Lucius R. Paige, History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1877, with a genealogical register

[243] being under consideration, the following Preamble and Resolutions were adopted,—312 voting in the affirmative, and 73 in the negative: Whereas, it is understood that there are now pending before the honorable Legislature two petitions, . . . . praying for a division of this town; and whereas an order of notice . . . . has been issued and duly served on this town; . . . . and whereas the inhabitants of the town, in pursuance of a warrant issued by the selectmen, are now in town meeting assembled, to take into consideration the subject of the division of the town; and whereas, after full inquiry made and full discussion had, no person on behalf of the petitioners being able to show any good and sufficient reason for such division: therefore

Resolved, that the division of this town, as prayed for in either of said petitions, or in any other manner, would be not only inexpedient, but greatly and permanently prejudicial to the true interests and the legitimate weight and influence of the town.

A committee was thereupon appointed, representing the several principal villages, “to appear before the Legislature and oppose any such division of the town.” The case was earnestly contested, but the opposition was successful. The General Court, in the absence of any good reason for division, granted leave to withdraw the petition; and the town had rest for two years.

At the March meeting¹ succeeding this attempt to divide the town, for the purpose of obviating one of the difficulties in the administration of municipal affairs, a committee was “appointed to consider the expediency of combining the duties of sundry Boards of town-officers, imposing said duties upon a single Board, and paying to the persons performing said duties a reasonable compensation for their services.” This committee submitted a report, May 12, 1845, recommending “that the Boards of Assessors, Overseers of the Poor, and Surveyors of Highways be abolished, and the duties heretofore performed by those Boards be in future discharged by the Board of Selectmen; that the duties of Auditor of Accounts be transferred to the Town Clerk, who shall ex-officio be clerk of the Board of Selectmen; that the chairman of the Board of Selectmen be ex-officio a member of the School Committee; that the Selectmen be authorized and required annually to appoint some member of their Board to be Chief Engineer; and that the Selectmen and Town Clerk be reasonably paid for their services.” The report was recommitted,