Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1913-1916, Part 43

Author: Wakefield, Massachusetts
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Town of Wakefield
Number of Pages: 1374


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1913-1916 > Part 43


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72


43


227


706


Charles L. Burrill


706


294


308


1308


Charles E. Fenner


35


7


10


52


William E. Marks


17


18


5


40


Jeremiah P. McNally


6


0


4


10


Defective


1


1


Blanks


93


25


50


168


Auditor


Alonzo B. Cook .


693


286


302


1281


James W. Holden


10


3


2


15


Henry C. Iram .


35


5


8


48


Jacob C. Morse


424


42


219


685


William G. Rogers


23


22


6


51


Defective


1


1


Blanks


108


29


67


204


1


38


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Attorney General


Henry C. Attwill


724


298


320


1342


Frank Auchter .


20


22


8


50


Joseph J. Donahue


420


35


214


669


John McCarthy


33


4


8


45


William Taylor


6


0


2


8


Defective


1


1


Blanks


90


28


52


170


Councillor. Sixth District


Joseph H. McNally .


441


51


227


719


Henry C. Mulligan


694


281


289


1264


Defective


1


1


Blanks


158


55


88


301


Senator.


Sixth Middlesex District


Wilton B. Fay .


732


302


307


1341


Whitfield L. Tuck


449


48


236


733


Defective


1


1


Blanks


112


37


61


210


Representative in General Court. Twenty-first Middlesex


Eden K. Bowser


712


274


320


1306


Charles A. Dean


544


103


270


917


Defective


1


1


Blanks


37


10


14


61


County Commissioner.


Middlesex County


Alfred L. Cutting


701


288


300


1289


John L. Dyer


17


5


10


32


George A. Goodwin .


33


13


9


55


Michael M. O'Connor


356


35


189


580


William H. Walsh


48


4


27


79


Defective


1


1


Blanks


138


42


69


249


County Treasurer. Middlesex County


DeWitt C. Clapp


39


46


24


109


Joseph O. Hayden


687


256


294


1237


David A. Keefe


405


39


204


648


Defective


1


1


Blanks


162


46


82


290


Sheriff. Middlesex County


John J. Donovan


414


35


211


660


John R. Fairbairn


747


297


319


1363


Defective


1


1


Blanks


132


55


74


261


39


REPORT OF TOWN CLERK


Shall the proposed amendment to the constitution, empowering the general court to authorize the taking of land to relieve conges- tion of population and to provide homes for citizens be approved and ratified?


"Yes"


735


225


337


1297


"No"


171


66


97


334


Defective


1


1


Blanks


387


96


170


653


Shall the following proposed amendment to the constitution, enabling women to vote, be approved and ratified?


"Yes"


472


144


188


804


"No"


673


211


348


1232


Defective


1


1


Blanks


148


32


68


248


Shall the following proposed amendment to the constitution relative to the taxation of incomes and the granting of reasonable exemptions, be approved and ratified?


"Yes"


703


221


330


1254


"No"


216


71


99


386


Defective


1


1


Blanks


374


95


175


644


TOWN MEETING NOVEMBER 15,1915


Meeting called to order at 7.40 o'clock P.M. by Moderator Eaton who read the call for the meeting.


On Motion of G. L. Wakefield.


Voted: That the reading of articles in the warrant be dispensed with.


Constable's Return was then read.


Article 1. To see if the town will accept the provisions of Section 402, Part 5, Chapter 835 of the Acts of 1913, relating to the election of a Highway Surveyor .- William J. Murphy.


Motion by A. D. Moran that the town accept the Provisions of Section 402, Part 5, Chapter 835 of the Acts of 1913, was lost.


Article 2. Will the town authorize the placing of the Paul Revere bell, the property of the town now hanging in the cupola of the High School, into the possession of the Wakefield Improvement Association for public use and safe keeping .- Wakefield Improve- ment Association. H. B. Mansfield, Sec'y.


On Motion of A. H. Thayer.


Voted: That the subject matter of Article 2 be left with the Selectmen to make such arrangements with the Wakefield Improve- ment Association as will insure the safety of the Paul Revere bell.


