USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1949 > Part 12
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Your Planning Board who for several years past has been operating under Chapter 340, Acts of 1947, Sections 81A to 81Y inclusive, held twelve regular and ten special meetings during the past fiscal year, it has been the busiest year in the history of the Planning Board. During the year there have been a total of 19 new developments in various sections of the town, approved by the board and these developments have constituted a total of 484 new dwelling homes which needless to say represent the largest building program ever to be undertaken in the history of the town.
During the year two vacancies occurred on the board which were filled by Sandy Roulston and George Mapes, two able and conscientious citizens whose training and experience have been an invaluable asset to the board.
During the year several public hearings have been held by the board, regarding certain changes of boundary lines of the present zoning laws, with the Planning Boards recommendations to the Annual Town Meeting.
The board has had little time this year to give to long range planning, due to pressure of all matters concerning the many developments, how- ever the board feels that there are several much needed improvements. Such as the addition of sand to our beaches to provide recreation for our citizens who find it impossible to enjoy the beaches out of town. Some consideration must be given to limited parking at Columbian Square, South Weymouth. Since patrons of the local theatre park their cars in the Square for two and three hours at a time, making it impossible for shop- pers to find parking spaces.
Consideration must soon be given to a location for a Municipal Air Port before all available land has been taken for other purposes. Since the population of Weymouth is increasing very rapidly, some thought should be given to transportation in and out of the town. The development of Weymouth Great Hill should be undertaken shortly for park purposes.
A study should be made of the advisability of a breakwater at Wes- saggussett Beach for the protection of boats moored in this area, these boats being taxable property. Traffic congestion at Lincoln Square as a result of the recently created Stop & Shop market.
These are but a few of the many improvements which will shortly be studied by your Planning Board, and in closing we wish to express our thanks for all those who have given their help and assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
ROY H. ROSEWELL, Chairman WILLIAM B. HARTY, Clerk WALTER B. HEFFERNAN HENRY R. SARGENT THOMAS J. KELLY SANDY ROULSTON GEORGE MAPES -
142
REPORT OF THE SEWER DEPARTMENT
December 31, 1949
To the Board of Selectmen, Town of Weymouth:
We are pleased to forward our Superintendent's Annual Report and with it our own for the year 1949.
The increasing amount of interest in and demand for sewerage facili- ties commands our attention. The question of how best to serve the need presents a problem and a challenge.
The problem concerns construction, for by its very nature sewer work creates inconvenience and disruption in the street and to its abutters where trenches are dug to lay pipe. We are fully aware of the situation, and are giving the matter careful attention in an effort to cause the least dif- ficulty. Your indulgence is hardly expected, but may we ask for reason- able consideration as the pipe line passes by.
The challenge concerns extension of service to the needed areas at a faster pace. Sewering of the Town's widely-separated centers requires the construction of four large separate main or trunk sewer lines, each dis- charging into the Metropolitan outlet. One of these, the Commercial Street trunk sewer, has been built and through lateral connections at its end, already serves the Mt. Pleasant and surruonding area bounded by Washing- ton Street, Broad Street, Roosevelt Road, and Commercial Street in Wey- mouth Landing.
We are now faced with building the Central and South Weymouth trunk sewer to serve the Columbian Square area, badly in need of sewage disposal facilities, while the East Weymouth and North Weymouth trunks should follow, for no relief can be afforded any area until after the trunk sewer is constructed to it.
These trunk sewers are costly and paid for by the Town. Thus, it follows that early construction of all trunks would offer equal service to each main area in return for equal contributions toward cost. A program of building these remaining trunk lines soon would entail larger appropria- tions for the next few years, while in later years, lesser amounts could be used to branch out with laterals and gradually each area would be covered.
The Town is growing rapidly and earlier programs are simply ina- dequate, to meet present sewer requirements. How much to spend, how far to go, are matters to be determined by the Town, and we will do our utmost to meet her requirements.
Respectfully submitted, BOARD OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS
J. Herbert Libbey, Chairman John W. Field Charles J. Masterson
143
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SEWER DEPARTMENT
December 31, 1949
To the Board of Sewer Commissioners, Town of Weymouth:
I submit herewith the second annual report of the Sewer Department.
