USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1898 > Part 10
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 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
Attention has been called by the secretary of the state board of health to the point that the ice cut from Ell pond (or Crystal) lake may be liable to contamination from offen- sive discharges into the lake. These may be presumed to occur from two sources-dwelling houses on its border, and from two brooks pouring into the lake on its northern and western borders. The former source of danger had already been largely prevented, and any possible cause of pollution still existing from that source will be very promptly extin- guished. The latter source of contamination is more diffi- cult to control beyond preventing brook pollution, and it may be a question if this board has full power to enforce radical action, the authority resting rather with the state board. Manifestly, ice, to be fit for domestic use, should be made only from water that is fit to drink.
From the very small amount of diphtheria last year little or no recourse was made to the state board for microscopic
222
HEALTH REPORT,
examinations of the morbid deposits. The delay attendant upon the state examinations is usually only that of trans- portation, and if this is done by special messenger the lapse of time is reducee to a minimum. In case it may seem desirable to secure a more direct and, possibly, more speedy result, application may be made to Dr. Edwin Leonard, Jr., of Melrose Highlands, who is well qualified, both by skill and experience, to make satisfactory microscopic tests.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE GIVES THE MORTALITY OF THE TOWN FOR THE YEAR 1898.
Abscess, pelvic, I
Endocarditis, I
Abdom. tumor,
2
Empyema, . I
Asthma,
I
Fracture, thigh,
I
Angina pectoris, .
2
،، spine, I
Appendicitis I
Grippe, 6
Heart disease, I 2
valvular, 4
.. fatty degen., I
neuralgia, . 2
Hydrocephalus, .
I
Bronchitis,
3
Hooping cough, .
.
I
Cancer,
I3
Inanition, I
Convulsions,
2
Kidney disease,
I
Consumption, 24
Labor, premat.,
I
Congestion, pulm.,
3
Liver, inflam., 2
Cholera infantum,
4
Locomot. atax,
2
Croup,
2
Lungs, congest., .
I
Cyanosis,
I
gangrene, I
Cystitis,
I
Marasmus,
5
Debility, gen.,
3
Malaria, I
Dysentery,
.
3 Measles, I
Apoplexy, I3
Accidental, .
6
Brain, tumor,
I
congestion, 2
Bright's disease, .
5
223
HEALTH REPORT.
Meningitis, .
2
Stillborn, 8
Neuralgia,
I
Strangulation,
I
Old age,
II Scarlet fever,
I
Pleurisy,
I Suicide,
2
Paralysis,
7
Septicemia, .
I
Puerp. fever,
I
Syphilis,
2
Premature birth,
3
Typhoid,
I
Pneumonia, .
12
Umbil. hemorrh.,
.
I
Prostatic disease,
I
198
It appears from this table that consumption has been rather more prevalent than for years past, that scarlet fever claimed only one death, and that diptheria does not appear, the first time for eight years. Typhoid fever, which is regarded as a sort of test of the sanitary condition of a locality, appears by only one death. Pneumonia was the cause of 23 deaths in 1897, by far the highest rate we have ever had. Of the 12 deaths by it last year, a number were doubtless the result of the grippe, lately so prevalent.
The former contract for the collection of the swill having expired on the last day of 1898, the business was let for the next two years to the lowest bidder, Thomas R. Higgins, whose previous successful performance of this important duty gives promise that he will do the service faithfully.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. SANBORN, M. D., WILLIAM H. DOLE, CORYDON W. HARLOW, M. D., Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
OF THE
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1898.
MELROSE : DUNTON & POTTER, PRINTERS, REPORTER OFFICE. 1899.
16
TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1898.
The trustees of the public library respectfully present their twenty-eighth annual report.
That the public has taken a very decided interest in the library during the past year is evinced by the large increase in circulation and reading room attendance. Expansion has been the watchword of the year, and has infused its spirit into our reading public in no small degree.
The annexed report of the librarian shows that the num- ber of persons using the library Jan. 1, 1899, was 4,575 ; Jan. I, 1898, 3,864, an increase of 691 regular card holders.
