USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1950 > Part 20
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Hazel Evelyn Blenis
Marta Mapes
Ira Sheldon Bloom
Mildred Irene Nyberg
Janet May Burrell
Robert Warren Pillsbury
Joan Fairman Graham
Robert Lee Rowell
Sandra Marie Stevens
FOUR YEAR HONORS
Mary Elizabeth Bennett
Ruth Alice Nash
Elaine Evelyn Bowser
Elizabeth Meta Nerger
BettyAnn Carlson
Nancy Norwood
Martha Jane Chubbuck
William Leonard Payne
Joan Marie DiBona
Doris Elizabeth Pinel
Doris Anne Donaldson
Phyllis Ruth Renahan
Carolyn Mary Driver
Priscilla Louise Durbeck
Barbara Ann Frazier
Dorothy Virginia Godfrey
Charles Hanson Sundin
Raymond Eugene Tobey
Barbara Jeanne Tukis
Ann Elizabeth Kerton
Bernard Dexter Wrightington
Robert Alan Lincoln
Janet Christine Wyman
Veterans of World War II who have completed requirements for a Wey- mouth High School diploma during the school year 1949-1950
Paul Frederick Gauthier
James Francis Mccluskey
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Roy Hugo Richards, Jr. Elsie May Saunders Norman Taylor Shaw
Doris Green
Phyllis Greenblatt
Dorothy Ann Kelleher
REPORT OF SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Committee was authorized at a Special Town Meeting held on June 28, 1948. It consists of two members appointed by the Moderator. two members of the Appropriation Committee, the School Committee, and the Superintendent of Schools. By the action of the Special Town Meeting, the Committee was assigned two district jobs: (1) the planning and con- struction of additions to the Abigail Adams School in Weymouth Heights and to the Pratt School near Lovell's Corner; (2) the planning and con- struction of a Junior High School to be located in South Weymouth.
ADAMS AND PRATT SCHOOL ADDITIONS
These additions were completed and occupied on February 27, 1950. The Adams School addition has six rooms, a principal's office, and a health clinic. The Pratt School addition of four rooms and principal's office was built between the brick building erected in 1928 and the old wooden build- ing built in 1907. The addition joins the two old buildings and it makes one complete unit of twelve rooms. The classrooms in the additions are large, well lighted, and of modern design.
A financial statement of the expenditures for the construction of these additions follows:
General Contract, plus extras
$330,914.90
Painting
5,566.06
Hot water installation
4,911.00
Driveways, hard surfaced playgrounds, fencing, etc.
14,055.97
Furniture, equipment, and shades
12,403.12
Architect's Fees
28,570.00
Surveys, borings, tests, etc.
730.08
Blueprints
512.17
Advertising
287.91
Insurance during construction
712.50
Miscellaneous
488.10
Total
$399,151.81
Total funds available
$404,500.00
Balance returned to Excess & Deficiency Fund
$5,348.19
State reimbursement
$100,324.74
Net cost to the Town
$298,827.07
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
An initial appropriation of $17,500.00 was made at the Special Town Meeting held on June 28, 1948 for the preparation of preliminary plans for the Junior High School. The Coletti Brothers of Boston and Quincy were employed as architects. At a Special Town Meeting held on April 25, 1949 an additional appropriation of $39,000.00 was made for the purpose of preparing final plans and detailed specifications, and an appropriation of $20,000.00 was made to purchase a twenty-acre site at the junction of Park Avenue and Pleasant Street. The land purchase included the resi- dence of Miss Agnes M. Holbrook, and the School Committee by the Town Meeting action was authorized to allow Miss Holbrook to occupy the house as long as she desires.
At a Special Town Meeting held on April 3, 1950 an appropriation of $1,238,000.00 was made for the construction of the Junior High School;
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$1,200,000.00 of this sum to be borrowed by means of a twenty year bond issue. The bond issue was made on May 1, 1950 at an interest rate of 11/2 per cent, plus a premium of $335.00.
