USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1916-1918 > Part 6
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The Commission congratulates the Town upon having secured the old Thorndyke estate, so-called, as a public reservation, and upon having fixed the location of the pro- posed Soldiers' Monument at a point where it will add to the dignity and beauty of the Town's central reservation, its own house lot, so to speak. A civic center of unusual
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Report of the Park Commission
attractiveness is now sure to be developed on our Central Hill. Practically the whole area of the Town is visible from the top of the new High School building.
WILLIAM H. NORTH, WALTER S. HARRUB, HENRY T. BAILEY, Park Commissioners.
121
Report of Tree Warden
REPORT OF TREE WARDEN
To the Citizens of Scituate:
In pursuance of the regular custom I am herewith pre- senting my tenth and last report as Tree Warden. In this office I served continuously from 1906 to 1915 and again this year. My predecessor was elected in 1901 and served until 1906, and was the first man working actively as Tree Warden and spending money raised by taxation for his use; although previous to his election individuals and associa- tions had planted many trees. The position has gradually become of more and more importance as people realize the value of the work done, until at present the Tree Warden is assured of the hearty interest and co-operation of every one.
This year there have been planted 251 trees, scattered over nearly every street in town. With the exception of those set out with the assistance of the North Scituate Beach Im- provement Association, they have mostly been planted to fill in where trees had died or been removed or to complete existing but unfinished rows. In August and September most of the trees planted in the last five years were mowed around and many of them fertilized. Much trimming has also been done in the past year, although not nearly so much as should be done. It is the belief of the Tree Warden that for the best results it is necessary to keep the bushes down and the soil loose around the young trees.
I believe that nearly every year that I have made a report I have urged the importance of trees, particularly to a Town like ours. Perhaps it is needless to emphasize this point further, but a few words more will not be out of place. I believe that for the money expended the planting and care of trees is the best permanent investment we can make. To quote from the Selectmen's report for 1909: "The Park Commission's and Tree Warden's work, if properly con-
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Report of Tree Warden
ducted, should be encouraged by the Town . .. beautify- ing the wayside, grading and setting out of shade trees help to make the Town attractive to prospective residents and townspeople." The sentiment above expressed is, I am confident, growing day by day.
Personally I am proud of the gain we have made in the past fifteen years and hope the Town will continue the liberal policy, and the people the co-operation which I have enjoyed.
Respectfully,
PERCIVAL S. BROWN, Tree Warden.
123
Report of Board of Health
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of the Town of Scituate:
We present herewith our report for 1916. The Town has been free from any epidemics, but there have been the fol- lowing scattered cases of communicable diseases which have required considerable attention and caused expense :
Scarlet fever 9
Diphtheria. 4
Typhoid fever 2
Measles . 7
Numerous cases of cured infantile paralysis came to Town from infected districts and had to be kept under supervision until the danger period was passed. Fortunately we did not have a case which originated here.
The inspections of dairies and cows increase every year with a corresponding increase in expense. Local dairy con- ditions are better every year, but we wish to impress this idea on the cow owners: If they want to sell milk, they must keep the cow barns brushed down, well cleaned out and whitewashed, and have the floor well dried up with some kind of bedding, shavings or sawdust. The keeping of other animals or fowl in the same building ought to be dis- couraged, and dry, well-ventilated quarters will help to raise the score card of any dairy.
Under the present state laws we shall have to score each dairy, which means that every owner of one or more cows who sells milk must have a producer's permit. This means that the cow barns and conditions around the farms must conform to the principles as laid down by the State Board of Health and enforced by their inspectors before such permit will be granted.
We recommend vaccination against smallpox. We sug-
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Report of Board of Health
gest that all buyers of cattle or hogs make sure their pur- chases are from a healthy territory before shipping them into Town.
The garbage collectors have attended to their work properly, but there is a tendency on the part of summer residents to throw on the beaches or bury their swill and waste. This will have to be stopped and all refuse taken to the public dump or given to the District Collector.
