USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1913-1915 > Part 16
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4,227 59
July 28. Water rates
12,801 52
July 28. Service rates
14 00
July 29. Interest on deposit
17 05
Aug. 1.
Water rates
3,156 87
Aug. 10.
Service rates
23 05
Aug. 10.
Interest on overdue rates 17 87
Sept. 1.
Water rates
807 29
Sept. 17.
Service rates 68 70
Sept. 17. Interest on overdue rates
1 00
Oct. 1.
Interest on deposit
44 93
Oct. 13. Loan . . 5,000 00
Water rates
409 54
Nov. 1. Water rates
558 58
Nov. 10. Service rates
139 75
Nov. 15. Water rates 183 35
Dec. 1. £ Beaver Dam property 55 00
$36,171 56
Oct. 14.
Report of Scituate Water Company - Expenditures 107
Expenditures
Jan. 6. Salary . $125 00
Jan. 11.
General maintenance 475 47
Jan. 14.
Interest on bonds . 2,500 00
Jan. 16. Corporation expenses 15 00
Jan. 30. Salary 125 00
Jan: 30. Pumping Station maintenance 11 90
Feb. 1. Dividends on Preferred Stock .
1,750 63
Feb. 4. Haines & Co., on account of construc- tion . 29,000 00
Feb. 17. Interest on note
150 00
Feb. 17. Notes payable .
10,000 00
Feb. 27.
General maintenance
946 62
Mar. 3. Salary .
100 00
Mar. 3. General maintenance
60 47
April 6. Taxes .
4,070 00
April 6. Salary .
100 00
April 6. General maintenance .
118 59
April 6. Pumping Station maintenance
5 30
April 6. Pumping Station, fuel .
314 21
April 6. Notes payable .
5,000 00
May 11. Haines & Co., account construction. .
4,000 00
May 11. General maintenance 394 42
May 11. Pumping Station maintenance 60 50
May 11.
Pumping Station, fuel 23 60
May 15. Interest on note .
151 00
June 4. Salary
125 00
June 11. Interest on note . 150 00
June 11. Office expenses 502 36
June 28. Taxes . 103 40
June 30. Salary
125 00
June 30. General maintenance
495 75
July 15. Interest on bonds .
2,500 00
July 26. Pumping expenses . 148 69
July 26. Purification expenses
65 31
July 26. Distribution maintenance
79 18
July 26. Commercial expense
202 37
July 31. General expense .
105 13
Aug. 1. Dividend account (Common and Pre- ferred Stock) 8,500 00
108 Report of Scituate Water Company - Expenditures
Aug. 1. Purification expenses . $321 17
Aug. 17. Pumping expenses . 160 49
Aug. 17. Distribution maintenance 23 85
Aug. 17. Commercial expense 10 25
Aug. 31. General expense . 85 38
Aug. 31. Miscellaneous expense . 160 39
Sept. 11. Legal expenses . 451 67
Sept. 14. Pumping expenses . 79 75
Sept. 14. Purification expenses
58 03
Sept. 14. Distribution maintenance
75 15
Sept. 14. Commercial expense .
147 75
Sept. 14. General expense .
81 88
Oct. 6. Commercial expense
309 62
Oct. 9. Legal expenses ..
25 00
Oct. 14. Haines & Co., account construction. .
5,000 00
Oct. 31.
Pumping expenses . 516 79
Oct. 31.
Purification expenses 183 86
Oct. 31.
Distribution maintenance 115 74
Oct. 31. Taxes . .
371 00
Oct. 31.
Interest on note .
150 00
Oct. 31. General expense
153 35
Nov. 17. Taxes .
4,370 00
Nov. 17. Interest on note . 150 00
Nov. 30. Pumping expenses . 122 07
Nov. 30. Purification expenses .
71 25
Nov. 30.
Distribution maintenance 60 86
Nov. 30.
Commercial expense .
122 59
Nov. 30.
General expense . 110 14
Nov. 30.
Interest on note . 150 00
Dec. 3.
Pumping expenses . 87 82
Dec. 6.
Commercial expenses 75 00
Dec. 10. Interest on note . 150 00
Dec. 10. Real estate, land bought 250 00
Dec. 31. Distribution maintenance 51 82
Dec. 31. General expense 41 46
Dec. 31. Insurance . 25 00
$86,919 03
109
Report of the Park Commission
REPORT OF THE PARK COMMISSION
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The plots and their custodians for the past year are given in tabulated form on page 110. While all have been faith- fully cared for, the honor for the year 1915 goes to Frank L. Young, for care of George H. Webb plot.
