USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1919 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
At the meeting of the town held March 13, 1919, this com- mittee was appointed for the above purpose and was authorized to have plans prepared for such a building as the result of its deliberations determined to be suitable for the purpose named. George L. Barnes was chosen chairman and Bradford Hawes sec- retary of the committee.
The committee was unanimously of the opinion that the time was ripe for an undertaking of this nature. About eight hundred of the young men of the town served in the army and navy of the United States in the war of 1861 to 1865 which resulted in the preservation of the Union. Several men from our town served the country in the Spanish war of 1898. About seven hundred and fifty were in the military, naval and aerial forces of our country in the late European war.
They entered the service well knowing that they might be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice for the welfare of our country and for the good of humanity throughout the civ- ilized world.
What more fitting tribute to their devotion can we erect than a noble structure through the portals of which every person, when he passes must be reminded of the service of those who, on land and sea and in the air, have struggled-many of them even unto death-for the making of a better world and, we trust, for a still more glorious future for the land we love.
On May 27, 1913, our Town Hall was destroyed by fire. Since that time we have been without any suitable place in which to hold our town meetings. Our accommodations for the office work of the several departments are fast becoming in- adequate. This committee feels that it is little short of a dis- grace that one of the oldest towns of the Commonwealth, now with a population of more than fourteen thousand and a valua- tion of $13,600,000, and within six miles of the metropolis of New England, should longer content itself without a municipal building suitable for its needs. In view of the above facts the committee was unanimously of the opinion that the time had arrived when such a building should be erected and that the memorial feature should be made prominent. We early in our deliberations found that the assistance of an architect was de- sirable, if not indispensable.
The services of Harold F. Kellogg of Brookline were secured in an advisory capacity and for perfecting plans, and he entered with enthusiasm into the work.
We have had joint meetings with the members of the Plan- ning Board and are assured of their hearty co-operation without reservation, except that the building shall be of generous pro- portions and becoming dignity, and that the ground shall be of ample proportions. We also have had hearings to which the
141
several patriotic organizations of the town and the various town officers were invited and at which we received numerous valuable suggestions.
We submit the accompanying plans, prepared by Mr. Kel- logg for the consideration of the town's people. These plans are subject to minor changes in arrangement and designation of the rooms. A brief description of the plans is as follows:
The building should be placed in a commanding position with a fore-court or Court of Honor, in which war relics may be set up. This approach should be used in connection with the Memorial Hall in the building, as the whole building is in itself a memorial. Ample steps do more towards increasing the mon- umental effect of the building than probably any other land- scape feature.
From this fore-court, we enter, through the vestibule, the Memorial Hall itself. The character of this room should typify the character of the whole building. It has on each side a colonnade, and at either end a monumental staircase to the Veterans Association Hall directly above. The walls of this hall will be treated in a monumental way, leaving adequate sur- face for bronze tablets and wall paintings, which may be added from time to time.
The Main Assembly Hall, where the town meetings will be held, is directly back of the Memorial Hall and is entered by three doors. It has also four means of egress in addition. This hall will seat 1100 on the floor, and has on the front portion of it a balcony seating 400 more. It is the opinion of this Com- mittee that this hall will take care of the voters of the town for many years to come. At the furthest end of the hall is a stage with dressing rooms on each side.
Grouped around the Memorial Hall are the town offices. Thus the significance of this hall will be appreciated by every one who enters the building. To the left is a large hearing room and Selectmen's office. These two rooms are so arranged that by opening folding doors they can be turned into one room for large hearings. The Selectmen have their own toilets and coat closets. On the other side of the Hearing Room, are the Town Accountant's and Treasurer's offices with adjacent vaults. The Collector's office is at the left of the main entrance, and the Clerk's on the right. Each of these are accessible to the vaults. The Water Board have a large public office and a private office. The Superintendent of Streets shares an office with the Engineer, leaving an unassigned office for future development. There is also a Committee Room for small hearings and Committee meetings.
The second floor has in the central portion a two-story room dedicated to the Veteran Associations of Weymouth. It has a small ante-room to be used either as a coat or dressing room, and has four means of egress. The Assessors' office is on the left, and has its own vault. On the right are two club rooms. The hallway, crossing the building, gives three entrances to the Veterans Association Hall and the balcony of the large Assembly Hall on the first floor.
