USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1915 > Part 12
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On May 1st, 1915, you appointed me Chief to fill the vacancy caused by the death of our late Chief Patrick Butler, who on Thursday, April 15th, 1915, at 7.10 P. M., was struck by an automobile while in the performance of his duty, and died at 9.45 the same evening. His death was a great loss to the Department and his memory will always be cherished by us.
During the year 308 arrests have been made, as follows :
DRUNKENNESS :
28 fined $15 each.
9 fined $10 each.
3 fined $5 each.
16 each paid costs.
5 on probation.
1 House of Correction for 20 days.
3 House of Correction for 30 days.
1 House of Correction for 60 days.
4 placed on file.
3 discharged.
1 fined $15 and committed.
1 fined $10 and committed.
29 State Farm.
1 Sherburn. Total, 105.
ASSAULT.
1 fined $25.
2 fined $10 each.
1 under bonds to keep the peace. Total, 4.
201
THREAT TO ASSAULT.
1 on probation.
1 continued. Total, 22.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY.
1 fined $50.
3 fined $25 each.
2 fined $15 each.
1 fined $5.
6 each paid costs.
2 under bonds to keep the peace.
1 three months House of Correction, appealed, bond $300.
1 discharged.
1 continued. Total, 18.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT ON A PUBLIC CONVEYANCE.
2 fined $25 each. Total, 2.
1
INSANE.
1 committed to Medfield Hospital.
2 committed to Taunton Hospital.
· 1 committed to Westboro Hospital. Total, 4.
VAGRANT.
2 committed to State Farm. Total, 2.
RECEIVING STOLEN GOODS.
1 fined $15. Total, 1.
VIOLATION OF THE LIQUOR LAWS.
.Illegal Keeping and Exposing for Sale Intoxicating Liquor :
1 fined $100.
1 fined $25.
1 fined $100, and 3 months in House of Correction, appealed.
1 fined $50, and 3 months in House of Correction, appealed. Total, 4.
202
Violation of the Liquor Laws, Illegal Sale of Intoxicating Liquor :
2 fined $75 each.
1 fined $50.
1 fined $50, and 3 months in House of Correction, appealed.
4 placed on file. Total, 8.
VIOLATION OF AUTOMOBILE LAWS.
1 fined $50 for reckless driving.
1 fined $5 for operating automobile without license.
2 fined $10 each for operating automobile without lights.
1 held for Grand Jury for operating automobile while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. Total, 5.
VIOLATION OF HEALTH LAWS.
2 fined $25.00 each.
1 fined $50,
2 each paid costs.
1 placed on file. Total, 6.
STATE PAUPERS.
1 committed to State Farm.
1 committed to Weymouth Town Home. Total, 2.
6 lost children found and sent to parents.
ABDUCTION.
1 discharged.
NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.
3 continued 3 months, placed on file.
5 committed to State Board of Charity. Total, 8.
TRUANT.
1 committed to Walpole Union Training School.
TRAMP.
1 committed to State Farm.
203
NEGLECT TO SEND CHILD TO SCHOOL. 1 placed on file.
PULLING IN FALSE FIRE ALARM. 6 each paid costs.
BASTARDY.
1 ordered to pay $300. 2 married.
2 continued. Total, 5.
LARCENY.
1 fined $75.
2 fined $50 each.
1 fined $21.
2 committed to House of Correction for thirty days.
1 continued. Total 7.
,
DISTURBING THE PEACE.
1 fined $15.
2 fined $10 each.
1 fined $5.
1 committed to House of Correction.
1 continued.
Total, 6.
STUBBORN CHILD.
1 placed on file.
LEWDNESS. 4 married.
BREAKING AND ENTERING.
2 each committed to House of Correction for one year ..
1 committed to House of Correction for 18 months. 20 discharged. 1 probation. 1 continued. Total, 25.
1
204
GAMING NUISANCE.
1 fined $50.
ILLEGAL GAMING.
1 fined $15.
1 discharged. Total, 2.
TRESPASS.
6 each fined $10. 9 discharged. Total, 15.
