USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1936 > Part 14
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The games played in tournaments were baseball, horseshoes, paddle tennis, and volley ball. A tournament in punchball was played among: Bicknell, Weston, and Webb.
Champions follow:
Event Winners Park
Horseshoes
Midgets: George Rand, Clark Cameron
Weston
Juniors: Joseph Kalaghan, Merton Grant
Bicknell
Seniors: Wm. Boudreau, Ted O'Leary Bicknell
Paddletennis
Midgets: James Schiesski, James McKinney
Stetson
Juniors: Wm. Desmond, Joseph Sullivan
Weston
Girls: Eunice Kohler, Rita Murphy
Pond Plain Volleyball-
Girls: Alberta Edwards, Lois French, Marjorie, June, and Phyllis Newcomb, Virginia Cobb, Ruth Tirrell Bradford Hawes.
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Baseball-
Midgets: H. Boudreau, Sims, Durant, McCurdy, Lovell, Cappolo, Bill Rogers, Wilcox, Kezer, Hansen, Porter, Bob Rogers, J. Doyle, B. Doyle, An- derson, B. Boudreau, and O'Brien Bicknell
Juniors : Quinlan, Mckinnon, Anderson, Fitzpatrick Cheverie, Sheehan, Lyman, Bandini, Santry, Donovan, Kezer. Bicknell
Seniors: Warner, Bates, G. Thomas, L. Thomas, Ander- son, Houghton, Callahan, Walsh, Lane, Taylor, Evans, Kenney, Belcher. Pond Plain
HANDWORK
A new idea was introduced this year in having a handwork super- visor, who was Doris Upton. At least one hour a day was devoted to this under the supervision of the playground instructor or handwork supervisor. One project a week was made by the children, ranging from six to fourteen years of age. Knitted pocketbooks, scarfs, woven mats, patchwork pilows, and luncheon cloths, and napkins were made. An ex- hibition was held at Bicknell playground, August 13th, and prizes were awarded to those who did the best work. Those who received awards were Mary MacDonnell, Barbara Stearns, Mildred Currier, Shirley Nichols, and Mary Kezer.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Every Thursday, a special event was held at each playground. These events included the following: doll carriage, horrible, character, bicycle parades; track and field events, weenie roasts, cold drink sales, treasure hunts, sand modeling contests, soap bubble contests, and parties. Mrs. Kohler held a play at the Pond Plain Community House for the purpose of buying refreshments for the children at the picnic at Wessagusset Beach.
During the fifth week, picnics were held at Wessagusset Beach with 500 children attending. Swimming, games, and refreshments were enjoyed. Buses transported the children to and from the beach, with the exception of the children from Bicknell Park, who walked.
Respectfully submitted, EVERETT J. McINTOSH, Chairman. CHARLES W. BURGESS, Clerk.
162
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1936. The Town's Legal business has been properly cared for during the past twelve months and no serious inroads have been made on the Town's Treasury as a result of those cases which have been tried in Court. In one instance a judgment in the sum of just under a thousand dollars against the Town and which was the largest judgment obtained during the year was due to necessaries supplied to a person who definitely had a settlement in Weymouth and for this reason the Town was financially liable. Other judgments have been obtained but their sum total measures favorably with the general average over a period of years.
The majority of the cases that are brought to the attention of the Legal Department however have to do with injuries received as the result of alleged defects in the highways in the Town. As I have previously pointed out this type of case is always with us and seems to occur in increasing numbers. Many of these have been adjusted without the necessity of litigation. Obviously some must go to trial due to the fact that liability is doubtful, or because the parties involved estimate their damages at figures that seem excessive. A few of the cases of this nature are now pending before the Courts but the entire amount involved does not aggregate any considerable sum of money.
There are several legal matters of importance to the Town that are now pending. Of these I might first point out the situation regarding the Laban Pratt Trust Fund so-called.
Under the terms of the will of the late Laban Pratt by the second clause of the codicil dated February 19, 1916, it is provided that the Town of Weymouth shall have:
"The sum of three hundred thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a hospital in that part of the town called Weymouth Heights and in the neighborhood of the Old North Church, said fund to be managed and controlled by said town in such manner as it may deem wise and expedient."
