USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1921 > Part 5
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In presenting this report for 1921, we wish to express our appreciation for the courtesy of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
Respectfully submitted,
ADALINE G. REED THOMAS F. TROY EUGENE L. PACK
Overseers of the Poor
Report of Police Department
In compliance with Chapter 33 of the Ordinances of this city, I respect- fully submit the following report of the doings of the Police Department for the year 1921:
Appropriation: Salaries and Wages
$34,184.00
Expenditures
33,908.86
Balance $275.14
Appropriation: Other Expenses
$1,100.00
Expenditures
1,050.57
Balance. $19.43
Appropriation: Equipment and Repairs
$785.00
Expenditures
740.06
Balance : $44.94 Offences for which complaints have been made in Court 144
Respectfully Submitted
GEORGE E. KERR, Chief of Police.
Report of Fire Department
ORGANIZATION
The number of companies are as follows: Engine Co., No. 1; Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1; Combination A; Hose Co., No. 4.
FORCE OF THE DEPARTMENT
The Call Force consists of: 1 Chief Engineer; 1 Deputy Chief Engi- neer; 1 Captain; 2 Lieutenants; 22 Privates.
The Permanent Force consists of: 3 Captains; 1 Lieutenant; 12 Privates.
EQUIPMENT
One Chief's Automobile; 1 Pumping Engine; 2 Combination Chemical and Hose Autos; 1 Auto Hook and Ladder Truck; 2 Pungs; 10 Chemical Extinguishers; 1 Horse-drawn Hook and Ladder Truck (condemned).
HOSE
Number of feet of good hose .6350
Number of feet of poor hose 400
550 feet of new hose was purchased during the year.
FIRES
Number of Alarms during the year 153
Bell Alarms (8 were false). 59
Still Alarms . 94
Number of buildings damaged 31
Value of buildings damaged. $90,300.00
Insurance thereon 124,300.00
Total damage thereto 26,581.00
Total insurance paid. 26,021.41
69
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Contents
Total value of contents $100,551.50
Total insurance thereon 61,850.00
Total damage thereto 31,600.79
Insurance paid.
21,496.08
Value of Personal Property in the Fire Department. $41,095.00
The personal property is all in good condition. Hose 4 Station was painted on the outside during the year, and the stations are all in good repair, except the Highlands Station.
Yours respectfully,
JOSEPH EDWARDS, Chief Engineer
Report of Park Commissioners
The appropriations for the year, together with the expenditures, are givem in detail and are as follows:
APPROPRIATIONS
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and wages.
$100.00
Other expenses.
150.00
Lighting
432.00
$682.00
Parks and Gardens:
Salaries and wages
$2,500.00
Improvements and additions.
250.00
Other expenses.
500.00
Snow clearing.
300.00
3,500.00
Playgrounds:
Salaries and wages
$1,000.00
Improvements and additions
100.00
Other expenses.
400.00
1,500.00
Messenger's Meadows:
Salaries and wages
700.00
Other expenses.
800.00
1,500.00
Bath-houses and Beaches:
Salaries and wages
$750.00
Improvements and additions.
150.00
Other expenses.
300.00
1,200.00
Total appropriations.
$8,432.00
71
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS EXPENDITURES
Parks, General Administration:
Appropriation: Salaries and wages. $100.00
Expended :
Salary for Clerk. . .
100.00
Parks, General Administration. Other Expenses:
Appropriation.
$150.00
Balance from 1920.
69.11
$219.11
Expended :
Photo cuts
$20.05
Trintine annual report.
84.00
Postage for report.
9.00
Dennison envelopes (clasp)
7.43
Postage for year.
7.29
127.77
Balance
$91.34
Parks, General Administration. Lighting:
Appropriation
$432.00
Expended :
Lighting
$270.00
Transfer to Ice House property
162.00
432 00
Parks, Gardens, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation
$2,500.00
Expended :
Pay rolls
1,651.93
Transfer to ice house property .
750.00
Transfer to Playgrounds, other expenses
98.97
2,500.00
72
CITY OF MELROSE
Parks and Gardens, Improvements:
Appropriation $250.00
Expended :
Transfer to Ice House property
250.00
Parks and Gardens, Other Expenses:
Appropriation
$500.00
Transfer from Excess and Deficiency, Order 13388
102.00
$602.00
Expended :
Other Expenses total .
