USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1938 > Part 13
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In closing, I wish to thank all who have helped to make 1938 a most successful year.
Respectfully submitted, .
V. LESLIE HEBERT, Tree Warden
REPORT OF THE HARBORMASTER
December 31, 1938
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my 11th Annual Report of the Harbor Master Depart- ment of Weymouth:
Mooring permits granted 52
17
Boats reported lost
Boats reported recovered 16
145
Boats assisted
57
Persons rescued
16
Children taken from unsafe boats
Oil polution complaints reported
38 20
Stolen boats reported
2
Stolen boats recovered
1
Investigations made
22
Ship launchings policed
4
Value of Loss and Stolen boats recovered
$3,125.00
Census of August 31st, 1938 of Yachts and Boats of all descriptions located and owned by our citizens in Weymouth waters.
168 Power and sail boats-estimated value
$200,000.00
312 Row boats, Skiffs, Canoes
7,340.00
Total Value
$207,340.00
Service rendered-Policed water front 164 days, average eight hours per day-1312 hours, plus 32 night calls averaging two hours each-64 hours Total 1376 hours. Cost of maintenance of boat $361.35.
Appropriation
$800.00
Operation Cost
361.25
Compensation
$439.75
I wish to thank the Weymouth Police Department for its co-operation and the assistance rendered by Officers George and Norman Butler.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTHONY S. VEADER,
Harbormaster
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARMS
December 31, 1938
To Chief Timothy G. McCarthy,
Weymouth Fire Department.
I respectively submit the annual report of the Fire Alarm System of the Weymouth Fire Department.
During the year Alarms have been Transmitted over the System.
Alarms for Fires 141
Second Alarms
2
Third Alarms
1
False Alarms 16
Lost Child Calls
2
Boy Scout Calls
2
Chief Calls (3) Blows
12
Deputy Chief Calls (5) Blows
1
Supt. of Fire Alarm (4) Blows
2
1 1
1 1
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The outside wire is in very good condition very little trouble being encountered from this source. We have used (2) two miles of wire this year.
We have changed over approximately 300 new poles which has added much to the upkeep of the system. It is also necessary to renew ap- proximately 200 crossarms each year to keep the system in efficient operation.
We have added (2) two new Fire Alarm Boxes to the System.
We have a number of absolete alarm boxes spread over the circuits, which are over 45 years old, and I sincerely recommend renewing at least (5) five of these each year to reduce this condition.
On September 21, 1938 during the hurricane the Fire Alarm Wires .suffered considerably from falling limbs and poles, part of the night the complete system was not in operation and (2) two miles of wire was used in repairing approximately (45) forty-five breaks and in temporary lines.
The damage suffered has been permanently repaired.
In concluding I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for the services and co-operation rendered at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK S. BLANCHARD, Acting Supt. of Fire Alarms
POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 8, 1939.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
·Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the anual report of the services rendered by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1938.
CAUSES FOR ARREST
Crimes against the person
27
·Crimes against property
85
·Crimes against public order 977
Total arrests for the year 1089
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Search for gaming
3
Complaints investigated
849
Doors and buildings found open and secured
1665
Street lights reported out
296
Wagon calls
441
Ambulance calls
74
Animals killed
75
Messages delivered
460
Fires reported
7
Defective streets
75
Missing persons found
10
Property recovered
$5,145.00
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER,
Chief of Police
147
CUSTODIAN OF VETERANS' GRAVES
January 5, 1939
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
A report of the Custodian of Veteran Graves for 1938.
The appropriation for the care of the 376 graves entitled to care under the provisions of the law governing it has been expended in the same manner as in previous years. The 376 are in 323 different lots, 290 are cared for by agreement with the superintendents of the larger cemeteries. 9 are cared for by the Veterans of Foreign Wars under the appropriation for the care of Old Cemeteries; and 24 are cared for under the supervision of the custodian with help taken from the Soldiers Relief Rolls.
It was possible under this years appropriation to clean 324 marble headstones that are provided by the government. Many of them in place from 30 to 40 years, were so incrusted and weathered as to be illegible until cleaned. This work was done by an incapitated man from the Soldiers Relief Rolls. Upon request of relatives these government headstones are applied for and transported by the custodian and through the co-operation of the cemetery superintendents properly placed in position without cost to either the relatives or the town.
