USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1917 > Part 6
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7.25
W. H. Drummond, plans
4.00
Geo. DeCost, labor
6.00
W. H. Stewart, carpentering
14.45
Transfer to P. & G., other expenses
9.15
$750.00
Parks and Gardens,-Other Expenses
Total appropriations and transfers ...
$519.24
Expended
Casey Florist Co.
$107.40
S. J. Beckwith, hardware 33.38
Thos. Mollins, moth work
31.50
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor, flag . .
27.80
Pigeon Fraser Co., flag, Common
65.00
F. E. Coyle, hardware
43.43
H. S. Robertson, flag pole work
41.85
L. Nickerson, mending flags
14.92
Harrington, King Co., rope.
4.05
M. B. Marston Co., hardware
11.30
C. W. Lewis, labor
1.25
Eastman's Express
1.68
Sinott Bros., sharpening tools
2.00
H. M. Ripley, bandages
. 40
Deering Lumber Co.
36.16
City of Melrose, water
88.46
$510.58
$8.66
Playgrounds, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation
$325.00
Expended :
Pay roll salaries life guards
$224.00
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor
11.00
Transfer to P. & G., other expenses
90.00
$325.00
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
Playgrounds, Improvements
Appropriation and balance of 1916 . .. $230.75
Expended :
Hill Standard, Slides $56.00
C. I .. Hoffman & Son, labor 22.50
Deering Lumber Co. 35.97
W. H. Stewart, carpentering 41.40
Haymarket Hardware Co. 20.17
A. C. Spalding Co., swing fixtures .. 14.40
B. & M. freight
7.18
R. S. Ward, teaming 4.00
Iver Johnson Co., Sporting goods .. 5.11
Benson Coal Co., sand
2.50
Transfer to Playground, other ex- penses 21.52
$230.75
Playgrounds, Other Expenses
Appropriations and transfers $71.52
Expended :
Walter Sandilands, carpentering .. $19.25
Eastman's Express 1.25
American Express
1.18
Casey Florist Co.
9.50
Highway Dept., flag and material ..
8.97
Brock Bros., plumbing
8.35
M. B. Marston Co., hardware
1.47
Transfer to P. & G., other expenses
21.55
$71.52
Bath-houses and Beaches, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation
$450.00
Expended :
Pay roll guards $380.82
Transfer to Bath-house, other ex-
expenses
50.00
Transfer to P. & G., other expenses 19.18
$450.00
Bath-houses and Beaches, Improvements :
Appropriation $25.00
S. J. Beckwith, hardware $12.25
W. H. Stewart, carpentering 7.37
Transfer to Bath-house, other ex-
penses
5.38
$25.00
Bath-houses and Beaches, Other Expenses :
Appropriations and transfers $150.38
Expended :
W. H. Stewart, carpentering $49.27
Harrington King Co., nope
20.51
Deering Lumber Co.
15.14
Joseph Edwards, labor 8.60
F. E. Coyle, hardware
6.95
92
CITY OF MELROSE
C. W. H. Moulton, ladders 5.40
M. B. Marston Co., hardware 3.69
Melrose Chemical Co., barrels 2.80
Malden Electric Co., lighting 2.50
H. M. Ripley, medical supplies 1.48
Benson Coal Co., cement .60
Transfers to P. & G., other expenses 33.44
$150.38
Development of Ice House Property :
Receipts from sale of material
$600.00
Expended :
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor 518.67
W. L. Blanchard, plans 32.00
J. Edwards, grade stakes 10.00
Ed. C. Freeman, fence
10.00
John Dyer, surveying
8.00
Boston Globe, advertising
6.40
Free Press, advertising
4.00
$589.07
$10.93
Ell Pond Park Acquiring land :
Balance on hand, (Bond issue of 1911) $375.75
As the park and playgrounds areas become further improved and increased, the matter of maintenance grows with it.