$602.00
Clearing Snow:
Appropriation
$300.00
Expended :
Pay rolls .
$100.48
Balance to 1922.
199.52
300.00
Playgrounds, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation.
1,000.00
Expended :
Pay rolls .
602.55
Transfer to Ice House property
335.00
Transfer to Playgrounds, Other Expenses
50.08
Balance to Excess and Deficiency
12.37
1,000.00
Playgrounds, Improvements and Additions:
Appropriation
100.00
Expended:
Transfer to Ice House property.
100.00
73
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Playgrounds, Other Expenses :
Balance from 1920
.26
Appropriation.
400.00
Transfers from various accounts
156.97
$557.23
Expended :
Other Expenses
$518.77
Balance
38.46
Messenger's Meadows, Salaries and Wages:
Appropriation.
$700.00
Expended :
Pay rolls
$699.63
Transfer to Playgrounds, Other Expenses
.37
700.00
Messenger's Meadows. Other Expenses :. .
Appropriation
$800.00
«
Expended :
W. E. Stevens, surveying.
$ 7.00
N. J. Wire Co ..
74.39
Eastman's Express .
9.21
C. L. Hoffman & Son, loam.
254.00
J. Breck, grass seed.
15.65
Lander Welding Co.
5.00
Benson Coal Co.
10.05
Prince Paint Co.
.28
Wright & Ditson.
88.45
Water Department
33.75
Smith Bros.
1.75
Dexter Bros.
20.06
L. J. Nicoll, labor and material.
32.00
Standard Oil Co
6.50
M. J. Hanley, teaming.
8.00
R. H. Curry, plumbing.
3.10
Churchill, stable horse hire
3.00
Gibbons Contracting Co 3.00
Deering Lumber Co
4.84
F. E. Coyle.
1.82
74
CITY OF MELROSE
W. Somers, labor $94.50
W. J. Blakely & Son, clay 90.00
Eastern Fountain Co 4.50
Murphy, Leavens Co.
22.00
Ernest Webb, teaming .
7.13
Transfer to Playgrounds, Other Expenses.
.02
$800.00
Bath-houses and Beaches. Salaries and Wages:
$750.00 Appropriation.
Expended :
Transfer to Ice House property .
$750.00
Bath-houses and Beaches. Improvements:
Appropriation. $150.00
Expended :
Transfer to Ice House property $150.00
Bath-houses and Beaches. Other Expenses:
Appropriation. $300.00
Expended :
R. M. Gibson, sign
$ 5.00
Aberthaw Co .. 35.00
Tappan Boat Co.
1.16
Water Department, water.
33.37
Transfer to Ice House property .
225.00
Transfer to Playgrounds, other expenses. .47 $300.00
75
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Hockey Rink:
Appropriation®
$500.00
Expended :
Pay rolls
$279.85
Hub Wire Co.
9.25
Deering Lumber Co.
18.60
Prince Paint Co. .
2.03
L. J. Nicoll, cages
31.98
Austin & Doten
3.94
Roberts Iron Co.
30.00
N. J. Wire Co.
12.75
R. M. Gibson, sign.
6.00
M. J. Hanley, teaming.
9.50
Eastman's Express .
1.58
F. W. Smith, carpenter .
10.80
Malden Elec. Co., lighting.
28.82
Water Department, water
45.93
Police.
5.00
A. Evers, keys.
.75
Balance to Excess and Deficiency
3.14
$500.00
REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1921
During the past year, the Park Commissioners have not attempted many permanent improvements believing that the general economic situation required as little outlay as possible, and then only for work which was absolutely necessary.
Perhaps our greatest improvements have been in connection with the Hockey Rink, and the Messenger's Meadows Playground, both of which will be mentioned later.
All of the Parks have been kept in good condition and the apparatus which has been worn out or destroyed, has been largely and carefully replaced.
MESSENGER'S MEADOWS
This Playground has been used to a much greater extent during the past year than ever before. This has largely been due to the fact that one of the members of the Park Commission has been enabled to give it a great deal of personal supervision.
The tennis courts and baseball field have been in demand at all times, when it was suitable for outdoor sports. During the Winter season, attempts have been made, with some degree of success, to establish skating rinks for the small children, on the experience gained during the past year or two. We are looking forward to a much greater use of this playground during the coming seasons, both summer and winter. We propose to install additional playground apparatus and possibly addi- tional tennis facilities during the coming summer.