The proposed removal of the remains of five veterans to a more suitable location, the Legion Lot in the same cemetery was not accom- plished because of the difficulty of locating surviving relatives in order that they might sign releases authorizing the agent of the town to re- move and reinterr the bodies. The money appropriated for this purpose remains unexpended.
The courtesy, help and co-operation from the superintendents of cemeteries is again worthy of note in an annual report.
Graves of veterans entitled to care: Highland, 41; Mt. Hope, 29; Elm- wood, 21; Fairmount, 38; Lakeview, 32; St. Francis, 39; Old North, 47; Reed, 15; Village, 42; Ashwood, 9; Old, 9.
Total number:
F. & I. Rev.
1812
Civil
Indian
Mexican
Spanish
World War
Mex. Border
7
111
46
666
1
1
25
90
1
Number under care:
F. & I. Rev.
1812
Civil
Indian Mexican
Spanish
World War
Mex. Border
7
99
30
223
0
0
4
12
1
Respectfully submitted,
KARL O'NEIL,
Custodian of Veteran Graves.
BURIAL AGENT
January 5, 1939.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
A report of the Burial Agent for 1938.
During the year several requests for applications were made under the belief that this law commited the state to provide a gift or gratuity of $100. toward the burial expenses of any honorably discharged veteran ol any war. The intent of the statute is to prevent the pauper burial of
148
such a veteran or his wife, widow or dependents by providing that one hundred dollars of a burial expense not in excess of $250. will be paid by the state if no other funds are available for payment of these expenses.
One burial, the widow of a Civil War veteran, was made under this statute the past year. A claim for the burial of a World War veteran is now pending with the Commissioner of State Aid and Pensions. A settlement will probably be made early in 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
KARL O'NEIL, Burial Agent
REPORT OF THE TOWN INFIRMARY
January 7, 1939
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
Following is a report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
January 1, Males 17
January 1, Females 1
Deaths during year none
Other removals
8
New Inmates 1
December 31, Males 10
December 31, Females 1
Many improvements are being made with a decreased budget. .
Respectfully submitted, FRED P. TOLMAN, Superintendent of Town Infirmary
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK AND DAIRIES
67 Myrtle Street, East Weymouth, Mass.
January 1, 1939
Weymouth Board of Health
Middle Street, East Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the following account of inspections of milk and dairies for 1938:
67 Store Licenses 21 Dealers Licenses
24 Oleomargerine
Samples of milk and cream have been taken monthly and tested at the Laboratory for Fats, Solids, Bacteria and Garget.
Mr. Harold Stowell of the Dept. of Agriculture and myself have made regular inspections of the dairies.
Very truly yours, HENRY F. GODIN,
Inspector of Milk.
149
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
East Weymouth, Mass. January 6. 1939
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1938
Number of places inspected 61
Number of cows inspected 318
Number of young stock inspected 35
Number of bulls inspected
10
Number of dogs quarantined
47
Number of dog bites investigated
6
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. REIDY, Inspector of Animals
REPORT OF THE BUILDING INSPECTOR
December 27, 1938
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town Hall, Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the 1938 report of this office, as follows:
Building Permits in 1938 were one hundred and sixty-two with a value of $384,635.00 and were composed of the following: 56 dwellings with garages attached; 26 single dwellings; 40 garages; 5 service stations; 19 poultry houses; 3 shops; 1 theatre with stores and apartments; 1 barn; 7 overnight camps; 1 roadstand; 1 dining car.
Compared with 1937-one hundred and seventy-six permits with a value of $321,172; an increase in 1938 of $66,463.00.
Alteration permits in 1938-one hundred and ninety-two with a value of $208,025. Compared with 1937-two hundred and twenty-four with a value of $125,124.00; an increase of $72,901.00.
Total building operations in 1938-$592,660.00. Total building operations in 1937-$446,298.00.
Increase in 1938-$146,362.00 over 1937.
Receipts for permits in 1938 were 684.
I have inspected 16 elevators in December, all of which were found to be in good condition.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW T. MOORE, Building Inspector December 31, 1938
150
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending December 31, 1938.
Since my last report as Town Counsel there has been little change in the small number of cases then in litigation in which the Town is a party. Actually at the time of the last report there were but three really important matters pending.
