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CHARLESTOWIS 1020 FORD FEHLDET 638
MALDEN NORTH END 16.49:
PAY TO THE ORDER OF MELROSE NATIONAL BANK CITY OF MELROME W. R. LAVENDER, Only Treas.
CITY OF MELROSE MASSACHUSETTS
Annual Reports 1911
WITH
Mayor's Inaugural Address Delivered January 2nd, 1911
TO
162.
LROSE
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
· MALDEN ·
NORTH END
1649.
NOOR
50.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY CLERK
MELROSE, MASS., THE MELROSE FREE PRESS, INC.
1912
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
-OF-
HON. EUGENE H. MOORE MAYOR OF MELROSE DELIVERED JANUARY 2nd, 1911
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen:
T is my desire at this time to express my thanks to the citizens for their continued con- fidence, and for the great honor they have again conferred upon me, and what seems to me to be a hearty endorsement of the course pursued in the affairs of our city. It has always been the endeavor of those to whom has been entrusted the administration of the different departments of our city, to so conduct the business that all the citizens might receive the greatest possible returns for the money expended. The highest aim for our City Government should be the welfare of the whole city.
The charge not infrequently made, that our city govern- ments are, as a rule, the poorest examples of public efficiency, honesty and economy that can be found, cannot be made of Melrose. During our existence as a town and city, municipal affairs have been administered without corruption, with very little personal or political bias, and the whole, from a business standpoint, in a very creditable manner.
The duties upon which we enter today are those which we have voluntarily undertaken as the representatives of the peo- ple of this municipality. The performance of these duties will demand the exercise of our widest judgment and most careful consideration, and should at all times command our fullest attention and our best services. As the directors of the muni- cipal corporation of the city of Melrose, and the servants of its people, we are chargeable with serious responsibilities for the proper administration of all its public and business affairs.
Progressive, conservative and honest administration of
4
CITY OF MELROSE
municipal affairs is an important factor in our city's progress and prosperity, and our welfare for the years to come, in a great measure, depends upon the faithful and efficient dis- charge of our respective duties. The best interests of the whole city and of all its people should be our controlling pur- pose. No other standard will merit public confidence and approval. We are to safeguard and to serve these interests. with favor toward none, and with full and impartial justice to all. Advanced thought along special lines, as well as modern conditions, is responsible for many urgent demands for im- provements and accommodations requiring the expenditure of public money; some of these demands have merit and should be considered; but, as a rule, the necessities and con- venience of the public should alone be our guide, and careful and just consideration should be given before final determina- tion is made. There should be no step backward. Improve- ments that are necessary, should meet with favorable con- sideration and be carried on to successful completion. Pro- gressive economy is an admirable rule of action, and following this course, and having in mind that our income is limited, we cannot go far wrong.
Under our charter, unusually large authority and corres- ponding responsibility is placed upon the Mayor. The heads of departments, for whose conduct the law makes the Mayor largely responsible, will be instructed to obey the laws on letting contracts and every other law and ordinance operating upon the city business. And above all, they will be charged to exercise the most rigid economy in administration, not taking anything to be right merely because it exists, but ascertaining what is right and doing it. On pursuing this course, I confidently hope the departments will find means of reducing expenditure, without impairing, in any way, the efficiency of the public service. The belief prevails (justified apparently by a high tax rate on a full valuation) that the city is spending too much money. It is a serious question to decide in which direction we shall seek retrenchment.
To all the new undertakings, such as parks and play- grounds, we are committed, and consideration for the public
5
·
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
safety and well being, compels the support of all the other departments of the government as they stand. The com- parative cost, however, is imperative.
Financial.
You will make yourself familiar with the financial con- dition of the city from the full report on this subject, but I desire to treat the subject in a simpler way for our guidance in spending money. The financial policy I propose is rigid economy,-by that I do not mean scrimping policy, but rather that economy and frugality which always attends thrift and prosperity. I ask that you keep constantly before you this thought,-true economy consists in not putting off necessary improvements, or in neglecting public necessities, for such economy leads to bankruptcy. The city has three ways of obtaining money to carry on its business; 1st, it can assess $12.00 on every $1,000 of taxable property. This money so raised can be used for the regular running expenses; no more can be raised for that purpose without violating the law of this Commonwealth. 2d, we can borrow money for permanent improvements equal to 212% of our average valuation for the three years previous to the borrowing. 3d, by special act, or leave, of the Legislature, we can borrow whatever the Legislature sees fit to allow us to borrow outside and beyond the two ways just mentioned.
