USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1912 > Part 7
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ENGINE CO. 1
Captain Ira E. Patten
43
Shoemaker
191/2 Winter
Lieutenant William H. Chase
53
Shoemaker
26 Atwood
Clerk George E. Currier
51
Shoemaker
1612 School
Engineer Charles B. Atkinson
44
Machinist
rear 912 Bromfield
Ass't Engineer Winthrop P. Davis
32
Machinist
4 1/2 Boardman
Permanent Fireman Eben P. Allen
58
11 South Pond
Perman't Driver (Hose 1) A. E. Bray
49
38 Market square
Hoseman John B. Erickson
36
Measurer
7 Bromfield court
Joseph O. Evans
39
Silversmith
15 Tyng
Clarence W. Lowell
33
Laborer
Central fire station
66
Harrison M. Stewart
24
Clerk
Atkinson
ENGINE CO. 2
Captain Moses E. Wright
37
Clerk
16 Temple
Lieutenant Lawrence S. Pray
32
Shoecutter
24 Atwood
Clerk George W. Parker
47
Salesman
9 Barton
Engineer Frank W. Landford
53
Salesman
5 Charles
Ass't Engineer Everett F. Landford
28
Shipper
Franklin
Steward and Stoker Chas. S. Blake
59
Painter
28 Liberty
Hoseman Thomas E. Colman
51
Engineer
21/2 Ship
66
George W. Ross
37
Barber
18 Bromfield
66
John J. Coffey
34
Combmaker
17 Oak
66
Edward H. Lang
36
Driver
8 Hancock
66
George E. Dixon
46
Foreman
8 Chestnut
John H. Packer
30
Painter
1 Franklin
George W. Henderson
43
Carpenter
3 Winter
128
ANNUAL REPORT
ENGINE CO. 3
Name
Age
Occupation
Residence
Captain William C. Nice
43
Moulder
15 Titcomb
Lieutenant Howard Packer
32
Painter
15 Franklin
Clerk, Stew'd, Stoker W. R. Bradbury
50
Shoemaker
43 Kent
Engineer Ralph S. Bailey
51
Machinist
10 Market
Ass't Engineer Frank J. Partelow
29
Machinist
99 Merrimac
Hoseman Charles H. Howard
40
Silversmith
17 Oakland
Samuel T. Chase
54
Shoemaker
(Green
George A. Mckenzie
30
Lineman
40 Water
* Fred T. Partelow
27
Machinist
99 Merrimac
Albert Marshall
30
Shoecutter
Congress
Daniel J. Kelleher
30
Shoemaker
Merrimac
John F. Cutter
36
Painter
18 Broad
HOSE 7
Captain William C. Randall
32
Shoemaker
14 Forrester
Lieutenant Frank R. Langmaid
31
Woodworker
316 Merrimac
Clerk Thomas W. Mitchell
30
Shoemaker
44 Forrester
Hoseman William G. Somerby
28
Shoemaker
14 Forrester
Louis Wasgatt
42
Carpenter
7 Ashland
Edwin F. Jackman
54
Shoeworker
44 Forrester
William Patriquin
49
Silverworker
30 Ashland
HOSE 8
Captain David A. Wells
42
Fisherman
6 Marlboro
Lieutenant Albert Russell
50
Farmer
3 Oak
Clerk John Wills
41
Shoemaker
5 Tremont
Hoseman George W. Stanwood
59
Silverworker
12 Neptune
George W .Wilson
53
Fisherman
179 Water
66
William E. Hilton
45
Fisherman
185 Water
Leslie C. Wood
32
Clam dealer
11 Neptune
* Fred T. Partelow resigned in June, 1912. Geo. P. Rand, sub- stitute, elected by company to fill vacancy.
