USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1894-1896 > Part 6
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CLAIMS AGAINST THE TOWN.
The claim of Albert W. Merrow for injuries received on account of a lack of suitable railing on the bridge on Broad- way is still pending in the Superior Court of Middlesex County.
In the matter of the claim of the trustees of the estate of Burrage Yale. for compensation for land taken to widen Church street, an agreement has been entered into between said trustees and the Selectmen to pay them the sum of nine hundred dollars and court costs for a conveyance of the
84
land taken and the strip lying between said land and other land belonging to the town. The town will be called upon at the annual meeting to raise money to liquidate this claim.
A suit has been brought by Philip Eager of this town for injuries received on Lake street, and is now pending at the Superior Court for Middlesex County.
The claim against the town made by Mr. Dennis Dailey has been settled by the payment of two hundred dollars.
The claim of Jane Kelley for injuries to her house caused by the blasting of stone for the stone crusher, has been settled by the payment of seventy-five dollars.
The claim of the Real Estate and Building Association for land taken for widening Green street has been paid in accordance with the decree of the County Commissioners, which was for the sum of three hundred dollars.
The town appropriated the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to pay Josiah Laybolt for land taken to widen Water street, in accordance with a decree of the County Commis- sioners ; but to this date Mr. Laybolt has not accepted this amount.
Mrs. Anderson has a claim against the town in accordance with the same decree, for which money must be raised at the annual meeting.
SWEETSER LECTURES.
The Selectmen took upon themselves the duty of providing a course of lectures under the trust created by the will of the late Cornelius Sweetser, which has not been concluded. So far the character of the lectures has been exceptionally good, and in our opinion, the equal of any ever delivered in the town. It is a source of regret that they are not better . patronized. It is an open question if the town has not made a mistake in supplying tickets at the low figure it does, and we recommend that the price be raised, at least as an experi- ment. The course is not yet finished and we are unable to present a financial statement.
85
SWEETSER CHARITY.
The Treasurer of this organization submits the following report :
WAKEFIELD, Feb. 1, 1894.
ELLEN S. ROGERS, Treasurer,
In Account with SWEETSER CHARITY. DR.
To balance on hand as per last report, $36 39
" interest on deposit February, 1893,
44
" proceeds of Sweetser Lectures Feb. 13, 57 37
" interest on deposit August, 1893. 1 05
Total,
$95 05
CR.
By disbursements during the year,
$75
Balance on hand ·
$20 05
ELLEN S. ROGERS, Treasurer.
250TH ANNIVERSARY.
This year will complete two hundred and fifty years of corporate life of the town, either alone or in conjunction with our neighboring towns of Reading and North Reading. It is hoped that this event will be appropriately recognized and celebrated. It is pleasant to realize that during all these years the town has never faltered in the discharge of its cor- porate duties towards its citizens, the commonwealth, and the country, and that each year has added a new charm to its face ; and it is confidently expected that in the beginning of the second quarter millenial, it will take on new life, new growth and greater prosperity.
Respectfully submitted,
S. K. HAMILTON, SILAS W. FLINT, S. J. PUTNEY,
Selectmen of the Town of Wakefield.
86
ENGINEERS' REPORT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-The Board of Engineers herewith present the following as their annual report of the Fire Department for the year ending Jan. 31, giving in detail the total num- ber of alarms and fires, with their loss and insurance paid as near as can be ascertained, together with such other infor- · mation as in our judgment at this time seems appropriate.
FORCE AND APPARATUS.
Consists of a total of fifty-six men divided as follows : One chief with two assistants; one steamer with twelve men ; hook and ladder with fifteen men; two hose compa- nies with ten men each ; one chemical with six men. There is also one hose company in Greenwood which gives to the town their services, free gratis, and are always willing to respond whenever occasion requires.
The several pieces of apparatus are in first class condition, except the supply wagon which will soon have to be replaced by a new one as it is completely worn out and in an unre- liable condition. The new H. and L. truck was put in com- mission on July 4 and has proven to be all that was expected of it. The new hose wagon recently voted for by the town is expected in a few days and on its arrival will be put in service. The old H. and L. truck was by vote of this board loaned to the Wakefield Rattan company, on condition that the same shall be properly cared for and to be at all times subject to orders from the board of engineers; it is now housed in the factory yard fully equipped with ladders, etc., and may in some future time be of great service to the town.
-
87
FIRE ALARM.
During the past year the fire alarm has been extended as vote of the town and two additional boxes located as follows : No. 8, corner Melvin and Bennett streets; No. 9, Water corner Newhall court, making the total number of boxes fourteen. The entire service is in first class condition.