The first of these were the cases of Sumner and Agnes Eddy against the Town of Weymouth. They went to trial finally and resulted in verdicts for the Town in each case.
There are pending, however, two cases of major importance, each of which have been outlined in the last two reports. The first of these has to do with the erection of a Water Filtration Plant at Weymouth Great Pond. This case was entered in the Superior Court and was referred to an Auditor and has been partially heard. The ad damnum of the writ is in the sum of $30,000 but the total present claim is between eighteen and nineteen thousand dollars. The Town admits substantial liability but feels the amount set forth is excessive. The matter will doubtless come to a verdict sometime in the Spring.
The second pending case of great importance is the question of the Laban Pratt Trust Fund so-called. I have referred to this matter in some detail in the reports for 1936 and 1937 so I will not set forth the particulars at length in this report. It may suffice to say that the Attorney-General has now filed in the Probate Court for Suffolk County a petition in equity setting forth in substance that the Town has refused and still refuses to carry out the terms of the bequest and praying that the Court instruct the Town as to whether the terms of the bequest must be carried out at the present time. Issue has been joined on the part of the Town and the matter is on the list ready for hearing though it has not as yet been marked up. It may be useless to predict what the Court's decision may be but it is my opinion that it will either order the Town to go forward under the will immediately or in the alternative may set a reasonable time limit within which they must do so. In any event instructions from the Court would clear up the present uncertainty and inform us with definiteness our responsibility under the will.
There has been the usual amount of minor litigation much of which has its source in accidents on the highways of the Town. It seems that no matter how great the degree of care used by the various Town depart- ments that we have an unceasing number of such injuries. This may be due largely to the fact that a greater number of citizens have been engaged either directly in Town work or on some authorized project that the Town has voted to undertake. Some few of these have gone to trial but much the greater number have been amicably adjusted or our liability has been successfully denied. We are most fortunate that all of these claims have not totalled any considerable amount of money having regard to all ele- ments involved.
It has been a source of satisfaction to me to have received the sym- pathetic understanding of your Board in the conduct of our mutual prob- lems and the co-operative and intelligent aid of the many Town officers and townspeople that has been given me, has made the work easier and more pleasant.
Respectfully submitted,
KENNETH L. NASH,
Town Counsel
151
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF ALEWIVE FISHERIES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth:
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my annual report as superintendent of Alewive Fisheries for the year ending December 31, 1938.
Approximately eighty thousand (80,000) alewives were deposited in Whitman's Pond for spawning. The first catch was made on April 15th and the last on May 24th.
The Welfare Department received four thousand (4,000) as your Board so voted.
The State Department took three thousand (3,000) fish and in return brought fish from Middleboro pond here.
In closing my report, I wish to thank the members of your Board, the Weymouth Light and Power Co., the Weymouth Wool Scouring Co., Mr. Kelley, Superintendent of Streets, and the boys who worked with me for the help and cooperation which was so willingly given at all times.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS M. O'TOOLE,
Supt. of Alewive Fisheries January 5, 1939
.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The Board of Appeal held three formal meetings during the year 1938 and considered seven different applications which were referred to them.
One application came before the Board at two different meetings and was each time rejected but was later granted by the Board of Selectmen.
The other six applications were each considered by the different mem- bers of the Board of Appeal at dates ranging from April 26, 1938, to October 26, 1938, inclusive, five being approved when submitted and one rejected and the action of the individual members of the Board was ratified and con- firmed at a formal meeting of the Board on December 12, 1938.
Summarizing, we find seven applications considered, of which five were granted by the Board of Appeal and two were rejected, one of which was later granted by the Board of Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL H. WHITING Secretary
152
REPORT OF THE W. P. A. COMMITTEE
Weymouth Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
The WPA Committee for the year 1938 respectfully submits its annual report to the Town.
At the outset, the members of the Committee wish to express their thanks and appreciation for the co-operation received from various depart- ment heads in the Town, and sincerely hope that as a result of their activities the citizens will enjoy more completely the advantages of living in Weymouth.
