USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1922 > Part 3
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POLICE SIGNAL SYSTEM .- Three hundred and ten inspections of Police box movements were made installing ten new finger springs and twenty-five telephone batteries. The Police Signal System and Red Lights was rebuilt practically throughout, ten miles of iron and three miles of copper wire and one hundred and twenty-five cross arms being used. Red lights were installed at the corner of Trenton and West Foster Street and Grove and Swains Pond Avenues.
INSPECTION OF WIRES .- One thousand and ninety-nine re- quests for electrical inspections were received making a total of twenty-seven hundred and five inspections, issuing seven hundred and thirty-six permits allowing current to be turned on.
RECOMMENDATIONS .-- That a Fire Alarm box be installed on every school building. That an air whistle be installed at Fire Head- quarters. That the City Wires on Main Street be pulled in under- ground.
Respectfully submitted,
FRED A. EDWARDS, Wire Inspector.
Report of Inspector of Buildings
Melrose, Jan. 8, 1923.
To His Hon. Mayor Paul H. Provandie,
and the Honorable Board of Aldermen.
Gentlemen:
It gives me great pleasure to report the largest amount expended for Building Construction during the past year, of any in the history of the city. Number of permits issued was 379, with an estimated value of $840,070.00 divided as follows:
93 Houses $587,800.00
155 Garages 98,390.00
114 Alterations 119,835.00
17 Other Buildings. 34,045.00
379
$840,070.00
These figures are $275,000.00 more than those of last year, and near- ly $800,000.00 of which is either in process of construction, or com- pleted; this also is a larger percentage than ever before.
The dwellings completed, and those for which permits have been granted, together with the alteration of existing dwellings into suites and apartments, will enable us to provide for the housing of 125 more families than at this time one year ago.
I am not sure but the time has arrived when we should charge for the permits issued; the owner is getting the protection, and the city pays the bills. The income would be a help toward a better service. The whole city ought to be visited at least once each week, a thing it is impossible to do under the present conditions.
I am still of the opinion that the building, plumbing and wiring ought to be in one department, called the Building Department, with the same separate heads as now. This would not add to the expense, but would give more efficient service.
I wish to thank any, and all, who have been helpful in any way, whether by constructive criticism, or otherwise, to the carrying on of the work of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM S. ALLEN, Inspector of Buildings.
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures
Melrose, Mass., January 2, 1923.
To His Honor, the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen, City of Melrose, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to submit to you the Annual Report for 1922 of the Weights and Measures Department ending December 31, 1922.
SCALES ADJUSTED
Number of Scales adjusted and sealed 915
Number of Scales condemned
15
None-seal
1
Gasoline Pumps
Sealed
32
Condemned
4
Adjustments on positive stops of above pumps
128
Trial Weighings on Wagons and in Stores
No. tests Correct Under
Over
Coal in Wagons
6
1
3
2
Coal in paper bags
24
20
4
Flour
25
25
. .
. .
Butter
8
7
. .
1
Dry commodities
83
65
12
6
Fruits and Vegetables
20
6
13
1
Bread
42
25
1
16
Confectionery
17
17
. .
. .
Berry Baskets
1
1
.
. .
Malt Beverages
8
7
. .
1
Milk Jars
6
6
. .
Total 240
180
33
27
45
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Inspections
Drug Stores for Clinical Thermometers 8
Marking of Food Packages 10
Stores 25
Hawkers and Pedlars
11
Coal Certificates
6
Junk Dealers
5
Total 65
Fees received for sealing and adjusting $82.57
License fees collected 170.00
Total paid to City Treasurer $252.57
Office Work
This office is open from 8 to 9 A. M. for the purpose of sealing such weights and measures that are brought in, subject to the annual Sealer's notice.
Changes in the State Laws abolishing all legal weights in the sale of fruits, nuts and vegetables have necessitated the circulation of cards to that effect, which have been distributed throughout the City.
Seventeen licenses to peddle fish, fruit and vegetables have been granted during the past fiscal year. Many of these would never have taken out a license were it not for persistent inspections on the part of the Sealer.
Store Inspections
The store inspections have been responsible for ferreting out many losses to the dealer as well as to the consumer, the defects in weigh- ing and measuring devices and the stimulating of our merchants to a greater degree of care.
Gasoline Pumps
Specifications and Tolerances as adopted by the Massachusetts Sealer's Association are strictly adhered to in the sealing of gasoline pumps. The amount of work involved in properly adjusting and seal- ing a gasoline pump is little realized. With but one or two exceptions every pump in this city was giving too much before adjustments were made. Obviously it is equally as important to protect the dealer as the consumer and the Sealer believes that the condition of the gasoline pumps of this city merits the approval of both the dealer and the consumer.
