USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 29
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116
the local press, and does not require a recapitulation here. Pump No. 8 has been transferred to Mr. T. W. Sullivan, Wiley place.
We have frequent applications from persons desiring to take charge of pumps, and we would say to any holder who does not wish to retain a pump longer that it may be returned to the Engineers.
We would also recommend the immediate purchase of three portable fire escapes, to be placed in the upper rooms of two of the school houses.
Mr. Geo. H. Hathaway, after faithfully serving the town since the coming of the steamer, has notified this board that he will not hereafter furnish horses.
The need of central quarters for the department, where it can be in one building and nearer the business establish- ments of the town, becomes more and more a necessity.
And it is a question for your consideration if it would not be better for the town to own two or three good horses, which could be used for general work and for fire service ?
There has been remarkable exemption from serious fires, and this may be due to several causes. It proves unusual care on the part of the people that fires are not more frequent ; while substantial standing rewards are offered for the detection and conviction of incendiaries, and for this class of criminals no sufficient punishment was ever yet devised. Last, but not least, to the vigilant officers of the night watch we owe immunity from fire, and the thanks of this department are due them for the giving of prompt alarms when the necessities of the situation required it, and for managing several fires without calling out the entire force.
117
FIRES.
May 26. Burning of the Mayall Rubber Works at Reading. Steamer Lucius Beebe was promptly on hand, and saved a large amount of property.
June 11. . A foolish alarm given by some person who saw a very slight smoke near the house of Mr. Joshua Perham. Entire department out.
Aug. 2. Alarm caused by the burning of oil from an over-filled kerosene stove in the house of the late Dr. Tucker. No damage to house.
Aug. 25. Burning of Dennis Brennan's house, Wiley place, said to have been caused by a defective flue. Total loss. Value $500. Insurance $650.
Nov. 10. Burning of paint shop, owned and occupied by Angus H. McMillan, Albion street. Valued at $600. Loss $600. Insurance $800. Cause, supposed incendiary.
Jan. 13. Burning of barn and L of house owned by Mr. Mitchell, Lowell street. Valuation of house and barn $1,300. Loss. on L of house $200. Loss on barn $600. Insurance on house $500; on barn $600. Cause, supposed incendiary.
Jan. 17. Burning of chimney in Shea's Block. No damage. Entire department turned out. This block should have a fire escape at each end.
In accordance with vete of the town, your Chief Engineer has examined and tested every hydrant twice during the year, and found them in perfect order for their designed use. He has also removed the snow and ice from nine reservoirs in the central portions of the town without cost, except for salt used in cutting frost. Several reservoirs in the outer wards have been cleared by persons obtaining water there- from, and others by agreement.
The expenditure of the department exceeded the amount
118
estimated. [See Report of Auditors, page 68.] We would recommend for the ensuing year that the sum of $2,500 be raised and appropriated for the use of the Fire Department.
In bringing this report to a close, we desire to express our thanks to the officers of the town for their courtesy and con - sideration at all times, and to the officers and members of the entire Fire Department for their promptness, energy and devotion to duty.
All of which is most respectfully submitted,
J. H. CARTER, J. N. RYDER, Engineers. ROGER HOWARD,
REPORT
OF THE
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
120
OVERSEERS'
GENERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT,
Regular Town Appropriation,
$4,500 00
Additional
1,000 00
Total Town Appropriations, .
5,500 00
Cash received by Overseers,
from Almshouse sales,
1,220 49
for board,
147 00
from other towns and cities,
141 53
from individuals,
36 00
Total sum available for payments, $7,045 02
PAID.
Expense at Almshouse, poor,
$2,904 41
66 fixtures,
66 79
of home relief, ,
1,128 51
of persons resident elsewhere with settlement here,
999 37
" of persons residing here with settle- ment elsewhere, .
468 61
of persons in hospitals,
1,263 41
.. of miscellaneous, .
79 05
$6,910 15
Amount unexpended,
134 87
$7,045 02
121 EXPENSES OUTSIDE OF ALMSHOUSE.
CARE OF INSANE 'IN HOSPITALS.
