USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1923 > Part 9
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During the year 25 Fish, Fruit and Vegetable Licenses were granted at $10.00 each. Junk Licenses granted 10 at $25.00 each.
Four convictions were made during the year. Peddling with- out licenses two paid fines of $5.00 and $10.00 each. One con- viction begging and a vagabond case was dismissed and placed on file. One conviction of short measure on wood paid a fine of $5.00 and costs.
My general work for the year is as follows:
Sealed
2148 articles
Non-Sealed 3
Condemned 21
Gasoline Pumps 70
432
Re-Weighings
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. BURGESS
Sealer.
104
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TOWN HISTORY
The publication of the Town History is practically completed and it is expected that by the time this report is out the books will be ready for delivery. The work of publication has been of in- creasing volume and it was necessary to extend the original time in order to have a complete account of the tercentenary exercises, but the work is now done and announcement will soon be made as to where the books can be bought.
The price of the set of four volumes will be $10.00 and orders may be sent to the Town Clerk.
HOWARD H. JOY, For the Committee.
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Beals Park
The grounds have been well cared for and the lawns mowed once a week all summer, the upper part of the park around the band stand raked up of the stones and was given a coat of tarvia oil which kept the dust down making it more pleasant and cleaner during the lawn parties and band concerts. The hedges were trimmed and considerable dirt which was taken from the pond graded off in the lower part of the park and seeded down, geran- iums were set out in the flower beds, also equipment cared for and a new slide purchased, hedge bushes were bought and will be set out next spring along the southerly side of the pond. Bailey Green.
The grass was cut regularly and the shubbery trimmed as in previous years.
Great Hill Park
In previous years the park commissions have had very little to report on this park; but we are glad to say that we have some- thing this year. Since the tercentenary celebration last June with the dedication of the tablet and the hoisting of the Stars and Stripes to the topmast of the flag staff at the top of Great Hill this beautiful park spot has come to be a very popular park to the towns-people and sight-seers of which commands such a beautful view.
Now as we all know that the best parade that ever marched through the streets of Weymouth was mobilized on and around this park that being the day when Great Hill Park was for the first time before the people of Weymouth and has continually been used as a public park since and with the good road leading up to the park has made it more accessible and pleasure to auto drivers, a road has also been started on the park grounds going up circling the tablet and flag-staff and joining the main road again, we hoped to have had this road completed this last year; but owing to the lack of funds would not permit it; but hope to see it finished in the early spring and have as good a road on the park grounds as Bradley Road.
105
We also hope to keep the Stars and Stripes flying from the flag-staff there this coming summer as we did this past summer, for it was a beautiful sight to see our flag still there as you went up Bradley road or from Wessagussett or from down on Wey- mouth Back River for the flag could be seen for miles around.
The park commissioners have another object in view this year and that is to purchase some land for park purposes adjoin- ing Great Hill Park on the northerly side to the water front now owned by Mr. Bradley which he will now sell, we do not want the beautiful view of which we have now obstructed by houses being built next to the park grounds, so look for the article in the war- ant and stand behind us.
Lovell's Corner Playground
The Lovell's Corner Playground has added to its equipment this year six swings with substantial frames and roller bearings which if taken care of will last for years. A giant stride of the same quality has been great exercise for the girls as well as the boys.
We have put a backstop on the baseball diamond fifty feet long and fifteen feet high of 21/2 inch pipe covered with heavy Page wire.
A heavy Page wire fence has been put up on the south side of the field. The entrance is marked by a steel sign with iron post, and road to entrance has been partially made.
The Lovell's Corner Improvement Association provided an instructor in play Wednesday afternoons during summer.
The Fourth of July celebration was held on the field with the usual success.
There never was a time when there was as much need of playgrounds, with the great amount of traffic the children must be kept of the streets.
Webb Park
Convenience Station had some work done on the inside.
A slide, teeter board and swing were purchased for the Park. The baseball diamond was loamed, the backstop repaired and the. general care of the grounds attended to.
The unsightly dump near the railroad track was partially covered with gravel as far as our appropriation would permit.
We think that three permanent electric lights should be placed on the park as a factor of safety.
We would recommend at least the same amount as was ap- propriated last year.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS W. REA CHARLES W. BURGESS JOSEPH KELLEY Park Commissioners.
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 the year ending Dec. 31, 1923.
10G
The Board organized in March electing George E. Emerson, Chairman; F. L. Doucett, Cerk; and John S. Williams, Agent.
Geo. B. Bayley was appointed inspector of milk and dairies, also of slaughtering and slaughter houses.