Up to December 1, 1938 the Committee spent $58,950.47, and it estimates that by December 31, it will have spent approximately $66,000.00. The expenditures of the appropriation for our department went for materials and supplies to maintain the projects approved at Washington. Up to December 1, the Park Department had spent $10,958.27, the School De- partment-$9,165.60, the Street Department-$25,047.78, the Tree Depart- ment-$637.60, the White Collar Projects-$499.60, Women's Projects- $4,704.36, Water Department-$269.96, miscellaneous-$6,657.76 (which in- cluded general administration expenses) and for projects outside of Wey- mouth-$1,009.54. A perusal of these expenditures indicates that they are in proportion to those of former years. .
At the beginning of 1938, the Committee estimated that for the year there would be approximately 275 men employed, but subsequent events have proved that that estimate was far too low because the records indicate that we have averaged well over 400. The significance of these figures may be indicated by merely stating that while we spent in 1937 the sum of $56,848.20 for an average number of 235 men, this year we will have spent approximately $66,000.00 for an average of 425 men. It should be further noted that we had increased expenditures which were unforeseen at the beginning of the year, such as a charge levied on us by the Government of 1c a pound for processing butter. Over a year this increases our expen- ditures by approximately $2,400.00. We were also subjected to an expense item of $18.00 a month as our proportionate share of a central distributing warehouse in Quincy. Finally, because of the increased number, kind and amount of commodities that were alloted and distributed throughout the Town, our distribution costs more than doubled those of the past year.
A complaint that existed at the time we assumed office was that the Administrative Expenses were excessive. The Committee has reduced that item to approximately $4,000.00, which is 2/3 of what was spent last year. The figures also show that we shall spend about 20% less for trucks and equipment than we spent a year ago. With all these reduced expenditures, it would seem that the efficiency of the department might be impaired, but such was not the case.
Despite the increased number of workers and the rather limited funds with which the Committee has had to work, the Town has received definite advantages, although they might have been far more wide spread had a more generous allotment been granted. A brief resume of the specific activity this year is as follows: painting has been completed on the Shaw, . Adams, Athens, Nevins and Portable Schools, as well as on the Tufts Library; improvements were started and completed on Beals, Weston, Webb and Great Hill Parks; sidewalks were installed on a section of Pleasant
:
153
Street, Front Street and Commercial Street and were installed on the full length of Center Street, Walnut Avenue, Webb Street, Bennett Road, Canterbury Street, Torrey Street, Putnam Street, Chard Street, Broad Street, Academy Avenue, Sherwood Road and Gibbons Street; beautifica- tion work was done on Forest Street and the North Weymouth Cemetery; paving was done at the Filter Plant and certain Town records were brought up to date. At the present time, we have sidewalks being installed on Main Street, Hawthorne Street, Granite Street, Rosalind Road, Lake- hurst Avenue, Pleasant Street and Pierce Road; painting is being done on the Pumping Station and certain school buildings; bookbinding is being done for the Library and School Departments; records are being brought up to date in the Assessor's Office; housekeepers are being assisted by visitors and general improvement work is being done on Great Hill and Stella Tirrell Parks, as well as on Legion Field. For the coming year, we recommend a continuation of all projects now being completed and the inauguration and completion of projects now in the files and approved in Washington.
There is an apparent misunderstanding as to what the actual expense to the Town of Weymouth is and has been on certain large projects, specifically, Legion Field and Stella Tirrell Playground. Your Committee herewith states that up to December 1, 1938, only $9,409.80 has been con- tributed by the Town to the development of Stella Tirrell Playground, whereas the Government has contributed during the same period $42,246.09. As far as Legion Field is concerned, for the years 1937 and 1938 the Town's contributions have been $9,029.36 and the Federal contribution has been $25,521.98.
Insofar as sidewalk and curbing construction is concerned, the Com- mittee unequivocally states that there is no better avenue of municipal development for the Town than this effort. During the past 2 years curbing and sidewalk construction throughout the Town has amounted to 30,000 linear feet or almost 6 miles of sidewalk. The obvious advantage to such projects is not necessarily that the lives and safety of pedestrians are protected, but that the maintenance and care of the traveled part of the highways is materially reduced and facilitated.