HOSE.
We have in the service 4,100 ft. of cotton hose, 3,050 ft. on the several carriages, with 1,050 ft. in reserve, all of which has been severely tested by the board during the past year, and any found weak and defective is immediately sent and repaired, so that the entire amount, so far as we know, is in good condition.
We again call to the attention of the town the advisability of the town owning horses for the use of the fire and road departments. We are more convinced than ever that with good management it would be economy at the end of the year to own, at least three horses. When we consider that there are day after day during the year that in case of fire there is no available horses to be had, it seems to us that it is too important a matter to go unnoticed. The town of Melrose has, during the past year, purchased three horses and we are told they have in one year more than paid for their first cost by working them in the centre of that town, they then being in the engine house about sixteen hours out of twenty-four, while we have been more than fortunate in late years in not having any serious fires. We should al- ways keep in mind this fact, that our liabilities for the same are from year to year increasing and we believe in increasing our fire department in proportion.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Since we have equipped the Greenwood Hose company with 800 ft. of hose it crippled us with reserve hose and it frequently occurs that we are obliged to let wet hose remain
88
on the carriage several days at a time after the same has been used, much to the disadvantage of the same, as the life of any hose depends in a great measure on the proper care of the same. We would recommend the purchase of 1,000 ft. of new hose so we may at all times have sufficient dry hose to change whenever occasion requires.
We again recommend a fire alarm box near corner of Salem and Vernon streets; and the town take some action regarding the purchasing of at least three horses for the use of this, together with that of the road department.
FIRES AND ALARMS.
The following are the alarms and fires during the last year together with their loss and insurance as near as could be ascertained.
Wednesday March 15, 10.45 a. m., Box 27. Unoccupied. house 53 Elm street owned by West heirs. Valuation, $2,700. Loss, $100. Insurance paid, $100. Cause, from stove drying plaster.
Friday, March 31. 8.10 p. m .. Box 37. House owned and occupied by Philip Flanders, Spalding street. Value of building, $900. Contents, $500. Loss of building, $900. Contents, $500. Insurance paid, $950. Cause, probably by overheating of stove.
Wednesday, April 5, 9.05 p. m., Box 35. Store occu- pied by Charles A. Cheney, Main street. Loss, $105. In- surance paid, $100. Cause, dropping of kerosene lamp.
Thursday, May 25, 11 p. m., Box 23. Unoccupied shanty formerly used by Italians, off Broadway.
Thursday, July 4, 2.45 p. m., Box 23. House owned by Mary F. Ahorn, Foundry street. Loss, $50. Insurance paid, $50. Cause, from fire crackers.
Wednesday, July 12, 9.30 a. m., Box 37. Slight fire on the roof of the house No. 26 Salem street, owned by Mon- tello C. Evans. Damage slight. Cause, probably from sparks of chimney.
89
Saturday, July 15, 10.37 p. m., Box 41. House corner Vernon and Lowell streets, owned by Dr. Davis. Value of building, $1,800. Loss, $1,800. Insurance unknown. Cause, incendiary.
Saturday, July 15, 10.38 p. m., Box 54. Hen houses ; property of Miss L. A. Annis, Salem street, East ward. Value of buildings, $2,000. Damage, $1,500. Insurance paid, $1,270. Cause, incendiary.
Saturday, August 6, 1.10 a. m., Box 54. J. R. Reid's grocery store, corner Lowell and Salem streets. Value of building, $3,000. Damage of building, $66. Insurance paid, $66. Loss on stock, $150. Value stock, $500. Cause, unknown.
Friday, August 11, 7.50 p. m., Box 12. Needless alarm given for pile of old rubbish in land off Pine street, Green- wood.
Tuesday, August 22, 3.40 p. m., Box 37. Cigar store occupied by C. H. Cheever and owned by Stillman J. Put- ney, corner Main and Salem streets. Loss, $10. Covered by insurance.
Monday, November 6, 6.20 p. m., Box 27. Needless alarm given for a fire in Reading.
Monday, December 4, 10.05 a. m., Box 37. High school building, Main street. Valuation, $70,000. Loss, $600. Insurance paid, $598. Value contents, $6,000. Loss, none, Cause, over heated smoke flue.
Wednesday, January 17, 5.30 p. m. Still alarm. House owned by John Stewart, Main street, Greenwood. Extin- guished by members of Greenwood Hose company: Loss, small.
