USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1917 > Part 10
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1858.
Notice of the Bay State Street Railway Company of pro- posed changes in reduced rate workingmen's, commutation and excursion tickets. Case pending.
1953.
Notice of the Bay State Street Railway Company of pro- posed establishment of zone system of fares. Case pending.
HENRY E. HANLEY, BRADFORD HAWES, GEORGE L. NEWTON, JOSEPH KELLEY, ALFRED W. HASTINGS. Selectmen of Weymouth.
178
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
The Overseers of the Poor hereby submit their report for the year ending December 31, 1917:
TOWN HOME AND FARM.
The services of James W. Eldridge and wife were en- gaged for another year and the affairs of the Home con- tinued much as usual until the morning of September 14, when a fire broke out in the house and owing to low pres- sure of the water the fire department was unable to control it. The building was practically destroyed.
The conditions at the time of the fire were extremely favorable in that the number of inmates was much smaller than at that time of the year for many years, only sixteen being present, whereas the usual fall and winter number is twice that. But one bed-ridden inmate was in the home at the time, whereas it is not unusual to have three or four. All were rescued without injury, by the good work of the firemen, except Mrs. Mary F. Rosey, in or near whose room the fire originated. Mrs. Rosey apparently suffocated un- consciously. She was eighty years of age and had been an inmate of the institution most of the time for sixty years.
We were fortunate in finding the management of the Town Home of Braintree able and willing to receive our houseless and homeless ones, and by the kindness of citizens who were present with automobiles they were at once re- moved to that institution. We wish to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to the Overseers of the Poor of Braintree and to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Superintendent and Matron of the Home, for their act of neighborly kindness.
We met the Braintree Board in the forenoon of the same day and arranged with them to continue the care of our
179
inmates and to receive such others as we might send them up to the limit of their capacity, at five dollars a week each, we to furnish the clothing, beds, bedding and crockery needed on their account, the same to remain the property of the town of Weymouth.
It is understood that this arrangement can have no bind- ing force beyond the term of office of the contracting of- ficers of the two towns. The insurance adjusters adjudged the building a total loss and paid the full amount of the insurance, viz : $7,600.
A town meeting was called for September 28, and an article inserted in the warrant to see if the town would vote to rebuild the Home and provide means therefor.
At that meeting it was voted to build a new Almshouse and for that purpose to secure a loan of $40,000 and further appropriate the amount received from insurance.
The Board of Overseers of the Poor, having been ap- pointed a building committee and hoping to have the foun- dations laid before the ground was frozen, proceeded at once to the selection of an architect for preparing plans. We selected Mr. John F. Vining for that purpose and with him visited several almshouses which had been recom- mended for our consideration by the State Almshouse Visi- tor. In the meantime the treasurer found that he would be unable to negotiate the loan for the reason that the counsel of the First National Bank of Boston, which was to have validated the bonds, advised against it upon the ground that the records did not show that two hundred voters were present at the meeting. The question of the legality of the action of the meeting was submitted to our town counsel who gave us the opinion that the action was perfectly legal, the moderator of the meeting also concurring in this opinion. The Attorney-General also expressed the same opinion. The Bank, however, adhered to its decision unless another meeting should be called, at which two hun- dred should be present and vote to confirm the action of the first meeting.
A meeting was called for December 14 for that purpose. No quorum being present at this meeting no action was
180
taken except to refer the matter to the annual meeting.
We informed the architect that pending further action by the town progress upon the work would have to be sus- pended.
An article will appear in the warrant for the annual meeting for the above purpose.
The number of inmates in our Home from January 1 to September 14 was 37, of whom 28 were males and 9 females.
The ages were as follows :
Below 40 0)
Between 40 and 50
1
Between 50 and 60 7
Between 60 and 70
11
Between 70 and 80 12
Above 80 6
Seven deaths have occurred during the year, of whom four were male, aged respectively, 81, 69, 75 and 79 years.
