USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1911 > Part 8
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142
ANNUAL REPORTS
A petition for abatement of taxes by George E. Poor and Frances A. Poor on property at the corner of Pleasant and State streets, was tried by mne, before Judge George H. W. Hayes, of Ipswich, as commissioner; Judge Hayes has not reported on the case yet.
I have prosecuted several cases in the police court on request of the city marshal.
My expenditures for travel have been $87.50. These represent 25 trips to Boston and 16 to Salem, of these, 12 trips to Boston were in January, February and March, on the Blake Bros., case, which was being perfected for trial by agreed statement of facts needing consultation with the plaintiff's attorneys, Story, Thorndike, Palmer & Dodge, its trial in the superior court, and prepara- tion and argument in the supreme court.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR WITHINGTON, City Solicitor.
1
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Mayor Burke and City Council:
Gentlemen :- I beg to submit the annual report of the inspector of animals, as follows:
Stables inspected (1911) 82. Cattle contained therein as follows:
Cows in milk 302
86
Cows dry
Young cattle 147
12
Total number of cattle inspected
547
Swine
237
Stables inspected (1912) to March 1, 53. Cattle contained therein: 166
Cows in milk
38
Cows dry
Young cattle
84
6
Total number cattle inspected 294
State cattle condemned on physical examination 11
State cattle destroyed and found tuberculosis 11
Interstate cattle tuberculin tested 41
Interstate cattle reacting, destroyed and found tuberculosis 5
Cattle tested in New Hampshire and brought to Newburyport for domestic
purposes 14
Interstate cattle shipped to Newburyport for immediate slaughter:
Cows 200
Calves 190
City cattle tagged for New Hampshire pastures 25
Outside cattle tagged for New Hampshire pastures 44
Total number cattle tagged (1911) 69
Rabies (dogs) :
Furious
1
Dumb
2
Total number
3
Bulls
Bulls
144
ANNUAL REPORTS
Animals were destroyed and in two cases heads were sent to cattle bureau and diagnosis confirmed by microscopie examination.
Note :- Animal inspection will not be completed until March 15th. Respectfully submitted,
F. C. BLAKELY, V. M. D.
Inspector of Animals
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE POOR DEPARTMENT
To the City Council of the City of Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- The overseers of the poor, to whom is committed a general oversight and care of the poor in all of its departments, would respectfully present their 33rd annual report.
GENERAL STATEMENT
For support of the poor residing at the City farm $ 2,808.83
For salaries
3,100.00
For board at state infirmary 78.34
For relief of poor residing in the city
5,418.85
For relief of poor residing in other towns
1,188.11
For fuel
1,211.90
For hospital
663.43
For commonwealth
112.00
For state industrial school
133.14
For medicine
300.00
$15,014.61
Appropriation
$12,000.00
Income received
2,458.31
Overdrawn
556.30
$15,014.61
DETAILED EXPENSES
Flour
$ 215.00
Tea
170.25
Sugar
739.45
Beans
220.97
Soap
113.50
Crackers
226.42
Fish
164.85
Wood
138.50
Coal
1,102.35
Shoes
178.91
Clothing
183.80
Rent
826.10
Salaries
3,100.00
Hospital
999.28
Paid other towns
1,181.46
Supplies to City farm
1,694.20
Office expenses
76.35
Travelling expenses
7.80
Overseers' expenses
5.00
Amount carried forward
$11,344.19
146
ANNUAL REPORTS
Amount brought forward
$11,344.19
Grocers' supplies
988.52
Insane
83.83
Grain
867.71
Cash
831.75
Telephone
90.25
Burials
55.15
Medicine
336.75
Carriage hire
1.00
Miscellaneous
71.36
Pork
148.72
Rice
20.53
Milk
60.31
Dry goods
95.56
Kerosene oil
18.98
$15,014.61
RECEIPTS-AID RETURNED
From Ipswich
$ 132.00
From Salisbury
162.20
From Amesbury
337.00
From Watertown
147.50
From Newbury
33.50
From Salem
213.80
From Haverhill
184.07
From Clinton
8.96
From New Bedford
10.00
From Methuen
22.93
From Lowell
61.09
From Lynn
22.50
From Chelsea
232.07
From Worcester
10.12
From North Easton
61.00
From state
586.90
From returned aid
113.24
From sale of farm products
113.13
From sale of empty barrels
6.30
$ 2,458.31
CITY FARM
The City farm during the past year has been under the care of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Twombley.
