USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1927 > Part 16
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 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
The recent system of street numbering, revised to meet in- creased building and other changes since the original work a. quarter of century ago, was completed early in the year and a complete set of mounted prints was bound in atlas form and filed at the office of the Selectmen.
The general routine work during 1927 covered the following :- surveys and plans for takings, notably Great Hill Park, Dunn School lot and the Jewell meadow; surveys and plans of street widenings and of corner roundings at street intersections; descrip -- tions of takings and street layouts; hearing plan; topographical surveys and plans of a portion of the Pratt school lot, of the Dunn (school) lot and a part of the High School lot, and of Garey street and adjacent land for the Legion Field committee, including estimate of the amount of material moved from last men- tioned site onto the Legion Field; staking the Dunn school lot; staking all street lines ordered by your Board; staking and grades for permanent construction on Pleasant Street; staking land on Neck Street, sold by the town: staking line and giving grades for permanent sidewalk construction, and later the measurement of same; staking alld giving grades for newly accepted streets; taking profiles and staking and giving grades for town drains; staking and grades for changes in Jackson Square; taking profile, estab- lishing grade, staking and giving grades for lowering Pearl Street at junction with Evans Street; staking and grades for curb- stone at junction of Bridge Street and intersecting streets and elsewhere; surveys, lines and grades due to the construction of Idlewell Bridge and its approaches; staking points and setting stone bounds; examination of street lines as shown on plans filed at the Land Court; computations and plan showing proposed wid- ening's at junction of Middle and Washington Streets; taking levels and staking and giving grades for drainage at North Weymouth Bluffs; accident plan; taking precise level, bench levels and pre-
157
files for the committee on sewers; and other usual and incidental work for various departments of the town.
To your Board, to all other town officials, and to many and all citizens of the town I hereby extend my thanks for any and all courtesy shown or assistance rendered to me or my assistants in any of our work throughout the town.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING, Civil Engineer.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TOWN BY-LAWS
Weymouth, January 1, 1928. To the Honorable the Board of Selectmen:
Since the last Annual Town Meeting, the Committee has pre- pared and reported certain changes which were adopted at a Special Town Meeting in October.
It is recommended that this Committee be continued in office and further by-laws will be submitted at some further date to complete the code.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK GILBERT BAUER, Chairman ARTHUR A. CICCHESE, Secretary WILLIAM F. HOLBROOK WINSLOW M. TIRRELL JOHN F. DWYER
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TOWN FORESTS
Weymouth, January 1, 1928 To the Honorable the Board of Selectmen:
In our last report, we submitted to the Town a report from the State Forester, who, after an examination of conditions in the Town, recommended that on account of its importance to the water supply, the land surrounding Great Pond be acquired and forested. The Town has already taken a substantial portion of this land and an article for the taking of the remainder is inserted in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. The Committee accord- ingly recommends that the remaining land within the water shed of Great Pond be acquired and forested and that a committee of five on Town Forest, consisting of the Superintendent of the Water Department and the Chairman of the Board of Water Commis- sioners or a member of the Board appointed by him ex-officio and three persons to be appointed by the moderator be created to han- dle the forestation of this area until such time as the Town By- Laws may make other provision in reference to the handling of the Town dorest.
FREDERIC GILBERT BAUER, NEWLAND H. HOLMES, PARKER T. PEARSON, ALBERT T. PILLSBURY, FRED O. STEVENS,
Committee.
158
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT ALEWIVE FISHERY
44 High Street, East Weymouth, Mass., January 1, 1928 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen, East Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit my third annual report as Superintendent of the Alewive Fisheries in the Town of Weymouth for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Work was started on March 23rd and continued until approx- imately one hundred thousand (100,000) alewives were deposited in Whitman's Pond for spawning.
The runs were tremendous this season and were well worth seeing.
Owing to the fact that the runs in other parts of the State were also heavily stocked, it was impossible to ship our herring to Boston as in previous years as we would not make enough money on them to pay for the trucking, so our pond was stocked ito a greater capacity this year.
The young fish came down to the salt water the latter part of the season in endless numbers, as did many of the older ones.
In closing my report, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to your, Honorable Board of Selectmen, to the Weymouth Light and Power Company, and to the Weymouth Wool Scouring Company, for the help and co-operation given me during the season.
Respectully submitted, FRANCIS H. MAGUIRE,
Superintendent of Alewive Fisheries.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
East Weymouth, January 1, 1928.
