USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1940 > Part 12
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68
6
18 Charles H. McDade
36
1
20
Walter M. Sweet
73
8
14 New Stevenson, Scot. Putnam, Conn. Boston
21
Robert Dolard Thiboutot
8
8
Quincy
22
Winifred Bellows Male
13
10
1 Abington
22
22 Flora Rottman
45
Boston, Mass.
24
Jeremiah Leahy
75
3
12
So. Weymouth
25
Philomena May
74
Germany
25
Samuel McCarroll
75
7
21
Belfast, Ireland
26
John E. Coyle
46
9
21
Weymouth P. E. I.
26 Margaret B. Munroe
89
7
23
26 Harriette Harris
81
8
21
Canada
28
Mary Elizabeth Clapp
66
4
20
Dorchester
29
(Female) Palmer Male
30 Joseph Clifford Ford
84
5 11
Abington Mechanics Falls Halifax, N. S.
30 William S. Slaunwhite 31 Female
73
31 Mary A. Hackett
82
31
Alice B. Lynch
80
31 Gerald Weir
54
16
Ireland Randolph, Mass. Dublin, Ireland
David & May (Lovejoy) Adams Edgar J. & Marion (Shedd) Rauch William & Abigail (Sullivan) Gilmore James & Jane (Solly) Stewart August P. & Hanna W. (Olsen) Rosendale Charles H. & Caroline (Burbank) Hayward Philip & Anne (Guaruiere) Spallino
John & Mary (Rogers) Castro . Luigi & Josephine (Bellino) Spritza
Burgess & Ruth (Van Wormer) Spinney Nelson E. & Mary .A. (Stiles) Hayden Charles H. & May (Campbell) McDade William C. & (Cannot be obtained) Sweet James C. & Mary E. (Kerwin) Tighe Dolard & Irene (Gullicken) Thiboutot Charles H. & Eunice A. (Foster) Bellows
John & Glenn (Hammond) MacPherson Jeremiah & Bridget (Holden) Leahy Franz J. & (Cannot be learned) Roth Thomas & Mary E. (Young) McCarroll Michael W. & Ellen (Goodman) Coyle George & - (Sentener) Bearisto Fredrick & Sarah (Newell) Harris David C. & Constance L. (Pierrelé) Clapp Edward & Helen W. (Roberts) Palmer
Joseph E. & Sarah (Wade) Ford Frank E. & Mary A. (Holt) Harmon Cannot be learned
John & Mary (Costello) Horgan Patrick & Mary (Bowen) Carey William & Susan (Tinkler) Weir
133
4 Gordon H. Rauch 7 Mary K. Garfield
65 36 55
1 18
52 9
26 Sweden
12
New Bedford, Mass. Italy
2 hrs.
Weymouth
29
30 Roland Merle Harmon
62
21
20 James C. Tighe
22
Nov. 1 Spencer Van Anken
81
11
2 Katherine I. Gunn (Male) Drinkwater
54
8
2
5 Henrietta Holmes
84
11 27
6 Mary A. McGrath
76
6 Mary E. Cotter
73
6
25
E. Weymouth
7 Male
7 Frances E. Dean Joseph Belcher
39
5 25
9
9 Charlotte A. Hunter
84
1
20
10
Louis Arthur Cipullo
48
3
10
12
Simon Pineau
74
14 John Thomas Olliff
62
6
25
14 Male
14 Francis Jane Whitehead
90
2
14
Nellie M. Pratt
47
3
1
16
Sarah Ford Torrey
88
1
29
16
Margaret L. Davison
70
9
16
16
Emily J. Hallahan
66
11
17
17
Elizabeth Conneen .
71
17
Male
18 Male
19
Ellen L. Roche
68
6 18
Weymouth New York City Sterling, Conn.
