USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1946 > Part 13
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I believe that a large number of these calls can be averted if people would use a little judgment when burning in the open, especially on windy days and when surrounding grass is very dry.
The calls that we responded to are as listed below :
Dwellings
57
Electric Motors
?
Stores
7
Light Pole
1
Factories
8
Wires
3
Sheds
4 Automobiles
45
Barns
4
Busses
3
Hen Houses
3
Trucks
5
Boat House
1
Motorcycles
3
Oil Burners
45
Bull Dozer
1
Chimneys
20
Boat
1
Machine Shop
1
Sprinkler Alarms
3 .
Laundry
1
False Alarms
24
Gas Station
1 Out of Town Calls
10
Bowling Alley
1
Broken Gas Pipes
3
Dine and Dance Halls
? Heater Trouble
10
Garages
11 Leak in Hot Water Boiler
Boys Hut
1
Fuel Oil Tank Leak
1
Dog Kennel
1 Lumber Piles
2
Refrigerator Leaks
12 Sulphur Piles
3
Soft Coal Pile
2 Gas Fumes
3
Grass
357 Dumps
23
Woods
104 Rubbish
14
Leaves
7 Trees
5
134
January 3, 1947
1
Steam from Roof Put injured man in bed
1 Supply Light 2
1 Hydrant opened 1
Persons locked out
5 Children locked in rooms 3
Resuscitator calls
6 Auto accidents 4
1 Baby stuck in chair
1
2 Flush out drain
1
Rescue men from piles
1 Wash gasoline from street
4
Boy overcome 1
The Stations are in fairly good repair, some work being done each year.
The Apparatus is in good repair except that it is old and will have to be replaced soon. We ordered a Squad Wagon the past year and hope to replace an Engine that is Twenty years old this year.
I wish to thank the Officers and men of the Department for the good work during the past year and to all those that assisted the Department in any way I . wish to extend my sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
Timothy G. McCarthy, Chief of the Fire Department
January 3, 1947
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
Chief Timothy G. McCarthy Weymouth Fire Department
Dear Sir :
I respectfully submit my report of the activities of the Fire Alarm System for the year ending December 31, 1946 :
Bell Alarms for fires 172
General Alarms 1
Second Alarms 1
Out of Town Calls 1 False Alarms 24
No School Signal 2
The outside lines are in good condition, a great deal of it had to be replaced due to the storms we had this past year.
Some time in the near future when it is possible to get cable, additional lines should be run between each Fire Station, also a number of new Alarm Boxes should be installed at new locations.
In concluding I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all those who have assisted in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
Edric J. Salisbury, Superintendent of Fire Alarm
REPORT OF INSPECTION OF ANIMALS
January 1, 1947
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year ending December 31, 1946 :
Number of dogs quarantined 103
Cases investigated
Cattle checked from out of state 164
Places inspected after disinfecting 2
Respectfully submitted,
John H. Reidy, Inspector of Animals
135
Take man from tree Install flag halyards Man Missing
1 Rescue duck frozen in ice 1
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the annual report of the services rendered by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1946.
Causes of Arrest
Crimes against the person
68
Crimes against property
50
Crimes against public order
880
998
Miscellaneous Report
Complaints investigated
908
Doors and buildings found open and secured
763
Street lights out
1
122
Wagon calls
118
Ambulance calls
88
Messages delivered
151
Animals killed
23
Fires reported
7
Defective streets
16
Missing persons located
19
Property recovered
2
$10,787.59
Respectfully submitted,
Edward F. Butler, Chief of Police
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth :
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my fortieth annual report as Town Engineer of Weymouth.
In accordance with a request from your Board to condense this report to the minimum, I would state that the work the past year included all the usual surveying and engineering common to all municipalities and followéd much the same procedure as outlined in my various reports of previous years.
The preparation of the Assessors maps, used not only by the Assessors but by other departments of the town, constitutes the major item in the engineering department and includes the compilation and use of data from the Registry of Deeds, the Registry of Probate, the Land Court, and from all other available sources of information both public and private.
The block system adopted in 1939 is in use in Weymouth.
I would again refer to the necessity of recording all legal papers pertaining to ownership of property both for the use of the Assessors and for the protection of the owner.
A complete atlas of the town was published in 1938, 1940, 1944 and 1946, the latter two showing the block system.
During the past year a large tracing of the Zoning Map, adopted by the town, has been made with the Industrial, Business and Residential areas shown thereon, and prints furnished the Town Clerk. the Building Inspector, and the Committee appointed to study this matter.
