USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1905 > Part 12
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Randolph street-Worked with road machine and resurfaced with road material near at hand from the Holbrook line to a point about 600 feet north of Forest street. This street still needs ex- tensive repairs.
Among the sidewalks repaired were the following :
Pleasant, Pond, Columbian streets, also tar concrete sidewalk repaired on Pleasant street opposite Clapp's market.
Columbian street drain-The surface water during and after a heavy rain, near the Union Church on this street, made it nearly impassable. To remedy this, two catch basins have been constructed and about 400 feet of 8-inch tile drain laid which so far has worked satisfactory.
The following is a schedule of property of the department :
1 Steam roller, 1 steam roller wheel, 1 street sprinkler, 1 road machine, 1 portable engine and boiler, 30 gallons engine oil, 1} inch globe valve, 2 fusible plugs, 1-18 inch monkey wrench, 1-18 inch Stilson wrench, 1 shovel, 1 rake, 1 hoe, 1 lantern, 1 bin for crushed stone on East street, 2 6-feet screens for stone crusher,
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1 old stone crusher (Washington street), 1 stone crusher and bin (Ells Pit), 1 platform scale, 1 boiler inspirator, 1000 feet spruce lumber.
The foreman in the different wards have the following property in their possession :
WARD ONE.
5 snow plows, 1 gutter plow, 1 rake, 4 lanterns, 4 picks, 4 screens, 6 feet 10 inch tile pipe.
WARD Two.
8 snow plows, 1 road plow, 1 gutter plow, 3 tampers, 1 paving hammer, 1 trowel, 8 lanterns, 4 picks 2 screens, 1 rake, 2 grub hoes, 1 hoe, 1 stone dray, 1 padlock, 1 manhole cover and frame, 8 feet 8 inch tile pipe.
WARD THREE.
6 Snow plows, 1 gutter plow, 6 forks, 5 rakes, 13 lanterns, 2 bars, 3 picks, 1 paving hammer, 1 screen, 3 sledge hammers and 4 handles, 6 wheel barrows, 3 post hole scoops, 1 grub hoe, 3 shovels, 2 tool boxes, 25 marking pins.
WARD FOUR.
5 snow plows, 4 picks, 1 shovel, 1 bar, 1 fork, 3 screens.
WARD FIVE.
5 Snow plows, 1 gutter plow, 2 street hoes, 2 forks, 2 grub hoes, 2 post hole scoops, 30 feet 8-inch tile pipe, 1 8-inch Y.
At the close I desire to thank the Board of Selectmen for their kindness and ready co-operation, also the employes for their assistance and zeal in serving the interests of the town.
Respectfully submitted, IVERS M. LOW,
Superintendent.
SUITS AT LAW.
As required by the Town By-Laws the Selectmen herewith sub- mit a report of the law suits, during the year, in which the town is concerned.
The case of the city of Quincy against the town of Weymouth to recover money expended under laws for the relief of paupers, for the benefit of one Mrs. Sinnott, has been compromised by the payment of fifty ($50) dollars.
Two actions of tort of five thousand ($5,000) dollars each, brought in the Superior Court, one against Chief of Police Thomas Fitzgerald, and the other against Police Officer Benjamin F. Richards, in which Dorcas J. Holmes sought to recover damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by her at the hands of the defendants while they were engaged in the discharge of their duty in the service of a search warrant, and which were defended by the Town, terminated in favor of the defendants in each case.
The writ of scire facias brought by Jesse P. Leonard against the Town. to recover money due William D. Davis at the time of the service of a trustee writ on the town in 1899, has been tried, but final disposition has not been made of the action.
In April, 1905, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court by Stephen A. R. Pratt against the present Board of Selectmen, asking that the Supreme Court issue its writ of mandamus in favor of the petitioner and directed against the Board of Select- men, requiring them to consent to allow the petitioner to remove a building belonging to him and located near Commercial square, East Weymouth. The action was tried in the Supreme Court in Boston, resulting in the writ of mandamus being refused and the petition dismissed.