20 21 Helen M. Cushing
78
11
23
Norwell Ireland
23
Sarah C. Mullin ·
69
23 Eliza E. T. Johnston
69
9
22
Michigan Ireland
23 Sarah Anne Welch
76
23
Arthur Tanner
71
New Hampshire
26 Abbie Delory
77
6
16
26 Female
26 William D. Wilkinson
74
7
28
New York City Dorchester
29 Catherine Cullen
62
30 William Carroll
57
3 8 La Veta, Colorado
Hulbert & Sarah (Westphal) VanAnken Patrick & Katherine (Gavin) McGrory Davis C. & Frederica (Plimpton) Drinkwater John & Mary (Peterson) Healey Edmund & Catherine (Russell) Noonan Owen & Mary (Conaby) Corr
Thomas & Laretta (Calhoon) Stewart John & Alva (Helms) Belcher Thomas & Mary J. (Ellis) Holden Frank C. & Caroline (Salvato) Cipullo Pacific & Julia (Martin) Pineau William & (Not known) Olliff
Ira B. & Julia A. (Staples) Sayles Robert & Inez (Simmons) Simmons Elias & Harriet (Ford) Vining John & Margaret (Kelly) Noonan James & Mary (Leahy) Hallahan James & Mary (Mitchell) McDonough
John & Elizabeth (White) Roche James & Bridget (Coffey) Donahue Charles & Ella J. (Watson) Gardiner
19 Bridget Donahue
83
20
Roger C. Gardiner
43
27
Female
William H. & Josephine (Studley) Farrar Martin & (Unknown) Connors William & (Cannot be learned) Tolland Richard & Margaret (Monihan) Joyce Jeremiah & (Cannot be learned) Tanner Frederick & Sophia (Mattie) DeCoste
William D. & (Unknown) Wilkinson Daniel & Catherine (Reea) Desmond Cannot be learned
134
2 hrs.
7 4 New York Weymouth Hingham Plympton Ireland
Brooklyn, N. Y. Weymouth Halifax, N. S. E. Weymouth
2
Hope River, P. E. I. (Not known)
Providence, R. I. Appleton, Maine Weymouth
E. Weymouth Weymouth Chelsea
Nova Scotia
.
135
Dec. 4 6 Harland F. Wright
70 40
6
Ireland Haverhill
6 Elmer Elsworth Sargent
78
7
14 So. Weymouth
6 Eudore L. Constantineau
31
2
3 Fitchburg, Mass.
8 Clarence E. Woodward
66
4
17
Roxbury Tangiers, N. S.
9 John F. Blades
75
2
1 Belfast, Ireland
10
Marjorie F. Cipullo
8
11
23
E. Weymouth
10 Male
3 Quincy, Mass.
73
9
24 Scotland
12 James F. Ferguson
69
6
Ireland
16 Belle E. Hill
81
3
18
York, Maine
20 Isabell S. Torrey
65
9
3 Scotland
22
James J. McCarthy
43
10
8
Quincy, Mass.
23 Annie E. Poole
76
3
25 Rockland, Mass.
24
Gertrude T. Ecker
69
(Cannot be.learned)
24 Ida L. Noyes
76
1
Bradford, N. H. Medford. Mass.
27
Timothy B. Sullivan
87
Newton
29
Bessie H. Swett
54
8 13 Salem, Mass.
29
(Male)
10 Katherine O'Rourke
61
Ireland
25 William C. Blake
71
England
31 Theresa Condon
82
5
14
Ireland
31
Mary C. Lovell
66
8 25
Boston, Mass.
John & - (Mason) Rooney Walter C. & Lucy (Osgood) Wright Nathan A. & Sarah J. (Dwight) Sargent Joseph & Rosana (Courtmanche) Constantineau Harlow & Susan (Howard) Woodward James & Amanda (Miller) Mclaughlin John & (Unknown) Blades Louis A. & Sadie (Santacroce) Cipullo
Earl B. & Blanche C. (Cutler) Webb Peter & Margeurite (Butter) Ferguson John & Margaret (Halloran) Ahearn & Elizabeth (Baker) Weare Cannot be learned
Shadrach H. & Mary Anne (Sprague) Pearce Dennis & Mary (Hardy) McCarthy
21 George F. S. Pearce
69
11
29 Boston, Mass.
25 Thomas J. Killian
72
Thomas J. & Mary J. (Poole) Vinton Robert A. & (Cannot be learned) Topping John & Melvina M. (Osgood) Wright Michael & Mary (McEntee) Killian Roger & Honora (Sullivan) Sullivan Matthew & Rachel T. (Andrews) Harlow
Timothy & Catherine (Connor) Kelley William T. & Mary (Reynolds) Blake Patrick W. & Winifred (Taaffe) Power John & (Cannot be learned) Hogan
Annie MacDonald
8 Annie L. M. Bower
77
20
11 (Male) Webb
16 Mary Means
SUMMARY OF TOWN CLERK'S STATISTICAL REPORT
BIRTHS
The total number of births received and recorded during the year 1940 (at time of going to press) were 829: of this number 431 were males and 398 were females.
