USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1905-1907 > Part 13
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$48 00
Alexander, John F.,
48 00
Bates, Charles E.,
8 00
Bean, Elizabeth J.,
48 00
Bickford, Nancy,
48 00
Brown, Mary V, .
48 00
Bryant, Eugene C.,
4 00
Carey, Mary L., .
48 00
Chaffee, Ellen A.,
48 00
Chandler, Augusta M.
48 00
Connell, Mary,
8 00
Cowdrey, Adah E.,
24 00
Crosby, Elizabeth,
36 00
Crowell, Margaret,
48 00
Davis, Angelina, .
48 00
Davis, Annette,
48 00
Douglass, Elizabeth M.,
48 00
Drake, J. Alvin,
30 00
Eaton, Jacob H., .
48 00
Eaton, Noah M., .
48 00
Eaton, Eliza R., .
48 00
Edmands, Rodney,
48 00
Ellis, Francis M.,
48 00
Emerson, Hannah M.,
48 00
Emerson, Mary D.,
48 00
Evans, Honora, ·
48 00
Evans, Wm. O., .
36 00
Evans, Frances F.,
36 00
Fairbanks, Zepeniah,
60 00
Fay, Patrick,
48 00
Fay, Mary, .
12 00
Foster, Mary F., .
48 00
Gammons, Orlando N.,
60 00
Gannon, Sarah A.,
48 00
.
233
Gibbs, Benjamin F.,
72 00
Green, Isaac E., .
60 00
Hamilton, Margaret,
48 00
Harrington, Chas. T.,
54 00
Harrington, Clara A.,
8 00
Hart, Chas. H., 48 00
Haskell, Henry L.,
72 00
Haskell, Sarah A.,
48 00
Hawkes, John,
36 00
Hawkes, Dolly,
36 00
Hayden, Frank W.,
72 00
Hayward, Harry, .
48 00
Hicks, James P., .
4 00
Jefferds, Susan F. A.,
20 00
Kidder, Matilda L.,
48 00
Littlefield, Samuel F.,
12 00
Leathers, Susan E., 40 00
Madden, Margaret,
48 00
Mansfield, James F.,
48 00
Marble, Joseph R.,
52 00
Marble, Margaret,
48 00
McLaughlin, Joseph B.
24 00
Miller, Elizabeth A.,
48 00
Moulton, Elizabeth B., .
48 00
Meyers, Chas.,
48 00
O'Connell, Mary, .
48 00
Oliver, James,
72 00
Parker, Wm. D.,
72 00
Parker, Flora W., .
48 00
Phipps, Julia M., .
24 00
Pike, Edward P., .
48 00
Pope, Betsey L., .
48 00
Ransom, Robert C.,
72 00
Robinson, Wm. R.,
48 00
Robinson, Elmira S., 32 00
Ryder, Florence A. B., .
48 00
Shannahan, Elizabeth A.,
48 00
Skinner, Ann M., .
48 00
2
234
1 Skinner, Wm. G., .
48 00
Smith, Sarah A., .
48 00
Stubbs, Alexander A ..
24 00
Spurr, Chas. E., .
18 00
Sweeney, Wm.,
48 00
Taintor, Sarah J., .
48 00
Tidd, Emma A., .
40 00
Townsend, George W.,
48 00
Tuttle, Rebecca E.,
48 00
Walsh, Louisa,
48 00
Walton George K.,
44 00
Wheeler, Hannah M., .
48 00
Walton, Solon,
45 00
Whitehead Jeremiah,
32 00
Wiley, Albert S., .
4 00
Wiley, Elbridge A.,
48 00
Wiley, Julia A., .
48 00
Willan, Elvira L., .
48 00
Woodis, Vasti,
48 00
Wormwood, Rachael,
48 00
$3,995 00
FINAL STATEMENT.
During the year 1906 the following payments will come due, which are to be included in the tax levy for that year by votes which the town has already passed, except water, which is paid from income of plant :
Municipal light plant, .
· $6,000 00
New cemetery,
500 00
Warren school house,
· 2,000 00
Water, . 4,000 00
2,000 00
Junction school house, .
2,000 00
Sewerage, .
3,000 00
North school house,
.
500 00
Cooper street bridge,
500 00
Greenwood school house,
235
Metropolitan park,
500 00
Fire station, .