The continued expansion of the Town's sewer system, the beginning of active construction activities by department forces, the establishment of our own engineering department. and the remodeling of the Town In- firmary property and subsequent occupancy by the department for offices are the most noteworthy items to report. A columnar summary of sewer construction is appended hereto.
The year was begun with Contracts No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5 in an ac- tive construction status. The rather open winter made it possible and feasible to continue the installation of lateral sewers in the Mt. Pleasant section of Weymouth Landing under Contract No. 3. Contracts No. 4 and No. 5 were for the building and equipping of the Pumping Station in Wey- mouth Landing, and although the installation of the pumps was some- what delayed by manufacturers' shortages, the station was placed in ac- tive operation during April 1949. An additional allocation of funds was made to Contract No. 3 after the Annual Town Meeting to replace the amount previously cut back from the original bid and the contract was completed in July 1949.
The beginnings of a department labor force and an engineering de- partment were made soon after the Annual Town Meeting. The labor force at its peak included ten men, but it has been reduced to six at this writing. It is and will continue to be engaged in the maintenance and upkeep of the sewer system, and the construction of house connections or particular sewers as they are referred to technically. Construction equip- ment was purchased and the first connection by department forces was completed May 31, 1949. The acquisition of a truck and equipment created the need for garage and storage facilities and this was solved temporarily by utilizing several sheds at the Town Infirmary.
The engineering force has been expanded to include five men who are actively engaged in the design, planning, and supervision of sewer con- struction, the preparation of easements, record and assessment plans, and the planning of future extensions of the sewer system.
A contract for the first section of the Central and South Weymouth Trunk sewer was awarded in April 1949. This sewer is a main or trunk sewer which will eventually carry all of the sewage from the central and south sections of the town and is one of the major steps in the building of Weymouth's sewage system. Further extensions of this trunk sewer are proposed for succeeding years until it is completed and the drainage area it serves covered with a network of lateral sewers. The type of soil pre- dominating in this drainage area makes it vital to expand this sewer dis- trict with all reasonable speed.
As the personnel of the department was expanded to include engineers and an outside working force. it became very necessary to have additional office space for efficient administration. The Town Infirmary property, made available to us by the Board of Selectmen and the vote of the 1949 Annual Town Meeting, was appraised as to its usefulness for offices and working quarters. This department prepared plans and specifications for a contract for remodeling the lower floor of the Infirmary building for office space and the third floor for a small apartment for the building cus- todian. A contract was let for the work which included new partitions,
144
plumbing, lighting, flooring, painting, and office equipment. The work was completed in November and the offices were formally occupied by the department on November 21. 1949. The department's office forces are now housed in very pleasant, well lighted and adequate quarters.
Following the creation of an engineering department additional lateral sewers were surveyed and planned by the department engineers for several streets in Weymouth Landing and North Weymouth. A contract was awarded in September 1949 for the proposed construction in Weymouth Landing and another contract was awarded in October 1949 for the pro- posed construction in North Weymouth. Both contracts are being worked on actively at the present writing, supervised by departmental personnel.
Engineering work is being carried on by department engineers for the preparation of plans and specifications for additional sections of the Cen- tral and South Weymouth Trunk Sewer.
Assessment plans and computations for levying the betterment assess- ment for common sewer construction against the properties abutting on the several streets wherein common sewers were built during 1949 have been made, and the bills and committment sheets prepared by this de- partment have been forwarded to the Board of Assessors. The total amount of assessments for common sewers to date has been $73,619.60 of which $18,429.18 has been paid. The charges for particular sewer construction have been computed and the bills and committment sheets prepared and submitted to the Board of Assessors. The total of charges for particular sewers to date is $21,758.45 of which $3,006.75 has been paid.
Attention must be given to the problem of adequate garaging and housing the construction and maintenance equipment of the department. At present several odd sheds and buildings, formerly used by the Town Infirmary for storage, poultry houses, etc., are being utilized but at best they are extremely inadequate and unsatisfactory. The basic ground area is available for the construction of an efficient and necessary garage, re- pair shop, and storage shed and the terrain will lend itself very well for the construction of the public works type of service buildings.
I extend my sincere appreciation to all who have so generously helped during the year and particularly to the department employees, one and all, who have helped so ably to accomplish the years work.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCIS H. HAMILTON,
Superintendent of the Sewer Department
SUMMARY OF SEWER CONSTRUCTION COMPLETED
Completed as of January 1, 1949
19,517.00 ft.