Report of Supt. of Fire Alarm and Wires
To His Honor the Mayor and City Council of the City of Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- I herewith present you with the report of wires and fire alarm for the year ending December 21, 1912:
Fire Alarm
During the past year the following work and extension of fire alarm has been authorized: Seven new fire alarm boxes purchased and installed as follows:
Nos. 123, 312, 321, 37, 46, 74 and 75. Box 8, private box of Fiberloid Company purchased, but changed to No. 76; transferred from Fiberloid yard, Water street, to corner of Spofford street and Ferry road. The main fire alarm extended from Pumping Station to Moseley's farmhouse, Curzon Mill road, and boxes No. 74 and 75 connected on this extension. One new combination indicator and striker installed in Central fire station. Fire gong on Cashman's property moved to Warner Mills; new valves for both fire alarm gongs purchased to replace those now in, not giving satisfaction. Six miles of new wire put up, as well as several cross-arms, pins, etc. on line construction; several new fire alarm tappers purchased and installed for firemen; compressed air was advocated, but not installed.
The changing of the fire gongs has caused the city a large sum of money. It may surprise you, but the moving of the gongs to avoid a com- pressed air whistle and plant, has cost, up to the present time, 25 per cent more than the compressed air plant could have been installed for. Twice, compressed air has been voted by the city council, and twice it has been vetoed. It is the only solution for an outside alarm.
I want to call your attention to the fact that the trouble is, that you have too much outside alarm at present. At both ends of the city, you have two fire alarms within almost a stone's throw from each other; and in the center, only the North Church. All wrong; nothing should be so. Some day, I hope to see a compressed air whistle in the center of the city. Monroe street bell on Hose 7's house and North Church striker discontinued. Your
130
ANNUAL REPORT
outside alarm solution will then be solved. The alarm has given good satisfaction during the year. A few bad breaks have occurred, caused by old wire falling down, which, however, has been replaced by new wire.
All boxes that were used during the year to send in the alarm, have properly recorded the box on the several indicators at the fire houses. Number of alarms, 38, and the number of false alarms, none; number of still alarms, 90, and number of second alarms, 7.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That No. 4 circuit be split up into two circuits. At present, the cir- cuit carries everything below State street, and is now loaded to its fullest capacity.
I must ask that a circuit be run as far as Federal street, so that when I have trouble below State street, the whole fire alarm at that end of the city will not be out of commission while I am fixing up what trouble that may occur on No. 4 circuit; for, at present any break below State street puts out of commission the entire fire alarm in that territory.
No. 2 circuit extended to Tyng street; No. 3 circuit extended to Winter street; No. 1 circuit runs to Mr. Moseley's farm from Kent street. The ex- tension of No. 2 circuit would cut this down. The extension of No. 3 cir- cuit would relieve No. 2. These changes would increase the efficiency of the alarm, and decrease the liability of too much territory being without an alarm when a bad break occurs; and this may occur in winter; no one can control the elements.
Don't move the fire gongs any more; let them have a rest. Don't put any more fire alarm tappers in houses where the outside alarm can and should be heard, if one is inclined to do so. Don't put any more fire alarm boxes in until you re-locate those now connected.
It is my opinion that 42 boxes properly located, is sufficient for a city of our size. I could make changes myself that would be better for all property holders. Some of our boxes are at present not properly located, but they are located just where the committee voted to put them. I have changed a few in the past year, and will change some more this year at a very small expense.
Boxes should not be too close together, for the reason that our alarm is not a non-interfering alarm; but just the reverse-an interfering alarm; so boxes should be located so that the chances for pulling two boxes for the same fire is raised to a maximum, as our alarm is today and has been since installed.
If you ever pull two boxes within 30 seconds of each other, or at the same time, you get a jumble of numbers, nothing correct. The recommenda- tions that I make in regard to the changes in the circuits are of greater importance this year than compressed Ire alarm, tappers or new boxes,
131
FIRE ALARM AND WIRES
and that the automatic fire alarms from Dodge Bros., N. D. Dodge & Co., Geo. A. Learned & Co. and Johnson Educator Food Co. be connected to an indicator at the Central fire station by the several companies now operating the same, with no expense whatsoever to the city.
