USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1906 > Part 8
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The names of the recipients of the above funds are on file in the office of the overseers of the poor at city hall.
At the close of the year, December 31, 1906, there re- mained in the hands of the overseers:
Wards three and four $6 65
Wards five and six. 4 85
The income from the Atwood fund, $307.50, was not dis- tributed until after the close of the year 1906.
Respectfully submitted,
L. W. SARGENT, E. M. Dow,
Overseers of the Poor.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF ENGI- NEER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN-The following report of the Newbury- port fire department for 1906, together with such sugges- tions as occur to me for the welfare of the department and the safety of the city, as regards fires within its limits, is respectfully submitted.
MANUAL FORCE
The manual force of the department consists of a chief, three assistant chiefs, 80 call men divided into six engine and hose and ladder companies, and one permanent man at the central fire station. There is also on duty at all times the driver and horse of Hose I, ready to respond to all calls that may be made.
APPARATUS
The apparatus consists of three Amoskeag steam fire engines. One in reserve and one rebuilding at Man- chester, N. H., by the International Power Company, and expected to be returned the last of this month (January, 1907) in first-class condition. One second-class Knott en- gine, five hose wagons, one exercise wagon loaded with hose and the necessary articles for fire duty, two ladder trucks (one in reserve), one supply wagon, three pungs and one set of runners for the ladder truck for winter ser- vice, one old four-wheeled hose reel.
I have the same suggestion in regard to Engine I as last year, that is the installation of a heating arrangement to facilitate its steaming qualities. It being situated in the businesss section of the city, disastrous consequences might ensue on its inability to force water to the necessary
I26
ANNUAL REPORTS
height in some of our larger buildings. I consider the outlay of the necessary $200 or $225 to install a heating plant of minor importance compared to the benefit it would be to the public good.
All of the apparatus is in good condition with the ex- ception of the ladder truck, which needs some new ladders and which should be thoroughly overhauled and painted.
HOUSES
The houses are in good condition, with the exception of Hose 7. $4000 has already been set aside towards build- ing them a new house, and it appears to me enough to at least make a beginning.
HORSES
The horses connected with the fire department, being under the control of the superintendent of highways, are maintained by the highway committee, only subject to call by the fire department at time of fire, with the exception of the horse and driver attached to Hose I, they being maintained by the highway department and used exclu- sively by the fire department. As an offset the fire de- partment has been paying for the horses and driver at- tached to the hook and ladder truck. I notice in the superintendent's report that he would suggest a transfer of the maintenance of the horse and driver of Hose I to the fire department appropriation. I heartily coincide in the arrangement, but at the same time would urge the trans- ferring of the maintenance of the horses and driver of the ladder truck to the highway department, they being used by that department exclusively except in time of fire.
It would seem as though the horses connected with at least one engine and the ladder truck could be kept within certain limits on alternate weeks, so that the most impor- tant department of the city should not be handicapped as it has been on two or three occasions the last year, the most notable being at the fire of June 14, 1906, when there was a delay of from 10 to 15 minutes on the part of some of the apparatus which responded to the alarm. This delay was directly traceable to the distance the horses were from the engine houses.
I27
CHIEF ENGINEER
HOSE
The amount of hose in the department at the present time is 10,600 feet, a greater part of which is only fit for hydrant service. 1000 feet should be purchased immedi- ately, as some 600 or 700 feet have been condemned the last year. The amount of hose carried should not be less than 12,000 feet.
WATER SUPPLY
The water supply, as far as pipes and hydrants are con- cerned, remains the same as last year. The coming year will see numerous additions made, which will benefit the department to a great extent.
FIRE ALARM
The fire alarm, with a few minor changes, remains the same as last year.
CHEMICAL ENGINE
A chemical engine would be a great benefit to the roll- ing stock of the department, as I have no doubt 80 per cent. of the fires could be controlled by it, thus saving a large amount of water damage. Other places use them successfully, why not Newburyport ?
APPROPRIATION AND EXPENSES
Appropriation
$11,500 00
Income
36 08
Total credits.