The need of care and supervision has become constant through- out the year. By far the larger expense of course occurs from April to October when the attention required is constant, but to properly care for the trees and other property during the fall and winter months the time of one man can be used to great advantage.
In view of the foregoing statement the Commission have ma- terially increased the amounts asked for under the item of salaries and wages.
At Ell Pond Park no improvements of any size were made, some shrubs have been added, walks repaired, and others extended.
Water for drinking purposes is badly needed here, the nearest water main to this park is on Crystal Street, making a run at least 1000 feet, estimated to cost for a two inch pipe about $800. Drinking foun- tains, two in number will cost with necessary piping about $150.00, making a total of $950.00.
In view of the large number of bathers (13,000) the attenndance at band concerts, and the extensive use by the public in general, we deem this improvement a necessity, and have asked for an added ap- propriation above the usual for improvements.
Ell Pond Embankment. The portion from the boat house to the landing stage or platform, has not been further improved.
The southerly portion, i. e., the site of the old Fells Ice Company houses has been materially changed.
93
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
The old ice houses have been removed, walks rough graded and a bank wall built on the shore of the pond as part of the contemplated improvements.
The completed park will have walks follow the shore of the pond and connect with both Main and Emerson Streets, it will have a small beach about midway on the shore front and the area between the walks graded and grassed and planted with a suitable selection of shrubbery, seats and a commodious shelter are also contemplated. The entire ex- pense is estimated to be $5000.
Sewell Woods Park. This section has had the underbrush cleaned around the border and the trees cared for. New seats are to be pro- vided and further cleaning donc.
The Common continues to be the center for outdoor amusements for the east side of the City.
The ball field continues to be in great demand, and the playground under the supervision of Miss Buck provided amusement for the little ones.
The commission contemplated placing two bubbler drinking foun- tains here. There is need here of a shelter and room for storing tools and apparatus used for the playground. A suitable structure combing these features, with that of a dressing room and band stand would cost approximately $1500 dollars.
Horace Mann Park. A new flower bed was added on the Myrtle Street side of the park, repairs made to the fountain, and walks.
The Park is much used and furnishes both a resting place and beauty spot for its particular section.
This year the bath house at Ell Pond was placed under the super- vision of A. Clinton Eldredge with Mr. Harlan A. Wilbur as assistant.
About 13,000 bathers used the bath house this season, and during the hot spell of weather there were times when 175 to 200 bathers were in the water at once.
The present bath house is entirely inadequate for the purpose, both in size and equipment. Whenever conditions permit, a proper one should be built, located as provided in original lay out plan, with proper equipment to handle the work it is called upon to do.
The Commission greatly regrets the drowning accident which occured in August, it being the first since the bath house was placed in its charge. From the report of Mr. Eldredge which follows it would seem to have been unavoidable.
94
CITY OF MELROSE
REPORT OF MR. ELDREDGE Ell Pond Bath House,
August 13, 1917.
To the Board of Park Commissioners,
Melrose, Mass.,
Gentlemen :-
The dead body of Roy Hamilton, II years old of Echo Street, Malden, was found by Mr. Bircher of Rowe Street, Melrose, as he entered the water for a swim at 12.25. He stumbled on the body in 5 feet of water close to the ropes. Calling to H. A. Wilbur who was in the life boat, he brought the body ashore where Wilbur started re- suscitation at once (using the Schafer method), and sent a boy across the pond to the nearest telephone for the Police and the pulmotor. He worked on the body until 12.50 when they arrived with the pulmotor from the Malden Gas Company. Dr. Perley, Medical Examiner, ar- rived about that time and they worked about 45 minutes more on the body.
There were about 15 in the water at the time, and as many more on the pier and steps of the bath house watching those in swimming, and also both Life Guards were on duty at the time the boy entered the water which was about 11.30. No one saw him disappear or heard any outcry.
