USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1923 > Part 8
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FINANCES
While the general financial statement will appear elsewhere it is pleasing to note here that $175.44 accumulated from the bath house at $.05 per room. $60.09 was collected on the various play- grounds in the basketry and dress making classes, the receipts from the use of the base ball fields amounted to $53.00 a total of $288.53. Entrance fees were charged in tournaments to help defray expenses of prizes.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
The success of 1922 made possible the expansion and achieve- ment of 1923 and it is desirable that the city consolidate this splendid work for its youth. A glance at the accompanying attend- ance record will prove the appreciation of the children and a visit to the points of activity will prove the value.
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CITY OF MELROSE
There is considerable overcrowding with the small beach and bathhouse facilities at Ell Pond. The new school at Messengers Meadows may necessitate re-adjustment. The possible development of the proposed Athletic field on Tremont Street and the Parkway will present new problems.
The common, as the largest and most popular playground space for little children requires a structure of some sort with comfort stations, storage space etc.
No playground system could have more whole hearted support than that which has been given by the Melrose Park Commission and these men should feel themselves amply rewarded for their labors.
Respectfully submitted, C. J. SURBECK, Supervisor.
CHANGES IN THE PERSONNEL
During the past year, Mr. Robert A. Perkins, chairman was replaced by the appointment of Mr. George W. Haven, Mr. Harry N. Vaughn resigned and Mr. Neil S. Casey was appointed and con- firmed for the balance of Mr. Vaughn term, Mr. Addison L. Winship term expired in May and a vacancy still exists.
We urgently request that we be granted the following appro- priations for the year 1924.
Parks, General Administration:
Salaries and Wages
$300.00
Other expenses 250.00
Lighting
270.00
820.00
Parks and Gardens:
Salaries and Wages
$3,000.00
Other expenses 1.000.00
$4,000.00
Playgrounds:
Salaries and Wages
$3.500.00
Other expenses 2,000.00
$5,500.00
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REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Bathhouses and Beaches:
Salaries and Wages $1,200.00
Other expenses 1,000.00
$2,200.00
Winter Sports:
Appropriation $1,500.00
$1,500.00
Bowden Park:
Estimated cost to comply with approved plans $7,500.00
$7,500.00
Respectfully submitted,
GUSTAF E. JOHNSON, RICHARD J. LORD, GEORGE W. HAVEN, NEIL S. CASEY, HARRY N. VAUGHN
Board of Park Commissioners.
Report of Treasurer of Pine Banks Park
Receipts
Balance from 1922
$485.32
Received from City of Malden
1,900.00
Received from City of Melrose
1,900.00
Interest
12.16
4,297.48
4,297.48
Expenditures
Wages
2,861.65
Hardware and Plumbing
61.01
Lumber-Paints and oils
92.37
Expense of Horse
289.75
Friend Bros.
128.95
Middlesex Meat Co.
62.79
Telephone
35.05
Insurance
37.08
Seeds
74.37
City of Malden
20.59
Cunningham Grain
73.57
Sundries
61.43
3,798.61
3,79861.
Balance on hand
$498.87
WILLIAM D. GROOT, Treas.
Report of Planning Board
To the Honorable, the Mayor and Board Aldermen of the City of Melrose :-
Gentlemen :- The Planning Board, in accordance with the act under which it was organized, presents herewith its annual report.
At the first meeting, January 25th, the Board found itself without a chairman on account of the resignation of Mr. Frank H. Noyes. Mr. Albert A. Hersey was appointed temporary chairman at the February meeting.
Effort was made at this time to learn the fate of the Zoning Ordinance which had been submitted some time before. The Zoning Committee, being without a chairman, no headway could be made.
As the location of present and future school buildings is recog- nized by the National Federation of Planning Boards as a very important part of the city plan, the Planning Board voted unani- mously at its February meeting to send a resolution to the Chair- man of the Board of Aldermen, the Chairman of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools advising against the enlargement of the Washington School because of the traffic con- gestion at that point.
There was no response and later when the Chairman inter- viewed Mr. Stuart, she was told that it had not been deemed worthy of consideration.
