USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1937 > Part 18
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A new culvert on Commercial Street, near Commercial and Webb Streets. has been built.
Laurel Street and Cain Avenue: the grade is such that if necessary a drain could be built down Laurel Street and continuing down Cain Avenue to Broad Street connect with the catch basins or drain there.
Babcock Avenue and Holbrook Road: There would be no difficulty as to grades if a drain is needed in either street.
An amendment to Art. 13 calls for drainage of a low point in Great Pond Road near the property line of the Pond School lot. This would require about 350 lineal feet of drain leading from the present catch basins or dry wells at the low point in Great Pond Road to the drain in Sycamore Road. The maximum cut would be 10 feet.
Art. 14. Both Holbrook Road and Bicknell Road drainage should go either on the surface or otherwise to catch basins on the southerly side of Fore River Avenue, and thence through the sea wall to the river.
Art. 15. Union Street from Columbian Square to the Rockland line: There is a 10" drain (1800 lineal feet) on the south side of Union Street from Columbian Square to a point beyond Reed Avenue; there is a 10" drain on the southerly side from No. 377 to No. 435 Union Street, a distance of 800 lineal feet; there is also a 10" drain on the northerly side (300 lineal feet) from No. 414 to No. 436 Union Street. From No. 521 Union Street to the Rockland line (1700 lineal feet) there are no drains.
Art. 16. This has been attended to and drainage supplied.
In some cases the addition of a curb along the street or the change in grade of a gutter might cause water flowing onto adjacent land, or stagnant water, to find its way to an existing catch basin or other outlet and thus relieve an objectionable condition without new drain construction.
In addition to above we have located and plotted on a set of town sur- vey sheets 726 town catch basins and 166 State catch basins, a total of 892.
Of culverts and pipes across streets 160 of the town and 22 of the State or a total of 182 have been located and plotted.
Existing drains where the location is known, brooks and easements are now being plotted from plans in my office.
It would seem to me that with the above data available, supplemented with the levels (obtained during the survey for the sewer report) shown on other town sheets, a study for other drainage desired could be easily and quickly made as the need arose.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING, Civil Engineer.
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REPORT OF THE HARBORMASTER
Weymouth, Mass., January 10, 1938
Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the Harbormaster:
Boats reported lost
Boats recovered
38 35 75
9
Children taken from unsafe boats
60
Oil pollution complaints
23
Stolen boats reported
1
Coal dust and cinder complaints
17
Fire on yacht
1
Launchings covered at Fore River
3
Mooring complaints
8
Dangerous obstructions removed
3
Total number complaints investigated
48
Property recovered
$875.00
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER, Harbor Master.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Weymouth, Mass., January 10, 1938
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, 1937.
CAUSES FOR ARREST
Crimes against the person
25
Crimes against property
86
Crimes against public order
1032
Violation liquor laws
1
Total arrests for the year
1144
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Search for gaming, one
Complaints investigated
872
Doors and buildings found open and secured
1786
Street lights reported out 465
Wagon calls 328
Yachts assisted
Persons rescued
219
Ambulance calls Animals killed Messages delivered Fires reported Defective streets Missing persons found Property recovered
33
94
449
13
55 26
$6086.00
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER, Chief of Police.
WPA COMMITTEE REPORT - 1937
The WPA Committee's report is composed of three parts, first, the period from March 7 to December 31, 1937; second, from January 1, 1938 to March 7, 1938; and the third is a brief review and recommendations based on our experience.
A. A point of major interest at the March 1937 Town Meeting was the huge overhead for administrative expense of the previous committee. An especial endeavor was made by your ommittee to correct that evil, if it could be called an evil, and it is our pleasure to present the following figures indicating a rather large saving over last year in these three respects.
1936 Committee 1937 Committee Saving
Supervision Truck Drivers
$3794.33
$1101.46
$2692.87
8443.54
5523.50
2920.04
General Administration
8258.57
4957.00
3301.57
We anticipate that a greater saving will be made than that just pre- sented, because it only covers an approximate corresponding 9 months' period in both years. Further, we would like to point out that this saving, went into materials for projects which we considered much desired and most ben- eficial to the Town.
