USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1913-1916 > Part 35
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G. H. Taylor 19.85
J. Laybolt 26.82
J. Breck & Sons 100.06
R. & J. Farquhar
15.25
Ames Implement & Seed Co.
12.87
City of Lynn (seeds)
1.40
$192.63
$216.51
275
Blacksmithing, horse-shoeing and harness :
R. C. North $12.00
T. E. Giles 18.00
J. T. Gosnay 91.15
R. H. North 6.38
C. H. Colwell
43.97
W. H. Grant
1.60
W. D. Langiell & Co. 9.15
$182.25
Permanent improvements :
H. A. Feindel $142.25
Gilchrist & Stewart 12.60
T. P. Loughlin 96.48
W. E. Knox 87.54
A. T. Locke 154.27
C. J. Seaward 134.54
W. A. Prescott 128.14
W. A. Smith & Co. 137.12
Wakefield Cement & Stone Co. 45.00
Drugs and medical attendance :
Bonney & Dutton $7.30
J. W. Heath 44.00
W. B. Hunt Co. 17.22
J. C. Dinan
1.30
D. M. Wood
2.00
F. T. Woodbury
3.00
$74.82
Salaries :
Charles H. Colwell, 9 months $537.00
George F. Hallowell, 3 months 150.00
$687.00
Farm labor and kitchen help $1,333.79
$1,333.79
New England Telephone & Telegraph Co ..
$43.05
$43.05
$937.94
276
Coal :
Curley Bros. $72.50
Thomas Hickey 330.60
$403.10
Miscellaneous :
Wakefield Municipal Light Plant $29.21
Morrill & Atwood Ice Co. 32.77
W. E. Gilson 9.85
Wakefield Water Department 40.00
John Flanley Estate 70.10
W. A. Prescott
34.67
T. P. Loughlin
24.44
G. H. Taylor
51.21
Town of Wakefield, Moth Department.
13.00
Charles H. Colwell
7.95
C. B. Dolge
2.25
J. Whittemore
1.00
R. T. Lapp
1.60
Morandi Proctor Co.
5.00
D. F. Munroe & Co.
3.74
G. W. Beasley
16.30
Wakefield Daily Item
2.50
H. A. Feindel
12.29
Wanamaker & Feindel
30.95
Elm Hill Farm
65.00
Wakefield Ice Cream Co. (extracts)
2.75
Expressage, freights, etc. 11.48
F. H. Coburn 16.87
D. Dudley .75
W A. Snow Iron Works 3.50
L. F. Dommerich & Co. 6.00
C. J. Seward 8.36
Barrett Mfg. Co. 4.25
Smith & Anthony Co. 8.50
Gilchrist & Stewart 10.60
L. O. Magoon 6.25
Morrison-Skinner Co. 12.60
277
C. H. Wright 11.80
Gilchrist & Co.
31.23
A. A. Butler
12.00
E. E. Caldwell
4.43
W. & A. Bacon
140.17
Houghton & Dutton Co.
19.00
F. Gray
47.00
H. C. Ormsby 3.25
$814.62
Recapitulation :
Appropriation
$14,000.00
Expended as follows :
$6,302.01
At almshouse and town farm
7,240.89
$13,542.90
Balance
457.10
Inventory, Dec. 27, 1914 :
2 Horses $500.00
2 Cows
175.00
Hay
350.00
Harness
140.00
Hose
5.00
Grain
15.00
Salt
1.00
Buggy
60.00
Heavy express wagon
90.00
Milk wagon
90.00
Heavy wagon
90.00
Two carts and a farm wagon
225.00
Farm tools
25.00
Horse rake and tedder
25.00
Mowing machine
25.00
Plows
50.00
Corn planter and cultivators
25.00
Drag
3.00
Outside poor
278
Harrows
23.00
Manure spreaders
35.00
Iron roller
5.00
Two sleds
85.00
Horse hoe
3.00
Barbed wire
3.00
Weeder
7.00
Extension ladder
10.00
Pigs
90.00
Fowl
15.00
Hay cutter
8.00
Wheelbarrow
2.00
Hen wire
2.00
Milk cans and bottles
20.00
Groceries
40.00
Household goods
825.00
Manure
250.00
Lumber
50.00
Grindstone
7.00
Set kettle
19.00
Clothes reel
2.00
Kerosene tank
5.00
Vegetables
260.50
Coal
266.00
Scales
10.00
Stantials
3.75
Screens
20.00
Wood
131.25
Cement
3.50
Total
$4,095.00
279
REPORT OF BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
.