This matter, I shall bring to the attention of the Committee on Fire Department, the Chief Engineer and His Honor, the Mayor.
INVENTORY OF PROPERTY
Number of alarm boxes, 43; number of circuits, 4; number of miles of wire, 35; number of indicators, 5; repeaters, 2; storage batteries, 244; gongs in use, 2; not in use, 1; gong valves not in use, 2; No. 9 iron wire on hand, half a mile; bell strikers, 3; inside fire gong, 1; whistle machines, 2; large fire bells outside, 2; iron tower, 1; wooden tower, 1; pony relays, 5; vibrating bells, 12; tappers, 34; saw, 1; screw driver, 1; hatchet, 1; bit brace, 1; bits, 2; rope, 60 feet; extension ladder, 1; chair, 1; desk, 1.
Wires
This department has increased in the last two years, and is becoming a very important department as regards public safety.
I have been called upon to do more inspection this year than last, and I can see that the work is going to increase rather than diminish. Mr. Couillard, inspector from the Insurance Exchange, Boston, and myself made an inspection of all inside wire in the business districts, and found the same very bad in a few cases. Where the wiring was not up to the stand- ard, and was what was termed "hazardous," the owners of the buildings where such wiring existed, were notified, and changes were made to con- form to Mr. Couillard's report.
This was a very important visit, and good results were attained by Mr. Couillard's work in the city. I expect that Mr. Couillard will visit our city again and inspect with myself, all inside wiring in the residential portion of the city, and suggest what changes are necessary according to Mr. Couillard's ideas.
The outside construction in our city, as a rule, is in very good shape. The most trouble I find is on account of wires chafing in trees, and causing grounds to appear, and in a great many instances, causing trees to die. It is the desire of the Electric Light Company that all such cases be called to their attention, that they may at once remedy the same; as it is for their own good that their lines are free from grounds, and they are con- stantly looking and remedying such troubles as I have mentioned.
The Railroad Company wires were in bad shape, especially along High street; in fact, bad all over the line. Since the new company has taken it over, they are as fast as possible, putting the wire in good shape,
132
ANNUAL REPORT
and I look for better construction and better care of the railroad wires than the city has ever had before.
The Telephone Company has made a complete change in outside con- struction, and their methods are up-to-date. I can say that their work on the line is A-1, and I have no fault to find with this company.
The Telegraph Companies remain about the same, and no changes have been made that are noticeable.
Number of buildings inspected, 72; number of complaints investigated, 67; number of accidents from falling wires or poles, none.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That the inspector of wires be given a record-book, inspection blanks, letter-heads and envelopes.
APPROPRIATIONS
Supervision
$ 300.00
Miscellaneous expenses
400.00
Transferred to departments
350.00
Miscellaneous credit
12.90
$ 1,062.90
EXPENDITURES
Supervision
$ 300.00
Miscellaneous
850.35
$1,150.35
Overdrawn
$ 87.45
Respectfully submitted, ORRIN J. WELCH, Supt. of Fire Alarm and Wires.
Report of the City Marshal
To His Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Newbury- port:
Gentlemen :- The whole number of arrests during the year ending December 31, 1912, for offences committed within the City of Newburyport is 484, of which 118 were of foreign birth, 366 were born within the limits of the United States, 40 were females, and 78 were minors.
Arrests were for the following causes, viz:
Adultery
2
Assault and battery
27
Assault on officers
7
Bastardy
4
Breaking and entering
10
Deserter
1
Delinquents
2
Disorderly house
1
Distributing obscene pictures
1
Disturbing the peace
24
Drunkenness
252
Escaped prisoner
4
Exposing person
1
Fraud
1
Iale and disorderly
2
Kidnapper
1
Insane
6
Larceny
23
Malicious mischief
2
Neglected children
21
Non support
29
Neglect of children
2
Rape
1
Runaway boys
6
Runaway girls
2
Selling leased property
1
Stubborn and disobedient
2
Tramps
13
Truants
3
.
