1874-04-06Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Essex Co.
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 Sixth day of April next
at Three o'clock in the afternoon, for the following purposes, viz.
1st To decide the manner of choosing a Moderator, and choose the same.
2d. To act upon the question of enlarging the Town Hall in said town according to plans and
estimates to be presented by the Selectmen and to appropriate money for the same, and to take such
action thereon as they may deem expedient.
3d. To see what action they will take in regard to a communication from S. L. King in regard to his
claim against the town.
Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant, with doings thereon before the time
appointed for said meeting.
Given under our hands and seal this twenty seventh day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and
seventy four.
John I. Baker
Joseph L. Wilson
J. H. Young
Freebom W. Cressy
Selectmen
of Beverly
Beverly April 4, 1874. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I have notified the persons therein named
as therein directed by posting notifications stating the time, place and objects for said meeting at the
several places 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 meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly, held at the Town Hall in said town, (in
pursuance of the warrant recorded on the next preceding page,) on Monday the Sixth day of April
in the year Eighteen Hundred and Seventy Four, at Three o'clock in the afternoon, the meeting was
called to order by the Clerk, and it was
Voted. That a Moderator be chosen by hand vote, and Freeborn W. Cressy was thus chosen
Moderator.
Upon Article 2. The Selectmen presented the following report. "In accordance with the vote
of the town in March the Selectmen would report that they have called this special Town Meeting
to act upon the repair and enlarging the Town Hall building, and we submit plans from Lord V. Fuller
of the proposed enlargement. This contemplates an addition in wood to the length of the present
structure of 67 feet and eight feet to height of the interior, with a Mansard roof extending over the
whole. The dimensions of the Town Hall by this change will be 27 feet. Convenient entrances are
provided at each end of the Hall and handy ante-rooms are also plotted out, while the old Armory
Hall may also be connected for ante-room purposes. The lower floor will have a liberal addition to
the Public Library Department with also much needed additional office room, for the Town Officers.
For the completion of this entire structure and putting the old part in safe repair the Architect's
estimate is $20,000 without furniture, and they will guarantee the job at that price. On that basis
$25,000 would be thoroughly complete and furnish the whole building.
Beverly April 6, 1874
John I. Baker
J. H. Young
F. W. Cressy
Selectmen of Beverly
Said report was read and discussed, by Dr. Swasey and others who favored building of brick instead
of wood as recommended by the report. And was accepted.
A motion to postpone the whole subject to the next March meeting was offered by Daniel Foster, put
to the meeting and lost.
On motion of Henry E. Woodberry.
Voted That the Selectmen be instructed to proceed at once to make the alterations and addition upon
the Town Hall, substantially according to the plans submitted, with brick walls instead of wood, at
an expense not exceeding Thirty Thousand dollars.
Voted. That the Selectmen be authorized to use the credit of the town to carry the last vote into
effect
Upon Article 3d
A communication from S. L. King was read, and on motion of Daniel Foster it was
Voted that the whole subject by referred to the Selectmen, with full authority to act as they deem best
in the matter.
Voted That this meeting be dissolved.
A true record
Attest
James Hill
Town Clerk