11,536 08
Expenditures
II, 119 62
Undrawn balance
$ 416 46
CONCLUSION
In conclusion I wish to thank his honor the mayor, the members of the fire department committee and the city government in general for the uniform courtesy which I have met with from their hands, and also the assistant chiefs and officers and members of the department, who
I28
ANNUAL REPORTS
have by their willingness to obey all orders kept and pre- served harmony in our ranks, without which good work cannot be accomplished by any body of men. The small fire loss during the year is due to the quick and intelligent work of the men under my command.
Respectfully submitted, S. C. REED,
Chief of Department.
MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT
Selwyn C. Reed, chief of department.
John F. Cutter, first assistant chief. George P. Osborne, second assistant chief. Frank E. Thurlow, third assistant chief.
ENGINE AND HOSE ONE
Captain-R. E. Hart.
Lieutenant - J. O. Erickson.
Clerk - G. E. Currier.
Engineer - C. W. Adams.
Assistant engineer - C. B. Atkinson.
Hosemen - S. L. Truesdale, J. E. Patten, C. A. Safford, B. F. Fields, G. W. Henderson, J. O. Evans, W. H. Chase, Walter King, E. P. Allen ( permanent man), C. W. Lowell.
Substitutes - Albert Hay, F. E. Davis.
Drivers - Maurice Broderick, steamer, Albert E. Bray, hose wagon.
ENGINE AND HOSE TWO
Captain - C. W. Turner.
Lieutenant -J. C. M. Blaisdell.
Clerk - G. W. Parker.
Engineer - F. W. Landford.
Assistant engineer - Everett Landford.
Fireman - C. S. Blake.
Hosemen -G. H. D. Leighton, G. W. Ross, L. W. Pray, M. E. Wright, J. L. Thurlow, T. E. Coleman, J. J. Coffey, W. P. Norton, J. H. Packard.
Drivers - Dennis Lucy, steamer, Frank Annis, hose wagon.
129
CHIEF ENGINEER
ENGINE AND HOSE THREE
Captain - J. P. Page.
Lieutenant-C. W. Howard-
Clerk - W. R. Bradbury.
Engineer - R. S. Bailey.
Assistant engineer - F. J. Partelow.
Fireman - W. R. Bradbury.
Hosemen - A. P. Lewis, S. T. Chase, C. Genn, A. H. Davis, C. Marr, G. Mckenzie, H. Packer, W. Farrell, J. L. Lewis, W. Nice.
Substitute -H. D. Plummer.
Drivers - Dennis Hale, steamer, G. W. Carter, hose wagon.
LADDER ONE
Captain - R. K. Pike. Lieutenant-C. E. Ives.
Clerk -C. W. Marsh.
Laddermen - Ellis Lunt, Herbert Currier, George Rollin, E. C. Reade, C. McGilvery, B. C. McQuade, G. P. Peckham, N F. B. Ross, J. C. Mclaughlin, Harold Adams, S. F. Hart, L. G. Bradbury.
Substitutes - C. A. Hardy.
Driver - Fred Rand.
HOSE SEVEN
Captain - G. A. Coffin.
Lieutenant - W. W. Dole
Clerk - F. Merrill.
Steward - W. G. Somerby. Hosemen - F. Huntington, T. Mitchell, E. Mitchell, E. Jackman, W. Randall, F. B. Ives.
Substitutes - C. A. Coffin, A. Coffin.
Driver - Jere Haley.
HOSE EIGHT
Captain - G. W. Stanwood.
Lieutenant - D. W. Jackman. Clerk - J. Wills.
Hosemen - W. B. Porter, W. S. Porter, D. A. Wells, G. W. Wilson, W. H. H. Perkins, Albert Russell, F. McBurnie.
Substitutes - W. E. Hilton, W. A. Aubin, L. C. Woods. Driver - C. Wetherell.