The Committee at the outset planned to operate those projects: (a) which were the cheapest to maintain; although not necessarily the cheapest to construct; (b) which were likely to preserve the physical assets of the Town rather than those which would increase the burden of maintenance; (c) which would develop those recreational facilities and protect those natural resources which the Town Meeting members recommended should be done by this committee; (d) which would clear up obligations assumed by the Town at previous Town Meetings and which, for some undetermined reason, were left undone by previous committees or other town departments. The following is a partial list of projects selected and graded according to the classifying reasons above. These projects either have been completed or are in the process of construction.
1. Lowering water pipes
Construction of parks & playgrounds Police Station wall Surveys of Cemeteries, Town Bounds & old records Filtration Plant Reclamation
2. Town Barn painting & repairs Painting Schools, Town Hall, Street Lines & Park Equipment Mosquito Control
220
3. Tree pruning Gypsy Moth Control & Moth Elimination Great Hill Park & Road Bradford Hawes Park
4. Pleasant & Pine Street Greenacre Castle Road Beals Street Roosevelt Road Poinsetta Ave. Pierce oRad Lakewood Ave.
Sunnyplain Ave. Essex Street Sidewalks & Curbing
By virtue of the vote establishing this committee, it was our task to spend at least $14,000 for sidewalks and curbing. This the Committee has done. To eliminate individual bias and political machinations, the WPA Committee was subject to the Plannng Board as to which sidewalks should be operated and in which order they should be installed. The Committee goes on record as saying that the Planning Board did a very good job in this respect. The following list speaks for itself, and we would urge that those who are interested should note the equal distribution of the sidewalks throughout the Town, the hazards which were thereby removed, the age of the streets, and the conditions involved.
North Street Academy Avenue Rosemont Road Sherwood Road Commercial Street Madison Street Front Street Pond Street
Torrey Street Broad Street
This work represents the installation of 14,800 feet of sidewalk and 15,000 feet of curbing, a marked increase in the permanent physical develop- ment, both economically and aesthetically, of the Town.
During the period ending December 31, 1937, we have averaged 200 employees who have received an average of $14.00 a week in salary and $2.00 a week in commodities. In all, the Committee was responsible for $60,000 town contribution, $135,000.00 for the Federal contribution and an estimated value for commodities of $40,000.00, which were supplied by the Federal Government. The WPA workers were very considerate on the whole, and the fact that we had very little difficulties from them made our task much more easy.
B. There remains under our stewardship about 3 months, and during this period we anticipate that our task is likely to be a little more burden- some than the past 9 months. Up to this time, we have been able to do work which was efficient and beneficial, and the $15,000 spent each quarter was just enough to take care of the 200 people in our employ. For the balance of the year we have not a great deal of money left, and we have the problem of employing almost 40% more men than heretofore. A recent communication has allowed us to employ 75 more people, making a total for the next 3 months of 275 employees. We do not expect because of the monetary limitation placed on us and the usual winter weather to do the same type of work that we have just completed, but we shall do ou rvery best in getting the most for your money.
221
Having caasually referred to the fact that the winter time is a difficult period for obtaining the maximum advantage from the labor at our dis- posal, we propose in view of that condition to work the following projects - projects which will give us the maximum of improvement and the minimum of material expense.
Tree pruning - Cleaning drains - Installing new drains General park grading - Gypsy moth and tent caterpillar elimin- ation - curbing - filtration plant cleaning & grading.
C. To summarize briefly what the Committee has been through, we would say that it is quite satisfied with the work completed. Comparing our labors with those of previous committees, we are satisfied that we have improved on the work done by the Committee of last year and have very closely approached the type of work done by previous administrators.
The following are recommendations and suggestions which we hope the members of the Town Meeting of 1938 will weigh very carefully when making provision for the coming year:
(a) a carefully conceived budget, adequately investigated by the Appropriation Committee and approved by them to eliminate the difficulties this Committee was confronted with immediately upon taking office, namely, the payment of a great number of unpaid bills. We were under the impression that we had $60,282.39 to spend this year, but after the bills were paid that were our inheritance from last year, we only had approximately $55,700.00.
(b) continuation of the sidewalks and curbing. The pro- gram as followed this year and which was recommended by the Town Meeting has muct to warrant it, and we respectfully urge that the same provision be made for the ensuing year, with this alteration only, that a larger sum, presumably $20,000 be allocated for that purpose.