To the Chief of the Fire Department:
The following report of the present, state, and future needs of the Fire Alarm is hereby submitted.
The number of Bell Alarms for the past year was as follows: Ward 1 30.
Ward 2- -33.
Ward 3-
15.
Ward 5
22.
Out of Town Calls No School Signals -4.
-2.
I would like to say that the system is in more staple condition than in the past years. I have replaced most all of our lines by installing new wire from year to year. Last year twelve miles of old wire was replaced with new wire.
All of the circuits have too many boxes on them. I would like to add a new circuit in the South part of the Town as that circuit has 21 boxes and about 30 miles of wire. By making two circuits of this it will benefit the Department and Public.
A new Fire Alarm Station is needed badly for the following reasons :
(a) The danger of contracting lightning into a wooden build- ing.
159
(b) A new switchboard, repeater, and protector boards are needed as the space on these is limited to a number of circuits less. than our system will require.
(c) A new set of Batteries must be installed soon. This will require a new Battery Rack and more space.
Yours respectfully, C. F. COOLIDGE,
Superintendent of Fire Alarm, W. F. D.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
East Weymouth, January 11, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectnien:
The following is the report of the Chief of the Fire Depart- ment:
Once again I am privileged to report no serious fires during the year just passed.
This we believe is in large measure due to the fact that own- ers and tenants of property are showing splendid co-operation in the matter of fire prevention. I have yet to fina anyone that re- fuses a request to clean up premises that are a fire hazzard, and there are quite a few who have expressed their thanks for having their attention called to conditions on their property.
Last Spring we had an exceedingly dry spell and cals for grass fires came in almost faster than they could be attended to; however, there were only two instances where the fire assumed large proportions and those were not in places that could be called costly in damage to property.
·Buildings
The stations are in good condition.
Ward One needs new gutters and small repairs. Ward Two requires serious consideration. The floor in the apparatus room is in bad shape in spite of the fact that extra timbers have been put in to hold it up. I believe these conditions are due to the fact that there is nothing of substance to the land for foundation. It is high time to think of building a new station on better ground. This should be done in conjuction with a Fire Alarm Station as recommended by your committee at the last Annual Meeting.
Ward Three has been painted inside and is a credit to the permanent men in that station who did the work.
Ward Five has had another addition to house; the ianks for the whistle were installed this year. For this installation I wish to give credit to the Supt. of Fire Alarm and the permanent men of Ward Five.
All of the stations are kept neat and clean and are open for inspection to the citizens of the Town at all times.
APPARATUS. At this time all apparatus is in good condi- tion.
Combination 1 has had an overhauling in the Spring and later due to a broken crank shaft; the motor has been practically rebuilt.
Combination 2 has caused an unusual expense in upkeep due to several breaks.
160
Combination 3 has been thoroughly overhauled and is in very good shape.
Combination 5 has had to have trusses installed on account of broken chassis.
Both Ladder Trucks have given perfect satisfaction except minor mechanical troubles which have been adjusted by the man- ufacturers in a satisfactory manner.
The Forest Fire Truck has given all there is to give to the Department and in the budget I have asked for a sum sufficient to purchase a new one.
In closing let me urge the carrying out of the recommenda- tions of your committee in the purchase of a Triple Combination Truck to replace Combination 2 this year. (Combination 2 can be kept in reserve for emergency.)
The total number of runs made by the trucks follow:
Combination 1
89
Combination 2 111
Combination 3 89
Combination 5 109
Ladder 1
33
Ladder 2
80
Forest Fire Truck
72
Following is the list of inspections and permits granted dur- ing 1927.
Fireworks Permits
21
Oil Heater Permits
22
Garage Permits 18
Permits for Removal of Tanks 4
Inspection of New Tanks 6
Permit for Storage of Inflamables
I
Blasting Permits 5
Inspecting of Factories and other property in the interest of fire prevention 63
Report of buildings at risk (with contents) $219,425.00. Damages $49,454.25.
(These figures do not include small fire damage and damage caused by water in one factory or small fire at the Edison Power Plant.)
I wish once more to call your attention to the report of the Supt. of Fire Alarms. The need of more boxes is apparent to anyone, yet under the present condition of the system we cannot add any more load, in fact our four circuits are heavily overloaded now. These conditions must be considered soon and the Town should take some action this year to better them.