46
CITY OF MELROSE
Summary of Court Cases
Number of cases taken into court
4
Not Guilty
2
Convictions
2
Amount of Fines
$50.00
Expenditures-Appropriation $75.00
Printing
$15.23
Office Supplies
15.44
Transportation
40.00
Sundries
4.25
Total $74.92
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP B. CARRUTHERS, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Melrose, Massachusetts.
Report of Pine Banks Park
February 13, 1923.
Dr. Paul H. Provandie, Mayor of Melrose,
Melrose, Mass.
Dear Mr. Mayor :-
May I call your kind attention to the enclosed copy of Treasurer's Report of the Trustees of Pine Banks Park? I beg to inform you that the care of the Park has been so well systematized and in such good hands that it does not require a very large amount of effort on the part of the Board of Trustees. We feel that we have a very efficient man there' as superintendent.
This is to notify you and the Board of Aldermen that the Trus- tees request an appropriation of $1,900.00 for the maintenance of the Park from each of the cities of Malden and Melrose.
Yours very truly,
CHARLES M. COX,
Secretary.
REPORT OF TREASURER
1922
Receipts
Balance from 1921
$464.83
City of Malden
1,900.00
City of Melrose
1,900.00
Interest
16.53
Rental of Log Cabin
24.00
Selling permit
10.00
Wood
6.00
$1,321.36 $4,321.36
48
CITY OF MELROSE
Expenditures
Wages of Employees
$2,792.62
Telephone
34.80
Zoo expense
304.33
Stable and blacksmith
317.50
Insurance
35.49
Cities of Malden and Melrose
106.38
Hardware and plumbing
57.97
Seeds and bulbs
96.37
Ploughing
35.00
Expense
55.58
$3,836.04 3,836.04
$ 485.32
Receipts
Budget .$3,800.00
Special Appropriation or Transfer
Other income, interest and Log Cabin rents, licenses and
wood
72.66
Total
$3,872.66
Expenditures
Actual, 1922
Estimate, 1923
Inc. or Dec.
Wages of Employees
$2,792.62
$2,842.00
Inc. $50.00
Telephone
34.80
same
Zoo Expense
304.33
same
Stable and Blacksmith
317.50
same
Insurance
35.49
25.00
Dec. 10.00
Cities, Malden and Melrose
106.38
76.00
Dec. 30.00
Hardware and Plumbing
57.97
same
Seeds and Bulbs
96.37
same
Ploughing
35.00
Dec. 35.00
Expense
55.58
same
Total
$3,836.04
Report of Registrars of Voters
To the Honorable Mayor and Aldermen,
Gentlemen:
The oath of office was administered to Edwin L. Cragin as a Registrar for the term of three years, on May 1, 1922.
The Registrars of Voters held their annual meeting on May 8, 1922, and organized by the election of Edwin L. Cragin as chairman, and the City Clerk was made clerk, ex-officio. Eight letters were received from various military and semi-military organizations of their list of members exempt from jury duty, which were placed on file for refer- ence. During the months of May, June and July over 4000 names were certified for the Primaries. Many letters as to party enrollment, and standing on the voting lists, were answered. The entire card system was revised in July and August as soon as the assessed poles were furnished by the assessors. Over 800 names were dropped on account of removals, deaths, and marriages. After continuous sessions of forty- two meetings, about 310 were restored, all having been notified by postals. Our voting lists were posted the last of August. The jury list was made out and posted in July, 164 names in all. Our jury list has been commented upon favorably by the courts, and the character of the men praised. There was a Primary in September, State Elec- tion in November and City Election, December 12, 1922. Over 2000 names were certified on nomination papers. The Registrars held meet- ing for Registration as follows:
For State Primaries
Daily Sessions (Tuesdays, Aug. 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and Sept. 5th) at City Clerk's Office, City Hall, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m.
Evening Session, Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall, Tuesday, Aug. 29th, from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m., and Tuesday, Sept. 5th, from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m.
For State Election
Daily Sessions (Tuesdays, Sept. 19th, 26th, Oct. 3d and 10th) at City Clerk's Office, City Hall, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m.
Evening Sessions, Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall, Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m., Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 7 p. m. to 10 p. m.
Final Session, Wednesday, Oct. 18th, from 12 noon to 10 p. m. (when registration will cease).
