USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1916 > Part 14
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- Superintendent fire alarm
300 00
Stewards
200 00
Expenses, fire alarm
500 00
House expense
4,500 00
New hose
1,000 00
Permanent men
4,000 00
Relief man
750 00
Forest fires
1,200 00
$14,035 00
In conclusion we wish to extend our thanks to your Board for your assistance to the department and to the officers and members of the department.
WALTER W. PRATT, Chief,
JOHN Q. HUNT, Clerk,
MATTHEW O'DOWD,
RUSSELL B. WORSTER,
PHILIP W. WOLFE.
REPORT OF THE FIRE ALARM DEPARTMENT.
To the Board of Engineers, Town of Weymouth. Gentlemen :-
In the year 1916 there have been forty-seven bell alarms in the whole town, eight of which were sent out from the universal box at the Central Station. The number of alarms by wards is as follows :
Ward 1 9
Ward 2
16
Ward 3 6
Ward 4 : 10
Ward 5 6
The system has also been employed a number of times for Lost Child Calls and No School Signals.
The new sets of batteries have been installed and up to the
267
present time have given perfect satisfaction.
I have replaced the old wire for the full length of Neck Street from Bridge Street to the Bradley Fertilizer Com- pany with new wire and new construction. I have also reconstructed several shorter sections where I have deemed it necessary for the benefit and strengthening of the system.
I should advise that the sum of $500 be appropriated for renewing other lines and making necessary repairs, as the renewing of old lines in the past year has greatly improved the system and lessened the trouble caused by the old wire which has been weakened by long service.
Respectfully yours, C. F. COOLIDGE,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
REPORT OF FIRE WARDEN.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I hereby submit my report as Forest Warden for the year ending Dec. 31, 1916.
Last spring and summer having so much wet weather, the expense of forest fires was small, most of fires were from grass in vacant lots. The department issued about 1200 fire permits the last year. The largest amount paid out for any one fire was $12. The total expense for the department was $366.05. About ten fires were set by locomotives along the tracks from Weymouth to South Weymouth the last year. Most of the fires have been telephone calls.
WALTER W. PRATT,
Forest Warden.
1
268
REPORT OF TOWN SURVEY AND ENGINEERING WORK.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth.
Gentlemen :--
I submit herewith my tenth annual report on the town survey work, together with a brief summary of other sur- veying or engineering done during the year.
At the writing of the report for 1915 a complete set of prints revised to April 1st of that year, together with an index map had been given the Assessors.
A lithograph map of Weymouth on a scale of 600 feet to the inch was in progress of construction and was published just previous to the annual town meeting in 1916.
With the survey completed excepting certain omissions which exist in every system of town sheets, due to the cost or difficulty in securing sufficient data, the work necessary during 1916 and succeeding years would be mainly that of revision and maintenance. As the revision of these sheets to April 1st of the year the assessment is made should be completed about the middle of May of that year, it was necessary in the appropriation for 1916 to consider two revisions ; one for the year ending April 1, 1916, and the second for the year ending April 1, 1917.
There was raised and appropriated for this double revi- sion .$2000, and an unexpended balance of $407.11 was re- turned to the treasury Jan. 1, 1917.
A full set of prints revised to April 1, 1916, has been filed at the office of the Assessors and the second revision is in progress. This balance is needed to complete the latter revision to April 1, 1917, so that the plans will be available for the Assessors this coming year. I would recommend the appropriation of this unexpended balance for completing the
-
269
revision as noted, and an additional amount of $1000 for re- vision during 1917.
The transfers during 1916 numbered about 500 and that is approximately the average for the nine years from 1908 to 1916 inclusive; the maximum for any year being about 600. There have also been various plans registered in the land court during the past year.
Some of the 65 tracings will probably have to be renewed soon ; the earlier ones, covering the more thickly settled dis- tricts which contain many transfers each year, having be- come worn by constant erasures and changes. There is on file at the Assessors' office, and open for inspection, a com- plete set of town survey prints, and these are replaced each year by a revised set. Copies of these are sold by the town at $1.00 each, no attempt being made to derive a profit from their sale.
Prints and index maps to the value of about $550 were sold previous to Jan. 1, 1917, and a number have already been sold in January, 1917.
During 1916 lithograph maps to the value of $130.25 have likewise been sold substantially at cost. Eighteen of these maps have been purchased by the School Department, and recently they have been supplied the Fire Department.
