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1877-03-05Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex ss. To one of the Constables of the town of Beverly. Greeting. You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth, to notify and warn the qualified voters of said town, to meet at the Town Hall in said town on Monday the Fifth day of March next, at Nine o'clock before noon for the following purposes, VIZ 1st To choose a Moderator and Town Clerk 2d To act on the Reports of the Several Boards of Town Officers 3d To choose Town Officers for the ensuing year, determining their number and fixing the compensation thereof. 4th To act on the question of an appropriation for the expenses of Memorial Day, under the direction of Post No. 89 of Mass. Grand Army of the Republic 5th To see if the town will construct a Receiving Tomb at the Cemetery at North Beverly, per petition, of Henry Wilson and others 6th To see if the town will discontinue such portion of the town way known as Balch Street, as lies northeasterly of a line which will be fifty feet Northerly from the Southerly line of said Street, per petition of John Mitchell & others 7th To see if the town will extend the Water Pipe on Hull Street from its present terminus as far as the Easterly part of the Dunn Estate per petition of Levi A. Dunn and others 8th To see if the town will extend the Water Pipe from a point on Elliott Street to the premises of Joseph W. & Benjamin E. Smith, per their petition 9th To see if the town will dispose of all the Painters, Carpenters, and Mason's work, also the services and care of the Street Water Pipes, and the superintendence of the same to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders, per petition of Philip E. Ober and others. 10th To see if the town will take legal measures toward the establishment of an Insurance Office wherein the citizens of the town may have their buildings insured against loss by fire. The surplus proceeds of which to accrue to the benefit of the town, and to do any and all things necessary for the carrying out and perfecting such Insurance Office - per petition of Philip E. Ober and others. 11th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and take such action in regard to Schools and School Houses throughout the town as may be deemed expedient. 12th To adopt such measures, grant such sums of money, and make such regulations in regard to the repairs and improvements of the Highways and Town Ways throughout the town as may be determined upon. 13th To grant such sums of money, to be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates within the town, and for the expenses of the current year as maybe deemed expedient, and make all necessary regulations and allowance respecting the same. Also to authorize the Town Treasurer to borrow on the credit of the town, such sums of money, as may be necessary from time to time to meet the liabilities of the town, and to provide State Aid for the families of Volunteers. 14th To see if the town will accept the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon before said time. Given under our hands and seal this Twenty Second day of February in the Year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Seven. Joseph Wilson Selectmen Nathan H. Foster of Henry W. Foster Beverly Freeborn W. Cressy Beverly Feby 26, 1877 Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I have notified the persons therein named as therein directed by posting notifications stating the time, place and objects of said meeting at each of the several places in town as required by the Town Regulations. William P. Moses Constable of Beverly A true copy of the original warrant and return thereon, attest. James Hill, Town Clerk At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the Town of Beverly, held in pursuance of the warrant recorded on the two next preceding pages, at the Town Hall in said town, on Monday the Fifth day of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Seven, at Nine o'clock before noon. The meeting was called to order by the Town Clerk, at the time appointed, and who also read the warrant therefor - And it was - Voted, by ballot, that Freeborn W. Cressy be Moderator Prayer was then offered by Rev. D. P. Morgan Voted, by ballot, that James Hill be Town Clerk Then in open town meeting immediately after the election of Town Clerk, James Hill abovementioned was sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties as Town Clerk of Beverly, by and before the moderator. Upon the 2d Article of the Warrant Upon motion of Robert R. Endicott Voted, that the Second article be laid upon the table until after the election of the remainder of the Town Officers Article 3d Voted, by ballot, that John H. Young, Freeborn W. Cressy, Joseph Wilson, Henry W. Foster and Nathan H. Foster be Selectmen Voted to adjourn to half past one this P.M. at which time the voters again assembled Voted, by ballot, that Charles L. Williams, Daniel Foster, George Millett, George A. Woodberry 2d and John Bell be Assessors. Voted, by ballot, that Thomas Pickett, Andrew K. Ober, and Isaac Appleton, be Overseers of the Poor. Voted that when this meeting adjourns, it adjourn to meet at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. Voted, by ballot, that Gardner Haskell be Chief of Police Voted, that this meeting now adjourn till tomorrow Tuesday moming March 6th 1877 at Nine o'clock A.M. On Tuesday March 6th 1877 at Nine o'clock A.M. the meeting again assembled agreeably to adjoumment- and it was Voted by ballot, that Ezekiel F. Obear be Collector of Taxes Voted by ballot, that Robert G. Bennett be Town Treasurer Voted by ballot, that Joseph D. Tuck be Trustee of the Public Library for Five Years On motion of Henry P. Woodberry Voted that the election of Constables be postponed until after the remaining articles of the warrant have been acted upon On motion of Joseph E. Ober Voted that the Selectmen act as Board of Health the ensuing year On motion of John I. Baker as amended by William F. Daniels Voted that the remaining officers (with the exception of Surveyor of Highways in Ward One) be chosen by hand vote. Voted by ballot, that Andrew Wallis be Surveyor of Highways in Ward One A motion offered by Robert R. Endicott that the Selectmen act as Surveyor of Highways in the remaining Wards was put to the meeting and lost as was also a motion by the same gentleman, that a recess of fifteen minutes be taken to allow each ward to nominate its own Surveyor of Highways. The following Officers were then chosen by hand vote Surveyor of Highways Ward 2 Levi Cole Ward 3 Issacher T. Eldredge Ward 4 John T. Elliott Ward 5 Charles Elliott Ward 6 Chester Hobbs Ward 7 Levi Woodberry 2d Ward 8 John A. Moulton Ward 9 John G. Brown Ward 10 Eli C. Glines Ward 11 Benjamin E. Smith Ward 12 Joshua S. Dodge Ward 13 Daniel McDonald Fence Viewers, Andrew C. Bridges, David L. Foster, John G. Smith Field Drivers Ward 1 Charles L. Moulton Ward 2 John Fisher Ward 3 Jeremiah Minnehan Ward 4 Henry Blanchard Ward 5 George F. Corning Ward 6 Chester Hobbs Ward 7 Charles H. M. Dickinson Ward 8 Daniel Foster 2d Ward 9 John G. Brown Ward 10 Charles W. Lord Ward 11 Winthrop T. Porter Ward 12 John G. Smith Ward 13 David S. Ramsdell Sealers of Leather William P. Moses, William A. Teague Inspector of Lime Philip E. Ober Clerk of the Market William A. Teague Pound Keeper Eli Bray Surveyors of Lumber Robert Remmonds, Daniel Wallis, Henry B. Wallis, Joseph E. Ober, Hooper A. Appleton, Andrew C. Bridges Upon Article 4 Voted that the sum of One Hundred and Fifty dollars be appropriated for the expenses of Memorial Day, to be expended under the direction of Post No. 89 of Mass. Grand Army of the Republic. Upon Article 5 Petition for tomb at N. Beverly On motion of Joseph E. Ober Voted that the subject matter of this article be referred to the Selectmen, to report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting as to the probable cost, etc. Upon Article 6 Discontinuance of portion of Balch St. A motion to refer to Selectmen, was put to the meeting and lost On motion of John D. Standley Voted that the vote passed April 6th 1874, in reference to the discontinuance prayed for be reconsidered Voted that so much of Balch Street as is prayed for in the petition be discontinued. Upon Article 7 Petition of L. A. Dunn & others A motion that the prayer of the petition be granted, was put to the meeting and lost Upon Article 8 petition of J. W. & B. E. Smith A motion that the prayer of the petition be granted, was put to the meeting and lost. Upon Article 9 A motion to indefinitely postpone the whole subject of the article was put to the meeting and lost. A motion was made by Francis S. Lovett that the prayer of the petition be granted, a division of the question was called for. When Ezra S. Foster moved to amend Mr. Lovett's motion so that the pay for such labor should