USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1929 > Part 12
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In addition to raising fresh vegetables and fruit for summer use, many jars were preserved for winter use.
IMPROVEMENTS. In the way of permanent improvement, maple trees were. planted in the South lawn, which will eventu-
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ally furnish much needed shade for the house, and Boston Ivy was planted in front of building. The flag pole formerly at the Franklin School was moved to South lawn, and flag purchased. ENTERTAINMENT AND GIFTS. The two small radios presented by a friend last year, are still functioning.
The two outstanding events were the day spent at Weymouth Fair by those who wished to go, and Christmas celebration.
Christmas spirit was brought into the Home by appropriate decorations, a tree, and with the kind assistance of members of your honorable Board, a party on Christmas Eve, with gifts for each person donated by several organizations and thoughtful individuals. A pleasant surprise was the visit of carol singers. We wish here to publicly thank all who helped to make these diversions possible, thus benefitting the morale of our institution.
In closing my third annual report, wish to thank the members of the Welfare Board for their helpful co-operation with Mrs. Berry and myself during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFFORD A. BERRY, Superintendent
REPORT OF VISITOR FOR BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
During the year of 1929, under the direction of the Board of Public Welfare, I have continued visiting the families receiving . aid, and those asking for aid.
I have made 403 calls in the different parts of the town, have had many calls at my office, and numerous telephone calls. The increase and demand for aid, which has been handled by the Board, humanely and wisely, is mainly due to the con- tinned unemployment situation, and help has been given to an unusually large number of families Those seeking aid were able and willing to work, but forced to seek help by continued inability to find employment. In many cases the Board has tried to find work of some kind for men of families before giving aid.
The Board has also been called upon to furnish aid to aged people-those suffering through illness and widowhood, and those who have been forced to seek assistance from other causes.
There has been an unusual demand for clothing.
Considerable time has been given to cach applicant applying for aid to ascertain the true situation. particularly the resources, if any, of the family, and the reason why aid is required, as well as to their settlement.
The annual appropriation for this work is rather a startling figure, but I am convinced that the situation cannot be changed and at the same time have the town do justice to the require- ments of the individual cases.
Written reports of visits have been made weekly by me to the Board of Public Welfare.
MARCARET. A. HYLAND
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REPORT OF THE BURIAL AGENT
Weymouth, Mass., Dec. 31st, 1929 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth:
There has been but one burial during the year under the Act for the burial of indigent Sailors, Soldiers, and their de- pendent Wives, Widows and Mothers,
MARY JANE KENNISTON
Widow of Warren J. Kenniston, Co. "F" 16, Maj. Inf.
Respectfully submitted, WALDO TURNER Burial Agent for Weymouth.
HARBOR MASTER
Weymouth Mass.,
January 1, 1930.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth: Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Harbor Master, from Septem- ber 5, 1929, to December 31, 1929.
. I was appointed by your Board on September 3, 1929, and sworn in on September 4, 1929. Therefore this report covers only from September 5, to December 31, 1929.
The Harbor Master's duty in all cities and towns where there is a waterfront, in the Commonwealth of Mass., compels him not only to enforce city and town ordinances, but also Federal and State laws, such as, violation of the Federal Prohibition Act, in so far as they relate to Rum Runners, and such State Laws as those relating to, Public Health, Fish and Game, and Fire Hazards.
As you are aware there is a great deal of traffic in the Wey- mouth Fore River because of vessels plying to and from the Cities Service Plant at Braintree and the Fore River Plant at Quincy. Because of this heavy traffic it is necessary to keep the channels open at all times so that the steamers and tugs will have free passage through the same. For instance, keep yachts from anchoring in the channel, and also to keep launches and row boats from crossing and re-crossing in the path of ingoing and outgoing traffic. When you realize there are an average of 200 openings of the Fore River Bridge each month during the summer and yachting months, you will see how necessary it is to keep this important artery of commerce open and free from boats.
