USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1918 > Part 6
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Appropriation. $300.00
1
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CITY OF MELROSE
Expended :
Deering Lumber Co.
$53.85
C. L. Hoffman & Son, labor
62.00
F. E. Coyle, material .
15.90
Iver Johnson Co., apparatus
8.70
Transfer to Ice House property
159.55
$300.00
Playgrounds-Other Expenses:
Appropriation.
$50.00
Expended :
Brock Bros.
2.30
Winthrop Stables, team.
2.00
Iver Johnson Co., apparatus.
3.87
Stearns, Hill Co., Inc.
1.00
Andrews' Market.
.50
Gibbons Contracting Co., team
8.00
F. J. Gilpatrick, saws.
1.75
Wing Electric Co.
.75
Malden Electric Co., light.
. 20
Deering Lumber Co.
15.16
F. E. Coyle.
1.07
$36.60
$13.40
Messenger's Meadows:
Appropriation.
$200.00
Expended :
P. H. Curry, plumbing.
$5.00
Deering Lumber Co., lumber
102.79
John A. Stewart, labor
29.00
$136.79
$63.21
Bath-houses and Beaches-Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation $550.00
Expended :
Payrolls, guards
$486.67
Payrolls, caretaker, flags.
10.00
John A. Stewart, labor. 22.50
Transfers to Parks, Gardens and
other expenses 30.83
$550.00
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
Bath-houses and Beaches, Improvements:
Appropriation $25.00
Expended :
Transfer to Development to Ice-house property 1
25.00
Bath-houses and Beaches, other expenses:
Appropriation $75.00
Expended :
Frank E. Coyle
$20 20
H. M. Ripley
1.00
Iver Johnson Co.
.90
F. W. Woolworth Co
1.00
Malden Electric Co.
.70
Clement Dry Goods Co ..
.25
Transfer to Parks, Gardens and other expenses.
50.95
$75.00
Development of Ice House Property :
Balance from 1917.
$10.93
Transfers from
Parks and Gardens, Improvements
$361.72
Parks and Gardens, other expenses
.62
Playgrounds, salaries and wages. .
2.70
Playgrounds, improvements.
159.55
Bath-houses, improvements.
25.00
$549.59
$560.52
Ell Pond Acquiring land. Balance on hand (Bond issue 1911) $375.75 Flag pole appropriation $150.00
MAINTENANCE
The Park Commissioners engaged for supervision of the general work in the parks and playgrounds a man of experience and ability. From past experience it has been found necessary in order to secure the best results to have a man in constant attendance during the season.
As the park areas develop and increase, it becomes more and more evident that this plan must be followed in the future.
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CITY OF MELROSE
The larger part of the work is done from April to October. During the balance of the year general clean-up and care of the property of the commission is in progress. It is the purpose of the commission to give such attention as is possible under the appropriation to the removing of snow from Ell Pond ice, so that the surface may be available for winter sports.
ELL POND PARK
Owing to the scarcity of labor for other than direct war purposes, and also deferring to the requests of the various Committees who urged the restriction or abandonment of any work not directly connected with the prosecution of the War; the Commission decided not to attempt any new unncessary work.
ELL POND EMBANKMENT
Due to conditions mentioned earlier in this report the only work attempted was the general upkeep of this area, including repairs to walks and shelters and proper care of shrubbery.
The southerly portion, originally the site of the ice-houses, has been partially graded with ashes and a wire fence has been properly placed to confine any objectionable debris. This area has been carefully plotted and completion will be rapid after the necessary appropriation is made. A contract has been made to remove the spiles from the pond. We recommend an appropriation of five thousand dollars ($5,000) to continue permanent improvements as planned.
SEWALL WOODS PARK
The Commission recognizes the importance and natural beauty of the Park, but has felt that other locations needed appropriations more, and has been content temporarily to keep requests for appropriations to a minimum, and has therefore spent only enough to clean up the under- brush, replace and install seats, plant trees and remove gypsy moths.
MELROSE COMMON:
Two drinking bubblers were installed during the year.
The baseball field has been kept in excellent condition. Requisition in the form of a permit is necessary in order to be sure that the diamond can be used by any team and permits are issued for every Saturday and holiday.
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
The bleachers and backstop have been kept in proper repair.