Frank Fay was granted a licence to dle-
J. E. Ludden was appointed inspector of plumbing and Geo. Marshall deputy inspector.
During the year the health of the community has been very good, there having been no severe epidemics except an epidemic of diphtheria in the early fall which was soon checked, and an epidemic of scarlet fever of a very mild type.
During the year 47 nuisances were investigated, most of which we were able to abate.
There were 319 cases of contagious disease reported during the year as follows:
Chicken pox
22
Dinhtheria
36
Influenza
3
Lobar pneumonia
9
Malaria
2
Measles
42
Mumps
16
Scarlet fever
149
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
10
Typhoid fever
1
Whooping cough
27
Septic sore throat
1
Trichinosis
1
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. EMERSON F. L. DOUCETT JOHN S. WILLIAMS
REPORT OF THE MILK AND DAIRY INSPECTOR
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report as Milk and Dairy Inspector for the year 1923.
Permits issued 136
Respectfully submitted GEO. B. BAYLEY, Inspector.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Licensed Slaughter Houses for the year 1923, as follows:
Hogs
206
Calves
143
Cattle
19
Condemned
7
Total
375
Respectfully submitted GEO. B. BAYLEY, Inspector.
107
REPORT OF INSPECTORS OF PLUMBING
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen :
We herewith submit our report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1923.
There has been issued from this office 326 permits together with 1 left over from 1922. Of this number 326 have passed in- spection and 1 remains incompleted for 1924.
There has been installed in new and old buildings the folow- ing fixtures: (220) bathtubs, (300) lavatories, (449) closets, (242) sinks, (143) .trays, (24) shower baths, (35) urinals,. (7) drinking fountains, (3) slop sinks, (5) floor drains, (1) soda: fountain, (1) pantry sink, (1) foot bath, (1) dentist chair, the value of which was $106,630.00.
The number of buildings in which plumbing was installed was as follows: (156) new 1 family houses, (6) new 2 family houses, (117) old 1 family houses, (28) old 2 family houses, (2) old barber shops, (8) new stores, (5) old stores, (3) new schools, (4) old schools, (1) Bank, (1) shoe factory, (1) Carbarn, (1) Hospital, (1) Hall, (1) Office Bldg., (1) Club House, and (1) Town Home.
Respectfully submitted,
J. E. LUDDEN Inspector of plumbing GEO. MARSHALL, Deputy Inspector
REPORT OF THE WEYMOUTH VISITING NURSE ASSO- CIATION FOR THE YEAR 1923.
To the citizens of Weymouth:
The Visiting Nurse Association begs to submit a report of the work accomplished during the past year.
The services of two registered nurses are still necessary, as the following figures which we feel are of interest, will show.
Total number of patients 703.
Obstetrical cases 85 Surgical cases 104 Medical cases 476 Ether cases 30
Total number of calls on patients 5111
Free calls 996
Sixty-three calls were made during the year on families re- ported to be in distress. Aid was given. after due investigation, in the form of clothing and food, which was made possible by the kindness of those who donated articles for this purpose.
The dental work recently undertaken is now firmly estab- lished as a part of the Association's activities, a report of which is given elsewhere in the town report by Miss Alice A. Conroy, the dental hygienist in charge of this service.
We take this opportunity to express our thanks and deep appreciation for the support and co-operation of the citizens of our town.
Respectfully submitted, K. D. PRATT, R. N. for The Weymouth Visiting Nurse Ass'n, Inc.
1 S
REPORT OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The Electric Light Committee respectfully submit the follow- ing report:
The sum of $17,300.00 was raised and appropriated at the Annual Town Meeting held on March 5, 1923, for electric street lighting
The present number of lights are as folows 910, 40 c .p .; 7, 60 c. p .; 9, 80 c. p .; 10, 100 c. p .; 22, 250 c. p .; Columbian Sq. 4, 100 c. p. and Jackson Sq. 6, 250 c. p.
With the present number of lights it will cost $17,261.64 for the ensuing year.
The committee recommends that at least 30 new 40 c. p. lights will be required for the immediate future, we also recom- mend that the lighting of Broad Street from Central Square to Commercial Square, should be increased in size of lamps from 60 c. p. to 100 c. p. we also see the need of additional light on Bridge St. from Quincy Bridge to Neck St .; this could be accom- plished by increasing the c. p. of lamps from 40 c. p. to 60 c. p. In view of these needed changes we feel that we would recommend that the sum of $17,800.00 be appropriated.
With regret we announce the death of Walter W. Pratt, who has been a faithful member of the committee for eighteen years.