In the basement will be offices for the Tree Warden, the Sealer of Weights and Measures, a room for the Registrars of Voters, which may be used for a polling place, and a Janitor's room. There will be a large banquet hall with its kitchen, toilets,
142
coat rooms, etc., and a small banquet hall with its independent accessories. The boilers will be located in such a manner that the coal can be easily handled and the ashes removed. There will be two boilers, one for the offices, which are heated during the week and the other to heat the large rooms which will be heated only on occasions. This piping will be so arranged that it will be easily drained to avoid freezing. There will also be large storage space in the basement for tables, chairs, etc. As the basement has its own independent entrances, a public utility station will there be installed. There will be a large vault for the records of the town which are not in daily use.
The general design of the building will be Colonial, as Wey- mouth is one of the oldest towns in the Commonwealth. The facade will have two-story columns in the central portion with balconies opening from the Veterans Association Hall on the second floor. These balconies could be used for public speaking or for military reviews. The roof with its cupola is not unlike the old State House in Boston.
The materials to be used will be red Harvard brick with limestone trimmings. A slate roof of varied colors will give the attractiveness of age. The detail will be of wood. The interior will be simple but of the best finish. The only elaborate room will be the Memorial Hall, which will have a marble floor with inlays showing the seal of Weymouth.
From the start we have been confronted with the difficulty of determining the best available site. Several things had to be taken into consideration, viz: its proximity to the centre of population and of two main lines of travel; the area; the cost of acquiring; the grade from the street, which should be moderately rising and general contour; a southerly exposure if possible; the outlook from the front, and protection against undesirable de- velopments in the neighborhood.
It is hardly to be expected that all of these advantages are to be found in any one site, but it is desirable to obtain as many of them as possible.
The committee felt that the selection of a site was of such importance that the greatest care should be exercise in deter- mining it. To this end we secured the services of Mr. Arthur Shurtleff, an expert town planner, who has made a careful study of the town and especially of various proposed sites that have been under consideration.
At this writing a decision has not been arrived at, but in a general way we consider that the location of the building should be not more than one-fourth of a mile from the crossing of Broad Street and Middle Street.
The committee has been much gratified with the spirit of helpfulness and co-operation shown by the members of the sev- eral organizations and by the town officers who have met with us on various occasions, and hereby tender thanks for the numerous helpful suggestions received from them. It will be seen from the foregoing description that the plan contemplates the bringing of all of the town business under one roof, where any one wish- ing to meet any of the officers of the town may do so at any time during business hours.
The creation of a civic centre with facilities which such a building as is contemplated will provide for assemblies of one character and another, will, we feel assured, be a strong factor
143
in bringing the citizens of the several villages into closer and more harmonious relations than have heretofore existed.
If such a result shall follow we feel that the enterprise will have been fully justified and will be well worth all that it costs. In entering upon its work your committee felt that this is the most important movement in relation to the future develop- ment and welfare of the town which has ever been undertaken. We have therefore given it our best thought and have spared neither time nor pains to secure a result which will be acceptable to the inhabitants of the town. Seventeen meetings have been held, at several of which representative citizens have been asked in for counsel and advice. We have endeavored to consider the subject faithfully in all its bearings.
If the result of our labors shall meet the approval of our fellow citizens and be instrumental in securing the object which we seek we shall feel amply rewarded.
GEORGE L. BARNES, RUSSELL H. WHITING, GEORGE W. PERRY, .
JOSEPH KELLEY, BRADFORD HAWES,
Committee on Memorial Town Hall.
144
PROPOSER . MEMORIAL TIVH . NMULL
145
€
DRESSING/ - Room
DLESSING ROOM
STAGE
ASSEMBLY HALL (SEATING | 1100)
00/07
000
NOWOM
EN
SELECTMEN
COATS
COATS
UNASSIGNED
CLOS
SUPT. OF STREETS ENGINR
MEMORIAL
COMMITTEE ROOM
. HALL .
WATER ~
BOARD
ACCOUNTANT
+OFF
PRIVATE . OFFICE
TRES
COLLECTE OFF
CLERK. OFF
VAULT
VAULT
· FIRST . FLOOR.
VAULT
VAULT
VESTIBUL
HEARING ROOM.
146
STAGE
UPPER . PART OF. . ASSEMBLY. HALL.
BALCONY - . SEATING 400.
·ROOT.
