USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1954 > Part 14
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Respectfully submitted,
OLINDO GAROFALO, Chairman ROGER P. LOUD ARTHUR F. SARGENT CHARLES B. TURNESA J. HERBERT LIBBEY, Clerk
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
December 31, 1954
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1954.
The sealing fees amounted to $673.30.
My general work for the year is as follows:
Tested and sealed 1,294 weighing and measuring devices.
Trial weighings and measurements of commodities sold or put up for sale and summary of inspections after sealing 1,090 articles and devices.
Respectfully submitted. CHARLES W. BURGESS
Sealer of Weights and Measures
148
REPORT OF THE TOWN COUNSEL
January 14, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen Town Hall East Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report as Town Counsel for the year ending De- cember 31, 1954.
During the year the following cases have been disposed of:
Clara Dawson vs. Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Su- perior Court, Case No. 53842 (Land taking case in Idlewell)
Violet Conrad vs. Town of Weymouth, Essex Superior Court, Case No 94805
Dorothy DiLorenzo vs. Town of Weymouth, Essex Superior Court, Case No. 94806
Linda DiLorenzo, ppa. vs. Town of Weymouth, Essex Superior Court, Case No. 94807
Dorothy Hendricks vs. Town of Weymouth, Essex Superior Court, Case No. 94808
Mortimer N. Peck and Julia E. Peck vs. Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court, Case No. 506560 (Land damage case, East Weymouth Playground)
Laura G. Granger vs. Inhabitants of the Town of Weymouth, Norfolk Superior Court, Case No. 53979 (Land damage case, Idlewell Play- gorund)
John H. Doble vs. John F. Smith, Norfolk Superior Court, Case No. 53149. (The plaintiff in the above case was an employee of the Town and was injured in the course of his employment. Suit was brought in his name in behalf of the Town to enforce liability of Defendent).
Several matters of lesser importance have been terminated without resorting to legal proceedings.
During the year the action of Leo F. Doherty, Administrator vs. In- habitants of the Town of Weymouth. Norfolk Superior Court Case No. 49912, an action in which damages are claimed in the sum of fifty thousand dollars for death and conscious suffering, was tried for several days be- fore an auditor who made a finding in behalf of the Town; the Plaintiff is insisting on a jury trial which will come up at a later date.
The cases of Angelo Grande et all vs. Town of Weymouth. Suffolk Su- perior Court, Case No. 447,052 and the case of Town of Weymouth vs. An- gelo Grande et el, Norfolk County Case No. 50905 were also tried for sev- eral days before an auditor. The finding was in behalf of the Town but the opposing side is insisting on a jury trial and that too will come up at a later date.
In the latter part of 1954, Nicholas F. A. Piscionere, brought a petition for the assessment of damages arising out of taking of land by eminent
149
domain (Ralph Talbot Street School) Norfolk Superior Court, Case No. 57216.
The usual number of claims for damages for injuries received as a re- sult of alleged defects in the ways of the Town have been presented.
There have been a considerable number of conferences with various committees and officials of the Town on matters pertaining to the conduct of the business of the Town, and such opinions as have been requested have been rendered.
Deeds, contracts and other legal documents have been prepared or re- viewed as necessary.
I wish to express my appreciation to the members of your Board, to the various officers and employees of the Town for their willing coopera- tion, support and assistance which they have shown me.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR A. CICCHESE Town Counsel
HARBOR MASTER'S REPORT
January 5, 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Mass.
Gentlemen:
I respectfully submit my report of activities for the Harbor Master's Department for the year 1954.
Lost rowboats recovered 30
Lost outboard hulls recovered
5
15 to 40 foot sail and power boats assisted 28 Capsizing of sail and outboard motor boats attended 5
Investigations
15
Island fires fought
1
Launchings patrolled or attended 5
Small races patrolled
20
Inter-club races 3
Police calls 5
Again may I please extend my heartfelt thanks for the co-operation of all Town Officers and others who so willingly gave their time to help me.
Respectfully submitted,
CECIL L. EVANS
Harbor Master
150
REPORT OF THE TOWN ENGINEER
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Weymouth
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my forty-eighth annual report as Town Engineer of Weymouth.
The preparation of the Assessor's maps, including the work at the Norfolk Registry of Deeds, at the Norfolk Probate Registry, at the Land Court; the examination of plans at the offices of other surveyors or else- where of land in Weymouth; the revision of all changes in ownership af- fected by the above; the locating and plotting of all new buildings on the maps; and the obtaining and use of any available information tending to affect or change any assessment is continued each succeeding year and remains the major item.
