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Monuments & Memorials -
When trying to identify and locate the many memorials and monuments found throughout Lexington no one resource exists to provide a comprehensive listing or explanation of where and how these monuments and memorials came to be. Perusal
through the years of town reports provides some insight into the existence of these memorials and monuments. A very small sampling is now offered.
Attending Town Meetings, doing business at Lexington’s US Post Office, Town Offices, and Police Station generally brings citizens past one of the ‘memorial’ buildings established by the Cary family. Both the Cary Memorial Library and Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building stand testament to the contributions the Cary Family has made to Lexington.
Other memorials have been made throughout town through the naming of each of the current, demolished, or repurposed school
buildings. Each of the elementary schools and middle schools (formerly junior high schools) bear the names of other prominent citizens of Lexington over the years.
In addition to the monuments on the Lexington Common and adjacent property surrounding Buckman Tavern (USS Lexington and WW II memorials), monuments and tablets are also found inside the Memorial Lobby of the Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building. The 1919 Annual Report’s ‘In Grateful Remembrance of the Eight Men of Lexington Who Gave Their Lives In the
World War’, gives recognition to Ralph Augustus Coolidge, Frank Joseph Dailey, Stanley Hill, Samuel Lassof, John Dudley Love, William Prye Martin, Timothy Charles McDonnell, and Aaron Bernard Ready, each of whom either died in Europe as a result of fatal injury while on active duty, was stricken by diseases such as Spanish influenza and pneumonia, or succumbed to injuries upon return to this country. The Remembrance concludes with It is rather for us, the living, to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.
The 1958 Annual Town Report captures both the opening and naming of the William Diamond Junior High School, and with 2 junior high schools now serving Lexington children, the naming of the first junior high school – the Isaac Muzzey Junior High School – ‘One of the most interesting developments during the school year was the naming of the Isaac Muzzey Junior High School. This name was chosen from over two hundred name essays, written by pupils in last year’s eighth grade. The name Isaac Muzzey was submitted in an excellent essay, written by Judy Kensley. Thus our school, after more than thirty years, has a special
identity. This should be an inspiration to students and staff to perpetuate the fine Lexington tradition which is associated with the name of Isaac Muzzey.’
The 1971 report captures the opening and naming of the Jonas Clarke Junior High School, while the 1995 Report recognizes the establishment of three new memorials – one for police killed in the line of duty (marker now at the entrance of the Lexington
Police Station), another honoring the veterans of World War II (marker now in the Visitors Center lawn area) and remembering State Trooper Davison Whiting (at the Route 128 overpass).
The contributions Lexington’s citizens have made to community and country are recognized through the many types of memorials established over time. As we look to the past, many of such recognitions are captured in the reports and records of our town.
As we look to the future, we can only hope that such recognitions continue to be documented for the benefit of those who follow.
through the years of town reports provides some insight into the existence of these memorials and monuments. A very small sampling is now offered.
Attending Town Meetings, doing business at Lexington’s US Post Office, Town Offices, and Police Station generally brings citizens past one of the ‘memorial’ buildings established by the Cary family. Both the Cary Memorial Library and Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building stand testament to the contributions the Cary Family has made to Lexington.
Other memorials have been made throughout town through the naming of each of the current, demolished, or repurposed school
buildings. Each of the elementary schools and middle schools (formerly junior high schools) bear the names of other prominent citizens of Lexington over the years.
In addition to the monuments on the Lexington Common and adjacent property surrounding Buckman Tavern (USS Lexington and WW II memorials), monuments and tablets are also found inside the Memorial Lobby of the Isaac Harris Cary Memorial Building. The 1919 Annual Report’s ‘In Grateful Remembrance of the Eight Men of Lexington Who Gave Their Lives In the
World War’, gives recognition to Ralph Augustus Coolidge, Frank Joseph Dailey, Stanley Hill, Samuel Lassof, John Dudley Love, William Prye Martin, Timothy Charles McDonnell, and Aaron Bernard Ready, each of whom either died in Europe as a result of fatal injury while on active duty, was stricken by diseases such as Spanish influenza and pneumonia, or succumbed to injuries upon return to this country. The Remembrance concludes with It is rather for us, the living, to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.