8000
CORRIDOR
CLUB.ROOM
- ASSESSORS OTFICK
CLUB· ·ROOM.
J Me
· VETERAN ASSOCIATION. HALL
ROOT
ROOD
VAULT
ANTE ROOM
SECOND. FLOOR
147
COATS
C. ATS
PLATFORM
W.C
LARGE BANQUET HALL.
x
HALL
HALL
COATS
. UNASSIGNED.
HALL
TRER. WARDEX. · ARD. .WEIGHTS. ARD ·MEASURES.
STORACE *
SMALL. BANQUET. HALL.
MAN
-. av.
BOLLER ROOM
*
JAMISON
COAL . POCKET
VAUIT
, BASEMENT . FLOOR
148
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF FORE RIVER BRIDGE FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1919. RECEIPTS
Balance from 1918
$ 59.03
City of Quincy,
assessments, Nos. 81 to 88
1,320.00
Town of Weymouth,
assessments, Nos. 81 to 88
400.00
Town of Hingham, assessments, Nos. 81 to 88
440.00
Town of Cohasset,
assessments, Nos. 81 to 88,
240.00
Town of Scituate,
assessments, Nos. 81 to 88,
80.00
Town of Marshfield,
assessments, Nos. 81 to 88,
40.00
Town of Hull,
assessments, Nos. 80 to 88,
90.00
County of Norfolk
assessments, Nos. 81 to 88,
800.00
Bay State Street Railway Co.,
Nos. 80 to 82,
225.00
Trustees of Back River Bridge,
127.50
Interest on Deposit
1.04
$3,822.57
EXPENDITURES
Harry W. Pray, salary as bridge tender
$1,500.00
Harry W. Pray, paid assistant . 420.00
Harry W. Pray, paid for expressage.
8.64
Harry W. Pray, paid for supplies
13.70
Edward B. Pratt, legal services
27.00
Quincy Electric Light & Power Co., lighting
36.00
Weymouth Light & Power Co., lighting
34.21
New England Tel & Tel. Co., telephone service
48.88
Pettingill-Andrews Company, grid bank
66.60
Boston Bridge Works, repairs
1,170.16
Quincy Lumber Company
12.69
Jos. L. Whiton, salary as trustee
100.00
Joseph Kelley, salary as trustee
16:67
Bradford Hawes, salary as trustee
83.33
William L. Foster, salary as trustee and treasurer ...
125.00
Cash on hand December 31, 1919
159.69
$3,822.57
JOSEPH L. WHITON, BRADFORD HAWES, WM. L. FOSTER,
Trustees.
149
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
South Weymouth, Jan. 12, 1920.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth. Gentlemen :
During the past year our Town as well as nearly every other town in eastern Massachusetts suffered from an unusually heavy infestation of Gypsy Moths, which with the scarcity of ef- ficient help, leaves the department with a hard fight on its hands to keep the pests under control the coming season. The arsenate of lead which we used last summer was one-half in paste form and one-half in powder form, the powder being fully as efficient and much more economical, as with my truck I could keep both big sprayers supplied with lead, thereby eliminating the need of two supply teams with drivers to transport and mix the heavy paste. The spraying machines will need quite extensive repairs before the next spraying opens, and some new hose will be needed.
Respectfully submitted, C. L. MERRITT, Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
South Weymouth, Jan. 12, 1920.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth. Gentlemen :
Herein please find my report for the year 1919.
During the year we have sprayed practically all of the Town Shade Trees, cut out much dead wood and many low-hanging branches and removed 11 dead or objectionable trees.
We have set out only 10 young Maple trees and much more of that work should be done, but not much can be done these times on a four hundred dollar appropriation.
Respectfully submitted, C. L. MERRITT, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit my report as Forest Warden for the year ending Dec. 31, 1919.
During the year 1919 there have been 48 grass and forest fires. There has been five hundred fire permits issued this year. Captains of Hose 1, 2, 3, 5 acted as forest wardens. The largest amount paid at any one fire was $12.50.
WALTER W. PRATT,
Forest Warden.
150
REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth. Gentlemen :-
I submit herewith my thirteenth annual report on the town survey work including a brief summary of other surveying or engineering work done during the past year.
Referring to the town survey which gave the assessors a system of sheets covering the entire town, the present yearly work is almost entirely revision, but in addition we are con- stantly on the lookout to obtain from'any source information tending to eliminate the few unidentified parcels or find owners for same.
