USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1913-1916 > Part 61
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320.43
$3,306.26
Respectfully submitted,
H. GERTRUDE LEE,
Librarian.
EUGENE S. HINCKLEY Park Commissioner 1896-1916
51
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Report of Park Commissioners
In submitting our annual report for 1916, the Board desires to express its appreciation of the cordial manner in which its efforts have been seconded by the people. This is shown not only by the willing way in which the appropriation for the Park Department has been voted, but still more by the wider use that has been made of the park facilities, especially, of course, the Common and Park, and the Hart's Hill Reservation, by all classes, by not only the young but those of maturer years, -by not only those who have lived long in Wakefield and thus love it for association's sake, but by the newcomers and those of foreign birth.
We feel, as the Board of Park Commissioners, that we hold in trust one of the most valuable assets, perhaps the most valuable, (though not to be expressed in dollars and cents) which our town possesses.
The value of our beautiful Park with its outlying vista of lake and surrounding sward and woodland, in making Wakefield what it is in the estimation of not only its own people, but for its reputation abroad, is not to be easily estimated.
The laying out of parks increases the desirability of a town as a place of residence equally with the facilities for ready means of transportation, its healthful location and the character of its popu- lation This is recognized by all modern planning boards.
Welfare workers lay stress upon it. Municipal boards of trade en- courage it. It has become a part of the courses in civil engineering taught in the polytechnic schools. The development and the preser- vation of open spaces enhances the value of neighboring real estate.
For this park development other towns-to say nothing of the great cities,-have spent thousands and tens of thousands. Wakefield has acquired it almost as a gift. We have not had to develop new areas or purchase lands. Nature and the far-sighted way in which the town was laid out by its early settlers have given us what less fortunate communities have purchased at a great price.
A town does not grow into parks. It outgrows them, except in such happy exceptions as Wakefield. A town usually is built to meet the demands of commerce. Building is added to building, street to street. Sewers, electric lines and wires are pushed here and there. Thus the open spaces are crowded back. Thus, not only the extent but the direction of a town's growth is in a large degree controlled by the natural laws of development, resisting or directing the move- ments of supply and demand.
So it is that we feel our fellow-citizens should appreciate what a large asset our town has in its park system. Our open spaces did not have to be bought. The natural lines of our territory gave it the basis in beautiful outlooks and far-flung vistas of park lands which are unexcelled for beauty in all the picturesque towns of Massachusetts.
4
52
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
To conserve and develop these gifts of nature is the welcome duty which we as a board of park commissioners feel is placed in our hands.
In the line of this thought we may, as citizens, congratulate ourselves upon the acquisition of Hart's Hill Reservation. During the past year the walks and paths have been extended and improved. Spaces have been cleared to improve the outlying views. It has been gratifying to note how much the public has appreciated this part of the town's natural attractions which has come into the possession of the people
The Board has had no unusual work in hand during the year. Our task has been to keep the Park, Wakefield's most beautiful feature, in neat condition and make it as serviceable as possible for the recrea- tion and rest of our people, and to care for the other park-spaces. In this purpose, the Board cannot too highly commend the services of Mr. William Murray, whose excellent judgement and constant conscien- tious labor have for many years been active in the care and beautifying of the Common and Park.
The small park-plat at the Junction has been improved and kept in good order by Mr. Eugene Lenners.
In providing band concerts on the Park in conjunction with the Metropolitan Park Commission, the town has afforded a means of en- joyment during the summer months to thousands. We believe no ex- penditure of public money could be put to better use as relates to the giving of enjoyment to the greatest possible number than the giving of these concerts. Aside from that, the concerts are a good investment for our business houses and the town, simply as an adver- tisement.
Improvements have been made in the municipal bath house. Its patronage was not quite so large as in years past.
The detailed account of the expenditures in each of the items mentioned above will be found in the town accountant's statement.
We have to record with sorrow the passing away during the year of our esteemed colleague, Mr. Eugene S. Hinckley. Mr. Hinck- ley was greatly interested in the work of the board and his zeal, and good judgment have been very valuable in the service of the town. We feel a personal as well as public loss in his death, and will ever cherish the interest, devotion and business ability which he gave to the service of his fellow-citizens for twenty years as Park Commissioner.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. ABBOTT, Sec'y A. PHILIP KNIGHT
53
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF SWIMMING
To The Board of Park Commissioners:
As Supervisor of the bath house, I beg leave to submit the fol- lowing report for the 1916 season.
