USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1909 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
66
66
military aid 290 50
66
66
soldiers' burial 444 00
11,492 00
Municipal Building Fire Insurance Fund
10,190 26
Sinking Funds.
236,060 01
Total assets
$372,845 73
Total net debt December 18, 1909
$589,904 27
Total net debt December 19, 1908
586,259 64
Increase in debt
$3,644 63
ANNUAL NET DEBT STATEMENT
The following table shows the net debt at the close of each fiscal year beginning with the year 1899 :
Year
Net Debt
Increase
Decrease
1899
$289,566 47
.... ...
$88,720 01
1900.
286,876 59
2,689 88
1901
317,272 13
$30,395 54
1902.
321,725 39
4,453 26
1903
369,687 30
47,961 91
1904
646,819 16
277,131 86*
...
BORROWING CAPACITY
Valuation 1907-08-09
Year
Total Valuation
Abatements
Net Valuation
1907
$11,315,166 00
$211,000 00
$11,104,166 00
1908
11,995,851 00
281,475 00
11,714,376 00
1909
13,216,621 00
118,000 00
13,098,621 00
$36,527,638 00
$610,475 00
$35,917,163 00
Average net valuation, 1907-08-09, $35,917,163.00, divided by three.
11,972,387 00
...
1905
671,536 83
24,717 67
1906.
630,305 15
...
...
...
1908
586,259 64
9,861 09
1909
589,904 27
3,644 63
41,231 68
1907
596,120 73
34,184 42
*Water plant acquired.
72
ANNUAL REPORTS Annual Net Debt Statement-continued LIMIT OF MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS
Two and one-half per cent of $11,972,387.
$299,309 67 Entire City Debt. $962,750 00
Exempted debt to be deducted
651,500 00
Debt not exempted. $311,250 00
Total Sinking Funds. $236,060 01
Less for exempted loans. 102,290 89
Sinking Fund for Unexempted Debt ... 133,769 12
Net debt not exempted. 177,480 88
Borrowing capacity December 18, 1909.
$121,828 79
73
CITY AUDITOR
TRUST FUNDS
In hands of Sinking Fund Commissioners as Trustees
Total amount of funds December 19, 1908.
.... $127,574 50
RECEIPTS
A. E. Cutter fund, interest on bank deposit. 35 46*
S. W. Marston fund, 66
66
37 08*
E. A. Moseley fund, 66 66
66
32 92*
Income from funds. 5,441 52
Old account at Institution for Savings, credited Moseley fund 19 31*
Received from City, for Municipal Building Fire Insurance fund. 10,190 26
Premium received on purchase of American Tel. & Tel. Co. +'s. 343 75
16,100 30
PAYMENTS
City of Newburyport, for purposes donated.
5,441 52
Total funds December 18, 1909
$138,233 28
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
And Purposes for which Income is Used
NAME OF FUND INVESTMENT Date Due Amt.
Income Purposes
J. M. Bradbury ... Inst. for Savings, city ...... Demand
$1,000 00
$40 00 General use of library
John Bromfield .. Mass. Hosp. Life Ins. Co ... 66 10,000 00 425 00 Sidewalks and trees Moses Brown. Five-Cts. Sav. Bank, city .. 5,000 00 66 Schools 66
Prov. Inst. for Sav., Ames. 66 5,000 00
Inst. for Savings, city. 66 5,000 00
761 67
105 00 General use of library
35 46* 66
Poor
Inst. for Savings, city ...... Demand
137 50
80 45
66
W. H. P. Dodge ... Boston 3} p. c. bonds .. ..... July 1,1919
2,000 00
70 00
Books, papers, library
Inst. for Savings, city ...... Demand
645 00
25 80
66
L. M. Follansbee,Amer. Tel. & Tel. 4 p.c ..... July 1,1929 Inst. for Savings, city .. .Demand 206 25
3,000 00
Poor 66
J.A.Frothingham, Haverhill Savings bk ... 66
1,000 00
51 55 Books for library
S. A. Green .... .Salem Five-Cts. S. bk. 66
2,000 00
83 10
66
66
66
Geo. Haskell ...... Boston 3} p. c. bonds. .. July 1,1919 1,000 00
35 00
66
papers, library
Inst. for Savings, city ..... Demand
72 50
2 88
66
66
S. W. Marston .... N'port 3} p.c. sewer bds .. Sept.1,1931
4,000 00
140 00
General use of library
Five-Cts. Sav. bk., city .... Demand
955 51
37 08*
6.