During the past year the size of the appropriation (suf- ficient under normal conditions) coupled with the very material increase in supplies, fares, etc., made it necessary to confine our efforts almost exclusively to the revision to April 1, 1919, in order to be able to supply the assessors with the sheets necessary for their work; a complete set (65 sheets) having been fur- nished them.
The revision each year consists of an examination of every transfer during said year establishing the parcels conveyed on the plan and making all the necessary changes due to such trans- fer. Many times a survey of the parcel is necessary in order to thus establish it. In addition all the new buildings are plotted and shown on the plan, also any changes of importance to old buildings noted.
In my report for 1918' I gave a list of the approximate number of transfers over a period of eleven years, showing a minimum of 365 in 1908, and a maximum of 600 during several of the years subsequent to 1919.
In 1919 the transfers numbered about 770 (excluding tax sales) which shows an increase of over 25 per cent above the maximum (and over 100 per cent. above the minimum.) This same increase is true to a greater or less degree in other towns. There have also been several plans registered in the land court the past year. Increased transfers, etc., all add to the cost of revision, and I should recommend the sum of $1500 for the work the coming year.
During the past year I have sold for the town 37 prints of the town survey sheets, and one index map; also three of the lithograph maps of the town. There have, I believe, been other maps sold at the town offices. It has been the policy of the town to sell them at cost, and the price for the sheets during the past years has been $1.00 each. The price at the printer's has been raised several times, and at present prices the amount charged by the town in the future should be not less than $1.50 per sheet.
There have been instances the past year as heretofore where in the absence of bench levels throughout the town it has been necessary to refer the work in each case to an arbitrary datum. This is not the best practice, and I should strongly recommend, as I have in the past, at least a small sum spent each year to establish such a system.
The matter of properly marking by permanent bounds such
151
new streets as are accepted by the town, I would bring to the attention of your Board, and also recommend that this policy be gradually extended to include various other streets throughout the town. A few such bounds have been set the past year. There has not been as much miscellaneous work done the past year as was the case previous to the war, but I would note various items which are practically duplicated each year, such as :- the street line furnished an abuttor (upon application by him to your Board) so that he might build a wall or fence without encroachment on the town, or for other reasons; the investiga- tion of all town street or boundary lines, in cases where the town receives a notice from the land court, in order to protect the town's interest; the setting of bounds to mark street lines as existing or established; survey and plan of street for the purpose of a hearing on same; the establishment of street num- bers in certain sections not covered originally, and plan of same; various grades for street construction, grades for gutter, study and plan for proposed drainage on Broad Street, near Jackson Square; plan for court purposes of Shaw Street drain. A profile of Washington Street from Washington Square to Lin- coln Square, and of Broad street from Lincoln Square to Essex Street was taken and grades established for the car tracks, and grades given for the curbstone along Washington Street. There have also been surveys and plans made of parcels bought or sold by the town during the past year.
As in past years I am indebted to your Board and to other officials of the town for their continued confidence and courtesy, also to many others for aid in various ways to or my assistants.
To all these I wish in closing to express my thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING, Civil Engineer.
REPORT OF LIGHTING COMMITTEE
Weymouth, Dec. 31st, 1919.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Lighting Committee respectfully submits the following report:
At the Annual Town Meeting held in March, 1919, $15,000 was raised and appropriated for electric lighting.
We have installed twenty-eight 40 c. p. and one 80 c. p. lights this year and we are having a great many calls for new lights that we are unable to grant as the number of lights installed at the present time will cost $14,967.24 for 1920.
The committee recommend that $15,500 should be raised and appropriated for the coming year.
The rebates for the year were $25.
152
In this era of high prices it is refreshing to know that our rates for Electric Street Lighting are the lowest in the history of Weymouth.
Respectfully submitted,
SIDNEY G. DUNBAR,
WINSLOW M. TIRRELL, RUSSELL B. WORSTER, MATTHEW O. DOWD, WALTER W. PRATT,
Committee.
REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth:
As the same conditions existed in the town in regard to housing our poor an arrangement was made with the Overseers of the Poor of Braintree to care for our inmates, the rate to be seven dollars per week; this does not include clothing or bedding. We have had two deaths among our inmates during the year, one being in his hundred and first year.