Work began June 12th, cleaning up the beach and getting the bath house opened up. A complete new wharf was built from the porch down into the water. Several new planks and barrels were put in the raft, also a new diving board.
The bath house was officially opened June 17th.
Classes were organized in which the beginners were taught in the first part of the morning and afternoon and advanced lessons and perfecting of strokes and diving the latter part of the morning and afternoon.
The girls having only one day a week (Wednesday) had the same schedule. I wish to recommend at least one more day a week for the girls.
The attendance for boys was only half that of the previous year. This was due to the excessive growth of weeds in the lake, in the vi- einity of the bath house The wet, chilly weather of the opening and elosing weeks also kept the bathers away.
The total attendance for boys was 4,390, an average of 73 a day. The total attendance for girls was 1,793, an average of 163 a day for eleven days. The girls' attendance was nearly the same as the previous year.
Safety First was practiced with the results of no serious acci- dents. First aid was administered to several youngsters who had stepped on something sharp or had bruised themselves.
In the closing weeks the annual tests were given which con- sisted of Junior, Intermediate and Senior events.
In the boys' classes, 50 learned to swim, 84 took the Junior test, a swim of 60 feet, 50 took the Intermediate test, swimming 100 feet, dive from raft, swim on back 100 feet; 20 took the advanced test across the lake from Beacon to Sweetser street, running front dive, and back dive from spring board and 8 yards under water.
Girls : 10 learned to swim 60 feet; 10 took the Intermediate test; 3 took the advanced test, making a total of 177 ribbons awarded.
I wish to recommend that some efficient means be available to keep the weeds cleared away from the near vicinity of the bathing beach.
The attitude of the bathers was orderly and helpful at all times.
I wish to extend my thanks to the ladies who were matrons, to the Park Commissioners who willingly met the needs of the bathers and to Mr. William Murray.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH E. LOCKE.
54
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF COMMITTEE FOR GIRLS' DAY AT BATH-HOUSE.
To The Board of Park Commisioners:
Dear Sirs:
A committee from the Kosmos Club had charge of the bathing for girls at the bath house last summer.
The bath house was open for the girls on Wednesdays, from June 21 to September 6. There were 1793 who took advantage of the privilege-an average of 163 each time.
Respectfully submitted,
Mrs. C. B. Hall, Chairman Mrs. C. E. Montague Mrs. H. S. Bouve' Mrs. W. B. Wiley Mrs. G. A. Packard Mrs. R. Dutton
Mrs. J. R. Green
Report of Town Counsel
Wakefield, Jan. 1, 1917.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :-
Gentlemen :-
Following is my report as town counsel for the year 1916. The beginning of the year found the Bay State St. Railway Com- pany's petition before the Public Service Commission for approval of its revision of fares and fare zones undisposed of and the hearings thereon continued intermittently up to July 25, 1916, occupying sixty days in all, the greater part of which I have attended. There have been also in connection with this matter many conferences of counsel and meetings of representatives of the affected municipalities to dis- cuss the matter and I have acted as treasurer for the municipalities who contributed toward the expense of an expert for the remonstrants. Wakefield contributed $100 and a total of $1900 has so far been ad- vanced and paid to the expert whose bill is $2600 but no further obli- gation therefor is on Wakefield. I drew a bill for the legislature legal- izing such contributions and one was enacted and is now law and in the form it passed now allows municipalities to effectively protect their residents and the public generally whenever deemed advisable by con- tributing money for opposing such matters.
The result of the hearings is well known and as first construed by the company under the order passed August 31, 1916 by the Commis- sion was to increase all the fares so far as Wakefield was concerned but by direction of your Honorable Board I entered a protest to that
55
REPORT OF TOWN COUNSEL
construction and after a hearing thereon the Commission ruled that in Wakefield we should have the benefit of the five cent fare on all routes theretofore charged at that rate which began or ended in Melrose or Malden. In effect this placed us between the cities allowed by the order to retain the five cent fare and those municipalities where the order allowed the six cent fare to go into effect. Practically because of the routes generally used by Wakefield residents, we have the five cent fare for by far the larger number of our citizens who use this service.
The hearings before the Special Commission to determine the amounts to be paid on Metropolitan Park and Wellington Bridge were concluded and their findings made and the Supreme Court by de- cree put the same into effect. From that decree several municipalities have appealed with respect to certain costs of construction of the Charles River Dam. If any relief is given under said appeal it will throw such costs on the cities of Boston and Cambridge and lighten those on all others in the district.
