USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1917 > Part 6
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15.00
Captain of each fire company
110.00
Engineers of steamers, each
225.00
Assistant engineers, each
125.00
Firemen of steamers, each
185.00
Hosemen and laddermen, each
100.00
Steward of each fire company
50.00
Permanent firemen, per week
19.00
Driver of hose wagon, per week
19.00
Driver of single and double teams, per week
. . 19.00
124
TABULAR STATEMENT OF CITY, COUNTY AND STATE TAXES FROM 1851 TO 1915 INCLUSIVE. Including rate of taxation per $1000 and the number of polls.
Year
No. Polls
Valuation of Real Estate
Valuation of Personal Estate including resi- dent bank tax
Total Valuation
*Amount of City Tax
Amount of State Tax
Amount of County Tax
Total Tax
Taxat'n per $1000
1851
2517
$2,596,400
$2,880,200
$5,476,600
$33,597.98
$5,227.76
$38,825.74
$6.40
1852 .
2827
2,764,800
2,796,700
5,561,500
43,504.74
5,227.76
48,732.50
8
1853
2997
2,902,100
2,931,500
5,833,600
40,232.74
$2,787
5,227.76
48,257.59
7.50
1854
2770
3,302,500
3,483,000
6,785,500
41,434.50
2,787
7,432
51,653.50
7
.
2977
3,440,100
3,554,000
7,003,100
48,877.80
4,180.50
7,432
60,500.30
8
1856
2972
3,453,500
3,762,700
7,216,200
50,931.70
5,574
9,290
65,795.70
8.50
1857
2705
3,424,200
3,603,600
7,027,800
49,656.70
8,361
9,290
67,307.80
9
1858
.
2708
3,287,100
3,529,300
6,816,400
48,582.63
3,344
7,560.21
59,486.84
8
1859
2529
3,212,700
3,630,000
6,842,700
58,741.88
2,790
8,505.24
70,037.12
9.60
1860
2412
3,200,800
3,544.800
6,745,600
61,654.80
2,327
8,694.24
72,674.04
10.20
1861
2430
3,150,600
3,447,500
6,608,100
60,521.79
2,346
9,369.85
72,237.74
10.40
1862
2462
3,056,000
3,163,450
6,219,450
62,648.67
14,076
7,808.29
84,532.96
12.80
1863
2348
3,048,700
3,395.000
6,443,700
68,337.11
18,768
7,808.29
94,913.40
14
1864 1865
3000
3,349,200
4,032,800
7,382,000
90,336.05
36,660
8,188.95
135,195
17.50
1866
3126
3,373,700
3,834,500
7,208,200
129,768.35
23,400
8,188.95
161,357.30
21.50
1867
2893
3,906,600
4,054,100
7,960,700
116,173.30
39,000
9,826.70
165,000
20
.
3388
3,743,800
3,479,800
7,223,600
110,160.78
15,600
9,417.30
135,195.08
17.80
1869
3242
3,858,000
3,569,700
7,427,700
119,502.67
19,500
8,188.95
144,639.22
18.60
1870
2907
4,018,701
3,682,545
7,701,246
127,431.72
19,500
9,826.70
156,758.42
19.60
1871
3218
4,057,500
3,034,257
7,091,757
104,051.74
19,500
9,826.70
133,378.44
17.90
1872
3292
4,243,950
3,068,700
7,312,650
123,154.65
11,960
8,215.90
143,330.55
18.70
1873
3190
4,515,400
3,057,140
7,572,540
139,188.92
13,455
8,215.90
160,859.82
20.40
1874
3208
4,763,700
3,120,407
7,884,107
136,038.13
11,960
8,215.90
156,214.03
19
1875
3383
4,904,075
3,140,838
8,044,913
139,443.45
11,960
8,215.90
159,619.35
19
1876 .
