USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1915 > Part 5
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439.80
Balance
445.00
$5.20
Offences for which complaints have been made at Court 182
72
CITY OF MELROSE
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Accidents reported
15
Arrests for out of town officers.
10
Articles found and returned to owners. 12
Automobiles stopped and warned
56
Board of Health notices served.
12
Boys throwing ball in the streets warned
9
Boys throwing stones in the streets warned.
15
Buildings and houses specially protected
6
Cases and complaints investigated.
158
Cats disposed of .
7
Defects in streets reported.
15
Defects in sidewalks reported
6
Disturbances suppressed
7
Dogs found.
3
Dogs killed
1
Doors and windows found unlocked and secured.
63
Electric and telephone wires burning trees.
1
Electric and telephone wires reported down
11
Fire alarms attended by officers.
14
Fire alarms given by officers.
4
Horses found roaming and taken care of
4
Incandescent lights reported out
83
Insane committed
7
Investigation of jurymen.
48
Lost children found and returned home
3
Letters delivered for City Clerk.
1,983
Leaks in water pipes.
4
Lanterns hung in dangerous places .
31
Miscellaneous letters, telegrams, etc., delivered by officers
16
Obstructions removed from the streets
8
Persons assisted home.
9
Runaway horses stopped
1
Street signs reported down
2
Summonses served.
53
Special messages delivered by officers
10
Stray dogs brought to Station
4
Value of property recovered and returned .
$715
Duty calls by Officers from boxes for year. 31,609
3,200
Wagon calls from boxes for the year
42
Ambulance calls from boxes for the year
1
Ambulance calls from other sources. 175
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. KERR,
Chief of Police
Telephone calls from boxes for the year
Report of Fire Department
January 1, 1916
To His Honor, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen,
City of Melrose, Mass.
Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1915.
The Organization consists of four companies :-
Engine Company No. 1; Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; Com- bination A, Auto Hose and Chemical; Hose Company No. 4.
Call Force .- Chief Engineer, Deputy Chief Engineer, 29 Hose and Ladder Men.
Permanent Force .- 2 Captains, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Chauffeur and Mechanic, 1 Engineman, 5 Drivers.
Apparatus .- 1 Chief's Auto, 2 Auto Combinations, Chemical and Hose; 1 Steam Fire Engine; 2 Hose Wagons; 1 Hook and Ladder Truck; 3 Pungs; 8 Hand Chemical Extinguishers; 1 Exercise Wagon.
Hose .- There is 6,300 feet of good hose and 250 feet of poor hose in the department.
Horses .- There are 7 horses in the Department. One horse was sent to Red Acre Farm by consent of the Board of Aldermen, and has since been laid away. On the arrival of the new Auto Hook and Ladder Truck 2 horses will have to be disposed of, leaving 5 in the Department.
Fires .- The Department has answered 64 Bell Alarms and 139 Still Alarms the past year, with a small fire loss considering the large amount of property in buildings and contents endangered by fire, the value of same being $112,100. The loss for the year amounts to $17,192.62. Insurance on buildings and contents endangered by fire. .... . $99,150.00 Insurance paid on buildings and contents endangered by fire. . $15,669. 12
Fire Stations .- The Fire Stations are in good repair with the excep- tion that the Highlands House needs to be painted and repaired. Value of Personal Property of the Department. $23,809.15
Recommendation .- I respectfully call your attention to the need of more permanent men in the Fire Department.
Yours respectfully, JOSEPH EDWARDS, Chief Engineer
Report of the Park Commissioners
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose :- Gentlemen :- The Board of Park Commissioners herewith presents its Sixth Annual Report.
This report is printed and presented in conjunction with that of the Planning Board, as in many ways the lines of effort of the two bodies are common, for what to them seems of benefit, improvement, and the welfare of the citizens of Melrose.
The following will give in detail the appropriations and expenditures for the maintenance of the parks, and the improvements along the Ell Pond Embankment, also the maintenance of the bath-house at Ell Pond.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1915 Divided as Follows
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
Improvements and additions.
350.00
Other expenses.
25.00
Bath Houses and Beaches:
Salaries and wages.
350.00
Improvements and additions
25.00
Other expenses.
25.00
$2,400.00
Expenditures in Various Accounts
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and wages. Appropriation
$50.00
Salary of clerk.
50.00
Parks, General Administration. Other Expenses.
Appropriation.
$100.00
Expended:
W. J. Drummond .
$2.00
Postage .
10.73
Free Press Concert Printing
15.50
Printing annual Report.