A shelter is greatly needed on the Common, not only as a locker room for contestants, but also for storage of tools, apparatus, etc.
HORACE MANN PARK
This beauty spot, located on the site of the old Horace Mann School on Grove Street, has been kept in proper repair. Parts of the lawn were reseeded, new plants placed in the gardens and a wooden canopy has been placed over the fountain for winter protection.
The bath-house this year has been under the supervision of William A. Hanglin and Robert Curran has acted as assistant.
During the hot weather the capacity of the house was not great enough to provide for all who wished to bathe.
The total attendance was 12,224, divided as follows:
Boys
8,598
Girls.
2,202
Adults 1,424
Total
12,224
The daily attendance varied with the weather, ranging from twelve (12) on June 13th to five hundred and twenty-seven (527) on July 23d.
The bath-house has never been equal to the requirements, and it is far from a suitable building for bathing purposes. Within a comparatively short time it will be absolutely necessary to furnish better faciliites for the bathers.
There were no serious accidents connected with the handling of such a large number of bathers. One can well see the necessity of drinking bubblers at a point where such a large number of people congregate in hot weather.
SUPERVISED PLAYGROUNDS
During the summer the commission maintained supervisors at both the Common and Ell Pond Park.
Miss Lois Rigby was in charge of the children at Ell Pond as super- visor and had a very successful season. The children were taught various interesting games and were constantly under trained supervision. The attendance depended largely upon the weather. Over one hundred children were regular daily attendants. During June the morning attend- ance averaged thirty and afternoon eighty. During July the average morning attendance was eighty and the afternoon attendance one hundred and fifty.
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CITY OF MELROSE
More equipment is needed to complete the facilities at this play- ground.
Miss Margaret Pearson was placed in charge of the children's play- ground as supervisor at the Melrose Common.
As there are no bathing facilities at the Common all of the children resort to the games and apparatus, such as swings, tilts, volley ball, sand boxes, etc. Proper supervision of such a playground is absolutely neces- sary and this supervision has been furnished.
The past season witnesses the largest attendance since the play- ground was established. The daily attendance varied from about eighty at the start to three hundred and ninety during the height of the season. It is the intention of the Commission to enlarge the facilities for super- vised games at the Common as fast as the demand necessitates, and funds are provided.
The Commission controls two additional areas suitable for the estab- lishment of playgrounds. One of these is located off Wyoming Avenue and is known as the Lincoln School Playground. This playground, as well as Messenger's Meadow, was a gift to the city from the Hon. Charles M. Cox. The Commission is opposed to the operation of unsupervised playgrounds, and as sufficient funds have not been available, little use has been made of either of the above mentioned playgrounds. Both are, however, ideally located and we hope to have an engineer make proper plans shortly to lay out a suitable playground on the Lincoln School area. For the purpose of laying out such a playground and to then continue following such plans we have recommended an appropriation of two thousand dollars ($2,000). A supervised playground is a great need in this section of the city.
Messenger's Meadow is already largely improved, but the expense of properly supervising and conducting such a large area is apparently greater than is warranted under existing conditions. A reasonable appropriation has been requested which, if granted, will be used in an effort to keep the existing property in reasonable repair. A start has been made toward filling in the swimming pool which through disuse became a breeding place for mosquitoes.
ENCLOSED ATHLETIC FIELD
For a number of years this subject has had many friends and some foes. Like many other matters which require a considerable expenditure of money belong to the city, it is essential for the success of the project that there be a real necessity and a concerted demand.
Sometime ago a vote was passed by the citizens which gave the city the right to enclose a portion of park property for such a purpose. Owing to the War inflated prices, the expense of such a project has been pro- hibitive.
The land located at the northerly corner of the Boulevard and Tremont Street, seems to be the best location for an enclosed athletic field. This
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION
land has been previously been plotted for an open athletic field and con- siderable grading has already been completed. It would probably require an expenditure of about ten to twelve thousand dollars to properly prepare and pay out this area for a general athletic field. This estimate does not include any amount necessary for enclosing the field or for equipment.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Commission consistently recommends that the plan outlined in their first annual report covering constructive development should be followed. Briefly that plan suggested that the Legislature be petitioned to enact a law allowing the city to borrow by an issue of serial bonds a fixed amount for park purposes. The commissioners were to be allowed to expend a certain fixed sum each year. The original plan called for an issue of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), which at that time would have completed the contemplated park system. Costs have advanced so much since the original estimate that it would probably now take a somewhat greater amount of money to carry out the plans originally outlined.