3356
4,788,450
2,937,167
7,725,617
136,042.87
7,866
6,499.50
150,408.38
18.60
1877
3223
4,832,700
2,812,284
7,644,984
115,911.24
6,555
6,499.50
128,965.74
16
1878 .
3408
4,799,250
2,778,962
7,578,212
122.383.39
4,370
7,892.30
135,645.60
17
1879 .
3299
4,766,700
2,642,888
7,409,588
111.070.40
2,185
7,135.54
120,390.94
15.50
1880
3384
4,815,800
2,650,877
7,466,677
109,557,63
6,555
7,135.54
123,248.17
15.60
ANNUAL REPORT
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2528
3,268,700
3,425,000
6,693,700
72,193.84
18,768
7,805.96
98,767.80
14
1868
.
.
1855
.
.
1881 ·
3456
4,849,050
2,686,406
123,809.80
6,555
136,499.84
17.20
1882
3343
5,002,550
2,415,148
7,535,456 7,417,698 7,518,108
128,779.64 119,580.59
7,080
136,103.45
17.20
1884 .
3467
5,162,750
2,385,771
7,548,521
125,336.22
9,440
9,442.86
144,219.08
18.20
1885
3427
5,214,050
2,336,755
7,550,805
126,229.63
7,080
9,442.86
142,752.49
18
1886
3380
5,267,350
2,319,988
7,687,338
122,220.32
6,855
8,919.62
137,994.94
17.30
1887
3801
5,730,400
2,344,377
8,074,737
122,440.33
10,282.50
8,919.62
141,642.45
16.60
1888
3964
6,088,890
2,643,455
8,732,345
128,443.40
10,282.50
8,919.62
147,645.52
16
1889 ·
3985
6,449,865
2,846,370
9,296,235
127,663.11
9,120
8,771.16
145,554.27
14.80
1890
3897
6,805,197
2,931,573
9,736,770
135,147.01
7,980
8,771.16
151,898.17
14.80
1891
3923
6,874,200
2,888,458
9,762,658
145,719.36
6,840
9,536.63
162,095.99
15.80
1892
3827
6,873,300
2,723,805
9,597,105
150,199.02
8,190
9,536.63
167,925.65
16.70
1893
3912
6,980,200
2,725,328
9,705,528
150,004.38
11,700
11,113.70
172,818.08
17
1894
3888
7,055,400
2,700,677
9,756,077
140,473.58
9,360
11,112.83
160,946.41
15.70
1895 .
3945
7,129,050
2,620,450
9,749,500
151,013.21
6,735
11,008.53
168,756.74
16.50
1896
3993
7,137,500
2,630,040
9,767,540
151,243.79
7,857.50
10,049.12
169,150.41
16.50
1897
3915
7,197,300
2,503,674
9,682,974
138,594.57
7,857.50
10,495.73
156,947.80
15.40
1898 .
3813
7,210,800
2,529,590
9,740,390
150,038.38
5,760
8,647.90
164,446.28
16.10
1899
3979
7,292,400
2,775,217
10,067,617
149,915.56
5,760
8,330.50
164,006.06
15.50
1900 .
4348
7,286,000
2,863,033
10,149,033
151,518.84
5,760
8,727.17
166,006.01
15.50
1901
4430
7,382,400
3,100,050
10,482,450
159,020.42
6,422.50
9,039.79
174,482.71
15.80
1902 .
4471
7,416,500
2,942,315
10,358,815
181,955.40
5,592.50
9,924.53
197,472.43
18.20
1903
4496
7,429,000
3,277,929
10,706,929
161,641.40
9,262.70
11,540.15
182,444.25
16.20
1904
4588
7,467,200
3,343,664
10,810,864
173,706.84
8,937.70
11,552.05
194,196.59
17
1905 .
4483
7,508.900
3,380,692
10,119,592
172,503.70
14,247.70
· 11,567.50
198,318.90
17.40
1906 .
