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1893-05-02 Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Essex, ss. To either of the Constables of the town of Beverly, in said County, Greeting: You are hereby required in the name of said Commonwealth, to notify and warn in the manner prescribed by the orders of the town, the qualified voters of said Town to meet at the Town Hall in said Beverly, on Tuesday the second day of May next at thirty minutes past seven o'clock afternoon, for the following purposes, viz.; 1st. To choose the Moderator. 2d. To see what action the town will take upon a report of the Commissioners of Public Parks. 3d. To see if the town will accept Chapter two hundred and fifty of the Acts of the Legislature for the year eighteen hundred and ninety three entitled "An Act to authorize the town of Beverly to Incur Indebtedness beyond the Limit fixed by Law, for the purpose of constructing a System of Sewerage." 4th. To see if the town will accept chapter two hundred and fifty nine of the Acts of the Legislature for the year eighteen hundred and ninety three entitled "An Act to authorize the town of Beverly to cancel certain of its Bonds now held in its Sinking Fund." 5th. To see if the town will purchase the Universalist property on Thorndike Street, - as per petition of B. Larcom and others. 6th. To see if the town will make an appropriation of money for the fitting and furnishing of an office for the town treasurer. Hereof fail not, but make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon before the time of holding said meeting. Given under our hands and seal this twenty second day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety three. Freeborn W. Cressy Isaac H. Edgett Selectmen Chas. G. Hardy of John H. Woodberry Beverly Perry Collier Essex, ss. Beverly, April 27, A.D. 1893. Pursuant to the foregoing warrant, I have notified the persons therein named as therein directed as required by the Town Orders. Gardner Haskell, Constable of Beverly. A true copy of the original warrant and the return thereon. Attest. William H. Lovett, Town Clerk. At a legal meeting of the qualified voters of the town of Beverly held, pursuant to the warrant recorded on the next preceding page, at the Town Hall in said Town on Tuesday the second day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three at thirty minutes past seven o'clock afternoon, the Meeting having been called to order at the time appointed by the Town Clerk who read the warrant therefore, it was Voted that the Moderator be chosen by open nomination and hand vote. It was Voted, that Freeborn W. Cressy be Moderator. report. Upon Article 2. Report of Commissioners of Public Parks. The Commissioners of Public Parks presented the following report, viz.; "The Park Commissioners, by request of the town, presented the following The Act of Legislature authorizing cities and towns to locate lands for Public Park purposes, was accepted by the town at the annual town meeting held in 1884, and the following were appointed Park Commissioners - Charles Creesy for one year, Francis Norwood for two years, P. E. Clark for three years. The report of the Park Commissioners for 1884 was as follows: When we take into consideration our present heavy indebtedness, as well as that which we shall be called upon to assume the present year in rebuilding the South District school house, also the depressed state of our marine, mercantile and manufacturing interests, your Commissioners are of the opinion that it is inexpedient to recommend to locate a Public Park. Should the town in its wisdom, form a different opinion, we should be pleased to receive such recommendations as it may wish carried into effect. Your Commissioners, not having made any expenditures have, therefore, not assumed any liabilities. (Signed) P.E. Clark Charles Creesy Francis Norwood Until the year 1891 the town took no further definite action in the matter, other than to re- elect from year to year, the members of the original board, as their terms of office expired, thus substantially endorsing the policy of inaction suggested in the report of 1884. In 1891, however, a committee was appointed "to consider the subject of procuring Prospect Hill as a Public Park etc.." The appointment of this committee, on the part of the town, was stimulated, no doubt, by the proposition of the owner of the property in question, Mr. Henry W. Peabody, to sell the same at public sale in the shape of house lots, thus practically forever barring the town from acquiring the site for a Public Park. After mature consideration, however, and a public meeting of the citizens, held in Town Hall just previous to the last adjourned town meeting, in which the citizens had an opportunity to express their opinions, the committee reported that it was "inexpedient to take the whole, or any part of Prospect Hill for Park Purposes." Two members of the committee dissenting from this report. The report, however, was not accepted by the town as a final disposition of the matter, and it was voted "to refer this report, together with the whole subject of Public Parks, to the Park Commissioners for them to investigate and report thereon to the town at a town meeting to be held within one month from today," and in accordance with this