The circulation in 1898, for 305 days, 55,838, an average of 183 books per day.
In 1897 the average was 152.86 ; in 1896, 144.46 per day. The largest in one month in 1898, 5,357 ; in 1897, 4,810 ; in 1896, 4,474. The attendance in the reading room in 1898 (12 months), 28,427 ; average, 2,369 per month. In 1897 (10 months), 20,685 ; average, 2,068.5 per month. The actual use of the library has increased 20 per cent. over 1897. In this connection we are pleased to note the fact that the business of the Boston public library has grown
228
LIBRARY REPORT.
enormously the past year, now having 75,000 card holders, a greater number than is claimed by any city in the world. It is "a system attempting to respond to the needs of a great city, growing in population and in needs. It cannot remain stationary ; if it does not advance and expand, it must degenerate."
The same is true in our smaller range of work. We must keep up with the growing needs of our readers, and we trust the public may more fully realize this and give liberal support to this important factor in the cause of general education. Part of our increase is due, no doubt, to the use made of the library by the public schools, especially the high school. This fact is most gratifying, as we have al- ways felt that a very essential part of the library work is to co-operate with the schools, and to furnish, as far as possi- ble, supplementary reading in the various branches of study. We are sorry our resources will not permit us to do more in this line.
Mr. Putnam and his trustees hope that in Boston the time is not far distant, when appropriations will warrant the es- tablishment of delivery stations in every school.
In accordance with the custom in many libraries it was thought advisable to issue an additional card, entitling its holder to take from the library any book not coming under the department of fiction. This plan went into effect Sept. 20 and about 230 cards have been issued. We should be glad if more of our readers would avail themselves of this privilege.
A card for teachers was given out at the same time, its holder to have the use of two or more books on special sub- jects.
This, however, is a privilege that has been accorded for some time at the discretion of the librarian. About 130 of these cards are now in use. These additional cards though
229
LIBRARY REPORT.
only about three months in use have of course added some- what to the circulation and have also tended to lower the per centage of fiction. In 1897 this was 85 per cent .; last year it was 821/2 per cent. This includes juvenile books which amount to at least 20 per cent.
The pubic are requested for sanitary and also for financial reasons, to use all possible care in the handling of the books, to keep them clean, and to prevent their being soiled and torn by children. The police have orders to notify the lib- rarian of all cases of contagious disease. The library and reading room will be kept as clean and well ventilated as conditions will allow.
In April the trustees accepted with much regret the resig- nation of Miss Rosa Gibbons, the assistant librarian, who entered upon a larger field of work in the Malden library. They hereby express their appreciation of her faithful and efficient service. Her successor, Miss C. L. Worthen, is well equipped by technical training to fill the position.
In May the library received through its secretary, Mr. Louis Robson of Malden, the record books and various other books and papers of the Roundabout Club, a literary organ- ization which had an active existence in the town from 1873 to 1891. The books and papers have been placed on file for reference.
The trustees wish to express their thanks to the many kind friends who have donated books or periodicals.
The finding list is for sale at the librarian's desk, and a copy should be in the home of every card holder. It will be found very convenient.
Attention is called to the fact, that in addition to those in the reading room there are five magazines for circulation : Harper's, Century, Scribner's, Atlantic, and New England Magazine.
230
LIBRARY REPORT.
At the March town meeting a committee of seven was appointed to consider with the trustees the needs of the library, and report three sites which, in their judgment, would be suitable for a library building.
This committee will probably report at the next town meeting.
We trust that the citizens of the town, when this report is presented, will take the first-and possibly the last oppor- tunity as a town-to vote for a building lot for the Melrose public library.
For the purchase of books and to pay the running ex- penses of the coming year the trustees respectfully ask for $1,800 and the dog tax ; for the annual rent of the library rooms, $1,000.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. MUNROE, Secretary, ELBRIDGE H. GOSS, CHARLES C. BARRY, RUBY F. FARWELL, MARY L. CHARLES, CHARLES A. PATCH, GEORGE E. MUNROE,
Trustees.