The Board of Park Commissioners has the honor to submit herewith its annual report covering the municipal year, De- cember 31st, 1914, together with the report of the Supervisor of the Bath House. A report submitted by a committee of the Kosmos Club, who furnished matrons for the Bath House on days set apart for its use by girls, is also appended.
Common and Park
During the past year but little effort was made to make many needed improvements on the Park, owing to its constant use by baseball and football players, and also the large num- ber of band concerts during the summer and early fall. In December operations were begun on the Park frontage on . Church Street. A large portion of it was plowed and harrowed, and 100 loads of loam put on. The coming of cold weather prevented the completion of this work. This should be done early in the ensuing spring, and although this may prevent the use of that portion of the Park for a few weeks, it is hoped that the citizens will not be deprived very long of that section of the Park. Apparently there is a very thin surface of loam on a large part of the Park, and its constant and increasing use for rest, recreation and entertainment has worn down the shallow surface. The Park Commissioners should have avail- able a sufficient appropriation to plan each year for resurfac- ing a portion of this land. Considerable filling in is needed to improve conditions and make available for park purpose the land on Lakeside near the outlet. It is hoped this may be accomplished during the building of the Boulevard at the head of the Lake. The trees on both the Common and Park are apparently in good condition, due to the attention given them by the Superintendent of the Moth Department, Mr. W. W. Whittredge. It is problematical to what extent the elm trees are or may be infested with the leopard moth.
280
Time will tell, but we shall be very fortunate if we are exempt from the depredations of this pest, which has caused the destruction of so many fine elms in neighboring cities and towns. We have recommended $375.00 for miscellaneous ex- penses, that a part of this might be used to combat the leopard moth, as this does not come under the gypsy and brown-tail moth work.
Church Street Lot
This lot, adjoining land of the Congregational Church, and lying between the old Cemetery and Church Street, was turned over by the Board of Selectmen to the care and control of the Park Commissioners. As no money was available for care or improvement no efforts were made to improve its condition. Its present condition is not creditable as an adjunct of the Park Department. We recommend that the town raise and appropriate $350.00 for the necessary improvement of this lot.
Hart's Hill Reservation
Substantial and attractive improvements were made dur- ing the year on this reservation. The two rows of maples on the Main Street front were removed and replaced with fine specimen evergreen trees. This change has materially im- proved the attractiveness of this fine reservation, second to none in this vicinity. The driveway was extended several hundred feet, and the sidewalk on Main Street filled and graded to Green Street. We should be derelict in our duty, as well as doing an injustice to a generous friend of the town and this department if we failed to acknowledge the assistance received financially and in other directions from Mr. John J. Round, but for whose liberality and public spiritedness Hart's Hill Reservation would not be in its present excellent and at- tractive condition. While a continuation of the driveway would be very desirable and much appreciated by owners and drivers of vehicles who wish to reach the summit of the hill, yet in the present financial condition of the town we are not disposed to urge this. There will be some expense necessary
281
in keeping the Main Street frontage in proper condition. The board has incorporated this in the $800.00 required for main- tenance of the Park Department.
The Junction Lot
The seeding of this lot not having proved satisfactory, the entire lot was gone over and reseeded and put in proper condition. With proper care the present year, this plot should add to the attractiveness of the Junction District. Better lighting facilities are needed along the driveways and paths. Mr. Round erected at his own expense a handsome electric light pole opposite the B. & M. R. R. Station ; but at least two more are required to properly light the approaches to the R. R. Station.
The Bath House
Improvements were made at the Bath House by building a platform extending the entire length of the building, and also a new runway. The roof of the Bath House was repainted, and improvements made along the shore. Mr. S. C. Wiberg was appointed supervisor, and acted as such the entire season. The experience of the past two years convinces us that a new bath house is greatly needed, in order that proper accommo- dations may be provided for both sexes, which now, under present conditions, is an impossibility. During the past sea- son the Bath House was patronized by 9,800 boys and 1,392 girls, who had but one day (Wednesday) of each week for its exclusive use. A committee of the Kosmos Club rendered ef- ficient aid in providing matrons for the days set apart for the girls. We recommend an appropriation of $300 for the Bath House for the ensuing year.
Band Concerts
During last summer eight concerts were given on the park. Three were given under the auspices of the Metropoli- tan Park Commissioners, and five by the town.