Three were females aged respectively, 80, 71, and 55 years.
Two of the male inmates remained with Supt. Eldridge to assist .on the farm. The cost of maintenance was $5,124.65 in our Town Home and $1,070.00 in Braintree. Total. $6,194.65.
POOR OUT OF THE HOUSE.
We have aided, of the town's poor out of the house in City and State Hospitals, five, and in homes, 222 individuals in 92 families of one or more, at a cost of $10,884.38.
We have also aided of those resident in this town but with- out settlement here, 90 individuals in 21 families of one or more at a cost of $2,213.05 to be recovered from their place of settlement or from the state.
TOWN PHYSICIANS.
The physicians appointed for attendance upon the poor are as follows : for Ward One and the Town Home Dr. Wil- liam A. Drake; for Ward Two, Dr. John C. Fraser; for
181
Ward Three, Dr. Lewis W. Pease; for Ward Four, Dr. Karl H. Granger; for Ward Five, Dr. George E. Emerson. HENRY E. HANLEY, BRADFORD HAWES, GEORGE L. NEWTON, JOSEPH KELLEY, ALFRED W. HASTINGS, Overseers of the Poor of Weymouth.
182
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
To the Citizens of the Town of Weymouth :
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Board of Health for 1917 :
The Board organized in March, electing Geo. E. Emerson, M. D., chairman, F. L. Doucett, M. D., clerk, and J. S. Wil- liams, agent.
Geo. B. Bayley was appointed inspector of slaughtering and slaughter houses, and Thomas Fay was granted a permit to do the slaughtering for the town.
Geo. B. Bayley was also appointed inspector of milk and dairies.
J. E. Ludden was appointed inspector of plumbing.
At the tuberculosis dispensary 43 cases were examined. During the year there were 14 new cases reported.
Until November 1st the public health work was done by Miss Florence Simpson. Under the law Weymouth is obliged to employ a tuberculosis nurse and we were fortunate in secur- ing the services of Miss M. A. Galligar.
The dispensary will be open every Monday from 3.30 to 4.30 in the afternoon and from 7.30 to 8.30 in the evening for the examination of such cases as may present themselves.
During the year there were reported 119 cases of con- tagious diseases as follows :
Chicken-pox 1
Diphtheria
14
German Measles
1
Ophthalmia Monatorum
5
51
Measles
7
Mumps
Scarlet fever 11
Pulmonary tuberculosis 14
183
2
Typhoid fever
1
Anterio poleomyelitis
1
Tetanus
1
Tracoma
REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS OF PLUMBING.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth : GENTLEMEN :- We herewith submit our report as the in- spectors of plumbing for the year ending December 31, 1917 :
There has been issued from this office 179 permits to in- stall plumbing with 10 left over from 1916; of this number 2 were cancelled as work for which they were issued was not done; of this number 184 have passed inspection, 3 remain- ing unfinished December 31st.
The number of fixtures installed such as bath tubs, water closets, lavatories, laundry trays, sinks, soda fountains, etc., were 552, the value of which was $31,555.00.
The number of new dwellings in which plumbing was in- stalled was 63, old and remodelled dwellings 98, milk rooms 3, (1 new) (2 old), office building 1, bank room 1, leather factory 1, fire station 1, club house 1, garages 3, (2 old) (1 new), schoolhouses 2, (1 old) (1 new), factory 1, blocks of stores and tenements 4, (3 old) (1 new), block of stores 1, stores 6, waiting rooms 2, restaurant 1, hardware store 1, drug stores 2.
Respec+^ .. 'ly submitted,
UDDEN, Inspector,
GEORGE MARSHALL, Deputy Inspector.