. 1,000 00
High school repairs,
1,000 00
Park (local),
500 00
Greenwood gas extension,
1,000 00
Gas bench renewal,
550 00
Appropriations since annual meeting,
. 16,332 00
Total,
. $41,382 00
In addition to above, there will be required about $33,000 to pay interest, but as there is an unexpended balance of $1,517.69, and as interest on sewer and water bonds will probably be appropriated from assesements and receipts of those departments, this will reduce the amount to be voted før interest to $13,000.00.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT W. FLINT,
WAKEFIELD, Feb. 6, 1906.
Treasurer.
236
1
Report of the Overseers of the Poor
The Overseers of the Poor would make the following re- port :
At the annual town meeting Messrs. Cutter, Mason and Bowman were elected Overseers of the Poor. Mr. Cutter being at the time critically ill did not qualify and died March 29th, 1905. Mr. Cutter was first elected an Over- seer March 7, 1892, and with the exception of one year served the town continuously until his death. He was of a genial, generous disposition and made a large circle of friends.
At a joint meeting of the Selectmen and Overseers of the Poor, held April 13, Mr. Andrew G. Anderson was elected to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Cutter's death.
The farm is in good condition, though the house needs considerable inside repairs, as does the barn also.
The farm has produced about 45 tons of hay, as well as the usual amount of other produce. The health of the in- mates has been good. The receipts of the Dept. have been $3,759.86; of this amount $1,827.78 was for milk, and $1,124.99 came from the guardian of Solon Green, an in- mate of Danvers Hospital. For this reason we did not ask for an appropriation at the the November meeting, thinking we could get along, but by not doing so we have run short of funds. We owe bills amounting to about one thousand dollars, while out of our annual appropriation of the March meeting we had to pay seven or eight hundred dollars' worth of last year's bills. '
The tramp question has been settled by the new law passed last year, and the Board have discontinued the use of
237
the tramp house. Very few persons now apply to the po- lice for assistance. Last year no wood was cut upon the farm, so we had to buy wood for the outside poor. The Park department turned over to our Dept. about 70 cords of wood, mostly hard, which we had to haul from Hart's Hill and elsewhere ; this was mostly in long lengths and we had to cut it to use. About 50 cords of this is trash, 20 cleft wood. The Park Dept. have our thanks for the same and we will make good use of it.
We have paid out $31.50 which has been refunded and does not appear in our report.
WILLIS S. MASON, WM. F. BOWMAN, A. G. ANDERSON,
February 7, 1906.
Overseers of Poor.
1
238
POOR DEPARTMENT.
GENERAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Appropriation,
. $5,000 00
ALMSHOUSE RECEIPTS.
Sale of milk, . . $1,827 78
-----
" " calves,
16 00
(. .. COWS, . 67 50
". "' eggs, .
11 50
.. .. wood,
10 00
" " pork, .
20 30
" " vegetables,
5 50
" " sand, .
2 30
Use of bull,
18 50
Exchange of bull,
10 00
From board, .
6 00
Use of telephone,
1 75
Express refunded,
25
$1,997 38
OUTSIDE RECEIPTS.
City of Gloucester, Mrs. C. Johnson, $98 04
" " Malden, T. Gould, 29 22
". " Boston, 3 00
Town of Reading, Mrs. F. Doucette,
10 00
" Braintree, Fannie E. Holmes 209 40
66 " Ayer, Mrs. Nutting, 24 20
Board of Solon Green, . 1,124 99
State of Mass., Mary E. Hill, .
13 72
Estate of C. Emerson,
200 00
Mrs. Fisher, . . 9 31
Sale of wood, tramp house, 1 00
239
Sale of oil stove, .
1 00
" " iron bedstead,
1 50
" " settee,
50
" " saws,
2 00
Miscellaneous receipts,
34 60
$1,762 48
EXPENSES OF OUTSIDE POOR.
EXPENSES AT INSTITUTIONS.
J. P. Barker, at Truant school,
Chelmsford, $52 00
Charles Shaw, at Truant school, Chelmsford, 52 00
John Froton, at Mass. school for feeble minded, . 126 74
Blanche L. Pratt, Mass. school for epileptics, 84 03
Henry W. Curran, Mass. school for epileptics, 84 04 Edward A. Hewes, Mass. hospital for D. & I., . 18 57
$417 38
AID TO PERSONS RESIDING HERE WITH SETTLEMENTS
ELSEWHERE.