282
The popularity of these concerts on the park seems to be as- sured, judging from the large audiences present at each con- cert. Two concerts were given by the Salem Cadet Band, two by the Lynn Cadet Band, and one each by the Eighth Regi- ment Band, Waltham Watch Co. Band, Naval Brigade Band and Commonwealth Band.
The Commissioners believe that it would be impossible to find a more pleasure-giving outdoor entertainment for so many people. Thousands were present at each concert.
We have recommended that the town furnish three concerts during the coming summer.
The appropriation for the Park Department
in 1914 was $1,740.00
Interest on trust fund 120.00
$1,860.00
All of which was expended. In addition to this a separate appropriation of $440.00 was made for band concerts, under the direction of the board. Our recommendation for the ensu- ing municipal year is for $2,500.00.
To some this may seem quite an addition to what was ap- propriated last year, but the difference is more apparent than real. Under the new system of town accounting all expendi- tures named for the different departments are charged sep- arately to each department. This system will render necessary to charge $225.00 per year to the Park Department for three drinking fountains, which heretofore has not been charged. The band concerts must be charged direct, as appears in the following recommendation for 1915 expenses :
Park Department
Estimate Submitted to Town Auditor, Dec. 21, 1914.
Requirements :
Care and maintenance of Common and Park,
Church Street lot, Hart's Hill Reservation $800.00 Junction lot 225.00
283
Water for three fountains
75.00
Electric lights
25.00
Bath House 300.00
Three band concerts 275.00
Miscellaneous
375.00
Permanent improvements :
$2,000.00
Completion of work on park, of resurfacing .. $150.00
Church Street lot 350.00
500.00
$2,500.00
Respectfully submitted, EUGENE S. HINCKLEY, Chairman. A. P. KNIGHT. GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Secretary.
284
REPORT OF SWIMMING INSTRUCTOR
Park Commissioners, Wakefield, Mass.
Gentlemen :
As supervisor of the bath house, I submit the following re- port of the work of the season :
On the 9th of June I started the work of repairs, which in- volved the painting of the entire exterior, the building of a new and larger piazza, and a wharf, extending out to a depth of 31/2 feet of water, making diving from the end of it possible.
After divers inside repairs, I also improved the general con- dition of the beach and of the surroundings, so that, when of- ficially opened on June 17th, it presented an added improve- ment to the town.
The boys took advantage of their opportunity from the very first, and I will say to their credit that not once during the whole season did they cause any serious trouble, but assisted me in every way to make their conduct an example of cleanness and good will.
Shortly after the opening I started classes, which were taught during the morning hours, the result of which is that boys numbering 110 learned to swim, and over 100 passed in the tests that were conducted toward the close of the season.
Fifty girls succeeded in passing the same tests.
The total attendance of boys during the season was 9,800. The girls, with ten bathing days totalled 1,392.
Realizing my responsibility as to the safety of the bathers, I decided that prevention is better than cure, and pursued that course, with the results that not a single accident was recorded during the entire season.
Wednesday as "Girls' Day," which last year was an experi- ment, is now a proven success, for which credit is due in a
285
farge measure to the efforts of the Kosmos Club, and especially to those of the ladies who acted as matrons.
The matter of instructing the girls how to swim has proved an education to me.
I will not venture on anything approaching advice, but I have, in speaking with different citizens of Wakefield, often heard the statement that the bath house ought to be kept open evenings until about 8 o'clock, so that those who work during the day may have an opportunity to cool off after 8 or 10 hours' work. A larger appropriation by the town would make that possible.
I wish to acknowledge the kind interest in the welfare of the bath house of Mrs. Montague and Mr. William Murray.
To the Park Commissioners, who with able advice and liberal attention rendered this season a success, the thanks of all are due.
Respectfully submitted,
SVERKER C. WIBERG.
286
REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR GIRLS' DAY AT BATH HOUSE
Park Commissioners.
Dear Sirs :- A committee from the Kosmos Club had charge of the bathing for girls at the bath house last summer. Two matrons had charge each week.
The bath house was open for girls on Wednesdays, from July 1 to September 2. There was an average attendance of 139, and the number who took advantage of the bathing through the summer was 1,392. Mr. Wiberg gave instruction in swim- ming, and fifty girls qualified in the various classes.
The girls seemed to appreciate the privilege of the use of the bath house, and a large number of young ladies also.
There is need of more lockers, and some way of ventilating the bath house, and an awning would be much appreciated.