66
66
66
32 92 ** 66
60
6
W. O. Moseley ..... City of N'port 4 p.c. note
10,000 00
400 00
66
60
66
5,000 00
253 89 Books for library
M. H. Simpson ... City of N'port 4} note ....
66
20,000 00
900 00
Watering streets
J. R. Spring ... . Five-Cts. Sav. Bank, city
66
10,000 00
400 00
Books for library 66
E. H. Stickney ... Chicago Junc. RR. 5 p.c .. July 1,1915 5,000 00
250 00 General use of library
W. C. Todd .. .City of N'port note 4 p.c .. Demand
9,750 00 250 00
10 00
66
66
W. C. Todd.
66
66
5,000 00
200 00
66
66
R. N. Toppan 66 66
66
250 00
10 00
School prizes
A. Williams .. Five-Cts. Sav. Bk.,Salem
66
1,000 00
41 55
Books for library
Municipal B'Id'g
Fire Ins. fund .. First Nat'l Bank, city .....
.6
10,190 26
Replace loss by fire
$138,233 28
8,5441 52
*Credited to principal to bring it up to original donation.
+Credited with $19.31 found deposited at Institution for Savings, purpose not known.
66
Timothy Dexter Amer. Tel. & Tel. 4 p.c ...... July 1,1929
2,000 00
120 17
E. S. Moseley. .N'port 3} p.c. sewer bds .. Sept.1,1931 4,000 00 Five-Cts. Sav.Bank, city Demand 862 49
140 00
Inst. for Savings, city ..... 66 10,000 00
400 00
66 66
Inst. for Savings, city ..... 66
390 00
Reading room
M. P. Sawyer ...... Salem Savings Bank
A. E. Cutter .. ..... .N'port 3ª p.c. sewer bds. Sept. 1, 1931 3,000 00 Five-Cts. Sav. Bank, city Demand 913 77
$143, 674 80
74
ANNUAL REPORTS Trust Funds-continued RECAPITULATION
Fun Is
Income
Funds for the purchase of books, etc. for the library.
$32,717 50
$1,363 77
general use of the library
20,731 77
1,180 46
..
reading room.
15'000 00
600 00
benefit of schools.
15,000 00
761 67
66
watering streets
20,000 00
900 00
66
sidewalks and trees
10,000 00
425 00
66
benefit of poor.
5,343 75
200 62
school prize ..
250 00
10 00
66
*Municipal insurance
10,190 26
$138,233 28
$5,441 52
*Received Dec. 18, 1909, being unexpended balance of the city for the year.
TRUST FUNDS UNDER CONTROL OF SPECIAL TRUSTEES
NAME
INVESTMENT
Amount
Purpose
Margaret Atwood.
Institution for Savings, city
$5,500 00
Schools and Poor
Margaret Atwood.
Five-Cents Savings Bank, city
5,000 00
75
CITY AUDITOR
TRIAL BALANCE
December 18, 1909
DR.
CR.
Military Aid.
$ 290 50
Sinking Funds
$236,060 01
Soldiers' Burial.
444 00
Notes Payable
70,750 00
Sinking Fund Commissioners
236,060 01
Sewer Conseruction
1,385 52
First National Bank, Boston
2,749 75
Abatement of Tax 1909
5,017 94
First National Bank, City.
4,568 60
City Bonds, Bridge
42,000 00
Betterments
1,228 19
Refunding. 115,000 00
Tax of 1904.
50
Refunding J. V. F 62,000 00
Tax of 1905
2,191 92
Sewer
153,500 00
Tax of 1907
4,460 67
School House.