40


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Article 3. To see if the town will accept for park purposes from Louville V. Niles a deed of parcel of land known as the "Oval" and located in Wakefield Park at the intersection of Park avenue and a private way called Clarina street, the town to assume and pay the taxes of 1914 ánd 1915 as a consideration therefor, and raise and appropriate a sufficient sum of money therefor, or transfer the same from some other funds of the town available therefor .- M. E. S. Clemons.


On Motion of M. E. S. Clemons.


Voted: That the town accept for Park purposes from Louville V. Niles a deed of a parcel of land known as the "Oval" and located in Wakefield Park at the intersection of Park Avenue and a Private Way called Clarina Street and assume and pay the taxes of 1914 and 1915 as a consideration therefor.


Article 4. To see if the town will authorize the Board of Over- seers of the Poor to have the title of the town in and to the Poor Farm registered by the Land Court, the expense therefor to be charged to said board's regular appropriation, or what they will do about it .- Hugh Connell.


On Motion of M. Lowe.


Voted: That the subject matter of Article 4 be referred to the Board of Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Woodville Improvement Association and Town Counsel, they to report at the Spring meeting.


Article 5. To see if the town will vote to appoint a Tax Com- mittee of twenty-five citizens to co-operate with and make recom- mendations to the Board of Assessors with a view to enable the Assessors to fully assess all property and thereby reduce the rate of taxation .- Earl H. Morton.


On motion of A. D. Jenkins.


Voted: That the town appoint a Tax Committee of twenty-five . citizens to co-operate with and make recommendations to the Board of Assessors with a view to enable the Assessors to fully assess all property and thereby reduce the rate of taxation.


Voted: That committee be appointed by Moderator.


Voted: That committee have power to fill vacancies.


At 9.30 o'clock it was voted that this meeting be dissolved. Attendance 600.


December 6, 1915.


The following committee appointed under Article 5.


Augustus D. Jenkins James H. Kimball


William O. Abbott


Clide G. Morrill


Charles A. Atwell


Earl H. Morton


Eden K. Bowser


Edward E. Lee


Lawrence W. Churchill


Henry F. Miller, 2nd


William T. Curley


John A. Meloney


Percival B. Evans


Albert E. Phelps


Dennis Greaney


Ernest E. Prescott


41


REPORT OF SELECTMEN


A. Francis Harrington


Frank J. Henkel


Loring P. Jordan William W. Kelso


Edgar L. Ryerson Howard M. Tuttle George E. Walker Charles R. White


Arthur L. Wiley


REPORT OF SELECTMEN


To the Citizens of the Town of Wakefield.


We herewith respectfully submit the annual report of the Board of Selectmen for the year ending December 31, 1915, together with the reports of the several departments under its control or super- vision.


ORGANIZATION


The Board, consisting of Nathaniel E. Cutler, John A. Meloney, John J. Round, Earl H. Morton and Frank H. Hackett, held its first meeting March 1, 1915. John J. Round was elected Chairman, Frank H. Hackett, Secretary, and H. A. Simonds was appointed Clerk.


COMMITTEES


Street, N. E. Cutler, J. J. Round.


Military, J. A. Meloney.


Police, E. H. Morton.


Fire, J. A. Meloney.


Town Hall, F. H. Hackett.


Licenses, F. H. Hackett, J. A. Meloney, E. H. Morton. Clerk of Board, H. A. Simonds.


APPOINTMENTS


Town Counsel, M. E. S. Clemons.


Superintendent of Street, O. H. Starkweather.


Janitor of Hall, Harvey S. Parker. Dog Officer, James J. Pollard.


Fire Inspector, William E. Cade. Inspector of Wires, William E. Cade.


Inspector of Animals, Palmer Corbett.


Registrar of Voters, Patrick J. Kelly. Town Accountant, Harry A. Simonds.