Our $12.00 limit is a fixed quantity; the other two methods give varying quantities, and as they vary, so our taxes rise and fall.
I desire to call your attention to the fact that our tax rate of 1910 was $19.40. It is very desirable that the rate this year shall not exceed that of 1910, and, if possible, that a re- duction may take place. It is my desire to make this an economical administration. I expect each and every one of you to do all in your power to asist me, well knowing that without your aid and co-operation, I shall be unable to accom- glish this end. Realizing that we are all working for the best interests of the entire city, though we cannot lose sight of the fact that some represent certain wards, let us remember that
6
CITY OF MELROSE
the interests of the city are paramount, and that the solution of every problem should be upon its individual merits.
From a statement furnished me by the City Auditor, we find that our financial condition on December 31, 1910, the close of the fiscal year, was as follows:
Bonded Debt.
School House Loan Bonds. $278,000.00
Sewer Loan Bonds
385,000.00
Surface Drainage Bonds
110,000.00
Town Hall Loan Bonds
45,000.00
Water Works Loan Bonds.
253,000.00
Total
-$1,071,000.00
There is in the Sinking Funds to be applied to the pay- ment of these bonds when. they mature:
School House .
$134,119.08
Sewerage.
214,514.56
Surface Drainage
18,941.99
Town Hall
43,694.09
Water Works
159,302.68
Total
$570,572.40
Permanent Debt.
Borrowed on account of
Bennett Dam Notes . $8,000.00
Building Morgan Street Notes 2,500.00
Collector's Contingent Notes 1,951.91
Franklin School Land Notes
$1,250.00
Oakland Street Repairs Notes
1,500.00
Permanent Improvement of High-
ways 9,000.00
Sidewalks, Continuous, Notes
7,500.00
Street Watering Deficiency Notes
1,911.90
Motor Chemical Apparatus Note
4,000.00
Howard Street Macadamizing Notes 3,550.00
Furniture, High School, Notes . 1,854.00
Goss Avenue Construction Notes.
2,000.00
Total
$45,017.81
7
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Municipal Debt.
Fire Department, Hay and Grain $400.00
School Department, South Wing High School 400.00
School Department, Furniture 1,600.00
Fire Department, Fire Alarm Main- tenance and Box 500.00
Pine Banks Park, Moth Extermina- tion . 400.00
Green Street Widening
2,150.00
General Contingent .
2,000.00
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moths
1,200.00
Motor Chemical Apparatus
1,500.00
Grove Street Macadamizing
3,500.00
School Department, Furniture High School
2,000.00
Sidewalks, Continuous
2,000.00
West Emerson St., Macadamizing
1,000.00
Swain's Pond Ave., at Ice Houses
1,000.00
Swain's Pond Ave., near Folsom Ave. . 500.00
Florence Avenue
.
300.00
Goss Avenue
425.00
School Department, Sundry Bills
692.24
Soldiers' Relief
1,000.00
Total
$22,567.24
The amount to be raised in 1911 for the payment of
Permanent Debt is
$12,955.95
Municipal Debt is
25,299.74
Total
$38,255.69
Loans have been authorized since the Budget was passed, as follows:
Fire Alarm Box Note $100.00
Fire Alarm Maintenance Note 400.00
South Wing High School Fittings
400.00
8
CITY OF MELROSE
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth Note 400.00
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth Note 200.00
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth Note 500.00
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth Note
500.00
Green Street Widening Note
2,150.00
General Contingent Note .
2,000.00
Motor Chemical Apparatus Note
5,500.00
Public Library, New Books, and
Mary A. Livermore Memorial Room Note.
