USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1925 > Part 7
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Total number of permits granted during the year 1925 was 607. Permits
Value
175 Single Houses.
$1,169,000
12 Two-family Houses
121,700
2 Apartment Houses.
55,000
247 Garages.
176,019
18 Stores.
77,500
9 Other Buildings.
77,450
138 Alterations.
191,530
601
$1,868,199
Collected from Permits.
$1,605
Total expense of department. 1,020
Balance to credit. $585
The year ending December 31, 1925 has been the most active in the building line in the history of the city. The Zoning Ordinance with the aid of the Board of Appeal and the Planning Board has made the growth of the city, in my judgment, the most satisfactory of the thirty-nine cities and towns of the Commonwealth.
Recommendations
1. That Part 4 Section 30, of the Building Code be revised so as to read: In Residence A, B, and C, no building, hereafter erected, irrespec- tive of classification, shall be placed at a distance less than 712 feet from the lot line.
2. That Part 4 Section 21 of the Building Code be revised so as to read: Any building, hereafter erected or altered, shall have two inde- pendent stairways, placed as far apart as practicable, that shall be access- able to each family or occupant.
3. That Article 4 Section 21 of the Zoning Ordinance be revised so as to read: Any building hereafter erected or altered in Residence A, B and C, having an enclosed porch on the street front, the front line of the porch shall be the front line of the building in determing the set-back from the sidewalk line.
Respectfully submitted, ANGUS MACDONALD
Inspector of Buildings
Report of Law Department
To his Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my report as City Solicitor for the year 1925.
There were seven cases pending in court at the beginning of the year, of which cases three have been disposed of and four are still pending.
The case of Frank W. Hamilton against the City was settled for $323.85 after a trial and pending further proceedings.
The case of Herbert S. Paige was settled for $50 without trial, it appearing that the plantiff had some valid claim against the City.
The case of Maude J. Taylor was settled for the full amount of the claim of $296.00, without costs, it appearing that the City had received the full amount of the merchandise for which the suit was brought and has continued to use the same.
Two actions of tort, growing out of the same accident, brought by Frank W. Prescott and Isabelle Prescott, respectively, for personal injuries, are still pending.
A Bill in Equity, brought by George F. Barnes, asking for an injunc- tion, compelling the City to remove certain water pipes laid through a private way and for damages, is still pending.
Also there is till pending a petition brought by Cora M. Pond for an abatement of sewer assessment.
Three cases have been brought during the year. The cases of Mary P. King and Adelle M. Comeau are for damages for alleged injuries due to alleged defects in the highway, and are still pending. The other case is that of George A. Lyall, for services under an alleged contract in regard to auditing and installing new book-keeping system, in which case the making of the contract is denied. This case is still pending.
A large number of opinions on various questions have been rendered to the Mayor, to the Board of Aldermen and to several other departments of the city. A number of orders, contracts, deeds, etc. have been drawn.
At the request of the Mayor, the City Solicitor has attended a number of hearings before Legislative Committees, on matters affecting the inter- ests of the City.
Respectfully submitted, OSCAR STORER City Solicitor
Report of License Commission
To his Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen :- The License Commission submit herewith their second Annual Report for the year ending December 31, 1925.
During the year seventy-nine meetings were held and applications for new garages to the number of 247 acted on, locations were visited, in some cases changes were recommended and complied with by the appli- cants, the number of permits granted during the year was 241, with a revenue of $631.00.
This year Chapter 148 of the General Laws relative to the collecting of a fee of fifty cents for the registration of garages was more generally enforced than has been in former years, and the sum of $675.00 collected, 1350 paying the annual fee in conformity with the law.
Following is a summary of the cash received and expended: Cash received from Garage permits. $631.00
Cash received for Registration of Garages. 675.00
$1,306.00
Paid Treasurer during
January .$23.00 May $68.50
September $90.00
February 31.00 June 61.00
October 87.50
March 80.50 July 214.50 November 210.00
April 68.50 August 263.50
December 108.00
$1,306.00
Appropriation 1925
$200.00
Expenditures
Clerical Services.
