USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1926 > Part 13
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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Chorus-"Hallelujah" from "The Messiah," Handel, by choir and orchestra.
Presentation of persons who sang in the National Peace Ju- bilee of 1869, and other guests.
Singing, "America," by choir, orchestra and audience.
The program was planned to occupy an hour and a half, and it speaks well for the participants that not one of them exceeded the time allotted him and the program took exactly an hour and a half by the clock.
Monday, July 5th, opened with an Antique and Horrible procession, under the direction of Mr. Joseph A. Fern. It started from Jackson Square, East Weymouth, went through all sections
135
of the Town and ended at North Weymouth where refreshments were served to the paraders. The cash prizes for the most ori- ginal features were awarded by the Board of Selectmen, who acted as judges and were presented to the winnrs by His Worship, the Mayor of Weymouth. The next feature of the morning's celebra- tion was the reproduction of the Battle of Grape Island, which was fought in Weymouth between the men of the South Shore towns and a detachment of British troops on Sunday, May 21, 1775. There were over three hundred participants in costume in this battle. The three companies of the Continental Army which were sent by General Thomas to reinforce local militia were pre- sented by Battery D. 241st Coast Artillery and the Continental Guard of the Massachusetts Society, Sons of the American Revolu- tion. Batter D., which has a continuous history since the siege of Boston, had with it two cannon which were actually used in the Revolution, one of them having formed a part of the armament of one of George Washington's forts around Boston, and the other being a part of the artillery surrendered by Cornwallis at York- town. This cannon, during the Civil War was mounted by the Confederates in the defenses of Williamsburg, Virginia, was cap- tured by Company D, First Massachusetts Infantry, the predeces- sor of Battery D. 241st Coast Artillery, and sent by them to Bos- ton where it was used in the draft riots of 1863. The local com- panies of minutemen were impersonated by Weymouth Post, 179, American Legion, Lodge Guiseppe Verdi, Sons of Italy, residents of North Weymouth and the Wessagussett and Fort Point Yacht Clubs. The detachment of British was impersonated by the North Weymouth and Wessagussett Yacht Clubs. Mr. Stanley T. Tor- rey took the part of Colonel Solomon Lovell, who was the high- est ranking officer in Weymouth at the time of the battle, and members of the Board of Selectmen impersonated their predes- essors in office of 1775. Mr. Theron Tirrell took the part of Dr. Cotton Tufts, who was prominent on the day of the battle, and Lieutenant Stanley Heald and Mr. Joseph L. Jannell took the parts of mounted couriers. All of the prominent citizens of that day were also represented so far as possible by a lineal descen- dant in costume Muskets for the troops were furnished by the courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In spite of the magnitude of the preparations, everything was ready ahead of time and precisely at nine fifteen according to schedule, the bell of the Pilgrim Congregational Church began to toll, and from all over North Weymouth people in Colonial costume began to walk to church. On the arrival of Reverend William Smith, the pastor, represented by his successor in of- fice, Reverend Stanley Marple, the congregation entered the church; when suddenly the mounted couriers dashed up shouting that the British were coming up the bay. Immediately, the a- larm bell began to ring. The minutemen with their muskets ap- peared, rushing toward the church from all quarters of North Weymouth, the Selectmen wheled out the barrels of powder to issue ammunition from the Town's supply. .
Fortunately, we have a roster of the company which was on that date being recruited for the Continental Army, with the names of every man who had been enlisted up to that time, and the roll of this company was called in the street in front of the church. As soon as the minutemen assembled, they immediately
136
marched to the top of Great Hill, followed by the townspeople and the spectators generally. Here they were joined by three companies of minutemen representing those coming from neigh- boring towns and by the companies who had been dispatched by General Thomas from Roxbury. On the arrival at the top of Great Hill, the three British boats were seen crossing the harbor from near Raccoon Island, the Union Jack flying at the peak and the scarlet uniforms showing clearly in the sunlight against the white sails. The minutemen marched down to the shore and the differ- ferent companies took position along the beach, the artillery be- ing stationed at Fort Point. As soon as the British got within range, both sides opened fire with cannon and musketry, which was continued until the British reached Grape Island, when an attachment of about fifty minutemen put out in boats from Rose Cliff and rowed over to Grape Island, where the battle was con- tinued, the British retiring to their boats and the minutemen set- ting on fire the hay which the British had come to obtain. In spite of the distance, the spectacle was an inspiring one and a running fire was kept up between the boats and the shore until the British passed beyond Fort Point, when all hands returned to the vestry of the Pilgrim Church where luncheon was served to the participants. It is estimated that at least 10,000 people view- ed the battle from Great Hill and the neighboring shores. The battle of Grape Island was to the South Shore what the Lexington and Concord alarm was to the nothern counties, standing out as one of the high-lights in the history of Weymouth, the importance of which should be impressed upon the younger generation.
