USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1929 > Part 16
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We asked the Metropolitan District Commission to designate a suitable outlet to the South Metropolitan sewer for the sewerage of Weymouth. The commission referred the matter to the State Deparment of Health for consideration and opinion. That depart- ment on December 13, reported in part as follows:
"A favorable route for a branch from the Metropolitan sewer to intercept the sewage of both Braintree and Weymouth would be laid from the proposed pumping station near Houghs Neck, southerly across Fore River west of Hunt's Point and thence across a narrow strip of
.
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North Weymouth east of the works of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company and again across the basin of the Weymouth Fore River to Whites Neck in Weymouth from which the sewer would extend across the Fore River again to the Braintree shore thus affording an opportunity for both Weymouth and Braintree to connect their sewers with the Metropolitan system in that neighborhood.
"The department recommends that an investigation be made for a sewer along the general line herein in- dicated since if such a line is found practical it will probably be the most economical connection not only for Weymouth but also for the town of Braintree and for the Metropolitan district as well."
To bring our position more forcibly to the attention of the state authorities, hasten the investigation suggested by the State Department of Health, and clarify the situation generally, the committee was anxious to have an act enabling Weymouth to enter the Metropolitan District introduced in the General Court at the opening of the present session, but as your board was of the opinion that authority for the introduction of such a bill should come from the annual meeting we are inserting an article to that effect in the warrant. The passage of such an act does not bind the town to anything, since it must be accepted by the voters before there can be any obligation.
ESTIMATED PAYMENTS TO THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT FOR DISPOSAL OF WEYMOUTH SEWAGE
The engineers in their report analyze in detail the probable costs of entering the South Metropolitan District and discharging sewage through the Southern High Level Sewer. There are three charges or fees:
1. Entrance fee payable in ten annual installments, be- ginning immediately after acceptance of the act. This fee has in the past been based directly upon the value of the districts sinking fund, and if determined in that manner is easily esti- mated. Recently however the General Court has shown a tendency to introduce the element of cost to the district to connect with the entrant into the determination of the fee, thereby introducing an element of uncertainty into any estimate made in advance of legislative action. The engineers have used the sinking fund method as the nearest possible approximation.
2. Annual assessment to cover Weymouth's share of sinking fund, serial bond and interest charges of the South Metropolitan District. This is based on the ratio of Weymouth's valuation to the total valuation of the district and commences as soon as Weymouth enters the district.
3. Annual assessment to cover Weymouth's share of the maintenance and operation of the district, based on the ratio of Weymouth's population to the total population of the district
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and not assessed until sewage is actually discharged into the district's mains.
The estimated amounts of these assessments are as follows: ENTRANCE FEE
If admitted in 1930 $126,000
If admitted in 1934
186,000
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR FIXED CHARGES
1930
1934
$18,000 25,700
The increase is due to increased fixed charges for the district.
ASSESSMENT FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION 1934 6,800
Thus, if Weymouth were to be admitted to the district this year and began to discharge sewage in 1934, the estimated annual payments would be:
1930 $12,600 plus $18,000 or $30,600
1934 12,600 plus $25,700 plus $6,800 or $45,100
In 1940 the annual payment for entrance fee would cease, thus reducing the total by $12,600 (although it is difficult to. predict just what the other assessments would amount to by that time.)
COST OF CONSTRUCTION
District
Estimated Cost
Sewers
Pumping Station
Total
Weymouth Landing
$305,220
$10,400
$315,620
North Weymouth
398,580
19,100
417,680
Wessagussett
137,530
22,500
160,030
Central
657,420
19,000
676,420
South Weymouth
849,940
849,940
East Weymouth
565,915
43,900
609,815
Total Sewers and
Pumping Stations
$2,914,605
$114,900
$3,029,505
Force Mains
$3,063,655
Total
34,150
In considering the above estimates, it must be remembered that they cover practically every street and nearly every in- habited private way in town and naturally include large sums which will not be called for for many years. The engineers' report is so presented by streets that it is possible to pick out at any time, an estimate for any area under discussion. For example: the estimate for Weymouth Landing, $315,620 includes long lines to the sparsely settled extremities of Summer and Front streets
and complete service to all streets in Idlewell and Weycroft .. Eliminating these reduces the estimate to $202,500.
