USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1911 > Part 12
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Mr. Libbey has remained in my office as first assistant the past year, much of his time being given to the town works, andlof those employed temporarily several have been on the work in previous years.
As in the past, I am indebted to various citizens and others for information and assistance, and would herewith express my appre- ciation for the same.
I should be glad at any time to make an appointment either for myself or one of iny assistants to go on the ground, espeiially in the wooded areas, and note the position of any boundary line (marked by stakes or points not likely to be found) the location of which the owner or abutter could point out.
For the confidence shown and courtesy accorded both me and my assistants by your Board and by other town officers I wish to extend my thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING,
Civil Engineer.
REPORT OF THE LIGHTING COMMITTEE.
WEYMOUTH, January 1, 1912.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Lighting Committee respectfully submits the following report :
At the annual Town meeting held in March, 1911, it was voted to raise and appropriate the sum of $8,700 for electric lighting, to be expended under the direction of the following committee :
RULSELL B. WORSTER, MATTHEW O'DOWD,
WINSLOW M. TIRRELL, WALTER W. PRATT, GEORGE A. WALKER.
Your committee contracted with the Weymouth Light and Power Co. to light the streets of the town on a basis of 25 arcs and 365 incandescent lights for the sum of $703.00 per month, (the same rate as in previous years, i. e., $70.00 for arcs and $17.00 for the incandescents, less rebates for poor lights and lights not burning).
The matter of new lights, as called for in the different articles of the Town Warrant, the town voted to refer to the committee and after consideration voted to install the following new lights : WARD 1 :
East Street .
1
Norton Street
3
Hobomac Road
·
1
Sea Street and Ocean Avenue ·
1
Parnell Street
2
8
WARD 2 :
Madison Street
1
Broad Street
1
Canterbury Street
1
Chard and Hillside Avenue .
1
Shawmut and Washburn Streets
1
, East Street .
1
6
201
WARD 3 :
Summer Street.
1
Foye Avenue
1
Phillips Street
1
3
WARD 5 :
Thicket Street
2
White Street
1
Pond Street .
·
1
4
Total
21
So with these additional lights the price is $729.00.
We also followed our usual custom and installed the two arc lights near the shore of North Weymouth, from June 15th to October 1st.
The Old Colony Gas Co. asked permission to submit figures for the lighting of our streets to the Committee, which are printed be- low, also the Weymouth Light & Power Co. submitted new figures for an all night system of lights of which the figures are printed below :
OLD COLONY GAS CO.
$30.00 each lamp per year, 60 C. P., all night service.
WEYMOUTH LIGHT & POWER CO.
$19.00 each lamp yer year, 32 C. P., and $82.00 for 2,000 C. P., arc lamps, and $27.50 for 84 C. P., all night service, all on moonlight schedule.
The first page of our report gives you the figures that we are paying for lights per year, also the candle power. The Comittee submit these figures to you to look into, but at present have no special recommendations to make.
We will have a small unexpended balance, which we have partly accumulated by rebates, but we will have to get the same appro- priation to carry us through the coming year with the present number of lights.
202
STATEMENT ELECTRIC LIGHTING, JANUARY 1, 1912.
Appropriation March 13, 1911 . $8,700 00
Balance from 1910
. 2,289 08
Total .
$10,989 08
Expended :
January
· $700 92
February
699 52
March
698 33
April
701 40
May
714 40
June
713 91
July
731 51
August .
730 71
September
736 06
October
727 17
November
.
724 46
December
.
726 82
Total .
8,605 21
Balance unexpended .
$2,383 87
WINSLOW M. TIRRELL,
Clerk.
(Signed) RUSSELL B. WORSTER, Chairman, WINSLOW M. TIRRELL, MATTHEW O'DOWD, WALTER W. PRATT, GEORGE A. WALKER.
Report of the Committee of Fifteen, Appointed at the Last Annual Town Meeting, to Consider the Advisability of Reorganizing the Fire Department, and also the Pur- chase of Auto Fire Apparatus.