In the afternoon, "Mount Vernon," the estate of Mr. Allan C. Emery, was thrown open to our townspeople for a lawn party, at which there was music by Weymouth Post, American Legion Band, a demonstration by the Campfire Girls, who presented to Mayor A'Court an appropriate souvenir of their work, drills by Battery D, 241st Coast Artillery and the Continental Guard of the Sons of the American Revolution, and an address by His Excellen- cy, Governor Fuller. Tea was served during the afternoon by the same corps of ladies in Colonial costume who had officiated in that capacity on Sunday.
At five o'clock, all present gathered in front of the house and under the direction of Captain Hurney of Battery D the usual military retreat ceremony took place.
After supper in the banquet hall of the Masonic Temple, our guests repaired to the Weymouth High School, where a legal Town meeting had been called. The English visitors in their of- ficial robes were escorted to the platform and the moderator, Hon- orable George L. Barnes delivered to Mayor A'Court a histori- cal gavel belonging to'the Sons of the American Revolution made from a mahogany newal post of Fanuel Hall and invited His Wor- ship to preside over the Town Meeting, during action on the ar- ticle for naming the new North Weymouth School. The modera- tor, in a few well-chosen remarks, pointed out the significance of the occasion in that it was the first time in one hundred fifty years that any official of the British government or any of its sub-divisions had participated in any governmental function' in the United States. An address was made by His Worship, Mayor of Weymouth, and souvenirs, including an old mustard tankard, an elaborate banner with the arms of Weymouth, England, bor-
137
dered by the British and American flags, and a book bearing let- ters from each church in Weymouth, England, to the church of the corresponding denomination in our own Town were formally presented. This book is now in the custody of the Town Clerk, and copies of the letters have been sent to the several churches in the Town. The celebration closed with an elaborate display of fire- works on the South Weymouth Fair Grounds.
After the close of the official celebration, the English guests remained in Boston until Saturday, July 10th, during which time they were recipients of numerous courtesies from our own and neighboring towns, being received by His Excellency, the Gov- ernor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, His Excellency, the Mayor of Boston, and His Honor the Mayor of Quincy.
This celebration, like the tercentenary, was not only a mani- festation of good-will between our own Town and the mother Town in England, but showed what can be done by the united public spirit of our townspeople. The utmost co-operation took place in all departments of the celebration and the committee de- sire to record its gratitude to all who participated. In particular the Board of Selectmen by their efforts contributed much to the success of the entire celebration.
There was no disorder during any feature of the celebration, no arrests were made, and there were no accidents in any way connected with the official celebration, the only accident being to a citizen who was celebrating privately at his own home.
In closing their labors, the committee desire to make two recommendations. First, that the Town make each year a small appropriation for the celebration of Independence Day. A town pass without official recognition, and the likelihood of accidents is less if the celebration is conducted under official sanction and control, than each individual being left to his own devices. As a measure of safety, therefore, as well as patriotism, we believe that the Town should observe this anniversary in a small way each year.
Second, that the Town take measures at once to secure the entire summit of Weymouth Great Hill. Everyone who witnessed the Battle of Grape Island spoke of the unique possibilities pos- sessed by the Town in Weymouth Great Hill, and the desirability of having it kept open for the benefit of future generations. Many who were opposed to the Town taking it three years ago have ex- pressed themselves as now in favor of it, and an article is to be inserted in the Town Warrant providing for the Town taking over the Hill.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC GILBERT BAUER, Chairman
ARTHUR I. NEGUS. Secretary
PLOWING SNOW ON PINE STREET, FEBRUARY 1926.
139
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I herewith submit my eleventh annual report of the Street Department for the year ending December 31, 1926.