Mrs. Mary Cassidy, city of Boston, $15 50
Mrs. C. Johnson, city of Gloucester, 88 36
Thomas G. Gould, state of Mass., . 68 98
Mrs. Fannie E. Holmes, town of Braintree, 188 98 · Mrs. Hannah Haliday, city of Woburn 27 94
240
Mary Surrette, town of Reading, 8 00
Bessie Chamberlain, state of Mass., 57 00
Mrs. A. J. Ross, city of Boston, 12 59
Mary F. Nutting, town of Ayer, 37 55
Miscellaneous expense, refunded, 31 50
$536 40
AID TO NON-RESIDENTS WITH SETTLEMENTS HERE.
Mrs. James Bransfield, Stoneham, $72 00
Frederick Williamson, Somerville, . 15 25
Charles H. Ryder, Stoneham, . 73 75
Abbie M. McIntire, Reading,
99 12
Emery D. Carey, Stoneham,
17 50
Edward Mahoney family, Newbury- port, 192 46
John M. Donnelly, state of Mass., 46 17
1
Maria Donahue, Stoneham, 4 00
Stiles C. Card, Lynn,
39 25
Percy L. Stevens, Reading, 3 50
Sarah F. Sharp, state of Mass.,
112 97
$675 97
OUTSIDE HOME RELIEF.
Mrs. Annie Hanscom, Summer street, $286 33
Mrs. Mary Flynn, Rockland street 80 85
Daniel J. Trumbull, Grafton street, . 21 45
Mrs. M. Malonson, Foundry street, . 82 87
Mrs. M. Doucette, Main street, 15 00
Mrs. Ellen McNally, Water street, . 127 64
Hannah Lonargan, .
12 00
Mrs. Nora Fowler, Salem, street,
80 09
Mrs. Mary J. O'Cleary,
76 93
Kate O'Cleary,
104 21
Eliza Barry, 87
241
William Batchelder, 43 03
George A. Smith, .
137 81
Edgar A. Hallett, .
314 89
Mrs. Mary L. Nickerson,
113 25
-
Mrs. John Doyle,
6 21
Charles Penniman, .
35
Mrs. Ann Penniman,
20 26
Mrs. Harry Jaquith,
34 25
Mrs. Sarah Hill,
6 19
Mrs. Mary O'Hare, .
15 69
Mrs. Ann Sullivan, .
27 94
J. B. Hennigar,
3 52
Frank Smith, Elm street, 9 29
Simon Doucette, Albion street,
14 65
Mrs. Mary E. Holmes, Hart street, . 49 77
Joseph Fredette, Main street, . 1 55
Pleasant S. Crew, 50
Mrs. J. Kelley, Centre street, .
216 46
Mrs. Fisher, Water street, 29 32
Michael Welch,
104 00
Mrs. C. R. Marshall,
6 81
J. Doucette,
4 90
Mrs. Manders, Water street,
29 96
A. B. Glines, Albion street,
109 55
Mrs. Shaw, 18 00
Joseph Robbins,
8 00
Margaret O'Cleary, .
9 83
John Cox,
8 75
Mrs. E. Mayer,
35 79
Oliver Guttro, .
3 30
Mrs. Joseph O. Doucette,
115 00
Mrs. Catherine Regan,
1 38
Mrs. Dugan, .
75
Mrs. A. F. Mears, .
1 72
242
Expenses of the department, 15 66
Expenses of the tramp house, . $31 50
$2,438 07
Less potatoes delivered from farm, . $19 51
Wood delivered from farm,
52 00
$71 51
$2,366 56
DETAILED ALMSHOUSE EXPENSES.
HAY AND GRAIN.
Curley Bros., .
$346 94
L. H. Kirk, .
346 24
Ira Atkinson, .
15 80
Cutler Bros., .
18 96
$727 94
GROCERIES.
W. V. Taylor,
$321 46
Edward E. Lee,
52 63
Fowle-Hibbard & Co.,
56 62
F. C. Small & Co., .
59 00
W. A. Cutter,
2 31
Cutler Bros., .
69 92
Ira Atkinson, .
353 67
$915 61
PROVISIONS AND FISH.