Paid Danvers Hospital, acc't of H. C. Flynn, . $177 51
66 Geo. W. Clark, 192 82
66 66 Kate Smith, 130 90
Charles Lee, 36 21
Worcester L. Hospital, acc't of S. Bachellor 186 37
66 66 66 66 M. E. Osborne 170 87
Asylum,
N. Sweetser, . 187 74
Taunton Hospital, 66 M. E. Adams, 180 99
Total,
$1,263 41
AID TO PERSONS RESIDING IN WAKEFIELD,
WITH SETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE.
Paid on acc't of Mrs. R. L. Stickney, Lexington, $43 50
Moses Spear, 55 25
W. J. Sloan, 12 00 .
Thomas Green, (State, )
21 25
G. W. Babcock, Wenham,
113 89
Amos Froton, (State,)
14 13
A. F. Fisher, Falmouth, 26 00
Michael Donohoc, 96 23
Mrs. Hurlburt, (State ) , 17 65
Pinkham, Revere,
12 00
J. T. B. Hall, Saugus,
22 50
William Hodge, (Stato).
9 00
Mrs. J. Murphy, 7 75
Napoleon Courteau, .. 19 96
W. H. Batchelder, Salem.
4 50
Total, . .
$468 61
16
·
122
AID TO PERSONS RESIDING ELSEWHERE WITH
SETTLEMENT IN WAKEFIELD.
Paid on acc't of the Corey family,
$104 80
Kate Blakeney,
12 32
Mrs. J. Russell,
108 43
H. Hicks, 2 00
W. H. Brown, .
131 75
Martin Donohoe,
13 75
Moses Barnes,
.
401 00
Walter Linwood,
39 21
Jerry Froton,
6 63
Amos Senter,
3 73
Robert Hollis, .
8 00
Catherine Smith,
23 00
Henry Williams,
74 50
Timo. Haggerty,
8 25
Kitty Smith, .
38 00
Mrs. John Lee,
24 00
Total,
$999 37
HOME RELIEF.
Paid for Supplies to M. E. Burlington, . $104 00
Josephine Sweetser, 104 00
Samuel Emmons, 107 00
M. F. Leslie,
61 31
Abbie Hawkes,
112 00
P. Farrington, .
65 88
Mrs. L. Denchy, 49 39
M. A. Donnelly,
51 00
Amount carried forward,
$654 58
·
.
.
123
Amount brought forward,
$654 58
P. Casey,
73 25
J. E. Hennessey,
48 50
Maria Welsh, .
12 75
Jane Kelly,
15 50
J. S. Teague,
.27 00
C. R. Tilton,
27.00
Mrs. S. Conant,
20 00
W. H. Piper, .
5 00
Margaret Mertin,
4 25
Patrick Devine,
44 50
J. M. Burrill
23 00
John Donohoe,
21 11
Mrs. H. Thompson, .
12 32
Mrs. P. Weston,
61 00
Barnard Derby,
30 25
Mrs. Mulligan,
16 50
Mrs. D. Murphy,
21 00
D. E. Shannahan,
3 00
J. K. Burditt, .
3 00
Norah Evans, .
3 00
Mary Flynn 2d,
.
2 00
Total,
$1,128 51
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid expense of relieving 219 tramps, $79 05
·
124
OUTSIDE RECEIPTS.
Received from Town of Lexington, account Mrs.
Stickney, $89 28
Town of Saugus, account J. T. B. Hall, 22 00
City of Salem, account W. H.
Batchelder, 7 00
Town of Warren, account J. W. Furbush, .
23 25
Lawrence Smith, 23 00
Robert Hollis, 8 00
Mrs. Jas. Burrill, 5 00
Total,
$177 53
RECAPITULATION OF OUTSIDE EXPENSE.
For Insane Hospital expense, . $1,263 41 .
Home relief, outside of Almshouse, 1,128 51 .
Persons with settlement here, 66 elsewhere, .
.
999 37
468 61
Miscellaneous outside expense,
79 05
Total expense, ·
$3,938 95
Less outside receipts,
$177 53
Net outside expense,
$3,761 42
[Net outside expense last year, $2,934 74.]
List of Insane Persons who have received Support ut Hospitals in 1884.
Settlement.
Name.