Edward Mandell of Echo Street, Malden, a playmate of the dead boy, said that the Hamilton boy could not swim and that he and the other boys with him had had their swim and spoke to the Hamilton boy on their way into the bath house to dress, leaving him standing in the water. This he claimed was just after A. C. Eldridge had gone to lunch at 12.05.
After they were dressed, they missed Hamilton and it was a few minutes later that Mr. Bircher stumbled upon the body.
The Medical Examiner, Dr. Perley, gave as his opinion the boy either fainted or had heart failure, in which case he would neither rise nor struggle.
Respectfully, (Signed) A. C. ELDREDGE.
During the year there have been turned over to the Park Commis- sion two additional parcels of land to be used for playgrounds. These were "Messenger's Meadows" so called, and the large tract of land in the rear of the Lincoln School, both being donated by the Hon. Charles M. Cox. Mr. Cox has long been deeply interested in the children's sports and games, and his generous gift to the City will add much to its potential resourses for providing healthful pleasure to the young of Melrose.
These in conjunction with those now used by the children at Ell
95
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
Pond Park and Melrose Common when properly equipped and super- vised will give all sections of the city ample facilities for the children's sports.
From June until September for a period of about 9 weeks, Miss Amy Buck and Miss Grace Fernald, had charge of the playgrounds at the Melrose Common and Ell Pond Park respectively. Their assist- ance added much to the children's pleasure and instruction.
There has been considerable agitation of the question of providing an athletic field north of the Boulevard and bordering Tremont Street.
There has already been expended about $6,000 for land and neces- sary grading for a ball field at this site, but no further appropriation has been made to complete the work.
The original total estimated cost was $12,500 but the greatly in- creased cost of labor and material would raise the cost of completing this field from $6500 to at least $10,000.
The Commission still adheres to their original recommendation of an annual expenditure of $20,000 to complete the parks, as rapidly as possible along the line of their fixed plan.
There was appropriated last year for water for fountains at How- ard Street, Avon Street and Horace Mann Park, $125.00.
There was spent for water at these places, $204.39.
This expense we propose to curtail by not operating the. fountains except on few occasions. The money we believe can be better spent for water for drinking purposes.
Completion of Ell Pond . Embankment, Fells Ice Company Ice house property, $5,000.
Messenger's Meadows repairs and maintenance, $500.
Drainage and grading account of Athletic Field, $1,000.
Regarding the regular appropriation increases have been asked on the item of salaries and wages under the heads of Farks and Gardens, Playgrounds and Bathhouses and Beaches, as it was intended that the salary of a permanent man would be divided among them.
Provided a substantial reduction could be obtained from the Malden Electric Company it would be well to cut off the electric lights in Ell Pond Park from November Ist to April Ist.
This would at least balance the cost of four (4) additional lights proposed for Ell Pond Embankment.
For the care and maintenance of the parks and general adminis- tration we recommend the appropriation of $5,160 which includes items for water and electric light.
96
CITY OF MELROSE
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and wages
$50.00
Other expenses
100.00
Electric lighting
360.00
$510.00
Parks and Gardens:
Salaries and wages
$1,800.00
Improvements
1,000.00
Other expenses
200.00
$3,000.00
Playgrounds :
Salaries and wages
$450.00
Improvements and additions
500.00
Other expenses
50.00
$1,000.00
Bath-house and Beaches :
Salaries and wages
$550.00
Improvements and additions
25.00
Other expenses
75.00
$650.00
$5,160.00
CLARENCE T. FERNALD, Chairman. ADDISON L. WINSHIP, GEORGE J. FOSTER,
HARRY N. VAUGHN,
ROBERT A. PERKINS.
Report of the Board of Trustees of Pine Banks Park
The many uses to which our Park has been put during the past year has proven most conclusively its great value to the cities of Malden and Melrose.
One hundred and twenty-five permits have been granted for base- ball games, and the Melrose High School has played all practice and home games of both baseball and football at the Park.