The Board has tried to work with the Clean-up Committee to abate certain dumps which seem to be eyesores, while not unhealthful spots. Our legal authority is limited and without the co-operation of the owners of such places we can do nothing.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, Chairman, GEORGE T. OTIS, HENRY WEBB, Secretary.
December 31, 1916.
125
Report of Inspector of Milk
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF MILK
There were only eleven licenses issued the past year.
I have tested samples of milk several times and have found them exceptionally good.
In company with the other members of the Board of Health, I have visited the dairies and issued forty-nine Milk Producers' Permits, as the law requires every one selling milk to have a permit.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE T. OTIS, Milk Inspector.
126
Report of Inspector of Slaughtering
REPORT OF' INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING
Scituate, December 31, 1916.
To the Honorable Board of Health:
As Inspector of Slaughtering I have inspected thirty swine, twenty-one calves and one beef, and have found them all in good condition and suitable for consumption.
JOHN F. DALBY, Inspector of Slaughtering.
127
Report of Inspector of Plumbing
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF PLUMBING
Board of Health.
Mr. Chairman: During the past year my services have been called for more than ever before on account of the. large number of new buildings constructed; also, because owners of old buildings are realizing the importance and convenience of improvements and better sanitary condi- tions. All permits granted by me have been inspected and approved, and I find that the plumbers of the Town, also others who have come here from other sections of the state, are performing the work according to law and assisting in better sanitary conditions.
The old way of waste and sewerage disposal is fast dis- appearing and modern methods taking its place, so that in the last year some of the most up-to-date plumbing systems have been installed in this Town, which stand as a credit and honor to the plumbers and capable of standing the test of some of our large cities and towns which have the strong- est plumbing regulations.
With all the improved sanitation there are places in Town where conditions still exist that are a detriment to the public health - breeders of disease and filth located in our largely populated summer sections at North Scituate Beach, the Sand Hills and Second Cliff. In due course of time, as they come under my jurisdiction, I hope to improve: same for the benefit of those who reside in those localities.
My services are always at the call of architects, property owners, builders, plumbers and all others interested in im- proving the conditions under which we live or who wish any information in regard to the plumbing regulations.
Yours respectfully, ARTHUR R. MERRITT, Inspector of Plumbing.
128
Report of Fire Department
REPORT OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
In accordance with your request, the Board of Engineers met at the Town Hall May 9 and the following officers were chosen for the ensuing year: Chief, E. R. Seaverns; Assist- ant Chief, Maurice O'Hern; Second Assistant Chief, D. P. Sylvester; Clerk, F. W. Litchfield.
In purchasing the equipment, bids were solicited and a contract was given the Callahan Company of Boston for five hundred feet hose, six pairs rubber boots, six rubber coats and six firemen's hats for each company. Some extra hose has since been purchased, new extension ladder for Hose No. 2, and some minor sundries. The several companies are in good working condition, but there are some improvements the Board would like to see. One is the moving of building of Hose No. 1 from Brook Street to a suitable place on Front Street, which would place it where the apparatus could be easily taken out without loss of valuable time, and in an emergency the wagon could be drawn by hand to any of many business places on Front Street before horses could reach the house on Brook Street and back. Another addition we would like is a light auto truck for Hose No. 2, to replace the "prehistoric" rig that had outlived its use- fulness before the Town bought it fourteen years ago. The fires, while fewer in number than last year, have been greater than would be if a little more care was exercised. There was but one building totally destroyed, the house of S. Edelstein at the West End, which was another one out- side of hydrant protection. On July 5 the department was called to put out a fire on the tug "Mercury " of the Boston Towboat Co., which we successfully did, and it would have been an impossibility were it not for the Town wharf.
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Report of Fire Department
We recommend an appropriation of $3,000 for the mainte- nance of the department.
Respectfully submitted, E. R. SEAVERNS, Chief, MAURICE O'HERN, Assistant Chief, DANFORTH P. SYLVESTER, Second Assistant Chief, F. W. LITCHFIELD, Clerk, CHARLES M. LITCHFIELD, District Engineer.
