment
Expenditures
Departmental General Government
Accounting Department
Treasurer's Department
Collector's Department
Assessor's Department
Other Finance Offices and Accounts
Finance Committee
Law Department
Town Clerk's Department
Superintendent of Public Works
Election and Registration
Engineering Department
Town Hall
Committee on By -Laws
Protection of Person and Property
Police Department
Fire Department
Inspector of Buildings
Sealer of Weights
Moth and Insect Suppression
Forest Fires
Shade Trees
Dog Officer
Health and Sanitation
Sewer Maintenance
Sewer Construction
Highways
Sidewalks and Curbing •
Snow and Ice Removal
Street Lights
Street Signs
Charities
Almshouse
Soldiers' Benefits
Schools
Libraries
Page
188
189
189
189
189
189
190
190
190
190
190
190
191
191
191
191
191
191
192
1.92
192
192
192
193
194
194
194
195
195
195
195
196
197
197
197
198
198
198
198
198
199
199
200
INDIA
Recreation
Pensions
Unclassified
Town Reports
Insurance
Sundries
Mary J. Chisholm (claim)
Breck Robinson Nursery Co. (claim)
Water Department
Purchase of Water Main
Cemeteries
Administration of Trust Fund:
Interest
Municipal Indebtedness
Agency
Trust and Investment
Refunds
Appropriation Accounts
Town Debt
Iia:ante Sheet
General Accounts
Deferred Revenue Accounts
Debt Accounts
Debt Accounts
Trust Fund Accounts
Public Property Accounts
Trust Fund Accounts
Public Property Accounts
Board of Selectmen and Public Works, Report
Board of Health, Report of
Overseers o£ the Poor, Report of
Park Department, Report of
Tree Warden, Report of
Superintendent Public Works, Report of
Town Counsel, Report of
cit'
Page
201
202
202
202
202
202
202
202
202
203
203
204
204
204
204
205
205
205
208
210
219
210
212
21.3
214
214
215
215
217
221
223
225
227
228
267
SCHOOL REPORT INDEX
Administrative Officers
Age—Grade (Table)
Dire:tor, Boys' and Girls' Club Work
Elementary Promotion Statistics (Table)
Financial Statement
Membership and Attendance (Table)
No School Signal
Prizes and Scholarships
Sehcol Committee Organization
School Calendar
School Hours
School Committee, Report of
School Health Work
School Physician, Report of
School Nurse
Senior High School Principal, Report of
Superintendent, Report of
Teachers 1923-1924
What our Graduates are doing
Page
23
13
30
8
29
4
84
3
3
4
5
10
10
12
15
9
31
33