27,500 00
Watering Streets 1907
1 92
High School
85,000 00
Preservation of Trees 1907 Com ..
5 55
Water
355,000 00
City of Newburyport.
886,041 85
Retiring Overdraft. 16,000 00
Preservation of Trees 1908 Com
199 33
Watering Streets 1908 Com.
584 76
State Aid
10,757 50
Tax of 1908.
36,493 87
Tax of 1909.
56,650 88
Transfer Trust Funds
40,000 00
Tax of 1906.
2,899 21
Watering Streets Com.
1,276 98
Preservation of Trees 1909 Com. 710 69
Cash.
359 17
J. V. Felker Surety Account 2,000 00
Embezzlement Account. 721 47
City Bonds Retiring Trust Notes 36,000 00
Claims Allowed. 40 91
$1,247,975 85
$1,247,975 85
75
ANNUAL REPORTS
SCHEDULE OF CITY PROPERTY
REAL AND PERSONAL
December 18, 1909. 1
City Hall building and land, Pleasant street, brick. $50,000.00 Police station, court house, engine house and. land, Market square, brick 20,000.00
City farm buildings and 30 acres of land, North Atkinson street, brick 40,000.00
Ward room, Congress street, wood.
400.00
Library building and land, State street, brick.
25,000.00
Ward room and land, Ashland street, wood.
400.00
Right of Ferry way.
100.00
Old Hill burial ground.
1,000.00
Highland cemetery
1,000.00
Pest house, wood. 100.00
Ward room, Purchase street, wood.
200.00
Total
$138,200.00
SCHOOLHOUSES
High schoolhouse and land, High street, brick .. $85,000.00
Johnson schoolhouse and land, Hancock street, brick 5,000.00
Promfe'd street schoolhouse and land, brick. 7,000.00
Jackman schoolhouse and land, School street, brick 28,500.00 Temple street schoolhouse and land, brick. .. 3,500.00
Kelley schoolhouse and land, High street, brick.
35,000.00
Davenport schoolhouse and land, Congress street, brick.
6,000.00
Storey avenue schoolhouse and land, brick.
3,000.00
Forrester street schoolhouse and land, brick.
8,000.00
Purchase street schoolhouse and land, wood.
3,000.00
Curtis schoolhouse and land, Ashland street, wocd. 10,000.00
Moultonville schoolhouse and land, wood. 1,500.00
Monrce street schoolhouse and land, wood. 800.00
Total $196,300.00
ENGINE HOUSES
Engine house and land, Federal street, brick. $5,000.00
Engine house and land, Purchase street, brick. 2,500.00
Engine house and land, Congress street, brick. 5,000.00
Engine house and land, Merrimac street, brick.
1,000.00
Total $13,500.00
77
CITY AUDITOR Schedule of Public Property -- continued
LANDS
Washington park; High, Pond and Greenleaf streets. $12,000.00
Cushing park; Washington, Kent, Congress and Buck streets. . 9,000.00
Atkinson common; High street. .
3,500.00
Land; High street and Storey avenue.
50.00
Triangular lot; Three Roads.
200.00
Coffin lot; Hill street. .
1,200.00
Powder House lot; Low street.
1,200.00
Pasture; Crow lane.
700.00
Gravel pit; Coffin's court.
300.00
Gravel pit; Greenleaf street.
1,500.00
Gravel pit; North Atkinson street.
800.00
Kent street landing.
1,500.00
Green street landing.
2,000.00
Winter street landing ..
400.00
Jefferson street landing.
300.00
Bromfield street landing.
300.00
Goodwin landing
150.00
Gas house landing.
50.00
Pettingell landing
50.00
Marlboro street landing.
100.00
Janvrin landing
1,059.00
Coombs' landing
100.00
Total.
$36,459.00
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Furniture in City Hall building, engine houses, police station and court room ..
$6,000.00
Movable property in schoolhouses, consisting of desks and chairs for pupils, books and miscellaneous supplies, viz:
Johnson school
$450.00
Bromfield street school.
546.00
Purchase street school.
60.00
Jackman school
632.00
Temple street school.