Weymouth has joined other towns during the last few years in having the Norfolk Registry of Deeds, including the Land Court division, furnish the town with photostat copies of all deeds or other documents showing any change in ownership, or other data of value to the Assessors in de- termining the legal owner of land to be assessed.
These are copied (typewritten) on cards and are on file in the As- sessors office. The photostats are later bound and will eventually be filed in the Engineering Department of the town.
I have 22 volumes already bound and in process of being indexed. In 1953 about 2200 cards copied from photostats received from the Norfolk Registry of Deeds, and 116 cards received from the Norfolk Registry of Probate were filed with the Assessors and these will probably be augmented in 1954. As I write this report I am in receipt of 136 cards from the Nor- folk Registry of Probate for 1954, a gain of 20 over the year 1953.
Surveys, needed to locate boundaries referred to in deeds of transfer, are made each year so that the property may be correctly plotted on the town maps. Many surveys made by my office for private parties or devel- opers, which show a change in ownership described in a deed or transfer. are available and used to insure correct location on the town maps.
Each year a complete set of 65 maps are revised to January first of the year of assessment and a print of any sheet may be purchased from the Selectmen, or an entire set (as is done by many town departments) may be purchased.
The block system of assessment, started some years ago, is now firmly established in the town and has proved its worth.
At the risk of re-iteration I must again urge that all legal papers af- fecting the ownership of land be promptly recorded in order that no one may otherwise suffer loss.
Many town departments and others asked that an atlas be published in 1954 (the last one being in 1951) and this was done and included a zon- ing map of Weymouth, revised to date. Many of these atlases have been sold by the town to banks, lawyers, other surveyors, real estate men and private parties and the money received turned back to the town.
Small street maps of the town were also printed last year and can be purchased from the Clerk of the Selectmen.
I append a brief list of other work done by the Engineering Depart- ment during 1954. This includes work done for various departments of the
151
town and is as follows: - Street lines for abutters; staking, taking pro- files, establishing and giving grades for street construction; taking eleva- tions, staking and giving grades for drainage; staking, plans and descrip- tions of drainage easements; staking and giving grades for curb and sidewalk construction; survey and plan for street widening and staking same; taking prints for various town departments; staking and plans of land of the Park Department; surveys, plans, and topographical plans of land for school purposes; staking and plans for parking areas; survey and plan of scene of accident; survey and plan of proposed stop sign at inter- section of street; street layout plans; plans for court purposes; descrip- tions of land sold by the town; and in general the engineering work com- mon to all cities and towns.
In closing I herein extend my thanks to your Board, and to all other departments and employees of the town, and also to many citizens of Weymouth for aid and courtesy shown to me and to my assistants in our work throughout the town during 1954
Respectfully submitted, RUSSELL H. WHITING Town Engineer
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen .
January 2, 1955
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The year of 1954 saw a great improvement in the Town bathing facilities. For the first time in many years Wessagussett Beach was covered with sand for the entire season. Large crowds visited the beach and enrollment in the swimming and life saving classes reached an all time high.
In addition to Wessagussett Beach, the area at Whitman's Pond on Lake Street was officially opened for swimming and toilet facilities were constructed. Swimming and life saving classes were also conducted at this beach and the interest was high.
The summer recreation program was carried on as usual with the Homstead Field being added to the program this year. An annual field day was held at the end of the season at which many playground championships were determined.
Robert McBride of the Bradford Hawes playground was voted by the playground instructors as the outstanding young man of the 1954 season and was awarded a trophy.
With the addition to the staff of four part-time evening workers at the major parks, vandalism was kept to a minimum and residents enjoyed an evening program on a small scale.
We sincerely extend our thanks to all the other town departments and others who so willingly co-operated with the Park Department during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT J. McINTOSH, Chairman JOSEPH D. SLATTERY, Clerk OTTO C. MASON
1,52
REPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
January 7, 1955
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
In submitting this report for the 1954 activities of the Department of Public Welfare, I will endeavor to keep the report as brief and concise as possible.
The year 1954 showed in most categories of relief, a slight decrease in the number of cases but a continued upword trend in costs.
My warnings to you last year in my annual report that General Re- lief would increase due to the widespread layoffs in local industries has come true. As yet the costs due to this increase are not alarming but the trend seems to indicate that the year 1955 will show further inrcease over 1954.