The Bill in Equity filed in the Superior Court by Patrick Whelan and Jeremiah Coffey, seeking an order of the court requiring the town to remove a post alleged to have been located within the limits of a private way leading off Common street in ward three, has been dismissed.
220
The petition of David Ford for the assessment by a jury for damages sustained by him in consequence of the town laying out a street known as Wessagusset road over his land in ward one, has been settled without trial by the payment of seven hundred dollars.
The action of Robert M. White against the Board of Selectmen, to recover damages for taking possession of a dwelling house . belonging to him, and using the same as a hospital on the occa- sion of the fatal illness of smallpox of the late George Ford, was tried at the February sitting of the court, resulting in a verdict for the plaintiff against the selectmen, in the sum of eighty-five ($85) dollars.
An action has been brought by the town of Weymouth against the city of Quincy, to recover the sum of two hundred and ten (210) dollars, for money expended by the town for the support of one Sarah A. Cain under the laws for the relief of paupers and whose settlement is alleged to be of Quincy, and for which it is claimen Quincy is liable. The case has not been reached for hearing.
١٠
FORE RIVER BRIDGE COMMISSION.
Since the last report the vacancy on the Commission appointed to award and determine the amount to be paid by the County of Norfolk, cities, towns and quasi-public corporations, fairly pro- portionate to the special benefits received, for the cost and main- tenance of the Fore River Bridge, occasioned by the death of the late Henry P. Moulton, has been filled by the appointment of Prescott Keyes, Esq., of Concord.
Proceedings were readvertised by the new Commission thus constituted, brief hearings held and the matter finally submitted to the Commission for its determination.
The statute providing for the bridge requires the Commission to include as a part of the cost of the bridge, the expense of the Commission. It was found that the amount allowed by the Superior Court as such expense, in addition to what had already been expended by the County Commissioners, in the construction of the bridge, exceeded somewhat the amount limited under the original act as the maximum expense.
The County Commissioners did not feel authorized to pay this excess without legislative approval, and the Commissioners on
221
apportionment have withheld their report for the purpose of ascer- taining what action, if any, the Legislature would take in refer- ence to the matter.
A bill has been introduced in the present session which if passed will confer upon the County Commissioners the requisite authority to pay the compensation and expense of the Commission to the amount approved by a Justice of the Superior Court and charge the same to expense and construction of the bridge, although said amount shall make the total expense of said bridge more than the sum originally authorized.
Upon the favorable passage of this bill it is expected that the report of the Commission will be made.
METROPOLITAN PARK COMMISSION.
Chapter 419 of the Acts of the Legislature of the year 1899, provided that in the year 1900 and in every fifth year thereafter the Supreme Judicial Court should appoint three Commissioners to determine and make award of the proportions in which each of the cities and towns of the Metropolitan Parks District (in which district Weymouth is included) shall annually pay money into the treasury of the Commonwealth, to provide the amount necessary to meet the interest and sinking fund requirements, and the amount required to meet the expenses for that year of the Board of Metropolitan Park Commissioners, and for the care, matnten- ance and operation for that year of the parks, reservations, boul- evards and other works, acquired, cared for or controlled by said Board.
In 1900 a Commission was duly appointed that determined said proportions for the first five year period. During this period Weymouth has been contributing in accordance with the award of said Commission.
Early in the year 1905, a petition was filed in the Supreme Judicial Court for the county of Suffolk, by William B. de las Casas et al. Metropolitan Park Commissioners, for the appoint- ment of a second commission to make a new award for the second five year period.
Under this petition Arthur P. Rugg, Esq., of Worcester, James F. Jackson, Esq., of Fall River and John J. Flaherty, Esq., of Gloucester were appointed Commissioners for the new apportion- ment.