50
CITY OF MELROSE
For City Election
Daily Session (Tuesday, Nov. 14th) at City Clerk's Office, City Hall, from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m.
Evening Session, Aldermanic Chamber, City Hall, Tuesday, Novem- ber 14, from 7 to 10 p. m.
Final Session, Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 12 noon to 10 p. m. (when registration will cease.)
968 names were added during registration.
LIST OF VOTERS, CITY ELECTION, DECEMBER 12, 1922
Wards
Registered
Voting
Total
Male
Female
1
1159
486
450
936
2
1362
609
508
1117
3-1
595
261
255
516
3-2
646
294
280
574
4
1088
520
405
925
5
961
419
373
792
6
1270
583
482
1065
7-1
899
409
355
764
7-2
200
116
50
166
8180
3697
3158
6855
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN L. CRAGIN,
EDWIN J. TIRRELL,
JOHN J. KEATING,
W. DeHAVEN JONES,
Registrars of Voters.
Report of Moth Department
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen, City of Melrose,
I herewith respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Moth De- partment for the year 1922.
The moth situation in Melrose has been and is somewhat aggra- vated by a new insect pest called the "Satin Moth," a most voracious eater, feeding mostly upon the foliage of the willow and poplar trees, many of which were badly defoliated during the past season.
The Brown Tail Moth, very fortunately for Melrose, is a thing of the past, at least so far as our city is concerned.
The Gypsy Moth, like the poor, is still with us, and is causing some considerable damage to public and private property throughout the city. Such damage is mostly confined to the outskirts of the town, the people in the so-called residential sections, having fewer trees to care for, seem to be more successful. Some street trees showed evidence of the presence of the Gypsy Moth by perforated leaves.
The Elm Leaf Bettle was quite active during the past year, the season being favorable to the propagation of this pest throughout the entire state.
The Leopard Moth shows no signs of abatement as is evidenced by the large number of dead portions of tree limbs which occasionally litter our public ways. This pest is the most difficult of all to fight or control, as the expense of any known methods are beyond the pos- sible appropriation of this or any other city. The situation has been much improved, however, by the pruning and trimming of trees during the past summer. A like amount of work throughout the coming year, removing dead and dangerous limbs will help materially in exterminat- ing this destructive insect.
The city owns two spraying machines which have been in use for fifteen years, and have become practically useless for the prupose for which they were originally intended, and as spraying is the most efficacious means of fighting all leaf-eating insects, in order to properly protect our city trees, we will be obliged to purchase this year a thoroughly up-to-date power spraying machine. Last year we were obliged to use horse-drawn vehicles, it being necessary to have five teams in constant use during the spraying season. Horse-drawn vehicles are slow, expensive and out of date.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. MCCULLOUGH,
Local Superintendent.
Report of Advisory Committee Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building
Melrose, Mass., March 1, 1923.
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen,
City of Melrose.
Gentlemen:
The Advisory Committee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Building submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1922.
Organization : Ellis, Chairman; Collins, Secretary. Committee on Building-Fernald, Luce, Flanders, Hitchins, Newman. Committee on Management, Evans, Collins, Corson, Newman, (Waterhouse) Wilson. Committee on Organ Concerts, (Waterhouse) Wilson, Stetson, Evans,. Fernald, Hitchins. Mr. William E. Waterhous resigned and Mr. Elmer Wilson was appointed in his place.
The Committee held twelve regular monthy meetings and one extra meeting.
The Committee on Organ Concerts produced four concerts and one lecture recital. Three concerts were in memory of Hon. John C. F. Slayton. Dr. Will C. MacFarland was the organist. Mr. William E. Zeuch was the organist at the other concert. Mr. Elmer Wilson gave lecture recital to the school children.
About $2,000.00 was expended repairing the roof and redecorating Grand Army Hall. This work is not finished and much more ought to be done. The building continues to settle and while it it not now in a dangerous condition it is serious enough to warrant the expenditure of an amount sufficient to stop further settlement.
APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages
Appropriation
$2,500.00
Transfer from Other Expenses.
100.00
Transfer from Municipal Organ Concerts.
250.00
Total
$2,850.00
53
REPORT OF MEMORIAL BUILDING COMMITTEE
Expended
2,849.00
Balance
$1.00
Other Expenses
Appropriation
$5,000.00
Transfer from Municipal Organ Concerts
140.00
$5,140.00
Transfer to Salaries and Wages.
100.00
Total
$5,040.00
Expended
5,011.60
Balance
$28.40
Municipal Organ Concerts
Appropriation
$1,000.00
Transfer to Salaries and Wages.