42.50
Postage and sundries
1.88
Paul W. Rowell, photographs.
2.25
Balance
25.14
.
100.00
75
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
Parks and Gardens, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation.
650.00
Expended:
George De Cost, caretaker
400.00
Pay rolls, labor
181.88
Pay rolls, police [Sundays].
49.20
Pay rolls, playground apparatus, care of.
16.00
Pay rolls, police [Concert June 27].
2.10
Transfer to shelter account.
.82
650.00
Parks and Gardens, Improvements and Additions:
Appropriation.
$600.00
Expended :
Walter Sandilands, labor and stock.
$260.00
Keene Forestry Co. stock.
15.00
T. J. Hind Co., granolithic work.
166.25
L. Nickerson, awnings.
40.00
Framingham Nurseries, stock.
25.53
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor
48.00
Deering Lumber Co.
25.60
. Iver Johnson & Co.
5.89
Perry Marston & Co.
4.85
Twombly's Express
2.00
Frank E. Coyle.
1.70
George De Cost.
1.00
Brock Bros ..
1.00
B. & M. R. R. old ties.
2.00
Transfer to shelter account .
.03
Other expenses
1.15
600.00
Parks and Gardens. Other Expenses:
Appropriation.
$175.00
Transfers from various accounts.
11.96
186.96
Expended:
George De Cost, moth work
$54.00
W. Sandilands, labor.
2.40
E. W. Mansfield, paints
14.14
American Express Co .. :
2.14
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor .
28.21
Frank E. Coyle, material.
22.00
R. & J. Farquhar, shrubs.
20.25
Casey, Florist Co., flowers.
6.35
H. S. Robertson, lowering topmast [2].
10.00
Deering Lumber Co.
2.39
W. J. Bowser, sharpening pick .
.20
Perry, Marson & Co.
12.50
Andrew Dutton & Co., flags.
3.10
J. A. Dill & Co., chairs.
1.50
Transfer to shelter account.
.82
Martin Allison, one-half day labor
1.25
Cementing tree, Lynde Street lot.
3.00
Joseph Edwards, repair pulley block
1.75
Balance.
1.96
186.96
Transfer to Parks and Gardens
76
CITY OF MELROSE
Playgrounds, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation.
$50.00
Expended:
Pay roll, labor .
$17.50
Pay roll, police [Sundays] 7.20
Transfer to shelter account
25.03
Transfer to Parks and Gardens, other expenses.
.27
50.00
Playgrounds, Improvements and Additions:
Appropriation.
350.00
Expended:
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor
$245.75
W. Sandilands, labor.
32.40
Jacob Boyle, work on float
25.00
Frank E. Coyle, material.
20.61
Charles H. Everson, labor.
4.25
Deering Lumber Co.
4.24
Brock Bros.
1.00
Pay rolls, labor.
11.15
Pay rolls, police [Sundays].
2.40
Benson Coal Co., sand.
2.50
Transfer to Parks and Gardens, other expenses.
.70
350.00
Playgrounds, other expenses:
Appropriation.
$25.00
Expended:
W. Sandilands, labor.
$11.79
R. S. Ward, teaming.
4.00
P. W. Department water service
6.87
Perry, Marston & Co.
1.47
Deering Lumber Co
.34
Transfer to shelter account.
.53
Bath Houses and Beaches, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation
$350.00
Expended:
Pay rolls for caretaker and assistant
350.00
Bath Houses and Beaches, Improvements and Additions:
Appropriation
25.00
Expended:
W. Sandilands, labor.
$19.20
Transfer to Parks and Gardens, other expenses. 5.80
25.00
$25.00
77
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
Bath Houses and Beaches, other expenses:
Appropriation
$25.00
Expended :
Malden Electric Co., lighting
$3.10
S. Cabot. .
2.50
Eastman's Express .
.25
Perry, Marston & Co.
6.43
Deering Lumber Co ..
3.85
Frank E. Coyle .
1.88
H. M. Ripley.
1.70
E. M. Mansfield, paints.
1.25
Transfer to Park and Gardens, other expenses .
4.04
$25.00
Shelter:
Balance from 1914.
$4.53
Transferred from various accounts.
27.23
$31.76
Expended :
Malden Electric Co., lights.
$1.40
Herbert L. Low, electric work
.75
Malden Electric Co., for wiring .
29.61
31.76
$500.00
Main Street Embankment, special appropriation.
Expended:
C. L. Hoffman & Son, stock and labor
$293.47
Brock Bros., fence ..