An average of 30 persons have resided in the home, at a cost of $3.57 per week.
PRODUCTS OF CITY FARM
The products of the City farm during the year were: 20 tons hay, 350 bushels corn (on cob), 10 bushels onions, 250 bushels potatoes, 5 bushels carrots, 12 barrels apples, 300 squash, 600 cabbage, with green corn, string beans, peas and tomatoes, in fact enough garden stuff for the need of the home, except onions, which were a failure.
Nine hundred and fifty pounds of butter have been made, 3000 pounds of hogs dressed and 300 pounds lard made.
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14'7
POOR DEPARTMENT
OUTSIDE RELIEF
Outside relief which last year was granted to 240 persons, this year has been granted to 270 persons, and are classed as follows :: 199 having settlement in Newburyport, 55 having settlement in other places, 16 having no settlement in the state, making a total of 270 persons who have been assisted during the year.
ATWOOD AND DEXTER FUNDS
The income of the Atwood and Dexter funds has been placed in the hands of the Overseers of the Poor, to assist worthy persons who might be temporarily in need.
Wards 1 and 2.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1911
$ 344.44
Assisted four persons $ 12.00
Unaccounted for by death of John W. Sargent, overseer
26.67
Balance on hand Sept. 14, 1911
305.77 $ 344.44
Wards 3 and 4.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1911
$ 125.59
Received income from Dexter fund
23.00
Received income from Atwood fund
86.04
Received estate of John W. Sargent
345.77
$ 540.76
Assisted 55 families from $1 to $10 each
328.59
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1912
$ 212.17
Wards 5 and 6.
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1911
$ 170.57
Received from Dexter fund
22.54
Received income from Atwood fund
86.40
Assisted 52 families from $1 to $5 each
159.16
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1912
$ 279.51
$ 120.35
EDMUND M. DOW, HERBERT PATTEN,
Overseers of the Poor.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
l'o His Honor, the Mayor, and Honorable Board of Aldermen:
I herewith present you with the annual report of the department of weights and measures of the City of Newburyport, for the fiscal year ending December 17, 1911.
I wish to thank the city officials, the manufacturers and merchants for the courteous manner in which I have been received in the discharge of duties.
The working equipment of the office is in good shape. I would suggest however, that a scale be purchased for the office, for weighing purchases made by sealer.
A number of weights, scales and measures have been seized that could not be fixed and in every case new ones were purchased at once; in fact, I can say that every merchant is ready to buy new equipment when I inform them that what they have cannot be sealed.
The coal dealers have called upon me quite often to seal their scales and make special test so as to keep their scales in good order.
Number of weights, measures and scales seized as follows: Measures 32, weights 57, scales 21, bottles 21.
Milk carts inspected 24. Junk men and peddlers 38.
Stores inspected at different times for special tests 203.
INCOME
Appropriation
$ 775.00
Transferred to the department 25.00
Credit sale of basket 2.50
EXPENDITURES $ 802.50
Salary of sealer of weights and measures $ 700.00
Office expenses and team hire 86.75
$ 786.75
Undrawn balance .$ 15.75
Fees and adjusting charges paid to city treasurer:
Adjusting
$ 21.73
Sealing
152.85
$ 174.58
In addition to my regular work as official for the city to see that all city fuel was delivered as per contract, I allude to same and report that all loads were checked up and delivered as per contract.
