USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1900-1902 > Part 53
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" 216, J. W. Lyons, 11 Fitch court, Centre district.
" 217, John McLane, 92 Broadway, West district.
" 218, Will H. Wiley, Lake avenue, Centre district.
" 219, N. L. Drake, Myrtle avenue, South district.
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No.220, A. Volturo, 468 Main street, fruit store, Centre district.
" 221, S. H. Hill, Cooper street, South district.
" 222, J. B. Foster, 69 Vernon Street, North district.
" 223, G. H. Sweetser, Wakefield Fair grounds.
" 224, Charles Talbot, Wakefield Fair grounds.
" 225, Wm. B. Daniel, 9 Pearl street, Centre district.
" 226, Geo. I. Oliver, 198 Salem street, East district.
" 227, John T. Hill, 821 Main street, South district.
" 228, Bowser & Co., 446 Main street, Centre district. " 229, A. A. Carleton, 370 Main street, Centre district.
" 230, G. M. Kelley, 15 Mechanic street, Centre district.
" 231, W. II. Perkins, 18 Lafayette street, Centre district.
" 232, John Flanley, block, Main street, Centre district.
" 233, Last record, 1901, error, supposed to have been lost in Rink fire 1899.
" 234, Rufus Kendrick, 712 Main street, South district.
" 235, A. Turnbull, 44 Salem street, East district.
" 236, Rufus Kendrick, 712 Main street, South district.
" 237, R. G. Wolf, Crystal street, South district.
" 238, R. E. Archibald, High street, South district.
" 239, Harry E. Lane, 4 Albion street, Centre district.
" 240, James G. Hunt, 58 Nahant street, Centre district.
" 241, Alfred W. Vint, Water street, Woodville district. " 242, John B. Fairbanks, 90 Pleasant street, North district.
" 243, Chas. A. Bent, Mt. Pleasant avenue, Woodville district. " 244, S. T. Parker, 203 Lowell street, East district.
" 245, Dr. J. H. Kimball, Myrtle avenue, South district. " 246, A. D. Jenkins, Franklin street, Centre district.
" 247, T. F. Ringer, F. F. W., Greenwood avenue, South dist.
" 248, R. J. Lawder, 37 Albion street, West district.
" 249, Wm. H. Lee, Oak Street, South district.
" 250, Geo. A. Hird, 117 Vernon street, North district.
S. T. PARKER, Chairman, GEO. R. TYZZER, Treasurer, T. F. RINGER, Secretary.
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Report of Committee in Charge of Addition to High School.
The committee appointed by the town May 14, 1900, to have in charge the building of an addition to the High school building respectfully submit the following report ;
The committee organized May 19, 1900, electing James Hickey chairman and E. K. Bowser secretary.
Plans for a proposed addition were at once called for by adver- tisement, and a plan submitted by Mr. Harland A. Perkins was accepted, after enough bids on construction work had been received to assure the committee that the appropriation would not be exceeded.
Meetings were held every few nights to prepare the very large amount of detail necessary in order to be able to let contracts to the best advantage and complete the work before the school term in September.
All the important work was let out after bids had been adver- tised for and accepted, and the work was all completed within the contract time.
The addition consists of six rooms and a hallway on the north and west sides of the old part. It is three stories in height, conforming in style on east and south elevations to the architec- ture of the older portion and in no way injuring its appearance, although greatly increasing its efficiency. It is heated by two large furnaces and a steam boiler, and all State requirements for light, heat and ventilation have been met. There are nine wet closets and other fixtures in the basement, connecting with two new cesspools in front of the building on Common street, near the line of adjoining owner.
All the work, including excavating the cellar, building the structure, furnishing, heating and ventilating, plumbing and a considerable amount of work in the old part was done practically within the two months.
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The committee was much pleased with the good work of the architect. contractors and various artisans, and believe it to be greatly to the credit of the town that nearly every contract could be let to the best advantage to citizens of the town and carried out with exceptional speed. low cost and high efficiency.
The following account explains in detail the work and the various expenditures :
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING ADDITION.