LIBRARY REPORT. 231
STATEMENT OF THE HORATIO NELSON PER- KINS FUND. JANUARY I, 1898, to JANUARY 1, 1899. CR.
By balance on hand January 1, 1898, . $572 70
By interest from Melrose Savings Bank, 23 12
DR.
$595 82
Balance on hand,
$595 82
STATEMENT OF THE WILLIAM EMERSON BAR- RETT FUND.
JANUARY I, 1898, to JANUARY I, 1899. CR.
By balance on hand January 1, 1898, . $78 51
By interest from Melrose Savings Bank, 3 16
DR.
$81 67
Balance on hand,
$81 67
STATEMENT OF THE WILLIAM BAILEY FUND.
JANUARY 1, 1898, to JANUARY I, 1899. CR.
By balance on hand January 1, 1898, . $2,721 32
By interest, .
.
117 51
$2,838 83
DR.
To treasurer's note, town of Melrose, . $2,000 00 To treasurer's note,
441 50
Balance on hand,
397 33
$2,838 83
232
LIBRARY REPORT.
CATALOGUE FUND.
CR.
By balance on hand January 1, 1898, . $367 86
Fines collected by librarian in 1898, 140 21
Catalogue sales, . 31 75
Interest from Melrose Savings Bank, .
15 58
$555 40
DR.
To amount paid sundry bills,
$96 46
Balance on hand,
458 94
$555 40
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. PATCH,
Treasurer.
233
LIBRARY REPORT.
STATISTICS FOR 1898.
Number of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1898, 11,944
purchased in 1898, . 467
donated in 1898, 20
487
Number of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1899, 12,431
66 of persons using the library, Jan. 1, 1898, 3,864
of cards issued in 1898, 737
relinquished in 1898, 26
7II
Number of persons using the library Jan. 1, 1899, 4,575
students' cards issued since Sept. 20, 1898, 232
،، teachers' I33
volumes replaced in 1898, 205
rebound 920
magazines bound, 48
CIRCULATION.
Largest number of books issued in one day,
544
Smallest ١١
١١
( stormy ) 32
..
..
.. month, 1,691
Largest 6 4 16 . .
..
..
5,357
Total
..
1898 55,838
Number of days the library was open, .
305
234
LIBRARY REPORT.
Per Cent.
Fiction and Juvenile,
46,070
82.52
History and Travel,
3,070
5.49
Science and Arts,
1,462
2.62
Biography,
1,125
2.02
Literature and Essays,
792
1.42
Religion,
723
1.30
Poetry and Drama,
747
1.34
Magazines,
1,839
3.29
55,828
100.00
Reading Room.
Number of persons using the reading room Jan.
1, 1898,
20,685
Number of persons using the reading room Jan.
1, 1899
28,427
Largest number of visitors in one month,
2,957
Smallest
1,691
Books brought from the library for use in reading room,
776
Books taken on teachers' cards for school use, 466
PERIODICALS IN THE READING ROOM.
American Agriculturist.
Arena.
Art Amateur.
Art Interchange.
Atlantic Monthly.
Birds.
Book Buyer.
Bookman.
235
LIBRARY REPORT.
Century Magazine. Two copies.
Chautauquan Magazine. Cosmopolitan Magazine. Eclectic Magazine.
Engineering,
W. H. Wiley.
Forest and Stream.
Forum. Gartenlaube.
Geographical Journal.
Great Round World. Harper's Monthly Magazine. Two copies.
Bazar.
Weekly.
.. Round Table,
Heating and Ventilation. Journal of the Western Society of Engineers.
Kindergarten Magazine.
Ladies' Home Journal.
Land of Sunshine,
F. A. Patten & Co. Sterling Elliott.
L. A. W. Bulletin and Good Roads, . Le Francais. Library Journal. Life.
Lippincott Magazine. Literary Digest.
Literary News. Littell's Living Age.
London Illustrated News.
McClure's Magazine. Munsey's Magazine.