138.00
Kelley school
1,192.00
Congress street school.
311.00
Congress street ward room.
66.00
Forrester strest school ..
610.00
Ashland street school in temporary quarters.
142.00
Ashland street ward room.
38.00
Mcultonville school
149.00
Plains school
100.00
High school
1,550.00
Committee room, City Hall.
500.00
6,484.00
Three second-class Amoskeag steamers, one Nott steamer, five hose wagons, one supply wagon, two hose reels, two hook and ladder trucks, 9,000 feet leading hose, 60 feet suction rose (21/2-inch), three siamese couplings, seven hand ex- tinguishers, four double harnesses, six single harnesses, and small supplies. In care of the chief engineer of the fire de- partment
25,000.00
78
ANNUAL REPORTS
Schedule of Public Property-continued
One road machine, nine horses, three double carts, three single carts, three double sleighs, three single sleighs, one stone jigger, three double harnesses, three single harnesses, three single sleigh harnesses, 9 horse blankets, nine canvas cov- erings, one hokey-pokey cart, two road plows, four gravel screens, four snow plows, one single horse shovel, one iron paving widder block, six wooden paving widders, two spirit levels, four wooden signs for road roller, eight iron signs for road roller, two tool boxes, four wooden horses, 18 pickaxes, six hoes, 12 scoop shovels, six grubs, two paving hammers, 12 water pails, one water can, two kerosene oil cans, four wheelbarrows, 13 steel bars, four tamping bars, 12 chains, one brush cutter, two pendants for snow plows, two rakes, 12 lanterns, four stone chisels, six brush brooms, four stone hammers, two mauls, two sledges, stable implements. In care of the surveyor of highways.
Furniture in almshouse; other property in or about city farm buildings, viz: five cows, 13 swine, three horses, one mow- ing machine, one horse rake, one hay tedder, two sets hay forks and blocks, two express wagons, two dump carts, one hay wagon, one light wagon, two sets double harnesses, three sets single harnesses, two plows, two cultivators, one four_ton 8x14 wagon scale, and other tools and appur- tenances usually found on a farm. In care of the super- intendent of the city farm.
3,027.00
Standard weights and measures.
300.00
Fire alarm 5,000.00
Total .
$50,098.95
RECAPITULATION
Real estate
$138,200.00
Schoolhouses
196,300.00
Engine houses
13,500.00
Lands
36,459.00
Personal property
50,098.65
Total.
$434,557.65
4,287.65
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
So
ANNUAL REPORTS ANNUAL STATEMENT OF
DR
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT in account current
Uncollected taxes of 1904.
-$ 2,006 70
66
66
1905.
2,416 25
66
60
1906
4,042 51
66
66
1907 ..
26,476 79
66
66
1908
79,834 62
Uncollected betterments.
preservation of trees, 1907
$110 95
66
66 66
1908
311 13
422 08
Uncollected watering streets, 1906
$ 19 76
66
66
66
1907
470 31
66
66
1908
1,267 05
66
66
66
1908, re-assessment
1 44
1,758 56
Tax of 1909 commitment, city appropriation
$207,825 00
Less estimated income
17,000 00
$190,825 00
State tax
15,477 70
County tax.
17,409 50
Overlay
5,844 70
Supplementary commitment, tax 1907
$ 261 25
66
66
66
1908
478 88
66
66
66 1909
1,684 70
2,424 83
Non-resident bank tax
$3,539 40
Watering streets commitment, 1909
5,099 72
Betterments
93 68
Preservation of trees commitment, 1909
1,774 25
10,507 05
1
$361,038 80
$114,776 87 1,592 51
229,556 90
COLLECTOR OF TAXES
81
THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
with H. F. WHITON, Collector of Taxes
CR.
Tax of 1904 collected.
40 90
1905 66
106 06
60
1906
760 75
60
1907
32,171 97
60
1908
66
42,264 75
66
1909 66
172,079 26
$237,423 69
Betterments collected.
$ 458 00
Non-resident bank tax collected.