1,400.00
Police Department, New Horse
250.00
School Department, Sundry Bill Note
692.24
School Department, School House Repairs Note 925.00
Sidewalks, Continuous, Note
2,000.00
Sidewalks, Continuous, Note
2,500.00
Building Florence Ave. Note
300.00
Building Goss Ave. Note
2,000.00
Grove St. Macadamizing Note
3,500.00
Howard St. Macadamizing Note .
3,550.00
Swain's Pond Ave., Resurfacing Note
$1,000.00
Swain's Pond Ave., Resurfacing Note
500.00
School Dept., Furniture Note
3,854.00
West Emerson St. Macadamizing Note
1,000.00
Health Department, Contagious
Diseases Note ·
425.00
Soldiers' Relief Note
1,000.00
Fire Department, Repairs Highland Hose House Note
500.00
Police Department, Signal Boxes Note
5,400.00
Cemetery Dept., for Pratt Farm Note 8,345.83
Salaries, Inspector of Wires Note 157.50
Total
$51,449.57
9
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Bonded Debt . .
$1,071,000.00
Permanent Debt
45,017.81
Municipal Debt
22,567.24
Temporary Loans, in anticipation of taxes
161,600.00
Cemetery Trust Funds
·
23,485.00
E. Toothaker Trust Fund . .
1,359.38
Gross Debt
-- $1,325,029.43
Assets.
Cash on hand .
$15,288.91
Sinking Funds
570,572.40
Due from Commonwealth .
2,830.50
"
" Uncollected Taxes
197,685.70
" Uncollected Tax Titles .
250.35
Due from Uncollected Tax Takings
2,637.53
66
66 Moth Assessments
349.60
66
Sewer Assessments
11,236.83
66
Sidewalk Assessments
2,128.54
66
66 Street Betterments 713.76
66
66 Street Watering Asst.
3,440.37
$809,075.88
Gross Debt
$1,325,029.43
Less Assets
809,075.88
Leaving Net Indebtedness. $515,953.55
Our Material Assets are:
Cemetery
$35,700.00
City Hall
142,400.00
Fire Stations
26,625.00
Fire Alarm and Apparatus
30,314.27
Parks and Public Grounds
39,899.58
Public Library
40,600.00
School Houses and Land
460,775.00
·
66 Real Estate Possession
1,664.35
66 Sewer Asst. Possession
277.04
10
CITY OF MELROSE
Sewerage System
428,007.48
Stone Crusher and Land
9,000.00
Surface Drainage
137,081.36
Water System .
406,387.12
Total -$1,756,789.81
Average Valuation for three years is . $16,048,171.66
Two and one-half per cent of same is 401,204.29
Net Debt is
254,094.59
Leaving the Borrowing Capacity for 1911
$147,109.70
Highways.
The subject of streets is one which should have our greatest consideration. We are perhaps unfortunate in hav- ing so large a mileage, which in itself calls for a great expense, even for maintenance.
There is nothing that adds to the beauty of a city or town so much as good streets, well shaded and well cared for. Orders for additional streets are continually introduced, and it is of the utmost importance that in the future we shall care- fully consider the merit of such orders before adopting them.
I recommend that a liberal appropriation be made for continuing macadam construction. I think the balance of Grove Street should be finished by same method as that part constructed in 1910, and balance of Essex Street curbed and built in the same manner.
Sidewalks.
The building of sidewalks under the Betterment Act, whereby one-half the cost is assessed upon the abutting prop- erty, has been continued.
Extensive repairs have also been made on concrete side- walks. I recommend a continuance of this work during the coming year, being satisfied that our people are much pleased with what has been done in this direction and that they are desirous that still further improvements shall be made.
11
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
Water.
By placing our entire system upon a metered basis, we have in two years reduced our tax to the Metropolitan Water Board from $28,693.90 in 1908, to $19,640.91 in 1910, and our citizens have received the benefit of this reduction; and as your Honorable Board have adopted my recommendation to charge all departments for water consumed by them, and if we can still further reduce our Metropolitan Water Tax, we should be able, in another year, to give our citizens a further reduction in meter rates, or a larger minimum quantity.
Schools.