Many societies have enjoyed the beauties of the Park during the year, Among others, we would mention the Union Sunday School Society on June 18th, with large attendance of adults and children. The Swedish Lutheran Church held their picnic on the same day.
April 19th, the Boy Scouts of Melrose, Malden and Everett held their Annual Drill with attendance of about fifteen hundred.
Many May partics from Malden and Melrose visited the Park during the month.
The Swedish Congregational Church held their picnic July 14th. The Playground Children of Malden held their Annual Outing on August 18th, with an attendance of about cighteen hundred. The Mel- rose Home Guard used the Centre Field for drilling on many summer cvenings. The Malden and Melrose Y. M. C. A. held religious ser- vices in the grove during the summer with a large attendance.
The Zoo continues to be a great attraction and has been visited by many from out of town, as well as by the citizens of Malden and Melrose.
The Trustees hope to be able to provide one or two more deer and possibly a few more birds during the summer. We are indebted to Miss Esther L. Mayfield of Malden for a Red and Blue Macaw Parrot.
"Teddy" the black cub bear who came to us in the Fall has proved a valuable addition and is of constant interest to the children.
The swings and other forms of amusement for the little ones have been in constant 11sc.
During the Spring months the Trustecs reserved some four acres of fertile land for home gardens. This was divided into about fifty lots and taken up at once by applicants, mainly from Malden.
The gardens proved to be a great success, so much so that the Trustees will repeat the experiment this year.
7
98
CITY OF MELROSE
We find a steady increase in the cost of all purchases necessary for the upkeep of the Park, but the greatest increase we shall be called to meet this year will be in the wages of employees, which we have been obliged to advance to conform to that paid by other Depart- ments. The Trustees have and will keep all expenses down to a minimum, but on account of the unavoidable increase in expenses, must ask for Sixteen Hundred Dollars from each City, which was the amount received in 1916, but voluntarily reduced by the Trustees in 1917 to $1500, an amount too small to carry us through the year.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. D. SERRAT, CHARLES M. COX. GEO. LOUIS RICHARDS,
EDWARD E. BABB,
Trustees Authorized.
REPORT OF TREASURER OF PINE BANKS PARK, 1917 Receipts
Balance from 1916
$ 298.78
From City of Malden
1,500.00
From City of Melrose
1,500.00
Interest
13.01
From Supt. Gray-Log Cabin, $25, License, $5,
Sale of Ducks, $5
35.00
$3,346.79
Expenditures
Wages of Employees
$2,238.67
Cunningham Grain Co., Grain
146.54
Friend Brothers, Bread
37.93
Public Cash Market, Meat
126.17
Boston Rubber Shoe Co., Stable Expenses
182.50
Telephone
33.15
Insurance
41.62
Wm. McNeill, Blacksmith
14.10
Cities of Malden and Melrose, Water
22.53
Plumbing and Hardware bills
49.84
21.33
Ames Implement Co., and Joseph Tools
Breck,
12.25
A. H. Westhaver, Bulbs
27.75
Sundry small items
55.47
Addition to Zoo
22.67
Jordan Lumber Co.
9.98
...
$3,040.50
$3,040.50
Balance
$ 306.29
Report of the Public Library Trustees
For the details of the routine work of the Library we beg leave to refer to the appended report of the librarian.
In addition to the selection, examination and purchase of books, the oversight of the work at the library and its branches, and the care of its property, the noteworthy acts of the Board have been as follows :
Pursuant to instructions issued in response to a general demand by the people of that district of our City, the Wyoming, or West Side Branch of the library was equipped and was opened for public use on July 10th. Through the courtesy of the School Commitee it is quartered in the Lincoln School building and through the interest of the people, under the leadership of Mrs. Leslie F. Keene, the branch librarian, serves not only for the distribution of books but as a social centre.