A bill before the House in 1917 (No. 371) aims, in section one, to make it compulsory for the Assessors to pre- pare and maintain a system of sheets showing all parcels or tracts of land belonging to separate owners. While this present bill may not pass, it shows the trend of the times and an attempt to establish uniformity in real estate tax assessments.
Other surveying or engineering work done for the town during the past year includes the giving of street lines ; assigning street numbers for houses; making plans for hear- ings on proposed streets; survey and preparation of record . plans for such streets as are recommended by the Selectmen ; accident plans for court cases; topographical plans; taking sidewalk profiles; giving grades for and measuring the tar concrete; the measurement and apportionment of the street oiling; giving grades for drains, etc. The town has also set
270
stone bounds on Church Street, on a part of Essex Street, and replaced some, which had been removed, on River Street. These were all particularly urgent cases where the location of the street line was liable either to be lost, or re- produced later only at an increased expense.
Every new street when accepted should be definitely marked by stone bounds ; and it would be desirable to bound at least one old street, not already marked, each year, so that our streets shall not be narrowed by encroachment and the land thus used eventually lost to the town by adverse pos- session. It is also important that stone bounds set by the town should not be tampered with or removed.
I would call attention to Section 104, Chapter 48, of the Revised Laws, and its amendment by Acts of 1912, Chapter 24; one application having been made under this law the past year.
In my report for 1913 and again in 1914 and 1915, I rec- ommended that a system of levels be run throughout the town. In the Selectmen's report for 1915 they recommended that steps be taken toward the consideration of a sewerage system ; the report of the Planning Board of that year made similar recommendations, and articles relating to same were placed in the warrant for the annual meeting in 1916. These, however, were not favorably acted upon at that time. In order to make an estimate of the cost of a sewerage system, which would be of any value, it is first necessary to have a topographical survey. This holds true regardless of what- ever design or system of disposal may be adopted. A topo- graphical plan is a plan to which contours or elevations have been added. Weymouth already has the plans but not the elevations.
It would be largely a waste of money to undertake to make an estimate of the cost of a sewerage sytesm without the proper data with which to lay out said system,-and I would again urge the need of this topographical work. In this connection it should be required that all underground pipes, wire conduits and other street obstructions be noted as to location and approximate depth, and indicated on plans filed with the Selectmen by the respective companies
271
which install them.
I would mention, hoping it may meet the eye of some one who can supply the information, the existence at one time of a plan of lots, on the easterly side of Whitman's Pond, made by Lemuel Humphrey and dated Oct. 14, 1831. This plan if still in existence would probably establish the line of several ownerships in that locality.
I wish in conclusion to express my thanks to your Board, and to all other town officers for the continued confidence and courtesy shown me; and to others who have rendered assistance to Mr. Libbey and to me.
Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL H. WHITING, ยท Civil Engineer.
272
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit the annual report of the work performed by the Police Department of the Town of Weymouth for the year ending December 31, 1916.
During the year 312 arrests have been made as follows:
Drunkenness:
5 fined $15 each.
2 fined $10 each.
3 fined $5 each.
30 fined $15 and continued.
8 fined $10 and continued.
1 House of Correction for 30 days and continued.
1 House of Correction for 60 days.
7 fined $15 and committed.
3 fined $10 and committed.
27 State Farm.
30 placed on file. Total 117.
Assault and Battery :
2 fined $50 each.
1 fined $30.
3 fined $25 each.
1 fined $10.50.
1 fined $6.25.
2 fined $5 each.
1 fined $1 per month for one year.
1 paid costs. 15 on probation. Total 27.
273
Assault with Dangerous Weapon:
1 fined $100.
1 House of Correction for one year. Total 2.
Larceny :
5 discharged.
2 made restitution.
4 on probation.
1 committed to Lyman School.
1 committed to House of Correction for six months.
1 committed to House of Correction for one year.
1 paid costs.
Total 15.
Breaking and Entering :
1 fined $50.
2 committed to Lyman School.
2 paid costs. Total 5.
Arson :
3 on probation for 6 months.
Highway Robbery:
2 discharged.
Default Warrant:
1 fined $10 and committed to House of Correction.
Insane:
1 committed to Westboro Hospital.
2 committed to Taunton Hospital. 1 committed to Washingtonian Home. Total 4.
Vagrant : 7 fined $5 each.
Violation of the Liquor Laws:
1 fined $150 and 3 months in House of Correction.
1 fined $100 and 1 month in House of Correction.
274
2 discharged. 1 fined $50. Total 5.
Violation of Health Laws: 2 paid costs.
Violation of Food Laws:
1 paid costs.