$250.00
Transfer to Other Expenses
140.00
Total Transfers
390.00
Total
$610.00
Expended
608.06
Balance
$1.94
The receipts for the year amounted to $5,849.09.
FRED E. ELLIS, Chairman. For the Committee.
Report of Fire Department
Melrose, Mass., Jan. 8, 1923.
Hon. Paul H. Provandie, Mayor,
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit the following report of the Melrose Fire De- partment for the year 1922.
ORGANIZATION
The Department consists of four companies as follows:
Engine Co. No. 1; Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1; Combination Co. A; and Hose Co. No. 4.
PERSONNEL
The Call Force consists of Deputy Chief Engineer, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, and 20 Privates.
The Permanent Force consists of 1 Chief Engineer, 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 14 Privates.
There have been promotions during the year: 1 Captain promoted to Chief Engineer and 1 Private promoted to Lieutenant; 1 Chief En- gineer retired and 1 Captain retired.
There was one of our Lieutenants taken from us by death.
MOTOR EQUIPMENT
1 Chief's Automobile, 1 Pumping Engine with equipment, 1 Auto Ladder Truck with equipment, including a new life net; 2 Combination Hose and Chemical Autos with equipment, 2 Pungs, 1 Horse-drawn Hook and Ladder Truck (condemned), and 10 Chemical Extinguishers. 1 Auto Combination Squad Wagon in reserve.
HOSE
Number of feet of good hose 4,800
Number of feet of poor hose 3,000
FIRES
Total number of alarms answered during year 230
Bell Alarms (9 were false) 78 Still Alarms 152
55
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
INSURANCE
Number of buildings damaged
38
Value of buildings damaged. $146,407.45
Loss on buildings. 34,025.20
Insurance on same.
128,575.00
Insurance paid.
26,749.10
CONTENTS
Value of contents $76,470.00
Loss on contents.
22,479.00
Insurance on contents.
78,150.00
Insurance paid.
16,362.96
DEPARTMENT WORK
Number of feet of hose laid. 15,550
Number of feet of ladders raised. 2,397
Number of gallons of chemical used
1,066
EMERGENCY AND SPECIAL CALLS
Emergency calls with lungmotor. 3
Emergency calls, collapse of grandstand.
1
To remove cats from trees.
3
To remove horses from brooks and cellars.
3
Value of personal property of Fire Department. $36,935.05
There will have to be some repairs made on the Central Fire Station and at Hose 4 Station this coming year. I would recommend a new Fire Station at Melrose Highlands as the present buidling is not worth the outlay of any more money.
I would recommend that our schools be equipped with modern fire alarm and sprinkler systems as soon as possible.
The personal property of the department is in good condition.
Very truly yours,
FRANK C. NEWMAN,
Chief of Department.
Report of Board of Survey
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen, City of Melrose, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :-
The Board of Survey submits the following report for the year 1922.
Studies have been made of various sections of the city in anticipa- tion of future development. Plans are being made by the owners of the Barbour land, near Spear Street, and of the Russell estate, Trenton Street, and of the Lynde estate, Wyoming Avenue, for approval.
Plans of the Golden Hills Plaza Tract, and the streets in this tract, were approved October 9, 1922.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
Appropriations-Salaries and Wages.
Other Expenses
$100.00 50.00
$150.00
Expended :
Salary of Clerk.
$100.00
Advertising
2.00
$102.00
Balance
$48.00
Amount on hand deposited with plans in accordance with rules and regulations of the Board of Survey, $45.00.
E. C. LANG, Chairman WIM. N. FOLSOM W.M. E. WATERHOUSE
Board of Survey.
GEORGE O. W. SERVIS, Clerk.
Report of the Public Library Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Public Library herewith presents the report of the work of the Library for the year 1922, being the twenty-second annual report to the City Government and the fifty- second report since the establishment of the library.
It is gratifying to note that the record for the past year for the library shows an increased patronage by those entitled to its privileges.
The work of the Librarian with the school children has been con- tinued with much success.
The story-telling hour has been greatly enjoyed and very largely attended by the children, and it is not possible to measure the influence for good among the children resulting from the pleasant hours spent in the library. The appreciation of the trustees is extended to the friends who have given so generously of their time to this commendable feature of library work.
With the growth of the library and its branches, the duties and responsibilities of the staff have increased correspondingly and the library has accomplished its purpose of a high standard of administra- tion by the splendid co-operation of the entire staff.
MARY C. BARTON, Secretary.