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At the same time another petition was filed by the Metropolitan Park Commissioners under the provisions of Chapter 491 of the acts of 1901 for the appointment of a Commission to determine which of certain cities and towns are especially benefitted by the use of what is called the Wellington Bridge, across Mystic River, between Somerville and Medford, and the extent of such benefit, and to what extent the Metropolitan Parks District, by the use of said bridge for park purposes, and to determine in proportion to such benefits the part of said bridge and approaches to be paid by each of the said cities and towns and by the Metropolitan. Parks District. Under this petition the same Commission, consist- ing of Messrs. Rugg, Jackson and Flaherty were appointed.
Hearings were had during the Summer, on both matters .. Weymouth filed a brief, and argument in its behalf was made before said Commission. The report of the Commission was subsequently made and has been confirmed by the Supreme Ju- dicial Court.
The effect upon Weymouth of the findings of the Commis- sioners, briefly stated is, that no direct assessment is made upon the town on account of the Wellington Bridge. On the other, or general petition, the percentages which Weymouth must con- tribute will be less than under the report of the earlier Commis -- sion covering the first five year period.
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS.
The Board of Park Commissioners has the honor to submit herewith its annual report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1905 :
No additions by gifts, or otherwise, have been made to the Park Area, it being as last reported.
Webb Park at the Landing has been kept in as good condition as practicable, considering the use made of it by the public, which includes sometimes thoughtless men and boys, who seem to think they cannot enjoy themselves without damaging some tree or shrub, which perhaps, has been tenderly cared for by the superin- tendent, only to have his care expended for naught. We are pleased, however, to report that such depredations are exceptional, and that the large majority of visitors respects the reasonable rules and regulations of the Board, and are pleased to make use of the park subject to said rules.
The grading of Summit street the past season greatly improved it as a street, and incidentally helped the park. A little more labor is now needed to work the street to its full width on the side abutting on the park, to make a harmonious connection be- tween the street and park. We recommend an appropriation this year sufficient to complete this work.
A plot of ground has been broken up on one side of the park, infrequently used, where it is proposed to start a nursery of young trees, from which to draw when wanted for planting out in the parks, or perhaps along the highways of the town, if we are successful in growing a sufficient quantity.
Following is a statement of receipts and expenditures, viz :
Town appropriation ,
$50 00
Edward P. Condric, for pasturage .
10 00 $60 00
Expenditures, Webb Park :
Jeremiah Coffey, for labor . .
$21 50
Dummer Sewall, for labor ,
.
75
H. A. Richards, plowing and harrowing 7 00
W. H. Clapp, superintending
5 00 40 25
Balance unexpended
$19 75
.
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Beals Park has been kept in its usual condition the past year. On account of the very dry spring, rainfall being small, the pond became very dry, so that we were enabled to thoroughly clean the bottom of all refuse that had been collecting for years. In con- nection with some of the abuttors, a stone wall has bean built along the south side of the pond, which has added greatly to its beauty.
Following is a statement of receipts and expenditures :
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1905 $165 62
Received of J. H. Stetson, Treas. 40 40 $206 02
EXPENDITORES.
Water tax and repairs
$9 31
S. Delorey, labor
.
.
18 25
Stone wall
13 83 $41 39
Balance on hand
$164 63
Great Hill remains in same condition as it has for several years.
Respectfully, LOUIS A. COOK, FRANK H. TORREY, WM. H. CLAPP, Park Commissioners.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY.
The Board of Trustees respectfully submit their twenty-seventh annual report as follows :
The Library was open 304 days for the delivery of books dur- ing the year 1905. 54,042 volumes were loaned for home use, an average of 178++ per day. The largest number of books loaned on any one day was 464 on February 23, and the smallest number was 40 on May 8. 21,540 volumes were distributed to borrowers through the different delivery stations as follows :-
Precinct 1, J. W. Bartlett & Co. 5,394
Precinct 1, A. B. Sladen
2,480
Precincts 2 and 6, J. P. Salisbury .
6,812
Precincts 2 and 6, Bates & Humphrey
2,337
Precinct 4, W. W. Pratt 1,282
Precinct 4, William Nash
1,550
Precinct 5, Fogg Memorial Library
.
1,685
CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCULATION.