Union Supply Co., . $248 60
H. B. Quint, .
67 81
G. E. Butterfield, . .
2 60
W. A. Cutter,
25
.
$319 26
---
243
DRY GOODS, CLOTHING AND SHOES.
Wakefield Clothing Co., . .
$109 71
Bowser & Co.,
.
50 92
J. W. Poland,
52 32
J. T. Paine,
7 56
F. E. Cox,
1 00
H. A. Pinkham,
2 50
$224 01
BLACKSMITHING, HARNESS, ETC.
J. T. Gosnay, .
$28 20
R. C. North, .
39 13
Wanamaker & Feindel,
12 15
T. E. Giles,
3 20
$82 68
SEEDS, TOOLS, HARDWARE, ETC.
G. W. Beasley,
$15 05
Edward Landers,
12 00
H. E. Taylor, .
8 10
H. A. Wanamaker, .
1 75
Cutler Bros., .
29 41
Ames Plow Co ..
32 70
J. Laybolt,
18 02
A. & D. Bramer,
4 55
J. W. Grace, .
90
$122 48
FERTILIZERS AND MANURE.
L. A. Mason, .
$14 00
J. J. Sullivan,
12 00
W. J. Flannigan,
8 00
244
W. A. Cutter,
5 00
D. C. Wright,
.
3 75
-
$42 75
STOCK EXPENSES.
J. W. Holden,
$60 00
Mrs. H. H. Borden,
55 00
Sheldon & Petingill.
60 00
C. S. Petingill,
55 00
Palmer Corbett, .
3 00
E. F. Manning,
5 00
G. H. Allen, . .
4 00
$242 00
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
J. Wallace Grace,
$ 60
A. T. Locke, .
2 00
Hugh Morgan,
11 75
Halleran & Embree,
60 00
Merritt Stevens,
7 50
Wanamaker & Feindel,
15 40
1
$97 25
SALARIES AND FARM LABOR.
George E. Donald, .
$700 00
William Jordan,
200 00
G. E. Jordan .
20 00
Nelson Furbush,
25 61
George Ambrose,
13 30
Charles McDonald, .
21 00
Arthur Tierney,
23 00
Albert McDonald,
29 50
David Chisholm,
24 53
---
245
Frank Rogers, ·
75 30
F. H. Coburn,
.
.
20 00
$1,152 24
HOUSEHOLD LABOR.
Mary McCourt, .
$42 28
Mary English,
58 27
Margaret Hennessey,
27 99
Emma Rogers,
$173 10
MISCELLANEOUS.
New England Tel. & Tel. Co., . $34 16
J. S. Bonney, .
14 14
C. Latimer,
10 60
D. C. Wright,
5 25
George H. Taylor, .
5 07
Foster's Drug Store,
5 90
Duparquet Hout Moneuse Co., 8 45
2 50
Thomas Hickey,
308 54
W. Kendall, .
8 00
Wanamaker & Feindel,
12 35
Water Department ..
40 00
American Express, .
30
J. G. Hunt, .
4 00
George G. Floyd,
10 00
Solshine Mfg Co., .
2 50
Expense to Waverly,
2 50
Freight, .
32
Feindel & Harrison.
5 38
E. Caldwell,
11 00
Newton Mfg. Co.,
.
1 50
€
44 56
.
Mrs. Doucette,
246
Town of Saugus, 8 70
A. & D. Bramer,
.
1 40
J. W. Heath, .
101 55
Barstow's Express, .
3 60
Morrill Atwood Ice Co., .
25 00
N. C. Hunter,
4 30
C. S. Knowles,
75
C. W. Eaton, .
2 00
A. B. Comins,
60
A. H. Thayer,
2 60
J. S. Eisenhause,
21 00
$663 96
Total expense at Almshouse. . . $4,763 28
Less receipts,
1,997 38 ·
Net expense,
. $2,765 90
RECAPITULATION.
Total receipts for 1905, .
$8,759 86
Total expense outside poor,
. $3,996 31
Total expense at almshouse, . 4,763 28
$8,759 59
Balance unexpended,
27
ALMSHOUSE INVENTORY.
Twenty-five tons English hay, . $450 00
Five tons salt hay, . 50. 00
Grain and feed,
25 00
Straw, .