not exceed twenty cents per hour, which amendment was lost whereupon it was Voted that all the Painters, Carpenters, and Mason's work be let out to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders. On motion of David L. Foster Voted that the remainder of the subject matter of this article be referred to the Selectmen Upon Article 10 Voted that the whole subject of this article be referred to a Committee of five persons, to consider and report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting in April next. The Chair appointed Gustavus Obear, John Pickett, John I. Baker, Augustus N. Clark, and Frederic W. Choate as the Committee. Voted to now adjourn to One o'clock this afternoon at this Place. On Tuesday March 6th 1877 at One o'clock P.M. the meeting again assembled agreeably to adjournment, and proceeded to business and it was Upon Article 11 (schools) Voted, that the sum of Seventeen Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars be appropriated for support and ordinary expenses of Schools and School Houses throughout the town the current year. Upon Article 12 (Highways) Voted that the sum of Seven Thousand Dollars be appropriated for the ordinary repairs of the highways and Town ways throughout the town the current year, and for the snow bills of the past winter. Voted that the sum of twenty cents per hour, be allowed and paid each man, for all labor performed upon the highways the current year A motion offered by Joseph E. Ober that fifteen cents per hour be allowed and paid for each horse and cart for labor on the highways the current year was put to the meeting and lost - and upon motion of John G. Drown, it was Voted that the sum of twenty cents per hour, for each horse and cart, be allowed and paid for all labor performed upon the highways the current year Upon Article 13 - Money Grant upon motion of John I. Baker Voted that the sum of One Hundred and Fifteen Thousand dollars, be raised and assessed upon the polls and estates within the town for the purpose of defraying the debts of the town and for the expenses of the current year, and that the same be appropriated to the different departments according to the estimates of the Selectmen. Upon motion of Joseph E. Ober Voted that the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars be raised and assessed in addition to the amount estimated by the Selectmen and appropriated and expended upon the Cemetery at Beverly Farms. Upon Motion of John G. Drown Voted that the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars be raised and assessed in addition to the Estimate of the Selectmen to be expended upon the Cemetery at North Beverly. A motion offered by William F. Davis - that the sum of Three hundred dollars, be raised for Hale Street Cemetery, and also a motion offered by William A. Teague, that the sum of Two hundred dollars, additional be raised for Hale Street Cemetery, was severally put to the meeting and lost. When Upon motion of Stephens Baker Voted that the vote passed this day, whereby the town voted to raise the sum of One hundred and fifty dollars, to be expended upon the cemetery at North Beverly - now be reconsidered. A motion offered by Joseph E. Ober that the sum of Seventy five dollars be raised and expended upon the cemetery at Beverly Farms - was put to the meeting and lost A motion offered by Isaac Standley that an additional sum of Two hundred dollars be raised and assessed and expended upon the cemeteries in town under the direction of the Selectmen, was put to the meeting and lost. On motion of John I. Baker Voted that the Town Treasurer, be hereby authorized to borrow on the credit of the town, upon notes, bonds or certificates of debt, approved by the Selectmen, such sums of money, from time to time, as may be necessary to meet the liabilities of the town, and to provide State Aid for the families of Volunteers. Voted that the Collector of Taxes, deliver or cause to be delivered at the last and usual place of abode of each inhabitant of the town, who may be taxed, or to such inhabitant in person as soon as practicable after the taxes have been assessed, a list of the taxes assessed upon such person, accompanying which list shall be a notice of the time and place where the Collector will be present to receive the taxes, and also, a notice of the meeting of the Assessors, to determine upon abatements. No discounts shall be allowed on any taxes paid, and interest at the rate of One per