4374
7,601,000
3,558,621
11,159,621
187,033.98
12,470.78
12,348.34
211,853.10
18.20
1907
4221
7,649,450
3,620,861
11,270,311
195,772.18
13,767.70
13,038.03
222,577.91
19
1908 .
4297
7,648,000
3,805,701
11,453,701
217,221.19
18,897.70
15,289.61
251,408.50
21.20
1909
4351
7,690,600
4,579,121
12,269,721
196,669,70
15,477.70
17,409.50
229,556.90
18
1910
4252
7,854,450
7,387,607
15,242,057
237,872.48
19,007.50
18,360.01
275,239.99
17.50
1911
4190
7,947,400
5,167,010
13,114,410
228,244.33
19,007.50
18,170.64
265,422.47
19.60
1912 .
4211
8,096,000
4,739,482
12,835,482
221,440.30
21,587.50
18,253.19
261,280.99
19.70
1913
4167
8,122,700
4,495,258
12,617,958
213,390.83
24,247.50
16,745.84
254,384.17
19.50
1914
4166
8,191,050
4,633,677
12,824,727
221,550.24
26,702.63
16,573.67
264,826.54
20.
1915 .
4131
8,146,350
4,380,036
12,526,386
222,660.40
29,445.00
19,210.71
271,316.11
21.
1916 .
4231
8,225,000
4,377,934
12,602,934
209,740.98
22,086.93
18,610.41
250,438.32
19.20
1917
.
4245
8,271,000
3,032,371
11,303,371
214,896.00
30,219.90
21,103.68
279.866.56
20
* The assessors' overlays are included in these amounts.
** State assessed intangibles.
125
1883
3462
5,074,850
2,443,258
8,740
7,135.54 7,135.54 9,442.86
144,655.18
18.60
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
CITY AUDITOR
.
.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS AND REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS.
Annual Report of the Board of Assessors
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the City Council: 1
Gentlemen :- The Board of Assessors of the City of Newburyport herewith presents its annual report for the year 1917:
Real estate, assessed value
$ 8,271,000
Personal estate, assessed value 2,721,515
Resident bank shares 310,856
Total valuation $11,303,371
Decrease in valuation from 1916, $1,299,563. The decrease in valuation of personal estate is explained by the operation of the income tax and the tax on intangibles, which are now levied by the state. From this source there was credited to the city as income from the state the sum of $45,309.14, which was used, in addition to the assessments noted above, in determining the tax rate for the year.
Rate of taxation, $20 per $1000.
Number of polls assessed, 4245.
The amount of tax levied was as follows:
On real estate
$165,420.00
Ou personal estate 54,430.30
On resident bank shares 6,217.12
On polls 8,490.00
$234,557.42
Income from State as noted above 45,309.14
$279,866.56
The sums required by the warrants from the State, County and City were as follows:
State tax
$ 29,700.00
State highway tax
519.90
County tax
21,103.68
City tax 214,896.00
City (judgments) 5,039.98
Amount of overlay
8,607.00
$279,866.56
130
ANNUAL REPORT
The omitted or December assessments were as follows:
Valuation.
Tax.
Real estate
$ 3,950.00 $ 79.00
Personal estate
21,600.00
432.00
Polls added, 51.
Number of residents assessed on property
2656
Number of non-residents assessed on property
316
Number assessed for poll tax only
3256
Number of dwellings assessed
3446
Number of acres of land assessed
4601
Value of buildings assessed, excluding land
$5,721,200
Value of land assessed, excluding buildings
. $2,549,800
Number of horses assessed
370
Number of cows assessed
303
Number of swine assessed
13
Number of fowl assessed
517
Properties exempted by law:
Personal.
Real.
Religious societies
$ 27,410
$329,500
Charitable societies
279,217
47,747
Literary institutions
150,194
128,100
Benevolent institutions
572,721
185,387
$1,029,542
$690,734
The abatements granted during the year amounted to $8,322.96, as follows: 1913, $2,370; 1914, $2,719.99; 1915, $687.34; 1916, $637.10; 1917, $1,908.53.