76
CITY OF MELROSE
MELROSE COMMON
This playground has been used continually during the summer and fall months for baseball and, to some extent, football. The field has been kept in good condition. Owing to the somewhat general complaint on account of noise and disturbance which are apparently the necessary part of a playground, we still adhere to our plan to eventually make of this spot more of a public garden than a playground. Drinking bubblers were maintained during the summer and fall months.
HORACE MANN PARK
Each year seems to find increasing numbers of people using this restful garden for a breathing spot during the warm summer months. It was kept in good condition and during the summer months the fountain was operated. However, with the advent of colder weather the fountain was shut off, but the garden was kept in excellent condition with plenty of seats in shaded places.
LINCOLN PLAYGROUND
Owing to the lack of finances, no permanent improvements have been attempted at this playground. It has been kept leveled and reason- ably cleaned so that it surpassed as a baseball field in summer and, with some degree of success, has been frozen for children's skating rink in the winter. This is ideally located for a playground and as soon as funds are available, improvements will be made which will suit it for such purposes.
ELL POND EMBANKMENT
It was not possible during the past year to complete our plans for this park. Some work was accomplished in accordance with our original plans and through a transfer of funds certain funds are available which will be expended for further permanent improvements here. During the coming year, we have requested an appropriation which if made available will enable us to follow our original plan and make a very good improve- ment in the Park. This is one of the most conspicuous parks in the entire Park System and we hope to be able to largely complete the work at this point during the coming year.
ELL POND PARK
Little by little we are attempting to follow out the original plans for the development of this area. It is particularly well adapted for an athletic field for summer sports as well as winter sports due to its location just north of Ell Pond. As funds are made available in accordance with requests we hope to eventually complete the carefully laid out plans which will be presented to you from time to time covering this area.
77
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
HOCKEY RINK
Considerable improvement has been made on the Hockey Rink during the past year. A large part of the pool has been deepened. Very shortly portable bleachers will be installed for the convenience of spectators. Also we hope to have a suitable building to be used as a dressing-room for the players and possibly so that part can be used for a storage room for various tools and appurtenances used in connection with the maintenance of this rink. It is a particularly conspicuous spot well suited for winter sports and worthy of greater development.
SEWALL WOODS PARK
This park received but scant attention for several years past due to necessity for using funds elsewhere. It is a particularly beautiful spot and one on which we intend to concentrate at some future time and develop. In the meantime .during the coming year, we hope to keep it in good, clean condition making certain replacements of trees, shrubberies, etc.
BOWDEN PARK
Nothing further has been done during the past year on this park which was generously presented to the city by F. P. Bowden. The terms of the gift required that within a stipulated period this area be improved for park purposes and we are making a request for funds to follow a care- fully prepared plan which we now have for the improvement of this park during the coming year.
BATH HOUSE AND BEACH SITE
During the past year bathing facilities were not provided at Ell Pond. This was due to the fact that the buildings used previously were con- demned and it was necessary to remove them.
Once more we are requesting an appropriation sufficient to carry out plans for the building of a pavilion at the point which will be entirely suitable for use as a bathhouse. in summer and for a pavilion purpose for winter sports when the pond is frozen.
We realize the importance of furnishing proper housing arrangements for both summer and winter sports and as soon as funds can be secured for this purpose we hope to follow out the plans for this development.
We earnestly request that we be granted the appropriations asked for in our communication to His Honor the Mayor.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT A. PERKINS, Chairman ADDISON L. WINSHIP HARRY N. VAUGHN ANDREW F. EVERS GUSTAF E. JOHNSON
78
CITY OF MELROSE
REPORT OF TREASURER OF PINE BANKS PARK
Receipts :
Balance from 1920.
$601.17
Interest .
21.27
Log Cabin (rental).
30.00
City of Malden
1,900.00
City of Melrose
1,900.00
Total
$4,452.44
Expenditures
3,987.61
Balance on hand.
$464.83
Report of the Board of Survey
The report of the Board of Survey for the year 1921 is herewith submitted.
Petitions for approval of plans, laying out various tracts of land into streets and house lots, are under consideration by the Board of Survey as follows :- Golden Hills Plaza, east of Main Street, near the Wakefield line, the estate of Frank G. Lynde on the southerly side of Wyoming Avenue, Adams Street to Ravine Road, and a part of the Russell Estate on the easterly side of Trenton Street and the northerly side of Russell Street, showing the proposed extension of Cottage Street to Russell Street.