Nation. National Magazine. New England Magazine. North American Review.
236
LIBRARY REPORT.
Outing Magazine.
Overland Magazine.
Popular Science Monthly.
Popular Science News,
Miss Mary L. Charles.
Review of Reviews.
Scientific American.
Scientific American Architect and Builder.
Scientific American Supplement.
Scribner's Magazine. Two copies.
St. Nicholas.
School Review.
PAPERS IN THE READING ROOM.
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Christian Register.
Cincinnati Gazette.
Home Market Bulletin.
Melrose Journal,
Melrose Reporter,
Mr. Charles Adams. Dunton & Potter.
National Tribune, G. A. R.
New York Tribune.
Pilot. San Francisco Call. Springfield Republican. Tuft's Weekly. Youth's Companion.
237
LIBRARY REPORT.
DONATIONS.
Books.
Acts and Resolves of Mass., State, I vol. Cambridge Fifty Years a City, . City of Cambridge, I " City of Chelsea, Mass., City of Chelsea, I "
How to Build, Furnish and Decorate a House, 2 In Darkest England, . Mrs. S. E. Barker, Malden,
Mass. Soldiers and Sailors of Revolutionary War,
State, 4 "
Messages and Papers of the Presidents,
Hon. W. E. Barrett, 4 " .Old Records of the Town of Fitchburg, W. A. Davis, I " Protestant Faith, or Salvation by Belief,
D. H. Olmstead, I "
Report of the Boston Y. M. C. U., W. H. Baldwin, I “ Report of the Metropolitan Water Board,
Met. Water Board, I “
Ten No-License Years in Cambridge,
Cambridge W. C. T. U., I “
William Adams Richardson,
Estate of W. A. Richardson, I “
20 vols.
Pamphlets.
Number of pamphlets in the library Jan 1, 1898, 1,832 Annual Report of the Indian Rights Association, I
Public Reservations, I
.6 66 Lake Mohonk Conference, I
Baltimore Enoch Pratt Library, I
Carried forward, 1,836
238
LIBRARY REPORT.
Brought forward,
1,836
Annual Report of the Beverly Public Library,
I
.6
Boston
I
Brockton
..
I
Brookline
I
..
Chelsea
..
I
Chicago
..
I
.6
Clinton ..
-
Concord
..
I
Everett ..
I
Hartford ،،
I
..
66
Leicester
..
I
..
66
Malden
I
16
Manchester, N. H., Public Library, I
Mercantile Library, St. Louis,
I
..
Newberry " Chicago,
I
..
..
.6
Newton, Mass., Public Library,
I
..
6.
Northampton
I
Peabody Ins., Danvers,
J
..
"
.
Philadelphia Public Library,
I
٠١
٠٠
Somerville
I
Syracuse
..
I
Tufts
I
..
..
..
Watertown ..
Į
..
.6
Winthrop
.6
I
Woburn
،٠
I
..
Worcester
I
Official Gazette of U. S. Patent office,
52
Notes on a Tour Among the Indians of Northwest, I
Two Great Commandments in Economics, I
Carried forward,
1,918
١١
Hopedale
..
I
١١
..
Salem ..
..
..
06
239
LIBRARY REPORT.
Brought forward 1,918
Descriptive catalogue of writings of Sir Walter Scott, Philadelphia Library, I
That Old Man and His Dream, Walter G. Chase, I
Arthur Henry Hallam, W. E. Gladstone, I
Henryk Sienkiewicz, I
Evolution of a Library,
I
Illustrated Souvenir of Pasadena Homes, J. D. Wilde, I
1,924
CARRIE M. WORTHEN, Librarian.
REPORT OF THE BOARD
OF
SEWER COMMISSIONERS
OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE, MASS.,
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1898.
MELROSE: DUNTON & POTTER, PRINTERS, REPORTER OFFICE. 1899.
17
TOWN OF MELROSE, MASS.
SEWER DEPARTMENT.
1898.
COMMISSIONERS :
SETH E. BENSON, Chairman.