*Inspector of Building, Hoyt B. Parker. Inspector of Buildings, Cornelius Donovan. Keeper of Lockup, Joseph L. Preston. Burial Agent, John M. Cate. Agent, care of Soldiers' graves, Chas. A. Evans. Moth Department, W. W. Whittredge.


Sweetser Lecture Committee, Edwin C. Miller, W. S. Perkins, J. Lowe McMahon, H. M. Wheeler, Harris M. Dolbeare.


Board of Fire Engineers, William E. Cade, Edw. S. Jacob, Henry A. Feindel.


42


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Constables, H. A. Simonds, James J. Pollard, Henry DeRoach, Joseph Preston, Lincoln S. Tainter.


* Deceased.


POLICE OFFICERS


John A. Meloney, Lewis E. Carter, George O. Russell, Roy D. Jones, William G. Carley, James Findley, John N. Logan, Walter F. Carley, David B. W. Findley, O. H. Starkweather, Henry Hoyt, Herman Salholm, O. G. Sanborn, Nath. E. Knowles, Francis W. Howard, Eber Holmes, Thomas W. O'Neil, Willie R. Blake, John G. M. Gates, Albert D. Cate, Herbert T. Mitchell, Arthur T. Seder- quest, George F. Leach, Ernest Tyler, Arthur Gibbons, Emil Nelson, Louis N. Tyzzer, William H. Murray, H. S. Parker, Charles I. Grant, Henry J. Gilfoyle, John J. Cotter, Michael Foley, George W. Couil- lard, Hardy Russell, A. P. Butler, John Minnikin, Ralph W. Foster, Woodbury W. Smith, Joseph Fazio, Louis P. Fairfield, Robert C. At- kinson, Harry C. Van Wert, George B. DeRoach.


During the year the Board has granted licenses as follows for which fees have been received :


2 Theatre Licenses . No Fee


22 Victuallers' Licenses No Fee ·


30 Peddlers' Licenses $ 34.00


5 Auctioneers' Licenses 10.00


2 Second-hand Furniture Licenses 30.00


4 Junk Licenses . 200.00


7 Pool Licenses . 35.00


2 Circus Licenses 30.00


1 Bowling License


3 Fony Express Licenses


5.00


1 Intelligence Office License 5.00 $349.00


There has been more work for the Board of Selectmen this year than usual. This, of course, is to be expected in a growing town. During the year the Board has held regular meetings Thursday even- ing of each week with the exception of holidays and besides these, there have been several special meetings and members of the board have been present at all hearings where the interests of the town seemed to be affected. Some changes have been made in organization, this year. The old committee on checks whose duties were abolished by the acceptance of the town accountant act has been discontinued and a new committee on licenses added. This new committee has worked well and we trust will become a permanent committee in future boards.


We desire at this time to call attention to the condition of the Town Hall as this matter will not be touched upon in other reports. This year the building has been repainted outside, the lower corridors, and selectmen's room painted and revarnished, and a new system of lights installed to comply with the fire regulations. In previous


43


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES


years the appropriation has not been sufficient to keep the building in proper repair. We desire to remind the citizens that our Town Hall which was presented to us over forty years ago is now as it was then, the finest building in town and the finest Town Hall in this part of the State, and we trust the town will in the future show its appre- ciation of the generosity of the giver by providing a sufficient amount each year to keep its Town Hall in thorough repair. We hope the coming year to repaint a large part of the interior, make some re- pairs in the clock tower, and perhaps install illuminated dials.


Members of the Board have given much of their time outside of their regular meetings to the town's business, and we think in the main good judgment has been shown .. We feel that the successful work of the Board is in a large measure due to the efficiency of its Clerk, Mr. H. A. Simonds, and we wish on this occasion to thank him, in particular, as well as the different Boards and citizens of the town who have co-operated with us during the year.


Respectfully submitted,


JOHN J. ROUND, Chairman, NATH'L E. CUTLER, FRANK H. HACKETT,


EARL H. MORTON, JOHN A. MELONEY.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF WIRES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- In compliance with the vote of the town I have made a total of 367 inspections during the year of 1915.


Fifty-two defects were found and the same were all made to com- ply with the National Electrical Code.