As you also know, Weymouth waterfront is within the so- called contaminated or polluted area and therefore clam digging is not allowed. There is a great demand for clams during the summer months and the so-called bootlegging clam digging gangs make many attempts to raid cur beaches. This happened last sum- mer on Grape and Slate Islands, which are within our town limits. They carried away hundreds of busheis of clams before I was able to stop them.
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Another Fish and Game law which I had to enforce was that against herring torchers. I succeeded in driving them off our shores, a job which was rather hard owing to the fact that these violators work nights with torches.
Under our Mass., Statutes Chapter 181, it was necessary for me to compel the Cities Service Corporation to clean up our beaches after a bad leakage from the discharge of oil from tankers at their plant in Braintree. This they did without complaint and at great expense.
George E. Neil, State Fire Marshal ordered. me. to make an inspection of the fire hazard, where oil has collected around wharf and bridge pilings. This I did and found the conditions very bad at the Edison Electric Illuminating Company coal pocket wharf. This I reported to the fire marshal.
I also investigated upon complaint, the pollution of the Wey. mouth Fore River, by the Old Colony Gas Co, which uses oil in the manufacture of gas. I found no oil on the water in the vicinity of their plant. At the same time I investigated on com- plaint from citizens of Weymouth Landing of pollution from the so-called smelt brook, where it runs under Washing on square into Rhines Canal. I found no pollution where it entered the river.
Another complaint of pollution was made against the East Weymouth Plant of the Wool washing company. I could not make an investigation of this complaint on account of the fact that my launch could not be operated above Hingham Bridge as it is a government reservation from that point to East Weymouth. I sent a warning by way of the company's counsel asking them not to use the river for a sewer outlet, but to find some other way of disposing of their waste matter. This they should be compelled to do or our run of spring herring will cease.
We have an increased population of more than 2000 people during the summer season and our beaches are becoming the playground of the south shore. A great number of these summer residents own boats and yach's of all descriptions including motor and sail boats, out board motor boats and canoes. With some 500 of these on our river both day and night, and some 2,000 to 3,000 men women and children in the water bathing, accidents are bound to happen. As a result it has been necessary for me to patrol with my launch up and down our water front during the day, to render aid if necessary.
Also we have the boats and yachts of the residents of Quincy and Braintree passing up and down the river. I found it necessary at times to render assistance to them. Engines will break down and yachts will capsize, and to these I must render aid regardless of where they hail from.
On stormy days it has been necessary for me to save both life and property.
We have seven yacht mooring grounds on our water front. It is necessary for me to "lay out the mooring lines. for these districts and to settle all disputes arising, among our yachtmeu where they pertain to who is right or wrong.
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We have 30 out-board motor boats owned by the summer residents, some of these have a speed of 40 miles and others are not so speedy. They cut out their mufflers to get more speed. The first class of these little boats are dangerous on account of their great speed, and the others make too much noise. I have received complaints against both classes and it has been necessary for me to warn the operators to cut down the speed when among our bathers and yachts and also to keep their mufflers on so they won't make so much noise.
Our neighboring town of Hingham which has the same class of boats operating on their shore line, has filed a bill in the Mass. House of Representatives for a law to prohibit this nuisance and I would suggest that our Representative join with the Hingham member and ask to have Weymouth included in the restricted area.
Another duty of your Harbor Master is to police the river at the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation's launchings. This is necessary in the interest of safety to both sightseeing yachtsmen . and our people who witness launchings from the, shores. It is , my duty to keep yachts out of the launching area where the vessel takes the water and to warn the shore sightseers to keep back from the huge wave caused by the launched vessel's displace- ment of water.
The coal dust nuisance coming from the 50,000 ton soft coal pile on the Edison Electric Illuminating Company's wharf has been the cause of numerous complaints.
The dust floats on the water, mixes with the Cities Service . Company crude oil, and the two are carried by the wind to our shores and the water lines of our yachts. Bodies of the bathers are covered with this mixture. It ruins bathing suits and causes in some instances a skin eruption. The coal dust also sifts through the wire screens in the homes of our citizens and settles upon food on their tables and also ruins house furnishings.
I suggest that our Town Counsel take this matter up with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. I have done so but to no avail. Conditions are getting worse and something ought to be done about the matter.