Wednesday, January 31, 12.50 a. m., Box 54, House owned by Jonathan Nichols, No. 130 Salem street. Com- pletely destroyed. Loss, about $2,600. Insurance paid.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
We sincerely return our thanks to the honorable board of
90
Selectmen for their hearty co-operation at all times, to Chief Vannah and officers under his command for the assistance they have rendered us. To each officer and member of the department, together with officers and members of the Greenwood hose company. for their prompt and efficient manner in discharging the duty belonging to them, we are especially indebted, and to all others who have in any way rendered us assistance, we return our heartfelt thanks.
LEVI FLANDERS, Chief, H. W. DALRYMPLE, WM. E. CADE, Sec'y.
Engineers.
For expenditures see Auditors' Report.
,
91
Report of Board of Health.
This has been an uneventful year for the health depart- ment of the town, and the work has been casily attended to.
We have had no epidemic ; the general complaints of nui- sances have been few and soon abated, and the more important ones have caused us little trouble. Our formal meetings have been few, but all that were necessary, as the members of the board met almost daily and the business was often informally discussed and disposed of. We have done noth- ing toward abating our permanent nuisances this year, as we have concurred with the opinion of past boards that the expense of the attempted improvement would far outweigh the very doubtful benefit. There is but one way to rid the town of these unsavory and unsightly spots, and that is by a proper sewerage system.
THE SAUGUS RIVER PETITION.
Numerous informal complaints have been made of the Valley street district, and requests made that the board would see that the bed of the Saugus river was deepened and widened with a view to allowing the water to flow more freely and so relieve the swampy land that forms the back yards of the houses located on that side of Valley street. This same matter has been thoroughly agitated in past years, but always in an improper and illegal way, by intro- ducing articles into the town warrants to see if the town would handle the matter, petitioning the board of selectmen. etc. At no time has the question been properly presented to our board until last fall when a petition numerously signed was sent us complaining "that that stretch of land sit-
92
uated in said town of Wakefield between the Vinton street bridge and Farm street and covered by the Saugus river," etc., "is wet, rotten and spongy, and is a nuisance and in- jurious to health," and asking that the same be abated. Act- ing under the provisions of Chap. 80, Sec. 28, et sequitor, we proceeded to view the premises and on December 20, 1893, gave a hearing to the petitioners. As the Sec. 32, Chap. 80 says the board or health officer after the hearing may cause the nuisance to be abated according to its or his discretion, we took no further steps in the matter as the few weeks of the term of office of the present board was too short a time in which to fully carry out the requirements of the law.
We would recommend the petitioners to bring the matter before the incoming board at an early date, so that they may have sufficient time to properly investigate and attend to the matter.
THE MASSACHUSETTS PLUMBING LAW.
During the session of 1893 the Massachusetts legislature passed a law governing the business of plumbing in cities and towns in the state. In accordance with this law we appointed a local board of examiners of plumbers, consisting of J. C. Oxley, chairman of the board of health, Thomas E. Dwyer and George H. Taylor. Mr. Taylor declining to serve, S. F. Littlefield was appointed. As Sec. 5 requires the appointment of "one or more inspectors of plumbing who shall be practical plumbers, and who shall hold office until removed by said board for cause which must be shown," we appointed. Thomas E. Dwyer to serve as inspector until further notice. We have not fixed the compensation of the inspector as we consider it too early to know much about the practical working of the new law, and would rec- ommend this matter to the consideration of the health board for 1894.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
The town has been singularly free from epidemics of every
93
kind during the past year. There has been the usual num- ber of cases of contagious diseases but the outbreaks have been easily controlled and the mortality from these causes has not been high. During the year we have added Mem- braneous Croup to the list of contagious diseases, and noti- fied the physicians to use and order the same precautions for . this disease as are used in Diphtheria. Medical science to- day is ready to declare that the two diseases are closely related if not identical, and that Membraneous Croup is con- tagious. A striking case occurred here in town during the past year showing the probable contagion and analogy to Diphtheria. An infant died of Membraneous Croup and shortly after several cases of diphtheria of the fauces occurred among the children of the same family who had come into contact with the babe; but no other cases devel- oped in the same house although there were other children living there. This will show parents the necessity of isolat- ing a patient who has or even is suspected of having this very fatal malady.
The number of cases of contagious diseases for 1893, with deaths from the same, is as follows :
Cases.
Deaths.
Measles, .
53
0
Scarlet Fever,
.
33
3
Diphtheria,
.
21
6
Typhoid Fever,
10
5
DEATHS.