Construction of the new school was started on April 13, 1950. Excava- tions for the foundations of the building revealed that the ground water level was three feet above the level indicated by the borings made in August, 1949. At a meeting of the Committee held on May 9, it was voted on recommendation of the architects and their engineers that be- cause of the high ground water level it would be advisable to raise the building three feet. The engineers also reported that due to the high water level the State Division of Sanitary Engineering had refused to approve the plans for the original sewerage disposal system and that an entirely new and more elaborate system would have to be designed and installed. At later meetings these two change orders or "extras" were approved at additional costs of $26,766.00 and $23,346.00 respectively. In- asmuch as the building had to be raised, it was voted at the June meeting to add an "extra" in the amount of $2,731.00 to make the space under the classroom wing available for storage purposes.
These three "extras" necessitated by the high ground water level added $52,843.00 to the cost of the building. It should be pointed out and em- phasized that if the building had been originally planned at a higher elevation the major portion of this added cost would have been included in the contractor's bid price, and thus the ultimate cost of the building would have been approximately the same. As the construction work has progressed, a number of other "extras" have been approved by the Com- mittee which can be paid for within the contingency fund provided in the original estimate of cost.
Bids were received and orders placed for approximately sixty per cent of the furniture and equipment last fall before price rises resulting from the "Korean War." Recent price increases will result in a small deficit in the allowance for furniture and equipment.
Bids received on December 11 for the site and playfield development were some $19,000.00 in excess of the allowance. The Committee voted to reject all bids and to reduce the work called for in the original plans by at least $15,000.00 and to receive new bids on February 12, 1951.
The Committee plans to meet on February 13, at which time the cost of the site development and the total cost of furniture and equipment will be known. It will then be possible to estimate the amount of a sup- plementary appropriation to be sought at the March Town Meeting.
Construction work on the building is progressing satisfactorily and, bearing unforeseen delays, it should be ready for occupancy on September first.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN M. COWAN JOSEPH W. MAHONEY
Co-Chairmen ELMER S. MAPES, Secretary DR. WALLACE H. DRAKE CLAYTON W. NASH J. EDWIN PETERSON BENJAMIN SANTACROCE WILLIAM F. SHIELDS DR. HAROLD A. SPALDING ETHEL G. TAYLOR (Mrs. Arthur R.) ALBERT VINAL, JR.
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REPORT OF THE PEARL STREET BUILDING COMMITTEE
The Annual Town Meeting in 1950 voted an appropriation of $20,000.00 for the preparation of final plans and specifications for the erection of an elementary school on the site previously purchased on Pearl Street in North Weymouth and authorized the Moderator to appoint a committee of seven to supervise the erection of the school. The Committee was ap- pointed on April 27 and held its organization meeting on May 5. Weekly meetings were held, visitations to school buildings made, and on June 5 the Committee voted to select the firm of Collens, Willis, and Beckonert, of Boston, as architects for the new school.
Conferences by the Committee with the architects followed and after a meeting with the Appropriation Committee on August 1 it was mutually agreed to proceed with plans for a twelve room, two-story building, plus a multiple-purpose and other auxiliary rooms.
Bids for the construction of the building were opened on November 1 and the Committee selected the low bidder, the Farina Brothers Con- struction Company, of Newton, as the prospective contractor at their low bid of $416,340.00. A Special Town Meeting held on November 20 unani- mously voted to appropriate $467,000.00 for the erection of the school and other costs. The contract was let on November 27 and construction was started on November 29. The open winter has permitted work to proceed satisfactorily. Small, bubbling springs were encountered in the excavation for the boiler room and an "extra" in the amount of $2,500.00 has been approved by the Committee to provide for increasing the thickness of the concrete mat in the boiler room from eight inches to twenty-four inches.
It is doubtful at this time that the building will be completed by the opening of school in September. If not, there will be a shortage of seven elementary classrooms in North Weymouth and it will be necessary to place fourteen classes in the Bicknell School on double sessions.
The bond issue for this school will be dated February 1 for $449,000.00 for a term of fifteen years at an interest rate of 1 1/4 per cent, with a premium of $2,420.15.