At the March meeting, when Mr. Hersey was elected Chairman it was voted to call the attention of the Board of Aldermen to a recommendation made by the Planning Board in 1917 relative to routing of wires over pole's on side streets thus avoiding the expense of placing wires in conduits under Main Street, stating that they wished to go on record as favoring the plan.
April came and still nothing was heard of the Zoning Ordin- ance. The Board therefore voted to impower the Secretary to send a letter to the Board of Aldermen asking what disposition, if any, had been made of the Zoninz Ordinance. No reply was received.
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CITY OF MELROSE
Mr. Hersey tendered his resignation at the May meeting and refused to reconsider, though urged by all members present. Mr. Prior nominated Mrs. Osgood to fill his unexpired term and she was elected.
The need for a revision of the ordinance and some measure of protection from certain developments was so urgent that the Chairman asked for a hearing before the Board of Aldermen. It was placed on file. A meeting of the Zoning Committee was immediately called for May 24th. Alderman Chase was elected Chairman and the study of the Ordinance began. Not much headway was made. At the end of the summer recess conditions had developed to the point where decisive action was necessary. The mayor urged that something be done at once. Certain condi- tions which could be remedied by amendments to the Building Code were considered by the Board and the Chairman was em- powered to draw up the amendments and present them at a special meeting. This was done and the amendments were recommended to th Board of Aldermen Oct. 24th.
A meeting of the Zoning Committee was held
when it was voted to appoint a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman of the Planning Board, Alderman Roop, Mr. A. S. Noyes, Mr. George Glover and Mr. Cyrus Peirce to redraft the ordinance and present to the Zoning Committee November 16th. Meetings were held every week and the work of redrafting progressed rapidly. The Chairman outlined to the Principal of the High School an original plan for the preparation of the map; the work to be done by the Civics Class as a part of their study of civics. With his hearty approval the work began under the leadership of Mr. McPhetres.
The official city map was not available as the street names were on the lots. Old insurance maps were found and the tracings pieced together for the maps. The total cost was $6.50. One hundred and fifteen pupils, ranging from 14 to 16 years, worked upon the maps and they were ready for the hearing in January. The unique character of the work attracted wide attention and aroused public interest in zoning to an unusual degree. During the progress of the map work the Mayor offered prizes for the best essay on City Planning in its relation to Melrose, and the League of Women Voters offered prizes for the best essay on "Why Melrose Should Be Zoned." This also contributed to stimulate interest in the Zoning Plan.
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REPORT OF PLANNING BOARD
There was not a quorum present at the November 15th meeting of the Zoning Committee, so nothing could be accomplished but a report of progress. The holidays caused some delay, but the maps were ready as well as the text of the ordinance for the public hearings which were held January 2, 4, 7 and 11.
During the work of redrafting the ordinance it became evident that a Board of Appeals would be needed if the Zoning Ordinance was to function in accordance with the State Zoning Act. Studies were made of the boards which were functioning for building codes in various cities and towns and the Chairman decided to follow the example of Malden and Salem and ask the Legislature to create such a board with power to function also for the Zoning Ordinance. Representative Gilmore drew the bill from a draft of the requirements and it was entered January 2, 1924, signed by the Mayor and the Chairman of the Planning Board. It became a law January 30, 1924.
The ordinance is now ready and the Planning Board requests that it be incorporated as a part of this report and printed with it.
The need of desk room at City Hall has been increasingly felt this year as materials and maps have accumulated. We therefore respectfully request that a desk be made available for our use.
We renew our recommendation, nade last year, that adequate parking space be laid out adjacent to the business center.