NEGLECT OF FAMILY.
1 ordered to pay $5 per week to family.
1 ordered to pay $12 per week to family.
1 ordered to pay $2 per week to family.
1 probation.
1 continued.
Total, 5.
COMMON RAIL AND BRAWLER.
1 continued. 1 discharged. Total, 2.
NON-SUPPORT.
1 fined $100.
DISTURBING RELIGIOUS MEETING : 1 fined $25.
DRIVING TEAM WITHOUT LIGHTS. 1 fined $10.
BATHING IN GREAT POND. 6 discharged.
DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. 1 fined $15.
FAILURE TO PAY WAGES. 3 fined $10 each.
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ADULTERY.
1 committed to House of Correction for 6 months, appealed. MANSLAUGHTER. 3 held for Grand Jury.
ESCAPED PRISONER.
1 returned to Concord Reformatory. ESCAPED INSANE.
1 returned to Worcester Insane Hospital.
SUPERIOR COURT.
MANSLAUGHTER.
1 found not guilty.
2 dismissed.
OPERATING AN AUTOMOBILE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF INTOXICATING 'LIQUOR.
1 sentenced to the House of Correction for 1 year.
NIGHT'S LODGING.
9 released.
1 committed to the Town Home. Total, 10.
19 arrests for out of town officers.
13 raids for intoxicating liquors.
$813 stolen property recovered.
Amount of fines in lower court, $2,061.
Amount of fines in Superior Court, $178.
During the past year I have installed the finger print system for identifying criminals and also added a law library to the department which is always at the disposal of the citizens of the town.
A first aid emergency room has been fully equipped to take care of minor accidents.
An officer is on duty at the Police Station each day in readi- ness for any trouble or complaints. Telephone connection, Weymouth 7.
206
I would recommend that the town install a police ambulance and abolish the three lock-ups situated in different parts of the town.
In conclusion I wish to thank your Honorable Board for the courtesy and assistance that you have given me during my eight months as chief.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR H. PRATT,
Chief of Police.
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
December 31, 1915.
We have assessed upon the polls and estates of all persons and corporations liable to taxation the sum of $269,881.52 and have committed the same to Winslow M. Tirrell, Esq., the duly elected Collector of Taxes, with our warrant in due form of law for col- lection and payment in accordance with the vote of the town and the warrants of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Commitment Aug. 2, 1915
$5,176 00
Sept. 15,
255,639 79
66
Nov. 13,
5,406 73
Dec. 20,
3,659 00
$269,881 52
State tax .
$22,815 00
County tax
8,155 50
Metropolitan tax
2,792 91
State Highway tax
.
2,016 30
Charles River Basin tax
790 76
Street Railway tax
4,600 38
Town tax (including overlay)
221,785 21
Moth tax . ..
1,167 61
Street Oiling tax
3,506 17
Walks tax
.
1,650 28
Non-resident Bank tax
.
601 40
$269,881 52
VALUATION OF THE TOWN. $12,887,929 00.
Number of polls assessed 3905 .
Number of residents assessed on property 2518
All others
454
Number of non-residents assessed on property 1109
All others
134
·
.
.
·
208
Number of horses assessed
518
Number of cows assessed
518
Number of cattle assessed
16
Number of swine assessed
67
Number of fowl assessed
6243
Number of houses assessed
3725
Number of acres of land assessed .
9607₴
Rate per $1,000, $19.40.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. DWYER,
FRANK H. TORREY,
CHARLES H. CLAPP,
LEWIS W. CALLAHAN,
LEAVITT W. BATES,
Assessors
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1915.
Your Park Commissioners organized in March with Louis A. Cook as chairman, J. Herbert Walsh as secretary, and Wilson E. ¡ Beane as treasurer.
By vote Mr. Walsh was authorized to proceed with Webb Park improvements, and Mr. Beane, Beals Park improvements, and we trust that their undertakings have been carried out to the satisfaction of the citizens.