The 1958 Annual Town Report captures both the opening and naming of the William Diamond Junior High School, and with 2 junior high schools now serving Lexington children, the naming of the first junior high school – the Isaac Muzzey Junior High School – ‘One of the most interesting developments during the school year was the naming of the Isaac Muzzey Junior High School. This name was chosen from over two hundred name essays, written by pupils in last year’s eighth grade. The name Isaac Muzzey was submitted in an excellent essay, written by Judy Kensley. Thus our school, after more than thirty years, has a special
identity. This should be an inspiration to students and staff to perpetuate the fine Lexington tradition which is associated with the name of Isaac Muzzey.’
The 1971 report captures the opening and naming of the Jonas Clarke Junior High School, while the 1995 Report recognizes the establishment of three new memorials – one for police killed in the line of duty (marker now at the entrance of the Lexington
Police Station), another honoring the veterans of World War II (marker now in the Visitors Center lawn area) and remembering State Trooper Davison Whiting (at the Route 128 overpass).
The contributions Lexington’s citizens have made to community and country are recognized through the many types of memorials established over time. As we look to the past, many of such recognitions are captured in the reports and records of our town.
As we look to the future, we can only hope that such recognitions continue to be documented for the benefit of those who follow.
Representative Town Meeting - Then and Now
The 1928 Annual Report – pages 23-28 captures the report of the Committee established by the vote of the 1926 Town Meeting:
“Voted that a Committee of Five be appointed by the Moderator to consider and recommend to the Town what action, if any, shall be taken with respect to securing authority for representative town meetings.”
Since the days as a precinct of Cambridge Farms the citizens of Lexingtonmet to vote on the affairs of the community. The frequency and location of meetings varied through the years. The business of the community was primarily taken up at the Annual Town Meeting, whereby elected officials were chosen and articles voted.
As populations increased and women were granted the right to vote an amendment to the State Constitution was passed by 1926 authorizing towns of greater than 6,000 in population to petition for a limited form of representative town government.
‘This Committee met on April twenty-eighth and organized with George E. Briggs, Chairman, and Joseph R. Cotton, Secretary. The Committee has held ten meetings throughout the year. From the first your Committee approached the question of a new form of town government with full appreciation of the serious task delegated to them. The open and democratic
New Englandtown meeting has persisted for almost three hundred years and no better device for self government has ever
been conceived. It affords the greatest freedom to the individual citizen to express his own views in open meeting and moreover gives great dignity to the rights and privileges of the most humble citizen. Under such a local government every voter is free to speak, to propose measures, and is entitled to vote on all matters.’
Following much research and contemplation the Committee concluded: “Lexington is an ancient New England Town and should yield reluctantly its present form of town government yet your Committee is clear in its conviction that no other course will be open as the town continues to grow than to adopt the more elastic scheme of government as provided in the proposed limited form. Although the Committee can see no other alternative, yet in view of the gravity of the problem which affects the very soul of our town and community life, we are constrained to move cautiously before recommending that we loose our civic craft from its historic moorings. We regret that the Committee is unable at this time to reach a unanimous conclusion as to any definite recommendation. If the town is agreeable to the suggestion, the Committee will be glad to continue its work with the hope that a
unanimous report may be made at some town meeting in the Fall. Should this report favor a change looking toward the adoption of the limited form of town government, there would then be ample time to draft and file a bill for the next incoming Legislature.
- Respectfully submitted, George E. Briggs, Chairman; Joseph R. Cotton, Robert L. Ryder, John E. A. Mulliken, George E.
Smith.
A Special Election held the 4th day of November, A.D., 1929 brought the question to the voters ‘Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred twenty-nine, entitled ‘An Act to establish in the town of Lexington representative town government by limited town meetings’ be accepted by this town?”
The vote was taken and Lexington transitioned from voting in 2 precincts at that 1929 Special Election to 4 precincts for the March 1930 Annual Town Election at which for the first time the position of town meeting member appeared on the ballot. Eighty-two
years later, Lexington’s at-large town meeting members and the 189 town meeting members representing its 9 precincts, gathered 10 evenings to act upon the 38 articles of the 2012 annual town warrant.