The work for the coming year will be the preparation of a complete city plan with special reference to the street plan, future school sites, etc .; also a study of tax assessments with a view to recommending some plan for taxation.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Appropriation
$300.00
Expenditures, 1923:
Paper and envelopes $ 10.00
Expenses, Chairman at Springfield Convention 15.50
Blue print maps 5.96
Present use maps, expense for material. 6.15
Zoning map 23.10
Sanborn maps for use of Planning Board. 55.00
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CITY OF MELROSE
General expenses, typing, carfares, postage ... 10.00
Typed copies Newton Ordinance for study .... 14.50 Annual dues, Massachusetts Federation Plan- ning Boards 10.00
Annual dues, National Federation Planning
Boards
10.00
$160.31
Balance unexpended
139.69
- $300.00
Respectfully submitted,
EVA G. OSGOOD, Chairman
GEORGE C. GLOVER
AGNES DODGE
ALBERT A. HERSEY
E. GERTRUDE COPELAND
EDWIN E. PRIOR ARTHUR MATHER
A. S. NOYES
ROBERT L. BRIGGS
Report of Police Department
Jan. 22, 1924
Honorable Paul H. Provandie, Mayor, and the Members of the Honorable, the Board of Aldermen
of the City of Melrose,
Gentlemen:
In compliance with Chapter 29 of the Revised Ordinances of this City, I respectfully submit the following report of the doings of the Police Department for the year 1923:
Offences for which complaints have been made in Court 149
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT OF PATROLMEN
Arrests
129
Assistance to other officers
102
Accidents reported
70
Buildings found open
173
Complaints investigated
344
Defects in streets reported
113
Fire alarms given
11
Fire alarms attended
128
Ambulance cases
158
Notices served
139
Summonses served
250
Letters delivered
2982
Street lights reported out
299
Disturbances suppressed
147
Lost children
22
Obstructions in streets removed
93
Lanterns placed in dangerous places
96
Property recovered
Water leaks reported
1
Death notice delivered
1
Raids
18
Auto violations
4
Animals shot
14
Dead cats reported
2
Hours on Coasting duty
39
Auto trap
1
Fires put out
1
$1335.00 32
Persons rescued
176
CITY OF MELROSE
Calls at City Stable
1509
Wires burning trees
9
Gas leaks reported
2
Persons assisted home
3
Stolen automobiles recovered
4
Autoists warned
61
Automobiles tagged
60
Live electric wires in streets reported
2
Dogs killed by automobiles
2
Jury questionaires
38
Persons taken to Station for investigation
8
Revolver taken fromn maniac
1
Lost articles returned
1
Dead body cared for
1
Duty calls from Patrol boxes
30053
Telephone calls from Patrol boxes
2848
Wagon calls from Patrol boxes
12
Absence from duty (hours)
229 1/2
Attendance at Court
94
Cases at Court attended
125
Cases attended at Superior Court
7
Cases at Superior Court
4
Extra hours duty
10491/2
Hours of traffic duty
4147 34
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. KERR,
Chief of Police.
Report of Public Health Nursing Service
INFANT WELFARE
The infant welfare work has been continued through the year as formerly. An effort has been made to visit every baby, where help and advice is most needed. Treatment is given in the cases of infected eyes and instructions in preparing food where special for- mulae are needed. Booklets on the care of infants and diet lists are furnished the mothers by the Health Department. The amount of work done along this line could be increased as the need is evident, if more time could be spent for this work.
SCHOOL NURSING
The work of the School Nurse is carried on under the direction of the Board of Health and in cooperation with the' School Depart- ment. The routine inspection of pupils is conducted in the beginning of the school year, in which I assist the Medical Inspec- tors. This year I also assisted in the giving of the Schick Test and the toxin-antitoxin treatment which was done in the schools in April for the first time. The schools are visited twice a week and class room inspection and examination of pupils carried on. Call's are made in the homes to investigate absences, unless it is known that pupils are having medical attention.
If defects of the teeth are found, notice is sent to the parents or the children are sent to the Page Dental Clinic at the Hospital, but the teeth are showing evidences of better care than formerly. The contagious skin diseases also show a marked decrease from previous years, and are easily remedied if discovered in the early stages. Pupils are weighed and measured monthly and school room charts are kept with individual gain or loss checked up. Special attention is given to children suffering from malnutrition. Milk is served at the morning recess and those who need it but cannot pay, receive it free of charge. This year shows a large number of opera- tions for removal of tonsils and adenoids, which fact we hope will put the children into better physical condition, and render them less susceptible to disease.
SUMMER HEALTH AND PLAY SCHOOL
The fourth season of the Summer Health and Play School was again held at the High School and was in session for a period of six weeks. The School Board permitted the use of the High School lunch room for preparing and serving the lunches, a room in the Sewall School nearby and the playground. This central location seems the best adapted for this work, being the most accessible for children from all sections, and gives the public a chance to observe what is being done. The school is financed by a yearly tag day, donations from the Melrose Public Health Association, the Red Cross, Womans' Clubs and other local organizations. The purpose of the school and the general routine was much the same as in past
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CITY OF MELROSE
years, being strictly of the day camp variety, no over night work being carried on. For the successful operation of the work a paid staff is necessary, consisting of two instructors, a matron who pre- pares the food and her assistant. The weekly menu is planned by the school nurse and the children are under nursing supervision and inspection. They are given a thorough physical examination on entering and defects found are followed up.