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ASSESSMENTS
A part of the cost of building sewers must be assessed directly upon the abuttors. The law provides that the abuttors shall be assessed not more than three-fourths or less than one-third of the total cost of the system including the Metropolitan entrance fee.
This amount is assessed upon the abuttor in direct propor- tion to his street frontage and the area of his property which drains towards the sewer. The details of assessments are deter- mined by a board of sewer commissioners, and the final rate recommended by them is referred to the town for acceptance.
For the purpose of a preliminary estimate of the cost to the abuttor and the burden on direct taxation, the committee has used a tentative rate, the maximum allowed under the law to . be carried by direct taxation and the minimum that can be assessed upon the abuttor, i. e., one-third upon the abuttor and two-thirds upon direct taxation.
The assessment is computed as follows:
Total length of sewers
Less unassessable lines
Net assessable
491,760 feet 97,090 394,670
Total estimated assessable frontage (349,670 x 1.5)
592,005
Total area assessable , (Assume front x 80) 47,360,400 sq. ft.
Total estimated cost of sewers, pumping stations and force mains $3,063,655
Metropolitan entrance fee 1934
186,000
Total cost for assessment
$3,249,655
Assess one-third on abuttors
1,093,218
Use frontage assessment of $1.00 per foot.
Use area assessment of .01 per sq. foot.
Total frontage assessment 592,005 ft. @ $1.00
$592.005
Total area assessment 47,360,400 sq. ft. @ .01 473,604
Total assessment as above Deficiency
$1,065,609
$17,609
This deficiency is too small to warrant changing the basic figures.
Using the above rates it is possible to arrive at the cost to abuttors and the burden upon direct taxation for any section or combination of sections in the town.
ESTIMATED ANNUAL CHARGES WITH WEYMOUTH LANDING SECTION CONNECTED TO METROPOLITAN SEWER
It appears to the committee that the section most in need of sewerage at the present time is that at Weymouth Landing, and the engineers' report shows that because of its nearness to the
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proposed Metropolitan Sewer it is a favorable section for initial construction.
With this in mind we present the following estimate of annual cost to the town with this section connected to the Met- ropolitan sewer:
One-tenth of Metropolitan Entrance Fee (1934)
$18,600
Annual Charge for Metropolitan Connection
32,500
Bond Retirement, one-thirtieth of $200,000
6,700
Interest on $200,000 Bonds @ 41/2%
9,000
Operation and Maintenance of Local System
6,000
Total Annual Cost
$72,800
Equivalent to $1.46 per thousand of valuation on a valuation of $50,000,000.
In connection with this estimate it should be noted; that it includes bond retirement and interest charges on $81,460, the sum which will be assessed on abuttors and returned with in- terest in ten annual installments to help reduce the annual charge each year, also that this small section is carrying the entire Metropolitan charge of $51,100 which pays the bill for the entire town. The actual construction and operating charges for this section being but $21,700, equivalent to 44c per thousand of valuation.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This committee has felt from the first that it was not with- in its province to urge or discourage the construction of sewers in Weymouth.
We feel now, that it is a matter to be settled by the tax- payers of the town after being furnished with full and reliable information regarding the probable cost. The foregoing report furnishes such information and can be supplemented at any time with more detail from the report of the engineers, and it is for the people of the town to decide, whether or not the need for sewerage is great enough to warrant the cost.
We do recommend at this time the passage of an act by the General Court, enabling Weymouth to enter the South Metro- politan District, and fixing the terms. The filing of this act will place the town officially before the District Commission as a future partner in the South Metropolitan District, and its passage will provide us with a definite basis for estimating future costs.
Whether or not the town should accept this act at an early date depends largely upon the terms that it carries.
* Entrance Fee spread over 30 years for fair comparison. Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL H. WHITING CHARLES T. HEALD IRVING E. JOHNSON JOSEPH KELLY FRED O. STEVENS
Committee on Sewerage
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REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Weymouth, Mass., January 11, 1930: 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 for the year ending December 31, 1929.