In view of the fact that the Board of Selectmen will function as the local authority over Federal projects, your Committee respectfully informs them that there are now approved and ready to operate projects for 34 sidewalks and curbings, clearance of the water shed, control of gypsy moths, bringing up to date old records, painting on certain public buildings, continuation of park improvements and the installation of walls on certain school properties and highways.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES GRIFFIN, Chairman THOMAS J. KELLEY, Secretary PARKER T. PEARSON THOMAS P. DELAHUNT RALPH P. BURRELL EVERETT J. MacINTOSH RAYMOND E. STEIN
154
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Weymouth:
The Board of Health met March 11, 1938, and elected Thomas Mac- Donald chairman and Frederick L. Doucett clerk.
Jeremiah Donovan, who has been custodian of the dumps for a number of years, having reached the retirement age, was pensioned off and Edward Keefe was appointed as his successor.
Henry Godin was reappointed Milk Inspector and George Marshall reappointed Plumbing Inspector.
The Dental Clinic conducted in the Hunt School is doing good work caring for the children's teeth. This clinic is in charge of Miss Virginia Loring, Dental Hygienist, who with the co-operation of the dentists of the town have made this one of the most successful clinics in this part of the state.
There has been no case of diphtheria reported in Weymouth for the last three years. The Board of Health, in conjunction with the school physicians, have immunized the children of the lower grades against diphtheria. The Board hopes to do this every other year.
During the year the following cases were reported:
Chicken Pox
10 Scarlet Fever 41
Dog Bite
54 Tuberculosis (Pulmonary) 11
Influenza
1 Tuberculosis (Other Forms) 1
Lobar Pneumonia
6 Whooping Cough
6
Measles
23 Cat Bites
2
Mumps
2 Discharge from Eyes
1
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK L. DOUCETT THOMAS MacDONALD LEWIS W. PEASE Board of Health
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GASOLINE LICENSES (Appointed under Article 19 of 1938 Town Warrant)
After considering the articles mentioned and having in mind that if these articles were accepted some types of mercantile establishments which would help to lower the tax rate in the Town may be stopped from locating here; also that the Zoning Laws are coming up for acceptance and, if ac- cepted, would take care of such matters, the Committee recommends no action.
T. G. MCCARTHY, Chief of Fire Department
DEPUTY CHIEF WEBB ANDREW T. MOORE Building Inspector.
155
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
December 29, 1938 Weymouth, Mass.
Board of Health, Town of Weymouth:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1938.
During the year there have been issued 470 permits for plumbing re- quiring 511 inspections. Received for permits, $852.
There has been installed in old and new buildings the following fixtures:
168 Bathtubs 244 Sinks and wash trays 229 Lavatories 33 Automatic water heaters
248 Toilets
3 Urinals
163 Range boilers 5 Showers
making a total of 1,093; the estimated value of which is $75,753.
The number of old and new buildings in which plumbing was installed are as follows:
63 New one-family houses 275 Old one-family houses
5 New gas stations 61 Old two-family houses
1 New theatre and apartment building 9 Old apartments
1 New diner 34 Old business blocks and offices 1 Old church
4 Old clubs and halls
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE MARSHALL Inspector of Plumbing
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR NEVIN SCHOOL ADDITION
January 11, 1939
To the Citizens of Weymouth:
The Committee for the Addition to the Edward B. Nevin School make the following preliminary report:
Plans for an auditorium-gymnasium of similar type and size to that at the Bicknell School have been prepared in conjunction with four class- rooms connected to the north wing of the Nevin School. Two of the rooms are immediately needed for classroom instruction; the other two will be used for lunchroom purposes until they are required for classrooms. Bids for construction and for heating and ventilating will be at hand and will be submitted to the Annual Town Meeting.
A complete report of your Committee will be made, therefore, at the Annual Town Meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. CAMPBELL, Chairman WALLACE H. DRAKE J. HERBERT LIBBEY CLAYTON L. NASH PARKER T. PEARSON WILLIAM F. SHIELDS ETHEL G. TAYLOR . PRINCE H. TIRRELL ALICE E. MOXON, Secretary
156
REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
December 21, 1938 Weymouth, Mass.
Board of Health, Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
January 1, 1938, to January 1,1939:
2,198 children were examined. 1,534 were in need of dental care. 644 were in good condition.
From January 1, 1938, to January 1, 1939, there have been ninetythree- (93) clinic days, with a total of two hundred and seventeen and one-half- (2171/2) hours.
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