USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1914 > Part 6
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The approach to Crystal Street through the park has not been con- structed, and it is to this improvement that the commission wishes. to call your particular attention. If such appropriation could be made for the construction of this approach, with a bridge spanning the brook it would save some ten minutes' walk in reaching the knoll, and its attrac- tions, and also the bathing beach to those coming from Main Street. The grading has been done with this in view and should be continued until the project is completed.
Ell Pond Bath House
During the fifth season, under the supervision of the Park Com- missioners, the Ell Pond Bath House provided for citizens to the number
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
of 11,637, which attendance was divided: women and girls, 4,162; men and boys, 7,475. Constant care and attention has been provided by two attendants, a new boat for rescue purposes has been purchased, and it is a pleasing fact that no fatality has occurred.
On three occasions the attendants have rendered assistance which prevented fatality, and for such service, on July 16th and August 1st and August 17th, Mr. Allison and his assistants are to be commended. The house has been placed in better condition than ever before, and it is hoped that the facilities will be used by still greater numbers next year.
Ell Pond Embankment
No additional improvement has been made upon this embankment, but during the year it is planned to erect a series of shelters and place permanent seats, to complete the steps leading to the lower walk, and the guard rail across the entire front of the wall. Shade trees and shrubs should be placed in position so that next season would make this particular portion of the park one of the most attractive.
The Common, Sewall's Woods Park and Other Areas
On the Common, the benches and band stand have been repaired and painted, new sand boxes for the children have been installed, numerous new iron seats have been purchased and placed in position. The Com- mission has endeavored to control and regulate the use of the playgrounds and swings as much as possible. Permits have been granted for the bonfire on July 4th, for numerous ball games and lawn parties, and with improvements in contemplation for the next year, it is expected that this area will be made more attractive, and the Commission encourages its use by citizens for rest and recreation.
No particular improvement has been attempted in Sewall's Woods Park and the other small areas, with the exception of proper maintenance in caring for the trees and grass plots. During this last fall, it is regretted that the renewed appearance of the gypsy and brown-tail moths caused apprehension and considerable expense. It is plain that the work to suppress these destructive pests will have to be continued on a larger scale this year than before.
School Gardens
The Commission again this year granted the use of land sufficient for the School Garden under the direction of Mrs. Annie L. Woodman.
Shelter at Ell Pond Park
By reference to the illustration, it will be seen that the completion of this shelter and band stand have added a most attractive feature to this area. Contracts were made for its construction and completion was accomplished in September. The Commission has determined that
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CITY OF MELROSE
whatever improvements are made will be of such a permanent character that the cost of maintenance will be minimized. Since the completion of the shelter the attendants report a much larger use of the Park during the summer afternoons, and with the new project already suggested, it is expected that the knoll will become a more and more popular resort for our citizens.
Proposed Improvements and Recommendations
It is desired that the original plan adopted by the Commission in 1912 should eventually be carried out. The work already accomplished on the knoll and Ell Pond Embankment begin to show the attractions and advantages of this carefully-thought-out development, and to this end the Board recommends an appropriation of the sum of $5,000 for the construction of the bridge, walks, seats, installation of water and numerous smaller improvements and the approaches from Crystal Street and in addition, the following estimate for the care and maintenance of parks, playgrounds, etc.
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and Wages.
$50.00
Other Expenses 100.00
Parks and Gardens:
Salaries and Wages.
650.00
Improvements and Additions
600.00
Other Expenses .
175.00
Playgrounds:
Salaries and Wages
50.00
Inmprovements and Additions.
350.00
Other Expenses
25.00
Bathhouses and Beaches:
Salaries and Wages
350.00
Improvements and Additions.
25.00
Other Expenses
25.00
$2,400.00
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE T. FERNALD, Chairman
ADDISON L. WINSHIP, GEORGE J. FOSTER,
ROBERT A. PERKINS, HARRY N. VAUGHN,
Melrose, Mass., December 31, 1914.
Report of Trustees of Pine Banks Park
·Melrose, Mass., January 30, 1915
To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council of City of Melrose, Mass.
Gentlemen :- A review of the work of the year 1914 shows but little change from the ordinary routine but we can safely state that at no time has the Park been so extensively patronized as during the past year. The playgrounds on the north section have been in constant use during the summer months by the young people of both cities and the main park has proved a most attractive pleasure spot for old and young throughout the year while on holidays in midsummer over one thousand persons in a single day have availed themselves of the shelter of the cool and restful groves.