$100.00
Stamps and Envelopes
59.98
Permits and printing, etc.
27.00
Cards and Stationery
13.01
Balance to Excess and Deficiency.
.01
$200.00
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK C. NEWMAN,Chairman ANGUS MacDONALD VICTOR C. KIRMES, Clerk License Commission
.
Report of Moth Department
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit the following as a report of the Moth Department for the year ending December 31, 1925: 1
Brown Tail and Gypsy Moth
Appropriation
$2,000.00
Expenditures. 1,999.16
Other Insect Pests
Appropriation.
$2,100.00
Expenditures. 2,165.41
Other Expenses
Appropriation
$450.00
Expenditures 414.00
Work on Private Estates
Appropriation
$50.00
Expenditures. 47.15
Respectfully submitted, JOHN J. MCCULLOUGH Local Superintendent
Report of Board of Public Welfare
To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Aldermen:
City of Melrose, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :- The Board of Overseers of the Public Welfare herewith submits it's annual report for the year ending December 31, 1925:
PARTIAL SUPPORT
Individuals aided
230
Adults.
99
Children
131
Having settlement in Melrose.
151
Having settlement elsewhere in the State.
28
Having no known settlement
51
Families aided
76
Having settlement in Melrose
57
Having settlement elsewhere in the State. .
6
Having no known settlement
13
FULL SUPPORT
Support in private families.
4
Children boarded by the State.
7
Children boarded in other c ties.
8
At Massachusetts Hospital School.
1
Supported in Malden City Home.
3
Supported at State Infirmary.
7
Cases discharged
6
Deaths.
3
APPROPRIATIONS
General Administration
$1,350.00
Outside Relief .
5,000.00
Relief by Other Cities and Towns.
5,500.00
Mothers' Aid .
5,500.00
Maintenance in Hospitals
1,200.00
Other Expenses .
250.00
$18,800.00
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Appropriation
$1,350.00
Salaries of the Board
$1,300.00
Expended
50.00 1,350.00
134
CITY OF MELROSE
OUTSIDE RELIEF BY CITY
Appropriation $5,000.00 $4,723.57
Expended .
Balance
276.43 5,000.00
RELIEF BY OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS
Appropriation.
$6,000.00
Order 17251 extra
1,050.00
Reimbursement
250.00 $7,300.00
Expended
$7,048.14
Balance
251.86
7,300.00
MOTHERS' AID
Appropriation.
$5,500.00
Expended .
$5,004.07
Balance.
495.93
5,500.00
MAINTENANCE IN HOSPITALS
Appropriation
$1,200.00
Reimbursement
15.00
$1,215.00
Expended
$1,218.18
Carried over to 1926 acct.
3.18
$1,215.00
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Appropriation.
$1,350.00
Salary of the Board
$1,300.00
Expended .
50.00
$1,350.00
OUTSIDE RELIEF BY CITY
Appropriation
$5,000.00
Expended
$4,723.57
Balance
276.43
5,000.00
RELIEF BY OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS
Appropriation
$6,000.00
Reimbursement.
250.00
Transfer from Mothers' Aid.
Epended .
135
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
MOTHERS' AID
Appropriation $5,500.00 $5,500.00 5,004.07
Expended
MAINTENANCE IN HOSPITALS
Appropriation.
$1,200.00 $1,215.00 15.00
Reimbursement .
Expended .
$1,218.18
Carried over to 1926 acct .
3.18
1,215.00
OTHER EXPENSES
Appropriation.
$250.00
$255.00
Sale of cabinet .
5.00
Expended
$230.86
Balance
24.14
255.00
RECEIPTS
Reimbursement from Individuals.
$250.00
Reimbursement from the Commonwealth.
3,506.78
Reimbursement from Other Cities and Towns
217.00
Reimbursement from the Hospital .
15.00
$2,988.78
ELEANOR BROWN TOOTHAKER FUND
January 1, 1925.
$1,546.02
Interest.