136
38
The Board of Selectmen also authorized the printing of small street maps of Weymouth.
A plan for the continuance of Norton Street construction by the town and the state was made the past year, the construction work done, and stone bounds set. Other street plans or proposed changes were made or revised and plans for proposed sea walls drawn.
There has been some difficulty in obtaining adequate help at times and the scarcity of supplies has continued.
In closing my thanks are extended to your Board, to all other town officials and departments, and to many citizens for their continued courtesy to me and to my assistants.
Respectfully submitted,
Russell H. Whiting, Town Engineer
REPORT OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth :
We submit, herewith, the annual report of the Board of Registrars of Voters for the year 1946.
The Board during the year held the following sessions :
Business Meetings
7
Registrations
17
Re-count
2 days
The total number of voters at the close of registrations as of December 19, 1946, were as follows :
Male
Female
Total
Precinct 1
1351
1331
2682
Precinct 2
749
770
1519
Precinct 3
1306
1352
2658
Precinct 4
512
495
1007
Precinct 5
568
594
1162
Precinct 6
1033
980
2013
Precinct 7
542
499
1041
Precinct 8
584
589
1173
Precinct 9
775
837
1612
7420
7447
14867
Respectfully submitted,
John F. Reardon, Chairman
Lawrence Corridan Edward McIntosh Chester L. Boyle, Clerk
Attest :
Chester L. Boyle, Town Clerk
FINAL REPORT OF THE WEYMOUTH AREA PRICE CONTROL BOARD
With the abolition of certain Price Programs on November 10, 1946, The Office of Price Administration abolished all Price Boards. The Weymouth Board closed its doors on December 12, 1946.
All Non-Expendable property, Government owned, Town owned and rented equipment located in the Weymouth Board has been accounted for to the proper authorities.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the Honorable Selectmen of the Town of Weymouth, for their many courtesies extended to us during our Five year stay in the Town Hall.
137
We also wish to thank the Custodian of the Town Hall, Mr. Ellsworth for all his time and efforts which he donated to us.
To the people of Weymouth goes the thanks of all the Members and Clerks of the Board for their fine appreciation and understanding during those trying War Years.
It is our hope and prayer that a Lasting and Permanent Peace will descend upon our Beloved Country, so that never again will it be necessary to form any part of a future OPA.
Sincerely, James F. Ferguson, Chairman January 2, 1946
REPORT OF TREE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :
As usual, the major work of the Tree Department has been that of tree removal. There seems to be no end to this phase of our work.
To add to this, we were visited by our annual hurricane which wreaked great havoc in about a square mile of South Weymouth.
Official confirmation of two Dutch Elm diseased trees was received from Massachusetts State College, Department of Botany. Since the Dutch Elm disease was discovered in Quincy last fall, I have had Dutch Elm disease inspectors here on several occasions checking up on suspicious trees.
It is well to do all we can to eliminate this disease before we lose all of our elm trees. The only control is Elm tree sanitation and removal - a program that I have been preaching and fighting for ever since 1935 when I first became Tree Warden.
For 1947, I want to see :
1 - a town wide tree planting program. Weymouth needs more trees, especially in the new housing developments of recent years.
2 - a town wide tree trimming program, both as a safety measure and also a sanitation measure, to protect all of our fine shade trees from the same fate as those that have had to be removed.
It is well for every one from the Board of Selectmen to the citizens of our town to get behind the Tree Warden and work for a better appropriation so that we as citizens can have a better town to live in.
Respectfully submitted, V. Leslie Hebert, Tree Warden
REPORT OF MOTH DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen :
The most prevalent insect pests of the year were the tent caterpillar which makes its appearance in the Spring, and the fall webworm which appears about the middle of August. They were controlled largely by cutting and removing the nests.
Much roadside brush was cut along the country roads both as a safety measure and as a means of controlling some of our insect pests.
138
As no spray program was carried on at all this year, due to conditions over which I had no control, it is only reasonable to believe that the 1947 crop of insects will be greater.
I advocate the purchase of a turbine blower to dust and spray our trees at about one tenth the cost of power spraying or a town wide spraying of DDT applied by airplane to reduce the dangers of insect pests in areas where it is impossible to spray, and also as a control of many types of insects, as they emerge from their wintering places.
This manner of control is the most advanced idea in insect pest control and while it is only 85% effective, our former methods were not even 10% effective. It has proven itself in areas where it has been used. The cost is greater, but so is the comfort and satisfaction of the public who is paying the bill.