Violation of city ordinances
9
Violation of the dog law
1
134
ANNUAL REPORT
Violation of the muffler law
1
Violation of the rules of the board of health
1
Violation of the labor law 2
Violation of the liquor law
17
Violation of the school law
1
Violation of the weight and measure law
1
Total .
484
Disposed of as follows, viz:
Appealed
3
Bound over to Superior Court
4
Cases continued
28
Cases dismissed
4
Cases settled without trial
1
Committed to Danvers Hospital
4
Committed to Westboro Hospital
2
Committed for non-payment of fine
11
Committed to State Board of Charity
4
Committed to State Farm, Bridgewater
1
Defaulted
4
Discharged by Court
23
Discharged without arraignment
2
Fined and paid
93
Placed on file
34
Put on probation
34
Released by the probation officer
143
Sent to jail
43
Sentence postponed
14
Settled by marriage
1
Turned over to other officers
23
Turned over to parents
7
Turned over to the U. S. Navy
1
Total
484
MISCELLANEOUS
Amount of property reported lost
$1579
Amount of property recovered
$955
Amount of imprisonment imposed (days)
1315
Accidents reported
35
Ambulance calls
5
Assisted other officers
177
Buildings found open and secured
579
Cases of truancy investigated
1
Complaints investigated
1040
Dangerous wires and poles reported
8
Defective places in streets reported
51
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
22
Dogs killed
18
Escorts furnished processions
3
135
CITY MARSHAL
Extra duty, ward room, ball grounds, yacht race, fair grounds, circus
109
Fire alarms given
3
Fires extinguished without alarm
15
Glass in fire alarm boxes found broken
59
Horses found cast; owner notified
21
Horses killed
2
Injured persons assisted
17
Intoxicated persons helped home
2.5
Lights found burning in buildings
145
Lights furnished for dangerous places
35
Lights reported out in stores
23
Liquor seizures
17
Lost children restored to parents
22
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners
61
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk
43
Nuisances investigated
6
Officers for extra duty
200
Officers for extra duty at City Hall
16
Over-heated stoves
4
Runaway teams stopped
1
Search warrant for liquor, served
23
Search warrants for property
1
Sick persons assisted
4
Stray teams put up
5
Street obstructions removed
7
Street lights reported out
610
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner
2
Wagon calls
125
Water found running in buildings
17
Water main burst, superintendent notified
23
Windows found open and secured
93
Windows found broken
256
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. McLEAN, City Marshal.
Newburyport, January 1, 1913.
Report of the Highway Department
To His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable City Council:
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to make my annual report for the year ending December 21, 1912.
This year has been, as far as the highway department is concerned, a very unfortunate one, because the appropriation was reduced from $10,000 to $5,000. This destroyed the system of repairing streets, and nearly all of the improvements made in the past six years has been lost.
The fault of this department is not that it does not construct its streets properly, but that it is not allowed to maintain the streets that it does build, owing to two principal reasons, viz: 1st. That only about one- third enough money is appropriated (this last year one-sixth). 2nd. That many times work is ordered in places where it does the city as a whole very little good, and often $100 is appropriated to do the work, when for $200 it could be done properly.
In the past seven years there have been only seven pieces of new construction done, and most of that has been of the cheapest kind, and all of them are in good condition.
Eagle street, built in 1906, and no money spent on it since construc- tion, is in good condition.
Merrimac street, from Woodland to Forrester street, built the same year, is in good condition.
Merrimac street, from Break O'Day Hill to the Car Barns, built in 1906 and 1910, had $50 spent on the brow of the hill in 1912.
Curzon Mill road, from Storey avenue to Davis Corner, built in 1908 and 1910, is in excellent condition.
Water street, from City Railroad to Madison street, built last year, and Inn street and Winter street, built this year, are in good condition. The two latter are the only pieces that can be called in any way, modern construction.