Respectfully submitted,
EBEN C. KNIGHT, CHAS. W. JOHNSON,
CHAS. L. PERKINS,
Assessors.
Annual Report of Board of Health.
To His Honor, the Mayor and City Council:
Gentlemen :- The Board of Health submits the following annual report, together with the reports for the year 1917, of the agent, and of the several de- partments under its supervision.
While the total number of cases reported to this Board shows a material increase over the year previous, this is explained by the prevalence of measles, mumps, chicken pox, diseases common to children. There was a notable in- crease in diphtheretic cases, but scarlet fever cases increased but four in num- ber compared with 1916.
Anterior poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis,) prevalent in 1916, entirely dis- appeared, there not being a case returned to the Board for the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ORRIN J. GURNEY, T. RAYMOND HEALEY, ALFRED W. KIMBALL.
REPORT OF THE AGENT
Complaints attended to and calls made 400
Notices sent
15
Dead animals buried 110 Water closets
25
Garbage 27
Pigs removed
20
Mattresses destroyed
18
Cesspools
22
Rotten fruit
10
132
ANNUAL REPORT
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Diphtheria
February 3
March
2
February
3
March
1
April
2
March
3
April
5
May
2
June 4
May
1
September
1
9
Lobar Pneumonia
June 1
September
1
October
1
November
2
December
1
6
Septic
Sore
Throat
January
1
February
1
March
2
April
1
November
April
1
May
1
June
15
July
1
Whooping Cough
February
2
May
1
July 4
1
3
Mumps
February
April
1
Ophthalmia Neona- torum
August
1
October
2
January 2
June
1
December
2
October
2
December
.
J
Measles
Scarlet
Fever.
January
7
February
2
March 106
April
1
April
95
May
2
May
80
June
1
August 1
September
2
349
October
2
November
1
German Measles
19
Tuberculosis
All Forms
3
February
1
March 3
18
November 1
September
2
December 1
16
Supperative Conjuncti- vitis
10
5
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM THURSTON, Agent.
Typhoid Fever
February
1
July 1
July
1
September
1
November
12
October
3
December 30
November
6
58
20
Chicken Pox
January
5
January 14
February 23
June 31
7
January
October
November
2
133
BOARD OF HEALTH
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS
Newburyport, Jan. 1, 1918.
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the City Council of Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- I herewith enelose the report of inspector of slaughtering and meats and provisions for the year of 1917:
Neat Cattle
516
Calves
772
HIogs
380
Lambs
6
Total
1674
Carcasses condemned
14
Respectfully submitted, T. D. DONAHUE, Inspector.
BACTERIOLOGIST REPORT
Newburyport, Mass., March 1, 1918.
To the Board of Health, City Hall, Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- I submit herewith a report of my work as bacteriologist for the year ending December 31, 1917. During that period there were sent to the laboratory 321 throat cultures, 52 samples of sputum, and 33 samples of blood for examination for diphtheria bacilli, tubercle bacilli, and the typhoid fever reaction, respectively. The following is a summary of the results of these ex- aminations:
Positive
Negative
Total
Cultures
37
284
321
Sputa
1
48
52
Blood (Widal)
10
23
33
Total
51
355
406
Respectfully submitted,
R. D. HAMILTON, M. D. Baeteriologist.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
To the Board of Health, City Hall, Newburyport:
Gentlemen :- 1 submit herewith a report of my work as inspector of milk for the year ending December 31, 1917. During that period 252 samples of milk were taken by the collector from wagons about the streets of the city. All of
134
ANNUAL REPORT
these samples were examined for the total bacterial content, and many of them were examined also for pus and septococci, and for preservatives.