The number of deaths registered in town for the year 1893 is unusually large although there is no apparent reason for the increase as the year was not marked by an unusual amount of sickness. It is noticeable that the number of deaths from diseases of the heart is greater than ever before, and exceeds Consumption which has always headed the list. The number and causes are as follows :
Heart Disease,
24 Old Age,
4
94
Consumption,
19
Scarlet Fever, 3
Apoplexy,
13
Meningitis,
3
Marasmus,
6
Congestion of Lungs,
3
Still Birth,
6 Septicaemia,
3
Diphtheria,
6
Cancer,
3
Typhoid Fever,
5
Disease of Liver,
2
Bright's Disease,
5
Convulsions,
2°
Acute Bronchitis.
4
Railroad Accident,
2
Pneumonia,
4
Tubercular Meningitis,
2
Chronic Bronchitis,
2 Enteric Tumor,
2
Cholera Infantum,
2
Diabetes, 2
Exhaustion, Paralysis, Entero-Colitis, Gastritis, Spinal Men- ingitis, Asthma, Burn, Tabes Mesenterica, Empyema, Endo Mentritis, Cystitis, Intussusception, Capillary Bronchitis, Stomatitis, Influenza, Hydrencephalus, Membraneous Croup, Enteritis, Spinal Disease, Pistol Wound, Softening of Brain, Cancer of Brain, 1 each.
J. C. OXLEY, Chairman, J. A. O'LEARY, M. D., Secretary, A. L. VANNAH, Health Officer.
February 1, 1894.
95
Report of Chief of Police.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
GENTLEMEN,-I have the honor of submitting to you the annual report of the doings of the police for the year ending January 31, 1894.
WORK DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT.
Whole number of arrests. 224
Arrested on warrants,
74
Without warrants, .
. 150
Males, .
220
Females,
4
Adults, .
199
Minors, .
25
Residents,
169
Non-residents,
55
NATIVITY OF PERSONS ARRESTED.
Armenia,
1
Canada, .
11
Denmark,
1
England,
7
Germany,
1
Ireland,
78
Nova Scotia, .
10
New Brunswick,
3
Scotland,
·
4
Sweden,
1
United States,
107
Total,
.
224
.
96
NATURE OF ARRESTS.
Assault, including assault on officers,
20
Assault with dangerous weapons,
2
Breaking and entering,
5
Cruelty to animals,
.
3
Capias, .
1
Drunkenness,
115
Disturbing peace,
34
Default warrant,
2
Embezzlement,
3
Exposing and keeping intoxicating liquors,
6
Evading car fare,
1
Exposing person,
·
1
False pretences,
.
1
Larceny,
12
Lewdness,
1
Maintaining lottery,
2
Malicious mischief,
1
Non-support,
.
2
Permitting use of building for lottery,
1
Refusing to aid officer,
1
Runaways,
2
Stopping railroad train, .
·
.
1
Threats,
2
Truancy,
1
Violating town by-law, ".
2
Vagrancy,
1
Total, .
224
DISPOSITION OF CASES IN DISTRICT COURT.
SENTENCES IMPOSED.
House of correction,
11
Mass. reformatory,
8
.
State farm,
.
· .
1
.
1
Stubborn,
.
·
97
State industrial school, .
1
Held for grand jury,
5
To pay fine, . ·
84
To pay expenses,
7
On file, .
8
Nol prossed, .
8
Probation,
18
Discharged,
,
17
Released under drunk law,
45
Turned over to out of town officers,
6
Continued cases (still in court),
5
Total, 224
Aggregate amount of sentences to house of correction, 4 yrs. 7 mos. The sentences to the Massachusetts reformatory are for indefinite periods.
Aggregate amount of fines imposed, $873 00
No. of patients committed to Danvers insane hospital, 5 No. of patients committed to Foxboro dipsomaniac hospital, . 1
No. of persons furnished lodgings at station,
.
1093
MISCELLANEOUS WORK DONE BY THE POLICE.
Accidents reported, 9
Assisted home, 12 · . ·
Cases investigated, 257
Disturbances suppressed,
17
Defective streets and sidewalks reported,
22
Dogs killed, .
7
Dead bodies cared for,
1
Houses reported vacant during vacation, .
9
Lanterns hung in dangerous places, .
29
Lost children restored to parents,
4
Medical examiners cases, ·
3
Places of business found open and secured,
109
Sick and injured persons assisted, . 8 .
·
.