The first meeting was held March 21, 1911, and organized with J. R. Walsh as Chairman and Russell B. Worster as Secre- tary.
During the year we have held eight meetings, beside several meetings of sub-committees. And while the committee as a whole could not at all times agree, they submit for your approval several recommendations which they think should be carried out.
It is a fact, as shown to the Committee, that in either of the five villages which compose our town, horses are not available for fire purposes several days in each week. And the Town has been exceedingly fortunate in not having had serious fires at such times.
We also considered reducing the number of men in some of the larger companies, which was recommended to the Engineers, and carried into effect by dropping three men in each company, sub- . ject to recall should vacancies occur.
We also considered the matter of forest fires, and recommend that that part of the work be taken from the Fire Department and given to the Forest Warden, with the power to appoint as many deputies as he may think necessary. And also that in the mat- ter of appropriations this be considered separately from the regular fire department appropriation.
At the meetings held December 5 and 19, 1911, and meeting of January 19, 1912 (at the last of which the Selectmen were invited to be present) the very important matter of the desirability of purchasing an auto hose wagon' was thoroughly discussed, to- gether with the still more important matter of location and housing of the apparatus. And with the fact presented to your Com- mittee that a new police station was absolutely necessary in the East part of the Town, we were of the opinion that one building could be built to cover both uses, as is done at the present time.
The Selectmen differed with us on the matter of police station, as the Chief of Police thought it should be in or near Jackson
204
Square. But your Committee realize that it is only a matter of time when it will be necessary to have a Central Police Station, where police will be available at all times, and that a location nearer the center of the Town would be much better for future needs, and therefore make the following recommendation :
That a suitable lot be purchased on or near Middle Street, be- tween Central Square and King Oak Hill; that a building suitable for both Fire and Police departments be erected thereon; and the purchase of an auto hose wagon to be located therein ; and that an article be inserted in the Warrant for the coming Town Meeting, to carry the same into effect.
This recommendation is made after duly considering the needs of our town, and with the idea in mind of eventually having two or more permanent stations, as the town may require.
We also recommend that the appropriation for Fire Department purposes be increased, as they have been insufficient in the past, and that a sufficient number of rubber coats, hats and boots be furnished for the men who absolutely require them. This is given with the fact before us that the department has been short of hose and equipments for the men for some time, as was shown in the serious fire which occurred on January 15.
By carrying out the recommendations of your committee we feel that the town will be much better protected than formerly, as the proposed outfit would cover the north end of the town consisting of Weymouth, North and East Weymouth, and that the placing of a similar station in the vicinity of Park Avenue in South Wey- mouth would cover the south end of the town.
Our town, for its size, has had but a small amount of money to expend for fire protection in the past, and the growing needs of the town must be met or we become antiquated.
Respectfully submitted,
J. RUPERT WALSH, MINOT P. GAREY,
CHARLES W. BAKER, DANIEL REIDY,
WALTER W. PRATT, JOHN Q. HUNT,
IRWIN HAWES, W. T. SEABURY,
ARTHUR H. ALDEN, D. A. JONES,
WILLIAM L. SWAN, MATTHEW O'DOWD,
CHARLES H. KELLY, WALTER L. BATES,
RUSSELL B. WORSTER,
Committee.
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS.
To the Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth :
GENTLEMEN : - The report of the Fire Engineers of the Town of Weymouth to December 31, 1911, is as follows :-
The organization of the department is under control of five Engineers, as follows : John Q. Hunt, chief ; W. W. Pratt, clerk ; M. O'Dowd, D. A. Jones and C. W. Baker
One hundred and sixty men compose the working force, divided into seven Hose companies, four Hook and Ladder companies, one Chemical and two Steamer companies.
THE APPARATUS.
There has been minor repairs on several pieces and one, the Chemical in Ward 5, has been touched up and varnished. There is emphatic need for funds from the next appropriation for more extensive repairs and painting to various pieces of apparatus.
HOUSES.