3,539 40
3,997 40
Watering streets collected, 1906
$ 11 56
66
66
66
1907.
419 97
66
66
1908
681 45
66
1909
3,818 14
4,931 12
Preservation of trees collected, 1907
$ 105 40
66
60
1908
111 80
66
66
66
1909
1,061 76
Abatement of tax 1904 ..
$1,965 30
1905
118 27
66
4
1906
382 55
66
1907
670 15
66
66
1908.
1,554 88
66
66
1909
2,511 46
7,202 61
-
Abatement of watering streets, 1906
66
66
66
1907
48 42
66
66
1908
2 28
4 60
63 50
Abatement of preservation of trees, 1909
Uncollected tax of 1904.
66
66
1905.
2,191 92
66
60
1906.
2,899 21
66
.
1907
3,895 92
66
1908
36,493 87
66
66
1909
56,650 88
Uncollected watering streets, 1907.
$ 1 92
66
66
1908
584 76
66
66
66 1909
1,276 98
1,863 66
Uncollected preservation of trees, 1907.
$ 5 55
66
66
1908.
199 33
66
..
1909.
710 69
915 57
Uncollected betterments.
1,228 19
$361,038 80
66 1909
1 80
$ 50
$ 8 20
1,276 96
102,132 30
1
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
AND
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICERS
-
一
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the City Council of Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- The Board of Assessors herewith presents its annual re- port for the year 1909:
The total assessed values of property in 1909 $12,269,721
On real estate. $7,690,600
On personal estate. 4,326,450
On resident bank shares. 252,671
$12,269,721
Increase of valuation over 1908, $816,020.
Number of polls 1909, 4,351 at $2, $8,702; an increase of 56 over 1908.
The rate of taxation for 1909 is $18, a decrease of $3.20 on the $1,000 from 1908.
The total amount of tax levied was, as follows:
On real estate, $7,690,600 at $18 per $1000. $138,430.80
On personal estate, $4,326,450 at $18 per $1000. 77,876.10
On resident bank shares, $252,671 at $18 per $1000. 4,548.00
On polls, 4351 at $2. 8,702.00
$229,556.90
This was apportioned, as follows:
For state purposes. 6 4-11 as per warrant per $1000
For county purposes. 7 6-11 as per warrant per $1000
For city purposes. 86 1-11 as per warrant per $1000
The sums required by the warrant from the state, county and city are, as follows:
State
$15,390.00 17,409.50
County
City
190,825.00 87.70
Highway
$223,711.20 5,844.70
The amount of overlay .
Total
$229,556.90
The amount of additional assessment: Real, $92,350; personal, $797,- 880; polls, 66.
Abatements granted on real, personal and polls for 1909 were, includ. ing 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908 and 1909, $7,370.41.
86
ANNUAL REPORTS
Properties exempt by law, under Chapter 12, Revised Laws:
Religious societies, real estate.
$252,700.00
Literary institutions, real estate. 118,600.00
Literary institutions, invested funds. 106,719.52
Benevolent institutions, real estate. 125,800.00
Benevolent institutions, invested funds. 214,657.17
Charitable institutions, real estate. 43,500.00
Charitable institutions, invested funds.
284,696.56
Total
$1,146,673.25
Number of residents assessed on property, individual. 2,245
* All others
127
Number of non-residents assessed on property, individuals. 244
*All others
84
Number of dwellings assessed.
3,218
Number of acres of land assessed .
4,576
Total number assessed on property
2,700
Total number assessed for polls only
3,264
Total number of taxpayers. .
5,964
Value of buildings assessed, excluding lands.
$5,284,595
Value of land, excluding buildings
$2,406,005
Number of horses assessed . 550
Number of cows assessed.
294
. .
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE P. SARGENT, EBEN C. KNIGHT, CHAS. L. PERKINS,
Assessors.
*"All others" means firms, corporations, associations, trustees, etc.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To His Honor the Mayor and City Council:
Gentlemen :- The Board of Health hereby submits its annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1909, with the reports of other departments under its charge:
There has been less number of contagious diseases than last year, the number being 100 against 231 cases last year.
