While the activities for this year were very similar with the last, there was a marked increase in expenditures for the administration, local improvements and health problems. A. Greenfield and Arthur St. Laurent were appointed auditors for the year at $6 each. W. A. Cole returned to be both the assessor (@ $50/yr) and collector of taxes. Thomas Redmond was appointed the Board of Health for 3 years.

The Clerk’s salary was raised to $85. During the year he received $5.80 for registering 16 births, 1 marriage and 12 deaths. He also was paid $3 for lighting 12 fires in the town hall between Dec. 18 and April 11.

Labour rates were increased from 12.5 cents an hour to 15. Wages were now paid over longer periods of time and more use was made of men with horses to work on roads. One account for a Mr. Mainville listed cost for labour "with a boy and a horse". The Village now employed some men as foremen (@17 cents/hr.) relieving the councilors from supervising projects.

Constable Sabourin resigned and was replaced by John Tatman who was employed in the works of the CAR and living at 25 Cedar St.. A special constable named J. O’Connell was employed and paid $25.18 and $65.40 respectively to act as "special police". This may have been associated with the Board of Health in respect to containment of a health problem but it is unclear.

On the local improvement side drains and sidewalks again took prominence. A. G. Greenfield complained of water in the lots on Parry St. (now Old Greenfield St.); John Roberts requested a sidewalk on Sixth St. (a two-plank walk was laid); Councilors Biggar and Joly investigated the need for drains on the west side of Main St. beginning at the College (Scholasticate?); residents on Fifth St. requested a sidewalk immediately; and repairs on East Ave. in front of Mr. Michael Faulkner’s (a fruit dealer) house at #153 were approved.

The clerk was ordered to notify those damaging the sidewalk on East Ave. at the tracks to stop immediately. The Deputy Minister for Railways and Canals was notified that his policy of drains emptying into the canal from Ottawa East was putting the Village in a difficult position. G. Stevens (possibly of 32 Fourth St.) was paid $13.50 for cutting the grass and weeks in the village – a first!

A crossing and platform in front of the Separate School (Main at Herridge) was to be built immediately. The constable was reminded about his duties regarding cattle at large. And, of course, another letter was sent to the General Manager of the CAR to change the fence on Cedar St. – an ongoing battle.

With an increase in expenditures Council decided to increase rates where possible. The town hall now rented at $5 for dances and public meetings while other uses were levied a rent from $1.50 to $3.00 per night. By August the constable had collected $70 in dog taxes.

For the first time the Separate School was noted in the assessment. Rates for the Village included:

Regarding council motions, a big-ticket item was the request by ratepayers for twice-a-day mail delivery. A deputation of the Reeve and Council met with the Post Master General and were assured that "in all probability" the request would be granted. The twice-daily delivery is somewhat confusing in that the Village had a post office at 8 Main St. operated by Bridget Slattery, widow of William, who was both the Postmistress and operator of a general store at the same location. Were villagers becoming decadent?

Some interesting accounts included: Charles Rhomheld, the ex-constable, paid for breaking 25 tons of stone at $2.45/ton by hand; G. Baily, 25 cents for two keys to the town hall; Graham and Elliott, $25.31 for carbolic acid; and G. Barrett, 95 cents for a basin bowl.

A major concern for the year was the threat of epidemic. As described elsewhere in this history, suburban areas such as Ottawa East Village were often very susceptible to the scourges of epidemics such as typhoid and smallpox. The poor water quality of wells and river water as a result of poor sewage disposal and outhouses were often the cause. Bernard Slattery, one of the wealthiest men in the region lost several of his twelve children to the disease.

A special meeting of Council took place on Oct. 14 to discuss the spread of small pox. During that meeting a letter from Dr. Birkett was reviewed as to whether or not the village should support compulsory inoculation of the residents. Another special meeting of Council was held on Dec. 3^rd to review accounts of the Board of Health. Fortunately the entire account was recorded in the minutes.

Analysis of this account shows that the Village was responsible for the care and feeding a family sick with an infectious disease. The sulphur was probably used by the constable to disinfect the residence under the direction of a doctor. The printing was for leaflets distributed to the village residents warning of a contagious disease.

The year ended with the election of a new council.

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