We thank all those who helped through personal gifts or otherwise. 1
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. C. E. MONTAGUE, Chairman. MRS. F. E. COX. MRS. C. L. SOPHER. MRS. C. G. MORRILL. . MRS. W. B. WILEY.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
WAKEFIELD
Municipal Light Board
AND MANAGER
OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
288
REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD
The Wakefield Municipal Light Commission presents here- with its 21st annual report for the year ending December 31, 1914. For the details in connection with the operation of the plant, we refer to the report of the manager.
The output of both gas and electricity has increased. There has also been an increase in the number of hours of street lighting.
The fact that the amount of unpaid bills has increased over that of last year is caused by a much larger amount of gas coal being on hand at the end of the year as compared with last.
The year has been one of progress and development for the plant, and the commissioners have held their regular meetings on Tuesday evenings at the Town Hall.
lu accordance with the vote of the town, the Commissioners have made a contract with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company to furnish the town all the electricity needed deliv. ered at the switchboard. At present the town is using single phase current, but without a large additional expense arrange- ments can be made, if necessary, for the use of three-phase current.
A special pole line was built for the town from the Stoneham town line down Prospect Street and North Avenue to the plant, of sufficient capacity to serve the town for a great many years, as a source of supply from the Edison Co. Under a special arrangement, the copper wire has been rented to the town, and there are two ways by which the Edison Company can fur nish the supply, so as to prevent any break in delivery at any time.
This contract will doubtless reduce the cost of current at the switchboard, and especially through the extreme low cost of non-peak current permit the town to build up a larger power load.
289
It has also removed indefinitely the time when the town would be obliged to make a large expenditure of capital in building a new plant for generating electricity, so as to take care of the constant increasing demand.
Electrical Department
The boilers in this department will now be used entirely for supplying the steam to the gas department in manufacturing water gas and heating the gas holders, running the high pres- sure pumps, etc., and also giving the necessary heat for warm- ing the office, switchroom, stable, etc.
Should the town vote to dispose of the engines, dynamos, etc., the room now occupied by these will be put in proper con- dition for a current regulating and switchboard room.
Every consideration is being given to manufacturers to en- courage the use of electricity for power. The figures concern- ing the output of electricity for the year can be obtained from the manager's report.
The Edison Company began to supply the current on October 19, 1914.
Street Lighting
The work of putting the department's electrical wires under- ground on Main Street, between Crescent and Water, has been completed. It was planned to erect 12 new and ornamental poles for Main Street.
Through the generosity of a citizen of our town, the pole in front of the Town Hall was replaced by two ornamental poles of three lights each, and the removed pole was set at the Rock- ery, it having two lights attached.
Unfortunately the conduits did not extend far enough to connect this with the system of lighting in the square, and it is planned by the board, if possible, to extend the underground wires this year so as to make these two lights at the Rockery a part of the system now lighting the square. The ornamental lights in front of the Town Hall and the eleven poles in the square are on a separate circuit from the other street lights
290
in the town, and can be lighted and used irrespective of putting on any of the other street lights.
By reference to the report of the manager, it will be seen that the current for street lighting increased in 1913 over 1912 59 per cent. This was due to the fact that the lights were lighted all night when such nights were dark.
The Bay State Street Railway also put all of its feed wires in conduits, and so in Wakefield Square an improvement has been made that is permanent in its value.
The number of hours of street lighting outside of lighting the square has increased from 2808 to 2873, and in addition the square has been lighted since July 7, 1914, for 1033 hours.
The Commissioners have had some trouble in certain locali- ties in the wanton destruction of the street lamps. It seeems useless to keep replacing these lamps, and our policy has been to call this annoyance to the attention of the citizens of such sections, asking them to assist us in preventing this trouble by controlling the children and discovering the offenders. The town should not continue such lights unless something can be done to prevent the lamps from being wantonly destroyed.
New street lights have been installed on Oak St., near Na- hant; Main St., near Barry's Greenhouse; Oak and Green Sts .; Montrose Ave. (2 lights) ; Main St., between Rockery and Water St., removed nine and installed eighteen; Everett and Hillis Aves .; Brett Court; Pine Walk; Albion St., near rail- road tracks; Lafayette St .; Junction Station; North Ave., near Broadway; Farm St., near Water. Total net increase, twenty-three lights.