The Commission has co-operated with the Town Clean-up Committee to the extent of supervising the use of two gal- vanized iron barrels for the reception of rubbish at Hollet Island. That island, the trees of which are now in fine condition again, has been mowed and kept free from unde- sirable matter.
Owing to complications with the Federal Government, the Commission has found it impossible to push as rapidly as it had hoped the improvements at the Old Lighthouse at Cedar Point.
After much travel and investigation, and several confer- ences with citizens and others, relative to reservations for public bath houses, the Commission has come to a decision in regard to two such reservations, and has taken the pre- liminary steps for securing them for the Town.
An article will appear in the warrant for the next Town Meeting relative to a certain parcel of land at Scituate Center, formerly a part of the Town Common, which, in the judgment of the Commission, should be held by the Town as a public park, and as a site for a memorial to the soldiers and sailors of Scituate.
The Commission has co-operated with the Selectmen in every possible way in the recent public improvements at Egypt Station and at Scituate Harbor.
Some much-needed work has been done on the Common at Scituate Harbor, but the most important improvement, namely, the freeing of the Common from baseball playing, has not yet been accomplished, owing to the inability of the
110
Report of the Park Commission
Commission, with the funds at its disposal, to find a suitable place for the location of a public ball field. It is the belief of the Commission that the Town should take steps to secure at once, by right of eminent domain, if necessary, a tract of land somewhat nearer the Harbor, as an Athletic Field for public enjoyment. The appreciation of the Gannett Field, North Scituate, as a public playground, is sufficient proof of the need for such reservations. That field, by the way, should become public property.
The Commission wishes to express again its appreciation of the fine spirit shown by the citizens, as well as the officials of the Town, in all matters of Town improvement, and to thank, in this public way, those citizens who have freely co-operated with the Commission as custodians of public property.
Allen Clapp plot Willard L. Litchfield
Barnabas Briggs plot. W. Webster Hunt
Clara Ann plot. William H. North
Deacon Cudworth plot. George Lincoln
George H. Webb plot Frank L. Young
Dreamwold plot. Thomas W. Lawson
Elisha Peirce plot. . Silas Peirce
Wiley S. Damon
James Damon plot.
Father Conant plot. William H. North
John J. Ford plot. Mary A. Ford
John L. Manson plot.
Michael Connolly
John H. Young plot. F. G. Doten Kent Street plot. Percy T. Mann
Konihassett plot. The Garden Club and Miss Green Mungo's Corner plot Galen Watson
Old Abbey plot William W. Waterman
Pappineau plot. Martin Haslam Rhodolphus plot. Chauncy B. Hodgdon Roland Turner plot. Arthur Williams Russell Cook plot Arthur Sweeney
Satuit plot. . Dennis Quinn
Thomas Farmer plot Thomas H. Farmer
111
Report of the Park Commission
Woodworth plot. Mary A. Ford Meeting House Lane plot. W. S. Harrub Matthew Gannett plot. Charles James
WILLIAM H. NORTH, Chairman, HENRY T. BAILEY (by W. H. N.) WALTER S. HARRUB. Park Commissioners.
