USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1933 > Part 14
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We believe that the parks of any town or city in these days of automobile traffic and danger in the streets are of the utmost impor- tance in the interest of the life, health and happiness of the children, and also adults. The Park Commissioners are interested in this work because we believe the value received means more to use bcause of the value others receive. We don't mind criticism, but please make it con- structive.
POND PLAIN PLAYGROUND
The Pond Plain Playground has been given care. Some grading has been done, and a new wire net provided for the tennis court. The equipment has been moved to the back of the field away from the road.
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The tennis court has been used to capacity, and another court is needed, but the Park Commissioners feel that we should have a longer lease before spending more money.
LAKE STREET PLAYGROUND
The Lake Street Playground equipment was cared for and a new diving board and new barrels provided for the float, which had to be put in and taken out of the water. This park was kept used continually during the summer.
LEARY AND BAUER MEADOW
The ditches were cleaned out and the ground clearing for flooding. The dam was taken care of.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS W. REA, Chairman CHARLES W. BURGESS, Clerk EVERETT J. McINTOSH, Park Comimssioners.
REPORT OF THE HARBORMASTER
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Town of Weymouth, Weymouth, Mass.,
Gentlemen :
December 31, 1933.
I herewith submit my sixth annual report as Harbor Master of the Town of Weymouth.
Your Harbor Master's Department is created by General Laws Chapter 102, which is for the enforcement of laws defined within its various sections, and the protection of life and property on our water- front.
I submit for your approval a brief summary from my records : Lost boats recovered, 11; polution complaints investigated and rem- edied, 33; mooring permits granted, 36; nude bathing discouraged, 2; assistance to disabled yachts, 14; investigated damage to floating property, 4; exhausted bathers taken out of river, 8; investigated thefts from yachts, 3; dangerous obstructions removed from river, 5; conference with state and town officials, 18; rendered assistance to injured yachtsmen, 1; death on yacht investigated, 1; persons ordered off Edison docks, 6; unlawful use of firearms on river, 1; overcrowded boats taken off river, 2; bodyguarding caretaker of island against river pirates.
The appropriation for my department was $275.00, sub-divided as
177
follows : $250.00 maintenance; and $25.00 salary. Maintenance cost was $213.34. The balance of $36.66 reverting back to our town treasury.
Trusting this report meets with your approval and thanking you for your co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, A. S. VEADER, Harbor Master of Weymouth.
REPORT OF THE SUPT. OF THE ALEWIVES FISHERIES
East Weymouth, Mass. December 12, 1933.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth :
I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of the Ale- wive Fisheries for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The run was very good this year and helpful to most of the needy of our town, as many of them took advantage of your offer and salted herring for this winter, although there were some needy townspeople who seemed to think the fish was not good enough to bother with. Possibly the older people can remember when practically every poor family in Weymouth salted three or four hundred alewives, but this year one or two dozen seemed to be the limit for most of the poor families, while others who had to pay for them bought a good many for winter use.
One hundred and forty-six thousand nine hundred (146,900) ale- wives were deposited in Whitmans Pond for spawning and four thou- sand eight hundred and eighty (3,880) were given to the people on the welfare.
The appropriation this year was cut from five hundred dollars ($500) to three hundred and fifty ($350), a reduction greater in pro- portion to that given any other department. However, by conservative supervision and with willing servants, the run was conducted in an excellent manner and within the amount appropriated.
I earnestly hope that in a year or two the Town of Weymouth will see its way clear to erect a fishway up to Whitmans Pond, as this is something that has been needed for a long time. I understand the State will pay sixty per cent of the construction cost and this would be a wonderful improvement with very little expense to the town. I have had the measurements taken at .the three dams and will submit them at any time for consideration.
In closing my report, I wish to thank the members of your board. the Weymouth Light and Power Company, the Weymouth Wool Scouring Company, Mr. Kelly, Superintendent of Streets and the boys
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who worked with me during the run for the assistance and cooperation which was so willingly given.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS H. MAGUIRE, JR. Supt. of the Alewive Fisheries.