Arts, .030; biography, .020; fiction including juvenile, .682 ; history, .034; literature, .020; natural science, .024 ; poetry, .012; social science, .011; theology, .003; travels, .040 : peri- odicals, .124.
WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS.
2543 volumes have been loaned to the teachers on their special cards beside the collection of books sent to seven of the schools situated at a distance from the library. This work has proved very satisfactory and in no case has a teacher complained of the extra responsibility, while most of them have spoken of the profit and enjoyment their pupils have derived from the books.
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The third vacation reading list was compiled for the schools in June. - These lists have been found so helpful that it seems best to give them permanent form so that parents also may use them. The list for grades I-VI may be found in Appendix C.
REGISTRATION OF BORROWERS.
327 new applicants have been given cards, 175 the non-fiction cards ; also students' cards, on which ten books may be borrowed at one time, have been granted to all needing this privilege.
The total number of applications filed since the last registration is 5306.
EXAMINATION OF THE BOOKS.
The annual examination of the books was made as usual, and 9. volumes are still missing.
3 books that were lost have been paid for by the borrowers.
2 books recorded as lost last year have been returned.
133 soiled and worn books have been withdrawn and many more must be discarded soon.
ACCESSIONS.
During the year 758 volumes have been added to the library,. including 107 donated, 173 replacing worn copies and 33 periodi- cals.
Many technical books are needed, and should be purchased soon to satisfy the urgent requests of students, machinists, engi- neers, shipbuilders, house builders, and other workers.
The following are some of the more important books added during the year 1905 :
Abbot's American merchant ships and sailors (317.103), Bain's Scandinavia (616.36), Besant's East London (232.97), Bryce's Studies in contemporary biography (917.59), Champlin's Young folks' cyclopædia of natural history (Ref.), Collins' Studies in Shakespeare (820.41), Foster's Arbitration and the Hague Court (315.112), Gibson's Our native orchids (735.141), Griggs' Moral education (315.129), Grout's Mosses with a hand lens (735.126), Harwood's New creations in plant life (726.157), Hazell's Annual 1905 (Ref.), Henderson's Children of good fortune (315.135), Ireland's Far Eastern tropics (314.118), James' Indians of painted desert region (227.151), Kasson's Evolution of the Con-
227
stitution of the U. S. (311.112), Keltie's Statesman's year book (Ref. ), Lawrence's Sir Arthur Sullivan (817.45), Mabie's Back- grounds of literature (131.41), Macquoid's Pictures in Umbria (225.104), Nicholas' Around the Caribbean and across Panama (227.146), Parker and Bryant's Old Quebec (616.53), Peter- son's How to know the wild fruits (735.134), Richards' History of Marshfield, vol. 2 of (617.87), Saintsbury's Loci critici (113.56), Sartain's Reminiscences of a very old man (917.48), Scruggs' Columbian and Venezuelan republics (230.142), Shoemaker's Great Siberian railway (236.62), Sparks' U. S. of America, 2 v. (612.143), Stillman's Autobiography of a journalist, 2 v. (917.47), Trowbridge's My own story (214.82), Who's who, 1906 (Ref. ). Wilson's New York, old and new, 2 v. (612.122).
See also Appendix B for the list of books purchased from the Susannah: Hunt Stetson Fund.
CATALOGUES.
The long needed revision of the card catalogue is now in pro- cess. A modern 60-tray case has been placed in the Delivery Room to which all cards of works other than fiction will be trans- ferred. In time the larger, printed cards issued by the Library of Congress, supplemented by type-written cards will replace those now used. The cards for fiction are in the smaller cases.
No printed class-list nor bulletin has been published during the year but the frequent calls for one show that as soon as the funds will warrant a bulletin should be issued.
The lists of new accessions have been printed as usual in the local papers.
READING AND REFERENCE ROOM.
This department is invaluable to our citizens, for books that constitute a reference library are too expensive for the average person to own.
Books of reference grow old and their usefulness wanes as the sciences develop and history is made, so that new works and new editions must frequently be added. The most urgent need at present is an up to date atlas and a gazetteer.