The Mary A. Livermore Art Library, the principal treasure of which is a collection of some 2,500 photographs of works of arts, has been made finally ready for public use by the naming and cataloging of the photographs, a quite difficult and laborious work. The vandalism of the German army in destroying works of art and historic buildings has made this collection of unique and permanent value.
With the assistance of the Free Public Library Commission, a system by which the school children are instructed in the use of the library has been introduced.
The experiment of opening the library on Sunday afternoons, for which we asked an appropriation, has proved successful and will be made permanent for at least ten months in the year.
The Board co-operated with the American Library Association in raising funds for the war library movement with satisfactory re- sults as reported by the librarian. We call attention also to the good work which has been done by the library force in soliciting books for the soldiers.
It has given us great pleasure to be able to provide quarters for the Surgical Dressings Committee of the Melrose Branch of the Ameri- can Red Cross. Practically the whole upper floor of the library build- ing has been and is occupied morning, afternoon and evening by the women of the committee in carrying on the splendid work which they are doing.
The work of the four branches of the library is more than justify- ing their existence and the fact that the general circulation of books has reached the figure of 86,480 as against 84,371 last year, in spite of the great reduction in the leisure time of our people by reason of their devotion to the work of the Red Cross, makes us feel that the work of the library during the year has been in keeping with its high stand- ard previously established.
100
CITY OF MELROSE
In expression of our appreciation of the good work of the librar- ian, her two assistants and the janitor, and in view of the increased expense of living we recommend an advance of ten percent in their salaries. An increase also is recommended in the salaries of the librarians and janitors of the East Side and Wyoming Branches, which have been less than their work would properly entitle them to receive.
These recommendations will explain the increase over last year in the amount asked for in the budget for salaries.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL STERLING, Chairman,
MARY C. BARTON, Secretary,
CHAS. E. FRENCH,
FRANK W. CAMPBELL,
NEIL A. DIVVER,
LOVISA A. ALLEN,
Trustees:
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
To the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library :-
During the past year, our chief concern has been to extend the library activities in the branches without increasing the expenditures or drawing too heavily upon the supply of books in the Central Library. That the method adopted has proved satisfactory is shown by the fact that the steady increase in the outgo of books has brought the circu- lation to higher figures than have been attained before.
The Melrose Highland Branch was opened 194 days in 1917. The total number of books issued was 17,924, an increase of 502 vol. over last year. The interest which the Highland district take in their branch has in no degree abated and it is to be hoped that in the future it may be opened daily.
The Wyoming Branch has proved most successful. Since July 10th, seventy names have been registered. Almost without exception, these are people who have never taken books from the Melrose Public Library, because they felt the distance made it too inconvenient. During the first month, 221 volumes were circulated; each suceeding month showed a substantial increase. Its total circulation being 2,013 volumes.
Your experiment of opening the Reading Room on Sunday after- noon from 2 to 5 o'clock has proved most successful. The attendance varying from 25 to 85. The readers seem to appreciate the privilege sufficiently to warrant its continuance.
The following have contributed to the library or its branches, books, magazines or plants: Mrs. G. W. Libbey, Mrs. J. W. McLetchic, Mrs. H. M. Perkins, Mrs. M. B. Cary, Mrs. E. S. Pickett, Mr. F. L.
LIBRARY REPORT
Hatch, Mrs. E. L. Joy, Mrs. A. T. Genchot, Mr. W. A. Cheney, Miss L. F. Gerrish, Mr. C. S. Dennis, Miss L. E. Kitching, Miss Josephine Hull, Christian Science Publishing Society.
Respectfully submitted, C. M. WORTHEN,
Librarian.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Melrose, Mass., January 1, 1918
Annual report for the year ended December 31, 1917.
Name of Library, The Public Library
City of Melrose, Massachusetts.