State Paupers : 20 committed to State Farm.
Neglect of Children : 13 on probation.
Truant :
1 on probation.
Stubborn Child :
' 3 on probation.
Neglect of Family :
2 ordered to pay $5 per week to family.
1 on probation. Total 3.
Disturbing the Peace: 9 fined $5 each.
Bastardy :
1 ordered to pay $10 per month.
Adultery :
3 committed to House of Correction for 6 months.
1 ordered to pay $200 and on probation.
1 ordered to pay $200.
1 committed to Sherburn.
1 ordered to pay $5 per week. Total 7.
Fish and Game Laws:
2 placed on file.
275
2 fined $15 each. 1 on probation. Total 5.
Peddling without License :
3 placed on file. 15 fined $87.40. Total 18.
Cruelty to Animals :
1 fined $15.
1 fined $10. Total 2.
Violation of Automobile Laws :
1 fined $25.
1 fined $10.
1 fined $5.
1 fined $5, placed on file.
3 fined $3 each.
Total 7. .
Manslaughter : 3 held for Grand Jury.
Fornication :
1 discharged.
Abduction :
1 fined $200 and on probation.
Failure to pay Wages :
1 continued.
SUPERIOR COURT.
Violation of Liquor Laws:
1 dismissed.
1 fined $100.
Assault with Dangerous Weapon:
1 committed to House of Correction for 1 year.
276
Adultery :
1 committed to House of Correction for 6 months.
Assault and Battery : 1 fined $25.
Manslaughter :
2 cases pending.
Breaking and Entering :
1 case pending.
26 arrests for out of town officers.
8 raids for intoxicating liquors.
198 complaints investigated.
$2,768.90 property recovered. Amount of fines in lower courts, $2,183.30. Amount of fines in Superior court, $175.
I wish to thank the Police Officers for the efficient way in which they handled, without an accident, the extremely large crowd present in the town during Carnival Week.
In conclusion, I wish also to thank your Honorable Board for the courtesy and assistance that you have given me during this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR H. PRATT, Chief of Police.
277
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth :
Gentlemen :- Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Board of Health for 1916. - The Board organized in March and elected Geo. E. Emer- son, M. D., chairman; F. L. Doucett, M. D., clerk and John S. Williams, agent.
Geo. B. Bayley was appointed inspector of slaughtering and slaughter-houses.
This year it was thought advisable to issue but one per- mit to slaughter. This permit was granted to Thomas Fay, who has served in a satisfactory manner.
Geo. B. Bayley was also appointed milk and dairy inspec- tor. It has been very gratifying to the board to see the im- provement in the milk and the dairies since adopting the state regulations.
At the tuberculosis dispensary forty patients presented themselves for examination.
During the year there were twenty new cases reported. Most of these have been cared for in their own homes on ac- count of the crowded conditions in the state institutions.
It is estimated that in any given community there are five times as many cases as are reported. This would mean one hundred cases of tuberculosis in Weymouth.
Under the state law Weymouth is obliged to employ a nurse to do tuberculosis work. So far this work has been done by Miss Florence Simpson through the kindness of the Weymouth Visiting Nurse Association, but this is no longer satisfactory to the state and this year a nurse will be em- ployed.
During the year 143 contagious diseases were reported as follows :
278
Chicken pox 1
Diphtheria 6
Suppurative Conjunctivitis 1
Measles
53
Scarlet Fever
12
Pulmonary Tuberculosis 20
Typhoid Fever
2
Whooping-cough
40
Anterio Poliomylitis 6
Tetanus
1
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING AND SLAUGHTER-HOUSES.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Wey- mouth :-
Gentlemen :- I sumbit herewith my report as inspector of slaughtering and slaughter-houses for the year 1916 as fol- lows :
Whole number inspected 629
Hogs
257
Calves 354
Cattle
17
Sheep
1
Total 629
Animals condemned 22
GEORGE B. BAYLEY,
Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Wey- mouth :---
Gentlemen :- We herewith submit our report as inspectors
279
of plumbing for the year ending December 31, 1916.
There have been issued from this office 176 permits to in- stall plumbing, together with 9 left over from 1915. Of this number 8 permits were returned as work for which they were issued was not done.
Of the remaining, 176 have passed inspection and 10 re- mained unfinished January 1.
The number of fixtures installed, such as bath tubs, water closets, lavatories, laundry traps, etc., were 597, the valu- ation of which was $28,720.