98
Stray teams picked up and restored to owners, 2 Street and sidewalk obstructions removed, 8
Unlicensed dogs caused to be licensed, 56
The department consists of a chief and two night officers, together with. a number of special officers who receive no salaries, but are paid by the hour when detailed, as has been the custom for a number of years. This, as I said last year, is far from being a sufficient force to give the town the police protection it should have. The streets covered by our night officers are as well protected as it is possible for them to be. Better protected streets cannot be found in the state ; but the frequent visits of midnight marauders in the outlying districts should arouse the citizens to a realization of the fact that more officers are needed. We have the same number of officers now, to protect seven or eight thousand people with a valu- ation of nearly $6,000,000, that there were years ago when the town was only about half as large, when Wakefield Park, Boyntonville and Greenwood were but barren tracts of land. This territory is now covered with fine residences represent- ing thousands of dollars. I would also call attention to the necessity of a day officer. The chief is obliged to go to court with every person arrested, make a complaint and take charge of the prosecution, and often it takes several days before the case is settled. Even then the case will often be appealed to the superior court, and it takes about twice as long to get a case through the superior court as it does the district court. There are also cases to investigate, witnesses to summon and the office work to do, and in cases of bur- glaries and larcenies there is considerable traveling to do, and it leaves very little time to look out for the streets. There are also very many duties that a police department is called upon to attend to that the general public knows noth- ing about. A town the size of Wakefield should have one day and five night officers beside the chief. I would recom- mend that at least one night and one day officer be added to
.
99
the force this year. This would require an appropriation of about $4,800.
There are several things that the department badly needs. First, better accommodations in the lock-up. There should be a cell for female prisoners and the insane. At the present time if either of the above, or a person who is clean and well-dressed, are brought in, we are obliged to put them in with howling drunks on one side and a gang of filthy tramps on the other. The tramp room never should have been placed where it is. Stretchers are also needed in case of accident, and can be obtained at small expense. A straight jacket is also a convenient thing to have in many cases. I would recommend that a new cell be added and the above mentioned articles obtained. The best of feeling exists in the department and its affairs have run smoothly and harmo- niously. This speaks well for a department that has no rules or regulations governing it. I propose drawing up a set of rules and regulations (which will also include instruc- tions to officers) at once, to be presented to the selectmen for their approval and adoption. No well organized police department is without them.
The department met with a severe loss in the death of special officer William H. Gould 2nd. He was a faithful and efficient officer, always cheerfully responding to all the duties he was called upon to perform. The department extend their sincerest sympathies to the bereaved family.
In conclusion I desire to thank the night officers and each member of the department for the willing and efficient man- ner in which their duties have been performed. My thanks- are also extended to the Honorable Board of Selectmen for their hearty co-operation with the department. To His Honor, Judge John W. Pettengill, Clerk William N. Tyler and his assistant, Wilfred B. Tyler, I extend my acknowl- edgements for many favors.
Respectfully submitted,
ALVIN L. VANNAH,
February 1, 1894.
Chief of Police.
100 .
Report of Forest Firewards.
During the twelve months ending Dec. 31, 1893, there have been fifty-nine fires in all. They have all been attended by the Forest Firewards system ; fifty-two have been stopped by it alone.
January . I
July. 9
February O August. 6
March 2
September
I April 18 October I2
May
5
November.
3
June 0
December 2
There have been eleven building fires stopped by the Forest Fire- ward system alone ; one in south district, one in north district, one in west district and eight in centre district ; five under still alarms and five under general alarms.
NUMBER OF FIRES IN EACH DISTRICT.
DISTRICT.
FIRES.
BUILDING FIRES.
Centre 16.
North .
4. 2
South
14.
East.
IO. 2
West.
4. 2
Woodville
IO. 0
O.
Centre Junction
I .
-
59 I7
Total cost of fifty-nine fires attended by forest firewards. ... $225 00 Average cost of each. 3 81
Average cost per man 62
Average number of men at fires. 6
. Whole number of persons working at these fires 360
101
The above includes the expense of horse and wagon with loads of water at sixteen fires.
The causes of these fires are divided about equally between sparks. from railroad engines, children, gunners, accidents, incendiarism and reckless setting of fires by people on their own land, which was allowed to run upon the land of others.
Town fire appliances in charge of the Forest Firewards : 106 John- son pumps, twenty-two of which have been presented to the town by this system this year, 67 balloon valves for pumps, 6 top valves, 6 dis- charge pipes, 12 bottom valves, 12 plungers, 6 tips, 5 dozen sprinkler nozzles, 150 2-gallon cans, 50 buckets, 5 water scoops, 100 feet of garden hose with its appliances and 20 feet of Johnson pump hose. In addition to the above this system has added from its earnings 200 12-quart iron clad pails, which are located in 200 places and kept in readiness for instant use at fires.
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