REPORT OF THE WEYMOUTH TOWN INFIRMARY
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare, Town of Weymouth, Mass. Gentlemen :
Herewith submit report of the Weymouth Town Infirmary, Essex Street, for the year 1933 :
On December 31 two women and fourteen men comprised the family of residents. One man and one woman were lost by death. Dur- ing the year more than twice as many have been admitted than in the previous year, as detailed in the following table :
Number of residents January 1, 1933 14
Number admitted during year 15
Loss by death, 2; discharged, 11 13
Number of residents December 31, 1933 16
The men residents that are able to work have co-operated in the general work about the place, caring for a large vegetable garden, strawberry bed, the fruit trees, hens, etc. All crops were successful and many surplus vegetables and fruits were canned for winter eating.
The installation of a water meter has been the only addition to equipment, and all minor repairs have been done without outside help.
For mental diversion, reading matter is supplied, and a radio con- tinues to function in the "Smoke" House, the men's club room, in addition to the Christmas celebration, with a tree and gifts for all, made possible by your honorable board and kind friends who send gifts.
Closing my seventh annual report, wish again to thank the town officials for the co-operative assistance given Mrs. Berry and myself in carrying on the Home, also the organizations and citizens who remembered the residents at Christmas time.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD A. BERRY, Superintendent.
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REPORT OF CUSTODIAN OF VETERAN GRAVES
January 8, 1934
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Herewith report of work done under the appropriation, for the care of veterans' graves.
During the year past agreement was entered into with the super- intendents of the various cemeteries and care given to 318 neglected graves of veterans. In addition in two cemeteries that are without a superintendent care was given under the supervision of the custodian to twenty-eight graves of veterans. The Veterans of Foreign Wars cared for nine graves in the cemeteries under their charge.
A summary by lots ; two or more veteran graves in some lots :
Cemetery
Whole Lots
1/2 Lots
Singles
Village
35
2
4
Highland
37
1
1
Mt. Hope
25
4
4
Old North
21
4
22
Fairmount
35
1
Elmwood
26
St. Francis
19
12
6
Lakeview
34
*Reed
19
*Ashwood
9
** Belcher
2
** Martin
4
** Pleasant Street
3
269
24
37
*Supervision of Custodian .
** Cared for by V. F. W.
A summary by wars: French and Indian, 8; Revolutionary, 95; 1812, 27; Civil, 206; Spanish, 3; World War, 16.
The hearty co-operation received from the superintendents of the various cemeteries is worthy of comment. This year, as in the previous two, from six to a dozen lots in each of the larger cemeteries have been turned over and re-seeded without cost to the town.
Yours sincerely, KARL O'NEIL, Custodian of Veteran Graves.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Street Department for the year ending December 31, 1933.
At the annual town meeting in March of this year the appropriation for maintenance of highways, construction of drains and catch basins, oiling of streets, snow removal, bridges and other miscellaneous items including permanent sidewalks and the construction of Ells Avenue amounted to $121,264, the largest items of which were $49,000 for general repairs, $16,964 for oiling of streets and $10,000 for the removal of snow.
The general repairs appropriations, necessarily the largest amount, is used primarily for maintenance of streets and against which much of the labor charge is applicable. Chargeable to this item during the year work done on widening of Union Street from Columbian Square to the Rockland line, that on Pleasant Street from the vicinity of Pine Street to Park Road, removing ledge and resurfacing part of Granite and Sum- mit Streets and the removal of ledge and widening Commercial Street near Union Avenue, were most important from the safety standpoint.
The importance of street drainage cannot be stressed too strongly, although the funds estimated have usually been somewhat less than the sum expended. Considerable drainage has been constructed during the year, most important of which are along White Street, Bates Avenue, Hawthorne Street, High Street, Birthbrow Avenue, Union Street and the removal of old stone culverts in the several sections of the town.
Sidewalks constructed from the appropriation used by the Selectmen and from special appropriations included certain locations on Pleasant Street, from Crawford Machine Works to Independence Square, Pleasant Street near the Pratt School, Washington Street, between Lincoln and Washington Squares, reconstruction at Foggs Opera House, Randolph Street, Main Street, Saunders Street, Bridge Street, Center Street, Shaw- mut Street, and West Street. Curbing along Webb Street, between Rich- mond and Summit Streets, is also included in sidewalk work.
It is imperative that road oil used for surface treatment of streets must comply with Massachusetts standard specifications for highway work in cities and towns. To ascertain that this material conformed to the required specifications, samples were taken at intervals during the summer, submitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology labora- tories and the proper tests made. The analysis received on all asphaltic materials used by this department met all state requirements. With such materials the streets of the town were treated at a cost of $15,980.22, a sum less than was estimated in the budget.