The children who attend the school are recommended by the health agents and teachers. Some have been exposed to tuber- culous infection and others are underweight, anemic and poorly nourished. The school opened July 2nd with an enrollment of 61 and averaged a daily attendance of 50. Pupils are weighed and measured weekly, and the charts watched with interest for signs of gain or loss. One child gained 7 pounds in the six weeks, another 5 pounds, about all the others made a normal gain or over, one child only gaining as little as one- half pound.
The school assembled at nine o'clock and after opening exer- cises the children took part in games, story telling, reading and hand-work. Once a week a friend came and amused them with stories. At ten o'clock a lunch of milk and cookies was served and a hot dinner at noon. After this the children rested or slept for an hour upon cots placed out of doors, this period of quiet being con- sidered an important part of the regime. At three o'clock milk was served again after which the pupils were dismissed for the day. The attendance was good and only one day was lost on account of rain. Hygienic habits of living are taught the children; washing before meals, cleaning the teeth aftereating, and a proper pro- portion of play and rest.
It is believed that by our efforts in special work done in the Summer Health and Play School and the nutrition clinics in the public schools that this generation of children will make stronger and better American citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
MYRTLE S. MERIAM, R. N.
Public Health Nurse.
1
Trustees of Melrose Public Library
--
REV. PAUL STERLING MRS. MARY C. BARTON MR. FRANK W. CAMPBELL
MR. NEIL DIVVER MRS. CLARA G. MULDOON MR. RALPH G. HARMON
Chairman REV. PAUL STERLING
Secretary MRS. MARY C. BARTON
Treasurer MR. FRANK W. CAMPBELL
Librarian ELSIE M. HATCH
LOUISE SHELDON HATTIE D. HALL
Assistants EVELYN EMERY MYRTLE LITTLEFIELD
In Charge of Highlands Branch ALICE H. LONG
In Charge of Wyoming Branch HATTIE D. HALL
In Charge of East Side Branch MRS. WALTER LEWIS
In Charge of Ward 7 Branch ELIZABETH BATES
Janitor WILLIAM G. REED
Report of the Public Library Trustees
To His Honor, The Mayor, and the Honorable Board of Aldermen Gentlemen:
The trustees of the Public Library, in addition to their Budget and the statement of the Library Programme previously submitted, beg leave, in addition, to call to your attention the report of the Librarian and the Library statistics for the year 1923. We take pleasure in calling attention to the fact that the work of the Library shows distinct progress, and that while Libraries generally complain of reduced circulation due to the interest in the Radio, the cir- culation of our Library materially increases, the total for the year being 108,054, which is large for a city of our size.
Respectfully,
Trustees of the Melrose Public Library PAUL STERLING Chairman.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
To the Trustees of the Melrose Public Library :-
I wish it were possible to incorporate in this report the aims and ideals of the Library, and some of the efforts made toward a larger and better service. While there have been no radical changes, there has been a very steady progress, and we feel that the Library has made a real advance during the past year. So much of the work of the Library is done simply as a part of the day's work, and when done is put out of mind, and the assistant is ready for the next demand, that it is difficult to include in a report much that is a very important part of Library work.
There is one thing which has troubled me for some time, and which I hardly know how to handle. I refer to theft and mutilation of books and magazines. This is tracable almost entirely to school pupils. Recently, a class in the High School was doing some special work which called for the reservation of several magazines to be used in the Library. In one of the magazines the article which was being used by the class, was torn out. Another magazine which had been bought for the class was simply carried away. This is only one of the many instances. It seems to be more of a lack of responsibility toward public property than real maliciousness on the part of the pupils. Perhaps instruction in the High School in the
181
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
use of and responsibility for public property might help. The fact that other libraries have the same problem to handle doesn't help to solve it here.
The reference work of the Library and the use of the Reading Room have increased percentibly the past year. The room is often taxed to its full capacity, and frequently additional chairs have been needed.