LIST OF FIRES, INSURANCE AND LOSSES
January 15- Box 35, provision store of John Graham, State street. Loss slight.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
February 6 - Box 35, lodging house, Mrs. Seavey, Market square, kerosene heater. Loss slight
March 6 - Box 51, Knapp home, Kent street. Loss slight.
March 19- Box 68, Currier house, Ashland street, occupied by A. Cook. Loss slight.
April 7- Box 43, house corner High and Vernon street, occupied by Mrs. Ida M. Brown. Loss slight.
April 9- Box 35, rubbish barrel, J. Checkoway, Elbow alley. No damage. .
April 20- Box 45, house of W. R. Johnson, Bradstreet place. Loss $300, Insured.
April 21 - Box 62, grass fire, Rollins' place, Arlington street, no loss.
April 28- Box 33, house T. Reardon, Hill street, loss $500, in- sured.
May I - Box 62, grass fire, E. Griffin estate, no damage.
May 8 - Box 27, shed on Ship street, owner W. J. Cook, occupied by Theodore Foss.
May 23 - Box 42, National Biscuit Company storage shed, Pearson's. wharf, loss $250, insurance.
June 1 - Box 43, load of hay near Kelley school, loss $20.
June 14- Box 23, double alarm, storehouses Huse's wharf, owned and occupied by H. H. Landford, loss $1500, also sheds and barns be- longing to Paul Forest and Mr. Broyer. No insurance.
July 7- Box 51, house John Hallisey, Warren street, loss $20, in- sured.
August I - Box 35, store H. Weitzel, Market square, loss $1,196.20, insured $4,800.
August 7 - Box 31, house 13 Pike street, owned by Jere Ireland, oc- cupied by W. Roundtree.
September 12 - Box 54, Littlefield house, Merrimac street, foot of Kent. Loss slight.
November 14 - Box 32, barn, estate J. N. Pike, Green street, loss slight.
November 16- Box 52, false alarm.
December 5 - Box 42, house 26 Boardman street, owned by Mrs. Piper, occupied by J. Pendergast and Mrs. Hickey.
December 13 - Box 52, automobile, Dr. Tigh, loss $800, insured.
69 still alarms have been responded to by the different companies, 62 by hose one, and firemen from the central station, four by hose two, two by hose three, and one by hose seven.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN - The board of assessors herewith present its annual report for the year 1906 :
The total assessed values of property in 1906. $11, 159,621 00 On real estate. $7,601,000 00
On personal estate. 3,254,200 00
On resident bank shares. 304,421 00
$11, 159,621 00
Increase of valuation over 1905, $270,029.
Number of polls 1906, $4,374 at $2, $8748. A decrease of 73 over 1905.
The rate of taxation for 1906 is $18.20, an increase of 80 cents on the $1,000 over 1905.
The total amount of tax levied was as follows:
On real estate. $138,338 20
On personal estate .. 59,226 44
On resident bank shares 5,540 46
On polls. 8,748 00 $211,853 TO
This was apportioned as follows :
For state purposes $ 1.10 ยท as per warrant per $1,000
For county I.IO.
For city 16.00
The state warrant called for
5 12,470 28 LA
The county
12.348 34
The city (Less $30,000 income.)
212,402 82
The abatements granted on real, personal and polls for 1906 were $4,631, an increase over 1905 caused by what is known as the soldiers' exemption law.
To offset this the board of assessors had an overlay of $4,631, 16; reassessments of $1,476.84 and an appropriation
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ANNUAL REPORTS
of $50. From this fund $3,050 was drawn and spent in other departments. The treasurer's report shows that abatements for 1906 have apparently overdrawn $886.08. If the transfer of $3,050 had not been diverted from the funds of this board, we would have shown a balance undrawn of $2,163.92.
Properties exempted by law under chapter 12, revised laws:
Religious societies, real estate. $248,000 00
Literary institutions, real estate. 114,800 00
Literary institutions, invested funds 94,765 00
Benevolent institutions, real estate. 115,300 00
Benevolent institutions, invested funds
163,583 00
Charitable institutions, real estate .. 36,700 00
Charitable institutions, invested funds. 220,150 00
Total $993,298 00
Number of dwelling houses assessed, 3,185. Number of acres of land assessed, 4,576.