I earnestly request that some action be taken to provide a Fire Station with adequate room for our Fire Alarm.
In conclusion please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation for kind consideration of my Department at all times during the past year; also let me add a word of thanks to the various other Departments of the Town who have always shown a courteous dis- position to help the Fire Department in its work.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN Q. HUNT, Chief of Fire Department.
161
REPORT OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
Weymouth, December 31, 1927.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
This year, as in recent years, we have renewed our contract, with a few minor revisions, with the Weymouth Light & Power Company, to furnish street lighting for one year.
During the year we have installed new or raised the candle power of one hundred and twenty-seven lamps, making our total about twelve hundred, ranging from 40 c. p. which cost $17.95 per year to 1000 c. p. which cost $144.00 per year. Of the latter we now have twenty-five in Washington, Jackson and Bicknell Squares.
In some instances we have installed ornamental poles, but only where the merchants have helped defray the extra cost and we hope this practice will be continued.
$1.35 is the approximate per capita cost for street lighting
$1.35 is the approrimate per capita cost for street lighting and 2.76 pr cent. of our taxes are used for this purpose, our monthly bill now being about $2200.
Of our appropriation of $25,402.84 we have an unexpended balance of $1466.73, due mostly to the delay in installation of 1000 c. p. lamps.
We recommend the following budget for 1928:
Maintenance of Present Lights $26,554.97
100 New 40 c. p. Lights (6 months) 900.00
15 Special Boulevard Lights on Bridge St. (6 months) 500.00.
Increase of c. p. from 40 to 100 the Lights at 50 Street Intersections (8 months) 500.00
$28,454.97
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH A. FERN, Chairman
AFRED S. TIRRELL
JOSEPH KELLEY
WILLIAM B. NASH, JR.
J. HERBERT LIBBEY, Clerk
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
South Weymouth, Mass, Jan. 1, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth:
I submit my report for the year 1927 as Animal Inspector:
Number of places inspected 107
Number of Cows inspected
472
Number of Young Stock inspected
26
Number of Bulls inspected
7
Number of Swine inspected
127
Number of Sheep inspected
33
Number of Goats inspected
5
Respectfully submitted, DANIEL SULLIVAN, Inspector of Animals.
162
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth:
The State Legislature in 1927 changed the name of Overseers of the Poor to the Board of Public Welfare and the Town Home- to Town Infirmary.
The Board organized with Fred E. Waite, Chairman and Wins --- low M. Tirrell Clerk.
Miss Margaret Hyland was appointed Welfare Worker.
The calls for aid have exceeded anything that the Town has .. ever experienced, caused principally from lack of employment, .. and the prospects look like an added increase before the winter is- over.
We have aided 397 persons the last year, of this number 31 families with 122 children were aided with settlements in other- cities and towns, and 46 families with 147 children having a Wey- mouth settlement.
Town Infirmary
Since the death of the former Matron Mrs. Wheeler the Board> felt that a man and wife should manage the Infirmary, in view of this fact we gave Mr. Wheeler a two months notice and adver- tised and received 118 applications, we interviewed a great many: of them and finally decided on Mr. & Mrs. Clifton A. Berry who" was highly recommended and had previous experience, and after- two months trial the Board are well pleased with their choice.
FRED E. WAITE WINSLOW M. TIRRELL
H. FRANKLIN PERRY SDWIN R. SAMPSON WILLIAM B. CHALKE, Jr. Board of Public Welfare ..
WEYMOUTH INFIRMARY REPORT FOR YEAR 1927 (Formerly known as Town Home)
To the Honarable Board of Public Welfare:
I herewith submit my first report on the Weymouth Infirmary- located on Essex Street. Aside from the numerical record of the. year 1927, it will cover only the period since November first, at which time Mrs. Berry and myself were entrusted with the duties .. of matron and superintendent. The records show the following:
Number of residents January 1, 1927 15.
Number admitted during the year
Number discharged during the year 5.
Number of residents December 31, 1927 15
Of this number 13 are men and 2 women. With a few exceptions they are in fairly good physical condition and able to get about; a .. few are unable to leave their rooms. The morale is good and there is a willingness to co-operate with us in every way.
Since November first, the interior of the building has been thoroughly cleaned and al minor repairs made. A necessary on. the northeast entrance to the men's ward.