One of the principal attractions has been our little Zoo which is growing each year. We have at present a collection of gray squirrels, three red foxes, one racoon, one lamb, a beautiful young deer, guinea hens, ducks, geese, a large collection of pigeons, all the rabbits we can care for, one owl, known as the "Judge," and our last arrival, "Teddie," the bear.
The Trustees feel that many of our citizen's do not appreciate the large and beautiful park, teeming with natural beauties, pleasant walks driveways, groves, pools and crags and all right at our doorways.
At the eastern extremity of Mt. Ephraim (a portion of the park least visited) a most magnificent view may be obtained of the ocean and harbor as well as adjoining cities and towns. If a small stone observatory could be built at this point it would open up this portion of the park at once but we fear the chances of such an improvement to be most remote unless some public-spirited citizen could be found willing to fill a niche in the local Hall of Fame by presenting such a building.
While the ravages of the Gypsy and Brown Tail moths are less in evidence, the fact that since the advent of these pests we have lost nearly fifteen hundred of our finest trees is proof positive that eternal vigilance is our only reliable safeguard.
The old log cabin is as popular as ever and the warm glow of the great log fire has lit up many happy gatherings during the long winter evenings.
Our Superintendent, Mr. Cray, has continued his good work and by his efficiency and zeal proven to be the right man in the right place.
The advice and assistance of Mr. F. W. Rain, State Forester, in the extermination of the moths is duly appreciated.
For several years we have asked from each city an appropriation of fifteen hundred dollars. Last year on account of extra expenses we were allowed $1,600. Having in mind the necessity of great economy in both municipalities, we have decided to ask for only fifteen hundred dollars
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CITY OF MELROSE
from each city, to include expense of Gypsy and Brown Tail moths. We realize that this will mean a most economical administration of our affairs the coming year, but taking all things into consideration, do not feel justified in asking for more.
Respectfully submitted, HARRY E. CONVERSE, EDWARD E. BABB, CHARLES M. COX, WM. D. SERRAT, GEORGE LOUIS RICHARDS (authorized) JOHN B. ROBBINS, Acting Mayor.
Report of Planning Board
January 18, 1915
To His Honor the Mayor, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose.
The Planning Board beg leave to submit the following report and recommendations concerning playgrounds.
It is hardly necessary to point out the distinction between a park and a playground. A portion of a park may well be set apart for a play- ground, but a playground should never be restricted to park purposes. As its name indicates, it is a place where children are given a chance to exercise one of the natural rights of childhood, a place to do for their bodies what the school does for their minds.
Playgrounds are primarily intended to meet the needs of little children, and therefore must not be confounded with athletic fields for competitive sports. To fully meet the needs of the community, they should be numerous, properly distributed to meet the present and future needs of the population, and not necessarily of large area.
The natural relation between the playground and the school suggests their close neighborhood wherever practicable. With these general conditions in mind, your Planning Board has studied the present popula- tion and probable growth of Melrose that it might suggest such develop- ments as would ultimately meet the need of the entire City.
First of all, it must be remembered that park areas immediately adjacent to our borders, and the certainty that portions of these will become playgrounds, simplifies our problems, and reduces it to terms of the centre of the City. Our system should ultimately provide for permanent play areas, properly equipped, within easy reach of all homes: and the greater the present and prospective congestion of any section, the more imperative the need of a playground. It has already been sug- gested that, so far as possible, these should be established in close prox- imity to the various schools. This relation has had fortunate recognition in the work already done.
The playground adjacent to the Lincoln School is sufficient and so well located as to permanently take care of that section.
There should be a playground near the Washington School, and the vacant land across Potter Street would be ideal for that purpose.
The Winthrop School is so near the Common, and surrounded by so much open territory, that the need in that neighborhood is remote.
Ell Pond Park, Messenger's Meadows, and the land behind the Franklin School, will be adequate for the need of the Highlands and for a large part of the west side of the city for many years to come.