The number of new dwellings built in which plumbing was installed was 43, old and remodeled dwellings 104, old stores and tenements 3, new stores 5, schools 1, fire stations 2, bar- ber shops 1, garage 1, milk room 1, barn 1, factory 2, office 1, new office 1, lounging room 1.
It was necessary, for the enforcement of the plumbing laws, to take two cases into court. Both cases were found guilty and paid a fine, and the work in question was made satisfactory as required by the plumbing regulations.
J. E. LUDDIN, Inspector,
GEO. MARSHALL, Deputy.
280
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
December 31, 1916.
We have assessed upon the polls and estate of all persons and corporations liable to taxation the sum of $294,422.42 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 collection and payment in accordance with the vote of the town and the warrants of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts.
Commitment July 17, 1916
$5,144 00
Aug. 31,
280,457 70
Nov. 9, . . . . 5,887 74
Dec. 14,
. . . . . 1,567 23
Dec. 20,
. . . . . 1,365 75
$294,422 42
State Tax
$21,760 00
County Tax
10,349 54
Metropolitan Park Tax
9,036 49
State Highway Tax
1,789 74
Charles River Basin Tax
1,082 10
Street Railway Tax
4,997 05
Moth Tax
1,618 20
Street Oiling Tax
3,528 54
Sidewalk Tax
1,567 23
Non-resident Bank Tax
680 40
Town Tax (including overlay)
238,013 13
$294,422 42
VALUATION OF THE TOWN.
$12,981,333 00.
Number of polls assessed 3974
281
Number of residents assessed on property . 2518
All others
475
Number of non-residents assessed on property 1133 All others 140
Number of horses assessed 484
Number of cows assessed
491
Number of cattle assessed
19
Number of swine assessed
41
Number of fowl assessed 5321
Number of houses assessed
3816
Number of acres of land assessed
9712
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. DYWER,
FRANK H. TORREY,
CHARLES H. CLAPP,
LEWIS W. CALLAHAN,
LEAVITT W. BATES,
Assessors.
282
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR FOR THE YEARS 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
I present to you my report of taxes and interest collected for the years 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, ending December 31, 1916 and paid over to John H. Stetson, Town Treasurer. 1912 Poll, Personal and Real col-
lected $438 47
Moth tax collected
6 65
Street Watering tax col-
lected
19 27
Sidewalk tax collected
85 08
Interest collected
41 35
$590 82
1913 Poll, Personal and Real col-
1
lected
$4,904 80
Moth tax collected
57 79
Street Watering tax col-
lected
92 03
Sidewalk tax collected 267 52
Interest collected
560 69
$5,882 83
1914 Poll, Personal and Real col-
lected
$25,105 22
Moth tax collected 184 44
Street Watering tax col- lected
360 86
Sidewalk tax collected 456 48
Interest collected
2,110 00
$28,217 00
283
1915 Poll, Personal and Real col-
lected
$54,616 44
Moth tax collected
261 64
Street
Watering
tax
col-
lected
1,635 46
Sidewalk tax collected 779 87
Interest collected
1,840 40
$59,133 81
1916 Poll, Personal and Real col-
lected
$200,222 98
Moth tax collected 991 66
Street Watering tax col-
lected
2,115 94
Interest collected
122 58
$203,453 16
Respectfully submitted, WINSLOW M. TIRRELL, Tax Collector.
284
REPORT OF LIGHTING COMMITTEE.
Weymouth, January 1st, 1917.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Lighting Committee respectfully submit the follow- ing report:
At the annual town meeting in March, 1916, $12,400 was raised and appropriated for electric lighting.
We have made some changes in the c. p. of twenty-five lights, increasing the c. p. from 32 to 60-c. p., at a slight in- crease in cost, that we might have more light on the main streets.
We have removed the shades from all the 200-c. p. lights, thus giving better light and eliminating shadows.
We have lighted Washington Street and the waterfront at North Weymouth especially and used our best judgment in locating the balance.
The following will show the number of lights as compar- ed with last year :-
Dec. 1915-690 inc. 32-c. p. 19 200-c. p. 3 Post lights Dec. 1916-755 inc. 32-c. p. 25 60-c. p. 19 200-c. p. 3 Post lights
A great many lights have been maliciously broken the last year and something should be done to stop this mischief.
The Weymouth L. & P. Co. have given us excellent ser- vice and have been ready and willing at all times to assist us in fulfilling their part of the contract.
Without extra expense they have given us the morning lights one month earlier than in years past, and in case of a snow storm the lights will be on at four o'clock for the bene-
285
fit of the Road Department.