Population served (State Census in 1915)
16,880
Terms for use-Free for lending
Total number of agencies :-
Consisting of-
Central Library
I Branch
3 Stations I school, and I institution.
Number of days open during the year (Central Library) for reading 307
Number of days open during year (Central Library) for lending 295
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library)
42
Hours open each week for reading (Central Library) (Since Nov.) 45
Number on staff (Central Library 3, Branches 4)
7
Number of volumes at beginning of year
19,589
Number of volumes added during year by purchase
1,456
Number of volumes added by gift or exchange (Duplicate Library) 228
Number of volumes added by binding not otherwise counted
34
Number of volumes withdrawn during the year
234
Total number at end of the year
21,073
Number of volumes lent for home use :
Adult
47,972
Juvenile
15,842
Total 63,814
Total number of volumes lent for home use
86,480
Number of borrowers registered during year
I,I22
Number of newspapers and periodicals currently received
56 titles, 89 copies
Report of State Aid and Soldiers' Relief
The term "German State Aid" is the name given for State Aid received by dependents of soldiers and sailors of the present war.
STATE AID
Civil War
$2,644.00
German State Aid
3,430.66
SOLDIERS RELIEF DEPARTMENT
Cash payments
$3.168.00
Rent
84.00
Medicine
21.90
Groceries
75.28
Fuel
778.20
Nurse
48.00
Doctor
47.00
Shoes
9.50
Dry Goods
1.38
Other Expenses
48.99
Miscellaneous
7.00
$4,289.25
Respectfully submitted, MARY A. KENAH, State Aid and Soldiers Relief Agent.
Eighteenth Annual Report
OF THE
Public Works Department
LOL
KOS
L CHARLESTOWN 1620 POND FEILDE 1638
ยท MALDEN .
NORTH END
1649.
OR
TED
GEORGE O. W. SERVIS Engineer and Superintendent
CITY OF MELROSE
MASSACHUSETTS
1917
ORGANIZATION 1917
HON. CHARLES H. ADAMS Mayor
George O. W. Servis Engineer and Superintendent
Emma L. Leighton, Stenographer
Blanche E. Nickerson, Asst. Stenographer
William H. Martin, Bookkeeper
Gladys E. Moore, Clerk Patrick G. DeCourcy, Timekeeper
A. J. Waghorne Assistant in Charge of Sewers und Drains
.
James McTiernan Assistant in Charge of Water Division
Walter J. Lord Assistant in Charge of Highways
Engineering Division Charles F. Woodward, Assistant
Elmer O. Pray, Transitman
Willard Thompson, Rodman
John Dyer, Transitman
A. Kenneth Prior, Rodman Angus W. Thompson, Rodman
Leroy H. Gray, Rodman
Public Works Department
1
This department has the general care of all public highways (streets, sidewalks, trees) construction of new streets and sidewalks, street lighting, street sprinkling, street cleaning, collection of ashes, street signs and house numbering, 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 side- walks, edgestones, sodding, sewer pipe, etc. Minimum rate and ex- cess water bills and summonses have been made and delivered. Sewer connections, water services and individual sidewalks have been esti- mated and billed. Estimates have been made for the Board of Alder- men and Commitees as requested. Sidewalk assessments, sewer assessments and apportionments, ;beterment assessments and street watering assessments have been made.
All engagements of the Auditorium City Hall and Memorial Building have been booked and bills rendered, and insurance placed on all City property. Two hundred and fourteen permits have been given to open and occupy public streets.
SALARIES AND WAGES
Appropriation
$3,000.00
Expended
Salary, Engr. and Supt. Public Works $2,000.00
Clerical Services, General Office 986.00
Clerical Services, Water Maintenance 13.22
2,999.22
Balance .78
Superintendent of Divisions, Bookkeeper and Timekeeper charged to various classes of work.
OTHER EXPENSES
Appropriation
$650.00
106
CITY OF MELROSE
Expended
Use of automobile
$344.44
Schoolhouse inspection
27.50
Report
23.75
Stamps and stationery
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