The specific needs for the coming year, in additional to the regular segregated appropriations in the Budget, are as follows :-
Installing Drinking Bubblers at Ell Pond Park. $1,200.00
Development of Ell Pond Embankment. 5,000.00
Development of Lincoln School Playground. 2,000.00
Upkeep of Messenger's Meadow 500.00
Total $8,700.00
Increases are requested in the regular segregated appropriation in the Budget. The requested increase in Salaries and wages, Parks and Gardens, Playgrounds, Bath-houses and Beaches, will enable us to procure the services of a permanent man to take proper care of park property and assist in supervision during the summer season.
To cover the general expenses, care and upkeep, the Commission recommends an appropriation of six thousand two hundred and thirty- five dollars ($6,235.00) segregated as follows :-
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and wages.
$75.00
Other expenses.
100.00
Electric lighting.
360.00 $535.00
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CITY OF MELROSE
Parks and Gardens:
Salaries and wages.
$2,000.00
Improvements and additions
750.00
Other expenses.
250.00
3,000.00
Playgrounds :
Salaries and wages.
$500.00
Improvements and additions
500.00
Other expenses.
100.00
1,100.00
Messenger's Meadow
500.00
Bath-houses and Beaches:
Salaries and wages.
$750.00
Improvements and additions
250.00
Other expenses
100.00
1,100.00
$6,235.00
ADDISON L. WINSHIP, Chairman
GEORGE J. FOSTER
HARRY N. VAUGHN
ROBERT A. PERKINS
ANDREW F. EVERS
Board of Park Commissioners
Report of Planning Board
Melrose, Mass., December 31, 1918.
To the Honorable, the Mayor, and Board of Aldermen of the City of Melrose:
Gentlemen :- The Planning Board, in accordance with the act under which it was organized, herewith presents its fifth annual report.
During the war period through which we have just passed, all except immediately imperative work was of necessity suspended. Today we are facing the great tasks of reconstruction, that involve community develop - ment no less than international reorganization. It seems, therefore, an especially fitting time to recall attention to the purposes for which the planning boards have been established. and to ask the co-operation of all forward-minded citizens in promoting those orderly and related public improvements so vital to the future of our city.
The accomplishment of some of the projects already outlined by this Board, such as the remodeling of City Hall and the extension of Linwood Avenue, cannot long be delayed, though economic conditions do not war- rant their immediate execution. They should, however, be kept in mind and considered in connection with other and possibly more imperative undertakings.
We emphasize the recommendation in our last annual report regarding the disposal of ashes, which are collected by the city. We quote from a previous report of this Board: " We believe that the time has come when, by careful distribution of the waste material from our streets and brooks, and ashes collected in the city, the land owned by our city for public uses can be put in much better condition.
"We recommend that the dumping of this material on private land should be entirely suspended; that best public use be made of this material; so far as possible, the improvements made with this material be finished and the land graded so that it may not be a continual menace to the public health and offence to the eyes of the community." The continued use of this material for private advantage at the sacrifice of public interest is indefensible.
The results of the widening of Spot Pond Brook below Wyoming Rail- road Station give decisive evidence of the merits of the whole project of improvement. While the work is being carried out in accordance with the plans of this Board, yet we feel that the completion has been unduly de- layed. We recommend that the work be finished as soon as favorable weather conditions permit, but we deprecate putting men at exposed work of this character when temperatures make a fair day's work impossible.
With the constantly increasing automobile traffic on our main thor- oughfare we believe there should be a rearrangement of the duties of our police. The need of more patrol work seems to have been constantly lessening while that of the traffic regulation has become greater on account of the large increase in the use of our streets by automobiles. Some of
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CITY OF MELROSE
our officers who are now doing patrol duty could be used more profitably as traffic officers where their work would be a distinct contribution to the welfare and safety of the public. We recommend a rearrangement of the duties of the present force so that more attention may be given to traffic. We do not, however, advocate an increase in the number of officers, be- lieving that the character of our population and the absence of saloons make the present force wholly adequate.