201.87-
Perry, Marston & Co.
1.20
P. W. Department sewer division, pipe. Balance.
2.74
500.00
Horace Mann Park.
$465.00
Ell Pond Park, acquiring !and.
373.75
Maintenance
The care of the parks as in past years was awarded to the lowest bidder for the work, as outlined by the Commission in invitations to the several bidders.
The results obtained have been fair, but as the improved park areas become larger, the constant and undivided attention of men directly under control of the Commission is more apparent.
Ell Pond Park
During the spring the small area east of the Knoll, and adjoining the drive has been graded, the filling of ashes covered with the soil excavated for walks, and the walks themselves graded with ashes. A walk just east of the drive has had the mud partially excavated, preparatory to filling it with ashes.
.72
78
CITY OF MELROSE
Along the southerly line of the boulevard, the ditch has been partially filled with ashes, and it is hoped this work may be completed the coming year.
Shrubs have been set around the Shelter and the Knoll and its ap- proaches.
All of the above improvements are in conformity with the plan adopted by the Commission and which it hopes eventually to see com- pleted.
This spot is becoming very popular with our citizens and its acces- sibility to all should be the first step in carrying out the plan of completion. To do this properly there should be constructed a suitable walk from Crystal Street, and a bridge crossing the brook near its mouth, the walk continuing along the shore of the pond to the bath-house.
During the summer, four band concerts were given under the manage- ment of the Metropolitan Park Commission, and one on June 27th through the kindness and generosity of Mr. John C. F. Slayton. At all of these concerts the large attendance attest their appreciation by the public.
As an added attraction the float has been provided with seats and moored off the end of the wharf.
Ell Pond Embankment
The improvements at this point are now substantially completed. Seats have been built facing the pond, three shelters erected, concrete gutters and walks laid, steps built, pipe railing erected, lights installed, walks graded, and shrubs and trees set out. The embankment will grow in its attractiveness as the shrubs reach their growth, and the trees attain the size to give the required shade. Some improvement may be looked for in the older portion of the embankment, which, if good fortune should place the remaining ice-house in the control of the City, would make possible a great public benefit, equal at least to the removal of those houses which the new park supplanted.
Ell Pond Bath House
This feature of our park system continues to hold it popularity and favor with the young and old alike, the Commission placed Mr. Martin Allison, in charge of the Bath-house with Mr. Forrester H. W. Pierce as assistant. Both have rendered excellent service, and by their skill and attention prevented at least three fatalities to bathers. Mr. Pierce is a graduate of the Posse Normal School of Gymnastics and came particularly well equipped for this work.
During the season there has been a total of 11,492 bathers, who have taken advantage of the facilities offered, 7,683 of whom were men and boys, and 4,259 of whom were women and girls. The accommodations are by far too limited for the number of bathers, and it is hoped in the near future to have more commodious and convenient quarters for the bathers.
79
REPORT OF . PARK COMMISSION
Sewall Woods Park
In addition to the care of the trees, putting tanglefoot around them to protect them from gypsy and brown tail moths, the underbrush has been cleared up around the street lines and for about one hundred feet back. Early in the spring 500 white pine trees, about three years old, were bought and set out, and with a very few exceptions they are growing well. Additional seats have been purchased and set out.
Melrose Common
There have been but few improvements made here, additional seats were purchased and set out, and the usual repairs made to the band stand and bleachers.
The Commission desire to make this particular park a credit to the city and a matter of pride to the neighborhood. The first annual report of the Commission outlined the features it wished to complete viz :- a base ball field, running track, tennis courts, band stand, flag pole, flower beds, seats, etc. The expense is comparatively small and the advantages resulting will materially help the community.
Small Park Areas
The miscellaneous park areas which come under the control of this department have been cared for and maintained, the grass cut, trees trimmed, fountains and fences painted and repaired.
Late in the season another park area, to be called "Horace Mann Park", containing about 27,000 square feet of land, situated at the corner of Grove and Myrtle Streets, was turned over to the Commission by the Board of Aldermen, and with it the sum of $465, obtained from the sale of the school building formerly standing on it. The matter of developing this property is still being studied by the Commission.
Recommendations
To carry out the line of improving at Ell Pond Park, will require a large amount of filling, best obtained by the collection of ashes and refuse. To place this fill on top of the present surface means a large expense, later on, to cover it with loam, and this can be better accomplished by excavating ahead of the fill, and covering it by the excavated material.