vote, this report is made. Your Commissioners realize this is a matter of large and growing importance. The rights of the public to the enjoyment of the great gifts of Nature, open-air, wide prospects, broad landscapes, the sea and the sky, the woods, rocks and trees and the walks and paths among them, are every year being curtailed as towns and cities increase in population. Many of the fields which we once considered almost as public property, are now enclosed probably with a barbed wire fence. Trees are cut down, streets are opened, houses are built. The great open space becomes a row of house lots, perhaps with a few square feet of the garden or lawn which the sun can shine upon if the neighbors house or fence is not too high. The public is barred out "No Trespassing." Everybody is familiar with that sign. Private individuals convert to their own use that, which at one time, was enjoyed freely by all. The necessity of acquiring a share oftheso open spaces, for the general good, is being more and more realized. Nearly every town has its "Common" or "Green," set apart years ago for the public use, but many towns have gone on increasing in size and population without making any addition to the area set aside for common purposes until, in the city, nothing remains but a paved street fenced high with brick and stone, with only a glimpse of the sky overhead, and even this so occupied with wires that it is difficult to see beyond them. Even in the country, as distinguished from the city the finest sites are taken up for private purposes. The tendency for clubs and private individuals to own and fence large estates, is constantly increasing. Such properties are reckoned by the square mile, rather than by the acre, and the public is invariably warned off. With this experience in mind, many cities and towns are taking the wise precaution to purchase the land needed, or desired for this purpose before it becomes devoted to other uses. In some places this land is acquired in connection with certain features of the water supply. In this way the City of Boston purchased the territory around Chestnut Hill Reservoir and thus preserved its shores while making, at the same time, a delightful Park. The town of Winchester owns large tracts of land adjoining its storage reservoir, and this territory now forms a part of the Middlesex Fells and was, no doubt, the nucleus of this beautiful public reserve. The town of Plymouth has acquired hundreds of acres of wood lands, embracing in this track several of it's beautiful ponds, it has also secured for Public Park purposes a portion of the sea shore upon its famous beach. To come nearer home the City of Lynn also owns and cares for many acres of public lands, not only in connection with its water supply, but for Park purposes simply. Many other cities and towns might be mentioned, but it is only desired to make the point that the experience of other places leads them to acquire these broad acres for the public use, before private parties step in and cheaply acquire rights which are afterwards difficult and costly to extinguish. It is, perhaps, natural, to refer incidentally to the recent report of the Metropolitan Park Commission, and to consider that Beverly is only eighteen miles from Boston, and that the time may come when the suggestions in that report will be carded out, and even extended to our own territory, and that Beverly can offer attractions equal, at least, to any afforded in the scheme therein laid down. Coming now to the propositions that have been suggested for Beverly, it may be stated that three tracts of land have been considered, from time to time, as offering suitable locations for a public Park viz: I. The Mark Woodbury tract on the short east of Lothrop St. and north of Dane St. This location consists of about two and a half acres not including beach to which could be added the portion now occupied by dwellings on Hale St. It might also be extended southerly to include the gravel pit, so-called, of the Bancroft estate. This will give an excellent shore front and, at high tide, the beach is very fine. At low tide, the great amount of flats exposed might be considered objectionable by some. It is, no doubt, capable of being made a delightful resort with the expenditure of considerable sums for grading and planting. The sea view is beautiful, but somewhat limited. II. Beaver Pond. This tract, in the vicinity of Beaver and Norwood's Ponds, also offers many advantages for a public Park. The territory considered is pleasantly diversified, with high and rolling grounds in some parts, and more level country in others, including the curious ridge formation between Brimbal Hill and Norwood's Pond. Portions of the tract are finely wooded already with a heavy forest growth of pine and deciduous trees. The property already owned by the town, around Brimbal Hill Reservoir, should be included in this scheme, and the territory should be connected with Brimbal Avenue on the one side, and with Dodge St. and Grover St. on the other by broad Park Ways, and approaches from Essex St. could also be easily provided. The construction of roads suitable for the development of the site for Park purposes, and the judicious clearing of the woods so as not to destroy their natural and sylvan character, would