Where Supported.
Remarks.
Place.
Nature.
Mary E. Adams,
45 Wakefield,
Birth,
Taunton Hospital, Continues.
Sarah Bachellor,
George W. Clark,
38
Tax,
Danvers
Hannah C. Flynn,
Marriage,
Worcester
Mary E. Osborne,
51
Catherine Smith,
63
Danvers
Died,
Nelson Sweetser, .
75
Birth,
Worcester
Continues,
Charles Lee,
Tax.
Danvers,
6 6
.
.
Age. | 12
Worcester
.
125
Inmates of Almshouse during the Year 1884.
Name.
Age.
Birthplace.
Place of Settlement.
Nature Settle- ment.
of
When Registered.
Ceased to be Supported.
Remarks.
Sarah Nichols,
.
86
Boston, Holland,
Wakefield,
Marriage, Tax, Birth,
Nov. 25, 1871
[13, '85, Continues.
John Mertins,
·
67
Annette Mayo,
33
Wakefield,
Apl. 27, '78. Died Feb. May 23, '82.
Continues.
Jane Noonan,
85
Ireland,
June 23, '82, Died, Feb.
Mrs. H. Corey, .
41
Marriage, Father,
May 7, '84,
[23, '84, Left July 1, '84.
Hattie Corey .
3
Monson,
July 11, '84, Nov. 7, '84,
Left July 25, '84. Left Nov. 25, '84.
John E. McDonald, Maggie Kelly, .
56
Ireland,
Sept. 7, '84, Sept. 12, '84,
Left Sept. 12, '84. Continues.
Mary F. Williams, .
28
Stoneham,
Wakefield,
Marriage, Father,
Leonard Williams, . Lottie Williams, ·
10
Lynn,
8
Chuddy Williams, ·
6
Samuel Mayo,
·
61
Tax,
Apl. 1, '84, Apl. 5, '84,
Walter Mayo,
24
Wakefield,
Father,
Horace Mayo,
·
26
Jan. 31, '85,
·
.
·
·
John R. Henry
25
Jennie McDonald, .
26
4
·
.
Charles Davis, 89, received board at the Almshouse till his death, Aug. 1, '84.
1
126
127 DETAILED ALMSHOUSE EXPENSES.
GROCERIES.
Paid Martin & Nichols,
$36 17
Cutler Brothers,
75 42
A. J. Hutchinson,
41 07
Ira Atkinson,
27 77
E. W. Eaton,
66 34
M. A. Chesley,
12 88
W. L. Griffin,
20 73
Oriental Tea Co.,
18 60
W. A. Cutter,
195 41
A. S. Atherton,
34 92
Moses Blake,
14 90
H. L. Day,
4 65
G. E. Donald,
. 5 12
$553 98
GRAIN AND FEED.
Paid Cutler Brothers,
$102 85
A. J. Hutchinson,
11 30
E. C. Williams,
37 00
E. W. Eaton,
34 55
M. A. Chesley,
8 20
Ira Atkinson,
90 10
W. L. Griffin,
37 10
W. A. Cutter,
25 50
A. S. Atherton
19 00
D. M. Carter,
70 13
Geo. E. Donald,
11 25
W. Johnson,
1 00
$447 98
.
128
MEAT, FISH AND PROVISIONS.
Paid J. W. Jenkins,
$86 23
Taylor & Hanley,
72 64
W. D. Deadman,
70 77
W. V. Taylor,
25 45
E. Butler,
14 91
Francis Batchelder, .
10 29
F. Nickerson,
9.39
J. P. Locke,
2 00
Geo. E. Donald,
2 00
$293 68
DRY GOODS, CLOTHING, BOOTS AND SHOES.
Paid C. O. Anderson,
$53 03
J. M. Cate,
25 05
R. Britton,
19 35
E. G. Daland,
11 93
C. H. Patch,
5 87
J. W. Smith,
2 60
$117 83
LABOR EXPENSES.
Paid C. H. Currier, farm labor, $123 75
E. A. Donald, .
79 75
Frank Bridges, 66 24 60 ·
G. E. Donald, 66 .
10 50
Mary McCullough, house labor, 52 72
Annie Babcock,
.6 1 00
8292 32
WOOD AND COAL.