cent a month shall be charged upon all taxes not paid on or before the first say of November next, which interest shall be added to and considered part of said taxes, and that so far as practicable, the Collector shall on the first day of January next, put in suit all taxes then due and unpaid, commencing with the highest and so on to the lowest tax. A motion offered by Charles Marshall, that so much of the vote last past, as related to allowing no discount be now reconsidered was put to the meeting and lost Voted That the Collector of Taxes receive There quarters of One Per Cent of all monies collected by him, and paid into the Treasury of the town, which shall be in full compensation for his services. A motion offered by Joseph Wilson, that the Salary of the Town Treasurer be Four hundred dollars and also a motion that the salary of said Treasurer be Three hundred and fifty dollars were severally put to the meeting and lost. - and it was Voted that the salary of the Town Treasurer, be Three Hundred dollars the current year. On motion of Israel F. Lee Voted that the Selectmen be instructed not to grant any licenses under the present Liquor Law. On motion of Charles L. Burnham Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to enforce the License Law and all other laws in regard to the sale of Intoxicating Liquors. On motion of J. N. Emery Voted that the Selectmen be requested to appoint two Special Police Officers whose duty it shall be to ferret out all violations of the Liquor Law, and prosecute the same to Judgement, and report to the Selectmen. On motion of Joseph W. Stocker as amended by F. Crowell Voted that the further sum of One Thousand Dollars in addition to the amount already voted, be raised and assessed and appropriated to defray the expenses of carrying out the vote last passed and that the same be expended at the discretion of the Selectmen A motion to amend this last vote by substituting Five Thousand dollars for One Thousand was made by William F. Davis, and withdrawn by the mover. A motion was offered by Joseph E. Ober. 1st. "That the Assessors when taking the annual valuation shall make inspection of the uses of Wenham Water by the inhabitants, and shall assess the water rates upon the annual tax bills and the Collector shall collect the same, and have the same rates for collection as for tax collection" 2d. & the whole business of assessment of Water Rates be left with the Assessors and other business attending that department be left with the Assessors. A division of the motion was called for and the first part of the motion was adopted. - when upon Motion of John I. Baker it was Voted that the vote just passed whereby the first part of Mr. Ober's motion was adopted. Be now reconsidered. No vote was taken upon the 2d part of Mr. Ober's motion. On motion of John I. Baker Voted, that the whole subject of the inspection and collection of the water rates be committed to the Selectmen and Assessors as a Joint Committee to report thereon at the adjournment of this meeting in April. On motion of Joseph E. Ober Voted that the School Committee be requested to employ the Assessors at the time of taking the valuation to ascertain the names and ages of all persons in town between the ages of 5 and 15 years. On motion of Francis S. Lovett Voted that, the Overseers of the Poor be instructed to enforce Chapter 70 of the Acts of 1875 in regard to tramps. On motion of Joseph Foster Voted that, the Selectmen be instructed to buy Mrs. Young's part of the land upon which the Hose House at Beverly Farms now stands at the same rate as the remainder of the land was purchased for adding interest. On motion of Daniel Foster 2d Voted that all purchases for fuel, provisions, or supplies for the town, exceeding twenty dollars in amount at any one time shall be put in competition and purchased of the lowest bidder. Upon Article 14th - Jury List The list of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen was read and amended by striking out the names Andrew E. Cressy and Gardner Haskell, and inserting the names of William A. Friend and Charles H. Wallis and as thus amended was accepted and will be found recorded on Pages 114 & 115 of this book. Voted by ballot, that Samuel G. Hooper, George T. Larcom, Stephen P. Elliott, Ezekiel F. Obear, Benjamin F. Herrick, Gardner Haskell, William P. Moses, John G. Munsey, William Patterson & Eli Bray be Constables. Article 2 was then taken from the table and