By an act of the legislature of 1909 the collection and inspection of milk devolves upon this board, which will call for quite an additional ex- pense in the department. Also, by a new law all cases of typhoid fever and tuberculosis have to be taken care of by this department.
We desire to call your attention to the urgent need of a contagious hospital, and respectfully request that in making the appropriations for the year 1910 this matter be given careful consideration, for such a building is required by state law.
The city has been notified to provide such a place, and as the condi- tions are now, if an epidemic of any contagious disease should occur it would be necessary for the board to seize a place to be used as a hospital, and such a course would be more expensive in paying claims for damages, which would no doubt occur, than to purchase and have in readiness the building in question.
We have had several bills from other cities for the care of patients having a residence in this city.
Following is a detailed report of the agent of the board:
COMPLAINTS ATTENDED TO AND CALLS MADE
Cesspools
15
Vaults
60
Dirty yards
25
Dirty cellars
20
Pigs removed
10
Unsanitary ash barrels. 8
Decayed fruit
16
Hens in cellars
6
Animals buried
75
Calls made
700
Notices sent
20
88
ANNUAL REPORTS CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Diphtheria 20
Scarlet fever
5
Tuberculosis, all forms. 41
Typhoid fever
26
Whooping cough
2
Measles
1
Chicken pox
1
Ophthalmia, neonatorum
4
Total
100
Respectfully submitted, ORRIN J. GURNEY, DR. JAMES O. LACAILLADE, T. RAYMOND HEALY.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
I herewith enclose the report of the inspector of meats and provisions, from April 1, 1909, to January 1, 1910:
Animals slaughtered-Neat cattle 580
66 -Calves 1040
-Pigs 210
60 66 -Lambs 84
Total
1914
Carcasses condemned
103
Horses killed
62
The provision stores and carts have been inspected at various intervals, and I find them clean and goods to be up to the best standard.
Respectfully submitted,
T. D. DONAHUE, Inspector.
BACTERIOLOGIST'S REPORT
To the Newburyport Board of Health, City Hall, Newburyport:
Gentlemen-I submit, herewith, my report of the bacteriological work I have done for your board from January 1 to December 31, 1909, inclusive.
89
BOARD OF HEALTH
During that year the physicians of this city sent in for examination a total of 279 throat cultures, of which number 254 were "negative" and 25 were "positive" with regard to diphtheria bacilli. These cultures were distribu- ted through the year by months, as follows:
Negative.
Positive.
January
42
3
February
15
0
March
12
0
April
20
2
May
9
0
June
6
0
July
3
0
August
6
0
September
10
3
October
10
2
November
27
8
December
94
7
254
25
Yours very truly,
R. D. HAMILTON, M. D.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN'S REPORT
To Members of Board of Health, City of Newburyport:
Gentlemen-During the past year the pupils of our schools have been very fortunate in escaping contagious diseases.
At the Currier School two suspicious cases of skin disease were diag- nosed as eczema. Seven throats were examined, with negative findings.
At the Jackman School, as several cases of diphtheria had developed in four of the pupils' homes, a careful examination of ten throats was consid- ered necessary. Findings were all negative.
At the Kelley School one case of eczema rubrum. Parents were advised to consult family physician.
At the Bromfield Street School four cases of eczema were examined dur- ing the year.
At the Curtis School one case of myopia was seen. Parents were ad- vised to consult oculist.
At the Davenport School, three cases of parotiditis, four cases of eczema and four cases of suspicious skin eruption.
Johnson School, one case of ozena, one case of fetid discharge from right ear. Parents in both of the above cases were advised to consult with family physician. Eighteen throats were examined for the Klebo-Lceffleur bacillus. Findings negative.
Temple Street School, no cases.
90
ANNUAL REPORTS
Training School, eight examinations for Klebo-Loeffleur bacillus; one imbecile was examined and ten inspections were made.
Moultonville School, nine cases. Six measles, solution ordered for all. Two cases of eczema and one parotiditis. Seven cultures were taken for Klebo-Loeffleur bacillus. Chemical diagnosis, negative.