Number of horses assessed, 630. Number of cows as- sessed, 251.
Number of residents assessed on property, individuals 1809. All others, *470.
Number of non-residents assessed on property, individ- uals, 184. All others, *97.
Total number assessed on property, 2,560. For poll tax 3,277. Total, 5,837.
Value of buildings, excluding land, $3,226,400 ; value of land excluding buildings, 2,374,600; total, $7,601,000.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. SARGENT, CHARLES L. PERKINS, EBEN C. KNIGHT,
Assessors.
*All others means firm, trustees, corporations, etc.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEATH
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN - The Board of health would report that during the year 1906 the city has been remarkably free from contagious diseases, as shown by the few cases with which it has been required to deal.
The number of contagious diseases for the year ending December 31, 1906, was 74, against 83 for the previous year. There have been absolutely no epidemic in the city, and as the year closes the general health of the city is shown to be good.
The board herewith submits the accompanying reports from the different departments and also the report of its agent.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
We have compared the number of cases with last year and find a smaller number of cases for the year just closed. The mortality of the diseases will be found in the table of vital statistics.
GARBAGE DISPOSAL
E. M. Hobson of West Newbury has a five years' con- tract for the disposal of the garbage of the city. There have been some complaints to this board regarding the work done under the contract, but on the whole it is a de- cided improvement over former methods.
POLICE STATION
The board of health would respectfully call the atten- tion of the city council to the urgent need of a new police
I34
ANNUAL REPORTS
station, the one now in use being more suitable for the confinement of animals than human beings. It is filled with all kinds of vermin -lice, bed bugs, cock roaches, wharf rats- and the air is foul and unhealthy. The whole place is a disgrace to any civilized community.
Respectfully submitted, ORRIN J. GURNEY,
Board of Health.
REPORT OF AGENT
Complaints attended to and calls made.
Cesspools.
30
Swill.
27
Sink drains.
20
Pigs.
IO
Rubbish ..
4
Filthy houses
6
Foul culverts
2
Urinals. .
I
Water closets.
IO
Nuisances abated.
20
Animals buried.
50
Calls made.
800
Minor calls made.
IO0
Notices sent
. I5
Contagious diseases.
Diphtheria
30
Scarlet fever. .
15
Typhoid fever
24
Measles.
5
WILLIAM THURSTON,
Agent.
I35
BOARD OF HEALTH
INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
To the Newburyport Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN -For the year ending November 30, 1906, there have been 180 inspections, 41 by the deputy, Mr. W. J. Wilkinson, and 139 by myself.
Number of individual fixtures, 516, divided as follows, viz:
Water closets
217
Sinks
178
Lavatories. 55
Baths 49
I3
Urinals ..
2
Refrigerators
2
Total. 516
It is very evident from the foregoing that the luxury of the bath does not appeal to our landlords as only those fixtures absolutely necessary and insisted on by the board of health, have been installed to any appreciable extent the past year.
The work for the past year might safely be divided into two classes, very good and very poor.
The tendency with some has been toward high grade plumbing, but with the majority the cheapest material that would pass inspection has been the rule. No doubt the character of the larger part of the dwellings was responsi- ble for the most of them being very old and in every way unsuited for modern conveniences.
CHARLES H. SARGENT,
Inspector of Plumbing.
Wash trays
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY MARSHAL
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN - The whole number of arrests during the year of 1906 for offences committed within the city of New- buryport is 1,097, of which 305 were of foreign birth, 792 were born within the limits of the United States, 58 were females, and 107 were minors.
Arrests were for the following causes, viz :
Assault and battery
69
Unnatural act.
I
Rape.
I
Attempt to release prisoners from jail.
2
Assault with a dangerous weapon.
3
Assault with intent to kill.
2
Adultery
4
Arson
I
Bastardy
4 I
Breaking and entering.