Doubtless many individuals passing through Melrose, especially by automobile, are unaware of the city through which they are traveling; others are much inconvenienced in choosing the proper roads to their destination.
We recommend that legible signs be installed at the boundaries of our city, on such thoroughfares as Main Street, Franklin Street, Wyoming Avenue and Upham Street, informing those who may not know that this is Melrose.
We believe that the adjacent cities and towns will co-operate with this city in the installation of boundary signs. Such signs are already in use in many localities to the benefit of both city or town and to the traffic.
We also recommend that proper signs be placed at the junctions of our main thoroughfares, directing to important centers and routes; as for example: at Franklin Square, directing to Stoneham, Wakefield and Saugus; at the junction of Main and Upham Streets, directing to Newbury- port Turnpike.
We believe the old disused well known as Whittier Spring, on Keating Avenue, which once supplied water to Melrose citizens, and which is now inadequately housed for the protection of individuals, especially chil- dren in that neighborhood, to be a menace to the public safety. We ecommend that steps be taken to remedy this evil.
There is a worthy feeling in the hearts of Melrose citizens that some- thing worth while should be done to commemorate the Melrose boys who have so willingly and patriotically gone to the front to protect the interests of the world. The character of a memorial rests with the wisdom and artistic capacities of the people. Many suggestions will undoubtedly be made. The selection should be dignified and worthy. We already have such a commemoration of our soldiers and sailors of an earlier period, in our beautiful Memorial Building, already established as our community center. Why should we not consult the desires of those young men who have gone to the front, and the need of young men who are coming after them, in determining the character of this new memorial? Should this be done we believe that the answer would be that in no better way could Melrose show her appreciation than by giving the youth of the city the Athletic Field and Playground they have so long desired and so greatly needed.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation .
$300.00
Expended for:
Stamps and post cards $4.00
Typewriting for report. 2.02
Melrose Free Press, publishing report and printing 100 pamphlets of same. 27.50
Balance unexpended. 266.48
$300.00
Respectfully submitted,
WILBUR W. DAVIS, Chairman.
HAROLD MARSHALL.
HOWARD C. MORSE.
E. GERTRUDE COPELAND
D. W. FITZPATRICK. VICTOR A. FRIEND. AGNES L. DODGE.
LOUISE E. HUNT, Secretary.
RICHARD H. SIRCOM.
Report of the Board of Survey
The Board of Survey was authorized by Chapter 190, General Acts of 1916, of the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts, on the acceptance of the act by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Aldermen.
The Board of Aldermen passed an order accepting the act, which was approved by the Mayor November 19, 1917.
November 12, 1917, Mayor Charles H. Adams appointed E. Copeland Lang for three years, Andrew F. Evers for two years, and William E. Waterhouse for one year, as members of this Board. The above appoint- ments were confirmed by the Board of Aldermen November 19, 1917.
The first meeting of the Board was held at the Mayor's office, Decem- ber 3, 1917, E. Copeland Lang was elected Chairman of the Board.
March 18, 1918, William N. Folsom was appointed and confirmed by the Board of Alderman April 1, to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Andrew F. Evers.
On account of war conditions prevailing since the organization of the Board to the present time, building operations and land development have been practically at a standstill and no plans have been submitted to the Board of Survey for approval.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$50.00
Expended . 00.00
Treasury Balance
$50.00
Respectfully submitted, /
E. C. LANG, W. E. WATERHOUSE, WILLIAM N. FOLSOM, Board of Survey
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth
There is almost entire absence in Melrose of the Brown Tail Moth (Euproctis-Chrysorrhaea) which during many years proved such an irrita- tion to the people of Melrose.
The Gypsy Moth (Porthetria dispar) was with us in increased numbers during 1918, due probably to a lack of thorough work by property owners in not taking care of piazzas, steps, and fences, as well as lack of thorough inspection and insistence upon this work being properly done by the con- stituted authorities. On account of the great scarcity of labor during the year as well as the undesirable character of the work of tree climbing I have been obliged to do about all the manual labor, except the spraying, which, of course, was done under my personal supervision.