Yours respectfully,


W. E. CADE, Wire Inspector.


REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- There were a total of 123 forest and grass fires during the year with a total expense to extinguish of $249.88 together with outstanding bill of $32.50.


Your respectfully,


W. E. CADE,


Forest Warden.


44


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Dear Sirs :- I herewith submit to you a report of my work done in 1915.


Adj.


Sealed Con.


Platform scales capacity over 5,000 pounds


18


1


Platform scales capacity under 5,000 pounds .


1 73


Counter scales


85


Beam scales .


34


Spring balances .


2


82


6


Slot Personal (penny in slot mch.)


11


3


Prescription scales


5


Weights Avoirdupois


32


815


Weights Apothecary


117


26


Weights Metric


7


Dry Measure


30


Liquid Measure


143


1


Automatic Pumps


1


18


Glass Graduates


32


Ice Cream Cans .


150


4


Molasses Pump .


8


Linear Measures


21


Fees collected during the year, $104.83.


Respectfully submitted, ALBERT A. MANSFIELD, Sealer of Weights and Measures.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1915.


One hundred fifty-three building permits were granted. Nine- teen of these were granted by the Selectmen, sixty-two by Mr. Parker, two by Mr. Cutler and seventy by me. I have inspected these build- ings during their construction. The total estimated valuation is $238,370. Other buildings which have been reported unsafe have been inspected and owners notified to make required changes.


I have also inspected thirty elevators and made returns to the state. One elevator operator was licensed and six designated.


Respeclyfully,


CORNELIUS DONOVAN,


Inspector of Buildings.


Computing scales


31


45


REPORT OF TOWN PLANNING BOARD


REPORT OF WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AGENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- I respectfully submit the following report ending December 31, 1915.


An employee of the town, Edward G. Bowditch, while in the discharge of his duty as a fireman, March 27, 1915, was badly injured. According to the vote of your Board, he is receiving $10.00 per week beginning fourteen days after the date of the accident to continue during his disability. He is improving but it is impossible to say when he will be able to resume his work.


There were other employees of the town injured during the year but the department for which they worked were insured and they have received compensation from the insurance company.


Respectfully, CORNELIUS DONOVAN,


Compensation Agent.


REPORT OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- The Town Planning Board herewith respectfully presents its report for the year ending December 31, 1915, together with recommendations.


The Board organized by electing H. B. Mansfield Chairman, and Dr. J. W. O'Connell Secretary, was later sub-divided into Committees as follows:


Public Health: Dr. Sopher


Housing: Mr. Mansfield


Education and Recreation: Dr. O'Connell


Public Convenience: Mr. Morrill


Transportation: Mr. Tyler


Meetings have been held bi-weekly during the year, and matters looking towards plans for future development and growth of the town have been discussed rather than minor improvements which would have no such bearing on the future.


Members have attended the Town Planning Conference of the Massachusetts Homestead Commission and the Town Planning and Housing Exhibition held in connection with it.


At the suggestion of the Board, the Boston & Maine Railroad has made extensive and much-needed improvements around the Upper Station, seeding the sloping section between the track and North Avenue, and planting several hundred dollars worth of shrub- bery on both sides of the track.


It is strongly urged that people in this section respect the public spirited efforts of the Railroad Company and refrain from crossing any part of this land.


46


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


As a result of the meetings held the past year the Board begs to submit the following recommendations:


A. That members of the Planning Board be elected for terms of years; two for three years, two for two years and one for one year.


B. That the town appoint a Committee to investigate the ad- visability of adopting some modified form of Town Government.


C. That upon the opening up of new sections for building purposes, no street shall be laid out except with the ap- proval of the Planning Board.


D. That swamp or boggy areas adjacent to improved land be drained and made available for cultivation or building.


E. That the town acquire land around the lakes as opportunity offers.


F. That a public dump be established on some town property which is in need of filling and that proper attention be given it from time to time in the way of burning paper and burying other material.