61.84 $1,607.86
Expended
$24.85 $1,583.01
COMMUNITY CIVICS CLASS, MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL
Liberty Bond
$50.00
Balance from 1924
63.48
Interest received 1925.
2.12
$65.60
THE A. C. MARIE CURRIER FUND
Balance from 1924
$2,241.94
Received from Trustees
1,481.96 $3,723.90
Expended
1,111.90
$2,612.16
136
CITY OF MELROSE
The clothing for the worthy poor consisted of the following:
182 pairs boots
1 boys suit
43 pairs rubbers
2 pairs pants
50 pairs hose
2 blouses
10 pairs gloves
2 pairs bloomers
2 sets underwear
2 skirts
2 pajamas
2 nightgowns
At Christmas, 1925, 101 dinners were given to families and 4 baskets of fruit to invalids.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Salary of Board
Salary of Board
Totals
January.
$100.00
$100.00
February
100.00
100.00
March
125.00
$28.00
153.00
April
100.00
100.00
May
100.00
100.00
June.
125.00
125.00
July .
100.00
100.00
August.
100.00
100.00
September
125.00
21.00
146.00
October
100.00
100.00
November.
100.00
100.00
December
125.00
1.00
126.00
$1,300.00
$50.00
$1,350.00
137
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
OTHER EXPENSES
Tele- phone
Envel- opes and Postage
Equip- ment
Trans- porta- tion
Annual Report
Totals
Jan.
$5.88
$10.00
$2.32
$6.00
$24.20
Feb.
7.13
7.13
Mar.
5.63
5.63
Apr.
5.03
7.00
3.00
15.03
May.
7.99
7.00
14.99
June
5.73
89.00
1.75
96.48
July
6.28
1.25
7.53
Aug.
6.45
$12.00
18.45
Sept.
6.20
2.00
1.30
.
9.50
Oct.
6.35
1.22
7.57
Nov.
6.60
6.00
5.00
17.60
Dec.
6.75
6.75
Totals
$76.02
$12.00
$112.54
$18.30
$12.00
$230.86
HOSPITAL ยท
January
$23.50
February.
00.00
March.
00.00
April
162.05
May
403.59
June.
216.65
July .
58.25
August
85.00
September
15.00
October
00.00
November.
44.64
December
209.50
Totals
$1,218.18
138
OUTSIDE RELIEF BY CITY
Cash
Food
Fuel
Rent
Board
Medicine
Burial
Transpor- tation
Totals
January
$291.50
$65.65
$40.15
$62.00
$3.14
$462.44
February
234.00
125.85
30.60
56.00
1.00
447.45
March
255.00
77.91
21.90
$40.00
62.00
2.65
459.46
April
230.00
68.09
20.00
60.00
$12.00
420.09
May
258.00
73.95
20.00
62.00
1.00
414. . 95
June
236.00
56.97
20.00
60.00
12.25
385.22
July
220.00
37.25
20.00
69.00
346.25
August
240.00
42.21
20.00
70.00
5.70
377.91
September
223.00
20.95
20.00
60.00
2.70
15.00
341.65
October
238.00
20.30
8.40
20.00
62.00
4.04
352.74
November
210.00
13.83
20.00
60.00
1.00
304.83
December
260.00
24.35
37.35
20.00
62.00
6.88
410.58
$2,895.50
$627.31
$138.40
$220.00
$745.00
$40.36
$42.00
$15.00
$4,723.57
CITY OF MELROSE
RELIEF BY OTHER CITIES AND TOWNS
Board of Children
Board in Institu- tions
Board in Hospitals
Cash
Food
Fuel
Rent
City Physician and Medicine
Trans- porta- tion
Boarded Else- where
Totals
January February March
$308.58
$345.00
$132.00 70.92
$65.00
$16.00 650.97 2.17
43.95
765.84
April
18.00
20.17
May
52.57
52.57
June
334.85
334.85
July
373.00
47.70
32.50
453.20
August
160.00
104.00
18.47
15.00
297.47
September
65.71
24.75
165.00
2.44
257.90
October
409.98
577.00
221.46
1,208.44
November
20.00
674.68
December
518.70
502.92
.92
654.68 999.11
2,021.65
Totals
$1,870.39
$1,797.92
$472.08
$97.50, $773.14
$68.70
$165.00
$133.70
$15.92|
$1,653.79
$7,048.14
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
$16.00
$94.79
945.37
139
140
MOTHERS' AID
Cash
Food
Fuel
Rent
Radium and Medicine
Hospital
Burial
Other Cities and Towns
House- keeper
Total
January
$455.00
$12.17
$8.40
$16.00
$75.00
$5.00
$571.57
February
352.00
352.00
March
364.00
364.00
April
352.00
352.00
May
410.00
50.00
30.50
490.50
June
328.00
122.00
450.00
July
422.00
422.00
August
352.00
15.00
367.00
September
352.00
14.00
366.00