Probably the most noteworthy event of the past year was the Christmas party and tree held Christmas eve, and which was made-
163
possible by the kindly co-operation of the members of your honor- able Board, a Church group, a Fraternal organization, merchants, and several other thoughtful citizens who sent gifts of useful clothing, money and goodies. All of which were much appreciated by the men and women. With the regulation feast served Chris- tmas day, the holiday season was made as cheerful as possible. I wish to here publicly thank all those who co-operated with Mrs. Berry and myself in making this pleasant diversion possible for "the family at the Home.
In closing my report, wish to remind the citizens that each Wednesday is set aside as visiting day, and that friendly visitors are always welcome, in the afternoon. Also, that if there are any organizations or individuals who wish to render social service during the year, I would be glad to discuss with them some of the practical ways which would help the men and women mentally, such as magazines, radios, etc.
Ever since taking over the management of the Inlrmary, the most helpful co-operation has been received from the members of your honorable Board, and we shall endeavor to merit the con- fidence placed in Mrs. Berry and me, by endeavoring to perform "our duties in conformity with your wishes and to the best of our -ability.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD A. BERRY, Superintendent.
REPORT OF VISITOR FOR BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
On April 1st, 1927, I was appointed Visitor for the Overseers of the Poor for the purpose of visiting families who had either applied for aid, or were receiving it.
Since my appointment I have made 259 calls in the different part of the town; have had numerous telephone calls, and many calls at my home.
As far as possible, regular weekly visits have been upon fam- lies receiving aid, but owing to the present unemployment condi- tion existing in Wefmouth, and the many calls for aid, a consider- able portion of the time assigned for visiting has been devoted to getting the history of each applicant, which is necessary to determine their settlement, and the reason why aid is required.
Written report of eac visit has been made weekly by me to the Board of Public Welfare.
MARGARET A. HYLAND.
REPORT OF INSPECTORS OF PLUMBING
To the Honorable Board of Health of the Town of Weymouth, Gentlemen:
We herewith submit our report for year ending December 31, 1927.
There has been issued from this office 476 permits to installing plumbing together with 1 left over from 1926 of this number 471 have passed inspection and 6 remains left over for 1928.
164
There has been installed in old and new buildings following fixtures: (400) sinks, (319) laundry trays, (503) closets, (465) lava- tories, (403) bathtubs, (81 shower baths, (45) urinals, (8) drink- ing fountains, (1) dish washing machine, (1) dentist chair, (2) soda fountains, (1) potato peeler, making a total of 2155 fixtures,. the value of which was $168,000.00.
The number of old and new buildings in which plumbing was installed are as follows (297) new 1 family houses, (1) new 2 family house, (111) old 1 family houses (37) old 2 family houses,. (4) gas stations, (1) old gas station, (2) new schools, (3) old schools, (7) new stores, (9) old stores, (1) old factory, (2) old barber shops, (1) old offices, (2) old 4 family houses, (1) new rest. room, (1) old 3 family house, (1) new tailor shop, (1) old club house (1) new garage.
Respectfully submitted, J.E . LUDDEN, Inspector of Plumbing .. GEORGE MARSHALL, Deputy Inspector ..
REPORT OF SELECTMEN
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth:
At the annual Town election held March 14, 1927 the following- Selectmen were elected: H. Franklin Perry, Fred E. Waite, Wins- low M. Tirrell, William B. Chalke, Jr., Edwin R. Sampson.
The Board took the oath of office before Town Clerk Clayton B. Merchant on the morning of the 15th and organized with the choice of Fred E. Waite, Chairman and Winslow M. Tirrell Clerk .. Irving E. Johnson was appointed Supt. of Streets. Frederic G. Bauer was appointed Town Counsel.
Francis McGuire was appointed Supt. of Alewives. Daniel Sullivan Inspector of Animals.
Emerson R. Dizer was appointed Town Accountant.
Minor officers appointed:
Public Weighers
C. Lewis French, Michael F. Dwyer, Michael A. Lane, John Q. Manuel, J. D. Reardon, James B. French, Kenneth Holbrook, F. Cecil Manuel, Thomas F. McCue, Donald Clark, Wilfred H. Bart- lett, Edward Rayburn, James D. Bodsworth, Clara Mitchell, Loretta Cope, J. Leonard Bicknell, Jacob Harmes, Evelyn Grundstrum, Herbert K. Cushing, Charles T. Leavitt, Walace D. Cowing, Walter L. Bates, -Grace Stancombe, Susan R. Worthen, Patrick H. Shea, Earl F. Bates, Arthur W. Newcomb, Russell T. Bates, August Vir- ta, Charles C. Fortier, Helen Fortier, Joseph F. Sullivan, Harry Mullen.