HUBBARD B. MANSFIELD, Chairman,


J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL, Secretary,


CURTIS L. SOPHER,


C. G. MORRILL, SELDEN W. TYLER.


REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- My report covering the legal department of the town for 1915 is as follows :-


LEGAL CASES DISPOSED OF


The $4,000 suit of Hannah Ford was tried in the Superior Court and a jury awarded her $100.


The suit of Gertrude Chick for the same amount was "non- suited" on the calling of the case for trial, and judgment entered for the town.


The case of Emma Wulff for damages for exclusion from the high school was tried and the presiding judge directed a verdict by the jury for the town. On the plaintiff's exception the case was heard in the Supreme Court and the exceptions overruled and final judgment has been entered for the town.


James H. Hillsgrove's petition for a revision by a jury of his award for land damages for laying out a highway in Montrose has been settled for the amount originally awarded by the County Commissioners.


47


REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL


CASES PENDING


Three actions of $5,000 each for damages for alleged injuries from gas are pending in the Superior Court.


Three actions are also pending in the same court for alleged injuries from alleged defects in highways for $3,000-$4,000 and $5,000 respectively.


The two actions for $4,000 each of the Lead Lined Iron Pipe Company for damage from overflow of brook were heard for seven- teen days by Auditor E. Leroy Sweetser, Esq., who later found in his report for the town. The cases were then tried before a jury and Judge Brown who at the end of about four days of hearings, directed the jury to find for the town, to which the plaintiff excepted and the exceptions are now being prepared for the Supreme Court.


Two small actions ($100 and $300) in contract are pending.


In addition to attending to the above I have represented the town in the following matters:


Hearings before a special commission to determine the appor- tionment of the Metropolitan Park assessments for the next five years.


Also before the same commission on the apportionment of the cost and maintenance of the Wellington Bridge and also that of the Charles River Dam and Basin. Printed briefs were prepared and filed.


Before the Public Service Commission on the petition of the Bay State Street Railway Company for approval of a revision of its fares and fare zones.


Opinions have been given in writing to departments of the town as requested and I have held many consultations with the officials and given informal opinions.


Obtained options for most of the property through which the Quannapowitt Boulevard will be built and have attended several conferences with the Metropolitan Park Commissioners on same.


I have investigated personally several matters affecting the town and examined the premises involved.


Collections of money due have been made for several of the departments without suit.


Respectfully submitted,


M. E. S. CLEMONS, Town Counsel.


REPORT OF SWEETSER CHARITY


Rosa B. Cutler, Treasurer,


In account with Sweetser Charity Dr.


To balance on hand January 1, 1915 .


$361.80


Received from Treasurer of Sweetser Lectures 235.65


48


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


Dividend from Wakefield Savings Bank .


15.45


Cr.


By disbursements


$274.44


Balance


$338.46


ROSA B. CUTLER,


Treasurer.


REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


I herewith submit my annual report as Inspector of Animals.


Two (2) tubercular cows, four (4) horses with glanders, also three (3) dogs with rabies, were killed. There were a few cases of Hog Cholera, also.


Respectfully submitted,


DR. PALMER CORBETT, , Inspector of Animals.


REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- I have the honor to submit to your Honorable Board, the report of the doings of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1915.


Number of arrests


357


Number of arrests on warrants


30


Number of summonses served


40


Males


345


Females


12


Residents


248


Non-residents


98


Commorants


11


For the following crimes, viz:


Arrested for other officers


21


Assault and battery


16


Assault with a dangerous weapon


3


Assault with intent to kill .


1


Assault on officer


1


Accessory before the fact


1


Adultery


1


Bastardy


3


Being present


3


Carrying a loaded revolver


1


$612.90


REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE


49


Cruelty to animals .


4


Capias .


1


Drunkenness


189


Dynamiting a building


1


Exposing and keeping


3


Fornication


3


Gaming on the Lord's day .


Having in his possession milk bottles with other persons names


Insane


Larceny


12


Malicious mischief


3


Manslaughter


1


Mutual assault .


4


Murder .