Briefs were prepared by me for the Supreme Court in the Lead Lined Iron Pipe Co. cases (2) against the town and on March 9, 1916 the cases were argued before that Court which on April 6 overruled the exceptions of the plaintiff and judgment has been entered for the town and costs of $128.49 collected and paid to the treasurer.
The two actions of Samuel H. Perry in the Superior Court for damages from water escaping from the standpipe in Stoneham were tried and one by agreement dismissed and in the other Judge Irwin found for the plaintiff for $310.05 which with costs has been paid.
The case of Margaret R. Zinck for $5000 in the Superior Court for damages from a stream of water from a defective hydrant on Al- bion street striking and knocking her down was settled for $116.
CASES PENDING AGAINST THE TOWN
Three actions of tort for $5000 each, for alleged injuries from gas. Three actions for alleged injuries from defects in highways for $5000, $4000 and $2000 respectively.
One action to recover amount paid for alleged defective tax deed, $300. All the above are pending in the Superior Court.
One suit in the District Court to recover $100 in contract.
One action is pending in the Superior Court brought by me to recover taxes due the town.
I have advised the departments of the town many times on various matters and have attended many sessions of the various Boards. Collections without suit have been made for various departments.
The compensation now paid for the services required of this de- partment, and each year they increase, is not adequate and an increase is respectfully requested.
Respectfully submitted,
M. E. S. CLEMONS, Town Counsel.
56
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of the Chief of Police
WAKEFIELD, MASS., JANUARY 1st, 1917.
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 31st, 1916.
Number of arrests 396
Number of arrests on warrants
24
Number of summonses served
32
Males .. 381
Females
15
Residents
290
Non-residents
101
Commorants
5
FOR THE FOLLOWING CRIMES, VIZ :-
Arrested for other officers 23
Assault and Battery
22
Assault with a dangerous weapon
1
Assault with a revolver
1
Assault on officer
1
Assault with intent to commit rape
1
Attempt to murder
1
Breaking, entering and larceny
9
Breaking, entering with intent to commit larceny
8
Bastardy
1
Being present
9
Carrying a loaded revolver without a permit
2
Carrying a sling shot
1
Cruelty to a horse
3
Capias .
1 207
Default warrants
2
Exposing and keeping
1
False alarm of fire
2
Fornication
2
Gaming on the Lord's day
11.
Insane
5
Larceny
9
Manslaughter
1
Drunkeness
1
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
57
Maintaining a gaming machine
1
Non-payment of wages
2
Not having lights on vehicle
Non-support
7
Operating automobile under the influence of liquor 2
Search warrants for liquor
3
Search warrants for stolen property
2
Stubbornness
4
Safe keeping
18
Surrender warrant
1
Truancy
1
Violation of Town By-laws
14
Violation of Automobile laws
11
Violation of Traffic rules
2
Violation of Lord's day
1
Violation of Milk laws
1
Violation of probation
1
396
HOW DISPOSED OF
Appealed
6
Continued
20
Delivered to other officers
23
Dismissed for want of prosecution
1
Discharged
17
Defaulted
3
Fines imposed
73
House of Correction
2
Insane Hospital
5
Lancaster School
1
Probation
74
Placed on file
15
Released
149
Shirley School
1
State Farm
6
Total
396
AMOUNT OF FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURT
3 at $ .01 each
.$ .03
1 at 2.00 fine
2.00
17 at 5.00 each
85.00
1 at 8.00
8.00
32 at 10.00
320.00
1
58
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1 at
15.00
15.00
3 at
20.00
60.00
7 at 25.00
175.00
2 at
30.00
60.00
2 at 35.00
70.00
4 at
50.00
200.00
Total
$995.03
MISCELLANEOUS REPORT
Amount of stolen property recovered $537.90
Amount of lost property recovered 47.50
Amount of property left outside of stores and cared for 55.00
Accidents reported
24
Bicycles found
2
Buildings found open and secured
121
Broken wires reported
7
Complaints and cases investigated
377
Detail for public assemblages
622
Detail for private assemblages
23
Defects in water pipes reported
3
Defects in hydrants reported
1
Defects in man holes reported
1
Dogs killed
8
Electric light poles blown down
2
Fires discovered and alarm given
3
Fires extinguished without an alarm
1
Fences blown down
3
Horses killed
3
Lost children cared for
27
Lost dogs found and returned to owners
7
Lanterns in dangerous places
132
Medical Examiner cases
2
Officers at fires
34
Obstructions removed from street
7
Posting Notices
30
Runaway boys cared for
8
Runaway girls,
1
Runaway horses stopped
1
Sick and disabled people assisted
18
Still alarm of fire given
2
Stray teams cared for
3
Stray horses cared for
2
Street lights not burning and reported
. 355
48
Defects in street and sidewalks reported
12
Defects in gas pipes reported
REPORT OF CHIEF OF POLICE
59
Wires burning trees
7
Water running to waste
12
There has been collected and disbursed through this office, the sum of seventeen hundred and fifty-six dollars and thirty-nine cents in non-support cases.