4 50
$529 50
247
Twenty cords manure,
80 00
Twenty cords hard wood,
120 00
Four cords pine trash wood,
13 50
Fifty cords hard trash wood,
200 00
Twelve hundred feet pine lumber, 45 00
Four cords wood sawed and split,
32 00
$490 50
One mare,
$150 00
One horse,
50 00
Thirteen cows,
650 00
Fowls,
35 00
One bull,
25 00
$910 00
Vehicles and harness,
$195 00
Farm tools, etc.,
175 00
Household goods,
300 00
Coal,
186 00
Groceries and provisions,
84 89
Potatoes and vegetables, .
40 60
120 gals. pure cider vinegar,
14 40
$995 89
ALMSHOUSE INMATES, FEB. 1, 1906.
Annette Mayo,
53 years.
Walter Mayo,
44
Roy Thomas Mayo, left March 23, 1905
14 66
Thomas Sullivan,
· 66
66
Mrs. Thomas Sullivan,
56
.
Mary J. Skulley,
75
John Malcolm,
. 62
James Doyle, .
82 66
William O'Neil,
66
Herbert A. Ames, .
23 66
John O'Cleary, left May 29, 1905,
20
·
·
.
.
248
Mary O'Hare, left Sept. 9, 1905, 45
Eliza Barry, . 50
James Mooney, June 10, 1905, left Nov. 30, 1905, . 45
66
Nora Regan, Dec. 16, 1905, left Dec. 31, 1905, 38
Margaret O'Cleary, Dec. 12, 1905, . ·
16 ·
249
Assessors' Report.
Assessed value of personal estate,
excluding resident bank
stock,
$1,157,520 00
Resident bank stock,
95,584 00
--- $1,253,104 00
Assessed value of real estate : 1
Land,
$3,070,165 00
Buildings,
3,968,020 00
-$7,038,185 00
Total valuation, . $8,291,289 00
Number of residents assessed on property :
Individuals,
1442
All others,
219
Total, .
1661
Number of non-residents assessed on property :
Individuals,
539
All others,
83
Total, .
622
Total number of taxpayers :
On property,
2283
Poll tax only,
2098
Total, .
4381
-
Total number of poll taxpayers,
2910
Number of dwellings assessed, .
1880
" acres of land assessed,
3987
66 " horses assessed,
449
250
Number of cows assessed,
311
Rate of taxation per thousand, .
$19.60
Tax for state, county and town purposes, includ- ing overlayings : - On personal estate, . . $24,650 83
On real estate,
.
. 137,948 42
On polls,
5,820 00
$168,419 25
Value of property owned by Massachusetts cor- porations :
Real estate,
$409,900 00
Machinery,
84,500 00
$494,400 00
Value of property exempt from taxation ;
Church property,
$202,200 00
Charitable associations, ·
4,700 00
Metropolitan Park reservation, . .
. 15,000 00
Lakeside cemetery corporation,
. 15,000 00
$236,900 00
Total tax levy for the year 1905 :
TIME LOANS.
New cemetery, due June 1, 1905, .
$500 00
Almshouse, due Sept. 1, 1905, 500 00
Greenwood gas extension, due July 1, 1905, 1,000 00 Municipal light, due Oct. 1, 1905, . 6,000 00
Warren school house, due Oct. 1, 1905, 2,000 00
4,000 00 Water due Oct. 1, 1905, . .
Greenwood school house, due Oct. 1, 1905, . 1,000 00
Junction school house, due Oct. 1, 1905, . . 1,500 00
Sewerage, 2nd issue, due Oct. 1, 1905, .
· 1,000 00
----
251
Sewerage, 1st issue, Nov. 1, 1905, . .
500 00
Greenwood school house addition, due Nov. 1, 1905, 1,000 00 .
Cooper street bridge, due Nov. 1, 1905,
500 00
Metropolitan parks, due Nov. 1, 1905,
500 00
Junction school house, due Nov. 1, 1905.
500 00
Fire station, due Nov. 1, 1905,
1,000 00
High school repairs, due Dec. 1, 1905,
1,000 00
Park (local), due Dec. 1, 1905,
500 00
Gas bench renewal, due Dec. 1, 1905,
5 50 00
$24,550 00
APPROPRIATIONS.