The Town for a little over a decade have had the money invested and due to interest accumulations the sum now aggregates approximately $479,717.86. The Attorney-General has interpreted this clause to mean that the Town must go forward and establish its hospital in accordance with what he states is a positive direction to that effect and insists that the Town either go ahead and build its hospital or surrender the gift and indicates strongly that he will institute the proper legal measures to compel one alternative or the other. Negotiations with that department have resulted in the Attorney-General agreeing to wait until after the Annual Town Meeting in order that this matter might be considered anew so that the Town in view of this construction of the will by the Attorney-General may determine what action it, chooses to take. It seems inevitable that definite steps in some direction must be advanced and it is my recommendation that the Town vote that its Legal Depart- ment be instructed to join issue with the Attorney-General when he files his petition for instructions for interpretation of the will in the Probate Court of Suffolk County, this being a Suffolk County will, as to whether the Town may handle this fund as it is now doing or whether it must take some other definite action.
The Town has recently been made defendant in an action having largely to do with extras claimed by the Contractor in the erection of a
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Water Filtration Plant at the Weymouth Great Pond. The ad damnum in this case is thirty thousand dollars and though the Town insists its liability is but a fraction of this sum the result remains in abeyance. The suit will be vigorously defended.
The Town has been made the defendant in an action in which the ad damnum is ten thousand dollars for malicious prosecution to Mr. Sumner Eddy and Mrs. Agnes Eddy. These actions grew out of the alleged misfeasance of Mr. Channing Furnald as Director of Public Welfare in the years 1934 and 1935. During his tenure of office Mr. Furnald thought that Mrs. Eddy with the knowledge of her husband had made false statements to the Welfare Department in order to secure financial relief. As a result he instituted criminal process against both. Both actions were dismissed without trial and now the complainants are suing the Town. It may be beside the point but Mr. Furnald is likewise personally a defendant in similar suits.
As a result of work performed allegedly under the direction of the W. P. A. having to do with drainage, damage in the sum of about three thousand dollars was allegedly caused to one of our inhabitants. Suit in which the ad damnum will be around six thousand dollars is about to be instituted to recover from the Town for work negligently performed resulting in such damage. With an increased number of employees or persons working by authority of and in pursuance of a vote of the Town you may expect an increasing number of such suits.
It seemed to me essential and proper that I should set forth in this report to the Selectmen lawsuits of this degree of importance in order that the people may be kept properly informed.
To the Board of Selectmen and all of the departments of the Town who have greatly aided and assisted the work of this department with their kind and intelligent co-operation, I wish to extend my grateful appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH L. NASH, Town Counsel.
164
MEMORIAL DAY REPORT
At the annual Town Meeting held March 2nd, 1936 it was voted under Article 1 Item 34 that a committee of nine be appointed from the various veterans and hereditery organizations in accordance with the provisions of General Laws (tercentenary edition), Chapter 5 Clause 12 by the Moderator who shall designate the chairman.
The following committee was appointed, Henry B. Vogel, honorary chairman,Commander Reynolds Post, 58, G.A.R .; William McClain, chair- man, Commander Wessagusset Post, 1399, V.F.W .; Roy H. Rosewell, Com- mander Ralph Talbot Chapter 36, DAV .; Daniel P. Cummings, Commander Weymouth Post, 79, A.L .; Ellis Williams, Senior Vice Commander Wes- sagusset Post, 1399 V.F.W .; Thomas H. MacDonald, Senior Vice Commander, Ralph Talbot Chapter 36, D.A.V .; Thomas F. Major, Jr., Senior Vice Commander, Weymouth Post 79, A.L .; Ernest A. Smith, Commander Gen. James L. Bates Camp, S.U.V .; William Van Meter, Vice Commander; Gen. James L. Bates Camp, S.U.V.
The committee organized and the first meeting was held at the Town Hall, East Weymouth, April 14th, 1936, there were six additional meetings which were well attended and very harmonious. Commander Vogel asked that the program be carried out as in previous years and he expressed his regret in not being able to attend the meetings due to illness.
Daniel P. Cummings, Commander Weymouth Post 79, A.L. was elected Chief Marshal, with Henry B. Vogel, Commander Reynolds Post 58, G.A.R. honorary chief marshal. As in previous years the parade formed at Hur- ley's Square, (Thomas Corner) at 7:45 A.M. Saturday, May 30th, and proceeded to the various cemeteries throughout the Town where services and decoration of graves were conducted by veterans.