On account of the small balance in the snow removal item, over which the department had no control, and the severity of the weather in December it became necessary to exceed the budget of this year. Ap- proval for an overdraft was given by the Board of Selectmen and the emergency was taken care of through the assistance of the Appropriation Committee.
181
The outstanding accomplishment of the department was the extension of Middle Street, from Circuit Avenue to Main Street, under the super- vision of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works.
An appropriation of $15,000 was made by the town at a special meeting May 3 and subsequently the State authorized the same amount as a Chapter No. 90 project. With the combined amount of $30,000, work was begun July 10 and was completed and accepted December 23.
The plans for a 50 foot taking, 30 foot traveled way with gravel sub-base, 3 inches broken stone base bound with stand, a 2 inch bituminous concrete surface, retaining walls, an ddrainage, were drawn by the Public Works Department.
The roadway with banked curves, easy grades, gravel shoulders, deep drainage and culverts, ledge excavation, cable guard rail, and other details of construction made work difficult and hazardous but the results are comparable to any street in town.
A definite cost cannot at this time be ascertained because the Public Works Department has not issued final figures but a close check-up reveals that the cost will be approximately $29,000.
The streets accepted at the annual town meeting were built by wel- fare labor under the supervision of the Building Inspector, Who was directly in charge of all activities of welfare workers.
In all branches of the street department there have been employed 971 men who have received from the town a sum of approximately $100,000.
In November the Federal Government effected the Civil Works Administration for the purpose of creating work for the unemployed and requested under the State Administration that projects be submitted as soon as possible for the employment of about 500 men and women. With- out delay projects were submitted for drainage on Commercial Street, Wilson Avenue, Coolidge Avenue, Pond Street, Broad Street, Union Street, and subsequently on Lake Shore Park, Circuit Avenue, Robins- wood Road and Weston Park. Augmented by the several federal, state and local projects about 800 men and women were employed in a very short time. Nearly all this work is still in progress and will necessitate the expenditure of about $100,000. Other projects have been submitted but at this time no new one has been approved. It is hoped that such work as the above will continue until such time as the economic condition of the vicinity becomes better.
The co-operation of the Board of Selectmen, the Town Officials and men of the Street Department has been very helpful and much appreciated.
SUMMARY OF STREET DEPARTMENT BUDGET
Superintendent
$ 3500.00
General Repairs
47,208.25
Maintenance of Trucks
2,924.90
Crusher
1,460.43
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Fences and Signs
2,899.22
Street Cleaning
8,627.90
Equipment and Supplies
9,283.28
Bridges
1, 100.00
Gravel Sidewalks
2,181.66
Maintenance of Department Building
416.61
Drains and Catch Basins
11,762.12
Snow
12,456.26
Sundries
427.64
Oiling
15,980.22
$120,228.49
Respectfully submitted, T. J. KELLY, Superintendent of Streets.
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1933.
The following cases stated as pending in the last annual report of the Town Counsel are still pending; many of them are inactive and will soon be ripe for disposal under the rules of the Court:
Philip A. Rich, Jr., p.p.a. vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 23158, Norfolk Superior Court.
Stella M. Costanzo vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 23281, Norfolk Superior Court.
Rose Fay vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth No. 16469, Nor- folk Superior Court.
Alonzo B. Aldrich vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 17904, Norfolk Superior Court.
William S. Youngman, State Treasurer, vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 195659, Suffolk Superior Court.
Josephine L. Rogers vs. Robert Crawford and Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 23533, District Court of East Norfolk.
Peter Healey vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 25426, Norfolk Superior Court.
183
Inhabitants of Weymouth vs. City of Springfield, No. 25429, Norfolk Superior Court.
Frank W. Burbank vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 26223, Norfolk Superior Court.
Lilliam S. Brown vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 26222, Norfolk Superior Court.
Weymouth American Legion Corporation vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 25804, Norfolk Superior Court. This is an action of contract to recover $600.00 for rent as stated in an alleged lease.
Alfred R. Worthen vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, Nor- folk Superior Court, Ad damnum of the writ is $5,000. This is a case of tort for injuries received because of an alleged defect in the sidewalk at .150 Pleasant Street, South Weymouth.
Inhabitants of Weymouth vs. Inhabitants of Braintree, No, 22163, Norfolk Superior Court.
