REPORT.

THE undersigned, elected Selectmen at the annual town. meeting of 1880, organized by the choice of Charles H. Drew, chairman, and Charles D. Lincoln, clerk.

In November, Mr. Roland C. Lincoln, one of the board, having become a non-resident, vacated his office.

Committees on the several departments of the business of the board were appointed, as follows:

Accounts, Mr. Candage.

Fire Department, Messrs. James and Lincoln.
Police, Messrs. White and Lincoln.
Poor, Messrs. Drew and Candage.

Public Buildings, Messrs. Whyte and James.
Public Grounds, Messrs. Drew and Candage.

Sewers, Messrs. James and Lincoln.

Street Lamps, Messrs. Drew and Whyte.
Town Stable, Messrs. James and Candage.
Town Hall, Mr. Whyte.

Subsequently Messrs. James and Candage were appointed a committee on Thayer street and sewer.

This report will present first an account of the business. transacted in those departments respectively; after which will be presented a report upon miscellaneous matters not included within either of the departments in charge of the committees of the board; then the report of the Surveyors of Highways, and lastly, the report of the Board of Health. The reports to this board of officers at the head of departments of its business will be appended.

ACCOUNTS.

During the year the board has drawn 1110 orders against the several appropriations made by the town. Following is a statement of the same:

*Including amount received from City of Boston, $358 25
Other sources,

16 00

$374 25

A tabular statement of the indebtedness of the town is appended to this report.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The board elected George H. Johnson, Andrew Noland, and Alfred E. Kenrick, Fire Engineers. The report of the engineers will be found in the appendix to this report. The officers and men of the several companies in the department are in an excellent state of discipline and efficiency, and the buildings and apparatus are in good order. An appropriation of the same sum sum as was appropriated last year ($7000) is recommended for the maintenance of this department for the year ensuing, and an appropriation of $500 for the Longwood company. An appropriation of $100 is recommended for the purchase of two fire extinguishers.

POLICE.

The board appointed Alonzo Bowman, Chief of Police, and fixed his compensation at $3.00 per day. George F. Dearborn and Charles F. McCausland were appointed Sergeants, each at $2.75 per day, and Burnham C. Clark, Mears Orcutt, Thomas J. Murray, William W. O'Connell, Burton R. Willis, George F. Marston, Albert S. Paige, Charles H. Cilley, Joseph J. O'Connell, Alonzo W. Corey, Robert J. Watson and William Miller were appointed Patrolmen. Subsequently, Alden A. Manley was appointed a patrolman in place of Charles H. Cilley, who resigned. The compensation of patrolmen was fixed at $2.50 per day for those over three years in service; $2.38 for those over one year and less than three years in service; and $2.25 for those less than one year in service.

The duties of the police have been well discharged during the past year, and the force is in a good state of discipline and efficiency. The report of the Chief, which is appended hereto, shows an amount of work done which entitles him and the force to the commendation of the town. At the beginning of the year it seemed advisable to add something to the pay of all the members of the force except those who had not served one year. The pay as it now stands is less than that of the Boston police. One man was added to the force, and early in the year the board directed the detail of one man for the especial purpose of enforcing the statute respecting the sale of intoxicating liquors. The officer thus detailed has been active and efficient in the discharge of his duties. Special attention is requested to that portion of the report of the Chief of Police respecting the increase of the police force. If, upon consideration, the town should be of opinion that the recommendation of the Chief of Police should be carried out, an appropriation of $19,000 will be necessary. If this increase is not made, an appropriation of $14,500 will be sufficient.

THE POOR.

The duties of the committee on the poor have all been rendered in connection with the Overseers of the Poor, to whose report reference is made for information upon this subject.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

The public buildings (a schedule of which will be found appended to this report,) are all in good condition. During the year no other repairs have been necessary than the painting of portions of some of them. For the year ensuing no considerable repairs will be necessary. An appropriation of $1000 is recommended for such repairs as may be required.

PUBLIC GROUNDS.

The public grounds are, in the main, in good order. The "play-ground," so called, on Brookline avenue, is altogether unfit for the purpose for which it was purchased, and never has been, and is not now, of any use to the public. A moderate expenditure for grading and the planting of trees would put it in fit condition for the use for which it was intended. In consequence of the proposed improvement of Muddy River and its banks, no appropriation for this purpose is now recommended. The Cypress street lot, known as the "Library Lot," is not wanted by the town, and in the opinion of the board should be sold. The estate on Heath street, purchased in 1873 for school purposes, is in poor condition. It has been occupied for some time by some town paupers. The board recommend that this property be sold. We have permitted the Brookline Athletic Club to make a track and construct seats upon the Cypress street play-ground, for the purpose of giving exhibitions of athletic sports; and we have contributed $50 towards the cost.