Respectfully submitted, SIDNEY G. DUNBAR JOSEPH A. FERN JOSEPH KELLEY MATTHEW O'DOWD
Committee
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen :-
I submit herewith my seventeenth annual report on the town survey work, with a summary of other surveying or engineering work done in 1923.
The present town survey work, so-called, has been explained in considerable detail in previous reports covering the last five years, and each subsequent report must in consequence be largely a repetition of what has already been written.
The main object of this work is the proper maintenance of the system of assessors sheets, now in use, covering the entire town. These sheets show the location, area, taxable buildings and owners of all lands, in so far as it is possible to obtain same from the records, from surveys, or from any other available source of information; they are revised to April first of each year and a new and complete set of prints then taken and furnished the Assessors.
Although the new buildings are not located until April first, and the final owners of many parcels cannot be determined until that date, it is the intention, if possible, to have the revised prints to April 1, 1924, ready for the Assessors' use about July 1, 1924.
Owing to increases in costs of materials, transportation and labor, the appropriation of $1,500.00 the last few years has not
109
been quite sufficient to do the work in the time desired, and I would recommend an appropriation of $1,650.00 for the year 1924.
The past year, as in 1922, the transfers were entered in red on the sheets at the Assessors' office for their use pending the re- ceipt of the new (revised) prints.
It is hoped that this year, as stated above, to furnish the final revised prints showing the new buildings, as welll as the transfers, for the early use of the assessors.
There were about 950 deeds recorded during 1923, or ap- proximately 100 in excess of any former year and about 150 more than during each of the two preceding years. In many cases a deed or transfer conveys more than one parcel of land.
The expense of the town survey work was increased by this larger number of transfers to consider, survey in part in some in- stances, plot, and enter on the sheets; and as this condition of increased transfers existed in other towns causing a delay at the registry in having deeds and plans sent to be recorded typewritten and copied for binding in the record books, the tendency was to increase the expense of the work done there.
There were about 200 new houses located and entered on the sheets the past year; and probably about one half that number additional, garages and smaller buildings, all taxable property.
Each year some progress is made in eliminating obscure or missing boundary lines, or unknown owners, this result sometimes being accomplished from information obtained in makng private surveys and sometimes from help afforded by interested citizens.
In some cases deeds many years old are finally recorded on account of a recent sale of land and the correct owner thus re- vealed.
Various prints of the town survey sheets have been sold by me for the town during the past year netting a small profit to the town.
No appropriation for setting street bounds was made last year. I understand that your Board is to insert an article in the coming warrant asking for an appropriation of $300.00 for this work. I think this is necessary and important as the new streets at least ought to be marked by permanent bounds at the time they are accepted.
A system of bench levels throughout the town is desirable and should receive attention when the town feels able to give it consideration.
One of the most important and immediate needs that has come to my attention the past year is the preparation of a set of street numbering plans. There have been endless calls for the proper number of houses, both new and old, in all parts of the town. These have come in the form of letters, telephone calls and otherwise, from owners, insurance agents, and others inter- ested. Quite a few of these were given, but the work and ex- pense of assigning an individual number in some cases was pro- hibitive.
As routine work common in all towns, the following summary covers in a general way the major part of that done during 1923.
Surveys and plans for hearings on petitions for new streets; layout plans and descriptions of streets recommended to the town for acceptance; taking profiles, establishing grades, staking line
110
and giving grades for permanent sidewalk and curb construction ; staking street lines adjacent abuttors when so instructed by your Board; survey of easement for a town drain; testing buildings on River Street to determine encroachment into street; giving grades for gutter; lowering street bound on Pond Street so that location of street line should not be lost in the grading of abutting land; establishing line and grade and marking same by stakes for the continuation of Bradley Road as a park drive to the summit of Great Hill Park; examination of the site of various alleged acci- dents; examination of street line as shown on various plans filed at the land court for registration, with a report to your Board or to the town counsel in the last two mentioned matters.
There has been considerable permanent sidewalk construc- tion (granolithic or tar concrete) and curb work throughout the town during 1923, and in addition to giving lines and grades for same, as noted above, measurements of the finished work were taken, and schedules showing the amount adjacent each abuttor furnished the Supt. of Streets, and also the Assessors, for their use in the apportionment of cost between the town and the abuttor.
As heretofore in closing I wish to extend my thanks to your Board, to other town officials, and to the citizens of Weymouth for assistance rendered and for courtesy shown to me and to my assistants in our work for and throughout the town.
Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL H. WHITING
Civil Engineer.