May 14, 1900, notes authorized, $15,000 00
EXPENDED AS FOLLOWS :
Feindel & Brockbank, as per contract. 10,210 22
66 shelving, 5 04
Aaron A. Butler. as per mason contract, 669 00
extras, 4 00
H. A. Perkins, services as architect. 610 00
H. M. Dolbeare. advertising proposals, . 9 00
C. W. Eaton. ..
5 00
Fuller & Warren Heating and Ventilating Co., as per contract, 1,000 00
Boston & Maine R. R .. freight on furniture, . 14 31
C. F. Hartshorne & Son, premium on builders' risk, 36 00
Heywood Bros. & Wakefield Co., 21 chairs, . 22 50
Smith Premium Typewriter Co., 6 typewriters, at $35. 210 00
Smith Premium Typewriter Co., 1 table, 4 00
Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict, typewriter and cover, 70 00
R. J. Lawder, electrical work. 37 00
C. H. McKenney & Co .. gas fixtures, .
82 00
J. A. Glass & Co., window shades, 40 40
D. W. Hunt, teaming, . 9 33
Wycoff, Seamans & Benedict, 5 oak tables, 20 00
Knott Apparatus Co., 2 physic tables,
45 80
Office. Bank and Library Co., partition and office counter, 137 75
David Taggart, plumbing, 397 19
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J. B. Hunter & Co., hardware, doors and windows, $124 66 Chandler Chair and Desk Co., chairs, desks and tables, 925 20
A. B. Comins, expressing, 2 19
Geo. F. King & Co., 3 doz. ink-stands, .
18 00
Hugh Morgan, mason work, .
57 25
E. A. Carlisle, Pope & Co., 2 windows,
4 50
David Taggart, piping and labor, .
9 00
Feindel & Brockbank, lumber and labor,
5 63
Fuller & Warren Heating and Ventilating Co., as
per contract, 250 00
Total, $15,034 97
This overdraft was charged to school contingent account, and will be found under that head.
JAMES A. HICKEY, E. K. BOWSER, CORNELIU'S DONOVAN, JOSEPH L. GOOCH, U. G. WHEELER,
Committee.
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Report of the Milk Inspector.
TO THE SELECTMEN, WAKEFIELD, MASS. :
There have issued since May 1, 1901, fifty-two licenses to deliver milk and ten new registrations for "Stands or Market places."
One hundred and fifty-six (156) samples of milk have been collected from stores, dairies and delivery wagons and analyzed.
The whole number of samples taken have shown an average of thirteen and six one hundredths (13.06) per cent. of milk solids.
The law requires milk to contain twelve per cent. of total milk solids from April to September inclusive, and thirteen per cent. of total milk solids from October to April. Since the year 1896, when inspection was established in Wakefield, the average per cent. of solids in the milk examined has steadily improved each year; with a larger number of samples taken the past year than during any previous, a better quality of milk was obtained.
No prosecutions have taken place during the year, although several isolated cases, where milk has been somewhat below standard, have been found.
In these cases, which were those where there was a previous good record, the inspector thought that the public interest would be properly guarded and justice best subserved by administering a warning.
The larger dairies have been visited and samples taken by the inspector and collector, and their product found to be of good standard quality.
The inspector believes that, while most of the dairies furnish- ing milk to consumers in Wakefield are fairly well appointed according to present methods, they are yet removed quite a distance from an ideal condition. -
The animal odor and foreign matter present in some samples of milk is unnecessary, and should not be tolerated.
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I recommend that storekeepers buy and sell their milk in glass jars, as the past has amply demonstrated that very few, if any stores, will keep their supply of milk sufficiently mixed to insure the uniform sale of standard milk.
The inspector feels that, with the number of samples of milk taken and analyzed at all seasons of the year and from all classes of dealers as well as producers, that good service has been rendered.
I wish to commend the services of Mr. Harry A. Symonds, collector, as being all that could be desired.
He has collected one hundred and fifty-six samples of milk at all seasons and localities in an entirely satisfactory manner.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSIAH S. BONNEY.
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Report of Sweetser Charity.
WAKEFIELD, Feb. 1, 1902.
SARA A. CUTLER, Treasurer,
In account with SWEETSER CHARITY.
DR.
To balance on hand Feb. 1, 1901, $ 08
To cash from Sweetser Lectures, Feb. 23, 1901, 145 70
Interest on deposit, . 96
To cash from Sweetser Lectures, Jan. 8, 1902, . 257 15
$403 89
CR
By disbursements during the year,
$152 57
Balance on hand, . ·
$251 32
With this fund we have assisted sixteen families,-some with coal and wood, others with shoes, rubbers, groceries and clothing.
At Christmas seven families were given supplies for a Christmas dinner.
SARA A. CUTLER, Treasurer.