130
Report of Street Naming Committee
REPORT OF STREET NAMING COMMITTEE
To the Voters of Scituate:
The undersigned, members of a Committee appointed at. the annual meeting in 1916, submit the following report:
Your Committee understands that the action of the Town which brought this Committee into being was predicated upon a desire to begin, at least, the performance of a duty devolving upon this ancient municipality in connection with a proper observance of the Tercentennial of the Landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.
The Commonwealth itself has already, through the ad- mirable Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor, emphasized the great desirability of an adequate observance of this historical event. The old colony towns of Scituate, Marshfield and Duxbury, especially, share almost equally with Plymouth the honor of being sponsors for the original establishment of free conscience and free government in New England.
It has seemed to your Committee, in endeavoring to carry out the spirit of the vote above referred to, that it may appropriately be effected, in part, at least, by a public recognition of the men who were part and parcel of this creation by giving to the roads and highways on and about which their homes were situated a nomenclature com- memorative of the names which they bore.
In most instances, as the following report will show, this has been accurately accomplished and the new names have a close affiliation with the land upon which those men dwelt.
If the Town in taking action upon this report should not agree with the Committee in all of the changes proposed and recommended, it is respectfully suggested that in that event this report be taken up in the order in which the h anges appear and acted upon separately.
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Report of Street Naming Committee
Your Committee has deemed it appropriate to cover at length the historical reasons for the changes proposed as follows:
Until 1640 there was very little intercourse between the two colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. In that year the Commission of the United Colonies was created for their mutual protection, and intercourse between the two became more general. This communication was accom- plished on horseback, the road used being very much the same as is now traversed by the State highway between Boston and Plymouth. It was then called "The Country Way." Proposal has been made by your Committee to the towns of Duxbury, Marshfield, Cohasset, Hingham and Weymouth that the highway as now built by the State be- tween these two points be given this ancient name. To this proposition Duxbury and Marshfield have readily given their assent and the others are expected to co-operate. An article similar to the one which is before you will appear in the warrants of each of the towns for such action as they may see fit to take. It may not all be accomplished in one year, but your Committee believes that if the action pro- posed is taken by our own Town, Duxbury and Marsh- field, Cohasset, Hingham and Weymouth will soon follow.
Of the highways strictly local, your Committee recom- mends that the name Blossom Street be changed to Booth Hill Road. John Booth, who lived in Scituate in 1656, had his residence upon this hill. For years the highway passing over it was called Booth Hill Road and it seems appropriate that this name should be restored.
With the building of the new railroad station at North Scituate, Blossom Street was discontinued at Gannett's Corner and that part of it which now exists, running north- west to Lincoln's. Mills, may appropriately be called Gannett Street.
The present Gannett Street, Hollett Street and Beach Street really form one highway. It is suggested that one name, the Beach Road, be given the three.
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Report of Street Naming Committee
The original layout of this street was to the sea at Collier's Beach. The road which runs thence north over the cliff was at the time of its construction and for a long time there- after the Glades Road. This should now be so called.
The street now called Garfield Avenue is really an exten- sion of the Hatherly Road. It is in no sense an avenue and the ancient name of the Scituate founder should be given it as far as its northerly end at Bailey's Causeway.
So, also, Damon Avenue should be changed to Damon Road and Cleveland Avenue, which is merely a "place" to Whitcomb Lane, thus perpetuating the name of Robert Whitcomb, who married the eldest daughter of General James Cudworth.
Ocean Avenue, which runs parallel with the Glades Road and is inappropriately named (because not on the ocean) lies near the ancient farm of Peter Collamore. It has been deemed appropriate to change the name of this street to Collamore Road.
For many years before the name Grove Street was given to the road which runs westerly from Main Street to High Street this way was known as the Mann Lot Road. This name, which is still in use, should be legalized.
Charles Street, which runs easterly from Main Street past Egypt Station, was originally a part of the farm of Capt. Michael Peirce, whose lineal descendants in nine generations have owned and occupied the family acres. Michael Peirce himself was a great Indian fighter, brave to recklessness, and gave up his life in the war against King Philip. No better tribute to his memory can be offered than to give to this street the name of Captain Peirce Road.