MARRIAGES
The total number of marriage certificates received and recorded during the year 1940 (at time of going to press) were 327.
DEATHS
The total number of death certificates received and recorded dur- ing the year of 1940 (at the time of going to press) were 384 of this number 205 were males and 179 were females.
TOWN CLERK'S FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1940
DOG LICENSES ISSUED DURING THE YEAR 1940
2 Void paid in other towns
1247 Males
@
$ 2.00
$2,494.00
@
5.00
1,140.00
228 Females
@
$ 2.00
802.00
7 Kennel
@ $25.00
. 175.00
2 Kennel
@ $50.00
100.00
$4,711.00
Less fees retained under provisions of Gen. Laws Chapter 140 and amendments thereto
377.00
Paid to Town Treasure:
$4,334.00
HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES ISSUED FOR THE YEAR 1940
249 Res. Cit. Fishing
@
$2.00
$498.00
290 Res. Cit. Hunting
@
$2.00
580.00
142 Res. Cit. Sporting
@
$3.25
461.50
73 Res. Women & Minor Fishing
@ $1.25
91.25
4 Res. Minor Trapping
$2.25
9.00
38 Res. Cit. Free
@
$ .50
3.50
7 Duplicates
@
$5.00
50.00
1 Non .- Res. Hunting
@$10.25
10.25
Less fees retained under Chap. 131 Sec. 3 of Gen. Laws
Paid to Div. of Fisheries & Game
TOWN LICENSES ISSUED FOR THE YEAR 1940
12 Auctioneers' Lic.
@
$ 2.00
$ 24.00
9 Hawkers Lic.
@
$ 10.00
90.00
3 Hawkers Lic.
@
$ 5.00
15.00
6 Hawkers Lic.
no fee
5 Pool Lic.
@
$ 5.00
25.00
6 Junk Lic.
@
$ 25.00
150.00
91 Gasoline Lic.
@
$ 1.00
91.00
1 Intelligence Lic.
@
$ 2.00
2.00
Paid to the Town Treasurer
$397.00
JULIAN R. MERCHANT,
Town Clerk.
136
$1,740.25
194.00
$1,546.25
7 Res. Cit. Trapping
@ $5.25
36.75
10 Res. Cit. Lobster
401 Sp. Females
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF ALEWIVE FISHERIES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Weymouth:
Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my annual report as superintendent of Alewive Fisheries for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Approximately eighty thousand (80,000) alewives were deposited in Whitman's Pond for spawning. The first catch was made on April 29th and the last on May 22nd.
The Welfare Department received three thousand (3,000) as your board so voted.
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 co-operation which was so willingly given at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS M. O'TOOLE, Supt. of Alewive Fisheries.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth:
We respectfully submit the annual report of the Board of Regis- trars of Voters for the year 194).
The Board of Registrars during the year 1940 has held 21 evening sessions and 21 afternoon sessions for the registration of voters.
The total number of voters at the close of registration as of October 16, 1940, were as follows:
Male
Female
Total
Precinct 1
1,130
1,056
2,186
2
765
723
1,488
3
1,083
1,106
2,189
4
455
429
884
5
538
533
1,071
6
956
857
1,813
7
499
473
972
8
468
477
945
9
716
721
1,437
6,610
6,375
12,985
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. REARDON, Chairman LAWRENCE CORRIDAN
EDWARD MCINTOSH
Attest :
JULIAN R. MERCHANT, Town Clerk.
137
REPORT OF HARBORMASTER
December 31, 1940.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Weymouth :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my thirteenth annual report of the Harbor- master of Weymouth.
Boats Reported Lost 16
Boats Recovered
15
Boats Assisted 22
Persons Rescued
7
Investigations Made
15
Oil Pollutions Complaints 12
Ship Launchings Policed 5
Mooring Permits Granted 14
Children Taken from Unsafe Boats
12
I wish to thank the U. S. Coast Guard and the Weymouth Police for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
A. S. VEADER,
Harbormaster.
REPORT OF SHELLFISH CONSTABLE
December 31, 1940.
Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town of Weymouth :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my third annual report as the Shellfish Constable of the Town of Weymouth.