P. id George W. Aborn, . $117 50
129
TOOLS AND GARDEN SEEDS.
Paid Messrs. Cutler Brothers, $21 28
J. J. Gregory,
6 64
C. H. Thompson & Co., mower
60 00
A. S. Atherton,
3 50
G. E. Donald,
.
7 00
Ira Atkinson . · 45
$98 87
HARDWARE AND BLACKSMITHS' WORK.
Paid Thomas McCoubry, $32 75
A. B. Woodman,
24 40
S. F. Littlefield & Co.,
15 72
Gco. M. Kelley,
10 85
Geo. E. Donald
1 00
Cutler Brothers
75
$85 47
WHEELWRIGHTS' WORK AND REPAIRS.
Paid Alden B. Smith, wagon,
$25 00
A. Maclachlan, harness repairs, 7 50
$32 50
MEDICAL EXPENSES.
Paid J. W. Heath,
$5 00
Howland & Place,
3 15
W. J. Howland,
1 00
·
$9 15
STOCK EXPENSES. .
Paid W. W. Hall, yoke of oxen, $155 00
J. S. Henry, cow, .. 60 00
G. E. Donald, difference in pigs, 2 00
$217 00
·
17
130
SALARY ACCOUNT.
Paid George E. Donald, $412 50
HOUSEHOLD GOODS.
Paid O. R. Wheeler, crockery, $3 00
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
Paid A. J. Wilkinson, fence wire, $23 11
A. S. Richardson, pump, 15 00
John Flanley, bath tub, 14 00
Edwd. Williams, papering, 4 65
J. B. Wiley, mason work, 3 00
E. I. Purington, repairs, 3 55
Geo. E. Donald, 66 3 48
$66.79
MISCELLANEOUS.
Paid Oliver Walton, burial of J.
Noonan, $21 00
J. A. Meloney, burial of J. Mertins, 23 00
J. G. Morrill, dressing, 31 25
66 66 expenses to Brigh- ton, 4 00
C. H. Davis, dressing, 10 12
G. W. Cunningham, dressing, . 5 60
J. H. Cartland, ice,
13 92
Geo. B. Janes, " Boston Culti- vator," 5 00
C. F. Hartshorne, expenses in Russell and Doucett case, 5 00
Ira Atkinson, phosphates, 13 04
Amount carried forward, $131 93
0
131
Amount brought forward, . $131 93
G. H. Sampson, powder, caps,
etc., 6 58
J. Connell, wood case and milk cans, 5 12
J. H Eaton, expressing, 3 15
J. W. Locke, postage, 1 00
C. W. Eaton, printing, 1 75
C. A. Cheney, stationery,
2 15
H. C. Perry, veterinary service, 4 50
B. S. Hone, sawdust,
3 50
Wakefield Coal Co., lime, 1 25
Geo. E. Donald, harness $25, re- moving Williams $6 50, and sundry expenses, ·
57 40
A. L. Maclachlan, harness re- pairs,
4 30
$222 63
Total expense at Almshouse,
$2,971 20
DETAILED ALMSHOUSE RECEIPTS.
On account of sale of one pair of oxen,
$172 50
66 " one cow, 45 00
30 00
66 " pigs,
122 25
66
" milk,
674 42
·' wood,
66 50
" vegetables,
35 50
" butter,
13 86
66
66
"' eggs,
13 61
" 4 calves,
6 50
66 " 1 calf skin,
75
Amount carried forward,
$1,180 89
132
Amount brought forward, On account of sale of lumber,
$1,180 89
7 00
66
" old wheels,
5 00
66 " pork,
6 75
66 " poultry,
7 90
66 " offal,
2 25
" horse-keeping,
3 00
66
" labor,
2 50
" sand,
20
66 " board,
5 00
From Chas. H. Davis, account of board of Chas.
Davis in full to Aug. 1st,
147 00
$1,367 49
ALMSHOUSE INVENTORY, MARCH 1, 1885.