“Voted that a Committee of Five be appointed by the Moderator to consider and recommend to the Town what action, if any, shall be taken with respect to securing authority for representative town meetings.”
Since the days as a precinct of Cambridge Farms the citizens of Lexingtonmet to vote on the affairs of the community. The frequency and location of meetings varied through the years. The business of the community was primarily taken up at the Annual Town Meeting, whereby elected officials were chosen and articles voted.
As populations increased and women were granted the right to vote an amendment to the State Constitution was passed by 1926 authorizing towns of greater than 6,000 in population to petition for a limited form of representative town government.
‘This Committee met on April twenty-eighth and organized with George E. Briggs, Chairman, and Joseph R. Cotton, Secretary. The Committee has held ten meetings throughout the year. From the first your Committee approached the question of a new form of town government with full appreciation of the serious task delegated to them. The open and democratic
New Englandtown meeting has persisted for almost three hundred years and no better device for self government has ever
been conceived. It affords the greatest freedom to the individual citizen to express his own views in open meeting and moreover gives great dignity to the rights and privileges of the most humble citizen. Under such a local government every voter is free to speak, to propose measures, and is entitled to vote on all matters.’
Following much research and contemplation the Committee concluded: “Lexington is an ancient New England Town and should yield reluctantly its present form of town government yet your Committee is clear in its conviction that no other course will be open as the town continues to grow than to adopt the more elastic scheme of government as provided in the proposed limited form. Although the Committee can see no other alternative, yet in view of the gravity of the problem which affects the very soul of our town and community life, we are constrained to move cautiously before recommending that we loose our civic craft from its historic moorings. We regret that the Committee is unable at this time to reach a unanimous conclusion as to any definite recommendation. If the town is agreeable to the suggestion, the Committee will be glad to continue its work with the hope that a
unanimous report may be made at some town meeting in the Fall. Should this report favor a change looking toward the adoption of the limited form of town government, there would then be ample time to draft and file a bill for the next incoming Legislature.
- Respectfully submitted, George E. Briggs, Chairman; Joseph R. Cotton, Robert L. Ryder, John E. A. Mulliken, George E.
Smith.
A Special Election held the 4th day of November, A.D., 1929 brought the question to the voters ‘Shall an act passed by the general court in the year nineteen hundred twenty-nine, entitled ‘An Act to establish in the town of Lexington representative town government by limited town meetings’ be accepted by this town?”
The vote was taken and Lexington transitioned from voting in 2 precincts at that 1929 Special Election to 4 precincts for the March 1930 Annual Town Election at which for the first time the position of town meeting member appeared on the ballot. Eighty-two
years later, Lexington’s at-large town meeting members and the 189 town meeting members representing its 9 precincts, gathered 10 evenings to act upon the 38 articles of the 2012 annual town warrant.
Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District –
Annual Town Reports of 1972 & 1973
The history of vocational education in Massachusetts begins in the early 1900s when Governor William Douglas approved a legislative resolution establishing a commission to examine the nature and need for industrial education. A 1921 law the established Massachusetts as the first state to provide publicly funded industrial education and in 1908 Northampton’s Smith Vocational and AgriculturalHigh School opened as the first Vocational Technical school. According to state and federal definitions, Vocational-Technical Schools educate and prepare students for employment and continuing academic and occupational training by integrating academic and vocational education.
The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District was established in the early 1970s. With the 1971 report of the Lexington Vocational Technical Regional School Committee filed at the March 15, 1971 Town Meeting an appropriation of $12,120 for vocational education, tuition and transportation was voted in 1971. That appropriation was soon followed by an appropriation of $49,000 in 1973. The vote at the 2012 Town Meeting appropriated $1,407,979 for the Minuteman Regional Vocational School. Vocational Education has made great strides since the early 1900s and since Lexington’s support and the construction and opening of the Minuteman Regional Vocational school in 1974 as summarized in the Annual Town Reports of 1972, 1973 and 1974.