We feel that the time has arrived when a great deal of attention should be given to our parks, the peoples place for recreation and rest, and it seems that the citizens have awakened to the fact. that such places are the schooling places of our youth, where in sight of all, clean healthy sports may be indulged in-God's way of making clean minds and strong bodies.
We feel that no good citizen will begrudge moderate appropri- ations each year to be used in the upkeep and bettering of our parks for the taking of our children from the streets and giving them healthy and modern playgrounds is the best preventative from accidents and disease and the saving of doctors' bills many times more than the cost of the appropriations.
We hope that the good work started will be continued until our parks are our first thought and attraction outside of our homes.
The good work done at Webb Park in 1913 and 1914 through the Citizens' Association, with their co-operation, has been con- tinued during 1915. The so-called "Meadow" has been made in- to a fairly good ball field with suitable backstop and players bench, and we plan to still further improve this spot and eventually have a ball field to be proud of.
One section of the 254,000 square feet of park has been turned into a playground through the installing of three fifteen foot swings the poles for which were donated and set by the Wey- . mouth Light and Power Co., three twelve foot swings, two pipe horizontal bars and parallel bars donated by the Old Colony Gas Co., and two teetors of three inch plank on uprights set in cement.
210
On the highest section of the park on a ledge has been built a stone and cement bandstand seventy feet in circumference which was dedicated Sunday afternoon, June 20, by the Fore River Band of 35 men, Thomas N. Carter, director.
Mr. Carter highly complimented the town on having such a roomy, substantial bandstand on such an appropriate spot, and remarked "that with a suitable top it would be one of the best in the State." We hope that our next appropriation will enable us to complete the stand. Near the bandstand a flagstaff was erected, being the gift of Mrs. A. P. Worthen, the same having been felled the previous fall by Charles B. Trask, and after a winter's seasoning was painted, rigged and set by Clement G. Bates on Saturday, April 17-all labor being given.
On May 11 a large American flag was presented to the Com- missioners by the W. R. C., through President George Downing of the Citizens' Association, and the same may be seen flying from the flagstaff as occasion calls. Scattered through the park in suitable spots may be found twelve plank seats, and we find that many more are needed.
Water for drinking purposes was put in on June 23, and a faucet was donated by William E. Thayer.
Goal posts for football were set uring the fall.
Thousands of people have visited Webb Park during the year and many expressions of surprise and delight were passed on finding such a beautiful spot overlooking the Fore River valley, from whence comes an abundance of good pure salt air.
Where we have spent about $350 on this park, through dona- tions of apparatus.and labor without compensation, being the re- sult of a general awakening and a co-operative spirit existing in the community, the outfit is really worth twice the money spent.
Besides the donors already mentioned we wish to thank the following who have donated material, money or time, in making the park what it is :
The Citizens' Association, The Magnolia Club, Rhines Lumber Co., A. J. Richards & Son, F. W. Stewart, Henry A. Richards, George H. Gross, W. S. Wells, John Condrick, R. B. Worster, A. W. Davis and J. E. Ludden.
We feel that special thanks should be given to Contractor Tony Daniels, who through honest labor, built the band stand at a great loss to himself.
211
The park was managed during the year without posted rules, and we feel our experiment was a success, for no injury was done to any of the apparatus and there was no noticeable unruliness by any citizen of our town.
The Citizens' Association on July 4th and Columbus Day fur- nished the citizens days of pleasure through sports and band concerts.
The Magnolia Club, on Aug. 21, held a successful Field Day. We hope Webb Park will become the outing spot for all of our people. It is ours-given to be used by all the citizens at all times. Let us use it and often.
At different times during the year donations amounting to $46.64 have been received from the Citizens' Association and a donation of $5 from the Magnolia Club. The Citizens' Associa- tion also raised the money to meet the expense of the concert given by the Fore River Band. A portion of the above amounts has been expended for labor, material, etc., not charged to the - appropriation.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF WEBB PARK.
Special appropriation
$300 00
Park appropriation
50 00
$350 00
EXPENDED.