In order to carry out arrangements as in previous years 975 gerani- ums, 7 gross of flags, 300 rounds of ammunition, 67 wreaths, 3 bouquets, 2 Cars, 2 Busses and American Legion Band was necessary to continue the usual custom. After all cemeteries had been covered the parade was brought up in front of Commander Henry B. Vogel's home to pay honor to the only surviving member of Post 58, after which the parade proceeded to the civic center where appropriate exercises were held under the direction of chairman William McClain, following the exercises a luncheon was served at the High School Cafeteria to approximately 400 people who participated in the parade.
The committee wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to the Police Department, Fire Department, School Department, and the W.R.C. and Auxiliaries of veterans organizations for their co-operation and untiring efforts in the observance of memorial day May 30th, 1936.
Respectfully submitted, ROY H. ROSEWELL,
Secretary Memorial Day Com.
165
REPORT OF TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth:
Gentlemen:
My thirteenth annual report on surveying and engineering work for the town is herewith submitted.
The annual revision of the 65 assessors sheets is much the same as re- gards the method of procedure and the amount of necessary work; there has been an increase in work since the earlier years due to the recent re- placement of a certain number of sheets worn out by the erasures and changes made over many preceding years.
At the annual town meeting in March, 1936, by vote of the members, over 100 street names were changed which means many more than that number of changes on the sheets, as the same street name appears in many cases on several sheets and this of course also adds to the work.
It is perhaps unnecessary to itemize our usual work at the Registry of Deeds, the Probate and Land Court work, together with the surveys, locations, measurements, revisions, etc., made each year in order to furnish the Assessors with a set of maps showing the ownership of record, and the area and buildings of each parcel to be assessed.
The street numbers are also now shown on the sheets.
In examining about 1100 deeds many are found which are ambiguous and require perhaps a conference with the grantor or grantee to determine the intention, and sometimes a new or confirmatory deed is required to correct an error or make the transfer clear and definite.
These revised prints as well as those of previous years are on file at the office of the Assessors.
During 1936 the transfers, tax deeds, certificates of redemption, re- leases, takings and other documents copied at the Registry of Deeds totalled about 991 and in the Land Court section about 85 certificates, etc., were obtained; these with 42 probates make a total of 1118 for the year ending December 31, 1936, a slight increase over the previous year. In addition there were 73 probates copied before February 1, 1936, and shown on the sheets revised to January 1, 1936.
Permits copied at the office of the building inspector covering dwellings, garages, other buildings, and additions or changes numbered 365; while an inspection of the sheets on which our locations on the ground had been entered during the process of revision to January 1, 1937, showed 133 new buildings, 209 additions or changes affecting the exterior of the buildings and 99 buildings removed, or a total of 441 corrections to be made.
Of the above the new police station and the new fire station at North Weymouth were municipal buildings.
The above outlines briefly the town survey work during 1936.
I would again emphasize the importance of recording all documents and plans which establish a change in ownership as property is taxed to the owner of record and a failure to record a deed might result in a sale of the property for taxes with an attendant expense, for redemption, to the true owner.
Some of the increased work is briefly noted above.
There is also necessary surveying and grades called for on many of the town projects in order that the work may be properly and economically done; this is in addition to the routine work common to any town.
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It is also true that many of the newly accepted streets have not been properly marked by stone bounds.
For these reasons I would recommend an appropriation of $5500 for the engineering department for 1937 to cover all of the above work.
In submitting the above appropriation I might note that I have in my office in addition to myself three men constantly available for any town work during the year, although only the time given to such work is charged to the engineering appropriation.
The above budget includes the labor, supplies and expenses (of the entire office force), charged to the above appropriation, the use of one automobile kept entirely for business purposes, and a substantial use of a second car which I have for both business and personal use.
Should the town wish to revise and republish the lithograph map of the town which would seem to me to be desirable at this time in view of the new streets since the last publication eight years ago, and especially on account of the many changes in street names, an additional appropriation of $2000 would be required.
This was the cost of the last revision and publication of which amount about $700 was paid to the lithographers. These maps and the town survey prints are quite extensively used, the town survey prints being especially valuable since the street numbers were added.
