USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1924 > Part 12
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Town Accountant.
Hingham, December 31, 1924.
i
34.56
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ASSESSORS' REPORT
Weymouth, Mass., January 2, 1925.
We have assessed upon the polls and estates of all personss liable to taxation, the sum of $543,708.09 and have committedi same to A. Wesley Sampson, Esq., the duly elected Collector- of Taxes, with our Warrants in due form of law for the collections: and payments in accordance with the votes of the town and war- rants of the County of Norfolk and the Commonwealth of Massar chusetts.
Committment July 17, 1924
$9,878.00
Committment July 31, 1924
36.00
Committment September 3, 1924
102.00
Committment October 29, 1924
533,240.58
Committment December 19, 1924
451.51
$543,708.09)
Divided as follows:
Real Estate
450,307.40
Personal Estate
78,814.42
Polls
10,068.00
Sidewalk Betterments
2,991.07
Moth Tax
1,527.20
$543,708.09+
State Assessments
State Tax, Chap. 493, Acts of 1924
$28,100.00
Charles River Basin Tax, Chap. 92, G. L.
1,684.78
Metropolitan Parks Tax, Chap. 92, G. L.
11,555.93
State Highway Tax for 1924, Chap. 81, G. L.
3,870.14
Metropolitan Planning Tax, Chap. 399, Acts 1923
157 77
Corporation Tax Refund
177.10
County Assessment
County Tax, Chap. 348, Acts 1924
27,148.877
Expenditures authorized by the Town of Weymouth to be provided for in the tax levy of 1924. Annual town meeting March 3, 1924:
Reserve Fund
$10,000.00
Repairs and Maint. County T. B. Hosp.
5,886.87
Unpaid bills
5,827.84
Town Survey
1,650.00
Bound Stones
300.00
Interest and Discount
21,400.00 - .
1 7
Printing and Advertising
4,455.00
Preservation of Shade Trees
800.00
Suppression of Moth
5,160.00
:
State, Military Aid and Burials
2,500.00
Soldiers' Relief
3,500.00
Support of Schools
207,460.00
Athletic Field Committee
200.00
Parks and Playgrounds
1,600.00
Bradley Road
800.00
Fire Department
24,875.00
$45,545.52
1
1
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XPolice Department
22,412.00
"Town Officers
19,650.00
Election Expenses
2,550.00
«Office Expenses
2,150.00
Tufts Library
10,167.75
Fogg Library, Reading Room
1,000.00
East Weymouth Branch, Tufts Library
1,500.00
.Support of the Poor
27,720.00
-Street Lighting
17,800.00
Health Department
4,500.00
Nurses
1,000.00
.Dental Clinic
1,000.00
Highway Repairs
68,065.00
Permanent Sidewalks
3,000.00
Broad Street Macadam
9,800.00
Broad Street Macadam
4,000.00
Derby Street
500.00
Iron Hill Street
400.00
Shawmut Street
1,000.00
Street Signs and Guide Boards
1,000.00
. Sidewalk Reimbursements May Terrace
500.00
. Shaw Road
300.00
Memorial Day
500.00
.Alewive Fishery
400.00
Miscellaneous Expenses
6,200.00
:Fire and Liability Insurance
8,000.00
· Construction of Monatiquot Bridge
5,000.00
. Johnson Road
1,000.00
Maturing Debt
: May 1, 1924, 1921 Macadam Pavement Note
$4,000.00
. July 1, 1924, Nevin School House Bonds 2,000.00
. July 1, 1924, 1919 Macadam Pavement Notes
4,000.00
. July 1, 1924, 1920 Macadam Pavement Notes 4,000.00
. July 1, 1924, High School Addition
Bonds
13,000.00
. July 1, 1924, New Town Home Bonds
2,000.00
. August 1, 1924, 1922 Macadam Pavement Notes 4,000.00
· October 1, 1924, New Hunt Schoolhouse Notes 4,000.00
: November 1, 1924, James Humphrey Schoolhouse Notes 5,000.00
] December 1, 1924, Norfolk County T. B. Hosp. Bonds 2,000.00
$44,000.00
ILess James Humphrey Schoolhouse Note (Paid from the Sinking Fund) 5,000.00
IBalance-to be provided for in the Tax Levy $39,000.00
39,000.00
$630,646.85
518,952.46
1,423.00
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1924 Account-Estimated Receipts
Income Tax, Sec. 19, Chap. 58, G. L.
$37,829.06
Corporation Tax
30,000.00
Income Tax, prior years
2,462.18
Street Railway Tax, Chap. 63, G. L.