not involve great expense. The peculiar ridge, above referred to, has been attributed, by some, to human agencies in prehistoric times, and is in any case of a very interesting character. It also offers a natural opportunity for the construction of a driveway through the proposed Park, from Dodge St. to Essex St., and could easily be arranged to connect with the Turtle Hill territory and so with the other beautiful drives in this vicinity. The advantages of a tract of land of several hundred acres for a moderate sum of money, with woods and water, natural forest and open lawns, are all combined in the location around Beaver Pond. The distinguishing feature of a Beverly Park, viz.; the sea view is, however lacking. Ill. The Prospect Hill tract. This comprises about sixty-seven acres lying west of Essex St., and east of the Gloucester branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad. The location is too well-known to need detailed description at this time. A portion is high and rocky. A small part is covered with woods of large growth, and a portion is flat and at the level of Essex St. This diversity of surface readily lends itself to the various purposes for which a Park is desired. The flat portion, near the Montserrat Station is all that can be required for a playground, or a parade ground, for athletic sports, baseball, football, polo, tennis courts, or for agricultural fairs and similar exhibitions or for more imposing military displays of the militia. The hillside on the South, rising abruptly from this plain, and covered with a fine growth of oaks and maples, gives opportunity for hundreds to overlook any such display or to watch a matched game while sheltered from the sun under an awning of forest trees. Such a combination, a sort of natural amphitheater, would be difficult to find elsewhere. For facilities of access we have the Montserrat Station of the Boston and Maine, within three minutes walk, and not ten minutes from Town Hall, with a possible extension of the electric road through Essex St., past the whole length of the territory. From the high position, open and rocky, can be obtained a view unsurpassed in breadth and beauty, and distinctly characteristic of Beverly. Nowhere on the shore is there one finer. The inner Harbor, with its beacons and light houses, the various islands, and the open ocean beyond from Baker's Island to Boston Light, the constantly varying procession of shipping, in summer a rendezvous for the yachts of all the eastern coast, and a harbor in winter storms for all the coasting trade along shore. Inland the view is almost equally interesting, comprising the neighboring towns and villages and points of interest on all sides. The stranger visiting the town, is at once struck with the broad and varied beauty of this view; possibly our towns people, always accustomed to Powder House Hill, have become so familiar with the scene, as to forget or neglect for a time, what Nature has placed at our very door. In order to present the matter definitely before the citizens, it may be said that the Mark Woodbury site would probably cost bom $12,000 to $15,000; to remove the houses already built would cost from $10,000 to $12,000 more, and any extension to the south, on the Bancroft land alluded to, would cost 22 to 25 cents per foot additional, so that the site, say eight acres, would cost not far from $35,000 to $40,000. Prospect Hill, sixty seven acres, has been offered to the town for the sum of $27,000. The value of the land around and in the vicinity of Beaver Pond may be estimated at from $30 to $50 per acre, and a square mile, or six hundred and forty acres, could probably be acquired for $30,000. Your Commissioners thus briefly present the principal features of the various locations that have been suggested for a public Park. There are distinct advantages in each ease, and the town would be benefitted if all three could be located and held for the public good. This may be deemed impracticable at present. However, they believe the time has come when the town should decide upon some one location, at least, and acquire the title to the land, leaving any further expenditure, for improvements, to the future. It is suggested that some advantages might be gained by combining the distinctive features presented by these different locations. It is possible to secure a portion of Powder House Hill, say eight acres of the crest of the hill, at the rate of $800 per acre thus saving to the town the ocean view;- then, by way of Essex St. to Brimbal Avenue. This broad avenue is our already distinctly a Park Way with undisturbed natural effects on each side of the traveled road; thence through Brimbal Avenue to or around Brimbal Hill, over the town's land already owned, to the territory included in the Beaver Pond tract above referred to. Here would be the Park proper, laid out from year-to-year as the town sees fit to expend money on drives, walks and the other features pertaining to a Public Park. Incidentally it might be stated that the territory here indicated lies in the watershed of the proposed additional source of water supply for Salem and Beverly, and would perhaps eventually be connected by suitable ways with the road and reserves around the storage reservoir therein contemplated, thus