1972 – Born in 1971 … A lusty Infant in 1972
After the Regional School Committee was established in the spring of 1971, its first action was to search for and appoint a superintendent-director for the district. From among over seventy applicants, Mr. Samuel H. Sains was chosen on the basis of his demonstrated competence in organization and operation of occupational education programs and his awareness and concern for the needs of the students as well as the changing patterns of manpower utilization in commerce and industry.
Mr. Sains and the regional school committee have been working steadily ever since; formulating an education program, drawing up the educational specifications required to design a school building, acquiring a site, working with state authorities on approval of programs and specifications and with the school systems within the district on setting the style for future cooperation in pupil selection and program cooperation.
1973 – Vo-Tech School to Open in September
In the Spring of 1971, voters elected to establish the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District. Since then the district has made significant progress. Our goal is to open a regional vocational technical high school in September 1974. The Minuteman School is located at the Lexington-Lincoln line, a short distance west of Route 128 south of Route 2A. During 1973 construction continued and Minuteman now has a building. The school’s structure and exterior masonry are complete. Interior finishing, mechanical and electrical work, equipment installation and furnishing are now taking place. Construction has been on schedule to date, so that a September 1974 opening still appears to be a realistic target …
A freshman class of 450 students is scheduled to enter in September 1974. The Minuteman Regional School Committee has voted to base each town’s quota in this class on the ratio that the number of pupils in grades 9 through 12, residing in and receiving education at the expense of each member town, bears to the total pupil enrollment in grades 9 through 12 throughout the district. This ratio is also the legal basis for apportioning Minuteman costs among the member towns for the 1974-1975 fiscal year …
The first year vocational and technical course offerings will be: building trades, power mechanics, machine shop, metals fabrication, horticulture, printing, foods, distributive education, health services, commercial art, electronics and instrumentation. Students will also be required to take courses in: communication arts (English), general science, mathematics, human relations (social studies) …
With the death in September 1973 of Vernon C. Page, we lost yet another friend and co-worker.Vernon, a member of the Lexington School Committee for many years, was a past member of the Minuteman Regional School District Planning Board, a member of our Building and Site Committee, and an enthusiastic supporter of vocational education. We shall miss Vernon and his advice and support which always expressed his warm concern for youth and his belief in the importance of expanded educational opportunities.
1974 – The Year 1974 Marked the Culmination …
The year 1974 marked the culmination of the districts initial planning phase with the opening of classes for the boys and girls comprising the MinutemanRegional VocationalTechnical School’s first night grade class. Unfortunately, delays in the construction of our new building forced us to begin the school year in temporary quarters in the rose Hawthorne School Buildingin Concord. Our first class was selected in the spring of 1974 from approximately 600 applicants... On October 1, 1974 the enrollment in the Minuteman School, by towns, was as follows: Acton – 42, Arlington – 94, Belmont – 40, Boxborough – 11, Carlisle – 8, Concord – 42, Lincoln – 12, Lexington – 78, Stow – 14, Sudbury – 43, Wayland –36, Weston – 5....
Progress on the new school building has been slow but steady, and the construction is of very high quality. In December, the School Committee decided to accept beneficial occupancy of the completed areas of the building so that students, faculty and staff could begin 1975 in their permanent quarters. Materials and equipment were moved during the winter vacation and school opened on January 13, at 758 Marrett Road, Lexington, the school’s permanent address.… During the year four new members joined the Committee: George Cormier from Stow, William Fitzgerald from Lexington, and Frederick Heinrich from Wayland to fill the vacancies noted in our 1973 report, and George Banfield from Boxborough to replace Roger Morse, who resigned during the summer.
The Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District was established in the early 1970s. With the 1971 report of the Lexington Vocational Technical Regional School Committee filed at the March 15, 1971 Town Meeting an appropriation of $12,120 for vocational education, tuition and transportation was voted in 1971. That appropriation was soon followed by an appropriation of $49,000 in 1973. The vote at the 2012 Town Meeting appropriated $1,407,979 for the Minuteman Regional Vocational School. Vocational Education has made great strides since the early 1900s and since Lexington’s support and the construction and opening of the Minuteman Regional Vocational school in 1974 as summarized in the Annual Town Reports of 1972, 1973 and 1974.