One Morgan horse,
$250 00
Five cows,
300 00
Seventeen swine,
190 00
Forty fowls,
30 00
$770 00
Hay, grain and feed,
47 30
Manure, 20 cords,
160 00
Coal, 8 tons,
48 00
Wood, 32 cords,
160 00
Carriages and harnesses,
475 00
Farming tools,
276 00
Household goods,
440 00
Provisions,.
195 45
$2,571 75
133
INMATES OF ALMSHOUSE, MARCH 1, 1885.
Age.
Sarah Nichols,
86 years.
Samuel Mayo,
61 66
Walter Mayo,
24 6.6
Horace Mayo,
26
66
Annette Mayo,
33 66
Mary F. Williams, .
.
28 66
Leonard Williams, .
10
Lottie Williams,
8
66
Chuddy Williams, .
6
66
OVERSEERS' FINAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Whole expense on Almshouse account, $2,971 20
Less, paid for permanent fixtures, $66 79
" also, cash paid Treasurer, 1,367 49
$1,434 28
$1,536 92
Add Inventory of March 1, 1884,
2,544 00
$4,080 92
Deduct Inventory of March 1, 1885,
2,571 75
Leaving net cost of poor at Almshouse, . $1,509 17
Add net cost of outside relief, 3,761 42 ·
Total cost of support of poor, . $5,270 59
.
134
ALMSHOUSE INMATES.
First of the year,
4
Close of the year,
9
Largest number,
9
Smallest number,
4
Average number,
8 [nearly.]
Cost per week per inmate,
$3 77-100 Last year,
3 93-100
Tramps received at Lock-up,
219
Cost of tramps for the year,
$79 05
OVERSEERS' GENERAL REPORT.
For the third successive year the Town Farm and Alms- house have been under the careful supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. E. Donald, and an arrangement has been effected by which their services have been secured for another year.
Improvements, which have been of great benefit to the farm, have been made the past season. About sixty rods of stone drain have been laid in the low land, and the boulders removed from one and a half acres of land, converting a rough, unsightly surface into smooth grass-land, which could be easily cut with a mowing machine. Another section of meadow land has been graded, making it some of the best grass-land on the farm.
The sum of $649 42 has been realized from the sale of milk, the product of six cows, it being the largest sum ever realized from this source, and is in addition to the large amount required for the use of the Almshouse for the year.
The general health of the inmates has been good, the sum of $9 15 only having been expended for medical services.
One death has occurred, that of John Mertins, on Feb. 13, 1885.
135
HOME RELIEF.
The severe winter and the long depression in business has caused the large expenditure in this department.
OUTSIDE RELIEF.
The family of Henry H. Corey of Monson were brought to the Almshouse May 7, and remained until July 1, when they were taken in charge by friends, and since then have not been any expense to the town.
Moses Barnes of Northbridge is still living, although in a helpless condition, requiring constant care. His condition is such as to prevent the Board from removing him to our own Almshouse, and consequently he has to be supported outside at a large expense.
Two hundred and nineteen tramps have been cared for at the Lock-up during the year, at an expense of $79 05.
NON-RESIDENT RELIEF.
The sum of $468.61 has been expended for persons resid- ing here, with settlement in other cities and towns, which sum will probably be reimbursed to the town.
The total amount of money used in the Poor department has been larger than in the previous year, but the funds have been carefully and judiciously expended. We would recom- mend an appropriation of $5,000 for the year ensuing.
HIRAM EATON, JOHN G. MORRILL, MICHAEL LOW, the Poor.
Overseers of
136
COMMON AND PUBLIC PARK
IMPROVEMENT.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
Bequest of Cornelius Sweetser, · . $10,000 00
Bal. of town appropriation at beginning of year, 9,810 00
Sale of old fence rails, 14 00
barrels and trec, 1 70
Total,
. $19,825 70
Expended as follows :