150
ANNUAL REPORTS
The following is a detail report of work done on weights and measures:
Adjusted. Sealed
Conde'm'd.
Platform scales over 5000 lbs.
40
1
Platform seales under 5000 lbs
7
67
9
Computing seales
47
17
Slot weighing machines
8
12
8
All other scales
10
216
39
Weights
149
687
48
Dry measures
243
11
Liquid measures (other than milk jars)
315
8
Milk jars
947
11
Linear measures
12
1
Other measuring machines
1
.
4
20
15
Oil and molasses pump
180
2608
178
Number of loads of coal weighed, 53; overweight, 35, underweight, 15, the amount less than 20 lbs. Accurate weight 3.
The following is an inventory of property owned by the city :- One sealer's scale support, one roll top desk, two office chairs, two balances for verifying weights, one sealer's stake, one sealer's iron, one graduate, one bit stock, one hammer, one yard stick, one dry measure guage, 150 paper seals, 20 lead seais, one hand sealing press, three rubber seals, six steel seals, one portable drill, 100 C. D. tags, 10 pounds lead, two receipt books, one record book, one coal reweighing book.
Weights-Forty-eight 50 lb., one 25 1b., one 20 lb., one 10 lb., two 5 lb., one 4 lb., one 2 lb., three 1 lb., one 8 oz., one 2 oz., one 1 oz., one 1-2 oz., one 1-4 oz., one 1-8 oz., one 1-16 oz.
Dry measure-One 1-4 bushel, one 1-8 bushel, one 1-16 bushel, one 1-32 bushel.
Liquid measure-One gallon, one 1-2 gallon, one quart, one pint, one 1-2 pint, one gill.
Molasses measure-One gallon, one 1-2 gallon, one quart.
State standards in custody of city treasurer-One each 50, 25, 20, 10, 5, 4, 2 1 pounds; one each 8, 4, 2, 1, 1-2, 1-4, 1-8, 1-16 oz., one each 1-2, 1-4, 1-8, 1-16, 1.32 bushels; one each 4, 2, 1 quarts; one each 1, 1-2 pints; one each 1 gill; on- yard stick, (1 kilogram), (Metric standards, grams, decigrams and centigrams) ; one balance.
Yours respectfully, ORRIN J. WELCH,
Sealer Weights and Measures.
..
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ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN.
Newburyport, Mass., Feb. 25, 1912.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Honorable Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen :- I herein present you with the annual report of the tree warden.
Tree planting :- There have been planted the past year 114 rock maple trees and one elm, cost of each tree, including tree stake, tree guard, etc., $1.57.
Tree surgery :- Such as treating and filling cavities, bolting, bracing and chaining. The cavities are caused by improper pruning in the past or injuries sustained by horses, vehicles, etc. We have treated and filled cavities, bolted, braced and chained trees on High and Kent streets, Cushing park, Washington, Pleasant, Green and Howard streets. A great deal more of this work is needed and is of the greatest importance. We have pruned and cut out dead wood from the trees in all parts of the city when requested. We have removed entire 12 dead and dangerous trees.
We have removed the tops of 10 more leaving the trunks standing. This work was held up until late in the year which caused the non-removal of the butts.
We have approximately 4500 of all kinds of trees in our city, of which more than a thousand are elms.
The destruction of the elm beetle comes under this department; it is sep- arate from the gypsy and brown tail moth, which is regulated by laws of 1905 and amendments thereto.
City property in this department consists of ladders, axes, saws, tackle, ropes, wedges, lanterns, iron horses, danger signs, danger flags and sockets, vise, chisels, hammers, bits, tar, marlin, tree stakes, shovels, pick axes, etc., value about $100.00.
I wish to thank the mayor and city government for many courtesies during year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES P. KELLY,
Tree Warden.
ANNUAL REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTHS
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Honorable Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen :- Herein I present you with the annual report of the moth department.