Studies have been made of other tracts of land that are being con- sidered for development, as the Barbour land east of Spear Street, Smith Estate north of Porter Street, and east of Linden Road, and the large area east of Damon Avenue adjoining the Griswold Land Co. tract and extending southerly to near Howard Street.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Appropriation.
$50.00
Expended :
Advertising. $5.00
Engineering Division for work in connection with plans and studies of tracts under consideration 44.80
49.80
Balance
$.20
E. C. LANG, Chairman WM. N. FOLSOM WM. E. WATERHOUSE
Board of Survey
GEORGE O. W. SERVIS, Clerk
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth
The Gypsy Moth, like the poor, is still with us, and we must anticipate a large increase of this pest this year: All the conditions being favorable, namely the broken and scattered nests resulting from the ice-storm of this winter; the necessary climbing of trees previous to painting the nests; the carting of the wood through the streets to be converted into firewood. All of the above being done regardless of the consequences from scattered eggs will result in added infestation of private estates.
The Brown Tail Moth was found in three places in Melrose during the past winter to the number of 55 nests but there is no fear of a general infestation from this insect at present. The Leopard Moth is very active on maples and elms, no very successful method of fighting this pest having been discovered as yet. We must anticipate a slight increase of this wood eater.
The imported Elm Leaf Beetle is busy among our elms and maples as is evident by the many falling branches of these beautiful shade trees. All elms were treated by spraying once with arsenate of lead mixture, but should be sprayed twice to combat this pest successfully in both its feeding stages.
Many complaints have been received from fruit-growers because of the presence on fruit trees of the apple Aphid, Red Bug, San Jose, Oyster Scale and Coddling Moth. The Moth Department of the City is always ready to give advice as to the proper means for controlling these pests by suggesting the latest methods of the United States Department of Agri- culture and the recent experiments of the several agricultural colleges.
Complaints are coming in from ·citizens as to careless and improper pruning of storm-damaged trees. If owners of trees will apply to the city they may be advised as to the proper method of pruning individual trees.
The Tent Caterpillar did not cause any great amount of defoliation during the past year. The Fall Web Worm did some damage to pear and apple trees in some few isolated cases.
During the past year we were called upon to fight a new insect pest known as the Satin Moth. This insect was found during 1920 in Middlesex Fells, its food supply being poplar and willow, and the infestation of these trees was very serious throughout the city. There being no legislation against this insect, we were constrained, acting upon the advice of His Honor the Mayor, to enter upon private property to destroy this pest for the protection of the general public.
81
BROWN TAIL AND GYPSY MOTH REPORT
We may look for a greatly increased infestation this year, but legisla- tion has been enacted giving the authorized agents of the State the right to enter upon private land in their efforts to exterminate this pest.
JOHN J. MCCULLOUGH,
Local Superintendent
Report of Public Library Trustees
The Trustees of the Public Library beg leave to submit the report of the work of the Library for the year 1921, being the twenty-first annual report to the City Government and the fifty-first report since the estab- lishment of the Library.
Your attention is respectfully called to the accompanying report of the Librarian to the Board, which records in detail the work which has been carried on under the direction of the Board with the exceedingly effective co-operation of the Librarian and her force.
It is especially interesting to note that the circulation of books in- creased 5% over the previous year, reaching the number of 110,503 volumes. We believe that this is the largest proportionate circulation of any library in the state, all things considered, except possibly Brookline. The steadily increasing proportion of non-fiction which is read is also worthy of note.
It is to be regretted that the marked advance in the price of books prevents our keeping pace with the demand for new books, but on account of the necessity for special expenditures this year, as noted in the Budget, which we herewith submit, we are refraining from asking for an increase in the appropriation for Books and Magazines.
The growing interest of the School Department in the Library is a source of satisfaction. While the work of the Library for the children is in no way different in principle from that which it does for all the people, and cannot be considered as a phase of school work, to be concluded at graduation, yet the work of the two Departments is closely allied and both must gain by mutual co-operation. Several conferences have been held and a joint meeting of the two Boards was addressed by representa- tives of the State Library Commission followed by a general discussion .. It is hoped that this effort will result not only in the continuance and increase of the work of the Library on behalf of the children, but in a more general interest in the Library on the part of the teachers, especially in the grade schools.