Think it over! Gypsy moth, tent caterpillar, canker worms, elm leaf beetles, bark borers, scolytus beetles, (the carrier of Dutch Elm disease), flies and mosquitoes, all controlled with the sweep of an airplane and no more harm to persons, animals, houses, clothing, your automobiles or bees, than the foggy weather we experience at times. Sounds like a pipe dream, but it is possible - if you want it.
Respectfully submitted,
V. Leslie Hebert, Moth Supt.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY
To the Citizens of the town of Weymouth.
At the Annual Town Meeting held in March 1946, it was voted under Article 1, that a Committee of 9 be appointed from the various Veteran and Hereditary Organizations, in accordance with the provisions of the General Laws, Chapter 40, Section 5, Clause 12, by the Moderator, who shall designate the Chairman.
The following Committee was appointed :
Charles R. Heger, Senior Vice-Commander Wessagusset Post 1399, V.F.W. (Chair- man).
Alfred W. Cadman, Commander, Ralph Talbot Chapter 65, Disabled American Veterans.
Edward P. Nicholls, Senior Vice-Commander Weymouth Post 79, American Legion.
Edward McNeil, Adjutant Wessagusset Post 1399 V.F.W.
Albert Little, Adjutant Weymouth Post 79 A.L.
Ralph Provost, Jr. Vice-Commander Weymouth Post 79, A.L.
Kenneth Smith, Jr. Vice-Commander Wessagusset Post 1399, V.F.W.
Robert W. Pratt, Commander, General James L. Bates Camp 36, Sons of Union Veterans.
Mrs. Clara B. Wooten, President Dorothea L. Dix Tent 32, Daughters of Union Veterans.
Committee meetings were held weekly from April 17 to May 23rd. With one meeting in June.
At the April 17th meeting, Edward P. Nicholls, was elected Chief Marshal, with the privilege of appointing his staff of Aides. At the April 25th meeting, attended by the entire Committee, it was suggested, and Unanimously Voted, that the Exercises of previous years be revised, with the following schedule being accepted. This revised schedule, eliminated the visitation of all Cemeteries with the exception of the Old North Cemetery, where the Memorial to the Grand Army is located.
The remainder of the exercises being carried out at the Civic Centre.
The revised programme was as follows :
Assembly at (Hurley Square) Thomas' Corner at 8:30 a.m.
139
Parade under way at 9:00 a.m., proceeding to Old North Cemetery, where the G.A.R. Memorial is located, the various Veteran's Organizations proceeded into the Old North Cemetery, where exercises to the Departed Grand Army Comrades were carried out; upon leaving the cemetery the parade proceeded by way of North Street, Commercial Street, and Middle Street, concluded at the Civic Center, where memorials to all comrades of all wars, have been erected.
Exercises at the Civic Center were as follows :
Trouping of the colors.
Selections by the Ventre band.
Prayer, Salute to the Flag, Selection, America, Ventre band.
Gettysburg Address, Robert W. Pratt, Commander of the General James L. Bates Camp 36, Sons of Union Veterans.
Civil War Airs by the Ventre band.
Reading of General Logan's General orders for the observance of Memorial Day,
by Mrs. Caroline Langhorst, P.P. Dorothea L. Dix, Tent 32, Daughters of Union Veterans. .
Band Selections - Weymouth High School Band.
Address of welcome - Joseph A. Fern, Chairman, Board of Selectmen.
Speaker of the Day -- Dr. L. Burton Benjamin, USN, Retired.
Salute to the Departed Comrades, American Legion firing squad.
Taps.
Introduction of the Gold Star Mothers by Chairman Charles R. Heger.
National Anthem.
Recall - formation of parade proceeding from Civic Center to Central Square where parade disbanded.
Veterans' Graves :
A potted plant or wreath was placed on each veteran's grave during the week of Memorial Day.
Memorial Plaques, monuments, World War 2 Honor Roll, as well as the 14 squares in the town, bearing the names of departed veterans, had all been appropriately decorated. As no grave flags were available this year, it was im- possible to have one placed on each veteran's grave, but these flags are on order and will be placed as soon as they are received.
On the 28th day of May at 2:00 p.m. a fresh flower wreath was placed at the Ralph Talbot Memorial Plaque at the State House, in Boston, by Alfred Cadman, Commander Ralph Talbot Chapter, DAV.
Edward Nicholls, Sr. Vice Commander, American Legion.