The American Catalogue, 2v. ; Appletons' Cyclopædia of Amer- ican biography, v. 7; the new edition of Chambers' Cyclopædia
228
of English literature, 3v., and Granger's Index to poetry and recitations have been added during the year.
While the books in this room are not usually loaned, many of them, by special permission, may be taken home at the closing hour if returned by 2 p. m. on the next library day.
The periodicals, listed in the previous report, may still be found here with these changes : the Scientific American Building Month- ly has become the American Homes and Gardens ; Marine Engi- neering, American Machinist, and the Children's magazine have been added : and Education has been discontinued.
The Library continues to be useful to the various study and reading clubs of our town and there has been a marked increase in the reference work during the year.
ART EXHIBITIONS.
The subjects of the Library Art Club Exhibitions of Photo- graphs held during the year were : California; the Canadian Pa- cific ; German Festoons; Florence, 5; Plymouth ; Rouen ; The Yellowstone, 1; and American Sculpture.
During June an interesting and successful Drawing Exhibition of the Weymouth public schools, grades I-IX was held. The teachers and pupils, inspired by their efficient instructor, Miss Grace Hackett, were so enthusiastic in preparing for this, that every available space was utilized for their work. Artistic post- ers, announcing the exhibition, designed by the pupils of the High School, were placed in the different villages. As each pupil had sent specimens of his work, there were visitors from remote parts of the town who came specially for this exhibition, appar- ently realizing for the first time that there was a Town Library.
GIFTS.
Books and pamphlets have been received from thirty-four differ- ent sources ; Our Dumb Animals, The Protectionist, Weymouth Gazette, Weymouth Transcript and Woman's Journal from the publishers and The Musician from Mr. Gutterson.
Annual reports, bulletins and other publications have been received from fifty-four libraries. These are appreciated, being of value in the work of our library.
1
229
The trustees take this opportunity to acknowledge these gifts and to thank the donors, a list of whom may be found in Appen- dix A.
Miss M. Elizabeth Foye, an assistant for many years, has removed from town. She will long be remembered for her genial manner at the delivery desk.
The Library is free to all residents of Weymouth who sign an agreement to obey the rules of the library. Application blanks can be obtained at the delivery stations when it is not convenient for the borrower to visit the library, and books will be sent with the cards if lists of numbers are received with the applications.
To find the resources of the library on any subject consult the card catalogues, class-lists, Poole's Index and Annual Indexes, A. L. A. Index of Literature and the Library Index. Consult also the librarians who are always glad to render any assistance possible.
CHARLES P. HUNT, By order and in behalf of the Trustees.
APPENDIX A .- NAMES OF DONORS.
Barnes, George L.
Bates, Dr. Edw. N.
Bicknell, Mrs. F. E. Boston Book Co.
Christian Endeavor Soc., U. R. S. W. & B.
Fifield, Mrs. E. A.
Five Points House of Industry.
Foye, Miss. M. E.
Gutterson, John H.
Hunt, James T. B. ' Indian Rights Assoc.
International Reform Bureau.
Loud, Prof. F. H.
Loud, Miss. M. F.
Lynch, Wm. F. Macmillan Co. Marshall, Wm. I.
Massachusetts (Public Docu- ments).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mohonk Lake Arbitration Con- ference. Peace Congress, Boston, Mass. Radcliffe College.
Reed, H. B.
Simmons College, Boston, Mass.
Smithsonian Institution. Steele, Mrs. M. H.
Suffolk County, John Noble, clerk. Union Press, Philadelphia, Pa. United States, (Public Docu- ments). Weeks, M. C.
230
Weymouth Gazette, Publishers of.
Weymouth Historical Society.
Weymouth Transcript, Publish- ers of . Woodbury, C. J. H.
LIBRARIES.
Atlanta, Ga .- Carnegie.
Baltimore, Md .- Enoch Pratt.
Madison, Wis .- Free L. Com.
Beverly, Mass.
Malden, Mass.
Boston, Mass.
Mass. Free L. Com.