1,500.00
National Bank Tax
200.00
Civilian War Poll Tax-refund
1,314.00
State Boxing Commission-refund
13.33
Licenses and Permits
1,200.00
Fines and Forfeits
599.52
Grants and Gifts:
Industrial Schools
705.08
Continuation Schools
1,282.71
Practical Arts Schools
1,177.96
Tuition, State
750.00
Division of Sanatoria
415.00
Dog Licenses
1,385.77
Moth Extermination
700.00
General Government
24.60
Police Department
35.00
Fire Department
50.70
Inspection
170.82
Forestry
51.69
Health
3.00
Highways
3,000.00
Fui
Charities
5,500.00
Soldiers' Benefits
6.00
Schools
84.57
Unclassified
2,000.00
Public Service Enterprises
330.00
Interest
8,500.00
$103,546.65
Summary
Town Levy
$518,952.46
State Liabilities
45,545.52
County Liabiilties
27,148.87
Maturing Debt
39,000.00
$630,646.855
Amounts Deducted
Estimated Receipts
$103,546.63
Poll Tax Warrant, July 17, 1924
9,878.00
Poll Tax Warrant, July 31, 1924
36.00
Poll Tax Warrant, Sept. 4, 1924
102.00
113,562.63:
Net Amount to be raised in Tax Levy, 1924
$517,084.222
Valuation of the Town
$21,164,580.00 Tax Rate, 1924-$25.00 Number of Polls assessed, July 17 Committment
493.93 £
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Number of Polls assessed, July 31 Committment 18
Number of Polls assessed, September 4 Committment 51
Number of Polls assessed, December 19 Commitment 26
5034
Number of Polls exempted by law or otherwise
84
Number of residents assessed on property
6855
Number of Horses assessed 195
Number of Sheep assessed 13
Number of Cows assessed
409
Number of other cattle assessed
20
Number of Swine assessed
2
Number of Fowl assessed
6139
Number of Houses assessed
4611
Number of acres of land assessed
9017
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. DWYER,
CLAYTON B. MERCHANT,
CHARLES W. BURGESS,
RICHARD HALLORAN,
D. FRANK DALY. Assessors of Weymouth.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
Weymouth, Mass., January 12, 1925.
"To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: «Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the services rendered by the police department of the town of Weymouth, for the year vending December 31, 1924. Causes of Arrests
‹Crimes against the person :
36-Assault and Battery
1-Assault on a police
1-Assault with a dangerous weapon
3-Assault with intent to rob
1-Rape
1-Railer and brawler
4-Threats
Total-47
(Crimes against property
3-Breaking and enterng
6-Larceny
1-Malicious injury to property
1-Trespass
Total-11
Crimes against public order
5-Bastardy
1-Default
5-Deserters
9-Disturbing the peace
238-Drunkenness
3-Failing to pay help
2-Fornication
1-Illegal possession of explosives
10-Neglect of family
4-Insane
2-Non-support
2-Perjury
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1-Runaway
1-Truancy
2-Vagrancy
105-Violation of Auto laws (31 of which are for operat- ing under the influence of intoxicating liquor)
1-Violation of illegitimate child act
2-Violation of liquors
13-Violation of probation
6-Violation of town by-laws
9-Violation of weights and measures
Total-422
Recapitulation
47-Crimes against the person
11-Crimes against property
422-Crimes against public order Total-480
147-Out of town arrests
627-Total arrests for the year Miscellaneous report
Property recovered $3944.00
Six raids for intoxicating liquors
242 complaints investigated
Number of buildings found open and secured 100
186 patrol wagon calls
28 ambulance calls
Property seized and turned over to Federal authorities $20,000
Fines imposed in the Lower Court $4926.00
Fines imposed in the Superior Court $1047.00.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Honorable Board for the assistance and co-operation they have given to the department, also to the members of the department for the faithful perform- ance of the many duties.
We take this opportunity to thank the Weymouth Light and Power Company for their generous presentation of a Lung- motor to the department.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR H. PRATT, Chief of Police.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES North Weymouth, Dec. 31, 1924.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: ·Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year of 1924 with a much larger amount of fees collected and turned over to the town accountant than any previous year due to a larger growth of stores and many more gasoline pumps.