Charles R. Heger, Sr. Vice Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The Memorial Day Committee express their appreciation to each and every one who cooperated with the committee either individually or collectively, in making this observance of Memorial Day a grand success.
Sincerely,
The Memorial Day Committee Edward McNeil, Secretary
Charles R. Heger, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I respectfully submit my report as Harbor Master for the year 1946.
Lost Boats recovered 15
Persons Rescued
7
Boats Assisted
25
Investigations made 45
Launchings Policed 4
Respectfully submitted,
George L. Foster
140
December 31, 1946
REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH CONSTABLE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
December 31, 1946
Gentlemen :
I Respectfully submit my report as Shell Fish Constable for the year 1946. The shores of Weymouth are open to Commercial Clam Diggers only. A resident of the Town of Weymouth may secure a permit to Dig Clams for Bait pur- poses only.
Respectfully submitted,
George L. Foster
REPORT OF TOWN COMMITTEE ON SEA WALLS
December 19, 1946
The following Committee was appointed by the Moderator as provided by vote of the 1946 Annual Town Meeting under Article Thirty-five.
Oberlin S. Clark Milton L. Hoffman Harold W. White Pearson C. Cazeault Thomas J. Kelly
The Committee with all members present met on August 8th, and visited the following sites along the North Weymouth shore :
(1) Fore River Avenue :- The present sea wall is disintegrating in places and needs repairs.
(2) Parallel to Ocean Avenue :- Part of the old privately built sea wall went out in a storm over a year ago and one house was partly undermined. The wall that went out should be replaced at once.
(3) Ford's Beach on Wessagussett Road :- There is no wall along this stretch of beach but one is not badly needed.
(4) Fort Point Road :- The present wood bulkhead along Fort Point Road is in bad condition and is so inadequate that extensive work has to be done annually by the Street Department to maintain the roadway. A wall along Fort Point Road from River Street to Prospect Hill is needed, particularly that part of it along the accepted portion of Fort Point Road.
(5) Rose Cliff :- Conditions here are not bad.
(6) Parallel to Evans Street :- The present timber bulkhead is in fair con- dition east of Aspinwall Avenue, and in poor condition west of Aspinwall Avenue.
On November 20th, the Committee in company with Representative Gallant and Selectmen Fern and Crehan met the Interim Commission of the State Legisla- ture and visited the following sites : Fore River Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Fort Point Road and Rose Cliff.
As a result of this inspection this Committee recommended to the Selectmen at their December 16th meeting that an article be inserted in the Warrant for the 1947 Annual Town Meeting "To see what sum of money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate to build sea walls parallel to Ocean Avenue and/or along Fort Point Road, providing the State furnishes a like sum."
The amount recommended would be $25,000.00 by the Town and $25,000.00 by the State.
Representative Gallant will introduce a bill in the Legislature to provide the State's share of the funds.
For the Committee,
Oberlin S. Clark, Chairman
141
REPORT OF PLUMBING INSPECTOR
Board of Health Town of Weymouth
I herewith submit my report for the year ended December 31, 1946: During the year there have been issued 417 permits for Plumbing. Received for Plumbing permits $1,350.
During the year there have been issued 92 permits for Cesspools and Septic tanks.
Received for Cesspools and Septic Tanks $92.
There was a total of $1,350 fixtures installed in new and old buildings.
New 84 Old 333.
Estimated Value $116,390.
Respectfully submitted,
George Marshall, Plumbing Inspector
REPORT OF THE SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
December 31, 1946
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1946. The sealing fees amounted to $295.57.
My general work for the year is as follows :
Tested and sealed 1358 weighing and measuring devices.
Not sealed 105 weighing and measuring devices.
Condemned 15 weighing and measuring devices.
Trial weighings and measurments of commodities sold or put up for sale and summary of inspections after sealing 1240 articles and devices.
I would call to your attention the subject of wood being delivered from house to house from trucks be sure the delivery is from sealed and approved bushel baskets.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles W. Burgess, Sealer of Weights and Measures
REPORT OF THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
The Weymouth Visiting Nurse Association has completed thirty-two years of Nursing service to the Town of Weymouth, and submits a report as follows:
The Chairman of Nurses reports :
8978 Calls made by the Nurses 50 Well Baby clinics were held in Town Hall.
496 Babies examined.
Ten regular meetings were held with an avereage attendance of 16 members.
Respectfully submitted
Jessie W. Bastey, Secretary
142
REPORT OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT
December 21, 1946
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
Norton Street, from Laudervale Road to Pearl Street, was reconstructed and relocated under Chapter 90.