L. FRANK HINCKLEY. JOHN LARRABEE
CHIEF ENGINEER AND SUPERINTENDENT :
W. DABNEY HUNTER.
FIRST ASSISTANT ENGINEER :
C. T. FERNALD.
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
To the Citizens of Melrose :
Your commissioners herewith submit their fifth annual report.
FINANCES.
The total expenditure for sewers during the past five years is as follows:
On account of construction, . . $363,305 49
" private sewers, . 26,920 44
" maintenance, . 1,862 54
$392,088 47
The receipts have been:
Sale of 350 bonds, . · $350,000 00
Private sewers,
25,782 65
Commonwealth for trunk sewer, 15,000 00
Other sources,
2,377 50
$393,160 15
Leaving an unexpended balance Jan. I, 1899, of $1,071 68
244
SEWER REPORT.
The bonds issued on account of construction will be due and payable:
1907,
$25,000 00
1912,
25,000 00
1917,
50,000 00
1924,
100,000 00
1925,
100,000 00
1926,
50,000 00
$350,000 00
For a detailed statement of expenditures during the cur- rent year reference is made to the superintendent's report and the financial statement at the close of this report.
CONSTRUCTION.
Upon petition of the residents of Botolph street and the immediate vicinity, setting forth that a grave nuisance ex- isted in that locality which could be abated by the construc- tion of a sewer and a proper drain, a meeting of the joint boards of selectmen, board of health and sewer commission- ers was held, the petitioners were heard and it was adjudged a necessity. Your board therefore abandoned certain plans made to extend the sewer to Beech avenue through Lebanon and other streets, for which rights of way had been taken, from Linwood avenue, and expended a large portion of the balance remaining last year, at the Highlands, for a main sewer in Botolph street, West Hill avenue, and across private lands to Franklin street.
Extensions were also made on Emerson street, from Bellevue avenue to Fletcher street; on Grove, Potter and Malvern streets.
Petitions have been received for other extensions. We therefore recommend that authority be given the board to
245
SEWER REPORT.
expend for construction a sum not exceeding $10,000, to be paid from the sum received from assessments, which the law provides shall be available for this purpose, thereby avoiding the issuing of bonds or notes and increasing the indebtedness of the town on account of sewers.
SINKING FUND.
The sum received as premium on bonds has been carried to this fund.
We recommend that $40,000 of the amount paid into the treasury on account of sewer assessments be paid over to the sinking fund commissioners for the payment of bonds at maturity.
ENGINEERING, PLANS, ETC.
The expense for plans, surveys, etc., has been of necessity large. We are able to report that the work performed has been thorough and complete, and embraces the original plans, surveys, profiles, etc., for construction of the sewers, together with the assessment plans, which form an accurate map of that portion of the town now sewered, and will be of great value in the years to come to the several depart- ments having to do with the streets, and also for the accu- rate assessment of taxes, as the exact amount of land belonging to the several estates is shown.
These plans being the property of the town, we have extended to the assessors and water commissioners facilities for copying same for the benefit of their departments.
As we have previously stated in our reports, all work in this department has been performed with a view to future
246
SEWER REPORT.
use whenever the town or city shall establish an engineering department. All original papers, books, plans and measure- ments have been preserved, properly indexed and filed. This work has been in charge of the superintendent and engineer, W. D. Hunter, whose faithfulness to all the duties entrusted to him we again commend. His able assistants were released as the work neared completion, and the expenses of the office have been reduced as rapidly as · possible.
MAINTENANCE.
The expense for care and maintenance of the system, having been performed in connection with the construction of new work, has been small, amounting in four years to $1,862.54, which has been paid from the construction ac- count. We recommend that this amount be refunded and a sufficient amount raised for the current year to defray expenses.
HOUSE CONNECTIONS.
There are upon the lines of sewers laid 2,397 buildings, of which number 1,205 are now connected with the sewers. That the full benefit of the sewerage system may be en- joyed by the public, the estates abutting should be con- nected. The compelling power is vested by law in the board of health, who, we are informed, are seriously con- sidering action upon the matter during the coming year.