I would list the following surveying and engineering work, common to all towns, done during 1936 in accordance with instructions from your Board, or at the request of other departments of the town :-
The giving of street lines; survey and plan of proposed street widenings; street descriptions; the preparation of various project plans covering dif- ferent classes of work; taking blue prints of W. P. A. project plans; staking street layouts or widenings; staking and giving grades for street construc- tion; study of proposed layout for regrading street; establishing high water mark for Whitman's pond; taking prints for the town of plans of various cemeteries; survey and plan of relocation of a part of Pleasant Street; plan showing proposed drainage of Washington Square; staking and grades for W. P. A. work; work on Columbian Square grading, and survey and plan of proposed taking of Fogg Library land corner of Pleasant Street and Colum- bian Street; grading plan of site of new police station, and staking and giving line and grades for wall, etc., on same; giving grades at new filter plant at Great Pond; topographical survey and giving grades at new fire station at North Weymouth; lines and grades for curb, adjacent drives, grading, etc., at Great Hill Park; survey and plan of a part of Bradford Hawes Park showing various playground features in the park, and staking property line for fence; revision of plan showing all permanent sidewalks constructed to date; estimate of quantities for grading the Stella L. Tirrell playground and staking and giving grades for same; topographical plan of site of South Weymouth Fire Station; plan and profile of drains; plan of land taking on Middle Street; plan of land taking on Pleasant Street near Pine Street; plan and elevations of Leary meadow for consideration of the skating pond; street lines on various streets for the setting of poles by the Weymouth Light and Power Co., and other minor work.
The above in general covers the surveying and engineering work done in 1936.
For the courtesy shown and assistance given to me and to those in my. office, by your Board, by other town officials, and by many citizens, I wish in closing to extend my thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING, Civil Engineer.
167
POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 9, 1937.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the services rendered by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1936.
CAUSES FOR ARRESTS
Crimes against the person
29
Crimes against property
97
Crimes against public order, etc
1026
Total arrests for the year 1
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Three raids for gaming
Complaints investigated
787
Doors and buildings found open and secured
1252
Street lights reported out
315
Wagon calls
332
Ambulance calls
52
Animals killed
94
Messages delivered
378
Fires reported
8
Defective streets
41
Lost persons found
27
Property recovered
$2622.75
During the year a new station house was erected which should be adequate for many years.
I wish to extend my thanks to the Board of Selectmen, they acting as the building committee, also to Mr. George Marshall and Mr. Frank Pray of the W. P. A. Committee.
In Memoriam
THOMAS SLATTERY
Appointed to this department 1927, died September 10, 1936.
1152
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In Memoriam
ARTHUR H. PRATT
Appointed to this department 1891; retired as chief 1931. Died October 17, 1936.
EDWARD F. BUTLER,
Chief of Police.
REPORT OF THE HARBORMASTER
January 9, 1937.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Harbormaster;
Boats reported lost
41
Boats recovered
39
Yachts assisted
68
Persons rescued
8
Children taken from unsafe boats
37
Oil complaints
17
Stolen property reported
3
Coal dust complaints
42
Fire in yacht
1
Unlawful use of rifle
1
Mooring complaints
3
Dangerous obstructions removed
4
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER,
Harbormaster.
169
CUSTODIAN OF VETERANS' GRAVES
January 20, 1937.
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Weymouth, Mass .:
I submit my report as Custodian of Veteran Graves for 1936.
There are over nine hundred graves of veterans in the thirteen ceme- teries in the town of Weymouth. Under the provisions of the law governing this expenditure, 372 graves located in 319 different lots have been listed as entitled to care at town expense. Nine of this number are cared for by Wessagusett Post No. 1399, V. F. W., under another appropriation. Nine are located in the old Ashwood Cemetery where the terrain is such that little care is necessary. The fifteen lots in the Reed Cemetery are un- der the supervision of the custodian. Care for the remaining 286 lots in the eight larger cemeteries is by arrangement with the various superintendents and payment is made to the cemetery associations. The price per lot for annual care is the same as is charged by each association to individuals.
The veteran graves as separated by wars:
French & Indian
Rev.
1812
Civil
Spanish
World War
Mex. Border
Total number
7
111
43
663
19
75
1
Number under care
7
88
27
219
4
12
1
The graves of veterans entitled to care, separated by cemeteries: St. Francis, 39; Old North, 47; Village, 41; Elmwood, 21; Fairmount, 38; High- land, 39; Lakeview, 32; Mt. Hope, 29; Reed, 15; Ashwood, 9; Three Old, 9.