This leaves the centre of the city, the district of greatest present and future congestion, unprovided for. Here we have fortunately, one or two plots of land well situated, and requiring little outlay for their develop-
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CITY OF MELROSE
ment. A minimum expenditure will convert a portion of the Dix's Pond area, back of the City Hall and Memorial building, into a central play- ground, with the natural embankment surrounding it, a small amount of flooding will make it safe and desirable in the winter for the smaller children, to whom Ell Pond is at once a temptation and a menace.
The site of the disused Horace Mann schoolhouse is exactly the right location for another playground, opposite a school containing a large number of small children, and in a district sure to become more and more congested, and less and less likely, as time goes on, to contain vacant lots such as are now used by the children of the neighborhood.
The present building is obsolete, not likely to be needed for any future development of our school system, unsuited for business purposes, so far out of repair as to be most expensive to restore to a usable condition, and at present a grave fire hazard to surrounding property, and still worse, a moral hazard to the entire city.
In view of this study of the situation, and the facts and conditions above outlines, your Commission recommend :-
(1) That a suitable appropriation be made to grade and soil the Dix's Pond lot, and make it immediately available for playground purposes.
(2) That bids be invited for the purchase and removal of the old Horace Mann schoolhouse, and that the proceeds of such a sale, together with such other sums as may be appropriated, be used to grade and prepare this lot for playground purposes.
We believe that these two developments are immediately necessary, and can be secured at a slight expense compared with the benefits which will accrue to the children of our city.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. F. SLAYTON, Chairman. HENRY M. RIPLEY,
VICTOR A. FRIEND, HAROLD MARSHALL, DENNIS W. FITZPATRICK,
E. GERTRUDE COPELAND, SETH K. AMES, AGNES L. DODGE,
By LOUISA S. HUNT, Secretary
Report of the Public Library Trustees
To His Honor, the Mayor, Charles H. Adams and the Honorable Board of Aldermen.
Gentlemen :- The Trustees of the Melrose Public Library present their report for the year 1914, being the fourteenth annual report to the City, and the fourty-fourth since the establishment of the library.
Statistics for the year give the number of volumes on January 1st as 18,091. Of this number 981 were added by purchase, 107 transferred from the Duplicate Collection, and 38 are volumes of periodicals bound. 68 books have been discarded, making the year's increase 1052.
75,354 books have been issued, 72% to adults, 28% juvenile, repre- senting in proportion to the size of the library and number of inhabitants in the city, a circulation far larger than that of any similar library in Eastern Massachusetts with one exception. That our people use the library very freely is conclusively proved from this large circulation, and the fact that during the year we have had to replace with new copies, 511 books and to re-bind 967. The wear and injury incident to constant handling increases with the growing call for books, and the demand will swell with the extension work which we have already undertaken, and that which we hope to accomplish. The branch or deposit station estab- lished last year in the southeastern section of the city, the Swain's Pond District, has been most successful, 3,033 books having been issued there. It has been carried on practically without expense to the city, a room having been assigned for its accommodation, while attendance has been by volunteer assistants. 431 books have been loaned to a Sunday School at the Highlands. Another station is greatly needed there. It seems an unwise and short-sighted policy to cripple this important educational work by a persistent cutting down of the money supply necessary for carrying it on.
The Duplicate Pay Collection has been continued with practically the same record of patronage. It is now a well established part of our methods; a convenience to patrons, a help in the fiction supply.
The Children's Department also shows gain in attendance and the number of school pupils coming to the library for help in their studies. This is encouraging in view of the strong counter attractions of the moving pictures, always so alluring to young people.
The reading and reference room is always well filled. Figures and results in this department of the library must necessarily be unrecorded, but the use of reference books implies study, research, acquisition of knowledge, a real gain in the educational status of the community.
One bulletin of 634 titles, and covering twelve months has been printed. The books number 177 in the juvenile department, 171 fiction, and the rest in the eleven departments and sub-department of non-fiction. Lists of books are printed frequently in the local newspaper, before being collected for the annual bulletin; but the only complete list of the contents
90
CITY OF MELROSE
of the library will be found in the card catalogue. Attendants are always ready to assist persons not familiar with it in the use of this official list. The new books are placed on shelves easily conspicuous in the main library room and can be examined before being taken out.
