USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1924 > Part 7
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36.83
62.00
343.83
September.
245.00
34.16
57.00
4.50
340.66
October . .
276.50
35.06
20.00
62.00
393.56
November.
252.00
25.85
60.00
337.85
December .
271.00
27.28
30.15
20.00
62.00
2.00
412.43
$2,969.50
$485.69
$103.25|
$90.00
$584.10
$4.50
$46.15
$15.00
$6.30
$4,304.49
·
.
RELIEF BY OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS
Board of Children
Board in Insti- tutions
Mass. Hosp. School
Board in Hospitals
Cash
Food
Medicine
Malden City Home
Physician Clothing
Totals
Jan.
$478.86
$6.86
$1.40
$487.12
Feb ..
338.00
46.28
384.28
Apr .. .
253.00
253.00
May. .
52.57
435.99
July . . ,
291.00
$1.25
$.77
501.02
Aug .. .
26.00
Sept. .
437.70
59.42
497.12
Oct. .
338.00
102.85
25.00
465.85
Nov ..
Dec. .
419.00
368.00
41.14
874.00
$298.02
11.95
$732.00
27.60
3.60
2,775.31
Total.
$2,264.96
$1,250.00
$199.41
$109.71
$925.00
$298.02
$13.20
$732.00
$28.37
$5.00|
$5,825.69
Mar .. .
June. .
383.42 208.00
$26.00
MOTHERS' AID
Cash
Food
Fuel
Rent
Medicine
Clothing
Other Cities and Towns
Hospital
Dentist
Total
January . ..
$288.00
$292.65
February
326.00
4.06
330.06
March .
322.00
4.03
326.03
April.
282.00
$16.00
298.00
May. . .
322.00
16.00
493.12
831.12
June.
323.00
16.00
115.00
454.00
July .
268.00
16.00
284.00
August ..
373.00
16.00
144.00
533.00
September .
328.00
16.00
1.00
345.00
October. .
391.00
8.40
16.00
.50
415.90
November ...
362.00
16.00
268.00
646.00
December. ..
376.00
16.00
20.00
412.00
$3,961.00
$12.74
$8.40
$144.00
$1.50
$905.12|
$115.00
$20.00|
$5,167.76
129
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
OUTSIDE RELIEF BY CITY
There have been aided by the Department during the year 198 persons, 72 Adults and 126 Children and 68 Families.
The principal reason for granting aid in many cases is the fact that in most of the families there are young children. While the amount of outside relief by the City during the Summer was quite low, all families felt the increasing cost of food and price of fuel. The demand for these necessities increased greatly with the coming of cold weather.
In order to properly care for the needs of the poor, it is necessary that conditions in each family be studied and treated individually, and the amount of aid determined on the merits of the case, as no two cases are exactly alike; consequently no specified amount can be decided upon in advance for certain cases. It has been our constant effort to keep expenditures at the lowest point consistent with a proper discharge of our duties, both to those requiring aid and those furnishing the means to give it.
Except to anticipate that an increase in aid will be necessary to meet the higher costs in the coming year, it would be unwise to make any prediction as to the future. We can only hope that labor conditions will continue satisfactory and that the health of our people will not be endangered by epidemics of sickness.
MOTHERS' AID
The excellent conditions of the families of dependent children receiv- ing aid under the provisions of the Mothers' Aid Law warrants the fairly liberal expenditure in that the future welfare of these children is assured.
Through adequate aid and careful oversight and direction these families get along very well. The health of the children in these families will compare most favorably with the average family. In fact we believe some of these families are really better off than before they were eligible for this aid, as they now have regular weekly incomes and can plan accord- ingly. The standard we seek to maintain is such that it rates about the same as the average working man with a family dependent upon him is able to maintain. We supply the great bulk of needs, but we do believe in fixing our allowance of a case to allow a little leeway in order that the incentive to help oneself will not be destroyed.
ADALINE G. REED, Chairman. GERTRUDE F. PROVANDIE, PETER J. CURRAN.
Overseers of the Board of Public Welfare.
Report of the Board of Park Commissioners for the Year 1924
In compliance with the provisions of Section 9, Chapter 45, of the General Laws, we herewith submit our fifteenth annual report:
HORACE MANN PARK
This park has proven successful from every standpoint. With benches placed under a row of shade trees it has provided a cool and comfortable haven for tired mothers and their children, during the summer months.