The following is my record of service as taken from my log book.
September 5. On duty at the Fore River Shipbuilding Plant launching of the Cruiser Northampton.
Notified Ernest Ross of King Cove beach that I had received a complaint from a sick neighbor of too much noise from his out board motor board caused by an open muffler, etc.
September 6. Recovered lost boat owned by James Pitts of Bridge street North Weymouth, valued at $25.00.
- Notified by . W. S. Hyat of Wessagussett that his 12 foot dory had either been stolen or lost from the Wessagussett Yacht Club Float some time during the night.
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September 7. Picked up adrift and out of gasoline four passen- ger out board motor boat with. four young people in the same. It was owned by Henry Lee of - No 247Wessagussett . Road, North Weymouth. Towed boat and passengers to Wessagussett Yacht Club Float.
Cruised around Quincy, Hull and Hingham bay for lost Hyat dory. Not found.
September 14. Covered the Weymouth Fore River opposite Braintree Welfare Club during their outboard motor board race and rendered assistance to Weymouth boais in the race.
September 15. Rendered assistance and towed to mooring at North Weymouth Yacht Club a motor boat owned by Brackett and Margeson of South Weymouth.
Received complaint from Louis Hunt of Weymouth Landing and Clark of Clark and Taber, in regard to pollution of the Wey- mouth Fore River from the so called Smelt Brook. I investigated only where the brook entered the river at the Rhines Lumber Company Canal and found no pollution.
At the same time I investigated a complaint of the Cities Service Company's Assistant Superintendent in regard to pollu- tion of the Weymouth Fore River by the Old Colony Gas Company and the Hunt Potato Chip Company at Braintree. I found no oil upon the waters.
September 16. Conference with George E. Neil, State Fire Marshal in regard to fire hazard from oily piling on Weymouth water front.
Conference with Mr. Wright of State Board of Health in re- gard to pollution of Weymouth Fore River. Received orders to look out for any matters pertaining to his department and to report any violation.
Conference with Dr. Adams, of the Department of Fisheries and Game. He asked me to look after boctlegger clamdiggers and herring torchers and for me to get in touch with Warden Ellis in regard to same.
September 24. Having received a large number of complaints against the Cities Service Company refinery at Braintree, I went to their plant and made my investigation without their knowledge.
I found an open sluice way emptying into the river. This carried off refuse oil and other products into the river. The water was brown in color. This refuse came from the bottom of the stills. I found an employee tending to the separator and as he explained it to me trying to keep undistilled oil from going into the river. This oil goes back into the separator. This sluiceway must be maintained because there is no sewer system in Brain- tree to carry off the waste matter.
I also boarded the oil barges tied up along side of, the wharf. Some were loaded and others were waiting for loads. I spoke to the captains in charge and asked them about the leakage into the
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river. They explained to me that if any oil got into the river it was · by accident, that is, pipe lines or gaskets breaking. I warned them that the citizens of Weymouth would not tolerate any more of their oil and if I received any more complaints of refuse from oil prod- ucts getting into the river and over on the Weymouth Shore I would apply to the Court for a Warrant. They all promised to do their best to keep oil out of the water.
After a number of more complaints from Weymouth Citizens I took the whole matter up with President J. S. Cordell of the Company at the Boston Office. He informed me that he knew con- ditions were bad at the Braintree Plant, but the company could not remedy the same. After this conference there were three more bad leakages from unloading tankers and it was necessary for me to call in. Captain Wright, Harbor Master of Quincy who joined with me in my fight for clean water and beaches, but to no avail. Con- ditions are just as bad as ever and I would suggest that our Town Counsel take this matter up as our citizens are up in arms over conditions.
October 28. Received complaint of bootlegging clam diggers who were raiding Grape Island flats. Grape Island is owned by the Bradley family and Slate Island by the Clapp Memorial Associa- tion. I investigated these two complaints found they were true. The clam diggers had dug about 300 to 400 bushels off Grape Island and about 50 bushels off Slate Island. I watched these islands for three days but they did not return. I found out later they worked at night using electric flash lights.