Paid for labor and teams, as per pay rolls, $3,645 33
J. G. Aborn, et al, land, 2,000 00 .
Thos. Emerson, 1,800 00
Fiske & Coleman, drain pipe,
220 04
Geo. W. Aborn, 66 61 72
Wakefield Coal Co., 71 bbls. cement, 107 00
Waldo Bros., 47 bbls. cement, 73 45
G. W. Killorin, stone and teaming,
183 00
Sundry individuals, stone,
70 00
N. H. Dow, teaming stone,
384 85
66 66 labor on drains,
776 27
66
66 rockery, 84 67
66
66 setting stone fence posts, 96 92
801 feet drain covering stone,
160 20
60
66 drilling fence holes and setting posts, 186 25
Amount carried forward,
. $9,849 70
137
Amount brought forward, . $9,849 70
N. HI. Dow, setting 481 feet curb-stone, 48 10
dressing fence posts, 12 50
preparing West Common walk 242 00
G. W. Killorin, " East ..
225 00
W. B. Ellis, concreting 610 95
T. R. Newhall, stone curb and posts for Common, 279 28
T. R. Newhall, stone curb and posts at rockery, ·
300 00
T. R. Newhall, covering stone for reservoir 42 00
Smith & Anthony Stove Co., cover " ·
5 00
B. & Me. R. R. Co., 4 rails for reservoir, 27 00
freight on drain pipe and cement, ·
18 68
Geo. Goodhuc, water piping, 365 00
Conrad Juul, use of derrick, 65 00
J. H. Carter, expense on derrick,
4 40
Cutler Bros., tools and derrick rope,
18 52
66 grass seed and nails,
21 02
Serannage Bros. & Cook, fountain jet, 18 50
Nathaniel Tufts, 2 copper hexagon lanterns, 40 00
M. D. Jones & Co., 2 lamp pillars, 26 00 ·
Parsons & Howard, pattern for granite curb 3 50
lumber and labor,
15 86
L. Descalzo & Co., resetting 5 lamp posts, 25 23
Road Commissioners, 300 loads loam,
75 00
II. W. Eustis, 273 loads loam, 100 grave!, John Curran, 28 7 00
72 00
John Day, 20 66 ·
5 00
James Lahey, stone work, .
14 00
Benj. Peterson, 10 stone posts, 10 00
Improvement Association, 26 trees, . 26 00
Chelmsford Foundry, 1,601 ft. iron fence, 688 43
Amount carried forward, . $13,160 67
138
Amount brought forward. . $13,160 67
Paid Walworth Manufacturing Co., fence pipe, 9 37
C. W. Burnham & Co., fence pipe and fitting 25 55
A. A. Currier, 19 red cedar posts, 21 85
E. I. Purington, 36 red cedar posts, and stone rack, 31 15
J. B. Wiley, cementing basin, 6 00
W. P. Burnham, ' 3 00
J. S. Batchelder, flag staff repairs, 66 66 block and wheel
10 80
Geo. H. Teague, painting, ·
27 00
S. F. Littlefield & Co., flag staff, copper and labor, ·
19 08
S. F. Littlefield & Co., paper, rope and nails " 4 lanterns,
3 50
A. J. Hutchinson, 2 pails,
20
G. M. Kelly, blacksmithing,
50 31
G. W. Kendall.
60
J. & S. Winship, repairing tools, 3 90
Clelland & Ryan, brand for tools, 2 00
20
G. W. Cunningham, express,
50
G. H. Hathaway, use of team,
5 50
Registry of Deeds, recording 2 deeds,
1 30
C. W. Eaton, advertising proposals, 1. 25
Percy M. Blake, surveying Aug. 1, 1883. 29 25
Geo. Pennell Aborn, C. E., locating paths, 18 38
50 00
Wait & Cutter, pavilion plans,
Ernest W. Bowditch, landscape gardener and engineer, for surveys and advice, 343 37
$13,830 23
Balance unexpended.
5,995 47
$19,825 70
50
5 00
Jno. Murray, chalk,
139
In giving a tabulated statement of the above, it is impos- sible to make an exact division of the expenditures because of the large item of labor, the men and teams employed not always working full days on any one portion. The follow- ing, however, is substantially correct :
Landscape Gardener, surveys, etc .. $380 12 Purchase of land from J. G. Aborn and Thomas
Emerson, and registry of deeds, 3,801 30
North Park,
·
.
2,738 23
Centre 66
. .