The rebates have been very small ($6.06), as the lights have been replaced by the company within the time limit after being notified by the committee.
We wish to thank the citizens, especially the Police De- partment, for the interest taken in notifying us of lights burnt out or broken.
Yours respectfully, SIDNEY G. DUNBAR, RUSSELL B. WORSTER, MATTHEW O'DOWD, WALTER W. PRATT, WINSLOW M. TIRRELL,
Committee.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS.
South Weymouth, Jan. 1, 1917.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit my report for year of 1916.
The condition of stables is being improved every year. Several barns were remodeled so that the sanitary condi- - tions are being improved very much.
Cows inspected 681
Young cattle
81
Swine
190
Bulls
Oxen 28
4
Goats 6
There have been killed for glanders, 5 horses; tubercu- lous cows, 3; hogs, cholera, 17; rabies, dog, 1.
Yours respectfully,
F. WILBUR LOUD, Inspector of Live Stock.
286
REPORT OF BURIAL AGENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth, Mass. : Gentlemen :- I have to report that (2) two soldiers and (2) soldiers' widows have been buried under my direction during the year ending Dec. 31, 1916.
Respectfully submitted, WALDO TURNER,
Burial Agent for Indigent Soldiers and Sailors.
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 1
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit my report for the year end- ing December 31st, 1916.
During my term as sealer from June 1st, 1916 to date, I made 208 calls at different parts of the town, testing and inspecting scales, weights and measures, besides having many office calls. The matter of control of itinerant ven- dors, hawkers and pedlers being transferred from the Sec- retary of State to the Commissioner of Weights and Mea- sures, has involved new duties upon all city and town seal- ers, and in that capacity I have caused 17 pedlers to secure licenses, bringing a revenue to the town of $323.00. I have also, after several warnings, had fifteen pedlers in court for. violation of the laws, securing fourteen convictions and one case dismissed. At present there are not many pedlers in town who are not licensed, thus giving your local merchants protection.
The duties of the Sealer are becoming much more exten- sive, it now being their duty to visit the stores for trial weighings of all commodities such as coal, ice, grain, flour, and groceries.
Gasoline pumps are to have special attention this coming year.
287
My general report for the year is as follows, applying .to Scales, Weights and Measures :- Adjusted, 7; sealed, 1614; non-sealed, 38; condemned, 11.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL B. WORSTER,
Sealer.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF MOTH WORK.
. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
Gentlemen :- The work of suppression of the Gypsy Moth during the past year has been carried on along about the same lines as for some years past, and to us who are observ- ing conditions most closely, our labors seem to show good results.
In my opinion, one of the best investments we have made in the department was the purchase of the No. 2 Sprayer, which we use for yard and orchard work. It is noticed by all hands as we are on our scouting work, that the yards in which that machine was used are in better condition than yards not so treated. We could do only a small part of yards in town with one machine, and I strongly recommend the purchase of another machine and that the horse and farm wagon be replaced by something which will cover more ground, as I want to spray every yard possible this year, as it is the most economical and efficient method of handling the Gypsy Moth, and is very beneficial for the trees and fruit.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES L. MERRITT,
Local Supt.
.
288
.
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN.
South Weymouth, Jan. 19, 1917. To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
Gentlemen :- The trees on our public ways, parks and church and school yards have all been sprayed and trimmed in the past year, but it is surprising what a number of dead limbs will appear, especially on the elms. We have remov- ed a number of dead trees and must do more tree planting in the future. Good trees cost good money and I am look- ing over some of the Town lands, hoping to find some place where we can start a Town nursery for the growing of trees and shrubs for our streets and parks.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. MERRITT, Tree Warden.
289
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS.
For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1916.
To the Citizens of Weymouth :
Your Park Commissioners organized April 10 and elected Louis A. Cook chairman, J. Herbert Walsh secretary, and Nathan Q. Cushing, treasurer.
By vote Mr. Walsh was authorized to continue the devel- opment of Webb Park, Mr. Cushing was authorized to con- tinue the good work in progress at Beals Park, and Mr. Cook was authorized to procure spruce and poplar trees to be set out at Great Hill and other parks.
Early in the spring Michael E. Cohan was given employ- ment at Webb Park and he thoroughly cleaned the grounds of brush, briars, stones and leaves, making the park neat and attractive.
Swings and apparatus were painted and teetors and seats were oiled, putting all in good order for the summer season. Mr. Cohan's good work deserved and received much favor- able comment, He very interestedly kept the park clean and sightly during the entire season, giving a great deal of his time without compensation. We appreciate his interest.
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