In general I wish to state that our citizens have taken advantage of the town's acceptance of the provisions of Chapter 130 Mass. (in so far as it relates to digging clams) to such an extent that it may be necessary to close our clam producing area for two years. This would give a new crop of clams the opportunity to grow.
I, therefore, suggest that your board give this matter your deep consideration before it is too late, because seedings now growing will never get a chance to mature, resulting in no clams for our citizens for future consumption.
Respectfuly submitted,
A. S. VEADER, Harbormaster.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
January 11, 1941
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth :
The year 1940 was the largest residential building year since the adoption of Building Laws in 1929. Dollar volume of Building and
138
Alterations for the year showed an increase of 82% over 1939. The comparative figures were $1,133,795.00 for 1940 and $623,593.00 for 1939.
The increase came largely in the last half of the year, stimulated by the National Defense Program which has imparted an acceleration to construction activity likely to continue through 1941.
The total number of permits issued for family dwellings were two hundred and seventy of which two hundred and forty-seven were for new buildings and twenty-three were for single family houses remodeled into two family units.
There were eight buildings reported unsafe of which four were torn down, two made safe and one the address of the owner is unknown.
At the March Town Meeting Zoning Laws were adopted. An ordinance restricting buildings, structures and premises according to their use and construction to specified parts of the town. The co- operation of the builders and owners for the most part was most gratifying.
Herewith is a summary of the records of the Department:
247 Single family dwellings with an estimated cost of $ 989,600.00 15,480.00 66
68 Private Garages
11 Hen Houses
2,650.00
2 Service Stations
4,300.00
1 Store
2,000.00
1 Bleach Water Establishment
800.00
1 Roadstand
66
475.00
1 Church
10,000.00
1 Dog Kennel
1,000.00
9 Miscellaneous Small Buildings
2,125.00
342 New Building Permits
$1,028,430.00
187 Alteration Permits
66
6
105,365.00
Total all permits
66
$1,133,795.00
Receipts were $1,519.00.
Fifteen Elevator Inspections.
In closing I wish to extend to your Board and to other town officials my many thanks for all the courtesies and assistance given me during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW A. CHISHOLM, Inspector of Buildings.
REPORT OF ELECTRIC LIGHTING COMMITTEE
Weymouth, Mass., December 31, 1940 To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
This committee has maintained the 1939 schedule of lights through the year and has added 20-60 C. P. lights; 2-250 C. P. lights and 5-1000 C. P. sodium lights.
We have received credit for lights removed to be replaced by larger lights.
139
6
1
The Town Counsel has ruled that we could not legally contract to have lights installed on ways opened for travel since 1907, unless they have been approved in writing by the Board of Survey.
We have had several reasonable requests for lights on private ways which we were unable to grant on account of the above ruling.
For 1941, we are asking for a budget of $37,278.02. This amount will maintain our present lights and allow for a normal increase in lights.
It is expected that a revision in rates will allow us to increase the candle power of 1500 60 C. P. lights to 100 C. P., without increase in total cost.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH KELLEY, Chairman ALFRED S. TIRRELL WALTER R. FIELD OLINDO GAROFALO J. HERBERT LIBBEY, Clerk
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS
January 3, 1941.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
It is difficult to reconcile two fundamental facts relative to the maintenance of streets and sidewalks: first, to adequately keep in proper repair not only the old construction that is in the state of deterioration but others which are accepted yearly, and secondly, the appropriation of funds which remains practically the same from year to year.
Even more difficult is to minimize the importance and urgency of highway construction that will require the least amount of main- tenance over an extended period. Subsequent construction should be of greater permanence than heretofore, since traffic on secondary streets has increased proportionately to that on main arteries.
In observing the definite trend toward increased land develop- ment, there can be no doubt that highway construction, with all sup- plementary work, must, of necessity, take rapid strides to keep pace with this development. This, of course, will increase municipal highway expenditures and provision will have to be made when economic justification warrants.
Reconstruction of approximately 1000 feet on North Street from the foot of King Oak Hill to East Street, and the relocation of Kensington Road to properly bring the travelled surface within the limits of the street, were done by the Street Department.
STREETS ACCEPTED
Candia Street from Academy Avenue to Cornish Street.
Edgeworth Street from Pleasant Street 370 feet easterly. Homestead Avenue.
Russell Road.
Nevin Street continuation for 120 feet.
With Chapter 90 maintenance funds Ralph Talbot Street from Park Avenue to the Hingham line was sealed with bituminous mix
140
and on Union Street from No. 256 to No. 444 a mixed in place stone surface was applied.