It has always been the policy of the Library to maintain a department of books parallel with the High School courses. At the present time the School Committee are making a strong appeal to us to provide additional copies, sometimes as many as three, of books already in the Library for the use of the High School students in connection with their studies. We shall go as far in this direction as we can, but limited as we are at the present time for funds for the purchase of books, we do not feel that we can too greatly sacrifice the general public, young and old, in order to do all that is requested for the High School at this time.
83
REPORT OF PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES
In this connection, as indicated in connection with the budget, it is our purpose, as soon as possible, to place deposits of books in all grade schools above the third, in order to get directly to that large percentage of our children who are as yet ignorant of the value of the opportunity offered them by the Public Library. This will place a certain responsi- bility upon the teachers and add something to their work, but we are assured of their co-operation.
You are already informed of the removal of the Highlands Branch and the circumstances connected therewith.
At the suggestion of the Honorable Charles E. French a Genealogical Department has been added to the Library which will specialize along the line of Melrose genealogy. It is believed that this will be of interest to many of our people.
We record with profound sorrow the death of the Honorable Charles E. French in November, 1921. His keen interest and thorough knowledge of the needs of the Library made him a valuable member and his geniality and wise counsel will be deeply missed.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL STERLING, Chairman MARY C. BARTON, Secretary CLARA G. MULDOON NEIL A. DIVVER FRANK W. CAMPBELL
RALPH G. HARMON Trustees of the Melrose Public Library
Report of the Librarian
To the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library :-
It has been very satisfying to note the growing and varied demands made upon the library and the larger place it is making for itself in the community. The increased use of the reading room by both students and readers and the frequently crowded conditions in the children's room prove that the Library is reaching the people more and more, and yet no librarian is content till it is used by all the people.
Because of the very high price of books, there were fewer purchased the past year than the previous year and yet the circulation was the largest in the history of the library, there being an increase of more than 5,500 over 1920. The library has never been able to satisfy the clamor for the latest fiction. Probably no library can hope to do this, as it would necessitate a large number of copies of a book as soon as published, that all might have it promptly, and when the demand was past the numerous copies would lie idle on the shelves. The duplicate library has helped very much with the new fiction. The circulation of the duplicate library for the year was 749.
The work in the children's room has been very satisfactory. At times the room is so crowded that we have the feeling we would like to push the walls out to make more room, but they seem quite happy, which of course, is what we want. Some one suggested the possibility of using the room in the basement known as the "Gooch Room" for the children. That would not only relieve the congestion and make more quiet possible in the main part of the library, but it would also give the children more liberty. Children are naturally so active, it is pretty difficult to keep them hushed up all the time. What is now the children's room could then be used to advantage for a reference room, leaving the reading room free for just a reading room. The suggestion seemed worth thinking about, so I pass it along to you. Early in the spring we started story-telling in the children's room on Saturday afternoons. The children enjoy it very much and begin to gather early in the afternoon for the story. The number of children varied from six, the smallest number, to thirty-six, the largest. We are indebted to volunteer service for this, and we acknowledge with much appreciation the spirit of the story-tellers in giving this real pleasure to the children.
Another thing which seems a start in the right direction was a course of four lectures given by members of the Woman's Club in the Art Room, and illustrated by pictures from the splendid collection which the library has. The number of people attending, and the interest shown, would seem
85
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
to justify more lectures of a like nature. I hope we may soon see the art and history classes in the High School making similar use of the pictures. The nucleus for a collection of pictures to be loaned to the schools, or anybody who can use them, has been started by the Art and Literature Committee of the Woman's Club and given the library. We anticipate much use of these pictures and hope to add to them as we can.
Instruction in the use of the library to classes in the High School has been continued to some extent. The result is gratifying, as there is no doubt but it brings the pupils and the library closer together. There is a big opportunity for the library to extend its usefulness when it can work out the problem of a special assistant to have charge of the work with the schools. For many of the pupils, school ends with the grades, and many more do not go beyond the high school. If they can get the "library habit" and learn how to use the library while still in school, they have a continuation school for just as long as they please, and the help they can have from it is unlimited. It seems to me an opportunity for real worth while service to the community the library should not let pass.
There is a call from the High School for more copies of certain books used by the pupils, which it would be well to consider if possible.
There has been much enthusiasm shown in the genealogical room which is to be put in shape directly. There is a growing interest in gene- alogy among our people, and the room will be a distinct addition to the library.
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