The houses in general are in fair repairs, but those in Wards 3 and 5 are beginning to show unmistakably signs of decay on the apparatus floor especially. There is need of painting and minor repairs on several of the houses.
FIRE ALARM BOXES.
There has been one new box installed this year, No. 114, and there has been numerous requests of the Engineers for more. We feel that if a few more would be placed in each ward this year that it would be of great advantage to those living in the various vicinities of them.
WOOD FIRES.
The Department has had about as many calls for wood fires as usual. The most serious fire of them was that which started in rear of the Pratt School in Ward 4 and burned through almost to Hawthorne Street in Ward 2 and on the Hinghom line almost to High Street, near the Chapel.
206
FIRE ALARM.
The report of the Fire Alarm by the Superintendent is as follows :
To the Board of Engineers :
GENTLEMEN : - There has been 67 alarms during the past year as follows :
Ward 1 having
11
Ward 2 66
·
.
·
21
Ward 3 ·
5
Ward 4 66
.
13
Ward 5 66
17
There has also been one general alarm and two second alarms.
The condition of the system is very good, as there has been a lot of new work done on the line this year. There has been one new box installed, No. 114, on the corner of Hobomack Street and Wessagusset Road. The batteries that were installed six years ago had to be renewed with new Emblems and acid, which was quite an expense this year. I should advise the same amount of $450 be appropriated for the repairing and rebuilding the same as in past years.
Respectfully yours,
C. F. COOLIDGE,
Superintendent of Fire Alarms.
FIRE LOSS.
Valuation of buildings and contents
$157,450 00
Damage to buildings and contents 14,905 80
We would recommend the following appropriations for Salaries, Fire Alarms and other expenses as follows :
Engineers
$130 00
Firemen
2,000 00
Superintendent of Fire Alarms
300 00
Stewards
475 00
Expense of Fire Alarm
450 00
Wood fires .
1,000 00
House expense and fires
1,800 00
New hose .
I,200 00
207
We would also recommend that firemen responding to false alarms shall be paid. -
In closing the report, we wish to extend our thanks to your Board for the interest taken in the Department during the year, and to each and all the members of the Department for earnest and faithful performance of the many duties imposed on them at times of peril and danger to themselves and for their willingness to keep the houses and apparatus in clean and serviceable condi- tion at all times.
JOHN Q. HUNT, WALTER W. PRATT, MATTHEW O'DOWD, DEFOREST A. JONES, C. W. BAKER,
Fire Engineers.
REPORT OF THE TAX COLLECTOR FOR 1905-1906.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth :
Herein you will find my report for taxes, interest and B. T. and G. moths collected for the year 1905-1906, ending December 31, 1911, and paid over to J. H. Stetson, Treasurer :
1905. Taxes collected
. $ 6 23
1906. Taxes collected . . . .
.
26 71
Interest
.
.
1 10
Total
$34 04
Respectfully submitted,
W. J. DUNBAR,
Collector.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Trustees of
THE TUFTS LIBRARY
WEYMOUTH, MASS.
IOII
TRUSTEES.
Louis A. Cook,
Joseph E. Gardner,
William A. Drake,
William F. Hathaway,
Francis M. Drown,
John B. Holland,
James H. Flint,
Frederick T. Hunt,
Clarence P. Whittle.
SELECTMEN, EX-OFFICIO.
A. Francis Barnes,
Bradford Hawes,
Willard J. Dunbar, Edward W. Hunt, George L. Newton.
OFFICERS. Clarence P. Whittle, President. Francis M. Drown, Secretary and Treasurer.
LIBRARIAN. Abbie L. Loud.
ASSISTANTS.
Louisa C. Richards, Alice B. Blanchard.
JANITOR. Frank D. Sherman. 1
The Library hours are 2 to 8 P. M. ; Wednesday, 2 to 5 P. M. ; Saturday, 2 to 9 P. M. ; Sundays, Legal Holidays, New Year's Day and the 17th of June excepted.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE TUFTS LIBRARY.