The expense of maintaining our public schools is large. Massachusetts still leads the world in offering advantages for the growth of her boys and girls mentally, physically, and financially. She has ever recognized that the school boy of today is the Governor of tomorrow. Melrose stands today among the number of those cities which are known for their good schools. Our city has ever been liberal towards its public schools, and has seldom, if ever, failed to respond to their needs. I trust, however, that with such liberality, a policy of economy may be followed, so that the actual needs of now recognized methods of educational work may be pro- vided for without questionable expenditure for new fads or untried experiments.
Fire Department.
The efficiency of the Fire Department challenges our ad- miration. No one unfamiliar with the conditions can appre- ciate, as does the Mayor, whose thought is at all times upon the protection of every citizen, what it means to have a fire depart- ment so alert, that, under all provocations, it reaches the scene of danger in season to arrest the development of what might easily become a disastrous conflagration.
The past year has been a fortunate one in that Melrose has suffered few serious losses by fire. Upon each and every occasion when the Department has been called upon to re- spond to an alarm, the firemen have put forth their best ef-
12
CITY OF MELROSE
forts to maintain that high standard of efficiency which their work in the past has gained for the Department.
We have made provisions for further effective equipment for this Department by purchasing a combination chemical hose which will arrive within a few days.
Police Department.
It is a pleasure to be able to make public recognition of improvement in this Department during the past year. There has been a general toning up of the Department, and a better feeling between the members of the force. In accordance with my recommendation of last year, the ordinances were so changed that a Chief and Captain were appointed during the year, and the results have proved the value of the change. Never has there been better or quicker work in the detection of crime, the arrest of criminals, and the recovering of stolen property, than during the past year.
At the recent election, the citizens voted to install signal boxes, which will be done at the earliest possible opportunity.
City Home.
Those of us who enjoy health and prosperity and are blessed with the good things of life, should not forget those who are less fortunate. A visit to our City Farm will con- vince any of you that Melrose is not negligent in this matter. Our Charity Department is doing all in its power to relieve the suffering and promote the happiness of those, who, through misfortune, are unable to provide for themselves. Neatness and good order prevail through all the buildings, and the Farm seems more like a well-managed home than a charitable insti- tution.
The overseers have provided everything within their means for the care, comfort and safety of the inmates.
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moths.
The moth situation has been much aggravated by the unusual activity of the elm leaf beetle, and the unwelcome,
13
MAYOR'S ADDRESS
but persistent, industry of the terribly destructive leopard moth, which bids fair to destroy whatever the gypsy and brown tail and elm leaf beetle neglect.
A great deal of pruning of public trees has been done the past year, and very much more should be done the coming year in order to insure the safety of the travelling public, as well as to prevent the possibility of accidents to the men who climb the trees. It is becoming more difficult year after year to secure good, capable men to engage in the extra hazardous task of climbing trees at the same price per day that is paid to the most ordinary laborer working in apparent security upon terra firma. Much underbrush has grown up on the different vacant spaces throughout the city, most notorious nesting places for the brown tail and gypsy moths, and these places should be cleaned up this year.
To complete the work "laid out" for the City of Melrose by the State Moth Department, an appropriation of twelve thousand dollars would be required ,the items making up this large sum of money being as follows:
Two Power Sprayers $3,000.00
Lead for Spraying 500.00
Labor and Teams for Spraying, 20 Men and 5 Horses . 1,000.00
Jan. 1-April 1, 10 Men Employed Cleaning 3,000.00
Caterpillar Season (10 men 6 weeks) 1,000.00
Tanglefoot, 12 ton
200.00
Burlap.
150.00
Tools, etc.
250.00
Labor from after Spraying Season to Jan. 1st. . 1,500.00
Pine Banks (City's share Moth Work) and Cem-
etery . 1,500.00
Out of the above expenditure of $12,000 there would be about $2,500 for private work and a rebate from the State of $2,500, leaving an actual expenditure by the City of Melrose of $7,000.
There has been expended during the year 1910 for public trees and grounds, not including cemetery or parks, the sum of $3,006.06. There has been received for private work the sum of $603.35.