(c) the more rapid operation of the recreational facilities now being developed by your committee. Specifically, we recommend that the Stella Tirrell Playground be pushed to the limit, at least until next June, in order that the people of South Weymouth may properly enjoy what the Town has provided for them. If the Town Meeting members should see fit to select this committee again, we hope that these two suggestions, b and c, shall be the foundation of our activity next year.
(d) the elimination of most of the maintenance work by the WPA Committee and that the Town Meeting should not send any maintenance items in the town warrant to our Com- mittee. It is our feeling that such a request to us denies us of a discretion that we would normally exercise in doing work which does not ordinarily fall within the purview of standing departments in the Town.
(e) we respectfully recommend, however, that one ex- ception should be made to the recommendation as above stated, and that is that maintenance should be continued on all properties in the form of painting. We feel that the Town derives a distinct economic advantage in doing such projects as already outlined.
(f) that the 1938 Committee continue white collar projects.
222
(g) it is not inappropriate at this time to ask the Town meeting members to recognize a development in the Federal system for providing work for the unemployed. This develop- ment comes to us more clearly and decisively than it does to the citizens of the Town. The past few years have indi- cated a desire on the part of the Federal Government to shift the burden of the unemployed more and more upon the re- spective localities, and in the preparation for the budget for the coming year, two provisions will be made by this commit- tee to cover contngencies which were not foreseen in March 1937. In order to maintain certain continuing projects as the sewing unit and white collar jobs, the sum of $1200 every quarter is now necessary. The previous Committees were not faced with such an expense, and we hope that the Town Meet- ing will recognize the fact that we anticipate a demand on the part of the Federal Government that we assume a greater bur- den during the coming year.
In closing, the Committee is very grateful for the assistance rendered to it by all department heads and department employees of the Town of Weymouth and particularly for the faithful service rendered to it by the few employees in its administrative department.
Respectfully submitted,
WPA COMMITTEE, Charles Griffin, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE WEYMOUTH, MASS.
Dec. 31, 1937
To the Honorable Board of Selectment
This committee prepared a contract with the Weymouth Light & Power Company for lighting the streets of the Town and this contract was ap- proved by your Board.
The year shows a net increase of twenty-five lights and a large increase in candle power.
The following is our present schedule :
1528
11 250 C. P. Lights 15 400 C. P. Lights 28 60 C. P. Lights @ $17.90 per year 50 100 C. P. Lights @ $22.00 per year
@ $39.80 per year
@ $50.00 per year
56 600 C. P. Lights
2 $65.00 per year
1000 C. P. Lights
$85.00 per year
1688
During the year we have greatly improved the lighting of Bridge Street by installing 600 C. P. lights with improved fixtures from Fore River Bridge to Bicknell Square. From the Square to Back River Bridge the improved fixtures were installed using 400 C. P. bulbs.
On Washington Street from Lincoln Square to Main Street alternate 400 C. P. fixtures and 1000 C. P. sodium lights were installed) This instal- lation has proved especially satisfactory.
223
We hope in 1938 to place three large ornamental lights on Middle Street at the Civic Center where there are no lights at the present time.
We are asking for 1938 a budget of approximately $36,000, an increase of $1,000 over the appropriation for 1937.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH KELLEY, Chairman ALFRED S. TIRRELL WALTER R. FIELD CHARLES L. GIBSON J. HERBERT LIBBY, Clerk
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN
Weymouth, Massachusetts January 15, 1938
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The outstanding work of the Tree Department during the past three years and this year, in particular, has been removing dead trees and dead wood from other trees. There is still much of this work to be done, but it is about time to carry out a program of reconditioning and rejuvenation. Weymouth is noted for its many tree lined streets. Many of our residents tell me that it was because of the trees they were first attracted to our Town. Collectively our trees are beautiful; individually - examine the trees on your street - are they perfect specimens? A tree which has is not a specimen tree.
An accumulation of dead wood Decayed branches and trunk Bruised bark on trunk Weak or split crotches Sickly undersized leaves in summer An excess of insect pests and diseases Bark borers, etc .-
is not a specimen tree.
Look over the trees near your residence and size them up. If there are no trees near you, perhaps there should be - perhaps you are one of hundreds who have wanted trees planted or reconditioned in your vicinity. This is an appeal to the tree lovers, the business men and the tax payers of Wey- mouth to become tree conscious.
We cannot carry on a constructive tree program on the small sum allotted to us for tree care. Materials are expensive, equipment is quite an item and it requires labor to do our work. We have the men and equip- ment to do 100% work. We are allowed money enough for 15 to 20 weeks work. At this rate our trees will forever be decreasing in value.