Storey Avenue School, no cases.
Ward Room School, four examinations of throats were made during year but findings were negative.
J. W. SHAW, School Physician.
PLUMBING INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Board of Health:
Gentlemen-For the year ending Nov. 30, 1909, your inspector and deputy have made one hundred and twenty-three inspections.
The total number of new fixtures installed has been two hundred and eighty-nine, divided as follows:
Sinks
78
Lavatories
57
Water closets
103
Baths
34
Trays
14
Urinals
3
Total
289
Yours truly,
CHARLES H. SARGENT, Inspector of Plumbing.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Newburyport, Mass., Dec. 31, 1909.
To His Honor the Mayor and Gentlemen of the City Council:
Gentlemen-In compliance with the requirements of the city ordinance governing the fire department of the city, I herewith submit to you the an- nual report of the condition and the work performed by this department for the year ending December 31st, 1909, together with a list of the members, with their rank, age, residence and occupation; a statement of receipts and expenses, fires and alarms, losses and insurance as near as could be ascer- tained, with such recommendations as I think necessary for the good of the department.
During the year the department has responded to 110 alarms, 37 of which were bell alarms and 79 still alarms and 4 thermostat.
The total loss by fire during the year was $32,553.18 and the amount of insurance carried was $118,772.52. This includes as near as could be ascertained on both bell and still alarms.
FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The force of the department consists of a chief, three assistant chiefs, 79 call men, and two permanent men at the Central Fire Station.
APPARATUS
The apparatus consists of two second class Amoskeag fire engines, one second class Amoskeag fire engine (in reserve), one second class Nott fire engine, five hose wagons and two ladder trucks (one in reserve all ready for service), three pungs and one set of runners for ladder truck for winter ser- vice, one supply wagon, one exercise wagon which is loaded at all times and ready to respond to an alarm when needed; also one hose reel, located at Warner's Corner near Chain bridge, for protection at that part of the city, under the care and generalship of Captain John H. Page, who lives oppo- site where reel is housed.
The apparatus is in good condition with the exception of Ladder 1 and' the supply wagon. Ladder 1 the board of engineers have thoroughly exam- ined and also have had mechanics examine this apparatus, who have stated, in their judgment, it should receive attention at once. We have received propositions this year on rebuilding which would mean quite a different piece of apparatus from what we have now; also, a price on a new truck at
92
ANNUAL REPORTS
a cost of $2500. I would recommend the rebuilding of Ladder 1 at a cost of $1200.
Supply wagon should be thoroughly overhauled and painted to keep it in proper condition for the work it is required to do.
This department is in great need of a combination hose and chemical wagon, and I would recommend a committee be appointed to carefully con- sider this proposition, with a further recommendation that it be of the motor driven type, for the following reasons: From reports of the various cities and towns who have had experience with this motor_driven apparatus, they have nothing but praise to say for it, both from a business as well as an economical standpoint. We all must admit it costs to feed and keep a horse whether the fires come seldom or often. On horse-driven apparatus a driver must look after his horse; nothing else can be expected. With motor- driven apparatus the driver arrives at the fire, stops his machine and does the work of another fireman, which on the first stages of any fire is what is wanted and needed. The cost of the motor type of fire apparatus may at first seem large, but to figure the running expense for five years (barring accidents) and also figure the horse-drawn apparatus for the same length of time and compare; that you will be surprised, there is no doubt. In Springfield they have what I am recommending and have the figures, as follows: 156 alarms, covering 153 miles at a cost of $10.76; more alarms we ever had in one year to answer. Another reason in favor of the motor tor type. Suppose you favor a horse-drawn combination chemical, what are you up against? Nothing, but a large expense; first, your apparatus, which costs from $1800 up; two horses to purchase and maintain; and, for the first year this would mean an expense of $1300 besides alterations in stable to provide for another horse. In conclusion on this subject, I would state that I believe the proper time has arrived to thoroughly consider this proposition, as you are well aware the horse now in use on Hose 1 is only temporary.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.