The total amount expended under the regular highway appro- priation was $132,116.11 and the amounts of the various items are shown in the summary of expenditures at the end of this re- port.
Street oiling, as in the past, was one of the largest items, as practically every accepted street was treated.
Cost of snow removal last year was the largest for several years, due to the two very heavy storms in early February. It was evident after the first storm began that it would be impossible to keep the streets opened with truck plows. Realizing the dan- ger and hardship that would arise if the streets were not kept open, a hurried consultation with the Selectmen was called, with the result that a five ton Mead-Morrison tractor was purchased and delivered that day. This machine was kept running contin- uously for three days and three nights with the result that Wey- mouth was one of the first towns around Boston to be plowed out. The following week another storm of nearly the same size came along, and had it not been for the tractor, conditions would have been serious, and the cost much greater. The work of this tractor was recognized by all as a great money saver, and at the March meeting an appropriation was made to purchase another of the same type, so that we now have two 5 ton tractors, 4 trucks with blade plows and a truck equipped with a blade plow that we hire from the American Agricultural Chemical Co. We also re- ceive considerable assistance from the Eastern Mass. St. Ry. Co. and some help from the White Bus Co. on the streets where their buses operate. The sidewalk plowing proposition is now becom- ing a problem due to lack of available horses in town and it is but a question of a short time before this work will have to be done by tractors. Total cost of snow removal was $23,059.05.
The crusher was operated at Keith's gravel pit and the cost of production materially lowered by the purchase of a Byers Bear Cat Crane. This machine can be used for loading material, trench work and grading. It has proven satisfactory in every way. Dur- ing the latter part of the season considerable trench work was done for the Water Department.
Summary of Crusher Account
Labor
$3548.08
Power
353.39
Supplies
65 94
Repairs
381.11
ยท Gravel
449.70
Total
$4798.22
Tons crushed 6125.7-cost per ton $.78.
Stone distributed as follows:
General
3120 tons
Pleasant
1320 tons
Sidewalks
73.5 tons
Private
245.4 tons
140
Pecksuot Rd.
70.4 tons
Pierce Rd.
26 tons
Fiske Ave.
152 tons
Pond St. drain
8 tons
Culvert
6.4 tons
Jackson Sq.
4 tons
Storage
1100 tons
Total
6125.7 tons
Special Appropriations
Under this heading, the largest appropriation was for per- manent construction on Pleasant St., the amount being $25,000. The work was of the same type of asphalt macadam as laid in 1925, and the work was extended from Linden Ave. to a point opposite the property of Mary F. Hanley. A portion of the street north of Wood Ave. was lowered about two feet for a dis- tance of about 250 feet improving the grade and drainage condi- tions. The catch basins were built near Wood Ave. and the out- let drain ralaid with a larger pipe. The widening of the turn taking land from the estate of Charles Greeley and Mary E. Han- ley, was made and the road way rough graded. This widening will greatly improve the alignment of the street, and eliminate a rather dangerous curve. Considerable ledge and rock had to be removed to make this widening, and extra work was necessary where the old railroad bed was, as the material was too poor to resurface without a gravel base; the result being that the resur- facing did not go quite as far as anticipated.
Permanent sidewalks :- $5000 was expended for this work, and money divided so that each part of the town received a pro- portionate share.
Randolph Street :- $1000 was appropriated to continue the work started in 1925. A large portion of the money was expend- ed in taking out boulders and reshaping the surface. Part of the road was graveled and treated with Tarvia.
Sea Street sidewalk :- $800 was appropriated for a gravel sidewalk on the east side of Sea Street from Bridge Street to Wessagussett Road, and the work done for $764.80.
Culvert at Pleasant and Water Streets :- $6000 was appro- priated to rebuild this culvert and to widen the brook below by rebuilding a retaining wall. The culvert was enlarged so that now it is about four times its original size and I believe that the difficulty experienced when a large volume of water was released from Whitman's Pond will be overcome. $5840.91 ws the cost of this work.
Pecksuot Road :- $2700 was appropriated to finish this street, and with an application of Tarvia next year, this street will be in a finished condition.
Kensington Road sidewalk :- A gravel sidewalk was con- structed on the north side of this street for $623.87.
Delorey Avenue :- $2000 was the estimate made for this street, but only $1000 appropriated so that it was impossible to complete this work. The street was sub-graded the entire length and graveled from Standish Road to Lochmere Road.