With a bubbler drinking fountain, it has served as a sort of an oasis in that section of the City during the hot sultry days. Much has been done to plant new trees and to keep the shrubbery well-trimmed. This of course helps the general aspect of the neighborhood.
We have received hearty support from Father Glynn and the Sisters of the Parochial School in keeping this park in good order. Although the park is visited by many children no play of any kind is allowed.
Many people commuting to the trains usually pass through it at some time of the day. From time to time we will undoubtedly make some changes in the gardens in this Park and will provide more shade trees.
ELL POND PARK
Ell Pond Park, and the adjacent land surrounding it on the three sides, namely the Lynn Fells Park Boulevard, Main Street and Emerson Street, is our largest park area and there is much to be done in the way of development, not only in preserving the waters of the pond itself, but in improving the shore line as well.
Although we have elaborate plans which were prepared in 1912 for a public bath house, lockers, etc., our financial resources have not been large enough to make much progress in this direction.
The Knoll, as it is commonly called, has been dedicated to the World War Veterans and is sacred ground. We have in every way possible co-operated with the American Legion in preserving this area for the sake of those men who gave their lives in the World War.
For the past year the Public Works Department has co-operated with the Park Department in dumping ashes to the west of the Knoll. This land eventually will be filled in, levelled off and properly loamed. We intend to plant a row of willow trees at this point along the shore of the pond so it will act as a natural barrier against the water from over- flowing this land and preventing the sub-soil from pushing out into the mid- dle of the pond. When this is completed it will clear up an unsightly place and improve the grounds bordering the Lynn Fells Parkway, and further the development of the new Athletic Field.
131
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
SEWALL WOODS PARK
Very little attention has been given this particular park owing to the rocky, uneven land which covers a large area. To keep this in condition for park purposes it would require the labor of two men a greater part of the time. The Commissioners are of the opinion that if we can keep it reasonably clean of underbrush and broken limbs and the accumu- lation of dead trees, we have done all that present appropriations in this direction will allow.
BOYLEN PARK
Boylen Park, at the junction of Franklin and Green Streets, is a memorial park. It is a small triangler area of green, dedicated to the first Melrose man who was killed in the World War.
The American Legion has co-operated with us at odd times in plant- ing shrubbery and keeping fresh flowers at the base of the monument in addition to the necessary maintenance.
BOWDEN PARK
After a years delay we have started the Bowden Park project. This land was the gift to the City by Mr. F. P. Bowden, of Vinton Street. At the present time the land has been properly drained, catch basins installed and the land filled in with stone gravel and as per plans sub- mitted by Mr. Bowden through Olmstead Brothers, Landscape Architects, cinder paths have been laid out and the entire surface spread with loam, ready for seeding in the spring. We have yet to install a drinking fountain or bubbler, electric lights and water lines for lawn sprays.
As far as possible we will conform to the plans of the architect who was employed by Mr. Bowden in laying out the gardens, trees and shrub- bery.
An added expense was placed in the 1925 Budget for necessary maintenance of this additional park. The Board of Park Commissioners wish to make note of the generousity and fine public spirit of Mr. Bowden in this, our 1924 Report.
PLAYGROUNDS
Much progress has been made in the playgrounds work in connection with the parks and gardens. At the present time we have four estab- lished playgrounds, viz :- Messenger's Meadows, Ell Pond Bathing Beach, Lincoln School Playground and the Melrose Common.
On these playgrounds we have had the services of Miss Leila B. Allen at the Meadows, Miss Marie Aitken at the Lincoln School Play- ground and Miss Mildred Sanford at the Melrose Common.
These young ladies, besides their daily supervision over the children of all ages, gave valuable instruction in basketry. They also taught the children simple and quiet games such as Checkers, modelling of clay, instructions on the ukelele, and many other things of interest to the
132
CITY OF MELROSE
children. Under these directors daily prograns of play and supervised work has been very successful. We have received many letters and tele- phone calls from both fathers and mothers with words of appreciation of the humanitarian work the City has performed in this department.
These three playgrounds are now adequately equipped with play- ground apparatus which includes basket swings for children from the ages of two to five; wooden steel swings for the older children; teeters, tether balls, sand piles for the kiddies, work benches erected for the making of baskets and other educational activities. The newest piece of apparatus we have installed is the Ocean Wave, and it has been received. by the children with great enthusiasm.