112
Report of Tree Warden
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN AND LOCAL MOTH SUPERINTENDENT
My first thought upon entering the office of Tree Warden was to cover the whole Town and carefully note the condi- tion of all the shade trees within the bounds of our high- ways; also, to take note of the places where new trees should be set out. After doing this in a careful manner, I made the following discoveries: First, a great many of our large trees needed trimming, there being dead limbs, as well as interfering limbs to be removed. There are nearly two thousand small trees that have been set out within the past eight years. These trees need a great deal of care, such as watering, pruning and mulching. I also found in some places where nice young trees had been set out, presumably about eight years ago, that these were entirely hidden from the sunlight, as well as the public, by wild cherry trees. Another thing was that the telephone and electric light companies had been allowed to cut and hack our beautiful shade trees so badly in some places that the branches look like so many sore thumbs. It is true that the telephone and electric light companies cannot give the public good service, if the limbs of the trees interfere with their wires. It is also true that we cannot have beautiful shade trees if they are cut and hacked regardless of their shape, or the limbs allowed to be burned off by electric light wires. This is but one of the difficult problems that the Tree Warden has to solve. I found that some of the trees set out during 1914 apparently did not come from a nursery, but from some forest land nearby. A number of these died. I replaced them with Norway maples. Upon taking up the dead ones, I found that they did not have sufficient root to stand the shock of transplanting. On our back wood roads we would have some of the most beautiful shade trees if we would spend a little money each year in cutting down the worthless trees and underbrush, that the better shaped and more
113
Report of Tree Warden
valuable trees might have a chance to reach the air and sunlight. For an example: I would ask you to go through Neal Gate Street. With the financial help of the State Forest Department, I have been able to beautify this street greatly. With the help of the North Scituate Beach Im- provement Association, I set out a row of Norway maple trees on each side of our new piece of highway, called Grass- hopper Lane. The State Highway Commission sent fifty trees for me to set out on the State Highway in Scituate, which nearly completed the line of trees from the Cohasset line to the Marshfield line on both sides of the highway. On Kent Street, from Meeting House Lane to Highland Street, I found the wild cherry trees so large and thick that they made an archway for some six or seven hundred feet. The caterpillars and moths, who dearly love the wild cherry tree, would hang and drop on passing teams and automobiles and in that way are spread to other parts of the Town. I removed these cherry trees and set out a row of Linden trees (thirty-two in number) on the westerly side of the street. Just a word about the wild cherry tree. The foliage of the wild cherry is liked best of all by the gypsy and brown- tail moths, also the tent caterpillar. The State Forester is advocating the removal of such trees, stating that it is of the greatest help in suppressing the gypsy and brown- tail moths. The sum of $199.81 was spent in cutting the brush and wild cherry trees along the State Highway. This amount was to help the unemployed of Scituate, the needy ones being sought by the Selectmen and sent to me to be put to work. The pay was very small, twenty cents per hour; therefore it was hard to get any but boys to do the work. This Town is seriously infested by the gypsy moth, so bad in the forest lands that it would cost thousands of dollars even to check them by our present methods. The State Forester is advocating the cutting of the oak, which is 100 per cent non-resistant, and the setting out of the white pine, which is 85 per cent resistant to the gypsy moth. The brown-tail moth has decreased in this Town about 90 per cent, owing to the severe cold weather of the winter of 1913-1914, in which they were winter killed. With the ex-
114
Report of Tree Warden
penditure of from six to eight thousand dollars each year, we are able to protect our roadsides and residential property from destruction by the moths. I wish to thank the Clean-up Committee for the assistance they have rendered in checking the spread of the gypsy moth, as the moth likes no better place to lay its eggs than in old tin cans, under pieces of board and paper, or in and around old dumps. I feel that the Clean-up Committee has reduced the number of such things within the bounds of our highways, and I feel that they are worthy of all the praise we can give them.
The elm tree beetle is under control and can only be kept so by continuing to spray the elm tree during the month of June. While spraying for the elm tree beetle, I discovered another pest to the elm tree, called the elm tree mite.
However, as yet there is but one tree infested with this pest in our Town, and if the proper remedy is used, the spread of this can be checked.
I would recommend the sum of $350 for exterminating the elm tree beetle. For the Tree Warden, I assure you that $1000 is small enough. If the setting out of young trees is to be continued, this sum will be insufficient.
Each year the Highway Surveyor, as well as the Tree Warden, is called upon to mow underbrush, as well as to cut limbs and trees that interfere with the passing of vehicles on our narrow streets. According to the Revised Laws, Chapter 51, Section 10, the Tree Warden has the only right to trim trees and bushes standing in public ways. I would recommend the sum of $250 for this purpose to be expended under the direction of the Tree Warden.
During the past year I have not been able to set out, trim and cut down all the trees that I have been asked to, as my appropriation was not sufficient to do this. I therefore have used my best judgment and have done the work where I thought it was needed most. Thanking the people for their support and co-operation in these departments, I am,
Respectfully, LESTER D. HOBSON,
Local Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden.
115
Report of Board of Health
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate:
We submit herewith our report for the year 1915.
There has been no epidemic of any kind and only a few isolated cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles and typhoid fever.
Under the provisions of the new milk law, every producer will be required to have a permit from this Board and their premises will be subject to frequent inspections to see that the conditions conform to the requirements of the State Board of Health.
All complaints of nuisances have been promptly investi- gated.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, Chairman, GEORGE T. OTIS, HENRY WEBB, Secretary.
December 31, 1915.
116
Report of Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
There were seventeen licenses issued the past year, one less than the previous year.