Report of Lowell Street Cemetery Committee.
WAKEFIELD, Jan. 23, 1902.
Received from sale of grass, $32 00
Paid over to T. J. Skinner, treasurer, $32 00
EVERETT W. EATON, Chairman of Committee.
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Selectmen's Report.
The Selectmen submit the following report for the year from March 1, 1901, to Feb. 28, 1902 :
The board organized March 7, 1901, with Richard S. Stout, chairman and Edward E. Lee, secretary.
The business transacted by this board has shown a large in- crease during the past year. Never before, we believe, have so many matters of so great importance been presented to a board of selectmen of this town in one year.
The very rapid development of street railroad enterprise has brought forward street railway locations and franchises very prominently.
STREET RAILWAYS.
During the last two fiscal years your present board of select- men have been called upon to consider many matters pertaining to street railways, which were of vital importance to the interest and welfare of our town. Several companies have sought for location of their tracks in our highways, to all of whom public hearings have been given, and in every case the interest taken by our citizens in these matters has been shown by large attend- ance. Full and free discussion has been allowed, and your board has been governed, regarding the petitions granted by them, by the majority sentiment expressed at these hearings, as well as by their own best judgment. The board believes that the street railway problem is now settled for many years to come, and that, in the near future, Wakefield will have complete street railway accommodations.
When the construction of these street railways is completed, and the various lines which have been granted locations are in operation, we shall have a double track railroad from the Read- ing line over Railroad, Albion, and Main streets, to the line of the city of Melrose; a double track railroad from Wakefield
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square over Water street to the town line of Saugus; a single track railroad from Water street to New Salem street, and thence over New Salem and Salem streets to Montrose ; a single track railroad to Wakefield park district, and the present single track line to Reading on the east side of Lake Quannapowitt.
Your board, as a board, and as citizens of the town, knowing that some of the franchises requested by these street railroad corporations were of untold value to the companies have held it constantly in mind to insist on conditions leading to the improve- ment of the highways through which these tracks are to be laid.
MAIN STREET .- From the city line of Melrose to Wakefield square, a location was granted to the Boston & Northern St. Ry. Co. for a double track railroad, to be located in the center of the highway. The highway is to be widened to a width of 60 feet, and macadamized from curb to curb, the expense of said improvement to be borne by the Boston & Northern St. Ry. Co., and the county of Middlesex. This widening necessitates a large amount of grading and land damages, the estimated cost, exclusive of the track work, being about $40,000.
WAKEFIELD PARK LINE .- The Wakefield Park line location was granted on condition that West Chestnut street should be resurfaced with broken stone, and the worked way made from curb to curb. The cost of this work, which will be borne by the St. Ry. Co., is estimated at $6,800.
The St. Ry. Co. agreed to build this line in consideration of being given the double track location on Main street. There is no doubt that a long time will elapse before this line will earn for the company any return for their outlay.
RAILROAD STREET. - A double track location, on Railroad street, from the Reading town line to Chestnut street, was granted on condition that the street be widened to a width of 60 feet from the Reading town line to the crossing of the Boston Ice Company's track, and to a width of 55 feet from said cross- ing to Church street ; also, the worked portion of the highway, between Church and Chestnut streets, is to be macadamized, and the traveled portion of the highway between Church street and · the Boston Ice Company's tracks is to be worked to conform to the widening, and hardened, as at present, with macadam. The
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tracks, from the Reading town line to the Boston Ice Company's siding, are to be located on the west side, and outside the worked or traveled portion of the highway. From the Ice Company's siding to Church street the tracks are to be located in the middle of the highway, and from Church street to Chestnut street, on the west side of the highway, with the nearest rail of the south bound track four feet from the right of way line of the Boston & Maine Railroad. The cost of these street improvements, exclusive of the track work, is estimated at $16,000.
The double track location between Chestnut and Albion streets was denied, and a single track location granted.
All crossings of cross streets are to be paved with hot tar concrete.
ALBION STREET .- A double track location on Albion street was granted on condition that the tracks should be constructed of girder rail, weighing 90 lbs. per yard, with hard wood cross- ties. The curb lines are to be relocated by. the board of select- men, and the street paved from curb to curb with first quality block paving. The expense of this improvement is to be borne by the street railroad company, the estimated cost, exclusive of the track work, being $12,000.