George H. Gross, labor
$10 00
Frederick Doherty, labor
53 76
Michael Cohan, labor
50 01
Pray & Kelley, use of horse
15 00
A. J. Richards & Son, posts and ce- ment
7 80
Rhines Lumber Co., lumber
13 16
F. W. Stewart, fittings
42 27
Thomas South, fittings
3 40
Fore River S. Corp., fitting
54
Tony Daniele, bandstand
125 00
Tony Daniele, cementing poles
·
10 50
E. C. Metcalf, repairing trees
10 00
Water rent.
341 44
Balance .
$8 56
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Beals Park at North Weymouth has taken on a new aspect this year. Aside from the regular work of keeping the Park in good condition, your commissioners began to bring about some much needed improvements by having a row of shrubs of different kinds placed on the east side' of the Park at the Sea Street entrance. We have had a stand pipe placed near the shrubs and flower beds so a hose may be used at any time ; also two plank seats near the pond which has been a source of pleasure and comfort to a good number of people this season. There are two paths crossing this Park from Sea to Bridge Street. In the middle of the Park between these paths we have placed an 100 wat electric light which the traveling public appreciate very much.
This Park is a beautiful spot in the centre of the village which the people as a whole look upon with considerable pride. There- fore we recommend an appropriation, as the private fund is not sufficient to carry on the work needed. For a long time we have been in need of play ground equipment for the Athens street side. After studying what we thought would be suitable for this local- ity we have installed a set of nine (9) swings with iron frames, well braced; Also a teeter board frame for four teeter boards. Basket Ball backs have been set which the boys enjoy very much.
A slide has been purchased but it came too late to be placed this season but the children are looking forward to the pleasures of next summer with an eagerness that they can hardly overcome. We are very glad that we had the means and the courage to de- velope this part of the park for the children as they need these things to develope strong bodies and clean minds.
Great Hill Park is coming into prominence because of its locality and beautiful surroundings.
Through the very generous spirit manifested by the Weymouth Board of Trade there have been twenty spruce and popular trees set in this park. We have had three signs set up reading thus : "Weymouth Great Hill Park," because we want every man, woman and child to know of this lovely place right here in town. Three plank seats have been placed at the highest point on the park, the fences have been repaired so as to keep the grazing cattle out. Weymouth, come to the rescue and develop this beautiful spot for, future use.
213
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. RECEIPTS.
Jan. 1, 1915. Cash on hand in bank, $385 53
Apr. 10, "
Interest
.
6 70
July 24, 66 Interest E. S. Beals
Park fund .
40 40
Oct. 8, "
Interest ·
3 80
$436 43
EXPENDITURES BEALS PARK.
Apr. 30, 1915. W. S. Beane, hose 50
feet $4 00
Apr. 30, "
Wey. Water Works, water
6 00
Apr. 30, 66
H. Nadell, labor 12 00
June 15,
Charles L. Meritt, for
shrubbery and set- ting
30 15
June 15,
Wey. Water Works,
repairs 2 10
June 15, "
A. J. Sidelinger, hard- ware
65
June 15, 66
Wm. B. Dasha, plants 7 00
June 15,
W. E. Beane, labor and expense . 4 25
June 23,
Wey. Water Works, repairs
5 78
Aug. 31, 66
J. Poulin, hooks and bolts
8.50
Aug. 31,
A. J. Sidelinger, rope and lead 1 77
Aug. 31, 66
R. J. Cushing, seats . 6 00
Sept. 1, 66
Walworth Manfg. Co., swings and teeters .
44 43
Sept. 18, 66
A. T. Stearns, plank . 4 50
Nov. 15,
Jordan Marsh Co.
45 00
Nov. 15, 66
20 81
Nov. 16, 66
W. H. Gallison, piping H. Nadell, labor and cement .
55 77
Nov. 16, "
Joseph Poulin, clamps 6 00
214
Nov. 16, 66 W. E. Beane, labor . 30 00
Nov. 16,
H. K. Cushing, ex-
2 00
press
Nov. 16, "
Hiram Nadell, labor . 3 38
Wey. Light and Pow- er Co.