The imported Elm Leaf Beetle was with us in larger numbers than usual last year. All elm trees were sprayed at least once and many that showed signs of perforation were sprayed twice, as were all trees throughout the city which gave any evidence of the ravages of leaf eating insects. Spraying undoubtedly is to be the chief factor for the future in fighting all kinds of leaf eaters, because even though it seems expensive it is the most efficacious means of destroying leaf-eating pests.
We shall need about one ton of poison this year. The old tanglefoot must be removed from the elm trees and fresh tanglefoot put on in a new place giving the old scar a chance to breathe and heal. Much pruning of dead wood from the trees is not only desirable but seems necessary for the public safety.
The Leopard Moth is doing its usual amount of damage and is es- pecially active among most of our young trees. A solution of creosote and kerosene has been introduced into all cavities made by the borer where frass was discovered but no climbing was done among the higher branches for the destruction of this pest.
Many wounds to the bark and trunks of trees have been treated with creosote and tar, the number of which no special account has been kept. All nests of the gypsy moth, except in the extreme Southeast Section of the City and along the Stoneham line have been painted with creosote to a distance of twenty feet from the ground. The nest higher up will be attended to later.
Work on private estates was only done upon request of owners or to protect those owners who had cleaned their property.
During the very cold weather of last year we were enabled to enter the "Swamp " at Pine Banks, with the permission of the Trustees, and cut and place in the rear of the City Hall fourteen cords of wood at a cost of $140. If other departments are to use this wood credit for this amount should be given to the Moth Department.
Sometime between the 17th and the 19th of March the building on Tremont Street was broken into and all the brass work removed from the
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CITY OF MELROSE
two spraying machines, the tool box broken open, brass spray nozzles and tools stolen at a loss to the city of about $300. This matter was verbally reported to your Honor at the time, as well as to the Police Department.
There should be one person having charge of trees and insects. At present it is a divided responsibility. There is no intention to find any fault with the care of trees at present, and still the Superintendent of Public Works will always be a man too busy to give that special attention to the trees which they crave and deserve, while the man in charge of the moth work will always have an acquaintance with each individual tree and ought to know its wants.
There is scarcely a tree in Melrose through which wires run that is properly insulated because the corporations stringing the wires do not know what proper insulation is or because proper insulation is impossible. All young trees near schoolhouses should be surrounded by strong, sub- stantial wooden protectors. Many of the wire protectors now in use should be removed as they are cutting into and injuring the trees they are intended to benefit and protect.
We may be obliged to fight the Oak Leaf Roller this year, as it has made its appearance in this immediate vicinity.
There has been expended to date of December 31, 1918:
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth:
Appropriation
$1,500.00
.Expended
1,487.23
Balance
$12.77
Private Estates:
Appropriation
$500.00
Expended .
343.13
Balance
$156.87
Other Insect Pests:
Appropriation
$1,000.00
Expended.
966.93
Balance
$33.07
JOHN J. MCCULLOUGH, Local Superintendent.
Report of the Public Library Trustees
During the past year 88,470 volumes have been circulated, which shows quite a substantial increase over the previous year. Considering the fact that the library was closed for a time because of the influenza, and remembering as we do the great demand made upon the time of each and every one, for the activities attendant upon the recent great conflict, we must certainly feel that the work accomplished at the library has been most gratifying.
The work at the branches has progressed very rapidly, and certainly no mistake was made in the establishment of these branches.
The Highlands Branch moved from the Whittier School into new quarters in the basement of the Franklin School in August, 1918. Be- cause of the greatly increased circulation the library is open every after- noon, except Friday, and three evenings a week. The circulation for the year was 19,560.
The circulation of the Wyoming, Ward 7, and East Side Branches has increased very satisfactorily.
The opening of the reading-room on Sunday has proved a great success, and the attendance each Sunday is very pleasing, often reaching eighty readers.
The work between the schools and the library has been constantly strengthened. Instruction has been given to the classes entering the High School in library economy and members of the higher classes have received additional instruction in reference work.
The Library War Work during the past year has been extensive; cases of magazines have been shipped monthly to the various camps, and the splendid contributions of books have amounted to over 4,000 volumes. It has been a great privilege this year as well as last year to furnish the accommodations for the Red Cross Workers on Surgical Dressings.
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