I believe the wood dealers of this town have become more familiar with the wood laws especially sawed wood where the re- quirements are 128 cu. ft. to the cord or 64 cu. ft. to the half cord. It has been my intentions this last year to make it a point to see every wood dealer in town and tell them these requirements as to sawed wood and I believe they have complied with them as I have had no complaints from people dealing with town dealers; but I have had some complaints from people buying wood from out of town dealers the customer would call me up by telephone
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saying they were short; I would go there and explain the law to the dealer; his explanation would be: "Well I piled up a cord of 4 foot wood and then sawed it and delivered it. But he hasn't got 128 cu. ft. of sawed wood then as it packs closer. After ex- plaining it to them in all cases they have brought enough more wood to make up the shortage. I then called up the sealer of the town from which the dealer was from and told him to explain the law to him again.
During the year 35 Fish, Fruit and Vegetable licenses were granted at $10 each. Junk licenses granted to 8 at $25 each.
Four convictions were made during the year. Peddling with- out licenses 4; one paid fine of $8 and cost, two paid fine of $5 and cost, and one was placed on file.
My general work for the year is as follows:
Sealed 2870 articles Non-sealed 17 articles 34 articles
Condemned Gasoline Pumps Re-weighing
107 481
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. BURGESS, Sealer.
PARK COMMISSIONERS' REPORT To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Beals Park
Two new teeter boards were purchased this year to replace the old ones which were getting bad, some of the swings were renewed. A hedge was set out on the southerly side of the pond and also on the southerly side of the park along Sea street. Two of the large trees on the park were uprooted during a severe storm this last summer which we intend to replace by others this next year. I would also suggest a fair sized evergreen tree to be set out on the upper part of the park which could be used as a com- munity tree at Christmas time. The lawn and grounds were mowed and cared for during the summer, also flowers were set out in the flower bed on the lower part of the park.
Bailey Green
The grass was cut regularly and the shrubbery trimmed as in previous years.
Great Hill Park
Great Hill park is becoming more and more popular and in- teresting to the townspeople and sightseeers since the completion of the road on the park grounds by the Superintendent of Street this last summer, the fine road makes the park grounds more ac- cessible with pleasure and comfort. The park commissioners also had a cement curbing built on the summit of the park which en- circles a beautiful green, the tablet and fiag-staff. The stars and stripes were kept waving this last summer which can be seen for miles around.
There will be an article in the warrant this year to acquire more land for park purposes therefore make yourself interested and give this proposition your careful consideration; do not just think of today, be progressive and look ahead.
Webb Park
Webb Park has been continuously used for recreation, ath- letic and other events, and seems to be in greater demand from year to year. The work of covering the rough dumpage was
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pretty well completed. Much more filling from time to time could be done which would prove very beneficial to the Park.
We have been very much annoyed by the vandalism, and the destruction caused by that class and it seems that serious steps should be taken to punish the offenders.
We feel that the money spent has been to the advantage of the Park for the benefit of the people at large.
Lovells Corner Playground
The Lovells Corner Playground is an established necessity, in minds of the people of Lovells Corner. A benefit and pleas- ure to all who use it. Early in the year it was suggested that a band stand might be built, but as not enough money was appro- priated for any such purpose, it seemed and impossibility. But with the help of the Improvement Society, the Wa-ne-ta club, and people of the place, added to what we could take from the appro- priation, because of the willingness of some of the men to do the work gratis for which the money was appropriated. We have what we call one of the best band stand and parking place, in the town. The usual 4th of July celebration, with games and sports and band concerts, was held. About $85 was raised from sale of refreshments. This amount and the following amounts were donated for the band stand :
Fourth of July Celebration $85.00
Wa-Ne-Ta Club 32.00
Lovells Corner Improvement 25.00
$142.00
The Wantum Band gave several band concerts on Monday evenings, proving the parking space equal to any emergency. Ball games were held with very good attendance.
Immediately after the acceptance by the Town of several acres of grove land given by Bradford Hawes, the Commissioners voted to erect a tablet at the entrance of "Hawes Grove" to be a perpetual reminder of the gift. A concrete base was built and a dozen strong men moved large stone with flat surface on which was placed a bronze tablet inscribed: "Hawes Grove, presented to the people of Weymouth for recreation purposes by Bradford Hawes, 1924.
About one acre of this land has been cleared and will be ready for use in the spring.
The play ground equipment has been well taken care of and is in good condition.
The tablet was unveiled in September. Mr. Hawes and a large number of citizens were present. Mr. Fred Waite repre- sented the selectmen. Miss Jane Tirrell and Melba Sample un- veiled the tablet and presented Mr. Hawes with a bouquet of flowers.