Pond Street at Greenbush has long been known as the Old Oaken Bucket Road. The restoration of this name would be not only in accordance with local usage, but would assist the traveler in locating what is perhaps the most famous spot in Town.
South Street was first built by Cornet Robert Stetson and extended to the South Meeting House, as it was called, now
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Report of Street Naming Committee
in Norwell. The suggestion that this be called Cornet Stetson Road happily meets with general approval in Norwell, and it is expected that this name, if accepted by Scituate, will be adopted in Norwell.
In 1641 the widow, Anne Vinal, came to Scituate with her children. She was a Conihasset Partner and while she lived on the northwest side of Booth's Hill she owned land near the present Curtis Street. Her descendants have always been inhabitants and men of affairs in Scituate. Your Com- mittee, therefore, has to offer the name of Anne Vinal Road in place of the present name, Curtis Street, in the belief that such a change will be readily adopted in commemora- tion of the life of this worthy woman.
The name Birch Street may be changed to Briggs Lane in order to place in the street nomenclature of the Town the name of Walter Briggs, who very early purchased a part of the Hatherly farm, and to commemorate the name so long and honorably associated with the shipbuilding industry upon the North River.
Among the most intimate friends of Timothy Hatherly was Nathaniel Tilden, a name which from the earliest days has always been associated with Scituate. Unhappily no public recognition of the worth of this man or his descend- ants appears in Town. It is proposed that Bay Street, from its junction with Brook and Union Streets, on the north side of Satuit Brook to the end of Vernon Street at Hollett Street, be given the name Tilden Road. This would give a single name to the three roads now Bay Street, Charles Street and Vernon Street, which are in reality but one highway.
Turner Avenue, which begins at Bay Street, should be renamed Turner Road and extend along the water front to Jericho Road.
Willow Street has always, from the earliest days, been popularly known as the Beaver Dam Road. Why continue the first-named unused title when the latter name has the popular approval by usage?
Central Street, from Kent Street to Main Street, was,
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Report of Street Naming Committee
after the removal of the church building of the First Parish, the road used by people of the Harbor when going to their meetinghouse, which stood at or near the site of the present Unitarian Church. It is suggested that an appropriate name for this street would be First Parish Road.
The Stockbridge family originally settled at Greenbush, where John Stockbridge built the first water mill in the colony on First Herring Brook. Later his descendants, the Doctors Stockbridge, made this community widely known. No more appropriate action could be taken than to rename Union Street, from Satuit Brook to Greenbush, Stockbridge Road.
Elm Park might fittingly be entitled Torrey Park, for the reason that it was given by one of the descendants of Lieut. James Torrey, an officer of the train band and Town Clerk for many years. His namesake and descendant was like- wise the first school teacher in Scituate.
On the Third Cliff William Gilson built his windmill. It is recommended that the road from Kent Street to and over the Third Cliff be called Gilson Road. Likewise that the name Annable Road be given to the road which parallels it, for Anthony Annable, an early comer.
Before the bridge leading to the First and Second Cliffs was built, the means of communication to these places was called the Causeway. This name should be restored. The street leading from its easterly end toward the south to Bassing Cove should be called Peggoty Beach Road and that running northwest leading to the First Cliff should be called Edward Foster Road, in honor of the first owner of that locality.
Deacon Stephen Clapp's son Thomas, born in 1703, after graduating from Harvard College, was ordained into the ministry. He was chosen rector of the "College at New Haven." To his indefatigable efforts Yale College owes its existence today. The family home was near High Street, which name ought to be changed to that of Thomas Clapp Road out of respect to the memory of this estimable man.
If it should appear in considering the general changes
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Report of Street Naming Committee
which are set forth in this report that they might interfere with the examination of land titles, it need only be suggested that such a difficulty (if it is a difficulty) is readily met by filing in the Registry of Deeds a printed copy of the change to which attention will be called by a conspicuous notice such as already exists in other Registries (Southern Middlesex at Cambridge especially) where similar action on the part of various towns has been taken.