REPORT OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
To the Honorabe Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen :
The Registrars of Voters respectfully submit the following report :
The total number of registered voters at the close of regis- tration February 24, 1923.
Registered Voters
By Precincts
Assessed Polls
Male
Female
Total
1
942
635
367
1002
2
663
520
316
836
3
865
690
481
1171
4
320
243
162
405
5
817
611
484
1095
6
809
581
381
962
6
809
581
381
962
7
291
211
123
334
4707
3491
2314
5085
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICK E. CORRIDAN
MARSHALL P. SPRAGUE
EDWARD P. MURPHY
CLAYTON B. MERCHANT
Registrars of Voters
1
111
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARMS
To the Board of Engineers : Gentlemen :
The following report of your Fire Alarm for the past year is the number of Bell Alarms.
Ward 1 has had 16
Ward 2 has had 19
Ward 3 has had 12
Ward 5 has had 11
8 False Alarms
2 No School signals
4 Lost Child calls.
There have been four new boxes installed in the past year. The town is in need of new wires and cross arms as the wire is in bad condition. It is all rusted out in some parts of the town. New wires have been installed in parts of the town. It is neces- sary to have 12 miles of new wire and cross arms for the same. I recommend a motor generator set to be installed in battery sta- tion.
Yours respectfully.
C. F .. COOLIDGE, Supt. Fire Alarms.
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen : Gentlemen:
The Fire Engineers respectfully submit the following report of the Fire Department for the year 1923.
The department organized May 1, 1923, as follows: James A. Carley, Chief; Harold A. Hawes, Clerk; Herman O. Collyer, Hen- ry W. Phillips and Thomas H. Melville. E ghty-six call men comprise the working force.
On November 21st, James A. Carley, Chief, resigned and Bertie T. Loud was appointed engineer, which made a vacancy as chief of the department, and Herman O. Collyer was elected Chief. Fire Stations and Apparatus
The fire stations have all been newly painted on the outside and we recommend a little attention inside.
The fire trucks are in good running order with the exception of a few minor repairs needed. We recommend varnishing Com- bination 3 and painting Combination 5.
The total number of calls for fires during the year 1923 was 215 and were divided as follows:
Combination No. 1. Bell Alarms 16 Telephone Calls 46
Combination No. 2. Bell Alarms 19 Telephone Calls 45
Combination No. 3. Bell Alarms 12 Telephone Calls 17
Combination No. 5. Bell Alarms 11 Telephone Calls 50
In concluding our report we wish to thank the Officers, Chauf- feurs and men of the different departments. also the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the people at large for their co-operation with the Fire Department.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN O. COLLYER, Chief, HAROLD A. HAWES. Clerk, HENRY W. PHILLIPS. THOMAS H. MELVILLE, BERTIE T. LOUD. Fire Engineers for the Town of Weymouth.
112
ASSESSORS' REPORT
Weymouth, Mass., January 2, 1924
We have assessed upon the polls and estates of all per- sons and corporations liable to taxation, the sum of $526,043.69 and have committed same to A. Wesley Sampson, Esq., the duly elected Collector of Taxes, with our warrants in due form of law for the collection and payments in accordance with the votes of the town and warrants of the County of Norfolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Committment August 23, 1923 66
November 19, 1923
$ 23,405.00 502,251.83
December 19, 1923
386.86 $526,043.69
State Tax
$33,720.00
County Tax
25,809.89
Metropolitan Park Tax 11,311.37
Charles River Basin Tax
1,722.54
State Highway Tax
4,157.59
Civilian War Tax 14,043.00
Corporation Refund-Tax 331.65
Authorized at a special
town meeting Feb.
12, 1923, Construction
and equipment of High School Building 50,000.00
Authorized at the annual town meeting March 5, 1923
Reserve Fund 14,000.00
Repairs and maintenance
Norfolk Co. T. B. Hosp.
7,195.07
Unpaid bil.s
740.03
Publishing Town History 8,500.00
Town Survey 1,500.00
Interest and Discount 16,328.45
Printing and Advertising 4,000.00
Preservation of Shade Trees
850.00
Suppression of Moths
5,000.00
State and Military Aid
3,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
5,000.00
Support of Schools
188,000.00
James Humphrey School
House Sinking Fund
300.00
Parks and Playgrounds
1,100.00
Fire Department
21,200.00
Fire alarm box, Commercial St. 350.00
Police Department 25,073.19
General Salaries 18,550.00
Election Expenses 1,300.00
Office Expenses 2,075.00
Tuft's Library 10,140.00
Reading Room, Fogg Library 750.00
Support of the Poor
24,450.00
Street Lighting 17,300.00
Health Department 4,080.00
District or other Nurses
1,000.00
1
113
Support of Dental Clinic 1,000.00
Highways
65,025.00
Permanent Sidewalks
2,500.00
Regrading Shawmut St.