14
CITY OF MELROSE
Conclusion.
It is not necessary to give you any assurance of my will- ingness to co-operate, not only with you, but with all our citizens who have the best interest of the city at heart, in all needful efforts to promote the health, happiness and pros- perity of this municipality. We cannot always act wisely; we cannot always do right; but we can always do what we believe to be best. With such co-operation, we can give our citizens an administration creditable alike to ourselves and our city, and my sincere and earnest desire is that in the dis- charge of our official duties, we individually and collectively may be actuated and guided by one common motive,-that is, to serve our city well.
Government of the City of Melrose 1911
Mayor, EUGENE H. MOORE.
President of the Board of Aldermen, CHARLES E. FRENCH.
Aldermen at Large, George A. Bailey, John Buffum, Peter J. Lynch, William J. Bowser, John Dike, Charles E. French, J. Sydney Hitchins.
Ward Aldermen,
Ward 1. Frederic H. Knight George D. Orton
Ward 2, Joshua T. Nowell Dexter G. Pratt
Ward 3. Patrick J. Fitzgerald Melvin A. Walter
Ward 4. Arthur H. Damon Charles O. Wheeler
Ward 5. Frederick T. Peabody
Arthur F. Whalen
Ward 6. William Coggeshall
Albert H. Harriman
Ward 7. Charles F. Doherty William T. Fahy
Clerk of the Board,. . W. DeHaven Jones, City Clerk.
City Officers
City Clerk, W. DeHaven Jones.
Assistant City Clerk and Clerk of Committees, Victor C. Kirmes.
City Treasurer, William R. Lavender.
City Collector, James W. Murray.
1
City Auditor, Edwin C. Gould.
Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works, George O. W. Servis.
Mayor's Clerk, Irma A. Gurney, deceased; Anna M. Spratt appointed to fill vacancy
City Solicitor, Claude L. Allen.
Chief of Fire Department, Joseph Edwards.
Chief of Police, George E. Kerr.
17
CITY OFFICERS
Inspector of Buildings, Allan S. Sims.
Inspector of Plumbing, Andrew J. Burnett.
Inspector of Milk and Vinegar, Dr. Caleb W. Clark.
Inspector of Animals, William M. Simpson.
Sealer of Weights and Measures, William L. Pierce,
Agent State Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief, Charles O. Boyd.
Burial Agent, Albert A. Carlton.
Assessors, Frank R. Upham, term expires 1913. L. Frank Hinckley, term expires 1914. William Morss, term expires 1912.
Alden B. Smith,
Assistant Assessors, Merton G. Woodbury,
Charles Roeder
Board of Health, Clarence P. Holden, M.D., Chairman,
Arthur A. Hayden, Fred H. Rounds,
Grace A. Buttrick, Clerk, resigned,
Grace French appointed to fill vacancy.
18
CITY OF MELROSE
City Physician, Clarence P. Holden, M.D.
Overseers of the Poor, George R. Farnum, Chairman,
Charles O. Boyd, deceased, Otis J. Libby appointed to fill vacancy, Grace French, Clerk
Adaline E. Reed
Matron Pratt Farm, Mrs. F. E. Mann.
Superintendent of Pratt Farm, Mr. F. E. Mann.
Park Commission,
Clarence T. Fernald, Chairman
Term expires 1915
Addison L. Winship
1914
Robert A. Perkins
1913
Oliver B. Munroe.
66 1912
George J. Foster
1916
School Committee.
Term expires 1914
Eben F. Phillips.
1914
Sarah A. Day
66
1915
Lowell F. Wentworth
66
1915
Frank L. Welt .
66
1915
Elmer O. Goodridge
66
1913
Isabelle Stantial.
60
1913
William A. Morse.
66
60
1913
Sinking Fund Commissioners.
Charles C. Barry deceased
Edward J. Kitching .
Term expires 1913
Franklin P. Shumway.
..
1914
Everett L. Fuller
66 1912
Wallace R. Lovett.
1914
William Coggeshall
19
CITY OFFICERS
Trustees of the Public Library.
Charles C. Barry, deceased.
William T. Atwood
Term expires 1912
Paul Sterling.