Completed, 1949:
Bakers Avenue
310.70 ft.
Bluff Road
181.00 ft.
Bryant Avenue
307.45 ft.
Central and South Weymont Main
3,732.78 ft.
Field Avenue
207.05 ft.
Granite Street
676.48 ft.
Granite St. to Phillips St. Easement
240.00 ft.
Johnson Road
678.30 ft.
Keith Street
592.88 ft.
Keith St. to Granite St. Easement
240.00 ft.
145
Manomet Road
282.50 ft.
Norfolk Street
941.37 ft.
Phillips Street
1,209.67 ft.
Prospect Street
244.20 ft.
Richmond Street Sea Street Webb Street
492.90 ft.
435.00 ft.
336.10 ft.
Wessagusset Street
398.00 ft.
Total Construction 1949
11,506.38 ft.
Total Completed to Date
31,023.38 ft.
House Connections
Complete as of January 1, 1949
22
Completed during 1949
55
Total Connections December 31, 1949
77
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
45 Raymond Street East Weymouth, Mass. January 9, 1950
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Inspector of Animals for the year end- ing December 31, 1949:
Places Inspected
57
Cows Inspected
222
Young Stock Inspected
64
Bulls Inspected
6
Horses and Ponies Inspected
64
Goats Inspected
14
Sheep Inspected
15
Swine Inspected
7
Dogs Quarantined
150
Rabbit Quarantined
1
Cases Investigated
13
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. REIDY,
Animal Inspector
146
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ASSESSORS REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1949
January 6, 1950
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
!
We have assessed upon the polls, motor vehicle and trailer excise, water liens, sewerage and estates of all persons liable to taxation, the sum of $2,336,684.11 and have committed the same to Frank W. Holbrook, Esq., the duly elected Collector of Taxes, with our warants in due form of law, for the collections and payments, in accordance with the votes of the Town of Weymouth and warrants of the County of Norfolk and the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts.
December 31, 1948
$1,288.15
March 1, 1949
16,438.38
April 1, 1949
19,879.67
April 15, 1949
18,022.72
April 15, 1949
17,858.00
May 1, 1949
15,210.28
May 13, 1949
394,064.49
June 27, 1949
1,746,724.09
July 11, 1949
124.00
July 15, 1949
26,647.78
July 21, 1949
117.00
September 15, 1949
7,831.97
September 15, 1949
334.18
September 19, 1949
126.00
October 3, 1949
180.00
October 15, 1949
5,061.36
October 26, 1949
99.00
October 28, 1949
108.00
November 15, 1949
16,178.83
November 15, 1949
16.00
December 15, 1949
4,867.36
December 31, 1949
29,914.15
December 31, 1949
15,592.70
$2,336,684.11
Divided as follows:
Real Estate
$1,735,975.49
Personal Estate
394,064.49
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
131,426.50
Polls
17,998.00
Water Liens
6,302.57
Sewerage:
Common
$33,957.30
Interest
858.46
Particular
15,994.45
Interest
106.85
50,917.06
$2,336,684.11
147
State Liabilities
State Parks and Reservations
$26,680.41
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
1,163.34
State Exam. of Retirement System
143.23
Smoke Inspection Service
737.73
Metropolitan Sewerage-South System
38,812.78
Underestimates for 1948:
Charles River Basin
1,342.63
Metropolitan Parks Reservation
2,709.62
Nantasket Beach Maintenance
200.96
Smoke Inspection Service
10.67
$71,801.37
County Liabilities
County Tax
$73,755.75
Tuberculosis Hospital Assessment
31,373.03
Underestimates for 1948:
County Tax
4,440.50
$109,569.28
Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
Income Tax
$192,364.17
Corporation Taxes
150,013.34
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
85,000.00
Licenses
24,000.00
Grants and Gifts
25,000.00
Health and Sanitation
1,000.00
Charities
60,000.00
Old Age Assistance
190,000.00
Old Age Tax (Meals)
10,083.41
Veterans' Benefits
17,000.00
Schools
20,000.00
Libraries
1,000.00
Public Service Enterprises
201,687.00
Interest on Taxes and Assessments
2,000.00
Unclassified
9,000.00
Overestimates for 1948:
Metropolitan So. Sys. Sewerage
1,937.46
Available Funds
378,567.35
Additional Amount Approved by Commissioner
47,025.00
$1,415,677.73
Summary - 1949
Appropriations :
Town Meeting - Mar. 7, 9, 11, 1949
$2,970,560.17
To be taken from Available Funds
378,567.35
$3,349,127.52
State Liabilities County Liabilities
71,801.37
109,569.28