800.00
Chard St.
1,000.00
Columbian St.
1,000.00
Signs for certain Squares
300.00
Easement-Granite St.
100.00
Bradley Road
1,000.00
Drain-Broad St.
400.00
Summer St.
500.00
Sidewalk-Main St.
1,000.00
Memorial Day
400.00
Alewive Fishery
400.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
3,365.00
Authorized at a special town meeting
May 31, 1923, Celebration of Tercentenary 4,000.00
Maturing Debt in 1923
May 1, 1923, 1921 Macad-
am Pavement Note
4,000.00
July 1, 1923, Nevin School- house Note
2,000.00
July 1, 1923, 1919 Macad- am Note
4,000.00
July 1, 1923, 1920 Macad- am Pavement Note
4,000.00
Aug. 1, 1923, Macadam Pavement Note
4,000.00
Oct. 1, 1923, Hunt School- house Notes
4,000.00
Nov. 1, 1923, Pratt School- house Note
1,000.00
Dec. 1, 1923, Norfolk Co.
T. B. Hospt. Bonds
2,000.00
Moths
1,485.20
Sidewalk Tax
23.07
Overlaying
4,951.41 $637,127.46
Less Estimated Receipts
Income Tax, Sec. 1, Chap. 70 General Laws $17,797.87
School Funds, Chap. 58, G. L. 18,008.03
Corporation Tax 27,453.96
Corporation Tax, prev. years 2,294.36
Street Railway Tax 540.80
National Bank Tax
2,737.56
Income Tax, prev. yrs.
2,306.25
Civilian War Tax, refunds
1,611.00
Soldiers' Exemptions
610.39
Licenses and Permits 1,000.00
Fines and Forfeits 1,226.93
Grants and Gifts
Industrial Schools
826.16
114
Evening Schools
1,038.50
Division of Sanatoria
639.29
Tuition
757.09
Continuation Schools
1,169.45
Dog Licenses
1,328.11
Moth Extermination
650.00
Tar Sidewalks
1,462.37
General Government
3.50
Fire Department
49.15
Inspection
175.25
Forestry
38.75
Highways
2,000.00
Union St. Co. Appropriation
7,500.00
Charities
5,700.00
Soldiers' Benefit
3,494.00
Schools
500.00
Unclassified
2,000.00
Public Service Enterprises
165.00
Interest
6,000.00 $111,083.77 $526,043.69
Valuation of the Town $16,426,441.00
Tax Rate-$30.50
Number of polls assessed (not including exemptions)
4704
Number of polls assessed (Exempted by law or otherwise)
93
Number of residents assessed on property
4407
All others
95
Number of Non-Residents assessed on property
1649
'All others
129
Number of horses assessed
220
Number of cows
495
Number of swine assessed
4
Number of other cattle assessed
21
Number of fowl assessed
6680
Number of houses assessed
4489
Number of acres of land assessed
9203
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. DWYER,
CLAYTON B. MERCHANT,
FRANK H. TORREY,
CHARLES H. CLAPP,
RICHARD HALLORAN.
Assessors of Weymouth.
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Inspector of Animals from
Jan. 1, 1923, to Dec. 31, 1923. Barns inspected
175
Cows inspected
613
Young Cattle inspected
65
Number of sheep assessed
115
Bulls inspected
Sheep inspected Goats inspected Swine inspected
14 36 6
52
I have found several barns in an unsanitary condition which I have reported. I condemned one cow and quarantined one. Respectfully. JAMES T. NETTLES, Inspector.
REPORT OF TUFTS FUNDS
The funds were bequeathed by Quincy Tufts and are by provision of the will of Mr. Tufts deposited in the Massachu- setts Hospital Life Insurance Company, the income to be de- voted to the purposes named below.
FOR FREE PUBLIC LECTURES
Deposited with the Mass. Hospital Life Insurance Co. $5,000.00
Receipts for 1923 :
Jan. 1 Bal .. Weymouth Savings Bank $1,935.42
Jan. 31, Income from fund 250.00
Dec. 19, Interest on deposit 98.04
2,283.46
Bal. Dec. 31, 1923, Deposited in Weymouth Sav-
ings Bank, Book No. 2637 2,283.46
Maintenance of Reading Room
Deposited with the Mass. Hospital Life Ins. Co. 2,500.00
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