This department does practically ninety per cent. of the moth work in this city, both public and private; it is one tremendous undertaking to scout and clean so many different properties; it means about 1800 separate accounts. These accounts have to be itemized so that the property owner may know just what work and kind he pays for. The work is regulated by law and under the direction of the state forester, who is represented in districts by inspectors. The local superintendent reports to the state inspectors, whose duty it is to see that the work is performed in a proper manner.
With the spraying equipment we have at present we are now in a position to hold these pests in check. The past year we used 31/2 tons of arsenic of lead, 11/2 barrels or creosote, several barrels of oil, pruners, brushes, etc. We started this year on road side thinning clearing in part Plummer Springs road and junctions on the east side of same. The Turkey Hill road, Gypsy lane and part of the state highway thinning is greatly needed. We have in this depart- ment: One high power spraying outfit, tools for same 11; one small spraying outfit, hose, nozzles, etc., two spray barrels, one carriage, burning outfit, torch, bamboo pole, brushes, climbers, creosote cans, tin pails, pruners, tree oil card cabinets and ledger; value $2,000.00.
I wish to thank His Honor, the Mayor, members of the government and property owners for many courtesies during the year.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES P. KELLY,
Superintendent.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
WATER DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council, City of Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- The sixteenth annual report of the board of water commis- sioners for the year ending December 16, 1911, is hereby presented.
In response to our request for an appropriation to enable us to install new and larger pumping facilities at the main station, you authorized a bond issue for this purpose. We immediately had our consulting engineer prepare the necessary figures and specifications; and proposals were asked for. The con- tract was awarded to The Laidlaw, Dunn, Gorden Co., of Cincinnati, for the sum of $10,000.00, they to furnish a 3,000,000 gallon pump with a horizontal cross compound Corliss high duty crank and fly wheel type of engine, the plant to be complete in every way including all auxiliaries.
The construction of this pump has been completed and it will be shipped the first of January. To accommodate this machinery an addition has been built to the pumping station, and all connections for suction and discharge have been completed, so that all that remains to be done is to set up the pump and put it in operation upon its arrival. This pump will take care of any consump- tion of water for the present, give us a pump in reserve at all times, and should show a saving in coal consumption.
The filter beds have worked satisfactorily during the year, and there has been an abundance of water at all times, the Artichoke river being full and overflowing most of the summer.
An improved type of Telometer has been placed in position at the stand- pipe, for recording the height of water in the tank at the pumping station.
The following is the pumping record for the year:
December, 1910
33,624,638 gallons
January, 1911
34,369,960 66
February
31,316,603 66
March
33,129,095 60
April
31,278,195
May
39,608,395 66
June
July
36,506,647 45,591,509 66
August
41,395,889
66
September
36,539,379
October
34,041,182
November
34,079,799
66
Daily average
1,182,140
66
Number of pounds of coal used
1,657,047
Daily average
.. 4,539
156
ANNUAL REPORTS
Seventy-two service pipes have been laid during the year, requiring 4,479 teet S inches of pipe.
The six inch main in Lafayette street has been extended 630 feet, and the one in High street 3,506 feet.
Six inch connections, for sprinkler pipes, have been laid for the Building Association building and the Educator Bakery factory.
One new hydrant has been set on State street, near Central place.
There have been six breaks in main pipes, one of these, on Oak street, February 21st, proved to be rather expensive owing to its blind nature and a horse being killed by breaking through the crust of frost into the hole.
There have been eighteen breaks in service pipes.
Realizing that the only just and fair way to sell water is by measure your board has given some thought to the installation of meters. Owing to the large cost of this work and the necessary expense for maintaining them after they are installed, also the readjustment of rates that such a step would necessitate, we are hardly ready to make any definite recommendation in re- gard to this matter at once, but shall probably make some move looking toward their gradual installation during the coming year.
The report of the treasurer, which is attached, will give the financial figures for the year. All bills against this department have been paid.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. HIGGINS, EDWARD A. HALE, CHARLES A. BLISS,
157
WATER DEPARTMENT
NEWBURYPORT WATER WORKS
Receipts for 1911.