The selection of fiction for a public library is most difficult, because so much that is suggestive or subtly immoral is published in all directions. In other days the names of certain well-known publishers were a guarantee of the desirableness of books bearing the imprint of the firm. Unfortu- nately that cannot be said in these times. There have apparently been radical changes in standpoints, making it difficult to steer a clear course between old fogyism and progress, "keeping up to the times," to quote from the report of a neighboring library, "The pendulum has swung so far in the direction of objectionable literature that a reaction is sure to come. Public taste and public opinion still hang the balance on the side of the decent, and in the long run the public may be trusted. The sober reading public still prefers clean books."
The historical room has been used by the Equal Suffrage League, the Anti-Suffrage Club, the Melrose Horticultural and Improvement Society, and other organizations interested in civic or educational work. The Mary A. Livermore Art Room has also been used for the meetings of a class in art. The collection of pictures is in process of being catalogued, through the generous assistance of Miss Charles, which will make it more available for popular use. An acquaintance with the best works of the world in art, elevates the standard of taste; surely a desirable thing for any community iu this age of commercialism.
Eleven meetings of the Board of Trustees have been held. There has been no change in library methods and none in the library staff, who have discharged their duties with faithfulness and efficiency. Although our circulation is so large the work is done by a smaller number of employees, with no higher salaries than any other library of its class.
The library will require for the administration of its affairs in 1915 the following amount of money.
For Salaries $2,935.00
For Books
1,500.00
For Binding 500.00
For Fuel and Lights 600.00
For Building and Janitor's Supplies 300.00
For Sundries.
300.00
$6,135.00
This amount is larger than has been previously asked for but it is not a dollar more than is absolutely needed if the work of the library is to continue, even on a conservative basis.
DONATIONS-BOOKS
Acts and Resolves of Mass.
State
Annual Report of Commissioner of Education. State
Annual Report of City of Melrose. City
Annual Report of Metropolitan Water Board. State
91
LIBRARY REPORT
Cranford Friend
Edwin Booth
In His Steps.
Panama and the Canal in Picture and Prose.
Story of Jesus Christ .
Success in Music and How it is Won
Things Seen in Spain .
Georgia Landmarks, Memorial and Legends. L. L. Knight
Holy Gospel, Protestant and Catholic. F. J. Firth
International Anti-Vivisection. Ami-Vivisection Society
Journal of the 48th Encampment Dept. Mass. G. A. R ..
Official Opinions of Attorney-General of Mass.
State
Old Records of the Town of Fitchburg.
.W. A. Davis
Mass. Society of the Sons of the Am. Revolution.
Sons of Am. Revolution
Railway Library .. S. Thompson
Reminiscences, Sermons and Correspondence. A E. Stetson
Report of Thirty-ninth Regiment Mass. Volunteers.
. State
PRESENTED
Framed Photographs. Mr. John C. F. Slayton
Flowering Plants. Casey Florist Co.
STATISTICS-1914
Number of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1914.
17,039
Increase by purchase. 981
32
Transferred from Duplicate Pay Collection .
107 1,120
18,159
Number of volumes worn out.
68
Number of volumes in the nbrary Jan. 1, 1915.
18,091
Number of cards issued in 1914. 1,936
Number of teachers' cards issued in 1914.
25
Number of students' cards issued in 1914
457
Number of volumes rebound. 967
Number of volumes replaced.
511
CIRCULATION
Number of days library was open. 298
Average daily circulation.
255
Largest daily circulation
438
Smallest daily circulation (stormy)
85
Largest monthly circulation
7,091
Smallest monthly circulation. 5,145
New names registered during the year
Number of volumes delivered for home use
72,321
Volumes delivered for home use at Swain's Pond Branch 3,033
Highland Sunday School Circulation. 439
Total number of books issued in 1914. 75,793
Respectfully submitted for the Trustees by the Secretary
ANNA T. BUSH.
EDWARD M. MUNYAN, Chairman.
NEIL A. DIVVER,
PAUL STERLING.
WILLIAM S. ATWOOD,
Trustees.
MARY L. CHARLES,
ANNA T. BUSH.
Increase by binding periodicals .
Fifteenth Annual Report OF THE
Public Works Department
EXPLI
1628
ROSE
CHARLESTOWN 1629
POND FEILDE 1638
· MALDEN ·
NORTH END
1649.