On duty calls, thirty-two thousand, nine hundred and forty.
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, Hel- en L. Dooling, I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their kindly as- sistance.
I desire also, to extend to your Honorable Board, my sincere thanks for your kind and courteous treatment accorded me during the past year.
DISCIPLINE
To the members of the Police Department and all who have in any way assisted this department, I want to thank them kindly for their hearty co-operation.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I most earnestly recommend two more night men and one day man, as owing to the increase of automobile traffic, it is quite necessary to have one man on duty in the square during the day.
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 fail- ing 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 exercise 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 .-
60
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Highway Engineer
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
I herewith submit a report of the work of the Highway Depart- ment for the year ending Dec. 31, 1916.
The amount appropriated for general highway work was $16,- 440 which was apportioned as follows: Concrete sidewalks, Patrol, Snow, General Maintenance and the nine sections. The highway work has been limited, due to the small appropriation and the in- creased cost of materials and labor. The price of oil has nearly doubled and as a result only a portion of the streets, usually oiled, have been treated.
This appropriation is not large enough to carry on the work of the department and maintain the streets even in their present con- dition to say nothing of making very necessary repairs in every section of the town to sidewalks, fences, drains and streets.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
To this account are charged all supplies and repairs that are not chargeable to the sections or other accounts. From this account are also taken the maintenance of the horses and equipment and water charges for drinking fountains and horse troughs and that used in street work. In other words everything is charged here that is not otherwise provided for.
CONCRETE SIDEWALKS
More concrete work has been done than in past years. In order to do consistent work, "Tarvia A" has been used to give a constant mixture instead of using Gas House tar mixed with pitch which has proved unsatisfactory in a number of cases.
2447.2 sq. yds. of new concrete walks, 1775.8 sq. yds. of re- surfacing and 166 sq. yds. of patching have been built and 699.5 linear feet of curbing and 10 corners laid. In several sections loam borders have been built and in a number of cases heavy fills or cuts made to bring the walks to proper grades.
Part of the foundation for a granolithic walk on Overlook and Nowell Roads has been excavated to a depth of sixteen inches and filled with cinders in anticipation of completion next spring.
PATROL
The sum of $1,000 was set aside for patroling and cleaning the Square and adjacent streets, Albion and Chestnut Streets and North Avenue.
SNOW
Snow work this year has cost $2,578.47, an excess of $1,614.69 over last year. An endeavor has been made to give good service, the plows having been sent out at about 2.30 a.m. when the snow was
61
REPORT OF HIGHWAY ENGINEER
two (2) inches or more deep, thus insuring paths in all sections of the town except in the outskirts, before the heavy travelling of the early morning. Sanding has been done when there has been a gen- eral icy condition and the teams have been sent out before daylight when the early morning conditions have seemed to warrant the same. The problem of sanding is one that is open to more or less criticism since the weather conditions change so quickly and unless great care is used a large amount of money can be spent for which there is comparatively no return. Nevertheless an endeavor has been made to do as much as possible without spending an amount out of propor- tion with the rest of the appropriation.
Six new wing plows have been bought to take the place of old plows broken and discarded. Several more should be bought next ycar as the old plows are fast becoming useless and at best give crooked, unsatisfactory paths.
GRAVEL PIT
1040 double loads of sand, gravel and stone have been taken from the Poor Farm gravel pit. A great saving has been made by hauling all material from this pit to the Valley St. crusher and putting it through the crusher and screens, thus saving all of the material and delivering it in four sizes into the bins at a cost of about $1.00 per load. This has been particularly convenient for use in mixing material for concrete sidewalks as the different sizes of stone and sand are stored in the bins ready for mixing with the tar, thus saving hand screening and the unnecessary handling of the materials.
The work done in the nine sections of the town is shown in the following tables:
1
SECTION 1
Cleaning & misc. $ 55.45
Drains
Gravel
Macadam patching Oil
Side- walks
Apr. Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning .
May Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning Applying oil .
70.75
$ 1.26
June Applying oil
24.35
July Salem St., gravel patching
$ 27.24
Road oil. Tarvia "B"
271.59
Aug.
Road oil. Tarvia "B" .
72.03
$126.20
$ 27.24
$369.23
Allott. $483.20 Exp. $522.67 O'Draft $39.47
SECTION 2
Feb. Repairing wall, Lakeside .
$ 20.25
$477.94
Apr. Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning Cleaning catch-basins Gravel patching
$ 55.25
Coal ·
6.00
May
Cleaning catch-basins
18.25
Cleaning . Applying oil
153.22
Repairing fence, Lakeside
4.13
Crescent St., repairing gutter
1.32
.
. . June Main St., patching Main St., patching Tarvia "B", sweeping, sanding and applying Salem St. cor. Main, cleaning drain . 20.62
$ 50.43 135.52
292.10
.
.
.
TOWN OF
WAKEFIELD
62
.
$ 6.63
25.00
Crescent St. cor. Lincoln, repair gutter . Main St. cor. Church, repair drain Cleaning Otis St. .
4.69
14.19
4.25
July
Road oil
427.94
Coal for roller
5.83
Oct. Pleasant St., repairs .
11.40
Nov. Cleaning catch-basins
10.00
$523.15
$124.32
$ 6.63
$185.95
$873.26
$ 31.65
Allott. $1,328.80 Exp.$1,744.96 O'Draft $416.16
SECTION 3
Apr. Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning Cleaning catch-basins .
$221.20
$ 26.19
North Ave., gravel patching .
$ 5.25
May Cleaning Cleaning catch-basins North Ave., scraping . ·
5.09
25.50
Applying oil .
. ·
$145.08
$ 1.38
$ 12.84
. Tar for patching .
13.70
Repair drains and washouts .
6.63
Richardson Ave., cleaning 6.75
.
.
32.00
Richardson Ave. and North Ave., set paving blocks Chestnut St., patching June Road oil . . .
91.77
REPORT OF HIGHWAY ENGINEER
63
.
SECTION 3-Continued
July
Road oil
190.44
Coal for roller
1.63
$266.67
$ 58.32
$ 5.25
$ 26.54
$427.29
$ 1.38
Allott. $604 Exp. $785.45 O'Draft $181.45
SECTION 4
Apr. Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning
.
$169.49 180.40
May Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning Cleaning catch-basins
$ 45.00
Summit Ave., sidewalk repair
$ 4.00
Road oil .
$ 87.22
June
Cleaning catch-basins
17.00
Parker Rd., repair washout . Road oil
7.57
July
Cleaning catch-basins and drains
41.00
Road oil .
.
.
10.74
$360.63
$105.01
$241.79
$ 4.00
Allott. $845.60 Exp. $711.43 Bal. $134.17
SECTION 5
Apr. Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning.
May Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning .
Byron St., repair drain .
Cleaning catch-basins .
Cedar St. cor. Gould St., sidewalk repair .
.
$ 11.87 23.38
64.
TOWN OF
WAKEFIELD
$ 4.00
·
.
2.01
147.00
Coal for roller
$ 36.01 164.41
Road oil Albion St., patching .
$148.54
$29.03
June
Cleaning catch-basins Road oil
77.63
Tar for patching
27.41
Converse, Albion and Lake Sts., cleaning brook
19.25
July
Road oil
.
Catch-basin covers and flames
21.00
$200.42
$103.50
$ 56.44
$302.44
4.00
Allott. $604 Exp. $666.80 O'Draft $62.80
„Iay
1pr. Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning Scraping, drag-scraping and cleaning Cleaning catch-basins Applying oil . .
.
$ 24.00 143.20
$ 59.25
$ 87.35
Main St., patching
$ 7.95
.37
2.00
48.50
July
Applying oil
·
29.00
Nahant St., sidewalk
$ 45.67
Nahant St., fence . .
38.95
$206,15
$107.75
$ 73.00
$ 9.95
$116.72
$ 45.67
Allott. $543.60 Exp. $559.24 ('Draft $15.64
65
REPORT
OF
HIGHWAY
June Demurrage on oil car . Sand for patching
Nahant, Bennett and Water Sts., cleaning drains Nahant St., gravel and stone .
$ 73.00
ENGINEER
. .
.
.
28.00
76.27
SECTION 6
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