CAUSES FOR ARRESTS
Crimes against the person:
Assault and battery
30
Assault with dangerous weapon
3
Assault on police officer
5
Manslaughter
2
Threats
5
Robbery
4
Crimes against Property :
Breaking & Entering and larceny
11
Breaking and entering
4
Larceny
20
Attempted larceny
1
Larceny from building
3
Burning a building
3
Larceny of automobile
1:
Unlawful taking of automobile
1
Malicious injury to building
3
Breaking glass
1
Malicious mischief
2
Concealing leased property
1
Trespass
2
Receiving
1
Crimes against Chastity and Good Order:
Bastardy
5
Default
4
Disturbing the peace
1
Drunkenness
315
Failing to pay wages
33
Neglect of family
9
Non-support
13
Neglected children
6
Violation of illegitimate child act
2
Neglect to support parent
2
Peddling unlicensed
3
Violation of motor vehicle laws
601
78 which are for operating under influence
of intoxicating liquor
Violation of probation
4.
Stubborn child
1
Suspicious person
5
Gaming nuisance
2*
49
54
183
4
Pauper
3
Tramp
1
Keeping explosives
1
Evading fare
4
Insane
1
Truancy
2
Escape
1028
Violation liquor laws:
13
Unlawful sale
10
Keeping and exposing
3
Illegal transportation
26
Crimes against Public Justice :
1
Crimes against Public Peace
2
Crimes against the Government Deserter
1
Recapitulation :
49
Crimes against the person
54
Crimes against property
1054
Crimes against chastity and good order
1
Crimes against public justice
2
Crimes against public peace
1
Crimes against the government
1161
327
Out of town arrests
1488
Total arrests for year
Miscellaneous report:
Property recovered
Thirteen raids for intoxicating liquors
Three searches for gaming implements
Complaints investigated 480
Buildings found open and secured 781
Street lights reported 182
Patrol wagon calls 281
Ambulance calls 113
Dogs killed 94
Fires reported 9
$12,511.00
Fines imposed in lower court
800.00
Fines imposed in Superior court
The Gamewell signal system was installed during the year, and very good results have been obtained since the installation. I wish to thank the Horcrable Board for their assistance they have given and to all of the department for the faithful performance of their many duties. Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR H. PRATT Chief of Police
$10,419.00
Attempt to rescue prisoner
Carrying a revolver
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REPORT ON WATER SUPPLY AT EDISON PLANT
East Weymouth, Jan. 10, 1930.
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Dear Sirs:
On February 18, 1929, Mr. Moultrop and Mr. Seabury of the Edison Electric Illuminating Co., appeared before your board regarding an increased emergency water supply for the Edgar plant at North Weymouth, and it was agreed that the writer would study the situation and submit an engineering report to you. The report follows:
NORMAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EDGAR STATION
According to the estimates of the Edison Company's engi- neers, the average normal demand for water operation of the Edgar station for 1930 will be approximately 125 gallons per minute, increasing to 300 gallons per minute in 1940, with an ultimate possible demand of 600 gallons per minute.
When the plant was being designed the water department agreed to furnish up to 150 gallons per minute. By properly planned operation and gradual, normal, increases in capacity of the supply mains, the department will take care of the normal demand as it increases up to at least the 300 gallon per minute. point in 1940. The ultimate demand of 600 gallons per minute and the time at which it will be required is by no means defin- itely established, and in all probability the department will be able to meet it as it develops.
In brief, the water department as a self supporting enter- prise can supply its customer, The Edison Company, with the water normally required, for which it collects a normal annual income.
EMERGENCY DEMAND AT EDGAR STATION
The operators at the Edgar station are constantly facing the possibility of a serious emergency, requiring a supply of water greatly in excess of the normal demand. I will not attempt to explain the details of this emergency as the company's engineers can do so with much more accuracy and clearness, but from my own limited knowledge of the matter I am of the opinion that lack of water to meet this emergency might prove disastrous to. Weymouth and parts of Metropolitan Boston. I can see that it might react as far back as our own pumping station.
This emergency demand, at the outset, was fixed, or at least fixed in my mind, at from 600 to 700 gallons per minute, an amount which we could just about furnish in addition to the. normal consumption of the town. Even then, had the emergency and a sizable fire occurred at the same time one or the other would have suffered.
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At the present time, due to changes and expansion, the required flow, according to the company's engineers is 1200 gal- Jons per minute, an amount far in excess of the capacity of the present layout. The water department cannot finance the con- struction necessary to furnish this amount, as it does business at cost and the contruction of this emergency supply brings in no additional income. It is moreover an undertaking outside of the business of supplying water for domestic and ordinary industrial use.