Allow me to again appreciate the co-operation received from the super- intendents of the various cemeteries by noting it in my annual report.
Respectfully submitted,
KARL O'NEIL, Custodian of Veteran Graves.
BURIAL AGENT
January 20, 1937.
Honorable Board of Selectmen, Weymouth, Mass .: I submit my report as Burial Agent for 1936.
No burials were made during the year under the statute governing the burial of indigent soldiers and sailors.
Respectfully submitted,
KARL O'NEIL, Burial Agent.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
J
AGU
WESS
ET-162
BORAREEST VINCER
MASSACHUSETTS
5
M
YM
WEYMOUTH, MASS,
1936
173.
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE
PRINCE H. TIRRELL, Chairman MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR, Secretary
J. HERBERT LIBBY, M.D.
707 Broad Street, East Weymouth
Term expires April 1, 1937 Wey. 0216
WILLIAM F. SHIELDS Term expires April 1, 1937
41 Glendale Street, Weymouth
Wey. 2305-M
WALLACE H. DRAKE, M.D. 88 Sea Street, North Weymouth
Term expires April 1, 1938 Wey. 0450
MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR Term expires April 1, 1938
44 Tower Avenue, South Weymouth
Wey. 2354
CLAYTON W. NASH 1
Term expires April 1, 1939
19 West Street, South Weymouth
Wey. 0740
PRINCE H. TIRRELL 167 Pleasant Street, South Weymouth
Term expires April 1, 1939 Wey. 2175-M
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
PARKER T. PEARSON
590 North Street, East Weymouth
Wey. 0520
OFFICE
Weymouth High School, East Weymouth
Wey. 1460
Office Hours
8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p. m.
HELEN G. TONRY, Secretary
79 Chard Street, East Weymouth Wey. 0966
MYRTLE L. RICE, Assistant Secretary 79 Front Street, Weymouth Wey. 1534-M
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1936-37
FALL TERM: Opens September 9-Closes December 23.
WINTER TERM: Opens January 4-Closes February 26. Opens March 8-Closes April 30
SPRING TERM: Opens May 10-Closes June 24.
HOLIDAYS: Columbus Day, Armistice Day, Thanksgiving and day follow- ing, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2-2 2-2-2
The signal will be given at 7:30 a. m. when transportation to school by bus is impossible.
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GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the High School Building at 8:00 p. m.
ENTRANCE AGE
No child shall be admitted to school in September unless he has reached the age of five years on or before the first day of April preceding. Children entering for the first time will be admitted only during the first two weeks of school.
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
A birth certificate is required for entrance to the first grade.
VACCINATION
No child shall be allowed to enter the first grade without a cer- tificate of successful vaccination.
Quotation from State Law, Chapter 76, Section 15: "An unvac- cinated child shall not be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certificate like the physician's certificate re- quired by Section 182 of Chapter 3."
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
No child between the ages of fourteen and sixteen shall be allowed to leave school until a signed promise of employment card has been presented to the principal of the building in which he is attending school. Employment certificates are issued by Mr. Charles Y. Berry, at the Hunt School, Weymouth, every week day except Saturday, between the hours of nine and twelve.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Weymouth:
The School Committee herewith submits its report for the calendar year last past, to which is appended the report of the Superintendent of Schools, with the reports of the department heads, and made a part hereof.
During the year there has been one change in the membership of the Committee. Mr. Francis W. Rea, who had been a member of the Committee continuously since the year 1921, was not a candidate for re-election. Mr. Clayton W. Nash was elected in his stead. We all wish to recognize the faithful service of Mr. Rea on this Committee throughout past years, and wish him health and happiness in his new residence in Plymouth.
The amount of the school appropriation voted at the March Town Meeting was $5,000.00 less than the estimates submitted by the Committee. Every endeavor has been made to keep expenses within such amount, but some necessary improvements which had been planned had to be post- poned.
During a severe storm in August lightning struck two school buildings at the same time, the Washington and the High Schools, doing consider- able damage. Fortunately this damage, which was estimated to be $1,985.00, was covered by insurance, and an equivalent amount was al- located from the reserve fund to meet the cost of repairs.
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