As some of our citizens believe they should be allowed to dig a bucket or two of clams for their own consumption I want them to know that these clams are not fit to eat as the Metropolitan sewerage 'outlet at the West head of Peddocks Island allows the sewerage . to back up' into the Weymouth Fore River and it spreads over our clam flats. The State Board of Health has examined clams dug here and have found that they contain typhoid germs and are therefore dangerous to eat.
On November 25, I hauled my launch out of the - water for the winter but kept up my work with my row boat to December 31, 1929.
As you are aware, I received no compensation for my services. either for myself or my launch, or any expense incurred in the dis harge of my duties .. I have gladly given my services and I trust that your board and my fellow citizens will appreciate the fact that a Harbor Master is an essential official. I hope that your board will continue to appoint some one to carry on this important work. I would suggest that the Harbor Master be also sworn in as a special police officer as he has no authority above the high water mark, and at times it is necessary for him to work above this line in making his investigations.
Respectfully submitted, ANTHONY S. VEADER,
Harbor Master of Town of Weymouth.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CELEBRATION OF MASSACHUSETTS BAY TERCENTENARY
Your committee has held several meetings during the past summer and autumn and many plans have been made for Weymouth's contribution to the celebration of the Massachusetts Bay Tercentenary.
Various organizations of the town, patriotic, civil, fraternal, social, commercial and industrial have been requested to co- operate with your committee in its plans and otherwise so far as possible to co-ordinate their various activities of the year with · the general purpose of the Tercentenary.
Tlie response to this request has been very gratifying. For Instance, the Committee on War Memorial has adopted plans consistent with its spirit and purpose in the dedication of the war memorial tablets, etc. Tlie State Tercentenary Commission will place tablets commemorative of historical buildings and events in Weymouth on main highways nearest to and indicating the sites and locations thereof, witout expense to the town.
The Society of Colonial Wars has voted to present to the town a tablet marking the last Indian attack on Weymouth in King Philip's War, being the nearest point to Boston reached by King Philip's forces. This tablet will be dedicated with the · war memorial tablets on April 19 of this year.
The committee requests that exercises and celebrations on all holidays or other days during this year by public and private organizations and committees shall be in harmony with the spirit of the year.
Weymouth's greatest contribution to the celebration will be on September 13 and 14. On those days the National Society of the War of 1812 will hold its biennial meeting in Weymouth, in the council chamber of the town hall.
As part of the celebration a pageant containing scenes from the early history of the town, King Philip's War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War, each to be written by a citizen of the town and staged by one of the various organiza- tions of the town, is planned.
Other towns and cities in the Commonwealth are making great preparations and appropriating large sums of money toward making the Tercentenary a success. While the members of your committee feel that its expenditures should be kept within a reasonable limit, they do feel that Weymouth, the first settlement of Massachusetts Bay, should certainly be found not wanting at this time.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. HOOPER NEWLAND H. HOLMES MRS PARKER T. PEARSON i
FREDERIC GILBERT BAUER WALTER L. BATES C. EDGAR STILES
JOHN W. HEFFERNAN H. FRANKLIN PERRY 1
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BICKNELL MEADOW
The subject matter of Articles 40 and 41 of the last Annual Town meeting was referred to the undersigned committee for & detailed report.
Article 40 had to do with the subject of providing a drainage system for that portion of Broad and Shawmut Streets near Jack- son Square. Article 41 was to see if the Town would acquire by purchase or to take by right of eminent domain the so-called Bick- nell meadow for drainage purposes. Your committee viewed the land and was informed about the drainage problem. At present the surface water from Shawmut and Broad Streets is discharged by a drain from Broad Street into the Bicknell meadow at the rear of the Preston Block. During a heavy rain the volume of water is more than catch basins on Broad Street can properly handle and the result has caused damage and inconvenience to the abutting property owners and public.
The outlet of this meadow is by a drain in the rear of the Peaslee property that extends to the Herring Brook. This drain is not large enough or at the proper grade to care for the amount of water discharged onto the meadow.