The thirty-third annual report of the Board of Trustees of the Tufts Library is respectfully submitted to the Town of Weymouth as follows :
The Library was open to the public 302 days, with a circulation of 53,787 volumes, an average of 178- a day, a total increase of 2,041 over last year; 5,638 were delivered through the schools, 21,240 through the delivery stations. The largest number issued on any one day was 503, on December 1, and the smallest was 30, on July 17.
The number of volumes distributed through the different de- livery stations was as stated below :
PRECINCT.
DELIVERY STATION. LOANS.
1
J. W. Bartlett & co.
6,246
1
W. J. Sladen 2,215
2 & 6
J. P. Salisbury
6,413
2 & 6
Bates & Humphrey
2,785
4
W. W. Pratt
1,721
4
Marshall P. Sprague
1,057
5
Fogg Memorial library
803
CLASSIFICATION OF CIRCULATION.
CLASS.
LOANS.
PER CENT.
Arts .
2,154
4.00
Biography .
938
1.74
Fiction
37,577
69.89
History
1,654
3.07
Literature .
977
1.81
Natural science
1,168
2.17
Poetry
668
1.24
Social science
832
1.55
Theology
287
.53
Travels
1,927
.
3.58
Periodicals
5,605
10.42
53,787
100.00
212
WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS.
The teachers have taken only 628 volumes on their special cards, but 5389 books have been sent to the schools which is 1475 more than last year. This circulation of books through the schools helps to interest the pupils in literature which they might not seek and suggests to them the benefit to be derived from an acquaint- ance with the library. While we feel that the teachers themselves might make a freer use of the library, it is gratifying to have children frequently ask for the "book teacher told us about," indicating that the influence of the teachers is leading the pupils to an appreciation of the library privileges.
STUDENT'S CARDS.
30 Student's cards have been issued during the year and 964 volumes have been borrowed on these cards, which allow the taking of ten books, not fiction, that may be kept for 28 days.
VACATION CARDS.
Vacation cards have been taken by a few persons who have enjoyed the privilege thus afforded. By the use of these cards borrowers wishing to take books away with them on vacation trips are allowed several volumes, other than recent publications, which may be kept throughout the vacation.
REGISTRATION OF BORROWERS.
There have been 2280 applications for cards since April, 1909, the beginning of the present registration, 387 of which were re- ceived this year. Special, non-fiction, cards have been given, as usual, to all borrowers over twelve years of age.
EXAMINATION OF BOOKS.
18 books have been lost, and 5 of these were paid for by the borrowers ; 5 books have been burned on account of contagious diseases, 347 books have been discarded because unfit to be con- tinued in circulation, and 2 books previously reported lost have been recovered. The annual inventory made as usual leaves 18 unaccounted for.
ACCESSIONS.
980 volumes have been added to the library, including 84 dona- tions, 121 replacements and 80 periodicals bound. 443 volumes have been rebound. Many of the popular books have been dupli-
213
cated, as is the custom of the library, and books suggested by borrowers have been purchased when practicable.
The increased cost of books makes the number purchased smaller in proportion to the amount of money expended, yet, notwith- standing this fact, more books have been added to the library than last year. Ability to do this has been due in a measure to those benefactors, who by their generosity have secured to the library permanent funds giving an annual income of five hundred dollars, two hundred of which come from two special funds of the Tufts legacy, one hundred from the Susannah Hunt Stetson fund, and two hundred on account of the Augustus J. Richards fund, the two latter amounts to be devoted to the purchase of books exclu- sively. Because the trustees have realized anew, this year, the value of these special funds, they hope that other benevolent- minded citizens may be inspired to remember the library in a simi- lar manner, thus establishing other lasting memorials for the benefit of the people of Weymouth.
A list of books, outside of fiction, purchased during the year, except those listed elsewhere in this report, may be found under General litera- ture in Appendix A.
For a list of books purchased from the Susannah Hunt Stetson Fund and the Augustus J. Richards Fund see Appendix B.
READING AND REFERENCE ROOM.