SEWER ASSESSMENTS.
The plan of assessments for benefits received as finally adopted by the town by vote at meeting, March 28th, 1898, is as follows :
247
SEWER REPORT.
That ONE-HALF of the estimated cost of all the sewers shall be paid for by the town. ONE-HALF of the said estimated cost shall be assessed upon the estates directly benefited, wherever the sewers shall be laid, by the frontage and area plan combined, viz : Twenty cents to be assessed on each foot of lot frontage of estates on any street or way wherever a sewer is constructed ; five (5) mills per square foot upon the area of said estates extending back to a depth of one hundred (100) feet from the front of same.
Upon all corner lots assessments for lot frontage shall be levied, as before stated, upon the whole frontage of such estates which abut on the street where a sewer is first con- structed, and when a sewer is constructed on the other street, or streets, or ways, upon which such corner lots or estates abut, an exemption, as may be determined by the sewer commissioners, of not exceeding fifty (50) feet of the frontage assessment shall be made on such streets or ways; and the assessment, as before provided, shall be levied on all the rest of the frontage on such streets or ways.
Upon such estates as shall receive a direct benefit from the sewer, and have no assessable lot frontage, and are not located within one hundred (100) feet of a street or way, such an amount of the area of said estate shall be assessed, as may be deemed just and reasonable by the board of sewer commissioners, for the benefits received.
The town also instructed the commissioners to petition the legislature for authority to increase the number of parts or instalments of assessments levied upon the estates and for such other legislation as they deemed just and proper.
May 20th, 1898 the following act was passed :
·
248
SEWER REPORT.
[CHAP: 445. ]
AN ACT
Relative to sewer assessments in the town of Melrose.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION I. The board of sewer commisssoners of the town of Melrose, on the written request, made within three months after notification of assessment, of any owner of an estate assessed by said commissioners for its proportional part of the charge of making and maintaining main drains or common sewers, shall apportion such assessment into such number of equal parts or instalments, not exceeding ten, as said owner shall state in such request, and said board shall certify such apportionment to the assessors of said town, and one of said parts or instalments, with interest from the date of said apportionment at the rate of five per cent. per annum, shall be added by the assessors to the annual tax on such estates for each year next ensuing until all of said parts have been so added and paid : provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to prevent the payment at any time in one payment of any balance of said assessments then remaining unpaid, notwithstanding such prior appor- tionment. All liens for the collection of such assessment shall continue until the expiration of two years from the time when the last instalment is added by the assessors and remitted to the collector.
SECTION 2. The board of sewer commissioners of the town of Melrose, in addition to any authority now conferred upon them to abate sewer assessments upon estates in said town, shall have full authority upon complaint of any person interested in the premises so assessed to make such abate-
249
SEWER REPORT.
ments or suspensions of the collection of assessments for the construction of sewers as they may deem just and proper, and may make the abatement upon the whole amount of the assessment at once or upon the amount of any apportionment included in a tax or tax bills. Any such assessment so abated or suspended shall continue a lien upon the estate on which the assessment is made until the same is paid.
SECTION 3. Section three of chapter three hundred and twenty-three of the acts of the year eighteen hundred and ninety four is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon its passage. [ Approved May 20, 1898.
In accordance with the vote of the town, and by the authority of the law, the board voted July Ist, 1898, to levy sewer assessments on all property abutting on any street or way in which a main drain or common sewer had been con- structed. This involved a large amount of clerical work in addition to the making of plans, surveys, etc., performed by the engineers. An earnest effort was made that the plan as adopted might be understood, the advantages to be de- rived under the law accepted if desired, and circular letters and blank forms, together with bills, showing the assess- ments for frontage and area, were mailed to 2533 persons or estates assessed. The total amount assessed upon estates is nearly $165,000, of which $46,336 has been paid into the treasury. The entire amount will be due and payable under the plan of installments, as provided by law, within ten years from July 1, 1898, together with interest at 5 per cent. per annum upon any portion remaining unpaid until the amount levied is finally settled.
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.