Surveyors of Wood, Lumber & Bark
Edward I. Loud, Augustus Dennison, Edward Hinds, William. A. Holbrook, F. Cecil Manuel, John Q. Manuel, Walter L. Bates, Patrick H. Shea, Thomas H. Hannaford, Bowdoin B. Smith, Her- bert W. Raymond.
165
Fence Viewers
Arthur H. Pratt, Edward F. Butler.
Field Drivers
James P. Maguire, Charles A. Coyle, Elbert Ford.
Electric Light Committee
J. Herbert Libby, Joseph A. Fern, Joseph Kelley, Alfred S. Tirrell, William B. Nash, Jr.
March 28, a joint meeting of the Planning Board and Select- men was held and Allen C. Emery and Thomas J. Kelly were elected members of the Planning Board until the next annual town meeting.
Idlewell Bridge
At the annual Town meeting held in March 1927 the Town voted that the Selectmen acquire by gift or purchase or take by right of eminent domain the land referred to in the decree of the County Commissioners fo the rebuilding of Idlewell Bridge, and $17,000 was raised and appropriated.
Dan Howley Day
At the Town meeting held in March 1927 it was voted, that the Selectmen make effective the celecbrating of Dan Howley Day, June 11, 1927 at Fenway Park.
A Public Meting was called and a committee appointed and a report of that committee follows:
FRED E. WAITE WINSLOW M. TIRRELL H. FRANKLIN PERRY EDWIN R. SAMPSON WILLIAM B. CHALKE, Jr.
Selectmen of Weymouth.
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES North Weymouth, Dec. 31, 1927.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1927 with an increase in the sealing fees amounting to $357.71, due to more stores and gasoline pumps.
Section 17, Chapter 101, General Laws, as amended by Chap- ter 185, Acts of 1927, requires all meat peddlers to have a license and this is due mostly to eliminate the so-called ham peddlers who are operating through the country offering the genuine Vir- ginia hams for sale, when if the truth was known they are only the common smoked hams which can be bought from the local dealers or butchers at a price less than the one quoted by the ham peddlers.
During the year 28 Fish, Fruit and Vegetable Licenses were granted at $10 each; 11 Junk Licenses at $25 each.
Two convictions were made during the year, one for short weight on potatoes was found guilty and paid a fine of five dol- lars; the other for short weight on ice-this charge was placed on file.
166
My general work for the year was as follows:
Sealed Not Sealed Condemned Adjusted
3546 Artices
60 Articles 10 Articles
1
Reweighings
166 Articles 237 Articles
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES W. BURGESS, Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
South Weymouth, Jan. 9, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen:
Herein please find my report for the year 1927.
Although we are finding gypsy moths scattered all through our town we had no stripping by them this year, but from certain vantage points we could look into two neighboring towns and see hundreds of acres stripped bare of all foliage. We have creosoted our borders to quite an extent and hope that it will keep them in check. -
We had rather a bad seaon for spraying as it rained quite often in the early part of the season. We had quite a lot of strip- ping by the Satin Moth, a comparatively new pest which attacks the poplars and willows. Nearly all poplars in town were affected and the big willows at Idlewell were stripped clean of every leaf and the moths were crawling over the houses and everything else. They caught us a little by surprise as we had never found them on willows before. We fear that this pest may be worse, as I see no way to combat them in their egg form. As for the Brown Tails, I am glad to say that none were found this year.
Respectfully submitted,
C. L. MERRITT, Moth Superintendent, -W
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
South Weymouth, Jan. 9, 1928.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen:
Herein find my report for the year 1927.
The expense of removing several large trees which were con- demned as being a menace to public safety. The trimming of the street trees of the dead wood and many large limbs which were overhanging houses. And setting out twenty-five 'Maples on streets used up every dollar of our appropriation, leaving a large amount of that kind of work to be done the coming year. We should set out many more trees on the accepted new streets.
Respectfully submitted,
C. L. MERRITT, Tree Warden.
167
PARK COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth:
Gentlemen:
Beals Park
This park seems to be in a very good location for the super- vised playground work and a great interest shown during the sum- mer months by the very good attendance each day of the smaller boys and girls, averaging 75 as against 45 last year.
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.