The following cases have been terminated during the period this report covers :
Alice E. Major vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 34606. District Court of East Norfolk. (This matter was settled by the town paying the sum of $75.00 damages for in- juries received by the plaintiff because of a defective dition of one of the town's highways.)
Ella M. Wellbrock vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 34180, District Court of East Norfolk. (This case was tried and a verdict was entered in favor of the town.) William B. Belcher, et al, vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth, No. 26794, Norfolk Superior Court. (This was a petition for assessment of damages for property taken by eminent domain within the watershed of the Weymouth Great Pond. A settlement was agreed upon by the petitioner and the town in the sum of $3,500.00. )
The action of Inhabitants of Weymouth vs. 111.4 acres of land-the so-called Golf Course case-was terminated after hearing before a master wherein the only issue was the amount of indemnity that the defendants should re- ceive for any damages they had suffered because of the proceedings instituted. The master found for the de- fendants in the sum of $4,350.72.
The cases of Edwin R. Sampson et als vs. Treasurer and Receiver General. Charles F. Hurley ; Edwin R. Sampson et als vs. Metropolitan District Commission, Davis B. Keniston et als: Edwin R. Sampson et als vs. Metro- politan District Commision, David B. Keniston et als, No. 7321, Supreme Judicial Court, were heard by the
181
Supreme Judicial Court during January and the decision of the Court appears in the advance sheets (A. S. 1933 page 361). The decision determined that the town was a part of the South Metropolitan Sewerage System.
One new case has been entered against the town:
Ethel Atkinson et al vs. Inhabitants of Weymouth. This is an action of tort and is based on an alleged defect on Washington Street.
In addition to the cases as set forth above, a number of minor ad-
justments have been made without the necessity of any legal proceedings and involving in the aggregate a small sum of money. Such other duties as fall within the scope of the town counsel's department have shown no decrease during the past vear.
Once more I wish to express my satisfaction at having received from your Honorable Board and from the townspeople and town departements such timely aid and helpful direction in dealing with the work of the town counsel's department.
Respectfully submitted, KENNETH L. NASH.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Weymouth,
Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit for your approval my annual report of the activities of the Fire Department during the past year of 1933.
During this period my department responded to 402 alarms of fire.
Considerable reduction has been realized by the quick action of spreading salvage covers, together with judicious use of fire streams. In the past, flagrant use of water was the greatest cause of insurance loss. It is this loss that we are now striving to reduce.
The members of my department have been placed under "Civil Service", which should prove a benefit to themselves and to the Town.
I would recommend that the committee on "Contributory Pen- sion" report, to see if any action may be taken on this matter.
The apparatus has responded to the various calls in the following manner:
Alarms Answered
Emergency
Pumped at Fires
Pumped at Test
21/2 in. Hose
Booster Hose
1 in. Hose
Ladders raised
Salvage covers
Hand Phomeme
Hand Soda & Acid
Large Soda & Acid
Pyrene
Co-2
Chimney Fussees
Lights used
Cellars syphoned
Hose used
Pump Cans
34
Engine 1
87
8
12,600
6,150
1,600
124-ft.
2
Engine 2
65
2
1 11,000
1,400
70-ft.
185
3
Engine 3
63
00
1 10,500
2,400
80-ft.
3
2
Engine 5
58
2 1312
2 9,700
5,800
73-ft.
3
1
9
10 30
Squad
198
10
17,200
20,700
3,000
48-ft. 38
1
6
Ladder 1
43 2
580-ft. 13
0
Ladder 2
130 2
1,728-ft. 16 78
38,450
326
W. W.2
51
18,750
106
47,400
211
W. W.5
42
950
Chief's car 402
1
4
4
186
Awnings
I
Hen House
2
Automobiles
32
Ice House
2
Barns
Milk House
I
Bridges
3
Moving Picture Booth
I
Chimney
25
Motor
I
Churches
2
Oil Burners
I3
Dwellings
88
Plumbing Shop
I
Dumps
13
Printing Shop
T
False
20
Store
3
Florist Office
I
Sheds
7
Garages
7
Tent
1
Garages
7
Tool House
I
Gasoline Truck
Yacht Club
I
Total-402
Inspections Made-1584
Permits Issued-1944
Blasting
12
Removing tanks
23
Bonfires
8
Sale of fireworks
32
Burning of rubbish
197
Storage of oil
1621
Display of fireworks
5
Storage of volatiles
4
Garages
30
Transport explosives
12
BUILDINGS
Ward I. These quarters are in very poor repair. In the near future considerable expense will be involved to make living conditions better. The heater is in a dangerous condition, being old, and it is necessary to force it to the utmost to get any results. Painting and repairs are urgently needed throughout. New quarters should be provided the com- pany.