November meeting :
Highway department, . $3,000 00
Poor department,
1,000 00
Town Hall, 450 00
Fire department,
1,000 00
Acquiring park land, 10 00
Repairs H. M. Warren school, 450 00
Gas and electric extensions,
1,500 00 ·
Municipal Light Plant,
3,700 00
Traverse street,
100 00
Fire alarm box, Richardson street,
55 00
Valley street, .
50 00
Forest street, .
50 00
Brown tail moth,
1,000 00
Special police,
131 00
$12,496 00
March meeting :
Highways, ·
. $4,275 00
Street sprinkling,
.
.
1,200 00
.
1,000 00 North school house, due Nov. 1, 1905,
.
252
Municipal Light Plant,
. 30,000 00
extensions, 3,000 00
New fire alarm boxes,
201 00
Water department, operation and maintenance,
. 12,500 00
Water department, extensions,
. 5,000 00
Sewer department, operation maintenance,
960 00
Sewer department, construction,
·
400 00
Forest Fire Words, .
300 00
Fire department,
7,500 00
Poor department, .
· 5,000 00
Schools, . . 52,666 25
Night watch,
. 1,800 00
Police,
.
. 1,700 00
Town Hall expenses,
. 2,400 00
Salaries town officers,
. 6,785 00
Miscellaneous, 6,384 90
Common and park .
500 00 ·
Richardson Light Guard,
600 00
Soldiers' relief,
3,600 00
Military aid,. .
600 00
State aid,
. 4,100 00
Hydrant rental,
3,900 00 ·
Fish Committee,
25 00
Memorial Day,
250 00
Beebe Town Library,
350 00
Reading room,
250 00
Library card catalogue, 100 00
Interest account,
. 15,500 00
Insurance,
.
1,200 00
.
.
.
.
- -$173,047 15
and
---
----------
1 253
State tax,
. 10,160 00
County tax,
. 8,342 44
Metropolitan sewer tax, .
. 7,866 30
Metropolitan park tax,
. 2,792 05
- -- $ 29,160 79
Total,
.
$239,253 94
ALSTEAD W. BROWNELL,
CHARLES A. DEAN,
FREDERIC S. HARTSHORNE,
Assessors of Wakefield.
1.
254
Report of the Park Commissioners.
To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield :
In presenting this report the Commissioners have been actuated by the belief that a more detailed statement of the operations of the Department for the past year, together with such recommendations which they might offer, would be appreciated more than the usual statement of receipts and expenditures heretofore appearing in the Town reports. The recent addition to our Park, and the generous action of for- mer owners of this land, seemed of sufficient importance to be made a matter of public record.
ACQUIREMENT OF LAND.
By vote of the Town, February 16, 1905, the Commis- sioners were empowered to take for Park purposes all the land between Main street and Lake Quannapowitt, beginning at the northerly end of the then Park limits, and extending to the middle of the outlet of the lake. This has been ac- complished, and the Town now own and control all the land on the easterly shore of the lake, and is a part of the Park. The taking has been recorded at the Registry of Deeds in Cambridge. As noted in the report of the Commissioners to the town in regard to this land, the only persons holding valid titles to any portion of it were Messrs. Thomas Mar- tin and Junius Beebe. Releases have been obtained from the above mentioned people, and we recommend a public recognition of the appreciation of the generosity and public spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Junius Beebe.
-- -
255
No effort was made to improve this land owing to the limited appropriation for the Department. With the pro- posed improvement of the roadway at Lakeside we trust that a sufficient amount may be granted the Department in order to put this addition in condition to correspond with other parts of the Park.
COMMON AND PARK.
The usual care and attention has been paid to the most at- tractive Park which the town possesses. Alterations were made in the drinking fountain, discarding the old unsanitary dippers, and allowing a constant flow of filtered water. This arrangemeut has proved quite satisfactory. Some annoy- ance was experienced from the attempts of some of the younger element to gratify their curiosity regarding the mechanism of the fountain, but we trust there may be no repetition of this the coming summer. The flag staff was
painted, and the roof of the pagoda varnished. The usual amount of plants, shrubs and bulbs were set out, which proved quite attractive, and evidently appreciated by the public. The shrubbery bed between the Common and Rockery is well started, and is a decidedly ornamental ad- dition to that locality .. We call attention to this bed as an object lesson of what may be accomplished in the way of improvement of many vacant plots at the intersection of streets. The entire cost of this bed was less than thirty- five ($35.00) dollars. The old zinc covered benches on the Common, many of which are in poor condition, and all of them decidedly antiquated and uncomfortable, should be re- placed by modern Park settees. Owing to the large ex- pense for a sufficiency of new ones, the Commissioners have requested of the Selectmen an allotment of a few of the set- tees now in the Town Hall. These can be secured to posts driven in the ground, and while not adapted to the hard
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usage of a Park, would be an improvement for a time at least over the seats now on the Common.