184
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF MILK DAIRIES.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth : GENTLEMEN :- I submit herewith my report as dairy and milk inspector for the year 1917 :
I have called upon all persons and places in my district and have found that the laws have been complied with, and that there has been much improvement during the year. Respectfully submitted, GEORGE B. BAYLEY,
Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING AND SLAUGHTER HOUSES.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth : GENTLEMEN :- I submit herewith my report as inspector of slaughtering. and slaughter houses for the year 1917 as follows :
Whole number inspected
911
Calves
447
Hogs
459
Cattle
5
911
Condemned, 27.
GEORGE B. BAYLEY,
Inspector.
185
REPORT OF THE TUBERCULOSIS DISPENSARY.
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth : GENTLEMEN :- The following report is respectfully sub- mitted :
Cases of tuberculosis living in Wey- mouth
28 at home
In Rutland 1.
Reported arrested 2 at home
Reported suspicious 1 at home
1 at home
Reported doubtful
33
Total
Left Weymouth 13
10
Not located
Deaths in 10 years 7.8
-
Total 101
Number of visits made 108
Number of doctors visited 10
Exposed children under supervision 11
Number of exposed children examined at the dis- pensary 8
Of the total tuberculosis and exposed cases 29 should be kept under continuous supervision.
I am ready to do this as well as whatever work you may have for me.
Poor car service, the strangeness of the town and the necessary preliminary clerical work have prevented my mak- ing visits fast enough to present a more complete report.
M. ALICE GALLIGER, Public Health Nurse.
GEO E. EMERSON, F. L. DOUCETT, J. S. WILLIAMS.
186
ASSESSORS' REPORT.
December 31, 1917.
We have assessed upon the polls and estate of all persons and corporations liable to taxation the sum of $281,811.52 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 collection and payment in accordance with the vote of the town and the warrants of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts.
Commitment July 15, 1917
$5,352 00
66
Sept. 26, 66
270,022 60
60
Oct. 18,
18 00
66 Nov. 1,
689 91
Nov. 22,
490 29
Dec. 13,
$281,811 52
State tax
11,776 47
County tax
6,520 56
Metropolitan Park tax
1,070 40
Charles River Basin tax
3,661 98
State Highway tax
621 00
Non-resident Bank tax
5,238 72
Street Railway tax
1,488 01
Moth tax
3,872 08
Street Oiling tax
689 91
Sidewalk tax
236,875 89
Town tax (including overlay)
$301,845 02
Less amount to be returned by the
20,033 50
State
$281,811 52
5,238 72
$30,030 00
187
VALUATION OF THE TOWN.
$12,608,543 00.
Number of polls assessed 4216
Number of residents assessed on property ..
2742
All others
384
Number of non-residents assessed on property 1168
124
All others
429
Number of horses assessed
502
Number of sheep assessed
5
Number of cattle assessed
39
Number of swine assessed
66
Number of fowl assessed
5108
Number of houses assessed
3884
Number of acres of land assessed
9479
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. DWYER,
FRANK H. TORREY,
CHARLES H. CLAPP,
LEWIS W. CALLAHAN,
LEAVITT W. BATES,
Assessors
Number of cows assessed
188
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
I present to you my report of taxes and interest collected, and the amount turned over to the Town Treasurer.
1913 Poll, Personal and Real
collected $809 04
Moth tax collected 15 90
Street Watering tax col- lected
26 50
Interest collected
33 22
Paid to Treasurer
1914 Poll, Personal and Real
collected
$3,570 12
Moth tax collected
40 10
Street Watering tax col- lected
88 42
Sidewalk tax collected
773 05
Interest collected
643 02
Paid to Treasurer
1915 Poll, Personal and Real col- lected
$30,186 10
Moth tax collected
147 84
Street Watering tax col-
lected
941 18
Sidewalk tax collected
599 04
Interest collected
2 648 58
Paid to Treasurer
$5,114 71 5,114 81
$34,522 74 34,512 74
ยท
$884 66 874 66
189
1916
Poll, Personal and Real
collected
$57,219 99
Moth tax collected
371 26
Street Watering
tax col-
lected
846 94
Sidewalk tax collected
867 09
Interest collected
2,066 70
$61,371 98
Paid to Treasurer
1917
Poll, Personal and Real collected
$162,407 85
Moth tax collected
863 33
Street Watering
tax col-
2,332 65
lected
175 07
Sidewalk tax collected
58 85
Interest collected
$165,837 75
165,837 75
Paid to Treasurer
The 1913 and 1914 taxes have all been paid except two taxes on each year that are in the hands of the Town Coun- sel for collection.