WATER STREET .- The location for a double track railroad from the Centre Depot over Water street to the Saugus town line was granted under the following conditions :- The highway is to be widened to a width of 55 feet. The tracks are to be located in the middle of the highway, and the highway from Vernon street to the Saugus line to be relocated and straight- ened. Block paving is to be used on the tracks from the Centre Depot to Melvin. From this point to the Saugus line the high- way is to be graded to full width, and the traveled portion sur- faced with gravel of the best quality.
This work is to be done by the street railroad company, at an estimated cost, exclusive of track work, of $21,000.
LINE TO MONTROSE .- The line to Montrose is to leave the main line between Wakefield and Lynn, near the power and car houses of the company, running northerly over private lands, passing under the track of the Salem branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad, to New Salem street. The track is located on
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the southerly side of New Salem and Salem streets, and the southerly line of said streets is to be straightened to give proper width for the traveled portion of the highway. Your board cannot say what the expense of construction over private prop- erty will be, but the cost of the work on the town's highways, which is to be borne by the company, has been estimated at $7,000, exclusive of track work.
In addition to the special requirements above mentioned, all statutory requirements have been included. The rate of fare from any part of Wakefield to any part of an adjoining town or city, is not to exceed five cents. School children are to be transported for half fare. The fare from any part of Wakefield to Malden square will be five cents, making a ten cent fare from any part of Wakefield to Scollay square, Boston. It has been provided that the last car from Boston at night shall not leave Scollay square before 12 o'clock midnight. During the negotia- tions for locations the Boston & Northern St. Ry. has agreed to run workingmen's cars from Wakefield square to Lynn square, with a five cent fare, and effort is now being made to have this rate extended to any part of Wakefield.
Provision has been made in the various locations granted, reserving the upper gain on these companies' poles for the ex- clusive use of the town of Wakefield.
The rolling stock of the Boston & Northern St. Ry. is being increased as rapidly as possible, much delay being caused by the great demand for electrical equipment from all parts of the country. It is expected by the management that by the time the new lines are completed, modern cars will be ready for service.
There are, at the present time, seven miles of single track street railway in operation in our town. The corporation and excise tax for 1901 was $2,770.93. When the new lines have been put in operation, the single track mileage will be in- creased to seventeen (17) miles on which at least $6,800 will be received in taxes, all of which must, under the statutes, be ex- pended for maintenance of the highways of our town.
The grading for the Montrose and Railroad street lines is now under contract, and the work is being pushed as fast as possible
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at this season. The men employed on the work are all citizens of Wakefield. It is safe to say that the line to Montrose would never have been built but for the fact that the railroad company needed the double track location on Main street; which fact was fully appreciated by your board.
SUMMARY .- Reviewing the proceedings of the board it may be seen that the town of Wakefield will, in return for the fran- chises granted to street railroads during the past two years, receive the following benefits :
1. Better service, and through line to Boston.
2. Cheaper transportation.
3. Improvements on highways through the expenditure of $102,800 on same.
4. Railroad service to the western and eastern parts of our town, which will, without doubt, stimulate building and increase the valuation of taxable property.
5. A large increase in the direct and excise taxes on railroad property.
6. Employment of Wakefield labor.
7. Assurance that, so far as street railway service is con- cerned, we shall have no fear of rivalry from any town north of Boston.
8. By the double track on Railroad street the necessity for a second track on the east side of the lake is avoided, while the service on that line will still be maintained.
WATER QUESTION.
The water question has claimed its share of attention again this year.
Early in July, after the general court had postponed action on the bill presented to it by the town through its water committee, the Wakefield Water Company offered to the selectmen to open negotiations for the sale of its works, franchises and property. The selectmen at once accepted the offer to arrange a settlement of this much-vexed question.
Several meetings were held by the selectmen and the directors of the Wakefield Water Company jointly. Estimates of the property of the company, its business and other things of value
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were furnished by the company and carefully examined and com- pared with independent estimates made by members of the board.
An offer of $400,000 was made, but the board refused to pre- sent it to the town. Then an offer of $300,000 was sent and a town meeting called to consider the whole matter, the board recommending such a price, believing that, although the physical value was considerably less, still the avoidance of expensive legislation and lawsuits, together with the great inconvenience of tearing up streets to install a new plant, would compensate the town for the seeming large expenditure.
The town refused the offer and authorized a committee to seek legislation.
HORSES FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Soon after the town had voted in the fall meeting to buy a pair of horses for the fire department, a disagreement arose be- tween the fire engineers and Mr. G. W. Killorin, who was then leasing horses to the town.