The Town Nursery is a monument to the late Mr. Fred Stevens who gave us the land to grow our trees. We took over a piece of scrub brush land, cleaned off brush and stumps with Welfare labor, set out 750 trees of varying ages and in another year we will have some fine trees to set out on the streets. I want to thank all who took part in carrying out the plan and working of this project.
224
I have had much helpful co-operation from our neighboring Tree War- dens, Tim Murphy of Hingham, Earl Bestick of Braintree and the father and son Tree Wardens of Quincy, Mr. Andrew Stewart and Andrew War- ren Stewart.
I shall endeavor to work for the cause of our shade trees and the safety of the citizens of Weymouth.
Very truly yours, V. LESLIE HEBERT, Tree Warden.
REPORT OF THE MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
Weymouth, Massachusetts January 15, 1938
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
True to my prediction, last year, due to the very mild winter, the insect problem was a severe one. The gypsy moth as usual, was the worst pest with which we had to conted, with the tent caterpillar a close runner up. Two WPA Projects and our Town Force worked to control gypsy moth and we could not keep them down. Consequently millions more caterpillars than usual went into the moth stage to lay many millions more eggs.
One moth lays 300 to 400 eggs in a single cluster. Taking this figure conservatively, 150 to 200 caterpillars emerge from this cluster. Seventy- five to 100 of these caterpillars escape birds, spraying and parasitic attack and return to the moth stage to lay 75 to 10 more egg masses, each con- taining 300 to 400 eggs which means a total of 22,500 to 40,000 eggs. All this from one caterpillar in one season. Multiply these figures by the millions of caterpillars or moths which infest our wooded areas.
The tent caterpillar situation has been greatly aided again this year by the co-operation of the 4-H Club members, Boy and Girl Scouts and school children throughout the town. Mr. Russell Mazzola's class at the Weymouth High School again won the honors for collecting the greatest number of egg clusters of any class in town. This class alone collected 49,000 egg' clusters which means some 12,000,000 caterpillars destroyed by one group alone. War- ren Billings and Zaren Alemian each received copies of Wallace Nutting's "Massachusetts Beautiful," for having destroyed the greatest number of egg clusters in the class. Mr. Mazzola was also presented with a copy of the book, for his room having twice won the honor. These prizes were contri- buted by the Weymouth Garden Club and were presented by Miss Sarah Brassill, Director of Nature Study, and myself.
'Other insects which gave us trouble were Elm Beetles and Satin Moths which were also on the increase.
Official reports from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation report damage to a lesser degree in Weymouth than in towns surrounding it, which shows that it pays to go after the pests. It's a case of get the pests or they will get us.
225
Property owners and residents can help materially in the work of insect control. by putting up bird houses and oherwise attracting birds to their property. This is the cheapest way of fighting insects. The cranberry growers of Cape Cod have discovered this. Next. thinning out wood lots, and re- moving favored food plants will work wonders in controlling the most preva- lent insects.
V. LESLIE HEBERT. Moth Superintendent.
REPORT OF WEYMOUTH TOWN INFIRMARY FOR YEAR 1937.
To the Honorable Board of Public Welfare. Town of Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :
Residing at the Infirmary on Essex Street December 31. 1937 were 14 men and 1 woman. Detailed statement for the entire year follows :
Number of residents Jan. 1, 1937. 16
Number admitted during the year.
Lost by death, 6 Number discharged during the year 1
Number o residents Dec.31. 1937 15
Since May 4, 1937 when the death of my husband. Clifford A. Berry. terminated his ten years of service as superintendent, I have been entrusted with the duty of carrying on the management of the Home, and have had splendid co-operation from the men residents in the work about the house and grounds, including the making of a fine garden. In addition to furnish- ing fresh vegetables thronghout the summer. we have been able to can much fruit and stored vegetables for winter use. A small flock of hens furnishes sufficient supply of eggs. Because of extensive repairs done in -1935 with Government assistance, no major repairs have been necessary this year. but in the near future repairs to furnace and plumbing will be necessary.
The customary routine has been followed. with diversion for residents in reading matter, the radio, and special dinners at Thanksgiving and Christ- mas, with a tree and gifts for all from organizations and friends.