Respectfully submitted,
WINSLOW M. TIRRELL, Tax Collector.
$61,371 98
190
REPORT OF LIGHTING COMMITTEE.
WEYMOUTH, January 1, 1918.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Lighting Committee respectfully presents the follow- ing report :
At the Annual Town Meeting held in March, 1917, $14,000 was raised and appropriated for electric lighting.
The following will show the number of lights as compared with last year :
December, 1916, 755 inc. 32-c. p., 25 60-c. p., 19 200-c. p., 3 post lights.
,December, 1917, 773 inc. 40-c. p., 25 60-c. p., 19 200-c. p., 3 post lights.
At the March meeting of the Committee we had the Town Counsel present and discussed the new contract for five years with the Weymouth Light & Power Company, as authorized by vote of the Town for all-night lighting.
After some slight changes the contract was approved and signed by the Weymouth Light & Power Company and Com- mittee.
The contract called for changing the 32 c. p. to 40 c. p. within a limited time, which change came more rapidly than we expected, caused by storms, etc., and practically all the lights have been changed to 40 c. p.
On November 6, 1917, accompanied by Messrs. Perry and Appleton of the Weymouth Light & Power Company we in- spected every light in town and we found everything in a sat- isfactory condition.
At our December meeting we took up the matter of conser- vation of light part of the night, we thoroughly discussing the same and found that the saving of coal would not compen-
191
sate for the added risk to which the Town would be subjected, especially in time of war.
Again we want to speak of the large number of broken lights; in some sections after combined efforts of the Police, School Department and Committee the evil has been remedied, to a great extent, but the maliciousness is not altogether stopped.
The rebates for the year were $25.
Under the new form of contract no provision is made for additional lights each year, and any new lights to be installed must be met by an extra appropriation at the Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted, 1 SIDNEY G. DUNBAR, WALTER W. PRATT, MATTHEW O'DOWD, RUSSELL B. WORSTER,
WINSLOW M. TIRRELL.
192
REPORT OF TOWN SURVEY AND ENGINEERING WORK.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Wey- mouth :
GENTLEMEN :- I submit herewith my eleventh annual re- port on the town survey work, and on other surveying or en- gineering done during the year.
At this writing a complete set of prints revised to April 1. 1917, has been furnished the Assessors and the revision to April 1, 1918, is in progress.
The work the past year has been mainly revision, although quite a little research work has been done toward determin- ing the boundaries, not already fixed, of the lands lying be- tween Whitman's Pond and Pleasant street, the result of which will appear in the last mentioned revision.
There were about 600 transfers during 1917, of which ap- proximately 36 were tax sales, the balance showing a con- siderable gain over the average of substantially 500 per year for the nine years previous.
Among the above deeds of transfer there were many that contained an insufficient or conflicting description and re- quired a visit to the location and sometimes a survey in order to fix the parcel on the Assessor's sheets. These open the way to a legal controversy should an adjacent owner be unfriendly. A deed should be capable of only one interpretation and this requires somewhat more than the mere copying of an old de- scription.
There have been a number of plans registered in the land court the past year and the total number of petitions now on record is 41. There has been added to the town plans during 1917 as in previous years a considerable number of new build- ings.
193
The law covering barred zones both one-half mile in width and 100 yards in width applies to Weymouth and a town map showing the restricted areas has been recently furnished the United States Marshal and a duplicate copy given to our Chief of Police. There was a considerable saving on this due to the fact that it was possible to furnish the above data from our town work, without an additional survey.