Fisk Avenue :- This street was another of the new streets accepted at the March meeting. The construction cost was $1500,
:. .
141
and was money well spent. Sidewalks were built on both sides and the road surface treated with Tarvia.
Pierce Road :- This was a new street accepted last year, and is situated in the development called the Pierce Estates at Wey- mouth Landing. $800 was appropriated for the work, and a sur- face treated gravel road constructed.
Narragansett Road :- $1797.32 was the cost of constructing this new road off Commercial Street near Idlewell. Considerable rock and ledge were encountered, and it will be necessary to sur- face treat the gravel with Tarvia next year.
May Terrace :- $800 was appropriated to finish this short street, and the work was done with the appropriation.
Pond Street Drain :- $800 was appropriated to construct a drain throuh the property of the Pond Plain Improvement Ass'n to carry off the surface water on Pond Street. Two catch basins were built, and 340 feet of 10 inch drain pipe laid, as well as regrading the gutter on Pond Street for quite a distance. The cost of the work was $732.61.
Signs :- $1000 was appropriated and spent for new street signs, and the same were placed where most needed.
f
Washington Sq. Widening :- $40,700 was the amount appro- priated for this work, of which $30,000 was raised by a bond is- sue. As the work of moving the buildings back was delayed un- til cold weather set in, it was impossible to do much in the line of construction. The Smelt Brook was covered with a concrete slab, and rough grading done in front of the new block.
This work will be completed as soon as the frost is out of the ground.
Recommendations
With the many new land developments going on in all parts of the Town, it is time that steps were taken to control to some extent these devlopments; specially in the matter of street lay-out. As matters stand at present, little attention is paid to existing lay-outs, and less attention to the matter of grades as there is no one in power to pass on these lay-outs of new streets. By accept- ing the Board of Survey Act, considerable could be done to great- ly improve these developments.
The matter of expenditures for street work is bound to in- crease, as every year new streets are added. The public demands better conditions; the automobile traffic is greater each year, and all streets must be kept clear of snow in the winter time.
With the large amount of equipment owned by the Depart- ment (valued about $50,000) it is necessary to make alterations at the Department building at East Weymouth to properly take care of it, also to replace the heating plant, which is entirely in- adequate. These changes will cost about $2500.
The Packard truck, loaned the Department by the State, was returned as the cost of maintenance did not warrant keeping it. This truck is about ten years old. The first Netco truck pur- chased in 1916, and used for the past two years for light work is beyond repair, and the one of the same make purchased in 1920 should be turned in this year, as it is too expensive to keep in re-
142
pair. I recommend the purchase of two 3 1-2 ton trucks to re- place these three.
Summary of Street Expenditures
Superintendent's salary
$3,300.00
General repairs
27,090.81
Maintenance of trucks
2,997.82
Crusher
4,798.22
Fences
754.89
Street Cleaning
7,218.26
Equipment and supplies
6,218.91
Exchange on Dodge car
700.00
Bridges
2,900.00
Gravel sidewalks
1,883.42
Maintenance of Dept. building
801.24
Drains and catch basins
3,676.85
Snow removal
23,905.39
Sundries
244.17
Street oiling
26,905.39.
Exchange on Roller
6,417.31
Bear Cat Crane
7,349.77
Tractor
5,800.00
Total
$132,116.11
Appropriation, March 3, 1926
121,700.00
From Tufts Fund
148.70
By transfer for crushed stone, etc.
7,223.52
Total
$129,072.12
Authorized excess expenditure
3,043.99
Total
$132,116.11
Special Appropriations
Appropriation
Expended
Permanent Macadam
$25,000.
$24,899.06
Permanent Sidewalks
5,000.
5,000.00
Pecksuot Road
2,700.
2,700.00
Randolph Street
1,000.
963.42
Sea Street Sidewalk
800.
764.80
Culvert (Pleasant and Water Streets)
6,000.
5,840.91
Kensington Road Sidewalk
800.
623.87
Jackson Sq. Plot
500.
Delorey Avenue
1,000.
999.26
Fisk Ave.
1,500.
1,500.00
Narragansett Avenue
1,800.
1,797.23
Washington Street Sidewalk
200.
137.00
Signs
1,000.