Due primarily to increased medical cost particularly hospitalization, the cost per case in all categories of relief will be larger than in previous years.
Under the law, the price per day of hospitalization is set by the Com- missioner of Administration.
The first year this was effective was 1954 and the average cost was fourteen dollars per day for our relief cases. This year the schedule just received January 3, 1955, shows some hospital rates as high as twenty-one dollars and sixty-three cents per day and others fifteen dollars per day. This, as is evident, will increase the per capita case cost.
The increase in so called paper work is creating a very difficult problem in our Department. We are endeavoring to carry on with the same amount of help but it will be questionable if the present staff can carry the load. Therefore, at a later date I may be forced to ask for additional help.
Below are charts explaining the activities of this Department for the past year.
Old Age Assistance:
Applications
104
Approved
92
Denied 8
Withdrew
2
Pending
2
Number of cases on payroll as of Dec. 31, 1954
554
Appropriation
$360,000.00
Federal Reimbursement
215,144.52
State Reimbursement
238,916.09
Local Reimbursement
17,960.94
Refunds
3,425.23
Repayments on Liens
9,407.11
Town Payrolls
557,647.23
Payments to Other Cities and Towns
7,038.08
Cost to Town
89,238.53
153
Aid to Dependent Children:
Applications Approved Denied 1
36
34
Pending
1
Number of cases on payroll as of Dec. 31, 1954 85
Number of eligible recipients as of Dec. 31, 1954 277
Appropriation
$80,000.00
Federal Reimbursement
55,236.33
State Reimbursement
43,821.18
Expended
136,652.52
Refunds
3,582.25
Cost to Town
34,012.76
Aid to the Permanent and Totally Disabled:
Applications
30
Approved
15
Denied
10
Withdrew
1
Pending
4
Number of cases on payroll as of Dec. 31, 1954
54
Aid to the Permanent and Totally Disabled:
Appropriation
$40,000.00
Town Payroll
56,875.73
Refunds
324.95
Federal Reimbursement
21,900.38
State Reimbursement
19,469.85
Local Cost
15,180.55
Both my staff and I wish to thank your board for all the cooperation you have given us and courtesies shown us during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS P. DELAHUNT, Agent Department of Public Welfare
REPORT OF VETERAN GRAVES
January 11, 1955
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The appropriation for care of veteran graves was expended in 1954 in the manner of previous years.
The care of lots of veterans of all wars was provided for by agree- ment with the Superintendents of the larger cemeteries. Payment by the town was made to the various cemetery associations on an annual charge per lot basis, in no case in excess of the amounts charged individual lot owners for similar care.
154
The care of the veteran lots in the Reed Cemetery was by contract for the season, the work being done under my direction.
The care of the town owned cemeteries was by the local Veteran of Foreign Wars, Post No. 1399 by contract with the Board of Selectmen. A very unsatisfactory arrangement from the viewpoint of the town.
Widesprad vandalism caused extra cost for markers. Many were broken, the rods stolen, the emblems smashed, others just disappear. The police have been notified, but as yet have been unable either to apprehend anyone or to prevent recurrent acts.
The mounting number of veteran burials and the placing and re- placing of markers have greatly increased the work of the custodian of veteran graves.
I appreciate the co-operation of the Superintendents of the cemeteries, routine monthly inspections during the growing season finds little to fault.
Yours respectfully, KARL O'NEIL Custodian of Veteran Graves
1
SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE ALARMS
January 4, 1955
Chief Walter R. Murray Weymouth Fire Department
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report of the Fire Alarm System for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Bell Alarms for Fires 192
Second Alarms 2
False Alarms 17
Out of Town Alarms 2 No School Signals 3
The two hurricanes of 1954 caused us a loss of six miles of wire, fifty crossarms, several boxes, coils, protectors, fuses and arrestors. These have all been replaced and I believe the system is in good condition to with- stand the winter storms.
Nine Fire Alarm Boxes have been added to the system at new loca- tions.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all for service and co-opera- tion rendered at all times.
Respectfully submitted, EDRIC J. SALISBURY Superintendent of Fire Alarms
155
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Honorable Board of Selectmen
January 6, 1955 Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
The department responded to nine hundred seventy-eight alarms during the year. Eighty-seven of these alarms were for fires involving buildings. Eight hundred ninty-one were for all other emergency calls as listed below. Many of these calls were due to the hurricanes which swept over this area in August and September causing great damage.
