USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1913 > Part 2
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As additional evidence of business efficiency in the purchasing of material, supplies, and books, wherever the amount involved warrants it, bids are asked for all purchases and labor. Goods are bought where the price is the lowest, if the quality is satisfactory. Wherever prices and quality are equal, preference is given to local bidders and trades- men.
The most serious problem which the School Board has had to face is the increase in the attendance at the High School, which has risen from 575 to 775, a growth of nearly 35 per cent. This condition, how- ever, is merely temporary, owing to the elimination of the ninth grades. I am informed that as nearly as can be estimated, this number by 1915,
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
will drop to 700 and in 1916 to about 600. Meanwhile, by practising economy in the matter of supplies, the large increase in cost of High School text-books has been provided for out of practically the same amount of appropriation as the department has received for years and in spite of the increase of six teachers in the High School. The com- mittee has in short, by consolidation and other economies, kept its total appropriation at approximately the same amount.
On the other hand, our elementary schools have not been neg- lected. They are better supplied with books than ever before. The essential studies, reading, writing, arithmetic, and English language, are better taught than ever. Expert supervisors are aiding the teachers in their work and our schools are constantly visited as models by teachers and supervisors from other cities.
The perfection of the present system without further extension, is the policy of the administration until such time as the reduction of the High School attendance makes possible a broader course without in- creasing the appropriation.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The needs of the public library have been as intelligently and effectively met by the Board of Trustees as the appropriation made by the City would permit. Considering what we have had to do with, we may take just pride in the present condition of our Public Library, which gives evidence of wise and careful selection. There are now over 19,000 volumes in the library. During the year over 71,000 books were issued, and there are from 5,000 to 7,000 card holders. About 1,000 new books are added yearly, the number varying with the amount of the appropriation and the class of books purchased. There has been a steady increase in attendance and in the number of books issued.
During the year the work of re-classifying and re-cataloguing the library by up-to-date methods has been undertaken and nearly com- pleted. It has been a large and expensive work, but was demanded by the constantly increasing scope and activity of the library, and will add greatly to the orderly and efficient administration of its affairs.
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CITY OF MELROSE
CHARTER REVISION.
The acting chairman of the Special Committee on Charter Re- vision has reported to the Board that said Committee appeared before the Legislative Committee on Cities as directed by the Board, and that the whole subject was referred to the General Court of 1913. This report of the Charter Revision Committee has been referred to your Honorable Body, and I would recommend that early action on this subject be taken by you. I firmly believe that our City Charter may be wisely revised in some particulars. I believe in increased publicity, a change in the referendum clause of our present Charter and a smaller legislative body. If unanimity of action on this matter cannot be reached, it would be in order, it seems to me, to put the matter up to the people for them to vote upon at a public election, and the popular will thus be obtained as to whether such changes as I have indicated and possibly others should be adopted.
HAWKERS AND PEDLERS.