Highlands Branch Library
It is very gratifying to report that the Highlands Branch of the Melrose Library has been increasing steadily in circulation since it was located in the centre of the Highlands. It proves beyond a doubt that the central location and the efficient service rendered by Miss Long, who is in charge, has meant service to the community. The branch now seems to be an indispensable adjunct to the intellectual life of the people in this section. During the year 1922 the entire circulation was 26,195, showing an increase of 2,905 books over the preceding year. The total registration for the year was 1,344. Books added 155, which include 54 juvenile and 101 adult.
Let us hope that in the near future the Highlands Branch will have a permanent home of its own.
Respectfully submitted,
CLARA G. MULDOON.
The reports of the Librarian and Treasurer are herewith submitted. PAUL STERLING, Chairman.
58
CITY OF MELROSE
To the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library,
Gentlemen :-
The efforts of the Library to meet the needs of the largest number of people is meeting with a larger measure of success every year. Not only the issue of books for home use, but the work of the library as a whole has gained during the past year. The custom of keeping new and readable books in the reception hall within reach of the public proves an effective means of bringing good books to the attention of the people.
Deposits of books, to be kept from one to three months, have been sent to some of the grades in the schools, with very favorable and ap- preciative reports from the teachers. This is only a very modest be- ginning of what the Librarian hopes may grow into deposits in every grade in the schools. &
Instruction in the use of the Library has been given to several classes in the High School, with practical work in the use of the cata- logue and the more important reference books. It is always gratifying to see the interest with which pupils go about finding things for them- selves after they have had their instruction.
During the year books have been sent to the fire station, and we find the men are very glad to have them at hand to use in their leisure time. A valuable addition to the Library is the stereopticon which was bought last November. The opportunities and possibilities for its use for the public good are many.
The annual children's book week was observed as usual early in November. The week opened with a talk by the Rev. Mr. Chase, a trustee of the Beverly Public Library, on "The Value of Good Read- ing for Children," the talk being followed by a story illustrated with the new stereopticon. During the week there was story-telling every afternoon for the children, with an average attendance of 41.
In the spring the walls of the stack-room, the reading room, the reception hall on the first floor, and two rooms on the second floor, were re-finted, and the ceilings whitened. At about the same time the old and inadequate lighting was replaced with new and better lights, making a very great improvement in the appearance of the library, and the comfort of its patrons.
The room known as the "Historical Room" is being used more and more by public welfare societies, as well as for classes in Americaniza - tion. Collections of books in Italian, Yiddish, Armenian and Greek have been borrowed from the Library Commission to meet the need of our foreign born.
The work of the year has been more in "carrying on" than in new undertakings. The various departments and branches have done their
.
59
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
usual good work. No statistics could give an adequate idea of the work in the reference room. All available sources of information are called upon to meet the increasing demands.
EXPLANATIONS
Salaries
With the great advance of Library efficiency it has become neces- sary for libraries to give sufficient compensation to their trained librarians to hold the class of people whom they must employ in order to meet the increasing demands which are made upon them.
At the present time the Melrose Library is giving the minimum compensation allowed by the Massachusetts Library Association for trained librarians. It is generally recognized that the salary of the Librarian should equal that of the Principals of Public Schools in the same community, and that the salary of the Assistant Librarian should equal that of the better paid teachers in the same community.
The Board of Trustees, in pursuance of the duty laid upon them by the City Charter plan to ultimately fix the compensation of the Librarian at $2000.00 per year as the proper maximum compensation for that position in the City of Melrose, and as a reasonable step in that direction they have fixed the compensation of the Librarian at $1800.00 for the current year. On the same principle the compensation of the Assistant Librarian has been fixed at $1400.00 for the current year, looking to an ultimate maximum of $1600.00 for that position.
A small advance is asked, also, for the Desk Assistant in the Main Library to enable the Library to employ one capable person in that po- sition in place of hiring High School girls on part time, it being in- creasingly difficult to get girls for this work at the small wage of eighteen cents an hour which has hitherto been paid.
School Deposits
The Melrose Library holds an enviable position among the Libraries of Massachusetts, being well to the front if not actually in the lead of libraries in cities and towns of about the same population as that of Melrose. In the matter of school deposits, however, Melrose is behind the most progressive. The Library, therefore, desires to place deposits of selected books in the higher grade rooms of our schools, to be used by the children under the supervision of the teachers, thus mak- ing of each room a small branch library. Since enough books for this purpose cannot be spared from the general circulation an appropriation of $500.00 is asked for their purchase.
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