Water rates
$41,320.90
Meter rates
8,502.80
Sundry water receipts
694.65
Public buildings
1,500.00
Fire service
3,500.00
Total for water
.$ 55,518.35
Other receipts:
Service pipe construction
$ 608.22
Extension of mains
216.50
Service pipe maintenance
30.81
Pumping station maintenance
19.45
Pumping station maintenance, Artichoke
60.35
General maintenance
41.82
Hydrant maintenance
.75
Interest
85.15
1,063.05
Total receipts
$ 56,581.40
EXPENDITURES FOR 1911
City of Newburyport, bonds $15,000.00
City of Newburyport, interest 12,075.00
$22,075.00
Construction.
Service pipe construction
1,761.79
Service pipe construction, Newbury
486.72
Extension of mains
1,354.67
Extension of mains, Newbury
2,212,11
New pump, Artichoke river
2,688.86
New pump, main station
3,419.53
Hydrant construction
113.15
Filter construction
376.14
New supply
186.87
New meters
.... 235.85
12,835.69
Maintenance.
Pumping station maintenance
$ 8,045.12
Pumping station maintenance, Artichoke river
3,172.63
General maintenance
2,854.41
Hydrant maintenance
273.86
Gate maintenance
111.70
Reservoir maintenance
122.39
Meter maintenance
77.91
Frog pond maintenance
42.57
Street standpipe maintenance
170.88
Service pipe maintenance
884.91
Main pipe maintenance
434.67
Filter beds maintenance
637.66
16,823.71
Total expenditures
$ 56,739.40
158
ANNUAL REPORTS
NEWBURYPORT WATER WORKS --- Continued SUMMARY
Cash on hand Dec. 17, 1910, as per last report $ 5,146.75
Received during the year 56,581.40
$ 61,728.15
Expended during the year
56,739.40
Balance December 16, 1911
$ 4,988.75
TRIAL BALANCE
December 16, 1911.
Debit.
Credit.
Construction
$277,926.16
Real estate
19,171.52
Water rates
6,017.95
Cash
4,988.75
Profit and loss
$302,086.43
Commitment
6,017.95
$308,104.38 $308,104.38
HARRY S. NOYES, Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Newburyport, December 27, 1911.
Voted, That the annual report of the public librarian, with accompany- ing papers, be incorporated with the directors' report; that the secretary be hereby authorized to sign the names of the members of the board, and forward the same to the city council, as the annual report.
JOHN D. PARSONS, Secretary.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
TRUSTEES OF THE LIBRARY-1911
Mayor, Robert E. Burke Aldermen Oscar H. Nelson, George S. Lang, Charles P. Boyle, Moody B. Noyes, Paul T. Winkley, Edward Bass, Norman Russell
DIRECTORS OF THE LIBRARY
Robert E. Burke, mayor . ex-officio 66
Edward Bass, president of board of aldermen
William J. Cusack, president of common council
Lawrence B. Cushing, trustee of building fund. 66
Charles W. Moseley 66
Fred S. Moseley 66
Moses Brown, term expires 1911
George W. Brown 1912
William C. Coffin 66 1913 .
Arthur P. Brown
66
.
1914
Thomas R. Healy
1915
Edward G. Moody .
. . .
1916
William R. Johnson
1917
TRUSTEES OF THE PEABODY FUND
John J. Currier, Lawrence B. Cushing, Charles W. Moscley, Fred S. Moseley, Thomas C. Simpson
Librarian
Assistants
John D. Parsons Effie A. Tenney Elizabeth S. Thurston Helen E. Tilton Alice W. Toppan
Janitor
M. Joseph Haley
162
ANNUAL REPORTS
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the City Council:
Gentlemen :- The 56th annual report of the directors of the public library is herewith submitted. Your attention is called to the accompanying report of the public librarian and other officers, which contain detailed information as to the condition of the library, its finances, trust funds, etc. These are adopted and incorporated as a part of this report.