The estimates for the various items of expenditures for the school are given below:
General Contract, including site and playfield development
$416,340.00
Alternate accepted for Fire Detection System 2,000.00
Architect's and Engineer's Fees, Balance 9,500.00
Clerk of the Works 6,500.00
Furnishings and Equipment
20,000.00
Fencing
2,880.00
Contingency and Miscellaneous
9,780.00
Total
$467,000.00
Respectfully submitted, JOHN F. BOYLE LAUGHTON B. DASHA
Co-Chairmen
ELMER S. MAPES, Secretary
BENJAMIN M. COWAN CHARLES C. HEARN
JOSEPH W. MAHONEY
GERALD B. PROCTER
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REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 19, 1951
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted my report for the year ending December 31, 1950.
There is pending in Court several cases of major importance that could involve the expenditure of sizeable amounts. They are set forth as follows:
Carl C. J. Voigt v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court Elva C. Voigt v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court Esther K. Voigt v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court Ethel M. Voigt v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court Lorraine J. Voigt v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court
In each of these cases the Town has been joined with the Old Colony Gas Company as defendant. The writs carry an ad damnum in each case of $25,000,00, a total of $125,000.00. The Old Colony Gas Company has settled their cases, I am informed, in a sum of $16,750.00. Our cases, though marked up for trial this past fall have not been disposed of.
Leo F. Doherty Admr. of David L. Doherty v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court.
This case grows out of an accident in which the infant son of Leo F. Doherty came to his death. It is alleged this was caused by the son falling into an excavation on Essex Street where the Town was engaged, through its agents, in constructing a sewer. The ad damnum is set at $50,000.00.
John W. Power, Jr. Admr. of John W. Power III v. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court.
The basis for this case is the allegation that the plaintiff's intestate died as a result of the negligence of the Town of Weymouth and its agents, in carelessly and unskillfully operating a motor vehicle - a sidewalk motorized snow plow.
The ad damnum is in the amount of $30,000.00.
There is an increasing number of tort cases in which the Town has been notified that it is being held responsible for injuries of varying kind and degree. Most of these originate in alleged accidents occuring on the Town's highways. There appears to be no way of protecting the Town from this type of claim. Each must be dealt with on its merits as occasion demands.
The Town has been successful in its action against the City of Quincy, Superior Court, No. 48926. This was an action contending that the City of Quincy owed the Town a sum of money for aid provided certain indivi- duals whom the Town maintained had settlements in the City of Quincy. After hearing before an auditor, the latter found in favor of the Town. Later the verdict of the Court was in the amount of $1,014.96. This sum was paid to the Treasury.
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The Town has also defended successfully the case of Orlando v. Town of Weymouth which was a tort action involving an accident in an inter- section guarded by traffic lights between Orlando's automobile and a piece of the Town's fire apparatus.
There have been several cases of violations of the Town's By-Laws that in some instances have reached the Court and the Town has been successful except in one of them wherein the Judge felt we had not suf- ficient evidenc to warrant a conviction. The defendant prevailed in that case. One other such case is now pending.
During the year the department has represented the School Com- mittee and the Board of Sewerage Commissioners in pursuance of their respective construction programs.
Several pieces of property have been acquired by eminent domain for the Town following proper instructions voted at the Annual Town Meeting. There were taken for the purpose of establishing parks or play- grounds. In all but two instances the respective owners have accepted the offer made for the property by the Town. These two cases are now pending, only one of which has been entered in Court.
Many conferences have been held with the members of various town bards and officials concerning the conduct of the business of the Town Deeds, easements, contracts and other legal documents have been pre- pared or reviewed as necessary. The work of the department is con- stantly increasing.
May I thank you and through you the Town employees and officials for their complete cooperation with the department during the year.
Respectfully submitted, KENNETH L. NASH, Town Counsel
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF FENCE VIEWERS
January 24, 1951
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth
Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The work of the Fence Vewers during the past year has shown a de- cided increase as may be expected due to the increase in the building of homes during 1950.
All members of the Board have carried on this work and with the cooperation of the various department heads feel that they have com- pleted a successful year.
Very truly yours, AMY HILL DUNCAN, Clerk Board of Fence Viewers
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REPORT OF THE PLANNING BOARD
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Weymouth
For the past calendar year, your Planning Board has held 12 regular and 14 special meetings during which some 17 developments and 4 zoning questions were given public hearings.