A number of prints of town survey sheets, and also various town maps have been sold during the year. -
As I have stated in previous reports I feel the desirability of having a system of benches established, and elevations run throughout the town, not alone for the consideration of a sew- erage system, although it would be necessary before this ques- tion could be properly studied, but in order that the topo- graphical surveys made, the street profiles taken, and the street and drain grades given each year for the Town might be referred to a definite and common datum. Many towns re- quire a record profile, in addition to the record plan, filed with each street layout; this removes any future claim for grade damages, and by establishing a fixed grade for each abuttor, makes the whole street and surroundings when com- pleted, harmonious.
Other surveying or engineering work done for the Town the past year includes the following: topographical plan of the Nevins School lot, and topographical plan of a portion of the Town farm; various plans for hearings on proposed streets ; record plans of such of these as-were recommended by . your Board; staking and giving grades for those accepted by the Town; giving lines and grades for tar conicrete; giving the street line in a number of cases upon the request of citi- zens to your Board; staking out land owned by the Town; giving grades for town drains; survey and plan for court purposes of site of accident on Union street (this work was done upon request of the Chief of Police but was charged to the County) ; inspection of all land court plans in which notice was served on the Town; and other miscellaneous work. In addition, the yearly measurement of the street oiling, and the measurement and apportionment of the tar concrete, with schedule of each, was made for the assessors.
194
I should be glad to inspect any plan of land in Weymouth brought to my attention, especially along Back River, Old Swamp River, around Whitman's Pond, or south of Great Pond.
I wish to thank the Board of Selectmen and other town of- ficials for their continued confidence and courtesy ; and also all others who have helped me or my assistants.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING,
Civil Engineer.
195
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, 1917 :
During the year 357 arrests have been made as follows :
DRUNKENNESS.
Fines imposed, $538.25. Total, 113.
ASSAULT AND BATTERY.
Fines imposed, $175. Total, 16.
LARCENY.
1 committed to House of Correction. 1 committed to Concord Reformatory. Fines imposed, $300.
Total, 19.
BREAKING AND ENTERING.
2 continued
ARSON. 1 discharged.
DEFAULT WARRANT.
1 committed to House of Correction for 2 months. Total, 3.
MALICIOUS MISCHIEF. Fines imposed, $10. Total, 4.
STILLBORN CHILD.
2 committed to Lyman School.
196
INSANE.
1 committed to Roxbury Hospital. VAGRANT. 2 committed to State Farm.
DISTURBING THE PEACE. Fines imposed, $75. Total, 5.
BASTARDY. Total, 4.
PEDDLING WITHOUT LICENSE. Fines imposed, $128. Total, 124.
MANSLAUGHTER. 1 discharged.
STATE PAUPER. 2 committed.
NEGLECT OF CHILDREN. Fines imposed, $35. Total, 3.
NEGLECT OF FAMILY. Total, 16.
THREAT.
1 continued.
RAPE. 2 held for Grand Jury.
GIVING . SHORT WEIGHT ON ICE. Fines imposed, $50. Total, 3.
CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPON. 1 fined, $50.
197
VIOLATION OF AUTOMOBILE LAWS. Fines imposed, $417.30. Total, 18.
VIOLATION OF CHILD LABOR LAW. 6 continued.
VIOLATION OF FISH AND GAME LAWS. Fines imposed, $2,237. Total, 40.
VIOLATION OF LORD'S DAY. Fines imposed, $100. 1 continued. Total, 6.
GAMING. Fines imposed, $80. Total, 8.
KEEPING GAMING HOUSES. 1 fined, $50.
KEEPING DISORDERLY HOUSE. 1 discharged.
VIOLATION OF LIQUOR LAWS.
Keeping and exposing liquor for sale. 1 committed to House of Correction for 1 month. 1 committed to House of Correction for 3 months. 1 committed to House of Correction for 2 months. 1 fined, $50. Total, 4.