October
440.00
440.00
November
352.00
1.00
353.00
December
440.00
36.00
476.00
$4,619.00
$12.17
$8.40
$16.00
$50.00
$96.50
$75.00
$122.00
$5.00|
$5,004.07
CITY OF MELROSE
141
REPORT OF BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
MOTHERS' AID
At the present time seven mothers and twenty-nine children are receiving aid under this law, one-third of the amount expended being reimbursed by the State Department of Public Welfare. The mothers aided under this law have in a general way shown good will to cooperate with the endeavors of the Chiarman to improve their living conditions, to instill into the mothers a proper appreciation of the benefits of this law, and the efforts made by the Chairman of the Board to solve the home problems peculiar to each case. Without co-operation on the part of the mothers, the efforts are wasted which go to make for the welfare of the families receiving the allowances.
TEMPORARY AID
It has been the purpose of this Board to consider the giver of aid,- the tax-payer, as well as the receiver, and while it has been our aim to aid the worthy and prevent suffering, an effort has been made to investigate as fully as possible, all requests for assistance, and to oblige those able to work to support themselves to the fullest extent. To discriminate between the worthy and unworthy who apply for aid, and to successfully prevent the increase of pauperism, is, indeed, a preplexing problem, which can be solved only by constant watchfulness, experience and an intimate know- lege of all conditions, on the part of the officials of the Board of Public Welfare.
FULL SUPPORT
There are seven aged persons ill at the State Infirmary, three at the Malden City Home; seven children are boarded by the Division of Child Guardianship, State House, two children in private homes in Everett, two children at West Springfield and four children boarded by the"Child- drens' Aid Association", Mount Vernon Street, Boston, during the year 1925. There were three deaths and three cases discharged.
REPORT OF THE CITY PHYSICIAN
Visits made for the Department of Publc Welfare:
To patients in their homes 168
Office calls. 75
Visits made for the Health Department:
To patients in their homes. 60
To patients in the hospital . 11
142
CITY OF MELROSE
Visits of inspection and consultation. 166
Office treatment for pupils of the public schools 70
Visits for the police Department
20
Vaccinations
90
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE P. HOLDEN, M. D.
We would express our appreciation for the work and services rendered by the City Physician in co-operation with this Board. The Melrose Hospital has also rendered valuable service to our outside poor during the past year, as in previous years.
Respectfully submitter,
ADALINE G. REED, Chairman THOMAS F. TROY GERTRUDE F. PROVANDIE Overseers of the Board of Public Welfare
Report of the Park Commission
To his Honor the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.
Gentlemen :- In compliance with the provisions of Section 9 of Chapter 45, of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we herewith submit our Sixteenth Annual Report, same being for the year 1925.
PARKS
Under the control and the management of the Park Commission of the City of Melrose, are the following named Parks; Horace Mann Park, at Grove and Myrtle Streets; Ell Pond Park, on Main Street and Park- way and Crystal Street; Sewall Woods Park on Sewall Woods Road; Boylen Park, at the junction of Franklin and Green Streets; and Bowden Park, on West Emerson Street, between Cedar Park and Vinton Streets.