The room known as the Historical Room has been used more than ever. It serves as a regular meeting place for the Red Cross, Humane Society, and Horticulture Society. The classes in Home Nursing for the Girl Scouts early in the year were conducted in this room; also a nature exhibit by the Girl Scouts, and an exhibit by the Arts and Crafts Society were held here. The room has also been used by the Americanization teacher as a place to give private lessons. The Librarian is always glad of every call for the right use of the room, as she is glad of every step which makes the Library more of a community center.
It is gratifying to see an increased use of, and interest in, the Genealogical Room. Several out of town people have used it, and in one instance information not to be found in the Genealogical Rooms in Boston was obtained in here. Several valuable additions have been made during the year.
The Civil War Library, known as the Gooch Library, has been taken from the "Gooch Room" in the basement of the building and put in the upper Hall, where it is available for use. It is a valuable collection of books, and will be very useful in connection with the Genealogical Room.
The Law books from City Hall, which were put into our building early in the year, combined with our own Law books make a very good working Law Library. It is consulted by law students as well as others, and is a valuable department of the Library.
The activities in the Children's Department have been carried on as usual, and it has been a busy place. It is true of the Children's Room as it is of the Reading Room, that the chairs are often all used, and some children have to sit upon the floor. Children's Book Week, November twelve to eighteen, was observed by the exhibition of appropriate posters and a display of about a hundred worthwhile children's books, both old and new, also, several beautifully illustrated editions which are kept for use in the Children's Room. Several parents, as usual, used the exhibit as a help in selecting books for the Christmas season. There was story telling for the children every day during Book Week.
We are glad to note that an increasing number of the poorer children, who would otherwise be without books, are finding their
182
CITY OF MELROSE
way to the Library. One day last summer, two small boys playing outside were evidently attracted by people coming into the Library, and one of the boys said to someone passing, "Say Mister, does it cost anything to go in there?" The boys were brought in and after giving their hands and faces a wash as we sometimes have to do, they had quite a wonderful afternoon in the Children's Room. They are now fast friends of the Library, and not many days pass without a call from them.
The attendance at the story hour has steadly grown the past year. Often children wait in the Library from one o'clock until four for the story. The children have greatly enjoyed the stereop- tican. I am trying to give them pictures at least twice a month. The largest number of children for the story hour was seventy-five. We are indebted to the volunteer service of Mrs. Alice Eldridge, Miss Wicker, and Miss Hamburger, and also of Miss Emery of our Library staff, for telling the stories to the children.
In the spring all the eighth grade pupils in the schools came to the Library for instruction in the use of the catalogue and a general survey of the Library. As first year pupils in the High School, they came again in the fall to study the use of the encyclopaedias. The work with the pupils is interesting and satisfying, there being a quick response from them and an eagerness to help themselves.
There have been deposits of books in three of the grade schools this year, with a circulation of 3,096. I very much hope that the time is not far off when these school deposits will be extended to all of the grade schools. We are also sending deposits of books to the fire station and to the New England Sanitarium.
Through the courtsey of the Library Commission we are able to supply our foreign born patrons with books in their own language. The Commission will send us books in any language we may need. This year we supplied in this way books in Italian, Spanish, Yiddish and Jewish.
I am glad to report that the collection of pictures which the Woman's Club gave us two years ago and to which the club is still adding, is being well used, and is very well appreciated. The question of how to care for the pictures is beginning to press, as we have already filled all the available place .we have for them.
Last summer Miss Emery was given a six weeks leave of absence to attend the Library summer school at Simmons College. She returned to us in September with so much enthusiasm for her work, that she is planning to attend the school again next summer.
The branches are doing their usual good work, and are reach- ing people who live at too great a distance from the Library to take advantage of its privileges. The East Side Branch is working under
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REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
great difficulties, which are unavoidable, and is very much in need of a larger room. While there is a large territory and a growing population in the East Side, there can be very little growth in the Branch in its present quarters.
Libraries generally, are reporting a falling off in circulation, the fact being attributed to radio, movies, and other things. In spite of these attractions our circulation has increased the past year. While the number of books that are taken from the Library represents only a part of the work done, yet it is important, and shows in measure the growth of the Library work.
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