There have been only three pieces of real re-surfacing. These are on High street. The first from Kent to Woodland street on the northeasterly side, done in 1907, is in good condition. The second piece from Woodland
138
ANNUAL REPORT
to Chapel street, built in 1908, is in fair condition. The third piece, from State to Market street, topped with oil, was built in 1909. Last week it was in excellent condition, but the water sprinkling has spoiled it.
I have read several articles about the amount of stone used in this piece of work. The author must have been misinformed, as only four inches were used at the thickest point, which was all that the appropriation would allow.
Last year, 1911, considerable tarvia was applied to the surfaces of several streets that were in fair condition, to save them from going to pieces; the intention being to apply more this year, for one application is never enough. But because of the decrease in appropriation, the plan was not carried into effect.
A system of top-dressing the streets with some bituminous preparation, year after year, would eventually bring those streets which are not wholly worn out, to a fine condition, and is the most economical way for Newbury- port with its small appropriation, to ever get the streets in fair condition.
I would submit the following figures for your consideration :
We have 48 miles of accepted streets averaging 32 feet wide, or al- lowing 16 feet for the width, which is the width of a state road, would make 96 miles. Allowing the smallest contract price for state highway work, which is about $8,000 per mile, it would cost $712,000 to put our streets in first-class condition. Then allowing $320 per mile a year to maintain these streets, which is the smallest amount allowed by road en- gineers, the cost would be $30,720 a year.
Since this is so, how can we expect our streets to be in any but a poor condition, when the largest appropriation that we have had for years was only $10,000, and the past year but $5,000.
I have looked up the appropriations allowed in cities and towns of about the same size of Newburyport, and found them to be in round num- bers as follows:
South Framingham
$42,000
Watertown
42,000
Wakefield
28,000
Woburn
31,000
Amesbury (considerably smaller in size)
16,000
Newburyport
5,000
For anyone to say that $10,000 a year is sufficient to keep our streets in good condition, is either trying to mislead the public, or is wholly ignorant of the expense of highway work.
The following work has been done in this department during the past year:
High street has been smoothed up from Winter street to Three Roads, and is in better condition than it has been for years. The grade was lowered
139
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
on High street from Jefferson street to Three Roads, which made consider- able improvement.
Auburn street was gravelled 500 feet.
Low street was gravelled 200 feet.
Madison had paved gutters on lower side and gravelled from Purchase to Water street. Boardman street gravelled. Olive street gravelled from
Congress to Merrimac street. Tyng street gravelled from High to Monroe street. Four miles country roads were crowned and smoothed up with roller and road machine, improving them considerably.
Inn street and Winter street were rebuilt with heavy bituminous construction.
Cement crossings were put in the following places:
Across Birch street at Winter street.
Across Lunt street at Purchase street.
Across Madison street at Purchase street.
Four hundred tons crushed stone and about 700 loads gravel have been used in filling holes in the streets.
SIDEWALKS AND CURBINGS
It is very necessary in this department that more be appropriated than has been the custom, especially for repairing. There are numerous places, noticeably in the tar concrete walks, positively dangerous.
It would cost $5000 to put the tar concrete walks alone in safe con- dition. The appropriation as it now is, is practically all used for new work, ordered done by the Board of Aldermen. This leaves no money for the superintendent to make needed repairs. The following work has been done:
Lafayette street, 427 feet cement edgestones.
Lafayette street, 310 yards granolithic walk.
High street, 96 yards granolithic walk.
Vernon street, 28 yards granolithic walk.
Vernon street, 50 feet cement edgestones.
Merrimac street, 130 yards granolithic.
Hale's court, 40 yards granolithic.
Green street, 160 yards granolithic.
State street, 160 yards granolithic.
Inn street, 86 yards tar concrete.
About 500 yards concrete about the city has been resurfaced.