Good servicable Park settees should be provided for use on the Park near the lake and under the shade of the elm and maple trees. In our visits to other localities we have been impressed with the number of seats in their Parks. Wakefield with its excellent Common and Park should not be behind other less favored localities. The trees on both the Common and Park have suffered from the ravages of the gypsy and brown tail moths. Efforts were made in the early spring to remove the nests, and one hundred ($100.) dollars was expended for that purpose. Later in the season this work was continued under the direction of Mr. W. W. Whittredge, who caused the trees to be sprayed, and during the past winter many nests were removed, and it is hoped that these noble trees may be saved. Arrangements were made last fall with Mr. Peckham, Supt. of Streets, for clear- ing the snow from the malls on the Common, which proved a convenience to persons who were accustomed to using them. No expense was incurred for this.
SOLDIER'S MONUMENT.
This imposing and beautiful memorial to the citizen sold- iery of Wakefield, placed under the care of the Park De- partment has received the best of care, the approaches kept in good condition, and the grass plot in its immediate vicin- ity well trimmed. Several suggestions have been received as to its adornment by setting out plants and shrubs, but we are of the opinion that its present surroundings are in good taste, and will not be improved by shrubs, plants or bulbs. Some trouble has been caused by boys climbing upon it, and in some instances decorating the figures with clothing. No mutilation is yet in evidence, but we think it would be ad- visable to erect a bronze railing or something of similar
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character around its base to prevent too easy access for mis- chievious persons. As this is a subject in which all our people have an interest, we trust it will receive the consid- eration which its merits demand.
Most of the tools are in good condition, but facilities should be afforded for watering the plants usually set out around the pagoda. The new horse lawn mower purchased early in the season proves satisfactory. The town voted at its annual meeting to place the bath house in care of this Department, but failed to provide funds for its maintainance, consequently it was not opened. The building is being de- stroyed, windows and shutters broken off, and it would be the part of wisdom for the town to provide means for its preservation if not for its use.
We beg to call attention to the need of better police pro- tection on the Park, especially evenings during the summer. Much complaint has been received regarding the disgraceful and disorderly conduct occurring there. A Park officer, directly under the control of the Commissioners, should be on duty there evenings from 7 to 10.30 or 11 o'clock. Peo- ple living in the immediate vicinity of the Park, or those who wish to visit it should not be subjected to the insults and annoyances of the hoodlum element.
HART'S HILL RESERVATION.
This picturesque and interesting Reservation, containing 23.09 acres, largely of wooded land, which was acquired by the town in co-operation with the Metropolitan Park Com- mission, is visited by large numbers during the summer and autumn. The aim has been to preserve its natural condi- tions as far as possible, while studying the best methods of development whenever the town should decide to enter upon the work of improvement. The gypsy and brown tail moths had infested it in large numbers, and in the fall work was
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begun by the local superintendent of moth extermination, Mr. W. W. Whittredge, in clearing the reservation of these pests. Much cutting of trees and underbrush was made, and a general cleaning up of dead and decaying trees, re- moval of debris, etc., a great amount of which would not probably have been done under different conditions. This work will continue during the spring, the leaves will be burned early in May, after which the trees will be sprayed.
When these pests are driven from the reservation, or at least gotten under control, there is no more delightful place for an outing by picnic parties, or for those who wish to roam among its shaded trees, or climb the summit of the rock and enjoy the view. A slight outlay in providing ad- ditional paths would be a decided convenience, not only to the public, but would aid in preserving attractive vegeta- tion. We recommend that a wire fence be built on the easterly side of the reservation, and as nearly two hundred cedar posts have been retained from the clearing done dur- ing the last winter, the expense would not be large. Nearly seventy-five cords of wood were turned over to the Poor Department.
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