ILLEGAL SALE OF LIQUORS. Fines imposed, $250. Total, 3.
KEEPING UNLICENSED DOG. Fines imposed, $9. Total, 2.
198
COMMON RAILER AND BRAWLER. 1 discharged.
ESCAPED FROM STATE INSTITUTIONS. 3 committed.
LOST CHILD. 1 found.
34 arrests for out of town officers.
5 raids for intoxicating liquors.
1 search for stolen property. 132 complaints investigated.
Amount of fines in lower courts, $4,554.55.
Amount of fines in Superior Court, $70.
I wish to thank the Police Officers for their willing co- operation and efficient work this past year. In conclusion I wish also to thank your Honorable Board for the courtesy and assistance that you have given me.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR H. PRATT, Chief of Police.
199
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Fire Engineers respectfully submit the following re- port for the year ending December 31, 1917. The department organized May 1, 1917, under the control of fi e engineers appointed by Selectmen : Walter W. Pratt, Chief; John Q. Hunt, Clerk; Philip Wolfe, Henry Philips, Willie Loud. One hundred and five men, four permanent men and one re- lief man comprise the working force.
HOUSES AND APPARATUS.
The houses have not had much repairing done this year. Ward 3 House has been shingled and new conductors on the south-east side. The heaters in Wards 2 and 3 had to have additional repairs, ordered by State Inspector. The motor trucks at this date are in first class condition. The pumps are tested every month. The Engineer think the Fire De- partment is in a better condition today than ever, after hav- ing three years' experience in motor fire trucks. Weymouth lost its Town Home this last year. If there had been good water supply the Department thinks they could have saved the building with little expense. The Department has re- ceived several letters expressing appreciation of the efficient work of our men.
The Fire Department has had 87 still alarms which have saved the Town from the expense of horse hire and extra men answering bell alarms.
Combination 2 should be varnished this next year. It has had three years of service. The hose house in Ward One will have to be shingled this coming year and some repairs on the other houses.
200
FIRE LOSSES.
Value to buildings where fire occurred
$729,400 00
Damage to buildings where fire occurred 13,603 59
412,000 00
Value to contents
6,200 00
Damage to contents
RECOMMENDATIONS.
We would recommend the following appropriations for salaries, fire alarm and other expenses :
$ 325 00
Engineers
1,260 00
Firemen salaries
300 00
Superintendent fire alarm
150 00
Stewards
500 00
Expense Fire Alarm
4,500 00
House expense
1,200 00
New hose
4,400 00
Permanent men
750 00
Relief man
1,000 00
Forest fires
$14,385 00
WALTER W. PRATT, Chief Engineer.
REPORT OF FIRE ALARM FOR 1917.
To the Board of Engineers Weymouth Fire Department :
During the year there have been forty-two bell alarms on the system, apportioned as follows :
Combination I, 9. Combination II, 21. Combination III, 6. Combination V, 6.
201
I have put in two miles of new wire where necessary, and have used some new cross-arms, etc., on reconstruction work. I have installed one new Automatic Box, No. 272, in Keith's factory and one new Peerless Sector Box, No. 227, at Lake Shore Drive.
The system has been in good working condition with the ex- ception of some unavoidable trouble due to storms, old wire, etc. The new batteries are holding up well and the battery- room equipment is all in good condition.
I advise an appropriation of $500 for the purchase of new wire, crossarms, etc., for further improvement of the line.
Respectfully submitted,
C. FRANCIS COOLIDGE,
Supt. of Fire Alarm.
REPORT OF FIRE WARDEN.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- I hereby submit my report as Forest War- den for the year ending December 31, 1917 :
During the year 1917 there have been 50 alarms for grass and forest fires. The Wardens have issued twelve hundred fire permits. There has not been any large amount paid for any one fire ; the largest amount paid for any one fire was twelve dollars. I think that the service we are receiving from our permanent men from telephone calls is saving the Town quite an expense in this department. The following Deputy Wardens have been appointed :
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