I strongly urge an early revision of the ordinances regulating hawkers and pedlers. We should do all in our power in accordance with the general law, to protect the people from the impositions of outside persons engaged in this business, and to protect those of our own citizens who are pursuing their calling in a legitimate way. Neighboring municipalities are making more stringent regulations re- garding this matter and, as a result, unless we do something, Melrose will become the refuge for undesirable hucksters and the dumping ground for objectionable food products of various kinds. The City of Lynn has improved conditions in this respect by establishing a board of control, consisting of the Chief of Police, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and an Inspector of Provisions, with power to issue and revise licenses and permits. They purpose to refuse permits to non- residents, thereby forcing them to take out a license at the State House, which will mean, in the case of Melrose, $21.00 income to the City on each license. This matter should be acted on before March 1st, at which time new licenses will be issued. We must have better control of outside hawkers and pedlers if our own people are to be pro- tected.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
It is perhaps needless for me to call attention to the high degree of efficiency which the fire department has shown in fighting fires. Its alertness, skill, and generally effective action have prevented extended destruction of property on many an an occasion through its success in quickly extinguishing a blaze or confining it in every case within the structure in which it originated. Promptness in reaching fires and quickly-acting apparatus are essential to success in this respect. This is exemplified by the excellent and satisfactory work done by the auto chemical and hose apparatus at the Highlands. I would recommend the purchase of a two-tank combination chemical and hose auto for the Central Station, with two more permanent men, one of whom will be rendered necessary owing to the adoption by the people of the act allowing the permanent men one day off in five. This would dispense with the use of one horse, whose cost would amount to $200 per annum. If the combination chemical and hose auto is not procured, at least two new horses will be required by the department this year. I would recommend the purchase this year, also, of additional hose.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The City of Melrose has a good police department. The mem- bers of the force are loyal and faithful in the discharge of their duty, and in many respects they have established a record creditable to the City as well as to themselves. Good police protection is worth a great deal to a community. The intelligent enforcement of law and order must be insisted upon and a sufficient expenditure must be made to ensure this result. A rigid enforcement of the law against the sale of intoxicating liquors will be steadily advocated and urged by me during my administration.
The police signal system recently introduced, has more than demonstrated its actual worth. It has been efficient and satisfactory, but of course needs to be properly cared for and kept in perfect con- dition. If the duties of wire inspector and superintendent of the fire alarm and of the police signal systems can be consolidated under one official, who can at the same time fill the position of a permanent member of the fire department, it would seem to me that this would be a move in the right direction. While it behooves us to move carefully
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CITY OF MELROSE
in adding to the expenses of carrying on this department, I am strongly of the opinion that an additional officer is needed to cover the lower portion of the East Side, or that portion of the City extending from Foster or Grove Street to the Malden line.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
The general sanitarv condition of Melrose was never better than it has been during the past year, which accounts for the fact that our expenditures have been, during that time, somewhat below the aver- age of recent years.
The public interest in all sanitary matters is wide spread. Year by year, in Massachusetts, the General Court places new and important duties upon her State Board of Health and upon all local boards as well. As showing the extent and scope of recent legislation, the follow- ing requirements may be cited :-
1. Medical inspection of schools.
2. Responsibility for and temporary care of the insane, pending admission to hospital.
3. Immediate visitation and care of all cases of sore eyes of infants under two weeks of age.
4. An examination of and health certificate for all children be- tween the ages of 14 and 16 years, who may wish to go to work.
5. And one of the latest, requiring notices of births to boards of health, that they make an investigation of the cases of infants in the home.
The world-wide interest in tuberculosis as a communicable and preventable disease is well known. In this respect it may be of in- terest to know from the last report of the Board of Health, that only 15 cases of tuberculosis were reported in 1911 as against 27 in 1910, and only 10 deaths in 1911 as against 17 in the previous year.
BUILDING ORDINANCES.
I am earnestly in favor of an early revision of our building laws. With the increase in population and the congestion of certain districts and the added fire hazard resulting, the necessity of improved building construction is apparent. The erection of three and four "deckers," as they are familiarly termed, which are too frequently of light wooden
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
type of construction, should be prohibited, unless they are of abso- lutely fireproof construction. Otherwise they are a menance to life and property and are a serious detriment to the neighborhood in which they are built. They bring additional cost to the City and depreciate surrounding property. A due regard for the safe-guarding of the in- terests of the community and the continuance of Melrose as a city of homes of a good character demands that this matter be given early attention. The height to which any building of wooden walls may be built should be definitely defined, and where the required limit is to be exceeded the use of incombustible material in the walls should be in- sisted upon, as for instance, brick, stone or cement. In the internal construction of buildings every reasonable requirement should be in- sisted upon which will reduce the conflagration hazard and protect and promote the health and safety of the inhabitants. We cannot be too careful in guarding against undesirable methods of building construc- tion. I believe not only in a wise revision of our building ordinances, but also in a rigid enforcement of such ordinances as we now have for the safe-guarding of life and property.