A continuous program of building inspections is being carried on, also the Junior Fire Marshal Program is in its third year in the schools. By these means we expect to reduce the number of fires.
The training of the personnel has continued through drill periods and officer meetings throughout the year.
The apparatus and equipment is in good condition. With a few moderate repairs during the coming year, the buildings can be maintained in good condition.
There were one hundred ninty-two bell alarms and seven hundred eighty-six still alarms during 1954.
Residential
77
Non-Residential Assembly
1
Mercantile
5
Manufacturing
2
Storage
1
Miscellaneous
1
Grass or Brush
354
All Other Fires (Auto, Boats, Outdoor, Lumber Yards, Machinery.)
69
False Alarms
18
Smoke Scares, Accidental Alarms,
Wrong Locations, Honest Mistakes
142
First Aid, Accidents, Emergency Calls (Including 59 for Resuscitator 291 Mutual Aid 17
978
Permits issued for the year totaled 1,061:
Oil Burners
961
Explosives
71
Bottle Gas
23
Inflammable Liquids
4
Removal of Tanks
2
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER R. MURRAY Chief of Fire Department
156
1
REPORT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
January 10, 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town Hall
East Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the annual report of the services rendered by the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1954.
Causes of Arrest
Crimes against the Person 40
Crimes against Property
74
Crimes against Public Order
541
655
Miscellaneous Report
Complaints investigated
3,122
Doors and buildings found opened and secured
718
Summonses and warrants served for out of Town Departments
794
Street lights out
177
Wagon calls
137
Ambulance calls
220
Messages delivered
216
Animals killed
20
Fires reported
16
Defective streets
100
Missing persons located
107
Property recovered
$29,834.86
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH B. O'KANE Chief of Police
REPORT OF THE HEALTH OFFICER
January 3, 1955
Weymouth Board of Health
402 Essex Street
Weymouth 88, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
Following is the report of the Health Agent for the year ending De- cember 31, 1954.
During the past year, 856 cases of Contagious Diseases were reported. In 1954, there were 23 cases of polio.
In May and June, this Department held a Rabies Clinic for the inocu-
157
lation of dogs, Although this Clinic was well advertised and the fee was only $1.00 for the veterinarian only 122 dogs were vaccinated. We are plan- ning to run the clinic in 1955 and hope to vaccinate a far greater number.
Dairies and pasteurization plants have been inspected regularly Samples of milk, cream, butter and oleomargarine and other food products have been taken for bacteriological examinations.
Swab tests of eating and drinking utensils have been taken and all restaurants and eating places have been inspected and properly licensed.
Day nurseries, kindergartens, infant boarding homes and convalescent homes have been inspected and licensed.
In conjunction with the South Shore Mosquito Control Project, swamp- lands and breeding places for mosquitoes have been sprayed with D.D.T. A full report of this project will be found in the 1954 Town Report.
In the past year, the Board Members, Public Health Nurse and the Health Agent attended two Health Conferences. One was held in June at the University of Massachusetts and the other was held in August at the University of Vermont. Many phases of Public Health was discussed and more information regarding Health Laws were obtained.
Monthly meetings of the Board of Health were held on the second Thursday of each month during the year.
Respectfully yours, HENRY F. GODIN Health Agent
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DENTAL CLINIC
January 10, 1955
Patients
Total
947
New
175
Fillings :
Amalgam
One Surface
870
Two Surfaces
204
Three Surfaces
19
Total
1093
Cement
One Surface
41
Two Surfaces
29
Three Surfaces
3
Total
73
Silicate
46
158
Treatments:
Prophylaxis Silver Nitrate Gum Zinc Oxide
157
70
5
23
Bases:
Cement
179
Zinc Oxide
12
Kirkseal
11
Thymozin
6
Calcium Hydroxide
15
Extractions:
Primary
116
Permanent
63
Total
179
X-Rays
175
Anesthesia:
Regional
559
General
3
Total
562
Patients Completed
221
Total Clinic Hours
462
Patients Examined
3479
Defect Notices Sent Home
1674
MARY A. URACIUS Dental Hygienist
REPORT OF SHELL FISH WARDEN
January 1, 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen
Town of Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
The following is the report of the Shell Fish Warden for the year 1954. 58 Clam Digging Permits 86 Bait Permits
I respectfully urge a continuation of the $500.00 appropriation for the reseeding of clams. Approximately 8700 barrels of clams are taken from Weymouth shores yearly. Over 30 barrels of seed clams properly spread each year will materially keep clam digging alive on our shores.