We have to report as heretofore that no adequate estimate of the work done in this room can be given, but interested readers and earnest workers, seen here day after day, have made con- stant use of the books from the reference department besides bor- rowing many from the stack room. It is the desire of the trus- tees that every citizen of the town ascertain for himself, individ- ually, the practical service of the library, and particular attention is invited to this room, made more attractive each year by the addition of new and valuable works of interest to persons seeking instruction or entertainment.
The additions to this department are : - American year book, 1910; Field's Dictionary of Oriental quotations (Arabic & Per- sian) ; Flagg's Guide to Massachusetts local history ; Hastings & others, Dictionary of Christ and the gospels, 2v. ; Hazell's annual, 1911; Heart of New England (map) pub. by Bullard co. ; New international encyclopædia, 20v., with companion vol-
214
ume & Year book ; Readers' guide to periodical literature, 1901- 1904, v. 1; Statesman's year-book, 1911; Sweet's Student's dic- tionary of Anglo-Saxon ; Tribune almanac, 1911; Walsh's Prose and poetical quotations ; Whitaker's almanack, 1911; Who's who, 1912; World almanac & encyclopædia, 1911.
As will be seen by reference to Appendix C the list of periodi- cals varies somewhat from that of last year, having been increased by the addition of : - The American monthly ; Among the deep sea fishers ; The bookman; Church militant; House beautiful ; Popular mechanics ; Publishers' weekly ; Woman's home com- panion ; World to-day.
ART EXHIBITIONS.
The library has received from the Library Art club and exhib- ited in the Reading Room eleven groups of pictures comprising :- Corot, no. 2; Egypt, no. 2; Rulers of Italy ; Old Hollandish interiors, 14th-18th cent. ; Fashions in Paris, 1797-1897 ; Japan, no. 2; Historic dress ; Japan, no. 3; Transportation ; 18th cen- tury colour prints : Etchings by William Unger, no. 3.
GIFTS.
Public documents have been received as usual and, in addition to books and pamphlets from different sources, annual reports, bulletins and other publications have come from 41 libraries.
The Mission circle of the First Universalist church presents us with the Universalist leader and Among the deep sea fishers ; The American monthly is presented by the Susannah Tufts chapter of D. A. R.
. Mrs. Emily Fifield and Mrs. Mary Fifield King, of Dorchester, have given to the library a collection of Fifield relics, with a case in which they may be preserved, as explained by the following letter : -
BOSTON, Mass., Feb. 23, 1911.
To the Librarian of the Tufts Library, Weymouth, Mass :
DEAR MADAM :-
Will you kindly make known to the Trustees of the Library that my mother, Mrs. Emily A. Fifield, and myself, having always been greatly interested in the Library and all historical matters connected with the town, are planning a gift of some of the Fifield relics, which we trust will be acceptable. They consist of books, papers, pictures, etc., of special interest to the town, and we are placing them in the hands of Mrs. Kate Pierce Thayer for such arrangement as you shall suggest. As ' liese
215
objects are largely connected with the Tufts family; the celebrated daughter of Weymouth, Mrs. Maria Weston Chapman ; and Dr. Noah and Mrs. Fifield; we have provided a small glass case in which the personal relics may be preserved. Two or three other things we have had framed as we have done for the Fifield Memorial Room at the Medical Library.
Weymouth was once the scene of great activity at the time of the Anti-Slavery agitation, and we are so fortunate as to possess letters from Garrison, etc., which we are glad to give to the town. May we suggest that the papers to be sent have a considerable money value among col- lectors at present, and that special care be taken to preserve them. We take pleasure in presenting them to the town.
Very truly yours, MARY FIFIELD KING.
The trustees take this occasion to acknowledge these gifts and to thank the donors, whose names may be found in Appendix D.
A telephone has been installed during the year and has proved a valuable acquisition. The appearance of the librarian's office has been much improved by the substitution of new rugs for the old carpet, which had become badly worn, and a vacuum cleaner, purchased during the year, makes it possible to keep the rooms and the books in better condition than formerly.