The morale and individual deportment of the children are at all times under the watchful eye of the director in charge. Games and other activities are placed on a competive basis, teaching children how to play.
In the Spring, as far as expense will allow, we will establish a new playground adjacent to the so-called Ward 7 School. The school authori- ties have given us every encouragement of their co-operation in making this new playground a success, and will no doubt meet us half way.
It will be noticed that all our playgrounds are adjacent to or near a public school. This is a happy situation because the school can in many ways help to build up our playground system by creating good-will and a proper appreciation in the minds of the children who patronize the playground. We have received on all sides co-operation from the principals of the various schools in working out some of our plans.
We are inbebted to Miss Theresa E. Schmidt of the New England Division of the American Recreation and Playground Association of America, for valuable suggestions and her services have meant much in the building up of our present playground system. Luckily enough we still have her in this section to call upon, and she no doubt will render further service to us.
ELL POND BATHING BEACH
The bathing beach has become very popular. At first, mothers and fathers were timid about allowing their children to bathe here on account of the danger in the water, and also the cleanliness of the water for bathing purposes. Both notions are fast being dismissed from the minds of our citizens because of the fact that the water has proved free from dangerous bacteria and during the summer months a life saving squad is maintained during the entire day from nine o'clock in the morning until eight-thirty o'clock in the evening.
In addition to the steel bathhouse that was erected in 1923 we have enlarged the locker facilities by putting on additional sections. This, however, according to the figures of last year for attendance, does not in any way meet the needs for bathers who daily patronize the bathhouse.
It is our intention this spring to enlarge the bathing beach and to- make accomodations for more dressing rooms.
133
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
It has been somewhat of a problem to meet the demand of the bathers in respect to the periods when the girls and boys should have the priv- ilege of the bathhouse. The past season the time was evenly divided-the girls enjoying the privilege in the morning and the boys in the afternoon.
Much credit is due Mr. Victor Gabriel, who is a product of the Springfield Training School in preserving order and making bathing at Ell Pond safe. He has given valuable instruction in life saving and resuscitation work and has stuck to his post without complaint at small compensation. He has prevented many times drowning accidents, and has taken it all in a day's work.
Mr. Kendall Schofield assisted Mr. Gabriel in the boys' section, and Miss Margaret Green had the girl's section. Both of these assistants to Mr. Gabriel have rendered valuable service.
We are indebted to the American Red Cross, Rev. Paul Sterling and the Massachusetts Humane Society, for the teaching of life saving and resuscitation work. Free instruction was given the boys and girls and a great number qualified in the life saving tests.
The Board of Park Commissioners believe that there are very few cities that enjoy the privileges of such a recreational center as Ell Pond Beach. Previous mention has been made of elaborate plans for improving the facilities at the bathing beach. We only hope that some day our finances will allow us to complete the plans that have already been so well defined.
It would be well for some of those who are interested to step in to City Hall and look at the architect's sketches of the proposed bathing pavilion, which would not only include the summer activities but would be suitable for winter sports as well.
HOCKEY RINK
When the Dartmouth Hockey Varsity team has to find ice to practice on during the Thanksgiving and holiday vacation they usually look to Melrose for such practice. It so happens that Melrose has made rapid strides in outdoor ice hockey and has established itself firmly in the minds of sport lovers. Much time, money and thought has been given the hockey rink which provides a place for the Melrose High School to participate in their games, together with local organizations that arrange a seasons' schedule. By aid of powerful electric lights, the public have the rare privilege of enjoying out door night hockey.
During the past year the Park Commissioners lost the valuable services of Mr. Gustaf E. Johnson, who for two years acted as Chairman. He had been connected with the Park Department for a number of years and had seen many developments of which he had taken a most active part. We have lost a real co-worker and his services will be greatly missed.
Mr. C. J. Surbeck for the past three years has been employed as supervisor of Playgrounds. Under his intelligent leadership we have been able to look forward to a definite policy, and the arrangement of
134
CITY OF MELROSE
play programs will hold good for present seasons and those that are to come.
Mr. Surbeck has now retired from playground activities.
The following are the figures showing the attendance at our play- grounds.