Pole Lines
The keeping of the electric pole lines in proper repair is one of the difficult problems with which the town must deal. Streets where the trees were small when the wires were first installed become a source of trouble now that these trees have grown up into the wires. The street railway feed wires and signal wires, telephone wires, fire alarm wires, commercial electric light wires and street lighting wires are all on the
291
same poles in many cases. Great care must be taken to have the lines in the best of condition. During storms there is great danger of cross circuits, which cause expense in the way of lamp renewals, etc.
The agreement which the New England Telephone & Tele- graph Company signed in 1894 has been extended for twenty years.
An agreement has been signed between the Bay State Street Railway Company and the town governing the joint ownership of poles, and such agreement applies to the poles on Prospect St., from West Chestnut to Hopkins St .; on North Ave., from Prospect St. to the plant, and on Albion St., from Main St. to North Ave. In the past the town has made use of many of the railroad poles, through the courtesy of the Bay State Street Railway Co. An agreement is being prepared to apply to joint occupancy of these poles as between the Bay State Street Railway and the town.
Gas Department
The necessary repairs in this department have been done. By vote of the town, a high pressure pipe was run from Rail- road St. through West Water St. to Farm St., and the in- crease in the number of consumers in this section has justified the expenditure. Other extensions have been made in the gas service, which can be obtained in detail from the report of the manager, under the heading of Gas Main Extensions. In 1913 the extension amounted to 10,398 feet, and in 1914 to 19,428 feet. The amount of water gas and coal gas made for the year can be obtained from the report of the manager. The increase in consumption was 5.6 per cent.
Fire Alarm
There has been only such work done on the five fire alarm circuits as was necessary to keep them in operating condition during the current year. A new box was installed on Salem Street, near the railroad crossing, according to vote of the
292
town. Also the numbers of several box locations were changed to give better uniformity, and it is hoped that soon all boxes beginning with 2, such as 21, 24, 27, will be in one section, and those beginning with 3, 4 or 5, etc., will be in different sections.
Under vote of the town, the batteries, switchboard, repeater, etc., were moved from the stable of the light plant, and are now installed in the Central Fire Station. We believe this change is a marked benefit to the system, and we feel justly proud of it. In its present place there is plenty of room for extension, and all work has been done in view of having a reliable and flexible service, plenty of light, cleanliness and good air, especially in the battery room. A great deal of time and thought have been given to the installation, and several ingenious devices for its protection from fire have been in- stalled. The apparatus has never been in as safe a position as it is at present, and it is more flexible and in less danger of giving trouble than ever before.
There was not sufficient money voted by the town to prop- erly finish this work, and, therefore, the balance was drawn from the regular fire alarm appropriation to the extent of ap- proximately $200.00.
No great amount of new work is planned for the ensuing year. We hope to run au underground cable on Main Street, from Water Street to Hanson Street, and remove the fire alarm wires that are along there at present. No conduit will have to be laid, as there is provision in the Telephone Company's system for this work. It is believed that a great deal more of underground work should be done, as there is far less likeli- hood of interrupted service in this method.
New Rates
As indicated in the report of the Commissioners for 1913, the new rates for gas and electricity were put into effect on March 1, 1914; the rates for gas being $1.40 per thousand, and the rates for electricity $ .15 per k. w., with a discount for prompt payment of $ 20 per thousand for gas and $ .03 per k. w. for electricity.
293
As would be expected, this had the effect of decreasing the receipts to some extent for the first year, but the Commission- ers feel that the results of the operation of the plant, as shown in the report of the manager, indicate that their judgment was correct in making this reduction, and they expect to make further reductions as soon as it appears to them that the busi- ness of the plant will justify such reduction. Naturally the receipts of the plant would be affected by the condition of business during the past year, and when business gets into a normal state, and the people are well employed and prosperous, there is no doubt that the receipts will increase to such an extent as to make a further reduction in rates justified.
Conclusion
The Commissioners wish to extend their appreciation of the faithful work, under very trying conditions, from the fact that there was so much new work to be done during the year, to the manager, the office force and all the employees of the plant, as they have worked harmoniously and faithfully to make the operation of the plant successful.
EDWIN C. MILLER, Chairman. FRANK J. HENKEL. L. WALLACE SWEETSER, Secretary.
REPORT OF MANAGER
Messrs. Edwin C. Miller, L. Wallace Sweetser and Frank J. Henkel, Municipal Light Board.
Gentlemen :
The twenty-first annual report of the manager, showing the operation of the plant for the year ending December 31, 1914, is herewith respectfully submitted.
294
Comparative Report of the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1914
Ending
Ending Dec. 31, 1914 Dec. 31, 1913.
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