Iron gates have been placed at the front entrance thereby adding to the finished appearance of the building and making this entrance no longer a loafing place for idlers.
The book shelves are so congested that some new arrangement must soon be made to provide room for the increasing number of books, and the trustees hope that steel stacks may be gradually introduced, thus opening the way for the long desired free access.
CLARENCE P. WHITTLE,
By order and in behalf of the Trustees.
APPENDIX A .- GENERAL LITERATURE.
Abbott, Lyman. The spirit of democracy. 1910 315 120
Alexander, K. B. Log of the North Shore club.
1911 . 725.151
· Bacheller, Irving. In various moods ; poems and
811.36
Bacon, Dolores. Hymns that every child should j 824.74
verses. 1910 · · know. 1907
216
Bailey, L. H. The country-life movement in the
United States. 1911 . 726.6
Bangs, J. K. Jack and the check book. 1911 .
130.69
Baring, Maurice. Diminutive dramas. 1911 823.63
Barker, A. F. Textiles. 1910 . ·
724.195
Beard, D. C. Boat-building and boating. 1911 j
724.246
Begbie, Harold. Souls in action. [1911] . 836.99
Bennett, E. A. How to live on 24 hours a day. [1910]
·
136.106
Literary taste; how to form it. .
136.107
Mental efficiency ; and other hints to men and women ·
316.124
Bigelow, John. The folly of building temples of peace with untempered mortar. 1910 . ·
314.133
Black, Hugh. Comfort. [1910]
.
833.53
Bowne, B. P. The essence of religion.
833.49
Browne, D. L. The commercial power of Con- gress. 1910
315.161
Butterfield, K. L. The country church and the rural problem 1911
836 98
Campbell, Reau. Complete guide and descriptive book of Mexico. 1909
230.157
Carleton, William, psued. One way out ; a middle- class New-Englander emigrates to America .. 1911 ..
315.131
Carpenter, F. G. How the world is fed. [1907] j
726.210
How the world is housed. [1911] . ·
j
726.211
Carpenter's geographical readers :
Africa. [1905] . j
233.86
Europe. [1902]
j
225.113
South America. [1899.]
j
230.166
Chapin, C. V. The source and modes of infec- tion. 1910
726.190
Chesterton, G. K. Heretics. 1909
136.109
What's wrong with the world ? 1910 .
136.108
Chittenden, H. M. War or peace. 1911 .
316.126
Clemens, S. L. (Mark Twain). Eve's diary. 1906 . ·
123.57
Extracts from Adam's diary. 1904
123.56
217
Colgrove, C. P. The teacher and the school. 1910 ·
313.155
Collins, F. A. The boys' book of model aero-
727.197
planes. 1910 j The second boys' book of model aeroplanes. 1911 . 727.198
Conybeare, J. W. E. Highways and byways in
Cambridge and Ely. 1910 . 232.129 Cook, A. S. The authorized version of the Bible and its influence. 1910 833.18
Corner of Harley street, being some familiar corre- spondence of Peter Harding, M. D. 1911 . Country life commission. Report. 1911 . ·
132.92
726.1
Cromwell, J. H. The American business woman. 1910 . 314.119
Cunliffe, J. W. and others, eds. Century readings for a course in English literature. 1910 133.45
Cutten, G. B. Three thousand years of mental healing. 1911
726.202
Dale, Mrs. Lucy. Stories from European history. 1910
715.70
Dean, A. D. The worker and the state. 1910 . 315.133 Diaz, Porfirio. Creelman, James. Diaz, master of Mexico. 1911 917.112
Dickens, Charles. Moses, Belle. Charles Dickens and his girl heroines. 1911 917.123
Dodgson, C. L. Moses, Belle. Lewis Carroll in
wonderland and at home. 1910 . ·
j
917.113
Donahoe, M. F. A manual of nursing. 1910 .
726.184
Dubois, Paul. The influence of the mind on the body. 1908 ·
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