1972 – Born in 1971 … A lusty Infant in 1972
After the Regional School Committee was established in the spring of 1971, its first action was to search for and appoint a superintendent-director for the district. From among over seventy applicants, Mr. Samuel H. Sains was chosen on the basis of his demonstrated competence in organization and operation of occupational education programs and his awareness and concern for the needs of the students as well as the changing patterns of manpower utilization in commerce and industry.
Mr. Sains and the regional school committee have been working steadily ever since; formulating an education program, drawing up the educational specifications required to design a school building, acquiring a site, working with state authorities on approval of programs and specifications and with the school systems within the district on setting the style for future cooperation in pupil selection and program cooperation.
1973 – Vo-Tech School to Open in September
In the Spring of 1971, voters elected to establish the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School District. Since then the district has made significant progress. Our goal is to open a regional vocational technical high school in September 1974. The Minuteman School is located at the Lexington-Lincoln line, a short distance west of Route 128 south of Route 2A. During 1973 construction continued and Minuteman now has a building. The school’s structure and exterior masonry are complete. Interior finishing, mechanical and electrical work, equipment installation and furnishing are now taking place. Construction has been on schedule to date, so that a September 1974 opening still appears to be a realistic target …
A freshman class of 450 students is scheduled to enter in September 1974. The Minuteman Regional School Committee has voted to base each town’s quota in this class on the ratio that the number of pupils in grades 9 through 12, residing in and receiving education at the expense of each member town, bears to the total pupil enrollment in grades 9 through 12 throughout the district. This ratio is also the legal basis for apportioning Minuteman costs among the member towns for the 1974-1975 fiscal year …
The first year vocational and technical course offerings will be: building trades, power mechanics, machine shop, metals fabrication, horticulture, printing, foods, distributive education, health services, commercial art, electronics and instrumentation. Students will also be required to take courses in: communication arts (English), general science, mathematics, human relations (social studies) …
With the death in September 1973 of Vernon C. Page, we lost yet another friend and co-worker.Vernon, a member of the Lexington School Committee for many years, was a past member of the Minuteman Regional School District Planning Board, a member of our Building and Site Committee, and an enthusiastic supporter of vocational education. We shall miss Vernon and his advice and support which always expressed his warm concern for youth and his belief in the importance of expanded educational opportunities.
1974 – The Year 1974 Marked the Culmination …
The year 1974 marked the culmination of the districts initial planning phase with the opening of classes for the boys and girls comprising the MinutemanRegional VocationalTechnical School’s first night grade class. Unfortunately, delays in the construction of our new building forced us to begin the school year in temporary quarters in the rose Hawthorne School Buildingin Concord. Our first class was selected in the spring of 1974 from approximately 600 applicants... On October 1, 1974 the enrollment in the Minuteman School, by towns, was as follows: Acton – 42, Arlington – 94, Belmont – 40, Boxborough – 11, Carlisle – 8, Concord – 42, Lincoln – 12, Lexington – 78, Stow – 14, Sudbury – 43, Wayland –36, Weston – 5....
Progress on the new school building has been slow but steady, and the construction is of very high quality. In December, the School Committee decided to accept beneficial occupancy of the completed areas of the building so that students, faculty and staff could begin 1975 in their permanent quarters. Materials and equipment were moved during the winter vacation and school opened on January 13, at 758 Marrett Road, Lexington, the school’s permanent address.… During the year four new members joined the Committee: George Cormier from Stow, William Fitzgerald from Lexington, and Frederick Heinrich from Wayland to fill the vacancies noted in our 1973 report, and George Banfield from Boxborough to replace Roger Morse, who resigned during the summer.
Lexington High School - Annual Town Reports of 1953 and 1903
Scanning through annual town reports provides insight into the evolution of the buildings housing Lexington High School. The following 2 excerpts address today’s complex (1953) and previous LHS location at 1475 Massachusetts Avenue (Muzzey Condominium building). From 1855-1971 LHS occupied the top floor of the ‘old’ Town Hall located on the property at 1475 Massachusetts Ave. When the ‘new’ Town Hall was erected on Massachusetts Ave.at the intersection of Waltham St (site of CVS) in 1871 , the high school took over the entire building until the 1890’s. At that time, to make room for a ‘new’ high school, the high school/old Town Hall building was moved to the rear of the lot and the ‘new’ high school built in 1902, and enlarged circa 1925.