There is a considerable area, six to seven acres north of the Boulevard which can be filled if the necessary excavation is made in advance, and we would recommend that $600 be added to last year's appropriation for beginning this work, making a total of $3,000 for 1916, divided as follows :--
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and wages.
Other expenses.
$50.00
100.00 $150.00
80
CITY OF MELROSE
Parks and Gardens:
Salaries and wages
$1,000.00
Improvements and additions
750.00
Other expenses.
200.00 $1,950.00
Playgrounds:
Salaries and wages.
$50.00
Improvements and additions.
400.00
Other expenses.
50.00
$500.00
Bath Houses and Beaches:
Salaries and wages.
$350.00
Improvements and additions.
25.00
Other expenses.
25.00
400.00
Total
$3,000.00
In addition to the above for maintenance and care, the commission are of the opinion that there are several of the improvements mentioned in their first annual report, viz :- the improvement of Melrose Common, the completion of the Crystal Street end of Ell Pond Park, and the acquir- ing of a right of way for the boulevard connecting the Highlands with Ell Pond Park, which should be accomplished at an early date.
The last mentioned of these three items is possible now before new buildings make its completion too expensive. The city already has ex- tensive rights of ways in this territory for the brooks and sewers, and the accompanying plan indicates the additional area required. (See pages 12 and 13).
For carrying out these improvements the Commission again renews its recommendations to secure a legislative act authorizing the issue of $100,000 in bonds, with the permission to expend $20,000 each year for such improvements as may be deemed best. By this means the City can realize at an early date the benefits of its parks, and will add greatly to its ability. to attract wealth to it, as a residential district.
CLARENCE T. FERNALD,
ADDISON L. WINSHIP
ROBERT A. PERKINS GEORGE J. FOSTER
HARRY N. VAUGHN
Park Conmissiomers.
-
Eleventh Annual Report of Trustees of Pine Banks Park
December 31, 1915 To His Honor, the Mayor and the City Council of the City of Melrose :-
Gentlemen :- It has always been the desire of the Trustees of Pine Banks Park to so administer their trust, as to carry out as fully as possible the wishes of the generous donor,-Hon. Elisha S. Converse of Malden, to make the Park as distinct a contribution to the Citizens of Malden and Melrose, to whom it was bequeathed, as such a woodland and field can be.
The possibilities of such a park as a public resort have few limitations, except that of money. Nature has contributed delightfully, and nature lovers find very much that is attractive, and still much more could be added in the way of cultivated effects, if money could be supplied as liberally as it has been in the laying out of some private estates. But the demands made upon both municipalities for money seems to preclude this, and for several years past only the sum of fifteen hundred dollars has been appropriated annually by each, making a total of three thousand dollars. This permits of only such care as will preserve the property from actual depreciation, and no more; and three quarters if not more of this sum is for the wages of the employees, some of whom are employed only a part of the year. Could the Trustees be allowed an additional sum, the development of the "Zoo" for instance to the proportion of some of the privately owned parks, would be an attraction which many thousands would enjoy. But there is a satisfaction in knowing that so far as the Trustees have been able to provide, the "Zoo" furnishes a pleasing source of interest, and another feature as well, namely: The athletic field is receiving much use, as the report of the Superintendent shows one hundred and twenty-five (125) base ball permits issued, besides the numerous odd times when the fields have been occupied by the juvenile element, all of which indicates the large demand made by both communities upon the resources of the park.
There is a need, however, which the Trustees believe should receive special attention this year, and that it is the low, partly-filled land on the corner of Sylvan and Main streets in Melrose. Since the property has been used for park purposes, this portion has been unattractive because of its low swampy condition. There has not seemed to be any way of remedying this, except by filling, and the cost precludes the use of anything but ashes and waste material from the city carts. This method, however, always creates an unsightly appearance during the process, and it has now existed so long that the Trustees are ashamed of its continued unsightliness and believe that it should be improved, if for no other reason, that public property should be an object lesson of neatness and proper care, which this is very far from being. The Trustees have therefore, decided to ask each city to contribute one hundred dollars additional for this purpose, making sixteen hundred dollars or the total
82
CITY OF MELROSE
sum of thirty-two hundred dollars for the year nineteen hundred and sixteen.
Looking toward the improvement of Sylvan Street from Main, the City of Melrose has lain a granolithic walk, and in conjunction with the Park Trustees, are seeking to improve this approach, which will give at the same time a finish to the Park on that street.
Your Trustees are seeking to administer their trust wisely, and in the public interest; but know that if more money could be allowed them, the public would receive a very much larger benefit.