The cooperation of your Board, the Police Department, and the Harbor Master is deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES W. MacMURRAY Shell Fish Warden
159
REPORT OF STREET DEPARTMENT
January 14. 1955
Honorable Board of Selectmen Weymouth, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I hereby submit the annual report of the Street Department for year ending December 31, 1954.
New equipment purchased: three International Trucks, four side walk tractors, one Chevrolet Coupe, and a sickle bar mower.
Whitman Street was widened, and granite retaining wall 210 feet long and approximately 6 feet high was constructed.
Drains. Drainage work voted at the annual and special town meetings was installed as follows:
10 in. drains - Essex St., connecting with Middle St. Common St., connecting with state drain on Wash- ington St. Gilbert and Francis Rds.
15 in. drains - Summer St. at approximately No. 455. Considerable other drainage was installed in all sections of the town.
Side walks. An aphalt side walk was partially constructed on the north side of Oak St. This work was interrupted by the hurricanes, and will be finished in 1955. The program for installation of permanent side walks was carried out under contract held by Weymouth Asphalt Co.
Parking Areas. A new parking lot and drain were installed at the town offices, 402 Essex St.
We put another seal coat of MC3 asphalt on the parking lot in Colum- bian Square.
We constructed a completely new parking area on Hollis St., with drains and curbing.
The Tabor Court entrance to the Weymouth Landing parking area was constructed of stone penetration.
An extension of Shawmut Ave. to the East Weymouth parking lot was constructed of stone penetration.
We sealed road surfaces in the sections of East Weymouth and North Weymouth with MC asphalt.
Chapter 90 work. Middle St. was resurfaced and widened from Nash's Corner northerly to approximately No. 985, and another section of Middle St. was resurfaced from Center St. beyond the telephone exchange build- ing. This work was done under state supervision and contract by Bradford Weston, Hingham.
Following is a list of private ways which were accepted at the annual town meeting. All streets were worked and new street signs were installed where required, with the exception of Julia Rd., and Karlyn Rd., which did not conform to all the requirements for street acceptance.
Cornish St .- Constructed 270 ft. stone penetration Courier St.
160
Fallgren Lane-stone penetration Kent Rd .- stone penetration Hanian Drive Holly Hill Circle Melody Lane Nelson Rd. St. Anne Rd.
Delia Walker Ave. Estabrook Rd. Longwood Rd. Mandalay Rd. Plain Terrace Ranger Circle
The following streets were accepted at the annual town meeting for which funds will be available in 1955:
Carver St. Endicott St.
Perry St. South Ave.
Danbury Rd. Holmes Ave.
Pierce Ct. Vinson Rr. Ext.
The following streets accepted at the 1953 annual town meeting, but for which funds were not provided until 1954 were constructed to grade:
Canacum Rd .- stone penetration
Alpine Rd .- 440 ft .; stone penetration
Cottage Lane
Moreland Rd.
Vinson St. (376 ft.)
Louds Ave .- stone penetration
Lindale Ave .- 400 ft .; stone penetration
Rinaldo Rd. Stratford Rd. (partially built) Harlem Rd .- stone penetration
as well as Constitution Ave., Bengal Rd., Bald Eagle Rd., Belmont St. (533 ft.), Lawson Rd., Black Hawk Rd., and Red Jacket Rd., which had been held up until they met all the requirements for new street acceptance.
Seaver Rd., accepted in 1952, was released by the town counsel in 1954 and worked for a distance of approximately 280 feet.
About two month's time was lost from our regular work schedule due due to the cleaning up required after the visits of the Carol and Edna hur- ricanes, even though extra employees were hired to help us out.
One of our employes, P. Anthony D'Allesandro, died June 9, 1954; Everett S. Kenerson, who had been a Street Department employee for 27 years retired due to ill health.
John J. O'Leary, who came to work for the Street Department as a laborer in April, 1920, retired from the position of Street Superintendent on December 1, 1954. Mr. O'Leary had been Assistant Superintendent of Streets for a number of years, going back to Supt. Johnson's time, before accepting the position of Superintendent. The town lost a valued employee in his resignation, as he has earned for himself a reputation for honesty, sincerity, and intelligence in the carrying out of his duties.
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