66 1912
Edward M. Munyan
66
1914
Mary L. Charles
66 1914
Neil A. Divver
66
66 1913
Anna T. Bush.
66
66
1913
Cemetery Committee.
Willis C. Goss, Maurice G. Cochrane, Joseph D. Lord, Edwin C. Gould, Clerk, Roscoe A. Leavitt, Superintendent Wyoming Cemetery.
Registrars of Voters.
Harry C. Woodill
. Term expires 1912 66
Edwin L. Cragin
John J. Keating.
66
66 1914
W. DeHaven Jones, City Clerk, ex-officio.
Engineers of the Fire Department. Joseph Edwards, Chief, Thomas J. Hawkes, 1st Assistant, Edgar W. Mansfield, 2d Assistant.
Measurers of Wood and Bark, Weighers of Hay and Grain.
George M. Hall Fred H. Goss
George Goodwin Charles B. Goss
Florence E. Sinclair
Eugenie J. Verrett
Frank E. Newell.
Public Weighers of Merchandise.
William L. Pierce
Charles F. Woodward
William H. Martin
Orietta Towner James McTiernan Edward M. Caldwell H. C. Perry.
Patrick G. DeCourcy Edward A. Riley John J. Scott
1913
20
CITY OF MELROSE
Fence Viewers.
Charles F. Woodward,
Walter C. Stevens
Field Driver, Frank E. Mann.
Pound Keeper, Frank E. Mann.
Constables,
George W. Burke,
Osborne E. Drown William I. Pierce
George E. Kerr.
Police Officers,
Osborne E. Drown, Captain
Redford M. Rand
George E. Fuller
Allston H. Pineo
Christopher B. Thompson
Louis B. Heaton
Frank N. Pierce
Michael Reardon
Reserve Officers Appointed 1906,
William T. Fahy
Wallace B. Eaton
Albert McBeth Isaac Gorman
Michael Reardon
Special Officers,
William Riley
Roscoe A. Leavitt
M. James Hanley
Samuel W. Furbish
George H. Cray
Amos W. Lynde
Frank E. Mann
James F. Fernald Dennis Callahan
Atwater B. Hathaway
Burgess W. Grover
Keeper of the Lock-up
George E. Kerr.
George E. Kerr, Chief, William A. Caswell
William C. McCarthy Harry Brown
William H. Doherty
Wallace B. Eaton
John H. Thyng
Frank C. Newman W. M. Penny Edgar E. Sherburn
1
Report of the Wire Department
March 8, 1912.
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen :-
Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit the report of the Wire Department from January 1, to December 31, 1912.
Fire Alarm System.
The Fire Alarm System has been kept in good working order. Three new fire alarm boxes have been installed, Boxes 431, 512 and 641.
Electric Work in Buildings.
I have inspected the electric work in one hundred and eighteen old houses, fifty new houses, twelve apartments, twenty-six stores, fifteen factories, eight garages, three laundries, four stables, six offices and one church.
Respectfully submitted, STANLEY S. PORTER,
Inspector of Wires.
Report of the Cemetery Committee
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen :--
Gentlemen :- The Cemetery Committee respectfully sub- mit their report of the receipts and expenditures for the Cemetery Department during the financial year ending Dec. 31, 1911.
Receipts.
Dressing .
$53.50
Foundation.
212.87
Single graves.
273.00
Interments .
799.00
Labor grading
50.50
Care of lots
1,888.00
Care of lots, trust funds.
976.08
Sale of lots
2,641.00
Slate vaults
425.00
Removals
10.00
Grass sold.
15.00
Wood sold.
4.00
$7,347.95
Expended.
Salary of Supt. $1,200.00
Salary of E. C. Gould, Clerk
62.70
W. B. Leavitt, services.
46.95
Bond of Supt.
5.00
Pay roll employees
3,920.42
Pay roll teaming
208.50
Teaming
10.75
Printing and stationery
33.65
Filing Cabinet
7.32
Telephone service
39.39
Stamps and box rent P. O.
32.75
Fuel for office. . 23.00
Tools, seeds, plants and shrubs.
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