the Reports of the Auditor, Selectmen, School Committee, Engineers of the Fire Department and Trustees of the Public Library were severally presented to the meeting and accepted. No report from Overseers of the Poor. Voted that the Selectmen be hereby authorized to represent the town in a suit commenced against the town by William & Andrew Dodge. A motion offered by William F. Davis, that the Selectmen be authorized to furnish Edgestones wherever individuals will build a brick or concrete sidewalk at their own expense, was put to the meeting and lost. A motion offered by Richard J. Preston, that Twenty five thousand dollars be raised and assessed, in addition to the amount raised this day, was put to the meeting and lost. On motion of Edward L. Giddings Voted that the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, hereafter make an annual report of the condition of the fund. A motion offered by William H. Gwinn in regard to an alleged error on the settlement of taxes upon the estate of Wm. E. Webber, was decided, by the chair, could not be entertained, under any article of the warrant. - and was to put to the meeting. Voted that when this meeting adjourn, it adjourn to Monday the Second day April at Two o'clock afternoon. Voted To now adjourn, and the Moderator declared the meeting adjourned to Monday the Second day of April at Two o'clock afternoon. A true record. Attest. James Hill, Town Clerk List of Jurors, as revised by the Selectmen February 20th 1877 and amended and accepted by the town, at their Annual meeting held March 5th 1877 and by adjournment on the 6th day of said month. Tristram Appleton Joseph B. Appleton Joseph H. Baker Benjamin F. Bennett Albert Brower George P. Brown Israel P. Brown Andrew C. Bridges Austin Burnham Otis Burnham Edward A. Burroughs Joseph Caswell William A. Cressy Freeborn W. Cressy Daniel E. Cross Joshua W. Davis Isaac F. Day Jacob H. A. Defreace John J. Dennis Benjamin B. Dodge Benjamin N. Dodge Jonathan Dodge Joshua S. Dodge Ephraim A. Edwards Henry O. Edwards Benjamin W. Eldredge Stephen Eldredge Charles Elliott John K. Fielder Elbridge Fiske Ezra Foster Horace Foster Josiah Foster 2d Jesse W. Foster Joseph Foster John E. Foster John W. Foster William L. Foster Charles Friend Seth Friend William A. Friend Ezra S. Foster Augustus A. Galloupe Samuel A. Gentlee John Glidden Benjamin Grant Robert H. Grant Patrick Guinevan Benjamin Goldsbury Frederic P. Haskell Francis S. Herrick Moses S. Herrick Hugh Hill Oliver C. Hinchliffe Prince Howes William B. Ingalls Daniel A. Kilham Joel Kimball Israel F. Lee Josiah C. Lee Josiah R. Lee John H. Lefavour Charles T. Lovett Hervey Lunt Francis S. Lovett Asa O. Marshall Charles W. Marshall John F. Masury Daniel McDonald Charles C. Meacom George Millett John E. Morgan Elbridge Norwood Samuel F. Obear Edwin A. Obear David Odell William Odell Nathan W. Patch Samuel Patch Varnum S. Pedrick William Perry John W. Pickett George A. Pickett Lawrence V. Poole Jeremiah L. Porter Winthrop T. Porter Benjamin Preston, Jr. Henry B. Pousland John E. Quiner Stephen W. Roberts Benjamin E. Smith Daniel C. Smith Edward Smith George L. Smith George A. Standley George F. Standley Dewing Southwick Francis L. Spiller Samuel H. Stone Charles H. Stocker Timothy Sullivan Richard Symmes Charles H. Symonds George H. Thissell Albert Wallis Calvin Wallis Charles H. Wallis Henry B. Wallis Israel W. Wallis Augustus Williams Benjamin Webber George A. Wood Alfred R. Woodberry Frank Woodberry George A. Woodberry George A. Woodberry 2d Horace W. Woodberry John H. Woodberry Stephen A. Woodberry John H. Watson A true record Attest James Hill, Town Clerk Appropriations made at the Annual Meeting March 5th 1877 Schools Overseers of the Poor Assessors Fire Department Health Department Highway Department Essex Bridge Interest Town Officers Water Works Street Lights Public Library Town Hall Police Station Horse Hire Bells & Clocks Incidentals Sinking Fund Outstanding Orders Balance due Treasurer Deficiencies Memorial Day Extra Police Expected Income Corporation & Bank taxes Water Rates of 1875 & 6 uncollected Water Rates of 1877 Estimated Uncollected taxes $8,500.00 8,000.00 13,500.00 24,013.55 $54,013.55 Balance to provide for by taxation $17,500.00 8,000.00 4,000.00 3,600.00 300.00 7,000.00 800.00 68,000.00 4,000.00 13,500.00 1,250.00 1,000.00 800.00 250.00 150.00 100.00 603.76 10,000.00 837.25 687.54 26,635.00 150.00 1,000.00 $170,163.55 $54,013.55 $116,150.00