14
Cruelty to dumb animals
3
Disturbing religious meeting.
I
Trespass.
2
Carrying concealed weapons.
Capias ..
Drunkenness.
Disturbing the peace
Injuring shade tree.
Disorderly house
I
Evading fare.
2
Escaped prisoner.
I
Exposing person.
I
Fornication.
4
Fast driving.
I
Profanity.
I
Violation of Sunday law
5
Fraud.
6
Violation of food law.
5
Common night walker
.
I
. .
. . .
Receiving stolen goods.
. .
3 I 671 58
..
137
CITY MARSHAL
Highway robbery
2
Insane. .
7
Interfering with an officer.
2
Larceny
77 I
Lewd and lascivious
3
Malicious mischief.
9 16
Threats
2
Concealing mortgage property.
On suspicion .
2
Runaway boys
7 I 6
Idle and disorderly
8 8 20
Vagrancy ..
Stealing a ride ..
Violation of the rules of the board of health.
2
Violation of the city ordinances.
27
Violation of labor law
I
Violation of tobacco law.
I
Violation of dog law ..
2
Violation of liquor law
3
Delinquents .
16
Wayward child
Total. 1097
Disposed of as follows, viz :
Appealed . IO
19
Cases continued .
34
Committed for non-payment of fine.
79
Committed to Danvers hospital
6
Committed to Waverly hospital.
I
Committed to Foxboro hospital.
I
Committed to Lyman school .
I
Committed to state board of charity .
7
Committed to state farm, Bridgewater.
4
Committed to woman's prison, Sherborn
6
Defaulted
5
Discharged by court.
30
Fined and paid .
245
House of correction.
3
Newburyport workhouse
2
Ordered to pay costs
I
Put on probation
24
Placed on file.
II3
Put under bonds to keep the peace.
5
Sentence postponed
15
Sent to jail .. 58
Turned over to other officers .
12
I
Safe-keeping
Stubborn and disobedient.
Neglected children
1
Bound over to superior court ..
Non support.
Larceny from the person
I38
ANNUAL REPORTS
Turned over to parents. 7
Released by probation officer
393
Recommitted to state farm.
2
Settled by marriage.
2
Dismissed .. 8
Complaint withdrawn.
5
Committed to Lancaster school.
I
Committed to Concord reformatory
I
Turned over to Superior court.
I
Total
1097
MISCELLANEOUS
Amount of property reported lost. $94,353
Amount of property recovered.
$2,645
Amount of imprisonment imposed (days).
4,273
Accidents reported. 32
200
Ambulance calls
14
Buildings found open and secured.
204
Complaints investigated
24 24
Defective places in streets reported.
63
Dogs killed.
41
Disturbances suppressed without arrest.
90
grounds, circus.
I20
Escorts furnished processions .
5
Fire alarms given.
5
Fires extinguished without alarm.
IO
Horses found cast; owner notified.
12
Injured persons assisted.
48
Intoxicated persons helped home.
54
Lights furnished for dangerous places
51
Lost children restored to parents.
25
Liquor seizures ..
I
Lights found burning in buildings
39
Lights reported out in stores. .
2I
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners
1097
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk.
40
Nuisances investigated . .
2
Officers for extra duty at church.
9
Gas escaping in building
. .
I
Runaway teams stopped
3
Search warrant for liquor served.
1
Street obstructions removed.
39
Stray teams put up.
14
Search warrants for property
9
Street lights reported out.
293
Sudden or mysterious death notified medical examiner
9
Streets barred on account of sickness 2
. .
Officers for extra duty at city hall. ...
66
Dangerous wires and poles reported
Extra duty, ward room, ball grounds, yacht race, fair
35
Assisted other officers
I39
CITY MARSHAL
Water found running in buildings.
6
Water main burst, superintendent notified II Private duty . IO
Steam escaping in building
2
Detailed at hospital
2
Horses killed .
3
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. LATTIME,
City Marshal.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CITY SOLICITOR
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport :
GENTLEMEN - In compliance with the ordinance I have the honor to submit a report of the business of this office: during the past year.