Overlay of the year 1949
32,743.36
$3,563,241.53
148
Credits Estimated Receipts and Available Funds
$1,415,677.73
$2,147,563.80
Table of Aggregates for the Town of Weymouth
Tax Rate for the year 1949:
Real and Personal Estate Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
$33.50
41.32
Valuation for the year 1949:
Real and Personal Estate
$63,582,803.00
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
4,163,510.00
Number of Polls Assessed:
April 15, 1949
8,929
July 8, 1949
62
November 15, 1949
8
Total Number of Polls
8,999
Number of Motor Vehicles and
Trailers Assessed :
December 31, 1948
324
March 1, 1949
1,500
April 1, 1949
1,625
April 15, 1949
1,348
May 1, 1949
1,388
July 15, 1949
2,190
September 15, 1949
783
October 15, 1949
425
November 15, 1949
1,477
December 15, 1949
665
Total Number of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Assessed
11,725
Number of Polls exempted by law or otherwise
443
Number of Persons assessed on Property
13,303
Number of Horses assessed
37
Number of Cows assessed
246
Number of other Neat Cattle assessed
3
Number of Fowl assessed
11,880
Number of Acres of Land assessed
8,0391/2
Number of Houses assessed
8,033
Respectfully submitted
Charles W. Burgess, Chairman
Harry E. Bearce, Chief Clerk Frank A. Pray
Francis A. Gunn
John W. Heffernan
Board of Assesors of the Town of Weymouth
149
.
REPORT OF THE SHELL FISH CONSTABLE
December 31, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I respectively submit my annual report as Shell Fish Constable for the year 1949.
The Weymouth shores are still open, but only to commercial clam diggers, and all clams must still be chlorinated before use. Permits for Weymouth residents only may still be obtained for bait purposes only. This applies to both clams and worms. There is no charge for permits to dig worms.
The following is a summary of investigations made for the Shell Fish Conservation Dept. during the year: I have been in constant contact with the Coastal Warden, and have conducted 5 investigations of clam smug- gling in cooperation with him. With my Deputy Warden I have con- ducted 6 investigations. Complaints and investigations that I personally conducted were four.
A complete revision of the Shellfish ordinances is being studied at the present time, with new ordinances forthcoming at an early date.
At this time I wish to extend my sincere thanks to our new Deputy Warden, Lawrence Pitts. Due to his sincere efforts the permits issued for Commercial Clam Diggers has increased from 4 in 1948 to more than 60 during the current year. This represents about $300.00 additional revenue to the Town of Weymouth.
Respectfully submitted, CECIL L. EVANS, Shell Fish Constable
REPORT OF THE HARBOR MASTER
December 31, 1949
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my 1949 report of the activities of the Harbor Master's Department.
The patrol of Weymouth's waterfront was made daily from April 9 to November 10th on the same basis as 1948, with an approximate mileage of 2200.
The following services and assistance calls were rendered during the year 1949:
Lost rowboats recovered 31
Persons assisted 40
Sail and small power boats, 15 ft. to 45 ft. assisted 29
Investigation of Grape Island fire, with Fire Dept. 1
Investigation of complaints 5
Small races convoyed 25
150
Interclub races convoyed 1
Assist at near drowning at Yacht Club
1
Boat fire, caused by outboard motor trouble 1
Emergency calls covered at request Police Dept. 4 Fore River launchings attended 5
Found and brought home persons reported lost in boats 8
The addition of two way police radio equipment to the Harbor Mas- ters' boat is being studied to further increase the efficiency of the Dept. and also give greater cooperation with the Police Dept. headquarters. A larger boat has been purchased by myself which greatly aided me in carry- ing out my duties.
I wish to again extend my heartfelt thanks for the cooperation of all town officials and others, who so willingly gave their time and efforts to help me.
Respectfully submitted, CECIL L. EVANS, Harbor Master
REPORT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
January 5, 1950
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1949.