The town property under the care of Parker Condrick has served well and we have purchased a supply of wood locally to carry us through the winter, same having been purchased from Mr. Frank Holmes of East Weymouth.
At the present time we have 12 inmates located at Brain- tree Town Farm and from all reports they are well cared for at this time under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Christian, who have taken charge recently, and from what information we can gather the previous superintendent did not give the inmates the attention they needed, so the change was made and all are satisfied.
The cost of the inmates, including clothing, etc., was $5,767.14.
We have supported in city and state hospitals for periods of short and long duration nine patients, and have extended aid to towns' poor in homes in this and other towns and cities eighty- seven families at a cost of $13,977.12.
We have also aided, of those residing in this town but hav- ing no settlement here, twenty-one families, $4,074.97.
Town Physicians
The town Phyisicans appointed to attend the poor are: For Ward 1 and the Braintree Town Farm, Dr. William A. Drake; for Ward 2, Dr. John C. Fraser; for Ward 3, Dr. Rudolph Jacoby; for Ward 4, Dr. Karl H. Granger; for Ward 5, Dr. George E. Emerson.
BRADFORD HAWES, JOSEPH A. FERN, ALFRED W. HASTINGS, WILLIAM H. COWING, GEORGE L. NEWTON, Overseers of the Poor.
153
ASSESSORS' REPORT
December 31, 1919.
We have assessed upon the polls and estate of all persons and corporations liable to taxation the sum of $315,439.53 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 County of Norfolk and the Com- .monwealth of Massachusetts.
Commitment August 1, 1919 $ 4,592.00
October 4, 1919
308,091.96
"
December 20, 1919 2,755.57
$315,439.53
State tax $30,690.00
County tax
15,527.91
Metropolitan Park tax 7,654.61
Charles River Basin tax
1,155.34
State Highway tax
4,219.10
Street Railway tax
2,560.53
Army and Navy tax
1,841.40
Tuberculosis Hospital tax
23,556.56
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth tax
2,113.93
Sidewalk tax
20.14
Town tax (including overlay)
271,104.55
$360,444.07
Less amount to be returned by the State $12,978.59 Less amount to be returned from schools 11,097.50
Less amount to be returned Notes and Treas.
20,928.45
$45,004.54 $315,439.53
VALUATION OF THE TOWN
$13,613,084.00
Number of polls assessed,
4,167
Number of residents assessed on property,
3,431
All others,
71
Number of non-residents assessed on property,
1,431
All others,
23
Number of horses assessed,
309
Number of cows assessed,
503
Number of cattle assessed,
25
Number of swine assessed,
81
Number of fowl assessed,
4,920
·
154
Number of houses assessed,
Number of acres of land assessed,
4,124 9,240 1/4
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. DWYER, FRANK H. TORREY, CLAYTON B. MERCHANT, THERON L. TIRRELL, CHARLES H CLAPP, Assessors of Weymouth.
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth. I present to you my report of Taxes and Interest collected, and the same turned over to the Town Treasurer, from January 1st to December 31st, 1919.
1916 Poll, Personal and Real collected $2,404.43
Moth Tax collected 23.65
Street Oiling collected 42.99
Sidewalk Tax collected 247.09
Interest collected 280.12
Paid Treasurer
$2,998.28 2,998.28
1917 Poll, Personal and Real collected $31,780.56
Moth Tax collected 200.10
Street Oiling collected 457.82
Sidewalk Tax collected
221.16
Interest collected
2,805.81
Paid Treasurer
-$35,465.45 35,465.45
1918 Poll, Personal and Real collected .$77,128.83
Moth Tax collected 491,74
Street Oiling collected 1,283.66
Sidewalk Tax collected 16.00
Interest collected
2,456.07
Paid Treasurer
$81,376.30 81,376.30
1919 Poll, Personal and Real collected .. $225,563.71
Moth Tax collected 1,261.64
Interest collected ·
90.88
Paid Treasurer
$226,916.23 226,916.23
Respectfully submitted, WINSLOW M. TIRRELL, Tax Collector.
155
REPORT OF THE REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
January 1, 1920.
Gentlemen of the Board of Selectmen:
The Registrars of Voters respectfully submit the following report:
Number of voters at the close of registration Oct. 25, 1919, 3277.
By Precincts
Assessed Polls
Registered
Precinct 1
767
525
"
2
706
536
3
881
657
4
580
413
5
803
607
6
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.