With the exception of the last named, Bowden Park, no new work has been done with the exception of planting new shrubs, flowers, etc., and the trimming of the hedges and the keeping of all of these Parks mentioned in the very best of condition, so that the same may be a credit to the City.
Bowden Park was this year completed, land has been properly grained, walks laid out and filled with stone gravel, which the Park Commission feels, (owing to the contours of the land) will prove much more satis- factory and economical than Granolithic walks, Granolithic Sidewalks and edgestones have been laid on Vinton Street, Cedar Park and West Emerson Street, and a drinking fountain or bubbler installed in the Cedar Park side opposite the railroad station, which we feel is the logical location for the same; and the Park Commission wishes to inform his Honor, and the Honorable Board of Aldermen that the Park as now completed meets with the hearty approval of the donor, Mr. Frederick P. Bowden.
PLAYGROUNDS
Under the control and management of the Park Commission are the following four playgrounds, namely, Messengers' Meadow; Melrose Com- mon; Lincoln School playground and the new playground in the rear of the new Ripley School, to be known as the Ripley School playground.
These playgrounds, with the possible exception of the New Ripley School playground, are now adequately equipped with all the necessary playground apparatus needed for some time to come. The new Ripley School playground, in view of the fact that the same is a new ground will need more apparatus than is now at this point, but the Park Commission feels that the same can well wait until another year.
During the spring of 1925 the Park Commission voted to conduct a Baseball League amongst the boys of the various playgrounds under the ages of fifteen years, and decided to employ Mr. George E. Manser, Jr.,
144
CITY OF MELROSE
to act as Athletic Instructor for the summer months and, with the follow- ing young ladies, Mrs. Lunden, being in complete charge of the playgrounds with the assistance of Miss Sanford at the Common, Misses Foley and Cowan at the Lincoln and Miss Kelley at the Messengers' Meadow, the activities of the playgrounds of the city were greatly advanced.
The playground season opened this year on July 6th with four play- grounds as mentioned above.
A new feature was added this year, to the regular playground pro- gram, which consisted of story-telling for children between the ages of four and eight years. We believe that it has already become a success in the Melrose Playground System, as it has in so many other cities and towns. One of the most valuable qualities of story-telling is its educa- tional and character building effects which are so readily taken into the susceptible and unmoulded mind of the child of younger years. This quality which is partially or wholly found in some playground activities, is entirely lacking in other activities whose purpose is purely "play".
A "Playground League" which consisted of a schedule of inter-play- ground games for boys and girls was carried out very successfully. Some difficulty was met in the question of transportation, the distance between the playgrounds being so great; this however, will be eliminated next year.
Basketry classes were conducted on each playground about two afternoons a week. The objects produced by the children were varied and of many colors. Boys have taken up this work as well as the girls and all show a diligent enthusiasm for it. After the close of the play- ground season, an exhibition of some of the finished baskets were placed on exhibition in the windows of Brock Brothers on Main Street. The basket making apparently has brought forth a good bit of encouragement from the parents and others in the homes.
A Girls' Tennis Tournament was held at Messenger's Meadow, with girls from the other playgrounds participating as well as the girls from this section of the city.
A start was made toward the formation of Ukelele Clubs on all the playgrounds, following the methods so courteously demonstrated by Miss Theresa Schmidt and Mrs. Wheeler of the Playground and Recrea- tion Association of America to the members of the Melrose Playground Staff of workers. Due to the lateness of the season when the equipment was secured and also to the many other playground actitivities, the in- structors were unable to do more than get a start. However, the start has been made and in view of the success of similar organizations in other cities and towns, we hope to see it gain strength in the Melrose Playground system. During the entire season, an individual merit contest was held whereby every child wishing to participate in playground games was credited with points for such things as playground spirit, participation in games, and classes, good sportmanship, etc. At the close of the season, on each grounds the winners and the runner-up were presented with prizes. This contest gave every child a goal to work for during the entire play- ground season.
145
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
At various intervals during the season, each playground held a "Pet Show", when all the children who owned pets brought them to be exhibited. The winner was chosen from each set of animals and the owner given a blue ribbon, second place was given a ribbon and every contestant was presented with a white ribbon.