1953 - Lexington High School at Waltham Street
Over 4,000 people attended the Open House at the new high school in September and their response was enthusiastic. This new building gives our children a much-needed modern school, complete in all aspects except for the Auditorium and Shop Wing whose construction was postponed for economy reasons when the building was voted in 1951. We cannot emphasize too strongly how desirable it would be to complete the building at an early date, before additional classrooms are needed, so that children now attending the school might benefit from broadened industrial arts courses, facilities for music practice, full assemblies and opportunities for development afforded only by an Auditorium. The War Memorial Library has won praise and commendation from its visitors for its combination of beauty, dignity and usefulness.
In September the Junior High, consisting of seventh and eighth grades only, was moved into the old high school, and a temporary elementary school (Center) established in the old Junior High building. This is a fine structure, erected to accommodate a maximum of 850 students in grades 10, 11 and 12. It has two distressing weaknesses – no auditorium and no planned shops.
(Superintendent of Schools John Blackhall Smith)
1902-03 – Lexington High School @ Massachusetts Avenue (Muzzey Building)
The past year (1902) has been unusually eventful in the schools of Lexington. A new High School building has been built, furnished and dedicated… The High School begins a new era with the advent of the new building. The enrollment has steadily increased until it is now over one hundred. A goodly number make the school their preparatory for higher institutions. …The new building was appropriately dedicated November 1. Hon. Frank A. Hill, Secretary of the State Board of Education, gave an inspiring address. The University Male Quartette of Boston furnished music. Robert P. Clapp, Esq., Chairman of the Building Committee, presented the keys to Mr. J.F. Hutchinson of the Selectmen, who accepted the building on behalf of the town, and in turn presented the keys to Rev. I. D. Cochrane, Chairman of the School Committee. No change which has taken place in our schools of recent years has the importance which we may attach to the completion and occupation of the new High School building. I congratulate the citizens of this town upon their wisdom and generosity in providing such excellent accommodations for the higher education of their children. (Superintendent of Schools, Henry W. Porter)
In September the Junior High, consisting of seventh and eighth grades only, was moved into the old high school, and a temporary elementary school (Center) established in the old Junior High building. This is a fine structure, erected to accommodate a maximum of 850 students in grades 10, 11 and 12. It has two distressing weaknesses – no auditorium and no planned shops.
(Superintendent of Schools John Blackhall Smith)
1902-03 – Lexington High School @ Massachusetts Avenue (Muzzey Building)
The past year (1902) has been unusually eventful in the schools of Lexington. A new High School building has been built, furnished and dedicated… The High School begins a new era with the advent of the new building. The enrollment has steadily increased until it is now over one hundred. A goodly number make the school their preparatory for higher institutions. …The new building was appropriately dedicated November 1. Hon. Frank A. Hill, Secretary of the State Board of Education, gave an inspiring address. The University Male Quartette of Boston furnished music. Robert P. Clapp, Esq., Chairman of the Building Committee, presented the keys to Mr. J.F. Hutchinson of the Selectmen, who accepted the building on behalf of the town, and in turn presented the keys to Rev. I. D. Cochrane, Chairman of the School Committee. No change which has taken place in our schools of recent years has the importance which we may attach to the completion and occupation of the new High School building. I congratulate the citizens of this town upon their wisdom and generosity in providing such excellent accommodations for the higher education of their children. (Superintendent of Schools, Henry W. Porter)
Annual Report of the Board of Health – 1884
At an adjourned Town meeting, legally warned, held April 9th, 1883, it was voted, under the provisions of chapter 80 and section 3 of the Public Statutes, to choose a Board of health, to consist of three persons, and the undersigned were duly elected and qualified according to law. The Board held its first meeting and organized April 19th. At this time they also issued
a regulation, providing that all vehicles used for the transportation of swill or other refuse material, through the streets of the town, should be so constructed as entirely to conceal from view their contents, and prevent the escape of any odor there from. It was likewise specified, that all such waste material should be ultimately disposed of in such a manner as not to create a nuisance. There was a general and, for the most part, prompt compliance with the terms of this regulation, the parties concerned either having new wagons constructed, or adapting old ones to meet the new requirements.