Bowdoin, Me.
Medford, Mass.
Bridgewater, Mass.
Minneapolis, Minn.
Brockton, Mass.
Natick, Mass .- Morse.
Brookline, Mass.
New York State L.
Canton, Mass.
North Adams, Mass.
Cambridge, Mass.
Cambridge, Mass .- Church L. Assoc.
Omaha, Neb.
Philadelphia, Pa .- City Insti- tute.
Carlisle, Pa. - J. Herman Bosler Memorial.
Chicago, Ill.
Cleveland, Ohio.
Western Reserve University.
Colorado Springs, Col.
Concord, N. H.
Salem, Mass.
Fairhaven, Mass .- Millicent L.
St. Louis, Mo .- Mercantile.
Fall River, Mass.
Somerville, Mass.
Fitchburg, Mass.
Springfield, Mass.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Syracuse, N. Y.
Groton, Mass.
Waltham, Mass.
Hartford, Conn.
Washington, D. C .- L. of Con- gress.
Haverhill, Mass.
Hopedale, Mass.
Hyde Park, Mass.
Laconia, N. H.
Los Angeles, Cal.
Waterbury, Conn .- Bronson L. Fund. Wilkes-Barre, Pa .- Osterhout.
APPENDIX B - BOOKS £ PURCHASED FROM THE SUSANNAH HUNT STETSON FUND.
*American Catalogue, 1900-1905, 2v.
* Appletons' Cyclopædia of American biography, vol. 7.
Northampton, Mass.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburg, Pa .- Carnegie.
Providence, R. I.
Providence, R. I .- Athenæum.
Quincy, Mass .- Thomas Crane.
Lynn, Mass.
231
Bradley. Shakespearian tragedy
822.39
Brown.
Letters and lettering
727.174
Bryce.
Studies in history and jurisprudence 2v.
.
314.122
Caffin. How to study pictures
727.170
*Chambers. Cyclopædia of English literature, new edition, 3v.
Channing. History of United States, v.1 613.121
Elliot. Roma Beata
225.99
Ganz. Land of Riddles
236.58
*Granger. Index to poetry and recitations.
Higginson. Part of a man's life
213.97
Job. Wild wings
734.143
Kent. History of Hebrew people, 2v.
711.2
Kent. Mechanical engineer's pocket book
724.150
Klein. In land of strenuous life .
227.157
Landon. Opening of Tibet
235.108
Lorenz. Mediterranean traveller
225.98
Low and Bevis. Manual of machine drawing
727.151
Maclean. Literature of Highlands
121.58
Manly. Specimens pre-Shaksperean drama, 2v. 823.46
Pryor. Reminiscences of peace and war
613.143
Sterling, ed. Belle of the fifties
917.54
Sturgis. Appreciation of pictures
727.163
Sturgis. Appreciation of sculpture ·
727.162
Trautwine. Civil engineer's pocket book
724.149
APPENDIX C. - CHILDREN'S READING LIST.
GRADES I-III
All about the farm Z71.1
Andrews. Stories Mother Nature told her child- ren A567.4
Animals of ÆEsop M796.1
April baby's book of tunes Z71.3
Cooke. Nature myths and
stories
135.74
Cox. Another Brownie
book
C838.1
Brownies abroad
C838.2
Bass. Nature stories for young readers 735.90
Baum. Wonderful wizard of Oz. B321.1
Burleson. Marching plays 317.110
Chance.
Little folks of
many lands .
231.38
.
Childhood valley
Z73.5
Child's natural history
.
737.143
Baby days Z72.1
Baldwin. Fairy tales and fables retold B193.1
Brownies around
the
world .
C838.3
Brownies at home .
.
C838.4
232
Brownies, their book . C838.5
Brownies through the
Union C838.6
Dicky bird land .
Z74.3
Dodge. Rhymes and jin- gles · 812.20
When life is young ·
823.27
ed. Baby world D665.6
Dutton's holiday annual, v. 18 of Z74.13
Feathers, furs and fins Z76.2
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