There are at the present time 26 active subdivisions underway in the town with the greatest construction in Precinct 1 with seven of these projects.
Due to the more stringent rules adopted by the Board, it is now man- datory for the contractors to surface all the roads and sidewalks in his development before final approval can be obtained. In this respect, we estimate the town has saved during 1950 over $200,000 in road construction which otherwise would have had to be paid by the taxpayers.
To insure that the contractor abides by the rules, all projects must now post a performance bond or cash or negotiable securities which is not released until the Board is satisfied with the conditions.
In September of 1950, culminating nearly a year of work, a new edition of the rules and regulations was published. As this effort represents some- thing in the way of pioneering, numerous cities and towns as well as the Land Court and the FHA, have requested copies to assist them in pre- paring similar publications of their own.
The Board's committee studying the incinerator problem has visited several existing plants of this type in other communities in New England and a report on this matter is expected .during 1951.
Your Board, in cooperation with the Braintree Planning . Board, are investigating the traffic situation at the Landing and are considering the possibility of a cut-off to releive the congestion and to expedite the flow of through traffic.
During the coming year, it is hoped to complete studies for the de- velopment of Great Hill Park and Wessagusset Beach which were given some consideration during the past year but due to other business taking a great deal of time, was not finished.
Several long range projects are to be taken under consideration during the coming year. The most important of these, is the already mentioned, incinerator.
Of equal importance at this time, will be the Board's consideration of civil defense needs. While our studies in this field are not as yet con- clusive, we believe other departments and the people of Weymouth should not join in the mass hysteria which several state and federal agencies are trying to create, supposedly, from what we have learned more for an op- portunity to spend money than the actual value of the proposals.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank the people who have brought infringements to our attention and to the various town departments who have cooperated to the fullest in rendering their assistance.
Respectfully submitted, ROY H. ROSEWELL, Chairman WILLIAM B. HARTY, Clerk WALTER B. HEFFERNAN GEORGE P. MAPES JOHN F. NEWTON SANDY ROULSTON HENRY R. SARGENT
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REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth
Gentlemen :
I submit herewith my forty-fourth annual report as Town Engineer of Weymouth.
The preparation of Assessors maps (65 sheets) covering the entire town, showing the owners of record as of January first of each year to- gether with the buildings and the area of each separate property remains the major item of this department.
In addition to furnishing the Assessors with correct prints for each succeeding year, typewritten cards for each transfer of real property (over 2000 the past year) are also prepared for their use each year, and for filing for future reference.
The data for the above is obtained from the Norfolk Registry of Deeds, from the Norfolk Registry of Probate, from the Land Court, information from many private plans not recorded, and from any other available source.
In a statement by the Register of the Norfolk Registry of Deeds con- cerning transactions for the month of October, 1950 covering 17 cities or towns in Norfolk County, Quincy led with 217, with Weymouth second with 205, and the next lower 112.
The establishment of the block system (a decided improvement in the Assessors department), the increase in the building, the increase in popula- tion with a corresponding increase in land transfers have all been a part in increasing the above portion of the work done by the engineering de- partment.
These Assessors sheets, so called, are bought and largely used in whole or in part by many other departments of the town and many are sold by the town in single sheets or otherwise for private use.
Some towns publish an atlas each year mainly for the use of the Assessors and other town departments; as I noted in my report last year Weymouth has to date published 5 atlases, the first in 1938 and the last in 1949.
1000 small street maps were published in 1949 and your Board has ordered 1000 more which after revision will be published in 1951.
As the Assessors are obliged to assess the owner of record it is of the utmost importance to promptly record all legal papers affecting the ownership of real property in order that the true owner may be protected and his land not become liable to be sold for taxes wrongly assessed and not paid.
I think most lawyers have seen where a saving of a $3.00 recording fee has resulted in a cost of many times that sum in a future establish- ment of correct ownership by registration in the Land Court or otherwise.
Briefly the following covers other work done by the Engineering De- partment during the past year: street lines for abutters; various drain- age easements, plans and staking; profiles, staking and grades for street construction; staking lines and grades for sidewalks and curbs; plans of proposed takings; plans for street widenings; staking points and setting stone bounds; staking and plans of playgrounds for Park Department; topographical survey and plans, surveys, outline plans and descriptions
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for School Department; survey elevations and plan of proposed parking area at Bicknell Square; investigation of street lines as shown on plans sought to be registered in the Land Court; prints taken for various town departments; descriptions for the legal department of lands sold by the town; and other incidental work.