I have issued 110 licenses for the year ending May 31, 1918, as follows: 36 to sell milk from wagons, 52 to sell milk from stores, etc., 22 to sell oleomar- garine from stores.
The fees collected from the above licenses amounted to $55.00, which sum has been paid over to the city treasurer.
Respectfully submitted, R. D. HAMILTON, M. D., Inspector of Milk.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN'S REPORT
To the Newburyport Board of Health, City Hall, Newburyport, Mass:
Gentlemen :- I submit my report of the medical inspection I have done for your board from January 1, to December 31, 1917.
I have made a physical examination of every pupil in the schools, and the result of such examination has been recorded on the card system.
One hundred and thirty throat cultures have been taken and sent to the state board of health for examination.
Three hundred and seventy inspections have been made at my office, and employment certificates have been given the children who were found physically qualified to perform the work which they desired to do.
Respectfully submitted,
J. W. SHAW.
Annual Report of the City Physician
To His Honor, the Mayor, and Members of City Council:
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to submit my report as City Physician for the year 1917.
A detailed list of the number of house, office, city farm and police station visits, together with the number of confinements and deaths is given.
There is also a list of deaths giving place, date, age and cause of death.
Respectfully submitted,
ROLAND L. TOPPAN, M. D., City Physician.
House
Office
to City Farm
Police
Births
Deaths
January
90
30
2
0
0
February
58
27
3
2
1
1
March
67
28
0
0)
1
0
April
70
37
3
2
0
1
May
73
23
1
0
1
0
June
73
20
0
1
1
2
July
66
19
2
2
1
0
August
68
38
1
2
1
0
September
63
29
5
2
1
2
October
62
34
3
1
1
1
November
68
35
2
0
2
0
December
73
42
1
2
2
0
Totals
831
362
23
16
12
7
-
DEATHS DURING 1918
Feb. 8, 1917, Wm. Kilborn, aged 79, City Farm; myocarditis, chronic nephritis. April 25, 1917, James Brierly, aged 83, City Farm, myocarditis.
June 6, 1917, Charles Wilson, aged 25, 61/2 Merrimack Court; chronic nephritis, chronic valvular heart disease.
June 23, 1917, Elizabeth Crabbe, aged 61, 1 Federal street; cerebral hemorrhage. Sept. 13, 1917, James W. Bamford, aged 57, 24 Union street; general paresis. Sept. 21, 1917, Hannah Hayes, aged 70, City Farm, cerebral hemorrhage.
Oct. 30, 1917, Wm. Quinn, aged 10, 4 School street; acute valvular heart disease, chonic articular rheumatism.
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 ending December 31st, 1917, for offences committed within the city of Newburyport is 733, of which 202 were of foreign birth, 531 were born within the limits of the United States, 54 were females and 114 were minors.
Arrests were for the following causes, viz:
Assault and battery
53
Assault on officers
6
Assault (felonious)
4
Assault with a dangerous weapon
3
Assault with intent to kill
1
Bastardy
9
Breaking and entering
4
Capies
2
Carrying concealed weapons
1 1 1
Cruelty to dumb animals
Deserter
Delinquent's
Detained as a witness
Disturbing the peace
Drunkenness
Ecaped prisoner
Forgery
1
Fraud
1 2
Highway robbery
Insane
Larceny
Larceny from the person
Larceny in a building
Lewd and lascivious
Malicious mischief
5 2 27 17
Receiving stolen property
1
Runaway boys
1
Runaway girls
1
Safe-keeping
29
Stubborn and disobedient
3
14 32 1 2
Neglected children
Non support
1 38 1 16 343 1
Criminal trespass
CITY MARSHAL 137
Tramps
11
Truants
4
Unlawful taking
2
Using threatening language
1
Violation of the automobile law
5
Violation of city ordinances
37 13
Violation of the liquor law
Abduction
1
Murder
1
Accessory to murder
1
An attempt to break and enter
1
Epileptic
1
Manslaughter
1
Robbery
1
Concealing leased property
2
Neglect of children
2
Violation of the school law
6