1


Not driving to the right of the highway


3


Non-support


13


Poisoning a dog


1


Peddling without a license


1


Riding a bicycle on sidewalk


3


Setting fire in the open


3 13


Safe keeping


2


Throwing missiles at electric car .


2


Unlawfully appropriating a horse


1


Violation of Town By-Laws .


2


Violation of General Acts of 1915, Ch. 204, § 1


1


Violation of the Milk Law .


2


Wilfully and without right taking an automobile


1


Total


357


HOW DISPOSED OF


Appealed


4


Continued


25


Discharged


20


Delivered to other officers


21


Electrocuted


1


Fines imposed


64


House of correction


8


Insane hospital


8.


Placed on file


11


Probation


47


Released


141


State Prison


2


State Farm .


5


Total


357


23


1 8


Stubborn child .


Suspicion


4


50


TOWN OF WAKEFIELD


MISCELLANEOUS REPORT


Amount of stolen property recovered . 123.00


$1,357.00


Amount of lost property recovered .


Amount of property left outside of stores and cared for . 51.00 23


Accidents reported


Bicycles found


6


Burglary (false alarm)


1


Broken wires reported .


24


Building found open and secured .


180


Case investigated


192


Detail for private assemblages


20 168


Detail for public assemblages


8


Defects in gas pipes


50


Dangerous trees reported .


22


Electric light poles blown down and reported


2


Fires discovered and alarm given


1


Fires extinguished without an alarm .


6


Fences blown down


1


Horses killed


7


Lost children cared for


24


Lantern in dangerous places .


117


Lost dogs found and returned to owners


5


Medical Examiner cases .


6


Obstructions removed from the street


8


Officers at fires


41


Posting notices


15


Rescued from drowning


2


Runaway boys cared for


11


Sick and disabled people assisted


18


Stray horses cared for .


3


Street lights not burning


198


Water running to waste


8


Wires burning trees


8


Amount of fines imposed by the Court


$ 677.00


There have been 27,685 on duty calls during the year.


To His Honor, Judge Charles M. Bruce and his Associates, E. Leroy Sweetser and Thomas P. Riley and to the Clerk, Wilfred B. Tyler and his Assistant, Henry C. Bacon, and to the stenographer, Helen L. Dooling, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their kindly assistance.


I desire also, to extend to your Honorable Board, my sincere thanks for your kind and courteous treatment accorded me during the past year.


·


2


Defects in water pipes


Defects in streets and sidewalks


7


Dogs killed


Stray teams cared for


1


51


REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS


DISCIPLINE


To the members of the Police Department I want to thank them kindly for their hearty co-operation.


RECOMMENDATIONS


I most earnestly recommend three more men for night duty. One at North Ward and Montrose District; one at the Junction; one at Water Street District.


I would most earnestly recommend some means of transporta- tion for the Department, as at the present time we have absolutely none.


The primary duty of a police officer is to prevent crime, and failing this, is to procure its punishment.


For this purpose he is invested with broad powers and may per- form any act consistent with the rights of others and with the exer- cise of a sound discretion on his part. But it should be understood that neither the State nor the municipality, whose officer he is, assumes any responsibility for his wrongful action.


Physical and mental ability and moral character should be con- sidered and politics eliminated.


Respectfully submitted, JAMES J. POLLARD, Chief of Police.


REPORT OF THE ENGINEERS OF THE WAKEFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT


To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.


Gentlemen :- The Board of Fire Engineers presents this annual report for the year ending December 31, 1915, together with such information which may be of interest to the town.


APPARATUS AND MEN


The number of pieces of apparatus remain the same as our last year's report. The motor-drawn has been in service for a year and has fully come up to the expectations that were claimed, for it has been very reliable and the time saved in reaching fires has greatly increased the efficincy of the department. Two years experience with pneumatic tires on the rear of the Webb Triple Combination has fully convinced this Board that they are not reliable and that they have been a big expense to the town. We have had Sewell cushion wheels put on with solid rubber tires. They are on trial and if found satisfactory, will materially decrease the cost of motor apparatus. The number of men in the department remain the same as our last report.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.