STREETS ACCEPTED Welland Road Clematis Avenue Raleigh Road
RETIRED John Andersen, August 30, 1946 John O'Connell, December 20, 1946 John F. Cullen, February 1, 1946 James Cullinane, May 16, 1946
The appreciation of the Department for assistance by the Police, Fire and Water Departments is hereby expressed.
Respectfully submitted,
T. J. Kelly, Superintendent of Streets
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
January 7, 1947
To the Honarable Board of Health
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
During the past year the following examinations were made on the chil- dren in the two Parocial Schools:
Total number of examinations made on children 3,305
This includes
number of eyes examined 1,291
number of heads examined 1,523
number of ears examined 785
number of physicals
488
number of miscellaneous examinations 180
First aid given to 38 children
Number of telephone calls made to parents 80
Number of children taken to Doctor
6
Number of children taken home sick
25
Number of notices sent to parents on :
teeth
96
eyes
161
ears
93
pediculosis
67
physicals
149
Number of house visits made 59
I wish to extend my thanks and appreciation to the members of the Board of Health for all the cooperation and courtesies extended to me during the past year.
Very truly yours,
Helen D. Kelly, Public Health Nurse
143
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
January 23, 1947
Board of Health
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen :
The following is the report of the Health Officer for the year ending December 31, 1946.
Contagious Diseases Reported :
undulant fever
1
spinal meningitis
2
anterior poliomyelitis
3
scarlet fever
14
dog bites
103
Septic sore throat
2
pulmonary tuberculosis
14
whooping cough
1
cervical adenitis
1
malaria
1
measles
46
chicken pox
12
amebic dysentery
4
pneumonia
5
During the past year every eating and drinking establishment in the Town was inspected and swabs were taken for bacteriological analysis of glasses, cups, plates, knives, forks, spoons etc. There is a marked improve- ment over 1945 due to the fact that all eating and drinking establishments now have hot water and many soda bars are using paper cups.
Dairies have been inspected monthly by the State Inspector and myself. The sanitary conditions of the Dairies show a marked improvement as new refrigeration systems are being installed and new milk rooms are being built.
The convalesent homes in the Town have been inspected regularly and new rules and regulations have been established by the State Department of Public Welfare. Miss Helen Adams R. N. of the State Department who has charge of this District makes periodic inspections and the Board of Health cooperate with her.
Homes for Infant boarding children have been inspected and licensed. Overnight cabins, public toilets etc. have been inspected at regular intervals.
Throughout the year investigations were made on all branches of Public Health. Monthly Meetings of the Board of Health have been held during the year at the Board of Health Office and have been well attended. The Public Health Nurse who also does the secretarial and clerical work for the Board has been an asset to this office.
Respectifully submitted.
Henry F. Godin, Health Officer
144
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
WATER DEPARTMENT
SSET 1622
NE
MASSAC
ETT9
.1635
835
WEYMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS 1946
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the Weymouth Board of Water Commissioners:
The Department program of reinforcing water mains was continued during the year with the extension of a 12" line from Commercial and Middle Streets to Broad and Essex Streets. Materials are on hand, or on order, to complete a new standpipe and also for additional mains on Essex Street.
The firm of Weston & Sampson, Consulting Engineers, has been engaged to make a general survey of our pumping and distribution system. Preliminary studies indicate additional pumping equipment required to augment the gravity system.
Several extensions of mains were required during 1946, which, together with anticipated new mains, necessitated the issuance of $50,000 in bonds for construction of 6"' mains or larger.
Captain Loud returned to us in January as Chemist and Bacteriologist, following his service in both the Pacific and European Theaters of war. Daily tests on the water, both chemical and bacteriological total 628 analyses.
During the year many items of maintenance were required at the Filteration Plant, including overhauling hydraulic valves, cementing two filter walls, re- newing two filters with anthrafilt, and enlarging the wash water basin.
Our Circuit Avenue Station was used as needed at intervals during the rear.
Equipment replaced during the year includes a 1}" trench pump, intake screens, a business coupe. A new pipe finder has proven its worth many times over.
Two employees of the department retired as of June 1, 1946. Mr. William Murphy, our general foreman, had ably served the department since 1915. Mr. Thomas Stothart, a filter operator, had served since 1923. Mr. Herbert Sullivan succeeds Mr. Murphy as general Foreman. Henry P. Tilden, Jr .. Henry B. Rowell and Fred L. Wentworth were added to our force.
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