I have tested samples of milk several times, both for bac- teria and butter fat, and have found them up to standard in all cases but one, but there was an improvement over the preceding year in every instance.
I have visited the dairies and suggested some improve- ments which could be made in the care of milk.
I think it is the aim of the dealers to produce milk of the best quality.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE T. OTIS, Milk Inspector.
117
Report of Inspector of Slaughtering
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Scituate, January 1, 1916. To the Board of Health:
As Inspector of Slaughtering, I have inspected forty-seven swine and twenty-three calves and I have found them all in good condition and suitable for consumption.
JOHN F. DALBY, Inspector of Slaughtering.
118
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
To the Board of Health:
In performing my duty as Plumbing Inspector, I have inspected all work installed, investigated all complaints and regulated the disposal of sewerage as far as the law allows me to, all of which are important factors in improving conditions under which we live and for the betterment of public health.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR R. MERRITT, Plumbing Inspector.
Scituate. January 26, 1916.
119
Report of Fire Department
REPORT OF SCITUATE FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In making our report of the year just closed, would state the fires were greater in number and more disastrous than any year since the department was organized. Some were caused by carelessness and some by incendiarism. One day there were seven fires, five bush fires and two of buildings, which makes a very strenuous day's work for a volunteer department. Our severest task was the one that occurred at the west end on April 20. The fire had made quite a headway before the department was called, and we were handicapped from the start, having no hydrant pro- tection, and a strong wind prevailing. The small building in which it originated was soon consumed, setting fire to eight other buildings. Aid was summoned from Hingham, Hull and Cohasset, and we greatly appreciated the services they rendered. It is the wish of the Board of Engineers that something might be done to force the water system to that part of the Town, which would give the protection to which it is entitled.
New hose has been added this year, the buildings have been put into shape, and Hose Nos. 1 and 2 have been re- painted. At the last meeting of the Board it was voted to ask for $2500 for the maintenance and equipment of the department, and that $9000 be asked for the installation of a fire alarm system. This year has proved, without any question, the need of a fire alarm, and it is to be hoped that we may be able to get an appropriation at our next annual meeting which would allow us to make our department more efficient. The alarm system is not an expensive luxury as has been pictured by some, but it is as essential for the protection of life and property as a breakwater along our shore front would be. All other towns having a fire depart- ment have an alarm system, and after it is once installed a
120
Report of Fire Department
case is not known where it was ever removed. We have had better service of the telephone this year in connection with the department, but we are obliged to make other arrange- ments, as the Telephone Company does not care to assume any responsibility. To use the words of Mr. Knox, the manager, they are to "wash their hands of the whole busi- ness."
We fully realize the economical stand the voters take on appropriations, and do not wish to add more than necessary to our already high tax rate, but we feel this is our duty at this time to ask for the fire alarm system.
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. SEAVERNS, Chief,
ELMER F. BURROWS, Assistant Chief, D. P. SYLVESTER, Second Assistant Chief, FRANK W. LITCHFIELD, Clerk, CHARLES M. LITCHFIELD.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1915
123
School Department
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Joy K. Gannett, term expires 1916. Charles S. Short, term expires 1917. Hamilton W. Welch, term expires 1918. Charles S. Short, Chairman. H. W. Welch, Secretary.
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE
First Friday in the month at 7.30 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
William E. Chaffin Telephone 118
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN T. Branch Alexander, M.D.
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
John F. Turner
Elmer F. Burrows
TEACHERS
HIGH SCHOOL
Guy W. Vail, Principal. Jennie E. Pierce, Commercial Department. Marion Stetson, English.
M. Marguerite Coydevant, Languages.
JENKINS SCHOOL Nellie L. Kelley, Principal. Marion Hammond, Grades 6 and 7. Josephine I. Barry, Grades 4 and 5. E. Gertrude Gardner, Grades 2 and 3. Mary E. Gillis, Grade 1.
124
School Department - Organization
HATHERLY SCHOOL
Maud E. Adlington, Principal.
Helen M. Webb, Grades 6 and 7. Josephine G. Ward, Grades 4 and 5. Sarah M. Kane, Grades 2 and 3. Maud F. Damon, Grade 1.
HIGH STREET SCHOOL
Marie Ward.
Angie M. Faunce, Instructor in Music. Samuel Warner, Instructor in Drawing.
125
Report of School Committee
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Inhabitants of Scituate:
The time has arrived when it becomes the duty of your School Committee to place before you a report of its work the past year, and suggestions for the ensuing year.