INCORPO
1850 00
INCORPO
OR
TEC
19
D
S
GEORGE O. W. SERVIS Engineer and Superintendent
CITY
OF
MELROSE
1914
ORGANIZATION 1914
HON. OLIVER B. MUNROE, Mayor
George O. W. Servis Engineer and Superintendent
Emma L. Leighton, Stenographer
Blanche E. Nickerson, Asst. Stenographer.
William H. Martin, Bookkeeper.
A. J. Waghorne, Assistant in Charge Sewers and Drains
James McTiernan, Assistant in Charge Water Division.
Walter J. Lord, Assistant in Charge Highways.
Engineering Division. Charles F. Woodward, Assistant. John Dyer, Transitman. A. Kenneth Prior, Rodman.
Elmer O. Pray, Transitman.
Public Work's Department
To His Honor the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen :-
, Gentlemen :- In accordance with the City Ordinance I have the honor to submit herewith the Fifteenth Annual Report of the Public Works Department of the City of Melrose for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1914.
This Department has the general care of all public highways (streets, sidewalks, trees), construction of new streets and sidewalks, street lighting, street sprinkling, street signs and house numbering, street cleaning, collec- tion of ashes, and all work connected with the sewer, surface drainage and water systems, all engineering work relating to the above and Wyoming Cemetery, care of City Hall and Memorial Building, and the placing of insurance on City property.
PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE.
Contracts have been made for tar concrete and granolithic sidewalks, edgestone, sodding, sewer pipe, water pipe, etc. Minimum rate and excess water bills and summonses have been made and delivered. Sewer con- nections, water services and individual sidewalks have been estimated and billed. Estimates have been made for the Board of Aldermen and Committees as requested. Sidewalk assessments, sewer assessments and apportionments, betterment assessments and street watering assessments have been made.
All engagements of City Auditorium and Memorial Hall have been booked and bills rendered, and insurance placed on all City property. 361 permits have been given to open and occupy public streets.
Salaries and Wages
Appropriation .
$2,800.00
From Water Maintenance 597.75 $3,397.75
Expended :
Salary, Eng. and Supt. Public Works $2,000.00
Clerical Services, General Office 650.00
66 Water Maintenance 597.75 3,247.75
Treasury Balance $150.00 Superintendent of Divisions, Bookkeeper and Timekeeper charged to various classes of work.
95
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
Other Expenses.
Appropriation
$650.00
Expended :
Sundries .
$39.75
Printing, stamps and stationery 165.39
Printing Annual Report.
35.52
Telephone
28.18
Use of Automobile
381.06
$650.00
WATER DIVISION.
Distribution Mains-Extension.
2,890 feet of new mains have been laid during the year, including hydrant branches, making a total length in the City of approximately fifty- three and eighty-six one hundredths (53.86) miles.
1,747 feet of cement pipe have been replaced with cast iron pipe, and 200 feet of damaged iron pipe have been replaced.
82 new services have been laid during the year and 5 abandoned, making a total in use of 3,914.
6 additional fire hydrants have been placed, the total now in service being 354 maintained by this department.
20 water gates have been added to the system, making a total of 590.
Water Meters.
Ninety-six (96) meters have been installed during the year, making a total of four thousand one hundred and thirty-one (4131) in use December 31, 1914.
Maintenance and Operation.
The entire system of mains, services, hydrants, water-meters, etc., has had careful attention, and the necessary repairs and changes have been made. Following are some of the items :-
7 breaks in cement pipe repaired.
19 joints in iron pipe repaired.
48 service leaks in street repaired.
23 services in street cleaned.
26 services in private premises cleaned.
134 services in street renewed with lead.
83 services in private premises renewed with lead. 5 gates repacked.
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CITY OF MELROSE
Hydrants have been oiled, repaired, painted and kept free from snow and ice. The table of Relay gives length, size, etc., of cast iron pipe used to replace defective or small cement pipc.
There still remain about twelve (12) miles of cement pipe that should be replaced by cast iron as soon as possible, and the East Side Twelve-inch Belt Line should be completed from Larrabee Street to Main street at Wyoming avenue.
TOTAL PIPEAGE OF THE CITY.
Number of feet
66 66 1 34 inch pipe 1,363
1,850
1/2 " 66 375
66
2 66 66
5,948
66
4 66
56,722
6 66 66
142,825
25,147
66
12 14
66
2,920
66 66
5,223
Total
284,375
Length of cast iron pipe, 220,959 feet or 41.86 miles.
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