Inasmuch as these suggested changes involve but slight expenditure on the part of the Town; that they perpetuate the memory not only of worthy individuals, but of whole families, long prominent in town affairs, and are moreover in accord with similar action on the part of such com- munities as Boston, Cambridge, Concord and Salem, it would seem wise for Scituate, an early Pilgrim town, to put itself on record as appreciating its own honorable history.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. FORD, HARVEY H. PRATT, HENRY T. BAILEY, HENRY T. COLE, JAMES W. TURNER.
136
Report of the Peirce Memorial Library
REPORT OF THE PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The last annual report of the librarian for the library year ending April 30, 1916, contains the following statistics: Whole number of books taken out. 4605
Largest number, in January, 1916. 537
Smallest number, in November, 1915 305
Number of books purchased . 148
Number of books received as gifts . 77
While it is evidently true that the library has the apprecia- tion and patronage of a considerable number of persons, it is undeniably true that it contains books that would prove of interest and help to quite a number who never have formed the habit of going to the library.
The library receives among other gifts, largely from sum- mer visitors, numerous books of current fiction. The de- mand for fiction is always large, but the Book Committee aims to keep all reasonable requests for story books of the day supplied. The old standard books of fiction are kept in good order. Rebinding is attended to and new copies of worn-out volumes are purchased when needed.
Children and young persons form a large group of library patrons, and parents doubtless read the books taken home by their sons and daughters. Boys' books being especially popular, the Book Committee has given attention to keep- ing the best in the library. The well-read books include books of adventure, books of travel, books of sport, books of science and books of invention. The girls' books include college stories and books on the various forms of handiwork that girls should learn. Any good books of juvenile fiction are bought whenever possible.
For the past few years the Book Committee has added
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Report of the Peirce Memorial Library
to the library books having to do with country life, including helpful and beautiful books on the interiors and exteriors of country houses, and on the surrounding gardens.
The library has gradually built up a good collection of books on New England colonial life, old-fashioned houses, and the different house furnishings of early days. These books, it is believed, will become increasingly interesting to summer visitors, as well as to those whose families have lived here since the days of the old colony. Gifts from various clubs have helped this collection of books and others.
The reading table is one of the much-used features of our library, and a separate appropriation makes possible an attractive collection of the leading popular periodicals. Several gifts have enriched the collection, including a sub- scription to Country Life in America.
Like any building, the library needs repairs and additions from time to time. During the last summer the walls and ceilings have been repainted in a lighter scheme of color, which greatly improves the light and the appearance of the room. Most of the expense of this piece of work is being met by private efforts in raising money and by gifts.
The schools, clubs and individuals known to be interested are asked each year for suggestions for the purchase of books that would meet well-known needs. The members of the Book Committee will consider serious requests from any user of the library.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES HALL, Superintendent of the Library.
December 30, 1916.
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Report of the Peirce Memorial Library
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY FOR THE YEAR ENDING MAY 12, 1916 Receipts
May 14, 1915 Cash on hand . $23 26
From the Town of Scituate 500 00
From members. 37 00
From rent and fines 21 50
From Garden Club . 4 32
$586 08
Paid
Librarians $112 50
Fuel
65 50
Janitor
70 82
New books
85 47
Periodicals
45 60
Insurance .
19 20
Repairs on building 54 43
Repairs on furnace
48 75
Electric lights .
26 68
Fire extinguishers
14 50
Water
6 00
Printing
2 50
$551 95
Cash on hand May 12, 1916
34 13
$586 08
Permanent fund in Cohasset
Savings Bank. $306 92
FRANCIS B. LEE, Treasurer.
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Report of the Allen Memorial Library
REPORT OF THE ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
EXPENSES
Librarian
$160 00
Janitor 216 00
Books .
154 67
Electric lighting
22 30
Fuel. 145 58
Magazines .
18 00
Scituate Water Company
16 00
Incidentals .
33 60
$766 15
Received from Town of Scituate
$500 00
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