On April 30th, the Board issued a regulation, requiring householders to report cases of small-pox, scarlet-fever, diphtheria, typhoid
fever, and any other disease dangerous to the public health, which might occur in their families. During the following nine months, only four cases of contagious disease have been reported, as follows: two of scarlet fever, of a mild type, in East Lexington; one of diphtheria, on Woburn Street, near the “Crossing”. These occurred in children, and all recovered. The fourth was a fatal case of diphtheria, in the southerly part of town.
In the month of October, a number of cases of contagious disease occurring in horses, were investigated, and by advice of a veterinary surgeon, four animals were killed. Of these, three were affected with glanders, and one with farcy.
On June 13th, 1883, a written complaint was received from Messrs. D.A. Tuttle, Geo. O. Whiting and Mrs. C.E. Davis, in relation to a nuisance in the vicinity of Hancock Street, caused by a drain, extending from the land of M.H. Merriam, Esq., and passing through the land of the complainants. After three public hearings, and several visits to the premises, the Board served an order on Mr. Merriam, requiring him to abate the nuisance. After some delay, he complied with the order in a manner satisfactory to a
majority of the Board. At the same time, Mr. Whiting made certain changes in the method of his house drainage.
The Board would respectfully urge upon the attention of our citizens the need of an adequate system of drainage. The introduction of the new water supply would greatly facilitate the adoption of such a system. The danger of contamination of
well-water by leaching cesspools, is at present hardly to be avoided in the more thickly-settled portions of the Town. The Board would therefore urge the importance of some action to secure a system of sewerage commensurate with the needs of our growing community.
ROBERT M. LAWRENCE, FRANKLIN ALDERMAN, AMOS W. LOCKE
Board of Health of Lexington
Lexington, Jan. 31, 1883
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a regulation, providing that all vehicles used for the transportation of swill or other refuse material, through the streets of the town, should be so constructed as entirely to conceal from view their contents, and prevent the escape of any odor there from. It was likewise specified, that all such waste material should be ultimately disposed of in such a manner as not to create a nuisance. There was a general and, for the most part, prompt compliance with the terms of this regulation, the parties concerned either having new wagons constructed, or adapting old ones to meet the new requirements.
On April 30th, the Board issued a regulation, requiring householders to report cases of small-pox, scarlet-fever, diphtheria, typhoid
fever, and any other disease dangerous to the public health, which might occur in their families. During the following nine months, only four cases of contagious disease have been reported, as follows: two of scarlet fever, of a mild type, in East Lexington; one of diphtheria, on Woburn Street, near the “Crossing”. These occurred in children, and all recovered. The fourth was a fatal case of diphtheria, in the southerly part of town.
In the month of October, a number of cases of contagious disease occurring in horses, were investigated, and by advice of a veterinary surgeon, four animals were killed. Of these, three were affected with glanders, and one with farcy.
On June 13th, 1883, a written complaint was received from Messrs. D.A. Tuttle, Geo. O. Whiting and Mrs. C.E. Davis, in relation to a nuisance in the vicinity of Hancock Street, caused by a drain, extending from the land of M.H. Merriam, Esq., and passing through the land of the complainants. After three public hearings, and several visits to the premises, the Board served an order on Mr. Merriam, requiring him to abate the nuisance. After some delay, he complied with the order in a manner satisfactory to a
majority of the Board. At the same time, Mr. Whiting made certain changes in the method of his house drainage.
The Board would respectfully urge upon the attention of our citizens the need of an adequate system of drainage. The introduction of the new water supply would greatly facilitate the adoption of such a system. The danger of contamination of
well-water by leaching cesspools, is at present hardly to be avoided in the more thickly-settled portions of the Town. The Board would therefore urge the importance of some action to secure a system of sewerage commensurate with the needs of our growing community.
ROBERT M. LAWRENCE, FRANKLIN ALDERMAN, AMOS W. LOCKE
Board of Health of Lexington
Lexington, Jan. 31, 1883
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