Your committee recommends that this outlet drain be lowered and replaced by an 18 inch drain and that the drain discharging at the rear of the Preston Block be connected with it. We also recommend that two catch basins be built on Shawmut Street with an outlet drain laid in the right of way between the Garofola and Costanzo properties to connect with the meadow outlet drain. This would relieve the situation on Broad Street, as the water from Shawmut Street would be intercepted before it reached Broad Street.
Your committee also feels that after these drains are built the entire meadow should be filled about four feet above the present low level. This would protect the drains, also provide a parking space for automobiles or could be used as a playground for the smaller children. The present conditions are not only unsightly but unhealthy, as stagnant water remains on the land for long periods, and unless this land is filled in the present conditions would not be satisfactorily improved.
We have estimated the cost as follows: acquiring land $2300.00, two catch basins and drains from Shawmut Street $850.00, con- necting present outlet in rear of Preston Block to meadow outlet $600.00, replacing outlet drain by larger pipe to Herring Brook $1700.00, filling area four feet above low level $4500.00 and en- gineering $100.00, which makes a total of $10,050.00
This plan has the endorsement of the East Weymouth Com- munity Club and the Town Planning Board.
Respectfully submitted, IRVING E. JOHNSON, Chairman FREDERICK HUMPHREY F. WAYLAND PRESTON MARION F. FRENCH ROBERT W. SHEEHAN
Weymouth, Massachusetts,
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON TOWN INSURANCE
The Committee appointed at the Special Town Meeting held September 24, 1928, to look into the matter of Town Insurance, wish to submit the following report:
We recommend that the Town discontinue its Fire and Light- ning Insurance policies.
We make this recommendation for the following reasons:
We have ascertained that based on the period of the last six years during which time the Town has carried insurance on its buildings and contents, it would have saved approximately two thirds of the amount of money paid in premiums, if it had carried its own insurance.
The following will explain: Our insurance has cost over this six year period, the sum of $36,882.81, and during that time we have sustained seven losses for which the Town received $12,544.08.
There has been one total loss, the Ward 3 Fire House, the loss being settled for $5520.00 for the building as per a schedule adopted, and $4743.11 on contents, a total of $10,263.11, the only substantial loss met with during the six years.
The town replaced this building at a cost of approximately $40,000 so that it appears that the Town is really carrying its own insurance. The present buildings belonging to the Town that would be liable to a large loss by fire are buildings similar to that mentioned above, where the amount received from insurance companies would be very small compared with the replacement cost of the type of building the Town would probably erect.
The type of construction of buildings erected by the Town recently are less liable to a loss by fire than in the past, and this fact leads us to believe that the saving will be still greater in the future.
We further recommend that all other Town insurance be continued as heretofore.
We therefore recommend the following article be inserted in the Town Warrant:
To see if the Town will accept Section 13 of Chapter 40 of the , General Laws.
To see what some of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the establishment of a Municipal Building In- surance Fund under Section 13 of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, to determine the conditions under which said fund shall be held and to determine who shall have the management thereof until such time as the commissioners of trust funds can be legally elected, or take any other action in reference thereto.
To carry out the purpose of this article we recommend the Town raise and appropriate the sum of $20,000.00 for the purpose of establishing a Fire and Lightning Insurance Fund.
That a board of three trustees be elected to have charge of said fund, the duties of this board of trustees to be to invest and reinvest said fund in savings· institutions, co-operative banks, or in investments legal to Massachusetts Savings Banks. That said
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Trustees see that an article is inserted in the Annual Town War- rant each year: To wit: To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $5,000.00 to be added to said fund until. such fund together with income therefrom equals $100,000.00
Also, to pay out the whole or any part of said fund in case the Town has a loss by fire to any of its buildings.
The income or principal of said fund to be used only in case of loss by fire.
EDWARD I. LOUD, Chairman J. LEONARD BICKNELL, Secretary RALPH H. HASKINS GEORGE W. PERRY FREDERICK L. ALDEN
JOSEPH KELLEY GEORGE E. CUNNIFF PARKER T. PEARSON JOHN P. HUNT ARTHUR I. NEGUS PATRICK J. DERRIG
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