A representative of the Park Commissioners made the fol- lowing appropriate remarks:
"Some one has said, 'The deeds of men live after them,' but it is also true that the deeds of some men live and are appreciated by the pople of the day in which the deed is done.
"And it is because of this, that we come here today to es- tablish a memorial, because of the deed of a man, whose life has been, and is, a gift to the nation, and also the town, and commu- nity in which he lives.
"And in the giving of this grove, for recreation purposes,
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it is only and expression, of his real self, in something tangible. "In the early sixties, the call came for men to give service, and he gave his best for his country. Later a call came for him to serve his town in time of peace. And for twenty-five years he gave the best there was in him to the administration of Town affairs, as Selectman, Assessor, and School Committee. Now as a retired citizen, interested in Town affairs as much as ever, he gives of the valuable information which he has acquired in the passing years to those who may seek his advice.
"One man high in State and Town affairs said of him: ‘I never knew Mr. Hawes to make a decision or expression of opinion that I did not feel that it was his best judgment, carefully thought out, and honestly expressed.'
"Another official, who was associated with him in office, said, 'I always felt that I was a better man for having associated with Mr. Hawes.' Mr. Hawes is a member of the local Improvement Association, always ready to give advice, and help carry out plans for the betterment of the community. Not only is Mr. Hawes interested in Civic affairs, but being a member of the Baptist church in Weymouth has been of service to the church of his creed.
"And living in a community where no church of his creed was located, he affiliated in service with the church in this com- munity. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for a great many years. Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for twenty-five years.
"We the people of Weymouth, have accepted this gift, in the same spirit in which it is given, and know that the name of Brad- ford Hawes will go down in the history of the community, not be- cause he was Selectman, Assessor or School Committeeman, but because of his spirit of service, he has shown in his life among us. "We are therefore glad to be here today with Mr. Hawes well and hearty, and to place this tablet here, to show him our appre- ciation and love for the 'grand old man' of service at Lovells Corner."
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS W. REA, CHARLES W. BURGESS, JOSEPH KELLEY, Park Commissioners.
Report of the Committee concerning Park Property on Weymouth Great Hill
The committee appointed by the town to consider the ques- tion of obtaining more land on Weymouth Great Hill for Park purposes report that while they think it would be to the advan- tage of the town to own the entire hill, yet, considering the cost, would hardly advocate such a plan, but we think that the time will come when our citizens will regret that the town did not adopt that plan when they made their first purchase.
Weymouth Great Hill is a unique spot on the New England coast and the view from its summit is unsurpassed. Its beauty was commented on by our distinguished guests at the time of the town's tercentenary, and everyone visiting the hill is enthusiastic in its praise. If any of our town meeting members have never been to the hill we ask them to go there before they express any opin -. ion. There is a good road and automobiles can easily go to the summit and in every direction may be seen views of entrancing
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beauty. The inland towns for miles around are spread before the vision; the blue hills of Milton, Merrymount and the Cus- tom House Tower, the gilded dome, Bunker Hill monument and all the elevated structures throughout Boston, the entire North Shore to the extremity of Cape Ann, the islands and forts in the harbor, the beach resorts from Hull to Nantasket and the ocean as far as the eye can reach, with its outgoing and incoming ships, make a never-ending and incomparable panorama without an equal.
The new Park land which is recommended by the commit- tee is situated on the north-west slope of the hill and extends from the present Park to the water front where there is a fine beach for boating and bathing purposes, and easily reaches from North street which runs along the westerly side of the new park, directly to the beach. The easterly and also the westerly sides of the new park are adjoining the land of the Bradley Realty Co., which company proposes to develop the natural facilities of the hill, thus adding greatly to the conditions about the Park. This is probably the only opportunity which the town will have to ob -. tain what it is so much in need of, viz. :- an exceptionally attract- ive Park with beach facilities combined, at a price based on the assessed valuation of the property.
The cost of that part of the hill which the committee recom- mends the town to purchase is $50,000.00, but Mr. Bradley is will- ing to accept payments of $5,000.00 per year, so the expense will not be burdensome to our tax-payers, and we feel that the adjoining land will become so valuable that the purchase money may be realized by the increase in valuation.
HOWARD H. JOY, FRANCIS W. REA, STANLEY T. TORREY,
Committee.
REPORT OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth:
The sum of $17,800 was raised and appropriated for Street Lighting at the Annual Town Meeting and the committee renewed the agreement of 1923 with the Weymouth Light and Power Co., said agreement to expire April 1st, 1925.