The company therefore comes to the town through your board, as your largest taxpayer, asking that the town finance this im- provement; just as I, one of the smallest taxpayers, might come before you asking to have the street in front of my house improved.
PROPOSED NEW CONSTRUCTION
The most economical and most satisfactory way to provide the required emergency supply would be by means of adequate storage in the North Weymouth district, not far from the plant.
I recommend a storage tank of 1,000,000 gallons capacity located on the summit of Wessagusset Hill, near the end of Sagamore Road; a 10 inch main via Sagamore Road, Wessagusset Road, Sea St., Bicknell Square, land of the Town of Weymouth, land of Durant and Morrow and a certain private way to connect with the present 10 inch main on Evans Street near Brewster Road; and the replacement of the present 6 inch main in Evans St. with 10 inch, from Delorey Ave. to Saunders St., where it would connect with the present 10 inch line to the Edison plant.
This should supply approximately 1200 g. p. m. through the 10 inch line alone, and in conjunction with what the old lines are capable of delivering and the storage available at the plant should solve the company's problem satisfactorily.
The cost of tank and pipe lines, including land damages is estimated at $40,875.
The tank would be in a very sightly location and in close proximity to a good class of residences, and it is my opinion that for the sake of appearances and effect upon neighboring property it should be enclosed in a masonry tower of pleasing architectural design. I am having a study for this tower made, and will have an estimate by the time the matter comes before the appropriation committee.
This report covers the technical side of the problem. The broader question of policy must be considered by your board and by the town.
Yours very truly
FRED O. STEVENS
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REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Litigation
The following cases in which the Town is interested and' which were pending at the date of my last report have been disposed of:
NORFOLK REALTY COMPANY vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court No. 20,050. This case was tried at the May term and a verdict rendered for the petitioner for $1878.98 and the judgment has been paid.
JULIUS J. CONVISER ET AL vs. INHABITANTS OF WEY- MOUTH, (two cases) No. 19,519 and No. 19,520. These cases were tried before a jury in November and verdicts rendered aggregat- ing $11,725.07, being $11,038 and interest. The exceptions claimed by the petitioners were not prosecuted, and the judgments have been paid by the Town.
Both the above cases were for land taken by eminent domain.
STANDARD OIL COMPANY OF NEW YORK, PETITIONER. This is a petition for a permit for the storage of gasoline at North Weymouth, and at the date of my last report was pending before the State Fire Marshal. He rendered a decision granting a permit and an attempt has been made to have his decision reviewed by the Supreme Judicial Court. The decision of the Single Justice was adverse to the remonstrants, and the matter is now pending before the Full Bench. The Town has taken no part in the pro- ceedings since the hearing before the State Fire Marshal.
HAROLD A. BILLINGS vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH. District Court of East Norfolk, No. 3,380. Case dismissed for want of prosecution.
ALBERT FERULLO V.S. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 17,754.
THEODORE FERULLO vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH. Norfolk Superior Court, No. 17,755.
ERNEST DEL BECCHIO vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 17,756.
These were actions for an alleged defect on Middle Street and have been settled out of court by the payment of $100, $500, and $100, respectively.
A. WESLEY SAMPSON, COLLECTOR OF TAXES VS. U. S. TRUCKING CORPORATION, Municipal Court of the City of Boston, No. 143,686. This was a suit to recover taxes, and judgment was entered for the plaintiff on default, and the entire amount due has been collected.
The following suits have been brought by or against the Town during the year and have been disposed of:
JAMES J. CODY vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Nor. folk Superior Court, No. 20,693. This was a petition to assess dam-
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ages for land taken for the protection of Great Pond. This action was only brought by the petitioner to prevent his rights being barred by the Statute of Limitations, as a settlement was pending at that time. This settlement involved giving the petitioner some extra land which the Town received in connection with another purchase, moving his house, and paying for the improvements on the land which the Town took.
LILLIAN A. HOFFMAN vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 20,671. This was a petition for assess- ment of damages for land taken for the protection of Great Pond. This case was assigned for trial in May, 1929, and was settled in court for the sum of $3,450.00 just as it was on the verge of being reached on the trial list.
INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, PETITIONERS, vs. FAN- NIE A. STERNBERG, CONSERVATOR, Land Court, No. 12,035. This was a petition to order the owner's certificate cancelled and a new certificate issued to the Town by reason of the taking for the protection of Great Pond.
INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, PETITIONERS to cancel restrictions, Land Court, No. 5693. This was a petition filed by the Town to have the restrictions on certain lots in Weston Park which the Town acquired subsequently to the taking of the park de- clared free of restrictions. The abutting owners and the mort- gagees on their lots, recognizing the benefits of having the park maintained there, consented to the restrictions being cancelled, and a final decree has been entered accordingly.
INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH vs. EMILIO CAROTA, Dis- trict Court of East Norfolk, No. 23,447. This was an action to recover for rent of the drugstore in the Tufts Library Building, and was settled by the payment to the Town of the amount of rent fixed by the Selectmen.
The following suits have been brought against the Town during the year and are still pending:
ALFRED J. JEWETT ET AL vs. TOWN OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court. No. 20,658. This is a petition for the as- sessment of damages for land taken for the protection of Great Pond.
LARS P. SOLSNESS VS. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH. This was a petition before the Industrial Accident Board for medical services rendered to a Town employee.
INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH VS. INHABITANTS OF EAS- TON, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 19,343. This is an action to recover for the support of a person receiving soldiers' relief who is claimed to have a settlement in Easton.
ALICE P. JEWELL vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, No. 19,934, Norfolk Superior Court. This is a petition for assess- ment of damages for land taken opposite the High School.
INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH vs. INHABITANTS OF EAS- TON, Norfolk Superior Court. This is a second action for further support of the same person referred to in No. 19,343.
188
INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH vs. INHABITANTS OF BRAINTREE, Norfolk Superior Court. This is an action to recover for support of a family receiving poor relief who are alleged to have a legal settlement in Braintree.
The following cases pending before January 1, 1928 are still pending:
ROSE HALL vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 16,470
NEIL W. FAY vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Nor- folk Superior Court, No. 16,469
These are actions of tort under the Highway Act for an alleged defect on Forest Street.
ALONZO B. ALDRICH vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 17,904. This is an action of tort under the Highway Act growing out of an alleged defect on Columbian Street.
WILLIAM S. YOUNGMAN, STATE TREASURER, VS. INHABI TANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Suffolk Superior Court, No. 197,503. This is an action for the support of an inmate of the Lakeville Sanitorium who was alleged to have settlement in Weymouth.
HENRY S. MOODY, Tr., vs. INHABITANTS OF WEYMOUTH, Suffolk Superior Court, No. 198,254. This is an action to recover a deposit given the Town as security for the installation of water mains in private ways.
FANNIE A. STERNBERG, CONSERVATOR VS. INHABI- ANTS OF WEYMOUTH, No. 20,203, Norfolk Superior Court. This is a petition to assess damages for the taking of land around Great Pond. (The case has been settled since January 1, 1930.)
The Town has been singularly fortunate in its litigation this year. But two cases have been tried before a jury, a smaller num- ber than were tried in many years when the Town was far less populous and had far less varied and complicated interests than at present. Both these cases were for land taken by eminent do- main and resulted in substantial victories for the Town. The amount awarded for the land was but little in excess of the price set on it by the Town's real estate experts, and was far below the amounts claimed by the petitioners. In one instance the verdict was less than what the Town would have been willing to pay in settlement, and in both cases was less than the lowest offer of settlement"ever made by the petitioners. The verdicts have also had an indirect effect in bringing about the settlement of certain other land damage cases without the necessity of trial.
A comparison of the litigation in the Town today with that some years ago will be interesting and instructive. During the current year, there have been pending against the Town all told twenty-five cases, of which eleven were brought during the year. In 1902, the first complete year that Mr. Worthen was Town Coun- sel, one case was brought against the Town for the support of & pauper. In 1903, one new case for pauper aid was brought against
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the Town, and a suit against the Board of Selectmen. In 1904, there was brought against the Town one petition for the assess- ment of damages for land taken, one scire facias against the Town as trustee, and one bill in equity for an alleged illegal main- tenance of a sign post. In 1907, 1909, and 1911 no suits were brought against the Town. During the ten years from 1901 to 1910 inclusive there were brought one criminal case against a Town official, one suit against the selectmen, one bill in equity for alleged illegal maintenance of a sign post, one writ of mandamus against the selectmen, two damage suits against police officers, two writs of scire facias to hold the Town for improperly paying over money attached by trustee process, and one suit for salary by a Town official, a total of nine.
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