The department responded to eight hundred and twelve alarms dur- ing the year. Of this number one hundred and thirty-three were for fires in buildings. Six hundred and seventy-nine were for all other emergen- cies as listed below.
A new pumping engine was put into commission in November re- placing a twenty year old pumper. With the replacement of a piece of apparatus each year for the next two years, the apparatus of the depart- ment will be completely modernized.
The stations are in good condition except for a moderate repair job on station 2.
A program of building inspections has been put into effect and also a schedule of drills for members of the department. By these activities we hope to minimize the dangers of fire.
I wish to thank all who have assisted the department in any way during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER R. MURRAY, Chief of Fire Department
151
There were 180 Bell Alarms and 632 Still Alarms for a total of 812 Alarms for the year.
Residential 112
Non-Residential Assembly
3
Mercantile 11
Manufacturing
3
Storage
2
Miscellaneous
2
Grass or Brush
253
All Other Fires (Autos, Boats, Outdoor, Machinery, Lumber Yards) 246
False Alarms (Bell and Telephone) 26
Smoke Scares, Accidental Alarms, Honest Mistakes 47
First Aid, Accidents, Emergency Calls
107
812
Respectfully submitted WALTER R. MURRAY, Chief of Fire Department
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARM
January 3, 1950
Chief Walter R. Murray Weymouth Fire Department
Dear Sir:
I respectfully submit my report of the Fire Alarm System for the year ending December 31, 1949.
Bell Alarms for Fires 179
False Alarms 25
Lost Child Call 1 No School Signal 2
The outside lines are in good condition, a section of these are replaced each year.
Eleven Fire Alarm Boxes have been added to the system at new loca- tions, which required the running of five miles of wire. We have com- pleted the installation of Red Lights over all Fire Alarm Boxes.
In conclusion I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for the ser- vices and co-operation rendered at all times.
Respectfully submitted, ERIC J. SALISBURY Superintendent of Fire Alarm
152
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 5. 1950
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
During the year the Legal Department has prepared or examined and approved all contracts the Town has entered into. Many releases, trans- ferring whatever interest the Town had in real estate for which it had no further use or such as may have been acquired as a result of fore- closure of tax titles have been drawn, paid for and recorded, thus mak- ing this property taxable again for the Town.
All bonds and such other legal instruments that have been submitted have been examined and approved. From time to time consultations have been held with various employees and heads of departments concerning their official duties and in many instances written opinions have been prepared for them. Meetings of the Board of Selectmen have been regularly attended and conferences with the Board have frequently been held. The Town By-Laws have been upheld where serious violations appeared.
Despite all the care the Street Department uses in its endeavor to maintain our streets in a condition of safety, accidents are bound to hap- pen and many persons suffering injury to their person or property while properly travelling on our highways make claims for reimbursement for their damages. In some situations such claims are well founded but in far too many instances the injury, if any they had, was due to their own negligence. The Department discusses such cases with any claimants available and endeavors to determine in each instance the validity of these claims. Such are settled if possible, but some of the others ripen into suits though the majority appear to be terminated after consultation. Our record on these highway accident cases is on the whole quite satisfactory.
In point is the case of Cleveland v. Inhabitant of the Town of Wey- mouth, Norfolk Superior Court, No. 44444 in which the plaintiff sought to recover damages from the Town because of an alleged defective condition of one of the Town's highways. The plaintiff alleged she received serious and lasting injuries as a result of being thrown from a motor vehicle in which she was riding due to an accumulation of gravel on the highway constituting an actionable defect in the way. The ad damnum of her writ was in the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). The Board of Selectmen had been advised that on the facts as they had been provided the department that the Town was not liable for the damage, regrettable as the injuries were. After the trial the verdict was rendered in behalf of the Town.
Though there have been several other matters in suit during the year none have been of major importance and the results obtained in each in- stance have not been harmful to the Town's best interests. At present several other matters are pending before the courts but the amount in- volved in the aggregate is not large.
The work of the Department is constantly growing. This is due largely to our growth in population and the necessary advances in municipal ser- vices demanded by such a growth. The expansion in our School Depart- ment building program and the extension of our sewerage system as rapidly as funds are made available entailing as they do the examination of titles, entering into agreements for the purchase of property or the taking of land by eminent domain, the passing of titles, etc., call for additional ac- tivity on your Department. There are other factors particularly the pas-
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