1,000.00
Washington Sq. Widening (Damages)
40,700.
6,452.49
May Terrace
800.
793.24
Pond Street Drain
800.
732.61
Pleasant Street Relocation
50.
Tractor
5,800.
5,800.00
Balance unexpended
$117,250.
$74,388.99
42,861.01
Pierce Road
800.
795.10
Bridge Street Widening (Damages)
21,000.
13,590.00
143
*Note: The above excess expenditure was authorized by the Selectmen due to the large amount of snow encounterd during De- cember.
In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation for the fine support and co-operation that the Board of Selectmen has given this department, and to the employees who, by their faithful work, made possible the results obtained.
Respectfully submitted, IRVING E. JOHNSON, Superintendent of Streets
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BUILDING LAWS
Article 100 in the Warrant at the last annual Town Meeting was as follows:
"To see if the Town will amend the by-laws of the town by adding the following by-laws:"
At the meeting it was voted: That the Moderator appoint a committee of three to consider each article in the proposed build- ing laws and report at some future town meeting such changes as they deem advisable.
This committee recommend the proposed changes:
Article 11.
Section 3. All structures hereafter to be erected of a des- cription not specified in this ordinance shall be constructed in a manner that shall be satisfactory to the Inspector.
Article 2.
Section 3. The inspector of buildings shall grant permits for the erection or alterations of buildings, and no structures or foundations shall be built or altered without such a permit, but no such permit shall be issued until the inspector has carefully examined the plans and specifications of the proposed building or alteration, and ascertained that the building has sufficient strength, and that the means of ingress and egress are sufficient.
Article 4.
Section 6. The said inspector shall examine all buildings re- ported dangerous, or damaged by accident or fire, and make a record of such examination, including the nature and estimated amount of such damage, with the location of the building, the name of the owner and lessee, and for what purpose occupied, and report the facts to the board of selectman.
Article 7.
Section 10. Every person intending to build or to alter any structure or foundation shall before commencing the same, file an application for a building permit with the inspector of build- ings, giving a description of the intended building or alterations. No permit issued by such inspector, whether for a new building or alterations, shall be in force for a longer time than one year.
144
(For public buildings, lodging houses, hotels, churches, mercan- tile buildings, etc., see chapters 382 and 481, Acts of 1894, chap- ters 139 and 326, Acts of 1899, and chapter 335, section 1, Acts of 1900.)
Article 8.
Section 11. In the construction of this by-law, if not con- .. sistent with the context, the following terms shall have the re- spective meanings assigned to them :--
"Alteration" shall mean an change or addition in any "Struc- ture."
"Cellar" or "basement" shall mean a lower story, of which one-half or more of the height, from the bottom of the story to the under side of the floor joists of the story next above, is be- low the mean grade of all the streets, or the mean grade of the natural ground adjoining the building: provided, that said grade of the ground is not below the grade of the street at the principal front.
A building is a structure which is more than eight feet in length or breadth or more than seven feet in height measuring to the extremities of all parts.
Fire Wall-A masonry division wall which extends through and at least two feet above the roof which all openings are pro- tected by fire doors, or any wall dividing spaces within a building into limited areas for fire protection.
Private Dwelling-A structure in which not more than one family dwells and no part of which is used for business purposes.
A Shaft, whether for air, light, elevator, dumb waiter or any other purpose, is an enclosed space within a building, extending to the roof, and covered either by a skylight or by the roof. A vent shaft is a shaft used solely to ventilate or light water closet compartments or bath rooms.
Article 13. Buildings other than Dwellings
Section 16. No building hereafter erected for mercantile or manufacturing purposes shall be built in a range of more than sixty feet, measuring along the line of the wall adjoining the street, without the intervention of a brick wall at least twelve inches thick for a building not over two stories high; the top of such wall at any point shall be eighteen inches above the roof, and covered with a metal, cement or stone capping. (For a a building over two stories high, see chapter 481 section 25, Acts of 1894.)
Article 15. Piling
Section 20. When the nature of the ground requires it, all buildings shall be supported on foundation piles not more than three feet apart on centres in the direction of the wall, and the number, diameter and bearing of such piles shall be sufficient to support the superstructure proposed. The inspector shall deter- mine the grade at which the piles shall be cut to insure constant immersion. There shall not be less than two rows onder all ex-
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.