The northeasterly corner of Broad and Middle Streets and the southwesterly corner of Pearl and Evans Streets were widened, Green Street was surfaced for about 500 feet southerly from Bridge Street, and on Ralph Talbot and Pleasant Streets a stone surface was ap- plied over the old surface.
Sidewalk construction was done, in most part by W. P. A., and some drainage also was done under W. P. A. jurisdiction.
Many thanks for the cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, the Police, Fire and Water Departments.
Respectfully submitted,
T. J. KELLY, Supt. of Streets.
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
Weymouth, Mass., January 10, 1941
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, 1940.
CAUSES FOR ARREST
Crimes against the person
93
Crimes against property.
22
Crimes against public order, etc.
885
Total arrests for the year
1,000
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Complaints investigated
879
Doors and buildings found open and secured
1,170
Street lights reported out
201
Wagon calls
146
Ambulance calls
73
Animals killed
44
Messages delivered
406
Fires reported
4
Defective streets
46
Missing persons found
12
Property recovered
$5,198.96
Rescued from the water
3
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BUTLER, Chief of Police
141
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF APPEAL
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
The Board of Appeal for the building and zoning laws of the town of Weymouth held 10 formal meetings during the year 1940 and con- sidered 61 different applications.
Of the above, 3 were held over for further investigation, 2 being considered at a second meeting and 1 receiving consideration at 4 dif- ferent meetings.
Of the 3 thus re-considered 2 were denied and 1 approved condi- tionally.
Of the 58 other applications acted upon 44 were approved, 8 ap- . proved conditionally, and 6 denied.
Each application was carefully investigated, in several cases hearings given to the applicants, and the utmost consideration consistent with the building and zoning laws given to the interested parties.
Respectfully submitted,
RUSSELL H. WHITING,
Secretary.
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 8, 1941
The Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Town Office,
East Weymouth, Massachusetts :
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit my Annual Report of the activities of the Fire Department during the year ending December 31, 1940.
The Department responded to four hundred and seventy alarms.
Dwellings
94
Auto
33
Chimney 13
Oil Burner
16
Laundry
1
Stores
8
Gasoline Stations
2
Restaurants & Bar
4
Tree
3
Trucks
6
Piles of Lumber
2
Factories
5
Brush
11
Sheds
7
Tree down
1
Odor of Gasoline
2
. . Odor of Smoke. . . .
1
.
. .
142
Horse through ice
1
Tar mop
1
Hen houses
5
Inhalator
6
Apartments
1
Rubbish
6
Stables
2
Dogs through ice
2
Trailer
1
Dumps
7
Awning
2
Church
1
School
1
Theatre
1
Garage
1
Leaves
4
Fences
2
Barrel of tar.
1
Gasoline pump
1
Wagons
2
Install flag halyards.
2
Cats in tree
2
Grass
120
Woods
71
False alarms
6
Ammonia fumes at Hospital
1
Persons taken from water.
5
Bus accident
1
Gas explosion
1
Out of Town Calls.
4
Oil Burners inspected
402
The apparatus is in good condition considering the number of years it has been in use.
I believe that a program should be adopted to replace the apparatus over a period of years in order that the cost would not be too great in any one year.
The Stations are in good condition with the exception of Stations Two and Three which should be painted inside and out. I believe that a W. P. A. project is being outlined to take care of this work.
I wish to thank the Officers and men of my Department for their cooperation during the past year; and to all those who have assisted the Department in any way, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
TIMOTHY G. MCCARTHY, Chief of the Fire Department.
143
In Memoriam
CAPTAIN JAMES J. MCCARTHY
Died in line of Duty, December 22, 1940
144
ALARMS ANSWERED AND EQUIPMENT USED
Chief's Car
Deputy's Car
Engine 1
Engine 2
Engine 3
Engine 5
Squad
Ladder 1
Ladder 2
White
W. W. 2
W. W. 5
Boat
Alarms responded to
470
470
105
201
183
102
211
51
152
6
76
37
5
Hose laid (2 1/2 inch)
2,350
15,050
14,150
6,300
2,800
1,250
6,000
1,600
Hose laid (Booster)
5,350
14,400
4,600
1,680
15,750
Hose laid (Chemical)
200
Hose laid (Forest Fire)
200
200
2,900
200
8,700
9,550
Hours pumped at fires
19 1/2
23 1/2
8 34
6
11 14
Ladders raised
57
162
80
60
478
750
1,746
Salvage covers spread
33
12
13
Extinguishers (Phomene)
2
3
2
2
3
2
Extinguishers (Pyrene)
3
2
4
2
3
2
Extinguishers (CO2)
6
Inhalator
6
4
Lighting Generator
34 1/2
Pump cans
114
115
42
17
24
10
350
188
Chemical tanks
2
145
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARMS
January 8, 1941
Chief Timothy G. McCarthy,
Weymouth Fire Department:
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit my report of the Fire Alarm System for the year ending December 31, 1940.