Ell Lincoln
Common
Meadows
Total
Daily Average
1922-28,037
11,528
9,418
48,983
1,021.48
1923-31,579
7,835
13,107
7,257
59,718
1,151
1924-32,025
12,655
11,498
6,000
62,178
1,295.38
It will be noticed that there has been a marked increase in the attend- ance since 1922, and that the attendance for the 1924 season reached the surprising total of 62,178.
RICHARD J. LORD, Chairman
NEIL S. CASEY
HARRY C. WOODILL
GEORGE E. MANSER.
Park Commissioners City of Melrose.
Report of Treasurer of Pine Banks Park
Receipts
Balance 1923.
$498.87
City of Malden
2,100.00
City of Melrose
2,100.00
Interest.
12.77
Log Cabin Rental, Wood etc.
68.00
Tel. Co. rebate.
5.50
$4,785.14
Expenses
Wages .
$2,890.05
Lumber.
295.03
Telephone.
40.35
Hardware, paints and tools.
94.93
Zoo expense .
309.48
Stable expense
308.50
Bulbs and Seeds.
80.60
Insurance. .
40.69
Cities of Malden and Melrose.
39.17
Repairs to furnace
60.00
Minor expense .
55.80
$4,214.60
Balance on hand
$570.54 WILLIAM D. SERRAT, Treasurer.
Report of Planning Board
The Planning Board, in accordance with the act under which it was organized, presents herewith its annual report.
In January, 1924, four public hearings were held in different parts of the city in connection with the Zoning Ordinance. There were also several meetings of the Zoning Committee. The two High School Con- tests closed the second week in January. Four hundred pupils comprising the history classes competed for prizes on "City Planning for Melrose." The civics classes were offered prizes on "Why Melrose Should Be Zoned." The essays were part of the school work. They were examined by the teachers who credited them with work done as in any essay.
Many meetings have been devoted to the study of a plan for taxation assessment maps, the data to be obtained and the maps made by the High School pupils.
A regional meeting was called in June to consider thoroughfares between the cities and towns to connect with the Beaches to the East and Boston to the South. Representatives from Planning Boards of Wakefield, Stoneham, Saugus and Malden were present.
The opinion was unanimous that the Lynn Fells Parkway should be extended to Howard Street, an old county road which has recently been put in good repair.
Much time has been devoted to the study of a suitable parking space. A large lot of land, the site of an old pond back of City Hall, bounded by four streets with possibility of entrance and exit from three streets, is under consideration. It is ideally located for the purposes as it is close to the shopping district, churches and City Hall.
The land is of such a nature that it can never be used for buildings without great expense. At present it is an eyesore, but with a compara- tively small expense it can be made a worthy addition to our Civic Center.
EVA G. OSGOOD, Chairman. A. L. DODGE, GEORGE C. GLOVER A. S. NOYES
Report of Police Department
In compliance with Chapter 33 of the Ordinances of this City, I respectfully submit the following report of the doings of the Police Department for the year 1924:
Offences for which complaints have been made at Court. 198
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT OF PATROLMEN
Animals shot .
9
Arrests made .
135
Assisted other Officers
117
Accidents reported .
94
Automobiles stopped and warned.
5
Buildings found open.
253
Complaints investigated.
554
Dead animals cared for .
4
Dangerous poles reported.
4
Dangerous trees reported.
1
Defects in streets reported.
117
Fire alarms given.
9
Fire alarms attended.
197
Fires extinguished
3
Ambulance cases
206
Notices served .
2385
Summonses served
205
Letters delivered
3763
Street lights out. .
415
Disturbances suppressed .
78
Lost children .
26
Street obstructions removed.
34
Lanterns placed.
123
Property recovered
$1,186.00
Water leaks reported.
47
Special messages delivered
543
Wires burning trees.
143
Visits to City stables
1448
Visits to libraries.
401
Jury investigations
50
Raids.
5
Wires reported down
11
Absence from duty, days.
59
Absence from duty, nights.
102
Attended District Court.
119
Number of cases
99
days
138
CITY OF MELROSE
Attended Superior Cour
1112 days
Number of cases.
5
Extra hours duty.
708
Number hours traffic duty.
191312
Horses found loose and secured.
2
Persons assisted home.
1
Street signs reported down
1
Gas leaks reported.
2
Duty calls from Patrol boxes.