30 00
Wey. W. W., repairs 1 86
A. J. Sidelinger
76
GREAT HILL PARK EXPENDITURES.
June 9, 1915.
Hiram Nadell, labor . $9 25
July 17, "
Wey. Gazette, signs . 2 50
Aug. 1,
Hiram Nadell, labor . 1 75
Aug. 1, 66 Robert J. Cushing,
boards and seats .
12 75
$26 25
$359 36
Dec. 31, 1915. Balance in bank, $77 07
In closing our report we would say that where Wards 2, 4 and 5 have no parks or playgrounds we feel that the movement in developing such in other wards will no doubt lead up to the pre- senting to the town by public spirited citizens sites of land suit- able for such purposes. We feel that the children of every com- munity are entitled to up-to-date playgrounds which we know is one of the best means of giving them health and strength when they in turn take up the reins of government in our town. We have been unable to obtain figures at which sites for bathing places can be bought but we feel the need of such is so greatly impressed on the minds of our citizens that some way will be provided in the near future to give our 14,000 inhabitants proper places where they can bathe in comfort during the hot months.
We feel that if there are any tracts of land in town suitable for future parks and playgrounds where none now exist that now is. the time to purchase them. Buy now and plan now for the future.
Respectfully submitted,
J. HERBERT WALSH,
Secretary.
LOUIS A. COOK, Chairman, WILSON E. BEANE, Treasurer.
$333 11
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth :
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith please find the report of the work done by the Board of Health for the year 1915.
The board met and organized in March and elected G. E. Emer- son, M. D., chairman ; F. L. Doucett, M. D., secretary, and John S. Williams, agent.
During the year meetings were held at regular intervals and means for improving the condition of the town considered.
The milk regulations as recommended by the State Board of Health were adopted and put in force during June, with George B. Bayley as milk inspector, and a great improvement has been made in the standard of the milk throughout the town. Many of the dairies are now equipped with the most improved machinery for washing and sterilizing the bottles and bottling the milk.
During the year there were fourteen cases of tuberculosis re- ported. Most of these cases have been taken care of in their own homes, as it has been impossible to get them admitted to any of the State Sanitoria, which are already crowded to their utmost capacity.
A dispensary for the free examination and treatment of cases of tuberculosis has been opened in Gardner's block, Jackson square, East Weymouth, as required by the State. The hours for examinations are Mondays, from 3 to 4 in the afternoon and 7.30 to 8.30 in the evening.
So far we have not met with the success such an important work should, as but few patients have presented themselves.
This year we were able to make arrangements to have the gar- bage collected in every part of the town and the work is being carried on in a satisfactory manner.
During the year 204 cases of contagious diseases were reported. Of these 140 were measles. This is the largest number of con- dtagious iseases ever reported in any one year.
216
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF LICENSED SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
SOUTH WEYMOUTH, January 7, 1916.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymonth : - GENTLEMEN :
I submit herewith my report as Inspector of Licensed Slaugh- ter Houses for the year 1915 as follows :
Whole number inspected from Jan 1, 1915 to Jan. 1, 1916, 943.
Calves
429
Hogs
.
·
. 499
Cattle
15
CONDEMNED.
Cattle
5
Calves
.
9
Hogs
.
GEORGE B. BAYLEY,
. Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth :- GENTLEMEN :
We submit herewith our report as Inspector of Plumbing beginning May 1, 1915 to December 31st.
There have been issued from this office 173 permits to install plumbing in old and new buildings; of this number 162 have passed inspection ; 2 permits were returned, as work for which they were issued was not installed; and 9 remain unfinished on January 1st. The number of fixtures installed such as bathtubs, shower baths, etc., which came under inspection of this office were 593, the valuation of which was $27,025.00. The number of new dwelling houses built in which plumbing was installed was 61. The number of old and remodelled dwellings was 89;
1
.
217
number of new schoolhouses 1, old and remodelled school houses 3; number of new stores 1, old stores 2; club rooms 1, waiting rooms 1, shoe factory 1, fire station 1, hotel with new addition 1.