Alarm for Fires 165
Second Alarms 3
Out of Town calls. 4
Chief's Call (3 blows) 2 5 False Alarms . . .
No School signal.
2
The outside wire is in good condition, a part of which is being re- placed each year.
Two Fire Alarm Boxes have been added to system at new locations.
I believe that more of the old type boxes should be replaced each year. In the past four boxes have been replaced each year, in this way it would be twelve years before all old style boxes will be replaced.
In concluding I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for the services and cooperation rendered at all times.
Respectfully submitted, EDRIC J. SALISBURY, Superintendent of Fire Alarm,
SURVEY OF APPARATUS WEYMOUTH FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 15, 1941.
Honorable Board of Selectmen:
The fire department in a municipality such as Weymouth is re- sponsible for the protection of the community from the dangers of fire. And while the department must, as far as possible, prevent the occur- rence of fires, it definitely must extinguish those that do occur and with the minimum loss of life and property. This second and foremost phase of protection involves two different types of fire fighting tech- nique and facilities: first, those that are required in small fires, which necessitate a quick response, medium man power, and a medium amount of water and equipment; and secondly, those that are involved in large fires which require greater man power, more water, and the maximum of efficient equipment, with due consideration for standby apparatus, particularly for a conflagration, that we hope will never be experienced in our town.
The cost of operating a fire department is only one item of the com- munity's expenditures with respect to fires and fire hazards. Insurance premiums, fire losses, interruption of business, cost of private fire pro- tective devices, are all elements to be considered as part of the total costs of fires and fire protection. In certain sections of the country it
146
is estimated that 20-25% of the expenditure for water can be allocated to fire protection. But it is also apparent that the principal cost of fire protection is paid by property owners in the form of fire insurance premiums. Information relative to the great amount of fire insurance premiums paid by Weymouth residents is not available at this time.
While fire losses over a period of years in Weymouth have not been decidedly excessive, yet during the past two years some of the highest losses have been suffered not only in the loss of property such as in the case of the Weymouth Artificial Leather Company, but in loss of employment to our citizens.
We must then, too, consider a most important matter, requiring the highest degree of efficiency in fire equipment, in the great amount of additional building which has been carried on in Weymouth during the past three years and the present boom which will result in hun- dreds of new homes which must have proper protection such as can be guaranteed by modern and efficient apparatus.
In accordance with a request of the Board of Selectmen we have en- deavored to make a thorough study of the needs of Weymouth only in so far as fire apparatus is concerned and with no regards to necessity for additional man power or other equipment.
With due regards to the National Board of Fire Underwriters we find the Weymouth Fire Department consisting in apparatus of one 1000 gallon pump located in South Weymouth; three 750 gallon pumps now in fire stations in North, East and Weymouth Landing; two ladder trucks containing various length ladders in South and East Weymouth; and additional apparatus including a squad truck, two forest fire wagons, and a new fire alarm truck. In number of pieces, with the addition of another ladder, the department would appear to be sufficient for a twelve year period considering the natural growth of the town.
The department as a whole maintains its own apparatus, mainten- ance being performed by a full time mechanic on the staff. Undoubtedly as a result of the excellent care which the apparatus receives each piece can be kept in service for a generally agreed average of fifteen to twenty years. The department is to be complimented on the excellent condition of the apparatus with due consideration of its age.
A review of the age of our present apparatus shows that ladders 1 and 2 are sixteen years old and all other pieces averaging a minimum of 13 years. Pumpers 1, 2, 3 and 5 have each been in use 13 years while the most modern piece of equipment is the Squad Wagon in Weymouth Landing now close to eleven years of age. The two forest fire wagons both over fourteen years of age are showing very definite signs of wear and one will have to be replaced this year.
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