31857
Telephone calls from Patrol boxes
2594
Wagon calls from Patrol boxes
7
GEORGE E. KERR, Chief of Police.
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
The Library purchases practically all books for which special requests are made-unless it is manifest that these will not be of permanent value to the Library. Books requested are almost exclusively non-fiction and are desired for use in serious study. The fact that in 1924 approximately two hundred and fifty books were bought on special request is an indication of the value of the Library to the students, young and old, among our people.
In this connection it may be noted that when seventy or more High School scholars use the Library to study several times a week, over- crowding the reading rooms and driving out adult readers, as has been the case since last September, the time is manifestly at hand when the city must seriously face the question of a School Librarian who will have charge of the service of the Library to the Public Schools.
The Sunday opening is especially successful. There are few Sundays when less than one hundred are in attendance.
Your attention is called to the accompanying report of the Librarian.
PAUL STERLING, Chairman
NEIL A. DIVVER ·
FRANK W. CAMPBELL
MARY C. BARTON RALPH G. HARMON
CLARA G. MULDOON
Trustees of the Melrose Public Library
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
The Public Library has just closed what has probably been the busiest year in its history. While libraries all about us have been reporting a dropping off in the circulation, ours has gained by some thousands over 1923, the gain being mostly in the Central Library. Not only has there been an increase in the circulation of books, but the reference work has almost doubled, especially with the High School pupils,-at times every available seat in both the Reading Room and the Children's Room being used by students,-thus crowding out other readers. The experi- ment of putting magazines in the room over the Reading Room was tried, but with little success, the people objecting to go to the second floor to read.
The past year has emphasized the need of a High School Librarian, and if we are to continue to give satisfactiry service to the students, an assistant to have charge of that work is becoming a necessity. Instruction to the High School pupils in the use of the Library and the Reference books has been continued as usual, and with the usual satisfactory results. A beginning has been made toward school deposits, and soon all the grades will have deposits of books for use in the school rooms. The Library is becoming more and more a necessity to advanced students and to people doing serious reading, as the increasing number of books which are asked to be bought would indicate. The privilege of asking to have books bought is appreciated, and used fully.
141
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Public welfare and educational societies continue to use the Historical Room for a meeting place in an increasing number. Among those who have used it this year are the Red Cross, Humane Society, Horticultural Society, Americanization Classes, League of Women Voters, Girl Scouts, Garden Club, Historical Society, and Woman's Club. Two most inter- esting art exhibits have been held during the year, one by the Melrose Art League, and one jointly by the Art League and the Woman's Club. Headquarters for the Public Health Nurse are also on the second floor of the building. In connection with this, a baby clinic is held by the Nurse once a month. The largest nunber of babies at any one clinic was twenty-five.
It is very gratifying to report the growing interest in the Art Room on the afternoons when it is open. The expressions of pleasure and satis- faction in having the room open have been many. We are fortunate in having a woman in charge who is as well equipped as Mrs. Jenkins is.
The branches have all done splendid work. The Highlands Branch shows a marked increase in the number of books lent for home use. The room is already too small for the work done there. If the room in the rear of the room now being used by the Branch could be renovated, the partition removed, and equipped for the children's corner, it would relieve the often crowded condition there. It also seems best to begin building for a reference section for the many students in that part of the city.
The activities in the children's department have been many and varied. Besides the usual routine work, the story hour every Saturday afternoon is eagerly waited for by the children, and often the Historical Room is filled. The stereopticon has added much to the pleasure and value of the stories. Miss Hamburger, Miss Wicker, Mrs. S. E. Eldridge and Mrs. Everett Scott are giving their time for this work, and are ren- dering a very valuable service to the community. Children's Book Week was observed as usual. Many parents are coming to depend upon the exhibit of books at this time for help in their Christmas buying.
The opening of the Recreation Room in October marked a very distinct forward step in the Library's work for children. From the middle of October to the end of the year more than five hundred different children used the room, the average number daily being about 40. Besides their games the children are given art appreciation one afternoon a week; on one afternoon they are taken on a "hike"; music appreciation is being introduced, and the instilling of gentleness, courtesy and good manners in the little minds is constantly being done. The splendid work of the supervisor, Miss Allen, cannot be too highly recommended. That there was a need for the room and what it gives to the children, has already been proved.
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