4,300 40
Fountain 61
2,610 18
$13,830 23
In addition to the financial statement submitted, we have to report that Mr. Ernest W. Bowditch of Boston, who has the reputation of being one of the leading landscape gardeners in the country, prepared all the plans for the work thus far done, and under our contract with him will complete them whenever the Park Commissioners so desire. Much of the work has been done under the personal super- vision of Mr. Bowditch, and his assistants, or at his sugges- tion, which, on account of his experience, the Commissioners felt they could safely act on.
By reference to the financial statement, it will be seen that a large expenditure has been made for drainage and filling, . some portions of the North Park were so marshy as to be nearly impassable ; this, in addition to the large amount of water flowing on to the land from the hill east of Main street, made it absolutely necessary to construct a thorough system of drainage, which was done with the most satis- factory results. The main drain in this Park was in an almost useless condition, the sides of a large portion of it having caved in and filled up the water course. This was
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reconstructed and put in perfect condition. The Commis- sioners also found it necessary to make repairs involving considerable expense on the main drain through the Com- mon. It was opened nearly the whole length, the side walls repaired, and decayed plank covering replaced by a substantial one of stone.
A large amount of filling was necessary to put the Parks in proper condition for surface work, which, together with the drainage, caused a large expenditure without a cor- responding visible improvement, and in this respect alone is work of this necessary character unsatisfactory ..
All the surface work done in accordance with Mr. Bow- ditch's plans has, with some exceptions, been of a preliminary character, but when completed, in our opinion, will give the town a Park comparing favorably with any in the State both in its ornamental and natural advantages.
The Commissioners have contracted with T. R. Newhall of Lynnfield, Mass., for a granite curbing, to be placed at the south end and Main street side of the North Park, the same as that already in place at the north end of the Common.
The plan for the North Park contemplates a pavilion of an ornamental character, designed as a resting place for visitors and use of band during concerts.
Messrs. Wait and Cutter, architects, have furnished a complete set of plans for this structure, which are at present in the hands of the Commissioners, although not yet adopted.
By the purchase of the land owned by John G. Aborn and Thos. Emerson, adjoining the North Park on the east border of the lake, from which the buildings are to be removed on or before June 1st, 1885, the town will be in a position to improve all the east shore to the head of the lake in accordance with the landscape gardener's plans.
The owners of all this property (with the exception
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of those above-named) have generously consented to deed their interests to the town free of expense.
In closing this report, the Commissioners desire to say that they have devoted a large amount of time and their best judgment to this work, aided by the most experienced talent in landscape gardening they could employ ; and they believe when the work, as contemplated by the plans, is completed, that the inhabitants of the town will approve of all that has or may be done by the Park Commissioners of Wakefield.
JAMES H. CARTER, JAMES F. EMERSON, of
Park Commissioners
DAVID H. DARLING, Wakefield.
WAKEFIELD, MARCH 4, 1885.
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REPORT
OF .
THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
ORGANIZATION.
Chairman,
John Homer.
Secretary,
Hosea L. Day.
Health Officer,
John M. Cate.
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield :
GENTLEMEN,-The Board of Health have the honor to present the following report for the year ending April 1st, 1885 :
The Board was organized according to law on April 10th, 1884. John Homer, M. D., was elected Chairman, and John M. Cate, Health Officer.
The health of the town during the year has been good. There have been several cases of malignant diphtheria, which have caused the Board considerable anxiety and some trouble. All such cases have been quarantined and every
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precaution taken to prevent the spread of the disease. In all there have been 21 cases of diphtheria, with a small number of deaths. There have been 25 cases of scarlet fever, an unusually large number, mostly mild cases, with very few deaths. In all cases of malignant diseases that have been reported, the Health Officer has notified heads of families to use every precaution possible as regards cleanliness and the free use of disinfecting remedies; also that children would not be permitted to attend school under twenty days from the time convalescence should be fully established. In some cases physicians have not been employed, and not all of such cases have been reported to the Board. While we would not encourage tale-bearing, we think it is the duty of all citizens to report such cases in order that all the pre- caution possible may be used to prevent the spread of these and other contagious diseases. The present Board would recommend to their successors, where a case of either diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles occurs, that a card be placed on the house, in a conspicuous place, notifying the public of the fact. When contagion is passed, the card may be removed by the Board.
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