In closing this report on the eleventh year of my service as matron. wish to thank the Selectmen for their kind confidence in entrusting the care of the Home to me during the past eight months. In return, I have faithfully endeavored to fulfill the duties and have kept within the financial budget estimated.
Respectfully submitted.
HARRIET S. BERRY, Matron.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE WATER DEPARTMENT
S
SET 1622
ARORARE
INCERE
MASSACHUSETTS
5.
. 1635 .
WEYMOUTH, MASS. 1937
229
Fred D. Stenens 1880 - 1937
Superintendent of Water Department
1914 - 1937
.
230
Weymouth, Mass.
June 1, 1937
Resolutions
Whereas God in His Wisdom has seen fit to take from our our midst our Engineer and Superintendent
Fred D. Struens
Be it resolved: that we, as a Board of Water Commis- sioners, in a Regular Meeting here assembled, pay tribute to him who has served in such a praiseworthy and admirable manner.
His character, integrity and zeal won the esteem and confidence of his friends and those who came in contact with him. As an Engineer, he was recognized as one of the best, not only in this Town, but throughout the Commonwealth.
His loss will be deeply felt in the councils of the Water Department. The present Commissioners herewith extend to his widow and all the members of his family their heart- felt sympathy in their bereavement, and take this occasion to voice the sympathy of the entire community as well.
Be it further resolved: that a copy of these Resolutions be transmitted to his widow and daughter and a copy be preserved in the records of the Water Department.
RALPH P. BURRELL GEORGE W. PERRY JOSEPH A. FERN GEORGE E. CURTIN BASIL S. WARREN
Water Commissioners Town of Weymouth.
231
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the Board of Water Commissioners:
The following tables and summaries, covering in detail the work of the department for the year ending December 31, 1937, are respectfully sub- mitted :
WILLIAM H. MURPHY. Acting Superintendent.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
Year Ending December 31, 1937.
In form recommended by New England Waterworks Association Weymouth Waterworks, Weymouth, Mass.
Population 1932: Winter 20,000; summer 24.000.
Date of construction : 1885.
By whom owned: Town of Weymouth.
Source of supply : Weymouth Great Pond.
Mode of supply : Pumping to reservoir and gravity.
Capacity of reservoirs: 2,120,000 gallons.
PUMPING STATISTICS
1. Pumping Machinery :
LOW LIFT
No. 1. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 10 H. P. G. E. Motor.
No. 2. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 10 H. P. G. E. Motor.
No. 3. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 15 H. P. G. E. Motor.
HIGH LIFT
No. 4. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 60 H. P. G. E. Motor.
No. 5. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 75 H. P. G. E. Motor.
No. 6. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 100 H. P. G. E. Motor.
No. 7. Allis-Chalmers Single Stage Pump, 70 H. P. G. E. Motor (Re- serve Station).
No. 8. Worthington Two Stage Pump, 70 H. P. G. E. Motor (Re- serve Station).
No. 9. De Laval Single Stage Pump, 150 H. P. Sterling Engine, (Emer- gency).
2. Capacily of Pumps:
No. 1. 1.500,000 gallons per 24 hours.
No. 2. 1,800,000 gallons per 24 hours.
No. 3. 2,200,000 gallons per 24 hours. No. 4. 1,500,000 gallons per 24 hours.
No. 5. 1,800,000 gallons per 24 hours.
No. 6. 2.200,000 gallons per 24 hours.
No. 7. 1,700,000 gallons per 24 hours. No. 8. 1,400,000 gallons per 24 hours. No. 9. 2,600,000 gallons per 24 hours.
232
3. Electric current used K.W.H .. 261,570.
4. Total pumpage for year, 235,270,000 gallons.
5. Average Static lift of pumps, 112 feet.
6. Average total lift of pumps, 165 feet.
7. Cost of current per million gallons, $23.87.
8. Cost per million gallons raised one foot, $0.145.
RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION MAINS
1. Kind of Pipe: Cast iron, wrought iron and lead.
2. Sizes: From one inch to fourteen inches.
3. Extended: 3224 feet.
4. Replaced small wrought iron with cast iron, 331 feet.
5. Total now in use, 106.96 miles.
6. Length of pipes less than 4 inches in diameter: 20.4 (Mostly summer lines).
7. Number of hydrants added during year: 4.
8. Number of hydrants now in use: 609.
9. Number of stop-gates added during year: 6.
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