forever controlling and preserving, to this extent, the purity of the waters. In case the town should decide to take any action in this matter at the present time the Park Commissioners would unanimously recommend the taking of the territory contemplated in the Beaver Pond tract and the purchase from time to time of so much of that territory, as to include approximately 600 acres in addition to the land already owned by the town at Brimbal Hill. Should the town consider the suggestion favorably, the Commissioners request that an appropriation of $1,000 be made to make necessary investigations, surveys and plans upon which to make a more definite report to be presented to the town at some future time. The Commissioners present, herewith, a sketch showing the relative location of Beaver Pond and Norwood's Lake and the surrounding roads and territory. In conclusion, the Commissioners desire to express their thanks to Mr. John M. Mumey, Mr. Hooper A. Appleton, Mr. Walter H. Sears and others for valuable suggestions and assistance in preparing plans etc. Respectfully submitted, Peter E. Clark Francis Norwood Edmund Putnam" It Was Voted, that the report of the Commissioners of Public Parks be accepted. A motion by Robert R. Endicott that the citizens of the town of Beverly in town meeting assembled deem it expedient that the Commissioners of Public Parks take such measures as may be necessary to secure the Prospect Hill property for a public park at an expense not exceeding the sum of twenty-seven thousand dollars was lost, as was also an amendment to strike out the words "Prospect Hill property" and insert the words "Beaver Pond tract as described in the report of the Commissioners," and also an amendment to strike out the words "Prospect Hill property" and insert the words "Mark Woodbury land and Bancroft land on Lothrop Street." Upon Article 3. Sewerage Act. It was Voted, that chapter two hundred and fifty of the Acts of the Legislature of Massachusetts for the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, entitled "An Act to authorize the town of Beverly to Incur indebtedness beyond the Limit fixed by Law, for the purpose of constructing a System of Sewerage," be accepted. One hundred and twelve voting in favor of accepting the act and two against it. Upon Article 4. Canceling Bonds in Sinking Fund. Upon motion of Edward L. Giddings it was Voted. "That the town hereby accepts and adopts the provisions of Chapter two hundred and fifty-nine, of the Acts of the year 1893, which was approved April 25th, 1893, being an Act entitled,- "An Act to authorize the Town of Beverly to cancel certain of its bonds now held in the Sinking Fund." One hundred and nine voting in favor of accepting the act and none against it. Upon motion of Edward L. Giddings it was Voted, unanimously, that "Whereas, by an Act of the Legislature of 1893, the town has been authorized to cancel such of its bonds issued under authority of Chapter 231 of the Acts of the year 1881, now held in its Sinking Fund, the existence of which is not necessary to provide interest to meet at maturity the other outstanding bonds of the Town issued under said Act, and Whereas, it has been found upon computation by the first Clerk of the Treasury Department of the State of Massachusetts, computing interest upon the securities held in the Sinking Fund, in the manner provided by said act, that $233,300.10 dollars of said bonds now held in the Sinking Fund can be canceled, and the town can cease paying interest thereon, and that the remaining securities held in the Sinking Fund with interest, together with the yearly additions required to be made thereto, with the interest thereon, computed according to said Act, will be sufficient to extinguish the said debt at maturity, Now Therefore, it is Voted: that the Sinking Fund Commissioners are hereby authorized and instructed to cancel $225,000 of the bonds of the Town issued under authority of Chapter 231, of the Acts of the year 1881, now held in its Sinking Fund, on and after the first day of July A.D. 1893, and that the Treasurer shall cease paying interest upon said bonds from and after the first day of said July." Upon Article 5. Universalist Property. It having been stated to the Meeting that the meeting house and land of the Universalist Society situated upon Thomdike Street had been sold, upon motion of Charles L. Dodge It was Voted, that action upon this article be indefinitely postponed. Upon Article 6. Furnishing office for Town Treasurer. A motion by Albert Vittum that the sum of four hundred dollars be appropriated for the fitting and furnishing an office for the Town Treasurer was lost. It was Voted that this Meeting be dissolved. A true record. Attest. William H. Lovett, Town Clerk. I, William H. Lovett, Town Clerk of Beverly in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby appoint, as authorized by the provisions of Chapter sixty of the Acts of the Legislature for the year eighteen hundred and ninety-three, Freeborn W. Cressy of said Beverly to be Assistant Town Clerk of the said town of Beverly from and after Tuesday the thirteenth day of June current to continue as such officer during my absence from the Commonwealth. Dated at Beverly this tenth day of June A.D. 1893. William H. Lovett, Town Clerk of Beverly.