Ward 2. This building, though comparatively new, should be water- proofed to stop the dampness from penetrating to the interior and defacing plaster on walls and ceiling. Radiators should be placed on the apparatus floor, as the heating facilities now in use have proven inadequate to heat this space. The woodwork must be painted inside and out.
Ward 3. Due to the leaks which occurred during driving rains, the walls and ceilings need considerable repairs and painting. These quarters are deteriorating fast, due to the lack of upkeep.
Ward 5. This is an old station, and like Ward I, it is hardly good policy to spend any great amount to keep it up to standard. The floors, whch were originally for light horse-drawn equipment, have settled under the load of the heavy motor apparatus and have considerably weakened the whole structure. A new building should be contemplated in the near future.
APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
The motor apparatus is in good repair, and has been thoroughly tested. Each piece has been found to be working efficiently. Minor repairs contemplated will be done by department mechanics.
187
The squad truck experienced some damage, resulting from an acci- dent while responding to a false alarm. The repairs were quickly made by the mechanics of the department, meaning not only a saving to the town, but also decreasing the time that this piece was out of use.
Some 2,000 feet of 21/2" hose was purchased and placed in service. I recommend the purchase of the same amount during this year, to main- tain the efficiency of the department, as a burst length of hose means considerable delay, and may mean the loss of lives and property.
I commend the men for the way they care for the apparatus and equipment throughout the department.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to the members of your board, to the officers and members of my department. and to the other departments of the town for their generous co-operation and assistance during this trying year.
Respectfully, J. RALPH BACON, Chief of Fire Department.
To Chief J. Ralph Bacon,
Weymouth Fire Department.
I respectfully submit the annual report of the firm alarm system of the Weymouth Fire Department.
During the year alarms have been transmitted over the system:
Alarms for fires
129 Lost child calls 2
Multiple second alarms I Boy Scout calls 2
Multiple third alarms I
No school signals I
False 20 7 blows IO
The outside wire is in very good condition, very little trouble being encountered from this source. The constant replacement of new poles has added much to the upkeep of the system. It is also necessary to renew approximately 200 crossarms each year to keep the system in efficient operation.
We have a number of obsolete alar boxes spread over the circuit, which are over 40 years old. I am hoping to get three new boxes this year to take the place of boxes I consider dangerous to the system. In concluding, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for the services and co-operation rendered at all times.
Respectfully, C. F. COOLIDGE, Superintendent of Fire Alarms.
1
188
PUBLIC PROPERTY ACCOUNT FIRE DEPARTMENT
Location
Land Value, Buildings
Personal
Total
Ward I Athens Street
$ 400.00
$ 8,250.00
$14,236.74
$22,886.74
Ward 2 Broad Street
3,000.00
60,000.00
36,274.07
99,274.07
Ward 3 Washington Street
800.00
37,000.00
18,067.10
55,867.10
Ward 5 Pleasant Street
725.00
9,300.00
23,000.55
33,925.55
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS 324 Washington Street, Weymouth, Mass., January 18, 1934.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Inspector of An- imals for the year 1933.
Number of places inspected
52
Number of cows inspected
490
Number of young stock inspected
32
Number of bulls inspected
8
Number of dogs inspected
25
Number of dogs quarantined
5
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. DWYER, Inspector of Animals.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WESS
SSET 1622
LABORARE
CERE
MASSACHUSETTS
.1635.
$35
E
O
WEYMOUTH, MASS. 1933
191
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE PRINCE H. TIRRELL, Chairman MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR, Secretary
JOHN P. HUNT 99 Front Street, Weymouth
J. HERBERT LIBBY, M. D. 707 Broad Street, East Weymouth EDWIN R. SAMPSON 19 Lincoln Street, North Weymouth
MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR Term expires April 1, 1935 Wey. 2354
44 Tower Avenue, South Weymouth FRANCIS W. REA 706 Pleasant Street, East Weymouth PRINCE H. TIRRELL 167 Pleasant Street, South Weymouth
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