Non support of parent
3
Throwing glass in the street
1
Violation of the building law
2
Violation of the traffic law
3
Violation of the feed law
1
Violation of the stove polish law
1
Violation of parole
1
Violation of the light law on vehicles
7
Total 733
Disposed of as follows, viz:
Appealed
36
Bound over to superior court
6
Cases continued
35
Cases dismissed 32
10
Committed to Danvers Hospital
12
Committed to Westboro Hospital
1
Committed for non-payment of fine
19
Committed to State Board of Charity
6
Committed to State Farm, Bridgewater
3
Defaulted
2
Discharged by court
37
Discharged without arraignment
1
Fined and paid
100
Placed on file
60
Put on probation
39
Cases settled without trial
138
ANNUAL REPORT
Released
30
Released by the probation officer
203
Sent to jail
57
Sentence postponed 22
Settled by marriage
1
Turned over to other officers
16
Turned over to parents
1
Turned over to the U. S. Army
1
Committed to the Industrial School at Shirley
1
Committed to Herbert Hall Hospital
1
Committed to Monson Hospital
1
Total
733
Miscellaneous:
Amount of property reported lost $4291
Amount of property recovered $4052
Amount of imprisonment imposed (days) 3050
Accidents reported
56
Ambulance calls
3
Assisted other officers
275
Buildings found open and secured
820
Complaints investigated
770
Dangerous wires and poles reported
9
Defective places in streets reported
32
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
12
Dogs killed
4
Escorts furnished processions
8
Extra duty, ward room, ball grounds, yacht race, fair grounds, circus
82
Fire Alarm Boxes found open
3
Fire alarms given
6
Fires extinguished without alarm
7
Gas escaping in buildings
2
Glass in fire alarm boxes found broken
51
Horses found cast: owner notified
5 1
Injured persons assisted
14
Intoxicated persons helped home
11
Lights found burning in buildings
82
Lights furnished for dangerous places
6
Lights reported out in stores
7
Liquor seizures
12
Lost children restored to parents
10
Meals furnished lodgers and prisoners
105
Notified to remove snow from sidewalk
66
Horses killed
CITY MARSHAL 139
Officers for extra duty
492
Officers for extra duty at church
2
Officers for extra duty at City Hall
36
Overheated stoves
2
Runaway teams stopped
4
Search warrant for liquor, served
17
Siek persons assisted
7
Stray teams put up
3
Street obstructions removed
7
Street lights reported out
168
Sudden or mysterious death, notified medical examiner
7
Wagon calls
179
Water found running in buildings
6
.
Water main burst, superintendent notified
7
Windows found open and secured
108
Windows found broken
74
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. McLEAN,
Newburyport, Mass., January 1, 1918. City Marshal.
Annual Report of Fire Department
To the Honorable Mayor and City Council:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit a report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1917.
The department apparatus consists of four steam fire engines, five hose wagons, five hose sleighs, one supply wagon, one exercise wagon and one ladder truck fully equipped.
MANUAL FORCE
The membership consists of two permanent men at Central Fire Station and 61 call men not including the Chief Engineer and three Assistant Chiefs, also each company has three substitutes.
VALUE OF PROPERTY AND INSURANCE PAID
The following table gives the value, insurance and amounts paid on property to which the department responded on both bell and still alarms. Value $202,858.08
Insurance 161,925.70
Loss Paid 20,269.18
FIRES AND ALARMS
There were 31 bell alarms against 21 last year.
There were 78 still alarms against 84 last year.
There were one out of town (Chief's) call, Dummer Academy.
There were two false alarms.
OLD HOSE AND METAL
Sold during year old hose and metal and acid to the amount of twelve (12) dollars and seventy five cents for which I hold treasurer's receipt.