ROBERT E. BURKE, EDWARD BASS,
W. J. CUSACK,
L. B. CUSHING, C. W. MOSELEY, F. S. MOSELEY, MOSES BROWN, G. W. BROWN,
W. C. COFFIN,
A. P. BROWN,
T. R. HEALY,
E. G. MOODY,
W. R. JOHNSON,
Directors.
163
PUBLIC LIBRARY
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
The library year has been extended so as to close the third Saturday in December, instead of on November 30, as heretofore, and any comparison of figures in this report, therefore, are for a term of 55 weeks with the preceding 52.
According to my last report the number of books returned as belonging to this library was 45,005. The additions during the past year have been 1,362 volumes, while 211 have been cancelled as beyond repair, leaving at the present date a stock of 46,456 volumes.
In September the list of borrowers was canceled and a new registration put into effect. Since that date 2,317 individuals have given in their signatures, of whom 388 have taken out duplicate cards, good for any book except works of fiction. There have also been 30 applications for school cards, from teachers, who under this arrangement are entitled to 10 cards each by which books are drawn of special use to them in their profession. At the close of 1910 there were 9,774 registered borrowers, but as many books are in circulation today as were then, with only one-quarter of the number of persons qualified to avail themselves of the privileges of the library. This shows how the lists will ac- cumulate, in spite of the regular cancellations which are going on all the time (there have been 25 withdrawals of new signers in these past three months). and proves that an occasional new registration is necessary, as the only method of cleaning up "dead-wood."
During the year there have been withdrawn from the library for home reading 54,821 books, which is somewhat in excess of the circulation for the preceding year. Of course as in all public libraries fiction largely predominates, the per centage as compard with the whole being 75.345. This is, I believe, slightly less than I have ever been able to report before this year, it having been at times 80 or over. If the library, perchance, catered only to the wants of adult individuals any such proportion would not obtain. The demand for books of an informative nature, written more or less "in a popular manner," as they are often described, is perhaps as great as could be expected, and cer- tainly compares well with other towns and cities. This may be called "light reading" on its more serious and practical side, in a way, and embraces works of biography, travels, elementary science, etc., all tending to self culture. It would be gratifying if there was a larger demand for books of a technical mature, practical aids to the artisan and craftsman in his every day work. Scarcely a calling can be named, even to the humblest, which today is not pro- vided with its own special literature, preserving in permanent form the results of the investigations and labors of others in their chosen spheres, and made freely available to all whereby they may improve and perfect their own work. There are hundreds of such books in the library today, and it has never refused to add, on request, any practical treatise which it did not chance to own at the time it was called for. The banquet is spread, we only await the partakers, or more of them.
164
ANNUAL REPORTS
Another reason why the per centage of books circulated is, and always must remain high in the fictional class, is because of the young readers who have come to learn what the public library can do for them. I do not mean in books of the instructive or educational kind, but in the story class, pure and simple. Until human nature in general and the youthful in particular is radically changed you will never meet a boy or girl-or at least the exceptions are so few that they might be said to prove the rule-who is voluntarily on the hunt for a book for the purposes of study or "improving his mind." He is in search of a tale which has plenty of excitement and go in it. "Something doing all the time," and rest assured he will find it, if not in the public library then somewhere else, often the cheapest kind of literature, with perhaps worse drawbacks. There are dozens of writers today who are producing books for the young which answer all their requirements of what such a book should be, and yet are improving to the mind of the young reader. Methods have changed. If castor oil may be greedily swallowed in the form of a pleasing confection, and then accomplish all that it is expected to do, why force an unpleasant dose on an unwilling victim, because it has been done that way for a long time back? One need not be very venerable to recall the fact that in his boyhood days all the books that seemed to him worth reading could be counted on his fingers, with probably the thumbs left out, and while a number of others were recom- mended to him by his elders as the interesting books for him to read, he never could see it.
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