It was admitted by both parties that some amount was then due Mr. Killorin for rental of horses and harnesses. Mr. Killorin claimed a further amount of $2.00 per week for each week the horses had been hired, and that his contract was to lease the horses for $10 per week up to the annual meeting in March, or $12 per week if the time of the lease was at the option of the town. This the engineers denied, and refused to pay this amount.
Such was the status of the question, and suit was threatened when the matter was taken up by the selectmen. As thorough an investigation as possible was made, and the selectmen, without in any way passing on the facts, but knowing that admittedly some amount was due, and that if suit was brought a large bill of costs might be taxed against the town, offered to settle the whole indebtedness for $75. This offer was accepted by Mr. Killorin and paid with the approval of the town counsel and the board of engineers.
APPOINTED OFFICERS.
The following officers have been appointed by the selectmen during the year :
Town counsel, M. E. S. Clemons; chief of police, Edgar A.
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Hallett ; fire engineers, W. E. Cade, E. S. Jacob, Robert Lawder ; firewards, S. T. Parker, G. R. Tyzzer, T. F. Ringer; sealer of weights and measures, H. A. Simonds; inspector of milk, J. S. Bonney ; night watch, E. F. Poland, James A. McFadden ; keeper of lockup, Rufus Draper.
INSURANCE.
Insurance has been placed as follows: Town hall, $10,000; Lincoln school, $20,000; High school, $5,000; Warren school, $25,000; Greenwood school, $12,000; Junction school (new), $12,000; almshouse and barn, $3,000; bond of town treasurer, $25,000; bond of tax collector, $15,000. Renewals have usually been placed with the same agents carrying the old. New insur- ance has been divided equally, as nearly as possible, among all the local agents.
LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
Following is a list of claims and suits at law against the town :
Mary L. Maxwell vs. town of Wakefield, to recover damages for stopping up a drain on Fairmount avenue.
Henry C. Hall vs. town of Wakefield, to recover damages for injuries sustained by him on Main and Lowell streets in 1898.
John Loughlin vs. town of Wakefield, to recover damages for taking land in the widening on Salem street.
City of Somerville vs. town of Wakefield, to recover for taxes unlawfully assessed upon said city and paid under protest.
Petition of the selectmen of Wakefield to abolish the grade crossing at Hanson street.
Sarah E. Walker vs. town of Wakefield, an action of tort to recover for the conversion of gravel used by the town. The hnsband of plaintiff sold the gravel to the town and received the pay for it. He has assumed the defence in the action and em- ployed the Hon. Melvin O. Adams of Boston to defend the case. The town counsel has appeared to look after the town's interest. This action is pending in Norfolk county.
Albert B. Norris vs. town of Wakefield. This is an action to recover $300 as compensation for drafting plans for the use of the committee on the new cemetery on Lowell street.
Edwin C. Callan vs. town of Wakefield. This is an action of
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tort to recover alleged damages for injuries received on account of a defect on Lake avenue.
James H. Johnson, Arabella Johnson and Alfred Johnson vs. town of Wakefield. These are three separate actions of tort to recover damages for injuries received on account of an alleged defect in the highway at the corner of Albion and Main streets.
Robert H. Heyer of Malden vs. town of Wakefield, for alleged damage suffered, as he claims, by reason of a defect in Oak street, Greenwood.
Fred N. Lord vs. town of Wakefield. This is an action to recover damages for alleged injuries. Claim under employers' liability act. The companies insuring the town have assumed the defence.
These are all pending.
In the case of Robert C. Ransom vs. the town of Wakefield, a petition for an assessment of alleged damages sustained by changing the grade of Summer street, a verdict has been returned for the petitioner for $700.70.
The legal business of the town has been conducted by Town Counsel M. E. S. Clemons in a satisfactory manner.
CENTRE POND.
A large amount of material has been dumped into Centre pond during the year. We hope this work will continue and thus remove this unsightly and dangerous spot.
On September 19 services were held for President Mckinley at the town hall, and a large number of citizens attended.
The fiftieth anniversary of the Richardson Light Guard was observed October 11.
IN GENERAL.
The Massachusetts Fish and Game Commissioners have been asked to stock Quannapowitt Lake with pike perch.
State Aid, Military Aid, and Soldiers' Relief records have been arranged in a much better manner to enable the selectmen to recommend and give such aid as is proper and equitable and con- serve the town's money.
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