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES.
I desire to urge strongly the necessity of this City securing im- proved transportation facilities. The City is entitled to them in view of the valuable rights and privileges which have been obtained from it by the management of the street railway corporation. We suffer from their regularities and uncertainties of time schedules, the con- sequent delays and inconveniences, and the crowded condition of the through cars from Lowell and Lawrence, to say nothing of the in- sufficiency of heat at times when it is required that the cars be heated, and the need of additional waiting stations, We have the right to in- sist upon additional and better accommodations, which will be con- ducive to the comfort and convenience of the people. The East Side, as well as the West Side, of this City, should be better provided with transportation facilities. Pressure should be brought to bear upon the proper authorities to secure, if possible, the establishment of a line through Lebanon Street to the Maplewood line to connect there with the Boston Elevated tracks. This would be a great convenience to a considerable portion of our people living on the East Side, and would be a potent factor in developing a large portion of our territory and in- creasing the City's revenue. I stand ready to do all in my power to secure the consummation of this much desired object.
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CITY OF MELROSE
PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS.
The development of our local park system, especially that portion of it adjacent to Ell Pond, has been carried on efficiently and wisely under the direction of the Melrose Board of Park Commissioners. The results thus far achieved are creditable to the Board and are an added asset to the City. Now that the people have voted in favor of the appropriation, through a bond issue, providing for the acquiring of the upper ice-house property, and the securing of land on the west shore of the pond, a very important step has been taken looking to the beautification of the centre of the City and the removal of another un- sightly structure on our main thoroughfare, and in giving the City further control of the shores of the pond. Substantial progress can therefore be made this season in carrying out the excellent plans along which the Par !. Commissioners are working, which will doubtless ap- peal to every public-spirited citizen by increasing the attractiveness of Melrose as a residential City of the right kind. A further appropri- ation for the continuation of the work on the park area north of the pond should be granted, enahling the Commission to complete the work of grading the land and finishing the athletic field on which work was begun the past summer.
The need of playgrounds for the younger portion of the com- munity is becoming felt more and more, especially where, in some sections, they have no place in which to play except in the streets, to the inconvenience of passers-by and the danger to the children them- selves. I would recommend that the Commission take some action looking to the acquiring of smaller areas where necessary, which may be utilized as playgrounds for the younger as well as the older boys and girls. School children should not be compelled to play in the streets for lack of sufficient school yards.
TREES AND MOTHS.
The City should, so far as its financial ability permits, exercise great care in the preservation of its trees. Private enterprise has done much, but authoritative action on the part of the City is necessary if we are to preserve and maintain what we now have. The ordinance providing that the wires of telephone, telegraph, electric light and street railway corporations be effectually insulated when they come in contact with the limbs of trees, should be rigidly enforced. I am sure that the citizens would unite in any effort which the City Government
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
might make, looking to the planting of new trees in populated thorough- fares which are without trees.
In this connection the suppression of insects which eat the foliage of our trees becomes of paramount importance. The situation has been much aggravated during the past two or three years by the un- usual activity of the imported elm leaf beetle and the unwelcome but persistent industry of the terribly destructive leopard moth, which bids fair to destroy everything green which the elm leaf beetle, the gipsy and the brown tail moths neglect. A great deal of pruning has been done during the present year and very much more should be done during the coming year in order to insure the greater safety of the travelling public as well as to prevent the probability of accidents to the men who climb the trees.
Much underbrush has grown up on the many vacant private lots throughout the City, most notorious nesting places for the brown tail and gipsy moths, and these places should be cleaned up during the coming year.
It is becoming more difficult year after year, to secure good cap- able men to engage in the extra hazardous task of climbing trees at the same price per day as is paid to the most ordinary laborer working in apparent security upon terra firma.
CEMETERY DEPARTMENT.