CONDITION OF DEPARTMENT
Hose to the amount of six hundred (600) feet has been added to the depart- ment during the year and hose to the amount of 500 feet has been condemned. Would recommend the usnal request for more hose to the amount of 1000 feet to ( be purchased this year.
Good hose now in department 8600 feet.
Nott Engine No. 3 has been thoroughly overhauled and new boiler installed, which, I may say is a good job well done and needed.
Supply wagon and harness connected with same needs immediate attention. They are both in a wretched condition for the work it is called on to perform.
141
FIRE DEPARTMENT
HORSES
The condition of horses in department are working well and are in good condition with the exception of the new pair on Engine 3. To my mind they are not satisfactory for prompt and efficient fire duty.
FIRE ALARM
I believe it a proper time for the proper committee to look into the Com- pressed Air Fire Alarm System as in a short time I understand some arrange- ment will have to be made in a change of the North End gong. I believe it pos- sible we have bells, metal, etc., now in department to go a great way toward paying for the installation of a Compressed Air System.
Would recommend for the second time the purchase of one new fire alarm box for Storey Avenue, near Fair Grounds and change the location of Box 67 Car Barn to Warner's Corner and Box 65 to Moulton Street.
WATER SUPPLY
The water supply is in good condition.
Would recommend a reservoir from the Frog Pond.
System placed in Market Square.
Substitutes of cach company are now receiving pay which adds to the ef- ficiency of the companies to which they are members.
In conclusion I wish to state that three members are now serving their country at war.
George Hanna of Engine 3. George H. Murphy of Ladder 1. Albert E. Wells of Hose 8.
MOTOR APPARATUS
I believe it would be an economical recommendation for a committee to be appointed, to look into and report on the motor apparatus proposition for this department. Looking at this apparatus from the working points, in other cities and towns nearby, convinces me that I would not have a complete report with- out giving this matter some thought and attention. If not financially able this year, why not have a report from a committee and have something next year?
In closing I wish to thank the Mayor and members of the City Council, the Assistant Chiefs and members of the department, the police department and citi- zens in general for courtesies and assistance rendered during the year.
JOHN L. LEWIS, Chief Engineer.
7
Annual Report of Highway Department
To the Committee on Highways and Sewers, City of Newburyport, Mass:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my report for my term of office during the year 1917 and in so doing I will make it as brief as possible, for fear that were a more detailed report made, it might "be read by its title and filed"-which I trust will not be the case as there are some matters in the Sewer Department that I think are of vital importance for the city to be informed on.
SEWERS
During my term of office (April 3 to Jan. 10) there have been 33 connections made. Of these 3 were stores, 1 a public hall, 24 tenements, 1 a boarding house and 4 factories or shops.
These have all been posted in the Record Book and, with the exception of 2, have been noted in the Field Books and drafted into the Sketch Book.
As sewer extentions have been made in several streets within the past few years and not carried out in detail in the records of the department, the two cases referred to (1 on Lafayette street and 1 .on Fulton street) have not been so recorded.
When it is remembered that the sewer system, being under ground and out of sight, its successful operating depends entirely on the accurate keeping of its records, you will appreciate the importance of keeping these records up in the most careful manner.
I want to repeat what I said to last year's committee, that the books are in wretched shape and for the sake of the future should be very carefully gone over and cleaned up by some one thoroughly familiar with that work-and then most of the field books should be rebound. This should be done at once so as to have them available when needed in the spring.
A safe is provided in which to keep all of these books, but the latest record book is too large to be kept in it.
I advise that a new record book be obtained (one small enough to go into the safe) and these records be compiled from the old and new ones and so be able to have them all kept together.
CULVERTS
Only one short piece of new sub-drainage has been laid-that being from Pleasant street to Merrimac street, on the southeasterly side of Green street.
Too much stress can not be laid on the need of sub-draining many of our streets, some of them being so nearly level that it is a physical impossibility to properly take care of the surface water.
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