Signed EDWARD E. BABB WILLIAM D. SERRAT GEORGE LOUIS RICHARDS WILLIAM M. BLAKELEY
CHARLES H. ADAMS
Trustees.
-
Report of Planning Board
Melrose, Mass., 19
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose :-
Gentlemen :- The Melrose Planning Board respectfully presents its second annual report, in accordance with the legislative act under which it was organized.
The condition of our finances has prevented us from entering upon as extensive a line of work during the past year as we had hoped. It is evident that the city must limit its new constructive work to matters of present necessity, as compared with those that would prepare it in advance for its future needs.
We have tried to keep in view an orderly and adequate development of our city, and apply this practical consideration to such matters of public need as have received our attention since our last annual report.
City planning really means making timely provision for present and future needs of the people. It did not begin with the appointment of a planning board, neither has it a monoply of it. Water supply, sewers, schools, hospitals, building construction, fire protection, etc., are as essen- tial to the normal development of a city, as the laying out of streets and improving the outward appearance in order that the needs of a growing population be provided for.
The cost of these developments affects the ability to make other improvements.
Melorse is most fortunate in already having an efficient Park Com- mission, which has conserved public interest on some questions which might otherwise have engaged the attention of the Planning Board,- especially the development of Ell Pond and its environment.
For reasons already stated, we have not found it practical to make extensive topographical surveys and plans for the city's development.
We have, however, given much attention to a plan for relief from the bad conditions from the damming up, overflowing and general unsanitary condition of Spot Pond and Ell Pond Brooks.
This question has previously been taken up by the engineers of the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage Commission and a comprehensive system submitted, which would doubtless have proved to be a complete solution of this vexatious and serious problem. The cost of this plan however, now estimated to be nearly $400,000, to be apportioned by the Supreme Court, or some other form of arbitration between the Common- wealth, and cities of Malden and Melrose, makes pertinent the question of how large a contribution Melrose would think it wise to make.
While every one must admit that such a method of apportionment would be fair, yet the possibility that Malden and Melrose might be assessed one hundred, or one hundred and fifty thousand dollars each, causes both cities to hesitate in accepting the conditions in this plan.
.
84
CITY OF MELROSE
For more than a score of years, discreditable conditions have existed in and about these brooks, which overflow during periods of heavy rain, and are a constant menace to adjacent property owners, and an annoying source of flies, mosquitoes and unsanitary conditions.
Such untoward conditions existing for so long a tiine, justly raise the question whether there is not some plan by which Melrose might reach an approximate solution of the problem, at a cost consistent with her ability to pay, without too serious a burden of taxation.
We beg to submit the following plan:
Deepening the Brooks .- From the Stoneham line near the Middlesex Fells Reservation to the Melrose -Malden line the brook 'has a fall of about 61/2 feet, and in many places the slope of the bed is in the opposite direction from the flow. The brook is choked in many places by stones, vegetable growth, etc.
To get the full value of what fall there is, we would advise as follows :--
Beginning at the Melrose-Malden line at approximately the present grade of the bed, deepen the brook on a straight slope upward, to the junction of Ell Pond and Spot Pond Brooks. This would require an average deepening of about one foot. From this junction deepen by about one foot the Ell Pond Brook up as far as the culvert near the Wyom- ing railroad station.
The Spot Pond Brook, from the junction to the Stoneham line, would require deepening only in a few places. Near the Stonebam line, for a length of several hundred feet, the bed is lower than further down stream. A plank bottom might be advisable here, which would increase the rapidity of the flow and prevent water from standing during dry times.
Widening the Brooks
By a taking made by the County Commissioners in 1875 the brook from near the junction of Spot Pond and Ell Pond brooks at the Wyoming railroad station, southerly towards Malden, may be widened without additional land takings to twenty-three feet, together with a foot path of one foot on each side. Ell Pond Brook, from the junction, northerly to Wyoming Avenue may be widened substantially to 14 feet. Spot Pond brook may be widened to 10 feet westerly from the junction.
Widening Spot Pond and Ell Pond Brook from Goodyear Avenue near the factory of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company, back to the junction of the two brooks, thence Spot Pond Brook to Trenton Street and widening the Ell Pond Brook from the junction with Spot Pond Brook, back to the culvert at Wyoming station, to the maximum width by taking, would provide for an additional volume of water, creating a reservoir at the same level as the brook. This would hold the water which could not pass off fast enough through the narrower brook and culverts to the south of Goodyear Avenue, and thus prevent the water from backing up and over- flowing between Stoneham line and Wyoming railroad station.
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