At the beginning of my term of office there were pend- ing the following actions in which the city was a party :
I. The case of Dame vs. the City of Newburyport. This case has been referred to an auditor, and one hearing was held in 1903. Since then there has been no movement by the plaintiff.
2. Little vs. City of Newburyport, an appeal from the assessors' valuation of plaintiff's real estate. No action on the part of the plaintiff has been taken in this case.
3. James Leonard et als. vs. City of Newburyport, an appeal from the decree of the board of aldermen adjudging a building on Prospect street to be a nuisance. No pro- gress has been made in this case, as the petitioners were not ready for trial and the court ordered joinder of plain- tiffs.
4. Henry B. Little et als., trustee of the E. P. Dodge Company, vs. City of Newburyport. This is an appeal to the superior court, of this county, for an abatement of as- sessed taxes. No action having been taken in this case for two years it should be dismissed at the next term of the superior court without a jury, in this county.
5. Varina et als. vs. City of Newburyport. This is an action brought in the land court, so called, to recover damages alleged to have been received by the taking of land in connection with the rebuilding of the Newburyport bridge. No hearing has been had thus far in this case.
6. Arthur B. Chapin, attorney general of Massachusetts, vs. the City of Newburyport. This was an action brought
I4I
CITY SOLICITOR
this year to recover for the care and board of Elizabeth Hale Knight, who, previous to 1904, was an inmate of the Westboro hospital for the insane, and the charge for her care and keeping was made against the city. Since 1904 all such bills are paid by the state. Frequent demands were made by the poor department on the mother of the insane person but nothing was accomplished so that suit was brought. I had several interviews with the attorney gen- eral and we finally agreed upon a settlement of the case and judgment satisfied for the sum of $331.77, which sum has been paid and the action dismissed.
7. In the early part of the current year the mayor's at- tention was directed to the fact that there were irregulari- ties prevailing in the financial department of the city, no- tably, the office of the treasurer. By prompt and quiet, though very energetic action, he discovered that there was a defalcation in the office of the treasurer, which was then held by James V. Felker, to an extent which afterwards proved to be between $80,000 and $90,000. Mr. Felker was immediately arrested and sent to jail. On May II, 1906, his honor the mayor sent a communication to the city council requesting that a joint committee be appointed to be made up from both branches of the city council with authority to employ an expert accountant and a careful and full investigation of the accounts of the city be made. This was done, and the committee engaged the services of Mr. Nickerson of Boston, an expert accountant, together with an assistant. They also employed Robert G. Dodge, Esq., of Boston as legal adviser. At the commencement of the investigation the services of this office were con- stantly in demand, but since the report of the expert ac- countant no call has been made upon this office and no in- formation has been sent to it in regard to the present status of the case, so I can make no report of it. It is commonly reported that Mr. Dodge has brought several suits in the name of the city against parties who had received checks signed by Mr. Felker as treasurer in payment of his pri- vate debts, but of this I know nothing as I have never seen the declarations. Doubtless when Mr. Dodge ren- ders his final account the city will have all the information that is to be obtained in the case.
8. During the month of May, 1906, a joint committee
142
ANNUAL REPORTS
from both bodies of the city council was appointed to in- vestifiate the affairs of the poor department of the city. I was called in to the case at the first hearing and was pre- pared to continue the investigation of the subject matter until the end, but at the second hearing I found that addi- tional council had been retained without authority by the board and without consultation with me in any way. At this meeting, finding that the council was not authorized to act, a vote was taken and his employment was con- firmed. Feeling that the case was not one that required more than one attorney to conduct it, I withdrew from the case. After several hearings which accomplished more or less, the committee made a report which in some re- spects was to say the least intemperate in its finding. There was also a minority report filed by the committee. This report of the committee was vetoed by the mayor and a recommendation that as there were no further duties for the committee to perform that they be discharged. The mayor's veto was sustained and the duties of the commit- tee appear to have ended at this point.
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