While the increase in surveying and engineering work has continued and the scarcity of supplies and the increase in cost of same still con- tinues it has been the aim to keep the cost of the Engineering Depart- ment as low as possible and with the opportunity to use the men on other work at various times during the year this has been possible.
To your Board, to all other departments of the town and their em- ployees and to many private citizens and others not resident in the town, I extend my thanks for aid and courtesy shown me and my assistants.
Respectifully submitted, RUSSELL H. WHITING,
Town Engineer
REPORT OF THE TREE AND MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
January 15, 1951
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
My report of activities of the Tree and Moth Department follows closely the pattern of last year.
In addition to the usual rescues of cats, can be added the rescue of one small boy who climbed into a tree at the corner of Evans Street and Delorey Avenue and couldn't get down.
We have had an increasing amount of storm work, and the electric chain saw, generator and emergency flood light certainly was a good in- vestment - the flood light being extremely valuable on those nights when trees and wires were down.
Men working with axes and saws in total darkness around wires is very dangerous, and you may rest assured that this piece of equipment alone is well appreciated.
My prediction in last year's Town Report of 150 Dutch Elm Diseased trees for 1950 was a modest one. The actual number of confirmed cases was 373 diseased trees. This is not a true figure, as many times that num- ber of trees showed symptoms of the disease, but through lack of time, manpower and money we were not able to gather samples of all suspicious trees for laboratory testing.
Our record of Dutch Elm Disease is unfortunate inasmuch as I have repeatedly warned the Townspeople through educational programs, news- paper articles and my Town Reports, references of which I give below:
Town Report for 1935 Page 141
1941 275
1946 138
249
1947
92
1948
120
1949
156
These references are given to refute statements to the effect that nothing was ever said or done about Dutch Elm Disease until this year.
The end of the year marks the end of Weymouth's largest and oldest elm tree - measuring 171/2 feet at the base, 100 feet high and a spread of 150 feet. This tree was located on the former Col. Castle Estate, now the new Veterans' Housing Project at Lake Street, East Weymouth.
There is no known cure for this terrible tree disease, but a conscientious program of tree sanitation (prompt removal of all infected trees, pruning out dead wood, feeding and spraying) will keep our trees in a healthy, vigorous condition and will do much for saving our elm trees. Tree re- moval is more costly than tree care.
I am in closest contact, through membership and attendance of several Shade Tree Conferences, with the leading scientists and professional men in the country, and am well posted on what is new, what is right for us to do for our trees. Without the backing and confidence of our Town Meeting, I cannot put my knowledge to use. Weymouth could well be a leader rather than a follower in the advanced methods of tree care.
Oak Wilt, of which we have heard a great deal, is moving rapidly east- ward, now having spread into Pennsylvania. It won't be too many years before it reaches Massachusetts. Are we going to ignore it as we have the Elm disease?
Roadside brush cutting, Poison Ivy control, Pruning and feeding are not getting their full amount of much needed attention due to the con- stant job of tree removal. The only answer is extra manpower during the summer months to keep up with these very important phases of our work.
Our aerial spray program for Mosquito Control is now accepted by the public. No complaints and plenty of praise is proof of this. One more spray in late August will give us the protection needed to finish out the summer in a comfortable, enjoyable manner. An article for $800.00 ad- ditional funds is being requested through the Annual Town Meeting for this purpose and it warrants strong support.
We are rapidly approaching war conditions and as before, our main arteries of travel may be designated Military Highways. This will bring into use for heavy public travel, a series of bypass roads for the general traffic. It behooves us to keep all thoroughfares open to traffic and at a minimum of inconvenience. Faulty trees can create havoc with travel and our vital public utilities. Along with the rapid growth of National Defense will come a shortage of tree workers. We must do as much as we can while we are able, and be somewhat prepared for what may come. If the manpower shortage is felt, the trend will be toward contract work almost entirely.
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