We feel justly proud of the appearance of Jenkins, Hatherly, and High Street School houses.
The High Street School has been shingled with fireproof shingles of a crimson color which blend harmoniously with the white walls.
The platform in the rear has been removed, and the wooden blackboards replaced with slate stone boards, which were taken from the Jenkins school at some previous date.
Hatherly school building has been painted outside with two coats, the name of school on front of building put in gold on a blue sanded background; the walls and ceilings in the rooms and corridors, whitened and tinted and several minor repairs made. Seats were placed around the yard and instantly proved their popularity.
Very little has been done at Jenkins school, as last year it received a general brightening up. We would suggest varnishing the interiors of both Jenkins and Hatherly schools next year.
The Peabody school fire has been the cause of our State Fire Inspector flooding the state with information regarding safeguarding our schools.
Your Committee are pleased to state that our buildings are amply safeguarded.
To facilitate the exit by fire escapes, we added a short flight of steps at both Hatherly and Jenkins buildings to avoid holding back the lower grades during the passage down fire escapes of the upper grades. All exits are properly lettered with five-inch letters to comply with law; all doors open out.
126
Report of School Committee
Hatherly school at fire signal being given has been completely emptied in fifty seconds and Jenkins school in a little less than one minute. Fire drills are given at frequent intervals.
Our High School building-can anything be said in its favor? For the past seven or eight years your Committee have urged the need of a new building.
The crowded condition of the three small recitation rooms, the Commercial Course CLOSET, poor ventilation, and lack of coat room facilities are a few of the many things under which our teaching force labor.
We house our grammar schools in suitable buildings, adequate in every way to supply their needs, and endeavor to impart the finishing touch to their education in a building which we have long since outgrown.
A good workman cannot produce good work without suitable tools.
To ask our teachers to produce satisfactory results with the facilities we place before them in our present building is little short of asking the impossible.
The Town of Scituate needs a new High School building NOW.
With this new unit added to our present buildings, our Town might well feel proud of her schools.
We were able again this year to keep all but two of our teaching force, Miss Hinds resigning at Jenkins and Miss Clutterbuck at Hatherly.
Miss Marion Hammond, who had taught at High Street School, we promoted to Jenkins sixth and seventh grades.
Miss Clutterbuck, who resigned at Hatherly, we were sorry to lose, but found that no amount of money would induce her to give up the position she had accepted, that of wife.
Miss Marie Ward was appointed to fill the vacancy at High Street school.
An epidemic of whooping cough at Jenkins school necessitated the closing of the whole school for a short period and the kindergarten for a month or more.
127
Report of School Committee
Mrs. Lillie C. Stoddard, who has taught music in our schools for several years, resigned on account of ill health.
Miss Angie Faunce of North Abington was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The transportation problem is the most serious one your Committee have to deal with.
To be fair to all is our aim. We have dealt personally with several complaints, and are always willing to talk it over with any parents who feel they have a grievance.
The conduct and deportment on the barges has improved, but there is still room for greater improvement.
We feel that the language and deportment on school barges should be such that it will be possible for all children to ride without being subjected to profanity, rowdyism and obscene talk.
We ask the co-operation of teachers, parents and barge drivers in our endeavor along this line.
Your Committee have given the schools their personal attention, making frequent visits and trying in every way to meet the demands of principals and teachers to better facilitate their work.
We again ask that parents and others interested in our schools visit them.
The lack of interest taken by parents in the welfare of their children, while under the care of our schools, is astounding.
We are careful regarding other places our children go, but fail even to meet the teachers who are shaping their future.
Let us urge upon you the advisability of your visiting at least the room in which your child attends.
It is easy to criticize. Look into our school buildings and meet our teachers before you do.
We wish to thank our Superintendent, Principals and Teachers for their co-operation.
Our work has been harmonious.
Your Committee have the welfare of the schools at heart and have tried to deal justly with all who have come under their supervision.
-
128
Report of School Committee
All bills are paid and we are able to show an unexpended balance for the year.
The financial report is shown under the report of the Selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. SHORT, JOY K. GANNETT, HAMILTON W. WELCH, School Committee.
December 31, 1915.
129
Report of School Superintendent
REPORT OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee:
Herewith is presented for your consideration my seventh annual report of the schools, which contains the usual statistical material and such suggestions and observations as seem pertinent at this time.
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