CULVERTS
This department needs more money and more attention, for without culverts to take care of the surface water, it is impossible to properly main- tain the streets. Following is a list of the work done:
100 feet, 24 inch pipe on Kent street.
140
ANNUAL REPORT
60 feet, 15 inch pipe at Woodland and High streets with 4 catch basins.
150 feet, 24 inch pipe on Marlboro street.
150 feet, 20 inch pipe on Marlboro street with 5 catch basins.
30 feet, 15 inch pipe on Marlboro street.
340 feet, 1 8inch pipe on Winter street.
30 feet, 15 inch pipe on Winter street.
ASHES AND RUBBISH
There should be a change in the collection of ashes; different sections of the city being collected on different days and, as far as possible, it should be done at night in the business section of the city. The city should make some arrangement for a dumping ground. The men should be paid by the hour on this work, rather than by the job.
This department has handled over 15,000 cubic yards of rubbish dur- ing the past year.
STREET CLEANING
The streets have been in a dirtier condition during the past year than for many years, owing to the small appropriation allowed for the same. This appropriation should be increased, as probably nothing adds to the reputation of a city as much as clean streets. The public could naturally assist this department by being careful not to use the streets as a dumping place. There should be rubbish barrels placed about the city to receive waste paper.
SEWER DEPARTMENT
There have been 71 sewers connected with the main sewer. Ten stop- pages in the main sewer and 28 stoppages in private sewers have been re- moved. This system has been thoroughly flushed twice.
I would suggest the following recommendations for your consideration :
A culvert should be built on State street, from Middle to High street. $2500 would be needed for this purpose. $6000 should be appropriated to rebuild the street.
$500 should be appropriated to build a culvert from Merrimac to Pleasant street on Green street.
$4000 should be appropriated to rebuild Pleasant street, from Titcomb to state street.
A culvert should be built on Marlboro street from Lincoln to Chestnut street, to complete the work begun there this year.
$1500 should be appropriated to extend Merrimac street from the Car Barns to Chain Bridge.
$1600 should be appropriated to extend Water street from Madison street to the Gas House.
Previous to the latter work being done, edgestones should be con- structed on both sides of the street.
141
HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
The paving stones that would be removed from State and Pleasant streets, could be culled over and the best of them laid on Water street and covered with a preparation of pitch and stone. This would make a good street and take care of the heavy traffic in this vicinity.
$2500 should be appropriated for a culvert from Federal to High street. This is necessary before High street can be kept in a respectable condition.
$5000 should be appropriated for High street below State street, and should be continued for five years.
It would make considerable improvement to cut 5 feet off the sidewalk on the northeasterly side of Pleasant street from Titcomb to Green street, and construct a sidewalk on the Brown square side for the same distance.
$3500 should be appropriated to rebuild Titcomb and Washington streets where the car tracks will be removed. This would include the extension of the culvert on Titcomb street to Washington, and on Market to Wash- ington.
Following is the financial report for the year ending December 21, 1912:
SUPERVISION AND OFFICE EXPENSES
Appropriation
$ 1,600.00
Expended
1,557.43
Undrawn
$ 42.57
REPAIRING
Appropriatio nand income
$ 6,559.84
Expended
6,521.50
Undrawn
$ 38.34
CULVERTS
Appropriation and income
$ 1,200.00
Expended
1,191.51
Undrawn
$ 8.49
SIDEWALKS AND CURBING
Appropriation and income
$ 2,176.15
Expended
2,166.90
Undrawn
$ 9.25
SNOW REMOVAL
Appropriation and income
$ 1,073.94
Expended
1,116.05
Overdrawn
$ 42.11
142
ANNUAL REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS
Appropriation and income
$ 375.00
Expended
326.05
Undrawn
$ 48.95
SEWER CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation
$ 300.00
Expended
300.00
SEWER MAINTENANCE
Appropriation and income
$ 382.96
Expended
325.73
Undrawn
$ 57.23
ASHES AND RUBBISH
Appropriation and income
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