During the year the candle power of the lights on Broad street from Commercial Square to Central Square, and on Bridge street from Neck street to Fore River Bridge and at Middle and Washington streets, was raised. One new 250 C. P. light was placed at the Weymouth Depot and twenty-three 40 C. P. lights located in various parts of the town.
The rebates for lights out of service amount to $75.00 and there is an unexpended balance of $158.69.
The present number and price of lights are as follows: 892 40 C. P., @ $16.20 per year 28 60 C. P. @ $20.25 per year
13 80 C. P. @ $24.00 per year 25 100 C. P. @ $30.00 per year 24 250 C. P. @ $70.00 per year Columbian Square $120.00 per year
Jackson Square $225.00 per year.
Based on this count of lights and rate, which is the same as
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the agreement of 1917, it will require $18,100.92 for the year 1925.
The town is growing rapidly and is accepting new streets each year, causing an increasing demand for lights and it is our recommendation that $18,500 be raised and appropriated for the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted, MATTHEW O'DOWD, ALFRED S. TIRRELL, J. HERBERT LIBBEY, JOSEPH KELLEY, JOSEPH A. FERN, Committee.
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my eighteenth annual report on the town survey work, and a summary of other surveying or engineering . work done in 1924.
The scope and progress. of the work both, as regards the , completion of the original plans now covering the entire town and subsequent revision each year of the portion completed has been covered each year in previous reports.
The work of revision however has increased steadily and dur- ing the past few years very materially each year.
The number of transfers in Weymouth range from approxi- mately 365 in 1908 to about 950 in 1923 increasing to approxi- mately 1,000 in 1924, and the indications are that they will ex- ceed the latter number during 1925.
The number of new taxable buildings has also steadily' grown and there are at this writing many completed houses built' during 1924, which together with those now in process of con- struction will appear on the assessors sheets for 1925.
The revised sheet for 1924 were delivered to the assessors the last of July of that year; and it is intended that the sheets for 1925 shall be in their hands on or before that time the pres- ent year.
Having in mind the increase in building, the large number of transfers, etc., and the desire of the assessors to have the sheets at the earliest possible date, I would recommend that the sum of- $1650, (the amount of the appropriation last year) be appropri- ated for the work in 1925.
Before closing the subject of the town survey or assessors" sheets, I would urge every one to place on record any unrecorded. deed in which they are the grantee, and which covers land of which they are the present owners, so that the proper name may . appear on the assessors sheet the coming year.
I would also appreciate any help given me by the loan or in -- spection of any old unrecorded plan which may be in the posses- sion of some person who reads this report.
There have been a number of town survey prints sold dur- ing 1924 netting only a small profit to the town as they are sold by the town at practically cost.
An appropriation of $300 was made for use during 1924 in furnishing and setting stone bounds at important point on streets. A number have been set the past year, some to replace bounds
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which had been removed on account of grading or otherwise, and others at points not previously marked, and I would recommend a like appropriation for the coming year, so that some of the streets may be bounded, at least in part, from year to year.
I would again call attention to the desirability of establish- ing a system of bench levels throughout the town at such time as seems wise to the town to give this matter consideration.
A demand for the proper street number is constantly received from owners who complain of difficulty in receipt of mail, from insurance agents striving to definitely fix the location of the prop- erty covered, and from others for various other reasons. In some cases the numbers are worked out and assigned, but in other cases it would mean the establishing or revising of numbers for an en- tire street, and would involve considerable expense. A set of numbering plans once made would need no change, except the addition of new streets as they were built or laid out, and if kept on file at the town office a number could be immediately given to anyone who inquired, and who pointed out the location of the building in which he was interested. While writing this report I have received a telephone call asking for street numbers.
I would respectfullly call the attention of your Board to the value of such a set of plans.
Routine work in general during the past year was as follows:
Surveys, plans for hearings, record plans and descriptions of streets recommended to the town for acceptance; profiles of various streets for use in estimating cost of construction; survey and record plans of land at street corners to be deeded to the town by the owners; giving street lines when instructed by your Board; testing street lines as shown on plans of land filed for reg- istration in the Land Court; survey and plan of site of alleged ac- cident; staking, giving grades and measurement of curb work, measurement of permanent sidewalks, with schedule for assessors in each case; and survey, taking profile, staking and giving grades for drains.
Above are items common to all towns and cover the usual work done in Weymouth each year.
In conclusion I wish to extend to your Board, to other town officials and to the citizens of Weymouth my thanks for assist- ance rendered and courtesy shown me my assistants in the work for and throughout the town.
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