The Athletic Instructor was employed during the months of July and August, his principal work consisting of teaching the boys the various games that are strictly boys' games, such as Baseball, soccer, etc.
A baseball League was formed of boys over twelve years of age and under fifteen from the three principal playgrounds, Linclon, Common and Messenger's. This league played games for the championship of the playgrounds, and it is interesting to note that the same was not decided until the last games wherein the team from Messenger's won the champion- ship.
Owing to the fact that no suitable grounds could be found in the southeast section of the city, no team was formed from that section. This matter should be remedied, and can at very little expense to the city, by filling in a part of the cemetery land south of the Poor Farm for a baseball field.
In the Baseball League, averages were kept of the boys for batting and fielding. Mention might here be made of the fine spirit of Mr. Edward Cassell of our city, who gave the Commission $50.00 for the purchase of sweaters for the championship team, and Mr. Harry Woodill, who gave a glove to the best batting average and the Boston Rubber Shoe Company for the shoes for the best fielding average.
Two Tennis Tournaments were held for boys during the season which created amongst the boys very keen rivalary and also a great amount of interest among the older spectators.
The following figures show the attendance at all the playgrounds for the past four seasons :-
1922
1923
1924
1925
Lincoln School Playground.
11,528
7,835
10,655
10,899
Melrose Common Playground.
10,107
11,498
11,147
Messengers' Meadow . .
9,418
7,357
6,000
5,124
New Ripley Playground.
3,763
Total attendance for each year.
20,946
25,299
28,153
30,933
ELL POND BATHING BEACH
This Pond is fast becoming the most popular fresh water bathing beach in this part of the state; hardly a day goes by without the attendance of quite a few people coming from the other cities that surround Melrose to use this Beach. The people of Melrose also, are getting to feel that this beach is far safer than Revere Beach. This has been made possible by the fine spirit of loyality and sense of service that Mr. Victor H. Gabriel has given to the citizens of the city as the Life Guard in charge; and, also to the co-operation of the Melrose Chapter of the Red Cross and the
146
CITY OF MELROSE
Massachusetts Humane Society for the free instruction and help that they have given to the boys and girls of the city in the learning of the art to not only be able to swim themselves, but to be able if every called upon to help save the life of others and that of resuscitation work.
During the past year it has been almost impossible to meet the grow- ing demand for the use of this bathing beach. During the past season, owing to the crowded condition of the beach and the demand for locker space, the time for the use of the beach was evenly divided, the boys having the use of the beach during the afternoons and the girls 'during the morn- ing period, but this is not the remedy and the Commission feel that the only cure for the present condition is through the erection of a large bath- house that will have in the neighborhood of five hundred lockers, with towels and suits to-let, and we earnestly feel that the same from even a financial point of view will be of material benefit to the city.
Attendance at the Bath-house during the past four years:
1922 1923 1924 1925
Ell Pond Bathhouse and Beach . 28,037 31,597 32,025 49,105
From the above figures anyone can see that the attendance at this point is increasing steadily, this year, the attendance increased over 17,000 over the previous year, or over fifty per cent.
HOCKEY RINK AND WINTER SPORTS
Melrose has made rapid strides in Winter Sports as can be readily seen by the firm hold that the High School Hockey Team has upon the minds of the lovers of the outdoor winter sport. Considerable time, money and thought has been spent on th's Hockey Rink, which gives the young men of the High School and other local organizations a hockey rink that is considered second to none.
By the aid of powerful electric lights and the bleachers the public have the rare priviledge of enjoying out-door night hockey.
Near the end of the year, the Park Department started two Hockey Leagues amongst the boys of the various schools, and although no report can be given of the league results in this year's report, we are pleased to say that they are proving very successful and the boys are showing fine sportmanship in participating and playing of the schedules as planned by the Commission. We earnestly feel that the main results of these two leagues will show themselves in the future teams that will represent Melrose not only in the High Schools but in the higher schools.
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