While the interior of the cemetery is in good condition, the ap- proaches are not such as to commend themselves as being in keeping with a well laid out plan. Not only should the approach from Main Street over Sylvan Street, be made more attractive as can easily be done by the application of a little landscape architecture but the easterly entrance near Lebanon Street can and should receive con- sideration.
The time has also arrived when the City, in order to have sufficient burial space to enable our citizens to exercise a reasonable choice, must avail itself of a small part of the land known as the Pratt Farm and the Gobel property, originally purchased for the purpose.
A plan for this has been prepared by the Cemetery Committee, which includes also a new approach from the foot of Linwood Avenue in connection with additional lots for burial.
This and the completion of the development of the swamp in the centre of the cemetery, now well under way and the improvement of
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CITY OF MELROSE
the westerly entrance will require an expenditure this year which has been requested by the Committee and is now before the Board of Aldermen. It is desirable also that some improvement be made in the internal arrangement of the tomb, which will provide for a more modern plan for arranging of the bodies which are temporarily held in the tomb awaiting burial in the spring of each year.
I feel that the City would be warranted in making an appropria- tion in addition to the amount usually granted in order that a begin- ning may be made looking toward the carrying out of these objects.
THE MEMORIAL BUILDING.
The construction of this memorial building during the past year has been successfully accomplished by an efficient building committee. It is in every way a first-class structure of its kind. It has been built wisely, honestly, with careful attention to every detail of construction. The work has been carried forward by the contractor with signal ability and skill, and good value has been received for the money ex- pended. It stands today as a fitting memorial to commemorate the great services of the soldiers and sailors in the War of the Rebellion, and should prove an inspiration to the present as well as to succeeding generations. With its beautiful hall in which these exercises are being held, to be devoted to public uses, it supplies a long felt need, the ad- vantages of which will be appreciated as time goes on.
While the acceptance by the City of this beautiful structure, has brought with it its obligations and responsibilities, the patriotic phase of this whole movement and what this building stands for, must never be lost sight of. I believe that as a potent factor for good in the up- lifting influence which it will exert, in the growth of our civic spirit, which it will intensify, and in the cooperative tendency which it will strengthen, its influence will be far-reaching and long felt.
The question of relieving the present crowded conditions at the City Hall, is one which ought to be taken up. The situation in several departments is becoming almost intolerable. I would recommend that a special committee be chosen by your body at an early date to investigate the situation and make such recommendations in reference thereto as may seem advisable.
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MAYOR'S ADDRESS
CHARITY DEPARTMENT.
The charity department was recently re-organized and its affairs have been conducted with reasonable economy and efficiency. The Overseers have apparently carefully investigated all cases carried on the books of the department and each new application for relief, with a view to eliminating the unworthy and preventing imposition upon the City, and actively endeavoring to extend the maximum amount of re- lief possible within the limits of available appropriation to those un- fortunates throughout the City, who are in genuine need.
The City Home has been equipped with modern conveniences and much time has been devoted to promoting the comfort and happiness of its inmates, and it is believed that from the attention and care they are today receiving, they enjoy the advantages and benefits of a real home, so far as the same can be reasonably expected in a public in- stitution.
I trust that during my administration the work of the Board will be wisely planned and efficiently executed and that so benevolent a phase of our City's activity will remain an ever-increasing factor for Christian good in our community.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
There are many important matters in connection with the municipal administration to which attention might be justly called, but the ex- tent of this address has already exceeded the limits originally intended. The question of public lighting might receive our attention. Are we paying more for our public lighting, considering what we are getting, than our sister communities ? What steps, if any, shou'd be taken to secure a better lighted city at a smaller unit of cost? This may prove to be a matter which it will be worth while for us to look into.
Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen :-
To us has been entrusted the importante duty of administering the affairs of our City wisely, efficiently and honestly. A few sug- gestive words by me in closing, I am sure, will be taken by you in the same friendly spirit in which they are uttered, to the end that we may work together for the City's best interests, harmoniously and effect- ively. Let us approach the solution of every problem which con- fronts us with courage and free from personal, partizan or political
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CITY OF MELROSE
prejudice, act in accordance with what we consider to be for the wel- fare of the community as a whole. Let us try to enter upon our tasks with a clear and full understanding of their nature and their import with reference to the welfare of the people. There will necessarily be differences of views, but a full free and honest interchange of opinion is always productive of good, and I have no doubt that it will be so in your deliberations. Avoid the enactment of legislation which savors of an oppressive, irritating or annoying character. This community is run for the benefit of the people who inhabit it. They have dele- gated to us certain civic functions, which we are obligated to faithfully perform. Such constructive legislation as you may enact, may it be entered upon carefully and judiciously with a thorough knowledge of the facts involved and purposes which it is sought to accomplish. Anticipating that our relations with each other will be pleasant and profitable to the City, I assure you of my hearty cooperation in any laudable work upon which you may enter.
And now, my fellow-citizens, I will take up the duties of my office, with the earnest desire to discharge them in such manner as will prove most conducive to the City's welfare, with a sincere purpose to safeguard the interests of the people, so far as lies within my power, and with a grim determination to do the right, as it has been given to me to see the right.
ANNUAL REPORT of the
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
CITY OF MELROSE 1913
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1914
Name
Residence
Term Expires
Sarah A. Day .
45 Ashland Street
January, 1914
Eben F. Phillips
12 Orient Place
1914
Wallace R. Lovett
.
12 Fairmount Street
" 1914
William Coggeshall
. 158 E. Foster Street
.
" 1915
Frank L. Welt
. 31 Malvern Street .
"
1915
Lowell F. Wentworth
19 Bartlett Street
1915
Isabelle Stantial
146 Florence Street
1916
Elmer O. Goodridge
148 E. Foster Street
.
1916
William A. Morse
. 15 Auburn Place
1916
Lowell F. Wentworth, Chairman,
Isabelle Stantial, Secretary
Meetings of Committee.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, except July and August, at seven-thirty p.m.
Superintendent of Schools.
John C. Anthony, .
.
14 Mt. Vernon Street
Office: High School Building
Office Hours: 8 to 9 a.m. on school days, and 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Office Telephone: 55.
Superintendent's Secretary.
Helen M. Aldrich,
94 Myrtle St.
.
.
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CITY OF MELROSE
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Mr. Phillips
Finance and Supplies Mr. Goodridge Mr. Morse
Mr. Lovett
Mr. Goodridge
Schoolhouses and Janitors. Mr. Welt Mr. Morse
Mr. Coggeshall
Teachers and Salaries.
Mrs. Day
Mrs. Stantial Mr. Phillips
Mr. Coggeshall
Text Books and Courses of Study.
Mr. Welt
Mrs. Day Mrs. Stantial
Mr. Lovett
SPECIAL COMMITTEES.
Legislative.
Mr. Morse
Mr. Goodridge Mr. Lovett
Mr. Coggeshall
VISITING COMMITTEES.
High School The School Committee
Franklin and Whittier Schools. . Mrs. Day
D. W. Gooch School. Mrs. Stantial
Mary A. Livermore School. Mr. Phillips
Washington School. Mr. Welt
Lincoln School. Mr. Lovett
Winthrop School. Mr. Goodridge
Joseph Warren School. Mr. Morse
Sewall and Ripley Schools Mr. Coggeshall
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SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1914.
WINTER TERM 1914.
Opens January 5th and closes February 20th.
SPRING TERM 1914.
First Half: Opens March 2d, and closes April 24th.
Second Half: Opens May 4th, and closes June 24th.
FALL TERM 1914.
Opens September 9th, and closes December 23d.
HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME.
Every Saturday, Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, June 17th, October 12th, and Thanksgiving Day, with the half day preceding and the day following it.
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