We wish at this time to thank the members of the Board of Health and the Master Plumbers for their assistance in enforcing the plumbing laws, which has so greatly raised the standard of the sanitary conditions of our buildings, and done so much to safeguard the health of their occupants.
J. E. LUDDEN, Inspector. GEORGE MARSHALL, Deputy.
(Sigued) GEORGE E. EMERSON, M. D., Chairman, F. L. DOUCETT, M. D., Secretary, JOHN S. WILLIAMS,
Board of Health.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN :- I hereby submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1915.
The highway appropriation was $11,500 and the street railway tax was $10,839.13.
This appropriation is about enough for repair work alone.
Some of our streets should be rebuilt. There should be special appropriations for Broad and Union Streets and for Washington Street Hill. The drainage on this hill is in very poor condition. There should be a drain laid from Lincoln Square to connect with the large drain on the lower part of the hill with five catch basins on each side of the street. On Union Street the foundation is of clay and should have a stone fill. The average cost of gravel on this street is $2.75 a load.
In Ward Three there is very little gravel and this is very hard to get. Will have to cart from Ward Four soon. At the present time the gravel used in Ward One has to be hauled from Ward Two.
I would recommend that the town buy two motor dumping trucks. One truck would do the work of three teams on the long distance hauls we have now.
The oiling was done on all the main streets of the town. We used 62,653 gallons of Tarvia B at a cost of $4,657.44 applied. This served as a binder as well as a dust layer, and should be used every year on the same streets as it was used this year. We also used 21,722 gallons of Dustoline. This served very well as a dust layer during the summer.
At the stone crusher we used 566 tons of crushed stone, We have on hand 700 tons crushed and about 400 tons broken ready for the crusher. The crusher is in very good repair. Would re- commend the town to buy a steam drill. The expense of hand drilling is heavy as we have a great deal of stone work outside-
219
from the crusher. This last year on Pleasant Street and Randall Avenue we could have saved one half of the price of it.
There were 6,157 square yards of concrete walks laid and 93 yards resurfaced. This work was done under contract with Mr. Armington, and his work has proved satisfactory. Would re- commend a continuance of same.
On general work in the town the cleaning of the gutters was one of the principal parts, but with the use of tarvia the expense will be cut one half.
WARD ONE.
In this ward the following streets were graveled : Pilgrim Road, Neck, Church, Commercial and Pearl Streets. Regraded North and East Streets. The construction work on Weybosset Street was finished to the water. The bridge on Pearl Street will have to be replanked this year. This bridge has to be repaired every year. I recommend building a concrete bridge. In the con- struction of sidewalk on Bay View Street we used cinders, crushed stone and tarvia at a cost of 50 cents a square yard. This will make a permanent sidewalk. We relaid the curbing on Athens Street. Resurfaced the sidewalks on the following streets : Neck, North, Curtis, Bridge, Green, Norton, Lincoln, East and Com- mercial.
WARD TWO.
Rebuilt a section of 1200 square yards of tar macadam at a cost of $635 on Broad Street. This work should be continued to Weymouth Center. There was much need of the repairs done with gravel on Commercial, Lake, Middle and Pleasant Streets. Also on the sidewalks on Grove, Madison, Commercial and East Streets.
Laid curbing around office building of the Weymouth Light & Power Co., corner Cottage and Broad Streets, corner of Randall Avenue and Broad Street and corner of Hawthorne and High Streets.
The bridge at the herring river was replanked again this year. This bridge has to be replanked every two years. It should be rebuilt with cement.
The special work on Randall Avenue was completed over the hill. There was a large amount of ledge work to be done and we
220
used $150 of the highway appropriation over the special. It will need $400 more to complete the street. The cleaning of gutters in this ward was extra large this year, but with the use of tarvia it will be very small expense next spring.
About the 20th of December the Selectmen secured an ease- ment through the land of Mr. Beechy on Middle Street. Laid 330 feet of pipe and built two catch basins. This work was finished after January 1, 1916. The gutter and sidewalk will have to be graded as soon as the ground is clear of snow.
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